JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
VOLUME 8 No. 28
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LEGAL AID ISSUE
DELAYS SIPT CASES Website: www.suntci.com
Email: sun@suntci.com
The judge hearing cases against former Cabinet Ministers, lawyers and developers has given the Registrar of the Supreme Court two weeks to sort out legal aid for the defendants “as a matter of urgency”. Mr. Justice Paul Harrison made the ruling in the Turks and Caicos Islands High Court in Providenciales on Wednesday July 11, when he adjourned the plea and directions hearings until November 12th, 2012. “Settling the issue of legal aid is essential to the entire case…Two weeks should be enough time for the defence counsel and the Registrar to meet and resolve this matter,” said Judge Harrison. “That is the only way we can regard the defendants as being properly protected and represented…I would like to avoid the possibility of any defendants being unrepresented.” On trial are Floyd Hall, McAllister Hanchell, Lillian Boyce, Jeffrey Hall, Clayton Greene, Chal Misick, Lisa Hall, Richard Padgett, Melbourne Wilson, Samuel Been, Quinton Hall and Earlson Robinson. The case against Jak Civre was dropped by the prosecution because of his age and medical condition. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
THEO DURHAM RESIGNS FROM ADVISORY COUNCIL PAGE 7
Tel: 649-946-8542
Fax: 649-941-3281
www. twitter.com/suntci
LIME MAKES ANOTHER COMMITMENT TO GO GSAT
Telecoms giant LIME pledged its commitment to bankroll the Go GSAT Programme for the 2013 campaign, with $20,000 symbolic presentation to the Education Department during its 2012 GSAT presentation inside its former corporate office along the Leeward Highway in Providenciales on Thursday, July 14. Director for Education Edgar Howell explained that the money would go directly to the GO GSAT Programme from LIME, so as to enable students to access the online study. He said the role of the Department of Education in the programme is to collect the names of students that would participate in next year GSAT and forward them to the administrators of the programme. The administrator would then create a pass code for each student and pass them on to the Education Department, which in turn would forward them to the respective schools for them to distribute the codes to the students. All information under the GO GSAT Programme is shared with LIME for probity purposes. In photo, Acting General Manager, Althea Been symbolically presents the giant check to Howell.
TEACHERS LEAVING TCI FOR CANADA PAGE 9
FORTIS RESPONDS TO HIGH FUEL FACTOR CHARGES PAGE 11
INTERNATIONAL WARRANT FOR DR. CEM KINAY PAGE 23
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Legal aid issue delays SIPT cases
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Floyd Hall, Jeffrey Hall, Chal Misick and Melbourne Wilson were unrepresented by legal counsel. Hanchell was represented by Laura Maroof, Boyce and Robinson by Finbar Grant who is holding on as junior counsel for Barbadian lawyer Sir Richard Cheltenham until legal aid is resolved; Greene and Been by George Misick, Lisa Hall by Oliver Smith, Quinton Hall by Finbar Grant and Padgett by Coleen Thompson. The Prosecution’s cases is headed by Andrew Mitchell,QC,. Special Prosecutor Hel Garlick was also in court for the hearings for the first time, but she took a back seat and did not participate in the proceedings. Justice Harrison, a former President of the Jamaica Court of Appeal, who was brought in especially for the cases that were brought by the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Team (SIPT), said he was aware that the Chief Justice expressed the view that the question of increased funds for legal aid will be considered favourably. He noted that the rates which are being charged in the United Kingdom by lawyers dealing with serious cases will be used as a guide in determining what rates will be set in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Chief Justice instructed the Registrar of the Supreme Court to deal with the issue of legal aid, however, she is on medical leave so the deputy Registrar will have to take over the matter. Lead Prosecutor Queen’s Counsel Andrew
The Honourable Justice Paul T. Harrison (centre) was sworn in by Acting Governor Patrick Boyle (right) on Tuesday July 10, 2012, in the presence of Honourable Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale (left). On the advice of the Judicial Service Commission given under section 82 of the Constitution His Excellency the Governor appointed The Honourable Mr. Justice Paul Harrison O.J., C.D., J.P to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of Turks and Caicos Islands for the period beginning 10 July 2012 and ending 30 June 2014. Mr. Justice Harrison has been assigned by the Chief Justice to deal with criminal trials arising out of the Commission of Inquiry.
Mitchell, who is reportedly paid in the region of US$2000 per day, told the court that legal aid in the Turks and Caicos Islands is presently set at US$600 per day. It is understood that defence lawyers are pushing for rates in the vicinity of $2000 a day for Queen’s Counsel and around $1000 a day for junior counsel. Meantime, before adjourning the case until November 12, Harrison ruled that any skeleton
Interim Administration begin meeting with political parties, independents The Interim Administration of the Turks and Caicos Islands have begun meeting with the leadership of local political parties and independents in the run up to the General Elections on November 9, 2012. The TCI’s Acting Governor and Chief Executive Patrick Boyle said: “The Permanent Secretaries and I are looking forward to the meetings and are keen to share information in a fair and equitable manner by meeting with all of those who will put themselves up for office. Our objective is to ensure that politicians forming the new administration will have the knowledge they need to be up and running immediately after the elections”. He noted that the aim of the meetings is to brief politicians on TCIG’s strategic policies and plans. On Wednesday July 11, 2012, Mr. Boyle and the Permanent Secretaries met with the leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Mr. Oswald Skippings and members of his executive team. It was the first in a series of meetings in which political groups and independents will meet with the members of the Interim Administration and Permanent Secretaries. Mr. Boyle is scheduled to meet with the Progressive National Party (PNP) leader Dr. Rufus Ewing and his executive team on Monday July 16, 2012. In days to come, the leaders will also meet with Permanent Secretaries and other senior government officials. The meetings are in keeping with the Interim Administration’s commitment to a smooth transition to self government in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
arguments in relation to whether cases should be tried together are to be served 4 p.m. on September 14th. The Prosecution is to reply to any such skeleton arguments by 4 p.m on October 12th. Regarding trial by jury, the defence are to serve submissions, case law and evidence in relation to that by September 14th and the defence is to reply by October 12th.
Appointment of Interim NHIB Chairman Acting Governor Mr. Patrick Boyle announces the appointment of Mr. Wilbur Caley as interim Chairman of the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB). Mr. Caley, a current board member replaces Mr. John Smith who left the position at the end of his term of appointment term at the end of June 2012. Acting Governor Boyle said; “I am delighted that Mr. Caley has agreed to chair the NHIB until a substantive appointment is made. I thank him very much and I wish him every success. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. John Smith for his outstanding leadership of the NHIB during his tenure and wish him well for the future”.
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VAT, THE OPIATE OF OUR WOES BY ROYAL S. ROBINSON, MBE
number of my colleagues attended the meeting in Grand In listening to the Consultative Turk that I participated in. A Forum yesterday, I was never number of our National more disappointed by the Executive Committee presentations and voting by attended the meeting in some members. It was clear Providenciales. I saw the that some of the members read exchanges on WIV 4, so I from scripts prepared for them know that it happened. So it is by others. Some of them had no just tongue and cheek to say clue as to what was going on. otherwise. Furthermore, the For the Chairman of the Forum PNP put out a position paper to say that the political parties and held a press conference were “ducking” from recently and one of the topics presenting at the Forum is just dealt with why VAT should mischievous on her part, given not be implemented at this that the parties’ views that they time. Added to this, the Chair would not be subservient to that of the Forum acknowledged body as it did not represent a that she had received a joint ROYAL ROBINSON mandate from the people of this communiqué from PNP and CONTRIBUTER country. PDM stating their opposition What was very curious to VAT. It might not have been in the form that the though, was that the vote on the bill was 5 for and 5 Chair preferred, but nonetheless, it was in the public abstentions. That did not sound like a ringing domain. endorsement to the bill, but indicated a lack of I can agree that the business community might support from serious quarters. We know that the have come late to the party, but they are here now, government officials would support a government front and centre. They have been making a very presented bill, but it gets it “legitimacy” from the impressive case in opposition to the imposition of other members of the body and that was not present. VAT on TCI at this time. They clearly do not want The Chair certainly danced on the head of a pin to act as tax collectors for government and having to from beginning to end. She started by stating the invest significant sums in putting in place the obvious in that as far as the Interim Administration necessary infrastructure and human resources that was concerned, it was a done deal and why have a would be necessary to comply. As far as big hearing. However, she found a way to toe the line by businesses are concerned, once they are geared up to buying into the fake presentations of the operate, they will only act as a conduit. It will be a Administration in that this system would stop the clear pass through to the end user. “rich businessmen” from having an affluent life style Stanbrook quoted IMF correctly, in that if there as they made money from their business venture. is nothing being manufactured in country to which The other fallacy is that you would be able to comply value can be added, then it make a nonsense to with the VAT programme by a “back of the change the system of charging duties on imported envelope” calculation, when everyone knows that it items for a VAT system. To date, the VAT team is a complex system that requires specialist training headed by Groves has not been able to show any in order to comply. empirical data to support their assertions that VAT To say that the Political Parties did not would guarantee a steady stream of revenue or that participate in the process is absolutely not true. A it implementation would not cause inflation or that in the immediate future that they would not have to raise the rate because the projected income is not being generated. It is very clear from the presentation at the Forum yesterday, that the team does not have its talking points “down pat”. The CFO say one thing, the PS/Finance another and other members of the team yet another. That does not give the type of confidence that people need to have when they are telling us “trust us, we will get it right”. It was not self-serving on the part of Stanbrook when he said that he was ashamed of the way the Interim Administration was going about this particular imposition. There is scant regard for the rule of law and due process on the part of these people. Now Stanbrook is English, a lawyer, and a QC at that, so he should know a thing or two about the legal system. For it to have been said that bills coming before the House of Assembly were not made public before it passage was a bold faced lie. To say that some bills went through the first, second and third reading at a particular sitting would be true. Many of us might not have liked that, but the rules allowed that to happen, by the suspension of the rules provision in the Standing Orders, which is the document that guides the House. I have not had sight of any such rules as they
CONTRIBUTED
TCI POLITICAL CARTOON
Turks and Caicos Sun Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com
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relate to the Forum, so the Chair makes them as the sessions go on. When the CFO said that he could not release the documents on which he based the VAT system for TCI, I could not believe my ears. Here is a man that has consistently tried to mislead us in the face of data and information that we can see and read is saying to us, “I have the information, it is confidential, but trust me” and I say to him that “pigs can fly”! the opposition to VAT has taken root. Those 3,000 + signatures of ordinary citizens coupled with those of the e businessmen must count for something. No matter how they try to side step the issue, it comes right back in their faces. The first sign of a shift is when they have decided not to sign the bill into law today as was previously contemplated. They have to take into consideration the representations made. VAT in its present form would not shield us from the vagaries that currently beset us. Let us go back to the drawing board and come up with proper options to raise our necessary revenue. The throw away with Bermuda and Cayman is that their financial services sector is booming. We have been saying, invest in the restructuring of the products on offer here and the manpower necessary to police the sector and we will get that level of revenue. Additionally, put more manpower in Revenue Control that would give them the ability to stop the leakage of the uncollected revenue that is out there. That would certainly be far cheaper that putting in 25 persons initially to implement VAT from TCIG’s stand point. Just remember that over time, we have not had a real revenue problem. Our problem has been in runaway spending in some areas. Once we have tied to policy-based initiatives, then we will be alright. There is no reason at this time to “change black dog for monkey”! so I say, step away from the precipice that we are being pushed to by the British to comply with the EU just for us to benefit by $5M in the next financial year and a further $15M in the years to come. We will realize more than that when SIPT is completed. So do not be fooled. This is not of our making. The smoke and mirror is to satisfy external forces. Just remember that the British did not tie themselves to the Euro and from the state of things over there, it seems to have been a good decision for them. Do not let them hamstring us to VAT to satisfy their European colleagues to our demise! Royal Robinson was a former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Health in the Progressive National Party (PNP) Administration.
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LOCAL NEWS
eo Durham resigns from Advisory Council out of frustration BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR
Original member of the Advisory Council Theo Durham says that he tendered his resignation from that body because he felt that over the past few months, his contribution was not given much value. Durham walked away from the Advisory Council at the end of June, after notifying Governor Ric Todd of his intentions at the end of May. He told The SUN that a number of other members currently serving on that body also felt that their contributions were being disregarded. “When I was appointed I felt like I had something to offer, and I think during the early years I did offer quite a bit, but in the last year or so I felt like my opinion was not of much value, and I think I could turn another page and move on. It is not like it is a job, it is a volunteered position, and I have got other things that I could do with my life rather than to sitting on a council giving advice and nobody is
Theo Durham
taking the advice…I don’t need that. “At the end of May, I notified the Governor and other members that I was stepping down, and I did so at the end of June,” Durham said. Durham said that while other members on the Advisory Council shared the opinion that their advice was not being considered by the
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Interim Administration, he was not sure if they were willing to walk away from the body at this time. “I get that impression (that other members are frustrated) but you would best speak to them. But as to any of them leaving, that is a good question, I don’t know. The Advisory Council is made up of private sector persons and persons who are quasi public servants, and I think that is a different thing there. You have the private sector people there, and perhaps they need to be there to be well-informed. “I am a private sector person and I told people that I have no axe to grind. I if resigned from the Advisory Council I don’t have to worry about not getting a job or not collecting a government salary, or something like that, because I never used to collect that before,” Durham argued. Durham said that despite negative public opinion of that body, its members made significant contributions, explaining that some decisions arrived at, which could be regarded as good for the country were
conjured by its members. “Many times people look back and they don’t remember the early days. Back in 2009 and into 2010, when crime was rampant in the Turks and Caicos with mainly guns on the street and what not; it was as a result of direct advice by the Advisory Council, which said we needed to make tough laws, we need to implement them and send a clear signal that this wouldn’t be tolerated. “That’s not something that came from Britain; that was not something that came from a British Governor; that came from the Advisory Council. That was one of the main things that we did to stop the flow of crime, but people don’t remember those kinds of things,” Durham lamented. He said, except for the last few months, his time served on the Advisory Council was rewarded, since it gave him the opportunity of serving the public is a different capacity, and he believed that he acquitted himself well.
Residents encouraged to display house numbers The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to residents to purchase their house numbers and have them displayed, as this will greatly assist emergency services to locate your residence or emergency location. To date eighty percent (80%) of Streets in Providenciales have been confirmed. The Survey and Mapping Department is working assiduously to complete Grand Turk, which is currently about seventy-five percent (75%) complete. Mr. Demarco Williams of Survey and Mapping Department said, “We are pleased that Street naming and numbering on Providenciales are almost complete. We are working hard to complete this exercise in Grand Turk by the end of August 2012.” As well as having distinct and clear street names, the ability of emergency services to reach you as quickly as possible will also depend on how easy it is to find your house on the street. Your house number should be as clear and visible as possible. It should be lit or reflective so that it is clearly visible at night. Tammika Lall of 911 Emergency Communications Centre that issues Official Address
confirmations to residents noted that many residents have not displayed their official address number and some are displaying the numbers incorrectly. The Street Addressing Ordinance 2010 stipulates that the numbers should be a minimum of two feet six inches above the ground and the lettering should be a minimum of three inches in height and at least 3/8 of an inch thick. Residents are also reminded that as at November 1st, failure to display their official building number carries a fine of up to $5,000. Further, although 911 in conjunction with the Survey and Mapping Department have issued addresses since 2009 many residents still do not know or in some cases do not remember their official address when there is an emergency, which can delay response times. If you do not yet know your address, please fill out the 911 Data Form and you will receive your official address as registered in the 911 system. Once you learn your address, memorize it, and make sure family members know it too. Please contact 911 Centre at Williams Plaza, 34B Old Airport Road, Providenciales, Tel: 946-5255 or email: tci911street@gmail.com
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Tommyo Phillips is third road fatality for 2012 Many persons who knew Quinton ‘Tommyo’ Phillips remain baffled as to what could have caused the perennially slow driver to lose control of his vehicle resulting in a fatal nocturnal crash along the Leeward highway in Providenciales. The incident took place minutes after 4a.m., on Sunday morning, July 8, in the vicinity of Carlisle Supplies, while Phillips was driving his Chevy Impala motor car along the dual carriageway heading in an easterly direction. The promising young man’s death brings to three the number of traffic fatalities occurring in the Turks and Caicos Islands since the start of the year. Phillips, who formerly represented the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Carifta Track and Field championships, and also a budding architect, died less than two hours, according to police, after his car ran off the Leeward Highway, slammed into a wall and overturned, sometime after leaving a nightclub, where a post
Quniton Phillips
graduation party had just ended. It is understood that the former student of the Majorie Basden High School in South Caicos and the TCI Community College suffered from internal organ damage. He however, managed to give the name of his mother, Marsha Lewis and her contact before slipping into unconsciousness and later pronounced dead by medical
The Turks & Caicos Islands Hospital
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER InterHealth Canada (TCI) Ltd is seeking a well qualified and experienced human resources professional to head up a small team at the Turks & Caicos Islands Hospital. Based at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, there will be occasional travel to Cockburn Town Medical Centre. The successful candidate will need to have the following qualifications, skills and attributes. • A formal qualification in human resource management at undergraduate level or post graduate certificate or post graduate diploma level. • Membership of an internationally recognised professional body in human resource management • Human resource management experience of at least 5 years at management level. • Recruitment services management experience of at least 5 years at management level. • A minimum of five years experience specifically in the field healthcare and working in human resources and recruitment. • Computer literacy in the MS Office Suite is essential and the selected candidates will also be taught the use of the ‘Simply Personnel’ software system. • Demonstrated skills in change management and turning around problem departments / areas. • A team player who can also lead colleagues in the move towards excellence. . Candidates will be responsible for the day-to-day activities in both human resources management and recruitment at the hospital and will be the prime contact with both immigration and labour departments and so strong interpersonal skills are essential. Whilst a management level post this is very much a hands-on position, as the department is small. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the development of the human resources department staff with the aim of ensuring a suitable succession plan from within the department at some future point. Applicants are invited to send a full curriculum vitae to jtrainor@ interhealthcanada.tc Closing Date for Applications: 23 July 2012
personal at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. A passenger in ill-fated vehicle – Devonte Joseph – who graduated from the Clement Howell High School in Providenciales on July 5, remained in critical but stable condition at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Providenciales. A police source told The SUN that officers, who were on patrol down town Providenciales received a 911 call that a serious crash had taken place along the Leeward Highway, and when they arrived on the scene, they saw the white Impala in a mangled condition with the two men apparently removed wreckage by passersby and placed nearby. Medical first responders, who arrived on the scene shortly after transported the injured men to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for treatment, but the Phillips 22, succumbed to his injuries, while 18 year-old Joseph was stabilized and admitted. Since the incident, Phillips
Facebook page has been inundated with condolences from close acquaintances as well as those not so close. The police were not able to say whether or not speeding or racing - as some members of the public have been alleging - was a contributing factor in the incident. “We don’t know whether or not speeding was responsible for the accident. We are still calling for eyewitnesses to come forward and give us information. When we got on the scene, they were taken from the car, so we know that there must be some eyewitnesses, and we are asking them to come forward,” said Traffic Officer, Abdonald Pierre. He said while the police may have an idea as to what may have happened, they would need eyewitness accounts to confirm their suspicion. Phillips was only child for his mother, who is said to be in an advance stage of pregnancy, and had to seek medical attention on learning of the news.
New major hotel developer to make public presentation The Investment Unit with the Authority of Governor of the Turks and Caicos Island Damian Roderick Todd invites members of the public to a presentation on a proposed mixed-use development on the island of Providenciales. The presentation is to be held on Wednesday July 18, 2012 at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Centre, Down Town Providenciales at 6:00pm The proposed development for an EP Hotel, Conference Centre and Retail and Professional offices, exceeds current building height and requirements as set out in the TCI Development Plan. Its approval will therefore, require changes to the legislation. In the interest of good governance, a public hearing is being held to allow the developer to present the proposed development to the people and to invite their comments. Please note that the Governor encourages professional comments that seek to guide the process of evaluation which should determine the project’s approval, denial or modification. Your feedback and comments are important to this process and should be submitted by August 1, 2012 in writing to: Governor's Office, Waterloo,Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands or send by to e-mail: governorgt@fco.gov.uk or rastwood@gov.tc For further information regarding these matters, please call the Investment Unit on 946-2801
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LOCAL NEWS
Exodus of teachers from Turks and Caicos Islands to Canada The Education Department may have to embark on a massive teachers drive to fill up to 30 slots from this September, as The SUN understands that Canada’s Ministry of Education has been vigorously scouting locally-employed educators to fill a number of positions there. The recruitment drive, this newspaper understands, is partly due to the high level of performance by Caribbean teachers already in the Canadian education system. It is also understood that a number of teachers, some on contracts with the TCI government as well as those, who claimed that their contracts are in limbo have been seeking further details of the programme before making up their minds whether to accept or reject it. The SUN was told that the majority of teachers who have left the local education system this year ether by expiration or termination of contracts, have decided to make the Canada move. “Up to 20 teachers could leave the TCI education system because of the recruitment programme. It seems that Canada is aggressive in their recruitment drive to fill positions in their public schools. Caribbean teachers are seen as some of the best in Canada, and that is why each year, this is the
Director of Education, Edgar Howell
region that they look to first. They are also being told by teachers already in the system that the benefits are great, and that is one of the drawing cards,” according to one of the teachers who said he had already finalized plans to move to that North American country after accepting the offer. But some persons are of the view that while the Canadian education system would be bolstered by a slate of experienced teachers from the Caribbean, the TCI, which has been suffering from a chronic shortage of specialist educators in both primary and
high schools stand to plunge ever further, and could have a telling effect on future local and external examinations being sat by local children. When contacted, Director for Education, Edgar Howell was confident that TCI schools would have an almost full slate of teachers for the new school year, as Government had already begun its drive to fill whatever spaces that he said were left vacant by departing teachers, whose contracts were either not renewed opted not to renew. Howell said, too, that he was unaware of such a move by teachers working locally. “I have not heard of such a move. I know that within the public schools, we, on an annual basis, would have to recruit new teachers, either because teachers are coming to the end of contracts and opting not to renew or the government chooses not to renew certain contracts. And then, teachers who are employed from a month to month basis may choose to leave at the end of the school year and, in some cases, the government decides to discontinue their employment. “And so, on an annual basis, we look for new teachers, some years it is more than others. For example, two years ago, we brought in only about eight teachers on contract and then we were able to hire persons who did their
training at the Community College. So this year, no more than other years; I think within the rumour mill sometimes things get out of hand,” Howell said. He told The SUN that the Education Department has already conducted interviews to recruit about 22 teachers for the new school year, noting that the entity received only three resignations so far. “So I am satisfied that we are going to have sufficient teachers for the reopening of school. Teachers are expected to be back in the country by the 27th of August, with the view to the reopening of the school on the 5th of September and, it is my anticipation that we will have the staff complements that we need, that was being budgeted for, for the new school year and, we will be able to operate smoothly. “If there are any deficiencies in any of the areas, I don’t anticipate that would be very long; I don’t see it happening; there is the possibility of teachers who are on month to month, to decide that they are going to wait on August to notify the department that they are leaving. In cases like those it would put a bit of strain on us to source teachers, but we will do everything within our power to ensure that we have sufficient staff,” Howell said.
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British Embassy in Washington to lobby President Obama on removal of TCI from duty-free list The British Embassy in Washington will be lobbying US President Barak Obama to consider reversing his decision to remove Turks and Caicos Islands from the list of countries allowed to export goods into the United States of America duty-free. This was stated by Philip Rushbrook, Director of Strategy in the Governor’s Office, who said that the announcement by the US administration to remove TCI from the list was “unexpected”. Two weeks ago, the SUN broke the story that Obama has ordered the United States Congress to terminate the Turks and Caicos Islands from the list of countries that will be allowed to export products to the USA duty-free. This shocking move by Obama means that it will cost more to export items including fish, lobster
•
LABOURER
and conch to the USA from January 1st, 2014, when TCI’s eligibility for trade benefits from the USA will come to an end. Rushbrook said they have been in active contact with both the FCO in London and the British Embassy in Washington. He said: “They are engaging with their US counterparts on this matter and we are providing them with further data to demonstrate the decision was made on inaccurate data. We believe that there is sympathy for the TCI position and the FCO is working to explain clearly to the administration the hardship caused and ultimately, to restore the status quo. We believe we can present a convincing case to the US authorities to permit duty free imports of TCI produce to continue. Our embassy in Washington will lead discussions with the USA once
they receive the new data by the end of July. Since the proposed imposition of import tariffs would be from 2014, it remains unclear if discussions can proceed swiftly or will take some time given the increasing pace of campaigning for the US election in November.” Rushbrook added: “The information stated by the US authorities appears to focus on two sources: a World Bank classification of the TCI as a high income country; and the apparently very small amount of TCI exports using the US GSP quota system being implied as representing the sum of TCI’s exports to the USA. American trade records indicate most TCI exports, notably fish, enter the US through a different import mechanism. The Strategic Policy and Planning Unit in the Ministry of Finance has been
tasked to compile a package of TCI data referring to export figures, GDP, poverty and hardship, national debt and household incomes, as well as to examine more closely the basis of the World Bank classification.” In a directive to the Congress which was also posted on the White House website on Friday June 29th, Obama stated: “Pursuant to section 502(e) of the 1974 (Trade) Act, I have determined that it is appropriate to terminate Turks and Caicos Islands' designation as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) program, because it has become a high income country as defined by the World Bank. Accordingly, Turks and Caicos Islands' eligibility for trade benefits under the GSP program will end on January 1, 2014.”
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
Page 11
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Fortis handicapped by high operating costs BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR
A lack of a deep water harbor in the Turks and Caicos Islands is one of the problems identified as the reason electricity costs in the Turks and Caicos Islands is not dipping, according to Fortis TCI. Fortis TCI customers have been complaining that they were not seeing a downward adjustment on their bills despite international news indicating that there has been a downward trend in crude oil prices on the world market. Fuel factor is what drives costs locally since Fortis has to make application to Government for an increase in electricity rates, which has not been granted in recent time. One of the concerned persons claimed that Fortis TCI fuel factor was the highest in the region. In an interview, Eddington Powell, Fortis’ Chief Executive Officer, explained that a number of external factors, which he said was beyond the company’s control, were the reason customers were not seeing a rate drop. In addition to fuel factor, he said that fuel price locally is driven by the absence of a deep water port, resulting in Fortis having to pay landing cost in the Bahamas, before paying an additional cost when fuel is transferred to smaller boats in order for it to be transferred to the TCI. “The other thing that drives our cost
here is that our pricing is affected by our lack of infrastructure. In Cayman, Barbados, Bermuda or in St. Lucia, they have deep water harbours, so the large tankers would go right up to the harbor and offload. We get fuel from the gulf. First, it stops at Freeport in the Bahamas, and then from Freeport, it goes to Clifton Pier, and then is put on to smaller tankers. We pick up certain expenses and customs expenses in the Bahamas. So it is obvious that fuel delivered in Cayman and Bermuda is going to be slightly different, because they have a difference in supply chain. Those things impact the price of fuel that we pay.” The Fortis CEO said his company approached the local government and requested that it forged bilateral talks with the Bahamas, to address the tariff issue, but to date nothing was done. “People are saying to us over the last few days that ‘price of fuel is dropping, so why isn’t your fuel dropping at the same rate?’ Our customers said they watched CNN or other news sources and they saw that crude oil prices have dropped from a high as $108 down to, say $80. But I have to explain that there is a lag with the prices that we get from the fuel company. The fuel company is buying fuel months in advance. They bought fuel when the prices were very high, so they are, of course, using those high pricings. They have not been able yet to supply us with the cheaper fuel or they are just beginning to supply us perhaps with the cheaper fuel,” Powell explained.
Ideal Petroleum Products
Gas Attendant Salary $200.00 per week Contact 946-5663 The Terrace Ltd Seeks
Restaurant Helper/Cleaner
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• MUST be reliable and honest • Clean Police record Starting salary: $5.00 per Hour Contact:caicos café 946-5278
“The other thing that we have to be very cognizant of is that around this time of year – June, July – because of the hurricane, or leading up to September, which is the high intensity of the hurricane season, our fuel supplier would stock up on additional fuel - and we want them to do that - because price is very important to us. And because our customers have to pay for it and we are very mindful of that - what is also important to us is availability. “You can have a hurricane that hit, for example, Houston, Texas, or anywhere their refineries are, or Aruba, for example, and we are impacted. So, our fuel company knows this, so around this time of the year they would top up and make sure that they have additional capacity, so that they can supply in the event there is a disruption in the supply chain,” he said. Powell further explained that the supplier now has a significant amount of stored fuel that was fetched at a higher price, which it have to dispense before acquiring the petroleum at lower cost hence it passing the cost to Fortis, which in turn having to pass on the charges to its customers. He said that such lag would usually last two months the longest, but as a result of its supplier’s vast acquisition of the commodity this time around, it could take some time longer before the more
Eddington Powell, Fortis’ Chief Executive Officer
expensive fuel runs and in time for it to avail cheaper fuel. Addressing the fuel factor issue, Powell said that such local price mechanism was on par with majority of its Caribbean Counterparts, even though places like Jamaica may use a combination of heavier fuels, which he said has its own implications, such as higher maintenance costs. “If you have very large engines like what Jamaican has and what the Bahamas has, in a large market, then for some larger utilities heavy fuel makes a difference. I am just using Jamaica for example, because often we are compared to other utilities that are completely different in terms of operation, market and fuel. “But if you were to compare us with, say Cayman, or Bermuda – our peers you would see that our fuel factor compares quite favorably, because they have to buy the same fuel from the same market, and these are the same pricing mechanism that we have to buy,” Powell explained.
AMBERGRIS CAY FACILITIES LTD
POSITION AVAILABLE
Ambergris Cay Facilities Ltd is seeking a suitably qualified applicant to fill a post on Ambergris Cay on a Month to Month Basis. The available post is for a:
CARPENTER
Job Summary: • Maintaining all furniture (wood floors, fences, decorations, lodging) in accordance with international standards • Ordering of spare parts to ensure consistent functioning without discontinuity • Participation in training against fire • Any other duties as may be assigned Essential Functions: • Apply preventive maintenance • Ensure all work sites are left in a usable and safe condition • Keep work shop clean and in order • Maintain inventory of spare and repair parts and tools
Requirements - Applicants must be and or have: • At least two (2) years of experience in carpentry • A high school diploma or equivalent • Attentive to details and self-motivator • Able to understand and speak english fluently • Able to work with little or no supervision • Physically fit, dependable and hard working • In possession of clean police record and valid TCI driver’s license • Willing to reside on ambergris cay Salary: $10 - $12 per hour
Closing Date for Applications is Friday August 10th, 2012 Applications must be in writing addressed to: Ambergris Cay Facilities Ltd Unit 51, Salt Mills Plaza, Grace Bay Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands E-mail: burkley.malcolm@ambergristci.com Tel: (649)-941-3777 Fax: (649)-941-3778
Page 12
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
Five Advisory Council members absent from meeting which passed VAT BY HAYDEN BOYCE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Five members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Advisory Council were noticeably absent from last week’s meeting that discussed and approved the Value Added Tax (VAT). A probe by The SUN revealed that John Smith was the only appointed Belonger who attended along with Acting Governor Patrick Boyle, Chief Financial Officer Hugh McGarel-Groves, Attorney General Huw Shepheard and Permanent Secretary Finance Anya SwannWilliams, who was there for part of the meeting. The absent local members of the Advisory Council were: Joseph Connolly, chartered accountant and managing director of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, who has since resigned from the Council, citing his opposition to the implementation of VAT at this time; Edith Cox, a Certified Public Accountant and Chief Financial Officer of IGA Supermarket; Theo Durham, civil engineer; Doreen Quelch-Missick, attorney and Human Rights Commissioner of the
Turks and Caicos Islands, and Clayton Thomas, a hotel executive. Up to the time of writing it could not be ascertained how many persons constitute a quorum at Advisory Council meetings. Last week, a press release from the Interim Government said the VAT Bill passed its reading with the Advisory Council at their meeting in Grand Turk, on Wednesday July 4th. The release did not say who attended, but it noted that Acting Governor Patrick Boyle headed the session which saw the Bill passed to the Consultative Forum for debate this coming Thursday. Asked by The SUN for a comment of the poor attendance at the meeting, Governor’s spokesman Neil Smith said: “This is not the first time that the Advisory Council has discussed VAT. At this and previous meetings, indeed before the publication of the Green Paper, the views of all of the members have been given sufficient time to be aired and considered by His Excellency the Governor. While not attending in person both Joe Connolly and Edith Cox made written submission to the agenda points. With regard to VAT both of these sets of views could be summarised as having some
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD
HAB Management Limited is a seeking suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.
SECURITY GUARD
Job Description Responsible for implementing and enforcing security measures in order to provide maximum protection to the lives and properties of the company, employees and guests. Responsible to guard, patrol and monitor company premises to prevent theft, violence or infractions of rules. Main Duties • Maintaining safety and security for all guests and employees. • Must be trained in self defense and security operations. • Document reports of daily activities and irregularities that occur on premises in logbook. • Inspect and adjust security systems, equipment and machinery to ensure operational use. • Responding quickly to emergency situation. Requirements • Must have five years or more experience as a Security Officer. Law enforcement/ security experience preferred. • Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. • Must be computer literate and have working knowledge of CCTV systems and software. • Must be willing to work a variety of day/night and weekend shifts. • Able to be on feet for long periods of time. • Excellent people skills. • Professional, neat, clean cut appearance is necessary. • Clean driver’s license. The salary for this position is $14,400.00 per annum, commensurate with experience, training and education. Interested applicants should email resumes by July 9, 2012 to ronnie@habgroup.com or submit by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
concerns over the timing of the introduction of VAT in TCI.” Smith confirmed that Doreen Quelch-Stubbs and Clayton Thomas were either on leave or not present. The Advisory Council was formed after the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution was suspended on August 14th 2009. Under the new draft Constitution, the Council which shall consist of: (a) the Governor; (b) the Deputy Governor (post is currently vacant), the Chief Executive, the Attorney General, the Permanent Secretary of Finance; (c) up to seven other persons, who shall be known as “the nominated members”, appointed by the Governor, of whom at least five shall be Belongers. The new draft Constitution states that the Governor “shall not be obliged to act in accordance with any advice given to him or her” by the Advisory Council. It also states: “The question whether or not the Governor has exercised any function after consultation with, or in accordance with the advice of, the Advisory Council shall not be inquired into by any court. The Governor, acting in his or her discretion, may consult the Advisory Council on the formulation of policy and in the exercise of any function conferred upon him or her by the Constitution or any other law. The Governor shall not consult the Advisory Council: (a) when acting under instructions given to him or her by Her Majesty through a Secretary of State; or (b) when exercising any function conferred upon the Governor by this Constitution or any other law which is expressed to be exercisable by the Governor in accordance with the recommendation or advice of, or after consultation with, any person or authority other than the Advisory
Council.” The Advisory Council can be summoned by the Governor, acting in his or her discretion, but they have been meeting every two weeks on average. Meantime, Turks and Caicos Independent Business Council (TCIBC) Chairman, Clive Stanbrook, QC said there were no consultations in the Turks and Caicos Islands as to whether VAT should be implemented and certainly nothing that could be said to comply with the British Government’s own guidelines for consultations. “Even where there were consultations on the implementation, the questions posed by some of the groups were not answered properly or at all,” Stanbrook said. “The accepted rules of governance have been ignored. The consultative bodies that they themselves have set up have been treated as a mere rubber stamp. They have been given less than two weeks to consider and assess complex legislation of a type that will have a profound impact on the economy of the Islands. The Interim Government's claim to have consulted the people of the Turks and Caicos is a complete sham and provides no respectability for rushing through important legislation for the restructuring of taxation in the TCI against the wishes of almost everyone in the community." The TCIBC said its petition has now “over 3000 signatures, which represents over half of the electorate, who clearly believe that VAT will adversely affect business in the Turks and Caicos Islands”. “They (signatories) are calling on the Government to delay its introduction to enable a full analysis of its cost and potential impact to be performed so that there can be an informed debate as to its merits and value for the Turks and Caicos Community,” the TCIB said.
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
Page 13
LOCAL NEWS
Jay Saunders says Digicel is number one BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR
Manager for Digicel TCI, E. Jay Saunders said that despite new innovations by its main competitors, the telecoms provider grew tremendously over the past two years. Giving an interview to The SUN at the company’s sixth anniversary activities, on Friday, July 6, at its flagship store at Graceway House along the Leeward Highway in Providenciales, Saunders said Digicel now controls the biggest slice of the market share. “It has been a great the last 12 months. When we launch in 2006, to now, we have grown our market share. We keep talking about market share because it is a testament of how much customers support Digicel. The most phenomenal thing about that is that two years ago, one of our competitors launched 3G, and even in light of that, we still grew our market share faster than them over the last 12 months. And so, every year for six years, we have grown our market share – even incremental growth – faster than the other carriers,” Saunders said. Saunders said that Digicel’s competitors have been very aggressive in pushing their products, but despite such efforts, most customers prefer his network. He said this was as a result of Digicel offering competitive prices on products and great customer service. “And so, to do that consistently for six years, it
has been amazing. Over the last 12 months there have been a few things that we have been very proud of. We launched an All Pass plan for $2.50 a day. That plan past the 1.2 million mark in terms of activations this year. When you realize our population of about 30,000, that (activation) was about 40 times per person for every person in the Turks and Caicos on average. That shows how much people love that plan. I like to joke that we have more people on our plan per day than some of our competitors have in customers,” Saunders said. Saunders served notice that over the next 12 months Digicel’s service delivery should be boosted tremendously with the planned upgrade of its network. “We will be upgrading our network. The Interim Government had been talking about the investment for a while that Digicel is making; we are making a sizable investment into a number of things, one of those being the new store opening in North Caicos. But that is a very small piece of the change that Digicel would be going through. You would start to see it accelerating now as the new financial year came on the 1st of April. “But definitely by the next 12 months; by the time you step in here, celebrating the 7th anniversary, Digicel would be definitely changed from what you are seeing now, but one thing we won’t change is the great service, the great value and great service that we offer to our customers,” Saunders said.
CHEF POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE
BNC Consulting Group is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill chef openings at all levels.
ENTRY LEVEL COOKS (3) CHEF DE PARTIE (2) SOUS CHEF (1)
Candidates must be hardworking and dependable. A strong work ethic and keen interest in culinary arts is essential. Fine dining experience within a five-star resort environment is a plus. The ideal candidates will be team players who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to:
• Assisting in the creation and planning of menus and specials • Preparing, seasoning and cooking salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables and other foods • Participating in the preparation, cooking and baking of menu items • Properly displaying and presenting food as designated by the Executive Chef • Properly receiving, storing and rotating food products in compliance with HACCP standards • Maintaining the cleanliness and organization of all kitchen and food and beverage areas • Monitoring and controlling the maintenance and sanitation of kitchen equipment • Physical ability to lift, carry, move, push or pull heavy items up to 100 lbs • Working in confined spaces with extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
Submit resume to Bridgette Thomas at bthomas@bnccgroup.com for immediate consideration or call 332-2565 for additional information. Candidates must possess relevant skills and experience for consideration. A clean police record and stable work history is required. Closing Date: Open until filled ONLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED
General Manager for Digicel TCI, E. Jay Saunders, cuts the 6th Anniversary cake
Page 14
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
Page 15
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
LOCAL NEWS
Electoral Boundaries Commission starts working The Electoral Boundaries Commission commenced its work on July 11th in Grand Turk. The three Commissioners Judge Margaret Ramsay-Hale; Chairwoman, Tremmaine Swann-Harvey; and Carl Simmons spent time examining the data gathered from addresses given by applicants to the Register of Electors; viewing maps depicting the geographical distribution of voters;
receive a briefing on the principal data and population breakdowns gathered from the census; and discuss with the Land Survey Department the extensive data available on land boundaries and recent aerial surveys. The role of the Commission is described in an Order-in-Council made by the Privy Council in November 2011. This Order was put into effect on
Westminster Foundation for Democracy visiting Turks and Caicos Islands again this month Providing support to independent candidates standing at the Turks and Caicos elections on November 9th is one of the key aims of the third visit by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) on 23-27 July 2012. The WFD party will again meet with the leaders of both the PDM and PNP to continue their ongoing ‘politician to politician’ dialogue about how to run effective election campaigns that comply with the electionrelated ordinances. During this visit they are extremely keen to meet with those persons considering standing as an independent candidate on 9 November, whether as a constituency or at large candidate. Indeed, Scott Martin, a lawyer for the Scottish National Party, has direct experience of the similar Scottish system whereby there is both constituency and regional representation. Specific time slots have been set aside for prospective independent candidates to meet with members of the WFD delegation on Thu, 26 July: from 10.00am-12.00pm on Grand Turk and 10.00-11.30am on Providenciales. Anyone wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should reply in confidence to Philip Rushbrook at the Governor’s Office on GovernorGT@fco.gsi.gov.uk marking their email ‘Private Meeting’ in the subject line. Their email should include their full contact details (name, telephone and email) in their message. The Governor’s Office will provide precise time and venue details subsequently. During the course of the week the WFD group will: 1. Jointly meet the PDM and PNP parties on Mon, 23 July, to discuss sources and uses of political finance and implementation of the new Elections and Political Activities ordinance. 2. Hold separate workshops will be run with workers from both parties on both 24&25 July 2012 further examining campaigning and its associated legal issues. Later they will meet with the Governor and members of the Advisory Council. 3. Split itself between Grand Turk and Providenciales on 26 July: meeting the team at the Elections Office, Integrity Commission and TCIG staff at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk; the Provo team will meet with the Chamber of Commerce and separately with members of the anti-VAT campaign 4. Meet with members of the Consultative Forum on Fri, 27 July before departing later in the day. In addition to David Thirlby of the WFD, the following politicians and political representatives will travel with the party: Andrew Percy, Conservative, and Stephen Gauge, Liberal Democrat, will lead on campaigning; Scott Martin and James Swindlehurst, Labour Party, will lead on the legal aspects of campaigning. The WFD is one of the worlds’ leading supporters of democratic institutions. It has previously visited TCI and met with its politicians and civil society figures in both October 2011 and March 2012.
25th June 2012 by a Governor’s Proclamation and its terms of reference can be summarised as: 1. To determine the boundaries for ten electoral districts for elections to the House of Assembly that, as far as reasonably practicable, have an approximately equal number of registered electors 2. To seek advice from whomever appropriate 3. To prepare a draft report on the Commission’s recommendations for the new electoral boundaries 4. To consult and consider views from the public on the boundaries presented in a draft report 5. To submit to the Governor a final report recommending the boundaries of the ten electoral districts. According to a Government press release, to permit the Commission to conduct their work and submit their report ‘as soon as practicable’ the Commissioners regulate their own procedures and in the discharge of duties are not subject to the direction or
control of any other person or authority. In addition, the Commission, at the discretion of the Governor, may confer powers or impose duties on any public officer or Government authority in order to complete their work in a timely and proper manner. The Commission is being supported by Dudley Lewis, Supervisor of Elections, Shirlen Forbes, Chief Statistician and Leroy Charles, Land Survey Department. Once the Commissioners have reviewed the present data on voter numbers and distribution they will draft a provisional set of district boundaries during the next few days. Thereafter, the draft boundaries will be published for public review and comment. During this consultation period the Commissioners may also consult with particular organisations such political parties and individuals. After they consider the views received a final report depicting the new boundaries will be presented to the Governor for approval. The Commissioners will vacate their office on the day following the submission of their final report to the Governor. The intention thereafter is for the new district boundaries to be incorporated into a new Electoral Boundaries Ordinance and passed into law by the end of August.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS Financial Services Commission
TENDER REQUEST FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES-INTERIOR REDESIGN The Financial Services Commission invites proposals from suitably qualified contractors to undertake a remodeling of the Commission’s offices. The brief scope of the works is as described below: • Remove existing partitions; • Supply of new partitions, fixtures and fittings according to the design specifications; • Installation of new partitions, fixtures, fittings and furniture according to design specifications; • Replace existing flooring with new raised surface and installation of tiles and carpeting as indicated; • Upgrading and improvement of plumbing, electrical and air conditioning systems; • The installation of permanent hurricane shutters; • Repainting of finished surfaces and the removal of debris. Interested parties may pick up a copy of the design drawings and specifications, which will be provided at a cost of $50, between the hours 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm Mondays to Fridays. Interested parties are required to submit their bids in writing to the Commission at its office at Unit D7/D8, Caribbean Place, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos no later than 2:00 pm July 24, 2012. Late tenders will NOT be considered under any circumstance.
Tenders must be accompanied by the following: i. Valid business licence; ii. Certificate of Good-standing from the Companies Registry (for companies) or Business Names Registration for partnerships and individuals; iii. List of personnel who will be involved in the execution of the works and their qualification and or experience; iv. Details of at least two (2) references for which similar works have been carried and v. Reference from the bankers of the interested parties. Tenders should be submitted in ordinary form to include detailed description of the service provider and setting out the timeframe for carrying out the works. The original and one copy of the Tender proposal should be placed in a sealed envelope and delivered to the Commission’s office. The envelope should be addressed to the Managing Director of the Commission and clearly marked “Tender for Construction Works”. The tender will be opened after the expiry of the deadline by a panel of officers of the Commission. The Commission does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any other tender. Financial Services Commission: 01/2012 July 10, 2012
Page 16
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
More Interim Administration high handedness BY JOHN D. BARKER SUN CONTRIBUTOR
The Interim Administration has reached a new level of high handedness with their declaration on page 21 of the VAT White Paper that owners “who have purchased condominiums for commercial purposes i.e. to let or rent will be required to rent within the pool of the establishment in which the condominium is located.” This is another clear example of its lack of understanding of the industry and the existing rights of condominium owners or the impact that this decision will have on potential investors. This ignorance results from its failure to consult with local industry professionals in its blind attempt to railroad legislation. The Interim Administration apparently believes that some individuals that rent their condo units privately or otherwise than through a “rental management pool at the establishment” are shirking their obligation to pay the existing
11% accommodation tax. They have ignored the fact that the existing legislation exempts certain properties from an obligation to pay an accommodation tax. Further, rather than deal with a perceived issue head on, the Interim Administration has instead chosen to not to fix the problem but to create entirely new and separate hurdles to existing and future inward investment. It is the Government’s obligation to monitor and collect this tax and it is clearly attempting to transfer its obligation (however inconvenient to it) to the private sector by trampling on the rights of owners of real estate, many of whom will be astute enough to invest elsewhere. Many existing condominium owners will list their properties for sale and inward investment will shrink as investors seek friendlier jurisdictions with less Government interference. The Interim Administration’s decision to implement VAT as proposed will effectively trap some existing owners in poorly managed uneconomic management pools and
TURKS AND CAICOS TOURIST BOARD
IMMEDIATE OPENING
JOB TITLE: QUALITY ASSURANCE/STATISTICAL OFFICER
SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board in the post of Quality Assurance/Statistical Officer. The incumbent in this position will be subject to direction from the Snr. Marketing/Public Relations Executive. The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for data entry to the Board’s Management Information System and generation of required reports particularly, producing reports through utilization of available software, and provide fundamental system administrative support for the Board’s office network and basic user support. Additionally, this position assists with market research including the procuring and processing of data and the eventual presentation of the results. The successful candidate will also have responsibility for planning and coordinating the inspections of all aspects of the tourism plants including tourist accommodations, tourism recreational sites, in conjunction with supporting and relevant TCIG agencies, as well as be able to perform any other related duties as may be required from time to time by the Tourist Board. This vacancy exists in the Providenciales office. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The position requires a Bachelors Degree in a related field; 5 years work experience in the hospitality sector, preferably, operating in a similar capacity. Leadership and Team-work skills are also essential prerequisites for this post. SALARY: Salary is in the scale of $32,000 to $38,000 per annum. Starting salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
For more information on this exciting employment opportunity, please contact the Chairman of the Tourist Board via E-mail: hubertafulford@gmail.com, or submit your resume with two Reference Letters and a current Police Record should be addressed to The Chairman, Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Front Street Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, on or before 20 July, 2012.
deter any future investors from investing here. Real estate investors simply will not accept being told by any government that they cannot manage or freely choose the management of their condo unit and that they must rent it through a designated entity that may lack experience or integrity. As proposed, each management company will effectively enjoy a statutory monopoly at each resort with competition eliminated. This lack of choice is worrisome as there have been several examples on Grace Bay where a rental management company has been placed into receivership or liquidation and there are many others being poorly managed. There are over 100 strata corporations in TCI and many of them do not have a managed rental pool within the establishment. If this provision becomes law would the strata corporation be required to establish and operate a rental pool to arrange rentals, complete VAT returns and make remittances? The Executive Committees of virtually all strata corporations in TCI are comprised of voluntary,
unremunerated condominium owners who will not accept this burdensome financial responsibility or the attendant prospective criminal liability. Accordingly a third party would need to be contracted to run the rental pool thereby inevitably increasing strata fees. This would be patently unfair to owners that do not rent their units or who rent them infrequently. There is a provision in the Strata Titles Ordinance that prevents the bylaws of a strata corporation from restricting an owner’s right to lease. There is also provision in the Registered Land Ordinance that any limitation purporting to restrain a person dealing with his land is void. The Interim Administration’s foolish proposal to fetter a strata lot owner’s right to lease his unit personally or through an agent of his choice constitutes a clear attempt to undermine these basic tenets of real estate law. Furthermore they are a myopic, anti competitive infringement of an owners inalienable rights over land and will stifle inward investment to the TCI as it struggles to compete internationally.
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD
WAITRESS
HAB Management Limited is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening:
Main Duties Applicants will be required to greet and take food and beverages orders from restaurant guest, serve the orders and accommodate guest requests. Applicants will be required to serve guests’ promptly and according to established restaurant standards, policies and procedures. Requirements Must have a minimum of three years experience working in a restaurant. Must have a strong working knowledge of dining room procedures, policies and EPOS System. Applicants must be a customer service advocate, maintaining a high level of customer service standards. Maintain a friendly, cheerful and courteous demeanor at all times. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. All applicants must be hardworking team players. Wages for this position is commensurate with experience and training. Wages starts at $6.00 per hour. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by July 30th, 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
TCI GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE ANTI-VAT LEAFLET ‘HOW VAT AFFECTS YOU’
INDIVIDUALS
Anti-VAT Claim: Many everyday items will cost you more. This is not true. VAT in the TCI is a replacement tax. When VAT is implemented there will no longer be Communications Tax, Vehicle Hire Stamp Duty, Insurance Premium Tax, Domestic Financial Service Tax or Hotel/Restaurant Accommodation Tax. This is simpler and more efficient. Upon the introduction of VAT, TCIG will reduce import duties on most goods by 10-15% – so everyday items should not cost more. The Government set the rate at 11% in order to allow the widest possible number of everyday essential items to be exempt from VAT or be zero-rated including rice, flour, sugar, milk and eggs, chicken, fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, infant supplies, personal hygiene products, hurricanes shutters, cement, steel, fuel, property leases and rents, property sales where stamp duty is applied, medical services, transportation, religious services and printed materials. VAT will be zero-rated on electricity and water supply so these prices will not rise either. Anti-VAT Claim: VAT is worse for the less well off than for the wealthy. This is not true in the TCI model. The Government has taken great care in developing a model of VAT here that will not see a rise in the cost of everyday items (see above), utility charges or on rents. VAT is not a tax on income but a tax on goods and services but, by virtue of being simpler and more efficient, it will provide a more regular and predictable income to the Government. We need this stability to ensure planned and sustained investment in public services which have suffered significantly since the collapse on 2008. VAT helps guarantee funding and investment for essential public series which are arguably more vital to the less well off than the wealthy, who may have easier access to alternatives providers – schools, health etc. Anti-VAT Claim: Enlightened TAX experts regard VAT as a grossly unfair tax. Unfair to whom? This depends upon your tax expert’s stance. If they believe that tax take from an individual or business should always be minimal, then, of course, they may take this view. If you believe that tax should be used for providing essential public services then VAT is a good tax as it provides a steady and predictable income with which to do so. The TCI’s public income has fluctuated wildly in recent years and this makes longer tem planning significantly more difficult. If income drops, then this must change what and how public services are provided. Anti-VAT Claim: You should be aware that the global history of VAT is that spendthrift governments (such as the UK) use VAT to plug the ever increasing holes in their fiscal plans and inevitably VAT rises as things get worse. VAT is a good tax for Government as it provides a steady and regular income essential to guaranteeing public services. The Interim Government has set about restoring TCI’s public finances. It has not been spendthrift. Indeed the anti-VAT campaign said in its open letter to the press on 4 July that “... it is perfectly clear that the country’s finances are no longer in a mess...”. But this recovery is fragile. We do not wish to increase our tax revenues, but rather to make them more stable by simplifying taxation and broadening into sectors of the economy that currently pay no tax. Anti-VAT Claim: VAT is currently 20% in the UK. This is true in the UK. But a rate of 11% is proposed here in TCI – the second lowest level in the Caribbean after Haiti. Further, we are proposing a gross sales figure of $200,000 a year which is the highest in the region, the next highest figure being USD $110,000 in gross sales in Antigua and Barbuda.
BUSINESSES
Anti-VAT Claim: it is a major book keeping headache and will cost you more in accountancy fees This is misleading. VAT is a simple tax to administer and collect. A business will work out how much VAT it has paid out to its suppliers, and then calculate how much VAT it has brought in. If it brings in more than it paid out it submits the difference to the Government. If it pays out more than it brings in it claims a credit from Government. Further, VAT will replace five other taxes – actually making life simpler for business and Government alike. We have also targeted the introduction
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of VAT mainly at larger businesses with turnovers of $200,000 (and more than $50,000 if a hotel or restaurant to prevent any loss of revenue in this sector). It is likely that these businesses already keep the simple records required meaning marginal, minimal additional cost. Further, TCIG’s VAT Implementation Unit assist will assist those 400 or so businesses who qualify for VAT registration with these requirements. Anti-VAT Claim: It plays havoc with your cash flow giving you a false picture of how much cash you actually have at hand This is also misleading. Cash flow is essential to any business (and Government). Why would business not want Government to be run as well as their own enterprises? Also, is the Turks and Caicos Independent Business Council, a group of eminent and successful commercial figures, really suggesting that they do not know what their debts (costs) and credits (income) are at any point in time? This is an immature argument – businesses have a good understanding of how much money they have going in and out. Anti-VAT Claim: It means your goods and series will cost considerably more and therefore people buy less of not at all VAT is a replacement tax designed to help improve the Government’s cash flow so that it can sustain essential public services. As such, most items should not cost more. Indeed we have exempted and zero-rated a wide range of everyday essential items to help ensure this. We accept that if you are an accountancy, legal or architectural firm you will have to charge up to 11% more – but, equally, you can offset the VAT you pay on your purchases against that which you bring in. Anti-VAT Claim: The tourism industry throughout the world as found to its cost that VAT equals drop in sales VAT in the TCI replaces Hotel/Accommodation tax (amongst others) and is set at the same rate. If sales drop when taxation remains constant then it must be for other factors. The anti-VAT campaign has cited Barbados as a country that has suffered from the introduction of VAT. Barbados introduced VAT in 2007 and continued to grow for a number of years. Its present difficulties are due to the state of the global economy and other factors, not the introduction of VAT. Similarly, the introduction of VAT in Jamaica (where it is called the General Consumption Tax) did not bring about a negative impact on businesses, and has a higher compliance rate than other taxes. Anti-VAT Claim: You need to be aware that this is a tax much favoured by the EC bureaucrats in Brussels who would like to see high tax administrations throughout the world VAT is favoured by those who wish to see planned and sustained investment in essential public services, which can suffer if income drops. We believe that this statement has been made by someone whose politics are set against the institutions of the European Union. Anti-VAT Claim: Spain is planning to raise VAT rate for hotels from 8% to 18% at the prompting of the International Monetary Fund and the EC. This will kill an already struggling industry stone dead. Like many other countries Spain is experiencing economic difficulties that are not caused by VAT. Spain has a massive tourist industry catering to every sort of tourist – from the budget conscious to those demanding the lap of luxury. It remains to be seen how any rise in VAT will affect this extremely popular, mature and well established tourist destination. Anti-VAT Claim: A country like the UK needs VAT and other extremely high taxes because the public expenditure and benefits culture is completely out of control. Island communities like ours are not run in this wasteful fashion. The UK is also experiencing financial challenges. The Government there has introduced a wide ranging cost cutting and revenue maximising measures, including raising VAT to 20%. Equally, the previous Government reduced VAT to 15% for a period. Again, to quote the TCIBC open letter to the press: “The Turks and Caicos has weathered the international crisis and its tourist industry has shown itself to be remarkably resilient.” But to keep the country on track and to develop in the future the Government needs the stable and predictable income that VAT provides. The VAT White Paper is available to view online at: http://turksandcaicosislands.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&i d=783351182
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e Master’s Academy soaring to new heights Private schools this year appeared to have outpaced their public school counterparts, if one should go by the numerical outcome of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results. One of those private primary schools that did reasonably well is The Master’s Academy located on the Kishco Plaza along the Leeward Highway across from Scotiabank on Providenciales. Principal Barbara Hamilton said that since its opening 2009, The Master’s Academy has been steadily making progress, and while success for her is a moving target, she said the school has done reasonably well academically over the period. With “Truth, Discipline and Achievement”, as its motto, and guided by the mission statement, “Pursuing spiritual and academic excellence by going that extra mile”, Hamilton said that The Master’s Academy provides an educational program that is Christian in direction, process and content, allowing children to grow and achieve in academic excellence in a Christian environment. “We are growing slowly but surely. It is going well, the children are really picking up. Most of the kids that we had were under achievers, with no fault of their own; some of them had been out of school for a year or more. And so, we had to work feverishly,
trying to bring them back and pull them up, to grade level. And I must say that I have been pleased with the progress that they have made this year,” Hamilton said. She said that philosophy of the institution is that teaching and training begin at home. And to this end, the goal of the school is to assist parent in the training of their children. “We work hand in hand with the home and church, and offer the opportunity for Christian education to take place, with the foundation being the Word of God,” Hamilton said. She added: “Our Goals are as follows: (1) to help every student to follow after Godliness - I Timothy 6:11; (2)to give Christ pre-eminence in all things - Colossians 1:18 (3) to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul their neighbor as themselves Matthew 22:37-39; and (4) to grow academically; to become productive citizens. The ultimate objective of any learning experience is educational excellence. Excellence involves more than an assimilation of facts; but encompasses and impacts the whole person – intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically, and creatively.” She further stated: “The educational experience at The Master’s Academy is built on the inerrant truth of God’s Word. We
PROVO GOLF CLUB Provo Golf Club is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.
GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Plan and schedule maintenance processes and procedures. • Instruct, train and direct staff in golf course maintenance. • Oversees fertilizer, chemical and pesticide applications. • Run irrigation systems, including daily setup and maintenance. • Proven organizational skills to maintain accurate records of all processes. • Responsible for the safe operation, storage and effective use of all equipment. • Responsible for the proper use, storage and preservation of all associated materials, supplies and assigned equipment. REQUIREMENTS • Must have a Bachelor’s degree or Associate degree in Agronomy or Horticulture plus a minimum of six years experience on a golf course with three years experience as an Assistant Golf Superintendent. • Must have at least a Class C Membership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). • Must have advance knowledge of agronomy and turf grass management practices. • Require extensive knowledge of golf course maintenance. • Requires knowledge of landscape construction and materials. • Ability to analyze data and prepare reports. • Strong computer skills using Microsoft Word and Excel • Must have a thorough understanding of the game of golf. The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $80,000 per annum, commensurate with experience, training and qualification. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by July 30, 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
complement the teaching of the Christian home and the church. We shape the minds, hearts and bodies of our students and instill in them knowledge and wisdom which equip them to succeed in today’s changing world. We prepare today’s youth for tomorrow’s future. “We do so in these three areas: (1) spiritually - a positive environment that encourages your child to love God’s word. To experience a relationship with God and respect and serve others; (2) academically - ABEKA – a strong phonetic reading program and math curriculum along with the other disciplines that help to prepare students for a successful life; and (3) physically - our goal is to build skills, teach good sportsmanship and honor God.” She said that The Masters Academy is a strong believer in extracurricular activities. According to her, in addition to spiritual activities, the institution believes in athletics and other developments of the children, and come September, it hopes to kickstart such programs. “We at The Master’s Academy want our students to not only know about God but to have a relationship with Him. We offer this opportunity not only in our devotional time each day, our Chapel time each week, but also in the Christian activities offered
Principal Barbara Hamilton
throughout the year. “We hope to develop an athletic program where emphasis is placed on developing the “whole” student’s. Athletics provide such an opportunity to develop teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and physical skill. Under the leadership of a Christian coach, athletics can lead to the development of Christian character. Another area to be developed in the future is Fine Arts. “At The Master’s Academy, we will seek to discover and develop each student’s God-given talent and showcase their growth in ways that honor Christ. We have high but achievable expectations for each student and are determined to produce a well-rounded student, ready to serve God, family, community, and nation,” Hamilton continued. Registration is on-going for the 2012 – 2013 School Year. Parents are invited to visit the school or call 9413823 or 431-2975.
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LOCAL NEWS
Race for the conch eco-seaswim 2012 brings out the best Almost 90 swimmers took part in the third annual “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim events last Saturday July 7 in front of “Rickyʼs” Flamingo Cafe in Grace Bay. The first event, a 2.4 mile Ironman distance race, kicked off at 8:00 am. Although the field was small, just 11 swimmers, the quality was high. World class marathon swimmer Marcos Diaz from the Dominican Republic and winner of the 2.4 mile event last year, blazed through the finish arch in just 42 minutes and 20 seconds. Wally Dicks from the US came in second in 46 minutes and 5 seconds. Third was Sean Crockett, also from the US, at 46 minutes and 10 seconds. The top female swimmer was Kristiana Kalibat who came in fourth place with a time of 48 minutes and 19 seconds. Next came the 100 meter Childrenʼs Swim for youngsters 12 and under. Seventeen spirited children participated and got huge welcome and applause as they ran through the finish arch. Special congratulations to the youngest swimmer, Alex, who is just 4 years old. At 10:00 am, David Bowen, Director of Culture and popular musician, blew the conch to start the
popular 1 Mile swim. Though most swimmers were in it to challenge themselves to do their personal best, several locals and visitors were out to take home a conch trophy. Mr. Diaz decided not to enter the 1 Mile race, which left event wide open for a new winner this year. A stronger than usual current running east to west made the race a bit more challenging but all jumped in with gusto and determination. 20 minutes and 28 seconds later, Provo resident Dan Redmond stormed up the beach. He was followed by Clay Britt and and Eric Erenstoft, both from the US, in 20 minutes and 43 seconds and 21 minutes and 6 seconds respectively. The 1 Mile Womenʼs Division saw a dramatic finish as American Ann Lobello took first with a time of 27 minutes and 3 seconds followed by fellow American Kerin Crockett just two seconds behind with a time of 27 minutes and 5 seconds. Provo resident, Nicola Jordan, came in third with a time of 28 minutes and 35 seconds. The Regent Palms three person team had the best combined time to win the Resort Cup for the second year in a row. Noteworthy, two firefighters from Haiti participated in the mile race, a first
for Haiti. Race organizers Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann received numerous compliments for smooth organization and high safety standards. In addition to Race Safety Director Kristof Lingier and Race Safety Boat operator Sarah McAteer, Big Blue provided four kayaks/stand-up paddle boarders to monitor the swimmers, while three lifeguards stood watch on the beach. Race doctors Joe LeMoine and Dawn OʼSullivan, Emergency Medical Services of Provo, and the Red Cross stood by to provide medical assistance, which was not required. Following the race, the US Coast Guard put on a spectacular Search and Rescue demonstration right off the beach. Awards ceremonies took place on the Flamingo Cafe beach that evening. Unique conch trophies created by local artists Stanford Handfield and Brenda Ludington from Paradise Arts were presented to the winners at sunset. (Mr. Handfield also created the conch carvings, which served as medals for the children, while Ms Ludington created the kiln fired clay medals with race logo for the other swimmers.) Several local businesses provided valuable gifts as door prizes to lucky
swimmers present. Flamingo managers Ricky and Stacy Clarke amped the festivities with a Junkanoo band followed by hopping live music. Proceeds from the race will go to four charities in Provo and Haiti: Provo Childrenʼs Home, Reef Fund, Salvation Army, and TractorShare. These charities were selected because the real difference they make on Provo and Haiti with low or no overhead expenses. Mr. Stubenberg noted that “The race is getting increasing recognition as one of the top open water races in the Caribbean for newcomers to the sport and world class swimmers.” Ms Zimmermann added, “This is a race that people come back to. Of course, nothing like this happens without generous sponsorship and dedicated volunteers.” Both Mr. Stubenberg and Ms Zimmermann pointed out that there is growing enthusiasm for learning to swim and swim competition on Provo that the “Race for the Conch” avidly supports together with the Turks & Caicos Islands Swim Federation. All results for the 2.4 and 1 mile races along with race pictures will be posted on the “Race for the Conch” website: www.ecoseaswim.com
Open Letter from Devon Williams to Acting Governor Patrick Boyle on repairs to the North and Middle Caicos Causeway Dear Sir, I am compelled to formally write you, after weeks of trying to ascertain answers on the progress of rehabilitation works on the North and Middle Caicos Causeway. My investigations have revealed that while TCIG’s budgets are all performing acceptably, this project is yet to start and, to the best of my knowledge, the Government has not issued any update to the public. On May 16, HE Governor Ric Todd said: “The Council felt that TCIG had struck the right balance in its draft budget between paying off our historic debts, proving that our public finances are now better managed and that we can begin to reinvest in our infrastructure. I have often said that the sad state of repair of the Caicos Causeway, in particular, was an icon of the failure of Government, which is why I am
so pleased that work will begin to repair it next month.” The month of June has passed and we are well into July; yet the causeway remains untouched and the “icon of the failure of Government” remains an “icon of the failure of Government.” Mr. Boyle while Government may find its own reason to drag its feet on the reconstruction of the causeway, I am left no other choice but to request that you personally become actively involved in the expedition of works on this project. On a daily basis, scores of natives and tourists are forced to navigate this difficult and dangerous terrain to gain access to the twin islands of North and Middle Caicos. This journey is by no means easy on persons as well as their vehicles, and the deplorable state of the causeway indeed makes this journey longer than normal. I am sure you will agree with me that what was
once an icon of pride for the people of North and Middle Caicos has become an eye-sore and the single worst piece of road infrastructure in the entire EMS public road system. In fact, the causeway and the roads leading up to it are ten times worse than the rollercoaster portion of the Millennium Highway after the rains. Mr. Boyle in my conversations with you, I gathered that above all things you are a fair and considerate man. I am there asking you to approach this causeway project in earnest and, using your powers as Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the TCI, send an urgent directive to the relevant parties to have work started on the causeway before the end of July 2012. Sincerely Devon Williams
DONT BE A VICTIM OF CRIME 1. Stay alert: Keep your mind on your surroundings, who's in front of you and who's behind you. 2. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave.
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LOCAL NEWS
Six schools score perfect hundred in GSAT Of the 15 primary school on Providenciales which sat the Grade Six Achievement Test, six of them returned with one hundred percent passes. The schools are Precious Treasures Pre and Primary, BEST Institute, Holy Family Academy, Provo Christian School, Shining Preparatory and Trinity Learning Centre. The announcement was made by Louise Garland Thomas, Education Officer responsible for Public High Schools, while bringing greetings at the Providenciales leg of the GSAT Prize Giving Exercise on Thursday, July 5, at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex.
Of the 17 students recommended by Precious Treasures to sit the exam, all scored terrific grades, with Koji Hartley placing third nationally and the second overall on Providenciales behind Alan Joy of Oseta Jolly, who placed second nationally behind Jyles Javier of Ona Glinton Primary. BEST Institute put up eight students to sit the exam, and were all successful. In fact, one of their students, Chelsea Stubbs captured fifth place overall in the GSAT Examination. All seven students of the Holy Family Academy scored above the 50 percent required pass mark, to give their school a 100 percent result. Provo Christian School
recommended 12 students to sit the exam, and all returned successful, the same as the six recommended by Shining Stars, and also the four put forward by Trinity Learning Center. A total of 281 students from 15 schools sat the exam this year on Providenciales. The most celebrated students on that Island were Alan Joy of Oseta Jolly, who placed second overall behind Jyles Javier of Ona Glinton Primary, with an average 90.40; Koji Hartly of Precious Treasures Pre and Primary School, who placed third with an overall average of 90.08; Chelsea Stubbs of BEST Institute, who was fifth with an overall average of 89.68; Damani Gordon of Oseta Jolly Primary, who
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
placed sixth with an overall average of 87.54; and Shaniel Swaby of Oseta Jolly, who placed eight with an overall average of 86.79. Alan Joy was the top student in the area of Mathematics for the country with a 94.25 score, followed by Koji Hartley with a score of 94.00 to finish one-two for Provo. Jyles Javier of Ona Glinton was third with a score of 91.00 Damani Goron was second in the area of Science, scoring 93.85, behind Jyles Javier of Ona Glinton, with a score of 98.08. Damani’s classmate Shaniel Swaby was tied for third with Aaron Garland of Ona Glinton with 92.69. Koji Hartley was second nationally in the area of English Language, with a score of 92, behind Jyles Javier of Ona Glinton. Chelsea Stubbs was third with 91.00. It was an Oseta Jolly clean sweep in General Paper, with Shaniel Swaby topping the list with 94.00, Damani Gordon was second on 93.50 and Alan Joy third on 93.00.
POSITION AVAILABLE
The Salvation Army Turks and Caicos Islands is seeking to fill the position of
CORPS AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The Corps and Development Officer is The Salvation Army’s principal officer in the Turks and Caicos Islands, under the administration of The Salvation Army Bahamas & Turks and Caicos Headquarters, located in Nassau, Bahamas. Candidates for the Position: • Must be a commissioned and ordained officer of The Salvation Army. • Subscribe to the Mission, objectives and values of The Salvation Army as international religious and charitable organization; • Must have a minimum of ten years experience in Salvation Army ministry and service, including pastoral, administrative, program, community development and social services functions; • Should have excellent multitasking, interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills; • Should have excellent oral and written communication skills, with a high level of detail orientation; • Should be highly proficient in the use the Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes Suites. Essential Functions Include: • Under the regional administrative teams, continue to develop and manage all programs, services, ministries and functions of The Salvation Army in TCI; • Undertaking advanced pastoral, business and administrative duties and functions; • Plan, develop and manage community, funding and capital development projects; • Liaise with regional and international office and personnel; Persons desiring to apply for the position can do so by emailing a letter of application and a full resume which lists two contacts for references. The letter should be addressed to The Divisional Commander and emailed to salarmy@coralwave.com by July 20, 2012.
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LOCAL NEWS
Former Youth Premier has no future political interest BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR
Darron Hillaire, former Youth Premier for the Turks and Caicos Islands told The SUN that he has no interest in future local representational politics because of the stigma attached to it. Hillaire, whose term came to an end in the Youth Parliament in July, hinted that party politics was too divided, and he would prefer working with both parties from the middle of the isle instead of publicly declaring his hand for a particular party. The SUN caught up with him at the new sitting of the Youth Parliament at the Windsong Resort in Providenciales, where that body, under the guidance of Director for Youth Affairs, Angela Musgrove, was working out the process of formulating year’s parliament. “I personally don’t like the word ‘politics’. I don’t like the whole idea of politics. I am the kind of person, at the end of the day, whatever is right I push
Former Youth Premier Darron Hillaire
that forward. I don’t stick myself to a certain party, because, at the end of the day, if you are wrong, I am going to tell you, you are wrong. I am not fullfledged into politics; not to say that I don’t see myself in that area eventually. I am going to have some affiliation with it, but to be directly involved with a particular party, no,” Hillaire revealed. In the meantime, Hillaire, a student at the TCI Community
College, explained that the purpose of the Youth Parliament is to enable its members to become better leaders, role models and public speakers, saying also that when someone becomes a member of that body, much is expected of them, especially from their peers, who he said, for the most part, look up to them for leadership. “It is an opportunity to get to the idea of what leadership really is; you are becoming a young leader, and you are becoming role model, and so, there are certain things that are not demanding, but required of you. As young leaders, you will have certain young people in society who will be looking up to you for guidance, and there is a certain way that you are expected to act in terms of conduct. “As a youth parliamentarian, you will be required to prepare speeches, and you will be trained in the whole idea of parliamentary procedures. You will have the opportunity to do parliamentary debates, public speaking, getting out there and do media appointments; it is a whole new experience, they will be showcased to
Prestigious Insurance Agency hires New Managing Director In an effort to increase its competitive edge and its overall market share in the Turks and Caicos Islands Insurance Industry, the Prestigious Insurance Agency (P.I.A) has hired Mr. Jamell Robinson as their new Managing Director. Mr. Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge and skills in Risk Profiling, Business Continuity, Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Solutions, which is intricate in Insurance Coverage. “I am very excited about the opportunity to work at P.I.A. It is a new challenge that I look forward to as it allows me to continue to help persons in the TCI to prepare for any Mr. Jamell Robinson Hazardous Event or Emergency with the variety of insurance coverage provided by P.I.A through Turks & Caicos First Insurance Company Ltd. We look to gain an edge on the competition through better service delivery and reduced turnaround times for claims by having all decisions made locally.” Mr. Robinson said. At The Prestigious Insurance Agency, agents for Turks & Caicos First Insurance Company Ltd., we understand that owning a home is likely the largest single investment you will make. As such, we are dedicated to providing you with a number of insurance options to protect your home, business & possessions. Remember, just because you have insurance, doesn’t mean that you are covered. Turks & Caicos First Insurance Company uses a proportional reinsurance treaty to mitigate risk to its own account ceding to reinsurers with excellent security. This allows us to give you the most complete coverage in the Turks & Caicos Islands. For more information about The Prestigious Insurance Agency, email: pi@prestigiousproperties.com or call (w) 649-946-4379; (c) 649-231-3399
the public. The spotlight is going to be on them for a while, and so, it is up to them to take advantage of the opportunity,” Hillaire said. He told The SUN that being the Premier of the Youth Parliament, changed his life for the better, because it enabled him to step from the shadows into the spotlight, resulting in him being more confident than ever. “How the process is to get elected, you can dominate yourself for a number of positions, and I took the risk and nominated myself for one, and that was Premier. I was confident. I never had to write speeches before, now I had to do the whole thing. But with that opportunity, I have become a dynamic speaker, I watched myself grow into public speaking. “I maybe nervous a few times, but Youth Parliament has really brought stuff out of me that I didn’t know was there. It has really created a platform for me. It has really put me out there to say ‘this is a young man that is going somewhere’, and I like that,” Hillaire said.
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LOCAL NEWS
International Warrant and Red Notice issued for Dr Cem Kinay Dellis Cay developer Dr. Cem Kinay says a red notice has been issued for him to be brought back to the Turks and Caicos Islands. In a press release sent to The SUN from Istanbul, Turkey, said: “After 35 years of successful tourism and real estate investment experience, I have encountered a new experience today. I learned that a Red Bulletin is issued for me to be taken back to Turks and Caicos Islands. I have been fighting my political and legal struggle with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government since 3 years.” In March this year, the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) confirmed that an international arrest warrant has been issued for former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Michael Misick in connection with allegations of corruption and money laundering. Back then, the Helen Garlick-led Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) said they obtained the arrest warrant and a “Red Notice” which was authorized by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol). They have since issued a notice to the media regarding Dr. Kinay, who is known to be wanted for questioning in relation to allegations of bribery allegedly involving Misick. Dr. Kinay did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his red bulletin, but he stressed that he is being victimised. He stated: “My companies have invested in Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay and Joe Grant Cay projects since 2005 until August 2009. We were the largest investor of TCI history. The
total investment was going to be around $ 1 billion. I believed that the unique nature of my development would contribute to the cultural development of the islanders who embraced me with much interest. However, ex Premier Michael Misick's deteriorating relations with England, the political conflict between England and Turks and Caicos Islands and the alleged corruption resulted in the intervention of the British government to the island. Misick was dismissed, Parliament abolished, and constitution was suspended. Our investments came to a complete halt. I lost all I have to the funding banks.” He added: “The perfectly legal political donation scheme that existed in the islands for many years was turned into a corruption scandal. To prove Misick is guilty, we were chosen as targets. I am a victim of politics, and I am innocent. I did not receive any benefits for any of my political donations. I will continue my defense in the international level.” Interpol requests are normally issued for the arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition. An Interpol Red Notice is the closest instrument to an international arrest warrant in use today. Interpol does not have the authority to issue arrest warrants in the formal sense of the word, as this is the domain of the sovereign member states. An Interpol notice or international notice is issued by Interpol to share information between its members. There are seven types, six of which are known by their colour codes: red, blue, green, yellow, black, and orange. INTERPOL will only issue notices if it is satisfied that all the conditions for
Dr. Cem Kinay
processing the information have been fulfilled. Dr Kinay practiced medicine at the General Hospital of Vienna in Austria. He received his PhD from the University of Vienna Medical School in 1984. He is a Turkish and Austrian Citizen, Belonger of Turks and Caicos Islands. In 1987, Magister Oguz Serim, his other Austrian citizen partner, and Dr Kinay set up a tour operator by the name of Gulet Touristik, the largest tour operator in Austria. In 1990, they founded the Magic Life Group. Magic Life owned and managed luxury properties
in Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, Spain, Egypt and Bulgaria. In 1997,they established a further tour operator, Gulet Touropa Touristik. In 2004, they sold Magic Life and Gulet Touristik to the German tour operator TUI AG, one of the world’s largest tour operators. Dr Kinay is widely recognized for his contributions to the travel industry, In 1996 he was lauded as Austria’s “Tourism Manager of the Year” and in 1997, as “Man of the Year” and Finally on 2007, he has been honored with “State Medal Of Austria”.
e TCI Community College continues to Partner with Police Force Since the re-opening of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Training School in June 2010, the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) has been committed to its role in assisting with the preparation of the recruits for entry into the RTCI Police. The Academic Dean of the TCICC, Mrs. Claudia Smith, has consistently prepared the recruits in the area of English and Communication, providing quality training and opportunities for application of the skills obtained during the course. “I have witnessed the growth and development of each group of recruits over the past years. This year is no exception to the quality of candidates that have been enrolled in the training programme” remarked Mrs. Smith. The English and Communication course includes a featured debate. This year’s recruits,
numbering seventeen young women and men from around the Turks and Caicos, painstakingly prepared for the debate among their many other duties. The moot of the debate held at the RTCI Police Training School on July 5th 2012 read ‘Be it resolved that stricter penalties by the Judicial Department would result in a crime free Turks and Caicos Islands’. The recruits were assigned to two teams, each carrying out research to assist them in convincing their opinions. Each team selected its three presenters and a rebutter. The proposers of the moot, who emerged as overall champions of the debate were Ricardo Missick, Dovar Moultrie, Laura-Lee Jagroup and Tavania Wilson. The opposing team included Huntley Forbes Jr., Britney Forbes, Adrian Mason and Andrew Missick. Huntley Forbes Jr. emerged as the best speaker of the debate.
“I congratulate you all on a job well done” cheered Inspector Jerome Caley the Commandant of the Training School. “In addition, I wish to add that we are grateful for all that Mrs. Smith and her team have done in preparing the recruits for this debate. I have seen much improvement since its inception and I am pleased with the commitment that they have demonstrated” Inspector Caley continued. The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC), established in September 1994, exists to provide quality education for all sectors of the Turks and Caicos Islands community by equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills and dispositions that would enable them to access emerging and existing opportunities, exercise their civic responsibilities prudently, enhance their social and cultural lives and become productive citizens.
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Taylor Swift tops Forbes’ ‘Highestpaid Celebrities under 30’ list, followed by Justin Bieber, Rihanna They have youth, beauty, talent – and tons and tons of cash. Female pop singers led by Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Lady Gaga dominate the latest Forbes magazine ranking of highest-paid celebrities under 30 years old. Overall, girls garnered six of the coveted spots on the Top 10 list and four of the top five positions. Swift, 22, beat out teen heartthrob Justin Bieber for top honors, earning an estimated $57 million for the year ending in May. Each of the Grammy-winning singer’s three albums has gone platinum at least four times, and the “You Belong With Me” singer rakes in $1 million per concert on top of her lucrative CoverGirl cosmetics contract, Forbes said. Bieber, 18, snagged second place with $55 million earned from music sales, sold-out concerts and endorsements for products like the skincare line Proactiv.
The Canadian crooner, whose video for the breakout ballad “Baby” is the second most watched on YouTube, also boasts an enviable investment portfolio with stakes in the popular start-up companies Tinychat and Spotify, Forbes said. Rihanna, 24, edged out last year’s first place winner Lady Gaga, 26, for third place with $53 million. The Barbados-born singer earned her impressive haul from her recent “Talk That Talk” album, an 85-night concert tour and endorsement deals with Vita Coco coconut water and Nivea lotion. Gaga dropped to fourth place this year because the list’s May deadline hit before she embarked on her latest world tour, Forbes said. The “Poker Face” singer earned an estimated $52 million, down from $90 million a year earlier. Singers Katy Perry, 27, and Adele, 24, came in fifth and sixth with estimated earnings of $45 million and
Taylor Swift
$35 million respectively. Twilight” actress Kristen Stewart, rapper Lil Wayne and “Twilight” actors Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattison rounded out the list with earnings
between $26.5 million and $34.5 million. “We’re seeing this confluence of talented young female stars. They have such distinct personalities and sounds, they can all co-exist without cannibalizing each other,” list author Dorothy Pomerantz told the Daily News. Pomerantz said Swift embodies “youth, innocence and the struggle of being a teen” while Rihanna is the “edgy bad girl” and Adele is all about stripped-down “heartfelt” vocals. She said young female singers also tend to benefit from bigger endorsement contracts in the areas of beauty, health and fashion. This year’s list did not include athletes as it has in the past. “Athletes are at the height of their career when they’re under 30, so they tend to earn a lot more,” Pomerantz said. “We do a lot of athlete lists, so we wanted this list to focus on Hollywood and entertainment.”
Robert Blake freaks out on CNN Actor Robert Blake should've known better than to go on a talk show hosted by a former editor of The News of the World. During an appearance last night on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight, the actor went on a number of profane rants that quoted movies, a new book and prior interviews he gave and accused the talk show host of calling him a liar. Blake, 78, was on the show in a sleeveless shirt and cowboy hat to promote his self-published memoir "Tales of a Rascal." "I made a deal to come here and talk about anybody from the book," Blake told Morgan. The actor repeatedly tried to avoid questions about Bonnie Lee Bakely, his ex wife, insisting the book was not about her. Bakely died after being shot in the head outside a restaurant in 2001. "I excused you from that deal because I thought you were going to be cool. Now you're trying to f--k into the ground." Blake was acquitted of murder but found responsible for her death in a civil suit in 2005. Blake defiantly claimed "they didn't win it, I lost it. I went up there, suicidal, to lose that." After further prodding from the bombastic host, Blake asked if Morgan knew why he was arrested before telling him to "do some goddamn research." “She had 15 ID cards. She had 15 credit
Robert Blake
cards,” Blake said. “She had different places where she lived and nobody could ever find her if they were looking for her. Blake then added she "had people that she burned" and blames them for her death. Blake was ordered to pay $30 million to Bakely's family, according to CNN, but declared bankruptcy. Of his current living situation, he said "I live in an apartment. I told you, I'm broke. I couldn't buy spats for a hummingbird,” quoting an interview he gave to Entertainment Weekly in 1993, reported the news channel’s website.
Blake claimed "My skin is a little bit thin. I've never allowed anybody to ask me the questions you're asking," despite further proof from the network's website that he answered very similar questions during an interview with Tavis Smiley last year. According to CNN’s website, Blake used similar language from his book in accusing Morgan of being "just like the cops .. keep him in jail until he dies because everybody who's dead is guilty.” Morgan couldn't help himself at one point, further provoking the actor by asking "are you sane? The most bizarre part of the interview came when Blake called Morgan "Charlie Potatoes" during the interview, which the news channel's website said was a line from the 1958 movie "The Defiant Ones" meant to describe "a man who is rich and popular." Arsenio Hall tweeted "To my friend Charlie Potatoes: Great TV! Better you than me." Blake also referred to his ex-wife as a con-artist during the interview, saying ""I think she came to Hollywood to con her way into show business." Blake finished up by telling Morgan he loved him "as a human being" before calling the host his "brother in arms," adding "We're all in this thing together. But we were not dramatically in love or things like that."
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ENTERTAINMENT
Rihanna sues ex-accountants, says she lost millions NEW YORK - Pop star Rihanna has sued her former accountants for mismanaging the singer's finances, including claiming they earned huge commissions from concert tours that resulted in her losing millions of dollars. In a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court that surfaced on Thursday, the 24-year-old singer and her tour company, Tourihanna, is seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and loss of earnings from accountancy firm Berdon LLP and former employees Michael Mitnick and Peter Gounis. The suit, first filed late in Tuesday ahead of the July 4 U.S. holiday, claims the accounting firm caused "significant financial losses" between 2005 and 2010 by charging "exorbitant" commissions from Rihanna's 2010 "Last Girl on Earth Tour." It also accuses Berdon of mishandling Rihanna's foreign and domestic taxes and failing to monitor unpaid song royalties. "Between 2005 and 2010, Tourihanna suffered significant losses due to defendants' financial mismanagement and other acts and
Bridal gown designer Vera Wang and husband separate NEW YORK — Fashion designer Vera Wang, who launched her label with wedding gowns, and her husband, Arthur Becker, are separating. A statement from company President Mario Grauso to Women's Wear Daily earlier this week said Wang and Becker "mutually and amicably agreed to separate." The couple married in 1989, when Wang worked for Ralph Lauren. They have two daughters. Wang's business has grown to include high-end runway collections, household goods and a mass-consumer line at Kohl's. But she is best known for her bridal gowns. Chelsea Clinton, Alicia Keys and Ivanka Trump have walked down the aisle in Vera Wang designs.
omissions," the lawsuit said. Ron Storch, a partner at Berdon, said the company could not comment on pending litigation. Mitnick and Gounis have since left the firm and could not be reached for comment. Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, has produced a string of worldwide hits including "Umbrella" and "We Found Love." She is referred to in the suit as a financial novice who found fame at a young age and relied heavily on her accountants. Her music management introduced her to Berdon in 2005 when she was a 16-year-old and "a minor with a booming music career and no knowledge or understanding of financial matters whatsoever." The lawsuit said the accountants concealed facts regarding her finances and, in a deal Rihanna's lawyers called unusual, earned commissions based on a percentage of Rihanna's gross receipts that were "exorbitant and expensive." In addition, the firm assumed control over the singer's affairs beyond the industry standard and failed to maximize her personal net worth and long term wealth, the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit said several of the Barbados-born singer's national and international tours between 2005 and 2010 suffered losses compared with her last tour, "Loud", that was a financial success after she parted ways with Berdon. The lawsuit said Rihanna lost millions of dollars during "The Last Girl On Earth" tour after the firm failed to reconcile costs versus revenues while still paying itself millions in fees. It estimated that between 2007 and 2010, the accountants earned millions in commissions on tour gross receipts in an amount equaling 23 percent of total tour income, compared with 6 percent for Rihanna. The firm did not do monthly planning reports and performed little record-keeping of Rihanna's personal and business expenses, including those for Tourihanna. For example, during 2008 and 2009, the accountants kept only 2 percent to 4 percent of all receipts for expenses charged on the singer's personal credit card, the suit said. It also failed to uncover millions in unpaid royalties and problems with the
Pop star Rihanna
way in which Universal Music Group (UMG) label Recordings was tracking song royalties. The suit did not mention Rihanna's direct label, Def Jam, also owned by UMG. Accountants mishandled foreign and domestic taxes by withholding more funds than necessary, leading to "a significant losses of tax benefits" and failed to file taxes on time, causing late penalties. The singer further claims that, as a result, the IRS is now auditing her because Berdon mishandled tax returns between 2008 and 2010. The suit includes claims of breach of contract, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment
Rolling Stones celebrate 50 years on stage
Band members: The Rolling Stones
LONDON — It's only rock 'n' roll, but the Rolling Stones definitely like it. The band celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first gig at a bash in London Thursday, and despite being well over retirement age, the Stones have no plans to quit. "All of this has sort of brought us back together, and we'll see what comes out of it," said guitarist Keith Richards, who revealed that the Stones have begun rehearsing for new live shows that could come later this year. It all means Jagger may need to rethink the words he sang more than 45 years ago in "Mother's Little Helper" "What a drag it is getting old." The group is marking its halfcentury with no letup in its productivity or rock 'n ' roll style. At 68, Jagger is still the cool, rich frontman of the world's most successful rock band. Now in their late 60s and early 70s,
the band members celebrated the anniversary by attending a retrospective photo exhibition at London's Somerset House. Jagger, Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts mingled with a mixed crowd of rockers, writers and hangerson - from Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall to playwright Tom Stoppard at a launch party for the exhibition. The show, which opens to the public Friday, charts the band's career from their first official photo shoot in 1963 young mop tops lined up against a row of red phone boxes - to their monster '80s and '90s stadium tours. "You can see when you look at the photos how we couldn't give a hoot about anything," Jagger said with rock 'n 'roll pride. "You can just sort of tell by the attitude of those photographs how we didn't care." Jagger spoke to the Associated Press
50 years to the day after the young R&B band played London's Marquee Club. Taking a name from a song by bluesman Muddy Waters, they were billed as "The Rollin' Stones" -the 'g' came later. The lineup for the gig was vocalist Jagger, guitarists Richards and Brian Jones, bassist Dick Taylor, pianist Ian Stewart and Mick Avory on drums. Taylor and Avory soon left the lineup, while Stewart switched to a backup role; drummer Watts joined in 1963 and guitarist Wood in 1975. The band had its first hit, a cover of Chuck Berry's "Come On," in 1963, and soon became one of the world's biggest and most influential rock acts, rivaled only by The Beatles. The Beatles split up in 1970, but the Stones are still going strong - something Jagger attributes in part to an early grounding in versatility.
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HIGHLIGHTS
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Prime Minister of Dominica defends introduction of VAT READ MORE ON PG 34
e Bahamas urged to implement VAT as a matter of urgency THE Bahamas needs to be "well on its way within the next two years" to implementing a VAT/sales tax regime, the Ministry of Finance's leading consultant said, adding that this nation's tax revenues - as a percentage of GDP - were 10 points below the Western Hemisphere average. According to an article in the Nassau Tribune, James Smith, the former Central Bank governor and minister of state for finance, said broadening the Bahamas' tax base was essential to bridging a revenue "gap" that appeared structural in nature, especially given assertions from the newly-elected Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government that the fiscal deficit for the 2011-2012 Budget year was likely to reach close to $500 million. Suggesting that the Government design a schedule for implementing a value added tax (VAT) or sales tax "as a matter of urgency", Mr Smith added that its other priority should be to stimulate a private sector recovery and get the economy growing "at a much faster rate". Acknowledging that the Bahamian economy was facing "very serious challenges" when it came to growth and job creation, the current CFAL chairman also warned that this country "can't continue on the same path without getting into enormous trouble" when it came to the Government's finances. The former Hubert Ingraham administration had projected a total $314 million fiscal deficit for the Budget year to end-June 2012, but
both the Deputy Prime Minster, Philip Davis, and PLP chairman, Bradley Roberts, have argued that the final outturn is likely to be closer to $500 million. Mr Smith, who is advising the Christie administration's Ministry of Finance 'behind the scenes', described the $500 million deficit projections as "quite worrisome". "That's very troubling in the sense that it's larger than last year's, which suggests we continue on an upward trend," he told Tribune Business of the new fiscal deficit projections. "It also suggests there's been no dramatic change in the revenue line, and that expenditure is also trending upwards. It has the appearance of being structural in nature." The former government's Budget projections had estimated that the total 2011-2012 fiscal deficit would come in at a sum equivalent to 3.8 per cent of Bahamian gross domestic product (GDP). A $500 million deficit, though, would be equivalent to 6.1 per cent of GDP. Analysing the implications if the final outturn was closer to $500 million, Mr Smith told Tribune Business: "That's a really large number. I think it's quite worrisome from the macroeconomic point of view, because when you look at it just in terms of the Government's fiscal position, revenue is not performing at a level to sustain expenditure." The gap between government revenues and spending first emerged in the 2008-2009 Budget year, producing a total deficit of $430 million. That
increased to a $514 million peak in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, before reducing slightly and $206 million in 2010-2011 (aided by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) privatisation and Baha Mar/BORCO deals). Mr Smith said the Bahamian government's revenues, standing at between 16-18 per cent as a percentage of GDP, were "about 10 points below the average in the Hemisphere". Absent any sudden explosion of economic growth, he added that the Christie government's options were to either raise more revenue, curtail public spending or a combination of both when it came to controlling the fiscal deficit and, by extension, the national debt and its GDP ratio. "We can't continue on the same path without getting into enormous trouble," Mr Smith added. When asked by Tribune Business about the need to implement an alternative form of taxation in the Bahamas, either a sales or VAT tax, he replied: "That should be done almost immediately. Enough research has been done on it, and I believe an implementation schedule should be drawn up as a matter of urgency." Asked about the timescale the Bahamas should follow in implementing a VAT, Mr Smith responded: "We probably need to be well on this course within two years." The likes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Moody's, the Wall Street credit rating agency, have both urged the Bahamas to implement a VAT tax. They argue that
Travel survey ranks US Virgin Islands among the World's best NEW YORK, United States - The readers of one of the world's leading travel magazines have picked the island of St. John in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) among the Top 5 destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas. Following the results of the Travel + Leisure 2012 World's Best Awards readers' survey, St. John - with its tranquil beaches, stunning vistas and history preserved among the many sugar plantation ruins found throughout the island was ranked number five in the vast region, sharing the spotlight with neighboring Vieques in Puerto Rico (1), Harbour Island in the Bahamas (2), Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin
Islands (3) and the Grenadines in the Southern Caribbean (4). "St. John continues to be a top-of-mind destination in the Caribbean region and we appreciate the confidence travelers have placed in our Territory," noted USVI Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty, thanking the magazine and its readers for their appreciation of the island's assets. St. John had already been listed in Arthur Frommer's Top 10 favorite travel spots for 2012, a testament to the quality of the vacation experience in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Reinforcing the case were the top mentions in this year's Travel + Leisure survey for The
it will address the issues international trade agreements will create for the current import-duty based tax system, plus address the relatively poor revenue yields. Most major industrialised countries have employed a VAT tax for years, given that it generates revenue yields - and is levied - at each stage of the production process. In addition, a VAT would also capture services industries - the majority of the Bahamian economy, which is currently relatively untaxed. Mr Smith told Tribune Business that a VAT "suggests itself, in so far as it broadens our tax base to include both goods and services". With Bahamian consumer consumption down, unemployment remaining stubbornly high and tourist spending relatively flat, Mr Smith said the main revenue drivers for the Government were not in the best shape. "The macroeconomic indicators as they line up indicate very serious challenges for the economy going forward that have to be addressed, and those are of a structural nature. It's not easy," Mr Smith told Tribune Business. "What we need above all is to grow the economy at a much faster rate, and there are no short-term fixes for economic growth, so we would need to concentrate on growing visitor arrivals and visitor expenditure. That would impact the largest sector by employment, and similarly we need to look at other measures to expand the economy. We've really got to eke out some economic growth."
Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and St. John's Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort which were both listed among the Top 25 resorts in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas. "We are very proud of these resorts and encourage all of our partners in St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John to continue striving for excellence in today's competitive environment," the Commissioner stressed. Every year, Travel + Leisure asks its readers which industry suppliers represent the very best in travel. The results of the 17th annual Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards survey, revealing readers' favorite hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, car-rental agencies, safari outfitters, and tour operators, are listed on www.TravelandLeisure.com now, will be featured in the August digital editions on iPad®, NOOK Color™, and Kindle Fire™, and they are the cover story for the August issue of the magazine, on newsstands July 20.
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Caribbean banks urged to prepare for Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act Jamaica’s Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips has warned Caribbean financial institutions to prepare for the implementation of the United States' Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), at a recent conference dedicated to the subject held in Kingston. At a recent conference dedicated to the subject held in Kingston, Phillips told attendees: “We are still at an early stage in the implementation of FATCA. My impression is that the final regulatory arrangements are still not clear, even in the mind of the US authorities, but nevertheless, we understand the asymmetries of power and influence that exist, and I think it is important that we be prepared here.” FATCA, which was enacted in 2010 by the US government as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, is an important development in the US’ efforts to combat tax evasion by US taxpayers with investments in offshore accounts. The Act is of particular significance as it places an obligation on foreign or non-US financial institutions to report to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) information about financial accounts held by US
taxpayers, including entities in which the US taxpayer holds a significant ownership interest. A participating Foreign Financial Institution (FFI) will have to enter into an agreement with the IRS to provide the name, address and taxpayer identification number (TIN) of each account holder who is a specified US person; and, in the case of any account holder which is a US-owned foreign entity, the name, address, and TIN of each substantial US owner of such entity. The account number is also required to be provided, together with the account balance or value, and the gross receipts and gross withdrawals or payments from the account. Under the timeline provided by the IRS and US Treasury, an FFI must enter an agreement with the IRS by June 30, 2013, to ensure that it will be identified as a participating FFI in sufficient time to allow withholding agents to refrain from withholding beginning on January 1, 2014. Phillips said for Jamaica's part, the government would be putting in place several measures shortly to help institutions prepare for FATCA’s implementation. This will include the Bank of Jamaica carrying out a risk
Miami cargo ship heads to Havana after 50 year hiatus For the first time in fifty years, a cargo ship left Miami directly for Cuba Wednesday, carrying a load of humanitarian supplies, officials said. "This first ship, the Ana Cecilia, left with humanitarian shipments, and we are assured that there was nothing to be sold in Cuba," shipping company spokesman Leonardo Sanchez-Adega told AFP. The company, International Port Corp, says it has obtained a special permit from US authorities which complies with the US trade embargo on Cuba. It says its clients include charitable, religious, and humanitarian groups, as well as family members of people in Cuba, the spokesman said. Sanchez-Adega added his company plans for ships to leave each Wednesday on the 17hour trip to Havana, where the 10-member crew will unload its cargo and return, without ever going ashore. The Ana Cecilia can carry up to 16 containers, for which the company is charging $5.99 a pound, or about $13 a kilogram. Other Florida companies ship to Cuba, through third countries, but Sanchez-Adega says they are the first to offer weekly service directly from Miami to Havana. The US embargo against Cuba was declared by US President John F. Kennedy in 1962 -- aimed at bringing down the Americas' only one party Communist regime. Over five decades later, the regime remains in place under President Raul Castro. The US embargo has been condemned by a majority of the United Nations General Assembly each year since 1992.
assessment on its licensees to determine the state of readiness of these entities and their systems. The Minister welcomed talks ongoing between US authorities with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, to ease the compliance burden attached to the FATCA, potentially through a centralized body in each nation for dealing with the information exchange requirements under the Act. A total of 40 additional nations are thought to be interested in joining such an agreement to ease the substantial financial burden the Act is to have on financial institutions, including those without US accounts. “If this proves possible, financial entities will be relieved of some liabilities particularly if reporting is done through the local central authorities who would be empowered to receive this information,” Phillips said. “Even as we make our efforts, whether on the basis of bilateral interventions with the United States, or in partnership with other Caribbean countries, we will be strenuously seeking to ensure that there is no unfair advantage faced by Jamaican financial institutions," Phillips added. "Equally, the message must be that we are facing an increasingly stringent global regime of
tax compliance and we need to put our house in order in this regard,” he emphasized. He said non-compliance with the regulations may not be an option: “If we choose simply to ignore it, it will render the financial institution ultimately liable to the withholding on all income, including gross proceeds of investment transactions sourced to a US asset at a 30% rate. So essentially, you will be foregoing 30% of all your income flows." Warning regional financial institutions to begin considering the impact of FATCA on their business, Phillips said: “There are several important risks that arise as a consequence of this for local financial institutions. There are the legal risks relating to the unauthorized disclosure of customer information; legal risks relating to withholding and or closing customers’ accounts; there are the operational costs and risks relating to retrospective and additional due diligence and data transmission measures; and there are the risks related to the withholding on a foreign financial institution’s US income payments and possible closure of that foreign financial institution’s US accounts.”
No decision to close Jamaica bauxite plant KINGSTON, Jamaica — Russian aluminum giant UC Rusal is denying the Jamaican energy minister's assertions that the company plans to shut down its last operational bauxite plant on the island. Jamaica's Energy and Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell has told Parliament that Rusal will close its Ewarton Alumina Refinery in October for one year. But in a Thursday email, a company spokeswoman said "the information about Ewarton's
closing in October this year does not correspond to the reality." The company acknowledges that it is considering curtailing operations at some facilities, but it says any decisions won't be made until September. The Russian company shut down two other Jamaican bauxite plants in 2009 after the global economic crisis halted production. Rusal is the world's largest aluminum producer.
Caribbean parasite named after Bob Marley A small crustacean parasite which feeds on fish in the Caribbean has been named after Bob Marley, in what the biologist who discovered it calls a tribute to the late reggae icon. The tiny shellfish, a blood feeder that inhabits the coral reefs of the shallow eastern Caribbean, has been called Gnathia marleyi after the Jamaican music legend. "I named this species, which is truly a natural wonder, after Marley because of my respect and admiration for Marley's music," said Dr. Paul Sikkel, a field marine biologist at Arkansas State University. "Plus, this species is as uniquely Caribbean as was Marley," he added in a statement on the website of the National Science Foundation, as well as that of the university. In an email to AFP, he added: "I am a HUGE Bob Marley fan and have been since high school. I have three large Bob Marley posters in my laboratory, have virtually everything he has ever recorded. "When I had the opportunity to name a species that I consider absolutely fascinating, I chose to name it in Bob's honor. "It has nothing to do with the fact that it is a parasite, and everything to do with the fact that it is a
truly remarkable animal that is widespread in the Caribbean." The creature, from the family of gnathiid isopods, is the first new species to be found in the Caribbean in more than two decades, the National Science Foundation said. The juvenile Gnathia marleyi conceals itself inside coral rubble, sea sponge or algae, and launches surprise attacks on fish which it then infests. Adult gnathiids do not feed at all, said Sikkel. "We believe that adults subsist for two to three weeks on the last feedings they had as juveniles and then die, hopefully after they have reproduced," he said. The health of Caribbean coral reefs is declining due to disease. "We are currently researching the relationships between the health of coral reef communities and gnathiid populations," said Sikkel. Naming new species after celebrities is nothing new: President Barack Obama has a lichen named after him; Microsoft boss Bill Gates has a flower fly, and Elvis Presley has a wasp, the foundation said. Neither the Marley family nor his record label, Island Records, responded to requests for comment on the deceased musician's latest honor.
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Barbados to implement six months stay for CARICOM nationals The dream of hassle free travel for CARICOM nationals who travel around the Region is fast becoming a reality with Barbados being the latest member state to accept the Treaty provision which allows CARICOM nationals to stay in that country for up to six months at a time. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has given his commitment to CARICOM leaders that his Government will fall in line with Caribbean neighbours that have fully applied the measure agreed by
CARICOM Heads of Government at their summit in Barbados five years ago. Barbados already grants CARICOM travelers six months stay but does so in installments – three months in the first instance and then, if the beneficiary is interested, an additional three months with no objections. However, speaking at the closing press conference of the 33rd Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government in St Lucia last night, Stuart said that “has been cause for
Prime Minister of Dominica defends introduction of VAT ROSEAU, Dominica – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has defended the introduction of the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) here saying it has prevented the island from following other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries in seeking financial assistance from lending agencies including the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking at the launch of a multi-million dollar water project, Skerrit dismissed as “reckless” suggestions in some quarters here that the VAT, introduced here in 2002, should be removed. “People talk about removing VAT altogether but with no Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit alternative suggestion. You remove VAT then what do you replace VAT with. How is the government going to pay public officers and to help maintain goods and services to provide the services to our people? “I mean all sorts of reckless, irrational, nonsensical advice and recommendations have been put forward to the government. But what we have seen in other countries is that not only have they maintained the VAT legislation they have increased the VAT,” Skerrit said. He said the United Kingdom government which is struggling with its economy, the VAT rate is 20 per cent, while in Barbados, it has been increased to 17.5 per cent and in St. Kitts-Nevis it stands at 17 per cent. “Recently the government of Jamaica went to Parliament with its budget and they increased the taxation and they also introduced new taxes,” he said, adding “not because the government of Jamaica do not love their people the imposing taxes but they needed revenue to address a very large fiscal gap which continues to confront Jamaica”. He insisted that the VAT here had been instrumental in preventing the island from suffering from the economic problems now confronting many other CARICOM countries. “Within the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States), there are three countries which are under the IMF programme. In one of the countries the unemployment rate is as high as 40 per cent…and the government has had to go through a debt restructuring exercise because there are having challenges in meeting the debt servicing obligations. “We had to go through the same challenge between 2002 and 2006 imposing taxes on the people of Dominica, cutting expenditure because we found ourselves in a situation where we could not pay salaries to public workers on time and we told you if you give us that support, if you are understanding, if you are patient and if you allow those measures to be implemented that we would one day see light at the end of the tunnel”. Skerrit said he wanted to “continuously thank you for standing and sticking by the government and allowing the government to implement these measures which today we are seeing the benefits of those measures implemented back in 2002”.
some concern”. “That has been seen as not implementing the agreement of Heads of Government and therefore we’ve taken a decision to revisit that and that to look at the automatic six months stay subject, of course, to all the security and other considerations that attend visitors when they arrive at our ports of entry,” he said. Stuart, who chairs CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), says leaders spent much of their three-day
summit discussing the integration process and free movement. St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who joined Stuart, host Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony and St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas at the press conference, said there was a recommitment on issues related to freedom of movement during the meeting. “I think we have gone through many twists and turns on this and there is now solidity in that,” he said.
Bellingham pleased with progress in Anguilla THE VALLEY, Anguilla – Britain’s Overseas Territories Minister, Henry Bellingham, says while Anguilla has a “successful economy” there is still need to diversify and attract investors to ensure its growth. “Anguilla has a successful economy, middle income status, but (it) needs to diversify the economy, get its finances on to a good footing, continue to the Chief Minister’s programme of good governance,” Bellingham said, adding “if you do that you will attract investors and a strong economy”. Despite two major salary cuts for public servants in recent years and a general down turn in economic activity, Bellingham noted that the local economy is in a better shape that some of the fully independent Caribbean countries “who are facing appalling financial crises and have intolerable debt burdens”. He said some of the independent Caribbean islands were struggling to finance their debt. “You should be very proud of your economy, you should be very proud of the assets you have”. But he ruled out a bailout package for the financially strapped overseas territories similar to offerings provided to the European Union in the wake of the global financial crisis. The British minister said the United Kingdom’s direct rule in the Turks and Caicos Islands for more than two years could be considered a financial bailout. Bellingham, who has responsibility for Britain’s 14 Overseas Territories, Africa and the United Nations, was interviewed on local radio on a wide range of issues. The minister, who made his first and so far only visit to Anguilla in 2010, shortly after the Hubert Hughes administration came to power, said there was need to implement new ideas including the possibility of local public
servants doing attachments in London. “We feel across the United Kingdom government we have a lot of expertise and we would like to see public servants come from Anguilla to do work experience in various UK government departments,” he said, noting that the David Cameron led coalition government has laid out a “reinvigorated approach to the territories…they are huge assets to the UK. “We want partnership arrangements, we want to see an exchange of personnel for capacity building. In return we want to see good financial management and good governance,” Bellingham said, even as he acknowledged that London needed to offer more assistance to help combat crime in the territories. In recent months the island has been hit with a spate of gun related crimes resulting in two deaths. On the issue of independence, which Chief Minister Hughes has hinted at in recent months, Bellingham maintained that this is a matter for the people of the territories who have the ultimate choice in the determination of their future. “So long as they want to remain British then we will cherish that. We will welcome them and we will work together to make a success of it,” he said, noting that at the United Nations Decolonization Committee the current view is that it is no longer relevant and that all the overseas territories should have been delisted years ago. “We have always made it clear that the future of the territories lies in the hands of their people, that is self determination, and any of the territories who want to remain British. “At the moment they all happen to want to do so, we will cherish that. They have the democratic right to do that, but if the people want to break that it’s up to them,” Bellingham said.
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Obamas Mistake: Not telling the ‘story’ better to the American people President Obama said that the biggest mistake of his first term was not being a good enough storyteller, explaining that he needed to better communicate to the American people why the policies he was pursuing mattered. “The mistake of my first term – couple of years – was thinking that this job was just about getting the policy right,” Obama told CBS News’ Charlie Rose. “And that’s important, but, you know, the nature of this office is also to tell a story to the American people that
gives them a sense of unity and purpose and optimism, especially during tough times.” “When I ran, everybody said, ‘Well, he can give a good speech, but can he actually manage the job?’” he went on to explain. “And in my first two years, I think the notion was, ‘Well, he’s been juggling and managing a lot of stuff, but where’s the story that tells us where he’s going?’ And I think that was a legitimate criticism.” Going forward, the president said he plans to spend more time outside of
Washington with the American people, “listening to them and also then being in a conversation with them about where we go as a country. I need to do a better job of that in my second term.” The president has already been ramping up his travel ahead of November’s election. He spends tomorrow and Saturday campaigning in the critical swing state of Virginia. In his second term the president said he needs to be better job of not just “explaining, but also inspiring.” Chiming in, the first lady added,
Swedish billionaire’s son arrested on suspicion of murder London - Hans Kristian Rausing, the son of one of the world's wealthiest men, was arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of his American-born wife was found in their home this week, police confirmed Friday. The 49-year-old was initially arrested Monday on drug charges and then was held "in connection with the death" of Eva Rausing, police said Tuesday. The new details of his arrest emerged during the inquest into her death, which opened at Westminster Coroner's Court on Friday. The Metropolitan Police said there is no murder inquiry yet and the death is still being treated as unexplained. Authorities are awaiting the results of further post-
mortem tests, which are not expected for several more days, police said. An autopsy Tuesday failed to determine the cause of Eva Rausing's death, police said. Detective Inspector Sharon Marman told the coroner that police had discovered the drugs when they searched Rausing's car after stopping him on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the UK's Press Association news agency reported. They then searched his home address, a mansion in one of London's most expensive neighborhoods. During that search, officers discovered the "apparently lifeless body of a female in one of the bedrooms," Marman said, according to the news
“because hope is still there.” Presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney pounced on Obama’s comments, saying, “Being president is not about telling stories.” “President Obama believes that millions of Americans have lost their homes, their jobs and their livelihood because he failed to tell a good story,” Romney said in a written statement. “Being president is about leading, and President Obama has failed to lead. No wonder Americans are losing faith in his presidency.”
agency. The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of her murder, "and we await notification of when he will be fit to be interviewed," she said, quoted by the Press Association. A spokesman for Hans Kristen Rausing, James Henderson, told CNN that nothing had changed in Rausing's position. "He was arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder. He has not been questioned yet. He has not been charged," he said. Henderson said Rausing was still receiving medical treatment, and he did not know when he would be questioned. Police earlier this week declined to name Hans Kristian Rausing as the man who was arrested, but a source familiar with the investigation said the man in custody lived at the address where the body was found. He is the son of Hans Rausing, who is worth an estimated $10 billion, thanks to the family's connection to Swedish packaging giant Tetra Laval
Moderates win in first free elections in Libya in a generation The moderate National Forces Alliance of wartime prime minister Mahmoud Jibril scored a landslide victory over rival Islamist parties in Libya's first free national election in a generation, partial tallies showed on Thursday. Counts from across the North African country attested to a resounding defeat for the political wing of Libya's Muslim Brotherhood, bucking a trend of success for Islamist groups in other Arab Spring countries such as Egypt and Tunisia. Final official results are not due until next week. But with a large majority of votes counted, Jibril's alliance had unbeatable leads in Tripoli, the desert south, and the eastern city of Benghazi, the cradle of last year's rebellion against 42 years of
Muammar Gaddafi's rule. "The people saw in Jibril an openness to the rest of the world and they craved this openness after being closed off by Gaddafi," Libyan political analyst Nasser Ahdash said of the Western-educated politician who became the face of last year's uprising. In Central Tripoli district, Jibril's alliance won 46,000 votes against 4,000 for Justice and Construction. He scored victories in three other Tripoli districts and an allied party won the fifth. Rivals now have the chance to appeal the vote before the result is declared final. Moreover, Jibril's nationwide wins will not automatically translate to a majority of the new 200head assembly since the bulk of its
seats have been allotted to independent candidates whose allegiances are hard to pin down. That assembly is due to pick a prime minister and cabinet before preparing for full parliamentary elections next year. Speculation is growing that Jibril could emerge from the process as Libya's next leader potentially as president if a new constitution chooses that form of government. Jibril is playing down talk of his future role for now and has called for parties of all hues to come together for talks on forming a national unity coalition with a priority of rebuilding Libya. Yet such contacts could be prickly, with Islamist groups this week
accusing Jibril of playing up his Islamic credentials to woo religiousminded voters. Jibril, 60, says he has been a devout Muslim since the age of 14 and has long rejected the labels of secular and liberal. Aside from his high profile in last year's uprising, analysts said Jibril was seen as a safe pair of hands to rebuild the oil-based economy, which the International Monetary Fund predicted this week would quickly bounce back. Many Justice and Construction candidates, on the other hand, were unknown to Libyan voters, some of whom are put off by what they perceive as links between it and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood - an affiliation the party denies.
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Penn State ignored child sex allegations, says former FBI chief Top officials at Penn State University showed "total and consistent disregard" for the well-being of the young victims of a pedophilia scandal, a damning independent investigation found. The US college hired former FBI head Louis Freeh to conduct the eightmonth probe into the sex abuse perpetrated by Jerry Sandusky, an assistant football coach at the school, who was convicted on pedophilia charges last month. Freeh's report found a pattern of negligence and concealment by "the most powerful people" at Penn State, including its former president Graham Spanier and legendary football coach Joe Paterno. "They exhibited a striking lack of empathy for Sandusky's victims by failing to inquire as to their safety and wellbeing," the Freeh report found. He added the university seemed more concerned about avoiding "bad publicity" than assisting the victims and for 14 years effectively covered up abuse that has now shocked a nation
that is passionate about college sports. "We're horrified. We're saddened. We are -- there are not enough superlative words to use," Karen Peetz, chairwoman of the Penn State Board of Trustees, told reporters in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Kenneth Frazier, chairman of the special investigation task force, added: "An event like this can never happen again in the Penn State University community. Judge Freeh's report is both sad and sobering." "On a personal level, you should know that our hearts remain heavy and we are deeply ashamed," Frazier added. Freeh conducted over 430 interviews of key university officials and staff as well as an exhaustive review of emails, school records and other documents in his investigation. His probe excoriated the university for failing to notify the proper authorities immediately when revelations first surfaced that Sandusky had engaged in improper behavior involving children.
Stress of life in the public eye might have fueled Jackson's mood disorder, doctors say The medical condition keeping Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. out of Congress for the past month was finally revealed and not revealed at the same time: a mood disorder, a condition that can be anything from major depression to bipolar disorder. Whatever his condition, doctors say the stresses of Jackson's life and career likely played a role in triggering this episode. His case also serves as a reminder that anyone can struggle with mental health. The Illinois congressman's office Wednesday released a statement that Jackson is "receiving intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder. He is responding positively to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery." The statement also denied rumors that Jackson is being treated for alcohol or substance abuse. Although a mood disorder can be many different things, the most common form is depression, and doctors say such a disorder has to be severe for a patient to be admitted to an inpatient treatment facility. Most people admitted are either suffering from delusions or are suicidal. One senior aide to Jackson spoke to ABC News and denied that the congressman had attempted suicide. That rumor was floated on the Chicago WLS talk radio show Roe & Roeper, which reported that sources said Jackson's absence from Congress was the result of a suicide attempt. Almost 7 percent of U.S. adults have depression in a given year, and almost 17 percent of Americans will experience it in their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. The numbers are slightly lower for bipolar disorder: Nearly 4 percent of Americans will have it in their life. Mood disorders like these have a variety of physical and environmental triggers. "Obviously, someone who is in the spotlight is living a stressful life," said Dr. Ken Robbins, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin who is not treating Jackson, as with the other experts in this story. "It may very well have something to do with what triggered his episode." Besides the pressures of a high-stress job, times have been tough for Jackson lately. He became embroiled in the scandal surround President Obama's vacant Illinois Senate seat and dealt with allegations of an extramarital affair. Dr. Harold G. Koenig, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center, said the pressure alone from being in a family forever in the spotlight might have become too much for Jackson. "Especially if you're a minister's family," Koenig said, referring to Jackson's father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson. "There's this idea that you have to have this image, you have to be a kind of ideal that no one can live up to. Trying to achieve that becomes tough."
"Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare for Sandusky's child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State," Freeh said at a press conference at his Philadelphia law firm. "The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized," he said. Sandusky is in prison awaiting sentencing after being convicted last month of molesting 10 boys over 15 years, recruiting victims under the guise of a program he ran for neglected youths. Freeh said he hoped his scathing findings would provide a measure of solace to the victims, but his report also provides powerful ammunition to victims and their families considering suing the university for negligence. The report pointed the finger at former athletic director Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, a university vice president who was in charge of the campus police, both of whom are awaiting trial on charges of perjury and failure to report
abuse. The report deals a particularly devastating blow to the legacy of Paterno, a legend who won more games than any other top-level US collegiate coach in history and who dominated gridiron performances for half a century. Paterno, who died of cancer in January, was seen as the most powerful man in the university town of State College, Pennsylvania, because of the millions of dollars that poured into Penn State coffers each year, in part from adoring alumni proud of its storied football tradition, in part from outside sponsors. But Paterno's legacy has been forever sullied by the charges -- backed up in Thursday's report -- that he failed to take action against Sandusky, allowing him to target new child abuse victims at will. In 2001 a junior coach, graduate assistant Mike McQueary, told Paterno he saw Sandusky molesting a boy in a locker room shower at the school.Paterno allegedly failed to pass that information to the authorities.
Circumcision ban described as the worst attack on Jews since Holocaust European Jewish leaders furiously condemned a German court's ruling outlawing circumcision as the "worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust" yesterday and demanded that Chancellor Angela Merkel's government intervene to protect the practice as a religious rite. The damning remarks came amid growing European Jewish and Muslim outrage over a ruling by a Cologne court last month declaring that the circumcision of young boys could be considered a criminal offence because it caused bodily harm and infringed a child's right to integrity. Yesterday, Moscow's Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, the president of the Conference of European Rabbis who made the Holocaust comments, added: "I see no future for Jews in Germany if the ruling is upheld". Opinion polls conducted after the ruling found that a majority of Germans approved of the court's decision. Rabbi Goldschmidt said the poll's findings were "shocking". He said the court's ruling suggested that Muslims and Jews were no longer socially acceptable in Europe. His remarks followed a strongly worded statement from European Jewish and Muslim community leaders, which underlined that circumcision was fundamental to both faiths, and demanded that the German government intervene to grant the practice legal protection. They described the Cologne court decision as: "an affront to our basic religious and human rights." The statement was signed, among others, by the heads of the European
Jewish Parliament, the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, the European Jewish Association, Germany's Islamic Union for religious Affairs and the Islamic Centre in Brussels. Leaders from both faiths also met members of the German and European parliaments to voice their anger at the court's decision and demand that clear legal protection of the rite be established. Chancellor Merkel's government has so far avoided taking sides in the deepening debate in Germany. However, the latest European Jewish and Muslim initiative will have dramatically increased the pressure on her coalition to take some action. Germany's Green Party was among the first to respond yesterday. Renate K端nast, the party's parliamentary leader said the Greens wanted to give Muslims and Jews legal security with new laws guaranteeing the right to circumcision on religious grounds. "We want to find a way which does not punish circumcision," she said. In the wake of the Cologne court ruling Germany's Medical Association advised doctors to stop performing the operation because they could face legal consequences. The court's decision also prompted two Berlin hospitals to call a temporary halt to the procedure. However, another influential doctor's organisation, the Hartmannbund said it fully supported Jewish and Muslim objections to the court's ruling. "Turning a hitherto generally accepted religious practice into a criminal offence amounts to one of the biggest forms of discrimination imaginable", said Bernd L端cke, a spokesman
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Authorities discover 2 sophisticated border drug tunnels along border of US and Mexico PHOENIX - Two drug-smuggling tunnels outfitted with lighting and ventilation systems were discovered along the U.S.-Mexico border, the latest signs that cartels are building sophisticated passages to escape heightened surveillance on land. Both tunnels were at least 150 yards long. One began under a bathroom sink inside a warehouse in Tijuana but was unfinished and didn't cross the border into San Diego. The Mexican army found the tunnel Wednesday. The other was completed and discovered Saturday in a vacant strip mall storefront in the southwestern Arizona city of San Luis. It showed a level of sophistication not typically associated with other crude smuggling passageways that tie into storm drains in the state. "When you see what is there and the way they designed it, it wasn't something that your average miner could put together," said Douglas Coleman, special agent in charge of the Phoenix division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. "You would need someone with some engineering expertise to put something together like this." As U.S. authorities heighten enforcement on land, tunnels have become an increasingly common way to smuggle enormous loads of heroin, marijuana and other drugs into the country. More than 70 passages have been found on the border since October 2008, surpassing the number of
In this undated photo provided by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, shows the tunnel shaft entrance on the U.S. side of a 240-yard, complete and fully operational drug smuggling tunnel.
discoveries in the previous six years. A total of 156 secret tunnels have been found along the border since 1990, the vast majority of them incomplete. Raids last November on two tunnels linking San Diego and Tijuana netted a combined 52 tons of marijuana on both sides of the border. In early December 2009, authorities found an incomplete tunnel that stretched nearly 900 feet into San Diego from Tijuana, equipped with an elevator at the Mexican entrance. The latest Arizona tunnel was discovered after state police pulled over a man who had 39 pounds of methamphetamine in his vehicle and mentioned the strip mall.
The tunnel was found beneath a water tank in a storage room and stretched across the border to an iceplant business in the Mexican city of San Luis Rio Colorado. It was reinforced with four-by-six beams and lined with plywood. Investigators believe the tunnel wasn't in operation for long because there was little wear on its floor, and 55-gallon drums containing extracted dirt hadn't been removed from the property. Coleman said investigators can't yet say for sure if the tunnel, estimated to cost $1.5 million to build, was operated by the powerful Sinaloa cartel. Still, authorities suspect cartel involvement because the group from
Sinaloa controls smuggling routes into Arizona. "Another cartel wasn't going to roll into that area and put down that kind of money in Sinaloa territory," Coleman said. "Nobody is going to construct this tunnel without significant cartel leadership knowing what's going on." U.S. authorities were investigating the Tijuana tunnel for three months, said Lauren Mack, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorities found no connections to the smuggling operation involving the Arizona passageway. The Tijuana tunnel was discovered inside a building advertised as a recycling plant in an area where industrial warehouses are common on both sides of the border. The Mexican army said two tractor-trailers were found inside the warehouse, along with shovels, drills, pickaxes, buckets and other excavation tools. The Mexican army estimated the tunnel was about 150 yards long and more than 10 yards underground. The walls were lined with dirt and wide enough for one person to get through comfortably. It takes six months to a year to build a tunnel, authorities say. Workers use shovels and pickaxes to slowly dig through the soil, sleeping in buildings where the tunnels begin until the job is done. Sometimes they use pneumatic tools.
US cracks down on world’s largest medical marijuana dispensary LOS ANGELES - Federal prosecutors have filed civil forfeiture actions against an Oakland medical marijuana dispensary that bills itself as the world's largest, as part of a crackdown by U.S. authorities on California's massive cannabis trade. The lawsuits, filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, seek forfeiture of two properties where Harborside Health Center operates, said Melinda Haag, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California. Harborside says it is the largest medical marijuana dispensary in the world, serving more than 100,000 patients in a "beautiful waterfront location," and is subject of the Discovery Channel reality TV show "Weed Wars." "The larger the operation, the greater the likelihood that there will be abuse of the state's medical marijuana laws and marijuana in the hands of individuals who do not have a demonstrated medical need," Haag said in a statement on Wednesday announcing the actions. "The filing of the civil forfeiture complaints against the two Harborside properties is part of our measured effort to address the proliferation of illegal marijuana businesses in the Northern District of California," she said.
Oakland medical marijuana dispensary
In a statement on its website, the clinic said, "Harborside has nothing to be ashamed of, and will contest the Federal actions openly and publicly, with every legal means at our disposal." "We look forward to our day in court, and are confident that justice is on our side. Come what may, we shall continue to care for our patients unless we are physically prevented from doing so," the statement said. Harborside also announced a news conference for Thursday morning to respond to the "federal attack," saying that Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and other city, state and union officials would attend.
The action against Harborside is the latest in a crackdown on what federal prosecutors say is a flourishing network of illegal cannabis suppliers operating across California under the cover of the state's medical marijuana law. The possession or sale of marijuana is illegal under federal law, which does not have an exemption for medical purposes. The drive by federal prosecutors to shut down dispensaries has caused friction between the U.S. government and California, which in 1996 became the first state to decriminalize medical marijuana. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have followed suit. California Attorney General Kamala Harris, in a November interview with The New York Times, said the federal campaign had "only increased uncertainty about how Californians can legitimately comply with state law." Harris also said federal authorities were "ill equipped to be the decision makers as to which providers are violating the law." Federal prosecutors say the dispensaries operate outside of California law, which permits only primary caregivers to dispense marijuana and bans sale of the drug for profit.
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Former Syria diplomat says only force can topple Assad BEIRUT — Syria's highest ranking diplomat to defect to the opposition dismissed the main international plan seeking to stop the violence, saying Thursday that nothing short of President Bashar Assad's ouster is acceptable. Nawaf Fares, formerly Syria's ambassador to Iraq, said only force can remove Assad. "There is no roadmap ever with Bashar Assad, because he delays and ignores any plan, any statement that is agreed on internationally," Fares said in an interview with Al-Jazeera. "There is no way that he can be pushed from power without force and the Syrian people realize this." Syria's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Fares should be punished. In a statement reported by Syria's state news agency, the ministry said Fares had been "relieved of his duties" and should face "legal and disciplinary accountability." He was the second prominent figure to leave the regime in a week, suggesting some cracks in Assad's regime are appearing at senior levels although the core of Assad's regime
has remained loyal despite growing international pressure. Brig. Gen. Manaf Tlass, an Assad confidant and son of a former defense minister, fled Syria last week, but has not spoken publicly. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Tlass has been in contact with the Syrian opposition. He would not comment on reports that Tlass was in Paris. "I know that there is some closeness between the opposition and the general... contact has been made," Fabius told journalists in Paris. Opposition leaders and Western officials said they hoped the defections would encourage others to leave, too. Syria's unrest began with protests in March 2011, but has since evolved into an armed insurgency with scores of rebel groups across the country clashing with government troops and attacking their bases and convoys. Activists say more than 17,000 people have been killed. The Syrian government blames the uprising on armed gangs backed by foreign powers to weaken the state. It says more than 4,000 members of the security forces have been killed.
In Paris, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Fares quit while outside of Iraq. Fares condemned Assad's regime in a statement broadcast on the satellite channel Al-Jazeera. "Where is the honor in killing your countrymen? Where is the national allegiance? The nation is all the people, not one person in particular," he said. "The allegiance is to the people, not to a dictator who kills his people." It was unclear where Fares recorded the statement. His current whereabouts remain unknown. Appointed to the Baghdad post four years ago, Fares was the first Syrian ambassador to Iraq in 26 years. Like Tlass, he is a member of the privileged Sunni elite in a regime dominated by Assad's minority Alawite sect. Also Thursday, Human Rights Watch said it had found evidence that the Syrian government had fired cluster bombs in an area near the central city of Hama The New York-based group said the munitions are clearly identifiable in amateur videos posted online, and
that local activists said the area has been under government bombardment for weeks. Cluster bombs explode in the air and drop dozens of "bomblets" over a large area but often, these do not explode on impact. They remain explosive, however, increasing the threat of later injury to civilians. Anti-regime activists reported government shelling of opposition areas and clashes that killed at least 13 people throughout Syria Thursday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least seven people were killed in the country's north when pro-regime gunmen opened fire on their cars. The activist group also said government shelling killed six people in what appeared to be a new offensive on the village of Treemseh, northwest of Hama. Another group, the Local Coordination Committees, said at least 20 people were killed in the highway attacks and seven died in Treemseh. Activist claims often have different figures and their reports cannot be independently verified.
TENDER NOTICE FOR CROWN LAND Turks and Caicos Islands Government is in receipt of a proposal to acquire a leasehold title over 17.73 acres of parcels 60000/335 and 60000/635, Northwest & West Central, Providenciales, for a commercial development. In the spirit of good governance and in keeping with Section 34 of Crown Land Ordinance we would like to open the tender process for competing tenders to these parcels. This process promotes transparency and helps mitigate favouritism and corruption; as well as affords the Government the opportunity to get the best value for the land. The parcels are located in an area zoned for tourism development and all bids should guide the Project Proposal Guidelines, found on TCIG website - www.gov.tc. All bids must be submitted to the Tender Board and must be accompanied by a $1000.00 non-refundable application fee payable at any Treasury location. Return of Tenders: The return date is scheduled to close at 2pm on August 03rd 2012. Bids are to be returned in a sealed envelope addressed to: Chairman of the Tender Board N. J. S. Francis Building Pond Street Grand Turk
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• US government records $904.2 Billion deďŹ cit through June
Yahoo confirms theft of passwords from users Yahoo said it is investigating a data breach that allowed a hacker group to download about 453,000 unencrypted user names and passwords, a revelation that also threatened users' email accounts with other providers. The Sunnyvale, Calif., company said the compromised user information belongs to Yahoo Voices, a selfpublishing service once known as Associated Content. A hacking organization called D33Ds Co. posted the stolen data on its website and appended a note describing the download "as a wake-up call and not as a threat." The group said it aims to expose Yahoo's vulnerabilities. Yahoo noted that less than 5% of the Voices accounts had still-valid passwords.
The hacked file also included the email addresses--such as those from AOL Inc. (AOL) and Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Gmail--that people used to register for the Yahoo Voices service. The passwords listed were those used to log into Yahoo Voices, but in some cases also were the same ones used for the email addresses. AOL and Gmail said they responded by finding out which customers were still using the compromised Yahoo passwords and have prompted affected customers to change their logins. AOL noted that only about 7% of the roughly 25,000 AOL Mail addresses revealed in the Yahoo breach had the same passwords on their email accounts.
Amazon hinting that a martphone is coming? Amazon's new gaming platform for the Kindle Fire has a curious new feature that hints the company may be working on more Kindle Fire devices, such as another tablet or a smartphone. The new platform named GameCircle, which rolled out Wednesday, shares similar features with Apple's social-gaming network called Game Center. But Amazon has tapped into its cloud power to offer players something Apple does not; a syncing capability that saves all the player's information securely to the cloud. Basically, syncing allows players using Amazon's social gaming network to save games on the cloud and return to the games right where they left off. More noteworthy, however, is the feature also allows users to sync a game and switch "between Kindle Fire devices" to return to the game. Catch that? The statement is curious because currently there is only one Kindle Fire device on the market, the tablet; So a syncing feature doesn't seem like it would be that helpful unless a person owns more than one Kindle Fire, or unless Amazon has future plans to roll out more Kindle Fire devices, such as another tablet or a smartphone. The new syncing feature caught ABI Research Analyst Aapo Markkanen's attention, who said that a smartphone is the logical next step for Amazon, but that the company is more likely to roll out an upgraded Kindle Fire tablet first. An Amazon smartphone will most likely not launch until the first quarter in 2013, he said. "That's one of the key advantages of the cloud, storing content that can migrate from device to device," Markkanen said. "It's a natural extension to add more devices to the mix."
"We have definitely had to deal with this in the past," said David Temkin, AOL's mail and mobile chief. He said AOL took similar actions when social-network LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD) earlier this year disclosed that 6.5 million of its encrypted user passwords were stolen. Yahoo said in an emailed statement it is fixing the vulnerability that led to the data breach. The company also said it is changing affected users' passwords and notifying companies with accounts that might have been compromised. Constellation Research analyst Ray Wang said Yahoo apparently fell prey to an extremely common kind of database attack that most companies typically take steps to combat. "This isn't supposed to happen," he
said, calling the exploited flaw "an easy thing to prepare for." The breach came at an awkward time for Yahoo executives, who are working to regain investors' trust after former Chief Executive Scott Thompson resigned in May over embellishments on his resume. The company held its annual shareholder meeting Thursday. Shares of Yahoo fell 11 cents to $15.69. Yahoo's latest first-quarter earnings rose 28% with help from its investments in Asian Internet companies, but total revenue inched up about 1%. Interim CEO Ross Levinsohn is seeking to raise the top line by revving up advertisement sales on Yahoo's media websites, though it is still unclear if he will remain at Yahoo's helm with a permanent title. Yahoo bought Associated Content in 2010 for a reported $100 million. The content platform allows users to write articles, reviews or opinion pieces and pays them based on the number of views the material attracts. The Internet giant rebranded its acquisition as the Yahoo Contributor Network and now offers content through a portal called Yahoo Voices.
United orders 150 Boeing 737s CHICAGO—The parent of United Airlines announced plans to buy 150 Boeing 737 planes, refreshing its short-haul fleet, but it still needs to secure a deal with its pilots before it can modernize its fuel-thirsty regional-jet operations. The firm order includes 100 of the more fuelefficient 737 Max planes being developed by Boeing, with first deliveries starting in 2018, plus 50 of the existing 737-900ER planes that will be used to replace aging Boeing 757s on domestic routes United, the world's largest airline by traffic, has already announced orders to refresh much of its longhaul fleet with new Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s. But it needs to win over pilots to finalize the future of its commuter operations, much of which is outsourced to regional operators such as SkyWest Inc. Jeff Smisek, chief executive of United Continental Holdings Inc., told reporters Thursday that the airline has additional options for the 737s and chose the planes over the rival A320neo aircraft developed by Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautics Defence & Space Co. Continental Airlines, which Mr. Smisek ran before the merger to form United Continental, had an exclusive deal with Boeing, though the enlarged carrier still flies 152 Airbus jets and has 25 more on order. United said it will replace older 757-200 planes with the 737-900ERs starting next year. It also uses 757s on trans-Atlantic services,
though the new Boeings don't have the range to cross the Atlantic with a full load of passengers. The airline and its pilots have been unable to reach a new deal, in part because of disagreements over how much flying United should outsource to airlines like SkyWest and the size of planes used by outside partners. SkyWest on Wednesday announced an order for 100 Mitsubishi regional jets, which are larger than the planes it currently flies for United, pointing up the disagreements in the pilot negotiations. Mr. Smisek declined to comment on the SkyWest order and said refreshing its commuter operation is subject to negotiations with pilots. After last meeting two weeks ago, the two sides are scheduled to meet for a status conference with the National Mediation Board in Washington, D.C., next week, a United spokeswoman said. The other three largest U.S. airlines by traffic have also placed large orders for Boeing 737s in the past year. AMR Corp.'s American Airlines split a massive order for 460 planes in July 2011 between Boeing and Airbus. Southwest Airlines Co. ordered 150 737 Max planes and 58 other 737s in December. Delta Air Lines Incwas the only of the group not to opt for the 737 Max version, instead ordering the older model 737900s in a deal announced last August. Delta recently reached a deal with its pilots.
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US government records $904.2 Billion deficit through June WASHINGTON — The U.S. budget deficit grew by nearly $60 billion in June, remaining on track to exceed $1 trillion for the fourth straight year. Through the first nine months of the budget year, the federal deficit totaled $904.2 billion, the Treasury Department reported Thursday. President Barack Obama is almost certain to face re-election having run trillion-dollar-plus deficits in each his first four years in office. That would likely benefit his opponent, GOP presumptive nominee Mitt Romney. Obama and congressional Republicans remain at odds over how to lower the deficit. Unless their disagreement is broken, a series of tax increases and spending cuts could kick in next year. Economists warn that could dramatically slow an already weak U.S. economy and even tip it back into a recession. The Congressional Budget Office predicts the deficit for the full year, which ends on Sept. 30, will total $1.17 trillion. That would be a slight
improvement from the $1.3 trillion deficit recorded in 2011, but still greater than any deficit before Obama took office. One positive sign this year is the deficit is growing more slowly than last year. In June it was 6.8 percent behind the pace for the same period in budget year 2011. And a key reason for that is that revenues are up 5.2 percent this year, while spending is down by 0.9 percent. But the modest improvement has not cooled the budget debate in Washington. Obama submitted a budget request to Congress in February that sought $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade through a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes. A key part of his proposal is to allow tax cuts to expire for couples earning more than $250,000. He has called for extending similar cuts for people earning less than that.
Obama would also set a 30 percent tax rate on taxpayers making more than $1 million. Republicans have rejected the tax increases. They want more cuts in government programs. The GOPcontrolled House has approved a budget that calls for deep cuts in Medicare and other programs and a new round of tax cuts that would favor wealthy Americans. The House-approved spending plan has no chance of passing in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority. That sets the stage for gridlock until after the November elections when lawmakers will be faced with a number of end-of-theyear deadlines. Romney has proposed broad but largely unspecified spending cuts. He would reduce the federal work force by 10 percent and keep the tax cuts for all incomes, not just families making less than $250,000. Romney is also wants to drop all tax rates by 20 percent. He would
curtail deductions, credits and exemptions for the wealthiest to pay for the lower rates, but he does not specify what tax breaks would be trimmed. Tax cuts approved during President George W. Bush's administration are scheduled to expire at the end of December. In addition, a set of automatic spending cuts totaling about $1.2 trillion over 10 years are scheduled to kick in. Both parties oppose the automatic spending reductions because they include deep cuts in defense. However, they have been unable to reach an agreement so far on alternate spending cuts or tax increases that would keep the automatic cuts from taking effect. The International Monetary Fund warned that the U.S. economy could suffer another recession if Congress doesn't do something to avert the socalled "fiscal cliff." The impact could shave 4 percentage points off U.S. growth, the IMF said.
e worst banking scandal yet? The scandal over the manipulation of Libor has the potential to become one of the most costly and consequential in the history of banking. If the financial institutions involved want to prevent it from overwhelming their businesses and damaging the broader economy, they’ll have to act fast. Investigators in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia are piecing together a breathtaking portrait of avarice and deceit. To hide their institutions’ problems during the financial crisis, or often to boost their traders’ profits, bankers knowingly submitted false data for the calculation of the London Interbank Offered Rate, a benchmark interest rate that influences the value of hundreds of trillions of dollars in financial contracts around the world, including floating-rate mortgages, corporate loans and interest-rate swaps. The roughly $450 million in fines paid by Barclays Plc, the first bank to fess up, is only the beginning. Regulators can and should hit more banks with large fines to prevent a repeat. More important, criminal charges for the first time could threaten a significant number of bankers and traders with jail terms for their actions during the financial crisis -- a much needed comeuppance that could help reset the industry’s moral compass. It is the lawsuits, though, that have the potential to turn a necessary catharsis into a systemic disaster. Plaintiffs ranging from investment firms to municipal governments, many of which bought bonds or entered into contracts that provided payments tied to Libor, are demanding compensation from banks for intentionally pushing down the benchmark. Attempts by traders to rig Libor on specific days, portrayed in detail in the Barclays case, will undoubtedly elicit more legal actions. Estimates of payments related to lawsuits are currently in the billions or tens of billions of dollars. The full scope of possible litigation, though, won’t be known until the details of civil and criminal investigations emerge. To get a sense of magnitude, consider this: If Libor was understated by an average of only 0.1 percentage point for a year, the discrepancy on the roughly $300 trillion in interest-rate swaps outstanding at the time would add up to $300 billion. That’s about a fifth of the aggregate capital of the 16
Former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond leaves after giving evidence to the British Treasury Select Committee in London on July 4, 2012
banks whose reports were used to calculate Libor in 2008. Much of that amount would not be actionable, but it also doesn’t account for other types of financial contracts or potential punitive damages. It’s in no one’s interest if the prospect of decades of litigation, and prolonged uncertainty about the ultimate cost, cripples the banking system. It’s certainly the last thing a struggling global economy needs. Bank executives, regulators and prosecutors should be thinking now about how to come clean quickly, compensate the victims and move on. The fund set up by BP Plc to pay claims related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill offers one possible template. Banks could pool their resources into a global Libor victims’compensation fund, appoint an independent administrator and create a transparent formula to calculate damages. Doing so might persuade angry clients to settle rather than pursue litigation that would serve mainly to enrich armies of lawyers. Such a move would require a lot of cooperation and candor among the banks. For one, they would have to come up with an authoritative estimate of
how much Libor was skewed as a result of their misreporting. Beyond that, they would have to decide what share of the payments each bank should bear. One bank --Barclays is a prime candidate -might have to take the lead in setting up the fund, as BP did after the oil spill, and press the others to pay their share later. Governments can expedite the process. By quickly bringing and settling criminal charges against the financial institutions (as opposed to charges against the individuals who worked in those institutions), they would remove one obstacle preventing banks from admitting wrongdoing. The Libor scandal offers a sad illustration of the moral bankruptcy that has infected some corners of finance. If the response fails to demonstrate a clear break from the past, the repercussions could again inflict a lot of pain on millions of innocent people. This time, the financial sector has little goodwill to spare. Read more opinion online from Bloomberg View. Subscribe to receive a daily e-mail highlighting new View
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LOCAL NEWS
Delano represented TCI well at Olympic Trials By Alvin Parker, Director of Sports
Prior to Turks and Caicos Island Sprint Sensation, Delano Williams making his way to the Alexander Track in Birmingham, England, he was chosen worthy by the merit of his athleticism for an opportunity that would change his life forever and that of the country. An opportunity that no other Turks and Caicos Islander has ever accomplished in the HISTORY of Turks and Caicos Islands Sports, that being, not only considered but INVITED to participate in the United Kingdom Olympic Trials with the hope that he would be selected once making the mark. Eighteen year-old Delano already making his mark and creating history by being selected as one of the Athletes to compete in the trials with his UK counterparts, for a spot in the 200 meters race to represent the UK. Representatives from the Turks and Caicos Island were invited to White Hall to participate in a meeting with other Sporting Officials. Those representing TCI were; Mr. Alvin Parker, Director of Sports, Mrs. Rita Gardiner, President Commonwealth Games Association, Mrs. Ruth Barton, Mother of Delano Williams. We all traveled to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to meet with the representative responsible for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Mr. Malcolm Kirk. A similar meeting was scheduled prior to the group travelling to the UK during Minister Bellingham’s visit to the territory, when he announced the date for TCI general elections. However, due to pressing matters in London, he was called back urgently. The officials were adamant
Delano Williams
about the meeting and thus making a request by way of the Governor’s Office to schedule a meeting during their time in London, which was granted. It was an amazing experienced and the Officials hailed the meeting a success and planned to follow up with the information given. Amongst the many
topics discussed were: -The future of Elite Athletes in the Turks and Caicos Islands -Academic and Sporting success – scholarships -Funding from UK Lottery for the Overseas Territories in developing sporting programs and projects, and appropriate Sporting Facilities on each island. It was understood that Minister Bellingham was willing to work with the territories as far as projects for sports are concerned and to include them in the UK lottery once a comprehensive and sustainable proposal was put forth. This commitment was made by the Officials and they were indeed optimistic that a good relationship could be fostered with UK Athletics and the government going forward. The team was given a grand tour of White Hall and its surroundings. The Representative gave Delano words of encouragement and wished him well for the Olympic Trials and beyond. The Delegation would like to thank the Governor’s offices for all their support in arranging the meeting with the Mr. Malcolm and their assistance with Delano Williams road to the UK Trails. Since returning home Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Parker have made contacts with Sports Authority from the other Overseas Territory on the way forward as it relates to UK Lottery.
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McCammon (pictured left) also claimed the club dismissed him after he had complained about racism and it then refused to pay him. He is seeking substantial financial damages for pain and suffering. READ MORE BELOW
Manchester United move to Cayman Islands could benefit Glazers in IPO Companies often incorporate in the Cayman Islands for tax reasons. But in the case of Manchester United, the English soccer team seeking an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, the advantage accrues to its controlling family, the Glazers, at the expense of new public investors. As part of its IPO, the legendary sports franchise will use a new Cayman Islands company to sell shares, even though the club's operations are in Britain. The company and its owners declined to explain why they would incorporate in the Caymans. A spokesman cited Securities and Exchange Commission restrictions on communications by companies preparing for an IPO. But experts said the structure offers important perks to the family of U.S. businessman Malcolm Glazer, who acquired the sports franchise in 2005 for around $1.47 billion. Chief among them: the two classes of shares allowed under Caymans law. This structure allows
the family to retain control by holding shares with 10 times the voting rights of average investors, even as they raise money from the public to pay down the club's $655 million debt and reduce its onerous interest payments. "The current owners are lowering the possibility of larger investors buying up all the liquid shares in the market and affecting its management," Sverrir Sverrisson, an equity analyst at Saxo Bank in Copenhagen, Denmark, said in an email. "This is not beneficial for the potential shareholders." British exchanges where rival teams have listed in the past don't permit dual share structures. Hong Kong, where the company had considered listing after financial turmoil in 2011 tanked plans to list in Singapore, also doesn't allow them. As an "exempted" company under Caymans law, one that does not do substantial business there, Manchester United won't need to hold annual shareholder meetings or disclose shareholder registers. Cayman laws make hostile takeovers or removal of
board directors difficult as well. These governance benefits, not tax savings, could be the main driver of the Caymans location. "It is regulatory arbitrage rather than some tax advantage," said Duke University professor Campbell Harvey, an expert in international business. But there are tax ramifications for investors and the company. Counter to the Caymans' usual tax benefits, Manchester United expects its tax rate to rise after this deal, according to its SEC filing. Until now, the club has paid only British taxes, but by going public as a company based in the Cayman Islands, the Glazers are triggering a section of U.S. tax law that requires overseas companies with majority U.S. ownership to pay U.S. corporate taxes. The provision dates from 2004 when it was enacted in reaction to a wave of U.S. companies such as Tyco and Stanley Works, which planned offshore moves to save on taxes. Tax experts say this is the first time they have seen a company opt into this tax
treatment in this way. It will cost the company more in tax, but the Glazers, who currently fully own Manchester United through a Nevada partnership controlled by family trusts, could well see some personal tax benefits, these experts say. The Caymans structure could act as a way for the Glazers to legally avoid a potential capital gains tax of 15 percent on the pre-IPO value of the company. That tax could have kicked in if they had listed in Britain instead. Jason Factor, a tax partner at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York, said that through the Cayman move "the family avoids any tax that might otherwise be triggered for them by a transfer of their U.S.owned assets to a foreign company." The Glazers could also be seeking to minimize estate and gift taxes by holding pre-IPO assets in their family trusts, said Daniel Shaviro, a tax professor at New York University School of Law.
Barbados national football player accused his former English club of racial discrimination
BY TONY BEST
A FEW MONTHS after Prime Minister David Cameron urged British football authorities to end racism in the sport, a tribunal in Kent has begun hearing evidence in an explosive case involving a Barbados national player who accused his former English club of racial discrimination. And while Paul Scally, chairman of the Gillingham professional football team, has dismissed as being of “no substance” Mark McCammon’s charges that he was discriminated against by the club because of his colour, the hotly debated issue of racism in football is not expected to go away any time soon. McCammon was born in England but represented Barbados five times in international matches, scoring four goals. He played for Gillingham for three seasons and in his complaint he alleged that black players were treated differently from whites. He is the first footballer to take an English club to court alleging racism. The tribunal’s hearing began a few months after Cameron convened a summit at 10 Downing Street with the representatives of the Premier League, the Football Association, the League Managers’ Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association along with individual England players to discuss a spate of incidents of racist behaviour on and off the field by players and fans. The government has demanded that the Football
Association come up with a firm action plan to address the issue of racial discrimination in its ranks. In his complaint, the 33-year-old Barbados player, who appeared in more than 50 League games for Gillingham, cited several instances of alleged bias. For instance, he charged that he and other black players were ordered to go to the ground on a snowy day when driving was “treacherous” but white players were told they should not appear. The forward, who also played for Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town, Millwall and Brighton and Hove Albion, alleged that Gillingham declined to pay for expert medical surgery to treat a football injury, instead offering him care by the National Health System. He said that move was “completely out of character” for a League club. However, an injured white player was flown at the club’s expense to Dubai for treatment by an eminent physiotherapist. McCammon also claimed the club dismissed him after he had complained about racism and it then refused to pay him. He is seeking substantial financial damages for pain and suffering. He said that after he was let go, Gillingham and its chairman were “effectively campaigning covertly against me” in an effort to scuttle his career. In the end almost a dozen clubs showed interest but he was unable to negotiate a contract. “It soon became known that the chairman had been interfering,” McCammon charged. The Barbadian signed with Gillingham in 2008,
earning £2 500 (BDS$7 744) a week and became the club’s highest-paid player. After a brilliant start, things deteriorated and by the third season he was no longer in the team’s plans. Matters came to a head on November 30, 2010 when he was ordered to the ground with two black players despite the awful snowy condition. When he arrived he went straight to the office of the manager, Andy Hesssenthaler, and confronted him with a charge of being “racially intolerant”. In his appearance, the Gillingham chairman said the claims were without foundation. “I can honestly say we have never in 18 years had an allegation of racism to consider but we take racism seriously as a football club,” he commented. “I didn’t take [McCammon’s claims] serious as I considered it to be a vindictive claim of racial discrimination. I considered it to be a malicious, vindictive, wild and aggressive comment, not worthy of consideration as racism.” But McCammon isn’t alone in raising the spectre of racism in football. Several black players, including Stan Collymore who played for England, and 30-year-old Jonathan Nurse, a striker for Dagenham and Redbridge who also represented Barbados, said that racism was a fact of life in English football. Collymore, who has retired from the game, recalled he was once told by a player “at least my mother never slept with a coon” while Nurse said that he experienced racism from fans and players.
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HIGHLIGHTS
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
• Qatari female athlete to hold flag at London games • Roger Federer, the greatest tennis player of all time
e Howard saga that will never end On a day when sports is being forced to consider how far it has gone off the deep end in the Penn State case, it is actually a bit of an antidote to be fixating on the Dwight Howard saga run amok. Because that story long ago reached the stage of pure silliness, a petulant superstar with the apparent maturity of a 6-year-old throwing a career temper tantrum that has now lasted longer than many N.B.A. careers. This made Wednesday's installment feel like a sort of Groundhog Day, when Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan came out of his hole, saw his shadow and doomed us to at least six more weeks of Howard trade talk. But when your other big sports news alternative involves child molesting and the corrupting powers of big-time college sports, debating where Howard falls on the schmo meter suddenly seems like a more pleasant pastime. You do have to hand it to Hennigan, just hired to steer this listing ship at the ripe old age of 30 — he is
Dwight Howard
so young, the Magic neglected to mention his age in the article on their Web site when he was hired — that he has managed to make us hate him for not ending this soap opera before he has been on the job for a month. He could have given in to Howard's wishes and pulled the trigger on the deal with the Nets, but instead decided not to rush. You could argue, as Ken
e London Olympics opening ceremony: Expect rain, sheep and McCartney The director of the London Games’ Opening Ceremony, Danny Boyle, this week revealed some of the plans for his extravaganza, which is extravagant to the tune of $41.7 million. He has promised it will include horses, chicken and sheep in a ceremonial nod to Britain’s rural expanses, and if nature doesn’t provide the signature English weather (rain), he said he has clouds that will produce it anyway. In all, Boyle’s plan appears to toss in elements from every segment of British culture, including cricket and Paul McCartney, but how it all comes together is still anyone’s guess. “You’re bound to fail, that’s built in,” Boyle said, according to The Guardian. But you hope that on the journey, you hope people will find enough in it to feel that it is representative of us.” Its title is “Isles of Wonder,” inspired by a speech in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” that will be a common theme in the Opening and Closing ceremonies for both the Olympics and the Paralympics. The rural touches will feel a bit off in the gritty urban setting for the Games — East London — but it nods to the rolling countryside that dominates Britain’s four isles. “This is a festival of celebration of an Olympic ideal,” Boyle said. “But it’s not a naive show. We’re trying to show the best of us, but we’re also trying to show many different things about our country. The growth of cities is an extraordinary phenomenon that is clearly linked to the growth of the Olympic Games.” One of the things about Britain Boyle is intent on sharing is the rain. “They will be real clouds that will be hanging over the stadium,” he said. “Work that out if you can. We know we’re an island culture and an island climate. One of these clouds will provide rain on the evening, just in case it doesn’t rain.” Apparently, $41.7 million even buys weather.
Berger does on CBSSports.com, that he lost a lot of leverage with the Nets out of the picture, but Dave D'Alessandro writes in The StarLedger that Hennigan understands there will always be options when trading a player as good as Howard, no matter how maddening he is. As Mike Bianchi writes in The Orlando Sentinel, he showed backbone by refusing to grant Howard his fondest wish. Of course, Howard's fondest wish seems to change daily, so there will be others. It does cost Howard the landing spot where people would have been least annoyed with him. The Nets, on their way to new digs in Brooklyn and hoping for a new era of relevance, would have considered him a prize and did try admirably hard to land the star center, Mike Vaccaro writes in The New York Post. Their failure was a boon to the Knicks, writes Mitch Lawrence in The Daily News, who prefer to maintain their dominance of the New York market on petulance. The Lakers remain a possibility, where
Howard-as-diva wouldn't make anyone flinch in the land of manufactured dramas and Metta World Peace. But if Howard is upset over his fate, he has only himself to blame, writes Ian O'Connor on ESPN.com, because of his ridiculous faux loyalty maneuver of opting in for another year on his Magic contract. If you like contract squabbles and the N.F.L. is your league, you might send your attention to New Orleans, where the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees are arm-wrestling over about $10 million. If that isn't terribly appealing, there were a few things on television worth watching — and still watchable on video — including Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey showing David Letterman the mystery of the knuckleball and Pat Summitt accepting the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYs. And there is the pure video thrill of listening to these hockey highlights dubbed with soccer announcers' calls. Hey, never say we didn't offer an alternative to pondering Penn State's sins.
US Open increases prizes WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Following in the footsteps of the French Open and Wimbledon, the U.S. Open is increasing singles prize money by 11 percent this year, with the biggest boosts for players who lose in early rounds. The men's and women's champions will each receive $1.9 million, a $100,000 bump from 2011, with the chance to earn additional money based on performances in other North American hard-court tournaments this summer. Total prize money goes from $23.7 million to $25.5 million, the U.S. Tennis Association announced Wednesday. Payouts are rising 21 percent in the first round of singles, 19 percent in the second round. That was the model the two preceding major tournaments used after leading players Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray met with Grand Slam officials in March and lobbied them to provide increases for lower-ranked players who can have trouble covering the costs of training and
traveling. In April, French Open officials announced total prize money would go up 7 percent this year, with the largest increases, proportionally, for those who lose early. Money for a firstround loss went up 20 percent at Roland Garros. Less than two weeks later, the All England Club announced it would increase the prize money at Wimbledon, which ended Sunday, by 10 percent overall, with a majority of the cash directed to help lower-ranked players. "We recognize the mounting financial pressures associated with competing on the global professional tennis circuits and especially for those who do not reach the second week of the U.S. Open," USTA President Jon Vegosen said in a statement. "We believe the additional prize money, as well as how it will be strategically distributed, will help alleviate some of the pressure." The U.S. Open starts Aug. 27.
Lakers owner Jerry Buss hospitalized for dehydration LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss was being treated for dehydration at a local hospital, a team spokesman said on Tuesday. "In response to media inquiries and to dispel rumors and inaccurate reports, we'd like to state that Dr. Buss is in a local hospital where he is being treated for dehydration," Lakers spokesman John Black said in a written statement. Black said Buss, 78, was recovering and expected to be released soon. No further details were released. Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979. The team has won 10 NBA championships since then.
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JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
WORLD SPORTS
Roger Federer, the greatest tennis player of all time, achieves magnificent seven at Wimbledon LONDON - Roger Federer left the door tantalizingly ajar for local hero Andy Murray in the Wimbledon men's singles final on Sunday, then slammed it shut to win a record-equaling seventh Wimbledon title and in so doing return to the top of the world rankings. The Swiss great, contesting his eighth final at the All England Club, flirted with danger in the second set after losing the first but just when Murray looked like ending 76 years of plucky British failure Federer gave a stunning reminder of his genius to win 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court. When a Murray forehand looped narrowly wide after three hours 24 minutes of enthralling action, Federer dropped to the turf in joy, just as he did in 2003 when he beat Australia's Mark Philippoussis to begin a grand slam Roger Federer of Switzerland kisses the winners trophy after defeating Andy Murray of Britain in their collection that now stands at 17. men's singles final tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London July 8, 2012. For the second time in three grand slam finals against Murray he reduced one comes at the right time," added "I think he's giving himself so the Scot to tears, although this match, Federer, whose last grand slam title was many looks at big titles. I really do unlike the others, was a contest to savor. at the 2010 Australian Open. believe deep down in me he will win It was only after Centre Court's For Murray, his girlfriend Kim grand slams, not just one," Federer told translucent lid was slid across after Sears and many of the thousands reporters. heavy rain began to fall in the heart of watching the huge screen on Henman By defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on the final that Federer took charge, Hill under a forest of multi-colored Friday, Murray had become the first striding to the win that puts him level umbrellas, there was just despair. British man to reach the final since with Pete Sampras's record of seven "I'm getting closer," Murray, whose Bunny Austin in 1938 and as the players Wimbledon crowns. valiant effort was watched by Royal set foot on a sunlit Centre Court, there At 30 years and 335 days he also Box guests Prime Minister David was an electric buzz of anticipation that became the oldest men's champion Cameron, David Beckham and Prince he would emulate the 1936 title of Fred since Arthur Ashe in 1975 and, to put William's wife Kate Middleton, choked Perry. the icing on the cake, Monday's ATP as applause rang out. Having failed to win a set in two rankings will show him back at No. 1 "I was told after my semi-final that Australian Open finals and one U.S. for the first time in two years and he this was my best chance, Roger's 30 Open one, Murray would have been will equal Sampras's record of 286 now, but he's not bad for a 30-year-old, excused early match nerves but he came weeks at the summit. he played a great tournament. out firing to break Federer in the opening "I played some of my best tennis in Congratulations, you deserve it." the last couple of matches," Federer While Federer basked in the glow game of the match. Federer quickly restored parity and said after raising the trophy with his of another major title, Murray was left wasted break points when leading 4-3 as wife Mirka and giggling twin daughters to contemplate equaling coach Ivan Murray's first serve misfired. Charlene Riva and Myla Rose watching Lendl's unwanted record of losing his The Swiss was made to pay in the on from the players' box. first four grand slam finals. following game, sloppily dropping serve "I've missed playing in the finals, A gracious Federer had words of and Murray closed out the opening set and it feels like a great moment. I've encouragement. with ease to a deafening roar from the gone through some struggles, so this
Qatari female athlete to hold flag at London games DOHA, Qatar — One of Qatar's first female athletes to compete at the Olympics will be the flag-bearer for the opening ceremony at the London Games. Qatar's Olympic Committee posted a statement late Wednesday on Twitter saying shooter Bahiya al-Hamad has been chosen to "raise the Qatar flag at London 2012." "I'm truly proud and humbled to carry the Qatar flag among my fellow athletes from all over the world," al-Hamad said on Twitter. Along with Saudi Arabia and Brunei, Qatar has never previously sent female athletes to the
Olympics. The tiny but wealthy oil-rich nation of Qatar has made women's participation in sports a key component of its quest to become a Middle Eastern sporting power by bidding for highprofile competitions, such as winning the rights to host the 2022 soccer World Cup. Al-Hamad was Qatar's most successful athlete at the 2011 Arab Games, winning three gold medals and two silver. The International Olympic Committee offered the 19-year-old shooter a wild-card invitation to compete in the 10-meter and women's air rifle competition at the
15,000 crowd. Murray was the more threatening player in the second and upped the ante at 4-4 only to squander two break points that would have given him the chance to serve for a two-set lead and leave Federer facing a daunting task. "The second set I had some chances and didn't quite get them," Murray said. "Often what happens is matches change over a couple of points here and there." That was the case as Federer seized his chance. A tiebreak loomed but, out of nowhere, Federer conjured a set point with an exquisite drop shot and grabbed it with another stunning volley after a mesmerizing rally. The crowd sighed and then the rain began to fall, a prelude to the British tears that were to flow later. After a 40-minute break while the roof was rolled into position, the players returned, only this time Federer looked a different player - dominating rallies with a dazzling mixture of power, spin and clever angles. Had Murray survived a marathon service game at 2-3 in the third, things may have been different, but when Federer struck on his sixth break point it proved to be the beginning of the end for the fourth seed who took several tumbles. Federer hammered another nail in the coffin with a backhand winner to break midway through the fourth set and despite chants of "Murray...Murray" echoing around the court, kept his cool to close out the match on his second match point. "It was crazy how it all happened under the circumstances," said Federer, of the first Wimbledon singles final to be partly played under the roof. "I'm happy that closing the roof maybe helped me today." The roof stayed closed as Americans Mike Bryan and Lisa Raymond won the mixed doubles title with a 6-3 5-7 6-4 victory over the Indian/Russian duo of Leander Paes and Elena Vesnina.
London Games. Qatari female swimmer Nada Arkaji and sprinter Noor al-Malki have also been given wild cards by the IOC. The flag-bearer announcement followed reports that Saudi Arabia — Qatar's bigger and more influential neighbor — has reversed its pledge to send female athletes to the Olympics. Saudi leaders have been under pressure to end the practice of sending all-male teams to international competitions. A report in Saudiowned newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat said this week that no female athletes have qualified for the Olympics and therefore no women will be included in the team. The IOC said in a statement to The Associated Press that it remains optimistic in ongoing talks with the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom about sending women to the games, which start July 27.
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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
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LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
JULY 14TH - JULY 21ST, 2012
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