Volume 8 Issue 7

VOLUME 8 No. 07

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

$1

TO COURT

NIB TAKES GOVERNOR Website: www.suntci.com

Email: sun@suntci.com

Tel: 649-946-8542

Fax: 649-941-3281

www. twitter.com/suntci

Board refuses to pay $10million demanded by Turks and Caicos Islands Gov’t

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

The National Insurance Board (NIB) has filed court action against Governor Ric Todd and the Interim Administration over the Governor’s decision to pass new legislation to enable the transfer of $10 million from the National Insurance Fund (NSF) to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

The matter was down to be heard in the Supreme Court in Grand Turk on Monday, February 20th, and it is understood that the NIB has secured the services of a prominent law firm from England to assist in their legal challenge.

The NIB conducted two filings; the first, which was filed on February 10, was to challenge the legality of the transfer, while the second, which was filed on February 15, was to have the court expedite the matter.

Chairman for the NIB Ervine Quelch, told a news conference on Thursday, February 16, that Governor Ric Todd’s announcement in October last year to transfer the funds, which would eventually be given to the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB), caught all the NIB Board members by surprise.

He said that when a couple of meetings were eventually held between the NIB and Governor Todd, not only did Board members vehemently objected to the decision, but also offered alternatives to the $10 million that the administration was going after.

“All of those things were either not considered or rejected by the Government, and they continued to press on, and in fact, indicated that if we didn’t accede to their request, then they would be prepared to implement legislation themselves, to make that possible. The board took legal advice both locally and internationally on the matter.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

PRINCIPAL UNDER PROBE FOR FLOGGING STUDENT PAGE 2

CHALK SOUND LAND OWNERS TO BE REFUNDED PAGE 7

PRC BACKLOG CLEARED PAGE 8 LILLIAN BOYCE’S STEPPING STONES COLUMN PAGE 17

Whata Wahoo!!

Fishermen from the Turks and Caicos Islands are catching some monster fish right now with lightening fast Wahoo especially prevalent offshore. This "whopper Wahoo" weighed in at just over 110 lbs caught on the local legendary boat "The Gwendolyn " recently.

Our picture shows Anne Thomasson from England and Marvin Stubbs, first mate for Grand Slam charters based in Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales. Strong winds have kept the boats inshore this week but the crew is itching to get back to action shortly, says Codney Capron the local skipper of Gwendolyn.

Gwendolyn holds the Caribbean record Wahoo title at 123 lbs. The world record Wahoo was caught just 1 year ago and stands at 154 lbs.

VODAFONE WANTS TO BUY CABLE AND WIRELESS PAGE 40

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

NIB takes Governor to court ...Cont’d CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“And based on that advice, the Board was advised that the Governor’s actions, in this regard, were considered to be unconstitutional, in that, he preferred to compulsorily acquire the property of the NIB by way of funds from the National Insurance Fund contrary to the provisions of Section 16 of the Constitution.

“As a result of that, the NIB, precipitated by the Governor’s urgent request that we issue a cheque for $10 million, decided that it would institute proceedings immediately to challenge the constitutionality of the law. Those proceedings have been filed in the Supreme Court by notice of motion on the 10th of this month (February),” Quelch said.

The NIB has maintained that it has not been provided with any objective evidence to support the view that it owes TCIG/NIB $10 million in relation to medical expenses associated with providing medical services to persons that sustained work related injuries, adding that based the current size of the TCI economy it is difficult to justify the amount that is currently being requested by TCIG. Quelch said that, on top of compelling the NIB to turn over the huge sum, Government had created ways to avoid paying approximately $11 million in penalties after it defaulted on paying over $7 million in contributions on behalf of its employees. This they did, according to Quelch, by introducing an amnesty, which also encompassed all the businesses that are in the country.

But Quelch has been firm in his belief that the amnesty was created mainly for Government to avoid paying the huge sum, since the figure overshadowed the $4 million owed by all the businesses in the TCI combined.

NIB Chairman Ervine Quelch is flanked by board members Robert Brace (left) and Floyd Seymour.

He said that Government was also $5.5 million behind in rent and other payments on the NJS Francis Building in Grand Turk and $181 in rent for the Hilly Ewing Building in Providenciales.

The NIB Chairman was hopeful that an amicable solution could be reached by its lawyers and the Attorney General’s Chambers, and so, to avoid what he described as protracted litigation process, and to arrive at sensible terms of arrangements that would be in the best interest of the National Insurance Fund.

“The loan for the fit out seven hundred and twenty-odd thousand plus interest for the fixtures and fitting of the NJS Francis Building was never been paid despite the fact that we have been pressing on this, and auditors have been reminding us of our fiduciary responsibilities to get these things done on the interest on those payments and unpaid rent.

“In the final analysis, the NIB had been working with government and had

been patient with government, to allow them to be able to discharge those indebtedness in an ordinarily sort of fashion,” continued.

He pointed out that before demitting office, former Governor, Gordon Wetherell, was active in trying to get the NIB to write off the debts, a move he said was supported by the Attorney General Chambers.

He said however, that the NIB felt constraint to acceded to such request and endeavour to seek independent and legal advice, which he said confirmed the NIB long held view that it would inappropriate to write off the debts.

He said, too, that the new Chief Financial Officer …McGarrel-Groves was taking what he described as and aggressive and antagonistic position towards the NIB, saying that the Board had received what he described as threatening correspondence from him, especially since court action was filed.

“The Board, then, took a conscious decision that perhaps the best way forward would be to try and negotiate

Clement Howell principal under investigation for beating incident Some members of the teaching staff at the Clement Howell High School in Providenciales are coming to the aid of the school principal Lloyd Fearon who is the subject of two investigations – one by the police and the other by the Public Service Management – after being accused of “brutally beating a student”, while attempting to break up a fight on the school compound last week.

It is understood that a parent filed the complaint to the police after his son showed him a mark on his skin that he said was created by the principal’s cane.

The boy was said to be among a throng of student spectators jostling to get a clear view of a fight by two male students, when Fearon came swishing his cane to break up the melee.

Some teachers at the school maintained that had Fearon not emerge at the time he did, a murder could have taken place on the compound, in light of reports that one of the fighting boys almost crossed the threshold of unconsciousness, and minor resuscitation.

The incident has created a firestorm in the blogosphere, with a number of unflattering comments against Fearon, some bordering on personal threat.

When The SUN contacted Fearon for a comment, he referred us to the Education Department, who he is said had undertaken to address the media. When this newspaper contacted Director of Education, Edgar Howell, he confirmed that the police and the Public Service Management were investigating the incident and therefore could not say when those investigations would be concluded.

“There was an incident, and that matter is under investigation bybarthe police, because a formal A view of the

complaint was made by the parent of the child. We have already conducted our own investigation and made reports to the office of the Public Service Management. But the police investigation supersedes any investigation that we carry out. But reports have already been submitted on the incident,” Howell said.

However, one teacher at the school, who said that she was an eyewitness to the incident, and was even involved in trying to break the fighting students apart, has come out public as to what she saw and her role in the incident.

The following is a correspondence from the teacher: “I am Dorothy Chambers, a teacher at CHHS, and I am using this medium to shed light on the alleged “brutal beating” incident that has been reported elsewhere. I can categorically state that if Mr. Fearon did not turn up swishing his cane, murder would have been committed on the school compound from the fight that was taking place.

“About two years ago I took the decision never to try and get to a fight or to try and stop any fight because of how badly my back got damaged from a student who was running to be a spectator and slammed me to the floor. For days I was in pain and could hardly move.

“On the day of this latest incident, I had to go back on my decision, because I visualized the death of one of these young men. The security personnel and I were trying to get to the young men who were in the fight but the student spectators could not be penetrated.

“I screamed, I begged- as I wanted to prevent the loss of a life - but to no avail until Mr. Fearon came around the corner swinging his came from left to right to

some sort of a commercially justifiable term which we can deal with these matters. But the attitude of the TCI Government lead negotiator – for wanting of a better word – Mr. McGarrel-Groves - obviously took the position that any disagreement or any sign of the NIB not acceding to their idea of a commercially justifying term, was either confrontational, uncooperative or not in the best interest of the public,” he noted.

Quelch said that when the NIB did not budge on its position, Government created an avenue to legally circumvent the payment of the surcharges by introducing an amnesty for all businesses that were outstanding on staff contribution. He pointed out that the NIB objected to the amnesty, but the administration went through with it nonetheless.

“In the final analysis, when the Board decided that it would not be going to do that (write-off government debt), supported by legal advice, the effort was, ‘let’s introduce an amnesty’, and frankly to, in essence, write off Government debt as far as surcharges are concerned,” Quelch said.

He said Government’s debt had been owed over a protracted period of time, as according to him, some past administrations were not living up to their legal obligations. In total $7 million was owed in staff contribution, and because it was not paid over along period, it attracted a surcharge of $11 million. However, Government used part of the syndicated loan obtained through CIBC First Caribbean, to payoff the $7million.

The Government is represented by the Attorney General and leading counsel from the UK and has no further comment at this time. Quelch said NIB legal fees could cost between $50 and a $100,000. The NIB has more than $160 million is saving.

“If Mr. Fearon did not turn up swishing his cane, murder would have been committed on the school compound,” says teacher. disperse the crowd. Then, and only then, was the security able to get to the boys and save the life of the one that was on the ground.

“I must say that seeing the boy’s life flash before me I said a prayer of thanks for Mr. Fearon’s timing as the cane swishing from left to right was the only thing to which the students responded.

“I understand when you don’t like someone, but let us be fair. Some members of the public are trying to use an incident that saved the life of a young man to get a “pound of flesh” from Mr. Fearon. The comments made on the aforementioned blog are very offensive and abusive.

“Such hatred and venom coming from a community does not augur well for a country. People, parents I wish you would come and spend a week at CHHS, to see the level of disrespect, abuse, acts of extortion, intoxication, just to name a few of the things we have to endure on a daily basis.

“Instead of trying to crucify us for doing good, help us to educate, socialize and save your child. Do not enable your children when they do wrong. Do not encourage them to lie and cheat. Teach them to respect authority or they will not respect you.

“The very next day, there was another fight. I was so upset with a male teacher who did not come to help me, but now I realize that I owe him an apology. I shudder to think what would have been done and said about this teacher, if he had helped and one of the boys got a scratch. This is why Mr. Fearon is in this predicament.

“Finally, remember there is a GOD who sees ALL things. Be not deceived; GOD is not mocked: For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6: 7.”

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

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AUGUST 5TH20TH, - AUGUST 2011 JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 2012 12TH, TURKS TURKS&&CAICOS CAICOSSUN SUN FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012 AUGUST 5TH - AUGUST 12TH, 2011

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LOCAL NEWS

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COMMENTARY

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

e british must take ownership of our bad economy

By Royal S. Robinson, MBE

wanted to use would have put us in the just over 40% range.

It has now been nearly three years With the stabilization since the British have taken over our package, jobs in construction in country ostensibly to right wrongs particular would have been and put us on a sound economic created, the take home pay of footing. persons in other sectors would However, to date, all that we are have been assured and the slide seeing from their sterling effort is a could have been arrested. They continuing mountain of debt, taxes refused to allow us to borrow upon unholy taxes, a shrinking that money even when they population with disposal income and knew that the plan was a viable the list of economic woes goes on and workable one. But they and on. were the experts and we were When we had change leadership no more than country from Misick to Williams, our bumpkins. But it was these economy, like all world economies country bumpkins that utilized had slowed down. This was because the Encouragement of as a result of a number of factors Development Act and other including the over leveraging by a legislative instruments that put number of major international banks us on a path that led us to be ROYAL ROBINSON and the housing market that really called “The Star of the CONTRIBUTER tanked and a number of mortgages Caribbean”! We understood were upside down and under water. and understand the dynamics of our economy and This situation for us needed slight course what it took to keep us ticking. We need a continuous correction, and like the other world economies, a infusion of investment dollars for private sector stimulus package that would arrest the bleed, restore projects. But that investment climate must be investor confidence and put us in a position to ride sustainable and free, as much as possible, from the out the storm. “boom and burst” scenarios.

There were some activities that needed to be The British dragged their feet in securing the reined in and get better value for money. Team money even after they took over. When they did Williams came in, put a stabilization package decide to borrow money, things had gotten really together and was well in the way to achieving the worst, and the amount of $85M was only a band-aid plan. The key plank in the plan was the requirement placed on a gaping, pulsating wound. to borrow $ 120M that were to be utilized to do It did not work because at the time it was too among other things, through policy-based initiatives, small and was not directed at things that would lead build a primary school, repair the road link between to job creation and the multiplier effect. They Middle and North Caicos, build the campus of the brought in expert after expert that tried to institute Community college that would have included a policies and programmes that were doomed to failure section for technical education teaching and training, because they did not enlist the people on the ground work on the airport in Providenciales and of course who knew a thing or two. So we went from one restructure and consolidate our debt obligations so disaster to another and all that these persons could that they could be manageable and not onerous! see as a solution is to bury us under a mountain of In order to get better value for money, it was taxes. recognized that some restructuring of the public We are a low tax jurisdiction. When the potential service, in a sensible and sustainable manner over investor sees us moving out of that comfort zone, matter of time. Discussions were well on the way then he backs of to see if things would change before with CARTEC to provide technical support for such he plunks down his money. Because of the world an effort. situation, everyone that has ready capital is holding The British wanted none of that to happen and on to it and would only let go of it if there is a went full steam ahead in their bullying manner of legitimate deal involved. Our legitimate deals have wresting the country from the hands of an elected been by way of incentives. These guys have taken government that was willing and able to work that completely out of the equation, contrary to the collaboratively with them in righting our ship of Encouragement of Development Order. Other state. No matter what they try to say now, at the time countries and just about every state in the United that they took over, our debt to GDP ratio was in the States have some form of tax incentive to encourage order of 25% and the stimulus package that we the willing investor to come and provide jobs and

EDITORIAL 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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The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

services.

There is now no entity in the country actively engaged in trying to do the things here or overseas that would show that this country is open for business and that this a safe environment in which to do business. Businesses do not relocate here just by chance. People with investment money must always be wooed to come here. When this is not being done, we will find us in the quagmire that we are now in.

Capital will take flight if there is nothing to encourage it to stay. People will not stick around if they feel that they are not welcomed, particularly if they have other options. This Interim Administration for all of the bell and whistles and the fanfare with which it usurped the rightfully elected government is finding itself day by day on hard times.

These junior operators and has-beens that they are bring here have no experience or expertise is rescuing a declining economy that is now saddled with an inordinate amount of debt that they have incurred. Let it be well known, when they took over the debt position was $71M. Now it has skyrocketed under good financial and prudent management of our affairs to over $191M and counting! Let us not be fooled by the nonsense being put out by Minister Duncan! He seems to be as clueless as his minions here who are spewing out bad advice consistently.

They borrowed $260M on our behalf, so they say, but so far have failed to say what the real terms and conditions of the loan that we are going to be expected to pay back or on what they realistically have spent the money on. It certainly has not been spent on any infrastructure projects that would help stimulate the economy and engender investor confidence.

And Minister Duncan, please refrain from using that “bills in drawers” foolishness as a cover-up of the gross incompetence of the so-called experts that have been sent here to right the economy. From day to day they cannot get their stories right as far as the deficit is concerned. They must be, after having a few “pinters” and sucking in our nice, calm friendly breeze be sticking their finger in it to see from which direction it is blowing and then come up with the numbers. They have now broken it, so they better fix it. They like to be talking about contingent liability!

Well this is one they had better take on. We are not going to allow them to ride our backs with this one.

I will defer further mention of the right-sizing of the public service exercise that they have embarked on, save to say that they have made a royal cock-up of it. No pun intended!

• Royal Robinson was a former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Health in the Progressive National Party (PNP) Administration.

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FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Chalk Sound land owners to be refunded Residents of Chalk Sound, whose homes were ruled by government to have been constructed on protected areas, will no longer be granted alternative land to construct their dwelling or issued money equating the value of the construction on the land that they said were promised by Government in 2010.

In a letter from Mary Harvey, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and District Administration and dated January 16, 2012, the Government told the residents that it would no longer honour its previous promise, while offering no clear reason as to why such a decision was taken.

Instead, the Interim Administration told the residents that it would refund them for the money spent on their land and also pay them 7 percent per annum from the time of purchase in exchange for transfer their titles.

That letter stated: “Following a recent top level review of allocation of land within the Chalk Sound National Park and Pigeon Pond& Frenchman's Creek Nature Reserve, it has been decided that the former policy of offering of offering alternative plots for relocation should be brought to an end. Accordingly, the previous offer of relocation that you received has been withdrawn.

“Instead, the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands would now like to offer full refund of the purchase price of your plot, together with 7% per annum simple interest from the date of your purchase in exchange for the transfer of the title back to the Crown. No other compensation is offered for any other monies that may have been expended.

This offer is valid for three

months from the date of this letter. If you do not execute the transfer within this timeframe, the offer will be withdrawn and no further offers will be made. If you decide to retain the title to your parcel, then you should note that any developments and utilization of that parcel must be in accordance with the applicable laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The residents said the letter struck at the heart of another letter that was issued to them 2010, from that same office, by Deputy Commissioner of Lands, Tatum Clerveaux. That letter stated: “Further to the correspondence from the Ministry of Environment & District Administration informing you that Parcel….. is located within the boundaries of a Protected Area, and as such, may not be utilized for a residential development, please be advised that the Ministry has compiled a list of alternative parcels to make offers of relocation.

“The Ministry is now awaiting a current assessment of the value of the parcel, which you now hold freehold or leasehold title before an offer can be made. Once the valuation is received, a document package will be forwarded to H.E. The Governor for his approval.

This approval will be in the form of a letter offering an alternative plot to each owner with a six-month time limit for acceptance.”

One of the landowners, Alvin Parker, told The SUN that the decision

by Government was heart-rending for some of them, because not only that Government had tossed them under the bus, but was treating them as if they acquired the properties by illicit means, asserting also the residents went through the proper channel to

FAMILY DELIGHT Seeks

AN ASSISTANT MANAGER Starting salary negotiable Contact: (649)242-0388

attain the plots.

“They told us that they were going to do a research and evaluations to find out who got land and how many acres of land individuals have; that has never been done; that was mentioned in a meeting with the Advisory Council.

They said that the matter would be put on hold until the research was done; and that research never took place, and it is almost two years now.

“They also came and issued us with letters offering us pieces of land in various places on Provo. Some persons may have taken up the offers because, at the time, persons were very eager to build for various reasons.

Some folks got married, some have families, and they needed to build so that can secure a home for their family,” Parker noted.

He added: “Now, myself and a few others have already constructed homes, some were living in their homes and some were in the development stage. We were told that our development would be evaluated, and we would be compensated for the development on the land. So far, no one has come back to us about anything. They did some evaluation, but they never came back to us with any kind of proposal as far as money is concerned.”

Parker said it is unfair for the authorities to now come back and told them that they were prepared to only give money equaling the value of the land and not for the development, saying that such a move was tantamount to disrespect.

“We drafted numerous letters through our lawyers, to the AG’s Chambers and the governor at the time, but we were totally disrespected and totally ignored in both cases. I think they wrote back to us once and

told us that it is what it is, and that’s it,” Parker said.

He told The SUN that the residents aimed to take the matter to the court in order for them to either remain on the land unmolested or be granted pay for the property plus costs incurred for their developments.

“We followed the laws from start to finish. We applied for a piece of property; it was granted. We were told the cost; we paid that. We decided to build our homes; we submitted our plans to Planning, the plans were approved and we started construction.

So, we did everything by the law,” Parker asserted.

He also called on the Human Rights Commission to champion this cause on their behalf, since the process of them acquiring the land was above board, and they were now being treated as if they were squatters.

“They were treating us as if we did something wrong of if we squatted on the land. It boils my blood when you look at the (squatting) situation in Five Cays, to see how they corrected the situation. And us, who bought the land from Government, were treated as if we stole the land or if we squatted on the land. It is totally unfair that we can not get to sit down with Government to discuss this.

“A number of persons who own land down there (Chalk Sound), work for government. And it is almost if they are afraid and shying away from defending their rights because of their employers. They are afraid of being victimized at the end of the day, and that is why although we have about eight persons who have property down there, you would find that only about 10 persons speaking up,” Parker revealed

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Certificate of good health required for work permits The Immigration Board wishes to remind all applicants that in accordance with the Immigration Regulations, application forms for work and residence permits shall be accompanied by evidence of the applicant’s good health.

In the past, negative blood test results for HIV and syphilis have been accepted as sufficient for that purpose.

It has been decided that the only evidence of good health to be accepted will be a letter from the National Health Insurance Board that is based upon a complete Certificate of Good Health that has been designed for the purpose.

This requirement is now in effect for all applications, including applications for endorsement of spouses and dependents, but not for renewals.

The Certificate of Good Health must be signed by a licensed medical practitioner in the applicant’s country of residence, and will be checked for accuracy and authenticity by a doctor nominated for the purpose by the National Health Insurance Board.

If a medical practitioner is unable to sign off the items contained in the Certificate of Good Health, then the person concerned is ineligible for

consideration for a residence permit, work permit, or endorsement as a spouse or a dependent, and an application should not be submitted.

The new form may be obtained from Immigration Services offices in Grand Turk and Providenciales, or downloaded from the website of the Immigration Board –

www.immigrationboard.tc .

The form should be forwarded to the medical practitioner by whom the applicant intends to be examined. A separate form is needed for a spouse and each dependent. Completed forms should be submitted for checking in an envelope addressed to the Secretary of the National Health Insurance Board. If

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

satisfied with the authenticity of the Certificate, the doctor nominated by NHIB will issue to the applicant (or their employer) a letter addressed to Immigration Services confirming that the applicant is in good health. The letter from NHIB should then be included in the application as the required evidence of good health. No other evidence will be accepted.

If you are currently preparing an application, please make sure that steps are taken to obtain the necessary letter from NHIB to submit with the application.

PRC Backlog cleared The general public will recall that the Ministry of Border Control and Labour temporarily suspended the receipt and processing of all new applications for Permanent Resident Certificates on February 26, 2010.

The Ministry is pleased to confirm that through the dedication and hard work of staff in the PRC Unit, the backlog has been cleared however, the suspension is likely to remain in effect until after the public consultation on the pathway to citizenship has concluded and new legislation for granting Permanent Resident Certificates is enacted.

In August last year the Consultative Forum was advised of the existence of a backlog of over 1600 outstanding applications for British Overseas Territory Citizenship by naturalisation or registration which had

built up through other stages in the process over a long period of time.

“It is important that these applications be processed therefore, the case working team in the PRC Unit will now devote their full attention to processing them,” the ministry said in a release.

The ministry said that naturalisation and registration applications that are received on or after Monday, February 13, 2012 will not be assessed until after cases that have been pending for many years are cleared.

Potential applicants are accordingly encouraged not to apply until further announcements are made about the lifting of the suspension. Applications received after Monday, February 13, 2012 will not be catalogued.

VACANCIES

PLANT WORKERS

Caicos Pride Products, a seafood processing plant in South Caicos is seeking persons to work as Conch peelers and Lobster and Fish cleaners in their fish plant located in South Caicos. Persons will be required to live in South Caicos, must be willing to work long hours, weekends and on some public holidays.

Pay is commensurate with performance.

Interested persons can send application to info@caicoslobsterandconch.com or fax to 649-946-3571 or contact the labour department.

Closing date for application is March 31, 2012.

FISHERMEN

Caicos Pride Products, a seafood processing plant in South Caicos is seeking to hire Captains and fishermen for their 40 foot fishing boat. Applicants must be experience in deep sea fishing and be willing to stay at sea for up to 5 days.

Wage is based on commission. Individual will be required to take and pass drug test twice per year.

Interested persons can send application to info@caicoslobsterandconch.com or fax to 649-946-3571 or contact the labour department.

Closing date for application is March 31, 2012

ACCOUNTING CLERK

Caicos Pride Products, a seafood processing plant in South Caicos is seeking to hire Accounting Clerk.

Responsibilities include: • Invoicing, Bills payment.

• Collection of Accounts Receivables.

• Payroll, Inventory of products and supplies.

• Documentation of shipments.

• Other functions assigned by the Manager.

Qualifications: • Minimum of 6 years related experience.

• Knowledgeable on Cost Accounting.

• Computer proficient in MS Office .

• Must know accounting program QuickBooks.

• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills (English).

• Must be an excellent team-player.

Only Turks and Caicos Islanders need to apply.

Interested persons can send application to info@caicoslobsterandconch.com or fax to 649-946-3571 or contact the labour department.

Closing date for application is March 31, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Majority of voluntary severed Civil Servants to go in March

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Majority of the 350 to 400 public sector workers who applied for the Civil Service Severance Scheme package should be issued with their cheques in March, this according to Spokesman for the Governor’s Office, Neil Smith, who made the revelation during his Tuesday media briefing in Providenciales.

About 700 of the little over 2,500 civil servants had applied for the package.

Smith said the process should have started in February and pick up pace thereafter. He said there was strong possibility that those nearing their pension years will not be given marching orders, since that would go counter to what Government was trying to achieve.

Smith also stressed that Government would endeavour to hold on to staff members that are deemed talented and useful to the fortification of the sector. He said, too, that Government could refuse

applications from those who it deems too expensive to let go, since the administration was operating on a tight budget.

Allegations were also rife that a number of persons, who opted against accepting the package, were pushed to take it on the basis that their chance of retention in the sector could be tenuous. It is articulated that the move was being spearheaded by department heads.

But Smith reiterated that, while he was unaware of such practice, stressed that the programme was designed as a voluntary scheme and not a compulsory severance scheme, and as such, no one should be forced to accept it. He said though, that the positions of some of the persons who rejected the scheme could be placed on the chopping block, and as against that background, they should weigh their positions carefully before deciding not to take the offer.

The Governor’s Office Spokesman told media practitioners that the majority of those who accepted the offer would receive what he described as “life-

Murder-accused remanded On Wednesday 15th February 2012 Lavardo Smith, Collin Delancy Jnr & Ronego Missick appeared in the Grand Turk Supreme Court on charges of Murder, Robbery, Possession of Firearm with intent to rob, Discharging Firearm and Conspiracy to rob. They were remanded in custody at Her Majesty Prison in Grand Turk until their trial.

change packages” that would allow them to transform their lives for the better, since they would receive two year’s salary.

The campaign to chop the civil service came about as Government seeks to cut costs and balance the budget in order to pave the way for fresh elections that would return the country to local rule, after the UK fired both the Government and Opposition while scratching parts of the Constitution.

In 2010, the wages of civil servants was slashed by 10 percent. Government explained that the move was to cut cost while making the sector more viable.

However, it later revealed that the pay cut would not be enough to save the sector, and only a reduction in numbers would prevent government from crashing.

However, before the final offer was made, the Interim Administration butted heads with the Civil Service Association on several occasions, as the latter charged that the package and the terms initially of severance were not in the best interest of the workers.

To this end, the Civil Service Association staged a number of marches and strikes, as it forced Government to make an about face, which was achieved when the administration decided to make a number of adjustments, which included increasing the pay package.

Hotel industry players expect well over a million tourists in 2012 Having surpassed the one million mark in tourism arrivals for 2011, expectations are high for the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board for an even more successful year in 2012.

Last year, for the first time since record-keeping began in the 1980s, the TCI recorded more than a million visitors, with the total number for the calendar year being 1,009,270, with cruise arrivals, with the lion share, accounted for 655,497, while stopover arrival yielded 354, 223.

While enjoying tremendous business from its US market, the Tourist Board said it is expecting growing business from the Canadian market this year courtesy of addition of the new in season direct flight from the eastern Canadian city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“The destination continues to draw on its major source market, the United States with Canada in second place. The United States continues its dominance in arrivals to the destination due in part to major airlift to the destination that increased in 2011, namely JetBlue from New York and Continental from New Jersey,” the Tourist Board said in a release.

Director of Tourism, Ralph Higgs pointed out that the TCI that the increase in tourism arrival numbers served as good news for the country and the industry, since it represents the potential for growth in the short, medium and long term.

“Surpassing the one million mark is a major accomplishment for all of us, our partners and stakeholders in the industry and while we are pleased and proud we are also cognizant of the work that lies ahead,” Higgs was quoted as saying.

Stacy Cox, Executive Member of the TCHTA, said the arrival statistics for 2011 pointed to a very good year for the local tourism industry, declaring that the Hotel & Tourism Association was very happy to see the record-breaking number of arrivals to the island over the last two years.

“Our joint efforts with the Tourist Board are bearing fruit and signify the importance of working closely on the marketing of our islands. Promotions coupled with the increased airlift which we have garnered from our major source markets last year, should result in further increases over the next few years,” In the meantime, Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Dr. Hubert Fulford noted: “The destination and its people, partners in both public and private sectors should be proud of this milestone,” saying that no efforts should be spared in shoring up the arrival numbers.

On December 1, 2011, The Tourist Board, in the collaboration with the TCHTA, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) and the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC), welcomed their millionth and one million one visitors at both the Providenciales International Airport and the Carnival Cruise Center on December 31st 2011.

The cruise ship winner was received return vacation tickets sponsored by JetBlue and accommodations by the Tourist Board and the TCHTA. The Providenciales International winner was awarded a 7 day vacation back to the destination with airfare provided by JetBlue, as well and accommodations sponsored by the Tourist Board and the TCHTA.

HAIRPORT INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY SALON

1 NAIL TECH

Salary $350 per week Must have atleast 8 years experience Contact 347-6542

Page 10

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Men of Grand Turk propose a new process for acquisition of Turks and Caicos Islander Status A group called the "Men of Grand Turk" came together on a call to have their voices heard on the Pathway to Citizenship by Mr Carlis Williams (Cee's Supermarket).

They held two initial meetings on February 2nd and February 7th, 2012 at the L.I.F.E. Center on Old Airport Road Grand Turk.

Those sessions were chaired by Royal Robinson and Herbert Been and was attended by an average of 20 men.

From both meetings a preamble and matrix were put together and a signing drive hosted in the Kishco Parking Lot Grand Turk on February16th, with a goal of collecting 400 signatures in Grand Turk which is considered a representative sample.

Up to press time the group had collected 373 signatures which will be scanned and sent to the citizenship@gov.tc address set up by the Forum and the originals delivered to Dr Linda Williams member of the Consultative Forum in Grand Turk.

The following is the Men of Grand Turk’s proposal for acquisition of Turks and Caicos Islands status: We have discussed and resolved that any consultation on any process to progress an applicant to Turks and Caicos Islander status should remain within the purview of Turks and Caicos Islanders, and Turks and Caicos Islanders alone.

No outside group should in any form or fashion be encouraged to, or allowed to participate in such a process.

Furthermore, the final configuration of the results of any such consultation should be left for final debate and approval by a democratically elected government!

That being said, we agree and affirm the following: There shall be one pathway towards Turks and Caicos Islander status, and

that should be by way of being married to a Turks and Caicos Islander through the birth connection, having been married for a period of not less than 10 years continuously prior to application, that the spouse be of good character, has the ability to read and write English, pursue and pass a course of Turks and Caicos Islands studies at a recognized Turks and Caicos Islands’ Institution of learning.

Applications shall be made on behalf of the spouse by the Turks and Caicos Islander. There shall not be any ability to transfer Turks and Caicos Islander status by way of the person obtaining such status by way of a grant.

Turks and Caicos Islander stratus by way of a grant shall have the ability of being revoked for infractions such as being away from the country for a period of 7 years and having run afoul of the law.

PRC AND BOTC Unskilled workers should have no right to apply for a PRC. They should be given work permits for a maximum period of 5 years after which, they shall be required to leave the country for a period of 2 years before an application for another work permit on their behalf could be made.

Female work permit holders, on becoming pregnant in the Turks and Caicos Islands, shall be required to return to their country of residence before the third trimester of such pregnancy in order to give birth to their children. In the unlikely event that a child is born in Turks and Caicos Islands, a BOTC would be granted said child to allow him/her to travel.

The pathway towards a BOTC shall be through the acquisition of a PRC. There shall be a points system in place that would allow application for a PRC. Such point system shall begin from the WORK VISA application process. A form of the points system that is advocated is attached.

TWO DOMESTIC WORKERS

INTERISLAND AVIATION SERVICES GROUP IS SEEKING:

Responsible for cleaning and the general upkeep.

Salary $6.00 per hour.

• Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and Holidays.

• Clean police record • Able to work under pressure Belongers need only apply.

Interested applicants should apply to HR@flyairtc.com or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040.

No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Stage Bar and Grill seeks

3 BAR GIRLS AND ONE JANITOR

salary negotiable based on experience Williams Drafting

One Front Desk Clerk One Janitor/ Cleaner

seeks

Salary Negotiable

Interested applicants please call Tel: 231-1916

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

Northwest Point ResortProperty / Maintenance Manager

Applicant must have minimum 5 years extensive experience in all phases of maintenance for 50 unit Condominium Resort including plumbing, electrical, A/C, F/W pool chemistry, landscaping. Knowledge of reverse osmosis water equipment and sewage treatment is desirable as are bookkeeping skills.

Successful applicant will supervise 3 staff workers and report to off island Board of Directors. On site housing accommodation is provided. Position requires an individual who enjoys hands on maintenance as well as challenging work and will be available for 24/7 emergencies.

Salary Open depending on qualifications.

Belongers only need apply.

Apply to Owen Smith Northwest Point Resort Tel: 941-8961 ext 2208 email: psp23.nwpr@gmail.com

ONE DOMESTIC HELPER

Should be able to Lift heavy objects, clean, iron & wash.

One Gardener to maintain yard. Must have experience in gardening.

Persons must be able to work weekends and holidays S Belongers need only apply salary $6.00 per hour Applicants must be able to write and understand English Fax resume to 946-4040 or email Claudette@flyairtc.com

Page 11

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL LOCAL NEWS NEWS

Page 11

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012 FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

HIV/AIDS numbers in TCI falling

By Vivian Tyson SENIOR SUN EDITOR

Even though the official data is still being tabulated, from all indications it appears that HIV/AIDS cases in the Turks and Caicos Islands is down, this according to Head of the National AIDS Programme, Aldora Robinson, in an interview with The SUN. Robinson owed the decline to the ongoing robust AIDS awareness campaign across the country. She said that the figures showed that persons in the community were taking heed to the dangers of unprotected sex.

“From what we have seen, the numbers appears to be decreasing. It seems that our (safe sex) message is actually being effective. We have a number of awareness programmes that we use to reach the community regarding safe sex. We have the Rap Port, we have all the commercials that bring awareness. You have educational sessions that are being done in the schools and at churches,” Robinson said.

She said, too, that there is a mobile HIV/AIDS awareness testing programme in effect. She said the mobile unit travels to work places and carrying out testing in addition to dispense awareness to employers and employees of the ramification of having unprotected sex.

“We would go into different organizations, if they would allow us. The last organization that went to was the police, where we addressed police women. We are about to go back and address the men, and we are hoping to do some tests at

Scotiabank.

“So, I think that the apparent decline is based on the awareness campaign that we have. I know that the younger population is using condoms more than the older population; the message is resonating more with the younger people than the older ones,” Robinson noted.

The last time that data was collected, which was about three to four years ago, it showed that HIV/ AIDS was on the rise in the TCI, and as a result, a number of campaign initiatives were introduced to tackle the pandemic.

One of the signature campaigns that the National AIDS Programme to capture the imagination of the youth is the National High Schools Debate competition, which always gets good support from those institutions.

The National AIDS Programme is now also

seeking new ways to reach the populace, and as a result the Grant Turk AIDS Sub-Committee was in the process of staging a fund-raising fashion show scheduled for February 24, to come up with money to purchase books for the Health and Family Life curriculum for schools on that island.

In the meantime, persons in the community continued to feel the presence of the programme, as between February 14 and16, the National HIV Unit carried out its annual testing and awareness on Providenciales. On February 14, the unit visited Blue Hills; on February 15, it went to Kew Town, while on the February 16, it went to the Bight.

National AIDS Programme said the initiative was done as a means of ensuring that those living in the Turks and Caicos Islands know their status.

It said the objective behind the programme was to achieve zero new infections and zero deaths.

Carambola Grill and Lounge is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following position. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

CHEF

Job Description The Chef will be responsible for all aspects of managing the kitchen and kitchen staff, ensuring the quality preparation and presentation of all food for the restaurant.

Main Duties - Responsible for the day to day food and beverage operation of the restaurant.

- Develop creative menus and catering packages to assure maximum appeal to customers.

- Hire, supervise, schedule, train and develop kitchen staff.

- Must maintain a clean and orderly kitchen and conform to all local sanitation standards and regulations.

- Oversee the inventory process for food and beverage products.

Requirements - Must have ten (10) years or more culinary experience from an accredited culinary school or equivalent work experience.

- Thorough knowledge of food preparation, purchasing and inventory procedures.

- Must be proficient in MS Office application and QuickBooks.

- Good organizational and administrative skills required.

- Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

- Must be willing to work a variety of day/night and weekend shifts.

- Excellent people skills in order to communicate well with guests and staff.

The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience, training and education. Interested applicants should contact 946-4701 or email info@carambolatci.com

Page 12

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

TURKS CAICOS SUNSUN TURKS&AND CAICOS

Page 13 Page 13

LOCAL NEWS NEWS LOCAL

FEBRUARY 17TH17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH,24TH, 2012 2012 FEBRUARY - FEBRUARY

MILLS Institute receives long-awaited school bus

After months of fundraising, the parents, staff and students of mills institute were excited to receive their long- awaited school van. This sleek, fully air-conditioned, 15 seater Ford E35o is needed to transport students to and from school, for class field trips and other school business.

On Tuesday, February 7th the whole school gathered for thanksgiving devotions during

which the school's chaplain, Pastor Sherlock Padmore invoked god's blessing on the vehicle. Also present at the special devotions were the school's director Dr Carlton Mills, the PTA President Mrs. Bethel Forbes and PTA Treasurer Mrs. Tannia Hall.

The school extends a big thank you to all who supported our fundraising events. This would not have been possible without you.

V & M SECURITY LTD SEEKS

1 SECURITY GUARD Salary $6.50 per hour Contact 242-6938

UNITED CONSULTANT On behalf of clients Cedar Lodge CafĂŠ, Ben Appetit Restaurant, Heavy Construction Seeks

2 Waitress $ per hour 2 Carpenters $6 per hour 2 Green Keeper $5 per hour 1 Bartender $5 per hour 1 Barmaid $5 per hour 1 Driver $6 per hour

Contact 346-7875

ACE PLUMBLING NEEDS

1 PLUMBER Salary $6.00 per hour Contact Hudson Gardiner at 347-7192 or 431-2707

Mervin Jennings Tel: 941-8714

SEEKS ONE CARPENTER

Salary: $10 per hour 44 hour week.

Interested applicants please contact the number listed.

Page 14

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

FortisTCI meets with Chamber of Commerce and the TCHTA In keeping with FortisTCI’s 2012 strategic plan focused on increasing customer relations, last Thursday, February 9th, the Providenciales based utility company held their first of numerous ‘Customer Information Sessions.’ The gathering took place after invitations were extended to Executive Board members, Officers, and Directors, of the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.

Guests received an inside look at the day to day operations at FortisTCI Ltd. They explored plant facilities and new office accommodations, while engaging in open dialogue with the President and CEO Eddinton Powell and the FortisTCI Executive team.

Powell stressed the need to form stronger relationships between the company and the community; a means of fostering open lines of communication. “Our Customer Service Forums will give us an opportunity to listen to our customers’ needs. It will also give us the ability to explain the unique challenges and

Officials from Fortis TCI touring with members of the TCHTA and the Chamber of Commerce

opportunities facing the utility industry, particularly in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Powell.

Discussions began with an overview of Fortis Inc. and its subsidiaries, before emphasis was

2 LABOURER DAVIS WALKIN SEEKS

Must be hardworking and reliable Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 333-1778

INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY SALON

placed on the high cost of fuel in the Caribbean, the importance of energy conservation, the realities of renewable energy as it relates to the Turks and Caicos Islands, and other mutual concerns between the utility and the

business community. Stacy Cox, Association Executive of the TCHTA stated, “I am extremely happy to have had the opportunity to hear and see what was presented today. It personally clarified a number of misconceptions that I had about this company.”

Powell also highlighted the commitment that FortisTCI has to the country. He said, “FortisTCI has a vested interest in the community, with total investments approaching $200 million, and growing. We are committed to a strong and competitive economy inthe Turks and Caicos Islands and it is the business community that will ultimately turn the economy around.”

Those that attended Thursday’s meeting were equally satisfied with being given the facts. Executive Board member of the Chamber of Commerce Clayton Been shared his thoughts saying, “I was pleased by the honesty and openness of our conversation.

Having been somewhat of a sceptic myself, it is clear from this session, that FortisTCI and their entire team have a powerful story that is yet to be told.”

Bigger Better Car Wash DOMESTIC WORKER, CAR WASHER, LABOURER AND SALES CLERK Wishes to employ a

Must be willing to work late hours. Wages starting at $5 per hour. Please contact Marsha Simmons and Elcie Bernadin for more information on 231-0662.

TROPICAL IMAGING/BRILLIANT IS LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING TALENTED PEOPLE.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

NAIL TECHNICIAN Seeking a

Salary $6.00 per hour Please contact 231-6399

Experienced in all aspects of high-end digital photography and workflow, plus several years practice in creative wedding, portrait and commercial photography.

Self-motivated, willing to work weekends and holidays you must also be a customer service fanatic.

Email all resumes/links to ceo@tropicalimaging.com

GLOBAL SERVICES Needs

MARKETING MANAGER & MARKETING AGENT

Qualifications: 5 years international experience must be trilingual associated diplomas communication or marketing degree. Salary $10.00 per hour Please call 649-331-3020

1 LABOURER SAMUEL WILSON SEEKS

Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 341-4343

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 15

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

All taxation and no investment promotion

BY WILLIAM K. MCCOLLUM AND ANDREW J. NEWLANDS

Per Andrew Rosindell (Chairman Turks and Caicos All Party Group, House of Commons, London): “During the then Governor Gordon Wetherell administration a loan for US$260 million was arranged with guarantees by Britain.

However, in both the Wetherell led government and under current Governor (Ric) Todd, budget targets have yet to be met as predicted. This has resulted in a growth of the TCI government’s debts.

High taxes imposed in an attempt to balance the budget have caused businesses to close. This, joined with layoff of numbers of government workers added in the Misick years, has caused massive unemployment and lack of inward investment.”

Fresh from the World Economic Forum, Switzerland come these words from David Cameron (Prime Minister): “Unnecessary Regulations can destroy jobs” and he accused the EU “of doing things to make life even harder despite the need for business to

grow”.

Boy, does this ring bells in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). “Tinkering here and there and hoping we’ll drift to a solution simply won’t cut it anymore” and this is what we accuse the Wetherell and Todd Administrations of doing i.e. WHERE IS THE REAL TRANSPARENT FINANCIAL PLAN NEVER MIND THE 8 MILESTONES. Prime Minister Cameron gets better however: “We need an economy not a government based on spending but on savings and investments and entrepreneurial dynamism; not on one industry in one corner of the country but on all our businesses in all our regions.”

“If you are looking to set up a headquarters abroad, are you going to invest where your premises can be taken away from you?

Where contracts are routinely dishonoured?

Where there is political upheaval? Or are you going to invest where there are property rights, the rule of law, democratic accountability and personal safety/security (words underlined added by the writer)?”

Getting to know the TCI National Trust The National Trust works in partnership with the Turks & Caicos Islands government, international conservation organizations, local businesses, Boards, schools and most importantly, the Turks and Caicos Islands people. With its primary mission to protect and preserve the natural, historic and cultural heritage of the TCI, The National Trust, serves everyone who understands the importance of protecting the Islands culture, natural environment and historical heritage.

Governed by an elected council representing all of the inhabited islands, headed by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs, the National Trust is the only statutory, independent organization in the TCI responsible, bound by its mission statement, "to safeguard the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands for present and future generations and for the enjoyment of all."

Founded in 1992 through the passage of enabling legislation by the Turks & Caicos Islands Government, provides the National Trust a broad measure of powers to identify, investigate, classify, protect and preserve any area, site, building, structure or object of cultural, historic or natural significance. The National Trust maintains the right to hold property in trust, has ability to declare such property inalienable.

Throughout history, the Turks & Caicos Islands has endured many changes. The Islands have weathered numerous natural calamities, in more recent times, several man-made ones as well. From the very beginning, the archipelago served as an important trade centre, providing abundant natural resources including salt, fish, conch and seashells prized by the indigenous people who populated the

TCI and most of the surrounding islands. Research projects, supported by the National Trust have uncovered multiple archeological sites throughout the TCI, helping to complete our timeline in history.

Over the years, the National Trust has served as guardian for the Turks & Caicos Islands natural and historic sites and continues to educate, promote awareness of these special places. Several projects including Wades Green on North Caicos, Conch Bar caves on Middle Caicos, Little Water Cay and Cheshire Hall on Providenciales are maintained by the Trust as natural and heritage sites. Public access to these and all other sites, are clearly marked with informative signage, pathways. Residents and visitors are encouraged to frequent these sites, learn about our abundant natural, cultural and historical heritage.

The National Trust is supported by membership fees, private sponsorship and project grants and fulfills its mission by implementing a range of sustainable projects and initiatives, some of which are revenue generating and used to finance new programmes. The support of corporations and individuals help provide the resources necessary to continue the good work of the National Trust, directly reflect on the reason why we call The Turks & Caicos Islands, “ beautiful by nature”.

Over the next several weeks, the National Trust will publish a series of articles, providing insight into its ongoing efforts, commitment to protecting TCI heritage and several exciting new developments that the Trust will undertake. We encourage everyone to visit us online at www.tcinationaltrust.org or contact us at (649) 941-5710.

Finally a comment on V.A.T (Value Added Tax) based on The London Telegraph’s article Friday 27th January: In an effort to prop up the failure of this tax to deal with the realities of life, the Taxman interviewed is promoting “a snitch like society such as was around in East Germany post 1945:” per the taxman “householders have a duty to ensure others do not evade paying their share of tax “. U.K. even has a Whistle Blower Hotline!

We all know some form of tax has to be paid to provide various government services or there won’t be any. The question is in what form should we be taxed. Now I for one do not wish to be subject to living under a SNITCH/INFORMANT REGIME akin to the STAZI (Secret police with informant support) of E. Germany.

The bulk of present revenue is generated by import tax payable at point of entry; this is well policed, tax is collected in a cost effective manner.

However good the theory of introducing VAT, and there are some theoretical merits, in practical terms it is being imposed on a society where many retail businesses do not keep accounting records of the standard necessary. Therefore the imposition of VAT, however well intentioned, will impose additional costs on businesses at a time many are struggling to survive. The cost to the government of

administering, collecting and enforcing VAT will be very high, one wonders what the net tax revenue will be.

The recent “special levy of $10,000,000.00 on the NIB” deserves special mention as a one-off crutch to prop up an impossible to afford national medical tax scheme; which levy in turn is being propped up by a 7.5% reduction(from 1st Jan 2012) in pensions. Moreover, the NIB is still to be paid-out on its priority charge of $5.5 Million forming part of the TCI Bank Ltd. liquidation.

Some milestones of our own to consider: 1) Commercial intellectual capacity in our Government; 2) Simplification of doing business in TCI; 3) Implementation of the pure PRC Investor Category to attract more long term residents so businesses can grow in order to survive. The present push to promote citizenship rather than PRC’s is unnecessarily divisive. Many investors just want the right to live here peacefully, they don’t need to have the vote; & 4) A basic front end all embracing and yet easy to collect import duty system with adequate enforcement of payment provisions.

The way forward can be made much easier and clearer if we adopt all or most of these thoughts.

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.

Cook Main Duties Prepare food items of consistent quality in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment. Start prep work on food items needed for the menu of the day. Organize all of the various prep items needed from different areas to ensure that all items are in place and ready for service. Inform the Executive Chef of any shortage of supplies that need restocking before items completely run out.

Requirements Applicants must have a minimum of three-year culinary experience working in a restaurant. Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards. Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary 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. Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. Work with minimal supervision.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by February 27, 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.

Page 16

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

Come and join our winning team!!!

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, the only 6 Diamond all inclusive property in the Caribbean is inviting applications from suitably qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders for the following vacant positions.

Applicants must have a clean police record and a good command of the English language both written and spoken. In addition candidates must be able to work nights, public holidays and week-ends.

The Resort thanks everyone for their interest in advance and advises that only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

BAR DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Bar Porters Requirements include but are not limited to: • Outgoing personality • Physically fit The rate for the position listed above is $5.00 to 5.50 an hour.

HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Room Attendants/ Domestic Worker Housemen Public Area Attendant/Cleaner Requirements include but are not limited to: • One years experience in a hotel environment an asset.

• Physically fit The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $5.50 an hour.

Linen Room Controller Linen Room Attendant Requirements include: • Knowledge of inventory, stock and par levels • Computer literate • Physically fit The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $7.00 an hour.

Housekeeping Supervisor Requirements include but are not limited to: • Supervises and may participate in housekeeping services including cleaning, mopping, scrubbing, sanitizing the floors and other surfaces as well as the refinishing, waxing and polishing of floors, tile work and other various floor and wall surfaces in stairways, hallways, restrooms, offices, laboratories, recreation and locker rooms.

The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $8.00 an hour.

KITCHEN DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Kitchen Helper Requirements include but not limited to: • Must have worked in a Resort kitchen or medium to large sized restaurant

Cooks (Grade 1,2 and 3) Chef Garde Manger Requirements include: • Must have worked in a Resort kitchen or medium to large sized restaurant • Must have over three years experience • Professional qualification an asset The range in the rates for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $12.00 an hour.

STEWARDING DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Supervisor Requirements include but are not limited to: • Knowledge of the clean requirements of kittens and environs • Physically Fit • Ability to supervise a team

The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $7.00 an hour.

Steward Requirements include but are not limited to: • Physically Fit • Ability to carry out labour intensive cleaning task

The rate for the position listed above is $5.00 to $5.50 an hour.

PHOTOSHOP DEPARTMENT REQUIRES: Photographer Shop Attendant Requirements include but are not limited to: • 2 years’ experience in field • Ability to sell and make quotas

The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $8.00 an hour.

WATERSPORTS DEPARTMENT REQUIRES: Beach and Pool Attendants Requirements include: • Sweep, mop, and assist with the maintenance of the pool.

• Keep the pool area tidy and well stocked • Ability to swim Dive Instructor Dive Master Requirements include: • International Dive certification required • An outgoing personality required • Strict adherence to safety procedures • Ability to swim

The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $8.00 an hour.

ROOMS DIVISION DEPARTMENT REQUIRES: Front Office Agent Concierge Agent Requirements include but are not limited to: • Background in customer service • Ability to go above and beyond for guest

Butler Requirements include but are not limited to: • Member of the Association of English Butlers • Ability to go above and beyond for guest Bell Captain Bellman Minibar Stocker Requirements include but are not limited to: • Physically Fit • Outgoing and friendly attitude

The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $7.00 an hour.

THE COST CONTROL DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Labour Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in working in a refrigerated storage.

• Physically Fit The rate for the position listed above is $5.00 to $6.00 an hour.

GROUNDS DEPARTMENTS REQUIRES:

Grounds man/ lady Requirements include but are not limited to: • Physically fit • Ability to carry out labour intensive task

The rate for the position listed above is $5.00 to $5.50 an hour.

ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT REQUIRES: Fun pals/Players/ Dancers/ Clowns Requirements include but are not limited to: • An outgoing personality required • Ability to sing and dance

The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $6.00 an hour.

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Electrician or Plumber Carpenter Room Technicians Painter Cabinet Maker Mason Tile layer Requirements include but are not limited to: • Knowledgeable of in related fields both in theory and practical The rate for the positions listed above is $6.00 to $10.00 an hour.

Labourer Requirements include but are not limited to: • Physically Fit • Ability to carry out labour intensive task

The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $6.00 an hour.

Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to: mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com or Fax to: 9414870 Attn: M McClean-Vaughn The Human Resources Department Beaches Turks and Caicos P.O. Box 186 Lower Bight Road and

The Labour Commissioner Labour Department Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

and should reach not later than February18th 2012. Otherwise, please call anytime for an appointment tel # 649-946-8000 ext 4138

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WITH LILLIAN BOYCE

You all have been kind readers of the first edition of Stepping Stones and before I start this second edition, I pause to say thank you very much for your kind comments.

As I move around and interact with friends and family, I try to pay attention and make an effort to be conscious of my surroundings, our conversations and us, generally, as human beings.

Now, one can only agree that every day we are faced with more hardships and it is getting increasingly difficult to keep current with our bills, enjoy dining out, or treating ourselves with a hairdo or some new shoes. That is often the story I hear, and the things I observe. The truth is; it is difficult these days to satisfy even our most basic needs- to properly provide for the needs of our children and families.

I look around and I can see that children and the elderly suffer the most during these hard times. The decline or termination of social benefits and the announcement in the news a few weeks ago by the human rights chair, that there are over one hundred children without a seat in school, confirms my observations.

I look again. I can see civil servants in the Turks and Caicos Islands anxiously wringing their hands as they are forced to take the government redundancy package. Listen with me now. I can hear almost everyone

naming and blaming and pointing finger at others including myself. But you and I both now, casting blame never helps. We know that finding a solution is much more helpful, so let’s do just that! I believe we can make this the appointed time in our lives.

In the midst of the uncertainty and distress, I see we are surrounded. We are surrounded by tools. We know for every job, business venture or advancement, we need some type of tools, equipments or skills.

We already have the gifts of human intelligence and will-power. We all have the power to think and move; and yes- we all have the ability to change if we want to. God has made us a remarkable species. He made us with all the natural resources we need to thrive and survive. We have the knowledge; and we have the skills to solve most of our current national, personal and social issues here in our Turks and Caicos Islands. Everything we need is already present around us.

If we are missing anything at all (and I am going to take the risk to say), it seems to me to be a lack of love, justice, effort, care and concern.

Let this not be a sad story, filled with characters that are not able to identify their tools, use their skills or discover their will power to become creative and productive.

What is happening to us? Have we

LOCAL NEWS forgotten our potential and our purpose? None of the inequities in our society could exist without our contribution. The sad events that are reported in the news confirm our sense that it’s the midnight hour; that our worse nightmares have become our waking reality and we should feel afraid.

Take a moment and reflect on a fearful period in your life. It paralyses you; it makes you feel helpless.

Well God didn’t send us here to be powerless spectators, but to become powerful initiators. I believe by now you have some of your tools in mind. I can think about the very car you are driving, have you ever thought about that badly needed delivery service or that transportation business?

I believe that most of us have these commonly used necessities such as stoves, washing machines or an iron and a board. We have refrigerators and most of us have an extra bedroom and there are so many other tools such as the computer around us. I can testifythat is how I got started many years ago. By using what I have. And you can too. It may not be much, but it is a start.

We can use whatever we have, to start that much needed business for that much needed income. We have many qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders

who can use their skills to bring hope for the future. We are each other harvests; we are each other businesses, each others magnitude and bond.

A model for harmonious living won’t be created by the government and we cannot rely solely on our religious leaders to initiate it.

Theologies would say “Love is the guiding principle in the world” but a religious or spiritual philosophy has no meaning until we practice it.

So what would you use or give to make our community, our country, a better place? What would you give or do to ease the suffering in our neighborhoods?

With so many injustices, taxes and neglect, what do you care deeply about?

Listen inwardly and hear the messages God sends to your heart.

Now choose your tools and walk with me step by step moving forward. Let’s work and make good differences, because if you are not actively engaged in easing the suffering, you are contributing to the pain.

Until next week reflect with me… we are all in the same lifeboat, and in order to survive we must use our oars to pull smartly in the same direction.

Where we go from here depends on you and me.

1 LABOURER ALBERT HIGGS SEEKS

Salary $6.50 per hour

Contact 243-7783

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Veranda is currently seeking qualified candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner.

Our ideal candidates must love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization.

RESERVATIONS MANAGER

Job Overview The job will entail overseeing the reservation functionality of the resort and working closely with the Director of Reservations to maximize group and leisure revenue while providing accurate and timely information on reports as it relates to the group segment.

The Reservations Manager will have the exciting opportunity to develop this department from a blank slate.

Key Responsibilities This essential position reports to the Director of Reservations and Resident Manager and will manage all aspects of the reservations department and pre arrivals concierge including but not limited to; entering group room blocks, maintain pick-up and cut-off date analysis; ensuring billing, special requests and VIP information is set in the system as well as communicated to the essential departments of the hotel; fielding incoming calls related to Reservations groups, special requests as well as, spa, golf and

restaurant reservations; managing the TA commissions process; working closely with the reservations call center to maintain updated information and provide support; attending and involvement in pre-convention meetings, attending weekly operation, revenue and sales meetings as well as daily stand-up meetings.

Basic Requirements 2 - 3 years experience in a supervisory or management role for the Reservations or Front Office department of a AAA 4 or 5 diamond quality organization Hotel Property Management experience, Opera preferred Understanding of group reservations and block process Advance computer and typing abilities Advance knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook Excellent organization and time management skills Good interpersonal skills basic accounting and mathematical skills required Excellent written and verbal communication skills..

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience Interested persons may contact our Human Resource Manager No later than February 20, 2012 Email: deleria.simms@verandatci.com Or hand deliver to our office at Veranda Resort and Residences

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Come and join our winning team!!!

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, the only 6 Diamond all inclusive property in the Caribbean is inviting applications from suitably qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders for the following vacant positions.

Applicants must have a clean police record and a good command of the English language both written and spoken. In addition candidates must be able to work nights, public holidays and week-ends.

The Resort thanks everyone for their interest in advance and advises that only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

THE GROUNDS DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Grounds Manager Assistant Manager/ Senior Supervisor Requirements include but are not limited to: • Minimum 2 year diploma in related field.

• Experience with tropical or subtropical plants, Greenhouses and Irrigation • Physically Fit THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Executive Sous Chef Sous chef Requirements include but are not limited to: • To create recipes and production methods, as well as compile new banquets methods when required.

• Oversee the training and development of staff.

THE WATERSPORTS DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Office Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in managing the affairs of an Office of a Regional Manager.

• Extremely confidential • Professional designation and asset

Watersports Manager Dive shop Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience managing a Dive shop operation • Ability to up and cross sell • PADI certification to dive • PADI certification to teach instructors • First Aid Certification

THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Cost Control Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in controlling cost example fuel, electricity, water.

• Experience in controlling a multi-million dollar portfolio • Ability to cover day and night shifts

ZONE MANAGER/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in F&B, Rooms Division and operations • Experience in managing a boutique hotel or an operation encompassing rooms, restaurant and environs

Assistant Training Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Qualified to teach English Butler Program to certification • Knowledge of Food and beverage, Front office, Concierge (this is not exhaustive) • Ability to design training programs THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Food and Beverage Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in managing multiple Restaurant outlets with seating of over 200 • Five (5) years relevant experience in Fine Dining, Al La Carte and Buffet THE PHOTOSHOP DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Photoshop Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience managing multiple photo retail outlets • Experience meeting sales targets • Ability to cross and up sell • Three (3) years relevant experience The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $25,000 to $75,000 per annum THE KITCHEN DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Executive Chef • Maintain control of the standards for purchasing and receiving items.

• To create recipes and production methods, as well as compile new banquets methods when required.

• Oversee the training and development of all kitchen staff.

• Experience in managing over four (4) kitchens

THE COST CONTROL DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

THE KIDS KAMP DEPARTMENT REQUIRES:

Pirates Island Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in running a teens and tweens program.

• Professional designation in a related children development program • Over 3 years managing a children’s operation

The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $25,000 to $75,000 per annum Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to: mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com or Fax to: 941-4870 Attn: M McClean-Vaughn The Human Resources Department Beaches Turks and Caicos P.O. Box 186 Lower Bight Road and

The Labour Commissioner Labour Department Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

and should reach not later than February 18th 2012.

Otherwise, please call anytime for an appointment tel # 649-946-8000 ext 4138

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LOCAL NEWS

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Students’ Survey Results

MATHEMATICS PAPER 2 1. S = 10, T = 5.

What is the value of 6S + 5T? 2. The length of a fence is 16m. What is the length in cm?

On sports day a student jumped a height of 1m 61cm. What was this height in meters?

3. A mini bus travelled at 75km per hour. How far did it travel in 3hrs?

4. Aunt Tanya is buying football socks for her 5 nephews. She wants each boy to get 3 pairs of red socks and 4 pairs of white ones. How many pairs of socks does she need to buy?

5. Mrs. Simons in Salt Cay made a batch of Salt Cay candies this morning. She sent half the batch to Grand Turk, and then she sent 50 to South Caicos. She gave half that amount to Providenciales and kept the last 22 for herself. How many candies did she make this morning?

6. Matthew studies 20 minutes every Monday and 30 minutes every Tuesday. On Wednesdays he studies for 40 minutes, if he repeats this pattern on Thursday what is the total amount of minutes he would study for the week?

a. What percentage was very happy with their lives? b. What percentage was not happy with their lives? 4

c. How many students were quite happy with their lives? d. Of the total number of students who were very happy, 200 were boys.

How many students were girls?

16.What is the size of the angle marked a?

7. Ava and Nate were asked to mark the race track with cones. They placed one cone every 15 meters that they walked. They placed the last cone at the 180 meter mark. How many cones did they place?

8. David drank half a box of apple juice. His brother, Maurice drank % of what was left. If the box holds 2 litres, how much ml did Maurice drink?

9. Water was pumped into a tank at a rate of 20 liters per minute. How much water was in the tank after one hour?

10. The average of 4 numbers is 22. Three of the numbers are 19, 17, and 21. What is the fourth number?

11. Use the table below to record how the amounts of money that father had to pay at the end of the month would be done using the smallest amount of bills and coins as possible.

Amounts to be paid

$20

$5

$1

50c

25c

10c

Sc

2c

17. What is the size of angle e in the triangle below. e

30

18. This is a graph of pets that belong to the students of Miss Smith’s class. Use the information from the graph to answer the questions.

1c

$8.26 $53.15 $35.42 $23.50 12. Ona Glinton Primary School has 267 students. Iris Stubbs has 89 fewer Students that Ona Glinton. How many students are in both schools?

13. Quinton gave away 7/8 of his marbles and had 96 left. a. How many marbles did he have before? b. lf % of his total number of marbles was red. How many red marbles did he have?

14. Find the area of the polygons listed below.

15. 650 students from Providenciales were surveyed about their lives. The diagram below shows the results of one question. Use the survey results in the graph below to answer items a — d.

a. How many dogs do the students have? b. How many birds do they have? c. How many cats do they have? d. How many fish do they have? e. Do they have more fish or cats?

Stay tuned for more GSAT past papers next week.

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1. Models Nekeira Stuart-Hanna, Myles Karam & Washanda Registre in Saint George Fashion House

Valentine’s Night at Blue Note Lounge In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Blue Note Ultra Lounge; the island’s newest upscale nightspot, saw an evening full attendees enjoying entertainment from Saint George Fashion House, saxophonist Janardo Laporte, Smoke and Honey Band and spinning by DJ Lilshort of Techno Sounds.

There were also big giveaways from Digicel TCI, KB Home, Secret Garden, Chic and Sassy Hair Salon, Hillview Boutique, along with several other special treats.

Blue Note is a high-end lounge of the Atrium Resort in Leeward, Providenciales, which aim is offer something special and interesting to the island’s nightlife on a classy scale.

3. Micheal & Raceine Bovell enjoy their night out with champagne toasts

2. Keno Hall of Smoke and Honey Band

4. Carl Simmons & Wife take a moment to smile for the camera

6. Friends and couples came out to celebrate Valentine’s Day

9. Mark & Ava Fulford and a guest give the camera happy smiles

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

5. Former Premier, Galmo Williams and his wife Althea Williams

7. This happy couple was all smiles

8. One of the many couples who came out to celebrate the night

10. This group enjoyed their night at the Blue Note Lounge

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ENTERTAINMENT

Whitney Houston squandered multimillion-dollar fortune, sources say Whitney Houston was once the darling of the music industry with a voice and career few other singers could even come close to matching. But at the time of her death Saturday, Houston's critics were skeptical that the star would ever return to the praise and fortune of her glory days.

At the height of her career, Houston’s work on “The Bodyguard” soundtrack sold more than 17 million copies in the United States alone. She commanded millions for films and was ranked in the top 20 of Forbes’ most powerful entertainers. In 2001, despite her personal problems beginning to come to light, Arista signed her to an unprecedented six-album contract valued at more than $100 million.

Yet in the last decade, Houston’s powerful voice had slowly begun to slip away from the public attention and the stories about her became dominated by reports of substance abuse instead of her substantial talents.

In 2009 Houston returned to the studio and released her first album in several years, titled “I Look to You,” which sold 304,000 copies in its first week, entering the charts at No. 1 and giving her the best debut week of her career. She followed this with a worldwide tour, which was widely panned by critics who were left disappointed by her distressed vocal chords. The tour still managed to gross $36 million.

Whitney Houston

But just three weeks ago, the rumor mill started churning that Houston was broke, and now more details are starting to unravel as to how and why the iconic singer may have died with few dollar signs to her name. In January, Radar Online reported that the music maven was in financial ruins and on the verge of bankruptcy, and had even resorted to asking friends for small amounts of cash to get her through.

“Whitney’s fortune is gone. Music industry heavy hitters are supporting her and her label is fronting her cash against her next album, but no one knows when that will be released. She

Whitney Houston’s financial worth after death Sources say that Sony Music executives will meet this week to decide how to market the Whitney Houston catalog. The late singer's nine albums and other recordings have suddenly become big sellers again.

Houston's extraordinary voice sold 200 million albums and singles, making her one of the most successful singers of all time. Yet just before her death, tabloids declared Houston was flat-broke and asking friends for handouts.

Houston's representatives deny she had blown her fortune. After all, the singer had signed a $100 million record deal in 2001.

Zack O'Malley Greenburg, staff writer of Forbes magazine, told CBS News, "We know she made a boatload of money while she was alive. She earned probably a quarter of a billion dollars on recorded music alone.

Whether or not she actually died broke still is kind of being sorted out."

Houston's New Jersey estate was nearly foreclosed on in 2006 when she failed to pay her property taxes and she admitted to spending lavishly on drugs and partying in the past decade.

In an interview with ABC's "Primetime," Houston said, "My business is sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. My friends, you know, we have a good time."

After Houston died Saturday at age 48, her songs were suddenly everywhere. Her greatest hits album shot to the No. 1 spot on Amazon and was the top iTunes download for her most famous song, "I Will Always Love You." Houston's estate is expected to take in about $10 million this year, but that's far less than others will make because Houston did not write or own her songs. The bulk of royalties go to the songwriter and the publisher. In fact, they get about eight cents every time one of their songs is played on the radio.

Dolly Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" in 1973 and has made a fortune on it ever since.

The late Michael Jackson co-wrote and owned most of his music. Just last year, his estate took in $170 million.

"Whitney Houston's estate is not going to approach Michael Jackson's estate in terms of post-mortem earnings," O'Malley Greenburg said. "She didn't accumulate the kind of assets during her career that Michael Jackson did."

Before her death, Houston did produce and star in the remake of the upcoming film "Sparkle." She recorded two songs for the film, which will now be her final performances and a new source of revenue.

might be homeless if not for people saving her,” an insider told the entertainment site. “She is broke as a joke. She called someone to ask for $100. It is so sad. She should have Mariah Carey money, and she’s flat broke.”

According to several reports, Sony music mogul Clive Davis, who launched Houston’s career, loaned her more than $1 million last year to assist in the rehabilitation process of getting clean.

Experts tell Fox411’s Pop Tarts column that the simple reason for Houston’s financial troubles is her drug use.

“When people become addicted they become more impulsive and often have impaired memory and attention. In addition to squandering money on drugs, they are easy prey for unethical financial managers and consultants who exploit their vulnerabilities,” Dr. Sack, CEO of the famed Malibu rehabilitation facility Promises told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column. “It’s certainly possible that Ms. Houston fell victim to either or both of these problems.

"While her public sightings were limited to doctor's visits and an occasional club outing over the past year, Whitney traveled heavily over the course of 2010 – staying in upscale hotels at her many overseas destinations, which included romps in Sydney, Paris and London,” said Michael Lavalette,

managing editor of the GossipCenter Network, which tracks all celebrity sightings and paparazzi pictures.

And despite the sudden resurgence of Houston’s music in the wake of her death, her estate may not actually benefit as much as one might expect. Unlike Michael Jackson, who controlled and owned much of his music, Houston was not entitled to a prominent share of revenues from her work. She did not write her own hits, and doesn’t have share in the revenues for publishing rights. Sony’s Legacy Records owns the catalog of her albums and instead paid Houston singing royalties. As for “The Bodyguard,” Time Warner-operated movie studio Warner Brothers controls the rights, which means Houston doesn’t profit from downloads or sales.

Still, author and trial attorney Chris Leibig begs to differ that Houston passed away a pauper.

“No one of Houston’s caliber, with the potential for ongoing sales, would be technically broke,” he added. “Unlike athletes and so forth, whose opportunity for salaries and endorsements would usually have a shelf-life based on the person’s current productivity, artists and writers and the like can suddenly become more popular after dying.

Unless she sold away the future rights to her material, whether she wrote her own songs or not would not be the question.”

Adele backpedals on comments about taking a five-year break After winning six Grammy Awards and selling million of albums worldwide, British singing sensation Adele stunned the music industry by suggesting she is about to take the next five years off in an interview with Vogue magazine.

The 23-year-old, whose full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, told US Vogue -in an interview carried out well before Sunday's Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, but only widely reported Tuesday - that she wants a break from her career to concentrate on her relationship.

"I am f------ off for four or five years. If I am constantly working, my relationships Adele fail. So at least now I can have enough time to write a happy record. And be in love and be happy," she said when asked about her future.

But the singer took to her blog Wednesday to shoot down the reports.

"I've a few days off now, and then it's the Brit Awards here at home and then I'm straight into the studio. BOYYAHH! 5 years? More like 5 days!" the British star penned Tuesday. In the original interview, the singer, whose best-selling album "21" was fueled by a failed relationship, said she was "madly in love" with her 37-year-old boyfriend Simon Konecki, a British charity fundraiser.

"He's wonderful. He looks after me," she said.

Adele's expressed desire for a break came as a particular shock to her fans, considering she used the Grammy Awards to stage a return performance after having surgery on her vocal chords last year to remove polyps. She did reveal to Vogue, however, that it was her enforced silence as she recovered from the surgery that may have led to the dramatic statement.

"I've never fully appreciated the things that I've achieved until now," she said. "In fact, my entire life has changed in the last 10 weeks. I've never been so happy, and I love it." Adele took out three major awards at the Grammys -- Album Of The Year for "21," Record Of The Year for "Rolling In The Deep" and Best Song for writing "Rolling In The Deep" with Paul Epworth.

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June 7, 2010 & CAICOS SUN FUN &TURKS GAMES

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012 JUNE 18TH - JUNE 25TH, 2010

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King Features Weekly Service

June 7, 2010

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Gansevoort Turks + Caicos is a contemporary full service luxury boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with Five Star experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring our luxury standards and services are consistently delivered to exceed our customers expectations.

GENERAL MANAGER:

The General Manager is the primary strategic business leader of the property with responsibility for all aspects of the operation. The General Manager must oversee property performance, sales & marketing initiatives and strategies, manage profitability and revenue generation. Additionally, the General Manager must be able to attract talent and build talented teams and be multi-skilled and celebrate diverse environments and can relate to people from a variety of backgrounds. The General Manager must have at least 10 years experience in managing in a five star boutique hotel with minimum 3 as a GM. Essential duties include but not limited to: • Maximize revenue and profitability, represent the hotel in the community and head the executive committee of the property.

• Manage all sources of revenue to include rooms, food and beverage, and others.

• Ensures all departments are profitable and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders.

• Achieve exceptional levels of guest and team member satisfaction • Promote the Gansevoort culture at every opportunity and stay true to its core values • Operate the hotel under the covenants of the management agreement, and other relevant brand standards/SOPs. • Establish the strategic plan and execute to fulfill property revenue and profit objectives in accordance to annual budget, marketing plan and capital expenditure plan.

In collaboration with the hotel's financial controller, prepare and manage the budget and quarterly forecast process, and general reporting requirements internally, with brand leadership, banking affiliates, owner's representatives and investors.

• Continually analyze market trends and direct team accordingly to obtain objectives.

• Creates local and national marketing plans and pricing strategies and knows market segments. Responds quickly to changing market conditions and revises strategies accordingly.

• Actively participates in sales discussions, meetings and plans. Knows key account executives and business base. Knows monthly production levels for each sales team.

• Produces monthly financial reports and knows at all times where the hotel stands against budget.

• Protects the hotel and its assets through enforcing and maintaining a preventative maintenance program.

• Provide exceptional customer service to all hotel guests, making their stay as comfortable and accommodating as possible while achieving team and Brand goals.

• Follows company policies and procedures and is able to effectively communicate them to subordinates.

FRONT OFFICE MANAGER: Applicant must have excellent communication and problem resolution and conflict management skills, at least 4 years experience in Luxury Hotel Front Desk with at least 2 years in management and maintain a presentable image consistent with the expectations of our clientele. Technical skills include Microsoft Office suite, Opera PMS and OVOS, training and coaching skills as well exceptional customer service and organizational skills. Hospitality Management certificate or equivalent experience required. English language required with additional languages an asset.

Essential duties include but not limited to: • Directs operation of guest experience from arrival at airport to rooming of guest.

• Financial responsibility for collecting all room bills and for ensuring maximum optimization of room inventory • Works with central reservations, revenue management, sales and finance to maximize revenue potential • Guides and coaches the development of Front Desk Managers, Agents, and Bellman.

• Provides training and ongoing instruction and coaching to ensure SOPs are followed and consistent, high quality service level is delivered and sustained • Manages reservations from on line, credit card collections, deposits, room assignments, guest amenities and room drops • Continually monitoring all transactions to ensure accuracy – must be detail oriented and very organized • Dealing with all levels of guests and associated issues or concerns. Must be competent and confident professionally dealing with guest issues (conflict resolution) and resolving them to protect the business and satisfy the guest.

RESTAURANT MANAGER: Report Directly to the Food & Beverage Director. This

position is responsible for managing all activities of the Food & Beverage Departments for the organization. The daily operation of vessel’s Beverage Sales Operation including the effective administration, supervision and execution of programs consistent with the company standards and goals of providing excellent service while generating maximum revenue.

Essential duties include but not limited to: • Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/Hostess.

• Directs and ensures the implementation and execution of corporate policies and procedures.

• Controls, measures and reports Outlet sales performance on a daily basis and takes

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required corrective action to ensure operations are in accordance with the company standards and objectives.

• Creates new opportunities and maximizes existing ones to generate extra revenue.

• Maximizes profitability by increasing turnover (revenue and covers).

• Ensures that department’s operational budget is strictly adhered to and that all costs are strictly controlled.

• Recommends measures to control/reduce costs.

• Works closely with the Controller and provisioning in regards to inventory taking, cost control, loading, ordering and storing.

• Ensures that all bars are counted after each shift and investigates discrepancies.

• Assures correct pouring and ensures proper void handling.

Requirements: College or University degree in hospitality management, business administration or related field preferred. International equivalent suffices.

4-6 years restaurant operational management experience in 4/5 star hotels, restaurants • Fluent in English, both verbal and written. A second language is preferred.

• Experience in managing a large multi-national staff.

• Extensive knowledge of varying brands and quality of liquors.

• Knowledge of new and old world wines including food and wine pairing.

• Ability to read, interpret and demonstrate the preparation of drink recipes.

• Ability to investigate and solve guest complaints, follow up and meet/exceed guest expectations.

• Extensive knowledge of Micros POS and Opera Salary Range: 50,000-60,000 annually commensurate with experience

POOL & BEACH ENTERTAINMENT MANAGER:

This position is responsible for ensuring complete compliance with all hotel standards and overseeing the entire Pool & Beach Entertainment operation which includes Pool & Beach Attendants, Kids Club Coordinators and contracted service providers. The Pool & Beach Manager has overall responsibility for safety, maintenance coordination, inventory and servive at the pool and beach, as well as managerial, administrative, facility, aquatic, communications and leadership duties, including:

Essential duties include but not limited to: • Ensure quality, safety and guest/owner satisfaction in the operation of programs and services.

• Keep all equipments and furnishing in 1st class condition.

• and coordinates resort recreational activities including, group beach activities when needed, individual/games organized daily Kids Club outings and special functions, seasonal programs and special events.

• Manage and oversee lifeguards: Plan and organize workloads and staff assignments.

• To ensure that all employees deliver the company brand promise and provide exceptional guest service at all times.

• Responsible for scheduling of all workers.

Minimum Requirements: • 3-5 years experience in sports & recreation administration, management and entertainment • Must be CPR Certified. Boat license or certification desirable and certified to sail Hobie Wave.

• Must have proven strong coaching and leadership skills, excellent written and communication skills.

• Must be a certified pool operator.

• Fluent English (additional language an asset.)

Salary Range: $25,000 – $40,000 annually commensurate with experience Housekeeping Manager: needed for the Housekeeping Department. The Manager is required to have at least a high school diploma and previous experience Housekeeping experience in a luxury resort environment. Responsible for training new employees and ensuring work schedules are coordinated to maintain the highest level of consistent quality for our guests and owners. The manager will oversee the work of the employees, order cleaning supplies as needed, assign and inspect work. The manager assigns tasks to employees and may make cleaning suggestions to help improve service. Manager must be able to resolve guest issues regarding the cleaning or hotel services. Must be Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office software and Opera to prepare reports, employee schedules, inventories, budgets as required; should have good communication skills; and MUST be detail-oriented and tenacious.

LAUNDRY MANAGER: 3 years experience in laundry as a Supervisor. Familiarity with presser/folder an asset. Responsible to maintain accurate inventory of linens and towels, forecast reordering, protect assets, train, and coach and manage staff. Salary range $7.00 - $12.00 hourly

KITCHEN UTILITY/STEWARDING: Attention to detail, maintain a clean environment to high standards and must be able to set up event areas. Salary range $5.00 - $8.00 PUBLIC AREA ATTENDANT/ROOM ATTENDANT : Loves to clean. Clean and maintain guest’s rooms and general areas. Clean and replenish amenities as per the resort standards. Salary range $5.00 - $8.00 hourly

SECURITY AGENTS: Excellent communication skills oral and written. Observant at all times. Experience in investigations and dealing with challenging situations. Good customer service skills. Salary range $7.00 t0 $10.00 hourly

HOUSEMAN: General cleaning of guests room areas assists room attendants with heavier tasks, window washing, linen delivery and removal. Salary range $5.00 - $8.00 hourly SERVERS: Provide guests with food and beverage service – restaurant, bar, room service, beach & pool. Able to work on feet all day and good mathematic skills, experience in fine dining service, an asset. Salary range $5.00 – $8.00 hourly

Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm. Closing date for all application is March 9th, 2012 E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position and, along with your Resume or C.V. to hr@wymara.com

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

Page 33

HIGHLIGHTS

• UN Presence in Haiti

Under Review • Crime hurting Caribbean economies

New Tax Laws for Bermuda

Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham clarifies Haiti President's remarks Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, in retort to comments made following Haitian President Michel Martelly's remarks to Bahamians of Haitian descent during his visit to The Bahamas, said they were not as outrageous as they were thought to be.

President Martelly met with thousands of Bahamians of Haitian descent last Wednesday and reportedly told them to vote for the party that has their interests at heart.

This and other comments were not received well by many, including both rival political party leaders, and in the days to follow their disapproval captured headlines.

While in Andros paying a special visit to one of the revered matriarchs there, the leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) addressed those concerns he had regarding comments Haiti's president made.

When questioned whether he thought the whole situation was blown out of proportion because of the current political climate, the prime minister said in retrospect "one can see that they are not as outrageous as one thought they were."

He also said, when asked if Bahamians have a right to be concerned.

"Who am I to determine what Bahamians have a right to say? This is a free country, Bahamians have a right to say whatever they wish to say," he said. "Bahamians, generally speaking, are very sensitive about foreigners and very sensitive about foreigners telling them anything about their country and what to do, etc. and so they are perfectly entitled to feel incensed and outraged and enraged."

He said he would think that in terms of households in The Bahamas, that the vast majority would have been enraged when they heard the comments in the context in which they were given.

The prime minister also cleared up some misconceptions as to the purpose of President Martelly's visit.

Prime Minister Ingraham said The Bahamas government did not invite President Martelly here and there is no need to invite the president of Haiti or any other president of a friendly country to The Bahamas.

"A government of any country with which we have relations, can have their head of government visit The Bahamas at any time they choose. It doesn't require our permission to do so," he said, noting that just as he doesn't need permission from the president of the United States to travel to America, or from the leader from Jamaica, Barbados, or Haiti to travel to their country.

In fact, he said he became aware of President Martelly's intended stop via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday and it was confirmed later in the day that the president had requested to meet with the Governor General and him.

"Mr. Branville McCartney of the

unestablished party calling itself the DNA (Democratic National Movement), says that I invited President Martelly to The Bahamas.

That is untrue," said Prime Minister Ingraham. "You don't go and shoot your mouth off and make statements that are untrue and that can easily be verified in advance. Carelessness is not a good thing for a young politician, or indeed an old politician. I caution Mr. McCartney not to continue telling lies."

He said, secondly, the President of Haiti made several statements as reported in the press and through the broadcast media on two items that appear to have elicited public concern.

Prime Minister Ingraham also explained that there were no FNM politicians at the function at Joe Farrington Road, while pointing out that there was, however, a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Member of Parliament and former Attorney General Alfred Sears and PLP candidate for Fort Charlotte Dr. Andre Rollins.

He added that President Martelly also met the following day with leader of the Opposition Perry Christie at the former prime minister's house where Mrs. Christie and a number of his colleagues were.

The nation's chief executive

pointed out that he would think that if Christie had an issue with what President Martelly had said, he would have raised it with President Martelly while at his house and not have waited until Friday night at his candidates' launch.

Ingraham said that is clearly what he would have done, while noting that at the time the Haitian president had come to see him he was unaware of the comments he had made.

"One of the statements that he made that I take issue with is when he said children of Haitian descent born in The Bahamas are entitled to citizenship and that they are stateless because they cannot apply for citizenship until they reach the age of 18," he said.

Those individuals, he added, are not stateless; they have the nationality of their parents under The Bahamas' Constitution which differs from the Haitian and the American Constitutions.

"Persons born in The Bahamas of non-Bahamian parentage do not have a right to Bahamian citizenship until they reach the age of 18 and subject to them making an application before they reach the age of 19. Otherwise, they lose that right," he said.

"And so from birth until 18 they are nationals of the country of their parents; mostly their father. The Haitian

Constitution differs from that. And so I think that President Martelly was mistaken in suggesting that our position was identical to Haiti's or the United States, because persons born in the United States become citizens of the United States at birth. That is not the position of The Bahamas."

The second statement which President Martelly made in which he encouraged his former citizens who have become citizens of The Bahamas to support the political party of their choosing at election time, Ingraham said Martelly was perfectly entitled" to do so.

"In fact, quite frankly, I don't see why it would be difficult for The Bahamas countenance saying to Bahamians living in America, Jamaica or Barbados, etc, that if they are going to vote and they are entitled to vote in those countries, that they ought to choose the Party that best fits what their interest is," he said.

"And so, insofar as the persons who are citizens of The Bahamas who were formerly Haitian nationals, we certainly look forward to receiving the votes of the majority of Bahamians whether they were born in The Bahamas or naturalized in The Bahamas or otherwise.

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Page 34

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

CARIBBEAN NEWS

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

New US tax law to have big impact on Bermuda’s financial services sector Bermuda’s financial services sector could be hit hard by a US effort to combat tax evasion by Americans with investments in offshore accounts.

Tax experts with PWC Bermuda said yesterday that most financial institutions in Bermuda will need to make major changes to their business practices over the next several years.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) will next year require foreign financial institutions to report directly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) information about financial accounts held by US taxpayers, or by foreign entities in which US taxpayers hold a substantial ownership interest.

Some tax advisers characterise the regulations as “know your client on steroids” essentially requiring financial institutions to identify their US account holders, name names and even to withhold tax when Americans don’t comply.

The US Treasury and IRS recently issued their proposed regulations regarding FATCA and PWC experts say the US appears to be trying to address industry concerns..

“The proposed regulations will clarify the far-reaching impact that FATCA will have on foreign financial institutions with US assets or clients, including those located here in Bermuda,” said Rick Irvine, PWC Bermuda’s Tax Leader.

“Companies in the financial services industry such as banks, hedge funds, private equity funds, brokerdealers, clearing organisations, trust companies and insurance companies, will soon be compelled to gather certain financial information and report it to the IRS.” Mr Irvine said that in issuing these proposed regulations, the US Government appeared to have listened to global stakeholder comments and made an effort to address their concerns to minimise the additional compliance costs imposed on financial services institutions.

“They have further grandfathered certain financial obligations from FATCA compliance and extended the overall exemption period until 1 January, 2013,” Mr Irvine said.

“Additional changes include simplified due diligence procedures

and reporting requirements for certain individuals and entities, and extended transition periods for reporting financial account information to the IRS.” Paul Eldridge, managing director, Tax Services, PWC Bermuda, added: “Despite these changes, most financial institutions in Bermuda will need to make significant changes to their business practices over the next several years, including adapting their people, process, technology and internal governance systems to handle the increase of due diligence procedures and ultimately comply with FATCA regulations.”

In a significant announcement relating to FATCA, a joint statement was also released by the governments of the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, stating that they are exploring a common approach to FATCA implementation through domestic reporting and reciprocal automatic information exchange.

“At this time, Bermuda is among a number of global financial services centres that are not included as a party to the joint statement,” Mr Irvine said.

“That’s not to say that other countries won’t be added to such an agreement at a later date.”

Mr Irvine pointed out that once the FATCA withholding rules come into effect, if an institution fails to comply, they will be subject to a 30 percent withholding tax on any US source income and gross security sale proceeds made to its proprietary account.

In addition, accountholders who don’t provide the non-US financial institution (FFI) with FATCA-required documentation would be deemed “recalcitrant”.

The FFI would then be obligated to deduct a 30 percent withholding tax on any withholdable payment credited to their accounts.

“It’s important for financial institutions to realise that FATCA is more than just a tax issue,“ Mr Eldridge said.

“It involves governance, compliance and process changes that will impact their entire business.

“By planning the work and starting now, businesses can minimise the disruption to their operations as the deadline approaches.”

UN presence in Haiti under review PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti’s earthquake reconstruction efforts and its mandate are under review by the UN Security Council.

This comes as there is mounting public unease over the UN role in Haiti following allegations of rape involving Pakistani soldiers, and a deadly cholera epidemic in 2010 linked to the peacekeeping force.

A 15-member delegation is expected to travel to the country and visit earthquake resettlement camps and a police training academy. They are also expected to meet with President Michel Martelly who has proposed replacing the peacekeeping force with a reconstituted Haitian army.

US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice said: "We will see how the United Nations supports Haitian government institutions in security and governance. We will examine economic development efforts and we will look at the ongoing humanitarian challenges."

In its first mission since 2009, and the delegation also aims to evaluate reconstruction efforts following the massive earthquake in 2010 that displaced more than a million people. It also plans to see how it can help strengthen the national police force, which has only 8,000 officers in a country of 10 million.

In addition, the members of the delegation will

Senator singles out Cuba as potential drug smuggling point WASHINGTON – A leading United States senator has warned that Cuba could become a potentially significant hub for illegal drugs entering the United States.

Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, who chairs the US Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, issued the caveat while conducting a Senate hearing on international drug trafficking.

“I would be remiss not to mention Cuba. Just 90 miles from Florida, Cuba has the potential to be a major trans-shipment point for illicit drugs,” she said.

Her statement comes just weeks after Cuba’s state-run newspaper, Granma, reported that the country last year confiscated more foreign-borne drugs than in any time during the past seven years.

A senior University of the West Indies (UWI) fellow warned about the impact of heightened crime on the Caribbean.

In participating in an Organization of American States (OAS) Policy Round Table on “Public Security in the Hemisphere”, Anthony T. Bryan, of UWI’s Institute of International Relations, cautioned that without the implementation of adequate measures, “it won’t be long before the Caribbean is deeply enmeshed in what you see going on in Central America.”

Bryan underscored the growing drug problem in the Caribbean, though he specified that it is fundamentally of marijuana.

“Despite the gravity of the situation, as it seems to us, I do not classify any of our countries as being narco-states,” he told the OAS’40th Policy Round Table.

“They are not there yet and, hopefully, they won’t ever be there” he added.

also visit a treatment centre where patients with the deadly cholera are being treated.

Now an epidemic, the disease has been a source of tension between Haitians and peacekeepers after several studies showed that a unit from Nepal, where the disease is endemic, likely brought the disease.

Haiti now has the world's highest cholera rate and the disease has killed more than 7,000 people and sickened more than 526,000 others, Haitian officials say.

Meanwhile, the strengthening of Haiti’s police force is being favoured over the restoration of its army which was disbanded in 1995.

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Must be available for emergencies that require additional hours during evenings and weekends, must be able to communicate in English.

Please submit applications in person to our administrative office located at Turtle Cove Landing attention: Mrs. Desemona Belliard. Cut off date for applications is February 27th, 2012.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

Page 35

CARIBBEAN NEWS

UN says Caribbean crime hurting economies PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Rising crime across the Caribbean threatens the region's tourism-based economy and has exposed a weak and ineffective judicial system, according to a sweeping U.N. study released on Wednesday.

Every Caribbean nation except Barbados and Suriname reported a spike in homicide rates and gangrelated killings over the past 12 years even as violent crime has fallen or stabilized in most other places across the globe, according to the 2012 Caribbean Human Development Report.

The U.N. said it was the largest survey ever to focus on crime in the Caribbean.

U.N. officials singled out Jamaica and Trinidad for alarming levels of gang-related homicides that almost doubled from 2006 to 2009.

Jamaica has the world's thirdhighest murder rate, with about 60 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, while Trinidad reported a fivefold increase in its murder rate over the past decade and now has 36 killings per 100,000 people.

"The report challenges governments of the English and Dutch Caribbean to action," said Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, adding that she supports the report's recommendations.

The Caribbean Community trade bloc found that gang-related crime

FBI probing robbery of US Supreme Court Justice in Nevis WASHINGTON– The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed on Monday that it is assisting police in Nevis, an island near St. Kitts, in the investigation of the knifepoint robbery last week of a US Supreme Court justice at their Leeward Island vacation home.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and his wife Joanna were robbed last week at their vacation home on the Caribbean island of Nevis by a man armed with a machete, a court spokeswoman said.

“We are assisting the local police with their investigation,” said FBI spokesman Paul Bresson in a brief statement.

Police in Nevis which has a population of 12,000, said they were investigating the incident, adding that there are no suspects or arrests at this time.

The US Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, has also confirmed that Justice Stephen Breyer, 73, his wife and several family friends were the victims last Thursday of a knife-wielding robber at the Breyer vacation home in Nevis.

The US Marshals Service, which provides protection for travelling justices of the Supreme Court, said that it “is aware of the incident involving Justice Breyer on the Caribbean island of Nevis and is assisting the Supreme Court Police and local law enforcement authorities with the investigation as needed”, spokesman Jeff Carter said.

It was not the first time that a crime has been committed against a member of theU.S. Supreme Court.

In 2004, then-Supreme Court Justice David Souter suffered minor injuries when he was mugged by a group of young men as he jogged alone near his residence in Washington.

In 1996,Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the victim of a purse snatching as she walked home with her husband and daughter from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to their nearby residence in their Watergate apartment complex. No one was hurt.

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costs member countries as much as 4 percent of their gross domestic product.

Jamaica loses $529 million a year, according to the report.

"Violence limits people's choices, threatens their physical integrity and disrupts their daily lives," said Helen Clark, the U.N. Development Program administrator who unveiled the report in Trinidad.

The report recommended that Caribbean nations reduce access to illegal firearms, create youth programs to prevent crime and provide jobs for the urban poor. Local governments also should ensure that law enforcement is accountable and more respectful of people's rights, the report said.

"The criminal justice system still

faces challenges," according to the report, which cited delays, low conviction rates and prison overcrowding across the Caribbean.

"Caribbean correctional systems are far from being able to balance protection of the public against the need for efficiency and fiscal prudence," it said.

The report's recommendations are based partly on a survey of 11,555 people in seven countries: Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad.

Nearly half of those surveyed said they worried about being crime victims, and nearly 80 percent said they feel criminals should receive harsher punishments.

Dispute with Taiwan threatens Grenada airport ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada – The ongoing dispute between Taiwan and Grenada over monies reportedly owed by the Caribbean nation to its former Asian benefactor could cause the shutdown of the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

These fears have surfaced as airlines serving the island from international markets have recently begun paying money into an escrow account, as a result of an order from an American court as an act of restitution in the dispute between Grenada and Taiwan.

Chairman of the airports authority, Rodney George, reportedly confirmed that Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, British Airways, and Delta have been forced to comply with the court order to pay money owed to the Grenada Government into an account setup by Taipei.

“It is quite unfortunate but it is happening. We have already been notified

by Virgin airlines. It is British airways. It is American airlines. And it is Delta” said George in a local radio interview.

“All the major airlines that are flying to Grenada with the exception of Caribbean airlines. Virgin Atlantic took effect three weeks ago. British Airways and Delta two weeks ago”.

Taiwan had commenced legal action to recover EC $70 million dollars (US$25million) in default loans from the state owned export import bank shortly after Grenada broke diplomatic relations in 2005.

George says the airport authority has already lost about half a million US dollars in landing fees, and taxes normally collected by the airlines on behalf of the Government.

He says the authority has already written to finance Minister Nazim Burke outlining the plight and requesting assistance from the state.

“I have to add that this is of real concern to us and the airport and we are flagging it heavily with the authorities because it could cause our operations at the airport to grind to a halt “the airport authority chief commented.

“It’s a very serious matter and one that has been keeping me awake at nights”. The prospect of operations at the airport grinding to a halt is something that will have dire consequences on the entire country. The next three to four weeks are critical”.

The fees are being withheld from the Government after Taiwan filed an injunction with cruise ships and airlines servicing Grenada, demanding that money due to the island should be paid to it.

Information Minister Glen Noel confirmed late last year that the fees cruise ships normally pay the state are now being deposited in a special account because of the loan dispute.

“The revenues that we normally collect that would just not be available to us that would just flow into this escrow account and it means the revenues that we normally collected that will be used to service our debt and our normal operating cost like salaries .. .that money would just not be available to us” George explained.

“We really do not have much avenues to do anything because our position with our bankers. we are up to our neck as far as our over draft limit is concerned so I supposed the only option now is to see if we can get central government to make up the shortfall until this is cleared”.

The Government had said that it hired a US law firm which has begun legal proceedings in an effort to have the injunction overturned.

Page 36

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

• Iran continues nuclear development • Sarkozy announces re-election bid • 350 killed, scores injured in Prison Fire

Blow for Merkel as Germany’s scandal-hit president resigns Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday she would seek a cross-party candidate after the resignation of Germany's scandal-hit president dealt her a blow as she battles to lead Europe out of a crisis.

Merkel announced talks with all major political parties to find a consensus candidate to replace Christian Wulff, who earlier stepped down after prosecutors demanded the lifting of his immunity from prosecution.

"We want to hold talks with the aim of being able to propose a joint candidate for the next president of the Federal Republic of Germany," Merkel told reporters in a sombre two-minute statement.

She had "great respect" but also "deep regret" over Wulff's decision to step down in the wake of a series of scandals, she said, adding he had served Germany "with great energy" at home and abroad.

Prosecutors in Lower Saxony state

where Wulff was formerly premier said late Thursday they had asked parliament to lift his immunity in order to investigate allegations he abused his position.

Merkel's hand-picked choice for head of state, a fellow member of the conservative Christian Democratic party, has faced almost daily media allegations that he accepted favours when he was premier of Lower Saxony.

It is the second time in two years that Germany's president -- who largely plays a ceremonial role but who also acts as a moral arbiter -- has quit before the end of his term.

Wulff, 52, said earlier in a brief but dramatic televised statement from the president's sumptuous Bellevue palace that he was stepping down "to free up the way quickly for a successor".

Germany needs "a president that enjoys the trust of not only a majority, but a broad majority of citizens" he said, saying recent events had shown "this trust and therefore my

effectiveness have been damaged".

"For this reason, it is no longer possible to carry out the office of president both domestically and abroad the way it needs to be done," he said.

"I have made mistakes, but I was always honest," he said.

Merkel, who now must juggle the race to replace him with efforts to help steer Greece away from bankruptcy, said she would first speak to the parties that make up Germany's coalition government.

Analysts saw Wulff's resignation as a political blow for Merkel.

"All in all, Christian Wulff's resignation should hardly have any impact on the current negotiations of the second Greek bailout package," Carsten Brzeski, senior economist at ING bank said.

"However, domestic political pressure on Angela Merkel could increase again and will not make her life any easier," he added.

Steven Bastos, political scientist

from the Genshagen Foundation, said Wulff's departure had the potential to complicate the debate in Germany over efforts to agree a Greek bailout.

"It's clearly a political defeat for Merkel which weakens her politically and even more because she has supported him for so long," he said.

Wulff had been under intense media scrutiny for two months after mass circulation Bild reported he had failed to declare a 500,000-euro ($660,000) home loan secured at an advantageous rate while Lower Saxony premier.

Almost daily claims followed culminating late Thursday in prosecutors in the northern German state asking parliament to lift his immunity to probe allegations he had enjoyed favours from a film producer friend.

Wulff also became embroiled in a public spat with Bild, the most-read paper in Europe, after leaving a furious voicemail on the chief editor's phone and claims he tried to gag publication of the home loan story.

Wulff's predecessor Horst Koehler abruptly resigned in 2010 over remarks appearing to justify the use of German military power to protect the country's economic interests.

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ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS & FUNCTIONAL SKILLS: • BSc Business Administration/Accounting or Masters in Accountancy • Pursuing CPA/ACCA/CIMA qualification • Five (5) years experience in a large customer based Telecommunications Network, banking or retail industry • Excellent communications skills • Strong systems skills and knowledge desirable • “Can-do” positive attitude • Superb attention to detail, strong analytical skills and the ability to deliver results to tight deadlines in a fast paced and dynamic environment • Ability to work in a team environment and on own initiative with the desire to learn new skills • Willing to work outside of regular office hours FUNCTIONAL SKILLS: • Excel, Analytical, Great Plains

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 37

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

WORLD NEWS

Honduras prison fire kills more than 350 inmates A massive fire swept through an overcrowded prison in Honduras and killed more than 350 inmates, including many trapped screaming inside their cells, officials said on Wednesday.

A senior official at the attorney general's office, Danelia Ferrera, said 357 people died in the blaze that began late on Tuesday night at the prison in Comayagua, about 75 kilometers (45 miles) north of the capital Tegucigalpa.

It was one of the worst prison fires ever in Latin America, and local radio reports said many of the inmates were burned to death inside their cells.

"We heard screaming from the people who caught on fire," one prisoner told reporters, showing the fingers he fractured in his escape from the fire. "We had to push up the roof panels to get out."

Worried and angry relatives surrounded the prison on Wednesday morning with some throwing rocks at police and trying to force their way into the prison. Police responded by firing shots into the air and tear gas at the protesters, who were mostly women.

There was confusion over the death toll, with some reports that the 357 figure included more than 100 inmates who escaped during the fire and others that the dead and missing totaled 402 people - almost half the prison's inmates.

Honduran forensic workers remove corpses in plastic bags from the National Prison in Comayagua, some 90 kms north fo Tegucigalpa, on February 15, 2012. At least 350 prisoners were killed and scores injured.

Lucy Marder, head of forensic services in Comayagua, said police reported that one of the dead was a woman who stayed overnight and the rest were prisoners, but she said some of the presumed dead could have escaped. Local media reported that the Comayagua fire department chief also died in the blaze.

Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world, according to the United Nations, and there are frequent riots and clashes between members of rival street gangs in its overcrowded prisons. But it was not yet clear if the

fire was started during a riot or if it was accident.

The gangs, known as 'maras', started in the United States and then spread down into Central America, with members covered in distinctive tattoos and involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and protection rackets.

The Comayagua prison housed more than 850 inmates -- well above its capacity. Local police chief Hector Mejia read out the names of 457 survivors outside the prison, but relatives were not appeased.

"This is desperate, they won't tell us anything and I think my husband is dead," a crying Gregoria Zelaya told Canal 5 TV as she stood by a chain link fence.

Local firemen said they were prevented from entering the prison due to gunshots. But Daniel Orellana, head of the prison system, said there was no riot.

"We have two hypotheses, one is that a prisoner set fire to a mattress and the other one is that there was a short circuit in the electrical system," he said.

Across Honduras, prisons are filled to double their capacity with about 12,500 prisoners in jails meant to hold 6,000. More than 100 prisoners were killed in a fire in the textile manufacturing town of San Pedro Sula several years ago, and survivors said later that guards fired on prisoners trying to escape the blaze.

Honduras clocked more than 80 homicides per 100,000 people in 2009, a rate 16 times that of the United States, according to a United Nations report last year.

The country is a major drug trafficking transit point for South American cocaine moving north to consumers in the United States, and authorities say there is increasing presence of violent Mexican drug cartels in the country.

A political crisis ripped through Honduras in mid-2009 when a widelycondemned coup toppled the democratically elected president but the country has been trying to heal divisions since the election of President Porfirio Lobo later that year.

Chavez cancer spreading, Spanish newspaper says Cancer has spread in Hugo Chavez's colon, spine and bones, and the Venezuelan president could have only nine months to live, Spain's ABC newspaper reported Monday, citing medical records provided by unidentified intelligence sources.

"His health appears to be deteriorating at a more rapid pace. Clearly there has been metastasis in the bones and the spine," the ABC report says, citing what it said were doctors' observations after medical tests December 30.

The newspaper did not divulge its sources or detail how it checked the information's accuracy. An official in Venezuela's information ministry said the newspaper's report was invalid and the government would not comment on its contents.

In June, Chavez said doctors in Cuba had removed a cancerous tumor from his body but did not specify what type of cancer it was. He announced in October that treatment had cured him of cancer, but the government has released few details about his health.

"There are no malignant cells in this body. They don't exist," Chavez, 57, said at the time.

The ABC newspaper report details what it says are doctors' differing estimates of Chavez's life expectancy during the course of his treatment.

According to ABC, in June doctors diagnosed Chavez with prostate cancer but said he could live for five years or more with treatment.

In late October, ABC says, the president's medical team said the number of cancerous cells in his bone marrow had increased. In late December, according to the newspaper, doctors said they had found a tumor in Chavez's colon. The president was refusing a more intense recommended treatment and could have only nine months to live, ABC says, citing medical records.

Citing a January 12 medical report, ABC says Chavez was receiving "increasing doses of painkillers and stimulants that have helped him give the impression that he is stabilizing and have given him a

high level of visibility."

Emili Blasco, author of the article and the newspaper's Washington correspondent, defended the story in an interview with CNN en Español on Monday night.

He called the report "reliable," and stressed that his paper has no agenda.

A lawmaker from Chavez's United Socialist Party of Venezuela mocked the newspaper report's claims, which come at the start of a politically-important year for the Venezuelan president.

Chavez has pledged to run for re-election in 2012, dismissing speculation that his illness would force him out of politics.

"We have laughed a lot about this because they

insist, but they are seeing a Chavez that is active, that is working, that is in front of the government, of the party, of the fight, of the problems of the people and who is demonstrating that he is healthy," lawmaker Aristobulo Isturiz said at a news conference broadcast on state television.

Isturiz, who is vice president of Venezuela's National Assembly, noted that an energetic Chavez gave a state of the union speech that lasted more than nine hours earlier this month. The desires of political opponents of Chavez are fueling speculation, Isturiz told reporters.

"Desires are one thing, and there are many who wish Chavez had not nine months, but one month (to live)," he said.

Navy ship to be named for Gabrielle Giffords Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who survived an assassination attempt one year ago, is getting a Navy vessel named in her honor.

The Navy said Friday that its newest Littoral Combat Ship, a small, agile surface vessel, will be known as the USS Gabrielle Giffords. The ship’s “sponsor” will be Roxanna Green, the mother of Christina-Taylor Green, the 9-year-old girl who was killed in the Tucson shooting that wounded Giffords in January 2011.

In a statement, the secretary of the navy, Ray Mabus, described Giffords and Roxanna Green as “sources of great inspiration” who “represent the Navy and Marine Corps qualities of overcoming, adapting and coming out victoriously despite great challenges.”

The future USS Gabrielle Giffords will be the 17th ship to be named for a woman and the 13th to be named after a living person, according to the

Defense Department.

The naming of Navy vessels has not always been a simple affair. In April 2010, after the service unveiled plans for the USS John P. Murtha, critics lobbied Mabus to reconsider, citing the former congressman’s opposition to the Iraq war. Earlier this year, the Navy announced plans for the USNS Cesar Chavez, after the labor leader, drawing objections from conservatives.

On Friday, Giffords attended the event where the Navy announced the plans for the ship in her honor. Hours earlier, she had joined President Obama as he signed the last piece of legislation she had authored before her retirement, which grants law enforcement officials greater authority to combat illicit drug trafficking on the border.

“I’m confident,” Obama said in a statement, “that while this legislation may have been her last act as a congresswoman, it will not be her last act of public service.”

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

WORLD NEWS

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

Iran claims two steps to nuclear self-sufficiency TEHRAN, Iran – Iran claimed that it has taken two major steps toward mastering the production of nuclear fuel, a defiant move in response to increasingly tough Western sanctions over its controversial nuclear program.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad oversaw the insertion of the first Iranian domestically-made fuel rod into a research reactor in northern Tehran, the country's official IRNA news agency reported.

Separately, the semiofficial Fars agency reported that a "new generation of Iranian centrifuges" had been installed and had gone into operation at the country's main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz in central Iran.

The West suspects Iran's nuclear program is aimed at producing atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies,

insisting it's geared for peaceful purposes only, such as energy production.

The crisis has already resulted in sanctions placed on Iran's economy, and there are fears that it could escalate to military action.

Iran's nuclear announcements came as the country said Wednesday it halted oil exports to six European countries — the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal — in response to recent new European Union sanctions.

Iran has said it is forced to manufacture nuclear fuel rods, which provide fuel for reactors, on its own since international sanctions ban it from buying them on foreign markets.

In January, Iran said it had produced its first such fuel rod.

IRNA boasted that the nuclear fuel

announcement is the final step in the entire cycle of nuclear fuel — from extracting uranium ore to producing the finished rods.

Fuel rods are tube metals containing pellets made of lowenriched uranium. The rod is then inserted into a fuel assembly, which then is placed in the core of the reactor.

IRNA said the nuclear fuel rods were produced at Iran's nuclear fuel fabrication plant in Isfahan, central Iran.

The centrifuges that Iran claims to be now manufacturing are machines that are used to enrich uranium. Lowenriched uranium — at around 3.5% — can be used to fuel a reactor to generate electricity, which Iran says is the intention of its program. But if uranium is further enriched to around 90% purity, it can be used to develop a

Sarkozy announces French presidential reelection bid French President Nicolas Sarkozy officially announced Wednesday that he is running for re-election, in a post on his newly launched Twitter account.

Sarkozy, who heads the center-right UMP party, is currently trailing his chief rival, Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, in opinion polls.

Announcing his candidacy via Twitter, Sarkozy said that not running for a second term would be like abandoning his post.

He said the reforms undertaken by his government were starting to produce results and that he intended to give the French people back their voice by holding referendums.

The first round of voting is scheduled for April 22, with a second round to follow May 6.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy The latest opinion polls suggest Hollande is the favorite in the first round of voting, attracting 30% support to Sarkozy's 26%, according to polling institute IFOP. Other candidates include Marine Le Pen, of the far-right National Front, and the centrist Francois Bayrou.

The news of Sarkozy's candidacy was expected, but the official announcement means he can now campaign at full tilt for the next 10 weeks.

He is likely to play up higher than expected growth figures of 1.7% for 2011, as he seeks to convince the French people that the economy is in safe hands.

The unemployment rate is likely to be a big issue on the campaign trail, however, at almost 9.3% of the working population.

Sarkozy may also seek to portray himself as someone who has put France at the center of global events during his five-year term in office, using the slogan "A strong France."

Earlier, the French president became the latest high-profile figure to join the social networking site Twitter.

His official account was launched Wednesday morning under the official handle @NicolasSarkozy.

"Hello everyone, I am very pleased to launch my Twitter account today. Thank you to those who will want to follow me!" his welcome tweet read.

Sarkozy's second official tweet urged his followers to watch him being interviewed on French television. "I have accepted the invitation by TF1 to appear on their newscast at 8 p.m. this evening, I hope you will join me."

Eleven hours after posting his first message, he had more than 47,000 followers and was following one other Twitter account, his presidential office -- the Elysee Palace.

In a recent interview with national newspaper Le Figaro, Sarkozy laid out what is likely to be the framework of his campaign.

He told the newspaper he prioritized work and responsibility, and that he would propose two referendums, so he could hear from the French people on imposing tougher rules on immigrants and unemployment benefits.

Asked about his greatest regret in his first term, Sarkozy responded: "When I see all that's left to do and what we have not done...."

Sarkozy was first elected in May 2007.

nuclear warhead.

Iran has been producing uranium enriched up to 5% for years, and began enriching up to near 20%, considered a threshold between low and high enriched uranium — in February 2010.

Iran claims it needs the higher enriched uranium to produce fuel for the Tehran reactor that makes medical radioisotopes needed for cancer patients.

Israel is worried Iran could be on the brink of achieving nuclear weapons capability, and many Israeli officials believe sanctions only give Tehran time to move its nuclear program underground, out of reach of Israeli military strikes. The U.S. and its allies argue that Israel should hold off on any military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities to allow more time for sanctions to work.

Italian prosecutors appeal decision to overturn Amanda Knox conviction Prosecutors in Italy lodged an appeal Tuesday of the acquittal of American student Amanda Knox in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.

Knox and her ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted of murder in the town of Perugia in 2009 but were cleared when they appealed the verdicts in October. The case gripped the attention of the public in the United States, Italy and Britain. Knox's family said in a statement issued through a spokesman that the appeal was unwelcome, but no cause for concern.

"The appeal of Amanda's acquittal by the prosecution was not unexpected as they had indicated from the day of the verdict that they would appeal," the statement said.

"We are not concerned about this appeal as Amanda's innocence was clearly and convincingly proven in her appeal trial. This is simply another example of harassment by the prosecution against Amanda and makes this terrible, painful incident continue to go on for Amanda, Raffaele and their families." Giovanni Galati, a Perugia prosecutor, had earlier told reporters the acquittal should be overturned because Knox and Sollecito were guilty, according to Italian news agency ANSA. "We are still convinced that they are the co-authors of Meredith's homicide," he is quoted as saying.

Knox was 20 and Kercher was 21 when the two shared a home as they studied at the university for foreign students in Perugia, Italy. Kercher's semi-naked body was found in November 2007 at the home, with her throat slashed. Sollecito, 23 at the time, was Knox's boyfriend.

Francesco Sollecito, father of Raffaele, told CNN in a phone interview Tuesday that the family was "not happy about the decision. My son is trying to get back to normal life."

Knox's Italian defense lawyer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, told CNN he had hoped the prosecutors would not appeal.

"This story was too much under the spotlight, and beside (that) there is suffering, there are two young people that unjustly spent nearly four years in prison," he said. "The best way of respecting this suffering would have been silence."

Her U.S.-based lawyer, Theodore Simon, said that although the prosecution has appealed, very little has changed in the case.

"The appellate jurors conducted a thorough, painstaking, searching inquiry into the true facts and determined in a lengthy, logical and comprehensive decision that Amanda Knox was not guilty of the tragic loss of Meredith Kercher," he said.

The filing of the appeal has raised the question of whether an arrest warrant or extradition order could be issued for Knox if her acquittal is annulled, or if she could be made to serve the remainder of her initial 26year prison term.

Criminal law professor Nicola Di Mario told CNN that if the High Court was to annul the appeals court ruling that overturned the conviction, the defendants would not automatically go back to jail.

However, the prosecutors could, in theory, ask that they be returned to jail if there is a risk that the defendants might escape, or that they could repeat the crime or interfere with the evidence, Di Mario said.

Lawyers for Knox and Sollecito had focused on discrediting DNA evidence that played a role in the 2009 conviction.

Knox returned to her hometown of Seattle with her family following her release.

Another man, Ivorian drifter Rudy Guede, was convicted separately of Kercher's killing. Guede admitted having sexual relations with Kercher but denied killing her.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

Career Opportunities Grace Bay Club is looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their management style is one that balances a commitment to people and their development with business/financial accountability and delivers an exceptional guest experience

MASSAGE THERAPISTS

Job Requirements: • Grace Bay Club is looking for a Massage Therapist/Esthetician who is an enthusiastic team player with excellent customer service.

• The therapist will be responsible for administering professional facial, massage and body treatments to our guests.

• Must have a thorough knowledge of the skin with numerous massage modalities.

• Must possess a general understanding of body treatments and be willing to train in our spa’s specific facial, massage and body treatment offerings.

• Must possess excellent communication skills and be able to learn the product and service knowledge necessary to effectively provide wellness solutions to meet the needs of our guests.

• The Therapist will be required to properly care for equipment, perform prep work, clean and restock spa rooms • Assist in all areas of the spa operation as requested by Supervisors or coaches.

• Be flexible with your schedule, supporting the needs of the spa.

• Build respectful and cooperative relationships with colleagues and leaders.

• He/she must maintain the standards of Grace Bay as found in the standard operating procedures of the department, an as they are amended from time to time.

Education and Experience: • Secondary level education is required. Good writing, reading, listening and basic computation skills are necessary.

• Previous experience in a 5 star spa is required.

• International qualifications (or qualifications equivalent to international standards) are required in Esthetics and Massage Therapy.

Qualified Belongers need only apply.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

KITCHEN HELPER

Requirements: • Assist with Food & Beverage service • Receive and store supplies.

• Stock cupboards, refrigerators and salad bars • Clean food preparation and storage areas • Assist with food preparation • Work with minimal supervision Qualified Belongers need only to apply.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Requirements • Minimum 5 years experience as executive personal assistant.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Problem solver, effective communicator and team player.

• International, five star, hospitality experience.

• Dependable, trustworthy, exceptionally organized.

• Ability to work with little to no supervision • Must have demonstrated PC skills including PowerPoint, MS Project, Excel pivot tables and databases.

• Must read and speak English and Chinese fluently.

Qualified Belongers need only to apply.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

BARTENDER

Requirements: • Applicant must be a minimum of 19 years of age.

• Be fluent in written and spoken English.

• Possess a High School Certificate.

• Have two years experience as a Bartender, or one year as a Bar back in a five star-hotel upscale environment.

• Perform specified Bartender duties, including food and drink orders, preparation, and serving.

• Direct and assist the Bar back and beverage servers.

• Follow specific cash and system handling procedures.

• Be responsible in the serving of alcohol and the laws and regulations surrounding it.

• Maintain ongoing knowledge of the hotel operations.

• Maintain the cleanliness, working order, and presentation of the bar top,

tables, service areas and outlet itself.

Qualified Belongers need only apply.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER

Requirements: • At least an associate degree or equivalent in electrical, mechanical, or electronic engineering • Minimum of three (3) years practical experience in operating and maintaining electrical, mechanical, and/or electronic plant/equipment/systems, preferably at a luxury resort • Proficiency in Word and Excel • Proficiency in Opera and SAP would be an asset • Good time management and follow-up skills • Must be able to operate in a high-pressure environment

Responsibilities: • The day-to-day management of the technical team and the operation and maintenance of all plant, equipment and civil works (cables, pipe work, drains, structures etc.) .

• Utilizing all relevant systems/programs in the management of the department (Opera, SAP, Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM), etc.)

• The completion of work orders, energy conservation activities, etc. and analyses as required.

• Assisting with inventory management and the development, implementation and management of all engineering projects.

Qualified Belongers need only apply.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

LABOURER

Requirements: • Operate, maintain and repair the property’s heating, ventilation are conditioning and refrigeration systems • Perform Laundry and Kitchen services • Perform preventative maintenance on the hotel’s systems • Pool cleaning, chemical testing, adding chemical as required.

• Maintain the proper use, cleaning, maintenance and storage of all tools.

• Responsible for cleaning grease traps, lift stations, checking & treatment of sewage treatment plant.

• Assist with additional Maintenance Department tasks as assigned Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

POOL & BEACH MANAGER

Responsibilities: • Managing all aspects of the beach and pool, in accordance with the hotel standards.

• He/she directs, implements, and maintains a service and management philosophy that serves as a guide to the Water Sports staff. It is the responsibility of the To oversee and supervise Water Sports & Beach Manager to oversee and supervise the Beach and Pool Attendants, ensuring guest services at the beach and pool are running efficiently and smoothly Requirements: • Have two years work experience as a Supervisor in Water Sports in a luxury hotel.

• Be fluent in written and spoken English.

• Possess First Aid certification and CPR Training.

• Be a strong swimmer.

• Monitor the Attendants’ activities to ensure the guests’ needs are being taken care of regularly.

• Greet and inform all guests of the available Water Sports activities.

Actively promote excursions.

• Monitor the cleanliness and maintenance of the beach and pool area, as well as the equipment and furniture at those areas • Maintain awareness of all Water Sports activities and Tour Operators on the island. Actively promote excursions.

• Ensure there are enough supplies, such as fresh towels, for the guests.

• Make certain liability waivers are signed, and all administration is complete.

• Observe and monitor the safety of guests and visitors.

Qualified Belongers need only apply.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than March 2, 2012 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1050 Email: veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

... Once Washington's only option for secure mobile communication, RIM has struggled to offset a rising tide of companies allowing their workers to use their own devices for work or supplying them with rival devices, which have made strides towards matching the BlackBerry's famed security...

- READ BLACKBERRY FACES NEW CHALLENGES

Vodafone confirms reports it is considering takeover bid for Cable & Wireless Worldwide LONDON — Vodafone Group PLC, the world’s largest mobile phone company, said it is considering a possible bid for Cable & Wireless Worldwide PLC, causing shares in the telecoms network provider to jump 27 percent.

Responding to reports in weekend newspapers, Vodafone said it was “in the very early stages of evaluating the merits of a potential offer for CWW.” Vodafone said any offer would most likely be made in cash, but said there was no certainty that an offer would be made.

The Sunday Times suggested that Vodafone might offer 700 million pounds ($1.1 billion) for Cable & Wireless, which had a market value of nearly 550 million pounds based on Friday’s closing price. The newspaper

said Apax Partners LLP was also a potential bidder.

Vodafone now has until March 12 to either announce a firm intention to take over the company or be barred from launching a bid for six months.

C&W Worldwide owns the U.K's biggest fiber network dedicated to businesses. It also has an international cable network that reaches across Europe, India and throughout Asia.

But it has had a tough time since its spinoff from parent Cable & Wireless PLC in 2010, suffering a sliding stock price and management changes.

In a statement Monday, C&W Worldwide acknowledged Vodafone's announcement, adding that "the board will make any further announcement as may be required in due course." A representative for buyout firm Apax

Partners—named in media reports as a possible alternative bidder—declined to comment on the matter.

The company has been plagued by management chaos, with three changes at the top in less than a year. The current chief executive, Gavin Darby, previously was Vodafone’s U.K. CEO. The C&W Worldwide cable network serves 150 countries directly or through local partners. It also operates a U.K. fiber network serving businesses.

C&W Worldwide, created in 2010 by a demerger, supplies telecoms services to businesses and public sector bodies. The other half of the demerger, Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, supplies broadband, mobile and other

communications services to consumers and small- and medium-sized businesses in the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco.

C&W Worldwide traces its origins from the development of telegraphy in the 19th century. The Cable and Wireless name dates from 1934, reflecting the company’s move into radio as well as cable links.

C&W Worldwide, which is set to post a third-quarter trading update Thursday, had a net loss of £591 million for the six months ended Sept.

30, compared with a year-earlier net profit of £87 million. The latest results were hurt primarily by items totaling £624 million. First-half revenue fell 4.5% to £1.07 billion.

Kellogg to buy Pringles from P&G for $2.7 billion IMMEDIATE OPENING

STEWARDING MANAGER Requirements: • Prior experience managing the stewarding department of a 5 star Luxury Resort.

• Must have an excellent working knowledge of the kitchens, equipment, food productions, sanitation, hygiene and safety.

• Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Must be able to organize and delegate large banquet functions.

• Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.

Duties Include: • Ensuring the maintenance of a clean, sanitary kitchen by supervising steward employees • Issuing cleaning supplies to stewards, checking usage and making adjustments • Ensuring that kitchen floors and walk-ins are clean • Monitoring cafeteria and providing assistance to kitchen employees during set-up and clean-up • Working closely with the Food & Beverage department • Taking inventory of and ensuring proper amounts of china, dishes etc. are available at all times • Ensuring the training of and proper daily use of all safety, hygiene and sanitation practices Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms human resources department in person, Monday through Friday and bring along an updated resume or by emailing marjorie.dorsett@regenthotels.com no later than Friday, February 17, 2012

Kellogg Co agreed to buy Pringles potato chips from Procter & Gamble Co for $2.7 billion in a cash deal that will almost triple its international snack business, sending its shares higher.

The transaction will also let household goods maker P&G leave the food business after its agreement with Diamond Foods Inc fell apart.

Shares of Kellogg, which is aiming to expand a snack portfolio that already includes Keebler cookies and Townhouse crackers, rose 4 percent.

Adding Pringles salty chips to the mix will increase the size of Kellogg's snack business to where it will account for as much of total revenue as its well-known cereal business.

P&G agreed to sell Pringles to Diamond Foods Inc last year, but that deal fell apart this month following the discovery of improper accounting that led Diamond to replace its chief executive and finance chief. The U.S. government is looking into Diamond's accounting practices.

"With the results of their audit committee investigation and the management change, that was no longer feasible," P&G Chairman and Chief Executive Bob McDonald told reporters gathered in Cincinnati for a P&G event.

Pringles will become Kellogg's second-largest brand behind Special K, McDonald said.

"They are looking to establish a global snacks business on par with their global cereals business and Pringles will be a big part of that," McDonald said.

When Kellogg CEO John Bryant was asked why his company did not buy Pringles when it was up for sale last year, he said it was hard to compete with the Diamond offer.

Also, Kellogg is now more interested in growing its international snack business than it had been, he said.

While Pringles was a revenue-driver for P&G, bringing in about $1.5 billion a year in sales, it was the only remaining food business and no longer fit in with the company's focus on items such as beauty and personal care products.

In recent years, P&G also sold off its Folgers coffee business and Jif peanut butter.

P&G said the deal would lead to an after-tax gain from the deal of $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion, or 47 cents to 50 cents per share, about the same amount estimated when it first announced the deal with Diamond in April 2011.

About 1,700 P&G employees will move to Kellogg.

Kellogg will borrow $2 billion to complete the deal and expects to limit its share repurchase program for about two years.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 24TH, 2012

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

World Bank president to step down WASHINGTONWorld Bank President Robert Zoellick said he will step down in June and Washington pledged to put a replacement candidate forward within weeks for a job that has always gone to an American.

The Obama administration said it would open the process to competition, marking the first time it has shown willingness to loosen its grip on the world's top development lender.

Zoellick took the reins at the Bank in 2007 after a staff revolt pushed out Paul Wolfowitz, and he moved quickly to return the institution's focus to alleviating poverty.

Developing countries have for World Bank President Robert Zoellick years pressed for a greater voice in leading global financial institutions continue to have strong, effective of this important and are likely to stress the importance leadership institution, and in the coming weeks, of a competitive process, but the we plan to put forward a candidate United States is still widely expected with experience and requisite qualities to retain its hold on the job.

"It is very important that we to take this institution forward," U.S.

400 shades of found to contain lead, FDA says A recent federal analysis showing that 400 shades of popular lipstick contained trace amounts of lead has exacerbated an ongoing dispute between regulators and consumer activists over how much lead is safe in cosmetics.

Five lipsticks made by L’Oreal and Maybelline, owned by L’Oreal USA, ranked among the top 10 most contaminated of the cosmetics, according to testing by the Food and Drug Administration. Two Cover Girl and two NARS lipsticks also landed in the top 10, as did one made by Stargazer.

For years, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has been pushing the government to set limits for lead levels in lipstick. The FDA has resisted, insisting that the amounts detected in various rounds of testing do not pose safety risks. But in a letter to the agency this month, the consumer group said that federal regulators have no scientific basis for this conclusion and it pressed the government to take action.

Reports of lead in lipstick date to the 1990s, and have resurfaced periodically since then. In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 33 red lipsticks and found that two-thirds of them contained lead — and that one-third exceeded the FDA’s limit for lead in candy.

The FDA followed up in 2008 with its own tests on 20 lipsticks and expanded its analysis to include 400 lipstick shades in the most recent study.

But the agency, which posted its latest findings on its Web site in December, said that comparing lipstick to candy is unfair.

“It is not scientifically valid to equate the risk to consumers presented by lead levels in candy, a product intended for ingestion, with that associated with lead levels in lipstick, a product intended for topical use and ingested in much smaller quantities than candy,” the FDA said in its online comments.

The Personal Care Products Council, a trade group that represents the cosmetics industry, agreed with the FDA’s assessment.

Halyna Breslawec, the council’s chief scientist, said her group has petitioned the agency to limit the amount of lead allowed in cosmetics. The consensus on what that limit should be — 10 parts per million, Breslawec said — is higher than the levels detected by the two rounds of FDA testing and is in line with proposals in Canada and Germany.

The FDA is evaluating whether it should recommend an upper limit.

Breslawec said that lead is not intentionally put in lipstick or any other cosmetic but that many color additives approved by the FDA are mineral-based and therefore contain trace levels of lead that is naturally found in soil, water and air.

But determining the true safety level for lead in cosmetics remains the stumbling block. The FDA’s most recent analysis found the highest lead concentration — 7.19 parts per million — in Maybelline’s Color Sensational Pink Petal lipstick. But the average lead contamination in the 400 lipsticks it tested last year was 1.11 parts per million, very close to the average from the agency’s 2008 analysis.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in a statement.

While Geithner called for an "open and expeditious process," analysts say Washington can ill afford to give up the post without risking the U.S. Congress cutting funding for the Bank.

In an interview with Reuters, Zoellick said his decision to leave on June 30 at the end of his five-year term was his own and was not due to pressure from the Obama administration.

The former U.S. chief trade negotiator and deputy secretary of state dismissed speculation he would join a Republican presidential campaign as "not true," saying only that he would decide what to do next once he leaves the World Bank.

"It really was my own decision," Zoellick said. "My personal sense is it's time to move on and I think once you feel that way you shouldn't stay."

Under Zoellick, World Bank lending increased sharply to $44 billion in fiscal

2010 from $13.5 billion in 2008, reflecting the increased development needs of fast-rising countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Zoellick also won approval for an $86.2 billion increase in the Bank's general resources. It was the first increase in more than 20 years. He championed more voting power for emerging economies and convinced China, Brazil and others to contribute more funding.

Despite budget strains in the developed world, Zoellick lobbied for and secured more than $90 billion in pledges to replenish a separate World Bank fund for the poorest countries.

In an effort to modernize the World Bank, he has given a greater voice to emerging economies. He has also championed the need for better governance in regions such as the Middle East, where street protests toppled dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

BlackBerry faces new challenge from US agency In another blow for beleaguered BlackBerry maker Research In Motion, the U.S. federal government's main procurement agency is issuing iPhones and Android-based devices to some of its 17,000 workers.

While the General Services Administration does not impose its purchasing decisions on other parts of the government, the terms and conditions it negotiates can be used as a blueprint for other agencies.

"We actively seek to be progressive in our adoption of new technologies so that we can learn the lessons which will inform our client and customer agencies as they seek to go down a similar path," the GSA's chief information officer, Casey Coleman, told Reuters in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Once Washington's only option for secure mobile communication, RIM has struggled to offset a rising tide of companies allowing their workers to use their own devices for work or supplying them with rival devices, which have made strides towards matching the BlackBerry's famed security.

The GSA - which manages $500 billion of government assets including telecom, information technology and real estate - is also testing the use of employees' personal smartphones and tablets on their secure networks, a popular move for corporations looking to cut costs.

Coleman said that BlackBerry remains by far the most used smartphone at GSA, with devices from Apple and those using Google's Android software accounting for less

than 5 percent of the agency's fleet, which covers the majority of GSA employees.

The personal smartphone pilot is to supplement rather than replace government-issued devices, she said, and the GSA has no plans to abandon RIM servers, which manage secure BlackBerry traffic.

RIM charges a fee for use of its servers and data centers, which compress and encrypt email and other sensitive data.

The GSA's move is just the latest hurdle to face Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM. Another U.S. agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said last week it would ditch the servers that run its BlackBerrys by June as it trimmed costs.

Oilfield services company Halliburton plans to switch 4,500 BlackBerry-toting employees to iPhones, saying it's is better suited to its needs.

Several banks have also welcomed BlackBerry rivals.

The NOAA move was made possible after it switched its desktop-based software to Google Apps for Government.

Coleman said the GSA moved to Google Apps in June, cutting its costs in half compared with its legacy desktop software.

The GSA plans to offer a service so other agencies can quickly order Webbased email, she said.

"This is an area that is changing and evolving rapidly and as the market changes we will continue to seek to provide our employees with the best devices for them to do their best work."

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AFC Academy Pedagogue FC in 1-1 tie

Pedagogue FC earned their first point of the season when they ended 1-1 against AFC Academy in last weekend’s lone game in the WIV-Sponsored Provo Premier League, which was played at the Academy field.

Dane Ritchie scored for Pedagogue, while Fred Dorvil netted for Academy, in what was a closely contested affair. Both goals were scored in the first half.

It was AFC Academy that drew first blood, when Dorvil scored, after the referee ruled that an infringement was committed in the box, and Dorvil successfully carried out the honours.

Apparently stung by the goal, Pedagogue go their game together and launched a series o of attacks on the Academy goal, and it bore fruit when they were awarded a penalty, which Ritchie made no mistake in converting, to end the half in the balance.

In the second half, Pedagogue picked up where they left off, with a number or raids, but a number of chances were wasted.

However, late substitutions by the Academy brought them back to life as Pedagogue began to tire, and they were on top for the last 15 minutes with four easy one on one

chances missed or saved, including an open goal by Luis Turbyfield from six yards, to win the game.

Gerry Gregg also pulled off a stunning save late on, at the other end to thwart Pedagogue and save a point.

Academy coach Matthew Green was pleased with his team’s performance: “The boys cannot be faulted for their effort and commitment on the field but they still have a lot to learn about how to kill a game off when they are in the ascendancy. We created more than enough chances to win the game but ultimately our finishing let us down as too often the guys lose their composure in front of goal. However, they are a very young team and will continue to improve as the season goes on."

Coach Cranston of Pedagogue was also pleased with his team’s efforts. “I am pleased with a better performance and our first point of the season, but we need to work on our finishing and be more clinical”.

Haroon Swaby was the President’s Player of Week. In this week’s encounter, Pedagogue FC was scheduled to go up against HAB FC at 4pm, whilst the clash of the top two teams, Cheshire Hall FC and SWA Sharks, was schedule for 6pm.

News Story from the desk of the Commonwealth Games Association In our efforts to continue developing grassroots sports in the TCI, the Commonwealth Games Association is proud to announce the commencement of LEARN TO SWIM program designed for the girls and women of Grand Turk.

Every Saturday for the month of February the Commonwealth Games Association will be providing swimming lesson at Bohio Beach at 8:30am. Registration is $10 and includes a free bathing suit for the children!

Our first swimming lesson took place on February 4th, when 22 girls came excited with their swimsuits and swim caps. It wasn’t 10 minutes before the girls went from squealing to giggling. The little girls learned how to blow bubbles, put their face in the water and started to learn how to float. The older girls and adults

started to learn some of the basic techniques in swimming.

Ali Smith, who just completed his Caribbean Coaching Certification Program in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, headed up the coaching with the assistance of Canadian Capacity Support Officer Kathleen Reeves.

We would like to thank Ms. Lisa Catrell of Kansas, a visitor to Grand Turk, for collecting several bathing suits in Kansas and sent them down to assist with our program.

The Commonwealth Games Association is excited to see the participation grow in the community and we encourage all females to take part.

For more information please email cga@tciway.tc or drop by the office on Church Folly Rd beside the Sports Commission.

Rick Ball encourages young footballers

Canadian amputee marathon runner Rick Ball peps young ballers Children from the TCIFA Youth Academy were treated to a visit from a special guest last weekend when Canadian single leg amputee marathon runner Rick Ball spoke to players from the association's youth programmes. The heroic athlete lost his left leg after a motorcycle accident when he was twentyone. However, rather than let the incindent hinder his goals he saw it as a challenge to overcome and has lived a remarkable life ever since.

Technical Director Matthew Green invited Rick to visit the TCIFA Academy fields after meeting him whilst attending the Provo Private Schools athletic meet last week. Green hoped Rick could share stories about his life with the players and inspire them to achieve greater things.

"It was great to have Rick take time out from his vacation to meet with our players. His story is an inspiration to us all and proves that one can achieve anything if you believe in yourself and receive support and encouragement".

Green added "we have so many talented young people in this country, but sadly many of them do not realize their full potential and they allow negative people or small obstacles to hold them back. Hopefully Rick's words will encourage our players to stay focussed and committed".

After giving a brief review of his life, Rick passed around

several of his artificial legs and answered a series of questions form the enthusiastic and inquisitive group of players. He was accompanied by his two sons Brayden and Carter who posed for photographs after their father had a chance to prove his speed to the young players.

The amputee athlete normally competes in long distance races (he has run a marathon in under three hours) however he showed he is no slouch over the shorter distances by running against a group of players from the girls academy.

Rick said he has thoroughly enjoyed his stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands and plans to return in the future, however he is now focussing on qualifying for the Olympic Games in London later this year.

"It has been great to interact with the young people of these beautiful islands. The kids are very enthusiastic and it is great to see associations like the TCIFA putting a lot of time and effort into developing these children into excellent athletes and responsible young people. They have a great set up here and I would encourage more young people to take up the sport and see where it can take you.

I have been lucky to have travelled a lot in my life and this is due to my involvement in sport, you never know what opportunities may come your way if you work hard and follow your dreams".

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SARWAN TO PLAY FOR LEICESTERSHIRE, NOT W.I "He has an impressive Test record and his availability to play all forms of the game for us during the 2012 season is an added bonus. We wanted to sign an experienced overseas batsman and Ronnie certainly fits the bill."

- LEICESTERSHIRE’S MIKE SIDDALL ON SIGNING SARWAN

Chris Gayle says he will not apologise to West Indies Cricket Board Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle says he does not intend to apologise to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for comments he made in a radio interview last May regarding the team and the state of West Indies cricket.

The 32-year-old, who has not represented the West Indies since making the accusations, made the disclosure shortly after belting 165 for Jamaica during last week's WICB Regional Four-Day Tournament clash with the Windward Islands.

"There is no rethinking of my decision as it relates to apologising. That is out of the window. The ball is in their

(WICB) court," said Gayle.

"In fact, I am not really focusing on that right now. What I am focusing on is what is in front of me. That is whenever I get the opportunity to represent Jamaica I will, and whatever contracts I sign overseas," he declared.

Gayle, who last represented the West Indies during last April's ICC World Cup, has been at loggerheads with the WICB since the controversial radio interview.

During the interview, Gayle openly criticised some of the polices and procedures of the WICB and a number of its officials, including coach Ottis Gibson.

FIFA withholding Warner’s pension World football governing body FIFA has said it is withholding the pension of its former vice president and Trinidad and Tobago Works Minister Jack Warner.

Warner resigned from FIFA last June following bribery allegations that saw fellow Vice President Mohamed Bin Hammam banned for life.

But the former TTFF special adviser was still due a pension that could earn him as much as $230,000 (US$36,238) per year until he turns 96 years old.

The FIFA Media Office confirmed that this is not being paid.

"We can confirm that at present Jack Warner is not receiving a FIFA pension," the FIFA Media Office told internet news site Wired868.com.

"Please kindly understand that we are not able to provide you with further details on this matter at this stage."

FIFA also said it is monitoring Trinidad and Tobago's football but is not yet ready to act.

On Wednesday, a court-appointed marshal seized all removable assets from the head office of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) on the instructions of 13 members of the 2006 World Cup squad.

The raid followed the TTFF's failure to make a second interim payment of $4.6 million (US$724,000) that was due to the "Soca Warriors" since October 2011. The Warriors already received a payment of $7.2 million (US$1,140,384) earlier last year after High Court Judge Devindra Rampersad ruled in February 2011.

The Warriors, the TTFF and its former president Oliver Camps return to court on Tuesday.

"At the time of writing, we have not received any official information from Trinidad and Tobago," FIFA told Wired868.com. "We are currently monitoring the situation through the media and as such please kindly understand that we are not in a position to make any comments at this stage."

The WICB then issued a statement last October stating that for Gayle to be considered for future West Indies selection he would need to retract his statements.

Gayle, however, has refused to apologise.

Since then, the big left-hander has gone on to represent several international clubs in Twenty20 competitions, including India's Royal Challengers Bagalore, Zimbabwe's Matabeleland Tuskers, Australia's Sydney Thunder, Bangladesh's Barisal Burners, and South Africa's Sunfoil Dolphins.

Chris Gayle

Sarwan unlikely to play for WI this year Experienced stroke-maker Ramnaresh Sarwan seems set to be unavailable for West Indies' upcoming engagements after striking a deal with Leicestershire as their overseas player for the imminent County season.

The club announced that it had signed the elegant right-hander for the entire 2012 season subject to approval from the West Indies Cricket Board and United Kingdom immigration authorities.

"We are delighted to have completed the signing of Ramnaresh Sarwan," said chief executive Mike Siddall.

"He has an impressive Test record and his availability to play all forms of the game for us during the 2012 season is an added bonus. We wanted to sign an experienced overseas batsman and Ronnie certainly fits the bill."

Sarwan's commitment to the club rules him out of Australia's tour of the Caribbean, which runs from March 16 to April 27, and the subsequent tour of England that bowls off May 5 and ends June 24.

West Indies also host New Zealand in the Caribbean from June 23 to August 2.

The 31-year-old averages 40 from 87 Tests and 41 from 173 one-day internationals, but has not played for West Indies since last June because of fitness issues.

Last month, he was dumped by Guyana for the Caribbean Twenty20 as confusion reigned over his fitness and was mysteriously omitted from the squad for the ongoing regional first-class championship, after initially being named.

Sarwan, who has played for Gloucestershire in the past, is expected to join the Leicestershire squad on their pre-season tour of Barbados next month before flying to the UK for the start of the season on April 5.

Leicestershire will compete in Division Two of the County Cham-pionship and will open their season against Glamorgan at their home ground at Grace Road.

UK lifts tax to pull out Bolt The British government announced it would relax stiff income tax rules for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, a move that could lure Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt and a host of top-tier athletes to the Glasgow showpiece.

Under British law, non-residents are required to pay a 50 per cent tax rate on their appearance fee, and also cough up a quantity of their worldwide endorsement income.

The regulation has forced Bolt, the reigning Olympic 100 and 200 metres champion, to opt out of the London Aviva Grand Prix for the last two years.

"With six months tomorrow to go until London 2012, I'm pleased to announce this special exemption for Glasgow 2014 which will prolong the Olympic legacy and help spread the long-term benefits into Scotland," said chief secretary to the

Treasury, Danny Alexander.

"Everyone wants to see the best athletes compete at Glasgow 2014 and this exemption will make that more likely. Seeing the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, it's clear that Glasgow will be an outstanding venue for the Commonwealth Games which showcases the best of UK and international sporting talent."

Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith hailed the UK government's new initiative, pointing out it would now make the Games appealing to the world's best athletes, including the galaxy of Jamaican sprinters currently on the international stage.

Of recent, the Commonwealth Games have failed to attract elite athletes as they have opted for the brighter lights of the World Championship and the Olympics.

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“If you look back at my story, doesn’t matter where you look, but God’s fingerprints are all over the place...You can try to call it coincidence, but at the end of the day, there are 20, 30 things when you combine them all that had to happen at the right time in order for me to be here. That’s why I call it a miracle.”

- JEREMY LIN

Jeremy Lin says his storybook run with NY Knicks is ‘a miracle from God’ TORONTO — Jeremy Lin calls his rags-to-riches NBA story “a miracle from God,” adding that it is more than just a coincidence that everything is suddenly breaking right for him.

“Anytime something like this happens, a lot of stuff has to be put into place, and a lot of it is out of my control,” the Knicks phenom point guard said. “If you look back at my story, doesn’t matter where you look, but God’s fingerprints are all over the place where there have been a lot of things that had to happen that I couldn’t control. “You can try to call it coincidence,” Lin continued, “but at the end of the day, there are 20, 30 things when you combine them all that had to happen at the right time in order for me to be here. That’s why I call it a miracle.”

A Harvard graduate and the first Taiwanese-American player in NBA history, the 23-year-old was cut by two other NBA teams before the Knicks picked him up and sat him on the bench. After moving to the starting lineup earlier this month, he scored more than points in his first four starts, 109, than any other NBA player since 1976.

Lin addressed a large media

contingent following the Knicks’ morning practice at Air Canada Centre.

He was asked about everything from his living arrangements to his meteoric rise from bench warmer to international sensation. Lin said that there have been times throughout his career, dating back to his college days, when he questioned whether he was a good enough player. He asked himself that same question when the Knicks assigned him to the D-League in early January.

In December, Lin was cut by both the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. He was signed by the Knicks on Dec. 27 and was technically the fifth-string point guard behind Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert, Mike Bibby and Baron Davis. He got a chance only because Davis, recovering from a back injury, suffered a setback days before Lin played extended minutes against the Nets.

Lin has stayed in the lineup since and is making the most of his opportunity.

“I think it’s a miracle from God,” Lin said. “That’s how I would describe it. Because obviously I don’t think anybody expected this to happen the

Djokovic gets top honour from Serbia BELGRADE, Serbia -Novak Djokovic says he felt even more indebted to his compatriots after receiving Serbia's top state honor from President Boris Tadic in a ceremony at the national assembly building on Wednesday.

President Tadic said the five-time Grand Slam singles winner deserved the Karadjordjeva Star Medal for "special merits in representing Serbia."

Djokovic said in his speech that "my people have indebted me even further with this."

He added, "I may have dreamed of raising the trophy at Wimbledon, but I could never have thought that my country would reward me with such great honor."

The top-ranked Djokovic has won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and successfully defended the Australian Open title in the last eight months.

way it happened.”

In his first four NBA starts, New York’s new point guard scored 109 points, dished out 33 assists and now has the red-hot Knicks riding a fivegame winning streak.

The Knicks — and the rest of the teams that passed on Lin— clearly had no idea what they had in the undrafted Harvard graduate taking up a seat at the end of the their bench. But with a deadline for a guaranteed contract looming and several key injuries opening up playing time, the Knicks decided to see what the kid could do.

And, as everyone knows, Linsanity ensued.

Now instead of releasing Lin, the team should be looking to lock him up for the long haul.

His expiration date was coming up,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni told the New York Times last week. “We had to evaluate to see if there was something there or not.”

Lin’s contract for the rest of this season — which kicked in the day after Lin’s first start against Utah — will pay him $788,000 for the rest of the season. After that, he’ll be a restricted free agent, which allows the Knicks to match any offer he might

receive on the open market. The team can use its midlevel exception, which is higher than the average player salary, to re-sign Lin. And if Lin maintain his hold on the starting job, you have to figure the team will do everything within its power to keep him.

The more immediate question is how well will New York’s offense perform when Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony return? Will D’Antoni be forced to reign Lin in to allow the team’s stars to get their shots? Or will Melo and Amare be told to go with the flow and let Lin continue to run the team?

Few expect two superstars — with similarly supersized egos — to simply fall in line behind Lin and morph from the main attraction into a supporting cast. Anthony and Stoudemire will take the ball out of Lin’s hands when they return, forcing the point guard to be more a distributor and less of a scorer. But with his ability to get to the rim, Lin has shown he’s more of a scorer than the last point guard to succeed in D’Antoni’s uptempo offense — perennial All-Star Steve Nash.

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