VOLUME 9 ISSUE 21

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Website: www.suntci.com

VOLUME 9 - No. 21

Email: sun@suntci.com

Tel: 649-946-8542

$1.00

Fax: 649-941-3281

www. twitter.com/suntci

RICHARD PADGETT PLEADS GUILTY VIVIAN TYSON

R

ichard Padgett, former Third Turtle Club Developer pleaded guilty to two corruption charges on Friday May 31, 2013.

The 60-year-old British multi-millionaire pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of public officials and conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, when he appeared in the Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Paul Harrison, via video link from London, England.

Padgett, whose London attorney Collinwood Thompson QC said was ailing and could not travel to the TCI to face the charges against him, has been accused of bribing two former government ministers between 2003 and 2009. He was also accused of conspiring to pervert the course of justice by presenting false or forged document to the Commission of Inquiry, which was set up to in 2009, to probe reported government misdeeds.

The bribery charge parts of which were redacted so as not to prejudice future matters read in part: “Between first day of August 2003 and 31st of August 2009, together with others (Padgett) gave inducements by unlawful corrupt payments or other rewards (in the form of cash, credit, entertainment and other ad-

Richard Padgett pleaded guilty to two counts of corruption.

BY

MURDER CHARGES AGAINST RODERICK ADAMS DROPPED

ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RODNEY ADAMS PLACED ON LEAVE

PAGE 2 PAGE 5

IMMIGRATION BOARD GETTING TOUGH WITH WORK PERMITS

PREMIER EWING WELCOMES CRITICISM OF PNP GOVERNMENT

PAGE 7

PAGE 15

vantages to (government officials) while they were serving as Minister of the Crown in the Government, so that the said (former ministers) would act in a way that was contrary to the ordinary rules of honesty and integrity expected of Ministers of the Crown, so as to benefit the said Padgett and others in their commercial interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice, which was also redacted in part, read: “Between the 1st day of January 2008 and the 31st of August 2009 (Padgett) conspired together with other persons to pervert the course of public justice in that knowing that a judicial public inquiry was announced into the possible corruption or other serious dishonesty in relation to past and present elected members of the legislature of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In recent years they agreed on a course of conduct that would have led to the presentation to the said Commission of Inquiry of false or forged documents designed to mislead that said Commission of Inquiry into believing that payments made for a corrupt or dishonest purpose were in fact made for honest reasons.”

His sentence hearing has been put off until September 16 this year.

The Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) legal representative Andrew Mitchell told the court that since all the Crown Land that was issued to Padgett by the former administration was returned to the Crown, he has no assets in the TCI to hold against his bail.

As such, the SIPT requested that his passport be surrendered within 24 hours, which presiding judge Justice Paul Harrison agreed. Justice Harrison also granted a request by the SIPT for Padgett to sign a waiver to not raise future objections in the event extradition proceedings are mounted against him. The SIPT CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Page 2

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

RICHARD PADGETT PLEADS GUILTY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

also successfully argued for an updated medical report to be submitted to the court before the September 16 sentencing hearing date.

Journalists in the courtroom were ordered by Justice Harrison on the request of the SIPT, not to mention the names of Padgett’s co-accused in their news article, since the matter against them has not come up yet, and so a report in the media would not be fair to them.

At the Plea and Directions Hearing on 15th April 1, Mr. Justice Harrison agreed that Mr. Padgett should be allowed to enter his pleas at the first reasonable opportunity. His case was adjourned to 31st May, this being the next most convenient date for the Judge to return to the TCI. The SIPT, which later released a statement, explained that Padgett is currently suffering from ill health and his doctor advised that he should not travel to the TCI, and so it was agreed by the court that his pleas be entered from England, by a video link to the Supreme Court.

The statement from the SIPT regarded the criminal proceedings further noted: “Mr. Padgett and the Crown were represented in both jurisdictions by Counsel. After his

Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick leaving the Supreme Court in Providenciales with Queen’s Counsel Andrew Mitchell, the lead prosecutor for the Special Investigation and Prosecution team pleas of guilty were entered the case was adjourned for mention as to the appropriate date of sentence to 16th September. Mr. Padgett , who has been on bail throughout the proceedings remains on bail.”

With relation to civil proceedings against the developer, the statement noted: “TCIG announces to-

day that it has settled all civil claims and proceedings against Richard Padgett and his companies. That includes civil claims arising from the Third Turtle Development referred to in the Report of the Commission of Inquiry, and a separate civil claim arising in relation to Crown Land on East Caicos acquired by a company

controlled by Richard Padgett.

“Under the settlement, Mr. Padgett has transferred to TCIG land which has been valued at approximately US$7m, and has made a cash contribution of $75,000 to the costs of investigating the claims. The land transferred to TCIG includes about 540 acres of former Crown Land on East Caicos (although some of this land is charged to a bank for about US$1.5m), and two parcels at North West Point and Richmond Commons on Providenciales totaling about 10 acres.

“This takes total land recoveries made by the Civil Recovery Team to 3,058 acres, in addition to $19.6 million of cash paid or to be paid to the Government.”

Attorney General, Huw Shepheard, who weighed in on the matter, commented: “We are pleased that these disputes have now been settled with the transfer to TCIG of a substantial amount of further land of significant value. This settlement brings to a successful conclusion the civil claims brought in relation to the major developments referred to in the Report of the Commission of Inquiry. As reported other claims and investigations continue to be progressed by the Edwards Wildman Civil Recovery Team”.

CRIME AND INCIDENT REPORTS The Royal Turks & Caicos Police are investigating a Burglary at a gas station in the Down Town area, which was reported on Wednesday May 29th, 2013. It has been determined that the burglary occurred between Tuesday May 28th and the early morning hours of Wednesday May 29th, 2013. Nothing appeared to be missing. The Criminal Investigation Department is carrying out further investigations into this incident.

*** The Royal Turks & Caicos Police are also investigating an Attempted Burglary at a nightclub in Five Cays, which was reported on Wednesday May 29th, 2013. It has been determined that the burglary occurred between Tuesday May 28th and the early morning hours of Wednesday May 29th, 2013. Nothing appeared to be missing. The Criminal Investigation Department is carrying out further investigations into this incident.

*** The Royal Turks & Caicos Police are also investigating a residential Burglary in Blue Hills, which was reported on Wednesday May 29th, 2013. It has been determined that the burglary occurred during the early morning hours of Wednesday May 29th, 2013. The home was ransacked and missing is a 40 inch black Zenith television. The Criminal Investigation Department is carrying out further investigations into this incident.

*** The Royal Turks & Caicos Police are also investigating a Burglary at a church in Kew Town, which was reported on Wednesday May 29th, 2013. It has been determined that the burglary occurred between Tuesday May 28th and the early morning hours of Wednesday May 29th, 2013. The church was ransacked and missing is a camera and a sum of cash. The Criminal Investigation Department is carrying out further investigations into this incident.

*** IF YOUR HOME IS BROKEN INTO: If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door: Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.

Use a neighbor’s phone to call police.

Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.

Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.

Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD TAKE: Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places, burglars know where to look for hidden keys.

Keep a detailed inventory of your

valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.

Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.

Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately.

Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.

Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. We can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.

Consider installing a burglar

alarm system.

The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes!

Remember the three L’s of Crime Prevention: LIGHTS, LOCKS & the LAW! Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, and call the Law when you see something suspicious.

Report Suspicious Activity: Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right in your neighborhood or your school, it probably isn’t. Reporting suspicious activities might help the Police identify a suspect or a crime trend. For activities in progress, call 911. Otherwise, call the Police at 941-3327 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

Please visit our web site at www. tcipolice.tc or www.facebook.com/ RTCIPF for more information.

MURDER CHARGE AGAINST RODERICK ADAMDS DROPPED

M

urder charges against Roderick Adams have been dropped.

Director of Public Prosecutions on Friday dropped the charge of murder of Kaziah Burke as it relates to Roderick Adams.

According to a press statement, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions appeared before the Chief

Justice in Grand Turk on the matter and Mr. Adams was released from custody on Friday afternoon.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is proceeding with the murder charge as against Cortez Simmons which is scheduled for Sufficiency Hearing before the Chief Justice on June 7, 2013.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Page 3

Page 4

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

HOT NEW BANDS!

TONS OF SURPRISES!

SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE SU

RE TO KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! Sponsored by:

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 5

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Expect some new taxes in new budget

BY VIVIAN TYSON

T

he Turks and Caicos Islands should brace itself for more tax measures when the delayed 2013/2014 budget is read possibly next month, according to Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, who was quick to point out that citizens would not be adversely affected.

The premier said that tax adjustment measures were devised in the wake of government searching for revenue procedures to replace the controversial Value Added Tax (VAT), which up to the beginning of this calendar year, was slated to come into effect at the beginning of the financial year.

But with the VAT about face by the British, the Rufus Ewing administration is now being saddled with the daunting task of chiseling a credible and sustainable revenue-raising framework that would not only ensure enough money is raised to maintain the public sector but also to repay the $260 million DIFID United Kingdom guaranteed loan. But the premier said that he and his team are up to the task.

Premier Ewing said that government is looking to raise $180-plus million and seeking to spend $177-plus million, which he explained is exclusive of capital spending. He said that most of the tax

measures would be skewed towards widening the tax net especially within the tourism sector.

“There will be one or two new taxes, not much in increase in existing taxes. Some of them are not towards Turks and Caicos Islanders, some of them are towards tourism, such as seeking to broaden the accommodation tax base, dealing with things like water sports and spas,” he said.

Premier Ewing also pointed out that the public is well aware that there would have been certain new revenue raising measures, having outlined the idea on several occasions while pressing for the abolition of VAT. The Fiscal and Strategic Policy Statement (FSPS), which has been approved by the United Kingdom, is said to include a one percent raise in accommodation tax and one percent increase in cruise ship passenger head tax. It is understood that vacation home rental is also drawn into the tax net. The successful raise in revenues by the government could be the panacea for the non-return of VAT. He said that in order for VAT to stay away, revenue-raising alternatives would have to be sought to not only keeping the economy afloat and the country’s debts up-to-date, to generate more jobs for Turks and Caicos Islanders.

Change of Governor for the Turks and Caicos Islands M

r Peter Beckingham has been appointed Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands in succession to Mr Ric Todd, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

sia and the Marshall Islands), Consul-General and Director-General of Trade and Investment Sydney, and Director British Information Services New York.

He was a Director of the Joint

Peter Beckingham Mr Beckingham will take up his appointment during October 2013.

Mr Beckingham is currently Deputy High Commissioner in India, heading the Mumbai-Western Indian offices. His previous appointments overseas include Ambassador to the Philippines (and non-resident Ambassador to Palau, Microne-

FCO/DTI Export Promotion Directorate in London, ran the commercial section of the Embassy in Stockholm, and had a short-term secondment to Cadbury-Schweppes.

On his appointment as Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands, Mr Beckingham said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed Governor

of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

I look forward to working with the elected government there to strengthen the Islands’ prosperity, and helping to support, with my wife, their rich culture, world-class environment and important relationship with the UK”.

Background to Mr Peter Beckingham: • Married to: Jill Mary Beckingham • Children: Two daughters • 2010 - present Mumbai, Deputy High Commissioner • 2005 - 2009 Manila, Ambassador • 1999 - 2004 Sydney, Director-General of Trade & Investment, and Consul-General • 1996 - 1999 FCO/DTI, Director, Joint Export Promotion Directorate • 1992 - 1996 Canberra, Head of Political Section • 1988 - 1992 Stockholm, Head of Commercial Section • 1986 - 1988 FCO, Head, Horn of Africa Section, East African Department • 1984 - 1986 FCO, Energy, Science and Space Department • 1984 FCO, News Department (G7 Summit) • 1979 - 1983 New York, Director, British Information Services • 1974 - 1979 DTI, British Overseas Trade Board • 1970 - 1974 Decca Record Company, Argo Division

“There will be more revenue-raising measures in the budget; we have stated that before - alternatives to VAT. We have put them out to the public before the alternatives to VAT. I would say that the public would have probably have to absorb more taxes in the short term or the interim in order for us to move on to get the revenue and pay for the services that government has to provide and to generate the jobs the government has to create,” he said.

In the meantime, Premier Ewing said that the Ministry of Health will be getting the lion’s share of the budget, owing to the consideration that government is obligated to make payment to the InterHealth Canada-run pair of hospitals for the services being provided.

ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RODNEY ADAMS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

T

he administrative leave of Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rodney Adams, was mutually agreed between Mr. Adams and the Police Commissioner on Friday, 24 May 2013.

This action was necessitated following discussions between Mr. Adams and Police Commissioner Colin Farquhar concerning an allegation of improper involvement of Mr. Adams in the Burke case.

Rodney Adams Both Mr. Adams and Mr. Farquhar agreed that in the interests of protecting the integrity of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) and Adams’ personal reputation that this was the correct way forward.

The matter has been referred to the Integrity Commission who is now investigating it under the Integrity Commission Ordinance. Mr. Adams will remain on administrative leave until this process is completed.

“The over-riding objective for the RTCIPF and Rodney Adams is to ensure public confidence in our Police Force and that we have effective and efficient control of a developing case of national significance,” said Commissioner Colin Farquhar. “This is why this independent investigation is the right thing to do for everyone involved.”

Page 6

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Corruption And The Fco: Blue Skies, White Sands, Dark Clouds Special Report: Met Police Call For Criminal Inquiry Into Former Diplomat’s Cayman Islands Rule

BY PAUL PEACHEY (THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER, UK)

SUNDAY 26 MAY 2013 Britain’s former top diplomat on the Cayman Islands should face a criminal inquiry for allegedly lying to police investigating corruption in the notorious tax haven, a Scotland Yard review has concluded.

Former governor Stuart Jack has been cited for possible attempts to pervert the course of justice over a Watergate-style break-in at a newspaper office on the islands, according to documents seen by The Independent on Sunday.

In the latest twist of a tortuous dispute played out under the island’s tropical blue skies and courtrooms thousands of miles apart, the Metropolitan Police says there are sufficient grounds for an investigation into Mr Jack and two other senior officials. The head of a police team sent in 2007 to investigate the allegations accuses them of misleading him and effectively scuppering his inquiry, according to the letters.

The claims against the three, which Mr Jack strongly denies, amount to possible “misconduct in public office, attempting to pervert the course of justice and possibly wasting police time”, according to a letter from the Yard’s Commander Allan Gibson to the island’s current governor, Duncan Taylor. “It is my view the allegations are serious and contain sufficient detail to warrant a criminal investigation,” he said.

The letter – copied to Simon Fraser, the head of the Diplomatic Service – poses awkward questions for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): any inquiry is likely to inflame a long-running controversy and embarrass senior diplomats, the Cayman authorities – and the Met. If it does nothing, it faces accusations of hypocrisy after David Cameron last week called on the Cayman Islands and other British Overseas Territories to show greater transparency in their tax affairs.

The FCO is already fighting in the courts to block release of a document that could blow the lid off its attempts to avoid blame for the original bungled police inquiry. It began as a leaks investigation and ended as a multimillion-pound inquiry into alleged police wrong-doing. FCO officials have declined to release an inquiry report because its “disclosure could lead to a loss of confidence within the international community which could impact negatively on the Cayman Islands’ reputation and, more directly, on its financial services industry”.

Nicholas Shaxson, author of Treasure Islands, a critical study of tax havens, said: “The Cayman Islands’ authorities are completely and utterly captured by the financial sector... I wouldn’t trust them to do an independent investigation if the reputation of the Caymans is at stake.”

The case is one of a string of embarrassing episodes involving British Overseas Territories, the 14 nations that represent a hangover from Britain’s imperial past and which remain some of the world’s most controversial tax havens, in receipt of billions in global cash.

They include the Turks and Caicos Islands, which were ruled directly from the UK for three years from 2009 because of a corruption scandal, and the tax havens of the Caymans, Bermuda and British Virgin Islands, which all retain the Queen as head of state. The territories stopped short of claiming full independence from the Empire but secured a status that includes British oversight and, in the Caymans’ case, a career diplomat, appointed from London, to become the most powerful man on the island.

Mr Jack retired from the post in 2009 and moved back to Britain after a final two years dogged by controversy over the Scotland Yard inquiry which has cost an estimated £20m, in high salaries, costs and damages payouts.

Martin Bridger, a former senior Met detective, led the original investigation into alleged police leaks to the media. But the inquiry became much longer and larger after the team learned that the island’s police leadership had authorised a potentially illegal search of the newspaper office that was receiving the alleged tips.

The investigation was a disaster and led to a £1m payout to a judge who was wrongly arrested, the ousting of the islands’ British police chief, and major criticisms of the inquiry in a judge-led review. The 12-strong police team – dubbed the Sunshine Squad amid claims of drinking and hard partying – was sent home in 2009, damaging the reputations of those involved. A member of the team, who declined to be named, said: “This was a flawed investigation from the start. There was arguably never a substantive offence. It seemed some officers drew the investigation out for their own ends.”

Mr Bridger claimed he learned, after his team was banished from the island, that the former governor had used his position to authorise the search but failed to tell him. If Mr Jack had done so, he said he would never have embarked on the two-year inquiry. “I am pleased that the Met has agreed that a criminal investigation is warranted and should be commenced against those named,” he said. “My hope is that the FCO and the Governor, Duncan Taylor, will remain true to their public statements that good governance, transparency and integrity must at all times underpin the activities of those who hold high public office.”

In a statement to the IoS, Mr Jack said. “I categorically deny the allegations made by Martin Bridger. Such baseless accusations are deeply upsetting to my family and harmful to my rep-

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-8542 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Design by Design2pro.com 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.

utation. I look forward to giving evidence when those proceedings come for trial in the Cayman Islands Grand Court. I have no doubt the court will find Mr Bridger’s remarks to be wholly unsubstantiated.”

John Evans, the man who searched the newspaper office, has contacted Scotland Yard and said he would back the former governor in an inquiry, threatening more bad publicity for the Met. “It’s generated a huge feeling of distrust.

The people in the Cayman Islands aren’t sure who to blame for it all,” he said.

“It has left behind a feeling that, if anyone comes out from the UK to do a future investigation, they are untrustworthy. They are only in it for what they can get out of it.”

Today, the Caymans is one of the world’s biggest offshore trading centres, worth billions of pounds, based on zero taxation and banking secrecy. It comes second only behind Switzerland in the Tax Justice Network’s financial secrecy index. Enron, the failed US energy giant, used hundreds of Cayman-registered subsidiaries to keep billions off its balance sheets.

David Marchant, the owner and editor of OffshoreAlert, was scathing about the authorities’ efforts to close down the saga. “David Cameron talks tough about clamping down on offshore tax. But he already has the framework for the Turks and Caicos Islands; he could literally take over these jurisdictions overnight. Only in Britain could this nonsense happen. People are infected with this peculiar Fawlty Towers way of conducting business. It’s breathtaking. They need to bury this 50ft under the ground and move on.”

Although Scotland Yard has called for an inquiry, it said it could not carry it out because it was “conflicted” owing to its former officers’ initial involvement. It indicated a non-British force should be brought in.

An FCO spokeswoman confirmed it was considering the Met’s letter.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 7

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Immigration Board must help to secure Jobs for TC Islanders

BY VIVIAN TYSON

M

inister of Border Control and Labour Hon. Don-Hue Gardiner has instructed the Immigration Board to clear the unwarranted work permit application field so that unemployed and under-employed locals can take their positions.

An assertive Gardiner, who was addressing a post cabinet press briefing at the Tourist Board on Thursday, May 30, said the ball is now in the Board’s court to carry out the mandate.

Minister Gardiner revealed that there are approximately 900 persons in the TCI that are either unemployed our under-employed, and believes that employers are not doing enough to provide openings for them, and so he is calling on the Immigration Board to act in that regard.

“I am satisfied that the Labour Department has done the job fairs that they needed to do. They have registered the persons that they have had to register. It is now incumbent on the Immigration Board to ensure that persons who are applying for work permits satisfy every criterion that would make that application a legitimate application, considering the level of unemployment that we have.

“And when they, in their discretion, determine that there are Turks and Caicos Islanders who are ready, willing and able to do this work, then it is incumbent upon them to refuse the work permit,” Gardiner asserted.

He added: “In the Ministry of Employment Services, we have actually taken the issue of Turks and Caicos Islanders seeking jobs extremely seriously. We, over the last several months, been seeing how best we can work with employers in accommodating as many Turks and Caicos Islanders as is possible.

“However, we feel that for the most part, employers in particular, have not been doing all that they

Minister Don-Hue Gardiner could to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders and those that have the right to work in this country without the need for a work permit, have the first crack and the first opportunity at employment opportunities. And so, what we in the department are now doing, I have spoken to the Immigration Board about this.”

The Border Control and Labour Minister stressed that the Board should only give the stamp of approval to work permits that the country needs.

“The Immigration Board is on the front line. They need to be vigilant. They need to ensure that persons, who apply for work permits, apply for them where there are legitimate needs. And when there are not legitimate needs, that they ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are placed in those positions,” he emphasized.

NEED A LOAN?

Offering loans – $5,000/ - to $15,000/APPLICANT MUST: v Be a Belonger or PRC holder v Have a base salary v Have a collateral to offer (car, property, etc)

333-9048

Call for more details (If you reach a voice mail please leave detailed message)

He said that perception that certain Turks and Caicos Islanders are not interested in particular fields should be abandoned.

“There is, however, a feeling that certain positions, especially in the hospitality industry, certain of our people are not interested in that kind of work.

And also in the construction industry, you have got persons who used to be contractors, who are (perceived as) not necessarily interested in going to work for someone. And we have to change that mindset, to ensure that persons who applied for jobs; persons who are not working, can actually see the benefit at this stage in actually taking on these positions. And as the economy grows, then working their way up,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Gardiner asserted that the measures to be undertaken by the Immigration Board cannot guarantee full employment, which he said can only be achieved by the growing of the economy, also pointing out that such activity takes time to attain.

“The only way that we are going to ensure that there is a situation of full employment is by growing the economy. Rome was not built in a day. Persons cannot expect that a government coming into office in November of last year, having gone through all of the uncertainties and the by-elections and the court challenges and the distractions that have been brought about would, be able to deliver on the things set out to achieve.

“And even with the best of efforts, even if we had walked into office on November 9th, with a port-

folio of proposals, the mechanisms through which we have to go before we could actually put shovel in the ground are legion. And so, persons would have to temper their urgency of their need for employment with the reality that it takes time for things to happen.

“You have to understand where we are coming from over the last three years. There has been a major erosion of the apparatus that is available in government for tracking these (unemployment) figures. ” he advised.

Minister Gardiner also bemoaned the condition under which Employment Services workers are asked to carry-out their roles, promising to fix those problems as time goes by.

“When you go in the Labour Department, for example, and you see the circumstances under which these individuals are forced to work.

They don’t have the equipment with which to work; everything that we are doing is in an effort to ensure that they have the space, that they have the equipment, that they have the personnel, so that these information is readily available to us and readily available to you (news media) and the public,” he said.

Page 8

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Premier hopes incoming governor is hands-off remier for the Turks and Caicos Islands Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing is hoping that new governor Peter Beckingham will stick to the assigned tasks of foreign affairs, good governance and oversight in-

While thanking the out-going Governor Ric Todd for his service to the country, the premier expressed the optimism that Beckingham would play his part to allow the country to grow instead of putting in measures to stymie its advancement.

“I expect for him to just stick to

But while the Premier hopes that Beckingham would be a bit more business-minded based on his economic background, would not be drawn into speculating as to whether or not his coming here would mean the country would be better off.

can just hope for the best, and we hope for the day when we don’t have a governor,” the premier said.

In the meantime, the premier expressed best wishes to Governor Todd, whose office said that he would be taking up a diplomatic post, but did not say when or where.

Peter Beckingham

Governor Ric Todd

Premier Rufus Ewing

Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

stead of micromanaging the affairs of the elected government.

Premier Ewing expressed the hope while fielding questions from the media at the post cabinet news briefing on Thursday, May 30, at the Tourist Board in Providenciales.

the areas of responsibility in terms of good governance and foreign affairs and oversight, as opposed to getting involved in negotiations and developments and micromanagement, like this governor needs to be hands off,” the Premier said.

“I can’t say, because based on his economic background, he could either put tighter financial controls than we have now and make it even worst, because we think that financial controls are really too strict even as we speak, or he can really see the logic in good financial management in terms of investing and taking some risks. When you are dealing with economy and finances there is some element of risk that you must take in order to grow the economy. And we hope that he would be that kind of person with his financial background,” the premier noted.

Like the rest of the country, the premier said it is left to be seen what Beckingham will bring to the table, noting his preference for a governor-free Turks and Caicos some day.

“Like I told the governor (Ric Todd), his departure comes with mixed reaction because you know what you have but you don’t know what you are going to get. We know that another governor is coming, I

“We thank the governor for his service to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We wish him god’s speed in his diplomatic post that he will be going to. I don’t know exactly where. We welcome the incoming governor Peter Beckingham.

And we will just hope that he will have the best interest of the Turks and Caicos at heart. We welcome him to Turks and Caicos to enjoy our beautiful by nature people, country, climate, weather, and to do what is right by the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the premier noted.

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson also thanked the Governor for his time here in the TCI, telling The SUN that even though they did not share the best of relationships, still wishes him the best in his endeavor.

Cartwright Robinson welcomes Beckingham and hopes that he works with the government, the opposition and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to bring about improvement in the local economy.

BY VIVIAN TYSON

P

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 9

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Sunrise Airways applies to provide Provo, Cap Haitien service

BY VIVIAN TYSON

I

f all goes according to plan, the Turks and Caicos Islands could see a third airlift service operating between the Providenciales International Airport and Haiti, as a new carrier Sunrise Airways S.A. has applied to the TCI Air Transport Licensing Authority to provide services between TCI and Cap Haitien.

If granted approval by the various licensing bodies, Sunrise Airways would join Air Turks and Caicos and Tortug Air that would be providing services to that country from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The company said it intends to provide flights six days a week from Monday to Saturday, using 19-seater Jetstream 3201 series Turboprop aircraft. The airline said it would depart Cap Haitien at 7:45a.m., arriving at the Providenciales International Airport at 2:25. It would then depart the Providenciales International Airport at 8:50a.m., and arriving in Cap Haitien at 9:30a.m. The airline lists as June 10 as the date that it wishes to commence its service.

Tom Swann, Head of the TCI Air Licensing Authority said that under regulation 8 of the Authority Regulations of 1958, it is customary for that body to publish such applications in the media, to give persons the opportunity to object and for the holding of a private or public enquiry. Swann said the public inquiry is held for both aviation objectors as well as citizens outside of the airlines industry.

He said in the event of the inquiries, the body would decide as to whether or not to grant to a

Tom Swann, Head of the Turks and Caicos Islands Air Licensing Authority license. However, he said that if no one comes forward to object, the process of granting the applicant a license to fly in the TCI would proceed faster.

He said that objectors must submit before June 7, while any notice requiring the holding of an enquiry in public for the purpose of determining the application must be received on/ or before June 21.

“We are required to publish the particulars of their applications, and that is to allow any persons or any companies that provides similar services on the route to have the opportunity to object, if they so desire, within a given time,” Swann explained.

“If there are no objections, then we have a meeting and hear the application. If there are objections we have a public inquiry into it on behalf of the persons raising the objections, before we take a decision as to whether or not to grant a license,” he further explained.

Swann told The SUN that so far, to his knowledge, no one has come forward to file objection to the Sunrise applying to operate from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“As far as I am aware, we do not have any objection, at least, not to my knowledge. If there is none, then there wouldn’t be a need for a public inquiry,” he said.

The granting of a license to operate in the TCI would only be the first hurdle for Sunrise Airways. Before given the all clear by the Civil Aviation Authority, an airline making an application would first need to satisfy that body that it is be able to effectively carry out the operations for which is applying.

“For example, they have to apply for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for an Air Operators Certificate (AOC), which is granted by the CAA. And that is only granted why we are satisfied that they have satisfied all of the requirements. They have to provide the qualification of the pilots, the aircraft that they are operating and so on and so forth,” Swann told The SUN.

MANAGER OF IT SOLUTIONS AND ERP SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT To oversee the effort to analyze, validate and document the business and system requirements as well as to support the ERP production environment.

Main Duties ŏ Lead the implementation of the new ERP system; contribute to the design of core process technology solutions, establishing basic system administration processes and protocols, including business process design: user training, data/quality controls, and change management. ŏ Oversee the design, modification and creation of business processes and/or technology enhancements used to implement the business/technology solutions. This is done through research and an understanding of applicable business processes, systems, and operations requirements. ŏ Work with business users to determine scope and requirements for new projects and/or working with business users on issues/opportunities on existing applications/process. ŏ Collaborate with various departments on identifying appropriate technology solutions to business problems; Identify and recommend alternative methods to meet business needs; Provides an industry perspective and improves business processes. ŏ Provide business direction for initiatives with the possibility of leading high complexity projects and teams; Work with cross-functional teams to commit resource requirements over the lifecycle of the project. ŏ Coordinate and align the IT function and business activities. ŏ Coordinate and perform business analysis as needed for various departments. ŏ Other responsibilities: o Creation/ updating &/or reporting of the ʄ Monthly Corporate Scorecard ʄ Monthly Corporate Targets ʄ Weekly Comparative Peak Loads ʄ Quarterly Board Package o Assistant the Corporate Secretary responsible for the ʄ Board and Committee Meetings ʄ Minutes of Management and Business Meetings ʄ Corporate Reports, Official Documents and Contracts ʄ Oversee policy management o Support Human Resource Department in ʄ Maintaining the Compensation Table ʄ Serving as co-administrator to the e-Appraisal System

Minimum Requirements:

ŏ Bachelor Degree in any Business related course is required; Professional Certification is an advantage i.e. PMP, CIA, ACCA ŏ Minimum 15 years working experience in various industries that includes at least five (5) years in a supervisory/ managerial level and four (4) years or more in the Utility industry. ŏ Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint ŏ Good command of English language (Spoken and written) ŏ Comprehensive knowledge of the processes, complexities and possible errors and solutions involved in Business Systems implementation ŏ Comprehensive understanding of business processes and practices with superior knowledge of business systems ŏ Exceptional organizational, coaching, mentoring, leadership and planning skills ŏ Comprehensive experience with data analysis; Demonstrates a creative, critical thinking approach to problem solving ŏ Comprehensive experience with process and workflow design; ŏ Considerable analytical and organizational skills; ŏ Considerable communication skills; ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical audience ŏ Experience establishing and enforcing process and procedures for running projects, tracking progress, and dealing with change and sign-offs ŏ Experience managing relationships with external vendors and/or consultancies for outsourced work ŏ Considerable experience leading projects and knowledge of project management principles and methodologies; ŏ Considerable understanding of computer programming languages and operating systems

Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications

Deadline for submission of applications is June 7, 2013 to: Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc fax: 649-941-4304

Page 10

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Government to make provision for 100 public sector jobs

BY VIVIAN TYSON

G

overnment is to fill about 100 positions in the public sector during this financial year, according to Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, who was addressing a post cabinet press briefing at the Tourist Board in Grace Bay on Thursday, May 30.

The premier made the disclosure while fielding questions from members of the media regarding the unemployment situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the means by which government is using to address the problem. He said most of the job opportunities are in Immigration and Labour, while others have been scattered across departments.

From a government perspective, what we can do is where there are job opportunities in the civil service, make provisions in this budget. And I think in this budget, we have only made provision for about 100 new posts. The majority of them are in the area of immigration and labour

and a few other areas that are revenue-generating areas and monitoring and control. So persons would have the opportunity to apply for those jobs,” the premier said.

In the meantime, the Premier said that his administration has tightened the knot on private sector employment in an attempt to allow enterprises to take on locals. The premier also gave kudus to private sector entities that have taken the initiative to hold job fairs for unemployed Belongers.

“In the private sector, we have to really tightened up to ensure that persons in the private sector do their part as corporate citizens in employing Turks and Caicos Islanders, who are qualified, willing and able to work. The Labour Department, in my view, is doing a good job with that.

“We have assistance from several private citizens, who have no objection to them whatsoever in exercising their democratic right in doing employment drives and the like, to ensure that per-

sons are registered and ensure that they get various employers to employ people,” he said.

Premier Ewing said that government would make sure that projects earmarked for initiation do so in a timely fashion, but pointed out that based on the stages at, would not begin to see shovel in the ground before the beginning of 2014.

“The creating of new jobs is really depending on bringing on stream new initiatives, such as major hotel projects like the Desarrollos project, the Third Turtle Project, Like the Shore Club Project; and the ones in Grand Turk, such as the White Sands and the North Creek Development Project.

“Those can create new jobs and employment opportunities for individuals. But the majority of those ones will not happen until about the early part of next year in terms of getting shovel into the ground for persons to take part in those particular jobs,” the premier said.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 11

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Conch Farm goes into fish-rearing

BY VIVIAN TYSON

T

he Conch Farm is adding another element to its commercial marine life cultivation – offshore warm water fish farming - which it believes can provide more than 70-odd “good-paying” jobs and contribute significantly to government coffers.

The new venture will see the Conch Farm growing five species of warm water fin fish, including Mutton Snapper, Local Nassau Grouper and Cobia. For the project to become a reality, it would require a 100,000 square foot seafood processing facility as well as a 12,000 square foot marine hatchery.

The fish would be spawned and hatched on site then transported in cages offshore outside the barrier reef for rearing about 40 feet below the surface. The fish maturity takes nine months between spawning and harvesting and is expected to provide $10 million a year to the local economy.

Richard Berke, Chief Executive Officer for the entity, told The SUN while on a tour there this week, that the project is rearing to go, but is awaiting the outcome of a legal battle with the Attorney General Chambers and the Governor’s Office. That legal wrangling has to do with a 2008 development signed by former Governor Gordon Wetherell, but which his successor finds faults with.

He said the facility would provide two full time eight hour shift, with Jobs being available in processing, hatchery, harvesting boat captaincy; maintenance for the machinery; and a full time human resource department. He said also that there will be opportunities for students of marine biology.

Berke explained that under the new venture, the Conch Farm is expected to harvest about 950 metric tons of fish per year, two thirds of which is expected to export to the United States and the remaining third to supply hotels and restaurants locally.

“In the United States, the UK and Canada, the average consumption is about one third of a pound of fish per person per week. “We might con-

Richard Berke clude that we have 30,000 people here that consume about a third of fish per week. That would be about 10,000 pounds per week or about 120,000 pounds of fish annually.

“And if you add to that, the 250,000 to 275,000 visitors to Providenciales that have a one-week stay, and added another 80,000 (pounds of fish), you have about 600,000 pounds of warm water fin fish that should be consumed on an annual basis,” he said.

Berke estimated that about 90 percent of fish consumed in the TCI from restaurants and grocery outlets is imported from Miami, which he said runs into millions of dollars annually.

“The money that would be sent to the U.S. for a second rate product can now stay here in the Turks and Caicos Islands economy, in addition to creating so many vibrant jobs and have the money circulating in our environment,” he pointed out.

In the meantime Berke does not see his commercial fishing enterprise having adverse effect on local fishermen. “ I think the local fishermen sell their products for six to eight dollars a pound. So when we hit the market about 12 dollars a pound, I don’t think we are going to be a competition for the locals. I think where the advantage is going to be for us is the restaurant that routinely buys the fillets from Miami.

“A fish purveyor pays five dollars for a pound of fish, and by the time it lands, and customs duty and freight are added, it’s up to 15 of 16 dollars a pound. Selling products locally that are superior products, produced here in the clear, clean, pristine waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands at a lower price, why would we still purchase from Miami? Berke reasoned.

He noted however, that for project to become a reality government

would have to honour the 2010 development agreement. The Conch Farm is suing the government for $100 million for breaking the agreement.

“The matter is in court, it is sent to arbitration. We have appointed an arbitrator to represent Trade Wind Industries, and we are waiting for the government to appoint an arbitrator to represent the government,” Berke said.

He said that the conch hatchery was shut down in 2008, in anticipating for the redevelopment of the site. Since then there has not by any export of conch, and has paused rearing the mollusk.

He noted that there are about 50,000 conchs at the farm, which is a very small number in comparison to its capacity. He stressed that the farm is not able to handle more at this time due to the anticipated development of the site. All revenues now come from tours of the facility.

“We will begin to export conch again 48 months after Governor Todd and Attorney General Huw Shepheard cease and desist their obstruction of our enterprise. A conch has a four-year life cycle, so four years after they get out of the way, we will be exporting conch again,” Berke asserted.

In the meantime Berke said that the Conch Farm has never been an income generator, revealing that it is always losing money.

“There is a reason this is the only conch farm in the world and there is never ever going to be another conch farm, and I can guarantee you that. And the reason is that, no person ever has, and no person ever will make any money farming conch.

The amount of time this farm has been here, which is 28 years, there has been in the neighborhood of $22 million to $24 million in investor funds coming into the farm.

And to my knowledge, no investor has ever received a return on his investment. There is about $5 million in debt still pending, so conch farm is not profitable, which is the reason we are bringing in commercial fish farming to this location, in order to support conch farming,” Berke said.

Page 12

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Governor, Police Commissioner issue statement on gun amnesty commencement T

he gun amnesty, which was announced by Commissioner of Police Colin Farquar, which is to run for one month begins on June 1. Commissioner Farquar said at the time that the amnesty was to stem the proliferation of guns in the TCI. The following is a joint statement from the Commissioner of Police and Governor for the TCI HE Ric Todd, regarding the amnesty.

“Over the years the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has been monitoring the unfortunate proliferation of illegal Firearms and Firearm related crimes in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

While the Police Force has had some measure of success in recovering some of these firearms, we believe that quite a number of weapons are in possession of individuals, illegally and in some cases these weapons are ending up in the hands of persons with criminal intent.

“It is not the intention of the Police Force to comment on any matter, which may be before the court or awaiting trial or to give the impression that the situation is worse than

is. There are nevertheless serious concerns about the number of illegal Firearms, which appear to be freely available throughout these islands.

“There may be Firearms and Ammunition in some households or business premises where the owner of the weapon is no longer in the Islands, but because the Firearms were held illegally the current occupants of the house or relative does not know how to dispose of the Firearm or Ammunition. There may be persons, who are in possession of illegal Firearms and legal Firearms and ammunition, who wish to dispose of them in a proper manner, can use this opportunity to do so without fear of any legal ramifications. “ I wish to let these persons know it is a danger to the entire community to have Firearms and Ammunition in any the household or business places without the proper authority and safety measures in place. These weapons can be discovered by a burglar and be stolen. Consequently, the householder has in effect armed a criminal, or the weapon can fall into the hands of children or young per-

sons, who in their immaturity can injure or kill themselves or others.

“The Police Force has decided to grant an amnesty for the surrender of Firearms, Ammunition and explosives. The amnesty will run from 1st June to 1st July 2013.

“During the amnesty period any person illegally in possession, custody or control of any Firearm, explosive or ammunition may voluntarily surrender or disclose the location of the firearm, explosive or ammunition to the officer in charge of a Police Station, a designated Pastor or Police post.

“Any person who voluntarily surrenders or discloses the location of any firearm, explosive or ammunition during the amnesty period shall not be charged with any offence relating to illegal possession, custody or control of that firearm, explosive or ammunition and such a person is pardoned and absolved from any criminal responsibility in respect of that possession from the date of the surrender or disclosure. It is advised that you contact the Police, 911 a Pastor or Minister of the Gospel or Crime stoppers before surrendering the weapon in order to ensure a safe and secure collection.

“The amnesty granted during this period does not extend to prosecution for any offence relating to the use of firearm, explosive or ammunition.

“The amnesty granted during this period does not extend to any charges relating to possession of firearms, explosives or ammunition laid before the court prior to the commencement of the amnesty.

“The Government has recently taken measures to introduce stiffer penalties for firearm and firearm related offences. The punishment for any person convicted of illegal possession of firearm is a mandatory term of imprisonment of 5 years with a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years in addition to a fine without limit. The punishment for any person convicted of armed robbery is a mandatory term of imprisonment of 5 years with a maximum term of life imprisonment.

“The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force call upon all residence to take advantage of this gesture by the Government and hand in illegal firearms, explosives and ammunition as well as licensed firearms which you no longer wish to retain.

“Let us commit ourselves to making our country safer by removing illegal weapons from our society and maintaining an environment where people can live, visit and investment can thrive.”

In the meantime, the List of Pastors and Ministers of the Gospel throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands whom persons wishing to hand over firearms can contact 1. Grand Turk a. Pastor Vernon O. Malcolm Echoes of Calvary Church - Chairman of the Grand Turk Ministers Fraternal b. Canon Mark Kendal - Anglican Church, Grand Turk c. Pastor Andrea Carbera (Dominican Community) - New Testament Church of Gospel d. Pastor Dennis Prospere ( Haitian Community) - Salam Baptist Church e. Pastor Frederick Braithwaite Bible Baptist Church f. Rev. Rafael Velazquez - Holly Cross of the Roman Catholic Church South Caicos Pastor John Malcolm - Mount Oliver Baptist Church Pastor George Fulford - New Testament Church 2. Providenciales a. Pastor Pedro Williams - Jericho Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Samuel Goldstein Williams - Paradise Baptist Church Reverend Derrick Hamilton Bethany Baptist Church Reverend Noel Hamilton - Providenciales Methodist Church Father Bernard Been - Anglican Church 3. North Caicos/Middle Caicos a. Pastor Fuller Gardiner - Light House Church Kew b. Reverend Llewellyn Handfield - Providence Baptist Church, Whitby c. Pastor Ernest Forbes Jr. - Lighthouse Church SAFETY ISSUES FIREARMS ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN TO THE POLICE STATION OR TO THE PASTOR OR MINISTERS INDICATED UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE FOR THEM TO BE COLLECTED BY A POLICE OFFICER. THOSE PERSONS SURRENDERING WEAPONS MUST BE ADVISED NOT TO BRING FIREARMS TO THE STATION OFFICE OR TO THE MINISTERS IN THEIR HANDS. WEAPONS MUST BE LEFT IN A VEHICLE TO BE COLLECTED OR BROUGHT TO THE STATION IN A SECURE CONTAINER. IF THEY DESIRE AN OFFICER TO ATTEND TO THEIR HOMES TO COLLECT THE WEAPON THEY MUST NOT BRING THE WEAPON TO THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVE. THE WEAPON MUST BE PLACED IN A HIGHLY VISIBLE AREA SO IT CAN BE COLLECTED.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 13

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Butterfield Motors, Ltd. Is looking for experienced applicants for the follow positions GENERAL MANAGER Key Function The automotive dealership General Manager ensures the profitability of the dealership by overseeing the various departments which include variable operations (sales & financing), fixed operations (service, parts, and body shop), and the business office (accounting & administration). Duties of the general manager include, but certainly not limited to, planning, motivating and coordinating the dealership’s management through leadership and solid business practices.

Strategic Planning Responsibilities • Provide guidance and strategic planning for the dealership with respect to sales goals.

• Achieve sales volume and profitability objectives utilizing all sales channels in a continually changing environment.

• Planning and developing short and long-term goals and objectives annually, and submitting time projections to corporate management for approval.

• Coordinating regular meetings with the managers of each department to ensure their profitability and efficiency.

• Creating cost-effective advertising programs and merchandising strategies for the dealership.

Specific Operational Responsibilities • Implement and execute all company-wide marketing initiatives so as to maximize their impact and to help meet or exceed sales goals.

• Identify referral source prospects for dealership, create a strategy to develop relationships with prospects, and monitor and maintain positive referral source relationships.

• Conduct sales meetings to motivate and share successful selling techniques and skills.

• Develop and enhance customer relationships by establishing, promoting, maintaining excellent customer service with sales operations.

• Hiring all management positions, completing performance evaluations regularly and developing short and long-term goals for each department manager (includes administrative, sales, parts, collision and service departments).

• Effectively communicating with the comptroller/office manager on a weekly basis to review departmental forecasts and ensure consistency with annual projections.

• Paying close attention to daily operations, recommending and creating improved courses of action where necessary.

• Explaining the policies and procedures of the dealership to all employees and following up with employees to ensure that these issues are understood and followed.

• Providing dealership management with weekly reports on the financial condition of the dealership.

• Overseeing the monthly financial statement to ensure it is complete, accurate and submitted on time to the management/dealership owners.

• Coordinating with the business/administrative office to ensure that records and analyses are correctly maintained.

• Creating a good working relationship with lending institutions and manufacturer personnel and maintaining these relationships.

• Overseeing the hiring and training of all department managers.

• Maintaining an enthusiastic attitude to build positive employee attitudes and morale.

• Overseeing and maintaining compensation plans for all employees.

• Focusing on any customer complaints that department managers are unable to rectify and taking the necessary steps to resolve these complaints.

Professional Requirements • 4-yr degree from accredited college/university.

• General Manager should have at least 10 years of dealership sales and 5 years in a supervisory position. Experience in other dealership departments is a plus. They must have strong leadership and organizational skills, and the ability to understand profit and loss statements and manage a large, diverse staff.

• General Manager also must possess strong communication skills to deal with customers, employees and vendors.

Personal Requirements • Must be able to make decisions with minimum input, based on their experience and knowledge of the position.

• Driven towards continuous personal and company improvement.

• Flexible work hours • Bilingual – English / Spanish • Proficient with MS Office FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Key Function Actively assist the Dealer Principal to maximize smooth running and profitability of the dealership.

Provide all necessary and relevant financial information to a consistently high standard and to agreed deadlines.

Continuously review effectiveness of all accounting, administration within the business. Identify areas for development and recommend solutions.

Assist the Dealer Principal with external stakeholder relationship management.

Ensure the business meets all statutory requirements.

Strategic Planning Responsibilities • Establish and develop the dealership organization and control systems to ensure the efficient operation of each department, consistent with its present and future objectives • Create with each Department Manager co-ordinated, detailed annual plans and budgets, in line with defined long term goals, for each section of the business covering all targets for profitability, productivity, and resource control and market development.

• Enable the implementation of these plans and budgets through business management systems to identify and explain variances.

To monitor continuously all adverse trends and potential problems and take corrective action in a timely manner.

• Agree all operating policies of the business in conjunction with the Dealer Principal including: pricing and credit limits; customer service levels; warranty and guarantee policies; new and used vehicle trading; resource control; liaison with suppliers; discounting; payment and benefit plans.

• Participates in overall Company strategic planning. Reports directly to the Owner.

Specific Operational Responsibilities • Responsible for the accounting and control functions; prepares interim and annual financial statements with supporting schedules and analysis for the guidance of management.

• Production of accurate and detailed management accounts in the dealership within 5 working days from end of month.

• Actively assist the Dealer Principal and Management Team with interpretation of the monthly accounts and suggest actions where appropriate.

• Responsible for the Company's accounting practices, procedures and principles, maintenance of its records and the preparation of financial reports • Ensure that the business is administered legally, professionally and in keeping with the Manufacturing Brands at all times.

• Ensure that reporting systems within the dealership enable accurate production of Daily Operating Controls by Department Managers.

• Work with General Manager to improve revenue or reduce expense in order to meet or exceed budget and grow the business.

Professional requirements: • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.

• 10+ years experience in Corporate Accounting, with minimum 5 years as an Accounting Manager or Controller, with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility and skill • Thorough understanding of general accounting processes and principles along with strong analytical skills • Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems, including familiarity with computerized general ledger systems, accounting procedures and computer programs, handling ADP system as a plus.

• Proficient with MS Office, an expert with MS Excel • Experience in projections, Budget, Forecast, Long Term projections.

Personal requirements: • Must be able to make decisions with minimum input, based on their experience and knowledge of the position.

• Driven towards continuous personal and company improvement.

• Successful Applicant will be responsible for developing and improving upon all general accounting procedures and processes on a project and company-wide basis.

• Flexible work hours • Bilingual (English/Spanish) AUTOMOTIVE MASTER MECHANIC Repair automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. Perform the duties of a mechanic involved in inspecting, repairing, fabricating, rebuilding and maintaining. Master mechanics repair virtually any part on the vehicle or specialize in the transmission system.

Job Duties and Tasks • Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing vehicles, engines and transmissions.

• Examine vehicles to determine extent of damage or malfunctions.

• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Test drive vehicles, and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.

• Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.

• Repair manual and automatic transmissions.

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

• Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to the job.

Skills • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives to repair vehicles.

• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

• Managing one's own time and the time of others. Teaching others how to do necessary tasks.

• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a big plus.

• Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Knowledge, Experience, Education • Mechanical certification from accredited institution.

• Thorough knowledge of all vehicle repair aspects including, but not limited to: Engine, Transmission, and Electrical among others.

• 10+ years experience in Automotive Repair, with minimum 5 years in Chevrolet Brand vehicles.

• Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Proficiency with computers to input necessary data and communicate with management.

• Experience with Customer and Personal Service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

GENERAL AUTO BODY SHOP Job Description: Ensuring that repairs in the Service department are performed correctly and efficiently and that the service department maintains a high level of customer satisfaction in the Body Shop.

Job Duties and Task Perform the following repairs or replacements: • Auto body repair mechanic will repair damaged vehicles after traffic collisions and other accidents. They also repaint the vehicles once the repairs are complete.

• The auto body technician is responsible for repairing a wrecked or damaged car and restoring it to its original condition. The auto body technician's job is to remove dents when a car has been in an accident.

• The auto body technician also fixes cars that have been vandalized or have become worn due to wear and tear or by weather. Technicians must have the ability to work on a variety of different cars, trucks, vans and other vehicles that need repair work.

• Auto body technician should know the correct procedure and the correct equipment and tools to get the job done. He must know how to prepare a car with the correct putty. Masking of the vehicle must be done to ensure that the chrome, windows and other parts don't get paint on them • Minor electrical system repairs, Surface preparation for refinishes, Minor Cab Accessory repair/replacement, Minor Cargo Box repairs • Maintain work area appearance and safety • Other projects and tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Skills & Experience • 10 years of related experience (or an equivalent combination of related education and experience) required.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required • Vocational/technical school preferred • Certification of completion of technical school specializing in the repair/refinish • Working knowledge of tools of trade (including welding equipment, paint equipment, shop machines, and power tools) required • Body Shop Procedures Certificate • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The associate must regularly lift and /or move up to 25lbs/12kg, frequently lift and/or move up to 50lbs/23kg and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100lbs/45kg. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the associate is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The associate is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

Competitive Salary commensurate with work experience and qualifications.

All interested applicants should submit an updated resume by e-mailing info@butterfieldmotors.tc, no later than 12th of June, 2013

Page 14

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

SMOKEYS RESTAURANT

CATCH THE WAVE CHARTERS LTD.

SEEKS ONE SALES CLERK

H Is seeking employment for

A RESTAURANT MANAGER Salary $6.00 per hour

Applications/resumes are to be dropped off at 007 SDR Complex, 176 South Dock Rd.

Contact Reliable Employment on behalf of Client: CAICOS CAFÉ is seeking:

231-3336

NEEDED DOMESTIC HELPER

1 Labourer/Cleaner to work daily 9:30-5:00 Must be reliable Salary $6.00 per hour Contact: 649-244-3200 THE MARANATHA HIGH SCHOOL Is seeking the services of a CLEANER Duties involved •Cleaning of school compound • Cleaning of Classrooms, Science Lab and Library • Setting up for functions and cleaning up after Interested persons should submit their applications by Thursday, June 6, 2013 to The Principal Maranatha High School 287 Millennium Highway Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Or by email: contact@maranathahigh.com

Seeks 1 Cleaner Salary $5.00 per hour 1 Musician Salary $7.00 per hour Solomon Morency Seeks 1 Domestic Worker Salary $5.00 per hour

WANTED EL RAPIDO WATER DELIVERY

SEEKS 1 DRIVER Applicant must be honest, reliable & hardworking and willing to work late hours Salary $6.00 per hour

Contact

242-5459

Contact 342-3733

Live in Care Giver needed for a Elderly gentleman who is in need of personal care and assistance, serious inquires, Belongers only need apply.

Contact ph.

Beauty & Elegant BRADING SALON

SEEKS

Salary

$5.00 per hour

Mon-Sat

1 Beautician 2414798 or 3418806

LOCAL NEWS POST CABINET REPORT FROM GOVERNOR RIC TODD

Salary commensurate with experience.

ABUNDANT LIFE MINISTRIES LTD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Contact

241-4404

$5.00 per hour Mon-Sat Must be hardworking and reliable Contact Linda Malcolm at

649-245-6376

is Excellency Governor Ric Todd chaired the meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ (TCI) Cabinet on Wednesday, 29 May 2013 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk. The Premier and all Ministers were present at the meeting, apart from the Minister of Border Control and Labour who was abroad on official business.

At this meeting Cabinet: - Agreed to the implementation of a revised Government Travel Policy proposed by the Premier. The policy will be published in the Gazette. It covers expenditure on travel and subsistence by Government officials and CEOs of statutory bodies when overseas on official TCIG business and defines procedures Government departments must follow when arranging international travel for TCIG employees in order to enhance public accountability and transparency.

- Agreed amendments to the NIB Ordinance proposed by the Minister of Finance, on the basis of advice from the NIB, following from the NIB’s most recent actuarial review. It further agreed to defer finalisation of the amendments and the passage of the bill to the House of Assembly pending further advice from NIB on the timing of the next actuarial review.

- Agreed to the draft 2013 / 2014 Budget, presented by the Minister of Finance, subject to the clarification of some issues between the CFO and the Budget Director.

The Budget will be presented to UK Ministers for approval imminently.

- Agreed to a proposal from the Minister of Finance that TCI sign up to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters. The Convention will facilitate the efficient and reciprocal exchange of tax information between TCI and existing signatory jurisdictions and reaffirms TCI’s commitment to working with the international community to improve global financial transparency. Cabinet also agreed that the Premier would write to Prime Minister Cameron, Chair of the G8, about the G8 tax transparency agenda.

- Agreed a proposal from the Deputy Premier for a budget of $2.5m in FY 2013/14 for existing and new scholarships and the priority areas for those new scholarships. Decisions on the allocation of scholarships within these guidelines and budget will be taken by the Scholarship Board. The Board will proceed with the allocation and ensure applicants are informed in a timely manner regarding the status of their applications. Details of the scholarships awarded will be published in the Gazette.

- Agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hortman American University (HAU).

The MOU will set out indicative terms and conditions under which HAU would be permitted to establish a medical school in TCI and is analogous to the MOU entered into with GU MED for a similar proposal in 2011.

- Considered a note from the Civil Aviation Authority, presented by the Minister of Finance, about a number of initiatives which the Authority planned. It agreed to these initiatives subject to the resources for them being found from the CAA’s existing budget provision.

- Discussed two proposals submitted by the Minister of Finance from businesses wishing to establish manufacturing facilities in TCI. It agreed that a manufacturing policy should be developed in order to take forward these and other manufacturing proposals.

- Discussed a paper from the Deputy Premier about the situation at Clement Howell High School on Providenciales. It underlined its determination to resolve overcrowding issues in the short and long term. Cabinet confirmed that its favoured short term solution was to “split” the site and decided to return to funding issues to deliver this at its next meeting - Agreed that a draft Ordinance on Fractional Ownership presented by the Minister of Finance, which allows multiple persons to hold separate registered fractions in property as proprietors in common, should be presented to the House of Assembly.

Further information on the issues addressed by Cabinet will be provided by Ministers in due course.

Cabinet decided that its next meeting would be on Wednesday 12 June.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 15

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Premier welcomes criticisms of government

BY VIVIAN TYSON

P

remier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing has acknowledged that there have been pockets of individuals slinging criticisms at him and his elected government cabinet colleagues because they believe more should have been achieved in their short reign.

However, the premier said a great deal of work has been taking place behind the scenes of which his detractors have no clue. The premier was addressing a post cabinet news briefing on Thursday, May 30 at the Tourist Board in Grace Bay, where he made the comments.

He said that while the state of the economy is not desirable by his administration, the elected government is on course to clear many hurdles set out by the United Kingdom government, to achieving economic prosperity for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“We know that we are doing our best under the guidelines and under the regulations that we intend to operate, in terms of the financial management systems that are in place, the various aspects of government that are not within our control, the various decisions we have to make that may not find favour with people in general or certain select groups that are vocal in not knowing the overall impact that it will have.

“It is not easy to turn this economy around to get the level of employment that people are look-

ing for. And because the state of the global economy, because of the various financial restrictions that we are restricted to, it doesn’t look well for us to have to commit to put $40 plus million into a sinking fund to pay down a loan when we can barely find funds to put in the capital budgets, so that we can actually able to stimulate the economy by creating jobs that we would like to create with those funds. We can’t do that; we are not allowed to do that,” the premier asserted.

Premier Ewing told the press briefing that his administration is devising ways to climb from the commitment of the United Kingdom guaranteed loans, which is to be paid off by 2016, so that the elected government would have the ability to be more monetary flexible in managing the economy.

“Those are the things that we are trying to do.

You have to do it strategically because we are not only dealing with the governor, we are dealing with the UK Government, we are dealing with DFID, we are dealing with the FCO. And there are many tough decisions that we have to make, and sometimes we have to be able to move on.

“I know some persons would like to see what you called fight. The fight in you meaning that you object to everything, but sometimes objecting to everything doesn’t get you anywhere moving forward. And you have to look at investor confidence. Investor confidence in the jurisdiction when you object to everything is not welcoming

to investors. You have to have a sense of some political stability going forward, at the same time while having fiscal prudence and proper fiscal management,” the premier noted.

He added: “So I welcome the criticism by individuals, especially from those who may be unemployed and whose pocket may not have the extra cash that they are looking for. But it (a better economy) is not going to happen overnight. I told individuals even on the campaign trail that the road ahead is not easy; it is not going to be easy.

But I have hope based on our outlook and based on our plan that we will turn it around and persons would be better off in the next short while.”

In the meantime, the premier said that his government is not on target for its established 120 days achievement plans due to the disruptions which emerged from parliamentary seat challenges, the holding of a by-election in March and the FSPS (Fiscal and Strategic Policy Statement) back and forth.

“We are not on target because you have to determine when that 120 days starts. It definitely didn’t start from November. It definitely did not start (in the first quarter of the calendar year) because we were in election mode up to March 22.

And even then you have to fight with regards to the passage of the FSPS in trying to get the budget in order, and if you can’t get the budget straight it is very difficult for you considering moving on.

“And that is what we plan to do right now, to get the budget right, get the UK to agree with our budget. We had many, I would say, fights in cabinet as to what we should get, what we could do if we can’t get it. But we have to, from time to time, put (disagreements aside) and agree to accept certain things and move on,” the premier pointed out.

“GO SMART ” Testimonial: I booked my business trip to Florida with Turks & Caicos Travel Smart, I got a complete package…...airline ticket, hotel and car rental, it was affordable, hassle free and the whole trip was a GREAT success!!! I was please to receive a follow up call on my return to ensure that everything went well with my travel…..I will definitely be using this agency again………………… Sonny Forbes Jr.

Packages I offer several set of packages as well as tailor-made holidays all around the world: * Travel Impression Vacations * Brendan Vacations * Disney Packages * Apple vacation And so much more…

Airport Hotel Plaza Suites #7 Airport Road Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands Tele: 649-242-1851 or USA 339-502-2388 Fax: 649-941-3281 Email:

With less than 50 days to go….get started on booking your summer vacation with us!!!

My services include: I book directly with all the following companies and often benefit from their special offers and discounts. * Air Turks & Caicos— domestic and international flights * All Major Airlines for International Flights….American Airlines, Delta, US Airways, Philippine Airlines, Liat, Air Canada, Bahamair…etc * All major car rental anywhere worldwide * Dollar/Thrifty Rent a Car — prepaid rentals * All hotels worldwide at very competitive rates, with the convenience of payment at time of booking * Cruises — Carnival Cruise Lines Norwegian Cruise Line Princess Cruise Line Royal Caribbean Cunard Queen Mary 2 Disney Seabourne Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm & Sat 9am—1pm

Page 16

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Time up for Five Cays squatters

BY VIVIAN TYSON

C

rown land squatters who occupied the South Dock end of Five Cays are bracing themselves for another round of bulldozing as the 30-day demolition notice issued by the Physical Planning Department on May 7, takes effect Thursday, June 6.

Three days of the May 7 30day notice, the Physical Planning Department rolled in a demolition crew into the community and bulldozed several structures, drawing the ire of some of the residents.

As opposed to the first occasion during which most of the houses flattened were unoccupied ones – even though that has been disputed by some residents, who said at least one of the structures was in use - this time around the dwellings marked for destruction are occupied ones.

Checks by The SUN revealed that most, if not all of the residents still occupy dwellings in the community.

Some said they have nowhere to go and so, they are asking the authorities to spare them. The residents said that they did not have any money to initiate relocation, and to this end, calling on the government to assist them in this endeavor.

“We don’t have anywhere to go.

A Bulldozer reduces a house to rubble at the first demolition exercise on May 10 All our lifesavings are invested in this house, so I will not know how I will survive when Planning comes back to knock down my house. That is bad,” said a male resident of the community.

Another said that they would prefer if government gives them the option of purchasing the land on which the illegal houses were built, even though declaring that they would not be able to pay for them overnight.

“Most of us are willing to pay

for the land. We know that we cannot pay for it right now because the economy is bad, but we feel that as it gets better and we start to earn more, we can pay for the land. I am saying to Governor Todd, please, please, please, let us have the land.

We are hard-working people. We love Turks and Caicos, and we want to make further contribution. Right now a housing security is all we have. Please, Governor Todd, don’t take that away from us,” female householder pleaded.

In a post-demolition interview on May 10, Land Commissioner, Tatum Cleaveaux told journalists that her office would be working with the relevant welfare agencies to ensure that alternative means of living would be explored on the residents’ behalf before rolling into the community for round two of destruction.

In the meantime Evelyn Beaubrum Landy, the woman who accused the demolition crew of bulldozing a house that she occupied, is relentless in her pursuit for justice. Beaubrum Landy is adamant that she lived in the house at the time of its destruction. The authorities said though that all the building had inside were mostly tools and construction materials.

At her recent visit to The SUN’s office, to review pictures and footage of the inside of her house before it was destroyed, Beaubrum Landy pointed to what appeared to be a lawn cushion she said she used for mattress and a wooden frame as the bed’s base. She also produced a Fortis receipt, which she claimed was her last power bill paid on the house before it was pushed down. Beaubrum Landy said she is seeking compensation for the property.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT COORDINATOR/MANAGER REQUIRED Seeking a Construction Contract Coordinator to spearhead the construction and design of luxury single family homes, and small commercial projects in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The successful candidate will be expected to: • Oversee all aspects of operations for the construction division • Prepare cost estimates, schedules and cash-flow projections • Manage the procurement process • Manage the public tendering process and bid analysis • Write subcontract agreements and scopes of work • Prepare monthly project status reports for clients • Handle all accounting for the construction division • Assist with Business Development efforts Successful applicant will possess a comprehensive understanding of building science and architectural design. Applicant must have good communication skills and a team attitude. Minimum requirement of BS in Building Construction and or a degree in Construction Engineering is required, with at least 15 years experience in the industry.

Remuneration will commensurate with education and experience.

Work hours will be dictated by work load. No less than 60 hours per week.

Computer literacy shall include: • Sage - Master Builder • Word processing • Excel - spreadsheet applications • Primavera’s SureTrak - critical path scheduling • AutoCAD - Architectural Desktop and 3D imaging • Timberline Estimating Extended • Adobe Photoshop Qualified individuals shall submit resumes before June 15th, 2013 to: R.A. Shaw Designs ProjectHouse, Leeward Hwy Providenciales Fax #:941-4395

Primary Objective of the Job: The IT/IP Engineer will be responsible for the real-time management of all IT/IP based local and wide area networks which support the technical operations and services of Digicel TCI. Main Duties & Responsibilities: • Design IT/IP Network Architecture • Responsible for the design, installation and support of all IP based systems to support the technical operations of the business.

• Design IP Numbering an addressing schemes, Development, Configuration and Implementation of IP based systems • Perform dimensioning and capacity planning of IP network • Implement and Support Cisco Call Manager PBX system.

• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all IP based systems, which include Cisco network devices, SUN Solaris servers.

• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all IP based services, IP traffic management utilising VLANs and routing protocols (RIP, OSPF), also DNS, Microsoft ISA 2004 Web PROXY, and NTP applications.

• Perform all required software and hardware upgrades for above mentioned systems and services • Provide on-call support for after hour outages & planned works, including creation and submission of required forms • Develop and schedule preventative and corrective maintenance policies and procedures, such as regular backups, hardware/software upgrades, and spares inventory, to ensure high availability of all IP based systems.

• Ensure that Digicel TCI continue to operate on secure local and wide area networks with the implementation of VPN technologies and firewall policy management • Provide proactive support of WAN data and voice links (VSAT, leased lines) to provide 100% availability of all IP services, including VoIP, PRI, ITP (SS7 over IP) and internet, and to ensure continued connectivity to other Digicel locations and external parties • Ensure adherence with IP Security Established standards and policies as they relate to new and existing LAN and WAN network infrastructure, IP traffic, and network configuration procedures • Ensure that network metrics are closely monitored and captured so as to provide proactive network management, as well as regular feedback on network performance in the form of reports to management • Provide IT/IP Support to other departments and external parties as required • Provide support for VAS systems.

Academic qualifications and experience required for the job • 3-5 years’ experience in IT/IP based network design, implementation and administration • CCNA, CCNA Voice and Microsoft MCSE certification and Solid hands on experience with Cisco devices • In-depth knowledge of switching, routing, LAN and WAN technologies • Hands on experience with UNIX and/or Linux systems to support applications Splat and Solaris.

• Design, implementation and operational knowledge of network security (VPN, firewall management, intrusion detection) • Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Computer Sciences or equivalent field Interested Applicants should forward their resumes to hrtci@digicelgroup.com before June 14, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 17

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Beaches asked to stop hairbraiding, local craft sales

BY VIVIAN TYSON

T

he Rufus Ewing administration wants Beaches Resort and Spa to desist from providing certain services at its property including the selling of local craft items and braiding of hair, so that locals who indulge in these activities get the opportunity to make a living.

Additionally, the governments would like the resort to upgrade the nearby craft market, while allowing the facility’s vendors access to the hotel’s guests.

The premier made the disclosure while addressing a post cabinet news briefing on Thursday (May 23), at the Tourist Board in Grace Bay. He said some of the demands are documented in the new development agreement that government wants Beaches to sign, which would effectively nullify the 2006 agreement that allows the resort chain to enjoy munificent concessions, certain special immigration and labour considerations, as well as the allowance to peddle local craft items on its property.

Government, which The SUN learnt had devised ways to get around the 2006 agreement, found an opening when Sandals Resorts Interna-

tional – the parent company for the Sandals and Beaches chain of hotels – bought the controversial Verandah property. Veranda is located next to the sprawling Beaches Resort, but is separated by a passage which is a beach access.

Beaches wants to close the access, but government said it may be able to grant that wish in exchange for Beaching giving up most of those concessions. It said though that it could not guarantee the Physical Planning Department final say on the matter, especially in the wake of pressure from locals, mainly Bight residents, mounts for the closure not to be granted. “(In order for the access to be granted) Beaches will also have to abide by certain new rules such as putting procedures in place to ensure that those persons in the craft market have access to Beaches’ guests and to improve their revenue from the sales of their craft,” Premier Ewing said.”Beaches will have to undertake the opportunity to redevelop the craft market in the location that it is in, improving the environment and facilitating the direction between guests and the vendors on the craft market,” the premier asserted.

He continued: “We will also be asking them,

RegulaƟon 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) RegulaƟons, 1990 An applicaƟon, registered as PR-11178 by Leeward Limited, has been submiƩed to the Department of Planning, to remove and replace an exisƟng coastal groyne structure with associated beach nourishment along Pelican Beach in Grace Bay. Anyone wishing to make any representaƟon(s) may do so in wriƟng to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk, or through the Department of Planning, Downtown, Town Center Mall, Providenciales within twenty eight (28) days of publicaƟon of this NoƟce.

NoƟce dated: May 31, 2013

Position available: Assistant Manager/Operations and Compliance Duties: • Manage the day to day operations of a money services business.

Skills/Qualifications: • Minimum of 5 years experience at a senior level in a money services company • Minimum of 2 years commercial banking experience • Bachelor of Science degree in Finance • Training, experience and certification in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism policies, procedures and practices • Demonstrated ability to organize and manage a complex product, service and procedures environment • Demonstrated trustworthiness in managing client and company funds SALARY $36,000-$48,000 PER ANNUM, PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATION LETTER AND RESUME TO THE MANAGER @ tcihrstaff@gmail.com.

THE DEADLINE IS 13th JUNE 2013. SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

as part of the development agreement, to ensure that activities that go on in Beaches, such as hair-braiding and selling of local craft; that they will not engage in those activities at Beaches, to compete with our local craft vendors. All of these events should improve the sales and revenues and make the life of those craft vendors, much more improved than it is now, under the current agreement.”

The Premier pointed out however, that the Gordon “Butch” Stewart-owned property does not have to genuflect to even one of the conditions since it already has a development agreement, which Stewart had said in an earlier SUN interview that he was comfortable with.

The premier noted however that, since each side has something that the other wants, believes that a deal that his administration favours can be struck.

“Beaches does not have to agree to sign this new development agreement; they have a development agreement from 2006, that legally can probably extend to Veranda, without even negotiating with government, but they have something that we want and we have something that they want,” Ewing said.

Page 18

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Government’s support of closing beach access hinges on 2006 development agreement

BY VIVIAN TYSON

G

overnment’s support to close the beach access that prevents Beaches Resort for amalgamating a recently acquired property into its main resort will be predicated on whether or not its owners are willing to replace the 2006 development agreement with a new one.

The beach access runs between the main resort and the newly-acquired Key West Village, formerly the Verandah Resort.

The Resort said that it now wants to amalgamate Key West with the already expansive Beaches property, to add to the ambience of the French Village and the Italian Village, also allowing for Key West guests to access the vast amenities on the other side. The beach access is, however, preventing that move from happening.

Speaking at a post cabinet news briefing on Thursday, May 23, Premier Ewing said government would support the access closing bid only if the hotel parent company Sandals Resorts International (SRI) decides to update its 2006 development agreement. Under that agreement, Beaches is allowed to bring in a certain number of expatriate workers per year outside of Immigration Department and Labor Department’s work permit subjection.

This clause, the premier noted, is not in the best interest of Belonger employment, and so, would be lobbying the hotel to change it, while willing to throw in the closing of the beach access as a sweetener.

“Our government is supporting this application depending whether or not the development agreement that we would like to see is developed.

We are in support of it, but no formal decision has been made to pass on the beach access,” Ewing said.

He noted however, that even if his government supports closing the beach access, it would still want to see the application exhaust all the regular bureaucratic channels.

“Even if this government supports Beaches getting the beach access, it is not doing so with prejudice to the various processes that Beaches would have to go through, including that regarding the Crown Land procedures, as well as the Planning procedures that are mandated in the Planning Ordinance,” Ewing said.

The premier is obstinate that the 2006 development agreement should go, since its abolition would be beneficial to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“It is important that we have a new development agreement to replace the 2006 develop-

COMMERCIAL LAWYER Griffiths & Partners are looking for a senior Commercial Lawyer with significant experience (10 to 15 years) dealing with corporate, commercial, finance and real estate/development work.

Must have relevant professional qualifications, be admitted to practice in the Turks and Caicos Islands (or eligible for admission) or admitted in a common law jurisdiction. The applicant must have worked in practice at senior/partner level, preferably with an international law firm. Recent experience should include corporate and commercial law advice, real estate finance work, and development, construction and investment schemes.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Closing date for application: 12th June 2013 Belongers only need apply.

Apply with Curriculum Vitae to: Griffiths & Partners P.O. Box 143 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Email: recruitment@griffithsandpartneres.com Fax: 649-941-8251

ment agreement,” Ewing said.

In the meantime, Premier Ewing indicated that the decision made by the planning department would be final, since government does not have the constitutional jurisdiction to override its decisions.

“Planning Department is a body that has a statutory duty under the Planning Ordinance, and there is nothing that we, as the elected government really (can do to reverse any decision made by it). As I said before, even if the elected government supports (closing) the beach access, it’s without prejudice to whatever procedures that they have to go through with Planning and/or Crown Land,” he said.

Pressed as to how he feels about the Bight residents opposing the resort’s beach access bid, Premier Ewing noted: “The residents and each individual citizen in this country have an opinion and a right to stand up for their individual rights.

And we, as a government, should listen to them and take on board their comments. But at that same time, we, as a government, has a responsibility to make decisions as we see as in the best interest of the country overall, having all information at hand, and taking all things into consideration, including the concerns of the citizens of the Bight.”

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 19

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Students give feedback on their GSAT sitting tudents across the Turks and Caicos Islands completed the setting the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) exams this past week. The exams which lasted three began Tues-

papers, and I am conďŹ dent that I will get a good grade.

Rovein Gardiner – Ianthe Pratt: I believe that I have done pretty well and I am very conďŹ dent about it.

tute: I believe I have done well. Some of the problems on the papers were a bit tricky, but I managed to ďŹ gure them out and complete in time. And I believe my score is 80 and plus.

that have done well at the exams because for me, some of the papers were easy. If I should grade myself, I would give myself 90 percent.

Lucas Deboer – Precious Treasures: I believe I have done very well.

I have achieved greatness and I hope it shows in my results. The tests were not easy but at the same time not hard. It was okay if you studied, and I studied obviously, and I hope I will

Alex Chattagoon

Chinaza Kennethchukwu

Chyenne Astwood

Dennis Been

day and ended Thursday. The SUN went at the Providenciales exam centre which was at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex and to get the feedback of some of the students who sat the exams and brings you their thoughts.

Dennis Been – Ianthe Pratt Primary: I think I did well on all of the

The papers were not challenging at all. All the stuff that I studied I saw on the paper. In terms of grade, my aim is 85 and up.

Rovein Gardiner – Mills Institute: I believe that I have done very well in my exams. I believe that I scored 70 and above.

Alex Chattergoon – Mills Insti-

Chyenne Astwood – Enid Capron Primary: I believe that I have done well in my exams. The papers were a little hard but manageable. Based on what have done on the papers, I would give myself an 89 grade.

Jessa Charles – Holy Family Academy: Well, for me personally, I think

do well.

Chinaza kennethchukwu – Precious Treasures: The GSAT exam was really not that hard, it wasn’t easy either. I had some struggles and problems I had to solve, but I believe that I have come through very well. If I should grade myself I think I would give myself over 86 percent.

S

STAFF VACANCY – MECHANICAL LABOURER, GENERATION Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified individuals for the position of MECHANICAL Labourer, Generation, FortisTCI, Providenciales.

OBJECTIVES & PURPOSE OF THE JOB ‡ 3URYLGH JHQHUDO ODERXU LQ VXSSRUW RI WKH ZRUN RI JHQHUDO VLWH VHUYLFH KRXVHNHHSLQJ DQG RUGHUOLQHVV XQGHU WKH JHQHUDO GLUHFWLRQ RI WKH 6XSHULQWHQGHQW 3ODQW &RQWURO MAIN DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: ‡ 5HVSRQVLEOH IRU WKH GDLO\ FOHDQLQJ RI DOO *HQHUDWLRQ RIILFH DQG EDWKURRP IDFLOLWLHV LQFOXGLQJ IORRUV ZDOOV IXUQLVKLQJ VKHOYHV DQG WRLOHW IL[WXUHV ‡ 5HVSRQVLEOH IRU PDLQWDLQLQJ WKH IORRU DQG WUHQFKHV DURXQG DOO HQJLQHV FOHDQHG DQG IUHH RI GLUW RLO DQG JUHDVH (QJLQH KDOOV DQG WUHQFKHV PXVW EH FOHDQHG ILUVW RII LQ WKH PRUQLQJ DQG RQ D FRQWLQXDO EDVLV GXULQJ WKH FRXUVH RI WKH ZRUNLQJ GD\ ‡ 5HVSRQVLEOH IRU WDSSLQJ XS MDFNHW ZDWHU V\VWHPV ZLWK FKHPLFDO DGGLWLYHV DV GLUHFWHG E\ WKH 6XSHULQWHQGHQW 3ODQW &RQWURO ,W LV DOVR WKH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RI WKH JHQHUDWLRQ ODERXUHU WR SODFH EXFNHWV DQG RLO DEVRUEHQW SDGV DURXQG DQ\ OXEH RLO DQG RU IXHO OHDNV VR WKDW OHDNV are contained until repairs can be affected by the mechanics. ‡ 5HVSRQVLEOH IRU NHHSLQJ WKH VXEVWDWLRQ FRPSRXQG IUHH RI ZHHGV DQG YHJHWDWLRQ ZRUNLQJ under the supervision of an electrical technician. ‡ 7KH JHQHUDWLRQ ODERXUHU LV DVVLJQHG WR ZRUN ZLWK PHFKDQLFV RQ FRPSOHWLRQ RI KLV GDLO\ SODQW FOHDQLQJ URXWLQH DQG SURYLGHV DVVLVWDQFH LQ FOHDQLQJ RI HQJLQH SDUWV DQG RWKHU QRQ VNLOOHG ZRUN ‡ 7KH JHQHUDWLRQ ODERXUHU DOVR SURYLGHV DVVLVWDQFH WR WKH HOHFWULFDO PDLQWHQDQFH VHFWLRQ LQ SK\VLFDO DQG DSSOLFDWLRQ RI FKHPLFDO VSUD\V WR NHHS WKH HOHFWULFDO JHQHUDWRU FRPSRQHQW FOHDQHG RI GLUW DQG JUHDVH ‡ (QVXUH FRPSOLDQFH WR WKH FRPSDQ\œV VDIHW\ SROLF\ DQG SURFHGXUHV DQG FRQVLVWHQW DQG SURSHU XVH RI LVVXHG SHUVRQDO SURWHFWLYH HTXLSPHQW 33(V ZKHQ RQ WKH SODQW VLWH DQG GXULQJ WKH H[HFXWLRQ RI ZRUN GXWLHV ‡ (QVXUH IDPLOLDULW\ DQG IXOO\ FRPSOLDQFH ZLWK WKH FRPSDQ\œV HQYLURQPHQWDO FRPPLWPHQW DQG SROLF\ DW DOO WLPHV GXULQJ WKH H[HFXWLRQ RI GDLO\ ZRUN DFWLYLWLHV ZLWK SDUWLFXODU emphasis to fuel and lube oil spill prevention. ‡ 5HSRUW DQ\ HTXLSPHQW DEQRUPDOLWLHV RU GHIHFWV REVHUYHG GXULQJ WKH FRXUVH RI HQJLQH VHUYLFH DQG SODQW KRXVHNHHSLQJ DFWLYLWLHV WR WKH 6XSHULQWHQGHQW RU WR WKH GHVLJQDWHG maintenance team leader. ‡ 2SHUDWH FRPSDQ\ YHKLFOHV DV UHTXLUHG LQ D PDQQHU FRQVLVWHQW ZLWK FRPSDQ\ SROLF\ DQG 7&, WUDIILF UHJXODWLRQV ‡ %H SURSHUO\ DQG QHDWO\ DWWLUHG LQ WKH XQLIRUP SURYLGHG DQG HQVXUH FRQVLVWHQW DQG

DSSURSULDWH XVH RI DOO SHUVRQDO SURWHFWLYH HTXLSPHQW 33(V SURYLGHG ZKHQ RQ SODQW FRPSRXQG RU LQ WKH H[HFXWLRQ RI DVVLJQHG GXWLHV ‡ 5HVSRQG SURPSWO\ ZKHQ FDOOHG E\ WKH 6XSHULQWHQGHQW 3ODQW &RQWURO LQ UHVSRQVH WR HPHUJHQFLHV WKDW PD\ DULVH RXWVLGH RI UHJXODU ZRUNLQJ KRXUV ‡ )ROORZ 6XSHULQWHQGHQW 3ODQW &RQWURO GLUHFWLYH DQG EH GLOLJHQW LQ FRUUHFWO\ H[HFXWH GDLO\ plant site and equipment clean up duties. ‡ 3HUIRUP RWKHU GXWLHV DV PD\ EH DVVLJQHG DQG RU UHTXLUHG E\ 3ODQW 2SHUDWLRQV FRQWLQJHQcies from time to time.

ACADEMIC/WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: ‡ 6XFFHVVIXO FRPSOHWLRQ RI D \HDU KLJK VFKRRO SURJUDP ZRXOG EH DQ DVVHW ‡ %H IDPLOLDU ZLWK DQG TXDOLILHG WR RSHUDWH SODQW PDFKLQHU\ VXFK DV IRUN OLIWV $V WKH ODQJXDJH RI ZRUN LV (QJOLVK FRPSHWHQFH LQ YHUEDO DQG ZULWWHQ (QJOLVK LV UHTXLUHG CORE COMPETENCY SKILLS: ‡ 7KLV SRVLWLRQ UHTXLUHV KHDY\ OLIWLQJ DQG KDUG ZRUN WKHUHIRUH DQ DIILQLW\ IRU KDUG ZRUN DQG H[FHOOHQW SK\VLFDO VWUHQJWK LV PDQGDWRU\ ‡ 7KLV SRVLWLRQ UHTXLUHV WKDW FOHDQLQJ ZRUN EH GRQH LQ D KLJK YROWDJH HQYLURQPHQW WKHUHIRUH WKH FDQGLGDWH PXVW EH DEOH WR ZRUN VDIHO\ DQG IROORZ LQVWUXFWLRQV ZKHQ GRLQJ VR ‡ 7KLV SRVLWLRQ LV HVVHQWLDOO\ WKDW RI D FOHDQHU LQ D GLUW\ JUHDV\ DQG QRLV\ HQYLURQPHQW WKHUHIRUH DQ DIILQLW\ IRU KHDY\ URXWLQH ZRUN XQGHU D KLJK SUHVVXUH DQG QRLV\ LQGXVWULDO environment is a necessary aptitude. ‡ 7KH KROGHU RI WKLV SRVLWLRQ PXVW EH KLJKO\ PRWLYDWHG D VHOI VWDUWHU ZKR QHHGV OLWWOH supervision, and solution oriented. ‡ ([FHOOHQW 7HDP SOD\HU TXDOLWLHV DQG VHOI GLVFLSOLQH LV PDQGDWRU\ ‡ &RPSHWHQF\ LQ ZULWWHQ DQG RUDO FRPPXQLFDWLRQ VNLOOV LQ (QJOLVK ‡ 6HOI PRWLYDWHG VROXWLRQ RULHQWHG DQG SRVLWLYH LQ RXWORRN COMPENSATION Deadline for submission of applications is June 7, 2013.

Kindly submit applications stating qualifications and work experience to: Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc fax: 649-941-4304

Page 20

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Graduations Prom & Birthdays!

Make Carambola Grill and Lounge Your First Choice for Catering this year!

We Cater For: Showers Group Lunches/ Meetings Church Functions School Functions Private Parties Weddings Birthday Parties Private Villas

EXPECT: We offer professional catering for any occasion!

‡ 3HUVRQDOLVHG PHQXV ‡ )UHVKO\ VRXUFHG LQJUHGLHQWV IRU DOO RXU GLVKHV

7HO

‡ )XOO\ VWRFNHG EDU DOFRKROLF DQG QRQ DOFRKROLF EHYHUDJHV FKDPSDJQH ZLQH IUR]HQ GULQNV

7&, $LUSRUW +RWHO 3OD]D DQG DQ DVVRUWPHQW RI OLTXRUV

$LUSRUW 5RDG 3URYLGHQFLDOHV ‡ &KLOGUHQ V PHQX RSWLRQV ZZZ FDUDPERODWFL FRP HPDLO RUGHU#FDUDPERODWFL FRP /LNH XV RQ )DFHERRN KWWS IDFHERRN FRP FDUDPERODWFL

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Page 21

Page 22

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Page 23

Page 24

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Page 25

Page 26

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

RIHANNA

“Stay” (FEAT. MIKKY EKKO)

All along it was a fever A cold sweat hot-headed believer I threw my hands in the air, said, “Show me something,” He said, “If you dare come a little closer.”

Round and around and around and around we go Oh now tell me now tell me now tell me now you know Not really sure how to feel about it.

Something in the way you move Makes me feel like I can’t live without you.

It takes me all the way.

I want you to stay It’s not much of a life you’re living It’s not just something you take – it’s given Round and around and around and around we go Oh now tell me now tell me now tell me now you know

Not really sure how to feel about it.

Something in the way you move Makes me feel like I can’t live without you.

It takes me all the way.

I want you to stay.

Ooh the reason I hold on Ooh cause I need this hole gone Funny you’re the broken one but I’m the only one who needed saving Cause when you never see the light it’s hard to know which one of us is caving Not really sure how to feel about it.

Something in the way you move Makes me feel like I can’t live without you.

It takes me all the way.

I want you to stay, stay.

I want you to stay, oh.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 27

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

Emails reflect fears about Michael Jackson’s health J

urors hearing a lawsuit against concert giant AEG Live LLC have been shown emails in which top company executives expressed fears about Michael Jackson’s health and the amount of time they had to get the singer prepared for his ill-fated series of comeback tours.

The messages were displayed Wednesday during testimony from AEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware, who at one point sent his boss’ assistant a message stating the show was giving him nightmares and causing him to break out in cold sweats at night.

Gongaware testified that he was joking, but it was just one of several messages expressing concerns about Jackson’s health. Another message from Randy Phillips, the top-ranking executive at AEG Live, wrote after one of Jackson’s missed rehearsals that, “we are running out of time.”

“That is my biggest fear,” Phillips wrote to Gongaware and the CEO of AEG Live’s parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group, on June 20, 2009, five days before Jackson’s death.

Gongaware said he didn’t agree with Phillips’ assessment. “He may have said that, but I didn’t agree with that,” Gongaware testified.

His testimony came under questioning by an attorney for Jackson’s mother, who is suing AEG Live and claims it failed to properly investigate the doctor convicted of causing her son’s death. Gongaware and Phillips are also named as defendants in the case.

AEG denies that it hired former cardiologist Conrad Murray, or could have foreseen the sing-

L

OS ANGELES — Nicki Minaj is following Mariah Carey out the door on “American Idol.”

The hip-hop diva posted Thursday on Twitter that it was “time to focus on the music,” just a few hours

Nicki Minaj MICHAEL JACKSON er’s death. The company’s defense attorneys have not yet questioned Gongaware on the stand.

The company’s defense attorney, Marvin S. Putnam, said outside court that the emails reflect the company was concerned about Jackson’s health, and expressed those concerns to Jackson’s lawyer and manager before his death.

Jurors have seen numerous emails throughout the trial, including several sent by people working on Jackson’s “This Is It” comeback shows in which they expressed concerns about Jackson’s health. Production manager John “Bugzee” Hougdahl, wrote Phillips in the last week of the singer’s life that Jackson was on a downward slide.

“I have watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last 8 weeks” Hougdahl wrote.

Katherine Jackson’s attorney questioned Gongaware about whether the company put too much emphasis on the showbiz maxim, “The show must go on.”

Gongaware denied that

was the case.

He told the jury that he was concerned about Jackson’s health, but that he thought “This Is It” tour director Kenny Ortega may have been overstating concerns about the singer’s wellbeing.

Phillips also expressed concerns about Ortega, writing to Gongaware’s private email address, “This guy is really starting to concern me.”

Gongaware testified Wednesday that he wasn’t sure who Phillips was referring to, and his boss may have been expressing concerns about Jackson or Murray.

Six weeks before Jackson’s death, Gongaware sent an email to an assistant for the CEO of AEG in which he urged her to, “Pray for me. “This is a nightmare. Not coincidentally, I have them now every night.

Cold sweats, too. Life used to be so much fun...”

Gongaware said he was joking in the message. “I don’t have cold sweats,” he said. “I don’t have nightmares. I sleep great.”

OJ compared me to Nicole everyday, ex-girlfriend says C

NICKI MINAJ FOLLOWS MARIAH CAREY, RANDY JACKSON OFF ‘AMERICAN IDOL’

hristie Prody, the former girlfriend of O.J. Simpson, claims that the disgraced football player was so obsessed with his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, that he mentioned her every single day during their longtime relationship.

“It was very hard to deal with that everyday, comparing me to Nicole. ‘Nicole did this, Nicole did that. You should do this, that’s what she did,’” Prody said of her 12-year relationship with Juice in a sit-down with Inside Edition that is going to be broadcast tonight.

The two began dating in 1996 after Simp-

son was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles.

The 38-year-old brunette was only 21 when she met the then 46-year-old Simpson. She told the TV program that Simpson urged her to dye her hair blonde like Brown’s.

“I was young, and so he could try to shape me, mold me, into what he wanted,” she said.

Prody also claimed that Simpson threatened her using Brown’s name. “He would say things to me like, ‘You better watch out so something bad doesn’t happen to you like Nicole.’”

after Carey announced she wasn’t coming back to the Fox talent competition so that she could focus on her upcoming tour.

Minaj and Carey became new judges on “Idol” this season, along with country singer Keith Urban.

Minaj and Carey frequently bickered on the show, creating a feud that was uncomfortable for both viewers and contestants.

Fox and “Idol” producer FremantleMedia said in a statement Thursday that Minaj was “a superstar who brought a level of honesty and passion” to the show and that Carey “will remain an inspiration to ‘Idol’ hopefuls for many seasons to come.”

Randy Jackson, the show’s lone remaining original judge, announced earlier this month that he was leaving the show ahead of its 12th season finale, which crowned booming R&B vocalist Candice Glover as the latest “Idol.”

Other judges who’ve departed the “Idol” panel include Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Simon Cowell.

BROADCASTING VETERAN LARRY KING TO LAUNCH A NEW POLITICAL TALK TV SHOW STARTING NEXT MONTH

N

EW YORK — Larry King is returning to TV with a political talk show beginning next month.

The new program, “Politics With Larry King,” will air on the RT America network, a global, English-language channel based in Russia, the network announced Wednesday. No premiere date or broadcast schedule was specified.

RT said it will also telecast “Larry King Now,” which debuted online on Hulu and Ora.TV last summer.

Both programs will originate from Washington and Los Angeles. They will continue to stream on the Hulu and Ora.TV websites and will be available on rt.com. RT America will be the exclusive U.S. broadcaster for both programs.

“I have always been passionate about government and issues that impact the public,” said King, adding, “I appreciate the importance of providing a platform with real alternative visions for our country’s future.”

The suspenders-sporting King, who turns 80 this year, hosted a weeknight talk show on CNN for 25 years before it ended in December 2010.

RT America is carried in the U.S. by cable providers including Time Warner Inc., Cox Cable, Comcast Corp. and Verizon FiOS.

Page 28

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

WANTED Experienced Beauticians & Nail Techs

Booth rentals

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Page 29

Page 30

FUN&GAMES

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Page 31

FUN&GAMES

Page 32

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

News

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

CARIBBEAN

Alden McLaughlin is Cayman Islands new premier

P

remier elect Alden McLaughlin confirmed that he had formed a government with the final cards falling into place on the eve of Wednesday’s official swearing-in ceremony.

In a day filled with significant developments Independent member for West Bay Tara Rivers confirmed she had accepted a cabinet post in Mr. McLaughlin’s government.

Ms Rivers, who will remain an independent legislator, will be minister of Labour and Gender Affairs, with the rest of the cabinet positions filled by PPM members.

In addition to the portfolios announced on Saturday, Osbourne Bodden will take the education ministry with former leader Kurt Tibbetts taking health (see full list of cabinet posts below).

Earlier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, the former Premier and previously a key figure in the United Democratic Party, was confirmed as having crossed the floor to join the Progressives.

The party now commands a 10-8 majority in the Legislative Assembly banishing any doubts about its ability to govern effectively and firming up Mr. McLaughlin’s position as Premier without the need for a recorded vote in the Legislative Assembly.

Winston Connolly, another inde-

pendent member endorsed by the Coalition for Cayman, was also confirmed as having joined the government. He will assist as a counselor in Ms Rivers’ ministry.

Roy McTaggart has been appointed as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. He was still pondering whether to sit on the opposition benches or to join the government last night, according to Mr. McLaughlin.

Mr. McLaughlin said the independent members had bargained hard for positions. But he insisted he had never considered offering more than one cabinet position outside of his PPM team.

“Every one of our team is capable of being a cabinet minister. They (the independents) fought very hard for the right to sit at the table where they could be considered for a cabinet post.

“We wanted to be as inclusive as possible but we were not going to give away what we had earned through our hard fought victory.”

The political future of the two other independents Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean remained up in the air as it emerged that Mr. Miller had turned down the chance to be deputy speaker.

Moses Kirkconnell, who will be deputy premier, held talks with both Mr’ Miller and Mr. McLean earlier on Tuesday.

He said discussions were still ongoing with Mr McLean about a possible role in the government but nothing had been agreed.

Mr. McLaughlin said his government was not technically a ‘coalition government’ with Ms O’Connor-Connolly’s decision to join the PPM meaning the party now held an overall majority of elected members.

But he said he had wanted to form an ‘inclusive government’, hence the offer to Ms Rivers and the role for Winston Connolly.

He said he had spoken at length with Mr. Connolly, a critic of his during the campaign, and they had agreed they could work together in spite of some differences of opinion.

He added: “We are now in a position to move ahead with the swearing in ceremony tomorrow (Wednesday) and proceed with the business of government.

“This concludes what has been a very tense and intense period of negotiations and I am delighted that we have managed to confirm our government, all be it right on the eve of the swearing-in.”

Dominica will soon join Caribbean Court of Justice - Skerritt R

OSEAU, Dominica – Dominica will send a letter to the British government next week seeking permission to recognise the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final court, replacing the London-based privy Council, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said.

“Once we satisfy the Constitutional requirements we will go forward. We had delayed it to allow for consultations as people had requested though we have had serious consultations over a period of time, the CCJ came into existence since 2001 and we are in 2013, but we delayed it for consultation,” Prime Minister Skerrit said on the state-owned DBS radio.

“We wrote to the various organisations seeking to receive their views on the matter, so I think sufficient time has elapsed and it is now time for us to move full speed with the recognition of the CCJ as our final court,” he said.

Skerrit said that the letter to London has already been drafted.

“It’s been ready for several weeks now. The government’s resolve is to move in recognising the Caribbean Court of Justice as our final court,” he said.

Prime Minister Skerrit reminded radio listeners that “Britain has said to us on several occasions we have

overstayed our welcome, it is not a situation where we are in any tug of war with the United Kingdom.

“The United Kingdom understands it, they had their own challenges themselves, they have said so to us it is time for us to move...now that we have created our own court it is incumbent on all the countries in CARICOM to move forward.

“So we are moving forward and certainly this year we should see Dominica recognising the CCJ,” he added.

Last weekend, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the St. Lucia does not require a referendum before becoming a full member of the CCJ that was established in 2001.

A number of eminent jurists and the St. Lucia government had sought the advice of the Court to determine whether there was an error in the Constitution that would allow for certain amendments to proceed with before joining the CCJ. “To put it simply the question to be settled was whether governments could proceed with becoming a part of the CCJ simply by obtaining a two thirds House support or that matter should be brought to a referendum where the people could decide for themselves,” Senior Council Anthony Astaphan told reporters.

DR JEFFREY PYNE NOT AUTHORISED TO SIGN ON PENSION DISTRIBUTION

K

INGSTON, Jamaica - Evidence was given Wednesday that Dr Jeffery Pyne, one of three former Appliance Limited (ATL) executives being tried for an alleged case of fraud, wasn’t authorised to sign on behalf of Gorstew Ltd regarding the 2008 pension distribution.

The evidence was given by ATL Global Chief Financial Officer David Davies under grilling from Queen’s Counsel KD Knight, who appears for Pyne in the closely watched trial in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.

The point is critical as the prosecution is contending that Pyne, then the managing director of Gorstew, had signed a letter purporting to give consent for the distribution of the now contested $1.7 billion in surplus from the pension fund.

Being tried along with Pyne are Patrick Lynch, former chairman of the ATL Pension Fund, and Catherine Barber, former administrator of the fund.

They are accused of conspiring to have monies distributed from the surplus in the pension fund through fraudulent means.

The prosecution is contending that the funds were distributed without the consent of Gorstew, the parent company led by chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.

Yesterday, Davies testified that while Pyne was authorised to sign important documents on behalf of Gorstew Limited, he answered “not in this matter” when asked by Knight if he was telling the court that Pyne, as managing director, didn’t have the authority to sign on behalf of Gorstew Ltd. On another point, Davies said under earlier cross-examination from Knight that the Trust Deed that governs the ATL Group Pension Fund “seems to be” in conflict with the Pension (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) Act. Knight had read a section of the Act to Davies and asked if the powers of the Trustees weren’t either being restricted or constrained when they were being asked to seek consent from Gorstew over how to allocate surpluses.

The trial continues on June 4.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 33

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Vice President Biden signs trade agreement with Caribbean political leaders U

.S. Vice President Joe Biden and political leaders from across the Caribbean met in the capital of resource-rich Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday to sign a trade agreement and discuss a range of security, investment and energy issues.

After a more than three-hour session, Biden signed an agreement providing a framework for trade and investment between the U.S. and the Caribbean Community, a group of 15 nations and territories that include Trinidad, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

At a news conference, Biden said he was aware that island nations face unique challenges and added that the U.S. administration’s goal is “not simply growth, but it’s growth that reaches everybody.”

The leaders also discussed efforts to combat drug trafficking and other transnational crimes under a U.S. program launched in 2009 dubbed the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. More than $200 million in funding has been committed to it so far.

Biden said Washington and the Caribbean region should be prepared to counter upticks in drug trafficking if smuggling routes swing back heavily to the islands. The Caribbean in the 1980s was the main smuggling route to the U.S. mainland, but the path shifted west to Mexico and Central America.

“We know that as other nations in the hemi-

sphere make strides against drug trafficking, the threat as I said may increasingly shift back toward the Caribbean,” he said.

Biden also disclosed that Washington and Trinidad recently signed a memorandum on launching a renewable energy research center in the country for the whole Caribbean region.

“There’s probably no group of nations better situated to take advantage of renewable energy possibilities than here in the Caribbean,” he said.

Caribbean Community leaders raised the matter of criminals being sent by the U.S. back to their native lands in the region. The matter has been a major issue on the Caribbean’s diplomatic agenda for years.

The U.S. has deported thousands of convicted criminals to the Caribbean annually since 1996, when Congress mandated that every non-citizen sentenced to a year or more in prison be kicked out the U.S. upon release. As it stands now, home countries are told only why an offender is deported due to rules preventing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency from sharing more details without permission first from federal or state entities.

Haitian President Michel Martelly, chairman of the Caribbean Community, said regional leaders “repeated our plea for information sharing with respect to criminal deportees.”

Officials also spoke to Biden about their concerns regarding generous U.S. subsidies to the rum industry in its Caribbean territories that regional distillers worry will drive some island labels out of business or force them to sell out to global beverage corporations.

Trinidad Prime Minister Kalmla Persad-Bissessar said regional governments have been invited to view U.S. Navy vessels that are being decommissioned to see if the craft can be used to patrol the borders of the Caribbean Sea. Trinidad’s government also disclosed that it has ratified a “status of forces agreement” with Washington spelling out legal protections and obligations of U.S. forces during temporary stays. It says the agreement can’t be the basis for any U.S. base in Trinidad and there are no provisions for other facilities used by American troops on the islands.

Trinidad and Tobago, a two-island nation off Venezuela’s coast, was the second stop on Biden’s three-nation trip in the region. It is the most industrialized country in the Caribbean and one of its most prosperous, thanks to a wealth of natural gas that make it a major fuel supplier for the U.S. and other nations.

Biden arrived Monday night from Colombia, where he met with President Juan Manuel Santos. His next stop will be Brazil, where he will conclude his six-day trip.

CARICOM leaders meet with China’s president P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, – China’s President Xi Jingping arrived here on Friday for a three-day visit during which time he met with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders.

The visit follows that of the United States Vice President Joe Biden earlier this week and according to a Chinese Embassy statement the visit is to “further increase political trust and consolidate friendship and cooperation with the entire region”.

Biden described his discussions with CARICOM leaders as “frank and cordial” and pledged Washington’s assistance on a wide range of issues affecting the socio-economic development of the of the 15-member regional grouping.

Beijing said that President Xi’s vis-

it, the first to the Caribbean “is also (a) very important event for the host country and its other English-speaking CARICOM member-states, all of which are dwarfed in size, population and economy by their comparatively colossal Latin American neighbours”.

Apart from Trinidad and Tobago, President Xi will be visiting Costa Rica and Mexico and will meet with President Barack Obama in Washington during his two-day visit to the United States, June 7-8.

The Chinese president will meet with at least eight CARICOM leaders whose countries continue to have diplomatic relations with Beijing, instead of Taiwan, that China regards as a renegade province and has been urging countries to accept the “One

China” policy in their foreign relations.

China said that it hopes through the bilateral meetings it is hoping to promote cooperation in various areas and inject new vitality to the friendship between the countries.

“China always holds that all countries, no matter big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community,” it said, adding that Beijing would “like to expand our exchange and cooperation in politic, economic, culture, etc, so as to advance bilateral relations in a sound and healthy way”.

Beijing said that its “friendly relations with the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region have been growing significantly stronger in the

Barbados welcomes new rum agreement to produce “10 Cane” B

RIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados government has welcomed the agreement signed by Foursquare Rum Distillery to distill, blend and bottle a brand of rum known as “10 Cane’ which officials say is expected to rake in BDS$100 million (One Barbados dollar = US$0.50 cents) in foreign exchange.

“Rum is a distinct Barbadian product and I believe that we are the home of rum, and that is something that I don’t think we have fully capitalised on as yet.

“There is still much more to be gained…I commend the Chairman and management of Foursquare Distilleries for their work in getting us to this point

today where we can really boast and celebrate this new contract being worked out with Hennessy,” said Industry Minister, Donville Inniss.

Foursquare Rum Distillery chairman, Sir David Seale, said the agreement had been signed with Moet and Hennessy of France to distill, blend and bottle the new brand of rum over the next five years.

Sir David revealed that this particular brand of rum was first distilled, blended and bottled in Trinidad and Tobago.

“This is very exciting because this brand having been established worldwide, it has a track record so we are not

starting from zero. We are starting from a point that it is a guarantee amount that we can produce... Our sums will say that it is quite possible that we will earn in excess of $100 million in foreign exchange over the next five years.

“When we decided to build a distillery, we often said that we wanted to get into the export market in a meaningful way but we had no marketing funds to spend, so we felt that we would put in and put down a facility that when tourists and visitors came they can remember it. That is what is happening.

“The word of mouth advertising has led to a massive increase in the exporting of our own brands both to Europe

past ten years” and President Xi’s visit comes at “an important time for both China and the LAC region, and even more so for the English-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region”.

“China-LAC ties are also flourishing multilaterally in the new global dispensation. LAC states can today access new forms of bilateral and multilateral China aid through the recently established Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), as well as through wider regional economic and financial entities such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). China is a contributing and non-borrowing member of both institutions.”

and the USA…I can only imagine that Moet and Hennessy came here because they are satisfied that they are going to get a quality product.

“Once rum gets the real recognition it should get from the government of Barbados it has the potential of earning about BDS $500 million a year,” Sir David added.

Inniss said Barbados is not a low-cost location for manufacturing and as a result “we have to tap into the niche areas and rum is a product that is synonymous with Barbados and therefore, we have to exploit fully the rum industry.

“This means of course, as has been done here at Foursquare, making use of an ultra-modern plant distillery and creating niche products … but of course that can help earn revenue for the company and foreign exchange for Barbados.”

Page 34

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

CARIBBEAN NEWS

New fiscal measures introduced to boost Bahamas economy N

ASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas government has announced a series of fiscal measures it hopes will turn around an economy that recorded slight growth last year but below the nearly three per cent figure that had been projected.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Perry Christie, presenting the 2013/14 “Budget Communication” to Parliament late Wednesday, said the prospects for the Bahamian economy in both 2013 and 2014 “remain unchanged from the projections presented in both last year’s Budget Communication and the Mid-Year Budget Statement.

“The IMF (International Monetary Fund) continues to forecast that our economy will expand by 2.7 per cent in real terms this year, followed by 2.5 per cent next year,” he said, noting that last year, the economy grew by economy grew by 1.8 per cent in real terms in line with the 1.7 per cent growth registered in 2011, but below the 2.5 per cent rate projected in the 2012/13 budget.

Christie said this economic situation has had significant negative implications for the government’s Recurrent Revenue collections and that in this fiscal year, Recurrent Expenditure is being held to a level of US$1, 7 billion million, just below the level set out in the Mid-Year budget statement, while Capital Expenditure next year will be contained to a level of US$295 million, not significantly changed from the US$300 million projected in February.

“I would mention, in this context, that we expect investment in public infrastructure to be bolstered in the period ahead by the public-private partnerships. I would also signal that the government will engage in roadwork projects across the Family Islands in the coming year including, in particular, Abaco, Andros, Acklins as well as others.

He said Recurrent Revenues in 2013/14 will be enhanced by the ongoing, projected modest growth of nominal gross domestic product (GDP”.

“They will also be bolstered by the various revenue adjustment and enhancement measures

Perry Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas that I have announced in this Communication.

On the basis of the measures that I have outlined, Recurrent Revenues in 2013/14 are now projected at $1,5 03 million, still leaving a gap from the forecast of $1,580 million that I set out in February.”

He told legislators that the “bright spots in economic performance have continued to be tourism and construction.

“Tourism continues to record steady gains on the basis of growth in key source markets and recovery in the group business segment, along with buoyant sea arrivals,” he said, noting the construction sector was buoyed last year by both foreign investment activity and public sector investment projects But despite the gloomy picture, he is predicting that both the deficit on Recurrent Account and the GFS Deficit will be eradicated by 2015/16 and that the Primary Deficit will be eliminated by 2014/15 which he said “is critical to reversing the upward trend in the debt to GDP ratio”.

“As it stands, the GFS Deficit next year will reach US$443 million or 5.1 per cent of GDP, as compared to the estimated outcome of 6.1 per cent of GDP this year.

“The central components of the medium-term plan, in respect of Recurrent and Capital Expenditure and Recurrent Revenue, will continue to engage beyond 2013/14,” he said, adding “ we will

FRENCH AMBASSADOR DENIES TWO CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES ARE ON BLACKLIST

T

he French Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Jacques Sturm has denied the existence of a “blacklist” that includes two Caribbean community (CARICOM) countries that Paris said were not cooperating in investigating foreign aid fraud.

“I deny that it is a blacklist,” Sturm said, adding that Paris has an official blacklist “which does not concern this issue”.

Both Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica have said they would raise the issue with Paris that also said it would ban the use of their banks to help distribute development funds.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told reporters that the information had “taken us by total shock and sur-

prise” while Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Larry Howai questioned the legitimacy of the categorization indicating that there are no grounds for including Trinidad and Tobago on such a list.

But the French diplomat is quoted Thursday as saying that “what you have heard about is a list that comes from the France Development Bank (AFD).

“It is working list for banking procedures. It is not an official list of the French government,” he told the Trinidad Express newspaper.

AFD is the financial institution and the major implementing agency for France’s official development assistance to developing countries and overseas territories. It is owned by a part-

nership comprising banks, development agencies, NGOs, Local and Regional Authority, UN and other key institutions. AFD operates in more than 70 countries.

Sturm told the newspaper that the bank had “certain independence. And when it takes measures on a working basis, it does not imply that the Government agrees. It is a development bank working with development countries on development projects,” he said.

He said the AFD would refrain from using the banks of the countries on the “working list” in terms of its development funding.

The diplomat said that Port of Spain was not the beneficiary of loans or grants from the AFD.

continue to exert discipline on Recurrent and Capital Expenditure such that the levels of both continue to decline as a proportion of GDP”.

Prime Minister Christie announced a raft of revenue measures including the Excise Tax on cigarettes and cigarillos that will move from an ad valorem rate based on value to a specific rate per stick, to counter fraudulent Customs declarations and disincentivize sub-standard imports that could have more damaging health consequences.

He said a number of tariff rates are being reduced to provide additional relief to certain products used for medical reasons, such as defibrillators and regarding the environment, “we are aligning the tariff rate on inverters for solar panels to zero, in line with a new duty-free treatment for panels and the duty on LED appliances is being eliminated to bring it in line with the treatment of LED light bulbs.

But he said government corporations such as Nassau Airport Development and the Bridge Authority will now be subject to Business Licence tax, as a means of enforcing greater discipline on resource usage within these entities; He said the Business Licence fee regime, which is based on sales or turnover, is also being simplified, with the elimination of most special rate categories, an adjustment in the maximum rates paid by larger firms, and a consolidated treatment of parent companies and subsidiaries.

In the financial services sector , the government is introducing a new a Business Licence fee for domestic banks at the rate of three per cent of gross revenue and a two-year phased adjustment is proposed for the fees on offshore banks and trust companies.

“With these adjustments we are also retaining the existing assets based fee paid by domestic banks.

These inflows will collectively increase the means for the government to directly fund costs incurred by the Group of Financial Services Regulators,” he added.

Christie said that after having been at current levels for many years, stamp duties on imported spirits are being increased.

“We are also eliminating the $10 stamp tax levied on Customs entries and introducing a one per cent Customs processing fee on all entries, subject to a minimum fee of $10 and a maximum fee of $500.

“We are introducing a Customs processing fee schedule for manifests and other declarations for inbound and outbound aircraft and vessels.

“The reality is that, in all of these instances, we are recovering the administrative costs involved for Customs in providing these services.

In the case of Grand Bahama, the Government will, in 2015, also have to assume the cost for security and border control services now handled by the United States.

“We also propose to amend the Stamp Act such that stamp tax shall be applied when Bahamian dollar dividends or profits are converted for repatriation out of The Bahamas,” he told legislators.

Prime Minister Christie said that as a result of the new fiscal policies his administration would be implementing during the financial year, the government Debt will return to a level in the area of 50 per cent of GDP by 2016/17, “as opposed to a level approaching 70 per cent in the absence of our decisive action plan to redress the public finances”.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 35

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

News W

RLD

No charge against Chinese mother of baby in sewer

B

EIJING — The mother of a Chinese baby boy who was rescued from a sewer pipe beneath a restroom shortly after birth is unlikely to face criminal charges because authorities concluded he fell into the toilet accidentally, local officials and media reports said Thursday.

The baby was released from a hospital to his maternal grandparents late Wednesday, while his 22-yearold mother remains under medical care, the state-run Jinhua Evening News reported, in an account confirmed by a local police official who declined to give his name.

The baby’s stunning, two-hour rescue from a pipe underneath a squat toilet in Zhejiang province’s Pujiang county captivated the world, prompting both horror and an outpouring of charity on his behalf.

The mother initially raised the alarm about the baby when he got stuck Saturday in a pipe just below a squat toilet in a public restroom of a residential building, but she had cleaned the room of signs of a fresh birth and did not immediately come forward as the mother, officials have been quoted as saying.

She admitted she was the mother two days later when confronted by police who found baby toys and blood-stained tissues in her apartment, the reports said.

Police later concluded that the incident was an accident and that the woman did not initially come forward because she was frightened,

An abandoned newborn baby boy sleeps after being rescued from a sewage pipe at a hospital in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, May 28, 2013. Firefighters in eastern China have rescued the abandoned newborn baby boy lodged in the sewage pipe directly beneath a toilet commode, state television reported, in a case which has sparked anger on social media sites. Picture taken May 28, 2013 but that she later started telling the truth, the Jinhua Evening News and a Pujiang county propaganda official said. The police initially treated the case as a possible attempted homicide, but now are unlikely to file criminal charges, the newspaper and the official said.

A man tracked down by police who is believed to be the baby’s father has requested a paternity test and — if the baby is his — is willing to help support the child, said the Pujiang official, who declined to give his name, as is customary among Chinese officials. Officials have not

publicly released the names of anyone connected with the case, which has raised discussion over China’s lack of proper education about sex, birthing and contraception in many schools. Unwanted pregnancies have been on the rise because of an increasingly lax attitude toward premarital sex.

Duan Wanjin, a criminal lawyer based in Xi’an, said local police erred in not prosecuting the mother. He said she could be charged with attempted homicide for not immediately calling for help after the newborn became stuck.

“The local police may have considered the woman was still young and did not have any malice, and have come to the decision from the human perspective, but it sends a terrible signal to the public,” Duan said.

Sociologist Li Yinhe said the only mistake by the woman was not to immediately admit the baby was hers. “I don’t think that’s a big deal. After all, the child is safe, and it has a happy ending,” Li said. “The Chinese people still lean heavily on the human considerations. Let it be bygones if there’s no serious crime.”

The woman told police she got pregnant after a brief affair with the man, hid her pregnancy from family and neighbors, and secretly delivered the child Saturday in a rental building’s restroom. She said the infant accidentally slipped into the squat toilet and — after cleaning up the scene — raised the alarm.

Firefighters who arrived at the rental building found the infant trapped in an L-shaped section of sewage pipe just below the squat toilet in one of the building’s shared restrooms.

In video footage, officials were shown removing the pipe from a ceiling that apparently was just below the restroom and then, at the hospital, using pliers and saws to gently pull apart the pipe, which was about 10 centimeters (3 inches) in diameter.

The baby, who weighed 2.8 kilograms (6 pounds, 3 ounces), had a low heart rate and some minor abrasions on his head and limbs, but was mostly uninjured, according to local reports. The placenta was still attached.

Boston Marathon Bombings Suspect Now Walking, Claims Innocence M

AKHACHKALA, Russia — The remaining suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings has recovered enough to walk and assured his parents in a phone conversation that he and his slain brother were innocent, their mother told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the father of a Chechen immigrant killed in Florida while being interrogated by the FBI about his ties to the slain brother maintained that the U.S. agents killed his son “execution-style.”

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, walked without a wheelchair to speak to his mother last week for the first and only phone conversation they have had since he has been in custody, Zubeidat Tsarnaeva told the AP. ‘WHAT’S HAPPENING?’ In a rare glimpse at Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s state of mind, he told her he was getting better and that he had a very good doctor, but was struggling

to understand what happened, she said.

“He didn’t hold back his emotions either, as if he were screaming to the whole world: What is this? What’s happening?,” she said.

The April 15 bombings killed three people and wounded more than 260. Elder brother, 26-yearold Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed in a shootout with police, and Dzhokhar remains in a prison hospital after being badly wounded.

“I could just feel that he was being driven crazy by the unfairness that happened to us, that they killed our innocent Tamerlan,” their mother said, standing by the family’s insistent belief that their children are innocent.

NEW APARTMENT The Tsarnaevs met the AP in their new apartment in a 14-story building in a well-to-do area of Makhachkala, the capital of the restive Caucasus province of Dagestan. The apartment had no furniture apart from a TV, a few rugs, and wallpaper

materials lying on the floor.

Anzor Tsarnaev, the suspects’ father, said they had bought it for Tamerlan, his wife, and their young daughter in the expectation that they would move to Makhachkala later this year. He added that they planned to turn their old home in a dingy district on the outskirts of town into a dentist’s office, so that Dzhokhar, a dental hygiene student, could work out of it after completing his studies.

“All I can do is pray to God and hope that one day fairness will win out, our children will be cleared, and we will at least get Dzhokhar back, crippled, but at least alive,” Tsarnaev said.

EXECUTION ACCUSATION Separately, at a news conference in Moscow, the father of a 27-year-old mixed martial arts fighter who was killed during FBI questioning accused agents of being “bandits” who executed his son.

Page 36

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

WORLD NEWS ASSAD SAYS SYRIA RECEIVED RUSSIAN MISSILE SHIPMENT

P

resident Bashar al-Assad was quoted as saying, sending a signal of military strength days before an EU arms embargo on the country lapses.

Russia had promised delivery of the S-300 missile system to the Syrian government despite Western objections, saying the move would help stabilize the regional balance at a time of insurgency in Syria waged by Western-backed rebels.

Moscow is a staunch ally of Assad and it has appeared to grow more defiant since the European Union let its arms embargo on Syria expire as of June 1, opening up the possibility of the West arming the Syrian rebels.

“Syria has received the first shipment of Russian anti-aircraft S-300 rockets,” Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar newspaper quoted Assad as saying in an interview due to be broadcast later on Thursday.

More of the missiles would arrive soon, he was quoted as saying.

A source close to Russia’s Defense Ministry said there had been a “bank transfer” in connection with the S-300 transaction but that Russian banks were becoming increasingly nervous about dealing with Assad.

“There were some problems with payments because big Russian banks were scared of dealing with Assad, but there was a bank transfer,” the source said. “There are also not big banks and banks that are not based in Moscow. Beyond the down payment there was almost certainly a second payment, maybe a third.”

Last year, a source close to Russia’s weapons export monopoly Rosoboronexport said Syria had paid 20 percent of the contract price, but that the S-300 deal was frozen because of the country’s civil war.

The United States, France and Israel have all called on Russia to stop the missile delivery.

More than 80,000 people have been killed in Syria since peaceful protests against four decades of Assad family rule morphed into a civil war, pitting the president’s forces and his ally, Hezbollah, against Syrian rebels and a flow of Sunni Islamist militants who have come to help them from abroad.

Letter sent to Barack Obama similar to Bloomberg threats A

suspicious letter sent to US President Barack Obama is “similar” to two poisoned letters mailed to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week, US officials have said.

The US Secret Service said the letter to Mr Obama was intercepted and was being tested by FBI investigators.

The letters to Mr Bloomberg referred to his support for stricter gun control.

One was delivered to the Washington DC office of Mr Bloomberg’s gun control group Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

The other was addressed to the New York City mayor’s office but intercepted at a mail sorting facility.

In a separate case, a Mississippi man is charged with sending ricin-laced letters to Mr Obama, a judge and a Mississippi senator.

Another man has been arrested in Washington state in connec-

tion with letters sent to a judge. On Thursday, the FBI confirmed another letter containing ricin was addressed to Mr Obama from the same location on the same day those messages were sent.

‘Shoot in face’ Police have said preliminary testing of the letters sent to Mr Bloomberg indicated the presence of ricin, a poison extracted from castor beans.

One thousand times more toxic than cyanide, it can be fatal when inhaled, swallowed or injected, although it is possible to recover from exposure. Law enforcement officials have told US media that all three letters were marked as having been sorted in a facility in Shreveport, Louisiana.

A Louisiana State Police spokeswoman said the Shreveport postal centre handled mail from Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, so the letter could have come from any of those

states.

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told reporters on Thursday he believed that the letter addressed to Mr Obama was identical to those sent to Mr Bloomberg.

According to Mr Kelly, the letters contained a threat to “shoot in the face” anyone who came for the sender’s guns.

Civilian personnel who came into contact with the letters experienced no symptoms. Minor symptoms in emergency workers who handled the letter at the sorting facility for the mayor’s office “have since abated”, the New York Police Department said in a statement.

Mayor Bloomberg is one of the most prominent proponents of stricter gun control laws in the US. The firearms debate divides Americans and has leapt to the top of the political agenda since 26 people were killed in a school shooting in Connecticut in December.

Bangkok ranked worlds top travel spot B

angkok has edged out London as the world’s most popular air travel destination, becoming the first Asian city to earn the distinction, according to a ranking by the MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities.

The Thai capital headed the 2013 list based on total projected visits by foreigners, followed by London, Paris, Singapore and New York. Istanbul and Dubai showed the strongest expected growth in the number of visitors.

Dr Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, who compiled the index, said Bangkok benefited from its many air links to some of the fastest-growing cities across the world, especially in China and Japan. Visits to Bangkok were expected to grow by 9.8 percent this year.

The ranking was based on a city’s expected international air travel arrivals and the amount of money spent in the city by those arrivals.

In 2013, visits to Istanbul were

projected to increase by 9.5 percent, and visits to Dubai by 10.9 percent.

If all of the top 10 cities maintained their current growth rates, the index predicted that by 2016 Bangkok and London would be followed by Istanbul in the No. 3 spot, with Paris at No. 4 and Dubai at No.5, with Singapore and New York behind them.

International arrivals by car, train, and bus were not counted in the rankings.

Boeing says new 737 model will burn less fuel than expected S

EATTLE - Boeing Co said on Thursday it is confident its new 737 MAX passenger jet will burn 13 percent less fuel than current 737 models, a figure that exceeds earlier estimates.

At a press briefing, Boeing said its forecast is based on computer models and wind tunnel tests. The plane is due to enter production in 2015 and be delivered to customers in 2017. The 737 MAX is the latest

narrow-body plane by Boeing and competes with the A320neo made

by Airbus (EAD.PA).

Boeing said it expects to publish a “firm configuration” for the MAX in July. The planemaker is already reorganizing the massive 737 factory in Renton, Washington, to make room for production of initial 737 MAX test planes in 2015. The first flight and flight testing are scheduled to occur in 2016.

Airbus launched its aircraft about nine months before Boeing and has about 2,125 firm orders for its A320neo family of planes, compared with 1,376 firm orders for the 737 MAX. “I think it’s still early,” said Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager of the 737 MAX program. “We’re very confident ... that the market share will actually reach parity over time.”

ADVERTISE WITH THE TCI SUN • CALL 9468542 FOR SPECIAL RATES

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 37

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

WORLD NEWS

Syrias Assad warns Israel on air strikes S

yria’s President Bashar al-Assad has warned Israel that it will respond in kind to any future air strikes.

In an interview with a Lebanese TV channel, he said there was “popular pressure” to open a military front against Israel in the Golan Heights.

He also suggested Syria may have received the first shipment of an advanced Russian air defence system.

Israel has warned it would regard the Russian missiles as a serious threat to its security.

Mr Assad’s comments came as a Syrian doctor in the strategic town of Qusair, the scene of heavy fighting in recent days, described the horrors of living there.

There were more than 600 injured people

trapped in rebel-held districts with no access to medical assistance, he told the BBC. “ Start Quote”They are waiting three to four days for drinking water and that doesn’t include the water they need for everyday use for washing their clothes and for normal day-to-day activities,” he added.

There were women and children “dying in the battle for more control” of the town, which lies 30 km (18 miles) south-west of Homs, he said.

He said he had seen the bodies of “many” fighters from the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah and described their participation in the conflict as a game-changer.

Gen Selim Idriss, the military chief of the main umbrella group of Syrian rebels, the Free Syrian Army, told the BBC on Wednesday that more than 7,000 Hezbollah fighters were taking part in attacks on Qusair.

Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since the 1967 war. It annexed the territory in 1981, in a move that has not been recognised by the international community.

Syrian shells have hit Israeli positions on the Golan Heights, though it is unclear whether they were aimed at rebels in border areas, and Israel has returned fire.

Syria and Israel have been in a state of war since 1948 but the border had been relatively calm in recent years.

Winfrey tells Harvard graduates to expect failure at some point but learn from it C

AMBRIDGE, Mass. — The invitation from Harvard University caught Oprah Winfrey at a low point. Her new TV network was struggling, branded a flop in the media, when Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust called last year to ask Winfrey to address 2013 graduates.

The request came “in the very moment when I had stopped succeeding,” Winfrey recalled.

She headed for a long shower to think (“It was either that or a bag of Oreos,” she joked) and emerged resolved to change her story by the time her speech rolled around.

A year later, Winfrey said, her Oprah Winfrey Network has found its footing and her approach to facing setbacks had been validated. Stumbles are inevitable but not permanent, Winfrey told graduates Thursday.

“I want you to remember this: There is no such thing as failure,” she said. “Failure is just life trying to move us in another direc-

tion.”

Winfrey spoke during the afternoon session of Harvard’s 362nd commencement before a packed Harvard Yard. The media mogul and former talk-show host urged graduates to find their own story, which she described as their true calling or purpose.

“When you inevitably struggle and find yourself stuck in a hole, that is the story that will get you out,” she said.

Her own calling, she said, was to use television to show people “that what unites us is ultimately far more redeeming and compelling than anything that separates (us).”

Winfrey’s speech dipped into politics, as she referred to entrenched partisanship that’s stymied legislation she said most Americans favor, including stronger background checks for gun purchases and a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally.

Winfrey urged graduates to

break through divisions and spoke of a lesson she learned from doing thousands of interviews. Every person — from George W. Bush to Barack Obama to Beyonce, “in all her Beyonce-ness” — asks the same thing when the interview is over: “Was that OK?” People want to be validated and know that they’re being understood, Winfrey said.

She challenged graduates to do that by personally connecting with people as a way to bridge divides.

“Even though this is the college where Facebook was born, my hope is that you will have the courage to go out and have conversations with people you disagree with,” she said.

Ultimately, graduates need to be true to themselves and open to sharing who they are, she said.

“What you learn, teach; what you get, give,” Winfrey said.

“That, my friends, is what gives your life purpose and meaning.”

BOSTON BOMBER’S FIRST PHONE CALL TO MOM: ‘BE PATIENT. EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE.’

Z

ubeidat Tsarnaeva, the mother of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, says she has spoken with her son for the first time since his arrest.

“I couldn’t stop myself from crying,” Tsarnaeva said in an phone interview with Bloomberg News late Monday from her home in Dagestan, Russia.

“He said: ‘I am absolutely fine; my wounds are healing. Everything is in God’s hands. Be patient.

Everything will be fine.’”

Tsarnaev, 19, is accused of carrying out the April 15 terror attack with his 26-year-old brother, Tamerlan, who died in a shootout with police. He is in a federal prison hospital in Ayer, Mass., recovering from a gunshot wound to the neck.

“Mentally he is normal, but the child is shocked,” Tsarnaeva said after her six-minute conversation with Tsarnaev. “It was really hard to hear him and for him to hear me. The conversation was very quiet. It was my child. I know he is

locked up like a dog, like an animal.”

Tsarnaeva has maintained her sons are innocent, claiming they were set up by the FBI. Tsarnaev reportedly admitted his role in the attack after his arrest, communicating to investigators that he and his brother were motivated by Islam extremists but acted alone.

Three people were killed and more than 260 others wounded when two powerful homemade bombs exploded near the race’s finish line.

Tsarnaev was charged with two federal counts of using a weapon of mass destruction to kill, injure and cause widespread damage at the marathon. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Last month, U.S. investigators traveled to southern Russia to speak to Tsarnaeva and Anzor Tsarnaev, the suspects’ father, who also denies his sons’ involvement in the bombings. Maret Tsarnaeva, the brothers’ aunt who lives in Toronto, also said she believes her nephews were framed.

US ECONOMY GREW AT 2.4 % ANNUAL RATE IN JANUARY-MARCH QUARTER, HELPED

BY CONSUMER SPENDING

W

ASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2.4 percent annual rate from January through March, slightly slower than initially estimated.

Consumer spending was stronger than first thought, but businesses restocked more slowly and state and local government spending cuts were deeper.

The Commerce Department said Thursday that economic growth in the first quarter was only marginally below the 2.5 percent annual rate the government had estimated last month. That’s still much faster than the 0.4 percent growth during the October-December quarter.

Most economists think growth is slowing to around a 2 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter as the economy adjusts to federal spending cuts, higher taxes and further global weakness. Still, many say the decline may not be as severe as once thought. That’s because solid hiring, surging home prices and record stock gains should keep consumers spending.

Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, said the small revision to first-quarter growth supported her view that the economy will grow a moderate 2.2 percent for the year, the same as last year.

Still, Lee expects growth to improve to 3.2 percent in 2014, as the job market accelerates and consumers grow more confident in the economy.

Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity as measured by the gross domestic product. GDP is the economy’s total output of goods and services, from haircuts and computers to trucks and aircraft carriers.

The government’s second look at first-quarter growth showed that consumer spending roared ahead at a 3.4 percent annual rate. That’s the fastest spending growth in more than two years and even stronger than the 3.2 percent rate estimated last month.

Healthy consumer spending shows many Americans are shrugging off an increase this year in Social Security taxes that has reduced most paychecks.

Page 38

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

WORLD NEWS

UN urged to embrace 2030 goal on ending extreme poverty A

commitment to end extreme poverty by 2030 is one of the key recommendations from an international panel co-chaired by David Cameron.

The British prime minister urged a “new global partnership” to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems as the body’s report was presented to the UN. Other goals include improvements in women’s rights, universal access to water and ensuring food security.

But an explicit commitment to reduce income inequality is not included.

Aid organisations have been pushing for this to be recognised as part of a new framework for international development after the expiry of the 2015 deadline for achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The MDGs sought to halve extreme poverty, defined as people earning less than $1.25 (83p) a day, but the panel called for a more ambitious goal over the following 15 years. Thursday’s report, to be presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will form the basis for two years’ negotiation on the agenda to replace the MDGs. Mr Cameron, who chaired the panel alongside Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Indonesian leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said the report set out a “clear roadmap” for eradicating extreme poverty by 2030.

“We need a new global partnership to finish the job on the current Millennium Development Goals, tackle the underlying causes of poverty and champion sustainable development,” he said.

Among 12 measurable goals set out in the report are an end to child marriage and equal rights for women to open bank accounts and own property.

The panel also recommends bringing together development and environmental agendas, with targets for reducing food waste, slowing deforestation and protecting ecosystems.

It also stresses the need for countries to give citizens confidence in their governments by promoting the rule of law, free speech, transparency and cracking down on corruption.

With Mr Cameron on holiday in Ibiza, the UK is being represented at the report’s launch in New York by International Development Secretary Justine Greening.

Labour said Mr Cameron, who discussed the findings of the report on a recent visit to the United Nations, had squandered a “prestigious opportunity” to show leadership on the world stage.

A UK government spokesman said the proposals set out in the document were bold.

“They get to grips with tackling the causes of poverty - weak institutions, corruption and a lack of basic freedoms - as well as setting out an ambitious vision of ending things like hunger, illiteracy and violence against women,” he said.

“This is vital work because Britain cannot compete, thrive and lead in isolation from the rest of the world.”

Oxfam said it was pleased by the 2030 poverty target but warned that future goals would be undermined “without action to ensure that wealth is spread more fairly”.

“Billions of people risk being left behind by economic growth, and in a world of finite resources the wealthiest cannot continue to expect more and more without hurting the rest,” said its senior policy advisor Katy Wright.

Save The Children said it was up to all UN members to commit to these “world-changing and ambitious measures without watering them down or losing the focus of the report”.

The Millennium Development Goal for access to clean water has already been reached, but others on reducing poverty and improving access to education are unlikely to be met, with progress hampered by the global economic downturn and growing pressure from population increases.

News organizations split over meeting with US attorney general W

ASHINGTON - Several U.S. news organizations rejected an offer by Attorney General Eric Holder to meet and discuss how the Justice Department handles investigations that involve reporters, saying it would be inappropriate to talk in secret.

Eric Holder However, representatives of five other media outlets went ahead with a meeting on Thursday, arriving at the Justice Department’s headquarters to see Holder after recent disclosures that federal prosecutors had seized journalists’ records without warning.

Justice Department officials said the meetings were “part of the review of existing Justice Department guidelines governing investigations that involve reporters.”

Reuters, CNN, The New York Times and the Associated Press declined to meet with Holder, President Barack Obama’s top law enforcement official, because the meetings were due to be “off the record,” meaning they could not be recorded or reported.

The journalists who did attend the initial meeting were James Warren of the New York Daily News, Jane Mayer of The New Yorker, John Harris of Politico, Gerald Seib of The Wall Street Journal and Martin Baron of The Washington Post. They entered the Justice Department through the main entrance.

It was unclear how many media companies were invited or would attend other meetings planned for Friday.

The talks followed the Obama administration’s decision to search the email and phone records of Fox News, and the phone records of the Associated Press, as part of investigations into leaks of secret government information.

The seizure of records, and an FBI agent’s description of Fox News reporter James Rosen as a potential criminal co-conspirator, led to an outcry from journalists and advocates of free speech and prompted new calls for a federal law protecting reporters’ work.

That led to a debate in Washington over how the Obama administration is balancing the need for national security with privacy rights. Along with a separate furor over the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of con-

servative political groups for extra scrutiny, it also stoked fears of excessive government intrusion under Obama.

Holder personally authorized the searches of Fox News records as the Justice Department investigated a leak regarding North Korea, a department official said on Tuesday.

James Cole, the deputy attorney general, authorized the search of the Associated Press records as part of an investigation into a leak about U.S. counterterrorism operations in Yemen.

Holder has echoed Obama in saying that leaks of classified information pose security risks and must stop.

Harris, Politico’s editor in chief, said he routinely has off-the-record conversations to discuss news coverage and news gathering practices, and would attend the meeting with Holder.

“I feel anyone - whether an official or ordinary reader - should be able to have an unguarded conversation with someone in a position of accountability for a news organization when there is good reason,” he said in an email quoted on Politico’s website.

Bloomberg News told Reuters it would also attend.

Baron, The Washington Post’s executive editor, said he would prefer to meet on the record, but that “journalists routinely participate in off-the-record sessions, whether they prefer those conditions or not, and then continue to report on events.”

A spokesman for ABC News said it would attend but would “press for that conversation to be put on the record.”

Some other media outlets declined.

“We would welcome the opportunity to hear the attorney general’s explanation for the Department of Justice’s handling of subpoenas to journalists, and his thoughts about improving the protections afforded to media organizations in responding to government investigations, but believe firmly that his comments should be for publication,” said Reuters spokesperson Barb Burg.

New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson said in a statement on Wednesday that an off-the-record meeting with the attorney general “isn’t appropriate.” She said the newspaper’s lawyer would likely meet later with other Justice Department officials “on how the law should be applied in leak cases.”

The Associated Press also said the meetings should be open to coverage. If they were not, the AP would “offer our views on how the regulations should be updated in an open letter” and follow up with its lawyers, AP spokeswoman Erin Madigan White said in a statement.

Television networks Fox News, CBS and CNN as well as online news group The Huffington Post also said they would not attend.

NBC said it had not decided.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 39

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

usiness B AND

TAppleOCEO sees more ECHN

LOGY

gamechangers; hints at wearable devices

A

pple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook defended the company’s record of innovation under his stewardship, saying he expected it would release “several more game changers” and hinting that wearable computers could be among them.

“It’s an area where it’s ripe for exploration,” Cook said on Tuesday at the All Things Digital conference, an annual gathering of technology and media executives in the California coastal resort town of Rancho Palos Verdes.

“It’s ripe for us all getting excited about. I think there will be tons of companies playing in this.”

His remarks come at a time when worries are mounting that the company which created the smartphone and tablet markets is ceding ground to competitors such as Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Google Inc, with a slowdown in earnings growth hitting its share price.

Cook stopped short of clarifying if Apple was working on wearable products amid speculation that it is developing a smartwatch, saying only that wearable computers had to be compelling.

He added that Google’s Glass -- a cross between a mobile computer and eyeglasses that can both record video and access the Internet -- is likely to have only limited appeal.

“There’s nothing that’s going to convince a kid who has never worn glasses or a band or a watch to wear one, or at least I haven’t seen it,” he said in the near one-and-a-half-hour question and answer session.

“So I think there’s lots of things to solve in this space.”

Cook also said he has a “grand vision” for television that goes beyond an existing $99 Apple TV streaming device, but did not go into details.

The company has maintained for years that it harbors an interest in doing more in the TV arena.

Apple is not averse to doing a large acquisition if the acquired company could help Apple develop an important product, he said, noting it has done nine acquisitions in the current fiscal year, versus the company’s historical average of about six deals a year.

Cook also hinted at updates to the company’s iOS mobile software, saying the future of iOS would be evident when it holds its annual developer conference next month, and said the company was investing heavily in online services such as its mapping application.

Its Apple maps service that replaced a Google Maps app last September contained embarrassing errors, drawing fierce criticism from consumers and reviewers and forcing Cook to offer a public apology.

When asked if Apple has lost its cool, Cook said “absolutely not” and went on to list statistics of device sales and usage. He, however, acknowledged that he was frustrated with the sudden downturn in the firm’s stock price.

Since hitting a record close of $702.10 last September, the world’s largest technology company has shed 44 percent, losing more than $280 billion of market value - or

more than the entire market capitalization of Google.

In April, Apple reported its first quarterly profit decline in over a decade and was also shunned by some well-known fund managers in the first quarter, with John Griffin’s Blue Ridge Capital selling off its shares and Chase Coleman’s Tiger Global Management sharply cutting their position.

Cook has tried to reset heightened expectations around the company and he has stressed that the company’s position remains strong, noting it has opened up more of its treasure trove to investors, doubling its cash return program to $100 billion by the end of 2015.

Cook, who said that Apple’s large size means it gets more scrutiny from governments and regulators, announced that the company has hired Lisa Jackson, who served as the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 2009 to 2013.

Jackson will be reporting directly to Cook and overseeing Apple’s environmental issues, he said.

The sense that Apple has lost some of its luster was evidenced when one member of the audience criticized the company for its apparent lack of exciting new technologies and compared Cook to Gil Amelio, a former Apple CEO who presided over a low point in Apple’s history during the mid-1990s.

“We believe very much in the element of surprise,” Cook responded. “We think customers love surprises.”

PHILIPPINE ECONOMY LED BY SERVICES EXPANDS 7.8 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER, HIGHEST IN YEARS

M

ANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine economy expanded 7.8 percent in the first quarter, the fastest pace since 2010 and outpacing China, led by growth in services and industry.

Officials said Thursday that the quarterly growth rate was the highest since reformist President Benigno Aquino III took office in 2010 on a promise to fight corruption and cut poverty. Aquino’s allies won majorities in both houses of Congress in elections early this month, making it

possible for Aquino to push through with his legislative agenda in the remaining three years in power.

The Philippines has bucked a regional trend of slowing growth amid recession in Europe and a slow recovery in the United States. It expanded faster than Asian powerhouse China, where the economy unexpectedly slowed to 7.7 percent growth in the first quarter.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the Philippines hopes to achieve a target of 7 percent

to 8 percent annual growth by 2016.

The fourth-quarter 2012 growth was revised from 6.8 percent to 7.1 percent. In 2012, the economy grew 6.8 percent.

Despite the impressive growth figures, the Philippines faces many challenges. Among them, the global slowdown, excessive capital inflows and natural disasters, an annual occurrence in the Southeast Asian country where poor infrastructure and rice fields suffer damage from typhoons and floods.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE ACCUSED OF LAUNDERING $6 BILLION

U

.S. prosecutors have filed an indictment against the operators of digital currency exchange Liberty Reserve, accusing the Costa Rica-based company of helping criminals around the world launder more than $6 billion in illicit funds linked to everything from child pornography to software for hacking into banks.

The indictment unsealed on Tuesday said Liberty Reserve had more than a million users worldwide, including at least 200,000 in the United States, and virtually all of its business was related to suspected criminal activity.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called the case perhaps “the largest international money laundering case ever brought by the United States.”

“Liberty Reserve has emerged as one of the principal means by which cyber-criminals around the world distribute, store and launder the proceeds of their illegal activity,” according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Officials said authorities in Spain, Costa Rica and New York arrested five people on Friday, including the company’s founder, Arthur Budovsky, and seized bank accounts and Internet domains associated with Liberty Reserve.

The indictment detailed a system of payments that allowed users to open accounts under false names with blatant monikers like “Russia Hackers” and “Hacker Account.”

The use of digital currency has expanded over the past decade, attracting users ranging from video gamers looking for ways to buy and sell virtual goods to those who lack faith in the traditional banking system.

Touted by some investors as the future of money, these virtual currencies have gained the attention of U.S. regulators looking to bring them under anti-money laundering rules.

The U.S. Treasury said on Tuesday it named Liberty Reserve under the USA Patriot Act as “specifically designed and frequently used to facilitate money laundering in cyber space.”

That designation, a first against a virtual currency exchange, prohibits banks or other payment processors from doing business with Liberty Reserve, even under a new name.

The Treasury also said Liberty Reserve’s virtual currency was used to anonymously buy and sell software designed to steal personal information and attack financial institutions.

Page 40

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

BUSINESS AND T ECHNOLOGY

After protests from customers, Microsoft tries to make Windows 8 easier to navigate, customize S

AN FRANCISCO — Microsoft is trying to fix what it got wrong with its radical makeover of Windows. It’s making the operating system easier to navigate and enabling users to set up the software so it starts in a more familiar format designed for personal computers.

The revisions to Windows 8 will be released later this year. The free update, called Windows 8.1, represents Microsoft’s concessions to longtime customers taken aback by the dramatic changes to an operating system that had become a staple in households and offices around the world during the past 20 years. Research group IDC has blamed Windows 8 for accelerating a decline in PC sales.

With the release of Windows 8 seven months ago, Microsoft introduced a startup screen displaying applications in a mosaic of interactive tiles instead of static icons. The shift agitated many users who wanted the option to launch the operating system in a mode that resembled the old setup. That choice will be provided in Windows 8.1.

However, Microsoft isn’t bringing back the start menu on the lower left corner of the screen.

Windows has offered the button for accessing all programs and settings on every previous version of the operating system since 1995. Microsoft believes the startup screen replaces the need for a button, but its omission has ranked among the biggest gripes about Windows 8.

Microsoft is hoping to quiet the critics by resurrecting an omnipresent Windows logo anchored in the lower left corner. Users will also be able to ensure their favorite applications, including Word and Excel, appear in a horizontal tool bar next to the Windows logo. Accessing apps outside the toolbar will still require using the tiles or calling them up in a more comprehensive search engine included in the Windows 8.1 updates.

Microsoft Corp. announced its plans for Windows 8.1 in early May, but it didn’t offer details about what it will include until Thursday. The Redmond, Wash., company will provide a more extensive tour of Windows 8.1 and several new applications built into the upgrade at a confer-

Intel scores major win in new Samsung Galaxy tablet S

amsung has chosen Intel’s Clover Trail+ mobile chip for at least one version of its Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, which competes with Apple Inc’s iPad, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the specifications have not been announced.

Samsung has previously used chips designed with energy-efficient technology from the UK’s ARM Holdings for its best-selling mobile devices. It employs Intel processors for its line of Microsoft Windows “ATIV” tablets -- a much smaller market compared with devices based on Google Inc’s Android.

Samsung will unveil new ATIV tablets using Intel chips at a June 20 event in London, said the source, as well as an additional person familiar with the event. It was unclear whether the Galaxy Tab would debut at the same event.

The Asian electronics giant’s decision to begin using Intel in a marquee Android device counts as a coup for the US chipmaker as it races to establish itself in a mobile market it was slow initially to recognize and invest in.

It was unclear whether the Samsung, the world’s largest manufacturer of tablets after Apple, plans other versions of the 10-inch Galaxy Tab carrying its own, or other companies’, processors.

A spokeswoman for South Korea-based Samsung declined to comment. An Intel spokesman also declined to comment. The use of an Intel Clover Trail+ chip in the upcoming tablet was first reported on by VentureBeat and other blogs last week.

Intel has called the shots in the personal computer industry for decades, but was slow to make chips that appealed to makers of smartphones

ence for programmers in San Francisco, scheduled to begin June 26.

Antoine Leblond, a Microsoft executive who helps oversee the operating system’s program management, said the ability to start PCs in the more familiar format is meant to ease the “cognitive dissonance” caused by Windows 8.

Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi predicted the desktop option will spur more sales of Windows 8 computers.

“Some people were getting fixated” on the desktop issue, Milanesi said. “This may cause more people who felt uncomfortable with Windows 8 to take a second look.”

Microsoft made the dramatic overhaul to Windows in an attempt to expand the operating system’s franchise beyond personal computers that rely on keyboards and mice to smartphones and tablet computers controlled by a touch or swipe of the finger. But Windows 8 has been widely panned as a disappointment, even though Microsoft says it has licensed more than 100 million copies so far.

and tablets as the market boomed following Apple’s iPhone in 2007 and iPad in 2010.

Applications processors based on technology from ARM and designed by Qualcomm Inc, Samsung and Nvidia now dominate a market that research firm Strategy Analytics estimated could hit $25 billion by 2016 versus $9 billion in 2011.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, who took the helm this month, has stated that one of his top goals is to expand the Silicon Valley chipmaker’s footprint in mobile devices.

WAKING UP TO MOBILE Booming sales of tablets have also eaten away at Intel’s core PC-based market. IDC estimates that tablet shipments worldwide will eclipse laptops this year, and personal computer sales will slide 8 percent in 2013.

Intel is rushing to adapt its powerful PC chips to use less energy and work more efficiently in mobile devices. It has so far scored a few minor “design wins”, getting its processors into a few mobile devices.

Wal-Mart pleads guilty in US hazardous waste cases, to pay $82 million W

al-Mart Stores Inc on Tuesday said it would pay nearly $81.63 million to the federal government as it pleaded guilty to charges that it improperly discarded hazardous waste such as bleach and fertilizer years ago.

The U.S. Department of Justice said that in cases filed by federal prosecutors in California, Wal-Mart pleaded guilty to six counts of violating the Clean Water Act by illegally handling and disposing of hazardous materials at U.S. stores.

The world’s largest retailer also pleaded guilty in Kansas City, Missouri to violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) by failing to properly handle pesticides that

had been returned by customers, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Wal-Mart said its plea agreements with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Northern and Central Districts of California, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri and an administrative resolution signed with the Environmental Protection Agency bring an end to compliance issues that took place years ago.

Wal-Mart previously agreed in 2010 to pay $27.6 million to the state of California to settle a related lawsuit and agreed in 2012 to pay more than $1.25 million to the state of Missouri.

The issues involve prior practic-

es such as throwing out lawn products such as fertilizer and pesticides in the trash rather than through a certified hauler.

In one instance, according to an earlier court filing, investigators in April 2002 observed “piles of multicolored unknown fertilizer type substances and torn sacks of ammonium sulfate” at one of the company’s stores in California, after learning a child had been playing on a pile of “yellowish colored powder” near the store’s garden department.

As part of the California plea agreement, Wal-Mart is set to pay a $40 million criminal fine and to pay $20 million to fund community service projects including helping U.S.

retailers learn how to properly handle hazardous waste.

As part of the Missouri plea agreement, Wal-Mart is set to pay an $11 million criminal fine and to pay $3 million to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Wal-Mart also plans to pay a $7.628 million civil penalty to the federal government.

In 2006, Wal-Mart put an environmental compliance program into place that it says has helped to rectify such issues. For example, workers at its Walmart and Sam’s Club stores can now see if a product is considered a hazardous waste if discarded by scanning the item with a handheld scanner and also through shelf labels.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 41

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Sports LOCAL

AFC Academy out front in Bugaloo’s Beach Soccer

T

he Bugaloo’s men’s Beach Soccer League reached the half way stage last weekend and AFC Academy continue to set the pace after winning their third game in a row.

They overcame a spirited SWA Sharks by 10-5. Steven Hayes opened the scoring for the Sharks and despite Rodney Davilmar scoring an equalizer the Sharks held a slender 2-1 lead after the first period as Mike Fox headed in a goal from a throwin.

The Academy team then started to dominate the game as they started strongly in the second period and took a 5-3 lead with additional goals from David Jasmine, James Rene, Herby Magny and Davilmar. There was no comeback for the Sharks as Herby Magny rounded off an excellent individual display adding a further four goals to give his team a 10-5 win.

Action from the Bugaloo’s Men’s Beach Soccer League Rene added another goal and a goal apiece from Fox and Courtney gave the score line some respectability for the Sharks.

In the other fixture the Teachers ensured they moved into second place with a 12-8 win against the COE U15 Boys. The COE team

Pink Mermaids, Purple Pirates in Women’s Beach soccer final T

he final of the Capt. Marvin’s Women’s Beach Soccer League is set for this Sunday (2nd June) and it will be the defending champions the Pink Mermaids who will face the Purple Pirates.

The Great White Sharks will play off against the Blue marlins for third / fourth place.

Essentially last weekend’s games were a dress rehearsal for the final two games as the Pirates went up against ther Mermaids and the Sharks faced the Marlins.

Both games were close affairs as the Marlins defeated the Sharks by a narrow 4-2 margin and a last minute goal from Yarileny De La Cruz saw the Mermaids edge out the Marlins 5-4.

The game between the Marlins and the White Sharks may not have meant too much in the scheme of things but both teams were determined to beat each other. An own goal, two strikes from Rosemaine and a Patrice Senior effort saw the Marlins overcome the Sharks who had goals scored from Simone Smith and Lilli Fenelus.

In the remaining game the Mermaids held an early advantage before they were pulled back by the Pirates. They were 4-2 up after the opening period before the Pirates leveled matters at 4-4 at the start of the final period.

The game was a great example of competitive

has improved with every game and a late comeback against the Teachers showed that they are not an easy team to beat. After two periods the Teachers appeared to be cruising to victory as they had a 9-3 lead.

However, the COE boys showed their resilience with a late fight back to bring the score to a more respectable 12-8 defeat. Fred Dorvil top scored for the Teachers with six goals, whilst Dane Ritchie and Antonie Watson each scored a hat trick. Myrohn Pereira scored five for the COE Boys, with goals also coming from Cole Nickson (2) and Mackenson Cadet (1).

Three weeks are left before the championship game but AFC Academy look likely to be involved, however the Sharks will need to win their remaining three games if they are to stand a chance of making the grand-final.

BEACHES BLOW AWAY QUALITY KINGS

B

EACHES comprehensively beat Quality Kings on Saturday 25th May 2013 as the HAB Group sponsored T20 competition continued at the Down Town Ball Park on Providenciales.

Man of the match Damian St. Ange Action from the Women’s Beach Soccer football as both teams gave their all to secure a confidence boosting victory going into next week’s show down. Sarah Cenary scored all four goals for the Pirates whereas Kadine Delphin (3), Guerline Hall and Yarileny De La Cruz ensured that the Mermaids hold the bragging rights for the time being.

Technical Director Matthew Green was excited about the final week of games. “We have had a great season so far. The sport has become very popular and the girls are playing some very attractive and skillful soccer on the sand. It will be hard to pick a winner for next week’s final as both the Mermaids and the Pirates have many talented players”.

Beaches won the toss and inserted Quality Kings who then posted 154 runs for 5 wickets from 20 overs. Top scorers were Jeremy Jones with an unbeaten 37 runs which include 6x4s and Erion Charles with 34 runs which consist of 3x6s and 1x4 and Ebbon Ceaser contributed 27 runs which included 5x4’s.

Bowling for Beaches Damian St Ange, Ancell Williams, Hancie Zeitsman, Sidu Hunter and Martinique Williams took a wicket each.

In reply, Beaches reached target in 15.2 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. The Principal contributors were Damian St Ange with 5x4’s and 2x6’s and Sidu Hunter was not out with 52 runs with 7x4’s and 2x6’s.

Bowling for Quality Kings Jeremy Jones claimed 2 wickets for 31 runs from 3 overs The Man of the Match Damian St Ange.

Page 42

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 43

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Sports CARIBBEAN

Windies no favourites for title, says captain Bravo

C

ARDIFF, England — Captain Dwayne Bravo on yesterday found himself having to push back against suggestions West Indies were one of the favourites to win the ICC Champions Trophy starting next week.

While West Indies enter the June 6-23 tournament as reigning Twenty20 champions, their form in the 50-over format has not been enterprising, losing eight of their last 13 One-Day Internationals.

Bravo told reporters that West Indies did not consider themselves favourites and did not feel under any pressure to live up to such a tag.

“Well last year in Sri Lanka we were cast as favourites and we end up winning, so it’s good to be favourites again. Hopefully we win this time,” Bravo quipped.

“But honestly we don’t think we are favourites.

We just want to concentrate on what we have to do. We’re in a very tough group, and first of all, we want to take it step by step, try and survive that group.

“The talk around is it’s the group of death, so hopefully we get out of the group of death and then take it from there.”

He continued: “A tournament like this, it’s short, and you never know what can happen.”

“Being favourites, it’s good that other teams can actually -- and media people can actually look

at us as favourites, but we don’t see ourselves as favourites,” said Bravo.

West Indies have been installed in a tough Group B that includes reigning World champions India, South Africa and the unpredictable Pakistan. The top two from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

The Caribbean side are gearing up for the campaign with their second camp in as many weeks, before clashing with Australia in the first of official warm-up game on Saturday, followed by a game against Sri Lanka next Tuesday.

West Indies were whitewashed 5-0 by Australia Down Under earlier this year but Bravo believes the result could be different this time around on neutral soil.

“The series in Australia we didn’t start well and playing in Australia, once you don’t start well it’s difficult to come back,” Bravo pointed out.

“They’re a fantastic team and we have to respect that. But they’re out of Australia, also. Now they’re in England. We’re also in England. I think both teams are going to use the first game as preparation to see exactly what is the right combination for the teams.

“Yes, we want to win the game but it’s about picking the right team, getting a balance and getting our style of play the way we want to play in this tournament.

“Those five games in Australia are behind us.

To be honest we’re not really taking it on much.

It’s a practice game, and we’re going to try to play to the best.”

The weather is expected to play a key role in tournament, with wet wintry conditions still afflicting England and Wales. On their Test and oneday tour of England last year, West Indies suffered in the conditions, winning just one game.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by the weather, Bravo said his side would be doing their best to quickly acclimatize to the foreign conditions.

“It’s always challenging for us because of the weather. It’s always hard for us to come for two weeks to this weather. Where we come from - the Caribbean - it’s tropical, relaxing, and we’re not the only team struggling in England to be honest.

The Indians and Sri Lankans also struggle here,” Bravo asserted.

“Like I said, it’s a tournament that has a lot at stake and a lot of teams want to do well in this tournament but to be honest I’m not going to let the weather get the better of us, and that is one thing I’m going to instill in the team.

“Okay, we are away from home, we are away from our comfort zone, but at the end of the day we are professionals and we have to try and adapt to any kind of conditions before us.”

Yohan Blake plans invasion SIR VIV AMONG WINDIES GREATS TO COACH CPL TEAMS of Usain Bolt’s territory P Y

OHAN BLAKE wants to invade his training partner Usain Bolt’s territory this summer.

Jamaican Blake was forced to settle for Olympic 100m and 200m silver at London 2012 last summer.

But as he prepares to defend his world 100m title — after Bolt famously false-started in the final two years ago — he admits his ambition is to wipe out his pal in Moscow.

Blake is currently recovering from a hamstring injury after pulling up in his opening race of the season last month.

That has forced him to miss races in Doha, Shangahai and Manchester last weekend.

But the 23 year-old — dubbed The Beast — believes he will be back to his best for the World Championships in Moscow in August.

He said: “My big goal this year is to retain my title at the World Championships and to win three gold medals there. I want the 100m, the 200m and the 4x100m.

“I’ve told myself that this year I am going to be an alien because I want to invade. I want to take over the world.”

Blake took advantage of Bolt’s falsestart in the world 100m final in Daegu two years ago to take world gold ahead of American Walter Dix. He is arguably the only man capable of challenging world-record holder Bolt.

In Brussels in 2011 he set a personal best of 19.26secs over 200m — the second fastest time in hsitory behind Bolt’s world-recored 19.19secs.

And last year he clocked 9.69secs over 100m in Lausanne, a time bettered only by Bolt’s 9.58secs world record.

But Blake is only too aware that only two athletes have ever managed to win successive 100m gold medals at the World Championships.

American Carl Lewis won three consecutive titles in 1983, 1987 and 1991 with Maurice Greene also boastsing a trio of titles in 1997, 1999 and 2001.

He said: “When I retain my title and become a world champion for the second time, I think that will be a good season.

“I’ve been training really hard and I know what I can do. I am going to make history.”

ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad - Several former West Indian greats have been named as coaches among the six franchises participating in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) scheduled to be played from July 30 to August 24.

They include the former batting maestro Sir Viv Richards as the head coach of the Antigua Franchise.

Sir Viv will be assisted by the former England player Phil Defreitas, organisers announced at a news conference in Port-of Spain Wednesday.

Roger Harper the former Test off-spinner will coach the Guyana team and will have as his assistant fast bowling great Curtly Ambrose.

“It is good to see the CPL using the former stars from the Caribbean. The region needed this for quite a while and now it is happening,” said former West Indies opening batsman Desmond Haynes.

“This is great as these guys can impart a lot of knowledge when it comes to cricket on and off the field. I like the idea of having the foreign coaches on board as they would bring their ideas and coaching is about sharing ideas.”

In Barbados, Haynes takes charge as the head coach with the Mumbai Indians Robin Singh as his assistant.

Meantime, Former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon is head coach of the Jamaica franchise and will be assisted by Junior Bennett.

The former West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has been assigned head coach of St. Lucia with Matthew Maynard from England as his assistant.

And the Trinidad and Tobago franchise will be coached by former Test legend Gordon Greenidge who will have as his assistant national coach David Williams.

Page 44

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Sports W

RLD

Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez to fight on September 14

F

loyd Mayweather Jr. is only four weeks removed from a drubbing of Robert Guerrero in a May 4th welterweight bout that saw him dominate the weaker Guerrero to retain the weight class title. Not one to ever shy away from the media spotlight, the current welterweight and junior middleweight champion didn’t waste any time announcing his next fight. The 36-year-old will step into the ring on September 14th where he’ll meet 22-yearold Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. This mega match with be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be available to television viewers through pay-per-view.

News of the fight initially broke when the worldwide superstar posted the fight date on his Twitter page, drawing instant excitement and appreciation from boxing fans since this fight is certainly one that undoubtedly appeals to the masses. In a battle of two unbeaten forces, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

Floyd Mayweather

Canelo Alvarez

Leonard Ellerbe said the match-up was created with the best interest of the fans in mind and to show that even though Canelo is a tremendous young fighter, Mayweather can still spar with the best in the world.

“Floyd wanted to give the fans what they wanted to see and this is the fight the fans and the media were calling for,” Ellerbe said to Yahoo Sports. “Canelo is a good young

fighter, but he’s bitten off more than he can chew. Floyd said, ‘I’m going to whip that ass.’ This is a whole other level we’re talking about.”

Excited about the opportunity to potentially become the first fighter to defeat Mayweather, one of Mexico’s brightest and most popular figures says he’ll be ready when September 14th rolls around since he’s been waiting quite some time for this bout to take place.

NBA STAR TIM DUNCAN REPORTEDLY PETITIONS TO POSTPONE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS UNTIL AFTER PLAYOFFS

S

ometimes, it’s just not a good time to get divorced.

That’s the problem apparently frustrating four-time NBA champion Tim Duncan, who has reportedly asked a Texas judge to delay divorce proceedings until after his San Antonio Spurs are out of the NBA Playoffs.

A San Antonio Express reporter got a hold of divorce documents on Thursday that detail the Bexar County District Court case of A.S.D. vs. T.T.D. The court papers detail T.T.D.’s motion, filed on Monday, requesting that the case be delayed until after the date of his team’s last playoff game.

According to TMZ, which claimed to have also obtained the divorce documents, Duncan argues that the playoffs are “currently making extraordinary demands on him and hopefully will continue to make those demands for the next 30 or so days.”

Amy and Tim Duncan were married in 2001, according to Yahoo!

Sports. Amy was a cheerleader at

Woods lined up for Turkey’s European Tour bow W

Tim and Amy Duncan Tim’s alma mater, Wake Forest. The couple also have two children together, according to the San Antonio Express.

While lawyers detailed in the documents have not confirmed that they represent the famous couple, local television station KSAT said San Antonio Spurs officials confirmed that the pair were divorcing on Friday. The pair cited “discord and conflict,” according to KSAT.

“I’m very excited. This is the fight I have wanted for a while,” Alvarez told ESPN. “It’s been talked about for a while now, and now that it’s signed, sealed and delivered, I am very happy. I will be the first to beat Floyd.” Alvarez will enter the ring in September with a 42-0-1 record that includes 30 knockouts. Defeating Austin Trout by unanimous decision last month, Alvarez impressed those in attendance at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas with his combination of speed and power.

While Alvarez continues to pile up the victories, Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains dominant even though he’s not getting any younger. Posting a 44-0 record with 26 knockouts, Mayweather earned a whopping $32 million in the victory over Guerrero earlier this month.

This fight between two titans of the sport will surely draw fans from all over as the world’s best meet for the first time with undefeated records on the line.

orld No. 1 Tiger Woods will take to the tee at the inaugural European Tour event in Turkey, a tournament with a bumper prize fund of $7 million.

The Turkish Airlines Open will be played between November 7-10 and will form part of the new Final Series, the climax European Tour’s big-money Race to Dubai.

Fourteen-time major winner Woods first played in Turkey last year at the eight-man World Golf Finals, a precursor to this year’s event being held at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Antalya. “I had a great time during my first visit to Turkey,” Woods, who has already won four times on the PGA Tour in 2013, told the European Tour’s official website.

“Turkish Airlines, the Turkish Golf Federation and the fans who came to watch made it a really special event and I’m looking forward to playing there once again.”

Read: Manassero makes history Last year’s unsanctioned event at the Antalya Golf Club was won by

world No. 4 Justin Rose.

“It is an honor to welcome back the world’s No. 1 golfer to what is, in our opinion, the best golfing destination in Europe,” added Turkish Golf Federation president Ahmet Ali Agaoglu.

“We are thrilled to have the support of Turkish Airlines and are looking forward to once again proving that Turkey is more than capable of hosting world-class sporting occasions.”

The new event is one of four which boast a combined prize fund of $30.5m and serve as the finale to the European Tour season.

The $7 million BMW Masters, the US$8.5 million WGC -- HSBC Champions tournament --and the $8 million DP World Tour Championship in Dubai are the other three events in the Final Series.

“We are proud to support a topclass European Tour event and delighted to see Tiger competing in Turkey for the second year,” said Turkish Airlines’ chief marketing officer Faruk Cizmecioglu.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 45

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

WORLD SPORTS

Houston Rockets plan to trade Thomas Robinson to free up cap space for run at Dwight Howard T

he Houston Rockets are determined to trade forward Thomas Robinson – the fifth pick in the 2012 NBA draft – to create salary-cap space for the pursuit of the Los Angeles Lakers’ free-agent superstar Dwight Howard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Rockets have made clear to multiple rival teams that they plan to accept the best offer to move Robinson and eliminate his $3.52 million salary for the 2013-14 season.

Without the salary of Robinson and others, the Rockets will have the space to offer Howard a maximum deal starting at approximately $20.5 million a season.

Houston is competing mainly with Dallas – and possibly Golden State – to lure Howard once free agency commences on July 1. Howard has become increasingly intrigued with the Rockets as a possible destination, sources said. Houston’s supporting cast, including James Harden and Chandler Parsons, is one of the reasons.

The Rockets are targeting teams with the cap space to absorb Robinson’s contract. The Rockets are trying to cobble together a package that could include assets such as a trade exception, a draft pick or non-guaranteed contracts that they can be unloaded, sources said.

The Rockets are the second team to move him since he came out of Kansas considered one of the most prepared prospects in the class. The Rockets’ coaching staff prefers forwards who can space the floor with their shooting ability but the 6-foot-10 Robinson is a more traditional back-to-the-basket power forward.

His $3.5 million salary most closely matches the money that the Rockets need to unload in order to help secure a maximum contract swap for Howard.

orkshire’s Adil Rashid continued his prolific form with a third consecutive century on day three against Somerset.

He followed a career-best 180 against the same opponents and 110 against Warwickshire with an unbeaten 103.

Rashid and Andrew Hodd (68) extended their overnight partnership to 170 before Yorkshire declared on 450-5.

Marcus Trescothick made 74 and James Hildreth an unbeaten 76, their best scores of the summer, as the home side ended day three on 232-6.

If they can avoid the follow-on by

Robinson, 22, averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds playing a combined 70 games for the Rockets and Kings.

Sacramento traded him to Houston in a package that included Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt for Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas and cash.

adding another 69 runs on the final morning, a draw would be the most likely result. Failure to do so, however, would leave the visitors scenting the possibility of victory.

Having resumed on 341-5, Yorkshire’s first order of business was to progress to 400 before the end of the 110th over to claim maximum batting points and they did so with just one ball to spare. Hodd was dropped at first slip by Trescothick on 41 and 50 and he kept Rashid company through to his century, which arrived off 119 balls, took him past 500 runs for the season and improved his seasonal average to 252, having only

been dismissed twice in six innings.

Somerset soon lost Arul Suppiah and Lewis Gregory to Steve Patterson (2-48) in reply, but Trescothick who began the game averaging only 27 - found a semblance of form, hitting 12 fours before he was lbw to Richard Pyrah.

South Africa Test player Dean Elgar only made 28 in his first innings for the county and although Alex Barrow and Peter Trego fell to successive balls from occasional spinner Adam Lyth, Hildreth and Craig Meschede (16 not out) prevented further damage by adding 60 before the close.

Rooney desperate for England success W

ayne Rooney believes becoming a record breaker with England will mean nothing unless the team is successful. Rooney, who at the age of 27 has 35 England goals from 81 caps, is hotly tipped to surpass Sir Bobby Charlton’s scoring tally of 49 while Peter Shilton’s 125 appearances is a national team high.

England face a battle to quali-

P

ARIS - Roger Federer has warned the latest habit of players taking their mobile phones on court could have a sinister side which might undermine the game’s integrity.

The French Open has already featured two incidents with Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky using his phone to take a picture of a ball imprint after a contentious line call and local favourite Gael Monfils snapping a Mexican wave in the crowd.

Stakhovsky, who was later fined $2,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, posted the picture taken during his first-round defeat

by Richard Gasquet on his Twitter feed.

Dwight Howard

Adil Rashid hits third successive century Y

FEDERER WARNS ONCOURT PHONES COULD HAVE SINISTER SIDE

fy for next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil, and Rooney insists he wants to play for a team which is challenging for honours on the international stage.

“Some people talk about records, but I’m not really too fussed,’’ Rooney told Sport magazine. “I’ve always felt that, to be successful, you have to win trophies.

“I could end my career with England being record goalscorer and maybe even record caps-holder, but if you’re not going to be successful, then it’s pointless.

“That’s what I play for England for: to try and help England be successful. That’s the aim. It’s not to see how many caps or goals I can get - it’s to see if I can get a winner’s medal.’’

Roger Federer Federer said he can see the funny side of such incidents but felt action might be needed to prevent on-court coaching.

“It’s only going to happen more,” the world number three told reporters.

“I think it’s pretty funny, actually. The problem is that clearly there could be coaching going on through mobile devices.

“It would probably be so easy to do. Go to the toilet and you hide it somewhere - I’m just saying anything is possible. You have to hope that the players use it in a funny way and it’s not meant to be bad or disrespectful.”

The use of phones on court is prohibited with officials instructed that no electronic device be permitted “during matches unless approved by the ITF supervisor/ referee”.

If officials suspect a player has used a device to receive coaching, they could issue a fine of up to $20,000.

Monfils escaped punishment because he asked the umpire for permission to take a picture of the crowd who had risen to salute him during his second-round victory over Ernests Gulbis.

“I asked the chair umpire before if I would be allowed to tape the wave? He told me: ‘Sure, you can’,” said the Frenchman.

Page 46

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

Page 47

Page 48

JUNE 1ST - JUNE 8TH, 2013

PUBLISHED BY SUN MEDIA GROUP, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS - TEL: 649-946-8542; FAX: 649-941-3281

TURKS & CAICOS SUN