SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
Website: www.suntci.com
VOLUME 9 - No. 35
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BIG PNP EMAIL FIGHT BY HAYDEN BOYCE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
T
he ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) is having an internal fight over how some of its members are interacting with certain British operatives and how the party should deal with the whole question of boycotting some events including those at which the Attorney General Huw Shepheard is present. According to a series of emails that were leaked to the SUN for publication, some senior members of the party are extremely upset that Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra Missick attended a farewell party for former Governor Ric Todd. The Deputy Premier’s attendance prompted a strong email from businessman Crayton Higgs, who is a very influential member and of the PNP. The September 16th email was sent to a number of Cabinet members and PNP stakeholders stated: “On another note, I am confuse as to the unity and accord of this party, I am also confused as to the core conviction that all of us have, the other day, the NEC met by Gilley’s house and hashed a lot of frustration and ideas out in reference to all that affects us as a party, and as a government. But to my dismay, a few days after, I saw pictures of the dep.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS PREMIER DR. RUFUS EWING ADDRESSES KPMG MIAMI CONFERENCE Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing this morning addressed the KPMG 2013 Island Infrastructure Summit which is being held in Miami, Florida, at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel. The Premier’s presentation was extremely well-received by the more than 200 business persons and Caribbean politicians who are attending the conference. Premier Ewing presented three major projects that the Government has identified for the country and what he has termed as “transformational” and “life changing” development opportunities. The Premier attended the conference with a number of persons from a wide cross-section of the private sector, including business persons, lawyers, accoun-
tants, the Tourism & Hotel Association, real estate executives, contractors, civil engineers and officials from the banking industry. When asked about how he feels and what he hopes to achieve in Miami, Premier Ewing said: “The Turks & Caicos Islands is ripe with opportunities for investment, and the timing is right in this season of expectancy when Investors are looking to be a part of something big and life-changing for themselves, the country, the region and I daresay, the world. So it is our aim to attract the right investors and show them why they should partner with the Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands as opposed to anywhere else. “
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High court rules in favour of Dolphin Cove and the Governor PAGE 2
Multi-million dollar port facility for East Caicos
Rodney Adams investigation continuing
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Government denies deal with TCHTA PAGE 5
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SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
BIG PNP EMAIL FIGHT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Premier underneath the Governor’s arm with a glee out of this world. To say the least, I was sickened by it and to this day, still upset. Something is definitely wrong with this and it needs to be addressed. Obviously some of us are acting and pretending. This tells me that our problems are not only on the outside, but we also have a problem on the inside, and it needs to be fixed before we attempt to do anything on the outside. The Deputy Premier responded to Higgs by saying: “Crayton, I am somewhat taken back by your comments below as you say you were sick and upset. I am committed to my party and to the people of Leeward that voted for me. In my role as a Minister of Government, I cannot afford the luxury of playing children games. Especially ones called for by a blog. Nor concerned about the senseless comments when I’m working tirelessly to achieve our manifesto goals. I can assure you that as you pointed out some of us are acting and pretending, I can categorically confirm there is nothing pretentious about me or my actions. I will not accept being chastised by you. I am a states-woman and will make decisions with a clear conscience and stand by them. It is disconcerting that you’re confused about my attendance at two events; we have bigger fish to fry and that’s what I’m focused on.” After Misick’s email, journalist and PNP advisor Devon Williams wrote the following: “In defense of madam Deputy Premier. I personally encouraged her to attend as a show of diplomacy and I was also scheduled to attend but i suffered a mild hangover and was not able to make it. It is important that we see these events for what they are CEREMONIAL. The Governor has left and his leaving opens the door for another dark day in TCI history as another man will step off the plane and instantly receive the salute that will make him the most powerful man in the country while not being able to successfully navigate his way to Gilley bar without assistance or instruction. The idea that the Deputy Premier should not attend an event that celebrates the departure of the governor in this day and age is ludicrous, puerile and jejune. The TCI Constitu-
tion sets out how key players act on the stage of governance in the TCI and if we are in serious negotiations to have the script changed we must at all times show that we can maturely play by the rules and accept the key roles in the constitution. The governor as a man did a stellar job in the TCI, he has modernized the way TCI governors behave and interact with the population, and while others like me may detest the power afforded to him, we must see him as a man and as a man who acted honorably, especially since he is the one who swore in our Honorable Deputy as minister and Deputy Premier. The decision of the DP to attend the function shows that she can rise above the fray and walk with kings while doing the much needed duties of the common man. God speed sister, you are one of the few who hitting a lick for the TCI.” Devon’s response led to this email from former Speaker and former PNP Leader Clayton Greene, who stated: “Morning all, I had said that I would not descend into this particular arena but I awoke to yet more comment and counter comment and thought that I should not sit by and watch my party implode. Everybody cannot lead this party and we have to be respectful of those who have the mantle of leadership for the moment. We can disagree but we. Do not have to be disagreeable. We have to decide in fairly detailed way what our response to the actions of the Governor, the AG and whomever else. Whatever our response it has to be articulated and it has to be reasoned and we have to publish it and the reasons for it in advance of our action. If we remain reactionary we will continue to find ourselves fighting among each other while the plans of the wicked continue to bear results. At our last meeting I suggested to the Premier that he needs, in a national address to remind the people of his Government’s vision for the Country, the difficulties that he is facing in seeking to achieve and where necessary those individuals or offices that are presenting he challenge. In that address it has to be said what the collective decision of the Government is. If that decision is not to attend Cabinet meetings that should be said if it is not to attend social functions that promote or otherwise seek to elevate the Governor then we say that and we give the reason. Absent that kind of public address Devon
HIGH COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF DOLPHIN COVE
I
n a decision that could possibly pave the way for Dolphin Cove to establish its operations in the Turks and Caicos Island, High Court Judge Madame Justice Margaret Ramsay Hale ruled that the Governor was within his rights to amend the Fisheries Protection Ordinance. PRIDE Ltd, Turks and Caicos Reef Fund and Chamber of Commerce sought a judicial review of the Governor’s decision to amend the regulations made under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance in relation to marine mammals. Peter McKnight appeared for the appellants and David Phillips, QC, and Ronan Cosgrove for the Governor.
The appellants contended that the Governor’s exercise of his power under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance to make regulations to remove the protection afforded to marine mammals was contrary to the purpose of the law and wrong. However, Madame Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale ruled that insomuch as it was competent for the Governor to make the regulation, and it was not asserted by the applicants that it was not, then it must be competent for him to amend it. She said the applicants did not meet their burden of establishing that the Governor’s decision was in any way ultra vires or unreasonable and the application is dismissed.
makes the case for the Deputy’s attendance. Had the Governments position been made clear the Deputy could not have countenance attending without incurring the wrath of the party. I urge the Ministers to bring forward what the feel their positions and responses should be so that it could be considered and form the basis of a public address. A house divided cannot stand!” In response, Premier, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing wrote: “Dear All, I thank you for your interest in this party, this Government and our people and for your ongoing support and advice that you have all provided to ensure that we do good as a government and that the PNP can continue to be the Government for years to come. I take on board all of the views that were expressed as they all have some merit, but as Clayton said the confusion about what happened or the action taken was due to lack of clarity, and for that I have myself to blame. I have discussed these issues with my Cabinet ministers yesterday and we all have a clear understanding of what our position is as it relates to the Governor, and AG. These I will share later with party members and the general public in a manner as outlined by Clayton. I know that we do not and cannot meet as often as we would like so that these concerns can be expressed,but I would prefer that these kinds of discussions not take place in public domain of the internet. Thank you.” In his contribution to the debate, Cabinet Minister George Lightbourne wrote the following: “I am following this thread and I feel compel to chime in, firstly I would say that the essence of leadership is clarity and right now I am somewhat confused as to the signals we are sending to the public. I understand the need to be diplomatic and rise above the fray but we must ask ourselves what is the fray and whether it is worth rising above. The DP has all rights to attend any function in her personal capacity but as a public figure we must be careful because public perception can make you or break you. We were elected to represent the people of the TCI and they expect us to say what we mean and mean what we say. I disagree with Mr. Green when says that the governor did a stellar job and acted honorably nothing is further from the truth and I think it is misleading to say that . In fact I can provide evidence to the contrary, I think it is safe to say that he has deliberately inflicted hardship on our people by implementing policies to marginalize us. He refused to rebuild the one Glinton primary school that was burned down from 2010’, he refused to rectify the water system in Grand Turk, he took people property by compulsory acquisition without notification and grant them a piece of a less value without it being gazetted in a timely manner, he shut down tc invest, tci bank, sports commission and the list goes on .Governor in our constitution means governor in cabinet yet stil every major decision taken by him that have a long lasting negative impact on our country was done without cabinet consultation. I can go on and on but the point is he was not worthy of any of our attendance at his farewell function. I have the utmost respect for the DP but
I just think we need to be careful and be strong and always stand with the people and not be seen as against the wishes of our party or our people .” Crayton Higgs then came back with another email, which said: “I’ve just seen the reply by the DP (Deputy Premier) and I must say, I don’t care how big the fish is that you have to fry, and what your plans are, the direction things are going is dissolving the PNP base. None of you would be where you are if it wasn’t for the base, and none of you stand any chance without the base and by extension the people of this country. It seems like every opportunity to be seen in a photo with these oppressors are more important than reversing the situation that we find ourselves in. Being a stateswoman and statesmen maybe the problem, The Premier is on hand is portraying one thing while you on the other hand is portraying another. Left and right, black and white. More than me is chastising you and more than me is confused. I will have no more to say on this matter.” The Deputy Premier, Akierra Missick responded to Crayton Higgs by saying: “Crayton, whether you are finished or not is not my concern. You will not address me in this forum or any other as if I am one of your children. Whether you agree with my actions or not is a decision for you. I did not ask you for your view nor did I ask your permission to attend the function and give farewell greetings to the Governor. 2016 will be here sooner than you think, and at that time the people can decide if they want the PNP based on their track record and not whether I attended a function in 2013. The base is much smarter than you think, and I am grateful that I get to decide if I will contest my seat again. At this stage I will continue on as my role of Minister of Education and Deputy Premier if the party would prefer I don’t then that is fine, I’ll happily resign all together. The decision is that of the Party.” Crayton Higgs shot back with another email which stated: “You (Akierra Missick) held the premier hostage to the threat of resigning not me, and if I was him I would challenge you to. If your ideology is so far from that of the party, you should have ran as an independent, and not use the party platform to get your feet in, and then go rogue. Impress all of us in 2016 by running as an independent and winning without the party states-lady!” The Deputy Premier then responded to Higgs by saying: “Crayton, Please stop emailing me. Clearly your abusive tactics will not cease and I’m not interested in being your whipping post. I’m not at all concerned about your views. I have no interest in holding anyone hostage. I’ve left it to the party which you do not speak for and are intent on doing so. The PNP is bigger than you and always be so. Take your empty pathetic threats somewhere else. I’ve won my seat already. I’m here for 3 more years like it or lump it but you will live with it. Maybe you are not used to a young woman responding to you as such but in case you are unable to understand me here it is - do not email, call, text, WhatsApp or tweet me on this and any or any other matter you deem fit.”
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
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SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
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SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS
$500M trans-shipment, cruise, yacht port considered for East Caicos BY VIVIAN TYSON
A
$500million multi-use transshipment seaport on East Caicos geared to make the TCI the hub of the Caribbean region is one of three major multimillion dollar projects for which government is actively seeking funding to establish in the very near future. The other two are the further expansion of the Providenciales International Airport to transform it into a regional hub and the construction of a causeway to link this chain of islands together to open up more economic avenues. Premier for the TCI Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, who made the revelation at the government’s regular post cabinet news briefing on Friday (September 20), said he would be gunning to kick-start the transshipment port as early as next year. Explaining the seaport development, Premier Ewing said that the facility, which, on completion, should be the most expansive in the Caribbean, will also accommodate a mega-yacht as well as a cruise ship port. He said that the port would not only resuscitate the economy of East Caicos – an uninhabited island - but also islands with the Caicos chain. “With the development of the hub, we hope to make Turks and Caicos the hub for cargo transshipment, where we intend to develop a major cargo port, a major cruise port, as well as a mega-yacht port with resort development and duty free shops – special economic zones – transforming the economy of East Caicos and the rest of the Caicos Islands,” Dr. Ewing revealed.
“We hope, with the intention of lowering the cost of goods and services important to Turks and Caicos – lowering the cost of living - and also increasing the opportunities for economic diversification, as we participate in the rest of the world with regards to participating in transshipment, be it from Canada, the United States eastern seaboard, South America, even as far as China.” Explaining the reason why East Caicos Has been singled out for such development, Premier Ewing said: “East Caicos is the only island that has the landmass that is in close proximity to major ocean, to dock, and so, you can get ships into shore without having significant damage to coral reefs, significant damage to protected areas because there is no protected area on that section of East Caicos, whereby you can bring the port into shore. The environmental impact study was done several years ago and we intend to continue to do these studies.” Ewing said that on completion the port it should be the biggest in the region. “This will be an inland port. Some of the largest ports we have in the Caribbean will be the port in Freeport (Bahamas), the Port in Kingston (Jamaica) and then Port of Spain in Trinidad. And from our estimation, the inland port that we will have in East Caicos will be larger than all of them, discounting the length of the coastal line, but inland it will be the largest port of those particular islands. The Turks and Caicos is strategically positioned to facilitate transshipment from Europe, North America and Canada, Central America and South America,” he said.
Cabinet awards four contracts
US COAST GUARD SHIP CALLS ON TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
T
he Miami-based US Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell is presently in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The vessel is in TCI waters as part of her normal patrolling duties. While here, the ship will be conducting a number of training activities with the marine unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and government immigration officials. The Coast Guard ship which is docked at the government pier on Grand Turk, was welcomed by Acting Governor, Anya Williams on Sunday, September 22nd, 2013. The Acting Governor said the TCI authorities are very keen to work closely with our international partners, such as the US Coast Guard and the Royal Navy, to make the waters
F
Acting Governor Anya Williams with representatives of the US Coast Guard ship
around our islands as secure as they can be. Together with our own coastal radar station, the new joint facility on Inagua, the TCI is once again playing its role in combating people, drugs and weapons trafficking in the Caribbean region.”
Premier Ewing said that while his government hopes to receive to source funding for the project to start next year, its commencement will depend on the availability of money and legislative changes. To this end he is keeping his fingers crossed that the other side of the isle and the public buys into it. He said that the infrastructure working group that was recently established would also be asked to look at the feasibility of that and many other projects in the pipeline. “We would like to see it start next year but it may not happen because even though you may have bids out and requests, there is lots of planning that goes into it, but we must start now, he insisted. Premier Ewing revealed also that since government does not have the cash for such development and also that the country would not be able to borrow possibly until after 2016, when it pays off the UK DFID guaranteed loan, it would seek to enter in a public/private sector partnership. “We decided to go this way - the PPP - because, as a government, right now we don’t have the ability to borrow until probably after 2016, so we cannot put capital in terms of cash capital into projects, but we can facilitate it other ways. “We consider a PPP because government partnerships in these ventures can be restricted to government leasing crown land, to government facilitating development by providing certain incentives; for creating legislation, such as probably creating special economic zones for transshipment and duty free areas and duty free zones; and such as creating certain incentives to reduce tax burden as part of their participation.
our contracts were awarded when Cabinet met in Grand Turk on Wednesday September 18th. The contract to source and supply vehicles to the Police Force was awarded to Champion Trucking. The contract for the design and installation of a Closed Circuit Television System at the Radar Tower in Providenciales was awarded to Eagle Claw Security. The contract for the installation of a generator at the Green Door Hurricane Shelter in Grand Turk was awarded to R & R Company. The contract for the construction of the Customs Ware-
house & Fence in Grand Turk was awarded to J&H Construction. Meantime, Cabinet members heard an update on the negotiations regarding the National Stadium from the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. Negotiations are ongoing between the Attorney General’s Chambers on behalf of the Government and the legal representatives for the TCI Education Foundation. The matter is expected to be resolved in due course, but Cabinet agreed that the matter will be eventually debated in the House of Assembly with the aims of agreeing the way forward.
GOVERNMENT DENIES DEAL WITH TCHTA I
n an article published on a local blog TCI Affairs, the Government has been accused of surrendering employment and Immigration policy making to the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association. However, Simone Been, Senior Press and Protocol Officer in Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing’s office, said this allegation is based on a proposal submitted to the Government by the
TCHTA about the fast tracking of certain applications for work permits and appointments to the Immigration Board. Been said the Government denies that it has accepted the proposal. She said that the tourism industry is important to the country’s economy, and that the making and implementation of policy is a function of the Government.
The Senior Press Officer said that at the heart of Government’s policy is the promotion of Belonger interests in all segments of the economy and at all levels. She said that the proposal made by the TCHTA is not in keeping with Government’s policy, so there is no need for the public to be alarmed that the TCHTA will be in charge of setting or implementing Government policy.
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LOCAL NEWS
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
What about the Syrian people? Do they count? T
he last month’s chessboard politics about Syria and the use of chemical weapons have done nothing to stop the large-scale suffering of the mass of Syrian people, but they have underscored the inadequacy of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Throughout the last two years of the civil war in Syria the veto-privileged members of the UNSC continue to show that they each place higher priority on their own narrowly-defined national interests than on the welfare of people in affected countries. The Syrian statistics speak for themselves: over 2 million people have fled from the country and many of them are refugees in bordering states; over 6 million people have been displaced from their homes; and over 100,000 people have been killed, including children. These figures are not disputed but in their cold statistics – huge though they are – they fail to portray the full scale of suffering being endured by the Syrian people. A UNSC, concerned with global peace and the welfare of people, would have joined together at the outset of the Syrian conflict to avoid its escalation and to promote and enforce a solution. Instead, the 5 veto powers on the UNSC – in particular the Russian government – did everything possible to advance their own interests. In the result, the civil war escalated, fuelled in part by two regional neighbours, Iran and Saudi Arabia, who are fighting a proxy war in Syria of Sunni against Shia Muslims. There have been many instances in the past that starkly revealed the absolute necessity to reform the UNSC, especially to remove the wholly undemocratic veto powers of each of the five permanent members – Britain, China, France, Russian and the United States of America – that have consistently paralyzed the body. Once again, the utter failure of the UNSC to act together in Syria has emphasized how poorly it serves the people of the world in its present form. It is unlikely that the veto-nations on the UNSC will act with any greater sense of global responsibility as events over Syria unfold in the coming weeks. The potential proposal to avoid a military strike by the US is extremely difficult to implement. It should be recalled that it is Russia that responded to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s suggestion that a US military strike could be avoided, if Syrian President Bashar Assad gave up his chemical weapons under international supervision.
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Assad has seemingly agreed to do so after years of denying that his government had any chemical weapons at all. Read us online at www.suntci.com It is also important to remember that both the Russian government and he Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce jumped on this potential solution only Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson in light of US President Barack Obama’s Office Manager: Dominique Rigby threat of a military strike. Information Technology The process of identifying the location and Production Manager: Kelano Howell of stockpiled chemical weapons requires Design by Design2pro.com the fullest co-operation of the Syrian authorities, including those elements of the The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary military that would be strongly opposed of The SUN Media Group Ltd. to it. Additionally, quarantining the stockpiles and guarding them necessitates the We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and use of external forces authorised by the satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall UNSC – this calls for close and meaningdevelopment of the Turks and Caicos Islands. ful collaboration by the veto-5 nations. In the best of circumstances, this would be a feat difficult to accomplish; in a country beset by a civil war where move- of authorisation by the UNSC. This posiment is a major challenge, it is almost im- tion is, of course, legally correct. In statpossible. Add to this already poisonous ing their position, these governments brew the mistrust that exists on all sides have also rightly condemned the use of and the difficulty of the situation assumes chemical weapons. They have called for a diplomatic and political solution to enormous proportions. And while these manoeuvres take the civil war in Syria. But, while a diploplace, the war in Syria and its terrible con- matic and political solution might have sequences for the Syrian people contin- been possible at a very early stage of the ue. The only good thing that might have internal Syrian conflict, history of othcome from them is that they should deter er civil wars instruct that in the midst of the further use of chemical weapons. The current intense conflict, such a solution cruelty and prolonged agony chemicals cannot be achieved especially as govinflict on victims cannot be hidden. Any ernments of major countries within and further use might arouse enough anger in outside the Middle East have a stake in a world community - that has so far been who wins. Therefore, the death count that is alcontent to be spectators to the conflict in Syria – to demand action by their govern- ready over 100,000, the displacement of ments. But, of course, ending slaughter by millions of people from their homes and chemical weapons does not end carnage the millions of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries and even across the by other means. Public opinion on whether their globe will continue relentlessly until one countries should intervene in Syria has of the many groups in Syria bludgeons been influenced by two things. The first the others into submission. Much Syrian blood will be spilled and is the deceit by governments – in particular the US and British governments many innocent Syrians including chilunder George W Bush and Tony Blair - dren will die while the world watches on. about weapons of mass destruction held This would be a terrible stain on the conby Saddam Hussein to justify the inva- science of all mankind. As the UN Secresion of Iraq; and the second is the wide- tary-General Ban Ki Moon recently obspread view held in many parts of the served: “Our collective failure to prevent world that Muslims are terrorists. There- atrocity crimes in Syria over the past two fore, even though no government or po- and a half years will remain a heavy burlitical party dares to say it publicly, they den on the standing of the United Nations are keenly aware that the overwhelming and its Member States”. As the UN General Assembly is set to sentiment in their constituencies is that the Muslims in Syria should be left to convene, at the very least the governments get on with their war against each other. of the world should call on the 5-veto naMany governments around the world tions of the UNSC to act responsibly and have concluded that military interven- together in Syria, and that should not extion in Syria by any country or group of clude a credible joint UN military intercountries would be illegal in the absence vention to end further slaughter.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
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LOCAL NEWS
Alarming new cancer detection rate in TCI BY VIVIAN TYSON
T
he reported cases of cancer in the Turks and Caicos Islands are growing at an alarming rate, according to a National Cancer Society executive member, in an interview with The SUN earlier this week. Rosemary Jolly, Vice President for the Turks and Caicos Islands National Cancer Society said that new cases of the disease are discovered on a regular basis. And because a number of the victims are not able to cope, especially financially, to fund their recovery efforts on their own, the Society is hard-pressed to respond to the weekly requests. “I can tell you, it is alarming on the number of persons that come to us on a weekly, monthly basis, to seek our assistance to travelling abroad for treatments. We assist patients that go away for treatment. We continue to assist them with a stipend,” Jolly said. “Nowadays, most of the patients go to the Bahamas for treatments. Over the years we are just being overwhelmed by the number of cases, and it seems like (the requests for assistance continue to rise) on a daily basis.” Jolly, who was at the Regent Palms Resort attending the launch of “In the Pink” an annual fundraiser with proceeds going towards the Cancer Society, told The SUN that of the ex-
Rosemary Jolly ponential increase in cancer cases, breast cancer was most common. “I would say we have seen the largest increase in breast cancer. We have seen diagnoses of breast cancer more so than any other cancers; breast cancer and then some prostate cancer. But overwhelmingly we have seen more breast cancer cases,” Jolly asserted. Jolly said that much more cases could be out there and advised that early detection has proven to save lives, and so, invited persons to register for its screening when the drive starts next month.
CONCH FARM LABOURER/ SEA GARDENER $7.50 per hour TRADE WIND INDUSTRIES, LTD (TWI) Providenciales TWI is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill a position as a Labourer/Sea Gardener. A Conch Farm Labourer/Sea Gardener’s daily duties involve hands on care for juvenile and adult conch and includes, but is not limited to; feeding, waste removal, cleaning, sorting, harvesting, processing, removing the animal, peeling the meat and cleaning the shells. The successful candidate must be a strong, competent and experienced swimmer & snorkeler. This is a physically demanding job in the outdoor environment and involves spending much time wet or in the sea. Other staff duties include site maintenance, trash removal and assisting other employees. Persons interested in this position should submit their resume to tradewindconch@gmail.com .
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“So we appeal to especially the women of the Turks and Caicos to come to the locations where we are registering for the October mammogram screening. We are going to be at Graceway IGA, we are going to be at the hospital, we are going to be at Quality Supermarket, we are going to be at a number of different places registering persons for the mammogram screening. So, are appealing to women and to men, because we do have men with breast cancer, to come and register to do their mammogram,” she appealed. She continued: “We just can’t express how important the work that we do, but we are also passionate about doing this. And we can’t express how important it is to this mission, so to speak, because every family in this country has been touched directly or indirectly by cancer, and we are seeing it every day.” In the Pink, which is slated for October 12 at the Regent Palms, is an event where donated clothing, jewelry and other items are sold to raise funds for the society. The shopping frenzy is from 6pm. to 8pm. The after party starts at 8pm. Karen Whitt, head of the In the Pink Committee, said that they expect to raise $25,000 from this year’s event, $5,000 more than the $20,000 it raised last year. “If you know anything about the National Cancer Society, their
needs are very great. The event is growing. We have grown from a small event, from just selling merchandise, to now we have sponsors. We have an after party. So as the event grows, so should the amount of proceeds that we are able to donate,” she said. Among the sponsors are Jai’s Jewelry, Parrot Cay, the Regent Palms and Amanyara Resort. The event will also include raffles and auctions of fabulous prizes, including hotel stays, and yacht excursions. In the meantime, the National Cancer Society says it will be staging a number of activities for October, which is observed as Cancer Awareness Month. October 5, will be the Breast Cancer Walk-a-thon. The route will be from Graceway Gourmet to the Ashcroft School roundabout in Leeward and back. On October 6, the Society will worship at a designated church on Providenciales. On October 19, will be the Islands Walk-a-thon to be held on South Caicos, Middle Caicos and South Caicos. The month-long cancer awareness observance will culminate on the October 26, with the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon, to take place at the Beaches Resort and Spa. As customary, one of the Society’s biggest sponsors – Baptist Health – will provide a guest speaker, who is usually a doctor.
Vacancy SALESPERSON uDo you have an outgoing personality and good communication skills? uDo you wish to work in dynamic and target oriented job environment? uAre you ready to work on an irregular schedule? uDo you have sales experience? uAre you between 20-40 years old? uDo you have an interest on working and improving yourself in jewelry market? Please submit resume directly to Milano Diamond Gallery or email your resume to vonette@milanodg.com
Page 8
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS Integrity Commission continuing investigation into allegations against Deputy Police Commissioner Rodney Adams
SECURITY GUARD GETS 6 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STEALING MORE THAN $130,000 FROM BUTTERFIELD GOLD
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fter four months of probing, the Integrity Commission wishes to inform the public that its investigation into the allegation of improper involvement by ADCP Rodney Adams in the Police investigation into the murder of Kaziah Burke is still ongoing. In a press release, Integrity Commission Director Eugene Otuonye said: “This has been a very sensitive and highly complex investigation. Although it has engaged the top priority attention and resources of the Commission, it is inevitably taking some time. The Commission however expects the investigation to be completed soon and appreciates the patience and understanding of all concerned. A further press release will be issued in due course.� The 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. Both Mr. Adams and Mr. Farquhar agreed that in the interests of protecting the integrity of the Roy-
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams is still on leave after four months of investigation al Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) and Adams’ personal reputation that this was the correct way forward. “The over-riding objective for the RTCIPF and Rodney Adams is to ensure public conďŹ dence in our Police Force and that we have effective and efďŹ cient control of a developing case of national signiďŹ cance,â€? said Commissioner Colin Farquhar. “This is why this independent investigation is the right thing to do for everyone involved.â€?
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
arl Gardiner, a security guard employed to ButterďŹ eld Gold Group of Companies has been sentenced to six years in prison by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Joan Joyner, after he was found guilty of stealing an accumulating $130,000 he was trusted with to take to the bank on behalf of that entity. Gardiner was found guilty and sentenced on Tuesday, September 17, for stealing the cash between November 19, 2009 and December 27, 2009. The cash was mainly from the Shell gas station for which the ButterďŹ eld Gold Group of Companies has the local franchise. The trial lasted for nine days. The court was told that 48 bags of cash that Gardiner was given on different dates in December, 2009, to deposit at the bank never reached those accounts. In addition, court document shows that money bags that Gardiner was supposed to drop off at the bank on behalf of ButterďŹ eld Gold on 13 occasions in November, 2009, reached those accounts the following month. Clement Joseph, Prosecutor with the ofďŹ ce of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) outlined that it appeared the monies Gardiner stole from the company in December, which amounted to about $109,000, were used to replace the pillage he made on the
November deposits, which was about $33,000. Joseph said the money the company gave to Gardiner to drop off at the bank in November should have showed up on the accounts the following day. He said the cash that was supposed to be deposited between November 19 and 30 began to show up on the accounts between December 2 and 12. Joseph said that in some cases, the deposits that should have been credited on the accounts in November took up to a month to show up on the accounts, when they should have taken just a day. He said that all 13 bags that were later credited to the accounts showed different numbers than what Gardiner had signed for before carting the cash to the bank. Gardiner defense team, which was represented by Mark Fulford of F. Chambers and Co., argued that a mitigating factor in the matter was that the security guard had replaced the funds he stole in November from the company in December. But the prosecution, however, argued that the fact that Gardiner replaced the stolen November funds in December did not negate the offense of him stealing the company’s money. Joseph likened his action to stealing a car in November and returning it in December.
PROVO GOLF CLUB Provo Golf Club is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered. GOLF PROFESSIONAL JOB SUMMARY t 1SPWJEF DPNQFUFOU HPMG JOTUSVDUJPO UP NFNCFST BOE HVFTUT t 3VO (PMG $MJOJDT GPS MBSHFS HSPVQT OFFEJOH JOTUSVDUJPO t "TTJTU XJUI PSHBOJ[JOH DIBSJUZ HPMG FWFOUT BU 1($ t 'VMMZ DP PSEJOBUF HSPVQ FWFOUT GSPN TUBSU UP ĂśOJTI t "TTJTU JO UPVSOBNFOU TBMFT BOE TFU VQ t "TTJTU JO CVEHFUJOH BOE GPSFDBTUJOH t "TTJTU JO B WBSJFUZ PG PUIFS 1SPGFTTJPOBM (PMG EVUJFT BU 1($ REQUIREMENTS t .VTU IBWF NFNCFSTIJQ JO 1(" PG "NFSJDB PS $BOBEB t 4USPOH DPNQVUFS TLJMMT VTJOH .JDSPTPGU 8PSE &YDFM BOE 1VCMJTIFS t .JOJNVN ZFBST PS NPSF FYQFSJFODF BT B (PMG 1SPGFTTJPOBM t 1SPWFO PSHBOJ[BUJPOBM TLJMMT 5IF TBMBSZ GPS UIJT QPTJUJPO JT DPNNFOTVSBUF XJUI FYQFSJFODF USBJOJOH BOE FEVDBUJPO *OUFSFTUFE BQQMJDBOUT TIPVME DPOUBDU 7FSPOJDB 3JHCZ WJB FNBJM CZ 4FQUFNCFS BU SPOOJF!IBCHSPVQ DPN PS CZ GBY 0OMZ QFSTPOT TFMFDUFE GPS BO JOUFSWJFX XJMM CF DPOUBDUFE CZ FNBJM PS UFMFQIPOF UP TDIFEVMF BO JOUFSWJFX
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 9
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS
Bad debt resolution causes heated exchange in House of Assembly BY VIVIAN TYSON
Member of Parliament for Five Cays Hon. Sean Astwood said that the minister’s statement was conflicting, since he reported that the accounting general had deemed the owed money irrecoverable while at the same time launched investigation into recovering the funds. “It is only after the investigation is completed that a determination can be made,” he insisted. “And what made me more concern is that the minister of finance just said that they might be able to re-
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overnment, opposition and appointed members butted heads in the House of Assembly on Thursday (September 20) over the recommendation by the accounting general office that $2.57million deemed irrecoverable be written off. The motion was brought to the House by Minister for Finance Hon. Washington Misick, who said that the purported bad debt came mainly as a result of accounting bungling, such as monies listed as advances when they should have been recorded as salaries, and also advances to staff accumulated over the years, during which no reconciliations were made to regularize the books. He said that some of the funds were owed from as far back as 2001, and when the software to the accounting system was changed, some of the funds were deemed irrecoverable at the time. He said as it relates to staff advances, there could be wrong postings. The finance minister said also that the decision to have the funds written off as bad debt came about after balance on government books did not reflect bank balance. The finance minister said that the records showed that at the of the 2007 financial year, government was owed a little over $3million from advances to staff. He said between 2007 and 2011, government collected some of the outstanding funds, reducing the debt to a little over $2.6millon. The recovered sum, according to Misick, represented approximately 43 percent of recovery at the end of that financial year. He said however, that government was having difficulties recovering another $2.57million, thus the recommendation by the accounting general’s office to write it off, and thereby listing the current outstanding balance at a little over $96,000. He said that government needs to clear its books for a number of reasons, including the mid-year Fiscal and Strategic Policy Statement (FSPS) report that it has to file to the United Kingdom government by the middle of the financial year. But Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson would have none of it. She said that there was no proof put forward by the government to suggest that the funds were irrecoverable, and so, would not support the motion until more proof can be given. “The situation is, it is nothing short of irresponsible and reckless to vote on this without additional information,” she said. Cartwright Robinson added: “This is before the Public Accounts
Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick
Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Robinson
Committee. The acting accounting general said they were not in any positions to make any decisions because they have not completed their reconciliations, so they couldn’t determine the amount that was recoverable versus what was irrecoverable. “The department requested information for the same audit, and it wasn’t forthcoming, so the audit hasn’t been placed in a position itself to make a decision that it should be written off, and that has to come from the accounting general. And of course, that comes through the Public Accounts Committee. “But when this motion first came, in my capacity as chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I enquired whether the reconciliation was completed where the auditor was in a position to make, nothing had moved since we had our first meeting, and that was before the Appropriations Committee met for budget.” She further noted: So, as far as I was aware there is nothing even from the treasury showing that reconciliation was completed, and they are satisfied that all these amounts are irrecoverable. We are not saying that it is recoverable or irrecoverable, we just don’t have the facts.” Hon. Delroy Williams, the Member of Parliament for Wheeland, said that documents were needed before he was sold on the matter, noting that the sum should not be written off for the sake of writing it off. At Large Member of Parliament Hon. Derek Taylor argued that while the accounting general could make recommendation for the written of the of the sum, procedures under the law must be followed, saying that what the finances minister was requesting was tantamount to bypassing the law. “The House should definitely have had the document surrounding the request, to give us an opportunity to (review it), rather than at the eleventh hour send around and ask for these things” Taylor said.
cover some of these amounts later on. Something is fundamentally wrong with that. “My concern is, we are using one accounting concept to fix a problem where it doesn’t apply. So if we are having issues with you clearing the books to prepare for that FSPS, you can’t have the accountant general make up accounts being irrecoverable to suit that purpose.” But the minister hit back, stressing he his statement was not contradictory, but rather applying to standard accounting policy. “I have done the best with the information that I have, that is all I can say,” he said. Astwood’s comments did not go unchallenged, as Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra Missick, said that his utterances could send the wrong signal. “If I can ask for him to remove from the record his comment about the moving of funds or postings so that the FSPS can look good. I think you may have someone jumping up in an office right now, feeling that you have picked on them. Just listening to it, it sounded a bit off, that’s all I am saying,” Missick argued. The finance minister was also not pleased with Astwood’s comment, saying that it was construed some attempt by government to “cook the books for the purpose of the FSPS”. “You didn’t use those words but you did use words that give that meaning. And it not only impinge on my character but the accounting general and other public servants, whose work it is to present this, because I didn’t prepare this myself. I am using information that was provided to me by the treasury department,” the finance minister charged. However, Astwood said that his comment was merely an echo initiated by the minister of finance, and he attempted no such accusation. Governor’s Appointed Member, Hon. Lillian Missick also chided the finance minister for presenting what she said was an incomplete document. She said that the minister should have expected that the
House would not support his resolution for its lack of detail. According to her, only someone that is stupid and dumb would support the resolution. “This resolution that the minister brought to the House of Assembly came as a single bit of paper with no attachment, no explanation, nothing. I would have hoped, and I still hope, when you are looking for support from the House of Assembly for matters, irrespective of your numerical superiority in the House, that you would at least try to encourage and engage other members in the House, to get some kind of support. “I understand there is a need to clean up the books, but you cannot, in all fairness, come to the House of Assembly and ask members to support a resolution to write off $5million dollars. You have to understand the environment that we are in at the moment, when people are crying out against onerous taxation measures, and then you come and ask us to support a resolution to write off $5million, without giving us any explanation whatsoever. “And Hon. Minister, I understand your frustration, but you have got to be a little less testy when people ask for information. What you read just now is something that members should have got in advance and be able to read and understand and digest. And for you to get up now, read, and expect people to say ‘Oh yes, I support it’, is unreasonable,” she said. To this end, Missick suggested that more time be allocated for proper documentation be prepared and presented to the House before the FSPS deadline is reached. “There is a process that must be followed. Yes, the minister can bring a resolution to the House to write off a debt but it must be done after reconciliation by the accounting general. The auditor general must have a say, not to write off, but the auditor general must be satisfied that all precautions have been taken to recover monies that are public monies,” she said. But triggered Minister Misick to jump to his own defense once again, accusing the appointed member of playing politics with the matter. “This write-off is for 2013/14. It hasn’t gone to the auditor general yet. You can’t write off something last year, you have to write off in the current year. There is reconciliation; I explained it that it is irreconcilable. So don’t come here and politic and give people the wrong impression,” the minister charged. The House was adjourned with no resolution reached on the matter. The finance minister is however, recommended to bring more information regarding the resolution when the House resumes on October 3.
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SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS
Fortis boss surprised power theft yet to kill anyone BY VIVIAN TYSON
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ddington Powell, Chief Executive Officer for Fortis TCI says that he is surprised that there has not been a single loss of life or serious injury arising from not only the level electricity theft, but also the recklessness with which the culprits extract power from its system. Powell gave his reflection to The SUN during an interview following the official opening of its new mechanical workshop on its Leeward Highway site. Even though the company is losing money to electricity theft, Powell said he was still happy that so far no one has been seriously injured or worst. “It is also very dangerous, I am pleasantly surprised that someone has not seriously hurt yet, because if you have been to some of those sites, you would see the wires going through the brush, and kids and animals are all around. I am surprised that given what has happened we have not had a serious accident yet, which is good. “But we have got to stop it because it is a very dangerous practice to people who are involved in it. That’s an on ongoing problem. It is dangerous, dangerous to the community, dangerous to the people who are involved in it,” he said.
Eddington Powell Powell noted that while he could not give a specific percentage on the power theft loss, pointed out that it is very significant. He said that while Fortis TCI has not been racking up the level of losses due to theft, as much as other Caribbean countries, stated that the illegal extraction has been affecting the company’s ability to serve its customers effectively and preserve its bottom line. “Our loss is overall eight percent system loss. So it is very significant, we talk about overall production, and you are losing through technical and non-technical losses of about 8 to 11 percent. That is better than a lot of Caribbean countries. We feel that we can still reduce that further, and theft is what’s called non-technical losses, which makes up a significant portion of that. Also because people are stealing the power, that means that they are benefiting from other consumers,” he pointed out. The Fortis boss was however cau-
TCI Middle School PO Box 1139, 48 Richmond Hill Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies Tel 649 231 1519 Email: principal@tcimiddleschool.com
TCI Middle School requires for January 2014 part time Spanish and PE teachers for this expanding school.
Applicants will need to be dynamic, enthusiastic and creative teachers with an excellent working knowledge of the National Curriculum for England and Wales Guidelines with at least 2 years teaching experience in the UK. They need to be flexible and adaptable in their approach to learning. The initial teaching contract will be for a period of one year. Salary will be negotiable according to experience.
Closing date 30th September 2013 Please Email CV or letter of application with a recent photograph and contact phone number together with the names and phone numbers of referees to: Mark Dunbavand at the above address.
Insurance Manager needed for on island insurance brokerage company. Must be a college graduate, demonstrate competency in the daily management, supervision, coordination and completion of underwriting surveying and claims. Position requires significant administrative and financial responsibilities. Must be an excellent communicator with good computer, planning and administration skills. Salary begins at $50K but will be commensurate with experience. Please submit applications to The Manager P.O. Box 97, Caribbean Place, Providenciales Fax 649 946 4564, with a copy to Department of Labour, Providenciales Email resume to: johannefreeman@gmail.com
tious as to translate the losses attributable to power theft into dollar figure. He said that the company is rather emphasizing its focus on ways to reduce losses. “I don’t want to throw a dollar figure out, but if you are talking about 11 percent of our generation being loss in the system due to technical and non-technical, that is very significant,” Powell said. In the meantime, Powell pointed out that the opening of the mechanical worker will boost generating efficiency to customer, thereby saving them and the company money. With the new workshop, according to Powell, the maintenance would be much quicker, yet more effective. “The new mechanical workshop offers us a lot of capabilities in terms of improving efficiency and reducing the cost of maintenance. It provides accessibility to do advance machining, for example advance technical cleaning of parts. It also allows us to progress with our apprenticeship programme. So we already begin to see the benefit (of the workshop’s construction). It has already starting to pay dividends in terms of cutting the maintenance cycle. On the last major maintenance on one of our Wasilla engines, we were able to cut that cycle by 25 percent,” Powell revealed.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
COMPANIES URGED TO UPDATE BUSINESS LICENCE
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he Business Licensing Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment is undertaking an exercise to update its database to reflect all current business license holders. To facilitate the process, the Unit is appealing to business owners and operators who are currently operating WITHOUT a valid Business License, to visit one of the Business Unit’s offices on either Providenciales or Grand Turk to regularise their status. The Business Licensing Unit advises that applications to regularise the status of a business MUST be completed no later than October 4, 2013. Applicants MUST ensure that they are in good standing by paying all arrears, fees and charges associated with their operations. Individuals whose businesses have creased operations MUST advise the Business License Unit of the date of cessation. Please note that any business that has not been brought up-to-date, will be struck off the database effective October 7, 2013 and will be subject to enforcement action including legal proceedings. According to a Government press release, this is the final request and failure to comply with this request will result in legal proceedings against all businesses that are operating without a valid business licence.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 11
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS
Ambulance workers want deplorable working conditions addressed BY VIVIAN TYSON
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mergency Medical Services (EMS) workers on Providenciales are calling on the relevant authorities to urgently address what they described as the subhuman condition under which they are being made to work. The first responders told The SUN that the appalling condition is one that is protracted, since a great deal of representation has been made on their behalf by persons within that department. However, they said so far, their cries have fallen on deaf ears. The EMS unit is now housed temporarily on the compound of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergency, located along the Leeward Highway. One disgruntled employee complained that after an emergency, workers are not able to clean themselves up because the building has no running water. They said that the toilet is unusable because is it unable to flush due to the lack of running water. The worker said that on many occasions after an emergency, workers are forced to either go home or find the nearest location that would allow them to clean themselves, as a result or no running water on the property. They said also that alternative bathroom means have to be sought whenever nature calls. They said also that an unbearable stench that emanates from the bathroom, keeps the workers outside the building for as long as they are able to.
The uncovered mattress on the floor of a room. Workers are not able to use the face basin nor the toilet because there is no running water in the building. To lessen the offensive scent coming from the bathroom, they used towels to stuff the door groove. “Man, it’s crazy the kind of condition that we have to work in. You know that whenever there is an emergency, everyone expects us to turn up on time and be professional, and for the most part we have been doing that. But the conditions that we are work in is beginning to get to us. No human being should be made to work in that kind of condition,” the concerned worker said. On top of that, the worker said that there are no proper facilities to eat or rest. They said that one room has been furnished with what the employees described as a grimy uncovered mattress, which is tossed in a corner of the floor in one of the rooms. “Nobody wants to lie down on that unless you have a germ wish. The condition is not good, and you would imagine that the kind of job that
we do, the people in authority would pay a little more attention to us. “For whatever reason – drivers failed to move out of the way in time or some other stuff – we are late on a scene, everybody will have a fit. They expect the most from us, but do not have a clue under the condition that we work,” the worker vented. The worker continued: “I must say that Patrick Riel, who runs the unit, has been making representation on our behalf. He got some stuff as it relates to equipment to do our job, but so far he is not successful getting the basic things that we need to keep us healthy, especially when we are at the base.” Efforts to reach Riel for a comment were not successful, up to press time, as we were told that he was out of office. The SUN contacted Minister for Health and Human Services Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith, who said that she would not be able to comment on the matter until she is able to appraise the situation at the EMS for herself. The ambulance worker also said that they want government to clarify whether or not they fall under the classification of civil servants, and if not, should be made to join that rank. “The other day when I enquired about benefits that civil servants get, and that the ambulance workers are not getting that same benefits, a ministry worker told me that, we are not civil servants, therefore we are not entitled to civil servants benefits. I really don’t think that is fair, and I would like the government to address it,” the worker said.
Senior Sales Leader If banking is your expertise and you possess dynamic leadership, strategic thinking and results focused abilities, then consider this executive opportunity with Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd. The Senior Sales Leader (SSL) is responsible for the profitable development and maintenance of retail banking business of a network of Branches in the Turks and Caicos and for contributing to the quality of the loan portfolio, ensuring adequate controls and procedures are in place to safeguard the bank’s assets. The SSL is to ensure the Bank’s high profile in the communities served and demonstrate a personal commitment to customer service, consistent with the Bank’s standards and procedures.
IMMEDIATE OPENING Youth Program and Facilities Manager
Requirements: t 3-5 years experience managing children’s program and facilities with capability to distinguish age-appropriate activities and behavior; education and credentials in child development t Certified in CPR, water safety and First Aid t Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience t Knowledge of kids programs, logistics and related skills as well as competitor’s products and services t Experience developing annual budget in conjunction with Controller and General Manager t Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: t Developing, implementing and marketing youth program facilities t Managing the operations of the kids club with wide variety of activities for all ages t Order and maintain supplies and equipment as well as operating equipment Starting salary 28,000 per annum not including service charge Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing to marjorie.dorsett@regenthotels.com no later than Friday, September 27, 2013.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE: t Ensure the profitable development and maintenance of retail banking business through a network of branches t Participate in the growth of retail deposit business and contribute to Bank profitability t Develop and implement measures to ensure customer service is consistent with the Bank’s standards. t Contributes to the maximization of the Bank’s profitability t Contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the Bank’s image in the communities served by personal involvement in the social and professional life of the community and ensuring other senior officers do likewise. t Contribute to the ongoing development of the Bank by serving as a member of the Senior Management team participating in the development of the Bank policy and strategic direction. t Maximizing profitability by effectively controlling branch operations/expenditures. t Effectively managing and control the loan portfolios at an acceptable level of risk. t Ensuring that national and international compliance laws/requirements are implemented and sustained. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA NEEDED FOR THIS ROLE INCLUDES: t Minimum of 15 years experience with an International Bank with expert knowledge of commercial, retail and corporate policies, procedures and products. t Proven ability and experience to analyse complex financial transactions. tA solid track record in managing credit portfolio and negotiating with influential customers in a highly competitive environment. t Strong negotiation and problem resolution skills in connection with problem loan management. t Highly polished written and verbal communication skills. t Excellent leadership abilities to multi-task, organize and motivate teams to achieving overall success. t Strong marketing skills to develop/change strategies to meet and surpass business expectations. t Sound knowledge of the rules and regulations imposed by FSC as well as local legislation and the ability to interpret these laws. t Ability to independently, and with the support of direct reports and team members, develop the necessary sales management disciplines required to drive and sustain the sales and service culture. t Sound knowledge of the retail business environment, customer trends and their implications within the financial service industry. If this opportunity sounds challenging and exciting, we invite you to forward your resume/application to us. Scotiabank offers an attractive salary/benefits package and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Please submit applications no later than Tuesday September 17, 2013 to: Lynette Grant-Higgs –Manager Human Resources Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd Providenciales, TCI E-mail: lynette.grant-higgs@scotiabank.com
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LOCAL NEWS
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Acting Governor Williams gives Ric Todd high marks BY VIVIAN TYSON
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f Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams, as a teacher, is to grade ex-governor Ric Todd, as a student on his handling of the Turks and Caicos Islands economy over the past two years, she would give him straight As. The acting governor was among a small group of dignitaries invited to the Providenciales International Airport, to see off Governor Todd on Sunday (September 15), after a brief ceremony spearheaded by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Band. After Todd had given her his best wishes and boarded the British Airways flight, Williams told the media that the ex-governor did a fantastic job, since his policies pulled the Turks and Caicos Islands economy from the brink of disaster and placed it onto the path of restoration. “When he came here two years ago, we didn’t expect that we would have reached the milestone in such record time. We did. We had elections; we just need to move forward on a new footing. All positive things are now in store for Turks and Caicos,” Acting Governor Williams said. The acting governor pointed out that Governor Todd came here with the instructions to enact legislative and political changes, as well as to turnaround the economy before elections could be called. And she said that he achieved all of that. “All governors come with specific assignments. His assignment was to meet the milestones, and that was what he set his mind to doing. As a technocrat in the ministry of finance at the time, I can certainly say that when he sat
Ex-governor greets Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams during the short ceremony that we held to herald his departure as governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Looking at right is Patrick Boyle, CEO of the Civil Service and Human Rights Commissioner, Doreen Quelch-Stubbs (partly hidden.)
at the table with us and said ‘I want to aim for elections within the next 18 months’. I looked at him and said it is almost impossible. We hadn’t seen a surplus in five years, that those were the years that I was most responsible for. He just set his mind to it and he made sure that he set our minds to it as well. “And last November, we held elections. That was an historic moment for us. That was the day that our Constitution was restored. I think that wouldn’t have been done, unless we had someone like him to push us,” she said.
Acting Governor Williams said that a great deal of the decisions made by ex-governor Todd were painful, but stressed that they were part of the surgical procedure that would result in the healing of the country’s financial and other woes. “I know a lot of the decisions were hard but they were necessary, and I think when we look back in time, history would be kind to us, because where we are now is a place where many other Caribbean islands longed to be. We are doing things here that many other islands wish that they had, we are recording surpluses,” she pointed out. She added: “There are so many positive things going on in Turks and Caicos, so I think it is time for us to focus on the positive and to say goodbye to the past, and to put in place good things for the future of the Turks and Caicos.” In the meantime, Acting Governor Williams said that ex-governor Todd had a great deal of confidence in her ability as deputy governor, affirming such belief in her even seconds before boarding the British Airways flight out of the TCI. “When he came over and he said to me, ‘congratulations on your new posting, you have certainly proven you are the best person for the job,’ I think that said a lot to me. We always had a good working relationship, so I am happy to have worked with him; happy to make my contribution to the country, and looking forward to doing much more. This (ex-governor Todd’s tenure and changes the country went through) is just moment in history, there is much more to do,” she said.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 13
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS
Detainees complain about detention centre conditions BY VIVIAN TYSON
T
he detention centre in Providenciales is back in the news again, this time inmates their complaining of the unhealthy way in which their food are being prepared by the cooks. Recently released detainees told The SUN that some of the inmates do not believe the authorities, including the Immigration Department, know about such treatment, since it is a private contractor that prepares the meals for them. “They prepare our food as if we are swine and dogs,” said one of the former inmates, who opted to remain anonymous. When I was there a number of detainees refused, including myself, the same half-cooked meals for breakfast for several days. Sometimes we go without breakfast for days, because the food they gave to eat us did not prepare properly and we were fearful that we could get sick.” Another former inmate said that at times they were fed leftovers spanning days. He said that he and other inmates who had family members in the community depended on them to carry meals after refusing to eat what was being served at the facility. “Some of us survived our stay overt there because of our family and friends bringing food for us because the food served was
sometimes spoilt and poisonous and with no taste,” the former inmate said. He recalled a time at the facility when the facility ran out of drinking water because for some inexplicable reason the company that supplies the compound did not a delivery for days. He said as a result, when they asked for drinking water they were served with untreated water from a tank on the compound. “The dirty water was given to us in disguise for TCI Crystal water. As soon as the water was given to us, a security guard secretly told us not to drink it because it was taken from the tank and not from the drinking water company. The treatment is very inhumane there, but I don’t know that the Immigration Department knows much about it because when they came there to check on the conditions the workers there act like they were treating us nice,” the former inmate said. One of the former detainee said that sometimes guards at the facility would intentionally ill-treat the inmates even when they are not creating any form of disturbance. “Sometimes they treat us bad there even when we do nothing to get those treatments. There was a guy there who they cuffed both his feet for two weeks because they accused him of translating English to Creole to other detainees. He said all he was doing was to tell the security about some of the concerns that his fellow inmates had,” he said. He said that some of the detainers, es-
NOTICE OF TENDER The Turks and Caicos Islands Ports Authority is in the process of inviting tenders to conduct a financial audit of the Authority for the financial years 2010/11 through 2012/13. Locally based audit firms in good standing that may be interested in undertaking such an audit should contact the Financial Controller, Turks and Caicos Islands Ports Authority, South Dock, Providenciales Telephone No. (649) or email: slewis@ports.tc
941 3662
for further details
The closing date for the tender is 12:00 noon on Friday, October 25, 2013.
SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION
Pursuant to the provisions of the Registered Land Ordinance, British Caribbean Bank Limited, Governor’s Road, Leeward, Providenciales HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that it will cause to be sold by public auction the following properties:
TITLE DESCRIPTION REGISTERED 60802/207 A single storey dwelling house PROPRIETOR The Bight and with a one-bedroom annex and Thomas Stubbs Providenciales
two porches (approx. 2,200 sq ft). Terrance Adams The house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, kitchen, kitchenette, living and dining area.
pecially the ones that are there for over an extended period, wished they were at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk because the detention centre has no form of recreation, and so some of them are “going crazy” staring at blank walls every day. “There is no television at the detention centre, and so when you are there, there is nothing to do. You just sit in the room and stare at the blank walls every day. There was a time that we were allowed to go outside for fresh air, but up until the time I left, they stopped letting us out to get fresh air. Many of the detainees said that they would receive better treatment if they were at the Grand Turk prison because they have television to watch, so they know what is going on in the world. They have recreation of many kinds, and they get good meals, so they believe they would be better off there,” the former inmate said. When contacted, an immigration source said the department had received complaints of that nature, but could not substantiate such allegation at this time, even though they would conduct their own investigation into the matter. The source said also that plans are in the making for the overhauling of the detention centre, to bring it up to international standard. The source however, declined to outline the level of renovation that the centre will undergo.
SAUNDERS & CO. ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY WITH A MINIMUM OF AT LEAST 30 YEARS POST - QUALIFI CATION EXPERIENCE WITH ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES: • Admission to the Turks & Caicos Bar, • A minimum of 7 years practicing in the Turks & Caicos Islands, • Extensive experience in conveyancing, commercial, residential development work and corporate law; • Hard working with a willingness to work long hours including weekends and holidays; and • A preference will be given to those applicants with an existing base and knowledge of local legislation. LITIGATION ATTORNEY WITH A MINIMUM OF AT LEAST 15 YEARS POST - QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE WITH ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES:• Admission to the Turks & Caicos Bar, • A minimum of 15 years experience in commercial litigation and commercial arbitration at all courts levels, • Qualified and experienced as an arbitrator in the areas of insurance and banking disputes; • Hard working with a willingness to work long hours including weekends and holidays; and • Fluent French and Spanish are essential. Salary will commensurate with experience, minimum starting rate is $300.00 per hour. Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to
The auction will be held on Wednesday 10th October, 2013 at 10:00am at the offices of the British Caribbean Bank Limited, Governor’s Road, Leeward, Providenciales. Conditions of sale may be obtained from the British Caribbean Bank Limited @ 1-649-941-5028. ALL SALES ARE SUBJECT TO RESERVE; 10% DEPOSIT REQUIRED AFTER SUCCESSFUL BID.
Saunders & Co., Attention: Office Manager – via Fax: 941-4533 or Email: info@saunders.tc
Page 14
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
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ISLAND CLOTHING SEEKS
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Tropical Imaging is looking for the following talented people.
Professional Photographer
Experienced in all aspects of high end digital photography and workflow, plus several years practice in creative wedding, portrait and commercial photography, Self-motivated, willing to work weekends and holidays you must also be a customer service fanatic.
Email all resumes/link to ceo@tropicalimaging.com
CALL US AT 9468542 FOR THE BEST W A N T E D ADVERTISING 1 RATES IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS 231-7188 Domestic Helper
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Contact Contact Mahala Mahala Wynns Wynns
Tel: Tel:
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contact 231-3892
ADVERTISE WITH THE TCI SUN CALL 9468542 FOR SPECIAL RATES
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941-3321
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Contact 241-6808
CONTACT MANAGEMENT AT
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 15
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS
Horse-Eye Jacks goes under the hammer P
opular Blues Hills eating and entertainment spot Horse – Eye Jack’s Bar and Grill is to go the auction block on Tuesday, October 8, after the property was seized from its latest owners, who defaulted on payments triggering the forfeiture. The establishment originally owned Fuzzi Moon Ltd., was sold to Beach Bar Ltd., in January 2012, on mortgage. However, The SUN understands that the new owners, after a few months of payment began to experience problems keeping up with the mortgage payment and eventually went into default, leaving Fuzzi Moon no option but to seize the property. It has since been placed in receivership. Howard Rosenfeld has been named receiver for the property. The public auction notice stated that the described .73 acre/220 feet ocean front property, comprising five building structures and expansive deck areas and board walks will begin at a base price, and will be sold to the highest bidder under certain conditions. The conditions are as follows: all sales will be subject to bids
The Horse – Eye Jack’s property reaching the reserve set by the sellers in its discretion; the successful bidder must prepare to pay 10 percent deposit of the sale price at the time of the bid’s acceptance; and the successful buyer must agree to the terms and conditions of the sale set by the sellers. Under the latest owners, there were multiple complaints by members of the public who had gone to patronize that establish-
The Alexandra Resort & Spa is inviting applications for the following positions: Applications are invited for the position of Hospitality Support Analyst To provide support analysis and management and assist in the planning, developing, installing, configuring, maintaining and supporting hardware, software and communication systems in order to maintain the stable operation of the information systems and networks of our Hospitality Group. Job Description • Assist in analyzing the IT needs of the Group and in determining the immediate and long-range software and hardware requirements • Maintain, secure, troubleshoot and administer Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Internet (Cable / DSL / Wi-Fi connection) and IPTV • Maintain & evaluate computer hardware, communication equipment, networking software, operating system and application software; • Network administration and management • Maintain control records, implement & secure network traffic and optimize server performance; • Perform & ensure System / Data back-ups and its recovery operations; • Provide problem-solving services and assist network users on systems & software such as PMS, POS Software and Telephone Billing System; • Interact and negotiate with vendors, outsourcers and contractors to seek products and services; • Provide on-call technical support;
Job Requirements: • Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology • 10 years Working Experience in IT • Knowledge of VLAN and switch management technology • Strong customer service orientation • Microsoft Server Administrator, Microsoft Exchange
and Microsoft SharePoint Other Skills/Abilities • Highly self motivated and directed • Keen attention to details • Knowledge of Apple Macintosh Operating System Knowledge of IQware and/or Visual One would be a distinct advantage
SOCIAL MEDIA CO-ORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITES
• Monitor and expand the use of a multitude of social and online media platforms to connect with and engage prospective guest and customers. • Create a comprehensive social media strategy to increase visibility, awareness and traffic across all social and online media platforms. • Develop creative and dynamic text for emails, publications and websites to support the resorts marketing plan. • Research and present new ideas and a business case focused on the organization’s targets • Collaborate with internal departments and external vendors to generate appropriate target-marketed audience groups, deploy print and email campaigns, and prepare reports and presentations for internal and external use. • Monitor trends in social media tools and applications and appropriately apply that knowledge to attract potential guest. • Develop an in-depth understanding of current trends and best practices for the use of social media within the hospitality field. • Other duties as assigned. REQUIREMENTS:
• A degree from an accredited institute in relative field. • One to two years related experience and/or training.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. • Ability to write reports and business correspondence. • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Salary range for the above listed position is $8.50 - $10.00 per hour
Please Submit Applications to: hr@alexandraresort.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than October 5th 2013 Belongers need only apply.
ment. Some accused the owners of not being polite, especially to certain category of locals. Some patrons also complained that they were uncomfortable with dogs walking around and under their tables while dining. It is not clear whether or not the dogs belonged to the operators of the joint or merely strays. The neighboring Conch Shack often complained that the operators of Horse-Eye Jack’s were not
the best neighbors. Conch Shack’s employees, who, no fewer than three occasions, called The SUN to investigate alleged abused meted out to them from Horse – Eye Jack’s personnel, said that sometimes the abuses were triggered by trivial matters. A Conch Shack employee, earlier this week, told us that while they are now breathing a sigh of relief, are keeping their fingers crossed that the prospective new owners would not be so “obnoxious” as the last. “We hope they will be good beighbours, we respecting them and they respecting us and that we can operate mutually, like the owners before the last,” a Conch Shack employee said. Along with serving delectable dishes and hard liquor, Horse-Eye Jack’s has been known in recent time for some popular parties, including the famous Full Moon Party, which is attended by locals and visitors alike. Last year during an interview with The SUN, new manager Madison Drake, said that under the new owners, full moon parties would be a thing of the past. The auction will be held at Bay Bistro beginning at 10 a.m.
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SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
GOVERNMENT VACANCY JOB TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION:
Department of Mental Health and Substance Ministry of Health Providenciales
JOB SUMMARY: The incumbent will be responsible for the enforcement of Public and Environmental Health regulations and sanitation standards concerned with the residential and work environment, food-handling and hygiene, solid and liquid waste management and port health.
groups. • Coordinates and manages public and environmental health matters in local disaster management initiatives. • Ensures that public and environmental health concerns are considered in all matters of building and physical development.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Ensures that water quality standards are maintained in both public and private supplies. • Supervises the management of pests of public health significance. • Collaborates with other health professionals in epidemiological investigation and control. • Ensures Occupational and Institutional hygiene and health. • Plans, develops and executes Environmental Health programmes. • Organizes and conducts training and health education programmes for schools and other
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: • An Associate Degree in Public and Environmental Health/related field or equivalent. • The position requires a minimum of three (3) years relevant experience in Public and Environmental Health Inspections. SALARY: T 22 – T27 $26,940.00 - $29,640.00 per annum. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by a Cover Letter, two letters
of reference (one preferably from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport photo page. Applications should be addressed to the Office of the Human Resource Directorate, Church Folly, Grand Turk. Facsimile: 946-1582 or sent by email to: recruitment@gov.tc with the subject line Environmental Health Officer Application. Applications sent by post or brought by hand should have the subject Environmental Health Officer Application clearly marked on the envelopes. Current Serving Officers must apply thru’ their Heads of Department. Qualified Belongers will be given first consideration. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1st October, 2013
Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala have vacancies for the following position: MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER Job Details • Solely responsible for servicing meetings and events for the hotel booked by Sales and maintain relationships with repeat clientele and handle VIP business. • Handle all contracts after the definite phase. Coordinate catering functions to ensure a high level of guest satisfaction and service. Contact clients for introductions and handle all servicing aspects of the group until check-out. Liaise with group contacts, collect rooming lists, confirm group needs and requests. • Service existing accounts and sell all hotel facilities to meet and/or exceed budgeted revenue. Achieve outlined and assigned goals, objectives and activities. • Work with Director of Sales and Food and Beverage Management to strategize on menus. • Work with Sales to confirm group method of payment after the contract is signed and handle any billing issues until the hotel has been paid. • Coordinate all group deliveries (boxes, amenity bags, etc.); work closely with Front Office team to ensure packages/amenity bags are effectively delivered. • Maintain accuracy of all documentation. Communicate effectively with Banquets, Front Office and Sales Departments to ensure that all departments are getting all the information for the group and are working together for smooth execution of events. • Attend daily and weekly resume/ BEO meetings with operational team as needed to discuss menu, setups, special requests. • Must display strong analytical, organizational, time
management and administrative skills to be able to deal with multiple priorities simultaneously. Must have proven planning, decision making and problem solving skills with strong attention to detail and a hands-on approach. • Follow up with meeting planner after group event has concluded; obtain feedback and commentary about the sales and events phases of the meeting. • Handle group and wedding leads as required. • Solicit business from the local market for meetings and events. Requirements: • Four year college degree preferred. • Minimum 3 years experience in event coordination or a combination of experience and education in event management and 2 years previous supervisory experience preferred. Preferred applicant will have experience in a hospitality environment. • Prefer prior experience with banquet/meeting sales, including interacting with vendors, and recommending appropriate amenities and services to guests. • Must be able to work a flexible, varied schedule based on business needs to include some nights, weekends, and holidays. • Ability to work in a diverse environment with attention to cultural sensitivity. • Computer proficiency is required with a strong knowledge of all Microsoft Suite of products. Knowledge of Delphi system a strong plus.
Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview. Forward your resume to the Human Resources Department at the following address:
• Ability to stand and sit for extended periods of time. Ability to bend and kneel, and to carry/lift up to 25 pounds and push/pull up to 25 pounds. • Fluency in English is required, both written and verbal. Additional language ability considered a strong plus. Additional Details • Background and drug test required. EOE OTHER MANAGERIAL POSITIONS • Director of Food and Beverage • Bars Manager • Executive Housekeeper OTHER POSITIONS • Head Butler • Resort Butler • Housekeeping Supervisor • Line Cook • Chef de Partie • Demi Chef • Sous Chef • Food & Beverage Server • Spa Therapist • Senior Therapist • Spa Attendant • Yoga Teacher • Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant Salary for this position will be paid base on qualification and experience. Please note that all application must be submitted with a valid Police Record, two reference letters from previous employers or a notary public and current educational certificates.
Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala. P.O. Box 164 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Ph: (649) 946 7788, Fax: (649) 946 7749 Email: careers.parrotcay@comohotels.com
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
Page 17
LOCAL NEWS
Immigration department gets 3 detainee transportation vans valued at US$150,000 BY VIVIAN TYSON
T
he fight to secure our borders received a big boost when the United Kingdom Government donated three immigration detainee transportation cell vans to the Ministry of Border Control and Labour this week. Providenciales got two of the vehicles, while Grand Turk got the other. Simon Excell, Border Control and Enforcement Advisor to the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, handed the vehicles to the Immigration Department in Providenciales on behalf of the United Kingdom Government. Each vehicle would fetch £30,000 pounds or US$50,000. And while they were donated to TCIG, the local government provided shipping cost. The vehicles have already commissioned into service. “They have been donated by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), and they will be used to transport immigration detainees – those arrested or those who have been refused entry and are to be transported to the detention centre,” Excell said. “What it does is provide a secure way of moving people from A to B, because you never know how somebody would react. These are purpose-built vehicles and they are secure. They have a separate cell at the back, which keeps detainees safe, so they can’t hurt themselves, they can’t hurt the officers or those who are doing the transporting. It just increases the professionalism and the capability of these officers as we develop the ministry.” He said that the donation is part of an ongoing technical assistance provided by the UK, through
Simon Excell (right), Border Control and Enforcement Advisor to the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, about to hand over the keys to the two vehicles to Director of Immigration, Larry Mills (second right). Sharing in the moment are Deputy Director of Immigration Anthony Swann and Tito Forbes, Head of the Enforcement Unit. the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development (DIFID). “That whole programme had brought other benefits, such as forgery equipment, forgery training, officer safety training, operation and skills training and equipment. This is another aspect of that. It gives the officers here another option in their fight against controlling immigration on these islands,” Excell said. He said each van can carry four detainers at a time. “There are individual seats in the back where people (detainees) are strapped in, and it allows us to carry them either just loosely or in handcuffs, if we need to have detainees handcuffed
because if they have shown a propensity to try and escape. So you can transport them safely in handcuffs or not, in a very safe, secure environment,” he said. Excell said that he and Immigration Director, Larry Mills, secured the three vehicles while on a visit to the United Kingdom in March this year. He said the vehicles were part of a fleet once used by the UK Border Agency, which at the time, was in the process of changing that fleet. “There was an opportunity there for us to obtain these vehicles, which they were very glad to donate,” Excell said. For his part, Mills, who received the keys on behalf of the Immigration Department, said that the vehicles were well appreciated, since they would bolster the effort to protect our borders. “The Department of Immigration, Border Control and Enforcement, we really appreciate the UKBA granting the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Ministry these three vehicles that will help us as a department and enforcement, to conduct more compliance, arrests and do our job much more effectively and efficiently. We are really thankful, and it shows the support of the UKBA for the Border Control and Enforcement,” Mills said. In the meantime, Tito Forbes, Senior Immigration Office in charge of the Enforcement Unit said that the vehicles would come in handy and will enhance the professionalism efficiency of the immigration personnel. He said that will guarantee the safety since they separate prisoners from officers.
GOVERNMENT VACANCY JOB TITLE: COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICER DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION:
Department of Mental Health and Substance Ministry of Health and Human Services Providenciales
To facilitate and deliver an effective and efficient services/resources they need. Mental Health Care program that is consistent with • Follow-ups with clients who have dropped out of treatment and encourage them to resume treatment. current practices and acceptable by the Turks and • Serves as liaison between other organizations Caicos Islands Health Services. within the community that share similar goals. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Meets with community members to get an idea of • Oversees educational programming and educates how the department can better service the members of the community about the dangers of population. drugs & alcohol and its connection to mental health. • Transports clients to/from treatment facility or • Designs and implements strategies to ensure office appointments as the need arises. access to and participation of members of the • Maintains ongoing records documenting community to the Department’s programmes. • Encourages and supports individuals to make interaction with clients. healthy choices and practices which will promote • Provides reports on clients and activities. • Participates in treatment team meetings. Mental Health and wellbeing. • Assists in the Department’s programs in the • Keeps the community informed about the community. department’s services as well as upcoming activities and programs. • Meets with members of the community to MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: • High School Diploma with at least three (3) CXC determine their needs and refer them to the services that may help them. passes • Assists with conducting surveys/ screening • The position requires a minimum of two (2) years exercises. experience. • Provides emotional support and act as an advocate for clients in order to help them gain access to the SALARY: T1 – T9 $15,720.00 - $18,600.00 per annum
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by a Cover Letter, two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport Photo page. Applications should be addressed to the Office of the Human Resource Directorate, Church Folly, Grand Turk Facsimile: 946-1582 or sent by email to: recruitment@gov.tc with the subject line being Community Outreach Officer. Applications sent by post or brought by hand should have the subject: Community Outreach Officer clearly marked on the envelopes. Successful applicants will work in accordance with the Public Service Ordinance.
Current Serving Officers must apply thru’ their Heads of Department. Qualified Belongers will be given first consideration. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1st October, 2013
Page 18
SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Haitian Community elated at Education Department’s late back-to-school drive BY VIVIAN TYSON
M
any in the Haitian community are hailing the Education Department’s school registration assessment initiative, which is to determine how many children are in fact not attending school due to lack of space in the public school system. Rev. Lené Francois J.P., Senior Pastor and Founder of All Saints Evangelical Assembly Inc., said that a number of his colleagues who pastor Haitian churches have reported that many children belonging to members of their flocks, and who had difficulties getting into the public school system are now in school. For that, Francois said the Haitian community owes a debt of gratitude to the Education Department and the government. “I would like to say thanks to the Education Department on the effort I see in the decision to see that all children on the island go to school. I see that as a very good move on the part of the Education Department and the Government,” Francois said. Scores of parents with their children in tow converged at the Gus-
Director of Education Edgar Howell outlining the criteria for consideration tarvus Lightbourne Sports Centre in Providenciales on Friday (September 13) to access belated places in the government-run school system. The Education Department, having received information that a number of children on Providenciales did not get a place into the government schools, and possibly cannot afford private institutions, staged a data-collection drive to assess how
many children were actually out of school. Director of Education, Edgar Howell, told the large gathering that it was not a registration drive, but an initiative to decipher the level of out of school children. Parents were asked to provide information on their children, which the Education Department would then cross-check, and if the child is
found to be out of school, then it may find ways to get them in the system. An Education Department source told The SUN that children in private schools would not be considered under this arrangement. In the meantime, a grateful Pastor Francois said the gesture by the Government and the Education Department was a prayer comes true by his congregation and many pastors and their respective congregations across Providenciales. “My congregation continues to pray for the government and for the Education Department. My congregation is very happy, and on behalf of all the pastors in the islands I want to say thanks to the government, and especially the Education Department. “I met some pastors who told me that a number of children in their congregation were not going to school and since the Education Department started the programme, many children are now in school. They were praying for that and now they see that it is happening,” he said.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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SEPTEMBER 26TH - OCTOBER 4TH, 2013
BRANCH MANAGER (Scotia Centre, Cherokee Road, Providenciales) Job Grade: A82 Annual Salary: $67,150 - $83,900 - $100,700 This senior leader will be accountable for the overall effectiveness, efficiency and success of their team. Reporting to the Senior Sales Leader, you will achieve negotiated financial results by planning, monitoring and taking action on all aspect of branch activities, e.g., sales, customer service, staff performance, operations compliance, controls and related actives.
MILLER • SIMONS • O’SULLIVAN & M&S TRUST COMPANY LIMITED are moving office.
Required Qualifications: • University degree in business administration or related discipline, MBA preferred. • 3-5 years progressive leadership experience in a similar capacity. • Knowledge of financial software packages as well as Microsoft applications e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. • Knowledge of sales management, coaching and business development techniques. • Knowledge of expense control and revenue generating requirements. • Ability to think analytically, strategically and innovatively. • Strong communications, interpersonal and organizational abilities. • Ability to conceptualize, design and implement change initiatives. • Strong commitment to self-development. • Strong ability to lead, achieve results and motivate staff. • Valid driver’s license and transportation required (mileage allowance to be paid). Complimentary Qualifications: • Knowledge of customer life cycle needs and current economic and political events. • Knowledge of retail lending, investment, deposit and transaction services, product features, benefits, self-servicing channels, and related pricing policies and procedures. • Knowledge of commercial banking products as well as packaged products for small business lending, independent business and related policies and procedures. • Understanding of loan limits, application requirements, risk analysis techniques and credit adjudications. • Knowledge of the sales and service management process as well as merchandising guidelines. • Working knowledge of key products and services offered by other financial institutions and alternative sources of financing. • Knowledge of operations and human resource policies and procedures with special emphasis on compliance and performance. • Knowledge of retail collection policies and techniques. Key accountabilities include: – Participate in the growth of retail deposit business and contribute to Bank profitability – Develop and implement measures to ensure customer service is consistent with the Bank’s standards. – Contributes to the maximization of the Bank’s profitability – Contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the Bank’s image in the communities served by personal involvement in the social and professional life of the community and ensuring other senior officers do likewise. – Maximizing profitability by effectively controlling branch operations/expenditures. – Effectively managing and control the loan portfolios at an acceptable level of risk. – Ensuring that national and international compliance laws/requirements are implemented and sustained.
Scotiabank offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package with tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth to the successful candidate. Please submit applications no later than, September 30, 2013 to: Lynette Grant-Higgs – Manager, Human Resources Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd Providenciales, TCI E-mail: lynette.grant-higgs@scotiabank.com
Effective Monday, 30th September we are relocating to Regent House West, Regent Village, Grace Bay. Contact information remains unchanged.
Tel: 946-4650. Fax: 946-4663. E-mail: mslaw@tciway.tc
GOVERNMENT VACANCY JOB TITLE: COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH NURSE DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION:
Department of Mental Health and Substance Ministry of Health and Human Services Grand Turk and North Caicos
JOB SUMMARY: To facilitate and deliver an effective and efficient Mental Health Care program that is consistent with current practices and acceptable by the Turks and Caicos Islands Health Services. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Gathers and analyzes data that will inform policy decisions and improves delivery of mental health. • Coordinates documents and maintains mental health initiatives jointly agreed with other government agencies and civic groups. • Acts as facilitator in the promotion of mental health educational programs for schools and civic groups. • Provides care for mentally ill clients especially those who are at high risks for relapses. • Screens patients at the outpatient department. • Establishes community mental health programmes. • Follows up with clients in the community and
makes sure medications are updated. • Provides year-end reports or activities and programmes done. • Coordinates with other agencies and departments when emergency psychiatric intervention is needed in the community. • Keeps records of all clients seen in the outpatient department and the community.
be accompanied by a Cover Letter, two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport Photo page.
Applications should be addressed to the Office of the Human Resource Directorate, Church Folly, Grand Turk Facsimile: 946-1582 or sent by email to: recruitment@gov.tc with the subject line being MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: • Graduate of an approved school of nursing, Community Mental Health Nurse. Applications sent by post or brought by hand should have the holding a degree in Nursing. • At least three (3) years’ experience in Psychiatric subject: Community Mental Health Nurse clearly marked on the envelopes. Successful applicants Nursing. • The incumbent must hold a valid license to will work in accordance with the Public Service Ordinance. practice the Turks and Caicos Islands SALARY: TNF14 – TNF19 $24,720.00- $27,060.00 per annum APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Resumes with current contact information must
Current Serving Officer must apply thru their Heads of Department. Qualified Belongers will be given first consideration. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1st October, 2013
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Chris Brown - Don’t Think They Know ft. Aaliyah [Intro: Aaliyah] I don’t think they know the truth - say it ain’t so I don’t think they know, how could they know? I don’t think they know the truth - say it ain’t so I don’t think they know, how could they know? [Chris Brown] A-A to the L-I-Y-A-H.. it’s Breezy Don’t let them tell you any different (yeah-yeah, yeah, they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it) I owe it all to you (yeah-yeah, yeah, they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it) And as much as I messed up, always give me your best love (yeah-yeah, yeah, they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve you (yeah-yeah, yeah, they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it) They gon’ talk about it (gon’ talk about it), gon’ try to change your mind about it Gon’ tell you things you don’t wanna hear but we good (don’t worry ‘bout it) So when they talk about (they talk about it), just let ‘em know we already got it Just tell ‘em that we gon’ work at it, we good (don’t worry ‘bout it) [Hook: Aaliyah & Chris Brown] I don’t think they know the truth - say it ain’t so I don’t think they know, how could they know? I don’t think they know the truth - say it ain’t so I don’t think they know, how could they know? (Don’t listen to) How could they know? (What people say) How could they know? (They don’t know about) How could they know? (‘Bout you and me) How could they know? [Chris Brown] At my best you love me (yeah-yeah, yeah, they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it)
Even or at my worst (yeah-yeah, yeah, they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it And I know that it’s different, feels like we’re best friends We connected (they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it) What did I do to deserve you (yeah-yeah, yeah, they don’t know about us, they don’t know about it They gon’ talk about it (gon’ talk about it), gon’ try to change your mind about it Gon’ tell you things you don’t wanna hear cause we good (don’t worry ‘bout it) So when they talk about (they talk about it), just let ‘em know we already got it Just tell ‘em that we gon’ work at it, we good (don’t worry ‘bout it) [Hook] [Interlude: Aaliyah & Chris Brown] How could they know? How could they know? (They don’t know about us, they don’t know about it) How could they know? How could they know? (They don’t know about us, they don’t know about it) [Aaliyah] I thank you for the autographs, and the cheers over the years You stood by me, you didn’t doubt me - I think you want some more I do more than sing I model now, actin’ now, plus I got my own movie now After all the awards that they gave me, you stood by me You didn’t play me, you didn’t doubt me I think you want some more I truly believe that if it wasn’t all for you I don’t know what I would do
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ION T ts C e U s s A A C nt BLI a r U u P : a t e Notic gs, and Res din l i u B , tate
s
Real E
Beach Hut Holdings Ltd., as holder of a registered first Charge under the Registered Land Ordinance and of two registered Debentures and other collateral security, hereby gives notice of its intention to cause the following property to be sold by Public Auction: 1. Parcel 60504/141, Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales, formerly the Horse-Eye Jack’s restaurant, being an oceanfront property of .73 Acres with approximately 220 feet of ocean frontage, and comprising five (5) building structures and expansive deck areas and board walks. 2. Restaurant equipment, furnishings & other non-real estate assets of Fuzzi Moon Ltd. 3. Restaurant appliances, furnishings & other non-real estate assets of Beach Bar Ltd. The Auction will be held at Bay Bistro Restaurant in Grace Bay on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at 10:00 AM. For further particulars, please call (649) 342-8378, or send an email to Twa Marcelin Wolf, at tmw@tmwlaw.tc, with the reference code “Auction” in the heading. All sales will be subject to: (1) bids reaching the reserve set by the seller in its discretion; and (2) the successful bidder (a) paying a deposit of 10% of the sale price at the time the bid is accepted, and (b) agreeing to the terms and conditions of sale set by the seller.
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News
CARIBBEAN
Cayman Islands Cabinet approves new immigration reform bill
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ayman Islands Cabinet members have approved an immigration reform plan that is expected to be brought to the Legislative Assembly next month, according to the Caymanian Compass newspaper. According to the major tenets of the plan, the current seven-year term limit on non-Caymanian workers’ residence in the islands, often referred to as the “rollover policy,” will be scrapped and replaced. It was initially proposed that a 10-year term limit would be put in its place, but that original plan has been changed following discussions in Cabinet to create a nine-year maximum term limit. The Compass report said that non-Caymanian workers residing here on Term Limit Exemption Permits will be allowed to resume holding regular work permits under proposed changes to the Immigration Law, however, there will be time limits on their applications for permanent residence. As of now, those workers – exactly 1,510 as of Sept. 16 – would have been required to leave the Cayman Islands when the Oct. 28, 2013 deadline on their term limit exemption permit expires. Since that time frame is simply too close to when the likely passage of the immigration amendment bill will occur, companies that employ the term limit exempted workers will be given until Dec. 9 to apply for new work permits on their behalf. The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the key employee designation required to stay in Cayman beyond the seven-year term limit. However, according to the bill, any key employee designations pending at the time the bill passes into law should still be determined. Current key employees will be given a presumption in their favor for renewals of their work permits up to the nine-year term limit on residency. After the legislation takes effect, anyone who is able to reside continuously in Cayman for eight years will be allowed to apply for permanent residence – the right to live in the territory for the rest of their lives. The full text of the Immigration [Amendment] [No. 2] Bill was sent to local lawmakers late Friday night. The proposal will head to the Legislative Assembly following the approval of the 2013/14 budget, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin. The assembly was expected to resume sometime during the week of Sept. 30 to Oct. 4. Also discontinued in the amended immigration bill is the concept of the “final, non-renewable work permit,” typically granted after an application
for permanent residence is denied or appeals of work permit denials have been exhausted. In most cases, those individuals will be given 90 days to settle their affairs prior to leaving the islands. The new bill also grants the chief immigration officer, or designates, the ability to decide permanent residence applications and work permits when a Caymanian has applied for the position. Currently, immigration officers decide only certain non-controversial work permit applications. The requirements for being granted permanent residence will change. A review of the current immigration law focused on redefining criteria for granting permanent residence to align with government’s “economic, social and cultural objectives,” will inform the new permanent residence rating system. Fees for permanent residence applications will be increased to $1,000 if the new bill is approved. “The aim is to ensure persons granted permanent residence are drawn from a diverse cross-section of our society and are also assets to the community,” Ministry of Home Affairs Chief Officer Eric Bush said in August. “The revised criteria will also take into account the impact of the removal of the initial filter afforded by the key employee feature of the term limit process.” In other words, it will be much tougher under the new immigration system to earn permanent residence designations. The specific points system used to designate permanent residence will be contained in regulations to the Immigration Law if the amendment bill gains passage in the LA. Premier McLaughlin said that under the existing immigration system, it is likely that a person awarded key employee status will eventually be granted permanent residence. The same approval rate cannot apply if a significantly greater number of individuals are allowed to apply for permanent residence, he said. Under the existing system, local businesses essentially make the first decision on who gets to stay and who must leave when they choose workers to designate as key employees. The difference under the newly proposed system is that government will be the sole arbiter in the decision once a permanent residence application is received. The important legal question of how Term Limit Exemption Permit holders’ time spent on the islands over the past two years will be counted is also to be resolved in the new legislation. Current immi-
gration law states that the time spent in Cayman on a Term Limit Exemption Permit would not count toward the eight years of continuous residency required prior to a permanent residence application being filed. Premier McLaughlin said legislation would be changed and that the term limit exemption period would be legally included in the total time spent in Cayman. That raises the specter of about 1,500 people applying all at once for permanent residence. However, Mr. McLaughlin said a number of those applicants are not likely to attempt a permanent residence application anyway due to economic considerations. Time limits will be set on any application for permanent residence, whether from a Term Limit Exemption Permit holder or from a regular work permit holder. Any permanent residence application would have to be filed within the eighth year of the person’s residence in the Cayman Islands. For example, if a non-Caymanian worker arrived in Cayman on Feb. 1, 2006 and continued to work on permits until Feb. 1, 2014, that person would be able to apply for permanent residence as of Feb. 1, 2014. One exception is for Term Limit Exemption Permit holders or, in rare cases, other work permit holders, who have stayed in Cayman beyond eight years. Those permit holders who have been here for nine years will be allowed to apply, but those applications would have to be made within three months of the law taking effect. The immigration amendment bill sets out some stiff penalties for local businesses that fail to report job applications by Caymanians, spouses of Caymanians or permanent residents when applying for a work permit. The amendment bill makes it an offense – with a maximum first-time fine of $20,000 – for any employer to fail to disclose that information to the Immigration Department. Permanent residents will also be watched more closely by the Immigration Department. In the future, permanent residence holders will be required to submit an annual declaration in respect to investments, employment and other factors. Failure to comply with this requirement will be an offense. In addition, the permanent resident must inform the relevant immigration board or chief immigration officer if there is any change to his employment circumstances or face fines.
OPERATION BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS INTERDICTS 1,700 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA
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IAMI, USA -- A task force attached to Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) seized approximately 1,700 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated wholesale value of $1.5 million, in the vicinity of North Nurse Cay, Bahamas, on Thursday. This interdiction is a direct result of a coordinated response with OPBAT task force. “This seizure represents the second major drug interdiction by OPBAT in 3 weeks,” said Cmdr. Mark Driver, OPBAT director. “I am proud
of the professionalism and dedication displayed by every member of the OPBAT Team.” On September 18, a Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft detected a 40-foot go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) surface assets responded to the location of the go-fast to investigate the suspicious vessel. After arriving on scene and interviewing two men aboard the go-fast vessel, a DEA helicopter located 40
packages hidden in the mangroves, which later tested positive for marijuana. The two suspected smugglers were taken into custody and transferred to local law enforcement authorities in Nassau. OPBAT is a combined Coast Guard, DEA and Government of Bahamas partnership to combat drug smuggling to and from the Bahamas. The OPBAT Operations Center is responsible for initiating and prosecuting law enforcement cases in the Bahamian area of respon-
US Coast Guard personnel with the seized drugs sibility (AOR). In addition, OPBAT assets regularly assist with prosecuting human smuggling and search and rescue cases throughout the AOR.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
Caribbean records significant decline in new HIV/AIDS infection U
NITED NATIONS – The Caribbean, which ranks second behind sub-Saharan Africa for HIV/AIDS infection rates, has led the world in reducing the number of new infections between the period 2005-2011, according to a new United Nations report released here. The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said an estimated 2.3 million adults and children were newly infected with HIV in 2012, representing a 33 per cent reduction in annual new cases compared to 2001. In the same time period, new HIV infections among children fell 52 per cent to 260,000 in 2012, UNAIDS said, noting however that deaths from AIDS-related illnesses in the Caribbean fell by 48 per cent. UNAIDS said the Caribbean has led the world in reducing the number of new infections with the rate falling by 42 per cent between 2005 and 2011. “Certainly, in the region, there has been substantial progress in the past 10 years or so, not only in treatment availability but also in prevention of transmission from mother to child,” said Michel de Groulard, a senior programme advisor at UNAIDS’s Caribbean office in Trinidad and Tobago. “Some countries have switched to universal
access of treatment and others are on the way to it,” she added. Latin America and Caribbean regional manager for the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Ruth Ayarza, said governments have responded with better access to treatment in the region. “In many of the countries, we’re working in, there definitely has been an increase in support from regional agencies,” she said. But Ayarza said more than 13,000 people became infected with HIV/AIDS in 2011, the most recent year for which data are available, bringing the total number of cases to 230,000 in the region. The UN Millennium Development Goal 6 calls for an end to the rate of new infections by 2015 and a reversal of the spread of the virus as well as achieving universal access to treatment for HIV/ AIDS. “Not only can we meet the 2015 target of 15 million people on HIV treatment, we must also go beyond and have the vision and commitment to ensure no one is left behind,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. The report also found that greater access to antiretroviral treatments led to a 30 per cent drop in AIDS-related deaths from the peak in 2005. By the end of 2012, some 9.7 million people in
low- and middle-income countries have accessed antiretroviral therapy, an increase of nearly 20 per cent in just one year, the report noted, adding that significant results have also been achieved towards meeting the needs of tuberculosis (TB) patients living with HIV, a figure down 36 per cent since 2004. UNAIDS said domestic spending on HIV has also increased, accounting for 53 per cent of global HIV resources in 2012, even as donor funding plateaued at its 2008 levels. Spending on HIV and AIDS was estimated at US$18.9 billion in 2012, but UNAIDS said an estimated US$22-24 billion would be needed annually by 2015. The report also found that progress has been slow in ensuring the respect of human rights, securing access to HIV services for people most at risk of HIV infection, particularly people who use drugs, and in preventing violence against women and girls. UNAIDS said gender inequality, punitive laws and discriminatory actions are continuing to hamper national responses to HIV and concerted efforts are needed to address these persistent obstacles to the scale up of HIV services for people most in need
Holness says leadership challenge could end division in JLP
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ONTEGO BAY, St James — Leader of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Andrew Holness says the challenge for the leadership post by Audley Shaw could finally end “the bitter divide that exists in the party”. “Let us, once and for all, use this exercise to settle the petty differences that have divided the party. Let us use this exercise as a means of healing the party,” Holness told delegates and supporters at a meeting at Montego Bay High School for Girls Sunday night. “Let us, once and for all, settle this argument of who should lead the Jamaica Labour Party. Let us, once and for all, allow the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party to put in place the plans and programmes that can build the party without having the party pulling one side so, and another side of the party pulling so,” he added.
Audley Shaw
Andrew Holness
He noted that for a long time the argument has been bandied around “that the leader was not elected” and “everything the leader do, there is somebody there to undermine”.
AMERICAN COUPLE PLEADS GUILTY TO SMUGGLING PAINKILLERS FROM BELIZE
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OUISIANA- The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says an American husband and wife have pleaded guilty to illegally importing 9,000 painkillers from Belize. ICE said the smuggling took place while the two were passengers on a cruise ship from New Orleans in February. ICS said Robert W. Scogin, 52, and Peggy S. Scogin, 55, both of Shreveport, Louisiana admitted in their guilty pleas that they purchased about 9,000 pills of Schedule II, III and IV narcotics in Belize to include codeine and dihydrocodeine. It said the couple then “wrapped the pills in dirty clothes and hid them in luggage to avoid detection”. According to court documents, the couple intended to personally use the drugs and sell them upon their return to the United States. “Smuggling drugs into the United States is a serious crime,” said US Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Stephanie Fin-
ley, adding “selling prescription drugs without knowing what they really are and without knowing how they will affect the person buying them is extremely dangerous. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect public safety by prosecuting those who illegally import and sell prescription drugs.” Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer Jr said HSI special agents in Shreveport along with the Shreveport Police Department Narcotics Unit worked long hours to dismantle this smuggling operation, recover dangerous foreign manufactured narcotics, and bring this investigation to a conclusion. “Stopping the flow of illegal drugs is a priority for HSI, and we will continue to focus resources on this important effort,” he added. ICE said the defendants each face up to 20 years in federal prison, a one million US dollar fine and five years of supervised release.
He said both himself and Shaw will sign a code of conduct to avoid a smear campaign leading up to the election. “That code of conduct is binding on us. So, Labourites, I want to assure you that there is nothing to worry about. I am confident that we have the capacity and the organisation in the party to carry out this election in an exemplary way, that at the end of the day, it is the Jamaica Labour Party that wins. And we not going to do the ray-ray and the noise. We are going to focus on the organisation,” stressed Holness. There was a strong show of support for Holness at Sunday’s meeting. Among those present were members of parliament JC Hutchinson and Shahine Robinson, former mayor of Montego Bay Charles Sinclair, and caretaker for Central St James Heroy Clarke.
BAHAMIAN NATIONALS RESCUED AFTER DRIFTING AT SEA FOR EIGHT DAYS
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IAMI- The United States Coast Guard says it has rescued two Bahamian nationals after they drifted at sea for eight days. The Coast Guard said its helicopter crew safely hoisted the two Bahamian citizens from their capsized vessel east of Riviera Beach, Florida, over the weekend. It said Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a report of a capsized vessel with two people sitting on the hull in the vicinity of Riviera Beach. “Watchstanders quickly diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Comorant and authorised the launch of an MH-65 rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Miami. “The helicopter crew arrived on scene, assessed the situation and lowered a rescue swimmer to render assistance.
The two people stated they had been drifting for eight days and had ingested salt water.” The two men were transferred to Del Ray Medical Center in Florida for further treatment, the Coast Guard said. “The Coast Guard urges all boaters, especially those transiting offshore or to remote areas, to carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRBs) or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLBs). It said EPIRBS and PLB’s save valuable time during maritime emergencies by transmitting electronic distress signals and GPS coordinates. “When EPIRBs are properly registered, they also provide first responders with owners’ contact information and vessel descriptions, which is vital information during search and rescue cases,” the Coast Guard said.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Barbados and Cuba reach agreement on repatriation of convicted Cuban drug trafficker B
RIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados government says it has reached an agreement with Cuba to have it accept a former drug trafficker, whom Bridgetown had once described as a threat to national security and society. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said that the two countries had “reached a successful conclusion in the negotiations to have Mr. Raul Garcia Castilla repatriated to Cuba.” Earlier this year, a High Court rejected suggestions that Garcia, who had remained in custody after serving a 20 year jail term on drug trafficking posed a threat to national security and society. Justice Margaret Reifer late in rejecting the arguments said “it does not constitute a stand-alone reason for the continued detention of the claimant. It would be unduly diminished and ultra vires in law”. The judge agreed with the claimants, who had brought a case of habeas corpus in an attempt to earn Garcia’s freedom after he completed his jail term, but was not allowed back to Cuba, or the United States, where he lived since he was 10 years-old.
Raul Garcia.
Judge Margaret Reifer
In her 110-page ruling, Justice Reifer said Garcia would only be released from custody when lawyers and Immigration Department officials come up with a joint plan for his conditions of staying in the country, and who he would live with. In the statement, the Barbados government said that negotiations with Havana had been ongoing since the Foreign Ministry wrote to the Cuban Embassy on October 15, 2012, requesting assistance with Garcia’s return to Cuba.
It said that on December 12, the Cuban Foreign Ministry replied that he did not qualify for repatriation to Cuba under its laws. “On January 14, 2013, a new Immigration regime took effect in Cuba, with significant changes in the categories of persons eligible for repatriation,” the statement said, adding that Foreign Affairs Minister Maxine McClean, wrote her Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, on February 12, “again requesting that Mr. Garcia be accepted, in light of the immigration amendments. “Regular follow-up discussions between the Foreign Ministry and the Cuban Embassy finally resulted in a bilateral meeting between the two Foreign Ministers on Friday, September 6, in Grenada, in which the matter was resolved and a process outlined for the repatriation of Mr. Garcia.” The Barbados government said that it was pleased with the “successful resolution of this matter achieved through sustained diplomatic action between Barbados and Cuba, as befits two countries which enjoy long-standing and cordial relations”.
Jamaicans and Haitians not eligible to apply for US Diversity Visa
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ASHINGTON – The United States Department of State says Jamaicans and Haitian are among nationals not eligible to apply for the 2015 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2015). In making the announcement, the department also pointed out that natives of the Dominican Republic are also barred from the programme as along with Jamaica and Haiti more than 50,000 immigrants came to the United States in the last five years.
The US Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is administered on an annual basis by the Department of State and conducted under the terms of Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). According to the State Department, Section 203(c) of the INA provides a maximum of 55,000 diversity visas each fiscal year to be made available to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
It said the annual DV program makes visas available to persons meeting the “simple but strict, eligibility requirements,” adding that a computer-generated, random drawing chooses selectees for diversity visas. The visas are distributed among six geographic regions, with a greater number of visas going to regions with lower rates of immigration, and with no visas going to nationals of countries sending more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over
POLICE SAYS PROSTITUTION MAJOR PROBLEM IN ST. LUCIA
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ASTRIES, St. Lucia– Less than 48 hours after the authorities here warn of an increase number of people, including children, were now engaged in prostitution, Police Commissioner Vernon Francois the issue remains a major challenge for the St. Lucia Police force. ”It is not easy, it is a serious challenge for us, but we remain committed to dealing with it. We are hoping that we can work with government agencies which must be involved in dealing with prostitution,” Francois said. Earlier this week, Head of the Human Services Department, Antoinette Joseph, said high unemployment, a lack of job opportunities and rising commodity prices have forced many women into the sex trade. She said that prostitution and child sexual abuse have become significant issues on the island, warning that the situation was getting worse. “We are aware of reports of children of both sexes being pushed to the edge, these incidents are most common in low income homes primarily in the capital, but it’s now commonplace across the island. We have made several reports to the police, so that they are well aware of the situation,” she said. But Francois said measures have been put in place to deal with the problem which may involve human trafficking. However, he said obtaining evidence remains a problem. “This is an issue that has to be evidence
based we have to make sure we come up with the evidence. As a result we have put intelligent systems in place so as to infiltrate any prostitution that may be present in the country. “We don’t want to speculate on this but we do have our suspicions, and it’s just a matter of putting things in place to tackle the scourge, which was one of the matters mentioned in the latest human trafficking report,” he said. Francois said there was also the issue of white collar prostitution, where business people bring persons into the country for purposes of prostitution. He said there have been several cases where individuals come into the country posing as entertainers, dancers, and tourism workers. “We need to be able to separate the two, there are those who genuinely enter for purposes of work while others do work but their activity is linked to prostitution, at the moment that is still a crime on our books so we need to stamp it out,” he said. However Commissioner Francois said that prostitution “is not your everyday crime, but requires monitoring and gathering of information, as there are many technicalities involved in making a case that will stand up in court”. Earlier this year, National Security Minister Victor La Corbiniere called a meeting of stakeholders to discuss ways of dealing with an upsurge in commercial sex.
the period of the past five years, as in the case of Jamaica and Haiti. No single country may receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. Other countries not eligible to apply to the program are: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.
ST. VINCENT TO HOST FIRST REGIONAL REPARATION CONFERENCE
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INGSTOWN, St Vincent – Less than two months after Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments gave the green light to pursue reparation for the slave trade, St Vincent and the Grenadines will host the first ever Regional Conference on Reparations from Sunday. Noted Caribbean academics, Sir Hilary Beckles and Professor Verene Shepherd, as well as famed Jamaican reggae artiste, Bunny Wailer, are among those who will make presentations at the three-day conference. Presentations will also be made by the chairpersons of the various national reparation committees. The conference is the first major event on reparations following the decision by regional leaders at their summit in Trinidad and Tobago in July to agree to the establishment of a national reparations committee in each member state with the chair of each committee sitting on a CARICOM Reparations Commission. Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago were identified to provide political oversight to the committee. Barbados Culture, Sports and Youth Minister, Stephen Lashley, said the meeting in St. Viuncent and the Grenadines will provide regional participants with an opportunity to discuss reparations, and “to establish commonalities for the commensurate compensation for the atrocities perpetrated against people of African descent”. He said that ideas generated at the conference would also help CARICOM prepare a unified case for reparations, which would be considered by the Regional Heads of Government before being submitted to the appropriate international body. “It is hoped that this will accelerate the process,” he said, adding that a presentation of the legal strategy for reparations was also on the agenda. Sir Hilary, the Principal of the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), will address the conference on the case for Caribbean reparations. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told reporters earlier this week that the conference would be an historic event. “I am told that people are coming from Cuba, people who are involved in the reparation movement in Holland, they have asked to be invited, people are coming out of the US….So that there are a number of important personalities coming,” he added.
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News W
RLD
Obama and Iranian president open door to better relations
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EW YORK — President Obama on Tuesday said he will use the remainder of his term to pursue better relations with Iran in the hope of resolving the controversy surrounding its nuclear program, pledging an activist U.S. agenda in the Middle East and beyond despite growing isolationist pressure at home. In a 50-minute address to the U.N. General Assembly, Obama said he will devote his diplomatic efforts in the region to securing an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, hopeful that talks now underway through American encouragement may end the long conflict. He said that “real breakthroughs” on those two issues would “have a profound and positive impact on the entire Middle East and North Africa.” Iran’s new president Hassan Rouhani, in his own address to the General Assembly Tuesday evening, was at times sharply critical of U.S. foreign policy in the region, echoing the complaints of his predecessor over treatment of Palestinians, drone use, and other issues. But he also pledged serious international negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program in a speech appar-
US President Barack Obama.
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani
ently designed to appeal to competing political interests inside Iran. “We can arrive at a framework to manage our differences,” Rouhani said, with Iran and the United States on “equal footing.” Rouhani, making his debut at the world body, said he had “listened carefully” to President Obama’s address from the same podium earlier in the day. Iran hopes that U.S. leaders summon the political will to “refrain from following the short-sighted interests of war-mongering pressure groups,” Rouhani said. Obama’s address was his fifth to the General Assembly, and it reflected the approach of a president defending a foreign policy record and
looking toward securing a legacy after he leaves office. By defining relations with Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process as his priorities for the region, the president made clear that he intends to be measured by his progress on the same issues that have repeatedly vexed his predecessors. “Some may disagree, but I believe that America is exceptional,” he said, using a term he has been criticized for not fully embracing in the past. He said his belief is justified “in part because we have shown a willingness, through the sacrifice of blood and treasure, to stand up not only for our own narrow self-interest, but for the interests of all.”
Although Obama did not announce a new policy toward Iran, his tone of optimism signaled the administration’s openness to find common ground with the Islamic republic’s leadership. That tone has come largely in response to the positive signals being sent by Rouhani, who was elected on a platform promising to repair his country’s relations with Europe and the United States. The exploratory effort between Iran and the West will begin in earnest this week with a meeting at the United Nations between Iran’s foreign minister and Secretary of State John F. Kerry, one of the highest-level contacts between the two countries in years. Although White House officials had signaled that a meeting — or an informal encounter — between Obama and Rouhani was a possibility, the Iranian leader did not appear at a luncheon where an exchange could have taken place. Senior White House officials said Tuesday that Iranian diplomats decided against a meeting, worried about how it would be received by hard-liners at home.
$270 million worth of cocaine found on Air France flight T
here was something odd about the 30 suitcases that showed up on a flight from Venezuela. The colorful bags weren’t registered to any of the passengers on the plane. When French officials opened them up, they discovered why -- 1.3 tons of pure cocaine were stuffed inside the anonymous bags. The street value of the stash? About 200 million Euros, or $270 million.
The catch was made on September 11, but French authorities didn’t publicize the find until Saturday. The suitcases came from Caracas aboard an Air France flight to Paris, but did not match any of the passengers on board, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported. “Several” people have been taken in custody, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls told reporters Saturday. Authorities worked with Spanish, Brit-
ish and Dutch police on the investigation, BFMTV said. This case “illustrates the importance of strengthening International cooperation in the fight against traffickers,” Valls said. Venezuelan authorities are also investigating. The country’s Public Ministry said prosecutors will investigate, along with the Counterdrug Command of the National Guard in Simon Bolivar International Airport, to see if any criminal activity took place.
FALLEN CHINESE POLITICIAN BO XILAI SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
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EIJING - China’s charismatic but divisive fallen party chief Bo Xilai has been sentenced to life in prison. A Chinese court handed down the harsher than expected verdict in an attempt to turn the page on the biggest political scandal in China in decades. Bo was found guilty of all charges against him including the abuse of power, embezzle-
ment and bribery. His personal assets, including luxuries such as a villa in France he was accused of accepting as a bribe, have been seized by the government. He will be eligible for parole in approximately 10 years. In reading the verdict, a court spokesman said Bo has also been, “Deprived of political rights for life.”
It all but confirms Bo’s once spectacular political career is finished. Bo, for years a hard-charging and rising member of the elite Politburo, has been at the center of a deeply embarrassing drama that has rocked China’s Communist party. His case has emerged as a prime example of so-called “law-breaking practices and unhealthy behavior” at the very
highest levels of Chinese leadership. It became a focal point of leader Xi Jinping’s pledge to wipeout corruption at any level, as he has publicly stated, “from the tigers to the flies.” Bo’s iron-clad hold on power began to unravel in began in March 2012, when his then police chief Wang Lijun fled to the US Consulate in Chengdu.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Kenya mall siege is over but death toll unclear A
s Kenya began three days of mourning on Wednesday for at least 67 people killed in the siege of a Nairobi mall, it was unclear how many more hostages may have died with the Somali Islamist attackers buried in the rubble. Declaring final victory over the al Qaeda-linked gunmen from al Shabaab who stormed the Westgate shopping center on Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that three floors in a part of the mall had collapsed near the end of the operation, leaving an unknown number of bodies under steel and concrete. It was not clear what caused the structure to come down. Five militants had been shot dead, Kenyatta said, and six security personnel died in the four days of fighting. Sixty-one civilians had so far been confirmed dead, Kenyatta added. Kenyan officials declined to say how many of 63 people whom the Red Cross had earlier classed as unaccounted for may also have died in a showdown with guerrillas, who had threatened to kill their hostages and go down fighting.
Eleven people suspected of involvement with the well-planned and executed assault were in custody, the Kenyan president added. But he did not say how many, if any, were gunmen taken alive and how many may have been people arrested elsewhere. It was also unclear whether intelligence reports of American or British gunmen would be confirmed. Al Shabaab denied that any women took part, after British sources said the fugitive widow of one of the 2005 London suicide bombers might have some role. The shattered mall, an imposing, Israeli-built symbol of a new prosperity for some in Africa while many remain mired in poverty, lay largely silent overnight, after days of gunfire, explosions and bloodshed. “The operation is now over,” Kenyatta told Kenyans in a televised address. “We have ashamed and defeated our attackers.” He announced three days of national mourning. Police said the attackers, who devastated restaurants and shops at a busy Saturday lunchtime, spraying bullets and grenades at Kenyans and foreigners, were now either dead or in custody. “Now it is for the forensic and criminal experts,” said a police spokesman, Masoud Mwinyi. Some of the 63 people reported to the Red Cross as still missing may simply not have been at the mall, or may have later made it home without the agency being made aware. But some, at least, appear to have been held hostage.
“There are several bodies trapped in the rubble, including the terrorists,” Kenyatta said. At the weekend, he had said there were between 10 and 15 militants holed up in the mall. Several foreigners of many nationalities have already been named among the dead. The mall was a favorite with expatriates. It is unclear how many foreigners may still be missing. Survivors of the assault told tales of horror and narrow escapes. Some made it out after hours, even days, of hiding in terror. The uncle of one British four-year-old told the Sun newspaper his nephew had told a militant “You’re a very bad man”, as the gunman let some children and their mother go. Officials said the raiders had set a major fire on Monday in a supermarket. On Tuesday, a thin trail of smoke drifted into a soggy sky as darkness fell, the result, rescue volunteers said, of soldiers detonating locked doors in a search for militants. Police let some people retrieve cars they left behind when shoppers fled in panic. Journalists and others were kept well away behind a security cordon.
FOREIGN FIGHTERS Kenyatta said he could not confirm intelligence reports of British and American militants, adding that forensic tests were being carried out to establish their nationalities. The government denied speculation that women were among the guerrillas, but said some had been dressed as women. That may have been a ploy
to smuggle more weapons past mall guards. It is unusual, if not unknown, for Islamist militants to use female fighters: “We have an adequate number of young men who are fully committed & we do not employ our sisters in such military operations #Westgate,” al Shabaab said on Twitter. It also dismissed comments by a Kenyan minister that two or three of the militants were young Somali or Arab Americans. A British security source said it was possible that Samantha Lewthwaite, widow of Germaine Lindsay one of the London suicide bombers of July 7 2005, was involved in the Nairobi siege in some way. “It is a possibility. But nothing definitive or conclusive yet,” the source said. Lewthwaite is wanted in connection with an alleged plot to attack expensive hotels and restaurants in Kenya. Making no mention of gunmen still in the mall, al Shabaab also drew a link to the most recent Islamist attack in London, when a soldier was stabbed to death on a busy street in May in the suburb of Woolwich. Michael Adebolajo and a fellow British Muslim convert of Nigerian descent face trial for murder. “It’s an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth...’ Remember Mujahid Adebolajo? This is what he meant. His was #Woolwich, #Westgate ours!” read another al Shabaab Twitter post. “These cowards will meet justice as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are,” said Kenyatta.
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WORLD NEWS
Angela Merkel wins German elections G
erman Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative party won Sunday’s parliamentary elections, but appeared to fall just short of obtaining a super majority, according to preliminary results released early Monday. Merkel’s bloc -- the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) -- garnered 41.5% of the vote, according to semi-official results released by the Federal Election Office. Merkel’s party was within two seats of obtaining a super majority, a majority greater than a simple majority of half-plusone. The results appeared to validate Merkel’s policies and leadership style as she has guided Germany through the Eurozone’s econom-
ic crisis amid criticism that she has held back bailout help to struggling EU nations. “This is a super result,” Merkel, who was running in her third election, said in remarks to supporters at CDU headquarters that were televised. Read more: Angela Merkel: Europe’s Mrs. Nein “It’s too early to say how we will proceed,” she said. “But today we should celebrate.” It’s a far cry from her first election in 2005, when Merkel’s pre-election musings about tax increases went down badly with voters. She took office with a small plurality after her party was forced to build a coalition with her opponent’s party, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Angela Merkel Merkel also took a hit in the 2009 elections amid German discontent over the country’s role in Afghanistan. The only hiccup of the night Sunday appeared to be for Merkel’s ju-
nior coalition party, which appeared to be coming up short with 4.8% of the 5% needed to remain in parliament, according to the preliminary results. If Merkel fails to pull a super majority, she will be forced to build a coalition with an opposition party. Merkel’s CDU consistently polled in the lead up to nationwide balloting between 40% and 42% -- a 10-year high for CDU -- while the SPD, her closest competitor, dipped at one point to a historic low of 23%. The last time a party had a super majority in Germany was in 1957 with Konrad Adenauer, the country’s first post-World War II chancellor. Merkel is only the third post-war chancellor to win three successive elections.
US House approves $40 billion cut in food stamps for the poor
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ASHINGTON: The Republican-run US House of Representatives voted to cut spending on food stamps for the poor by $40 billion over 10 years on Thursday, defying a veto threat from the White House in the name of fiscal reform. Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the driving force behind the legislation, said it was “wrong for working, middle-class people to pay” for abuse of the program, whose costs have skyrocketed in recent years. Democrats pointed to nonpartisan estimates that the bill would end benefits to 4 million
needy people in 2014. Representatives passed the bill on a party-line vote, 217-200. Speaker John Boehner said passage would trigger long-awaited negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate over a new $500 billion farm bill, already a year overdue. Senators voted in May for $4.5 billion in food stamp reductions, about 1/10th of the House proposal. With nutrition programs as the sticking point, analysts are skeptical that a compromise farm bill can be written that would pass in the sharply partisan Congress. Debbie Stabenow, chairwoman of the Dem-
RUSSIA ACCUSES US OF BLACKMAIL OVER SYRIA
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OSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of blackmailing Russia over a tough UN resolution against Syria, and said the West is blinded by the idea of regime change in the war-torn country. “Our American partners are beginning to blackmail us: if Russia won’t support a resolution under Chapter VII in the UN Security Council, then we will stop the work in the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons,” Lavrov said in a Channel One interview, according to Russian agencies. He said the OPCW is “about to make a decision” on Syria but the process is threatened by the “arrogant position of some Western partners”. “They need Chapter VII, which presumes applying pressure on violators of international law, including sanctions and the possibility of using force,” he said. Lavrov added that Russia would be willing to send troops to Syria as part of an international presence to secure the work of experts on chemical weapons sites. “We are ready to allocate our servicemen, military police, to participate in such efforts,” he said, though adding that he doesn’t
“think that large contingents are necessary... military observers would be enough.” Washington, Paris and London want a strongly worded resolution to ensure compliance, possibly under the UN Charter’s Chapter VII -- a move Lavrov said contradicts the landmark agreement on Syria’s chemical disarmament he reached with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva on September 14. “Our partners are now blinded by their ideological goal of regime change (in Syria)” Lavrov added. “All they talk about is that Bashar al-Assad must leave.” “They are only interested in proving their own superiority. Not in the goal that is guiding us, to solve the problem of chemical weapons in Syria,” Lavrov said. Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday that Russia would be unlikely to send elite special forces to Syria, but would readily provide “specialists” for securing chemical stockpiles. Lavrov on Sunday also contested Assad’s claim that the disarmament programme requires $1 billion (740 million euros). “In Geneva we discussed the possible cost of this programme. The figures were much less substantial,” he said.
ocrat-controlled Senate Agriculture Committee, called the House bill “a monumental waste of time” that would never become law. “We have never before seen this kind of partisanship injected into a farm bill,” Stabenow said. The White House on Wednesday threatened to veto the House bill to prevent damage to “one of our nation’s strongest defenses against hunger and poverty.” A near-record 47.76 million people, or one of seven Americans - about 85 percent of them children, elderly or disabled - received food stamps at latest count.
Egyptian farmer held for naming donkey after army chief
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AIRO: An Egyptian farmer has been arrested for putting the name of the country’s military chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and an army cap on his donkey, state media said on Saturday. Omar Abu al-Magd Ali al-Saghir, 31, was arrested late on Friday in the central province of Qena for allegedly insulting the general, state news agency MENA reported. The farmer was arrested after he rode the donkey through his home village in an act deemed “directly insulting” to the army, MENA said.
INDIAN PARENTS REFUSE TO ACCEPT PREGNANT DAUGHTER
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OTIHARI: It is painful but true.
The parents of an adult dalit girl refused to accept their daughter who had eloped with her lover last May from Rangpur-Gujraul village under Patahi police station in East Champaran district. The parents of the girl told the police that their daughter was unmarried and now that she was three-month pregnant how they will accept her and what they will they reply to their caste men. It is against the social tradition. The girl is under police protection at the Patahi police station for the last two days . Patahi SHO AN Jha said on inquiry it was gathered that the girl fell in love with a youth of her village and she had eloped with her lover in last May. She
Sisi, who ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi on July 3, is vice-prime minister and defence minister as well as army chief. He is hugely popular among the large segment of Egyptian society that called for Morsi’s ouster, and his portrait is displayed in shop windows, in cars and on walls in the Arab world’s most populous country. Since Morsi’s ouster, the authorities have launched a massive crackdown on Islamists who regularly call anti-military protests. was taken to Mumbai where she stayed for a short time and ultimately she was picked up by the GRP of Siwan railway station in August as her lover ditched her somewhere between Mumbai to Siwan . She was, thereafter, handed over to the Mahila Suraksha Grih, Siwan by the GRP . Later, the girl revealed to police that she is a native of Rangpur-Gujraul village and she was handed over to East Champaran police by GRP of Siwan on Sunday. A medical examination on her confirmed that she was threemonth pregnant. Patahi police approached the parents of the girl in her village but they are adamant not to accept the girl. The police is trying its best to persuade the parents of the girl and taking help of the villagers. No woman social worker or organization has come forward to help this girl and the police has its limitation according to existing laws.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Thousands march in Edinburgh to back Scottish independence T
housands of people marched through the Scottish capital Edinburgh on Saturday calling for independence, a year ahead of Scotland’s historic referendum on whether to break away from the United Kingdom. The pro-independence campaign “Yes Scotland” estimated that 20,000 supporters joined the march, turning the city centre into a sea of blue and white as they waved thousands of Scottish flags, though police said numbers were closer to 8,300. Some of the men were clad in traditional Scottish kilts as they marched up Calton Hill, overlooking the city, to the sound of bagpipes. Alex Salmond, leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party and head of Scotland’s regional government, told the crowds they would have “the opportunity of a lifetime” when they vote on September 18 next year.
Some of the marchers in support of Scottish independence “We’re a lucky generation,” he said. “To change our communities for the better we only need to say the word, to say ‘yes’.” Opinion polls suggest only around a third of the 5.3 million Scots currently intend to vote to break away, but Salmond insists he can convince a majority that independence
would bring economic and political benefits. Student Calum Martin, who lives near the western Scottish city of Glasgow, said he would be voting in favour of independence because he believed Scots should have a better say over how their money is spent. “Scotland is an incredibly wealthy country. This is a chance to put that wealth to much better use,” the 20-year-old said. Scotland currently has its own parliament and a devolved government which controls several policy areas including health and education, but other policies, such as defence and foreign affairs, are controlled by London. The ‘no’ campaign -- backed by British Prime Minister David Cameron’s government -- claims Scotland is stronger as part of the larger United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Pope attacks global economics for worshipping god of money C
AGLIARI, Sardinia - Pope Francis made one of his strongest attacks on the global economic system, saying it could no longer be based on a “god called money” and urged the unemployed to fight for work. Francis, at the start of a day-long trip to the Sardinian capital, Cagliari, put aside his prepared text at a meeting with unemployed workers, including miners in hard hats who told him of their situation, and improvised for nearly 20 minutes. “I find suffering here ... It weakens you and robs you of hope,” he said. “Excuse me if I use strong words, but where there is no work there is no dignity.” He discarded his prepared speech after listening to Francesco Mattana, a 45-year-old married father of three who lost his job with an alternative energy company four years ago. Mattana, his voice trembling, told the pope that unemployment “oppresses you and wears you out
to the depths of your soul”. The crowd of about 20,000 people in a square near the city port chanted what Francis called a prayer for “work, work, work”. They cheered each time he spoke of the rights of workers and the personal devastation caused by joblessness. The pope, who later celebrated Mass for some 300,000 people outside the city’s cathedral, told them: “We don’t want this globalised economic system which does us so much harm. Men and women have to be at the centre (of an economic system) as God wants, not money.” “The world has become an idolator of this god called money,” he said. Sardinia’s coast is famous for its idyllic beaches, exclusive resorts and seaside palatial residences of some of the world’s richest people, including former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and a host of Hollywood actors. But much of the island, particularly its large cities and the vast agri-
US DENIES VENEZUELA PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO AIRSPACE ACCESS FOR CHINA TRIP
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ARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelan foreign minister Elias Jaua says that the United States has prohibited a planned flight by President Nicolas Maduro from passing through US airspace over Puerto Rico. Jaua said on Thursday that the flight had been scheduled to pass over the US territory on Friday on its way to China. He characterized the US action as an “aggression.”
The US Embassy in Caracas did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment on the foreign minister’s statement. Maduro is leaving Friday for the trip to China, which runs through Tuesday. Venezuela and the US have had tense relations for a number of years and have been without ambassadors in each other’s country since 2010.
cultural and industrial interior, has been blighted by the economic crisis, with factories closed and mines operating at low capacity. The pope made clear that his assessment was not limited to the local situation. “It is not a problem of Italy and Europe ... It is the consequence of a world choice, of an economic system that brings about this tragedy, an economic system that has at its centre an idol which is called money,” he said to the cheers of the crowd. Francis, who as bishop of Buenos Aires sided with unemployed workers in their conflict with government austerity plans, ended his improvised speech with a prayer asking God to “give us work and teach us to fight for work”. Francis said he did not want the crowd to see him as a smiling “cordial manager of the Church who comes here and says to you ‘have courage’”. He added: “I don’t want this. I
want this courage to come from inside me and push me to do everything I can as a pastor and a man.” Francis brought tears to the eyes of some in the crowd when he told his own family’s story of emigration from Italy to Argentina and how they lost everything in the Great Depression. “I was not born yet, but as a child I remember hearing talk of this suffering,” he said. Francis said globalization had brought with it a culture where the weakest in society suffered the most and often, those on the fringes “fall away”, including the elderly, who he said were victims of a “hidden euthanasia” caused by neglect of those no longer considered productive. “To defend this economic culture, a throwaway culture has been installed. We throw away grandparents, and we throw away young people. We have to say no to his throwaway culture. We want a just system that helps everyone,” he said.
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES BILL TO KILL OBAMACARE, AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
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ASHINGTON: The House of Representatives on Friday passed legislation to fund federal agencies from October 1 to December 15 while also derailing the healthcare law known as “Obamacare,” ignoring warnings from Democrats that they will kill the Republican initiative. In a partisan vote of 230-189, the Republican-controlled House sent the measure to the Senate where Democrats hold a majority. They will try to delete the Obamacare provision and send the spending bill back to the House for passage by September 30 in order to prevent government shutdowns the following day. House Republicans have now voted 42 times over the past few years to kill or significantly alter President Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms, which aim to provide medical insurance for millions of Ameri-
cans. Each time, the Senate has ignored the work of Republicans in the House. But this time, they have attached the measure to a must-do bill that funds many government agencies in the fiscal year starting October 1. If the House and Senate fail to resolve their differences by then, these agencies would have to shut down until the legislative dispute is resolved. The Senate is expected to debate the bill next week, which would maintain strict, across-the-board spending cuts that were laid out as part of a 2011 deficit-reduction law. Besides the need to quickly approve the spending measure, Congress also is fighting over separate legislation to raise the limit on US borrowing authority. Lawmakers are staring down a floating deadline of sometime in October or early November to either pass a measure or hurl the US government into its first credit default.
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BlackBerry delays launch of BBM apps for iOS, Android S AN FRANCISCO — BlackBerry on Saturday hit pause on the rollout of iPhone and Android apps for its popular BlackBerry Messenger mobile social messaging service after an unreleased version of the Android app was posted online. That version saw 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours, the company said, but the unofficial version “caused issues,” which the company continued to address throughout the day. The company did not specify what the issues were. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use it.
Blackberry Q10
“As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone,” the company said in a release. The unreleased version of the Android app will be disabled, the company said. Those interested in the official Android app can visit the BBM.com site to register for updates on availability or follow @BBM on Twitter. The issues have not impacted BBM service for BlackBerry, the company said. In May, the struggling firm announced that it would be rolling
Apples chief executive Tim Cook joins Twitter A
pple chief executive Tim Cook joined Twitter on Friday, as huge crowds formed around the world to buy up the California giant’s two new iPhones. In his first tweet, Cook described his visit to customers waiting for iPhones near the company’s headquarters. “Visited Retail Stores in Palo Alto today. Seeing so many happy customers reminds us of why we do what we do,” he wrote. The account, featuring a photographic portrait of Cook against a black background, bore the one-to-many microblogging service’s standard blue check mark meaning it has been officially confirmed by Twitter. Cook identified himself as “CEO Apple” and a “Fan of Auburn football and Duke basketball” from Cupertino, California. And he snapped up a huge following very quickly. Within just hours of joining the service, Cook had already scored more than 92,000 followers.
And the company also launched the Twitter account @iTunes this week as it unveiled iOS 7, the operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Apple is releasing the iPhone 5S, and the lower price 5C this week. While customers in the United States can get the iPhone 5C for $100 with a carrier contract, the unsubsidized price is $549 in the US and higher elsewhere.
FOR ACADEMIC PUSH, HARVARD SEEKS $6.5BILLION IN DONATIONS
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OSTON: Harvard, the richest university in the United States, said on Saturday it would seek to raise $6.5 billion in donations to fund new academic initiatives and bolster its financial aid programme. The fundraising drive by the Cambridge, Massachusetts , institution is the university’s biggest and believed to be the most ambitious ever undertaken by a university, ahead of one concluded last year by Stanford University in California that raised $6.2 billion . Harvard unveiled its campaign at an event featuring Bill Gates, who spent three years at the school in the 1970s before dropping out to cofound Microsoft Corporation.
PAYPAL CO-FOUNDER LEVCHIN HELPS BIRTH NEW FERTILITY APP
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Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO
Gates, who was ranked by Forbes magazine this year as the world’s second-richest person behind Mexico’s Carlos Slim, joked about his decision to leave the university during a talk before alumni and donors. “You never say that you are ‘dropping out’ of Harvard. I ‘went on leave’ from Harvard ,” he said. “If things hadn’t worked out for my company , Microsoft, I could have come back.” Gates did not say whether he intended to donate. The university has already raised $2.8 billion from more than 90,000 donors during the pre-launch phase of the fundraising campaign.
out BBM, perhaps the company’s most popular service, to other mobile platforms. It had been exclusive to BlackBerry smartphones. The service features BBM Chat for instant messaging with other users. Additionally, each user has a unique PIN, so you don’t have to give out your phone number to use the service - a privacy feature. On Friday, BlackBerry said it would slash 4,500 jobs in a last-ditch move to recharge the troubled company. BlackBerry has failed to invigorate its business despite unveiling a new smartphone line and software in January.
AN FRANCISCO – Max Levchin has birthed another tech startup. Really. The serial entrepreneur behind payments processor PayPal and social-gaming site Slide has been pouring his energies into Glow, a fertility app that debuted Sunday on Apple’s iOS computing platform. An Android version is in the works. “We are swimming in particles of data,” says Levchin, a Silicon Valley legend of sorts for his leveraging of data to serve consumers. “Look through my checkered past. There is a thread” dating to his days at PayPal and Slide. Glow’s goal is to help women get pregnant through the analysis of their personal information — such as sex, body temperature, cervical mucus, and physical and emotion discomfort — on a daily basis. The app analyzes data to give women an estimate of their fertility window over five to seven days via a calendar, and their percentage chance of getting pregnant. The service includes a “companion” app for the woman’s partner. Glow is tackling an increasingly taboo topic in fertility, as more women have children later in life. Most insurance companies don’t cover infertility treatments, which leads to a need for treatments that cost tens of thousands of dollars, Levchin explains. “It’s a topic dear to my heart. My wife and I went through it,” says Glow’s other co-founder, Mike Huang. The couple’s daughter recently turned four years old. Though it faces competition from apps like BabyBump and Pink Pad, Levchin says Glow is distinguished by “machine learning,” a form of predictive analysis that parses 9 to 15 data points daily (morning temperature, vitamins and cervical mucus). The same analytical model underpinned Levchin’s work at PayPal and Slide. The 9-person startup has plenty of early advocates. It’s raked in more than $6 million in funding from the likes of Founders Fund and Andreessen Horowitz. Levchin kicked in another $1 million in crowd-funding. Under Glow’s nonprofit fund, Glow First, those who participate pay $50 a month for 10 months into a pool with a cohort who joins at the same time. Those who don’t conceive naturally after 10 months using Glow’s app, will get money from the fund to pay for fertility treatment.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Hackers claim to have defeated Apple Touch ID print sensor A
day after the iPhone 5S hit the streets, a group of hackers say they have successfully bypassed the biometric security on the Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor by using “easy everyday means.” The Chaos Computer Club in Germany announced late Saturday that it defeated the security device by photographing an iPhone user’s fingerprint from a glass surface and using that captured image to verify the user’s login credentials. The sensor, which resides under the home button, replaces the four-digit passcode to unlock the handset and authorize iTunes Store purchases. “This demonstrates -- again -- that fingerprint biometrics is unsuitable as access control method and should be avoided,” the group wrote in a blog post detailing its bypass:
First, the fingerprint of the enrolled user is photographed with 2400 dpi resolution. The resulting image is then cleaned up, inverted and laser printed with 1200 dpi onto transparent sheet with a thick toner setting. Finally, pink latex milk or white woodglue is smeared into the pattern created by the toner onto the transparent sheet. After it cures, the thin latex sheet is lifted from the sheet, breathed on to make it a tiny bit moist and then placed onto the sensor to unlock the phone. This process has been used with minor refinements and variations against the vast majority of fingerprint sensors on the market. “We hope that this finally puts to rest the illusions people have about fingerprint biometrics,” CCC spokesperson Frank Rieger said in a statement. “It is plain stupid to use something that you can´t change and that you leave ev-
erywhere every day as a security token.” CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more. It wasn’t immediately clear if the group would lay claim to a bounty of more than $16,000 that is being offered to the first person who could hack the fingerprint sensor. IsTouchIDhackedyet.com -- the brainchild of independent security researcher Nick DePetrillo -- said on its Web site that it was waiting for the group to upload video of the process before declaring CCC the winner. In addition to cash, the winner has been promised a free application from CipherLaw to patent the hack; several bottles of alcohol including Laphroaig, Maker’s Mark, Argentine wine, Patron Silver, and Bulleit bourbon; a “dirty sex book,” and an iPhone 5C.
BlackBerry reaches $US4.7 billion deal to go private B
lackBerry said on Monday that it had reached an agreement to be taken private by a group led by Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings. The company signed a letter of intent that would pay shareholders $US9 a share in cash, a deal that values the faltering smartphone maker at about $US4.7 billion ($5 billion), according to a press release. Fairfax already owns 10 per cent of BlackBerry. “We can deliver immediate value to shareholders, while we continue the execution of a long-term strategy in a private company with a focus on delivering superior and secure enterprise solutions to BlackBerry customers around the world,” the company said. BlackBerry entered into the agreement on the recommendation of a special committee of its board, which has been evaluating strategic options for the company as its market share has continued to erode in recent months.
Fairfax and its co-investors are seeking financing from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and BMO Capital Markets. BlackBerry and Fairfax agreed to complete due diligence by November 4. During this time, BlackBerry is permitted to enter into talks with other potential acquirers. The press release did not identify the other investors joining with Fairfax. “The special committee is seeking the best available outcome for the company’s constituents, including for shareholders,” Barbara Stymiest, BlackBerry’s chairwoman, said in a statement. “Importantly, the go-shop process provides an opportunity to determine if there are alternatives superior to the present proposal from the Fairfax consortium.” BlackBerry’s special committee has taken advice from JPMorgan Chase and Perella Weinberg, as well as the law firms Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Torys.
“We believe this transaction will open an exciting new private chapter for BlackBerry, its customers, carriers and employees,” Prem Watsa, chief executive of Fairfax, said in a statement. “We can deliver immediate value to shareholders, while we continue the execution of a long-term strategy in a private company with a focus on delivering superior and secure enterprise solutions to BlackBerry customers around the world.” Mr Watsa stepped down from BlackBerry’s board last month to avoid criticism over a potential conflict of interest as he sought to find a future path for the beleaguered company. Fairfax is its largest shareholder, with a 10 per cent stake. BDT & Company, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and BMO Capital Markets are advising Fairfax, and Shearman & Sterling and McCarthy Tétrault are providing it with legal advice.
SOME NEW $100 BILLS WILL BE WORTH $1,000, OR MORE
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e are a couple of weeks away from getting our newly designed $100 bills, and when they arrive on October 8, some will actually be worth $1,000 ... or more. No, the government isn’t slipping in an extra zero. But it is including, as always, an eight-digit serial number. And as the Boston Globe explains, currency collectors will pay big if the numbers are “fancy.” That’s the collectors’ term, not the Globe’s, for serial numbers that fall in a number of categories: there are “low” (00000001 through 00000100), “ladders” (43210987), “radar’ (43788734), “solids” (33333333), and “repeaters” (82118211). Then there are random ones: 31415927 (pi) or 07041776 (read that as 07/04/1776).
The low number ones are among the most valuable, with new $100 bills with 00000001 expected to sell for as much as $15,000. (Before the serial number you’ll see one or two letters; these indicate which Federal Reserve bank issued it. As such, there can be more than one bill in any denomination with the same serial number in a given year.) So how do you get your hands on one? It helps if you have friends in high and very secure places. Bank employees, especially vault workers, are typically able to swap out a normal bill for a fancy one, says the director of currency of a Dallas auction house, and since bricks of money are marked with the serial number range, they can spot the bills fairly easily.
On Friday, BlackBerry announced that it would lay off about 40 per cent of its employees, 4500 people, and report a $US1 billion quarterly loss. A new operating system and new phones that were supposed to have rejuvenated the companies have been a flop. Much of the quarterly loss will come from writing down the value of the company’s inventory of unwanted BlackBerry 10 phones. While being privately held will allow BlackBerry to restructure without worrying about bad news affecting its share price, several analysts have questioned how it can remain in the phone business without access to open capital markets. Its competitors such as Apple and Google are among the most profitable and largest corporations in the world. There has been speculation that BlackBerry might abandon the phone business to become a software vendor.
4 CHARGED FOR $2.1 MILLION BARCLAYS BANK CYBERTHEFT IN UK
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ONDON: British police have charged four men in connection with the theft of 1.3 million pounds ($2.1 million) from a Barclays Bank branch. The men -- aged between 26 and 47 -- were arrested and accused of installing a device on the bank’s computer system made it possible to carry out the cybertheft. Police said cash, jewels and thousands of credit cards were found in related searches of addresses in the greater London area. Police said Michael Victor Harper and Lewis James Murphy were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Darius Bolder faces that charge and a charge of conspiracy to steal, while Tony Colston-Hayter is facing one count of conspiracy to steal.
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CARIBBEAN
Usain Bolt rethinks plan to retire after 2016 Olympic Games
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ONDON, England — Quick as “It’s a long way away, but if I win can be, Usain Bolt is backtrack- the next Olympics I will have done ing on his retirement plans. everything I wanted to do in my caLess than three weeks ago, the reer,” Bolt said. “So there would be Olympic champino reason to continon said he planned ue.” to stop sprinting afBolt won the 100, ter the 2016 Rio de 200 and 4x100-meJaneiro Olympics. tre relay at the 2008 But the Jamaican Beijing Olympics and said on Thursday he again at last year’s was looking to exLondon Games. He tend his career by won the same three a year, meaning he golds at the 2009 could quit after the Worlds before repeat2017 World Champiing that feat in Mosonships in London. I cow last month. On Thursday 19th September am definitely reconOne target still sidering,” the 27-year- 2013, Usain Bolt was at Selfridges is to compete at the London signing copies of his old Bolt said while Commonwealth new autobiography.The fastest in London on a book Games for the first man on earth was in the books promotion tour. “I time, with the 2014 think my fans es- department on the lower ground games in Glasgow in floor signing copies of his book, pecially have really his sights. Faster Than Lightning. In the voiced their concern “I have said to my autobiography, Usain reveals about me retiring. coach that I would “They think I the real story behind his Olympic love to go to the Comglory and the challenges faced should carry on and monwealths,” Bolt throughout an incredible life. so do my sponsors. said. “It’s something I have discussed it that I haven’t done with my coach and he says it is pos- before. It’s up to him, but I have said sible. We will see what happens, but to him that I want to be a part of it.” it’s on the cards that I will extend it Bolt told the BBC later Thursday by one more year.” that he’d “probably” run only the The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are not 200 metres at the Commonwealth in his thoughts. Games, should he enter.
WICB FORGES RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIA
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T JOHN’S, Antigua — President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Dave Cameron is offering congratulations to the players and management of the West Indies A team which recently defeated their India equivalent in the three-game one-day series. Cameron says he is “pleased with the performance of the team so far and wishes them best of luck for the upcoming games. The matches have been competitive and we are pleased with the outcome thus far”. The president, who identifies India as a great market for cricket, has also offered best wishes to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force team, which will be participating in this year’s Champions League Tournament, also in India. “On behalf of the Board of Directors the WICB and the people of the region I want to wish T&T all the best in the upcoming Champions
League. I know the T&T team will represent the region to the best of their abilities and we look forward to winning performances,” noted the president. Come November, the region will again be in India and the senior team will be expected to do well in their two Tests, three One-Day International series. The president is excited about his top teams playing India and “as the region prepares for the T20 World Championship in 2014; World Cup ODI in 2015, the team requires consistently great competition to be able to be ranked among the best in the world. This offers a great opportunity for the senior team to improve its standings and we are committed to making this happen. We are happy to be competing in India.” West Indies A defeated India A by 45 runs in the third and final unofficial ODI to win the series 2-1.
The Bahamas to spend US$3.5m to host World Relays N
ASSAU, The Bahamas — The Bahamas Government plans to spend about US$3.5 million to host the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Relays in 2014 and 2015. Prime Minister Perry Christie made the announcement during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in Nassau. “The Government of The Bahamas is looking to underwrite the costs,” said Prime Minister Christie. “We are obviously hopeful that given the nature of these international sporting events will be a return to the country in every which way because we are very much committed to developing The Bahamas as a world sports tourism authority and destination.” The World Relays will bring together approximately 700 athletes, including those who competed and medalled in the sprint and middle distance events at the 2012 Olym-
pic Games in London and the 2013 IAAF World Games in Moscow. They will represent 40 countries accompanied by 300 team officials. “I hope that we as an island nation, that we ensure that the young people of The Bahamas are able to benefit from this exercise at the end of the day,” said the prime minister. “We want to never give up on the commitment to develop athletes and sports in the country.” The deal for the Bahamas to host the IAAF World Relays in 2014 and 2015 was sealed at the recent 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow. Hosting such an event will require approximately 500 volunteers, 150 organising committee members and a full-time staff of 25. The relay races will include men and women in the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m, 4x1500m, with qualifying rounds for the 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m.
KIRANI JAMES RECEIVES HALF MILLION DOLLARS FROM GRENADA GOVERNMENT FOR OLYMPIC SUCCESS
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T GEORGE’S, GrenaEC$400,000 balance on da— Olympic 400-methe Treasury Bills is extre champion Kirahausted. ni James has received The Grenadian quara cheque valued at EC ter-miler lost his world ti$100,000, the first part of tle in Moscow last month EC$500,000 promised to to LaShawn Merritt, the him by the government American, whom he deafter his historic feat in feated in Daegu, South London last year. Korea, when he won the Prime Minister Dr title in 2011. Keith Mitchell handed However, a few days Kirani James over the cheque, as well after his disappointing as Treasury Bills to the seventh place finish in tune of EC$400,000 to James in a cer- Moscow he delivered an improved emony in St George’s, a Government performance, placing second to Merstatement said on Monday. James ritt in the Zurich Diamond League. was in Grenada for a weekend visit “Kirani, we want you to know that to family and friends after ending his at 19 years you attained heroic status 2013 athletic season. -- an icon of this country and nothing “ On behalf of the Government will change that,” the Grenadian leadand people of this country, I want er told the country’s most celebrated to present you with this EC$100,000 athlete who sparked massive celebracheque for what you have achieved tions across this tri-island state and so far and hope there will be more around the region when he became successes in the future,” Dr Mitchell the first Grenadian national to win said. an Olympic gold medal. “I can tell you that under this Gov“Remember that one can never be ernment all Treasury Bills are sacro- always at the top in every attempt; sanct. Kirani, you can rest assured but you will be at the top in terms of that you can cash this EC$400,000 in how you treat the result and the comTreasury Bills.” mitment to pursue further successJames is expected to receive es. This is what will be the test of the EC$100,000 each year until the true Kirani James.”
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RLD
Dolphins rally past Falcons
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IAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) -- The stadium shook with a roar as Ryan Tannehill skipped across the field pumping his arms in glee, the Miami Dolphins’ comeback complete. Tannehill was celebrating his 1-yard touchdown pass with 38 seconds left to rookie Dion Sims, who made a one-handed catch to help the unbeaten Dolphins rally past the Atlanta Falcons 27-23. The score capped a 13-play, 75yard drive after Atlanta’s Matt Bryant missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 4:46 left. Jimmy Wilson intercepted Matt Ryan in Falcons territory to seal the victory. ‘’We have a special team, a team with a lot of talent,’’ receiver Brian Hartline said. ‘’We’re going to continue to improve. The sky’s the limit.’’ Miami fell behind 10-0 and 2010 and trailed much of the game, but nonetheless improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2002. The injury-plagued Falcons, who were one play from the Super Bowl last season, fell to 1-2. An enthusiastic crowd of 70,660 reflected the buzz building about the surprising Dolphins, who are trying to end a streak of four consecutive losing seasons. ‘’We’ve got a damned good football team,’’ owner Stephen Ross said. ‘’The quarterback is maturing.’’ The last-minute comeback victory was the first for Miami’s sec-
Ryan Tannehill ond-year QB. Tannehill finished 24 for 35 for 236 yards and two scores. He shook off two turnovers and five sacks, and was at his best at the end of each half. On the final drive, Tannehill went 8 for 11 for 69 yards, with two of the incompletions because of dropped passes. The winner came on second down, when Tannehill lobbed his throw over linebacker Stephen Nicholas to Sims, a backup tight end. Sims scored his first NFL touchdown by pulling the ball in with his left hand because his right arm was tangled up with Nicholas. ‘’It was awesome. It was amazing,’’ Sims said. ‘’The defender grabbed one hand, so I had no choice but to use the other one.’’ Tannehill suggested the play to his coaches during a timeout just beforehand. ‘’It’s a play we know very well,’’ he said. ‘’It’s either going to be a touchdown or a throwaway. We had a lot of confidence in that play.’’
Tannehill’s other scoring pass was an 18-yarder to Hartline to make it 20-20 late in the third quarter. Tannehill also moved Miami 60 yards in the final 2:04 of the first half for a field goal on the final play. The victory allowed Miami to keep pace with New England atop the AFC East. ‘’It was a good step forward,’’ Hartline said. ‘’Expectations will continue to rise, and high expectations bring out the best in you. We welcome it.’’ The Falcons believe they could be special, too, but they lost despite advantages of 24-16 in first downs, 377285 in yards and 5-0 in sacks. ‘’It was a game where we had a ton of opportunities,’’ coach Mike Smith said. ‘’We need to be more efficient in the red zone on both sides of the ball. We had way too many field goals.’’ Bryant finished 3 for 4. Ryan threw for 231 yards, and in the absence of Steven Jackson - one of several sidelined Falcons - Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling combined for 139 yards rushing. Lamar Miller had a 49-yard run to set up the Dolphins’ first touchdown, but they generated little running attack otherwise. Special teams made a pivotal contribution when rookie Don Jones’ jarring tackle on punt returner Harry Douglas forced a fumble the Dolphins recovered to set up a touchdown.
‘’That was the biggest play of the game,’’ Miami receiver Mike Wallace said. The Dolphins lost defensive end Cameron Wake (knee) and linebacker Koa Misi (shoulder) to injuries, but the defense dug in after a slow start. Consecutive possessions by Atlanta in the second half netted a total of 10 yards, which allowed the Dolphins to rally. ‘’Guys had to step up,’’ said firstround draft pick Dion Jordan, who came off the bench to see his most extensive action of the season. ‘’We stuck together and it came up big.’’ The Falcons scored on their first three series, and at one point the Dolphins trailed in total yards by 1273. Atlanta had the ball for nearly 23 minutes in the first half but was up only 13-10 at halftime. Ryan led drives of 14, 11 and 13 plays on the Falcons’ first three possessions, but twice they stalled and settled for field goals. ‘’We had a lot of opportunities to finish the game,’’ Ryan said. ‘’We just didn’t get it done in the red zone. We have to find a way to punch it in.’’ Notes: The Dolphins have scored at least 20 points in each game, the first time they’ve done that since 2002. ... Atlanta’s Matt Bosher, leading the league in punting, averaged 33.0 yards on two kicks. ... Osi Umenyiora had his first two sacks for Atlanta. ... Miami rookie Caleb Sturgis kicked field goals of 46 and 50 yards and is 6 for 6 this year.
49ers Smith out on bail after his arrest for DUI S
AN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Aldon Smith was released from jail Friday after his pickup truck apparently struck a tree and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and marijuana possession, authorities said. Smith later took to the practice field with his teammates Friday afternoon at team headquarters in Santa Clara. He is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 4. Smith declined to comment when reporters asked about his arrest. Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Friday that he expects that Smith will play Sunday when the Niners host the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park. ‘’I expect Aldon - like today - he’ll be back to work and playing on Sunday,’’ Harbaugh said. ‘’I anticipate that, yes.’’
Harbaugh said that any potential discipline will likely come from the NFL. ‘’There will be consequences. There always is,’’ Harbaugh said. ‘’Good or bad, we all have consequences.’’ Smith, 23, posted $5,250 bail and was released from the Santa Clara County jail late Friday morning, just hours after he was taken into custody by police responding to a single-vehicle crash that involved his truck in San Jose, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Sgt. Kurtis Stenderup said. San Jose police arrested Smith after officers received a call from a resident about the crash in the city’s Silver Creek area around 7 a.m., Sgt. Heather Randol said. Officers gave Smith breath tests and other tests after his pickup apparently struck a tree, hit a curb and left streak marks on a driveway and sidewalk.
‘’They conducted an investigation and determined he was under the influence,’’ Randol said about Smith. ‘’He was the only person inside the vehicle.’’ The linebacker, who helped the 49ers get to the Super Bowl last season, has 37 sacks in 34 career games and was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro last season.
Smith won the team’s MVP award last season as he set the Niners’ franchise record with 19 1/2 sacks. A firstround draft pick out of Missouri in 2011, Smith also set the team’s rookie sack record with 14 that year. His teammate, Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis, said Friday that Smith’s arrest caught him by surprise as the team constantly talks about staying out of trouble. ‘’Some guys listen, some guys don’t. You can take the horse to the water, but you can’t make him drink. It’s all about doing the right thing,’’ Davis said. ‘’I’m sure he’ll come around. It’s just a matter of time. Hopefully, he’ll learn from this situation that he got himself into, and maybe it will come out positive instead of negative.’’ Smith, who turns 24 on Wednesday, has had other issues with the law as he was also arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Miami Beach in January 2012.
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Tiger closes with 67, looks ahead to Presidents Cup A
TLANTA — Tiger Woods shot his best round of The Tour Championship by Coca-Cola on Sunday, but it was much too little and much too late. The world No. 1, who opened the season finale with a 3-over-par 73 while not making a birdie for only the seventh time in 1,083 rounds in his pro career, shot 67 at East Lake Golf Club to finish where he started the week — at even par. LEADERBOARD: Tour Championship The highlight of his day that included five birdies and two bogeys was the embraces he received from his children, Sam and Charlie, just off the 18th hole. Shortly thereafter, though, Woods talked about his Tour season, which in some ways mirrored his play at East Lake. While he said he was “very satisfied” with the season that included five wins — but no majors — Woods talked of inconsistent play and his
Tiger Woods intention to rectify that for the upcoming season. “I had a number of chances to win some tournaments. I won five, which is, I think, a pretty good year. I’ve done that a few times over the course of my career,” said Woods, who will play in the Presidents Cup in two weeks, the Turkish Airlines
Open in November and in his own tournament, the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge, in December, to finish off the year. “I wish I would have been a little more consistent in some of the events, but overall, at the end of the day, you know, to add to the win total for the year, it’s always a good thing.” Still, his inconsistent play — he had six finished of 30th or worse, and contended in just two of the four majors — will be on his mind entering next year. “I’m always looking to improve and become more consistent day in and day out. There’s certainly some weeks where I was just off,” Woods said. “I always wish I could play a little bit more consistent and have a chance each and every time I tee it up. That’s the intent. Whether that happens or not, it doesn’t always work out that way. “ … I can live with the fact that I grind each and every day. There are days where I just don’t have it.
I don’t have my game. Game doesn’t feel right. Body doesn’t feel right. Things just don’t work. But I still grind it out and post some numbers. There are events and there are days where I just don’t have it, but I turn it around that one day, and I’m able to win the golf tournament. Over the course of my career, I’ve won many a tournaments just because of that.” Woods said he will make full use of his upcoming off week, resting chief among his pursuits, before the following week’s Presidents Cup. He said U.S. captain Fred Couples has been calling many times to discuss potential playing partners for Woods. “Freddy’s been blowing up my phone with some options and what he thinks for some of the pairings,” Woods said. “We’ve got some options going into it. We’re going to get together with (assistant captains) Jay (Haas) and Davis (Love III) and figure things out, what we need to do.”
Braves and Cardinals clinch playoff spot after Nationals lose to Marlins W
ASHINGTON — The Nationals began Sunday with a ceremony honoring retiring manager Davey Johnson. After a 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins, the celebrations were going on elsewhere. Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich homered to lift the in the opener of a day-night doubleheader, a result that clinched playoff berths for the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. “That was a tough one,” Johnson said. “We just couldn’t get anything going.” Washington can win no more than 90 games, and Atlanta (92-63) won its first NL East title since 2005 even before a 5-2 win at the Chicago Cubs. St. Louis (91-64), which leads the NL Central, is assured no worse than a wild-card berth. The Nationals, who honored Johnson with a 15-minute pregame celebration, dropped 5½ games behind Cincinnati for the final NL wild card and have just seven games remaining. “Like I said before, I’m not very good at math, but I’m good enough to figure out that losing makes it tougher,” Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman said. “But we’ve just got to keep playing and see what happens.”
Miami had been 0-8 at National Park this season and starter Tom Koehler (4-10) had been 0-4 in eight starts since Aug. 1. Koehler allowed two runs and three hits in six innings, and Steve Cishek pitched a perfect ninth for his 32nd save in 34 chances, completing a four-hitter and a scoreless day for the Marlins’ bullpen. “You can’t score six, seven runs every game,” Zimmerman said “(Koehler) pitched well and they’ve got some good arms in the back of their bullpen.” Cishek has converted 27 consecutive save chances, tied for the longest streak in club history. “You know it’s crazy. Out there I had a little more adrenaline pumping. It felt like a playoff atmosphere,” Cishek said. “The fans are really into it and those guys are digging in there and every at-bat was huge for them. It felt good to come out and win a game like that.” Dan Haren (9-14) lost to Miami for the third time this year, giving up three runs and eight hits in six innings. Washington’s Stephen Strasburg (7-9) was to start against Brian Flynn (0-2) in the night game,
necessitated by Saturday night’s rainout. Stanton’s 24th homer, a two-run drive after Yelich doubled, put the Marlins ahead in the first. “I know there’s a base open but it’s the first inning,” Haren said. “I guess in hindsight I could have just walked him. I wasn’t trying to just challenge him, I was trying to get a good pitch down and away it just got a little too much plate.” Yelich added a solo shot in the third. Koehler, who shut out the Mets for eight innings while earning a no-decision in his last start, limited Washington to two singles over the first five innings. Zimmerman homered in the sixth, his 26th of the season and 11th of September. “I thought Koehler did a nice job getting through the sixth inning and gave up the one big hit, but did exactly what we needed him to do,” Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. Washington grounded into three double plays. “We hit a few balls on the button, but right at somebody,” Johnson said. Donovan Solano drove in Miami’s final run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Andy Murray recovering in hospital after back surgery B ritish number one Andy Murray has tweeted a picture of himself in hospital with his thumbs up after minor surgery on his troublesome back. The 26-year-old Scot says the first thing he said when he came round from the operation was: “Did I win?” Murray is unlikely to play again this season, but
hopes to begin his pre-season training in Miami in November. The world number three underwent surgery in an attempt to sort out a disc problem in his lower back. The injury forced him to pull out of the French Open in May, although he recovered in time to become Britain’s first male
Wimbledon singles champion since 1936. His defence of the US Open was ended in the quarter-finals but he helped Great Britain beat Croatia in the Davis Cup before having surgery. He is set to miss this year’s remaining tour events, including November’s World Tour Finals in London.
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