VOLUME 10 - No. 17
MAY 17TH - MAY 24TH, 2014
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POWER THIEVES BUSTED
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Fortis workmen dismantling illegal power-connection wires in a Five Cays settlement in Providenciales on Friday (May 16,2014). The occasion was an operation carried out in Five Cays to identify and take apart illegal connections. The team was startled by the sophistication with which the illegal extractors use to steal the power, from which they operated satellite dishes, air conditioning units, washing machines and refrigerators, among other household appliances.
Fortis pulls plug on illegal connections in Five Cays F
by VIVIAN TYSON
ortis field officers, working in conjunction with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force disrupted a major electricitystealing ring in the Five Cays community of Providenciales on Friday (May 16, 2014), where at least 30 houses, majority of them plywood dwellings, had connected illegally to its system. Workmen labored all morning yanking wires from underground in the clustered community, which led to the houses, all of which, according to Fortis investigators, were power-generated by illegal connections. Some of the wires were routed through conduits, while others were raw running wires, snaking dangerously along the ground, posing threats to lives of adults, children and animals. The team described what they saw as an elaborate power-stealing scheme, as in some of the houses; the power thieves have huge powerguzzling appliances, such as air conditioning units, satellite dishes, washing machines and refrigerators. A sight that startled almost everyone on the operation, including the media, was what could be best described as mini soccer dirt stadium with four stadium-style flood lights positioned at each corner of the field. The field has a makeshift grandstand that conspicuously points out to patrons that they would need $2
to gain entry. Fortis personnel said that the bulbs at the fenced facility are huge consumers of power. Talisha Simons, Head of Communication for Fortis, said that the operation was the company’s standard weekly power theft investigation into all communities by its investigation team. She said that the team works assiduously to combat what she describes as a growing problem. “Last year in total, we had 75 cases of power theft that we found. Thirty five of those cases are still pending litigation. This year so far, we have 20 cases that we have detected. Some of them are sophisticated like this one that you saw today, serving the entire community,” she said. She underscored the dire and ever present stealing of power poses to the persons in those communities, which she said could lead to electrocution and fire. “It is a very, very dangerous situation. As you can see, those homes are very, very close together, the wires are exposed. When those wires begin to short out it becomes dangerous for young children. Anyone passing by can get electrocuted and lose their lives. It is a major concern for Fortis. We want to make people aware of the dangers that these illegal connections have,” Simons said.
Police to hold town hall meetings – Page 9 Carnival denies Grand Turk cut back – Page 10
Continued on Page 2
A Fortis workman in a utility bucket snip illegally-run wires from the company’s service pole in Five Cays on Friday (May 16, 2014). The illegal connection, according to Head of Public Relations at Fortis TCI, Talisha Simons, supplied a number of houses.
Josephine Connolly addresses Sister Sister TCI
– Page 12
Abundant Life honours mothers – Page 27
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Power thieves busted
Continued from Page 1
She revealed that power theft is not restricted to certain communities in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but also communities that one would not dream that would engage in such activities. “We find power thefts in all areas through-out Providenciales and all of the Turks and Caicos Islands. So, you would find power theft in downtown (Providenciales), in Five Cays, you will find it in Grace Bay and Leeward. There is power theft everywhere; it’s on the rise. It doesn’t seem like it is slowing down any, and we want to bring attention to it and make people aware of what’s happening, and have people help us and help the entire community stay safe by combating this practice,” she said. Simons bemoaned the situation that while paying customers were trying their best to conserve so that their bill remains manageable, power thieves were living large. “As you can see in this investigation that we did today, these homes have air conditioning, there are satellite dishes, there are microwave (ovens), there are all sorts of appliances. When you have people that are stealing power, they aren’t conserving energy. They are running these appliances, they are running their AC 24 hours a day, and we are all paying for it. We share the cost of fuel with our customers. Fuel has to be paid for, and those people that are using power free of charge are not paying for fuel; they are not paying for electricity. So we are paying the price
Talisha Simons, Head of Communications at Fortis at Fortis TCI, points to an illegal junction box with live wires and placed the ground in yard. The box seemingly supplies a number of houses in the areas. for their energy use,” Simons revealed. She said that Fortis’ power anti-theft strategy is currently to go into the communities with the police and to disconnect the sources, then make follow-up visits to ensure that the culprits do not reconnect. Simons pointed out that offenders could go to prison for illegally extracting electricity from Fortis power lines and also could be barred from obtaining legal power until fines levied are paid. “The Crown will press charges on those persons who are stealing electricity. You can go to prison. You will be fined and you won’t have electricity until you are able to pay those costs and regularize your service. It is very important that if there are people out there that are stealing electricity that want to regularize their services that they come forward and regularize those services with us,” she advised. In the meantime, Simons revealed that the Five Cays power-stealing ring was not the biggest such operation that Fortis has uncovered, disclosing that they have been to communities where up to 60 houses in one area were feeding illegally from its
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power source. For his part, Special Constable Audley Astwood, the Police Media Liaison Officer, described the intricate power-stealing scheme as amazing, saying that he had never seen electricity theft on such a large scale in Five Cays. “We are going to be working with Fortis to flush out these persons who are stealing electricity to make sure that this does not happen again,” Astwood said. He also calls on the public to notify Fortis and the Police Department of illegal connection in their area. “It is better to have Fortis come and check it out rather than assume that it is not the case, and it is indeed the case,” Astwood pleaded. He said that power thieves in the past were made to pay varying sums after facing the courts. He said that as soon as Fortis identifies the persons involved in the electricity theft, the police would be moving in level charges against them. “This here is an elaborate scheme to give electricity to an entire community, and it is definitely like it is on a commercial scale,” Astwood said.
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
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May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
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May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
NIB and NHIB collections to merge
Government intends to create a Commission; • Approved in principle that Crown National Revenue Authority (NRA) and directed the boards of the Land be reserved in the Grace Bay National Insurance Board (NIB) and Area, Providenciales, and subsequently the National Health Insurance Board granted on license to the Tourist Board (NHIB) to collaborate with the Ministry for relocation of the Fish Fry and the provision of office accommodation for of Finance to establish the Authority. According to the minutes of the the Tourist Board and the Culture May 14th Cabinet meeting, the NRA Department subject to completion will bring together the collection and of Crown Land and Public Financial compliance functions of the NIB and Management procedures; •Advised HE. the Governor to the NHIB in one Authority; Cabinet also discussed issues approve the drafting of amendments associated with NHIB payment arrears to the National Honours and Awards Ordinance as per the recommendations and potential solutions available. At the meeting which was chaired of the National Honours and Awards by Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Committee. The amendments make Hon. Anya Williams, at the House of provision for the following awards: The Assembly Building on Grand Turk, all Order of National Hero, The Order of Ministers were present except Hon. Turks and Caicos Islands, Patriotic Award, Meritorious Award, Long Amanda Missick. Service Medal, and National Young At this meeting Cabinet: • Noted the procurement waivers Achievers Medal; •Confirmed its intention to create granted for the period January – March 2014 as per section 21 of the a National Revenue Authority (NRA) Public Procurement Ordinance 2012. and directed the Boards of the National The waivers relate to the urgent Insurance Board (NIB) and the National procurement of equipment for the Health Insurance Board (NHIB) Providenciales morgue and emergency to collaborate with the Ministry of rescue works to the coral at Northwest Finance to establish the Authority. The NRA will bring together the collection Point, Providenciales; • Advised HE. the Acting Governor and compliance functions of the NIB to approve the drafting of amendments and the NHIB in one Authority; •Discussed issues associated with to Regulation 10 of the Banking Regulations which were made pursuant NHIB payment arrears and potential to section 38 of the Banking Ordinance. solutions available; •Approved appointments to the These amendments will change references to ‘the Governor’ to ‘the Telecommunications board for 2014/15
as follows; Heather Allen-Greene, Chairman, Terrence Robinson, Deputy Chairman, Andre Garneau, Member, Shaveena Been, Member, Herbert Ingham, Member, Pedro Ariza, Member, Permanent Secretary GSS, Ex-Officio Member and Secretaryl Ex-Officio Member; •Approved appointments to the Water and Sewerage Board for 2014/15 as follows; Permanent Secretary GSS, Chairman, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ex-Officio Member, Director PWD, Ex-Officio Member, Director of Planning, Ex-Officio Member, Director of Environment and Coastal Resources, Ex-Officio Member, Chief Economist, Ex-Officio Member, Energy and Utilities Commissioner, Secretary, Benjamin Harvey, Member and Lydia Handfield, Member •Received an information report from the Director of Environment and Marine Affairs on the potential environmental, economic and social impacts associated with commercial scale shrimp farming; •Approved a revised budget for 2014/15 and agreed that the budget be forwarded to UK Ministers for approval. The revised budget reflects changes to existing and new revenue streams; •The Attorney General informed Cabinet that the TCI has now reached an agreement in substance on a FATCA style IGA. As such the TCI will be listed on the US State Department website as having reached agreement in substance on a Model 1 IGA yesterday.
With respect to TCI financial institutions that have registered on the IRS FATCA registration website as participating or deemed-compliant financial institutions, once the TCI has been listed on the US State Department website as having reached an agreement in substance on a Model 1 IGA, these financial institutions can change their registration to be reporting Model 1 financial institutions or can delete their registration if they no longer have to register because they are covered by Annex II. •The following Ministers will be absent from the Islands for periods of a week or less in May: • Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, with the Deputy Premier being Acting Premier in his absence; • Hon. Donhue Gardiner, with the Minister of Health covering his portfolio in his absence; • Hon . Akierra Missick, with the Premier covering her portfolio in her absence; • Hon. Porsha Stubbs Smith, with the Minister of Finance covering her portfolio in her absence; • Hon. Washington Misick, with the Minister for Health covering his portfolio in his absence; • Hon. George Lightbourne, with the Dep. Premier covering his portfolio in his absence. Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
JOB VACANCY
Business Solutions and Repairs Ltd Is inviting suitable applications for the following positions:
Store Manager We are seeking to employ an experience Store manager. Responsibilities and functions include but not limited to the following: • To consistently offer professional, friend and engaging services • General concept of computer analysis, quick books, basic graphic art, merchandising, specific, inventory knowledge base and ordering • Must have over five years experience in retail outlets The successful candidate must have a clean police record, be able to work long hours/holidays and weekends. He or she must have the ability to fill in other positions within the store temporarily. Salary payable is at $10.00 per hr.
Computer Engineer We seek to employ someone with the requisite qualifications and experience to perform the following duties: • Maintain and repair all computer network and databases for the company • Perform all customers repairs • Plan and develop various hardware /software systems and programs • Ability to track order stock and tagging • Make systems more efficient in keep with current data processing methods and machinery for sales forecasting, payroll, program languages etc. • Provide staff training Salary payable is at $8.00 per hr.
Labourer We seek to employ a labourer to perform the following duties: • General cleaning and maintenance of the premises • Gardening and garbage removal • And other duties associated with laboring chores The successful candidate must have a clean police record, a valid driver’s license and willing to work long hours, weekends and holidays. Salary payable is at $5.00 per hr.
Contact Information: Business Solutions and Repairs Ltd., Managing Director, P.O. Box 502, Leeward Highway, Providenciales Fax: 649 941-5003 Applicants must submit resumes by May 31, 2014.
The Turks & Caicos SUN is seeking qualified persons for the post of
JOURNALIST JOB DESCRIPTION
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Determining the content of each newspaper issue and following through to producing camera ready work for printing; • Active participation in layout, graphics, copy editing, and interviewing; • Determine and oversee method of distribution for the 5,000+ copies printed. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE EDUCATION • Preferably a Degree in Journalism, Advertising or Public Relations. • Courses in Business, Marketing, Technical Writing or other beneficial subjects will place the candidate at a distinct advantage. EXPERIENCE • Minimum 7 years of experience in writing, editing, and/or general management of the production of a newspaper or periodical. KNOWLEDGE • Possess a good understanding of all facets of the production process of a periodical newspaper which includes: researching for content, gathering information from outside contributors, interviewing for feature articles, and writing on relevant and current topics. • He/she should be familiar with desktop publishing, word processing and graphics software applications. PERSONALITY • Should have a academic manner and the creativity and ability to identify and tap easily accessible and not-so-accessible resources for information. • Must be able to work quick, clean, complete and under deadlines. DURATION: 1 year contract (renewable) APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Resume with current contact information must be accompanied by a cover letter to Hayden Boyce, email haydenboyce@yahoo.com
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS IANTHE PRATT PRIMARY WALKS FOR LUPUS CURE: In recognition of World
Lupus Day, which is observed on Saturday (May 10, 2014), teachers and students at the Ianthe Pratt Primary School seized the opportunity on Friday (May 9) to conduct a walk in the Bight community against lupus and also in memory of at least one colleague that fell victims to the disease recently. Laranda Parker, a grade four teacher at the school told The SUN that the students were elated to take part in the walk. “Today, we decide, as a team, for staff and students to take a walk from the school to the Jericho Baptist Church Grounds and came back. We did it in remembrance of our colleague – Beatrice Dunbar - that died few years ago. And we also had a coworker – Mrs. Forbes, who is now at Mills Institute, who had a son – Tramaine - who died this year (from lupus). So we do it in remembrance of them today,” Parker said. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease. It can damage any part of the body -skin, joints, and/or organs - inside the body. The signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and other germs such as like the flu.
Kristina Toomer is National High School Spelling Bee champ by Vivian Tyson Kristina Toomer of Maranatha High School is the National High School Spelling Bee Champion, after turning back the challenges of seven other schools on Thursday (May 15, 2014) to take the title. Toomer, 14, who won the National Primary School Spelling Bee Championship a few years back, while attending Provo Christian School, edged another former National Primary School Spelling Bee champion, Bryana Brown, of British West Indies Collegiate for the high school title. The winning margin was as razor then as one could get – 225 points to 224 points. Brown attended the Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays when she won the title. At press time it was not ascertained as to whether or not it is a first for Turks and Caicos Islands that two former National Primary School Spelling Bee champs, made the final of
the National High School Spelling Bee contest. For her exploits, Toomer received two trophies – the Rosita Butterfield Championship Trophy and a replica, an iPad, a smart phone, while her coach collected prizes, including a boat excursion. Toomer said that she was relaxed throughout the contest. “I was not really nervous; there was a peace that was over me. The whole proceeding was great, and I just want to say congratulations to all my (fellow) contestants. I would do this again and again and again, if I had the chance to do it. Toomer, who said she wants to be a psychologist, qualified to represent the Maranatha High School courtesy of a spell-off at her school, which she came out on top, said gave her coach credit for assisting her with unseen words especially, even though she confessed that she did not do much studying for
Llewellyn Handfield, owner of Lew 1 Shipping, presents the second place prizes to Bryana Brown and her coach Tessa Rankin.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Hon. Akierra Misick presents the Rosita Butterfield National High School Spelling Bee Championship Trophy to Kristina Toomer of Maranatha High School, who was crowned the 2014 winner on Thursday (May 15). Looking on is her coach, Noelle Brown.
the contest. “For about a month and a half I did not pick up any words, I wasn’t spelling anything, and then a few days ago, I started picking them back up and started spelling them over and over. I really did not go in the dictionary to spell anything at all because the dictionary is such a big book, and I did not know where to start. “But I love reading, and I am always reading books, so maybe that gave me some help during this competition. My coach helped me through the day; she would test me on the words. She did give me unseen words from her head, so I think at the end, it was a job well done,” Toomer elicited. She described as amazing, having won the National Primary School Spelling Bee Competition and now the National High School Spelling Bee title. “It is amazing; it gives me some type of pride to know that I was the champion in primary and now the champion in high schools, makes me feel I can do anything that I want to if I put my mind to it,” she said. Kristina Toomer’s mother, Gloria Toomer, was even more elated, as she could be seen and heard from her position in the in stands, giving praises to God. “I am so overwhelmed with joy,” she told the media. “I am one of the happiest moms that you can ever find in the Turks and Caicos right now. I believe in her, and I believe in God. The Holy Spirit had witnessed to me and told me
to tell her to continue in the spelling because He is going to give her favour.” She added; “Tuesday night we had Bible Study, and our apostle, Desrene Robinson, was walking in the (church) isle under the anointed and she just said to her, ‘Kristina, God is about to give you favour’. And I was just praising God all over in the sanctuary because that was just a confirmation to what God has spoken to me about.” In the meantime, Bryan, who was under the weather during the contest, was pleased with herself for placing second. “I feel exhausted but it was all worth it because I came second and I feel very proud of myself,” she said. Bryana was crowned as the bonus points winner, for which she collected a trophy. For placing second she received a trophy, a Kindle Fire, a smart phone. Her coach also collected a gift. Daniele Walker of Raymond Gardiner High School placed third. She received a trophy, a Kindle Fire, a camera, and a gift basket for her coach. The competition was mainly sponsored by Lew 1 Shipping this year, and according to owner of the company Llewellyn Handfield, it brings a high level of satisfaction to be the main sponsor this year. Minister of Education Hon. Akierra Misick, who in attendance at the opening ceremony and the presentation, encouraged the students to continue to achieve.
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Police Force holding Town Hall meetings
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) will be having Town Hall meetings at various locations throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI). The purpose of these meetings is to develop a new three-year strategic policing plan. The RTCIPF Police Force Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014 and previous annual policing plans traditionally covered the calendar year, which did not coincide with the financial budget year. This new policing plan will be based on the police budget because it is recognised that the budget is needed to implement the policing plan after consultation with community needs and expectations. Commissioner Colin Farquhar and his staff look forward to discussing your concerns and opinions relating to crime and policing in the
South Caicos
Regatta Village
5PM Mon 19 May 2014
Middle Caicos
Community Centre
10AM Wed 21 May 2014
North Caicos
Adelaide Oemler Primary School
3PM Wed 21 May 2014
Grand Turk
Dillon Hall
5PM Thurs 29 May 2014
Provo
Maranatha HS Auditorium (Blue Hills)
6PM Fri 23 May 2014
Provo
Community Centre (Five Cays)
6PM Tues 27 May 2014
Provo
Gus Lightbourne (Kew Town/Glass Shack)
6PM Fri 30 May 2014
Provo
Tropicana Auditorium (Bight/Grace/Long Bay) 6PM Tues 03 June 2014
various communities. All of the above meetings are open to the public. Please pass this information along to all of your local membership groups, friends, neighbors and family. All are welcome and encouraged to
attend. Any questions regarding these meetings can be directed to the RTCIPF via telephone at 941-4448 or the Public Relations’ Officer at audley.astwood@ tcipolice.tc.
Turks and Caicos Sun Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and caicos islands Tel: (649) 946-8542 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Government schools’ GSAT preparation in high gear More than 400 children from approximately twenty government and private primary schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands are busy preparing for their Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday May 29. GSAT covers four subject areas Mathematic, Science, General Paper and English. The SUN newspaper contacted a number of government schools recently, and majority of them reported a high level of confidence as they were expecting good results from their students. Eliza Simons Primary in Grand Turk has 31 students sitting this year, and according to Principal Norma Seymour, the expectation is very high. She is expecting more than three quarters of the students sitting the exams to pass. Seymour also expects at least two of her charges to be in the top ten. Neekimo King, Principal of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School in the Bight, Providenciales said that approximately 70 children from that institution are sitting the exams this year, and she also has high hopes. “I am expecting a lot of them to do well. My expectation is to see all of them pass. I have faith in my students, but of course, they all have their own challenges and we have to look at it realistically,” King said. Charles Hubert James Primary in North Caicos has eight students taking the exams this year, and Principal Comonseta Campbell, said that although preparation is going very well, she did not want to commit to any predictions as to what percentage of her students would pass the exams or how many she believes could make the top ten. There are 19 students from Adelaide Oemler in North Caicos sitting the GSAT this year, and according to grade six teacher Stafford Salmon, the preparation is intense, with extensive after school lessons to bolster the students’ preparation. Salmon said that he has a bunch of confident students, who can do well if they apply themselves. Rachel Handfield, Principal for the Oseta Jolly Primary School in Blue Hills, Providenciales, said that 67 students from that institution are sitting the exams this year, and that their preparation is in high gear.
A SUN file photo of students preparing to march into the Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex to sit their GSAT.
“They have been making use of the online GSAT programme that has been sponsored by LIME. They have been going over a lot of past papers and have been getting assistance through extra classes. We used the holidays to allow them study time, and so, they studied over the Christmas and Easter periods,” Handfield said. “They are using the little time that they have to get in as much practice as possible so that they can be more comfortable and confident in the exam room. They also will have the ability to work on their time. They have received a number of time tests to enable them to manage their time,” Handfield said. The Oseta Jolly Principal said that expectations are high for her students, judging from the school’s performance, especially in recent years. “The school, over the past five, six years, has been performing extremely well. We have been capturing places in
the top ten and also in specific subject areas, and of course, we expect no less than that this year,” Handfield said. Rachel Taylor, Principal of the Enid Capron Primary in Five Cays said that the school will be putting 60 candidates forward to sit the GSAT this year. She said the teachers are doing all they can to ready the two grade six classes in time for the exams. “Preparation is going well. We have classes started from the first term, and the teachers are having the extra classes with the students, especially those ones who need the extra help,” Taylor said. And while she expects phenomenal things from her children, Taylor admitted there are students among the group, that may not do so well based on a number of factors, including the consideration that some are coming out of the school’s remedial programme and the language barrier. “We have students coming directly
out of the remedial programme. We can project that there will be some students that might not be able to make it, and that is due directly to students that are coming directly from the remedial programme. “We have some students that we are expecting to do quite well. But we do take into consideration that we have some students that come to the school like from grade four, who are not speaking the language fluently. Like other schools which deter such children, we don’t,” Taylor said. “Once the Education Department indicates that there are spaces available, I don’t question whether they can speak English or not, because at the end of the day they still need to be placed, especially if the student was born in the Turks and Caicos. As you know, according to the Rights of the Child, everyone is entitled to free education in Turks and Caicos,” Taylor pointed out.
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Officials deny Carnival Grand Turk berthing cutbacks Officials are denying utterances on the street that Carnival Cruise Line is planning to cut back berths to the Grand Turk Cruise Centre to that capital island. Persons have been saying that the cruise line is planning to cutback and reroute some of the local calls to other destinations over the coming months. The SUN has not ascertained what would be the reason for such a cutback. When contacted, Head of the Grand Turk Cruise Terminal, Rick Lovell, said that he is unaware of such plans. In fact, Lovell said that the opposite to the allegation is true. He said that berths at the centre, which has been growing by a whopping 20 percent over the last two years, is set to increase this year Carnival Glory docked at Grand Turk and for the foreseeable future. “I have not heard anything to that level at all [that Carnival is planning to cut back], no. Actually, we “I am not aware that Carnival is cutting back any have been increasing 20 per cent over the last couple berths to Grand Turk. If their cut back is seasonal, of years, and I have not heard of anything being then it is routine. In the summer months the boats cutback. We are not maxed out as far as our capacity, repositioned to plow other regions. They take boats but I expect us to grow until we continue to max out, out (of the Caribbean roster) to send to the Alaska which I think, if we continue with this 20 per cent area of the European areas that they can’t plow in the growth, we will probably max out in the next year or winter. So I am not aware of any planned reduction so. As far as I know, things are going to be increasing, beyond what is seasonal and traditional right across and that is what we are hoping for,” Lovell said. the region and across the industry,” Higgs said. For his part, Ralph Higgs, Director for Tourism, Higgs told The SUN that if there are plans to said too, that he has not heard of any such plans by make cutbacks which would be greater than what is Carnival to scale back its berthing here, adding that seasonal, then tourism players would be notified of if that was the case his office would be notified in the changes before they are made, and in this case no some form. such notification has been made. He said there is a tradition in the cruise industry The protocol, I am sure, would dictate that if there that during the summer, berths to the tropics are is cutback beyond what is the routine/repositioning of scaled back to facilitate regions that are difficult to boats that Tourism would be advised, and like I have access during the winter months, such as Alsaska said, I am not aware of any reduction in schedule and Europe. Therefore he said those seasonal scale beyond what is routine for seasonal rotation,” Higgs Ralph Higgs, Director for Tourism backs are the only ones he are aware of. further explained.
BLUE HAVEN RESORT is inviting applications for the following position:
Market Supervisor Summary: Reporting to the Retail Manager, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following: Responsibilities • Consistently offer professional, friendly, hospitable service • Oversee market operations ensuring compliance with departmental standards and meeting / exceeding guest expectations • Knowledgeable of all food and beverage products • Ensure proper staffing and scheduling in accordance to productivity guidelines • Communicate through pre-shift briefings, and departmental meetings all necessary information to support the operation • Ability to train team members in all job aspects – service, product knowledge and technical skills • Cash handling and daily accounting • Capitalize on revenues by upselling and controlling expenses • Handle guest concerns in a timely and professional manner • Follow market’s policies, procedures and service standards • Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety policies • Other duties as assigned Requirements • Previous Supermarket Supervisory experience • Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and leadership skills • Fluency in English (1 additional language desirable) • Ability to work independently, multi task and prioritize responsibilities • Strong guest service orientation and training skills background • Ability to supervise a diverse staff compliment • POS experience – (IQ Ware desirable) • Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Physical Aspects: (include but are not limited to): • Constant standing and walking throughout shift • Loading and off-loading of containers/lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. • Pushing, pulling, lifting Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please Submit Applications to:
cgibbons@wihl.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than May 31st, 2014 Belongers need only apply.
Personal Domestic Assistant High end luxury villa requires a domestic assistant for part time position. * Must be dedicated and flexible as there is some heavy lifting and irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as required by the guests. * House services include serving meals, washing dishes, laundry, linen and cleaning - often unsupervised. * English language mandatory.
$5 hourly / 10-12 hrs per week.
Interested Persons should send their resume to info@ saunders.tc or 649-941-4533
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Minister of Tourism Hon. Washington Misick (sixth from left) with respesentatives of the Caribbean Aviation Handlers Association at the Regent Palms. At centre (in suit) is Lyndon Gardiner, Chairman for InterCaribbean Airlines.
Time for Caribbean to market tourism as single destination: Lyndon Gardiner a lot more than trade; and then you look at the European Union,” said Gardiner. “So I think those are good examples If the Caribbean is able to market itself internationally as a single as to how there is strength in unity. As destination there could be greater the Caribbean recognizes that, I think yields for the region not only in terms it is important that we blend together, of visitors but also in savings, this form one bloc, to promote ourselves is according to Lyndon Gardiner, not only for tourism but also for the Chairman for InterCaribbean Airlines. financial benefits that we can accrue. Gardiner made the comment while We are all very small nations with very answering questions from the media small budgets; there is less to export, at the Caribbean Aviation Handling so we have to be conscious as to how to Association (CAHA) Conference at the generate and spend our money wisely,” Regent Palms on Friday (May 9, 2014). he argued. He pointed out that InterCaribbean He said that such a move would bring Airlines is already playing its part in Caribbean integration that much closer and realizing the long touted plan to regional integration with entries into a number of Caribbean countries and bolster the region into one bloc. “A good benchmark for Caribbean plans to service more routes in the integration is how we market ourselves. future. “With integration, you need to have Whereas Turks and Caicos may spend X amount of millions of dollars, Bahamas connectivity. So far in the Caribbean, the same thing, the Dominican Republic, we haven’t had the kind of connectivity another sum. If we were to collectively that lends itself to the progressive come together with a budget and each integration. We at InterCaribbean, are country can contribute, I think we can doing our part to try and bridge the gap. get more for marketing for our dollars,” We are starting out in the Northern Caribbean, and I think eventually we he said. Gardiner said that the need for will extend to the Eastern Caribbean. Caribbean countries to unite has arisen But until you have good connectivity, since the other regions across the globe I think full integration is going to be have been benefitting from that process. very difficult to see the benefits of,” he “As the world turns, people realize warned. Meanwhile, explaining the modus that the Caribbean, in order for it to be successful, need to present ourselves operandi of CAHA, Gardiner said: “It as a group – as one bloc. As I said brings all of the aviation handling many times, if you look at the United enterprises together as a group that States, Canada and Mexico to a lesser we can examine our own businesses extent, as the North American (leaders) and grow from each other’s experiences particularly for trade, but they involve and share the differing views on how
by Vivian Tyson
VACANCY
we implement some of the industry here. We have taken the leap and we changes as, and when they come along.” have done a lot more in a short time Gardiner said the CAHA Conference than a lot of these countries have done. was held in the Turks and Caicos this And that is certainly a testament to our year because the TCI has become importance in the region,” he said. an important lug in the wheel of the Gardiner said that approximately Caribbean. 18 ground handling companies were “Certainly, from my experience represented at the conference. He said around the region, we have good the regional body has in excess of 30 infrastructure in terms of airports, and members. Minister for Tourism Hon. good services in terms of the number of Washington Misick was invited as the international airlines that are flying in guest speaker.
Junior Field Engineer Primary Objective of the Job:
The Junior Field Engineer will be responsible for Site operations and services.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
• Maintain RBS, Generator, Switch and related transmission equipment • Monitor transmission, power system, access network and effect changes where necessary • Liaise with Core Engineer for issues resolution • Complete preventative maintenance and routine assignment • Commissioning new Nodes • Prepare and Implement network change • Analyse traffic statistical data to enable early fault detection.
Managing Director British Caribbean Bank is looking for applicants to fill the role of Managing Director. Interested parties should possess: • 15 years banking experience; • Post Graduate Qualifications in the field of Banking and Finance; • Experience in Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Operations, Risk Management, FOREX & Human Resource Management Contact: PO Box 270, 101 Governor’s Road, Leeward, Providenciales Belongers need only apply
Academic qualifications and experience required for the job
• 5 CXC or GCE passes, including Electrical/Electronic, Mathematics and English Language. • Highly self-motivated and a quick learner • Some Experience with Ericsson RBS 2100 and RBS 6000 series. • Proficient in the use of basic PC applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel. • Willing to work long and odd hours at times. • Willing to work on weekends and public holidays.
Interested Applicants should forward their resumes to hrtci@digicelgroup.com before May 30, 2014
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Deputy Speaker Hon. Josephine Connolly addresses Sister Sister TCI event is president. Ladies were thrown back in time It was a night full of excitement, with smooth vocals from Chrystal joy and fun as mothers, daughters, Charles who sang a few Tina Turner sisters and friends came together and favourites that had the crowd singing celebrated the love and happiness that along and rocking in their seats, and Paula Arthur who sang her heart out they share towards one another. Held last week Friday (May 9th) at to the audience with a song called Mango Reef by Sister Sister Turks and Mama by Candi Staton. The night was Caicos, an organization that brings young, where female guests came and awareness to women and helps to enjoyed the beautiful music, having Special Guest Speaker Hon. Josephine Connolly Member of Parliament gave a speech on the importance of empower women for the future, Under a ball dancing and interacting with mothers, daughters, sisters and friends in each other’s lives. the theme My Mother, My Daughter, everyone. Special Guest Speaker Hon. to be the best they can be. She said on. The hind sight of passing years and My sister and my Friends, over 100 Connolly Member of “growing up in Salt Cay I didn’t have growing maturity have slowly revealed women came together over dinner and Josephine Parliament gave a speech on the the amenities that we have now such my mother’s real value I look now and a show. Former Deputy Premier and importance of mothers, daughters, as the television, video games and the I am humbled. I see the enormity of Minister of Education Mrs. Lillian sisters and friends in each other’s lives. like to keep us occupied but we had a raising seven children I marvel at the Hon. Connolly said her mother is the house filled with love and happiness, strength of will and determination that Boyce who is the founder, made the rock of her family and a humble woman, and that I think is the role of every kept her going. Her arms were always unveiling of the new logo for the Sister Sister organization alongside, who raised seven children sometimes mother to provide unconditional love open when we needed a hug. Her heart Beathia Robinson who is Public on her own because her father was for her children and of course to ensure understood when we needed a friend. Her gentle eyes were stern when we Relations Officer, Melanie Smith who at sea, but her mother instilled all that they are happy.” Quoting an old saying “only a needed a lesson. Her strength and love is chairperson and Wilda Williams who Christian values and driving ambition mother could love her children him/ have guided each of us and gave us her” she said, “That is so true because wings to fly,” she added “A son is a son until he finds a wife, it is a mother’s love that sustains her HAB MANAGEMENT LTD children and her family even in the a daughter is a daughter all of her life” HAB Management Limited is seeking suitably qualified and it is true that the bond between hardest of all times.” individuals to fill the following opening. Only candidates who “As I get older and reflect on my life a mother and a daughter can never meet the minimum requirements will be considered. I find myself becoming more and more be broken although sometimes it get like my mother. In my younger days stretched a bit. I suppose if I had one in Grand Turk a very long time ago wish, that would be when my daughter if I was late getting home my mother gets older and she holds me at the would put her head scarf on and set same esteem as I hold my mother,” the down Front Street looking for me. Once Deputy Speaker said. “While the social network sites such found, I would be unceremoniously marched home. At that time I thought as Facebook can be a great way to it was the worst thing that could stay in touch with our friends make happen to me, but as I’ve gotten older sure it is not used to attack our sisters. Job Summary I appreciate that my mother acted out Let us bring each other messages Responsible for the daily cleaning of the hotel property and its public of concern a concern born of love,” Hon. of hope and encouragement on the social networking sites. Let us not use Connolly said. areas as well as other designated areas to ensure that they are “And now I’ve found myself following that system as a forum to vent our cleaned and maintained according to hotel standards. in my mother’s footsteps and worrying frustrations,” she said. As the night was coming to an end about my children so much so that it is a family joke that when I get worried they Hon. Connolly blessed the ladies with Requirements say I’m ready to put my headed scarf a thoughtful gift of apple cider. • Should have experience in the housekeeping department of a
by Todeline Defralien
PUBLIC AREA SUPERVISOR
hotel.
• Must have knowledge of proper cleaning techniques, requirements and familiar with all equipments that are associated with the housekeeping department. • Must be able to prioritize workload and perform job functions with attention to detail. • Work with minimal supervision. • Should be able to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. • Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and Visual One. • Should have great oral and written communication skills.
The salary for this position is $13,200.00 per annum. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by May 29, 2014 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
Former Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Mrs. Lillian Boyce who is the founder, made the unveiling of the new logo for the Sister Sister organization.
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Sandals Foundation builds lunch shed at Clement Howell
Clement Howell High School students will soon have a more accommodating place, especially to dine, thanks the efforts of philanthropic arm of Beaches Resort and Spa – the Sandals Foundation – which is building a 20x30 lunch shed on campus that should be able to seat approximately 100 children at any given time. Elanor Finfin Krzanowski, Head of Public Relations at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa, was elated that her company had endeavored to undertake the project, telling reporters that it is bound to change the lives of the almost 1,000 children attending the institution. She said that the project should finish shortly and an opening is set for the next few weeks. When we hosted an audit at the Clement Howell High School last year, we identified a lunch shed as one of the major renovations we wanted to do,” Finfin Krzanowski said. She said that construction of the facility was one of the ways that the resort believes it can contribute, not only to the Clement Howell High School, but education in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a whole. “This is our way of keeping our commitment to the Clement Howell High School. We are one of their corporate Sponsors. The lunch shed is something that is necessary for Clement Howell. With over 900 students, there has to be somewhere to dine and commune; that’s one of our coals and
The lunch shed under construction at the Clement Howell High School
that is the reason we came on board this project,” she revealed. Finfin Krzanowski said that the structure, which already has the roof and sides on, can double as an alternative classroom for the students when needed. She said that the project is being constructed by the industrial arts department, comprising teachers and students, which she described as a tremendous cooperation between the administration and the student body.
“This lunch shed is being constructed by the faculty and staff of the woodwork department, and of course, they are being paid a small stipend. “It is good to get the students come together and the teachers come together to actually get this building up and running. The participation that we have received from the school is tremendous, and the Sandals Foundation is very grateful for that,” she said. “As far as future plans and projects, the Sandals Foundation is always
actively involved with the Clement Howell School, whether it is education improvement or physical infrastructure improvement. We are always finding ways to make the school better for both the faculties and the students,” she said Damian Williams, Head of the Industrial Arts Department at the Clement Howell High School said that the projects started about two weeks ago, and said they were elated to lend a hand. “I must say, the students really worked hard, and we are just looking that they continue working this hard as we move forward in the future,” Williams said. Dewelvensy Antyne, a fourth form student, who is participating in the construction of the facility, said that he was happy to be part of the construction. “I feel very good building because you get the experience of building it, and you feel like you achieve something and you participated in something that the school will benefit from. You can walk around and say this is yours, you assisted in building it. I got to help building it, and I like building these kinds of stuff. In the meantime, Elanor Finfin Krzanowski said that Beaches, through the Sandals Foundation, is looking to step-up its support for the school’s upcoming graduation, even though she did not speak specifically to what form the support would take.
PROPERTIES FOR SALE OFFERS IN WRITING ARE INVITED FOR PURCHASE OF THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES BEING SOLD BY PRIVATE TREATY UNDER POWERS OF SALE CONTAINED IN A MORTAGE Blue Hills, Providenciales Parcel 60504/130 Blue Hills & Stammer Run. Single-storey residential home 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, living/dining room. An incomplete commercial building near Millennium Highway. Price $225K Parcel 60003/18 North West and North Central. Phase 1 Priton Home 3-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, laundry room, a living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $120K Parcel 60003/114 North West and North Central. Phase 1 Priton Home 3- bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $100K
2-bedrooms, 1-bathroom, laundry room, living/ dining room area and kitchen. Price $140K Parcel 60003/24 North West & North Central. Phase 1 Priton Home 2-bedrooms, 1-bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $125K Parcel 60003/121 North West & North Central. Phase 1 Priton Homes which 2-bedrooms, 1-bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $170K
Five Cays Providenciales
Parcel 60604/20 Norway and Five Cays. Single storey residence comprising of 3-bedrooms and 1-bathroom, kitchen/dining area and living Parcel 60505/228 Blue Hills and Stamers Run. Single storey residence 3-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, room. Listing Price $95K with a kitchen and dining area. Price $180K
Chalk Sound Providenciales
Parcel 60503/83 Blue Hills & Stamers Run. The lower level 3- apartments 1-bedroom, one bathroom, 1 living room and kitchen/dinning. The upper level 3-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, 1-living room, 1-dining room and kitchen. Price $260K
Parcel 60400/172 Chalk Sound. 2-Storey residential home of 11 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, a dining room, office, study, pool and decks. Price $700K
Parcel 60003/101, Taurus Close Road, North West & North Central. Phase 2 Priton Home
Parcel 60400/311 Chalksound. 2-storey residence 3-bedrooms, 2- bathrooms, 1-
kitchen and dining area, Pool, Porch and Deck. Price $535K
Grand Turk Parcel 10409/51 East Suburbs. 2-storey residence. Ground Level 1- bedroom and 1-bathroom. 2-storey section 1-living room, 1-kitchen, 1-bathroom, 3-bedrooms and a laundry room, patio and garage. Price: $300K Parcel 10404/183, Church Folly. Unfinished 2.5- storey building. Ground level commercial open floor spacious area. Upper Level- 3 residential units. Listing Price $295K Parcel 10409/56 East Suburbs. Single storey dwelling. 3- Apartments each with 1-bedroom, 1living/dining room, 1-bathroom and kitchen. Price $230K Parcel 10303/49 Central. Single story dwelling 3- bedrooms, 1- Living/dining room, 1- bathroom and kitchen. Price $150K
North Caicos Parcel 51203/29 Bottle Creek Central. Single-story residential 4-bedrooms, 1-bathroom, 1-living room, 1-dining area and a kitchen. Price $60K
INTERESTED PERSONS MAY CALL 232-3488 OR 339-7088 BETWEEN 9:00 AM AND 5:00 P.M. MONDAY TO FRIDAY
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
AdVERTISE LOCAL NEWS WITH US DARPHNEY WILLIAMS SEEKS
1 HOUSEKEEPER
NEEDED
A Domestic Worker/ Babysitter Kitchen Helper
At Slots of Fun
Cashiers Needed
NEEDLES & PINS UPHOLSTERY SERVICES REQUIRES
TWO EXPERIENCED UPHOLSTERERS To apply, call 431-2483 or Email: needlesandpins@express.tc
WANTED
LIVE-IN DOMESTIC WORKER Requirements: MUST love Children MUST speak English MUST love animals; particularly cats.
Contact: 232-8177 Resume and two references required.
Iris M Williams seeks
1 Domestic Worker
Salary $6.00 per hour 5 days per week Monday to Friday
Located on airport road at the Airport Inn building. Salary negotiable. Interested parties Can call 332-6364.
VIA VENETO RESTAURANT
MANFORD SEYMOUR
Contact 241-7278
Is seeking a
Head Chef
Must have at least 15 years experience in cooking Italian food
Is looking for a
Domestic Worker To work 5 days per week
Salary based on experience Contact 941-2372
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 232-0990
NORTHSIDE CITY MARKET
HANDY’ PRO MAINTENACE
SEEKS
1 LABOURER 1 CUSTOMER SERVICE REP 1 CASHIER Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 344-8224
is looking for
One Labourer Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 242-0388
Employment ATTENDANT opportunities WANTED GAS PUMP
for a PADI certified dive master who also holds boat captains license,
one labourer, one domestic worker.
All positions require persons to live and work in Salt Cay. Must be customer service oriented and enjoy working with tourists. Salary $ 5.00 per hour Contacts 242-5435 or 341-0856
INSIGHT LTD. seeks
TWO LABOURERS
Contact Debbie at 6492411009 or email scdivers@tciway.tc
MARIE M PRINTANT SEEKS
Applicant must speak English Able to work Saturday’s & Sunday’s
1 STORE HELPER
Salary $5.50 per hour Call 231-3323 or e-mail thepattyplace@gmail.com
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 247-5900
New ly
R efurbis h ed Suitable for stores, salons, office space and more
Must have a clean police record and willing to work late hours
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 241-0574
SPACE FOR RENT
Call: (649) 946-4701 Airport Plaza, Airport Road, Providenciales
Affordable rates Conveniently located on Airport Road
NORTH CAICOS ADVENTURE
THE PINNACLE SEEKS
1 DOMESTIC LABOURERS & WORKER GARDENERS SEEKS
Salary $5.00 per hour
Contact 946-7425
***POSITIONS AVAILABLE*** Butterfield Gold
Needed with experience Starting salary $6.00 per hour Please call 649-941-7366
ALL ABOUT YOU BEAUTY SALON SEEKS
One (1) Labourer Applicant must be physical, able-bodied individuals capable of lifting heavy loads. Wages starting from $6.00 per hour Submit applications to by May 29, 2014 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211 Albert Cleaning Services is seeking a
Labourer
1 SALES CLERK
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 231-3892
Woods Contractual Services Is looking for a
Labourer
Interested persons Contact: 941-4575
Donna E. Ingham Is looking for a
Salary
Labourer
$5.00 per Hour
CONTACT 231-6167
$5.50 per hour. Contact (649)243-7785
STYLZ ABOVE THE REST
MIRAMAR
1 HAIRSTYLIST 2 NAIL TECHNICIANS
One Labourer
SEEKS
Salary $6.00 per hour Contact 431-1726
is looking for
Monday to Friday From 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm Contact 946-4240
Interested persons Contact: 246-2486
V & M SECURITY LTD seeks
1 SECURITY GUARD
Salary $6.50 per hour
Contact 242-6938
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
Page 15
LOCAL NEWS
Brielle Swann, TCI Top Model 2014 photoshoot at Grace Point TCI’s newest Top Model, Brielle Swann, is set to hit the publishing world by storm this summer. Following on from being titled the FACE of the Turks & Caicos, TCI Top Model 2014 on Friday, May 2nd at The Williams Auditorium and her celebratory dinner hosted at The Regent Palms Resort the following evening, hours later on Sunday, May 4th, Brielle was shooting her first cover and editorial spread for this Summer’s Times of the Islands magazine. The TCI Top Model, donned in outfits by Courtney Robinson, Rosetta Talbot, L’été Boutique and clothing sourced by the TCI Top Model organizers – provided the 5’9” Cockburn Town, Grand Turk ethereal beauty with a fabulous array of stylish ensembles. Brielle experienced first-hand the busy life of a top model on set with quick wardrobe and location changes, let alone hair and make-up up looks. “I have just entered the doors of my dreams,” said Brielle of her 2014 Times of the Islands Summer photoshoot, “It was truly an exhilarating experience and I am super excited to see what’s next!” The photo shoot took place at the award-winning Point Grace Resort on Providenciales. The resort, inspired by classic turn-ofthe-century British Colonial architecture, has lush tropical foliage, fantastic vistas and lavish furnishings. It also features Gracie’s Cottage, Hutchings Restaurant and The Thalasso Spa, which is a full-service European-style Thalassotherapy spa. This picturesque location made the perfect backdrop for the safari themed photo shoot. Published photographer Renau Destine of Double R Media, who was assisted by Galacty Vancela – photographed Brielle in and around the property, and on the white sandy beaches. On hand during the shoot was Courtney Robinson, Director of Production for the TCI Top Model Contest, who was also the shoot’s Fashion Editor. The creative team also consisted of Kerietta Simpson, TCI Top Model Contest’s Head of Fashion and Grooming Fashion, who was the shoot’s hairstylist and makeup artist, transforming the Top Model from an ingénue to a glamourzon editorial queen, and Claire Parrish, Advertising Manager for Times Publishing. To see photos from the shoot, look out for this summer’s Times of the Islands magazine on newsstands in mid-June.
From left: Kereitta Simpson, Courtney Robinson, TCI Top Model Brielle Swann, Claire Parrish and Renau Destine
ambergris cay facilities ltd
POSITION AVAILABLE Ambergris Cay Facilities Ltd is seeking a suitably qualified applicant to fill a post on Ambergris Cay on a MONTH TO MONTH basis. The available post is for a KITCHEN STEWARD. Daily tasks will include, but are not limited to:
Assisting the Chef with all day to day kitchen operations Wash and clean all cookware (pots, pans, plates, flatware) Responsibility for keeping the kitchen and the dining room clean and hygienic Maintain clean and sanitary conditions in coolers and freezers Helping with the transportation of the food Thoroughly cleans dishwashing equipment and working areas Keep trash from building up in kitchen Removing trash after each shift Keeping all Stock organized
KNOWLEdGE, SKILLS, ANd QUALIFICATIONS: High School Diploma or equivalent required. Minimum of 1 years’ experience in working in Commercial Kitchen environments Excellent verbal communication skills. Must be attentive to details, reliable, hard working and enthusiastic Must be able to work under little or no supervision Must be willing to work variable shifts Must produce a clean Police Record and TCI Driver’s License Will be required to work and live on Big Ambergris Cay with rotated weekends off Must be able to live and work in a isolated island environment with only 20 or so other persons Willing to work on a Month to Month contractual basis
Salary scale: $16,000 to $19,000 per annum Closing Date for Applications is Tuesday May 20th, 2014
Applications must be in writing addressed to: Ambergris Cay Facilities Ltd Unit 51, Salt Mills Plaza, Grace Bay Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands E-mail: burkley.malcolm@ambergristci.com Tel: (649)-941-3777 Fax: (649)-941-3778
Page 16
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Miss Universe TCI 2014 to spark Canada’s Luxury Pie magazine Crowned April 26th, an evening that saw grace, glamour and beauty personified, Shanice Williams, Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2014, Digicel TCI’s newest Brand Ambassador and Saint George Fashion House Muse Model is garnering the attention of numerous pageant, beauty and fashion publications, photographers and fashion designers around the Caribbean and the world. Shanice Williams who wore the sash Miss Grand Turk won in spectacular style ahead of First Runner-Up Codee Coalbrooke, Miss South Caicos and Second RunnerUp Todeline Defralien, Miss Middle Caicos. Williams also won Miss Intellect, Best in Swimsuit/Best Body, Best Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic. She is already Shanice Williams, Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2014 labeled as a front runner at the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant by pageant experts. reigning Miss Universe Turks and On May 20th in Providenciales, the Caicos Titleholder. beauty queen will be photographed Pie Magazine is a luxury for Canada’s luxury Pie Magazine’s lifestyle bi-annual publication with tenth anniversary swimsuit edition. distribution in all major bookstores She will ignite its pages in a swimsuit across Canada. The magazine can editorial and a special feature as the also be found in the hotel rooms across
FINANCE ASSISTANT (Permanent)
Motivated, self-starter who is willing to work as part of a dynamic, fast-paced team. Reporting to the FINANCE MANAGER, you will be working within the Finance team ensuring all work is performed in line with Digicel policies, procedures and deadlines.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
• Reconciliation of daily close out of cash to bank statements and system reports • Preparation of bank reconciliations • Managing Accounts Payable function including liaising with creditors, posting invoices and processing payments • Active involvement in the month end process • Reconciliation of Balance Sheet accounts • Ad hoc duties • Supporting the Finance Manager • Liase with Auditors, Bankers, Statutory Authorities.
Academic Qualifications & Functional Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in a Finance related field • Working towards obtaining an accountancy qualification • At least 2 years accounting experience • Experience in AP, AR and bank reconciliations • Experience in dealing with auditors, both internal and external • Experience in a dynamic fast-paced multinational environment desirable • Excellent communication skills • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, and previous experience of using an accounting package desirable • Flexible and adaptable to an ever changing set of responsibilities, constrained by tight deadlines Only Belongers need apply – Salary Based on Experience
Interested applicants should forward their resume to hrtci@digicelgroup.com
Canada. Pie Magazine targets an affluent male and female readership. The content is truly all-encompassing featuring business and careers, finance, health and wellness, music and entertainment, men and women’s style, current events, discovery and
travel, food and beverage and automotive. Its readers are real people with style, which really shines through the pages of its publication. “I am excited to bring my cherry picked team to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands next week. While we are there to boat and play we will have the amazing opportunity to shoot the beautiful Shanice Williams, Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2014 for our tenth anniversary swimsuit edition” says CEO of Pie Magazine, Sandra Roberts. “We are excited to show the beautiful island queen in her element. We love her unique features and her raw beauty. She will trance our readers and certainly through the imagery attract visitors to the islands. Thank you to the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Beauty Organization and our friend Kelly Sullivan at One on Marlin for your continued warm hospitality.” Shanice Williams is scheduled for a number of photoshoots, appearances and TV and radio interviews at home and abroad. To view the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Beauty Organization’s calendar of events visit www.MissTCI. org.
IT/IP Engineer Primary Objective of the Job:
The IT/IP Engineer will be responsible for the real-time management of all IT/IP based local and wide area networks which support the technical operations and services of Digicel TCI.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
• Design IT/IP Network Architecture • Responsible for the design, installation and support of all IP based systems to support the technical operations of the business. • Design IP Numbering an addressing schemes, Development, Configuration and Implementation of IP based systems • Perform dimensioning and capacity planning of IP network • Implement and Support Cisco Call Manager PBX system. • Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all IP based systems, which include Cisco network devices, SUN Solaris servers. • Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all IP based services, IP traffic management utilising VLANs and routing protocols (RIP, OSPF), also DNS, Microsoft ISA 2004 Web PROXY, and NTP applications. • Perform all required software and hardware upgrades for above mentioned systems and services • Provide on-call support for after hour outages & planned works, including creation and submission of required forms • Develop and schedule preventative and corrective maintenance policies and procedures, such as regular backups, hardware/software upgrades, and spares inventory, to ensure high availability of all IP based systems. • Ensure that Digicel TCI continue to operate on secure local and wide area networks with the implementation of VPN technologies and firewall policy management • Provide proactive support of WAN data and voice links (VSAT, leased lines) to provide 100% availability of all IP services, including VoIP, PRI, ITP (SS7 over IP) and internet, and to ensure continued connectivity to other Digicel locations and external parties • Ensure adherence with IP Security Established standards and policies as they relate to new and existing LAN and WAN network infrastructure, IP traffic, and network configuration procedures • Ensure that network metrics are closely monitored and captured so as to provide proactive network management, as well as regular feedback on network performance in the form of reports to management • Provide IT/IP Support to other departments and external parties as required • Provide support for VAS systems.
Academic qualifications and experience required for the job
• 2-5 years’ experience in IT/IP based network design, implementation and administration • CCNA, CCNA Voice and Microsoft MCSE certification and Solid hands on experience with Cisco devices • In-depth knowledge of switching, routing, LAN and WAN technologies • Hands on experience with UNIX and/or Linux systems to support applications Splat and Solaris. • Design, implementation and operational knowledge of network security (VPN, firewall management, intrusion detection) • Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Computer Sciences or equivalent field
Interested Applicants should forward their resumes to hrtci@digicelgroup.com before May 30, 2014.
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
World famous Pio Cesare Wines now available in the TCI
Pio Cesare, voted by some of the world’s most illustrious food and wine magazines and other major publications around the world as one of the best wines, is now available to the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Wine Cellar in Providenciales. Owner of Pio Cesare, Pio Boffa, personally visited the Turks and Caicos Islands to pitch his world-famous brand and immediately it has become a hit with the local distributor, as well as those who sampled its variety. Boffa revealed that there are a number of elements that make his wine special, including the fact that it is dated back to ancient Italy in the Piedmont or Piedmonte region. “We are probably one of the oldest and ancient families who have started to produce wines in the Piedmont Region of Italy, which is one of the two regions in Italy that has got more history and more fame about making wines. Tuscany and Piedmont are the two major wine areas of our country. Italy has been making wines for more than 2,000 years. The Roman Empire has developed the culture of the vines and the wine-making,” Boffa explained. He said that Pio Cesare produces its own wines and so it is able affix its own signature to it. He said that due to his family’s association with wines from the early days, it is the only wine-maker in its region allowed to carry the Alba town crest on its label. “We grow our grapes 100 percent. We are owners of 70 hectares (173 acres) in the best locations in Barolo, Barbaresco, which are the two main wines produced in Piedmont. The wineries in the north building date back to the 17th century; we have got old Roman walls ruins in the basement of our cellars. “The building itself is a national monument and is protected by the government. So when you come visit us, you will visit also and smell also a piece of the history of our country. And my family is the only one that is entitled to bring on the label of the winery the
From left – Morad Mohammad of the Wine Cellar; Chris Jones, the Pio Cesare representative in the Caribbean; Pio Boffa, owner Pio Cesare Winery in Italy. At left is one of the several varieties of Pio Cesare Wines.
crest of the town of Alba,” Pio Boffa said. He said that the soil in which its vines grow contributes to Pio Cesare being recognized as among the best in the world. “The wines in Piedmont are not blended. We produce wines only from 100 percent of the same grape. And the difference in the wine does not come only from the expertise and the technique of our wine technology and philosophy, but the difference in the soil,” he said. Boffa said that the Pio Cesare still has bottles in its cellar dating back to 1498 in its cellar, which he said are still great in taste. Tony Garland of the Wine Cellar said that his
entity is happy to now carry the Pio Cesare brand. He explained that the quality of visitors that the Turks and Caicos Islands attract demands that the Wine Cellar stock up on selected wines such as Pio Cesare. “The wine cellar has always been committed to building a portfolio of wines that is world-class, world renowned and top-quality. This is a destination that demands it. Pio Cesare has found a home in our portfolio simply because the ratings that these wines get from around the world are among the best from the Piedmont region. It is just a perfect in the portfolio that we are attempting to build. Currently we have about seven of the varieties,” Garland said.
NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands. 1. Parcel 61105/62 Long Bay Hills, Providenciales. The land is an attractive corner lot on Curlew Drive in the third tier from the beach and has relatively good elevation, approximately 0.90 acre of land. Registered Proprietor: Titus Deboer
6. Parcel 60610/184 Norway & Five Cays, Providenciales. This property comprises of a single storey residential house with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry room, kitchen, living/dining room on 1.00 acre of land. Registered Proprietor: Earl Nathan Tucker
2. Parcel 60713/46 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill. This property is located close to Turtle Cove and sits on .95 Acres. The property is a one and a half storey, detached property and Construction is of part concrete with stone with part timber frame with panel finish. The kitchen and bathroom are of reasonable specification with tiled work tops and timber cabinetry. Externally, the parcel is fully fenced with a concrete drive. Registered Proprietor: Titus & Virgine Deboer
7. Parcel 60900/175 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. This property consists of a single storey residential property providing two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchens, open plan living/dining area and laundry room on 0.67 acre of land. Registered Proprietor: Randy McKenn Ewing
3. Parcel 60002/367 North West and North Central, Providenciales. This property forms part of Phase two of the Priton Homes affordable scheme, consisting of two bedrooms, one bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, living/dining area on 0.25 acre of land. Registered Proprietor: Glanedise Walkin 4. Parcel 60900/170 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. This property consists of a residential home, providing three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, one half bathroom, living room and kitchen on 0.72 acre of land. Registered Proprietor: Cherrie Romayne Forbes-Ingham 5. Parcel 60720/20 Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hills, Providenciales. This property comprises of a single storey detached house with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, open plan living and dining room. There is an attached, partially completed which also consist of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, open plan living/dining room on 1.33 acres of land. Registered Proprietor: Michael M Williams
8. Parcel 60702/125 Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, Providenciales This property comprises of a detached two storey building providing a two bedroom private residence to the upper floor and a one bedroom apartment to the lower floor. There is also a separated bedroom/guest room at the rear of the house accessed from the upper deck. Registered Proprietor: Harry Turbyfield/ Carmen Fabara (Opera Investments Ltd.) 9. Parcel 60715/186 Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, Providenciales. This property consists of an unfinished bungalow multiplex consisting of 3- one bedroom, 2- two bedroom apartments providing seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, five kitchens, five living room area on 0.77 acre of land. Registered Proprietor: Ebenezer Benjamin Williams 10. Parcel 60515/64 Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales. This property consists of a single storey detached dwelling house providing three bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchens, living/dining area and laundry room. Registered Proprietor: Thelma Adlaide Lightbourne
The auction will be held at the offices of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, Grace Bay Branch, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 30th day of May 2014. A reserve price will be fixed on all parcels. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.
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Serious injury and even death can occur from tampering with power lines Those found stealing power are subject to penalties and fines as well as possible jail time
35 Cases are in litigation or have already been tried in court
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LOCAL NEWS Energy for good™
Your FUTURE begins TODAY S.I.P. — Student Internship Program — 2 weeks in the summer High school students, 4th and 5th form, looking to get a head start on your career path can turn to this FortisTCI program. You’ll get a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with workplace basics such as; learning the corporate hierarchy, departmentalized structuring and inter-office coordination. It’s an exciting introduction to the modern work environment that will give you a better perspective on what to expect in your professional career!
S.S.E.P. — Student Summer Employment Program — June through August If you’re a college student looking for the opportunity to actually apply all of the classroom theory you’ve been studying, then this is for you. You’ll gain working knowledge of the utility industry and corporate operations while applying your theories under professional supervision. You’ll also be able to get a sample of what awaits you in your chosen career path while potentially establishing yourself as a possible future employee!
S.I.P. application forms can be found with your school counselor or principal. All necessary documents, along with the form, must be submitted to the same by May 30, 2014.
Whether your Future career lies in I.T., electrical engineering, business, marketing, mechanics, customer service or any other of a number of exciting career paths, FortisTCI can lead you in the S.S.E.P applications can be found at the Right direction.
S.I.P criteria —
S.S.E.P criteria —
Applicants must present a recommendation letter from their principal or guidance counselor
Applicants must be enrolled in a university or college undergraduate program majoring in: accounting, business, engineering, information technology, law or marketing
Applicants must submit a 250 word essay entitled, “Why FortisTCI Should Hire Me as an Intern”
Applicants must possess a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
Applicants must provide an official transcript, attendance record, 2 letters of recommendation, proof of residence status and NHIB cards
Applicants must be 4th or 5th form students at a TCI high school that is recognized by the Ministry of Education
Leeward Highway office or online at www.fortistci.com. All applications and necessary documents must be submitted at the Leeward Highway office ATTN: HR or sent via email to cforman@fortistci.com no later than May 30, 2014.
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LOCAL NEWS
Abundant Life honours 10 TCI mothers Ten mothers across the Turks and Caicos Islands were honoured on Sunday (May 11) at the fourth annual Abundant Life Ministries International Mothers Day Tribute Concert event held at the church. The mothers honoured included Mary Jane Misick, mother of finance Minister and former Chief Minister Hon. Washington Misick and Michael Misick, former premier; Head of the TCI Commonwealth Games Association Rita Gardiner; and Mable Cartwright, mother of Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson. They were also treated to musical performances by a number of artistes including celebrated United States gospel singer Shana Wilson. The mothers were honoured with, among other things, gift baskets, tiaras, sashes and roses. The following are photo highlights of the event.
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Sister Sister comes together for one awesome night
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CARIBBEAN
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LOCAL NEWS
NEWS
Russian navy ships on patrol in the Caribbean
MOSCOW, Russia – Set against the backdrop of tensions in Ukraine and the frostiest relations between the West and Moscow since the Cold War, the news that Russian naval vessels are patrolling the Caribbean may give pause for thought. But, according to voiceofrussia.com, it’s all for a worthy cause. Last week, the website quoted a spokesman for Russia’s Northern Fleet as saying that two Russian navy ships, together with forces from Nicaragua and Honduras, have taken part in anti-narcotics naval exercises in the Caribbean. “The exercises focused on joint efforts to stop organized criminal groups and cut drug smuggling channels in territorial waters of Latin American states,” Northern Fleet spokesman Captain 2nd Rank Yevgeny Kirillov said. Law enforcement personnel from Nicaragua and special police units from Honduras were also reported to have taken part in the drills. Russia sent a Vishnya-class intelligence ship, the Viktor Leonov, and the Nikolay Chiker support vessel to the exercises. Russia is said to have started reviving its navy and strategic aviation in the mid-2000s, viewing them as a tool to project Russia’s image abroad and to protect the country’s interests around the globe.
The Bahamas House of Assembly
Bahamian MPs want more pay and a new Parliament Building DESPITE the country’s significant fiscal constraints, a government-appointed select committee recommends that the Christie administration build a new House of Assembly complex during this parliamentary term, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage announced yesterday. However, two FNM MPs who sat on the committee – Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant and St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman – protested saying that while it was generally agreed that the current Parliamentary complex was greatly inadequate, the construction of a new facility is not feasible at this time. The select group further recommended an increase of salaries for MPs and the Deputy Speaker. It was noted that his wages should be adjusted to reflect the duties and requirements necessary to abandon normal professional work. As it stands, the House Speaker has an $80,000 per year salary while his deputy receives $32,000. An MP’s salary is $28,000 a year. No projections were made for the new increase or how much it would cost taxpayers to construct a new Parliament. “We agreed in principle that a Parliamentary Complex is needed,” Mr Grant said. “We also made note that we could not afford it at this time, but we
did not object to a competition for the design going up.” Mr Chipman added: “That’s where we were because we didn’t agree to that. There is no way.” “We agreed that they should get the ball rolling in terms of drawings. But not only that at the end of the day a site has not even really been decided. But we did not conclude this term. We did not. We didn’t reach that point.” Dr Nottage further pointed out that there had not been an increase in Members’ salaries since 1988. “Your Committee took note of the fact that a Commission chaired by Justice Joseph Strachan was currently reviewing the salaries of members and it was hoped that some action on Members’ salaries would be taken following the tabling of that report.” Considerable time was spent discussing a constituency office allowance, he said. The committee suggested that monthly allowances of $1,500 be increased to $2,500. “It was agreed that the $1,500 monthly allowance was insufficient. After paying staff, rent, utilities and other recurrent commitments the $1,500 could not cover those expenses. One suggestion that was discussed was for the Government to pay the cost of rental office accommodation and to cover the cost of one staff member.”
Trinidad to acquire new helicopters and drones
PORT OF SPAIN Trinidad – The Trinidad and Tobago government says it will spend nerly TT$600 million (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) to purchase six helicopters and four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) for the National Operations Centre (NOC). National Security Minister Gary Griffith said the four aircraft now in operation here had been provided by three different manufacturers and the new helicopters will be provided by a single manufacturer. He told reporters that the UAVs will be of significant value to add to national security apparatus for remote sensing, reconnaissance, surveillance, deterrence and early warning purposes. Griffith said the UAVs will be the first of its kind in this country and “we are moving with the times” noting that in the past there were “blimps, defective radar, defective fast patrol vessels, defective offshore patrol vessels, defective interceptors they will now have UAVs, ensuring no blind spots in the radar system, effective 50-metre patrol vessels, effective long range patrol vessels and high tech interceptors.
Haiti president names council to oversee legislative elections
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – President Michel Martelly announced he has appointed a new council to oversee Haitian legislative and local elections that are two years overdue, an important step to organizing a vote whose tardiness has frustrated many. In a posting on his Facebook page and in a separate email, the leader said the newest member of the council is Frizto Canton, a high-profile lawyer who is defending former dictator JeanClaude Duvalier against human rights abuse and embezzlement charges. The council will include three
representatives each from the executive, legislative and judicial branches. “The president is doing everything he can to make sure elections happen” this year, Joseph Lambert, a former senator and now Martelly consultant, said on Radio Tele Zenith FM. He shrugged off a question about Canton’s position as attorney for the controversial former dictator who returned to Haiti in 2011. “A lawyer lives by his profession,” Lambert said. Longtime opposition leader Sauveur Pierre-Etienne objected to the decree, alluding to members of parliament who
had not submitted three candidates to be members of the electoral council. “It’s not over yet,” Pierre-Etienne said on Radio Metropole. Despite pressure from the United Nations, U.S. and others, efforts to hold the vote were snarled by political infighting between the executive and legislative branches. But representatives of the two sides signed an agreement to hold elections before year’s end, apparently appeasing international donors who have been increasingly frustrated over the delay. The Chamber of Deputies recently
Haitian president President Michel Martelly approved the agreement, which proposes late October for the balloting. The Senate has yet to vote, its president saying the accord is not a legal-binding document.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
Task force recommends decriminalization of marijuana in Bermuda HAMILTON, Bermuda – A government appointed task force is recommending the decriminalization of marijuana in this Overseas British Territory and that the government should take “immediate action to enable access to medical cannabis with a prescription”. The Cannabis Reform Collaborative (CRC) in its 137page report notes that the current drug policy is wasting money and resources and harming people’s lives since careers options become limited once a criminal record is established. It said cannabis prohibition is not working. National Security Minister Michael Dunkley tabled the report in the Parliament last Friday and among the recommendations are the introduction of a less punitive warning system, an end to racial profiling in the legal system, increasing the legal age for alcohol consumption to 21, and increased spending on cannabis education and prevention. “Where it is found that reform is in fact warranted, changes will only be made in a measured fashion with careful consideration of the Bermudian context,” Dunkley told legislators. Caribbean countries have been discussing the idea of decriminalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes and a report on the issue is be tabled at the July summit of regional leaders in Antigua. The report notes that a “phased approach to cannabis
reform offers the benefits of assessing, establishing and implementing long-term plans that focuses on more efficient prevention initiatives, effective treatment programmes that are supported by the Ministry of Health and sensible, society-guided regulations that our community understands. “Medical access should be a top priority in this phased approach. Specifically, a significant and growing body of research continues to highlight and expand the medical potential of cannabis, but its illegal status deprives access to individuals with often life-threatening diseases or chronic ailments, and the dignity and right to have autonomy over their own bodies, and the ability to choose for themselves alternative forms of treatment.” It said that decriminalization should be prioritised to address the negative social and economic implications of incarcerating cannabis-related activity, and to enable a shift in government expenditure from enforcement to education and prevention.” The report notes that the primary advantage of decriminalisation would be that “a sizeable portion of society will no longer be criminalized. “Avoiding criminal offences will have a positive impact on the lives of these people, as they will have a better chance to obtain employment or schooling abroad. This may ultimately have a positive effect on society as a result.”
St. Lucia Government presents EC$1.25 billion dollar budget to Parliament CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has presented an EC$1.25 billion (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) budget to Parliament on Tuesday night, confident that the fiscal package in which he announced a series of new tax measures would lay the foundation for a country that will achieve future economic growth. Prime Minister Anthony said that EC$925.7 million would be used for recurrent expenditure while EC$326.3 million would account for the capital expenditure. He said the budget would be financed through recurrent revenue of EC$868.49 million, of which tax revenue is projected to be EC$799.57 million and non tax revenue of EC$68.9 million. “This Budget lays the foundation for our youth to inherit a country that is more economically stable; a country that
will achieve growth; that will create new jobs; a country that will promote their aspirations, the expression of their minds and souls,” he said. Anthony told legislators that his administration will yield to popular demand and zero-rate value added tax on prescription medication. But he said this would not include vitamins, tonics, energy drinks, food supplements and similar products ostensibly for promoting health and wellbeing. “However, consumers should understand that this reprieve is shortlived because, come the end of the four-year cycle on April 30, 2016, duty will return on imported prescription medication in accordance with the Common External Tariff. The removal of VAT on prescription medication St. Lucian Prime Minister means that the government will lose Dr. Kenny Anthony EC$2.8 million in revenue,” he said.
Antigua’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer
Antigua general election date ‘could be called soon’ ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has hinted at the possibility of naming the date for the general elections by Thursday, telling supporters “you will hear what you have to hear soon”. Spencer has in the past told the nation it must await the outcome of two court matters filed by the leader of the main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP), Gaston Browne, before deciding on the election date. The Court of Appeal has since ruled on the-election related matters and the Prime Minister says he wants to make sure the Electoral Commission is fully prepared for the polls. The ALP, which said that historically, Antigua and Barbuda has had general elections within the five year parliamentary cycle which on this occasion ended on April 26, said it would begin next week, a series of protests and pickets in a bid to force Prime Minister Spencer to name the election date. But as he addressed supporters of the ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) at English Harbor on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Spencer their patience would soon be rewarded. “I know some of you may have become a little impatient but you don’t have to tarry much too long from now. You will hear what you have to hear soon,” Spencer said, adding that he would remove the date from the side pocket where it had been placed in 48 hours.
CCJ grants Jamaican homosexual man leave to challenge law in Trinidad and Tobago and Belize PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has granted Maurice Tomlinson, a Jamaican national, special leave to commence proceedings against Trinidad and Tobago and Belize after he claimed that their existing legislations impinged upon his right to free movement. In a ruling handed down on Thursday, the CCJ, the region’s highest court, said “that there is an arguable case that the mere existence of the legislative provisions in question amounts to prejudice, as demonstrated by the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Committee”. The CCJ also held that the interest of justice requires “that leave be
granted because the issues raised in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago which, the proceedings involve significant according to Tomlinson, prohibit the aspects of Community law namely, entry of homosexual persons into the the relationship between domestic law jurisdiction. and the obligations under the Revised Section Five of Belize’s Immigration Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), which Act forbids, among other listed groups, merit further examination. “any prostitute or homosexual or any person who may be living on or receiving or may have been living on or Special leave application receiving the proceeds of prostitution or Tomlinson, a homosexual, had homosexual behaviour.” Tomlinson, an activist for the lesbian, filed an application seeking special leave to commence proceedings in the gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Court under Article 222 of the Revised Community, has refused to travel to the Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs two CARICOM countries lest he ran the regional integration movement, afoul of the prohibitions contained in their Immigration Acts. CARICOM. He told the CCJ that the existence The application centers on the provisions of the Immigration Acts of of these provisions violates his right to
free movement under the RTC. The CCJ noted that the parties all agree that Tomlinson had demonstrated some of the requirements under Article 222. “There is no dispute that Mr Tomlinson is a CARICOM national, that the right to free movement enures for his benefit directly and the State of Jamaica has refused to espouse the claim on his behalf given his previous unimpeded travel to and from both States. “The main point of contention is whether Mr Tomlinson has satisfied the requirement to show an arguable case of prejudice. Mr Tomlinson contends that the mere existence of the impugned provisions amount to prejudice.”
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Jamaica sets up a joint committee to address electricity theft
A committee led by junior energy minister, Julian Robinson has been set up address the high rate of electricity theft, which led to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) shutting off power in several communities earlier this week. The joint committee, which includes personnel from Government and JPS, was convened yesterday after representatives of the light and power company met with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and other members of her Cabinet. The light and power company was summoned to a meeting to defend its decision to interrupt service to communities in which it is experiencing up to 70 per cent electricity theft. The decision to set up the committee
came a day after the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) ordered JPS to immediately halt the practice of punishing paying customers in these communities. The affected areas were Jones Town, Seaward Drive, Trench Town, Denham Town, Rema, Maxfield Avenue, Central Village, and Spanish Town Road. A media release issued by Jamaica House, following the meeting, stated that the prime minister made it clear that the Government does not support the theft of electricity, but that JPS had to find a way to deal with the matter of illegal connections without punishing customers who are paying for the service. “Legitimate customers cannot be
forced to suffer for those who break the law,” the prime minister reportedly told the JPS executives at the meeting. Jamaica House said JPS, for its part, expressed regret at not having dialogue with the Government prior to its decision to shut off power to the affected communities and also apologised to its paying customers who were affected by the action. In a May 11 news release, JPS said, as part of continuing efforts to reduce the impact of electricity theft on its operations, it would be cutting the number of hours that power is provided to the identified Corporate Area communities as part of efforts to get more people to pay for the electricity
Cayman Islands targeted in cloned card scam
Detectives are investigating allegations that criminal gangs are sending “pawns” to the Cayman Islands on high-value shopping sprees using cloned credit cards and fake identification documents. The investigation, prompted by three recent court cases involving Malaysian con men, has sparked fears that the island is seen as an easy target for card fraud, According to the Caymanian Compass newspaper, both the Chamber of Commerce and the Cayman Islands Bankers Association expressed support for a U.K.-style “chip and PIN” card system, which requires consumers to enter their personal identification number whenever they make a purchase. The PIN activates a tiny computer chip when the card’s metallic strip is swiped. The system helps guard against the use of stolen or cloned cards. Their comments follow a judge’s call for Justice Charles Quin said there appears to be an “epidemic” of such crimes Cayman’s business leaders to look into chip and suggested banks and businesses investigate improving card security. and PIN. Justice Charles Quin said there appears to be an “epidemic” of such crimes and sugWil Pineau, chief executive officer of the Chamber gested banks and businesses investigate improving of Commerce, said it is advising members to be vigicard security. lant, to check card signatures against a picture ID, Three visiting Malaysian nationals have been and report suspicious behavior immediately. jailed in the past three months for attempting to use He said “chip and PIN” could provide a long-term fake cards to rack up purchases worth thousands of solution to the problem, but it would be up to the dollars in Cayman Islands stores. banks to implement the system. In the most recent case, Tan Tek Kuan, 38, was He said there would be costs involved in producjailed for 16 months when he was found with 50 fake ing new cards and supplying retailers with new card cards and a forged passport after trying to make more reading machines, costs which would ordinarily be than $70,000 worth of purchases in downtown jewelry borne by the banks. stores. Mike McWatt, president of the Cayman Islands In all three recent cases, the fraudsters were said Bankers Association, suggested it could be time to into be “pawns” acting on the instructions of a “handler.” troduce the system. Detective Inspector Ian Lavine told the Cayman “In light of some recent [well-publicized] fraud and Compass that the Financial Crime Unit is investi- data breaches, it certainly seems it could be beneficial, gating allegations that people were being sent to the not only for merchants accepting cards, but also as Cayman Islands to commit this type of crime, and has security features on business and personal cards,” Mr. alerted the business community to the threat. McWatt said.
they use. According to JPS, it would be making an effort to provide electricity for not less than 12 hours per day However, the OUR’s directive to JPS, which was released to the media, noted that the company’s action amounted to breaches of the license as well as the terms and conditions of the service. “The office holds the position that in the instant case JPS does not have the right to disconnect its customers pursuant to section 3 of the Public Utilities Protection Act,” the OUR directive stated. According to the directive, failure by JPS to have ceased and desisted from this action would have rendered the company liable for prosecution.
Caribbean countries condemn kidnapping of Nigerian children
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have condemned the kidnapping of hundreds of school children in Nigeria by members of the militant Islamic group, Boko Haram last month. They have joined the international community in demanding the return of the children. The St. Kitts-Nevis government in a statement described the abduction as “morally reprehensible and has left a gaping vacuum in the entire community of Chibok and has had ripple effects across the nation of Nigeria and indeed the world. “The Government and people of St Kitts and Nevis stand in solidarity with the people of Nigeria, particularly the families affected by this tragic event, and add our voices to the call for the immediate release of the girls and their return to the their homes and school. Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran said he was pleased that Nigeria “is now seeking support from the outside to help them deal with the abduction issues pertaining to that particular political conflict”. President of the Islamic Missionaries Guild, Imtiaz Mohammed, said that holding women and children hostage is not a tenet of Islam and that Muslims who commit such acts are not following the teachings of Islam. Mohammed said Islam does not prohibit a woman from education. The Grenada government said it was expressing its “collective disgust about the situation. “We are of the view that in a modern world community such barbaric actions must not be allowed to stand,” Social Service Minister Delma Thomas said, adding “we are pleased however that the world has finally begun to take notice, and the community through the United Nations has now shown a willingness to act”.
Bermuda Hospital to pay patient $58,000
A judge in Bermuda has ordered that almost $60,000 in damages be paid to a man who suffered “one of the most unpleasant experiences that a human can undergo” at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. According to the Royal Gazette newspaper, father-of-two Kamal Williams was forced to wait more than ten hours for a desperately-needed appendectomy at the hospital in May, 2011, despite screaming in pain in the emergency room. The delay led to a ruptured appendix, causing fecal material to leak into his abdominal cavity, sending him into septic shock. “Mr Williams has undergone one of the most unpleasant experiences that
a human can undergo. That experience was life-threatening,” Puisne Judge Stephen Hellman told a Supreme Court hearing yesterday. The judge ordered that Bermuda Hospitals Board pay the victim $58,000 in general damages for the injuries he suffered as a result of its negligence, and the digestive problems he has had since the surgery. Mr Justice Hellman said the hospital was also liable for medical expenses of almost $42,000, and $14,400 for loss of earnings. BHB’s lawyer Allan Doughty queried the amount for medical expenses, arguing that it should be several thousand dollars lower, and the judge asked him, and opposing counsel Jai Pachai,
to calculate the correct amount and advise him. Mr Williams told The Royal Gazette after the hearing that the amount awarded to him was a “victory, somewhat” but that he had hoped to win damages of $100,000. “It’s not what I wanted, but it’s better than what I had,” he said. “I would have liked to get the full amount just because of the severity of what I went through.” Mr Justice Hellman warned Mr Williams during yesterday’s hearing that he should not expect the kind of damages often awarded in US litigation, as Bermuda’s justice system followed the English model. “I want you to understand, Mr Wil-
liams, that had this been the United States, this might have been a much higher figure,” he said. “I appreciate how serious, and how horrible it was, but in giving an award of damages I have to look at similar cases.” The judge said he had to align the amount awarded with past cases in English law, and take into account the fact that though the initial injuries were life-threatening, there had not been serious long-lasting effects. “I do feel that our court systems are different than the United States but I feel like, based on what happened to me, I should have received more but I’m not unappreciative of the fact that the court did see it our way,” Mr Williams said.
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The following Business Names have expired and will be removed from the Register, thereafter these names will then be available to new registrants if they are not renewed by 31st May 2014 by the existing name holders. Please visit our offices at ( Harry Francis Building, Pond Street, Grand Turk or at Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales).
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NEWS
Turkish mining company denies negligence Senior Turkish officials denied Gurkan, said he had spent his own allegations of lax government oversight money on improving standards at the and a Turkish mining company mine at Soma in western Turkey. defended its safety record Friday, four “I am hurting inside,” he said at a days after at least 284 people died in news conference of company officials. an underground blaze at a coal mine in Turkey’s worst mining disaster western Turkey. has set off a raft of protests amid A maximum of 18 miners remain public outrage at allegedly poor safety missing and the final death toll will conditions at Turkish coal mines, be around 300, the country’s energy widespread corruption and what some minister said. Until now it had been perceived as government indifference. feared that there might be more than “It’s not an accident, it’s murder,” read 100 victims still in the mine. a banner waved by trade unionists who The mining company’s owner, Alp marched through the streets of Istanbul
on Thursday. The public anger has stirred up new hostility toward Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, which was already sharply criticized for last summer’s brutal response to protesters in Istanbul’s Taksim square and its crackdown earlier this year on social media. Responding to the outcry, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Friday that anyone found to have been negligent about safety at the mine can expect punishment.
UK Governments legal aid failure halts major fraud trial
Britain’s Ministry of Justice permit a fair trial. has been barred from intervening Prosecutors worry that in a court appeal over whether a the dispute between the Bar judge was right to halt a fraud (barristers) and the Ministry of trial after defendants said they Justice (MoJ), which has sparked could not find senior lawyers unprecendented walkouts by to represent them because of lawyers, will affect similar cases government cuts to legal aid. and allow criminals to walk free. Three senior judges in Seeking to overturn Judge London’s Court of Appeal said Leonard’s ruling, the FCA on Tuesday that they had argued that the defendants received notice on Monday that in Operation Cotton could Justice Minister Chris Grayling have found adequate legal wanted to present “valuable representation, that the judge material” and answer questions Barristers and solicitors carry on effigy of Chris Grayling as they could have adjourned the at Tuesday’s closely-watched protest against legal aid cuts . trial in the expectation the hearing, which could lead to government would resolve the a string of high-profile trials impasse and that he “erred in over an alleged land-banking scam has being derailed. principle and came to an unreasonable become the focus of a heated debate But the judges, who said they would over Britain’s legal system and a row conclusion” by throwing out the case. make a decision on the appeal in a “short over barristers’ pay after legal aid rates An MoJ spokesman said the space of time”, said the Court of Appeal were cut by 30 percent for so-called Very government remains keen for could only examine material that had High Cost Cases (VHCC). independent senior lawyers to pick up also been seen by the lower court. In throwing out the case, known complex and costly cases, but that it is The lower court’s decision this as Operation Cotton, Judge Anthony expanding the Public Defender Service month to dismiss the case brought by Leonard accused the state of a failure (PDS) to mop up any shortfall in lawyers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide the necessary resources to able to represent defendants in court.
Beyoncé breaks her silence on the elevator incident
Beyoncé has made her first public statement since the leaked elevator security footage of husband and sister fighting came out this week. This is also the first that has been heard from Solange and Jay Z, as the family trio issued this joint statement to The Associated Press: “As a result of the public release of the elevator security footage from Monday, May 5th, there has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family. The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false. At the end of the day families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same.” Hopefully, this will put to rest rumors coming from the #SolangeTruther camp, as well as wild speculation that Beyoncé and Jay Z were separating. They are still Drunk in Love, and all is well with the universe.
South Africa’s strike-hit Implats says violence is ‘devastating’
JOHANNESBURG – Impala Platinum described on Friday as “devastating” the impact on its employees of a 16-week strike at its main South African operation in Rustenburg and said it had lost more than $500 million in revenue. The company signaled it expects the strike to drag on. “The human tragedy that is unfolding as a result of our employees not earning any income and the violence and intimidation being experienced on the platinum belt is devastating,” it said in its third-quarter production report. The strike is centered on the platinum belt town of Rustenburg northwest of Johannesburg and Implats said the reopening of its mine there “will only be considered when the risk of violence and
intimidation can be eliminated”. “The resumption of normalized production levels at Impala Rustenburg, once the strike ends and operations resume, are expected to take at least three months to achieve,” it said. “Consequently, no further production is expected from this operation in the final quarter of FY2014.” Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin have also been hit by the wage strike by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and their attempts to woo workers back have been met this week by violence. Four miners were killed last weekend and rival unions have said intimidation has been on the rise as the companies take their latest wage
Lonmin workers on strike listen to President of South Africa’s Association of Mine workers and Construction Union (AMCU) Joseph Mathunjwa (not in picture) as he delivers his speech at the Wonderkop stadium in Nkaneng township outside the Lonmin mine in Rustenburg May 14, 2014. offer directly to employees after talks collapsed in late April. Acts of violence have continued. Police said on Friday that a Lonmin employee had been attacked by four men with clubs in the early hours of the morning as he attempted to show up for work. The victim suffered multiple injuries to his head. AMCU denies allegations it uses violence to keep its roughly 70,000 members on the platinum mines in line.
In the three months to the end of March, Implats said it had produced 205,000 ounces of gross refined platinum, 41 percent lower than the comparable period in 2013. Underscoring the widening impact of the strike, the longest and costliest ever to hit South Africa’s mines, Implats said to date it had lost “246,000 ounces of platinum production, equivalent to revenue of 5.4 billion rand ($520 million)”.
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WORLd NEWS
Nigerian leader cancels abducted girls’ town trip
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Amid apparent security concerns, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan cancelled a trip Friday to the traumatized town from which Islamic extremists abducted more than 300 schoolgirls a month ago. It would have been the first reported visit by the president to the scene of an attack in the northeastern region that has suffered for five years the increasingly deadly assaults by Nigeria’s homegrown Boko Haram terrorist network. Jonathan, a Christian from the south, has been accused of insensitivity to the plight of the mainly Muslim northerners. Thousands have been killed over the
years and more than 1,500 civilians have died in the insurgency this year alone. Two officials in the presidency confirmed the cancellation saying there were apparent concerns about security after news of the planned trip was leaked to the media and published on front pages of newspapers Friday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not supposed to give information to reporters. Jonathan had been expected to fly on one of his presidential jets from Abuja, the capital in central Nigeria, to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital in the northeast, and then be transported
by military helicopter to the town of Chibok, 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the south. The road from Maiduguri to Chibok passes by the Sambisa Forest to which the girls first were taken that is a known hideout of the insurgents and has been attacked many times. Soldiers say 12 troops were killed in an ambush on that road on Monday night. The Defense Ministry said four soldiers were killed in a firefight on the outskirts of Chibok that night. Soldiers revolted and opened fire on the car of a commanding officer who came to pay respects to the bodies brought to a Maiduguri barracks on
Indian opposition party secures landslide win
NEW DELHI - Opposition leader Narendra Modi will be India’s next prime minister, winning the most decisive election victory the country has seen in more than a quarter century and sweeping the long-dominant Congress party from power, partial results showed Friday. Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party was winning in 279 seats in the lower house of Parliament, beyond the 272-seat majority needed to create a government without forming a coalition with smaller parties, the Election Commission said. Full results were expected later in the day but it was unlikely there would be a significant reversal. The outcome was a crushing defeat for the Congress party, which is deeply entwined with the NehruGandhi political dynasty that has been at the center of Indian politics for most of the country’s postindependence history. “India has won!” Modi tweeted with a note of triumph after a slick and well-financed campaign that promised a revival of economic growth and took advantage of widespread dissatisfaction with the scandal-plagued Congress party. At BJP headquarters in New Delhi, party workers handed out sweets, set off firecrackers and danced in the streets. In Gujarat state, where Modi has been chief minister for more than a decade, jubilant supporters and a frenzied media surrounded Modi as he visited his mother and touched her feet, a traditional gesture when Hindus seek the blessings of an older relative. His
Opposition leader Narendra Modi mother then marked his forehead with vermilion and fed him sweets. The last time any single party won a majority in India was in 1984, when an emotional nation gave the Congress party a staggering victory of more than 400 seats following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The overwhelming victory gives Modi, a 63-year-old career politician, a strong mandate to govern India at a time of deep social and economic change. India is in the throes of rapid urbanization and globalization just as the youth population skyrockets - with many new voters far less deferential to traditional voting patterns focused on family lineage and caste. For the young Indian voters, the priorities are jobs and development, which Modi put at the forefront of
his campaign. Congress, which has been in power for all but 10 years of the country’s history since independence from Britain in 1947, has been plagued by repeated corruption scandals. Friday’s results showed Congress leading in only 42 seats, its worst showing ever. The leader of the Congress campaign, 43-year-old Rahul Gandhi, failed to inspire public confidence. He was seen as ambivalent at best over winning a job held previously by his father, grandmother and greatgrandfather. “I wish the new government all the best,” Rahul Gandhi told reporters Friday afternoon, adding that he held himself responsible for the party’s losses.
Tuesday, said the soldiers, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they want to keep their jobs. The Defense Ministry said the soldiers only fired into the air. The commander was unharmed. There have been other signs that some Nigerian troops are near mutiny, complaining that they are outnumbered and outgunned by the insurgents, are not properly paid and have to scavenge for food in the bush. The weakness of the Nigerian military was described Thursday by Alice Friend, the U.S. Department for Defense director for African affairs at a hearing about the kidnapped girls and the threat posed by Boko Haram.
Karl Rove faces backlash on Hillary Clinton remarks Karl Rove is facing a political backlash Wednesday after he questioned whether Hillary Rodham Clinton suffered a brain injury in a 2012 fall. Democrats and some Republicans said the remarks were out of bounds and were meant only to start unfounded rumors about Mrs. Clinton’s health in advance of a possible 2016 presidential campaign. For instance, former GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich said on his Facebook page that he is “deeply offended” by Mr. Rove’s comments. While he has many policy disagreements with Clinton, such a personal charge “is exactly what’s wrong with American politics,” wrote Mr. Gingrich. “I was angry when people did this to [Ronald] Reagan in 1980 and I am angry when they do it to her today,” said Gingrich. Other critics are focused on what they called Rove’s history of political dirty tricks. Opponents in Rove’s home state of Texas have charged in the past that he has passed along rumors about the sexual orientation of political opponents. In the 2000 presidential campaign, fliers and e-mails in the key GOP primary state of South Carolina falsely accused Sen. John McCain (R) of having an AfricanAmerican “love child.” McCain staffers accused Rove and the George W. Bush campaign of being the sources of this effort. Rove uses such tactics because they work, writes left-leaning Ed Kilgore at The Washington Monthly’s “Political Animal” blog. Mr. Bush won that election. Rove became a wealthy and powerful GOP consultant and fundraiser. “Not only do Rove’s drive-bys leave debris on their victims; he always seems to escape unscathed,” writes Mr. Kilgore. However, many on the right defend Rove against all this umbrage, saying the media ask questions about the health status of all serious White House candidates and the issue would have arisen at some point as a matter of course. Rove himself pushed back on Tuesday, saying that contrary to many media reports he did not say Clinton had brain damage. “Never used that phrase,” he said in a Fox News appearance. “This will be an issue in the 2016 presidential race, whether she likes it or not,” said Rove. “Get ready: The New York Times is going to be asking.
Hagel: US won’t let Iran build nuclear weapon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel while delivering remarks at his office on Friday, May 16, 2014 in Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM – U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pledged to Israeli leaders Friday that the U.S. “will do what we must” to prevent the Jewish state’s greatest fear of a nuclear-armed Iran. Hagel made the public pledge in a statement at talks in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I want to assure you of the United States’ commitment to ensuring Iran does not get a nuclear weapon – and that America will do what we must
to live up to that commitment,” Hagel said. Both men spoke of the disputed Iranian nuclear program, which is the topic of negotiations this week in Vienna between Western powers and Iran. “We’ve been saying all along that Iran is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the international community,” Netanyahu said in a statement while standing beside Hagel. He cited a United Nations report on what he called “Iran’s ongoing
effort to deceive the international community to continue to develop ICBMs and to continue to violate its commitments of security council stipulations on forbidding it to develop certain parts of its nuclear programme.” “They continue to do that and I think that requires a very clear and firm policy on the part of world powers,” Netanyahu said. “They continue to do that and I think that requires a very clear and firm policy on the part of world powers,” Netanyahu said.
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Minnesota introduces kill switch bill for mobile theft
Darden Restaurants on Friday, May 16, 2014 said it entered an agreement to sell its Red Lobster chain to investment firm Golden Gate Capital in a $2.1 billion cash deal.
Darden announces sale of Red Lobster for $2.1B
NEW YORK — Darden Restaurants says it will sell its Red Lobster chain to investment firm Golden Gate Capital in a $2.1 billion cash deal. The company, which also owns Olive Garden, had announced late last year that it planned to either spin off or sell Red Lobster to improve its financial performance. Both Olive Garden and Red Lobster have been losing customers in recent years, and the company has tried various menu changes and different marketing campaigns in hopes of winning back business. But Darden sees more potential in fixing Olive
Garden, which the company says fits with its other, smaller restaurant chains that cater to customers willing to spend more. By contrast, Darden CEO Clarence Otis said Red Lobster has been unable to capture higher-income customers. Investors have nevertheless challenged Darden’s plans to sell only Red Lobster, saying that the company should separate Olive Garden and Red Lobster as a pair from the more successful smaller chains, which include Longhorn Steakhouse and Capital Grille. There are about 700 Red Lobster locations and 830 Olive Gardens in North America.
Minnesota has become the first US state to introduce so-called kill switch legislation. It means that all smartphones sold in the state from July 2015 must be fitted with anti-theft software. Such software allows owners to remotely disable and wipe their stolen handsets. Police departments across the US have lobbied for such legislation. According to the US telecoms regulator, an estimated one in three robberies involve smartphones. In the bill Minnesota legislators lay out the requirements: “Any new smart phone manufactured on or after July 1, 2015, sold or purchased in Minnesota must be equipped with preloaded antitheft functionality or be capable of downloading that functionality.” California is close to introducing a similar bill, while Congress is mulling national legislation. London Mayor Boris Johnson has lent his backing for a push for international agreement on the need for a kill switch. Along with New York state attorney general Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco district attorney George Gascon, he joined the Secure Our Smartphones initiative last summer. The campaign is designed to put pressure on the phone industry to help solve the issue of smartphone and tablet theft. Sensitive data Many handset manufacturers already have kill switches installed on their phones. Samsung has such a function and Apple offers a facility to track its devices via a service called Find My iPhone. As well as GPS tracking, it also allows users to remotely wipe their phones. Microsoft and Google have similar functions for their handsets and there are a variety of apps to locate, lock and wipe stolen smartphones. “A large majority of smartphone users already have these capabilities and don’t know it,” said mobile analyst Chris Green. He thinks that such a feature is more important for the business world than the consumer market.
Casey Kasem found safe in Washington
Casey Kasem has been found safe in Washington, law enforcement officials told ABC News, ending a frantic search for the missing radio DJ. Sheriffs in Kitsap County, Washington, found Kasem, 82. Deputy Scott Wilson, the Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said police found Kasem Wednesday at an address provided by California Adult Protective Services. His wife, Jean Kasem, was also there, Wilson said. Wilson said Kasem was visiting on vacation – and that he was cognizant of his location. “At this time, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department does not believe this is a police issue,” Wilson said in a statement. A judge ordered an investigation into Kasem’s whereabouts Monday after an attorney for the ailing radio personality’s wife said the former “Top 40” host had been removed from Los Angeles without his children’s knowledge. Kasem suffers from Lewy body dementia, which causes a progressive decline in mental abilities. He has been in various medical facilities chosen by his wife. Kasem’s children say their stepmother had barred them from seeing their father. Daughter Kerri Kasem, who was appointed her father’s temporary caretaker Monday, released a statement through her publicist after her father was found. “The family has grave concerns about his health and will do everything in their power to bring him back home,” the statement read. “We are grateful to the local authorities for finding my dad. We are one step closer to bringing him home,” Kerri Kasem added.
The fires have caused an estimated $20m (£12m) in damage thus far.
California wildfire ‘flare-up’ forces new evacuations Firefighters have beaten back parts of the nine blazes raging in southern California, allowing thousands of displaced locals to return to the area. But a flare-up of a wildfire in San Marcos prompted more than 13,000 new evacuation notices to residents. The fires have destroyed at least 18 houses and two businesses and caused more than $20m (£12m) in damage. A badly burned body was found in Carlsbad, but no details were available on its identity or cause of death. Schools across the region were closed and a nuclear plant and a military base were earlier evacuated. Months of drought have made California particularly prone to fire this year, and the crews managing the evacuations and battling the blazes have had to contend with sweltering heat.
But calmer winds on Thursday allowed aircraft including four air tankers and 22 military helicopters - to be deployed to fight the flames. The Legoland theme park in Carlsbad was closed earlier due to power surges, while San Onofre nuclear power plant briefly evacuated non-essential staff as a precautionary measure. And the campus of California State UniversitySan Marcos, with almost 10,000 students, was shut down amid the university’s final exams, with all commencement ceremonies cancelled. Fires also hit the Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton, between San Diego and Los Angeles. Carlsbad fire chief Michael Davies said such fires were unprecedented this time of year. “This is May, this is unbelievable. This is something we should see in October,” he said.
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TECHNOLOGY Jobless claims fall to 7-year low
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to its lowest level in seven years, fresh evidence that the labour market was strengthening. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined 24,000 to a seasonally adjusted 297,000 for the week ended May 10, the Labor Department said on Thursday. That was the lowest reading since May 2007 and brought claims back to their pre-recession level. Claims for the week ended May 3 were revised to show 2,000 more applications received than previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast firsttime applications for jobless aid ticking up to 320,000 last week. Claims had been volatile in recent weeks because of difficulties adjusting the data during the Easter and Passover holidays and school spring breaks, which fall on different calendar days every year. A Labour Department analyst said there were no special factors influencing the state level data. The four-week moving average for new claims, considered a better measure of underlying labour market conditions as it irons out week-toweek volatility, fell 2,000 to 323,250.
Eurozone economic growth loses momentum The U.S. flag flies at the Burt GM auto dealer in Denver
GM recalls 3 million vehicles, to take charge of up to $200 million General Motors Co said on Thursday it has issued five more recalls, covering almost 3 million vehicles globally, and is expected to take a charge of up to $200 million. Still dealing with fallout from the recall of defective ignition switches linked to at least 13 deaths, the No. 1 U.S. automaker said the largest of the latest recalls covers more than 2.7 million cars for tail lamp malfunctions, including the Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura cars. The other four recalls cover Malibu, Chevy Corvette sports cars, Cadillac CTS sedans and full-size trucks and SUVs. Most of the vehicles were sold in the United States.
Focus on safety GM said the new actions were a result of the sharper focus the company has put on safety issues following the recall earlier this year of 2.6 million vehicles for the faulty switch. So far this year, GM has recalled almost 12.8 million vehicles globally, easily topping the 9 million recalled in the previous five years combined. “We have redoubled our efforts to expedite
Buffett still unsure if minimum wage is a ‘good thing’
Warren Buffett is rarely confused on issues of money, but there is one that stumps the renowned billionaire investor – the minimum wage. “I’ve been thinking about it for 50 years. I just don’t know whether it’s a good thing or not, because I don’t know what it does to the guy who’s making the minimum wage now,’’ Buffett told the staff of the Buffalo News, which he owns. “And I sure . . . don’t want anything bad to happen to him or her. On the other hand, I think the inequality that exists is awful, ” he continued. “If I really thought that was a partial answer to inequality I’d be 100 percent in favor. I’m just not sure about the end result.” Buffett – who is worth $53 billion and ranked fourth on Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s richest people – made his remarks during a candid chat with the paper’s reporters and editors on Wednesday. And he said despite the serious issues facing the world today, he remains bullish on the United States. “The world is uncertain. Stock prices are uncertain. The future of America is not uncertain,” said the 82-year-old “Oracle of Ohama.’’
and resolve current reviews in process and also have identified and analyzed recent vehicle issues which require action,” GM’s global vehicle safety chief, Jeff Boyer, said in a statement. Boyer said in an interview that the company’s focus has been on the frequency and severity of any potential problems. He added GM continues to study how it handles recalls for further improvement in the process. GM is under investigation by U.S. safety regulators, Congress, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and several states for its handling of the defective ignition switch, which engineers first discovered in 2001. GM has been criticized for failing to detect the faulty part and for not recalling the vehicles earlier. GM expects to complete an internal probe of its handling of the issue within the next two weeks. The Detroit company said it expected to take a charge of up to about $200 million in the second quarter for the latest recalls, mostly for the cost of repairs. In the first quarter, GM took a charge of $1.3 billion mostly related to the ignition switch recall.
Eurozone economic growth lost momentum in the first three months of 2014, official figures show, with the growth rate unchanged from the previous quarter at 0.2%. That was weaker than many economists had expected. German growth picked up pace, with the economy expanding by 0.8%. But France and Italy disappointed. The French economy failed to grow, while Italy’s contracted by 0.1%, having only just emerged from recession last year. Spain’s economy grew by 0.4% in the first quarter. Commenting on the eurozone figures, Chris Williamson from the economic research group Markit, said: “Although the economy has now grown for four consecutive quarters, the pace has failed to accelerate to anything other than lacklustre over this period.” “The data therefore add to the likelihood of the ECB taking action at its June meeting to inject more stimulus into the economy,” he added. The BBC’s Andrew Walker points out that Greece and Spain have the worst jobless figures, as about one in four of those wanting to work is out of a job.
Wal-Mart sales growth weakest in five years, outlook cautious
Wal-Mart Stores Inc forecast second-quarter profit below analysts’ estimates after reporting its smallest growth in quarterly sales in nearly five years, as a severe winter kept shoppers from its stores. Shares of the world’s largest retailer fell as much as 3.4 percent before the bell on Thursday. Wal-Mart is the latest retailer to flag a colderthan-usual winter for weak sales. Department store operator Macy’s on Wednesday cited the harsh winter for a 1.7 percent decline in quarterly sales. For the first time, the US has overtaken France as Shoppers found it difficult to visit Wal-Mart’s the world’s biggest national market for wine, according gargantuan stores, mainly located on the outskirts of to figures from the International Organisation of Vine towns and cities, as winter storms snowed out access and Wine (OIV). routes. US drinkers consumed 29.1 million hectolitres (2.9 The company has also been struggling with a sharp billion litres) of wine in 2013, 0.5% more than in 2012. cut in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Meanwhile, French wine consumption fell 7% from Assistance Program, the largest U.S. anti-hunger the year before to 2.8 billion litres, according to the program. At least one in five of Wal-Mart’s customers OIV. relies on food stamps. The amount of wine drunk per head is still higher “Like other retailers in the United States, the in France than in the US. unseasonably cold and disruptive weather negatively According to figures from 2011, the average French impacted U.S. sales and drove operating expenses person drinks just over a bottle a week, six times more higher than expected,” Chief Executive Doug McMillon than the average US consumer. said in a statement.
US overtakes France as world’s biggest wine market
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SPORTS Magic Johnson responds to Donald Sterling’s attack: ‘He’s living in the Stone Ages’
NBA legend Magic Johnson has fired back at Donald Sterling, one day after the disgraced Clippers owner attacked him for being HIV-positive and accused him of not supporting the African-American community during a nationally-televised interview. Speaking to CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday, Johnson did his best to take the high road as he tried to set the record straight about his work with HIV and AIDS-related charities and his other charitable endeavors, while also reacting to Sterling’s initial comments that he didn’t want his
girlfriend, V. Stiviano, to take pictures “Is that someone we want to respect with Johnson or bring African- and tell our kids about? I think he Americans to Clippers games. should be ashamed of himself. I think “I just feel sorry for him,” Johnson he should go into the background. And said. “I really do. It’s sad. … The what does he do for black people? He problem is, he is living in the Stone hasn’t done anything. Ages. He can’t make those comments “Here’s a man, I don’t know if I about African-Americans or Latinos. should say this, he acts so holy. He He just can’t do it.” made love with every girl in every city Sterling made headlines with in America, and he had AIDS, and comments about Johnson, who when he had those AIDS, I went to announced that he was HIV-positive in my synagogue and I prayed for him. 1991. “What kind of guy goes to every I hoped he could live and be well. I city, has sex with every girl, then he didn’t criticize him. I could have. Is he goes and catches HIV,” Sterling said. an example for children?”
Heat fight back to secure Eastern final spot
The Miami Heat fought back from eight points down in the final three minutes to beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-94 and secure a place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals for the fourth straight year. Reigning champions Miami claimed the series 4-1 but for a long time it looked as if they were going to suffer their first home loss of the postseason as Joe Johnson inspired the Nets with a game-high 34 points. It was tough on a determined Nets after they trailed for less than six minutes in the entire game but coach Jason Kidd was able to find perspective at the end of the franchise’s second season since their move to Brooklyn and their first since major roster rebuilding. “It felt like we had a great opportunity against the world champions but we came up short. It is a process,” said Kidd, in his first year as a head coach. “Now it is time to keep building and keep the process going and getting better. To get to the second round of the playoffs gives us something to build on,” he said. Miami will face either the Indiana Pacers or the Washington Wizards in the Eastern final. Indiana lead the series 3-2 going into Thursday’s game six on their home court. LeBron James top-scored for Miami with 29 points while Dwyane Wade, who scored 20 points in the first half, ended with 28. A trademark three-pointer from the corner from Ray Allen put Miami 93-91 ahead with 32 seconds left, the first time they had led in the fourth, and though the Nets had the final possession, James made a game-winning steal on Johnson to seal the win. Allen’s shot, which recalled his game-tying effort in game six of last year’s final against San Antonio, left his coach Erik Spoelstra purring. “That’s ‘every day Ray’, he just finds a way at the end. That is thousands and thousands of hours of practice and simulating pressure, that was a big-time three,” said the Heat coach. James had dominated game four with 49 points and not
Heat forward LeBron James shoots over Nets center Kevin Garnett during Game 5 Wednesday. surprisingly, Brooklyn adjusted to make sure that he was kept out of range. Dwyane Wade, whose 28 points were his best of the postseason, duly took over, delivering a blistering first-half. “After coming off that last game with 49 points I knew that they were going to be aware of him and so I took it upon myself to be very aggressive early on and open the game up,” said Wade.
Usain Bolt is recovering from a foot injury
Usain Bolt to miss World Relays The inaugural IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 will feature some of the world’s top icons in athletics but the biggest headliner in the sport and the world’s fastest man will not be one of them. According to the Jamaica Observer, Usain Bolt was not selected by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association for the two-day meet in the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium as he continues to recover from a foot injury which has limited him all season. The 27-year-old world record holder in the 100m and 200m is set to run for the first time all season in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 17. The strong Jamaican team will still include sprint headliners Yohan Blake and Shelly Ann-Fraser Pryce as the country contests the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400m in the men’s division and the 4x100, 4x200m, 4x400m and the 4x800m in the women’s division. USA Track and Field announced their 55-member team for the event on Tuesday. The team will not feature current Olympic bronze medallists Justin Gatlin, Olympic 200m champion Allyson Felix or Olympic 100m silver medallist Carmelita Jeter. The US team will be headlined by LaShawn Merritt, Walter Dix and Sanya Richards-Ross. Approximately 800 athletes from 48 member federations are expected to compete at the inaugural edition of the event at the new stadium May 24-25.
Man City wins Premier League title for second time in 3 seasons
Manchester City’s Samir Nasri blows a kiss as he celebrates his goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and West Ham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday May 11, 2014.
MANCHESTER, England – Manchester City won the Premier League for the second time in three seasons on Sunday, completing its campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham that lacked any of the drama of its previous title. Unlike the stoppage-time comeback required in the 2012 title decider, goals either side of halftime by Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany provided a more serene end to what had been an exhilarating season. “You can’t repeat what happened last time,” City goalkeeper Joe Hart said. “This year, we’ve really come on strong at the end when we needed to.” Two years ago, City won the title on goal difference ahead of neighbor Manchester United
after coming from behind to beat Queens Park Rangers on the final day. Sunday’s victory, though, meant Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield was meaningless as City finished two points above the Merseyside club. As soon as the final whistle was blown, thousands of fans flooded onto the Etihad Stadium pitch, setting off blue flares. For a club that has spent so much time in the shadow of United – last year’s champion – it was just the fourth time in its 134-year history that fans could celebrate a league title. Just 15 years ago, City was playing in the third tier of English football, but the club’s fortunes were transformed after the influx of Abu Dhabi cash following a 2008 takeover.
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May 17TH - May 24TH, 2014