VOLUME 10 - No. 18
MAY 24TH - MAY 31ST, 2014
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GRAND OPENING FOR KEY WEST.
The 156-room Key West Luxury Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos Islands Resort and Spa officially opened with a great deal of fanfare and celebration on Sunday (May 18th) before a diverse and international crowd which included Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, her tourism minister Wykeham McNeill, the tourism minister for St. Lucia Lorne Theophilus and John Maginley, the tourism minister for Antigua & Barbuda. Here, Prime Minister Simpson Miller poses with, from left, Miss Turk and Caicos Universe Shanice Williams; Chairman for the Sandals Group Gordon “Butch” Stewart; Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing; and Her Excellency Deputy Governor, Anya Williams.
SEE FULL COVERAGE INSIDE.
STOP BUSINESS LICENCE RAISE PDM calls for consultation and review first
T
he Opposition People’s Democratic Movement have a negative impact on the business environment,” (PDM) is calling on the Dr. Rufus Ewing- the PDM stated. The opposition party said it believes that the led Government to halt plans to increase function of business licensing is “a regulatory one business licence fees. “We recommend that, in the interest of a stable and should not be used as a means of generating business environment, businesses in the country revenue”. The press statement continued: “Therefore, be allowed to operate under the current fees and categories until a proper study is conducted to the Government should model a system to reflect determine the impact the proposed changes will have this. An existing model might be that of the recent on the economy,” the PDM said in a press statement. requirement to register a company’s name with the The increase in business licences which has Financial Services Commission. The current fee is low sparked heated national debate, will take effect on and seems to be nothing more than a processing fee. A number of companies are experiencing difficulty July 1st, this year. “As a result of the economic down turn in the conducting business overseas as they are unable to economy over the past five years coupled with produce a valid business license due to the decision the slow growth of the United States economy, on not to allow businesses to renew there license until which we strongly depend, the proposed increases July 1st 2014. This needs to be address urgently.” The PDM said it agreed with the position of to business license…is untimely and will definitely
Growth in first quarter tourist arrivals – Page 7 Local CAA probes airplane ‘near miss’ – Page 9
businesses operating outside of Providenciales and Grand Turk should be given special consideration. “However, using the quantity approach like in the Motor Vehicle Rental and Leasing License is not the best way to achieve this. We recommend a straightforward approach like that which was used in the Stamp Duty rates structure,” the PDM stated. “A clear description of activities for each category of licenses is desperately needed as a vast number of people are confused about which category their business falls under, and/or how many different business licenses they are required to obtain. To avoid costly penalties, we recommend that business licenses follow the same structure as companies’ registry, in that when the licensing period has expired and the license is not renewed in a specified period of time, the license would be struck off or cancelled.”
PDM concerned about proposed changes to GSAT – Page 8
Continued on Page 2
Chief Economist to leave job
– Page 10
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
South dock neglected, poorly managed, unsafe and disgraceful by a concerned citizen
ISLANDCOM SHOWS PATRIOTISM: Islandcom staff turned heads over the weekend when they all decided to wear T-shirts bearing the face of sole National Hero JAGS McCartney to work. Many who saw them wearing the shirts queried how they could get one. Chandra Craig, Marketing and Procurement Specialist at Islandcom told The SUN that donning the shirts with the image of the national hero was Islandcom’s way of demonstrating their patriotism and love for the country. Here staff members display shirts with the face of the national hero, completed with the National Flag.
PDM: Stop business licence raise Continued from Page 1
“While we have offered the above observations and recommendations, we believe that the new regulations should be halted for consultation and review as demanded by the Good Governance Principles. “There is still time for the Government to conduct the proper consultation whether it is through Town Hall Meetings or a Blue Ribbon Commission comprised of person with vast business experience.” To support its case for a halting of the business licence increase, the PDM noted the following: • Presently most if not all businesses have seen drastic reduction in gross revenue. • Most businesses have not been able to recoup the losses experienced over the past few years. • Most businesses are still cash strapped. • New start-ups will view the new fees as a barrier to entry, especially in the professional fields. • The new structure will cause a multiplication of licenses as businesses which were conducting multiple activities under the same license will now have to obtain an additional license for each business activity, i.e. Taxi &Tour operators will now have obtain a taxi license and a tour license. • While we accept that some types of business licenses fees needed to be increased, significant increases in fees such as seen in the professional fields of Accountants, Architects and Lawyers from $675 to $5,400 is unreasonable. • The commercial space rental license is a one size fits all approach i.e. a two-story building in Blue Hills will pay the same $2000 license fee as IGA. • Manufacturing related licenses like bottling and canning operations should carry a low fee to encourage start ups. • Discrepancies between categories of licenses need to be addressed. What is the rationale of the stevedoring monopoly paying only $540 in business license fees whilst a single lawyer paying ten times that rate at $5,400 for their license The Opposition party said it believes the following activity of businesses should be in the
Reserve Category: 1. Motor Vehicle Rental & Leasing (more than 20 vehicles) 2. Dredging and Mining (including sand, oil and other minerals) 3. Marine Transport Local Cargo 4. Animal Husbandry 5. Geriatric Car and Home Services 6. Beauty Salons 7. Beauty Supply Store 8. Tire Shops 9. Landscaping/Nursery 10. Locksmiths 11. Casino & Gaming (stand alone) 12. Entertainment and Production Services 13. Event Planning and Coordination 14. Game Rooms/Game Parks 15. Movie, Video/Game Store/Rental 16. Photography 17. Slot Parlors 18. Bars (that do not form part of Hotel or Restaurant) 19. Accountancy and Book Keeping – Other (not professionally qualified) 20. Delivery & Auxiliary Services 21. Notary Public Services 22. Printing & Publishing (including supplies an equipment sales) 23. Secretarial &Administrative Services 24. Building Material Supply 25. Importer Other than Liquor 26. Leasing of Vending & Slot Machines 27. Water Sales –Other 28. Wholesale Liquor Importer 29. House Sitting 30. Warehouse and Storage Rentals According to the PDM, the following activity of businesses should NOT be in the Restricted Category: 1. Bottling & Canning Operations 2. Farming and Agriculture 3. Poultry Farming 4. Woodwork, Art and Crafts for Wholesale 5. Nursing Care Services 6. Interior Decorating and Designing (commercial & Industrial)
Since 1984 (some 30 years ago) the Caribbean International Bank/CIBC granted a loan to TCIG in the amount of $3.7 million to construct a berthing facility to safely accommodate cargo vessels at South Dock Providenciales. At present the port is in dire straits and is in desperate need of upgrades, expansion, dredging, lighting, resurfacing, safety devices and proper management. Statistical data confirms that 87 per cent of the entire imports for the TCI enter at the port of South Dock Providenciales. These imports support the various islands and cays such as Pine Cay, Dellis cay, Parrot Cay, North and Middle Caicos, West Caicos and Ambergris Cay. The port of South Dock Providenciales generates approximately $110,000 per week or $5.6 million per year (cargo dues at $12 per ton) from the various shipping companies that uses the port. This includes the containerized carriers, the fuel tankers, the bulk sand and aggregate barges, as well as the cement and blocks vessels. The $5.6 million income does not include customs import duty or stevedoring fees! In an article published by the TCI Sun News during October 2012, the headlines made mention of a study that was conducted by a group of experts and the final report clearly determined that the port at south dock was in a POOR state and was lacking proper maintenance and an upgrade was imminent. At present the port is in dire straits and cannot safely sustain the amount of marine traffic and cargo imports that are needed which is of key importance to the livelihood of our people including the future growth and development of these islands. Apparently the TCIG, The Port Authority, DEMA, The Planning Department, PWD are waiting to see the “HELL HOLE” port of south dock collapse and the 87 per cent of imports to these islands would be in jeopardy. The bureaucracy between these key government departments is at a peak and nothing seems to be getting done. Why can’t these various government departments simply get along and determine what areas of infrastructure need to be prioritized? I tip my hat to the TCIAA because they have modified and expanded the Providenciales International Airport to support existing and future traffic. There has been three expansions over the past 20 years and the airport terminal is presently undergoing a major expansion. This demonstrates vision, reinvesting, preparation for the future and protecting our economy and its people by having a modernized facility which we as well as our visitors deserve. This writer recommends that the TCOG identify financing or investors to have the following upgrades done at the port of South Dock Providenciales immediately: • Determine a master plan that will expand the port so that it will be able to accommodate the berthing and discharging of three cargo vessels at the same time. • The new design need to include minimum two roll on roll off Ramps so that barges and vessel loaded with bulk and heavy equipment can safely discharge their cargoes. • Dredge the entire port area to no less than 20 feet including the channel so that vessels can safely come to the port and maneuver during docking regardless of the weather or tide conditions. • Resurface the entire dock and cargo staging area with concrete or asphalt. • Install proper Lighting so that work can be done safely during nighttime operations. • Install proper navigation lights so that the captains of vessels can safely locate the dock at nighttime. • Install proper drainage. • Construct proper facilities that can assist with the processing, interrogation and deployment of illegal immigrants intercepted at sea by the marine task force. • Erect proper chain link fence with razor wire to safely protect the port boundaries. • Install CCTV surveillance cameras for the safe monitoring of all activity within the port area. • Initiate a proper garbage disposal program. At present the port of South Dock Providenciales can be described as: Neglected, Poorly managed, Unsafe, No vision, Disgraceful and an Eye sore. As a concerned citizen I urge the government (including the conflicted bureaucratic heads of government) to focus on our main sea port and devise a master plan that will upgrade and modify the port to provide immediate benefit to these Islands and well into the future.
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
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May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Robust growth in first quarter tourist arrivals
the European region reveals basket of our economy and the efforts 172,888 cruise passengers. The months Overall tourist arrivals 873 visitors from the United of both my Government and elected of January and February saw 95,517 to the Turks and Caicos Kingdom; 193 visitors Governments of the past have ensured and 72,862 cruise passenger arrivals Islands grew by 41% in the from France; 394 visitors that the industry runs like a well-oiled respectively, recording increases in first quarter of this year, from Italy; 69 visitors from machine. However, at the same time, cruise passenger arrivals of 23% and with robust growth recorded Germany and 360 visitors we must recognize that the continued 9% respectively when compared to the across all major source from other European success of the industry, well into the previous year. Moreover, the month markets. January, February future, remains dependent on the level of March welcomed 84,303 cruise nations. and March saw a combined The destination’s newest of service that we provide each and every passengers, a 187% increase over the total of 358,188 visitor source market, Brazil, one of our visitors to the islands. Our same period in 2013 which saw a three arrivals to the destination, recorded 515 stop-over hospitality must remain reflective of our week closure of the port. accounting for 104,437 more “We are impressed by these increases arrivals, an impressive high-end, luxury brand and must begin visitor arrivals than in the growth rate of 55% at the from the moment the guest engages the and look forward to another tremendous corresponding period in 2013. The combined number Director of Tourism, Ralph end of first quarter of 2014. travel agent to the moment they return year for the cruise sector. If all factors Increases in visitors from to their home. We must ensure that we, prove well and remains equal, we expect represents 105,506 stop- L. Higgs. the Eastern Caribbean immigration and customs officials, taxi the cruise sector to welcome 1 million over visitors and 252,682 have also been a noted trend. Stop-over drivers and residents throughout the visitors to the destination alone this visitors arriving by cruise ship. In a very strong start to the year, arrivals from the Caribbean region visit, continue to ensure the experience year,” said Higgs. The Turks and Caicos Hotel and stop-over arrivals to the Turks and in the first quarter of 2014 increased of our guests promote the values of Tourism Association (TCHTA) also Caicos surged by 30% compared to the 11% accounting for an additional 4,526 safety, security and service.” “These are wonderful results for the confirms that unaudited occupancy same period in 2013. The United States tourists. 1,007 stop-over arrivals visited was the leading market generator of the Turks and Caicos from the rest of destination, the country, the tourism figures amongst its members also show all stop-over arrivals to the Turks and the world, including countries in Asia, industry and the economy,” noted average increases of 30% for the first Director of Tourism, Ralph L. Higgs. “It quarter of 2014. Stacy Cox, Executive Caicos with a sum total of 82,739 stop- Africa and the Pacific. The Premier and Minister of Tourism, is a most encouraging sign that stop- Director of TCHTA stated that these are over arrivals during the first quarter of 2014, a 35% increase compared to the Culture and Heritage of the Turks and over arrivals growth came from all very encouraging numbers and pledged same period in 2013. The destination’s Caicos Islands, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. regions in the first quarter of the year. her Association’s continued support to second largest source market, Canada, Ewing said these numbers reflect the We are thrilled to see our overall arrival the Turks and Caicos Government and indicated a slight rebound with a total strength and authenticity of the Turks numbers for the first quarter of 2014 the Tourist Board in the efforts to grow of 14,830 stop-over arrivals during the and Caicos brand in international up 41%, and we are optimistic that tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands. A prolonged and blistering winter these numbers will continue to climb first quarter of 2014, an increase of 13% markets. “The Turks and Caicos brand has through the remainder of the year.” season for our North American visitors compared to the same period in the been a magnet to our guests who, upon Higgs continues, “The first quarter stop- is also to be thanked for the increases previous year. Stop-over arrivals from the European visiting the country once, are compelled over arrivals from Brazil alone nearly experienced during the first quarter. If markets also signified first quarter to come time and time again. These doubles the total visitors welcomed both land-based and cruise arrivals growth, with arrivals from the United numbers are not only impressive but from that market at the end of 2013. maintain its momentum the Turks and Kingdom and France increasing by 17% demonstrative that this jewel of ours With our recent relationship with CVC, Caicos could possibly see its best year and 86% respectively. Continuing on is no longer a secret, and in fact, is one and strengthen efforts with other tour yet. Moving forward the Tourist Board its upward trend, the Turks and Caicos of the most sought after destinations operators in Brazil, we expect to see more than doubled its stop-over arrivals in the region, and indeed the world.” exceptional growth from this region in will continue to increase its presence within the market place, embarking from Italy in the first quarter of 2014 Premier Ewing said that the country’s 2014.” During the first quarter of 2014, the on a series of travel and trade shows, when compared to the same period last economy has already begun the climb year. Collectively the European market towards recovery, and recognized the Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed sponsor and promotional events in the recorded 1,889 stop-over arrivals to the significance of the contribution that a total of 252,682 cruise passengers, a US, Canada, Europe and Brazil, and 46% increase over the same period in continue working with wholesalers and destination in the first quarter of 2014. these travelers make. “Tourism has always been the bread 2013 when the destination welcomed hotel partners to sell the destination. A breakdown in stay-over arrivals from
Former Premier mobbed at Haitian Flag Day celebration
The presence of former premier Michael Misick, at Butterfield Square in Providenciales on Saturday (May 12) almost trump the 211 Haitian Flag Day parade, as jubilant attendees mobbed him for mostly photograph purposes. The former premier, who has longed been classified as a huge supporter of the Haitian Community, appeared at starting point of the parade garbed in Haiti colours, and was immediately mobbed by both young and not so young, who jostled for the opportunity to take pictures with him. The former premier also joined in the rain-pelted motorcade from the Butterfield Square to the National Stadium, where a football match was held later in the evening. In the stands at the National Stadium, the former premier was also seen mingling in the crowd and allowing persons the opportunity to be photographed with him. During the football game, Misick’s named was harped upon as a means of acknowledgement by the match commentator Luckner Toussaint, who, at one point, told the huge crowd in French Creole that Misick was the one who pioneered the construction of the facility, which hosted the first only Carifta Track and Field Championship in 2007. One Haitian male teen, who was among the jockeying crowd downtown
A throng of supporters, mostly from the Haitian Community are all smiles as they are photographed with former Premier Michael Misick (fifth from left). Occasion was the 211 Haitian Flag Day celebration in Providenciales on Saturday (May 17, 2014). Providenciales, yearning to get himself photographed with Misick, was overheard saying that he and his family loved the ex-premier because he paved the way for his parents to obtain a piece of property on which they eventually built their dwelling. “Because of him, my parents was (sic) able to buy a piece of property. He did a lot for the Haitian people, and we respect him and his former ministers for that. We are happy that he joined us on the motorcade today. His presence today means that he believes that we,
the Haitian people, have a contribution to make in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the man said. Doreen Quelch-Stubbs, Head of the Human Rights Commission in the Turks and Caicos Islands also showed support for the Haitian Flag Day. She was seen greeting members of the local Haitian community and sharing pleasantries with them. Quelch-Stubbs was also seen snapping photos with the parade attendees. “I want to show my support for the local Haitian people on their Flag Day
celebration. Thank You,” the Human Rights Head said. The rain, which came in heavy downpour at times, could not stop the large parade, which journeyed from Butterfield Square to the National Stadium. The police-managed float truck, packed with Haitian coloursclad revelers, was one of the biggest attractions of the day. The rain seemed to have given the occupants of the truck more energy as the vehicle snaked it’s way along the highway, sandwiched by a stream of vehicles in front and behind.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
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.
5,000 Beaches guests visit Cultural Market since January, but vendors not feeling it Despite Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa reporting that since January this year, over 5,000 guests have exited its back gate to patronize vendors at the Cultural Marketplace, the peddlers said that they have not seen a reflection in sales. The vendors were giving their reaction shortly after Beaches officially cut the ribbon to officially open the facility on Monday (May 19, 2014), after renovating it, which included structural and aesthetics. Areas surrounding the faculty, which was once a dust bowl, are now paved. The vendors, though telling reporters that they are grateful for the magnificent facelift of the facility, said that they now want Beaches to funnel its guests to the market so that they can make sales. They complained that since the closing of a beach access road between the resort and the former Veranda, which Beaches has since purchased and incorporated within the resort as the Key West Luxury Village, they had more traffic to their facility. “We are happy that we have been able to open this craft market. We thank Beaches for it, but now we need to get guests. All we need from Beaches is
for them to put us on the list. Let the tourists know that we are there as Turks and Caicos Islanders. We need a day for us out here,” one vendor said, explaining that the resort needs to dedicate a day each week to the vendors at the facility. “Although the rent is so little, sometimes we can hardly pay it. Before the closing of the access road, we use to get a lot of tourists. We got the most from Beaches, but we used to get tourists from other places like Coral Gardens, Windsong and the Sands. But the entrance is closed now. I think if Beaches advertise us more guests who come through the gate would not have to stumble on us, but they would know that we are here, so they would be able to schedule their visit,” another vendor said. Responding to t the vendors concerns, Elanor Finfin Krzanowski, Head of Public Relations at Beaches Turks and Caicos Islands Resort and Spa, revealed that more than 5,000 of the resort’s guests have visited that location. She said Beaches continues to work with the vendors to see how best both parties can work together so that more of its guests patronize the facility. “Lots of work has gone on as far as
the physical infrastructure (of the craft market) is concerned; the asphalt, the painting of the building, lunch area, its huge. And of course, as responsible corporate citizen, it is something we take pride in. “In addition to this beautiful facility, we are doing everything we can to let our guests know that it is here and it is open and available. “Since January to today we have recorded over 5,000 guests coming through our back gate, as you know, as an all-inclusive resort, we have to record our guest activity especially if they are going off property,” she said. She revealed that the resort promotes the craft market with every chance it gets, and there has been ongoing dialogue to determine how relationship can be strength. “We do promote the cultural market, we have orientation with our guests twice a day, so as part of the orientation tour route, the craft market is actually one of them. We do have the daily newsletter that is published every day, and the cultural market is in it. “In addition, every Tuesday is Turks and Caicos Day here at Beaches Turks and Caicos, and we do invite 10 of the
craft market vendors to come through and sell their craft. However, who comes and who doesn’t get to come is up to the craft market organization,” she pointed out. Finfin Krzanowski added: “We are open to ideas; we are open to speak with the association to let us know how we can make it better, that is what we are all about. We always encourage them to let us know how we can be better. I come here as often as I can and ask how business is going and how they think we could make it better. Some of the suggestions have been actively put into motion.” In the meantime, some members of the public who were at the ceremony believe that the vendors could exercise more innovative salesmanship to make the guests, who patronize their wares more interested in buying. They explained that they could setup a sound system playing local music that could attract guests. They suggested also that the vendors could arrange for a particular day that to invite cultural performances and have Beaches place that particular day on the agenda on its weekly roster, so that it would be able to channel guests to the venue.
PDM concerned about proposed changes to GSAT by Clarence Selver PDM National Chairman
It has come to our attention that the Ministry of Education is making a major policy change to GSAT this year. The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Movement wishes to register our concern with regards to what is being proposed for the 2014 GSAT Examinations. At the outset we were advised from a reliable source that the changes being proposed for implementation with immediate effect, is being done without
consultation with all the stakeholders, including the teachers and parents. Up until now, the GSAT Examinations were written over a three day period and all interested parties (teachers, PTA and students) prepared themselves in keeping with this time frame. What is now being instituted is for the exams to be written over TWO days. The same volume of works will still be undertaken but it is the MATHS examinations that was split in two papers will now be sat as one paper for 2 ½ (two and one half hours). This
is a mammoth task for the 11 + year olds. They have not been prepared for an exam this long. We don’t think CXC has papers this long. This is far too long an examination and there are scientific reasons why it should not be done in this manner as we could see frustration, confusions, a feeling of heightened anxiety and diminishing returns as the exam progresses beyond the 1 ½ hour mark. There were no mock trials to inform students on time management techniques for papers with 2 ½ hours
duration. We there for sincerely urge the Ministry of Education to delay the change for another time when the Ministry would have consulted the stakeholder and the teachers be given an opportunity to prepare students to be examined for 2 ½ hours if it is still the decision to move in this direction. We further urge the government not to make this change simply for financial concerns in an attempt to save money and reduce the cost attached to the examinations.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Local CAA investigates Grand Turk airplane ‘near miss’ The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is investigating what some in the aviation industry are describing as a “near miss” involving two planes at the JAGS McCartney International Airport in Grand Turk recently. Tom Swann, Head of the Turks and Caicos Islands CAA told The SUN that his office is currently carrying out an investigation to figure out how this incident took place, and he hinted, that depending on the results, punitive action could be taken. Swann pointed out that the incident actually took place either on the tarmac or the runway of the airport and not in the air, as some in the public’s sphere have been claiming. “The incident, we understand, took place two weeks ago. None of them [planes] was actually in the air, the report we got and our investigation so far suggested that it was a ground incident. Yes, we have got a report that we are now carrying out some investigation on,” the Head of the CAA said. Swann did not give The SUN a timeline as to when he believes his investigation would end or what measures would be taken if a culpable party is identified.
Tom Swann
In the meantime, the Head of the local CAA said that he could not readily go on record to quantify whether or not the incident was a near miss, rather saying that the results from the investigation that his officer is currently
carrying out would prove whether or not it was so. “So far we know that there was an incident involving two aircrafts. Now I am not so sure whether or not the incident can be categorized as ‘near miss’ as such, but we are investigating the reported incident,” Swann said. He said that his investigation so far revealed that both planes are locallyoperated between the islands, but was not prepared to go on record to confirm the owner of the two craft and/or under whose umbrella they were flying. “They were two medium-sized aircrafts and they are both operated locally,” he said. The Turks and Caicos Islands is no stranger to aviation disasters. In December 26, 2005, a private flight carrying four young men – Carson Hoyte Garland, Paul Cartwright, Robert Cox, and Cleverson Forbes – crashed shortly after taking off in South Caicos, killing all four passengers onboard. In 2007, in the height of the general election campaign, beloved pilot Donnie “Shuez” Gardiner died after his flight from Providenciales to North Caicos for a political meeting, crashed. His passengers, however, survived with varying injuries.
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.
Gardiner, together with his brother, Lyndon Gardiner, built what is now known as InterCaribbean Airways. He was posthumously honoured by his brother and the company with his name being emblazoned on the first plane that was rebranded from Air Turks and Caicos to Caribbean Airways.
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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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Chief Economist Dr. Ubaldus Raymond to leave job
The SUN understands that government’s chief economist St. Lucian national Dr. Ubaldus Raymond will not seek to renew his contract with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government when it expires in the summer. At this point is unclear as to why Raymond, a former senator and parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs in the St. Lucian government, is parting ways with the local government. Speculation is that Raymond could have declined the contract renewal to clear the way for returning to his homeland in time for him to prepare for the next general elections which are constitutionally due in 2016. Elections were last held in November 2011, and it is speculated that a return to St. Lucia now could bolster Raymond’s chances to secure the right to represent a constituency and eventually a parliamentary seat. It is understood that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is already on the hunt for Raymond’s replacement for Raymond by the placement of adds in the local media. The SUN reached out to Raymond, but was told that he is currently on
vacation for the next several weeks, and on his return, will leave the job in August. When Raymond, a member of the Dr. Kenny Anthony-led St. Lucia Labour Party government, resigned from government in 2012, to take up the chief economist job in the Turks and Caicos, many of his well-wishers, including those in the party, never gave up hope that he would return to serve in that country’s government once again. In fact, Leo Clarke, General Secretary for the Party insisted that Raymond was still a member of the entity, saying that Raymond reiterated his commitment to being a member of the party. He said that Raymond’s resignation was merely a matter of him seizing the opportunity to advance his personal career by taking up the post in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Raymond, who lost his bid to represent a constituency in the capital Castries, was routed to government through the senate as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs. And Clarke believes that Raymond is not giving up hope of returning to elective politics soon. “I don’t believe that Dr. Raymond;
at least he has not expressed yet that he has separated himself from the community that he attempted to represent. And in our modern world, staying in touch with community, staying in touch with people isn’t necessarily require at all times your physical presence,” Clarke said in an interview with a local television station in 2012. It is not clear however, as to whether or not some in the party would welcome Raymond with open arms or treat him as a pariah, based on his sometimes harsh criticisms of the Dr. Kenny Anthony government, especially on fiscal matters. After resigning from the party and accepting the chief economist job here, he told a St. Lucia TV host that the administration had implemented failing policies. “Are we moving into a private sectorled economy, which I think is the right way to go? I have not seen that kind of approach in terms of moving in that direction. I have concerns about that,” he said. Raymond is the holder of the Ph. D. degree in Development Economics and a former senior economist in the Department of Environment in Washington D.C.
Turks and Caicos Islands outgoing Chief Economist Dr. Ubaldus Raymond.
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 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 11
LOCAL NEWS
Turks and Caicos begins sovereign credit rating process Unity and prudence were the will be used to pay bond holders, and every year, these monies being Minister of Finance’s watchwords leaving a net guaranteed debt lost to our public spending plans for as he briefed the House of Assembly today of $121 million. Through years to come.” The House also heard how the on the Turks and Caicos Islands the TCI Government’s continued (TCI) strategic refinancing strategy good governance and new revenue first step in the refinancing had last week, Friday, May 16th, 2014. measures it is hoped to have already begun with the appointment The Hon. Washington Misick’s between $80-100 million in the of global rating agency Standard & briefing took place as the TCI sinking fund by 2016, leaving $80- Poor’s to issue TCI’s first sovereign enters into a crucial 18 month 100 million of debt that requires to credit rating in summer 2014. Once this rating is published the period during which the country be refinanced. “Our proposed revenue measures TCI Government plans to start will achieve its own sovereign credit rating and take on responsibility will be used to ensure that the TCI to rebuild its reputation with the for its outstanding debt in February runs a budget surplus, which in international finance markets so as 2016 when the current UK loan addition to helping to pay down the to obtain a refinancing package on debt, demonstrates to the global the best terms available in 2016. guarantee expires. The UK loan guarantee was Members from across the House finance community that the TCI and those in the public gallery is a well governed, responsible calculated in 2011 as follows: repay heard initially how the original nation, that they can lend to with inherited TCIG bank loans ($77.9 $260m UK loan guarantee was confidence,” said Minister Misick. million); repay DFID’s short term “That is why we very much welcome loan used to fund government calculated in 2011. Without this UK guarantee the recent joint approach of the salaries ($48.1 million); repay no lenders were prepared to offer Government and the Opposition unpaid bills ($33.8 million); financing to the TCI, and the in tackling our debts promptly and refinancing fees ($0.4 million); and to provide TCIG with a cash interest rates of between 0.5% and prudently. “We owe it to our children and ‘float’ ($4.8 million); totalling 3.2% were lower than those that TCI had previously been able to our children’s children to secure approximately $170 million. It also then made allowances access independently, saving the the very best refinancing package country millions of dollars between that we can for these Islands. We for potentially refinancing old must continue upon our course high interest bonds ($30 million), the years 2011-2016. Although the UK guarantee is of prudent financial stewardship the projected 2011/12 deficit ($32 for $260 million, TCI has drawn for our future generations. If we million) and some ‘headroom’ of on $179 million of this facility do not we will have to pay higher $28 million), taking total available to date. It has already paid $58 rates which cost all of us millions of debt under the guarantee to $260 million into the sinking fund which dollars in additional interest each million.
Hon. Washington Misick.
POSITION AVAILABLE The Salvation Army in the Turks and Caicos Islands is seeking to fill the position of
CORPS AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER The Corps and Development Officer is The Salvation Army’s principal officer in the Turks and Caicos Islands, under the administration of The Salvation Army Bahamas and Turks and Caicos headquarters located in Nassau, The Bahamas. Candidates for the position • Must be a commissioned and ordained officer of The Salvation Army • Must subscribe to the Mission, objectives and values of The Salvation Army as an international religious and charitable organization. • Must have a minimum of five years experience in Salvation Army ministry and service, including pastoral, administrative, programme, community development and social service functions. • Should have excellent interpersonal, organizational and negotiating skills. • Should possess a high level of oral and written communication skills. • Should have attained more than average proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes Suites. Essential Functions Include • The continuing development and management of all ministries, programmes, services and other functions of The Salvation Army in the Turks and Caicos Islands. • Undertaking advanced pastoral, business and administrative duties and functions • Plan, develop and manage community funding and capital development projects. • Maintain ongoing liaison with regional and international office and personnel. Applicants for the position are kindly requested to submit a letter of application, a full resume and not less than two contacts for references. Documentation should be addressed to: The Divisional Commander and sent via e-mail to salarmy@ coralwave.com by 30th June 2014.
Provo Air Center Is seeking a
RAMP AGENT • Over 5 years experience in maneuvering heavy duty equipment e.g. (pushing and towing aircraft). • Experience in general handling of General Aviation. Narrow body and wide body and wide body aircraft. • Awareness Certification of acceptance/refusal of hazardous material as per IATA regulations. • Comprehensive knowledge in the operation of all ground service • Equipment (GSE) Salary commensurate with experience. Position requires the following: • Excellent command of the English language – reading, writing and speaking. • Good communication skills and team player • Detail oriented & organized individual • Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays. • Clean police record • Able to work under pressure Belongers need only apply. Interested persons should apply to HR@flyairtc.com Or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040. No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Butch Stewart underscores importance of Beaches airlift Chairman of the Sandals/Beaches chain of hotels, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, took attendees at the opening of Key West Luxury Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos on a fascinating journey into the evolution of airlift to the Turks and Caicos. Each week, dozens of flights from different parts of the world grace the Providenciales International Airport, but the hotel magnate said it was not always like that when Beaches Turks and Caicos opened 15 years ago. He told the audience that since there was one flight a day, his hotel survived on charter flights that he had to pay for. “In Turks and Caicos, when we get here, we started with a hotel of a 150 bedrooms, and we have expanded that. We chartered airplanes because there was only one flight a day - American Airlines from Miami to Providenciales. And there were not enough airlifts for us to expand. “I went to Continental Airlines and chartered planes. They had first class seating, and we flew airplanes from Boston (Massachusetts) to Providenciales; New York Kennedy to Providenciales; from New Ark, New Jersey to Providenciales; form Philadelphia to Providenciales; and Chicago for a while and Atlanta, for
a while, for four and a half years,” Stewart reminisced. “It cost us a lot of money, it took a lot of effort. Some of the people here tonight are people that worked to keep those charters floating. Having not chartered the planes we would not have been able to expand this hotel,” he added. He said that based on Beaches’ initiative to charter the planes here, tourists who arrive on these shores fall in love with the country and his property, and interest continued to build, to the extent that the routes became profitable for the airlines. And when he decided to yank the charter flights, commercial airlines quickly placed regular scheduled flights from the key markets to the Turks and Caicos route. Stewart said that he was happy that Beaches, for more than a decade now, has played a significant role in the Turks and Caicos Islands economy by providing jobs and tax contribution to government coffers. “This hotel contributes to the Turks and Caicos (economy). I hope it strengthens our Beaches brand and the Sandals Brand, and I really hope by doing that it helps to strengthen our organization that we can help
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD
HAB Management Limited is seeking suitably qualified individuals to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.
PUBLIC AREA SUPERVISOR Job Summary
Responsible for the daily cleaning of the hotel property and its public areas as well as other designated areas to ensure that they are cleaned and maintained according to hotel standards.
Requirements
• Should have experience in the housekeeping department of a 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.
more and more people throughout the Caribbean,” he said. Stewart said that he has received support from successive local administrations. He said that the support was as a result of the administrations knowledge of the importance of tourism and the role it plays in the stability of the local economy. “The story of Turks and Caicos is a magnificent story. It is a magnificent story of the people we have come in touch with – the number of people here that have assisted us. It is like Jamaica. I get so much help from Jamaica without asking, it is unbelievable, also in the Caribbean. I find it right through the islands. Stewart said that the Sandals/ Beaches chain of hotels loves to invest in its staff, hence the establishment of its university programme, which he said has helped dozens of staff to achieve higher education. “We started the university on the job training. No organization in the entire Caribbean has ever started a university on the job training, where the students – the staff that make up our hotel – actually get degrees of the magnitude of MBA’s etc. etc., in the hospitality industry,” he said.
Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart
He noted also that the Sandals Foundation – the charitable arm of the chain – has assisted more than 200,000 people so far. Commenting specifically on the opening of the newest element of the property, Stewart said that Key West has added balance to the other villages on the property. “This operation here at Key West Village, complements the Italian Village, the French Village and the Caribbean Village. All in all, this is one of the most attractive resorts anywhere in the world. The people that come here are some of the wealthiest people in the world. “The scores that this resort gets under the leadership of Don Dagenais (general manager) and the incredible staff that he has here are over the top. It gets better and better. It has got 19 restaurants; it is a tough resort to run,” Stewart acknowledged.
OASIS DIVERS
is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions. The successful applicants must:
RESTAURANT CAPTAIN - Have at least 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry with at least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory position - Be at least 30 years old - Have a clean criminal record - Have a valid passport - Have previous experience with MICROS POS systems - Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment - Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business
SERVERS / BARTENDERS - Have at least 5 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, experience in the tourism would be an asset - Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment - Be well spoken with English as primary language - Have a valid passport - Be at least 25 years old - Have a clean criminal record - Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business
BEACH ATTENDANTS - Have a clean criminal record - Have a valid passport - Hold a valid certification in CPR and First Aid - Have at least 3 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. - Must be able to swim - Must be physically fit and well presented with a trustworthy and reliable disposition - Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills with English as primary language - Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders Written applications only and accompanying CVs/resumes must be addressed to the Manager at the following address: Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1 Church Folly PO Box 86 Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Islands
OASIS DIVING, LTD. c/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. Phone: 649-946-1128 Fax: 649-946-1128 Email: oasisdiv@tciway.tc
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 13
LOCAL NEWS
Crime level calls for fingerprinting, biometric laws by Vivian Tyson Citing that the level of crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially against tourists, has reached an intolerable level, Member of Parliament for the Blue Hills Constituency Hon. Goldray Ewing, has planned to pilot a private member’s motion through the House of Assembly for government to enact fingerprinting and biometrics law. Ewing insisted that the crime situation calls for such a law to be enacted in order for the police to have a better handle crime-fighting. “Due to the number of crimes being committed in the Turks and Caicos, it is a motion that we expect to bring to the House of Assembly, due to the question that I ask in the House of Assembly last year. I asked the Attorney General, to find out if there was any consideration to bring about fingerprinting and biometric laws on board to better fight crime. And the answer was no. “The reason why the question was asked was that we see where there is an escalation in crime. We saw what was happening, and to combat that, you need better tools and equipment,”
he said. He said that the recent police statistics released earlier this year showing that crime is on the increase warrants the need for fingerprinting and biometrics laws to come into effect. “After the police came out with the statistics on crime, I decided that I wasn’t going to wait any longer for them (government) to make up their mind, I would agitate the water and bring it to the House of Assembly to see how the House of Assembly feels about it,” he said. Ewing said that the drafting of the motion has already been done and should have been heard in the House at the last sitting, but time elapsed before it could be heard. “Last month I drafted the motion and sent it to the House. It was on the agenda for the last meeting of the House but due to time constraint, we were not able to get to it. But I thought the public should know that there is more that we can do to fight crime, and we should use any means necessary deploy out there to fight crime. “Crime is not pretty, crime is very expensive, and if this country is going to develop continuously, develop successfully, we have to be able to put
a lid on crime,” he said. Ewing said that he knows for a fact that there are persons in the TCI that have committed crime elsewhere before coming here, and as soon as the country enacts laws to identify those individuals, the crime situation would not be addressed adequately. “We have a lot of people within our country that might have a past record in another country, and they refuse to give up personal information like biometrics information because they don’t want their past to catch up with them. Well, the buck stops here. If your live here, if you work here you must decide to give up certain information so we could compile a good database so that everybody would be accounted for. If you are not accounted for when a crime is committed, then it leaves a gap in the system. We don’t want that,” he said. Ewing accused the government, headed by his brother, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, of protecting special interests, while allowing the country to rot due the infestation of crime. “We can’t be protecting special interest groups. We got to be protecting the country and its people and our industry. It is a crying shame to see all
Hon. Goldray Ewing.
these crimes being committed against tourists, and it seems like it is normal. It can’t be normal. For this country to be successful in the area of tourism we need to put a lid on crime; we need to shut it down,” he said.
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
Page 14
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
ADVERTISE LOCAL NEWS WITH US
SPACE FOR RENT
p Affordable rates p Conveniently located on Airport Road
New ly
R efurbis h ed Call: (649) 946-4701 Airport Plaza, Airport Road, Providenciales VANITA MCKLEAN ROBINSON SEEKS
SUSAN GARDINER SEEKS
Suitable for stores, salons, office space and more
Villa Oasis Needs
1 ONE ONE DOMESTIC DOMESTIC Handyman WORKER WORKER
To work 5 days per week Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 649-241-6277
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 241-2076
HARVEST BARBERSHOP
S&G Contracting
1 BARBER
seeks
SEEKS
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.
NORTH CAICOS ADVENTURE SEEKS
1 DOMESTIC WORKER Salary $5.00 per hour
THE PINNACLE SEEKS
LABOURERS & GARDENERS
ONE Handyman
Interested persons should Contact: 343-1210
Interested persons should Contact: 231-2185
Interested persons should contact 941 4006
DARPHNEY WILLIAMS
NEEDED
At Slots of Fun
SEEKS
1 HOUSEKEEPER
A Domestic Worker/ Babysitter Kitchen Helper
Salary $6.00 per hour
Cashiers Needed
Must have a clean police record and willing to work late hours
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 241-0574
HANDY’ PRO MAINTENACE is looking for
One Labourer Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 242-0388
Contact 946-7425
NEEDS
Salary $6.00 per hour
Salary commensurate with experience
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 346-4642
NEEDS
Island Escapes (TCI) Ltd.
1 Painter, Mason, Carpenter, Electrician, and Labourer
1 plumber Please submit resumes at: 7 Emily House, 1105 Leeward Highway, Providenciales
Deluxe Maintenance and Contracting Services
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.
***POSITIONS AVAILABLE***
ALL ABOUT YOU BEAUTY SALON
Contact 241-7278
Butterfield Gold
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
Employment ATTENDANT opportunities WANTED GAS PUMP
for a PADI certified dive master who also holds boat captains license,
one labourer, one domestic worker.
Needed with experience
All positions require persons to live and work in Salt Cay. Must be customer service oriented and enjoy working with tourists.
Starting salary $6.00 per hour Please call 649-941-7366
Contact Debbie at 6492411009 or email scdivers@tciway.tc
SEEKS
1 SALES CLERK
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 231-3892 Albert Cleaning Services is seeking a
Labourer
Salary
$5.00 per Hour
CONTACT 231-6167
$5.50 per hour. Contact (649)243-7785
May 24TH - May 31ST, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 15
LOCAL NEWS
Villa Renaissance awarded 2014 TripAdvisor certificate of excellence
Villa Renaissance, Turks and Caicos Islands recently received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Establishments awarded the Certificate of Excellence are located all over the world and represent the upper echelon of businesses listed on the website. When selecting Certificate of Excellence winners, TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the honorees that takes into account reviews ratings. Businesses must maintain an overall TripAdvisor rating of at least four out of five. Additional criteria include a business’ tenure and popularity ranking on the site. “This is a marvelous achievement for our luxury boutique hotel. Villa
Villa Renaissance, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Renaissance Staff have worked exceptionally hard since the resort opened ten years ago to provide excellence in value and service. We
will continue to strive for the quality that has become expected of us, with our goal being to make sure we secure this award for 2015 and future
years. We’d also like to thank all of our past guests who have taken the time to complete a review on Trip Advisor, there is no greater seal of approval
than being recognized by one’s customers,” said Operation Manager, Junior Carter. Unlike any other hotel awards programs in the world, TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice® winners are based on the opinions of millions of real and unbiased reviews posted by the world’s largest travel community. TripAdvisor TripAdvisor® is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching nearly 260 million unique monthly visitors, and more than 150 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 39 countries worldwide, including China.
Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala have vacancies for the following positions:
Assistant Financial Controller To assist the Financial Controller in applying financial, commercial and business input into the management of the hotel operations to ensure that optimum performance is achieved. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following: • Preparation of monthly Management Accounts and commentary up to review stage by agreed deadlines. • Assist the Financial Controller with any other aspects of the accounts as required. • Preparation of certain Balance Sheet Reconciliations as directed for review by the Financial Controller. • Review of reconciliations prepared by other accounts staff as directed. Processing of adjusting entries in the books as required during the following month. • Keep the General Ledger Trial Balance up-to-date on a month by month basis. • Preparation and review of General Ledger Trial Balance at month-end for subsequent review by Financial Controller. • Preparation and posting of Journal Vouchers as required. • Assist the Financial Controller in the maintenance of and compliance with proper internal control procedures as set out in financial policies and procedures, both within the Accounts Department and throughout the hotel. • Assist in the implementation of recommendations for changes/procedures in such procedures as set out in Internal Audit Reports. • Provide assistance to the external auditors at the time of their annual visit and on other occasions during the year as required. • Preparation of schedules and other information as directed by the Financial Controller. • Other ad-hoc work of a financial nature concerning the hotel that may be required from time to time as directed by the Financial Controller. • Post invoices in Accpac according to Accpac procedures. • Work with Receiving and Purchasing to ensure requisitions and purchase orders are cleared through the Accpac system. • Change General Ledger codes on invoices submitted by departments as necessary to ensure the invoice is coded to the correct G/L account. • Payments to suppliers in a timely manner. • Review the A/P aging report prior to processing payments. • Review vendor statements and notify any vendor immediately if missing an invoice that is posted on their statement. • Ensure all invoices are posted at month end in the allotted time frame. • Leave any outstanding invoices that need to be accrued with the Financial Controller.
• Advise and give assistance where required to members of other departments on all relevant financial aspects of the operation. • Ensure that due regard is paid to the operational requirements of the hotel in all aspects of Accounts Department for which directly responsible. • Where required by the Financial Controller, to give assistance in particular operational matters, such as participation in stock takes and accounting for special functions. • Above all, to assist the Financial Controller in maintaining the high profile of the Accounts Department within the operation by ensuring a regular presence in Front of House areas. This will include participation by the Assistant Financial Controller in Duty Management. • Maintain a positive and professional work attitude towards all employees and Guest The successful candidate must have: • Must have a Bachelors degree or equivalent in accounting • Must have at least 5 years of previous experience as an assistant financial controller • At least two years hotel cost controller experience. • Must be competent in the use of the following computer applications: Microsoft Excel and word. Preference for knowledge of other accounting or inventory control related software such as Sun Systems or Micros Inventory Control. The successful candidate will be required to work public holidays and weekends and must reside on Parrot Cay. LINE POSITIONS: Reverse Osmosis, Water Plant Operator Estates Attendant Turndown Attendant Butler Chef de Partie Food & Beverage Server Bartender Spa Attendant Private Estates Housekeeping Attendant
Pilates Instructor Recreation Attendant Electrician Housekeeping Supervisor Commis Chef Food & Beverage Supervisor Massage Therapist Supervisor Spa Attendant Carpenter
Salaries for these positions will be paid base on qualification and experience. Please note that all application must be submitted with a valid Police Record, two reference letters from previous employers or a notary public and current educational certificates. Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview. Forward your resume to the Human Resources Department at the following address: Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala P.O. Box 164 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Ph: (649) 946 7788, Fax: (649) 946 7749 Email: careers.parrotcay@comohotels.com
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LOCAL NEWS
Beaches TCI is Caribbean’s only Six Star property Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa has been bestowed with the envious distinction of being the only Six Star property in all of the Caribbean, thanks to the American Academy of Hospitality Science – the authority of world-wide resorts ratings. The honour was given at the opening of the Key West Luxury Village on the Beaches property on Sunday (May 18, 2014). The president of the academy, Joseph Cinque, flew into the Turks and Caicos Islands to make the presentation himself, to owner of the resort chain, Gordon “Butch” Stewart. Cinque, who also brought greetings from resort, real estate and entertainment magnate, Donald Trump, lauded Stewart for his vision to make the Sandals/Beaches chain the revered establishment that it is. “This “Butch” Stewart never stops, not for a minute. He keeps putting it back in, and each property keeps getting better and better. No one would have invested what he did in the Caribbean, not even close. I spoke to Donald (Trump), and Donald Trump and I think the world “Butch” Stewart; and Donald sends his congratulations. Anywhere you go, Donald speaks highly of all his properties, and for Donald to do that (send his congratulations to Stewart) and not mentioned his, that is something, because everything is about Donald,” Cinque said. The American Academy of
The President of the American Academy of Hospitality Science, Joseph Cinque (far left) congratulates Gordon “Butch” Stewart (second left) on the achievement of the Six Star Property status. Sharing in the moment are Beaches employees, who display the plaques signifying the elite achievement.
Hospitality Science head said that he was awed by the level of meticulous luxury built into the Key West Village, in addition to the warmth highly professional staff. “I must say the Key West Luxury Village property is outstanding. The minute I got here, the way they extend the professional courtesy in every way; the food, the service, phenomenal,”
Cinque emphasized. The 156-room Key West Luxury Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos Islands Resort and Spa, which brings the total room capacity at the property to 758, officially opened with a great deal of fanfare and celebration, and before a diverse and international crowd, which included Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, her
tourism minister Wykeham McNeill, the tourism minister for St. Lucia Lorne Theophilus and John Maginley, the tourism minister for Antigua & Barbuda. Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, and members of his cabinet and Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson and other opposition members also attended the event.
IMMEDIATE OPENING COSMETOLOGIST
Requirements: •Prior experience working as a Cosmetologist in the spa department in a luxury resort •Excellent communication skills •Ability to understand the guest, internal and external, and meet and exceed the needs of both the guest and the company •Ability to provide genuine service through actions that display self-confidence, grace and courtesy to guests and colleagues •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: •Provides consistent professional hair treatments in accordance with spa protocols and accepted certification practices •Complete knowledge and understanding of all services and products while educating guests in these areas •Possess and maintain knowledge of current hairstyles and trends •Assist in inventory •Upholding the standards of sanitation and sterilization as directed by law and the spa’s policies and procedures •Performing prep work and properly cleaning and restocking work area as required •Must be able and willing to work all day and shifts Starting salary $5.50 per hour not including service charge and tips.
LABOURER
Duties Include: • General laborer duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager. • Willingness to work varying schedules, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays. Starting Salary $5.25 per hour not including service charge.
KITCHEN/LAUNDRY MECHANIC
Requirements: • Minimum 3 years experience of experience. • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience. • Knowledge and experience in repair and maintenance including preventative maintenance of property
systems and equipment. • To be an independent kitchen laundry mechanic, able to analyze problems, to read technical data sheets and diagrams for mechanical and electrical equipment and to formulate plans to get work done quickly, including procurement of materials, parts, etc., and necessary scheduling arrangements with a high degree of quality. • Ability to speak effectively with customers and associates read and write and interpret documents and technical wiring diagram information sheets as well as safety rules (lockout tagout), safety awareness information (MSDS) operating and maintenance and instructions manuals. Duties include: • Maintain proper preventative maintenance to laundry equipment and boilers. • Maintain proper amount of chemical injection on boiler feed tank and proper conductivity at boilers. • Preventative maintenance to steam traps and steam lines Starting salary $7.00 per hour not including service charge.
RESTAURANT SUPERVISOR
Requirements: • 3 year experience as a restaurant supervisor working in a branded luxury resort • Post secondary graduate or equivalent qualification by experience Duties Include: • Supervises the operation of assigned restaurants and/or lounges • Coordinates the set-up of restaurant and lounge areas in accordance with Regent’s standards • Confirms daily specials and new menu additions with the Executive Chef • Oversees the food and beverage service provided in assigned outlet; coaches employees on effective service and food presentation techniques • Inspects assigned restaurants and lounge areas on an on-going basis and takes appropriate steps to ensure facilities meet or exceed resort standards at all times • Conducts daily pre-shift meetings to discuss specials, house count, reservations and new menu items • Takes over the responsibilities of the manager during his/her absence • Feedback to the employee and department manager on the employee’s performance • Provide employees with the information and tools needed to perform their job effectively • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary 8.50 per hour, not including service charge and tips.
Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to marjorie.dorsett@regenthotels.com, no later than end of day Friday, June 6th, 2014.
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LOCAL NEWS
My healthcare experience As my Facebook friends would know, I have posted on my page my loss of 30 pounds several months ago due to exercise and the use of the My Fitness Pal App. Well since then, I started to feel some discomfort in both shoulders. I ignored it at first but then I thought to myself, “You pay NHIB every month, boy get your tail to the hospital and check it out”. Mind now, I never thought to just stop exercising so much, but I digress. I made my appointment, went on the date, paid $10 and saw Dr. Dawn O’Sullivan and got checked out. I was diagnosed with a slight rotator cuff injury of both shoulders i.e. some weakness of the muscles.
Next up: Electrotherapy. Have you seen clips of Bruce Lee hooked up to a machine with his shirt off, typing and his muscles pulsing? Well, that was me, but without the typing; just pulsing shoulder muscles because the muscles in that area were weak and needed strengthening. It made sense, since my primary exercise routine included jumping jacks, pushups, and triceps dips, all of which involve movement of the shoulders in one direction or the other.
by Jamell Robinson She recommended that I start physiotherapy ASAP. But the problem was, I was about to head to Grand Turk for Easter with my family for 10 days, so I couldn’t start right away. Problem solved. Ms. Shareel Dixon, the Physiotherapist at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center contacted her counterpart Ms. Camille Marshall in the Cockburn Town Medical Center and I was good to go for my appointment over my Easter holiday. I got to Grand Turk and went to my first appointment, paid my $10, and waited for Ms. Marshall. What took place from then to now has been one of my best customer service experiences in my life. Ms. Marshall proceeded with a 45-minute or so consultation with me about the ins-and-outs of my injury, giving tips for healing especially exercise less, etc. Then the hooking me up to multiple machines began. First up: the Therapeutic Ultrasound. Yes, Ultrasound. I thought the same thing you might be thinking; I don’t have a baby in my shoulders so where is she going with that clear gel! Turns out it was to speed up the
healing of the muscle tissues in my shoulders, which she explained to me. Next up: Electrotherapy. Have you seen clips of Bruce Lee hooked up to a machine with his shirt off, typing and his muscles pulsing? Well, that was me, but without the typing; just pulsing shoulder muscles because the muscles in that area were weak and needed strengthening. Next up: Short Wave Diathermy. More muscle healing. So two-and-half hours after I got to hospital, I was finished with my first physiotherapy session. I squeezed in one more session in Grand Turk before starting in Provo where the great service continued. On the Provo end, I was started on a targeted exercise regime on my shoulders, medically called Therapeutic Strengthening Exercises, followed by 15 minutes under heating pads, paying $10 for each session. So why did I take the time to tell you all this? Especially stressing the $10 co-payments throughout? Simply, we often make the most public fuss when something goes wrong, but do not say thank you when they go right. Think of the media coverage when Malaysian Flight MH370 went missing. But have you ever thought about the thousands of successful flights on that route and others that happen daily without incident that go unmentioned? I know something about insurance, and I view the $10 co-pay as nothing more than a very small deductible to ensure there is little abuse of the system. Anyone with private medical insurance knows if they did the same procedures I did, their out-of-pocket
expense/deductible would be far greater, even though they would have paid a yearly premium to have the coverage. No, I’m not saying good things about the hospitals because of my father. Royal S. Robinson has no problem defending his involvement in the project without the need for my help. Here’s a rough breakdown of the cost of services I had: Physiotherapy consultation: $135 $160 an hour Therapeutic Ultrasound: $50-75 per 15-minute session. Electrotherapy: 50-$75 per session Short Wave Diathermy: 50-$75 per session Personal Trainer: - $75-100 per session in the TCI Total Cost for 7 visits: $785-$1,085… All for $60. You do the Math. So at the end of the day am I saying the hospital is perfect? No! Nothing is, and I’m sure improvements can be made to service delivery. I’m just saying I had a great experience with the Physiotherapy team and I had hoped to put this in perspective. We have what President Obama and Democrats have been fighting for decades for in the USA, Universal HealthCare. The management and delivery of our HealthCare might need improving but it must, and will, happen over time. The idea of Universal Health Care still holds water here in the TCI. Thanks again to Camille and Shareel for the excellent health care experiences that I got in Grand Turk as well as Providenciales.
JELLYBEAN INC.
We are seeking suitable applicant to fill the following opening:
Executive Director We are looking for a highly self motivated professional who possesses a keen interest in hospitality with the ability to effectively manage a well established luxurious five star golf resort on an island. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following: • Minimum 8 years of Hotel management of an Out Island resort including managing startup and growth. • Effective running of the day-to-day operation of the hotel while ensuring that all cost effective measures are enforced. • Maintain a positive and professional work attitude towards all employees and guest. • Attending to the needs of all internal and external guests with a drive to meet and exceed expectations as well as providing top quality services to all guests while achieving the goals of the organization. Salary is based on qualifications and experience Fax: (649)941-3446/941-8388 Application Deadline 5th June 2014
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FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT
To provide support to the Manager of Financial Services in the management of the financial, regulatory, parent company and other external reporting. Provide accurate plant financial and statistical data in order for management to make timely and informed decisions concerning financial performance of the business. Manage critical areas in the financial operations on the Work Order Systems, Inventory To provide support to the Manager of Financial Services in the management of the financial, Management and Fixed Assets to ensure that they are in accordance with established guidelines and procedures.
reg company and other external reporting. Provide accurate plant financial and statistical data in order for Main Duties make timely and informed decisions concerning financial performance of the business. Manage criti General Accounting: financial operations on the Work Order Systems, Inventory Management and Fixed Assets to ensure accordance with established guidelines and procedures. • Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all account reconciliations and monthly management reports. • Monitor performance indicators, highlighting trends and analyzing causes of unexpected variances in all areas of revenues, expenses and capital. • Ensure that all corporate policy changes are incorporated in the accounting process according to the guidelines set. • Provide major support in financial reporting as regards compliance with US GAAP. • Responsible for providing financial requirements to all stakeholders (parent company, internal, external, financial institutions, CARILEC and other interested parties) • Oversee the preparation of US GAAP compliant financial statements for submission to external auditors and Fortis Inc. • Perform quality assurance review of all financial information before submission to internal and external stakeholders and responsible for all consolidated reports of FortisTCI Limited and TCU. • Responsible for the preparation of regulatory reports and annual government questionnaires • Ensure that the vendor master file is updated and appropriately documented. • Responsible for internal and external audit activities as required. • Ad-Hoc Reporting and Financial Analysis Plant Accounting: • Closely coordinate and provide assistance to key departmental personnel to ensure that all asset acquisition, sale, retirement, and other disposals are accounted for, recorded and fully supported with appropriate documentation and authorization. • Closely coordinate with all heads of department, ensuring that all completed self-constructed projects are tracked and recorded accurately and in a timely manner. • Actively participate in the annual budget process by ensuring that the provision of capital and depreciation information are updated, complete and based on reliable assumptions and data. • Conduct regular review and evaluation of capital and operational projects and accounts for cost-reduction opportunities • Lead the development of cost standards for material, labor, and overhead for line extension customers. • Responsible for the preparation financial information for the annual property insurance renewal. • Responsible for compiling and managing capital project budgets and preparing the monthly capital variance report including leading discussions with project owners in regards to the variances. • Ensure that the Fixed Assets System is reconciled, up to date and maintained. • Ensure maintenance of the Inventory Sub Ledger and provide key participation in the Inventory Count process. • Set up new vendors in the system and ensure that the vendor master file is updated and appropriately documented. • Conduct regular review and evaluation of capital and operational projects and accounts for cost-reduction opportunities.
Main Duties
General Accounting:
Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all account reconciliations and monthly managem
Monitor performance indicators, highlighting trends and analyzing causes of unexpected varian of revenues, expenses and capital.
Ensure that all corporate policy changes are incorporated in the accounting process ac guidelines set. Provide major support in financial reporting as regards compliance with US GAAP.
Responsible for providing financial requirements to all stakeholders (parent company, int financial institutions, CARILEC and other interested parties)
Enterprise Resource Planning
Oversee the preparation of US GAAP compliant financial statements for submission to extern Fortis Inc.
• Serve as Lead person in the ERP migration as it relates to General Ledger, Banking, Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets, Inventory and Work Order Management • Other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Minimum Requirements: • • • •
Responsible for the preparation of regulatory reports and annual government questionnaires
Must be a Bachelor of Science with a degree or major in Accountancy. Must be a CPA, CA, ACCA or CMA. Must have at least 5 years extensive assurance and advisory working experience from the big 4 auditing firms. Must have extensive utility industry experience
Ensure that the vendor master file is updated and appropriately documented.
Core Competency Skills: • • • • • • •
Perform quality assurance review of all financial information before submission to intern stakeholders and responsible for all consolidated reports of FortisTCI Limited and TCU.
Responsible for internal and external audit activities as required.
Must possess excellent team playing and leadership abilities Demonstrates strong analytical skills with a high level of competence and proficiency in financial analysis; Must possess strong inter-personal, organizational, multi-tasking and written and oral communication skills. Must possess high level of professional excellence characterized by sound judgment skills, and drive for results. Must possess the ability to ability to develop, monitor and maintain management information systems and procedures. Must possess excellent working knowledge of MS Office software programs, including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and various databases. Must possess working knowledge of Bellamy Software and other ERP systems.
Ad-Hoc Reporting and Financial Analysis
Plant Accounting:
ofClosely coordinate provide assistance to must key include departmental to ensure that all Deadline for submission applications is June 6,and 2014. A complete application a resume,personnel cover and a completed applicationare form. sale,letter retirement, and FortisTCI other disposals accounted for, recorded and fully supported
as w
documentation authorization. Dr.and Kellie-Ann Evans-Hall
Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited Closely coordinate all heads of department, ensuring P. O. Box with 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@ppcltd.tc or khall@fortistci.com tracked and recorded accurately and in a timely manner. Fax: 649-941-4304
that all completed self-construct
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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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Some other bankS up to $601 per month
rbC royal bank approx. $404 per month
Same car, same price. Just a lower monthly payment at rbC. Keep more cash in your wallet with financing options from RBC Royal Bank™ that lower your monthly payments. Save thousands of dollars in interest paid on your car loan with very competitive interest rates and terms! Enjoy no payments for two months! Win 2 Plus get: mont h > Affordable monthly payments paym s car ents!* > Up to 7 years to repay > Pre-approval for easy car shopping > Fast turnaround on your application > Option to finance 1st year’s insurance premium > a chance to win FREE gas and insurance The car you want can be yours with a little help from RBC Royal Bank. Call or visit any RBC Royal Bank branch or go online at rbc.com/caribbean
Calculations based on a $30,000 new vehicle at 90% financing at current competitive terms and conditions. *Up to $3,000. Special conditions apply. Subject to normal lending criteria. The cost of borrowing will be made available upon application. Campaign ends May 31st, 2014. ®/TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.
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LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
Obed Leopold, sponsored by Graceway IGA Supermarket.
Aaliya Delva, sponsored by Bugaloos.
Wooslyn Harvey, sponsored by Marco Travel.
Alexy Aquino, sponsored by Blue Whales Tours and Excursions.
Zenaire Forbes, sponsored by Grace Bay Car Rentals.
Mardi Gras theme for 2014 Little Mr., Miss ECPS The Williams Auditorium will be the place to be on May 30, where the annual Little Miss and Mr. ECPS (Enid Capron Primary School will be held. The contest is divided into two segments – male and female. For the girls’ segment, eight girls will be vying for the tiara, while over in the boys’ category four boys will vie for top honours. The female contestants are: Aaliya Delva - sponsored by Bugaloos; Alexia Prince – sponsored by Executive Tours; Rasheek Rigby – sponsored by sponsored by Coxco Ltd; Shanya Jean Marcellus - sponsored by Max’s Mini Mart; Shellande Fleuridor - sponsored by Island Furniture and Design; and Zenaire Forbes sponsored by Grace Bay Car Rentals. On the male side the contestants are: Michael Robinson - sponsored by Connolly Kia Motors; Alexy Aquino – Sponsored by Blue Whales Tours and Excursions; Michael Robinson – sponsored by Connolly Kia Motors; Obed
Shanya Jean Marcellus, sponsored by Max’s Mini Mart.
Shellande Fleuridor, sponsored by Island Leopold - sponsored by Graceway IGA Furniture and Design. Supermarket; and Wooslyn Harvey sponsored by Marco Travel. The event is put on by the Enid Capron Primary School, and patrons who attend the event old walk away with goodies, as there will be door prizes to be won. This year’s event will take the shape of a Mardi Gras theme, which will see the contestants making their appearance and performing their talent along that line. Mardi Gras is cultural festival celebrated all over the world but made popular by the state of Louisiana. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. Popular practices include wearing masks and costumes, and dancing. The school said that tickets that are currently on sale are $12 for adults and $8 for children. The event begins at 7 p.m. Rasheek Rigby, sponsored by Coxco Ltd
Alexia Prince, sponsored by Executive Tours.
Michael Robinson, sponsored by Connolly Kia Motors.
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CENTERPIECE
The official cutting of the ribbon.
Quality entertainment during Cocktails.
Beautiful costumes showcase the island’s culture.
Beautiful smiles in beautiful costumes.
Beaches opens Key West Luxury Village with glitz and glamour The Key West Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa officially opened on Sunday (May 18) in front of hundreds of white-clad guests from near and far in a glitzy affair. Accompanying our local dignitaries, led by Her Excellency Anya Williams and Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, were the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, her tourism minister Wykeham McNeill, the tourism minister for St. Lucia Lorne Theophilus and John Maginley, the tourism minister for Antigua & Barbuda. Joseph Cinque, president of the American Academy of Hospitality Science academy, was also in attendance. Cenque also used the opportunity to present Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa with the Six Star Hospitality Award – making the resort the first in the Caribbean to attain such feat. The following are photo highlights of the event.
The radiant smile on the face of this and other Beaches staff added to the ambience of the event.
The junkanoos provided the local rhythms.
Scores of dignitaries, specially-invited guests and hotel guests all congregated on Sunday evening for the opening.
Beache
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Ft. Bernard Been, Rector of the St. Monica’s Church in Provo, pronounces Her Excellency Acting Governor Anya Williams. God’s blessing on the property.
es awarded Six Star status during the event.
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President for the Turks and Caicos Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, Michel Neutelings.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller delivering the main address at the event.
The celebrations came complete with a mermaid.
John Maginley, the tourism minister for Antigua & Barbuda.
Enid Capron Primary School students sing the National Anthem.
Tourism minister for St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus.
Colourful costumes added to the aesthetics of the event.
Allen Michael Chastanet of St. Lucia brings greetings.
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LOCAL NEWS
Commissioner of Police Colin Farquar (at right) and Director of Culture David Bowen (second right) mingle with other specially invited guests.
From left: Managing Director of Scotiabank Laverne Arnold with husband Cecil Arnold; Honorary Jamaica Consular Allan Hutchinson and his wife Yvonne.
From left: Adam Stewart - CEO for the Sandals/Beaches hotel chain; Portia Simpson Miller – Prime Minister of Jamaica; Chairman for the Sandals Group, Gordon “Butch” Stewart; Hayden Boyce – Editor-InChief for the SUN Newpaper; and Lillian Boyce – Former Minister of Health and Human Services.
Evening of class at Beaches
Deputy Speaker and Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Josephine Connolly.
Jamaica Prime Minister Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (right) and TCI Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson share lens. From left – David Been; Dr. Francois Bourne and his wife Cherrie Bourne; and Sandals (Barbados) Public Relations Manager David Hinds.
Pastor for the Abundant Life Ministries International, Bishop Dr. Coleta Alexander Williams III (left) and Rector for the St. Monica’s Anglican Church, Ft. Bernard Been.
Director of Tourism Ralph Higgs and wife Allison Higgs.
From left: Sandals/Beaches CEO Adam Stewart; Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller; and Chairman for the Sandals/Beaches chain Gordon “Butch” Stewart .
Form left: Former Chief Minister and current Member of Parliament Hon. Derek Taylor; Rhesa Cartwright; Lorne Robinson and his wife, Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson.
Allan Robinson, Fortis TCI Vice President for Customer Service and Jamaica’s Prime Minister Hon. Portia Simpson Miller.
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LOCAL NEWS
Karen Whitt, General Manager of Regent Palms Turks & Caicos posing with chairman for the Sandals Group, Gordon “Butch” Stewart.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller exchanges pleasantries with Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Youth and Sports Hon. Akierra Missick (centre) and her mom, Doreen QuelchStubbs, who is also the Human Rights Commissioner for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
From left: Mario Docteur and Gesly Levegue, executives of a state-owned Haitian bank; Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hon. Akierra Misick and Margrette Lemaire – Haitian Second Consular in charge of Trade and Culture.
Two former Miss Turks and Caicos Universe, Snwana Adams (right) and Easher Parker.
From right: Chairman for the Sandals Group Gordon “Butch” Stewart; Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller; Her Excellency Deputy Governor Anya Williams; former minister of government Cheryl Astwood Tull; and educator Louise Garland-Thomas.
Minister of Health and Human Services Hon. Porsha StubbsSmith and husband Kevin Smith.
From right: Basneil Bin-Aime; wife and General Secretary for the TCI Football Association Sonia Bin-Aime; Pastor Courtney Misick; Edith Cox , Natasha Fernandez and Christine Sheararer.
From left: Supreme Court Judge Margaret Ramsay-Hale; Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Jamaica’s Tourism and Entertainment Minister Wykeham McNeil.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing.
Sandals (Barbados) Public Relations Manager David Hinds is flanked by The SUN’s Todlene Defralien (right) and journalist Mialisa Fenty.
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LOCAL NEWS
Haitian flag day parade and church service On Saturday (May 18, 2014), local Haitians on Providenciales celebrate their 211 Haitian Flag day, which represented the number of years that the flag was created. The day was marked by a motorcade, inclusive of a float parade of gyrating men and women along the route from Butterfield Square to the National Stadium, where a football match was later played between a local Haitian team and Tempest – a topflight Haitian football club. Human Rights Commissioner, Doreen Quelch-Stubbs and former premier Michael were also in attendance at the event. Missick joined the motorcade to the stadium and stayed to watch the game. On Sunday, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing and Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson joined members of the Haitian Consulate at the Church of God Church in Kew Town to mark the milestone. The SUN was at each event and provides the following highlights.
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FUN & GAMES
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CARIBBEAN
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
NEWS
New Bermuda premier sworn in following Cannonier resignation
Michael Dunkley was sworn in as Premier of Bermuda during a ceremony at Government House on Tuesday less than 24 hours after 51-year-old Craig Cannonier announced his resignation as a result of the so-called “Jetgate” controversy. Dunkley, the National Security Minister, swore the oath of office before Governor George Fergusson with fellow One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) parliamentarians and family members on hand to lend their support.: “I am humbled by the responsibility I have now been given. “Let me first, however, thank former Premier Craig Cannonier. We worked together first in opposition and as his deputy I was grateful for the opportunity he gave to me to serve in cabinet. “I always enjoyed his support as a minister and it cannot be forgotten that he led our party to a significant election victory,” Dunkley said. Cannonier’s 17 months as premier were the shortest in Bermuda’s history, coming after the OBA ended 14 years of Progressive Labour Party (PLP) rule in the December 2012 general election. The OBA inherited a ballooning national debt of US$1.4 billion in the midst of a recession which has now stretched to five years. Dunkley said the foundation for Bermuda’s economic recovery had been set since the election by a “hardworking team of men and women”. “Now I have the honour to lead that
Michael Dunkley singing the book after being sworn in as Premier, Governor George Fergusson looks on. team and our mission remains the same – we must renew the promise of this country, we must create jobs for our people, we must educate our children and we must keep Bermuda safe. These are the expectations of the people and we must meet and exceed those expectations each and every day. “I am committed to working hard on finding solutions to our problems and delivering on the promises we made to the people of this country.”
Dunkley added that he had no immediate plans to shuffle his cabinet or Senate (Upper House) teams. Cannonier’s resignation was the culmination of a whirlwind 48 hours in which the OBA held several emergency meetings in a bid to stave off an embarrassing departure. The party leadership met again on Monday night and by 9 p.m. (local time) Cannonier’s fate was sealed. Ultimately, the Jetgate row and
his alleged dealings with wealthy American developer Nathan Landow proved his undoing, and on Monday night he left Cabinet Office for the last time as Premier to tender his resignation to the Governor. Cannonier thanked his wife Antoinette and his family for their support during his 17 months as leader of the country. “It has been a privilege to have been your Premier,” he said. “You have my best wishes.” The former Premier, who leaves on Tuesday for a holiday abroad, threw his support behind Dunkley and asked that the public do the same. He also pledged to return to the backbenches as MP for Devonshire South Central and to continue to support the OBA administration. The Jetgate blew up after Cannonier and two of his cabinet colleagues – Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell and Attorney General mark Pettingill – flew to Washington, DC on Landow’s private jet last year. Landow, who had once been keen to secure a casino licence in Bermuda, and a group of businessmen wired $300,000 to Bermuda for the OBA’s election campaign coffers. Landow said that he was no longer interested in investing in Bermuda and denied Cannonier had asked for money. Cannonier said he made the trip hoping to provide more jobs at home where unemployment is running at around eight per cent.
Trinidad central bank Jamaican ganja puts CLICO up for sale – the race The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago says the government control of 49 per cent of CLICO’s it has put up for sale, the cash-strapped Colonial shares. The then Patrick Manning government injected Life Insurance Company Ltd (CLICO) whose near total collapse four years ago, led to the Trinidad seven billion Trinidad and Tobago dollars (US$1.01 and Tobago government pumping billions of dollars billion) into CLICO in 2009 to keep the collapsed insurance firm running and protect policy holders. to keep it afloat. Through the passage of legislation in the Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran in a statement confirmed that the bank was in the Parliament, the Kamla Persad Bissessar led coalition People’s Partnership Government market for a buyer. “As part of the resolution strategy for CLICO, committed a further TT$13 billion (US$2.01 billion) the Central Bank proposes to transfer CLICO’s to keep the floundering insurance company afloat. Rambarran noted that pursuant to Section 44D traditional insurance portfolio for value to an acquiring insurance company that is well of the Central Bank Act, the Central Bank was capitalised, has a proven track record and the in control of CLICO which started on February capacity to honour all obligations to policyholders.” 13, 2009, in order to safeguard the interests Rambarran said to achieve this objective, the of policyholders and creditors and to prevent insurance portfolio is being evaluated by an disruption, substantial damage or impairment of our financial system. independent valuation company. “The Central Bank is the only entity empowered “An independent actuarial firm has, therefore, been engaged to value CLICO’s traditional business to restructure the business or undertakings of for this purpose and the exercise is still in progress. CLICO, in accordance with the provisions of the “Subsequently, the Central Bank will conduct Act,” he said. Earlier this year, CLICO, the regional insurance the process for the sale and transfer of CLICO’s traditional insurance portfolio on a transparent, giant announced it had made an after tax profit of open market basis. The bank has neither engaged nearly TT$3.8 billion (One TT dollar = US$0.16 with any prospective buyers nor made any cents) in 2012. CLICO’s audited financial results for 2012 were decision on the structure of the portfolio transfer,” published on its Web site. According to the financial Rambarran said. CLICO and its sister company, the British statements of the embattled company, the 2012 American Insurance Company (BAICO) collapsed after tax figure was more than five times greater in 2009 and the Trinidad and Tobago government than the TT$702 million it declared in 2011. CLICO declared profits of TT$6.2 billion from signed a shareholders’ agreement with then CLICO chairman Lawrence Duprey following the its investing activities for the financial year, which signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) eclipsed the TT$2.2 billion loss from insurance between them on January 30, 2009. The MOU gave activities.
against time
JAMAICA is already over 40 years behind in decriminalisation of ganja and a three-day conference which kicks off today at the University of the West Indies (UWI) will signal to legislators here that time is not on Jamaica’s side. “We are 40 years late,” said Dr Albert Lockhart, a leading opthalmologist who helped pioneer marijuana derived medicines such as Canasol for treating glaucoma, the eye disease and Asmasol for asthma sufferers. Lockhart, and the late Dr Manley West of the UWI intensified medical research on ganja in 1972 after then Health Minister Dr Kenneth McNeill invited them to address parliamentarians on their work and gave them permission to collect, transport and do research on the weed within the bounds of Jamaica. The duo produced five drugs, starting with Canasol in 1976. When they saw the potential for greater success, they partnered with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) which was being run by the visionary William Saunders to form a commercial enterprise called AMPEC, a combination of the names Albert, Manley and Petroleum Corporation. In 1987, they produced Asmasol. “We have other drugs that are not yet registered because registration is very expensive,” Lockhart said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, adding that the selling agents in Jamaica for AMPEC is Health Brands Limited.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
Bahamas’ Bostwick fired from Senate post
The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago says it has put up for sale, the cash-strapped Colonial Life Insurance Company Ltd (CLICO) whose near total collapse four years ago, led to the Trinidad and Tobago government pumping billions of dollars to keep it afloat. Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran in a statement confirmed that the bank was in the market for a buyer. “As part of the resolution strategy for CLICO, the Central Bank proposes to transfer CLICO’s traditional insurance portfolio for value to an acquiring insurance company that is well capitalised, has a proven track record and the capacity to honour all obligations to policyholders.” Rambarran said to achieve this objective, the insurance portfolio is being evaluated by an independent
valuation company. “An independent actuarial firm has, therefore, been engaged to value CLICO’s traditional business for this purpose and the exercise is still in progress. “Subsequently, the Central Bank will conduct the process for the sale and transfer of CLICO’s traditional insurance portfolio on a transparent, open market basis. The bank has neither engaged with any prospective buyers nor made any decision on the structure of the portfolio transfer,” Rambarran said. CLICO and its sister company, the British American Insurance Company (BAICO) collapsed in 2009 and the Trinidad and Tobago government signed a shareholders’ agreement with then CLICO chairman Lawrence Duprey following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between them
on January 30, 2009. The MOU gave the government control of 49 per cent of CLICO’s shares. The then Patrick Manning government injected seven billion Trinidad and Tobago dollars (US$1.01 billion) into CLICO in 2009 to keep the collapsed insurance firm running and protect policy holders. Through the passage of legislation in the Parliament, the Kamla Persad Bissessar led coalition People’s Partnership Government committed a further TT$13 billion (US$2.01 billion) to keep the floundering insurance company afloat. Rambarran noted that pursuant to Section 44D of the Central Bank Act, the Central Bank was in control of CLICO which started on February 13, 2009, in order to safeguard the interests of policyholders and creditors and to prevent disruption, substantial damage
or impairment of our financial system. “The Central Bank is the only entity empowered to restructure the business or undertakings of CLICO, in accordance with the provisions of the Act,” he said. Earlier this year, CLICO, the regional insurance giant announced it had made an after tax profit of nearly TT$3.8 billion (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) in 2012. CLICO’s audited financial results for 2012 were published on its Web site. According to the financial statements of the embattled company, the 2012 after tax figure was more than five times greater than the TT$702 million it declared in 2011. CLICO declared profits of TT$6.2 billion from its investing activities for the financial year, which eclipsed the TT$2.2 billion loss from insurance activities.
American busted for alleged sex with minors in Dominican Republic Vernon Lythcott, a 48-year-old off about an American tourist engaging in from Brooklyn who supervises security sex with the teens and interviewed both screeners at Kennedy Airport, has been victims, special agent Karine Stewart charged with having sex with underage stated in the complaint. “The victims also reported that during girls in the Dominican Republic, according the course of that night they had used to federal authorities. The TSA supervisor was arrested on Vernon Lythcott’s cellular telephone to the jetway at the airport where he works check their Facebook accounts and had as he was about to board a flight to the also ‘friended’ Lythcott on Facebook,” Caribbean island for what would have Stewart revealed. “Lythcott also used an application on been his second trip there since January. According to a complaint filed in his phone to translate sexual instructions Brooklyn Federal Court, Lythcott paid from English to Spanish,” the agent added. It is illegal for American citizens to two 15-year-old girls to have sex with him engage in sex with persons under the age for US$80. A Dominican Republic-based of 16 or with a prostitute under the age of Homeland Security agent received a tip- 18 anywhere in the world.
Lythcott allegedly admitted to the agents that he had sex for money with the girls but thought they were 16. He also said that someone had procured women for him to have sex with on about 45 trips and they were always older than 18. The security supervisor was released on US$250,000 bail and was ordered by Magistrate Steven Gold to stay away from places where children congregate, such as schoolyards, the children’s section of a library, toy stores, and fast food restaurants. Lythcott has been suspended from his job without pay and the TSA is reportedly in the process of terminating him from his US$59,000-a-year job.
TV6 journalist forced to flee Trinidad following death threats A senior investigative journalist with the Caribbean Communication Network (CCN) TV6, Mark Bassant, has been forced to flee the country after receiving a number of death threats, head of news at the television station, Dominic Kallipersad has said. Kallipersad told television viewers on Wednesday night that Bassant had received the threats while working on sensitive investigative material and that both National Security Minister Gary Griffith and Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams had been made aware of the hit placed on the journalist. The Trinidad Express newspaper, a sister company of the television station, reported Thursday that “key underworld criminals” had made the death threat against Bassant.
Bassant told the newspaper that my name was on a hit list that on May 7, “I got a call from together with other persons. a very reliable underworld In fact, he told me that they source that certain criminal had already been given the elements wanted to harm order to engage the targets, me because of stories I wrote including me, and that the recently that were showing hit against me was starting at TT$20,000 (One TT dollar them up. “I made a report on it. The = US$0.16 cents),” Bassant next day I was liaising with explained. The Trinidad Express certain police officers involved in a specific investigation, newspaper said that the source then only to later learn from intelligence other trusted sources that advised Bassant to take precautionary these same officers who I certain had spoken to earlier were measures, including having leaking information about me 24-hour security available to and what I knew to the said him. “Bassant then advised individuals who organised for management at CCN about my demise. “I informed a high-ranking the developments and they intelligence source along worked together to have with another trusted senior Bassant stay at various intelligence officer about this locations as an insurance for his safety,” the paper reported. development,” Bassant said. Bassant said “this entire “The senior intelligence office later conferred to me in a situation has me angry that face-to-face meeting on May 9 journalists, who work on
Caribbean Communication Network TV6 senior investigative journalist, Mark Bassant. behalf of the people, can be threatened like this. “And based on the calibre of people involved, in my opinion it is also a frightening indictment on our lawenforcement agency in this country. “But despite all this, I remain passionate to the cause of uncovering all wrongdoings in this country. I can only wait and see what becomes of this situation because it has a direct bearing on all investigative journalists, not only in this country, but around the world,” Bassant said.
Former tourism minister Chandresh Sharma.
Police complete probe of former minister
Police said Wednesday they had completed their investigations into the alleged assault case involving a former senior government minister and was now awaiting directions from the Director of Public prosecution (DPP), Roger Gaspard on the matter. Last month, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar announced that she had asked President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of her tourism minister Chandresh Sharma after he had early submitted his resignation amid allegations that he had assaulted a former lover in a car park on March 12. His removal from the cabinet followed that of Dr. Glen Ramadharsingh, the minister of the People and Social Development, who was booted out of office for his disorderly conduct on board a Caribbean Airlines (CAL) domestic flight this month. “The file involving Mr. Sharma as well as the investigation has been completed…and that file is on its way to the DPP,” police public relations officer, Wayne Mystar told a news conference. He said the probe involving Ramadharsingh was still continuing and the file also when completed would be forwarded to the DPP for further instructions.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
Caribbean forced to choose between climate change impact and MDGs
Climate change is forcing the nine- 39.5 million East Caribbean dollars for member Organisation of Eastern a project designed to improve the subCaribbean States (OECS) to choose region’s natural resource base and its between expending scarce resources resilience to impacts of climate change. The OECS consists of the islands to deal with its impact or other pressing development goals.”There is of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, a very thin line between consumption Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the and conservation . . . progress and Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, protection,” Grenada’s Environment Anguilla and the British Virgin islands. Head of the EU delegation to Minister Roland Bhola told IPS. He explained that countries still have to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, fulfil the United Nations Millennium ambassador Mikael Barford, has Development Goals (MDGs), which acknowledged that this is a “very include reducing poverty and hunger, vulnerable region” and that the project while dealing with the impacts of is a reflection of Europe’s commitment to support climate action in developing climate change. But there is a flicker of hope for these countries. “The Caribbean is one of the most countries. The European Union (EU) has signed a financial agreement for disaster-prone regions in the world but
we tend to ignore the threat that could occur as a result of the impact of climate change…” “On your doorsteps, scientists are warning that your 62-square-mile [161-square-kilometre] sister island of Barbuda is becoming one of the most vulnerable spots due to the consequences of climate change,” he told IPS. “Already there is accelerated erosion taking place because of the rise in sea levels and it’s estimated that if this continues, a third of the island could be lost.” Antigua and Barbuda, the only country in the OECS to have appointed an ambassador for climate change, has had more than six hurricanes of various
Jamaica union defends school amid student drowning allegations The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is defending the staff at the Green Pond Primary School amid allegations that teachers had allowed students to leave the compound during heavy rains resulting in the deaths of two students. “Our information states that it was time for school to be dismissed and at the point at which the students were released from school the rains were not falling at that time.” said JTA president Dr. Mark Nicely. Principal of the Green Pond Primary, Millicent Hall Clarke, said the teachers were not at fault and that parents are responsible for picking up their children from school. “It could not have been the school’s fault, because where it happened, it happened in the community and so the children left school by then and we knew then that it (the rain) had eased up, that’s why the children left school. “I must remind parents that they have a responsibility to pick up their children, teachers can’t be here until night to wait on parents to come for their children because teachers have responsibilities at their homes too,” she said. The Ministry of Education said it would be looking into the claims against the teachers at the school in the western parish of St. James following the deaths of twins, Brandon
Twin brothers Brandon and Brayden Jones drowned after leaving school during heavy rains. and Brayden Jones. “I really do not know if there was any inaction on the part of teachers but the responsibility is really with the school and I just do not know… at another stage we will hear more,” said Education Minister, Ronald Thwaites. Police said the bodies of the two Grade Three students had been
recovered at Dump Up Beach along Howard Cooke Boulevard. Media reports said that the boys were on their way home from the Green Pond Primary School on Monday when one reportedly climbed on a rail and then fell off into the gully. His brother, who reportedly tried to help, also fell into the gully.
intensity over the last 20 years. Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador Diann Black-Layne told IPS: “Climate change is impacting our country.” She said that many small island developing states (SIDS), were suffering percentage losses of their GDPs because of the impact of climate change. “We’ve had extreme weather, variation in rainfall, significant flooding and our waterways are not able to cope with the climate as we know it. “Antigua and Barbuda is known as a dry weather country and so we design our homes, our roads and our lives around that reality. But today it’s getting worse and we experience flooding that Antiguans never knew or experienced before,” she added.
Accident victim wins $1.5 million payout A court has awarded a car accident victim $1.5 million in damages from the estate of the driver who was killed in the collision. Cayman Turtle Farm employee Charles Yates, 47, was injured in May 2007 when Ysatis Nathine Chin’s Honda Accord smashed into his Porsche Boxster. The court accepted that Ms. Chin, a 20-year-old West Bay woman who died in the collision, was responsible for the accident. It is understood that the payout, which covers Mr. Yates’s medical bills as well as loss of earnings associated with his injuries, will be covered by an insurance policy. Unable to keep job The court heard that Mr. Yates was unable to hold on to his $90,000-a-year job at the turtle farm as a result of his injuries. Evidence from medical and vocational experts, accepted by the judge, suggested he could now only complete “sedentary work” and could therefore be expected to command an income of only $35,000 a year. The total payout of $1.5 million included just over $850,000 to cover the future shortfall in income. Since the accident, Mr. Yates has worked as an Freedom of Information manager and set up an ice-cream business, the court was told, but he was unable to make anywhere near the same amount of money as he had been earning in his former job.
More poverty among mum-headed homes Most women among people earning less than $500 a week Poverty in Barbados is highest among households headed by women, which accounts for approximately 47.5 per cent of all households. A new Country Gender Assessment (CGA) survey shows that the rate of poverty in female-headed households was 19.4 per cent, compared to 11.5 per cent in male-headed households and 15 per cent in all households. The survey also found that as at December 2012 unemployment among
both gender was similar with male accounting for approximately 7.9 per cent and about 7.5 per cent for female. The findings, which were presented to stakeholders at the Caribbean Development Bank earlier this week, also showed that women represent the majority of people who earn less than $500 per week, while their male counterparts are the majority in all income brackets of $500 and more a week. The 116-page document was prepared with the assistance of data
that was readily available from the Barbados Census, Labour Force Surveys and a variety of research papers from the university of the West Indies and other entities, and they showed “clear evidence of gender inequality in a variety of areas”. “The research analyzed, that indicated that boys and men participate less and do not perform as well in examinations as girls, has been used to develop major reforms to the public education system with the move towards technical, vocational and competency-
based training. Other evidence, notably showing large and persistent economic inequalities between men and women, mostly to the detriment of women, has apparently not affected policy sufficiently for any tangible impact on these inequalities. This may be related to a misguided belief that social and economic policy models used to date to generate gains in human development in Barbados are sufficient to eliminate gender inequalities, as shown in the statements in some interviews on gender neutrality,” it said.
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NEWS
Tennessee brings back electric chair during lethal injection drug scarcity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee has decided how it will respond to a nationwide scarcity of lethal injection drugs for death-row inmates: with the electric chair. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law last Thursday allowing the state to electrocute death row inmates in the event prisons are unable to obtain the drugs, which have become more and more scarce following a European-led boycott of drug sales for executions. Tennessee lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the electric chair legislation in April, with the Senate voting 23-3 and the House 68-13 in favor of the bill. Tennessee is the first state to enact a law to reintroduce the electric chair without giving prisoners an option, said Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that opposes executions and tracks the issue. “There are states that allow inmates to choose, but it is a very different matter for a state to impose a method like electrocution,” he said. “No other state has gone so far.” Dieter said he expects legal challenges to arise if the state decides to go through with an electrocution, both on the grounds of whether the state could prove that lethal injection drugs were not obtainable and on the grounds of constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
A warden at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tenn., is shown in the prison’s execution chamber in 1999. The electric chair is shown next to a lethal injection gurney. A Haslam spokesman confirmed to The Associated Press that the governor had signed the measure Thursday evening, but offered no further comment. Republican state Sen. Ken Yager, a main sponsor of the electric chair measure, said in a recent interview that he introduced the bill because of “a real concern that we could find ourselves in a position that if the chemicals were unavailable to us that we would not be
U.S. criticizes Cuba over blocking of dissident website
The United States criticized Cuban censorship on Thursday after Cubans were blocked from an independent website that is challenging the state monopoly on news on the island. Dissident Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez started publishing 14ymedio.com on Wednesday, but would-be readers were redirected to another site that is highly critical of her, reflecting the official line. Sanchez’s site remained blocked to the small minority of Cubans with internet access on Thursday, though it was accessible outside Cuba. The U.S. State Department stopped short of directly blaming Cuba, referring instead to media reports that the government blocked the site, but it took advantage of the incident to denounce Cuban censorship. “The Cuban government continues to limit fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and of the press, freedom of assembly, and the free flow of information to, from, and within the island,” a State Department spokesperson said. “Cubans deserve the right to freely express themselves and the right to petition their government.” Cuba rejects such U.S. criticism as hypocritical intervention in its affairs. A Cuban government spokesman said he was unaware who was blocking Sanchez’s
able to carry out the sentence.” The decision comes as lethal injection is receiving more scrutiny as an execution method, especially after last month’s botched execution in Oklahoma. In that case, convicted killer Clayton Lockett, 38, began writhing, clenching his teeth and straining to lift his head off the pillow after he had supposedly been rendered unconscious by the first of three drugs in the state’s new lethal
site in Cuba, suggesting it might be the U.S. government. He also declined to make available a representative from Etecsa, the state communications monopoly and Cuba’s internet service provider. Cuba has tolerated greater criticism in recent years but not yet from a website produced on the island as professionallooking as 14ymedio.com. From her Twitter account on Wednesday, Sanchez blamed the Cuban government, but on Thursday the website took a more sarcastic approach. “It doesn’t take much imagination to discover who were the aggressors, but, as we don’t have proof, we’ll just conjecture that we’re talking about someone who has the technological resources ... and the antagonism,” the website said in an editorial. “Blocking 14ymedio could become a failed strategy if the goal is to silence us. Nothing is more attractive than that which is forbidden.” Since starting a blog on daily life and politics in Cuba seven years ago, Sanchez has rattled the Cuban establishment and won prestigious media awards in the United States and Europe. The Cuban government has frequently tried discredit her as a well-paid propagandist doing the bidding of the U.S. government.
injection combination. The execution was halted, and Lockett died of an apparent heart attack 10 minutes later, authorities said. They later blamed a collapsed vein, not the drugs themselves. In 2009, Ohio abandoned an execution attempt after Romell Broom was pricked 18 times with needles. Broom remains on death row, challenging the state’s right to try again. In January, an Ohio inmate snorted and gasped during the 26 minutes it took him to die. The state said this week it doesn’t believe Dennis McGuire suffered, but it also announced it would increase the drug dosages “to allay any remaining concerns.” Also in January, Oklahoma death row inmate Michael Lee Wilson said during his execution: “I feel my whole body burning.” Concerns about lethal injection also have risen at a time when Tennessee and many states – including Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas – obtain execution drugs in secret from unidentified compounding pharmacies. Death penalty opponents say the secrecy raises the risk of something going wrong. Haslam’s signing of the electric chair bill Thursday also came on the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court issued a rare last-minute stay of an execution for death row inmate Russell Bucklew in St. Louis. The justices directed a lower court to take another look at the case.
Congolese warlord gets 12 years for 2003 attack
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The International Criminal Court sentenced a Congolese warlord to 12 years in prison on Friday, after convicting him in March of aiding and abetting crimes including murder and pillage in a notorious 2003 attack on a village in which some 200 people were shot or hacked to death. Germain Katanga, nicknamed Simba, showed no emotion as Presiding Judge Bruno Cotte read out the sentence. Katanga is only the second person sentenced by the court. He could be free soon as he already has been in detention at the court for almost seven years. He was convicted for his role on the Feb. 24, 2003, attack on the strategic village of Bogoro in eastern Congo’s conflict-hit Ituri province. Cotte said Katanga, who was 24 at the time, made a “significant contribution” to the crimes. But he also gave Katanga credit for helping demobilize child soldiers in Ituri. “The sentence of Germain Katanga to 12 years imprisonment by the ICC gives hope to victims and sends a strong signal to all perpetrators of serious crimes who now know that they will be actively pursued and prosecuted,” said Joseph Dunia Ruyenzi, a Congolese activist for the Coalition for the ICC, a group that promotes the court’s work. Katanga was convicted in a 2-1 majority verdict of playing an important role in the attack on Bogoro by arming rebel fighters, “reinforcing the strike capability of the militia.” The conviction was controversial, with one of the three judges saying the court’s decision to change the nature of charges against Katanga during his prosecution hampered his ability to defend himself. Katanga originally was charged as an “indirect co-perpetrator” in the crimes, but judges changed the nature of his involvement to cast him as an “accessory,” effectively downgrading his involvement in the attack.
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WORLD NEWS
Chinese state media says five suicide bombers carried out Xinjiang attack
Five suicide bombers carried out the attack which killed 31 people in the capital of China’s troubled Xinjiang region, state media reported a day after the deadliest terrorist attack to date in the region. The incident, which occurred in Urumqi on Thursday morning, was the second suicide attack in the capital in just over three weeks. A bomb and knife attack at an Urumqi train station in late April killed one bystander and wounded 79. The government recently
launched a campaign to strike hard against terrorism in Xinjiang, blaming Islamists and separatists for the worsening violence in the resource-rich western region bordering central Asia. At least 180 people have been killed in attacks across China over the past year. The attackers ploughed two vehicles into an open market in Urumqi and hurled explosives. Many of the 94 people wounded were elderly shoppers. “Five suspects who participated in the violent terrorist attack blew themselves up,” the Global Times,
a tabloid run by the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, reported on Friday (May 23). The newspaper said authorities “are investigating whether there were other accomplices”. “Judging from the many terrorist attacks that have taken place and the relevant perpetrators, they have received support from terrorist groups outside China’s borders as well as religious ex- Armed policemen stand guard near the site of an explosion Thursday tremist propaganda spread via the in Urumqi, China. internet,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
US, world leaders voice concerns over human rights in Thai Coup
World leaders expressed concerns about human rights and basic freedoms of the Thai people after the country’s military seized power in a coup on Thursday (May 22). The U.S. expressed concern for Thailand’s democratic institutions and called for restraint. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the Thai military’s actions on Thursday were cause for concern and he called for the immediate restoration of a civilian government. “I am disappointed by the decision of the Thai military to suspend the constitution and take control of the government after a long period of political turmoil, and there is no justification for this military coup,” Kerry said in a statement. He also voiced his concern over reports that senior political leaders of the country’s major parties had been detained and called for their release. In the statement, Kerry added, “I urge the restoration of civilian government immediately, a return to democracy, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as press freedoms. The path forward for Thailand must include early elections that reflect the will of the people.” Kerry said the military coup has caused the U.S. to review military and other aid to Thailand. “While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the U.S.Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military,” Kerry said. “We are reviewing our military and other assistance and engagements, consistent with U.S. law.” Part of the military engagements include the U.S.-backed Carat naval
Thai soldiers stand guard during a coup at the Army Club where Thailand’s army chief held a meeting with all rival factions in central Bangkok . drills in the Pacific that Thailand and several other countries are participating in. Under U.S. law, with limited exceptions, no U.S. foreign aid may be directed to a country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup or a coup in which the military takes a major role. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon is seriously concerned by the military takeover in Thailand, a statement from his office stated. In a statement, the SecretaryGeneral appealed “for a prompt return to constitutional, civilian and democratic rule, as well as allinclusive dialogue that will pave the way for long-term peace and prosperity in Thailand.” The U.N. chief’s statement also urged all parties to work together, refrain from violence and respect human rights. Voicing deep concern, the United
Nations human rights office said that martial law and military orders being imposed may infringe on fundamental freedoms, Reuters reported. “We remind the authorities of Thailand’s obligations under international human rights law in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which strictly limit the application of emergency powers,” U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. “We urge the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the fundamental human rights are respected,” she said. Thailand’s army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha seized control of the government in a coup late Thursday afternoon, two days after he declared martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms to quell six months of turmoil and violence.
Accused Boston bomber admitted role in attack
BOSTON – The accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had admitted to a role in the attack during an interrogation in hospital a day after his arrest, U.S. prosecutors said in a court filing. That statement, and others made in the hours following Tsarnaev’s arrest but before he had been informed of his rights to legal representation, should be admitted at his upcoming trial because the agents interviewing him believed there was still a risk to the public of further attacks, prosecutors said in a series of filings late Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Boston. “From the moment the agents began questioning Tsarnaev about the Marathon bombings, he readily admitted his own involvement,” prosecutors said. While the suspect, now 20, said he and his older brother Tamerlan - who died after a gunfight with police days after the bombing attack that killed three people and injured 264 - were the only people involved in the bombing, investigators did not believe him, prosecutors said. “Agents continued to question Tsarnaev not to extract a confession, which they already had, but because of their reasonable belief that Tsarnaev was concealing information about impending attacks, accomplices, and/ or the existence of additional bombs,” prosecutors said. Tsarnaev faces the possibility of execution if convicted of the April 15, 2013 attacks, as well as the murder of a university police officer three days later as he and his brother attempted to flee Boston. His lawyers earlier this month argued that the statements made while Tsarnaev was hospitalized for gunfire wounds, after police found him hiding in a drydocked boat on April 19, should not be admitted because he did not have an attorney present.
Minimum wage gets minimal attention at McDonald’s meeting Even as 400 protesters rallied outside McDonald’s headquarters for a higher minimum wage for fast food workers, the chain’s pay policies generated little noise inside its annual shareholder meeting on Thursday. A day earlier, more than 100 people were arrested for trespassing after up to 1,500 protesters descended on McDonald’s suburban Chicago headquarters, calling for a $15 an hour minimum wage and a union for fast
food workers. The rallies follow recent minimum wage protests across the country amid a growing national debate over income inequality, which President Barack Obama has called “the defining issue of our time”. But the company that has become the main target of those wishing to raise the minimum wage was asked just one question on the subject, couched in a theme that has come
to dominate its recent shareholder meetings: McDonald’s contribution to childhood obesity. While the company spends billions on marketing “to hook more kids on junk food and increase executive compensation, many of your employees can barely make ends meet on poverty wages,” said Sriram Madhusoodanan, of Corporate Accountability International, a public health and human rights watchdog.
Don Thompson, chief executive, offered data McDonald’s often provides to paint itself as a stepping stone to higher-paid jobs. Nearly 60 per cent of its employees are under age 24 in company owned-US restaurants and nearly 70 per cent are part-time workers, “many of whom are just starting out”. McDonald’s owns over 1,400 restaurants in the US, while about 12,000 are operated by franchisees.
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No signs Syria is handing over remaining chemical weapons AMSTERDAM – Syria has made no weapons stockpile after hundreds of progress in relinquishing a last batch of people were killed in a sarin gas attack chemical weapons it says is inaccessible near Damascus. The agreement with Russia and due to fighting, making it increasingly likely it will miss a final deadline to the United States averted Western destroy its toxic stockpile, Britain said military strikes threatened in response to the worst chemical weapons atrocity on Thursday. The British deputy representative in decades, which has been blamed by to the Organisation for the Prohibition Washington on Assad’s government. His government, which denies the of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) told delegates in The Hague that packaging allegation and blames the rebels, still material had arrived for the 100 has roughly 7 percent of 1,300 tonnes it metric tonnes (110 metric tons) of toxic declared to the OPCW, enough highly toxic material to carry out a large-scale chemicals. “But there is still no sign of any attack. It has missed several deadlines, movement of chemicals, nor any indications of a time scale for a move,” most recently its own promise to hand said the statement, a copy of which was over the remaining chemicals by April 27. It has also failed to destroy a dozen obtained by Reuters. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, facilities that were part of the chemical embroiled in civil war with rebels weapons program. Under the deal, Syria’s entire fighting to oust him, agreed last year to hand over the country’s entire chemical stockpile is supposed to have been
destroyed by mid-2014, but “it is growing ever clearer that the 30 June deadline will not be met”, the British statement said.
PACKED FOR SHIPMENT There was confusion earlier this week about how much progress there had been in transporting the remaining chemicals to the Syrian port of Latakia, from where they will be shipped overseas for destruction. The Pentagon said on Tuesday “it is starting to be moved as we speak,” and senior diplomats from two other Security Council member states told reporters on Wednesday there were indications the Syrians were preparing to dispatch the remaining stockpile. A diplomat in the Middle East said the remaining chemicals have been packed in containers, but that the joint
Nigerian president, leaders to discuss African militant threat Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, facing a mounting Islamist insurgency at home, will fly to South Africa to discuss ways of tackling militancy across the continent with African heads of state, his spokesman said. The meeting follows warnings from Nigeria and its neighbours that Boko Haram - which has killed thousands of Nigerians during its five-year-old insurgency, and last month kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls - now threatens the security of the region. Leaders from every corner of the continent would meet before South African President Jacob Zuma’s inauguration on Saturday to “focus on collective action to effectively roll back the scourge of terrorism in Africa,” spokesman Reuben Abati said. As well as Boko Haram, regional and world powers are increasingly worried about the growing reach of groups such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Somalia’s al Shabaab, which has attacked Uganda and Kenya and this week threatened to unleash teenage suicide bombers in Nairobi. Security experts say cross-border intelligence sharing between countries threatened by militant groups is woefully weak. Jonathan and the military have been criticized in Nigeria for the slowness of their reaction to the mass abduction, which took place in the remote northeastern village of Chibok, near the borders of Cameroon and Chad. Nigeria accepted help from the United States, Britain, France and China last week and around 80 U.S. troops were arriving in Chad to start a mission to try to free the schoolgirls. Boko Haram, which is fighting to set up an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks in recent weeks.
Chiroma Maina (right) holds a picture of her abducted daughter Comfort Amos, next to her husband Jonah and her daughter Helen, at their home in Maiduguri. Since the day of the abductions, which have grabbed global attention, at least 425 civilians have been killed. A bomb blast at the edge of the capital Abuja killed 71 people on the same day of the kidnappings on April 14 and eight more girls have since been snatched. Boko Haram initially attacked mostly security forces and government officials after it launched its uprising in northeast Borno state’s capital Maiduguri in 2009. But when Jonathan ordered a military offensive a year ago to flush them out, civilians formed vigilante groups to help out - and themselves became targets.
U.N.-OPCW operation overseeing the destruction still lacks access to the site. The Syrian army has launched a military operation in the area, where the chemical storage site is being monitored remotely by camera, to clear the way for transport of the toxins, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. The operation to destroy Syria’s chemical stockpile is a complex logistical undertaking, involving a dozen countries and hundreds of millions of dollars. The most toxic chemicals are to be destroyed onboard the Cape Ray, a converted U.S. cargo ship, after being dropped off by Norwegian and Danish vessels now waiting in the Mediterranean. The remaining bulk chemicals are to go to commercial destruction facilities in Britain, Finland and Germany.
UN blacklists Nigeria’s Boko Haram, imposes sanctions
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations blacklisted Boko Haram as an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group and imposed sanctions Thursday, a month after the it claimed the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria. The designation, immediately welcomed by Britain and the United States, came into effect after no objections were raised by the Security Council’s 15 members. The move automatically subjects Boko Haram to UN sanctions, including an arms embargo and asset freeze. The group, which was created 10 years ago, wants to establish an Islamic state in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria. Its militants have killed several thousand people in a campaign of violence since 2009. US envoy to the UN Samantha Power said it was “an important step” in support of Nigeria’s efforts “to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities.” “It is significant step,” Nigerian ambassador Joy Ogwu told reporters in anticipation of the move Wednesday. “The important thing is to attack the problem and that is terrorism.” Nigeria asked the Al-Qaeda sanctions committee to blacklist the armed Islamist group and impose sanctions. It remains unclear whether sanctions will have any real impact on a group based in an area of Nigeria that operates on a cash economy.
Cops back woman’s story of being held captive for decade The attorney for a man this long...why is she coming accused of kidnapping a girl forward now?” and holding her captive for Garcia was charged with 10 years ago strongly denied one felony count of forcible his client did any wrong and rape, three felony counts of treated the alleged victim “like lewd acts on a minor, and one a queen.” felony count of kidnapping Isidro Garcia’s attorney, to commit a sexual offense, Charles Frisco said the woman, according to a news release now 25, was never held against from the Orange County her will. district attorney’s office. “Practically everybody If convicted, he faces up to connected to the family...finds 19 years in prison. He was held these allegations unbelievable,” on $1 million bail. Frisco said. “She had her own Police said the woman, car, her own job. It’s mind- who was not identified, went boggling why she would wait through a brutal ordeal at the
hands of the man, who was her mother’s boyfriend when he allegedly abducted her. But some people who knew the pair recently said they appeared to be a loving couple and that the woman did not appear to be under any duress. “I just don’t understand how he could have her like that all these years,” Javier Campos, 28, who lived near their Bell Gardens apartment and said he knew them. “The police station is right around the corner.” Santa Ana police Cpl.
Anthony Bertagna said those who knew the pair in Bell Gardens were not seeing the whole picture, especially the years when she was a minor. “People are giving the impression that she was an adult,” he said. “She was a minor in a foreign country. That’s a very important part of this.” During a brief interview with KABC-TV, the woman said she was too scared to seek help during the last 10 years. “I was 15. I couldn’t do anything,” she said. “I was
very afraid about everything, because I was alone. I [thought] I was alone, but I never was. My family was with me.” “She had her own car, her own job,” he said. “It’s mindboggling why she would wait this long...why is she coming forward now?” Though Garcia has not yet had a chance to tell his side of the story, “what he has to say is completely different from how the media is portraying him,” Frisco said. “When we get that chance, the truth will be exposed.”
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Chicago man faces 120 years in beating of student
Philippine Marines and a local television reporter (left) gesture towards a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, which twice attempted to block a Philippine government supply ship from reaching the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea.
Japan warned, Philippines accuses China in maritime spat China warned Japan on Friday (May 23) to stay years, and we’re also wondering why there is a delay,” out of a growing dispute with its neighbours over Philippine Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Laura the South China Sea, as the Philippines implicitly del Rosario said. “Are we changing the environment so that when accused Beijing of delaying talks aimed at a solution. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, we are ready to discuss the code of conduct, the rejecting rival claims to parts of it from Vietnam, the environment has changed?” Del Rosario, speaking at a security outlook session Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei in one of Asia’s most intractable disputes and a possible of the World Economic Forum, said there had been flashpoint. It also has a separate maritime dispute “changes” on the ground since talks began, without specifically mentioning China. with Japan over islands in the East Sea. “There are a lot of build-ups, a lot of construction Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday expressed concern about regional tensions that he going on, until we realize people are already doing said were stoked by China’s “unilateral drilling” after some kind of a fencing.” Last week, the Philippine foreign ministry released China moved a giant oil rig into disputed waters, a moved denounced by the Philippines, Vietnam and aerial surveillance pictures of a reef showing what it said was Chinese reclamation and the building of the United States. “The relevant Japanese statement neglects reality what appeared to be an airstrip. A Malaysian diplomatic source said China was and confuses the facts, and takes a political motive to interfere with the situation in the South China deliberately slowing down the talks. “China has been reluctant to even talk about the Sea for a secret purpose,” Chinese Foreign Ministry code of conduct,” the diplomatic source said. “It’s a spokesman Hong Lei told a daily briefing. “We require the Japanese side to consistently take carrot to dangle in the distance. We are dealing with realistic actions to protect the region’s peace and a superpower.” In Vietnam, emotions have run so high a 67-yearstability.” The Philippines blamed a slowdown in talks on old woman killed herself by setting herself on fire, ending the disputes on “construction” changing the local government officials said. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung ground rules, an apparent reference to China. The Philippines is pushing for a “code of conduct”. said his government was considering various “The code of conduct has been long in coming, we “defense options” against China, including legal have been discussing this for the past seven or eight action, following the deployment of the oil rig.
CHICAGO - A Chicago man convicted in the savage beating of an Irish exchange student, which left her unable to walk or speak, faces up to 120 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday. Heriberto Viramontes, 35, was found guilty last October of bashing two young women over the head with a wooden bat and robbing them in April 2010, including Natasha McShane, then 23, a graduate student from Northern Ireland. The attack, which took place in a neighborhood popular with young adults, brought international attention to the problem of violent crime in Chicago, the country’s third-largest city. It also stirred Chicago’s large Irish-American community, which held fundraisers on McShane’s behalf. Viramontes was convicted by a jury of two counts of attempted murder, among other felony counts, and prosecutors are asking for a sentence of 120 years in prison. The beating left the second woman, Stacy Jurich, with ongoing health problems, including seizures, according to local media reports. McShane and Jurich were headed home from a night of dancing and celebrating when Viramontes attacked them under a viaduct in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. Jurich testified against Viramontes, as did Marcy Cruz, a former stripper who confessed to driving the getaway van for Viramontes. Cruz was sentenced to 22 years in prison under a plea agreement, prosecutors said.
Mexico, US seek to boost student exchanges MEXICO CITY — Young Americans wanting to study in Latin America have stopped looking so intently at Mexico, which has dropped from first to fourth for U.S. students going to university in the region over the last 10 years. Only about 4,000 U.S. students now study in Mexico, with crime and drug violence being the main deterrent. More go to Costa Rica, Argentina and Brazil. The U.S. government is seeking to boost the number of Americans studying in Latin America, which was one reason for coinciding visits Wednesday by both Secretary of State John Kerry and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who heads the 10-campus University of California system. Napolitano, in an interview with The Associated Press, said she wants to increase exchanges between University of California campuses and Mexican universities at all levels, from undergraduates to faculty and researchers. Of 233,000 students in the UC system, only about 40 study in Mexico each year, while about 1,900 Mexicans were at UC schools last year. Student exchanges would help correct misperceptions on both sides of the border that Mexico is dangerous and that the United States is unfriendly to Mexicans, Napolitano said.
Gay Peru politician breaks new ground
Peruvian Congressman Carlos Bruce holds a banner reading “I Am Not Afraid” during a pro-civil union rally in Lima.
Lima – A Peruvian politician has announced he is gay - a first in one of Latin America’s most conservative countries. He is Carlos Bruce, a 57-yearold member of congress and former minister and also one of the main drivers of debate on civil unions for same-sex couples in Peru. “Yes, I am gay and proud to belong to a group of people who are so valuable to Peru,” Bruce said in an interview over the weekend with the newspaper El Comercio. His announcement drew a mix of praise, criticism and insults on social media. Peru’s gay and lesbian
community has been more assertive in recent years in defending its rights, but it faces an uphill battle in a deeply conservative society where homosexuality is frowned upon. At least 17 homosexuals were killed between January 2013 and March 2014 in Peru and the crimes went unpunished, said a recent report by Red Peruana TLGB, an association of gays, lesbians, transsexuals and bisexuals. The study notes the horrific case of 19-year-old Joel Molero, who was killed in November 2013 in northeastern Peru. Molero was strangled, had his genitals, feet
and hands cut off, and his body was burned, the report said. “Once again, this case shows the extreme level of violence that is practiced, from strangulation to mutilations, to beatings, killings by blunt force and firearms, suggesting they are crimes motivated by the sexual orientation of the victims,” said Maribel Reyes, the secretary general of Red Peruana TLGB. The Catholic Church in Peru and its leader, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, a member of the ultra-conservative group Opus Dei, says civil unions “destroy the institution of marriage.”
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US states probe eBay cyber attack as customers complain EBay Inc came under pressure on Thursday over a massive hacking of customer data as three U.S. states began investigating the e-commerce company’s security practices. Connecticut, Florida and Illinois said they are jointly investigating the matter. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman requested eBay provide free credit monitoring for everyone affected. Details about what happened are still unclear
because eBay has provided few details about the attack. It is also unclear what legal authority states have over eBay’s handling of the matter. The states’ quick move shows that authorities are serious about holding companies accountable for securing data following highprofile breaches at other companies, including retailers Target Corp, Neiman Marcus and Michaels and credit monitoring bureau Experian
Plc. Congress and the Federal Trade Commission are investigating the Target breach, which resulted in the firing of the company’s chief executive and its chief information officer. “There is definitely a climate shift,” said Jamie Court, president of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog. “The departure of the Target CEO over the problem signals inside the board room and in the
halls of government that these are betrayals of customers and that they won’t be tolerated.” EBay shares fell 0.7 on Nasdaq, compared with a 0.6 increase in the Nasdaq Composite Index. The investigation by the states will focus on eBay’s measures for securing data, circumstances that led to the breach and the company’s response, said Jaclyn Falkowski, a spokeswoman for Connecticut Attorney General
George Jepsen. EBay spokeswoman Amanda Miller declined to comment on the states’ actions, but said the company was working with authorities around the globe. “We have relationships with and proactively contacted a number of state, federal and international regulators and law enforcement agencies,” she said. “We are fully cooperating with them on all aspects of this incident.”
HP may cut up to 16,000 more jobs as results disappoint
Logos are seen outside a branch of Barclays bank in London.
Barclays sounding out buyers for Spanish retail bank Britain’s Barclays (BARC.L) is sounding out potential buyers for its Spanish retail bank, people familiar with the matter said, adding that local peers and private equity firms could be interested in parts of the business. Barclays earlier this month outlined a major restructuring and as many as 19,000 job cuts as it refocuses on its British and African businesses, investment banking in the UK and United States, and credit cards. It will park its retail banking operations in Spain, Italy, France and Portugal in a “bad bank”, and these will be sold, separated or floated. Barclays is contacting potential bidders with preliminary information about the Spanish unit and confidentiality agreements, two banking sources familiar with the process said, adding no formal auction was yet underway. “Everyone knows all (the European businesses) are for sale, but Spain
seems to be priority or the one getting interest,” one banker said. Private investment firms are expected to vie for the retail network, three sources said. Centerbridge Partners, which bought loan servicing company Aktua from Santander (SAN.MC) in Spain and has been a bidder for debt packages being sold by local banks, could be among those interested, one of the people said. Apollo Global Management (APO.N), which has bought Spain’s small Evo Banco, could also be a candidate, the person said. Spain’s top banks, Santander, BBVA (BBVA.MC) and Caixabank (CABK.MC), would be among those approached, two people said, while two further sources said smaller Bankinter (BKT.MC) could want to pick up private banking operations from Barclays. The Spanish banks, Barclays and Apollo declined to comment. Centerbridge could not immediately be reached for comment. The UK bank may end up
having to split the unit or sell off loans if it does not get a bid for the whole division. Spanish banks are themselves cutting offices and costs as they recover from an economic slump and a property market crash. “The decision on what assets Barclays will sell could come before the end of the week,” another banking source said. Like other banks seeking to exit retail banking in Spain, such as Citigroup (C.N), Barclays is likely to keep a team of local investment bankers, as an economic recovery spurs dealmaking. It has so far been handling the Spanish disposal with its own team of advisers, according to two sources. Barclays expanded rapidly in Spain, including with the 1.1 billion euro ($1.5 billion) purchase of Banco Zaragozano in 2003, but hit problems from big losses on corporate loans and the recession. The bank’s European retail business has lost almost 2 billion pounds ($3.4 billion) over the last four years.
Hewlett-Packard Co plans to cut as many as 16,000 more jobs in a major ramp-up of CEO Meg Whitman’s years-long effort to turn around the personal computer maker and relieve pressure on its profit margins. On Thursday, the company posted a disappointing 1 percent drop in quarterly revenue, as it struggled to maintain its grip on the shrinking personal computer market while protecting profit margins. That marked its 11th consecutive quarterly sales decline. Shares in HP closed down 2.3 percent at $31.78, after the company inadvertently posted the results on its website more than half an hour before the closing bell. HP, whose sprawling global operations have more than 250,000 employees, had originally planned to shed 34,000 jobs as part of its corporate overhaul. On Thursday, it estimated 11,000 to 16,000 more positions needed to go, scattered across different countries and business areas. Whitman said HP continues to find areas to streamline across the company’s broad portfolio, which encompasses computing, networking, storage and software. But research jobs, which are vital for innovation and long-term growth, will continue to grow. HP is looking to cut back more in “areas not central to customer-facing and innovation agendas,” she said in an interview, rather than areas like research. “That’s not what we’re doing here. You need to look at the R&D spending, which is up.” The Silicon Valley company is trying to reduce its reliance on PCs and move toward computing equipment and networking gear for enterprises, part of Whitman’s effort to curtail revenue declines and return the world’s No. 1 PC maker to growth. HP recorded sales of $27.3 billion in its fiscal second quarter, ended April 30, just shy of the $27.41 billion Wall Street had expected. Whitman said China remained a challenging region, though revenue from that country rose in the quarter. U.S. companies like International Business Machines Corp and Cisco Systems Inc have blamed recent lackluster performances on a backlash against American companies in China, in the wake of U.S. spying allegations. On Thursday, HP forecast full-year earnings of $3.63 to $3.75 a share, compared with Wall Street’s estimate for $3.71. It reported non-GAAP diluted net earnings of 88 cents a share in the fiscal second quarter, up 1 percent from a year earlier and about level with what analysts, on average, had expected.
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ZTE, Huawei win bulk of China Mobile’s batch of 4G contracts - China Mobile Ltd has awarded its second batch of 4G telecom equipment contracts, with ZTE Corp and rival Huawei Technologies Ltd securing the bulk of the deal, two industry sources with direct knowledge of the situation said. Telecom equipment makers, such as global leader Ericsson and Huawei, have been vying for a larger share of China Mobile’s 4G tender in an industry that has been hit by lackluster spending worldwide. The company awarded ZTE and Huawei 34 percent and 31 percent
of the batch, respectively, said the industry sources, who declined to be named as they were not authorized to speak to the media. ZTE and Huawei declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent SA both won 9 percent of the batch, while Nokia secured 8 percent, the sources said. Alcatel-Lucent confirmed that it was part of the award but declined to comment on the share allocation. Ericsson said it could not comment on the report, adding: “We can
confirm that the central parts of the negotiations are finalized. But there still are negotiations locally and that part is not finished yet.” Nokia had no comment. China Mobile, with more than 784 million mobile customers and 4.8 million 4G subscribers in April, is the world’s largest telecoms company by subscribers. It confirmed the names of the winners in a statement released later on Thursday, but did not provide details. The current batch represents 40
percent - about 100,000 base stations in China - of China Mobile’s quota of 4G contracts to be sold this year, the sources added. The additional 60 percent of the contracts in the batch, about 160,000 base stations in China, will be decided later this year. China Mobile chairman Xi Guo Hua said at the company’s annual general meeting earlier on Thursday that the development of 4G had gone well so far and the company will build 500,000 base stations on the mainland this year.
Apple winning the smartphone game ‘for now’
A Toyota logo is seen in a showroom at a Toyota dealership in Warsaw
Toyota recalls 520,000 vehicles for spare tire, braking issues Toyota on Friday said it is recalling about 520,000 vehicles, mostly in North America, over several issues including cable corrosion that could see unused spare tyres fall off. The world’s biggest automaker made the announcement just days after US rival General Motors said it was recalling 2.4 million more vehicles in the United States. Both car giants have been struggling with product recall issues in recent years with Toyota last month calling back 6.39 million vehicles over a string of problems, dealing another blow to its long-held reputation for quality and safety. On Friday, Toyota said its announcement covered about 450,000 Sienna minivans produced between 2004 and 2011, including 370,000 in the US and 80,000 in Canada.
The move was tied to concerns that salt used on snowy roads in both countries during the winter could corrode a cable that secures the vehicle’s spare tyre. “In an extreme case, the cable may break due to excessive corrosion and the spare tire may separate from the vehicle,” Toyota said. Also recalled over a glitch in software that controls the front passenger seatbelt were 55,000 Highlander sports utility vehicles, sold mostly in the US, Canada and Mexico, which were manufactured between November 2013 and May 2014. Another 16,000 Lexus GS 250 and GS 350 luxury sedans made in 2012 would be recalled, mostly in North America, Europe and China, over a brake pedal issue that could cause the vehicle to slow down more than expected.
Since the dawn of smartphone time, Apple and Samsung have been battling for the throne. Today, according to research by Counterpoint, Apple currently wears the crown, selling the more iPhones this quarter than any other smartphone and handily beating out all other rivals with the iPhone. Samsung, however, sold more handsets than any other retailer. Still, Android is the OS of choice for many, as the Google-baked operating system accounted for 59.2 percent of sales within the US this quarter while iOS only made up 36.9 percent of sales. Windows Mobile and Blackberry are still struggling with less than 4 percent and 1 percent of the market respectively. Of the top four smartphone retailers, Apple took home the most sales at the three largest (AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint) while Samsung walked away with the T-Mobile title. Here’s the breakdown of what percentage of carrier sales were iPhone: AT&T (52 percent), Verizon (51 percent), Sprint (36 percent). On the whole, smartphone sales are up 7 percent from a year ago this time, with 87 percent of all handsets now being smartphones in the U.S. This may not always be the case. While Apple limits itself to a few beautiful, premium devices each year, Samsung floods the market with cheapto-build handsets of all shapes, sizes and prices. This means that fluctuating handset supply could swamp Apple – or force Samsung to take a quarter to build another flagship. It is, as they say, anyone’s game. While Apple iterates slowly and deliberately with the hopes to get as many customers as possible to upgrade on a yearly basis, Samsung makes the most usable and affordable Android handsets on the market. Is it fair to compare Apple’s slow and steady pace with Samsung’s spray and pray technique? Not really, but those two are the only players in town with any clout. While we may be comparing Apples and, well, Androids, this battle will wage long into the future as long as both manufacturers keep updating and improving.
Sales of existing U.S. homes finally rise Sales of previously owned U.S. homes increased in April as a bigger supply of properties lured buyers and raised prospects for a stronger spring selling season. Closings (ETSLTOTL), which usually take place a month or two after a contract is signed, increased 1.3 percent to a 4.65 million annual rate, the National Association of Realtors reported today in Washington. It marked the first advance this year. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg projected a 4.69 million pace. The number of homes for sale jumped 16.8 percent in April. Easier lending standards for some
Americans, faster job growth and historically lowmortgage rates helped stabilize an industry that’s faltered since the middle of last year. A pickup in construction that boosts housing inventory and tempers gains in property values would provide a further boost to the market. “The improvement in availability suggests stronger sales activity in the months ahead,” said Russell Price, senior economist at Ameriprise Financial Inc. inDetroit. Price is the second-best forecaster of existing home sales in the last two years, according to data
Estimates in the Bloomberg survey of 75 economists ranged from 4.6 million to 4.82 million after a 4.59 million pace in March that was the weakest since July 2012. Stocks rose after the figures. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 0.4 percent to 1,895.02 at 11:37 a.m. in New York. Among other reports today, the number of Americans filing applications forunemployment benefits increased more than forecast last week, showing uneven improvement in the labor market. Jobless claims increased by 28,000 to 326,000 in the week ended May
17, according to the Labor Department. The Conference Board in New York said its index of leading indicators advanced 0.4 percent in April after a 1 percent gain a month earlier that was the strongest since September. The measure indicates the world’s largest economy will pick up in the next three to six months after a first-quarter slowdown. The sales increase in April “is welcoming,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the Realtors group. “I feel optimistic. Now with more inventory, I think there will be more buyers entering the market.”
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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
Facebook expands privacy checkup tool NEW YORK – More Facebook users can expect to see a blue cartoon dinosaur popping up in their feeds, reminding them to check their privacy settings. No stranger to privacy fiascos, Facebook had already made the tool available to users who were posting public updates. The feature is designed to remind people how widely they share posts, what apps they use and other privacy issues. Facebook engineering manager Raylene Yung says the tool is the result of user feedback and decisions by the company to improve the user experience. Facebook says users are sometimes worried about sharing something by accident, or sharing with the wrong audience. Facebook will also make the default audience for new users’ posts to “friends.” Previously, it was set to public. Best Buy reports quarterly financial results on Thursday, May 22, 2014.
Best Buy profit beats estimates, shows signs of turnaround Best Buy Co Inc reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, showing signs that Chief Executive Hubert Joly’s turnaround efforts were progressing and sending the company’s shares up as much as 8.5 percent in morning trading. Since joining in the fall of 2012, Joly has removed layers of management, eliminated hundreds of jobs, closed unprofitable stores and boosted Best Buy’s cash reserves in efforts to stem sales declines. While the company’s sales are still falling, the rate of decline has slowed from 29 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to a 3.3 percent fall in the first quarter ended May 3. “The new management team is working to untangle the old knot and set up more profitable pathways to customers,” Stifel analyst David Schick said in a note. “We also believe vendors are showing support for BBY’s success.” The company posted an adjusted profit of 33 cents per share, which topped the average analyst estimate of 20 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. However, rising grocery bills and higher fuel costs in the United States are weighing on consumers’ ability to spend on discretionary items such as electronic goods. Sears Holdings Corp on Tuesday said gross margins in its U.S. business fell 2 percentage
points for the quarter due to low demand for home appliances. Best Buy expects same-store sales to fall in the current quarter and the next on lower demand for many consumer electronics, and especially for mobile phones as shoppers were waiting to buy new models, the company said. Apple Inc is expected to launch the latest iteration of its iPhone in September and Amazon.com Inc is rumored to unveil its first smartphone in September. Best Buy’s sales at stores open for at least 14 months fell 1.9 percent in the first quarter and the company said it expected same-store sales to fall in the low-single digits percentage range in the second and third quarters as well. Total revenue fell 3.3 percent to $9.04 billion. Same-store sales in the United States fell 1.3 percent, steeper than the 0.9 percent fall analysts had expected, according to research firm Consensus Metrix. “We are encouraged that aggressive internal initiatives will persist; however, we are far less optimistic that sales trends will improve substantially any time soon,” Oppenheimer & Co analyst Brian Nagel said in a note. Best Buy’s shares were up 5 percent at $26.64 in morning trading on Thursday. They hit a high of $25.90 earlier.
Unilever’s Ragu brand pasta sauce sits on display in a supermarket in Princeton, Illinois, U.S.
Unilever sells Ragu brand for $2.15 billion
AMSTERDAM – Unilever says it has agreed to sell ownership of its Ragu and Bertolli brand sauces in North America to Japan’s Mizkan Group for $2.15 billion. Ragu is the best-selling pasta sauce in the United States. Unilever said in a statement Thursday the two businesses have combined annual sales of $600 million. The deal includes ownership of two factories: a sauce processing and packaging facility in Owensboro, Ky., and a tomato processing plant in Stockton, Calif. Mizkan is a privately held maker of condiments and sauces that started as a rice vinegar maker in central Japan more than 200 years ago. It is seeking to expand its international businesses to counterbalance poor prospects in its domestic market due to Japan’s aging population. Unilever said the deal will close in June.
T-Mobile overtakes Sprint as No. 3 smartphone buyer in U.S. T-Mobile (TMUS.N) overtook Sprint Corp (S.N) as the No. 3 smartphone purchaser in the United States in the first quarter, according to a report, as the company used aggressive discounting to add more new subscribers than any other U.S. wireless operator. T-mobile bought 6 million smartphones in the first quarter, compared with Sprint’s 5 million, according to Neil Shah, analyst at Counterpoint Technology Market Research. Smartphones account for 87 percent of total handsets in the United States but their numbers are growing at a
crawling pace. In this nearly saturated market, companies are relying on promotions to lure subscribers from one another. T-Mobile, Verizon (VZ.N) and AT&T (T.N) recently launched device installment plans that separate the cost of devices from the cost of service, prompting more customers to switch from basic to smartphones. While T-mobile still trails Sprint in total subscribers, the numbers show that T-Mobile’s price cuts and promotions are working, Shah said. “Sprint doesn’t have that much demand to sell into,” Shah said in an interview. “They will have to up their
strategy”. Apple APPL.O and Samsung (005930.KS) captured more than twothirds of the smartphone purchases in the quarter, with Android making up 59 percent of shipments. Apple phones were more popular with the two largest carriers, AT&T and Verizon, while Samsung was the best performing brand at T-Mobile. Android’s popularity with the smaller carriers is partially because T-Mobile and Sprint were the last two major wireless providers to carry Apple’s iPhone, so their existing customer base is more familiar with the android phone, said Shah.
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National soccer team to compete in the prelim round of Caribbean Cup The Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) Men’s National Soccer Team will be travelling to Aruba on Wednesday, May 28th to take part in the Preliminary Qualification Round of The 2014 Caribbean Cup, consisting of three games against Aruba, the British Virgin Islands and French Guiana. The 2014 Caribbean Cup will be the 17th edition of the Caribbean Cup, an international football competition for national teams of
member nations affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) of the CONCACAF region. What is more, the Caribbean Cup is a qualifying tournament for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and it will be the TCI team’s first international tournament since the World Cup Qualifying games against The Bahamas in 2011 and also Craig Harrington’s first game as TCIFA’s Technical Director. Of The Caribbean Cup, the Technical
Director said: “You have to be realistic. We are in a group with three other teams and it’s going to be real battle. I think we have the potential to get out of this first group but it depends on the first game against Aruba.” Chris Bryan, President of the TCIFA said: “The team we have assembled is made up of predominately academy players who have come up through the TCIFA youth system from an early age. This is a milestone in our development
Billy Forbes starts professional career with a bang
Local talismanic forward Billy Forbes has started his professional career with the San Antonio Scorpions with two assists in his team’s 3-0 demolishing of the Carolina RailHawks in front of 5,834 fans at home. After a scoreless first half that was marked by a lack of quality chances for both teams, the Scorpions dominated from the very beginning of the second half, with Forbes leading from the front. Reports are that the Turks and Caicos international came on as a substitute at the beginning of the second half immediately brought creativity and speed to the left side of the Scorpions’ attack. In only his eighth minute on the pitch, Forbes collected his first assist on a nice ground cross to striker Eric Hassli. Forbes used his speed to create space on the left side and then cut the ball back to an unmarked Hassli just above the spot. Hassli then half-volleyed perfectly past RailHawks’ custodian Akira Fitzgerald, to make the score 1-0 in the 53rd minute. The ink had barely dried on Forbes’ first foray onto the scoresheet when he placed his name there a second time six minutes later. The pacey forward again created his own space and this time sent an arcing cross into the box. The ball was met perfectly by an on-rushing Danny Barrera, who headed the ball past the helpless Fitzgerald to double the Scorpions’ advantage. Carolina saw little of the ball in the second half and found the chances
With this eighteen month contract Billy is now officially considered a professional Soccer player. hard to come by. The lack of possession translated into continued opportunities in the attacking third for San Antonio, and it paid off a third time when RailHawks defender Jordan Burt was called for handling the ball in the box. Tomasz Zahorski converted to push the Scorpions’ lead to 3-0. Forbes’ performance did not go unnoticed locally, as the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services has extended congratulations
to wily forward. The Ministry noted: “The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services extends congratulations to Mr. Billy Forbes, former Soccer player for the Turks and Caicos Islands on his recent signing as a professional player. “Mr. Forbes was recently signed to the San Antonio Scorpions on an eighteen-month contract. The San Antonio Scorpions is an American professional Soccer team based in San Antonio, Texas, United States. With this eighteen month contract Billy is now officially considered a professional Soccer player. The Ministry also extended congratulations to the Turks and Caicos Football Association for its role in Mr. Forbes’ soccer career. He was deemed one of Turks and Caicos Islands’ top soccer players over the years. With the assistance Association, Mr. Forbes is currently residing in Lubbock, Texas where he is reading for a degree in Psychology at the Lubbock Christian University. The Department of Sports salutes Mr. Forbes on this milestone and sees this as yet another great achievement in sports. The Department also takes this opportunity to congratulate the Turks and Caicos Football Association and wish them all the best in the future. Next week San Antonio plays the third game of their three-game homestand against the FC Edmonton while the RailHawks will be back home to face the Atlanta Silverbacks.
of football here in the islands. The team is well coached and well prepared.” The 20-men squad for Team TCI consists of Raymondson Azemard, Luis Turbyfield, Marc Fenelus, Billy Forbes, Fred Dorvil, Gavin Glinton, Kely Louima, Wildens Delva, Chris Gardiner, Marcdonald Fenelus, James Rene, Peguy Derilien, Stevens Derilien, Paul Collis, Jack McKnight, Philip Shearer, Syed Hassan, Rodney Davilmar, Jerry Liluce and Alex Bryan.
Renowned football coach visits the tcifa
Louis Lancaster, one of the most highly rated coaches in the United Kingdom is conducting training sessions with the Turks and Caicos Football Association (TCIFA) this week. Mr Lancaster has coached and managed teams around the world, as well as working for Arsenal Ladies, Watford FC, Brentford FC and Portsmouth FC. He holds a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) ‘A’ license and the prestigious Elite Coaching License (Level 5), being one of the 16 candidates invited to take part in that course. In the Turks and Caicos for ten days, Louis – as he is affectionately called – is taking part in the Football Association’s (FA) Guest Coach Program that was launched earlier this year. Under this program the FA has invited top-level coaches to the Islands to conduct coaching sessions with the youth and senior players within the program. The celebrated coach, who describes himself as ‘enthusiastic, innovative and always gives 100% to every challenge he is faced with’, believes that the strength of a good coach is to understand your players, understand yourself and know the game. Adding that there are various coaching styles, Lancaster stated that there are coaches who are prescriptive and tell players what to do and there are others who are more player centered, shifting responsibility on to the players. Neither style is right or wrong but each style has a place. The best coaches can identify what is required at the right time.
TCI to host historic CFU Caribbean Women’s Cup Games For the first time in its history the Turks and Caicos Islands will be hosting a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Caribbean Cup Games from May 25 to 27. Candace Hanchell, Coordinator for the locally and manager for the Turks and Caicos Island Football Female Squad, said that the games will serve as FIFA World Cup Women Football qualifying matches. The TCI is hosting Group 3 of the Caribbean Cup Games, grouping
alongside the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and St. Kitts and Nevis. The winners of Group 3 will move on in August to face the winners of Group 5 in Trinidad & Tobago. Hanchell said that not only is the Turks and Caicos Islands hosting the games for the first time, but it is also the first time that it will have a team participating in the CFU Women’s Caribbean Cup games. “It is a testament to the dedication and commitment to the sport. Football
has taken the country by storm and the Bermuda. On Sunday, May 25th Bermuda will members of the Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association will continue to face-off against the Cayman Islands at promote and move the sport forward in 5p.m., while at 7:30p.m., the Turks and the country. There are twenty selected Caicos Islands will do battle with St. national team players age ranging from Kitts-Nevis at 7:30p.m. On Monday, May 27th St. Kitts fifteen to fifty,” Hanchell said. Two matches will be played each day -Nevis will go up against Bermuda, of the competition, which opens on May while at 7:30p.m., the Turks and Caicos 23rd with the Cayman Islands going up Islands will go up against the Cayman against St. Kitts at 5p.m. In the feature Islands. Ava Robertson is the head coach for encounter at 7:30p.m., Turks & Caicos Islands will bow into action, taking on team.
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Cadogan going pro; signs with Adidas Levi Cadogan, the schoolboy sprint king of Barbados, created history today when he signed a contract with the international shoe company Adidas at the office of the Barbados Olympic Centre, Wildey, St Michael last week. Addressing a Press conference after the signing, Joseph Codrington of Codrington Elite Performance who negotiated the contract with Adidas on the young sprinter’s behalf, disclosed that this was the first time a young Barbadian athlete had been signed to an international company while still being at school.
“The contract between Levi and “This is a historic day for athletics in Barbados; no other schoolboy has Adidas will end at the end of August ever turned professional and received 2016. Included in it is a sum of money sponsorship from a international which I will not disclose. In addition, company while still being at school. Levi is contracted to wear the sponsor’s Levi has broken new grounds,” gear at all track meets he is competing at. Codrington said. “This does not apply when he is He added that the contract between the budding star and the international competing for Barbados when he must wear the gear of the sponsors brand would end in 2016. Codrington described Cadogan of the national team. But he must as an emerging talent and disclosed wear his sponsors’ shoes at all times,” that he decided to sign up the young Codrington, himself a former highBarbadian before another agency quality athlete in the 1970s and 1980s, said. added him to their register.
VCB wins first major race of the season Multiple world and Olympic champion Veronica Campbell Brown won a major race for the first time this season when she clocked a season’s best 11.14 seconds to win the women’s 100m at the IAAF World Challenge Meeting held in Beijing, last Thursday. The Jamaican, who has had some ordinary performances so far this season, led a clean sweep of Jamaican women in the top four places on the same track that she won the Olympic Games 200m in 2008. Campbell Brown held off a strong challenge from Simone Facey, who was second in 11.19 seconds, Trisha-Ann Hawthorne third in 11.23 seconds and Aleen Bailey fourth in 11.32 seconds. Facey, who is part of the Jamaica team to the IAAF World Relays, was the other Jamaican winner at the meet taking the women’s 200m in a season’s best 22.67 seconds. VCB will not be in the Bahamas for the IAAF World Relay meet this weekend. Facey and Bailey had a Jamaican 1-2 in the 200m as Bailey clocked 23.11 seconds with Hawthorne taking fourth in 23.32 seconds. Another major highlight was the performance of US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who smashed the season’s best 100m time he set less than a week ago to claim victory. Gatlin comfortably won his race with a time of 9.87, slicing fivehundredths of a second off the 9.92 he clocked to win last Sunday’s Diamond League meet in Shanghai. Sunday’s result was the first time this season the veteran sprinter had
Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell Brown working out at the Truman Bodden Stadium recently. dipped under 10 seconds. Gatlin’s compatriot Michael Rodgers took silver in 10.03, and Kim Collins from St Kitts and Nevis came third in 10.11. Meantime, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott recaptured some of
his old magic by winning the javelin event with a throw of 83.94m. The winning effort was an impressive comeback for the London 2012 gold medallist who finished a disappointing seventh in Shanghai on Sunday.
Walcott lands Beijing javelin gold
T&T Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott turned the tables on his rivals when he topped an 11-man field to win gold in the men’s javelin at the IAAF World Challenge held at the 2008 Olympic Bird Nest, Beijing, China, last week. In a relatively subdued final, Walcott, the 2012 IAAF World Junior champion, took the event with a distance of 83.94 metres – the third-best mark of his life behind his 2012 London Olympic Games winning effort of 84.58 and an 84.39 effort on home soil last year. Second was Russian Valeriy Lordan with a distance of 82.05 while third placed Czech Republic, Petr Frydrych had a distance of 80.30, the only other distance beyond 80 metres. Egypt’s Ihab Abdelrahman El Sayed, days after his 89.21m stunner in the men’s javelin in Shanghai, limped off the runway this time with a knee injury and a best of 74.03m in four injury-hampered attempts. On Friday last, at the Shanhgai Golen Grand Prix, El Sayed finished ahead of Sweden’s Kim Amb (84.14) and Czech Republic’s Vitezslav Vesely (83.80) followed by Kenyan Julius Yego (83.00), Russia’s Dmitri Tarabin (82.66), Finnish athlete Tero Pitkamaki (81.38) and Walcott, who was the seventh athlete over the 80 metres mark, with 81.09 from a field of 12. The 21-year-old Walcott’s effort of 83.94 now ranks as the fifth best of 2014 behind El Sayed; Japan’s Ryohei Arai’s 85.48l Amb (84.14) and American Tim Glover’s 84.01 metres. The other T&T athlete to compete in China, Mikel Thomas failed to get among the medals after he placed seventh in the men’s 110m hurdles in 15.19 seconds. The winner of the event was China’s Wenjun Xie who made it a ShanghaiBeijing double in 13.31 followed by American duo, Ryan Wilson (13.37) and Kevin Craddock (13.56).
Montserrat to host major regional football tournament BRADES, Montserrat – Montserrat has stepped into the breach to host one of the tournaments in the prequalifying round of matches in the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Men’s Caribbean Cup. From May 30 to June 3, teams representing Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands and Montserrat will battle it out for a qualifying place in round two of the regional tournament. The games to be played in Montserrat at the new football complex were previously planned for Dutch St
Maarten. Montserrat’s new football complex was funded by the International Football Federation (FIFA) through its FIFA Goals Project. Over 100 visiting players and officials are expected for the tournament, which locally will feature some of the region’s best up and coming footballers, including the UK-based young Montserratians, one of whom has been selected for the England Under-21 squad. In making the announcement, president of the Montserrat Football
Association Vincent Cassell said there is high anticipation in many respects for the games to be played here. “It suggests confidence in the Montserrat Football Association,” he said, adding that they are “working feverishly” to put the finishing touches to the local FIFA-sponsored stadium, which can seat around 500 spectators with additional capacity around the grounds. Cassell also stated that the local facility, built to international standards, will be one of the few purpose-built football stadiums of
its kind in the area with all of the features that teams, officials and fans could expect. Montserrat is in an extensive rebuilding phase in the northern part of the island, after the Soufriere Hills volcano destroyed the capital Plymouth and rendered about two-thirds of the island uninhabitable. About 5,000 people now live in the northern safe zone after more than the half the population were forced to flee the island due to the volcanic eruptions.
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SPORTS Lawsuit by Gay’s ex-coach ‘baseless’: USADA
A lawsuit filed by Tyson Gay’s Agency is an effort to circumvent former coach Jon Drummond, who the mandatory arbitration process claims he was falsely accused established to protect the rights of of supplying the sprinter with all clean athletes, coaches and the performance-enhancing drugs, is integrity of competition,” USADA ‘baseless’, the United States Anti- spokesperson Annie Skinner said in a statement to Reuters. Doping Agency said last Thursday. “Under the rules which were The lawsuit comes as USADA is seeking a lifetime ban against approved by athletes, the U.S. Drummond for supplying the joint Olympic Committee and all U.S. sport second fastest man in history with federations, Mr. Drummond will have the opportunity to have his case heard performance-enhancing drugs. “Mr. Drummond’s baseless lawsuit by a panel of independent arbitrators, against the U.S. Anti-Doping who will ultimately weigh all evidence
“Mr. Drummond categorically presented and determine the outcome denies ever having encouraged Tyson of the case. “As in numerous previous cases, Gay, or any other athlete, to use any we will ask the court to dismiss Mr. banned substance,” Mark Whitburn, Drummond’s lawsuit in favor of the one of Drummond’s lawyers, said in a statement emailed to Reuters last well-established arbitration process.” Neither Gay nor his agent Thursday. “Mr. Drummond has been a responded to requests for comment. Drummond, a former Olympic vocal and active proponent of clean sprinter who coached the U.S. relay competition throughout his career team at the 2012 London Games, filed ... allegations that Jon Drummond a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday has ever encouraged any athlete to against Gay, USADA and USADA use banned substances are false and defamatory. chief Travis Tygart.
Serena Williams of the U.S. poses with the trophy after winning her women’s singles final match against Sara Errani of Italy at the Rome Masters tennis tournament May 18, 2014.
Serena peaking in time for French Open, says Evert Serena Williams can match Steffi Graf’s record of 22 grand slam titles and is favorite to take another step towards that milestone at next week’s French Open, according to fellow American Chris Evert. World No. 1 Williams, 32, has 17 singles majors on her CV and if she retains her French Open title she would join Evert and Martina Navratilova in second place on the list. Despite being the wrong side of 30, Evert believes Williams is still improving on clay and is now prioritizing grand slams rather than playing at full tilt at lower level events. “I think she’s peaked pretty well for the French Open,” seven-times French Open champion Evert said during a conference call organized by broadcaster ESPN who she will be commentating for during Roland Garros.
“I think after the last two years of her playing more tennis than she’s ever played, I think she came into this year exhausted. I think her priorities really are the grand slams this year. She knows what her place in history is now. She’s gunning for those Grand Slam titles.” Williams was totally dominant last year, winning 11 titles including the French Open and the U.S. Open. Last week she warmed up for her defense of the French Open by cruising to the claycourt Italian Open title in Rome, dropping only 22 games in the process. “The French seems to be opening up for her. She has an apartment there. She lives there. She practices a lot there. Patrick (Mouratoglou), her coach, is French,” said Evert. “I think this tournament will motivate her. If she’s healthy and fit, she’s got it under control. She’s learned to play on the clay a lot
better from Patrick. “She’s improved her defense skills. She’s always had the offence skills. She’s more fit. She’s moving better. She is patient with herself. “She doesn’t have to go for the winner on the fourth shot. She can wait eight or nine shots and go for the opening. She’s more intelligent and thinking more clearly on the clay than she ever has.” Evert picked former French champions Li Na and Maria Sharapova as Williams’s main rivals with another former winner Ana Ivanovic, who beat Williams at the Australian Open, back in the frame. “She’s beating some pretty good players,” Evert said. “I like her attitude out there. You can tell she wants it. As far as winning a grand slam, I don’t know. “Anything’s possible. I think realistically to be top five would be a better goal for her right now.”
Manchester United’s manager David Moyes looks on during a news conference at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England March 31, 2014.
Former Man United manager Moyes accused of assault in bar
David Moyes, who was sacked as manager of Manchester United last month, has been accused of assaulting a man in a bar in northern England, a police source said on Thursday. The incident occurred in the Emporium wine bar in Clitheroe north of Manchester on Wednesday night and no one has been arrested, police said. “It was reported that a 23-year-old local man had been assaulted by a 51-year-old man. He did not require hospital treatment,” Lancashire Police said in a statement. Moyes, 51, was not named but a source confirmed he was involved in the allegation. “Inquiries are ongoing and we are speaking to a number of people to try to establish the circumstances,” the police statement said. “There are a number of differing accounts which we need to work through to try to establish exactly what has happened.” Moyes was fired by the English Premier League club after just 10 months in charge having presided over a disappointing campaign in which United finished. He was linked earlier on Thursday with a return to management with Scottish champions Celtic after manager Neil Lennon stood down.
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Hamilton suggests he’s hungrier than Rosberg Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has suggested his under-privileged past makes him hungrier for Formula One success than Mercedes team mate and title rival Nico Rosberg, who grew up among Monaco millionaires. With the two separated by just three points after five races, Hamilton added to the mindgames ahead of Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix in an interview with the official formula1.com website.
“Let me tell you this: I come from a not-great place in Stevenage and lived on a couch in my dad’s apartment - and Nico grew up in Monaco with jets and hotels and boats and all these kind of things,” said the Briton. “So the hunger is different,” added the 29-year-old when asked about a suggestion in the German media that Rosberg was ‘too soft’ to stand up to Hamilton’s ‘killer instinct’.
“I want to be the hungriest guy in the cockpit from all 22 of us (drivers)... if I were to come here believing that Nico is hungrier than me then I might as well go home. So I’ve got to be the hungriest - to win the world championship you need to be the hungriest.” Hamilton, who spoke eloquently earlier in the week about visiting malnourished children in Haiti as a UNICEF ambassador, has come a long way since he lived in social
housing and his father held down multiple jobs to pay for him to go karting. However, the 2008 world champion whose paternal grandfather emigrated to Britain from the Caribbean undoubtedly has more in the bank than Rosberg. The Monaco resident, who spends much of his free time in Los Angeles with singer girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and celebrities from the world of movies and music, was
this week ranked as the most marketable athlete in the world by SportsPro magazine. He also topped the Sunday Times list of Britain’s wealthiest active sportsmen with an estimated fortune of 68 million pounds ($114.65 million). Rosberg won from pole position last year in Monaco - the Mediterranean home he has known since boyhood as son of 1982 world champion Keke.
Adidas sees boost to sales from World Cup
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and center DeJuan Blair (45) celebrate during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Centern on May 2nd.
Dallas Mavericks owner criticized for his comments on race Mark Cuban, the outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, last week defended comments he made about race and bigotry when asked at a businessconference to address the controversy over banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Cuban has come under fire on social media for his statements in a pre-recorded interview shown on Wednesday at the GrowCo convention hosted by Inc magazine. “If I see a black kid in a hoodie and it’s late at night, I’m walking
to the other side of the street. And if on that side of the street, there’s a guy that has tattoos all over his face – white guy, bald head, tattoos everywhere – I’m walking back to the other side of the street,” he said in the interview that was posted on the Internet. Critics said his “hoodie” reference recalled the 2012 shooting of unarmed, black Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt when he was fatally wounded in a struggle with a man who said he feared for his life.
Cuban offered contrition for the comment but added he stood by his words and the substance of the interview. “In hindsight I should have used different examples. I didn’t consider the Trayvon Martin family, and I apologize to them for that,” he wrote on Twitter. Fellow NBA owner Sterling was banned for life from the sport and fined $2.5 million after a recording of him surfaced where he made comments about race that included telling his girlfriend not to bring black people to his team’s games.
German sportswear company Adidas has given a more precise sales growth target for 2014, amounting to a rise of up to 8 percent, as it gets a lift from the soccer World Cup that starts in Brazil next month. As a World Cup sponsor, Adidas provides the official match ball and is kitting out nine teams of the 32 finalists, including former world champions Spain, Germany andArgentina. “This year we will add 1-1.2 billion euros ($1.4-1.6 billion) to operational revenue, with the World Cup playing an important role,” Chief Executive Herbert Hainer told journalists at a briefing in Munich in remarks released for publication on Thursday. That increase represents a rise of 7-8 percent from the 14.492 billion euros of sales Adidas recorded in 2013. Previously, Adidas had guided for a “high single-digit” increase in currency-neutral sales in 2014. The world’s second-biggest sportswear firm has been losing market share in western Europe, its home territory, to Nike, which is also challenging the German company’s dominance in the soccer market. Nike is supplying teams from 10 countries, including the Brazilian hosts, at the World Cup. Hainer confirmed that Adidas expected to make a record 2 billion euros of sales in soccer this year, exceeding Nike’s estimated $2 billion of soccer turnover. “Football is the DNA of our company. We want to clearly show that we are number one in soccer,” Hainer said, adding Adidas expected to sell significantly more balls than at the last World Cup in South Africa four years ago and about as many shirts. Hainer acknowledged, however, that Adidas faced a “head-to-head” race with Nike in thebusiness for soccer boots, including in Germany, predicting Adidas would sell 2 million pairs of special boots designed for the World Cup. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Germany’s Mezul Ozil are among the stars wearing Adidas boots, while Brazilian idol Neymar and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo will be sporting Nike shoes.
Fifty U.S. senators urge NFL to back Redskins’ name change Fifty U.S. senators urged the National Football League on Thursday to endorse a name change for the Washington Redskins, saying the franchise’s name was a racial slur. In a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the lawmakers said the league should follow the example of the National Basketball Association, which has banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life for bigoted remarks. “Today, we urge you and the National Football League to send
the same clear message as the NBA did, that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports,” wrote the senators, all of them Democrats or independents. “It’s time for the NFL to endorse a name change for the Washington, D.C. football team.” The letter adds pressure on Dan Snyder, the Redskins’ main owner. He has defied calls from activists and journalists for 14 years to change his team’s name and Indian logo. Native American groups have
fought for the name change in court and through advertisingcampaigns. Even President Barack Obama has weighed in, saying that if he owned the team, he would consider changing the name. The letter was led by Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, and signed by 47 other senators. Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, sent a separate letter to Goodell. Goodell had said in January most football fans and Americans supported
the Redskins’ keeping their name. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement that the league had not received the letter, but that the NFL has long shown a commitment to progressive leadership on diversity issues. “The intent of the team’s name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image. The name is not used by the team or the NFL in any other context, though we respect those that view it differently,” he said.
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