VOluME 10 - No. 22
JUNE 21ST – JUNE 28TH, 2014
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RITZ-CARLTON TO REPLACE JW MARRIOTT by HayDEn BoyCE
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
W
orld-class luxury hotel brand Ritz-Carlton is in advanced negotiations to operate a multi-storey hotel and condominium project in Turks and Caicos Islands, replacing the much-vaunted JW Marriott hotel and casino development which was earmarked for Grace Bay, on the island of Providenciales. Impeccable sources told The SUN
that the Desarrollos Hotelco Turks and Caicos already has indicated to Government officials that they intend to switch from the JW Marriott brand to Ritz-Carlton, in a move that will delay construction of what will be the most significant and expensive hotel development in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands. When The SUN contacted Ms. Parool K. Shah, Ritz-Carlton Regional Director of Public Relations for the Americas for more details about the project, she stated: “I am delighted to confirm that
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will indeed open a resort in beautiful Turks and Caicos’ Grace Bay as part of the global development pipeline, sometime after 2016.” According to sources, the new owners of West Caicos have ditched plans to have Ritz-Carlton manage and operate their property, thus paving the way for the Venezuela-based Desarrollos group to capitalise on the high-end brand. Continued on Page 2
ZoBREann BRoWn iS ToP GSaT STUDEnT. Zobreann Brown of Richmond Hill Preparatory School is the 2014 top
Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) performer, amassing 504 points from the four subjects sat, which landed her an 88.42 overall average. Precious Treasures occupies second to fifth spot, with Rebecca Archibald scoring 502.5 points giving her an average of 88.16 average; Sean Astwod third place with a 496.5 score and an 87.11; Jonathon Jennings scored 494.5 – an 86.75 average; and Thalia Morrison who tied with Micah Dean of Oseta Jolly Primary School for fifth position, with a score 491.5 points and an 86.23 average. Jamel Ward of Shining Stars and Aletria Gardiner of BEST Institute tied for the seventh spot, with 491 points and an 86.14 average. Jessica Corvil of Charles Hubert James Primary scored 481 points for an average of 85.53, with Kendrea Gelcius of Ona Glinton Primary, rounding off the top 10 with 481.5 points for an overall average of 84.47. Here Zobreann is seen with her teacher Michelle Dunkley-Clarke (left) and mother Georgia Brown. (SEE PaGES 13 & 17 FoR SULL SToRiES)
LiME to roll out mobile TV – Page 7
First female appointed Chief Justice – Page 9
www.facebook.com/tcisun
Keith Burant
Keith Burant to be charged
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force will charge Keith Burant, prominent banker, businessman and owner of the Meridian Rugby Field Keith Burant, following a reported rowdy incident which took place during the Queen’s Birthday Parade at the field on Monday (June 16, 2014). Police officials confirmed that Burant, who is Managing Director of Meridian Trust Company Limited, has been notified that he will be charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, obstruction and using indecent language to a police officer. The SUN has learned that the police have already served him with a summons of warning with intent for prosecution. This newspaper also learned that he was ticketed for obstruction on the spot. The SUN reached out the Burant on Friday (June 20, 2014) to get his side of the story and to comment on the impending charges to be leveled against him, but all he was prepared to say was: “No, charges, no charges. Bye.” After the Queen’s Birthday Parade ceremony had started on Monday afternoon, someone announced over the public address system that a vehicle was blocking the path of Acting Premier Hon. Akierra Missick and His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham. Proceedings were held up for about 10 minutes, because both the Governor and the Acting Premier, who were scheduled to take part in the ceremony, were held up as a result of the pathway being blocked. Continued on Page 2
Force lauded for Queen’s Birthday – Pages 24&25
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LOCAL NEWS
Ritz-Carlton to replace JW Marriott
Continued from Page 1
“It is true to say that there will be a delay in what was supposed to be a JW Marriott Hotel and Casino in Grace Bay, but I also have to stress that it will be a very positive delay because the entire scope, scale and cost of the project will increase and this will be of tremendous benefit to the entire Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the source who requested anonymity. The official revealed that architects are in the process of re-designing plans for the high-end tourism development to bring the project in line with RitzCarlton standards. “Let me put it like this. JW Marriott would have been a huge deal for the
Continued from Page 1
Turks and Caicos Islands, but Ritz- plans to open a new 380-room JW suites, the original plan for the JW Carlton is definitely bigger and better,” Marriott Hotel and Casino which will Marriott was to feature a gourmet specialty restaurant, a three-mealthe official added. “It will require much include 16 residential condos. The nine-story hotel which will be a-day restaurant, a lobby bar and more detailed drawings and a whole new redesign. It will be one of the finest built on a11-acre site, was scheduled to lounge and a pool bar & grill, some 1,300 square meters of meeting space, open in early 2016. hotels in the world.” The billionaire Stipa is also the including a ballroom; as well as a 962 Meantime, the source told The SUN that the Desarrollos Hotelco Turks majority shareholder of the 269-room square meter spa and fitness center, a and Caicos Ltd “would hardly want JW Marriott Hotel Caracas, the 207- kids/teen club, three swimming pools to build a 14-storey hotel”, although room Venezuela Marriott Hotel Playa and a 901 square meter casino. The primary architect for the project Government is about to have a public Grande and the 212-room Renaissance La Castellana Caracas. Additionally, is Robert M. Coleman & Partners, consultation on this contentious topic. “I think it’s safe to say that they will he owns the 320-room Ritz-Carlton whose also designed the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, the Marriott’s Aruba stick with the nine-storey concept to Aruba. In the Caribbean, Ritz-Carlton has Surf Club timeshare resort, the avoid any further delays,” the source hotels in the Cayman Islands, Puerto recently-opened Renaissance Curaçao added. Earlier this year, Walter Stipa, the Rico, and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Resort & Casino and the Ritz-Carlton Aruba. majority investor of Desarrollos Hotelco Islands. In addition to 380 guest rooms and Turks and Caicos Ltd., announced
Keith Burant to be charged
A police source explained that one member of a group of police personnel that was on the scene, upon discovering that the vehicle belonged to Burant, asked him to remove it so that the country’s leaders could gain access to the field. It is understood that Burant unleashed a barraged of expletives to the officer, reminding him in the process that he owned the field, which he granted to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force access to stage the Queen’s Birthday Parade. It is reported that the officer reminded him that the string of “F”
words was neither appropriate nor necessary since many children were in attendance at the event. However, the source said that Burant did not relent, and at one point he had to be restrained by the officer. The source said that he only removed his SUV after Governor Beckingham alighted from his official vehicle and persuaded him to clear the drive path. The police source further explained that while the field belongs to Burant the road that leads to it, which he was blocking, belongs to government. After it was a announced that this year’s Queen’s Birthday Parade would be held at the Meridian Field, a number
of persons the community called for the boycotting of the event on the grounds that the venue has no seating or shade facility. Many persons questioned the relocation of the Queen’s Birthday Parade from the Downtown Ball Park, which they said is centrally located to almost all the communities on Providenciales, and are equipped with more than adequate seating and bathroom facilities. However, when The SUN put the question to the police source, he said that in recent time the Queen’s Birthday Parade has been poorly attended at the Downtown Ball Park, and this year,
they decided to host it in Grace Bay so as to attract some of the tourists here on vacation. “This decision was not influenced by the Grace Bay business district or having anything to do with monetary influence or race, as some if the community are alluding to. It was made out of consideration that tourists here on vacation may want to get a sense of what the Queen’s Birthday Parade is all about, and since most of the hotels on Providenciales are located in the Grace Bay area, we believed at the time that it would attract some tourists, who would walk a short distance to reach the venue,” the source added.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LIME to roll out mobile TV soon
LIME General Country Manager James Pitt.
In a matter of months, LIME, with its acronym being Landline Internet Mobile Entertainment, is to launch Mobile TV - the Entertainment element of the offering - in the Turks and Caicos Islands. New Country Manager James Pitt made the disclosure while giving a news conference at the Regent Grand Conference Room recently. “In short order we will be offering a TV offered package. We must bundle our services as our customers demand that we need to have a TV, as we continue to upgrade the network and improve the quality of service,” Pitt said. While failing to divulge much information on the product namely as to exactly when LIME would be rolling out the product and on what devices it would be available, Pitt said that it has to be affordable and seamless. “TV is a challenging proposition for a number of reasons. My personal view is that there are other substitutes in the straight communication. If one mobile phone is not working, you have another one. Typically in most households there aren’t alternatives to your TV provider – you choose one. So the one that we do must work well, because if something happens in
the world today and you can’t tune in, you’re upset,” he argued. He added: “We are in a world where the mobile phone is king; we must deliver the fastest network speeds, the best data packages and customer service to all, on the best devices for our customers. This is not easy task; however, we remain committed to achieving this goal.” He noted that in order for the provision to work, a great deal of innovation must be put into it, and so, LIME intends do it meticulously. “We are better poised than our competitors to be the data leader in every market and the Turks and Caicos Islands being no exception. As I said, 4G is an enabler. The data that we use, whether it is Instagram or video-streaming from members of your media here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, why not be on site or location somewhere and streaming over your mobile devices? So I think there has to be the commitment. And that is probably be leveraging more on my engineering to say we must do this right. I think it is imperative that we focus on doing it right. We must ensure that that end product that the customer sees, feels and uses is of the quality that they will be delighted to use – both in the connectivity quality and the
Premier bubbling with confidence ahead of Payroll Tax House debate Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing is confident ahead of the controversial payroll debate in the House of Assembly on Monday (June 23, 2014). Speaking on the Breakfast Club Show on Friday (June 20), the premier said that his confidence is sparked by the staunch backing of his ministers and other members of his government, for the implementation of the tax. The opposition led by Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson has stated time and time again that when the bill comes to the House, they will kill it, calling it all kinds including regressive. But the premier stated that based on the feedback that he has gotten especially from his government colleagues in parliament, remains confident that the tax will go through. “I am confident; I have to be confident (that the payroll tax will go through). I have to be confident because I believe in the tax, and I believe in my Almighty God, who hasn’t told me otherwise as yet. All members of my government share my sentiment, even though they may have different opinions,” the premier asserted. He told the show that while some members of the team hold their own opinions and reservations on aspects of the tax, believe that overall it will be beneficial to the overall economic boost of the Turks
Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing and Caicos Islands. “All of us have different critical views of elements of the tax, but all of them are convinced of the need for a broad-based tax. All of us are convinced that the payroll tax is something that we need to do, but there are concerns that people have expressed that they hold as reservation, but in the end they (public), too, will see the overall greater good in this tax,” he said. The premier is also appealing to members of the community to lobby their members of parliament to vote for the tax, in what appeared to be a thinly-veiled statement
towards the opposition. “I would appeal to our constituents to find your MP and to encourage your MP to vote in support of the payroll tax, simply because even though it may seem harsh, or even though it may seem like a tough decision for us to make, it is the best decision for us at this time. It is the best position for us to facilitate growth and development between now and 2016. “And so, I would appeal to you to find your representative and Your MP and to encourage them for yourself, for your business, for your children and for your children’s children, to support the payroll tax. And I said that with all honesty,” the premier said. While some members of the public are lambasting the government for the proposed tax implementation, the premier made it clear that imposing the tax was not something that he takes glee in doing, since he has nothing to gain through its realization but stressed that it is necessary at this time. “I really have nothing to gain by putting in place an unpopular tax, other than I truly believe in my heart of hearts that it is the right decision to do because I can see where we have the opportunity to increase economic growth and stability in this country, and to allow us to move on with our own political autonomy and financial autonomy,” Premier Ewing said.
channel line of it,” he said. He said that channeling line would be from the Caribbean, the United States and Europe. “It will be a combination of the US, Caribbean and European Markets, and actually even further. Currently that is also being tweaked and worked on, but there will be an offering, recognizing especially in markets like the Turks and Caicos. You have residents who have a certain requirements and certain interests, but you also have a huge visitor population that’s changing all the time from all over the world, and that has to be taken into consideration as we develop our TV product,” he said. Pitt also noted that in rolling out mobile TV here, LIME will be taking the pitfalls and successes from the Jamaica and Barbados rollouts into consideration. Those rollouts are not as satisfactory as LIME would have liked them to be. “It was started in two flavours in different markets. Jamaica did a mobile TV product and Barbados also did a TV product. There was some lessons learned from it, and I think the focus had to have been making sure our broadband networks work well. We have to make sure that we don’t make promises to the market and fail the market,” he said.
Former Minister asks Premier to withdraw Payroll Tax Bill Former Cabinet Minister McAllister “Piper” Hanchell has written to Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing asking him to withdraw the controversial Payroll Tax Bill. In a letter which was obtained by The SUN, Hanchell stated: “I am publicly writing to you in my capacity as a private citizen of the Turks and Caicos Islands on the proposed payroll tax initiative and draft bill 2014. I oppose the payroll tax and my observation is that the majority of Turks and Caicos Islanders and Non- Turk and Caicos Islanders do equally.” He added: “The greater part of the electorate elected your Government on your mandate which was essentially to stand up and fight “ full speed ahead “for the RIGHTS and WISHES of Turks and Caicos Islanders against the oppressors, not tax and oppress which seems to be the order of the day. The proposed payroll tax is bad for the Turks and Caicos Islands at any time, it directly impacts the small man and women, immediately hinders economic growth, job creation and we the people cannot afford to pay.” The letter continued: “This draft legislation is costly, intrusive, over burdensome and will make criminals out of Citizens because their lack of ability to pay.You should not force this tax on your people because of pressure from British Ministers; you must fight for what your people want, that is your mandate. I urge you to respectively withdraw this draconian measure on your People and Country and stand up, not kiss up, enough is enough.”
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Premier Ewing returns from UK-Caribbean ministerial forum The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) has returned from successful high level meetings with UK Ministers and fellow Caribbean Premiers, Chief Ministers and Foreign Ministers at the bi-annual UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum at Lancaster House, London, June 14-17, 2014. Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing, joined the Forum, which was led by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hon. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett provided an opportunity for the UK and Caribbean to discuss a number of challenges that impact the region. Issues raised were followed by suggestions for new terms of engagement between the UK and the region, particularly in relation to economic assistance, development, investment and immigration. Premier Ewing spoke of the high electricity costs in the Turks and Caicos Islands at a session on energy security, led by UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Mr. Mark Simmonds. The Forum agreed that the Caribbean was in a unique position to better harness solar energy and other natural resources. Other issues tabled at a separate session with Mr Simmonds included the need to implement a broad based tax in the Turks and Caicos Islands, while providing fiscal relief and reducing the overall taxation burden. Illegal immigration, education
The Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing attended the bi-annual UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum in London recently. and healthcare were also discussed. The Turks and Caicos Islands also fully participated in a Forum session on developing education and skills for economic development. This focused on training and scholarship resources for
students from the Caribbean. Premier Ewing committed to ensuring that Turks and Caicos Islands’ students who choose to study in the United Kingdom are aware of the full range of benefits and possibilities that this can offer them. Premier Ewing and Bahamian Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Fred Mitchell, along with other heads of delegation, met with Ministers Hague, Simmonds and the All Party Parliamentary Group where the need for greater political and financial autonomy for the Turks and Caicos Islands was considered. The Premier also met with UK Minister for the Department International Development (DFID) Mr. Alan Duncan, where he discussed a number of issues including the financial outlook for the TCI, the $260m UK loan guarantee, broadening the Turks and Caicos Islands tax base and financial policies that could be of mutual benefit to the Turks and Caicos Islands and UK. Premier Ewing said: “My discussions with Minister Duncan were frank, honest and engaging. I outlined my Government’s position and we both agreed that we will continue to look at ways that we could can to an agreement to pay down our debt while lessening the burden that this places on the country.” The visit to London concluded with the Premier attending the UK-
Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum and a session on tackling crime and improving security in the Caribbean. Commenting on the Premier’s visit, the Governor said: “I am delighted that Premier Ewing was able to attend this important dialogue with UK and Caribbean leaders and Ministers. The Forum covered a lot of ground that is of interest to Turks and Caicos, notably energy and security. “We need to push hard to create a market where the Turks and Caicos Islands can start to use alternative energy, and the forthcoming dialogue the Premier, Minister Lightbourne and I are holding with the Carbon War Room will be another step towards opening the market. “I am pleased that the Premier also held constructive and frank discussions with FCO and DFID Ministers about the Turks and Caicos Islands’ economy and the positive measures the Government is taking to put the country in a stronger financial position. I look forward to discussing next steps with the Premier and his team later this week.” The Premier attended the meetings with Mr. Ronlee James, Head of Secretariat and UK Based Delegates Mrs. Tracy Knight and Mr. Kimo Tynes (All pictured with the Premier). The Premier returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.
Turks and Caicos post cabinet meetings statement His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 15th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 18th June 2014 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk. All Ministers were present except the Hon. Premier who is travelling on official business. At this meeting Cabinet: • Approved the following appointments to the Scholarship and Advisory Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Universities, Colleges and Training Institutes Ordinance; Mr. Redono Williams (Chairman) and Ms. Lorniqua Gardiner (member) for a period
of one year commencing 1st July 2014; • Approved, effective immediately, the following appointments to the Prison Visiting Committee in accordance with section 44 (1) and (2) of the Prison Regulations; Mr Perry Missick (Chairman), Mr Leo Selver (member), Mr Solomon Altidor (member), Mr Martin Theodore (member), Ms Patronella Been (member); • Received a presentation on the draft TCI Agricultural Policy. The policy objective is to provide for a balanced development of an agriculture sector which contributes to the
food and nutrition, security status, economic growth and development, and welfare of the people of the TCI. The policy will be reviewed by relevant Government Ministries and Departments and will return to Cabinet for further consideration in due course; • Received an update on the current work-plan of the statistics unit and the establishment of the Turks and Caicos Islands Statistical Advisory Committee. The committees objective is to promote the effectiveness of the Turks and Caicos statistics department by advising and
working with the Department to produce relevant and accurate statistics about the Turks and Caicos society and economy; • Agreed in principle to advise the Governor to amend the Road Safety Regulations (Public Service Vehicle Operators) to eliminate the maximum age of seventy-five (75) years allowing persons over the age of seventy-five to operate a vehicle once being deemed physically fit by a physician. This is subject to further advice from the Director of Road Safety and the Director of Health Services on the procedures and criteria to
be applied to determine fitness to operate a vehicle; • Advised the Governor to make an amendment to the Business License Regulations to allow a further extension of two months for businesses operating in the Islands to pay for their licenses without the application of the 10% penalty for late renewal of a licence. This change would allow businesses a further period until the 31st August 2014 to pay the required license fee for the April 2014 - March 2015 financial year. Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
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Regional Project Coordinators Caribbean Court of Justice The Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission invites applications for two (2) positions of Regional Project Coordinator on the Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project being executed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Applications are invited from citizens or permanent residents of countries in the Caribbean region. Job Description and Application Form can be accessed at the Careers page of the CCJ website at www.caribbeancourto�justice.org Deadline for receipt of applications is Monday
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LOCAL NEWS
Driver’s license processing now available in North Caicos The Traffic Department in the Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs is pleased to inform the residents of North and Middle Caicos that commencing Friday June 20, 2014, Driver’s License Applications and Renewals will be conveniently processed at the District Commissioner’s Office located in Bottle Creek, North Caicos. Prior to today’s announcement, residents in these family islands were forced to travel to Providenciales or the capital of Grand Turk in efforts to remain compliant with Road Safety Regulations, but the Government, under the Progressive National Party Administration saw the need to extend these services to those islands, instead. Hon. Amanda Missick, Minister of Environment and Home Affairs commented: “I am happy that we were able to overcome the IT-related challenges that essentially delayed this move
Hon. Amanda Missick and that, residents of North and Middle Caicos can finally renew
and apply for Driver’s Licenses conveniently, and within their own community. “Accessibility to essential Government services, such as this, is critical to improving the lives of our people and we, the Government, will continue to reestablish essential services to the residents of our family islands as a part of our national agenda for the advancement of our people and the sustainable re-development of a Turks and Caicos Islands, that we all can be proud of.” The general public is hereby reminded that Driver’s Licenses are renewable every four years on the anniversary of the holder’s date of birth and that it is an offence to drive or operate a motor vehicle without a valid document. Residents in North and Middle Caicos are encouraged to visit the District Commissioner’s Office between the hours of 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday, to take advantage of these services.
Margaret Ramsay-Hale appointed first female Chief Justice for the Turks and Caicos Islands His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission to appoint Justice Margaret RamsayHale as the next Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ramsay-Hale was previously appointed as Judge to the Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court in November 2011. She was appointed to the Bench in Jamaica in 1995, and was first admitted to practice as an attorney-atlaw in Jamaica in 1991. The Commission has accepted the current Chief Justice Edwin Goldsbrough’s offer to stay on in Turks and Caicos Islands for a few months while a successor to Ramsay-Hale is found. Commenting on the appointment the Governor said: “I have offered this position to Justice Ramsay-Hale this week, and I am very pleased that she has accepted it. I am certain that she will bring a great deal of energy as well as professional wisdom and experience to this very important job in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “I would also like to
Hon. Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale pay tribute to the work of current Chief Justice Goldsborough. He has over-seen the judicial process at a difficult and demanding time for the country, and
Turks and Caicos has benefitted greatly from his contribution.” Justice Ramsay-Hale will assume her new position later this year. The Chairman of
the Judicial Service Commission is Justice Lensley Wolfe. Its other members are Sir David Simmons and Sir Brian Alleyne. A former Chief Magistrate of the Cayman Islands, the Jamaicaborn Ramsay-Hale holds a degree in economics from the London School of Economics in addition to her law degree from the University of the West Indies. Prior to her arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands she was appointed a Judge of the Family Court in St James, Jamaica, eventually moving to the Criminal Courts as a Resident Magistrate for the parish. She then moved to Cayman Islands to serve as a Magistrate of the Summary Court and she sat as an Acting Judge of the Grand Court for several months. Ramsay-Hale is the daughter of the late legendary Jamaican attorney Ian Ramsay, QC, who is widely regarded as one of the best lawyers in the history of the Caribbean and who was the first Jamaican lawyer to earn the distinction of Queen’s Counsel.
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.
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The TCI Government and the University of the West Indies Recently, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government became a contributing territory to the University of the West Indies. This debate has been around for decades as to whether the government should or should not become a contributing territory to the University. Some years ago, this was done but only with one campus. It has now become a reality. The new PNP Administration deserves credit for what has been deemed a progressive step. During the debate in the House of Assembly, all parties concerned, unanimously registered their support for this initiative. There are however, some concerns that seem to have not been given some attention at least during the debate.
I am not disputing the quality of education offered by UWI. I am a graduate of this noble institution. The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) students when they go to study in the United Kingdom, are treated as home students. Have we determined whether from a cost perspective if its
by DR. CARLTON MILLS more economical to send students to UWI or to the UK? Have we done a comparative analysis to determine where will we get more value for our dollars? When one considers the Caribbean, there are three main Campuses of the University of the West Indies compared to several university choices in the UK. We are also talking about the home of some of the world’s top Universities where many of our own people have graduated from. I am not disputing the quality of education offered by UWI. I am a graduate of this noble institution. In fact, I have had the privilege of being able to pursue studies at both the Mona and the Cave Hill Campuses. The experiences for our students in the UK tend to be much more wholesome. We talk about UWI enabling us to become a better Caribbean man or person. I don’t
know exactly what this means but what I do know is that the TCI needs to think on a global stage. Compare the level of Caribbean investment in the TCI to that of the more developed world. The other concern that I have has to do with the recent increase in tuition fees by UWI. What impact will this have on the MOU that was recently signed and also, how will these increases in tuition affect students who wish to study at UWI but have not obtain a scholarship from the TCI Government? When negotiating the MOU, were there discussions about possible tuition or other increases? This is not to say that we should not try to identify more with our Caribbean neighbours. As a small developing country, we have to determine what is best for our students and where can they obtain the best education possible. Another issue has to do with matriculation. One of the UWI’s main forms of matriculation is the “A” Levels and now, Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). The Associate Degree is also another option. No schools in the TCI write CAPE. Only one now does the British Advance Examinations. The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College students pursue the Associate
Degree programmes. The question then is, as a part of the MOU, have our officials discussed with UWI how best students can matriculate into UWI with the Associate Degrees offered by the Community College? Have we discussed issues such as advance placement? Have we taken time to review the programmes that are being offered by the Community College to determine if they are relevant and the extent to which these programmes can articulate into UWI’s programmes? If no proper arrangement is in place for students who graduate with the Associate Degrees from the College to enter UWI, what impact will this have on numbers? Will we depend only on the small numbers graduating from the British West Indies Collegiate? In fact, how many of these students who graduate from the Collegiate will go to UWI? Several of the families of these students are from Europe, Canada and the USA. Where do you think they will send their children to study? If it has not yet been done, I strongly suggest that the Ministry of Education commence discussions with UWI on a formal articulation arrangement with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. Students need the assurance that their qualifications received has the currency to propel them into higher education.
Londolozi Ltd. is inviting suitable applications for the following position:
Senior accountant Is looking for an experienced qualified and motivated person with an extensive background in project management to fill the post of:
PROJECT CONSULTANT Main Duties and Responsibilities Includes: • Overall responsibility for delivery of the Downtown retail project and throughout. Serving as mediator between executives, numerous staff members and contractors employed as part of his or her specific area • Oversees general planning, implementation and execution of the programme in line with specific company goals and policies • Responsible for monitoring associated budgets, allocating project resources, motivating and managing the programme’s team members. Other duties include issuing progress reports and ensuring deadlines are met in a timely and efficient fashion. Organizing and implementing a high scale and complex project • Duties may include; Design, Construction, Finance, HR, IT/Software integration, Process Design, Engineering and Logistics.
Requirements / Qualifications: • Minimum of 5+years progressive business consultant experience • Must process Strong organizational and programme management skills • Must demonstrate an extensive skill in change management and process re-engineering, but also significant systems & Integration experience with strong technical knowledge • Applicant must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Business Administration
This position is for a six (6) months time frame; compensation will be based on qualifications and experience Deadline for submission of applicants is July 7th 2014 Submit to: Edith Cox, Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracewayiga.com Please Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted to attend interviews
Responsibilities: ◊ Preparation of daily cash report ◊ Daily Income/Night Audit ◊ Receivables and related functions ◊ Payroll and Payables functions ◊ Purchasing/Costs and Inventory control functions ◊ Preparation of reports for P & L ◊ Preparation of Bank Reconciliations on a daily/monthly basis: ◊ Report preparation for Annual Audit ◊ Protects organization’s value by keeping information confidential. ◊ Accomplishes accounting and organization mission by completing related results as needed
JOB REQUIREMENTS ◊ Must have 6 or more years previous experience in Accounting, in a hotel or condominium environment ◊ Proficiency in Quickbooks, Web R Pro, DATA Plus hospitality and ISIS Programs is a MUST ◊ Strong knowledge of accounts payable and accounts receivable in maintaining general ledgers ◊ Must possess the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in preparing and entering financial and payroll information ◊ Must have confidentiality concerning financial and employee files ◊ Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or related field and/or 5+ years of accounting experience. ◊ Must have strong background in hospitality accounting ◊ Clear communications skills (written and oral) ◊ Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays Please Submit Applications to:
cgibbons@wihl.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than July 4th, 2014 Belongers need only apply.
JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 11
LOCAL NEWS
‘Don’t go overseas for principals’
by Vivian Tyson The Ministry of Education should not go overseas to recruit principals for Turks and Caicos Islands schools because there lots of qualified Belongers who understand the culture and local way of life. This argument was pitched by Pastor Claudette Basden, Principal for the Champions for Christ School on Providenciales. Pastor Basden made the comment while delivering the main address at the Department of Social Development and Gender Affairs’ Foster Parents Appreciation Dinner at the Occasions Ballroom on Airport Plaza in Providenciales on Wednesday (June 18, 2014) The Education Department has posted adverts both locally and overseas, seeking two principals – one for the Clement Howell High School and the other for the Enid Capron Primary School. Gerald Persaud, current principal for the Clement Howell High School has informed the Education Department that he had accepted an educational opportunity from his Government in Guyana, which he plans to take up soon, and so he could no longer be the principal for the school. Rachel Taylor, the principal for the Enid Capron Primary School in
Claudette Basden Five Cays, Providenciales, has also indicated that she would be leaving that institution at the end of the current school year to further her education also, and so, she could no longer serve at the helm at that school. But Basden said that it would
rather fitting to hire Belongers for those positions since only locals would be able to understand the culture and equipped with the knowhow to handle odd situations when they arise. “I was appalled the other day when I read in the newspapers that the Clement Howell High School is seeking a principal. And I am thinking, we have more than enough educators in the Turks and Caicos Islands decorated with PhD’s no less. Why do we have to go and look outside? What happen to inside? Nobody knows our culture like us,” she said. The educator told the gathering that time and time again those persons brought in to manage and, or serve in our local institutions fail in their bid to do so, but yet government still look beyond our borders for replacements. “Every contract year we continue to bring persons who don’t understand us, and then we sit back and say, ‘another failure’,” she said. Basden used the opportunity to also call on locals and those living her to show more commitment to community building, especially as it relates to the children of this country. She also hailed the Foster Care Programme, saying that those who step up to offer assistance to are heroes. “If we are not going to give back we are going to continue to see more
deterioration in our communities; not only to your children but you have to learn to give back to other people’s children. Just look at some of our institutions that are raising our children academically in our community and you will understand what I am talking about. “It is one thing for us to sit down and say there is a problem at the Clement Howell High School. Community comes from the root word ‘communion’. Communion is the sharing of all things common. Children that come into the Foster Programme are all our children, be they Spanish, be they Creole, they are our children. “If we are going to see a change in our community from what we have been seeing thus far, and we are going to go in the 21st century as a stronger nation, then guess what, we have to look at the way we are not just rearing the children in our home but how we receive those who come to us for a day, for a month, for a year or forever long they are going to be in our care,” she said. Basden also urged that as the TCI strive for nation-building, all must recognized that a strong sense of community will have to be forged. A number of persons were recognized at the event. Specially-recognised were Elizabeth Forbes, Theresa Williams and Denise Llewellyn, for their roles as foster mothers.
NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited of Raleigh House, Leeward Highway, 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 CAP 9.01: 1. Registered Proprietor: Rhynie Campbell Block 60612 Parcel 179, Stone Throw, Ocean Point Drive, Providenciales. The property comprises an existing two storey ocean front residential building with enclosed terraces overlooking Chalk Sound. The property is located in a residential area with mainly detached medium to high end residential homes on adjacent lots. 2. Registered Proprietor: Beverly Louise Lewis Block 60719, Parcel 192, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales. The property comprises a main residence as well as a guest house. It further comprises a canal which benefits from water frontage onto a manmade canal. 3. Registered Proprietor: Tammy Angela Smith Block 60000 Parcel 432, North West and North Central, Providenciales. The land is accessed off an un-surfaced section of road at the end of the Millennium Highway which heads west towards Malcolm Beach. The land is undulating with the highest part appearing to be in the middle of the land. Most of the land has been cleared to leave a rough marl surface. There are views of the surrounding land, and is likely that better views will be available from the upper floor of any building constructed on the site. The auction will be held at the offices of Karam Missick Attorneys, P.O. Box 926, A 201 - A202 Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales, at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 4th day of July, 2014. A reserve price will be fixed on the Properties. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids. Terms and Conditions of Sale by Auction are available by request from RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (649) 9417430.
Pool and Beach Attendant
IMMEDIATE OPENING
Requirements: • Must be able to work in all outdoor element, rain, sun, etc. as required • Must be able to work long hours on feet • Must be able to lift 30lbs or more • Must be trained and certified in CPR, First Aid. • Life guard experience is a plus • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Creating a luxury guest experience through delivery of high level service for all pool and beach services Starting salary $5.50 per hour not including service charge.
Butler
The butler will provide the highest of penthouse service to our guests. The Butler’s primary goal is to create an ambiance of superior luxury by anticipating each individual guest’s needs. This is accomplished through moments of surprise and delight that our guest would never have experienced before. Also ensure guest familiarities to frequent guests visiting the hotel. Requirements: • Minimum of 3 years experience in food and beverage fine dining as a personal Butler • Must possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written • Strong knowledge of a variety of cuisines and wines/beverages • Must possess local knowledge in order to respond to all inquires from guest, such as restaurants information • Must posses basic computational ability • Must posses basic computer skills • Must be able to follow through all the guest requests and communicate them to the appropriate departments and management in an efficient manner • Must be have attention to details second to none ability, superior interpersonal skills and desire to provide exceptional service to our guest • Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours in length • Must be able to exert well-paced, ability to reach other departments and locations in a timely manner • Must be able to exert well-paced ability in limited space • Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill cleaning tasks. • Must be able to bend and squat and lift up to 25 lbs • Must be able to push and pull equipment weighing up to 75 lbs • Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions. Bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity. • Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.00 per hour 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 28th, 2014.
Page 12
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Prison inmates’ relatives take Parole Board to task Relatives of parole-eligible inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk are seeking answers as to why the Parole Board is not meeting to hear the growing number of outstanding cases. The SUN understands that the board is mandated to meet every quarter per year, but so far this year reportedly no meeting has taken place, with the second quarter of the year almost done. Callers to The SUN’s office who said that they have relatives at the prison that are eligible for parole but are still languishing in the penal institution because the board is not meeting, have been complaining bitterly that they could not get a clear answer as to why the body has ostensibly gone dormant. They said that the inaction and lack of explanation by Board is becoming worrisome for them. One of the callers to this office said that he has a cousin who has been eligible for parole for almost two years now, but so far failed to get a hearing because of the board is not convening. “The Parole Board was supposed to meet in March for its first meeting,
and they haven’t met as yet and they are not saying anything. I have a cousin in the prison, and he has been eligible for parole about two years now. Last year he was placed on the list of people that the Parole Board should hear their cases. But because the Board has not met since the start of the year, he is still in their (HM Prison) wondering what’s going on,” the relative lamented. Another individual, who said he has a relative at the institution facing similar issue, accused the Board of working in opposition to what it was created to do. He said that the Parole Board was established to give the reformed a second chance, but this Board is not fulfilling such mandate. “We all make mistakes, and not everybody that is in prison is guilty, and I think that is why the Parole Board came around, so that everyone can have a second chance. And so, I think it is very unfair to the inmates in Grand Turk prison, Turks and Caicos, that they get sentenced, they do their time and they still can’t get a chance to get a parole hearing. It is outrageous, it really is,” the relative charged. He added: “A number of people
who are now in prison have changed their lives and are doing the best they can to become better members of society when they get out, and you can’t allow them to get a second chance to prove themselves to society? I think what the Parole Board is doing is crazy.” Another caller remarked: “I visited one of my family members, who is at the prison, last weekend, and I asked him when he was going to be released, and he told me that the Parole Board has not said anything to him as yet. I called the Parole Board numerous times on their behalf, and no one gives me an indication as to when it would meet. “You told someone they had to do a certain amount of time before becoming eligible for parole, pending they conduct themselves in certain way, such as showing good behaviour, cooperation and following the rules. They do everything you ask of them and you still don’t allow them to get a parole hearing. How fair is that?” The SUN made several attempts to get someone from the board to explain why no meetings were being held, but at press time, we were unsuccessful.
Lime winners Linda Grant and Marcelin Jean Guy.
More winners at LIME TCI LIME’s customers are benefitting from a number of recently held promotions. Linda Grant, Marcelin Jean Guy and Peggy Been are three of them. Grant won a Spa Massage, while Been won a gift basket from LIME. Both customers were very appreciative of the prizes, noting that they celebrate motherhood every day and not just on Mother’s Day. “Today is a great day,” Grant said. “This is another call with great news for me.” Adding that it was turning out to be a wonderful day for her and her family. The lone male, Marcelin Jean Guy, won a Samsung S5 from LIME. He was also very grateful. LIME’s Rachel Harvey said customers participated in a text promotion and these three winners were randomly selected. “LIME continues with text and online promotions. Customers are encouraged to ensure that they have a working data plan to be a part of the full line of offers available online,” she said.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS RESTAURANT AND BARS MANAGER
The Restaurants and Bars Manager will oversee the daily operation of P23 fine dining restaurant; Plunge casual outdoor restaurant and bar, Green Flamingo bar and In-room Dining. Requirements: • Minimum of 7 years management experience in luxury setting in at least 2 international locations. • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience. • Strong knowledge of a variety of cuisines and wines/beverage. • Strong understanding and proven track record of operational controls and sales • Proven ability to train and develop team members. • Ability to take initiative while working effectively in a team environment • Excellent organizational skills. • Passion for luxury food and beverage service; positive and cheerful attitude with high energy. • Computer skills at advanced level (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) • Must be able to work all shifts and days Duties include: • Supervises, trains and coaches staff to meet Regent standard of luxury and ensure The Regent Experience for guests. • Develops business strategies for food & beverage outlets aligned with business objectives for maximizing revenue and guest satisfaction. • Participates in development of budgets and monitors status regularly to ensure achievement of financial targets. • Assists in developing and implementing marketing and promotions to increase business and revenue. • Works closely with culinary team to create and implement menus consistent with guest expectations and Regent standards of luxury and quality. Starting salary $40,000 per annum, not including service charge.
Executive Chef
Requirements: • 10 years experience as an executive chef in luxury resort • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Formal culinary degree, or formal apprenticeship • Proven managerial experience in a fine dining environment • Practical creativity to provide innovative entrees and developing new, unusual market driven menus while meeting profit goals of property, and menu engineering. • Previous responsibility for food purchasing, including negotiating prices.
• Prior experience standardizing recipes, plating instructions, and costing. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Participate in the development and implementation of business strategies for Food and Beverage including development of annual budget, monitoring actual versus budgeted expenses and recommending menu pricing • Develop and implement menu and dining strategies • Prepare reports summarizing food and beverage profitability, customer satisfaction, etc. • Lead monthly staff meetings Salary $55,000/Commensurate with qualification and experience
Food & Beverage Manager
Requirements: • 10 years experience in Food & Beverage Management in luxury hospitality with at least 2-3 years experience as F & B Manager • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Strong track record of maintaining consistent standards, continually training outlet staffs and promoting an atmosphere of teamwork. • Strong financial skills and experience developing and maintaining operational and Capex budgets for multi unit operation • Track record of building/increasing outlet revenue and average cheques. • Experience developing and implementing new F&B concepts for the luxury market. • Exceptional knowledge of different types of cuisine and wine including how menus are developed, pricing guidelines and how to improve results. • Willingness to work varying schedules, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays to reflect the business needs of the hotel. • Experience managing and developing high level talents • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Oversee and direct the Restaurants, Bars, Room Service and Banquets, as appropriate, in order to achieve guest satisfaction, quality service, and compliance with corporate/brand policies and procedures while meeting/exceeding financial goals • Develop and implement special promotions and employee incentives • Create department budget and financial reports, and monitor status to adjust as appropriate Salary $50,000 per annum not including service charge
Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to marjorei.dorsett@regenthotels.com no later than June 27, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
Page 13
LoCaL nEWS
Zobreann Brown is top GSAT performer Zobreann Brown of Richmond Hill Preparatory School is the 2014 top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) performer, amassing 504 points from the four subjects sat, which landed her an 88.42 overall average. Zobreann edged out Rebecca Archibald of Precious Treasures Primary, whose 502.5 points gave her an 88.16 average. Precious Treasures, as a matter of fact, bagged the second to fourth positions. Sean Astwod secured third place with a 496.5 - an 87.11 average; Jonathon Jennings scored 494.5 – an 86.75 average; and Thalia Morrison who tied with Micah Dean of Oseta Jolly Primary School for fifth position, scored 491.5 points to end with an 86.23 average. Jamel Ward of Shining Stars and Aletria Gardiner of BEST Institute tied for the seventh spot, sharing the score of 491 points and an 86.14 average. Jessica Corvil of Charles Hubert James
Primary scored 481 points for an average of 85.53, with Kendrea Gelcius of Ona Glinton Primary, rounding off the top 10 with 481.5 points for an overall average of 84.47. Zobreann is the top Mathematic student, scoring a brilliant 97.33 percent, with Micah Dean coming in second with 97 percent and Avielle Brown of Adalaide Oemler Primary coming in third on 96.67 percent rounding off the top three. Rebecca Archibald is the top English performer, scoring 84 percent. Jessica Corvil is second with a score of 83 percent, while Jonathon Jennings scored 82 percent. Jamel Ward of Shining Stars is the top General Paper performer, scoring 95 percent, with Roulanda Sejour and Ahmarian Rigby of the Enid Capron Primary tying in second on 95 percent. Hteneb’ Williams of Wesley Methodist School is the top Science student with a 95.83 average. Second to him is
the Ona Glinton Female pair of Kendrea Gelcius and Lauranique Henry on 94.17. Zobreann was over the moon with excitement when The SUN visited her at her school to get feedback of her exploits. I feel very excited. I never dreamed that this would have happened. I thought I was just going to be among the top 10, but when I heard that I was the top student, I couldn’t believe it,” Zobrean said. Zobreann, who wants to be a nurse or a teacher, said that her study has been long and hard, telling The SUN that sometimes she would go to bed minutes to 12p.m., and sometimes getting up very early in the morning to prepare herself. Zobreann’s teacher, Michelle Dunkley-Clarke, said that while the GSAT preparation was intense, it was not as forceful as past years, since the current crop of six graders was very receptive. “I am really proud of her. She
Zobreann Brown and her teacher Michelle Dunkley-Clarke.
is a hard-working dedicated child. She takes her work seriously, and her preparation has been long and tedious but she has persevered and the result speaks for itself,” she said. Dunkley-Clarke said that the preparation included early morning before class studies and after school studies between Monday and Thursday. Zobreann’s mom, Georgia Brown, who is also a teacher at Richmond Hill, was equally excited as her daughter. “The feeling is great. I cannot stop giving go thanks for all that he has done for her. She could not have done it without him. And it’s all about giving him praise and thanks. I am feeling very excited and very
emotional also. The feeling is just great,” Brown said. Asked to describe Zobrean’s mannerism, Brown said: “She is a disciplined student. She takes her work very seriously. I don’t have any challenge in getting her to accomplish her work, and that is one of the plus in her being the top student at this time. “I am so proud of her. From the beginning of school for her, we have seen signs that she is going to be a star, and she continues to do that throughout the competitions here at Richmond Hill. She has been the top student both academically and in spelling, and she continues to excel. The (GSAT) outcome is not surprising because she is a hard worker.”
Career Opportunities Grace Bay Club is looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet CHIEF ACCOUNTANT CHIEF • To actively engage and participate in effective Reporting To: Director of Finance challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. TheirACCOUNTANT Reporting To: Director of Finance Executive assistant Function: Assists in the supervision of the general accounting functions of the hotel including the timely preparation of financial and communications within the preparation resort of financial and Function: Assists in the supervision of the general accounting functions of the hotel including the timely management style is one that balances a commitment to people and their development with operating reports and statistics and all balance sheet reconciliations. Audits internal controls when necessary operating reports and statistics and all balance sheet reconciliations. Audits internal controls when necessary Manager – Food & Beverage • To adhere to all the resort standards and Skills Required: 13. Establishes high standards of behavior in all dealings with guests 9. Respond to and follow through on guest requests, concerns and Skills Required: 13. Establishes high standards of behavior in all dealings with guests 9. Respond to and follow through on guest requests, concerns and business/financial accountability and delivers an exceptional guest experience. • Excellent Communication Skills staff. Performs duties with a high level of professional work ethics problems to the guest’s satisfaction Provides functional assistance andanddirection • Excellent Communication Skills and staff. Performs duties with a high level of professional work at ethicsany problems to the guest’s procedures given timesatisfaction and be Pool supportive and loyal to the company to the Food and Beverage operation, 15. Other such duties as determined by the company from time to time and Beach operation and interactsASSISTANT with resort MANAGER – HOUSEKEEPING members and individuals outside the Resort Position Overview: Duties: The Assistant Manager – Housekeeping in the managing and including, but not limited to suppliers, competitors and assists other 1. Assists with plans, supervises and evaluates the daily operations and directing of the day to day operations of all Housekeeping and laundry activities of the accounting functions. Provides supportfor to the coordinating Executive Housekeeper in all areas of members of department the local community. Responsible 2. Plans, schedules and oversees the daily work of accounting staff the Housekeeping operation, such as staff training, coaching and functions including training, and establishing counseling and consistentlyas inspects and enforces adherence to the functions andcounseling activities with monitoring department heads appropriate. EAM goals Grace Bay Club standards of excellence. Participates in and enforces Assigns duties examines work for exactness and conformance to quality assurance for Housekeeping Departmentof andFood department cost –3.policies Food &andBeverage will be responsible for the Operations and procedures. control measures. Makes certain the required LHW Brand Standards 4.& Assists in preparing andand supervising the timely of all Departments, are achieved. Beverage Pool andpreparation Beach as well as the VIP balance sheet reconciliations. Follow up and resolve all reconcilable items within a timelybehind limit Essential Duties & Responsibilities facilities the scenes management. 5. Assists in managing the company’s bank and cash balances in line 1. Attend or conduct pre-shift brief meeting at 9am daily • Very Good Leadership Skills • Must be Computer Literate • Excellent at working and applying mathematical concepts • Must be very good at analyzing and interpreting general business periodicals, professional journals or governmental regulations • Excellent Audit Skills
14. Co-operates and forms a team with other members of Management 10. Delegate assignments and supervise all staff, room attendants, housemen , public area attendants 11. Monitor and perform inventories weekly/monthly. Ensure enough guest supplies, linen supplies and uniforms are available 12. Manage operating expenses to minimize costs while still maintaining excellent guest services 13. Assist with budgeting, forecasting and financial planning of the department 14. Assist with scheduling and payroll cost controls, such as edit of daily employee time card and enter employee schedule in the system weekly 15. Supervise and conduct daily detailed inspection of guest rooms, public areas, back of house and surrounding hotel areas. Ensures compliance with the hotel’s standards of excellence, health/sanitation standards and regulations 16. Any other duties which may be assigned by the Executive Housekeeper
• Very Good Leadership Skills • Must be Computer Literate • Excellent at working and applying mathematical concepts • Must be very good at analyzing and interpreting general business periodicals, professional journals or governmental regulations • Excellent Audit Skills
• Ensure that all Standards are being adhered to, by training all personnel and monitoring their
14. Co-operates and forms a team with other members of Management 10. Delegate assignments and supervise all staff, room attendants, and be supportive and loyal to the company housemen , public area attendants 15. Other such duties as determined by the company from time to time 11. Monitor and perform inventories weekly/monthly. Ensure enough guest supplies, linen supplies and uniforms are available ASSISTANT MANAGER – HOUSEKEEPING 12. Manage operating expenses to minimize costs while still maintaining excellent guest services Position Overview: 13. Assist with budgeting, forecasting and financial planning of the The Assistant Manager – Housekeeping assists in the managing and department directing of the day to day operations of all Housekeeping and laundry 14. Assist with scheduling and payroll cost controls, such as edit of daily functions. Provides support to the Executive Housekeeper in all areas of employee time card and enter employee schedule in the system weekly the Housekeeping operation, such as staff training, coaching and 15. Supervise and conduct daily detailed inspection of guest rooms, counseling and consistently inspects and enforces adherence to the public areas, back of house and surrounding hotel areas. Ensures Grace Bay Club standards of excellence. Participates in and enforces compliance with the hotel’s standards of excellence, health/sanitation quality assurance for Housekeeping Department and department cost standards and regulations control measures. Makes certain the required LHW Brand Standards 16. Any other duties which may be assigned by the Executive are achieved. Housekeeper
Budgeting & Costing compliance • To delegate and control the departmental expense budget Duties: 1. Assists with plans, supervises and evaluates the daily operations and throughout the year activities of the accounting department ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS 2. Plans, and oversees the daily work of accounting staff • Control Payroll and Business Expenses of schedules P&B and F&B functions including training, counseling and establishing monitoring• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality or in Business Administration, from goals Departments 3. Assigns duties and examines work for exactness and conformance to a highly reputed university policies and procedures. • To prepare and derive the required operational cost for F&B and 4. Assists in preparing and supervising the timely preparation of all• Post graduate studies in similar subjects are highly recommended balance sheet reconciliations. Follow up and resolve all reconcilable P&B Departments for the year Qualifications: items within a timely limit Essentialyears Duties & Responsibilities Qualifications: • 15+ of experience in the hospitality sector • Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management Assists in managing the company’s bank and cash balances in line 1. Attend or conduct pre-shift brief meeting at 9am daily • Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management • To5 years oversee budget preparation for the5.withyear with policies set by the Director of Finance 2. Maintain clear and efficient communication and coordination with the • Minimum of Housekeeping Management experience in a • At least of experience role, preferably policies set by the Director of Finance 2. Maintain clear5 andyears efficient communication and coordination in with a the management • Minimum 5 years of Housekeeping Management experience in a 6. Assists in overseeing income audit and ensures proper accounting of Front Office and other departments of the hotel Luxury 5 Star Resort 6. Assists in overseeing income audit and ensures proper accounting of Front Office and other departments of the hotel Luxury 5 Star Resort • Toknowledge ensure the Upholstery, preparation of management team duties revenues and rebates of Chemicals, Floor Maintenance KEY RESPONSIBIlITIES: 3. To attract, motivate and retain staff. Provide leadership support and •andExtensive within well-reputed 5* leadership exclusive resort/ country-club revenues and rebates 3. To attract,amotivate and retain staff. Provide support and • Extensiveluxury knowledge of Chemicals, Upholstery, Floor Maintenance 7. Assists in managing General Cashier and ensures proper accounting is readily accessible to staff. Cleaning Solutions. 7. Assistsand in managing General Cashier and ensures proper accounting is readily accessible to staff. and Cleaning Solutions. • Toknowledge implement methods to control wastage over production cash and deposits to and include float counts Conduct performance, salary reviews and progressive discipline of Laundry Operations Planning Organizing - To plan4.all operational procedures, to plan• Extensive • Strong command ofandthe operations of restaurants and cash and deposits to include float counts 4. Conduct performance, salary reviews progressive discipline • Extensive knowledge of Laundry Operations 8. Ensures that all accounting operations are in compliance with 5. Assist in interviewing, scheduling, training, development, • Experience managing a diverse team of minimum 35 persons 8. Ensures that all accounting operations are in compliance with 5. Assist in interviewing, scheduling, training, development, • Experience managing a diverse team of minimum 35 persons • To select suppliers with growth the and most competent prices company policies and practicesall recruitment, growempowerment, coaching and counseling of staff • Demonstrated results showing continuous personal and organize revenue of the F&B Department accommodations facilities company policies and practices empowerment, coaching and counseling of staff • Demonstrated results showing continuous personal growth and 9. Ensures compliance and development of internal controls to protect 6. Train staff by following hotel guidelines for the safe handling of all development. 9. Ensures compliance and development of internal controls to protect 6. Train staff by following hotel guidelines for the safe handling of all development. • ToLiteracy ensure that the payroll doesn’t exceed the budget company housekeeping chemicals and equipment in Excel, Opera and Microsoft Word and assets Pool and Beach Department and to improve service and quality. • Computer • Good understanding functions, pricing as company assets housekeeping chemicals and equipment of procurement • Computer Literacy in Excel, Opera andstrategies Microsoft Word 10. Liaises with other departments as the need arises 7. Review and monitor daily schedule to ensure enough coverage for • Full competence and ability to read and write and communicate 10. Liaises with other departments as the need arises 7. Review and monitor daily schedule to ensure enough coverage for • Full competence and ability to read and write and communicate • To set the profit margin targets and achieve them 11. Assist in managing accounts payable and ensures good relations that day effectively in English. 11. Assist in managing accounts payable and ensures good relations well that dayas sales & marketing methods effectively in English. with suppliers including keeping supplier account reconciliations current 8. Refer and follow up on maintenance/equipment issues with • Must be able to work as part of a team and demonstrate a Service with suppliers including keeping supplier account reconciliations current 8. Refer and follow up on maintenance/equipment issues with • Must be able to work as part of a team and demonstrate a Service analyze potential costs Attends meetings when the need arises Engineering. Work closely with Engineering for simple and quick repairs Attitude• toTo all persons. •12.To coordinate with the heads of P&B and F&B departments to 12. Attends meetings when the need arises Engineering. Work closely with Engineering for simple and quick repairs Attitude to all persons. • To consider aspects of re-investment Email: humanresources@gracebayclub.com ensure adequate coordination and operations implementation Fax: (649) 946-5758 Domestic Worker/Housekeeper Email: humanresources@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British• West Indies To co-ordinate and manage pricing strategies P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies • Implement departmental strategies and action plans in accordance Job Requirements: • To analyze the market needs and trends with the resort’s strategic and sales plans • Ensure the cleanliness of all hotel areas • To contribute to Sales improvement • To plan the yearly revenue target • Assist in all Housekeeping responsibilities, cleaning of all guest • To plan and get the desired cost price for products sold by the resort • To ensure improvement in productivity across the resort rooms, stocking amenities and linens • To carry out the duty managers shift in order to meet management • To plan on upgrading the standards within the Resort • physical stamina and mobility including ability to reach, kneel and requirements • To liaise with the sales & marketing manager to set the strategy for bend • Manage the functioning of all employees, facilities, sales and costs, • ability to lift, push and pull required load (usually about 30lbs) the F&B department to ensure maximum departmental profit is achieved • To organize and conduct interviews • Ensure inventory is used properly and in supply at all times • Ensure regular upgrades of the resources of the F&B and P & B • To project business opportunities in order to increase revenue • Possess knowledge of proper cleaning supplies and chemical departments • To plan, develop and implement formal training plans for personnel handling • To oversee the preparation, presentation and service of food • To participate in preparation of the Resort strategic plan, marketing Qualified Belongers need only to apply products to ensure the highest quality at all times plan and goals program Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and • To maintain good will, sense of fairness and an open door policy • To regularly update the General Manager on all operations experience towards employees achievements and key issues • To operate an efficient and accurate administration process in order • To monitor and check resort members satisfaction Kid’s Town Coordinator: • To control operating and merchandising costs to meet statutory, legal and internal requirements • Must have basic First Aid • To maintain highest standards of Hygiene • To conduct daily briefings to ensure that all departments receive • Must be able to swim proficiently and perform basic water rescue • To maintain good Health and Safety Standards updated information • Must enjoy the outdoors and water sports and be willing to teach • Implement a daily and monthly checklist for all departments. Ensure • To conduct weekly briefings to improve all aspects of the resort and demonstrate activities effectively and with enthusiasm proper follow-up to attain maximum quality and efficiency • To attend all other meetings as required by the senior leaders team • Must be willing to work weekends and holidays and some evenings • To coordinate all sales activities which are conducted in area of • To ensure and maintain good relations with members and suppliers • Minimum 3 years experience with 5 star property responsibility
Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than June 30th 2014 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1050 Email: veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies
Page 14
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
National Tree still under threat from Scale Insect
Despite the implementation of a reforestation method called controlled burning, the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs is reporting that our national tree – the Caicos Pine – remains under threat from Scale Insect. Bryan Naqqi Manco, who heads the forestry division of that department, told The SUN that the Scale Insect has shown to have survived controlled burning and recovers as fast as the Pine Tree does. The National Trust reported a few years ago that the Caicos Pine was under threat as the insect is said to have found its way into the Turks and Caicos Islands courtesy mainly of imported Christmas trees, has been attacking the National Tree, since the parasite thrives in warm climates. However, during an interview last week, Manco said that efforts have been implemented to revive the Pine, but Scale Insect remains ELITE SECURITY SERVICE
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Bryan Naqqi Manco a threat to its survival. Manco said though that DEMA has been doing all it could to rid the county of the insect so that the Pine will be able to flourish the way it ought to. “What we have been doing now is growing the Pine in the nursery. We have been experimenting with different methods in the wild, including controlled burning to see how that affect the scale insect, and
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a few years ago. And hopefully that would lead to populations of Pine that would be able to be grown out from where they are now and join up eventually to create a full habitat again,” Manco revealed. He explained that the Caicos Pine is a fire-dependent plant, which needs to burn in order to remain as a pine forest, adding that its seeds can survive through the fire. “Fire acts as a sort of pruning, and it cuts down the broadleaf trees. If the fire is suppressed then the broadleaf trees would take over; they would shave the ground too much for the Pine seeds to grow and the habitat would turn into broadleaf – regular bush – and that’s normal,” he said. He pointed out that traditionally fires in the wild would be lit by lightning, which would burn through off the hardwood trees, noting that because lightning is random, controlled burning would be the best source to prune the Caicos Pine.
“We use Goolgle Earth or another satellite programme to choose the area where we would be doing the controlled burning. We visit the site. We would cut a six-foot-wide path which is a fire-break so the fire can burn up to that path and then it stops because there is nothing else to burn. We then used methods that are established in forestry. “We have some of the most experienced controlled burnings people in the world that actually work for the US Department of Agriculture or the Defense Department – the military does a lot of controlled burnings in the US. We have them come down and lead the burns, and we have our own staff involved as well, for training purposes,” he said. Manco said that in 2012, three successful burnings took place, as the Pine Trees in the areas reacted positively to the burn. He said that an area in Middle Caicos has been identified for another set of controlled burning in November.
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we did some experimentation with out-planting, so planting out nursery-grown trees into new sites that would have historically had Pine or even sites that would have a little higher ground that the Pine didn’t grow on. But now, with the sea level rise that’s going on, would be better if the Pine moves on the hill,” he said. He explained that the two-year habitat recovery programme, of which the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew in the UK, is doing the heavy-lifting, should assist a great deal in the Caicos Pine’s recuperation. “These are specialists in recreating habitats of plants that used to be there historically, with some really innovative methods. They are even doing things such as measuring the water content in the trees between night and day – really sophisticated science that is going on right here in the field. “And what we are going to lead up to is more trees being planted out, larger areas for controlled burning like we did
Required to work 7 days/week (Weekends and Holidays may also be required) Applicant must have his own tools and at least 10 years experience All applicants must apply by June 27th, 2014 Contact 243-9968 Island Pride Fuel
Two (2) Gas Attendants • Cashier • Pumping gas • Reconciliation of end of day report • Changing nozzle, hose & filters for pump/General pump maintenance • Any other assigned duty Submit applications by June 20 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall, Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211
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JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 15
LOCAL NEWS
Sandals Foundation helps to combat erosion on Iguana Island The Sandals Foundation teamed up with 43 Beaches visitors and volunteers on an adventure to Little Water Cay where they planted over one hundred red mangrove seedlings in the effort to combat coastal erosion. The initiative – which was a partnership between the Sandals Foundation, the Turks and Caicos National Trust and the Department 0f Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) – took place in the hopes to rebuild the severely damaged coastlines of the Iguana Island. Public Awareness Manager of the Turks and Caicos National Trust Jonathon Sayao, mentioned the importance of planting mangroves closely to the damaged coastlines of the beaches throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. “Mangroves are not only a very good nursery for small seashells and aquatic animals, but they are also a natural breeding ground for birds and most importantly it protects the island against the harmful effects of storm surge,” Sayao said. This type of environmental degradation has been an ongoing problem throughout the Turks and Caicos and has not spared the sandy homes of over 2,000 indigenous Rock Iguana. “Gradually the shoreline has decreased mainly due to the dredging of the proposed Star Island and the
good to see corporations like Beaches and the Sandals Foundation work with a government project like Little Water Cay. They take responsibility for a protected area and for that; we are very appreciative.” The Sandals Foundation – Sandals Resorts International’s philanthropic arm – has made it their mission to safeguard the natural environment of the Caribbean islands. Due to the extensive damage which has taken place on one of Turks and Caicos’ The Turks and Caicos Island Rock Iguana require a most visited tourist destinations, the sandy area for nesting. Sandals Foundation saw the need to preserve the natural splendor of the wave currents which have caused Turks and Caicos. Public Relations Manager for adverse effects since about 2008,” Beaches and the Sandals Foundation Sayao explained. Elanor Finfin Because the Turks and Caicos Island Representative Rock Iguana require a sandy area for Krzanowski mentioned the importance nesting, this extreme coastal erosion of protecting the indigenous wildlife has had a major negative impact on in the Turks and Caicos and why their natural habitat and subsequently the project on Iguana Island was so significant to the local Sandals their homelands are being spoiled. Foundation. Eric Salamanca, Environment Krzanowski explained, “The Island Research and Development Officer for DEMA expressed the need for planting has suffered tremendous damage due to coastal erosion and as environmental red mangroves. He said, “it is important to use ambassadors we see the need to ensure specifically red mangroves as they that our country remains Beautiful by have propped roots and are a species Nature.” She continued, “Working with the of mangrove that grow can grow in National Trust and DEMA has be an water. The propped roots protect the coast and also protect smaller fish from amazing opportunity and they have been very helpful in explaining the being eaten by much larger fish. Salamanca continued, “it is very benefits of mangrove planting on Little
Water Cay to the participating guest and Sandals Foundation volunteer. We look forward to doing a follow up visit next month to ensure that mangroves have rooted in the sand and protective PVC piping to keep the saplings protected.” The National Trust which was founded in 1992 have made a commitment to defend he islands’ natural, cultural and historical heritage and with partners like Beaches and the Sandals Foundation, they are able to utilize as many of their resources as possible. Sayao expressed his thanks to the Foundation for preserving the natural environment and he said, “We really appreciate the Sandals Foundation for helping us with planting the mangroves on Little Water Cay. The process might not be a quick one, but once the mangroves are big and strong they will be home to many different species as well as protection for the Rock Iguanas who call the island home.” With the right nutrients, mangroves can grow as much as forty inches per year. However due to the lack of nutrients in the sand on Little Water Cay, the mangroves may take a longer time to reach maturity. The Sandals Foundation has dedicated time and manpower to ensure that the area can be restored to its former beauty and continue to be a home to the indigenous Rock Iguana.
Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala have vacancies for the following position:
Chief Engineer Duties: Provides overall direction and oversight to the Maintenance Department of Parrot Cay by COMO, Turks and Caicos. Parrot Cay by COMO is an award-winning Turks and Caicos luxury resort. Controls and maintains primary utility systems including diesel electric generating units and reverse-osmosis seawater desalination units to produce electric power and portable water for distribution to a hotel and private residences throughout. Direct and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the utility production and distribution systems. Ensure both long term and short term goals are achieved through the implementation and completion of set targets and corporate goals. This position will be based on property at Parrot Cay. Responsibilities: • Planning, management and participation in the operation and maintenance of all utility systems including diesel engine based power plant. • Preparation and management of systematic preventative and corrective maintenance. • Performs daily maintenance and troubleshooting activities, making necessary adjustments to keep plant(s) operating efficiently. • Preparation and management of monthly energy use reports for core systems. • Develop and maintain operating budgets for the facility. Obtain and review budget results with senior management on a monthly basis, identify deviations and manager corrective actions. • Promote the identification of training requirements. Review and develop programs to meet the operational requirements for both long and short term goals. Ensure continual development of staff to meet the changing facility needs. • Monitors and inspects equipment for potential mechanical / electrical problems notifying management if unable to correct conditions. • Communicates all operational issues concerning the facility to management in a timely manner. • Maintains safe conditions and operates within required permits. • Develops, maintains and enforces safety protocols. • Utilize computerized maintenance management system to create work orders for inventory and with planning /prioritization. • Plan, schedule and receive fuel oil deliveries. • Coordinate provision of utility services to new customers. • Performs emergency response as required. Requirements: • Position will be responsible for supervising/managing/overseeing the Engineering departments. • Requires a minimum of 7 year(s) of supervisory experience.
• Requires a minimum of 10 year(s) of experience in relevant position. • Must have experience at properties of similar size and preferable in 5 star luxury hotels/ resorts environment. • Position will be required to work a varied schedule that may include evenings, nights, and weekends. • Candidates must be able to satisfy required drugs and background clearance. • Minimum of 3-6 years’ experience as a manager of power plants. • Background as Marine / Mechanical Engineer or equivalent highly preferred • Solid practical experience with 4-stroke diesel engines, electrical generation and auxiliary equipment. • Experience with seawater desalination systems. • Prior experience with modern controls systems. • Knowledge and experience of electrical safety rules and procedures. • Knowledge and experience of operations procedures and operation of primary substations and high voltage underground distribution. Other Managerial Positions: • Recreation Manager • Asst. Executive Housekeeper • Financial Controller OTHER POSITIONS Pilates Teacher Commis Chef Sous Chef Senior Therapist K9 Dog Handler Spa Night Receptionist Laundry Technician
Resort Butler Chef de Partie Food & Beverage Server Spa Attendant Water Sports Instructor Night Kitchen Steward IT System Administrator
Private Estates Supervisor Demi Chef Spa Therapist Private Estates Attendant Bartender Mechanic Helper Carpenter Supervisor
Salary for this position will be paid base on qualification and experience. Please note that all application must be submitted with a valid Police Record, two reference letters from previous employers or a notary public and current educational certificates. 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
Page 16
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
New Appointments to Government Deputy Governor Hon. Anya Williams has announced a range of new appointments within the Turks and Caicos Government. In addition to new senior and middle management posts, TCIG has introduced a new Senior Management Understudy Training Programme. This is designed to support the development of progression and careers paths within the civil service. Deputy Governor Williams said: “I would like to congratulate these persons on their new appointments and would like to wish them much success as they carry out their new roles. The Management Understudy Training Programme, is a core component of our new succession plan to ensure that local people are provided with opportunities to progress within the civil service, by receiving the training and personal development to help them progress into these roles. “As candidates for our 21st Century Manager Programme, our new colleagues will be given the opportunity for training internships, either in the UK or other Overseas Territories, just like Clyde Green, our newly appointed Rehabilitation
Manager who is currently benefitting from an internship where he is reviewing the UK’s prison rehabilitation work.” The new Senior Appointments are: Director of Estates – Neroy Kennedy; Water Engineer – Omowale Harvey; Investment Services Executive (Aftercare) –Justin Misick; Assistant Commissioner of Revenue (Legal) – Nasiya Misick; Assistant Director of Planning – Toriono Williams; Deputy Superintendent of Prison – Raymond Grant; Assistant Superintendent of Prison – Meshelle Jennings Prison and Rehabilitation Manager –Clyde Green (currently in the UK on training). The new Deputy/Understudy Roles are: Deputy Director of Social Services – Tiffany Thomas-Brown; Deputy Budget Director –Peshina Williams; Assistant Accountant General – Sally Jean Astwood and Assistant Accountant General – Ahmed Jones. The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing was pleased to hear of the recent appointments to the Civil Service. “I would like to congratulate
the persons who have successfully received job placement with the Civil Service most recently and throughout the past year and half of elected Government under the Progressive National Party Administration. “It has always been my Government’s vision to not only strengthen the Civil Service with hard-working, capable employees, but also to create job opportunities and ensure that our young people are recognized as valuable contributors, and given the opportunity to advance to management roles within the service through proper, fair, transparent and strategic succession planning. “I expect that as a community, that we will support our young people in their new roles and encourage others to continue to strive for advancement in their careers, whether within the public service, as employees of the private sector, or as entrepreneurs, because it is through their success that we as a country will also be successful. We will continue to work with the Office of the Deputy Governor, who is responsible for the public service, to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are afforded
the opportunity for professional development, employment and promotion to senior levels within the service, ” said Premier Ewing at the time of announcement. Resource availability was the source of cry for many Government Departments in recent years especially during the period under the Interim Administration and time of global economic downturn, but despite financial constraints, and with continual improvement in the economy, the current Government has facilitated some sixty-some job placements in critical areas, since coming to office in November 2012, and will be facilitating even more employment in critical areas as the financial position of the government improves, thereby ensuring the advancement of an effective and efficient Civil Service. This latest announcement comes just weeks before the 2014/2015 Budget is to be table in the House of Assembly, which once passed, the Premier says will provide even greater opportunity for further capacity strengthening in some much needed and critical areas of the Civil Service.
FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION EQUITY LTD. Pursuant to the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice that it will cause to be sold by public auction, the following property: Title 60900/194, Chalk Sound, Providenciales, being comprised of a 0.73 acre parcel of land fronting on Chalk Sound on which is situated a three storey, 6200 square feet single family residence with 3 bedrooms and studio unit with bedroom, service elevator, swimming pool, plunge pool, dock and other attractive features, landscaping and brick driveway. Registered Proprietor: MAXWELL EARL HAMILTON The auction will be held at the offices of TWA, Marcelin, Wolf, 1276 Leeward Highway, Providenciales on Thursday July 3rd, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. For further particulars please contact Twa, Marcelin, Wolf at 649-946-4261 or at twa@twmlaw.tc.
Silly Creek Water Sports
is a small start up business looking for an assistant manager whom will be able to assist in all roles: Qualifications: must have experience in web design, social media, Excel, Word, marketing and creating promotional material, book keeping, sales and customer relations • licensed boat captain, wake board instructor, first aid/CPR, experienced and competent swimmer • a self starter with an outgoing personality able to cold call and promote business • food preparation • boat and equipment maintenance • valid driver’s licence and experienced in trailering boats • experience in teaching water sports and driving boats • must speak and write fluent English Responsibilities include: answering phone, coordinating and booking excursions, promoting business through social and print media, identifying and targeting potential business opportunities, book keeping, assisting in food preparation, cleaning and maintenance of equipment and boat, assisting in excursions, teaching snorkelling and water sports Please contact Silly Creek Water Sports at 432-9455 or email info@ sillycreekwatersports.com
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JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 17
LOCAL NEWS
GSAT euphoria at Precious Treasures
by Vivian Tyson Euphoria is the one word that Oniel Chung, Grade Six Teacher at the Precious Treasures Pre and Primary School, used to sum up the current atmosphere at the institution after four of its students finished in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) Top 10. Pressure Treasures secured the second (Rebecca Archibald), third (Sean Astwood) fourth (Jonathon Jennings) and fifth (Thalia Morrison) places. Rebecca Archibald missed out on the top spot by just .26 points. “We are experiencing euphoria right now. We are elated. We anticipated this result. We are feeling quite blessed right now,” says the teacher. “We are proud of our students. They worked hard, they were diligent, they stuck with the programme, they trusted what we had to offer, and they did their very best. I am quite proud of them, and I am sure that their parents are also proud of them,” Chung said. Rebecca, who told The SUN that she wants to become a Harvard law graduate, said she told herself when she walked inside the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex to sit the test, that she wanted to do her best, but never expected that she would have secured second overall nationally. The feeling was the same for Sean Astwood, who said that it is wonderful feeling to be among the Top 10. “I am feeling great. I never felt more alive. My preparation was hard, but I still kept up with my cousin (Rebecca) and colleagues, and I am just happy,” he said. Asked about his GSAT results wish, the hilarious Sean, who is desirous of being a scientist, said: “That I would beat Rebecca Archibald, but next time.”
President Treasures (from left) Sean Astwood, Rebecca Archibald, Thalia Morrison and Jonathan Jennings share lens with their grade six teacher, Oneil Chung. Jonathon Jennings, who said his goal in life is to become a physicist, declared that it was a good feeling knowing that he has been included in the Top 10 for the entire country. “I feel very excited that I am in the Top 10. I worked very hard when I was studying. Hard work pays off all the time, so I am happy for the work that I put in. The work was manageable. My parents always encouraged me to study hard, and I always believe that once you study hard, God will help you,” Jonathan said. Thalia Morrison, who wants to be a medical doctor, credited her Top 10 placing to the hard work that she had put in. She also credits Chung for her success. “I feel really good because I worked very hard. I used the time table to balance my time between studying and resting. Studying was sometimes long,
but it was manageable. My teacher is a large contributor to my success. He provided me with the information and he is the one who pushed me to be the best I can be. He said that the school achieved 100 per cent passes in the exam, which he said was the overall objective. “We sent 12 students (to sit the GSAT Exams) this time around. And we have accomplished 100 percent passes, which is our first objective, and our second objective was to have our children in the top 10, as many as possible. We aimed for the highest mark, and we missed it by .26. But that is good; I commend the child at Richmond Hill because we aspire to do that as well, so we commend her accomplishment,” Chung said. He said that the feat is a burning desire to build on the school’s rich academic
tradition. “Over the years we have established a reputation for doing well, and we try to maintain that; God is good, we have done just that, so we are quite pleased. Our core value is making sure that we have covered all the bases, and when we are sure that we have covered all the bases, if we have enough time we visit concepts and reinforce. “And once we have done that then we are sure we are in a good position. We go about that by extending time as we go along; we don’t drastically engage the children in extended time. “It is a process wherein they get settled, and when we are sure that they are ready to go the extra mile – and not too late now – we have them increasing time; we add an hour, an hour and a half to the programme. If needs be, we have some extended
time outside of school on a Saturdays, but not much of that,” Chung said. He added: “We still allow the children to be themselves, they play. We try to make them play when they should play, and they have the discipline to know that when it’s work time, it’s work time. So we don’t put any pressure on them. I can also say that we attribute our success to God, because we pray a lot in this school. Rebecca, who is 11 years old, said that she was elated on learning that she was second overall in the GSAT. She said there was a lot of celebration by those who also placed in the top 10 and those who also passed. “There was a lot of jumping and dancing. We kind of got a little bit crazy. Our preparation was manageable. We did a lot of reinforcements, so we were like totally prepared,” said.
InterCaribbean Airways is seeking suitable qualified pilots to operate its EMB120 fleet.
PO Box 329, Graceway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies Tel 649 441 5638 Email: director@provoprimary.com Website www.provoprimary.com
FOUNDATION STAGE, KEY STAGE ONE AND TWO TEACHERS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2014 Applicants must have an excellent working knowledge of the National Curriculum for England Guidelines, hold a teaching degree or PGCE and have QTS status with at least 2 years experience teaching The National Curriculum for England. Teaching assistants must hold an NNEB, NVQ, Early Childhood Certificate, or equivalent and have teaching assistant experience. Please send or email letter of application, resume, and contact details together with the names and phone numbers of two referees to the Director at the above address.
Applicants must have the following: Captains: Valid Air Transport License, Pic type rating - 3500hrs fixed wing total time including 1,500 hrs Multi engine, 500hrs Turbine and minimum 100hrs on Type. First officer: Commercial Pilot License, Sic type rating 500hrs fixed wing total time, 250hrs Multi-engine and 25hrs on Type.
Please send resume to HR@Intercaribbean.com Tel:(649) 946-4181
Page 18
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JUNE 21ST - JUNE 28TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Brielle Swann graces cover of summer magazine On the cover of Times of the Islands summer edition 2014 and in an eight-page editorial spread is TCI’s newest Top Model, Brielle Swann. Having being named the FACE of the Turks and Caicos on Friday, May 2nd by industry experts at the Williams Auditorium in Providenciales, the Grand Turks native took the plunge in her first of many editorial photoshoots to come. The shoot, which took place at the awardwinning Point Grace Resort – was the most picturesque location with its turn-of-the-century British Colonial architecture, lush tropical foliage, fantastic vistas and lavish furnishings; made the perfect backdrop for the safari themed spread. The 2014 TCI Top Model, donned in outfits by Courtney Robinson Couture, Rosetta Talbot, L’été Boutique, shoes courtesy of Shoe Gallery along garments sourced by the TCI Top Model organizers - provided the 5’9” Cockburn Town ethereal beauty with a fabulous array of stylish ensembles. Published photographer Renau Destine of Double R Media, who was assisted by Galacty Vancela -photographed Brielle in and around the property, and on the Point’s white sandy beaches. On hand during the shoot was Courtney Robinson, Director of Production for the TCI Top Model Contest, who was also the shoot’s Fashion Editor. The creative team also consisted of Kerietta Simpson, TCI Top Model Contest’s Head of Fashion and Grooming Fashion, who was the shoot’s hairstylist and makeup artist, transforming the Top Model from an ingénue to a glamourzon editorial queen, and Claire Parrish, Advertising Manager for Times Publishing.
Brielle Swann, TCI Top Model 2014 (above) wears a custom-made strapless gold gown by Courtney Robinson Couture. At right, Brielle graces the cover of Times of the Islands Summer 2014 issue wearing a one-piece crochet bikini by Rose’s Island-Style and Crochet by Rosetta Talbot of Grand Turk and skirt from L’ete Boutique in Grace Bay, Provo.
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 60002/367 North West and North Central, Providenciales. Phase two of the Priton Homes: two bedrooms, one bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, living/ dining area on 0.25 acre. Registered Proprietor: Glanedise Walkin 2. Parcel 60900/170 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. Single storey with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, one half bathroom, living room and kitchen on 0.72 acre. Registered Proprietor: Cherrie Romayne ForbesIngham 3. Parcel 60720/20 Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hills, Providenciales. Single storey detached house in Cooper Jack with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, open plan living and dining room with partially completed extension on 1.33 acres. Registered Proprietor: Michael M Williams 4. Parcel 60610/184 Norway & Five Cays, Providenciales. Single storey residential house with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry room, kitchen, living/dining room on 1.00 acre. Registered Proprietor: Earl Nathan Tucker 5. Parcel 60900/175 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. Single storey residential property providing two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchens, open plan living/dining area and laundry room on 0.67 acre. Registered Proprietor: Randy McKenn Ewing 6. Parcel 60702/125 Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, Providenciales. Detached two storey building: two bedrooms to the upper floor and a one bedroom apartment to the lower floor with 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.) 7. Parcel 60715/186 Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, Providenciales. Unfinished bungalow multiplex consisting of 3- one bedroom, 2- two bedroom apartments on 0.77 acre of land. Registered Proprietor: Ebenezer Benjamin Williams 8. Parcel 60515/64 Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales. Single storey detached dwelling house providing three bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchens,
living/dining area and laundry room on approx. 0.22 acre. Registered Proprietor: Thelma Adlaide Lightbourne 9. Parcel 10308/105 South West Suburbs, Grand Turk. Single storey residential house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, family room, living/dining room on approx. 0.25 acre. Registered Proprietor: Lester Robert Butterfield and Paula Ann Butterfield 10. Parcel 10303/33 Overback, Central Suburbs, Grand Turk. This property accommodates three buildings: one concrete building and two wooden comprises of a single storey residential house with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, family room, living/dining room on approx. 0.20 acre. Registered Proprietor: Henry Raymond Jennings 11. Parcel 10204/67 Township, Central Suburbs, Grand Turk. This property comprises of a main house with two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, living/ dining room, laundry room and a detached wooden dwelling house comprising of one bedroom, one bathroom, kitchen, living/dining room and laundry room on approx. 0.19 acre. Registered Proprietor: Kuthlyn Spencer 12. Parcel 61113/94 Long Bay, Providenciales. Detached bungalow style residential house with five bedrooms, three bathroom, kitchen, living/dining room, and laundry room. There is a second building on lot which comprises of two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, and living room on approx. 0.49 acre. Registered Proprietor: Ezra Ringo Tyrone Taylor 13. Parcel 60805/15/K8 The Bight and Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales. This property comprises of a two storey townhouse with three bedrooms, three bathroom, kitchen, living/dining room, family room and laundry room. Registered Proprietor: Alejandro Rios 14. Parcel 60505/199 Blue Hills and Stamers Run, Providenciales. Apartment complex and Laundromat. The main building consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two kitchens, two living/dining rooms and an additional building with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, three kitchens, three living/dining rooms on approx. 0.20 acre. Registered Proprietor: George Seymour
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 27th day of June 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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LoCaL nEWS
The police making the gun salute much to the delight of the crowd, especially the children.
Police officers on parade
Force lauded at Queen’s Birthday Parade
Maranatha High School students also took part in the parade.
Wesley Methodist Church Girls Guide and Brownies on parade.
Members of the Customs and Immigration Department on parade.
His Excellency Governor takes the salute from the Commissioner of Police attention.
Dozens of persons turned out to witness the Queen’s Birthday Parade on Monday (June 16, 2014) at the Meridian Field in Grace Bay Providenciales. The event was marked by marches by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and uniformed groups, the raising of the Union Jack and the Queen’s Flag, the offering of 21 guns salute and presentation of medals to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Customs Department for long and dedicated service. The following are photo highlights of the event.
Sergeant Feliz Brown collects his medal from His Excellency Peter Beckingham.
His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham and Inspector Jerome Caley share a light moment while on their way to inspect the guard. At right is Deputy Commissioner of Police Wayne Jones.
His Exc
AICOS SUN
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Peter Beckingham e dais, while Deputy Wayne Jones stands at
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Members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Marching Band in action.
His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham and Acting Premier Hon. Akierra Missick share lens with the recipient of the Queen’s Medals.
The Union Jack is hoisted at the at the Meridian Field to mark the event.
His Excellency Peter Beckingham inspects the Customs and Immigration personnel.
cellency Peter Beckingham greets the Rainbows from St. Monica’s Anglican Church.
Acting Premier Hon. Akierra Missick takes the Royal Salute from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police. At Right is Superintendent of Police Kendel Grant.
A section of the turn-out at the Queen’s Birthday Parade.
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LOCAL NEWS
Beauty, talent and loads of fun for Summajam 2014 The Summajam Festival kicks off Wednesday, June 25th, in Grand Turk with an islandwide Motorcade from 4 p.m. which will feature the contestants of the Miss Grand Turk Teen and The Miss Grand Turk pageants. The following day (Thursday, June 26th), the teens are set to face off for the title of the first Miss Teen Grand Turk 2014, followed by a sneak preview of the Michael Jackson Celebrity Impersonator Extraordinaire, Bobby Miller and his Dance Troupe. The main event however, will be the annual Miss Grand Turk 2014 pageant, where Miss Grand Turk 2013-14, now Miss Turks and
Caicos/Universe, Shanice Williams, will take her final walk and hand over her crown to one of the eight contestants. Following the coronation of Miss Grand Turk 2014-15, the Bobby Miller Show is set to take the stage. On Saturday at 5 a.m. there will be a Jump-up through the streets of Grand Turk; a flag parade from Kishco Parking Lot to Governor’s Beach at 12 p.m.; and finally the event will culminate with a beach party packed with volley ball and domino competitions. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams. Musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Shakes, the Band Boyz and a host of local talent.
Miss Grand Turk Teen contestants
Mary Fulford
Makayla Tucker
Royshana Robinson
Shaniqua Wolf
Ashley Paulk
Mackelande Pierre
Carisa Paul
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LOCAL NEWS
Colea Coalbrooke
Wadeline Fils-Aime
Delricia Wilson
Eight compete for Miss Grand Turk 2014 crown
Kathia Rock
Kathia Rock
Renelle Smith
Olivia Smith
Bethsaida Jean
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FUn & GaMES
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CARIBBEAN
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CaRiBBEan nEWS
nEWS
Rowley seeks to link attorney’s murder to social programme PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley has sought to link the murder of prominent attorney Dana Seetahal last month to the government’s controversial Life Sport programme that was recently placed under the portfolio of the Ministry of National Security. Seetahal, a former law lecturer and special prosecutor, was gunned down as she left a casino for her home on May 3. No one has yet been held in connection with the murder that sent shockwaves through the legal profession. Rowley, speaking at a public meeting of his main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) last week, said the murder of the 59-year-old former president of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, had alerted law enforcement agencies to wrong doing and corrupt practices within the Life Sport programme that was then attached to the Ministry of Sports. Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has since ordered an audit into the programme and many speculate that the outcome could determine the future of the embattled Sports Minister Anil Roberts. National Security Minister Gary Griifth had in the past warned that criminal elements were benefitting from various government projects including the Life Sport programme. Rowley told supporters that
Prominent attorney Dana Seetahal was murdered in Trinidad last month. the programme was a plot by the government to fund criminals ahead of the 2015 general elections. However he said the plot was foiled when Seetahal was murdered. He said the controversial programme shot into the spotlight immediately after the killing. “That Life Sport monster cancer that grew like mushroom overnight was not accidental. It was a deliberate plan by the UNC (United National Congress) to fund criminal conduct in the east-west
Politician’s car hits bus in Haiti; 11 dead
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A police official said Sunday that a Haitian legislator driving an SUV slammed into a small passenger bus killing 11 people, including an infant. Seme Calixte, commissioner of the police in the western town of Saint Marc, said authorities suspect the lawmaker was speeding when he lost control of his four-wheel drive in the Artibonite region. Calixte identified the driver as Jules Lionel Anelus, a member of Haiti’s lower house Chamber of Deputies. The police commissioner said Sunday that the infant and the child’s mother were among those killed in a colorfullypainted bus known as a “tap tap.” Another 10 people including Anelus were injured in the Saturday afternoon crash, which is still being investigated. Calixte said it’s too early to say whether any criminal charges will be filed. Deadly traffic accidents are common in Haiti, where police seldom enforce traffic laws and many vehicles are severely overloaded.
corridor with elections in mind. “The plan fell apart with the killing of Dana Seetahal, because you see with the killing of Dana Seetahal the shock to the country and the shock to the agencies of security have put the spotlight on a programme which the prime minister was turning her face away from. They were funding it”. Rowley is also questioning how come the programme moved from an estimated six million dollars (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) to more than TT$130 million in a short period of time. He asked supporters to imagine what would have occurred in 2015 and the country now understands why there’s much talk of officials within the programme being targeted. “The arrangement for spending that money was so loose that even some of the public officials started to feed in the trough. “So today you are hearing public officials saying that they are in difficulty with criminals because they all did not measure to what you expected. “And that is why you are being told today by one of the public officials that the real issue with the money is that 34 million dollars was paid to an individual, who is now unknown to you, and no work work or service was provided,” he added. Rowley said no one is being held accountable for the monies leaking out of the programme.
Antigua urged to follow Jamaica’s ganja lead ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Marijuana should be legalised and not decriminalised, according to local marijuana advocate Noel “Bongo First” Joseph. Recently, Jamaica signalled its intention to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana. “Personally, I think they dropped the ball,” Joseph said. He said it was outrageous that, “The farmers will be incarcerated for growing cannabis; meanwhile an individual can have two ounces in his pocket.” The Jamaican government have made changes to the Dangerous Drugs Act, in relation to the possession of small quantities of the drug for personal uses, smoking in private places and medicinal use. This means that a person would not be arrested for these acts; they would merely be required to pay a fine. “If I’m not a criminal for (having) the substance, then there is no reason for the substance to be illegal,” the advocate said. However, Joseph said, “One foot in the door is better than no foot at all.” He referred to decriminalising marijuana as the “first step in where we want to go”. “As an individual who has been using cannabis for the past 30 odd years, and one that has been studying the plant for over 20 odd years, “the benefits (outweigh) the negative aspects.” Antigua has been known to have more of a demand for marijuana than Jamaica. “I have heard them say in Jamaica that we in Antigua consume more cannabis than Jamaicans… Yes we do use more cannabis than all the Caribbean countries, each one of them,” he said. Asked whether he believed Antigua will follow in Jamaica’s footsteps, Joseph said government will come through. “I have heard a few of the ministers that have won in this new election talk about decriminalisation of the plant … there is nothing named never, it’s just when.”
Jamaica shifts funding from private to public schools
JAMAICA – Government’s decision not to place any of the 39,438 students who sat this year’s Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in private schools is expected to result in savings of $15 million, which Ronald Thwaites said will be used to improve the public education system. Thwaites, the education minister, said that in addition to not placing students in private institutions this year, a decision was also taken to not send any of the GSAT students to any of the country’s all-age schools. “It is not that we are scorning them (private institutions), but we simply believe that the investment has to be in the public system, and that’s where we are creating the spaces,” the minister told a press conference at his ministry last week, where he gave a preliminary report on the results of the 2014 GSAT. Of those students who sat this year’s examination, 28,883 or a little over 70 per cent were able to gain placement at one of their five
preferred schools, while 10,127 were placed by a computer programme to schools in close proximity to their primary schools and, to a lesser extent, to where they live. A total of 34,804 students were placed in high schools, 3,291 in technical schools, and a little over 1,000 in junior high schools. “Our experience is that, while there is heroic effort and exemplary success in some of the junior high schools, by and large, they have not shown the capacity to deliver the best results. As you know, they are follow-on from the primary school before the grade nine test that takes the student into a higher level, and so we have been trying hard to place as many students without overcrowding any school into the five-year programme,” Thwaites explained. The education minister noted that, while the average scores in the various subject areas have improved over the last six years, the levels were not satisfactory. As such, he said that
efforts would be made to readjust the ministry’s budget internally to provide more literacy and mathematics coaches in schools. Students who have scored below an average of 50 per cent in the GSAT will be especially targeted for remedial work. Thwaites noted that girls continue to outdo boys in the national examination and there has been a gradual reduction in the number of students sitting the exam over the last few years. “It is 39,438 who actually sat earlier this year, and I think that is down from 42,000 last year. The birth rate is declining, and over the last five to 10 years we have come down from close to 52,000,” he said. “All transfers must receive the approval of the ministry, and the practice where some schools decanted into other already over-supplied schools is not going to continue; and we would therefore ask for transfers to be approved here,” he said.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
St Lucia Labour Party supports Anthony’s move to cut public service salaries and freeze wages
CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) is supporting efforts by the Kenny Anthony government to reduce the EC$76 million (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) fiscal deficit by cutting public service salaries and introducing a wage freeze for the next triennium. Both proposals have been rejected by the public workers last week, but the government has been seeking public support for its initiatives to deal with the financial situation. SLP chairman Dr. Julian Hunte has reaffirmed his
party’s support for the government’s proposals saying the move is necessary to rescue the country falling into worse economic strain. Hunte told a news conference that government’s actions were an indication of its commitment to the country as it seeks to save it from “the economic crisis it has inherited” and other contributing factors. “The simple and harsh fact confronting us is that if action is not taken at this time, to reduce the deficit in government’s finances, then the economic situation will worse and St. Lucia
will be forced to implement unpalatable and even more austere measures imposed by insensitive, soulless international institutions. This must be avoided,” Hunte said. “The situation facing the government is not difficult to understand. It is comparable to that of the head of a household who has recognized that the household expenditure is surpassing the total income earned by the household, and that as a result it is in deep debt. “It would then be natural to remove the debt and
discontinue it from incurring it. “The minister of finance, as head of the household, which is the public service, must therefore cut down on the areas of expenditure which have and are pushing the government into further debt. The largest of these areas is public sector salaries and wages,” Hunte said. He labelled the government’s salary cut proposal as both pro-worker and pro-country measures which were “forced upon the government” by circumstances, adding that it is important that
ABLP cabinet selection complete one vote over his opponent in the Prime Minister Gaston Browne June 12 General Election. has named a 12-member Cabinet Meanwhile, Melford that includes several familiar faces, Nicholas is the Broadcasting, a female and a few newcomers. Telecommunications, Information The ministers took their oaths Technology and Information of office at Government House minister, Paul ‘Chet’ Greene has before making their way to the oversight for Trade, Industry and Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG) Commerce, National Festivals, for a public ceremony. Culture and Sports, while Dean The swearing-in ceremony, Jonas is the Deputy Speaker of the projected on large LED screens, House of Assembly. saw Samantha Marshall, a One by one, the ministers took newcomer, assuming the portfolio three oaths: allegiance, office and of Social Transformation and secrecy and promised to serve Human Resource Development. the people of Antigua & Barbuda Another newcomer, Michael “without fear or favour”. Browne, had his dreams realised Last week Steadroy ‘Cutie’ after he was appointed Minister of Benjamin was appointed Attorney Education, Science and Technology. Prime Minister Gaston Browne General, and minister responsible Wednesday’s swearing-in for Legal Affairs, Labour, also saw a number of returnees including Asot Michael, the of ill health, but is to be appointed Immigration and Police. After the official ceremony, minister responsible for Tourism, “senior minister.” Prime Minister Browne found Prime Minister Browne, who Economic Development Investment and Energy; Molwyn Joseph is the favour with Eustace “Teco” Lake is also minister responsible for new minister of Health and the and entrusted him with Public Finance, told a large gathering at Environment; and Robin Yearwood, Works and Housing. The country’s the ARG that he has recommitted minister responsible for APUA, new Minister of Foreign Affairs himself to serving, but that the Utilities and Information — all and International Trade is Charles evening was about “saying thank you to everyone.” of whom served under the Lester “Max” Fernandez. The Ministry of Agriculture, “I cannot thank you enough for Bird administration. Bird, the prime minister Lands, Fisheries, and Barbuda this opportunity to serve Antigua between 1994 and 2004, was Affairs went to Arthur Nibbs who & Barbuda at the highest level,” absent from the ceremony because entered the Lower House with just the prime minister said.
the population sees this move as a sacrifice which workers have to make for themselves and country. “If the reality of a five percent salary cut is worked out in dollars and cents for each individual in the public service, it will be found that the actual amount each public servant is being asked to forego, to safeguard the jobs of all public servants, is small in context of their gross salary; but it is this combined small sacrifice of each person that will save the country. What is important is that it is a united effort by all,” Hunte said.
Barbados AG worried about recent spate of gun murders Six murders involving the use of firearms this year have Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, vowing to crackdown on people trying to smuggle guns into the country. On Monday, Brathwaite said as of the end of May, there were six murders committed with the use of guns, compared to two for the same period last year. “If firearms are coming into the country illegally, it is not just a police matter. It is a Customs matter, it is a Coast Guard matter,” he said. “I need to speak to the Commissioner [of police] to determine if this is a sign of things to come, because it could be that guys now feel that they need to resort to firearms, or it could be that there is an increase in the availability of firearms. Whatever the cause it is clear to me that all agencies need to get on board,” he added. “We need to sit down at a national security level and make a determination in terms of what interventions are required.” He also proposed a combination of police and community intervention to deal with gun violence in the communities. The Attorney General’s count of gun-related murders did not include that of a 21-year-old man who died last Wednesday from gunshot wounds. Brathwaite said although statistics reflect an overall decline in crime, gun-related murders is still cause for concern.
Caribbean chikungunya cases top 170,000 The number of chikungunya cases in parts of the Caribbean continued to surge last week, pushing past 170,000 cases, with the first cases confirmed in El Salvador, west of the main outbreak area, and more imported cases detected in the United States and other countries. The outbreak has grown to 170,566 suspected or confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease, which is 35,139 higher than the 135,427 cases reported the previous week, according to a Jun 13 report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The number of deaths remained the same, at 14. Over the past few weeks, most new cases are suspected
infections reported from the Latin Caribbean countries, such as the Dominican Republic, where suspected cases rose from 52,976 to 77,320 last week. Guadaloupe and Martinique also reported thousands of new cases, but no new case totals were given for Haiti, another country that has recently been hard hit by the outbreak. In the non-Latin areas that were mainly affected earlier in the outbreak, new cases were reported by Dominica, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. The outbreak started in December on the French side of St. Martin. The European Centre for Disease Prevention
and Control (ECDC) said Jun 13 in its weekly communicable disease threat update that nearly 150,000 probable and confirmed cases have been reported in the region, which was lower than PAHO’s total. It added that most of the affected areas continue to report more cases, but especially Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The ECDC said the outbreak in still expanding, and it urged health officials to be vigilant for imported cases in tourists returning from the Caribbean.
El Salvador reports cases Elsewhere, health officials in El Salvador on Jun 14
confirmed that the virus is spreading in the country, with at least 1,200 people who have been diagnosed with the disease, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. El Salvador appears to be the westernmost area to be affected by the outbreak. Unlike other affected areas, it is in Central America and is located on the Pacific Ocean, not on the Caribbean Sea. The country’s health minister Violete Menjivar, MD, said the positive tests will be confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She told a state-run TV station that cases were found just outside of San Salvador, the country’s capital.
Two more countries— Venezuela and Brazil— reported imported cases, raising that total from 35 to 59, according to the PAHO report. At least two more US states reported their first imported cases. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RDDH) confirmed two chikungunya infections in travelers who returned from the Dominican Republic on May 19 and May 29, according to a Jun 13 statement. The infections were detected after patients presented to their physicians with fever, muscle aches, and joint pains. The RDDH said it is investigating a few more suspected cases.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
Man guilty of raping his mother BAHAMAS – A man faces up to 10 years in jail after being unanimously convicted by a Supreme Court jury of incest with his mother whom he held down and sexually assaulted for nearly six hours. When asked by Justice Indra Charles yesterday if there was any reason why sentence should not be passed on him, the 33-year-old’s only reply was: “Appeal.” However, his lawyer Dorsey McPhee, requested a probation report to be done on his client. The court granted the request and ordered the report and submissions from both defence and Crown counsel to be submitted a week
before the day of sentencing, August 8. Mr McPhee declined to comment on the outcome of the trial which saw the five woman-four man jury, in less than 90 minutes, return with a 9-0 guilty verdict. The man, whose identity cannot be published for the protection of the complainant’s identity, was alleged to have committed the crime in their New Providence home on January 10, 2012 when he forced himself on his mother. The complainant did not taken the witness stand during the trial. Instead, her statement was read into evidence by a female police officer who took her statement on the day in question.
According to evidence heard in court, the 65-year-old victim and her son went to bed after 10pm on January 9, both fully dressed. The woman slept in the bed and her son on a makeshift bed on the floor. The woman said her son woke her around midnight, undressed her and had sex with her despite her attempts to push him away. A physician testified that the 33-year-old had frequented hospital because of epileptic seizures. The physician noted the woman, who was examined at 1 pm, had suffered scrapes, cuts, bruising and bleeding to the vagina. Tenderness to the vagina
Jamaica resumes shipments of bananas to Britain KINGSTON, Jamaica – Six years after it ceased exporting bananas to Britain, Jamaica is preparing to send another shipment. Jamaica had stopped the export of bananas following the devastation caused to farms by several hurricanes and the changes in the preferential agreement with the United Kingdom. The first shipment of 2,000 lbs arrived in the UK last week and Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Roger Clarke said that another shipment will leave Jamaica on Wednesday. Clarke speaking at a ceremony to launch the Ministry’s Export Market Platform and sign five contracts for infrastructure works at four of the island’s agro-parks being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), said that the shipment of bananas will continue weekly up to the end of August and that the UK buyer will arrive here this month end to negotiate long term contracts for importing Jamaican bananas into Britain. He said the resumption of the banana trade is one of the first results of the recently launched Export Market Platform aimed at linking farmers with buyers in a structured and organised way as part of the Ministry’s efforts to
Jamaica is preparing to send another shipment of bananas to Britain. boost exports and increase production in the agricultural sector. He said the government has been targeting the UK market by forging of linkages with the Fresh Produce Consortium and that a local delegation including farmers had attended the London Produce Show as guests of the Fresh Produce Consortium resulting in transactions to supply sweet potato, yam, Julie mangoes, ginger, Moringa,
castor oil, a variety of herbs and spices and a range of fruits to that market. Clarke said that the delegation is also following leads with several UK and European buyers for the supply of Jamaican products. “Now that we have found the markets, our strategy is to organise the agroparks and mobilise farmers in these agro- parks to supply the produce,” he said.
and anus was also noted. However, no semen or discharge was found. The report noted that the woman was experiencing feelings of disbelief, distraught and was withdrawn. In his defence, the 33-year-old told a jury he had no knowledge of the incident and also denied ever having thoughts about having sex with his mother. The defence had claimed that the defendant could not be blamed for what happened that night due a seizure. However, a physician who testified as a Crown witness said that a person could not have an erection during an epileptic seizure.
PM Pindling’s widow owes over $306,000 BAHAMAS – Dame Marguerite Pindling has outstanding real property taxes amounting to $306,831.73 on her home in western New Providence and has not paid for at least 14 years, according to documents obtained by The Tribune. Dame Marguerite is the widow of the first Bahamian Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Pindling who died on August 26, 2000. The documents show that the arrears began in 2000. The owners of the home in Skyline Heights are listed as Sir Lynden Pindling and Marguerite Pindling, according to the documents. In the absence of payments over the past 14 years, interest charges on the outstanding taxes have swelled annually from $431.70 after the first year of nonpayment to $16,259.25 to date. According to the documents, as of June 18 the annual real property tax on the home was $14,138.50 with an interest fee of $16,259.25 amounting to a total payment of $30,397.75. Fourteen years ago, the real property tax on the home was $8,634. When confronted about the unpaid taxes yesterday, Dame Marguerite, 81, would not comment. “I cannot comment my dear, I am very sorry,” she said when told The Tribune had obtained information about her outstanding real properly taxes. When told that it shows she has not paid real property taxes for more than a decade she replied, “I said I have no comment” and disconnected the call. Dame Marguerite’s daughter, Monique Pindling, also chose not to comment on the issue when contacted later.
Barbados promises to pay Shanique Myrie
THE government of Barbados says it will be making compensatory payment to Shanique Myrie soon, eight months after the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled in favour of the Jamaican over an illegal cavity search and deportation. Myrie had been denied entry into that country in 2011, and the CCJ had in October last year awarded her pecuniary damages in the sum of BDS$2,240 (One BDS dollar = US$0.50 cents) and non-pecuniary damages to the tune of BDS$75,000. Last week, Myrie threatened to file a claim before the CCJ in order to get Barbados to comply with the ruling. But Barbados’ Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite said the payment will be made “once the money is released from the Treasury. “I’ve committed that I will speak to the Central Bank and have the money remitted to her attorney’s account, and my word is my bond. It will be done . . . .”
Shanique Myrie “We’ve never had any intention of not abiding by the court’s judgment. We’ve signed on to the CCJ and I’m in full support of the CCJ,” Brathwaite told
radio listeners on Monday. But, in an immediate reaction to Brathwaite’s commitment, Myrie’s attorney, Michelle Browne, was sceptical, saying that she has not received any word from the Barbados authorities. “We have had a promise that she would be paid by a particular deadline, and she has not been paid any money yet,” Browne told local media as she reflected on experiences since the court award was made. Last week, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister AJ Nicholson told the Senate that the ball was in Myrie’s court to lodge a complaint to the CCJ about Barbados’ lack of compliance despite a promise by the country’s Prime Minister Freundel Stuart three months ago that payment would be made. Nicholson said that “based on the court’s directive concerning the manner for securing compliance, it is for the party, Miss Myrie, through
her attorneys, and not the intervener (Jamaica), to notify the court of Barbados’ lack of compliance. “It is, therefore, the duty of the party to file any necessary report or application to the Court with a view to securing compliance by Barbados,” he said. However, Nicholson pointed out that the CCJ had no real powers to enforce its judgments but had instructed that individuals who have been wronged should file a complaint. He said the Government of Jamaica would continue to make political representation on the issue to the Barbados government. Myrie had alleged that when she travelled to Barbados on March 14, 2011, she was discriminated against because of her nationality, subjected to a body cavity search, detained overnight in a cell and deported to Jamaica the following day.
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Obama to send up to Iranian child bride faces execution for 300 ‘military advisers’ killing husband to help Iraqi army
President Barack Obama said on Thursday he was sending up to 300 U.S. military advisers to Iraq but stressed the need for a political solution to the Iraqi crisis as government forces battled Sunni rebels for control of the country’s biggest refinery. Speaking after a meeting with his national security team, Obama said he was prepared to take “targeted” military action later if deemed necessary, thus delaying but still keeping open the prospect of air strikes to fend off a militant insurgency. But he insisted that U.S. troops would not return to combat in Iraq. Obama also delivered a stern message to Prime Minister Nuri alMaliki on the need to take urgent steps to heal Iraq’s sectarian rift, something U.S. officials say the Shi’ite leader has failed to do and which an al Qaeda splinter group leading the Sunni revolt has exploited. “We do not have the ability to simply solve this problem by sending in tens of thousands of troops and committing the kinds of blood and treasure that has already been expended in Iraq,” Obama told reporters. “Ultimately, this is something that is going to have to be solved by the Iraqis.” Obama, who withdrew U.S. troops from Iraq at the end of 2011, said the United States would increase support for Iraq’s beleaguered security forces. But he stopped short of acceding
Razieh Ebrahimi was forced to marry at the age of 14, became a mother at 15, and killed her husband at 17. Now at 21, she is on Iran’s death row. Ebrahimi, who shot dead her hubsand while he was sleeping, faces imminent execution, despite international laws prohibiting execution for crimes committed by juveniles. Human Rights Watch, has urged Iran’s judiciary to halt the execution. Earlier this week, Ebrahimi’s lawyer also asked judges to consider a retrial, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported. “I married our neighbour’s son when I was only 14 because my dad insisted,” Ebrahimi was quoted as telling officials working on her case, according to Mehr. “My dad insisted I should marry him because he was educated and was working as a teacher. I was 15 when I gave birth to my child.” Her child is believed to be now six years old. Mehdi Army fighters loyal to Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stand during a military-style “I didn’t know who I am or what is life all about,” training in Baghdad June 19, 2014. she said soon after being arrested. “My husband mistreated me. He used any excuse to insult me, even to Baghdad’s request for the confidence in the embattled Iraqi attacking me physically.” immediate use of U.S. air power prime minister when asked by a Ebrahimi is said to have admitted to killing her against Islamist insurgents who reporter whether he would do so. husband with his own gun before burying him in Warning that Iraq’s fate “hangs the garden. Ebrahimi initially told the police her have overrun northern Iraq. The contingent of up to 300 in the balance,” Obama said “only husband was missing but her own father found the military advisers will be made up leaders with an inclusive agenda dead body and gave her in to the police. of special forces and will staff joint are going to be able to truly bring Iran is signatory to the international convenant operations centers for intelligence the Iraqi people together.” of civil and political rights (ICCPR) which prohibits Obama’s decision to deploy death penalty for convicts if their act of crime is sharing and planning, U.S. military advisers and deepen U.S. committed while they were under the age of 18. officials said. Leading U.S. lawmakers have re-engagement in Iraq came after HRW called on the judiciary, which is independent called for Maliki to step down, and days of arduous deliberations by of the Iranian government, to reverse its decision. Obama aides have also made clear a president who won the White “Every time an Iranian judge issues a death their frustration with him. Some House in 2008 on a pledge to sentence for a child offender like Ebrahimi, he U.S. officials believe there is a disentangle the United States should remember he is in flagrantly violating his need for new Iraqi leadership but from the long, unpopular war legal responsibilities to administer justice fairly and are mindful that Washington may there. equitably,” said HRW’s Joe Stork. “Iran’s judiciary He said that recent days had should reverse its execution order of a battered child not have enough clout to influence the situation, a former senior reminded Americans of the “deep bride.” scars” from its Iraq experience, administration official said. Althought a death penalty for Ebrahimi was While Obama did not join calls which started with the 2003 U.S.- handed down by the judges, her victim’s family have for Maliki to go, saying “it’s not led invasion that toppled Saddam until the very last minute to pardon her, a decision our job to choose Iraq’s leaders,” Hussein and saw U.S. troops they have so far refused. Under Iranian law the he avoided any expression of occupy the country for nine years. victim’s family have a final say over the death penalty.
Injured explorer rescued from Germany’s deepest cave after 12 days
An explorer who got injured at the bottom of Germany’s deepest cave 12 days ago has re-emerged after a rescue operation that could lead to the Riesending cave complex being closed for good. Bavarian mountain rescue authorities confirmed that Johann Westhauser had been brought out of the top of the cave at 11.44am local time. A mobile emergency unit had been awaiting Westhauser at the cave entrance. Shortly after midday, he was airlifted to a hospital in Murnau, Bavaria. Even though Westhauser suffered head injuries during his accident that have not had adequate treatment for more than a week, the mission leader Klemens Reindl said the evacuee was in good health considering the circumstances. The logistics of the rescue mission, involving 728 people from five countries and estimated to have cost several million euros, has captured the imagination of the German public since climbers arrived at the site of the accident last Friday. On Sunday 8 June, Westhauser was injured by rockfall at a depth of about 950 metres and a distance of four miles (6.5km) from the cave entrance.
U.S. cuts aid to Uganda, cancels military exercise over anti-gay law
The United States will The United States on halt $2.4 million in funding Thursday cut aid to Uganda, for a Ugandan community imposed visa restrictions and policing program in light of a canceled a regional military police raid on a U.S.-funded exercise in response to a health program at Makerere Ugandan law that imposes harsh University and reports of penalties on homosexuality. people detained and abused The White House said in a while in police custody. statement the measures were In addition, Washington will intended to “reinforce our shift some funding for salaries support for human rights of all and travel expenses of Ugandan Ugandans regardless of sexual health ministry employees to orientation or gender identity.” non-governmental agencies Homosexuality is taboo involved in health programs. in most African countries It will also reallocate and illegal in 37, including in Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signs an anti-homosexual $3 million in funding for a Uganda where it has been a bill into law at the state house in Entebbe, 36 km (22 miles) planned national public health crime since British rule. southwest of the capital Kampala February 24, 2014. institute in Uganda to another Uganda’s new law, signed by Western donors, including the African country, which it did President Yoweri Museveni in February, imposes jail terms of up to United States, had halted or re- not name. A National Institutes of life for “aggravated homosexuality” directed about $118 million in aid Health genomics meeting would be which includes homosexual sex with to the east African nation’s economy moved from Uganda to South Africa, before Thursday’s announcement. the White House said. a minor or while HIV-positive. The White House said on Thursday It also canceled plans for a U.S.Widely condemned by donor countries, the law also criminalizes the United States would impose visa sponsored military exercise in lesbianism for the first time and restrictions on Ugandans it believes Uganda that was meant to include makes it a crime to help individuals have been involved in human rights other East African countries. A date violations, including gay rights. had not yet been set for the exercise. engage in homosexual acts.
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Turmoil in Iraq will ‘hit us at home’ if ignored, David Cameron warns The crisis in Iraq must not be dismissed as “nothing to do with us” as the same Islamic jihadists are also planning to attack the UK, David Cameronhas warned. The prime minister said the terrorist insurgence in Iraq, as well as related problems in Somalia, Nigeria and Mali, would “come back and hit us at home” if the UK does not get involved in trying to help stabilise these regimes. Speaking in the House of Commons, he said the “hard attack” of direct
intervention by the west was not the only option as that can create its own problems. Cameron set out his argument after Labour leader Ed Miliband pressed him to explain the government’s response to the turmoil during prime minister’s questions. “I’d disagree with those people who think this is nothing to do with us and if they want to have some sort of extreme Islamist regime in the middle of Iraq that won’t affect us – it will,” he
said. “The people in that regime, as well as trying to take territory, are also planning to attack us here at home in the United Kingdom. So the right answer is to be long-term, hard-headed, patient and intelligent with the interventions that we make, and the most important intervention of all is to make sure that these governments are fully representative of the people who live in their countries, that they close down the ungoverned space, and they
Suicide bomber targets World Cup screening in Nigeria DAMATURU, Nigeria – An explosion at an illegal World Cup viewing site in northeast Nigeria killed at least 14 people while security forces arrested a “terror kingpin” among nearly 500 people detained as suspected terrorists in the southeast of the country, police said Wednesday. At least 26 people were wounded in Tuesday night’s blast as soccer fans were viewing the Brazil-Mexico match in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state, police said. “The bomb just threw me away and I didn’t even know where I was,” survivor Babagana Mohammed said. He recovered consciousness in the Bloodstains seen on the street and damage buildings following a suicide bomb explosion at a World hospital. cup viewing centre in Damaturu, Nigeria. Another wounded victim, Musa Mohammed, said some people lost drove a tricycle taxi packed with group that wants to turn Nigerian into limbs in the blast. He said he had explosives into the area. But Police an Islamic state. stopped by to buy airtime for his Assistant Superintendent Nathan There was no immediate claim of cellphone. “I stopped at the viewing Cheghan said the explosion came from responsibility but he blamed Boko center to buy a recharge card and a car parked and abandoned on the Haram. suddenly the blast went off. It was just road in front. Security experts have warned that like a flash of light and many people Cheghan said such viewing sites Islamic militants might attack crowds were killed. Some were amputated were banned in Yobe state two months watching the World Cup in public ... But thank God mine was a lesser ago because they have become a target places in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda, injury.” of Boko Haram, an armed Islamic as they did in 2010 in Uganda. Witnesses said a suicide bomber
remove the support for the extremists. “If we do that, not just in Syria, but we have to help in Iraq, in Somalia, in Nigeria, in Mali, because these problems will come back and hit us at home if we don’t.” Cameron said the Iraqi government needs to be take a more inclusive approach to the Shia, Sunni and Kurd populations who live in the country. He also announced a £2m increase in the humanitarian aid budget for Iraq, increasing it to £5m overall.
Nigerian Military arrest senior Boko Haram member
Nigerian security forces discovered a senior member of the militant Islamist group Boko Haram among a convoy of nearly 500 travelers arrested this week in the southern state of Abia, a military spokesman said on Wednesday. News of the arrest comes as militants are killing civilians almost daily, particularly in the largely Muslim north. At least 14 people were killed on Tuesday when a bomb tore through a venue in the northeast where fans had gathered to watch a World Cup match. The presence of a senior Boko Haram member in Nigeria’s south would stoke fears Islamist militants are pushing into regions well beyond their northern stronghold - including in the mainly Christian south. It would also raise concern the group, which drew worldwide attention in April when it kidnapped more than 200 girls from a school in northeast Nigeria, could eventually attempt attacks in the oil-rich Niger delta. Officials said on Monday that nearly 500 people believed to be northerners had been arrested overnight while traveling through the south in convoy of more than 30 vans. “The army is screening the 486 persons being held in Abia state,” defense spokesman General Chris Olukolade told Reuters on Wednesday. It had identified a “kingpin belonging to Boko Haram” among them, he said.
Japan bans possession of child abuse images but law excludes anime Japan’s parliament has passed a law that bans possession of child abuse images, but it excludes sexually explicit depictions of children in comics, animation and computer graphics. The upper house voted last Wednesday to approve the law, which was passed by the lower house earlier this month. The law provides for prison terms of up to one year and fines of up to 1m yen ($9,800) for having sexually abusive photographs or videos of children. It allows a grace period of one year for people owning such materials to dispose of them. The law was first proposed in May 2013 as an amendment to an earlier law that banned production and distribution of child abuse images but
not ownership of such materials. Child advocates and other critics of the new legislation say it is a longoverdue improvement but are unhappy with the exclusion of depictions of sexual fantasies involving children in manga comic books, anime and video games. Pictures of children as young as toddlers posed in sexually suggestive ways are easily found online in Japan. The exclusion was made after publishers’ and lawyers’ associations contended that a ban on such images would violate the constitutional right of free speech. According to humantrafficking.org, Japan is a hub for the production and distribution of child abuse images, part of a massive sex industry that includes prostitutes dressed in school uniforms
Anime is not included in the new law banning child abuse images in Japan. and other outfits meant to cater to paedophiles. The new law requires internet providers and other such companies to co-operate with police in preventing and investigating distribution of child abuse images, which it defines as
photos and videos that expose or focus on children’s sexual parts. Police say widespread use of smartphones has aided the distribution of child abuse images. They reported 1,644 cases of such images being distributed in 2013.
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Move to cut benefits for young jobless in the UK
Ed Miliband will set out work should be in training, not Labour’s first plans for cuts to on benefits,” the Labour leader the welfare system, ending out-of- will say. It is essential to reform work benefits for roughly 100,000 welfare to bring down a “wall of 18-to-21-year-olds and replacing scepticism” among voters who them with a less costly means- don’t believe that politicians will tested payment dependent on make the system fairer, he will argue. training. Miliband’s move reflects a The move is designed to symbolise Labour’s determination recognition of anger among some to reform welfare, making it more voters that some people are closely linked to what people pay getting “something for nothing” in, as well as cutting the benefits out of the welfare system. A YouGov poll for the Institute for bill. “Britain’s young people who do Public Policy Research (IPPR), not have the skills they need for the leading centre-left thinktank,
published on Thursday, finds that 78% believe that the welfare system is failing to reward people who have worked and contributed to it. The removal of jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) for those with skills below level 3 would affect seven out of 10 of the 18-to-21year-olds currently claiming JSA, and initially save £65m. Miliband will reveal further plans to make welfare more conditional by linking benefit payments to national insurance contributions.
Cambodian migrant workers wait to return home at Poipet after crossing the border from Thailand.
Cambodia blames Thailand as 220,000 cross border Cambodia has blamed Thailand’s military junta for a mass exodus of migrant workers that has seen 220,000 labourers flee the country and allegedly claimed the lives of several people amid fears of a crackdown on illegal labour. Migrants began streaming across the border last week after the Thai army spokeswoman, Sirichan Ngathong, called illegal labourers a threat to Thailand and said anyone found without papers would be arrested and deported. Official Thai statistics show that more than 2 million documented migrant labourers work in Thailand, the vast majority of whom are Burmese, Cambodian and Lao. There are no official figures for those who work in Thailand without papers, but some activists claim that as many as 200,000 Cambodians may be working illegally – nearly the same as the number of people who have fled back to Cambodia in the past few days, according to Cambodian officials. The exodus has sparked anger in Cambodia, where government
officials have called on the Thai military – which seized power in a bloodless coup on 22 May – to assume responsibility for the migration and its consequences. “The army has rushed to deport workers who are considered illegal without prior notice or discussion with Cambodia, or at least making contact with provinces along the borders,” Cambodia’s interior minister, Sar Kheng, was quoted by Reuters as saying. “The current Thai army leadership must be held responsible for all the problems that have occurred, including the loss of life.” The migrants were likely to have been spurred on by unverified reports of killings and beatings at the hands of the Thai army, with the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc) claiming to have “credible witness accounts” that nine migrants had been killed and many others beaten during deportations. Up to eight people were also allegedly killed last weekend, when a truck transporting
migrants to the border overturned. While the Thai junta has denied any official crackdown and claims that the exodus back to Cambodia is voluntary and based on “unfounded rumours” of reprisals, it is still transporting migrants back to the Cambodian border in paid-for buses and Thai police cars. One Cambodian official also told Radio Free Asia’s Khmer service that the Thai military had “instructed private companies not to accept illegal migrants”. Moun, a 27-year-old undocumented labourer who has spent the past seven years working in the construction and seafood industries in and around Bangkok, said he decided to flee after his friends warned him he was in danger. “They said the army would arrest me if I got caught, and I was worried I would never get back home if that happened,” he said as he piled his wife, baby and all their belongings – including a large toy car – on to a crowded bus filled with 200 other migrants heading for the Cambodian border town Poipet.
Israeli soldiers take part in an operation to locate three Israeli teens in the West Bank City of Hebron June 17, 2014.
With Israeli teens missing, Palestinian unity frays The disappearance of three Jewish youths in the occupied West Bank has rocked reconciliation between Palestinian political factions and risks sinking a new unity government, analysts and officials have said. Israel has accused the Islamist group Hamas of orchestrating the kidnapping of the three teenagers last Thursday and has detained at least 240 Palestinians during a massive search mission that has so far failed to uncover the missing trio. Hamas has refused to confirm or deny any involvement in the abduction, but many Palestinians believe that only it has the knowledge or network needed to snatch three young men and keep them hidden from view for almost a week. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas roundly condemned the kidnappers on Wednesday and promised to hold to account those responsible. His words in turn were denounced by Hamas and other factions, who accused him of betraying the national cause. “Whoever did this wanted to destroy us,” Abbas said from Saudi Arabia in a speech broadcast on Palestinian television. “We are coordinating with (Israel) in order to return those youths, because they are human beings and we want to protect the lives of human beings,” said Abbas. Hamas has always decried cooperation between Israel and Abbas’s security forces, and it was quick to criticize his latest comments, which carried additional weight as they were delivered directly to an Arabic audience, not via Western media.
Iranian film-maker jailed for ‘collaborating with the BBC’ Prominent Iranian documentary film-maker and women’s rights activist Mahnaz Mohammadi has been jailed for five years, charged with collaborating against the state with the BBC. Mohammadi’s detention comes on the fifth anniversary of the bloody crackdown that followed the 2009 presidential election, when tens of thousands took to the streets to claim the election had been rigged. Hundreds were arrested, many of whom, including the main opposition leaders, remain in custody. President Hassan Rouhani has come under considerable pressure to release Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi from house arrest, but has been prevented by Iran’s hardline judiciary, which is independent of his administration and reluctant to let the unrest of the 2009 protests heal. Mohammadi, director of the 2006 award-winning documentary Travelogue, was summoned earlier this month to Tehran’s notorious Evin prison to begin her five-year sentence, initially handed down in October 2012 and later upheld in the appeals court. The film-maker and actor has been found guilty of assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the state – charges that have been brought on a number of opposition figures and activists in recent years.
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‘Love thy neighbour’? Nuns sue nearby strip club The sisters’ property in Melrose Park includes three chapels. The strip club opened in the neighboring village of Stone Park in September. The sisters have seen “public violence, drunkenness and litter, including, empty whiskey and beer bottles, discarded contraceptive packages and products and even used condoms,” according to the lawsuit, which also mentions the “pulsating and rhythmic staccato-beat noise and flashing neon and or strobe lights” that disturb the nuns.
Illinois – A convent of nuns in suburban Chicago has filed a lawsuit against a neighbour, a strip club they say plays throbbing music while the nuns try to pray. The Sisters of St. Charles named Club Allure Chicago and the village of Stone Park in their lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court. They claim the club violates Illinois zoning laws, which require a 1,000-foot buffer between adult entertainment facilities and places of worship.
“Our sisters’ sacred space has been invaded,” Sister Noemia Silva told the Chicago Sun-Times. “At night now they hear the music when they’re praying. That’s uncalled for.” The nuns have a right to pray and work peacefully without interference, said attorney Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based public interest law firm representing the convent. Stone Park Village Attorney Dean Krone said the village has acted legally and reasonably. Club representatives
said they aren’t a nuisance to the nuns and the lawsuit’s claims aren’t backed up by police reports. While the Bible says, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” the manager of the club said the nuns are not being very neighbourly. “We spent an awful lot of money to make sure that this kind of thing would not occur,” Club Allure manager Robert Itzkow said. “The whole thing is just a question of ‘we don’t like you; you don’t conform to our religious beliefs.’”
Indian teenager is worshipped because he has a seven inch ‘tail’
An Indian teenager is worshipped as a god because he has a 7ins ‘tail’. Arshid Ali Khan, 13, has become a divine symbol in the state of Punjab. Locals have hailed him a reincarnation of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman – and refer to him as Balaji. However, Arshid has to use a wheelchair and he is considering having the ‘tail’ removed. He said: ‘This tail has been given to me by God. I am worshipped because I pray to god and the wishes of people come true. ‘I feel neither good nor bad about having a tail.’ Arshid lives with his grandfather, Iqbal Qureshi, and two uncles, after his father died when he was four and his mother remarried. Mr Qureshi, a music instructor, said: ‘When he spoke for the first time at the age on one all he spoke was the names of Gods from different religions. ‘It was that day I realised that he had something divine and godly about him.’ He added: ‘It does not matter whether we are Muslims or Hindus, I think there is just one path for spiritualism.’ Arshid’s home has been converted into a temple where his devotees come to visit him to receive his blessings and touch his ‘tail’. ‘A lot of people’s wishes have come true after they have visited,’ claimed Mr Qureshi. ‘Sometimes there are childless couples who come to Balaji for help. He blesses them, and often they are then able to conceive.’ However, Arshid often struggles to balance his time with his faithful devotees and attending school and playing with his friends. He said: ‘Mostly on weekdays I have to go to school but when I have a school
An Indian boy – Arshid Ali Khan, 13 – is worshipped in the state of Punjab because he has a 7in ‘tail’. holiday on Sunday around 20 to 30 people come to see me at my home.’ He added: ‘No one teases me. Everybody wants to see my tail and so they keep asking.’ Despite his supposed powers, Arshid has to use a wheelchair and suffers from an undiagnosed disorder. Some doctors in India have told the family it is down to brittle bones while others have said it is due to the ‘tail’ growth protruding from his spine. Others have suggested he has a form of spina bifida called meningocele. This develops when membranes poke through a hole between the vertebrae, and
it can lead to partial paralysis. This month he is due to see a doctor who has said he can successfully remove the appendage – but his family are sceptical and say they would rather he kept his tail than undertake a risky operation. But Mr Qureshi said: ‘It is for Balaji to decide. If he wants to get the tail removed, we do not mind. ‘He has trouble walking and so we are asking doctors what can be done.’ As for Arshid, he does not believe the removal of the tail will stop the crowds flocking to his house for blessings. He said: ‘Doctors can remove my tail – but people will continue to believe in me.’
Georgia and Missouri carry out executions Within an hour, Georgia, then Missouri carried out USA’s first executions since a botched lethal injection in Oklahoma in April raised new concerns about capital punishment. Neither execution had any noticeable complications. Another execution, the third in a 24-hour span, is scheduled Wednesday evening in Florida. Georgia inmate Marcus Wellons, 59, who was convicted of the 1989 rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl, received a single-drug injection late Tuesday night after the US supreme court denied his late appeals. His sentence was carried out about an hour before John Winfield, who was convicted of the 1996 killing two women, was executed early Wednesday in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Nine executions nationwide have been stayed or postponed since late April, when Oklahoma prison officials halted the execution of Clayton Lockett after noting that the lethal injection drugs weren’t being administered into his vein properly. Lockett’s punishment was halted and he died of a heart attack several minutes later. “I think after Clayton Lockett’s execution, everyone is going to be watching very closely,” Fordham University School of Law professor Deborah Denno, a death penalty expert, said of this week’s executions. Georgia, Missouri and Florida all refuse to say where they obtain their drugs, or if they are tested.
British woman jailed for trafficking scheme
A woman who exploited vulnerable immigrants to work door to door collecting for a children’s charity has been jailed for three years. Jurate Grigelyte, 53, trafficked Lithuanian nationals to the UK with the promise of good employment and accommodation, but the workers, many of whom spoke little or no English, were forced to live in cramped and squalid conditions and often went hungry. They worked illegally for Grigelyte’s charity bag business collecting
donations from people in the south-west of England for the Dreams Comes True charity, for a salary of as little as £25 a day. Rupert Lowe, prosecuting, told Bristol crown court: “Grigelyte made a profitable business out of coaxing vulnerable Lithuanian adults over to the UK with an offer of work in the charity bag business.” Lowe said the 11 victims – two women and nine men – felt “totally dependent” on Grigelyte for accommodation, work
and food. “They had no idea how to interact with the UK authorities and this put them in a position where she could exploit them quite ruthlessly,” he said. The court heard that Grigelyte charged them £50 a week in rent for a shared room in a house she also lived in, and the Lithuanians worked six or seven days a week. She would also not give them keys to their accommodation and often locked them in. Some were alcoholics and were fined if Grigelyte
caught them drinking. “The defendant took it upon herself to impose what she called fines on the exploited workers of a further £50 – two full days’ earnings – if for any reason they did not work on a particular day,” Lowe said. “Many of them were reduced to attending soup kitchens for meals.” Grigelyte, of Easton, Bristol, admitted 10 charges of facilitating entry into the UK with a view to exploiting labour, 10 charges of trafficking around the UK and one count of forced labour.
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TECHNOLOGY
Judge says concerned about Apple, Google hiring settlement
A U.S. judge on Thursday said she had concerns about approving a $324.5 million settlement involving Apple, Google and two other tech companies in a lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to avoid poaching each other’s workers. Tech employees filed a class action lawsuit against Apple Inc, Google Inc, Intel Inc and Adobe Systems Inc in 2011. The case has been closely watched due to the potentially high damages award and the opportunity to peek into the world of Silicon Valley’s elite. The four companies agreed to settle with the plaintiffs in April for a total of $324.5 million. The plaintiffs had planned to ask for about $3 billion in damages at trial, which could have tripled to $9 billion under antitrust law. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California must approve the deal. At a court hearing on Thursday, Koh said the plaintiffs had leverage going into trial against the defendants, given the strength of the evidence in the case. Several emails showed Apple’s late An Apple computer is shown on Google’s company campus in Mountain View. co-founder Steve Jobs, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and some of their Silicon Valley rivals hatching plans to enforce their no-poaching agreement. “I just have concerns about whether this is really fair to the class,” Koh said, adding that she had not made a decision about whether to approve the deal. Plaintiff attorney Kelly Dermody said the workers faced serious risks on appeal Nestle is trimming its huge range just too big to move the needle. had the case gone forward, especially Its market value of $248 billion of businesses and pushing deeper into since the U.S. Supreme Court has been niche medical products to improve is 15 percent larger than the No. 2 skeptical of large class action lawsuits. returns, but the food and beverage consumer products firm, Procter & “Those are very, very real risks for Gamble, and compared with other giant still likes its heft. plaintiffs,” Dermody said, adding that The world’s largest consumer food makers, Nestle is 86 percent the settlement was the largest antitrust goods firm, with nearly $103 billion in bigger than its nearest rival Unilever, employee deal ever reached “by far.” sales, has benefited from its diversity, according to Thomson Reuters data. Koh was skeptical the Supreme Court In an interview with Reuters this with products ranging from Gerber would get involved. baby food and Nescafe coffee to Kit week, CEO Paul Bulcke defended the “If there was going to be good case for company’s structure, saying it allows Kat chocolate and Maggi soups. further restricting class actions, I’m not But last year Nestle missed its Nestle to scale up functions such as sure this is the one,” she said. long-term forecast for sales growth research and development that aid However, Koh also praised the of 5 to 6 percent. And many analysts the entire group. settlement for allowing all the plaintiffs Size works well, he said, as long think that even with investments in to recover money, regardless of whether faster-growing areas like medical as the front end of the businesses can they filed a paper claim. Workers would nutrition and dermatology, Nestle is operate independently. receive a few thousand dollars each on average.
Nestle CEO says size matters even as focus narrows
BlackBerry shares jump by more than 13 percent The Canadian phone business BlackBerry, which has been long been outperformed by rivals Apple and Samsung, has posted a smaller loss than expected, raising hopes that its chief executive can deliver on a pledge to return the company to steady profits. The group’s shares jumped after BlackBerry said it had spent less cash than many had expected and reported that its gross profit margin was up on a year earlier. BlackBerry also said its cheaper Z3 smartphone was selling well in Indonesia and that its services business, which manages its own and rival mobile devices on the internal networks of large organisations, had won back customers. “The short trade is over in [Blackberry] for now ,” said BGC analyst Colin Gillis, referring to investors who sell shares in the hope of profiting when the price falls. “They’ve got enough liquidity, and they’ve given us clear profitability targets.” BlackBerry has been slashing costs and has more than halved its workforce over the last two years as part of a do-or-die push to turn its business around after losing ground to its main rivals, Apple and Samsung. BlackBerry’s chief executive, John Chen, wants to stay in the smartphone buisness, but is now focused on BlackBerry’s services business, which made up 54% of revenue in the last three months, up from 26% over the same period last year. There are also early signs of recovery in BlackBerry’s hard-hit hardware business. The Z3 was built under a partnership forged last year with the Hong Kong-listed unit of Taiwanese electronics company Foxconn, to help design, manufacture and sell devices. As part of the deal, BlackBerry does not pay the full upfront costs for parts, but Foxconn takes a share of profits on each device in return for the risk of inventory management.
YouTube to launch paid music service Google Inc’s YouTube said on the new, subscription streaming music Tuesday that it plans to launch a paid service. The deals that YouTube is streaming music service, amid criticism offering are on “highly unfavorable, and that its existing, free video website non-negotiable terms,” according to a might block the music videos of labels news release issued by the Worldwide Independent Music Industry Network that do not agree to its terms. YouTube has partnered with last month. YouTube declined to comment on “hundreds of major and independent” music labels for the new service, the the terms of the deals, but said in a company said in a statement, confirming statement that the new service would long-running rumours that the world’s provide new revenue for the music most popular online video website will industry. “We’re adding subscription-based offer a paid music service. The news comes as some music features for music on YouTube with this trade groups have criticized YouTube’s in mind – to bring our music partners plans to potentially block the content new revenue streams in addition to the of certain labels from appearing on hundreds of millions of dollars YouTube YouTube’s free, ad-supported Website already generates for them each year,” unless they sign deals to participate in YouTube said in a statement.
YouTube has already signed deals for the paid service with 95 percent of the music labels that it previously had deals with for its existing, ad-supported music video website, a person familiar with the matter said. Blocking certain music labels’ videos from appearing on YouTube’s free website might be necessary in order to provide a consistent user experience for the paid service, the person said. The YouTube service is expected to launch at the end of the summer and will allow users to listen to music without any ads, according to a person familiar with the situation. Among the other features expected are the ability to listen to music offline and the ability to listen to an artist’s entire album instead
of just individual songs, as is currently the case on YouTube, the person said. Streaming music services such as Spotify and Pandora are becoming increasingly popular among consumers, as digital music downloads decline. Apple Inc announced plans to acquire streaming music service and premium headphone maker Beats for $3 billion last month. Google launched the $9.99-permonth Play All Access subscription music service in 2013. The forthcoming YouTube paid music service could potentially work in coordination with the Play service so that consumers aren’t forced to subscribe to two separate services, the person familiar with the situation said.
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‘Super bananas’ could be on sale by 2020 The world’s first human trial of ‘super bananas’ will start soon in the hope of providing a more nutritious source of food to Ugandans and East Africans. The bananas will be enriched in pro-vitamin A, which the human body can break down into ‘regular’ vitamin A, to tackle the consequences of vitamin A deficiency in the regions. And, if the trial is successful, it’s hoped farmers could begin growing the enhanced food by 2020. The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) project is being led by Professor James Dale and is backed with up to £6 million ($10 million) from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is what is known as a biofortification project, which is the process of improving the nutritional value of crops by selective, or genetic engineering. ‘Human trial is a significant milestone for this project, which started in 2005 and should see provitamin A enriched banana varieties being grown by Ugandan farmers around 2020,’ Professor Dale said. The bananas have been harvested from the QUT field trial in Innisfail, north Queensland and transported to the U.S. for the world-first human trial. The human trial will last for six weeks with conclusive results known by the end of the year. Professor Dale said previous U.S. trials using Mongolian gerbils had proven successful. Initial laboratory tests were performed at QUT in Brisbane and field trials in far north Queensland were conducted, with field trials in Uganda also set to A new project to create a more nutritious banana is currently underway (crop being grown in Uganda shown). Queensland University begin alongside the human trials. of Technology is making a ‘super banana’ that will help address the consequences of vitamin A deficiency, which is said to kill up to ‘We know our science will work,’ Professor Dale 700,000 children worldwide each year. said. ‘We made all the constructs, the genes that went Professor Dale said once approved in Uganda, into bananas, and put them into bananas here at there would be no reason why the same technology QUT. ‘Hundreds of different permutations went into field couldn’t be used to enrich crops in surrounding East trials up north and we tested everything to make sure African countries including Rwanda, parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania. our science worked here in Queensland. ‘In West Africa farmers grow plantain bananas ‘Now the really high-performing genes have been taken to Uganda and have been put into field trials and the same technology could easily be transferred to that variety as well,’ Professor Dale said. there.’ ‘This project has the potential to have a huge He said over the next three years an elite line of banana plants would be selected and used in multi- positive impact on staple food products across much of Africa and in so doing lift the health and well-being location field trials in Uganda. Legislation to enable genetically modified crops of countless millions of people over generations.’ A European court has been asked to rule on a Professor Dale added the biggest challenge facing to be commercialised in Uganda is currently in landmark case which seeks to force watchdogs to the project was purely one of logistics, going from a committee stage within the Ugandan parliament. audit the personal data Facebook allegedly releases With Ugandan Government support, legislation small-scale project to one on a national scale but the to US spy chiefs. and regulations to enable the commercialisation university was working in partnerships with a team The high court in Dublin has referred to the court of genetically modified crops should be in place by of scientists in Uganda who would, over the coming a challenge by an Austrian privacy campaigner on 2020. Regulations enabling field trials of genetically- years, be joined by five Ugandan PhD students the back of the Prism surveillance operation exposed currently working in Professor Dale’s team. modified crops already exist. by the whistleblower Edward Snowden. Max Schrems’s initial attempt to have the social media giant audited over data that its Irish arm allegedly passes on to the US National SecurityAgency (NSA) was dismissed last year by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission. On Wednesday, Judge Desmond Hogan ordered the privacy challenge – taken in the Irish courts by Schrems’s EuropeVFacebook campaign – be and come with special tangle-free Amazon has launched its first referred to the European court of justice. headphones. mobile phone in a bid to take on The judge said evidence suggested that personal Apps available at launch inApple and Google. data was routinely accessed on a “mass and undifclude Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu Plus The Fire handset was unveiled ferentiated basis” by the US security authorities. and ESPN. by Jeff Bezos at a special event in He said Facebook users should have their privacy It also boasts a Gorilla Glass 3 Seattle. respected under the Irish constitution. screen with a rubber frame, and ‘It’s time to whip the crown from “For such interception of communications to be aluminum buttons. Apple,’ said Mr Bezos before showconstitutionally valid, it would, accordingly, be Users will also have unliming off the new handset for the first necessary to demonstrate that this interception and ited photo storage via the Amazon time. surveillance of individuals or groups of individuals Cloud, and syncing with the comThe Fire will use retina-trackwas objectively justified in the interests of the pany’s recently launched Fire TV ing technology to make images on suppression of crime and national security and, set-top box so you can send media the smartphone’s display appear further, that any such interception was attended to your TV. to be 3D with a feature called ‘dyby the appropriate and verifiable safeguards,” the ‘Fire Phone puts everything you namic perspective’. judge said. love about Amazon in the palm of ‘There is always more to see by Judge Hogan adjourned the case in the Irish your hand – instant access to Amachanging your perspective,’ Bezos courts while European judges look at two questions. zon’s vast content ecosystem and said. He is asking the court, based in Luxembourg, exclusive features like the Mayday ‘What if there were a thousand The new Amazon Fire Phone to examine whether Ireland’s data watchdog is button, ASAP, Second Screen, Xartists standing by to redraw the bound by what is known as Safe Harbour – a Ray, free unlimited photo storage, picture every time you moved your European commission decision from 2000 that US quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon and more,” said Bezos. head?’ data protection rules are adequate if information is ‘The Firefly button lets you idenApps using the new feature in- processor, 2GB of RAM, and six inpassed by companies to its security agencies on a cludes a Maps app that lets users dividual camera modules to make tify printed web and email address- “self-certify” basis. the 3D effect work. es, phone numbers, QR and bar see around buildings. Hogan is also asking whether an investigation It will run a highly customized codes, artwork, and over 100 milUsers can also tilt the phone to can be launched in Ireland in light of the Snowden version of Google’s Android operat- lion items, including songs, movies, ‘look around’ an on screen map. revelations that internet data and communications The handset has a 4.7-inch dis- ing system similar to the one seen TV shows, and products – and take were being intercepted by the NSA on a global scale. play with 720p HD resolution, a on Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets, action in seconds.’
European court to rule on allegations Facebook passes personal data to NSA
Unleash Fire! Amazon reveals revolutionary ‘holophone’
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Rolls-Royce returns one billion pounds to shareholders Rolls-Royce said it will return 1 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) to shareholders instead of buying another company, a moved aimed at restoring investors’ confidence in the British aeroengine maker. The company’s shares climbed 7.4 percent to 1,085 pence, their highest in more than two months, after it made the announcement on Thursday. The stock had lost 17 percent of its value over the past six months. Investors’ confidence in Rolls-Royce has been shaken by an acquisition attempt followed by a profits warning
earlier this year and an engine order cancellation last month. “The buyback is good news because it shows the company is committing itself to very tight capital discipline, prioritising rewarding shareholders ahead of expanding the footprint. This is exactly the message we were looking for after a challenging six months,” said Espirito Santo analyst Edward Stacey. Rolls-Royce upset investors in January when it revealed it had made an 8 billion euro takeover approach to Finnish ship and power plant engine maker Wartsila.
Speaking to investors on Thursday, Although unsuccessful, the move left some investors wondering whether the Rolls-Royce Chief Executive John company was spending indiscriminately Rishton conceded that the company needed to communicate better with in the pursuit of growth. Rolls-Royce was interested in them. Starting in October, Rolls-Royce Wartsila as a way to strengthen its Marine engine business, where it has plans to switch to issuing its outlooks in percentage and number terms, instead cut profit forecasts twice in a year. The share buyback “shows they get of its historic references to “good” or how much the Wartsila story frightened “modest” growth, he said. Rolls-Royce also said it would reduce investors”, said Edison analyst Sash group capital expenditure to 4 percent Tusa. Shares in Wartsila, which analysts of underlying revenue over the next had thought could still be in Rolls- three to five years from 4.9 percent at the end of 2013. Royce’s sights, fell 5 percent.
YouTube star earns $4M a year playing video games Felix Kjellberg doesn’t play a very convincing megastar. The seemingly modest Swede avoids the spotlight, has no entourage and is uncomfortable with success. But put Mr. Kjellberg in front of a Web-camera and he transforms into PewDiePie, by far YouTube’s biggest draw. He has built a base of 27 million subscribers using a decidedly unorthodox approach to playing video and mobile games. His videos aren’t traditional game reviews. “Pewds,” as he is often called, simply plays games and allows his audience – mostly teenagers – to peer in on his experience and hear random opinions interspersed with odd behavior. He contorts, screeches, swears, sings and even “twerks” to Felix Kjellberg portray his feelings. The 24-year-old Mr. Kjellberg, who created PewDiePie five years ago, has parlayed his persona into a brand name that pulls in the equivalent of $4 million in ad sales a year, most of it pure profit. In December 2012, PewDiePie signed on with Maker Studios, a producer of online content that takes a cut of ad sales. Maker Studios – which counts on PewDiePie as its most important personality – sold itself to Walt Disney Co. (DIS -0.13%) earlier this year in a deal that could be worth close to $1 billion, depending on
certain performance targets. His following is so big that even games he criticizes get coveted publicity. Earlier this year, he made a clip headlined “Flappy Bird – Don’t Play This Game,” in which he curses a blue streak while he tries to conquer the then-unknown mobile app. Before long, millions of people had downloaded the game. It helped propel “Flappy Bird” and its Vietnamese developer from obscurity into a world-wide sensation. Mr. Kjellberg also is inadvertently helping to shape the industry, as developers have started making games that aren’t just fun to play, but also to watch others play on YouTube, like indie horror games. “It’s cool to have this kind of influence, but at the same time it’s kind of scary,” said Mr. Kjellberg, speaking in a rare interview. He routinely turns down media requests, citing a busy schedule that includes publishing multiple clips a day of himself playing obscure games from an apartment south of London. While his subscriber base creates unparalleled reach onGoogle’s YouTube, his success reflects broader momentum for the trend in watching other people play videogames.
Millions of GM cars shared switch defect, e-mail shows
One provocative document came up Wednesday during General Motors CEO Mary Barra’s second appearance before a House subcommittee that’s investigating GM’s delay in recalling small cars with fatally flawed ignition switches. The hearing overall was much lower-key, less hostile than Barra’s April 1 appearance before the same House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations subcommittee. But it had sensational moments. The document — a printed version of an e-mail string involving several GM engineers — shows that in addition to the 2.19 million small cars with switch problems recalled in February and March, millions more larger models have
entirely different switches that, nonetheless, could have similar problems. And the small-car switches and the bigger-car switches both were approved by the same GM switch engineer, the now-fired Ray DeGiorgio. DeGiorgio was fired recently after his central role in the small-car switch defect was detailed by Anton Valukas’ internal probe of GM. Fourteen others at GM were terminated as well. Representative Fred Upton, RMich., exposed the document in a surprise move. The subject line in engineer Laura Andres’ first e-mail to DeGiorgio: “Hot alert for the 2006 Chevy Impala Special.” The document made public by Upton shows that Andres reported
in 2005 that the ignition switch in a 2006 Impala she was driving rotated inadvertently out of “run” after she hit a pothole, and the engine died, forcing the car behind her to swerve. She said a GM technician examined the car and had the same switch problem in a parking lot. The technician said the problem appeared to be the switch design, which wasn’t strong enough to consistently hold the switch in “run.” In the middle of the e-mail string that included other relevant GM engineers, Andres wrote: “I think this is a serious safety problem, especially if the switch is on multiple (car development) programs. I’m thinking big recall. … I think you should seriously consider changing this part…”
Coca-Cola Life
Coca-Cola quietly tests new soda as sales slide
In the central lobby of the Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, a glass display case features all the types of carbonated drinks currently sold by the company. There’s the classic red can and its no-calorie iterations: Diet Coke and Coke Zero. Then there’s Sprite, Fresca, and the citrus rainbow that is Fanta. Over on the left is a small green can that most American visitors won’t recognize: Coca-Cola Life, a stevia-sweetened version of regular Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola has been quietly test-marketing its new beverage, the first addition to the trademark “Coke” branded sodas in almost eight years. It released the drink in Argentina and Chile last year, and this fall it’s launching in the U.K. Coke Life isn’t exactly a diet drink. According to The Guardian, it contains more than four tablespoons of real sugar and has about 89 calories per can – less than the 140 calories found in a can of regular Coke, but hardly something that will be championed by the quinoa crowd. Instead, Coke Life is Coca-Cola’s answer to the two health concerns that have been hitting the company’s soda sales with a one-two punch: the anti-sugar movement, which rails against its full-calorie, full-sugar line of beverages, and the perception that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (found in both Diet Coke and Coke Zero) are unhealthy and can even contribute to weight gain. These concerns have contributed to a steady nine-year decline in U.S. soda sales. Last year they slid even further – dropping 3 percent, or more than double the 1.2 percent they’d fallen the year before. (Soda is already down a further 2 percent this year.) Diet soda sales withstood the decline for a while; now they appear to be tumbling, too. Last year, Diet Coke sales in the U.S. dropped nearly 7 percent, according to Beverage Digest.
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Stan Hartling (above) and at left is the TCI Team.
Turks and Caicos Motoring Club finish strong in Barbados
The Turks and Caicos name once again gained attention in the world of competitive motorsports as Paul Horton and Stan Hartling took their “H Racing” teams to compete in the Sol Rally Barbados event earlier this month. Sol Rally Barbados is the Caribbean’s biggest international motor sport event and it celebrated its 25th year this season. The rally consisted of approximately 100 teams from over 30 countries across the globe. Over the three days of competition, the event attracted an estimated 20,000 dedicated spectators who lined the roadside in a carnival-style atmosphere to catch the action as some of the finest prepared rally cars available screamed by. Competitors included several WRC class professionals including well-known Paul Bird, Rodger Duckworth, Jeffery Panton and many more. The Turks and Caicos Motoring Club covered two competitive classes this year. Paul Horton and co-driver Kris Yearwood competed in Super Modified 7 with his wellprepared classic Ford Escort
Paul Horton and co-driver Kris Yearwood in a classic Ford Escort Mk 1. Mk 1, while Stan Hartling with co-driver Andy Proudfoot competed in Super Modified 12 in a BMW M3. Both teams placed strongly with Horton finishing in second
place in his SM 7 division and Hartling coming fourth overall in the SM 12 group. Hartling and Horton remain very committed to one day seeing competitive motor sports
being hosted in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “We hope that over time we can show government the positive impact that this sport has had on other Caribbean
Sparkling century from national player Garvin Bruno The Turks and Caicos Cricket Association 2014 Cricket Season continued on Saturday 14st June 2014 at The Downtown Ball Park Providenciales and the highlight was an unbeaten century from National Player Garvin Bruno followed by a Hat trick by Chabbie Charley as Police demolished KB Home. Batting first after winning the toss, Police posted a massive 202 runs for 4 wickets from 20 overs Garvin Bruno Top Scorer with 118 runs not out which was decorated with 16x4’s and 5x6 and Desbourne Young added 32 runs 4x4’s 1x6. Bowling for Kb Home Paul McKenzie took 2 wickets for 16 runs from 4 overs. In reply, Kb Homes was dismissed for 115 runs from 16 overs Top Scorer was Mark
Butler with 29 runs 4x4’s and 1x6 and Ajay Vyas contributed 22 runs 4x4’s. Bowling for Police Chabbie Charley captured 4 wickets for 19 runs from 3 overs. Meanwhile as the competition continued on Sunday 15th June 2014 at the same venue Jamturk made light work of Kischo. Jamturk won the toss and inserted Kischo who was bowled out for a modest 73 runs from 12.1 overs. Top Scorers was Pawan Kumar with 31 runs Bowling for Jamturk Calvin Aaron snatched 5 wickets for 22 runs from 3.4 overs In response, Jamturk reached the target in 8.3 overs with Dane Ritchie Top Scored 36 runs consist of 8x4’s. Bowling for Kischo Sanjay Man of the Match Garvin Bruno Fatnani and Llyod Lynch took 1 wicket each.
islands and how it benefits not only the government, but the youth and people of the Islands”, stated Hartling. Horton has had discussions with FIA officials in trying to establish the parameters for getting a long term plan for a phased facility that may start with youth based motorsports and then expand. “We want to try and promote a safe venue for the youth on the island to become involved in racing and motorsports that gives them an outlet and helps them become future competitors we can mentor.” Horton and Hartling also extended thanks and appreciation for those that traveled to Barbados this year to support and cheer on the Turks and Caicos team. The motoring club’s next events will include Horton’s team competing in August for the Summer Nights Rally event in Barbados. The Event is 12 Special Stages, consisting of six during the day and six at night. Hartling is preparing his Super Charged Lotus Exige to compete in Canada this September in the five day endurance rally know as Targa Newfoundland.
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Powell, Simpson free to Brazil and Argentina top compete pending appeals
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson are free to compete again pending the outcome of their doping appeals. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said today it upheld the application for a “stay of the execution” of the 18-month suspensions imposed on Powell and Simpson by Jamaica’s anti-doping disciplinary panel. The court says the runners “are free to compete from now on but may have to serve the remaining part of their ban later if the sanction is eventually confirmed by CAS”. Powell, a former world record-holder in the 100 metres, and three-time Olympic medallist Simpson tested positive for Oxilofrine at Jamaica’s national trials last June. Both runners appealed their sanctions to CAS, contending the offense was “minor” and asking for the suspensions to be cut to three months. Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell. CAS says a hearing has been set for July 7-8.
Curtly Ambrose in full flight.
Curtly Ambrose hopes to rekindle Windies fire KINGSTON, Jamaica - Former fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose says he hopes to use his new position as bowling consultant to the West Indies to help return the regional side to its former glory. Ambrose, who was appointed to the position last month, has been working with the likes of back-frominjury quickies Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and young Barbadian bowling sensation, Miguel Cummins. “I took on the role because I
figure that my knowledge and my the sides of established territorial experience would mean a lot to teams, made it to the final of the these young cricketers of today,” regional one-day tournament last year. said Ambrose. “It is never a question of talent. “I am just hoping that whatever I bring to the table, it is something We always had that,” said Ambrose fresh, and something that will make a veteran of 98 Tests who during these guys much better cricketers, his career took 405 wickets at an and, in the process help to push impressive average of 20.99. “It’s just that they (West Indies West Indies cricket back to the top.” Ambrose joined the team after bowlers) perhaps need a little serving as coach of the Combined motivation from someone, who has been there,” said the 50-year-old Campuses and Colleges (CCC). The CCC, a constant thorn in Ambrose”.
Haitians’ World Cup list
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – There are 32 countries competing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Brazilian soil, from June 12 through July 13, but only two of them, Brazil and Argentina, trigger off as much fervour and passion among Haitian fans in a Caribbean country where European football is the dominant sport. Every neighbourhood in the capital Port-auPrince and throughout the country is decorated with Brazilian and Argentine flags by fans who are ready to put on hold any activities – including work or even an appointment at the doctor’s clinic – to watch their team play. Haitian soccer fans express their passion as if they were citizens of the countries of their favourite sides and wear their colours, as they watch the different games of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, through television screens on public squares, in open places in their neighborhoods, in restaurants, at home, at neighbours’ or in makeshift pay-to-watch home theaters. “I am Brazilian, but my brother is Argentine,” Maxime Merisier, told the Haitian-Caribbean News Network (HCNN), on Saturday. “I am so happy about my team (Brazil) which had a great start by beating Croatia 3-1 on Thursday,” said Merisier, a young 20-year-old Haitian student. Scores of fans of Brazil’s Seleçao took to the streets Thursday evening to celebrate Brazil’s victory against Croatia and partied all night. Most Haitian soccer fans support Brazil, but its immediate follower, in Haitian hearts, is the Argentine side led by Lionel Messi, one of the top two soccer players of the world, along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the FIFA’s best soccer player of the year for the past season. “I am Argentine and I believe Argentina is going to win the World Cup in Brazil, with Lionel Messi who remains in my opinion the best player of the world,” Jose Mombrun, a 26-year-old Haitian vehicle mechanic, told HCNN. Members in the same family sometimes support rival teams and often engage in long and permanent discussions about the achievements or shortcomings of their favourite sides. Groups of friends and new acquaintances are usually seen in street corners, arguing passionately about their favourite soccer stars and teams.
Jamaica helping China to produce faster sprinters KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Global sprint giant Jamaica is helping China in its effort to produce faster sprinters for international meets. Six Chinese coaches have arrived in Kingston and another four will arrive in September on Jamaica government scholarships. The Chinese sprint coaches will be full-time students at the GC Foster College for the monthlong programme focusing on sprinting. As part of their training, the coaches who include one female will attend the upcoming national senior trials. They have all expressed a desire to meet sprint sensation Usain Bolt, remembering his record-breaking form at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
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SPORTS
Who’s back for Spurs? Players wonder, too
SAN ANTONIO – Manu Ginobili had a simple message for his teammates during an emotional team meeting Tuesday. Let’s do this again. With six potential free agents headed by Tim Duncan, the message was made clear -the Spurs would like everyone back for a run at a sixth NBA championship. “I’m pretty sure most of the team is going to come back,” Ginobili said. San Antonio met as a group for the first time since beating Miami 104-87 on Sunday night to close out the NBA Finals in five games. Coach Gregg Popovich used the meeting to take one last playful dig at his players. “He did show us a couple of clips that we sucked at (in Game 5),” guard Patty Mills said, laughing. All the same, free agency that begins July 1 could alter close-knit roster. “Manu spoke to us,” Spurs guard Danny Green said. “He had some good things to say. We had a great season. He was really emotional, he’s proud of us. In a short amount of words, (he said) ‘Obviously I had fun, I don’t know if you guys did, but I had a good time. You guys want to do it again?’ Try to put a little bug in their ears. Hopefully they come back.” Duncan has a player option, but his teammates expect him back and
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan center, with his daughter Sydney, left, and son Draven, right, during a news conference after Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals against the Miami Heat on Sunday, June 15, 2014, in San Antonio. The Spurs won the NBA championship 104-87. the 38-year-old forward did not give any indications otherwise throughout another resurgent season. “It will come to an end, but I don’t think next year,” guard Tony Parker said of the team’s run under the Big Three. “I think everybody’s going to come back.” Parker has non-guaranteed contract, but San Antonio is highly unlikely to
release its All-Star point guard. The future for Mills, Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner and Aron Baynes is less certain. Mills, Diaw and Bonner are unrestricted free agents. “I haven’t sat down with R.C. (Buford, Spurs general manager) and talked about what we want to do, but one would think it’s logical to not make major changes with the group,” Popovich said.
Lucy Li shoots 78 in first round of U.S. Women’s Open PINEHURST, N.C. – Decked out in red, white and blue, a smiling 11-year-old Lucy Li arrived at the 10th tee to begin her historic round Thursday in the 69th U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2. With an opening drive that found the native area rimming the fairway, Li, all 5-1 of her, went on her merry way. The sixth grader, the youngest player to ever qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, turned in a respectable 8-over-par 78 that included birdies on No. 1 and No. 5. The round was marred by double-bogeys on her opening hole and the 16th hole and a triplebogey 7 on the third hole when she tangled and lost with the turtle back green. Then she ate a watermelon flavored ice cream bar at her postround interview. “I’m happy with how I played,” Li said. “I mean, it’s 8 over, it’s not bad. But I was 7 over in three holes, so that’s 1 over in 15 holes. I just need to get rid of the big numbers. … I learned that you’ve got to be patient. One shot at a time. Try to get rid of the big numbers. And, yeah, I learned a lot.” Her playing partners – Catherine O’Donnell and Jessica Wallace – learned Li can flat out play. And is a delightful girl. “She’s way better than I was expecting,” O’Donnell said. “She’s a great player. She hits it out
Lucy Li, the 11-year-old amateur, shot 78 in the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open. She then went and had some ice cream. there farther than I was expecting, too. She hit it by me twice, I wasn’t really happy about that. But, no, she’s a joy to play with. Couldn’t have been nicer. Very intelligent girl. “ … She was out there having a great time. She’s sitting on the ground, having a snack or waiting. I struggled on the back nine because we waited 10 minutes on every shot. And she was like, all right, this is great, another stroll in the park kind of thing. And she just chitchatted with us all day.”
Added Wallace: “She is so mature for her age. There were times when I felt more immature than she is. She is mature beyond her years. I thought she handled herself really well out there. “Her first U.S. Open, she’s 11 years old. Who knows what people were expecting out of her this week? And I thought she played the course well. She’s capable of playing well on this course. She hits the ball a good distance. So it was a pleasant surprise playing with her.”
“Usually we don’t make major changes anyway, so, I wouldn’t anticipate any.” The Spurs made minor changes following their previous title in 2007. Those under contract include Ginobili, Green, Tiago Splitter, Marco Belinelli and finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who turns 23 on June 29. Diaw and Mills both said they have not had a chance to think about the future other than eagerly awaiting their first victory parade, which takes place Wednesday night. “I had a great time. It’s a great situation,” Diaw said. Mills is expected to receive the most attention after going 5 for 8 on 3-pointers while scoring 17 points in 18 minutes Sunday. The 5-foot-11 guard also pestered Miami’s Dwyane Wade defensively, especially in the seriesclinching victory. Another pressing matter for the Spurs is whether to play for their respective national teams this summer. Mills and Baynes have committed to play for Australia, but Ginobili is still undecided about rejoining his Argentine teammates. “It’s a little harder every year now to decide because a lot of things go on and family matters and physically, too, but I’ll try to make a decision by the end of the week,” Ginobili said.
FIFA bans Beats headphones from World Cup matches
Beats headphones are causing something of a kerfuffle at the World Cup in Brazil. After several top soccer stars, including Brazilian sensation Neymar, have been spotted wearing the chunky, brightly coloured headphones, FIFA, the game’s governing body, has banned the headgear from inside the stadiums, according to Reuters. Why? Because Beats is not an official sponsor of the games – Sony is. While it may seem that FIFA is being a bit harsh on the headphones that soccer players prefer to don, it appears this isn’t the first time that Beats has caused a stir at a world sporting event. During the London Olympics last summer, Beats sent thousands of free headphones to the world’s top athletes, according to Reuters. The International Olympic Committee, with its rules to protect official sponsors, had to ban the earphones since Beats wasn’t a sponsor. Also, Olympic athletes are forbidden from wearing gear from their personal sponsors – the same goes for World Cup players. It’s unclear if Beats gave Neymar his headphones for free or if the soccer star bought them. It seems most likely the headphone company gave them to Neymar, considering the fact he starred in a Beats YouTube adearlier this month titled “The Game Before the Game.” CNET contacted Beats for comment, and we’ll update the story when we get more information. Beats was acquired by Apple for $3 billion last month. During the acquisition Apple said that Beats has “become the brand of choice in the music and sports worlds” and “has quickly become part of pop culture.”
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NBA GM: ‘You can’t use a Top 5 pick’ on injured Joel Embiid
Just one week away from the NBA needs surgery, according to Adrian Draft, the Cavaliers were looking at Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.com. “I think there is a point at which you a tough choice to make – go with the athleticism and upside of Andrew use a pick on him, where you’re hoping Wiggins, the polished offensive game maybe these are just fluke things that of Jabari Parker or the overall inside are not going to be recurring,” one general manager told Sporting News. presence of Joel Embiid. While there were claims that the “But that point is not in the Top 5 or Cavs were leaning one way or another, so. You can’t use a Top 5 pick. I think a source indicated to Sporting News there are too many other good options that there was still an open competition there to think about using the pick on one who has these injury problems.” for the top spot. Embiid was projected to go No. 2 That all may change – Embiid suffered a foot injury this week, and to the Bucks in Sporting News’ latest the problem with the foot combined mock draft. More should be known about the with the back injury that ended Embiid’s season at Kasnas has raised severity of Embiid’s injury tomorrow significant red flags. Embiid suffered after he is evaluated. But while a stress fracture in his right foot and Embiid’s stock will almost surely drop
behind Wiggins and Parker, just how far he will slip is debatable. He is still a Top 10 pick, the GM said, pointing out that Anthony Bennett (shoulder), Alex Len (foot) and Nerlens Noel (knee) were all chosen near the top of the draft last year despite injury concerns. But with a strong class that will feature Wiggins and Parker, as well as Australian guard Dante Exum, guard Marcus Smart, plus big men Aaron Gordon, Noah Vonleh and Julius Randle, it is easy to foresee Embiid slipping to the No. 8-10 range. Of course, any time an injury-prone big man goes ahead of an athletic wing, the case of Michael Jordan being picked behind Sam Bowie is mentioned.
Older not always better at World Cup They say that with age comes experience. Whoever “they” are probably weren’t talking about the FIFA World Cup. Spain was the top-ranked team walking into Brazil’s 2014 World Cup. The Spanish command the largest collection of veteran soccer players out of all 32 teams in the tournament. Sixteen players on the Spanish roster appeared in at least one World Cup game before this year’s tournament, according to The Guardian. The Spanish are the seventh-oldest squad in the competition, with an average age of almost 28. The team’s active players had appeared in a combined 1,375 international soccer games wearing their nation’s colors, the most of any contender. Spain’s squad had scored a combined 217 goals in international play. None of this stopped the defending champions from floundering against two younger teams, Chile and the Netherlands. Spain conceded five goals to the Dutch in their opening game on Friday, June 13, the most goals given up in any single World Cup game thus far. Spain conceded two more goals Wednesday in a loss to Chile that will prevent the Spanish from advancing beyond their first three games. Chile was ranked 14th walking into the World Cup. The Netherlands was ranked 15th. The goalie who gave up all those goals, Iker Casillas, had appeared in 153 international soccer games, more than any other player in the tournament.
Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon takes a break during a training session on May 26 in Florence ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Buffon, 36, is the third player in World Cup history to be called up to five different tournaments. Is Spain too old to compete? Not necessarily. Including Spain, defending World Cup champions have not advanced beyond the tournament’s first round in three of the last four international competitions, according to The New York Times. Italy imploded in 2010 and France flopped in 2002. The World Cup hangover appears to be a real thing for its champions. Or Spain’s losses could signify a broader trend. Of the World Cup’s 736 participating players, 236 have been rostered in at least one previous tournament, according to FIFA. So more
than two-thirds of the competition’s players are playing on the world stage for the first time. Uruguay has 15 World Cup veterans on its roster, second to Spain’s 16. Cameroon has 13 former World Cupers. All three lost their opening games to younger teams. Argentina is the oldest team in the Cup, with an average age of almost 29 years. The next-oldest squads in the tournament are Portugal, Uruguay, Greece and Honduras. Argentina was the only team in the top five oldest to win its first match.
Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid “This is a not a Sam Bowie situation,” the GM said. “Foot injuries are scary, with big guys, because you think of someone like Yao Ming who could not overcome that. Back injuries, too.
Judge denies witness protection request by Sterling’s wife Los Angeles – A Los Angeles judge on Thursday denied Shelly Sterling’s petition to prevent estranged husband Donald Sterling and his legal team from contacting witnesses. Shelly Sterling has a pending probate court case in which she is asking a judge to uphold her negotiated sale of the couple’s ownership of Los Angeles Clippers despite her husband’s objections. Los Angeles Clippers coowner Donald Sterling allegedly threatened the life of his estranged wife’s attorney by shouting over the phone, “I am going to take you out, O’Donnell!” according to documents filed Thursday in a Los Angeles probate court. The attorney, Pierce O’Donnell, said he took the remarks as a death threat. Donald Sterling also allegedly left threatening voicemail messages for two physicians who certified him as mentally incapacitated, according to court papers. When asked for a response, Donald Sterling’s attorney, Max Blecher, said “Mr. Sterling means no harm and he just has a short fuse.” Sterling’s wife, Shelly, also a Clippers co-owner, is seeking a court protection order for O’Donnell and at least two physicians who earlier certified Donald Sterling as mentally incapacitated.
Everyone needs to ‘get a grip’ about Heat MIAMI – Miami Heat president Pat Riley wants everybody to get a grip. Yes, he’s talking to you, Heat players and members of the organization, fans as well as media. Riley went on a 55-minute diatribe last week Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena, opening with a strong statement and answering questions about the state of the organization after losing the NBA Finals in five games to the San Antonio Spurs. He proposed a challenge to the “Big 3” who can all become free agents. ‘’You’ve got to stay together, if you’ve
got the guts,’’ Riley said. ‘’You don’t find the first door and run out of it if you have an opportunity. This is four years now into this era, this team. Four finals – it’s only been done three other times before – and two championships. From day one to the end, it was like a Broadway show. It sort of ran out of steam. And we need to retool. We don’t need to rebuild. We need to retool. ‘’And that’s what we’re going to do.’’ With 45 years in the NBA, Riley has seen it all: In 1982, his Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers but lost the following year. In 1984, the Lakers choked and Magic Johnson was
called “Tragic Magic.” That inspired the team to bounce back and win it all the next season. “What really cements a forever bond is going through what we went through this year and staying the course,” Riley said. Of course, Riley is alluding to the fact the Big Three of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade can opt-out of their contracts and take their talents elsewhere. Or they can restructure the deals for less money to bring more talent on board. Those decisions won’t come until July 1, but it’s clear there will be
changes to the roster. What the trio decides will determine course of action around the league. For the second time in four seasons, Riley held exit meetings with each player. That doesn’t happen after a championship. It’s a way to debrief everyone individually before going separate ways over the summer. A common theme? Mental exhaustion and fatigue. One thing is for certain: Those who return must reinvent themselves, including Wade and coach Erik Spoelstra. Even the 69-year-old Riley said he would try.
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