VOLUME 10 - No. 36
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
Website: www.suntci.com
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ARSON AT POLICE STATION
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Three vehicles, including one brand new police cruiser, were torched early Friday morning (September 26th, 2014).
New patrol cruiser among three vehicles burnt by VIVIAN TYSON SUN Senior Editor
The Chalk Sound Police Station in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, came under attack early Friday morning (September 26th, 2014) by arsonists, who torched three vehicles -including one of the brand new police cruisers the force obtained earlier this year. In a bold and brazen act, the arsonists also attempted to burn the two-storey building, but police officers who were inside, quickly contained the blaze which only damaged the back door. Police media relations officer, Special Constable Audley Astwood, said in a media statement Friday that lawmen are still searching for clues and the motive behind the shocking incident that took place about 1:30 a.m., attracting several curious onlookers from the
Police officer faces wounding charge – Page 9
Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Page 16
Chalk Sound area and other parts of the island. Astwood said there were “several fires” around the building, but no one was injured. Explaining the circumstances of blazes, Astwood said officers on duty at the station at the time smelt smoke and went to investigate, and discovered that fire was coming from underneath a rear door of the station which they quickly extinguished. He said that when officers at the station carried out further checks on the compound they discovered smoke and flames coming from several vehicles parked inside the station’s parking lot. He said the fire department was immediately summoned, but their efforts could not stop three of the vehicles from being scorched by the flames. Continued on Page 2.
Human Rights Commission team appointed – Page 10
Water Cay on the market for £36 million – Page 14
Rev. Hamilton celebrates 25 years of ministry – Pages 24&25
TURKS AND CAICOS WELCOMES FIRST FEMALE CHIEF JUSTICE.
New Chief Justice Madam Margaret Ramsay-Hale puts pen to paper as she completes her instruments of office to become the first head female judge of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Witnessing the moment is his Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham. Ramsay-Hale was sworn in by Governor Beckingham, who said that he is confident that RamsayHale possesses the necessary skills to advance the judicial system of these islands. She landed the job from a field of competitors within the TCI and externally. A number of persons within the legal profession believe that the new Chief Justice could transform the local justice system in a positive way.
SEE ALSO PAGES 2&7.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Continued from Page 1.
Arson at police station
“Fire fighters managed to contain and extinguish the fires, however, a private vehicle, a police officer’s private vehicle that also caused one of RTCIPF new police vehicle to also be destroyed, another police officer’s vehicle which sustained minor damage, and minor damage to a rear door to the police station occurred,” Astwood said. The incident was condemned by Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing and Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson, who both called for those who know to come forward because such crime should not go unpunished. Premier Ewing told The SUN: “I was informed this morning of an attempted arson at the police station. The motive has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing. It is unfortunate that something could drive someone to actually attempt arson of the police station, not only a specific individual car but the police station with individuals inside. And so, the intention should be taken seriously and the investigation must discover who is behind it because it is a very serious issue.” Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson told The SUN that she had planned a team visit to the
The front of this car was burned completely. station because she was getting too many versions of what really transpired. “We are hearing so many versions of what actually took place. We heard that there were many starting points (to the fire), we heard that they were trying to burn the station down. So we will be going there to be officially informed as to what transpired,” she said. The Opposition Leader said that if the act was intentional, then the country has plunged into an abyss where criminals are so embolden that they have no regard for places of authority. “If in fact it is intentional, then we are seeing ourselves at an all time low in Turks
and Caicos, where the police station will be subjected to a crime of this magnitude. That cries out for serious attention. That is serious. That would be the crime that would have to be solved because we have to take into consideration that it wasn’t just a threat to property but life as well, because we understand that officers were in the building as well. That is a serious offense. You have to see beyond the property, property is always replaceable.” A police source told The SUN that prior to actual torching of the vehicles, officers had spotted unidentified individuals on the compound, who ran into the shadows on The police crusher was burnt beyond recognition. seeing the officers.
Justice Ramsay-Hale is the new Chief Justice by Vivian Tyson Supreme Court Judge Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale has been sworn in as the Turks and Caicos Islands first female Chief Justice. Madam Ramsay-Hale, who climbed through the ranks of the Turks and Caicos Islands judicial system in recent time, was appointed in the top judge position by His Excellency Peter Beckingham on Monday (September 22, 2014) in a ceremony which serves as maiden usage of the transformed Myrtle Rigby Clinic building into a courthouse. The courthouse was specifically designed to house the trials of members of the former Progressive National Party (PNP) administration, led by the country’s first premier Michael Misick. In addition to members of the public, the event was well supported by members of the legal fraternity, who flocked the complex to witness the judicial watershed occasion. Governor Beckingham told the gathering that while the Turks and Caicos Islands reputation remains sturdy, and it will take calibre individual such as Ramsay-Hale to keep it together, adding that the judicial system plays a pivotal role in whether the country succeeds or fails. “It is my view, nearly the one year since I have arrived with my wife inside Turks and Caicos that I have no doubt at all that the reputation of this country stands or falls on the judicial and legal systems. Governor Beckingham said that
New Chief Justice Madam Justice Ramsay-Hale (left) is photographed with His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham and Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Services Hon. Akierra Missick. Hon. Missick is also an attorney. said his office has every confidence in Ramsay-Hale’s skills to advance the local judicial system. “It is absolutely clear that the prosperity of the Turks and Caicos at the moment is looking very strong, but it is always, in a small island, fragile. And our reputation is entirely dependent on people like the chief justice, like the attorney general, like the DPP. “I have every confidence that under the new chief justice our judicial system will be energized, and given a sense of movement and direction,” Governor Beckingham said. The Governor said that he is impressed with the level of vision that
Ramsay-Hale has laid out for the Turks and Caicos Islands’ judicial system. “In a discussion with me before she took up the appointment, she said that she is going to be focused on modernizing the judicial system and modernizing the way we operate. And I welcome that, and I am in no doubt at all that she will bring – and I can feel it in the air – a sense of excitement and energy to her position, which are warmly welcome, and I hope you would do too,” he said. The governor highlighted the fact that Ramsay-Hale’s appointment came on the heels of the Turks and Caicos Islands swearing in its first
attorney general earlier this year in Hon. Rhondalee Brathwaite-Knowles, and a female as the first ever Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) – JoAnn Meloche. “This is the first time in the history of this country that we have had a female chief justice, and I think that is absolutely worth noting. And along with that, let me just put it in context, within six months we have had the first female attorney general and by now, the first female chief justice. And of course, we have a female director of public prosecution. If the premier was here I would be tempted to say to him, ‘premier, when will be the first time there will be a female premier?’ But he is not here, and perhaps my remarks can be passed on to him,” the governor joked. For her part, Hon. Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Service, and also an attorney, said that she welcomes Ramsey-Hale to her position as the top judge in the country and is looking forward for a fruitful relationship. “We are very excited this morning to welcome our new chief justice in the first public ceremony. The importance of this is that, the public is aware of the role that the chief justice plays, not only in the courts, but also in the administration of justice. And as a member of the executive and a member of the Bar, I am pleased to be here to welcome her, as to work together with the executive and the judiciary,” Missick said.
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SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Legal fraternity expresses confidence in new Chief Justice Ramsay-Hale’s ability by Vivian Tyson Members of the local judicial fraternity have welcome new Chief Justice Madame Margaret Ramsay-Hale to the top chair, showering her with accolades and good wishes, while expressing confidence that she will serve the Turks and Caicos Islands Justice with the highest standard. Some of the persons in attendance made sure to acknowledge that it was the first time in the history of the TCI that a chief justice had decided to have a public swearing-in ceremony, since past rites were done through an overly strict list of invited guests. Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) JoAnn Meloche has described the new chief justice as a modern judge with modern ideas and capable of affecting positive changes within the judicial system, parts of which are wobbly. “She is a person of action, and that is what we need. The public and the legal community look at the chief justice to set the standard in the court, for leadership and for advancing the pursuit of justice. And Madam Justice Ramsay-Hale, I
believe, will also be the person to make the positive changes that are required within the judicial system that, at the moment, is facing systemic challenges,” she said. She said also that Ramsay-Hale will be the one to make modern rules for the court to which members of the bar can adhere. She is confident that RamseyHale can bring greater transparency to the judicial system to which the public can benefit even greater. “…Matters of court dockets that are organized and people can count on, transparency for the press, as well as transcription services, court reporting services, all types of things that we are currently facing challenges with, that I think Madam Chief Justice Ramsey-Hale is the person to address, with her ability to make decisions and take responsibility and take action,” Meloche said. Leader of the private Bar, Ariel Misick QC said that the new chief justice possesses all the requisite skills to assume the office to which she has been ascended. “(To become a chief justice) you obviously have to be someone who is
steep in the law. You have to be someone with some degree of patience and you have to have some administrative skills. And I think she has exhibited all of those skills in my appearances before her,” Misick said. Attorney General RhondaleeBrathwaite Knowles, who has become the first female attorney general in the Turks and Caicos Islands, said that one should not look at the fact that RamsayHale, as a woman, won the position from a field of candidates, but that she came out as the best aspirant for the position. “I know it is worthy of celebrating that a female has done that (won) in an open and fair competition. In fact, she has proven to be the best candidate, and so, that is what we should be celebrating; not that a female has really won it through a fair competition and being the best candidate. “And I think that that concept or that idea has really has to permeate through all of our society, even in terms of our Belonger preference policy that we want to have the best candidate and that candidate is a Belonger, is really what you want to achieve.
“That is what the empowerment is really all about, and that is what should be celebrated, and so I congratulate Madam Justice Ramsay-Hale on this accomplishment, because in that competition she proved to be the best candidate and I celebrate with her as a woman, in that regard,” BrathwaiteKnowles said. Young attorney Mark Fulford of F. Chambers and Co., said that his expectation of Ramsay-Hale is that she will do a phenomenal job in the top judicial chair, owing to her openness and fair and transparent administration of justice. “To put it in context, I must say, to whom much is given, much is expected. And you can see by the way in which she came in today by having a public ceremony, that she intends to be transparent in all her dealings. She is known as a very tough judge, who learned QC (Ariel Misick), said can separate the wheat from the chaff. And so, we are very elated and committed to working with her, to ensure the highest standard of justice is achieved in the TCI,” Fulford said.
RBC ROYAL BANK (BAHAMAS) LIMITED is presently considering applications for:
Relationship Manager – Business Banking Turks & Caicos Islands
The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications: • 3 or more years banking experience • ABIFS/AICB Diploma or a degree in banking or a related field would be an asset • Previous experience as a Lending Officer is mandatory Required Skills • Negotiating/Selling Skills • Problem Account Management • Knowledge of Financial Analysis and risk assessment • Critical Thinking • Time Management • Relationship building/Planning/Organizing/Closing Sales • Effectively manage risk • Impact and Influence • Ability to manage multiple priorities • Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills • Microsoft Office Proficiency (Outlook, Word, Excel) Responsibilities Include: • Responsible for retaining and growing relationships with Business Banking (BB) clients, contributing to the strategic priorities of Sales Volume and Revenue Growth and improving the Client Experience. • Responsible for the on boarding of products and services for existing and new clients, identifying, referring and fulfilling on new opportunities as appropriate, promoting collaboration amongst Business Banking relationship team and partners. • Providing direct support to Business Banking clients with all lending and non-lending activities. • Developing a strong knowledge of client’s operational requirements in order to provide financial solutions (primarily Cash Management and Deposit Solutions) that add value to the customer’s needs and goals, while driving revenue growth. • Providing credit and sales support for Relationship Manager (RM) to enable the identification, planning and delivery of solutions for client and prospect needs. • Effectively supports the RM with their assigned portfolio of accounts and participation in all aspects of portfolio credit management including, but not limited to, preparation of annual reviews at an acceptable level of risk and assisting with the compilation of documentations required in the origination/booking of deals. Responsibility and accountability for final sign off will rest with the RM with regard to the completion of BBTR/RAF. • Being the service champion for BB clients including coordination of the service team, focusing on ensuring the client experience in delivered effectively through appropriate service partners. • Acting as the Problem Resolution champion leveraging appropriate partners to resolve client concerns. A competitive compensation package (base salary & bonus) will commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications. Please apply by October 3, 2014 to: Assistant Manager, Recruitment & Employee Development Human Resources, Bahamas Regional Office, RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited P.O. Box N-7549, Nassau, N.P., Bahamas Via fax: (242) 322-1367, Via email: bahcayjp@rbc.com
Fine Dining Restaurant Manager Requirements: • Certification in Food & Beverage Management • A minimum of 4 years experience operating a luxury a la carte restaurant • Experience in quality and efficiency initiatives • Must be able to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. • Responsible for ordering and receiving food and beverage shipments. • Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records. • Responsible for hiring and training restaurant staff • Evaluate employees and conduct shift line ups and restaurant cost controls • Micros Administrative Knowledge Required. • Certified Departmental Trainer • Extensive knowledge of wines from around the world (Sommelier educational training would be an added advantage) • Expertise in fine wines and knowledge of Wine Spectator’s Award Process. • Ability to conduct Wine Training / tasting and pairing with food. Qualified Belongers need only apply. Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than September 30th @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1050 Email: humanresources@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Turks and Caicos post cabinet meeting statement
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 24th September 2014 at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales. All Ministers were present except the Hon. Minister of Environment and Home Affairs. At this meeting Cabinet: • Received a presentation from the Police Commissioner setting out the RTCIPFs business plan priorities for the period 2014 - 2016. The Plan focuses on three key priorities: 1. To provide all the islands with safe and secure communities; 2. To optimise resources; 3. To support police officers and civilian staff. Cabinet welcomed the presentation and in addition requested that the RTCIPF pay particular attention to the policing of street traders ensuring that those operating on the islands are doing so legally; • Advised H.E. the Governor to approve the allocation of Parcels 60810/195, 196 & 198 to the Ministry of Education for the development of a public high school in Providenciales.
In addition, to grant approval for the reservation for Parcel 61111/58 previously reserved for the development of a high school to be lifted; • Advised H.E. the Governor to approve, in principle, the grant of a 25 year lease over Crown Land Parcel 60003/246 subject to the terms and conditions of the Crown Land Ordinance 2012; • Advised H.E. the Governor to grant approval for the conservancy license between TCIG and Jasper Development Company Ltd to be amended to include a provision that would allow the Company to develop, subject to approval from the Physical Planning Board, a temporary workers housing facility on five acres of Parcel 70100/99 on West Caicos, which forms part of the reserve land; • Advised H.E. the Governor to approve the appointment of Ms.Claudette Gibson to serve as the employers’ representative, for a period of 3 years, on the National Health Insurance Board in accordance with Part 3/16 of the National Insurance
Ordinance; • Advised H.E. the Governor to grant approval for the temporary membership of Dr. Bernardo to replace Dr. Nadia Astwood and Ms Charlene Higgs to replace Nurse Jackurlyn Sutton both until October 12 2014 on the Service Review Board as required under the Hospitals Project Agreement; • Advised H.E. the Governor to amend the Development Manual to increase the maximum height of buildings on the island of Providenciales to a maximum 12 storeys on a minimum 5 acre parcel, effective immediately; • Noted that no waivers of the Public Procurement Ordinance 2012 were granted for the period April to June 2014, as per section 21 of the said Ordinance; • Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board on the award of the following contracts; Design and Installation of Solar Power in the Cave Bathroom, Middle Caicos; Furniture and Equipment for Ona Glinton Primary School;
• Noted the arrangements for the updating of the National Development Plan including establishing a Steering Committee and Island and Sectoral Sub-committees to guide the process. The Plan will outline the goals and priorities of the country over the next ten years; • Noted an update on the status of all capital projects contained in the Development Programme for financial Year 2014/15; The following absences were noted: H.E. the Governor, 25 - 28 September, Deputy Governor acting Minister Border Control and Labour, 25-29 September on personal business, Minister GSS acting Minister Education, Youth and Sport, 25-30 Sept, Premier acting Minister Health and Human Services, 27 Sept - Oct 3 and 8-14 Oct, Premier acting Minister Government Support Services on personal business, 6-8 Oct, Deputy Premier acting Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.
Cheshire Hall Medical Centre Providenciales TCI Position: Associate Engineer (IM&T Department) Education Required: Academic Degree. Industry-specific qualification or Technical level in computer, business or quantitative field such as: Computer Science, Business, Operations, Mathematics or Education Experience: A minimum of 2 years experience within an IT related role Job Summary: • Operates and maintains in-house applications; assists in planning and conducting migrations and upgrades; assists in database-specific technical assignments. Project assists in the area of documentation management. • Assists in network evaluation, analysis, conceptualisation and implementation of in-house network infrastructure. Monitors network and ensures its proper operation • Train and provide training materials on IM&T systems including HIS and Telehealth. • To investigate and resolve general, often complex, issues and queries from users of InterHealth Canada IT systems, and to manage and maintain InterHealth Canada IT infrastructure. Remuneration packages will be based on qualification and experience. Preference will be given to qualified B.O.T.C -Turks and Caicos Islands and persons with Belonger Status. Please address your resume showing qualifications and experiences to: Recruitment@interhealthcanada.tc Deadline: 3rd October 2014
Cook Main Duties • Prepare food items of consistent quality in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment. • Start prep work on food items needed for the menu of the day. • Organize all of the various prep items needed from different areas to ensure that all items are in place and ready for service. • Inform the Executive Chef of any shortage of supplies that need restocking before items completely run out. Requirements • Applicants must have a minimum of three-year culinary experience working in a restaurant. • Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. • Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards. • Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. • Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. • Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. • Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. • Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). • Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. • Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. • Work with minimal supervision. Salary commensurate with experience and training. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by October 13, 2014 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-9465191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Police officer faces wounding charge by Vivian Tyson A Royal and Turks and Caicos Islands police officer who who may have become heated during an interrogation of a robbery suspect on Tuesday (September 24, 2014) is now steering down the barrel of possible jail time after hitting the suspect on the head with a two-way radio, opening up a blood-gushing wound. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer, whose name has been withheld pending charges, was arrested on Wednesday (September 24, 2014) but was later released after his bail was posted. It is understood that he could be charged as early as this coming week. The incident took place at the police headquarters on Old Airport Road in Providenciales. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, though its public relations officer, Special Constable Audley Astwood, released the following statement on the matter: “The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) is presently investigating an incident which occurred on Tuesday September 23rd 2014 at police headquarters involving a 22-year-old male in custody and a police officer. The officer has been arrested on suspicion of wounding and is
presently on bail to return at a later date while investigations continue into this matter. The officer has also been placed on administrative leave.” The wounding of the suspect has not gone down well with some members of the force, who complained that the incident could erode tremendous gain of trust the police has established with the community in recent time, and also came at a time when the force is trying to burnish its public image. “This time there is no backing away from this one because we have a man with a wound that was sustained while he was in the care of the police. The matter will be going to the open court if the officer is charged, because you know he is innocent until proven otherwise. But he will not get any special treatment during our investigation,” a highranking officer told The SUN. It is understands that the alleged victim, who has been fingered as a suspect in the attempted burglary of a sergeant’s home, was apprehended by the police in his community on Tuesday (September 23, 2014). It understood that the man allegedly staged a brief resistance during the arrest at his home. During the interrogation process at the CID Headquarters, the officer used the communication device to smash into
Statement by His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham Due to the public interest in this matter I wish to clarify in my capacity as Governor and Head of the Public Service the situation regarding the re-appointment of Mr. Norman Watts as an Engineering Supervisor/Adviser to Public Works Department within the Ministry of Government Support Services. Mr. Watts has been employed twice in support of the TCI public service since 2010. His re-appointment was actioned following a written request from the Ministry of Government Support Services on 14 May 2014, in which they formally requested Mr. Watts’ re-appointment in September 2014. His basic salary for each reappointment have remained the same since 2010 and were agreed with him at the end of his last contract. In accordance with the practice in place in the public service, his engagement letter, reflecting that earlier agreement, was sent to him prior to his new start date early in September 2014. However, all agreements and arrangements were concluded prior to the end of Mr. Watts contract in June and prior to the budget debate in the House of Assembly.
As recommended by the Ministry, Mr. Watts was placed on a monthto-month basis for a period of one year. Because of Mr. Watts’ level of involvement with the Capital project programme, and other ongoing projects, the Ministry also recommended that there should be a handing over process between the Director of PWD and Mr. Watts. The Public Service Ordinance states specifically that “no person shall be appointed to a position in the public service at the direction or request of a Member of the House of Assembly, a Minister, or the Premier” and that “we shall respect the integrity and impartiality of the public service, will only engage with officials through appropriate channels, and, therefore, protect our officials from partisan interference”. I hope that this clarifies this appointment, and that the Ministry of Government Support Services team, will be able to continue without distractions, the many vital projects that they have for the economic and educational advancement of everyone in Turks and Caicos, as well as to facilitate the hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting the Islands.
the suspect’s head, creating the wound that bled profusely. It is understood that the blood-flow from the wound created anxious moments for some of the officers present, including the accused cop. Paramedics were quickly summoned, and the suspect was taken away in an ambulance to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where he obtained one stitch to close the cut. This newspaper understands that just last week a woman of Haitian extraction complained to the hierarchy of the force that she was shove to the ground by the said officer in an unspecified incident. The matter, according to information received, is being investigated. It is understood that last year the said officer lost a burglary case when one of the suspects – Curtis Butterfield – complained to the court that the lawman beat him into false confession. It is also understood that a pending burglary case could suffer similar fate, as the accused man in the matter has complained that a confession was forced out of him through beating. The SUN also learn that the accused officer, who has Bahamian heritage, has been ordered not leave the jurisdiction. Up to press time, the injured man was not charged for the burglary of the sergeant’s home.
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.
BLUE HAVEN RESORT is inviting applications for the following position:
Marina Sales and Marketing Manager The Marina Sales and Marketing Manager should demonstrate the ability to work with minimal supervision, must work well under pressure and be selfmotivated.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS: ◊ Extensive knowledge of Marina Sales and marketing in tourism background highly advantageous. ◊ Prior pre-sales or/and post-sales experience needed. ◊ Degree level education, preferably in Hospitality Management or related subject. ◊ Experience selling products, data, training or technical services. ◊ Experience in event and boating photography ◊ Foreign language, especially Spanish/French (spoken/ written) is preferred. ◊ Broad understanding of the marina and boating fields. ◊ Dynamic, self-motivated, individual with a drive to succeed in sales and marketing. ◊ Excellent interpersonal skills as you will liaise with multicultural clients and colleagues. ◊ Business acumen with an ambition to further develop sales/marketing skills. ◊ Excellent networking experience/capability. ◊ Ability to create publications, direct and proof promotions and ads for the tourist and business community ◊ Ability to coordinate and manage marina’s sales website ◊ Applicant must be in possession of a Boating license ◊ RYA certification is preferred Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Please Submit Applications to: cgibbons@wihl.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than October 10th, 2014 Belongers need only apply.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
tci appoints human rights commission chairman and board members
A new Chairman and five board members have been appointed to TCI’s Human Rights Commission, Governor Peter Beckingham has announced. Representing communities across the islands, the Chairman and Members will work together with Director, Human Rights Commission Mrs. M. Doreen Quelch Missick to: – promote the observance of human rights in the Turks and Caicos Islands; – receive and investigate complaints of breaches or infringements of rights or freedoms of the individual as set out in the Constitution or in international human rights treaties that have been extended to the Islands; – provide advice on complaints; mediation; and, raise public awareness of human rights and issue guidance as required. Chaired by lawyer Cheryl Astwood Tull, the new members include Reverend Alces Dor, community worker Delores
From left: Julia Williams, Attorney Finbar Grant, Bishop George Forbes, the new chair Cheryl Astwood Tull, Delores Wilson, Reverend Alces Dor and Director of the Human Rights Commission Doreen Quelch Missick. Wilson, South Caicos, Reverend Julia Williams, Grand Turk Attorney Finbar Grant and Alces Dor, Providenciales and Bishop George Forbes, North Caicos. Announcing their appointment, Governor Peter Beckingham said: “I congratulate all the new
members and look forward to hearing their fresh perspective on how we can protect the rights of every man, women and child on our islands. Their vigilance and expertise will be vital to ensure cases are heard and our laws meet international standards. Together we can send a message that discrimination,
human trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation have no place in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” The new Chairman of the Commission, Cheryl Astwood Tull, said: “I am honoured to serve alongside my fellow members and ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands uphold the
principles of human rights and ensure everyone on the islands is treated with respect and dignity.” Outgoing Chairman, Mrs. Quelch Missick said: “I welcome the opportunity to work with the newly appointed Chairman and members and looks forward to a mutually rewarding and fulfilling working relationship as together, we chart the way forward to advancing the human rights mandate for our country.” Appointments are made by the Governor in accordance with Section 101 (1) of the Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011 after consultation with the Premier and the leader of the Opposition, the new board members and Chair will serve initially for one year. The newly appointed Chairman held her first Board Meeting on September 18th and on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th Chairman and members attended two days of Orientation led by Director, HRC.
ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION SPECIALIST GRAND TURK AND SALT CAY OPERATIONS
• Responsible for detailed supervision of subordinate employees and/or contractors, who perform plant installation and maintenance work at FortisTCI facilities, inclusive of transportation fleet staff. • To provide expert decision-making assistance; and steering and guiding effective preventative and corrective maintenance activities on generation plant and their controls and on transportation fleet; inclusive of training of staff in these areas, in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification and standard mechanical and electrical practices, and as directed by the Director, Grand Turk Operations.
Main Duties
• Assist the Director, Grand Turk Operations in identifying the developmental needs of plant operators and fleet mechanics through proper evaluation; and develop and implement a program for continuous on the job monitoring, training, and mentoring, to minimize and to ultimately reduce deficiencies. • Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual work plans and associated reports as directed by the Director, Grand Turk Operations. • Ensure a high degree of familiarity and profound knowledge of specifications; fundamental operating concepts; operating and maintenance manuals; and procedures for all generating plant and transportation fleet assets and their equipment. • Prepare work instructions for maintenance-related duties and coordinate work of plant operators and fleet mechanics, with particular regard to safety, efficiency, and functionality of the plant and transport fleet. • Prepare comprehensive parts lists and cost estimates needed for all major maintenance activities and planned overhaul projects, and for any other projects as may be assigned. • Solicit and assess quotes, and make recommendations for purchase inclusive of commencing the requisition process upon receiving approval, to facilitate timely procurement of material to meet project schedule timelines. • Assist in the preparation of capital and maintenance budgets through the provision of cost estimates for the Generation department as assigned and directed. • Conduct testing and troubleshooting of plant and transport fleet equipment in the area of responsibility and in the longer term train others to perform these functions. • Be familiar with and adhere to all Company policies and procedures (including those established by past practice) relating to the position. • Plan and conduct work in a manner consistent with the Company’s commitment to the environment and ensure that project work teams are likewise in compliance. • Be familiar with and adhere to the safety and operating procedures of the Company (particularly those established by EUSA), and ensure that projects are executed consistent with these procedures. • Maintain and ensure the accuracy of statistical records of plant and transportation fleet operations and maintenance activities as required by the company. • Be professional in dress and demeanor as befits the position and ensure that a good public image of FortisTCI is maintained at all times • Perform other duties as may be assigned and/or required by Director, Grand Turk Operations
contingencies from time to time. • Prepare weekly, monthly and annual work plans and accomplishment reports on project assignments • Submit job reports and detailed engineering equipment failure analysis reports • Execute preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure high equipment reliability and availability • Any other related duty as assigned from time to time. Minimum Requirements: • Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical Technology or an accredited equivalent. • 10 to 15 years working experience with Caterpillar Power Generation Systems, specifically knowledge of 3500 and 3600 Series Prime and Standby Electric Power Generators; and ISO Control and Switchgear Systems. • Knowledge of power plant SCADA and feeder distribution systems • 10 to 15 years working experience with vehicle engine, transmission, hydraulic pumps diagnosis and rebuilds. • Minimum of 5 years’ experience at mid management level. • Proficiency in interpretation of mechanical and electrical drawings and manuals is required. • Above average analytical skills in math and mechanical/electrical theories, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems, towards good decision making. • Familiarity with PLC troubleshooting and programming is required, as is the ability to train others. • Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English • Experience in working under utility emergency response condition • Ability to function effectively under emergency situations; and to think clearly and effectively and deliver within deadlines; and to work under pressure • Ability to work in an environment that is noisy, and be exposed to lubricating oil, diesel fuel and engine fumes. • Self-motivated, solution oriented and positive in outlook • Excellent time management skills • Team player Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FORTISTCI application form) is October 13, 2014 to: Dr. Kellie-Ann Evans-Hall Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or khall@fortistci.com:
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 11
LOCAL NEWS
Opposition Leader explains absence from new CJ’s swearing-in
Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson has said her nonattendance at the swearing-in of first Turks and Caicos Islands’ female Chief Justice Madam Margaret RamsayHale had to do with a premier office invitation bungling and blames Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra Missick for the mix-up. In a media statement released late Friday (September 25, 2014), Cartwright Robinson said that she was drawn into responding due to the frequency with which she received queries from members of the public relating to her absence from the event, especially owing to the consideration that her name was on the programme to offer remarks. Some members of the public have already begun to form their opinions as to why the opposition leader was absent from the event, chief among them was that she stayed away in protest. But Cartwright Robinson said that it was not indicated to her at anytime that she would be on the programme. “ I have received a number of texts and calls and have decided to issue a statement to assure persons that my absence from the swearing in of the
Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson. new chief justice was by no means a deliberate statement, one in protest or otherwise. “Unfortunately, the long and short of it is that I was not extended an Invitation nor was it confirmed at any point that I was on Programme to bring
Landscape laborer required
Remarks. In trying to understand what transpired, it appears that the confusion emanated from the Premier’s Office under the management of the Deputy Premier (Hon. Akierra Missick),” she said in the statement. She pointed out that her office agreed in good faith to support an adjournment of the parliamentary proceedings to allow her and Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing to attend the chief justice swearing in and to bring remarks. “The Deputy Premier informed that invitations would be forthcoming and there was nothing further. Once I was informed that the Premier traveled to Grand Turk for Parliament, and with no confirmation otherwise, I traveled shortly after to Grand Turk to attend Parliament at 10am. It is certainly not in character for me to accept an invitation to attend and speak and then not to do so and without apology,” the opposition leader said. The opposition leader explained that having realized the mix-up she immediately tendered an apology to Margaret Ramsay-Hale. “I have offered my apologies to the Chief Justice as I understood she did
pause for remarks to be brought by me. I have also set out the circumstances to her and have extended my best wishes to her,” Cartwright Robinson explained. In the meantime, the opposition leader disclosed that she is holding Ramsey-Hale to the highest standard within the legal sector, while describing as mature the decision to break the cycle of the old boys club on the bench and to select a qualified woman for the job. “Chief Justice’s Ramsay-Hale’s swearing in was in fact historic in that a female for the first time now occupies this office and I expect nothing less than a firm and fair carriage of justice from this high office just as good as or better than Chief Justice RamsayHale’s counterparts elsewhere or her predecessors. “It is certainly some interesting times in these Islands with the recent appointment of females to high offices in what were traditionally occupied by men. I believe this is another positive turn and one that shows that this country is reaching higher levels of maturity. I wish the incoming Chief Justice well in her new office,” Cartwright Robinson said.
IMMEDIATE OPENING
A maintenance company on Providenciales is seeking to recruit a landscape laborer to join our team. The successful candidate must have the following experience and skill set; • Min 3 years experience in landscape maintenance • Responsible for weeding, pruning, trimming all plants on property • Must have good knowledge of gardening techniques and ability to apply pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers properly • Responsible for the upkeep and general maintenance of properties • Ability to maintain and repair irrigation systems • Willingness to perform laborious tasks • Self motivated and industrious applicants need only apply • Ability to follow directions and accomplish everyday jobs promptly $7.00 per hour Please forward all applications via email to maintenancedept@khcapital.com Professional Maintenance Company seeking the following skilled technician
Refrigeration Supervisor • Five (5) years experience in industrial refrigeration for commercial cold storage as well as commercial air conditioning systems. Must hold technical certificates for both. • Fluent in Microsoft excel, word and office • Technical knowledge in plumbing, electrical and mechanical works, certificates required. • Installation of new equipment including refrigeration compressors, evaporators and condensers, ability to repair all large commercial cold storage • Supervision and development of daily routines of refrigeration maintenance staff. • Development and production of maintenance budgets, including parts and equipment orders. • Development and implementation of preventative maintenance schedules • Ability to complete tasks swiftly, good problem solving skills is a must. • Experience in the commercial cold storage / maintenance industry preferred. • Installing and repairing components such as Copeland discuss compressors, motors, condenser units, evaporators, switches and copper lines for 404A gas, refrigerant oil • Daily monitoring, checking and overhauling commercial cold storage refrigeration systems, diagnosing faults and repairing/replacing defective components • Experience with Danfoss refrigeration computerized controls • Required to be on call 24 hours, must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays. Please submit applications via email at maintenance@khcapital.com by Sept 27th 2014
Executive Chef Requirements: • 10 years experience as an Executive Chef in a 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 $55,000.00 per annum/commensurate with qualification and experience 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, October 10th, 2014.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Pine Cay project announces reading grant to Eliza Simons Primary School Pine Cay Project announced its grant of $4,471 to Eliza Simons Primary School to support the school’s purchase of books and materials to upgrade instruction in reading last week. The new learning materials will support reading instruction that emphasizes students’ understanding of what they read and, for younger students especially, their recognition of letter sounds. Among several objectives of the reading initiative, the grant will permit the school to establish a reading center in the school library and will support individualized reading instruction for students who are struggling to master basic reading skills. Eliza Simons Primary School is
one of two government primary schools on Grand Turk and serves a student population of 249 students, ages 4 through 12. Under the leadership of principal Juliet Thelwell, the school prepared a detailed application to Pine Cay Project explaining the need for these new materials, the specific items to be purchased, and the enhanced instruction that the new materials will permit. Ms. Thelwell said that the new grant “will provide resources to allow the school to improve the reading skills of all students, especially those who have struggled with reading. With this grant, we intend to reduce the number
of students with weak skills in reading and to encourage the love of reading among all students.” Commenting on the new learning opportunities, Pine Cay Project Chair Elizabeth Pickman said: “These new instructional tools will permit the educators of Eliza Simons Primary School to take their teaching of reading to new, higher levels, for the significant benefit of their students.” Vice-chair Carlton Mills said: “We expect these enhanced learning opportunities to increase student mastery of reading and, in particular, to improve the reading skills of struggling readers.” Residents of Pine Cay formed Pine Cay Project in 1989 for the purpose of
improving student learning across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over the past 10 years, Pine Cay Project has awarded approximately $600,000 in grants to TCI schools, the TCI Community College, the Turks and Caicos National Museum, the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (for its summer environmental science program), and other organizations. Members of the Pine Cay Project board of trustees include Marie Landel (Boston and Paris), Carlton Mills (Provo), Elizabeth Pickman (New York, NY), Beverly Plachta (Pine Cay), David Rochat (Chelsea, Vermont), Jay Saunders (Provo), and Terry Smith (Buffalo, New York).
Revenue and Customs staff receive audit training Eighteen officers from the Revenue and Customs Departments participated in an Audit Capacity Building Training Course at Blue Haven Resorts in Providenciales from 12 to 17 September 2014. The training was offered under the auspices of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC)
now better equipped to conduct tax determining correct tax liability based in Barbados. c) The need for careful planning and audits particularly for the sales tax The course was designed to cover the type revenue streams such as the Hotel basic elements of field auditing across preparation before an audit visits d) Being aware of the possibility of and Restaurant Tax and post audit multiple tax types. Some topics covered possible fraudulent evasion of taxes clearance for Customs purposes. included: The facilitator for the training a) The need for correct information and knowing what action to take. The training was very interactive was UK based Tax Audit Expert and of tax declarations b) Using indirect methods of and practical and participants are Trainer, Mike Mintrum.
Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 2009
Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 2009
An Application, REGISTERED PR-11990, by P. and V. Firmenich has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of a project to install a low-crested rock breakwater to dissipate currents in the permitted beach lagoon system (PR-11658). The breakwater is a dog-leg configuration with an overall length of 65 ft at the Mean High Water Line. The top width is 4 ft at 1 ft above Mean Sea Level. The project is located at block/parcel 61003/106.
An Application, REGISTERED NC-1064, FortisTCI has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of a project to replace and relocate a power transmission cable servicing Water Cay, Pine Cay, Dellis Cay and North Caicos with a subaqueous crossing length totaling approximately 63,000 linear ft and a land crossing over the private islands of Water Cay and Dellis Cay of approximately 20,000 linear ft. The Project will improve reliability and resiliency for the power transmission to these islands. The Project includes upgrading the quality of service with three phase power to meet the energy requirements for new developments on North Caicos, Dellis Cay, Water Cay, and will set the stage for eventual extension of transmission lines to East Caicos and South Caicos.
Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Downtown, Town Center Mall, Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. Notice dated: September 26, 2014
Anyone wishing to make any representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk, or through the Department of Planning, Downtown, Town Center Mall, Providenciales within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. Notice dated: September 26, 2014
PO Box 329, Graceway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies Tel 649 441 5638
Two Public Area Supervisors
Website www.provoprimary.com
• Responsible for the flow of passengers through the operation bases. • Management and lifting of passenger baggage and personal effects.
PART-TIME DANCE/DRAMA TEACHER REQUIRED FOR IMMEDIATE START Applicants must hold a degree or PGCE in a performing arts related discipline and have experience of teaching young children. CARETAKER/JANITOR We also require a Caretaker/Janitor to work in our school between 7.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Applicants must be hardworking, dependable and trustworthy and be able to provide excellent references (including a police check). Good working knowledge of English is essential. Please send or email letter of application, resume, and contact details together with the names and phone numbers of two referees to the Principal at the above
address.
is seeking applications for
ONE Driver
• 5 years or more experience in this position. • Valid TCI drivers licence. • Any experience in aviation would be an asset. Salary commensurate with experience. NB: Belongers need only apply. Interested person should apply to HR@intercaribbean.com or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040. No phone call please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 13
LOCAL NEWS
E. Jay Saunders competes against the world in $15 million Global Learning XPRIZE by Vivian Tyson Out-going Digicel Chief Executive Officer E. Jay Saunders has been selected in an elite group of 400 technologists and teachers from across the globe to complete for $15 million prize to develop a tablet-based solution designed to solve world’s illiteracy and numeracy problems. The Global Learning XPRIZE challenge was launched simultaneously worldwide on Monday (September 22, 2014). The solution should be Androidfriendly, as the XPRIZE wants it to be adaptable across technological platforms. The source and scalable software will enable children in developing countries to teach themselves basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Peter Diamandis, XPRIZE chairman and chief executive announced the lucrative world challenge at the Social Good Summit in New York City Monday (September E. Jay Saunders at the Global Learning XPRIZE 22, 2014). That is EXPRIZE’s latest launch at the NHIB boardroom. attempt to bring a technology-based solution to the educational crisis in the Registered teams will then have 18 months to develop their solutions. A developing world. Saunders said that the Global panel of third-party expert judges will Learning XPRIZE will launch with a then evaluate and select the top five six-month team registration period. teams to proceed in the competition,
approach is necessary,” Diamandis each receiving a $1 million award. He said that a $10 million top prize said. The 400 chosen to take part in will ultimately be awarded to the team that develops a technology solution the competition are referred to as demonstrating the greatest levels of ‘Vanguards.” Saunders is the only proficiency gains in reading, writing Vanguard from the Caribbean. He said and arithmetic. The total timeframe of that in order to develop the tool, it is the competition is projected to be five required to have a team. He hopes to get a team from the Turks and Caicos years. The organizers said that the aim is Islands, but if not, will look to the to empower the 250 million children region to assemble that team. that UNESCO said are unable to Saunders said that the Turks read or write, to take control of their own learning and ultimately their and Caicos Islands is by and large future. It said that the ultimate goal known for its sand, sea and sun, but to empowered a generation that will educational brilliance, not so much. positively impact their communities, And he is gunning to change that. Registration opens on the day of countries and the world. UNESCO declared that basic reading skills could the launch. That date is extended to lift 171 million children around the March, 2015. The software solutions development should take place world out of poverty. UNESCO has stated that in order between April, 2015 and September, to tackle illiteracy, 1.6 million more 2016. The finalists team judging and teachers would be needed in the selection be done in October, 2016, classroom by 2015, which experts with the adaptation of the software say is virtually impossible, and so, iteration or testing. By May, 2017, the software is XPRIZE believes that the creation of the software could make a huge dent expected to be loaded on the tablets, with field testing to take place between in the problem. “Traditional models of learning June 2017 and December 2018. The are not scalable. We simply cannot finalist assessment will begin in build enough schools or train enough January 2019, with the awards teachers, which brings us to a pivotal ceremony for the finalists and winners moment where an alternative, radical taking place in February, 2019.
Chukka Caribbean Adventures (TCI) Ltd., a leading Nature Adventure tour company with affiliated facilities in Jamaica and Belize invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions: The successful applicants must: DUNE BUGGY TOUR GUIDES »» Hold a valid TCI Driver’s Licence with a minimum 5 years driving experience. »» Be at least 25 years old. »» Have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the operation of a tourist passenger vehicle. Other prior experience in the tourist service industry would be an asset. »» Possess an excellent driving record. A defensive driving certificate would be an asset. »» Have a valid passport. »» Be willing to travel and if necessary undergo a period of internship in tour delivery and safety standards at one of the Company’s affiliated facilities outside of the TCI. »» Be well-spoken with English as primary language. »» Be trained in CPR and First Aid delivery. »» Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business. »» Clean criminal record. HORSE BACK TOUR GUIDES »» Minimum of 3 years horseback trail riding experience. »» Must be a competent swimmer. »» Be willing to travel and if necessary undergo a period of internship in tour delivery and safety standards at one of the Company’s affiliated facilities outside of the TCI. »» Must possess a demonstrable and natural affinity for the health, wellbeing and care of horses. »» Be well-spoken with English as primary language. »» Be trained in CPR and First Aid delivery. »» Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business. »» Clean criminal record. SALES CLERK/HOUSEKEEPER-LAUNDERER/LABOURER »» Minimum of 3 years general sales and merchandising experience (Sales Clerk) »» Proven and unblemished track record of employment »» Positive and disciplined attitude toward work in a customer service oriented business (Sales Clerk) »» Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills »» Trustworthy and reliable disposition »» Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business. ON PROPERTY REVENUE/PARK OFFICER (OPR) »» Tertiary level qualification in Sales/Marketing
»» Minimum of five (5) years experience in retail sales and trade marketing »» Valid Driver’s License »» Highly Professional and ethical standards with a passion for nature and the environment. »» Positive and disciplined attitude toward work in a fast pace, multi-tasking customer service oriented business, with ability to handle complaints and work under pressure »» Excellent communication, analytical, inter-personal and customer service skills with a strong track record of motivating staff and team work »» Must be willing and able to work outdoors, flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business. BOAT MASTER/CAPTAIN »» Hold a valid Boat Master/Captain Licence with a minimum 5 years’ experience in the operation of tourist charter/passenger boats. »» Practical experience in the tourist service industry would be an asset. »» Possess an excellent boat captain’ safety record. »» Have a valid passport. »» Be willing to travel and if necessary undergo a period of internship in tour delivery and safety standards at one of the Company’s affiliated facilities outside of the TCI. »» Be well-spoken with English as primary language. »» Trained in CPR and First Aid delivery. »» Be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business. »» Clean criminal record. »» Must be a competent swimmer. »» Must have a proven and unblemished track record of employment »» Positive and disciplined attitude toward work in a customer service oriented business »» Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills »» Trustworthy and reliable disposition Suitable candidates that do not meet the above requirements may, at the sole discretion of the Company’s management team, be eligible for consideration in circumstances where they demonstrate a clear willingness to embrace the Company’s in-house training initiatives and established standard operating policies and procedures. Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders. Written applications only and accompanying CVs/Resumes must be addressed to the Resident Manager at the following address: CHUKKA CARIBBEAN ADVENTURES (TCI) LTD. C/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1, Church Folly P.O Box 86, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands Phone: 649-332-1339, Fax: 649-946-1570 Email: rswann@chukkacaribbean.com,
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 14
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Water Cay on the market for £36 million
This paradise island is set to become home to a super-rich Robinson Crusoe after it was put up for a cool sale for £36million. Water Cay, in the Turks and Caicos is an entirely uninhabited 435-acre island with white sands and translucent waters. It has been described as “the private island opportunity” in the Caribbean and is primed for a billionaire to move in and call it home. While completely uninhabited and undeveloped, Water Cay is the most accessible private island in the Turks and Caicos. It is a 12-hour flight from London or 90 minutes from Miami into Providenciales International Airport, the main international airport serving the islands. From the airport, its just a 15 minute drive to Blue Haven Marina. The state-of-the-art concrete floating dock can accommodate superyachts up to 220-foot long, which can then easily navigate the five-minute ride to Water Cay. The two-mile long island has a striking shoreline, with jaw-dropping beaches, sandy cliffs, crystal Water Cay is on the market - and is all yours for just £36 million. clear waters and indigenous palmettos. TCA HANDLING is seeking
PASTOR EVAN WILLIAMS Of Middle Caicos SEEKS
SECURITY AGENTS
Church Musician
• Must have completed secondary education • Willing to work shift pattern including weekends, holidays and over-time • MUST be fl uent in the English Language • Clean Police record
Salary $6.00 per hour Contact 245-5266
The successful applicants must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the reasonable needs of the business and possess: ◊ A Proven and unblemished track record of employment ◊ A Positive and disciplined attitude toward work in a customer service oriented business ◊ Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills ◊ Trustworthy and reliable disposition ◊ Must be a team player and able to work in concert with others. ◊ Be well-spoken with English as primary language. ◊ A clean criminal record.
EARL BASDEN JR
In addition to the foregoing, interested candidates for the positions as:
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Screening and searching passenger bags • Searching aircraft • Guarding aircraft
Submit application along with photograph to: General Manager, TCA Handling Town Centre Mall, Providenciales
LOIS MCINTOSH seeks
2 FARMERS
ERNEST WILLIAMS SEEKS
ONE LABOURER
To work in North Caicos Salary $5.00 per hour
Contact 241-0574
Salary $5.00 per hour 5 days per week Interested persons should contact 442-0993
TRULY NOLEN
WANTED
Is looking for
ONE Two DOMESTIC experienced WORKER Pest control technicians
Much be able to work on call as well as regular working hours and holidays Contact 946-4272 or 231-0195
SEEKS
ONE LABOURER
Salary $8.00 per hour Mon-Fri 7-5 Contact 243-2590
TWO DOMESTIC WORKERS Responsible for cleaning and general upkeep.
Salary $6.00 per hour.
• Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and Holidays. • Clean police record. • Able to work under pressure.
TWO LABOURERS
Should be able to work shifts, physically capable to do hard manual labour and lift heavy equipment.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Salary $5.00 per hour Interested persons should contact Genara Rigby 241-2430
Supermercado Dominicano Ltd. and E&R Supermarket Ltd., an affiliated group of whole sale and retail sales stores, invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions:
Belongers need only apply. Interested person should apply to HR@intercaribbeanairways.com or via fax to HR Department at 649-946-4040 No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview
SHOP KEEPERS/SUPERVISOR/MERCHANDISER ◊ Must have at least 3 to 5 years extensive experience and advanced knowledge in the Grocery sales and Merchandising business. ◊ Must be proficient in the use and operation of relevant retail sales and merchandising computer software programmes, viz, Quick Books, Point of Sales Systems, etc. ◊ Must be able to work under little or no supervision ◊ Proficiency in another written and spoken language in addition to English will be a definite advantage. SALES CLERKS ◊ Must have a minimum of 3 years general sales and merchandising experience ◊ Computer literate HOUSEKEEPER/LABOURER ◊ Must be willing and able to attend to general housekeeping and general maintenance duties, including stocking of shelves, keeping store and surrounding areas clean, habitable and presentable. Suitable candidates that do not meet the above requirements may, at the sole discretion of the Company’s management team, be eligible for consideration in circumstances where they demonstrate a clear willingness to embrace the Company’s in-house training initiatives and established standard operating policies and procedures. Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders. Written applications only and accompanying CVs/Resumes must be addressed to the Resident Manager at the following address: The Managing Director, Supermercado Dominicano C/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1, Church Folly, P.O Box 86, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands Fax: 649-946-1571, Email: epic@epiccorporate.com
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 15
LOCAL NEWS
Rev. Hamilton wants road connecting Millennium Highway to Bay Road by VIVIAN TYSON
If Rev. Derek Hamilton has its way, he would gift the Blue Hills community with an access road that connects the Millennium Highway to Bay Road in the community. The Bethany Baptist Church pastor made the announcement on Sunday (September 21, 2014), at his 25th anniversary celebration of ministry in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rev. Hamilton told the audience that from as far back as 2003, he signaled his intentions to government that he wants to have the road created, so that the community could be better served. He informed the audience that the land to create the road has already been acquired by the church, but he continues to wait on government to grant the green light. He said that the church already approached success governments but has so far been brushed off. He did not indicate whether or not the Rufus Ewing administration has been approached. “We have acquired a plot of land just behind us (church), so that we can have access to the Millennium Highway. We
have been trying to do this since 2003, I think it was. We approached both governments and both governments did not give us a favorable response, in trying to get the access road from Millennium Highway to Bay Road,” he explained. Rev. Hamilton said that despite the cold shoulder shown by past administrations to his idea, he remains undaunted to grant such gift to the Blue Hills community. “And that is still my dream, to give Blue Hills (the road). That’s Bethany’s Gift to Blue Hills. And access road that connects (Blue Hills to Millennium Highway), I think it is important. I can do that, as long as you allow me, Bethany, to do that. And by God’s grace, I will do that. I believe that the opportunity is there to experience success,” Rev. Hamilton said. Rev. Hamilton also told the congregation that over the last 25 years the church has acquired quite a large portion of land so as to ensure that it has sufficient property space to carry out expansions where necessary. He pointed out that the church should not be placed in a position where
Houseman Requirements: • Ensure the cleanliness of all hotel areas • Assist with bellman duties • Maintain household cleaning supplies • Assist in all Housekeeping responsibilities, transporting linen, assist in cleaning of all guests’ room, stocking amenities and linens • Perform any other tasks or projects as directed by Housekeeping Management to continue high levels of guest care. • Ensure inventory is used properly and in supply at all times. • Ensure houseman room is kept clean, tidy and organized at all times • Assist housekeeping staff with laundry removal and unit cleaning • Clean and maintain lobby, entrance doors and bell trolleys Qualified Belongers need only to apply
Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department at (649) 946-8550
it has to negotiate with a neighbor as to what the kind of structure or operation it would want them to establish, and so decided to purchase all the land available immediately around the church complex. “We know that someday, it will be developed, so we were not going to be landlocked, and so, we acquired the parcel of land just behind us, and so we will have access to the Millennium Highway, but that’s for the future,” he said. In the meantime, Rev. Hamilton was showered with accolades for his tremendous work for his quarter century of service in the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially in the Blue Hills Community. Rev. Hamilton has served the Bethany Baptist for all of the 25 years that he has been in ministry, having taken over from Rev. Reuben Hall now retired. Rev. Hall was the guest speaker at the service. While lauding Rev. Hamilton for his sterling contribution to ministry in the TCI over the last 25 years, he also challenged him to be even more judicious in the face of challenging times.
Rev. Derek Hamilton
NAVA JEWELERS LTD, dba JEWELRY, world renowned jewelers and retail sellers of signature brand jewelry and jewelry related products, with a chain of affiliated jewelry stores and outlets throughout North America, the Caribbean and Worldwide, is now accepting applications/resumes from suitably qualifies persons as:
ASSISTANT MANAGER, JEWELRY SALES SPECIALISTS, SUPERVISORS AND MERCHANDISERS, JEWELERS, PRECIOUS STONES BRAND QUALITY CONTROL CLERKS, SALES CLERKS, and/or ASSOCIATES At the Company’s prestigious retail Jewelry sales and Jewelry related merchandise sales Store located at the Carnival Corporation’s Grand Turk Cruise Center, South Beach, Grand Turk. Requirements: • A sound educational background, and a minimum of five (5) years jewelry sales and general merchandising experience, in the case of Assistant Manager, Supervisors, Precious Stones and Brand Quality Control Clerks and two (2) years in the case of Sales Clerks and Associates, together with a proven and unblemished track record of employment in a highly trusted related field of employment and/or business. • A positive and disciplined attitude and aptitude toward work in a customer service oriented business. • Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills. • A trustworthy, dependable and honest disposition. • Must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays and irregular cruise ship schedule.
J & D Offi ce Supplies requires a
Certified COPIER TECHNICIAN For all Brands Please email resume to jdofficesupplies@tciway.tc J & D Offi ce Supplies requires a
Sales Clerk
Experience in Quick Books Point of Sale Please email resume to jdofficesupplies@tciway.tc
• Clean criminal record. • Unblemished employment history. • All candidates must be proficient in the English written and spoken word. Suitable candidates that do not meet the above requirements who, in the sole discretion of the Company’s management team, demonstrate a clear willingness to embrace the Company’s in-house training initiatives and established standard operating policies and procedures, may be eligible for recruitment in exceptional circumstances. Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Interested persons may submit their applications and resumes, via e-mail to: resume@effyjewelery.com, via fax to: 2127308887, or hand deliver the same to any senior member of the company’s staff at its store, commonly known as Jewelry located at Suite No. 2, Building 1, Grand Turk Cruise Center, South Beach, Grand Turk.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October the Ministry of Health and Human Services is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women born today will get breast cancer at some point. Although it is a rare form of cancer, breast cancer does occur in men and accounts for 1% of all breast cancers. It tends to occur at a later age in men than in women. The good news is that many women and men can survive breast cancer if it is found and treated early. • If you are between the ages of 40-49, talk to your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them. • If you are between the ages of 50 to 74, be sure to get a mammogram every 2 years. You may also choose to get them more often. If you have never had a mammogram the month of October is a good time to have one done. Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours has had breast cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms. The Ministry of Health and Human Services would like to encourage everyone to support the activities planned by the Cancer Foundation in Grand Turk and the Cancer Society in Providenciales. For more information, visit The Ministry of Health and Human Services Health Planning and Promotion Facebook page
Digicel offers all-new suite of data plans featuring free social networking
As more and more smartphone customers get hooked on social media, Digicel is making it easier for them to keep on top of their social networking and communication needs with an all-new suite of data plans and social networking benefits. From September 25, data users will be able to choose from a range of new data plans designed to suit the needs of any and all users and pockets. And, with pricing starting at as little as just $1 per day, users will be able to surf, stream and share on Digicel’s superfast 4G network safe in the knowledge that Digicel’s
commitment to value has their data needs covered. With price cuts of up to a third with these new existing data plans, Digicel is offering one day, seven day and 30 day plans all with generous data allowances and, free social networking thrown in on some plans. To sign up for the new prepaid plans customers simply have to dial *135#. Commenting on the all-new suite of plans, Head of Marketing for Digicel, Ava-Dayne Fulford said: “We are constantly talking to our customers to find out what they want and need from their mobile service –
and how we can ensure that they are getting value from us. “With our customers getting increasingly hooked on social networks, we decided to make that an integral feature of some of our most popular data packages – without cutting into their data allowance. Feedback from customers who have trialled the packages has been positive so we are delighted to be making them available to our wider customer base. We’re reducing the price of data for the average user by up to a third, so you pay for what you use, without wastage.”
Award-winning TCI-born headlined Women in Media leadership series
Turks and Caicos Islandsborn Jacqueline Charles, The Miami Herald’s award-winning foreign correspondent covering Haiti, headlined the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Women in Media Leadership Series Sept. 11, 2014. She is a 1994 graduate of UNC’s journalism school, where she cofounded the Carolina Association of Black Journalists. Charles, named the 2011 Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), was among the first foreign journalists to arrive in Haiti after
the devastating Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake. She was the first to report that Haitian President René Préval had survived the earthquake, and she spent the next 15 months in Haiti covering the tragedy. She co-produced a documentary on Haiti, titled “Nou Bouke,” that won a 2011 Regional Emmy Award. Charles was born in the English-speaking Turks and Caicos Islands and partly raised in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood by her Haitian mother and CubanAmerican stepfather. She began her journalism career at The Miami Herald as a 14-year-old high school
intern. After graduating from UNC, her first overseas assignment was to cover the return of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from exile. Her work has taken her throughout the Caribbean and as far away as Liberia, Africa, as one of a handful of NABJ journalism fellows – and recently to Kenya as an International Center for Journalists reporting fellow. She has also covered Miami’s impoverished communities, Broward County schools and government, social services and the Florida Legislature.
BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Butterfield Gold
Chief Financial Officer/Compliance Officer Required Qualifications: • Minimum Masters degree in Business Administration from reputable institution • CA/CPA required, additional certification in Business Information Systems desired • Minimum of 15 years experience in finance with exposure to global initiatives impacting financial industry compliance. • Minimum 5 years experience in the implementation and monitoring of compliance regulations and anti-money laundering initiatives. • Minimum 7 years executive management experience • Must meet the Compliance Officer certification requirements of the Financial Services Commission Qualified applicants must be of good moral character and reputation; must have excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt to a flexible working environment; must be a team player with excellent supervisory skills and an excellent work ethic. Salary range: $40,000 - $80,000. Salary will be based on qualification and experience. No phone calls
Applications should be addressed to: Attn: Brian Trowbridge Hallmark Trust Ltd. P.O. Box 656 Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI Or you may Email: btrowbridge@hbtl.tc or Fax: 649-946-5316
One (1) Driver/ Chauffeur Must have clean drivers license and Police Record Applicant must chauffeur Owners seven days a week on call including holidays. One (1) Painter Minimum of three (3) years work experience in the painting trade Wages: commensurate with experience starting from $7.00 per hour Island Pride Fuel One (1) Gas Attendant Good oral and written skills, no experience necessary. Knowledge of basic mechanically skills would be an asset. Knowledge to maintain gas pump machines would be an asset. Wages: $6.50 per hour Only Belongers apply for these positions Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified. Submit applications to by September 2, 2014 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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The Sands is now accepting applications/résumé for the following positions. Only highly self-driven & motivated, personable and professional individuals, whom have the desire to serve others, need apply: MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY & SKILLED POSITIONS GENERAL MANAGER
Responsibilities: • Full responsibility for operating success of the Resort • Ensuring that the selection, training and ongoing direction for Resort associates is such that it maintains high level of job satisfaction, morale and teamwork among associates in all areas • Achieve financial/budgeting goals and expectations as established in the annual business plan for all areas of responsibility, and organize/implement strategic and tactical plans to facilitate this aim • Achieve high levels of quality guest service and customer satisfaction for Resort guests Requirements: • Must have at least 8 years managerial experience at a property of similar size and quality. • Strong operational expertise in rooms; marketing; facilities/systems (including preventive maintenance); recreation and other ancillary disciplines • Must have managerial experience in the Condo Strata Management • Ability to inspire, train, and develop people for promotion by encouraging and supporting career development, and driving continuous learning • Ability to implement a highly consistent customer service culture • Ability to instill a highly consistent guest service attitude in all employees
HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR
Responsibilities: • Ensures maximum compliance and efficiency in the performance of Housekeeping staff in guest rooms and surrounding areas • Carries out the policies and procedures of Housekeeping Departments Standard Operating • Offers assistance to guests and owners, initiates corrective action on complaints of cleanliness and service to guest rooms • Assists in and conducts monthly Housekeeping Inventories as required • Conducts routine guest room and common area inspections. Provides inspections scores and retrains for success • Assists in and conducts staff scheduling and annual performance evaluations • Maintains inventory and stock controls • Ensure delivery of service excellence to all guests by monitoring staff performance and provides hands-on training and development • Evaluates and updates Executive Housekeeper on staff performance. Makes recommendations for appropriate action in the areas of disciplinary and commendation • Maintains quality controls and assurance • Assists in overseeing Laundry Department as required in service, quality, inventory, inspection, scheduling and overall performance Requirements: • High school diploma • Must have supervised a minimum of 15 employees • Most work tasks are performed indoors and outdoors. Temperature is moderate and controlled by hotel environmental systems • Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 3 hours in length • Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on a regular and continuing basis • Must be able to push and pull carts and equipment weighing up to 200lbs. on a regular and continuing basis • 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 have minimum of 3 years supervisory experience in the Hotel/Resort and/or Hospitality Industry • Must be able to speak, read, write and understand the primary language (s) used in the workplace • Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process
• Requires excellent communication and grammar skills, both orally and written to communicate well to guests and owners • Must possess basic math and computational ability • Must have basic computer skills in Hotel PMS, Word, Excel and Outlook • Must work weekends and holidays
POOL & BEACH SUPERVISOR
Responsibilities: • Oversees and maintain complete safety in and around pool and beach areas • Follows operating standards in accordance to TCI laws and hotel procedures on job duties and life-safety • Maintains proper levels of service and equipment furniture and maintenance • Assist in the conducting of guest activities in the pool areas • Monitor entire cleaning operations for the cleanliness, health and sanitation of the pools and surrounding area • Assist in every way possible to assure proper customer service is being upheld. • Enforces pool and beach sanitation and safety rules and requirements • Supervises pool and beach areas for safety and customer service • Monitors and upholds guest areas ( No Solicitation policy is enforced and facilities for registered hotel guests only) • Trains new employees on proper protocol and customer service • Ensures all furniture setting are inline, organized and set to hotel resort standards • Complete all tasks for the day and oversee all duties/projects in a timely fashion • Ensure safety precautions are followed in pool area and identify possible safety hazards and reports to management • Monitor supplies and reports all damaged furniture to management • Perform all other duties as assigned by the Property Manager Requirements: • High School Diploma • Must have prior pool/beach supervisory experience • Prior experience at a luxury property or hotel • Life-safety training and certification CPR, AED, First Aid, Water Safety required • Being an excellent swimmer is required period certification may be required • Working with Pool Chemicals is required • Working during inclement weather • Hands on knowledge of non-motorized sports equipment set-up and handling is required • Cleaning and skimming pools is required • Must be able to stand and work outdoors for an extended period of time • Weekend and flexible shifts are a must • Must have excellent written and oral communication • Must have outstanding customer service and leadership skills • Must be reliable and professional • Must be proficient with computers, including Excel, Word and Outlook. • Must be able to lift 30 lbs. • Must be able to multitask and follow direction. • Must be detailed oriented.
LINE POSITIONS HOUSEKEEPING ROOM ATTENDANT HOUSEMAN FRONT OFFICE AGENT LABOURER GROUNDSMAN For the above line staff positions, resort experience is an asset but not a requirement. Applicants must have a willing, positive and personable attitude as well as be willing to work holidays and weekends. They should also enjoy serving people and be willing to learn. Minimum experience in the areas of interest required.
Turks & Caicos Islands citizens need only apply to the Human Resources Manager Apply via email to the Assistant
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LOCAL NEWS
Prison and the mentally ill
torture was pleaded for reason of the direct and willful mistreatment of the There is an unaddressed issue in inmate by the authorities. The point here is that just as in a the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) case of physical loss, so too negligence about the treatment and proper care of the mentally ill. The overall for want of treatment relative to an problem becomes most acute when a inmate suffering under a mental mentally ill person commits a crime disability could lead to a claim for and is subsequently placed in prison, damages. The objective of this article is not to threaten but to highlight in a be this on remand or after sentence. timely manner that there is an extant issue which needs attention. General legal and penal To the credit of the TCI framework government and authorities there has been for some time a clinical A British Overseas Territory, psychologist and the government such as the TCI, has its legal now has a psychiatrist. However, the system based on English common facility for the proper treatment of law and local statutory provisions. the mentally ill still does not exist by The TCI, for historical reasons of way of a psychiatric institution. For political association, has some of persons requiring in-house carefully its laws derived from Jamaican and supervised treatment for some Bahamian custom and laws still mental illnesses, at minimum there existing. should be a psychiatric ward in the The first TCI prison was built hospitals of the TCI. in the 19th century. The European Convention on Human Rights and The English position Fundamental Freedoms (“The vis-a-vis TCI Convention” – ECHR ) commenced in England and Wales and by way of the UK government policy requires Human Rights Act 1998 on October 2, 2000 is an enforceable part of provision of proper care for the mentally ill from the health and domestic law in the UK. All British Overseas Territories social services (per. Mental Health are required to comply with the Act 1983). At any stage in the Convention as affirmed as being criminal justice system in the UK applicable in the TCI in the case of this provision is applicable. The Lincoln Eatmon, Jerome Lee, John courts in England have gone further Lieba v. Hallmark Bank and Trust and have ruled that prisoners should Limited/OLINT TCI Corporation have the same healthcare provision and David Smith – Action – CL 154 as those given to persons living in the of 2008. The case ruled that the community. The problem in the TCI arises ECHR was applicable in the TCI by when a particular inmate needs extension from the UK. Thus, a fair measure of parity institutionalised treatment in a is legislatively required in the health care facility. Schizophrenic treatment of and provisions for the inmates past and present have been mentally ill in the TCI via-a-vis the permitted to remain for long periods UK. Other human rights treaty imprisoned simply because there obligations are applicable to the TCI. is no facility in the TCI for proper Article 3 ECHR refers to “inhuman or treatment. The notorious incarceration of degrading treatment or punishment”. This is relevant in law as regards “Dutch Boat” for an extended period the avoidance of poor or inadequate in the prison, without any criminal prison facilities in the prison conviction but because no alternative system of the TCI. Also, Article 19 psychiatric facility existed in the TCI, of the United Nations Convention stands as precedent exemplifying against Torture and Other Cruel, the problem. Imprisonment of the Inhumane or Degrading Treatment mentally unstable without cause of or Punishment is relevant as regards criminal wrongdoing is wrong and both reporting and compliance with impermissible under humanitarian established international human laws. So, beyond merely prescribing rights standards and is relevant for large amounts of drugs for sedation all persons in prison custody. Failure of admission of the in a situation of emergency – the mentally ill to general hospitals question should be answered – to and clinics or in some situations which institution and with what level imprisonment without proper care of care is the person with a mental in prison may give cause for a legal disorder to be afforded in the TCI? In fairness to the TCI government claim of violations. In the 2007 case of Patrick Williams v. Superintendent they do have a drug and mental health of Prisons and Attorney General unit; however the criticism is not I successfully sued on behalf of a against the dedicated professionals prison inmate who was allowed to go doing competent jobs for the mentally blind in one eye fully a year and a half challenged, but relates back to the after the prison authorities were told need for full and adequate facilities by specialist doctors that immediate to care for the mentally ill. eye surgery was needed on one of Williams’ eyes. In that case specific
by Courtenay Barnett
governance issues, with a main focus on corruption, financial management and regulation of financial services The Lunatics Ordinance is dated legislation and needs to be amended and environmental issues. However, administration and good and brought up to a standard reflective of and stipulating the governance do in fact extend more requirements existing under the widely to all elements of the judicial, Mental Health Act 1983 ( as updated) legal and administrative structures, inclusive of mental health issues in England. Under section 45 (1) (c ) of the arising within the prison system. Prison Regulations, the Visiting Thus, the two aspects of the issue of Committee is empowered to inquire prisoners having mental health issues into the mental health and conditions are i) the archaic legislation in need of imprisoned persons and can of updating to standards applicable to make recommendations relative to modernity and ii) practical care with conditions which may be injurious integrity for provision of housing and to the prisoner’s welfare. Yet again, proper treatment of the mentally ill. there is a need for tending to the In fact, there should be consideration prisoner’s welfare in circumstances given to the general mental health where the incarcerated person is care situation in the health care mentally ill and/or where special sector of government for the building needs arise for psychological and/or of a proper mental health care facility psychiatric care (e.g. treatment of in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This recommended policy response persons with severe mental health would not merely address the prison challenges such as schizophrenia). Section 16 of the Criminal issue, but simultaneously can make Procedure Ordinance, dealing with provision for the needs of all the incapacity or fitness to plead, is persons who presently are facing not adequate to address what the mental health challenges in and out consequences of the court’s findings, of prison. On the aspect of small size of pursuant to law, imply for the individual accused placed in that the TCI population, it is not at situation who then finds himself all inconceivable that a teaching confined within the ambit of section hospital and/or specialist institution could be constructed thus making 51 of the said ordinance. Section 51 of the Criminal way for external sources of revenue Procedure Ordinance dealing with to enter the TCI while also providing the committal of a person of unsound a very high standard of needed care mind to an institution is wholly for those both inside and outside the inadequate in these modern times prison system. HMG has, quite commendably to comply with ECHR and modern demonstrated a very strong human rights stipulations. commitment to equality and human For, without such a facility or institution in the TCI the rights in the area of equality in administratively convenient choice sexuality and matters of preference of saving money by not sending the related thereto. No doubt, Her Government, with inmate to an overseas institution Majesty’s oftentimes overrides the legal equivalent commitment to the and morally correct choice of not rights of the mentally disabled, will indefinitely imprisoning the mentally be giving timely and very careful ill person. But, what of a number attention to the provisions of the of intermediate modern treatment European Convention on Human facilities and techniques which the Rights and relate those provisions to archaic TCI system simply does not these other very important human avail the mentally ill? Where is the rights issues. necessary and relevant TCI law? * About the author: Courtenay Barnett is an Attorney who has Conclusion argued many human rights One, being placed at the crux of cases. In 2009 he produced a prison study: legal dynamics in this and many comprehensive “Prison and penal reform in the other public interest matters over a Turks and Caicos Islands: a significantly long career, might make position paper for improvements this simple observation about - the establishment of small inpatient units in the prison system”. He, along attached to general hospitals and with a broad based team of linked to community rehabilitation professionals and academically services rather than the old equipped persons, subsequently full academic institutions in Jamaica – and - there gained accreditation through the seems to be a personal arrangement University of the West Indies for with professors in Jamaica to a more detailed prison study on provide psychiatric private inpatient prisoners and their rehabilitation. services to the mentally ill persons in the judicial system in the TCI, is the The project is approved for the Turks and Caicos Islands at order of the day. In recent times Her Majesty’s no cost to the local or British Government’s policies towards the government and has access to TCI have mainly centered around international funding.
Dated legislation
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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Hurry!
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NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Resort Development Opportunity on South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands, BWI. 56.18 acres of premium land located on the central portion of the eastern coastline of South Caicos, only 40 miles from Providenciales. ■
South Caicos is easily accessible via its airport (6,000ft runway) offering regular commercial flights and chartered flights from Providenciales, as well as Cockburn Harbour with regular ferry service from Providenciales. ■
Land comprises 14 adjoining inland, ridge-top and oceanfront land parcels with more than 2,400 linear ft of ocean frontage ranging from iron shore to pristine sandy beach. Elevations of up to 90ft offer sunrise and sunset views. ■
A partially completed resort development is located on portions of the property. ■
Existing development includes partially completed buildings with 490 condo units, 3 detached 3,800 sq ft residences (2 completed, 1 partially completed), a partially completed 60,000 sq ft club house, staff accommodations and a number of other back-of-house facilities. ■
The auction will be held at the offices of Misick & Stanbrook Barristers and Attorneys (Turks & Caicos Law Firm) Richmond House, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands at 10am on October 22, 2014. A reserve price will be fixed on the property. 10% is due immediately upon acceptance of a successful bid. Bidders are required to attend personally or submit a sealed bid to the offices of Misick & Stanbrook (Turks & Caicos Law Firm) Richmond House, Box 127 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands on or before the auction date. Terms and Conditions of Sale by Auction are available on request from Misick & Stanbrook (Turks & Caicos Law Firm). Phone # 649 946 4732. Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd. is selling as registered Chargee and Proprietor of a Charging Order. Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd. is not obliged to accept the highest or any bid.
F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w.t c i r e s o r t . c o m
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
AIRPORT PLAZA UNIT #4
333-6695 or 243-3706 or 345-3439
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CA
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
LOCAL NEWS
A performance caught the attention of Rev. Derek Hamilton and wife Buela.
The Bethany Baptist Choir ministers in song.
Rev. Pedro Williams offers the opening prayer.
Rev. Reuben Hall delivers the sermon.
Deaconess Zenneth Palmer prayed the offertory prayer.
Hon. Josephine Connolly (left) and Hon. Clarence Selver (right) were in attendance at the event.
Chairman for the event Deacon Lewellyn Handfield.
Deaconess Rhesa Cartwright reads Rev. Hamilton’s profile.
Deacon Willette Swann offers prayers for the Hamilton family.
Rev. Goldston Williams, Executive Secretary of the TCI Baptist Union.
Lucille Lightbourne offers the welcome speech.
Melfred Hamilton, pays tribute to his brother Rev. Hamilton.
Pamela Walkin recites a poem in honour of Rev. Hamilton.
Rev. Derek celebrates of min
Pastor for the Bethany Baptist Church Rev. Derek Hamilton celebrated 25 years of ministry in the Turks and Caicos. Rev. Hamilton, whose all 25 years was served at Bethany, was showered with tributes
from a number of persons, including the church family as well as his siblings. The event took place on Sunday (September 21, 2014) at the church in Blue Hills, Providenciales. The following are photo highlights of the event.
A member of the Bethany Baptist Youth Department (left) all dressed up as a miserable old man, shares a chuckle with Rev. Hamilton while viewing some of the pastor’s photos.
Marlin Award Winner and gospel songstress Robyn Hinds, wows the audience during her performance
Deacon Theophilus Durham reading the scriptures.
Rev. Ha Hinds a at his 2
The congregation reacts to one of the performances .
Rev. Derek Hamilton was among members of the audience moved by the scintillating performance of Robyn Hinds.
A’Janae R Hamilton
AICOS SUN
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The Children’s Ministry in performance.
Hamilton s 25 years nistry
Rev. Derek Hamilton and wife Buela enters the chapel.
The Music Department keeps the praise and worship flow going.
Rev. Pedro Williams of the Jericho Baptist Church and wife Tancita in obvious amusement at one of the performances.
Rev. Hamilton (second left) joined the Construction Crew – a vocal group they founded as youngsters – in a performance, which delighted the congregation.
amilton shows his appreciation to singer Robyn Danielle Mompremier – a member of the church after she delivered and mind-blowing performance – presents guest speaker Rev. Reuben Hall with a 25th Anniversary in Ministry celebration. gift following his sermon delivery.
Robinson makes a presentation to Rev. n on behalf of the Children’s Ministry.
Rev. Derek Hamilton accepts a gift from Danielle Smith of BEST Institute of BEST Institute.
Anthony Hamilton performs a song dedicated to his brother Rev. Derek Hamilton.
The Children’s Ministry was symmetrical in their dance presentation.
Bishop Coleta Alexander Williams III (left) of Abundant Life Ministries International share lens with Rev. Derek Hamilton and First Lady Buela Hamilton, shortly after presenting them with a gift.
Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRev. Derek Hamilton is all smiles as he accepts a gift from Louise Robinson and husband Lorne Robinson Garland-Thomas, a member of the church. attended the event.
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SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
ENTERTAINMENT
Over sized handbags and baggy blouses accentuate the women’s small frames.
Loewe SS15 selection of model’s seemed abnormally slim in comparison to other catwalks.
Dresses embellished with Niqabs, t-shirts printed with Putin
The designer insists unusual decoration has no reflection on the Syrian conflict.
Fashion and politics often crossover. Fashion weeks are met with antifur protesters and there are constant debates about the working conditions of people employed by clothing manufacturers. So it should come as no surprise to see sensitive subjects make an appearance at Paris Fashion. Day three of the event saw several designers pushing boundaries with their creative choices. Hussein Chalayan presented a collection of floaty evening dresses that revealed patches of bare flesh and came in a wash of grey tones. However, one particular dress caught the spectators attention. In his finale, the piece was completed with an illustration of a woman in a full Niqab slinking up the side split of the slender model. Other pieces in the collection featured silk jumpsuits and matching hats printed with army camouflage. The collection certainly displayed certain parallels with the current world conflicts but Chalayan insists that this was not his inspiration and said it actually reflected the relationship
between Spain and Maghreb. This is not the first time that the Turkish designer has caused controversy with his use of traditional dress in his clothing lines. In his most famous collection which he presented 16 years ago, displayed models all wearing a traditional burka in a line. However, each model became more and more naked until one was completely nude as they got further along the line. On the very same day that Chalayan presented his SS15 range another designer linked their line back to one of the world’s most wellknown political issues, with Russian president Vladimir Putin taking centre stage at the Talbot Runhof SS15 Collection. The much opposed leader appeared across the t-shirts of the models in the form of tourist posters with slogans such as ‘Visit Milan..Before He Does!’ The design took inspiration from t-shirts that were sold at Moscow’s Gum department stores printed with images of Putin in a Hawaiian shirt, cocktail in hand, with the headline Tennessee design duo Talbot Runhof used Vladimir stating: ‘Greetings from Crimea’. Putin as the print for their sports luxe t-shirts.
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ENTERTAINMENT Hussein Chalayan closed his SS15 show with a revealing dress illustrated with a woman wearing a Niqab.
Hussein Chalayan says that his collection takes inspiration from the relationship between Spain and Maghreb.
The Turkish designer presented colourful goggles alongside army print silks.
This collection was called the Moor’s Gaze.
With a picture of Putin, this t-shirt says “Visit Paris before he does”.
Draped, tiered or flared dresses built into a collection of classic, Chalayan fluid shapes, with plenty of new interest.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Dr. Dre is king of hip hop with Mike Tyson helps Las $620 million in earnings: Forbes Vegas crash
NEW YORK – With $620 million in estimated pre-tax earnings, veteran rapper and record producer Dr. Dre topped Forbes list as the highest paid hip hop artist, ousting Sean “Diddy” Combs from the top spot. Forbes said Dre’s estimated annual earnings for the 12 months between June 2013 and 2014 are the highest of any musician in any genre it has ever evaluated, and more than the combined takings of the other 24 names on the hip-hop list released on Tuesday. Much of the 49-year-old’s earnings this year came thanks to the $3 billion sale to Apple of the Beats high-end headphone company he founded with music executive Jimmy Iovine and other financial ventures, including cognac and vodka brands. Combs, 44, tied for second place with Jay-Z, 44, with $60 million, with earnings from drinks, clothing and television deals. Jay-Z, who toured with his wife, Beyonce, for the first time with their “On the Run” concerts, pulled in money from lucrative performances,
victim
Eminem performs with Dr. Dre at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California. his latest album and his Roc Nation entertainment empire, which assured him a place in the top five. Drake, 27, came in fourth with $33 million with takings from his album “Nothing Was the Same,” an endorsement deal with sportswear firm Nike and a concert tour. Grammy-winning duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis rounded out the top five
with $32 million. Forbes compiled the list by looking at income from record sales, publishing, merchandise sales, tours and endorsement deals and talking to managers, agents, lawyers and some of the artists. The earnings were calculated based on data from Pollstar, RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and Nielsen SoundScan.
Utah will appeal federal judge’s ‘Sister Wives’ bigamy ruling
Utah will appeal a U.S. federal judge’s ruling that declared part of the state’s bigamy law unconstitutional and sided with the star of reality television show “Sister Wives” and his four wives, officials said on Thursday. A spokeswoman for Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said the state has sent a notice of appeal in the case and will file the appeal within two weeks. “The scope of the appeal is being finalized,” said the spokeswoman, Missy Larsen. Last month, U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups finalized a December ruling that struck down part of the law that bars some consenting adults from living together in a romantic arrangement and criminalizes their intimate sexual relationships. Polygamy is illegal in all 50 states. But Utah’s law is unique in that a person can be found guilty not just for having two legal marriage licenses, but also for cohabiting with another adult in a marriage-like relationship when they are already legally married to someone else. Waddoups said in December that the law violates both the First Amendment’s clause on religious rights and the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause to protect personal liberty. The rest of Utah’s bigamy law
Kody Brown and his four wives from Sister Wives arrive at a Las Vegas event in April. remains intact so only individuals who fraudulently obtain multiple marriage licenses would be guilty. Bigamy is punishable by up to five years in prison. Waddoups also ruled last month that Utah County Attorney Jeff Buhman violated the constitutional rights of Kody Brown and his four wives, stars of the TV show “Sister Wives,” when he investigated them for bigamy.
Utah is the headquarters state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, which abandoned polygamy in 1890 as Utah was seeking statehood. Some sects and breakaway groups, however, follow the early doctrine of plural marriage. The Brown family and their 17 children are members of the Apostolic United Brethren, a Utah-based church which follows a plural marriage doctrine
Kris Jenner files to divorce Bruce Jenner
LOS ANGELES — Kris Jenner is ending her 22-year marriage to Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner. The “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” matriarch filed for divorce on Monday in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences. The pair’s relationship and its troubles have been featured prominently on the reality show that focuses heavily
on Kris Jenner’s daughters from a previous marriage,Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian. The women and their brother Rob were born during Kris Jenner’s previous marriage to Los Angeles attorney Robert Kardashian, who she divorced in 1991. Kris and Bruce Jenner have two children together, daughters Kendall
and Kylie. The divorce petition seeks joint custody of 17-year-old Kylie Jenner. Bruce Jenner won the gold medal for men’s decathlon in the 1976 Olympics. Court filings say he and Kris Jenner separated on June 1. The filings do not provide any additional details or how the former couple will split their assets. The divorce was first reported by celebrity website RadarOnline.com.
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson came to the aid of a motorcyclist who crashed on an interstate in Las Vegas last week, U.S. media reported. Tyson, who was convicted of rape in 1992 and has become known for erratic behavior, appeared on the scene after Ryan Chesley crashed and stayed with the rider until ambulances arrived, newspapers reported citing Chesley’s lawyer. Chesley later sent the boxer a fruit basket and a note reading: “It has to be the most reassuring thing in the world to have Mike Tyson telling people not to touch me,” according to a copy printed by The New York Daily News. “Tyson saw the whole thing ... Mike kept him calm until paramedics arrived,” Tyson’s spokeswoman Joann Mignano told Reuters. Chesley suffered broken bones and other injuries in the crash last Tuesday but was later released from hospital, media reported.
Pink Floyd sets Nov. 10 release date for new album
NEW YORK — Pink Floyd’s new album will arrive on Nov. 10. A Monday news release gives fresh details about “The Endless River,” the British rock ‘n’ roll group’s first new material in 20 years. The 18-song double album features band members David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright, who died in 2008. Roger Waters left the group in 1985 and isn’t involved. The album was assembled from 20 hours of material recorded during the band’s 1993 sessions for “The Division Bell.” Gilmour says in the release that the band “added new parts, rerecorded others and generally harnessed studio technology to make a 21st-century Pink Floyd album.” “The Endless River” is comprised mostly of instrumental music with just one song, “Louder Than Words,” that includes new lyrics, written by Gilmour’s wife, Polly Samson..
Tyler Perry is going to be a daddy
Guess who’s headed for fatherhood? Tyler Perry, 45, is getting ready to welcome his first child with Gelila Bekele, a source confirms to GossipCop. “He is thrilled and over the moon,” says the insider. Rumors that Perry’s 28-year-old on-off girlfriend is expecting surfaced last week after Bossip.com reported Perry had made the announcement at a birthday party. “I know I would be a great father,” Perry told Steve Harvey last April when asked if kids were in his future. “I don’t want to work this hard, I don’t want to have all of this and not leave it to my children.”
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ENTERTAINMENT
Ads pulled from LA buses amid complaints of racism
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is pulling ads for the Fox television show “Red Band Society” from nearly 200 buses amid complaints they are racist and offensive to women. The ads show cast members in front of a wall with graffiti describing each of their characters. A denigrating word for a woman is used to describe the character portrayed by Octavia Spencer, who is black. The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that transit officials began pulling the ads on Wednesday. They had been up for five weeks. “I don’t know if I find it more offensive because I’m black, or more offensive because I’m a woman,” said Jasmyne Cannick, who was among those who complained during a meeting of the transit authority’s board on Thursday. Spencer, who won a supporting actress Oscar for her role in “The Help,” plays a no-nonsense nurse in a hospital populated by teenagers
Kim Kardashian and her husband, U.S rap artist Kanye West, arrive at the Balmain Spring/Summer 2015 ready-to-wear fashion collection in Paris, France.
An ad for the new TV show Red Band Society featuring Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer has caused backlash. in the television drama. Her character is described as “Scary Bitch.” A white male actor is called “Coma Boy” and other actors’ characters are described as “Rebel,” ‘’The Player” and “The Hot Doc.” Fox said it offered to remove the language after learning people had
been offended and that it respected the agency’s decision to pull the ads instead and apologizes to those offended. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who sits on the transit agency’s board, called on transit staff to review their advertising policy.
‘The Lion King’ earns record box office
NEW YORK — Here’s something the folks at Disney can take real pride in: “The Lion King” is the top ticket of all time. With a worldwide gross of over $6.2 billion, “The Lion King” stage musical has now achieved the most successful box office total of any work in any media in entertainment history, The Associated Press has learned. The show quietly took over top spot from the $6 billion-earning “The Phantom of the Opera” late this summer, according to representatives from both shows. “Phantom” producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group congratulated “The Lion King” in a statement, calling their rival show “The Pride of Broadway.” The total makes “The Lion King” more valuable than any single Harry Potter film, the blockbuster “Titanic,” or any of the “Star Wars” movies. By way of comparison, the highest-grossing film in history is “Avatar,” with nearly $2.8 billion worldwide. “It’s difficult not to become emotional at this realization of the show’s impact,” saidThomas Schumacher, president and producer at Disney Theatrical Productions. He recalled the long
Kardashian jostled outside Paris fashion show
PARIS — Kim Kardashian received a fright at a Paris Fashion Week event Thursday when she was apparently jostled by someone waiting in a large crowd outside her car. The “Keeping Up With the Kardashians “ star had just exited her car at the posh Hotel Salomon de Rothschild when the kerfuffle erupted around 3 p.m. In a video posted on website TMZ.com, Kardashian appears to stumble briefly after a person lunges toward her feet. Bodyguards instantly push Kardashian out of the way and subdue someone who remains off camera. Kardashian’s mother Kris Jenner can be seen yelling “Stop it!” Ex-journalist Vitalii Sediuk, a former Ukrainian television reporter, told The Associated Press in an email that he is the person in the video, and that he’d only been trying to hug the star. “I didn’t mean any harm to Kim and went for a hug. Hope she is OK and Kimye won’t be mad at me,” Sediuk said in his email. Sediuk, 25, has gained a reputation for outlandish behavior on red carpets in Moscow, Los Angeles and Cannes. In May, he was arrested and spent two days in jail after jostling with Brad Pitt at a film premiere in Los Angeles. He also crawled underneath America Ferrera’s dress at a film premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Lion King on broadway. road the musical has taken from its beginning in four downtown rehearsal rooms in May 1997. “Our goal then was to tell the story purely and theatrically so that audiences could feel it in their heart,” he added. “And, to this day, that is the audience experience whether they see the show in Madrid; Appleton, Wisconsin; South Africa; Tokyo or Broadway. Of that, we are deeply proud.” The figure only calculates box office receipts from the various worldwide stage productions, not sales of posters or CDs and other merchandise, revenue from
the film, which grossed $423 million domestically, including its rereleased in 3D, or syndication and licensing fees. Currently, there are 10 productions of “The Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo Lion King,” including those in New York, London, in Hamburg, Germany, and on tour across North America. There’s no need to cry for “The Phantom of the Opera.” It’s still the longest-running show in Broadway history and 140 million worldwide have seen it. There are currently Singers Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo have eight productions with new ones broken up. planned for Moscow, Hong Kong After reports initially started doing the rounds on and Istanbul. Thursday morning, the 25-year-old singer confirmed the news during a radio interview with KDWB in Minneapolis that afternoon. And while he admitted that the long-time couple have indeed parted ways, he insisted there is no bad New York. blood between them. “Fashion Police” will return next ‘Everything is cool man. It’s not a bad situation, it’s January, starting with Golden not one of those kinds of things,’ he said. Globes coverage, E! said. According to People, the couple of three years ended No further details about the their relationship after spending the past few weeks show, including whether Rivers apart. would be replaced, were announced. Jordin, 24, and Jason were last seen being Other show hosts include Kelly affectionate with each other at the MTV Video Music Osbourne. Awards in Los Angeles on August 24.
E! says ‘Fashion Police’ will continue
The E! TV channel says that that “Fashion Police” continue, E! “Fashion Police” will continue said. Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, who is the show’s executive without Joan Rivers. In a statement Friday, the producer, agreed and gave her channel said it “thought long and “blessing,” the channel said. The 81-year-old Joan Rivers hard” about what Riverswould died Sept. 4, a week after going into have wanted for the show. The decision was made that the cardiac arrest during a procedure late comedian would have hoped at an outpatient surgery facility in
Jason Derulo confirms split from Jordin Sparks
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Monty by Jim Meddick
Reality Check by Dave Whamond
Brewster Rockit by Tim Rickard The Duplex by Glenn McCoy The Flying McCoys by Glenn and Gary McCoy
Poptropica by Paul Gilligan and Kory Merritt
Wizard of Id by Parker and Hart Reality Check by Dave Whamond
Pooch Cafe by Paul Gilligan
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
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FUN & GAMES
JOB ADVERTISEMENT Gansevoort Turks + Caicos is a contemporary luxury full service boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with Five Star experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring Five Star standards and services are continuously delivered.
Spa Manager The Spa Manager Gansevoort Turks & Caicos is responsible for the daily operations, management, and profitability of the spa, along with the highest level of customer service and quality work environment. Requirements • Oversee the management of all positions: front desk, spa technicians and teachers. • Coordinate new hire orientations. • Manage, coordinate, and/or conduct associate meetings and workshops. • Perform all Human Resources functions, according to corporate policies. • Monitor daily sales activities to ensure that all transactions are completed accurately. • Ensure the maintenance and cleanliness of spa facility. Control and maintain a high quality of music selection and HVAC. • Ensure spa treatment quality controls, including service, cleanliness, and product usage. • Manage the preparation of purchase orders for professional treatment and operational supplies. • Maintain proper inventory levels for all professional and retail products. • Finalize payroll. • Conduct annual performance reviews of supervisory and hourly associates, where applicable. • Partner with Controller to prepare monthly financial variance reports and participate in the development of the annual budget. • Maintain expertise regarding all standard operating procedures and policies. • Coordinate press visits, as requested by Corporate. • Assist with special projects, events, and promotions as needed. • Adhere to all corporate, departmental and spa operational policies and procedures.
• Respond to guest questions and associate concerns in a timely, professional manner. • Maintain a high level of guest rapport and service. • Adhere to company guidelines and core values. • Maintain a working knowledge of all Exhale classes, services, and products. • Attend an Exhale class a minimum of three times a week. • Demonstrate positive attitude and actions through a display of courtesy, service, cooperation, hospitality, sensitivity and professionalism to internal guests. • Manage department to achieve or exceed desired unit metric goals. • Increase gross margins of the business through optimal scheduling, staffing pans, and capacity utilization. • Improve guest service + satisfaction levels through heightened levels of communication and personal presence in the unit. • Demonstrate equal commitment to exhale’s soulful culture + profitable enterprise. • Manage department to achieve or exceed desired unit metric goals. • Increase gross margins of the business through optimal scheduling, staffing pans, and capacity utilization. • Improve guest service + satisfaction levels through heightened levels of communication and personal presence in the unit. • Demonstrate equal commitment to exhale’s soulful culture + profitable enterprise. Education and/or Skills Required • Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology or equivalent work experience. • Minimum of three (3) years experience in a Spa for Luxury Hotel. • Certificate in Massage Therapy required • Current CPR certification. Must be trained in Lymph Drainage and Craniosacral Therapy. • At least two (2) years professional teaching experience for beginning, intermediate and advanced yoga; also fitness training preferably in a high-end and/or hospitality environment. • Must be enthusiastic, motivated, and a team player. • Must possess computer proficiency with Windows-based products. • Must have outstanding experience delivering high-quality customer service. • Display good organizational, written, and verbal skills.
Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)941-7555. E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your Resume or C.V. to hr@wymara.com
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Come and join our winning team!!! Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, the only 6 Diamond all inclusive property in the Caribbean is inviting applications from suitably qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders for the following vacant positions.
Applicants must have a clean police record and a good command of the English language both written and spoken. In addition candidates must be able to work nights, public holidays and week-ends. The Resort thanks everyone for their interest in advance and advises that only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview. The Human Resources Department requires: Assistant Training Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Qualified to teach English Butler Program to certification o Knowledge of Food and beverage, Front office, Concierge (this is not exhaustive) o Ability to design training programs
The Watersports Department requires: Player Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically Fit o Certified in first aid o Certified Lifeguard
The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $30,000.00 to $40,000.00
The rate for the position listed above is $5.00 to $6.50 an hour.
Security Department Requires: Supervisor Requirements include but are not limited to: o One year’s experience in a hotel environment an asset.
The Engineering Department requires: Painter Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience as a painter o Physically Fit o Ability to carry out labour intensive task
Security Officers Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically Fit o Ability to write reports o Attention to detail and ability to enforce procedure
The Grounds Department requires: Irrigation Technician Requirements include but are not limited to: o Minimum 2 year experience o Experience with tropical or subtropical plants, Greenhouses and Irrigation o Physically Fit
Hourly rate for the above mentioned positions range from $5.00 to $9.00 Stewarding Department Requires: Steward Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically Fit o Ability to carry out labour intensive cleaning task
The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $7.00 an hour. The Spa Department Requires Lead Therapist Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience in supervising a team o Two years sales experience a must o Certification or experience in one or more of the following areas: Massage, Esthetics, Body treatments, Hair services, Tattoos and Nail services.
The rate for the position listed above is $5.00 to $5.50 an hour The Administrative Department requires: Loyalty Manger Requirements include but are not limited to: o Manager a sales team ( o Knowledge of rooms and categories o Ability to up sell o Ability to meet sales target o Manage the loyalty portfolio
Remuneration: Bi-weekly base pay plus commission The Gift Shop Department requires: Shift leader Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience in supervising a team o Two years sales experience a must o Ability to meet sales targets and quotas
The salary range for this position $35,000.00 to $45,000.00
Soon Come Back Liaison Requirements include but are not limited to: o Knowledge of rooms and categories o Ability to up sell o Ability to meet sales target o Manage the loyalty portfolio
The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $9.00 an hour.
The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $8.50 an hour The Kitchen Department requires: Head/ Chef Baker Requirements include but are not limited to: o Over 5 years’ experience in as a Baker o Ability to work all shifts especially the 11:00 pm to 7:00 am shift o Ability to train staff and develop new recipes The salary for the position listed above ranges from $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 Bar Department requires: Bartenders Bar Porters Hostess Requirements include but are not limited to: o Ability to mix a variety of drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic. o Outgoing personality o Ability to work in the sun o Physically fit The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $5.75 an hour. Photoshop Department requires: Supervisor Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience supervising Staff located in two retail outlets
Shop Attendant Requirements include but are not limited to: o 2 years’ experience in field o Ability to sell and make quotas
Accounts and Cost Control Department requires: Cost Control Clerk Requirements include but are not limited to: o Knowledge of inventory o Knowledge of customs o Physically fit and ability to lift 25lbs o Experience in Cost control, Accounts or a warehouse would be an asset The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $9.50 an hour. The Front Office Department requires: Airport Representative Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically fit o Customer service certified o Computer literate The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $9.00 an hour. Entertainment Department requires: Activities and Recreations Manger Senior Animator Requirements include but are not limited to: o Certificate in early childhood education an asset o Experience with stages Animated Characters o Ability to sing and dance The salary for the positions listed above is $25,000.00 to $40,000.00 The Projects Department requires: Labour Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically fit o Computer literate The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $8.00 an hour.
The rate for the positions listed above is $6.00 to $12.00 an hour.
Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to: mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com or Fax to: 941-4870 Attn: M McClean-Vaughn The Human Resources Department Beaches Turks and Caicos P.O. Box 186 Lower Bight Road
and
The Labour Commissioner Labour Department Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands
and should reach not later than October 18th 2014
SEPTEMBER 27TH – OCTOBER 4TH, 2014
CARIBBEAN
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NEWS
BCCI says Barbados should embrace IMF
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados –The Barbados Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCCI) Wednesday said it had urged the Freundel Stuart government to consider entering into a standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the island grapples to turn around an ailing economy. BCCI president Tracey Shuffle addressing a business breakfast meeting here said that the private sector had suggested that once a reasonable portion of the present fiscal deficit had been reduced, “the government
of Barbados could then consider the feasibility of engaging the IMF to enter into a standby arrangement. “We believed that would have allowed government to avoid any further erosion to the balance of payments while gaining access to funding to help fuel growth through critical project activations. “We also believed that would have given Barbados the flexibility to determine its level of engagement with the IMF while meeting agreed fiscal targets and having access to lower cost funding for capital projects to feed
major sectors of the economy.” She said that it would appear that a permutation of the first part of our suggestion has been undertaken while the second part has so far been roundly rejected. “What is clear is that the 19 month adjustment programme undertaken by government has been sluggish and well behind targeted pace in both revenue generation and expenditure cutting. “Reserves have been shored up by borrowings and seem to have stabilized for the last several months. So has this 19 month adjustment programme
Jamaica to receive US$68.8 million IMF disbursement
WASHINGTON D.C., United States – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday approved an immediate disbursement of US$68.8 million for Jamaica after completing the fifth review of the island’s economic performance under a four year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme. The IMF said that Jamaica’s economic performance under the US$932 EEF arrangement has remained strong and that “all quantitative performance criteria for end-June 2014, as well as the continuous quantitative programme targets and structural benchmarks, were met”. The Washington-based financial institution said gains from Jamaica’s demanding reform programme are emerging. “Jamaica has recently regained market access -raising valuable financial resources -and its external position has strengthened, helped by gains in competitiveness. “Earlier projections of a gradual pickup in economic activity and employment and moderating inflation are playing out, although dampened in the near term by the effects of the recent drought. Growth is projected to reach just over one per cent in 2014/15, while inflation is trending down to about eight per cent,” the IMF said. But it noted that downside risks remain relatively high. “Comprehensive and timely implementation of the government’s economic strategy, supported by the
Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. international community, should foster recovery, job creation and declining poverty.” The IMF said a swift removal of regulatory and financial impediments to investment would provide a much needed boost to growth and job creation, while keeping Jamaica’s public debt on a sustainable path is critical for growth over the medium term. “In that regard, locking in the
substantial gains from the fiscal consolidation hinges on accelerating the modernization of the public sector, enhancing the efficiency of public expenditure, and strengthening revenue administration.” It said that to deliver private financing for growth-enhancing investment, the authorities’ agenda to reform the financial sector aims to continue improving its regulatory and supervisory framework.
brought with it the confidence that our economy will be fuelled up and ready for growth over the next three to five years? Clearly not,” she noted. Shuffle told the breakfast meeting discussing the “Merits and Demerits of a Formal IMF Programme”. “We all know that a formal IMF engagement can only be established by government invitation but we believe that whether or not such a decision is taken in coming months, the business community must be adequately informed about what that is likely to mean”.
Trinidad police station comes under attack
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – A police station on the outskirts of the capital came under gunfire on Thursday night following a gun attack in the area that left three people, including a Jamaican national dead. Police public relations officer, Inspector Wayne Mystar, speaking on radio here Friday, said that shortly after 9.30 pm (local time), police officers had received information about gunshots from an area in Laventille, along the east-west corridor. “Shortly afterwards…police officers from the Besson Street police station had to take evasive action as a result of shots being fired at the station from a northerly direction. Members of the Guard and Emergency Branch were called in to render support,” he said. He said police investigations so far reveal that five men were in the Laventille area when a black vehicle and the occupants inside fire gunshots on the group, hitting all of them. “As a result three persons succumbed to their injuries, two are presently at the Port of Spain general Hospital. Information is that one Dillon Skette, Joel Cash and one Jamaican national, Sherwin Thomas deceased,” he added. Media reports Friday identified Skeete as a gang leader. Mystar said that the situation “is quite calm” and that the area is secured and police officers have returned to their normal duties. Asked whether the police are expecting reprisals, Mystar replied “in situations like these we expect the unexpected so we expect anything to happen so we are on alert to ensure that law and order is maintained”.
Caribbean chikungunya cases top 738,000 The tally of chikungunya cases in the Caribbean, pushed by 19,000 new cases in the Dominican Republic, has surpassed 738,000, and Florida has registered another locally acquired case of the mosquitoborne viral infection, according to public health agencies. In a recent update, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said the count as of
Sep 19 for the Caribbean and neighbouring regions reached 729,178 suspected and 9,537 confirmed cases, for a total of 738,715. That amounts to an increase of 22,185 in suspected cases and 886 confirmed cases since Sep 12, the report shows. The Dominican Republic’s tally of suspected cases has reached 486,306, up by 19,240
from a week earlier. Confirmed cases in the country stayed the same at 84. In neighboring Haiti, the case count stayed at 64,695, about the same as it was in late July. Other places that reported rising cases were Curacao, with 665, compared with just 37 a week earlier, and Jamaica, with 122 cases, up from 17 a week ago.
Meanwhile, Broward County, Fla., home to Fort Lauderdale, reported its first locally acquired chikungunya case on Sep 19. The case apparently marks the 10th indigenous case in the continental United States, all of them in Florida. The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) reported the
case in a Sep 19 statement. The agency gave no details about the patient but stressed advice for avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Other locally acquired cases have been reported in Florida’s Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, a Sep 19 story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel noted.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
St Vincent, St Lucia to receive EU funds for devastating 2013 floods BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The European Union has agreed to allocate approximately EC$45.5 million (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) in grants for St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia after both countries were affected by a devastating weather system in December 2013. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which suffered the heaviest damage, is earmarked to receive EC$23.5 million and St. Lucia EC$22.4 million. This long-term reconstruction support will be in addition to the EC$1.4 million of emergency humanitarian assistance provided by the European Union to the
affected populations in the two countries immediately after the storm. The floods, which accompanied the severe weather system, created flash flooding and resulted in the deaths of more than 15 people. It also significantly impacted infrastructures in both countries with substantial damages to roads and bridges, with impact concentrated in areas with the highest levels of poverty. The funds will be dedicated to the reconstruction of key infrastructure damaged by the floods and to build resilience by improving river protection and slope stabilisation in major areas of
the countries. The Chateaubelair Jetty in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Piaye Bridge in St. Lucia which were extensively damaged during the storm are infrastructure that could potentially benefit from the EU intervention. “This support demonstrates the EU’s commitment to the reconstruction of both countries and further highlights Europe’s solidarity with the Caribbean, which we recognise as one of the most vulnerable regions in the world,” said Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Ambassador Mikael Barfod.
Haiti president seeks to attract investors in energy, tourism, industry sectors NEW YORK, United States – Haiti’s president Michel Martelly has told an international conference here that while “major challenges” still remain, the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country is strengthening democracy and rebuilding the infrastructure damaged by a powerful earthquake in 2010 that killed more than 300,000 people. Martelly, accompanied by Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe met with international donors as part of “Haiti Partners” to discuss ways to improve the delivery of aid to the Caribbean country. Martelly, who provided an update on the country’s development since the earthquake that left more than a million people homeless, said that Haiti was now a vast construction site, with schools, vocational training centers, roads, bridges housing being built or under construction. “Major challenges remain, however, my administration and the government, led by my dedicated, talented and tireless Prime Minister, undertook the necessary task of guiding the Republic of Haiti to a broad programme of profound reforms of its institutions,” Martelly said. He said the government was also committed to doing more to attract direct investments, especially in the fields of energy, tourism, industry, and to enjoy the benefits of new legislation passed by the United States giving duty-free access to the American market for textiles and other products, so as to create jobs in Haiti. Martelly said he counted on the solidarity of donors to help the country strengthen the capacity of its
From left: PM Lamothe, President Martelly and Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Duly Brutus. institutions to achieve the desired level of economic and social development. “It is in this context that my administration began a fierce fight against corruption, against tax evasion, and to strengthen the rule of law, for the provision of quality education for all children in the country, ” Martelly said as he informed that 1.75 million children were now go to school free of charge. He assured that the democratic process in Haiti was irreversible, despite the perception of permanent crisis, committing his administration to the rule of law. During his address, President Martelly said he has made all the concessions and adopted all the necessary measures aimed at advancing the electoral process, but reminded that Haiti was only waiting for the approval of the amended electoral law, which is an attribution of parliament, for voting
to take place. Elections – to elect two-thirds of the 30-member Senate, the entire Lower House and all the local government entities – were planned for the end of the year, but blamed a group of Opposition senators for failing to pass the necessary legislation to ensure elections are held. Prime Minister Lamothe told the meeting that Haiti was indeed improving adding “we want to tell you that things are moving forward, things are improving in Haiti today”. “We have made tremendous progress, but there are also enormous challenges in the years to come,” said Lamothe encouraging donors to fully respect their commitments to the rehabilitation efforts. He also urged foreign investors to do business in the French country so as to create sustainable jobs and stimulate the economy.
St Vincent issues entry restriction as Trinidad evaluates Ebola preparedness PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has announced that, with immediate effect, all travellers to St Vincent and the Grenadines from West Africa, especially students from Nigeria, must be in possession of a valid entry visa and certified medical certificate indicating that they have been tested for Ebola and are clear from infection. Failure to adhere to this measure will result in these passengers being
denied entry into St Vincent and the Grenadines. Meanwhile, local stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago have been evaluating the country’s preparedness to combat the virus. On September 16, stakeholders met at the National Operations Centre concerning the Ebola virus. During the meeting, Dr Colin Furlonge gave a brief account of the present state of the Ebola virus and the
present state with respect to surveillance, detection, treatment, prognosis and the current state of readiness/preparedness. The topics discussed at the meeting included the creation of committees to deal with various aspects of the prevention and treatment of the virus comprising of selected members of the stakeholders committee as well as the need to hold a meeting with Tobago stakeholders to ensure their readiness to respond to an Ebola threat.
New investment in Puerto Rico exceeds $1billion
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Nicholas Prouty, CEO of Putnam Bridge, announced the firm’s plan to begin construction on the third phase of Ciudadela, a mixed-used development in the heart of Santurce. The project adds to a growing list of other large scale investments in Puerto Rico by leading investment firms such as Putnam Bridge, Paulson & Co and The Encanto Group. Ciudadela is a $108 million endeavour that will create over 1,000 construction jobs. Through this project and others, over $1 billion dollars in upscale property deals have been executed on the island in recent years. When complete, the mixeduse development will include a $6 million public park, 252 state-of-theart apartments and 50,000 square feet of retail space in a beautiful area currently underutilized. Developments like Ciudadela are creating sustainable communities in Puerto Rico, with reliable public transportation and first-class amenities. The demand for these units in walkable and culturallyrich areas like Santurce is strong, evident by the fact that nearly all of the units in another Putnam Bridge development on the island have already sold out, even before the project has been completed. “Puerto Rico’s five-year economic plan is contingent on innovative investments, both public and private,” said the Secretary of Economic Development Alberto Baco Bague. “Development projects like Ciudadela demonstrate the growing demand for high quality residential properties and a high-standard of urban living. I am looking forward to continuing work with Putnam Bridge and welcome other firms to develop our beautiful and unique island.”
Trinidad and Tobago government to sell CLICO PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago’s minister of finance, Larry Howai, has confirmed that Colonial Life Insurance Co Ltd (CLICO) is to be sold. He stressed however that the price must be right. Speaking at the meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, Howai also revealed that the government would be paying out before the end of this year $258 million to several Eastern Caribbean states for managing the costs involved in the CLICO fallout. The House was going through the expenditure in the Ministry of Finance allocation of $9.4 billion in the 2014/15 budget. “We expect that we would be disposing of the portfolio by way of a portfolio sale,” Howai said. Asked by MP Colm Imbert why, Howai said the government would have had to invest $1.5 billion more to purchase the assets of CLICO and to capitalise the company under the new insurance regime.
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Vatican arrests former ambassador to Dominican Republic over child sex abuse VATICAN CITY, Italy – The Vatican has placed Jozef Wesolowski, its disgraced former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, under house arrest on charges of sexually abusing children. The former archbishop only escaped incarceration in a police cell on account of his health. The Vatican recalled Wesolowski from the Dominican Republic a year ago after the allegations emerged, and a Vatican tribunal recently found the Polish-born priest guilty under
canon law of abusing young boys and defrocked him. He will now be tried by a criminal court, becoming the highest-ranking official ever to face abuse charges in the Vatican, and may face jail if found guilty. The case has attracted international attention, given that Wesolowski was a papal nuncio (an ambassador of the Holy See) and had been ordained both a priest and a bishop by St John Paul II. The arrest reflected Pope Francis’s wish “that such a grave and delicate
case be handled without delay, with the just and necessary vigour,” according to a Vatican spokesman. It is in keeping with the pope’s promised crackdown on clerics and employees of the Catholic Church who exploit minors. Francis has publicly likened their actions to a “satanic mass,” and strengthened the Vatican’s laws against child abuse last year. In the Dominican Republic, Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito had ordered an investigation last August in the wake of local media reports that
World Bank endorses DR strategy to broaden economic, social options Washington D.C., United States – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Thursday endorsed a new strategy to support the Dominican Republic’s efforts to broaden economic and social opportunities for citizens. The strategy offers a new lending program of US$550 million and advisory services over the next four years. The new strategy was jointly prepared by the Dominican Government, and the World Bank Group (WBG) comprised by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). “Economic growth in the last decade has been strong, but with little impact on poverty reduction. This Country Partnership Strategy with the World Bank Group will support our efforts to achieve a more just country, with better opportunities for all,” said Temístocles Montás, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development. While the Dominican Republic grew at an average of 6.7 percent per year over the last decade, making the country one of the top performers in the Latin America and Caribbean region, poverty and unemployment have remained high, with 46 percent of rural Dominicans living in poverty and about 30 percent of young people unemployed. “The Dominican Republic has significant potential to create more and better jobs, as well as to improve access to finance, to more reliable electricity
Temístocles Montás, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development. and telecommunications, and to better services in education, health, water and social protection, for the poorest 40 percent of the population,” said Sophie Sirtaine, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. “ To achieve these goals, the strategy agreed with the Dominican government will among other things, improve access to quality public services by increasing the number of new teachers in the system, provide access to improved sanitation, increase access to electricity and improve the business climate. A critical part in the strategy will be played by IFC, the largest global development institution focused
exclusively on the private sector. The IFC’s committed portfolio in the Dominican Republic stands at US$208 million. “IFC has partnered with the Dominican private sector for more than 50 years in critical areas such as diversifying the energy matrix, increasing access to financing for small and medium entrepreneurs, and supporting new infrastructure,” said Ary Naim, IFC’s Country Head for the Dominican Republic. “With this new strategy, we plan to build on these strong partnerships, helping the country generate productive jobs and continued economic growth.”
Bahamas government reliance on China ‘squeezing out’ local entrepreneurs
NASSAU, Bahamas – What would appear to be the Bahamas government’s “default position” in favour of Chinese technical expertise and Chinese funding is “squeezing out” local entrepreneurs throughout the supply chain, according to a prominent financial services professional. Kenwood Kerr, chief executive officer of Providence Advisors, spoke with Guardian Business on Monday. “It would appear that every major project seems to be, by either intent or default, driven by the Chinese,” Kerr said. “It just seems to me that our own government seems to prefer, in every instance, either Chinese financing,
Chinese technical expertise and with that comes Chinese labour. “That squeezes out local institutions, it squeezes out local service providers – in terms of the engineering, the construction, the banks – and it squeezes out the labour, because their business model is to bring their labour with their capital. “So we have to be careful about that.” He noted the cautious stance taken by both China and the US in regards to their bilateral relations and the historical relationship between The Bahamas and the US. “And they (the US) have met our demands, whether it be the sea rescue,
the drug interdiction – whatever it is. Our economic engine is based on North America, for the most part. So we have to be very careful of the extent to which we indulge [and] cater to those (Chinese) interests.” The Export-Import Bank of China is funding, or has funded – in varying degrees – a number of high-profile projects in The Bahamas, beginning with the new sports stadium in Oakes Field and continuing with the multibillion-dollar Baha Mar project on Cable Beach, a new domestic and foreign port facility in North Abaco valued at close to $50 million and part of the New Providence Road Improvement Project.
Wesolowski was suspected of child sexual abuse and a Dominican TV station showed him wandering alone along the waterfront of the capital. According to Dominican authorities, their investigation uncovered allegations that Wesolowski had paid several minors to let him watch them masturbate and had recorded it with his mobile phone. Prosecutors could not file charges at the time because of the then bishop’s diplomatic immunity. Wesolowski is now expected to go on trial before year-end.
Burglar bars prevent couple escaping tragic house fire
PARAMARIBO, Suriname – A 51-year-old man and wife were killed after burglar bars on the windows prevented them from escaping a fire that ravaged their house in the capital, fire officials have said. Police have identified them as Ashokkoemar Dahoe, 51, and his wife Soemintra, whose age was not disclosed. The Fire Department said that the burglar bars on their windows had prevented them from escaping the house. It is not clear what ignited the fire that struck just after 1.00 a.m (local time) official said, with neighbours reporting reprting hearing “a loud bang and within no time the entire house was engulfed in flames”. On neighbor said that they tried to force the burglar bars off, but the flames were leaping out of the window. “All windows were protected. They placed the burglars for their own protection but the things became their downfall. Such nice people, such a horrific way to die,” he added.
Delta airlines expands seasonal to Caribbean
ATLANTA, United States – Delta Air Lines will start weekly seasonal service from the airline’s hub in Minneapolis/ St. Paul to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Nassau in the Bahamas, starting January 2015. Flights will be operated on Airbus A320 aircraft with 150 seats, including 12 seats in Business Class, 18 Economy Comfort seats featuring up to four inches of additional legroom and complimentary beer, wine and spirits and 120 economy seats. Delta customers throughout the Midwest will enjoy conveniently-timed connections to these resort destinations. The service complements existing winter seasonal flights from the airline’s Minnesota hub to cities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
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NEWS
Trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect delayed
A two-month delay has been granted for the trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, but a judge has denied a defense request to move it from Boston. Judge George O’Toole ruled Wednesday night that the trial will begin Jan. 5 instead of November 3, but he rejected a request that it be moved to Washington, D.C., saying there’s no reason to assume in advance that a fair jury cannot be selected in Massachusetts. Defense lawyers had asked for a trial delay until at least September
2015, saying they have not had time to prepare for a November trial, and had been given less time than was granted in many other federal death penalty cases. They’d also asked that the trial be moved to Washington, D.C., citing extensive media coverage of the bombing in Boston and evaluations of public sentiment by their experts. “Although media coverage in this case has been extensive, at this stage the defendant has failed to show that it has so inflamed and pervasively prejudiced the pool that a fair and impartial jury cannot be empaneled in
this District,” O’Toole wrote. Tsarnaev, 21, has pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors say he and his older brother placed two pressure cooker bombs that exploded near the marathon’s finish line. Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, died in a shootout with police several days later. O’Toole wrote that a short delay is warranted because of the large amount of evidence the defense has received
MPs support UK air strikes against IS in Iraq
The UK Parliament has backed British participation in air strikes against Islamic State extremists in Iraq. After a seven-hour debate, MPs voted for military action by 524 votes to 43. The Conservatives, Lib Dems and Labour leaderships all backed air strikes although some MPs expressed concerns about where it would lead and the prospect of future engagement in Syria. The BBC’s political editor Nick Robinson said RAF planes could be called into action as early as Sunday. Speaking after the vote, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said a long campaign lay ahead and there would not be a “series of immediate hits”. He told the BBC the priority would be to stop the “slaughter of civilians” in Iraq and the UK and its allies would continue Six RAF Tornados will take part in attacks on Islamic State targets. to be guided by Iraqi and Kurdish They were joined in the no lobby by as an aide to shadow defence secretary intelligence in identifying targets. Vernon Coaker for failing to back air Green MP Caroline Lucas, three Social Democratic and Labour party MPs and strikes. In other developments: Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg Respect MP George Galloway. Two • The Pentagon said four IS tanks had been said it was “impossible to reason with” MPs acted as no tellers during the vote, destroyed during the latest US raids in Syria • Denmark and Belgium say they will Islamic State and the UK should not be Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn and the SNP’s contribute seven and six fighter planes “paralysed” by the legacy of the 2003 Iraq Pete Wishart. Earlier, Prime Minister David respectively to the international coalition. The War. And Mr Miliband - who a year ago Cameron told MPs that intervention at UK is contributing six Tornado strike aircraft. • Speaking in a separate debate in the forced the prime minister to abandon the request of the Iraqi government was House of Lords, the Archbishop of Canterbury, plans for air strikes against the Syrian “morally justified” to combat a “brutal Justin Welby, supported action but called for regime by inflicting a Commons revolt terrorist organisation” and was clearly “an ideological and religious” solution rather on the issue - said the UK “cannot simply lawful. He said Britain had a clear “duty” to stand by”. than a military one. Speaking after the vote, Labour MP join the campaign, saying IS was a direct • The widow and daughter of murdered British aid worker David Haines back RAF air John McDonnell - who voted against air threat to the UK and he was not prepared strikes - said the previous intervention to “subcontract” the protection of British strikes in Iraq was one of the causes of the streets from terrorism to other countries’ air forces. Shadow education minister emergence of the jihadist movement. He won support from Labour leader Some 23 Labour MPs voted against Rushanara Ali, the MP for Bethnal Green Ed Miliband who said inaction would lead air strikes, as did six Conservatives, one and Bow, resigned from the party’s front Liberal Democrat, two Plaid Cymru MPs to “more killing” in Iraq, large swathes of bench in order to abstain in the vote. which are controlled by Islamic State. Labour MP Iain McKenzie was sacked and five Scottish National Party MPs.
from prosecutors. But he said, “An additional delay of ten months as requested by the defendant does not appear necessary.” Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed they would need to summon about 2,000 potential jurors, but they filed more than 100 pages of legal briefs arguing over moving the trial. The judge agreed with prosecutors’ arguments the defense’s expert evaluations were flawed, and that eastern Massachusetts’ diverse population of over 5 million is sufficient to pick a jury.
Woman punched by cop to receive $1.5m settlement
A woman punched repeatedly by a California highway patrol officer on the side of a freeway in an incident caught on video will receive $1.5m under a settlement reached on Wednesday, and the officer has agreed to resign. CHP commissioner Joe Farrow confirmed the settlement in an emailed statement and an attorney for Marlene Pinnock confirmed the dollar amount for the Associated Press. The agreement came after a ninehour mediation session in Los Angeles. “When this incident occurred, I promised that I would look into it and vowed a swift resolution,” Farrow’s statement said. “Today, we have worked constructively to reach a settlement agreement that is satisfactory to all parties involved.” The statement said that Officer Daniel Andrew, who joined the CHP in 2012 and has been on paid administrative leave since the incident, “has elected to resign”. Andrew could still be charged criminally in the case. The CHP forwarded the results of its investigation of the incident to Los Angeles County prosecutors last month, saying he could face serious charges but none have been filed yet. The bulk of the settlement will take the form of a special needs trust for Pinnock, the CHP said. Pinnock’s attorney Caree Harper said the settlement fulfilled the two elements her side was looking for. “One of the things we wanted to make sure of was that she was provided for in a manner that accommodated her unique situation in life,” Harper said, “and that the officer was not going to be an officer anymore and we secured those things.”
Syrian refugees refuse to disembark in Cyprus after rescue
LIMASSOL (Cyprus) – Almost 300 mostly Syrian refugees rescued by a cruise liner were refusing Friday to disembark in Cyprus’s southern port of Limassol, demanding instead to be taken to Italy, the cruise company said. A total of 345 migrants, mainly women and children,
had been plucked from a boat in trouble off the coast of Cyprus on Thursday by a Salamis Cruise Lines ship, according to the company and Cypriot authorities. Some 700 paying passengers disembarked from the 157-metre liner, police said, but only 65 of those rescued at sea left the ship.
The others refused to budge, the shipping company said. “We were supposed to sail at 10:30 tonight (2130 GMT Thursday), unfortunately these people want to negotiate,” Kikis Vassiliou, managing director of Salamis Cruise Lines, told reporters. “They want us to send them to Italy.”
“We did our outmost to save their lives, to give them food, support and now they want to destroy this company,” he added, speaking of several hundred thousands of euros (dollars) in losses. “There is no responsible person to negotiate and to explain the situation,” he
bemoaned. At 4:00 am (0100 GMT) Friday, negotiations were continuing, with doctors, nurses, civil defence and Red Cross workers on hand. The 65 refugees who willingly left the ship were bussed to the Kokkinotrimithia camp not far from Nicosia.
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Outrage ensues after Obama coffee cup salute
The latest round of outrage aimed at President Obama was caused by his morning caffeine fix. When the president exited Marine One in New York City Tuesday en route to the United Nations, he had a coffee cup in his right hand as he lifted it to salute the two Marines who greeted him there. This gesture, according to all those who took to Twitter using the hashtag, #LatteSalute was just downright disrespectful. “Embarrassed by president’s salute! So arrogant! #LatteSalute” wrote one user, @EmilyDickerson, on Twitter. “As an Iraq vet, seeing OB’s #LatteSalutemakes me sick! He repeatedly show disrespect to my fellow service members,” wrote @GeoKat. Some commenters took a different
tack, suggesting the president was being hypocritical for using a nondisposable cup on his way to address the issue of climate change at the United Nations. “The worst part of this is that he’s using a disposable, non reusable cup! That he’s contributing to the 71 million tons of garbage in the landfill per year, that’s the real issue. Focus on the pressing issues, please, we’re choking the planet!!,” wrote janenebecker123 on Instagram. Sensing an opportunity, the National Republican Congressional Committee posted the video to its website, writing, “This might be the most absurd video of President Obama we’ve ever seen.” They invited people to express their outrage, of course, by donating money to elect Republicans.
The White House shares a great deal of responsibility for the outrage, however. The video made the rounds after it was posted to the official White House Instagram account. It’s unclear whether #LatteSalute is the correct shorthand for the screw up. The president generally drinks tea, not coffee. While civilian presidents are not required to salute in response to the Marines who greet them upon landing, it has become a tradition dating back to President Ronald Reagan. Mr. Obama is not the only president to salute with his hands full. Former President George W. Bush was frequently seen saluting while holding his Scottish Terrier, Barney. He tended, however, to shift Barney to his left hand so he could salute with his right.
Iraqi woman activist killed by Islamic State
Militants with the Islamic State group tortured and then publicly killed a human rights lawyer in the Iraqi city of Mosul after their selfproclaimed religious court ruled that she had abandoned Islam, the U.N. mission in Iraq said Thursday. Gunmen with the group’s newly declared police force seized Samira Salih al-Nuaimi last week in a northeastern district of the Mosul while she was home with her husband and three children, two people with direct knowledge of the incident told The Associated Press on Thursday. AlNuaimi was taken to a secret location. After about five days, the family was called by the morgue to retrieve her corpse, which bore signs of torture, the two people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fears for their safety. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, her arrest was allegedly connected to Facebook messages she posted that were critical of the militants’ destruction of religious sites in Mosul. A statement by the U.N. on Thursday added that al-Nuaimi was tried in a so-called “Sharia court” for apostasy, after which she was tortured for five days before the militants sentenced her to “public execution.” Her Facebook page appears to have been removed since her death. “By torturing and executing a female human rights’ lawyer and activist, defending in particular the civil and
Samira Saleh al-Nuaimi human rights of her fellow citizens in Mosul, ISIL continues to attest to its infamous nature, combining hatred, nihilism and savagery, as well as its total disregard of human decency,” Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N. envoy to Iraq, said in a statement, referring to the group by an acronym. The statement did not say how she was killed. Among Muslim hard-liners, apostasy is thought to be not just conversion from Islam to another faith, but also committing actions that they believe are so against the faith that one is considered to have abandoned Islam. Mosul is the largest city held by the Islamic State group in the self-
declared “caliphate” it has carved out, bridging northern and eastern Syria with northern Iraq. Since overrunning the once-diverse city in June, the group has forced religious minorities to convert to Islam, pay special taxes or die, causing tens of thousands to flee. The militants have enforced a strict dress code on women, going so far as to veil the faces of female mannequins in store fronts. In August, the group destroyed a number of historic landmarks in the town, including several mosques and shrines, claiming they promote idolatry and depart from principles of Islam. Al-Nuaimi’s death is the latest in a string of attacks by the militant group to silence female activists and politicians. In July in the nearby town of Sderat, militants broke into the house of a female candidate in the last provincial council elections, killed her and abducted her husband, the U.N. said. On the same day, another female politician was abducted from her home in eastern Mosul; she remains missing. Hanaa Edwer, a prominent Iraqi human rights activist, said at least five female political activists have been killed in recent weeks by the Islamic State group in Mosul, including alNuaimi, who Edwer said was also running for a seat on the provincial council. “But it is not just women being targeted,” Edwer said. “They will kill anyone with a voice. It is terrifying.”
New York firefighters die of 9/11-related illnesses
Three retired New York firefighters who worked at Ground Zero in the days after the World Trade Center attack died on the same day this week of illnesses possibly connected to toxic dust released on 9/11, fire officials said. Lieutenant Howard Bischoff and firefighters Robert Leaver and Daniel Heglund died on Monday. “Losing three firefighters on the same day to WTC-related illnesses is a painful reminder that, 13 years later,
we continue to pay a terrible price for the Department’s heroic efforts,” FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement. Leaver, a 20-year veteran, and Bischoff, a 19-year veteran, grew up in Brooklyn and were childhood friends. Heglund served 21 years with the department and died just a day before his 59th birthday. One of the firefighters died of leukemia, another of esophageal
cancer and the third of colon cancer. “On that day when first responders arrived, the air was toxic and remained toxic for many months afterward,” said Jake Lemonda, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. The FDNY lost 341 firefighters and paramedics on 9/11. Since that day, the department has lost 92 firefighters due to illnesses caused by the search for survivors, according to the department.
Herve Gourdel: Algeria in shock over beheading
Algeria is in shock following the beheading of French tourist Herve Gourdel. Security has been stepped up in the capital, Algiers and police are patrolling the city’s main thoroughfares and parks. Their presence is worrying the city’s residents, who fear the possibility of a militant attack. “Heinous, inhuman, barbaric, cowardly, criminal, despicable” are among the words that keep coming up in conversations in cafes, on the street, and social networks. The sense of shock is especially deep in the Kabylie region, where the killing occurred. It has increased the feeling of fear in Kabylie. The mountainous region has suffered at the hands of militants in recent years. Since the late 1990s, it has been the main stronghold of the militants who later formed al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Attacks on both security forces and civilians, fake roadblocks, kidnappings, and raids on villages are common across the region. Residents say they avoid the roads at night - unless when they absolutely have to travel. Since the end of 2005, more than 80 shopowners, businessmen and industrialists have been abducted by armed groups in the Tizi Ouzou area alone. Three have been killed; the others have been freed, either as a result of ransom being paid or residents mobilising and putting pressure on the kidnappers. The Kabyle Berbers – who are known for their hostility towards the Algiers authorities – are blaming the government. They accuse it of abandoning the region to Salafist militants.
ICC to probe Central African Republic’s ‘endless war crimes’ The International Criminal Court has opened a formal probe into war crimes in the Central African Republic (CAR). ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said there had been “endless” instances of rape, murder, forced displacement, persecution and pillaging since 2012. She said both sides had committed atrocities in what has become a religious conflict between mainly Muslim rebels and Christian militias. Almost a quarter of the 4.6 million population have fled their homes. The turmoil began in the run-up to the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel group seizing power in the majority Christian country in March last year. Rebel leader Michel Djotodia resigned as president in January under intense diplomatic pressure but the killings continued. Muslims had to flee revenge attacks from largely Christian militias, known as anti-balakas. Last month, a power-sharing government was formed – but it has not eased tensions and the country has largely been split into a Muslim north and Christian south. Ms Bensouda, who opened preliminary investigations in February, said her office had “scrupulously analysed relevant information from multiple reliable sources”.
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WORLD NEWS
US to pay Navajo tribe $554 million in landmark settlement
The Obama administration has agreed to pay the Navajo Nation a record $554 million to settle longstanding claims by America’s largest Indian tribe that its funds and natural resources were mishandled for decades by the U.S. government. The accord, resolving claims that date back as far as 50 years and marking the biggest U.S. legal settlement with a single tribe, will be formally signed at a ceremony on Friday in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the sprawling Navajo reservation. The deal stems from litigation accusing the government of mismanaging Navajo trust accounts
and resources on more than 14 million acres (5.7 million hectares) of land held in trust for the tribe and leased for such purposes as farming, energy development, logging and mining. In return for $554 million, the Navajo agreed to dismiss its lawsuit and forego further litigation over previous U.S. management of Navajo funds and resources held in trust by the federal government. The deal does not preclude the tribe from pursuing future trust claims, or any separate claims over water and uranium pollution on its reservation, Navajo Attorney General Harrison Tsosie said.
He declined to quantify the total sum the Navajo had claimed it was owed before the settlement, saying he needed to review non-disclosure clauses. Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly hailed the outcome as a “victory for tribal sovereignty” and promised to host town hall meetings to decide how to allocate settlement funds. The Navajo Nation is the most populous American Indian tribe, with more than 300,000 members, and the largest by land mass, occupying 27,000 square miles (70,000 sq km) across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. “After a long, hard-won process, I am
Boko Haram fighters ‘surrender’ as alleged chief killed
The Nigerian military has said that more than 260 Boko Haram militants have surrendered in north-eastern Nigeria. A spokesman also said that the military had killed the man posing as the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau. Mohammed Bashir is said to have appeared in the group’s videos but is thought to be an imposter. Boko Haram has suffered heavy losses in recent weeks as the Nigerian military battled the group close to its hometown of Maiduguri in the north east. The military said that 135 Boko Haram members surrendered with their weapons in Biu, Borno State, on Tuesday - and that 133 others surrendered elsewhere in northeastern Nigeria and were currently being interrogated. The BBC’s Will Ross in Lagos says that this has never happened before in the war against Boko Haram. Although it is impossible to independently verify, the military is seeing it as a turning point, our correspondent adds. It was also the first time that the Nigerian military has publicly mentioned the death of the group’s leader Abubakar Shekau, who security forces claimed had died in clashes with the army in 2009. General Chris Olukolade of the
The military claims Mohammed Bashir was an imposter posing as Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau, thought to have died in 2009. “Boko Haram” means “Western Nigerian military said that Mohammed Bashir, who was killed in the latest education is forbidden” in Arabic, and offensive against Boko Haram, was a the group frequently attacks schools and colleges, which it sees as a symbol lookalike. Bashir “had been acting or posing of Western culture. Boko Haram was behind the in videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno state in April. as leader of the group”, he added. The New York-based Human Rights The military however did not give any dates or locations for when they Watch says more than 2,000 civilians have been killed in the region this year. believe leader Shekau actually died.
Abu Qatada cleared of terror charges
Judges said there was “insufficient evidence” to convict him of planning a thwarted terrorist plot against tourists and diplomats during Jordan’s Millennium celebrations. He was deported from the UK in 2013. Britain’s Home Office said he was “not coming back to the UK” as its courts agreed he was a threat to security. Ministers in the UK fought a long legal battle to force the 53-year-old scholar to face trial in his home country. Abu Qatada was accused of providing spiritual support through his writings to men alleged to have planned a series of atrocities aimed at Western and Israeli targets in Jordan on Millennium
Abu Qatada was greeted by family members after being released from prison. Eve. Prosecutors said that books by Abu Qatada were found in raids on homes leading up to the New Year.
Jordanian and American investigators accused him of supplying funds to the plotters. He denied the allegations
in a trial which punctuated by a number of outbursts by him. His supporters erupted in applause when the verdict was read out in court Speaking after the verdict, Home Secretary Theresa May, who headed UK government efforts to remove Abu Qatada, said: “The due process of law has taken place in Jordan. That is absolutely as it should be. “The UK courts here were very clear that Abu Qatada poses a threat to our national security. That’s why we were pleased as a government to remove him from the UK. “He is subject to a deportation order, he is also subject to a UN travel ban. That means he will not be returning to the UK.”
pleased that we have finally come to a resolution on this matter to receive fair and just compensation for the Navajo Nation,” Shelly said in a statement. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called the agreement historic and said it showed the Justice Department’s commitment to “strengthening our partnership with tribal nations.” The deal comes over two years after the administration announced similar settlements with 41 tribes for about $1 billion collectively. Since then, the government has resolved breach of trust claims by nearly 40 additional tribes for more than $1.5 billion, a U.S. Justice Department official said.
Philippine militants threaten to kill German
hostages
A Philippines-based militant group has threatened to kill two German hostages it captured in April. Abu Sayyaf demanded a ransom and an end to German support for the USled coalition against Islamic State (IS), a monitoring service called SITE reports. Abu Sayyaf has proclaimed allegiance to IS, a hardline Islamist group that has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. Germany said it had “heard about the report” but refused to withdraw support for US action against IS. A German foreign ministry spokeswoman said that threats were “not an appropriate way to influence our policy in Syria and Iraq”. She added that there would be no change to the existing German strategy, which consists of logistical support and military supplies for Kurdish peshmerga fighters battling IS militants in Iraq. Abu Sayyaf has been active since the early 1990s. It is a small but violent Islamist militant group which operates in the southern Philippines. It is considered a “foreign terrorist organisation” by the US, and has been blamed for attacks including beheadings.
Kidnapped Mexican congressman killed, burned
The Mexican authorities say one of two burned bodies found in a car in the central state of Zacatecas is that of a federal Congressman abducted on Monday. Gabriel Gomez Michel, a member of the Chamber of Deputies for the governing PRI party, had been kidnapped south of the city of Guadalajara. Prosecutors said the second body was that of Mr Gomez’s driver, Heriberto Nunez Ramos. PRI politicians said they suspected a criminal gang was behind the murder. Local politicians are often targeted by Mexican drug cartels, but the murder of politicians at a federal level is more rare. Mr Gomez, 49, was a paediatrician who served as the mayor of the town of El Grullo in Jalisco state from 2010 to 2012. Police said that killing was ordered by a political rival rather than organised crime.
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Kidnapped Nigerian student becomes first in months to escape Boko Haram
One of the school students snatched by Boko Haram when they raided a Nigerian dormitory has been found wandering through a small northeastern village, the first confirmed escape since the atrocity that shocked the world in April this year. Of the almost 300 girls and young women rounded up and carted away after Boko Haram stormed Chibok secondary school, a handful fled during the initial confusion. A relentless string
of attacks in remote northern towns in Boko Haram’s stronghold of Borno state prompted a summit in Paris that led to a renewed military push from Nigeria, neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger, and western allies including the US and the UK. But five months on, 276 of the girls remain in captivity and abductions continue to be used as a strategy by the extremists. Conflicting details emerged about how the 20-year-old was found, with
officials saying she was dropped off by suspected militants, while residents said she had escaped. The police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said: “I can confirm that on 24 September 2014 at about 5pm, a girl, 20 years of age, among the abducted Chibok girls was dropped off by suspected Boko Haram militants at Mubi in Adamawa state. Her condition is stable. She is getting the best of medical attention. The information we
have is that she is one of the abducted girls. Other details will be made known to you in due course.” Locals said she was found wandering through fields on the outskirts of Hong, a district in Adamawa, which neighbours Borno state. “Nobody knows how she came here. She was either released or escaped. She had been running around the bush for about four days before she reached here,” said Musa Sule, a local farmer.
Burma releases more than 100 child soldiers from army
The murder of Ms Spear, who starred in soap operas, shocked Venezuelans.
Killers of Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear jailed
A court in Venezuela has sentenced three men to lengthy jail sentences for the killing of Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear in January. The three had pleaded guilty. Ms Spear, 29, and her British partner, Thomas Berry, were shot dead in January in front of their fiveyear-old daughter during a roadside robbery. UN figures suggest that Venezuela has the second-highest peacetime murder rate in the world, but the brutality of the crime shocked the country. Prosecutors said the three men were part of a larger gang which targeted motorists along a highway leading from Valencia to Puerto Cabello.
The court said seven other people were still on trial for the crime but had denied the charges. The sentences for the three men range between 24 and 26 years in jail. The family, who lived in the US, was on a visit to Ms Spear’s home country when they were targeted. They were travelling at night from the city of Merida to the capital, Caracas, when their car hit a sharp object, puncturing two tyres. While they waited for breakdown assistance, they were ambushed by the armed gang. When the couple and their daughter hid inside the car, they were shot at by the robbers. Ms Spear and Mr Berry died
instantly. Their daughter, Maya, was shot in the leg. The murder of the popular beauty queen, who was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004, prompted demonstrations against the country’s high crime rate. President Nicolas Maduro promised to respond with “an iron fist” and said he would make tackling crime one of the government’s top priorities. Last week, he announced his government would invest $47m (£29m) to further expand a plan to disarm civilians. But opposition activists say impunity and corruption remain rampant and accuse his government of doing too little to tackle insecurity.
The Burmese army has released 109 children from its military ranks in its single biggest discharge of child soldiers, but boys are still being illegally recruited from poor families, the United Nations said. Burma has for years been listed among countries where children have been recruited to fight - both by government forces and rebels. Bertrand Bainvel, head of the UN children’s fund in Burma, said the military wants to professionalise its ranks and the presence of child soldiers may block military cooperation with other countries. A reformist, semi-civilian government that took over in 2011 has been working with the United Nations to get children out of the military. It has released 472 children since June 2012, including Thursday’s discharge, which was the largest yet, according to the UN. “There is a commitment by the Tatmadaw to have this practice eradicated from its ranks,” said Bainvel, referring to the military by its traditional name. Bainvel said recruitment continues at a decreased rate and that most young recruits come from poor families seeking the income that a son in the army can provide. Recruiting most often takes place in the two largest cities, Rangoon and Mandalay, and is often done through civilian brokers who forge identification documents, making it difficult to determine how many child soldiers remain enlisted. “This is a big question and there’s no way to say for sure how many there are,” Bainvel said. The UN said seven ethnic minority guerrilla forces, which have fought or are still fighting the government, were also using child soldiers.
More than 1,000 arrested in huge EU crime crackdown Police forces in the European Union have made more than 1,000 arrests in their biggest-ever co-ordinated crackdown on organised crime. Thirty Romanian children were saved from trafficking, and 200kg (441lb) of heroin and 599kg of cocaine was seized. Forces across the EU and elsewhere acted together in Operation Archimedes, which ended on Tuesday, the EU’s law enforcement agency Europol said. Police arrested 170 people in
connection with people trafficking. About 10,000 irregular migrants were checked as part of the operation, Europol said. Archimedes was co-ordinated by Europol from The Hague in the Netherlands. It involved all 28 EU member states plus police forces in six other countries: Australia, Colombia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and the USA. Europol director Rob Wainwright told
reporters that the eight-day operation was the “single largest assault on organised crime we’ve seen in Europe”. Almost all kinds of crime were targeted, ranging from drug-trafficking to illegal immigration, tax fraud, counterfeiting and theft. Among the illegal drugs seized were 1.3 tonnes of cannabis. Mr Wainwright said there was a growing trend of victims being recruited and trafficked across Europe.
Children are being exploited for sexual and economic purposes, with some used as prostitutes and others made to beg on the streets, he added. Europol’s operation paints a picture of cross-border and interconnected crime networks, the BBC’s Anna Holligan reports. The announcement of these unprecedented arrests are designed to reassure citizens and deter criminals, our correspondent says.
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TECHNOLOGY
US Bank to pay $57 million over ‘add-on’ products
U.S. financial regulators said on Thursday that US Bank will pay about $57 million to resolve allegations it charged consumers for services they did not actually receive. The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said the bank, a unit of US Bancorp,
would pay a total of $9 million in fines and about $48 million in restitution to harmed borrowers. The bank offered identity theft protection and credit monitoring services as “addons” to mortgages and checking accounts. Some borrowers were billed for the services even though they never activated them, and
some paid for the products for years without receiving any benefits, regulators said. Bank regulators have been cracking down on marketing and billing practices tied to these extra products. The consumer bureau said it has taken seven enforcement actions involving such products, including fines against Bank of America,
JPMorgan Chase and Discover. “We have consistently warned companies about practices related to add-on products and we will do what is necessary to prevent further harm to consumers,” CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a statement on Thursday. US Bank neither admitted nor denied the findings. Regulators said the add-
Apple releases second iOS 8 update to fix broken iPhones Apple has released a second update to its new iOS 8 iPhone software in two days after its iOS 8.0.1 update that left iPhone owners unable to make calls or use their Touch ID fingerprint sensors, which was withdrawn. Apple apologised for the update that crippled phones and required users to re-install older software, saying that it was sorry “for the great inconvenience experienced by users” and that it had worked “around the clock” to fix the flaw. The new iOS 8.0.2 update was released late on Thursday night and promises to fix connectivity and Touch ID issues created by the broken iOS 8.0.1 update, as well as bugs with Apple’s HealthKit apps, third-party keyboards and more than six other issues. The bug affecting HealthKit, Apple’s health and fitness data service, forced third-party Health apps to be pulled from the App Store upon iOS 8’s release on 18 September, delaying the launch of Apple’s new health and fitness push. It is unknown what caused the issues with iOS 8.0.1, with users who updated through iTunes on a computer seemingly unaffected, and only those who updated directly on their iPhones finding the connectivity issues. User reports of iOS 8.0.2 suggest that the update has fixed the issues, although caution over installing the update is understandable for those with iPhones with iOS 8.
This image was posted to MacRumors by a user nicknamed iBoost621.
Apple: only nine customers complained about bending Apple has responded firmly to claims that its new iPhones can bend in use, saying that only nine customers have contacted it with problems since the phones went on sale last Friday. The company said in a statement earlier this week that it had sold 10m of its new iPhones over three days. The response comes after claims on social media that the new iPhone 6 and especially the larger 6 Plus can become warped or bent when carried in trouser pockets. “With normal use a bend in iPhone is extremely rare and through our first six days of
sale, a total of nine customers have contacted Apple with a bent iPhone 6 Plus,” said Apple spokesman Adam Howorth. “As with any Apple product, if you have questions please contact Apple.” The company has reacted quickly to the potentially damaging claims that the phones, which are made of aluminium alloy and at 7.1mm thick are among the thinnest available, could become misshapen. Claims that the larger phones could bend could affect sales of the phone, which generate more than 50% of the company’s revenues and a larger proportion of its profits.
spending on highly experimental projects. The Lab126 division, which developed Amazon’s Kindle and other consumer electronics devices, plans to boost its full-time payroll to at least 3,757 people by 2019, according to the agreement reached with California in June that would give Amazon $1.2 million in tax breaks. Amazon will invest $55 million in Lab126’s operations in Sunnyvale and Cupertino, the agreement posted on the California governor’s website shows. This expansion comes as Lab126
US auditor blasts executive pay at bailed-out GM, Ally A US auditor for the billions spent saving companies amid the financial crisis condemned the Treasury Wednesday for allowing exceptionally high pay for executives at General Motors and Ally Financial. Christy Romero, head of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), accused the Treasury of permitting much higher pay for General Motors and Ally executives even though neither company was repaying the money from the TARP program used to bail them out five years ago. “By 2013 and 2014, Treasury rewarded top 25 executives at both GM and Ally Financial with excessive pay of at least $1 million, average pay of $3 million, pay raises, and higher cash salaries with no recognition that these companies were not repaying TARP,” Romero said in a report to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew. That left the Treasury to sell the two companies’ stock in the market, “incurring taxpayer losses of billions of dollars,” Romero said. The SIGTARP report said the Treasury has steadily moved away from President Barack Obama’s own push for reforms to executive pay, after the 2008 crisis exposed extremely high compensation levels at banks and other companies that required government assistance. It said that in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which marshalled $475 billion for bailouts, the Treasury allowed pay well above its own guidelines, which included a cap of $500,000 for annual cash salaries.
Movies bust out of screen with panoramic, virtual technology
LOS ANGELES – A Tyrannosaurus rex lumbers forward, belts out a deafening roar, then stomps overhead, and a viewer watching inside a virtual reality headset turns around to see the beast walking away. The lifelike run-in with a prehistoric monster comes courtesy of prototype Oculus Rift goggles, giving a glimpse of a future that breaks movies out of the flat screen. tests connected-home devices that Virtual reality, which immerses viewers in could open up a new front in its war 360-degree worlds long used in video games, is drawing against Google Inc and Apple Inc, top Hollywood filmmakers and studios such as Twentytwo people familiar with Lab126’s First Century Fox andWalt Disney Co. The technology activities said recently. should arrive on the consumer mass market within two The sources requested anonymity years. because they are not authorized to Virtual reality can transport audiences into the speak to the media. middle of the movie landscape, says Brendan Iribe, Technology companies see chief executive of Oculus, which Facebook Inc acquired Internet-connected dishwashers, this year for $2 billion. thermostats and other household “In some decade or two, we are going to be at a point devices that can “talk” to one where watching things on 2D surfaces is going to feel another as ways to fuel demand for pretty outdated,” Iribe told Reuters. products and services. But skeptics Virtual reality still has technological hurdles to say many of these devices cost too overcome. The biggest problem is motion sickness in much for most consumers and could some users, which Oculus believes it is close to resolving. take years to go mainstream.
Amazon tests smart home gadgets Amazon.com Inc will boost staffing at its secretive Silicon Valley-based hardware unit by at least 27 percent over the next five years as it tests Internet-connected “smart” home gadgets such as a onebutton device to order supplies. The plans, detailed in a littleknown government document and by people familiar with the matter, signal Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos’s intentions to double down on the No. 1 U.S. online retailer’s hardware strategy. This is despite the lukewarm reception of Amazon’s new Fire smart phone and some investors’ criticism of its heavy
on products were marketed by US Bank and sold by a third-party vendor. Dana Ripley, a spokesman for the bank, said US Bank ended its relationship with the vendor, Affinion Group, two years ago. “We will be compensating customers who did not receive full services from Affinion, and providing our apology,” Ripley said.
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Yahoo prodigy opts to go to university
Mr D’Aloisio has appeared at several public events since starting work for Yahoo.
The British teenager who sold his app for millions of pounds to Yahoo has decided to go to university in the UK rather than work full-time for the tech firm in California. Nick D’Aloisio said he would, however, still continue to work on its news app. The 18-year-old had previously managed to combine development of the service with his A-level studies. Yahoo News Digest has
been downloaded more than two million times, according to analytics firm Xyo. “I am thrilled to be attending Oxford University in England where I will study computer science and philosophy,” Mr D’Aloisio said. “I’m excited to simultaneously complete my college degree while continuing parttime to manage Yahoo News Digest - especially at such an exciting time for summarisa-
tion, artificial intelligence and wearables.” Mr D’Aloisio told the BBC earlier this month that the team he managed at Yahoo was developing a version of the news summary app for both Apple Watch and smartwatches running Google’s Android Wear. The Londoner was only 16 years old when he secured a $250,000 investment in his text summary software from
Alibaba’s Jack Ma is now China’s richest man
He’s just been named China’s richest man. But who is Jack Ma, the man who took a Chinese eCommerce company to the biggest IPO in US history? Alibaba, the eCommerce company Mr Ma founded in 1999, debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last week, raising $24.5 billion, which valued the business at $247.24 billion. Alibaba surpassed the worth of several high profile Silicon Valley technology companies that day, including Facebook, Amazon and IBM. It was also the biggest initial public offering in US history. As the newly minted richest person in China, Mr Ma’s personal wealth has been pegged at $28.1 billion, just ahead of property developer Wang Jianlin. It’s a big achievement for the Hangzhou-born former English teacher. Unlike his tech compatriots Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, Mr Ma confesses he knows very little about computers beyond how to send and receive emails. He’s not a tech nerd who obsesses over every line of code. He’s just a very good businessman. According to a profile in the Wall Street Journal, Mr Ma honed his English skills as a youngster by talking to tourists at hotels in his hometown. He failed his college entrance exam twice, which led him to enrol at a teachers college. He also once got rejected for a secretarial position
US$225 million Powerball winner in California
SAN MATEO, California — A lucky person in Northern California has won a $225 million Powerball jackpot. The California Lottery says in a tweet that the winner in San Mateo, south of San Francisco, matched all six numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing: 7, 14, 21, 24, 41 and 26. Lottery officials say it is the sole winning ticket sold in the 44 states that carry Powerball. The San Jose Mercury News the winning ticket was sold at Key Markets on South Norfolk Street. The store’s owners will receive $1 million for selling the winning ticket. Another person in Stockton won an $11 million Super Lotto jackpot. The identities of the winners were not immediately revealed. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 176 million, according to the lottery.
Jack Ma for a manager of a KFC joint. Clearly, that was KFC’s loss. His first foray into the online world was the first time Mr Ma punched in an internet search in 1995. He typed in ‘China’ and ‘Beer’ and came up empty. Soon after, he borrowed $2000 to start one of China’s first internet company, China Pages, a business index website. He left two years later to work for the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. In 1999, he persuaded 18 friends to stump up $60,000 to help him start Alibaba from his Beijing apartment. Within six months, he had a $5 million
investment from Goldman Sachs. Mr Ma is renowned for his skills as a strategist and what made Alibaba work was that he went after the small and medium business market when others were focused on large firms. He also managed to drive eBay out of China by keeping his competitor site, Taobao, free at a time when eBay was dominant, even though the decision meant Taobao was haemorrhaging money. By the end of 2005, eBay conceded defeat and essentially withdrew from China after Taobao managed to capture almost 70 per cent market share in the consumer-to-consumer eCommerce space. Mr Ma once said of his youth: “I had wished that I was born in a period of war. I could have been a general. I thought about what I could have achieved in war.” Alibaba’s two main websites, Taobao and Tmall.com, account for the majority of packages shipped through the Chinese postal system, according to CNBC. He’s a fan of hard work and perseverance. Even though most people in the West had only started hearing about Alibaba in the past year after IPO rumours started to swirl, Mr Ma has been at the game for 15 years. He told a crowd at a discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative: “We got successful today but not because we did a great job today. We had a dream 15 years ago.”
Hong Kong billionaire Li KaShing. A few months later Yahoo acquired the technology and his services, in a deal reported to be worth £20m. Since taking up the role of project manager for the news app, the teenager has spoken at several high-profile public events including Yahoo’s keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and O2’s Campus Party in September.
Wonga profits set to nosedive 40%
Controversial payday lender Wonga is expected to report a near-40% collapse in profits next week. The company, which has come under sustained attack for charging interest rates as high as 5,853% a year, is expected to report annual profits of about £50m for 2013 compared with £84.5m the previous year,according to Sky News. Wonga, which has previously leaked its financial results to the Sunday Times before publishing them at Companies House, said the company did not leak the figures to Sky News and said that the reported £50m pre-tax profit figure reported was “inaccurate”. “We will release the results democratically on Tuesday,” a spokesman said. News of the fall in profits comes soon after Wonga brought in respected City veteran Andy Haste to shore up the company’s reputation following a series of scandals. “Wonga has understandably faced criticism and we know we need to repair our reputation and regain our right to be an accepted part of the financial service sector,” Haste said when he took on the £500,000-a-year job in July. In June, Wonga was fined £2.6m for sending threatening legal letters from fake law firms to 45,000 customers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said Wonga had been guilty of “unfair and misleading debt collection practices” by creating fake companies, using the names of employees.
Richard Branson: private staff can take as much holiday as they like
Sir Richard Branson is to allow staff managing his personal fortune to take as much holiday as they like – no questions asked. Branson, 64, worth £3bn according to Forbes magazine, said other companies should follow his lead and would benefit from increased productivity if they followed suit. He said he had introduced the new “non-policy” on holidays for 170 staff in his family offices in the UK and US with immediate effect. Employees can take leave from their jobs when they like without seeking permission, as long as the timing of their break will not have a detrimental impact on the business. Staff benefiting from the new scheme include those working in Branson’s family office, his investment team, marketing, brand and PR teams and the Virgin Unite foundation, but the new rules do not apply to thousands of others
working for Virgin companies. Branson, who started his first Virgin business when he dropped out of school at 16, said he would encourage all Virgin companies in which he holds a stake to follow suit. He said in a blog on Virgin’s website: “There is no need to ask for prior approval and neither the employees themselves nor their managers are asked or expected to keep track of their days away from the office. “It is left to the employee alone to decide if and when he or she feels like taking a few hours a day, a week or a month off, the assumption being that they are only going to do it when they feel 100% comfortable that they and their team are up to date on every project and that their absence will not in any way damage the business – or, for that matter, their careers!” Branson said he got the idea when his daughter Holly forwarded him an
article about online firm Netflix, which has taken a similar approach. In the blog, which is an extract from Branson’s new book The Virgin Way, he said Netflix’s success was partly down to its “downright courageous initiative” in throwing away the book “on something very near and dear to the hearts of most workers around the world: their annual vacation day entitlement”. The Institute of Directors, which represents employers, said it was considering surveying members for their reactions to Branson’s new policy. “Where Branson goes, people will follow,” Christian May, the IoD’s head of campaigns said. “It fits with how work is changing, the old notion of 9am-5pm with three weeks off is increasingly old fashioned. We don’t expect the roll out of libertarian structures across workplaces, but it should be watched with interest.”
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Technology Ryanair tie-up with Amadeus Facebook to boost for paves way for codeshare deals introduce new with national carriers advertising Scotland’s platform: WSJ oil reserves
New gas and water technologies could add decades to the lifespan of oil reserves in the North Sea, according to Edinburgh researchers. A Heriot-Watt University team said they had made a breakthrough in developing clean and cheap methods to maximise extraction from existing fields. The university has been working on a technique known as low-salinity water injection. The team has been researching which fields would benefit most from it. Researchers have also been developing gas injection technologies for use in reservoirs that are already flooded with water. Professor Mehran Sohrabi, director of the university’s centre for enhanced oil recovery, believes new technologies could be a game changer for the industry and has called for more investment to reverse the decline in North Sea production. He said: “At least half of the original oil still remains in the North Sea reservoirs but there are great challenges in extracting it using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. “These include limited platform space and large well spacing, making extraction too expensive to pursue. “Following years of research at the university, we now believe we can overcome these challenges.” Low-salinity water injection works by reducing the salt levels in sea water that is already injected into reservoirs. Mr Sohrabi said: “It has the potential to make a huge impact on the current output of the North Sea’s oil production.
Ryanair has said it is open to codesharing – or providing flights for national carriers – claiming it is inevitable that the likes of British Airways will eventually rely on low-cost rivals to operate short-haul connections. The Irish budget airline agreed a deal with Amadeus to sell tickets through the travel technology group’s global distribution system (GDS), Europe’s largest. The tie-up will make it easier for travel agents to sell Ryanair flights and for business travellers to book. The GDS agreement had long been ruled out by Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, but the Amadeus deal makes it more likely that the airline will in future agree to code-sharing, where seats
are sold by an airline under its own name on a flight that another one will operate. O’Leary said: “I am the person who for 10 years said over my dead body will we go back on GDSs. So I have to start by apologising for yet another thing I’ve got wrong at Ryanair over the last 10 years. It’s a sign of the change and evolution that’s going on. We expect to appeal to more and more of the bigger businesses and corporates.” Ryanair said the deal would pave the way for further expansion, particularly in Germany where the airline is opening a base at Cologne airport. O’Leary said the company would overtake Air Berlin to become the country’s second-largest carrier by 2020, and in 10 years it would overtake Lufthansa.
The Blackberry Passport can run both Blackberry 10 and Android apps.
Blackberry Passport introduces dual-control keyboard
Blackberry has launched a distinctive handset featuring a square screen and a keyboard that offers both physical keys and touch-enabled gesture controls. It said work-focused users in particular should benefit from the Blackberry Passport’s innovations. Sales of the company’s handsets – which are powered by its own operating system - have been in decline. Analysts said the new device should appeal to existing Blackberry owners but might struggle to win over others. The Canadian company’s chief operating officer said the handset’s release was part of a broader turnaround strategy led by John Chen, who became chief executive in November. “You’re going to see us be very focused,” Marty Beard told the BBC. “Potentially, in the past we got a little too broad a little too aggressively. “Our target segment is more enterprise-focused. It’s the power professional. It’s someone who wants to be productive. “Those users tend to be in regulated
industries like banking or healthcare or government. We know those segments really well – in a way it’s getting back to the Blackberry roots.” The Passport got its name because its dimensions resemble a thick version of the travel document. It has a 4.5in (11.4cm) touchscreen with a resolution of 453 pixels per inch – higher than Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus, but lower than Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4.
Good for editing Blackberry suggests documents are easier to edit because of the extra width provided by having a square screen, even if it is less suited for watching video. The keyboard buttons are also touch-sensitive. This allows gesturebased shortcuts that were previously restricted to Blackberry’s all-screen devices. For example, swiping a finger quickly leftwards along the keys deletes the previous word, while sliding a thumb
along them more slowly moves the cursor in the same direction. In addition, users can select from three anticipated words – shown near the bottom of the screen - by flicking upwards beneath the desired one. This saves having to type the text in full. “In some cases it takes a while to learn it, because even if you’re familiar with a Blackberry it’s a little bit different because it’s that combination of physical plus virtual,” acknowledged Mr Beard. “So there may be that learning curve in the beginning, but it’s well worth it, and once people learn it they are flying.” One expert who has tested the handset supported the claim. “It certainly made me respond more eloquently to emails rather than just triaging them with a ‘Yes, no, I’ll call you back or see you later’,” said Shaun Collins, founder of the telecoms consultancy CCS Insight. “However, it’s going to divide opinion - it gives you the Blackberry experience on steroids. But for a broader audience it will be a curiosity.”
Facebook Inc is set to unveil a new advertising platform to improve effectiveness of online ads, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday citing people with knowledge of the matter. The product is a redesigned version of Atlas Advertiser Suite, an ad management and measurement platform that Facebook bought from Microsoft Corp last year. It is expected to help marketers target Facebook users more effectively by measuring which users have seen, interacted or acted upon ads that appear on Facebook’s services and on third-party websites and apps. The product will also provide a tool for marketers to buy ads to target Facebook users across the Web. Microsoft took on Atlas with its $6.3 billion acquisition of digital ad agency aQuantive in 2007. Unable to make it work for its own purposes, Microsoft wrote off $6.2 billion of the aQuantive deal’s value in 2012. The world’s No.1 Internet social network, which lags behind market leader Google Inc in U.S. market for online display ads, did not reveal how much it paid for the technology. Facebook counts 1.5 million advertising customers and the company’s ad business saw strong growth across all of its geographic regions, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg told Reuters in July. Mobile advertising revenue grew 151 percent year-over-year, accounting for roughly 62 percent of Facebook’s overall ad revenue in the second quarter.
Sony PlayStation TV to hit stores on October 14 Sony Corp said PlayStation TV settop box, which allows users to access movies and TV episodes from the PlayStation store, will hit stores in the United States and Canada on Oct. 14. The price for a standalone PlayStation TV (PS TV) is $99.99, the company wrote in a blog. For $139.99, customers can get a wireless controller, an 8 GB memory card and “The Lego Movie” videogame along with the PS TV. Around 700 games will be available to PS TV users, including “Metal Gear Solid” and the franchise “Killzone: Mercenary”. PS TV was released in Japan and other Asian countries under the name “PlayStation Vita TV” last fall. Sony is trying to expand its entertainment network services to compete against players like Amazon.com Inc. Sony did not say when it will launch its online TV service. The company signed a deal earlier this month to carry 22 Viacom Inc channels, including Comedy Central and MTV, on its planned online TV. PlayStation boss Shaun Layden told tech blog Re/code in June the company was “on track” to unveil its product some time this year. Sony’s web TV service will join the ranks of an already crowded market with devices from Apple Inc, Amazon. com Inc and Roku
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Digicel acquires Sportsmax
Digicel announced that it has acquired majority ownership and control of St. Lucia-based International Media Content Ltd., parent company of regional sports broadcaster, SportsMax, and North American broadcaster CEEN-TV, for an undisclosed sum. Under the terms of the deal, the founder and a number of the lead principals will continue to have an ownership stake and be involved in the day-to-day running of the IMC operation. Currently available in 23 countries across the Caribbean, SportsMax is the Caribbean’s first and only indigenous 24-hour dedicated sports cable channel featuring a strong mix of international, regional and local sports content. Its large inventory of coveted content includes the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, West Indies cricket, the Indian Premier League and the IAAF Grand Prix. IMC has been responsible for the broadcast of major international events such as the FIFA World Cup tournaments since 2006, including this summer’s event, and the 2012 London
Digicel Group COO, Andy Thorburn, and Patrick Rousseau, Chairman of IMC and SportsMax (front row left and right) celebrate with Phillip Martin, Deputy Chairman of IMC and Sportsmax (standing left) and Oliver McIntosh, CEO of Sportsmax (standing right). Olympics. In 2013, SportsMax launched its 24-hour Spanish language channel, CDN SportsMax, in the Dominican Republic which includes similar content as SportsMax plus Major League
Baseball. Ranked as the number one viewed sports channel in the region, the move to acquire IMC/SportsMax comes hot on the heels of Digicel’s entry into the cable
TV market with recent acquisitions in Anguilla, Dominica, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Commenting on the acquisition, Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said; “As a complete communications solutions provider, it’s all about ensuring our customers enjoy access to the best multimedia content on the best devices via the very best network and that we meet all of their communication, entertainment and networking needs. SportsMax represents the perfect blend of sports entertainment and infotainment with a Caribbean flavour and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the team to the Digicel family.” Patrick Rousseau, Chairman of IMC and SportsMax, comments; “Our commitment to excellence and blazing a trail across the region mirrors Digicel’s own commitment to delivering the very best for its customers. We are delighted to be joining with them and working together to continue delivering the best sports on television and growing our audience and reach across the Caribbean and North America.”
11-year-old Michael Robinson thrilled to workout with Dwayne Wade by VIVIAN TYSON Michael Robinson, an 11-year-old Enid Capron Primary School Student in Five Cays is still over the moon after being selected from a long list of children not only to be featured in basketball superstar Dwayne Wade’s Public Service Announcement for his charity Wade’s World, but also to have a one-on-one basketball shoot-out with him. Wade and members of his foundation, who holidayed at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa, were at the Five Cays Community Centre on Saturday (September 20, 2014), conducting a basketball clinic with a selected number of youngsters - boys and girls. After encouraging the budding basketball players to weather the storm in pursuit of their dreams, Wade engaged young Michael in the one-on-on. “I feel good, I am having a great time here,” an elated Michael said. “They (local basketball officials) told me on Wednesday (September 17, 2014) that I was chosen to play with Mr. Wade. It feels good to be the one to have the one-onone with Mr. Wade out of all the other participants and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.” Sydwell Glasgow, President of the Provo Amateur Basketball Association, said
Relations Manager) of the Sandals Foundation actually approached the Provo Amateur Basketball Association and also the Clement Howell High School, which the Sandals Foundation has adopted, and they asked for some students to come out here and actually do some drills while Mr. Wade is here so that he can work with the kids. Because as you, the Wade’s Foundation is trying to do some work at the Five Cays Court. Glasgow revealed that the coaches that accompanied Wade to the Turks and Caicos Islands were impressed with many of the children’s abilities, and believe that if they are given proper playing surface and gear their game could improve tremendously. “Even the coaches said that there are a lot of students here with a lot of prospects. So with the improvement of the court here in Five Cays, I know that it would raise the level of play Enid Capron Primary Student Michael Robinson engages Miami Heat basketball superstar Dwayne Wade in a one-on-one for the kids,” Glasgow said. shoot-out. In addition to repairing the Five Cays Basketball Glasgow noted that no Court, the Wade’s World that the children were elated they are very elated, and they to know that someone of a are very enthused about this. praise is too high for the Foundation, in partnership Dwayne Wade’s calibre could They see him on TV, and for Sandals Foundation, which with the Sandals Foundation, come to the Turks and Caicos him to come and work at the made the occasion possible. is to build or repair a number Islands and not only share grass root level and to actually He said that it was the of courts across the Caribbean. his expertise verbally, but play with the kids, I am very Sandals Foundation which Following the clinic, actually engage the youngsters excited. And so, I know that actually approached the Provo students were gifted with in physical play, and that is they will dream, and even Basketball Association and school supplies, including if they do not make it to the pitched the idea. something to cherish. backpacks, books, pencils and “Ms Elanor (Finfin- pens. I can tell you that the NBA, this will improve their Krzanowski, Public children are very ecstatic, game,” he said.
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SPORTS
Usain Bolt targets sub-19 second 200m world record Usain Bolt believes he can lower both his 100m and 200m world records, and aims to be the first man to break 19 seconds for the longer distance. The 28-year-old Jamaican set both current world records, 9.58 seconds for 100m and 19.19 seconds for 200m, at the 2009 World Championships. Despite winning five Olympic and World individual sprint titles since, he has yet to improve on those times. “Everybody wants to see the 100m go
but the 200m is for me,” he said. “If I can get a perfect season where I’m working well, without any injuries, with no time off, I’ll definitely have the chance to break the 100m world record. “The 200m is my personal focus. One of my biggest goals is to try to run sub19, pushing the barrier a little bit will be great for me.” Bolt’s 2014 campaign was disrupted by foot and hamstring injuries and he only ran in three races - including a leg
for Jamaica’s victorious 4x100m relay team at the Commonwealth Games before bringing his season to an early end. Bolt’s quickest 200m time since setting his world record in Berlin was the 19.32 seconds he clocked at London 2012. Similarly the closest he has come to beating his own 100m mark was the 9.63 seconds he ran to defend his Olympic crown two years ago.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Bolt also offered a partial defence of the six positive doping tests returns by Jamaican athletes - including Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell Brown in 2013. “There were mistakes but there weren’t any serious drugs,” he said. “It is still bad: the drug scandal. But it was a good thing it wasn’t like they were deliberately going out of their way to take drugs.”
West Indies recall Samuels and Taylor for one-day series
Marlon Samuels returns after missing the ODIs in the home series against New Zealand and Bangladesh
West Indies have recalled a trio of experienced players - batsmen Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Smith, and fast bowler Jerome Taylor - for the onedayers in India next month. Guyana batsman Leon Johnson, who made his Test debut earlier this month against Bangladesh, has also been called up. Chris Gayle will miss the series as he is still rehabilitating from injury. Others missing out are batsman Kirk Edwards and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller. Samuels and Smith return after having missed out on the limited-overs legs of the home series against New Zealand and Bangladesh this year. Taylor is back after a more lengthy absence, having last played an ODI in 2010. A series of injuries had taken years out of his international career before he made a comeback in the home Tests this year. Johnson has been out of the oneday squad even longer – having
briefly made an appearance on the international circuit back in 2008 for a one-day tournament also featuring hosts Canada and Bermuda. He arrives as a reinforcement for the top order after Edwards failed in the Bangladesh ODIs, scoring 10 in two innings. Miller didn’t get a game during the Bangladesh ODIs but has been left out for India, leaving Sunil Narine as the only specialist spinner in the squad. The first of five ODIs against India is on October 8 in Kochi. West Indies squad for India ODIs Dwayne Bravo (capt), Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, 15 Jerome Taylor. In: Leon Johnson, Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor Out: Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller
Golf classic provides economic boost for Exuma
EMERALD BAY, Great Exuma — Sports tourism and the Ministry of Tourism’s “Sports in Paradise” brand has now injected the Family Islands, more specifically Great Exuma, with the staging of the eighth annual Bank of America Chairman’s Classic this past weekend at the Emerald Reef Golf Course. A total of 70 golfers took part in the tournament this year, transforming the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort and the surrounding areas into a haven for tourists. The event, which was held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, for the past seven years, moved to Exuma this year and became an instant success. In addition to the visiting golfers, former world
number one golfer Greg Norman came down in his private jet; a number of foreign journalists flew in to provide coverage. Norman, who is a regular in Exuma and visits about three times per year, said that the event is an “economic boom” that benefits the resort and the inhabitants of Exuma. Last Thursday, the visitors toured the northern end of the island chain where they got to swim with the pigs at Major Cay among other activities. “When you look at the economic boom, it really has uplifted this whole resort, and this island has really become a sought-after destination,” said Norman. Norman’s company, the Greg Norman Golf Course Design
Two of the golfers who took part in the eighth annual Bank of America Chairman’s Classic this past weekend are shown riding around the Emerald Reef Golf Course. A total of 36 holes were contested over two days of competition on the par 72 golf course at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Emerald Bay, Great Exuma. based in West Palm Beach, Fla., is responsible for the transformation of the Emerald Reef Golf Course. Recreationally, he said that he’s only played about three rounds of golf this year, preferring to focus most of his attention on growing and maintaining his business. “I’ve known the Stewarts
(Gordon and Adam) for a long time, and it’s certainly a pleasure to come on board with them. I like my position with them, and they like the position I give them with the exposure to golf, so it’s a great relationship,” said Norman. “It’s a good unique relationship. It’s really symbolic in a lot of ways.”
Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of the Sandals Group, said that the Greg Normandesigned course is the absolute best in The Bahamas, in his view “It’s simply spectacular, gorgeous. We’re very pleased with what Greg Norman has done with this course,” said Stewart.
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SPORTS
Sprinter Wallace Spearmon suspended after failing drug test
Wallace Spearmon has been suspended for three months after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The American sprinter, who won world 200m medals in 2005, 2007 and 2009, has been handed the suspension by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after an in-competition sample taken at the Edmonton International Track Classic on July 6, 2014, tested positive for Methylprednisolone. Spearmon’s suspension began on August 27, 2014 – the date he accepted a provisional suspension - with any results recorded on or since July 6 to be annulled. The 29-year-old had hinted that some news about him was due to break when on Friday September 12 he tweeted: “In about a week I’ll make a statement that will disappoint quite a few people. I apologize in advance. Irresponsible moments.” Earlier, the two-time Olympian, who
has won the US 200m title three times, followed that up by adding: “Morning world time to man up. I imagine today will be tough but it will pass. Let’s get it.” Following the release of a USADA statement confirming Spearmon’s suspension, Track & Field News reported how they had spoken to the sprinter on Monday and Spearmon had said: “I was not trying to cheat, I made a mistake.” The statement from USADA read in part: “After a thorough review of the case, including Spearmon’s medical records, USADA has accepted Spearmon’s explanation that the Methylprednisolone was not being used in an effort to enhance his performance and that he was taking the prescribed medication in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician. “USADA can grant a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) in situations where an athlete has a legitimate medical need
to use a substance or method listed on the WADA Prohibited List; however, Spearmon failed to apply for a TUE prior to using the medication.” Track & Field News reported how Spearmon, who has a 200m personal best of 19.65 from 2006 and has run a best of 20.19 for the distance in 2014, had sought treatment from a Dr. Mark Bonner for “cold-like symptoms and a sore throat”. “T&FN has reviewed Bonner’s clinical record of Spearmon’s visit, in which the doctor described the sprinter having symptoms of “cough, fatigue, fever, generalized weakness, myalgia and wheezing.” The clinic record shows that the injection Bonner prescribed contained 160mg of Depomedrol (of which the primary ingredient is Methylprednisolone) and 12 units of the antibiotic Bicillin,” reported Track & Field News.
Man-U calculate cost of Ronaldo’s return: £140m
Manchester United will have to pay at least £140m to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford with Real Madrid reportedly ready to cash in on a move that will also alert Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and other European heavyweights. It is understood that around 18 months ago Ronaldo and his advisors spoke to the majority of Europe’s blue riband clubs regarding potentially leaving Real. In the event he signed a fresh deal last September with the Spanish giants that made him the world’s highest paid footballer. Ronaldo earns €21m a year, which is £16.4m or £315,384 a week, with Real paying all of his 52% tax. He costs the Spanish club £34.1m a season. Given his pay equates to £693,844 gross under the UK’s 45% tax bracket for high earners, Ronaldo would have to agree a sizeable pay cut on his basic terms if he were to return to United. United could further boost his takehome pay by offering him a lucrative image rights deal and other sizeable commercial incentives beyond the normal bonuses awarded for successful on-field performance. The £140m cost for United – or any prospective suitor – would be the transfer fee of around £60m and his basic wage, should he agree to around £380,000 a-week as a gross figure, which on a four-year contract amounts to £79m. While Real would want £80m to try to recoup all of the fee paid to United five years ago for Ronaldo, any interested club would hope to agree a smaller sum. Wayne Rooney is United’s highest paid player on £300,000 per week. Given Ronaldo’s ability, which places him in
Match-fixing claim hits men’s football at Asian Games Incheon (South Korea) – Match-fixing suspicions hit the Asian Games men’s football competition on Thursday after a betting analysis company said there were strong indications of manipulation. Asian Games organisers promised a full investigation after the claim by Swiss-based Sportradar surfaced in a Singapore newspaper. “OCA takes this matter seriously and works with the Asian federation (AFC) and international federation (FIFA) for a proper and full investigation,” an official told AFP. In Singapore’s The New Paper, a senior Sportradar official said betting patterns strongly indicated matchfixing at the tournament in Incheon, South Korea. “We can say that we strongly believe there have been manipulated matches at the Asian Games,” said Andreas Krannich, Sportradar’s managing director of strategy and integrity. Krannich did not reveal the teams involved but said attention was focusing on at least one game where late goals were scored. “For example, on a certain match in this competition, bettors were incredibly confident of a goal being scored in the final minutes,” he told the newspaper. “The odds movements and the deviations caused alerts, belying clear betting evidence that could never be justified in a regular contest.” Krannich added: “A number of matches were manipulated in the same fashion, suggesting that the same syndicate is operating in Incheon, South Korea.” There was no immediate comment from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) or world body FIFA.
Queen’s horse loses Gold Cup place over drug test
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United in 2009 after helping them win the Premier League. at least a class above Rooney, and his pedigree as a double Fifa world player of the year and Real’s record goalscorer, United would be prepared to break their pay structure to offer him nearer to £400,000 a-week. Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, would be confident of extracting the maximum return if Ronaldo was bought. The forward has the highest following of any athlete on Twitter, greeting the reaching of 30m followers on Wednesday by tweeting: “Wow! Reached the 30 million followers on Twitter, it’s amazing. Thanks everyone.” Ronaldo’s ability to sell shirts and global appeal would also allow United to ensure the transfer would be a financial – as well as footballing – success. With the Portuguese turning 30 in
February, Real have decided the end of the season will be time to cash in on an asset who will have three years left on his contract by the summer of 2015. Since signing in 2009, Ronaldo has continually spoken of his affection for Real. Having scoring the 25th hattrick of his glittering Real career – a club record – in the 5-1 win over Elche, Ronaldo was once more asked about a return to United. He said: “They are all speculations about my future. My future is Madrid. I’m happy this season is going well and my future I will not speak about, it does not make sense.” Yet with Real revealing the club is £400m in debt the sale of Ronaldo next close season would make financial sense as he enters his thirties ahead of an inevitable physical decline.
LONDON — A racehorse owned by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has been stripped of a second-place finish in this year’s prestigious Gold Cup after testing positive for the banned painkiller morphine. The source of the positive test given by Estimate has been traced back to contaminated feed, and the horse’s trainer Michael Stoute did not face a penalty. The British Horseracing Authority was satisfied that all reasonable precautions had been taken to avoid any breach of the rules. However, the racing rules state that horses producing a positive sample for a prohibited substance should be disqualified from relevant races. Estimate, which won the 2013 Gold Cup, finished second in this year’s race in June behind Leading Light.
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FIFA candidate Champagne wants 2018/22 report made public FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne has joined the calls for the report into the turbulent bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be made public. FIFA’s ethics committee investigator Michael Garcia, who compiled the report, is also among those to have called for it to be published. “Fully supporting Michael Garcia’s request to release his investigation
L.A. Clippers, Steve Ballmer prizes team tested After Steve Ballmer plunked down $2 billion for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, fans might expect the former Microsoft chief executive to be hitting the reset button on a team that has been through a nasty public fight over racism. Don’t bet on it. That experience, Ballmer knows, makes his team unique, and it will be part of the story he tells to earn one thing that was not guaranteed by the record price tag: a fan base that will sustain the team for years to come. “I think people understand we are a different kind of team,” Ballmer told Reuters on Wednesday, sitting on the Clippers practice court. “We are born in a funny way, and the guys have all had to live through something not only on the court but off the court together that requires a deeper kind of commitment.” What they endured was former owner Donald Sterling’s published racist comments and his refusal to sell the team after being banned for life by the NBA. With Ballmer securing the team through a deal with Sterling’s estranged wife, the Clippers now open their next season on Oct. 30. Ballmer says he is pleased with the basketball side of his new venture, his first after 34 years working at Microsoft Corp , from the very beginning with friend and co-founder Bill Gates. He has signed Coach Doc Rivers for another five years, and has star players Chris Paul and Blake Griffin anchoring one of the league’s strongest teams. But the man who helped sell personal computing to the masses knows he has to sell a team that has long been overlooked and overshadowed by its more famous L.A. rival, the Lakers.
report on WC 2018 and 2022,” the Frenchman wrote on Twitter. “It is essential to protect the sanctity of the World Cup as a celebration of football and of our universality.” Champagne is so far the only declared opponent to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who will be standing for a fifth term in next year’s election. Garcia has already submitted his report to German judge Hans-
Joachim Eckert, chairman of the ethics committee’s adjudicatory chamber, who has said that he expects to give some indication in early November of his position on the findings. In recent weeks, FIFA executive committee members and vice-presidents Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland and Jeffrey Webb of the Cayman Islands, as well as Moya Doidd of Australia and Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan,
have all called for Garcia’s full findings to be made public. FIFA and Qatar World Cup organisers have been fending off allegations of corruption ever since the Gulf state was awarded the tournament in 2010, while the host nation has also been criticised over its treatment of migrant workers who work in the construction industry. Qatar has denied the allegations.
Custer youngest winner at 16 in NASCAR series LOUDON, N.H. – Cole Custer’s first stand as a NASCAR winner landed him in the stock car record book. Custer became the youngest winner in a NASCAR national series race at 16, taking the checkered flag at New Hampshire in his seventh career Truck Series start. Custer dominated early and pulled away late off the final restart Saturday to win at 16 years, 7 months, 28 days. He set a track record of 131.897 mph to win the pole and led 148 of the 175 laps for his fifth top-10 of the season. “This is a pretty special race for our team,” Custer said. “I just love this track. The fans are awesome. It was always one of my favorite tracks growing up. I can’t believe I get to come here and go to Victory Lane.” Darrell Wallace Jr., Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter and John Nemechek completed the top five. Last November in Phoenix, Erik Jones was the youngest winner in Truck Series history, winning at 17 years, 4 months. His stint in the record book was short-lived. Custer had control of the race until a final pit stop dropped the No. 00 Chevrolet from the lead into seventh with 20 laps left. Custer was helped by a pair of late cautions that allowed him to stay close to the leaders. He took off shortly after the final restart with five laps left, seizing it from Crafton who had rallied from the back of the field, to take the lead. Custer had enough to make one last stand for the victory. “When I got back there, I was able
Driver Cole Custer celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Camping World Truck Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. to get my timing down on the restarts,” Custer said. “It was just trying to hold (Wallace) off for the win.” Already in NASCAR competition, Custer has set records as the youngest winner in Pro Series history by scoring his first win at Iowa on Aug. 2, 2013, at 15 years, 6 months, 10 days. He followed that up this season by becoming the youngest pole winner in national touring series history at 16 years, 4 months, 22 days at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois. Custer is the son of Stewart-Haas Racing executive vice president Joe
Custer and was raised around the racetrack. He started racing when he was 5 and quickly rose through the ranks all the way to the Truck Series. “I’ve been going since I was real young,” he said. Crafton leads the season standings by seven points over Sauter. Wallace also remained in the championship hunt with his ninth top-10 of the season. “I’m not worried about the championship,” Wallace said. “I’ll let the crew worry about that. I’m just trying to win races.”
Emir of Qatar insists his country will host the 2022 World Cup
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, believes his country will host the 2022 World Cup despite Fifa’s ongoing investigation into the bidding process and concerns over when the tournament will take place. Fifa’s ethics chief, Michael Garcia, this week reiterated his call for his report into the 2018 and 2022 bidding processes to be published in full. However in his first interview since succeeding his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani last year, the Emir dismissed concerns over corruption. “People should understand that Qatar had the best bid, and Qatar will provide
and will do one of the best World Cups in history and I’m sure about that,” he told CNN. “People don’t want to accept, don’t want to realise that a small country, Arab, Muslim country, can host a big event like that.” A Guardian investigation earlier this year revealed that hundreds of migrant workers have died in Qatar since construction of the World Cup stadia began, with the International Trade Union Confederation estimating 4,000 could be dead by the time the World Cup begins. “Yes, it’s true – we had problems,” the
Emir said. “We’re solving the problems. We’re enforcing the laws – it’s not acceptable.” “We changed the laws. They are enforced and there are many laws that have been changed. And I’m telling you because I am personally hurt about the situation. “All the media is concentrating on Qatar due to the World Cup. If we have problems I don’t mind talking about the problems. But also we need to talk other – about other things, about those laws that we did.” The players’ union FifPro and several major European leagues have
voiced their concerns at the prospect of the World Cup being played in summer temperatures up to 45C, with Fifa due to decide in February whether to move the tournament to the winter months. However, the Emir insisted that hi-tech air conditioning systems could make it possible to hold the tournament in summer. He said: “We have this technology for ten years now and it’s working in one of our stadiums. One hundred per cent it will be working. “Our bid was for it to be in summer. At the end, it’s up to Fifa to decide when is the best time. We’re ready for both.”
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