JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
Website: www.suntci.com
VOLUME 11 - NO. 03
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BAFSL POLICY HOLDERS MAY SUFFER GREAT LOSS By Vivian Tyson
J
oseph Connolly, one of the liquidators of the failed British Atlantic Financial Services Ltd. (BAFSL) is warning company clients that they may get far less than they invested. Connolly, in a news release, said that funds that would be paid out, will be subject to their value status at the time the company went under, and not its face value. “The claims will be paid out based on the cash surrender values of the policy at the time the company went into provisional liquidation and not the face value of the policy. The claims will be subject to reduction by any outstanding policy loans,” Connolly said. The Supreme Court, on January 9, 2015, upgraded BAFSL’s provisional liquidation to full liquidation, putting Connolly of PriceWaterhouseCoopers in the Turks and Caicos Islands and David Walker of PriceWaterhouseCoopers in the Cayman Islands, appointed as joint official liquidators. Connolly said that the liquidators are now tasked with liquidating all the assets of the company and proving and ranking the claims of the policyholders, former employees and other creditors. He explained that the final payout would be based on the realization of the assets including policyholders’ loans, the cost of the liquidation and the final calculation of claims. “The liquidators have maintained the office of the company on Leeward Highway for the collection and distribution of claim forms. The office will remain open until at least the end of February. The liquidators are working towards a quick and efficient process to keep down the professional costs in the liquidation,” he said. The Supreme Court ordered
ROTARY DONATES TO OSETA JOLLY LUNCH PROGRAMME: The Rotary Club of Providenciales, on Wednesday (21, 2014), donated $500 to the Oseta Jolly Primary School in Support of the school’s Lunch Programme. Bloneva Greene, President of the Club said that the donation was only a third of its yearly contribution to the school’s lunch programme for its needy students, adding that another $1,000 will be dispatched to the school before the end of the academic year. Rotarian Lofton Ellis said that the contribution was just a small element of what the level of the club’s presence in the community. He said that the service club on a yearly basis has undertaken a great deal of projects, which directly touch lives within the community. In accepting the funds, Principal Rachel Handfield said that it would go a far way to cater to the students who sometimes face difficulty with meals. She said that the club would officially thank Rotary at a later date for its continued support to the institution. In photo, Bloneva Greene (left, President of the club, presents the check to Rachel Handfield (second left). Sharing in the occasion are Rotarian Alvin Parker (third left) and Rotarian Lofton Ellis.
that the liquidators return to court on January 28(2015), to provide an update on the liquidation process. Connolly further noted that radio announcements relating to advising policyholders on the procedure of their claims will be announced on the radio in the coming weeks. The following is the ruling by Her Ladyship Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale on the BAFSL winding
up:
UPON THE ADJOURNED HEARING of the Turks and Caicos Islands FinanciaI Services Commission’s petition dated the 22” of October 2014 to wind up the Respondent AND UPON HEARING Mr. Jonathan Katan, Counsel for the Petitioner and upon no other party or person being represented or seeking to be heard AND UPON the court reading
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the Petition to wind up the Respondent and the affidavit of Mr. Kevin Higgins in support of the Petition. IT IS ORDERED THAT: 1.British Atlantic Financial Services Ltd. (“the Company”) be wound up by this Court pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Ordinance CAP 16.08. Continued on Page 2
Olint Boss NHIP to take legal David Smith action against Back in custody delinquents -Page - Page 8 7 Large overseas market DPP leaves for locally stolen end of January household goods -Page - 16 Page - 10
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
BAFSL POLICY HOLDERS MAY SUFFER GREAT LOSS
Continued from Page 1 Mr. Joseph Connolly care of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Turks and Caicos Islands and Mr. David Walker of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Cayman Islands, be and hereby are appointed as Joint Liquidators (the “Joint Liquidators”) of the Company. 3. There be a directions hearing on the 28” of January at 9 a.m. in at the Court House, Providenciales, where the court shall consider further directions as to the conduct of the liquidation. 4. Any one of the Liquidators shaII have the powers set out in section 117 of the Companies Ordinance (CAP 16.08) (the “Companies Ordinance”) which they may exercise without the sanction or intervention. 5. For the avoidance of doubt, the powers referred to above shall include but not be limited to the following: (1)to locate, protect, secure, take possession of, collect and get in all the property and assets of whatever nature to which the Company is or appears to be entitled; (2) to locate, protect, secure, take possession of, collect and get in the books, papers and records of the Company including the accounting and statutory records; (3)to do all such things as may be necessary or expedient for the protection of the Company’s property or assets; (4)to investigate the affairs of the Company so far as it is necessary to locate, protect, secure, take possession of, collect and get in the assets of the Company; (5) to enter into communications with any clients, creditors and any debtors of the company without further order or other approval or formality; (6)to pay any employees of the company or of any other company or entity concerned in the business of the company as they see fit and to retain or dismiss any employees of the Company or, where within the Company’s power to do so, any director of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; (7)to continue to operate the existing bank accounts of the Company and to open and operate new bank accounts (whether within or outside the jurisdiction) as appropriate and to pay monies into such accounts; (8)to incur and pay normal administrative expenses of the Company and to pay any other
payments which are necessary or incidental to the performance of the Liquidators’ duties and functions; (9) if deemed appropriate to draft a scheme of arrangements under the provisions of section 95-97 of the Companies Ordinance between the Company and its creditors to give effect to and/or facilitate a reorganization of the Company and to seek whatever directions are required in respect thereof from this Court. (10) to make any compromise or arrangement with creditors or persons claiming to be creditors, including entering into any compromise or settlement agreements with any creditor of the Company who appears to have a claim as an unsecured creditor in any liquidation of the Company or as a scheme creditor in a scheme of arrangement if one is approved; (11) to consider and, if so advised, as officers of the Court to apply for similar relief in any other jurisdiction as may be appropriate; (12) to seek to enter such protocol or other agreement as the Liquidators deem appropriate for the co-ordination of these proceedings and any other like proceedings for the co-ordination for the re-organisation or liquidation of the Company and any other subsidiary or affiliate companies as may be appropriate. (13) to discharge rents payable by the Company and salaries payable to employees of the Company; (14) to enquire into the affairs of any subsidiary of the Company; (15) to commence insolvency proceedings in such jurisdictions as may be appropriate in relation to a any subsidiary of the Company; (16) to consult with any regulatory, law enforcement or Governmental organization, whether in the Turks and Caicos lslands or elsewhere as the Liquidators may think fit; (17) to grant or accept a surrender of a lease or tenancy of any of the property of the Company and to take a lease or tenancy of any property required or convenient for the business of the Company; (18) to terminate, complete or perfect any contracts or transactions relating to the business of the Company; (19) to effect such insurances in connection with the management and maintenance of the business, property
and assets of the Company as the Liquidators shall think necessary; (20) to bring, defend or intervene in any action or other legal proceedings in any jurisdiction in the name and on behalf of the Company and including for the avoidance of doubt the giving of any indemnity or cross undertaking in damages as may be necessary and limited to the free assets of the Company coming into the Liquidators’ possession; (21)to do a II acts and to execute in the name and on behalf of the Company all deeds, receipts or other documents, and for that purpose to use when necessary the Company seal; (22) to engage and retain and/or employ (whether within or without the jurisdiction) any solicitors, counsel, lawyers, accountants, surveyors, property managers, and/or other qualified persons to assist them in the performance of their duties and functions and to pay the fees and disbursements of any of them; (23)to appoint an agent to do any business which the Liquidators are unable to do themselves or which can more conveniently be done by an agent; (24) to rank and claim in the bankruptcy, insolvency, sequestration, voluntary arrangement or liquidation of any person (including but not limited to anybody corporate) indebted to the Company and to receive dividends and to compromise arrangements proposed to the creditors of any such person; (25) to borrow or lend money and to grant security in respect of the same and to guarantee the indebtedness of any subsidiary or affiliate company; (26) to change the location of the Company’s registered office; (27) to redirect the Company’s post to such address as the Liquidators may think fit; (28) to consider and, if thought appropriate, to form an informaI committee of creditors of the Company to report to and consult on the progress of the liquidation at intervals to be agreed between the committee and the Liquidators or as directed by the Court; (29) to render and pay invoices out of the assets of the Company for their own remuneration at their normal rates; (30) to make any payment which is necessary or incidental to the
performance of the Liquidators’ functions; (31) to do aII other things incident to the exercise of the foregoing powers; 6. Pursuant to section 107 of the Companies Ordinance no action, suit or proceedings against the Company shall be commenced or continued, whether in this jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction, without the prior leave of the Court or the consent of the Liquidators. 7. No payment or other disposition of the Company’s property shall be made or effected without the direct or indirect authorisation of the Liquidators, but no such payment or other disposition made or effected by or with the authority of the Liquidators in carrying out their duties and functions in the exercise of their powers under this Order shall be void by virtue of the provisions of section 164 of the Companies Ordinance. 8.The Company, its directors, officers, employees and agents shaII provide the Liquidators with such information as the Liquidators requires in order that the Liquidators should be able to properly discharge his functions under this Order and as an officer of this Court. 9. The costs of the Liquidators shaII be payable from time to time by reference to time spent by them at a rate of $500 per hour, together with any expenses incurred in connection therewith and any applicable taxes. 10. The Liquidators are at liberty to appoint attorneys to assist them in the performance of their duties. 11 The Liquidators are entitled to retain from the Company’s property:a. Such sums as they may hereafter be authorized by this Court to d raw on account of their remuneration and expenses; and, b. Such sums as the Court may hereafter authorize them to apply to discharge their actual remuneration and expenses. 12. The Liquidators do file an interim report dealing with the progress of the liquidation on or before the 28” of January 2015. 13. The Petitioner’s costs of this application be paid as costs in the liquidation (to be taxed if not agreed with the Liquidators on an attorney and own client basis).
Serious Leeward Highway accident leavers several hospitalized
Several persons were taken to hospital Thursday morning (January 23, 2015) for treatment following an accident along the Leeward Highway on Providenciales in the vicinity of the Windward Road entrance, where Associated Medical Practices is situated. The accident involved three vehicles – a Honda motorcar, a Toyota Corolla and a Ford Explorer. The SUN understands that the Toyota, which was traveling in a westerly direction along the highway, collided with the Honda, which was emerging onto the dual carriageway from Windward Road (Glass
Shack). The impact caused the driver of the Toyota to lose control and sailed onto eastbound lane where it collided with explorer. All three vehicles received frontal damage, with the Toyota - impacted twice apparently coming out the worst. The Honda apparent lost its front bumper only. Both airbags in the Ford Explorer were released, and it is understood that most of injuries sustained by its occupants were as a result. The crash caused traffic to back up for metres on either end of the highway. When The SUN arrived at the scene, members of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) had
just pried the occupants from the Explorer and placed them in the ambulance. It is not clear whether or not the driver of the Toyota, who was to said to have been operating the car as a jitney service, was among those taken to hospital. The driver of the Honda, which received the least damage, bore no obvious sign of injuries. At one point, he was seen feeding information to the police. The accident caused car parts to be strewn several yards along the roadway. Most of those parts came from the mangled Toyota. The impact also caused fuel from the Toyota A traffic police collects information from mangled Toyota Corolla to drain out.
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
Second floor premiere office space
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JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
NHIP makes last-ditch effort to collect before legal action original 10 percent penalty. Parliament last year made amendments to the The National Health Insurance NHIP compounding penalties, which is Plan (NHIP) is making one last now at three percent. However, those effort to get delinquent employers who did not comply before the deadline and self-employed persons to update will not benefit from revisited rate. outstanding payments before taking “We are again making contact legal action. with those individuals, advising them Zanita Burton, Chief Executive to come in and pay the monies that Officer for the NHIP, said that since are owed in addition to the penalties, court proceedings is time-consuming because they would have to pay those and costly to both sides, the entity penalties at 10 percent, because the would make one last effort to collect new rates would not have kicked in the outstanding funds from the until August (2014), which is at three delinquents. She said for the most part, percent. Persons who did not avail employers in the private sector were themselves of that amnesty, they are very compliant, but self-employed still at the old rate of 10 percent, so persons not so much. that amount is still compounding. “From a private sector employer “So anything still owing (before standpoint, we have had a very good August 2014) is at 10 percent, response with persons coming in to compounding on a monthly basis. And regularize their accounts. We had one so, we are making contact with them as or two who did not take the benefit of well with the view that we are looking the amnesty. And so, in those cases we to possibly prosecute those individuals are currently reviewing and making or putting those cases in court for contact with those individuals to see collection of funds outstanding,” if they would come in and regularize Burton said. their accounts. If not, we will begin She said that compliance officers the process to move to the next step as are in the process of contacting the outlined in our ordinance for recovery delinquents to get them to come in a of those funds that is owing to NHIP,” start a payment plan to get themselves Burton stated. up-to-date. She pointed out that that the “We constantly made contact individuals who did not comply during with them, and basically tell them to the three-month amnesty, which began come in and regularize themselves. In in August 2014 and ended at the end of addition to making contact with them, October 2014, are subjected to pay the our compliance officers have gone out By Vivian Tyson
The BLUE HAVEN RESORT is inviting applications for the following position:
Zanita Burton to visit them as well. So it is up to them to make the step; all efforts are being made to ensure that all funds are being collected,” she said. In the meantime, Burton is hailing the response received from private sector employers, while noting that the reaction from self-employed persons was somewhat commendable. “I must say, from the amnesty’s standpoint, as it relates to the private sector, we had a very good response. The self-employed persons again, we have had a very decent response, but not everybody availed themselves to come in,” she said. However, Burton said that even though the numbers from self-
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.
Cook
Restaurant Supervisors
Summary: Reporting to the Restaurant Manager, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following: Responsibilities •Consistently offer professional, friendly, hospitable service •Oversee restaurant operations ensuring compliance with departmental standards and meeting / exceeding guest expectations •Knowledgeable of all food and beverage products •Ensure proper staffing and scheduling in accordance to productivity guidelines •Communicate through pre-shift briefings, and departmental meetings all necessary information to support the operation •Train Team members in all job aspects – service, product knowledge and technical skills •Cash handling and daily accounting •Capitalize on revenues by upselling and controlling expenses •Handle guest concerns in a timely and professional manner •Follow resort policies, procedures and service standards •Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety policies •Other duties as assigned Requirements •Previous Food and Beverage Supervisory experience •Degree or Diploma in Hospitality Management •Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and leadership skills •Fluency in English (1 additional language desirable) •Ability to work independently, multi task and prioritize responsibilities •Strong guest service orientation and training skills background •Ability to supervise a diverse staff compliment •POS experience – (IQ Ware desirable) •Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) •Basic First Aid Physical Aspects: (include but are not limited to): •Constant standing and walking throughout shift •Lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. •Pushing, pulling, lifting Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please Submit Applications to: hr@bluehaventci.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than February 6th 2015.
employed persons is below satisfaction, the figure is relatively good when compared with our Caribbean neigbours. “It is as expected with informal sector (self-employed), even regionally, this is a sector that tends to be a little bit more challenging to have to deal to deal with as well,” she said. The SUN understands that the compliance NHIP rate for the private sector is above 95 percent, while for self-employed, it is about 75 percent. Some regional countries, The SUN understands have their compliance rate for the private sector at 60 percent and for self-employed at 30 percent.
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 February 6, 2015 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Olint Boss David Smith Back in Custody
Less than 24-hours after being reunited with his family following his release on parole for financial crimes, Olint boss David Smith was taken back into custody by local officials. After serving time in the TCI, Smith is to serve another 30 years in a United States prison on similar charges. At press time, Smith was in the Magistrate’s Court fighting his second round of detention. The SUN learnt that his lawyer Oliver Smith, who was out of the country at the time, was busy trying to get him legal representation after being contacted. Smith was sentenced to six and a half years in September 2010 in the TCI, after pleading guilty to fraud, theft and conspiracy to defraud charges. He later pleaded guilty in a Florida District Court to four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and 18 counts of money laundering in March, 2011 and was sentenced to 30 years. United States and local authorities agreed that Smith should first serve his six and half years in the Turks and Caicos Islands first, and when the sentence is complete, to begin serving his three decades term in the United States. But after being released from Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk
on Wednesday (January 21, 2015), Smith was allowed to go home. Many bystanders and reporters were flabbergasted when the former Olint head emerged from the Providenciales International Airport’s domestic terminal on Thursday (January 23, 2015) from Grand Turk, without police escort. Smith, dressed in a red long sleeve shirt and a blue pair of jeans, hustled with his wife Tracey from the glare of the news cameras and into waiting KIA SUV parked at the entranced of the airport, all the time on his cellular phone. When contacted at the time, his local lawyer Olivier Smith said that he was not prepared to give a comment on the matter at this time. Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Brathwaite-Knowles was also unwilling to divulge much information on Smith’s release to his family, citing fluidity in the matter, which she said is before the courts. She however, explained that when US officials learned some time ago that Smith could have been released on parole, filed an application for his arrest pending extradition, but said that he was not released at that time, and since then things had changed. “An application for a provisional warrant of arrest was received in circumstances when there was a
INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS IS SEEKING: Grounds Operations Manager: Must have 10 years or more experience in airline industry, and have the following aviation certifications: •Auditor training •Dangerous goods training •Security training Suitable candidate should also be: Highly organized and efficient in multitasking in dynamic environments Experienced in planning, organizing and managing people and job functions Skilled communicator with the ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization Responsibilities: •All ground handling services. •Internal quality audits •Operational and documentation process •Liaison with Government/airport authority •Must be able to communicate well in English language.
Please send resume to HR@InterCaribbean.com
prospect of him being released on parole. He wasn’t released (at that time). The circumstances have changed and we are prepared to act on that. We are acting on the basis of what we now have. That is all I can say. I can’t say anything more on that at this stage because it is a matter that is actively before the court,” Brathwaite-Knowles said. She said since Smith has completed his sentence locally, he owes the state nothing, which is the reason that some persons in the legal field and in the public believe Smith was out. Brathwaite-Knowles said that since Smith has completed his sentence, the application for a provisional warrant to hold on to him, has to come from overseas. “The extradition has to come from a foreign state, as he doesn’t owe this state anymore because he has already served his time in relation to the conviction here, so it has to come from a foreign state, and once it comes from a foreign state, we act on it,” she explains. Prosecutors said that more than 6,000 people invested with Smith, who admitted in his plea agreement that Olint was a “massive” Ponzi scheme, whereby he paid returns to investors not from profit from foreign currency trading but from their own money or that paid by David Smith subsequent investors.
We are looking for a responsible and confident individual to join their marketing team as a Journalist.
Responsibilities: •Generate ideas for stories and long-form features regularly. •Cover sports/news events as assigned. •Produce stories for websites, other platforms and press releases •Update website with local and global sports news and information. •Represent the company as media delegate to cover overseas sports events. •Assist on-air sports coverage on ad-hoc basis. •Proofread, edit and revise materials from contracted publishers/agencies whenever necessary.
Requirements: •At least 10 years working experience in journalism, preferably in any editorial content •Excellent command of English language (written and spoken). •Independent and self-driven team player. •Able to work on weekends and public holidays •Photoshop, Indesign & Illustrator an assest
Please send resume to HR@InterCaribbean.com
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Civil Servants to get time off for Dr. Rosita Butterfield funeral Civil Servants are to get the time off from work to attend the state funeral for former House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield, but Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing is making it clear that it is not a public holiday. Dr. Butterfield passed away on Saturday, 10 January 2015, at 1:17pm, in Nassau, The Bahamas. She was 78. The Premier who was address a post-cabinet news conference at the Premier’s Office in Providenciales on Thursday (January 22, 2015), intimated that the time off for civil servants to attend the funeral is in recognition of the funeral’s status. “The government, in recognition of the passing of Dr. Rosita Butterfield, former speaker of the House of Assembly, approved the holding of a state funeral in recognition of the contribution that Dr. Butterfield has made to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the various capacities which she has served. The state funeral will be held on February 5th. “During that time the government has additionally decided that that day would be a day where civil servants will have the time off from work to provide them with the opportunity to attend the funeral service. It is not a public holiday; it is a day that the civil servants will be given time off to attend the funeral,” the premier noted.
Dr. Rosita Butterfield He explained that while the family is making private arrangements for Dr. Butterfield’s funeral service and interment, the House of Assembly is handling the official part of the funeral arrangements from posting public notices to establishing the protocols. “The House of Assembly is the body that is responsible for the conduct, the organization and holding of the state funeral for such individuals who are declared being in honour of a state funeral. I am sure you will be hearing
BLUE HAVEN RESORT is inviting applications for the following position:
Cook Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following: •Must be knowledgeable of food preparation and presentation methods, •Ability to understand sanitary food handling techniques •Knowledgeable of the safe operation of kitchen equipment •Ability to increase staff awareness of proper personal and food hygiene policies and procedures as well as the safe operation of all kitchen equipment •Direct hands on preparation •Daily recording and monitoring of the kitchen’s inventory •Strong team leadership Good writing, reading, listening and computation skills are necessary •Exceptional communication, interpersonal and training skills are a must
Requirements:
•Must possess a 3-4 star background •Minimum of 5 years’ experience in same or similar position •Diploma from a formal culinary institution is required •Knowledgeable in health and sanitation standards •Basic First Aid •Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and holidays.
Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please Submit Applications to:
more from the House of Assembly in this regard as with the plan, which is being done now in collaboration with the family,” he said. Shortly after he passing, one of her sons, Albray Butterfield Jr., took to social media site Facebook, to announce her death as he celebrated her life. “We the family would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you for your prayers and out pouring of love to our family and me during the past several months. Your love, support and prayers are what kept us going strong. “We the family are at peace knowing that she has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, she has kept the faith, and now there is laid up for her the “Crown of Righteousness”, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to her on that Day.She is now at rest. May her soul rest in peace forevermore. Thank you,” Albray Butterfield Jr. said. Dr. Rosita Butterfield, a retired midwife, has said to have been responsible for scores of births across the Turks and Caicos Islands. In addition to midwifery and politics, Dr. Butterfield, together with her husband, Albray Butterfield Sr., created a number of thriving businesses in TCI, ranging from construction, insurance, petrol handling, car dealership and aviation ground transport.
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 Graphic designer 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.
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.
General Manager: The General Manager is the primary strategic business leader
of the property with responsibility for all aspects of the operation. The General Manager must oversee property performance, sales & marketing initiatives and strategies, manage profitability and revenue generation. Additionally, the General Manager must be able to attract talent and build talented teams and be multiskilled and celebrate diverse environments and can relate to people from a variety of backgrounds. The General Manager must have at least 10 years experience in managing in a five star boutique hotel with minimum 3 as a General Manager.
Essential duties: Maximize revenue and profitability, represent the hotel in the
community and head the executive committee of the property. Manage all sources of revenue to include rooms, food and beverage, and others. Ensures all departments are profitable and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders. Achieve exceptional levels of guest and team member satisfaction. Promote the Gansevoort culture at every opportunity and stay true to its core values. Operate the hotel under the covenants of the management agreement, and other relevant brand standards/ SOPs. Establish the strategic plan and execute to fulfill property revenue and profit objectives in accordance to annual budget, marketing plan and capital expenditure plan. In collaboration with the hotel’s financial controller, prepare and manage the budget and quarterly forecast process, and general reporting requirements internally, with brand leadership, banking affiliates, owner’s representatives and investors. Continually analyze market trends and direct team accordingly to obtain objectives. Creates local and national marketing plans and pricing strategies and knows market segments. Responds quickly to changing market conditions and revises strategies accordingly. Actively participates in sales discussions, meetings and plans. Knows monthly production levels for each sales team. Produces monthly financial reports and knows at all times where the hotel stands against budget. Protects the hotel and its assets through enforcing and maintaining a preventative maintenance program. Provide exceptional customer service to all hotel guests, making their stay as comfortable and accommodating as possible while achieving team and Brand goals. Follows company policies and procedures and is able to effectively communicate them to subordinates. Public Area Attendant/Room Attendant/Domestic Worker/Houseman - Loves to clean. Clean and maintain guest rooms and general areas. Clean and replenish amenities as per the resort standards. Assists room attendants with heavier tacks, window washing, linen delivery and removal. Overnight cleaner - Must have one year experience in a resort, knowledge of cleaning process and attention to details.
hr@bluehaventci.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than February 6th 2015 Belongers need only apply.
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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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Large overseas market for locally stolen household goods
Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing has disclosed that there is an overseas market for household appliances and electronic items stolen from homes and persons which is rampant on Providenciales. Cognizant of that fact, the Premier said that the Customs Department has initiated plans to improve surveillance at the seaports to detect stolen items from burglarized homes, which are being shipped from the Turks and Caicos Islands to neighbouring territories. The Premier, who made the disclosure during a post-cabinet news briefing at the Premiers’ Office in Providenciales on Thursday (January 22, 2015), said that the police are leaving no stones unturned to arrest this problem. The SUN understands that the majority of items stolen from Turks and Caicos Islands home are shipped to Hispaniola, the neighbouring island that Haiti and the Dominican Republic share. It is however, understood that there is a much bigger market for the burglarized items in the Dominican Republic, and that the majority of items stolen here are shipped there. The premier told the post-cabinet news briefing that police crime stats
Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing shows that burglaries are on the increase. He said the main targeted areas are Grace Bay, Long Bay and Leeward. “The government has received the crime statistics, which showed that there has been in increase in criminal activities in Providenciales during
Director of Business Development Trade Wind Industries, Ltd., (TWI) is seeking a Director of Business Development to expand conch farming and develop a commercial fin fish farming industry for the TCI.
the past few months. The (police) are however, confident that the measures that would be put in place, which includes the redeployment of staff in specific areas. “Of concern would have been the Grace Bay, certain residential areas of long Bay and Leeward, where certain burglaries have been taking place,” he said. He pointed out that police have begun to redoubling their efforts to putting additional man-power in the affected areas, so as to combat the rampant burglaries. “The redeployment would also come by way of a strategic positioning of vehicles and the utilization of vehicles and other means, including the strengthening of the community policing and working with the citizens in those communities to help combat crime,” he said. Premier Ewing said that by increasing surveillance at the seaports of entry, which are believed to be the source that the stolen items leave these shores to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, said the authorities could crack the burglary ring, since it is believed that the act is being carried out by a small band of revolving convicts. “The plan would also include
the increasing surveillance of the sea ports, in particular, working with the Customs Department in checking vessels that are departing Turks and Caicos, because there is a market for some of the goods that are being stolen from homes and from persons. And so, with the intention of further detect and arrest persons who are the perpetrators of these activities,” he said. The premier also urged citizens of the country to report known criminal activities, so that the perpetrators can be taken off the street. It is understood that large vehicles are being used by the criminals to carry out some of the acts. The SUN learned that on many occasions house are relieved of all their electronic items, including flat screen TVs, computers, microwave ovens, games, jewelry, items of clothing and food. One victim revealed that one Sunday after he left for church, the crooks invaded his home, and after robbing the house of all its light appliances, took time to partake of his Sunday dinner, prepared before leaving for church. He said that the hoodlums apparently feasted themselves around his dining table, as the plates and drinking glasses that they used were left on the table.
$ REWARD $ REKONPANS $ RECOMPENSA $
The ideal candidate will possess a university degree from a recognized institution and have a minimum 15 year verifiable work history of experience in the areas of professionally developing new business, contract negotiations, business law fundamentals and must also demonstrate expert communication skills.
For information that leads to the arrest and charge of the person(s) responsible for the fatal stabbing of 19 year old KENLEY WALTERS between 2:00 am and 3:00 am, Saturday, 27 December 2014 in Club 2005, Downtown Providenciales.
The Director of Business Development creates a specific business development plan, identifies potential contributors, partners, required technical advisors, investors or financiers and initiates direct contact as the TWI representative and thereafter evaluates proposals, outlines and negotiates contracts and organizes and coordinates the implementation of new business.
Pou enfòmasyon ki mennen nan arestasyon chaj moun ki responsab sak su yo tye ak kouto a age 19 ane KENLEY WALTERS a 2:00 ou 3:00 du matin, Samdi, 27 Desanm 2014 nan Club 2005, Downtown Providenciales.
Knowledge is required in the areas of tank mariculture and commercial fin fish farming, as well as state-of-the-art Open Ocean and submerged cage farming techniques. This position reports directly to the TWI Board of Directors. Salary commensurate with experience.
Por información que conduzca al arresto y cargo de la persona (s) responsables del apuñalamiento mortal del joven de 19 años KENLEY WALTERS entre 02 a.m.- 03 a.m., sábado, 27 de diciembre 2014 en el Club 2005 en el área de Downtown Providenciales.
Interested persons should submit a resume of qualifications to: Saunders & CO Town Centre Building Down Town Providenciales Attention: TWI Board of Directors
NOTICE Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 An application, PR12039, by WHITE CLOVER DEVELOPMENT for REZONING OF 60702/105 FROM (R3) RESIDENTIAL TO (C1) COMMERCIAL has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Outline Development Permission on 60702/105 CHESHIRE HALL & RICHMOND HILL. 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. DATED: JANUARY 19th 2015
KENLEY
WALTERS Eligible for a reward! Answered in Miami! Information, not your name!
ANONYMOUS!
Kalifye pou you rekonpanse! Reponn nam Miami! Enfomasyon, pa non ou!
ANONIMO!
Elegibles para una recompense! Responden en Miami! Informacion, no su nombre!
ANONIM!
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 11
LOCAL NEWS
Statement from January 21st Cabinet Meeting
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 21 January 2015 at the NJS Francis Building on Grand Turk. All Ministers were present except; Hon. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. At this meeting Cabinet: •Noted the death of the former speaker of the House of Assembly Dr. Rosita B. Butterfield, MBE and confirmed that Dr. Butterfield will be honored by a state funeral on 5th February 2015 in recognition of her service to the Turks and Caicos Islands. In addition Cabinet confirmed that Thursday 5th February 2015 will be a holiday in the TCI Public Service. Further details of the state funeral arrangements will be published shortly; •Received a report from Rodney Adams, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police setting out the latest crime statistics and the actions being taken by the RTCIPF to counter crime and their plans to strengthen community policing. The RTCIPF will communicate these matters to the public in a news conference in due course; •Advised HE. the Governor to approve the appointment of Sanfra Foster, Country and Branch Manager (TCI) RBC Royal Bank and Patricia Adams, Senior Manager Business Support Scotiabank (TCI) as members of the TCIG Audit Committee; • Approved the budget structure for the management and operation of District Commissioners Offices in line with the Governments long-term vision to strengthen the role of District Commissioners and to establish effective local Government across the
islands; •Noted waivers of the Public Procurement procedures granted by the Director of Contracts and the Permanent Secretary Finance. Waivers are granted in accordance with section 21 (12) of the Public Procurement Ordinance which makes provision for a waiver in exceptional circumstances; •Approved arrangements for the establishment of the Turks and Caicos Islands London Office in the UK. The role of the TCI London Office is to establish and strengthen relations between TCIG and the UK Government, the EU and other Government and Non- Government Organisations. To serve as media spokesperson for TCIG in the UK and to actively market and promote tourism, investment and financial services throughout the UK and Europe in partnership with the TCI Tourist Board; • Advised HE. the Governor to approve revisions to the TCIG Travel Policy. The revisions make provision for a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for local travel; •Noted the National Insurance Board (NIB) Audited Financial Statements 2013/14 and the 7th Actuarial Valuation Report as of 31st March 2013 in preparation for submission to the House of Assembly; •Considered a report from the recent public consultation on Company Beneficial Ownership and maintenance of a publicly accessible central beneficial ownership registry. A full statement setting out Cabinets position on the matter will be made in due course; • Received a report from the Minister of Home Affairs and agreed in principle proposals to make Front
Street, Grand Turk a one way street. The matter will be the subject of further consultation with the Police and Road Safety officials and businesses and residents in the area; •Advised HE. the Governor to approve the reappointment of Permanent Secretaries Susan Malcolm and Wesley Clerveaux to the Executive Council of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust. The appointments are made in accordance with Section 6 of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust Ordinance; Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
TCI MIDDLE SCHOOL Email: principal@tcimiddleschool.com
InterCaribbean Airways has an opening for the position as FINANCE ACCOUNTING MANAGER. With 15 years or more experience in aviation and business sectors, holding an ACA and BA in accounting from a well established and recognized institution.
Duties shall include: • Management of all company assets • Annual budget preparation with monthly variance analysis • Analysis of profitability for entire group of companies, their products and product line • Ability to initiate and deliver methods and systems for cost savings • Preparation and Reporting of all financial information to CEO/ banks • Preparation for and overseeing annual audit • Ability and Experience in initiating new systems to assist with expansion of business • Management Supervision and Mentoring entire staff of Finance department.
Salary shall be commensurate with educational qualification and experience. Please no phone call for more details send resume to hr@interCaribbean.com. Only suitably qualified applications will be interviewed.
TCI Middle School requires for January 2015 a full time teacher of Mathematics or Humanities for this newly developed school This vacancy provides the opportunity for the suitable candidate to be instrumental in the strategic management of the school Full time teacher –.Form Tutor for Yr. 8 or 9, with responsibility for teaching specialist subjects to Yr. 7,- Yr 11. An exciting opportunity to be part of developing a new school on the island, leading it through IGCSEs towards International Baccalaureate status in the future.
Applicants will need to
-Be dynamic, enthusiastic and creative teachers. -Have an excellent working knowledge of the National Curriculum for England and Wales Guidelines -Have UK Qualified Teacher Status with at least 2 years teaching experience in the UK. -Have expertise in one or more of the subject areas. The initial teaching contract will be for a period of two years. Salary will be negotiable according to experience.
Closing date – 30/1/2015 Please Email CV or letter of application with a recent photograph and contact phone number together with the names and phone numbers of referees to: Mark Dunbavand at the above address.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL LOCAL NEWS NEWS
Oletta Harrison-Robinson Funeral Photos
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 13
Page 14
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
PUBLIC NOTICE
DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL STORES GRAND TURK ARE RECRUITING SALES CLERKS/ASSOCIATES
Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 An Application, REGISTRATION # GT 4577, by GRAND TURK CRUISE CENTER LIMITED for the installation of wells for the abstraction of salt water and return of brine water, has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on
 Minimum 2 years sales experience Experience in jewelry sales Impeccable references and police clearance Impeccable English, other languages –advantage High level of customer service and customer attending skills Sales references-advantage JEWELER NEEDED WITH THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS Minimum 5 years experience in setting and sizing gold, silver and gems Tel: 649-946-1083 Fax: 649-946-1988 E-mail: kwatts@shopdi.com
BLOCK: 10507 PARCEL: 36 LOCATION: Grand Turk Cruise Center ISLAND: Grand Turk 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:
PUBLIC NOTICE
WEST BAY CLUB FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR
Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 An Application, REGISTRATION # GT 4578, by GRAND TURK CRUISE CENTER LIMITED for construction of a Water Storage Tank and the construction of a Mechanical Building to include a Reverse Osmosis Plant, has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on BLOCK: 10507
Responsibilities:
•Responsible for making sure that every guest is satisfied with the dining experience •Oversee the smooth order of service, communicating with Front Office, Pool & Beach and Kitchen •Organize and supervise staff arrivals, call ins, side work, linen, cleanliness and dining room and bar service matters.
DUTIES:
PARCEL: 36 LOCATION: Grand Turk Cruise Center ISLAND: Grand Turk 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:
13 January, 2015
•Assign stations to servers and support staff •Oversee back of the house activities including steward and coffee areas •Conduct daily pre-meal meetings •Ensure that needed supplies are on hand •Scheduling for all service staff
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
•Five years experience in a supervisory level position. QUALIFIED BELONGERS NEED ONLY APPLY Submit applications to Human Resources at the West Bay Club
13 January, 2015
Mrs ANNIE PARKER
E.L REPAIR SHOP
Investment firm registered in the TCI seeks qualified
CPA
Auto Group Car Rental and Sales
WANTED
WITH 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE
WANTED LABOURER Salary $5.50 per hour Applicant must be honest reliable & hardworking, fluent in English and French 242-10 Contact 242-1011 DOMESTIC WORKER & CAREGIVER
Is seeking a design painter to be able to spray vehicle, design signs, paint logos on anything that is required. Works hours Monday - Saturday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, sala salary commence with experience. Telephone 3465647
LAS BRASIS RESORT
Salary
$5.50
per hour 6 days per week
Contact 244-3572
Post secondary degree or equivalent experience Must work in a luxury resort for a minimum of five years Work all shifts including weekends and holidays Starting salary $6.00 per hour Interested person should drop off resume to the Human Resource Office: attention Chef
With specialties in mergers and acquisitions together with an expertise in capital markets. To fill the capacity of CFO and financial advisor. The applicant must be expert in structuring and maintaining composite she balance sheets, must have graduate level writing skills and proficiency in Spanish and the temperament, interest and skill to provide instructive training. Qualified and interested applicants should apply with CVs by email to juricatus@gmail.com Attention: Gilbert Morris
IVAN FASHION & CLOTHING NEED A PURCHASING AGENT CASHIER
Contact # 649-231-6153
Mechanic Who specialists in Japanese cars Salary $8.00 per hour
1 BABYSITTER Salary $5.00 Must be reliable and hardworking Contact 242-6051
Green Flash Ltd.
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 15
LOCAL NEWS
DPP to examine dropped cases statistics By Vivian Tyson
JoAnn Meloche, the out-going Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP), says she will examine Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale’s statistics about the number of discontinued criminal cases brought by the DPPs office in the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Ramsay-Hale, during the opening of the Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court on Monday, January 5, 2015, revealed that almost half of the criminal cases filed in the country’s Supreme Court in recent times were discontinued. The Chief Justice said that of the 82 cases brought to the Supreme Court by the Crown, 33 had been discontinued before or during trial. “There is (a) statistic of some interest there were 82 cases dealt with involving 88 defendants. Of that number, 33 cases were discontinued by the Crown, whether by entering a nolle prosequi or offering no evidence or withdrawing the preferred charges. “Without further inquiry, it is impossible to say why the Crown decided not to pursue the charges; whether because of reluctant witnesses or otherwise but it is significant that 33 cases were discontinued at or before trial,” she said. Meloche, during an interview with The SUN earlier this week, did not contest or question the Chief Justice’s statistics, but said that her office will launch an investigation to figure out the reason her number and that of the chief judge are not on par. “I heard some statistics from the Chief Justice of cases that we dropped. I would like to examine those numbers because in our view, we don’t bring cases where there is no prospect of conviction, and we feel that we have quite a good success rate, so
we would want to challenges, we have maintain a sense examine those of professionalism and dedication to figures to see how the rule of law,” she said. we can reconcile In the meantime, Ramsay-Hale, in our figures with her pronouncement, seemed not to be the court’s number,” knocking the Crown for pulling the Meloche said. cases, explaining that unwarranted Meloche matters could potentially not only said that given create a clog in the justice system the circumstances but also result in unmerited cost to under which office taxpayers. work to prosecution “The proffering of charges cases, she is would causes the Administration to happy with the incur significant expenditure on legal rate convictions aid and administration of the process, achieved. She said including court time. If the cases had that her office, no legal merit to begin with then those for the most part, prosecutions only serve to clog a system weigh each case that is already overloaded and as I before making a have said, waste resources, which are decision whether or already stretched to breaking point,” Out-going Director of Public Prosecution JoAnn Meloche not to proceed. she said. “But there The Chief Justice noted there were are so many challenges to putting forward a 58 criminal cases filed and dealt with in the Supreme prosecution case, including cooperation of witnesses Court in 2014 compared 87 in 2013 and 96 in 2012. and resources available to the police service and “What is interesting to note is the decrease availability of courts,” she said. in the number of criminal prosecutions brought Meloche also pointed out that a chronic backlog between 2012 and now. The difference between 96 of cases has also been affecting the matters before cases and 58 is statistically significant. I am not sure the court. whether it speaks to a reduction in crime - anecdotal “We have a long backlog about a year to evidence would suggest otherwise - or whether it is a bring cases to trial in court. A lot of things can change in police or prosecution policy,” she said. happen within a community in a year in terms of She said that a further 10 cases were stopped witnesses cooperating and that sort of thing. There by the Court and a not guilty verdict directed. This, is a lot of impediments in getting cases to resolve she said, points to the insufficiency of evidence in a before the courts. But I think in spite of all those further 10 matters.
NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands. 1.Parcel 60900/287 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. Property consists of a main house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, living/dining room and a one bedroom, one bathroom guest house with kitchen, living/dining room on 0.36 acre. Registered Proprietor: Mark Andrew Knighton and Julie Margaret Knighton 2.Parcel 60002/139 Northwest and North Central, Providenciales. Single storey Priton home in Phase two with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living/ dining room, kitchen and laundry room on approx.. 0.40 acre . Registered Proprietor: Lavardo Garland 3.Parcel 60804/45 The Bight and Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales. Single storey with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living/dining area, kitchen and laundry room on approx.. 0.40 acre. Registered Proprietor: Janet Smith 4.Parcel 60715/191 Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, Providenciales. Single storey situated on Butterfly Close with two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, living/dining area, laundry on approx.. 0.56 acre. Registered Proprietor: Vienna Thomas
Alexandra Resort is inviting applications for the following positions:____
CHIEF ENGINEER
Responsibilities: •Overseeing the functions of all Engineering and maintenance staff to ensure that all required maintenance and up-keep of property is carried out; •Accountability for all Engineering inventories i.e. equipment and supplies inventories; •Be responsible for hiring of Engineering staff; •Also to ensure that all staff are trained and coached on all aspects of their job •Promoting an atmosphere of teamwork and professionalism within the department; •You must be able to maintain as well as offer new avenues on all electrical and mechanical systems Requirements; •At least 5 years experience with at least 3 or more those years in a four star resort property •Must have a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. •A proven track record in managing an efficient diversified workforce is a MUST •The ability to focus on preventative maintenance of the resort’s engineering, grounds, pools, public areas, guestrooms •Must be highly organized and have excellent communication skills written and oral •Must be knowledgeable of all Engineering/maintenance functions •Must have the ability to manage department’s budget •Knowledge of visual one IS A MUST
NIGHT AUDITOR RESPONSIBILITIES
•Ensuring that all charges and credits are posted accurately to guest accounts; that the telephone call accounting system reporting has been completed and system is functional •Balancing all credit card charges to cashiers reports and hard and soft copies are balanced with credit card folios •Organizing the night audit work in an orderly manner for distribution to the accounts department •Closing out of accounts and resetting the system for the next days operation •Conducts analytical review of all daily Front Office and Room transactions reports and to rectify and discrepancies. •Acting as Manager on Duty and maintain an open line of communication between guests, team members and management. •Performing Front Office duties, processing express checkouts and assisting guests as needed during the shift JOB REQUIREMENTS
The auction will be held at the offices of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, Grace Bay Branch, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 30th day of January 2015.
A reserve price will be fixed on all parcels. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.
•Must have 6 or more years previous experience as a Night Auditor in a resort or condominium environment •Proficient in Microsoft office and Visual one is a MUST •Clear communications skills (written and oral) •Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please Submit Applications to: hr@alexandraresort.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than February 26th, 2015 Belongers need only apply.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
DPP JoAnn Meloche satisfied with her stint in TCI
By Vivian Tyson
The tenure for JoAnn Meloche - the Turks and Caicos Islands’ first Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) comes to an end at the end of January (2015), and she told The SUN that she is pleased with the level of achievements the prosecution arm of the local justice system made under her watch. Meloche, in an interview with The SUN earlier this week, said that she is happy to be able to leave the job knowing that all its staff members are equipped with the tools they need to carry out their duties effectively. She said that under her watch a new fitfor-purpose office, library and on-going international and local legal education for staff members of the DPP were achieved. “The morale is really good. The concept of teamwork has been instilled, also the principles of imposing the rule of law and being consistent and acting with integrity. We have a prosecution theme that we follow and everybody is on the same page for that,” she said. When Meloche joined the local prosecution body as the principal crown counsel in Grand Turk, it was, at the time, operating out of the Attorney General Chambers. She said that since the workload was heavy for the five prosecutors that she came and saw, she managed to hire five more, bringing the complement to 10, while also hiring most of the seven support staff.
“Now we have a complement of especially with the media, which she 10 prosecutors and seven support said the prosecution does not have. staff. I hired most of those prosecutors “When we take our licks in the and support staff,” Meloche, who press, we are not at liberty to speak out did not renew her contract with the about it the same way as the defense government, said. is. It is demoralizing, so we just try to She said that if anything she do the next straight thing. And, that is nailed in her staff is professionalism why I am proud of these guys, because and integrity. there is a lot of adversity out there and “It is very important to do the right very little support; it is a difficult job. thing, and I think that the work ethic “Even though there has been a and all of those things have really lot of barriers and systemic challenges, been instilled. To act with integrity those principles have been instilled in and professionalism at all times is a all members of the prosecution service. very challenging thing to do in this And from that point-of-view I think jurisdiction. there has been a big improvement. “You have to build a relationship “You can only control what’s in your of trust and so on, that is important purview; there is no control for what’s because we are all are carrying out a outside of your purview, and there is different role, and you have to respect all of those systemic challenges that that everybody has got their different you have to work within, including role, it’s all with the common pursuit the dissemination of inaccurate of justice. Somebody has to set the information, which we are not in a example, and that is so important to position to do anything about. Maybe me with the team of prosecutors,” she we could have done a better job getting said. the facts out to the public,” she said. She added: “We are all administers Asked to elaborate on the high of justice, and you have to set the points of her tenure, the out-going chief example to do the right thing, to prosecutor said: “I guess some of the show respect, and to prepare, and to high points would be the professional represent the public as best as you can. development of the prosecutors and And, you need to have the respect of the morale of the whole office, having the public in carrying it out, and the been given the tools to carry out their only way to do that is to be consistent challenging mandate. There is a strong and honest and act with integrity, and concept of teamwork and cooperation; let the court know that they can count you can feel it. There are also the on you.” relationships that we built with a lot Meloche bemoaned the level of of jurisdictions, including Canada latitude that the defense may have, – that has been very instrumental
Londolozi Ltd is inviting suitable applications for the following position:
Security Officer
Position Description Security Officer is responsible for: insuring a safe environment for Beach House guests and associates; patrolling; documenting; reporting; and following-up on safety and security hazards or infractions. This individual may also be required to carry out more general guest service tasks, such as delivering items to guest rooms. A Security Officer must demonstrate the ability to remain calm in emergencies, and balance excellent guest and associate relations skills with safety and security. The successful applicant must be available to work multi shifts, holidays, weekends and overnight. Job Requirements ➢Guest Oriented with previous resort/hotel experience is a MUST ➢Must have working knowledge of all procedures and processes Loss Prevention ➢Must be computer literate with excellent communication skills written and oral ➢Should be able to use a computer, demonstrate professionalism, excellent verbal and written communication skills. ➢CPR and First Aid Certification Preferred ➢A valid TCI driver’s license
and helpful to us, in providing legal education.” On the topic of the low points, she said: “The low points, I think, is the lack confidence from the public in the administration of justice because of the systemic challenges that we are facing; that includes lack of resources for the police, the dissemination of information into the public, the lack of courts available – all of those things. The more confidence the public has in the system, the better it operates.” She advised that only if all the stakeholders in the justice system worked together the public would have total confidence in it. “I don’t’ feel that is where we are at. So that’s why, for our office, I just keep saying, just stick together and just keep going forward. That’s all you can do by setting that example, and hopefully, by doing that we will all get on the same page. “It is challenging and difficult, but it has to start somewhere, and I think, too, that the respect of persons in the system between the defense and the prosecution and the police and the courts; you have seen some of the behaviour that takes place in court. “That does not instill confidents in court when you see people disrespecting each other and disrespecting the court and disrespecting the prosecution. I really wish that there was more support to not allow that type of behavior to take place,” she asserted.
TCI PAINT & SUPPLY LTD. Seeks one Assistant Manager of Sales and Marketing Applicant must have the following: •At least five (5) years experience and bachelor’s degree from an accredited university •Strong communication, presentation and writing skills •Hotel engineering background (as outside sales will be primarily dealing with reports and understanding the logistical and maintenance) •Strong interpersonal, research and teamwork skills •Detail oriented •Flexible to new situations and challenges •Extensive working knowledge of quick books and back office programs •Must be familiar with statistic inventory and be able to both place orders and take in account monthly and seasonal stock fluctuations and needs •Be knowledgeable on buildings and maintenance customer relations •Ability to be punctual (work begin at 7am – 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 2pm on Saturdays) •Accept to a drug free work place/random drug screening •No criminal background
Salary for this position will commensurate with qualification and experience.
Duties include:Responsible for maximizing profits and minimizing costs. Marketing, Logistics, Customer Service and FINANCE . Deal with customers and prepare orders as well as receiving and off loading inventory from containers. Ensuring standards for quality, health and safety are met. Responding to customer complaints and comments. Creating and fostering new relationships with new and perspective clients. General Supervision of employees. Willingness to complete all tasks at hand with a positive and respectful attitude.
Please Submit Applications to: hr@beachhousetci.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than February 6th, 2015 Belongers need only apply.
Please submit resumes to: P. O. Box 666, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 17
LOCAL NEWS
“What’s in the Box” disqualifies over half its entries
correct answer. The clues that were sent out – “It can make you happy”; it can make you sad and low”; “It can be More than half of the What’s a blessing or curse”; “it can lower your in the Box entries -approximately blood pressure or increase your heart 1,100 - were discarded because they rate”; “It’s used a lot in the Turks and did not include certain instructions Caicos”; and “the spirit of Turks and to become qualified for consideration, Caicos”. according to the organizers of the “We sent out the clues periodically, yearly Christmas quiz competition. and the instructions were to text ‘Box” Dr. Carlton Mills, of the Grace plus you guess at the answer. We had Bay Foundation – the charity arm 956 entries from persons who sent in of Grace Bay Resorts - which stages ‘Box” plus the correct answer. And then the event each year with the backing we had 1,100 other answers that came of Building Materials, LIME and in with their various guesses.” RBC FirstCaribbean International The organizers said they are bank, and Rachael Harvey, LIME’s hoping that persons who intend to Marketing Manager made the participate in this year’s competition disclosure during the drawing last do not make the same mistake, since Friday (January 16, 2015). they want to give everyone equal They said that LIME customers opportunity to win. Since each text were asked to text the word “Box” to cost $1, a little over $2,000 was raised a number given, but more that the from last year’s stating. 2,000 persons who entered the quiz The organizers did not say whether competition did not text the word or not any of the disqualified entries “Box”, rendering them disqualified. were submitted before the correct ones. “There were over 2,000 entries but They did not say either how many of you had to text “Box” to 4946 in order the disqualified entries had the correct to qualify,”Dr. Carlton Mills said. “But answer. over a thousand of these entries were Harvey explained that the winners disqualified because they didn’t follow were chosen on a first come, first serve the procedures. Only 956 persons basis, noting that the first person to followed the correct procedures.” text the right answer was declared Backing up Mills, Harvey noted: the main prize winner, likewise the “We sent the clues and you responded consolation prize winners. with “Box” with your guess for the In the meantime, Adelphine Pitter, By Vivian Tyson
Carlton Mills General Manager for Grace Bay Resorts, and a member of the Grace Bay Foundation, said that proceeds from quiz will go towards assisting technology development at the two primary schools on North Caicos – the Charles Hubert James Primary School in Kew and the Adelaide Oemler Primary School in Bottle Creek. “The 2014 What’s in the Box staging celebrated its fifth anniversary. The funds raised will go towards the purchasing of tablets for the two Grace
Bay Club adopted schools on North Caicos,” she said. Jewel Selver, Secretary at the TCI Community College in Grand Turk, was declared the first prize winner. The first prize is a weekend for two at Grace Bay Club; the second prize is construction tool kit from Building Material; the third prize is a $500 account from FirstCaribbean Bank; the fourth prize is a smart phone from LIME, while the fifth prize is a dinner for two at the West Bay Club.
T&C Refreshments Ltd. Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Is.
Is seeking candidates for the position of
Merchandiser
FUNCTION To ensure that all Coca-Cola Brands are properly displayed and merchandised in the market place. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES • To execute scheduled visits to all listed accounts, ensuring that the account is properly merchandised and point of sales material is in place. •
Monitoring & Servicing all branded coolers, racks and displays, ensuring that products are stocked and priced correctly.
•
Organizing and setting up of all product sampling in the market.
•
Assisting with market surveys, documentation of findings and reporting of the same.
•
Preparing banners for display.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE • High School Diploma • A valid Driver’s License SKILLS • Good communication skills • Time management. If you are interested in a challenging career, that will bring out the best in you, in an environment that is ever changing and evolving, then, send your Resume, on or before January 30th, 2015 by email to HRAdmin@cbcbahamas.com
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Grand Turk Fishing Tournament Inc. Donates new computer system to Grand Turk High School
Right to Left: John ‘Jack’ Seery, Vice President GTFT, Ms. CherylAnn Jones, P S Ministry of Education, Hon. Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier & Minister for Education, H. E. The Governor, Mr. Peter Beckingham, Mr. Everette Freites, Chaiman GTFT, Mr. Mitchell Loeb GTFT, Mr. Séamus Day, President GTFT The new H.J. Robinson High School computer lab was recently opened by H. E. The Governor, Mr. Peter Beckingham and The TCI Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Hon. Akierra Missick. The new computer lab was outfitted with a ‘state of the art’, 2 server, 30 screen ‘smart client’ system, which was donated by the committee of the Grand Turk Fisherman’s Tournament Inc. (GTFT) with funds raised during the 2014 Grand Turk game fishing tournament. H. E. The Governor, The Hon. Deputy Premier and The schools Principal, Mr. Reinwald Lewis all offered remarks, and were unanimous in their enthusiasm for both the educational potential, and the gifting of
the new system, and all thanked the GTFT committee for their hard work throughout the preceding year, which made the donation possible. Andre Mills, the TCIG IT Director was so impressed with the new system that he would like to see similar systems rolled out across all TCIG and Educational departments, to which the Hon. Deputy Premier concurred and offered her budgetary support during her own remarks. The new IT system brings a whole new level of computing power and ease of management for staff to the H J Robinson Computer unit. Mr. Williams from the IT department spoke of the many advantages of the new set up over older systems, and along with the
Thank You! The family of Oletta Louise Harrison would like to express their deepest gratitude and appreciation for all the love, prays, phone calls facebook messages, flowers, kindness and thoughtful gestures that you have bestowed upon us during our time of bereavement. Your words were not only comfort, but a source of strength for our family during this difficult time. A big thank you to the management and staff of JetBlue Airways, Mr. Frankie Elias MCO General Manager, Regina Brown MCO AO Crew Member, Donatte Violet Armstrong bestfriend at MCO, Racquel Cromwell JFK lead and acting supervisor and the entire JetBlue team MCO and JKF. Officers and Members of Paradise Baptist Church, Pastor Goldstone Williams. Bishop Dr. C. A Williams Provincial Leader GUF & Founder of ALMI; Rev Dan Willis Lighthouse Church of all Nations of Chicago Florida; Pastor Evan Williams and Pastor Pedro Williams of TCIBU; Pastor Wesley Missick Of Church of God of Prophecy , Father Bernard Been of St Monica Anglican Church. Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Dr Rufus Ewing; Leader of the Opposition Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson; Member of Parliament for Five Cays Hon Sean Astwood; Minister of Government Support Services Hon Amanda Missick and all members of Parliament who attended. A big Thank you to Turks and Caicos Islands Mass Choir, Normika Forbes and Judy Mcphee. Postells Mortuary Orlando Florida, Corey Funeral Home. A special thank you to Ms Blythe Clare for protocol and management of the day; Edith Skippings, Marsha Blanche, Chrishelle Been and Glenda Rigby who ushered. A special thank you to Mrs. Stephanie Duncanson for flowers and decorations. Mervin & Gloria Cox for preparing the meal for the family repass. Thank you to our Family members who traveled from the Bahamas.The Community of Five Cays and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers
God Bless
H J Students, demonstrated some of the capabilities’ of the new equipment to all those present. Apart from the plethora of technical advantages, and CAD capabilities, the new system is at least 400% more energy efficient than older systems, with obvious long-term benefits to the education budget and the TCI environment. Mitchell Loeb, joint founder and committee member of GTFT, thanked everyone for attending, wished the students well with their new assets, and thanked all the incredibly generous sponsors and the public who supported the 2014 tournament. He finished by saying that he hoped the 2015 event would be an even greater success, with more local and Providenciales boats entering than ever before, and helping to make this already significant event in the Grand Turk calendar grow year on year for the benefit of all our supported causes. The Grand Turk Fisherman’s Tournament Inc. is a not for profit, run 100% by volunteers, and supported by the TCI community. Our annual game fishing tournament is used as a fund raising vehicle to support local good causes. The Grand Turk Wellness Center benefited in 2013, and 2015 will benefit both the Ona Glinton and Eliza Simons Primary Schools on Grand Turk. Please give generously and support this year’s event, which is due to be held on 27th and 28th June at Governors Beach Grand Turk, with the Calcutta on Friday 26th. If anyone would like to assist the committee with the 2015 tournament, or make a donation, please get in touch, all help is most welcome and no fishing experience is necessary.
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Condolences delivered by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition during the Thanksgiving service for “Oletta Robinson” “Oletta Robinson hailed as an Ambassador for TCI” God knew that this day would come and we are in a place that has been before blessed with all that you will need to face and get through this experience today and for the days ahead. And because He knows that we can do all things because of the God that will strengthened us, His Word and command remains firm when He says that this is the day that the Lord has made, we must rejoice and be glad in it. In this dark experience: the sudden loss of your mother, daughter, sister, aunt, relative and friend, you no doubt have been reflecting on the memories shared. You have cried, you have questioned God, you have denied this and sought ways to escape but you would have and will continue to find moments to smile and laugh about. As you go through this experience, I encourage you to hold onto those memories because it was those times that she would like for you to draw on. Though controversial, I believe before we entered this world, the tombstone was dated. Through our sinful nature and a series of our choices, we began to die the day we were born. No doubt we feel that Beulah was robbed or you were robbed family, of time but God knew her end was near and that is why despite the apparent loneliness in her death, I believe that God was ever present. Shock will be the initial reaction to sudden loss, but I want to remind you that your reaction, our reaction is not the same as God’s for He is never shocked or surprised and just as I believe that He was present with her, so is He ever present for you today. He is still the best refuge in times of trouble. As I offer you condolences on behalf of the Official Opposition and the PDM family, I remind us all that there are lessons to be learnt from her life and likewise lessons to be learned from her death - things that God can and will reveal if we persistently seek Him and if it be His will. But the more obvious lesson is to cherish your days (we need to also pray as the Psalmist did –Lord teach us to number our days; equally we are being taught to cherish and celebrate our loved ones for very few persons have the privilege to know when they will die. And finally, I believe that Home Going Services are times we ought to look within and see if we are ready to meet our Maker should we slip into eternity. Mama, I do not know what you are going through, Bennado, I cannot begin to understand your loss, Buelah’s siblings, I have an idea but one thing I know for sure is that the God of heaven who is still on His throne knows what you are going through - the loss you are feeling and He wants to fill that void in your life that only He can. As we celebrate Buelah’s life with you, there are many memories shared to show how her life has impacted this world in some way or another, but as I reflect on the Jet Blue send - off captured and shared on social media, I see this demonstration of love as evidence that she was a friend, a colleague and an employee to be celebrated. She represented the Turks and Caicos well. What a remarkable testimony in death that she was such an ambassador for these Islands, no doubt not just touching her Jet Blu Family as is evidence by their presence today but infecting all the nations that passed through her hands with her infectious smile and TCI spirit. I therefore also extend sympathies to her Jet Blue family and pray that God comforts you as you continue mourn her loss. I encourage you all to give God thanks for her life and for the times shared and memories created. Scripture reminds us that even after Job had suffered the greatest loss ever, he proclaimed that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away and I believe that God wants you to come through this experience where you will also say “Blessed be the name of the Lord. On behalf of the Peoples’ Democratic Movement and the Official Opposition, I extend to you our heartfelt condolences and pray that the God of peace will continue to comfort those that trust in Him and for those who have not yet learn to Trust Him, it is our prayer that you will seek Him and find Him in this experience. We encourage you to build your faith in this experience. Minded of the fact that your faith gives you a hope but your humanness will miss her. In these moments we encourage you to sing a song of praise and watch God on your behalf. Be encouraged.
Mama we love you. May the soul of your loved one rest in peace and rise in glory.
Tasty’s Cafe 1 Cleaner 1 Kitchen helper 2 Cooks
$149
6 days a week Salary $5.00 per hour Contact : ea.williams@hotmail.com
TELEPHONE: 332-1247
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Tourist Board Chair wants Hotel Health Surveillance system mandatory
Dr. Shandey Malcolm
Dr. Kingsley Been
Kingsley Been, Chairman for of your jobs is related to tourism. You the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist have over 30,000 people, but you have Board, is recommending that the more people coming here each year National Hotel Health Surveillance than persons who actually live here. So, that the Ministry of Health is proposing if this is what you depend upon, and for the sector becomes mandatory to all the fact that tourism is vulnerable to accommodations, since fragile industry health events, and a good example that is the country’s lifeblood. two years ago you had outbreaks that The Tourist Board chair was actually affects your tourism product, responding to questions from the then you need to address these issues,” media at the Hotel-based Workshop she asserted. for Improving Health and Sustainable In the meantime, Been said that Tourism in the TCI, held over two days now is a good time as any for a proper – Tuesday, January 20, and Wednesday, health system to be established, since 21, 2014, at the Occasions Ballroom at the Turks and Caicos Islands, over the the Airport Hotel in Providenciales. last two years, has been racking up “I think it should be mandatory huge annual tourism numbers. because experience have shown that “As we see over the last several if you leave these things up to the months, particularly towards the option of individuals, so to speak, end of last year, we have begun to some persons would opt out, rather experience an increase in number than take on board the opportunity to of tourists coming to the Turks and ensure that it is an effective system Caicos Islands. If you speak to the within the institutions and workplace,” number of hoteliers and persons who Been emphasized. are directly and indirectly involved He said that it is important that in the industry they can tell you that such a system be established because this year or last year was perhaps the it could foster more effective responses best year they have experienced yearin times of crisis. on-year, compared to the number of “We have seen in the past where a persons they have seen coming to his lack of action to respond to any outbreak destination. or disease from preparation for a “And we can see that improvements response may have actually impacted taking place as we move forward into our destination. And therefore, the 2015 and beyond. I think we have ability to educate persons attending perhaps gone beyond the years when the workshop of the importance to have we used to see seasonal tourism. We persons in place, response mechanisms are beginning to see year-round to deal with any outbreak in a practical tourism in this destination, and that manner, is certainly a plus for all of can only improve as we continue to us. And therefore, helps us to more or move forward, exploring new markets less, minimize the impact on such an outside of the traditional North outbreak on our economy in the event American markets and into niche and that an outbreak takes place,” Been emerging markets in some different pointed out. countries in the near future,” he said. For her part, Dr. Lisa Indar of A number of tourism players the Caribbean Public Health Agency attended the event, and Dr. Shandey (CARPHA), explained that the prime Malcolm, Deputy Chief of the National purpose of the workshop was to develop Epidemiology Research Unit (NERU), a hotel based health surveillance pointed out that the authorities would system for the Turks and Caicos, with be able to act quickly when it has the aim of having an early warning greater knowledge of disease outbreaks. and identification system. She said “This workshop is a collaboration that such a system could foster an between the tourism stakeholders early response to avoid the spread or the Ministry of Health, the Ministry increase in case an illnesses occur. This, of Tourism, the Tourist Board and the she said, would counter the negative Hotel and Tourism Association,” she publicity and loss of revenue for the said, adding that the idea to introduce Turks and Caicos. a health surveillance system for resorts “Over 50 percent of your GDP is was born out of a tourism seminar held dependent on tourism, over 50 percent some months ago.
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LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
AMANYARA PROVIDENCIALES TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
WELLNESS MANAGER
Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar position. Professionally trained in massage therapy or other spa/wellness disciplines and able to train therapists in all massage and beauty treatments. Good leadership qualities and the ability to train motivate, mentor multi-cultural staff. Must be creative and able to implement and market new treatments. Possess a polite, professional demeanor, able to converse confidently with guests on all levels of spa experience. Immaculate presentation and grooming required along with strong administrative & computer skills.
EAM ROOMS & VILLAS MANAGER - AMANYARA
Reporting to: General Manager and working in tandem with EAM F&B Breakdown of Responsibilities - Candidate Traits Must have Good Selling skills and great PR skills. •European or North American Hospitality School degree •Understanding of Asian hospitality, Experience in top luxury resorts a must, Experience in multicultural environments – we have 26 nationalities. Island or remote location experience, Best of the best attitude and performer, Multilingual in European languages a must (3 languages) •Grasp of North American and European Travel Trade – Brazil a plus. Self – Supervision on Revenue projects, Very tight Time Management skills as our deadlines are measured by seconds, Natural Selling ability Expert in Rooms Operations, Strong Villa or high-end suite experience a must, Patient and Go To person. Always says yes, unless a better alternative is provided. Flexibility Candidate has to tread carefully on corporate lines (Aman philosophy) while still generating; Creative Conceptual Revenue ideas, Fast and accurate Depiction of figures & statistics. Villa Operational and Owner relations: · Focuses on overall quality and standards of 20 villa operation with assistance of Villa Coordinator, Villa Head Chef and Villa Senior Butler (overseeing 20 teams of 1 villa host/1 villa cook) · Personally handles more difficult requests from individual owners (around 15). Ensures all villas are rented in an equally distributed manner, ensures villa expenses are kept in line, and co-ordinates with engineering/housekeeping to ensure villas are in top shape, Creates special events for the 4 peak holiday periods that villa owners visit resort, Implements, communication tool (newsletter) that keeps villa owners in tune monthly of the happening at the resort and updates on their villas.
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SR. LOST PREVENTION COORDINATOR This position requires at least (3) years of experience as a Loss Prevention/ Security Officer; or law enforcement officer involving guest/public contact. Also working knowledge of all procedures and process of Loss Prevention and be highly motivated. Good communication, written and oral skills a must. This individual will be conducting inspections, identified potential security issues along with other duties as management requires. SPA THERAPIST/ SUPERVISOR Minimum 5 years previous experience with working in a spa, preferably in a 5-star resort, providing massage and beauty treatments as well as manicures and pedicures. Must be physically fit and in good health. Immaculate presentation and fluency in English is also required. VILLA COOKS Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Chef de Partie, Demi Chef, Commis Chef and Pastry Chef in a luxury resort, cruise ship, private estate or 5-star restaurant. Should have a working knowledge of Asian & Mediterranean cuisines. This is a live-in position. Extended working hours required when villa is occupied. VILLA HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR Minimum 3 years’ experience as Senior Supervisor in the Housekeeping Department of a luxury resort. Must have good organizational and communication skills and detail orientated. Solid experience in managing and controlling inventories good computer skills. Friendly outgoing professional demeanor and immaculate presentation have proven experience in training housekeeping staff and a hands-on leadership approach. PRIVATE VILLA HOUSEKEEPERS/ HOST Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a 5-star resort, private estate or luxury motor yacht with solid food and beverage service experience. Must be immaculately presented, fluent in English and possess the confidence to communicate directly with villa owners and renters. A friendly, outgoing yet professional demeanor is required. Must be self-motivated, disciplined, flexible and hard-working. This is a live-in position and extended working hours are required when villa is occupied. WAIT STAFF/ BARTENDER Minimum 2 year’s previous food and beverage service experience in a luxury/ 5 star resorts. Excellent verbal communication skills, immaculate presentation and friendly, professional demeanor. Micros skills advantageous, be a team player and able to work under pressure. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and evenings. MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN/ SUPERVISOR Minimum 3 years supervisory experience, preferably within a luxury resort environment. Previous experience in electrical engineering with maintenance of air-conditioning units, kitchen/laundry equipment, and desalinization plant, sewer treatment plant and diesel gen-sets required, also Laundry Steam Boilers and Steam Systems. Must have good communication skills and be a team player. Valid driver’s license and computer skills required
CARPENTER At least 5 years’ experience in a Resort with knowledge of exclusive carpentry ASST. FINANCIAL CONTROLLER work restoration experience preferred, be familiar with and be able to operate a The position of Asst. Controller is critical to the efficient and successful wide range of equipment common to high end resort. Must possess the strength operation of both Hotel and Villas (private homes), having responsibility to help and dexterity needed to perform the job and the physical ability to move maintain & improve accounting systems, internal controls & processes. Working equipment as necessary. Adhere to operational safety rules and regulations as along with Financial Controller in is responsibility for ensuring financial results deemed by the resort. Also follow directives and possess good communication are maximized, through effective budgeting, forecasting and cost controls. This skills and ability to interact with managers and coworkers effectively. Work role requires a team player with strong operational & financial focus, good alone and with others have the ability to communicate with others in written judgment, passion, vision and exceptional leadership skills. and verbal form, also a working knowledge of all hand and power tools. Key Responsibilities: 1) Assume some responsibilities for day-to day accounting functions within the Hotel and Villas, including banking, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, inventory, and cash management. 2) Lead the accounting team, ensuring all daily operational & financial transactions is prepared accurately and in a timely manner when Financial Controller is absent. Help train, and evaluate the performance of the accounting team members. 3) Help produce monthly & yearly financial statements reporting to Financial Controller in an accurate and timely manner, analyzing, understanding and communicating the relationship between actual results to budget. Job Requirements: Minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Finance Complete knowledge of hotel accounting systems and procedures 4 to 5 years of Managerial Accounting/ Finance experience and; Exceptional analytical ability required. Advanced Excel skills, ability to plan, prioritize & implement effectively multi-task while working effectively in a fast paced environment. SALES AND RESERVATION ANALYST Amanyara is seeking a suitable qualified individual to fill this position; to identify and maximize all potential revenue opportunities for the hotel, specializing in luxury accommodation. This includes the analysis of revenue potential generated by the FIT, transient and group market segments as well as the market segmentation within transient and group. One will combine this with catering and space utilization as well as other revenue considerations (i.e.: F&B, spa utilization, packages, etc.) in order to determine the appropriate mix of business to achieve revenue potentials. Expert and familiar with Hotel Revenue Management systems. (SAR), Corporate Reservations Policies & Planning and Opera. Ability to produce statistical forecast, market planning and reports for business growth analysis. Individual will report to Reservations Manager and EAM Manager.
At Amanyara Tourism continues to be the #1 industry in our beautiful Island, we are proud to serve our community. We are seeking a highly motivated individual to assist our team as our woodworker. Our organization just came off a recordbreaking year and is looking to continue that growth pattern for the New Year of 2014 and beyond. If you are a skilled wood worker and possess a positive, can-do attitude, with at least 3 years of wood working experience including but not limited to: carpentry, cabinetry, custom woodworking. Overall strong work history, send us your resume. BEACH ATTENDANT/TENNIS KNOCKER & GYM ATTENDANT Experience in one or more of the following areas: Sailing (hobby boats), clublevel tennis playing ability, operation of gym equipment and personal training. Must be a good swimmer and able to teach snorkeling; Well presented with good communication skills and friendly yet professional demeanor. Recent CPR, First Aid or Life Saving Skills. LABOURER Must be reliable, strong, able to help clean ponds and swimming pools, hardworking and willing to work under the sun all day. Should be able to speak reasonable English. Previous experience beneficial. All positions require a flexible schedule (which may include holidays, weekends and evenings) and extended hours on occasion. Salaries based on experience and qualifications.
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE WEDNESDAYS ONLY 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM. E-mail mstubbs@amanresorts.com
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JANUARY 17TH, 2015 – JANUARY 24TH, 2015
Book your own car rental, Hotels, Vacation home & more. Contact for more information
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GET YOUR CAR VOUCHER GET YOUR ACCOMADATION
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JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
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VOLUME 11 - NO. 03
$1.00
CARIBBEAN NEWS/ WORLD NEWS AND SPORTS/BUSINESS SECTION B Website: www.suntci.com
Email: sun@suntci.com
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TSA Finds Record Number of Firearms in Carry-On Bags T
he next time you are standing in the security line at the airport, be aware that some of your fellow passengers may be packing more than just clothes. The Transportation Security Administration says that a record 2,212 firearms were discovered in passenger’s carry-on bags or on their bodies in the past year. And more than eighty percent of those guns were loaded. TSA says the found an average of six firearms a day, and discoveries were made at 224 airports. Dallas-Fort Worth Airport had the most guns confiscated, with 120, while Atlanta had 109 cases, TSA said. Sky Harbor in Phoenix, Bush International in Houston and the Denver International airport each had more than 50 firearm incidents. On June 4th alone, 18 firearms were discovered around the country packed in carry-on bags. The total number of firearms discovered at security checkpoints has been rising for almost ten years now. In 2005, only 660 firearms turned up during air passenger screenings. “The most common excuse people give when we detect a firearm in their carry-on bag is that they forgot. The second most common excuse is that their husband or wife packed the bag,” TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told ABC News. “We have no reason to believe that any of the individuals who have been stopped with firearms at checkpoints have had any intent to cause harm.” That may be true, but some of the firearm incidents make you ask, “What were they thinking?” •A 94-year-old man attempted to enter the checkpoint at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with a loaded .38 caliber revolver clipped to his belt. •A loaded 380. caliber firearm was discovered strapped to a passenger’s ankle after walking through a metal detector at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. •A loaded 380. caliber firearm was discovered in the rear pocket of a San Antonio International Airport (SAT) passenger during advanced imaging technology screening. •In addition to handguns and other firearms, TSA also turns up some potentially deadly items coming through security. •An Mk 2 hand grenade was discovered in a carry-on bag at Los Angeles International Airport. The Terminal 1 checkpoint was closed while the explosive ordnance disposal team transported the grenade to an offsite location to be disrupted. Five flights
were delayed more than two hours, affecting 800 passengers. Other dangerous items discovered last year include: a fireworks making kit, fireworks, black powder pellets, live flash bang grenades, propane, a flare gun, seal deterrent, M-1000 fireworks, over 700 stun guns and live smoke grenades. •TSA also reports there were many instances last year when travelers attempted to hide items, especially knives. An 8 inch knife was found at Sonoma, CA airport hidden in an enchilada. Razor blades were found
hidden in a greeting card in Newport News. And TSA says screeners regularly found sword canes, credit card knives, belt buckle knives, comb/ brush knives, knives hidden in shoes, knives hidden in thermoses and knives hidden under the bag lining near the handle mechanism. Inert or replica explosives are also a problem for screeners. A realistic replica of a Claymore anti-personnel mine was discovered in a traveler’s checked bag at San Francisco International Airport. •So what happens to these gun-toting
or weapon-carrying passengers? TSA says it is up to local law enforcement as to whether the individual is cited or arrested. That is a local decision made based on the laws of the jurisdiction. Same for prosecutions—that’s up to the local prosecutor. •TSA’s Lisa Farbstein points out that “people can actually fly with their firearms if they do so the correct way. The correct way is to pack your firearm in a hard-sided case. The gun must be unloaded. The case must have a lock on it.”
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS CARIBBEAN NEWS
US, Cuba address obstacles to resuming diplomatic ties
HAVANA - The United States and Cuba are trying to eliminate obstacles to normalized ties as the highest-level U.S. delegation to the communist island in more than three decades holds a second day of talks with Cuban officials. U.S. objectives during Thursday’s session include the lifting of restrictions on American diplomats in Cuba and assurances that Cubans will have unfettered access to a future U.S. Embassy in Havana. The Americans say the resumption in full diplomatic relations depends on how quickly its requests are met. Cuba is demanding its removal from a U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, which Washington says it is considering. On Wednesday, the U.S. said it dispatched additional ships to the Florida Straits to halt Cuban rafters but rebuffed demands for broader changes to U.S. migration rules that grant virtually automatic legal residency to any Cuban who touches U.S. soil. Cuba’s government blames the Cold War policy for luring tens of thousands of Cubans a year to make perilous journeys by land and sea to try to reach the United States. Still, many Cubans are worried the elimination of the rules would take away their chance
America and Cuba Flags waved side by side of resuming deplomaitc ties to have a better life in the U.S. In Washington, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said America’s “wet foot, dry foot” approach, which generally shields Cubans from deportation if they reach U.S. territory, remains in effect. But he stressed that those trying to come illegally would most likely be interdicted and returned. U.S. officials reported a spike in the number of rafters attempting to reach Florida after the Dec. 17 announcement that the countries would move to normalize ties. Those numbers appear to have slowed in recent days. “Cuba wants a normal relationship
with the U.S., in the broadest sense but also in the area of migration,” said Cuba’s head of North American affairs, Josefina Vidal. She called for the U.S. to end “exceptional treatment that no other citizens in the world receive, causing an irregular situation in the flow of migrants.” American officials instead pressed Cuba to take back tens of thousands of its nationals whom U.S. authorities want to deport because they have been convicted of crimes. No progress was made on that issue, according to an official present in the meeting. The official wasn’t authorized to speak on the matter and demanded anonymity.
Mexico president faces new questions about personal assets
MEXICO CITY - President Enrique Pena Nieto faced new questions about his personal assets Wednesday after a report that he purchased a home from a businessman whose company won public works contracts worth millions of dollars. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pena Nieto bought the country-club house in Ixtapan de la Sal, about 70 miles (120 kilometers) south of the capital, from Roberto San Roman shortly after becoming governor of the state of Mexico in 2005. It reported that San Roman’s construction company won more than $100 million in state government contracts between 2005 and 2011, and at least 11 federal contracts of unspecified value after Pena Nieto became president in 2012. The company had not previously carried out any federal works projects. Pena Nieto’s office said in a statement that the purchase of the $372,000 house was legal and it appears in his declared assets. The presidency said Pena Nieto does not participate in the assigning of public works contracts. It added that any qualified company may bid on government projects, and 6,534 contracts have been awarded to more than 4,000 firms since 2012. It is the third time in recent months that Pena Nieto, family members or associates have come under scrutiny for real estate linked to companies doing
The talks Thursday are expected to focus on the broader question of how the U.S. and Cuba can end a halfcentury of enmity - as promised by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro last month. The nations hope to re-establish embassies and post ambassadors to each other’s capitals in the coming months. After meeting with the Cubans for more than three hours, the State Department’s Alex Lee said the “discussions prove that despite clear differences that remain between our countries, the United States and Cuba can find opportunities to advance our mutual, shared interests as well as engage in respectful and thoughtful dialogue.” Lee led the U.S. delegation ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s arrival of Roberta Jacobson, the top American diplomat for Latin America and most senior U.S. official to visit Cuba since 1980. Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Somma, spokesman for the Coast Guard’s 7th District in Miami, said “aggressively” steppedup patrols have eased the increase in rafters seen immediately after the twin announcements last month by Castro and Obama. “We have seen a slowdown in the last two weeks,” he said.
Iran gives former vice president 5-year prison term
Former Iranian vice president Mohammad Reza Rahimi President Enrique Pena Nieto business with the government. In November an investigation revealed that his wife, first lady Angelica Rivera, had acquired a luxury mansion in Mexico City from a subsidiary of Grupo Higa. Another subsidiary of the company was part of a consortium that won a $3.7 billion contract that month to build a high-speed rail line. The concession was canceled and reopened to new bids. Rivera said she was making payments of the home with earnings from her 25-year career as an actress, but announced that she would sell her stake in the property. Last month it was reported that a subsidiary of Grupo Higa, which also won contracts during Pena Nieto’s time as governor, had sold a home to Treasury Secretary
Luis Videgaray. Videgaray said he bought it in October 2012, more than a month before he or Pena Nieto took office, and there was no conflict of interest. At the time of the transaction, Videgaray, who was Pena Nieto’s finance secretary for Mexico state from 2005 to 2011, was coordinating the president-elect’s transition. Pena Nieto took office Dec. 1, 2012. Amid criticism over his wife’s house, Pena Nieto made a public declaration of his income and assets. It said he earned $248,000 in 2013 from salary and unspecified financial activities and owns four houses, an apartment and four other properties.
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran’s supreme court has sentenced a former vice president to five years in prison and ordered him to pay a 10 billion rial ($300,000) fine, the country’s official news agency said. The IRNA report late Wednesday did not specify what Mohammad Reza Rahimi, a top aide to ex-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was convicted of but said the verdict was binding. It also said the court ordered Rahimi to pay compensation equivalent to some $800,000. A local court had initially sentenced Rahimi to 15 years prison, but the supreme court reduced the term to five years and three months, IRNA said. Rahimi has long maintained his innocence Opponents of Ahmadinejad’s hard-line government have long accused his administration of massive corruption. Ahmadinejad’s successor, President Hassan Rouhani, in December criticized growing corruption in the country in unusually blunt terms, saying that bribes once paid secretly are now being disbursed in the open. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly claimed that he led the “cleanest administration” in Iran’s history.
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Japan agonizes over ways to free Islamic State hostages
TOKYO - Lacking strong clout and diplomatic reach in the Middle East, Japan scrambled Thursday for ways to secure the release of two hostages held by the Islamic State group, as two people with contacts there offered to try to negotiate. The militants threatened in a video message to kill the hostages within 72 hours unless they receive $200 million. Based on the video’s release time, that deadline would expire sometime Friday. Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Thursday that Japan was trying all possible ways to reach those holding the hostages - 47-year-old freelance journalist Kenji Goto, and 42-year-old Haruna Yukawa, the founder of a private security company. Japan had not received any message from IS since the release of the video, he said. The crisis is a test of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push to expand Japan’s role in international affairs and raise the profile of its military. Tokyo lacks strong diplomatic connections in the Middle East, and Japanese diplomats left Syria as the civil war there escalated, adding to the difficulty of contacting the group holding the hostages. So far, the only initiative made public was an offer by Ko Nakata, an expert on Islamic law and former professor at Kyoto’s Doshisha University. Appearing at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, Nakata, who is also a former Islamic specialist at the Japanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, read a message in Japanese and Arabic. “Seventy-two hours is just too short. Please wait just a bit longer, and do not try to take action immediately,” he said, addressing the militants. “If there is room to talk, I’m ready to go and negotiate.” Nakata urged the Islamic State to “explain the group’s plan to the Japanese government, and wait for a counter proposal from our side.” He also proposed offering $200 million in humanitarian aid to refugees and residents of areas controlled by the
Islamic State, through the Red Crescent Society. “The Red Crescent Society is operating under the Islamic State’s control. Why don’t we seek Turkey’s mediation and give the money for the people affected by the conflicts in Iraq and Syria? I believe this could be a rational, acceptable option,” he said. Kosuke Tsuneoka, a Japanese journalist who was held hostage in Afghanistan in 2010, also offered to reach out to the Islamic State, with Nakata, to try to save the hostages. It is unclear if the two would be allowed to go to Syria, since they have been questioned by Japan’s security police on suspicion of trying to help a Japanese college student visit Syria to fight with the Islamic State group. Nakata said his contact was the Islamic State group’s current spokesman, whom he identified as Umar Grabar. But he said police surveillance and harassment was preventing communication with their Islamic State contacts. Asked if Japan would consider the offer by Tsuneoka and Nakata to intercede, Suga said Tokyo was “prepared to consider all possible ways to save the two hostages.” Abe returned from a six-day Middle East tour on Wednesday, vowing not to give in to terrorism. He has limited choices, among them to openly pay the extremists or ask an ally like the United States to attempt a risky rescue inside Syria since Japan’s military operates only in a self-defense capacity at home. Japanese media have reported that Goto’s wife received an email in December asking for more than 2 billion yen ($17 million) in ransom, but not threatening to kill Goto. It is unclear how many times Japan has paid ransom in past hostage cases. The only confirmed case was in Kyrgyzstan in 1999. Abe and other Japanese officials have not said directly whether Japan would pay ransom - a
Ko Nakata, an expert on Islamic law and former professor at Kyoto’s Doshisha University decision fraught with implications both for Japan and other countries. That issue was raised by British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon on Wednesday in talks in London among the British and Japanese foreign and defense ministers. He “advised that we should always keep in mind what happens next as a result of our acts. He advised there will be consequences if we do not act strongly now,” Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters in London. Japan has sought and received offers of help from many countries, including Jordan, where an envoy sent by Abe, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yasuhide Nakayama, met with King Abdullah II. “Time is very short and we are very worried,” Nakayama told reporters after his meeting with the king. During his Mideast tour, Abe pledged $200 million in aid for refugees displaced by the fighting. In its ransom video, the Islamic State group accused Abe of providing money to kill Muslim women and children and destroy homes, a charge the Japanese government rejects.
Drone with drugs crashes House GOP drops planned vote on abortion bill near US-Mexico border
Six packets of the drug, weighing more than six pounds, were taped to the six-propeller remote-controlled aircraft MEXICO CITY - Police in a Mexican border city said Wednesday that a drone overloaded with illicit methamphetamine crashed into a supermarket parking lot. Tijuana police spokesman Jorge Morrua said authorities were alerted after the drone fell Tuesday night near the San Ysidro crossing at Mexico’s border with California. Six packets of the drug, weighing more than six pounds, were taped to the six-propeller remote-controlled aircraft. Morrua said authorities are investigating where the flight originated and who was controlling it. He said it was not the first time they had seen drones used for smuggling drugs across the border. Other innovative efforts have included catapults, ultralight aircraft and tunnels. In April, authorities in South Carolina found a drone outside the fence of a prison that had been carrying cellphones, marijuana and tobacco.
WASHINGTON - With thousands of Cecile Richards, president of Planned anti-abortion protesters in town, Republicans Parenthood Action Fund, said of the bill, are ready to push legislation through the House “These attacks are so dangerous, extreme and designed to please them. But it’s not the bill an unpopular that House Republicans can’t even embarrassed GOP was hoping for. get their membership lined up behind them.” Republican leaders had planned House The delayed bill would allow exemptions passage Thursday of legislation criminalizing to the late-term abortion ban for victims of rape most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, or incest and in cases when a woman’s life was an act that would have defied a White House in danger. But GOP leaders ran into problems veto threat. But late Wednesday they abruptly because some GOP women and other lawmakers postponed that confrontation indefinitely after objected that the rape and incest exemptions concluding they were short of votes. only covered women who had already reported Instead, the House will vote on legislation barring the crimes to authorities. taxpayer funding of abortions - a prohibition The rebellious Republicans argued that that that’s already largely in place. Republicans say requirement put unfair pressure on women the bill will tighten the restrictions and make who have already suffered. A 2013 Justice sure no funds flow to abortions under President Department report calculated that only 35 Barack Obama’s health care law. percent of rapes and sexual assaults were The GOP reversal coincided with last reported to police. Thursday’s annual March for Life protesting Political pressures cut both ways. Leaders the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision legalizing had resisted the awkwardness of postponing abortion. It also came with GOP leaders eager a high-profile abortion vote scheduled for the to showcase the ability by the new Republican- day of the anti-abortion march. And they didn’t led Congress to govern efficiently and avoid want to push anti-abortion legislation through gridlock. the House that was opposed by GOP women, “I don’t see it as a failure. I see it as a victory especially as the party tries appealing to more in the process for getting legislation right,” Rep. female voters ahead of the 2016 elections. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a sponsor of the Yet when the leaders considered eliminating postponed bill, said in an interview. the requirement that rapes and incest be Tony Perkins, president of the previously reported, they encountered objections conservative Family Research Council, from anti-abortion groups, Republican aides expressed disappointment that “a handful” of said. They chose not to anger that powerful GOP lawmakers had forced a delay in the late-term constituency. abortion restrictions but added, “We applaud The bill had virtually no chance of becoming the leadership for remaining committed to law, thanks to opposition from President advancing pro-life legislation.” Barack Obama and an uncertain fate in the Congressional Democrats who solidly Senate, where anti-abortion sentiment is less oppose the legislation, along with abortion- pronounced. Even so, Republicans consider the rights advocates, all but mocked the GOP’s bill an important statement of their priorities problem. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said and a show of support for a vital issue for Republicans suffered “a meltdown.” conservatives.
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Protests across Yemen a day after president, Cabinet resigns SANAA, In the south, Yemen — Thousands t h o u s a n d s of protesters protested Friday demonstrated Friday in Yemeni city of across Yemen, some Aden, raising the supporting the Shiite flag of the formerly rebels who seized the independent capital and others Southern Yemen demanding the over Aden country’s south secede airport and the after the nation’s local security president and Cabinet headquarters resigned. b u i l d i n g , President Abed witnesses said. Rabbo Hadi, a U.S. Representatives ally in its campaign The President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh of the Houthis, against Yemen’s local who also refer to which battled the Yemeni army for al-Qaida branch, themselves as stepped down Thursday with years until 2010. After President Ansar Allah, told The Associated his Cabinet over the pressures Ali Abdullah Saleh’s ouster in Press on Thursday that the group by Houthi rebels who demanded 2012, he was widely suspected to welcomes the resignations and a bigger share of government have formed an alliance with his are currently “brainstorming” power. A faction of southerners, former foes and of helping the different scenarios for a next step. who oppose the Shiite power grab Houthis make military advances Among these scenarios, and live in what was a separate across the country. one official said, is the formation Critics of the Houthis charge of a “salvation council” with country until 1990, have seized the opportunity to press their case that are backed and financed representatives from the north by mostly Shiite Iran, a charge and the south. But that initiative for independence. In Sanaa, which Houthis that they deny. In return the is likely to be opposed by Southern seized during their offensive Houthis accuse Hadi of being in political leaders who are bitterly in September, thousands of league with al-Qaida. The local al- opposed to the Houthi takeover supporters converged on the Qaida affiliate — which has been of the capital and several other capital’s airport road. They declared by the U.S. government major Yemeni cities. raised green flags and banners the most active and dangerous The international aid group proclaiming their slogan — “Death such group in the word — also Oxfam, which has been working to America, death to Israel, a curse bitterly opposes the Houthis and in Yemen for more than 30 years, on the Jews and victory to Islam” has battled them on several fronts. warned in a new report released Checkpoints manned by Friday that Yemen is on “the brink — a variation of a popular Iranian fighters brandishing of humanitarian disaster with slogan often chanted by Shiite Houthi militants in Iraq and supporters Kalashnikov assault rifles and millions of lives at risk.” pickup trucks mounted with antiof Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Half of the country’s population The Houthis are Zaydis, aircraft guns dotted the capital. is in need of humanitarian aid, a Shiite minority that makes Houthi militias also remained and nearly a million Yemeni up about a third of Yemen’s outside Hadi’s house, holding children suffer malnourishment, population. Their movement him under a de facto house arrest. the report said. The group urged began as a small insurgency in Gunmen also continued besieging the international community to Yemen’s northern Shiite heartland houses of government ministers. help end the conflict.
Islamic State hit with 25 air strikes
An explosion following an air strike is seen in western Kobani neighbourhood The United States and its coalition partners have launched another round of air strikes against Islamic State, conducting 25 strikes since early Thursday. In a statement on Friday from the Combined Joint Task Force leading the military operation, officials said 13 air strikes hit in Iraq, including eight near Mosul that struck four Islamic state fighter units and destroyed a variety of militant-owned equipment and infrastructure. Several Islamic State buildings in Mosul were destroyed as well as one of its bunkers, a heavy weapons system and seven vehicles, among other
targets, according to the coalition statement. Efforts are under way to recapture Mosul, the largest city in a self-declared Islamic State caliphate straddling the border between northern Iraq and eastern Syria. The Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported the United States and Iraq are preparing for an offensive to recapture it by summer. Islamic State militants took over Mosul in June. In Syria, the U.S.-led coalition conducted 12 strikes, including 10 near the besieged border town of Kobani that struck seven units of militant fighters, the statement said. An air strike near Al Hasaka destroyed a mobile oil drilling rig.
Measles outbreak casts spotlight on anti-vaccine movement LOS ANGELES - A major measles outbreak traced to Disneyland has brought criticism down on the small but vocal movement among parents to opt out of vaccinations for their children. In a rash of cases that public health officials are rushing to contain, at least 70 people in six states and Mexico have fallen ill since midDecember, most of them from California. The vast majority of those who got sick had not gotten the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine. While still a scourge in many corners of the world, measles has been all but eradicated in the U.S. since 2000 because of vaccinations. But the virus has made a comeback in recent years, in part because of people obtaining personal belief exemptions from rules that say children must get their shots to enroll in school. Others have delayed getting their children vaccinated because they still believe now-discredited research linking the measles vaccine to autism. “Some people are just incredibly selfish” by skipping shots, said Dr. James Cherry, a pediatric disease expert at the University of California, Los Angeles. As cases mount, several newspapers have criticized the anti-vaccine movement. Measles “is a disease that has been beaten by modern medicine. That makes it all the more frustrating that anti-science stubbornness has proven, in the case of the Disneyland-related measles, that when it comes to contagious diseases, it’s a small world after all,” the Los Angeles Times said in an editorial last week. Barbara Loe Fisher, director of the National Vaccine Information Center, a Virginia-based nonprofit that favors letting parents decide whether to vaccinate, said, “I don’t think it’s wise or responsible to blame” unvaccinated people for the Disney outbreak. She noted that a small number of those stricken had been fully vaccinated. Health authorities believe the outbreak was triggered by a measles-stricken visitor to one of the Disney parks who brought the virus from abroad last month. As one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Disney was a perfect spot for the virus to spread, with large numbers of babies too young to be vaccinated and lots of visitors from countries that do not require measles shots. The disease has since spread beyond Disneyland. The infected ranged from 7 months to 70 years old, including five Disneyland workers. “It’s tragic to see measles making a resurgence,” said Deanne Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Health Care Agency. “When our immunity falls, it creates a problem for the whole community.” While all states require certain vaccinations for schoolchildren, parents in certain states such as California can opt out if they sign a personal belief waiver. In the past five years, the percentage of kindergartners in California who are up to date on all vaccinations has held pretty steady from 90.7 percent in the 2010-11 school year to 90.4 percent in 2014-15. But there are some wealthy communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties and in Northern California with double-digit vaccination exemption rates. To control this latest outbreak, those who are not vaccinated were warned this week to stay away from Disney theme parks. Disney employees who have no proof of immunization and may have come into contact with sick colleagues were placed on paid leave until they are given the medical all-clear. At Huntington Beach High School in Orange County, two dozen unvaccinated students were ordered home until the three-week incubation period is up. More than 30 babies in Northern California’s Alameda County have been placed in home isolation after possible exposure.
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CARIBBEAN LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Landscape laborer required A professional landscape 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
•Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures. •Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem. • Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components. • Inspect all forms of electrical systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, and the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes. •Advise management on whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous. •Test electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, and meager tester, to ensure compatibility, reliability, efficiency and safety of system. •Working knowledge of complex refrigeration systems and electrical components, with ability to diagnose and resolve issues. •Repair and maintain multiple computer controlled gen set and switch gear equipment. •Experience with computerized Danfoss control systems for facility electrical and refrigeration controls
Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications. Finish Carpenter/Cabinet Maker
Successful applicant must have the ability to design, build, install, and repair finish and structural woodwork, flooring, ceilings and cabinetry; operate, maintain, and calibrate hand and power carpentry tools; read and comprehend plans and blueprints; recognize and select appropriate lumber types and grades; make rough sketches; estimate cost, time and materials of carpentry projects; perform heavy physical labor, train and direct the work of other classified staff in the area; follow and give oral and written instructions; maintain cooperative working relationship. Excellent communication skills are a must.
KNOWLEDGE OF: Thorough knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in both rough and finished carpentry in both residential and commercial/industrial settings; Electric Lift Truck Mechanic/cleaning machine repairs Job Opening: applicable building and safety code requirements; methods and practices followed in the Premier Contracting Services is seeking a qualified Lift Truck Mechanic. Candidate must maintenance of tools, machinery, and equipment. have experience performing preventive maintenance including all types of repairs on Crown and Yale A/C 36 volt lift trucks and motorized pallet Jacks. Light welding and fabrication Education: experience is a must. Responsibilities will also include the diagnosis and calibration of computerized lift controls. Candidate will also be responsible for maintaining all cleaning Graduation from high school supplemented by completion of a trade school apprenticeship machines in the facility. The candidate will also be responsible for developing a preventative program that includes theory and on-the-job work. maintenance schedule along with being responsible for all parts procurement and inventory management for the facility. The successful candidate must have a strong command of the Experience: English language along with a good working knowledge of excel and word perfect programs. Five years journey-level experience working as a finish carpenter in a commercial, industrial, or facilities operations setting, including rough and finished carpentry. Cabinet making Required Skills for Forklift Mechanic Job: experience is required. •Preventative maintenance experience •Experience working on Crown and Yale narrow isle lift trucks or similar •Excellent working knowledge of computer controlled electric systems and diagnostics •Light welding experience •Diagnostics and calibration experience •5 years experience in fork lift repairs •Hydraulic, mechanical and welding experience •Appropriate certificates from a recognized technical institute •Word perfect and excel
PREFERRED:
Experience in metal fabrication (welding) and locksmithing .
Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Refrigeration Mechanic Required Skill Level: Diploma or certificate in commercial refrigeration from a recognized trade school or
Professional Maintenance Company seeking the following skilled technician university At least 7 years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications
HVAC Technician
Must be Proficient in the following areas with the ability to complete the following tasks;
•Inspect, repair, modify and install HVAC equipment including refrigeration, A/C, compressors, receivers, expansion valves, condensers and evaporators •Conduct preventative maintenance and inspection of refrigeration units and Airconditioning systems, make necessary adjustments or repairs •Repair or replace defective electrical or mechanical controls •Operate a variety of tools including welding torches, pressure gauges, electrical testing equipment, and vacuum pumps. •Repair and rebuild semi hermetic reciprocating compressors. •Perform skilled electrical or maintenance work, installation and alteration of HVAC equipment, components, timers, wiring systems, diagnostic and troubleshooting •Maintain records concerning time, labor and materials, maintain log of tasks performed •Lift heavy objects •Communicate in English effectively both orally and writing
Education and Experience
•Certificate and 5 years documentable HVAC journeyman level operation, maintenance and repair experience in the HVAC refrigeration trade •Valid driver’s license
Please submit applications via email at maintenance@khcapital.com by Feb 1st 2015
Electrical Maintenance Engineer
As the electrical maintenance engineer you will be responsible to provide proactive support to all plant and equipment required to ensure all systems run at optimum capacity. Complete planned and reactive maintenance to ensure safety and reliability of equipment 24/7. Provide detailed reports for all works completed and ongoing to operations manager. Excellent communication skills are a requirement. Those with vocational college electrician’s diploma will only be considered.
Experience in the following areas is required for this position;
listed above. Minimum 5 years relevant experience is required with formal qualifications
Registration or licensing may be required.
Tasks Include:
•Establishing job requirements from drawings and specifications, and laying out installation reference points •Assemble, install, maintain and repair commercial and domestic air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment. •Drilling holes, installing mounting brackets and cutting, bending and threading piping •Installing and repairing components such as compressors, motors, condensers, evaporators, switches and gauges, and copper lines for gas, refrigerant and oil. •Bolting, soldering, riveting, welding and brazing pipes to connect equipment, and checking alignment and accuracy of fit •Filling systems with gas or fluid to check for leaks •Test-operating refrigeration systems, checking mechanisms and making adjustments •Troubleshoot and repair complex electrical control circuits. •Checking and overhauling refrigeration systems, diagnosing faults and repairing and replacing defective components •Adjusting Danfoss system controls and mechanisms •Recording causes of malfunctioning and action taken
Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications. Deadline for submission of application is Feb 1st 2015 Please submit applications with references and relative experience to: Ms. Edith Cox Suite 200 ‘Graceway IGA Main Office Complex Leeward Highway or by emailing to hr@ gracewayiga.com
Please Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted to attend interviews
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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS
Zimbabwe’s First Lady seeks to control more land MAZOWE, Zimbabwe - In 2000, Timon Shava was a hero of Zimbabwe’s land reform program when he joined hundreds of other landless peasants in a wave of land seizures and evictions of white farmers. Today, he is homeless after police, acting on behalf of President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace, destroyed dozens of thatch dwellings on a farm that she wants to control. The First Lady, who has another farm in the area, said last year that she wanted to turn this farm into a wildlife conservancy that could raise money for an orphanage. A new twist on the long struggle over land
in Zimbabwe is now pitting powerful figures in Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party, which formerly was a liberation movement against oppressive white rule, against poor tenants in the southern African nation. The powerful figures include Grace Mugabe, who has stepped up her entry into politics with the backing of her 90-year-old husband, leader of Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. She became head of the ZANU-PF women’s wing in a December party congress and became, along with her husband, a sharp critic of Vice President Joice Mujuru, who was ousted from her position.
Romney says leaders in both parties failing the nation
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney SALT LAKE CITY - Outlining his possible rationale for a third presidential bid, Mitt Romney said Wednesday night that political leaders in both parties are failing to address the nation’s most pressing problems - climate change, poverty and education reform, among them - as he acknowledged lessons learned from his failed 2012 presidential campaign. “Why run for office in the first place?” Romney asked aloud as he addressed a sold-out crowd of about 3,000 at an investment management conference in Utah. “The major challenges that this country faces are not being dealt with by leaders in Washington.” He continued: “On both sides of the aisle, we just haven’t been able to take on and try and make progress on the major issues of our day.” The 2012 Republican presidential nominee’s appearance was his second public address since privately telling potential donors earlier in the month that he’s considering a 2016 presidential campaign. He used his remarks to broaden a populist platform he first touched on last week that marks a sharp shift from the rhetoric of his first two campaigns.
While hitting familiar Republican points criticizing the size of the federal debt, Romney at times sounded like a Democrat, calling for President Barack Obama and other leaders in Washington to act on common liberal priorities such as climate change, poverty and education. “I’m one of those Republicans who thinks we are getting warmer and that we contribute to that,” he said of climate change, charging that federal leaders have failed to enact global agreements needed to tackle the problem. His evolving platform comes as he works to reshape his image after consecutive presidential defeats. Romney spent little time talking about poverty, the middle class or climate change in a 2012 campaign in which opponents cast him as an out-of-touch millionaire. But in public and private conversations in recent weeks he has focused on poverty, perhaps above all, a dramatic shift for the former private-equity executive. “Let’s deal with poverty,” he said Wednesday night. “Have we done it? No. Let’s do it.” Romney acknowledged his past political struggles with a touch of humor, citing a remark from former Vice President Walter Mondale who was defeated by
former President Ronald Reagan in the 1984 presidential contest. “He said, ‘You know, I always wanted to run for president in the worst way. And that’s just what I did,’” Romney said with a chuckle. “I learned some lessons, too.” Romney had previously acknowledged that climate change is real, noting in his 2010 book that “human activity is a contributing factor.” But he questioned the extent to which man was contributing to the warming of the planet and said throughout his 2012 campaign that America shouldn’t spend significant resources combatting the problem - particularly with major polluters like China doing little. The former Massachusetts governor also criticized Obama’s State of the Union address, saying the president had minimized the threat of radical, violent jihadism and terror attacks in Paris. “This is a very serious threat the world faces,” he said. “And to minimize that, and sort of brush it aside with a few minutes of discussion, I thought was disappointing.” Romney said a growing education gap is one of the country’s biggest challenges and suggested that teacher pay should be raised. At times during the speech, he appeared equal parts candidate and economics professor, gesturing from behind a podium to a projected slideshow of graphs and pie charts of the federal debt and poverty rates. Before the speech - tickets were sold to the public - Romney spoke to a private dinner of about 130 clients of Diversify Inc., the investment firm that sponsored the event. Tyler Fagergren, a manager with the firm, said people asked Romney questions about the economy and investment but were not allowed to ask about a possible 2016 campaign. Romney told the larger audience that he’s honored to be a Utah resident now. He’s built a home in an upscale Salt Lake City suburb and registered late last year as a Utah voter.
Video of New Jersey man shot by police raises questions BRIDGETON, N.J. - A police video of officers confronting and then fatally shooting a black man in southern New Jersey has raised questions and stirred anger over another death at the hands of police. The video of the Dec. 30 killing of Jerame Reid in Bridgeton, a struggling, mostly minority city of 25,000 people just south of Philadelphia, was released this week. The nearly two-minute deadly standoff came after the killings of black men in New York and Ferguson, Missouri, triggered months of turbulent protests, violence and calls for a re-examination of police use of force. Conrad Benedetto, a Philadelphia lawyer, said he has been hired by Reid’s wife, Lawanda, to investigate. He said in a statement the footage “raises serious questions as to the legality and/or reasonableness of the officers’ actions that night” because Reid was shot as he raised his hands. With the dashboard camera in their cruiser rolling, police pulled a Jaguar over for running a stop sign on a dark night. But things suddenly turned tense when one of the officers warned his partner that he could see a gun in the glove compartment. Screaming over and over “Don’t you f---ing move!” and “Show me your hands!” at the man in the passenger seat, the officer reached into the car and appeared to remove a silver handgun. Then, the passenger, despite being warned repeatedly not to move, stepped out of the Jaguar, his hands raised about shoulder level. The officers opened fire, killing him. Reid and the man driving the car were black. The Bridgeton officer who spotted the gun, Braheme Days, is black; his partner, Roger Worley, is white. Both officers have been placed on leave while prosecutors investigate. “The video speaks for itself that at no point was Jerame Reid a threat and he possessed no weapon on his person,” Walter Hudson, chairman and founder of the civil rights group the National Awareness Alliance, said Wednesday. “He complied with the officer and the officer shot him.” Reid, 36, spent about 13 years in prison for shooting at three state troopers when he was a teenager. And Days knew who he was; Days was among the arresting officers last year when Reid was charged with several crimes, including drug possession and obstruction. In Bridgeton, where two-thirds of the residents are black or Hispanic, the killing has stirred small protests over the past couple of weeks, including a demonstration on Wednesday, a day after the video was made public at the request of two newspapers under the state’s open records law. The Cumberland County prosecutor’s office previously said a gun was seized during the stop but would not comment further on the investigation. Bridgeton police would not answer any questions about the video and said they opposed its release as neither “compassionate or professional.” County prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae has disqualified herself from the case because she knows Days. But Lawanda Reid’s lawyer and activists are demanding the state attorney general’s office take over the investigation, something it said it will not do. In the video, the mood changes in a flash when Days tells his partner about the gun and starts yelling, “Show me your hands!” The driver, Leroy Tutt, raises his hands immediately. Reid does not at first. Days, still yelling, reaches into the car and appears to remove a gun. “I’m going to shoot you,” Days shouts, at one point addressing Reid by his first name. “You’re going to be f---ing dead. If you reach for something, you’re going to be f---ing dead.” Days tells his partner, “He’s reaching for something.” Faintly on the video, Reid can be heard telling the officer, “I ain’t doing nothing. I’m not reaching for nothing, bro. I ain’t got no reason to reach for nothing.” Then one of the men in the car tells the officer, “I’m getting out and getting on the ground.” The officer again orders Reid not to move. Seconds later, Reid emerges from the car, raising his hands, which appear to be empty. Both officers fire immediately, shooting at least six rounds.
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New Saudi king appointed
Saudi King Salman pledged willing, to hold the straight course on Friday to maintain existing energy that this country has followed since and foreign policies then quickly its establishment by the late King moved to appoint younger men as Abdulaziz,” he said. his heirs, settling the succession for Mohammed bin Nayef becomes years to come by naming a deputy the first grandson of the kingdom’s crown prince from his dynasty’s next founding monarch, King Abdulaziz, generation. known as Ibn Saud, to take an King Abdullah, who died early established place in the line of on Friday after a short illness, was succession. buried in an unmarked grave in All Saudi kings since Abdulaziz’s keeping with local religious traditions. death in 1953 have been his sons and By appointing his youngest half- the move to the next generation had brother Muqrin, 69, as Crown Prince raised the prospect of a palace power and nephew Mohammed bin Nayef, struggle. King Salman also appointed 55, as Deputy Crown Prince, Salman his own son, Mohammed bin Salman, has swiftly quelled speculation about Defense Minister and head of the internal palace rifts at a moment of royal court. regional turmoil. The rapidity of the decisions Oil prices jumped in an immediate startled Saudis, used to a delay of reaction as news of Abdullah’s death up to several months before top added to uncertainty in energy appointments following the deaths markets. [O/R] of their monarchs. The choice of Salman, thought to be 79, takes Mohammed bin Nayef was seen by over as the ultimate authority in a some as a reflection of his strong country that faces long-term domestic record in counter-terrorism in his role challenges compounded by the as interior minister. plunging price of oil in recent months “Times are dangerous,” said and the rise of the Islamic State Joseph Kechichian, a scholar of Gulf militant group in Iraq and Syria, Arab ruling families. “Mohammed bin which vows to toppled the Al Saud Nayef ’s appointment shows Salman ruling family. feels it’s important to speak quickly Salman must navigate an intense with a single determined voice in the rivalry with Shi’ite Muslim power face of all these threats.” Iran playing out in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Reputedly pragmatic and adept Lebanon and Bahrain, open conflict at managing the delicate balance of in two neighboring states, a threat clerical, tribal, royal and Western from Islamist militants and bumpy interests that factor into Saudi policy relations with the United States. making, Salman appears unlikely to In his first speech as king, change the kingdom’s approach to shown live on Saudi television, foreign affairs or energy sales. Salman pledged to maintain the same Despite rumors about Salman’s approach to ruling the world’s top oil health and strength, diplomats who exporter and birthplace of Islam as have attended meetings between the his predecessors and called for unity new king and foreign leaders over the among Arab states. past year have said he has been fully “We will continue, God engaged in talks lasting several hours
at a time.
REFORM LEGACY In a country with a young population, many Saudis will be unable to recall a time before King Abdullah’s rule, both as monarch from 2005 and as de facto regent for a decade before that. His legacy was an effort to overhaul the kingdom’s economic and social systems to address a looming demographic crisis by creating private sector jobs and making young Saudis better prepared to take them. “I think (Salman) will continue with Abdullah’s reforms. He realizes the importance of this. He’s not conservative in person, but he values the opinion of the conservative constituency of the country,” said Jamal Khashoggi, head of a news channel owned by a Saudi prince. However, Abdullah’s reforms did not stretch to politics, and after the Arab Spring his security forces clamped down on all forms of dissent, imprisoning outspoken critics of the ruling family alongside women drivers and Islamist militants. As the Saudi population grows and oil prices fall globally, the royal family will increasingly struggle to maintain its generous spending on social benefits for ordinary people, potentially undermining its future legitimacy in a country where there are no elections, analysts say. King Salman has previously spoken against the idea of introducing democracy in Saudi Arabia in comments to American diplomats recorded in embassy cables later released by WikiLeaks. UNMARKED GRAVE
In keeping with Muslim traditions, Abdullah’s body, clothed in white and shrouded in a plain cloth, was carried on a stretcher by relatives to rest in a mosque before being taken to a cemetery and buried in an unmarked grave. Prayers in the mosque were led by King Salman and attended by Muslim heads of state and other senior figures. Among those who went to Riyadh were Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb and Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Iranian media said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif would also attend. Non-Muslim dignitaries will visit to pay respects to the new monarch and crown prince, and other members of the Al Saud dynasty, in the coming days. Later, following the evening prayer an hour after sunset, King Salman and Crown Prince Muqrin will receive pledges of allegiance from other ruling family members, Wahhabi clerics, tribal chiefs, leading businessmen and other Saudi subjects. In the kingdom’s strict Wahhabi sect of Sunni Islam, ostentatious displays of grief are frowned upon: after previous deaths of Saudi monarchs and other top royals, there was no official period of mourning and flags were at full mast. Despite a surge of sorrowful messages from Saudis on social media, that religious constraint on public commemorations meant there were no signs in Riyadh’s streets early on Friday that the country’s long-time ruler had died.
Magnets used to plant drugs under cars from Mexico
SAN DIEGO - Drug smugglers are turning Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection. There were “trusted travelers” into unwitting mules by placing 12.6 million SENTRI vehicle crossings in fiscal 2013, containers with powerful magnets under their cars more than double the 5.9 million four years earlier. in Mexico and then recovering the illegal cargo far The program enables hundreds of thousands from the view of border authorities in the United of people who pass extensive background checks to States. whiz past inspectors with less scrutiny. Signing up One motorist spotted the containers while can reduce rush-hour wait times from more than two pumping gas after crossing into Southern California hours to less than 15 minutes at San Diego’s San on Jan. 12 and thought it might be a bomb. Ysidro port of entry, the nation’s busiest crossing, His call to police prompted an emergency where SENTRI users represented 40 percent of response at the Chevron station, and then a shocker: the 4.5 million vehicle crossings in fiscal 2013, the 13.2 pounds of heroin were pulled from under the Government Accountability Office found. vehicle, according to a U.S. law enforcement official. But like other prescreening programs, there’s San Diego police said the drugs were packed inside a potential downside: the traveler can become a six magnetized cylinders. target, The driver had just used a “trusted traveler” and such cases can be tricky for investigators when lane at the San Ysidro border crossing, said the people caught with drugs claim they were planted. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Using magnets under cars isn’t new, but this string some details of the case have not been made public. of cases is unusual. Authorities have learned of at least three The main targets are people who park for hours similar incidents in San Diego since then, all in Mexico before returning to the U.S., authorities involving drivers enrolled in the enormously popular say. Smugglers track their movements on both sides SENTRI program, which stands for Secure Electronic of the border, figuring out their travel patterns and
where they park. It takes only seconds to attach and remove the magnetized containers when no one is looking. “It’s a concern for everyone, not as big a concern for me because I’m careful,” said Aldo Vereo, a SENTRI user and office assistant at the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency who parks in a garage when home in Tijuana and varies his routes. “People should be worried because they go straight home and straight to work.” “Trusted travelers” were issued windshield decals for years, but they are no longer needed to identify vehicles approaching the inspection booths. New stickers haven’t been issued since 2013, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency says existing stickers can be removed. Many haven’t heeded the call, which can make them a target. The Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce in San Diego told newsletter readers last week that decals should go. “It’s basically demonstrating that you are a SENTRI user,” said Alejandra Mier y Teran, the chamber’s executive director. “Criminals are savvy, and they know they are part of a program where they are not checked as much.” CBP says frequent crossers also should vary their travel routines and keep a closer eye on their cars. There have been 29 cases of motorists unwittingly carrying drugs under their cars in the San Diego area since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement identified the trend in July 2011, including six drivers who made it past inspectors, said spokeswoman Lauren Mack. Any driver who suspects something’s amiss under their car should immediately report it, to better show their innocence, authorities say.
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Prince Andrew publicly denies sexual misconduct claims
Prince Andrew is seen here with Virginia Roberts when she was 17 The Duke of York has denied claims by a US woman that she was forced to have sex with him when she was 17 and says he wants to focus on his work. In his first public appearance since the claims were made, Prince Andrew said he wanted to “reiterate” the denials issued by Buckingham Palace. He was speaking at a World Economic Forum reception in Davos, Switzerland. Virginia Roberts’s lawyers have repeated the claims in new documents given to a court in Florida. Ms Roberts, who is referred to in the case as
Netanyahu basks in Congress invitation, but may shake U.S. ties Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to accept an invitation to address the U.S. Congress just days before Israel’s parliamentary election offers him invaluable pre-vote publicity, but may also have shaken the balance of U.S.-Israel ties. John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, issued the invitation without consulting the White House, a breach of protocol since it is normally up to a head of state to invite a foreign leader. It also does not appear that Netanyahu, a right-winger who has a testy relationship with Barack Obama, let the president know about the invitation before accepting it, underscoring their increasingly tense ties. The upshot is that Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress on March 3 - the third time he has had the honor - but will not meet Obama. He will also attend the policy conference of AIPAC, the influential pro-Israel lobby, a must for any Israeli leader. From Netanyahu’s point of view, he achieves several goals, strutting his stuff in front of an applauding Republican-led Congress two weeks before Israelis vote on March 17. While that may not swing undecided voters, it is the sort of primetime appearance that can shore up the base and help Netanyahu, currently neckand-neck with his center-left rivals in most polls, pip the opposition on the day. It also allows the prime minister, a staunch advocate of a tougher line against Iran, to beat that drum before a receptive audience and parade his credentials as a global security hawk, a message that plays well domestically. Add the opportunity to sweeten his already close ties with the Republican leadership before next year’s U.S. presidential election, and the bonus of an AIPAC gathering, and it looks like a very worthwhile trip. Even the fact he will not meet Obama could play in his favor. While it is a snub, past meetings between the two have been frosty and made Netanyahu look awkward or defensive. With less than two years of Obama’s presidency remaining, Netanyahu is hardly banking on rapprochement.
Jane Doe #3, alleges she was forced by financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17. Buckingham Palace has previously said the claims against Prince Andrew are “categorically untrue” and lack “any foundation”. Prince Andrew said: “Firstly I think I must, and want, for the record, to refer to events that have taken place in the last few weeks. “I just wish to reiterate and to reaffirm the statements that have already been made on my behalf by Buckingham Palace.
“My focus is on my work and this evening’s reception allows me to tell you about just a couple of the initiatives that I have founded and am passionate about.” BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said: “We have had two unprecedented statements from Buckingham Palace and now this, Prince Andrew on camera. “It’s a sign of how damaging these allegations are and the price he is paying for his past friendship with a convicted sex offender. “Prince Andrew is desperate to move on - it may not be that easy.” The new documents, filed in Florida, mark the first time Ms Roberts has given a statement about the allegations in her own words. Her lawyers said they had sent Prince Andrew a letter asking him to respond under oath to the allegations. They say the letter was sent back to them as having been refused by the recipient. The allegations against Prince Andrew emerged in evidence submitted to a US court in a case involving Epstein, who spent time in jail in 2008-9 for a sex offence with a minor. Prince Andrew, 54 and fifth in line to the throne, stepped down as UK trade envoy in July 2011 following controversy over his then friendship with Epstein. The prince is not facing any legal proceedings over the claims made in the US case.
Personal history boosts Hillary Clinton, hurts Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney
Prospective 2016 candidates Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush (left to right) The emerging 2016 presidential field is In addition, Clinton beats all Republicans chock-full of familiar names – a Clinton, a Bush, and tested in hypothetical matchups by between 13 and a Romney. But voter reactions to each one’s “legacy” 17 percentage points. The poll tested former Florida qualities vary widely. And it’s Hillary Rodham Gov. Jeb Bush, 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Clinton who comes out on top. Romney, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Kentucky Among registered voters, former Secretary of State Sen. Rand Paul, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Clinton gains both by the fact that she would be the Huckabee. first woman president and from positive memories But at this stage in the 2016 race, with no of her husband’s presidency, according to an ABC declared candidates, it’s too early to draw conclusions. News/Washington Post poll released Thursday. If Clinton runs, as expected, she is poised to run away By a 13-point margin, voters are more likely with the Democratic nomination. The expected to vote for Clinton because she’d be the first female big Republican field is wide open, though Romney’s president rather than less likely, the poll found. recent moves toward a third campaign have roiled Some 24 percent are more likely; 11 percent are less the establishment wing of the party. likely. And the presidency of her husband, former “The potential GOP candidates may be hamstrung President Bill Clinton, is a positive by 8 percentage by their intramural battle ahead; core Republican points, 24 percent to 16 percent. support likely will coalesce around the ultimate But for two top potential Republican contenders, nominee,” Mr. Langer says. former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and 2012 nominee For now, though, the prospect of a Bush-Romney Mitt Romney, legacy issues are a drag on their showdown, in which they compete for many of the numbers. The fact that Mr. Bush’s father and same donors, has some Republicans on edge. Bush brother both served as president is a net negative and Romney are scheduled to meet privately in Utah by 25 percentage points – 9 percent positive and 34 this week, according to The New York Times. percent negative. The meeting raises “the possibility that the In Mr. Romney’s case, his 2012 nomination costs two former governors will find a way to avoid him a net 14 percentage points. Twelve percent of competing presidential campaigns that would split registered voters say they’re more likely to support the Republican establishment next year,” the Times Romney for that reason while 26 percent say they’re said, sourcing the report to “two prominent party less likely. members.” “Most registered voters, 57 to 65 percent, say Romney was governor of Massachusetts for one none of these items would be a factor in their vote,” term (2003 to 2007), and declined to run again so he including Clinton’s family legacy, writes ABC News could focus on running for president in 2008. pollster Gary Langer. “But a presidential election is The Times says Bush initiated the meeting, and a game of margins, making these views potentially that it was planned before Romney’s announcement important in the campaign ahead.” two weeks ago that he might run again.
CARIBBEAN WORLD
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NEWS NEWS
Jamaica official says marijuana reform bill ready KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica’s Cabinet has approved a muchanticipated bill of drug law amendments that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot and pave the way for a legal medical marijuana industry on the Caribbean island, the justice minister said Wednesday. Following the Cabinet’s authorization, Justice Minister Mark Golding said he expects to introduce the legislation in the Senate by the end of this week. Debate could start before the end of the month in the pot-steeped country where the drug, known popularly as “ganja,” has long been culturally entrenched but illegal. Farmer Breezy shows off the distinctive leaves of a marijuana plant during a tour of his plantation in Jamaica’s central mountain town of Nine Mile. Golding said the bill would establish a “cannabis licensing authority” to deal would not result in a criminal record. ganja. But now, with a number of youngsters and mitigate public health with the various regulations needed to Cultivation of five or fewer plants on countries and U.S. states relaxing consequences. cultivate, sell and distribute marijuana any premises would be permitted. their marijuana laws the Jamaican The head of Jamaica’s Cannabis for medical, scientific and therapeutic Rastafarians who use marijuana as government is advancing reform plans. Commercial and Medicinal Research purposes. a sacrament could also legally use Golding stressed that the government Taskforce said he expected the bill to “We need to position ourselves cannabis for religious purposes for will not soften its stance on be passed soon in Parliament, where to take advantage of the significant the first time in Jamaica, where the transnational drug trafficking and it Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s economic opportunities offered by this spiritual movement was founded in the intends to use a portion of revenues governing party holds a 2-to1 majority. emerging industry,” Golding said. 1930s. from its new licensing authority to “The development is long overdue,” It would make possession of 2 For decades, debate has raged in support a public education campaign task force director Delano Seiveright ounces or less a ticketable offense that Jamaica over relaxing laws prohibiting to discourage pot smoking by said.
Dominica puts a stay on visas for Haitian nationals ROSEAU, Dominica, that had to be addressed. The Dominica “This is a country that government Monday welcomes everybody, but announced a stay our relation with other on visas for Haitian friendly countries is nationals entering the critical to our national country as it seeks to security; it is critical to tighten its immigration our development as a policy. country. National Security “What I have been and Immigration able to do as of January Minister Rayburn is to put a stay so to Blackmoore said the speak on the issuing move, which came into of visas for Haitian effect this month, was nationals, not a ban. not a ban and that there There are challenges to were challenges within the system that have the immigration system to be dealt with and to
make sure we have a programme on the statesystem in place where owned DBS radio, said the security of the state Dominica does not have is not compromised, a human trafficking secondly that persons, problem, even though because of their he had been asked by circumstances are not some nationals what the Roosevelt Skerrit abused,” he said. Haiti belongs to the government is doing 15-member Caribbean about the situation. Community (Caricom) “I think there is grouping, but unlike need for education on other member countries, that topic and Dominica its nationals require a doesn’t have an issue visa to enter countries of human trafficking,” within the grouping. he said, noting that, Blackmoore, “human trafficking speaking on a radio entails the trafficking of
persons for slave labour or sexual exploitation etc.” Blackmoore said the government intends to place greater emphasis on the trade that facilitates illegal immigration. “That is to say persons coming legally and live illegally. We have to look at this thing from the core. We have a programme in place … where people coming to see their family, you have a
sponsor, you have to be held accountable for the person you sponsor. “We need to have a system in place where we cut off the middle man and as what obtains on other countries where persons can stay from their country and apply for the visa directly … and to bring a level of sanity to this programme,” he said, noting that the public would soon be made aware of the new system going forward.
Haiti Foreign Minister Asks World to Support New Government
Haiti’s foreign minister on Monday asked the U.N. Security Council and the rest of the world to continue supporting the impoverished Caribbean nation after President Michel Martelly named a new cabinet to end street protests. Martelly announced his cabinet choices via Facebook late on Sunday night, keeping the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, health, tourism, education and public works in their jobs and appointing allies to the key positions of planning minister and secretary of state for public security. The announcement was part of an attempt to end a wave of street demonstrations against Martelly’s rule. “We’d like the Security Council as well as all of our partners in the international community to continue to back the government and people of Haiti as they move toward shoring up the rule of law and democracy,” Haiti’s Foreign Minister Duly Brutus told the 15-nation council. He added that Haiti “has overcome successfully the crisis which was threatening to undercut the achievements and results of the stabilization program undertaken over the past decade.”
Brutus was speaking at a special Security Council session on the connection between development, peace and security. The United Nations, which has a peacekeeping force in Haiti, has not commented on Martelly’s announcement of a new cabinet. The Security Council is due to visit the island nation for several days later this week. Haiti has a long history of coups, uprisings and dictatorships and the dissolution of parliament raised fears that it is again on a slippery slope toward violent unrest. Although Martelly is barred from re-election, his opponents accuse him of engineering the current crisis in order to promote his own candidate to succeed him in election late this year, possibly even his wife, Sophia Martelly. Haiti is struggling to overcome decades of instability. It is recovering from a devastating 2010 earthquake and a cholera epidemic that has killed thousands and is widely blamed on U.N. peacekeepers. The United Nations has not accepted responsibility for the cholera outbreak.
Haiti’s Foreign Minister Duly Brutus
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LOCAL NEWSNEWS CARIBBEAN
Caribbean banks stand to benefit from cheaper oil
TORONTO – A combination of lower oil prices and cost-cutting is poised to help improve the Caribbean operations of some of Canada’s biggest banks, a region where they have struggled for years. While they brace for loan losses and lower revenues in Western Canada due the plunge in oil, the big banks say the Caribbean is set to benefit from the decline. “They’re one of the biggest beneficiaries of cheaper oil, so there are some positives finally starting to creep in to the economic outlook of the region from that perspective,” Royal Bank of Canada chief executive David McKay said during a banking conference last week. The Caribbean economy has been in a slump since the global financial crisis caused a slowdown in the region’s vital tourism industry. That has hurt the profits of several Canadian banks that have operations in the region. Royal Bank of Canada The Royal Bank (announced last year it is exiting its Caribbean wealth management business, loss provisions related to its Caribbean hospitality after selling its Jamaican operations at a loss. portfolio. But with oil prices declining, Porter says Meanwhile, CIBC took a $420-million charge Scotiabank’s Caribbean operations are about to turn on its Caribbean operations in the second quarter a corner. of last year, plus an additional $123 million in loan The region is a net importer of oil, so cheaper losses. prices will allow it to save on energy costs. Meanwhile, The Bank of Nova Scotia has been operating in a stronger U.S. economy could boost travel to the the Caribbean for more than a century and, of the region, especially if cheaper oil trickles down to three lenders, has the largest customer base in the consumers via lower air fares. region. The lender plans to close some of the roughly All of that, combined with the banks’ efforts 370 branches it operates in the Caribbean — “to be at tightening expenses, should make the Caribbean congruent with the economic reality,” chief executive less of a sore spot for the Canadian lenders in 2015. Brian Porter told the banking conference. “We’re operating in a very challenging economy but, Last year Scotiabank took $83 million in loan with that cost takeout, we feel strongly that we will
have a strong rebound in the Caribbean performance in fiscal 2015,” said McKay, who noted that RBC has trimmed its staff in the region from more than 6,500 to under 5,000 in the past two years. “We’ve done the hard work necessary to turn that franchise around and I am confident that in 2015 you’ll see the fruits of all that work.” However, Ian Nakamoto, director of research at investment firm MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, said “it could take some time” before lower oil prices translate to cheaper flights for travellers. And even then, Caribbean destinations have been losing market share to other tourism hot spots. “If (the banks) had to start from square one, I really wonder if they’d go in (to the Caribbean) as much as they have,” Nakamoto said. “There are different areas around the world that are probably more dynamic than the Caribbean … maybe the banks’ capital is better placed somewhere else.” Gareth Watson, vice-president of investment management and research at Richardson GMP, said performance in the Caribbean is unlikely to change how investors look at Canadian bank stocks. “The Caribbean operations are so small in the context of the larger bank, that it’s not really something that I think would influence an investor to buy or not to buy a particular bank stock,” Watson said. “The retail platforms in Canada are the biggest generators of revenue and income for the Canadian banks, and if you have a couple of branches down in Barbados do better than you thought they might … it’s not really going to change the bottom line to a large extent.”
The Countdown Is Officially On Pilots suspended as local authorities For Bahamas Carnival 2015 investigate near aircraft collision in US
Prime Minister Perry Christie officially launched Bahamas Carnival The countdown has officially begun for the Bahamas Carnival, which officials say will draw thousands of visitors to The Bahamas. Recently, Prime Minister Perry Christie officially launched Bahamas Carnival: In the spirit of Junkanoo –an exciting four-day event that will rival 200 other carnivals around the world. “Even though there seems to be a disenchantment with carnivals around the world, this is going to be a magnificent event,” Prime Minister Christie said. “We are going to have a major impact on culture. I want Junkanoo to be predominant in this but I want this Carnival to be known around the world as a Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.” During the events, which will be held May 7-9,2015, all roads will lead to Nassau where visitors will be able to immerse themselves in concerts, cultural shows and street parades that will showcase the Bahamian cultural festival Junkanoo, native rake and scape music as well as art and craft, cuisine, music and dance. The events include Junkanoo Mania, Music Masters, Midnight Rush and Road Fever. Junkamania is a musical event showcasing Junkanoo Music and other Junkanoo inspired
folk forms such as drumming and dance on the biggest Junkanoo stage in the world. Music Masters is a concert that will stage the top contemporary artist of The Bahamas to perform the competition in front of a global audience and share the stage with an A-List international recording artist. The concert will ultimately determine who is crowned Master of Bahamian sound. Midnight Rush is a Friday Frenzy after party for the Music Makers concert, a Junkanoo street rush just for the people. Finally, Road Fever is an original Bahamian Masquerade street party that closes out the annual Bahamas Carnival. It is a costume parade incorporating the unique mix of live and recorded music with masses of people shaking up the streets. Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said the Bahamas Carnival will be unique simply because Junkanoo will be its centerpiece. “The truth is Junkanoo is the beat that gives The Bahamas its rhythm,” he said. “It is that festival that we intend to take around the world to share with the world and to put on every street in the world.”
The FAA said the planes never came within 2,800 feet of each other. PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad its own probe and in a statement – Safety inspectors from the posted on its website, CAL said it is Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation committed to the safety and security Authority (TTCAA) are due to hold of all passengers. discussions with Federal Aviation “We are concerned to hear of Administration Air Traffic Control an alleged incident highlighted (ATC) officials on Tuesday following on internet news sites regarding the near collision involving the JetBlue 1295, and BW flight 526 on Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines Saturday night (17th January) at (CAL) and a fully loaded Jetblue JFK airport, New York. “Caribbean Airlines takes plane at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. allegations of this type very seriously, TTCAA director Ramesh and is committed to working with the Lutchmedial also confirmed that the industry authorities to investigate two CAL pilots had been taken off all the facts. We are in the process flying duties, pending the outcome of of investigating and compiling the the investigation. facts surrounding this allegation “Caribbean Airlines Ltd is fully in cooperation with all Regulator co-operating with the investigators,” agencies.” CAL said in the interim, it Lutchmedial said in a statement. On Monday, CAL said it was is “complying with all incident “working with industry authorities” management procedures included into the incident that occurred last within its Safety Management Saturday .. System and adjunct regulations”. t The United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has started
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Tivoli Enquiry will proceed
JUSTICE Minister Senator Mark Golding has lambasted the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) over calls to suspend the Tivoli Commission of Enquiry because of the cost, insisting that the JLP’s stance is an attempt to stifle the truth. “...The JLP is saying stop it because the money is too much. To my mind that is opposition of raw political convenience because they do not want to come to that commission of enquiry and have the truth told. Well, I’m sorry; the truth will be told; the enquiry will proceed,” Golding argued while addressing journalists at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. He insisted that the decision to convene the enquiry -- which will cost the country approximately $350 million -- was based on a recommendation by the Office of the Public Defender, which had undertaken a probe into the events of the 2010 operation by the security forces in Tivoli Gardens which left more than 70 people dead. During a JLP Area Council One meeting on Sunday, Desmond McKenzie -- member of parliament for West Kingston in which Tivoli Gardens is located -- called on the Government to halt the enquiry given its burdensome cost. “Stop it and examine what is taking place, because the chairman of the commission has indicated that it may take longer than the three months, so the longer it goes, the more money it is going to cost the people of Jamaica,” McKenzie said as he addressed party faithfuls. But yesterday, the justice minister explained that there has been a misunderstanding concerning the cost of the enquiry. He said that the $100-million allocation in the 2014/2015 budget is an estimate of the cost that would be incurred in this financial year. He said that at the time
Minister of Justice Senator the Honourable Mark Golding the budget was prepared, the arrangements for the enquiry were not yet finalised. “We were hoping to have started the enquiry June of 2014 and the figure of $100 million was a best-effort guess as to what should have been provided in the fiscal accounts for supporting the enquiry. In the meantime, the minister of justice in tandem with the minister of finance proceeded to do the work necessary to pay along all the cost. As it transpired, the commission of enquiry didn’t actually commence its hearings until December 2014,” Golding explained. “.As a result in supplementary estimates that were tabled in December it was appreciated that the $100 million would not be spent in this fiscal year and it was reduced to $50 million to cover those costs that would be anticipated to be spent in the fiscal year,” he said. He maintained that although the commission of enquiry is scheduled to last for three months, the commission may end up getting less money, should it finish before, but that that would be dependent on the willingness of people to come forward. Should the time exceed what is scheduled, however, the minister said it would not cost the nation more, as there is a cap
which prevents what is paid to the commission from exceeding the amount of “roughly $244 million”. However, the minister admitted that not included in the $244 million is the cost for the counsels for the police and the military, which would push the cost to $340 million excluding factors such as if the hearing goes beyond three months bringing rental for the facility into play. Meanwhile, he reiterated that the enquiry will not be suspended, arguing that “communities were affected, people were affected, a state of emergency was declared arising from the Government’s reluctance to extradite one individual, and 73 people were killed”. “It is an issue of monumental historical importance and Jamaica owes it to itself and to the future of its people to understand what took place and to get the truth,” Golding said. “The costs are high but when you’re hiring people of a certain calibre it costs money to do so and we wanted to have commissioners engaged in this who were above the fray, who were competent persons of international reputation,” he added. “...We’re not seeking any political mileage out of it... it is the right thing to do and we are hoping that the truth will come out,” he said.
Warwick International Hotels Increases Portfolio by 1,250 Rooms in Cuba The signing of two management contracts by a subsidiary of WIH with Grupo Gaviota, owners of a new 800-key resort in Cayo Santa Maria as well as of a 450-key resort previously known as Allegro Varadero marks a major step in the expansion of WIH. Grupo Gaviota, one of the most important players in the tourism sector in Cuba, was looking for an experienced, European-based brand to not only manage its future new beach resort located on the exquisite “key” area Cayo Santa Maria but also, to take over the management of the former Allegro resort, a 4* property right on the beach front of Varadero. Scheduled to open in June 2015, Warwick Cayo Santa Maria Resort is designed as a 5-star all inclusive property and spreads over 26 hectares of lush green gardens with stunning views onto the sparkling Caribbean Sea. The spectacular resort will moreover feature 7 restaurants and 9 bars, cultural entertainment scene, kids club, swimming pools, tennis courts and numerous beach and diving activities. In honor of the famed Cuban sea turtle, Warwick Cayo Santa Maria Resort has adopted a turtle as its signature logo, and embraces the cultural heritage of marine life preservation. Operation continues in Varadero under WIH’s management at the now named Naviti Varadero Resort, an all-inclusive 4* resort on a dazzling private beach at Hicacos Peninsula known as Varadero Beach. A perfect spot for families and couples to enjoy all-inclusive services at its 5 restaurants and bars, entertainment center, 2 swimming pools, kids club, tennis courts and many more outdoor activities. After the recent acquisition of The Warwick, Paradise Island, Bahamas in Nassau, a 5 star, 250 rooms’ resort which is currently redesigned and scheduled to open in Fall 2015, and WIH’s affiliate member, the luxurious Balaji Palace Playa Grande in Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic, Warwick Cayo Santa Maria Resort and Naviti Varadero Resort further establish WIH’s presence in the Caribbean. More developments in the Region are currently under discussion and future openings are expected to be announced soon. As of today, WIH is present on 4 continents and enjoys a portfolio of 58 hotels with more than 9,500 rooms in the 4 and 5 star category. Warwick International Hotels (WIH) was launched in 1980 with the purchase of Warwick New York, a hotel originally built by William Randolph Hearst for his Hollywood friends. The WIH Group now includes more than 55 prestigious Hotels, Resorts & Spas worldwide located in city centers and resort destinations in the United States, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Bali, the South Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
St. Vincent’s geothermal project gets US$15 million loan
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been said Minister of Foreign Affairs Camillo Gonsalves. granted a loan of US$15 million to help fund the He noted that US$15 million is the most that development of a 10 to 15 megawatt geothermal IRENA-ADFD lends for a single project, and this is the second time in its two cycles that it has awarded project, expected to come on stream by 2018. The funds are part of US$57 million in such and amount. concessional loans for five renewable energy projects “So, we are very pleased in the confidence that in developing countries financed under the second IRENA and the government and people of the United cycle of the International Renewable Energy Agency Arab Emirates have reposed in us,” said Gonsalves, (IRENA) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development who is leading the three-member Vincentian (ADFD). delegation. The loans, announced on Sunday during The other members of the delegation are Minister IRENA’s Fifth Assembly, will also go to projects in of the Health, Wellness and the Environment Cuba, Argentina, Iran, and Mauritania. Clayton Burgin, and Director of the Energy Unit, “The geothermal project in St Vincent and the Ellsworth Dacon. Grenadines will connect to the energy grid to provide Gonsalves noted his country’s reliance on a consistent power source for the entire country imported diesel for electricity generation. and will influence the deployment of additional “… we have some of the highest electricity geothermal projects in the Caribbean,” IRENA said. tariffs in the world, due in large part to the fact that “The implications are massive and game we are a small country, importing small amount of changing. It is a word that the Prime Minister (of St. diesel and our electricity is based on that,” he said. He told CMC that when the geothermal power Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves) uses, and it is a word that you also heard the plant is complete, it will reverse the ratio of electricity director-general of IRENA [Adnan Z. Amin] use,” generated by fossil fuel and renewable sources.
“This project is over 50 per cent of our current demand,” he said, noting that it has the potential to generate 10 to 15 megawatts of electricity. “We have roughly 20 per cent of our electricity already provided by hydro. So, we will go from being 80 per cent fossil fuel electricity to close to 80 per cent renewable energy when this project is completed. He told CMC that in addition to reducing electricity cost by some 20 percent, the project potentially has important developmental benefits, including poverty alleviation, the competitiveness of business, and foreign direct investment. “So, all of these things, wrapped up, create what we really believe is a game changer,” he said. Dacon told CMC that the project could save the country US$18 million of the US$26 million that it spends on diesel for electricity generation annually. “This project will save approximately 4.5 million imperial gallons of fuel imports per year. So, the impact of the foreign exchange is great. It will also stimulate some light manufacturing,” he said, adding that it could also create opportunities in aquaculture, and agriculture.
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TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft shows off Windows 10 and ‘HoloLens’
Microsoft’s new wearable 3D gadget it calls the HoloLens REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft has taken the wraps off a new version of Windows - and a new wearable 3D gadget it calls the HoloLens. The company showed the new headset, which lets users view and interact with three-dimensional images, at an event where it also revealed new features coming to the company’s flagship operating software. Executives said Windows 10 is designed to embrace the way people use computers today - offering a familiar experience as they switch back and forth from personal computers to tablets, smartphones and other gadgets such as gaming consoles or even holographic projectors. While it’s designed to let apps work in similar fashion on all those devices, Windows 10 will also come with a new Web browser that will be closely integrated with Cortana, the company’s voiceactivated answer to Siri. Microsoft is expanding Cortana to serve as a search engine and personal assistant, capable of answering questions and responding to commands such as “Play music” on desktop and laptop computers, as well as mobile
devices. And in a break from past practice, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will be released later this year as a free upgrade for anyone owning a computer or gadget that’s currently running Windows 8.1 or 7, the two previous versions of the software. Microsoft is making a big bet that Windows 10 will help it regain ground the company has lost to the mobile computing boom. Windows has long been the dominating operating software for desktop and laptop computers, but that business has suffered as more people have begun using smartphones and tablets. Microsoft tried to reach those users by emphasizing touch-screen features in its last update, Windows 8, but many traditional PC users found it jarring and difficult to navigate. Hoping to win back a larger audience, Microsoft is promising Windows 10 will provide a familiar experience to users on across devices, and a common platform for software developers to create apps that work on all of them. “Windows 10 is built for a world in which there are going to be more devices on the planet than people,” CEO Satya Nadella told reporters and
LG to launch curved G Flex 2 smartphone next week SEOUL, South Korea - LG Electronics Inc. said it will start selling a new curved smartphone next week in its latest effort to bring the curve to a mass market. The South Korean company said Thursday that the G Flex 2 will be launched locally on Jan. 30 and overseas in coming months. Curved screens are a way of differentiating high smartphones that have come to share many similar features such as high resolution displays and powerful cameras. When LG released its first version of a curved smartphone in 2013, it was a niche product. The latest iteration shows LG is targeting a bigger market. The phone features a 5.5-inch screen curved from top to bottom. In
an improvement from its predecessor, the phone’s self-healing back can repair scratches in seconds rather than minutes. LG said both the screen and the body are more resilient to shocks than other phones. LG’s hometown rival Samsung Electronics Co. is also experimenting with curved screens. Last year, Samsung released the Galaxy Note 4 Edge, which has a screen on its curved edge that displays information. LG did not give a sales target but executive vice president Cho Sungha said the company expects sales of the G Flex 2 to be higher than its predecessor. LG did not adopt some of the latest technologies for the G Flex 2, such as quantum dot displays. Instead it has a full highdefinition screen. The G Flex 2 will sell for nearly 900,000 won ($830) in South Korea.
industry analysts at Microsoft’s headquarters. He said Microsoft wants to “enable that seamless crossover, across devices as you move around at home and at work.” Rivals including Apple and Google have also been working toward that goal, by making apps that, for example, save files or photos created on a PC and let the user retrieve them on a smartphone. But analysts say new features in Windows 10 could give Microsoft an edge. For example, Microsoft executives showed new versions of the company’s Word app, its Outlook email service and a photo-storage app that look and act similarly on different screen sizes. They also promise to synchronize files so that changes made on one device would appear when the app is opened on another gadget. Windows 10 will be used in Microsoft’s Xbox gaming systems as well. A new Xbox app for computers running Windows 10 will give gamers one place to find messages, video clips and games they have played on multiple devices. Microsoft gaming executive Phil Spencer also suggested programmers may eventually use Windows 10 to create other apps for TVs tied to an Xbox console. As for the company’s new hologram device, executives did not say when it will be available for sale. But they talked about using it for games as well as more serious purposes, such as helping a surgeon visualize a new operating technique or showing someone how to perform plumbing repairs. Nadella said it will be priced to appeal to both consumers and businesses. And there won’t be a Windows 9. Microsoft has skipped ahead in naming the next version, from Windows 8 to Windows 10, as though to put more distance between them. story
WhatsApp Plus users suspended by official app for 24 hours WhatsApp is imposing 24-hour won’t let it continue. Starting today, we lock-outs on people trying to access its are taking aggressive action against service via an unauthorised Android unauthorised apps and alerting the app. people who use them.” The Facebook-owned messaging The effort coincides with the service said that it had acted against introduction of the ability to access users of WhatsApp Plus because of WhatsApp from the Google Chrome concerns that the program might cause web browser, as an alternative to the private data to be leaked to third- app. This will not, however, work on parties. Apple’s iPhones or iPads. The unofficial app offers extra ways According to one app store, to customise how conversations appear. WhatsApp Plus had itself been Experts say Android users should be downloaded more than 35 million cautious about where they download times since its 2012 releases by a apps from. Spanish developer, who called himself WhatsApp recently reported it had Rafalense. 700 million users sending an average of Security consultant Graham Cluley 30 billion messages a day. It currently said that figure sounded “surprisingly charges a $0.99 (65p) annual fee to high”, but acknowledged there was no users who sign up to the service after independent way to verify it. their first 12 months of using it. WhatsApp Plus’ own website “Our goal is always to keep appears to be offline at this time. WhatsApp fast and secure for the people But the moderator of a development who use it - it’s the most important community, which had supported it, thing we do,” said a spokesman for the used Google Plus to indicate that work firm. on the software would now be put on “Third-parties that have built hold. unauthorised functionality on top of “We have received a cease and WhatsApp create issues for people desist letter from WhatsApp and we including lost messages. are obligated to remove all download “This goes against the experience links and unfortunately delete this we work hard to give people and we community,” he wrote.
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Macau ranks No. 1 in economic performance among world cities WASHINGTON - Macau, the Joseph Parilla, a Brookings Chinese territory known for casino research analyst who co-wrote the gambling, outperformed the rest of report, said he was surprised by the the world’s major cities economically “incredible differentiation within what last year, according to a report out are considered monolithic economic Thursday. blocs.” Latin American cities, for Cities in the developing world, instance, mostly sputtered. But especially China, dominated the top Medellin, Colombia, and Lima, Peru, of the annual economic rankings of both broke into the top 50. Cities in wealthy countries tended 300 cities worldwide by the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase. One to perform poorly. But U.S. and British exception: Bangkok, Thailand, came in cities showed improvement. Three U.S. last, its economy wrecked by political cities - Austin and Houston, Texas, and strife. Raleigh, North Carolina - cracked the Macau has enjoyed a tourism top 50. In the United Kingdom, London boom, with gamblers coming to bet at came in No. 26, Manchester No. 60. The United States and Britain have more than 30 casinos, including the Venetian Macau, the world’s largest. begun to pick up economic momentum Cities in wealthy, developed 5½ years after the recession ended. countries tended to lag behind. Though “In developed economies like North most of the cities surveyed around the America and Western Europe, cities world have recovered from the Great like London and Houston are flying Recession, 65 percent of European and high, while others like Rotterdam and 57 percent of North American cities Montreal are struggling,” Parilla said have not, according to the study, which . INSIDE CHINA ranks cities by growth in employment and in economic output per person. Twenty-seven of the 50 topperforming cities were Chinese. Some highlights: Increasingly, strong growth occurred BIG DIFFERENCES in the traditionally underdeveloped
cities of China’s interior, rather than and Tulsa, which are epicenters of the its booming coastal cities. Land- region’s shale revolution,” the report locked Changsha, for instance, enjoyed said. economic growth per person of 8.6 Next year’s rankings may be percent last year and wound up No. 15 different. Oil prices have plunged in the overall rankings. to less than $48 a barrel from $107 The coastal manufacturing a barrel last June, jeopardizing the powerhouse of Dongguan, next door prospects of cities that had been riding to Hong Kong, registered per-capita the energy boom. economic growth of just 5.2 percent (unimpressive by Chinese standards) TURKISH DELIGHT and finished No. 70. Companies have begun to move inland as the cost of Four Turkish cities made the top labor and land rises on the Chinese 10: Izmir, Istanbul, Bursa and Ankara. coast. And the Chinese government Turkish cities boomed last year despite has invested heavily on infrastructure political unrest. “If you look at world in the interior. headlines, Turkey is not in the news for its economic success, but it probably COMMODITIES BOOM should be,” Brookings’ Parilla says. “It has pretty solid macroeconomic The 18 cities worldwide that policies.” specialized in producing commodities Turkey benefits from its location such as oil registered the highest at the boundary between Europe and rates of growth in economic output per Asia and from heavy investment in person (2.6 percent) and employment roads and other infrastructure projects, (1.9 percent). which creates jobs over the short term “The recent rise in oil and gas and is likely to make the economy more production in North America partly efficient over the long term. explains the success of metropolitan story areas like Calgary, Denver, Houston,
Google planning to sell wireless phone service
Adidas sells Rockport unit for $280 million
Google nexus 6 smartphone SAN FRANCISCO - Google is planning to sell wireless phone service directly to consumers using the networks of Sprint and T-Mobile, according to reports published Wednesday. If everything falls into place, Google Inc. could offer discounted wireless data plans that would pressure other major carriers to offer better deals and services or risk losing customers to a powerful rival. More affordable plans, in turn, could bring more people online, something that Google is trying to do because it runs the Internet’s dominant search engine and largest advertising network. The Mountain View, California, company would profit from a potentially larger audience for its services. Google also implants its services in its Android mobile operating system, the mostly widely used software on smartphones. Both the technology news site The Information and The Wall Street Journal reported Google’s intention to become a wireless service provider. The reports cited unnamed people familiar with the matter. Representatives from Google, Sprint Corp. and T-Mobile US Inc. declined to comment on the reports. It’s unclear how widely Google
plans to sell wireless plans to smartphone owners or when the service would launch. The company already is selling an ultra-fast Internet and cable TV service directly to homes, but that Google Fiber product so far is only available in parts of Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; Provo, Utah; and Austin, Texas. Google’s plans to make its entry into the wireless Internet market by buying access on the networks of Sprint and T-Mobile is known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, agreement. Google probably will still have to set up its own operations to handle customer service and billing, an area in which the company doesn’t have much previous expertise. Leasing space to Google represents a calculated risk by Sprint, the third largest wireless carrier, and T-Mobile, the four largest. While a deal with Google figures to boost their revenue, it also opens the door for a deeppocketed company that could turn into a competitive threat. T-Mobile already has been shaking up the industry during the past year by cutting prices and introducing new service plans that have prompted the two biggest carriers, Verizon Communications and AT&T Inc., to match some of the features. story
Adidas shares jump after firm sells Rockport unit for $280m FRANKFURT--Adidas AG on Friday sold its Rockport unit for $280 million to a new entity formed by Berkshire Partners and New Balance, in a move that allows the group to focus more on sporting goods but hurts full-year profit. However, the German company said that full-year net profit, excluding the impact of the deal and a EUR80 million ($90.9 million) write down on the value of its Russian business, reached its earnings target of around EUR650 million. It added that group sales for 2014 increased 6%, adjusted for currency fluctuations and the sale of Rockport. The company is due to report full-year results on March 5. Adidas has been looking to sell its Rockport unit, a maker of boat and dress shoes, as it narrows its focus on sporting goods. The sale, which is expected to be completed later this year, will hit profit by a double-digit million euros amount, the company said. Rockport was acquired by Adidas when it bought Reebok in 2006 but the company has more recently said the brand’s products don’t match its sports-oriented agenda. In May last year, Adidas Chief Executive
Herbert Hainer said the company was considering offers for the unit. “The brown shoe category is not core to this strategy and the sale of Rockport will allow us to reduce complexity and pursue our target consumer more aggressively,” Mr. Hainer said in a statement Friday. In the first nine months of 2014, Rockport sales increased 5% on a currency neutral basis. The sale of Rockport comes as the world’s No. 2 sports-gear maker has struggled of late because of a weaker Russian ruble and a slide at its golf division, TaylorMade-Adidas Golf. Since September 2013, Adidas has issued three profit warnings and its share price has plunged about 40%. Reebok, the company’s longtime problem child, recorded its seventh consecutive quarter of growth in the fourth quarter of 2014. Its currencyadjusted sales rose 5%. Adidas has recently repositioned Reebok as a fitness brand. In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that a consortium of investors from Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi was looking to buy Reebok for about EUR1.5 billion. Adidas hasn’t commented on the bid.
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American Express to cut more than 4,000 jobs
Uber raises $1.6 billion in financing from Goldman Sachs NEW YORK - Popular ride-hailing app Uber has raised $1.6 billion in a deal with Goldman Sachs wealth management clients. Goldman Sachs spokeswoman Andrea Raphael says the financing comes in the form of a bond that can later be converted into stock when Uber goes public. Goldman says the deal completed a few days ago is one of the largest private convertible debt offerings on record. It was earlier reported by Bloomberg News. Last month, San Francisco-based Uber raised $1.2 billion in financing that valued the company at $40 billion. That puts it in the ballpark of public companies such as DirecTV and Kraft Foods. Uber is working on expanding internationally, though it faces regulatory hurdles and opposition from traditional taxi companies in many countries. Uber could not immediately be reached for comment.
American Express Credit cards NEW YORK - American Express said Wednesday it plans to cut more than 4,000 jobs this year, about 6 percent of its total workforce. The New York-based charge card company said the cuts are part of a companywide efficiency drive. The announcement came as it reported an 11 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit. The cuts will span the company’s U.S. and international operations and will take place over the course of the year, American Express spokeswoman
Marina Norville said. The company will take a $313 million pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter, partly as a result of the cuts. In a conference call with investors, American Express Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Campbell said some of the job cuts will be offset by hiring in other parts of the company. American Express last did mass job cuts in 2013, when it cut 5,400 jobs, mostly in its travel business. American Express said it
earned $1.45 billion, or $1.39 per share, in the three-month period that ended Dec. 31. That compares with a profit of $1.31 billion, or $1.21 a share, in the same period a year ago. Revenue net of interest expense was $9.11 billion, compared with $8.55 billion a year ago. For the full year, American Express’ profits rose 10 percent to $5.89 billion, or $5.56 per share. American Express shares fell 2 percent to $85.90 in aftermarket trading.
Oil prices could stay low for up to 3 years
Bob Dudley The boss of oil giant BP Bob Dudley has said that oil prices could remain low for up to three years. He added that could send UK petrol prices below £1 per litre. He told BBC Business editor Kamal Ahmed in Davos BP was planning for low oil prices for years to come. That is expected to lead to job losses and falling investment in the North Sea oil industry and elsewhere, curbing supply and eventually forcing the price back up. Italian oil group Eni has said the next spike could be around $200 a barrel. Eni’s chief executive, Claudio Descalzi, said the oil industry would cut capital spending by 1013% this year because of slumping prices. He said that would create longer-term shortages and sharp price rises in four to five years’ time, if the Opec cartel fails to cut supplies.
Mr Descalzi was speaking at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos. Mr Dudley said historically world oil prices have fluctuated, and sometimes have remained low for a number of years. He expects to see current low prices for at least a year, and that BP has to plan for that. “Companies like us, at BP, we’re going to need to rebase the company based on no guarantees at all that the price will come back up,” he said. “We have go to plan on this [price] being down, and we don’t know exactly what level, but certainly a year, I think probably two and maybe three years.” From 2010 until mid-2014, oil prices around the world were fairly stable, at around $110 a barrel. However, since June prices have more than halved. Brent crude oil is around $48 a barrel, and US crude is around $47 a barrel.
Mr Dudley said lower oil prices could mean UK petrol could fall below £1 per litre. This kind of petrol price was “not far off”, despite taxation forming a part of the fuel price. “If prices keep going down, I’m sure you will [see £1 per litre],” he added. North Sea job losses? Sustained low oil prices are also likely to cause “stress” on oil producing countries such as Norway, Russia, Venezuela, Scotland, Nigeria and Angola, he said. “All these countries are really going to feel it,” he said. “I think Scotland is going to be under some stress because of these low oil prices,” he said. BP has two large projects in the North Sea, including the Clair field, which have had £8bn investment over ten years, he said. “Their economics are challenged now with these new prices,” he added. “But we’re in the North Sea for the long term. We have a large workforce in Scotland. There will be activities that we needed to pare back anyway.” The fallout from “difficulties in the US” - referring to the fatal explosion at the Deep Water Horizon oil rig - were affecting the business, he said. Globally, BP and the rest of the energy industry were likely to see “significant workforce reductions,” he added.
Euro plunges but European brands are not on sale in US NEW YORK - Americans hoping to save on European goods thanks to a falling euro shouldn’t rush to uncork that bottle of French Bordeaux. There’s very little to celebrate. Not since September 2003 has the euro traded this low against the dollar. Still, German sports cars, Belgian beers and the latest fashions out of Italy aren’t going on sale anytime soon. The reason? There’s simply too much demand in the U.S. for any markdowns. “The U.S. economy is the one that’s doing well in the world right now,” notes IHS senior principal economist George Magliano. “We’ve got a lot of growth in upper-income families and households.” Since Americans are willing - and able - to spend heavily on imported goods, there’s no need for companies to cut prices. Any savings thanks to the euro’s decline will instead be pocketed by manufacturers and distributors. It’s been a dramatic fall for the euro. Back in April, the European currency was trading at 1.38 dollars to the euro. That means that one dollar bought you about 72 euro cents. Now the exchange rate is hovering around 1.13 dollars to the euro, so one dollar buys you 88 euro cents. The euro extended its slide against the dollar on Thursday, dropping more than 2 percent against the U.S. dollar, after the European Central Bank pledged to spend 1.1 trillion euros on bond purchases to help revive the region’s flagging economy. The problem for Americans: we don’t buy enough European goods, except for high-end products. Our clothes might come from Bangladesh or Costa Rica. Our furniture from China. And our cars - even foreign brands like Honda - are mostly made at home. European brands tend to cater to higher income families who want to buy a bit of prestige. Take German cars. Brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes are luxury products with strong demand. So there’s no incentive to cut prices, says Karl Brauer, senior industry analyst for Kelley Blue Book. Audi sales rose 15 percent last year, while BMW sales were up 6.5 percent and Mercedes rose nearly 10 percent. Each company is likely to pocket the extra money from converting dollars to euros, no matter whether the cars are made overseas or in the U.S., Brauer says. Volkswagen, however, might use the weak Euro to reduce prices and boost struggling sales, Brauer says. VW’s U.S. sales fell 3 percent last year even though overall U.S. auto sales across all brands grew 6 percent.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook gets $9.2M bonus for 2014
SAN FRANCISCO - Apple CEO Tim Cook got a hefty cash bonus that brought his total compensation to $9.2 million last year. That’s more than double what he received the previous year, as the company enjoyed a surge in sales and profit fueled by the popularity of its new, over-sized iPhone 6 models. Cook’s pay for fiscal 2014 included $1.7 million in salary and $6.7 million in incentive pay that was awarded by Apple’s board after he beat the performance goals that directors had set for him, according to a regulatory filing Thursday. He also received $774,176 in other compensation, including a 401k contribution, company-paid insurance premiums and security expenses. Apple reported $182.8 billion in revenue for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 27 and $39.5 billion in profit, after seeing record sales last fall. Sales of iPhones rose 21 percent in the company’s fourth quarter, which
made up for a decline in sales of iPads. Apple’s annual revenue has increased in each of the last three years. Cook and the company’s other top officers were awarded the maximum bonus possible under Apple’s incentive plan, after the company’s annual revenue and $52.5 billion in operating profit each exceeded the plan’s maximum goals by 7 percent, the filing said. The Associated Press calculates an executive’s total compensation by counting salary, bonuses, perks, stock and options awarded during the year. Despite his bonus, Apple’s CEO collected less than the company’s four other top officers, all of whom garnered sizable stock awards. The highest paid was Senior Vice President Angela Ahrendts, the former CEO at luxury goods maker Burberry who was hired in May to run Apple’s retail operations. Her $73 million pay package included a hiring bonus of $33 million in restricted Apple stock
grants and another $37 million in restricted stock grants that Apple said were intended to compensate for Burberry stock that she forfeited on leaving her old job. While Cook’s total pay has increased for the last two years, it still pales against the $378 million in cash and stock grants he was awarded when he took the CEO job in 2011. Apple reported the compensation figures in advance of its annual shareholder meeting on March 10. The company also announced that board member Millard “Mickey” Drexler, will retire when his term expires at that meeting. Drexler, 70, is CEO of J. Crew and former CEO of the Gap retail chain. Apple said a replacement has not been nominated. Apple shares closed Thursday at $112.40, up 2.6 percent for the day and more than 40 percent in the past year. With a stock market value of $659 billion, Apple is the most Tim Cook valuable company in the world.
European Central Bank unleashes its most aggressive effort to revive economy
FRANKFURT, Germany - Europe’s ailing economy will get a major dose of stimulus from the European Central Bank - a bond buying program designed to make loans and exports cheaper so companies can hire and expand. Starting in March, the ECB will buy 60 billion euros’ worth of government and corporate bonds each month at least through September 2016. The 1.1 trillion euro program was an emphatic signal of the ECB’s willingness to do all it can to rejuvenate the economy shared by the 19-nation euro currency alliance. ECB President Mario Draghi pledged Thursday to extend the bond buying if needed until the bank saw a significant upturn in the eurozone’s excessively low inflation, which threatens to become a downward spiral. Stocks rallied in Europe and the United States after the ECB’s announcement, with the Dow Jones
industrial average jumping 259 points, or 1.5 percent. The euro’s value, meanwhile, plunged nearly 2 percent against the dollar to its lowest level in 11 years in anticipation that the ECB’s bond purchases will drive down the currency. A lower-valued euro would make European exports more affordable overseas. The ECB’s purchases will flood the economy with money that the central bank will create - a power it wields as the euro’s legal issuer. Its chief mandate is to maintain price stability. It’s fallen well short of its goal of 2 percent annual inflation, considered consistent with a healthy economy. The current rate is minus 0.2 percent. Fears have spread that the eurozone could face chronic falling prices, or deflation. Though low or falling inflation is often welcomed by shoppers, it reflects sluggish demand and can paralyze an already weak economy - a problem that has long afflicted
Japan, the world’s third-largest economy. The eurozone is still working off a crisis over excessive government debt in countries like Greece, Portugal and Ireland. The alliance’s economy has lagged even as the United States and Britain have recovered more robustly from the financial crisis and Great Recession. Unemployment is 11.5 percent across the currency union, and 26 percent in Greece. In the United States, by contrast, the unemployment rate is 5.6 percent. Earlier Thursday, the ECB kept its main interest rate unchanged at a record low 0.05 percent. There’s no guarantee that the ECB’s bond buying can succeed without further action by national governments in the currency union. Skeptics have suggested that the bond buying has been robbed of some of its potential effectiveness through delay and that Europe’s problems lie beyond the reach of monetary policy.
McDonalds sued for racial discrimination in Virginia be held responsible for the restaurants run by McDonald’s Ten former McDonald’s workers behaviour and labour practices franchisee Michael Simon. of franchisees. Mr Simon became have sued it in the However, their position franchise operator of the three Virginia federal court has been weakened by the restaurants in late 2013, when for racial and sexual US National Labor Relations the majority of the employees discrimination. at the restaurants were Board (NLRB). The suit alleges It ruled that McDonalds African-American. that some employees Soon after, the suit alleges “could be held jointly liable for were fired from one labour and wage violations by Mr Simon instituted a plan franchise because there its franchise operators” in July. to hire more white employees, were “too many black Since then, current with supervisors allegedly people”. and former employees have telling employees that the It is being backed filed lawsuits against many restaurants were “too dark” by a group campaigning McDonald’s franchises and and they needed to hire new for better wages for fastthe larger corporation alleging employees to “get the ghetto food workers and the local Virginia National wage theft and other illegal out of the store”. practices. Subsequently, in midAssociation for the The lawsuit is part of ongoing efforts by labour organisers to hold McDonald’s Advancement of Colored accountable for franchisees In the lawsuit filed in 2014, a large number of Virginia on Thursday, which is white employees were hired People. independent franchisees, McDonald’s restaurants.” McDonald’s has not yet customers and suppliers, and The suit is part of a not part of the NLRB’s larger and several of the Africancommented specifically on the discrimination is completely continuing effort on the part activity, 10 former employees American employees who are suit. inconsistent with our values. of labour organisers to hold - nine of whom are African- part of the suit were fired. McDonalds issued a “McDonald’s and our McDonald’s responsible for the American and one of whom The fired workers alleged is Hispanic - allege that they that when they attempted to general statement, saying: independent owner-operators behaviour of its franchisees. “McDonald’s has a long- share a commitment to the were subject to “rampant contact McDonald’s corporate McDonald’s and other racial and sexual harassment” office, there was no response. standing history of embracing well-being and fair treatment restaurant groups have the diversity of employees, of all people who work in argued that it should not by supervisors at three
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FUN & GAMES LOCAL NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD SPORTS •Supervising and training of Purchasing and Warehouse employees. Starting salary $40,000 not including service charge.
Houseman Requirements: •Ability to work with heavy cleaning machinery. •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts
IMMEDIATE OPENING General Manager Requirements: •Functions as the Strategic Business Leader of the resort. Position oversees the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures implementation of the brand service strategy and brand initiatives. Focuses on target customer needs, employee satisfaction, growing revenues and maximizing financial performance of the resort. •A keen understanding of marketing / public relations / advertising strategies, and the ability to create sales and marketing plans. •At least 12 years experience in managerial role at high-end hotel/resort with in-depth knowledge of luxury marketing, sales. Brand experience a must. •Sound knowledge of all aspects of resort operation and finance. •Exceptional verbal, written and strategic planning skills. •Strong organization skills. •Ability to effectively direct labor productivity. •Financial management skills e.g., ability to analyze P&L statements, develop operating budgets, forecasting and capital expenditure planning. •Ability to use standard software applications and hotel systems – Opera (Fidelio), Micros. •Strategic planning skills. •Ability to evaluate business trends, determine applicability to customer profile and modify business strategies accordingly. •Ability to take constructive action without relying on directions from others. •Ability to network and build relationships to grow the business. •Strong problem-solving skills; encourages new innovative solutions when appropriate.
Must be willing and available to work all days and shifts.
Duties include: •Ensuring that standards of cleanliness and organization are met at all times in assigned areas. •Responsibility for care and maintenance of all equipment and machinery •Restock linens and amenities on carts •Run needed items to guest floors •Assist housekeepers as required Starting salary $5.25 not including service charge.
Pool and Beach Attendant Requirements: •Must be able to work in all outdoor element, rain, sun, etc. as required •Must be able to work long hours on feet •Must be able to lift 30lbs or more •Must be trained and certified in CPR, First Aid. •Life guard experience is a plus •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: •Creating a luxury guest experience through delivery of high level service for all pool and beach services Starting salary $5.50 per hour not including service charge.
Technician The chosen candidate must be a licensed/certified refrigeration technician with knowledge of different types of refrigerant including R22, 134A and 404A. Must have experience maintaining and repairing low temperature refrigeration, walk-in freezers and coolers, ice machines and direct expansion air conditioning systems. Duties Include: •Perform scheduled preventative maintenance and corrective repair on all refrigeration equipment. •Upgrading equipment as required. •Maintaining inventory of parts needed for designated equipment to avoid down time. Starting salary $7.00- $9.00 per hour plus service charge.
Duties include: •Responsible for strategic planning and long-term vision and projects •Oversee day to day management of entire resort including development and implementation of process and management guidelines. •Occasional travel abroad representing the resort in marketing and public relations tradeshows. •Review financial data and prepare executive reports for owners and international management company. •Oversee managerial and other staff to ensure high guest satisfaction and employee retention.
Kitchen/Laundry Mechanic
Duties include: •Forecast procurement needs based on historical data and analysis. •Maintain procurement management database. •Upgrade regularly Marine Exchange Procurement software. •Liaise with brokers and support customs clearances. •Liaise with Accounts Payable Department to ensure accurate and timely payment of invoices •Monitor inventory control and spending in order to make recommendations and identify areas for possible savings. •Conduct physical inventories of the storerooms and prepare requisitions for all departments to bring items up to par stock levels.
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, January 30th, 2015.
Requirements: •Minimum 3 years experience of experience. •Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience. •Knowledge and experience in repair and maintenance including preventative maintenance of property systems and equipment. •To be an independent kitchen laundry mechanic, able to analyze International Procurement Manager problems, to read technical data sheets and diagrams for mechanical and electrical equipment and to formulate plans to get work done quickly, Requirements: including procurement of materials, parts, etc., and necessary scheduling •5+ years experience in international purchasing in a luxury hospitality arrangements with a high degree of quality. environment; while negotiating domestic and international contracts, •Ability to speak effectively with customers and associates read and write increasing total quality of the goods, and fully organizing proper container and interpret documents and technical wiring diagram information sheets shipments. as well as safety rules (lockout tagout), safety awareness information •Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience. (MSDS) operating and maintenance and instructions manuals. •Must be Computer literate, Microsoft Office, MXP, etc. •Must have advanced knowledge of Food & Beverage quality standards, Duties include: health compliances and specifications. •Maintain proper preventative maintenance to laundry equipment and •Must have product knowledge of food, beverage and hotel consumable/ boilers. durable items. •Maintain proper amount of chemical injection on boiler feed tank and •Knowledge of Marine Exchange Procurement is an advantage. proper conductivity at boilers. •Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English, with •Preventative maintenance to steam traps and steam lines additional other language is an advantage. Starting salary $7.00 per hour not including service charge. •Flexible, ability to work independently and under pressure. •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.
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LOCAL NEWS WANTED
1 LABOURER
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
DELICIOUS DISHES SEEKS
Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 242-6500
1 Cook - $6.00 per hour 2 Servers - $5.50 per hour 1 Domestic Worker - $5.50 per hour 1 Kitchen Helper -$5.50 per hour 2 Labourer - $5.00 per hour
Contact 344-2420
HAB MANAGEMENT LIMITED
HAB Management Limited is seeking applicants for the following position:
RESERVATION ATTENDANT Job Description
The successful candidates will be required to welcome and serve guests in a courteous, efficient and friendly manner, both face-to-face and on the phone. The candidates will also be required to take reservations via the telephone, email and walk-in requests. Candidates will also be responsible for promoting the resort at all times.
Requirements
Candidates should have five years or more experience as a Reservation Attendant. Candidates should also have an extensive knowledge of Visual One Property Management System. Candidates must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Candidates will be required to check guests in and out; perform certain accounting procedures, such as preparing bills for guests, performing audit duties, balancing work and preparing paperwork for the following day; present a friendly, outgoing, energetic and guest service demeanor. Candidates will also be required to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. Must be able to speak, read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions. Good
presentation and a pleasant, friendly personality required. The salary for this position is $8.00 per hour. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by February 6, 2015 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD. HAB Management Limited is seeking suitable applicants for the following position:
KITCHEN PORTER To assist with the washing up and cleaning of all section of the kitchen. Candidates must be willing to work holidays and weekends when required. Wages starts at $7.00 per hour.
Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview. Closing date for applications is February 6, 2015.
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD. HAB Management Limited is seeking suitable applicants for the following position:
LABOURERS Candidates must be physically capable of hard manual labour outside on a daily basis. Previous experience is preferred. Candidates must be willing to work holidays and weekends when required.
Wages starts at $6.00 per hour. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview. Closing date for applications is February 6, 2015.
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CARIBBEAN
LOCAL NEWS
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New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) spikes the ball after catching a five-yard touchdown pass during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 The NFL says its investigation into whether the New England Patriots used underinflated footballs in the AFC championship game is ongoing after a report Tuesday night claimed the league found 11 balls were not properly inflated. Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president for football operations, told The Associated Press that the “investigation is currently underway and we’re still awaiting findings.” Vincent was responding to an ESPN report that cited anonymous league sources saying 11 of the Patriots’ 12 allotted game footballs were underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch of air. ESPN did not say how that occurred. Vincent said earlier Tuesday he expected the probe to be concluded by the end of the week. The last thing the NFL wants after a difficult season off
the field is a potential cheating scandal that disrupts Super Bowl week. New England faces Seattle on Feb. 1 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots, who beat Indianapolis 45-7 for the AFC title, said they were cooperating with the league, and a Seahawks spokesman said the team would defer to the league on the matter. The NFL began looking into the issue not only because doctoring the footballs could provide a competitive advantage, but because it would compromise the integrity of the game. Deflating a football can change the way it’s gripped by a player or the way it travels through the air. Some quarterbacks and receivers prefer balls with less air or more air than the standard. Under NFL rules, each team provides balls each game for use when its offense is on the field. The balls
NFL found 11 of 12 Patriots footballs underinflated are inspected before the game by the of his worries. And tight end Rob officiating crew, then handled during Gronkowski tweeted a photo of himself the game by personnel provided by the spiking the ball with the words: home team. “WARNING GRONKING MAY CAUSE Social media responses were DEFLATION.” quick late Tuesday night and into Patriots coach Bill Belichick Wednesday morning. on Tuesday deferred questions about “11 of 12 balls under-inflated can the investigation, saying reporters anyone spell cheating!!! #Just Saying” should ask league officials. Belichick was the tweet from Hall of Fame earlier said he wasn’t aware there receiver Jerry Rice. was an issue until Monday morning “So we get to play the game again and promised to “cooperate fully with or nah? ??” tweeted Colts cornerback whatever the league wants us to, Darius Butler. whatever questions they ask.” Packers quarterback Aaron Belichick, of course, was fined Rodgers said on ESPN radio in $500,000 in 2007 for having an Milwaukee that he didn’t like how assistant spy on the New York Jets’ referees handle the balls. If balls come defensive signals. in over-inflated, the referees take some Special teams captain Matthew air out. Slater said the Patriots “try to do “I have a major problem with things the right way. We work hard the way it goes down, to be honest with at our jobs, our professions, to be you,” Rodgers said. “The majority of the successful and it’s unfortunate that time, they take air out of the football. I things like this come up, but that’s life, think that, for me, is a disadvantage.” that’s the world we live in.” Rodgers said referees have a set Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he range in which they “like to set game did not notice issues with the football balls,” and that he always liked the and didn’t specify when asked whether higher end of the range because of his the Colts had reported the issue to grip. officials. “I just have a hard time throwing a “We talk just like they talk to flat football,” Rodgers said. He thought officials (before the game),” he said. a slight majority of quarterbacks like “We have an opportunity to talk to the footballs on the flatter side. officials about a lot of things.” “My belief is that there should be Patriots wide receiver Julian a minimum air-pressure requirement Edelman said the balls didn’t feel but not a maximum,” Rodgers said. different than usual. “There’s no advantage, in my opinion. And defensive tackle Vince Wilfork We’re not kicking the football. There’s seemed amused by the matter and no advantage in having a pumped-up didn’t shed any light on it. football.” “I don’t know anything about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady that,” he said. “I don’t touch footballs. said the investigation is the least I tackle people.”
Some things to know as NFL investigates Patriots’ footballs The NFL is very precise about its game to grip, especially when wet. Some quarterbacks and equipment - including the number of footballs prefer a softer ball to control the spin more, while prepared for games, how much each must weigh, others like more air. A drop in temperature - from and who monitors them until kickoff. the officials’ dressing room to an outdoor field - also One rule is very clear: Don’t tamper with can cause a football to lose pressure. THE REF RULES: The referee is the sole judge a football once it has been inspected for use in a game. of whether a ball is fit for play and marks each one The NFL is investigating a report that the approved for the game. The rule says the footballs New England Patriots used underinflated footballs “shall remain under the supervision of the Referee in the AFC championship game while beating the until they are delivered to the ball attendant just Indianapolis Colts 45-7. ESPN cited anonymous prior to the start of the game.” The referee for the sources Tuesday night in reporting the league game was Walt Anderson. A key question in the found that 11 of 12 balls were underinflated by 2 investigation is whether the balls improperly passed pounds per square inch of air. inspection or were either switched or tampered Here are some things to know about the issue: with after Anderson’s inspection. As the home team, CHAIN OF CUSTODY: Footballs are the Patriots were responsible for having someone delivered to the officials’ dressing room 2 hours, handle the footballs on each sideline. 15 minutes before kickoff. The referee inspects BALL CONTROL: Footballs are sent directly each one, with a pump provided by the home team to teams. Equipment managers can brush them to adjust air pressure as needed. Footballs are and even use a damp towel to rub off the oil used required to have at least 12.5 psi and no more than to preserve the leather to the preferences of each 13.5 psi. Releasing air can make the football easier quarterback. The quarterbacks can even practice
with the footballs during a game week as long as the footballs remain in good enough condition to pass the referee’s inspection as a new ball. Each team brings at least 12 balls each, so Tom Brady threw footballs provided by the Patriots while Andrew Luck handled footballs brought by the Colts. POTENTIAL PUNISHMENT: If the NFL finds anyone with the Patriots underinflated the footballs, Commissioner Roger Goodell has wide latitude for punishment. This includes a fine that can be as low as $25,000 for anyone deemed responsible for tampering with a football, even if it’s the head coach. Goodell could strip the team of draft picks, suspend people for “unfair acts,” and reverse a game’s result or reschedule a game. PREVIOUS OFFENSE: Goodell fined New England coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the Patriots $250,000 along with stripping the team of a first-round draft pick in 2007 for having an assistant spy on the New York Jets’ defensive signals by using a sideline camera.
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Boston 2024 makes Olympic bidinfo public BOSTON - Sailing in Boston Harbor. revenue, sponsorships and ticket sales. The bid Baseball at Fenway Park. Beach volleyball on Boston itself includes $3.4 billion to get the city ready, much Common, the oldest public park in the United States. of it to build the athletes’ village at UMass-Boston, The organizers of Boston’s Olympic bid a media headquarters near the South Boston unveiled their plans for the 2024 Summer Games waterfront and a temporary Olympic stadium just on Wednesday. Those plans include a pedestrian south of downtown. boulevard along a channel running to a temporary Although the bid promises not to rely “on a single Olympic stadium that would serve as the event’s tax dollar,” it is dependent on more than $5.2 billion “front yard,” and existing or upgraded public in public transportation and infrastructure projects transportation to shuttle fans between the university already planned or underway in the Boston area. and waterfront venues. And the federal government would be expected to It was an encore performance of the presentation chip in on security. that won over the USOC. Afterward, Boston 2024 released most of the bid book, which included a GETTING AROUND detailed look at the sites and the necessary finances to make it possible. Boston would be the most compact games in The 3-inch thick binder included plans for modern times, Manfredi said. Twenty-eight of 33 venues, transportation, finances and security, and proposed venues would be within 6.2 miles of the hints at the political and public arm-twisting needed athletes’ village, which is planned for the waterfront to make it happen. David Manfredi, an architect campus of UMass-Boston. who is the co-chair of the Boston 2024 planning “We can plan a walkable games, we can plan committee, said the goal is to leave a legacy not just a transit-oriented games,” he said. “It supports the for the athletes, but for the city as a whole. idea that Boston, the city of Boston, is the Olympic “It’s really about envisioning what the future is, Park.” what 2030 is, and then translating that into a games plan for 2024,” he said. “We believe Boston is the IF YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING NICE right size city for the Olympics. It’s a great historic city, a beautiful city and a really walkable city.” Boston Mayor Marty Walsh denied a report on Boston now goes up against potential bids from Wednesday that he was trying to keep city employees Rome, Paris, Germany and South Africa. The IOC is from speaking out against the Olympics. scheduled to make its decision in 2017. Documents obtained by The Boston Globe The presentation featured glossy photos of the include a promise that the city and its employees city at its current best and renderings of what could would refrain from making statements that “reflect be: Fireworks going off over a new - but temporary unfavorably upon, denigrate or disparage, or are - Olympic stadium, tall ships in the harbor and detrimental to the reputation” of the IOC, USOC or fountains spraying from Fort Point channel as the Olympics. international visitors stroll along its promenade. “Mayor Walsh is not looking to limit the free Co-presenter Cheri Blauwet, an Iowa native speech of his employees,” said spokeswoman and two-time winner of the Boston Marathon’s Laura Oggeri, adding that the agreement included wheelchair division, pictured the Olympics as a “standard boilerplate language” that all applicant catalyst for urban development that would have cities have historically signed. benefits throughout the region. “We call Boston home by choice because we NO BOSTON OLYMPICS understand that no city can offer the same power for personal and professional empowerment,” said Opposition groups are calling for a referendum Blauwet, a doctor and two-time Paralympian. “So to gauge public support for hosting the 2024 Games, this is a story of transformation.” but bid president Dan O’Connell declined to speculate Here are some other things to know about how that would affect the process. Repeating that Boston’s Olympic bid: a statewide referendum is a “rigorous” process, O’Connell said, “I’m not sure we’ll ever see anything PAYING FOR IT on the ballot.” “We are certainly hopeful that there will not be The operating budget for the games would be a negative referendum vote,” he said. “We would be $4.7 billion, money that would come from broadcast ready to make our case.”
Scherzers $210M deal done, Nationals think about ‘winning’ WASHINGTON - Forgive Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner if he got swept up in the scene. Speaking after a news conference Wednesday to announce the addition - via a $210 million, sevenyear contract - of 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, Lerner was thinking big thoughts. After all, the club’s starting rotation, at least for the moment, also includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez. “If they all stay healthy,” began Lerner, whose father, Ted, is the team’s principal owner, “I guess it’s a possibility we may give up the fewest runs in National League history during a 162-game schedule, which is amazing.” Let the speculation begin, then. Who will start on opening day, an honor that’s gone to Strasburg the past three years? How good could this staff be? As it is, in 2014, Washington’s starters led the majors with a 3.04 ERA. How far can those pitchers take the Nationals, who won the NL East in 2012 and again last season before bowing out in Washington’s opening playoff series each time? And, perhaps most intriguingly, will general manager
Mike Rizzo keep that group intact? Or will he wind up trading someone, perhaps Zimmermann or Fister, who can both become free agents after next season? Until those last two questions are answered, Rizzo certainly shares Lerner’s enthusiasm for the current collection of arms. “We’ll stack our rotation up with anybody’s in our division, our league and maybe in baseball,” Rizzo said, “and compete against them.” Of course, things don’t always shape up on the field the way they do during the offseason. The terrific Atlanta Braves group that included three Hall of Famers in Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz wound up with only one World Series championship. That’s one more than the Philadelphia Phillies won after assembling Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. Still, if that’s the discussion connected to the Nationals now, it represents a sea change from where this franchise stood a half-dozen years ago. It was noteworthy to hear the word “winning” over and over Wednesday at Nationals Park, where the scoreboard displayed a “Welcome to D.C.” greeting for Scherzer and his wife, and the diamond was covered by the afternoon’s dusting of snow.
Michael Jordan gets emotional after winning business award
Michael Jordan CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A humbled and emotional Michael Jordan fought back tears, feeling vindicated after years of criticism, after being named the Charlotte Business Journal’s Business Person of the Year. The Charlotte Hornets owner said during a nine-minute acceptance speech Tuesday night posted on Sports Business Daily website, that while he’s received many awards as a player, this one was different. “I’ve been criticized in a lot of different areas from a business standpoint, but I take pride in the ideas and concepts and views that come out of this organization to build the type of basketball program... that the city of Charlotte can be proud of,” Jordan said as he began tearing up. Jordan won six NBA titles as a player, but his front-office leadership abilities had been questioned - including his decision to take Kwame Brown with the No. 1 pick while an executive with the Washington Wizards. But Jordan has repeatedly said he is committed to turning the Hornets around and members of his team echoed his sentiments on Wednesday. Charlotte president and COO Fred Whitfield said Wednesday that Jordan was “genuinely honored and humbled by the award.” Whitfield said Jordan has listened to fans, including changing the team’s name back to the Hornets upon their request. The franchise had been known as the Bobcats. “He is so proud to be building something in his home state,” Whitfield said. “So to be recognized with such a prestigious award for his business accomplishments was really, really special to him.” Jordan’s long-time business manager Estee Portnoy was in attendance at the ceremony, and called the speech “genuine and beautiful” in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Jordan, a 14-time NBA All-Star who took over as the Hornets majority owner in 2010, said he plans on winning multiple championships with the franchise. “For all of the people that think that I’m in this for the short term, you better pull your socks up and just hang around - because my promise to this organization and this community is to bring a winner,” Jordan said. Jordan said when he joined the Hornets as a minority owner he never anticipated taking over as majority owner, but rather was interested in helping bring a winning franchise back to his home state. But he said when Bob Johnson decided to sell the franchise, it felt like “karma” that allowed him the opportunity own a team in North Carolina. “I left home. I came back home. And I plan on staying home,” Jordan said. Jordan, who grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, talked at length how much of his family still lives in the state. And he said he’s still driven to win.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
JANUARY 24TH, 2015 – JANUARY 31ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
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