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BEST TOURISM YEAR EVER
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By Vivian Tyson
he Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism sector continues to perform above and beyond expectations, with 2014 being the best year on record for the country. In fact, the Turks and Caicos Islands’ record-breaking numbers as indicated by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) are so impressive that CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Ralph Higgs said the country is quickly positioning itself to be a year-round tourism destination. The CTO indicated that 971,838 cruise passengers visited the country, compared to 778,920 or 24.8 percent over 2013. As for stopover arrivals, the CTO statistics released on Friday (February 6, 2015) showed that the Turks and Caicos Islands recorded an overall arrival of 40.6 percent. Over the period, the sector recorded the highest summer ever 50.2 percent and 27.3 for the winter. The CTO stated that between January and December 2014, 368,164 stopover visitors graced our shores. In January 2015, there were 31, 155 arrivals – 27.9 percent over the previous year; in February there were 32, 962 or 33.1 percent over 2013; in March the arrivals number was 41,389 or 29.8 percent over the previous year, reflecting a first quarter period of 105,506 in comparison to 81,001 for 2013. April saw 34,212 or 18.9 over the corresponding period of 2413; May saw 28,779 tourists arriving here or 22.9 percent increase over 2013; June saw 64, 617 or a 10 percent jump over 2013, reflecting a second quarter period of 93,841 in comparison to 78,087 overall figure for 2013; In July 34, 206 visitors came to our shores, representing a 19.8 percent increase over 2013. August saw 30,175 tourists arriving representing an increase of 19.7 percent increase
State funeral for Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield
Photos by Vivian Tyson Former House Speaker Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfied was afforded a State Funeral on Thursday, February 5, 2015. The ceremony included a 21-guns salute by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The Funeral Service was held at the Downtown Ballpark and interment on the grounds of the Faith Tabernacle Church along the Leeward Highway. In top photo, members of the immediate family (from left) widower Albray Butterfield Sr., and children Albray Butterfield Jr., Alleveia Butterfield-Chan Jon Chu and Adulson Butterfield. In bottom photo, the national flag-draped casket bearing the body of the late Speaker and humanitarian is seen at the Downtown Ballpark, shortly before being transported to the burial site. Inset is Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield over the previous year; in September, 14,673 visitors arrived, which was a 28.2 increase over 2013, showing an overall arrival of 78,052, in comparison to 65,208 in all of 2013. October saw 39,806 visitors arriving, representing a whopping 131.6 percent increase over the
previous year; in November 53,375 or staggering 143 percent increase over the previous year, showing a fourth quarter overall arrival of 89,763. The CTO said that it did not have the December figures, which tourism players said was humongous. According to the CTO, the Turks
and Caicos Islands received 158,501 tourists from the United States between January and December 2014; from Canada, 54, 877, and from Europe, a total of 79,839 visitors. The CTO noted that the rest of the world accounted for 119,320 visitors. Continued on Page 2
Green tips to save you some Green — Be sure to use the oven light to check your food’s progress. Every time you open the oven door the temperature can decrease by as much as 25°C causing your oven to work harder to maintain the set temperature.
www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
Pay increases Photo highlights from for Civil Dr. Rosita Butterfield’s Servants - Page State Funeral - Pages 12 & 13 7 New Commissioner to be sworn in next week - Page 9
Million-dollar fire at TCI Waste Disposal Page 9
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BEST TOURISM YEAR EVER
Continued from Page 1 In terms of summer arrivals percentage, no other destination came close. Grenada was the closest with 21.1 percent. For the winter season, the Turks and Caicos Islands also topped the percentage sheet with 27.3, with Haiti placing second with 24.7 percent. The overall figure was also the highest in the region. As it relates to cruise ship break down, in January 2014, 40 ships ferrying a total of 95, 517 cruise passengers and 37,180 crew members came to the Turks and Caicos Islands, compared with 29 ships and 77, 144 passengers and 28, 703 crewmembers, who came in 2013. In February, 27 ships representing 72, 862 passengers and 27, 1176 crew visited the TCI, as against 24 ships, 66,389 passengers and 25,014 crewmembers in 2013. In March 2014, 35 cruise ships berthed in the TCI with 84,303 passengers and 33,509 crewmembers, as against 12 ships in 2013, carrying 209,355 passengers and 11,242 crewmembers. In April, the TCI received 74,092
passengers and 27,071 crewmembers, as against 13 ships in 2013, with 44,495 passengers and 15,422 crewmembers. In May there were 24 cruise ships representing 71,586 passengers and 27,283 crewmembers, compared with 20 ships in 2013, representing 69,184 passengers and 23,901 crewmembers. In June, there were 24 ships, 79,230 passengers and 27,416 crewmembers, compared with 15 ships, 54,785 passengers and 17,357 crewmembers in 2013. July saw 97,646 passengers and 31,723 crewmembers arriving on 28 boats, as against 55,575 passengers and 17,430 crewmembers from 15 ships in 2013. In August, a total of 73,973 passengers and 23,994 crewmembers arrived on 21 ships, compared with 75,699 passengers and 23,729 crewmembers on 20 cruise boats. September saw 66,413 passengers and 24,331 crewmembers gracing our shores in 21 ships, compared with 62,564 passengers and 21,760 crewmembers in 2013. In October 2014, 23 ships with
68,553 passengers and 25,502 crewmembers came to the Turks and Caicos Islands, compared with 69,236 passengers and 25,369 crewmembers in 2013. In November 31 ships with 81,094 passengers and 31,484 crewmembers berthed in the TCI in 2014 as against 82,043 cruise passengers and 31,982 crew members in 2013. December saw a mammoth 106,569 passengers and 39,500 crewmembers arriving on 41 ships, compared with 92, 452 passengers and 36,144 crew in 2013. When contacted to comment on the number, Director of Tourism Ralph Higgs told The SUN he could not comment directly on the figures since the Board would be making an official response to the latest tourism numbers. Asked though to comment on the overall tourism performance of 2014, he said that it had to do with additional airlifts, prolong winter in some of the country’s key United States markets, plus robust marketing campaigns by local and overseas tourism players.
He said too, that the Turks and Caicos Islands is beginning to see arrivals from South America, mainly Brazil, which has a reverse seasonal climate to North America and Europe. Higgs said, too, that the all round opening of top TCI resorts, Beaches chief among them, contributed to the strong figures. He noted that if this year gives similar performance as last year, we could no longer classify the Turks and Caicos Islands as a seasonal destination, but an all-round one. The bullish tourism performance was heavily reflected in the strong third quarter economic performance by government revenues. At a news conference on Wednesday (February 4, 2015) Finance Minister Hon. Washington Misick said that there was record performing by government revenues. The increase in collection, according to the Minister, will assist government to take on more capital projects in the upcoming budgetary year.
Payroll tax scrap was an opportunity missed, says Finance Minister Asserting clearly that he was speaking on behalf of himself and not the Progressive National Party (PNP) government, Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick, said that the country has missed on opportunity to institute a sustainable tax system that could somewhat guard the TCI against external economic shocks. The finance Minister made the comment while crowing at the news conference inside the immigration clearing area at the Providenciales International Airport on Wednesday (February 4, 2015) over the record third quarter revenue haul, which he said was 28 percent above last year’s outturn. He was responding specifically to whether or not government will reduce taxes and rates for the approaching financial year. “There will be some reduction in taxes and rates starting this year, I can’t speak specifically to them yet or what quantity, but there will be some roll backs. It is not going to be to the extent that it would have been had I had my way to get some other things done, because I still believe that the Turks and Caicos does not have a broad base sustainable tax system,” he said. The finance minister, who described himself as a student of economics and accounting, said that since the country lacks a blanket and sustainable revenue generating mechanism, it is imperative that the large coffers of funds being collected now are used wisely, since in the event of an external challenge, the TCI economy would not be affected a great deal. He said also that financial institutions look at a country’s economic stability as opposed to a seesaw one. “…That is why it is very important for us to save in these good years, because financial institutions look at stability rather than spikes
and drafts. And our economy is still one that has spikes and drafts, depending on what is happening in the external economy,” he said. Minister Misick pointed out that had a broad base tax system been in place, government would have the ability to reduce customs cost at the ports, thereby reducing the merchandise cost, but since that has not happened, those costs could be reduced considerably. And while the finance minister would like to see such a tax regime, he give the impression that he would mount a campaign any time soon, saying that the people have clearly indicated that they do not want such a tax structure here. “I am speaking for myself as a student of accounting and economics. When I look around and see what’s happening in the world, I have always said that my ideal situation is to be able to reduce the cost of goods at the port, and we have not been able to do that because of the push back that the government has gotten. “That is not to say that we will attempt to do that. Certainly, the people have spoken, and if that is what they want, then that is what they have gotten. I am just saying that as a student of economics, and someone who study what is happening in international tax systems, I believe that we missed an opportunity again to create a broad base tax system that would have benefitted the single mom, who is on minimum wage. I maintain personally, and I speak for myself, that I think we missed an opportunity again,” he said. Last year, the Rufus Ewing Government unveiled a payroll tax scheme, which it sought public consultation to implement. However, they received a great deal of pushback from the public, forcing them to scrap the plan.
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Civil Servants pay increase in April
By Vivian Tyson
Civil servants across all ministries and departments should begin to see an increase in their pay cheque shortly after the reading of the budget in April as part of government’s re-grading exercise. Finance Minister Hon. Washington Misick, who made the announcement on Wednesday (February 4, 2015, during a news conference at the Providenciales International Airport, to announce government’s third quarter record earnings, warned that the increase will be a single percentage figure across the board, but will be paid according to the performance of individuals across departments and ministries. He told the media that a paygrade survey was conducted prior to the Dr. Rufus Ewing government coming to power. He said thought that government did not follow through with the relevant remuneration mechanism since the funds were not available. “There was a pay grade exercise done previous to the current government coming into office, which suggested that somewhere between $4 million and $5 million of additional
Finance Minister Hon. Washington Misick expenditure was needed to re-grade, so they could adequately compensate the people, who were in the right grades based on the performance requirements of the positions that they were expected to hold and to perform at. We did not have the money until now, in order to do so,” he said. Minister Misick said that the funds became available as a result of the economy displaying bullish
performance as opposed to recent years. “And now that the economy has rebounded, and the government has the money, a decision was made to implement the re-grading exercise. In terms of some new posts in the re-grading itself, we are spending an extra $9 million on public service pay,” the finance minister said, further explaining that civil servants should begin receiving their re-grading increase in early April. Finance Minister Misick said that over the years, the public sector workers, especially those on the front line, including Customs and Immigration, have been dedicated to collecting government revenues so that it would be able to function, and so, such resilience is deserving of compensation. “Those people who work in this airport and at the seaport, who are front-line people, it is very important that they are appreciated. This was deliberate on my part (to host the news conference inside the Providenciales International Airport) because I realize the difficulties that they have actually had to endure over the last several years in order to help us to build a strong
economy. And I think government is starting to begin to recognize that in the re-grading exercise,” he said. He added: We are at a stage now where we are in a position to start focus on the people who work in this economy in the public sector, who are responsible for collecting revenue, and who are responsible for making government function. They will finally be recognized by having their pay scale re-graded,” the finance minister told members of the media. The news conference was held at the Immigration entry point at the airport.
Finance Minister Hon. Washington Misick in conversation with immigration officer Donovan Francis Jr., shortly after a news conference at the Providenciales International Airport
IGA hosts job fair to prepare for new store opening
Edith Cox The opening of the downtown Providenciales location Graceway IGA Supermarket appears to be not too far away, the clearest indication yet is the staging of a job fair at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Centre on Wednesday (February 4, 2015). Edith Cox, the Graceway IGA Supermarket Group Finance Director, said that the entity was not ready to divulge that information, but as soon as they are in the homestretch, would bring the public up to speed. “We will make sure that everybody knows,
leading up to the opening of the store that it is actually going to open,” she said. She said that the job fair was held to recruit up to 45 persons to work across a number of areas within the supermarket. “We are expecting that we will have between 30 and 45 staff, but we don’t expect that all of the staff will be new. So whether it is people that we recruit from this fair or otherwise, we will still have a mixture perhaps of persons from our existing stores and also new recruits,” she said. Among the positions that are expected to be filled at the new store are cashiers, supervisors, stockers, produce clerks and warehouse clerks. She said that up to 3p.m., interviewers had processed more than 200 persons seeking employment or a better paying job. “I guess that is an indication that we do still have a number of unemployed or under-employed persons here in Provo and in the Turks and Caicos. So we are looking for the best of the best,” she said, adding customer service has always been one of the supermarket’s biggest draws. “We are really big on customer service, so we want to recruit the best people to give the best service to
our customers,” she said. She said that the downtown store is small in comparison to the other two locations – Graceway Gourmet in Grace Bay and Graceway IGA along the Leeward Highway. This store is a different format, it is much smaller in size, but it is still quite big; about almost 30,000 square feet. We will have a much smaller staff because of the format. Our aim is to give the customer the best value, so you could expect a leader operation, which will enable us to provide a better price to our customers,” Cox said. Asked how the supermarket intends to compete among, especially the mushrooming of new food stores across Providenciales, Cox said: “I think we have a handle on the pulse of the customer. We know that the customer wants good value and they want good service, not necessarily the cheapest price. “So the product that we are going to give to the customer is just that – a good product at a good value. And we put a lot of efforts into bringing our own safety standards, warehousing standards, customers service standards to the new location, so that people can expect to shop in comfort and still get a good price.”
New Permanent Secretary and Deputy Secretary Appointed Following on from interviews held during the month of December, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) is pleased to announce the formal appointment of Ian Astwood as Permanent Secretary and Desmond Wilson as Deputy Secretary. Deputy Governor, Anya Williams stated “Mr. Astwood having previously served as Deputy Secretary and later Acting Permanent Secretary, Government Support Services has been formally appointed to the post of Permanent Secretary from a pool of four applicants for that post and
Mr. Wilson who was formally appointed as Deputy Secretary from a pool of 16 applicants for the post of Deputy Secretary, Border Control. “I would like to congratulate them both, and reiterate how important it is for TCIG to continue to recruit the best and most talented to civil service.” These persons as a result of the new restructuring exercise announced by the Premier last week will now transition into the new Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning respectively.
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FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
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Money transfer companies must be protected By Vivian Tyson Since remittance companies play an important role to government’s budgetary balance sheet, at least one of the players is calling for a national policy to govern that sector, so that banks would feel more comfortable hosting those accounts. The call came from MoneyGram operator Christopher Stokes, who was asked to weigh in on the banks closing of remittance companies’ accounts debacle, of which Chairman for the Financial Services Commission, Kevin Higgins, has threatened to seek judicial review. Stokes also calls for advocacy at the international level. “Turks and Caicos Islands, as a country, which is largely migrant worker-based, a large part of their economy is driven by remittances. It seems to me that it would worthy to have to have some sort of policy about how the country treats remittances and how they require the banks to treat it,” he while calling for a guard against forcing the banks into an uncomfortable corner. “They have to be careful, you can’t give a bank a license and then tell them, you must have to open a remittance account, that is a dangerous waters, and I wouldn’t encourage that.” He said that the Foreign Account
Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which an international problem? “So as long as that sword is has set the standard, has already “Because the Haitian who comes hanging over their (banks) heads, their categorized the entire Caribbean off the construction site and wants response is going to be, ‘Listen, I can’t as high risk, which he said, has to send $50 to his baby’s mother in take on a risk of sending a thousand ramification for remittance companies Cap; he doesn’t know about Anwar al- dollars and it going to end up costing in the region as opposed to their big Awlaki firing any arms in Yemen, but me a hundred million. So if you want economy counterparts. he is being sacrificed to prevent Anwar to send money somewhere, come and “So whereas an RBC company al-Awlaki getting funding in Yemen. open an account, explain who you are, may have a remittance company in “So there are bigger issues there, show your ID, job letter, and if we are Canada, it is not going to have one in and they need to give the banks some comfortable enough, we will open the the Caribbean, because the regulators comfort, or as a country, to advocate at account and wire the money to who themselves, and the standard-setters the World Bank, IMF, FATCA levels to you want to wire it to’. They view that themselves said the Caribbean is high- say, we need to take another approach as reducing the risk considerably,” he risk. to this,” Stokes advised. noted. “So I think that the FSC can play a He added: “The fact that 1,000 Stokes warned however, that if role in coming up with a national policy. people may come into my office and 999 remittance companies are forced to I think it is dangerous to start forcing work on a construction and sending shutter their businesses, a lot of people free enterprise people to say you must $200; and one terrorist send $5, and it wanting to remit money to families do this or you must do that, but there gets to Al Qaeda, blows up a restaurant overseas will face a great deal of must be some sort of national policy to in France, they are going to close down difficulties, since some are not qualified towards it,” Stokes asserted. everything – forgetting the 999 on the to bank accounts. He said the big economic countries construction site, who are sending $200 “A lot of the remittance people such as the UK, the US and Canada, to their children wherever, to suffer. are unbanked. They don’t have the as part of fighting terrorism and He said that while the banks documents to open a bank account or drugs, are severing monetary supplies, are squeezing air out of remittance they don’t have a stable job, or holding and view remittances as a conduit companies, they can’t be totally blamed, a bank account is just too expensive,” through which money is laundered and since pressures are being applied to he said, adding that many people terrorism funded. them. use remittance services because the “Something needs to happen which “If somebody sends money and recipient get the funds the same day. gives these institutions comfort that it ends up buying a grenade for a “They (bank and remittance the regulatory environment is strong terrorist, the bank or the remittance companies) are two different products. enough but from a national policy company is going to get fined heavily, You send remittances you get it in a perspective. We have to ask ourselves, and I am not talking about a dollar, I few minutes, you sent a wire transfer, are we going to sacrifice a major am talking about 100 million dollars – it is going to be a while or a couple days portion of the economy at the altar of we are talking about serious money. maybe,” he said.
Blue Haven Resort is inviting suitable applications for the following position: Director of Food and Beverage Reporting to the Corporate Chef, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following: ➢Consistently offer professional, friendly and engaging service. ➢Lead and manage the day to day operations of the Food & Beverage Division ensuring all service standards are followed. ➢Drive innovative promotions, menus and concepts; creating a destination of choice for both Hotel and external guests. ➢Lead and support all Food & Beverage departments in the achievement of their financial and operational targets. ➢Prepare annual budgets and administer in a fiscally responsible manner. ➢Implement effective control of food, beverage, labor and operating expenses throughout the F&B division. ➢Assist in the preparation of the annual strategic plan and achieve the goals and targets therein. ➢Ensure the implementation of standards in guest service and constantly seek out ways to improve product and service as well as increase volumes and profits. ➢Follow department policies, procedures and service standards. ➢Follow all safety policies Requirements: ➢Minimum of 5 years of previous Food and Beverage international experience in a senior leadership role ➢University/College degree ➢Computer literate in Microsoft Window applications required ➢Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities ➢Highly responsible & reliable with the ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment ➢Ability to work cohesively as part of a team ➢Ability to focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times
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 13th 2015 Belongers need only apply.
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
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Over $1 million in damage from fire at TCI Waste Disposal
Ramez Hakoura, owner of the TCI Waste Disposal recycling preparation building still smoldering after the huge blaze which gutted the building By Vivian Tyson An inferno at the TCI Waste Disposal recycling site in Blue Hills caused more than a million dollars worth of damage, potentially crippling production the facility for possibly six months. The cause of the fire, which originated outside the building, is still in question, as Ramez Hakoura, owner of the facility, said that he could not imagine any exterior element that could trigger a blaze. He told reporters that he was in South Dock picking up a new truck to add to the company’s waste collection fleet when he got the news. “I was in South Dock to pick up a new truck, and then my secretary called to say that someone had set the building on fire, so we basically rushed back here and called the fire
department. But the fire, basically got quite bad,” Hakoura said. He said that the value of the building, with the equipment is valued well over a million dollars, adding the after consultations with building contractors, should decide whether or not the structure needed to be demolished. “In terms of the cardboard bales and other recyclables, it’s not a huge figure; it is something like $12,000 worth. In terms of the equipment, that is a little higher; that is literally hundreds of thousands. “In the building what mainly was inside there were recyclables, which were basically cardboard plastic, cans, glass and some of our recycling equipment like the balers. All the contents that were burnt, we were literally just about to start loading
them all up to get them sent off,” Hakoura said. Quizzed as to what he believed might have caused the blaze, Hakoura said; “Right now I don’t know. What I can tell is that the whole thing has been recorded on camera, so at some point in the future, once we have the time, to sort of set that up, I will be able to tell. He said however, that except for actual preparing the material for recycling, operations has not stopped. “What happen is, the recycling factory is pretty much been burnt out. What we have saved though is all our trucks, all out IT stuff. So in terms of the service we provide to all our clients, and the collection service, they shouldn’t even find any disruption. “However, what has changed is that there is going to be a temporary stop to our recycling, because our recycling equipment has been destroyed. It’s really sad, because we worked very hard to do recycling in this country; we work very hard to keep it environmentally green. But having said that, the view that we have is that nothing is going to keep us down; we will build a better facility,” he said. Hakoura said that since cardboards take considerably less recycling preparation, the company could begin preparing them for export again soon. One of the hurdles firefighters complained of facing while battling the blaze is the lack of a hydrant near the facility. Hakoura said that would change soon. “When I first built this building, we built it with contractors. We went through all sorts of the right channels to build the building. So looking back at it now, we learn and realize that next time we build it, we will put fire hydrants in there. We did have a fire security system in there, but that didn’t work. Maybe the reason it didn’t work
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.
was because the fire started outside and not inside. It is kind of strange that the fire started outside where there were no machinery or equipment or anything electrical,” he said. TCI Waste has been in operation for nine years, but the recycling facility has been running for the past four years. The building was insured.
No hydrants affected TCI Waste Disposal fire battle By Todeline Defralien Fire Chief, Williams Jennings has confirmed that the fire units that responded to the blaze at the TCI Waste Disposal package centre ran out of water while fighting the fire on Monday. Speaking with The SUN on Tuesday February 2nd, Jennings, explained that three units responded to the fire, however, there was an initial lack of firefighters to battle the blaze. A unit from the Providenciales International Airport later provided back up. He said firefighters had a difficult time getting the fire under control since the building was stocked with compressed papers and plastic for export. “Because there were so many papers and plastic and they all were so compressed it caused the fire to
take a longer time to be put out, and the site having no hydrants we had to move back and forth, and eventually the fire truck came and assisted us,” he said. Asked how long it took firefighters to respond to the fire, Jennings said: “Because of the fire trucks being so small caring 600-700 gallons of water, when we used the 70 and 45 meter water hoses, it lasts for 6- 7 minutes, so we had to keep on moving back and forth, and if the property had hydrants, we probably would save more,” he said. He added: “we ran out of water because the fire trucks can’t pump water forever carrying 500 gallons of water. We used about 35,000 gallons of water. The Airport truck came in and they full two times and they carry 50,000 gallons of water or more, so we used a lot of water.”
He said that the fire began shortly after 4p.m., noting that the called received indicated that the fire started close to a container. “When we got there, we saw that the building was on fire, so we have to investigate that,” Jennings said. He explained that firefighters allowed the building’s contents to burn out after containing the blaze. “The building was still standing but inside still had some smoke and there was a lot of paper that will still continue burning and they all were so compressed, but it’s safe to say that some papers and document where safe,” he said. Asked whether fire trails extended to other areas, the fire chief said: “No, but we are investigation the fire trail”.
New commissioner takes office Feb. 11
James Smith, who is to succeed out-going Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar, is slated to take over the reins on February 11, sources told The SUN. Farquhar, this newspaper understands, is to relinquish this weekend and Smith will be sworn in at a ceremony in Grand Turk. James’ appointment was announced by His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham, on December 10, 2014. It is understood that Farquhar was offered an extension to his contract, but he refused the offer. It is not clear if his declining the contract
extension was as a result of bashing from some quarters, including from the opposition Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), which minced no words in its advocacy to see the Canadian go. The Governor’s Office news release issued in December, said that Smith will take charge of the 280 officers and staff of the RTCIPF in February 2015, following the conclusion of the contract of his predecessor, Canadian Colin Farquhar. “I am delighted that we have secured the agreement of Jim Smith to take over as the next Police
Commissioner this February. He brings the most senior experience from both the UK and Caribbean, having been an Assistant and Deputy Chief Constable in the UK, and was previously also Acting Police Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service” said Governor Peter Beckingham, who approves all senior public appointments in the Territory. “He was a Commander in London’s Metropolitan Police Service, where he was involved in the response to the London terrorist bombings, and introduced neighbourhood policing,
a concept which we might usefully further develop here. He was also a senior officer in the Scottish police. His experience makes him a first class leader to take forward the men and women of the RTCIPF into the next stage of their professional and organisational development,” the statement said. Farquar, who took up reins of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in 2011, was due to demit office in 2013, but then governor Ric Todd, extended his contract to March 2015, after he submitted a succession plan for the force.
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FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Clement Howell High School Shot putter dies suddenly A 17 year-old Clement Howell “The ambulance was informed High School student, competing at and transported the male patient to the school’s annual track and field the hospital where he was pronounced championship at the National Stadium deceased at h1455 (2:55p.m.) by a on Providenciales died at hospital after doctor. Police were informed and reportedly complaining of chest pains responded to the hospital,” Astwood moments following competing in an said. event on Monday (February 2, 2015). Takara Bain, the Public The student has been identified Relations Officer for the InterHealth as Shamiko Penn, a shot-putt Canada-run Cheshire Hall Medical competitor, who had participated in an Centre, said that the student’s earlier event. He was the son of Chief condition deteriorated rapidly after Immigration Officer Larry Mills. Emergency Medical Service personnel The school has not issued a public transported him to the institution. statement on the student’s untimely She said that numerous attempts to death, and when contacted, the resuscitate him failed, and was later female individual who answered the pronounced dead by doctors there. phone, referred us to the Education “On Monday February 2nd, Department. Some persons in the 2014 at approximately 2:15 pm, an community are upset that the school adolescent male age 17 years was has not issued a public statement on transported to the Cheshire Hall the matter. Medical Center via ambulance by the Constable Audley Astwood, the Emergency Medical Services after he Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police complained of feeling unwell at the Liaison, stated that, “The 17 year old National Stadium. male Clement Howell high school “His condition worsened suddenly student was pronounced dead by a upon admission to the Emergency doctor at the Cheshire Hall Medical Department and all subsequent efforts Centre after arrival at h1315 (1:15p.m).” to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Astwood said that the student was The matter has been referred to the found in the bathroom complaining of coroner’s office for determination of breathing difficulties and chest pains. the cause of death,” Bain said in a
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 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. 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. 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. 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
statement. In the meantime, a devotion on Tuesday morning (February 3, 2015) was held in his honour. The event was a sombre one, as some student could not contain their grief over the loss of one of their beloved pupil. Some of his student colleague described Penn as jovial student, who they said would be missed a great deal. The death of Penn, a final year student of the Clement Howell High School death was a surprise to all of his classmates, family member and friends. Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Hon. Akierra Missick said. “This is an emotionally difficult time for the staff and students of the school as they try to make sense of Shamiko’s death. Your thoughts and prayers will help them to get through this time of grief and sadness.” In December of last year he posted a status on Facebook asking: “I wonder if I ever past away how much people would miss me?” From then until now, his Facebook page has been flooded with tributes and kind words of condolences. Shamiko Penn
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
GENERAL MOTORS DE MEXICO GENERAL MOTORS- CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN Regrets the passing of
The Honorable Dr. Rosita Beatrice Missick-Butterfield, MBE Who passed away on Saturday, January 10th, 2015 Mrs. Butterfield was the lovely wife of our dealer in Turks and Caicos Islands
Hon. Dr. Albray Victor Butterfield Sr., CBE Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, February 5th, 2015
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LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
State funeral for Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield
The funeral Service for the late Dr. Rosita Butterfield, former House Speaker, was held at the Downtown Ball Park on Providenciales on Thursday (February 5, 2015). The Interment took place at the Faith Tabernacle Church along the Leeward Highway. The
State Funeral was attended by the Who’s Who of the Turks and Caicos Islands, including His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing and Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. The following are photo highlights of the event. Photos by Vivian Tyson
Dr. A.V. Butterfield Sr. marches into the Downtown Ball Park ahead of other family members
Albray Butterfield Jr., son of Dr. Rosita Butterfield, and Michelle Swann, enter the Downtown Ball Park for the service
Members of the The Butterfield family prepares for the interment
Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force officers make the 21-guns salute
Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing hands over the national flag to A.V. Butterfield sr., widower of the late Dr. Rosita Butterfield. The flag was used in the offical Ceremony to drape the casket.
Top brass members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are pictured at the event
Members of the Butterfield family
The short jour
Local Historian Bill “Archie” Clare
Members of the House of Assembly Hon. C Selver and Hon. Ruth Blackman
Some of the familiar faces at the funeral
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Irvine Quelch enters the venue
From left – government ministers Hon. Akierra Missick, Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith and Hon. Amanda Missick
e Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force pallbearers enter the burial site with the body
rney from the Downtown Ballpark to the Faith Tabernacle Church along the Leeward Highway
Clarence
Member of Parliament Hon. Josephine Connolly (left), Husband Joseph and daughter
Members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force lead the recession
From left – His Excellency Peter Beckingham, Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Robert Hall, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing and Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson lead the procession into the Downtown Ball Park
John Williams, Director of the Telecommunications Commission and Desiree Lewis, Permanent Secretary
Rev. Julia Williams and Pastor Emanuel Rigby
A.V. Butterfield, widower of Hon. Rosita Butterfield, acknowledges The SUN photographer on his arrival at the Downtown Ball Park
Members of Parliament Hon. Sean Astwood (left) and Hon. Edwin Astwood
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
State funeral for Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield
Members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force A pair of Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force officers prepares pallbearers march with the national flag-draped casket inside the Downtown Ball Park the flag to be handed over to the family
The casket bearing the body of Dr. Rosita Butterfield is driven along the Leeward Highway to the Faith Tabernacle Church
Former Premier Hon. Dr. Michael Misick was on hand to pay his respects to the late House Speaker Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield
Tourism Educator Blythe Clare (right) and police officer Jackie Morris, were among the hundreds of persons who went to the funeral to pay A panoramic view of the Funeral Service for late House Speaker their last respects to late House Speaker Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield at the Downtown Ballpark
Members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force prepares to usher the casket from the Downtown Ball Park to the interment sight
Attorney Mark Fulford and wife Ava Fulford, Head of Marketing at Digicel. Conroy Smith of Rubis is pictured in the background
Minister Karen Bernabe
Dr. Malcolm and Mrs. Malcolm
From left, Jean Outten, Abigail Delancy and Lydia Burey
Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson and Husband Lorne Robinson arriving at the venue
On lookers
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
NOTICE Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission)
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
TIKI HUT
Looking for a cook 6 days a week 8 year experience Contact:941-534
PAY RATE IS $7.50
SEEKS A WAREHOUSE ASSISTANT
PER HOUR
Regulations, 1990 An Application, REGISTERED 12045, by Turtle Cove Marina for development of Dredging and Reef Relocation, has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on Turtle Cove Channel on Providenciales. The application as submitted seeks planning consideration for Manually removing to approximately -9FT MSL, relocating, and stabilizing the rubble and coral, which will be cemented together within reefs balls, to placed +/- 60FT diameter reef site. 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 February 4, 2015
CARAMBOLA RESTAURANT
WANTED 1 Domestic Worker
SEEKS 1 COOK To work 6 days per week Salary $6.00 per hour Interested persons should contact 941-8122
Salary $5.50 per hour 6 days per week Contact 246-8422
DOMESTIC WORKER WANTED Salary $5.50 per hour
IS CLEAN AND ANY OTHER DUTIES
SEND RESUME TO: OFFICE MANAGER C/O SEACOR ISLAND LINES
SHINNING FINISH Is looking for a Dryvit & Stocco Specialist
with 5 years experience To work 5 days a week
Salary $1000.00 per week Contact 241-9700
Salary $5.50 per hour Must be hardworking and reliable, Interested person should contact 246-8422
TAYLOR’S VARIETY STORE SEEKS 8 DOMESTIC WORKERS Must work on holidays and weekends Salary $5.50 per hour 6 SALES CLERKS Salary $6.50 per hour 6 LABOURERS Salary $6.50 per hour 1 COOK Salary $5.50 per hour 2 SALES MANAGERS Salary $8.00 per hour Contact 649-232-1199
MARANATHA ACADEMY
( A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST INSTITUTION )
SEEKING Nanny/Helper Salary $6.00 per hour
Email: diamonzservice@yahoo.com
Seeks 1 Cosmetologist Salary $200.00 per week 6 days per week Contact 341-0856
WANTED ONE GARDENER
SEEKS
NICE & EASY CONSTRUCTION
SEEKS 1 SALES CLERK SEEKS Salary $5.50 per hour 1 TILEMAN 6 days per week SALARY $9.00 PER HOUR Contact 231-3893 CONTACT 344-5557
MR ASTWOOD
DUTIES INCLUDE OFFLOADING FREIGHT, ISSUING FREIGHT TO CUSTOMERS, ENSURING WORK AREA AND WAREHOUSE ASSIGNED BY WAREHOUSE MANAGER
ALL ABOUT YOU
To clean and keep garden free of shrubs and weeds and removing of garbage.
SEEKS SUITABLE CANDIDATE TO FILL THE POSITION OF CLEANER. THIS INDIVIDUAL MUST BE ABLE TO WORK MONDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS. SALARY IS $5.00 PER HOUR. DUTIES INCLUDE CLEANING AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF CLASSROOMS, BATHROOMS AND OFFICES. APPLICATIONS CAN BE SENT TO (LINK: MAILTO:CONTACT@MARANATHAHIGH.COM)
CONTACT@MARANATHAHIGH.COM OR CALL THE SCHOOL AT 946-4385.
MBA CONSTRUCTION
SEEKS
1 MASON
SALARY $5.50/HR
1 BUS ATTENDANT Salary $5.50 per hour 5 days per week Contact 243-7375
Applicant must be of good character and must be flexible.
INTERESTED PERSONS SHOULD CONTACT SAUNDERS & CO AT 941-4500
SALARY $8.00 PER HOUR 6 DAYS PER WEEK
INTERESTED PERSON SHOULD CONTACT 243-4849
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS Career Opportunities:
Grace Bay Club is looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their management style is one that balances a commitment to people and their development with business/financial accountability and delivers an exceptional guest experience
Assistant Manager of Food & Beverage Requirements:
The Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage is responsible for overseeing and directing Banquets, Restaurants, In-Room Dining, Lounges, Stewarding, and any other Food or Beverage related areas. Duties include: •Responsible for short and long term planning and the management of the Food and Beverage operations in the front and back of the house •Develop and recommend the budget, marketing plans and objectives and manages within those approved plans •Implement and maintain F&B sales/marketing programs •Direct and oversee development of employees •Hire, train, empower, coach and counsel, performance and salary reviews •Direct the implementation of the payroll, reports, forecasts, inventory and budget for food and beverage operations •Coordinate food and beverage operations with other hotel departments to ensure efficient guest service •Resolve customer complaints as appropriate to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and quality •Implement procedures to increase guest and associate satisfaction •Exercise quality control for both food and beverage •Maintaining standards of service and ensure their implementation •Performing daily walk-through to ensure full compliance with Department of Health regulations and Grace Bay Resorts standards •Coach and counsel employees to reflect Grace Bay Resorts service standards and procedures Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience
Dr. Rosita Butterfield gets 21-guns salute in State Funeral
Members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force making a 21-guns salute to the late speaker of the House of Assembly Dr. Rosita Butterfield By Vivian Tyson
Former House Speaker Hon. Dr. Rosita Butterfield received a grand •Report to the Director of Guests Experiences, responsible for supervising the send off courtesy of state funeral, which Personal Concierge Team. saw her getting 21-guns salute from •Provide personalized and professional services to guests ensuring at all times members of the Royal Turks and Caicos that all guest requirements and needs are met and to demonstrate a high and Islands Police Force, on Thursday consistent level of organization and management. (February 05, 2015). •Conduct pre and post shift meetings with Concierges, ensure that Concierges The late house speaker, who was are aware of all information concerning guests, island information and other described as selfless, philanthropic, activities, attend morning briefing with senior management, take relevant unwavering in her bid to see her people note of all information concerning guests and the department. do well and a leader of leaders, was •Work closely with the Front Office team to coordinate daily arrivals in the also a midwife - delivering more than a lobby. 100 babies - and a schoolteacher. •Conduct efficient training for staff as required by the LHW. Her funeral service took place at •Builds a rapport with the in-house guests and maintain interaction in the Downtown Ballpark, followed order to facilitate guest recognition and obtain information regarding their by the interment at a mausoleum on preferences. the grounds of the Faith Tabernacle •Updates and maintain all Guest History Files. Church along the Leeward Highway in •Utilizes leadership skills and motivation techniques in order to maximize Providenciales. employee productivity. Current House Speaker Hon. •Immediately actions all special guest requirements and requests Robert Hall, who gave reflections on the •Ensures that all employees within the Personal Concierge Team follow safety former House speaker’s life, said that rules and procedures and takes corrective action when required to improve both worked on a great deal of projects safety of work areas. together, including establishing the •Conduct weekly training sessions with the Personal Concierge. maintain site on which the Clement Howell High accurate record of all training conducted School now sits. •Assist Director of Guests Experiences in the review, planning and Hall told the gathering that had it implementation of altered or new procedures not been for Butterfield’s unselfishness, •Act as night duty manager multiple times per week he would not have been made minister of education back in the 1980s, since Front Office Manager when she found out that he was interested in the position, backed out Job Requirements: and opted to serve as his parliamentary •Manage the front desk operation, including guest registration, room Secretary in the Ministry of Education. assignment, billing and check-out procedures. Bishop V.G. Clarke, who gave the •Oversea the activities and monitor the daily performance of the front office sermon, lauded Butterfield for her staff. generosity towards others, especially •Prepare and administrate the departmental budget for the front office. the less fortunate. Describing her as •Handle guest complaints and ensure that all guests’ issues are resolved. •Partner with operational departments to ensure execution of special requests. one of God’s finest, Bishop Clarke reiterated the acts of kindness that the •Ensure bank and cash handling procedures are maintained. Member of the British Empire (MBE) •Monitor all front office support systems to ensure maximum productivity. recipient done while she was Member •Perform other duties as assigned. of Parliament for a North Caicos seat. It is said that she oftentimes donate JOB QUALIFICATIONS: either half or her entire salary to •Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business or equivalent members of her constituents. experience required. “When last have you heard a •Experience: Minimum of five years hotel experience in front office or front politician buying lights for their services operations with a minimum of three years management experience constituency, giving up half of their required. Experience in a hotel with a Diamond Rating of 4 or 5 Star salary to uplift the community,” Bishop preferred. Clarke asked rhetorically. “Those in •Excellent communication and organizational skills required. trouble knew her as a friend. When the Qualified Belongers need only to apply mortgage money could not be found; Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience when the bank was trying to repossess Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than the car; when the children needed money to pay the tuition fees – those in February 27, 2015 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1050 trouble knew her as a friend. Email: humanresources@gracebayclub.com “Today we pause to celebrate Fax: (649) 946-5758 the life of an outstanding visionary P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies
Supervisor of Guests Experiences
Christian business woman, who have made a mark on the length and breadth of this country that can never ever be erased. She was transparent; she was a woman of excellence; a nation-builder; a woman of boundless energy with outstanding work ethics.” He said that not only was Butterfield competent in what she did, but was also influential, loyal and trustworthy, had excellent leadership skills, and led a purpose-driven life. “She allowed nothing to destroy her passion for living a life of purpose and charisma. It is said that she used her gift wisely. She maintained a life of integrity; she had a passion for work. She was a drum major for righteousness and truth; she was committed to raising a strong family in the face of adversity; her life was guarded by God’s word,” Bishop Clarke continued. For his part, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing said that Dr. Butterfield was one of his inspirations for his medical career. He said that she cared for him as a child medically, and may have saved his life even. “I knew former speaker Butterfield from I was a very young boy. She was one of those persons who cared for me, as a nurse, and who might have even saved my life growing up in Blue Hills. And as a medical person, she was one of my role models in propelling me to my medical career. “She was always a woman who is admired in business and in politics. And so, I am grateful for the opportunity to have known her, for her to have made that indelible impression on my life,” Premier Ewing said. Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said that she had forged a relationship with Butterfield some 26 years ago, after arriving in Providenciales to work in the bank. “We always maintain a very good friendship. She has always been encouraging. Amazing enough, on our last conversation on her birthday, which was year before last, she spoke about women and women advancement in the country, and women needing to support each other. And, certainly, I will cherish that last conversation – I will remember her for it. But I think she got everything that she deserved today, and even more. And may God rest her soul,” Cartwright-Robinson said.
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
FortisTCI Employees Use Their Energy for Good
Eddinton Powell, FortisTCI President & CEO; Callis Jones, Security Guard; Alan Robinson, VP of Customer & Corporate Services. Front Row (L to R): Devon Cox, VP of T&D; Roxie Williams, Billing Specialist & ERP Planning Coordinator; Ladonna Bassett, Security Guard; Mervin Forbes, Supervisor of Site Services. FortisTCI encourages all of its employees to donate their time, a task that no doubt they took seriously in 2014. Giving back to the community became a “big deal” for FortisTCI staff who committed in total over 1,600 volunteer hours last year. The top five volunteers among the staff were; Mervin Forbes with 241 hours, Devon Cox with 173.5 hours, Ladonna Bassett
with 167.5 hours, Roxie Williams with 155.5 hours, and Callis Jones with 129 hours. In total, FortisTCI staff surpassed their 2014 target ending the year with 1,647.5 hours; over 400 hours more than required to meet their goal. Mervin Forbes earned his 241 hours serving as the president of the TCI Rising Stars Basketball Club. It is a non-profit youth outreach program
that he founded as a result of his personal passions and desire to give back to his community. He also regularly volunteers as a basketball coach and mentor at a local high school in Providenciales. Devon Cox donated a large portion of his hours to his church’s youth ministry and used a significant portion of his vacation time to assist with annual programs abroad with his mentees.
Roxie Williams and Ladonna Bassett both volunteer with the TCI Rising Star Basketball Club and serve as key members of the association. They too gave time to other community projects mainly assisting with children’s programs. Callis Jones donated his time helping with rugby training across the islands and volunteering as a coach for youth and woman’s rugby, in addition to helping out in other community sports activities. Keeping in line with a part of its mission, FortisTCI continues to support community initiatives and remains devoted to being a responsible corporate citizen across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Activities such as the annual High School Science Fair, graduation programs, annual FortisTCI Spring (or Fall) Walk & Run, the adopt a school program, along with numerous other civic and cultural events, benefited from portions of nearly $97,000.00 in monetary and in-kind donations issued by FortisTCI during 2014. FortisTCI believes that embracing the community in which you live and work is an integral part of what the company and its employees are here to accomplish. Recognizing top volunteers is a small way in which FortisTCI aims to say to these major contributors, “Thank you for your selfless and tireless work. You make a difference.” With increased volunteerism within the organization over the past three years, FortisTCI employees are looking forward to another record-breaking year in 2015, giving back to the community through volunteering.
MY LIME Self Care App Ready for Download LIME Caribbean has launched another innovative digital software, My LIME Self Care App, which is designed to give customers across the region greater access and more control of their own mobile services. My LIME Self Care App is now available for use in the British Virgin Islands and is currently being rolled across all LIME markets. MY LIME Self Care App can be downloaded on iPhone from the Apple App Store and on Android from the Google Play Store. With MY LIME Self Care App prepaid users can: buy and see add-ons; monitor their data usage to know how much is left on their package; and track the last 24 hours of call and text history that they paid for, including duration, charges, and destination numbers. The App will also enable postpaid customers to view and monitor their data usage
as well as, download and pay LIME,” the CEO added With a major network upgrade their bills. The App summarises overages; allows email messages programme valued at some to be sent directly to customer US$1.05B already underway, service representatives for extra LIME continues to invest heavily help, among other uses. This in the region. LIME has afforded extraordinary value offer is free its customers a plethora of value to LIME customers as there is no packed data plans, an attractive charge for data usage while using range of affordable smartphones, revitalized its brand identity, the LIME Self Care App. “The MY LIME Self Care refurbished retail stores and App places the centre of control continues to roll out innovations. where it belongs, in the hands of All this no doubt, has contributed the customer. We are committed to the growth in its customer to provide customers with more base, evidenced by over 100K new innovative products that will subscribers on its network in just complement their lifestyle and 60 days, leading in to the start of make them the decision makers,” the New Year. “This new app is among said Martin Roos, CEO of LIME Caribbean. a suite of new innovations that “LIME is committed to driving LIME has in the pipeline for customer service excellence, its customers. LIME Self Care where excellence is defined by ‘wizards’ will be on hand in retail the customers themselves, not stores to demonstrate the features by the provider. This App gives of the App and help customers the consumer the authority and to better understand this useful flexibility to manage the services application,” Martin Roos further they need and can access from stated.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Government seeks $50 million surplus from 2016/16 budget When government presents its estimates of expenditure on at the beginning of the new financial, it will be establish a surplus of between $40 and $50 million. Finance Minister Hon. Washington Misick disclosed the plan while unveiling third quarter fiscal performance at the Providenciales International Airport, which he said was record-breaking. He said that government is shooting for $200 million income and about $190 million in expenditure before capital expenditure is taken out. “I think it’s (budget) probably going to be around $200 million in receipts and about $180 - $190 million in expenditure, before capital expenditure is deducted. So, I think Finance Minister Hon. Washington Misick it is somewhere going to be about $40 million or $50 million, when you add up “We have two issues with all the recurrent and the non-recurrent government at the moment. One has to revenue and deduct expenditure do with the fact that in the last couple from it before we get into the capital of years – even before we came to office programme. It is probably going to be – the budget was presented late in a surplus of about $40 to $50 million the financial year, and in some cases, dollars,” the finance minister explained. provisions were made for full year The financial minister told the spending. (The other issue is) we have media that it is expected that in the had capacity issues within some of the coming financial year Government is ministries as a result of the resizing. expected to make full use of the funds “So what happened as a result of available for capital projects as opposed that, the absorption rate of spending to recent years when the budget was couldn’t be ramped up fast enough in submitted late or elements left out every case to draw fully down on the due to shortage of man-power at the appropriation,” the finance minister departmental level, to put it together. said.
He said though that the unspent funds from the 2014/2015 budget has been rolled over, and so, close to $20 million will be available for capital expenditure in the 2015/2016 budget. “The good news is, the money in the capital budget that was not spent in 2014/2015 is being rolled over into next year. The overall (capital) budget was close to $15 million, and some $6 million of that is going to be rolled over into 2015/2016; so that money will not be lost, but will be added to our capital budget for 2015/2015, which will take our overall capital expenditure or development fund budget up to
somewhere close to $20 million,” Misick said. The finance minister asserted that plans are in the works to ensure that the funds are available for capital spending is fully utilized in the upcoming budgetary year with the setting up a body within the ministry of Infrastructure Housing and Planning. “One of the things we are looking at doing in the upcoming budget, is to make provision for the establishment of a project management team or a group to operate in the ministry of what used to be GSS (Government Support Service), so that we could be able to draw down on our capital projects more rapidly. Government is now working to ensure that key departments are properly resourced, including both technical and financial resources in order to be able to deliver the projects,” he said. He said that in addition to new government jobs, a number of other jobs, especially in the construction industry should come on stream in the upcoming fiscal year. “There are some new jobs within the public service itself, but there will be new jobs created by capital projects. We have a number of capital projects – roads and buildings to erect and many refurbishments to be undertaken. These, obviously will create jobs,” Minister Misick said.
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
TURKS & CAICOS
UPGRADE UP
LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS Come and join our winning team!!! Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, the only 6 Diamond all inclusive property in the Caribbean is inviting applications from suitably qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders for the following vacant positions. Applicants must have a clean police record and a good command of the English language both written and spoken. In addition candidates must be able to work nights, public holidays and week-ends. The Resort thanks everyone for their interest in advance and advises that only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview via text.
The Kitchen Department requires:
Entertainment Department requires:
Executive Chef Requirements include but are not limited to: o 10 years’ experience as an Executive Chef o Experience Managing over 15 restaurants o Oversee the training and development of staff.
Salary for the above mentioned position is negotiable and based on experience The Food and Beverage Department requires:
The rate for the positions listed above is $6.00 to $10.00 an hour
Director of Food and Beverage Requirements include but are not limited to: o 10 years’ experience in F/B Management, 5 years of which as a Food and Beverage Director. o Knowledge of restaurant, bar/lounge, banquets, room service and kitchen operational experience.
Rooms Division Department requires:
Salary for the above mentioned position is negotiable and based on experience
Watersports and Catamaran Departments require:
Watersports Manager Dive Shop Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience managing a waterparks, pools, beach and dive portfolio o PADI certification to dive o PADI certification to teach instructors o First Aid Certification
Assistant Training Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Qualified to teach English Butler Program to certification o Knowledge of Food and beverage, Front office, Concierge (this is not exhaustive) o Ability to design training programs
Watersports Attendants Beach and Pool Attendants Requirements include bur are not limited to: o Assist with the maintenance of the pool. o Keep the pool area tidy and well stocked o Ability to swim
Dive Instructor Dive Master Scuba Instructor Requirements include but are not limited to: o International Dive certification required o An outgoing personality required o Strict adherence to safety procedures o Ability to swim
The salary for the position listed above is $30,000.00 to $40,000.00 per annum Entertainment Department requires:
Assistant Entertainment Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: Ability to conceptualize a show and bring to completion Manage the current entertainment portfolio and improve upon it Ability to manage a portfolio which includes stage, character and kids Camps. Maintain or exceed performance targets
The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $8.75 an hour. Bar Department requires:
Animations Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Three years’ experience with managing animation characters o Knowledge of their care and maintenance o Maintain or exceed performance targets
The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $25,000 to $35,000 per annum The Administrative Department requires:
Engineering Department requires:
Laundry Attendant Requirements include: Physically fit Previous experience in commercial Laundry an assist
Labour Painter Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically Fit o Ability to carry out labour intensive task
The rate for the positions listed above are $5.00 to $5.75 an hour. Dining Room Department requires:
The rate for the position listed above is $5.00 to $5.75 an hour. Offsite Properties requires:
Assistant Waste Treatment Operator Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience working with sewage and sewage plants o Physically Fit o Ability to carry out labour intensive task
The rate for the position listed above is $6.00 to $9.00 an hour.
Laundry Department requires:
o o
Supervisor Requirements include but are not limited to: o Knowledgeable of in related technical fields both in theory and practical o Experience supervising a team of Technicians
The rate for the position listed above is $10.00 to $15.00 an hour.
Trainee Manager/ Management Trainee Requirements include but are not limited to: o Successful applicant and participant of the SRI Trainee Management program o This is part of the Management rotation of the SRI Management Trainee to the Turks and Caicos Islands o 6 month attachment
Salary for the above mentioned position is $16,000.00 per annum
Bartenders Bar Porters Beach server Cocktail Waitress Requirements include but are not limited to: o Ability to mix a variety of drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic. o Outgoing personality o Ability to work in the sun o Physically fit
The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $5.75 an hour.
Director of Guest Services (Manager)/ Guest Services Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience in solving guest concerns to resolution including compensation o Knowledge of and a ability to interact with Rooms, Kitchen, Dining Room (this list is not exhaustive) o Five (5) years relevant experience
The salary for the position listed above ranges from $35,000 to $45,000 per annum
Ability to Swim First aid/ CPR Certification
The Human Resources Department requires:
Lifeguard Requirements include but are not limited to: o o
Salary for the above mentioned positions are negotiable and based on experience
Shift Leader (Front Office) Requirements include but are not limited to: o Assist with the supervision of the front desk o Assist with the supervision of all staff within the department
The rate for the positions listed above is $7.00 to $8.00 an hour.
The Watersports Department requires:
AV Technician Supervisor AV Technician Requirements include but are not limited to: Experience Dee Jay with ability to use turntables and digital Ability to set up and breakdown sound system for an event For Senior Tech supervise a team, conduct inventory and ensure equipment is maintained in a good working order.
Public Area Cleaner Labour/ Care taker Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically Fit o Ability to carry out labour intensive task
The rate for the positions listed above is $6.00 to $9.00 an hour
Hostess Server Requirements include but are not limited to: o One year’s experience in a restaurant with seating for over 100 persons an asset. o No allergies to any foods o Physically fit
The rate for the positions listed above is $5.00 to $5.75 an hour.
Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to: mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com or Fax to: 941-4870 Attn: M McClean-Vaughn The Human Resources Department Beaches Turks and Caicos P.O. Box 186 Lower Bight Road
and
The Labour Commissioner Labour Department Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands th
and should reach not later than February 14 2015.
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FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
PARROT CAY BY COMO JOB OPPORTUNITIES Rooms Divisions Manager Purpose:
Is in charge of the organization and quality of Reception, Room Service and Floor services offered to guests. Is responsible for good financial and qualitative results for the department. Helps define and implement hotel strategy. Ensures respect of internal and external audit procedures.
Customer Relations
Develops close relationships with guests throughout their stay with the aim of gaining their loyalty. Is often present in the lobby and at reception in order to meet guests on a daily basis. Ensures that guests receive a warm and personal welcome. Knows the behavior patterns of regular guests and issues instructions to the different teams within the department. Handles guest complaints if they have not been dealt with by team members. Presents the General Manager with a daily report on activities and events.
Team Management
Supervises and coordinates the departments: ensures they are well organized and run smoothly. Is in constant contact with the other departments and ensures that information circulates smoothly between them. Recruits the Heads of Department under his/her responsibility. Takes part in or validates the recruitment of all team members. Carries out annual performance appraisals on the people directly under his/her responsibility, sets targets and provides support for career development. Validates the annual performance appraisals carried out by the Heads of Department (reception and floor departments). Respects and ensures respect of labor regulations. Ensures the application of hygiene, safety and environment regulations.
Sales development
Prepares the marketing and commercial action plan for the hotel Optimizes the hotel’s occupancy rates and develops associated services. Ensures that all sales made comply with the sales policy as defined by the brand and the hotel. Plays an active role in the marketplace policy. Keeps track of the standard of services delivered, based on guest comments and quality audits. Keeps close track of what the competition is doing. Is actively involved in the local area to keep up-to-date with the needs
Management and Administration
Draws up the annual budget for the department and follows up implementation. Implements the rooms pricing policy in an effort to optimize it. Motivates and drives the team to attain the department’s quantative targets. Manages headcount to ensure it matches the level of activity in line with the predefined budget. Carries out occasional checks on cash operations, activity reports etc Checks and analyses the dashboard charts prepared by the Heads of Department. Takes part in “Debtor” meetings and runs thorough checks on files in litigation. Analyses financial results and takes corrective measures as necessary throughout the year. Decides on the department’s investments in conjunction with the General Manager
Qualifications:
Business school with operational experience Vocational hotel and catering school with management experience Other operational background with management experience 5 to 10 years’ professional experience in a range of contexts (business sector, volume, country etc) and good knowledge of rooms professions recognized management skills Remote Island work experience – Must reside on property
Other Managerial Positions: Chief Engineer Assistant Restaurant Manager Head Chef Private Estates Chief Engineer Private Estates Financial Controller
Hotel Manager F&B Director Guest Services Manager (Private Estates) Spa Manager
Candidates interested in the above positions will be required to work long hours, live on property and are expected to work during the night, weekends and Public Holidays.
OTHER AVAILABLE POSITIONS: Recreations Attendant Spa Therapist Room Attendant Utilities Supervisor Turndown Attendant Spa Receptionist Chef De Partie pastry
Food & Beverage Server Resort Butler Laundry & Kitchen Technician Bar Supervisor Bar Supervisor Commis Chef Bartender Carpenter
Plumber Certified Electrician Steward Spa Attendant Private Estates Attend Chef de Partie Wood Carver
Salaries for these positions will be paid base on qualification and experience. Please note that all application must be submitted with a valid Police Record, two reference letters from previous employers or a notary public and current educational certificates. Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview.
For information please contact the Human Resources Department Ph: (649) 946 7788, Fax: (649) 946 7749 Email: careers.parrotcay@comohotels.com
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
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Please join us as we recognize and congratulate our top volunteers of 2014:
Mervin Forbes, Devon Cox, LaDonna Bassett, Roxie Williams, and Callis Jones!!!
Their selfless and charitable acts embody the spirit of community and help make the Turks and Caicos Islands a better place! www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015 – FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
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CARIBBEAN NEWS/ WORLD NEWS AND SPORTS/BUSINESS SECTION B Website: www.suntci.com
Email: sun@suntci.com
Tel: (649) 339-5879
Fax: (649) 941-3281
www.facebook.com/tcisun
Taiwan pilot hailed a hero for pulling plane clear of buildings T
aipei’s mayor hailed the pilot of a crashed TransAsia Airways plane a hero for narrowly avoiding buildings and ditching the stalled aircraft in a river, likely averting a worse disaster. At least 31 people were killed when Flight GE235 lurched between buildings, clipped a taxi and an overpass with one of its wings and crashed upside down into shallow water shortly after take-off from a downtown Taipei airport on Wednesday. There were 15 known survivors and 12 more unaccounted for. “He really tried everything he could,” Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je said of the pilot, his voice breaking with sobs. Amateur video recorded by a car dashboard camera showed the plane nose-up as it barely cleared the buildings close to Taipei’s Songshan airport before crashing into the river. “The pilot’s immediate reaction saved many people,” said Chris Lin, brother of one of the survivors. “I was a pilot myself and I’m quite knowledgeable about the immediate reaction needed in this kind of situation.” Aerospace analysts said it was too early to say whether the pilots intentionally pulled the plane above the buildings, and noted that the crew may have been aiming for the river to reduce casualties. A more conclusive picture will emerge only when authorities release details from the plane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders, which were recovered on Wednesday. “He’s missed the buildings but it is premature to make an analysis of what happened on this flight. We have to wait for the data from the cockpit voice recorder and flight recorder,” said aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of airlineratings.com The pilot and co-pilot of the almostnew turboprop ATR 72-600 were among those killed, Taiwan’s aviation regulator said. TransAsia identified the pilot as 42-year-old Liao Chientsung. Taiwanese media reported that it appeared Liao had fought desperately to steer his stricken aircraft between apartment blocks and commercial buildings The head of Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration, Lin Tyhming, has said Liao had 4,914 flying hours under his belt and the co-pilot 6,922 hours. Taiwanese media reported that
The TransAsia plane just before it crashed
Liao, the son of street vendors, passed replaced at Macau Airport on April exams to join the air force. He later 19 last year, during its delivery flight, flew for China Airlines, Taiwan’s main “due to engine-related technical issues”. carrier, before joining TransAsia. It said the engines were replaced by The aviation regulator ordered TransAsia engineers and the plane left TransAsia and Uni Air, a subsidiary Macau airport two days later. of EVA Airways Corp, to conduct Lin from Taiwan’s CAA said the engine and fuel system checks on the aircraft last underwent maintenance remaining 22 ATR aircraft they still on Jan. 26. operate. The plane was powered by two TransAsia’s shares closed down Pratt & Whitney PW127M engines. 6.9 percent on Wednesday, its biggest Pratt & Whitney is part of United percentage decline since late 2011, Technologies. and were down another 3.3 percent on The last communication from Thursday. The crash was the latest in one of the pilots was “Mayday engine a string of aviation disasters in Asia flameout”, according to an air traffic in the past 12 months and TransAsia’s control recording on liveatc.net. second in the past seven months. A flameout can occur when the Macau’s Civil Aviation Authority fuel supply to an engine is interrupted said the engines of the plane had been or when there is faulty combustion,
but twin-engined aircraft can usually keep flying with one engine. Taiwan’s United Daily reported that a flight attendant, identified only by her surname of Huang, told her family she had crawled out of the rear of the plane and found herself in the water. “I thought I was going to die,” she said. It also said a family of three who survived the crash had changed seats before take-off to the right of the plane, most likely saving their lives. A TransAsia official said the airline would give the families of those killed T$1.2 million ($38,198) for funeral expenses and T$200,000 to each of the injured. Two people on the ground were also injured, it said.
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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS CARIBBEAN NEWS
Jordan launches new air strikes against ISIS
Jordanian warplanes launched northern Iraq to boost its capability to suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi and death for her participation in triple dozens of strikes against Islamic State rescue downed coalition pilots. Al Qaeda operative Ziad al-Karboli. hotel bombings in Amman in 2005 that (IS) militants after the Arab nation The Jordanian raids came as the Islamic State had demanded killed 60 people. vowed a harsh response to the burning country’s King Abdullah II personally Rishawi’s release as part of a deal to She was closely linked to the IS alive of one of its fighter pilots captured paid his condolences to the airman’s free First Lieutenant Kassasbeh. group’s predecessor organisation in in Syria. family, which has urged the government King Abdullah travelled to the Iraq and was seen as an important Jordan’s military said “dozens to “destroy” the jihadists. airman’s home town of Karak, 120 symbol for the jihadists. of jet fighters” struck IS targets on The gruesome murder of fighter kilometres south of the capital, on Jordanian state television suggested Thursday, “hitting training camps of pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh, who was Thursday where a traditional mourning First Lieutenant Kassasbeh was killed the terrorist groups as well as weapons captured by IS in December when tent was set up for the family to receive on January 3, before IS offered to spare and ammunition warehouses”. his F-16 plane went down in Syria, guests. his life and free Goto in return for It did not say where the targets has increased support in Jordan for Hundreds of people, including Rishawi’s release. were located but said they were stepped-up military action against the representatives of the military and Following the airman’s capture, destroyed and the aircraft returned jihadists. civilians, gathered as the king, wearing another member of the US-led coalition, home safely. “Jordan will wage all-out war to a red and white checked keffiyeh, sat the United Arab Emirates, withdrew Jordan’s military pledged to “destroy protect our principles and values,” the next to the 26-year-old’s father, Safi. from air strike missions because of this terrorist group and kill the evil in Al-Rai government newspaper wrote in The airman’s killing sparked fears for the safety of its pilots, a US its own place”, and foreign minister an editorial. outrage in Jordan and demonstrations official said. Nasser Judeh said the strikes were “We are on the lookout for this in Amman and Karak, also the bastion US president Barack Obama, who just the start of their response. band of criminals.” of First Lieutenant Kassasbeh’s had hosted King Abdullah in a hastily “It’s actually the beginning of King Abdullah cut short a visit influential tribe. organised meeting before his return our retaliation,” Mr Judeh said, adding to the United States and flew back The slain pilot’s father branded to Jordan, decried the “cowardice and that his country was “upping the ante” to Amman on Wednesday after the IS “infidels and terrorists who know no depravity” of IS. and going after the militants “with harrowing video emerged of First humanity or human rights”. Turkish president Recep Tayyip everything that we have”. Lieutenant Kassasbeh’s killing. “The international community Erdogan called the brutality of IS Jordan has conducted regular raids “The blood of martyr Maaz al- must destroy the Islamic State group,” “beyond comprehension”. against IS in Syria as part of a US-led Kassasbeh will not be in vain and the he said. IS had previously beheaded campaign against the Sunni extremist response of Jordan and its army after IS had offered to spare First two US journalists, an American aid group, which has seized swathes of what happened to our dear son will be Lieutenant Kassasbeh’s life and free worker and two British aid workers in war-torn Syria and neighbouring Iraq. severe,” he said afterwards. Japanese journalist Kenji Goto — who similar videos. In Washington, a US defence On Wednesday, in response to the was later beheaded — in exchange for It has also killed a second official told AFP the US military killing of the pilot, Jordan executed two Rishawi’s release. Japanese hostage. had deployed aircraft and troops to Iraqis on death row — female would-be Rishawi, 44, was sentenced to
Florida governor embroiled in scandal at start of second term
Florida Governor Rick Scott TAMPA, Fla. - Republican Governor Rick Scott, off to a rocky start in his second term in office, faced an extraordinary meeting on Thursday with Florida’s Cabinet in which he admitted botching the ouster of the state’s top police administrator. Since his narrow victory over former Governor Charlie Crist in November, Scott has run into a series of controversies. In the past month, Scott was rebuked by the state Republican Party, which rejected his choice to lead the party and instead elected state Representative Blaise Ingoglia in an unheard-of snub for a newly re-elected governor. Last week, former state prisons director Michael Crews, who had been ousted by Scott, accused the governor of neglecting staff shortages and crumbling facilities in the Department
of Corrections. Scott, a wealthy former hospital executive with no prior political experience, previously experienced fairly placid relations with the three independently elected Cabinet officers, all fellow Republicans. But his decision to oust Gerald Bailey, the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), has dogged him since his Jan. 6 inauguration. Bailey said he had been led to believe that the three Cabinet members, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, concurred in his ouster, but all three said afterward they were told that Bailey had wanted to retire. The FDLE is overseen by the governor and Cabinet together, not by Scott alone. In the furor over Bailey’s firing, Scott and the Cabinet agreed on Thursday to better manage executive performance review. “While I wanted to bring in new leadership at FDLE as we transitioned to a second term in office, it is clear, in hindsight, that I could have handled it better,” Scott said at the start of the Cabinet’s annual opening-day visit to the Florida State Fair in Tampa. After his firing, Bailey said he had spurned attempts by the Scott campaign last year to misuse FDLE employees in the governor’s re-election. Scott’s office declined comment on that allegation. This week, a consortium of news media organizations and a Florida lawyer filed suit in state Circuit Court, claiming Scott violated the state’s “Government in the Sunshine” public transparency law by working through aides to get rid of Bailey.
FDA commissioner to stand down after six years
Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who for almost six years has overseen public health initiatives ranging from tobacco control and food safety to personalized medicine, disease control and drug approvals, is stepping down, according to a person briefed on the matter. The White House is expected to announce Hamburg’s resignation later on Friday, the person said. FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Yao declined to comment. Hamburg, 59, is one of the longest-serving FDA commissioners in the modern era. She was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2009 and last year was named the world’s 51st most powerful woman by Forbes. Dr. Stephen Ostroff, the FDA’s chief scientist, will fill Hamburg’s position until a new commissioner is named, said a second person familiar with the matter. Late last month, the agency named Dr. Robert Califf, a prominent cardiologist and researcher from Duke University, to oversee its drug, medical device and tobacco policy. Califf is viewed by many as a potential successor to Hamburg. A long-time public health official with extensive experience fighting AIDS and tuberculosis, Hamburg, who graduated from Harvard Medical School, previously served at the National Institutes of Health before becoming New York City’s health commissioner. She was not available for comment. Her resignation comes as the FDA prepares for what could be a
Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration significant transformation, spurred on the one hand by initiatives in Congress to further speed new drug development, and on the other by food safety advocates, backed by the President, who would like to see the creation of a separate agency combining the food safety functions of the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS
Whitney Houston’s daughter fighting for her life ROSWELL, Ga. — Bobbi Kristina Brown wanted to sing, act and dance like her megastar parents, Whitney Houston and R&B artist Bobby Brown. Instead, she has mostly made tabloid headlines for drug use and family disputes — the same perils that derailed their careers. Just like her mother three years ago, Bobbi Kristina was found facedown and unresponsive in a bathtub as the music industry prepared for the Grammy Awards. As the pop star’s 21-year-old daughter lay hospitalized Monday, police in Roswell, Georgia, issued a very brief incident report, saying officers In this Feb. 12, 2011, file photo, singer Whitney Houston, left, and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown were called Saturday in response to her arrive at an event in Beverly Hills, Calif. “drowning” at her home in suburban Atlanta. Her husband, Nick Gordon, similar to those of Feb. 11, 2012, Houston had her first No. 1 hit was at the scene and tried to revive her when Houston’s assistant found the at 22, and then a flurry of No. 1 songs, while a friend called 911. singer’s lifeless body face-down in selling more than 50 million records in “Bobbi Kristina is fighting for her a foot of water in her bathtub at the the United States alone. Her voice, an life and is surrounded by immediate Beverly Hills Hotel. Authorities found ideal blend of power, grace and beauty, family,” a Houston family statement prescription drugs and listed heart made classics out of “Saving All My said Monday. “We are asking you to disease and cocaine use as contributors, Love For You,” ‘’I Will Always Love honor our request for privacy during but concluded that she accidentally You,” ‘’The Greatest Love of All” and this difficult time. Thank you for your drowned. “I’m Every Woman.” Her six Grammys prayers, well wishes, and we greatly Bobbi Kristina, then 18, became joined many other awards. appreciate your continued support.” so distraught that she needed to be Bobbi Kristina inherited her With no details forthcoming from hospitalized. mother’s entire estate, but not her voice. police or family about her condition “She wasn’t only a mother, she Aside from her family’s short-lived or what may have caused the tragedy, was a best friend,” she told Oprah reality TV show “The Houstons: On many people looked to see what she’s shortly thereafter. Our Own,” she has mostly appeared in been posting online. Her last tweet, Bobbi Kristina identified herself online “selfies” and paparazzi images. from Thursday, reflected obvious on Twitter as “Daughter of Queen WH,” Houston met R&B star Bobby frustration over her failure to break ‘’Entertainer/Actress” with William Brown at the Soul Train Music Awards out as an entertainer: “Let’s start this Morris & Co., and “LAST of a dying in 1989. The gifted singer and her bad career up&&moving OUT to TO YOU breed.” boy partner married in 1992, much to ALLLL quick shall we !?!???!” But her mother was an impossible the dismay of Houston’s family. It was The circumstances were eerily act to follow. a toxic relationship, characterized by
Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird author to publish second novel
American author Harper Lee is to publish a second novel, more than half a century after the release of her much-loved classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Entitled Go Set a Watchman, the new book was completed by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author in the 1950s and features many of the same characters as To Kill a Mockingbird. It was actually written earlier than Mockingbird but was set aside and presumed lost after Lee’s editor persuaded her to write a novel from the point of view of a young Scout, set 20 years earlier. The reclusive Lee, 88, who lives in her native Alabama, said she was “humbled and amazed” that the manuscript was to be published after so many years, not realising it had survived. “In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called Go Set a Watchman. It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman and I thought it a pretty decent effort,” she said. “My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood, persuaded me to write a novel from the point of view of the young Scout. I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told.” Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for To Kill a Mockingbird - a searing tale of racial injustice in the Great Depression-era South that was
domestic violence and drugs. Bobbi Kristina was born a year later, and was just a toddler when Houston described herself as a “functioning junkie” to S2SMagazine. Her husband also struggled with addiction, so by 2002, the family moved to suburban Atlanta to attend the healing services of a singer-turned evangelical preacher. The girl made a few appearances on “Being Bobby Brown,” the reality show that infamously captured her parents fighting, swearing and appearing in court. The Hollywood Reporter said “not only does it reveal Brown to be even more vulgar than the tabloids suggest, but it manages at the same time to rob Houston of any last shreds of dignity.” Soon, Gordon joined the family. Houston never formally adopted him, but he became like a brother to Bobbi Kristina. And when Houston sought rehab in California in 2004 and divorced Brown in 2007, she kept the kids with her. The pair called each other big brother and little sister back then. A month after Houston’s death, however, they went public with their relationship. Houston’s mother, Cissy, and sister-in-law Patricia, expressing concern that others would prey on the young woman’s fortune, petitioned a judge to delay part of her inheritance, and Bobbi Kristina agreed. The young couple’s announcement of their marriage in January 2014 troubled Patricia Houston, who soon obtained a restraining order against Gordon, effective through April 2015.
Britain must do more to fight Islamist militants
published in Lee, who July 1960. rarely speaks to A British parliamentary committee said on The novel the media, has standard said in the past Thursday that Britain should contribute much more reading in that she never the fight against Islamist militants and it appeared classrooms wrote a follow- to have no clear strategy. Britain has so far taken part in U.S.-led air for decades up to To Kill A - has been M o c k i n g b i r d strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, but not Syria. translated because she It has also provided some equipment and training for into more feared she could Kurdish forces. Parliament’s defense committee said in a than 40 never equal its report released on Thursday that these actions were languages success. “strikingly modest,” with on average less than one and made “I am humbled into a Harper Lee, author of To Kill A Mockingbird and amazed that air strike a day, and it was “surprised and deeply film that this will now be concerned” Britain was not doing more. “There is a significant gap between the rhetoric won three published after Oscars, including one for lead all these years,” she said in a of Britain and its partners, and the reality of the campaign on the ground...It will be very difficult actor Gregory Peck. statement. to destroy Daesh,” the report said, using an Arabic In Go Set a Watchman, Scout HarperCollins said it was returns to Maycomb, Alabama “thrilled” to be publishing the new acronym for Islamic State. Islamic State is a breakaway al Qaeda group from New York to visit her father, novel, to be released on July 14. Atticus Finch, where she is forced The president of the publishing that declared an Islamic caliphate across parts of to grapple with personal and house, Michael Morrison, said it Syria and Iraq last summer and has killed thousands of people. political issues as she tries to was a “brilliant book”. The government defended Britain’s role. Prime understand his attitude toward “I love Go Set a Watchman, Minister David Cameron’s spokeswoman said society, and her own feelings about and know that this masterpiece the place where she was born and will be revered for generations to Britain was the second biggest contributor to the international military campaign and was supporting spent her childhood. come,” Mr Morrison said. Presumed lost before being Harper publisher and the humanitarian effort as well as working to stop rediscovered last fall, the novel senior vice president, Jonathan financing flows and tackle radicalization. “This is going to be a long campaign...that is going was essentially a sequel to To Kill Burnham, described the release as to take time and patience and determination but a Mockingbird, even though it was a “remarkable literary event”. what we are showing with our efforts so far is we are finished earlier. “The existence of Go Set a She said close friend and lawyer Watchman was unknown until absolutely committed to it,” she said. The Ministry of Defense said it had given 40 Tonja Carter had rediscovered recently, and its discovery is an the manuscript and “after much extraordinary gift to the many heavy machine guns and nearly half a million rounds thought and hesitation,” Lee readers and fans of To Kill a of ammunition to Iraqi forces, and had trained Pershmerga fighters in using them guns, as well as shared it with a handful of people, Mockingbird,” he said. in combat infantry skills. who decided it should be published.
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LOCAL NEWS WORLD NEWS
Democrats hit GOP plan for replacing Obama health care law
WASHINGTON — A plan by three Republican lawmakers for replacing President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul would leave Americans with less coverage and higher costs than the landmark law they want to repeal, Democrats said Thursday. “It effectively raises taxes on the middle class, removes bedrock protections for consumers and chips away at key coverage benefits that Americans rely on,” Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said a day after the GOP authors released their outline. “Republicans are trying to put politics first, put power back in the hands of insurance companies rather than patients,” said Washington Sen. Patty Murray, leading Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Democrats have lambasted Republicans for promising to repeal and replace the health care overhaul virtually since its 2010 enactment yet failing to advance a substitute. Republicans face growing pressure to suggest a replacement plan because 19 million Americans will be covered under Obama’s law this year, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates. The plan, not yet in legislative language, erases
the existing law’s coverage requirements for individuals and employers. It eliminates the state and HealthCare.gov federal insurance marketplaces where insurance can be purchased and abolishes taxes the law imposes on medical devices and other things. The GOP relies largely on tax credits and greater flexibility for insurers and states to provide coverage. People at firms with 100 or fewer employees could get tax credits, as would people earning up to triple the federal poverty level. That would mean individuals earning up to approximately $35,000, and larger amounts for families, would qualify. Democrats say that would increase taxes because the GOP plan proposes a lower threshold than current law, which allows federal subsidies for individuals earning up to around $47,000, more for families. The GOP plan would eliminate Obama’s expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor. Instead, states would be given more freedom to decide how to spend the money. As under Obama’s law, insurers would be required to include children up to age 26 under their families’ policies, though states could ignore that.
Investigation Underway in MetroNorth Train Crash
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who also serves as the Senate’s president pro temp ore, returns to his office following votes, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. Unlike Obama’s requirement for maternity coverage, states could choose not to do so. There would be no lifetime limits on coverage, as with current law. People with pre-existing medical conditions could not be turned down for insurance. But for many who had a gap in coverage exceeding roughly two months, insurers could charge them more for a policy, congressional aides said. The GOP plan would tax the value of employerprovided health coverage exceeding $12,000 for individuals and $30,000 for families, amounts that would grow as inflation rises.
New York increases Cuba charter flights
A Metro-North commuter train slammed into an S.U.V. on the tracks Tuesday evening, killing the driver and several train passengers When a crowded commuter train slammed into a car on the tracks on Tuesday night, it dislodged the electrified third rail, which, combined with gasoline from the vehicle, created a deadly inferno, federal investigators said at a news conference Wednesday evening. “The entire interior of the first rail car was burned out,” said Robert L. Sumwalt, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board. The result was the most deadly accident in the history of the Metro-North Railroad, with six people killed and more than a dozen injured after the collision in Valhalla, in Westchester County. Even as investigators worked to understand why a car became stranded on the tracks, Mr. Sumwalt offered some explanation for why the accident was so deadly. He said the train plowed the car 1,000 feet down the tracks and, as it went along, tore up 400 feet of electrified rail. That rail, he said, first
penetrated the car “behind and below the driver’s seat” and exited the car by the right rear tire. It then pierced the train, breaking up in 80-foot segments. At least one of those segments penetrated the second rail car. But he said many questions remained unanswered. Specifically, he said, in these types of accidents, train passengers are rarely killed. “Usually it is not endangering the occupants of the train,” he said. “We intend to find out what makes this accident different.” Mr. Sumwalt said it also remained unclear why the S.U.V. was on the tracks, noting that investigators would continue to look into whether any warning signals malfunctioned. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Ellen Brody, a 49-year-old mother of three children who lived in Greenburgh. On Tuesday, she left the store she worked at in Chappaqua, ICD Contemporary Jewelry, around 6 p.m. She was on her way to Scarsdale to meet a friend, according to co-workers.
When she did not return home, one of Ms. Brody’s daughters called a colleague of hers asking where she might be. At 11 p.m. the police informed her husband that she had been killed in the crash. “It’s been a very difficult time,” said Virginia Shasha, a colleague who spent the night with the family. “It’s their mother. Their world has shattered.” Rick Hope, who was in the car directly behind Ms. Brody’s Mercedes S.U.V., said her car was stopped on the road just before the tracks but in front of the crossing arm. He watched as the red lights began to flash, warning bells rang and the crossing arm came down on the back of her car. “As soon as I see the gate go down, I back up,” Mr. Hope said outside his Yorktown Heights home on Wednesday evening. “I say, ‘She’s going to back up as soon as she sees what’s going on.’” But instead, Ms. Brody calmly got out of her car. She walked around the back, pushed up against the guardrail, and found it wedged firmly in place.
New York - Charter companies are to step up direct flights between New York and Havana next month as they seek to profit from a growing rapprochement between the United States and Cuba. Cuba Travel Services says a Boeing 747-800 will fly each Tuesday to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Havana, allowing travellers to end time-consuming stop-off journeys. The company decided in November to launch the route -- before President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro surprised the world in December with plans to normalize ties. “We had a good idea that change was kind of coming,” general manager Michael Zuccato told AFP by telephone from California. “So the timing was good.” On January 15, the US government eased travel restrictions, allowing certain Americans such as journalists, scholars, artists and athletes to visit Cuba without asking for a special license. A representative for US-based company Marazul said it would also resume weekly charters between JFK and Havana on March 3, after they briefly suspended the service in November. Cuba Travel Services’ first New York to Havana flight on March 17 has already sold 120 of the 162 seats available for the three hour, 40 minute journey, Zuccato said. Prices start at $849, more expensive than flying to alternative destinations in the Caribbean, but Zuccato said it was competitive given the speed of the direct service and overheads involved. In 1999, under president Bill Clinton, the US state department authorized direct flights to Cuba from New York and Los Angeles. But over the years, charter services between Cuba and those cities ebbed and flowed due to costly overheads and paltry demand. Zuccato said the recent diplomatic overtures had generated “tremendous uptick in business.” “We expect the impact to be very positive. There’s a tremendous amount of people wanting to travel to Cuba now,” he said. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the region’s airports, was not immediately available for comment.
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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS
UN urges more regional military coordination against Boko Haram The United Nations Security Council urged West and Central African countries on Thursday to improve regional military coordination to more effectively combat Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria. Boko Haram has become the main security threat facing Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy and top oil producer, and increasingly threatens neighboring countries. The African Union (AU) has authorized a force of 7,500 troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin to fight the Islamist militants. In a statement, the U.N. Security Council welcomed a meeting in Cameroon from Thursday to Saturday
Chadian soldiers sit with guns on a vehicle to finalize how the force will operate. Diplomats say once that is complete, the AU is likely to ask for U.N. Security Council support. Nigeria and Chad are currently
both members of the Security Council. Boko Haram insurgents seek to create an Islamist emirate in northern Nigeria, and killed some 10,000 people last year. Chad has already deployed some 2,500 troops to the regional force that will take on the militant group. Chadian troops clashed with Boko Haram fighters in the northeastern Nigerian town of Gambaru on Tuesday in a bid to break the insurgents’ grip on the town bordering Cameroon. The U.N. Security Council “noted that the Chadian military counterattack against Boko Haram into Nigerian territory was conducted
Jeb Bush calls for expansion of immigration of skilled workers
with the consent and the collaboration of ... Nigeria whose territorial integrity remained intact.” It “commended the Chadian army’s swift assistance in the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria, during which territory was recaptured from Boko Haram and more than two hundred Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized and equipment was recovered, including a dozen vehicles mounted with heavy weapons.” The council condemned the Boko Haram attack and also a separate incident that killed at least three Cameroonian troops and a “sizeable number” of civilians
Teen rapist given 112-year sentence appeals to top court
DETROIT — In Republican people living in the U.S. illegally, presidential prospect Jeb Bush’s the source of most of the political first major economic speech, the tension over immigration. former Florida governor said the Bush has previously said he U.S. economy should be growing supports allowing people in the at 4 percent annually — and country illegally to stay, but only called making it easier for skilled after taking a series of steps, immigrants to enter the country a such as paying unpaid taxes. The key to getting there. position puts him at odds with Brandon Moore was tried as an adult and convicted by a jury in the In a speech to the Detroit some of the Republican Party’s 2001 armed kidnapping, robbery and gang rape of a 22-year-old Economic Club, Bush offered an most passionate voters, a group Youngstown State University student. economic vision with few specifics, likely to hold great sway in the COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 112-year saying he favored promoting twoprimaries, who aggressively parent families and closing the opposes any pathway to legal prison sentence imposed on a convicted rapist income gap by overhauling the status — something they call should be overturned because it amounts to an unconstitutional life term for crimes he committed nation’s school systems to give “amnesty.” parents more choice. Bush’s position on immigration at age 15, the inmate’s lawyer argued Wednesday But he also called for is not unique, however, as before Ohio’s highest court. Brandon Moore was tried as an adult and “dramatically expanding” the Republican White House prospects number of immigrants allowed Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush pauses while such as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio convicted in the 2001 armed kidnapping, robbery to enter the country to work in speaking at a Economic Club of Detroit and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and gang rape of a 22-year-old Youngstown State high-need jobs, while calling meeting in Detroit Wednesday, Feb. 4, have also previously supported a University student. The woman was abducted as she arrived for the prospect of overhauling the 2015 similar position. an evening work shift and was repeatedly raped at country’s immigration system “a last month to auto dealers in San Like many other Republicans, gunpoint by Moore and an accomplice before being huge opportunity ... not a problem.” Francisco, he called immigrants Bush cites border security as released, according to court records. Moore, now 29, “While the political fights go “an engine of economic vitality.” a crucial component of any received his sentence in 2008. on, we’re missing this opportunity. immigration overhaul and told The nation’s surging Hispanic In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that I view fixing a broken system as population shifted sharply away the auto dealers the U.S. should teenagers may not be locked up for life without a huge opportunity to get to that from the Republican Party in “politely ask” those who came to chance of parole if they haven’t killed anyone. By a four percent growth,” Bush told the last presidential election the country legally but have since 5-4 vote in the case of a Florida man serving time for about 600 Detroit-area business after the party’s 2012 nominee, overstayed their visa to leave. armed robberies when he was a teen, the court said leaders. “We can grow by 4 percent Mitt Romney, alienated many But Bush also supported the through all sorts of policies, but Hispanic voters by offering “self- immigration overhaul that passed the constitution requires that young people serving immigration has to be a part of it.” deportation” as a solution to the the Senate last year before failing life sentences must at least be considered for release Economists expect the U.S. nation’s immigration problem. to advance through the House. He and the chance of rehabilitation. At issue is whether that ruling applies to Moore, economy to expand 3 percent this GOP operatives insist that the said Wednesday that shifting the whose prison term consists of multiple sentences year, above the 2.2 percent annual party’s tone on immigration must debate “to an economic issue from stacked on top of one another. average during the recovery from change if it hopes to reclaim the a political issue will be helpful.” The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision made it clear the Great Recession. Of skilled guest workers, White House in 2016. that a juvenile’s sentence must provide “meaningful Bush, who has spent the past investors and inventors seeking to Bush’s comments Wednesday several weeks aggressively addressed the desire of some immigrate legally to the U.S., he opportunity for release,” Rachel Bloomekatz, an raising money in private ahead industries, especially technology, said, “All these people should be attorney for Moore, told the Ohio Supreme Court on of a likely run for president, has to allow more immigrants with welcomed in our country, and the Wednesday. What a judge can’t do, she argued, is rule that long supported a comprehensive specific skills to come to the United unwritten contract ought to be: a juvenile “is never fit to re-enter society from the overhaul of the nation’s States legally. They did not refer Embrace our values and you can outset.” immigration system. In a speech directly to the roughly 11 million pursue your dreams.” Prosecutors in Mahoning County argue the multiple sentences make Moore’s punishment constitutional, even though they “may preclude the Indian authorities in the a long time. the police station,” he said. “An possibility of release during the juvenile offender’s life,” according to an August filing with the court. northern state of Uttar Pradesh Until 2008, the room was investigation is still ongoing.” The U.S. Supreme Court case specifically dealt have made a grisly find in one used as a mortuary, where bodies Foul play is not suspected, with juveniles sentenced to life without parole for a of their police stations: dozens of were kept before funerals, Ram officials say, but they are not sure crime not involving a homicide, prosecutors argue. human body parts. Kishan Yadav, an additional why the bodies were not disposed It was “speaking to a life sentence, a direct life Contract workers made the superintendent of police for of properly. sentence, not an aggregate sentence,” Ralph Rivera, discovery in the city of Unnao, Unnao District, told CNN. In Hinduism and some other a Mahoning County assistant prosecutor, told around 60 kilometers (37 miles) In mid-2008, he said, the Indian faiths, funerals are usually justices Wednesday. southwest of Lucknow. mortuary was shifted to an area conducted by cremation. Moore’s lawyers say his punishment amounts While cleaning a disused part hospital. Officials say the bodies are to the same thing. of a city police station late last “These body parts were to likely to be at least 20 years old. It “defies science and common sense to think week, the workers chanced upon be shifted to the district hospital Another police official said that sacks filled with human remains mortuary, but we don’t know how DNA testing would be conducted that a 112-year sentence is anything but life without parole,” Moore’s attorneys argued in a July court in a room that had been locked for they have since been kept here in on the remains. filing.
Dozens of body parts discovered in Indian police station
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LOCAL NEWSNEWS CARIBBEAN
NEWS NEWS
Carnival will be an annual fixture in The Bahamas, says PM
A carnival costume PRIME Minister Perry Christie suggested that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will be a fixture on the country’s yearly calendar of activities, despite the backlash it has attracted. According to the Nassau Tribune, Christie said the festival will increase the country’s revenue. Defending the government’s decision to hold the festival, Mr Christie pointed to the latest youth unemployment statistics. He said Junkanoo Carnival would give
thousands of young Bahamians the opportunity to earn a living doing something they enjoy. According to the latest labour force statistics, youths between the ages of 15 to 24 continue to face a considerably higher rate of unemployment than any other group. This group’s unemployment rate stands at 31 per cent, an increase of three per cent from the previous survey. While speaking to an audience
gathered at the inaugural Royal sexually suggestive. He said he had Fidelity Bahamas Economic Outlook, “no appetite” for the festival’s sexually Mr Christie said it was long overdue charged nature. to package the country’s culture as a When Mr Christie responded to Mr commercial product. Miller, he pinpointed the involvement “We aim to attract more visitors and of the Tall Pines MP’s daughters with improve their Bahamas experience the Carnival group, Enigma. while delivering better gains in the Said Mr Christie last week: “The generation and collection of taxes,” he first people who spoke to me when I said. walked into this room with hundreds “It puts thousands of Bahamians of people gathered together for in a position to begin to earn a living Junkanoo Carnival was Leslie Miller’s from something they enjoy and simply two daughters.” for the love of doing it. He added: “When I go to Bay “I expect that the upcoming Street now and I looked at the girls Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and last Christmas and this Christmas, I all those that will come beyond will said ‘Lord, they got Carnival costumes get significant economic returns and on. I don’t know if you people go to position the Bahamas in a strong Junkanoo, I don’t even know if Leslie competitive position relative to other Miller goes to Junkanoo.” such regional festivals. Last Friday, Mr Miller apologised “We have to find the formula to for his comments and said he was make culture pay.” speaking in “ignorance”. This is the second time in less Organisers of the controversial than a week that Mr Christie has shot event have spent less than $2m of the back at critics of Bahamas Junkanoo $9m budget so far. Carnival. To date, officials used $1.5m, Last Thursday, Mr Christie with a total of 214 small and mediumpassionately defended the inaugural sized local entities for an estimate festival. At the time he also criticised GDP impact of about $7m, confirmed Progressive Liberal Party MP Leslie Paul Major, chairman of the Carnival Miller who called the festival “garbage” Commission. that mimicked other countries’ culture. Junkanoo Carnival will be Last Wednesday Mr Miller further launched in Grand Bahama on April suggested Carnival could have a 6 and continue from May 7-9 in New negative impact on youth by being Providence.
Concern about school dropouts in St Vincent
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent — An opposition legislator is expressing concern about the number of children dropping out of school in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Figures released by the Ministry of Education show that between 2009 and 2013, there were 1,531 students who dropped out of school, including 33 at the kindergarten level. Member of Parliament for the Southern Grenadines Terrance Ollivierre told Parliament that for years he has been he has been
“Mr. Speaker, the students dropped statistics were prepared lamenting that students dropped out of school. So, from Union Island, in a short space of time, statistics for 2009-2010 out of primary school by the Ministry of Canouan, Mayreau and eight students have to 2013 (show) that between 2009-2010 and Education.” He said the dropouts academic other areas have been dropped out of secondary 2009-2010 you had 94 2012-2013 dropping out of school for school, meaning they are students dropping out years, while 93 females were continuing despite not able to complete their of primary school, 2010- dropped out during the the talk of compulsory various reasons. education on the island. The New Democratic secondary education 2011 – 33, 2011-2012 same period. At the same time, He said that “compulsory Party (NDP) legislator for various reasons,” — 51, 2012-2013 — 57, meant said that students in Ollivierre said, as he giving you a total of 235 1,296 students dropped education” his constituency have made his contribution students dropping out out of secondary school, that children ages 4 years to 16 years must problems accessing to the debate on the of school at the primary 224 of them in Form 1. Ollivierre told attend school and that level for the four years secondary education, national budget. He said as a result, he throughout St. Vincent Parliament the number the Education Act of adding that in the 20132014 academic year, six investigated the school and the Grenadines,” he of student who quit 2005 speaks of school school before completing attendance officers, who students from Mayreau dropout rate nationally said. “and I was amazed Ollivierre also quoted their very first years of “shall be responsible quit secondary school. for the enforcement “I think it was 28 also, while looking at from a document titled, primary education. “And, could you of compulsory school of them who travelled the dropout rate for “St. Vincent and the to Union Island on a secondary schools that Grenadines Educational imagine even at Grade attendance in respect all children of daily basis for secondary I noticed that students Statistical Digest 2013” K 33 students … have of education. At the are also dropping out of and published by the dropped out of school compulsory age within beginning of this term, primary schools at the Ministry of Education, in that four-year span?” the district or area to showing that 143 he said, adding, “the which he is appointed”. a further two have various levels.
Caribbean Airlines registers significant losses
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has recorded losses estimated at US$60 million last year, Finance Minister Larry Howai has said. Howai, speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, said that the accounts for fiscal year ending December 31, 2014 were still being compiled but that the losses took into account the US$38 million grant provided by the
government during 2014 which was recorded as equity. But Howai told legislators that the unaudited accounts showed a loss of US$60 million and that the airline had developed a strategy plan which envisaged it breaking even by 2017. Howai said the transformation of CAL would take three to four years following a consistent company strategy to achieve identified objectives
with major milestones targeted during this period. He said this strategy plan was recently developed and completed towards the end of last year. Howai dismissed reports that there had been an injection of more than one billion dollars (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) into the airline last year. Last July, CAL announced that it was projecting a loss of just under TT$100million for its financial year
2013.
Howai said then that the airline has been enduring a difficult period but may now be emerging from it. According to its financial statements for 2012, the airline, which a few years ago merged its operations with the cash-strapped Air Jamaica, registered losses that moved from US$43.6 million in 2011 to US$83.7 million in 2012.
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CARIBBEAN LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Venezuelan oil deal leaves Caribbean nations in the lurch
For many countries, cheaper oil is helping boost economic growth. But if you’re a struggling Caribbean nation dependent on energy subsidies from Venezuela, the crash in oil prices is not welcome news. Venezuela’s heavily oil-dependent economy has been sent into a tailspin by the collapse of crude prices, which has starved the country for cash to pay for domestic energy subsidies and imported goods. With little foreign currency reserves left, the economy is contracting, inflation has soared and the government has resorted to rationing food and other consumer staples. And with no rebound in oil prices in sight, the country’s future is looking bleak. To finance its budget, the government needs oil prices above $140 a barrel, putting generous subsidies for education, food and housing at risk of deep cutbacks. It has also jeopardized generous financing terms extended to more than a dozen Caribbean nations that rely on Venezuelan oil to fuel their own economies. Venezuela launched the so-called Petrocaribe accord in 2005 as it sought to become a low-cost energy provider and win political favor among small
island economies heavily reliant on oil imports. But as oil prices have fallen, Venezuela’s energy blessing has turned to something of a curse. Under the terms of the Petrocaribe agreement, the drop in oil prices has—paradoxically—raised members’ oil import costs. That’s because, as crude prices fall, they lose access to extremely generous financing terms that amount to subsidies. When oil was over $100 a barrel, Petrocaribe member countries paid just 40 percent of the upfront costs, and Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA, covered the rest of the expense with a low interest rate loan payable over 25 years. Some have also paid their oil bills with bartered agricultural products or services. The extra cash from deferred payments helped some countries finance infrastructure projects and other spending programs. But those finance terms become much less generous as the price of oil falls, forcing member countries to pay more upfront, with payment in full when prices fall below $40 a barrel, according to RBC economist Marla Dukharan. Cheap oil has also discouraged Petrocaribe countries from diversifying
Puerto Rico is bankrupt
their energy reliance away from oil to The closed talks also included more efficient sources like natural gas other U.S. officials and representatives or renewables like solar, which is in from the European Union, the United abundant supply in the Caribbean. Nations and financing agencies “Most Petrocaribe members depend including the World Bank and Interon outdated fuel oil generators to American Development Bank. At the provide the majority of their electricity, summit’s conclusion, the U.S. joined a practice that nonsubsidized states a consortium providing $63 million in have long since dropped,” according financing for a wind farm in Jamaica. to a research report by Scotiabank The meeting did not go unnoticed in analyst Rory Johnston. Caracas, where Venezuelan President The Venezuela oil deals have also Nicolas Maduro has been struggling to left some Petrocaribe countries with keep his country’s economy afloat as sizable debts that Venezuela’s cash- oil prices have plunged and revenues strapped government can ill afford to have dried up. refinance. Over the weekend, Maduro Some Caribbean countries are claimed in a televised address at much greater risk than others, that Biden had tried to foment the according to Johnston. Haiti, for overthrow of his socialist government example, imported nearly all of its all during the Caribbean energy summit. oil through Petrocaribe in 2013, and Maduro claimed that Biden told the had accumulated the highest deferred Caribbean leaders that the Venezuelan payments among the group. Suriname government’s days were numbered and and the Dominican Republic have a it was time they abandon their support, more diverse source of oil imports and a claim Biden’s office dismissed. will not be hit as hard by the loss of “President Maduro’s accusations cheap Venezuelan oil. are patently false and are clearly With the future of Venezuelan oil part of an effort to distract from the sales in doubt, the White House last concerning situation in Venezuela, month invited Petrocaribe countries which includes repeated violations to Washington for a Caribbean Energy of freedom of speech, assembly and Security Summit, hosted by Vice due process,” Biden’s office said in a President Joe Biden. statement.
New York court vacates conviction of Barbadian national
In an unusual step, Puerto on “recapitalizing” the Government Rico’s leading media group openly Development Bank, restructuring the two other individuals she could not declared on Tuesday, calling for the debt, redimensioning government and identify, said Prosecutor Mark Hale at restructuring of a public debt that it carrying out a genuine tax reform.” a hearing on Thursday. says is really twice the official figure. Without singling out either of Hale said there was no physical “Puerto Rico is broke” is the the two parties that dominate Puerto evidence, adding that there was “scant eloquent front-page headline Tuesday Rican politics, it sums up very clearly evidence a burglary had, in fact, been of El Nuevo Dia, the daily with the most the causes that have led to this committed”. readers in the U.S. commonwealth and complicated economic situation, with He said the witness was “the sole which dedicates a 20-page special to simple infographics that go back to the NEW YORK – A New York State person who was responsible for the proving that the Caribbean island’s 1980s. Supreme Court judge has vacated the conviction of the defendant”. accumulated debt is double the At that time, it says, “the The New York Times newspaper generally accepted figure of $73 billion. government began to borrow funds in conviction of a Barbadian national who The article talks about a $167.46 order to pay its debts when faced with had spent 18 months in jail for a crime reported that late last year, Waithe contacted the Conviction Review Unit billion debt, a “frightening” figure a reduction of tax revenues caused, prosecutors now say never occurred. The conviction of Michael Waithe, at the Office of the Brooklyn District obtained by adding up interest on the among other factors, by the economic 52, who has a green card and faces Attorney, which examines questionable debt and the deficit accumulated by crisis set off by the oil embargo of the deportation because of a felony cases at the request of lawyers, retirement and public health programs. mid-1970s and the recession from the burglary in 1987, was vacated by defendants or family members. “You don’t need to be an economist mid-1980s to the beginning of the Justice Neil Jon Firetog, who granted The paper said the unit’s lawyers from Harvard to understand that 1990s.” this debt is unsustainable,” says the “Over the past 15 years, the a motion by Brooklyn District Attorney interviewed the witness, who said that no burglary had occurred. editorial entitled “Restructuring, government has operated under a Ken Thompson to vacate the case. “This hardworking and innocent Hale said she accused Waithe there’s no other choice,” and which constant deficit. Poor administration man came to our country for a better “solely because she did not like him, bluntly states that “Puerto Rico’s and wrong decisions paved the way to life and ended up being framed and and thought he was responsible for the viability as a country is at stake.” a historic public debt that now has the went to prison for a crime that he theft of an auto from her. This move by the Ferre Rangel country almost totally bankrupt,” the didn’t commit,” Thompson said in a “These things happen in life; Group was being described Tuesday as paper says. unfortunately it happened to me,” said historic, because up to now few have For that reason, “it is now an statement. “He now faces being ripped apart Waithe after his case was vacated. dared to voice such a warning, and urgent matter to explore and establish from his family, including his three He recalled that, in 2011, he yet the alarm is being sounded by a the government’s options for getting beautiful children and granddaughter. was stopped by immigration officers conglomerate that besides controlling the country out of this profound crisis,” Wrongful convictions lead not only on arriving at John F. Kennedy three of the five biggest newspapers on which is only getting worse, the daily the island, has many other enterprises. said, because of the exodus of Puerto to wrongful imprisonment but also International Airport in New York can impact a person’s job, housing or from his native Barbados. “Since the beginning of the century Ricans to the U.S. mainland. immigration status.” He said he was targeted for at least 20 sovereign nations have Fewer than 1 million of Puerto Thompson said Waite did not deportation because of the 1987 felony defaulted or renegotiated their Rico’s 3.5 million residents have steady commit the supposed 1986 crime, burglary conviction. government debts. Some preventively jobs, food costs have gone up almost 50 Waite’s lawyer, Matthew Smalls, and others after defaulting,” the percent over the last 10 years, pension which also never occurred. Waithe was a security guard at said his client’s immigration status editorial says. systems have accumulated $34 billion The editor of the daily, Luis in unfunded liabilities and the total a Brooklyn, New York building when a remains in flux, as he has a separate Alberto Ferre Rangel, says the owed to bondholders comes to $47,800 tenant claimed she saw Waithe taking hearing shortly with the Immigration items out of the apartment, along with and Custom Enforcement agency. intention is to “focus public debate” per inhabitant.
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LOCAL NEWSNEWS CARIBBEAN
Calls for removal of roaming rates in Eastern Caribbean
The St Lucia-based Organisation of Eastern States (OECS) Commission is calling for the removal of roaming fees attached to mobile calls between the nine-member sub-regional grouping. “We’re not talking about the fancy marketing glitz of something called home roaming or anything like that. We want the removal of roaming,” said OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules. The OECS countries have been arguing that since they have formed a single economic union, they should not have to pay roaming charges between Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. Jules, speaking prior to leaving here for the OECS summit that opens in the French island of Martinique later on Wednesday, said that “if the OECS is a single economic space, the same way you can make a call from Castries to Vieux Fort, the same way you should make a call from Castries to St Georges or Castries to St John’s.
“It cannot be a roaming call,” he added. The OECS position comes also against the backdrop of efforts by the sub-region to make Information Communication Technology more accessible and affordable to consumers in the sub-region. Telecommunication service providers have been calling on government to tax Voice over Internet Protocol applications such as Skype and Viber, which they say are impacting negatively on their businesses. But Jules said such a position by the service providers is not feasible. “What these facilities have brought in terms of value for money proposition to the use of the internet and to the cost of doing business especially for small business people and even at a family level for families being able to keep in touch with their loved ones in the Diaspora. “It cannot be subject to taxation and so on because it is a real material benefit,” he added. Earlier this week, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said roaming charges pose
Four Haitian children, including a critically ill six-year-old girl with severe pulmonary issues, have received free life-saving surgery at Health City Cayman Islands. Medical and Facility Director at Health City, a challenge to an integrated Caribbean platform and are too Dr. Chandy Abraham, said the surgeries were done free of charge by a team led Dr. Sripadh Upadhya, an costly. Mitchell, who is also interventional paediatric cardiologist. “While surgeries, and this project in particular, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) head of government require the collaboration of many individuals to be with responsibility for successful, special thanks should be made to Dr. Information, Communication and Upadhya and his team who led all four procedures,” Telecommunication (ICT), told he said. The children were suffering from patent ductus delegates attending the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) arteriosus, an unclosed communication between the 25th anniversary ICT Week in aorta and pulmonary artery. “The surgeries were performed in the Trinidad that his government incurred an exorbitant phone bill catheterisation laboratory with diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualise the arteries and due to roaming charges. “The phone is not roaming. chambers of the heart,” said Dr. Upadhya. “When the children arrived they were barely For the first two months, when all of us got into office and I saw able to walk or play; they were very sick. Following the bill I said ‘cut it’. Something their surgeries, they were able to play and jump is fundamentally wrong. I have to around and were even well enough to be visited by use my own personal phone and Santa,” he added. So far, Health City Cayman Islands, has don’t feel in conscience I should allow the taxpayers to do so (pay treated eight young Haitians, who have benefited from its ongoing commitment to support the health for it). “If I call my friend in London needs of Caribbean youth. A statement from the hospital said that 21 or New York and call Jamaica and children from Haiti have been identified by the Haiti go on Cable & Wireless, the cost is extremely high. You can call India Cardiac Alliance, a U.S.-based nonprofit organisation, for a few cents. Why should we as being in need of life altering medical treatment. be able to have to spend all that money? We are late. We are behind and we don’t have time,” Mitchell added.
Caribbean Court of Justice cites Myrie case as its flagship
The precedent setting Shanique Myrie case has been branded as the highlight of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. A decision in the case brought by Myrie, a Jamaican, against the Barbados government, was handed down in October of 2013. “There are many things which are highlights,” CCJ Shanique Myrie president Sir Dennis Byron told OBSERVER media, before adding, “I have to say the Myrie judgment.” In the landmark case, the CCJ held that Caricom nationals are entitled to enter member states, without harassment or the imposition of impediment, and to stay for up to six months. The ruling also gave guidelines for interpretation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas under which the right to free movement is derived. Now, member states must give the refused person written reasons for the refusal and also to advise them of their entitlement to access meaningful judicial review. Sir Dennis said the judgment “attracted the widest public
interest” and that’s why he saw it as one of the highlights for the court of the last decade. He said the Myrie case helped “people see the court as an institution which gave a voice to ordinary people.” “One of the pertinent issues that Myrie has done is to provide assurance to the ordinary citizens of the Caribbean region, that the Caribbean Court of Justice provides an opportunity for them to get redress.” Myrie was awarded US$38,000 after being deported from Barbados in March 2011. She told the court that she was subjected to a dehumanising cavity search by a female immigration officer at Grantley Adams International
Haitian children get free heart surgeries in Cayman Islands
Opposition legislator charged with assault on minors
BELMOPAN, Belize – An opposition legislator is due to return to court on April 13 on six charges including aggravated assault of an indecent nature Airport, in Barbados, and and common assault of two minors. locked in a filthy room Dr. Marco Tuilo Mendez, a pediatrician, and overnight. Member of Parliament for the Orange Walk East Sir Dennis told constituency, appeared in court late Tuesday on the OBSERVER media “we charges that allegedly arose from incidents in 2005. have told the public that Attorney for the 50-year-old accused, Richard if any of you suffer a “Dickie” Bradley, said his client, who appeared before similar breach of your Magistrate Merlene Moody, has been released on rights, you have a forum BZ$5,000 (one Belize dollar =US$0.49 cents) bail where you can get justice.” and will return to court on April 13. According to the CCJ “The court read six charges to the Honourable president, his assessment Tulio Mendez, four counts in relation to one child is that “our decision has and two counts in relation to the other child. These had a benefit on the way charges are listed as aggravated assault, which is business is done on the the charge that the law uses, but they are in relation region. to inappropriate touching,” the attorney said. He said the fact that a His other attorney, Andrew Bennett, said the case of a similar nature prosecution will have to show “beyond a reasonable has not been brought to doubt that there was some inappropriate, indecent the CCJ “could mean that act towards the minor. So that is what the crown “people’s rights are not has. being breached in the same way.” “We don’t know what the crown has in terms Since the ruling, several of the report or so and we hope that when the Caricom states have made the disclosure phase comes through that we know necessary changes to their exactly what it is that they intend to prove.” domestic laws that would give Speaking to New 5television on Tuesday night, effect to the free movement Dr. Mendez said that he would not be participating under the Revised Treaty of in any political campaigning and that he was not Chaguaramas. prepared to “discuss now” the possibility of his Myrie instituted resignation from the Parliament. proceedings in May 2012 alleging “ I have spoken to the party leader and I told that Barbados had violated her him that basically I will be removing myself from right to free movement within all active political campaigning. With respect to Caricom. resigning, it is a matter that I wouldn’t want to Myrie had also claimed discuss now. that she was subjected to “I would want to thank my supporters, especially discrimination on the ground of the people from Orange Walk East constituency. I her nationality when Barbadian really want to thank them. Definitely, this is a officials refused her entry into very difficult time that my family and I are going Barbados, but the CCJ dismissed through and I am asking all the respect for this type that claim. of issue,” he added.
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Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 An Application, REGISTERED PR. 12092 by Yoshi Ono for the development of Eleven (11) Apartment Units, has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on 60906/102, Grace Bay on Providenciales. The application was submitted seeks for a consideration for rezoning from Low density Residential to High Density Residential Anyone wishing to make representations(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.
DIRECTOR, INNOVATION AND RESOURCE PLANNING
Description Drive business and technology innovation. Support leadership team in delivering quantifiable and transformative business and operational strategy solutions. Direct the Innovation and Resource Planning Department activities and projects. Main Duties
Drive enterprise-wide projects that incorporate a proactive and innovative solution to addressing business challenges and achieving organizational goals and objectives; Monitor business trends and industry disruptive challenges. Obtain and evaluate information about industry and market trends, competitive threats and possible business opportunities; Partner with IT Department in overseeing technology vision and roadmap. Identify areas needing technology enablement; Assist the Executive Office in coordinating business strategy and execution, plan documentation, and monitors business performance; Assist the Executive Office in performing ad hoc research projects or feasibility studies that do not clearly fall within an existing business unit; Establish strong, effective, and collaborative partnerships with key business unit leaders, subject matter experts, and project leaders to build and deliver on effective solutions and strategies; Lead cross functional teams to design and implement business strategic and operational changes; Manage implementation of new enterprise resource planning system; ensure proper integration with other enterprise system and business process. Create conditions for a smooth transition to changes with least resistance from the process owners and maximum enthusiasm to adapt to the change; Lead promotion of business process management best practices; Lead development of integrated resource planning program. Coordinate activities and ensure delivery of output on time; Liaise with CARILEC on activities or developments regarding industry and trends in the Caribbean; serve as the principal point of contact in the Company to gather or disseminate requirements or information. Manage vendors and consultants hired by the department for relevant projects and activities. Manage Innovation and Resource Planning department resources and activities.
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LOCAL NEWSNEWS CARIBBEAN FUN & GAMES
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LOCAL LOCALNEWS NEWS
Pearls Before Sw
Monty by Jim Meddick
Brewster Rockit by Tim Rickard
The Flying McCoys
The Du
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Herman by Jim Unger
wine by Stephan Pastis
s by Glenn and Gary McCoy
uplex by Glenn McCoy
F Minus by Tony Carrillo
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BUSINESS &
BUSINESS &NEWS TECHNOLOGY LOCAL NEWS CARIBBEAN
TECHNOLOGY
Airlines Should Lower Prices to Reflect Oil
Falling oil prices have been Pinkerton explained in her they don’t add new flights a godsend to everyone who drives, letter, so they remain “focused when there’s increased demand. but airline passengers have yet on reducing the tens of billions Leocha called on the Department to see ticket prices fall as a result. of dollars they still carry in of Transportation and the The nation’s airlines were debt,” rather than responding to Department of Justice to look quick to boost fares when jet a potentially short-term drop in into this practice. fuel prices went up—fuel is fuel prices. “The free market system isn’t their biggest expense. But now Last week, when American working anymore,” he said. that fuel prices have taken a Airlines announced a record The nation’s airlines see it nosedive and profits are soaring, annual profit of $4.2 billion in quite differently. In her letter, consumer advocates are blasting 2014, CEO Doug Parker made A4A’s Sharon Pinkerton called the airlines for not lowering fares. it clear he had no plans to cut air travel “an excellent value” In a recent letter to the CEOs of prices. with average round-trip domestic the major U.S. airlines, Travelers “Brent (crude oil) was over fares, including revenue from United and FlyersRights.org $100 a barrel for nearly four various fees, falling 10 percent claim the airlines are keeping years and it has been under $100 since 2000. Pinkerton said ticket prices high to “gouge” the a barrel for merely four months,” the airlines are adding seats. public. he said. “So we are going to The number of domestic seats “The airlines are saving continue to run [our airline] as available is at its highest point in billions of dollars and it’s time though we are still operating seven years, she wrote. that consumers get a little bit of with $100 per barrel oil.” “Consumers are benefiting that back in some sort of relief,” Is there competition? in many ways from the kind said Charles Leocha, chairman of Paul Hudson, president of competitive, market-based Travelers United. of FlyersRights.org, calls that models that Congress envisioned Airlines for America (A4A), “arrogance.” He says the airlines when it deregulated domestic air a trade organization that have no reason to do anything service,” she wrote. “The bottom represents the nation’s carriers, because competition in the line is this: customers ultimately responded to that letter with industry is now virtually non- determine pricing and vote with their own on Tuesday. existent. their wallets every day about “Lower fuel prices are “It’s analogous to OPEC what they value and are willing benefiting consumers every day or any other cartel,” Hudson to pay for.” as airlines add seats and service, said. “When you have complete FlyersRights.org tells invest in new products and places, domination of the market, you NBC News it plans to launch a and reward employees,” wrote can control the price.” petition campaign in the next Sharon Pinkerton, A4A’s senior Travelers United says the few days, calling on the White vice president for legislative and nation’s four big airlines control House and Congress to review regulatory policy. 80 percent of the market and and consider withdrawing the U.S. airlines lost $63 keep prices high by maintaining antitrust exemptions granted to billion dollars from 2001-2010, capacity discipline - that is, the nation’s airlines.
Saudi Kingdom Holding sells 5.6 percent stake in News Corp Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding 4280.SE, the investment firm owned by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, sold most of its stake in media giant News Corp as part of a portfolio review, it said on Wednesday. The sale of a 5.6 percent stake in News Corp generated 705 million riyals ($188 million) of cash for Kingdom and leaves it with a one percent holding, according to a bourse statement. The amount of profit or loss booked on the investment was not disclosed. Kingdom has held a stake in Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate since 1997, according to its website. It has been a turbulent few years for the media company, after it emerged in 2011 that one of its British tabloid newspapers, the now-defunct News of the World, had been hacking phones and bribing public officials. News Corp said on Tuesday it would face no charges in the United States over the matter, although it still faces multiple investigations and court cases in Britain. “We remain firm believers in News Corp’s competent management, led by chief executive Robert Thomson, and are fully supportive of Rupert Murdoch and his family,” Alwaleed said in a separate emailed statement. The action would not impact on Kingdom’s 6.6 percent holding of Twenty-First Century Fox, the emailed statement added. Both News Corp and Twenty-First Century Fox were part of the same company until they were spun off into separate listed entities in June 2013, representing the previous firm’s publishing and broadcasting businesses respectively. SALE PROCESS The sale of shares by Kingdom was “predominantly executed” in the first half of 2014 and finalised by the end of the year, the statement said. News Corp hit its highest level since the stock was split on Mar. 5, 2014, when it traded intraday at $18.53, and was as high as $18.29 on July 24 before slipping to an intraday low of $14.28 on Oct. 16, according to Thomson Reuters data.
Frozen still hot as Disney profit beats forecasts Disneyland Walt Disney Co’s quarterly profit Shanghai topped Wall Street’s estimates as its theme park in the blockbuster animated film “Frozen” spring of 2016, Iger told heated up home entertainment and analysts. The company toy sales, and visitors flocked to the had earlier set a target of a late 2015 opening company’s U.S. theme parks. Disney shares rose 4.4 percent but decided to add to $98.23 in after-hours trading on attractions to the park, a Tuesday. The stock reached record $5.5 billion joint venture highs in recent months on strong with China’s state-owned performances across its TV networks, Shanghai Shendi Group. “Frozen” toys sold theme parks and movie studio. Each of its five divisions reported higher particularly well during operating income for the quarter, the holiday shopping quarter, helping Disney’s ended Dec. 27. At Disney’s parks unit, operating consumer products unit income rose 20 percent to $805 million earn a $626 million as more people visited its U.S. parks profit, up 46 percent and increased spending on tickets, from a year earlier. Disney will fuel the Characters from Frozen merchandise, food and drinks. Chief Executive Bob Iger told CNBC franchise with “Frozen that there had been no discernable Fever” a seven-minute generate some more buzz for ‘Frozen,’ impact on parks from a measles film that features a new song and and that should generate more buying outbreak that health officials have will be shown in theaters ahead of its in terms of consumer products,” Iger said began at Disneyland in Anaheim, live action “Cinderella” movie, to be said. released on March 13. California, in December. Disney’s movie studio recorded Disney now plans to open its “We actually believe it’s going to a 33 percent jump in profit, driven
by home entertainment sales of “Frozen,” Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Maleficent.” Profit at cable networks fell 2 percent, hurt by higher programming and production costs and lower advertising revenue at sports channel ESPN. Broadcasting unit ABC recorded a 35 percent increase in operating income from higher affiliate fees and program sales. Net profit attributable to Walt Disney rose to $2.18 billion, or $1.27 per share, in the quarter, from $1.03 per share a year earlier. On an adjusted basis, the company earned $1.27 per share. Revenue rose 8.8 percent to $13.39 billion. Analysts had expected a profit of $1.07 per share on revenue of $12.87 billion.
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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS
Obama’s plan to tax overseas profits could work
By proposing a tax on U.S. multinationals’ profits abroad, President Obama has boldly gone where no nation has dare tread before. For more than two years, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an international economic organization of 34 of the world’s richest countries,have been debating how to produce a global tax system that would eradicate the sort of tax avoidance that has seen Apple squirrel away more than $160 billion overseas. The OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting action plan has yet to be put into, er… action, with the details still being thrashed out. With the clock ticking on his final term in charge, President Obama has clearly gotten sick of waiting for an international harmonized tax system to be sorted out. After all, General Electric has a foreign cash pile of more than $100 billion and Microsoft more than $75 billion, all part of an estimated $2.1 trillion U.S. firms have stashed abroad avoiding tax. That is a lot of money that could be invested in useful public services like roads, schools and hospitals.
President Barack Obama Big business has long lobbied against this sort of move, and has held the upper hand over governments, playing off countries’ tax systems against one another to find the best deal around the world with the promise of jobs and some sort of economic boost. Places like Ireland and Luxembourg
have built favorable tax regimes to 35-percent corporate tax rate that attract companies like Apple, but recent is administered in the U.S. And this scandals and investigations into the proposal from Obama is no doubt the avoidance practice of multinationals opening salvo in negotiations with like Starbucks and Amazon have Republicans, but for many years, U.S. increased the pressure on governments citizens living abroad have had to pay to take action. tax to the U.S., so why not the same Finally Obama has shown the rule for its companies? Especially as political will to do just that. Whether in U.S. law corporations are treated as his proposal to put a one-off 14-percent “persons” with the same rights. levy on overseas profits followed by a Companies like Apple, Pfizer 19-percent tax on them will wind its and General Electric are looking at an way through Congress intact remains extra $10 billion on their tax bill if this to be seen. proposal is passed, with a predicted But certainly, this is a plan that $238 billion being raised for the U.S. could work. No doubt, accountants government. It is the sort of money all over the world will be looking for governments around the world will be loopholes and other schemes to avoid looking enviously at. the “transition tax,” but as it stands, If Obama can push this “transition this looks like it will scoop up a lot of tax” through Congress, it could mark tax from some of the richest companies a sudden sea change in governments’ in the world. attitude to corporation tax. It could President Obama has been canny finally inspire a harmonization of tax in linking the tax proposal to fund throughout much of the world and new infrastructure projects; it is an end the tax havens like Luxembourg important ideological link that will that have basically been subsidizing gain him support among the public, if the activity of very rich multinational not the business community. companies for years, depriving the reThe Democrats have been here distribution of wealth to much-needed before, and have wanted to target areas of society – like our hospitals and the offshore cash piles with the same schools.
RadioShack files for bankruptcy OTHER RESTRUCTURING MOVES
Electronics retailer RadioShack products, services RadioShack Corp filed for and accessories,” Sprint said in its U.S. bankruptcy protection on statement. Thursday and said it had a deal Other potential buyers will in place to sell as many as 2,400 also have the opportunity to stores to an affiliate of hedge fund bid on RadioShack assets. Any Standard General, its lender and deal will need approval by the U.S. largest shareholder. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, so Wireless company Sprint Corp nothing is etched in stone. would operate as many as 1,750 of Sprint’s chief executive, those stores under an agreement Marcelo Claure, in a statement with Standard General, Sprint said the deal will “allow Sprint to said separately. grow branded distribution quickly RadioShack’s bankruptcy, and cost effectively.” which has been expected for In an interview with Reuters months, follows 11 consecutive earlier on Thursday, Claure said unprofitable quarters as the RadioShack had “incredible store company has failed to transform locations,” and he was keen to itself into a destination for acquire some to cut down on long mobile phone buyers. But its waits at Sprint’s current stores. sale agreement with Standard “Customers have to wait one or two General could spare it the fate hours to get a phone and that’s not most retailers suffer in Chapter 11, acceptable,” Claure said. liquidation. A spokesman for Standard RadioShack said in a General did not respond to a statement that the Standard request for comment. General affiliate, called General RadioShack, with 21,000 Wireless, would acquire between employees, $1.2 billion of assets 1,500 and 2,400 of its 4,100 stores. and $1.39 billion of debts according Sprint would occupy about one- to court papers, said it also has an third of each RadioShack store, agreement with a lender group led selling “mobile devices across by DW Partners for a $285 million Sprint`s brand portfolio as well as loan to operate in bankruptcy.
The Standard General deal is only a piece of its restructuring efforts. RadioShack has a deal with liquidation firm Hilco to shutter as many as 2,100 underperforming stores and said it has already begun discussions with other potential buyers to acquire the rest of its assets. “These steps are the culmination of a thorough process intended to drive maximum value for our stakeholders,” RadioShack Chief Executive Joe Magnacca said in the statement. The chain’s more than 1,000 dealer franchise stores, its Mexican subsidiary and its Asian operations are not part of the bankruptcy, it said. RETAIL BLUES Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack, a 95-year-old company that began as a mailorder radio service, hopes to avoid liquidation, the fate many bankrupt retailers suffer due to laws that give them little time to decide whether to keep or break leases. Recent retailers that met their demise in bankruptcy include Loehmann’s Inc and Borders Group, which were sold to liquidation firms, and Coldwater Creek. RadioShack over the past year tried to avoid bankruptcy by closing 400 stores and reducing workforce by 19 percent, court documents show. It changed its logo, reduced store clutter and tried to connect with tech-savvy shoppers through brighter “concept stores” featuring interactive displays.
GM reports higherthan-expected profit despite recall costs General Motors Co posted fourth-quarter earnings far above analysts’ expectations as strong sales of high-margin SUVs and trucks in North America helped offset record recall costs there, and its shares rose 3 percent. Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens told reporters that profitability would improve in all geographic markets in 2015 and that the company was “very much on the path to 10 percent margins (in North America) in 2016.” North American profit margins for 2014 were 6.5 percent. Excluding the additional costs for a record vehicle recall, they would have been 8.9 percent, GM said. GM said it planned to raise its dividend by 20 percent, a move many shareholders have been pushing the company to do. Stevens told Reuters that further return of capital to investors could happen later this year, as soon as the company resolves legal issues involving the recall of a defective ignition switch linked to at least 51 deaths. Excluding special items, the largest U.S. automaker earned $1.19 per share in the quarter, compared with the analysts’ average estimate of 83 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Net income rose to $1.1 billion, or 66 cents a share, from $900 million, or 57 cents a share, a year earlier. Without the recall costs, 2014 operating profit of $6.5 billion would have been $2.8 billion higher and net income per share of $1.65 would have been $1.07 higher, GM said. Once again, North America accounted for almost all of quarterly earnings, which Stevens credited to increased sales of full-sized SUVs and pickup trucks. Profit on these larger vehicles dwarf those of smaller cars. Operating profit was $2.2 billion for North America, compared with $2.4 billion companywide. GM will pay annual bonuses of up to $9,000 to each of its U.S.-based United Auto Workers union employees, up from $7,500 a year ago. The 2014 bonus is the highest ever given by the company.
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Pfizer to buy Hospira for $15 billion to bolster hospital products
Pfizer Inc said it would buy Hospira Inc for about $15 billion to boost its portfolio of generic injectable drugs and copies of biotech medicines. Pfizer is known for prescription medicines like impotence treatment Viagra and Lyrica for nerve pain, but many of its biggest brands, including cholesterol treatment Lipitor and painkiller Celebrex, have lost patent protection and are facing cheaper generics. The company needs new products to keep its earnings growing. Hospira makes generic versions of injectable drugs that are widely used in hospitals, through vials, syringes and bags, as well as pumps used to deliver them and other fluids. It also sells several biosimilars, or copies of biotech drugs, overseas and has others in development. Pfizer offered $90 per share
in cash, a 39 percent premium to Hospira’s closing stock price on Wednesday. Hospira shares soared 35 percent to nearly $88 on Thursday, while Pfizer was up 2.7 percent at $32.93. The proposed acquisition is Pfizer’s largest since the New York company failed in its attempt to buy AstraZeneca Plc , which rebuffed its $118 billion approach last year but has remained a subject of takeover speculation. Pfizer said the latest move showed its commitment to deploy capital and deliver revenue and earnings-pershare growth in the near term. The company said it expected the deal to add 10 cents to 12 cents per share to earnings in the first full year after it closes. “I don’t think this deal is a game changer for Pfizer but helps them build out their sterile injectables business without wildly overpaying for
Toyota ordered to pay $11 million in U.S. trial over fatal crash A U.S. jury on Tuesday ordered Toyota Motor Corp to pay nearly $11 million after finding that an accelerator defect in a 1996 Camry was at fault for a 2006 fatal car crash in Minnesota. Following a three-week trial, jurors in Minnesota federal court deliberated for four days before finding Toyota 60 percent liable for the crash, according to plaintiffs’ lawyers. Koua Fong Lee, the Camry’s driver, was found 40 percent responsible, according to lawyers. The plaintiffs said that the crash was caused by a defect in the Camry’s accelerator that caused it to become stuck, and the brakes failed to work. Toyota denied that the car was at fault, and said the driver had been negligent. A spokeswoman for Toyota, Amanda Rice, said it was weighing its legal options. The car in the accident was not covered by Toyota’s recall of more than 10 million vehicles between 2009 and 2010 over acceleration issues. The Minnesota trial stemmed from a lawsuit filed on behalf of passengers injured or killed in a 2006 crash in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lee, who later joined the suit, said he was driving his 1996 Toyota Camry when it inexplicably began to accelerate as he approached other vehicles stopped at an intersection, according to court filings. The Camry slammed into an Oldsmobile Ciera, killing the driver, Javis Trice-Adams Sr., as well as his 9-year old son, according to the 2010 lawsuit. A 6-year old girl who was also in the car was paralyzed and later died. Two other passengers were seriously injured, according to the lawsuit. Lee was charged in connection with the crash and served nearly three years in prison for vehicular homicide, according to his lawyer, Robert Hilliard. In 2010, when reports of unintended acceleration in other Toyota vehicles surfaced, Lee won a motion to set aside his conviction, and he was released from prison. Bill Markovits, a lawyer for the estate of the 6-year old girl and one of the injured passengers, said that his clients felt vindicated by the jury verdict. A lawyer for other passengers of the Ciera could not immediately be reached for comment.
assets, as the company has done in the past,” said portfolio manager Les Funtleyder of E Squared Asset Management. Pfizer expects the deal, which requires regulatory and shareholder approvals, to close later this year, immediately boosting earnings and enabling the company to cut annual costs by $800 million over the next three years. Chief Executive Officer Ian Read said the Hospira deal would not delay any breakup of Pfizer, an action the company has said it could take by 2017 if an accounting analysis determines it makes sense. BIOSIMILAR ATTRACTION
Drugmakers are racing to develop biosimilars, which typically cost 20 percent to 30 percent less than the original,
as big-ticket patents on own wholly owned biosimilar biotech drugs expire and cash- candidates, including versions strapped healthcare systems of Roche Holding AG’s cut costs. Herceptin for breast cancer, Biosimilars are expected Rituxan lymphoma treatment to account for about one- and Avastin lung cancer quarter of the $100 billion in drug, as well as of Abbott sales from off-patent biological Laboratories Inc’s Humira drugs by the end of the decade, arthritis treatment. The total value of the deal according to a study compiled by Thomson Reuters BioWorld. is about $17 billion, including There are no approved debt, the companies said. biosimilars in the United Hospira had $1.75 billion in outstanding long-term debt States yet. Hospira is developing more as of Sept. 30, according to a than a half-dozen biosimilars regulatory filing. Pfizer’s financial advisers in partnership with Celltrion Inc of South Korea and would are Guggenheim Securities, therefore have to pay royalties J.P. Morgan and Lazard, with on those products coming to Ropes & Gray LLP as legal adviser and Clifford Chance market. “We don’t think this is a LLP advising on international major issue for the transaction,” regulatory matters. Morgan Stanley is Read told analysts on a conference call. Hospira’s financial adviser, Boris said Pfizer would while Skadden, Arps, Slate, probably try to divest some Meagher & Flom LLP & of those assets to focus on its Affiliates are its legal adviser.
Number of billionaires surges to record high
Microsoft co-founder and Berkshire Hathaway board member Bill Gates, left, and Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett The number of billionaires in the world grew There were 341 new billionaires, but 95 dropped by 222 in 2014, bringing the total to a record 2,089, out of the billionaire ranks, leaving a net gain of 222. Many of the new faces were in tech. according to a new report. The three richest men in the world—Bill “Tech has been leading the way again for new Gates, Carlos Slim and Warren Buffett—now have billionaires,” said Rupert Hoogewerf, chairman and a combined $244 billion, up $52 billion over the chief researcher at Hurun. “It’s all eyes on the new past year, or about $100,000 a minute, said the economy.” Meanwhile, the slowdown in many emerging report, which is an annual list of the world’s richest individuals. Gates is the richest with $85 billion, up markets, especially Russia, has reduced the fortunes 25 percent over the past year. Slim is just behind of the billionaires. Fully 60 percent of Russia’s with $83 billion, up 38 percent, and Buffett is third billionaires saw their wealth drop, lead by Vladimir Yevtushenkov and Vagit Alekperov of Lukoil, whose with $76 billion, up 19 percent. But not all billionaires were as fortunate. Of the wealth fell by 77 percent and 73 percent, respectively. For the first time, India topped Russia to 2,089 billionaires in the world, 869 saw their wealth decrease while 649 saw increases, said the China- the take the number three slot in countries with the based Hurun Report. In total, the world’s billionaires most billionaires. The U.S. had the most, with 537, saw their wealth drop by 1.5 percent to $6.7 trillion. followed by China with 430, India with 97 and Russia That’s still more than the combined GDP’s of Japan with 93. China added the most billionaires, with 72, followed by the U.S. with 56 and India with 27. and South Korea.
I’m a technology disaster, pope confesses Pope Francis, who has called the internet a “gift from God,” confessed via Webcam to an inquisitive girl on Thursday that he is a disaster with technology and does not know how to use a computer. Alicia, from Spain, who took part
in a worldwide Google Hangout for “tronco”, or tree trunk, which is children with special needs, asked the colloquially used for someone who is pope if he liked to take pictures and very clumsy, or a disaster at something. download them on his computer. “I am not able to use computers,” “I have to tell you the truth. I the 78-year-old Argentine pope said, am a disaster with machines,” he laughing. “What an embarrassment, said. Francis used the Spanish word right?”
Last year Francis said in a message on communications that the internet was a “gift from God” that could help unite people but he also has warned families to shut off their smart phones and talk more to each other.
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Apple’s health tech takes lead among top hospitals Apple’s health care technology is spreading quickly among major U.S. hospitals, showing early promise as a way for doctors to monitor patients remotely and lower costs. Fourteen of 23 top hospitals contacted by Reuters said they have rolled out a pilot program of Apple’s HealthKit service-—which acts as a repository for patient-generated health information like blood pressure, weight or heart rate-—or are in talks to do so. The pilots aim to help physicians monitor patients with such chronic conditions as diabetes and hypertension. Apple rivals Google and Samsung Electronics, which have released similar services, are only just starting to reach out to hospitals and other medical partners. Such systems hold the promise of allowing doctors to watch for early signs of trouble and intervene before a medical problem becomes acute. That could help hospitals avoid repeat admissions, for which they are penalized under new U.S. government guidelines, all at a relatively low cost. The U.S. health care market is $3 trillion, and researcher IDC Health Insights predicts that 70 percent of healthcare organizations worldwide will invest by 2018 in technology including apps, wearables, remote monitoring and virtual care. Those trying out Apple’s service included at least eight of the 17 hospitals on one list ranking the best hospitals, the U.S. News & World Report’s Honor Roll. Google and Samsung had started discussions with just a few of these hospitals. Glucose measurement tools, food and exercisetracking apps and Wi-Fi connected scales. The company’s Apple Watch, due for release in April, promises to add to the range of possible data, which with patients’ consent can be sent to an electronic medical record for doctors to view. ‘Timing right’ Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans has been working with Apple and Epic Systems, Ochsner’s medical records vendor, to roll out a pilot program for high-risk patients. The team is already tracking several hundred patients who are struggling to control their blood pressure. The devices measure blood pressure and other statistics and send it to Apple phones and tablets. “If we had more data, like daily weights, we could give the patient a call before they need to be hospitalized,” said Chief Clinical Transformation Officer Dr. Richard Milani. Sumit Rana, chief technology officer at Epic Systems, said the timing was right for mobile health tech to take off. “We didn’t have smartphones ten years ago; or an explosion of new sensors and devices,” Rana said. Apple has said that over 600 developers are integrating HealthKit into their health and fitness apps. Many of the hospitals told Reuters they were eager to try pilots of the Google Fit service, since Google’s Android software powers most smartphones. Google said it has several developer partners on board for Fit, which connects to apps and devices, but did not comment on its outreach to hospitals. Samsung said it is working with Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital to develop mobile health technology. The firm also has a relationship with the University of California’s San Francisco Medical Center. Apple’s move into mobile health tech comes as the Affordable Care Act and other health care reform efforts aim to provide incentives for doctors to keep patients healthy. The aim is to move away from the “fee for service” model, which has tended to reward doctors for pricey procedures rather than for outcomes. Still, hospitals must decide whether the difficulty of sorting through a deluge of patient-generated data of varying quality is worth the investment. “This is a whole new data source that we don’t understand the integrity of yet,” said William Hanson, chief medical information officer at the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Oil heading for $30, currency war coming: Analysts conflict also sent oil higher. Saudi Arabia’s refusal to support cuts at a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in November accelerated the rout. Meanwhile, Russia is facing the twin headwinds of falling oil prices and economic sanctions over its role in the conflict in neighboring Ukraine. “People want to write off OPEC. You can’t do that. They do still matter to a degree. A coordinated cut of some magnitude would stop the price slide,” Kilduff said. Fluctuations in currency markets and central bank action has also fed volatility in the oil markets. A strong U.S. dollar drives down oil prices because the commodity is bought and sold in the currency. “At this point, FX volatility has become the prime driver in global volatility. You cannot make any investment decisions without actually understanding Crude Oil which way the dollar is basically heading,” said David Woo, Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s head of global So much for the rally. Oil will likely still head as rates and currencies research. low as $30, according to analyst John Kilduff. Forex volatility is at its highest level in 20 years “I still believe we’re going to go to that $30 to $33 for noncrisis periods, research from Bank of America area, which is the low point from the financial crisis released this week showed. in 2008, 2009. What you saw over the past several That volatility could continue as countries days was technical in nature, a short squeeze. This around the world engage in a currency war, he said. volatility is a little crazy and I think that $30 target With nations facing fiscal constraints, the only tool is a downside target is for technicians that are in this available to central banks to stimulate growth is a market,” the founding partner of Again Capital said weaker currency, he said. in a “Squawk Box” interview. “If everyone’s playing this game you have no U.S. crude tumbled 9 percent on Wednesday to choice but to play it because otherwise you get left settle at $48.45, erasing nearly all of its gains in the behind. We call it war because it’s a zero sum game. previous two sessions. The benchmark commodity— Somebody wins, and somebody else loses,” Woo said. West Texas Intermediate—had soared 22 percent There’s little the United States can do to stop from a nearly six-year low of $43.58 last Thursday, the dollar from strengthening because the European ending the day at $53.05 on Tuesday. Central Bank and the Bank of Japan are intent on The rally’s sharp reversal spilled over into the spurring growth through monetary policy. stock market, with energy stocks leading the day’s But the most important question for oil—and decline in the S&P 500. the biggest risk of 2015—is the prospect that China Data on Friday that showed exploration and follows suit and moves to depreciate its currency. production companies had shut down 90 rigs in the “If China decides to play the same game, it prior week boosted the rally. Kilduff said that the will be a disaster because commodity prices are going industry had merely gotten rid of “the runts of the to crash because China consumes 40 percent of the litter,” noting that U.S. production had not fallen and world’s basic commodities,” Woo said. “And then still stands at 9.1 million barrels a day. you’re going to trigger a competitive devaluation He said speculation that Saudi Arabia, the around the world. The 10-year yield is going to go to world’s largest oil exporter, would agree to production 1.25 percent if China wants to devalue [its currency] cuts in order to reach a deal with Russia on the Syrian 10 percent.”
Staples inks deal to buy Office Depot for $6.3 billion by Savio D’Souza and Ted Kerr
Staples Inc the No. 1 U.S. office supplies retailer, agreed to buy No. 2 Office Depot Inc in a $6.3 billion deal designed to help it better compete against Wal-Mart Stores Inc and online rivals such as Amazon.com Inc. The deal, which will likely come under close scrutiny from antitrust regulators, values Office Depot at $11.00 per share, based on Staples’ closing price on Feb. 2, the last trading day prior to media reports that a deal was near. Office Depot’s shares were trading at $9.93 before the opening bell on Wednesday, up about 7 percent. Staples’ shares were down 1.5 percent at $18.72. Staples and Office Depot are the biggest remaining U.S. retailers of basic office supplies such as paper and ink toner. Regulators rejected Staples’ attempt to buy Office Depot in 1997, citing antitrust concerns. But antitrust experts have said a deal could pass muster this time because of an increase in the
number of retailers offering the same products. Nevertheless, Staples said it could call off the deal if authorities ordered divestitures that delivered more than $1.25 billion of Office Depot’s 2014 U.S. revenue. The Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. antitrust watchdog, did not require Office Depot to ditch stores when it bought Office Max in 2013, citing increased competition in the sector. Online retailers such as such as Amazon.com and big-box chains such as Wal-Mart have taken a big chunk of the market for office supplies, in part by offering cheaper prices. Activist investor Starboard Value LP called for the companies to merge last month, saying this would lead to greater cost savings. Starboard had a 5.1 percent stake in Staples as of December and boosted its holding in Office Depot to nearly 10 percent the same month. Staples said it expected to generate at least $1 billion of annualized cost synergies by the third year after the deal closes.
Staples, which said on Wednesday that it began talks to buy Office Depot in September, will pay $7.25 per share in cash and 0.2188 of its shares for each Office Depot share, a premium of 44 percent to Office Depot’s close on Monday. Staples said it would pay a $250 million termination fee if the deal is scrapped. Barclays is financial adviser to Staples. Legal advisers are Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Peter J. Solomon Co is financial adviser to Office Depot, whose legal adviser is Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.
Staples store
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CARIBBEAN
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Bolt set for Valentine’s Day 2015 opener
World 100m and 200m record holder Usain Bolt posted this picture of his pre-season training in the gym Valentine’s Day (February 14) 2015 might turn out even more bedazzling, with six-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt expected to make an eagerly anticipated first appearance on the track and open his 2015 season at the Camperdown Classic, at the National Stadium. Organisers of the meet, who are connected to the Bolt-led Racers Track Club, announced that the star sprinter and his clubmates will be competing, barring injuries or unavoidable engagements. “All Racers athletes who are in the island and who are fit and well will be running,” said meet chairperson Cynthia Cooke at a press launch at the Spanish Court hotel. Cooke, Racers’ general secretary, also served as
principal of Camperdown High for more than 20 years. Racers Track Club is arguably the home of the world’s top international athletes and is coached by legendary guru Glen Mills. As this is World Championship year, the athletes will be using the meet to test their early season form. Bolt, the legendary Jamaican sprinter, has not run since last year, having called an early end to his season. He withdrew from the Weltklasse Zurich 100-metre race in Switzerland, to the dismay of millions of adoring fans, due to a foot injury. Other members of the star-studded Racers cast include double Olympic silver medallist Yohan Blake and Olympic medallists Michael Frater and Warren
Weir, who will also open their season, along with Daniel Bailey of Antigua and Commonwealth Games 100m and sprint relay gold medallist Kemar BaileyCole. On the female side, Olympic stars Kerron Stewart, Rosemarie Whyte and Schillonie Calvert are also expected to feature. “There is a buzz; everybody looks forward to Camperdown Classic, because that is where the big stars open their season,” Cooke noted. Now in its 11th renewal, the organisers are promising a world-class event, which would aptly commemorate the school’s 85th anniversary. A first-place prize of $60,000 will go to classone boys and girls, second will get $25,000 and third $15,000. Entry costs for competitors range from $100 for Camperdown students, while co-ed school teams will pay $7, 500, single-sex teams $5,000 and individuals $500. The event is boosted by sponsors Digicel’s Grand Prix Athletic Programme, which will see top male and female school teams vying for a top prize of $1 million in training equipment for their school. They will compete in the sprint, long distance, relays, throws and jumps and will culminate on March 14. Rainford Wint, vice-president of the Camperdown Alumni St Andrew Chapter, lauded all new and returning sponsors for their support.
Garner to challenge Cameron for WICB presidency BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Cricket legend Joel Garner, the former West Indies fast bowler, is set to challenge embattled incumbent Dave Cameron for presidency of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in elections carded for early next month. Garner, the president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), will be nominated by his board and is expected to be seconded by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), according to media reports. His running mate is TTCB director Baldath Mahabir, who was nominated by the TTCB during an executive meeting Tuesday night. “I would not say this is a challenge (to the current administration), the fact is there is the thinking emanating
from within the TTCB The two, whose names are expected that we in Trinidad and Tobago need to to be submitted before the February 14 play a bigger role. And that is the whole thing nomination deadline, that has prompted the are running against Cameron and his viceTTCB move,” Mahabir told The Express. president Emmanuel Nanthan from the “The fact that we believe we need to play Former West Indies fast bowler, Windward Islands. Cameron and a bigger role, it means Barbadian Joel Garner Nanton are both in you are not happy with all that was happening and so we feel their first terms as president and vicethat the T&T presence could influence president and their tenure has been the board to become a bit better.” tainted by the current fallout with the Meantime the Jamaica Cricket Board of Control for Cricket in India Association (JCA) has voted 10-6 (BCCI), over the aborted tour. There has been calls for Cameron in favour of supporting Garner and Mahabir for the two top posts during a to step down including from the meeting on Tuesday. Prime Minister of St Vincent and the
Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonzalves. Elections will take place March 7 when the WICB holds its Annual General Meeting in Jamaica. The JCA directors had voted 10-6 in favour of Barbadian Garner, a former West Indies fast bowler, but the vote has not gone down well with some board members who feel that Jamaica’s support should have been thrown behind their countryman Cameron. It is said that some among the JCA lost faith in Cameron after the premature end to the India-West Indies series late last year, due to players on tour falling out with the WICB as well as with WIPA, the union representing them. Future tours between India and the West Indies could also be in danger.
Two Cuban baseball players defect in Puerto Rico Two Cuban baseball players defected in Puerto Rico, where a squad from their country is playing in the Caribbean Series against four other Latin American teams, Cuban sports officials said. Pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez, 19, rookie of the year in the Cuban league last year, and shortstop Dainer Moreira, 30, left the team after Tuesday night’s game in San Juan, said two Cuban sports officials, who requested anonymity because they are unauthorized to speak publicly. The Cuban government does not comment on defections. The recent rapprochement between Cuba and the United States has yet to open the path for top Cuban players to Major League Baseball. But under new U.S. regulations published as part of the opening to Cuba, American teams can more easily sign Cuban players once they establish
residence outside of Cuba. Such players are generally free to sign with a team and no longer need special clearance from the U.S. Treasury Department to play. Gutierrez, a right-hander for the Pinar del Rio club, would be the more coveted of the two as a Major League prospect because of his youth. The light-hitting Moreira, from Matanzas, is one of Cuba’s better fielding shortstops but may have less potential as a big-leaguer. Cuba has lost significant baseball talent in recent years. Jose Dariel Abreu, for example, now has a $68 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. Abreu won rookie of the year in the American League last year and was one of five Cuban defectors named to the All-Star Game in 2014. The next Cuban free agent expected to sign a multimillion-dollar contract is infielder Yoan
Moncada, who is seen as an exceptional talent and has held private workouts with several big league clubs. Moncada established residency in Guatemala and, unlike many star players, left Cuba legally, his representatives say. Cuban defectors typically try to seek residence in a third country to maximize their earning potential as free agents. If they establish residence in the United States or Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, they are subject to a draft that controls their salaries in favor of the club. Cuba has attempted to stop the exodus by improving the salaries of its players and allowing stars to sign with professional leagues such as those in Japan or Mexico under the condition that they also play in Cuba’s league and for the Cuban national team.
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WORLD
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Struggling Tiger says focus is on being ready for Masters
Tiger Woods, coming off his worst score as a professional, was not overly concerned with his less-than-stellar pro-am showing on Wednesday, saying instead he is focused on peaking in time for the Masters. Rather than talking up his chances of winning his 80th PGA Tour event at this week’s Farmers Insurance Open, Woods was focused on the April 9-12 Masters, the year’s first major. “The whole idea is to make sure that I’m ready for Augusta, so I got a lot of rounds to play between now and then,” Woods said at Torrey Pines, site of the Farmers Insurance Open. “I’m always making progress, it’s just that I just still need to stick with it and keep doing it. This is going to be a tough week.” Woods has won eight tournaments at Torrey Pines, including a U.S. Open, but the 14-time major winner appears more likely to miss the cut this week after a troubling pro-am. Coming off his worst performance as a professional last week in Phoenix, Woods continued to struggle with his swing and short game during in a fog-shortened practice round. Woods spent much of his nine-hole pro-am
practicing his short game off to the side as he battles what many experts are calling chipping yips. If his chipping troubles persist, Woods could easily dip lower than his current world ranking of 56th, putting his place at next month’s WGCCadillac Championship in serious doubt. Woods must return to the top 50 by the completion of the Honda Classic on March 2 otherwise face the reality of missing WGC eligibility for the second time in his career. The 39-year-old says all of his problems stem from being stuck between his old swing pattern and his new one. “When I have to hit shots, or shape shots, I’m caught right dead in between (patterns). They are so polar opposites, the movement patterns, that when I do half of one or half of the other, it’s pretty bad,” Woods said. “I’m battling through that, battling through those times and trying to come with feel, even if I do happen to make a bad swing. “I want to get this. I want to be ready come Augusta and the rest of the majors, but we still got Tiger Woods chips onto the second green during a practice round for the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines South Course. some work to do.”
Beckham still weighing options Lance Armstrong charged for Miami soccer stadium with hit-and-run in Colorado
Former England captain David Beckham presents the trophy to Spain’s David Ferrer after Ferrer won his Qatar Open Men’s Singles Final tennis match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic More than a year after David Beckham swooped into Miami, the retired English soccer star has not yet secured a spot for his planned Major League Soccer team, but he and his partners are still searching, a spokesman said on Tuesday. “The Miami Beckham United team is actively looking at four or five sites,” Tadd Schwartz wrote in an emailed statement. Beckham’s group has remained mostly quiet since local officials last year rebuffed two attempts to secure land for a 25,000-seat bayfront arena in the city’s downtown. A first push last year to build the stadium on an empty tract on a small island mostly occupied by the port of Miami was fought by a maritime group led by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. A second effort to tuck it in between the NBA Miami Heat’s basketball arena and the city’s art museum also failed.
“You can’t build a stadium overnight, so finding the right site, finding the right place in Miami is important for us. But it will all start coming together pretty quickly and everything will start happening pretty soon,” Beckham told E! Online last month. Miami-Dade County lawmakers voted on Tuesday to allow the county to open negotiations with Florida International University for use of its stadium as a temporary home for Beckham’s team in south Miami. “Right now, our focus is on identifying the location for a purposebuilt stadium that will be the team’s permanent home,” Schwartz wrote. MLS Commissioner Don Garber has long emphasized the need for the club to have its own facility near downtown Miami. “If we can’t get the right stadium, we can’t go to Miami,” Garber told Reuters in October.
Disgraced professional cyclist Lance Armstrong has been charged with crashing into two parked cars in the Colorado ski resort town of Aspen, with his girlfriend initially telling authorities that she was driving, police reports showed on Tuesday. Armstrong was cited for leaving the scene of an accident and driving too fast for the snowy conditions in the late December incident in the tony resort, authorities said. No one was injured in the accident. Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France victories and banned for life from racing in Lance Armstrong 2012 by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Hansen, 33, said she had been after he admitted using performanceenhancing drugs. driving because “Lance had a little Aspen police said the 43-year-old bit to drink,” and that she lost control Armstrong and his girlfriend, Anna of the vehicle on the icy road, the Hansen, were driving home from a report said. The officer was suspicious of fundraising event to benefit a local art museum when a GMC Yukon her story and checked with the valet registered to Armstrong crashed into at the hotel where the event was held, who said Armstrong was behind two parked cars. Police said an Aspen resident the wheel when the couple left the called 911 to report a hit and run parking lot. after hearing the crash and seeing Police confronted Hansen about the two vehicles rented by his relatives discrepancy in the story, and she were damaged. ultimately admitted that Armstrong The man said that shortly after had been driving, and the couple placing the call, Hansen ran up from made a “joint decision” to say she was around a corner and apologized for driving to avoid publicity, the report hitting the vehicles, said she would said. pay for the damages, and left her Pitkin County prosecutor Andrea contact information with him, police Bryan said by telephone that Hansen said. was not charged for filing a false When police arrived at the report because authorities encourage home Armstrong and Hansen share, witnesses to be truthful. the officer noted the Yukon had “If we charged people who come forward, we would rarely get “significant damage,” the report said. When questioned by police, information from witnesses,” she said.
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WORLD SPORTS LOCAL NEWS
Fans cheer Patriots after Super Bowl win
Fans celebrate during the New England Patriots Super Bowl XLIX victory parade in Boston, Massachusetts February 4, 2015. Thousands of warmly dressed New England Patriots fans, some perched atop huge snow piles, cheered their team along Boston’s frigid streets on Wednesday to celebrate Sunday’s Super Bowl victory with a downtown parade after two massive snowstorms. Early morning temperatures dropped to 6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-14 degrees Celsius). Fans packed into subway cars and commuter trains and
arrived in high spirits, though a little less mobile due to their layers of warm clothing and Patriots jerseys. Mounds of snow along the parade route reached up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) high in places after Boston received more than 40 inches (1 meter) of accumulation over the past week. Ignoring safety warnings from Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, some people climbed atop the snow piles to get a better view. Fans cheered star quarterback Tom Brady, who held one of his young sons while waving to the crowd. Brady was named the Most Valuable Player in the 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Arizona. “Tom Brady! Born in a manger, baby!” one exuberant female fan yelled. The parade featured World War II-era amphibious trucks known as “duck boats,” which carried the players, their families and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who flashed the silver Lombardi Trophy and said, “Thank you” over and over to the crowd. Trucks along the route blared music and pumped red, white and blue confetti. Malcolm Butler, the rookie whose interception in the final seconds sealed Sunday’s victory, looked almost overwhelmed by the crowd’s adulation. Whitney Gikis, a 27-year-old house painter from Westminster, Massachusetts, said there was no way the bone-chilling weather would keep him from celebrating the team’s fourth Super Bowl victory. “I love the Patriots. I’m ready for this. I was born ready for this,” Gikis said. The parade, postponed by a day because of the
snowfall, began at Prudential Tower and ended at City Hall, but lacked the traditional rally because of the cold and snow accumulation. Debbie Provencher, 52, and her family left their home in Merrimack, New Hampshire, at 6 a.m. to get a good spot near the start of the parade. She said she was waiting to see “our hero Butler.” “I’m feeling awesome,” said Keith LeBlanc, a 28-year-old bar manager. “This is the best moment of my life.”
Tom Brady, the New England Patriots quarterback and Super Bowl MVP, holds the Super Bowl trophy during the New England Patriots Super Bowl XLIX victory parade in Boston, Massachusetts February 4
Judge asks victim’s mother not to cry on stand at NFL murder trial The judge in the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez told the mother of the semiprofessional football player he is accused of killing not to cry as she testified on Wednesday. Associate Justice Susan Garsh asked Ursula Ward to remain composed and answer attorneys’ questions about her late son, Odin Lloyd, whose body was found with multiple bullet wounds in an industrial area near Hernandez’s house in June 2013. “You are not to cry,” she said, as Ward recounted the last time she saw her son, who played for the Boston Bandits football team. Ward had left the courtroom in tears when photos of her son’s lifeless body were shown to jurors earlier in the trial of Hernandez, 25, who had a $41 million contract with the Patriots when he was arrested and charged with murder. On Wednesday, prosecutors asked Ward to identify Lloyd in photos
Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (L) and his attorney Charles Rankin listen to testimony during Hernandez’ murder trial at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts February 4, 2015. taken at the medical examiner’s office and before his death, wearing the same plaid shirt as when he was found dead in a construction area by a jogger. Ward said Lloyd played football in high school and went to a community college before getting a job with an electrical company. The job required
him to travel to Connecticut, where he met his girlfriend, Shaneah Jenkins, who worked at a hotel where he was staying, in early 2012. Jenkins, the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée, testified earlier on Wednesday that Lloyd and Hernandez first met at a Patriots game in August 2012.
Prosecutors contend that Hernandez soured on Lloyd after Lloyd socialized at a nightclub with people Hernandez disliked. Prosecutors allege that Hernandez and two friends, Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace, picked up Lloyd at his home in Boston early on June 17, 2013, and drove him to the industrial park where his body was found. Investigators have not recovered the gun used to kill Lloyd. Wallace and Ortiz also have been charged in Lloyd’s slaying and will be tried separately. All three men have pleaded not guilty. In a separate case, Hernandez has been accused of killing two Cape Verdean men outside a Boston nightclub in 2012. He will be tried on those charges later this year. Hernandez, quiet through much of the proceedings, greeted his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, and other members of his family on Wednesday to thank them for coming and to say he loved them.
Serena Williams to end Indian Wells boycott after 14 years World number one Serena Williams has buried the hatchet and will return to Indian Wells to play in the tournament she has boycotted for 14 years after suffering racist abuse. In an interview with TIME magazine, the 19-times grand slam singles champion said she had discovered the “true meaning of forgiveness” and would go for a third title in the Californian resort in March. “It has been difficult for me to forget spending hours crying in the Indian Wells locker room after winning in 2001, driving back to Los Angeles feeling as if I had lost the biggest game ever -- not a mere tennis game but a bigger fight for equality,” the 33-year-old Williams wrote. “I’m fortunate to be at a point in my career where I have nothing to prove.
I’m still as driven as ever, but the ride is a unbelievable.” little easier. I play for the love of the game. Williams made her main draw debut “It is with that love in mind, and a at Indian Wells as a 17-year-old in 1999, new understanding of the true meaning of beating Steffi Graf in the final. forgiveness, that I will proudly return to “I have thought about going back to Indian Wells many times over my career,” Indian Wells in 2015.” Williams won her second title at the Williams, who won the Australian Open on showpiece event in 2001, beating Kim Saturday, said in the TIME interview. Clijsters in a final marred by the behavior “I said a few times that I would never of some fans who booed and heckled the play there again. And believe me, I meant American and her family, apparently in it. I admit it scared me. What if I walked response to sister Venus withdrawing onto the court and the entire crowd booed injured from their semi-final. me? The nightmare would start all over. In her autobiography My Life: Queen “I’m just following my heart on this of the Court, Williams describes the events one,” she adds. “Indian Wells was a pivotal which prompted her boycott: “I could hear moment of my story, and I am a part of the the shouts of “Nigger!” here and there. tournament’s story as well. “I even heard one angry voice “Together we have a chance to write a Serena Williams telling us to go back to Compton. It was different e nding.”
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