APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
Website: www.suntci.com
VOLUME 11 - NO. 16
Email: sun@suntci.com
Tel: (649) 339-5879
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BULLYING OUTRAGE
By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor
A
shocking video of a bullying incident at the Iante Pratt Primary School in Providenciales has gone viral on social media and sparked a raging debate on the worrisome issue of bullying in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Scores of persons have expressed disgust at a cell phone recording which captures an Ianthe Pratt Primary School bully slapping and spitting on a fellow male student. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is investigating the incident and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government issued a press release condemning the act. Some of the responders were also befuddled at the choice language that the aggressor was using while beating the boy who did not retaliate but was trying to take evasive action. The bully was apparently emboldened by a cheering party, including the boy who was doing the recording. He tormented the boy with slaps before spitting on him. The video clip of the incident which happened last week, was first circulated on social media as a normal text. However, it quickly assumed greater prominence when SUNtv carried a new alert on the video which generated thousands of views and several comments. Hours after the release of the SUNtv video, the Ministry of Education issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon (April 21), which said: “The Ministry and Department of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services strongly condemns the behavior exhibited on the video currently being circulated via internet and other social media. The video displays gross acts of bullying of one student against another male student. This behavior and the perpetrators will not be tolerated and the Department is conducting investigations into the matter at this present time. . “The Ministry and Department have taken action to remove the students involved in the act until
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION HANDS OVER SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDS
The TCI Community College Foundation handed over $26,000 for the purpose of bankrolling the five Bachelor and nine Associate scholarship and grants recipients respectively, that are currently attending the TCI Community College. Outgoing chairman, Claudette Clare presented the funds to departing President of the College, Lee Ingham, during a news conference at the Providenciales campus on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Clare said the money, secured mainly from fundraisers, will be used to cover the students’ tuition until May 2016. In Photo Clare can be seen displaying the cheque. Sharing in the moment (from left) are Deveraux Malcolm, incoming chairman; Keno Forbes – Treasurer; Lillian Boyce – Member; Lee Ingham; and Samuel Forbes – Principal. further investigations are conducted. The parents and other relevant authorities have also been contacted. “We are asking the public, that in the interest of the welfare and protection of the child who was bullied and parents, that we respect their rights and cease and desist from the circulation of this horrid video.” A source at the institution said that the bully is allegedly a member of a group that terrorizes other children on compound on a regular basis. “Their actions are that of gang but for now I will say they are part of a volatile group that go around and slap and take other children’s belongings, including money. We are taking steps to dealing with the matter internally, but from the looks of things, we need outside intervention,” the teacher said.
Social media, especially Facebook, was appalled by the incident. Justin Missick wrote: “Just watched a heart-wrenching video of a student being bullied in a primary school. Instances like this happen when kids are not picked up from school in an appropriate time, when the teachers are out of sight and there are little or no fear of repercussions. “I recommend strong disciplinary action here. I hope someone informs the principal Ms King as well as the parents and she thoroughly disciplines not only the student fighting that poor kid but the ones who looked on and recorded. “Parents send their kids to school to be educated not to be bullied. Unfortunately this happens all too often in our schools. It’s a prime example of why our society is going the way it is, kids are subjected to
this kind of brutality and senselessness from a young age.” Garnique Thompson wrote: “What the hell is going on at IPPS? Do we need the police in our community school? Whose son is this? Guys help me get help for our school and get rid of the bullies. That little boy needs to rewarded for doing the right thing, and he also need to see that justice is done. I don’t want just talking in the office, I want to see licks and suspension.” Williams-Pratt Venecia wrote: “ I had the same bullying issue with my son at school and it was covered up as well at the same school. I am now getting reports from my child that the foolishness is starting again. But God help them all if my husband and I have to go back to that school.”
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
JOB OPPORTUNITY
How to become a selected candidate? 1. Email your Resume. (see email below) 2. Be prepared for a phone interview!
HLB (TCI) is currently seeking talented and motivated people to join our team. This opportunity will provide you with the experiences and tools necessary to excel within the accounting field and as a professional in any career your path takes you. An exciting position as a Staff Accountant awaits you! LOCATION: HLB (TCI) LTD OFFICE B204 West Regent Village Grace Bay, Providenciales (Next door to JACA What is required of aTCI) good candidate? A Bachelors degree in accounting, or business DATE: Saturday, May 9, 2015 with emphasis in accounting (preferred)
TIME: 10:00 AM
A person with experience within the accounting field Great working habits A person that is flexible
3. Selected candidates will be invited to attend HLB’s Firm Tour for inhouse interviews, games, snacks & to get to know the team! * Offers will be given to exceptional candidates to join our team!
Contact:
Job Description � Provide book-keeping services to clients, such as bank reconciliations, posting of checks and deposits, and other financial account reconciliations � Prepare financial statements; including Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Changes in Equity and Cash Flows � Perform Audit and Review procedures in a timely and efficient manner � Assist team with various tasks as needed � Ensure adherence to professional standards at all times � Display adequate focus on growth of firm Job Requirements � � � � � � � � � �
Accounting degree (preferred) or 2 years accounting experience Excellent communications skills Experience with Word, Excel and QuickBooks Propensity to learn different computer programs Accuracy in daily work and other projects Ability to meet communicated schedules and deadlines Adherence to policies, procedures and instructions Ability to maintain strong working relationships with clients and team Ability to function as a team player in various roles Professional attitude and attire
Artavia Basset Staff Accountant abassett@hlbtci.com
DEADLINE FOR RESUME IS FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
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Providenciales named world’s most beautiful island
The entire Turks and Caicos Islands is beaming with pride, joy and patriotism because Providenciales, the most populated of the Turks and Caicos Islands, has been named the most beautiful island in the world, according to the 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards. The award is based on a system that takes into account the quantity and quality of opinions and comments on hotels, restaurants and attractions from around the world over a 12-month period. Social media was flooded with favourable comments about the award, and several regional and international media houses, including CNN, ABC, NBC, CBC, BBC and Fox, carried articles about the achievement. Commenting on the award, TripAdvisor stated: “Providenciales is one of the world’s top beach destinations. The diving and snorkeling is as convenient as it is stunning, thanks to miles of coral reef
that’s easily accessible from the shore. The upscale resorts and captivating beachscapes of Grace Bay make it a popular choice for waterfront escapes. The cliffs and crags of Chalk Sound make a lovely backdrop for kayaking the bright turquoise waters.” “Our well-travelled community has uncovered the best islands around the world for that perfect island escape whether you want to lie on the beach or seek adventure,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “To help travellers book their trips to these remarkable destinations, TripAdvisor has surfaced amazing island hotels to accommodate a range of travel budgets.” FULL LIST OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS IN THE WORLD 2015:
1. Providenciales - Turks and Caicos Islands
CARIBBEAN AVIATION MAINTENANCE SERVICES IS SEEKING: AIRCRAFT MECHANICS Experience working on piston and turbo-propeller aircraft. Responsible for inspecting, servicing, repairing and testing aircraft, engines and related systems as directed. Read, understand and work from aircraft maintenance manuals and specifications. Salary commensurate with experience. All positions require the following: - Excellent command of the English language reading, writing andspeaking. - Good communication skills and team player - Detail oriented & organized individual - Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays. - Clean police record - Able to work under pressure - Belongers need only apply.
Interested person should apply to: HR@intercaribbean.com or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040. No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.
2. Maui - Hawaii 3. Roatán, Islas de la Bahia, Honduras 4. Santorini - Greece 5. Ko Tao - Thailand 6. Madeira - Portugal 7. Bali - Indonesia 8. Mauritius 9. Bora Bora - French Polynesia 10. Fernando de Noronha - Brazil
Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Culture, Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith stated “This is an excellent testament of the hard work by staff of the tourist board and across the departments in promotion of the TCI brand. She further added: “It speaks volumes of our tourism industry which is vital to our economy. The only way is up for tourism of these beautiful by nature islands.” The Ministry would like to congratulate the team of the Turks and Caicos Island Tourist Board for
their endless contribution and hard work, pledging continued support to the board and the promotion of brand Turks and Caicos. Meantime, the Peoples Democratic Movement wishes to express extreme pleasure at the most recent announcement of our island being named No.1 in the world. We would like to convey congratulations to all stakeholders in the Tourism industry who contribute consistently to the high standards and well kept beauty of our beaches. Your dedication to our brand does not go unnoticed - not by us or by our many visitors. Says Hon. Sean Astwood, Shadow Minister for Tourism and Trade, “We are delighted that our islands continue to attract visitors and garner accolades after accolades. The many team players and stakeholders ought to be saluted. May we all continue to invest our time and our national pride in our number one industry.”
THE NATIONAL HONOURS & AWARDS COMMITTEE NOW ACCEPTING NOMINEES FOR NATIONAL AWARDS 2015 The Turks and Caicos Islands National Honours and Awards Committee (NHAC) has this week launched the official guidelines for the nomination of persons for the country’s first National Awards Ceremony which will take place in October of each year during National Heritage Month celebrations. The NHAC, under the chairmanship of Dr. Linda Williams began its work on appointment in 2013 and among its triumphs has seen the ratification of the National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 which forms the framework for the recognition of those persons who have made significant and meaningful contribution to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The new award categories and descriptions are as follows: 1 – THE ORDER OF NATIONAL HERO – For extraordinary and outstanding achievement and merit in service to the Turks and Caicos Islands or to humanity at large. 2 – THE ORDER OF TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – For service with distinction in any field of discipline. 3 – THE PATRIOTIC AWARD CAYOS MEDAL – For demonstration of a keen sense of national consciousness and for rendering exceptional sacrificial service to the islands and the people. 3 – THE PATRIOTIC AWARD MOUCHOIR BANK MEDAL – An honourary award for demonstrating a very high regard for national integration and philanthropic contribution to the development of the islands. 5 – THE LONG SERVICE MEDAL – For outstanding and exemplary public service to the islands and its people for a minimum period of twenty years. 6 – THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL – For sacrificial and meritorious service in a field of service that is inherently challenging or for a brave or humane act in the islands or abroad. 7 – NATIONAL YOUNG ACHIEVER’S MEDAL – For Turks and Caicos Islanders between the ages of twelve and twenty-five years who has performed exceptionally well on a national, regional or international level in the areas of culture, academics, performing arts and sports among others. Persons can be nominated by completing the applications forms that are attached to the booklets and returning same to the National Honours and Awards Committee.
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APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Printing Turks and Caicos Islands Passports in the UK
The Minister of Border Control and Employment, Hon. Ricardo Gardiner in a post cabinet statement noted that along with its other sister overseas territories in the Caribbean, the Turks and Caicos Islands and in particular his Ministry has been preparing over the last two years for the transfer of passport printing to the United Kingdom. Hon. Gardiner stated; “Through post cabinet briefing, the public was informed that preparation was progressing. At the Cabinet meeting of April 15, 2015, it was announced that his Ministry was at the stage where the process is more clearly defined and that the machinery is set to be in place to enable passport printing in the United Kingdom to commence during month of June. “The exact date will be dependent on current stock levels as some of them will be retained and will only be printed on compassionate grounds or
urgent Government business.” From the date of transfer, Turks and Caicos Islands British overseas territories passports will receive the latest biometric version of the passport that is available to British nationals, and which includes the highest level of internationally recognised security standards. Applications will continue to be made during the normal process and the fees for a Turks and Caicos Islands passport will remain the same throughout this financial year, i.e. $150 for an adults passport, $75 for a child’s passport and free for citizens that are 75 years and older. Processing times for a passport application from the submission of an application to the return of a printed passport is scheduled to be four weeks. Passport customers are advised to submit their
Hon. Donhue Gardiner application well in advance of any planned travel dates. Time left on existing valid passports, up to 9 months, can be carried over to new passports. Further information will be provided to the general public via press releases, the Government’s website (from which new application forms will be available), as well as through live engagements with the media.
Ona Glinton Primary School and FortisTCI Plant Seeds for Earth Day Earth Day at Ona Glinton Primary School was an exciting day for a group of 4th-grade students who spent the afternoon planting seeds as a start to the school’s first vegetable garden. The Earth Day initiative was facilitated by community volunteers and gardening enthusiasts Joan Garneau and Jenny Gollshewshy, and school sponsors FortisTCI (the Company). “We are thankful for this opportunity to start our very own fruit and vegetable garden. It is something that has been talked about among our teaching staff and students for a while. With this jumpstart we can now look forward to sharing some of the wonderful vegetables that we will grow in our garden,” said Mrs. Gwen Harvey, Ona Glinton Primary School
Principal. Ms. Garneau and Ms. Gollshewshy, current residents of Grand Turk who are knowledgeable and experienced in the area of growing vegetable gardens, spoke with a group of almost 40 students about the various types of seeds they were preparing to plant. They highlighted what it takes for seeds to grow and why caring for your garden is essential to harvesting good crops. “When starting a garden at home, you should start small, make sure you have the right soil, and don’t forget to water and give them enough sunlight. The best part of growing vegetables is that they’re fresh, and you get to share them with your friends and family,” said Ms. Garneau. The students also learned about new ways they can use recycled materials
to grow their crops. FortisTCI has pledged to assist Ona Glinton with the establishment of the school’s garden, donating gardening necessities and by partnering with local landscaping and nursery representatives for the success of the project. An area on the school grounds has been designated for the development of the garden, and as the seedlings begin to sprout students will transfer them to proper planting pots as a part of their learning experience. Some of the plants and vegetables the students hope to see sprout over the next several weeks include tomatoes, sweet peppers, green beans, basil, and more. Earth Day was first celebrated 45 years ago and is recognized all across the globe. The mission of the Earth
Day Network is “to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement through a variety of education, public policy, and activism campaigns.” FortisTCI believes in celebrating Earth Day every day and remains committed to being environmentally responsible. The Company continues to implement new earth-friendly measures and help reduce its environmental footprint by utilizing state-of-the art technologies, lubricant recycling, lowering carbon emissions and much more. The Company wishes to thank Nature Green Nursery TCI: Landscaping & Maintenance, Joan Garneau, Jenny Gollshewshy, Ona Glinton Primary School and the FortisTCI Grand Turk staff, for an adventure filled Earth Day 2015.
Police warning about false information in Kevino Smith case By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor The police are asking the public not to give them false information on the disappearance of Kevino Smith and the subsequent discovery of human remains, which are now in the hands of forensic experts. The call came from Assistant Superintendent Darron Williams, Assistant Senior Investigating Officer in charge of the investigation, during a news conference on Friday, April 17 in Grand Turk, a day after police discovered the remains in the Breezy Brae on that island. “We are getting information from the public to assist us with this information and we are checking out all of them as we can. We don’t want anyone to provide us with false information or to implicate anyone. When I say ‘implicate people’, (I mean to) give us information about people that are involved and they are not,
Rodney Adams
Kevino Smith
Darron Williams
because it then interferes Turk on March 16, to join their with our investigation. We counterparts on that island to are trying to avoid that. So, I intensify their investigation, am appealing to the public to which included land and sea be careful of what you spread search. around in the community,” At about 10am on Thursday Williams pleaded. (April 16, 2015), police who On March 4, 2015, a were combing a particular report was made to the police area in Breezy Brae, stumbled about an incident in Breezy upon the remains. Brae, Grand Turk about Deputy Commissioner threats made against a woman Rodney Adams, who is the purportedly done by Smith. overseer for the investigation, A gun was said to have been said that while nobody else used during the threat. The was reportedly missing police then issued a wanted in Grand Turk, the police poster for his capture. could not conclusively say Smith’s family then the remains belonged to the reported him missing On missing man. March 6, 2015. Officers “There are many that those were then dispatched from speculations Providenciales into Grand remains are those of the
missing man from Grand Turk, Mr. Smith. However, from an investigator’s perspective, we have to carry out further analysis and forensic work in order to conclusively identify those remains. We are not going to assume anything. We are going to ensure that a methodical investigation is carried out, and at the end of the day, we want to be 100 percent sure that those remains are those of Kevino Smith. “However, on checking our records, Mr. Smith is the only person in recent time as reported missing on the island of Grand Turk. And certain other investigative leads have given us cause to believe that it is safe for us to move to another phase of the investigation, while we await the pending investigation for further investigation of forensic work to further identify positively who those remains are. “We will not be sitting around waiting for those
results, we intend to pursue further leads as we continue this investigation,” Adams said. Adams added: “We will not be rushing this investigations, we want to make sure that every T is crossed and I is dotted, because we believe that we do not only owe it to the family but to all residents of Grand Turk, to ensure that the remains are in fact those of Mr. Smith, when we have the results.” For his part, Clifford Henry, the Divisional Commander in charge of Grand Turk is also assisting with the investigation said that police are unable to explain what they are doing because it would hamper their investigations, and so calling on the public to bear with them. Pastor Chad Archibald, who was also part of the news panel has called on the public to tell what they know, because there closure is needed in the matter.
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Mental Health patient creates scare at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor A mentally challenged female patient created a scare for employees and other patients at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Providenciales on Tuesday (April 21, 2015) after dislodging a fire extinguisher from its place and released its contents in the general ward corridor. The patient, it is understood, was being kept at the hospital while the authorities made preparation to send her to Jamaica for further treatment. The hospital, which issued a statement on the matter, said that the ward had to be temporarily shut down to facilitate order and restoration. It also said that no one was injured during the incident. A press release from Takara Bain, public relations manager of the TCI Hospitals, stated: “On April 21st, 2015, at around 6:50 a.m., a patient at the Cheshire
Hall Medical Centre Providenciales to Jamaica one of the biggest obstacles discharged the contents on a Caicos Express to effectively tackling of a fire extinguisher in flight, shortly after take- mental health in the Turks the corridor of the general off, grabbed the fire and Caicos Islands is ward. We can confirm that extinguisher from its stigma, and as such, the there were no injuries, as socket and smashed a illness is left to fester into all measures were taken window, forcing the plane what is becoming a crisis to protect all patients and to make an emergency of what she describes as an staff safety. However, landing. epidemic of monumental damages to the property An aviation expert said proportion. are being assessed. that while the incident “Mental illness should “The general ward is was unfortunate, it was not be a disease charted temporarily closed to good that it took place by a stigma, and at some visitors until the clean- while the plane was still point, I hope that those up work is completed. climbing, because if it had in power will come to the Hospital Security and taken place after the craft conclusion that we are police personnel are on site had leveled off, it would indeed facing an epidemic at this time until further have crashed. of monumental proportion notice. As hospital protocol, That patient was in this country,” she said. all external and internal subsequently transported The fundraising prayer communications were to Jamaica for treatment, breakfast on mental activated as part of our while it is understood health in the Turks and internal emergency plans. that the plane is still Caicos Islands, was held “All other services, undergoing repairs. at the Tropicana Show and including clinic and the Dr. Diana Joy Dizon, Supper Club in the Bight in emergency department Mental Health practitioner honour of Tamara Munroeoperations, are currently in the Ministry of Health, Butler and daughter open and functioning as while speaking at a prayer Bethany Butler, daughter normal.” breakfast on Saturday, and granddaughter of The SUN understands April 11, 2015, said that prominent Turks and that the flare-up with the Turks and Caicos Caicos Islands residents mental health patients Islands is facing a mental Bill and Claudette Clare. has seen an increase in health crisis, and those in Munroe-Butler has been recent time. Two weeks authority need to act now accused of killing Bethany ago a patient who was before it gets worst. in the Cayman Islands last being transported from Dr. Dizon asserted that year, due to mental illness.
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.
DEMA holds town hall meetings for amendments to Fisheries Protection Ordinance This month Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) will hold a series of town hall meetings on South Caicos, Grand Turk, North Caicos and Providenciales, in order to inform interested and affected individuals of the amendments to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance. The proposed amendments include: 1. A ban on pelagic long-line fishing; 2. A special licensing requirement for trap boats carrying more than 20 traps, including registration, reporting and trap placement restrictions; 3. A minimum and maximum size restriction for
Nassau Grouper; 4. A minimum size for all snapper species, excluding red and black snappers; 5. A minimum size for bonefish; 6. A ban on gill nets; 7. Regulations for stone crab; 8. A ban on the taking of sea cucumbers; 9. A ban on commercial export of sharks and rays; and 10. Regulations governing the taking of lionfish.
• Provo meeting: Wednesday 29th April 7pm, Five Cays Community Centre; • Grand Turk: Tuesday 5th May, 7pm, Dillon Hall; • South Caicos: Wednesday 6th May, 7pm, DEMA Office; • North Caicos: Tuesday, 12th May, 7pm, Adelaide Oemler Primary School. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact DEMA via email at environment@gov.tc or call 338-4161.
Meetings will be held as follows:
Opposition Leader asked to observe Anguilla elections The Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson is currently overseas serving as a part of a 6 member Election Observer Team for the Anguillan Election held on April 22, 2015. In keeping with International Standards, it is strictly voluntary and she is not representing or funded by the TCI Parliament. The Mission is jointly funded by UK CPA Branch and the Government of Anguilla. However, Hon Robinson
volunteered in response to an invitation sent to TCI’s House of Assembly and received support in a meeting of the local branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The Mission was completed on Friday, April 24, 2015. Veteran politician Victor Banks is the new Chief Minister of Anguilla after the elections which saw three women elected to the House of Assembly, including two
lawyers. Voters stood in lines for hours to cast their ballots in the seven districts. Many, as is their right, had returned home from overseas to join their family members and neighbours in freely casting the X that would see all of the members of the the incumbent Anguilla United Movement government lose their seats and for the first time in the history of the island, see three women voted into the House of Assembly. Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson
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APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
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Prisoner attack lands guards in hospital Two of three juveniles, who officials at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turks believe ignited a fire, damaging their designated wing, are accused of causing relentless unrest at their new location - the general area of the penal institution. On Thursday (April 17, 2015), the two juveniles reportedly chopped a prison guard in his face with a piece of implement taken from broken toilet bowl, which they were accused of damaging and also doused another officer in his face with bleach, causing both to seek immediate medical attention. A source at the institution said that the two have been acting out since the fire because prison authorities have put them under strict management much to their chagrin. “Since the fire, the prison has been turning up
the screws on them. About five officers went to the cell apparently to see how they were doing after they became very loud and aggressive, and the boys started throwing the broken toilet pieces at them. “One of them (officers) sustained a deep laceration to his jaw and his hands. The other officer was attacked in his face with bleach. The others fled the wing for their own safety and protection. Both (injured) officers went to hospital and were treated and released but got several days off from the doctor,” the source declared. The source said that the officers who fled unhurt were so shaken-up from the incident that they were unable to work the following day, forcing prison officials to call in replacement officers. “These guys (juveniles) are behaving like that
because the screws have been turned up on them since the fire, and they are not being nice boys at all, so every opportunity and chance they get they try to create as much disturbance as possible,” the source continued. Prison officials give inmates bleach to clean their facility, which was how the juveniles were able to access the cleaning agent, the source said. On Tuesday March 24, 2015, inmates reportedly set fire to their beds triggering a forced evacuation and brief hospitalization of three of them housed at the juvenile section. They also vandalized the bowl and face basin at that section of the facility. The fire also affected the protective custody section located at the back part of the building. That section housed three adults.
Earth Day should be every day
Amy Avenant, Outreach Coordinator at the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) said that Earth Day should be observed everyday and not just one day a year, since we need to be good stewards of the environment on a daily basis. Avenant was speaking with the media during a tree-planting exercise at the Five Cays Community Centry on Providenciales. She said that custodians of the environment should not be just school children and the youth, since adults, too, have a great pivotal role to play in the sustenance of the earth. DEMA used Earth Day, which was observed on Wednesday, April
22, 2015, to partner with children from the Enid Capron Primary School to plant trees at the Felix Morley Community Centre in Five Cays. She said that the community and the facility was targeted for the tree planting since DEMA wants to beautify spots in communities that are used on a regular basis. “We thought we would like to beautify areas that are used in the community. The Five Cays Community Centre is in the heart of the community, and we feel it is an important area to upkeep and maintain. And by doing so, we hope that the planting of some indigenous vegetation, namely Lignum Vitae,
POSITIONS AVAILABLE Cosmetologist Minimum five years experience working as a cosmetologist. The applicant must have pleasant personality and excellent customer service skills. Be able to work independently. Be willing to work flexible hours Kindly respond to: The Manager Lelieth’s Ltd Town Center Mall Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands Telephone (649) 331-1729
BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES POSITIONS AVAILABLE Gold Brokerage & Courier Services One (1) Operator of light Vehicles Must have clean drivers license and Police Record Offloading packages Delivery/pickup of packages Assist with tracing packages Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified. Submit applications to by May 7, 2015 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211
will instill a sense of pride in the student take part in the Earth Day community and in the school itself, activities each year. because it is across the road and has “We have brought 26 students become custodians of the plants,” down for the tree-planting exercise. The children take part every year, she said. Avenant said also that the tree- and we take them down and talk planting exercise kicks off “Green in about the environment – trees that TCI Month”. are indigenous to Turks and Caicos “We are celebrating Earth Day – and give them tips on how to start today the 22nd of April, which is a their own gardens and plant their clever initiative. It can be celebrated own trees around their homes,” she any which way, but the most common said. Russell said that the exercise is way is to plant a tree,” she said, noting also that the National Trust a good opportunity for them to get and the Department of Youth Affairs involved in community service as also played a part in the exercise. well as allow them to become good For her part, Niclair Russell, stewards of the environmental. The guidance Councillor at Enid Capron Filipino Committee – FilCom – also Primary said that the Enid Capron partnered in the endeavor.
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APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
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ACMA EXECUTIVES MEETS WITH IMF OFFICIALS
From right to left; Mark A Fulford, Dr. Hiroko Oura, Mr. Hibiki Ichiue and Gordon Burton Executive Members of the Governing body of the Association of Company Managers and Agents (ACMA) Mark A Fulford and Gordon Burton on April 17th 2015 met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Officials Hibiki Ichiue and Dr. Hiroko Oura at F Chambers Law Firm, Leeward Highway
Offices located at Emily House, in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. The IMF is carrying out a review of the financial sector’s regulation and supervision in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the context of the offshore financial center assessment program. Once completed the report
will contain technical advice and recommendations given by the team of the International Monetary Fund in response to a request for technical assistance by the authorities of Turks and Caicos Islands. The two parties spoke on a wide number of areas relating to company
Chukka Caribbean Adventures (TCI) Ltd., a leading Nature Adventure tour company with affiliated facilities in Jamaica and Belize invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following position: The successful applicants must:
COUNTRY MANAGER
➢Tertiary level qualification in Business/ Tourism/Financial Management. ➢Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Management, and Hospitality Sector ➢Valid Clean Driver’s License ➢Highly Professional and Ethical standards of Leadership with a passion for nature and the environment. ➢Excellent Computer skills and proficiency at Microsoft Office Suite and good technological literacy is essential. ➢Positive and disciplined attitude toward work in a fast pace, multi-tasking customer service oriented business, with ability to handle complaints and work under pressure ➢Excellent verbal and written communication, with Networking skills ➢Excellent analytical, inter-personal and customer service skills. ➢Ability to recruit and appraise staff performance as well as have a strong track record of fostering team work and motivating staff with multi-cultural differences. ➢Must be willing and able to work outdoors, flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business
Suitable candidates that do not meet the above requirements may, at the sole discretion of the Company’s management team, be eligible for consideration in circumstances where they demonstrate a clear willingness to embrace the Company’s in-house training initiatives and established standard operating policies and procedures. Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Written applications only and accompanying CVs/Resumes must be addressed to the Board of Directors at the following address:
formation and management. ACMA governing body represents thirty three company managers throughout the entire Turks and Caicos Islands out of which twenty three are registered members of the Association of Company Managers and Agents. ACMA is headed by Chairman Ervin
Quelch of Epic Corporate and Consultancy Services Ltd, Vice Chairman Gordon Burton of Caribbean Management Services and Executive Member Mark A Fulford of F Corporate & Management Services with Secretary Millicent Grant of Integra Services Ltd.
PROVO WATER COMPANY LTD. We are currently seeking a qualified applicant to fill the position of Pipe Labourer: REQUIREMENTS: •Minimum of 3 years experience in waterworks and piping networks. •Must be in good health to meet the demands of physically challenging work •Must be available for emergency maintenance calls on evenings and weekends according to rotational schedule. •Must have a clean driver’s license WORK ENVIRONMENT: •Hot, dusty and muddy conditions including confined spaces •Active roadways and associated traffic noise levels •Remote locations JOB DESCRIPTION: •The Pipe Labourer is responsible for: •Using hand digging tools to excavate and bury pipes and plumbing fixtures •Installing, repairing and maintaining pies, fixtures and other plumbing used for water distribution in residential, commercial and industrial connections. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO: 1.Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks. 2.Reads and follows installation plans and establish the sequence of pipe installations. 3.Measure, cut, thread and bend pipe to required angle, using hand and power tools or machine such as pipe cutters, pipe threading machines and pipe bending machine. 4.Use hand or powered tools to excavate trenches and ditches. 5.Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings, using hand and power tools. 6.Repair and maintain plumbing, replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes. 7.Attend Emergency callout when necessary. 8.Carry out all other duties as directed by the Supervisor. Salary Range: US$ 7.00 - $ 9.75 per hour
CHUKKA CARIBBEAN ADVENTURES (TCI) LTD. C/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1 Church Folly P.O Box 86 Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Islands Phone: 649-332-1339 Fax: 649-946-1570 Email: gtadminmgr@chukka.com
All applications must be submitted by May 8th, 2015. Turks & Caicos Islanders need only apply. Office Manager PROVO WATER COMPANY LTD. P.O. Box 39, Grace Bay Road Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Fax: (649) 941-8310 Email: K.Clarke@provowater.tc
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 11
LOCAL NEWS
Outgoing hospital CEO Jill Magri says she will miss TCI Showing kindness and warmth in the United States in a rare practice, so each day when staff at the hospital told outgoing CEO Jill Magri good morning or hugged her, it always made her day. Magri, who said that she is leaving to hospital to reunite with her family in California, USA, explained that she had never experienced such level of warmth until moving to the TCI, telling the media news that each day she has received hugs and warm greetings from her staff. “What has been most special for me is how warm and endearing the staff at these hospitals have been to me. A day doesn’t go by that I haven’t received a hug or having somebody say ‘good morning, my dear’, how are you today, my dear?’; that is something that in the United States it is a foreign concept. You don’t hug people, you don’t demonstrate warmth and compassion, and that’s a very national culture. “Here, it is so different to be so warmly embraced and welcomed by
Jill Magri the housekeepers, by the managers, by patients, everybody. I have been very, very blessed to have that experience and to take back these warm, warm feelings to cold, cold United States,” Magri said. She said that while she regrets leaving such wonderful experience behind, she believes that her family needs her at this time.
GROUNDS MANAGER
Responsibilities •Overseeing the daily functions of all Grounds and Pool & Beach staff to ensure that all required maintenance and up-keep of property is carried out; •Ensure that guests needs are met in a high quality and efficient manner; •Accountability for all Grounds/Pool & Beach inventories i.e. equipment and supplies inventories; •Be responsible for hiring and training of Grounds/Pool & Beach staff; •Promoting an atmosphere of teamwork and professionalism within the department; •Planning, scheduling, assignment and supervision of all landscaping, seeding, weeding, cultivating and general care of grounds. •Co-ordination of the planting, of flowers, transplanting, pruning, of trees and shrubbery. •Coordination of activities with other trade areas and outside contractors. Requirements; •Three or more years experience in same or similar position. •Experience in dry areas, sandy, high calcium and high phosphate soil. •Management experience with a hands on approach and •Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, landscaping or a related field. •Equivalent combination of education, training and experience, in Landscaping Trade. •A good command of the English language REFRIDGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING TECHNICIAN Responsibilities •Installing, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining the refrigeration and air conditioning systems •Fabricate and assemble refrigeration and air conditioning systems. •Carry out all necessary changes to air in the system, test lines, components and connections for leaks. •Install expansion and control valves on units and adjust and replace parts as needed. Requirements: •Must possess a minimum of 5 years 4 star background in same or similar position •Certification or diploma from a formal Electrical or Technical Institution is required. •Must be highly organized individual. •Must be computer literate and have excellent, clear communication skills written and oral The Alexandra Resort is also looking to fill the following line positions: Gardeners, Janitors, Housemen, Pool & Beach Attendants, Labourers and Room Attendants…to qualify for these positions you should be able to push/pull carts weighing up to 150 lbs. Must be able to ensure the cleanliness of all areas assigned, which may include guest rooms, public areas, linen closets, gardens and grounds. Must be able to stand for long periods of time and also have the ability to climb several stairs each day. Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Belongers need only apply. Please Submit Applications to: cgibbons@wihl.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than May 8th, 2015 Turks and Caicos Islanders need only apply.
“I have been here for two and half years, my children are in California, I have an 11-year-old grandson. Elevenyear-olds still like their family, and once they become adolescents, may not quite the same because their friends, other things take then in other directions. And so, I am looking to go back home and be a part of my children’s lives and my grandson’s life. The people in your life are the most important things in the world,” she said. I have some plans to take time-off for a short period, taking my grandson to his lacrosse games and support my daughter and son in whatever they may need doing and then see what happens for the next season of my life. Magri hoped that the hospitals would have moved to a different monetary arrangement under her watch, where the bulk of the hospital earnings come from beyond our borders rather that from the local tax-payers. “I really look forward to the day when we moved to a different financial arrangement. We were supposed to be under a method called ‘Capitation’, by the second year of the contract, and
that is something that gives us more control over our destiny and provides for a more efficient management of the organization, and allows it the ability to react quickly to different situations in the community where we may need to add services, modify services, change services. That, in a way, we can do quickly and more agilely within our work environment. “So, I hope that happens, and I think we may need to continue to look at whether additional services can be brought on island and certainly how we can develop more other strategic mindset around medical tourism, because we all know that healthcare is expensive, whether it has to with construction or not. The fact is, we need to bring more revenue into the country from other places; they can do that through medical tourism. “And that will also assist us to build the utilization of our important hospital in Grand Turk as well as Cheshire Hall. And again, let’s bring the money out of pockets of people in the world so we don’t have to focus on bringing the money out of the pockets of the residents,” Magri said.
RESERVATIONS AGENT Responds to communications from guests, travel agents, and referral networks concerning reservations arriving by mail, telephone, fax or third party agents. Creates and maintains reservation records by date of arrival and alphabetical listing. Prepares letters of confirmation and promptly process any cancellations or modifications. Track future room availabilities on the basis of reservations, and prepare close-out charts. Additional duties may include those of Front Office Agent. Prepare for expected arrivals and process advance reservation deposits. Knowledgeable on Resorts rooms, as well as locations, and property design. Well versed on of all resorts packages, their inclusions, and status on availability, blackout dates, rates, and benefits. Responsibilities: •Knowledge of IQ Ware and Visual One preferred. •Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays. •Reports to work on time for scheduled shifts. •Able to prioritize, make outbound calls, and follow-up on all Navis Leads. •Accurately complete daily checklist by the end of shift. •Confirm reservations by mail, telephone, fax and referrals. •Enter reservations for Sales Managers and Timeshare Office. In addition to other departments within the Waterloo Resorts. •Knowledgeable on room types, locations, and layouts of properties for The Alexandra, Beach House, and Blue Haven Hotels. •Aware of Owner units, status of availability, and Timeshares Owner weeks. •Familiar with selling strategies, rates, and benefits of all packages for all Waterloo hotels. •Accurately enter all reservations with proper codes, and rates. •Prepare Confirmation Letters for all confirmed Reservations. •Understands the resort’s policy on guaranteed reservations and no-shows. •Process 3 day advance deposits on all reservations. •Prepares and updates Close-out report for Manager and Supervisor. •Assists with all front office tasks when required. •Maintain a clean and neat appearance at all times. •Keep a clean and neat work area. •Promote a good working environment by being courteous, friendly, and helpful to all Guests, Managers, and Fellow employees. •Completes additional tasks as assigned by Manager. Requirements: •High School Diploma or equivalent. •Must be able to speak, read and write the English language •Must be computer literate, with knowledge of Microsoft applications. •Previous hotel–related experience desired. Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Belongers need only apply. Please Submit Applications to: cgibbons@wihl.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department. Submissions to be no later than May 8th, 2015 Turks and Caicos Islanders need only apply.
Page 12
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
TCI Airports Green Sustainable Lighting The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has gone green by adopting a sustainable approach to lighting. LED lighting has taken root in the newly renovated terminal facility and roadway. This lighting solution is reported to be approximately 90% more energy efficient compared to the conventional light bulbs. This means that they would generate a lower electrical cost and burn less fuel to generate the energy needed, making it a green lighting solution. The LED lights are also nontoxic as they have no mercury and are 100% recyclable. This will limit our carbon foot print by some estimates as high as 40%. The results of this implementation means that the traveling public will have a much better experience as they flow through Providenciales International Airport. The lighting would be sufficient in all areas as the general light disbursement is wide ranging. This is most evident in the new roadways, as the new light poles are extensively lit in the evening to allow better vision and a safer environment. The durability of these lights allow for indoor and outdoor usage. “The outdoor lights needed to be rugged and able to withstand wind, dust, vibrations and other elements.
Departure Lounge The LED lights easily allowed the TCIAA to find a solution to handle all of these challenges in our extremely warm climate where conventional lights could be a challenge.” said CEO, John Smith of the TCIAA. The LED lights chosen for the Airport include a wide variety of flexible designs. The International Customs Hall has circular pendant lights ideal for the indoor high curved ceilings. The Check-In Area also has circular pendant lights ideal for outdoor weather in addition to oblong lights in the roof overhang. The street lights have rectangular flat panels rugged enough to handle vehicle vibrations but stylish enough
for the new roadway. The bathrooms and general areas have 2x2 square ceiling panel lights as well as inset panel ceiling lights. Where possible all bulbs were changed to meet the new green standard. Robert Koening of LED Industrial Group/Lightdec America, in Florida was the main person that assisted in directing the TCIAA to this green solution. His company prides itself on being the pioneer and most advanced manufacturer of LED lighting products. This company is able to meet the differing needs of their consumers by offering a wide range of products and have worked with Florida International University (FIU), Miami
Dade Transport and even the City of Hialeah to name a few. The long life cycle of the LED lights was one of the main reasons that they were selected for use in the Airport. The lights are normally on and functioning for very long periods of time within the terminal. With the new lighting, one bulb that is used approximately 8 hours per day is said to have the potential to last 15-20 years before a replacement is needed tremendously cutting down the maintenance work. Since the TCIAA has embraced the move to sustainability with a strong commitment to incorporating the best possible environmental practices, other airports have not been left out. The Grand Turk Airport has been retrofitted with LED lighting to help lower operating costs and the South Caicos Airport will also have an integrated green approach during its construction. The TCIAA has a strong commitment to keeping up with industry leaders and they strive to lead by example. With all of the new advancements made possible, the TCIAA is dedicated to putting passengers first and finding more ways of adding value and enhancing the traveling experience.
NAVA JEWELERS LTD, dba JEWELRY, world renowned jewelers and retail sellers of signature brand jewelry and jewelry related products, with a chain of affiliated jewelry stores and outlets throughout North America, the Caribbean and Worldwide, is now accepting applications/ resumes from suitably qualifies persons as: ASSISTANT MANAGER, JEWELRY SALES SPECIALISTS, SUPERVISORS AND MERCHANDISERS, JEWELERS, PRECIOUS STONES BRAND QUALITY CONTROL CLERKS, SALES CLERKS, and/ or ASSOCIATES At the Company’s prestigious retail Jewelry sales and Jewelry related merchandise sales Store located at the Carnival Corporation’s Grand Turk Cruise Center, South Beach, Grand Turk.
PLS Arrivals Hall
Requirements: •A sound educational background, and a minimum of five (5) years jewelry sales and general merchandising experience, in the case of Assistant Manager, Supervisors, Precious Stones and Brand Quality Control Clerks and two (2) years in the case of Sales Clerks and Associates, together with a proven and unblemished track record of employment in a highly trusted related field of employment and/or business. •A positive and disciplined attitude and aptitude toward work in a customer service oriented business. •Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills. •A trustworthy, dependable and honest disposition. •Must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays and irregular cruise ship schedule. •Clean criminal record. •Unblemished employment history. •All candidates must be proficient in the English written and spoken word. Suitable candidates that do not meet the above requirements who, in the sole discretion of the Company’s management team, demonstrate a clear willingness to embrace the Company’s in-house training initiatives and established standard operating policies and procedures, may be eligible for recruitment in exceptional circumstances. Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders.
PLS Roadway
Interested persons may submit their applications and resumes, via e-mail to: resume@effyjewelery.com, via fax to: 2127308887, or hand deliver the same to any senior member of the company’s staff at its store, commonly known as Jewelry located at Suite No. 2, Building 1, Grand Turk Cruise Center, South Beach, Grand Turk.
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 13
LOCAL NEWS
The following is the full text of the feature address by Mrs. Lillian Boyce, former Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, at the Soroptimist International Club of Providenciales’ Annual General Meeting, at the Occasions Ballroom, Turks and Caicos Airport Hotel, on Saturday April 18th, 2015, under the theme: Women…Delivering the Difference.
Mrs. Lillian Boyce First, I would like to thank the Soroptimist International club of Providenciales for extending the invitation to me to be the guest speaker at this annual general meeting, which is a rather important occasion for the club. As a former Soroptimist myself, I am truly deeply honoured and feel rather privileged for the opportunity to address you this evening under the theme, Women…Delivering the Difference. Before going any further, I would like, at the outset, to congratulate the club as it celebrates its six-year anniversary, and I would also wish to commend you for the excellent work that you have done in assisting the under-privileged girls and young ladies in our communities, as well as the elderly and senior citizens. Rest assured that your efforts are being noticed by many persons throughout the country and beyond. Ladies and gentlemen, all around us there is strong evidence that women in the Turks and Caicos Islands have been making significant strides as they continue to move up the professional ladder. We have a female Attorney General, a female Deputy Governor, a female Opposition Leader, a female Chief Justice, a female deputy speaker, a female clerk of parliament, a female from Turks and Caicos Islands on the board of FIFA, the most women ever in the House of Assembly, and there are a whole number of females who are holding key positions in our country. Even in this room, there are many women, who have worked extremely hard, and have done well for themselves, their businesses, their families and their country. In 2014, there was a record high 22 female leaders of countries in the world, including two in the Caribbean; Portia Simpson in Jamaica and Kamla Persad in Jamaica. As of March 2015, there were 197 female billionaires in the world; an increase from 172 in 2014. There are a record 24 women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, although this represents about 5 percent of the
overall CEOs on the list. There can be question or doubt, therefore, that women have been delivering the difference, not only here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but throughout the Caribbean and the rest of the world. But while those figures which I just mentioned are certainly commendable, in my view, among the questions we must ask ourselves, are whether we are doing enough, and what more must we do? It is true that women are experts at delivering. We know what it is to deliver babies, to deliver assignments, to deliver on our promises, to deliver victories, achievements and successes. Delivering is in our DNA. But I make bold to say that we must not let the success of some women in our society, prevent us from helping more and more of our young women to move up that ladder. For the truth is that if ever there was a time that the Turks and Caicos Islands needs our women, it is now. It is now more than ever. And so, the question is often asked, whether the voices of our women are being heard loud enough when it comes to matters of importance in our country. There are those who hold the view that too many of our women reach their high positions and then remain quiet, because they don’t want to rock the boat or ruffle feathers. Whether this is actually true or not, is a matter for debate and discussion. But I sincerely believe that if you want to really deliver the difference as a woman, you have no choice but to ruffle plenty feathers and rock several boats. Therefore, if there is one thing I am certain about, it is that we as the women who have helped to shape and move this country to this stage, have to play a more meaningful role in the affairs of the Turks and Caicos Islands going forward. We really do not have to be elected or be in politics or be appointed to a certain high office in Government to have a say in what goes on in our country. Whether we are women in the church, women in business, women in groups like the Soroptimist, women in sports or in whatever field, we must start lifting up our voices and offering serious and constructive contributions to the national development agenda so that this great little country of ours can achieve its maximum potential. Before going any further, let me pause to make it abundantly clear that I am not at all bashing men. Neither am I suggesting that our men are not capable, or that they do not have a meaningful role to play in our country. Of course they do! But what I’m essentially saying is that there is a greater need to involve, engage and incorporate more of our women and their wealth of talent and experience, in the social, economic and overall national development process. Most, if not all of us, are a generation away from poverty. In fact, there are some who may still regard themselves
as being among the working poor. But whatever your station or situation is in life, you have to be constantly thinking about what legacy we will be leaving behind for our children and grandchildren. The Turks and Caicos Islands has, for a very long time, been a matri-focal society; which means that the family unit is headed by the mother and lacking a father permanently or for extended periods. It is felt by some analysts, that this situation festered for a long time and has contributed to many of the social problems which the country is facing today. Many of our young people are lost and hopeless. Many of them believe that the powers-that-be, are not checking for them. Babies are having babies. Sometimes they are having them for babies. Our young men are also lost too. And some young mothers simply cannot control their boys. Although the Soroptimist Club has been doing a tremendous job with young ladies as a I said earlier, many of our young women are lacking guidance and simply do not have any female role models who are taking them under their wings and teaching them the fundamentals. It is not a pleasant situation or a pretty picture at all. That is precisely why I am saying that while we continue to champion the cause and celebrate the success of the women from our generation, we cannot forget those who are coming up. For if we do, the country will pay a very dear price. I therefore make the point that one of the most critical roles that we as women must continue to play in the Turks and Caicos Islands today, is reinforcing the value system in our society. We all know that over the years there has been an almost systematic breakdown of the strong values which once served to make this country a proud and distinctly Christian community, even during times when we did not have much in terms of wealth and riches. Sadly, it appears as though many of our youth have lost their connection to that traditional value system, or perhaps they do not know of it at all. It is therefore incumbent on us as women leaders in this country, to take back he reins of values and ethics and help to instill in our young people, especially our young mothers, the absolute importance of adhering to strong values and passing them on to their offspring. However the situation may be, all, therefore, is not lost as long as we are willing to harness our collective skills and our valuable experience to contribute to a cohesive and stable society that we can all be proud about and in which we can live and retire peacefully. You know, one of the women who I admire most on the international stage is Hillary Clinton, who announced last Sunday that she is running for the US presidency for the second time.
I truly admire her perseverance, confidence and determination, and how she has bee able to fend off the many challenges and criticisms that continue to come her way. Indeed, I had the honour of meeting her a few years ago when she and her husband Bill Clinton passed through the Provo Air Centre FBO on their way from Parrot Cay. The picture of her autographing the book for me is still in my office and I am constantly reminded, through her, of how difficult it is for us as women sometimes to be accepted and recognized for the hard work we do and the for the many sacrifices we make. And so, as she made her second bid to be president, I was reminded of something she said when she lost to Barack Obama in 2008. She said, and I quote: “I am a woman and, like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious, and I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us. “I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter’s future and a mother who wants to leave all children brighter tomorrows. To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and their mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect.” In that concession speech, she went on to say: “Always aim high, work hard and care deeply about what you believe in. And, when you stumble, keep faith. And, when you’re knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on.” But here’s the part, which I think struck the strongest and most powerful note. She said: “Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time.” I seriously think that there is a tremendous amount of strength that we as women in the Turks and Caicos Islands can draw from what Hillary Clinton said. While women in the Turks and Caicos Islands have truly been enjoying quite a bit of success in many different areas, there are still some fundamentally important things that we can do as we go about trying to crack and break those glass ceilings that we need to crack. That’s the only way that we will be confidently able to say with a great degree of certainty, that we as women have delivered the difference. I certainly hope that I have given you much food for thought and I wish to thank you for the invitation and wish your association all the best in its future endeavors.
Page 14
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Aggressor Fleet Supports Turks & Caicos Reef Fund
Aggressor Fleet is joining forces 7-night cruise are $25 each and only with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund 500 will be sold. to raise money to support the boat Raffle ticket sales have started mooring project within the Turks and will conclude on August 27, 2015. & Caicos Islands. The TCRF has The drawing will be held onboard the been designated by the government’s Turks & Caicos Aggressor II while in Department of Environment and port at Providenciales on August 28, Maritime Affairs as the lead non- 2015. The value of this raffle prize is governmental organization for the $5,790. All proceeds go to support the installation and maintenance of boat Turks & Caicos Reef Fund’s dive and moorings in and around the Marine snorkel boat mooring project. Tickets National Parks of the Turks & Caicos can be purchased online at http:// Islands. tcreef.org/aggressorraffle.html The Aggressor Fleet has generously The beautiful Turks & Caicos donated a trip for 2 on the Turks & Aggressor II offers guests a week Caicos Aggressor II as a raffle prize of thrilling wall diving along the to support the efforts of the Turks coasts of Providenciales, West Caicos & Caicos Reef Fund. Tickets for this and French Caye. The sheer walls
destination information. Email: info@ liveaboardfleet.com or call 1-800348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531 for your booking today. Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is an all volunteerrun organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS IS SEEKING AN EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Savor Holdings Ltd Currently looking for: Head Chef: Maintain the highest standards of Food Hygiene Prepare and cook meals for small and large groups International especially Caribbean experience a must Develop Menus and in-charge of creating new dishes Responsible for overall operations of catering facility Time Management and Business Acumen is needed. 5 star culinary experience a must Maintain impeccable relations with Vendors. All applicants that meet these requirements please submit resumes to savoursaveur@gmail.com Qualified Belongers need only apply
Americlean HART JOLLY Dry Cleaners
of Providenciales begin at 40 feet, plunging into the deep blue abyss and include crevasses and ledges that are decorated with huge orange Elephant Ear sponges, Gorgonians, Crimson Rope Sponges and abundant macro life. As the longest operating and largest organization of liveaboard adventure cruises in the world, the combined knowledge, resources, experience, and technical expertise of Aggressor Fleet and Dancer Fleet are all focused on delivering a safe adventure you will remember for a lifetime on each and every cruise. Visit http:// www.aggressor.com and http://www. dancerfleet.com for specific yacht and
Intercaribbean Airways is seeking a professional executive secretary with seven years or more experience in providing effective and comprehensive support to senior executives. Candidates should possess the highest degree of integrity, supported by a flawless record of maintaining confidentiality. Should be adaptable to changing situations and flexible about overtime and running personal errands for executive. Summary of skills needed: •Self motivated •Proficient in Microsoft word, excel and power point. Ability to work independently and prioritizes work appropriately. •Event Coordination •Excellent time management skills •Detail orientated •Exemplary customer service delivery and team player attitude •Types 80 wpm Interested person should apply to: HR@intercaribbean.com or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040.
R & C SNACK BAR
SEEKS
FULL-TIME DOMESTIC HELPER/NANNY
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT A Certified Public Accountant is required for a firm based in Providenciales. Applicants must have at least 10 years experience.
Salary commensurate with experience. Application must be submitted no later than Friday April 17 2015 to: Employment Department, F Corporate & Management Services Limited Tel 649-339-6275 Fax 649-333-7777 Email oa@fcorporatemsl.com
TILE LAYER Salary $10.00 Contact 242-8228 THE BASSETT FAMILY Is looking for a Domestic Worker to look after a Senior Citizen. Must be an independent thinker who can take the initiative of the needs of the home and can work unsupervised. Must speak English and be settled within the age range of 35-50 years. Must be organized with the ability to cook healthy meals. Must be willing to reside in South Caicos. Housing is provided and salary is negotiable. Interested persons, please contact 342-8788
Contact 241-6307 NORTH CAICOS CONTRACTING SEARCH AIR CONDITIONING MECHANIC * An experience Air Conditioning Mechanic and a carpenter required for full time work at North Caicos * Must be willing to work 6 days a week * Must have 10 years’ experience sizing and construction duct work and installing servicing complete central air conditioning systems * Must be proficient in MS Excel for Inventory purposes * Must demonstrate ability to work unsupervised with excellent communication skills is essential for the position. * Salary is $12.00 per hour CARPENTER * Must be willing to work 6 days a week on North Caicos. * Must have 2 years experiences & references * Must demonstrate ability to work unsupervised with excellent communication skills is essential for the position. * Salary is $10.00 per Hour (C) Please apply at ncc@tciway.tc or contact 946 7437
CONSTRUCTION
SEEKS
1 Waitress Salary $6.00 per hour
Launderer needed Salary negotiable Contact 246-9066 or 231-0047
MBA
NEEDED SALARY $5.00 PER HOUR CONTACT 432-2390
1 Tile men -$8.00 1 Carpenter - $12.00 To work 6 days per week Contact 242-3450
SOUTHEASTERN ELECTRIC
SEEKS 1 Domestic Worker Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 442-2620
R&S Funeral Services Great Service Affordable Prices Phone Number (649) 431-7513 Opening Hours - Open 24 Hours
Website- www.randsfuneralservices.com
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
Mental Health
You’re and that’s fine; but sitting at the what about those bar downing moments when we your fifth vodka can’t? It’s believed and cranberry that most people in less than 20 will experience minutes, feeling some sort of mental overwhelmed by health problem at things going on some point in their in your life. Your life. Quite often, doctor recently disorders like anxiety sent you to see a and depression go psychologist, who undiagnosed. Mental diagnosed you health in the TCI By Damian Wilson with depression; has been on the back if left untreated, burner for many your condition could worsen. Should years but is now starting to come to your employer have a legal right to the forefront, especially after incidents know? like the Germanwings crash. This is a question that has been I believe that it is important burning up social media and news for us to invest more in mental sites ever since the unfortunate health and focus on greater mental Germanwings plane crash, where co- health awareness. In a country of pilot Andreas Lubitz is believed to an estimated 34,000 people I am have intentionally crashed the plane unaware of one qualified psychiatric into the French Alps, after being nurse, who may be capable of carrying diagnosed with depression for several out community-based services. How years. about incorporating basic mental But what if it isn’t a pilot? What health services as a part of primary if the nurse or doctor administering healthcare services. Would moves help drugs on a daily basis happen to be eliminate stigma by allowing patients experiencing mental health problems to receive treatment in a manner best or is a known patient? Should the for them? hospital have a legal right know? Persons in our security services What if it’s you that’s experiencing a (police, immigration, etc.), or any job mental health problem, should your where lives are at risk, should undergo employer have a right to know? mandatory psychological evaluations. One individual, who was previously Companies should train their HR staff diagnosed with depression, told me to recognize signs of mental health that they believe this would be a problems in employees, and have a serious violation of the patient’s right documented policy for finding that to privacy, and would not be helpful in individual the best treatment. dealing with the problem. In asking Mental illness and substance persons in the private and public dependency disorders are expected to sectors, almost all believed that this be the second highest cost to developing would be a wrong move, as mental countries, like the TCI, by 2030. One illness is still stigmatized in the TCI. thing’s for sure, this is a serious issue So how can we help mental health that needs more attention, awareness patients and ensure public safety if and investment; or would we rather necessary? deal with this problem when the Hon. We in the TCI believe in the “we Premier is running naked through the can deal with anything” mentality streets, seeing pink elephants?
“ON MY MIND”
ACCOUNTANT Should have minimum 2 years of experience in hotel /resort accounting. Should have experience to work on Opera and back office system. Responsibilities: Supervisor Night Auditor. Income audit - Checking and reconciling revenue. Posting/Recording payment – Cash, Checks, Wire transfer and Credit Card. Credit card payment reconciliation. Invoicing and collection from Tour operator and other agencies. Maintaining Account Receivable ageing. Contact Human Resources TEL: 946-8550
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Ex-con Rita Ewing begs for a job to help her family By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor Rita Ewing has exhausted almost all avenues seeking to get a job but it appears that no employer in the Turks and Caicos Islands is willing to assist her, and she suspects this is due to her having a criminal record. Ewing, 44, was sentenced to six months in prison for theft, but came out early on good behaviour. However, it appears that such good behaviour was not enough to land her a job. She claimed to have sent out dozens of résumé but the ones that responded requested background checks, and later told her that they had no room. “I was convicted on May 17, 2313. I went to prison for something that I didn’t do but I took the rap. After being out two years coming September 12, I can’t get a job. I sent out résumé to as many places as possible, people asking you for police record, and you know you have a tack on your police record. What do they want you to do? I have seven children, and I have to pay light bill and water, buy food,” she lamented. Ewing said that in order to survive, she is forced to go on the street and do whatever within the legal sector to
earn a living, but she said that is not how she wants to live. “I have to go on the road every day hustle to support my children. That is not fair to me and other people out there in my situation. You come out of prison, you are behaving and doing what you are supposed to do and you still can’t get a job. “How are we supposed to take care of our children? We need to take care of our children, and we need to take care of ourselves financially too. We can’t, everyday, go out there and tell some people to help us. I can’t afford to do that because I am a qualified security officer,” Ewing said. Ewing told The SUN that she has done security work for most of her working career, having started in 1991 at the Providenciales Airport. “I worked at the Providenciales International Airport for 14 years. I went to Miami in 2001, and they (airport) asked me to come back, and I came back and worked with them for one year. I worked at Ramada, which is now Seven Stars, as a security officer. I went away again to live in America because of my brother’s health. I came back in 2008, and I worked at Beaches, and when I got sick I stopped.
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behaved when I was incarcerated. I came out looking for a job and can’t find one. I lived with my mom. I am 44. I don’t want to live with my mom after being on my own for so long.” She is therefore, calling on His Excellency Peter Beckingham and Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing to assist people like her to get a second shot at life in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “The premier and the governor need to step in and address the situation because there are many people out there like me. What they want us to do, go out there and do things that we are not supposed to do? That’s not the answer. I want an income, I want a job, so that at the end of the week, two weeks, end of the month, I can go out there and buy my own things. “Other people have (police) records and they have jobs, some of them may Rita Ewing even have done way worst that I was “After getting better, I worked convicted for, because I was convicted at Dove’s Security as an assistant for theft, even though I never did it. manager, doing a number of things, There are a lot of people who come including the payroll and shift work,” from foreign countries with records and you are not doing background she said. Ewing added: “I got sentenced for checks on them, so why can’t you give six months, I spent four. I was well me a job? I deserve a chance,” she said
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QUALIFIED PADI/OPEN WATER SCUBA INSTRUCTORS NEEDED Successful candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years experience with current membership and insurance in good standing; must be able to speak French and English and have knowledge of boat operation. Equipment and compressor maintenance would be a plus. Starting salary $400-$500 per week based on experience and qualifications. Application must be submitted no later than Friday May 1 2015 to: Employment Department F Corporate & Management Services Limited Tel 649-339-6275 Fax 649-333-7777 Email oa@fcorporatemsl.com
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 17
LOCAL NEWS
Sandals Foundation Celebrates Earth Day With Underwater Clean Up! The Sandals Foundation continued its environmental commitment to Turks and Caicos this week when the charity hosted its annual underwater cleaning campaign to commemorate the 45th annual Earth Day environmental movement. Sandals Foundation across the Caribbean arranged special dives to raise awareness on coral restoration while teaching volunteers and visitors the difference between healthy coral and bleached, dying or dead coral. In the Turks & Caicos, the charity saw a group of enthusiastic volunteers which included members of the local media, who all came together for the cleanup along the Grace Bay
Coastline. “Earth Day is all about action and what we are doing to protect our environment”, said Elanor Finfin Krzanowski who spearheaded the project, “This year we were very impressed with the conditions of the reefs as well as the sea floors, we have collected far less trash and debris than we have in previous years, this goes to show that beach users are being more responsible in their environmental practices.” The underwater cleaning exercise which aimed at promoting environmental awareness also taught participants the importance of preserving our shore line and
our delicate coral reef systems was intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Turks & Caicos natural environment. President of the Sandals Foundation Adam Stewart also commented on the Sandals Foundation Earth Day initiative. “With this year’s Earth Day theme being It’s Our Turn To Lead, we call for the region’s stakeholders to take a stand towards preserving our marine ecosystems and our environment as a whole to ensure that future generations have a Caribbean to call home,” Additionally, the Sandals Foundation pledged its support to coral restoration with projects across
the Caribbean, which includes the establishment of coral nurseries on some islands by partnering with CARIBSAVE, the Coral Restoration Foundation, Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Sandals Foundation aims to combat declining coral populations, 60 percent of which are threatened by overfishing, pollution and climate change. Through the Sandals Foundation, Sandals Resorts rallies together not only for Earth Day, but throughout the entire year in honor of the company’s commitment to environmental preservation.
Accused robber fires attorney and changes his plea An accused man, who initially pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the Supreme Court, fired his attorney and reversed his plea to not guilty. The accused man reportedly made the decision because he believed his counsel misled him into making the guilty plea. The man reversed the guilty plea during his mitigation application on Monday, April 20, 2015. The accused man was one of duo charged with robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intention to
cause fear, theft and taking motor vehicle without authority. The trial should have started on Monday, April 20, shortly after the selection of a jury pool, but on advice of their counsel, the two defendants decided to take a certain course of action prior to the trial, and in this case, informed the court that they were pleading guilty to the charges. One of the men pleaded guilty and was given probation by presiding judge Madame Justice Joan Joyner. However, when the other man found out
what he had pleaded guilty to, decided to terminate his client and change his plea. “It appeared that one of the counsels explained clearly to his client as to what he was pleading guilty to and what could be the possible outcome. But it seemed that the other did not explain clear enough to his client what he was pleading guilty to, and so he pleaded guilty on ignorance, you could say. “And so, when they came back to do the mitigation, the client fired his counsel and asked for the charges to be reread and pleaded not guilty
to all of the charges,” a court official said. Some who attended the case came away with the idea that the two men had decided that they would precede the matter without the jury, instead having the judge alone trying the case, but the court officer explained that that was not the case. “During any criminal case the defendant could decide to take a certain course of action or the crown might offer something to the defendant and the defendant might accept it. Once you say you take a certain course of action
it means that the defendant is pleading guilty, and once the defendant has pleaded guilty, we don’t need the jury,” the court official said. In the meantime, the court official told The SUN that due to the nature of the case, the accused will not be able to represent himself, and would now have to search of a new attorney. “Due to the nature of the case, the accused man cannot represent himself, and so he is now in search of a new attorney for the May 29 return date,” the court official said.
Bill Clare claims 3-mile fun walk trophy in Antigua Retired longstanding Turks and Caicos Islands public servant Bill Clare was awarded a trophy at the 40th anniversary Caribbean Customs Sports Tournament by being the oldest participant in the three-mile Fund Walk in Antigua on April 3, 2015. The event took place between April 2 to 6, and the walk, which began at the fire station and ended at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium, was among the first set of events.
In addition to the fun walk, the activities included cricket, football, domino tournament, tug-a-war, beer-drinking contest, two legged race, lime and spoon race, bun-eating contest and a cultural party. The event also included a church service. Clare, and MBE recipient, said that he was happy to have participated in the event. “I was given the award for the oldest person to participate in the fun walk. I was honoured for that,” Clare said.
The TCI delegation included Maribelle Williams (leader), Audlie Skippings (custom officers), Clare, son Duval Clare, Paul Cox, Albert Cox, Albert Stubbs and Elva Williams. The Caribbean Customs Sports Club, which was established over four decades ago, has said to have given men and women to across the region the opportunity to experience the Mr. Bill Clare pose with his trophy won at the Caribbean Customs various cultures and to establish Sports Tournament held in Antigua, for being the oldest participant long lasting friendships. in the three-mile fun walk
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Tiki Hut moving ‘Back Where It All Began’
By Brandy Laporte Doug and Stephanie Camozzi the owners of Tiki Hut Island Eatery informed that Saturday April 25th, will be their last day operating at their current location. Stephanie Camozzi said that Tiki Hut started at the Turtle Cove Inn in 1992 and they had an opportunity to relocate to the marina in June of 2002 and with the expansion and the growth of the island it was a great opportunity to make a bigger and Tiki Hut. Mrs. Camozzi says, “Now we have an opportunity to bring it back where it all began at the Turtle Cove Inn and kind off bring it back home and make it a little cozy.” Doug Camozzi added that “Back Where It All Began” is the marketing campaign for the Turtle Cove Inn for the original days of the Banana Boat days their first restaurant when they initially got here to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Camozzi also informed that Tiki Hut has a lot of history and that there is 23 years of business between the two places. The business also accommodates two generations of staff consisting of daughters and sons of employees who were first employed at the beginning of the establishment that are currently working there. He adds “It’s a piece of Provo that has been a part of the Island since the first 13 original business Licenses and Tiki Hut is still one of those original thirteen and I believe now if my calculations are correctly there is 139 food services licenses on Provo. A lot has happened since 1992, so it is very exciting for us to have that much longevity in food service and restaurants in Providenciales, Turks
and Caicos because we all know that it is a very difficult business, it is a changing business, a business where you have to keep up with trends and the demands of your tourist market and together I think that we have done an amazing job with that. So we both are very excited to take it to the next level and into the next generation.” Mr. Camozzi says that a tremendous amount of hard work, devotion to the restaurant and devotion by the staff, adding that it is not just the commitment by his wife and himself that contributes to the continuation of the business but it is the people behind the scenes such as the chefs, the runners, the bussers, the servers, bartenders and the management team throughout the years. He adds that they have had different sets of different managers who now have their own businesses and that he and Stephanie have always seen themselves as educators where they are teachers who take their students and educate and train them and then send them out into the market for them to become better citizens and entrepreneurs of their own. Mr. Camozzi states, “It has been very successful twenty three years for us. Chicken and ribs night is a staple. I don’t think there is one person that you can talk to in the Turks and Caicos that does not know what chicken and rib night is. So it is repetitiveness, doing things the same way for the same twenty tree years that made our recipe for success.” Mrs. Camozzi says that when they first started, there were not many restaurants for residents to choose from at the time so they had a menu
that had “all things for all people”, where you could get a great steak with their ‘Where’s the Beef ’ campaigns, and where they brought actual handdelivered beef from Colorado for a certain period of time. You could also get a pizza, or all things conch, or a salad or pasta. “Over the years we have tried to maintain a consistency of our products. Most of our menu is home-made. All of our desserts are made in-house and since we appeal to the tourist market and the opener field we have kept Tiki Hut as a casual, island atmosphere and we feel that is attractive to the tourist, but also we have maintained the resident and local business by the consistency. Everyone has their favorite. ‘Chicken Rancho Sandwich’ cannot go off the menu. We have tried before, but it cannot go away. ‘Chicken and Ribs’ has quality, consistency and good value. When more higher end restaurants came about we decided to keep Tiki Hut as a middle of the road, but consistently good value which we maintained for twenty three years which is why we are still here today,” he said. Saturday the 25th of April is the last day of operation at the current location. And because this is a moving party and not a closing party they are going to have a band and at the appropriate time they are going to pick up the chairs and move down to where it all began which they did in 2002 but the other way around. Mr. Camozzi adds that they hope to have their first chicken and rib night on May 6th followed by an opening party on Friday May 8th. He explained: “The location is a bit different being that there are different levels on the decks. It is going to have
more of a ‘loungey’, cozier intimate feel the lower deck is going to be more couches, high top tables vintage lights and a real casual lounge feeling’ while the upper deck should have a beer garden with the picnic table that were from here adjacent to that there will be a dining area with 4 tops, 2 tops, 6 tops in a blend of high tops and the main a frame dining room you will have 4 top seats. And the famous ‘U’ shaped bar continues which has kind of been the staple for the restaurant where you have bar patrons looking at each other as oppose to looking at the bartender. They look across the bar at each other we have had 18 to 22 low chairs instead of high top bar stools which makes it more of a conversation type area. That exact bar was molded from the first location to the current location and it is the same bar that we are using at the original location.” Mr. Camozzi informed that as they where renovating and stripping paint from the old location they are finding the paint that was on the wall from the bar from 1992. He described it as “stripping back layers of an onion in history” stating that the original colours were on the bar still. He says that Grace Bay is what it is with a more tourist driven market with very nice higher end restaurant but he referred to Turtle Cove as being the real heart and soul of the island, adding that the new Tiki Hut is going to be more quaint with more of a neighborhood feel to it. The restaurant got to the point where the restaurant has had a lot of customers down to 1200- 2200 people a week depending on the week and they also have a lot of repeat customers and an outstanding amount of 450 amount of people on chicken and rib night.
Too many restaurants in Providenciales, says Doug Camozzi By Todeline Defralien One of the most experienced restaurants owners in Providenciales believes there are too many restaurants here. In fact, Doug Camozzi says the time has come to have a moratorium on the number of restaurants on the island until a scientific study is done. Camozzi made these observations and statements while announcing that he will be relocating his Tiki Hut restaurant in the Turtle Cove to its original location which is less than 100 metres away, next to the Culture Department. When asked if he thinks there are too many restaurant businesses in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Camozzi said: “I know from having a restaurant in Grace Bay and Green Been in Turtle Cove I think the market is getting saturated and I would like to see more focus on this issue and business license until there is a feasibility study on the number of rooms verses the number of seats in a restaurant.” He added: “I think we all are doing good, but we all are not doing terrific, it’s not like there is just one restaurant that is performing way better than the others out there.” His views were shared by his exwife, Mrs. Stephanie Camozzi, who
Doug and Stephanie Camozzi, Owners of Tiki Hut Restaurant said: “All the resorts have restaurants that are on property as well, so there are also hotels...you are competing with the resorts, you are competing with IGA, because all of the condos have kitchens on the inside and you also competing with villa catering which is a huge spin off now and you can only slice the pizza so many ways.” Mr. Camozzi said more tourists are bringing in coolers of food instead of going to a restaurant to have dinner or lunch. And he thinks what contributes to this is because the prices of food are very high in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and because of this it is bad for business as it is encouraging tourists to have more meals inside of their homes/condos instead of going to a restaurant. “There are more supermarkets that are also opening up in the Turks
and Caicos Islands, so there is a lot more options for these tourist when they land in the TCI, and so the grocery side of it is getting more competitive, and so the prices are starting to fall, which is a benefit for the tourists, but it’s not a benefit for the restaurants here on island,” Mr. Camozzi added. “Because those numbers are adding to more inside cooking instead of dinning out. It is a huge issue and I think that there is need to be some type of research done on how many licenses are out there on food services and the number of rooms. As more hotels are opened and more developments happen, yes where going to need more food services,” he continued. When asked if he thinks that by the tourist dinning in their rooms takes away from the vacation experience, he said: “Yes. The best thing is to get out
of your room and discover what is out there and as for the island you cannot see the island inside of four walls. You have to come out side and have fun and enjoy yourself”. He added: “We have a lot of options. I’ve spoke to people who travel to the Lesser Antilles, The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and even Cuba and probably the best things about the Turks and Caicos Islands is the diversity of cuisines and the quality that is here in the TCI that they don’t get in the other territories they travel and so from that stand point I think that we are doing an A-plus job, and everybody that has restaurants here and the ones that are standing and the ones that are operating are doing a phenomenal job.” According to Comozzi: “I also think that, as in the water sports, as I was associated in water sports, there come a time when you need to slow it down, and I think there are one hundred and thirty-nine licenses and that includes the little restaurants on Airport Road, Downtown, Blue Hills, Wheeland, the food stalls and so on, until you get to the Grace Bay area. Anybody that has the ability to serve food commercially has to have a business license and so I believe that it falls in those numbers”.
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 19
LOCAL NEWS
GOVERNMENT APPOINTS NEW DISTRICT BOARDS The Turks and Caicos Islands Government announced the establishment of the much anticipated District Boards for the Islands of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay as the springboard on the new pathway towards local empowerment in the management of Government services and activities in these islands. This initiative will also see three new District Commissioners being hired in the islands of Salt Cay, Middle Caicos and North Caicos, for which the Government is currently in the recruitment process. The new boards, consisting mostly of Turks and Caicos Islanders who ordinarily live in or are descendants of the island to which they are assigned, will have the responsibility of assisting the District Commissioners, who themselves will now have enhanced roles, in the management and development of the island communities. The Boards will consist of a Chairperson and six island representatives, along with the District Commissioner, Supervisor of Public Works, Senior Police Officer and Senior Environmental Health Officer of that island who will serve as Ex-Officio members. The recent passage of the Government Budget for fiscal year 2015/2016 appropriated some $500,000.00 for the maintenance works in these islands as a separate vote which will ensure that these necessary activities are not overlooked, as was previously the case, when lumped together with the maintenance needs of the larger islands. The votes will now be managed by the District Commissioners as a part
of their expanded portfolios and will be designated for the regular upkeep of schools and other buildings, roads, drains and street cleaning, along with other maintenance services, thereby allowing works to be carried out in a more timely fashion. On April 1st of this year, during the second phase of a Cabinet Portfolio shift which began in January, responsibility for the District Administration fell to the Office of the Premier, and on release of this recent announcement by Cabinet the Premier. “The re-establishment of the district boards and the reinforcement of the portfolios of District Commissioner in each of these islands will ensure a robust mechanism for the management and prioritization of the affairs of these communities and will fulfil the Government’s mandate to restore power to the people. “This new approach will also bring much needed work and small contracts to the skilled workers in the islands through the guarantee of available funds for the regular maintenance and upkeep of Government interests in the islands. This strategic management of the island communities demonstrates my Government’s commitment to ensuring that the needs of the people are met in these islands” said Premier the Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing. “The new district boards will play a vital role in having their input included in the developments of these islands going forward and we as a government look forward to working with them” said Minister for Border Control and Development and also representative for North and Middle Caicos Honourable Donhue Gardiner.
JOB VACANCY NOTICE The Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission invites applications from suitably qualified individuals to the vacant post of a Secretarial Support Officer within the Commission. The post location is Providenciales.
Purpose and Key Responsibilities To provide reliable, confidential and efficient secretarial support service for the Commission.
Key responsibilities will include: •assisting the Commission’s Secretary in the discharge of her statutory and secretarial duties including, handling sensitive and confidential documents and materials; •Interfacing and handling interactions with members of the public in their dealings with the Commission; •typing, faxing and photocopying of routine correspondence as required; •maintaining a comprehensive filing system; •screening incoming calls and answering routine questions; •scheduling appointments for the Commission and Staff Members; •receiving and dispensing mails; •taking notes of meetings when needed; •Such other duties that may be assigned.
Qualification and Experience •An Associate Degree in Business Administration or equivalent qualification; •A minimum of 5 years experience in multi-tasking secretarial service or related field.
Competencies and Other desirable qualities include: •possession of the highest standards of integrity and probity, and understanding of fiduciary responsibilities to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands; •ability to work effectively in teams as well as being able to work unsupervised and under pressure; •excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills; •excellent demonstration of inter-personal skills, respect and high regards for sensitive and confidential information and materials; •excellent computer skills particularly in the use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Power Point and Publisher.
Remuneration: Salary is $24,000 per annum. Application procedure Applicants are requested to submit their CV together with an accompanying letter demonstrating why they would wish to work with the Commission and what particular attributes they would bring to its work. Certified copies of qualifications as well as the names and letters of two referees must be submitted with your application. The deadline for applications is Friday May 8th 2015 with a view to commencing work latest by early June, 2015. Please note that only applicants selected for interview will be notified. Applications should be returned to the Secretary, TCI Integrity Commission either by email, fax, or mail. Direct mail should be addressed to Mrs. Wanda Ariza, Secretary, The Integrity Commission, Franklyn Misick Building, Church Folly Road, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. The contact details are: e-mail: secretary@integritycommission.tc; Tel. 9461941; Fax. 9461355.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
East Bay Resort is seeking LOCAL NEWS a
Resort Manager
Job Description: The Resort Manager‘s primary responsibility is to assist the General Manager with the smooth and profitable operation of the resort; ensuring company standards are adhered to and resort guest satisfaction is achieved. Job Responsibilities Include: Assisting the General Manager in managing the resort; Resolving all guest issues that may arise during the daily operations of the resort; Providing guidance and support to Managers and staff; Maintaining financial control of budgets, analyzing income and expenditure patterns and pace; Involvement in overall business strategy, including sales & marketing and financial key initiatives; Evaluating the effectiveness of staff, identifying learning needs and in conjunction with HR designing and implementing required training; Monitoring adherence to the company’s core values; Performing other related job duties as required ensuring the efficient operation of the Resort. Required Competencies Understanding the Business: Must be passionate about guest satisfaction and be very strong in both front and back of the house; Must be guest focused and oriented, must be able to drive revenue; Excellent leader with a strong sense of urgency who wants to commit to building the best luxury resort and team in the Caribbean; Must understand the cultural climate of operating a luxury resort in the Caribbean ; Must be an entrepreneur minded, hands on business person with a proprietary attitude towards the resort; Must be able to manage and lead the business both internally (staff) and externally (guest) during ongoing construction and renovation periods. Language Skills: Must speak and write fluently in English and French. A working knowledge of Spanish will be ideal but not a requirement; Technical Skills: Strong working knowledge of Micros and Opera Software; High degree of IT literacy, particularly in using and troubleshooting Microsoft Office tools. Decision Making: Must be thorough in decision making, able to learn as well as instruct and be consistent in approach. Managing Work Processes: Must be process oriented and able to work through systems. Communicate Effectively: Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communications; must be able to deal and relate with colleagues and guests at every level. Delegation: Must be interpersonal savvy and the ability to delegate effectively. Organizational Aptitude: Must be able to operate cohesively and effectively in a complex and dynamic business environment. Managing Diverse Relationships: Must be open and able to understand diverse cultures in the workforce and manage effectively through them. Must be team oriented as well as highly guest focused. Inspiring Others: Must lead by example and set the standard of excellence in work ethic, motivating others while implementing the company ideology with purpose. Acting with Honor & Character: Must exhibit composure and demonstrate the ability to listen; must be approachable and act with compassion when necessary. Education/Experience: More than 5 years’ experience in a senior management position at a luxury resort / hotel is required. University Degree or equivalent degree from a recognized hotel school is preferred, however, commensurate experience will be considered. Compensation Compensation will be made attractive to the right person. Relocation will be a component to this package. What we offer: The Opportunity - This position represents an exciting and challenging opportunity for a highly self- motivated and dynamic hotel executive to become part of a unique team that is responsible for what is one of the most exciting luxury resort developments in the Caribbean. This is a position of high visibility that will certainly contribute to the continued growth and successful development of East Bay Resort. The successful candidate will enjoy an environment that is both highly challenging as well as intellectually stimulating, while experiencing personal and professional growth within a luxury resort. Beginning salary commensurate with experience Interested Applicant’s please email applications to info@saunders.tc
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos is a contemporary luxury full service boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with Five Star experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring Five Star standards and services are continuously delivered. Assistant Spa Manager: The Assistant Spa Manager is responsible for assisting in the daily operations, management, and profitability of the spa, along with the highest level of customer service and quality work environment. •Must hold CIBTAC or related certification. Previous knowledge of SPASOFT/SALONIRIS and MBO software is preferred. •Must be a graduate from an accredited university with extensive experience of at least 3 years in a similar position with a reputed hotel. •Must have knowledge of spa therapies and ability to teach yoga and pilates that relate to the well being of all guests in a spa environment. •Must be able to perform therapies around the Pool and Beach area. (Excessive sun exposure) •Must have: good communication skills, flexibility to work hospitality shifts, PC skills, be a Team Player, self-motivated, punctual, professional and able to work under pressure. •Must speak and read English. Preferred with Asian/Gulf countries work experience. •Fluency in MS office; preferably Microsoft excel, outlook. Restaurant Manager - Report Directly to the Food & Beverage Director. Oversees daily operations of the restaurant. Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/ Hostess. Resolve customer complaints regarding food service. Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures. Observe and evaluate workers and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service. Assign duties, responsibilities, and work stations to employees in accordance with work requirements. Housekeeping Supervisor: Works with Room Attendants to ensure guest rooms and public areas are maintained to luxury standards. Assists in assigning staff daily tasks according to occupancy. Inspects work and coaches to develop consistent skills, assists in inventory and reporting. At least 2 years experience as luxury resort room attendant and supervisory experience preferred. PC skills required, Opera preferred, must have exceptional attention to detail and consistency in adhering to luxury standards. Servers - Provide guests with food and beverage service – restaurant, bar, room service, beach & pool. Able to work on feet all day, good math skill, experience in fine dining service an asset. Steward - Clean, transport, store and generally maintain all kitchen cookware and restaurant service utensils. Clean floors, windows, walls, ceilings and equipment associated with Food & Beverage operation or as otherwise directed by supervisors. Security Manager: The practical application of security measures and standards, which will include the well being of staff and guests, according to agreed policies of the company. To direct and coordinate the overall activities of the Security Team to guarantee the safety of all guests, employees and protected assets of hotel property. To perform this job successfully, individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily •Police or Military experience required with certification in First Aid training •Minimum 5 years’ experience as Security Manager with 2 years at a luxury resort •Exceptional customer service skills coupled with disciplined approach to providing consistent quality service levels. •Strong leadership skills with the ability to recruit, train, develop skills, mentor and motivate a team •Thorough knowledge of resort security procedures, operations and equipment, with the ability to execute all aspects •Thorough knowledge of fire, health and safety systems •Should be well versed with Computers/CCTV Footage/Vigilance during Operations. •Ability to effectively deal with internal and external guests, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy to defuse anger and collect accurate information. •Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problem solving skills •Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to speak, read and write fluently in the English language •Professional appearance and demeanor Interested applicants can contact the Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)941-7555 ext. 6022/6016 or via email hr@wymara.com.
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LOCAL NEWS
Digicel releases Galaxy S6, S6 Edge On Tuesday (April 21, 2015) Digicel TCI officially released the exquisite Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge at its flagship store in Graceway House along the Leeward Highway in Providenciales. The event took
the form of an exclusive wine and cheese affair. The last smart phone creation is regarded by Digicel as the greatest from the Samsung range. The following are photo highlights of the event. The S6 (left) and S6 Edge phones on display at the premier event on Tuesday (April 21, 2015) at the Digicel flagship store
Erik staaf, CEO of Digicel TCI, introduces the Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge
Adaljiza Valdez of Digicel, explains the workings of the S6 Edge to noted attorney Clayton Greene
Hayden Boyce (right), SUN Editor-in-Chief and businessman ‘Brother Will’, examine the newlyreleased phones, as shown by Adaljiza Valdez of Digicel
The Digicel crew took time for a photo op during the event
Digicel TCI CEO Erik Staaf (right), explains the many features of the Samsung S6 and S6 Edge to Hayden Boyce, Editor-in-Chief for The SUN
Calsada Johnson (left) answers questions about the Samsung S6 and S6 Edge
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams (left) and businessman Devon Williams (right) are seen viewing the phones S6 Edge phones on display
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
We’re Committed to the Environment Celebrating Earth Day
Today and
Every Day
Carbon Emission vs. GWh Sales 685
681 680
182
679
185
180
676
175 670
170 167
665
162
660
655
650
2009
658
2010
170
165
158
2008
170
2011
Carbon Emissions (kg/MWh)
GWh Sales
Carbon Emissions
675
165
655
2012
654
2013
654
2014
160
155
GWh Sales
FortisTCI continues to reduce carbon emissions and its environmental footprint by utilizing state-of-the-art technology, lubricant recycling, and much, much more.
www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI
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LOCAL LOCALNEWS NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
Soroptimist Annual General Meeting
The Soroptimist International Club of Providenciales held its annual general meeting at the Occasions Ballroom, in the Airport Hotel, on Saturday April 18th, under the theme, “Women, Delivering the Difference. The event was attended by a wide-cross section of women who had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Guest speaker of the event was Mrs. Lillian Boyce, former Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. The club, which is celebrating its sixth year, continues to assist many under-privileged girls and young ladies in the communities, as well as the elderly and senior citizens.Below are some photographs from the event.
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APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
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LOCAL NEWS
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APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
APRIL 24TH, 2015 – MAY 1ST, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS ENTERTAINMENT
Wiz Khalifa
“See You Again” (feat. Charlie Puth) It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again When I see you again Damn, who knew? All the planes we flew Good things we’ve been through That I’ll be standing right here talking to you About another path I know we loved to hit the road and laugh But something told me that it wouldn’t last Had to switch up Look at things different see the bigger picture Those were the days Hard work forever pays Now I see you in a better place How could we not talk about family when family’s all that we got? Everything I went through you were standing there by my side And now you gonna be with me for the last ride It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again (I see you again) We’ve come a long way (yeah, we came a long way) from where we began (you know we started) Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again (let me tell you) When I see you again
First you both go out your way And the vibe is feeling strong And what’s small turn to a friendship A friendship turn into a bond And that bond will never be broken And the love will never get lost (and the love will never get lost) And when brotherhood come first Then the line will never be crossed Established it on our own When that line had to be drawn And that line is what we reach So remember me when I’m gone (remember me while I’m gone) How could we not talk about family when family’s all that we got? Everything I went through you were standing there by my side And now you gonna be with me for the last ride So let the light guide your way, yeah Hold every memory as you go And every road you take will always lead you home, home It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again When I see you again When I see you again When I see you again
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FUN & & GAMES GAMES LOCAL NEWS WORLD NEWS FUN
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FUN & && GAMES FUN GAMES LOCAL NEWS CARIBBEAN NEWS FUN GAMES
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LOCAL NEWSNEWS CARIBBEAN
NEWS NEWS
Butch Stewart adds voice to Cuba impact on Caribbean tourism
The Caribbean’s premier hotelier Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart yesterday supported the positions advanced by Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill and former Prime Minister PJ Patterson on how Jamaica and the region should respond to Cuba’s potential as a competitor in the travel and leisure industry. Reacting to the improvement in relations between the United States and Cuba, McNeill this week urged the local tourism industry not to panic. At the same time, Patterson, himself a former tourism minister, encouraged regional players in the sector to embrace Cuba as a partner, rather than viewing the Spanishspeaking country as a threat. “Instead of people spending their time worrying about how the advent of tourist arrivals in Cuba is going to affect the Caribbean, let’s spend our time in seeing how, out of that alliance, the entire region is going to benefit by the creation of multiple destination and multicultural experience,” Patterson told participants at the third CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum in Montego Bay this week. McNeill, in his presentation to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Tuesday, said that even before this new US policy was announced, Jamaica has been competing successfully with Cuba in Canada, the UK, Latin America and Europe, which are source markets for both destinations. He said that last year he had discussions with a major tour operator out of Cuba, along with other industry partners, to “explore multi-destination
Gordon “Butch” Stewart opportunities”. However, he said that “out of an abundance of caution”, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is already studying how the opening up of Cuba would impact Jamaica. “We are taking the matter seriously.” Arguing that the Jamaican brand is strong enough to withstand any competition, McNeill said: “What we must do is up our game, while looking at opportunities and have confidence in Brand Jamaica. We have met challenges before, and will meet this one as well.” Yesterday, Stewart, who is chairman of Sandals Resorts International which operates 20 properties across the Caribbean, said he agreed with both Patterson and McNeill. “Both gentlemen are confident, and so should we,” Stewart said. “Maybe it will help us improve our own product, as all competition does, and Cuba will be competition, but so is the rest of the world.” Jamaica, he argued, is far more
Crime increasing in St. Kitts BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts-Nevis police say they intend to take back the streets of the twin island Federation from criminals in light of spiraling criminal activities including two murders over the past weekend. “It is our job to try to catch those that will try to steal the soul of our Federation through senseless acts of violence,” Acting Commissioner Stafford Liburd said in a radio and television broadcast on Monday night. He warned “those who think they can steal the soul of our Federation… destabilize our neighbourhoods, your day has come to an end. “We will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will take you off the streets…one murder is one too many” “We will not allow a few bad apples to spoil the entire batch. We have an opportunity in St. Kitts and Nevis because it is truly a new day. We will no longer be defined just by the past. We will chart a new course. It is truly a dawn of a new era of accountability and responsibility in the police service,” he added. Liburd’s address came as the Federation over the last weekend recorded two more murders including that of senior banker Everette Hanley, who was gunned downed outside his home in Nevis.
Liburd, flanked by the Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime Ian Queeley and Head of Nevis’ CIS Superintendent Hilroy Brandy, said that foreign assistance is being sought to help deal with the spate of criminal activities here. “We started by looking at best practices internationally, which has resulted in me last month inviting public safety consulting experts from [the] United Kingdom with considerable Caribbean policing experience. The timing of their arrival could not be better, as we have had two senseless tragedies over the weekend.” Liburd that a short term and long term plan have been developed to address crime. “We are implementing traditional and modern community policing methods in our neighbourhoods. Policing is not about occupying neighbourhoods…true community policing empowers both the community and the officers. It creates the environment for true collaboration. Officers [know] the community and the community knows the officers,” he said. He told the nation that hotspots have been identified where police would coordinate efforts and department resources to detect and prevent crime.
resilient than many people believe. He pointed out that the country “enjoys tremendous goodwill worldwide” and that has been evident in the performance of our tourism industry, especially from the 1980s through to now. “One would have to agree that for 30 years Jamaica’s tourism has shown the most unbelievable performance,” Stewart said. “Even against the setbacks of the 1990 Gulf War, the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the 2008 global recession and, since then, weak markets, tourism has been our resilient backbone and will continue to be Jamaica’s lifeline into the future.” However, Stewart, who is also chairman of the Jamaica Observer, acknowledged that Cuba is a very attractive destination. “As far as Cuba goes, they’re great neighbours and have a beautiful product with which to compete,” he said. “The product is mostly Stateowned and in most cases price-driven.
We should be careful not to get caught in that trap while improving our product to meet not only the additional competition that Cuba provides, but competition from the rest of the world.” He said that at this time, Jamaica is facing significantly more competition from Europe, as the euro and British pound have devalued radically against our dollar. That, he argued, has made Europe and the UK more attractive to North American tourists, the majority of whom “already have a love affair with Europe and Great Britain”, which, he emphasised, have everything imaginable to offer in terms of visitor attractions. “So, we in turn must sharpen our focus and our great strengths,” Stewart said, adding that “teamwork will continue to strengthen our own tourism offerings, which are very diverse and, I believe, strong”. He expressed confidence in the team leading Jamaica’s tourism sector, pointing out that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller “was a very successful minister of tourism” who has brought to her current office “an enormous overview” of the sector and how it operates. Stewart also pointed out that McNeill was born in the industry, as his father, Kenneth, was “one of the pioneers of tourism in Negril, operating his own hotel”; while Director of Tourism Paul Pennicooke has had “many years of tourism experience”, and JTB Chairman Dennis Morrison “is also well-experienced as this is his second time in that post”.
Police say missing students detained in Grenada St. Lucia police Wednesday said that seven Nepalese students, reported missing here have been detained in neighbouring Grenada. Police gave no further details regarding the detention of the students, who were reported missing over the last weekend, leaving behind their travel documents in the possession of law enforcement officials here. The students are among a group of Asians who have been left virtually stranded here as a result of what has become known as the “Lambirds Academy affair”. Four men, including three from India, are facing human trafficking charges after the authorities uncovered the alleged scam that brought more than 20 young people here from Nepal and the Philippines. The group claimed that they had responded to an offer of education in hospitality, cruise and business management, from Lambirds
Academy which is based in northern town of Gros Islet. The Asians said they each paid $US9, 000 each for the courses and $US13,000 each to get to St Lucia, but on arrival here were told by law enforcement authorities that they had been duped. Some of the students have returned to their home with the assistance of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) The seven students detained in Grenada have been identified as Dipak Sapkota, 22, Chandra Bahadur Thapa, 22, Ankit Dhakal,18, Pradip Adhikari, 23, Dipak Bhujel, 20, Sharma Kafle-Arjun, 32 and Numkala Tiwari, 20. Opposition Leader Gale Rigobert Monday said that government had yet to announce a concrete plan to ensure the safety and security of the students given the unfortunate circumstances under which they brought to the island.
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CARIBBEAN LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Barbadian policeman charged with murder
Police officer Everton Gittens The senior policeman added: has been charged with murdering “We had also promised that on Selwyn Knight and has been remanded completion of the investigation, we to Dodds until May 18th 2015 when he would forward the file to the Director makes his next court appearance. of Public Prosecution (DPP) for an Gittens was also charged with independent review and this was done. recklessly engaging in conduct that The DPP, who is the constitutional put Junior Knight, son of the deceased authority on all matters concerning in danger of death or serious bodily criminal prosecution, reviewed the harm and wounding him with intent file and rendered his advice. On to maim disfigure or disable. Friday 17 April, 2015, I became aware Barbadians converged in their of his advice and as a consequence numbers at the District A Criminal instructions were given to arrest Court 2 to get a glimpse of the accused Constable Everton Gittens; on Sunday who made his first appearance today. 19 April, 2015 this was done. Mrs He was not required to plead to these Marlene Knight the wife of the late indictable charges. Selwyn Knight was informed by the Gittens, along with a senior investigator that Constable contingent of fellow officers and his Gittens was arrested and that he two lawyers went before Justice would be formally charged on Monday Olson Alleyne in Supreme Court No 20 April 2015 after two other matters 5 with an application seeking bail, that were conditions precedent to but Alleyne turned it down. “Bail formal charges being preferred were is denied,” the judge stated after dealt with.” listening to arguments from Gittens’ Thompson continued: “The RBPF being counsel, Angela Mitchell-Gittens and cognizant of the public’s discourse on Desmond Sands. Upon the ruling, this matter including the utterances of Gittens’ girlfriend collapsed and had the victims’ family, feels constrain to to be walked out of the court, while one make a few general comments. Firstly, of his female Drug Squad colleagues we understand the pain and anguish also fainted and had to be taken from of the family members and empathize the precincts by ambulance. Gittens with them. Indeed, the circumstances remains on remand at Dodds until of this case seem to make comforting May 18. words elusive, and the call for justice Selwyn Knight was shot at seems to be the only words that unite Dash Road, Bank Hall, St Michael in all of us. Interestingly, the notion March of this year, after he and his of justice connotes different things son chased and were struggling with to different people and that is why a man who had reportedly broken into justice as expounded in law seems to their home. be the safest approach to ascertaining The incident caused quite a bit of what the notion really entails. In controversy in Barbados. this regard, the RBPF at all times The Royal Barbados Police Force considered the interests and the rights (RBPF) said it placed “accuracy and of the public to be kept informed of the completeness” above speed in the administration of justice, particularly investigation against Constable in the area of the enforcement of Everton Gittens. the criminal law. Nonetheless, the Acting assistant commissioner of public’s interests and rights, have to Police Mark Thompson said despite be balanced against the rights and this, they were able to complete the interests of the accused/suspect as investigation within the 30 days well as the rights and interests of the allocated for such cases. victims and their family.” Thompson stated: “Guided by He said the police force operated a our motto ‘To serve, protect, and Due Process Model of Criminal Justice, reassure’, the Royal Barbados Police which has elaborate protections for Force (RBPF) gave certain public accused persons. assurances touching and concerning “Some of these protections are the shooting at Dash Gap, Bank Hall, enshrined in the Constitution of which resulted in the death of Selwyn Barbados, including the right to a Knight and injuries to his son Junior fair trial. In small jurisdictions where Knight. Those assurances in essence everyone knows everyone, this right stated that we shall serve the citizenry has to be jealously guarded. It is of Barbados by enforcing the criminal this reality which often constrains law in a manner which protects the the dissemination of information to integrity of the Criminal Justice the public, before and after a person System. Notably, in those assurances has been charged and even during we promised to conduct an impartial the course of a trial. Indeed, the and transparent investigation with RBPF would be very irresponsible to the greatest of alacrity. Importantly, publicise information that it knows we at no time wanted to sacrifice or should have known is likely to accuracy and completeness for frustrate the right of an accused speed. Nevertheless, we were able to person to a fair trial, resulting in a complete the investigation well before legal challenge to the conduct of the the 30 day limit for such an inquiry.” trail itself,” Thompson added.
Jamaica PM visits families of murder victims
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has urged Jamaicans to find ways of resolving disputes without resorting to murder. She made the comment on Saturday as she visited the families of the four males who were murdered in the central parish of Clarendon last week. The country was left in a state of shock following the quadruple murder of three schoolboys and an adult in the community of Monymusk in the parish
last week. Simpson Miller expressed shock at the incident and called for greater protection for the country’s youths, whose unmet potential could have seen them making great contributions to society. “The person who murder today or tomorrow could be your blood relative and you do not know. Those that were murdered could become the scientists to find the cure for heart disease….”
Barbados minister slams Antigua Prime Minister
(Left) Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne (Right) Barbados Minister of International Business Donville Inniss Outspoken Minister of Commerce to move the bulk of the airline’s Donville Inniss has told Antigua and operations to Barbados – a move Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne is also resisting – Inniss said Browne to “take a breath” and have a “Antigua was duly represented” at the “sober” conversation with his regional meeting by its minister responsible counterparts about LIAT, instead of for aviation Robin Yearwood and the making “undiplomatic and outlandish decision was “very fair, balanced and statements”. reasonable”. His comments in an interview “So my advice to my friend with Barbados TODAY follow Browne Gaston Browne is ‘don’t make describing as “treason”, a reported such undiplomatic and outlandish plan to replace the Antigua-based statements to your fellow Prime LIAT with a Barbados-owned carrier. Ministers’,” he said. It was at the end of last month Describing LIAT’s current that reports began circulating that a structure as unsustainable and “a proposal had been put to Barbados, burden to taxpayers”, Inniss said the major LIAT shareholder, to that as a minister who had to deal establish an airline. Browne’s reaction with “constant complaints” from was swift, as he said such a move was businesspeople in Barbados regarding not “in the spirit of good relations” and LIAT when it came to the movement of warned that he would be seeking the goods and people around the region, he resignation of LIAT’s chief executive agreed with any plans to restructure officer David Evans if he was the one the airline. who spearheaded the plan. However, he declined to comment However, Inniss blasted Browne, on the reported move to establish a whose government is one of four LIAT Barbadian airline. shareholders, saying his comments “I don’t know if it is true or not,” were “very strong” and could be he said. considered “very damaging to regional Inniss directed Barbados TODAY integration”. to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and “As a Prime Minister, you don’t Minister of Tourism and International accuse your colleagues of other Transport Richard Sealy but efforts to countries of acting in a manner that reach either were unsuccessful. can be considered to be treason; you When asked whether he would come to the table and sit and discuss support a Barbadian airline, Inniss these issues,” he said. said: “Whatever decision my Prime “I think Prime Minister Gaston Minister and colleague of International Browne would be well advised to take Transport take you can rest assured a deep breath, pick up the phone and that they will have my support.” call Prime Minister [Ralph] Gonsalves, But Inniss insisted that was not the Prime Minister [Freundel] Stuart and matter at hand. Prime Minister [Roosevelt] Skerrit “The issue here is that Antiguans, and have a very sober and reasoned like Barbadians, need to accept discussion about LIAT and the future that LIAT as currently structured of LIAT,” he added, referring to the and operating cannot continue,” the leaders of shareholder governments St minister said. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados Businessmen Robert Pitcher and Dominica. and Ralph Bizzy Williams have both Addressing the decision made at poured cold water on the idea of a meeting of shareholders in Barbados Barbados setting up its own airline.
Caribbean Court of Justice dismisses appeal in teachers suspensions The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Wednesday dismissed an appeal by two senior teachers who claimed that the manner in which they were suspended breached their fundamental rights such as the right to work, the protection of the law and the right to equal protection. The Trinidad-based Court, which is holding an historic sitting here, also dismissed arguments that principal Juanita Lucas and vice principal Celia Carillo, be awarded damages. In dismissing the appeal, the CCJ, the country’s final court, emphasised that the suspensions were not to punish the appellants but rather to allow a proper inquiry into the problems at the school.
The CCJ ruled that no disciplinary action had been taken against the appellants such as to trigger the protection of the Constitution. The Court noted that the right to work was not a guarantee of continued employment and there was no inference with the appellants’ ability to continue practising their profession. The majority held that there was no breach of the protection of the law or the right to equal protection because the team of persons sent to the school was on a fact-finding inquiry. The Court said the Chief Education Officer took this action in the public interest given the continued upheavals and disruptions at the school.
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The Bahamas Government adopts zero tolerance on sexual misconduct within schools
NASSAU, The Bahamas,– The Bahamas government Tuesday said it viewed sexual misconduct within schools “very seriously” as it investigates an allegation of an incident of sexual misconduct involving four students including one female. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) said it had recently been informed by a principal of an unidentified primary school of the incident on April 16. It said the report was also made to the police. “The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology takes matters of alleged sexual misconduct within our schools very seriously and gives priority to such matters,” it said, adding that once an incident is brought to its attention “the protocols and procedures as set out by the
Safe Schools Protocol, Manual for Public Schools, are immediately followed to ensure that the matter is addressed and all stakeholders are notified. “In this instance, the MOEST is satisfied that the right protocols were followed and the relevant stakeholders have been informed and are engaged in the investigations. The parents of all students have been contacted and informed of the alleged misconduct. Education officials, Social Services, School Psychological Services as well as the Police have all been notified and each is carrying out its respective duties,” MOEST said. It said that the students are being closely monitored and the alleged victim has been removed from having direct interaction with those involved.
“The MOEST wants to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of the students and aggressive counseling has already begun and will continue, to ensure that the students are given the necessary medical and psychological attention and treatment.” The government said that it wanted to assure the public that it does not “condone this kind of behaviour from our students and will work closely with parents to ensure children understand what is considered appropriate and inappropriate behaviour. “The Ministry of Education will continue to place emphasis in our Family Life lessons, where the curriculum provides; to educate our children on “inappropriate touching” especially among our younger primary students.”
Guyanese nabbed with cocaine in sneakers at New York airport
Thenga Adams who arrived on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana to JFK allegedly tried to smuggle $30,000 worth of cocaine in his sneakers The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says officers nabbed a Guyanese national with cocaine his sneakers at John F. Kennedy International Airport here. According to CBP, on April 6, the arriving passenger – Thenga Adams “tried to sneak past” officers “but was stopped in his tracks.”
“During the course of the inspection, CBP officers discovered running shoes in his luggage that contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine,” CBP said in a statement on Thursday. “Mr. Adams was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations,” it added.
Pastor on child pornography charges BELMOPAN, Belize – Police have charged a Honduran-born pastor with multiple counts of child pornography. Police said that Gerardo Lopez of the Evangelical Church had been questioned in connection with a number of photos of children, ages two and 10 years old. Lopez’s cellular phone is also alleged to contain photos of the minors. He has been slapped with four counts of producing child pornography. Media reports here said that the information regarding the photos came to light after an unidentified woman handed over documents to an officer with Community Policing in Orange Walk. The documents contained nude pictures of two children. Police said they are continuing investigations into the matter.
The total weight of cocaine seized was about 2 lbs. The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) estimates the street value to be US$30,000. Adams now faces US federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office in the US Eastern District Court of New York.
Guyana telephone company warns of sabotage to its network
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) says there is a deliberate attempt to sabotage its operations after discovering that a 600 pair cable had been vandalized and affecting several hundred customers. The company said that in recent months, the national telecommunications network has been repeatedly vandalized. “This deliberate, mindless destruction of, or damage to, the country’s telecommunications facilities is not new. But, in recent months it has spiraled out of control. For the year to date, we have recorded 52 acts of vandalism in communities from East Berbice to Linden,” GT&T said in a statement. It said the “deliberate
vandalism” has resulted in the disruption to thousands of customers and as a result phone lines and internet services have been affected. “This state of affairs is unacceptable and unsustainable. And, insofar as network vandalism affects all of us, all of us must participate in this scourge. We have done everything in our power to protect the network and in the process we have received continued support from the Guyana Police Force”, GT&T said, warning of the threat to national security, unplanned expenditure of millions of dollars in civil works, repairs and service restoration as well as the diversion of materials and personnel from routine activities to address emergencies.
Remove taxes on air travel, aviation experts advise The removal of all taxes on air travel within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is among recommendations presented by aviation experts, tourism stakeholders and government representatives from throughout the sub-grouping when they met for talks, Wednesday. The recommendation follows a study commissioned by the OECS Authority last December and conducted by Trinidad-based El Perial Management Services headed by Aviation Consultant Ian Bertrand. Bertrand told OBSERVER media that also listed among the recommendations is that national tourism authorities should place more emphasis on attracting OECS visitors. “They tend to focus more on tourists coming from abroad than from tourists coming from within the region. We have demonstrated the value of regional tourism as opposed to international tourists,” Bertrand, a former BWIA CEO, said. The consultant also recommended that, “private airlines registered in the Eastern Caribbean be allowed to fly freely within the OECS.” He said that recommendation will “allow for the kind of connectivity that you and I are demanding.” “The last one (recommendation) is to have the kind of air service agreements that would facilitate these airlines flying throughout the OECS,” the aviation consultant added. What happens next is up to the OECS Secretariat, Bertrand said before adding that the recommendations will “definitely” make air travel easier in the sub-region. Addressing the meeting Wednesday, Head of Economic Development Policy Unit of the OECS Rodinald Soomer said it ought not to be “just another meeting on intra-regional travel.” He said intra-regional travel had been constantly declining, hitting especially small hotels hard. Soomer told the meeting that although OECS nationals have the legal right to move freely, that cannot be properly exercised because of “inconvenient scheduling and poor connectivity or if the means to travel are limited because of the high cost of airfare.” Meantime, using recent data, the country’s Minister Tourism, Asot Michael, painted a gloomy image of intra-regional travel. He said in the case of Antigua & Barbuda, arrivals from the OECS have slipped from 18,740 in 2008 to 10,022 in 2014 – an almost 50 per cent decline.
Increased cases of cholera reported in Haiti PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti- Health authorities say they has been an increase in the number of cholera cases in Haiti so far this year with more than 100 people dying from the disease.. The Ministry of Health in a statement said that as of March 28, there had been 11, 721 cases, a 300 per cent increase from the same period last year. The head of the Haiti office of Doctors Without Borders, Oliver Schulz, said last May, there were hardly any cholera cases. But the authorities are blaming the spike on the rainy season. The French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country has two rainy seasons that tend to generate spikes in the waterborne bacterial disease. The first rainy season is between April and June and the second from late August to November. Last month, the United Nations mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) requested US$36.5 million for cholera programmes for the next two years. Haiti leads the world in suspected cholera cases. More than 8,700 people have died after contracting the disease. So far 113 have died this year. Haitians blame the UN peacekeepers from Nepal for introducing the disease here in 2010. The U.N. has been sued by the US-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), demanding improved water and sanitation infrastructure, compensation for the victims, and an apology. But a federal judge threw out the case and the IJDH has since filed an appeal.
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Obama takes blame for operation that killed two hostages
President Barack Obama on Thursday revealed that an American and an Italian hostage were killed in a covert US counter-terrorism operation on the Afghan-Pakistan border in January, saying he took “full responsibility” for the tragedy. Making public the previously classified finding, Obama expressed his “deepest apologies” to the families of the two hostages, Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto. Two other Americans linked to Al-Qaeda, including spokesman Adam Gadahn, were killed in operations at around the same time, the White House said. “Based on information and intelligence we have obtained, we believe that a US counterterrorism operation targeting an Al-Qaeda compound in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region accidentally killed Warren and Giovanni this past January,” Obama said in an unscheduled statement. “As president and as commander-in-chief, I take full responsibility for all our counter-
terrorism operations, including military unit. the one that inadvertently took If confirmed, it would be the the lives of Warren and Giovanni, latest controversy to hit Obama’s he said. counter-terrorism operations, “I profoundly regret what which -- while killing Osama bin happened. On behalf of the Laden -- have relied heavily on United States government, I secret drone strikes. offer our deepest apologies to the “We have concluded that families.” Ahmed Faruq, an American who Weinstein was snatched after was an Al-Qaeda leader, was gunmen tricked their way into killed in the same operation his home in Lahore on August 13, that resulted in the deaths of Dr. 2011 shortly before he was due Weinstein and Mr. Lo Porto,” the to return home after seven years White House said. working in Pakistan. “We have also concluded that He later appeared in a video in Adam Gadahn, an American who which, under apparent coercion, became a prominent member he asked the United States to of Al-Qaeda, was killed in free Al-Qaeda prisoners. January, likely in a separate US Italian aid worker Lo Porto, Government counterterrorism 39, disappeared in January 2012 operation,” it added. in Pakistan. “While both Faruq and Weinstein’s widow said Gadahn were Al-Qaeda members, in a statement that “we are neither was specifically targeted, devastated by this news and the and we did not have information knowledge that my husband will indicating their presence at the never safely return home.” sites of these operations.” The White House statement In his statement, Obama said did not identify which US agency the US believed that the operation carried out the operation, which resulting in the hostage deaths suggests it was carried out by an “did take out dangerous members intelligence service rather than a of Al-Qaeda.”
Michael Brown’s family sues Ferguson over shooting death
A demonstrator takes part in a protest to show solidarity with the family of black teenager Michael Brown, outside the American Embassy in London. The family of Michael Brown filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Ferguson on Thursday, seeking unspecified damages and police reforms after the black teen’s killing by a white policeman prompted a national debate on law enforcement and race. The civil lawsuit filed in St. Louis County, Missouri, names the city of Ferguson, former Police Chief Thomas Jackson and former police officer Darren Wilson as defendants. The lawsuit seeks $75,000 in compensation, as well as unspecified punitive damages, and calls for a court order prohibiting the use of police techniques “that demean, disregard, or underserve its African-American population”.
The shooting last August sparked protests and a national movement questioning police use of deadly force, especially against minorities in cities around the country. The lawsuit alleges that Wilson destroyed evidence after he shot Brown on the street of the St. Louis suburb last August, saying he washed blood off his hands and cleared and bagged the gun used in the shooting. “We expect to put on evidence that you never heard about before, that you have never seen,” Anthony Gray, one of the lawyers for Brown’s family, said at a news conference on Thursday to discuss the lawsuit. Gray said evidence had not been presented properly in the
previous investigations. A grand jury in Missouri decided last year not to bring criminal charges against Wilson. The U.S. Department of Justice later cleared the police officer of any civil rights violations. While Brown was unarmed, some witnesses said he had charged Wilson in the incident. “We have not had a chance to read through (the lawsuit), but because it is pending litigation, the city won’t be able to make any comment,” Jeff Small, a spokesman for Ferguson, said in a telephone interview. The city previously said it would establish a citizen review board, recruit diverse police officers and put into effect use of body and dashboard camers by police officers and patrol cars. Lawyers for Wilson were not immediately available to comment. The lawsuit has been expected since last month, when the family expressed disappointment in the Justice Department investigation and said it would sue. The department’s report did find racial bias and a pattern of illegal actions against AfricanAmericans by the Ferguson Police Department.
Drone found on roof of Japanese prime minister’s office TOKYO — Japanese authorities said they were investigating after a small drone laced with traces of radiation was found Wednesday on the roof of the prime minister’s office, sparking concerns about drones and their possible use for terrorist attacks. No injuries or damage were reported from the incident, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Indonesia to attend an Asian-African conference. Police said it was not immediately known who was responsible for the drone. They were investigating the possibility it had crashed during a flight. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said a drone landing at the prime minister’s office was a wakeup call to problems caused by the unmanned aerial devices, including possible terrorist attacks when Japan hosts a Group of Seven summit next year, as well as the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. “There is a possibility that drones might be used for terrorist attacks,” Suga told a regular news conference. “Taking into consideration the latest incident, we will review drone use and measures for possible terrorist attacks using drones. We’ll do our utmost to prevent terrorist attacks.” It was not clear when the drone landed. Officials at the prime minister’s office, located in central Tokyo, said they rarely go up to the roof, which is also used as a heliport in case of an emergency. News reports said the drone was found by an official who was taking new employees on a tour of the prime minister’s office. What was initially considered only a mishap turned eerie when investigators detected small traces of radiation from the drone, which police said were not levels harmful to humans. TV video showed several uniformed policemen without hazmat suits carrying a blue plastic box containing the drone for further examination. Video from public television broadcaster NHK earlier showed dozens of police officers and officials around the drone, which was covered by a blue tarp. The drone was about 50 centimeters (1.7 feet) in diameter and had four propellers, carrying a small camera and a plastic bottle with unidentified content inside, according to Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department. It said the bottle is believed to be the source of radioactive cesium contamination. The drone was also decorated with a symbol that warns of radioactive material, according to NHK. Small drones are becoming increasingly popular in Japan and are often used for performances, aerial filming and other purposes, but have been raising safety concerns. In the United States in January, a wayward drone flown by an off-duty intelligence employee crashed on the White House grounds, raising questions over how commercial and consumer drones can be used safely in the U.S. Japanese aviation laws have no restrictions for flying unmanned equipment at or below 250 meters (820 feet) above ground except for flight routes.
Germanwings crash could prompt remote override tech review BERLIN — The head of Germany’s air traffic control agency says the crash of a Germanwings jet in France last month raises the question of whether technology should be put in place allowing authorities on the ground to take control of a plane and remotely land it. Investigators believe the plane’s co-pilot deliberately crashed it during a flight from Barcelona to Duesseldorf, killing all 150 aboard. Speaking Wednesday in Frankfurt, Klaus Dieter Scheurle said “such an event might cause us to reconsider systems which would allow the control of aircraft to be taken over by personnel on the ground in emergency situations,” according to a statement from the agency.
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Protesters demand justice for US man who died after arrest
The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation following the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, after his arrest last week in Baltimore BALTIMORE - Demonstrators launched a week of protests to demand justice for a Baltimore man who died from a spinal injury he suffered while in police custody. The federal government opened a civil rights investigation into yet another death fueling debate over police brutality and race relations in the U.S. Freddie Gray, who was black, suffered the injury under mysterious circumstances after he was handcuffed and put in the back of a police van. The 25-year-old died in a hospital a week
after his April 12 arrest. At the site of the arrest, more than a thousand demonstrators gathered Tuesday to remember Gray, who friends and relatives say was kind, funny and generous, and call for police reform. It marked the beginning of a week of protests and rallies planned across Baltimore, including one set for Wednesday night. “The world is watching, and the world needs to see that black Baltimore is unified,” said Pastor Jamal Bryant
Labour and Conservatives tied again ahead of UK election
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron (L) stands alongside Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and Ed Miliband the leader of the opposition Labour Party as they attend the Commemoration Service for Afghanistan at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, March 13, 2015. With less than a month left to Britain’s May 7 election, Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives and opposition Labour party are tied at 34 percent, according to a YouGov poll for The Sun newspaper published on Friday. Labour and Conservatives remain unchanged at 34 percent from a day earlier, according to the latest YouGov poll. The poll put UK Independence Party unchanged at 14 percent, the
Liberal Democrats at 9 percent, up 2 points, and the Greens unchanged at 5 percent, the newspaper said. The two main parties have been neck-and-neck in the polls since the beginning of the year, with neither establishing a lead beyond the typical 3 percent margin of error in most surveys. Opinion polls have consistently shown that neither the Conservatives nor Labour are likely to win an overall majority in the 650-seat Parliament.
British couple win a million in lottery for 2nd time LONDON — A couple from northern England has defied the odds — again — by winning a million pounds ($1.5 million) in the lottery for a second time. David and Kathleen Long won the money — and a car — in the EuroMillions Mega Friday Draw, having already scooped up 1 million pounds in 2013. Lottery operator Camelot said
Wednesday the couple beat odds of 283-billion-to-1. David Long says he played his usual numbers and watched in amazement as they came up. His wife, Kathleen, had to verify them. Since then, it’s all been a blur. The retired truck driver says the win means he’ll probably take his wife on a cruise — as he’s run out of excuses not to go now. A party is also planned.
of the Empowerment Temple, one of the rally’s organizers. The deaths of men at the hands of police in several U.S. cities have unleashed protests and demands for reform over the past months. Some of the men have been black and unarmed, though the circumstances have varied. Grey was taken into custody after police “made eye contact” with him and another man in an area known for drug activity, police said, and both men started running. Gray was handcuffed and put in a transport van. At some point during his roughly 30-minute ride, the van was stopped and Gray’s legs were shackled when an officer felt he was becoming “irate,” police said. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said Gray asked for an inhaler and then several times asked for medical care. He was eventually rushed to a hospital. Grey died Sunday — a week after his arrest — of what police described as “a significant spinal injury.” Exactly how he was injured and what happened in the van is still not known. Demonstrators called for answers, accountability and a change to how they say people in inner-city Baltimore are treated by officers patrolling the neighbourhood.
Pricilla Jackson carried a sign reading, “Convict Freddie’s killers,” that listed the names of the six officers suspended with pay while local and federal authorities investigate the death. Jackson, who is black, said she wants Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake to know that she and others have been brutalized by police. Across the country, in Washington state, documents shed new light on the past behaviour of an immigrant farmworker who was shot by police after he had been throwing rocks in busy intersection. The documents, obtained by The Associated Press under public records requests, showed that one of the officers who killed Antonio ZambranoMontes had dragged him away from his burning rental home weeks earlier. Zambrano-Montes, who in another case had pleaded with police to kill him, was sitting on the ground in January in a meth-induced trance near the fire when Officer Adam Wright found him, according to the documents. Weeks later, Wright and two other officers shot Zambrano-Montes. Video footage showed the Mexicanborn man running away, then turning around with arms outstretched just as police unloaded, prompting months of protests.
UN presence in Niger, Sudan can help migrant crisis ROME — Italy pressed the EU “European Union naval on Wednesday to devise robust steps operations in the Horn of Africa have to stop the deadly tide of migrants successfully fought piracy — and a crossing the Mediterranean, including similar initiative must be developed considering military intervention to effectively fight against human against smugglers and boosting U.N. trafficking in the Mediterranean,” refugee offices in countries bordering Renzi wrote in a New York Times Libya. opinion piece. “Trafficking vessels “We know where the smugglers should be put out of operation.” keep their boats, where they gather,” In the latest arrivals of migrants, an said Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti. Italian naval vessel docked in the “The plans for military intervention Sicilian port of Augusta with 446 are there.” people who had been rescued off the Some 90 percent of smugglers’ southern coast of the Italian mainland. boats leave from Libya, where the The navy said 59 were children. lack of a central authority coupled “We prefer to die trying (to with extremists affiliated with the migrate) than stay back there and die,” Islamic State group have contributed said Emmanual, a Nigerian migrant to chaos and lawlessness that have who recently arrived in Sicily. “Stay allowed criminal trafficking networks at home and get shot dead or maybe to proliferate. burnt to death, I just prefer to die Pinotti said Italy was willing while trying or survive.” to take the helm of any military Later in the day, another 540 intervention if asked and as long as migrants arrived in Salerno on the it is carried out as an international mainland. Some were in isolation mission, backed by the United Nations. under a tent of the main deck of the “We’re ready to do our share,” she told Italian navy ship that rescued them Sky TG24. “We’re the closest country since they had scabies — underscoring to Libya.” a growing health threat that on Pinotti spoke a day before EU Wednesday prompted Italian Health leaders hold an emergency summit Minister Beatrice Lorenzin to convene in Brussels called in the wake of a a summit of EU health ministers in shipwreck off Libya last weekend Rome to coordinate immunization and that may have killed more than 800 other health measures for the new migrants. It would be the highest arrivals. known loss of migrants’ lives in a Pinotti said she was cautiously single incident in the Mediterranean. hopeful that the EU summit on Ahead of the summit, Premier Mario Thursday, solicited by Italy, would Renzi called for EU leaders to approve take tangible steps to deal with the three key proposals: doubling the emergency. resources and assets of the current “We think it’s the moment in which EU border patrol mission; destroying Europe decides, forcefully, to have an smugglers’ boats and improving international police operation, which coordination across the EU for will undo this band of criminals,” transferring asylum seekers. Pinotti said.
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New royal baby: Destined to be a ‘spare to the heir’? headlines about his friendship with several controversial figures, notably U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, a registered sex offender. Andrew stepped down from his role as a trade envoy in 2011 as questions mounted, and this year he had to publicly deny claims that he had sex with an underage woman. Andrew, who is divorced from Sarah Ferguson — known as Fergie — has also long been criticized for his opulent, globetrotting lifestyle, and his romantic links to a number of models and starlets have attracted unwelcome nicknames like “Randy Andy.” Andrew will become sixth in line to the throne with the baby’s birth. PRINCESS MARGARET (1930 -2002)
WikiLeaks creates online archive of hacked Sony documents
In this Aug. 18, 2014, file photo, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino, left, and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speak during a news conference inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Whistleblower site WikiLeaks has put hundreds of thousands of emails and documents from last year’s Sony hack into a searchable online archive. Assange says that its database includes more than 170,000 emails from Sony Pictures Entertainment and a subsidiary, plus more than 30,000 other documents. NEW YORK — Sony’s hacking problems aren’t over yet. Whistleblower site WikiLeaks on Thursday put hundreds of thousands of emails and documents from last year’s crippling cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment into a searchable online archive. It’s the latest blow for the entertainment and technology company struggling to get past the attack, which the company estimates caused millions in damage. The website founded by Julian Assange said that its database includes more than 170,000 emails from Sony Pictures and a subsidiary, plus more than 30,000 other documents. Sony Pictures blasted WikiLeaks for creating the archive, saying the website was helping the hackers disseminate stolen information. “We vehemently disagree with WikiLeaks’ assertion that this material belongs in the public domain,” the company said in a statement. But Assange said the documents should be available to the public. Although they had been online, it was in a compressed format that wasn’t easily searchable. “This archive shows the inner workings of an influential multinational corporation,” Assange said. “It is newsworthy and at the center of a geo-political conflict. It belongs in the public domain. WikiLeaks will ensure it stays there.” The WikiLeaks site lets users find emails, documents or an entire cache of files through searches using keywords, people who sent or received emails and types of files. The site made a name for itself in 2010 when it began publishing diplomatic cables leaked by Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning. Assange is currently battling a detention order in Sweden, where he is wanted by prosecutors in an investigation of alleged sex crimes. He has avoided being extradited to Sweden by taking shelter in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012.
Four years younger than the queen, Margaret was Elizabeth’s only sister. With her film-star looks and vivacious personality, Margaret lived a glamorous and sometimes controversial life, and many remember her best for her This is a April 9, 2005 file photo of Britain\’s Prince William, and Prince Harry, left, after turbulent romances. the civil wedding ceremony of their father Britain\’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, The princess’s relationship the Duchess of Cornwall, at the Guildhall in Windsor, England. Prince Harry the second with divorced pilot Peter son of Prince Charles and Diana, Harry is often seen as the mischievous one, the funTownsend was frowned upon loving counterpart to the more staid _ some say dull _ William by Winston Churchill and the Church of England, among others. LONDON — When Prince abdicated in 1936. In 1955, aged 25, she declared William and Kate announced they she had decided against marrying were expecting their first child in PRINCE HARRY (born 1984) him, “conscious of my duty to the 2012, the appetite for royal baby Commonwealth.” news seemed insatiable. The second son of Prince Margaret later married Three years on, interest Charles and Diana, Harry is photographer Antony Armstrongsurrounding the young royals’ often seen as the mischievous Jones, a supposed “commoner,” second child — a younger brother one, the fun-loving counterpart and the couple became the heart of or sister to George — is notably to the more staid — some say a fashionable set in the Swinging more subdued. Part of it may be dull — William. Harry came of London scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s. that the novelty of seeing “Kate age under full public scrutiny, and The princess was often snapped and Wills” as parents has worn through the years he has sparked dancing late into the night, threw off. But it’s also inevitable given some scandalous headlines. He famous parties in the Caribbean the royal succession rule, in which admitted to smoking cannabis and mixed with pop stars like the throne always passes to the and drinking in his teenage years, Mick Jagger. eldest child. Second-born royals in and in 2004 he was photographed Before the couple divorced, the line of succession rarely have scuffling with a photographer Margaret met Roddy Llewellyn, to worry about one day becoming outside a London nightclub. 17 years her junior, sparking a king or queen — they are known A couple of incidents were relationship that prompted huge half-jokingly as the “spares to the particularly embarrassing for media coverage. heir.” the royals: When the prince was Margaret’s health declined in It’s a position that brings far photographed wearing a Nazi- her 60s, after a lifetime of alcohol less responsibility, but also fewer themed costume to a fancy dress and cigarettes. She died in 2002, privileges than those enjoyed by party, prompting the headline aged 71. JOHANNESBURG — Only a few kilometers the heir apparent. It’s also one “Harry the Nazi,” and more (miles) separate Alexandra, a gritty Johannesburg that attracts relentless public recently when he was pictured KING GEORGE VI (1895-1952) township where South Africans attacked immigrants scrutiny. partying naked in Las Vegas. last week, from Sandton, a district jammed with highWhile eldest children have Like many other royals, The father of the queen, end stores, restaurants and gleaming office towers their destinies carved out from Harry chose a military career and George VI — born Albert — symbolizing the upper reaches of the prosperity that birth, many royal “spares” have has served in Afghanistan. That became the unexpected king attracted so many job-seekers to South Africa. struggled to find meaningful will likely continue to be his main when his elder brother, Edward Adding to South Africa’s allure was its image as a public roles. role as he gets bumped further VIII, abdicated in 1936 after a “rainbow nation” of diversity and inclusion after white “It’s always been a rather down the line of succession. The reign that lasted just 11 months. racist rule ended in 1994. Now a nation that seeks unenviable situation. There are new royal baby will see Harry Edward, often portrayed as a to lead in Africa is struggling with perceptions that often shades of jealousy, evident in relegated to fifth in line. raffish playboy, had abandoned some of its communities breed intolerance toward the current queen and her sister,” the throne to marry his mistress, foreigners, many from elsewhere in Africa. said Joe Little, managing editor PRINCE ANDREW (born the divorced American socialite The violence against immigrants and the at Britain’s Majesty magazine, 1960) Wallis Simpson. looting of their shops that erupted this month in referring to Princess Margaret A shy man with a stammer, parts of Johannesburg and the coastal city of Durban and Queen Elizabeth II. Andrew, the queen’s second George had to restore public appear to have abated after the deaths of three South Not all younger royal son and Charles’ younger brother, faith in the monarchy and be the Africans and four foreigners. On Tuesday, Alexandra children spend their lives waiting gets more press than fellow symbolic leader of a country at was bustling as uniformed students walked home in the wings, heading charities siblings Anne and Edward — but war with Germany. The Oscar- after school and a few police cars patrolled streets and cutting ribbons. Elizabeth’s for all the wrong reasons. winning film “The King’s Speech,” lined with shacks made of sheet metal. grandfather, George V, inherited The prince enjoyed a successful which dramatized the story of how The unrest, however, has been a public relations the throne in 1910 after his naval career as a helicopter pilot he overcame his initial struggles disaster for South Africa, a country that a visiting elder brother died of pneumonia. and served in the Falklands as monarch, reignited interest in Zambian said had been perceived as a “heaven of George VI, another second son, War, yet that record has been his often overlooked life. Africa” because of its relative wealth, stability and became king after his brother overshadowed in recent years by George died aged 56, in 1952. freedom.
South Africas image suffers after anti-immigrant attacks
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Bobbi Kristina Brown No Longer in a Coma but Has ‘’Irreversible Brain Damage’’
Man arrested in France in plot to attack churches
A 24-year-old man is “and in view of the attitude about Ghlam. in custody after he called for and suspicious behavior of the “He had been noticed an ambulance, only to have individual,” they looked inside wishing to go to Syria,” Molins French authorities come and the car and found a loaded explained. The prosecutor added discover weapons, ammunition Kalashnikov gun, a 9-mm revolver, that authorities found nothing to and evidence of his plans to three cell phones, a laptop, a USB suggest he was imminent threat, target churches -- an attack that key, a satellite navigation system “but he was under surveillance.” someone in Syria requested, a top “and handwritten documents that Law enforcement checked prosecutor said Wednesday. contained information on possible on the man once in 2014 and again The man was identified targets,” Molins said. this year, Cazeneuve said. The later as Sid Ahmed Ghlam, A search inside his home minister said the man planned to French Interior Minister Bernard turned up yet more potentially key head to Syria, a country embroiled Cazeneuve told television evidence, including three more in a bloody, years-long civil war Cissy Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown broadcaster TF1. Kalashnikovs, three bulletproof that has attracted foreigners Paris Prosecutor Francois vests, police armbands, a camera, wishing to join extremist militant Ultimately, what at this time. Keep us in Molins said Ghlam asked for some 2,000 euros in cash and groups like ISIS. Bobbi Kristina Brown’s your prayers.” There was no indication family seems to be able She had said in a medical help at his home in Paris’ “documents in Arabic mentioning to agree on is that they radio interview last 13th district Sunday morning, al Qaeda and ISIS,” according to he ever made it. But, Molins said, computer searches revealed that love her and they want month that there was claiming he had accidentally the prosecutor. himself when he “A terrorist attack has the man had been communicating to see her get better. “not a great deal of hope” injured been foiled,” Hollande said. “It’s with someone in Syria who “asked In response to a flurry that her granddaughter mishandled a weapon. But authorities found not the first time.” him to target a church.” of updates prompted would truly recover. Earlier Ghlam was What church? Authorities when Bobby Brown said Bobbi Kristina more than a man with a gunshot during a concert that his was transferred from wound in his thigh. Molins said identified as a computer science didn’t disclose that detail on Wednesday, though Molins did daughter was “awake” Atlanta’s Emory Ghlam was someone suspected of student originally from Algeria. According to Molins, he say “this target was confirmed by and he felt that she was University Hospital to killing a 32-year-old woman hours watching him, grandma a rehabilitation facility earlier and who then intended to lived in that North African country (the suspect’s satellite navigation and handwritten Cissy Houston said after about two months launch a larger-scale terror attack until 2001, joined his parents system) in the near future. in France for the next two years, documents in his car.” Monday night that the spent on a ventilator. “(He) let them believe then went back to Algeria. He got Paris is home to the 22-year-old remained in On Jan. 31, longtime an unresponsive state. boyfriend Nick Gordon that he was the victim,” French his undergraduate degree in that famed Notre Dame cathedral “I have just called 911 after a friend President Francois Hollande said nation, then returned to France to and Sacre Coeur basilica, both huge draws for tourists. It’s not returned from visiting of his found Bobbi Wednesday. “But police understood study electronics. He’d never been convicted known if either were in line to my granddaughter Kristina facedown in a that there was an investigation of a crime; in fact, the lone be attacked, but Prime Minister Bobbi Kristina in the bathtub full of water in that needed to be initiated.” hospital and while the condo she shared That probe started in earnest accusation against him in August Manuel Valls Wednesday visited one of the churches allegedly she is no longer in a with Nick, and she’s when police spotted traces of blood 2013 was later withdrawn. But that didn’t mean targeted, which was located in the medically induced coma been hospitalized or and bags in the suspect’s car. Based on this discovery French authorities didn’t know Paris suburb of Villejuif. she has a tracheotomy otherwise under a and according to the doctor’s care ever since. doctors she has global Gordon entered rehab and irreversible brain last month for drug and damage and remains alcohol abuse following MEXICO CITY — A 14-yearunresponsive,” the an intervention that old Mexican girl who was taken mother of the late aired on Dr. Phil. Whitney Houston said in Brown’s wife, Alicia by authorities and sent screaming a statement obtained by E t h e r e d g e - B r o w n , to live in the United States was E! News. sought to clarify her returned home Wednesday after “Meeting with husband’s comments DNA tests showed she is not the the doctors and from the other night, daughter of the Houston woman understanding that saying today her step- who claimed her. The case of Alondra Luna she can live in this daughter has “made Nunez drew international condition for a lifetime it out of ICU, opened attention after a video of the Alondra Luna Nunez smiles after attending a press conference upon her arrival to the truly saddens me,” Cissy her eyes, and started a added. “We can only rehabilitation that will distraught girl being forced into a Guanajuato International Airport in Silao, Mexico, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. The police vehicle last week circulated 14-year-old Mexican girl, who was taken from her school by police and sent kicking trust in God for a miracle be long and hard.” in media and on social networks. and screaming to the U.S., returned home after DNA tests showed she is not related The Foreign Ministry said to an American woman searching for her missing daughter. There was no immediate Mexican officials were carrying explanation of why authorities did not confirm her identity before sending her out of the out a court order to send Alondra country. to Dorotea Garcia, a Houston woman who claimed the girl Mexican agents assigned “We as judges are only was her daughter who had been to Interpol took Alondra from responsible to resolve the case illegally taken to Mexico by her middle school in the central with respect to recovering the her father years ago. Alondra’s state of Guanajuato on April minor,” Judge Cinthia Elodia family insisted authorities were 16 and transported her to a Mercado told the AP. “We don’t do mistaken but their pleas were courtroom in the neighboring investigations or make inquiries.” Members of the King\’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a salvo ignored. state of Michoacan, according Alondra and Garcia went by bus during a 41 gun Royal Salute to celebrate the birthday of Queen “They stole my daughter,” to a statement from the federal to Houston, crossing at Laredo, Elizabeth II in Hyde Park in London, Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Some Susana Nunez told Milenio Attorney General’s Office. Texas, with the birth certificate 71 horses pulled six World War I era 13 pounder field guns in the Television on Wednesday. “I didn’t In court, Alondra’s parents of Garcia’s daughter and the court park for the salute. know this woman existed.” and Garcia each presented birth order, according to the Foreign LONDON — Some people get a cake. Queen But Garcia, speaking to a certificates and gave testimony, Ministry. Elizabeth II has received gun salutes from mounted Houston television station, said then the judge ruled in favor of The ministry later intervened artillery to mark her 89th birthday. the first time she saw the girl, “I Garcia, ordering the girl into her to request the DNA test because Soldiers of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, saw my daughter.” She gave few custody, according to the court in of the commotion the video was in full dress uniform, rode past Buckingham Palace details about how she ended Michoacan. A court official, who causing. before firing six World War I-era field guns in nearby up leaving Mexico with the girl, was not authorized to speak to Alondra later recorded a video, Hyde Park at noon Tuesday. although she said she knows the press, said on condition of posted to social media, in which An hour later, the Honourable Artillery Company many won’t look kindly on her anonymity that Alondra’s parents she looked calm and happy and fired a 62-gun royal salute near the Tower of London. actions. didn’t present proper documents. told her parents in Mexico not to The queen celebrates her birthday twice — at “The people who know me don’t Alondra, upon returning to worry as they waited for results of home on her actual birthday, April 21, and with need me to give an explanation for Mexico, said she asked for a DNA a DNA test there. the Trooping of the Color military parade in June, what happened,” she said later to test and the judge turned her “I’m fine. I see that the United according to royal tradition. The Associated Press. “Whatever down. States is nice,” she said, adding, “I The queen is currently awaiting the arrival explanation I give won’t change The judge who ruled on the don’t understand anything they’re of her fifth great-grandchild. Prince William and his the minds of people in Mexico or case said it wasn’t within her saying, because everything is in wife Kate are expecting the birth of a son or daughter here.” duties to order a DNA test. English.” before the end of the month.
Authorities seize wrong Mexican girl for forced return to US
Gun salutes mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 89th birthday
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BUSINESS &NEWS TECHNOLOGY LOCAL NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY CARIBBEAN
TECHNOLOGY
McDonald’s is closing hundreds of restaurants this year
McDonald’s MCD shuttered 350 poorly performing stores in Japan, the United States, and China the first three months of 2015 as part of its plan to boost its sagging profits. Those previously unannounced closings, disclosed on a conference call with Wall Street analysts on Wednesday, are on top of the 350 shutterings the world’s largest restaurant chain had already targeted for the year. While those 700 store closings this year represent a fraction of the 32,500 or so restaurants worldwide, they show how aggressive McDonald’s is getting in pruning poorly attended locations that are dragging down its results. Earlier on Wednesday, McDonald’s had reported an 11% decrease in revenue and a 30% drop in profit for the first three months of year, a continuation of its troubles in the last two years
challenge will be for the Golden Arches. For instance, earlier in April the company announced it is testing out a larger, pricier, third-of-a-pound burger for $5, two years after dropping the similar Angus burger line because they were too pricey as it has struggled to compete for McDonald’s diners. Despite with new U.S. competitors, a that earlier failure, new CEO tough economy in Europe and a Steve Easterbrook expressed food safety scare in Asia. confidence his customers would McDonald’s CFO Kevin go for premium burgers. Ozan told analysts that the “I often describe McDonald’s shuttered stores in China, where as possibly the most democratic comparable sales fell 4.8% in -- with a small ‘d’ -- brand in the first quarter, had been the world,” he said. “And what underperforming for years. In customers love the world over, Japan, where McDonald’s is still and none more so than here in reeling from the food safety scare the U.S., is how they can buy into last summer, the stores closed aspirational quality products, stores were “heavy loss maker but at a McDonald’s price.” restaurants.” As for the U.S., But he faces an uphill battle comparable sales were down in winning over the millions of 2.3%, one of their biggest drop in burger-eaters in the U.S. that years as chains like Chipotle ate have a dim view of McDonald’s into sales. offerings: Nation’s Restaurant On May 4, the company will News published a survey this start detailing its turnaround month rating 111 limited-service strategy. chains on 10 attributes including In the last few months, it has food quality, and McDonald’s made a few moves that telegraph was ranked No. 110, ahead only where it is heading, though it of Chuck E. Cheese. In-N-Out is pretty clear how the big the Burger topped the list.
Ford unveils new Taurus influenced by China
Facebook revenue growth slows
Facebook Inc posted its slowest growth in quarterly revenue in two years and higher spending on research and development ate into profits. Shares of the world’s largest Internet social network fell 2 percent in after-market trading on Wednesday. Facebook has warned of heavy investments in 2015 as it steps up efforts to expand a collection of products that include messaging service WhatsApp, photo-sharing service Instagram and virtual reality headset maker Oculus Rift. As a result, Facebook’s operating expenses rose 83 percent in the first quarter as R&D costs jumped 133 percent and marketing and sales spending nearly doubled. However, Facebook said monthly active users grew 13 percent over a year ago to 1.44 billion, with 87 percent of them accessing its service on smartphones and other mobile devices. “It’s a generally solid quarter. The trends are all going in the right direction. The cost rise is one thing that can derail this story,” said Macquarie Research analyst Ben Schachter. “The question is, can they keep costs under control and what will be the new revenue streams around video, Instagram and virtual reality around Oculus?” he said. The company offered assurances that it has a handle on spending, saying it now expects expenses to increase by about 55 percent to 65 percent this year, a slight decrease at the top end from its previous forecast of 55 percent to 70 percent. It said foreign exchange rates due to the strong U.S. dollar would likely cut revenue in the current quarter by more than the 10 percent it saw in the last quarter. Facebook’s net income attributable to stockholders fell to $509 million, or 18 cents per share, in the three months ended March 31, from $639 million, or 25 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding items, the company earned 42 cents per share. Facebook said revenue rose to $3.54 billion from $2.50 billion. Revenue from advertising was $3.32 billion, up 46 percent from a year earlier. Analysts on average had expected a profit of 40 cents per share and revenue of $3.56 billion.
Train breaks own speed record at 603 kph
In this Monday, April 20, 2015 photo. He Chaobing, executive vice president of Changan Ford, talks about the Ford Taurus during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai. With its newest Taurus, Ford is joining the race to appeal to Chinese business buyers by offering bigger, more luxurious back seats. SHANGHAI — With its newest Taurus, Ford is joining the race to appeal to Chinese business buyers by offering bigger, more luxurious back seats. The Taurus, Ford Motor Co.’s first full-size sedan in China, is part of what CEO Mark Fields says is a multiyear effort to expand the U.S. automaker’s range of offerings in the country. Ford joins rivals including General Motors Co., Mercedes Benz and Volvo Cars that have created extended versions of their standard sedans to appeal to Chinese buyers who have drivers and ride in back. That market segment is growing faster than China’s overall sales, which are decelerating.
The sedan was unveiled ahead of this week’s Shanghai auto show. It is due to be produced at a new $760 million Ford factory in Hangzhou, southwest of Shanghai. INSIDE: The new Taurus’s wheelbase is three inches longer than the standard Taurus at 116 inches, with the added space going to the back seat. Ford says there are 25 stowage spaces throughout the cabin and cup holders designed to hold tea bottles. Designers used leather for the seats and noisedeadening materials to keep the cabin quiet. The rear seat has a control panel for air conditioning and onboard media. OUTSIDE: Features include LED tail lights and 19-
inch alloy wheels. UNDER THE HOOD: The Taurus will come with Ford’s new twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. The company says lightweight materials and advanced controls make it more powerful and efficient. GAS MILEAGE: Not announced. PRICE: Not announced. CHEERS: The Taurus extends Ford’s product range and puts the company in the growing segment for large-rear seat sedans. JEERS: The market segment is crowded and at a time when China’s economic growth is slowing, the fastest sales growth is for smaller and lower-priced but lower-margin vehicles.
TOKYO — A Japanese maglev that is the fastest passenger train in the world has broken its own speed record. Operator JR Central said the train reached 603 kilometers per hour (375 miles per hour) in a test run on Tuesday, surpassing its previous record of 361 mph (581 kph) set in 2003. The train traveled for just over a mile (1.8 kilometers) at a speed exceeding 600 kph (373 mph). Japan’s high-speed rail services are among the most advanced in the world, with hundreds of trains running each day with minimal delays. However, unlike regular shinkansen or “bullet trains” that run on steel rails, magnetic levitation trains hover above rails, suspended by powerful magnets. The Maglev Test Line, near Mount Fuji about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Tokyo, is developing technology for use on a future 410-kilometer (250mile) link that will reduce travel time between Tokyo and Osaka to just over an hour. The current minimum by bullet train is nearly three hours. The maglev trains, begun as a project of Japan Airlines and the national railways with government support, have undergone decades of testing. Construction of the Tokyo-Osaka link, which is expected to cost more than 9 trillion yen ($76 billion), began in 2014.
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Apple tests smartwatch market
The Apple Watch will launch with a whisper rather than a bang on Friday, an unusual start for the company that may reflect early uncertainty about demand for Apple Inc boss Tim Cook’s first new product. The company has not revealed how many orders it has received in the runup to the April 24 launch, a contrast to previous launches of iPhones and iPads. And Apple stores will not have any watches to sell on Friday, even though some luxury shops around the world will. Apple was unsure whether the watch would create the lines snaking around stores that the company has historically seen with its iPhones, said A salesman presents an Apple Watch to customers and journalists at an Apple Store in Berlin April 10, Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper 2015. Jaffray. “The smaller launch can allow analyst Daniel Ives raised his 2015 go to the store on Friday trying to buy them to see how it goes and it does estimate to 20 million from 17 million, a watch,” he said. remove some of the line expectation based in part on online order backlogs. Apple itself said that some customers and risk,” Munster said. “If they did it “There was a question over whether the will get watches faster than promised. the old way and the lines weren’t good, trajectory and demand for wearables “Our team is working to fill that’s a bit of a problem.” in the Apple ecosystem was there and orders as quickly as possible based on Demand turned out better than real,” said Ives. “But it’s a resounding the available supply and the order in expected, according to Munster, who yes.” Now Apple faces the question which they were received,” Apple said predicts more than 2 million watches of whether confused consumers will in a statement on Wednesday. will be sold in the quarter ending in swamp Apple Stores on Friday. Apple has settled for the simplicity June. FBR Capital Markets senior “A lot of consumers are going to of online orders in the face of difficult
logistics for watches: there are 38 variations it would need to keep in stock, when accounting for the various sizes, styles and bands, with prices ranging from $349 for the Sport version to $10,000 and more for the gold Edition. In fact, the only watches on sale on Friday will be at a handful of upscale boutiques and department stores that Apple courted to help position the watch as a fashion item. The Corner in Berlin, Maxfield in Los Angeles and Dover Street Market in Tokyo and London all say on their websites that they will have watches in store on April 24. Maxfield will open two hours earlier and is preparing for crowds. Apple will likely use preorders to perfect the consumer experience by giving watch customers more attention in stores and adding apps in time for the holiday season, said Shannon Cross, analyst at Cross Research. “They’re looking at this from a long-term standpoint and want to make sure it’s successful out of the box,” Cross said. “A lot of smartwatches out there end up being shelfware.”
Britain’s largest retailer reports $8 billion loss LONDON — Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, posted a record full-year loss of 5.7 billion pounds ($8.5 billion) Wednesday as deteriorating market conditions forced it to write down the value of supermarkets and other assets. The loss marks another unfortunate milestone for Tesco, which has been dogged by an accounting scandal
months through and a series of profit 12 warnings that led to the February, including departure of previous 4.7 billion pounds for CEO Philip Clarke. It the reduced value of also shows the impact fixed assets. The net of a brutal supermarket loss compares with net price war, as discount income of 974 million supermarket chains eat pounds in the previous into the market share year. of a company that once The results dominated the market. “reflect a deterioration The company said in the market and, more Wednesday it took 7 significantly, an erosion billion pounds of one- of our competitiveness time charges in the over recent years,”
Chief Executive Officer Dave Lewis said in a statement. “We have faced into this reality, sought to draw a line under the past and begun to rebuild.” Revenue for the period fell 2 percent to 62.3 billion pounds. “Lewis can only hope that Tesco’s night is darkest just before dawn,” said Paul Thomas, an analyst at
Retail Remedy. While the market is “still challenging,” the company plans to cut costs, lower prices and improve relations with suppliers, Tesco said. Tesco closed 43 unprofitable stores this month, has reduced costs by 250 million pounds and has identified an additional 150 million pounds of savings, the company
said. Tesco shares rose 0.6 percent to 236.2 pence in early trading on the London Stock Exchange. The company said trading profit, which excludes propertyrelated transactions, restructuring costs and other one-time items, fell 58 percent to 1.39 billion pounds, in line with market expectations.
Japan mulls 2018 moon landing TOKYO — Japan’s space agency is considering an unmanned mission to the moon by 2018 or early 2019, part of an effort to beef up aerospace technology and keep pace with China and other emerging powers. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, included the possibility of a lunar landing in the fiscal year that begins April 1, 2018, in its summary of moon exploration plans by Japan and other countries. Japanese media reported Tuesday that JAXA presented the proposal to a government panel of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Monday. The agency still needs to win funding for the project. But it is raising hopes for a revival of space exploration. And the public broadcaster NHK showed satellite images of the Japanese islands, alit at night, and of the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, as possible attractions for passengers of space flights. Japan has long been one of the world’s leading space-faring nations and was the first Asian country, in 1970, to put a satellite into orbit around the Earth.
In this artist rendering released by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, Monday, April 20, 2015, the space explorer named SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) lands on the moon. Japan’s space agency is considering an unmanned mission to the moon by 2018 or early 2019, part of an effort to beef up aerospace technology and keep pace with China and other emerging powers. But in recent years the program has been crimped by a shoestring budget — unlike many space programs, it cannot rely on military budgets or projects to develop its rocket capabilities. A mission to Mars in 1998 that was plagued by technical glitches failed and was finally abandoned in 2003. In the meantime, China has made big strides, putting astronauts into space as the third country to send a human into orbit after Russia and the United States. Japan’s space program has never attempted manned flight, though Japanese astronauts
have been on the International Space Station. JAXA has been reorganized and is seeking to expand its programs, teaming up with the Science and Technology Agency. The outline for international space exploration issued last week sets a goal for Japan to lead the U.S. and other countries in some areas in coming years. Money has remained tight: the agency is expecting a total budget of 184 billion yen ($1.5 billion) in this fiscal year, slightly above last year’s 181.5 billion yen but on a par with its budget five years ago. Still, the agency appears to be getting
a boost from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push to develop technologies with defense applications. “There are areas of unlimited potential yet to be developed, and to boost controls of future threats it is important to minimize the power vacuum in space exploration,” the document says. It forecasts increased competition for resources on the moon, and also risks from a possible “power imbalance” as Russia, China, India and other countries prepare for missions to the moon. “A revival of competition and cooperation in moon exploration adds to the imperative for us to quickly achieve moon exploration,” it said, calling for consideration of an unmanned moon landing, among other goals. The agency’s longer-term proposal includes several phases for moon exploration, including stationing robotic and remote-controlled probes to take measurements and study various aspects of the moon, such as energy, dust, seismology and topography. The final phase, from 2025 on, includes the possibility of manned visits to the moon, based on international cooperation.
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American Airlines CEO gives up his salary
American Airlines Group Inc. chairman and chief executive Doug Parker will give up his salary beginning next month. But don’t worry about Parker, who was paid $12.3 million in salary, stock and other compensation last year. He’ll do OK. American disclosed Wednesday that, beginning May 1, Parker will get his compensation entirely in American Airlines Group stock. The actual number of shares he’ll get will depend on American’s earnings. “I have asked our board to restructure my compensation such that I will no longer receive a base salary or an annual bonus. Instead, all of my primary compensation will be paid in AAL stock,” Parker told employees in a letter. “This stock will have to be earned over time and will also have to be earned by performance. I believe this is the right way for my compensation to be set — at risk, based entirely on the results achieved and in the same currency that our shareholders receive,” he wrote. On Monday, American’s board
of directors voted to award Parker 207,672 restricted stock units, to be received over three years. Of those, 54 percent would come in 2018 and be tied to the company’s performance over the three-year period. The actual number of shares he receives would be linked to how American’s pretax profit margin stacks up against that of similar airlines. But if the restricted stock units turn into the same number of American shares, the 207,672 shares would be worth $10.7 million, based on their closing price of $51.40 a share Wednesday. Parker’s 2014 compensation is down from his 2013 package of $17.7 million, which included rewards for completing the merger of his former company, US Airways Group Inc., and American Airlines Inc. The $17.7 million excludes his US Airways salary for 2013 before the Dec. 9, 2013, merger. American said company president Scott Kirby received $8.8 million in 2014, down from $13.3 million in 2013. Like Parker, he received a large stock award valued at $11 million in 2013, compared with $4.5 million
in 2014. His salary was $642,512 in 2014 with no cash bonus, although he received $3.6 million in incentive plan compensation. Chief operating officer Robert D. Isom’s total compensation was $6.3 million in 2014, down from $9.6 million American Airlines CEO Doug Parker got $12.3 in 2013. Executive vice president of million in salary, stock and other compensation corporate affairs Stephen L. Johnson last year. Starting May 1, he’s tying his fortunes received $5.7 million, down from $8.4 to American’s. million. In his letter to employees, Parker said: success.” His 2014 base pay was $700,000, His total compensation remains unchanged from the time of the merger. about 20 percent behind his peers at He received the maximum payout the other two big network carriers, of $2.8 million from the incentive pay Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Richard program, a figure that is four times his Anderson and United Airlines Inc. salary. CEO Jeff Smisek. He had pledged that He received $1.4 million in long- his pay wouldn’t reach their pay until term incentive pay, the maximum all of American’s employee groups are payout possible from the US Airways on par with or better than their Delta executive pay program. US Airways and United peers. shares between 2012 and 2014 Delta and United have not filed exceeded that of any company in the their 2014 proxy statements with S&P 500 Index in percentage increase disclosures of executive compensation. in value. Southwest Airlines Co. disclosed April He’ll receive a stock grant of $7 6 that chairman, president and CEO million over three years. “The value Gary Kelly was paid $675,000 in base I receive in the future from this stock salary, a cash bonus of $224,775 and depends entirely on the company’s total compensation of $5 million.
Yahoo first quarter disappoints
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer SAN FRANCISCO — Yahoo is still struggling to boost its revenue nearly three years into CEO Marissa Mayer’s tenure, magnifying concerns that the Internet company holds little value beyond its lucrative Asian investments. The latest evidence of Yahoo’s financial malaise emerged Tuesday with the release the company’s first-quarter earnings report. Mayer and Yahoo’s chief financial officer, Ken Goldman, eased investors’ disappointment by pledging to cut costs,
while indicating that the company may be willing to fulfill Wall Street’s desire for a spinoff of its stake in Yahoo Japan. Yahoo disclosed Tuesday that it already has trimmed its workforce by 1,100 people during the first three months of the year to 11,400 full-time employees. Activist shareholder Starboard Value L.P., which owns a nearly 1 percent stake in Yahoo, has been urging Mayer to slash expenses and spin off the Yahoo Japan stake to lift the company’s stock. Investors had driven down the company’s stock 12 percent this year before Tuesday’s numbers came out. The shares initially fell by an additional 2 percent in extended trading, but then rebounded after the cost-cutting pledge and the Yahoo Japan remarks. If the Yahoo Japan is spun off, it would mirror what Mayer has already started to do with an even more valuable stake in Alibaba Group, an e-commerce star in China. Yahoo’s stock rose 47 cents to $44.96 after Mayer’s remarks in a webcast reviewing the financial results. After accounting for ad commissions, Yahoo’s first-quarter revenue fell 4 percent from the same time last year to $1.04 billion, extending a troubling trend that began before Mayer took over in July 2012. Yahoo’s net revenue has declined from the previous
year in seven of the past nine quarters. The only uptick reflected mere 1 percent increases in revenue. Before taking out ad commissions, Yahoo’s firstquarter revenue climbed 8 percent, but that didn’t impress investors because they focus on the amount of money that the company retains after paying its partners for helping to draw online traffic to it ads. Those expenses, known as “traffic acquisition costs,” quadrupled from the same time last year, an indication that Yahoo is paying a steep price to show its advertising. Among other things, Yahoo recently struck a deal to be the default search engine on the Mozilla web browser that required a higher payout. Mayer told investors Tuesday that the Mozilla partnership is already profitable. “There are some good things going on at Yahoo, but it still feels like there’s a lot more still to be done,” said S&P Capital IQ analyst Scott Kessler. Although Yahoo’s stock has nearly tripled under Mayer’s leadership, most of the increase has been tied to the company’s 24 percent stake in Alibaba Group and 35 percent stake in Yahoo Japan — not its core business. The planned Alibaba spinoff, due to be completed by the end of this year, is designed to avoid a big tax bill on the gains. A similar benefit could be achieved with a Yahoo Japan spinoff, to the delight of investors.
IRS deliberately cut customer service, made tax season extra painful The IRS “deliberately” The IRS cut its funding cut its customer service this for customer service even as year, making the tax season it continued to spend money more painful than it had to in areas GOP lawmakers said be for millions of taxpayers, were questionable at best — House Republicans concluded including millions of dollars in a new report Wednesday on performance awards paid that accused the agency of to most employees. wasting money on pet projects “Fiscal year 2014 bonus while hanging up on millions money could have been used to of callers. answer 7.2 million additional Wait times spiked to an phone calls,” said Rep. Peter average of 34.4 minutes before J. Roskam, Illinois Republican callers got through, and less and chairman of the Ways and than half of all callers ever got Means oversight committee. that far in the first place, with IRS Commissioner John most calls being rejected by an Koskinen bristled at the overloaded system, the House charges, saying he’s been Ways and Means GOP staff forced to make the cuts said in the new report. because Congress has reduced
his agency’s budget even as the number of filings has gone up and the agency is taking on ever more duties, such as policing Obamacare’s individual mandate. But he denied that his agency had singled out taxpayers’ customer service for special reductions. “We’ve had to make choices across the board. We’ve cut enforcement services, we cut taxpayer services, and we cut information technology,” he told the panel, saying those are the three discretionary areas where he can reduce spending, and he made cuts in all of them.
He said they’ve been cutting personnel as well, including hiring fewer temporary employees during tax crunch time, which hurt service levels. Mr. Koskinen said, from his standpoint, his agency has been “double-sequestered” — it faced the same cuts as most other agencies from the acrossthe-board trims Congress imposed a few years back, but then saw even deeper targeted cuts from lawmakers who said they were sending a message that the agency needs to clean up its behavior after the tea party-targeting scandal and reports of massive
misspending. He asked that Congress at least restore $900 million that was cut in the initial sequester, saying that would go a long way to restoring the level of service the agency used to deliver. Mr. Koskinen said Congress could also help by finishing its annual tax legislation earlier in the year, giving the IRS a head start. Rep. Mike Kelly, Pennsylvania Republican, said Mr. Koskinen himself made things worse when he told his agency employees they would have to learn how to do “less with less.”
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Usain Bolt runs his slowest 100m final ever
Usain Bolt‘s first 100m race of the season did not sit well with the fastest man of all time. Bolt won in 10.12 seconds in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, over U.S. Olympian Ryan Bailey, Netherlands Olympian Churandy Martina and a Brazilian. “I think it was poor execution overall,” Bolt said, according to Reuters. “I am sure my coach isn’t going to be too happy. The good thing is that I won.” It’s his slowest recorded 100m time in a finals race. He’s been slower in preliminary heats at major championships, where he could get away with shutting it down early and still advance to the next round. “My start’s been letting me down, hasn’t been consistent,” Bolt said in a post-race interview. “I just need more runs, and I’ll be OK.” Bolt was perhaps slowed by faulty starting blocks. Check out the 1:55 mark in this highlight of the race, as one of Bolt’s blocks flew up after he propelled from it. Bolt, 28, only ran 400 meters total in competition last year, his season starting late due to March foot surgery and ending early as a precaution. In two 100m races last year, his best time was 9.98 seconds. His world record, from 2009, is 9.58. On April 11, Bolt ran a 200m race in 20.20 seconds in Kingston, Jamaica. That was more in line with his usual early season times for sprints. Bolt is next expected to race at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, in May. He could go head-to-head on relay anchor legs with U.S. rival Justin Gatlin, who
Usain Bolt was the fastest man in the 100m What Mills did not say is that and 200m last year. Bolt has arguably not been at his Also Sunday, Brazilian TV best since he last broke the 100m aired an interview with Bolt (may and 200m world records in 2009. be geoblocked) where he was asked Certainly not last year. to pick two sprinters across history Bolt, whose 100m world record is he would like to race against. 9.59, last summer clocked 10.06 on Bolt picked retired 2000 Olympic a Brazilian beach and 9.98 indoors champion Maurice Greene and, in a Polish stadium and ran two surprisingly, disgraced Canadian relay legs at the Commonwealth sprinter Ben Johnson, who was Games. His season started late stripped of a 1988 Olympic 100m due to foot surgery and ended gold medal for doping. early as a precaution going into The broadcaster then put this year, a World Championships together a simulation of a potential year. Bolt-Greene-Johnson race, with Gatlin, five years removed from Bolt winning in a world record 9.4 a four-year doping ban, had seconds. six of the world’s seven fastest Usain Bolt‘s coach said his 100m times last year, including sprinter “doesn’t have much to a 9.77, matching Bolt’s winning worry about” when at his best, 100m mark from the 2013 World referencing American rival Justin Championships. Gatlin. “It’s good for the sport and creates “We take all competitors with the kind of interest, but those a level of seriousness, and I don’t kinds of things don’t affect us in see Gatlin as a joke, but the truth any way because Usain and myself of the matter is Usain at his best knows what we can get him to do doesn’t have much to worry about,” when he’s fully fit and ready and Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills, told that’s what we’re working to do,” Reuters. Mills said, according to Reuters.
Caribbean will not adopt block vote for FIFA presidency FIFA president Sepp Blatter will have to work for the votes of the 25 Caribbean soccer associations after the region’s union head said they would break with their normal practice of voting as a block. Antiguan Gordon Derrick, president of the Caribbean Football Union which has 25 votes in FIFA’s presidential election next month, said there would be no mandate from the body, long a Blatter stronghold, to vote for any one candidate. While Derrick gave no clue as to where the Caribbean’s support may go he said the block vote system, used by former CFU and CONCACAF leader Jack Warner, was a thing of the past. “Those days are long gone. If there is a democracy and we believe in a democracy then that means that everyone who is nominated has a chance to participate and whoever votes,
votes, whichever way,” he told federation in CONCACAF, has nominated Prince Ali. Reuters on Wednesday. With Warner having quit The CFU is the largest voting block in CONCACAF, in 2011 amid the cash for votes the governing body for North scandal, there is a very different and Central America and the landscape for this vote, even if Caribbean which has 35 member Blatter can still expect plenty of associations, a significant chunk support. Warner was infamous for of the 209 votes that will decide enforcing strict discipline on the next FIFA president. CONCACAF holds its annual associations to ensure the block congress in the Bahamas on vote was kept. “Because you didn’t vote Thursday and the CFU had its (my way) that doesn’t mean you own meeting a day ahead. Blatter and the three will be victimised, that’s not candidates standing against him a democracy. Let’s not make a were all invited as observers to farce,” Derrick said. both the CFU and CONCACAF “The Caribbean presidents will get together, casually, they meetings. Former Portugal international will have read manifestos, Luis Figo, Dutch FA chief Michael discussed issues, we all think van Praag and Jordan’s Prince alike in a lot of ways so it is Ali Bin Al Hussein are hoping to quite possible that whoever they eat into Blatter’s support in the decide to go with, it would be a region ahead of the May 29 vote. majority of the islands. The United States Soccer “But there will be no mandate,” Federation, which is the largest he added.
CWC, OFFICIAL 2016 OLYMPIC BROADCASTER Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) has been named the official broadcast sponsor – and the exclusive telecoms partner – of the 2016 Rio Olympics for the Pan-Caribbean region by CANOC Broadcasting Inc. (CBI), a subsidiary of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees. The organisation has secured the exclusive Olympic content rights to all platforms in 20 English-speaking countries, as well as non-exclusive rights in 10 non-English-speaking countries throughout the region. In addition to the Olympic coverage, CWC which now operates both the LIME and Flow brands in a number of markets, will also provide its customers with a unique variety of live video feeds and data services offered across a number of media platforms including radio, TV, mobile, and internet streams. These live services will feature interviews, profiles and live-action footage of local Caribbean athletes as a result of this uniqie partnership. “We are proud to have this opportunity to bring a more enriched Olympic experience to our region,” said John Reid, former President of Columbus Communications and recently appointed President of CWC’s Consumer Group. “It truly is a privilege to offer our customers unparalleled access to this significant international sporting event, and we are excited to work with CBI, who are committed to ensuring that viewers in our region can enjoy the spectacle of their hometown heroes competing on the world stage.” According to Reid, “The Olympic games are a fitting choice as the first major sponsorship of our combined company, and build upon a foundation of grass roots support for athletes, while setting the bar for future sports programming across the Caribbean. I can’t think of a more relevant way to demonstrate the value of our merger than by offering exclusive, multi-platform coverage, featuring Olympic content.” Speaking on the partnership, CBI’s Chairman Steve Stoute said, “Our goal has always been to give Caribbean athletes the broadest exposure possible of their participation in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. CBI’s agreement with CWC is an important step in achieving this goal and ensures that our objective to maximize the Olympic experience for Caribbean viewers will be realised.’” ABOUT CABLE & WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS On 6 November 2014, CWC announced the acquisition of Columbus International Inc. We believe the transaction will bring significant benefits – increased investments, more jobs, and providing customers with superior mobile networks, faster broadband, and more video options. We are forming a new company, with a new leadership team, and a new culture, putting our customers at the heart of the business. Our mission is to grow the lifetime value of our customer relationships by being #1 for Customer Service. The combined Group is a full-service communications provider operating in [22] countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. With five leading consumer brands: Mas Movil (Cable and Wireless Panama), LIME and Flow (the Caribbean excluding The Bahamas), BTC (The Bahamas) and Cable and Wireless Seychelles, we offer mobile, broadband, TV, domestic and international fixed line services and serve over [6] m customers. The combined Group also provides premium data centre hosting, domestic and international managed data network services and customised IT Service Solutions to businesses and governments through our Business Solutions and Network / Wholesale divisions.
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Countdown on for Floyd MayweatherManny Pacquiao megafight
With 10 days to go before the megafight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the parties reached a resolution Wednesday that will allow for tickets to the May 2 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as well as at closed circuit locations around the city, to go on sale. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, told ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak that the sides had finally worked out their differences and that tickets would go on sale shortly. “I want to apologize to the public for this dragging out for the length of time that it has,” Arum said. “At least we were able to sort it out.” Leslie Moonves, the president and CEO of CBS Corp., which has a contract with Mayweather, stepped in to bring the camps together, just as he did in the negotiation to make the fight in the first place. He has been friends with Arum for many years and also has a good business relationship with Al Haymon, Mayweather’s adviser. Arum and Haymon are bitter enemies. The MGM Grand Garden Arena is scaled to generate approximately $74 million in ticket sales, more than three times the gate record, but the contract between Top Rank, Mayweather Promotions and
The Fight of the Century, the most heavily bet boxing match ever between Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) and Manny Pacquiao (right) for the unified welterweight championship May 2 in Las Vegas. the MGM Grand remained unsigned because of bickering over the ticket allotments to each camp. Moonves intervened Wednesday. “He’s been involved the whole way and he called for a conference call this morning,” Top Rank president Todd duBoef told ESPN.com. Moonves, Arum, duBoef and Haymon were on the call, duBoef said. “It was very civil -- no animosity,” duBoef said. “We’re all very appreciative of [Moonves’] role in getting this resolved.” The hangup was that there were a number of issues that were
agreed to in the contracts between Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank, including the distribution of tickets. However, Top Rank said that when it received the site agreement -another contract between Mayweather Promotions, Top Rank and the MGM Grand -- elements of it were contradictory to what had been agreed to between the promotional companies in their signed agreements with each other. “That’s where the disconnect was, and we got it worked out,” duBoef said. DuBoef said that as long as
Thunder fire coach Brooks after missing playoffs
Bonds obstruction conviction thrown out by appeals court SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds’ obstruction of justice conviction was thrown out Wednesday by a federal court of appeals, which ruled 10-1 that his meandering answer before a grand jury in 2003 was not material to the government’s investigation into illegal steroids distribution. “Real-life witness examinations, unlike those in movies and on television, invariably are littered with non-responsive and irrelevant answers,” Judge Alex Kozinski wrote. Bonds, whose 762 home runs broke Hank Aaron’s longstanding career record of 755, was indicted in 2007 for his testimony four years earlier before a grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. “Today’s news is something that I have long hoped for,” Bonds said in a statement. “I am humbled and truly thankful for the outcome as well as the opportunity our judicial system affords to all individuals to seek justice. ... I am excited about what the future holds for me as I embark on the next chapter.” Jessica Wolfram, one of the jurors who convicted Bonds following the three-week trial and four days of deliberations, said she couldn’t help but feel the decade-long prosecution was “all
a waste, all for nothing.” “Just a waste of money, having the whole trial and jury,” she said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. In 2009 and ‘10, the 9th Circuit ruled federal agents illegally seized records and urine samples of major league players, with Kozinski ruling then it “was an obvious case of deliberate overreaching by the government.” Judges in the Bonds case based their decision on legal issues involving witness testimony, not the underlying facts. Travis Tygart, chief executive officer of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, believed the decision was “almost meaningless for the real issue, which is whether he used performance-enhancing drugs to cheat the fans of baseball.” “I think at the end of the day America knows the truth and who the real home run record holder is, who did it the right way, and it’s obviously not Barry Bonds.” Following the trial that opened in March 2011, a jury deadlocked on three counts charging Bonds with making false statements when he denied receiving steroids and human growth hormone from trainer Greg Anderson and denied receiving injections from Anderson or his associates. Bonds was convicted for his response when he was asked
the site agreement paperwork Top Rank receives is reflective of what was agreed to on the conference call they would sign it and tickets would go on sale. “We’d like to put them on sale immediately. Hopefully, when the ink dries on the contract,” duBoef said. That means tickets could be on sale as soon as Wednesday afternoon Pacific Time. However, duBoef said only about 500 of the roughly 16,000 tickets available will go on public sale. The rest are controlled by Mayweather Promotions, Top Rank and the MGM Grand, who will distribute the tickets -which everyone has to pay for -- to their customers, the fighter camps, the fight sponsors, HBO and Showtime (who are putting on the joint pay-per-view), as well as the brokers with whom they do business. The face value of the tickets will be $1,500, $2,500, $3,500, $5,000, $7,500 and $10,000 depending on seating, but duBoef said none of the $10,000 tickets would be part of the public sale, which will not include any floor seats. Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe could not be reached for comment, nor could an MGM spokesperson.
: In this Sept. 6, 2014, file photo, career home run leader Barry Bonds gives a thumbs up while standing behind the batting cage and watching the Houston Astros take batting practice before the start of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif. whether Anderson ever gave him “anything that required a syringe to inject yourself with.” “That’s what keeps our friendship,” Bonds said. “I was a celebrity child, not just in baseball by my own instincts. I became a celebrity child with a famous father. I just don’t get into other people’s business because of my father’s situation, you see.” Judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided there was insufficient evidence Bonds’ statement was material but divided on their rationale, issuing four separate opinions to reverse the conviction and one to uphold it. The appeals court barred a retrial, citing a prohibition on double jeopardy.
The Oklahoma City Thunder fired head coach Scott Brooks on Wednesday after the injury-hit team failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in six years. Brooks, 49, had guided Oklahoma City to three appearances in the Western Conference Finals and a trip to the 2012 NBA Finals but they missed out on this postseason after finishing ninth in the highly competitive West with a 45-37 record. “This is an extremely difficult decision on many levels,” Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “Scott helped establish the identity of the Thunder and has earned his rightful place in the history of our organization through his seven years as a valued leader and team member.” The Thunder missed reigning NBA most valuable player Kevin Durant for most of the season due to ongoing problems with his surgically repaired right foot. Despite playing the bulk of the season without Durant the Thunder relied heavily on NBA scoring champion Russell Westbrook and had a chance to secure a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season but came up short. “It is very important to state that this decision is not a reflection of this past season, but rather an assessment of what we feel is necessary at this point in time in order to continually evolve, progress and sustain,” said Presti. “We determined that, in order to stimulate progress and put ourselves in the best position next season and as we looked to the future, a transition of this kind was necessary for the program.” The Thunder said a search for a new head coach will begin immediately. Local media have already reported that Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan is a front-runner for the job.
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TCIFA host third annual Fun Run & Bike-a-thon
The TCIFA on Saturday, April 18th hosted its third annual “Fun Run Walk & Bike-a-thon”, which started at 5:30am. This year’s event was sponsored by Gordon’s Plumbing & Electrical Supplies, and included a biker’s route for the first time. All proceeds from the event will benefit the TCIFA’s youth football program. Following the event, prizes were awarded to participants. Grace Bay Resort was honored with a plaque for having the most registered participants in the corporate segment. Corporate participants included: Hertz (2 participants), KPMG (4 participants), Tropical Shipping (7 participants), Scotia (9 participants), Fortis (15 participants), and Grace Bay Resort (25 participants). Other prizes included: 1st place male cyclist (GNC $100 gift certificate and bag) - Garvey Missick 2nd place male cyclist (Gift certificate for a massage at Spa Sanay) – Cameron Thompson 1st place youth cyclist (Lime phone) - Naryan
- Beryl Kerr Kalicharan All youth participants then received a Nike 2nd place youth cyclist (Nike football and sports bag) - Andre Football and pump courtesy of the TCIFA. Candia Ewing, General Secretary, thanks 1st place male runner (Digicel cell phone) - Lofton those who made the event a success. “On behalf of Seymour 2nd place male runner (GNC $100 gift certificate the President, and all other members of the TCIFA, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all the and bag) Berg Zirin participants for their time, support and inspiring attitude at last Saturday’s Fun Run Walk & Bike1st place female runner (Juicer) - Fiono Donaldson a-thon. 2nd place female runner (Juicer) - Kenia Manzueta “I would also like to thank our event sponsor, 1st place youth male walker/runner (Bicycle) - Justin Gordon’s Plumbing and Electrical Supplies, as Parker well as all other sponsors; namely, Coca Cola, Spa 2nd place youth male walker/runner (Nike football Tropique, Spa Sanay, Wilson & Associates, GNC and Sports Bag) – Curtis Pennant (Flamingo Pharmacy), Island Sportique, Digicel, 1st place youth female walker/runner (Bicycle) Lime, IGA Graceway Supermarket, Caicos Mart, Anika Harry Oldest male participant (Gift Certificate for a Business Solutions, Courtyard Chiropractic, Fottac, Paul Collis, Marsha Lightbourne, Rodney Munnings, massage- Courtyard Chiro)- Gary Brough Oldest female participant (Gift Certificate for a Larry Lawrence, Trevor Musgrove, Kerlyn Smith, massage- Courtyard Chiro)- Lynette Higgs and Willard Williams. It is also my pleasure to honor Question & Answer segment 1 (Fottac Gift Basket) and thank the TCI police for their continuous and - Shaudley Gardiner Bianca Garland- Question generous efforts in providing a safe environment for & Answer segment 2 (Caicos Mart Pizzeria Gift our events. We are most grateful for all the support that has been given to us.” Basket)- Bianca Garland Question & Answer segment 3 ( Fottac Gift Basket)
Delano Williams makes British 4X4 British World Relay team Turks and Caicos track star Delano Williams has made the British Team to compete at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau Bahamas between May 2 and 3. Williams, former World 200m Junior, Carifta and Jamaica Junior champion, is down to compete for Great Britain in the 4x400m relay. Great Britain will compete in the 4x100m and 4x400m men and women’s events. The other races that the World Relay meet will offer are the 200m or 800m medleys. A number of congratulations have poured in on Williams, a Grand Turk native, making the team. Bahamas will be hosing the second staging of
the event, which started last year and saw stars from across the globe donning their skills at the island chain. This the event is to attract the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Bolt did not compete at the event last year, which saw Jamaica taking 4x200 in record fashion. The event is to be staged at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. The British 4x4 team reads - George Caddick, Jack Green, Martyn Rooney, Conrad Williams, Delano Williams and Rabah Yousif. Great Britain said it will not be sending teams to contest the 4x200m, 4x800m or distance medley events. Williams is a 200 specialist. Delano Williams
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