SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
Website: www.suntci.com
VOLUME 11 - NO. 34
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GOVERNOR UNDER ATTACK FROM TCI GOVERNMENT Miss Teen Turks and Caicos contestants visit Speaker of The House of Assembly
The Miss Teen Turks and Caicos Organisation (MTTCO), and Contestants, paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Robert Hall, Speaker of the House, on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at the House of Assembly. The occasion marked the first time any of the six contestants or the accompanying committee members had ever visited the House of Assembly. Hon. Robert Hall conducted a grand tour of the headquarters, explaining the various chambers and offices within the House of Assembly. Hon. Hall was keen to give the group a detailed history of parliament and the roles and functions of government in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The contestants also received a brief lesson on table and social etiquette; all valuable information that they may use to enhance their life skills. In this photograph, the Miss Teen Turks and Caicos contestants are seenwith the Hon. Robert Hall in the House of Assembly.
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remier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing and Minster of Finance Hon. Washington Misick have rebuked Governor Peter Beckingham for suggesting that terrorism threats were among the reasons why the Turks and Caicos Islands Government was ordered by the United Kingdom to pay US$2.2million for extra security for Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick and her team of investigators and lawyers. In a strongly-worded press release, Premier Ewing noted that the
Governor in his press release last week communicated that he was instructed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to instruct the Chief Financial Officer to use his powers under the Constitution and Chief Financial Officer’s Ordinance to authorize an additional $2.2M to fund security cost for SIPT. “My Government is on record condemning this action, which, while being within the legal authority of the Governor and CFO, is considered
by my Government to be an abuse of compared to other countries where power and without proper justification. acts of terrorism abound. I condemn Even though I have demanded I am this characterization by the Governor yet to receive any information about and demand his retraction and any threat to national security or clarification of this outlandish and the security of any members of the unwarranted statement. The SIPT SIPT that warrants such exorbitant has been operating in these islands for additional expenditure,” the Premier the last five years without incident, at the expense of the tax payers of this said. He added: “The only threat country, and they seem to be no further to national security that I am aware ahead than when they started but they of is the constant threat of illegal certainly are richer.” The Premier noted that the immigrants and poachers traversing our maritime borders engaging in Turks and Caicos Islands’ House of illegal fishing, and trafficking of Assembly, in previous sittings has human, guns and drugs. Such funding “appropriated funding for the SIPT is better spent on the procurement of and now, so too has the CFO and marine defense vessels and manpower without the approval of Cabinet or to defend our boarders from these House of Assembly, and in all of these illegal activities, a responsibility that instances, my Government’s calls the UK Government has constantly for accountability and transparency shunned.” for the expenditure of the people’s “The Turks and Caicos Islands money have been blatantly ignored is a peaceful nation of friendly people by the Governor, the CFO and the that enjoys some of the lowest crime Commissioner of Police”. rates globally, and we should not be Continue on page - 2
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Premier Ewing continued: “This is surely not an example of good governance. We have a right to know how much of the tax payers money is being spent and what specifically it is being spent on. We do not seek to compromise the investigations but making that information available after the trials have ended is totally unacceptable and we will therefore not approve another “red cent” for SIPT.” He added: “Since coming to office in 2012 I have made representation to the UK Secretary of State, the FCO and DFID, both in writing and in person requesting them to assume the responsibility for the funding of the SIPT, as previously recommended by the UK Foreign Affairs Committee and Chief Prosecutor Helen Garlick, and the UK Government has consistently refused to accept its responsibility as a sovereign nation and provide support to these islands, but instead insists on providing employment and financial opportunities for the British on the backs of tax payers in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The economic prosperity of these islands came with the hard work of this Government and the hard work and sacrifice of the people of these islands, and such economic gains should be spent as a priority for the improvement of the lives of the people of these islands and not for the enrichment of SIPT and other UK tax payers. The UK’s insistence on the brow beating of the people both by their insistence on taxing the people to pay for SIPT as well as their recent denial of the people’s call for constitutional review are acts to be abhorred.”
Minster of Finance Hon. Washington Misick
Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing
The Premier said his the relationship between the UK Government will continue to make Government and the people of these representation to the Secretary of “beautiful by nature” islands,” Premier State, FCO and FAC and agitate for Ewing added. the UK Government to live up to its In a separate press statement, responsibility as a sovereign nation and Minister of Finance Hon. Washington fund the SIPT or find alternate methods Misick said: “We are amazed at the of exacting justice as recommended by speed, and ease at which UK Ministers the Report of the CARICOM Mission make decisions negatively impacting to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the public purse of the TCI when it for them to uphold good governance is expedient to their agenda. These instead of demonstrating the might of actions fly in the face of transparency the Great British Empire in abusing and the generally accepted principals its authority. of public sector budgeting practise “My Government is prepared by TCIG, and insisted on by the UK. to take this fight to Whitehall as The explanation for the unilateral we will not accept this or the UK’s appropriation of funds claim that the response to the House of Assembly’s money is to cover expenses to the end recommendations for constitutional of March 2016. The truth is that given amendments. It is past time for a frank the snail’s pace at which matters are discussion on the future of progressing, this process will not be
completed by March 2016 and may go on indefinitely thereby attracting additional recurrent cost of $4-5 million dollars annually.” He added: “It is our view that the decision to increase funding to SIPT demonstrates bias and scant regard for the welfare of the people of these islands. Key infrastructure expenditure including that for a new/ recondition RO plant for Grand Turk are routinely denied. One off expenditure such as ex-gratia payments to recently retiring low wage earners in the public service who have no prospects of alternative employment or any other means to support themselves, and who had a legitimate expectation to receive such payments based on policy have also been denied. These decisions beg the question does TCI lives matter? It is morally wrong for the UK Government to be open fisted with TCIG tax payers’ money. If additional funding is to be provided to the Police it should first be provided to fight youth on youth violence, community policing and border protection as is their international obligation which they continuously neglect.” Misick said the people of these islands have sacrificed much to return to fiscal stability, adding that it is “a slap in the face that their sacrifice is being rewarded by diverting resources away from infrastructure development and social programs”. He stated: “My Government decries the continued draconian stance by Britain towards the people of these islands and will not be silent in the face of its imperious posture.”
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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PDM leader cautions Government on rushed Immigration Bill
Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson Opposition Leader We have just ended a forced consultation period on the Immigration Bills – a consultation repeatedly called for by the PDM and more specifically by myself as the Shadow Minister for Border Control. Until Friday, August 21, 2015, the consultation period was largely an online consultation with limited access to and difficulty accessing the Immigration Bill and with the need to request a face to face stakeholder meeting. As recent as yesterday, I was still providing individuals with a copy of the Immigration Bills. In October when the PDM was successful in halting the Bill due to a lack of consultation and then knowing
full well that it could not be presented in the current Session, we expected that the Government would have used the time to conduct meaningful and accessible consultations. Whilst we are grateful that the Government has changed its position following an acknowledgement of a request for same from PDM Members to hold public meetings, we unfortunately are not happy with the rushed, sham of a consultation as they have grown a reputation for. A more detailed approach outlining what exists now, what is being proposed and the reasons for same, all in an effort to better educate and then a means to gauge the responses would have been the most effective approach. The responses from persons as early as the first public meeting here in Provo prompted the PNP’s own Party Treasurer to ask the Minister publicly for a longer educational process. The one week of public consultation in a whirlwind fashion has left many heads spinning and concerned over
the rushed and hurried approach to something so critical and fundamental. This together with the absence of a true and full appreciation for the content of these life altering Bills, and the information to show the impact, our people are left seriously concerned. Often times and as recent as the last House of Assembly Meeting on an immigration amendment, the Government had no statistics or pressing information to support their hurried approach on its major policy change. We note with amusement however, the many occasions where members of the Government have been sorely agitated by members of the PDM posing questions. Our people are now asking questions and they require answers. We are sincerely troubled by the Government’s usual hurried approach to the passage of laws in this country and we are again publicly cautioning this Government to take better care of the people of these Islands and the country’s future. We
must be careful to not pass laws based on any other reason than in the best interests of our people and to always be mindful of the fact that there are some decisions if not carefully made can adversely affect us as a people. We therefore cannot see how this Government can possibly continue with its plan to force through the Immigration Bill on September 14th in the climate of mistrust, uneasiness and skepticism that it has created by their own approach to this important Immigration reform. We are therefore admonishing the Government to take the wishes of the people into account, accurately reflect them and ensure that there is a proper balance between adequate protections for its people and the need for growth. We are also calling on them to take another look at its Bills, engage in meaningful educational and informative consultations and carefully consider the proposals made to them.
Imports increased in Turks and Caicos by 8.5% The Strategic Policy and Planning Department (SPPD) announced that imports for the first half year increased by 8.5%. The Turks and Caicos Islands Merchandise imports totaled approximately $208 million for the first half of 2015, representing an increase of $16.3 million or 8.5% when compared to the same period last year. Exports from the Turks and Caicos Islands during this period were valued at $2.1 million when compared to $3.8 million during the first half of 2014. This resulted in an overall merchandise trade balance of approximately -$205.9 million during the first half of 2015 and the worsening of the overall trade balance by more than 10.4 percent or $9.6 million. “Due to the current growth that is taking
place in the tourism sector, the attraction of direct investment, the projected growth in the construction sector of the TCI economy and the lack of a more diversified group of exports, it is likely that the trade imbalance will continue to increase in the foreseeable future,” stated Acting Director of SPPD, Mr. Shirlen Forbes. “The rising imports however, could be looked at in a positive light. As a country with high value of imports, the increase in imports may also be reflecting the uptick in activity taking place in the TCI economy, showing that Turks and Caicos consumers are buying and developing more. Evidence of this can be seen in the increase of motor vehicle imports by 61.5% during the first half of 2015 when compared to the same period last year.
“This undoubtedly reflects the significant increase in motor vehicles from Asia. Motor vehicles imports at the Grand Turk Port and Providenciales South Dock Port increased by 112.4% and 110% respectively. The increase in motor vehicle imports made Machinery and Transport equipment, by far the largest expenditure, amounting to $58.2 million, or 28.0% of total imports when analyzing the data using Standard International Trade Classification (SITC).” Given the performance of Merchandise trade during the 1st half of this year, SPPD is forecasting that imports will increase by more than 22% for the 2015 calendar year. Whereas exports will experience a decline of more than 5 percent.
Another student benefits from TCHTA’s TCI Hospitality Adventure Programme During his high school years Cydacio Morgan realised he had a passion for cooking and signed up for TCHTA’s Hospitality Adventure Summer Lit’l Chefs Programme in 2013, an opportunity which has propelled his future in Culinary Arts. The former Lit’l Chef who is currently studying at Manchester Openshaw College and pursuing a programme in Catering and Hospitality, is grateful for the recent donation of $1,000 by TCHTA through its Hospitality Adventure Programme, which gives him an opportunity to fulfill his culinary dreams. “This is what we hoped for when we implemented the
Summer Programme,” noted Stacy Cox, TCHTA’s Executive Director while presenting a cheque to Cydacio’s father. “A programme which allows students to hone their skills in the hospitality field and proves to them that their dreams of becoming top Chefs, hoteliers, mechanical engineers etc can be achieved.” Cox also added, “After participating in the 2013 Programme Cydacio was afforded the opportunity to intern at Seven Stars Resort for 6 weeks then went on to work at Parrot Cay Resort for almost 2 years where he was welcomed as part of the team. We are so grateful that these resorts along with countless
others as well as many local businesses continue to come on board and participate in our annual Hospitality Adventure Summer Programme giving kids like Cydacio an opening into the Tourism and Hospitality world.” Cydacio departed the island before he was able to collect the donation but sent a message through his father who collected the cheque on his behalf, “Pursuing a career in Culinary Arts is not easy but is worth it. I love what I do and I will not stop and am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have received in my drive to become one of Stacy Cox (left) and Angela Musgrove (right) recently presented a cheque the Top Chefs in the TCI.” donation to Cydacio’s father who collected on his behalf.
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LOCAL NEWS
Kimo Tynes and Tracy Knight appointed to TCI’s UK office
Kimo Tynes
established for the country Tracy Knight has been Williams. ”The exposure and abroad and it is important that appointed as Head of Office & Resource Management, experience they will gain we have our own promoting the and Mr. Kimo Tynes as UK while living and working in territory and representing our Representative Consular UK represents a tremendous interests in another country. “I have every faith in the Services in the Office of the development opportunity, both Premier, London, United for them and their country. abilities of our people and I know Kingdom. They will both take TCIG intends to continue to that Ms. Knight and Mr. Tynes up their new appointments later build on this existing office and will be invaluable assets to the strengthen through providing Government.” this month. The Head of Office A government press more talented resources like and Resource Management release said TCI’s Economical these new hires.” “This is another coordinates the activities of and Political interests in the UK have been bolstered proud moment for us as Turks the Turks and Caicos Islands by the addition of two new and Caicos Islanders as the Home Office to promote inward appointments in the Turks & Government continues to deliver investment and to identify and Caicos Islands Government’s on our promise to employ our access funding from UK and (TCIG) office in the UK Based people within the Civil Service,” European Union donor agencies. The Consular Officer/ said Premier, Dr. The Hon. Home Office. UK Representative-Consular “We are confident that Rufus W. Ewing. latest Services promotes the Political Tracy and Kimo will represent “These the TCI well while performing appointments in the UK are interests of TCIG in the UK their respective duties overseas,” especially noteworthy as this and to support TCI nationals Tracy Knight said Deputy Governor Anya is the first home office to be residing in the UK.
Daniel Carriere is new CEO of TCI Hospitals InterHealth Canada (TCI) Limited announced Daniel Carriere as Chief Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, effective September 14th, 2015. Carriere has a strong background in the managing of hospitals, according to a press release from the hospital. He previously held the CEO position at the Southlake Regional Health Centre; a 400-bed hospital in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, and prior to that appointment was CEO of other hospitals in the Toronto area. Commenting on his new role, Carriere said, “As I reflect on my success as a health care leader, whether in a small, medium-sized or large hospital, I am always brought back to one important but ultimately essential element -- teamwork! My role as one of the many leaders in the TCI health care system will be one of innovation and facilitation, creating an inclusive and empowered environment where people working with me will be given the necessary tools to improve and excel in ultimately making people’s
lives better”. According to Carriere, his experience as a hospital CEO over many decades really emphasized what truly matters and what will make a lasting impression on patients and their families; having compassionate and caring individuals who make up the health care team. He added, “While in TCI, I will be working to ensure patients come first; that is the rule! Improvements in patient care cannot be delivered or promised through complacency; successful organizations abandon the notion of status quo for the sake of quiet or freedom from the discomfort that often accompanies change. Under my leadership, every staff member will be driven to improve things under their control. I look forward to leading a team of dedicated health care professionals and creating the next exciting chapter as the health care agenda in TCI continues to evolve. I am especially enthusiastic regarding the prospects of working closely with government and assisting them in meeting the challenging mandate of
INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS. is seeking suitable qualified pilots to operate its EMB120 fleet. Applicants must have the following: Captains : Valid Air Transport License, Pic type rating 3500hrs fixed wing total time including 1,500 hrs Multi engine, 500hrs Turbine and minimum 100hrs on Type. First officer: Commercial Pilot License, Sic type rating 500hrs fixed wing total time, 250hrs Multi engine and 25hrs on Type. Please send resume to HR@intercaribbean.com Tel:946-4181
Daniel Carriere, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospitals. affordable and comprehensive health care for the TCI inhabitants and visitors. Working together for the same common goal will ensure success and a coordinated approach to improving the health care agenda”. “I have full confidence that the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital will continue to excel with Daniel at the helm of an already strong leadership
team. We are moving forward with a lot of exciting improvements and we are very pleased that we have been able to secure the services of such a well-qualified and experienced CEO to lead the TCI Hospital in the next stage of its development. He is exactly the right man for the role”, says John Hyland an InterHealth Canada (TCI) Ltd. board member. Carriere is a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal Recipient. He was recognized for his commitment to establish advanced health care services closer to home for the residents of York Region, Simcoe County, and South Muskoka. He is a member of the Ryerson University School of Health Services Management External Advisory Committee, an Executive member of the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, past member of the Princess Margaret Advisory Committee on Oncology, and most recently President and CEO, Spectrum of Hope Autism Foundation and President of Centric Health, to name a few of his many distinguished positions.
TURKS & CAICOS WATER COMPANY D.B.A. PROVO GOLF CLUB ASSISTANT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT The candidate should have advanced knowledge of agronomy and turf grass management practices, a working knowledge of golf course construction principles and a thorough understanding of the rules of the game of golf. Only persons with a minimum of five (6) years experience on a golf course with two years experience as a second assistant will be considered for the position. Salary commensurate with experience, training and education. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by September 14, 2015 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
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LOCAL NEWS
US monitoring Russian ship near TCI waters and nuke submarine bases
U.S. intelligence ships, aircraft and satellites are closely watching a Russian military vessel in the Atlantic that has been sailing near a U.S. nuclear missile submarine base and underwater transit routes, according to Pentagon officials. The Russian research ship Yantar has been tracked from the northern Atlantic near Canada since late August as it makes its way south toward Cuba. Nongovernment military analysts identified the Yantar off the coast of Nova Scotia around Aug. 24. More recently, an underwater military blog called 7 Feet Beneath the Keel reported the Yantar’s location Tuesday as 90 miles north of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, some 769 miles from Kings Bay. A Pentagon spokesman said the military is aware of the ship. “We respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law,” the spokesman said. The Yantar — Russian for “amber” — was built in a Baltic Sea shipyard of the same name and launched in the spring, the state-run Sputnik news agency reported May 23. The ship will be used for deep-sea research and rescue operations. Defense officials familiar with reports on the Russian ship say
Steffan Watkins, an open-source intelligence analyst who monitors Russian ship movements, said the Russian navy sends vessels such as Yantar to the region to check on existing U.S. underwater sensors or cables that have been detected previously. The ships also search for new equipment on the sea floor that would reveal U.S. operations the Yantar is believed to be gathering cable-cutting equipment. and is a key target of Russian intelligence on underwater sensors and In addition to cutting or information warfare efforts. other equipment used by U.S. nuclear tapping into undersea cables, the The network includes submarines based at Kings Bay, Yantar’s gear also could be used to dedicated military links as well as Georgia. The submarines, their transit rescue submarines if they become leased communications and computer lanes and training areas stretch from entangled in underwater cables. systems. the coastal base through the Atlantic A second defense official Another concern related to the to Europe. said the Yantar’s mission is not only sea-based intelligence activities is that Intelligence analysts believe to prepare to disrupt underwater Russia has been adopting new warthe ship, one of Russia’s newest military communications. The ship is also fighting techniques that the Pentagon research vessels commissioned this part of a Russian underwater has dubbed hybrid warfare. year, is part of a larger strategic reconnaissance program to identify Hybrid conflict combines intelligence-gathering undersea communications trunk lines traditional military capabilities with operation against U.S. nuclear missile and nodes. information warfare techniques, such submarines and other targets. A major target of the program as cyberattacks. The disabling of One official, who spoke on the is the Department of Defense undersea Internet cables could be a condition of anonymity owing to the Information Network, known as part of future hybrid warfare attacks as sensitivity of the information, said the DoDIN. Moscow is seeking to map the nations become increasingly reliant on ship is a concern because it is equipped global information network that is vital global information networks, officials with deep-sea surveillance craft and for U.S. war fighters and policymakers said.
Digicel Partners with National Church of God to host Annual Back to School Event
For the second year, Digicel has partnered with the National Church of God, headed by Pastor Branford E. Dean, to host the annual Back to School event, for 2015. Held at the Alice and Alice Shopping Center on Sunday August 30th, the event, in its 10th year, was organised as a means of giving back to the community, particularly to needy kids whose parents find it difficult to provide some of the basic essentials for school. The Back to School event is also designed to be a time of entertainment and enrichment with acts such as a children’s gospel rap contest, pantomime dancing, praise teams & other gospel performances.
As partners, Digicel provided Barbers, who spent the evening providing haircuts free of charge for young boys who were gearing up for the first day of school; as well as providing a contribution to assist with the purchase of school kits, back packs and pencil cases with all the basic essentials. Head of Marketing at Digicel, Trina Adams said “Digicel is always pleased to assist in efforts that give back to our communities in a meaningful way. This initiative by Pastor Dean is a tremendously worthy cause and helps to alleviate some of the financial burden that many families find difficult to bear, especially at this time of the year.”
Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 An Application, REGISTERED AC-108, by Ambergris Cay Ltd has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of a project to support planned residential development at the Future Marina Site adjacent to the Entrance Channel on Ambergris Cay. The Project will beautify the “Marina Area” by excavating the salt flats to the top of rock (approximately -2 FT MLW on average) and provide tidal exchange between the marina and entrance channel. The project is located at block/parcel 20502/556. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice.
Organiser, Pastor Branford E. Dean said of the event, “This event was envisioned by my wife 10 years ago. We had partnered with other local churches and organizations in the past, and each year the event grew in support. We are
happy that Digicel continues to partner with us. We secured over 1400 school bags and a number of other school supplies, which we have given away as a way of helping our community.”
RESTAURANT MANAGER HAB Management Limited is seeking a Restaurant Manager to assist with the management of our restaurant operations.
MAIN DUTIES •Assist restaurant owners with daily restaurant management. •Communicate to owners all matters relating to the restaurant. •Responsible for greeting guests in a warm and friendly manner. •Maintain a regular presence on the dining room floor and oversee the host stand. •Control the flow of work in the dining room by seating guests and handling the reservation book. •Assist with the training, scheduling and supervising of staffs. •Oversee the staff to ensure quality food and professional service is extended to all guest. •Must be a customer service advocate, maintaining a high level of customer service standards.
REQUIREMENTS •Must be suitably qualified. •Must have five years or more experience in hotel food and beverage industry. •Must have a strong working knowledge of dining room procedures, policies and EPOS system. •Strong organizational skills required. •Excellent oral and written communication skills required. •Must be willing to work unsociable hours and a variety of split shifts. •Excellent people skills in order to communicate well with guests and staff. Base salary for this position is $40,000.00 per annum, commensurate with experience, training and education. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by September 14, 2015 at ronnie@habgroup.com or fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
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LOCAL NEWS
CEO of Digicel TCI steps down
Erik Staaf, who recently joined the Digicel TCI, has decided to step down as Chief Executive, effective August 28th, 2015 for personal reasons. Digicel’s Board of Directors has named Stephen Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, to serve as interim CEO. “I would like to thank Erik for his contribution to Digicel and wish him all the best for the future,” Alistair Beak, Regional CEO for Bermuda, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands, said in a press release from the company. No reasons were
given for Staaf ’s sudden departure, but the SUN understands that it stemmed from a visit which Digicel’s CEO Dennis O’brien made to the TCI last week, during which he met with staff and certain key members of the local and business community. Staaf, who had 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, was first introduced to the media and general public at the Fire and Ice restaurant at Blue Haven on March 25, 2015. Staaf is originally from Sweden but has lived in the UK for 30 years. Mr. `Staaf said he has
Former Digicel CEO Erik Staaf worked several general manager companies at Telefonica 2, Jabra, Motorola, Xchanging and also for Virgin Digital Help. Mr. Staff said that his background was really about developing inside led propositions that
take innovation to the next level. Back then, Staaf said that the major challenge for the industry in general is providing a better customer experience and taking the customer experience to the next level. Mr. Staaf also mentioned that he is very happy to be in the TCI, “I have been here for about three months and it’s an absolutely unbelievable place. I’m very much enjoying my time here. I am a part of the Digicel team and would like to thank the people that made me feel so welcome on the island.”
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
Digicel and NBA Host Youth Jumpstart Basketball Clinic Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA), have joined in partnership to launch the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Basketball Clinics in the Caribbean. The Digicel NBA Jumpstart Clinics will offer aspiring young basketball players an opportunity of a lifetime to train under the tutelage of official NBA coaches. The basketball clinics were officially launched in the Caribbean on Aug. 24th and will continue through to Sept. 28th. The Turks & Caicos are one of six countries that were selected to host a clinic, which will take place Sept. 13th 15th at the Graceway Sports Centre in Providenciales. The clinics will be run by NBA coaches from the league’s International Basketball Operations, and focus on player development, as well as developing local coaching expertise. Hence, this clinic will bring together forty-two (42) local under 16 players and fifteen (15) local coaches. Head of the Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) and head of the Rising Stars Basketball Club, Mr. Sydwell Glasgow and Mr.
Mervin Forbes respectively, said that they applauded Digicel and the NBA for such a “much needed” initiative to help our youth. They went on to express their excitement in being a part of such a special opportunity, where local coaches and players could benefit from NBA style training. “We are extremely proud to be bringing the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Basketball Clinic to the Turks & Caicos Islands. Digicel is all about inspiring young athletes to follow their dreams, and this initiative further supports Digicel’s philosophy of grassroots sports programs,” said Trina Adams, Head of Marketing for Digicel in the TCI. “This is a tremendous opportunity for young Turks & Caicos Islanders to jumpstart their NBA dreams. We share the vision of the NBA to grow the sport in the region and to teach the values of a healthy and active lifestyle.” As with Digicel’s successful football programme, the Digicel Kickstart Clinics, the best athletes in each country will be selected for the intensive “Elite Camp” programme Sept.
BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES POSITIONS AVAILABLE Butterfield Gold One (1) Air Condition Technician
Require individual with certification in “Air Conditioning / Refrigeration Equipment Operation & Maintenance” with a minimum of ten years experience to service large operation including a supermarket.
Salary: commensurate with experience starting from $9.25 per hour Three (3) Labourers Applicant must be physical and able-bodied individual capable of lifting heavy loads and to assist with various duties within the company. Wages: starting from $6.00 per hour
Island Pride Fuel
One (1) Gas Attendant Good oral and written skills, no experience necessary. Knowledge of basic mechanically skills would be an asset. Knowledge to maintain gas pump machines would be an asset.
Wages: $6.50 per hour Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified.
26-28 in Trinidad and Tobago. The top eight players from the Elite Camp, as determined by an NBA coach and legend, will have the opportunity to attend an NBA game in the U.S, tour an NBA arena and be put through their paces at an NBA facility. The Elite Camp and camper trip to the U.S. to attend an NBA game will be shared with Digicel customers online, digitally and through mobile and will be broadcast on Digicel Sportsmax, which brings NBA fans closer to their favourite teams through its live coverage of the NBA season, which tips off Oct. 27. In March, Digicel and the NBA announced a multiyear partnership that will deliver live games and extensive NBA programming to the Turks & Caicos and more than 29 other Caribbean territories through Digicel SportsMax and make Digicel the Official Wireless Partner of the NBA in the region. This partnership also allows Digicel customers to get in on the action through a number of promotions that will be launched across the Caribbean.
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.
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD H.A.B. Management Limited is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered:
WAITRESS Main Duties
Applicants will be required to greet and take food and beverages orders from restaurant guest, serve orders and accommodate guest requests. Applicants will be required to serve guests’ promptly and according to established restaurant standards, policies and procedures.
REQUIREMENTS Must have a minimum of six years’ experience working in a restaurant. Must have strong working knowledge of dining room procedures, policies and EPOS System. Applicants must be a customer service advocate, maintaining a high level of customer service standards. Maintain a friendly, cheerful and courteous demeanor at all times. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. All applicants must be hardworking team players. Wages for this position starts at $7.00 per hour commensurate with experience and training.
Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by Submit applications to by September 10, 2015 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., September 11th, 2015 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211
by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
FortisTCI Signs MOU for the First Utility-Scale Solar System
FortisTCI Solar FortisTCI (the Company) has signed an MOU with a local company on Providenciales for the commissioning of a utility-scale solar project. This MOU is the first step in what the Company hopes will be the first large-scale solar system interconnected to the country’s electricity grid.
In September 2014, the Company commissioned an independent renewable energy infusion study that identified how much intermittent power, such as solar and wind, can be accommodated on the T&D system. The study also determined how much of these renewables can be supplied
A Grace Bay Beach Resort
______________________________________________________________________
A Turks and Caicos Islands management company is seeking a qualified and experienced Chief Executive Officer to head corporate and client level operations. Thesuccessful candidate must possess: Bsc. In Hotel and Food Administration
Masters in Business Administration Minimum ten years directly relevant post qualification work experience at directorial and regional level. Proven track record in growing business and contract negotiation. Will be able to produce mission critical reporting and provide solutions and decision making based on proper analysis and understanding. Computer literate with modern property management systems, productivity software and internet distributed marketing and reservations systems. Experience with meetings with the board of directors, senior management and other companies and the day-to-day running of the business. Experience in control of the direction of the company and budgets for all departments, set Targets and initiate business partnerships with other companies Drive the culture of the business Oversee employment staff and manage senior managers Generate new business and assess new projects Identify risks and ensure appropriate strategies are in place Ensure the correct practices and compliances are being met Attend board meetings and other presentations Drive the profitability of the business
The suitable candidate must be able to lead all aspects of hospitality and corporate operations. All resumes and applications must be forwarded to: P.O. Box 482, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands You may also fax to: (649) 946-5008
to the grid without compromising integrity and reliability, and without increasing cost. FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell said, “The Company is very enthusiastic about the potential of this project and partnering with this potential IPP in the generation of green energy.
This project, and soon to be launched renewable energy programs for residential customers, will usher in a new era of green energy in the TCI. We know that this will not happen overnight, and we realize that this is still an expensive proposition. However, the Company believes that renewable sources of energy will play an increasing role in the Country’s energy mix as the technologies improve and become more cost-effective. The Company is equally adamant that renewable energy should not increase the cost to our customers, or undermine the safety and high-service reliability the country has come to expect from FortisTCI.” The Company’s approach to the introduction of renewable energy sources is to carefully accommodate both utility scale and small scale residential solar systems that can interconnect to the grid within proposed limits. At this time, wind-powered systems cannot be accommodated on the grid, due to restraints placed by the Planning Department on the Company’s proposed wind energy pilot project.
INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS IS SEEKING: TWO AIRLINE EXECUTIVE • 10-15 years related experience in Commercial flight operations. •Must have a demonstrated knowledge of weight & balance, flight planning and ETOPS operations. •Knowledge of the practices and procedures of all airside and landside activities and functions as outlined in Ground Flight Operations Manual and Regulations. •Competency in PC Windows, Email, Databases and Microsoft Office tools is expected. •Ability to develop and train workforce, build relationships, utilize skills in the workforce that is most appropriate. •Ability to execute functional aspects relating to domestic travel transactions and maintain records and documentation. • Ability to operate all equipment relating to the job. • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, understanding manner, and listen attentively to others, understands material, and provides instruction to employees. Schedule the appropriate staff compliment to ensure the smooth and effective operation of shift. •Coordinate with authorities in all International/Domestic Stations, Security measures affecting aircrafts, passengers, luggage and goods. •Manage local and International carriers contracts. (3) RAMP ATTENDANT •Over 5 years experience in Ramp Supervising. • Over 5 years experience in maneuvering heavy duty equipment e.g. (pushing and towing aircraft). • Experience in general handling of General Aviation. Narrow body and wide body aircraft. •British Airways, JAR OPS, Supervisor Aircraft loading qualified. •US Airways fleet service door opening trainer. •Awareness Certification of acceptance/refusal of hazardous material as per IATA regulations. •Comprehensive knowledge in the operation of all Ground Service Equipment (GSE).
Salary commensurate with experience. All positions require the following: ➢ Excellent command of the English language – reading, writing and speaking. ➢ 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 call please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Education Ministerexpecting another successful school year
Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Hon. Akierra Misick By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Service Hon. Akierra Misick said she is looking forward to an even more exciting year on the education periphery, especially with the Caribbean Vocation Qualification (QVC) programme coming on stream at the start of this school year. The minister, who spoke to The SUN from Manchester in England, where she currently is with a team from the TCI participating sporting activities, said that the ministry is expecting
another successful year for government school across the board. Government schools open on Monday, September 7. “The expectation is for another successful school year with continued physical infrastructure improvements planned as well as welcoming our staff and students to an exciting school year where creativity and academic success will be encouraged. With the role out of CVQ in our high schools we’re looking forward to ensuring all learners succeed and leave school with real life certifications,” she said. The Minister added that the Ministry of Education is anticipating a more innovative Mathematics and English delivery, having equipped many of those teachers in those disciplines. “In our primary schools we’re looking for new teaching styles in Math and English and producing well rounded citizens for the TCI,” she said. The minister could not specifically give updates as it relates to the Long Bay High School, which was scheduled to open in time for the new school year. The new government school
was supposed to take the overcrowding burden off the bursting-at-the-seams Clement Howell High School. The Minister had announced that in the event the Long Bay High School is ready for the start of the new school term, students, who would have been first-formers at the Clement Howell High School would go there. However, the minister announced through a news release in August, that construction would not complete before the start of the new school year. “Due to construction and some administrative delays we regret to inform the public, parents, teachers and the incoming first batch of new students, that the Long Bay High School will not open its doors to the first batch of new students on September 7th as planned. “However the Ministry, since the beginning of the project ensured that in the event of a delay the education of the new entrants would not be negatively impacted,” the minister said via the statement. She said that the form won
students would be accommodated at the Clement Howell High School before until the Long Bay High School is ready. “All Form 1 students will be housed at the Clement Howell High School (CHHS) until the completion of the building. The students are expected to report with their Long Bay Uniforms. “All teachers who were recruited for the Long Bay High School will be assigned their classes and will assume teaching responsibilities at the CHHS. “Once completed, the Form 1 students along with their teachers will transfer to the Long Bay High School as planned. All parents are asked to collect letters from the Department of Education outlining start dates and other necessary information from Thursday 13th of August. “The Ministry of Education would like to assure all parents, that the delay in the opening of the Long Bay School will not deter the education and development of their child/children,” the minister said in the release.
Sandals Foundation Launches Dominica Fundraising Campaign Sandals Foundation, the non-profit arm of Sandals Resorts International has launched a fundraising campaign to aid the recovery effort in Dominica after the Caribbean nation was recently devastated by Tropical Storm Erika. The campaign will include fundraising efforts involving the tens of thousands of guests staying at Sandals and Beaches resorts as well as online donations through the Sandals Foundation webpage. President of the Sandals Foundation and CEO of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart said, “Thankfully, the nine islands in which we operate our resorts were unscathed by Tropical Storm Erika but tragically the same was not true of our Caribbean neighbours in Dominica who have suffered great loss; both of life and infrastructure. We know firsthand how badly natural disasters can affect
a nation and we will be doing all we can to help the people of Dominica to recover as quickly as possible and we urge our corporate partners to play their part too.” Erika wreaked havoc on the island nation for over five hours on Wednesday causing intense flooding and landslides that have left 20 people dead and at least 50 missing. The Prime Minister of Dominica recently appealed for international assistance to recover from the disaster which he estimated could set his country back two decades. The Sandals Foundation’s pledge of support to the island will not be limited to just resort guests and supporters of the foundation. “We will be reaching out to our trade partners, travel agents, suppliers-everyone, this is an emergency situation and we want to throw our full weight behind our Caribbean brothers and sisters in their time of need”, said Stewart.
This is not the Sandals Foundation’s first foray into a disaster affected nation in recent years as the foundation helped support efforts on the ground after the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2010. The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), the Caribbean’s leading family-owned resort company. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was created to continue and expand upon the charitable work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken since its founding in 1981 to play a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where SRI operates throughout the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment. One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the
general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community. To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online at w w w. s a n d a l s f o u n d a t i o n . orgcampaign to aid the recovery effort in Dominica after the Caribbean nation
was recently devastated by Tropical Storm Erika. The campaign will include fundraising efforts involving the tens of thousands of guests staying at Sandals and Beaches resorts as well as online donations through the Sandals Foundation webpage.
Fighting for Trash-free Seas! Show you care for the TCI’s natural HOW TO GET INVOLVED: environment by getting yourself, your school, business Co-ordinate an underwater / beach / bush clean-up in or church involved in International Coastal Clean-up your immediate area. WHEN: Day! With your help, the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA) will fight for trash-free Early morning, Saturday 19 September 2015 (to beat seas, on Saturday 19 September. It doesn’t matter the heat!) where you are, just grab a bag and collect that litter! WHAT YOU WILL NEED: “In 2014, 168 people collected 279 bags of •Gloves trash nation-wide. DEMA hopes that this year the •Water (make sure everyone remains properly event will have increased support, making it one of the hydrated – DEMA would like to encourage the use of re-usable water bottles) most successful clean-up campaigns in the country!” •Trash Bags Said Amy Avenant, DEMA’s Environmental Outreach Coordinator. •You may want to keep a first aid kit handy in the It is hoped that this initiative will encourage event of cuts or scrapes people across Turks & Caicos to remove litter found along the shoreline, underwater or in the bushes, to WHAT TO DO NOW: help create healthy waters for everyone, including the Register your commitment in taking part with Amy wildlife and communities that depend on them. You, Avenant - DEMA Environmental Outreach Coyour school or organisation can get involved by getting ordinator, by no later than 11 September 2015. You can a group together and spending an hour out of your day do so by emailing Avenant.amy@gmail.com or calling cleaning up a beach, bush, path, road or sea-bed in on 341 4321. your local area. If you do not have a group but wish to
participate, please contact Amy to find out about groups you may join! Want to help out but unable to organise such an initiative? Consider donating supplies (trash bags, gloves etc)! WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY (and a few days before): • Arrange for proper disposal of the collected trash • Submit the following information to DEMA: o Organisation name o Number of clean-up participants o Location of trash collection (and whether it was underwater/beach/bush) o Number of bags collected o Amount of time spent collecting trash o Photographs of you / your organisation and the trash collected. DEMA has registered this event with the Ocean Conservancy - Ocean Conservancy works to keep the ocean healthy, to keep us healthy. http://www.oceanconservancy.org/
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SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Gunman shoots woman nine times
At press time, a woman was battling for her life at the Cheshire all Medical Centre after a lone assailant shot her nine times in a mid-morning attack on Monday (August 21, 205), as she stood outside her shop at the South Dock section of Five Cays Police listed the victim 38 years old. However, they are still carrying their investigation to identify the attacker. The police are also piecing the motive of the attack as to whether it was a robbery gone wrong or a targeted attack. However, some of the investigators believe that the nature of the attack smells like a hit. “I think that was a targeted attack,” said an officer, who requested anonymity. “I can’t see why someone would shoot another person nine times during a robbery. That has to be a targeted move. But at the same time
you will never know, so we have to investigate to find out the real cause.” Police information officer Special Constable Audley Astwood, who was also on the scene, told The SUN that there was a struggle between the criminal and the woman immediately prior to the shooting. He said that when police arrive they saw the woman lying outside the establishment suffering from bullet wounds. “Sometime shortly after 10:a.m., police received reports of shots being fired in the vicinity of a business place along South Dock Road. Officers, who quickly responded, found a female victim lying on the ground with at least one gunshot wound to her body. She was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where we were informed, she was in an unstable condition. Doctors are working now to save her life.
“What we are learning right now is that the lady was just outside her business place and she was approached by a masked person. Shortly thereafter a struggle ensure, which resulted in the female being shot and the masked gunman escaped on foot,” Astwood said. The police, in recent time, has been grappling with a spike in gun-related violence, with firearms claiming at least three of those lives of the four persons. Including toddler, killed violently since the start of this year. In a recent news conference, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, called on the recently-appointed Commissioner of Police, James Smith, to arrest the apparent in violent activities in the Turks and Caicos Islands before they get even worst. “I am asking the commissioner
of police to put a taskforce together to eradicate all illegal guns from our streets and to save our young people and to save our citizens. This is an issue that we cannot take lightly. Too many lives have been lost senselessly,” the premier said. He also called on citizens to assist the police in their investigations, while also calling on police officers who might know some of these criminals to do the right thing and get them off the street. “We, as citizens, in our communities and our neighbors, and the police officers, you know who these persons are, who are in possession of illegal guns. So, I am calling out to those individuals who know to, first of all, report such individuals to the police,” he said.
Premier Ewing will diversify economies of the sister islands By Todeline Defralien Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing says Government is still committed to diversifying the economies of the sister islands. Speaking during a town hall meeting at the Gust Lightbourne Sports Complex on Wednesday August 12th,2015 the Premier said “I will not have you sit here and think that as a Government, every day we are not engaging investors and developers to take up investment opportunities in all over the islands in the Turks and Caicos Islands and not only Provo. So much so that we have gone out in market specifically, islands such as Salt Cay,
Grand Turk, North and Middle Caicos.” He added, “In order for persons to come to those islands a number of things have to happen. What makes a tourism product is airlift, accommodation and attractions. It is a vicious circle where you cannot have one without the other. Something has to come first, and so, in giving this into consideration one of the challenges that Grand Turk had is regard to airlift and we have to focus on that. Wiith airlifts you also need rooms and so we have had a number of proposals for Grand Turk with regards to hotel accommodations and we are continuing to work to make those proposals work, but money is what makes the world go round”. He continued “What we find
is that with most investors nowadays investment capital is tight and when they come to you, you have to make sure they have the money to invest and to start incomplete various developments. So Grand Turk has not been left out, but when you have development that is ready to go you have to put focus on it and put attention to it, be it in Provo, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, Salt Cay, Grand Turk or South Caicos you have to work with it”. “Obviously those are the ones that are going to be in the forefront, those are the ones that are going to get the publicity and I will tell you if I had a development in Grand Turk today, tomorrow we would continue to push it and put it in the forefront and fight for
Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing pictured at Town Hall meeting. it just how we are fighting now to see this development here take root,” said the Premier.
PARALEGAL
Due to current high levels of work, Griffiths & Partners is looking for a Paralegal Assistant.
Graceway Gourmet is seeking a suitably qualified applicant to fill the position of:
LOSS PREVENTION OFFICER Main duties and Responsibilities: •Ensue all security procedures and security surveillance are in place to detect, minimize and or eliminate shoplifters and or other theft offense within the store environment •As required, shall conduct in-dept investigations into suspected case (s) of fraud and theft •Shall conduct routine inspections of the store both internal and external grounds to maintain physical security and protection of assets •Must apprehend dishonest individuals and shoplifters and turn them in to the local police department for criminal proceedings •This position will work in collaboration with Local Law Enforcement Agencies to apprehend and eliminate in-store theft at all operation levels
Required Qualification and Experiences •Previous experience and credentials in security surveillance will is an added plus •Must be able to handle difficult situations with fairness, respect and diplomacy •Maintain good communication with staff members, associates and the management team •Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations •Must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with staff and management to achieve the department / store desired results •Observe and ensure compliance with all company policies and established procedures including general health and safety standards •Must be able to work varied hours / days, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
Salary based on qualifications and experience Deadline for submission of applicants is September 16th 2015 Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracwayiga.com
RESPONSIBILITIES: •Assisting attorneys in legal research in a variety of work including judicial review, commercial litigation, corporate real estate and trust •Assisting in the drafting of pleadings, statements and other documents for Court cases. •Obtaining, compiling and analyzing records for discovery including incoming discovery documents. •Pre-trial preparation and other trial management assistance. JOB QUALIFICATIONS: •Candidates should hold a law degree or post-graduate legal qualification from a leading University, including qualifications in commercial and company law. •Candidates should have or be willing to learn computer proficiency with office software including MS Office. JOB EXPERIENCE: •Previous experience as a Paralegal. •Experience of the operation, practices and procedures of a law office engaged in civil and commercial litigation, corporate, real estate and financial services work. •Experience of court and tribunal filing procedures. •Demonstrated ability to manage a large workload including completing multiple tasks to deadlines. •Must be proactive and able to work both independently and with a professional team. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Griffiths & Partners offer very competitive remuneration for this role. We will also offer training, mentoring and support to help professional development, and a friendly and collegiate work environment. The requirement is urgent. Closing date for application is Friday, 25th September 2015 Apply with Curriculum Vitae to: Griffiths & Partners P.O. Box 143 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Email: recruitment@griffithsandpartneres.com Fax: 649-941-8251
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Police concerned about vehicle break-ins
By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor
The Grace Bay and Lower Bight areas appear to be the motor vehicle breaking hotspots on Providenciales, according to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Police Information Officer, Special Constable Audley Astwood said that the thieves favour the Village in the Grace Bay area and Lower Bight in that general community. “From what we have been observing, you have areas like the Grace Bay area, particular the Village area. Also the Lower Bight. But these incidents are also happening in Five Cays, some in Blue Hills, but (the majority of the break-ins take place) particularly in the Lower Bight and the Grace Bay area,” Astwood said. Astwood indicated that some of the victims might have unwittingly caused the break-ins on themselves by leaving items in their vehicles that enticed hoodlums. He said that police have been giving the public countless warnings but not many people are heeding to the advice.
“At this time, it is unfortunate that many people are not heeding to the warnings coming from the police department. Those warnings are, not to leave valuables in your vehicle, especially cash. We are still hearing of reports of cash being stolen from vehicles; other electronic devices (are also stolen from vehicles). So I will make a fresh appeal to the public to be vigilant when it comes to protecting the vehicle, not to leave anything inside their vehicle,” he warned. “You can leave something as simple as a LIME bag with Garbage in it, persons might think you have an iPhone 6 in there and break into it. This is something that actually happened in Providenciales, and that is why I am pleading for the public to take every precaution and not to leave anything in your vehicle. So much as garbage can cause your vehicle to be broken into. “I know that something as simple as loose change (can cause your vehicle to be broken into). I know it might be nothing for you or myself to perhaps (leave) sixty or seventy cents in the car seat; to someone
JOB TITLE: BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT ANALYST REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF JOB: The Business Analyst is responsible for a full range of activities which ensure the operational effectiveness and excellence of the business unit. The Business Analyst will design and document workflow and make appropriate recommendations that will positively impact operational effectiveness. The Business Analyst will track and analyze business unit trends and make appropriate recommendations that will positively impact the unit. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: •Works with appropriate personnel to allocate personnel time to project tasks and to track progress of their work. •Takes assigned project from original concept through final implementation. •Defines, develops and implements quality assurance practices and procedures, end user test plans and other QA assessments. •Responsible for ensuring that all documentation accurately reflects the current status of changes and outstanding issues so that business requirements reflect application features and functions. •Manages specific application quality assurance and help desk activities including the tracking of bug reports and change requests and ensuring their timely resolution. •Responsible for the overall success of testing, including results verification and release sign-off. •Ensures continuing operational quality by documenting bug fixes and enhancements assigning tasks to developers, testing and releasing updates. •Analyzes discrepancies in service or performance and makes recommendations for updates. •Defines project scope and objectives. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS & FUNCTIONAL SKILLS: •Minimum 5 years’ experience in telecommunication, including underwriting, marketing, business analysis and project management is preferred -Proven project management and leadership skills, including the ability to gather clear business requirements. -Proven ability to develop, document and maintain operational policies and procedures, including the designing and documenting detailed process flows, and the development of operational performance and quality metric standards and reports. -Proven experience working with Excel and developing and maintaining various analyses and reporting tools. •BA degree business or related field preferred. Equivalent work experience considered DEADLINE: Interested applicants should forward their Resume and Cover letter to hrtci@digicelgroup.com on or before September 25th, 2015
He advised that motorists should take the necessary precautions to ensure that their vehicles are safe and secure at all times, and take note of suspicious characters in their neighborhoods. “Park in a well-lit area as much as possible. We also have to be vigilant. Be mindful of strangers inside neighborhood. You know who live inside your neighborhood, if you don’t, you should know,” he said. Astwood also expressed the desire to see more neighborhood watches established especially in the communities that do not have one. “I would like to see residents, especially in Providenciales, start being their brothers’ keepers, and form neighborhood watches. We have one in the Leeward Palms area, one inside Wheeland, but we need more neighborhood watches. I think in those areas where neighborhood watches are present, you have less crime reported; you have persons who pursue anything that is actively suspicious,” he said. Astwood also cautioned householders not to approach criminals but to report their activities to the police.
Audley Astwood “I also want to remind you that if you do see anything suspicious, not to approach the person or persons, even if it is your own vehicle. Leave that to the police. Call 911 immediately; let the police deal with it. Observe from a safe distance, do not get directly involved,” he cautioned.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
New DPP John Masters under greater scrutiny By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor The SUN understands that some prosecutors at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) are quietly uneasy with the direction that office is taking. A source revealed that moral at that office under recently-appointed DPP John Masters, has taken a dip from what it was under his predecessor Jo-Anne Meloche, who departed earlier this year. The source said that the Masters was touted as having a number of years’ experience under his belt, and has expertise in a number of areas, but since his appointment has been bringing in consultants and paying them hefty sums for areas which he was said to have expertise. “There is a lot of stupidness going on the DPP’s office that the public needs to know about. This man (Masters) gets appointed and they say that this man is a super attorney and has a wealth of experience, but there are cases that we believe he should be able to handle but he brings in consultants to do it. The things he says he is expert in, he brings in people to do it,” the source said. The source revealed that consultants brought in are paid as much as $7,000 per week. One of the heftily paid consultants was said have been on vacation from his overseas job. “He brought in this guy and pays him $3,500 a week. The guy took six weeks leave from his job and comes to the Turks and Caicos Islands to get 3,500 a week. And within two days of that guy leaving, there was another that came in to get $7,000 a week. It is ridiculous to pay someone to do the same thing that you claim you are expert in,” the source reasoned. “He also brought in a man who was not a lawyer, to conduct file review, and he was being paid $1,500 a month. How can a non-lawyer review files, to say what? These things need to be exposed because that is a waste of tax payers money, the source continued.
The actions by the DPP, according the source, caused some embarrassment to that office after Magistrate Jolyon Hatmin, kicked one of the consultants from his court because was not appointed to make presentation in court. “Jolyan Hatmin kicked one of the consultants out of his court the other day because they did no limited call for him. The DPP, in his justification, said that the consultant was contracted to go before the court. When you are contracted to go before the court you still have to get a limited call. “The Legal Profession Ordinance says that if you are contracted as a public servant, you must be appointed. The consultant told Hatmin that the DPP appointed him, and once the DPP appointed him no one can question that. Hatmin told him that the DPP has no powers to appoint him; the DPP has the powers to take over, continue and execute charges, and when he does that, nobody can question that. but as far as appointment is concerned, he has no powers to do so,” the source explained. `The SUN understands that while majority of the prosecutors are not happy with the DPP’s modus operandi, none is willing to encourage him to change course, opting instead to fast and pray, and then let everything else falls into place. Another source revealed that a few months ago the Governor’s Office informed that it was offering legal consultant scholarships, but after one of the prosecutors applied, the DDP dissuaded the attorney from taking up the offer on the grounds that it would not benefit the office. “About a week or two after he told the prosecutor that such consultancy skills that he is applying for would not benefit the office, he sent a memo that this consultant is going to come back to back, to back, to back, and there is a lot of money that he is going to pay this consultant. “So how are you going to tell one of the prosecutors that he cannot
be trained to be a consultant, which would benefit the office, but you now turn around and is paying this amount of money to bring in a consultant. “That is stupidity. If the prosecutor was allowed to be trained as a consultant, the office would get that consultancy for free whenever time it needs it. (What the DPP is doing) is morally wrong, it is legally wrong, it is just wrong,” the source said. Serious concerns have been raised in the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and in the House of Assembly about the amount of money newly-appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) John Masters is spending on consultancies. Well-placed sources told The SUN that the spending from the DPP’s office is “spiraling out of control and must be addressed as a matter of urgency”. Since Masters, who is from Australia, assumed office in March 2015, just over $77,000 has been spent on brining in foreign consultants. It is believed that some of these consultants are former colleagues and acquaintances of the DPP. “This is yet another gravy train that is following the same trend as the SIPT gravy train which continues to place a significant financial burden and strain on the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” a senior Government official told The SUN. On August 17th, 215, Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, who is also head of the Public Accounts Committee, raised the matter of the DPP spending in the House of Assembly. Her question was: Will the Hon. Acting Attorney General be pleased to say what amount has been spent on consultancy under the DPP’s Office since March 2015; will she state the number of paid consultancies and will she in respect of each state (a) the service offered; (b) the provider; (c) the amount and the number of bidders and amounts that were subject to the tender process; and will she be pleased to lay the answer to same on the Table
The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos has been deflagged, returning to independent management. The 72-room beachfront resort is now the Palms Turks and Caicos, the original name of the property when it was built in 2005. The resort was flagged under the Regent Hotels luxury brand in 2007. The 12-acre resort, which received a $3.5 million renovation, will continue to be led by developer Stan Hartling and its general manager Karen Whitt. The property, located on Grace Bay Beach, includes a 25,000-square-foot spa. The transition back to the property’s former name, The Palms,
comes with a $3.5 million renovation that was unveiled this summer. “This transition is a natural and seamless one,” Whitt said. “Our dynamic team has created and managed every aspect of the property since 2012, and we are passionately committed to continue offering the hand crafted experiences our guests know and love.” Regent has six hotels worldwide, with three slated to be open in China by the end of 2017. The brand, which was founded in 1970, was sold to Four Seasons in 1992 and to Carlson five years later. It was acquired by Taiwan-based FIH Regent Group in Karen Whitt 2010.
DPP John Masters of this Hon House? Question 12 A total of $77264.20 spent since March in consultancy. Evans Welch - Prosecutor from year before $30, 500.34 Martin Cooke - Financial Investigator 6 weeks $25577.30 Stephen Hill - Prosecutor 4 weeks to help introduce CPS in TCI $19086.56 Counsel - confidential legal adviser $2100. The House was told that lawyers and classified experts are exempt from procurement procedures. Masters took up the position on April 27, 2015, following the departure of his predecessor JoAnn Meloche in early February. A qualified Barrister, he has 27 years post admission qualification experience in UK, Australia and the Cayman Islands. The expenditure of the DPP came up in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in parliament recently, with Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson expressing concern regarding how funds were being spent by the office.
Palms Turks and Caicos no longer a Regent resort
Stan Hartling
䘀伀刀 䄀䰀䰀 夀伀唀刀 䄀䐀嘀䔀刀吀䤀匀䤀一䜀 一䔀䔀䐀匀 䌀伀一吀䄀䌀吀 ⠀㘀㐀㤀⤀ⴀ㌀㌀㤀ⴀ㔀㠀㜀㤀 漀爀 䔀䴀䄀䤀䰀㨀 猀甀渀䀀猀甀渀琀挀椀⸀挀漀洀 䄀昀昀漀爀搀愀戀氀攀 刀愀琀攀猀 簀 䠀椀最栀 瘀漀氀甀洀攀 琀爀愀昀昀椀挀 簀 刀攀氀椀愀戀氀攀
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Miss Teen Turks and Caicos contestants visit Speaker of The House of Assembly
The Miss Teen Turks and Caicos 2015 contestants arrive at the JAGS McCartney International Airport in Grand Turk courtesy of interCaribbean Airways.
The Rt. Hon. Robert Hall explaining the Register of Interest during the tour of the House of Assembly
The Miss Teen Turks and Caicos Organisation (MTTCO), and Contestants, paida courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Robert Hall, Speaker of the House, on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at the House of Assembly. The occasion marked the first time any of the six contestants or the accompanying committee members had ever visited the House of Assembly. Hon. Robert Hall conducted a grand tour of the headquarters,explaining the various chambers and offices within the House ofAssembly. Hon. Hall was keen to give the group a detailed history of parliament and the roles and functions of government in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The contestants also received a brief lesson on table and social etiquette; all valuable information that they may use
to enhance their life skills. During the visit to the nation’s capital the Miss Teen Turks and Caicos Organisation also took the contestants on an island tour – stopping at the historic Grand Turk Lighthouse, locating and discussing the buildings lining Front and Duke Streets, and reflecting on the role salt once played to the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos. The contestants also made a courtesy call to the Grand Turk Cruise Center where they were greeted by Mary Fulford, 1st Miss Teen Turks and Caicos 2014/15. Together they welcomed visitors, assisted the resident deejay in leading the entertainment, and encouraged the visitors to return and see as much of our 40 islands and cays as possible. MTTCO and its
Contestants would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Rt. Hon. Robert Hall for sharing his in-depth knowledge on the role and function of government, and for inspiring the young ladies to become good leaders in their future pursuits, to its premiere sponsor interCaribbean Airways, for providing airline travel to and from Grand Turk, and to Tony’s Car Rental for sponsoring ground transportation during their time spent in the nation’s capital. The 2nd Annual Miss Teen Turks and Caicos pageant is slated for September 26, 2015 in Providenciales, to coincide with activities planned for this year’s National Youth Day. The lucky teen queen will win a myriad of prizes and will also participate in the 2016 edition of Miss Teen Universe to be held in Costa Rica.
The six beauties on a tour of the historic Grand Turk Lighthouse
The ladies leading the cruise ship passengers in a fun line dance
Miss Teen Turks and Caicos 1st Runner Up 2014, Mary Fulford (center), flanked by the six new contestants at the Grand Turk Cruise Center
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
TCI Waste Disposal to be up and running soon By Todeline Defralien TCI Waste Disposal, which was destroyed by fire in February 2015, will soon be back in operation, says CEO Ramez Hakoura. Speaking at a press conference on August 26th, Hakoura said: “When the fire happened I said to you (the media) that I am not just going to rebuild the facility, I am going to learn from the mistakes I made the first time we did it and try to improve it. I think this is pretty much exactly what we are doing because I am not getting the same equipment; I am not just reopening the same facility. I am bringing in new equipment and different equipment, more efficient equipment that is going to help me achieve a number of things. Primarily, I will be able to send out more recyclables in one container because the equipment is a lot better and a lot stronger.” He said that with this new equipment his company will be a lot closer to sort of the very high tier Owner of TCI Waste Disposal Ramez Hakoura recycling companies in the United States. the advantage of hindsight and I had “This has probably been the advantage of a lot of my mistakes one of the hardest years of my life,” and I can proudly say that we turned Hakoura said. “It has been insanely a bad thing into a good thing, but that taxing. I’ve had to inject a lot more does not change the fact that it has money into rebuilding this and getting been a very hard last few months.” new equipment than the insurance Hakoura said his company companies are giving me, so I had to contracted Jaca, which is owned by put a lot of my own money back into it Arlington “Chuck” Musgrove, to do the again. It felt like I was starting back job and things have been really good again from square one, except I had with them.
He added, “Primarily the first part of rebuilding the facility was actually just cleaning up the building. It looked like a war zone. We were just cleaning and moving a lot of the stuff out. Basically the next stage was to start the actual restoration, the repair and the reconstruction so the next stage they started to sandblast all the walls and clean out any sort of mess that
was there and then there was a lot of cracks structurally along the concrete, so we are fixing that and rendering all the walls and the stage we are at right now is painting the internal walls and external walls and soon after that we are going to start putting in the roof.” Hakoura said he is confident that work will be done by the end of October.
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
TCI Cadets Get Dive Experience at Beaches
Eleven members of the Turks & Caicos Islands Cadet Corps got an exciting firsthand dive experience at Beaches Turks & Caicos Villages Resort and Spa as a part of their extracurricular training. The initiative, spearheaded by Regiment Sergeant Major, Michael Reid who is also an employee at Beaches was determined to not only to introduce Cadets to diving but also show case various career options that are available in the watersports industry.
“Diving is a huge industry in the Caribbean and being able to dive can open so many doors for these kids,” said Reid. “I am very happy that Beaches was able to take on eleven of our Cadets to show case the industry not only did the cadets gain valuable skills but they also broadened their career options and even opened the door to a new hobby if they should choose pursue a PADI Open water certification.” “I hope that they enjoyed the experience, but my biggest hope is that they
seize the opportunity they’ve Cadet Corp,” Suckrajh said. been given and use their new “All of the kids were eager to skills to form a career,” he learn and very respectful of concluded. their instructor. Half of this Under the guidance island’s beauty lies beneath of Dive Shop Manager the surface of the ocean and Leonard Suckrajh, the Cadets I think everyone here should underwent vigorous training. have the chance to experience The course offered insightful it. I am happy that we were theory, followed by a series able to introduce students to of confined and open water this wonderful underwater exercises which included a 20 world” said Suckrajh.” This is the first foot dive along the Grace Bay time Beaches Resorts has Beach. “This is such a great offered this program to the initiative and I am happy that cadets, but Suckrajh plans we are able to donate our time to continue the partnership. and equipment to the TCI The program took place over
four weeks. Cadets were split into two groups and each group was given two classes. During the first class the cadets began in a training pool and then participated in a mini dive. The Cadet Corps program is offered to any high school student ages 12–18. It promotes five core values: leadership, discipline, volunteerism, patriotism and virtue. The corps is made up of four battalions and over 190 cadets on North and South Caicos as well as Grand Turks and Providenciales.
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SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
LOCAL NEWS
Fire damages Amanyara staff quarters
Fire destroyed a unit at the Amanyara staff quarters in Blue Hills last week. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they discovered the entire one-bedroom unit engulfed in flames. The male occupant, who was nearby at a neighbor when he smelt smoke coming from his room. Firefighters used 750 gallons of water to extinguish the fire, the cause of which is still under investigation.
WILLIAMS CONTRACTING SERVICES SEEKS 1 Tilemen Salary $12.00 per hour Contact 241-5131
AEMM CONSTRUCTION SEEKS 2 LABOURERS Salary based on experience Interested persons should contact 344-8644
KADEEN AGENCY On behalf of its client is looking for a Carpenter helper Persons should have a good knowledge of Carpentry and be able to work without supervision. Salary $8.50 per hour Call 231-6565
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Flow to establish state-of-the-art Customer Call Centre of Excellence in Jamaica Flow, the new Cable & Branded as an innovative Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) Customer Call Centre of Excellence, consumer retail brand, announced the facility is being designed to provide plans to establish a new, state-of- customers with multiple touch points the-art Customer Call Centre of including warm and friendly service Excellence in Kingston, Jamaica agents, Email, Virtual Chat, Mobile and create more than 300 full-time App and other technology-enabled jobs over the next two years. The support systems. Combined with innovative Customer Call Centre of increased service agent efficiencies, Excellence is part of the Company’s state-of-the-art technology tools will bid to become the leader in service improve call routing and reduce call excellence and revolutionise customer waiting time, making for an overall experience across the Caribbean. superior customer experience. The Customer Call Centre of Managing Director, Flow Excellence, to be established in the Jamaica, Garry Sinclair is extremely coming months, follows the recent pleased that the new Centre will merger with Columbus International be located in the island. “It is a Inc and is part of Flow’s new testament to the growing confidence compelling plan to provide an of Jamaica as a central hub for enhanced customer experience. This investment, the large pool of skilled initiative is also consistent with labour that exists here, and the plans laid out by CEO Phil Bentley rapid growth of the ICT sector led last year that will see C&W invest by Flow, that we are making this US$1.5bn over 3 years to upgrade investment here in Kingston.” He infrastructure and overhaul service added, “In addition to the investment delivery throughout the Caribbean in the new Customer Call Centre of and Latin American region. Excellence, Flow is also investing in “Through investments like the best mobile and fibre networks these, we are putting the customer at across the island to deliver more the heart of the business,” said Bentley. technologically advanced quad play “We are committed to anticipating products, better value, and superior their needs at every contact point broadband connectivity to exceed our and to delivering a customer care customers’ expectations.” Sinclair experience that is unparalleled across also stated that, “We are excited to the region. Together, with our other recruit the best team on the island for existing Call Centre in Trinidad, we this Centre and we will implement will revolutionise customer service an extensive training programme to in the Caribbean, and be the leader deliver an incomparable customer in recruiting the best talent in the experience.” region. We want Flow to be a business Responding to the that everyone in the Caribbean is announcement, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, proud of” said Bentley. Minister of Science, Technology,
Energy and Mining commended broadband and video services. It has Flow’s decision to establish the leading market positions in Mobile, Customer Call Centre of Excellence Fixed Line, Broadband and Video in Jamaica. “The establishment consumer offers. of Flow’s Customer Call Centre of Through its business division, Excellence in Jamaica attests to CWC provides data centre hosting, the tremendous growth potential of domestic and international managed the nation’s ICT sector and affirms network services, and customised Flow’s commitment to development IT service solutions, utilising cloud of the local and regional economies. technology to serve business and With the commitment to create new government customers. jobs, the investment also supports The company also operates the country’s goals to reduce a state-of-the-art subsea fibre optic unemployment, builds new skill sets cable network that spans more than and advances the country’s vision to 42,000 km – the most extensive in make Jamaica a place of choice to live, the region – as well as 38,000 km of work, raise families and do business.” terrestrial fibre providing wholesale Since 2012, the Jamaican and carrier backhaul capacity. Government has had an ongoing CWC has more than 7,000 employees drive to engage the private sector serving over 6 million customers in the ‘Jamaica Employ’ programme, (Mobile 3.8m; Fixed Line 1.1m; TV which seeks to increase prospects 460k and Broadband 665k) as well as for job seekers and to bring critical over 125k corporate clients across 42 new jobs to the island. “We love doing countries. business in Jamaica and we are happy The Company’s leading to partner with the Government in brands include; LIME and Flow in their various initiatives, including the Caribbean; BTC in The Bahamas; the ‘Jamaica Employ’ programme,” Mas Movil in Panama; C&W Phil Bentley concluded. Business and C&W Networks. CWC Cable & Wireless is the market leader in most products Communications Plc (CWC) is a offered and territories served. It full service communications and is a major contributor to local entertainment provider, operating communities through its corporate in the Caribbean and Latin America. social responsibility programmes. With annual sales of over $2.4bn, Cable & Wireless it operates both mobile and fixed Communications’ shares are quoted networks, supported by submarine on the London Stock Exchange under and terrestrial optical fibre backhaul the ticker CWC. The company is capacity. Through the acquisition headquartered in London with its of Columbus International Inc. on operational hub located in Miami, 31 March 2015, CWC now delivers within close proximity to the superior high-speed mobile data, Caribbean and Latin America.
Ramp
Supervisor vacancies:
Flight Support is seeking to fill two positions for ramp supervisors, suitable qualified applicant must have the following:
Minimum 5 years managing sales experience Experience in managing jewelry sales Impeccable references and police clearance Impeccable English, other languages –advantage High level of customer service and customer attending skills Sales references-advantage Strong Motivational Skills-Asset Tel: 649-946-1083 Fax: 649-946-1988 E-mail: seitan@almod.com
2-5 years hands on experience in ramp/airside duties Trained and certified in areas of ramp/airside duties, knowledgeable and experience with Weight & Balance and Load Control Ability to manage and schedule staff to provide adequate manpower coverage for multiple operations running simultaneously. Knowledge of multi carrier operations, Experience in handling jet and prop aircraft Excellent command of written and spoken English. CXC/ equilivant passes ,in English and Maths Computer literate especially in usage of excel well organized Detailed orientated Strong leadership qualities. Must hold a valid police record and legal immigration status. Interested person should apply to HR@intercaribbean.com or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040. No phone call please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.
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SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
Scotiabank Properties available for Private Sale
For more information please contact the Realtors: Deirin Longmire # 649-246-2526 or Denise Cox # 649-244-4284 or Deborah Vieria # 242.1991 Blue Hills Providenciales. 1.Parcel 60503/83 Blue Hills & Stamers Run. The site is 0.37 acres. On the lower level there are three 1-bedroom apartments. The upper level features a living room, dining room and kitchen, with 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms. Price $230,000 w/ Dierin 2.Parcel 60505/90 Blue Hills & Stamers Run. 0.21 acres with a single storey residence attached to a 2-storey block with two 1- bedroom apartments. Price $210,000 w/ Dierin Blue Hills, North West & North Central, Providenciales. Priton Homes Development 3.Parcel 60003/51 North West & North Central. Phase One of the Priton Homes with 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $125,000 w/ Denise 4.Parcel 60002/217 North West & North Central. Phase Two of the Priton Homes with 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $90,000 w/ Denise 5.Parcel 60003/121 North West & North Central. Phase One of the Priton Homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $100,000 w/ Denise 6.Parcel 60002/150 North West Point. Phase Two of the Priton Homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, laundry room, living / dining and kitchen. Price $119,900 w/ Denise 7.Parcel 60003/253 North West & North Central. Phase one of the Priton Homes
with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, laundry room, living/dining and kitchen. Price $120,000 w/ Dierin 8.Parcel 60003/127 North West & North Central. Phase one of the Priton Homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, laundry room, living/dining and kitchen. Price $125,000 w/ Dierin
Grand Turk 15.Parcel 10408/16 South Backsalina. Two buildings sitting on 0.48 acres. The main building includes 4-bed rooms 3 bathrooms that are currently four rental units. The other building is an uninhabited unfinished building. Price $125,000 w/ Deborah
9.Parcel 60003/8 North West & North Central. Phase one of the Priton Homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, laundry room, living/dining and kitchen. Price $119,000 w/ Dierin
16.Parcel 10408/62 East Suburbs, Breezy Brea. 0.30 acres of land with a 1-storey residence including four bedrooms, three bathroom, 2 living rooms, dining, laundry and two kitchens. Price $285,000 w/ Deborah
10.Parcel 60002/355 North West & North Central. Phase two of the Priton Homes with three bedrooms, two bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $118,000 w/ Dierin
17.Parcel 10401/241 East Suburbs, Breezy Brea. 0.39 acres with 1-storey five bedroom/3bathroom house with outdoor cabana and a swimming pool. Price $450,000 w/ Deborah
11.Parcel 60003/58 North West & North Central. Phase two of the Priton Homes with 3bedrooms, 2 bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $150,000 w/ Dierin
18.Parcel 10401/372 East Suburbs, Breezy Brea. 2-storey building with house on top and two 2-bed room units below. The residence includes six bedroom/4bathroom, dining, living rooms, family rooms and laundry. Price $450,000 w/ Deborah
12.Parcel 60003/45 North West & North Central. Phase two of the Priton Homes with 3 bedrooms,2 bathroom, laundry room, living/dining room area and kitchen. Price $110,000 w/ Denise 13.Parcel 60003/120 North West & North Central. This phase one Priton home with 3bedrooms, 2 bathroom, and laundry room. Price $110,000 w/ Denise 14.Parcel 60003/14 North West & North Central. Phase One of the Priton Homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, laundry room, living/dining and kitchen. Price $140,000 w/ Denise
19.Parcel 10104/42 Cockburn Town. This 0.31 acre property has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining, and laundry room. Price $153,000 w/ Deborah 20.Parcel 10409/51 East Suburbs. a 1-storey with 1 bedroom 1 bathroom and a two storey section immediately to the rear containing 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms a living room, kitchen, laundry and garage. Price: $216,000 w/ Deborah 21.Parcel 10204/164, North Creek Road. a two story duplex located on 0.21 acres of land. With two sections: Upper floor unit a
2-bedroom apartment. The lower unit is 2bedroom, one bath apartment unfinished. Price $210,000 w/ Deborah 22.Parcel 10409/198, Off Old Airport Road. a two storey, concrete block fourplex with lower; three 1-bedroom units & Upper; one 3- bedroom unit. Price $350,000 w/ -Deborah 23.Parcel 10303/49 Central, Over Back. single story dwelling consists of three bedrooms, Living/dining room, bathroom and kitchen. Price $150,000 w/ Deborah South Caicos 24.Parcel 20306/34 Cockburn Harbor. 0.41 acres with main structure 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house in need of major repairs. The property also supports a Bermudian style building circa 1950 which is in poor condition. Price $110,000 w/ Dierin 25.Parcel 20314/97 Cockburn Harbor South Caicos. This 0.73 acres property has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, living and kitchen. Pending Price $115,000 w/ Dierin North Caicos 26. Parcel 50402/93 Kewtownship, This single family home sits on a 0.33 acre with 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a kitchen / dining and living room. Price $220,000 w/ Dierin 27.Parcel 50500/255 Whitby Cove. This 0.50 acre property is a vacant lot. Price $45,000 w/ Denise 28.Parcel 51212/24 Bottle Creek. This vacant lot is 0.74 acre of land. It forms part of North Caicos subdivision which comprises of residential homes overlooking the Creek. Price $110,000 w/ Denise
Book your own car rental, Hotels, Vacation home & more. Contact for more information
GET YOUR TICKET
GET YOUR CAR VOUCHER GET YOUR ACCOMADATION
GET YOUR CRUISE
Ticketing (International, Domestic & Regional), Cruises, Car Rentals, Hotels, Vacation Home Rentals, US & Bahamian Visa Application Assistance
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
In-Home Energy Audits Now Available Let a trained FortisTCI employee show you how to Make your home more energy efficient
Reduce your household energy usage
Set up your one-on-one, free* consultation today and learn what you can do to conserve energy!
Call us at 946-4313 or email us at energyaudit@fortistci.com to set up your In-Home Energy Audit today!!!
*This service is free until August 31, 2016 and available on a first come; first served basis.
www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
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LOCAL NEWS
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
Digicel Partnered w Church of God bac For the second year, Digicel has partnered with the National Church of God, headed by Pastor Branford E. Dean, to host the annual Back to School event, for 2015. Held at the Alice and Alice Shopping Center on Sunday August 30th, the event, in its 10th year, was organised as a means of giving back to the community, particularly to needy kids whose parents find it difficult
to provide some of the basic providing a essentials for school. assist with The Back to School school kits, event is also designed to be pencil case a time of entertainment and basic essent enrichment with acts such Hea as a children’s gospel rap at Digicel, T contest, pantomime dancing, “Digicel is a praise teams & other gospel assist in e performances. back to ou As partners, Digicel in a meani provided Barbers, who initiative b spent the evening providing is a treme haircuts free of charge cause and h for young boys who were some of the gearing up for the first that many day of school; as well as difficult to
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
with National ck to school
a contribution to the purchase of , back packs and es with all the tials. ad of Marketing Trina Adams said always pleased to efforts that give ur communities ingful way. This by Pastor Dean endously worthy helps to alleviate financial burden y families find bear, especially
at this time of the year.” Organiser, Pastor Branford E. Dean said of the event, “This event was envisioned by my wife 10 years ago. We had partnered with other local churches and organizations in the past, and each year the event grew in support. We are happy that Digicel continues to partner with us. We secured over 1400 school bags and a number of other school supplies, which we have given away as a way of helping our community.”
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
Time to start stretching out and warming up!
2nd Annual FortisTCI Grand Turk Fall Walk & Run Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 5:30 a.m.
FREE* *Breakfast *Games
*T-Shirts
*Registration
*Giveaways *Prizes
Registration forms available at the Pond Street Office or request them by email at sdasilva@fortistci.com
www.fortistci.com | 649-946-2402 | Pond Street, Grand Turk, TCI
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
VWANOU gives bags the less fortunate children of the Kew Town community VWANOU a creole TV show that plays on Channel 4 every Thursday and Friday at 9pm presented by roudymix & Wilna MEzil and produced by Samuel Jules put smiles on the faces of children in the Kew town community. On Sunday August 30th, 2015
members of VWANOU hosted a bag give away for the less fortunate children of the Kew Town community. Producer of the show Samuel Jules told the The SUN that the event was a real success, the smiles on the kids faces and the parents faces was really worth
it. We are very happy to make a difference anyway that we can. As the kids in line received their bags with their favorite cartoon character on it they were all satisfied, we gave away a lot of school bags and the children were very happy to receive them. Here are some highlights from that event.
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㘀㐀㤀ⴀ㌀㌀㤀ⴀ㔀㠀㜀㤀
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FUN & GAMES
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
FUN & GAMES
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SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
HAB MANAGEMENT LTD. Cook
Minimum 2 years sales experience Experience in jewelry sales Impeccable references and police clearance Impeccable English, other languages –advantage High level of customer service and customer attending skills Sales references-advantage JEWELER NEEDED WITH THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS Minimum 5 years experience in setting and sizing gold, silver and gems Tel: 649-946-1083 Fax: 649-946-1988 E-mail: kwatts@shopdi.com
MAIN DUTIES Prepare food items of consistent quality in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment. Start prep work on food items needed for the menu of the day. Organize all of the various prep items needed from different areas to ensure that all items are in place and ready for service. Inform the Manager of any shortage of supplies that need restocking before items completely run out. REQUIREMENTS Applicants must have a minimum of three-year culinary experience working in a restaurant. Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards. Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. Work with minimal supervision. Salary commensurate with experience and training. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by September 14, 2015 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
HAB MANAGEMENT LIMITED HAB Management Limited is seeking applicants for the following position:
䌀爀攀愀琀攀 礀漀甀爀 伀眀渀 一愀洀攀
䈀攀愀甀琀椀挀椀愀渀猀 ☀ 一愀椀氀 吀攀挀栀猀 吀唀刀一 夀伀唀刀 伀圀一 䬀䔀夀
PUBLIC AREA ATTENDANT Candidate will be responsible to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and safety in all public and back of house areas of the resort. Promotes excellent public relations and guest satisfaction.
REQUIREMENTS
Should have four years or more experience in the Housekeeping Department of a resort. Must have knowledge of proper cleaning techniques. Maintain positive guest relations at all times. Should be able to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. Must be able to read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions. Good presentation and a pleasant, friendly personality required. The salary for this position is $14,300.00 per annum. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by September 11, 2015 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
䈀伀伀吀䠀 刀䔀一吀䄀䰀匀 䘀伀刀 䴀伀刀䔀 䤀一䘀伀刀䴀䄀吀䤀伀一 䌀䄀䰀䰀 吀䔀䰀㨀 ⠀㘀㐀㤀⤀ⴀ㌀㌀㌀ⴀ㘀㘀㤀㔀 䰀漀挀愀琀椀漀渀㨀 䄀椀爀瀀漀爀琀 䠀漀琀攀氀Ⰰ 䄀椀爀瀀漀爀琀 倀氀愀稀愀Ⰰ 戀甀椀氀搀椀渀最 㠀㌀Ⰰ 倀爀漀瘀椀搀攀渀挀椀愀氀攀猀
MOOKIE’S BAR & RESTAURANT
Looking for two experienced waitresses With the ability to speak Spanish and creole Salary- negotiable Phone number 333-0380
ELITE SECURITY SERVICES
In need of Experience Security Officers Salary negotiable
Contact 231-0047
Seeking a Profesional Ballet Teacher 3 days a week Contact 344-4607 or 2443881 Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services is seeking to fill the positions; (1) Receiving Clerk. (2) Aviation Stores Clerk Applicants must have 5 years or more working experience in the aviation industry, is extremely organized and discipline. Experience in using the Computerized Maintenance System, Microsoft word and excel is a must. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays Salary will commensurate with experience.
SDM
is looking for persons to fill the follwing positions.
Assistant Drywall man A/C technician Plumber Electrician Carpenter Steel man Sales Clerk Store Clerk Truck driver Contact - (649) 247 1985
B&M
For all your advertising needs Contact (649)-339-5879 or email: sun@suntci.com PROVO AIR CENTER is seeking TWO SECURITY GUARD
ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS Darin Bain Seeking Boat Labourer Salary $6.25 per hour Marie Joseph J & J Beauty Salon Seeking Hair Stylist/Braider Commission + $6.25 per hour Rolanda Glinton Seeking 1 Carpenter -$8.00 per hour 1 Painter $7.25 per hour Evelyn Landy Seeking 1 Domestic Worker Live-in worker Must be able to reside in resident with employer 5 days per week Salary negotiable R&S 1 Live-in Caregiver Salary $6.75 Contact 1-649-346-8422
SWEET T’S
Must have 5 years experience Must be able to speak at least two languages
Salary $7.00 per hour
Seeks 1 Finishing Carpenter
Contact 242-3256
Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons entering the premises. Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of authorized persons, or unusual occurrences. Salary commence with experience. Belongers only need to apply. Contact HR@intercaribbean. com Te: 946-4181
SEEKS 1 Deep fryer Cleaner Salary $6.25 per hour Must have at least 10 years experience Contact 343-3655
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
CARIBBEAN WORLD
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
NEWS NEWS
I dare you Portia! - Samuda challenges Jamaican PM to call election within six weeks
Karl Samuda Declaring that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is well settled in the “starter’s blocks”, Karl Samuda, a key campaign organiser, yesterday challenged Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to call the general election within the next six weeks. Speaking ahead of an election planning meeting at the JLP’s Belmont Road headquarters, Samuda told The Gleaner that, but for financing, all was in place with his party. “All the structures
that will assure us an five constituencies, including election victory are in West Central St Catherine place,” said Samuda, who and West Central St James, has been approached was still outstanding, but by JLP leader Andrew stressed that people were Holness to lead the party working the seats. veteran on the campaign. “We are The gently working on the politician, who, as campaign manager, led the JLP to its ground,” he added. With Simpson Miller first electoral victory in 18 declaring that the ruling years back in 2007, said People’s National Party was campaign work on the ground ready for an election, Samuda was proceeding smoothly. “We are very green in said he dared her to “stop jumping up and down and call these constituencies with only the election. spotting of drought, so there “PM, call the election. I dare is no real cause for concern,” you to call the election within he asserted. But despite the six weeks.” He told The Gleaner work on the ground, Samuda that the JLP was in a position expressed unease that the to field good candidates in all party was strapped for cash. 63 constituencies. At the same “Financing remains our time, Samuda admitted that biggest challenge at this time the selection of candidates in and we have to try find a
Bahamian Prime Minister criticises Standard & Poor’s downgrade
PRIME Minister Perry Christie criticised international credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s yesterday for its “pessimistic,” “downbeat” assessment of the Bahamas’ economy, while insisting his administration has a clear vision of the policy framework needed to redress public finances. He said this made him confident that this country is on the cusp of economic growth. Mr Christie, who is also Prime Minister Perry Christie minister of finance, questioned On Monday, Moody’s the recent downgrade from S&P, maintained its existing rating suggesting he has concerns about and outlook on this country’s the agency’s credibility. creditworthiness. Last week, S&P However, last week S&P downgraded the Bahamas’ credit took the opposite direction when rating due to the “economic shock” it downgraded the Bahamas with from Baha Mar’s bankruptcy a forecast of depressed growth due filing. to the Baha Mar deadlock and long The nation’s leader term structural weaknesses. S&P insisted yesterday that there should put this country’s sovereign rating be no doubt among Bahamians at “BBB-/A-3” from “BBB+/A-2”, that his administration remains just one notch above so-called committed to a timely resolution “junk status.” of the Baha Mar dispute and the “Mr Speaker let there be resort’s completion in a manner no doubt either in this honourable that works in the best interest of House or among the Bahamian the country. public, that the government is Baha Mar stakeholders firmly committed to a timely have been engaged in a bitter resolution of the Baha Mar matter court battle for weeks over the and the completion of the project, resort’s future. A US bankruptcy in a manner that will serve in the judge recently ordered all parties best interest in our country,” he involved to keep talking ahead told the House of Assembly. of a September 4 hearing in “Despite that S&P takes the Supreme Court about the a dim view of prospects for the government’s winding-up petition. project and suggests that as a Mr Christie’s statement came result, real GDP per capita in the after two major international Bahamas will barely grow at all credit rating agencies released over the next several years. assessments of the Bahamas’ “Mr Speaker such a economic outlook. downbeat assessment simply does
Samuda: way to overcome this, but we Added are good to go and are ready “The JLP has repeatedly for the challenge in all 63 enunciated its approach that would create opportunities for constituencies.” he said. Last week, Holness the masses of the country and expressed optimism that we would not just willingly corporate donors would pull accept onerous elements of the agreement.” through for the JLP. He suggested that Samuda hinted that the JLP would be banking while it was expected that on what he said was the some constraints would have hardships being experienced resulted from the agreement, by Jamaicans under the the JLP was convinced that arrangement agreed by Finance Minister Dr Peter the Government with the Phillips has made some poor International Monetary Fund decisions. “He has agreed to a (IMF). constriction of factors which “The JLP is absolutely constitute the opportunities confident that the level of for growth,” said Samuda. He charged that pain being experienced by the average Jamaican at all levels the lack of fiscal space had under this IMF agreement eroded economic incentives makes it extremely difficulty for key growth sectors such for a second term for the as agriculture, tourism and Government,” he said. manufacturing.
Antiguan fire officer busted with drugs at UK airport
A male police sergeant is among several people being questioned by local investigators following the arrest of an Antiguan fire officer who was busted with cocaine shortly after she arrived at the Gatwick Airport in the UK last Wednesday. The officer, who is attached to the fire brigade, is suspected of being involved in the smuggling of the four and a quarter kilogrammes of cocaine out of Antigua to the UK. The contraband was strapped to the body of Officer Sceneta Nanton. Acting Commissioner of Police Wendel Robinson told OBSERVER media, “We are conducting local criminal investigations and we have interviewed several persons and several statements have been collected.” He confirmed the sergeant of police was among those who were invited to give a statement. The commissioner did not disclose the names of the people who have been interrogated, but said more information would be forthcoming as the investigation continues. According to the top cop, no one has been charged locally. He said he had not been briefed on the charges against Nanton at the time of the interview with OBSERVER media. She was allegedly caught with the cocaine as she made her way to the Customs desk to be cleared after landing at the Gatwick International Airport. The officer is a six-year veteran of the force.
not match up to reality. And in fact, it also flies in the face of some of the evidence that S&P itself presents in its report.” He continued: “It is widely known that a prime prerequisite for a solid credit rating, strong investor confidence and buoyant economic growth is a sound and sustainable public finance framework. “The government has been working diligently over the past three years to effect critical reforms to the major components of the fiscal accounts on both the expenditure and revenue sides.” Mr Christie said to that end, the government has PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Police are investigating been pursuing a detailed and the death of a one-year child after her father said transparent medium-term fiscal he accidentally drove his vehicle over her while consolidation plan designed to reversing out of the yard at his home in Rio Claro, gradually reduce and eliminate south of here. the deficit and return the debt“I know this road and I know it does not have any to-GDP ratio to lower than more humps on it. A cold chill came over my belly when I desirable levels. got out of the vehicle and I went to the back on the Mr Christie went on to call S&P’s left side. I saw my daughter Salabila lying on the assessment “unfortunate” saying ground,” said Ashmeed Mohammed. that it failed to fully and properly Speaking on television, he said that when he account for the government’s picked her up she was bleeding from the nose. She proactive and dynamic growth was later pronounced dead at a health facility. An agenda in its analysis. autopsy will be done later Wednesday.
Father accidently drives vehicle over toddler
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SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
CARIBBEAN NEWS
Jamaica’s health system is sick
Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson at yesterday’s press conference at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. THE Ministry of Health on advanced despite being so early in Wednesday released the main findings the fiscal year,” added Permanent of its audit of conditions in the public Secretary Harvey. health care system across the island, Meanwhile, the health but revealed nothing which has minister was at pains to point out that not been repeatedly ventilated and the Government was not unaware brought to public attention in the press, of the problems and had already particularly over the past several been taking steps to fix them, having months. spent $1.5 billion on the upgrading of The audit carried out in the infrastructure alone over the past three four Regional health authorities years. He noted that the budget for this (RHAs) focused mainly on maternity fiscal year had been bumped up by 18 wards, operating theatre, neonatal per cent, moving to over $50 billion. units, intensive care, and accident “The piecemeal approach of the and emergency, and specifically past has not served us well. We have examined resources, infection control, acknowledged that the health system infrastructure, equipment, and is in need of some reform to meet the supplies. changing health care needs of the At a press conference held at population,” he remarked. the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Dr Ferguson said the overhaul ministry officials insisted that it would of pharmacy services were being not be prudent to issue the full audit fast-tracked, with more than 250 report, because it would prejudice pharmacists and pharmacy technicians the facilities. “We would not want to employed in an effort to improve service specifically give you the names of the delivery. “We have started to implement hospitals. We don’t want to tell you a pharmacy management information which particular hospital has which system which will help us to track shortage. It’s really not the best thing items, their availability, expiration and to do; I don’t think this is good to put order levels,” he explained. those out in the public space at this He highlighted also that time,” Permanent Secretary Dr Kevin the shortage of pharmaceutical and Harvey explained. medical sundries should ease soon, as The findings were made public just last week contracts were signed days after Opposition spokeswoman to increase supplies by $3.8 billion. for health, Senator Marlene Malahoo- “This is an initial procurement as we Forte, called for Health Minister Dr expect to spend close to $6 billion on Fenton Ferguson to reveal the results pharmaceuticals and sundries, and of the audit, which he ordered in May, $2 billion on reagents in this financial amidst repeated reports of a broken year alone,” he said. “In addition, down system fraught with problems of since April 2015 we have provided the lack of equipment, and basic but critical regional health authorities with an items used in patient care; unsanitary additional $130 million per month from and unhygienic conditions; overworked $50 million previously,” he added. personnel; and decrepit infrastructure. The minister said that in a The audit teams concluded that move to strengthen infection prevention there were inadequately maintained and control procedures and practices, systems and infrastructure for the Government has now engaged a infection prevention and control in medical microbiologist, whose duties some facilities; inconsistent supply include visiting and working with the of pharmaceuticals and sundries in regions to ensure that these standards some institutions; inadequate supply are “reinstituted or brought up to a or management of linen; inadequate standard that is acceptable”. numbers and function of some As it has to do with obsolete small medical equipment; and stock items, he said the ministry is working management challenges. with the RHAs to ensure that these are In his presentation, Dr “speedily removed” from the facilities Ferguson said there was “inconsistent where they are identified. Already, he documentation of critical needs with said, procurement has started for some limited follow-up at the local level, $14-million spare parts for critical inadequate supplies of personal biomedical equipment such as X-ray, protective equipment, and challenges CT scan and MRI machines. with the infrastructure of some There was also a promise that hospitals”. the shortage of ambulances, which He said that, although the gaps health care workers said have been are significant, “in many areas they hampering their work, was being existed over time and we had already addressed. The minister said 18 started to take the necessary actions to new ambulances are being bought improve the services”. through various agreements involving “We have not woken up this Toyota Jamaica, the programme for morning and decided that we are going the reduction of maternal and child to put these interventions in place. It mortality (PROMAC), and the National is quite deliberate that we are so far Health Fund.
More females applying for licensed firearms in Jamaica Worried about their personal safety, more and more professional women are seeking to acquire licensed guns as the Firearms Licensing Authority (FLA) reports a spike in applications. Chief Executive Officer of the FLA Kenroy Wedderburn told The Sunday Gleaner that in addition to the usual applicants - businessmen, individuals who transport money, especially at night, and others females and public servants are among the growing list of persons who have submitted applications so far this year. “We are finding persons that we don’t expect, like nurses, doctors, and teachers. You wouldn’t expect them, but typically, they turn up at the FLA immediately after an incident. I wouldn’t say these are a lot of the cases but there is definitely an uptick,” said Wedderburn, as he explained that about five to six per cent of applicants are females. He said females tend to apply for firearm licences following a personal criminal experience or after a widely reported criminal act, such as the 2010 West Kingston unrest or a prominently reported case of rape or murder. “You find that when the ladies come in, they either saw or heard of a friend or someone who experienced a criminal act. Sometimes their homes may have been broken into,” said Wedderburn. The FLA head recounted an incident where a female applicant sought a gun licence after returning home to a gated community, to find it broken into. The burglars waylaid the woman’s family, held them up and robbed them as they approached the house. “Many times these things happen and
they are not picked up and reported by the news because nobody died. (But) when they happen, right after they (victims) have sought out the police and so on, they head straight to the FLA,” he said. Wedderburn suggested that reports of rape and carnal abuse figures and the murder of Constable Crystal Thomas a month ago, among other violent incidents against women, may be among the push factors for some female applicants this year. Up to June, the FLA had approved 2,720 applicants while 375 persons were denied licences. According to Wedderburn, on average, 500 persons apply for licences at the FLA each month. “We are seeing an increase right across the board,” said Wedderburn as he compared the number with 2014 when the FLA received 3,443 applications, and 2013 when it received 5,132. Last year, 252 of the applicants were denied firearm licences while 527 applicants were turned down in 2013. Wedderburn noted that each applicant must undergo rigorous background checks, an interview, and must be of good standing in his or her community. In addition to the application form, applicants must submit two passport-size photographs, proof of birth and two references from a justice of the peace, police officer or a lawyer. The applicant will also have to pay a fingerprint fee of $3,000 and an application fee of $12,000 before undergoing an interview. According to Wedderburn, persons with criminal records, drunkards, “hottempered” individuals, students, the unemployed and “streetside idlers” are usually excluded.
Dominica Government defends decision not to declare State of Emergency R O S E A U , Dominica – The Dominica government has defended its decision not to impose a state of emergency in the country after Tropical Storm Erika killed more than 25 people and left millions of dollars in damages last week. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told a radio and television audience on Monday night that 11 more bodies had been discovered and that 23 people including two French nationals are still missing and feared dead. He said more than 400 people had been evacuated from the south east village of Petite Savanne and that rescue efforts were continuing as several communities remain cut off due to the damages to the roads. Skerrit, flanked by Opposition Leader Lennox Linton and several business leaders, said that he had
been advised against imposing the state of emergency because of the negative impact it would have had on the country that is seeking assistance from the regional and international community in its rehabilitation efforts. “I have consulted those who I am to consult in the process and the advice I have received is that there is no need for a declaration of a state of emergency for Dominica. “We have to appreciate that every decision we take there will be implications and therefore we have to study the implications and consequences of that declaration,” Skerrit said, noting that his understanding of a state of emergency would involve the suspension of “many rights of citizens. “You will be suspending movement of people, you will be suspending people’s
human rights, there are a number of things you will be suspending if you are to declare a state of emergency and therefore you are going to compromise your ability to do what you have to do in the interest of the country”. Prime Minister Skerrit said it is important now to “focus on the task ahead and to brace ourselves as Dominicans to lead the charge because we are the ones who are going to have to lead the reconstruction of Dominica. “People will come to help us, but they must not be ahead and we are at the back. We must be ahead and they are at our backs assisting us and urging us,” Skerrit said, dismissing suggestions also that his administration had been selective in the international countries it had been seeking support since the passage of the storm.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
Reparations not on front burner for Britain, says UK Minister
With the reparations movement gathering steam, Britain is indicating that it is now seeking a modern relationship with countries in the region like Jamaica and has stopped short of brushing aside the calls for payment associated with the ills of slavery. Grant Shapps, Britain’s parliamentary member who has been assigned ministerial portfolio responsibility for the Caribbean in the new David Cameron Government, told The Gleaner last week that his country is keen on finding ways to improve health, education, and administration of the prison system, among other areas, as part of building on the relationship it currently has within the region. “That’s where we would like the relationship to go,” said Shapps. “People are talking about things like reparations, but this is the area in which we are keen to help,” he added. CARICOM has been credited with re-energising the global reparations movement following the unanimous decision by its leaders to demand reparations from former European colonial and slave-trading powers.
Jamaica has been the most forthright among Caribbean nations in demanding reparations when Parliament voted unanimously last January to seek payment from Great Britain and to take the case of genocide to the International Court of Justice. The National Commission on Reparations (NCR) has said that Jamaica would be due at least £2.3 trillion (approximately J$416.3 trillion) from any slavery reparations paid by Britain to the region. Jamaica was a British colony from 1655 until 1962, when it became independent. But while the country has gained political independence, many have been pushing for Britain to pay reparations to Jamaica and other countries in the region for its role in slavery, which built its empire. During an interview with The Gleaner last week, Shapps attempted to steer clear of the reparations subject even as he conceded that the United Kingdom has taken Jamaica and the Caribbean region for granted and promising that all would change. “I think that we have been somewhat guilty, not because we didn’t believe that the Caribbean or Jamaica mattered, but because we took the
UN mourns death of force commander of Haiti mission UNITED NATIONS – United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Kimoon says he is saddened by the news of the sudden death of the Force Commander of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Ban said that he learnt “with great sadness the sudden passing” of Lieutenant General José Luiz Jaborandy, Jr., on Sunday in Miami. Lieutenant General Jaborandy, Jr., has been the Force Commander of MINUSTAH since March 2014. Ban said he was “grateful to the Lt. General for his leadership and dedication to the cause of peace he has shown during his deployment. The UN statement said “Ban expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved family and to the Government of Brazil for this tragic loss”. Earlier this year, the top United Nations official in Haiti told the UN Security Council that Haiti had been making progress towards the holding of elections critical for the country’s stability and development. Presenting the SecretaryGeneral’s report on MINUSTAH, Sandra Honoré reported that the country had made “measurable gains towards the holding of long-overdue elections” by the end of 2015, despite the lingering “uncertainty” caused by the absence of a functioning Parliament. The first-round vote took place on August 9, setting the stage for legislative, presidential and local elections to be held this year. “The prerequisites for the holding of elections this year have been established,” said Honoré, admitting that although some political parties had voiced discontent over the political calendar, most had signaled their intent to take part in the elections. “I call on all political actors to continue a genuine dialogue and a
Lieutenant General Jaborandy, Jr., has been the Force Commander of MINUSTAH since March 2014. transparent and consultative approach that contributes to building confidence among all stakeholders”, she urged. As part of the UN’s wider efforts to assist the beleaguered country recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake, the UN said it and Haiti’s international partners are working with the Haitian Electoral Council to organize fair, inclusive and transparent elections that will bring out the installation of the country’s 50th Legislature in January 2016 and a handover of power to a newly elected President in February 2016. The UN mission is mandated by the Security Council to provide logistical support and technical expertise to assist Haiti’s Government to continue building the capacity of its rule of law institutions at the national and local level.
Grant Shapps, Britain’s parliamentary member who has been assigned ministerial portfolio responsibility for the Caribbean relationship for granted,” Shapps said. He added: “I think the best way to have a modern relationship is to look to the future, and that is what we intended to do.” “I am here because the UK government believes that as a result of the historic links, it is an area on which we should be far more focused,” Shapps said.
Shapp suggested that the danger with historic relationships that run very deep is that they can easily be taken for granted. “It is safe to say that we have done a bit of that, and you are going to see a renewed emphasis from the United Kingdom and the British Government,” he said.
Jamaican man living with underage girl remanded A 34-year-old man who was 15-year-old,” she continued. found to be living with a 15-year- “She can’t be your wife. What old girl who he claimed told him kind of function can she perform? she was 17, was sternly reprimand What do you talk about?” Ellis asked when he appeared in the Corporate further. Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on In his defence the accused told the Wednesday. court that the teen had told him that Magistrate Maxine Ellis she was 17. ordered that the accused, who is But the magistrate told him facing charges of grievous sexual that his defence would not stand assault, abduction of a child under up, as he was not a young man 16, sexual grooming, and sexual and should be able to differentiate intercourse with a person under 16, between a child and a young woman. be remanded. “When you look at her good “How you fi live wid a you should be able to tell. When she 15-year-old? She can’t married you!” is sleeping and you look at her you the magistrate remarked after the should be able to see the innocence in accused admitted to the court that he her face,” Elllis said. had been living with the teen. “When you look at her nubile He said she told him that body, at her skin, she nuh crusty and she was from Clarendon and that her old like me and you are old enough to parents were dead. According to him, discern,” she reprimanded further. he met her in June and she came to Ellis also told the man that live with him in August. even if he believed that the teen “You can’t be living with a was 17, he should have sought her child. How can you be living with parents and got their permission, as a child? You are a grown man!” she he is required by law to get consent scolded. from her parents for them to cohabit “I don’t understand how an since she is legally unable to make adult male can stomach living with a that decision for herself.
Baha Mar developer wants to force out contractor Baha Mar Ltd., developer of the stalled Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas, has proposed pushing its general contractor out of the project as part of a restructuring plan filed with the U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware last week. The contractor, CCA Bahamas (a division of China State Construction Engineering Corp.) also happens to be Baha Mar Ltd.’s largest creditor. According to Baha Mar’s June bankruptcy filing, CCA Bahamas is owed more than $72 million for work performed since February. In the Aug. 26 filing, Baha Mar Ltd. proposed that construction contracts between its 14 affiliates and CCA be “rejected.” The developer added that its affiliates “may negotiate directly with holders of CCA
subcontractor claims upon reconciling amounts due.” The developer’s restructuring plan may be a moot proceeding, as the Bahamas government is not recognizing Baha Mar Ltd.’s U.S. bankruptcy filing. Since the filing, the developer has engaged in unsuccessful negotiations with the contractor, primary lender Export-Import Bank of China, and the Bahamas government. While Baha Mar Ltd. wants to force out the contractor, the Bahamas government has said it wants to force out Baha Mar Ltd. and find another developer to finish the project. A CCA representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Travel Weekly on Wednesday.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2015
NEWS
Court clerk jailed for gay marriage defiance
A Kentucky county clerk was jailed on Thursday for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, and a full day of court hearings failed to put an end to her two-month-old legal fight over a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding same-sex marriage. U.S. District Judge David Bunning found Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis in contempt then elicited a pledge from five of her six deputies to issue the licenses. But attorneys for Davis said she would deny them that authority, raising questions about the validity of any licenses they might issue. The 49-year-old woman, who has emerged as a darling of social conservatives, has refused to issue licenses to any couples, gay or straight, since the U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry under the U.S. Constitution, citing her beliefs as an Apostolic Christian. “Marriage is a union between one man and one woman,” the softspoken Davis told the court under questioning by her attorney. Bunning warned the deputies they would be back in court if they refused to resume issuing licenses on Friday. “I would hate to have to come
back to Ashland,” he said, referring to Josh Earnest on Thursday said it was the court venue. He said it would be up “appropriate” for a federal judge to to same-sex couples to decide whether resolve the matter. to test the validity of the licenses. “No public official is above the rule Davis, who broke down crying of law, certainly not president of the earlier in her testimony, was led away United States, but neither is the by U.S. marshals after the first hearing, Rowan county clerk,” he said. where Bunning held her in contempt Davis’ jailing drew instant and ordered her jailed. She did not criticism from her supporters with attend the subsequent hearings, but Republican presidential candidate communicated through her attorneys. Mike Huckabee tweeting, “Kim Thursday’s proceedings were the Davis in federal custody removes all culmination of months of legal doubts about the criminalization of wrangling and refusals by Davis to Christianity in this country.” abide by a judge’s order to do her job, Christian lobbying group Kim Davis drawing global attention and protests Family Research Council said religious from those both for and against gay freedom in the United States was presidential candidate, U.S. Senator marriage rights. under attack. It urged Kentucky Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Before and during the hearings, Governor Steve Beshear to call for a told MSNBC before the ruling that about 200 demonstrators gathered special session of the state legislature Davis had to abide by the Supreme outside the Ashland, Kentucky, to alter the law to accommodate clerks Court ruling. courthouse, some chanting slogans like Davis. and many holding signs. As word of the `In a statement the governor ‘THE WORD OF GOD’ ruling emerged, supporters of same- said a special session was unnecessary sex marriage erupted in cheers. and too costly. He said Bunning’s Davis told Fox News earlier Davis was being held at the decision spoke for itself and the courts she was ready to go to jail for her Carter County Detention Center in were settling the matter, giving access beliefs. Grayson, Kentucky. Her son Nathan, to marriage licenses to Rowan County “I’ve weighed the cost and I’m the one deputy who would not agree residents. prepared to go to jail,” she told Fox in to issue gay marriage licenses, was not He said he had no authority to an interview published on Thursday. jailed. relieve county clerks of their statutory “This has never been a gay or lesbian WHITE HOUSE BACKS JUDGE duties by executive order. issue for me. This is about upholding White House spokesman Another Republican the word of God.”
Trump signs Republican loyalty pledge
Donald Trump Republican front-runner Donald Trump on Thursday bowed to pressure from the party establishment and signed a pledge not to run as an independent candidate in the November 2016 presidential election.
“I see no circumstances under which I would tear up that pledge,” the real estate magnate told reporters at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump had previously refused to rule out a third-party bid if the Republican Party did not treat him fairly. His pledge of loyalty on Thursday was a victory for Republican National Committee in its efforts to rein in the billionaire, who leads opinion polls but has upset mainstream Republicans with his brash style and unusually personal attacks on rivals. An independent Trump candidacy could split support for the Republican Party and give the Democrats a huge boost.
Almost two months after reaching the top of opinion polls among Republicans, Trump has come under sustained fire for the first time from one of his main rivals for the nomination, Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor. Nudging Trump toward signing the pledge was a weeks-long effort by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and other officials, an RNC official said. Priebus met Trump on Thursday. This gets the proverbial elephant out of the room and allows the focus to be on winning the White House and taking the prospect of a third party off the table,” the official said. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows Trump with support among
nearly 31 percent of self-identified Republicans as of Sept. 1, with Bush at nearly 12 percent, behind former neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Trump drew boos from the audience at a Republican debate in Ohio last month when he refused to rule out going it alone in 2016. He has been under pressure since then to declare his party loyalty, and party officials have been working for weeks to have him sign a pledge. “It reflects a lot of behind the scenes work,” the RNC official said. Political parties at the state level often ask candidates to sign loyalty pledges, but this is believed to be the first time the Republican Party has done it nationally.
4 men accused of stealing nearly 1,200 student laptops WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A pair of brothers and two other men have been charged with stealing nearly 1,200 laptops bound for public school students in New Jersey after investigators determined their story about a theft didn’t add up. Anton Saljanin, 43, and Gjon Saljanin, 40, were due to appear in court Thursday with Ujka Vulaj, 54, and Carlos Caceres,
37, on charges including conspiracy and theft from an interstate shipment. In January 2014, the Saljanins drove a truck from New York’s Yorktown Heights to Massachusetts to pick up a shipment of 1,195 Apple MacBook Air laptops worth more than $1 million that were meant for two public high schools in New Jersey, according to prosecutors. The next day,
Anton Saljanin reported to Yorktown police that the truck had been stolen. Later that day, he told police he spotted the truck in a Danbury, Connecticut, parking lot, but a window was smashed and the computers were missing, investigators said. But prosecutors say the brothers’ story began to unravel as investigators looked into the case. Detectives found
broken glass in the Danbury parking lot but not in the Yorktown Heights lot where they said the theft occurred. Surveillance video showed the yellow truck taking a detour toward the home of a friend of the men on the night it was said to have been stolen, prosecutors said. Investigators tracked down the buyers of the stolen laptops through an Apple registry and found
Vulaj and Caceres sold them to more than a dozen people for as little as half their usual $1,000 price, prosecutors said. Lawyers for the brothers told The New York Times they expect their clients to plead not guilty at a hearing. Attorneys for the other men didn’t respond to phone messages seeking comment.
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David Cameron accused of being heartless in refugee crisis
David Cameron faced accusations of heartlessness after he insisted Britain should not take any further refugees from the war-torn Middle East, as community groups prepared to show that councils in the UK are willing to take thousands more. The prime minister knows he and the home secretary, Theresa May, will be pressured over the migration issue when parliament returns next week, but some senior Tory backbenchers said they expected Cameron to shift his ground after distressing pictures of a drowned child, who had been found washed up on a beach in Turkey, went viral. Cameron insisted the best solution to the crisis was to bring peace and stability to the Middle East. During a visit to Northamptonshire, he said: “We have taken a number of genuine asylum seekers from Syrian refugee camps and we keep that under review, but we think the most important thing is to try to bring peace and stability to that part of the world. “I don’t think there is an answer that can be achieved simply by taking more and more refugees.” Yvette Cooper’s call for 10,000 more places for people fleeing the Middle East is welcome, but the UK has the infrastructure and experience to take many more Read more But in a sign that the political temperature on the issue was rising, Cameron faced calls to do more from
both the Catholic church and two of the Labour leadership contenders. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic church in England and Wales, said: “This is a disgrace. That we are letting people die and seeing dead bodies on the beaches, when together, Europe is such a wealthy place. We should be able to fashion a short-term response, not just a long-term response. “It is no longer an abstract problem of people on the scrounge. It’s not. It’s people who are desperate for the sake of their families, their elderly, their youngsters, their children. And the more we see that the more the opportunity for a political response that is a bit more generous, is growing. What is screaming out is the human tragedy of this problem, to which we can be more generous.” Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary and Labour leadership candidate, accused the prime minister of turning his back on the worst migration crisis since the second world war. When mothers are desperately trying to stop their babies from drowning when their boat has capsized, when people are being left to suffocate in the backs of lorries by evil gangs of traffickers and when children’s bodies are being washed to shore, Britain needs to act. “It is heartbreaking what is happening on our continent. We cannot keep turning our backs on this. We can
led councils asking them to become involved in a scheme run by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, to help find private housing for refugees for a year. Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary and another Labour leadership contender has demanded that the government make a Commons statement next week. He said the response of Cameron and his ministers had veered from the inadequate to the misjudged and was a stain on the nation’s conscience. “Many of these refugees are children, fleeing the violence and horrors of war. The images we have seen of children washed up on beaches will leave no person unmoved. When Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron delivers Parliament returns next week, MPs a speech to an audience of pupils during a visit must be given an opportunity to debate to Corby Technical School at Corby in central the Government’s handling of the crisis England, September 2, 2015. and the chance to make a judgement and must – do more. If every area in on whether Britain should accept a the UK took just 10 families, we could share of refugees,” he said. offer sanctuary to 10,000 refugees. Cameron does not want to Let’s not look back with shame at our join any Europe-wide resettlement inaction.” programme for refugees, believing that Cooper urged May to convene if the UK became involved in a largea conference of council leaders to scale scheme, it would act as a magnet discover how many refugees local for other migrants and it would be authorities are prepared to take. The impossible to distinguish economic task of organising a conference is being migrants from refugees. handed to Citizens UK, the community The prime minister said campaign group, and there are signs Britain was focused on stabilising that some Conservative-led councils and improving the countries where are likely to offer help. migrants and refugees came from and The Conservative leader of highlighted action the government Kingston upon Thames council, Kevin was taking to improve security at the Davis, has already written to 50 Tory- French port of Calais.
Google redesigns iconic logo for the fifth time
A combination photo of Google’s new (top) and old logos Google Inc unveiled a redesign of its iconic logo on Tuesday, the fifth such modification since the search engine giant started in 1998, the company said in a blog post. The revamped logo, displayed as a Google Doodle on its homepage, spells ‘Google’ in a sans-serif typeface, similar to the one being used by Google’s newly created holding company, Alphabet. The compact version of the logo, used to identify most of its apps, bids farewell to the little blue “g” icon and replaces it with a uppercase “G” colored in blue, red, yellow and green to match the full logo. The new brand identity “aims to make Google more accessible and useful to our users”, the company said in a blog post explaining the logo. The new logo comes three weeks after the company’s surprise
move to create a holding company called Alphabet to pool its many subsidiaries and separate the core web advertising business from newer ventures like driverless cars. A statement from the company said: “Google has changed a lot over the past 17 years—from the range of our products to the evolution of their look and feel. And today we’re changing things up once again: So why are we doing this now? Once upon a time, Google was one destination that you reached from one device: a desktop PC. These days, people interact with Google products across many different platforms, apps and devices—sometimes all in a single day. You expect Google to help you whenever and wherever you need it, whether it’s on your mobile phone, TV, watch, the dashboard in your car, and yes, even a desktop!”
“Today we’re introducing a new logo and identity family that reflects this reality and shows you when the Google magic is working for you, even on the tiniest screens. As you’ll see, we’ve taken the Google logo and branding, which were originally built for a single desktop browser page, and updated them for a world of seamless computing across an endless number of devices and different kinds of inputs (such as tap, type and talk). It doesn’t simply tell you that you’re using Google, but also shows you how Google is working for you. For example, new elements like a colorful Google mic help you identify and interact with Google whether you’re talking, tapping or typing. Meanwhile, we’re bidding adieu to the little blue “g” icon and replacing it with a four-color “G” that matches the logo. This isn’t the first time we’ve changed our look and it probably won’t be the last, but we think today’s update is a great reflection of all the ways Google works for you across Search, Maps, Gmail, Chrome and many others. We think we’ve taken the best of Google (simple, uncluttered, colorful, friendly), and recast it not just for the Google of today, but for the Google of the future. You’ll see the new design roll out across our products soon.”
Obama changing name of America’s highest mountain President Barack Obama on Monday will officially restore Denali as the name of North America’s tallest mountain, siding with the state of Alaska in ending a 40-year battle over what to call a peak that has been known as Mount McKinley. The historic change, coming at the beginning of a three-day presidential trip to Alaska, is a sign of how hard the White House will push during Obama’s remaining 16 months as president to ensure his fight to address climate change is part of his legacy. Renaming the mountain, which has an elevation of more than 20,000 feet (6,100 meters), makes headlines for his climate quest while also creating goodwill in a state that has not been broadly supportive to the Democratic president. Obama is slated to tour a receding glacier and meet people in remote Arctic communities whose way of life is affected by rising ocean levels, creating images designed to build support for regulations to curb carbon emissions. The peak was named Mount McKinley in 1896 after a gold prospector exploring the region heard that Ohioan William McKinley, a champion of the gold standard, had won the Republican nomination for president. But Alaska natives had long before called the mountain Denali, meaning “the High One.” In 1975, the state of Alaska officially designated the mountain as Denali, and has since been pressing the federal government to do the same. Alaskans had been blocked in Congress by Ohio politicians, who wanted to stick with McKinley as a lasting tribute to the 25th U.S. president, who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. Under Obama’s action, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will use her legal authority to end the long debate and rename the mountain. The move elicited praise from Alaska Governor Bill Walker, a Republican turned independent, and Republican elected officials, who more typically are critical of an administration they see as hostile to the oil and gas interests of their state.
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WORLD NEWS
China to cut troop levels by 300,000
China’s People’s Liberation Army soldiers march with their weapons at Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War 2, in Beijing President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday he would cut troop levels by 300,000 as China held its biggest display of military might in a parade to commemorate victory over Japan in World War Two, an event shunned by most Western leaders. China’s confidence in its armed forces and growing military assertiveness, especially in the disputed South China Sea, has rattled the region and drawn criticism from Washington. Xi, speaking on a rostrum overlooking Beijing’s Tiananmen Square before the parade began, said China would cut by 13 percent one of
the world’s biggest militaries, currently 2.3-million strong. The Defence Ministry said the cuts would be mostly complete by the end of 2017. The move is likely part of long-mooted military rationalization plans, which have included spending more money on high-tech weapons for the navy and air force. Troop numbers have been cut three times already since the 1980s. “Prejudice and discrimination, hatred and war can only cause disaster and pain,” Xi said under a clear blue sky. “China will always uphold the path of peaceful development.” He then descended to Beijing’s
main thoroughfare and inspected rows with curbing military power. of troops, riding past them in a black “It’s a determination to expand limousine and bellowing repeatedly: military power by redirecting money “Hello comrades, hard-working to higher impact, higher technologies, which can have more strategic effect,” comrades!” More than 12,000 soldiers, he said, referring to the maritime, mostly Chinese but with contingents cyber and space frontiers. Peng Guangqian, deputy from Russia and elsewhere, then marched down Changan Avenue, led head of China’s Council for National by veterans of World War Two carried Security Policy Studies, said the equipment on display was intended in vehicles. They were followed by ballistic to show the combat readiness of the missiles, tanks and armored vehicles, People’s Liberation Army (PLA). many never seen in public before. “This indicates a change of Advanced fighter jets and bombers flew the PLA training strategy; with more overhead in a highly choreographed focus on actual combat,” Peng told the spectacle that lasted around 90 official Xinhua news agency. China is also building two minutes. Among the weapons China aircraft carriers that will be the same unveiled for the first time was an anti- size as its sole carrier, a 60,000-tonne ship ballistic missile, the Dongfeng- refurbished Soviet-era ship, according 21D, which is reportedly capable of to a report on the PLA by the Defence destroying an aircraft carrier with one Ministry in neighboring, self-ruled hit. Taiwan, which China claims as its own. Also shown were several Chinese state media have hinted new intercontinental ballistic missiles such vessels are being built. For Xi, the parade was a as the DF-5B and the DF-31A as well as the DF-26 intermediate range ballistic welcome distraction from the country’s missile, dubbed the “Guam killer” in plunging stock markets, slowing economic growth and recent blasts at a reference to a U.S. Pacific Ocean base. Greg Austin, a professorial fellow at chemical warehouse that killed at least the East-West Institute in New York, 160 people. said the troop cuts had nothing to do
Clock shock: British admit Big French investigators confirm wing part is from Flight 370 Australian forces are “Today it is possible to PARIS — French Ben’s bongs not quite on time investigators have formally state with certainty that the continuing their search for the LONDON — Don’t set your watch by Big Ben. Officials say the famous clock at Britain’s Parliament — used by Londoners for decades to check the time — has recently been slow by as much as six seconds. The 156-year-old clock chimes every 15 minutes and emits deep bongs to mark the hour. Its inaccuracy was noticed by staff at BBC radio, which broadcasts the bongs live at 6 p.m. Ian Westworth, one of Parliament’s three clocksmiths, told the BBC the clock had become “a little temperamental” with age. “Imagine running your car for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the last 156 years,” he said. Parliamentary officials said Tuesday that mechanics had corrected the clock to within “normal parameters” — within 2 seconds of the right time. They will continue to adjust it by placing pennies on the pendulum — or removing them — to finetune its speed. Parliament’s neo-Gothic clock tower is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks, and its bell is one of London’s characteristic sounds. The famous bongs echoed through the city without fail through World War II bombing raids, though they have been silenced a few times for repairs, and by accident or the weather. Although the clock tower is popularly known as Big Ben, the name actually refers to the 13 ½- ton Great Bell inside. The tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne.
identified a washed-up piece of airplane debris found in July on a remote island in the Indian Ocean as part of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a Boeing 777 that disappeared more than a year ago with 239 people aboard. Investigators have been examining the wing part, called a flaperon, since it was flown to a French aeronautical research laboratory near Toulouse last month. Malaysian authorities had already declared that the wing fragment was from the missing jet, but until now French investigators couldn’t say with certainty that it was the case. The Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement Thursday that investigators used maintenance records to match a serial number found on the wing part with the missing Boeing.
flaperon discovered on Reunion July 29, 2015 corresponds to that of Flight MH370,” the prosecutor’s statement said. The flight’s disappearance on March 8, 2014, has been one of aviation’s most confounding mysteries. Until the wing flap washed ashore July 30 on the French island of Reunion, investigators had not found a single physical clue linked to the missing plane, despite a massive air and sea search. Officials believe it crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, killing everyone aboard, but are unsure of the cause. The discovery of the wing flap refocused the world’s attention on the investigation, which many hope will finally yield clues to the plane’s fate.
plane in a desolate stretch of ocean 4,200 kilometers (2,600 miles) to the east of Reunion, where experts believe the plane from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing crashed. Investigators examining the wing fragment in France are trying to glean clues into the plane’s fate based on its condition, opening up even more questions: How, exactly, did the plane end up in the water? Was it a controlled landing? Was there an explosion? Officials who scrutinized data exchanged between the plane’s engine and a satellite determined that the jetliner took a straight path across the ocean, leading them to believe that the plane flew on autopilot for hours before running out of fuel and crashing into the water.
Guatemala’s president quits, faces corruption charges Guatemala’s Otto Perez resigned his presidency and turned himself in to a court on Thursday to face charges in a corruption scandal that gutted his government and plunged the country into chaos days before a presidential election. Congress, in an emergency session, approved the resignation of Perez, a 64-year-old retired general who quit overnight. Vice President Alejandro Maldonado will fill out the remaining months of Perez’ Guatemala’s President Otto Perez Molina enters the courtroom after a break at the term. Supreme Court of Justice in Guatemala Thousands of protesters City, September 3, 2015. flooded the streets of the capital and other cities in recent weeks so that there is no violence or calling for Perez to step down bloodshed,” Perez said in a local over allegations he was involved radio interview on Thursday. in a customs racket. In his resignation letter “I have submitted to to Congress, Perez said he would (judicial) processes so that face the charges against him Guatemala can move on and “with a clear conscience.”
“My commitment to the people of Guatemala is to submit, with all integrity, to the due process of the rule of law and refute the accusations against me,” he wrote. Prosecutors allege Perez was involved in a customs scam dubbed “La Linea,” (“The Line”) after a phone hotline used by importers to avoid paying customs duties in exchange for bribes. The celebrations over Perez’ resignation erupted in a plaza of the capital days before Sunday’s presidential and congressional elections. “At last, the most corrupt president in the history of Guatemala is gone,” said Juan Carlos Carrera, a 38-year old lawyer who waved a blue and white Guatemalan flag from his car window and honked his car horn.
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Hungary opens door to trains for migrants, but only to camps
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Thousands of migrants surged into a Budapest train station Thursday when police ended their two-day blockade of its entrance, but the surprise move produced only a new swirl of confusion and anger as some migrants found themselves tricked into taking a train to a Hungarian camp for asylum seekers. In the morning, excited migrants piled into a newly arrived train at the Keleti station in Hungary’s capital despite announcements in Hungarian and English that all services from the station to Western Europe had been canceled. A statement on the main departures board said no more trains to Austria or Germany would depart “due to safety reasons until further notice!” Many migrants, who couldn’t understand either language and were receiving no advice from Hungarian officials, scrambled aboard in a standing-room-only crush and hoped for the best. Instead, the train soon stopped northwest of Budapest in the town of Bicske, where dozens of riot police stood waiting to escort the human cargo to one of the country’s major camps for asylum seekers — an overcrowded, open-door facility that many of the migrants already had left days before. The asylum seekers refused to leave the train, and refused offers of water
and food as they demanded instead to be allowed to leave Hungary. Police had hoped to entice many more of the estimated 3,000 migrants camping outside Keleti to leave Thursday. Conditions at Budapest’s main international terminal have grown increasingly squalid despite the efforts of volunteers distributing water, food, medicine and disinfectants. An Associated Press reporter saw one infant boy beside his sleeping parents crawling onto the pavement to eat breadcrumbs from the ground. Nearby, an unattended toddler walked to a pile of garbage and picked at discarded candy wrappers in search of a treat. Hundreds of migrants took turns washing their hair, clothes and feet and brushing their teeth at a fivefaucet water supply with no sewage that was supposed to provide drinking water for the entire camp. In Bicske, disappointed migrants started chanting “No camp!” in Arabic, some tried to flee on foot down the tracks, and one family sat down beside the tracks and appealed to journalists for help. When police told the media to move off the tracks and the family to move inside, the husband in apparent desperation lost emotional control. He threw his own wife and infant child onto the tracks, lay down beside them and started striking himself in the head as he shouted repeatedly, “We won’t move from here!”
Hungarian policemen stand by the family of migrants as they wanted to run away at the railway station in the town of Bicske, Hungary, September 3, 2015. Police in helmets and body armor surrounded the prone family and lifted the man off of his wife and child. Officers handcuffed him with his chest pressed down on the pavement. Four officers carried him away as he wailed in tears. The woman and infant were escorted off the tracks but not detained. Other migrants scuffled with police and forced their way back on to the train’s carriages to begin a standoff in the sweltering sun. Police delivered water to the migrants, but many tossed the bottles back, expressing fears that police might have drugged the water in hopes of sedating them. Later, charity volunteers tried to offer the migrants food, but they also refused to eat it. “We don’t need food and water.
Just let us go to Germany,” one migrant said from an open train window. The question of how to defuse the human gridlock in Hungary was being hotly debated Thursday in Brussels at a meeting between European Union leaders and Hungary’s anti-immigrant prime minister, Viktor Orban. Hungary, which for months had done little to prevent asylum applicants from heading west, this week has declared it won’t let more migrants deeper into Europe. “We Hungarians are full of fear. People in Europe are full of fear, because we see that European leaders, among them the prime ministers, are not capable of controlling the situation,” Orban said.
Former Clinton aide will not testify in House probe
A former U.S. State Gowdy that the committee Department information had asked his client to testify technology staffer who and to produce documents to “servers or worked for Hillary Clinton related is refusing to testify before systems owned personally U.S. lawmakers probing the and/or controlled by former former top diplomat and Secretary of State Hillary the 2012 attacks on U.S. Clinton from 2009 through installations in Benghazi, 2013.” said Libya, according to a letter MacDougall sent by his lawyer to Pagliano would invoke his Congressional investigators. constitutional right against and Clinton, the front-runner for self-incrimination the Democratic presidential decline to produce documents nomination, was secretary of and to appear before Gowdy’s state at the time of the attacks, committee to testify on Sept. in which four Americans 10. MacDougall said that were killed. A Republican- led House of Representatives both the Justice Department Select Committee is and the Federal Bureau of investigating the incident Investigation were conducting as well as Clinton’s use of a “investigative activity” related private email server during to the issues that interested the committee. He said he her tenure. Mark MacDougall, had also been contacted a lawyer for former Clinton by two Senate committees aide Bryan Pagliano, said in seeking to interview Pagliano. a letter sent on Monday to In a memo released committee chairman Trey on Thursday, the ranking
Biden beloved by top Democrats; his candidacy, not so much
to Democrat on the Select different view on Pagliano’s According Pagliano’s LinkedIn page, Committee on Benghazi, refusal to testify. Representative Elijah “I know in the past why people he was the IT director for Cummings, said that have invoked their Fifth Clinton’s 2008 presidential numerous legal experts had Amendment privilege, but campaign from 2006-2009, advised that “there is little, you’ll have to ask him why he and then went to work for the if any, criminal liability” did it. And you’re free to glean State Department from May relating to Clinton’s use of a whatever inference you want 2009-Feburary 2013. Yahoo News reported from the fact that he did it,” private email server. Also on Thursday, Gowdy told reporters. that in addition to his refusal Clinton’s campaign to testify before the House Cummings said in a Pagliano had statement that he found said in a statement that Benghazi, Pagliano’s reluctance to she had encouraged current declined to talk to the FBI testify “understandable... and former aides to answer and the State Department especially given the onslaught questions and “be as helpful Inspector General’s office. Neither a spokesman of wild and unsubstantiated as possible,” according to The for Gowdy nor Pagliano’s accusations by Republican Washington Post. Her use of a private lawyer could immediately be presidential candidates, Members of Congress, and email server based at her reached for comment. Clinton is scheduled others based on false leaks house in the suburbs of New York while secretary to appear before the about the investigation. “Their insatiable of state has become a committee on Sept. 22. Two desire to derail Secretary controversial issue as she other former aides to Clinton Clinton’s presidential seeks the Democratic Party’s at the State Department campaign at all costs has presidential nomination for are testifying this week. One of those former aides, real consequences for any the November 2016 election. serious congressional effort,” MSNBC reported Jake Sullivan, now works that Pagliano set up the for Clinton’s presidential Cummings said. campaign. Gowdy offered a email server in 2009.
Joe Biden got plenty of love from top Democrats on Friday, but their views about a possible White House run by the vice president were decidedly more mixed. While Biden was nowhere near the summer meeting of the Democratic National Committee, his potential late entry into the party’s presidential race against front-runner Hillary Clinton dominated conversations in meeting rooms and hallways. In more than a dozen interviews, top Democrats expressed admiration and affection for Biden, but several cast doubt on whether he should get in the race. Some questioned whether his late start would keep him from making much headway. “I like Joe Biden. We all love him,” said Alice Huffman of California,
president of the state’s NAACP. “But I don’t see him overtaking Hillary.” `Earl Fowlkes, chairman of the party’s LGBT caucus, said Biden was “a good man, a solid man” but wondered whether he would excite the minority and young voters who Democrats rely on in presidential elections. “The question is, can he raise the money?” Fowlkes said. “If he doesn’t have the money, he won’t make much difference.” Three Democrats interviewed said they would probably back Biden if he gets in, citing their appreciation for his service to President Barack Obama and his long experience in the U.S. Senate. “He would probably be my candidate,” said Elena McCullough of the
Tampa, Florida, area. “He’s done a great job, he’s been serving our country for a long time.” Sonia Fernandez, of Los Angeles, also said she would probably back Biden because “I would like to see the continuation of the progress we’ve seen with President Obama.” Biden, 72, has been huddling with advisers to decide whether to challenge Clinton, who has struggled to overcome fallout from her use of a private email server while working as the nation’s top diplomat. Clinton still holds a big lead in opinion polls in the race to pick a nominee for the November 2016 election, but has taken a hit on her personal favorability and trustworthiness.
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BUSINESS &
TECHNOLOGY
Apple may launch new iPhones at Sept. 9 event
Apple Inc invited journalists to a Sept. 9 event, where it is expected to unveil new iPhones and potentially a new version of its Apple TV set-top box. The email invitation includes a colorful Apple logo with the sentence “Hey Siri, give us a hint,” referring to Apple’s popular digital voice assistant. The company traditionally announces its new iPhones in September. Apple is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6 Plus S. Typically, the company launches upgraded versions to existing phones under the “S” range. Media reports have indicated that Apple is preparing for the largest initial production run for its next iPhones by the end
An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in the Manhattan borough of New York City, of the year. The new iPhones are also said to feature Force Touch technology, which can distinguish between a light tap and deep press. Cross Research analyst
Shannon Cross said she was also expecting a faster processor on iPhones. “We assume that they may come out with a new iPad at the event as well,” Cross added. When users posed the question in the invitation to Siri on their iPhones, Siri threw back responses such as “You’re cute when you’re desperate for information” and “You’ll have to wait until Sept. 9. I bet you were one of those kids who snuck downstairs to open presents early, weren’t you?” The event will be held at 10:00 a.m. PT in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, which can hold about 7,000 people. Apple did not immediately respond to requests for more details on the event.
Flameless gas stoves more efficient and cleaner, say investors
A Polish firm is marketing an innovative kitchen appliance - a gas stove that has no open flame and looks almost exactly like its electrical cousin. The “gas-under-glass” stove is made in a plant in Swidnica, south-west Poland, and has already found customers at home and abroad thanks to its efficiency, which inventors say is 50 per cent higher than traditional gas stoves. The president of Solgaz, the firm behind the invention, explained that this is achieved thanks to very effective burning of the gas inside the stove. “Inside there are highly effective, catalytic gas burners which burn the gas superbly. Their unique feature is that the combustion of gas occurs at a very high temperature, about 800 degrees (Celsius). Therefore the gas burns completely, it
burns very accurately, and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxides are not produced,” Mieczyslaw Kaczmarczyk said. Emission levels for harmful substances from the combustion of gas can be 10 times lower than norms for open-flame gas stoves and gas consumption is reduced by up to 50 per cent, the company’s engineers say. Initially, the stove was designed by a former engineer of the company for his wife, but the solution proved so effective that after several years of tests and research it was adopted for production. “An important aspect here is safety because inside we have applied two kinds of security measures. The first is as in any ordinary gas stove and the second is an electronic protection against gas leaks
which constantly checks if the gas is being extracted and whether it is burning at that moment. If these two things do not work the whole stove shuts down and starts beeping,” Solgaz marketing manager Jakub Biel said, adding that the stove also shuts off automatically if a pot boils over. The stove can be used anywhere where supplying the current needed for an electrical stove might be difficult - such as older buildings where the infrastructure doesn’t allow it, or in places that use gas as the main heating source. “The ordinary user is our greatest market, a person who has a kitchen and just wants to cook something at home,” Kaczmarczyk said. “But they are also suitable for yachts, suitable for caravans, so here we also have customers from this segment.”
Solar power supplies 10 percent of Japan peak summer power
Power lines are seen in front of solar panels at a solar power field in Kawasaki, near Tokyo Solar power generation contributed to about 10 percent of peak summer power supplies of Japan’s nine major utilities, equivalent to more than 10 nuclear reactors, the Asahi newspaper reported on Thursday. Though solar power accounts for about 2 percent of
annual generation of all power sources, summer’s favorable sunlight conditions increased power output, generating up to about 15 gigawatts of power in total in early August, the paper said. Japan has been pouring billions of dollars in clean-energy investment after introducing a feed-in tariff (FIT) program in 2012, aiming to help the world’s third-biggest economy shift away from its reliance on nuclear power after the March 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Asahi’s survey showed that the ratio of solar power at peak hours was as low as Hokuriku Electric Power’s (9505.T) 5.9 percent and as high as Kyushu Electric Power’s (9508.T) 24.6 percent, depending on access to ample land with favorable sunlight conditions. The installed capacity of solar power taking advantage of FIT scheme has reached more than 24 gigawatts at the end of April, government data showed, up from about 5 GW before the scheme started.
Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff gestures during news conference after an event at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil September 2, 2015.
Brazil’s president says Uber costs jobs, needs regulation Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff criticized ride-sharing software Uber on Wednesday for increasing unemployment, adding to a chorus of labor concerns about the world’s most valuable venturebacked start-up. Rousseff said local authorities must regulate the service, which has led conventional taxi drivers to stage protests and lobby lawmakers in Brazil’s three biggest cities. Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and the capital Brasilia have all moved to ban the mobile application, which lets users hail Uber drivers for rides. None of the bans has yet taken effect, as mayors weigh whether to approve the laws. In June, French President Francois Hollande said the low-cost UberPop service should be illegal, following violent protests by Parisian taxi drivers. Uber drivers in the United States won class action status on Tuesday for litigation demanding employee benefits. “Uber is complicated because it takes jobs away from people... It leaves taxis with less work,” Rousseff said in response to a reporter’s question on Wednesday. “It’s not an easy issue. It depends on the rules of each city and state, because it is not a federal government decision,” she said. The San Francisco-based start-up declined to comment. In Brasilia, lawmakers have voted to ban the unregulated services of Uber, but the federal district governor vetoed the ban and set up a commission to decide what is best for the city. In Rio, the city council proposed a bill to prohibit unregulated taxi services in a move designed to ban Uber. Mayor Eduardo Paes has not yet decided whether to sign it into law, but has said he would like to develop a rival technology for the city’s taxi drivers. The chilly reception for Uber contrasts with Rio’s embrace of another icon of the so-called “sharing economy.” Home-rental marketplace Airbnb Inc is an official accommodation provider for the 2016 Olympic Games next year in Rio, which has a paucity of affordable hotel options. In Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, a vote to ban the ride-sharing software is also awaiting a second vote from the city council and the signature of Mayor Fernando Haddad. Uber has support from Brazil’s antitrust watchdog Cade, where officials see the advantages that increased competition could bring to users and advocate a negotiated co-existence between the rideshare service and city taxis. Taxi drivers complain that Uber drivers are not properly regulated and have fewer overhead costs, giving them an unfair advantage.
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Instagram adds new photo sizes to keep users
Instagram has added new layout options in addition to its signature square for pictures and videos in a bid to attract more advertisers and to stop users defecting to more flexible services such as Snapchat. The move is the first major alteration to the photo-sharing, social media service since Facebook Inc bought it for $1 billion in 2012, and addresses the wishes of many of its 300 million users, who have been constrained by the square format. “It boils down to giving advertisers and users more options,” said Debra Aho Williamson, a social media marketing and advertising analyst. “You want people to be able to see more of your ad. It’s something advertisers are definitely going to be
interested in.” One in five photos and videos posted on the service do not fit the square format, Instagram said in a blog post. “Friends get cut out of group shots, the subject of your video feels cramped and you can’t capture the Golden Gate Bridge from end to end,” it said. From Thursday, Instagram’s web-based service and its mobile apps running on Google Inc’s Android system and Apple Inc’s iOS will allow portrait and landscape formats, giving both users and paying advertisers more options. The move should help Instagram in its battle with newer rivals such as Snapchat for users in the fast-moving messaging and media-
Google launches Street View app with 360-degree images Google is retiring its Photo Sphere Camera app on iOS and the Street View feature from the Google Maps app on Android in favor of a new app for both operating systems: the Street View app. The tech giant announced Thursday the standalone app will let people explore collections of 360-degree panorama photos of locations (both interior and exterior), and make their own contributions to public photo galleries Users can snap 360-degree “spherical” photos directly from their Android phone or iPhone, or use a dedicated 360-degree camera such as the Ricoh Theta S or NCTech iris360. They can then geotag the images and upload them directly to Google Maps. Other users can then view those images when they tap on a map location within the app. “In one gallery, you can explore Street View collections and content from Google Maps alongside photo spheres contributed from people around the globe,” said a product manager at Google Maps, Charles Armstrong. “So whether you want to track the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, scale the famed rock wall El Capitan in Yosemite, or hike Mt. Fuji, the Street View app has you covered.” To combat inappropriate content that often goes hand-in-hand with user-generated content, the app will have a feature that lets users report problems. Since its debut in 2007, Street View has been one of the most popular products Google makes. But it’s always been tucked into Google Maps and never had the spotlight to itself. That changes Thursday with the launch of an all-new Street View app for both Android and iOS. The first thing you see when opening the app is a map of the Earth with red dots indicating where Google has its street-level 360-degree imagery. You can pinch and zoom in and out of the map to experience Street View scenes, even deep in ocean waters, atop mountains in Yosemite, or astride sand dunes in Abu Dhabi. But you won’t get navigation or any traditional street-level guidance. This is all about virtual exploration. It’s also about contribution: You can shoot your own 360-degree photos and submit them to Street View, from right inside the app. “Millions of people use Street View every day, and it will always be a part of Google Maps, but we’ve been wanting to do this for awhile,” Luc Vincent, Street View’s engineering director, told me in an interview. “We really want as many people seeing Street View and contributing to it as possible, from all over the world.” At Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Vincent walked me through the app, handing me an iPhone running his team’s creation. Besides the Street View interaction itself, the coolest thing is capturing and submitting what Google calls “photo spheres.”
on Thursday, Walt Disney Co released sharing market. At the same time, it should exclusive footage of its upcoming film, attract more advertising revenue for “Star Wars, The Force Awakens,” using Instagram, which said in June it would the new landscape option. open its platform to all advertisers by the end of the year, rather than just to select brands. Instagram is expected to generate nearly $600 million in advertising revenue by the end of this year and $2.8 billion in 2017, according to projections from research firm eMarketer. By comparison Facebook, the world’s most popular online social network, generated more than $12 billion in revenue in 2014. The growing service hit one billion users in a single day for the first time on Monday. To promote the new formats Instagram incon
Ford opens $275 million engine plant in Russia
A Ford logo is seen during preparations for the 2014 LA Auto Show in Los Angeles, California U.S. carmaker Ford’s Russian venture, Ford Sollers, opened a $275 million engine plant on Thursday, which will help make its Russian-produced vehicles less dependent on imported components and currency fluctuations. Ford aims to spend 60 percent of the cost of producing cars for the Russian market in the country itself by 2020, to qualify for benefits such as lower import duties on car components. The new plant, in the republic of Tatarstan, has the capacity to produce up to 105,000 engines a year, with the possibility of expansion to up to 200,000, Ford
Sollers said in a statement. At least 30 percent of Russian-built Ford vehicles, including Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, and Ford EcoSport models, will be equipped with locally built engines, the company said without providing a timeframe. Ford does not currently make any engines in Russia. “Our main target in line with our long-term localization strategy was to launch engine production with a significant level of localization ... We are fully committed to this strategy which is key for our business in the current environment,” said Adil Shirinov, Ford Sollers’ Chief
Operating Officer. After years of growth in excess of 10 percent, Russian car sales collapsed in 2014 as the economy shrank and the rouble weakened, due to lower oil prices and Western sanctions over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine crisis. New car sales in Russia are forecast to drop 36 percent this year to 1.55 million, according to the Moscow-based Association of European Businesses (AEB). In January-July, sales fell 35 percent, year-on-year, the AEB said. Ford’s sales in Russia fell 52 percent in January-July, even though it launched four new models in the country this year. It also took control of the FordSollers venture, which was in the red last year due to the economic slump. Carmakers with models targeted at middle-class buyers and heavily dependent on imported components have been hit hardest. General Motors Co (GM.N) said in March it would shut its plant in St Petersburg and wind down sales and production of its Opel brand in Russia as it did not want to make significant investments in a tumbling market.
Skype beefs up iPad app, adds material design to Android Microsoft-owned Skype is getting fancier on mobile devices, rolling out some serious overhauls for the messaging app on both Android and iOS—including iPad-specific improvements. Here are the details. On Android, Skype 6.0 adds a material design update to bring it in line with Android’s overall look. That includes a “floating action button” similar to what you see in Gmail for Android. Tap the little blue circle with a plus sign in the lower-right corner of Skype and you’ll see a number of available actions, such as record a video message, start a voice or video call, or chat. Skype says the new
Android overhaul also makes it easier to see your unread message count at a glance. On the iOS side, Skype says navigation is now simpler. Taking a look at Skype 6.0 on the iPad, this means primarily that the “hamburger” menu icon is gone. Instead, at the bottom of the screen you’ll see icons for viewing recent contacts, your full contact list, the dial pad, and your account info. Skype has also added swipe gestures for making calls and managing messages. Swipe from left to right on a contact to see calling options, or swipe the opposite direction to see options to stop message notifications for a conversation, delete that
conversation, or mark recent messages as unread. The major focus of Skype 6.0 is improving the iPad experience with features such as location sharing, displaying large emoticons instead of iPhone-sized ones, the ability to view web link previews, and making it easier to send and receive photos. Both Skype 6.0 for Android and iOS also have improved search functions. Skype 6.0 is rolling out now to mobile devices around the globe. Android users will have to wait for the Play Store to roll out the update over the next few days, while iOS users can grab Skype 6.0 for iPhone and iPad from the App Store right now.
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WORLD NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
Cheating website still adding users after data hack
Hundreds of thousands of people signed up for infidelity website Ashley Madison in the last week, parent company Avid Life Media said on Monday, even after hackers leaked data about millions of its clients. The company also struck back at reports that the site had few genuine female users, saying internal data released by hackers had been incorrectly analyzed. “Recent media reports predicting the imminent demise of Ashley Madison are greatly exaggerated,” the company said in a statement. “Despite having our business and customers attacked, we are growing.” On Aug. 18, hackers who claimed to be unhappy with Avid Life’s business practices released Ashley Madison customer data. A second data dump contained thousands of
A photo illustration shows the Ashley Madison website displayed on a smartphone emails and other company documents. Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of the data, emails or documents. Last week, tech blog Gizmodo published a widely cited analysis of
the customer data, concluding that very few female members had ever checked the site for messages. Avid Life said on Monday that an unnamed reporter had wrongly concluded that the number
of active female members on Ashley Madison could be calculated based on assumptions about the meaning of fields contained in the leaked data. “Last week alone, women sent more than 2.8 million messages within our platform,” Avid Life said, adding that 87,596 women had also signed up for Ashley Madison last week. Gizmodo published another post on Monday, saying it had arrived at a low number of active female users “based in part on a misunderstanding of the evidence.” On Friday, Avid Life said Chief Executive Officer Noel Biderman had left the company by mutual agreement. For at least three years before the publication of details about its members, Avid Life had been struggling to sell itself or raise funds, according to internal documents and emails that hackers also released.
Samsung unveils circular smartwatch, but are apps available? NEW YORK — Samsung is juicing up its smartwatch with a circular face and more battery life than the Apple Watch, but it’s unknown how many apps will be available for it. The limited selection of apps is one of the main challenges facing Samsung’s smartwatches. They have been around for longer than the Apple Watch but haven’t generated as much interest or sales. Samsung’s newest, the Gear S2, faces competition not just from Apple but also from a variety of manufacturers using Google’s Android Wear software. According to IDC, Apple was the No. 2 maker of wearable devices in the AprilJune quarter, with a 20 percent worldwide market share, behind the Fitbit and its fitness trackers at 24 percent. Samsung was fifth
will rotate to help users access with 3.3 percent. So far, outside app apps and notifications. It’s not a developers have focused their new shape for smartwatches — efforts instead on the Apple Motorola and LG make circular Watch and Android Wear watches. frames, too. STYLE: The S2 will come Samsung’s watches use their own operating system, Tizen, which in two styles — classic and modern means extra work adapting apps — with various colors and bands. PHONE REQUIREMENT: for them. Samsung promised a Apple Watch requires an iPhone, variety of apps designed for the and the S2 will likely require an new watch’s circular face, but Android device from Samsung. it didn’t provide details. The Some models will have 3G cellular company said demos of the new capabilities that let them do more apps will come Thursday at the without the phone nearby. The 3G models will likely cost more and IFA tech show in Berlin. The Korean electronics won’t include a service plan, which company didn’t announce a price is typically $5 to $10 a month in or release date Monday for the S2. the U.S. when added to a phone plan. More details: CIRCULAR FACE: The S2 BATTERY LIFE: The is the first Samsung smartwatch S2 promises two to three days of with a circular design, and the battery life, compared with Apple company says the watch’s frame Watch’s 18 hours.
Trader accused in $100 million hacking scheme pleads not guilty in U.S.
A man charged over his alleged role in a more than $100 million insider trading scheme that involved hacking into networks that distribute corporate news releases pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. Arkadiy Dubovoy, who spoke Russian and used an interpreter, entered his plea to securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy charges in a brief appearance before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark, New Jersey. A Nov. 4 trial date was set. Dubovoy’s son, Igor, appeared separately on related charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy Waldor, also in Newark, on Wednesday, and is expected to enter a formal plea at a Sept. 14 arraignment. Michael Critchley, a lawyer for Arkadiy Dubovoy, declined to comment. Lawrence Lustberg, a lawyer for Igor Dubovoy, said he hopes within a few days to conclude talks
that would allow his client to be released on bail. The Dubovoys were among 32 defendants, including traders and hackers, charged last month by U.S. authorities over an alleged five-year scheme to steal more than 150,000 press releases from Business Wire, Marketwired and PR Newswire before the news became public. Nine of the defendants were criminally charged, including seven who prosecutors said were traders and two who were said to be hackers. The Dubovoys were two of the traders. Five of the nine were arrested in the United States, and four were at large in Ukraine. Prosecutors said traders gave hackers “shopping lists” of press releases they wanted to peek at in advance and then executed trades before more than 800 of the stolen releases were made public. Arkadiy Dubovoy was among the more successful traders,
accounting for more than $11 million of illegal profit through trades in companies such as Align Technology Inc and Caterpillar Inc, prosecutors said. Another trader, Morgan Stanley alumnus and hedge fund manager Vitaly Korchevsky, made more than $17 million of illegal profit, prosecutors said. A federal judge in Brooklyn, New York, on Aug. 26 ordered Korchevsky’s release on $2 million bond. Igor Dubovoy had last week been unable to post a $3 million bond set by a federal judge in Atlanta. Prosecutors said the Dubovoys are from Alpharetta, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which brought related civil charges in the case, said the conspiracy included traders in New York, Cyprus, France, Malta and Russia. Business Wire is a unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc, and PR Newswire is a unit of Britain’s UBM Plc.
The logo for LinkedIn Corporation, a social networking netaworking website for people in professional occupations, is shown in Mountain View, California
Boeing delivers 14 Dreamliners
Boeing Co delivered 14 of its 787 Dreamliners in August, exceeding for the second straight month its 10-a-month target and suggesting strong financial performance later in the year, people familiar with the situation said on Wednesday. The tally, likely to be confirmed by Boeing on Thursday, means the company has managed to deliver an average of just over 11 of the high-tech planes a month so far this year. That puts it on track to easily meet its target of 100 for 2015. The 787, Boeing’s newest plane, has a lightweight carbon-fiber composite fuselage and is designed to be more fuel efficient than previous aircraft. The high pace of deliveries comes because Boeing is getting caught up on jets it had in the pipeline, but that had not been delivered. It does not mean the 787 assembly lines in Washington and South Carolina are running faster than their combined production rate of 10 planes a month. In August, 10 of the planes came from Everett, Washington, and four from North Charleston, South Carolina, one of the sources said. The high delivery suggests Boeing likely is bringing in additional cash, since the bulk of payment comes when planes go to customers. That is likely to please investors, who are closely watching Boeing’s cash generation, analysts said. The planes that are boosting the delivery tally include some of the so-called “terrible teens,” early production units that needed additional work, according to the people familiar with the matter. Industry sources have said these were sold at substantial discounts to list price of about $265 million. A Boeing spokesman declined to comment on delivery totals, other than to say they do not always match production rates. The spokesman said Boeing is on track to produce by year end its first 737 MAX plane, a new version of the best-selling 737. Boeing began MAX production in May and received the first MAX fuselage on Aug. 21 from supplier Spirit Aerosystems Holdings Inc. Boeing has booked 2,831 orders for the new plane, which is designed to be more fuel efficient than current models and is due to enter service in 2017.
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The gift of gold: Bolt wins again, with help from the US BEIJING — Usain Bolt’s final at world championships. “Because gold medal at the Bird’s Nest came gift- with the U.S., we know we always have wrapped. the best team, and they tend to panic. With a red-white-and-blue bow, Pressure gets to them sometimes.” too. In the women’s race, Jamaica The World’s Fastest Man made did it with pure speed, no gifts. Threeit 3 for 3 in Beijing again, leading the time 100-meter world champion ShellyJamaicans to a runaway win Saturday Ann Fraser-Pryce blew by Jasmine in the 4x100-meter relay that came Todd on the anchor leg for the gold. easy thanks to an American team that The American team, with Allyson Felix Usain Bolt still hasn’t figured out how to get the in the second position, got the baton championships, adding the 5,000-meter baton around the track. around cleanly to secure the silver. win to his earlier 10,000 title. After Tyson Gay’s handoff to anchor That left Ashton Eaton as the getting passed by Caleb Ndiku with Mike Rodgers came outside the only American winner on Saturday two laps to go, the British runner lined passing zone, and the Americans were — and what a win it was. The gold him up and charged past over the final disqualified. It turned Bolt’s anchor medal already secured, Eaton ran the 100 meters. All in all, it was a more leg into a pick-your-time free-run to final event of the decathlon, the 1,500 suspenseful homestretch than the the finish. He went hard the whole meters, in 4 minutes, 17.52 seconds to men’s relay produced. way, grimacing and dipping his head finish with 9,045 points and break his Thanks to Justin Gatlin’s at the line, to finish Jamaica’s lap in old world record by six. speedy second leg, the United States 37.36 seconds. That was .52 off the “It’s like, where do you find the was ahead through about 250 meters. country’s world record but more than inner strength?” Eaton said. “I don’t But as Gay approached Rodgers for fast enough to do the job against the know. But I think the important thing the final handoff, Rodgers appeared to team that consistently folds under the is to search for it.” start too early. Gay flailed the baton bright lights. Other gold medals went to as his teammate took off and reached This marked the eighth time Maria Kuchina of Russia in the high back his left hand. The exchange since 1995 the American men have jump, Marina Arzamasova of Belarus wasn’t complete until after Rodgers either been disqualified or failed to in the 800, Piotr Malachowski in the had crossed the yellow line at the end finish at the worlds or the Olympics. discus, and Matej Toth of Slovakia in of the passing zone. “We know the key thing is just the 50-kilometer walk. “I don’t know if I left on time, I to get the baton around,” said Bolt, who Mo Farah completed his don’t know if I left early,” Rodgers said. extended his record to 11 gold medals second straight double at the world “I don’t know what happened.”
Even without the DQ, which moved China up to second place and Canada into third, the U.S. was history. Rodgers finished 0.41 seconds behind Bolt. Explanations, there were plenty. “It has to be bad luck,” said Gay, whose doping violation caused the United States to retroactively lose the relay silver they took at the London Olympics. Gatlin: “Mike and Tyson got lost in the excitement and the crowd and they couldn’t hear each other, and they were out of the zone.” Maybe Jamaica’s Nickel Ashmeade was onto something. “It’s like chicken — put in a pot, pressure too much, they can’t handle it,” Ashmeade said. Bolt has a way of doing that to them.
Jamaican women stun USA to win 4x400m relay
Jamaica ended the 15th IAAF World Track & Field Championships on a high note in Beijing, China on Sunday, by stunning the United States of America to win the women’s 4x400 metre relay final in a world leading time. National Champion Christine Day returned a brilliant opening leg of 49.96 secs to crush former World champion Sanya Richards Ross who led off for the USA, then individual 400m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson extended Jamaica’s lead with a blistering second leg of 49.75 seconds, leaving Natasha Hastings in her wake and handed over to Stephenie Ann McPherson on the third leg who ran smack into individual 400m gold medallist Allyson Felix who erased a near 20 metre lead and handed over first to Francena McCorory. Lining up on the anchor leg for Jamaica was Novlene Williams Mills. And she saved the best for perhaps the race of her life.
A triumphant Novlene Williams Mills (left) who ran the leg (49.64secs) and race of her life, to help Jamaica win the gold in the women’s 4x400metre relay in a world leading 3 mins 19.13 secs on the final day of the 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijin McCorory set off with a narrow but decisive 2-3 metre lead ahead of Williams Mills and maintained that lead with about 150 metres to go. At which stage, McCorory kicked for home,
and so too did Williams Mills. Turning into the homestretch, McCorory was challenged by a superlatively fit Williams Mills who caught up with McCorory with about 20
metres to go and won going away from a “dying” McCorory, with Jamaicans across the diaspora erupting in jubilation. Williams Mills’ leg was a sublime 49.64. Simply stupendous. It was too much for McCoroy. Gold for Jamaica in a world leading time of 3 mins 19.13. The USA second in 3 mins 19.44 secs. And Great Britain held the bronze in 3 mins 23.62 secs. The men’s 4x400 metre team of Peter Matthews, Ricardo Chambers, Rusheen McDonald and Javon Francis ended 4th in the same time of 2 mins 58.51 secs as Great Britain who won the bronze by the flare of a nostril, With Martin Rooney edging Francis on the finish line. The United States won the gold through Verburg, McQuay, Nellum and the outstanding LaShawn Merritt in 2 mins 57.82 secs, a world leading time. Trinidad & Tobago won the silver in 2 mins 58.20 secs, a national record.
Narine open to Tests once action improves but Bravo, Simmons still out PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Embattled offspinner Sunil Narine could be available again soon for West Indies in the longest version of the game, but first wants to continue fine-tuning his action. West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons said he had spoken to the 27-year-old
during the Caribbean Premier League, who indicated he would make himself available only for the limited-overs versions at this stage. “Speaking with Narine during the Caribbean Premier League, he still wants to be 100 per cent confident about the consistency of his action before returning to Test
cricket,” Simmons told the Trinidad Newsday newspaper. “He noted he is happy with the improvement (in) his action during CPL and is available for West Indies in the limited-overs section at present.” Narine has not suited up for the Windies in over a year, with his last appearance
coming during Bangladesh’s tour of the Caribbean last year August. His last Test outing was nearly two years ago. His action has since come under heavy scrutiny in the Indian Premier League, and he was twice called for a suspect action during the Champions League Twenty20 and subsequently banned
from bowling in the final for Kolkata Knight Riders. Narine opted out the West Indies World Cup squad earlier this year to focus on his rehabilitation and was forced to undergo Indian Cricket Board-sanctioned testing on his action before he could turn out for KKR in the 2015 season.
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LOCAL SPORTS Praises showered on Delano Williams
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By Vivian Tyson
Senior Sun Editor kudos continue to pour in for local sprinter Delano, who set up the Great Britain 4x4 Relay team to bronze in the just-concluded IAAF World Championship held in Beijing China. Great Britain Quartet comprised (in order of running) Rabah Yousif, Delano Williams. Jarryd Dunn and team captain Martyn Rooney anchoring, finished behind the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in a season-best 2:58.51. Jamaica ended fourth also in a time of 2:58.51,but by virtue of Rooney nipping Jamaican anchor man, Jervon Francis on the line, the photo finished awarded them the bronze 300th of a second. Williams gave his team a great medal advantage, which the two remaining runners seized. Social media was lit up in anticipation and after the race, with congratulations pouring both here and abroad after the event. Government and the opposition were among the first to congratulate Williams. “On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Sport, & Youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and on my personal behalf as Deputy Premier, I wish to extend warm congratulations to TCI’s golden boy Delano Williams on the amazing performance at the 2015 IAAF World Championships currently taking place in Beijing, China. You are representing team Great Britain, but have done the Turks and Caicos proud during these games. “During the 4 x 400 relay rounds and now the Finals, from start to finish, you displayed discipline, strength, determination and teamwork.
Delano Williams (centre) and his team mates are congratulated by their Great Britain female counterparts after they snatched the bronze medal You are indeed a true role model and a shining example to future athletes of the Turks and Caicos Islands. “This is a great day for The Turks and Caicos Islands and we stand proud and salute our son of the soil,” a statement from Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra reads. The Opposition was also thrilled with the win that Delano Williams had handed the Great Britain Team and by extension the Turks and Caicos Islands. “Once again, congratulations Delano and his teammates Rabah Yousif, Jarryd Dunn and 4x400m captain Martyn ‘Big Daddy’ Rooney for an amazing finals resulting in a Bronze medal. We are very proud of all your accomplishments. The Peoples Democratic Movement wishes to extend its very best wishes and
heartiest congratulations to our son of soil, Delano Williams who yesterday medaled at the IAAF World Championship Games in Beijing China,” the statement said in part. Party Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson says said that Williams has become an icon for young people to follow. “We believe that Williams is a role model to all youth and adults alike. Though he originates from a small Island nation, he continues to shine on the world stage and his success becomes our success. We too like Williams can present our country in a positive light on a world stage. “Secondly, we are confident that he is succeeding as he is because he not only possess a healthy body but because he also possesses the right
attitude to working hard, making sacrifices and remaining committed to the brightest future possible. “His achievements as result of hard work ought to inspire us to do more in the way of achieving great success and excellence in our field of choice remembering that our individual success translates and can translate to our country’s success. “We are so very proud of Delano Williams and we will continue to support him in our prayers, through encouragement and in whatever way that presents itself. “We maintain that sports is a positive avenue for our youth for a myriad of reasons and we will continue to advocate and agitate for more resources and more attention,” she said.
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SPORTS Judge nullifies Tom Brady’s fourgame suspension in DeflateGate case; NFL announces appeal
of Tom Brady, effective immediately,” Berman wrote. The decision makes Brady eligible to play next Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tom Brady, the four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the the NFL’s season-opening game. New England Patriots The NFL, however, Tom Brady and the players’ announced that it will union have beaten the NFL in court, appeal the ruling. The NFL’s appeal putting one of the sport’s biggest stars will be made to the U.S. Court of back on the field when the season Appeals for the Second Circuit. opens next week after a contentious “We are grateful to Judge Berman for and polarizing battle with the league. hearing this matter, but respectfully U.S. District Judge Richard M. disagree with today’s decision,” NFL Berman overturned the league’s four- Commissioner Roger Goodell said in game suspension of Brady, the four- a written statement released by the time Super Bowl-winning quarterback league. “We will appeal today’s ruling for the New England Patriots, in in order to uphold the collectively the long-running DeflateGate bargained responsibility to protect case. Berman’s ruling was released the integrity of the game. The Thursday. commissioner’s responsibility to secure “Based upon the foregoing and the competitive fairness of our game applicable legal authorities, the Court is a paramount principle, and the hereby denies the [NFL] Management league and our 32 clubs will continue Council’s motion to confirm the Award to pursue a path to that end. While the and grants the Players Association’s legal phase of this process continues, motion to vacate the Award, thereby we look forward to focusing on football vacating the four-game suspension
and the opening of the regular season.” that Goodell’s authority in the matter The NFL’s appeal will not could not be challenged under the keep Brady off the field. The league terms of the collective bargaining has no plan to seek a stay of the ruling agreement between the league and the reinstating Brady, an NFL official union. But the NFLPA contended that said, meaning that Brady will remain Goodell acted improperly, and Berman eligible to play during the appeal agreed. process. The league’s appeal does Berman cited in particular the mean that Brady potentially is risking league’s failure to notify Brady that he having to serve the suspension, if it is faced a potential suspension, and the reinstated via the appeal, later this NFL’s failure to allow league counsel season or perhaps beyond. The NFL Jeff Pash to testify at Brady’s appeal also seems intent on doing its best to hearing. avoid having Berman’s ruling stand as “The Court is fully aware a precedent for future cases of player of the deference afforded to arbitral decisions, but, nevertheless, concludes discipline. Legal experts had said that that the Award should be vacated,” Brady and the NFL Players Association Berman wrote. faced a difficult task in court because “The Award is premised upon judges generally are reluctant to several significant legal deficiencies, overturn arbitration decisions. Goodell including (A) inadequate notice to upheld Brady’s four-game suspension Brady of both his potential discipline on appeal. The league had imposed (four-game suspension) and his the penalty after its investigator, Ted alleged misconduct; (B) denial of the Wells, found that Brady probably opportunity for Brady to examine one was aware of a scheme to use under- of two lead investigators, namely NFL inflated footballs during the first half Executive Vice President and General of last season’s AFC title game against Counsel Jeff Pash; and (C) denial of equal access to investigative files, the Indianapolis Colts. The league argued in court including witness interview notes.”
American Pharoah to race again in Breeders’ Cup Classic
NEW YORK — A few days of indecision over, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah is back on schedule for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic and a chance for a magical careerending race. After a tough loss in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last Saturday, American Pharoah’s owner Ahmed Zayat said his “gut feeling” was to retire rather than race on as planned. On Thursday, following Triple Crown winner American Pharoah hours of talks with trainer Bob Baffert and the rest of Team the grind of shipping more than Pharoah this week, the owner 20,000 miles by air and horse van decided against retirement and running in seven tough races because “the champ deserves since March. another chance. “I believe there were “I am very confident a combination of factors that that this is the right decision for prevented American Pharoah American Pharoah,” Zayat said from running his absolute best in a statement released to The on Saturday,” Zayat said without Associated Press and several elaborating. “I have every other media outlets. “He loves to confidence that he can run to his race. He has provided my family, best again.” racing fans, and general sports Since the loss to Keen fans with great thrills this year. Ice in the $1.6 million Travers, “He won the Triple Crown American Pharoah was returned earlier this year, and he deserves to Baffert’s home base at Del Mar the chance to be in the sport’s Racetrack in California. He is premier year-end event.” to be paraded before fans at the Zayat says after track this weekend, and then on to conferring with Baffert, assistant Santa Anita to continue training. trainer Jimmy Barnes, jockey There’s also a chance he Victor Espinoza and his son and could travel to Churchill Downs in racing manager, Justin Zayat, Louisville, Kentucky, for training that American Pharoah came out in the weeks leading to the Classic of the Travers “in great shape.” at nearby Keeneland in Lexington His initial read was perhaps the on Oct. 31. Also, there’s an outside chiseled bay colt was tiring from possibility of a
race before the Classic. The reception at the Spa also may also have played a part in Zayat’s decision to keep going. An appreciative crowd of 15,000 showed to watch American Pharoah gallop the day before the race, and a sellout crowd of 50,000 tried to cheer him to victory. Zayat has said he wants to share the horse with racing fans, and even after the loss he was impressed with the support. Some fans called out to him and Baffert, “Thanks for bringing him here.” The buildup to the BC Classic surely will be bigger than ever. In addition to the Triple Crown winner, the field could include two-time champion mare Beholder, who beat the boys in the Pacific Classic last month, Travers winner Keen Ice and Whitney Handicap winner Honor Code.
Galle likely to host West Indies Test
After much deliberation, Sri Lanka Cricket’s interim committee is likely to retain Galle as a venue for the two-Test series against West Indies in October but has decided to drastically reduce the costs it will incur in hosting the match there, as well as at other venues for the tour. “We hope to cut costs down to about Rs 3 million (approx. $22,200) to try and offset the losses we will incur hosting West Indies,” Kushil Gunasekera, the interim committee vicepresident, said. “We didn’t want to deprive the outstation spectators from watching an international match but at the same time we had to also curtail the losses that we will incur playing at Galle. “Galle traditionally has been an extravagant venue and we will try and keep down costs to a minimum.” Gunasekera said that SLC will not be making use of the Galle Municipal building and the Galle Cricket Club. It will also discard having marquees for spectators as well as feeding 500 school children breakfast, lunch and tea, which alone cost SLC Rs 1.2 million. Galle has been a Test venue for all tours since 1998. The two Tests played against Pakistan and India in Galle brought in revenue of Rs 14 million, Gunasekara said, but with SLC receiving only Rs 45 million for TV broadcasting rights for the West Indies series, it stands to lose overall Rs 105 million on the tour comprising two Tests, three ODIs and two T20s. SLC made a record profit of Rs 87 million from the Pakistan tour against a target of Rs 50 million, and stands to gain Rs 300 million from the recently concluded India tour. The first Test against West Indies starts October 14 with the second beginning at P Sara Oval on October 22. R Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele will host the ODIs and T20s.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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WORLD SPORTS
Track and Field Is America on the Wrong Track?
BEIJING—The U.S. track podium, including shot-put gold and field team is experiencing some medalist Joe Kovacs; Shamier Little growing pains. Its record from the just- and Cassandra Tate, who went 2-3 in completed world championships here the women’s 400-meter hurdles; and shows it. sprinter Trayvon Bromell, who tied for Fielding a squad laden with third in the men’s 100. rookies, the Americans finished third Where did expectations fall behind Kenya and Jamaica on the short? The core disciplines of sprints gold-medal table, with six golds to and hurdles. their seven each. The U.S. amassed 18 Take the women’s 100-meter total medals, the most of any nation, hurdles. Coming into Beijing, the 18 but that is its worst showing at a world fastest times in the world this year championships since 2003. were recorded by five American women. At these last global Somehow, none won medals. Among championships for track and field men, the U.S. fielded the fastest before next summer’s Olympics in Rio 400-meter hurdle and 100-meter de Janeiro, the U.S. fell short of many sprinters this year, along with the expectations, including a forecast by furthest long jumper. Yet Justin Gatlin the trade publication Track & Field settled for silver in the 100, behind News that predicted the Americans Jamaican Usain Bolt, and the U.S. would win 31 medals here. Veterans came up empty in the 400 hurdles and were doing most of the medal winning, long jump. with four of the U.S.’s five individual Some disappointments were golds going to athletes who have already just rotten luck. Jennifer Simpson, a been world or Olympic champions. two-time world medalist, finished next In interviews throughout these to-last in the 1,500 after losing her shoe championships, athletes and staff with just over a lap to go. Trey Hardee repeatedly referenced the inexperience and Brittany Reese, both former world of many of its 130 team members, some champions, pulled out of the decathlon of whom came to Beijing for their first and long jump, respectively, with global meet. injuries. The U.S. was felled elsewhere “The combination of traveling by disqualifications, clipped hurdles halfway across the world with and false starts. the conditions and the greatest “It’s much easier to correct competition in the world can be a those errors than it is to try to to daunting experience,” said Terrence go find talent,” said Jill Geer, chief Mahon, coach of the U.S. middle and communications officer for USA Track long-distance women. & Field, the sport’s national governing Some rookies made the medal body. “We’re not pushing any panic
Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills (a cancer survivor) beats the U.S.’s Francena McCorory for gold in the women’s 4x400-meter relay on Sunday. buttons.” Other nations are getting stronger, though. Kenya and Jamaica had never before topped a world championships medal table. Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands became the first non-American or Jamaican woman to win the 200 in 12 years. She also took silver in the 100. The meet finished Sunday on a positive note for the Americans, as the U.S. men’s and women’s 4x400 relay teams won gold and silver, respectively. In a highlight of the meet, the men’s gold was won with a final sprint by anchor leg LaShawn Merritt. It was his 11th career medal at the worlds, surpassing Carl Lewis for the most
among American men. Other high points for the U.S. included Ashton Eaton’s world-record decathlon gold, as well as a surprise bronze medal for Emily Infeld in the 10,000, as she nipped teammate Molly Huddle at the finish line when Huddle celebrated a step early. Still, the most memorable image of these championships was that of Bolt, track’s greatest star, being toppled by a Segway scooter during his victory lap after the 200. Bolt, 29, will head to Rio as the prohibitive favorite once again in the sprint distances, as he is now the two-time defending world and Olympic champion in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay.
Reebok heads back to the gym with new German marketing blitz
dripping with sweat and mud. Questions remain about Reebok’s weaker profitability than the core Adidas brand, but Chief Executive Herbert Hainer, the architect of the Reebok deal, has said it would be wrong to sell it now, especially given the booming fitness market. Reebok is rolling out the “Be More Human” slogan this week in Germany in its biggest brand-building campaign in the country, plastering billboards and running ads in dozens of Crossfit sportsman Simon Mueller flips a tyre gyms as well as inviting passers-by to during a Reebok promotion event in Berlin, try to flip a giant tire, the campaign’s Germany, September 2, 2015. symbol. “It is exactly the right time German sportswear firm Adidas is underlining its commitment for such a marketing campaign after to struggling U.S. brand Reebok we have rebuilt the brand,” said Katja by stepping up a major marketing Erbe, brand director for Reebok in campaign that returns it to its roots in central Europe. “We have brought Reebok back into the minds of the fit the personal fitness business. Reebok, which had its heyday generation.” as the most popular U.S. sneaker SOCIAL FITNESS “Be More Human” underlines brand in the 1980s when aerobics was booming, has suffered a steady decline Reebok’s shift in the last couple of that continued after it was bought by years to tap into new fitness trends that are more group orientated than a Adidas in 2005 for $3.8 billion. That has prompted calls solitary session on the treadmill. from investors for Adidas to sell It has signed partnerships Reebok, which has failed to help dent with the likes of CrossFit, licensor Nike’s dominance of the U.S. market. of a multiple exercise regime, Les Reebok’s sales have shrunk by more Mills, known for its Bodypump and than a third since the acquisition to 1.6 Bodycombat classes, and the Spartan billion euros ($1.80 billion)in 2014, just Race series of obstacle course races. “Reebok is on the right track under 11 percent of Adidas group sales. However, a move to focus with the emphasis on training. It Reebok back on its fitness heritage reflects the movement towards social and away from team sports has started fitness in the United States ... people to work, helped by “Be More Human” are now dressing for the gym,” said ads launched in the United States in Matt Powell, a sports analyst for February featuring fitness fanatics market research firm NPD Group.
Dennis Lillee
Lillee quits as WACA president
Former fast-bowling great Dennis Lillee has reportedly quit as president of the WACA. The West Australian has reported that Lillee stood down on Tuesday evening, two days before a report was due to be released on how much cricket should remain at the WACA Ground and how much should be moved to Perth’s new stadium at Burswood. “I cannot stand by and watch what is happening at the WACA,” Lillee told the paper. “I do not wish to be part of it any longer.” According to the West Australian, the upcoming report is likely to recommend that Test cricket remains at the WACA Ground but most forms of limited-overs cricket, including BBL games, be moved to Burswood. The new stadium is due to open in 2018. Lillee’s departure comes after former Test fast bowler Sam Gannon last month announced that he would not seek re-election as chairman of the WACA. Both men joined the board in 2004 as part of a significant shake-up of the organisation.
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