VOLUME 11 ISSUE 46

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

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VOLUME 11 - NO. 46

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FISH FRY STILL MOVING EARLY NEXT YEAR

By Vivian Tyson

D

Senior Sun Editor

espite strong calls from patrons and vendors to keep the Fish Fry at its current location at the Kid’s Park in Lower Bight, the popular event will definitely be moved early next year.

Director of Tourism, Ralph Higgs, revealed that the concepts for the site, to be located on the vacant lot across from Club Pillows in the Bight/ Grace Bay area, have already been drawn, and the project could go out to tender before the end of December. He said that there is no turning back of the relocation of the Fish Fry at this point.

“It is inevitable and imminent that the Fish Fry will move from its current location. To say when exactly, I am not able to say, but we have concept drawings, which we will share with the public momentarily. And, we hope to have a tender document going out to the public as early as this month, to get the process underway, for the adaptation of the plans and concepts,” Higgs told The SUN. “We hope to have some visible and tangible evidence of the relocation as soon as we can, possibly in the first quarter of 2016.”

There were recent reports that Government had decided against relocating the Thursday Fish Fry, but Higgs said that if such was the case, it was not communicated to him.

“We have not been told by anyone that the Fish Fry would not be relocating,” Higgs asserted, saying that if it remained at the current venue longer than expected could be just to ensure that the transition from the Bight Park to the new location is a silky one.

“Maybe it (relocation delay) will be something for the short term as we seek to mobilize and put all the pieces together for the relocation of the fish fry,” Higgs noted.

The Thursday Fish Fry was the subject of controversy last year,

SANTA DOING THE NAE NAE: Local culture guru David Bowen and Santa Claus working the ‘Whip/Nae Nae’ dance during Telecoms Company LIME’s Christmas Tree Lighting and Concert, held inside its corporate office’s parking long along the Leeward Highway in Providenciales on Wednesday, December 2nd. Hundreds of children with their parents turned out to the event to receive Christmas gifts, outside of cell phone and top-up giveaways’. The Children also got the chance to meet Santa. Bowen was the MC for the evening. Earlier, LIME launched its media Christmas Promotion – Christmas with LIME - which saw media representatives receiving $500 gift certificates. when the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) – the custodian of the venue – had served a letter of eviction to the Tourist Board, the operators of the event.

DEMA claimed the eviction notice was due to the Tourist Board conflicting with the original agreement such as the cleaning up of the location each night after an event is held; making sure that the amplified music does not affect residents in the area; and updated payment for usage of the venue.

DEMA said in a letter to the

Tourist Board that the Tourist Board was not holding up its end of the bargain, hence its decision to evict the event.

After the Tourist Board/ DEMA faceoff, which precipitated the intervention of the premier, who declared that the event would remain at the Bight Park, the Tourist Board began searching for a more suitable long-term venue. The premier, at the time, had responsibility for the Tourist Board.

The Tourist Board eventually

identified and settled on a piece the current site, which is also located a short distance from the Cultural Marketplace and the Key West Village end of Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Spa.

During a news conference earlier this year, the premier said that the funds would be included in the budget for the creation of the Fish Fry venue. He pointed out at the time that funds would be used not only to develop the venue but also to host other events.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Tourists spending big in Turks and Caicos Islands

Approximately $10.49 million were spent by visitors to Turks and Caicos Islands during a two-week period in August 2015, according to a Departing Visitors Survey from Government’s Strategic Planning and Policy Department.

According to the report, this accounted for $6.12 million in packaged expenditures and $4.37 million in non-packaged expenses.

Among the non-packaged expenditures, accommodations and meals accounted for the largest share of about 31.45%.

Shopping expenses were 1.14%.

The report said this figure could have been much higher if only more shops were available to the visitors.

“Many of the visitors recommended that more shops be made available for tourists. Translated into daily figures, each visitor had spent an average daily expenditure of $168.16. This was about $190.91 for packaged expenses and $145.41 for non-packaged expenses,” said the report.

Among the group with the largest number of Visitors, the Americans were the big spenders at $168.04 average daily expenses per person of which $190.91 were spent on

packaged items.

First time visitors to the Islands spent a daily average of $170.21 per person. On the other hand, previous visitors spent around $156.10 daily.

The survey showed that visitors were generally satisfied with the tourism services in the Islands. .

“This was the general impression of visitors coming from all countries. Visitors from the Caribbean were not as satisfied as visitors from other countries. However, the overall level of satisfaction was still not below average. Most visitors felt that the souvenir provided in the TCI was poor.

Much improvements is also needed in the taxi/hired cars services which was judged by visitors to be average,” the survey stated.

The survey intended to cover departing visitors who stayed in the Islands for the month of August 2015.

The data collection was conducted during the period August 11th to 26th, 2015. This was to ensure an adequate representation of all flights departing from Providenciales.

The largest group of visitors was from the United States of America. They accounted for 81.5% of responding visitors and 84.6% of total visitors.

The Turks and Caicos Islands were a choice place of tourists traveling with family. About 46.2% visited with children/family and another 32.1% with their spouses/partner.

There were about 72.1% first time visitors to the TCI and only 23.9% were first time visitors to the Caribbean region.

Providenciales was the most frequented island with the majority of the visitors spending their visit on this commercial center. The top most visited place was the Beaches Resort.

The Islands were a favorite place for persons travelling on vacation\pleasure (90.8%).

Recommendation of friends/ relatives (32.1%) was posted as the top source of information in planning the TCI trip. Next major source was the internet (26.5%).

The majority of the responding visitors (54.1) did not travel on a prepaid package.

The average length of stay in the TCI was about 7 nights and around $168.16 was the average daily expenditure per person.

About $10.5 million were spent by responding visitors on this particular visit. This accounted for $6.1 million in packaged expenditures and

$4.4 million in non-packaged expenses.

Some 37.6% of the responding visitors booked their vacation online/directly with an airline, 32.4% booked online through a travel website and 28.4% booked through a travel agent or tour operator.

The factors considered with utmost importance in deciding visits were the beautiful beaches (64.4%), climate/weather (10.3%) and previous trips (8.6%).

The majority of visitors (49.9%) took between 2 to 6 months to decide on their visit to the TCI.

Visitors generally felt that the tourism services and product in the TCI was very good. However, some expressed dissatisfaction with the level of souvenir purchases and the services of taxi/ hired cars and the lack of night life in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Using the statistics generated from the survey and the tourism data from the TCI Tourist Board, the estimated total expenditures for the month of August was $44.9 million.

Statistics from the Tourist Board also shows an upward trend in the total tourist arrivals in TCI for the period January to September when compare to the same period last year.

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DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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Page 4

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Turks and Caicos Islands Community College 20th annual graduation celebration

The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College hosted its 20th annual graduation celebration on Thursday December 3rd, 2015, at Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the theme “Education for national developmentreinventing the TCICC”.

This year, 81 students graduated from the Turks and Caicos Islands community college both the Provo Campus and Grant Turk. This year 23 of the graduates graduated with bachelors degrees.

Students were awarded certificates in Computer Applications, UWI/TCICC Advance Certificates in Human Resource Management, Associate of Arts Degrees in: Automotive Engineering Technology, Building& Design Technology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Culinary Arts, Electrical Engineering Technology, Environmental Science, General Studies, Hospitality & Tourism Management and Primary Education and Bachelors Degree in: Business Administration, Education

(Primary) and Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Keynote speaker for the night was Dr. Denise BraithwaiteTennant, Director of Medical Services.

Ms. Robyn Hinds, did a beautiful selection of the national anthem and national song, call of order was done by Vice President (TCICC) Mr. Samuel Forbes, Protocol, welcome remarks by Dr. Hubert Fulford, remarks by Mr. Deveraux Malcolm (Chairman, board of Governors) and greetings by Acting

Premier Hon. Akierra Missick.

Also present were Minister of Tourism, Hon. Porsha StubbsSmith, Minister of Communications Hon. George Lightbourne and leader of the People’s Democratic Movement Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson.

Presentation of candidates was done

by Dr. John Mubenwafor (Dean of Academic and student affairs).

Valedictorians for the class of 2015 were Theresa Tyson (Bachelors) and Gabrielle Williams (Associates).

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Government appealing Chief Justice’s ruling on 12-storey buildings

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is appealing Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale’s decision not to allow increase in building heights here from seven storeys to 12.

At a Cabinet meeting on December 2nd, Cabinet instructed the Attorney General’s Chambers to appeal the decision in the recent judicial review on planning standards “given the wide ranging implications for planning approvals granted in the Islands and the possibility that the decision could mean that those decisions are invalid”.

The High Court decision has serious implications for developments such as the Ritz Carlton hotel project which was expected to start early 2016.

In April 2015, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government signed a Development Agreement with the Desarrollos Hotel Group to build a $224 million dollar Ritz Carlton hotel, resort, casino & spa in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales.

The proposed development will consist of 124 luxury hotel guest rooms, penthouses, resort residences and associated facilities. The new resort will be managed by the Ritz Carlton Hotels Company L.L.C., an international luxury hotel brand operating 84 hotels and resorts in 26 countries.

“This European Plan style hotel development provides a welcome diversification to the TCI tourism sector as it is more of a traditional hotel, rather than the previously prevalent condominium model in the TCI,” said TCI Premier Dr Rufus Ewing at the time. “At the same time, it further develops the luxury tourism offering in this destination with the addition

of such an important luxury brand in Ritz Carlton.”

In a recent judgment, Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale stated: “The allocation of areas, or zones, for a particular type of development - in this case, 12 storey tourism-related coastal developments - is precisely the sort of development which the Director of Planning has the power to propose under s 32 of the Ordinance, but before his proposal can be approved

by Cabinet, it seems to me that a draft development plan showing what areas are to be zoned for these highrise developments must be prepared and all persons affected or likely to be affected by the proposals must be informed and be given the opportunity to make representations before the Plan is submitted to the Governor for his approval.”

She added: “A decision by Cabinet to alter the density in any given area by approving building heights of 12 storeys, absent the preparation of a draft development plan reporting on the existing conditions of the area and giving reasons for the proposed change in density for that area as required by s 32 of the Ordinance - and absent consultation in accordance with s 34 is, in my judgment, ultra vires.”

The Chief Justice’s ruling was a resounding victory for The Venetian and The Tuscany, two upscale properties that sued the Governor, the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning and the Director of Planning, on grounds that the decision to change planning policy in the Islands by increasing the allowable height of apartments, condominiums and hotel

buildings from the current maximum of seven floors (a maximum of 90 ft.) to a maximum of twelve floors (a maximum of 150 ft.) by means of that Notice of Amendment to the Turks and Caicos Islands Development Manual was unlawful as it was not subject to any or any proper public consultation in breach of general public law principles.

1.The judgment stated: “ There is no question that His Excellency has power to make Regulations under the Ordinance. That section, which I reproduce below, empowers the Governor make regulations for a number of matters:

“67. (1) The Governor may make regulations as to the following matters–– (a)as to new buildings––

(i) the preparation and foundations of the site; (ii) the method of construction, structural strength and stability; (iii) the materials, including materials of short life and their preservation from decay and infestation; (iv) the space about buildings; (v) the insulation, lighting and ventilation of rooms; (vi) the dimensions of rooms and spaces;

(vii) planning standards; …

The Chief Justice added: “One notes that no express power is given to the Governor to make regulations affecting building heights. Ms. Motheba Linton (the attorney for the Crown”, however, seeks to persuade me that the power to change building heights is be found in his power to set planning standards for developments. I cannot, with respect, accept that proposition

for the reasons I set out below and my conclusion that building heights cannot be changed by amendments to the Development Manual is not affected by Counsel’s submission that the last change in building heights on Providenciales was brought about by the same means.”

She continued: “The planning standards for developments to which s 67 (1) (vii) refers are set out in the Development Manual prepared by the Planning Department. It is plain from a reading of the Manual that it controls the way buildings are erected and building operations are conducted.

It does not determine building heights: it simply sets the planning standards for buildings of various heights.

The Chief Justice also found thatt there was no or no proper consultation by the Government.

She stated: “The evidence the Crown wished to adduce was evidence of consultations carried out by the government and the Report generated by the Planning Department after the second consultation exercise which concluded that the increase in building heights was recognised as necessary for TCI’s sustainable development. Ms. Linton contends that the fact that the same conclusion was reached after the second consultation was evidence the Court should consider as it renders this application redundant: no matter the consultation, the result will be the same and that the Court should grant leave. The principle is that extensions of time should be granted only in circumstances which are wholly exceptional and for the most compelling reasons.”

Report from December 2nd cabinet meeting

Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 31st meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 2 December 2015, at the Hon. N J S Francis Building in Grand Turk.

All Ministers were present with the Hon. Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing, Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick and Minister of Infrastructure Hon. Amanda Misick who are away on official business all joining by teleconference.

At this meeting Cabinet advised Her Excellency the Acting Governor to:

•Instruct the Attorney General’s Chambers to appeal the

decision in the recent judicial review on planning standards given the wide ranging implications for planning approvals granted in the Islands and the possibility that the decision could mean that those decisions are invalid;

• Give approval for the drafting of a Planning Validation Bill by the Attorney General’s Chambers for submission to the House of Assembly for debate and passage;

•Give approval for the drafting of a Physical Planning (Amendment) Bill by the Attorney General’s Chambers for submission to the House of Assembly for debate and passage;

• Give approval for the

Immigration (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015 to be submitted to the House of Assembly for debate and passage;

•Give approval for a lease agreement for the rental of office space for the Ministry of Health and related departments to be housed at parcel 10402/23 in Grand Turk owned

by Yvonne Thomas;

• Give approval for a lease agreement for the rental of office space for the Ministry of Tourism and related departments to be housed at 10405/208 in Grand Turk owned by Mercedes and Donovan Francis;

• Give approval for a lease agreement for the rental of office space for the Elections Department

to be housed at Woodville Court in Grand Turk owned by Jerzy Kolodziej;

• Give approval for the appointment of Mr. Hartley Coalbrooke and David Been to serve as Chair and Member of a Gaming Commission set up to review and make recommendations on pending casino applications;

• Give approval for the appointment of Mr. Edward Hall and Elva Williams to serve as Chair and member of the Parole Board respectively.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

Three-month ban on Nassau Grouper The Department of Environmental and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) is seeking to clear the air on government’s decision to institute seasonal harvesting of the popular Nassau Grouper.

Last week, DEMA announced that the Turks and Caicos Islands would join neighbours the Bahamas and Cayman in introducing seasonal harvesting of the fish. This will be the first time that the TCI will be having a closed season on the Nassau Grouper.

Though not an export resource for the TCI, the Nassau Grouper is

local delicacy.

According to DEMA, a ban on netting the Nassau Grouper will be in swing between December 1 to February 28 of each year. During that time, not only will it be illegal to catch the fish, but to store them as well.

This means that persons or businesses places with the commodity would be advised to dispose of them before the banning date, since they could face penalties.

The ban on the fish did not digest will with a number of local fishermen and consumers, who

questioned the wisdom behind implementing the band when the fish has always been available in abundance.

When contacted, Amy Avenant, DEMA’s Environmental Management Environment Outreach Coordinator, told The SUN that government made amendments to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance in June, which took effect in September.

“One such measure was the closed season for Nassau Grouper. In accordance with these amendments, the TCI’s first Nassau Grouper closed

season starts 1 Dec,” she explained.

New Director of DEMA, Dr. John Claydon had explained in an earlier news release that the decision to introduce seasonal catching of the Nassau Grouper was proactive, because it would not be wise to wait until the stock is in an abject state of depletion before stepping in.

He said that while there is a drop in the stock, it is not as alarming as other countries. He said that DEMA staged a number of consultative meetings and other engagements before moving to place the ban.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Woman and her baby held hostage by boyfriend

By Todeline Defralien

A Dominican woman and her baby daughter was held hostage in their house in Dock yard for several hours by the woman’s boyfriend Damian McIntosh.

This incident took place in Dock yard, Providenciales on Thursday morning December 3rd, 2015.

Police received a call about the hostage situation at approximately 3:00am and several heavily armed officers responded to the scene. The

man, Damian McIntosh, who is the woman's boyfriend, was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

When The SUN visited the scene, many neighbours were walking around with terrified looks on their faces. Police eventually went inside the house and handcuffed the man around 8:30 a.m.

There were reports from neighbours that the man allegedly made some very serious threats, and that he even threatened to do something with a propane gas tank.

Police officer escorts the Dominican woman (Victim) to the police

This created a very tense situation in investigation.” the densely populated neighbourhood.

He added: “The lady and her In an exclusive interview with Police child they are now safe in custody spokesman Audley Astwood he told and we are now proceeding with our The SUN, “Earlier this morning police next phase of our investigation. It received a phone call of a male holding was a delicate situation considering a female and her child hostage at this the circumstances and police had home in Dock Yard area of Kew Town. to exercise caution and that was Multiple units responded and there definitely done and I’m pleased to was a standoff for several hours which say that all parties involved were just came to a close where police were unharmed.” able to arrest the man in question and Astwood said police did not he is currently being taken to police know the motive for the hostage headquarters as we continue our situation.

Victims boyfriend Damian McIntosh escorted by police

Education Ministry ridding TCI of container classrooms

Minister of Education Hon. Akierra Missick said that her government would not relent in its quest to rid the Turks and Caicos Islands of containerized school classrooms.

The Minister made the declaration shortly after the official opening of the long Bay High School on Providenciales on Thursday, November 26, in Long Bay. Containerized classrooms were introduced in the Turks and Caicos Islands mainly to ease the chronic overcrowding at some of our high schools, including the Clement Howell High, Ianthe Pratt and Enid Capron.

It was introduced sometime after Hurricane Ike, which lashed the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2008. At the Ona Glinton Primary School on Grand Turk, containerized classrooms were introduced after a section of that facility was destroyed by fire.

However, Minister Missick said that such buildings have no place in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and as such, her government will be doing everything in its power to rid the school system of such structures.

“It is time for us to move away from containerized classrooms. And so, the first course of action that we would like to see at Clement Howell is how we can best utilize the new space with the vacant numbers and remove these container class rooms,” she said.

She pointed out that now that 200 students have been removed to the Long Bay High School, those structures could now be removed.

“Certain blocks that we have be using can be torn down, and can now decide how Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Service Hon. Akierra Misick (second right) is we can reposition buildings on the campus, how can we open up the campus, about to cut the ribbing signaling the official opening of the Long Bay High School. Sharing in the what we are aiming to achieve. I was at Enid Capron today (Thursday) and had Moment from left are: Hon. George Lightbourne, Minister of Ministry of Home Affairs, Transport and Communication; Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith, Minister of Tourism; Hon. Amanda Missick, the same dialogue,” she said.

Government replaced containerized classrooms at the Ona Glinton Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning ; and Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing.

Primary with a brand new block, which opened recently.

“You saw we have done that earlier this year with the Ona Glinton Ribbon school in our term as government, and it has only been three years. And this is cutting,” she said, reminding that the Long Bay High School ribbon cutting the second commissioning of a building ribbon cutting that we would have had marked the second time since year that government was commissioning a in just a 10-month period. school building.

“So I want to thank the team at Public Works, and the Ministry of Infrastructure

“I think some people have forgotten that this is the newest fully fledged and Planning. It is a burning desiring that we have at the Ministry of Education, high school in the island of Providenciales, but this our second commissioned that we could provide the best space possible for our students,” she said.

Accident on Grace Bay road

Persons traversing the popular Grace Bay strip on Thursday morning were surprised to see this Dodge Dakota truck ramming through the Seven Stars Resort fence and resting on the sidewalk. It is to clear what caused the accident. Before coming to a stop the truck mowed down five of the concrete barriers designed the

shield pedestrians from out-of-controlvehicles. Tourists use that strip of road on a regular basis. The crash forced early morning joggers, majority of them visitors, to either use the other side of the road or hop onto the roadway when they reached that section of the strip.

Photo shows the impact of the accident from the front and behind.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 7

LOCAL NEWS

Magistrate’s Court 1 staff express health concerns

of the building’s conditions, calling it untenable.

It is understood that some Senior Sun Editor employees are beginning to complain

Some staff members who work of not feeling well each time they enter at Magistrate’s Court 1, located along the building.

Airport Road in Providenciales are “This letter serves as a cry for calling the authorities to address what help and the public must be informed they claim is the health-threatening of the conditions that exist at the conditions that are beginning to Magistrate’s Court, and the staff has permeate the building. been enduring whilst providing public

Individuals within the court service. The building is, to this present system, who spoke on condition of time, still contaminated with mold. anonymity, said that it is time for “The repairs that were done the building to be finally demolished years ago by EMS (Public Works because of its decaying state.

Department). It seems that the mold

Government, about three was simply covered up with pain as years ago, carried out extensive to mask the mold that should have refurbishment work on the building been taken care of before having staff after it fell in a state of disrepair and moving back into the said court,” the posed health problems to the staff and member of the public said. other persons who use the building.

The individual claimed that The repair included reinforcement of on numerous occasions staff members the structure, repainting and changing have fell ill, for which they blamed of furniture. the reappearance of the mold in the

However, some individuals building. They are therefore, calling within the court system are saying on those in authorities to immediately that those repairs were not enough; remedy the condition at the building. asserting that the staff be relocated.

The letter writer also said that he was

Members of the public who unable to use the bathroom because did also use the building have also noticed not work, and was told by courthouse the state of the building, and have security that those facilities rarely called for urgent action to be taken. work.

One member of the public was “Employees, court officials and so disgusted by the condition of the prisoners attend court on a daily basis building that he penned a letter to The and find that the public bathrooms are SUN, highlighting his disgust of the not working. The toilets are not

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-Have a proven and unblemished track record of employment in the entertainment industry -Good interaction with clientele of all ages -Have a valid passport -Have at least 3 years’ experience in the hospitality industry.

-Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

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-Have a proven and unblemished track record of employment -Have a valid passport -Have at least 5 years’ experience and appropriate training in the field -Positive and disciplined attitude toward work -Trustworthy and reliable disposition -Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

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-Have a proven and unblemished track record of employment in the and experience in a high-pressure and quick-paced kitchen -Have a valid passport -At least 5 years’ experience in managing more than 1 kitchen operation -Positive and disciplined attitude toward work -Trustworthy and reliable disposition -Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders Written applications only and accompanying CVs/resumes must be addressed to the Manager at the following address: Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1 Church Folly PO Box 86 Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Islands

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The Magistrate’s Court on Old Airport Road, Providenciales. working to facilitate court attendees the structure. According to the court nor does the staff members’ bathroom. official, the building was once used as In this day and age, no individual a police barracks and later turned into should be subjected to such conditions,” a courthouse. the individual continued.

The court official said that

The letter also said that staff the building should have been morale at the court is beginning to evacuated about four years ago when plummet, which the conditions of the the neighbouring police station was building, according to the letter, are emptied, stating that both buildings partly to be blamed. were deemed condemned by the

“The morale of the staff there authorities. is at its lowest because there is no “They should not have spent concern for their care or wellbeing,” any money to repair the building; it the letter stated. should have been broken down and a

The SUN contacted an official new structure raised. I am not sure source at the court, who confirmed the what they were thinking,” the court existing situation and also called for official said. relocation and demolishing of

New director of agriculture appointed

Ms. Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh has been recently appointed as the Director for the Department of Agriculture.

Ms. Kissoonsingh has a very diverse background and started her career in Agriculture as a Field Extension Officer advising farmers on ways to improve their production.

Later on she worked in the Private Sector as an agronomist, developing and researching techniques to improve Agriculture and later moved up the ranks to planning and implementing agricultural programs for the entire country of Trinidad.

“Everyone is entitled to safe and sufficient food and it is a well-known fact that TCI imports basically all its food which puts the country food security at risk. In the past decade international markets have seen large food price swings and TCI is at the mercy of these high food prices. There are many challenges to producing food in TCIG such as soil type and fertility, lack of modern farming techniques and limited institutional support to name a few.

In my new role, I intend to develop Agriculture Policy and programs to address these issues“ stated Ms. Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh.

“Agriculture cannot be done in the same way as the past we need to implement new and innovative techniques to produce food in a sustainable way. Investment in Agriculture as an engine for sustainable development has been very low in the past but the potential is there, it is anticipated that new

Ms. Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh Director of Agriculture will lobby for and support its further development within the public sector” said Permanent Secretary for Health, Agriculture and Human Services, Mr. Wesley Clerveaux.

Ms. Kissoonsingh also a former lecturer at the University of the West Indies for many years and assisted students in formulating and executing their research projects in the field of Agriculture and Human Ecology; she also worked on consultancy projects in many other countries of the Caribbean, all in an effort to transform their respective Agriculture Sector. Ms. Kissoonsigh commenced work on October 1st 2015.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

PDM brings motion to investigate TOLCO PDM brings motion to investigate TOLCO

By Hon. Sharlene Robinson - Opposition Leader During a recent meeting of the House of Assembly, Hon Goldray Ewing led a Private Member’s Motion recommending the establishment of a Select Committee to investigate the sale and agreement between TCIG and TOLCO (The purchasers of TC Invest Loans). This Motion was seconded by the Hon Clarence Selver.

In presenting this Motion, Hon Ewing spoke to the dismantling of TC Invest and the sale of loans declared non performing to TOLCO (The Outstanding Loan Company). He stressed the need for this to done in an effort to see if any relief can be brought to the home owners who are suffering at the hands of a heavy handed debt collector. He called on all members to feel for their fellowmen and to support the Motion. Unfortunately all members did not support this Motion and the Premier together with three other members of his Cabinet (Hon R D Gardiner, Hon George Lightbourne and Hon Amanda Missick) absent themselves from the Chamber before the vote.

Governor’s Appointed Member Hon John Phillips stated in his contribution that he could not support the Motion because he wished to see recommendations as to what should be done. In a rebut, his fellow Governor’s Appointed Member, the Hon Lillian Misick in strong support and a former member of the TC Invest Staff also supported this Motion and stated that there must be an investigation first before recommendations can be made.

The debate saw limited contributions from members from the Government with the MOF being the sole speaker.

He sought to blame the PAC for not recommending this investigation when the Audit Report laid on the Table by

himself included this recommendation from the Auditor General. Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Chair of the PAC corrected him and stated that “following Hearings of the PAC, the PAC Report was laid on the Table and that further to this she and the entire PAC endorsed and supported that a full investigation should be carried out in its Report as they endorsed and supported the recommendations of the Auditor General.

During her contribution, the Chair of the PAC quoted from the Audit Report the following information and noted that this information ought to have prompted the Government to act.

The Auditor General’s Report stated as follows: “No proper due diligence or tendering procedures followed in relation to nonperforming loans – HR.” As it relates to the timeline, “In 2012/13 loans identified as non-performing were sold to TOLCO. A timeline of circumstances surrounding this sale were as follows: 30 July, 2012 – TOLCO was registered/ formed August, 2012 - A Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) between TCIG, Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency (TC Invest) and TOLCO was entered into for the sale and purchase of identified nonperforming loans due to TC Invest.

September, 2012 - TC Invest was dissolved and TCIG agreed to accept the rights and obligations of TC Invest under the SPA October, 2012 – Ordinance 33 of Public Procurement Ordinance was made on this day. The non-performing loan portfolio sold by TC Invest to TOLCO was listed as $7.7M. The purchase price payable by TOLCO (buyer) to TC Invest (seller) was 40% of all loan capital and interest received/collected.

There was no up-front payment. TC Invest retained beneficial ownership in 40% “of the land shares created by the Security Documentation in relation to the Portfolio”.

Digicel host successful domino tournaments

The action was fast and heavy at the 12 Annual Conch Festival on 28th, as 20 teams contested the Digicel Domino Tournament.

The successful tournament saw several well-known local domino enthusiasts participate to win the grand prize of two Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphones and the total entry fee pot, a total winnings worth around $2,500.

The domino tournament kicked off at 5pm as part of the festivities of the Annual Conch Festival, hosted on the beach in front of the Three Queens restaurant in Blue Hills. Similar to the domino tournament held at the Sand Jam Music Festival charity event, hosted on the beach at Rickie’s Café, two weeks prior, entry fees were just $20 and teams consisted of two players each. Players had to fight their way through four intensive rounds of domino action. When the smoke cleared Alex Johene and Michelet Zaphirin emerged as champions.

Trina Adams, Digicel’s Head of Marketing, said: “As one of the major sponsors of the Conch Fest, we really wanted to add another dynamic element to this already wonderfully fun event and this domino tournament on the beach was the ideal thing. The first tournament was so successful and we had such a demand for it that we decided to host the second

tournament at the Conch Fest, which continued the success seen at the previous one. I really want to thank the entire Digicel team that gave their all to make these tournaments happen, and of cause, congrats to the winners, Alex and Michelet from the Conch Fest tournament, and our previous winners from the first tournament Jeffrey Nathan and Westly Dollar”.

The Conch Festival celebrates the conch. The conch is TCI’s reigning delicacy, its unofficial mascot and its chief exporting product. Certainly worthy of celebration!! Indeed, this tiny marine mollusk with the beautiful shell is as essential to the Turks as the turquoise waters and the white sandy beaches. The conch also figures heavily into many exotic and flavorful dishes from the many gourmet restaurants that dot the islands.

The Sand Jam Music Festival was organized by Donna Davies, Executive Producer of ‘Eye TV’. The event was an all-day music festival that showcased local and international talents such as Keno & Kaz, and the Mighty Mystic. A portion of the proceeds will go to support local high schools through a programme called ‘Music is Life’; the organizers are looking to make the charity an annual affair on the TCI events calendar.

The Auditor General stated, “…It is not clear how the valuation was determined.

Only 40% of the total receivable balance was recorded in TCIG’s accounts i.e. $2.8M. However, this amount is approximately $250K less than 40% of $7.7M. .As at 31st March, 2014 a total of approximately $92K was received from TOLCO. The funds collected by TOLCO and shared with TCIG so far appear to be in the ordinary course of collections and not by way of foreclosure sales.

As it relates to the directorship of the company, the Auditor General stated that he had “expressed serious concern with this arrangement” particularly since 2 of the 3 directors of a company owning 42.5% of TOLCO either have been or are the subject of a series of alleged questionable dealings in relation to fraud, accounting improprieties among other matters. Reputational risk is therefore considered high and should be considered in relation to the SPA. It was his finding that “A proper process was not conducted to ensure that the owners were experienced and specialized in debt recovery. No proper due diligence was done to ensure that there was no conflict of interest or at a minimum have any conflicts declared.

No proper due diligence was done to ensure that the companies with whom TCIG representatives engage in have a good reputation especially in large commercial contracts”.

The Auditor General, “A review was initiated by the NAO during 2014 and a further full special audit is anticipated to be done but lacks the resources needed to do so”.

Unfortunately, no resources have still been made available and though this Motion has successfully passed, the Select Committee has not yet been appointed by the Speaker, Hon Robert Hall. The PDM has since reminded the Speaker in the House of Assembly and has reduced our concerns in writing.

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 339-5879 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien Reporter Brandy Laporte Reporter

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.

MARKETING COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR: QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: •Certification in marketing and property management •Minimum of ten (10) years working experience in marketing •Proven and unblemished track record of employment •High professional and ethical standards with a positive attitude toward work •Trustworthy and reliable disposition •Proficient in written and verbal communication skills English •Ability to speak and write a second language a plus (preferably French) •Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills •Must be able to work on weekends and holidays •Clean criminal record RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: •Daily administration of all promotional tasks, including formulate, direct and coordinate marketing activities and policies to promote products and services, working with advertising and promotion agencies internationally.

•Implements marketing and advertising campaigns by assembling and analyzing sales forecasts; preparing marketing and advertising strategies, plans, and objectives; planning and organizing promotional presentations; updating calendars.

•Plans meetings and trade shows by identifying, assembling, and coordinating requirements; establishing contacts; developing schedules and assignments; coordinating mailing lists.

•Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

•Must be able to work on weekends and holidays and on call 24/7 •Conversing in French with Company’s French Accountants and bankers back in Quebec Applications together with accompanying CV and certified copies of professional qualifications, etc. may be addressed to: The Managing Director West Side investment Ltd. Salt Mill Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Office No. 649-432-4537

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

World Aids day celebrated in TCI

Precious Treasures Primary, Enid Capron Primary, Provo Primary and

The HIV Prevention Unit in Ianthe Pratt Primary.

Partnership with DEMA celebrated Lormeka Williams, Director of the Worlds Aids Day on Tuesday December TCI Red Cross said, “We are looking 1st, 2015 by planting trees at different at celebrating those person that schools in the Turks and Caicos. are battling the disease itself, also

World AIDS was hosted under celebrating those persons that have the theme: "Getting to zero requires us lost their lives to the disease. Through to think! Get tested, don’t discriminate, planting a tree we are going to be take medication and live, what are you giving life, we are showing that with thinking about” and ‘Plant a tree in the disease you can still live, you can remembrance was the initiative that still be a member of society, you can took place for Worlds Aids Day 2015 still be a contributing member and by and the trees planted were mahogany this tree showing life that is growing tree that were provided by DEMA. we’re going to commemorate this day

This initiative also took place to let all those persons that are living in Grand Turk and the other island, with the disease and those who died representatives are going out and that we are still thinking of them talking about aids and HIV awareness and that we are still working towards and they also hosted a walk Tuesday helping them.” evening from Okeanos to Rickie’s When asked why they decided Flamingo Café in Grace Bay. The to plant the trees at the different schools visited in Providenciales were schools, she added: “We know that

By Todeline Defralien

L-R (Windried Cox Little miss Enid Capron, Little Mr. Enid Capron and representative from the HIV Prevention Unit.)

our youths are the ones that take the Aids Day, because it represents giving message out, changing their mind life rather than taking life away. set at getting information if we want "Planting a tree... the kids something to go into the homes to go to could watch it grow, they can nurture the children and they’re the ones that it, they can see what is happening, are going to take it to their parents and they can identify that that tree is pass it on into the wider community. actually helping them live. We need So molding them and gearing them our healthy environments and we up to let them know this is the way need to look after the environment and that we commemorate AIDS Day and look after the planet for their future as telling them about the disease, the way well as anybody else’s. We have to look forward and things that they can do to after our planet because we cannot prevent it and how to help and interact survive without a healthy planet with those who have the disease this is and by replanting trees we can help what we are trying to do.” solve that problem and also thinking

“We are trying to get to zero about how we can solve the pollution and it is a number that we can do, zero of the environments as well. Also all no infection so by teaching persons the waste, the plastic is causing a big and educating people on the disease problem in the environments, and if we is how it is done and starting with the don’t look after our planet basically we children need the planet more than the planet

Lynn Robinson of Big Blue needs us so we have to nurture it and Unlimited said she got involved with look after it and certainly for the future this idea of planting a tree for World of the children as well,” Robinson said.

From L-R (Donald Metellus, Student of the Enid Capron Primary School, Little Miss Enid Capron Primary Windried Cox , Principle Sophia Hamilton-Garland, Vice Principle, Lynn Robinson of Big Blue Unlimited, Little Mr. Enid Capron and Representative from the HIV Prevention Unit and Lormeka Williams Director of the TCI Red Cross.

WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT LIMITED

Alexandra Resort, Blue Haven Resort & Marina and the Beach House We are seeking to employ, suitably qualified and experienced hospitality professionals in the positions listed below. Our ideal candidate should have an outstanding command of the English language, written and oral, strong communication and excellent customer service skills. Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Engineering & Grounds •Chief Engineer •Landscaping/Grounds Manager •Maintenance Manager •Electricians •Maintenance/Room Technicians •Carpenter Helper Food and Beverage •Restaurant Maintenance Technician •Executive Sous Chefs •Asst. Restaurant Manager •Restaurant Supervisors •Sous Chefs •Head Chefs •Raw Bar Cooks •Line Cooks •Bartenders •Hostess •Servers •Pool and Beach Servers •Food Runners •Stewards (Overnight) Accounting/Administration •Hospitality Financial Controllers

•Hospitality Accountants •Human Resources Assistant •Storeroom Associate •Cost Control Clerks •Purchasing Personnel Guest Services •Senior Guest Services Agents •Airport Greeter •Receptionist Spa •Spa Director/Manager •Spa Therapists Loss Prevention •Loss Prevention Manager •Loss Prevention Supervisors •Senior Loss Prevention Officers Rooms Division •Rooms Supervisors •Room Attendants •Housemen •Public Area Attendants

Interested persons may contact our HR department Mon. – Fri. from 9am-3pm via telephone number 946-5807 or you may submit your resume with qualifications and experience to: cgibbons@wihl.com

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Stan Hartling Appointed as Honorary Chairperson of TCI Salvation Army Kettle Drive

The Turks and Caicos Salvation Army has appointed Stan Hartling, CEO of the Hartling Group, as the Honourary Chairperson for the organization’s annual kettle drive.

The kettle drive program raises funds to help those in need during the holiday season.

Hartling has set a goal to raise $50,000 this year for the Salvation Army. To encourage program support, individuals who contribute at least $50.00 will be entered into a draw to win a one-week getaway at The Palms.

The prize is valued at $7,000. Those who donate more than $50 will also receive more contest entries: •Donate $150 and receive 4 contest entries •Donate $250 and receive 7 contest entries •Donate $500 and receive 15 contest entries

“I am privileged to be appointed

as the Honourary Chairperson for this important fundraising program,” stated Hartling. “The Hartling Group team invites our co-workers, friends, family members, colleagues, and guests to please join us in helping to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season. We are a small community, but we have tremendous strength and generosity when we come together to help those less fortunate.”

In addition to condominium owners and guests, Hartling said that he will be seeking the participation of the wider public to support the cause, explaining that he intends to apply a litany of innovative endeavors to reach the target.

The most traditional and popular way of supporting the Kettle Drive is to drop financial donations in kettles provided outside the doorway of business places. A number of times,

shoppers leaving the store are without change or money, but would have a working credit card they would love to charge. However, but the antiquated fundraising mechanism employed by the Christian charitable organization does not make provision for such transaction.

To this end, Hartling revealed that he has begun talks with supermarket owners, including Graceway Gourmet, Graceway IGA and Graceway Smart, to install a credit card charging system, so giving shoppers would be able to donate. He said that the receipts would be entered Stan Hartling for a chance to win the one-week stay at the Palms. be available at the front desks of both Hartling has established a web site resorts. where on-line donations can be made: For more details, visit www. www.tcikettle.com. Or, donations can tcikettle.com. The contest ends on be dropped off at the front desks of December 23, 2015, at which time the The Sands on Grace Bay or The Palms. name of the contest winner will be Contest entry ballots will also drawn.

TCI Salvation Army Kettle Drive Launch

The Turks and Caicos Salvation Army launched their annual Christmas Kettle Drive on Tuesday (December 1) at the IGA Gourmet supermarket.

During the launch, parents and supporters listened to the choir from The International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands who helped to get the crowd into the Christmas spirit.

The children heartily sang a

number of Christmas songs from their Christmas show due to be performed at Brayton Hall on the 9th December.

This is the third year the International School choir has joined forces with the TCI Salvation Army to launch the Kettle Drive and welcome the festive season.

The launch also included an upbeat performance with tambourines from uniformed officers of the Salvation Army.

Digicel prides itself on its customers and people. As the number 1 provider of Mobile, TV and Broadband to both Consumers and Businesses here in TCI, we are always looking for the best local talent who will put our customers at the heart of everything they do. As part of our continuing success we are looking for the next cream of the crop. Are you passionate about service?

Interested in working in a technological, fast paced rewarding environment?

Then Digicel is the place for you!

VACANCY Job Title: Chief Financial Officer Type: Permanent Location: Digicel TCI, Graceway House

Leeward Highway, Providenciales

Turks and Caicos Islands

Responsibility •Manage the financial resources of the company and conduct resource planning for future needs.

•Drive strategic planning of the organization.

•Supervises business performance and takes steps to improve the performance of the organization.

•Responsible for account monitoring and control of all the departments of the organization.

•Prepares and supervises the financial reports in discussion with other departments in the company, and presents to Senior Management Team/Board of Directors •Assist in the analysis and development of new pricing structures and promotions.

•Management of all Balance sheet accounts, ensuring timely completion of reconciliations and clearance of reconciling items.

•Prepare annual accounting files for auditors and draft statutory accounts.

•Ensure that company’s policy regarding procurement and expenditure is observed and that the requisite approvals are obtained before

Todd Foss, advisory board where good Samaritans can make chairman for the TCI Salvation Army, donations. said there is a great deal of support for TCI’s Salvation Army launched a the Kettle Bell Campaign in the Turks countrywide charity drive to raise and Caicos Islands and he welcomed buckets of cash for the country’s the first generous people to contribute disadvantaged children and elderly. to the red Christmas kettle during the The Red Kettle fund raising launch. event has helped the humanitarian

As the Christmas season draws group to gather funds for local closer, volunteers and students will communities across the world for more stand at both of the IGA supermarkets than 100 years. in Providenciales holding a kettle

disbursement of funds.

ACADEMIC QULIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: •Qualified CIA,ACCA,CMA or CPA •Experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and cost control principles including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) •At least 10 years of financial experience and management experience with the day –to-day financial operations in a large organization.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND SPECIALIZED TECHNIQUES: •Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles (US GAAP & IFRS reporting standards) •Knowledge of automated financial and accounting software applications •Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and projections.

•Working knowledge of short and long term budgeting and forecasting, rolling budgets, and product-line profitability analysis •Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills •Leadership skills and ability to motivate team to produce quality output and meet tight deadlines while keeping routine tasks up-to-date •Willingness to work flexible hours •Willingness to travel to Board meetings monthly

Deadline: Interested applicants should forward their Resume and Cover letter to hrtci@digicelgroup.com on or before 18th. December, 2015 Qualified Belongers of the Turks and Caicos are encouraged to apply.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Ground breaks for Long Bay high school phase 2

By Vivian Tyson

Senior Sun Editor

The Dr. Rufus Administration has wasted no time to kick-start phase two of the Long Bay High School construction, breaking ground even before the ribbon was cut to commission phase one.

Ribbon to the new secondary institution was cut last Thursday, November 26, 2015, by government ministers, before a sizable crowd, including His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham, Her Excellency Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson and a host educators.

Education Minister Hon. Akierra Missick revealed that construction for phase two has already commenced, and that the contract was awarded to JaMal Co – the company that built phase one.

“We only did the groundbreaking ceremony today (Thursday) because there is the ribbon cutting today. Phase two is actually awarded to JaMal Co, they are contractor for phase one, about two months ago.

Plans have already been approved by planning, the necessary documents have been signed, and so, they are well on their way,” she revealed.

Minister Missick explained that construction of phase two could take another nine months to complete.

She however, refused to commit to

Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing (right), and other ministers (from left) Hon. George Lightbourne; Hon. Amanda Missick (fourth from left); and Hon. Porsha Stubbs Smith (second right) join Minister of Education Hon. Akierra Missick (second left) to celebrate the ground-breaking of Long Bay High School phase two construction. Sharing in the moment is Jamaine Malcolm, Managing Director JaMal Co, main contractor for the project. a commissioning date, hinting that The minister was elated that dynamics could change. phase one of the facility has been

“The next nine months will complete, thereby ending the chronic be heavy construction at this site as overcrowding at the Clement Howell we look to developing phase two. I High school. am not giving any deadlines; I learn “We broke ground in February; my lessons from deadlines last time. construction officially started the end Everyone will get a notice when the of March, early April. Seven months ribbon cutting is taking place. later, we are cutting the ribbon and

“But we are looking to waiting for our children to do their celebrating with these first formers, exams at their host facility – Clement who will be celebrating their second Howell – so they can move up here in form here at this campus, and looking the next two very short weeks. to finally doing the necessary upgrades The furniture is in, we didn’t that we can at Clement Howell, now have it displayed tonight (Thursday that there will be 200 less students night), because we want people be able there,” she said. to walk through and really get a sense

and feel of the place, and by this (last) weekend it should look like a school again for our students to come in,” she said.

The education minister told reporters that she was overwhelmed that the learning institution, which will have the hawk as its mascot, has finally opened. She however, reassured Clement Howell that it would not be neglected.

“I want to assure the parents and students at Clement Howell, your school will not be neglected in any way, shape or form. We have a robust infrastructure plan that we are putting together to ensure that the students at both our public schools here on the island of Providenciales – at secondary education – have equal access to learning resources , tools and amenities, to help them be the best person that they can be.

“I know that there is some fear, I know that there is some doubt. But trust me, I am an ‘Eagle’ (the Clement Howell mascot) at heart as well. Now that I am a ‘Hawk’, I am going to make sure that the ‘Eagles’ get their just desserts as well.

The minister said that phase one was constructed to the tune of $2.2 million, and phase two is budget for $2m. She said that approximately 350 students will be accommodated at the end of the second phase.

Former Minister of Education, Carlton Mills is the principal for Long Bay High.

TECHNICIAN NEEDED

For a private property in Providenciales.

Certified electrician with minimum five year’s professional experience.

Must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Must be fluent in English and Spanish and have a working knowledge of Italian. Must be Fit and able. Required to work 6 days a week.

Salary is $4,000.00 a month. Required to live on property.

PARADISE BAPTIST CHURCH WOMEN MINISTRY DAUGHTERS’ OF THE KING IS HAVING A FOOD SALE

Applicant must be able to do the following: •Provide technical maintenance and repair services to property •Assist with general maintenance of the property as needed •Ability to use and safely operate tools and machines common to the electrician trade •Must be skilled in electrical and plumbing repairs •Must be computer literate •Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

•Possess valid driver’s license with clean record

DATE: Saturday - December 12, 2015 9.00 am - 3.00 pm WHERE: Parking lot of TCI Bank Ltd./Lapels, Down Town, Providenciales

If you fit the above qualifications please send via facsimile your resume to (649) 946-4663.

An experienced Belonger is required for this position.

Deadline for Resumes is 9 December 2015

Stew Conch

Chicken Souse Pork Souse Peas & Grits Crab & Rice

MENU

Fry Fish Fry Chicken BBQ Chicken Roast Corn Bake Macaroni

Potato Bread Johnny Cake Conch Fritters Lobster Fritters Hot Dogs

There will also be lots of drinks and house whole items on sale.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

PNP government neglecting Eliza Simons Primary School

the summer holidays the urinals were taken out and replaced by concrete troughs for our children to use, the fence is in dire need of replacement and cows, donkeys and horses often get inside the compound posing potential danger to our young children.

order to replace its rickety furniture, this school was given the used rejected furniture from another school. The

This insensitive Progressive ministry's neglect and isolation of National Party (PNP) Government this school was highlighted when continues to neglect the Eliza Simons last year June the school held an Primary School in Grand Turk as Infants Graduation and not a soul the building continues to suffer a from the Ministry attended including deplorable state of disrepair posing a These are the incredibly government ministers. safety threat to the 240 students and bad, unhealthy conditions and the The public is fed up with the their teachers. unsafe environment that our innocent neglect that this school is suffering and

The building is in a dilapidated children are being subjected to as teachers are becoming increasingly state, as the roof is visibly caving in government ministers gets expensive frustrated as there seems to be no and inspectors have determined that new vehicles, writes off $12,000,000 intention on behalf of government to the rafters are rotted as termites have for LIME, gives Beaches $600,000, pay any meaningful attention to this eaten their way through. awards $500,000 to a minister of institution. Parents are at a loss as to Columns in the building are cracking government, dishes out $40,000 to what to do and who to turn to as their up, classroom doors have no locks, in import foreign entertainers for youth children are getting sick as a result come to the rescue of these children fact some of them can't even closed. day and parliamentarians gets an of some students still being housed and show some compassion, shoulder Additionally, the building has not been unnecessary salary hike. This national in container classrooms without air its responsibility and pay some much painted for 7 years and the ministry government fiasco must not continue condition, a condition that prevailed needed attention to the Eliza Simons says that it will not be painted for at the expense of our suffering people. since hurricane Ike many years ago.

Primary School in Grand Turk before a another 5 years.

While other schools have The Progressive Democratic catastrophic disaster takes place.

To add insult to injury, over recently, gotten new furniture, in Alliance appeals to the government to

by Oswald Skippings - Leader of the Progressive Democratic Alliance

Digicel Donates To The Emergency Medical Services

As part of Digicel’s continuing commitment to building a better Turks and Caicos for all, and their efforts to support essential services, Digicel recently donated several supplies to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department.

The much appreciated supplies consisted of three Traction Splints and six Ora-Pharyneal Airway sets. Mr. Ajahmek FitzHenley, Training Coordinator, of EMS received the donation on behalf of the department. He expressed the department’s gratitude to Digicel and

said that with their assistance EMS TCI, and EMS is unmistakably one will be able to serve more persons in of the most important, as their work the Turks & Caicos. Fitz-Henley went is literally a matter of life or death. on to say that the Emergency Medical Therefore, making this donation is just Services Department is currently in our way of supporting the lifesaving a transition phase as it builds the work that they do, and we look forward human capacity through training and to making more donations in the reviewing protocols as to enhance the future.” level of care and treatment delivered to “Trauma cases, especially road the Turks and Caicos Islands accidents, continue to be a cause for

Digicel Head of Marketing, Ms. concern here in the TCI and worldwide.

Trina Adams, expressed that: “Here That’s why Digicel will continue to at Digicel we believe in supporting do anything that we can to assist in those essential services that make a mitigating the loss of life or limb,” Ms. difference in the lives of us all in the Adams said.

SCOTIABANK HEADS PAY COURTESY CALL TO THE GOVERNOR AND ACTING PREMIER : During a recent country visit, Scotiabank’s Senior Vice President and Head of the Caribbean Region, Bruce Bowen, along with Scotiabank’s Managing Director for TCI, Sean Brathwaite and Head of the Caribbean North Region, Sean Albert, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency The Governor, Peter Beckingham and The Acting Premier, Akierra Missick.

Discussing the current banking environment in The Turks & Caicos Islands, the Scotiabank Executives led dialogue on the financial sector’s performance given the economic conditions and projections for the near and medium term. Mr. Bowen confirmed Scotiabank’s commitment to the Caribbean region, highlighting that the bank’s long successful history in region affirms the market as a critical one for the International Bank. Scotiabank was established in the Turks & Caicos Islands in 1982 and now operates three branches throughout the country.

Pictured (L-R) are Scotiabank’s Managing Director for TCI, Sean Brathwaite; Scotiabank Senior Vice President and Head of the Caribbean Region, Bruce Bowen; His Excellency The Governor, Peter Beckingham; Acting Premier, Akierra Missick; Scotiabank Head of the Caribbean North Region, Sean Albert.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

PDM calls for Civil Service Association to be revived

by Hon. Sharlene Cartwrigth-Robinson

Leader of the Oppisition

The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) is calling for the Civil Service Association to be formed to help defend civil servants against their former President. Civil Servants are suffering under the Rufus Ewing Administration. The once self - acclaimed champion of the Civil Service has become indifferent and one of its biggest bully.

Civil Servants are frustrated and understandably so. They are forced to work under conditions that are not conducive to the levels of productivity that this country requires. The relationship between different levels of management and lower level staff and the Civil Service and the some of the elected members of this Government is not the type of relationship that it should be. We are grateful for those that continue to do so much with so little. Critical posts and other resources are left unfunded and budgets are intentionally underspent by instruction. Civil Servants some days are victimized for their positions taken or fearful to take positions on matters.

In the face of all these challenges, it has become common place for the Premier to call out civil servants and lay blame at their feet, when the root cause in recent times was a shortage of and/or lack of the appropriate resources and misinformation. Small staffed and low resourced Departments are the ones subject to this. They are already fighting for a place of prominence on the list of priorities and are likely to not receive the funding it needs to do what is expected of them.

In a recent House meeting a line from the Premier’s Address sent a clear message to any and all Heads Of Departments reminding them that they are to suffer in silence and even when the public confidence is attacked by the elected Head of your country, sit small and stay quiet. Last year, the EMS Department had to endure undue criticism for failure to act due to a lack and shortage of resources. In the last House Meeting, the Premier in responding to a question asked by the Leader of the Opposition in the matter of a patient having to be carried on the back of the truck in North Caicos instead of in the new Ambulance showcased by the Premier stated that

it was a call by the Doctor and that the Ambulance had been used before.

He gave the impression that the Ambulance could be used and was not.

What is a senior and middle manager to do in this climate?

Critical Departments are operating on skeletal budgets in too often run - down or inappropriate buildings and even where some buildings have been repaired, there is insufficient staff or supplies to deliver effective service.

Recent actions taken against single individuals who sought to raise awareness on the plight of civil servants or to manage its relationship with the public, its most valuable partners in the effective carriage of their duties, have left civil servants more deflated and demotivated in this climate.

The Premier lays the blame on civil servants always. On the one hand, he declares that he cannot give directives and then we see his claim to giving a directive about vacation times and pumping water. We are not sure what to believe from Premier Ewing.

He is certainly not a Team Player nor the once self - acclaimed Champion of the Civil Servant. He has become the

first to throw them under the bus.

He and members of his cabinet have been throwing recent tirades stating that senior civil servants are working against him and this is further straining the relationship with this government and its important arm of the Civil Service.

We choose to be a voice for the voiceless. The Civil Service can find an ally in the PDM but needs to reform itself and reestablish the CSA. Whilst we have led in the calls for the reinstatement of gratuities and pensions, the need to review the pay and regarding scheme, the need to pay retired civil servants what is due them, the state of their work place and the shortage of resources be it man power, vehicles and/or office supplies and equipment, the collective voice of civil servants can lend more in the area of representation on behalf of this crucial arm of government.

Earlier calls for the CSA to be activated have fallen on deaf ears but understandably disappointed ears having been let down so badly. However, we are calling on those to assist this country and represent yourselves in the opportunity afforded you. The role of the CSA cannot be underestimated.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

TCI courting COPA Airlines getting that to happen, and hopefully, we are going to get that next year.

We don’t know when, but I would say that by the second quarter probably.

If that could happen, it would be very good for us because probably we can maybe double the number of Brazilians we have travelling to Turks and Caicos,” Vianna said.

He told The SUN that the Turks and Caicos already jumped from ninth to four on the list of countries that Brazilians fly to for vacation, only bettered by the United States, Canada and the UK. Vianna said that before year-end, the number of Brazilians flying to Turks and Caicos could break the 5,000 mark.

Maurício Vianna, the TCI Tourist Board representative in Brazil “The most important of World Reports Magazine in Brazil, Brazilians like about the Turks

By Vivian Tyson at the Conch Festival in Blue Hills and Caicos are the tranquility, the Senior Sun Editor on Saturday, November 28, told The exclusivity of the island,” he said.

SUN that there has been a growing He said that the COPA

If all goes well, the Turks and interests in that South American Airlines deal would not require Caicos Islands could be welcoming country for visitors to these shores. Brazilian without visas to fly through COPA Airlines to its shores by the He said that while the numbers have the United States, and so it would be second quarter of 2016, this according been steady increasing over the last easier for them to get here, since they to Maurício Vianna, the TCI Tourist two years, it could skyrocket in quick would get here via Panama.

Board representative in Brazil. succession in the event COPA starts “COPA flies out of seven cities Vianna, who was to fly here. in Brazil to Panama. And passengers accompanied by Carlos Marcondes

“I have been working a lot in don’t have to go through the U.S. They

don’t need to have an American visa, so it is much easier and much simple to get to get here from Panama to Providenciales,” Vianna pointed out.

He added: “The airlift is doing fine. We have American, we have Delta, we have JetBlue, and there is a partnership between a local Brazilian airline called Azul, flying now to Ft. Lauderdale and merging together with JetBlue, so that is helping a lot as well.”

He said that over the past several months the Turks and Caicos Islands have been working assiduously to up the number of visitors coming out of that country.

“We have been doing several promotions and so far Brazil is responding very well. We have a lot of Brazilians coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands. By the end of the year, the number of Brazilians we have coming to Turks and Caicos will be way higher than last year. We had a big wedding at Amanyara, pretty much all over the hotel,” he said.

In the meantime, Marcondes said that travelers love the beach, diving and exclusivity of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

We’re giving away a total of

USD$5,000 (2 prizes of USD$2,500)

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS AND CAISOC ISLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE Request for Proposals to Conduct Salary Review of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Salaries and Allowances

The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College invites proposals from interested individuals, firms or companies for a Consultancy Undertaking to review salaries and allowances of its entire staff.

INTRODUCTION In 1994, the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) was established by Ordinance 25 (1994), with a vision to provide quality education for all sectors of the Turks and Caicos Islands community. Having been in existence for over two decades, the institution continues in its thrust to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and dispositions that would enable them to access existing and emerging opportunities, prudently exercise their civil responsibilities, enhance their social and cultural lives and become productive citizens. The mission, therefore, encompasses, inter alia, post secondary and continuing education for the school leaving and adult population; it facilitates the promotion of personal and professional development, and the economic growth and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

TCICC has two campuses, one each located on Grand Turk and Providenciales. The College offers a myriad of programmes, inter alia: Short/Interest courses; one semester courses; Upgrade courses; Full time programmes of two to three semesters culminating in Certificates, Advanced, Certificates, Associate and Bachelors Degrees.

Similar to other institutions in the region, and critical to the effective delivery of programme offerings, the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College relies upon the local and overseas recruitment of highly qualified and experienced faculty and staff.

Recently, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government conducted a Public Service Salary Review, inclusive of education professionals. Whilst a number of education personnel were reclassified and benefitted from varying degrees of salary increases, the review did not include statutory bodies; therefore, faculty and staff at the TCICC did not benefit from the review, and hence, salaries are purportedly lagging behind those of professionals in similar work-related fields.

Notwithstanding that, the TCICC continues in its mission to fulfil its objective of strengthening organizational development, through the strengthening and promotion of employee recruitment and retention strategies. In this context then, the salary review is critical and is intended to bring a level of equity to salaries and other benefits for its entire staff. With this in mind, the TCICC seeks to engage a consultant/consultants to review and propose a revised salary structure for all categories of staff, and explore the feasibility of linking remuneration to job performance.

where, gaps exist; •Consider any necessary revision to the salary structure and propose any necessary adjustments for the various categories of administrative and professional staff; •Explore the feasibility of introducing performancerelated pay structure; •Present to the Board of Governors a draft report of the findings, and recommendations; •At an agreed time and venue, submit to the Board of Governors and other relevant stakeholders, a final report that reflects the suggestions/recommendations/ amendments emanating from the draft report.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOME The development of a salary scale that is consistent with other comparator organizations in the Turks and Caicos Islands market; one that reflects equity; is consistent with corresponding local labour market and prevailing levels of pay for similar services, similar contract conditions and similar positions in other statutory bodies in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY AND DUTY STATIONING The consultancy is expected to be completed within six (6) weeks from the date of signing the contract. The successful consultant/s shall not be required to be present in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but may work in his/her/their own office with coordinated visits to the TCI as necessary.

REPORTING LINE The work of the consultant will be supervised by the Board of Governors of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College or its designate, and as such, the confirmation of the acceptance of the final report, authorization of payment disbursements, and evaluation of work performance will be undertaken by that entity.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE Proposals are to include the following: Individual’s/Firm’s/Company’s Profile Consultant’s/Consultants’ CV/s Years of experience undertaking similar assignments Methodology to be used for the consultancy

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Work Time Plan

The successful consultant/s will be required to:

Reporting

•Undertake a detailed briefing with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Board of Governors to lead and guide the salary review process on behalf of the institution; •Review existing documentation as it relates to salary scales, job descriptions and contractual documents to get a full understanding of the scope of the consultancy; •Conduct interviews with several comparator organizations to confirm the salaries, allowances and benefits offered; •Assess the existing remuneration structure of the TCICC vis-à-vis comparator institutions and identify if, and

Cost Expressions of interest are to be sent to: The President, Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands or by email to tcicomc@tciway.tc on or before 18th January 2016.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Mr. Grouper loses the battle but wins the war

with the Best Conch Salad, followed by the Island Boy Kitchen in second place and Seven Stars Resort rounding off

Despite not winning any of the the top three. three categories up for grabs at the Approximately 15 restaurants 11th annual staging of the Turks and took part in this year’s staging of the Caicos Islands Conch Festival, held Conch Festival, including the newly at the Three Queens Restaurant in opened Ve’ Nook Restaurant operated Blue Hills, Providenciales on Saturday, at the Providenciales Campus of the November 28, Mr. Grouper Restaurant Turks and Caicos Islands Community was declared overall winner.

College, by the students.

Mr. Grouper’s best showing It is customary each year for was in the Conch Specialty, where it the Rotary Club of Providenciales, placed third behind the Pavillion at which is part of the sponsors of the Somerset and Parallel at the Palms event, to stage its Pot of Gold 50/50 Resort respectively. Bay Bistro finished Raffle, which sees the winner getting second overall, while Pavillion ended half the jackpot. That raffle was third. won this year by an entry named W.

Kalooki’s was the toast of the Garland. prize-giving segment, copping two of As usual, the event drew a three categories up for the taking. In great deal of support from both tourists the Conch Chowder category Kalooki’s and locals. Travel writers also flew in A Scene from the Conch Festival snatched first place, Danny Buoy’s for the event this year. came in second, while the third place The competition each year has their conclusions. trophy went to Pelican Bay Restaurant, been stepped up a notch, which was There is also a greater which was the overall winners of the evident in this year’s event, as almost presence of locally made or designed recently held Caribbean Food and all the contestants came with their items on display. Those include apparel, Wine Festival.

‘A’ game, making judging that more souvenir, art and craft and beverages.

Kalooki’s also walked away difficult for the adjudicators to make Visitors to the event were not only

By Vivian Tyson

Senior Sun Editor

awed by the food and local craft, but also the popular Rake and Scrape Music by local musicians, as well as the Junkanoo rush that culminated the day’s activities.

FOR SALE BY OWNER NAVAGATION LTD. STEVE BEEN IS SELLING PRIME 10ACRES WITH 525 BEACH FRONTAGE, NORTH WEST POINT, PROVIDENCIALES. TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS: 60000/307. LAND IS NEXT TO THE FUTURE GOLF COURSE, LAND IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE, LAND IS READY TO BE DEVELOPED AND PERFECT FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT. OWNER HAS FREEHOLD TITLE AND ALL RECIEPTS OF PAYMENT AND SURVEY, OWNER IS A NATIVE OF THIS SOIL AND HAS NO COMMITTMENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND INTRESTED PERSONS SHOULD CONTACT: TEL: (649) 241-6013 EMAIL: ABEEN502@GMAIL.COM TEL: (649 242-9897 EMAIL: ABRAR.CT@GMAIL.COM TEL: (649) 241-4900 EMAIL: BEENSTEVE67@HOTMAIL.COM

ASKING PRICE $10,000,000.00

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Premier Ewing addresses Foreign Affairs Committee in London

The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. The Honourable Rufus W. Ewing, made representation on matters of governance as it relates to the Overseas Territories and particularly, as it relates to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The address was delivered on December 1st to members of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the presence of other Overseas Territories Leaders, who are gathered in London this week to attend the Joint Ministerial Conference 2015.

The Premier’s address, which was delivered in part (due to time constraints) but later submitted, read: “Members of the FAC it gives me great pleasures of address you all here this morning on behalf of the British Overseas Territories on the issue of governance.

“The Overseas territories enjoy a long period of relationship with the United Kingdom Government ranging from Bermuda in the early 1600s to the British Antarctic Territory as recent as 1908.

“The territories have in common the Queen as the head of state who is represented in the territories by a Governor or such person appointed by the FCO whose authority varies across the territories ranging from limited reserve powers in areas of foreign affairs, security and defense to those far reaching powers and responsibilities extending into the internal administrative governance of the territories which often overshadow the roles and responsibilities of locally elected government.

“These governance and administrative arrangements are laid out within each territory’s constitution where the good governance framework also receives its genesis and are refined by subordinate good governance legislations giving birth to good governance bodies.

“Even though each overseas may territory differ greatly from each other in size, population, economy, administrative capacity and level of political maturity, each territory has a right to self determination and self governance based on the settle will of the peoples of each territory and this self determination include the choice to remain a British OT. The British

(L-R): Crispin Blunt, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. The Honourable Rufus W. Ewing, Andrew Rosindell, MP United Kingdom, Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Honourable C. Washington Misick, OBE government has the responsibility to governor but also the method and ensure that the territories are protected criteria used for the selection of their and are provided with a constitutional governor as this impacts heavily not and governance framework that only on the style of governance but the ensures good governance and supports extent of interference of the governor progressive move towards self outside of their constitutional remit. governance in whatever form.

“Ladies and gentleman I

“The constitutional construct have spoken broadly on governance varies greatly between the overseas arrangements and concerns that you territories and the rationalization may find across the OTs, so I now turn for such construct seems haphazard my attention specifically to the Turks and reactionary to circumstance in and Caicos Islands to highlight such many instances and not based on the governance concerns. principles of the UK’s responsibility “The Turks and Caicos Islands as laid out in the UN Convention and as a UK Overseas Territory was principles of modern democracies and administered via its own Governor good governance. since 1972 after the Bahamas went

“There are many territories independent and in 1976 gain its own who feel strongly that the reserve constitution that permitted elected powers of the governor are too wide in ministerial system of governance. scope and overreaching into the daily “The Turks and Caicos executive decisions of the territory. Islands has had its constitution There are many territories who suspended twice for allegations of feels that the governor has too much maladministration and corruption as influence in the legislature in addition was discovered in two commissions of to veto powers. inquiries. There are many including

“There are many territories myself who still question the need for who feel that the UK’s persistence as suspension of the constitution as a borne in the constitutional construct, necessity to intervene and correct and to separate politics from governance weakness in governance as whatever the territories undermines the ability failures there were did not have its of locally elected politicians to deliver origin in the constitution. The elected their political mandate and a shift in government of the TCI believe in and decision making powers to the FCO. embraces the good governance bodies

“There are many overseas that have been implemented prior to territories who are concerned about and during the direct rule from the not only the reserve powers of their UK, but we are of the view that there

Mixologist Wanted for Okeanos Juice and Smoothie Bar in The Regent Village Okeanos Juice and Smoothie Bar is looking for a mixologist with a background/interest in nutrition and fitness. As mixologist you will be responsible for blending nutritious fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies, based on the company’s standard blends, quantity and quality. It is also the responsibility of the mixologist to clean and prepare the work area, complying with Okeanos LTD’s standards for cleanliness, You will need to prepare all the equipment and ingredients needed and be able to answer customers’ queries and provide information with regards to the health benefits of the various juices and smoothies sold.

Applicant should be outgoing, polite, energetic and customer service oriented.

Please submit resume to Josh Williams at okeanosfitness@gmail.com tel (649) 431-6328

are many provisions within the new TCI constitution when combined with the mandates of the good governance institutions stifles the ability of any elected government to govern effectively.

“Governance in the Turks and Caicos Islands is even further controlled by the UK via the new role of a Chief Financial Officer who has decision making and veto powers as it relates to financial management as a condition of the U.K. loan guarantee which will expire in February of this year. The financial legislative framework in the Turks and Caicos outside of the provisions for a CFO has many provisions for safeguarding and ensuring sound financial management and we as an elected government are sufficiently confident that with these systems in place there would be no need for a CFO beyond the timeframe specified.

“There are many concerns related to the current Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution and these concerns were well articulated in the recent report on the TCI Constitution and the subsequent House of Assembly recommendations for constitutional amendments which were submitted to the FCO. In the new year we will be addressing these concerns and other governance issues with a bipartisan team interfacing with the FCO and this FAC so as to improve and strengthen the relationship between the TCI and the U.K. Government with respect to governance in the best interest of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Mr. Chair on behalf of the Overseas Territories I thank you for this opportunity to address this body today on these issues of governance.”

The meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee was the first of several to be held with the Overseas Territories Leaders and key UK Government Committees and officials, including the Plenary Sessions of the Joint Ministerial Council, which also began yesterday, December 1st at Lancaster House in London.

Premier Ewing is scheduled to deliver another address at the JMC later today at the Plenary Session on the Challenges Facing Small Island Economies.

WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT LTD. is inviting applications for the following position:

Legal Financial Consultant Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the applicant must possess the following: •5 years’ experience as an Attorney/Chartered Accountant •Extensive background in financial risk management •Extensive background in legal risk management •Bachelors of Laws (LLB) •Registered Chartered Accountant Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please Submit Applications to: Please submit resumes to cgibbons@wihl.com Submissions to be no later than December 5th 2015 Belongers need only apply.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

HIV Prevention Unit conducts week of testing

The HIV Prevention Unit conducted their week of testing, which took place from Monday November 23rd, 2015- November 26th in Providenciales and in Grand Turk.

Hezron Henry, Program Officer of HIV Prevention Unit told The SUN that the response was encouraging.

“People have been coming out to get tested,” he said. “The weather has delayed us a bit but even though with the rain we’ve been able to get quite a few test and I’m sure it’s over 100. We also have South Caicos and North Caicos that will be done one December 8th and 15th.”

He stated that usually on the road tests they don’t get a lot of positives but he can confirm that they did get a couple positives because they’re not only testing for HIV, they’re testing for syphilis also.

When asked what are some of the reasons people do not get tested he said, “In general people are afraid of needles. It’s HIV and there is still a stigma around HIV here in the islands. People are also concerned about confidentiality because it’s out in the open, we are doing testing and they want to know that their information will be kept confidential.”

The voluntary counseling and testing provider added: “Usually what happens after they see persons

Graceway IGA Supermarket / Kwatcha Holdings are seeking suitable qualified applicants to fill the listed positions:

Wholesale Food & Sales Manager Job Requirements & Responsibilities: •Responsible for overall management of product distribution and revenue of sales •Oversee the day to day management of wholesale department personnel to maximize sale productivity •Oversees and manages the Supermarket Food Services wholesale accounts •At least five (5) years Sales or Marketing experience.

•Five (5) years Chef Experience.

•Good knowledge of wholesale foods, liquor, wines and beers.

•Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

•Competence in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel.

•Good negotiation and interpersonal skills.

•Must have a personal vehicle and a valid Driver’s License.

•Must have pervious managerial experienced working in a supermarket retail environment •Applicant will be required to work weekends and holidays Salary rate will commensurate with qualification and experience RETAIL FLOOR MANAGER This position is responsible for the management of the supermarket’s retail operations.

Main duties and requirements include: •Over eight (8) years experience in Supermarket Retail with a minimum of five years in a managerial position to include management of individual departments.

•Strong character reference from known individuals in the supermarket industry •Excellent people skills, including the ability to teach and train staff.

•Must have computer knowledge in areas such as Microsoft Excel and Inventory management programs.

•Proficient in the understanding of retail and wholesale accounting and good business practices related to documentation and record keeping.

•Skilled in ordering methods and practices for inventory control.

•Ability to utilize computer systems/information for improved operational results.

•Strong current product knowledge of the retail industry and knowledge of Supermarket facility management.

•Will be required to work nights, long hours, weekends, and holidays.

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Main responsibilities •Production of financial budgets and forecasts incorporating profit and loss projections, cash flow analysis and capital expenditure estimates.

•Direct and control Finance staff to ensure that they are appropriately motivated and trained and carry out their responsibilities to the required standards •Prepare and present financial presentations to the Board of Directors to support investment decisions.

•Produce accurate and timely financial information concerning the company’s financial

getting tested they say ‘Ok this is how it’s done, it’s pretty easy” so that’s when persons get more comfortable after they see other persons get tested. Because of confidentiality it’s still there, there’s no change in the testing, it’s still the same way that they will get it inside of one of the clinics and they get it in 15 minutes.

But generally people are just afraid because of the stigma attached to HIV.”

The HIV Prevention Unit is a part of the Government and they are responsible for doing outreach and education in terms of HIVs, also helping along the Government in Program Officer of HIV Prevention Unit/ voluntary creating legislation in relation to HIV counseling and testing provider Hezron Henry. and health in particular.

status and performance to enable decisions to be taken relating to the company’s financial strength and security •Produce all necessary financial statements and reports to enable the accurate measurement of cash flow, profit and loss, stock and debtors.

•Develop and oversee all financial controls, specifically relating to cash and inventory control •Coordinate with bankers, auditors, insurance brokers and attorneys as required •Act as the main point of contact with external auditors and coordinate the production of financial statements in preparation for annual audit.

•Carry out any necessary internal audit reviews and monitor the financial effectiveness of systems and controls •Recommend any changes necessary to improve the company’s financial performance and financial controls Knowledge, skills and experience required •Must be a professional qualified accountant (ACA, ACMA or CPA) with a minimum of 8 years of post qualification financial management experience.

•Must have advanced knowledge and experience of analyzing day-today retail and wholesale financial accounting and system processes and controls •Experience managing computerized accounting systems, and analyzing financial data is a must •Must have sound managerial experience •Excellent communication skills are required Salary compensation: Subject to experience and qualification FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING MANAGER Job Requirements & Responsibilities: •ACA/ACMA/ACCA/CPA professionally qualified with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in a financial analysis/financial reporting position.

•Responsible for managing all transactional accounting processes within the Financial Accounting team, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, weekly payroll, cashing-up and sales.

•Managing a team of four bookkeepers, ensuring that job responsibilities are being performed in a complete and timely manner as well as employee performance reviews being undertaken on a regular basis.

•Responsible for reviewing, correcting and posting all journal entries to the general ledger prepared by members of the Financial Accounting team.

•Detailed review and reconciliation of general ledger accounts on a daily basis to ensure accuracy of accounting records.

•Comprehensive knowledge of general ledger accounting and the function of financial accounting systems is essential.

•Implementing and improving accounting processes and procedures to improve team efficiency and drive profitability of the business.

•Weekly reporting of KPIs to senior management and stakeholders.

•Ad-hoc finance related projects as required.

•Strong written and verbal communication skills essential.

•Attention to detail and flexibility to manage multiple tasks.

•Knowledge of SAGE accounting software beneficial.

Deadline for submission of applicants is December 20th 2015 Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracewayiga.com

Only short list applicants will be contacted.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Turks and Caicos Islands Conch Festival 2015 The 11th annual staging of the Turks and Caicos Islands Conch Festival was held last Saturday, November 28, at the Three Queens’ Restaurant in Blue Hills, Providenciales. As usual, there was a huge turnout but locals and visitors alike. The attendees got the opportunity to sample some of the satisfying dishes of conch preparations from some of the country’s top restaurants. The following are photo highlights of the event.

A section of the turnout at the Conch Festival Conch salad on display

The Seven Stars Resort doing their thing

Artist Charrish Ferguson displays her exquisite array of artwork

The V’ Nook Restaurant, operated by students at the Turks and Caicos Is Community College was a hit at the event Tourism Training Manager, Blythe Claire hanging out with grandson Kenyon

Patrons delight in the variety of conch dishes on display

Joy McKenzie, a member of the Conch Festival Committee……

You could also get your grilled lobsters and chicken

Andrea Del Campo (left) Head Chef at the Palms and Executive Steward Landle having a good time at the event

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

World Championships Silver Medalist, Delano Williams (second left) was among the judges this year

Kalooki’s Restaurant demonstrates the process of smoking its spices into its conch salad, adding an appealing taste

Bernard displays a tray laden with conch chowder and conch salad

The Pelican Bay Restaurant station

Another satisfied customer at Mookie’s

he plays the rip saw to the tune of the band

A wide assortment of craft to choose from

Dolphin’s restaurant chef serves up some mouth watering grilled chicken

slands

d, Ronald

Playboy Emit simply enjoying the day at the conch festival Konk Apparel dons its variety of creations

A variety of beautiful crafted to choose from

These Customs officers enjoyed there time at the conch festival

The EMS team at the conch fest

Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra Missick and the Chef gave the sun a photo op

Page 24

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

FortisTCI Renewab

Leading the Green-

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 25

LOCAL NEWS

ble Energy Launch.

-Energy Revolution.

www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

6th Annual Regent Village Christmas Light Switch-On

Once again Regent Village switched on this year by Her has had a very successful annual Excellency the Acting Governor Christmas Lights Switch-On Anya Williams. The highlight of which took place on Wednesday, the evening was the appearance by December 2, 2015. The evewning Santa Claus, Princess Elsa and Olaf included performance by Rocket-It of the movie Frozen. Santa doled Hot Dancers, caroling by Barbara out gifts to hundreds of children Johnson “Songbird of the TCI” and who attended the event. The photos British West Indies Collegiate are highlights of the event.

School Choir. The lights were

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Lime Launches Christmas Promotion with tree Lighting and Concert

Delleriece Hall, LIME’s TCI Country Manager explains the goodies to be had in the Christmas Promotion, while Marketing and Communications Manager Darron Hillaire looks on (014)

Telecoms provider LIME launched its Christmas Promotion with its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Concert, which included a lots of giveaways. The event was held at the flagship store, located along the Leeward Highway on Providenciales.

In addition to meeting Santa Claus and collect gives, the attendees also won phones and top-up minutes. Prior to the tree lighting and concert, LIME

media conference where to launch their The Christmas With LIME campaign, which unveiled three data enabled handsets ranging from as low as $79 to $279. The products are the Huawei Y360, the Alcatel Pixi 3, and the signature selfie handset, the Samsung Galaxy J5. LIME also launches a selfie competition that allows customers to win $500 weekly. The following are photo highlights of the event.

Tamara Delaney (right) of PTV accept a gift certificate from LIME’S Marketing Manager Darron Hillaire (centre) and Joanne Missick, Head of Corporate Sales

Students from the Oseta Jolly Primary School perform a Christmas number

Daisy Handfield (left) of the Weekly News, displays her gift certificate presented to her by LIME’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Darron Hillaire (centre) and Joanne Missick, Head of Corporate Sales

Santa in the building

Babara Lee Johnson wows the crowd with a Christmas carol

Magnetic Media’s CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Deandrea Hamilton (left) is presented with a gift certificate by Darron Hillaire (centre) LIME’s Marketing and Communications Manager and Joanne Missick, Head of Corporate Sales

A number of children raise their hands for a chance to answer a question posed by MC David Bowen

A section of the massive crowd that turned out to the LIME Christmas Tree lighting and Concert

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

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HEALTHY

LIFESTYLE New York is first U.S. city with salt warning on restaurant menus

A tiny salt shaker symbol that warns certain meals are high in sodium will appear, starting Tuesday, on menus in chain restaurants in New York City, the first U.S. city to take the step in an effort to combat heart disease and stroke.

Any menu item containing more than 2,300 milligrams (0.08 oz) of sodium, the daily limit many nutritionists recommend and which equals about one teaspoon of salt, must display the emblem of a salt shaker in a black triangle.

The measure unanimously approved by the New York City Board of Health in September applies only to restaurants with at least 15 establishments across the U.S., and concession stands at some movie theaters and sports stadiums.

"It's not hard to get 2.3 g of sodium into your face," Dr. Howard Weintraub, co-director of NYU Langone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, said on Monday.

The new menu labels may be an eye opener for customers who flock to chains such as Chipotle and Subway, which are perceived to be more healthy.

Until Tuesday, they may have been blissfully unaware of the sodium content of a Chipotle loaded chicken burrito (2,790 mg), Subway's foot-long spicy Italian sub (2,980 mg), TGI Friday's classic Buffalo

Wings (3,030 mg) or Applebee's grilled shrimp and Citypredecessor, Michael Bloomberg, including spinach salad (2,990 mg). banning smoking in public places and requiring fast

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause food joints to post calorie counts. of death in New York City, claiming nearly 17,000 lives in 2013, the health department said. It noted a "well-established connection" between sodium intake and high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

A 2010 study found New Yorkers consume more than 3,200 mg of sodium each day on average, with higher intake among blacks and Hispanics, the health department said.

Getting New Yorkers to start watching their sodium intake, is a first step that health advocates hope will prompt other behavioral changes.

"Things are not going to work out great if all you do is just not eat salt," Weintraub said. "But maybe, just maybe, they'll start to watch how much they eat, maybe they will get off the subway a stop earlier and walk, instead of taking the elevator, they will walk two flights, there will be some weight loss."

The sodium warning label pressed by Mayor Bill de Blasio echoed a series of efforts by his A new menu from Applebeeâs restaurant is seen at one of its outlet in the Manhattan borough of New York

WHO calls for fighting food borne diseases that can be deadly

At least 600 million people, or 1 in 10 worldwide, fall ill from contaminated food each year and 420,000 die, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

Giving its first global estimates of preventable food borne diseases, a WHO report called on governments and industry to improve inspections and control of the food chain from the fields and farmyard to the factory and the plate.

Food borne diseases - caused by bacteria such as salmonella, viruses, parasites, toxins and chemicals - mostly cause temporary symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

But they can also cause longer-term illnesses including cancer, kidney or liver failure, brain disorders, epilepsy and arthritis, the United Nations agency said.

"The data we are publishing is only a very conservative estimate, we are sure that the real figure is bigger," Dr. Kazuaki Miyagishima, director of WHO's Department of Food Safety, told a news briefing.

Apart from estimating the extent of contamination, the report also looked at the way food is traded and sold.

Part of the problem can come from global trading in food, Miyagishima said: "If there is one country where food safety is weak and this country exports food to other countries, (it) becomes the weakest chain in the whole food production system."

Faulty handling at the other end of the food chain, for example by street

vendors, is also a problem in many countries.

"It is much better to invest in training and education of street vendors than to try to penalize them," said University of Florida expert Dr. Arie Hendrik Havelaar. "That would be an important strategy for many countries in the world to improve the food safety situation."

The highest number of cases and deaths occur among the poor in developing countries, but the United States and Europe also have deadly outbreaks.

"Our results show that the biggest burden is in Africa and in Southeast Asia, and there the death rates are highest, including those of children under five years of age," said Havelaar, who chaired the WHO group of 150 scientists that carried out the research for the report.

Children under age five account for 40 percent of the 600 million cases of food borne disease worldwide a year and 125,000 of the 420,000 deaths, or 30 percent, the WHO said.

Children are especially vulnerable to diarrheal diseases, often caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, or eggs, fresh produce and dairy products that are contaminated, it said.

In Africa, most deaths are caused by salmonella, the pork tapeworm, cyanide in cassava and aflatoxin, a chemical produced by moulds that grow on improperly stored grains or corn.

Governments must invest more in training food producers, suppliers and the public, the WHO said.

Facebook network and stress levels may be tied together

A small study suggests that for adolescents, their number of Facebook friends may be related to their stress levels, with more than 300 friends associated with higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

The study only included 88 participants at one point in time, so it can’t indicate whether changes in Facebook metrics cause an increase in stress, or vice versa.

Other important external factors are also responsible for cortisol levels, but Facebook involvement may have its own effect, senior author Sonia Lupien of Montreal Mental Health University Institute said in a statement.

"We were able to show that beyond 300 Facebook friends, adolescents showed higher cortisol levels; we can therefore imagine that those who have 1,000 or 2,000 friends on Facebook may be subjected to even greater stress,” she said.

The 88 teens in the study, age 12 to 17, answered questions about their Facebook use frequency, number of friends, self-promoting behavior and supporting behavior of friends. The researchers measured the teens’ cortisol levels four times a day for three days.

Kids who had more than 300 Facebook friends tended to have higher cortisol levels than those with fewer friends, the researchers reported in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

With more peer interaction on Facebook, however, cortisol levels tended to be lower. Neither depression nor selfesteem were related to cortisol levels.

Cortisol levels in early adolescence may influence risk of depression years later, the authors wrote.

Wenhong Chen of the department of Radio-TV-Film and the department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, who was not part of the new study, points out that the research is about Facebook, and so the findings can’t necessarily be generalized to other forms of social media use.

It may also not be generalizable to other age groups, Chen said.

“The preliminary nature of our findings will require refined measurement of Facebook behaviors in relation to physiological functioning and we will need to undertake future studies to determine whether these effects exist in younger children and adults,” Lupien said. “Developmental analysis could also reveal whether virtual stress is indeed ‘getting over the screen and under the skin’ to modulate neurobiological processes related to adaptation.”

Offline friend network size was also related to cortisol levels.

“It may not be about the number of friends either online or offline, it may be more about potential communication overload,” Chen told Reuters Health by email.

Larger networks may mean more peers and more drama, she said.

Rather than using the overall number of friends online or offline it may be more revealing to examine network composition, strong ties and weak ties, as well as individuals’ position in their networks, she said.

Page 30

FUN & GAMES

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

Londolozi Ltd. is inviting suitable applications for the following position:

Food and Beverage Manager

Reporting to the General Manager responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following: ➢Consistently offer professional, friendly and engaging service. ➢Lead and manage the day to day operations of the Food & Beverage Division ensuring all service standards are followed. ➢Drive innovative promotions, menus and concepts; creating a destination of choice for both Hotel and external guests. ➢Lead and support all Food & Beverage departments in the achievement of their financial and operational targets. ➢Prepare annual budgets and administer in a fiscally responsible manner. ➢Implement effective control of food, beverage, labor and operating expenses throughout the F&B division. ➢Assist in the preparation of the annual strategic plan and achieve the goals and targets therein. ➢Ensure the implementation of standards in guest service and constantly seek out ways to improve product and service as well as increase volumes and profits. ➢Follow department policies, procedures and service standards. ➢Follow all safety policies

Requirements: ➢Minimum of 5 years of previous Food and Beverage international experience in a senior leadership role ➢University/College degree ➢Computer literate in Microsoft Window applications required ➢Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities ➢Highly responsible & reliable with the ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment ➢Ability to work cohesively as part of a team ➢Ability to focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times

Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please Submit Applications to: cgibbons@wihl.com Submissions to be no later than December 5th, 2015 Belongers need only apply.

Page 31

PEOPLE STATE BANK of c/o 122 Blue Mountain Road, P O Box 127 Richmond House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands: Parcel 20502/162 Ambergris & Fish Cays South Caicos comprising 0.46 acres of vacant land.

Registered proprietor: Ambergris Investments Ltd The auction will be held at the offices of Misick & Stanbrook, 122 Blue Mountain Road, Providenciales at 10:00 o’clock in the morning on December 7th 2015 at 10am.

A reserve price will be fixed on all parcels.

Terms and Conditions of Sale by Auction are available by request from Misick & Stanbrook (649) 946-4732 or fax number (649) 946- 4734.

37 Cooper Jack Bay Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands Email: principal@precioustreasuresschool.com, Tel: 1-649-941-5186 INVITES applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the following positions for the 2015/2016 academic school year.

TRAINED TEACHER -REGISTRAR & TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT OFFICER Minimum Qualification and Experience

•Associate of Science degree in IT, Education (with an IT Major) or a related area.

•Certification in any of the following: oA+ certification, o Linux+ certification, o Microsoft certified IT professional certification, o Cisco certified network associate certification, o International information systems security certification consortium certification; •Proven record of successful supervisory in a people-oriented environment; •At least 3 years of direct experience or 5 years in a related area; •Demonstrated understanding of the application of technology to deliver Records and Registration services; •Previous experience working with an international curriculum would be an asset; •A proven record in working successfully with diverse populations; •A positive attitude and ability to plan and adapt to change; •Ability to collaborate effectively with college departments and cross-functional teams;

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

TRAINED TEACHER SECONDARY LEVEL:

emphasis on Early Childhood Education; At least five years’ experience in similar position Possess strong abilities in 21st century teaching methodologies Possesses mature, caring and loving disposition Clean police clearance certificate Willing to work long hours and on public holidays Must be computer literate

Salary commensurate with experience and qualification

PRIMARY:

TRAINED PRIMARY TEACHERS GRADES 1-6

Qualification must include but not limited to the following:

A minimum of First Degree or equivalent in educational studies Appropriate Teacher training qualifications Possess strong abilities in 21st century teaching methodologies At least three years’ experience in similar position Possesses mature, caring and loving disposition Clean police clearance certificate Willing to work long hours and on public holidays Must be computer literate

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

ANCILLARY:

Qualification must include but not limited to the following:

CLEANER:

Master or equivalent in educational studies & development Appropriate Teacher training qualifications Output driven Possess strong abilities in 21st century teaching methodologies At least Five years’ experience in similar position Possesses mature, caring and loving disposition Clean police clearance certificate Willing to work long hours and on public holidays Must be computer literate

-Person will be responsible to keep classrooms and Toilets clean at all times -Be willing to work until late evenings and on non-school days if required -Person will be responsible to maintain school surroundings and do minor repairs and maintenance.

-Salary $5.50 per hour

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications TRAINED PRESCHOOL TEACHER:

A Teaching Diploma or Degree from a recognized institution with

COOK: -Person will be responsible to prepare daily lunches for the Students and Teachers -Candidate must possess a valid driver’s License.

Applications should be submitted to the HR Department no later than December 15th 2015: P.O. Box 293, 37 Cooper Jack Bay Road, Providenciales.

Page 32

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Island Arrangements Airport Fast Track Service is looking for a Airport Representative a matured Individual who is Customer Service Oriented has Effective Communication, Problem solving Skills pays Attention to detail and has a clean Police Record.

Please email us your resume to info@ islandarrangements.com or call 649 946 8108

HELP WANTED

DATABASE DESIGNER

Position: Housekeeper Salary: $5:00 per hour Stay: In Position for Housekeeper Full time positions for housekeeper, responsibilities include cleaning, gardening, laundry, ironing, looking after pets, minor repairs.

Some medical knowledge, late hours. Must love animals Employer: Deborah Aharon 649 432-0605

We are looking to recruit a talented Database Designer whose responsibilities will be developing and maintaining digital libraries, including all necessary logical and physical design elements.

The successful candidate must have strong design skills and strong technical experience in working with system infrastructures •A Degree in design or closely related fields.

•Experienced usage with billing, tracking, invoicing and client management •Working experience with website development and consultation skills with proficient knowledge of CSS and HTML5 . Edith Cox. 231-3617

Wanted

Fly Board Instructor,

Labourer

working 5 days For all your a week, salary advertising commence with needs Contact experience, (649)-339-5879 10 am - 3 pm, or email: contact 346 5647 Gemini secretarial sun@suntci.com Maranatha Academy

(a Seventh-day Adventist Institution) seeks suitable candidate to fill the position of Janitor. This individual must be able to work Mondays through Fridays.

Salary is $6.25 per hour. Duties include cleaning and general maintenance of the school grounds.

Applications can be sent to contact@maranathahigh.com or call the school at 946-4385.

Registered Massage Therapist needed from RMT accredited school, with more than 5 years experience.

Specialized in Therapeutic Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Swedish massage, and Infant Massage.

Send resume to courtyardchiro@icloud.com Locals are encouraged to apply.

TCI STRUCTURES LTD 1 TECHNICIAN • PREPARE STRUCTURAL DETAILS FROM DESIGNER • PRODUCE REBAR SCHEDULES FROM DESIGNER • ANY OTHER DUTIES AS MAY BE ASSIGNED • CERTIFICATE IN COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING • FLUENT IN ENGLISH • MUST HAVE 3 YEARS EXPERIENCE • Salary Offering: $10.00 per hour Closing date for application is the 18th December, 2015 Applications should be emailed to jamtcis@tciway.tc

KISA SERVICES SEEKS Housekeeper - $6.25 per hour Labourer - $6.25 per hour Handyman - $7.00 per hour

Salary $6.25 per hour Contact Marsha at Missick & Stanbrook. Fax 946-4734 Phone 946-4732

Fitness Instructor

•Minimum 10 years Pilates teaching experience (of minimum 20 hours/week) •Full Pilates certification through an accredited PMA Pilates organization •Must show active Pilates certification membership •A faculty member of Balanced Body Pilates with the ability to certify Pilates instructors.

•Bilingual French/English •Have a valid driver’s license

Contact 332-9227

5 days per week Mon-Fri Interested persons should contact 946-3704

KADEEN AGENCY

On behalf of its client is looking for a Bartender, The person must be experience in various types of drinks and able to communicate with customers speaking French and Spanish Must be able to work without supervision Salary $6.25 an hour Call 231-6565

PROVO DISCOUNT LTD

1 DOMESTIC WORKER • Salary Offering: $5.00 per hour Closing date for application is the 18th December, 2015 Applications should be emailed to pdl@ tciway.tc PRETTY WOMAN BEAUTY SALON

Seeks 1 Hairdresser Salary $6.25 per hour 6 days per week Contact 946-3704 spectrum

Sports Bar and Restaurant is seeking the following persons: 2 barmaids/waitress to work 5 days a week, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Tuesday - Saturday, salary $6.00 per hour, please call 344 0313, 3 pm - 5 pm.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

CARIBBEAN WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 33

CARIBBEAN NEWS

NEWS NEWS

Opposition leader in The Bahamas slams ‘chaotic’ National Health Insurance

Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis castigated the Christie administration over the “chaotic manner” in which it has sought to implement National Health Insurance as he urged the government to delay the launch of the healthcare scheme to properly engage stakeholders.

Dr Minnis also criticised Prime Minister Perry Christie, saying he has yet to reveal what benefits package will come with NHI’s roll out or give taxpayers an accurate estimate of what it will cost to implement the plan.

Meanwhile the Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) released a statement yesterday that said the proposed NHI model constitutes “a hostile takeover” of the private health insurance sector by government.

The association predicted that NHI would destabilise the health insurance sector, which they expect to have a snowballing effect on the entire insurance industry.

The BIA cautioned the government to exercise prudence in its management of the country’s affairs and to implement universal health coverage in The Bahamas in a responsible rather than reckless manner.

This comes the day after Acting Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said while the government is concerned about possible job losses due to the implementation of NHI, the scheme is designed to absorb

any possible fallout in the private insurance sector.

He was responding to assertions by a high-level stakeholder in the health insurance industry who told The Tribune this week that as many as 1,000 people will lose their jobs if the government proceeds with NHI without incorporating the BIA’s recommendations.

Despite this, Mr Davis said there have been no discussions to delay rolling-out NHI as criticism continues that the public healthcare system will not be ready to meet the government’s self imposed implementation date of January 1, 2016.

“The Free National Movement strongly supports affordable healthcare for all Bahamians and finds long-term illnesses and deaths as a result of inadequate available funds tragic,” Dr Minnis said in a press statement.

“However, we cannot support the chaotic manner in which the Christie administration is set to implement the proposed National Health Insurance scheme. Because of the lack of proper assessments and evaluations, not surprisingly, the government is unable to say what the roll out of NHI will cost the people of the Bahamas.

“With only one month before implementation, Prime Minister Christie has yet to specify what comes with the NHI scheme. Christie is a man in dreamland with no specific details and is refusing to be guided

and seemingly with no regard for the critical consequences of his reckless actions.”

Dr Minnis said the Bahamian people can rest assured that an FNM government would be committed to the provision of affordable healthcare for all in a process that is meticulous, prudent, and transparent. He said the Bahamian people have every right to know what they are getting before their tax dollars are spent.

Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert

Yesterday, the BIA said the Minnis proposed NHI model represents the by any sensible or sound advice to nationalisation of private assets using delay the launch of NHI – asleep at the instruments of the state without the wheel again. It is reported that duly compensating shareholders. insurance industry stakeholders According to the association, believe that the implementation of the government has no interest in the scheme will immediately force an engaging in any consultation – other estimated 1,000 Bahamians to lose than paying lip service to the idea – as their private sector jobs. Christie’s it relates to NHI implementation. failing government defiantly asserts “The structure of the that NHI will absorb the job fallout.” insurance industry in the Bahamas

He continued: “Knowing makes it difficult to accurately predict Christie’s empty promise legacy, there the full potential impact of the is no guarantee these Bahamian proposed NHI model on employment professionals will secure jobs and no within the health insurance sector,” doubt if they are hired by way of NHI, the statement read. it is likely they will see a significant “Long-term insurers are often licensed reduction in pay. to sell both life and health insurance

“Unfortunately for our products; hence the destabilisation of nation, Prime Minister Christie will the health insurance sector is expected not wake up anytime soon, but when to have a snowballing effect on the life he does, he will find that he has failed insurance sector in particular and the the Bahamian people miserably. As if entire insurance industry in general. the loss of 2,000 jobs at Baha Mar was “When the likely impact on insurance not bad enough and the VAT burden brokers, agents and salespersons is being carried by Bahamians, Christie factored in, significant job losses can is again acting void of all the facts be expected.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has welcomed the election of Baroness Patricia Scotland as the new Commonwealth Secretary General following an election campaign that had threatened to split the 15-member regional grouping.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrt had nominated the former United Kingdom attorney general for the post and stuck with the nomination of the Dominicanborn former legislator despite calls for CARICOM to back a single candidate to replace the outgoing former Indian foreign affairs minister Kamlesh Sharma.

Her nomination for the post had divided the grouping with some

countries openly supporting Sir Ronald Sanders, the Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the United States, who is reported to have withdrawn from the race after failing to past the first hurdle on Friday.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said later that St. John’s had thrown it support behind Baroness Scotland, 60, who also faced Mmasekgoa MasireMwamba of Botswanna for the top Commonwealth post.

In a congratulatory message, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat welcomed the victory, pointing out that Baroness Scotland has created history as the first woman to head the organization.

“She is also the second

Secretary-General to come from the Caribbean Community, the other being Sir Shridath Ramphal of Guyana. Baroness Scotland, born in Dominica and whose father is from Antigua and Barbuda, brings to the position an impressive record of public service.”

CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque, said the Community looks forward to working with Baroness Scotland in continuing to strengthen the unique organisation that is the Commonwealth and in building on the close co-operation between that organisation and CARICOM.

`Meanwhile, St. Kitts- Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has described the new Commonwealth

Caribbean welcomes appointment of Baroness Scotland

Secretary General as a woman with strong attachments to the Caribbean and as one who has “a broad global view” which is needed to “lead the Commonwealth in a new era when solutions are required to critical problems”.

Trinidad and Tobago Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar said she has “no doubt that Baroness Scotland would maintain her pledge to put the women’s agenda firmly on the table and work with leaders, governments, local governments and other partners.

“It is most fitting for the Commonwealth to recognise the value of women in leadership roles,” she added.

Baroness Scotland takes up her position in April next year.

Britain sends £5m foreign aid to Caribbean to improve fishing, tourism

MALTA– British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a £5.6 million cash injection to help improve fishing, tourism and shipping in the Caribbean and other countries.

The 25 “small island” Commonwealth recipients include Bermuda, Jamaica, the Maldives, the Seychelles, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago/

Cameron, who is attending

the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting here, said he wants the countries to be able to make the most of their natural maritime resources.

He made the announcement while unveiling a £26million aid package to help tackle global warming ahead of a meeting of world leaders in Paris on Monday.

The cash will be used to manage fisheries, protect

coastlines and tackle pollution, as well as extending disaster risk.

“We have a real opportunity to get the small island states that are so vulnerable to climate change on board for an ambitious global climate change deal in Paris,” Cameron said. “Britain is firmly committed to helping these countries deal with the effects of climate change.

“That’s why we’re

announcing new support today to help protect them from the risks of climate change and to make the most of their natural maritime advantages, which are so vital to their economies,” Cameron added.

Britain will be spending £16.3billion on its foreign aid program by 2020, more than the amount spent on border controls, immigration, police and prisons.

Page 34

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Bermuda Government seeks deferment over Chief Justice’s ruling

HAMILTON, Bermuda,— Government has spoken of the “profound effects” after Chief Justice Ian Kawaley ruled that foreigners in same-sex partnerships with Bermudians should have the same rights to live and seek employment as spouses of Bermudians.

The landmark ruling followed legal action brought by the Bermuda Bred Company against both the Minister of Home Affairs and the Attorney-General.

The company, which described itself as a group of Bermudians in “binational relationships”, argued that the Immigration and Protection Act had to be read in conjunction with the Human Rights Act, which does not allow discrimination on the grounds of marital status or sexual orientation.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, the Chief Justice ruled in the company’s favour. The company welcomed the ruling.

But following the ruling, government requested the judgment’s effects be suspended for a parliamentary year to allow it to comply, stating that the ruling could lead to myriad changes in the island’s laws.

The Chief Justice adjourned that argument to a date to be set within the next two weeks.

Same-sex marriages are not permitted in Bermuda but some gay couples here go abroad to get married.

Bermudians remain “split” on samesex marriage, according to Minister of Community, Culture and Sport Patricia Gordon-Pamplin.

The effects of this judgment are profound. The Chief Justice’s decision could have wide-ranging effects on other pieces of legislation and the administrative practices of various government departments,” said Home Affairs Minister Michael Fay.

“My ministry, together with the Attorney-General’s chambers, have read the judgment, and we are still trying to assess the full scope of those wide-ranging effects. This exercise will involve determining what legislation may need to be amended and what administrative practices need to be changed, if any.”

Fahy said the judgment could have a range of knock-on effects on legislation relating to bankruptcy, estates, wills, succession rules, the right to inherit or receive bequests, health insurance legislation, pensions and social insurance.

A Bermuda Bred Company spokesman welcomed the judgment, saying “we firmly believe in equality in these areas and in levelling the playing field for same-sex families.

“The effect of the decision is very specific: the non-Bermudian same-sex partners of Bermudians, who are in committed relationships, are

entitled to live and work in Bermuda without immigration restriction.

The decision does not deal with the recognition of marriage equality.”

The spokesman said that the judgment recognises that not only is the island’s immigration policy unlawfully discriminatory, but that it also places an unfair emotional and financial burden on gay and lesbian Bermudians in binational relationships. Such families will have the effective ability to make life plans that include Bermuda as a home.

“The government has asked the court for time to consider the implications of the decision and importantly, in their words, to get their ducks in a row. We take this to mean that there will be no appeal of the decision, and that the government is committed to giving full effect to the order once it is finalised. We hope this can be done without delay,” the spokesman added.

Robert De Niro’s plan for Caribbean More than 60 apply mega-resort opposed by Nevis residents to become FNM candidates

Plans by movie star Robert De Niro and Australian billionaire James Packer to build a 391-acre mega-resort at Princess Diana’s favourite Caribbean hideaway are stirring controversy in Barbuda, where opponents accuse the island’s government of trampling citizens’ rights in a rush to push the project through.

The passage last week of the so-called Paradise Found bill during a lively session of the Antigua and Barbuda parliament cleared a major hurdle to the $250m development on the site of the run-down and abandoned K Club, which closed in 2004.

The new law gives the celebrity business partners incentives including a 25-year tax holiday in return for building the exclusive beachfront resort, which features an eco-lodge and yacht marina, and a new airport on Barbuda.

But critics say the law – named for the De Niro-Packer partnership’s resort brand and passed within hours of its first reading – will “wipe out” sections of existing legislation.

Among the provisions stripped by the new law, they say, are the right of the elected Barbuda Council to “consider and approve” large-scale property deals on the island, and the population’s shared ownership of its land. Plans for the resort, which include more than 40 upmarket cottages each with a private pool, call for the grant of a government lease for 140 acres in addition to the 251-acre footprint of the old K Club site.

“What the government is doing and the way they are proceeding is wrong,” said opposition leader Harold Lovell, whose fellow senators from the United Progressive Party voted against the bill.

“A very bad precedent has been set. Every other investor

Robert De Niro with the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, in June.

Photograph could legitimately claim the wish to have some parliamentary force to give them whatever they desire.

“We are being asked to trample on an act that enshrines the rights of the people of Barbuda to hold land in common and have a say in terms of any major developments.”

A year ago, the Antigua and Barbuda prime minister Gaston Browne hailed De Niro as “a visionary” for his work in hotel development, including a Macau casino project with fellow Hollywood big-hitters Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese. He named the actor a “special economic envoy” in the hope of attracting more celebrity investment to the country.

But progress has been slow since, and a referendum on the island in March that approved the project by a narrow majority is facing a legal challenge by the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM), which claims the result was illegitimate because nonBarbudans were allowed to vote.

Browne, fearful that De Niro and Packer might walk away from the investment in frustration at what he called “stymieing” by the opposition, said the government was merely acting decisively to

get the project back on track.

“We did what we had to do,” he said. “We went the extra mile to get the project out of political deadlock and get it moving. If they’re going to protest with the hope that we lose the investment they’ll have to account to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”

Trevor Walker, the leader of the BPM – and opposition leader on the Barbuda Council – said his group’s main objection was not to the project itself but the “grave disrespect” shown by the government to the residents of the island.

“We are opposed to the bill,” he said. “The process of having a project in Barbuda should be done by negotiation with the laws on the books. The project is a different thing. We’re open to getting the K Club going, we want it going.”

Another opposition lawmaker, Senator Jacqui Quinn, accused members of the governing Antigua Labour Party of “an unpatriotic, callous abuse of power” during debate on the bill at a raucous parliamentary session, which attracted about 400 protesters.

FREE National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard said more than 60 professionals have submitted applications to the party in a bid to run on the FNM’s ticket in the 2017 general election.

According to the Nassau Tribune, he said while a number of these persons are already working the field as prospective candidates in various capacities, the party continues to welcome interested Bahamians who believe they will be effective in politics.

Party leader Dr Hubert Minnis is expected to reveal the names of the hopefuls who have passed through the investigative process and candidates committee early next year, Mr Pintard said.

“A number of them are already working in the field as prospective candidates and registering persons for the general election.”

“It is the intention of the leadership to intensify the vetting process for other persons who have presented applications to run. That number is well over 60 from various professions dominated by people of the business sector.”

He added: “In terms of age these are persons under age 50, but the party continues to welcome persons who have interest in running on the party’s ticket.”

The party had planned to ratify the bulk of its 2017 general election candidates in August; however, the highly anticipated appointments were repeatedly postponed due to controversy over conflict of interest claims from the Progressive Liberal Party, reported leadership issues, and most recently the catastrophic Hurricane Joaquin.

Despite reports that several sitting FNM MPs will not be renominated, a source suggested that current parliamentarians would be allowed to remain as standard bearers.

According to the source, the party’s Candidates Committee has shortlisted 10 candidates for approval by the FNM’s Central Council.

Despite declaring his retirement earlier this year, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key suggested in September that he would seek another term.

The turnaround came less than six months after he confirmed to The Tribune that he was looking forward to the end of his 40-year long career as a parliamentarian.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 35

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Jamaica MPs say $10 Million too little for political campaigns

Parliamentarians yesterday signaled that the maximum allowable spending on political campaigns was too low and would have to be increased to realistic levels.

Currently, each candidate can spend up to $10 million on his campaign, up from $3 million.

In opening the debate yesterday on the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2015, or the so-called campaign finance bill, Phillip Paulwell, minister with responsibility for electoral matters, indicated that parliamentarians should seek audience with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) if they wanted the $10 million ceiling for campaign spending to be increased.

With some opposition members, including leader Andrew Holness, yesterday suggesting that the $10 million was low, Paulwell said that they should get together and change the law.

“If it is not realistic, let us increase the amount,” he said.

The $10 million expense ceiling has been built into the bill.

“We don’t want to insert a figure (in the bill) that is subject to severe penalties if it is unworkable and if it is going to lead to every member breaching.

So we are prepared, in the course of this debate, to look at that figure to make sure that it is realistic, and so as not to breach the tradition, we have to consult with the selected members of the commission before we pass this law, hopefully, next week,” Paulwell said.

By moving to increase the limit, the Parliament risks disturbing a convention that sees legislators passing, as is, all bills and approving, without change, all reports sent to it by the ECJ.

The Portia Simpson Miller-led Government has already been forced to go back to supporting state funding of political campaigns after having stated that it would be seeking to remove the clause from the campaign finance bill.

Paulwell, yesterday, said that when he initially declared that his side would not support state funding, the Government was being “very sensitive and responsive to the will of our people”.

He said, however, that the Government had backed away from that position in order to preserve the convention.

The proposal for the State to fund political campaigns was robustly debated in the Houses of Parliament when a report from the ECJ, with proposals for campaign-finance reform, was considered.

The clause proposes that a registered political party that meets certain requirements, including having its annual financial statements independently audited by a registered public accountant, be entitled to receive state funding in each financial year.

“The Jamaican electorate now, they are very mindful and very cagey about political parties receiving funds from the state,” Paulwell told The Gleaner earlier this month.

“Based on the canvassing, it is not a matter that the electorate would support, and so we didn’t want to upset and anger the electorate. Having reviewed it, we would not be able to convince our side to support it,” he added.

But speaking in Parliament yesterday, Paulwell said it was important that the bill be passed without amendment, which has been a long established convention.

“In light of that and so as not to be in breach of that tradition, the Government is removing its reservation on this section in the hope that all sections are passed by both sides, thus maintaining the tradition,” Paulwell said.

Warmington, who opposed the clause in the report, told The Gleaner that he would not support the amendment.

“If you have put it in the bill, I am not supporting any amendment. It came to Parliament and they accepted the report. I was the only person who voted against it then, so if you have 62 persons who voted for the report in its entirety, how can you talk about not wanting to go with it at this stage?” he said recently.

Paulwell had written to the selected members of the ECJ seeking support for amendment to the clause but was told that the convention should be preserved.

State funding will be available to all candidates contesting as members of registered political parties or independent candidates who received at least five per cent of the votes cast in the last election.

Haiti opposition says transitional gov’t may be needed

P O R T- A U - P R I N C E , Haiti — Eight candidates in last month’s disputed presidential vote are demanding changes in Haiti’s electoral council and national police department.

And if that doesn’t happen by next month, they are calling for a transitional government to oversee new general elections.

Among those signing late Sunday’s declaration was Jude Celestin, the second-place finisher who is due to face the government-backed candidate,

reforms and organizing “credible” general elections within two years. They did not specify how it might be formed.

The eight have been demanding an independent recount due to what they assert was “massive fraud” in favor of Moise. But election authorities say the vote was a success and that fraud allegations have been properly investigated. They also say they lack the authority to appoint an independent panel to verify results.

Pierre-Louis Opont, president of the Provisional Jovenel Moise, in a Dec. 27 runoff. Electoral Council, told reporters The ultimatum throws that runoff at a Monday press conference into question. that the next round will take

The Group of Eight place and the final results of the alliance, which includes seven of October vote “are not going to the top 10 vote-getters in the Oct. change.”

25 first round, said that without He suggested the Group “major changes ... fair, free and of Eight ultimatum was a political democratic elections” cannot be strategy and said the council held while outgoing President would not get involved.

Michel Martelly is in power.

Moise’s well-financed

The eight said a Tet Kale party campaign has transitional government would repeatedly denied accusations be charged with adopting a new that it manipulated voting or the constitution, making various ballot count.

Guyana teacher fears estranged husband will kill her

Caught in the midst of a nasty custody battle and a restraining order, Sceon Beckles is living in fear that her estranged husband will keep his promise to murder her.

Beckles, 31, is saying that the police needs to do more to protect her and her two sons. She said the system has been failing her for years, eventually forcing her to go into hiding. Despite a protection order and countless reports to police stations, the stalking and death threats continue.

“I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. I can’t even look out of my own window…I can’t even answer my phone. I don’t feel safe at work,” she told Kaieteur News.

After nine years of verbal and physical abuse, Beckles packed her clothes and left her husband, George Selman, a prison officer. She filed for divorce and had him served with a restraining order.

“The order is just a piece of paper. It doesn’t protect me. He still comes to my school and asks to speak with me. He still questions my students about if I am at work. He has a knife for me and he says he is going to use it and kill me,” she said.

The protection order has instructed that Selman should not be within 100 feet of Beckles and her children for a period of ten years. He was restrained from harassing her. However, Selman had to be barred by a policeman from assaulting her at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

Selman’s lawyer had also stepped down from representing him after he disclosed that he will kill Beckles no matter the outcome of the case.

Beckles stated that whenever she went to a police station, the police taking the report would only listen to what she had to say and write it down. That was as far as it went. “The court can’t stop. They said a file was sent to the DPP for advice but that’s all I’m hearing…paperwork and more paperwork.”

The police file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for nearly two months now and no response has been given. The Social Protection Ministry, she said, has not offered any dependable advice to protect her and her sons. She stated that one of her sons for whom she was seeking custody, was taken away and given to her husband.

A senior official in the Ministry informed Kaieteur News that the child was returned to the care of the father prior to the protection order and the death threats; however, the case is being reviewed.

“We can remove the child from the environment depending on the findings of that reevaluation,” the source said.

The official said that the decision to place the child in the father’s custody came out of a report that was presented to the Child Care and Protection Agency.

The source insisted that the Ministry has done all it could to help Beckles and it was up to her now to decide if she will accept their proposal.

“Hiding won’t help her…This man has friends and he is very aggressive,” the source added.

Selman has visited the Kaieteur News and two other publications, complaining about his estranged wife. There were reports that he behaved quite aggressively when he was talking about the situation.

Beckles said the death threats began when she filed for divorce and moved out. She said he told her that he could buy a gun for $50,000 and kill her and the children and then himself. She said the threats have been escalating as the months go by.

“One time he showed up with a long knife and tell me that whenever he gets the chance he will take me down,” she related.

When questioned why she stayed in the abusive relationship for so long, Beckles stated that she felt that she owed it to him to stay because he took care of her.

“I loved him and felt that he could change but I couldn’t change him. I wish I had paid more attention in the earlier days before we got married…

“I wish I noticed that he use to spark up in a flash whenever he gets angry,” she said.

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Authorities look for militant links to shooters in California mass slaying

The couple suspected of killing 14 people at a holiday party in California amassed thousands of rounds of ammunition and a dozen pipe bombs, authorities said on Thursday as they sought clues to the pair’s motives and whether they had links to Islamist militants.

Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 27, were killed in a shootout with police five hours after Wednesday’s massacre at the Inland Regional Center social services agency in the city of San Bernardino, about 60 miles (100 km) east of Los Angeles.

Twenty-one people were wounded in the attack, which ranks as the deadliest instance of U.S. gun violence since the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in which 27 people were killed.

The dead and wounded from Wednesday’s bloodshed accounted for nearly half of the estimated 75 to 80 people who were in the room where the armed couple opened fire.

San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan told a news conference the search of a townhouse leased by the two shooting suspects in the nearby community of Redlands turned up flash drives, computers and cell phones.

Officials in Washington familiar with the investigation said there was no hard evidence of a direct connection between the couple and any militant group abroad, but the electronics would be checked to see if the suspects had been browsing on jihadist websites or social media.

One U.S. government source told Reuters the FBI was examining information indicating that Farook was in contact with individuals who

Farook, who according to Burguan had no criminal record, worked as an inspector for San Bernardino County Department of Environmental Health, the agency throwing the holiday party that came under attack.

Police cited witness accounts that Farook had been attending the celebration but stormed off in anger, then returned with Malik armed with assault gear and opened fire. Burguan said they sprayed the room with 65 to 70 rounds.

Four hours after the shooting, police riddled a black SUV with gunfire killing had themselves been under FBI investigation, some from cases already closed. The source also said it was possible that one or more of the Farook contacts under scrutiny were overseas.

But no information has emerged suggesting any ties or contacts between Farook and the Islamic State or other specific militant groups, the source said.

IDEOLOGY OR WORKPLACE ANGER?

Officials from President Barack Obama to Police Chief Burguan said the attack may have been motivated by extremist ideology but that questions of motive remained unanswered.

“It is possible that this was terrorist-related. But we don’t know,” Obama told reporters. “It is also possible that this was workplacerelated.”

Farook, a U.S. citizen born in Illinois, was the son of Pakistani immigrants, according to Hussam Ayloush, who heads the Los Angeles area chapter of the Muslim advocacy group Council on American-Islamic

Relations (CAIR).

Malik, who had a 6-month-old daughter with Farook, was a Pakistani native living in Saudi Arabia when they married, Ayloush said.

David Bowdich, FBI assistant director in Los Angeles, said Malik was admitted to the United State on a K-1 “fiancee visa” and was traveling on a Pakistani passport.

The couple entered the United States in July 2014 after a trip that included Pakistan, Bowdich said. Farook also visited Saudi Arabia for nine days in the summer of 2014, the kingdom’s embassy in Washington said.

The director of the Islamic Center of Riverside, a mosque Farook attended regularly for two years, described him as a devout Muslim who made the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia a few years ago and celebrated his wedding reception at the mosque.

“His degree of faith is very high,” the director, Mustafa Kuko, told Reuters.

“He was a very quiet person, peaceful, never had an argument with anyone or a dispute.”

Kuko said Farook attended morning and evening prayers from 2012 to 2014, when he abruptly stopped coming.

MORE WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES AT HOUSE

Burguan said the couple had two assault-style rifles, two semiautomatic handguns and 1,600 rounds of ammunition in their rented sport utility vehicle, when they were killed.

At the townhouse, police found another 4,500 rounds, 12 pipe bombs and bombmaking equipment. One bomb was rigged to a remote-control device.

The guns were legally purchased in the United States, said Meredith Davis, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Burguan said Farook bought the two handguns. The rifles were purchased by someone else, who Davis said was not linked to the investigation.

As the FBI-led investigation pressed on Thursday, authorities completed formally notifying the families of the 14 people who died and made their names public.

The victims, all from Southern California, ranged in age from 26 to 60, and most were men, according to the county coroner. All but two of the dead and three of the wounded were county employees.

Man arrested with more than 5000 guns

Chesterfield County Sheriff’s lieutenant David Lee removes rifles from a shipping container as he and other officers sort through thousands of guns found in the home and garage of Brent Nicholson, in Pageland, South Carolina

As sheriff ’s investigators threaded past the battered cars, castoff tires and rusted farm equipment cluttering Brent Nicholson’s front yard, there was no hint of the sinister stockpile hidden behind his windowless front door.

Inside, the guns were everywhere: rifles and shotguns piled in the living room, halls and bedrooms; handguns littering tables and countertops. Outside, when they

rolled up the door on the pre-fab metal garage, more arms spilled out at their feet.

“This has completely changed our definition of an ass-load of guns,” said Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks. Six weeks after the discovery, officers are still cataloging the weapons, many of which have proved stolen, and the final tally is expected to be close to 5,000. “I don’t know if there’s ever been (a seizure) this big anywhere before,”

Brooks says.

The question of how one man amassed such a stockpile of guns arises just as there is renewed American soul-searching over the widespread availability of firearms in the wake of a series of mass shootings.

Even in a country where more people own more guns than anywhere else in the world, Nicholson’s cache is extraordinary. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives doesn’t rank gun seizures by size, but a spokesman says Nicholson’s hoard probably is among the largest ever.

Yet when and why Nicholson set out to amass such an arsenal remains a mystery. Investigators are trying to determine whether he was simply a gun-obsessed hoarder or a supply valve in the “Iron Pipeline” of illegal firearms flowing from the south to New Jersey, New York and other northern states.

Nicholson, jailed on multiple charges of possessing stolen property,

has not entered a plea or retained an attorney, court records show. His wife, Sharon Nicholson, facing similar charges and free on bond, declined to discuss specifics of the case but stressed in a brief interview that her husband buys his guns legally.

Just about everyone knows the Nicholsons in this struggling town of 2,700, where the textile industry’s regional decline has helped strand median household income at $26,500 a year, half the U.S. average, and burglary rates run well over national norms. Firearms are a cultural staple – hunting clubs and cabins dot the county – and people say Nicholson’s penchant for guns was a family affair.

“Everybody knew he’d buy guns; his father bought ‘em, his grandfather bought ‘em,” says Al Padgett, 68, who keeps a booth at a local flea market and says he’s known the family all his life. “He collected ‘em, hoarded ‘em, but I never knew him to sell a gun. Not one. He did everyone a favor keeping ‘em off the street.”

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Chicago police chief out, review launched over black teen’s death

Chicago’s police chief was ousted on Tuesday after days of protest over a white officer’s shooting of a black teenager 16 times and the department’s refusal to release a video of the killing for more than a year.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced during a news conference that he had asked Garry McCarthy, police superintendent since May 2011, to resign. Emanuel also said he was creating a new police accountability task force.

The white officer, Jason Van Dyke, was charged a week ago with first-degree murder in the 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald. The video, from a patrol car’s dashboard camera, was released on the same day.

High-profile killings of black men at the hands of mainly white law enforcement officers in U.S. cities have

fueled demonstrations for some two years, stoking a national debate on race relations and police tactics.

Emanuel, a Democrat and former chief of staff to President Barack Obama, said he was responsible for what happened in the case, the same as the police superintendent.

He said the creation of the task force was meant to rebuild trust in the police department of one of the country’s largest cities.

The mayor said McCarthy had become “a distraction.” In an editorial on Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times had called for McCarthy’s resignation and the Chicago City Council black caucus and some protesters had also called for him to leave.

About 150 demonstrators endured nearly freezing temperatures to rally outside Chicago police headquarters on Tuesday

evening, in a protest led by the city’s chapter of the Black Lives Matter group.

“We have built a resistance movement and put pressure at the highest offices in both the police department and City Hall,” said demonstrator Damon Williams, 23. “This is a very long fight and we have a lot more work to do.”

The Conference of National Black Churches applauded McCarthy’s dismissal.

Dean Angelo, president of Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police, expressed surprise at McCarthy’s ouster. “We thought the mayor was supportive of the superintendent,” he said.

Policing and street violence have emerged as leading issues for Emanuel since his election in April to a second term after being forced into a runoff. The mayor,

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy was fired December 1, 2015, after it took 13 months to charge a white police officer with the shooting death of a black teenager, according to media reports.

McCarthy and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez have faced criticism for taking 13 months to release the video of the shooting and to charge Van Dyke.

By naming a commission and removing McCarthy, Emanuel could be hoping to deflect criticism of his own handling of the case. Soon after Emanuel’s reelection, the city agreed to a $5 million settlement with the 17-year-old’s family.

The video shows Van Dyke shooting McDonald in the middle of a street on Oct. 20, 2014, as McDonald was walking away from police who had confronted him. Protests followed the charging of Van Dyke and the release of the

video on Nov. 24.

Van Dyke, 37, was released from jail on Monday after posting bail of $1.5 million.

A civil rights leader, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, urged an independent investigation led by a special prosecutor.

Jim Pasco, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, said: “Blame Rahm Emanuel. He hired McCarthy, he set his parameters, and he fired him.”

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Cornell William Brooks accused the city of “generational police misconduct and police brutality.”

Sacramento police officer gets life in prison for raping 75-year-old stroke victim

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A former Sacramento police officer convicted of raping a 75-year-old stroke victim in her senior living apartment has been sentenced to life in prison, court records show.

Prosecutors said Gary Dale Baker, 52, entered the woman’s apartment at least three times from 2010 to 2012, raping her twice as she suffered from a stroke-related inability to speak.

He was convicted in July of nine charges relating to the case, including rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual battery and burglary. On Tuesday, Baker was sentenced to 62 years to life, meaning that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars, a spokeswoman for Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said.

The woman, now 77, was

recovering from a stroke in a senior living complex in South Sacramento when the attacks began, prosecutors said.

She struggled to communicate to her family what had happened, and initially, even though DNA evidence confirmed the rape, investigators were not able to link it to any known suspects, prosecutors said.

But in late 2012, after Baker attempted a third assault, a Sacramento police detective suggested that the woman’s family install a Officer Gary Dale Baker is taken into custody in Sacramento Superior Court after being convicted of motion-activated camera.

When Baker came back again, raping a 72 year old woman who was paralyzed by a stroke. police officers reviewing the footage Sacramento Superior Court Judge “unspeakable,” the newspaper said. immediately recognized him. Baker, Ernest Sawtelle said as he sentenced Sacramento County jail who was then an active officer on the Baker, the Sacramento Bee newspaper records show that Baker remained in Sacramento police force, was arrested reported on Wednesday. “For your custody on Wednesday, with no listed and fired from the department. crimes, you will be sentenced to life in release date. A request by his attorneys

“You tarnished the badge for prison.” for a new trial was denied on Tuesday, police officers everywhere,”

Sawtelle called Baker’s crimes records show.

U.S. deploying new force to Iraq to boost fight against Islamic State

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter (L) and Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., arrive to testify before a House Armed Services Committee hearing on “U.S. Strategy for Syria and Iraq and its Implications for the Region” in Washington December 1, 2015.

The United States said on Tuesday it was deploying a new force of special operations troops to Iraq to conduct raids against Islamic State there and in neighboring Syria, in a ratcheting up of Washington’s campaign against the group.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the deployment of the new “specialized expeditionary targeting force” was being carried out in coordination with Iraq’s government

and would aid Iraqi government security forces and Kurdish peshmerga forces.

“These special operators will over time be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence and capture ISIL leaders,” Carter told the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, using an acronym for Islamic State.

“This force will also be in a position to conduct unilateral

operations into Syria.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s office issued a statement saying it welcomed foreign assistance but Iraq’s government would need to approve any deployment of special operations forces anywhere in Iraq - a point Carter also acknowledged.

Abadi reiterated that foreign ground combat troops were not needed in Iraq, although it was unclear whether Baghdad viewed these special operations forces in that role.

Powerful Iraqi Shi’ite Muslim armed groups pledged to fight any such deployment of U.S. forces to the country.

Jafaar Hussaini, a spokesman for Kata’ib Hezbollah, one of the main Shi’ite militant groups, said that any such U.S. force would become a “primary target for our group.”

“We fought them before and we are ready to resume fighting,” he said.

U.S. officials, speaking on

condition of anonymity, said the plan to deploy the special operations forces unit to Iraq was discussed and agreed with the government of Iraq before Carter’s announcement.

“As we further develop plans for these limited forces, we will continue to work closely with our Iraqi partners on where they will be deployed, what kind of missions they will undertake, and how they will support Iraqi efforts,” one U.S. official said.

While the force is expected to number only about 200, its creation marks the latest stepping up of U.S. military pressure on Islamic State while also exposing American forces to greater risk, something President Barack Obama has done only sparingly.

The force is separate from a previously announced deployment of up to 50 U.S. special operations troops in Syria to coordinate on the ground with U.S.-backed rebels fighting in a civil war raging since 2011.

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Hotel and airline bookings for Paris down following attacks

Woman Who Taped Dog’s Mouth Charged With animal Cruelty

U.S. woman charged after social media backlash over dog’s taped muzzle

A woman who sparked an international furor online after posting a photo on Facebook last week of her dog with its mouth duct-taped shut has been charged with animal cruelty in North Carolina, police said.

But Katharine Lemansky, 45, will be allowed to keep the chocolate lab-mix named Brown after authorities in Cary, North Carolina, said they found no signs of injury or detectable hair loss on the dog’s muzzle.

“Taping the dog’s muzzle shut was a terrible decision on Ms. Lemansky’s part,” Cary Police Captain Randall Rhyne said in a statement on Monday.

“At the same time, it’s important to also note that our animal control officers who physically examined both Brown and her littermate found the dogs to be very well cared for, which is why we did not and could not remove them from the owner.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urged North Carolina officials on Tuesday to remove the dogs from Lemansky’s care and to ban her from future pet ownership if she is convicted.

Concern for Brown the dog spread rapidly after its photo was posted online Friday along with the caption, “This is what happens when you don’t shut up!!!”

Police departments in Florida and Connecticut, two states where Lemansky was believed to have ties, said their communication systems were inundated with phone calls and emails from around the world about the case.

Police officers in South Daytona, Florida, tracked Lemansky to North Carolina, where she admitted the taping incident had taken place, officials said.

Lemansky, whose Facebook page lists her as Katie Brown, faces a fine and up to 150 days in jail for the misdemeanor charge.

Occupancy rates at some Paris hotels have plunged by more than 30 percent in the days since the Nov. 13 terror attacks, according to a company that tracks hotel industry data.

STR Global said that compared to the same dates a year ago, occupancy rates were 39 percent lower last Saturday and 33 percent lower last Sunday, the two most recent days in the company’s report.

The day after the attacks, there was a 14 percent drop from the same date a year earlier, followed by decreases in the 20 and 30 percent range Nov. 15 to 20.

STR Global cautioned that its report only represents 37 percent of its monthly sample for Paris hotels, so the data is not definitive. But it does confirm anecdotal and other reports of a downturn in leisure travel to France.

The leading U.S. airlines, online travel agencies and ticketdistribution companies declined to comment on booking trends.

But travel-information company Forward Data SL said bookings to Paris over the Christmas holiday were down 13 percent compared with last year since the Nov. 13 attacks.

Forward Data CEO Olivier Jager said in an interview that the company reviewed bookings data that it buys from ticket information distribution systems used by 200,000 travel agencies. The information does not include trips booked directly with the airlines, which is roughly half of all tickets.

Forward Data said cancelations among passengers who had already purchased tickets spiked in the days after the attacks but returned to normal levels within a week.

Much of the decline

in new bookings appeared to come from leisure travelers not surprising, since business travel in Europe tends to slow during December. Bookings with online travel agencies fell faster than those from corporate travel offices, according to Forward Data.

Christmas bookings from the U.S. to Paris had been running ahead of 2014 levels until the attacks but fell slightly below last year’s pace after Nov. 13, the company reported.

The three biggest U.S. airlines have said they are continuing to operate normal schedules between the U.S. and Paris.

A website that compares rates for travel insurance, InsureMyTrip, said in a statement that its agents were experiencing an estimated 20 percent jump in queries from travelers overall seeking insurance since the Paris attacks.

Not so fast: Philippine frontrunner barred from running for president

A Philippine senator abandoned in a church as a baby and until now the favorite to succeed Benigno Aquino as president was barred on Tuesday from running.

Three members of the second division of the Commission on Election (Comelec) said Grace Poe could not run for president in elections in May because she fails to meet the 10-year residency requirement.

Poe, a naturalized American, returned to the Philippines when her adoptive father, who ran for president and lost, died in late 2004. Six years later, she renounced her U.S. citizenship when Aquino appointed her to a government post.

“I am disappointed in

Senator Grace Poe, one of the contenders in the 2016 presidential election, speaks during a business forum in Pasay city, Metro Manila October 27, 2015. the decision, but this is not the end of the process,” Poe said in a statement. “I have faith in the

process, and we are confident that the Comelec en banc will side with the interest of the people.”

Poe’s camp said it would appeal against the decision to Comelec before elevating it to the Supreme Court.

Aquino, in power since 2010, is barred under the constitution from seeking a second term.

Under Aquino, the Philippines has seen annual economic growth of more than six percent on average, its best five-year record in four decades.

He has also battled to rein in corruption.

The May election will be closely watched by investors, who fear the political succession could derail gains made during Aquino’s rule.

Woman pleads guilty in South African court to trying to sell baby online

A mother pleaded guilty in a South African court on Monday to having tried to sell her baby on the Internet for 5,000 rand ($346), the online news service News24 said.

“I admit that my actions were wrongful, unlawful and

intentional. I have no defense,” the 20-year-old woman was quoted as saying by News24.

Police said the woman was arrested in October following a tip-off from a member of the public who said that a baby was being sold on the website

Gumtree.

She was freed on bail and placed under house arrest.

Sentencing will be carried out on Feb. 29 at the Magistrates Court in the eastern town of Pietermaritzburg.

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Adele smashes records with 3.38 million first-week U.S sales of ‘25’

British singer Adele’s new album sold a record 3.38 million U.S. copies in its first full week, Nielsen Music said, becoming the biggestselling album of 2015 in an astonishing feat for an era when artists rarely top 1 million.

In just seven days on sale, “25”, the first album in four years by the Grammy-winning singer, easily outsold the entire year’s figures for country-pop superstar Taylor Swift’s hit album “1989”, according to official figures released by Nielsen on Saturday. Swift’s album has sold some 1.76 million U.S. copies in 2015.

The figures for “25” were the biggest single-week sales tally for an album since Nielsen began tracking sales in 1991.

The first week numbers for “25” put the sultry singer at the head of an elite club of artists, including Britney Spears, Whitney Houston,

the Official Charts Company said last week.. Worldwide figures were not available.

The sales numbers reflect the wide appeal of the emotional and personal ballads by the 27 year-old British singer, as well as the decision by her independent record company XL Recordings not to make the album available for streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Google Play. Fans were therefore obliged to pay for the physical CD or to download it from services like iTunes.

However, it is available on U.S. online radio service Pandora although British singer Adele performs the song ‘’Skyfall’’ from film ‘’Skyfall,’’ nominated as best original song, fans cannot choose what tracks or at the 85th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 24, 2013. times they can listen.

Eminem and Lady Gaga, whose by NSync’s 2000 album “No Strings Adele last week announced albums have debuted with more than Attached.” a stadium tour of Britain, Ireland 1 million U.S. copies.

“25” also broke records in and continental Europe, starting in

Last week, it took just four Canada and Britain, where its 800,307 February 2016. No plans have yet days for the album to break the 15 copies sold were more than the last been announced for North America or year-old first-week sales record held 19 No. 1 albums in Britain combined, Asia.

Six boys killed in dormitory blaze in Turkey

Six children died in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday after a fire caused by a suspected electrical fault engulfed the dormitory of their religious school, emergency workers said.

The boys, aged between 10 and 13 years, were killed as they slept when the fire broke out at 2:40 a.m. in the town of Kulp in

Diyarbakir province, firefighting officials said.

The boys were attending a boarding school that instructed them in the Koran.

Some of the children survived by jumping out of windows. Three boys were being treated for smoke inhalation in hospital, medical officials said.

French priest admits pocketing 700,000 euros

A Catholic priest will be sent to court after admitting he stole more than 700,000 euros ($741,000) collected from churchgoers and buyers of holy candles over a quarter of a century, the French public prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.

René Heuillet, 80, admitted pocketing proceeds of regular church collections between 1987 and retirement in early 2013, plus 100,000 euros from votive candle sales, said a statement from the

prosecutor’s office in Foix, in southwestern France.

He seemingly spent little of the money. Public prosecutor Karline Bouisset said the authorities had frozen holdings of 656,000 euros on his bank account.

The case was brought to light by the priest who succeeded him in the Pyrenean mountain village of Saint-Lizier, said the statement, which said the trial was set for Jan. 16.

Five Syrians caught in Honduras heading for U.S. freed from jail

A policeman escort two of five Syrians as they arrive in a court room to face charges of falsifying documents, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, December 1, 2015.

Five Syrian men caught in Honduras trying to reach the United States last month on fake Greek passports were freed from jail on Tuesday, after they agreed to pay

a fine in exchange for the charges against them being dropped, a court spokeswoman said.

Caught in Tegucigalpa’s Toncontin airport in the aftermath

Canadian caught with 51 turtles in his pants pleads guilty in Michigan

A Canadian college student caught at a border checkpoint in August 2014 with 51 live turtles in his pants pleaded guilty to six smuggling charges on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Kai Xu, 27, of Windsor, Ontario, admitted to smuggling or trying to smuggle more than 1,600 turtles of different species out of the United States from April 2014 until his arrest in September 2014. Each of the six counts carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

In August 2014, Xu crossed the U.S.-Canada border into Detroit and was watched by U.S. agents as he picked up a package at a parcel center and appeared to transfer items before

heading back to the border, according to a criminal complaint.

When he passed back through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Xu was stopped by Canadian Border Services, which found and seized 41 live turtles taped to his legs and 10 hidden between his legs, the complaint said.

The day of his arrest, Xu packed more than 1,000 turtles into suitcases that he sent with a runner he had hired to fly them to Shanghai from Detroit, prosecutors said.

U.S. District Judge John Corbett O’Meara scheduled sentencing for April 12 in Ann Arbor.

Xu has been held in federal custody since his arrest.

Intruder dies in California chimney after homeowner lights fire

A suspected burglar who attempted to enter a California home through the chimney died on Saturday after the homeowner lit a fire without realizing the intruder was inside, police said.

The man appeared to have climbed into the chimney during the night while the owner was away and then became stuck, according to the Fresno County Sheriff ’s Office.

The owner of the home in Huron lit a fire in his fireplace on Saturday afternoon but then heard of the Paris attacks, the Syrians had aroused fears in the United States of the possibility of Islamic State fighters entering through the country’s southern border with Mexico.

Honduran authorities, however, said there were no indications the men were militants.

Court spokeswoman Barbara Castillo said the men had each agreed to pay a fine of 10,000 Lempiras ($450) for the charges of falsification of documents to be dropped.

A handful of detentions in Latin America in recent weeks exposed what could be a larger trend of Syrians

a man yelling inside the chimney as the house filled with smoke, the sheriff ’s office said in a statement.

The homeowner tried to extinguish the flames but firefighters who dismantled the chimney during a rescue effort found the suspect dead inside, the sheriff ’s office said.

The deceased man was identified by the Coroner’s Office as Cody Caldwell, aged 19. The cause of death was determined to be smoke inhalation and burns. escaping violence at home along less trodden paths through the region.

Castillo said the men were being freed provisionally from prison, and were expected to receive permanent refugee status on Feb. 22.

She said they had been warmly received by Honduras’ Arab community, and were planning to stay in the Central American country, which is one of the poorest and most violent in the world.

A Syrian woman and two Pakistani men detained last month in Honduras were still being investigated, officials said.

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BUSINESS &

TECHNOLOGY

Facebook’s CEO and wife to Toymaker VTech hit give 99 percent of shares to by largest-ever hack targeting kids their new foundation

Mark Zuckerberg will put 99 percent of his Facebook Inc shares, currently worth about $45 billion, into a new philanthropy project focusing on human potential and equality, he and his wife said Tuesday in a letter to their newborn daughter.

The plan, which was posted on the Facebook founder and chief executive officer’s page, attracted more than 570,000 “likes,” including from singer Shakira, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Melinda Gates, wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. The Gates and other high-profile billionaires such as Warren Buffett have set up foundations of their own to dedicate their massive fortunes to philanthropic endeavors.

Zuckerberg, 31, who will control the new initiative jointly with his wife, Priscilla Chan, while remaining in charge of the world’s largest online social network, said he would sell or give up to $1 billion in shares in each of the next three years.

Zuckerberg will keep a controlling stake in Facebook, valued at $303 billion as of Tuesday’s close, for what the company called the “foreseeable future.” According to Facebook’s most recent proxy statement, Zuckerberg owned 4 million Class A shares and 422.3 million Class

Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and wife B shares, which have 10 times the voting power of A shares.

Combined he held 54 percent of the voting power of the company’s shares.

Zuckerberg said he plans to remain CEO of Facebook for “many, many years to come.”

Zuckerberg’s new project, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, is not his first in the world of philanthropy. When he was 26, he signed the Giving Pledge, which invites the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to commit to giving more than half

of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes over their lifetime or in their will.

“Mark and Priscilla are breaking the mold with this breathtaking commitment,” Buffett said on Facebook. “A combination of brains, passion and resources on this scale will change the lives of millions. On behalf of future generations, I thank them.”

Melinda Gates chimed in, “The first word that comes to mind is: Wow. The example you’re setting today is an inspiration to us and the world.”

Cyber Monday sales top $3 billion as discounts spur buyers Shopping through mobile devices soared on Cyber Monday, accounting for more than a quarter of the $3 billion in sales, but many online retailers struggled to get visitors using smartphones and tablets to shop as much as those using desktops.

Bigger-than-expected discounts and strong demand for electronics and toys made Cyber Monday the biggest ever day for online sales in the United States, according to the Adobe Digital Index report.

The report was based on data from 200 million visits to 4,500 retail websites on what is traditionally the busiest day of the year for Internet shopping.

Shopping using mobile devices accounted for 26 percent of total online sales, up from 19 percent a year earlier, Adobe’s report said.

IBM’s Watson Trend report said mobile traffic accounted for 47.9 percent of all online traffic, compared with 41.2 percent last year.

Top-selling items included Lego’s Star Wars collection, the Barbie Dream House, Samsung 4K television sets and Apple Inc’s iPad Mini.

Star Wars toys were among the items most frequently out of stock, Adobe said.

The average order value from online shoppers was $123.43, down 0.6 percent from last year, IBM said, mainly due to a rise in mobile shoppers.

On an average, smartphone shoppers spent $102.02 per order, well below the $128 spent by desktop users.

“Even though there was a big increase in usage and purchases, conversion rates were depressing,” said Scot Wingo the executive chairman of ChannelAdvisor.

Only 2.19 percent of visits to websites resulted in a sale, compared with 2.18 percent last year.

“The fact that we haven’t improved the mobile conversion rate is a little depressing to be

honest,” Wingo said.

Cyber Monday refers to the Monday after Thanksgiving during which shoppers return to work, where many have highspeed connections.

As the tradition of Cyber Monday has grown over the last decade, online retailers have offered bigger promotions. The average discount on items sold during Cyber Monday was 21.5 percent, Adobe said in its report.

Among many strong performers, Amazon.com Inc stood out, clocking a 21.1 percent rise in Cyber Monday sales, according to e-commerce software provider ChannelAdvisor.

Discounts on Amazon. com averaged 40 percent, e-commerce analytics company Clavis Insight said.

Online sales were in stark contrast to the performance of brick-and-mortar retailers over the four-day weekend. Sales fell 10.4 percent from a year earlier to $20.43 billion, according to research firm ShopperTrak.

A cyber attack on digital toymaker VTech Holdings Ltd exposed the data of 6.4 million children, the company said on Tuesday, in what experts called the largest known hack targeting youngsters.

The Hong Kong-based firm said the attack on databases for its Learning Lodge app store and Kid Connect messaging system affected even more kids than the 4.9 million adults that the company disclosed on Friday.

Security experts said they expected the size of the breach would prompt governments to scrutinize VTech and other toymakers to review their security.

“The disclosure of the scope of the breach is troubling,” said Jaclyn Falkowski, a spokeswoman for Connecticut’s attorney general.

Connecticut and Illinois said on Monday they plan to investigate the breach. Regulators in Hong Kong are also looking into the matter.

“This breach is a parent’s nightmare of epic proportions,” said Seth Chromick, a threat analyst with network security firm vArmour. “A different approach to security for all organizations is needed.”

Chris Wysopal, co-founder of cyber security firm Veracode, said it could be a wake up call for families in the same way that the hack on infidelity website Ashley Madison earlier this year made adults realize online data might not be safe.

VTech said in a statement that children’s profiles included name, gender and birth date.

Stolen adult data included name, mailing address, email address, password retrieval questions, IP address and passwords.

The most VTech customers affected were in the United States, followed by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.

American Airlines, union reach deal to hike agents’ pay

Members of the association representing American Airlines Group reservations and gate agents approved a new five-year contract that includes an immediate 30 percent average wage hike.

The world’s largest airline had agreed in September to a tentative contract that was put to vote with the members of Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (CWA-IBT), which jointly represent nearly 15,000 workers.

“Immediately an average of 30 percent in increases takes effect,” IBT spokeswoman Kara Deniz said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

CWA spokeswoman Candice Johnson said workers will get two wage increases per year.

“It’s a contract that provides especially for the lower-wage workers,” Johnson told Reuters.

“It’s life changing, especially, say for home-based agents.”

CWA said 73 percent of CWA-IBT members voted in favor of the deal.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier, formed by the merger of American Airlines and US Airways in 2013, is aiming for a smooth integration of its workforce and has already concluded contracts with its pilots and flight attendants.

American Airlines’ shares closed down about 1 percent at $41.26 on Monday. The stock was little changed in extended trading.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS

U.S. clears genetically modified salmon for human consumption

Genetically modified salmon

U.S. health regulators on Thursday cleared the way for a type of genetically engineered Atlantic salmon to be farmed for human consumption - the first such approval for an animal whose DNA has been scientifically modified.

Five years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration first declared the product, made by Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies, to be as safe as conventional farm-raised Atlantic salmon.

AquaBounty’s product will not require special labeling because it is nutritionally equivalent to conventional farm-raised

Atlantic salmon, the FDA said on Thursday.

A q u a B o u n t y developed the salmon by altering its genes so that it would grow faster than farmed salmon, and expects it will take about two more years to reach consumers’ plates as it works out distribution.

AquaBounty is majority owned by Intrexon Corp, whose shares were up 7.3 percent at $37.55 in afternoon trading.

AquaBounty says its salmon can grow to market size in half the time of conventional salmon, saving time and resources. The fish is essentially Atlantic salmon with a Pacific salmon gene for faster growth and a gene from

the eel-like ocean pout that Target Corp promotes year-round growth. eliminated farm-raised

Activist groups have salmon in favor of wildexpressed concerns that caught salmon in 2010, which genetically modified foods may spokeswoman Molly Snyder pose risks to the environment said was the first step in a or public health. Several on long-term commitment to Thursday said they would improving the sustainability oppose the sale of engineered of our seafood assortment. salmon to the public, while “We are not currently planning some retailers said they would to offer genetically engineered not carry the fish on store salmon,” Snyder said. shelves.

AquaBounty Chief

Kroger Co, the Executive Ronald Stotish nation’s largest traditional said the approval is “a grocery chain, has “no game-changer that brings intention of sourcing or healthy and nutritious selling genetically engineered food to consumers in an salmon,” spokesman Keith environmentally responsible Dailey said. Trader Joe’s and manner without damaging Whole Foods Market Inc also the ocean and other marine confirmed that they do not habitats.” intend to carry the product.

Hoping to find life on other planets, astronomers start on giant Chile telescope

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet put hammer to stone on an Andean mountaintop on Wednesday evening to mark the start of construction for one of the world’s most advanced telescopes, an instrument that may help shed light on the possibility of life on distant planets.

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), scheduled to be completed by 2024, will have a resolution 10 times that of the Hubble spacecraft.

Experts say it will be able to observe black holes in the distant cosmos and make out planets in other solar systems with unprecedented detail.

Such technology, astronomers say, will help humans determine how the universe formed and if planets hundreds of light years away could support life.

“With this science, there are no limits to the possibilities that are open,” said Bachelet, standing on the GMT’s site, a wind-buffeted, 8,250-foot (2,500-meter) mountaintop.

“What it does is open the door to understanding,” she said.

The GMT - a collaboration of institutions in the United States, Chile, South Korea, Brazil, and Australia - will rely on seven intricately curved lenses, each almost 28 feet (8.5 meters) wide.

For the system to work, no one lens can have a blemish of more than 25 nanometers, which is some four thousand times smaller than

the average width of a human hair.

“Astronomy is like archaeology; what we see in the sky happened many years ago,” said Yuri Beletsky, a Belarussian astronomer for the GMT. “The biggest expectation is that we find something that we don’t expect,” he added on a bus driving up sinuous switchbacks to the planned observatory.

Two other massive instruments - the European Extremely Large Telescope, also in Chile, and the Thirty Meter Telescope in Hawaii - are scheduled to be completed in the 2020s as well. But GMT President Patrick McCarthy says the telescope’s massive single lenses and wider observation field will allow for more precise measurements.

Among the phenomena he hopes to observe is dark matter, mysterious invisible material that makes up most of the universe’s mass.

Astronomers say Chile’s bone dry Atacama Desert, host to the GMT and dozens of other highpowered telescopes, is uniquely suited to space observation as it has dry air, high mountains, and little light pollution.

McCarthy also points out that another advantage for astronomers in Chile is that the airflow from the nearby Pacific Ocean is smoother than that over continental deserts, meaning scientists have to contend with less atmospheric interference.

YouTube in talks with studios over streaming rights for shows, movies

Alphabet Inc’s YouTube is aiming to get rights for streaming TV series and movies for its $9.99-a-month subscription service as it tries to step up competition against rivals such as Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The Journal reported that executives of the company have met with Hollywood studios and other production companies in recent months to consider pitches and negotiate licenses for new content.

ouTube is eager to secure these rights and is focusing on new material. It is however not clear which TV series or movies the company is pursuing, WSJ reported.

YouTube is still deciding how much content to license, but it wants to have a strong collection of original programing and licensed programing in 2016 and beyond, WSJ reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

A man walks past a YouTube logo at the YouTube Space LA in Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles, California, United States

The company is using existing relationships of Google Play with movie studios and other premium video content owners to negotiate streaming deals, WSJ reported.

Former programing chief of MTV Susanne Daniels and Kelly Merryman, a former Netflix content executive, are involved in these talks, the newspaper said.

Yahoo shares rise as board meets and considers sale of Web business

Plans by Yahoo Inc’s board to consider selling its struggling Internet business sent the company’s shares up nearly 6 percent on Wednesday, as investors cheered a potential new way to separate Yahoo’s traditional services from its valuable investment in Chinese Web merchant Alibaba.

Yahoo’s board is weighing the sale of the Internet business at a three-day board meeting starting on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. The board did not reach a decision on Wednesday and will continue discussions on Thursday, CNBC reported.

Chief Executive Officer Marissa Mayer’s attempts to revive the traditional business have born little fruit, and almost all of Yahoo’s market capitalization of about $34 billion is ascribed to its stakes in Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Holding Group Ltd and Yahoo Japan Corp.

A separate Alibaba stake would be expected to be more highly valued by the market, but investors want to avoid a massive tax bill in the process. Selling the traditional business is seen as one way possibly to achieve that.

Broken out as a separate company, Yahoo’s email, Yahoo and Tumblr web sites and mobile services could fetch between $2 billion and $8 billion, analysts and bankers said, many seeing $4 billion as the likely price.

After such a sale, all that would be left, essentially, is the Alibaba and Yahoo Japan stakes.

“Realizing value is far from assured, however,” Pivotal analyst Brian Wieser wrote in a note. “The big question is whether anyone would actually show up with a meaningful bid.”

Interested bidders could range from private equity companies attracted to Yahoo’s stillhuge base of customers to technology companies eager for Yahoo’s mobile and web content, following the model of Verizon Communications Inc buying AOL.

The service, which is called YouTube Red, could be host to exclusively streaming these contents.

The shows or movies could also be also released through traditional channels like movie theaters, cable networks and DVDs alongside YouTube Red, the person added.

YouTube was not available for comment outside regular U.S. business hours.

YouTube Red, which was launched in October, allows viewers to watch videos from across the site without interruption from advertisements.

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LOCAL SPORTS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

TOP EIGHT CARIBBEAN BASKETBALLERS CHOSEN TO TRAIN FOR NBA IN NEW YORK CITY THANKS TO DIGICEL

Once in a lifetime training opportunity comes with VIP seats at Brooklyn Nets versus Golden State Warriors game

The top eight players selected from the inaugural Digicel Jumpstart Elite Camp are now preparing for a top class basketball experience in New York City where they will train at NBA facilities, compete against local youth basketball teams in the tri-state area and attend an official NBA game.

Digicel recently inked a broadcasting rights deal with the NBA and is now the League’s official regional partner in the Caribbean which sees basketball fans getting the latest news, updates and games through its 24-hour regional sports channel, Digicel SportsMax that is available in more than 30 Caribbean countries.

The boys were handpicked by NBA coaches during the Jumpstart Clinics programme which took place across eight countries and culminated in the Elite Camp in Trinidad and Tobago in September.

Shadarno Clarke, a student at Wesley Methodist High School in the Turks & Caicos was the first player selected to the top eight.

He will be leaving the TCI for New York Dec. 4th – 8th and accompanied by Ms. Ladonna Bassett, one of his coaches from the Rising Stars Basketball Club.

NBA Senior Vice President for Latin America, Philippe Moggio, said; “Having made it through the intense training at the Jumpstart Clinics and the Elite Camp, we are excited to welcome them to New York City for the final phase of the programme. We are delighted that the Jumpstart programme

has given these boys such an amazing opportunity to get first-hand training from highly qualified coaches as well as showcase what they have learned through exhibition games.”

Digicel Group Marketing Operations Director, Kieran Foley, said; “These boys are going to take basketball fans from the Caribbean on a journey which will see them developing their talents though their Jumpstart NBA experience. As a continuation of the programme, the top eight youth basketball players selected from the Elite Camp will now travel to the United States where they will enjoy the sights and sounds of New York City, get first hand training with NBA-certified coaches and attend an NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. The boys will take basketball fans back home with them on their journey as they share memorable moments on social media as well as on Digicel SportsMax – the Caribbean’s regional broadcaster of all things NBA.” The Digicel/NBA Jumpstart Basketball programme was launched with the hosting of the clinics in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands. The players who emerged as the top performing athletes out of those clinics attended the Digicel/NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp which was held in Trinidad and Tobago where they trained with former NBA players, Adonal Foyle and Muggsy Bogues and former NBA coach P.J. Carlesimo.

(Left) Shadarno Clarke, Damian Wilson, (Right) Ladonna Bassett

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

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WORLD

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DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

SPORTS

Blade Runner Pistorius found guilty of murder

on Oct. 19, having spent one day less than a year behind bars for shooting dead model Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013, in a case that attracted worldwide interest and continues to fascinate and divide South Africa.

Members of the ruling African National Congress party’s Women’s League welcomed the new ruling, dancing and singing outside the court.

They have attended the court sessions since the trial began in solidarity with Steenkamp’s family and in support of women’s rights.

Pistorius had been meant to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest on his uncle’s property in a wealthy suburb of the capital Pretoria.

A new sentence for the Paralympic champion will be handed Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius down at a later date. Pistorius is

South Africa’s “Blade Runner” expected to remain on parole until Oscar Pistorius was found guilty on then, unless a court rules otherwise, Thursday of murdering his girlfriend, officials said. in an appeal court ruling that could see In their appeal, prosecutors him sent back to prison for at least 15 argued that Pistorius should have years. been convicted of murder for firing four

The Supreme Court upgraded shots through a locked toilet door. They the 29-year-old Paralympian’s sentence said he intended to kill Steenkamp and on appeal to murder from “culpable that she had fled to the toilet during a homicide”, South Africa’s equivalent row. of manslaughter, for which he had “This case involves a human received a five-year sentence. tragedy of Shakespearean proportions,”

Pistorius was released from Judge Eric Leach said as he read out prison and placed under house arrest the ruling.

“A young man overcomes huge physical disabilities to reach Olympian heights as an athlete. In doing so he becomes an international celebrity, he meets a young woman of great natural beauty and a successful model, romance blossoms, and then, ironically on Valentine’s Day, all is destroyed when he takes her life.”

Leach added that “as a matter of common sense, at the time the fatal shots were fired the possibility of the death of a person behind the door was clearly an obvious result.”

Pistorius denies deliberately killing Steenkamp, saying he mistook her for an intruder at his home.

[L8N13S19R]

The case has prompted a fierce debate in a country beset by high levels of violent crime. Some rights groups had said the white track star got preferential treatment.

Anneliese Burgess, the Pistorius family’s spokeswoman, said the family would wait for lawyers advice on what to do next.

Some legal experts said Pistorius’ lawyers could appeal the court’s ruling at the constitutional court, where they could argue that the heavy media coverage of his trial had infringed upon his right to a free trial.

Others disagreed, saying Pistorius had received a fair trial and had been allowed to testify.

“It will be a long shot if they

approach the constitutional court, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they do,” Johannesburg-based lawyer and legal analyst Ulrich Roux said.

ERROR OF JUDGMENT

At the original trial last year, Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that the state had failed to prove intent or “dolus eventualis”, a legal concept that centers on a person being held responsible for the foreseeable consequences of their actions.

Judge Leach said Judge Masipa had erred in the application of the concept, however.

Dolus eventualis refers to whether a person foresees the possibility that his or her action will cause death but carries on regardless.

Some legal experts were worried that the verdict by Judge Masipa could have set a bad legal precedent in a country with one of the highest crime rates in the world.

Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated when he was a baby but who went on to become a global sporting hero, was not at the court session in Bloemfontein, some 400 km (250 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.

Steenkamp’s mother June, who has said she does not want retribution, attended the court session. She shed tears as she left the court after the new judgment was handed down.

More Charges as FIFA Scandal Widens

United States officials unsealed a 236-page indictment on Thursday that described charges against some of the most powerful leaders of international soccer, including the current and former presidents of Brazil’s national federation and top executives of FIFA, the sport’s governing body.

The new charges hit South and Central American soccer leaders particularly hard.

The unsealed indictment lists the 16 new defendants: Alfredo Hawit; Ariel Alvarado; Rafael Callejas; Brayan Jiménez; Rafael Salguero; Héctor Trujillo; Reynaldo Vasquez; Juan Ángel Napout; Manuel Burga; Carlos Chávez; Luís Chiriboga; Marco Polo del Nero; Eduardo Deluca; José Luis Meiszner; Romer Osuna; Ricardo Teixeira.

Mr. Callejas is the former president of Honduras.

About 14 hours before the indictment was unsealed, Swiss authorities conducted predawn arrests in the broad investigation, led by United States officials, into corruption in international soccer. By day’s end, a

huge case that has upended FIFA had nearly doubled in size.

Some of the arrests took place at the same luxury hotel where other FIFA officials were arrested in May. The Swiss police entered the hotel, the Baur au Lac, through a side door at 6 a.m. local time. A hotel manager told visitors in the lobby they had to leave the property because of “an extreme situation.”

The police were targeting current and former senior soccer officials on charges that include racketeering, money laundering and fraud, authorities said.

Mr. Hawit is the president of Concacaf, the regional confederation that includes North and Central America and the Caribbean. Mr. Napout is the president of Conmebol, the South American confederation.

Both are FIFA vice presidents and members of the organization’s governing executive committee.

Mr. Teixeira is a former president of the Brazil soccer federation, and Mr. del Nero is that federation’s current president.

In a news conference on

Thursday afternoon, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch described what federal officials believe is evidence of corruption. “Consistent with the intergenerational nature of the corruption schemes, they involve payments relating to tournaments that have already been played, as well as matches scheduled into the next decade,” she said.

Thursday’s charges, coming as FIFA’s leaders gathered in Zurich, served as a high-profile reminder that despite the organization’s promises of reform, soccer’s top officials remain under intense legal scrutiny by the investigation, which involves several government agencies, notably the United States attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, the New York field office of the F.B.I. and the I.R.S.

“FIFA became aware of the actions taken today by the U.S. Department of Justice,” FIFA said in a statement. “FIFA will continue to cooperate fully with the U.S. investigation as permitted by Swiss law, as well as with the investigation being led by the Swiss Office of the

Attorney General.”

Swiss authorities confirmed on Thursday morning that they had taken two FIFA officials into custody and that those individuals were accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes related to the sale of marketing rights for World Cup qualifying matches and soccer tournaments in Latin America.

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice later confirmed that the officials were Mr. Hawit and Mr. Napout, and that both men were contesting their possible extradition to the United States. Because they are, Switzerland will ask the United States to submit formal extradition requests; the Americans have 40 days to complete those requests.

In May, United States officials announced charges against 18 people of 12 nationalities. They described two decades of corruption in which officials rigged World Cup bids and steered marketing and broadcast contracts in exchange for bribes — paid out through convoluted financial deals and briefcases full of cash. Mr. Blatter quickly announced plans to resign.

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Kobe Bryant to retire after this season

Kobe Bryant, who has helped the Lakers win five NBA championships over a 20-year career spent entirely in Los Angeles, announced Sunday on The Players’ Tribune website that he will retire after this season, writing that “this season is all I have left to give.”

In a first-person story titled “Dear Basketball,” the 37-year-old wrote in the form of a poem that the sport “gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream/And I’ll always love you for it.”

“But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer,” Bryant wrote. “This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

“And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go.”

Bryant addressed the media after Sunday’s 107-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers, saying that he made his decision “a while” ago.

“I’ve known for a while,” Bryant said. “A decision like this, you can’t make that decision based on outside circumstances. It has to be an internal decision, and finally I’ve decided to accept that I can’t actually do this anymore, and I’m OK with that.

“It takes a weight off my shoulders and everybody else’s.”

Lakers coach Byron Scott, speaking before Sunday’s game, emphasized that the star guard’s “purpose is to finish out this season and

play.”

“I think he still loves this game,” Scott told reporters. “He still has a passion for it. He’s still a competitive young man.”

Bryant scored 13 points on 4-of-20 shooting as the Lakers dropped the 107-103 decision for their sixth consecutive loss.

Scott said he was “shocked” when Bryant informed him Saturday night that he was going to announce his retirement the following day.

“He kind of shocked me when he told me,” Scott said. “[I’m] just sad more than anything. Just sad more than anything. Somebody who I truly care about, have a lot of respect for. I think it’s always hard when greatness like Kobe decides to hang it up.”

Bryant’s decision is not totally unexpected, given that he has said many times in recent weeks that he has considered making this season his last.

After two decades, two Olympic gold medals, five championship rings, 17 All-Star selections, an 81-point game that ranks as the second-best in NBA history and more than 32,000 points, Bryant’s career is officially winding down.

“With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game,” NBA commissioner Adam

Kobe Bryant Silver said in a statement. “Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game.

“I join Kobe’s millions of fans around the world in congratulating him on an outstanding NBA career and thank him for so many thrilling memories.”

Fans arriving at Staples Center on Sunday received a letter from Bryant in a black envelope embossed with gold.

What you’ve done for me is far greater than anything I’ve done for you,” Bryant wrote in the letter to fans. “I

knew that each minute of each game I wore purple and gold. I honor it as I play today and for the rest of this season. My love for this city, this team and for each of you will never fade.

Thank you for this incredible journey.”

This season has been a struggle for Bryant, whose young and rebuilding Lakers are mired at the bottom of the Western Conference standings; he’s also shooting a career-worst 31.5 percent. Injuries have dogged him in recent years as well, limiting him to 41 of a possible 164 games the previous two seasons. Bryant is averaging more field goal attempts per game this season (a team-high 16.7) than points (15.7). His field goal percentage and 3-point percentage both rank last in the NBA among qualified players.

Yet despite the rough start to the season, the Lakers have publicly supported Bryant. Scott, who told ESPN on Friday that he would not bench Bryant for his poor play, said Sunday that Bryant seemed calm when informing him of his decision.

“It was so matter-of-fact and it was so at peace, which, after I thought about it, I felt better about that,” Scott said.

“It wasn’t like he was agonizing over it or anything. He was just like, ‘Yeah, I’m announcing I’m retiring.’ He just kind of went on from there.”

Lakers co-owner and executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss spoke to ESPN of his reaction to Bryant’s disclosure.

Tiger pessimistic on golf future

“Whatever makes the game better for the fans is pretty important” - Darren Lehmann

Lehmann backs scrapping of toss

Tiger Woods

A downbeat Tiger Woods painted a bleak picture about his golfing future on Tuesday when he said he was not sure when he would be able to return to playing the game.

Woods, speaking ahead of the Hero World Challenge he hosts this week in the Bahamas, said he has not swung a club since undergoing procedures on his back, has yet to begin rehabilitation and was unable to commit to playing in 2016.

“I have no answer for that and neither does my surgeon,” Woods told reporters at Albany Golf Club, site of the annual event that benefits his foundation, according to ESPN.

“There is no timetable, so that’s the hardest part for me. There’s really nothing I can look forward to, nothing I can build toward.”

Without a major victory since 2008, the 14-times major winner who turns 40 on Dec. 30 would not proclaim his career was coming to an end, saying instead he hoped to resume.

Yet the winner of 79 career PGA titles admitted that any top results from now on “is gravy” after dominating the game as the world

number one for a record 683 weeks.

He is now ranked 400th.

“For my 20 years out here I achieved a lot,” he said. “If that’s all it entails then I’ve had a pretty good run. But I’m hoping that’s not it. I’m hoping I can get out here and compete against these guys. I really do miss it.”

Woods thought he was getting back to form after a tie for 10th at the Wyndham Championship in August, following a woeful year in which he missed three cuts in major championships.

But three weeks later, Woods had a second microdiscectomy surgery to alleviate pressure on a disc in his lower back.

Woods said he had another procedure on Oct. 28 on the same area due to discomfort.

Asked what physical activity he was able to perform, Woods said: “I walk. And I walk some more.”

Woods said he was in the dark about the future of his playing career.

“Where is the light at the end of the tunnel?” Woods said. “I don’t know.”

Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann has thrown his support behind the idea of scrapping the toss, while he is also open-minded about the concept of four-day Test cricket. While Australia and New Zealand pioneered day-night Test cricket in Adelaide last week, other suggestions have also been made in the debate around making Test cricket more competitive and more attractive to spectators.

One idea is to abolish the coin toss before matches and instead allow the visiting team the choice of whether to bat or bowl, which proponents argue would encourage the host country to produce a fair pitch. Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Michael Holding have all expressed support for the idea, while the ECB will next year trial a similar concept in county cricket.

Under the ECB’s trial, the visiting county will automatically be given the option of fielding first and only if they decline will the coin toss go ahead as usual.

“That is one that should definitely come in to cricket, where the opposition gets the right to choose what they want to do,” Lehmann told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday. “I reckon it will stop all

the wickets suiting the home team.

“As you saw in Perth, the wickets don’t suit how we want to play sometimes and in Australia in general the wickets have been fantastic for years, it doesn’t really matter on the toss, who wins or not.

But in some other places it certainly has a big bearing on the game.”

The MCC World Cricket Committee also expressed its concerns about pitch preparation last week and said in a statement that home advantage had become too significant in Test cricket, and it would monitor with interest the ECB trial next year. It was the MCC World Cricket Committee that pushed for day-night Tests six years ago and Lehmann said he loved the roll-out of the inaugural pink-ball Test.

“I thought it was a great concept,” he said. “It was probably over a little bit quick for my liking in terms of the game but it was exciting for three days and it could have gone either way. Maybe a little less grass [on the pitch] and maybe get the ball a little bit darker in the seam, but it’s only a little bit of tweaking.

I was quite impressed by it. I know the fans loved it ... we have just got to make it better.”

Page 48

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 4TH, 2015 – DECEMBER 11TH, 2015

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