VOLUME 12 ISSUE 08

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

Website: www.suntci.com

VOLUME 12 - NO. 08

Email: sun@suntci.com

Tel: (649) 339-5879

$1.00

Fax: (649) 941-3281

www.facebook.com/tcisun

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ASSETS DISCLOSED

SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON AIRPORT ROAD

Traffic along Airport Road, Providenciales, was brought to a halt on Thursday February 25th, when this motor vehicle struck a wall and flipped.

The driver escaped without serious injuries. Several police vehicles and curious onlookers rushed to the scene along with a fire truck from the Providenciales International Airport. owned by his wife in the Dominican Republic.

Premier Rufus Ewing has

While the finances of Members interests in eight parcels of land of the House of Assembly remains a totalling just over 10 acres, as well as tightly-guarded secret that cannot 50 percent ownership in a land holding be made public by the Integrity company called RNA Development, Commission, the latest Register of directorship in a company called Interests has revealed that Members of Medinco which has a pharmacy licence, Parliament own significant parcels of is registered at Saunders and Co. law land and are directors in a wide range firm and which he owns jointly with of private companies (SEE PAGES 16, his wife, Dr. Dawn Perry.

17 & 18 for the full list).

The Premier also lists

The Register, which was Omnicare Medical Clinic which he obtained by The SUN, reveals that owns with his wife and has contracts Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. with NHIP and NHIB. He also Robert Hall, is the largest single land declared that his wife is employed with owner in Parliament, with more than InterHealth Canada.

100 acres of land North and Middle Finance Minister and former Caicos to his credit.

Chief Minister Washington Misick

Speaker of the House of has investments in 11 companies, is a Assembly Robert Hall has interests director of seven companies. in 11 pieces of land totaling more than Among his contracts with 109 acres and also mentioned a house Government, he lists a 10-year

by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Clyde Robinson’s case sent back to Chief Justice - Page 5 Mixed reaction to new Deputy Police Commissioner - Page 6

exclusive grant of a stand-alone casino licence (from August 30, 2006) for Casa Blanca casino which pays him “dividends and advances”.

Misick also declared interests in 17 pieces of land and shareholding in Casa Blanca.

John Phillips is a director in over 28 companies including several in the Claymore Group, has interests in two pieces of land and declared no contracts with Government.

Josephine Connolly has interests in five pieces of land and investments in seven companies and has three contracts with Government.

Lillian Misick, the Governor’s Appointed Member, has interests in two parcels of land, no contracts with Government and gets additional income as chairman of the National Insurance Board and a bakery she owns.

Former Chief Minister

Norman Saunders has interests in seven pieces of land and gets additional income from Caicos Fisheries Limited and a supermarket he owns and a real estate agency called South Caicos Development Company.

Portia Stubbs-Smith has interests in five pieces of land, no contracts with government and gets additional income from an apartment rental.

Attorney General Rhondalee Brathwaite-Knowles has interests in five pieces of land in Grand Turk and gets additional income from Knowles Construction and Development which she owns along with her husband.

Deputy Premier Akierra Misick is director of three companies, has three pieces of land and she still receives commission payments from Misick and Stanbrook for invoices prior to being elected to the House of Assembly.

Continued on Page 2

Clayton Greene responds to Education Minister on scholarships - Page 22

Former Spice Girl vacations in TCI - Page 14

Page 2

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Continued from Page 1

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ASSETS DISCLOSED

Amanda Misick has two pieces of land, is a director of Smokey’s Restaurant in which she has 50 percent shares.

Clarence Selver has six pieces of land, is a director in two companies and gets income from apartment rentals.

Delroy Williams is a director in six companies, has ten contracts with Government and owns seven parcels of land.

Former Chief Minister Derek Taylor has five pieces of land and gets income from a retail store and apartment rental.

Donhue Gardiner declared interest in one five-acre piece of

land and has an agreement with Caicos Resorts International and is a director of Caicos Group Limited.

Edwin Astwood has two pieces of land and investments in three companies including a gym, restaurant and tour company.

George Lightbourne has interests in 14 pieces of land and gets additional income from a food store.

Goldray Ewing has interests in five pieces of land, has no contracts with Government and gets other income from apartment rentals.

Government appointed member Ruth Black declared one piece of land, states that she

gets a pension and listed a “fund/ contribution” from the Progressive National Party (PNP) -Gordon Burton, treasurer.

Sean Astwood declared interests in two pieces of land, no contracts with government and five businesses from which he receives income.

Opposition Leader Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson declared interest in two pieces of land, no contracts with Government and mentioned rental income from an apartment.

The Register must be filed by every member of the House of

Assembly and submitted to the Integrity Commission.

It is designed to promote transparency, openness and accountability and strengthen public trust and confidence in the parliamentary and democratic process. Particulars relating to the source of income and any substantial interest which may raise a material conflict of interest between their private interests and public duty, must be listed.

The public can notify the Integrity Commission if they believe or know that declarations are false or inadequate.

dtci-postpaid-handset-sim-10x16.pdf

1

2/15/16

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

4:37 PM

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 3

Page 4

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

Second floor premiere office space

is waiting for your

Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Located at The Regent Village 649.941.4144 • www.thevix.com

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 5

LOCAL NEWS

Clyde Robinson’s case sent back to Chief Justice by Court of Appeal

The controversial case involving former Director of Planning Clyde Robinson’s acquisition of land in Long Bay, Providenciales, has sent back to Chief Justice Margaret RamsayHale by the Court of Appeal.

In a recent ruling, the Court of Appeal, which comprises President Sir Edward Zacca, QC, Elliott Mottley, QC and Ian Forte, QC, said that if the Chief Justice had applied the “proper test” she “should have concluded that it would be unconscionable for Robinson to retain receipt of the land”.

They returned the case to the Chief Justice to “apply the correct test and make the appropriate order”.

Robinson was represented by Ariel Misick, QC and Selwyn Hawkins, while David Phillips, QC and Patrick Patterson, appeared for the Attorney General.

On 20 February 2006, Robinson applied for a Residential Conditional Purchase Lease (CPL) of 1 acre of land situate at Long Bay Hill, Providenciales, which was one of four plots which before subdivision, make up parcel known as 61112/176. His intention was to build a single family dwelling at an estimated cost of $400,000.00. The land was approved for subdivision into four parcels by Mr. McAllister Hanchell, the Minister of Natural Resources.

By a Memorandum dated 21 March 2006 to Ms. Judith Campbell the

Clyde Robinson Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and copied to the Director of Planning and the Chief Valuation Officer, the Director of Lands and Survey, Mr. Leroy Charles, recommended the subdivision of Parcel 61112/176 into four lots for the purpose of Residential Development in accordance with the Crown Land Policy.

The Memo stated that the subdivision had been approved by Executive Council “for residential development on the recommendation of the Department of Planning and in

Margaritaville seeks to identify: Maintenance Supervisor et al.

This self motivated individual must be an all rounder, with certification and at least 2 years experience in the field. Skills in plumbing and carpentry would be an asset. Salary will be based on experience.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Certification in Industrial Electronics (at least at level 2) and 2 years experience

REQUIREMENTS:

- Must be able to install, service, repair and maintain gas & electrical equipment - Manage water treatment, sewage treatment and life fire safety systems - Be able inspect and evaluate equipment and facility to determine work required.

- Able to work flexible hours including, weekends, night shift and public holidays - Able to keep accurate logs of repairs and maintenance activities carried out & to be completed.

Other available positions are Chef, Bartenders, Servers, Cost Control Clerk, Retail Captain, Retail Associate, Store Clerk, Dining Room Captain, Cook, Stilt Walker and Kitchen Helpers.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Application along with curriculum vitae must be submitted by 21st March, 2016 to the office of : Margaritaville Grand Turk Grand Turk Cruise Center South Base, White Sands Beach Grand Turk, T.C.I. B.W.I While we welcome and appreciate all applicants, only persons short-listed for an interview will be contacted.

accordance with an earlier approval granted by the National Planning Board.”

The Memo also referred to the significant demand for land for residential development in Providenciales.” The Memo further stated the fact that the Lands and Survey Department had consulted with the Department of Planning and that Parcel 61112/176 was being subdivided “to create four (4) new parcels for residential development”.

The Memo indicated that the Director of Planning had been asked to review the proposed Subdivision of Parcel 61112/176 and to make any recommendation.

The Memo also contained a statement that the Chief Valuation Officer was being asked to determine “the current market value”.

Justice Mottley, who wrote the judgment, said that in his view, it is clear from this memo that the Director of Planning, Mr. Robinson would have been aware that the value of the land would be the “current market value” – this meant the market value at March 2006 when the recommendation was being made. Mr. Charles indicated that the above proposal had been made following information which he had been given by the Minister, Mr. Hanchell – that it had been decided that Mr. Robinson was to be allocated a plot in the subdivision.

In another Memo to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources sent earlier on the same day, 21 March 2006 and also copied to the Director of Planning and Chief Valuation Officer, Mr. Charles and informed the Permanent Secretary that Parcel 6112/176 would have been divided into four lots one of which was to go to Mr. Clyde Robinson.

It was expressly stated that “The open Market Value” of the parcel is currently US$750,000.00 but since it is proposed to mutate the parcel, the Open Market Value of the individual parcels must be determined by the Chief Valuation Officer. The Chief Valuation Officer, by a copy of the Memo was asked to determine the current market survey of lots 1-4 of Parcel 61112/176.

The Respondent would have been therefore aware that in March 2006, the entire parcel was valued at $750,000.00 and that it was being mutated into four lots and that the lots would have been valued by the Chief Valuation Officer.

On 29 March 2006, a valuation was provided by Mr. Hoza MRICS the Chief Valuation Officer which indicated that value of lot 4, 1.4 acres which was to be transferred to Mr. Robinson was $725,000. This valuation was sent to Mr. Leroy Charles. However, on the following day, 30 March 2006, Mr. Hoza provided another valuation. In this valuation, Mr. Hoza pointed out that Mr. Charles had asked him not to use “the current figures” but rather he “should use the 2004 valuation figure for parcel 61112/176 into the formerly created lots”. Mr. Hoza then stated the market value of the freehold interest in the parcels. The value of the lots allocated to Mr. Robinson was fixed at $280,000.00 for residential use. It does not appear from the Memos or e-mail that Mr. Robinson was aware that it was suggested that a 2004 valuation should be used rather than “the current market value.”

On 20 April 2006, the Director of Lands and Surveys informed the

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources that it was proposed that the Residential Conditional Purchase Lease should be considered in respect of Mr. Robinson in the following terms. And the Freehold Purchase under the terms of the Crown Land Policy was $70,000.00 and Land Rent of $7,000.00.

By letter dated 21 April 2006 to Mr. Robinson, Ms. Campbell stated that “in accordance with the Authority granted to the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources by Executive Council, the Hon Minister approved on 21st April 2006 the grant of a Residential Conditional Purchase Lease” of Lot 4 for the purpose of constructing a dwelling house in accordance of the terms of the Crown Land Policy. The letter indicated that the rent would be $70,000.00.

Less than 3 weeks later, Construction Advisory Services Ltd on his instruction and at his request provided Mr. Robinson a valuation of Lot 4. The property was examined on 5th May 2006; 2 weeks after Mr. Robinson had received the letter dated 21 April 2006 stating that the land which was to be leased to him had been valued for Freehold Purchase Price of $70,000.00.

The valuation expressly stated that there was “evidence of increasing market activity in the residential property market during 2005 and 2006 throughout Providenciales.

The Court of Appeal said that the private valuation which he received less than 3 weeks after the CPL had been approved ought to have alerted or suggested to Mr. Robinson or have caused him to make further inquiry as not only was it greater than the $280,000.00 placed on the land by the employees of the government but it was 5 times greater.

“While he stated that he was pleasantly surprised, a valuation 5 times greater than that placed on it by the Government ought to have alerted him or caused him to be concerned that there was a possibility of impropriety in so far as the valuation was concerned.

There was no evidence that before the land was actually conveyed to him he took any step to bring the valuation he obtained from Construction Advisory Services Ltd to the attention of the appropriate officer of Government.

He appeared to have turned a blind eye to the question of any possible impropriety,” the Court stated.

“As stated earlier, Mr. Robinson would have been aware from the Memo dated 21 March 2006, which was copied to him that the Chief Valuation Officer was being asked to provide the current market value. While, as stated earlier, he would not have known that the Minister had requested the official to provide, as the current market value, a valuation based on the 2004 valuation he would have been aware that the valuation to be used was the “current market value.”

Once armed with the private valuation from CAS provided less than 3 weeks after being informed that the land had been valued at $280,000.00. Rather than being “pleasantly surprised” Mr. Robinson ought to have been alerted that something was amiss. This, in my view, would give rise to the possible existence of impropriety. In his capacity of Director of Planning, it would not be unreasonable to assume that Mr. Robinson was fully aware of the Government’s land Policy in relation to Belongers,” Judge Mottley added.

Page 6

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Mixed reaction to new Deputy Commissioner of Police from UK

There has been mixed reaction, especially on social media, to the appointment to the post of Deputy Commissioner, of Marc Callaghan, an officer with 37 years of policing experience in the United Kingdom.

While some persons expressed the hope that Callaghan would help to bring crime under control, others saw his appointment as an insult to local police officers.

Callaghan replaced Rodney Adams who has been returned to his substantive post as Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Callaghan has a strong operational background and in 2002, he was promoted to Detective Superintendent in West Yorkshire where he was working on reducing crime and disorder.

He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2005 and was posted to Chapeltown in Leeds. During his time, he introduced Neighborhood Policing Teams and by working with partners and the community significantly reduced the incidences of robbery, gun crimes, and drug dealings.

In 2007, Marc became the Police Commander at Wakefield where he was recognized nationally for his innovative methods of involving and engaging his community and his work in significantly reducing anti-social behavior and reducing crime by over 20%.

Later that year, he took command of the Force’s Professional

Standards and Anti- Corruption Unit. He was responsible for the investigation of complaints against the Police and conducting targeted anti-corruption investigations. He was also responsible for security and management of Police information and the Force Criminal Records Bureau.

Marc is a qualified Public Order Commander and has also had responsibility for the planning and command of the operations involving the Police use of firearms. He has since worked with her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary as an Associate Inspector conducting inspections of Police Forces in the United Kingdom in relation to their effectiveness and legitimacy.

Meantime, Wayne Jones, a native of Barbados has been appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Jones enlisted in the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force on 1st March 1980 and received his initial training at the Regional Police Training Centre in Barbados.

He is a highly experienced officer and has attended professional development course in TCI and abroad to improve his effectiveness including Deputy Commissioner, of Marc Callaghan the International Commander’s Programme at the NPIA in the United role of Divisional Commander for Kingdom in 2007. While there he “A” Division in 2010, he accepted the was attached to Gloucestershire additional responsibilities as the Constabulary, Stockholm County Commandant of the Royal Turks & Police Authority in Sweden and Caicos Islands Police Training School.

Guernsey Police.

In June 2013 he was promoted

In addition to fulfilling the to act in the capacity of Deputy

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Wayne Jones Commissioner of Police and on the 8th December 2014 he acted in the capacity of Assistant Commissioner of Police until he was confirmed in the rank on 15th February 2015 following a competitive interview process.

water sports equipment.

•Complete setting up and breaking down of all guest lounge areas as designated by management and to ensure that all pool chairs and tables are in a clean and orderly fashion.

•Constant walk-through of pool area and beach area to make certain it is clean (no trash on the grounds) and tidy. Inspect entire pool area replacing any missing items and/or repairing (when possible) any items needing attention. (I.E. Umbrellas, Hobie Cat, Chairs, etc.)

•Pool & Hot Tub Cleaning (I.E. vacuuming, filtering, scrubbing, sifting, chemical testing, checking skimmers, etc.)

The Sands is now accepting applications/résumé for the following positions.

Only highly self-driven & motivated, personable and professional individuals, whom have the desire to serve others, need apply: MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY & SKILLED POSITIONS GENERAL MANAGER Responsibilities: •Full responsibility for operating success of the Resort •Ensuring that the selection, training and ongoing direction for Resort associates is such that it maintains high level of job satisfaction, morale and teamwork among associates in all areas •Achieve financial/budgeting goals and expectations as established in the annual business plan for all areas of responsibility, and organize/ implement strategic and tactical plans to facilitate this aim •Achieve high levels of quality guest service and customer satisfaction for Resort guests Requirements: •Must have at least 8 years managerial experience at a property of similar size and quality.

•Strong operational expertise in rooms; marketing; facilities/systems (including preventive maintenance); recreation and other ancillary disciplines •Must have managerial experience in the Condo Strata Management •Ability to inspire, train, and develop people for promotion by encouraging and supporting career development, and driving continuous learning •Ability to implement a highly consistent customer service culture •Ability to instill a highly consistent guest service attitude in all employees POOL & BEACH ATTENDANT Responsibilities: •Greet all guests and assist with towels, umbrellas, questions, and/or

Requirements: •A secondary diploma is an asset •Experience as a Pool & Beach Attendant is preferred •Must be able to work long hours in all weather conditions •Must be able to be CPR certified, First Aid certified, and AED certified •Must be a good swimmer and perform rescue when needed •Must be able to operate rescue boat •Must be experienced in sailing, kayaking, and wind-surfing and operator all equipment •Must be able to clean and chlorinate pool •Must handle pool chemicals and equipment maintenance and functions •Life Guard experience a plus •Must speak, read, write and understand the primary language(s) (English) used in the workplace.

•Must work weekends and holidays LINE POSITIONS HOUSEKEEPING ROOM ATTENDANT HOUSEMAN FRONT DESK AGENTS

LABOURER GROUNDSMEN

For the above line staff positions, resort experience is an asset but not a requirement. Applicants must have a willing, positive and personable attitude as well as be willing to work holidays and weekends. They should also enjoy serving people and be willing to learn. Minimum experience in the areas of interest required. Turks & Caicos Islands citizens only need to apply to the Assistant Human Resources Manager, Kitchandra McDonald at The Sands Resort located on Grace Bay Road, Providenciales or e-mail: humanresource@thesandstc.com, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.

Deadline is March 18th, 2016.

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 7

LOCAL NEWS

UK loan guarantee comes to an end

The Turks and Caicos (TCI) Government repaid its $170m guaranteed bond, thereby completing the refinancing of its UK guaranteed debt, on Monday, 22 February 2016.

The $170m bond was originally issued by the TCI Government in 2011 as part of the $260m UK Government guaranteed refinancing. The bond was repaid from a combination of $142m of cash and a $28m loan (provided by RBC and announced last month). The balance of the $260m had already been repaid in 2014/15.

“This is a moment to exhale and thank the Almighty for his favour!

The convergence of sound fiscal management, vigilance of ministerial colleagues, the hard work of TCI public servants, the forbearance of the TCI people and the co-operation of the UK together with our international and regional partners have paid off”, said Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick. “I especially thank senior staff in the Ministry of Finance, the CFO and the Debt Refinancing Advisor for their role in the new arrangements for the residual balance of the debt.

TCIG now has breathing space to fully reassess measures for widening the fiscal space in order to spread the benefits of growth more broadly.

It however must be said that the financial prudence that has brought us here must become a hallmark of TCIG’s governing principles.”

“The repayment of this bond, and with it the removal of the UK Government guarantee, marks a very significant step in TCI’s financial rehabilitation. In the last

Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing few years TCI has undergone a major turnaround, not only in its economy and government finances, but also in its international reputation. With its booming economy, BBB+ credit rating and healthy government finances TCI is in an enviable position in the region – both to invest in the socioeconomic development of its people and to attract foreign direct investment into the local economy”, said Premier, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing.

TCIG’s Chief Financial Officer, Stephen Turnbull commented; “This is the culmination of five years’ work

by TCI Ministers and civil servants, UK Government officials and a range of international advisers to TCIG. Creating such a rapid and dramatic improvement in TCI’s financial situation has necessitated rigorous cost controls and a cautious approach

INVEST TURKS & CAICOS

VACANCY

Job Title: Vice President - SME Job Summary: The Vice President-SME (VP-SME) will be responsible for leading efforts to implement the TCI Government’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Ordinance and encourage all other aspects of domestic investment.

The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating applications by domestic investors for duty concessions and cash grants as outlined under the MSME Ordinance and for providing funds to clients of the Center for Entrepreneurial Development who have been approved for technical assistance.

The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing project proposals, following up with investors to ensure that there is a complete package of materials, arranging for materials to be distributed to the Development Advisory Group for their input, providing feedback to their investor clients on issues, supporting the CEO in negotiating with Government and clients on investment incentives.

The VP-SME will be required to prepare Cabinet submissions with respect to specific projects under their care and to provide advice and support to Ministers related to those projects. As well, the VP-SME will need to develop and implement guidelines for the provision of cash grants for domestic investors who have applied for grants and to provide contribution (grant) agreements to clients of the CED who are approved for technical assistance.

Education and qualifications: Post graduate degree in a relevant discipline such as Business Management, Marketing, or Economics.

Experience and Knowledge: 1.At least three years’ experience in a management role in a business or economic development organization.

2.Extensive research and analysis experience involving industry or economic development issues 3.Experience in destination and/or investment marketing.

4.Strong background in sales and business development and the ability to proactively seek out and call on senior executives of commercial organizations and advise them on their business operations 5.Experience in lead generation and supporting customer service.

6.Experience in the writing, designing and production of marketing materials.

Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick to new investment. With this period of ‘belt-tightening’ behind it, the people of TCI, acting through their Government, can now enjoy new autonomy to focus on the priorities that matter most to them”.

Governor, H.E. Peter Beckingham also welcomed the repayment, adding; “I know that UK Ministers are pleased that the bond has been repaid on time. It was necessary at a critical juncture for Turks and Caicos Islands, and meant that the country has been able to reestablish its economic stability. I would like to record my gratitude and thanks to a great many people in TCI, in the House, Ministers, public servants and UK advisers who have helped steer TCI to what is now an increasingly enviable financial position in the region.

His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham

“But there is no room for complacency, not least given our dependence on tourism, which can be fickle. We must all continue to look at expenditure carefully, and keep in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure our finances remain robust.

I, and most importantly external observers, are confident that we will.”

Speaking in the House of Commons of the British parliament on 25 February, The UK Minister of State for International Development, Mr Desmond Swayne, said: “TCIG has progressed from deficits of US$77m in financial year 2010/11 and US$29m in 2011/12 to a surplus the following year and strong surpluses thereafter.

TCIG and the TCI public service had to make a number of difficult decisions and sacrifices. Financial management and oversight has been strengthened.”

7.Experience in using website management and other communication channels Skills: 1.Creativity.

2.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

3.Use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook 4.Experience making presentations to large and small groups 5.Motivated self-starter with ability to work independently.

6.Ability to effectively manage time.

Personal Qualities: 1.Open and engaging demeanor.

2.Able to generate and share ideas.

3.Hands-on approach.

4.Willing to take personal responsibility 5.Able to win trust and personal credibility 6.Persistence and personal resilience.

7.Willingness to personally deliver quality to business clients.

8.Willingness to understand different cultures, lifestyles and associated points of view.

9.Willingness to understand the values associated with small communities.

Other Requirements: 1.Fluent English 2.Willingness and ability to travel by air and sea.

Salary and Allowances: Negotiable in the range of $65,000 to $71,000 based on qualifications and experience.

Application Procedure Interested persons should submit a resume, along with their contact information, cover letter, two letters of reference (one from a former employer), and copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport photo page. To obtain a copy of the Vice President - SME job description please send an email to investturksandcaicos@gmail.com.

All applications must be received by 12 noon on Wednesday, March 10, 2016 and should be emailed to investturksandcaicos@gmail.com. Only persons considered for an interview will be contacted.

Page 8

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Michael Misick returning to elective politics in Turks and Caicos Islands

Former Turks and Caicos Islands premier Michael Misick on Saturday signaled his intention to reenter elective politics, announcing he will be seeking nomination to run in a constituency he won repeatedly before resigning as the country’s leader in 2009.

“I would like to announce that I will be seeking the nomination to run for North and Middle Caicos in the upcoming elections 2016 for the PNP (Progressive National Party),” the 50-year-old Misick said in a Facebook post. “I seek God’s blessing and favor as we continue the struggle to free our people from colonial rule and lead them into true progress and prosperity!!!!!”

Misick made the announcement on a weekend when the ruling PNP, which he led into two successful consecutive elections in 2003 and 2007, is holding its convention on Providenciales which is the most populous island in this British Overseas Territory island-chain.

It also comes at a time when Misick is facing corruption charges in a case that is currently being heard by Mr. Justice Paul Harrison, a former president of the Jamaica Court of Appeal,

Haitian man found guilty of bribing police officer

and prosecuted by Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick, a former deputy director of England’s Serious Fraud Office, and British Queen’s Counsel Andrew Mitchell.

Despite being embroiled in serious litigation, Misick remains an extremely popular political figure, as was evidenced by a turnout of more than 4,000 persons (population of 31,000) for his birthday party two weekends ago, which saw performances by some of his close friends including popular American singer Ashanti, and Grammy Award-winning “Gramps” Morgan of the Jamaican group Morgan Heritage.

Meantime, although Misick has announced his intention to seek nomination to run in the constituency where he was born, he must still go through the process of being accepted unanimously by the branch and then ratified by the hierarchy of the PNP, which is led by Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing.

The North and Middle Caicos seat is currently held by Misick’s nephew, Donhue Gardiner, the Minister of Immigration and Labour, who won by a razor-thin 11 votes when the last general elections were held in November

On Tuesday 30th December 2014 at around 2 pm traffic Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were conducting vehicle checks and stopped a Honda Accord car driven by Mosset Calixte of Haiti.

His driver’s licence was found to be up to date but the insurance had expired. The officer warned him of intended prosecution for not having his vehicle insured. After hearing this from the

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 Former Premier Michael Misick 2012, after two years of British-imposed Direct Rule and as many years of the suspension of parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands constitution.

Elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands are held every four years and must be held no later than February 2017.

The PNP now has eight seats in the House of Assembly, while the opposition People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), led by its first female leader Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, has seven seats.

officer Mr. Calixte then offered to pay him. The officer informed him of the offence and arrested him.

On Monday 22nd February 2016 at the Magistrate’s Court, he was found guilty of the charged and was ordered to pay a penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) forthwith or four months imprisonment.

The money was paid.

The Shore Club is now accepting applications/résumé for the following position.

Only highly self-driven & motivated, personable and professional individuals, whom have the desire to serve others, need apply:

PROJECT MANAGER The Developer is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced Project Manager to join the Construction Management, site based, project team. The project is in progress.

Ideally the successful candidate will have overall, at least 20 years of building construction experience, with minimum 10 years in the role of Project Manager / Construction Manager on resort / residential projects in excess of US$20M. The candidate must be degree qualified in a suitable Building discipline.

Together with essential high quality building construction experience, the successful candidate will have excellent technical skills and well developed management expertise.

Experience and construction skills will include all stages of the construction process from structural works to high quality exterior and interior finishes, including the installation, coordination and commissioning of residential and commercial MEP services.

These technical and management skills will include a thorough understanding of the Architectural, Engineering and Interior Design construction drawings and specifications.

The Project Manager/CM will be required to raise RFI’s and communicate directly with the Architect and other consultants. Good communication skills are therefore essential including with employed contractors.

The Project Manager/CM will be required to manage the construction schedule and monitor the progress of the works to successful completion, commissioning and handover.

International construction experience would be considered a distinct advantage, in particular on projects successfully completed in the Caribbean region.

Applicants must have a willing, positive and personable attitude as well as be willing to work holidays and weekends. They should also enjoy serving people and be willing to learn. Minimum experience in the areas of interest required. Turks & Caicos Islands citizens only need to apply to The Shore Club located on Long Bay Beach, Providenciales or e-mail: careers@theshoreclubtc.com . Deadline is March 11th, 2016.

Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien 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.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the post of Executive Assistant / Personal Assistant to work out of the Head Office in Providenciales.

Duties & Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be required to Chief Executive Officer and Executive Team: •In the preparation of appropriate , timely and accurate Reports on a monthly basis or when requested; •Keep filing update •In preparation of the annual publications •Schedule and arrange all meetings •Managing the reports •Other office Administrations duties as outlined by CEO •To assist with Board of Directors duties •Arrangement of Executive staff travel and conferences

assist the

Minimum qualification and experience required •Diploma in Office Administration or equivalent qualification, plus five year qualification experience in an office Administration position.

Skills and qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates with skills in the following areas; •5 years or more experience in office administration •5 years or more experience in internal and external department management •A working knowledge of TCIG processes /Administration •A working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Salary Commensurate with qualifications in the range of $36,000 - $42,000 per annum

Detailed Job Descriptions are available from the Main Office of the TCIAA at Providenciales International Airport via email from johntsmith@tciairports.com Interested persons must submit their Applications before 4th March 2016 to: John T. Smith, Chief Executive Officer Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority Providenciales International Airport Turks and Caicos Islands Email: johntsmith@tciairports.com

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 9

Page 10

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Education Week to be celebrated under the theme: “Success for every learner”

During the week of February 28th to March 4th the Ministry will celebrate Education Week. This year, I am especially pleased at the theme that was chosen for the week long observances: ‘Success for Every learner’. Education Officials and partners will know that this theme underlies our five year strategic plan and many of the key initiatives implemented in our Ministry.“

“Success for every learner

means that we provide various opportunities to ensure that each child, from the time they enter our system is given the opportunity to excel according to their special abilities.

Whether a child is good academically, prefers to work within the skills area, excels in sports or is an all-rounder.”

“Success is ensuring that on leaving our system, all children are able to leave with some form of certification.

The Ministry believes the curriculum

must be reviewed, that Technical teaching in action. I do hope you and Vocational teaching and learning support it. I do hope that you see must be enhanced, that children with beyond what else needs to be done, to special learning considerations must what is being achieved by our teachers, be given opportunity for inclusion and students, parents and partners.” resources must be in place to ensure “I am looking forward to all of this takes place.” joining in on all the National Events

“This week, you the public and to celebrating with all my will get an opportunity to see ‘Every Education officials at the Department learner’ on display. I am sure the and School level. I am going to shout various schools will put on displays, Success to Every Learning! Success to invite you in to witness learning and Every Learner!“

Civil Service Association holding elections

The Civil Service Association (CSA) would like to thank all the civil servants for their attendance at the civil service meetings in Grand Turk and Providenciales on 17 & 18 February, 2016.

The purpose of these meetings was to inform the civil servants of the role of the CSIA and announce the re-establishment of the CSA and the appointment of the executive body. The civil servants provided valuable input in regards to the nomination and election process. Based on the recommendations the following dates have been set for nominations and the elections. They are as follows: 1st March, 2016 - Nomination day 4th March, 2016 - Announcement of candidates 23rd March, 2016 - Election Day 1st April, 2016 - Announcement of President and Vice President

There will also be public debates between the candidates for President and Vice President prior to the Election Day. The dates and times will be announced. Civil Servants will be informed in the upcoming weeks about the nomination process by their Head of Departments and via social media on the CSIA’s social media accounts.

Kindly note that the nomination and election process is open to all civil servants. For avoidance of doubt this includes contract workers.

Should there be any queries we can be contacted on csainaction@gov.tc or can be directed to any of the executive members of the CSIA

Elderly man attacked in Grand Turk

Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are seeking the public’s assistance in finding the culprit (s) who may be responsible for attacking an elderly man at his home on Grand Turk over the past weekend.

A complainant reported on Saturday 20th February 2016, he went to visit his 89-year-old friend on Hospital Road, Grand Turk and found him sitting in a chair with his face swollen. The elderly man stated that during the early hours of the morning he was awakened by an unknown male who dragged him out of his bed and beat him about his body then placed a knife around his throat before taking off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The 89 year old was then taken to the Cockburn Town Medical Centre where he was treated and released.

Investigations are ongoing into his matter.

Reward yourself in two easy ways Choose one or both!

Travel Rewards

†

Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, NYC and Miami

JOB OPPORTUNITY SENIOR SOLICITOR

A senior solicitor is required for a busy firm based in Providenciales. The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor with at least ten years (minimum) post qualified experience primarily in litigation disciplines— commercial, corporate, construction, contentious probate, negligence, property, partnership and shareholder disputes and related matters. In addition, the successful candidate must have experience drafting and advising on commercial contracts. Excellent communication skills and ability to manage files and work independently is essential, together with requisite experience in preparation of cases to instruct counsel and direct client relationships. Experience in mediation /A.D.R will be a considerable advantage.

Please send applications in writing with full CV to the Managing Partner, Miller Simons O’Sullivan, P. O. Box 260, Regent House West, Regent Village, Providenciales or email to mslaw@tciway.tc. Deadline for applications is 4 March 2016.

Cash Back

†

Scotiabank AERO™ Platinum MasterCard®

Scotiabank Gold MasterCard®

Get a Welcome Bonus up to

Get a Welcome Bonus of

US$40 Cash Back

10,000 ScotiaPoints

†

†

Apply today and get FREE additional cards! †

Welcome Bonus offers end March 15, 2016.

Call 649 339 7100 or visit your nearest branch.

Go to tc.scotiabank.com/travelsooner or tc.scotiabank.com/cashback.

#MoreGreatCities

Discover what’s possible

#MostCashBackEver

/ScotiabankTC

@ScotiabankTC

†Conditions apply. Subject to credit approval. Offers subject to change without notice. Visit tc.scotiabank.com/travelsooner and tc.scotiabank.com/cashback for full Terms & Conditions. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. ™Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. ®MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated.

TCI_Q1 Credit Card Campaign2016_5.125x6.5.indd 1

1/19/16 10:16 AM

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 11

LOCAL NEWS

Crime Report

at the vehicle.

The vehicle also checked where bullet holes were seen at the rear of it.

* The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Officers are investigating a number of incidents that occurred last weekend:

1.

Complainant reported that on Friday 19th February 2016 he parked his 2011 Toyota Camry car Down Town at 9:30 pm and went to bed. Upon waking up the following morning at 07:55 am she discovered the front passenger window shattered and a few CDs and keys missing.

2. On Sunday, a complainant reported that at about 11: 42 pm on

On Monday 22nd February (Airport Customs) and to hand over Sunday 21st, February 2016 while she 2016 in the Supreme Court, Clyde to the cashier at the central office; was at home on the Leeward Highway Scottie Glinton of Providenciales plead However, between November 16th, she noticed a male about 6ft 3in guilty to Theft and was sentenced to a 2011 and January 8th, 2012 this was wearing a white shirt with a vest and Conditional Discharged of 3 years and not done. blue short pants, placed his head in a fine of $25,000 to be paid within 90 On September 20th, 2013 her window. When she shouted at him, days or 12 months imprisonment. investigators arrested and formally he fled in a northern direction.

The facts are, a complainant charged Mr Glinton for Theft.

3.

On Providenciales, a file a report on behalf of the Turks * Investigators of the Royal complainant reported that he and his and Caicos Islands Government that Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force wife went to bed after securing their between November 16th, 2011 and are investigating an incident of a home located in Blue Hills at around January 8th, 2012 a total of $19, 273.42 shooting that occurred earlier today 12 am earlier today (Monday 22nd (Nineteen Thousand two hundred and when a 21-year-old female was shot.

February 2016). Upon waking up at seventy-three dollars and forty two- At around 4:18 am today (Monday 3:30 am he saw an unidentified male cents) were missing and unaccounted 22nd February 2016) officers exiting the house with a microwave in for from the Custom Department responded to the Cheshire Hall his possession. He made further checks at the Providenciales International Medical Centre where the female was and discovered his house keys and Airport. Financial Crime Investigators seen complaining that she was shot in wife’s handbag on the porch. of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands the back. She told officers that she was 4.

Also on Blue Hills on Police Force launched investigations. riding with a male friend driving in today’s date (Monday 22nd February

The investigation revealed the Kew Town area and upon reaching 2016), a complainant stated that he that Mr Glinton, who at the time was Walter Cox Drive some men tried to went to sleep at 2 am and when he the senior Customs Officer responsible stop them. The driver did not stop; as awakened at 6 am he discovered is for collecting funds from that unit a result, one of the men began shooting home burglarized. Missing are one (1)

DIRECTOR, ENERGY PRODUCTION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT Description To provide a high quality of management expertise in the areas of plant operations, diesel mechanical maintenance and upkeep, fuel supply and operations, and electrical maintenance.

To understand the corporate vision and successfully gain support for and implementation of that vision.

Main Duties To provide strategic and managerial leadership to the Company’s Generating Plants under the General Direction of the Vice President Energy Production & Project Management. The duties include but are not restricted to the following: Responsible to see that the generation of electricity is performed in a safe efficient and effective manner on a day to day basis.  Responsible for the timely development and implementation of effective maintenance and reporting programs at the generating plants.  Responsible for the day to day coordination of fuel deliveries to the plant to ensure that there is adequate fuel supply at all times.  Responsible for the preparation and control of annual budgets as they pertain to the day to day operation of the plant.  Responsible to see that the Generation Plant is prepared to deal with hurricane season and to develop and implement a plan for recovery of the plant after a hurricane.  Responsible to see that two way communications are maintained with plant employees through regular minuted meetings.  Be familiar with all Company policies and procedures (including those established by past practice) relating to the position and to observe and enforce compliance with these policies and procedures.  Responsible to see that statistical records required by the company are kept as well as develop and maintain reports that will keep senior

40 inch Flat Screen Sankey Television, one (1) standing fan, three (3) Samsung Cell phones, one (1) Digicel DL 900 phone, one (1) pair of Nike Shoes, one (1) G-Shock Watch and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Shortly after 5 am on (Wednesday 24th February 2016), complainant reported that she was awakened by the noise of her home’s window screen being tear. Upon investigating the noise, she noticed a hand through the window attempting to grab her Ipad located on her nightstand. She was able to remove the iPad before the person who managed to get away with a Black Blackberry Z10 Cell Phone, Scotia Bank Debit Card and a gold tone fossil watch. Officers made checks around her home which is located in the Long Bay area, but no suspicious persons were seen.

On the same date around 5:02 am, officers responded to another report in the Long Bay area where complainant stated that she was in bed when she heard continuous noises coming from the downstairs area of her home. Upon making checks, she saw a man at the sliding door making attempts to get inside by using a tire wrench and a piece of wood. He was unable to gain entry but upon seeing the complainant, he ordered her to put money on the table. She told him she had no money and that she is calling the police. The culprit who is described as built, wearing black clothing with black masked and low hair cut then fled the scene. Police responded to the scene however the culprit was not seen.

management updated with activities at the plant.  Responsible for the development of electrical maintenance procedures that maximize efficiency and reduce cost.  Responsible for planning and scheduling of electrical maintenance.  Responsible for ensuring that the Company’s health, safety, and environmental standards are maintained as they relate to generation production, substation and electrical maintenance, and fuel and lube handling.  Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Minimum Requirements  Bachelor’s Degree in (Electrical or Mechanical) Engineering – Power option (4 year program), or an accredited equivalent.  A Master’s Degree would be considered an asset.  This position requires 10-15 years’ experience with diesel generation.  At least 5 years senior management experience is required.  Proficiency in written and spoken English is a requirement. The ability to write comprehensive reports as well as the ability to make verbal presentations in English is essential.  Computer literacy is required (familiarity with Excel, Word) Compensation Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is March 1, 2016 to: Dr. Kellie-Ann Evans-Hall Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or khall@fortistci.com

Page 12

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Chief Justice says scholarship awards not for courts to decide Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale said the award of National scholarships is a matter for the exercise of the Minister of Education’s judgment and not for the Court.

Her comments were contained in judicial review judgment stemming from Government’s refusal to name Tristan Greene and Ryesha Higgs as National Scholars for 2014.

Greene is the son of former Speaker and Progressive National Party (PNP) leader Clayton Greene and his wife Heather Allen, both of whom are lawyers, while Higgs is the daughter of Rose Higgs and Wayne Higgs.

“Of course, the Minister’s judgment can only be exercised in the context of a properly formulated and coherent criteria for selection of the National scholars consistent with the scholarship Policy but whatever the criteria adopted it must be consistently applied,” the Chief Justice stated.

She ruled that the Minister’s decision to refuse to award a full scholarship to Higgs and Greene who had tied for third place under the criteria adopted for the selection of national scholars is quashed and an order of mandamus remitting the decision to her for reconsideration is granted.

The top judge noted that Davonte Smith’s application for relief is dismissed as he was properly selected as third place scholar under the current criteria for selection and was given a full scholarship consistent with the Ministry’s undertaking in the national scholarship policy.

The Chief Justice said that in reaching the view that she could not award more than three scholarships, the Minister of Education (Akierra Missick) improperly fettered (restrained) her discretion under the ordinance and indeed the policy to award three full scholarships to the three student applicants who had, on the basis of the criteria adopted, tied for third.

“The Minister asserted that there was a need to break the tie between the three Applicants, as there could only be three National scholars. This explanation is, in my view, untenable, given the very broad discretion given to the Minister by the ordinance to make provision for scholarships.

This discretion should be exercised in accordance with established public law considerations.

The Chief Justice added: “It seems to me that it was open to the Minister in the event of a tie such as occurred between the three Applicants, to recognise

the students with the tied results as National Scholars and to award each either a proportionate share of the value of the scholarship, if fiscal concerns demand it, or to commit more resources to the National Scholar Awards programme and offer each of the scholars a national (full) scholarship. Indeed, any number of approaches might be adopted by the Minister.

Where two students are tied for first place, for example, the Minister may decide that there should be no second place scholar and that the student with the next highest results should be named the third place scholar’ Four awards may be made in a year where two students tie for second or three awards may be made if the Minister decides that only three scholars should be named, with one student being the top performer and the two scholars tied for second place with no third place awarded. Or there may be five scholars in a year where three students tie for third, as in 2014. lf the Minister and the National Committee are concerned to break a tie, then a more coherent approach than has been adopted by them would have to be devised.”

The judgment continued: “The National committee and the Minister who adopted its criteria are bound to regard an A* an

Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale A and a Grade 1 as the same for the purpose of determining who the top performers were in any year and the justification advanced for departing from that commitment - because only three scholarships could be awarded is insufficient. In my judgment, the decision to ascribe a separate-highervalue to the Grade A* in order to break the tie between three BWIC who had the same results under the criteria, was a breach both of the criteria adopted and the public law principles of fairness and consistency.

Devonte achieved 9 passes at Grade A*. The second place scholar obtained 9 Grade l passes in one sitting in 2014 and a Grade 1 pass in English in 2013.

The first place awardee passed 14 exams over two years, obtaining a total of seven Grade 1s, six Grade 2s

and one Grade 3. He too sat 9 subjects in 2014 but he only passed 4 subjects at Grade l, rounding out his scores that year with 4 Grade 2s and one Grade 3, an accomplishment well below the standard of the second and third place scholarship winners as well the other two Applicants who received 6 A*’s and 3 A’s (Tristan Greene) and 3 A*’s and 6 A’s (Ryesha Higgs)’

The Chief Justice said this analysis demonstrates that adopting the CXC National Committee’s criteria taking into account the results of examinations taken over two years, allowed for the highest recognition to be given, not to the students who exhibited mastery of the various subjects areas studied by achieving all A or 1 grades, but to the student who simply wrote the most examinations.

Turks and Caicos Financial Services Working Group

Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick today announced the re-launch of the TCI Financial Services Working Group. Comprising of senior government representatives, leading members of the private sector, and the CEO of Invest TCI.

The Group has been formed for the purpose of creating and implementing a strategy to grow the financial services industry in the Turks and

Caicos by sponsoring and helping to implement new legislation, new products, and better regulation to support the growth and development of an international financial services industry.

Education Week Schedule

Guest Speaker: Father Mark Kendall ECUMENICAL SERVICE [PROVIDENCIALES] Venue: Paradise Baptist Church, Five Cays Time: 3:30pm Guest Speaker: Rev. Bradley Handfield

Hon. Misick stated; “With the recent welcome modernization of our Trusts law, we have begun our work to create the legislative support for a thriving financial services industry in the

Education Week will be observed February 28 – March 4, 2016 under the theme, “Success for Every Learner.” The week’s activities will commence with ecumenical services across the country and culminate with Teacher’s Day.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29 ECUMENICAL SERVICE [SOUTH CAICOS] Venue: Wesley Memorial Methodist Church Time: 9:00am Preacher: Mr. Jas Walkin

One of the key activities for Education Week 2016 is the inaugural TCI Museum’s High School History and Heritage Quiz Competition. The event is in observance of the museum’s 25th Anniversary.

COMBINED DEVOTIONS NORTH & MIDDLE CAICOS Venue: Church of God of Prophecy, Bottle Creek Time: 9:00am – 10:30 am Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Library Services

The schedule of national activities marking Education Week 2016 is as follows: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 ECUMENICAL SERVICE [GRAND TURK] Venue: St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Time: 11:00am

TUESDAY, MARCH 1 TCI MUSEUM HISTORY & CULTURAL HERITAGE QUIZ FINALS Venue: Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex Time: 1:00pm NB. The preliminary round will be held on Thursday,

Turks and Caicos. TCIG, supported by the Group, is about to embark on a substantial exercise to update our Companies and Insolvency legislation in consultation with the private sector, and we are actively pursuing a number of initiatives with the goal of creating a thriving financial services industry that can provide Government revenue, and good quality, professional careers for Turks and Caicos Islanders.”

February 25, 2016 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2 FORTISTCI NATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR - QUIZ Primary Schools Competition: 9:00am High Schools Competition: 1:00pm Venue: Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex THURSDAY, MARCH 3 FORTISTCI NATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR [CONT’D.] Judging of the Exhibits: 9:30am – 10:30am Opening Ceremony: 11:00am Public Viewing of Exhibits: 11:45am – 6:00pm Prize Giving Ceremony: 3:30pm FRIDAY, MARCH 4 Teachers’ Day Schools throughout the islands have planned in-house activities which will culminate on Friday 4th March (Teachers Day).

Parents and community partners and are encouraged to come out in support of the various activities and join in the quest to achieve success for every learner.

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 13

LOCAL NEWS

Minister of Education reacts to Chief Justice judgment on scholarships

The Ministry of Education has seen some irresponsible reporting in the local media about a judicial review undertaken by three students who aspired to be National Scholars. The Ministry of Education recognizes the importance of judicial review which is a review process undertaken by the court “directed, not against the merits of a decision, but to the examination of the decision making process”. The Ministry welcomes the opportunity to ensure that the public understands the background to this matter.

It must be noted that there was a judicial review of the process to establish the National Scholars for the year 2014. The process in place, called for principals to offer to the committee called the External Examinations Sub Committee the top performer in external examinations for that year.

Each year the Ministry as part of its effort to celebrate the achievements of students, awards to the three top performing Turks and Caicos Islanders, from amongst those nominated by their respective schools, the honour of being called National Scholars. Among prizes given is a scholarship valued up to the sum of $40,000, to study to the Bachelor’s level, at a reputable University in the Caribbean or United Kingdom.

The three students who brought this judicial review argued that the criteria to select the top three for the 2014 year was flawed. They

indicated that because they all had at least A’s in 9 subjects that they should have been named National Scholars and further challenged that the selection should only have been based from among students who sat a single set of exams in one year and not from among those students who sat exams over two years, as was the case. In mounting their challenge, they alleged among other things that the Minister acted irrationally, outside of her authority and breached natural justice principles.

The three students raising the challenge were not satisfied that at the Sub Committee level all persons being considered to be named National Scholars were nominated for consideration by their respective Principals. Principals determine who the top performers are based on a point scheme. This process has its foundation in a Caricom treaty that established such committees regionally as part of CXC. BWIC write IGCSE and not CXC; they were later included in the awards. The purpose of that inclusion was to ensure that ALL top performing Turks and Caicos Islanders could be recognized as National Scholars. It must be noted that while all three of the students raising the challenge had each achieved 9 subjects with grades of at least an A, one of them had achieved a higher standard of 9 subjects with a grade A* and was named as the 3rd place National Scholar. A grade of A*is

Stress prevention workshop in salt cay

The National Health Emergency Management Unit (NHEMU) within the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services is responsible for the coordination of activities designed to prepare for, monitor, mitigate and respond to natural and manmade disasters and emergency situations that could overwhelm the health sector.

The unit, working in partnership with other organizations, aims to prevent diseases and disasters, to reduce the vulnerability of the population to any disaster, to respond effectively and efficiently to the actual occurrence of disasters and to provide for recovery in the aftermath of any emergency involving debilitating influence on the normal pattern of life within the community. Systems are put in place to evaluate the level of risk, vulnerability, available resources including human, financial, material and equipment and other factors relating to preparation and response to an emergency/ disaster.

Against this background, we have partnered with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence and Emergency Medical Services in organizing the Stress Prevention and Management in Disasters, Emergencies workshop.

This workshop is being conducted as part of our preparedness for the hurricane

season and other emergency situations our essential services and emergency workers may have to deal with. Our target audience at this time includes our health care professionals, District Administration, Fire, Police, Public Works Department and Key Community persons.

The workshop will take place in Salt Cay on Monday 29 February, 2016 at 10:00am.

The Objectives of the Workshop are as follows: 1. To increase the knowledge level of emergency responders on Stress management in Disasters and Emergencies.

2. To provide strategies that will help to promote the prevention and management of Stress during Disasters and emergencies.

Our facilitators are Dr Patrick Prince, Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence and Mr Delwin Ferguson the Director of Medical Emergency Services.

Taking into consideration that the World Health Organization has declared the ZIKA virus a Public Health Emergency of International concern, we will also have a special presentation on Mosquito Borne Diseases by the Environmental Health department during this workshop.

picture being painted in the media is an adversarial one. The Government has the interest of all its students at heart, including those students who mounted the challenge. The aspirations and performances of those students who were offered to the Sub Committee for consideration must be taken into consideration and in no way should their achievements be discredited.

All three of the students who mounted the challenge are currently recipients of Government awards to BWIC to complete Advanced level studies or another institution. As with the other graduates of that year, and once this level is completed are all eligible to apply for consideration for tertiary level scholarships.

The court did observe that it is time for a review of the policy. This Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra Missick is an ongoing process. Based on the given a heavier weighting in IGCSE, judgment of Chief Justice Ramsayand so this student was offered as Hale, the Minister will reconsider the being the best performer from his matter in light of the court’s analysis. school.

The court did rule that the Minister’s

In handing down the judgment decision not to award the title of it is important to note that the Chief National Scholar on Greene and Justice ruled in favor of the Minister Higgs based on the criteria applied by and therefore against the students in 11 committee and the names offered from of the 12 allegations mounted by them. principals to the subcommittee was She noted that the Minister among wrong. other things, did not act irrational, The Minister will ask the Sub acted within her authority and there Committee to once again reconsider was no breach of natural justice and the performance of Greene and Higgs based on the policy must look at the and thereafter the Minister will results over a two year period. consider that advice and make a final

It is unfortunate that the decision.

PROVO GOLF CLUB

Provo Golf Club is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES •Plan and schedule maintenance processes and procedures.

•Instruct, train and direct staff in golf course maintenance.

•Oversees fertilizer, chemical and pesticide applications.

•Run irrigation systems, including daily setup and maintenance.

•Proven organizational skills to maintain accurate records of all processes.

•Responsible for the safe operation, storage and effective use of all equipment.

•Responsible for the proper use, storage and preservation of all associated materials, supplies and assigned equipment.

REQUIREMENTS •Must have a Bachelor’s degree or Associate degree in Agronomy or Horticulture plus a minimum of six years experience on a golf course with three years experience as an Assistant Golf Superintendent.

•Must have at least a Class C Membership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

•Must have advance knowledge of agronomy and turf grass management practices.

•Require extensive knowledge of golf course maintenance.

•Requires knowledge of landscape construction and materials.

•Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.

•Strong computer skills using Microsoft Word and Excel •Must have a thorough understanding of the game of golf.

The remuneration for this position is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email

by March 7, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephoned to schedule an interview.

Page 14

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Former Spice Girl ‘Mel B’ spent romantic getaway in Turks and Caicos Islands figure in an electric bandeau bikini but she possibly showed off more than she bargained for as she larked around in the sea.

She scrambled to salvage her dignity by grabbing the skimpy swimwear with both hands while he clung to her under her arms.

Stephen ensured she wasn’t embarrassed by the mishap as he mimicked it by simply standing up in the clear-blue sea with some force, leaving his black swimming shorts to fall below his butt which certainly offered beach-goers an eyeful.

Prior to their water-splashing scenes, Mel and Stephen were seen rolling around in the sand as they deliberately covered their bodies - front and back.

They rose to show off their handiwork but the 40-year-old father-of-two Mel B perhaps went a step too far as he’d

Mel B proved life begins at 40 rubbed it into his face for some bizarre as she enjoyed a particularly playful reason. trip to the beach with her husband The pair then headed to the Stephen Belafonte during their clear-blue water to wash themselves romantic getaway to the Turks and with the Lip Syc Battle host’s extremely Caicos Islands recently. pert behind turning heads with every

The former Scary Spice, whose bare-footed step she took. real name is Melanie Brown, appeared Mel looked in especially great to be having the time of her life as she shape as her beach body boasted outrageously flirted with her film- definition from her upper arms to her producer spouse. calves.

Mel, 40, is a British recording The couple appeared to be artist, actress, television personality, in a particularly flirty mood as they and model who rose to fame as a were seen getting hands on once they member of the girl group the Spice submerged themselves in the sparkling Girls. She showcased her famously-fit water.

VACANCY- SENIOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified individuals for the position of Senior Information Technology Specialist, FortisTCI, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Description  To provide a high level of technical support in a timely and cost effective manner that allows the company to meet or exceed the annual targets set for the company.  Work with the Supervisor of Information Technology and all other staff member to ensure that all necessary technical equipment is operating effectively and efficiently thus allowing the smooth and controlled use of the company’s assets.

Main Duties  Assist with the design and support of the entire infrastructure and its associate software.  Liaise with vendors for efficient implementation of software products or systems and for resolution of any adaptation issues.  Responsible for developing junior information technology staff.  Maintain a sound working knowledge of the ERP System for all areas of responsibilities  Assist the Management with the investigation and solution of various technical related matters as they arise.  Troubleshoots problems with network, hardware and software installation and application.  Provides specialized user support services to diagnose and resolve problems.  Maintains a number of Company Production Servers (IBM, Microsoft Server Based)  Maintains a number of technical equipment by providing installation, maintenance, configuration, and repair services to the equipment, components, and peripherals.  Tracks, maintains and updates inventory listing of hardware and software installations, desktop computers, and peripheral equipment.  Trains and assists end users in proper use of equipment and software applications related to company services and activities.  Serves as technical resource to the company in determining

Stephen couldn’t keep his hands of his fabulously fit wife as he was seen copping cheeky feels of her bottom but she didn’t seem to mind.

They emerged holding handin-hand and he couldn’t resist going for one grope of her behind.

The Leeds-born former X Factor judge and the some-time film producer have been dating since February 2007. They married four months later in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas.

They renewed their vows later in a lavish ceremony in Egypt, attended by their families, in November 2008.

Mel and Stephen have one child together - four-year-old daughter Madison. She has an additional two daughters, 16-year-old Phoenix and Angel, eight, who have separate fathers - Jimmy Gulzar and Eddie Murphy, respectively.

He also has another child - daughter Giselle - whose mother is actress Nicole Contreras.

computing needs, strategies, and equipment.  Performs in-depth research and analysis and research for hardware modifications and upgrades.  Maintain the Company’s Citrix connection  Perform other duties as assigned.

Monthly Duties  Performs routine maintenance to ensure good operating conditions.  Communicates with users to detect possible problems.  Assists in the evaluation of new equipment to be maintained by the Technical Support area.  Ensures appropriate inventory levels to facilitate the maintenance and repair of computers.  Maintains up-to-date virus protection.  Performs regular hard drive clean up and maintenance.  Maintains files for software documentation.  Researches and tests new software packages.  Evaluate the training needs of the IT users and develop a training plan to build users competency.

Academic Qualifications:  Bachelor’s Degree (B.S. or B.Eng.) from an accredited four-year college or university in an information technology related field.  Five years post qualification experience preferably in an IT related field  Microsoft Certified a plus Abilities; Skills; Experience; Aptitude and Judgment:  Excellent team player and team building skills  Good analytical skills  Excellent written and oral communication skills  Ability to deliver to strict deadlines and to work under pressure  Goal-oriented  Self-motivated Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is March 8, 2016: Dr. Kellie-Ann Evans-Hall Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or khall@fortistci.com

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 15

LOCAL NEWS

National Development through Tertiary Education

by Jamell Robinson T.C.I Patriot

Access to tertiary education is a fundamental pillar for any real plan to move a country forward. Barbados is a terrific regional example of what a super educated populace can be and do.

So why not make tertiary education free for all Turks and Caicos Islanders?

The cost of one overseas scholarship is the equivalent to the tuition fees for 8-10 students at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC).

To me its simple mathematics and in this article I plan to outline several benefits of educating our citizenry at home. First, however, it must be stated that the resources needed for a world-class primary and secondary education must also be dedicated and the investment made for this proposal to be a viable long-term option.

TCIG gives the TCICC a subvention and tuition fees makes up the remainder of the approximately US$1.5 million budget, outside of that which is raised or donated annually.

A portion of the funds for overseas scholarships can be used to cover all the annual cost of staff remuneration, administration, infrastructure, and course development. More to that, once TCICC lecturers are paid, it matters not if that course has five (5) students or 30 enrolled in a class, as lecturers are paid the same amount.

Case in point, if the current class size at the TCICC is 10-15 students on

average we could be educating at least an additional 15-20 students within the current infrastructure we have at present, at no additional cost.

By educating more TC Islanders, the TCICC would have a greater pool of persons to create and develop new and exciting courses or programs for. A few years back, the college could not offer the secondary teacher’s program for lack of participants. As new programs become more available at the TCICC so too will the need not to duplicate scholarships for the same programs abroad. Simply given the TCICC’s connectivity to UWI and other regional academic institutions - the education criteria carries equal weight. You would never hear a Jamaican saying they want to go to The Bahamas to go and do a program at COB that they could do at UTECH or UWI Mona. This precedent must also be adopted for the TCICC by TC Islanders.

For persons that legitimately Jamell Robinson argue that overseas schooling allows countries for short-term secondments for exposure to different cultures or exchange programs to allow for and experiences, my solutions are as a similar taste of exposure and follows: with access to the additional experience. Remember the primary resources not used for schooling at the reason for overseas schooling is tertiary level by students, it can be used education first and exposure second. by persons to travel as far and wide as While tuition fees would you wish. Backpack through Europe be waived for TC Islanders, the or the Americas; go on cruises, travel prerequisite would be that in return, the region seeing that airline tickets, you must maintain at least a 3.0 hotels and hostels are relatively cheap GPA. And, for every credit hour of the these days. Additionally, links can be course you are enrolled on, you must made with regional partners/ give at least that amount of time in

community service per month. Given the size of students and community service hours that would be generated, a community service program could be created to manage and monitor the community service taking place by students, in addition to designing of the community projects for students to participate in. With the introduction of such a program, this country would change forever. Moreover, such a program could be used to utilize skilled work permit holders looking for an outlet to help the community whilst here and it should be mandatory for persons looking to become PRC holders or naturalized TCI Citizens in general.

To drive the point home with regard to the viability of the TCICC advancing this process, look at how many non TC Islanders use the facility already. I am certain they are getting value for money from the qualifications that they are receiving.

Also, through this initiative, what we are encouraging is lifelong learning within our country. This is something one should feel proud of and take pride in. Therefore, all TC Islanders, young or old - will have access, once they maintain their GPA and complete their Community Service.

With the refocusing of resources, mentalities and ideologies within such a small island nation, the TCI within 10 years could have the University of the Turks and Caicos, and become the must educated populace in the region, if not the world.

VACANT POSITION

JOB TITLE: CORE ENGINEER Primary objective of the job: •Manage the overall operation of the Network Switching, IP Transmission and RF, ensuring a high quality of service for the Digicel network.

•Oversee capacity planning for the various nodes within the Digicel network.

•Oversee budget spend for the various nodes operation of above responsibilities.

•Good knowledge of AXE for GSM/RNC/BSC/HLR/SCP/SDP/CCN/I-Gate/ MSC-S/SGSN/MPBN. •Good knowledge of GSM, EDGE, HSPA, voice and DATA roaming •Good knowledge of Charging system and VAS platforms.

Main Duties and responsibilities: •Manage all Network Core Elements (MSC-S, BSC, HLR, & VSAT, SGSN, MBPN, MGW and Power Plant) •Plan and design mobile and ICT network.

•Perform dimensioning and capacity planning •Perform all required software and hardware upgrades for above mentioned systems and services •Provide on-call support for after hour outages & planned works, including creation and submission of required forms.

•Develop and schedule preventative and corrective maintenance policies and procedures, such as regular backups, hardware/software upgrades, and spares inventory, to ensure high availability of all IP based systems.

•Provide proactive support of WAN data and voice links (VSAT, leased lines) to provide 100% availability of all IP services, including VoIP, PRI, ITP (SS7 over IP) and internet, and to ensure continued connectivity to other Digicel locations and external parties •Ensure that network metrics are closely monitored and captured so as to provide proactive network management, as well as regular feedback on network performance in the form of reports to management •Provide Support to other departments and external parties as required •Provide support for VAS system Academic qualifications and experience required for job: •Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunication/electronics or equivalent field •1-5 years’ experience in the Telecommunication industry.

•Training in AXE technology.

interested Applicants should forward their resumes to hrtci@digicelgroup.com before March 13, 2016.

Temporary Position: Contract Administrator Location: Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales TCI Job Summary: Takes responsibility for the management of twin spv structured contract established as a Public Private Partnership under a Project Agreement between InterHealth Canada and the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands for the full service operation of the TCI Hospital comprising facilities on each of Grand Turk and Providenciales.

Additional Responsibilities are but limited to: 1.Accountable/Reports separately to the CEO of the clinical operating company and the General Manager of the infrastructure company but is responsible to the Boards of both SPV’s.

2.Directly interfaces with the TCIG’s appointed Contract Performance Manager(s) on all aspects of the management of the Project Agreement.

3.Monitors and ensures ongoing compliance of all aspects of the Project Agreement and its full complement of operating schedules, with particular emphasis on the following: a.Performance monitoring of all clinical and hard and soft FM services; ensuring that all relevant departments produce timely key performance indicator reports as required by the Project Agreement and collating the required compliance reports. b.Monitoring all potential changes to the Project Agreement affecting either or both the SPV’s and ensuring that the Change Procedure is fully and properly complied with by both the spv’s and the TCIG. c.Monitoring the preparation, delivery and internal approval of all Life cycle proposals d.Permanently monitoring timely compliance of both SPV’s with all their general obligations under the Project Agreement.

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCES: •Minimum 10 years post graduation experience in a Contract Administration role or similar.

•Senior level experience in health care management of an accredited hospital •Demonstrable experience of working with clinical teams to design and develop business cases for new funding •Project management experience of mobilising large scale service changes, ideally within a healthcare environment •Previous experience working with P3 projects and change order process in contracts, preferably in a public-private partnership environment coupled with proven experience in the development and negotiation of cost related changes •Experience of Public Private Partnership contracting with specific experience under UK law.

JOB DESCRIPTION PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. SALARY RANGE: based upon experience.

Submit resumes and references to: Recruitment@interhealthcanada.tc Deadline for applications: 4TH March 2016

Page 16

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Turks and Caicos Islands continues to benefit from relationship with EU

The Turks and Caicos Islands along with other UK overseas countries and territories recently attended the 14th European Union Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Forum held in Brussels, Belgium during the week commencing 22 February 2016.

The delegation which included the Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick, Deputy Governor and EU program manager for the TCI Anya Williams, Permanent Secretary Finance Athenee Harvey and Head of Secretariat and Head of UK Office Ronlee James and Tracy Knight, participated in several key meetings with the EU including its trilateral meeting with the Director General for Development and Cooperation Mrs. Jolita Butkeviche to discuss the ongoing progress of EU programs in the TCI; a regional meeting with other OCT’s to discuss the progress of the regional program centered on sustainable energy and marine biodiversity programs in the OCT’s,

along with their participation in the 14th Ministerial Conference and EU OCT Forum where Premier Ewing led a round table discussion on Enhancing growth and investment opportunities in the OCT’s along with his intervention on the OCT’s response to the new global agreement on climate change.

At this year’s 14th Ministerial Forum, the TCI Premier Hon. Rufus Ewing was elected to serve as the Vice Chair of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association. This is a key role as the TCI stands in line to be elected as the Chair of OCTA at the 15th OCT Forum which is to be held in Aruba later this year and will coincide with the planned UK Presidency of the EU.

Premier Ewing commented that he was pleased to be taking on the role as the new Vice Chair of the Overseas and Countries and Territories Association. “The overall mission of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) is to improve

Youth entrepreneurship workshop 2016

The Ministry of Education, through the Department of Youth Affairs will partner with Invest Turks and Caicos, The Center for Economic Development and the Young Corporate Alliance, to host the first ever Entrepreneurship Workshop. The workshop will take place on Friday, 4th March at 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Regent Palms on Providenciales, under the theme “Seize the Opportunity, Capture the Business!”

The Honourable Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Youth commented that, “As the Minister with the great responsibility of promoting the growth of our youth, my Ministry continues to find ways to provide our young people with sustainable and high quality training that support their entry into entrepreneurship throughout the Islands. It is time for us to move from just training persons to become employees, and now jointly create an environment that will develop employers and sustainable businesses.”

The purpose of the workshop is to provide persons (ages 17-45) in our communities resources and information on the role of the newly

established Invest Turks and Caicos, the recently passed Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Ordinance 2015 which contains many offerings to provide support for Micro and Small businesses and to learn the various business programs available through the newly establish agency Invest TCI.

Small business owners who are interested in setting up a display of their products and services at the workshop are invited to do so, are ask to register with Mr Nixon Dickenson

by Tuesday 12:00pm March 1st 2014.

Interested entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to support the Entrepreneurship Workshop as the Department of Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Invest TCI, The Center for Economic Development and the Young Corporate Alliance, make strides to cultivate an environment through programme development and community partnership to equip and empower persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

For more information, persons should contact the Department of Youth Affairs or Mr. Nixon Dickenson at 338 5101 or ndickenson@gov.tc

policy dialogue, strategic partnership and sustainable development in the Overseas Countries and Territories.

This appointment comes at a time when there is great uncertainty surrounding the future relationship of the U.K. and the EU with a referendum having already been announced for June 23rd, 2016. At the Joint Ministerial Council held last December in London UK Overseas Territories were quite clear on the benefits of grant funding received through the EU. It is important for the TCI that the funds already earmarked for TCI in the EDF 10 and 11 programs are not jeopardized in any way. Our meetings with the EU sought to clarify issues such as this and we are quite certain that the TCI can still fully benefit from these programs notwithstanding the pending referendum. I look forward to my role as the Vice Chair of OCTA and will continue to promote programs and policies for the betterment of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the wider context of the OCT’s.”

Commenting on the TCI EU relationship Hon. Washington Misick stated that; “The TCI continues to enjoy a successful relationship with the EU; the EU having committed to over twenty five million euros (25m) in grant funding to the TCI through the EDF 10 and 11 programs. The EDF 10 program of 11.85m is geared towards building a better business sector, with the first drawdown of (3m) having been received in April 2014, the second disbursement of (4m) having been received in December 2015 and the final disbursement of (4m) due in December 2016. While the EDF 11 program of 14.6m formulated around improvements in the education sector will span the years 2017-2020. This

has been of great assistance to the TCI and these are most noteworthy programs that will bring real benefit to the people of the TCI.”

Deputy Governor and EU program manager for the TCI Anya Williams stated that she was pleased with the overall success of the EU programs in the TCI. “The TCI has over the years managed several successful EU programs including the Housing program which provided new and/ or renovated homes to many families affected by Hurricane Ike in the islands of Grand Turk and South Caicos; the Protected Areas Management Project which provided much needed grant assistance to the National Trust and the EDF 9, 10 and 11 programs which provided millions of dollars in grant funding to valuable programs in the TCI. At a time when the TCI was working extremely hard to stabilize its finances, the Director General for Cooperation and Development stated that she took a personal risk in 2012 in reinstating the TCI into the EU program, but we are both happy and proud that we have exceeded the EU’s expectations and now have one of the most efficient and effectively managed EU programs within the overseas territories.”

CORNER WASH SEEKS 2 Carwashers Salary $200.00 per week 6 days per week Contact 242-8509 or 242-9745

WANTED 1 Babysitter Salary $6.25 per hour 6 days per week Contact 232-3194

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD CLEANER Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be responsible for the general cleaning of communal areas, sweeping and mopping of floors, cleaning of windows and removal of trash. The applicant will also be responsible for any other duties assigned in regards to general cleaning.

Requirements: The successful applicant must be able to work with little to no supervision, capable of performing manual labour outside on a daily basis, should be physically fit, hard working and reliable.

Wages: $6.50 per hour Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 7, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 17

Page 18

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 19

Page 20

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS Turks & Caicos Islands National Health Insurance Board TENDER NOTICE The Turks & Caicos Islands National Health Insurance Board invites tenders from Companies with a valid “Audit & Accountancy Firm” business license for: TCIG – IHC Cost efficiency Strategic Framework Part 2 (Reconciliation) Tender Reference No.: TR02/2016 Further information is available on the NHIB website at www.tcinhip.tc Tender documents are available upon request in electronic format only from the National Health Insurance Office in Providenciales, via telephone at (649) 946-8861 or via e-mail at zburton@tcinhip. tc.

Tenders are to be submitted in a sealed envelope by 12:00 Noon on Friday, March 10, 2016 to: The Chief Executive Officer National Health Insurance Board Unit 55/56 Salt Mills Plaza Grace Bay Road Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks & Caicos Islands National Health Insurance Board is not bound to accept any, or the lowest bid, and reserves the right to annul the tender process at any time prior to award of Contract

VICE PRESIDENT ENERGY PRODUCTION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT Description

Responsible for the efficient installation, operation, and maintenance of the production assets, electrical auxiliary equipment, management of FortisTCI’s civil capital projects, fuel procurement and supplies, management of general insurance programs and , and for providing engineering services in support of the Company’s production activities.

As a member of the executive team, to understand the corporate vision, successfully gain support for and implement that visaion.

Main Duties  Responsible for the generation of a safe, constant and sufficient supply of electricity  Responsible for strategic planning and installation of production facilities and infrastructure  Responsible for the timely implementation of new works and modifications to existing production systems to optimize the production plant, improve plant efficiency and reliability.  Responsible for the development and implementation of effective production and electrical maintenance programs and practices to maximize efficiency and reliability.  Responsible for provision of engineering services, engineering feasibility studies, and construction support services for the Company.  Responsible for preparation and control of annual division budgets.  Responsible for generation, and civil works that meet best practice of safety, environmental, quality, budgetary control and reporting

standards.  Responsible for planning and upgrading electrical control systems at the plant.  Responsible with high voltage command and coordination control as required.  Responsible for the Corporate Liability, Property and Machinery Breakdown Insurance programmes  Any other duties that may be assigned by the President and CEO. Minimum Requirements  A Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.  Hold an MBA degree  15 years post-graduation experience in senior management positions with an electric utility.  At least 10 years in a senior leadership position.  Excellent written and oral communication skills.  Excellent team player with proven team building skills.  Ability to deliver to strict deadlines.  Self-motivated, solution oriented and positive in outlook Compensation Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is March 1, 2016 to: Dr. Kellie-Ann Evans-Hall Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or khall@fortistci.com

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 21

PRESENTS: The

th

Annual FortisTCI

In collaboration with the Department of Education Wednesday, March 2nd — Thursday, March 3rd, 2016 Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex Downtown, Providenciales

2015’s Winners: Champions for Christ International School of Excellence www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI

Page 22

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS Clayton Greene responds to Education Minister’s statement about scholarship awards

By Clayton Greene

Dear Sir,

Thank you for the opportunity to address the recent claims and comments by the Hon. Minister of Education in the immediate aftermath of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of R v. The Minister of Education ex parte Greene, Higgs and Smith.

As a parent and a Turks and Caicos Islander, I was saddened by the Minister’s comments as aired on both WIV and PTV and in the content of her Ministry’s Press Release the day following.

It would have been good to see the Minister embrace the landmark decision of the Court and take it as an opportunity to correct the flaws which the case highlighted, and to also have her welcome the opportunity to grant two more intelligent and motivated young Turks and Caicos Islanders, the welldeserved title of National Scholars and all that it entails. To the contrary, the Minister tried shamelessly to contort the ruling into a victory for the Government but more importantly herself, and in so doing she did not shy away from placing the responsibility for making the wrong decision on everybody but herself. The difficulty the Minster faces in that regard, is the fact that under the Education Ordinance, the buck stops with her.

I turn now to the specific claims.

National Policy/Academic Criteria

The basic and fundamental point is that there is a national scholarship policy for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This document entitled “The National Scholarship Policy for the Turks and Caicos Islands” states on its face that it is intended “to provide information to the public on the procedure for applying for, and receiving, scholarships and grants”.

This is the document that the Ministry of Education has consistently, since 2011, published as its comprehensive guide to the provision of grants and scholarships including national scholarships.

The problem is not the National Scholarship Policy and what it says. The problem is that those making scholarship decisions, have devised a separate set of rules called the Academic Criteria which they use, so they say, to “fine-tune” the published National Policy. These rules are not published; no one in the Ministry is able to produce a copy; nor has any one there been able to state definitively what the current comprehensive Academic Criteria says.

Over the last year and a half I and others have requested that the Ministry of Education provide us with a document containing the definitive, comprehensive, and applicable Academic Criteria. We have yet to receive such a document. Indeed, both during and after the hearing, the Court was presented with not less than 5 different versions of what the Crown claimed was the Academic Criteria. All the documents presented were either not complete documents or were contradictory of each other and or of what the Minister in her Affidavit said the Academic Criteria was.

Indeed, the Crown was chided for failing to comply with its duty of full disclosure and candor in the Judicial Review proceedings and the Chief Justice at paragraphs 18 and 19 of the Judgment had this to say:

“The Minister exhibits a partial document to her affidavit which one supposes was intended to support her evidence but in fact undermines it as it sets out entirely different criteria…”

As a result of the Crown’s failure to provide the rest of this document – in breach of its duty of candour – it is impossible to ascertain when this criteria was supposedly established…”

And at paragraph 23:

“Repeated requests made of the Crown during the hearing of this matter – and even since the matter has been reserved – to provide documentation to show when the Government’s National Scholar Programme, as distinct from the CXC National Award Ceremony, was first incepted and what that criteria adopted was and by whom, met with little success.”

I do not criticize the Attorney General’s Chambers – unfortunately it was the Ministry which gave them a basket to carry water.

So long as the Ministry of Education can, in connection with the grant of scholarships, apply a set of unpublished and ever changing rules that are known not even to the Minister let alone the public and that often contradict the provisions of the published National Policy, then allegations of favoritism/victimization, will continue to be levelled at that Department and rightly so. This state of affairs leaves the public always wondering why student A receives a grant while Student B receives a scholarship or why Student A is able to do “A” Levels overseas but not Student B; or why Student A is able to study in the US but not Student B. On the latter issue, I must add that in my view, once Government determines that a student has earned a scholarship, that student (not only national scholars) ALL students should be free to apply the financial benefit of that scholarship at the accredited school of their choice. The current rule that scholars other than National Scholars can only take up their scholarship in the UK or the West Indies (but not the USA or Canada) is ludicrous.

Judicial Review cannot Address Merits of the Decision

On the question of whether the selection of national scholars should be based on single vs multiple sittings, the Minister correctly makes this point that the Chief Justice felt that it was not open to her to supplant her views for those of the Minister. As the Chief Justice states at paragraph 30 of the Judgement

“….. “Judicial Review is directed not against the merits of a decision but to the examination of the decision making process……” [my emphasis]

The decision making process has now been reviewed by the Chief Justice. What is outstanding now is the review of the merits of the decision and this has to be done by the Minister if the Scholarship Policy is to operate fairly.

In her review, the Minister must take into account the following: (1) The Chief Justice does not support the multiple sitting criterion and for the Minister to suggest that the multiple sittings criteria enjoy any sanction or support of the Court is simply not true. The Chief Justice’s utterings during the course of the hearing which neither the Minister nor any person from the Ministry or the CXC National Committee attended, made clear her view. Moreover, in the Judgment itself, after analyzing the examination results at paragraph 9, the Chief Justice went on in paragraph 10 to say this:

“This analysis demonstrates that adopting the CXC national Committee’s criteria, taking into account the results of examinations taken over two years, allowed for the highest recognition to be given, not to the students who exhibited mastery of the various subject areas studied by achieving all A or 1 grades, but to the student who simply wrote the most examinations”

(2) In reviewing the merits of the decision, the Minister must take into account the published National Scholarship Policy which says that only one sitting should be taken into account.

The Policy reads as follows:

“Each year, full scholarships will be given to the three best performing students at the national level.

included as 2014 National Scholars was made. The Minister’s assertion in the WIV interview that correspondences began after the decision was made is

(3) When reviewing the therefore patently false. The first of merits of the decision, the Minister the correspondences was dated the 25th must take into account the fact that August 2014. TCIG’s decision on the Mr. Reinwald Lewis, Principal of the HJ National Scholars Awardees was not Robinson High School and Chairman released until early December 2014. of the National Academic Awards Likewise, the court papers in Committee and presumably one of the this matter were filed in January 2015. seasoned educators to whom the Minister There was every opportunity to engage referred in her interview as being one the parties and come to an amicable on whom she relies for technical advice, settlement if that is what the Ministry states categorically that he and his wanted or intended to do. committee share the view that reckoning Reliance on Technical Staff passes gleaned in one sitting was the best way of identifying the top performing The fact that the Minister students. As the Chief Justice stated in repeatedly refers to her reliance on her paragraph 12 of the Judgment: “It seems clear, from the technical staff is in short laughable. correspondence exhibited, that it is Let us not forget that the Minster is a accepted that mastery of a subject, i.e trained barrister of not insignificant achieving a Grade 1or A, is a marker experience. Further the results for all of excellence. It is also clear from the the students and from all the schools, correspondence that it is accepted that both public and private, were in the the results which are used to select the hands of the Ministry during the entire top three performing scholars should be process. Had the Ministry been prepared the results obtained in examinations to properly consider the matter -rather taken in a single sitting. Mr. Reinwald than dismissing the students out of hand, Lewis, Chairman of the National we would not have ended up here. It was Committee, states as much in his letter after all just a matter of math! to Mr. Greene dated 30 September 2014 A Level Scholarships that, “...Sitting exams in one sitting is an excellent gauge of potential”

(4) The Ministry has said The Minister also stated that the that they will transition to a single sitting applicants to the Judicial Review were all requirement by 2018. I have suggested recipients of a local partial scholarship of that during the transition period, top $6000, paid to BWIC annually on their performing students in single sittings behalf. This is correct in respect of Tristan be recognized alongside those who do Greene and Devonte Smith. However, multiple sittings. This suggestion has this is irrelevant to the Judicial Review not been accepted which means that process as this partial scholarship, is under the present regime, the students not unique to the Applicants since TCIG accepted by the establishment as the best pays it for all students who meet their performers, are the very ones sometimes minimum academic threshold to enroll denied national recognition. This is in the BWIC’s “A” Level programme. tantamount to the Ministry punishing A more relevant issue in my personal those students for doing exceptionally opinion is that until the Government has well, rather than rewarding them. This in place an A level granting institution has happened in every year, but one, of its own, they should meet the entire costs of all Turks and Caicos Islanders since 2011. who gain acceptance to BWIC 6th Form Nature and Number of Claims Made as there are still in these Islands many students that do not attend 6th form The Minister has stated that we simply because they cannot afford the lodged 12 different claims for relief in other $6,000.00 that it would cost them our Application for Judicial Review of in fees annually. her decision refusing to name Tristan Perfect papers?

Greene and Ryesha Higgs as National Scholars for 2014.

I deny that allegation and state, The grading system used in the Turks unapologetically, that we sought no and Caicos National Scholarship Policy less than 16 declarations or orders to is that of A = Grade I, B = Grade II, C show (i) that the Minister was wrong = Grade III. Likewise the “Academic to relegate the decision to the National Criteria”, all 5 iterations of them which Committee and, or (ii) that the advise we have seen, all adopt the same grading the Minister took was unconstitutional system. We say therefore that this is the and or (iii) that it was irrational and only grading standard against which our or (iv) that it was ultra vires and or (v) students should be judged. that there were procedural irregularities Sharing of the Scholarship Prize and or (vi) that the Minister was wrong to not take advise from the Education Scholarship Board and or (vii) that the The Minister clearly misspoke when she criterion for selection used by the CXC said in her PTV interview that the third National Committee was biased towards place tie would be broken by sharing the students of BWIC and or (viii) that the scholarship prize. In the past, ties the decision was irrational and improper between national scholars have not and or (x) that the National Scholarship been broken in that way and I am sure Policy required recipients of National that the Minister’s PS and others would Scholarships to be determined by advise her that to try to do so in this reference to their external examination case would be seen as nothing less than results in a single year and or (xi) that vindictive.

I have written to the Minister the decision should be quashed and or (xii) that the Minister denied the and I fully expect that she will take students the opportunity to be heard in every step to ensure that there is an expeditious reconsideration of the matter. breach of the rules of natural justice.

I stand by every ground on I also expect that when the Minister which the claim was supported. The applies her mind afresh to the situation bottom line is… the Minister’s decision she will find that the only fair outcome would be to grant national scholarships was just wrong - plain and simple! to Ryesha and Tristan and also to give The Opportunity to Settle separate recognition to Devonte Smith, the Matter Natalia Williams, Ryesha Higgs and Tristan Greene as the top performers for

In addition to making verbal 2014. arguments to various interested parties, no less than five letters were written Yours faithfully, before the decision as to who would be

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Turks & Caicos National Museum

Page 23

History and Cultural Heritage Quiz Support our students during education week Date: Time:

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Venue:

Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex, Downtown, Providenciales

Sponsored by:

Page 24

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

8th Annual TCHTA Star Awards

The 8th Annual TCHTA Star Awards was held on Thursday February 25th, 2016 at the Tropicana Show and Supper Club. The awards saw nominees from different categories such as The Heart of Hospitality, Ambassador

Award, TCHTA’S Shinning Star, Manager of the year, Housekeeper of the year, Bartender of the year, Chef of the year, Hotelier of the year and Entertainer of the year.

Congratulations to the nominees and winners!

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 25

Page 26

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

PNP CONVENTION 2016

PNP gets new Chairman and sticking with the leadership of Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing

A National Convention for the Governing Progressive National Party held at the Tropicana Supper Club in the Bight, Providenciales last Friday evening was fitted for the party's theme, 'United for Progress'.

The party has returned Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing as leader and elected a seasoned and strong vocal Chairman in Mr. Royal Robinson.

Robinsons' post went unchallenged as did the Deputy Leader post, which is held by Carlos Simons (QC) as he was reappointed by the Leader as his Deputy.

The newly elected Board of Executives rounded off as follows: Chairman, Royal Robinson, Deputy Chairman, Sharon Simons; Gordon Burton, Treasurer; Sean Bassett is the new Public Relations Director; Sonia Williams, Secretary General; Ernest Forbes, Chaplain and Phillip Misick is Party Whip.

The PNP National Convention will continued at the party's Headquarters on Saturday, February 20th on the Airport Road for a "community event and celebration." The Convention ended on Sunday, February 21st at the St. Monica's Anglican Church for a service of thanksgiving

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 27

Page 28

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

Leading the

Green-Energy Revolution

C.O.R.E.

Customer Owned Renewable Energy 







Uses customer owned Solar PV systems up to 10 kW in size for residential customers Commercial customers can use Solar PV systems up to 60 kW in size Net billing arrangement—Get credit for the avoided cost of generation Interconnect with the FortisTCI grid

U.O.R.E.

Utility Owned Renewable Energy 





FortisTCI covers installation, maintenance, and ownership of the rooftop Solar PV system and customers rent their rooftop space to FortisTCI Receive a credit for your roof space depending on the size of the Solar PV system (up to 10kW for residential and up to 60kW for commercial) Interconnect with the FortisTCI grid

Visit us for details about how you can participate in our Solar Energy Programs!!

Energy for Environment.

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

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 29

HEALTHY

LIFESTYLE

Sexually active US teens, young adults not getting HIV tests

Most U.S. high school students and young adults who have sex don’t get HIV tests, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On average, just 22 percent of high school students and 33 percent of young adults aged 18 to 24 who report ever having sexual intercourse also report being tested at least once for HIV, researchers report in the journal Pediatrics.

“Adolescents and young adults face multiple barriers to HIV testing,” said lead study author Michelle Van Handel, a scientist specializing in HIV/ AIDS prevention at the CDC in Atlanta.

For example, she said, young people often lack access to confidential healthcare services, and their poor knowledge of sexual health may lead them to underestimate their risk for HIV infection.

Also, healthcare providers might not realize that in 2006, the CDC recommended that all people aged 13 to 64 be tested for HIV. To see whether testing programs since then resulted in any increase in HIV screening among sexually active youth, Van Handel and colleagues analyzed data collected on high school students from 2005 to 2013 as well as records on young adults gathered from 2011 to 2013.

Among high school students, no change was detected in HIV testing prevalence over the study period for this group, regardless of gender or race, the analysis found.

For young men aged 18 to 24, there also weren’t any significant changes in testing habits over the study period for this group, with 27 percent on average reporting at least one HIV test.

Screening decreased significantly for young women, dropping from about 42 percent to 40 percent overall. Testing declined from 37 percent to 34 percent for white women, and from 69 percent to 60 percent for black women.

The results are troubling because 44 percent of adolescents and young adults with HIV don’t realize they have it, the highest percentage of any age group, the researchers note.

Without testing and diagnosis, they can’t get treatment that may improve their own health and also lower the risk of transmission to others.

Declines in screening for black women and the lack of gains for young men are particularly problematic because these groups have higher risk of HIV infection than other young people, the researchers also point out.

The results highlight the need to get more teens and young adults

A nurse tests a blood sample during a free HIV test at a blood tests party screened, said Ann Kurth, dean of the about sexual health, and starting these Yale College of Nursing in Orange, conversations at an early age before Connecticut. sexual activity begins.

Access, affordability and “The main point for parents confidentiality are big hurdles for is to let your teen or child know that young people, said Kurth, a certified you are there to listen and to help, nurse midwife who has studied HIV and not necessarily expect them to screening efforts in the U.S. as well as initiate the conversation,” Kurth in Africa. added. “Adolescents who feel they can

“Access to anonymous testing talk to a parent tend to have better can make a big difference for young statistics in terms of partner selection people,” Kurth added by email. and protection against HIV and other Parents, educators and clinicians can sexually transmitted infections.” also do a better job of talking to teens

Anxiety may influence a woman's heart during exercise

In women, blood flow to the heart during exercise testing may be influenced by anxiety, while the same does not appear to be true for men, according to results reported in the annual women’s themed issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Overall, reduced blood flow – called ischemia – was more common in men than in women, and anxiety disorders weren’t generally linked to higher or lower risk of ischemia, said senior author Kim Lavoie of the University of Quebec at Montreal.

However, women without previously diagnosed heart disease who had anxiety disorders, including things like panic disorder and generalized anxiety, had higher rates of ischemia compared to those without anxiety disorders, she told Reuters Health by email.

The researchers studied the risk of myocardial ischemia, when blood flow to the heart is reduced, usually due to a partial or complete blockage of the heart’s arteries.

Ischemia may cause chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, neck or jaw pain, or may have no symptoms.

Ischemia (pronounced iz-kemia) can be treated with medications, surgery or both.

For the study, more than 2,300 people, including 760 women, completed exercise stress tests and had psychiatric interviews to assess mood and anxiety disorders.

For women without a history of coronary artery disease, those with anxiety were more likely to exhibit ischemia during exercise compared to women without anxiety.

Anxiety was not tied to ischemia risk for men or for women with a history of coronary artery disease, as reported in the special issue.

Experts have been aware of the sex and gender disparities in heart disease detection, treatment and outcomes for some time, but physicians may still be mistaking heart disease for anxiety in some women, Lavoie said. “Men and women with heart

disease often present with different symptoms: more 'classic' symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath tend to be observed in men, where less 'classic' symptoms like fatigue, hot flashes, back/neck pain are more often observed in women,” she said.

So anxiety may "mask" symptoms of heart disease among women, leading to diagnostic and treatment delays, she said.

It is also possible that anxiety may increase the risk of ischemia by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, Lavoie said.

“The idea that stress can be related to ischemia and even a heart attack is an important message to get across,” said Dr. Carolyn Lam Su Ping, senior consultant of the National Heart Center in Singapore and associate professor of Duke-NUS Cardiovascular Academic Clinical Program.

The current thinking is that emotional or mental stress itself can actually cause coronary arteries to go into spasm, without an actual blockage,

Lam, who was not part of the news study, told Reuters Health by phone.

Lam is not fully convinced that women with anxiety symptoms are not taken as seriously, she said. “But it’s true that a woman with anxiety compared to one without anxiety, it may be doing damage to their heart,” she said.

A different study would need to assess whether intervening and treating anxiety changes the risk of ischemia during stress testing, Lam said.“The number one cause of death among women is heart disease,” which will kill 50 percent of women and men, Lavoie said. Quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and reducing the amount of time you are sedentary, getting enough sleep and managing stress all reduce heart risk, she said.

“If you have a mood or anxiety disorder, many excellent treatments are available; the most efficacious is some form of cognitivebehavior therapy with or without medication,” she said.

Page 30

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT LTD 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.

Operations/Accounting/IT •General Managers •Night Auditor •IT Operations Manager Engineering & Grounds •Chief Engineer •Maintenance Manager •Electricians •Maintenance/Room Technicians •Carpenter Helper Spa •Spa Therapists •Receptionist/Nail Technician

Food and Beverage •Catering Coordinator •Restaurant Maintenance Technician •Chef de Partie •Demi Chef •Line Cooks •Bartenders •Servers •Stewards Supervisor Loss Prevention •Loss Prevention Supervisors •Senior Loss Prevention Officers

Interested persons may contact our Corporate HR department Mon. – Fri. from 9am-3pm via telephone number 946-8054

or you may submit your resume with qualifications and experience to: cgibbons@wihl.com or kbeen@wihl.com

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 31

Page 32

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

WANTED Domestic worker Wage: $5 @ hour, 5 days a week Contact info : Steven I. F. Bourne PO Box 105 Leeward Highway

TROPICAL WAVES

Seeks 3 Labourers Salary $7.00 per hour 9:00am – 5:00pm Contact wavestropical@gmail.com

Bagayla Store

VALERA DIANN MISSICK LIQUOR STORE

SEEKS 1 SHELF STOCKER Salary $6.25 per hour Contact 332-9039

Genay’s Heavy Equipment and Rental

Is Seeking: Truck Driver/operator Salary – negotiable Telephone - 231 4619

Example of Christ Abundant Life Ministry

Is seeking: Salesperson Domestic Worker Salary - $6.50 Telephone: -946-8876

Seeks 5 persons to fill the following positions: 1 Leader 1 Cleaner 1 Church Washman 2 Musicians Salary $6.00 per hour on church time Contact 241-2336 or 346-4604

D and S Construction

C.H. Variety Store

1 Mason Salary $10.00 Telephone : 946-8876

Junior Craft T.C.I.

Is seeking: Domestic Worker Salary is - $6.50 per hr Telephone - 946-8876

Is seeking: Domestic Worker Salary - $6.50 per hr Telephone – 345-2165

New Style Construction

Is Seeking: Tile Layer Salary is – $10.00 per hr Telephone – 946-8876

TABATHA S.L FORBES

SEEKS 1 Domestic Worker Salary $100.00 per week 5 days per week Contact 341-2770

Port Atlantic Construction

Is Seeking: Carpenter helper Labourer Salary – negotiable Telephone – 946 - 8876

Positions Available Restaurant Captain Minimum of 5 years experience in similar position.

Must be computer & P.O.S system literate. Wine knowledge & bar skills essential. Experience in F.O.H training a bonus. Job requires a six days work week including weekends & public holidays.

Pay based on experience & education.

Kitchen Helper Must be willing to work weekends & public holidays. Job includes washing pots as well as general cleaning duties.

Pay is $6.25 per hour.

Please send applications to: PO Box 782, Providenciales or email to magnoliaprovo@live.com Belongers only need apply

Association Long Life Retail & Wholesale

Is seeking: 1 Labourer 1 Domestic Worker Salary is $6.50 per hr Telephone: - 946-8876

J’s Island Craft

Is seeking: Handyman Labourer Salary is $6.50 per hr Telephone: - 946-8876

KENRICK HALL of South Caicos is Looking for a Helper Contact : 243-2112 LABOURER/GARDENERS & HOUSEKEEPERS WANTED Willing to work holidays and weekends Starting wages 6.50hr Housekeeping must have experience in Hotel housekeeping Gardeners must have gardening experience Please send resume to info@trail.tc

Shay Café

Seeks a Manager Must have at least 10 years experience Must be able to work on weekends and holidays Salary based on experience Waitresses Salary $6.00 per hours 6 days per week Must work weekends and on call Contact 432-0221

MOTHER KING powerful spiritual healer and advisor miracle worker truly gifted solves all problems reunites lovers overpowers all obstacles and calls enemies by name call now for your free reading 704-771-3565 SPA NADIA & BEAUTY SALON

NEEDS 1 Cosmologist To work 6 days per week Salary $7.00 per hour Work hours - 10-6 Contact spanadiatc@hotmail.com or 941-8342

M & L AMAZING WORLD

SEEKS Sales Person Salary $6.25 per hour Contact 244-1169 or 232-2267

Repair It 4U

Is Seeking: Handyman Salesperson Salary - $6.50 per hr Telephone – 946-8876

Caicos Dream Tours Seeking: 1 Boat Mechanic 1 Trainee Operator Salary: Depends on qualifications and experience Requirement: Must have a minimum of 3 years experience Must be computer literate An associate degree or its equivalent in related field Successful applicants must be willing to work weekends and holidays Only Belongers need to apply Contract -649 231- 7274

THREADS LTD

SEEKS 2 Tailors 2 Dressmakers Must have atleast 20 years experience Salary based on commission Contact 242-7211

ROBERT LUKER

SEEKS 1 Maintenance Man Salary $6.50 per hour 6 days per week Contact 231-0262

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

CARIBBEAN WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 33

CARIBBEAN NEWS

NEWS NEWS

Jamaica’s opposition wins general election as voters tire of austerity “The country wanted to exhale,” one Holness supporter told local television, her name drowned out by the celebrations.

In conceding defeat, PNP President Simpson Miller commended the JLP, but warned that her party would not allow them to wreck the economy.

“We have done our best. I hope and pray that what we achieved on behalf of this country will not be ruined.

I hope those who succeed us will not throw away the gains made by the People’s National Party Government,” she said.

“We have regained the respect of international governments and the international community. The fact is, we are not quarrelling with anyone.

This is Jamaica, and we have a responsibility,” Simpson Miller addded.

“I am not watching any of them. As a woman, I don’t watch man.

What our team is going to do is monitor

everything that happens and every decision taken. We did all we could to make it easier for the Jamaican people,” she said.

“If anything, we are stronger than yesterday. This is a time for us to get back to the drawing board,” Simpson Miller said.

Outgoing education minister Ronald Thwaites questioned Holness’ ability to deliver.

“Can those promises be kept?

Will they be kept?” Thwaites said in an interview with local television.

Holness criticized the government’s adherence to austerity but refrained from sharp rhetoric against the IMF plan on the campaign trail.

Holness briefly served as prime minister in 2011 after unrest due to a U.S. attempt to extradite drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke forced his predecessor to resign.

Andrew Holness (C), leader of the opposition Jamaican Labour Party greets supporters while he arrives to the party headquarters after they won the general election in Kingston, Jamaica February 25, 2016.

Jamaica’s opposition narrowly Caribbean nation’s next prime minister, won a general election on Thursday, has promised to create 250,000 jobs on with its message of deep tax cuts and the island of 2.7 million people and do massive job creation winning over away with income tax for many wage voters weary of years of tough IMF- earners, a move critics say will tear mandated austerity measures. into the budget.

The Jamaican Labour Party Opinion polls before the (JLP) led by Andrew Holness had won election forecast victory for Simpson33 of the 63 seats with almost all votes Miller after she returned the heavily counted, according to the electoral indebted economy to growth and low council website. Prime Minister Portia inflation.

Simpson-Miller’s party took 30 seats.

Despite her People’s National The sound of airhorns filled the JLP’s Party’s socialist past, she embraced headquarters in Kingston as a jubilant spending cuts, wage freezes and harsh crowd of supporters in the party’s fiscal discipline as part of a $1.27 signature green waved flags and billion IMF bailout that has lowered partied to dancehall music, including the still daunting debt burden of more a song called “Bye bye Portia, bye bye”. than 130 percent of GDP. “We will grow the Jamaican economy.

Simpson-Miller, 70, is We will create jobs. We will give Jamaica’s first female head of state. you an accountable and responsive Inflation hit a 48-year low during government,” said Holness, 43, adding her tenure. Falling oil prices freed that his government would address up government funds in the importa laundry list of issues from water to dependent country and the island’s housing and healthcare.

GDP grew 1.3 percent last year,

“Our mission is to move according to the World Bank.

Jamaica from poverty to prosperity,” he However, unemployment is said as supporters rang bells, a party high at around 13 percent overall, and symbol. a whopping 38 percent for the young.

Simpson-Miller conceded defeat to a While Simpson-Miller is credited with crowd of somber voters. bringing stability, Holness’ optimistic Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller (front L) arrives to cast her vote at a polling station

Holness, who is likely to be the message was more popular in the end. during general election in Kingston, Jamaica February 25, 2016

ELECTION VICTORIES IN JAMAICA JAMAICA LABOUR PARTY

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL PARTY

1944: 22-5-5 (PNP won five seats and independent candidates five)

1955: 18-14

1949: 17-13- 2 (PNP won 13 seats and independent candidates two)

1959: 29-16 1972: 37-16

1962: 26-19

1976: 47-13

1967: 33-20

1989: 45-15

1980: 51-9

1993: 52-8

1983: (PNP did not contest so it was 60-0)

1997: 50-10

2007: 31-29

2002: 34-26 2011: 42-21

Barbados introduces incorporated cell company legislation

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- On Wednesday, Barbados passed legislation that enables the creation of incorporated cell companies (ICCs).

Intended to complement its segregated cell legislation, the introduction of incorporated cell companies provides investors with the ability to separate assets and liabilities within a number of financial service activities. The legislation is expected to come into effect before month end.

The government of Barbados understands the critical importance of its international business sector and the need to introduce new and relevant legislation to underpin its growth,” said Donville Inniss, Barbados’ minister of industry, international business, commerce and small business development. “Incorporated cell legislation provides businesses with the ability to effectively structure specific operations by placing them within separate incorporated cells -legally separating the risks and assets of one operation from those of another incorporated cell.”

Within an incorporated cell company, there can be an unlimited

number of incorporated companies (termed cells) -- each of which is treated as a separate legal entity. As such, each cell is considered to be a limited liability company and has its own governance structure with its own board and officers.

This structure also allows for each cell to separate its assets, liabilities, shareholder agreements and other legal obligations from other cells within the ICC. Though each cell is effectively its own legal entity, all cells benefit from the lower costs associated with the shared administration of the ICC as a whole.

“The ICC structure will be of particular interest to companies engaged in financial services activities such as insurance, banking and mutual funds,” continued Inniss. “Our clients have been asking us for this product and early interest suggests that the market will be very receptive to the new ICC legislation as a whole. We also anticipate that the introduction of this product will drive a significant and near term growth, particularly in Barbados’ international insurance sector.”

Page 34

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean Over Storm-Tossed Cruise

A passenger aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship that ventured into hurricaneforce winds earlier this month is suing the company, saying it was negligent in its decision to start the trip and that the winter storm’s rocking of the vessel caused him severe injury.

In the lawsuit filed in South Florida, Delaware resident Bruce Simpson accuses the captain and crew of being aware of the storm and putting everyone on board its Anthem of the Seas ship at risk, court documents say.

“Royal Caribbean is directly responsible and liable for its actions and the actions of its crew, including the captain, for choosing to sail into a hurricane-force storm,” reads the lawsuit, which was filed last Thursday in U.S. District Court in Miami.

About 4,500 passengers boarded Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Anthem of the Seas Feb. 6 in New Jersey, and departed for the round-trip to Florida and the Bahamas.

The storm began the next morning, when the ship was off the coast of the Carolinas, with wind gusts of up to 120 mph and nearly 40-foot waves.

By 2 p.m., the storm was so severe that the captain ordered all of the passengers to stay in their rooms for safety, the lawsuit said.

As the ship began to rock and tilt violently, Simpson was forced to hold on to the bed while his husband held onto the couch, according to the lawsuit.

When he stood up from the bed to use the restroom, the ship shook so violently that he was “hurled across the room with such force that he was knocked unconscious,” the suit alleges.

After Simpson was flung 18 feet into a door, he suffered from a concussion, a bruise on his left eye, an injured wrist and pains and bruising in his neck, ribs and torso, court documents state.

When he went to seek medical attention the next morning, the medical office was closed, according to the lawsuit.

Court documents state that Simpson had two aneurysms before the trip, one on his heart and the other on his abdomen. If he had hit one as he was thrown in the air, he would have bled to death, according to the lawsuit.

In the days before the ship’s departure, weather

forecasters and meteorologists predicted a serious storm off the Atlantic Ocean. The captain of the ship has previously said that the forecasts were not “anything near what we actually experienced.”

Simpson is seeking recovery of unspecified damages that include alleged physical injury, physical pain and suffering, impairment and economic insecurity.

Miami-headquartered Royal Caribbean Cruises said it doesn’t comment on pending litigation, but Simpson’s lawyer, Jason Itkin, told ABC News in a statement, “The cruise lines have taken steps inside and outside the courtroom to make it notoriously difficult for passengers to seek relief for injuries.”

He added: “We want to send a warning to cruise lines that they shouldn’t take risks with the lives of their passengers.

We believe Royal Caribbean was under financial pressure to start the cruise on time. They took a calculated risk when they sent their passengers into the storm, and we don’t think the passengers should be the ones that pay for Royal Caribbean’s lack of judgement.”

The Bahamas Government considers Cuban nationals as national security risk

Cuban detainees Carlos Pupo and Lazaro Seara outside court.

NASSAU – The Bahamas government says it considers two Cuban nationals freed by a court earlier this week as a threat to national security and that its “border forces have been notified of the potential risk of these individuals”.

Judge Stephen Isaacs ordered the release of the Cuban nationals – Carlos Pupo and Lazaro Seara -who were arrested in Abaco in 2013, and held in detention since then.

Human rights groups said that both men claimed abusive treatment at the Carmichael Detention Centre and had staged a 20-day hunger strike in May 2014.

The Department of Immigration had earlier this week denied media reports that the two men were being held without any charges and that they did not qualify for asylum here.

But Grand Bahamas Human Rights Association (GBHRA) president, Queen Counsel Fred Smith told reporters after the court ruling that the Bahamas is not Guantanamo Bay.

“We cannot be holding people indefinitely. We cannot be holding people without charges.

We cannot just be taking people up to the Carmichael Detention Center…and holding them … without charges,” he said.

“I am grateful to the

Supreme Court for releasing these gentlemen. This is a good day. A day for freedom, constitutional rights, and democracy in The Bahamas.”

In a statement, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said that he noted the decision of the courts with regard to the two Cubans and that the “Department of Immigration takes the position that these individuals are a national security risk.

“We continue to support that position. Those were the clear instructions from our principals at the highest levels to pursue that position. Those instructions did not change and were not changed.”

Mitchell said he has asked for an investigation then into “how a court was persuaded that two people that the government believes with cogent evidence are a security risk, were released into the general population of The Bahamas.

“All of our border forces have been notified to the potential risk of these individuals being out in the general community and should be so warned,” he said, adding that he would be making a full statementto Parliament on Wednesday next week.

Pregnant woman in Guyana strangles 7-yr-old son with bed sheet

Police have arrested an eight-month pregnant woman who reportedly admitted to strangling her seven-year-old son with a bed sheet on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old woman was arrested at her La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara home Tuesday night after police received a tip off that the child was murdered.

The child, Emanuel King, was pronounced dead at the West Demerara Hospital on Monday after his mother belatedly took him there.

His mother, Sonia King, had initially told police and other relatives that the child fell and injured himself, but no one really bought her story.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that the woman was arrested after she could no longer live with the guilt. She confided in her husband that she had strangled the child.

Her husband subsequently informed the police.

Kaieteur News was told that while the child reportedly died on Sunday night, it was not until the following morning that his mother took his body in a taxi to the West Demerara Hospital where he was officially pronounced dead.

But police will have to do additional investigations since there are reports that the child was beaten by other persons in the home the night before he died.

A relative of the dead child had told this newspaper on Monday night that they were suspicious from the time they heard the woman’s explanation of her son’s death.

The relative said that they had received a call around 09:30 hours on Monday telling them of the child’s death.

The relative said that they went to the woman’s house to confirm the news and they even accompanied her to the La Grange Police Station where she reported that the child fell off an abandoned 20 foot container.

But later on Monday, they were contacted by the woman’s neighbour, who told them that he had some information on the child’s death but was reluctant to give it over the telephone.

When they finally met with the neighbour they were told that another close male relative of the child, who lives at the house was seen beating him mercilessly on Sunday night.

The neighbour reportedly claimed that he had to call over to the child’s parents to tell them to stop the beating.

The relative said that they later reported to the police what they had heard.

“They tell we they had to wait on the post mortem,” the relative stated.

Police had examined the body and found no marks of violence.

“But even if she did not confess, the post mortem would have shown the cause of death,” a source close to the investigation.

According to a source close to the investigation, the woman confessed that she had beaten the child on many occasions before, since “He was mischievous and own away”.

Police are preparing a file to send to the Director of Public Prosecutions before instituting a murder charge.

“She will definitely be charged with murder,” the source said.

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 35

CARIBBEAN NEWS

As drought hammers countryside, many in Haiti go hungry

This Feb. 20, 2016 photo shows the dry, cracked lakebed of Trou Caiman, in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti.

A drought worsened by the El Nino weather phenomenon has driven Haitians who were already barely getting by on marginal farmland deeper into misery.

ORIANI, Haiti — Only accustomed to privation and natural shriveled carrots and potatoes grow in disasters. But the cumulative impact Carole Joseph’s small vegetable plot. of this drought is so severe that Haiti is The family’s chickens are long gone. facing “unprecedented food insecurity,” She sold her only tools to buy food, according to the U.N. Office for the then the wooden bed she shared with Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. her children. The family now sleeps on Over the last year, it’s the floor of their shack. worsened significantly with a strong

All that’s left to sell are the El Nino weather phenomenon that’s pots she uses to cook over a fire pit, been disrupting weather patterns when there’s something to eat. across the globe, leaving many places

The 28-year-old mother of four in Latin America and the Caribbean is among roughly 1.5 million Haitians stricken by drought. Cuba suffered who can’t get nearly enough nutrition its worst drought in over a century in because of a years-long drought that 2015 and water rationing was ordered has spoiled harvests in her small in Puerto Rico and elsewhere. mountain village and across large But few places are more sections of the countryside. vulnerable than Haiti, where 3.6

“We get a little bit to eat and million of its 10.4 million people can’t drink each day, but it’s never enough afford the minimum daily calories, to get our strength back. I don’t know according to the U.N. World Food what to do anymore,” she said, her Program. Of those, 1.5 million are in voice hoarse as she cradled her toddler urgent need of assistance, meaning twins, their hair brittle and taking on a they’re getting significantly less yellowish tinge, a sign of malnutrition. nutrition than what they need and are

For the last three years, a so underfed they become weak. That punishing drought has driven Haitians category of “severely food insecure” who were already barely getting by on people has doubled in Haiti over the marginal farmland even deeper into last six months, the agency said. misery. Last year’s crop yields were the worst in 35 years in a country where “This drought is a very dangerous more than two-thirds of people eke out situation. The pressures on people a living from agriculture, many using keep increasing,” said Haitian archaic hand tools. economist Kesner Pharel, noting that

Many Haitians routinely go to buying food makes up more than half bed hungry, and are heartbreakingly of an average Haitian family’s budget.

Pharel said local agricultural production has contracted so severely over the last two years that 70 percent of the crops consumed in Haiti are now imported, up from roughly 50 percent in the past. With the local currency losing value, the cost of imports is rising, making everything pricier.

Officials say more rural families are being forced to join the decades-long exodus to cities. And diminishing calories means more children are vulnerable to infections like measles and any number of other diseases.

Wendy Bigham, country director of the U.N. World Food Program, said a growing number of farming families have been eating seed stock, seeking loans and selling items such as livestock and tools to get cash for food.

But “coping mechanisms such as reducing food consumption, selling assets and borrowing money are more and more difficult to sustain as the drought continues year after year,” she said.

In the wind-swept mountain town of Oriani in southeast Haiti, Joseph knows this all too well. About a year ago, her husband left to seek work in the neighboring Dominican Republic and he hasn’t returned since.

She was forced to sell off her chickens and then her other meager possessions to buy food.

On a recent afternoon, Associated Press reporters met her at a town health clinic crowded with other women cradling children and waiting their turn to be seen. Her 2-yearold twins, Angelo and Angela, have missed developmental milestones such as taking their first steps or uttering their first words. On this day, she left with only deworming tablets because the facility was again out of nutrientdense peanut butter.

At her family’s stone-andtimber shack, Joseph’s two older children, 10-year-old daughter Junel and 12-year-old son Stevenson, sprawled listlessly on a straw mat as

her hungry twins tried to breastfeed.

Joseph is so underfed and dehydrated that she can’t produce milk. “I only nurse them to comfort them,” she said.

To get emergency aid to people like Joseph and her children, the World Food Program is seeking $84 million in donations to distribute cash and food to roughly 1 million drought-affected Haitians. The U.S. has boosted its emergency aid to Haiti, awarding $11.6 million to nonprofits to address nutritional deficiencies for over 135,000 people.

The challenges of getting emergency food aid to struggling communities, even those accessible only by foot or donkey, is easier than finding elusive solutions to Haiti’s chronic hunger problems.

Abnel Desarmours, acting director of the government’s National Coordination of Food Security Unit, said more sustained efforts must be made to escape the seemingly endless cycles of disaster and rescue. The recent rise in food insecurity underscores just how vulnerable many of Haiti’s people remain despite decades of global aid.

“It is very difficult, but we have to figure this out. Irrigation systems must be built or fixed and our food production has to be strengthened,” he said.

Haiti has long struggled with malnutrition as a result of widespread poverty, political dysfunction and corruption, and a fragile agricultural sector repeatedly set back by severe weather and environmental degradation. Punishing weather is only expected to intensify as a result of global climate change.

Recently, sustained rains from a cold front came to northern Haiti. But they arrived in the form of a deluge that flooded streets and fields, doing little to help the current planting season.

The crisis in the countryside has also reached the cities, causing the price of plantains and tomatoes to triple, according to vendors in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Cuban leader’s older brother dies at age 91

HAVANA — Ramon Castro, a lifelong rancher and farmer who bore a strong physical resemblance to younger brother Fidel Castro, has died, Cuban state media announced Tuesday. He was 91.

Widely known by his nickname “Mongo,” the white-bearded Ramon Castro preferred tending crops and livestock to the revolutionary political life embraced by his younger siblings Fidel and Raul, who replaced Fidel as Cuba’s president in February 2008.

Two years older than Fidel, Ramon was long used to getting double-takes from people who insisted he looked just like his famous brother.

At times, Ramon was said to reply that because he was older, Fidel actually looked like him.

Ramon, Fidel and

Raul were the second, third and fourth children of Angel Castro, a Spanish-born rancher, and his second wife, Lina Ruz. Angel Castro also had two other children from a previous marriage.

The three brothers attended Roman Catholic schools in eastern Cuba, where their teachers complained about their pranks and trouble making, prompting Angel to pull them out of classes for some time.

Once grown, Fidel and Raul headed off to Havana for studies, then the business of launching a revolution against dictator Fulgencio Batista, who seized power in a 1952 coup.

But Ramon Castro was content to remain in the village of Biran in eastern Cuba, where he helped his father with the family business.

Nevertheless, Ramon remained in contact with his siblings. He wrote letters to Fidel in prison when he and Raul and other followers were arrested after their unsuccessful 1953 attack on a military barracks that launched their armed struggle.

Sometimes along with the correspondence, Ramon sent along a ham or a box of cigars.

According to letters from that period, Fidel asked Ramon to assure their parents that prison was not “a horrible and shameful idea. ... When one’s motives are lofty and great, then it is an honorable place.”

After Fidel and his followers established their rebel stronghold in Cuba’s eastern mountains, there was at least one recorded instance of Fidel visiting the family ranch, where he feasted on a turkey that Ramon had kept

frozen for months in hopes of such a visit.

Following the 1959 triumph of the Cuban revolution and Fidel’s subsequent rise to power, Ramon often worked as a consultant for the government ministries of agriculture and sugar. In the early 1960s, he oversaw sugar production in eastern Cuba, where he helped increase output.

Ramon founded several state companies, including ones that handled the transportation of sugar cane and the production of oranges. He also was involved in agricultural research.

Although he wielded little government power, Ramon nevertheless was a founding member of the Communist Party of Cuba and served as a deputy in the country’s parliament, the National Assembly.

This file photo shows Ramon Castro during a rally, in Havana, Cuba.

Castro, a lifelong rancher and farmer, bore a strong physical resemblance to his younger brother, Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro

Little was known about his private life except that he was born on Oct. 14, 1924, had been married and had at least two sons, Ramon Omar Castro and Angel Castro.

Page 36

WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

NEWS

Trump’s surge confounds rivals, makes him betting favorite

Trump’s nearest rivals, Cruz and Marco Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, have frequently attacked each other, clearing a path for Trump to the Republican nomination that includes primary elections in a slew of southern states on March 1, known as Super Tuesday.

“These guys have to figure out how to turn their fire on Trump,” said Ford O’Connell, a Republican strategist in Washington. Absent that, he said: “Which one is going to get out of this field?”

Rubio said Trump was only backed by a minority of Republicans.

“The vast and overwhelming majority of Republicans do not want Trump to be the nominee,” he told NBC, citing the network’s recent opinion poll putting him 15 points ahead of Trump in a one-on-one match-up. “As long as there are four people running dividing up the non-Trump vote sooner, you’re going to get results like what you saw last night.”

Rubio and Cruz have struggled to match the popularity of Trump, who is more ready than the two senators to deviate from the tenets of the Republican Party’s brand of conservatism, including free trade and supply-side economics.

Republican candidate for November have tightened all the way to 1/2 in some cases.

“Mr Trump has triumphed yet again, despite political analysts almost unanimously writing him off as a serious presidential contender,” said Graham Sharpe from William Hill, adding one customer stood to collect at least $100,000 if Trump was elected to the White House.

On Wednesday, Chris Collins, a Republican congressman from Trump’s home state of New York, became the first national lawmaker to endorse Donald Trump addresses supporters after being declared by the television networks as the winner of Trump, saying in a statement “it’s time the Nevada Republican caucuses at his caucus night rally in Las Vegas. to say no to professional politicians and

Donald Trump’s chances U.S.-Mexican border to prevent illegal yes to someone who has created jobs of clinching the U.S. Republican immigration. and grown a business.” presidential nomination shot to a Trump’s Nevada win is

While more than 1,200 record high on global betting websites likely to further frustrate Republican delegates are needed to secure the on Wednesday and the billionaire establishment figures who, less than a Republican presidential nomination, businessman, long viewed as a political month ago, were hoping his campaign Trump has built a formidable head outsider, won his first endorsement as a political outsider was stalled after start over Rubio, who came in second from a member of Congress. he lost the opening nominating contest in Nevada with 23.9 percent, and Cruz

Trump easily won the Nevada in Iowa to Ted Cruz, a U.S. senator with 21.4 percent. caucuses on Tuesday, giving him his from Texas.

Opinion polls show Trump third win in four early nominating In his victory speech in ahead in most Super Tuesday states. contests and pressuring Republican Nevada, the former reality TV show

The primary election next rivals to come up with a way to stop a host courted his base of blue-collar Tuesday in Cruz’s home state of Texas candidate who only last year was not workers. is looming as a make-or-break moment seen as a serious contender for the Nov. “I love the poorly educated,” he for him after Trump’s growing success 8 presidential election. said, mentioning several demographic among the senator’s core base of

The real estate magnate swept groups among whom he said he was evangelicals and other conservative Nevada by a margin of 22 percentage winning.

BETTING ODDS supporters. points, winning 45.9 percent of the

By Wednesday, that phrase

“Texans have a good ability to vote. was being widely discussed online, Betting venues in Britain, see through baloney, to see through a

It was the high point so far with some finding it funny and Ireland and New Zealand show the smokescreen, to see through rhetoric of an unorthodox campaign during others arguing it was a welcome, online wagering community coalescing and to look to substance,” Cruz said at which Trump has fought with Pope nonjudgmental embrace of a around Trump, once considered an an event in Houston, the state’s largest Francis, called for a temporary ban on constituency that other politicians interloper, attracting long-shot odds of city. “I believe that is exactly what Muslims entering the United States might speak of only as a problem to be 200/1.

Texans are going to do next Tuesday.” and promised to build a wall on the fixed.

Odds for Trump becoming the

Cruz seeks dismissal of case challenging US presidential eligibility

Republican Ted Cruz asked a federal court in Houston to throw out a lawsuit questioning whether he is eligible to be president of the United States because he was born in Canada, saying the case against him “suffers from fatal deficiencies.”

Lawyers for Cruz contend in the filing made on Monday that the U.S. senator from Texas meets the constitutional requirements to serve as president and that the Houston lawyer trying to have the court block his bid does not have standing to bring the case.

“Senator Cruz is a ‘naturalborn citizen’ eligible to serve as President of the United States,” the motion to dismiss said, adding, the “plaintiff is essentially implicating the Court in a political dispute that it lacks authority to adjudicate.”

The lawsuit brought in January by Newton Schwartz, an 85-year-old self-described liberal, also cited Cruz’s stance on issues such as

Republican Ted Cruz abortion rights, gay marriage and the Bible in a 27-page argument against the senator’s eligibility.

The lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Texas is a class action, meaning others can join. It requests a ruling before the Nov. 8 presidential election.

Lawyers for Cruz also argue he has yet to be the Republican Party’s

nominee and it would be premature for a court to address the issue.

“Nowhere does Plaintiff, who acknowledges that he is a Democrat ... explain how he is harmed by Senator Cruz’s presence on the Republican primary ballot,” the Cruz filing said.

Billionaire Donald Trump, the front-runner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination,

has repeatedly questioned whether Cruz is eligible and warned that his winning the nomination could throw the party into chaos and hand the election to the Democrats.

Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1970. At the time, his mother was a U.S. citizen and his father was Cuban.

He has dismissed attacks on his eligibility and noted in the filing that 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain and 1968 Republican candidate George Romney also were born outside the United States but were considered eligible to be president.

The U.S. Constitution says a president or vice president must be a “natural-born citizen” but does not say whether the term means the candidate must be born on U.S. soil or just be a citizen at birth. According to legal experts, any child born to an American mother or father, no matter where, is considered a U.S. citizen.

䘀伀刀 䄀䰀䰀 夀伀唀刀 䄀䐀嘀䔀刀吀䤀匀䤀一䜀 一䔀䔀䐀匀 䌀伀一吀䄀䌀吀 ⠀㘀㐀㤀⤀ⴀ㌀㌀㤀ⴀ㔀㠀㜀㤀 漀爀 䔀䴀䄀䤀䰀㨀 猀甀渀䀀猀甀渀琀挀椀⸀挀漀洀 䄀昀昀漀爀搀愀戀氀攀 刀愀琀攀猀 簀 䠀椀最栀 瘀漀氀甀洀攀 琀爀愀昀昀椀挀 簀 刀攀氀椀愀戀氀攀

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 37

WORLD NEWS

Migration to the UK reaching record levels

New figures showing net migration to the UK remains near record levels have sparked a row between the two sides in the EU referendum debate.

The difference between the number of people leaving and arriving was 323,000 in the year to September.

David Cameron said the figure was “still too high” but the government was taking action to bring it down.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage says the only way to get immigration under control is to leave the EU in June’s referendum.

The government remains committed to getting net migration below 100,000 by the next election in 2020.

The key points from the latest migration statistics include:

•Net migration was at the second highest level for any 12-month period since comparable records began, according to the Office for National Statistics report

•It was down 4% on the record of 336,000 for the year to July 2015 - the first time it has dropped since the end of 2013 - but up 11% on the previous year

•Net migration of EU citizens to the UK in the year was 172,000

•165,000 EU citizens came to the UK for work-related reasons 96,000, or 58%, had a definite job to go to and 69,000, or 42%, came looking for work

•Employment of EU nationals - excluding British citizens - increased by 215,000 to 2 million, according to Labour Force Survey figures for October to December 2015

•Employment of non-EU nationals increased by 38,000 to 1.2 million

•Nearly half of the growth in employment in the UK over the last year was accounted for by foreign nationals

•45,000 Bulgarians and Romanians came to the UK for work reasons, an increase of 17,000 on the year to September 2014. About two thirds of them had a definite job to go to

•There were 38,878 asylum

applications, including dependants, in 2015, an increase of 20% compared with the previous year

•Long-term immigration for study was estimated to be 174,000, down slightly on the previous year.

There was a 5% fall in the overall number of applications for visas study at British universities, with a 2% reduction in the number of non-EU applications

Speaking at a question and answer section with BAE employees in Preston, Mr Cameron said the government was taking action “across the board” to bring immigration down.

The prime minister said it was important to “fix the issue of welfare” and his EU deal to limit in-work benefits for new EU migrants would “have an impact”.

Home Secretary Theresa May, who is backing the campaign to remain in the EU, said: “Immigration at this level puts pressure on public services, on housing, on infrastructure… it can hold down wages and push British workers out of jobs.”

But she said Mr Cameron’s reforms would “reduce the pull factor of our welfare system and make it easier for us to deport people who are abusing our generosity”.

Mrs May is in Brussels for crisis talks on limiting migration.

Asked if the EU’s response so far had been a mess, she said: “The EU is indeed dealing with a migration crisis and that would be the same whether the UK was in the EU or outside the EU.

“As members of the EU we are able to work with others to strengthen the external borders.”

But Nigel Farage, who is campaigning for Britain to leave the EU, said: “As I’ve said for years, we cannot control immigration into Britain while we remain inside the EU. The government pledge to reduce net migration to tens of thousands continues to be laughable.

“I am pleased that there are now lots of voices agreeing with me, that we must leave the European Union to control our borders.”

Drug cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman

El Chapo on prison life: ‘They are turning me into a zombie’

Now that he’s back in a maximum-security prison, notorious Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman isn’t happy about life behind bars, according to his attorney.

In an interview with Mexico’s Radio Formula on Tuesday, Guzman’s lawyer said the drug kingpin feels that he is a victim of “physical and mental torture” because guards wake him up so often.

“He told me, literally, ‘Every two hours, at night, they wake me up to take roll. ... They are turning me into a zombie. They do not let me sleep. All I want is just for them to let me sleep,’ “ attorney Juan Pablo Badillo said.

Since authorities recaptured him last month, Guzman has been inside Altiplano prison in central Mexico. It’s the same facility he broke out of in July 2015, slipping out through a tunnel in a brazen escape after he took advantage of a blind spot in a cell where the camera couldn’t watch him. Now, according to reports, security measures have increased dramatically.

The prison has installed 400 new cameras. Authorities hope to add another 600 by April. According to a report in Mexico’s “El Universal” newspaper last month, motion sensors now monitor his every move, dogs have been trained to detect his scent stand guard and prison floors have been reinforced with steel rods.

When he spoke with Guzman for about 25 minutes on Monday, Badillo told the Mexican radio station that his client also told him that a dog

had been guarding his prison cell.

But sleep deprivation was what Guzman was most concerned about, Badillo said.

“’ It is brutal torture,’ he told me,” Badillo said. “This is what was done by Stalin in the ‘40s and ‘50s in Russia.”

The lawyer’s comments drew swift criticism, even as the show aired Tuesday morning.

The show’s host read what he said was a response from a listener: “So now ‘El Chapo’ is yet another victim of the system. And the thousands of people who he had killed and who he poisoned with his drugs, who is protecting them?”

Guzman’s lawyer responded that such accusations against him must be better substantiated.

Mexican officials have said they’re doing everything they can to make sure Guzman doesn’t escape again and that the drug lord eventually will be extradited to the United States to face charges there.

Badillo said he didn’t have much time during his short visit with Guzman on Monday to discuss the possibility of extradition.

“He said, ‘We have to talk about it. But I want to be judged by Mexican laws.’ “

Nicknamed “Shorty” for his height, Guzman has been indicted in seven U.S. jurisdictions.

In the past, Mexican officials had bristled at the idea of extraditing him. But after his recapture this year, they were swift to say they’d be willing to send him to the United States to face charges.

Stressed Adele walks out of Brits party

Adele said it was a “dream “Other entertainers who knowingly come true” to win four Brits — but put their own careers at stake by then walked out of an after-party as supporting me, I will be forever soon as she arrived, saying: “I don’t grateful.” want to do this.”

Straight after the ceremony,

The singer, who sealed her Adele, 27, told the Standard: “I feel a position as the queen of British pop at bit worn-out, emotionally — this was the ceremony at the O2, turned around absolutely incredible. To be back with and left seconds after she entered the my new album, and to be nominated lobby of The Arts Club in Mayfair. and to win…I’m very British, so it’s a

The club was the venue of the dream come true.” Elsewhere, Justin Sony Music bash, where Paloma Faith Bieber left his own private party at performed and guests included Mark Tears run down the face of singer Adele as she reacts after receiving the Global Success award during Tape nightclub in Mayfair after a the Brit Awards 2016 in London.

Ronson and Labrinth. fight broke out. The Canadian star, 21,

A party-goer said: “I was in the looked upset more than anything, like of her acceptance speeches to support arrived at around 1.30am and went entrance hall when Adele walked in. it was all too much for her. A woman in Kesha. The US star is embroiled in a into the VIP area with his group of She looked really stressed out. There front of her just nodded her head and contract row with Sony after accusing friends. were quite a few people around her said, ‘OK, OK’.” producer Dr Luke of sexually and A witness said: “About an hour and she just turned around and said, Adele, who won British album physically assaulting her, which he after he had arrived, a man became ‘I don’t want to do this, I’m going to go of the year, British female solo artiste, has denied. involved in a scuffle with one member home,’ and walked out. It was so fast it best British single and the global On Wednesday night Kesha of his party, which had to be broken up happened in just a few seconds. She success award, had earlier used one released a statement in which she said: by security staff.

Page 38

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

WORLD NEWS

Obama makes last attempt to persuade Congress to close Guantanamo

President Barack Obama launched a final push on Tuesday to persuade Congress to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, despite strong opposition from lawmakers who do not want detainees transferred to the United States.

The president, a Democrat, pressed the Republican-led legislature to give his proposal a “fair hearing” and said he did not want to pass the issue to his successor in January.

The Pentagon-authored plan proposes 13 potential sites on U.S. soil to hold some 30-60 detainees in maximum-security prisons but does not identify the facilities.

U.S. law bars transfers to the United States, and lawmakers are unlikely to lift those restrictions, especially in an election year.

“We’ll review President Obama’s plan,” Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. “But since it includes bringing dangerous terrorists to facilities in U.S. communities, he should know that the bipartisan will of Congress has already been expressed against that proposal.”

Paul Ryan, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said Obama had yet to convince Americans that moving the prisoners to the United States was smart or safe.

Obama is considering taking executive action to close the facility, situated in a U.S. naval station in southeast Cuba, if Congress does not change its position. The White House declined to rule out a unilateral option on Tuesday.

Republicans oppose any executive order, and issuing one would almost certainly generate legal challenges.

The Guantanamo prisoners were rounded up overseas when the United States became embroiled in wars in Iraq

and Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. The facility came to symbolize aggressive detention practices that opened the United States to accusations of torture. Most detainees have been held without trial for more than a decade.

“Let us go ahead and close this chapter,” Obama said at the White House. “I don’t want to pass this problem on to the next president, whoever it is. And if, as a nation, we don’t deal with this now, when will we deal with it?”

Obama pledged as a presidential candidate in 2008 to close Guantanamo. Doing so would fulfill that pledge and boost his legacy during his final year in office. Pressing his case now thrust the issue into the 2016 presidential campaign.

“Not only are we not going to close Guantanamo - when I am president, if we capture a terrorist alive, they are ... going to Guantanamo and we are going to find out everything they know,” said Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio.

The plan would send detainees who have been cleared for transfer to their homelands or third countries and transfer remaining prisoners to U.S. soil to be held in maximum-security prisons. Congress has banned such transfers to the United States since 2011.

Though the Pentagon has previously noted some of the sites it surveyed for use as potential U.S. facilities, the administration wants to avoid fueling any political outcry in important swing states before the Nov. 8 presidential election.

Republican Senator John McCain, Obama’s 2008 presidential opponent and an advocate of closing the prison, scoffed at the plan as not being focused. “Thirteen different possible sites. That’s a recommendation?” he said.

The White House has sought to buttress its argument for closing the prison by focusing on its high cost. Obama said nearly $450 million was spent last year alone to keep it running.

The new plan would be cheaper, officials said.

The transfer and closure costs would be $290 million to $475 million, an administration official told reporters, while housing remaining detainees in the United States would be $65 million to $85 million less expensive than at the Cuba facility, meaning the transfer bill would be offset in 3 to 5 years.

The administration hopes sending the plan to Congress will spur lawmakers to help choose a facility they find amenable, but the White House is well aware the plan may not move at all.

“I am very clear-eyed about the hurdles to finally closing Guantanamo. The politics of this are tough,” Obama said.

“Part of my message to the American people here is we’re already holding a bunch of really dangerous terrorists here in the United States ... and there have been no incidents. We’ve managed it just fine.”

The Guantanamo facility, which Obama said once held nearly 800 people, now houses 91 detainees. Some 35 prisoners will be transferred to other countries in the coming months, bringing the final number below 60, officials said.

More prisoners could be transferred other countries as well, potentially lowering that number further. Obama said military commissions would continue to be used to try some of the prisoners, but he said that process also required reform.

Obama noted that his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, transferred hundreds of prisoners out of Guantanamo and wanted it closed.

Philippines still seeks $1 billion in Marcos wealth 30 years after his ouster

The Philippines is still seeking to recover about $1 billion worth of assets accumulated by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos through 100 court cases at home and overseas, a government official said on Wednesday.

“The task is not easy,” said Richard Amurao, head of an agency created in 1986 to recover funds from Marcos. “The people holding these assets have been slowing us down. They have been using all sorts of delaying tactics to thwart our efforts.”

Marcos, who ruled the Southeast Asian country for about two decades, fled to Hawaii 30 years ago this week after a near bloodless popular revolt. He died in exile three years later.

Reuters’ efforts on

Wednesday to contact his wife, Imelda, and son Ferdinand Junior, to seek a response to the comments were unsuccessful. Imelda has repeatedly said the family did not steal from the people and its wealth was acquired legally.

Amurao said that since the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) was created, it has recovered and given the treasury about $4 billion.

In line with Philippine law, funds have been used mostly for land reform. Based on a Hawaii court ruling, 10 billion pesos ($210.04 million) was used to compensate about 10,000 victims of human rights abuses.

The government hoped to raise $17.7 million from an auction of some confiscated Marcos jewelry,

property and stocks, sources said this month.

By unofficial estimates, Marcos had $10 billion of assets.

‘BEHEST’ LOANS

“We don’t really know if the $10-billion estimate is accurate but what we can tell you (about the $1 billion now sought) is based from estimates of the court cases and from what we already recovered,” Amurao said.

More than half of the court cases are civil lawsuits to recover shares, real estate, cash and jewellery, he said. A quarter of the cases involve “behest loans” stateowned banks gave individuals with political connections to Marcos, he said.

10 years since US Supreme Court judge Clarence Thomas asked a question

Clarence Thomas

Monday marked the first day the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. That day also marked 10 years since Justice Clarence Thomas asked a question from the bench.

Since then, Thomas has not even spoken from the bench during oral arguments except to crack a joke about Yale in 2013.

Thankfully, Thomas hasn’t been completely mum on why he asks no questions.

At an event in North Carolina in June 2012, Thomas said he would get rid of oral arguments if he could, which sheds some light on why he might not be such an eager participant in them.

Thomas has also pointed to his Southern background and introverted nature as reasons for his epic silence.

“I don’t see where that advances anything,” Thomas said at a speech in 2012, referring to asking questions. “Maybe it’s the Southerner in me. Maybe it’s the introvert in me, I don’t know.

I think that when somebody’s talking, somebody ought to listen.”

Jay Wexler, a former clerk for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has previously told Business Insider that Thomas is actually the most approachable of the justices.

“He gets kind of a bad rap because he doesn’t talk at oral arguments,” Wexler told us. “I think it’s fine that he doesn’t talk at oral arguments.”

Other clerks at the Supreme Court also didn’t hold Thomas’ silence against him, according to Wexler. They took Thomas at his word that he just didn’t think questions were all that helpful.

By contrast, Scalia often dominated the questioning during oral arguments.

“Oral argument ... changed completely after he went on the bench. I will miss that,” Carter Phillips, who has argued more Supreme Court cases than any other lawyer in private practice, told Business Insider in an email after Scalia’s death.

Phillips added: “Prior to him, the normal argument might generate 10-15 questions in 30 minutes. Sometimes even fewer. He [Scalia] would ask 10-15 questions by himself.”

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 39

WORLD NEWS

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $72 million in suit linking talcum powder to ovarian cancer

Jacqueline Fox passed away in the fall, but her voice recently came alive in a St. Louis courtroom.

In an audio deposition, the Birmingham, Ala., native who died at age 62 recounted 35 years of using Johnson & Johnson products containing talcum powder, including the manufacturing giant’s trademark baby powder and its Shower to Shower body powder. Fox had used them for feminine hygiene, and she believed they were what ultimately killed her.

More than three years ago, she was diagnosed with an ovarian cancer that proved fatal. Fox was among more than 1,200 women from across the country who were suing Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn consumers of the dangers associated with talc, the mineral used in baby powder.

On Monday, her case became the first in which monetary compensation was awarded.

A Missouri jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay Fox’s family $72 million in actual and punitive damages. One of Fox’s lead attorneys, Jim Onder, told the St. Louis PostDispatch that $31 million will go to the Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund.

The suit’s other defendant, talc

producer Imerys Talc America, has not been faulted.

“We have no higher responsibility than the health and safety of consumers and we are disappointed with the outcome of the trial,” Johnson & Johnson said in a statement Tuesday. “We sympathize with the plaintiff ’s family but firmly believe the safety the cosmetic talc is supported by decades of scientific evidence.”

Johnson & Johnson is expected to appeal the verdict. The award — which is made up of $10 million in compensatory damages and $62 million in punitive damages — will probably be lessened in appellate courts, Stanford University law professor Nora Freeman Engstrom told the Associated Press.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, one male juror and nine female jurors voted in Fox’s favor; two men voted against her.

One juror, 50-year-old Jerome Kendrick, told the Post-Dispatch that he was swayed by internal company memos presented at trial.

“They tried to cover up and influence the boards that regulate cosmetics,” he said, adding “They could have at least put a warning label on the box but they didn’t. They did nothing.”

More than 1,200 women from across the countryare suing Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn consumers of the dangers associated with talc, the mineral used in baby powder

One memo from a company related to talcum products it has made medical consultant likened ignoring household names. the risks associated with “hygenic” talc Marvin Salter, Fox’s son, told use and ovarian cancer to denying the the AP that using Johnson & Johnson link between smoking cigarettes and “became second nature, like brushing cancer — in other words, “denying your teeth.” the obvious in the face of all evidence But a routine act eventually to the contrary,” the Associated Press became insidious, Fox’s attorneys reported. argued.

Another document noted that A pathologist found that Fox’s sales were declining as more people ovaries were inflamed from talc, which became aware of the health risks, and then turned into cancer. included strategies for making blacks While studies have associated and Hispanics the highest users of regular talc use with ovarian cancer talcum powder, Onder said, as the Post- for decades, the American Cancer Dispatch reported. Fox was African Society notes that there is no definitive American. research on whether asbestos-free talc The New Jersey-based — the kind widely used in consumer company faces many more lawsuits products — causes ovarian cancer:

14 more US reports of possible Zika spread through sex

NEW YORK — U.S. health officials are investigating more than a dozen possible Zika infections that may have been spread through sex.

The 14 cases all involve men who visited areas with Zika outbreaks, and who may have infected their female sex partners, who had not traveled to those areas.

Zika virus is mainly spread by mosquito bites, and sexual transmission has been considered rare. There have been two reported cases, including a recent one in Texas, and at least two other reports of the Zika virus found in semen.

Mosquito-borne Zika outbreaks have erupted

across most of Latin America and the Caribbean in the last year. So far, all the 82 Zika infections diagnosed in the U.S. have involved people who traveled to outbreak regions.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the 14 possible cases of sexual transmission in the U.S. include two women whose infections have been confirmed. Tests have not been completed for their male partners.

In four other cases, preliminary tests indicate women were infected but confirmatory tests are pending. Eight other cases are still being investigated, according to a CDC statement.

Several of the 14 are pregnant, but the CDC refused to be more specific.

The agency said there’s no evidence that women can spread the virus to their sex partners, but more research is needed.

In most people, Zika causes mild or no symptoms — fever, joint pain, rash and red eyes — that last about a week. But in Brazil, health officials are investigating a possible connection between the virus and babies born with brain defects and abnormally small heads.

The link hasn’t been confirmed but the possibility has prompted health officials to take cautionary steps to protect fetuses from the virus.

Research is also

underway into a possible link between Zika infection and a paralyzing condition in adults called Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The CDC is advising men who have recently been to a Zika outbreak area to use a condom when they have sex with a pregnant women, or to abstain from sex during the pregnancy. It also has recommended that pregnant women postpone trips to more than 30 destinations with outbreaks. The CDC on Tuesday expanded its Zika travel advisory to two more places — the Marshall Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

There is no vaccine for Zika. Researchers are scrambling to develop one, as

well as better diagnostic tests.

The Zika virus is mostly spread by the same kind of mosquito that transmits other tropical diseases, including dengue and chikungunya. That same mosquito is found in the Southern U.S. and officials expect they will eventually spread the virus, too. But they don’t expect to see major outbreaks.

The CDC recommends that all travelers use insect repellent while in Zika outbreak areas, and continue to use it for three weeks after travel in case they might be infected but not sick. That’s to prevent mosquitoes from biting them and possibly spreading Zika to others in the U.S.

Modern slavery widespread among East Asia migrant domestic workers

LONDON - Forced labor among migrant domestic workers is widespread, with many women exploited even before they have left their home country and later abused by their employers abroad, a survey of modern slavery in the sector has found.

More than 70 percent of 4,100 women surveyed, citizens of the Philippines and Indonesia, said recruiters in their home country had confined them, confiscated their documents, or abused them verbally, physically or sexually.

Many received false information about their future work, wages and living and working conditions, and were told they had built up debts of between $1,600 and

$1,800 each in the process of getting a job.

More than 60 percent of them said their employers then restricted their movements and communications, or abused them.

“We never expected the problem to be as widespread as it is,” said Jacob Townsend, CEO of Farsight, an international social enterprise which carried out the survey and released it on Thursday.

“Some (recruitment agents) ... hold women against their will, take their passports, put them in debt and mislead them about the circumstances they will be working in,” he added.

The women surveyed were prospective, current or returned domestic workers, interviewed in the

Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

There are between two million and five million migrant domestic workers from Indonesia and the Philippines at any given time, with many returning and re-migrating on a continuous basis, the researchers said.

They said their findings disproved the stereotype of women choosing to work overseas to save money and return home with a cushion of wealth, an idea held by many migrants and foreigners.

“This is not temporary migration to save for one’s family it is recurring participation in an overseas labor market to maintain a subsistence income,” the report said.

In parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, wives and daughters are now expected to migrate for work, and feel they have no alternative, it said.

“Not all people become migrant workers because of an economic problem. Many of my friends, including me, are forced to leave because of social pressures,” one 24-year-old woman from Indonesia’s West Java region told the researchers.

“A family whose daughter does not work abroad is considered a weird family,” she said.

Nearly 21 million people are victims of forced labor globally, 11.7 million of them in the Asia Pacific region, according to the International Labour Organization.

Page 40

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

BUSINESS &

WORLD NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY

With its new S7 phone, Samsung looks even more like Apple

NEW YORK — Apple and Samsung phones, which have been looking more and more alike over the past few years, are much closer to virtual twins with Samsung’s latest Galaxy S7.

The convergence began two years ago when iPhones got larger, mimicking Samsung’s once-innovative, plus-sized “phablets.” Last spring, Samsung started emphasizing higher quality materials and sophisticated design, just as Apple had for years. And last fall, Apple boosted the resolution on the iPhone camera, narrowing one of the major gaps it had with Samsung.

With the S7, Samsung is lowering its camera’s resolution — you read that right — to match the iPhone’s 12 megapixels.

To be sure, there are key differences. Only the latest iPhones have special features you activate by pressing harder on an icon or link, while Samsung is among the biggest boosters of virtual reality.

It’s too early to say which phone is better. Though Samsung announced the S7 on Sunday at a wireless show in Barcelona, Spain, the phone isn’t coming out until March 11.

My hands-on time has been limited to controlled settings.

And for most users it may end up being a draw — Samsung leads the pack among Android phones, while Apple has its own self-contained ecosystem, iOS. For many, a choice between the two could come down to preference for one system or another — and the apps available for each.

For now, here’s how Apple and Samsung phones stack up: CAMERA

For both, the rear cameras are now at 12 megapixels — up from 8 for iPhones and down from 18 for Samsung. That doesn’t mean Samsung photos are getting worse, though.

In making the change, Samsung adopted the iPhone’s 4-by-3 dimension, ditching the widescreen format it had long used. Widescreen produces vertical shots that are awkwardly tall, such that I’ve had to crop them to 4-by3 anyway. The 6 megapixel reduction is equivalent to chopping off the excess.

The front cameras are both at 5 megapixels, after Apple boosted its resolution in the iPhone last fall. Apple also turned the screen into a flash for selfies. Samsung, ever the fast follower, is now doing the same with the S7.

Samsung is promising improvements in low-light shots, borrowing techniques from full-bodied, SLR cameras, though it’ll require extensive tests to see how well the camera performs. Even with last year’s models, Samsung cameras tend to produce brighter night shots than the iPhone. But I’ve also seen more distortion when those shots are blown up. We’ll see if that’s been fixed with the S7.

let you unlock phones with your fingerprint rather than a passcode.

And both let you make payments with a tap at some retail stores. The Samsung Pay service works with a greater range of merchants, but with credit cards from fewer banks and in fewer countries for now than Apple Pay. SHORTCUTS

The latest iPhones and the S7 Edge have shortcuts to common tasks, such as taking selfies. With the iPhone, you hard press on an app icon. With the A Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge mobile phone is Edge, you swipe from the right edge. displayed during a preview of Samsung’s flagship That swipe also gets you headlines, store, Samsung 837, in New York’s Meatpacking frequent contacts and favorite apps.

Apple lets third-party app District, Monday, Feb 22, 2016. makers create their own shortcuts, curvature. The phone itself is taller, while Samsung does not. but just a tad wider and heavier.

Compared with the 5.5-inch THE SCREEN iPhone 6s Plus, though, the S7 Edge is smaller.

One remaining difference is the screen technology. While the EXTRAS iPhone and most other phones use LCD screens, Samsung uses AMOLED, for

Neither the iPhone nor the active-matrix organic light-emitting S7 phone lets you replace the battery diodes. Colors are more vivid, though with a spare. But the S7 does let you sometimes unnatural. Individual add storage. And the base model is pixels produce their own light, and no SIZE 32 gigabytes, double what the iPhone energy is needed to light pixels that offers for starters. are black. LCDs require blacklighting,

Samsung’s 5.1-inch Galaxy Unlike the iPhone, the S7 is which uses energy regardless.

S7 is slightly larger and heavier than waterproof. There’s no need to keep In practice, Samsung is able the 4.7-inch iPhone 6s, but not much USB and other ports sealed, as past to offer an always-on mode in the so. There’s a premium version of the waterproof phones did. The S7 also S7, constantly displaying a clock, S7 called the S7 Edge; both sides curve offers wireless charging; you simply notifications and other highlights like a waterfall, such that the screen lay the phone flat on a charging base. when the phone is locked. Because flows over the side to the back of the However, wireless charging is typically most of the screen is dark, the screen phone. The Edge screen is 5.5 inches, slower than plugging in a USB charger. sips rather than drains power in this but much of that comes from the

Apple and Samsung both mode — at least in theory.

Branson’s Virgin Galactic unveils new passenger spaceship confined to a wheelchair and suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. It was Hawking who suggested naming the ship Unity.

“I have always dreamed of spaceflight, but for so many years I thought it was just that – a dream,” Hawking said in a recorded message played at the space port. “If I am able to go, and if Richard will still take me, I will be proud to fly on this spaceship.”

From outward appearances, the spacecraft is nearly identical to the one lost on Oct. 31, 2014. The Sir Richard Branson next to his new passenger spacecraft accident was blamed on pilot error

Richard Branson’s Virgin about 100 miles (160 km) north of Los and oversights by Northrop Gumman Galactic venture unveiled a new Angeles. “When I saw it for the first Corp’s (NOC.N) Scaled Composites passenger spacecraft on Friday, nearly time, it brought an immediate lump to division, which designed, built 16 months after a fatal accident my throat and tears to my eyes. It was and tested the vehicle, known as destroyed its sister ship during a test a completely overwhelming moment.”

SpaceShipTwo. flight over California’s Mojave Desert.

Christened with a bottle of milk Virgin Galactic’s own

The rollout of the gleaming by Branson’s year-old granddaughter, manufacturing arm, The Spaceship craft, dubbed Virgin Space Ship Unity, the ship was painted bright white on Company, already was well into marks Branson’s return to a race its front section, fading to gray and construction of the successor ship among rival billionaire entrepreneurs black toward the tail. when the accident occurred. to develop a vehicle that can take thrill- The tail itself was emblazoned The biggest difference seekers, researchers and commercial with a blue image of a peering eye between the two is the addition of a customers on short hops into space. belonging to famed British physicist pin to prevent a pilot from unlocking

“It’s almost too good to be true,” Stephen Hawking. the ship’s rotating tail section too soon Branson said during a ceremony at the Branson has already offered before descent, which is what triggered Mojave Air and Space Port, a flight into space to Hawking, who is the breakup of the first spaceship,

said Galactic Chief Executive George Whitesides.

The two-pilot, six-passenger spaceship is designed to reach altitudes of 62 miles (100 km) above the planet, providing a few minutes of weightlessness and a view of Earth set against the blackness of space. Nearly 700 people have signed up for rides, which cost $250,000 each.

Other changes include a device to prevent pilots from releasing the ship’s landing gear too early and new control switches to make them more distinct.

Friday’s unveiling set the stage for Unity’s first round of test flights. The company has declined to discuss a schedule, but Whitesides said he expects to rapidly repeat milestones the first craft achieved and then incrementally test the new ship at higher speeds and altitudes. The first spaceship had not yet traveled beyond the atmosphere.

Virgin Galactic is among a handful of companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Paul Allen’s Stratolaunch Systems and Boeing (BA.N), planning to fly people in space.

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 41

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS

Facebook launches ‘Reactions’ worldwide

Facebook users around the globe can now do more than “like” a post. They can love it, laugh at it or feel angered by it.

The social network rolled out “Reactions” - an extension of the “Like” button - worldwide on Wednesday, to allow users to express sadness, wow, anger, love and laughter.

In a video accompanying a blog post, the five new buttons appear as animated emoticons that pop up when the “Like” button is held down on mobile devices. The buttons appear on desktops when users hover over the “Like” button.

Facebook launched a pilot of “Reactions” - which allowed users to select from seven emotions including “Angry”, “Sad”, “Wow” and “Like” - in Ireland and Spain in October.

The “Yay” emoticon, which was present in the pilot launch, was not seen in Wednesday’s video (bit. ly/24oZ6yi).

“People wanted to express empathy and make it comfortable to share a wider range of emotions,” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page.

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said in September the company was thinking of adding a “dislike” button, which spearheaded a debate over whether it would increase cyber bullying and negativity on the site. In October, the company said it would expand its signature “Like” button with various reactions.

The slow test and rollout of the expanded button - which Zuckerberg has said is the company’s biggest design change to date - is a marked change from Zuckerberg’s famous mantra, “move fast and break things.”

The company said it will also use “Reactions” to track user behavior and for ad delivery.

“We will initially use any Reaction similar to a Like to infer that you want to see more of that type of content,” Facebook said in a separate blog post.

The feature received mixed reviews from users on social networking sites.

Many complained that they could not see the new emoticons, while some were unhappy that Facebook did not launch a “dislike” button.

Marina Cupo wrote on Facebook: “I would rather have had a DISLIKE button and then attach an emotion instead if I want!”

Users have often responded negatively to similar changes on other sites. Twitter, for example, replaced its star-shaped “favorite” icon with a heart-shaped icon called “like” in November. Users initially scorned the change, but Twitter later said it increased activity on the site.

The ultimate in laziness? A self-parking chair

Automakers Nissan have developed a unique solution to the problem of tidying up rows of chairs after office meetings. The Japanese firm has invented self-powered office chairs that park themselves back into their original position with a simple clap of the hands.

The company placed four motion sensitive cameras in the corners of a ceiling and used them to track regular office chairs on wheels.

The wi-fi controlled cameras detect each chair’s location and calculate a route back to its starting point.

The room layout is preprogrammed into the system, with individual chairs assigned their own spot at the table. The chairs have been programed to respond to the sounds of a human clap, with each chair automatically sliding back to its designated spot.

Nissan developed the project while working on its self-driving car technology.

“We were actually looking at office chairs as a motif and hope there is a need for this in some actual company, in their meeting room,” said Yuuki Tomii of Nissan’s sales promotion department.

He added: “Nissan’s ultimate goal is self-driving (cars), and the self-parking part is just one of the processes along the way. More than

thinking of them as just furniture, we hope people can see it as how our technology can be introduced into other objects.”

Four of the self-parking chairs were displayed to the public in Yokohama City last Friday (February 19). Nissan had already released a video of the chairs, which quickly become a viral internet hit, meaning local visitors were eager to try them out.

“I had heard it was still only

being developed and not to the point of being public. So I could only see here and that’s why I came,” said Sachiko Kuwana at the Nissan showroom.

Some even said they wished to see it in their own homes.

“While I don’t know the price, it is likely to be very expensive for the average household. I would love to have this at home if it was cheap enough to afford,” said Shuichi Aizawa.

Lenovo aims at mature markets with new ‘augmented reality’ phone

China’s Lenovo Group is ready to break into mature markets this summer with the launch of its new smartphone which sports ‘augmented reality’ features developed under Google’s Tango project, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

The device, which was announced at the 2016 CES consumer electronics show in Las Vegas in January, will launch in July, Chief Executive Yang Yuanqing said in an interview at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Declining to give additional information he said that the phone will include Google’s Project Tango technology and more.

Project Tango combines 3D motion tracking with depth sensors to give a mobile device the ability to know where it is and how it moves through an area, creating the potential to use augmented reality features on the phone.

Augmented reality software then overlays text or graphics on the real-life image. It differs from virtual reality, which seeks to simulate realworld views.

The phone should boost Lenovo’s presence in mature markets such as North America, where the smartphone market shrunk slightly last year, by 0.4 percent, according to data from research firm Canalys.

“If you want to access the mature markets you need two things: innovative products and a premium brand,” Yuanqing said.

“So far we haven’t done very well on both things. But with a couple of years of preparation, I think now we are ready to attack that market this year.”

Lenovo bought Motorola Mobility from Google for $2.9 billion more than a year ago, positioning it as the world’s fourth-largest smartphone maker behind, Huawei [HWT.UL], Apple and Samsung Electronics, according to Gartner.

Western markets make a tiny contribution to Lenovo’s sales, excluding Motorola, accounting for just 0.3 percent of its total in 2015, according to research group IDC. In contrast, 35 percent of Motorola phones went to Western Europe and North America.

Yuanqing expects the new device to boost overseas sales and will also have a positive impact on China.

“We want to break into the mature markets this year. You definitely can expect that,” Yuanqing said.

Apple CEO: Unlocking San Bernardino iPhone would be ‘bad for America’

Apple chief Tim Cook on Wednesday said that complying with a court order to help the FBI break into an iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters would be “bad for America,” and set a legal precedent that would offend many Americans.

“Some things are hard, and some things are right, and some things are both - this is one of those things,” Cook told ABC News in his

first interview since the court order Apple’s chief executive came down last week. He added that officer also said there should have the government was asking for “the been more dialogue with the Obama software equivalent of cancer” and administration before the U.S. that he planned to talk to President Justice Department’s decision to seek Barack Obama directly about getting relief from a federal magistrate judge the dispute “on a better path.” in California.

Later asked whether Apple “We found out about the would be prepared to fight this case filing from the press, and I don’t think all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, that’s the way the railroad should be Cook said, “We would be prepared to run, and I don’t think that something take this issue all the way.” so important to this country should

be handled in this way,” Cook said in an interview being aired on “ABC World News Tonight.”

Apple has publicly said it intends to fight the court order and has until Friday to respond.

The iPhone in question was used by San Bernardino shooter Rizwan Farook, who along with his wife went on a shooting rampage in December that killed 14 and wounded 22.

Page 42

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 43

For All you advertising needs contact TCISUN at 339-5879 Or email – sun@ suntci.com CHIBABOU LTD. IS LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING: Restaurant Chef

•Must be willing to work weekends, nights and holidays •Must be willing to work 6 days per week, clean kitchen after service •Must have a good knowledge of Mediterranean food, grilling/bbq, sauces, butchery, cooking of seafood and dressing •Must have current Food Safety and Hygiene certification

Kitchen Helper •Must be willing to work weekends, nights and holidays •Must be willing to work 6 days per week, clean kitchen after service •Must have good knowledge in food preparation •Must be physically fit to unload trucks and move supplies between work areas

Pls call 341 5856 for applications

PROVO GOLF CLUB

Provo Golf Club is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

GOLF PROFESSIONAL JOB SUMMARY •Provide competent golf instruction to members and guests.

•Run Golf Clinics for larger groups needing instruction.

•Assist with organizing charity golf events at PGC. •Fully co-ordinate group events from start to finish.

•Assist in tournament sales and set up.

•Assist in budgeting and forecasting.

•Assist in a variety of other Professional Golf duties at PGC. REQUIREMENTS •Must have membership in PGA of America or Canada.

•Strong computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher.

•Minimum (2) years or more experience as a Golf Professional.

•Proven organizational skills.

The remuneration for this position is commensurate with experience. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 7, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephoned to schedule an interview.

InterCaribbean is seeking an Electrical Technician.

The successful applicant must:  Have certification from an accredited institution,  10 years or more experience,  Track record of trouble shooting and fixing electrical problems successfully  Dependable, innovative, with strong team player  Can work independently  Ability to communicate written and verbally to other intercompany department  Computer literate and can work with Microsoft word and Excel  Must be a Belonger /PRC holder to apply.

Send resume to jobs@intercaribbean.com

HAB MANAGEMENT LIMITED HAB Management Limited is seeking suitable applications for the following position:

BUTLER Main Duties •Must be able to provide personalized and detailed service to guests in a highly proficient manner.

•Assist with guests schedule, appointments and other services as needed.

•Maintain the operations of the household and/or executing special request, running personal errands and other related duties for guests.

•Perform housekeeping duties.

Requirements Minimum of five (5) years related experience as a Butler working with high networth guests. Must have professional mindset and the utmost discretion. Detail oriented with exceptional organizational skills. Applicants must have strong communication skills both written and verbal. Good presentation and a pleasant, friendly personality required. Flexibility with hours and scheduling required.

Salary $14,900.00 per annum.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 7, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephoned to schedule an interview.

Page 44

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

CARIBBEAN

SPORTS

The CPL’ attempt to popularise the tournament in the USA could be hindered due to limited venue options

Caribbean Premier the CPL draft in Barbados.

League chief executive “We’re going to be the first Damien O’Donohoe has said professional league. We’ve that the league is committed to seen the All-Stars games go in put development over profits there in November and it was as the key aim of the CPL’s great to see the turn-out even foray into the United States though the ticket price was for the 2016 season. The CPL very expensive. announced on Wednesday that Less than 15% of six games will be held in the the available tickets for the USA this July and O’Donohoe Cricket All-Stars matches says making tickets affordable in New York, Houston and to bring in new fans is a high Los Angeles originally went priority. on sale for $50-75, while the “I think the overwhelming majority of opportunity to play games is tickets were priced at $150 or obviously a huge opportunity more all the way up to $325 both for ourselves and for the in Los Angeles. Though the ICC in terms of developing the crowds were large compared game,” O’Donohoe said from to other venues around the

CPL chief promises affordable tickets for US games world, the vibrant scenes were dwarfed by empty seats, especially in Los Angeles with a crowd of 20,900 showing up to the 56,000-seater Dodger Stadium.

When West Indies hosted New Zealand in 2012 at the Central Broward Regional Park [CBRP] in Florida, general admission on the grass bank on the north boundary cost $20 while reserved seats under the south grandstand were priced at $30. The low prices produced an estimated crowd of 15,000 people for the opening T20I of that series. It was recognised as a sell-out crowd for the CBRP, though temporary seats could have been added to accommodate up to 5,000 more people.

O’Donohoe hopes that same formula will lead to success for the CPL in the USA.

“We’re going to go in a very low-end ticket price and make these games accessible to everyone because this is

about developing the game, building a fan base in the US and growing the game internationally. The West Indies have hosted games there but we’re going to be the first professional T20 league.

Now that’s an opportunity obviously but it’s also a risk.”

Although the CPL release stated only that games would be played in the USA, the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida is the only ICC-certified ODI stadium venue in the country. Multiple sources told ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday that the CBRP has been reserved for use by the CPL from July 17 to 31. Even though O’Donohoe would like to plant the seeds of CPL interest beyond Florida, having a lone ICC-certified turf pitch venue limits his options.

“We haven’t confirmed exactly where we’re going to play the games just yet,”

O’Donohoe said. “Obviously the lack of stadiums is always going to be a challenge.

There’s only one at Lauderhill as we know but we’ve always wanted to play games in the US as part of CPL and we’ve said that from day one. So now we have the opportunity and we’ve been working very closely with Tim Anderson and Dave Richardson at the ICC in terms of just how we’re going to enter the US market but we really have one chance and we need to make sure we get it right.

“With everything that we do there’s a Caribbean flavor and hopefully we can mirror what we did in the Caribbean in the US. Cricket has been on the decline a little bit here. No one makes any secret of that and I think CPL has done amazingly well to revitalize and reenergize cricket here in the Caribbean and we want to take that same approach to the US.”

Jamaican diver hoping to make splash for diversity

Tall Jamaican diver Yona Knight-Wisdom hopes he has inspired others to break down barriers and banish stereotypes after becoming the first male diver from the Caribbean island to qualify for the Olympics.

The British-born university undergraduate stands 190 cm tall and weighs 90 kg, an uncharacteristically large frame for a sport dominated by diminutive Chinese athletes at the 2012 London Games.

The 20-year-old, whose father is Jamaican and mother from Barbados, hoped his personal best efforts in the individual three-meter springboard at a World Cup test event in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend would open the sport up to all.

“I think that it should inspire people to try new things.

Don’t be limited to what is normal and what is safe. Don’t be afraid to go against the odds,” he told Jamaica’s The Gleaner newspaper.

“I am a 190 cm tall, 90 kg heavy, black diver. Watch a diving event and that is not something you will see very often.

“I’ve gone against the odds, with the faith and support of my family, coaches and team

Johnson Charles was the third-highest run-getter for St Lucia Zouks in CPL 2015

Yona Knight-Wisdom’s father is Jamaican and mother from Barbados mates, and I’ve succeeded.

Jamaica or Barbados.

“I think the history of Perseverance paid off it will really sink in during the and Knight-Wisdom said he Games. Right now I’m... still burst into tears upon securing worrying about the dissertation I the semi-final slot in Rio on the have to write and hand in on the weekend that ensured he would 27th of April. All the messages return to the Brazilian city for of congratulations and support the Aug. 5-21 Games. have made it feel incredible.”

“This process, especially Knight-Wisdom said in the last four years, has Jamaica had only once previously required much sacrifice, had a diver compete at the particularly of my socializing Olympics, Betsy Sullivan, who time, lots of commitment and took part at the 1972 Games in discipline,” he said.

Munich.

“I aim to enjoy the

The Leeds Beckett experience as much as possible University student said he took because it’s not often you get to up the sport after watching the go to an Olympic Games. But in diving competition at the 2004 the competition, just giving 100 Athens Games. percent diving and representing

Attempts to make the Jamaica as well as I can over my British team failed and his coach six dives.” advised to look into representing

Charles replaces Darren Bravo in West Indies’ WT20 squad

Johnson Charles has been named as Darren Bravo’s replacement in West Indies’ squad for the World T20 to be played in India from March 8 to April 3.

Bravo, who didn’t sign the central contracts offered by the West Indies Cricket Board last week, cited Test cricket as his top priority at this stage.

Charles, 27, played the last of his 23 T20Is during the series in Sri Lanka in November. He was also part of the squad that lifted the title in Sri Lanka in 2012; his swashuckling 84 earning him the Man of the Match award in the quarter-final against England.

Charles will head into the tournament on the back of a good showing for St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League, where he finished as the third-highest run-getter for his side.

West Indies have been drawn in Group 1 of the Super 10 stage where they will play alongside England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and one of the qualifiers from the first round.

Squad: Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

LOCAL SPORTS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 45

Jeff Beljour to Attend Florida Kraze Krush College ID Camp

Jeff Beljour, one of the players from our Youth Academy of Excellence, will be attending the Florida Kraze Krush (FKK) College ID Camp; at their facility in Orlando, Florida, from February 26- 28, 2016. The camp, which is geared at identifying potential players for college scholarships, is very intensive and involves college coaches from all over the United States.

During the Camp the players will undergo rigorous training sessions; and assigned to various teams for competitive games, where they will be

assessed by these coaches for possible scholarships.

Jeff was one of the players whose talents caught the attention of scouts visiting the Island last year. He has been with the Academy Program in excess of 7 years and he is currently the captain of the U 18 team; which are participating (and leading) in the Provo Premier League. As a central defender, Jeff possesses exemplary ability to read the game; has remarkable pace and is versatile in his wide passing range.

'We are very happy to know

that another talent from our Academy of Excellence is being given the opportunity to prove his potential beyond our shores.

This is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the coaches and players in the program.

As President of the TCIFA, I am very heartened at the prospects of these young people; as it not only argues well for football in the Turks and Caicos Islands and across the region, but for the development of the sport worldwide'; words from our President, Sonia Bien-Aime

AFC Academy Team

Jett Beljour

Six nations rugby at Provo Golf Club Continues

Head down to TCIRFU’s favourite venue to watch all the Six Nations action. Be sure to take advantage of the drinks promotions, with proceeds going towards the TCI rugby development programme. Ask at the PGC bar for more details. For all the information on games and times, please click on the Six Nations link: Six Nations Fixtures Link The next action is Wales v France, and kicks off from 4.05pm (TCI time) on Friday, 26th February.Italy v Scotland kick off on Saturday, 27th February at 10.25am (TCI time).England v Ireland also kicks off on Saturday, 27th February at 12.50pm (TCI time). Stay tuned to TCIRFU's Facebook page for up to the minute details of kick off times, matches and other events.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS FULL CONTACT GAME IS NOW - 4th MARCH Join us at the Meridian Field for some awesome rugby action as TCIRFU play another full contact match between the Captain's XV and the President's XV on Friday, 4th March. This event FREE and starts from 6pm with kick off at 6.30pm. Come down, bring your friends and cheer on your favourite team. Drinks will be available to buy on each night, with all funds raised going towards the TCI Rugby Development

Programme.

MEN'S NEWS

TCIRFU have a series of full contact matches this March with visiting touring teams from the USA. If you would like to play in these matches, and to ensure we are fully focussed, please attend Men's Training every Tuesday AND Thursday night from 6.15pm to 7.30pm at Meridian Field.

Please arrive promptly at 6.15pm to start at 6.30pm. Registration is FREE, and new players are always welcome.

For more information please contact Men's Captain Simon Taylor and get added to our WhatsApp group.

BRENNAN’S PLANS – OUR NEW RUGBY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Brennan Guy joins the TCIRFU for a three-month placement from Canada.

Brennan is here till April and has already toured around Salt Cay, South Caicos, Provo and Grand Turk teaching the game of rugby to schools and the attendees of the Youth Training Programme. If your school would like some complimentary rugby classes, please call Brennan today on 244 8952 and book your FREE “Get into Rugby” session. This is a great opportunity for you and your school to get prepared and ready to compete in the Annual Inter School Tag Tournament on April 16th!

Call Brennan today and start the ball rolling! LADIES' NEWS Ladies' non-contact training is every Monday at 6pm to 7pm, at the Meridian Field. These sessions are a great way to learn about the beautiful game, get fit and have fun. Sessions are FREE and new players are always welcome!

For more information, please contact Olivia O'Connell.

YOUTH RUGBY NEWS! Youth Training is on every Saturday, at the Meridian Field: 10:30 - 11:30am: Under 8's and 12's, Boys and Girls 11:30 - 12:30pm: Under 15's and 19's, Boys and Girls Sessions are FREE and a whole load of fun!Past youngsters who have played rugby with TCIRFU have gone on to gain University scholarships, travel to England, Ireland, USA and Trinidad and Tobago, and represent their country in rugby at an international level.

THE WORLD FAMOUS TCIRFU TAG RUGBY LEAGUE RETURNS! Head down to the Meridian Field at 6.30pm on Thursday, 31st MARCH to register your co-ed team of at least six players, including two females, and warm up for the forthcoming Tag rugby action. All is to play for in this fun league. Who will reign supreme?

Tag rugby is a non-contact sport for all

ages and abilities and is a great way to learn about the game of rugby. New players and teams are always welcome!

For more information please contact Nik Hight or Simon Taylor on 231 6065.

INTER-SCHOOLS TAG FESTIVAL RETURNS - 16th APRIL 2016!

TCIRFU are inviting ALL schools in TCI across the islands to put together a co-ed team of at least six players for this prestigious annual event that brings together the tag rugby talents of the schools across the islands. Last year’s successful tournament saw schools compete from Grand Turk, Provo and North Caicos. This year, we are looking for more Islands to get involved.

For more information, please contact Tom Fielding on 343 6937.

SUPER SENIOR TOUCH RUGBY IS HERE!

Dust off those cleats and join us every Thursday at 8pm at the Meridian Field for a fun game of Co-Ed Touch Rugby, followed by some liquid refreshments. Just $10 buys you match fees and beers.For more information please contact Harry Turbyfield on: 333 3080.As always, please "Like" and stay tuned to our Facebook page for up to the minute news and events from TCIRFU. Till next week, thanks for loving rugby, and we look forward to seeing you at the Field!

Page 46

WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

SPORTS

Female sportscaster sues hotel for $75million for secret nude recording

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The father of sportscaster Erin Andrews said Wednesday that his daughter is a shell of her former self after a stalker made secret nude recordings of her and posted the material on the Internet.

Steve Andrews testified during a civil trial that his daughter didn’t want to eat, bathe or be around people and that all she did was cry after she discovered in 2009 that the nude videos had been posted online.

He said she remains afraid of people to this day.

Erin Andrews cried throughout her father’s testimony and he choked up several times on the stand.

The father told the jury that before a stalker made the secret recordings, Erin Andrews was always fun, always joking, and that she was happy and successful in her career as a sportscaster at ESPN. That has now changed, he said, remarking, “She’s afraid. She’s afraid of crowds, afraid of people. She doesn’t trust anymore.”

Michael David Barrett has pleaded guilty to recording videos of Erin Andrews through peepholes that he altered on the doors of her hotel rooms in Nashville and Columbus,

Erin Andrews now works for Fox Sports and as a host on the TV show “Dancing With the Stars.”

Ohio. He also admitted to attempting knew if someone was still stalking her. to make secret recordings of her in Barrett had shot the video in Milwaukee.

September of 2008 while Erin Andrews

Barrett was sentenced to serve was in Nashville to cover a college 2 1/2 years in prison. football game. The father said she was

In July of 2009, however, so disturbed about the secret footage neither Andrews nor her family knew that she vomited before agreeing to an how the videos got online and who FBI request that she watch the nude shot them. Steve Andrews said his videos so agents could find clues about daughter called him “hysterically who took it. crying, screaming out of her mind” Growing up, Erin Andrews when she found out. was always insecure about her body

He said that he was afraid for because she was so tall and skinny, her his daughter’s life and that no one father said. She was always the kid in

the back of the photos because she was so tall, Steve Andrews said, and she felt so awkward about her body that she didn’t like to change in front of other girls in dance class.

“This was about the worst thing that could have happened to her from the perspective of self-pride, comfort in the way you look,” the father said of the secret recordings posted to the Web.

Andrews has filed a $75 million lawsuit against Barrett, West End Hotel Partners, which is the franchise owner of the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University, and Windsor Capital Group, which manages the hotel. She maintains that someone affiliated with the hotel gave Barrett her room number and he was intentionally placed in a room next to her.

Attorneys for the hotel companies say Barrett was an experienced traveler who schemed his way into getting a room next to her by using an in-house phone at the hotel to find out what room she was in and then requesting that he be placed in a room next to hers.

Stephen Curry matches NBA record with 3 in 127th consecutive game

Tiger shoots back at skeptics

Tiger Woods speaks at a press conference during a practice round for the 2015 PGA Championship golf tournament at Whistling Straits -The Straits Course

Tiger Woods posted a video of himself swinging a golf club on Wednesday in an effort to shoot down recent reports that suggested he had endured setbacks in his recovery from back surgeries.

In a 13-second video posted on his Twitter account, Woods is seen hitting a nine-iron to the green on a 153-yard par-three hole on an indoor golf simulator, seemingly without discomfort.

“Progressing nicely,” the 14-times major champion, who has not competed since last August, wrote in the tweet.

Some social-media reports over the weekend suggested the former world number one suffered a setback in his recovery from a third back operation and that he was unable to sit without pain and

was having difficulty walking.

But Woods’ agent said earlier this week that reports of the golfer being incapacitated were false and that an update on his client’s health would be made at the appropriate time.

Woods, who made 11 starts on the PGA Tour last season and just seven the season before, had his first back surgery in early 2014.

A second microdisectomy was performed last September with a follow-up procedure six weeks later.

The greatest player of his generation and arguably of all time, the 40-year-old Woods has not won a tournament since 2013 and last won a major in 2008. He has not set a timetable for his return to the PGA Tour.

MIAMI -- Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has tied an NBA record, making a 3-pointer in his 127th consecutive regular-season game.

Curry, the reigning NBA MVP, made a 3-pointer on his first shot of the evening just 78 seconds into the Warriors’ 118-112 win over Miami on Wednesday night. He shares the mark with Atlanta’s Kyle Korver and has a chance to take the record outright when Golden State plays at Orlando on Thursday. Dana Barros’ streak of 89 games was the league record prior to Korver’s and remains third best, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Curry added five more from beyond the arc en route to a 42-point night on 14-for-29 shooting. He pulled ahead of James Harden for the league lead with his ninth 40-point game this season.

“That’s a pretty outrageous number, I think,” Curry said before Wednesday’s game. “When I was talking about it last year, I knew where he was. I think I was at 40 or 45. And I remember hearing what his number was. That’s crazy. Every

night you’re hitting a 3. Whether you’re shooting well or not, you’re still finding a way to knock down at least one. The longevity of that record is pretty remarkable.”

Curry’s last game without a 3-pointer was Nov. 11, 2014. He has made at least one in 202 of his past 203 games and is on pace to smash the single-season record for 3-pointers he established a year ago.

“Steph is a lot better,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Which is scary, because he was the MVP last season.”

Curry, who led the NBA last season with 286 3-pointers, entered Wednesday with 260 3-pointers this season, 88 more than anyone in the league. Teammate Klay Thompson came into the night No. 2 this season in 3s, with 172. Thompson finished with four 3s against Miami on eight attempts and racked up 33 points of his own, including 15 straight during one stretch in the fourth quarter.

Curry said he finds significance in the mark.

“There’s no trophy for that,” Curry said. “But it’s a really cool situation to be in. That’s a big part of my game.”

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 47

WORLD SPORTS

Warriors focused on repeating as champions, not on records

The Golden State Warriors we have but can’t get ahead of have reached 50 wins faster than ourselves,” Stephen Curry said after any team in National Basketball scoring a game-high 36 points against Association history although the the Hawks. players are far from complacent as they “Fifty wins is great but we’ve work toward their goal of repeating as got to keep plugging away and stay league champions. hungry because nobody wants to talk

Golden State improved to 50-5 about that in June.” with a 102-92 victory over the Atlanta The Warriors appeared to Hawks on Monday, eclipsing the mark be heading for a rout against the set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls who struggling Hawks before a 23-point needed one more game to get to the advantage turned into a four-point milestone en route to landing their deficit during a seven-minute span. fourth NBA title in six seasons.

A dominant finish by Curry

But the Warriors, chasing and solid defense from Andrew Bogut the record 72-10 mark put up by the helped Golden State silence the Michael Jordan-led Bulls in that same Atlanta crowd and send a message to season, are more focused on perfecting the league that their team can handle their game to ensure they are the adversity. last team standing when the NBA “I liked our response,” said championship is decided in June.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “They

“We understand the potential were on fire in their home building.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the first half at Philips Arena

“Everything was going against their momentum going over the final us and we maintained our poise and three games of a seven-game road trip pulled away down the stretch. It was a before returning home where they really good win.” have not lost all season.

While the Warriors have “We’re on the right track. We’re dominated all season they still have not complacent and we’re trying to get plenty of work to do to ensure they better and find different ways to win retain the top seed heading into the games,” said Curry who is averaging postseason since the San Antonio an NBA-high 29.8 points this season.

Spurs are only 3-1/2 games back in the “We’ve got great chemistry Western Conference. and we’re relying on that every single

The Warriors will try to keep night. It’s a special group.”

Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini bans reduced to 6 years by FIFA

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have had their bans from football reduced from eight to six years by the FIFA Appeal Committee.

Former FIFA chief Blatter and suspended UEFA boss Platini were banned from all football activity over a conflict of interest in a 2 million Swiss franc (£1.35 million) payment deal made to Platini that is also the subject of a criminal investigation in Switzerland. On Wednesday, those bans were upheld, although the suspensions were each reduced by two years.

“The Appeal Committee considered that Mr. Platini’s and Mr. Blatter’s activities and the services they had rendered to FIFA, UEFA and football in general over the years should deserve appropriate recognition as a mitigating factor,” FIFA said.

Blatter intends to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Platini is expected to follow.

Blatter said in a statement through his spokesman: “I am very disappointed by the appeal committee of FIFA and I will take it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.”

Platini also released a statement through his legal team. “The reasons given against me are baseless, trumped up and surreal, given the facts and explanations that I gave during the hearing of the appeals board,” he said.

“This decision is in reality a political decision taken by the FIFA administration.

“I am the victim of a system that had only one goal: To prevent me from becoming FIFA president in order to protect certain interests that

I was about to bring into question.”

Platini said he would pursue all possible means to appeal, starting with CAS, and that he has asked his legal team to launch an appeal to the Lausanne-based court “without waiting.”

FIFA is facing a crucial point in its nearly 112year history as it seeks a first new president since Blatter was elected in 1998. Blatter’s successor will be elected on Friday.

The appeals committee is headed by Larry Mussenden of Bermuda, who is seeking the CONCACAF presidency. That election is in May.

The six-year bans began on Oct. 8, 2015, and expire in October 2021.

Blatter is 79 years old, and the confirmation of his suspension likely ends his hopes of

returning to football unless CAS rules in his favour.

Platini would be eligible to return in time for the Qatar 2022 World Cup that he championed.

Evidence available for the case could not show that Blatter and Platini violated Article 21 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (bribery and corruption), the FIFA statement said.

The appeal lodged by the investigatory chamber for a lifetime ban from all football-related activity was also dismissed.

Platini’s provisional suspension by the ethics committee last October, pending a full investigation, stalled his presidential bid, and the ban in December effectively ended it.

Both were fined by the ethics judges in December.

Blatter was ordered to pay 50,000 Swiss francs (£36,000),

and Platini was fined 80,000 Swiss francs (£58,000). Both sums are now due within 30 days.

Blatter and Platini both deny wrongdoing.

They claimed the £1.35m payment was made after a verbal agreement between the pair when the Frenchman worked for Blatter from 1998 to 2002, though it was not paid until 2011, 13 years after the agreement.

The ethics committee rejected the agreement as “not convincing” in December, although it added that the evidence had not been sufficient to secure corruption charges.

The appeals committee agreed with that assertion.

The charges proven in December included offering and accepting gifts, conflict of interest and violating fiduciary duty to FIFA.

Rio subway line may not be finished before Games

The metro line extension that will connect Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park in Barra de Tijuca with the rest of the city is at risk of not being finished before the Games start in August, if a delayed development bank loan is not disbursed, two senior government sources told Reuters on Monday.

The transport link, which was a key bid promise when Rio was chosen to host South America’s first Olympics, is vital to transport fans from the tourist hotspots of Copacabana and Ipanema to venues where sports such as swimming, basketball and tennis will be held.

“There is a risk of the work not being finished, but

there is still enough time to denies there is a delay and in turn it around,” a senior city a statement sent hours after government source said. the newspaper report, said the

At issue is a 1.4 billion project was 90 percent complete reais ($350 million) loan from and only 200 meters (650 feet) of the BNDES development bank tunnel remained to be dug. that needs to be released by “We are rigorously within the Brazil’s cash-strapped federal time frame,” it said. government. The money was Despite such assurances, supposed to be disbursed the city government source last year but still has not told Reuters a plan B has been arrived, a source from the state devised that would use buses government said. with their own express lane to

On Saturday, Brazilian travel the route. daily O Globo reported it had Transport has long been seen an email sent by Rio a concern in Rio, where snarled Mayor Eduardo Paes to the local traffic can make travel around Olympic organizing committee the city difficult. Along with the saying there was “a high level of metro line, Rio is building bus risk” the subway line will fail to express lanes and a light railway A worker walks in front of the Olympic aquatic venue for the Rio 2016 meet its deadline. to improve transport before the Olympic Games during the third media briefing for the Games in Rio de

The state government Games.

Janeiro, Brazil

Page 48

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2016 – MARCH 5TH, 2016

Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks and Caicos Islands | Tel:649 339 5879 | Fax: 649 941 3281