APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
Website: www.suntci.com
VOLUME 12 - NO. 17
Email: sun@suntci.com
Tel: (649) 339-5879
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Fax: (649) 941-3281
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NEW AIRPORT FOR PROVIDENCIALES By Todeline Defralien
A
n ultra-modern airport which is expected to cost as much as US$40 million, will soon be constructed in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. That’s because the recently-renovated and expanded terminal at the Providenciales International Airport, which cost $10million, is already too small to accommodate the significant increase in passenger and airline traffic at the main gateway into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing and John Smith, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, told The SUN that the new air terminal is absolutely necessary to facilitate the future development of the Turks and Caicos Islands booming tourism industry. “When we expanded that terminal we knew that we would have needed to build a new terminal within a short time period,” Premier Ewing said. “We gave that terminal a life of no more than 5 years because we knew that tourism was going to boom and we knew that we are getting a lot of requests for new airlift in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” The Premier said the existing terminal will be used for domestic and regional airlines. The new terminal will be constructed within walking distance from the existing terminal, near to where Avis car rental was once located. Mr. Smith said he cannot say what the cost of the project will be but from a budgetary prospective it may be something in the order of between $20million and $40 million.
Three men charged with Sunny Foods Robbery and shooting
Pictured here are the three men Reginald Presil, Wilbert Almonor and Fritzner Prevalus being escorted to the police vehicle. (See page 5. for details). “With the new terminal we will be looking at facilitating/accommodating mainly jet traffic but in addition to that we also have provision for a partial parallel taxi way from that (existing) apron,” he said. Smith said this new airport terminal will be quite a few thousand square feet; much larger than the existing one. He said they will be getting feedback from stakeholders, Government and the Tourist Board as to what amenities they would like in the new terminal.
Three men remanded for shooting and robbery - Page 5
Gov’t spending millions of infrastructure - Page 6
Smith stressed that he cannot say when construction will start on this project but at the moment they are in the conceptual design stage and it’s a significant amount of work that will need to be done, bearing in mind that their focus right now is predominantly on completing the South Caicos airport. Smith said the Providenciales International Airport has been performing exceedingly well in recent years, coming from losing several million dollars to now recording a profit of $35million. “We saw exceptional growth. We
have exceeded five percent in the last year and year on year actually we’ve seen in excess of ten percent growth. That then meant that we need to embark on doing something sooner rather than later, because it’s all driven by that high growth. South Caicos now is an airport that we have to do a full rehabilitation of. We just have completed the RFP (Request for Proposals) for the terminal building and what we call the combined services building which is engineering and fire hall. Continued on Page 2
No economic citizenship for TCI - Page 7 Concern over tourists on scooters - Page 8
Page 2
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
NEW AIRPORT FOR PROVIDENCIALES
Continued from Page 1
Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing
That was closed on the April 12th. We’re doing the assessments now and we intend to have the full assessment done within an month if not less, once that’s awarded we then move ahead with that, but South Caicos is high priority right now,” he added A n o t h e r
airport that they are looking at from a safety perspective is the resurfacing of the runway and apron in Salt Cay. When asked about North Caicos Smith explained, “The demand at present for North Caicos is not significant by any stretch of the imagination.
However, the Minister has indicated that he would like the board (of directors) to do certain things in North Caicos, one being a flight school and the other one is to look at inviting expressions of interest sometime for the development of a fixed based operation FBO).”
C.E.O of Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority John T. Smith
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 3
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Page 4
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 5
LOCAL NEWS
Three men charged with conspiracy to robbery and attempted murder By Todeline Defralien Three men appeared in court on Wednesday April 27th charged with conspiracy to robbery and attempted murder. Reginald Presil, Wilbert Almonor and Fritzner Prevalus, appeared before acting Magistrate Martin Greene, in connection with the April 10th robbery and shooting of security company owner, Alboin Williams, outside Sunny Foods, in Five Cays. They men were remanded in custody until June 3rd. The SUN understands that the police are still conducting
Several police officers investigations into this matter and there are likely to be more responded to the scene and they searched vehicles that arrests and charges. Williams, who is now were approaching and leaving owner of a security firm, was the area. This caused long lines robbed by three masked men of of traffic to be an undisclosed amount backed-up. In May 2015, another of money around 1:37 p.m. on former police officer, Calvin Sunday, April 10th. The men got away in “Monty” Lightbourne, who is a white car, and then slammed also a security officer, was into a green jeep before shot while making a deposit escaping on foot. at Scotiabank for one of the Williams, who is better known country’s top supermarkets. A few years ago, an as “Bookie”, spent many years off-duty police officer was shot in the police force and is a very popular while he was making a money citizen of the Turks and Caicos drop at CIBC First Caribbean Alboin Williams Islands. bank.
Conch Season 2015 / 2016 Export Quota met The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) would like to inform the public, as well as all processing plants, that as of April 19th, the export quota has effectively been met, including that product which has already been exported, and the quantity currently held at processing plants awaiting export. The National Harvest
Quota was set at 820,000 lbs, at the beginning of the season. This included 320,000 lbs for local consumption and 500,000 lbs for export. The 2015-2016 Export Quota was observed to be exhausted on April 20th, 2016. DECR would like to reiterate that personal export of conch product, up to 10 lbs per person, will be permitted until the
Executive Director Vacancy Notice Job Summary: The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for leading, creating and managing programs, events and processes of the economic development mission of the TCI Chamber of Commerce, and to manage the Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) whose mandate is to support small business owners and potential owners. The Executive Director will manage all aspects of the day to day operations of the two organizations including: creating and administering annual budgets; writing grant applications, seeking contracts to support budget and operational needs, attracting and retaining members/sponsors, ensuring contractual milestones are achieved; preparing fiscal reports; overseeing staff; identifying and networking with partner agencies; and providing technical assistance to new and existing business owners. The Executive Director will lead efforts to raise awareness of the organization to the public and lead efforts to encourage the growth and development of the economy.
Qualifications: Knowledge of •General economic development issues in the TCI, •Small business practices and trends. •Micro, small and medium business operations •Knowledge of working with client service centered programs or organizations •Computer systems including Microsoft Office products and Quick Books. Abilities and Experience to: •Effectively manage the organization and staff, being pro-active, creative and self-driven •Effectively market the organization and successfully raise funding to ensure financial self-sufficiency, •Develop and monitor Budgets and provide regular reporting mechanisms •Network with the community; speak to the public •Administer the policies of the TCIG related to the operation of the organization.
close of the conch season on 14 July 2016. The conch export quota has been met nearly 2 months earlier than the previous season. Preliminary data shows that fishermen were able to have a significantly more efficient and productive season, where the average catch was 23% greater than the 2014-2015 season. The DECR hopes that this
is an indicator to an increasingly healthy local conch stock, which will be a point of discussion within the Fisheries Advisory Committee and for the preparations for the 2016-17 Conch Season. DECR will perform periodical inspections of all processing facilities to ensure that all are in compliance with the Fisheries Regulations.
•Understand and implement training and practices of personnel management •Identify and obtain resources available to micro, small and medium enterprises. •Standard managerial policies and procedures in operating an organization •Communicate effectively orally and in writing •Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government, bankers, business and industry representatives •Work with the diverse MSME population, socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, ethnic backgrounds and disabilities of the community.
Education and Experience Requirements: •MBA preferred, but minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year university with a major in business administration, public administration or related field; •Four (4) years of related experience in a small business environment with at least two (2) years of management/supervisory experience. •Actual ownership and management of a private business would be an asset.
Other Requirements: 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. 10.Fluent English 11.Willingness and ability to travel by air and sea.
Salary: Negotiable based on education, experience and ability. Application Process: Persons wishing to obtain a full job description for the position can email to: crhcanada@gmail.com. Moreover, persons wishing to apply for this position should send their applications to crhcanada@gmail.com. Applicants should submit a letter outlining why they are the best person for the position, a resume and at least two references. The DEADLINE date for applications is May 13, 2016.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
Government spending millions on infrastructure, says Hon. Amanda Misick Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Hon. Amanda Misick said government is providing $6.17 million under its roads infrastructure push across the country. "Building quality infrastructure can change people's lives, and it can save people's lives," Hon. Misick said. "These projects will also provide significant opportunities for residents to be employed. This is a clear sign of progress.” Misick, who is the MP for Cheshire Hall, said Government is already addressing the problem in Providenciales by carrying out infrastructure works on Glass Shack Roads Phase one. The scope of work involved in the $1 million project entails the redesigning and resurfacing of the Paradise and Windward roadways, the construction of a roundabout at the junction of these roads, sidewalks, cycle paths and upgrades to the drainage systems. Phase one that began in February of this year is expected to be completed by the end of May 2016. “The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, also undertook road repair work on several major roadways on North Caicos. Some $754,000 was allocated to start the redevelopment and surfacing work of the Belle Field Landing Road, inclusive of sidewalks, cycle paths and upgrades to the drainage system.
Commencement is May 2016, to be completed by October 2016," she added. The Island of North Caicos will see an additional $291,000 to the grading and leveling, and asphalt surfacing to the Major Hill Road. This road will also see a commencement date in May, to be completed by August 2016. Also, finalized are monies for the Lighthouse Road Phase one on Grand Turk. The Government has allocated $3.4 million dollars to the redesigning and resurfacing of this road, inclusive of walkways, cycle paths and improved drainage systems.” “It is important to stress the increasing use of the roads by our residents and visitors for walking and jogging for the purpose of physical exercise, and it was mandatory that we consider accommodating these pedestrians through the creation of more sidewalks across the board,” said Hon. Misick. The Minister added, “We are thankful for your patience and are working on behalf of the Government of The Turks and Caicos to limit any delays, inconveniences, and possible Hon. Amanda Misick with Garvin Thomas, Assistant Deputy Director of Public Works and Roger Harvey, disruptions that may come.” Assistant Civil Maintenance Manager Road works for the Front Street Road in Grand Turk will come directly is awaiting the tender process. consultancy for the Blue Hills from the Sea Wall Redevelopment Consultancy designs for phase Roundabout is scheduled to be sent out Project. The Clement Howell High two of the Glass Shack and Lighthouse soon. School access road is budgeted for and Roads are in the final stages and
Manager – Center for Entrepreneurial Development Vacancy Notice Job Summary: Under the general supervision of the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce/CED, the Manager of the Centre For Entrepreneurial Development (CED) is responsible to manage all aspects of the CED including: creating and administering annual budgets; writing grants and seeking contracts to support budget and operational needs, ensuring contractual milestones are achieved; preparing fiscal reports; overseeing staff; identifying and networking with partner agencies; and providing technical assistance to new and existing business. Qualifications: Knowledge of •General economic development issues •Micro, small and medium operations •Effective marketing •Budget planning, development and monitoring •Business accounting and Financial reporting •Principles of supervision, training and practices of personnel management •Community resources available to micro, small and medium •Standard managerial policies and procedures in operating an organization
•Supervise and evaluate Centre employees •Communicate effectively orally and in writing •Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government, bankers, business and industry representatives •Work with the diverse MSME population, socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, ethnic backgrounds and disabilities of the community. Education and Experience Requirements: •MBA preferred with at least four (4) years of related experience with at least two (2) years of management/supervisory experience or •a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year university with a major in business administration, public administration or related field combined with four (4) years of direct experience business counselling and advisory services and/or operating a small business or •an equivalent combination of education and direct business experience. Other Requirements: 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. 10.Fluent English 11.Willingness and ability to travel by air and sea. Salary: Negotiable based on education, experience and ability.
Ability to •Provide leadership in the CED •Identify funding opportunities •Write effective grants •Deal with the unexpected •Network with the community; speak to the public •Administer the policies of the TCIG related to the operation of the CED
Application Process: Persons wishing to obtain a full job description for the position can email to: crhcanada@gmail.com. Moreover, persons wishing to apply for this position should send their applications to crhcanada@ gmail.com. Applicants should submit a letter outlining why they are the best person for the position, a resume and at least two references.
The DEADLINE date for applications is May 13, 2016.
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 7
LOCAL NEWS
TCI not keen on offering economic citizenship to foreign investors
By Todeline Defralien
Turks and Caicos Islands is not keen on offering economic citizenship like several other Caribbean countries, says Minister of Immigration and Border Control Hon. Donhue Gardiner. Economic citizenship is where you agree to make an investment in a country, usually through the purchase of real estate, and in return the government of that country will grant you a citizenship after they have successfully conducted a background check. The programs are aimed at high net worth individuals who are looking to protect themselves and their families from any oppressive moves made by their home government, enjoy tax benefits and to participate in offshore investments and business opportunities that would not be possible from their home countries. In an interview with The SUN, Gardiner said, “In our consideration of it, one of the things that we didn’t want to do is to actually have a difficulty with some of the other bigger countries around us because you’ve notice for example that St. Kitts and Grenada (who both offer economic citizenship) have been introduced as visa countries for Canada and the UK where their citizens were once allowed to travel without visas. So what you don’t want is to put yourself in a situation where by doing that, you make it more difficult for your
own citizens. As a result of that we decided that it is something that we would not want to peruse at this time.” Gardiner said this is not something that they have closed their minds to; it is something that they would have to do a bit more work on before they can move it forward. In addition to St. Kitts and Grenada, Antigua and Dominica also offer economic citizenship to boost their economies. By far the cheapest deal for citizenship is on the tiny Caribbean island of Dominica. For an investment of US$100,000 plus various fees, as well as an in-person interview on the island, citizenship can be bought. However, experts caution that because the interview committee meets only once a month, actually getting a Dominican passport can take anywhere from five to 14 months. Since Dominica is a Commonwealth nation, citizens get special privileges in the UK, and citizens can also travel to 50 countries, including Switzerland, without a visa. The Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis have the longest running citizenship-by-investment programme (CIP) in the world, which was founded in 1984. In St. Kitts, there are two methods to obtain citizenship, with the cheapest option being a $250,000 non-refundable donation to the St Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation, a public charity. A second option involves a
minimum $400,000 investment in real estate in the country. The programme has recently been singled out by the US Treasury, which cautioned that Iranian nationals could be obtaining passports and then use them to travel to the US or make investments, which could violate US sanctions. (St Kitts closed its programme to Iranians in December 2011.) However, Mr Kalin of Henley and Partners, which helped to set up the programme, says that while the programme has its issues, "St Kitts is relatively well run - it's in a way a model." He adds that Caribbean locations are good for interim passports for "global citizens" who are looking to eventually establish themselves via investments in other "economic citizenship" programmes like those in Portugal or Singapore. Antigua and Barbuda introduced its CIP in late 2013, with similar parameters to the St Kitts model: a $400,000 real estate investment or a $200,000 donation to a charity. In a speech announcing the programme, former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer cited a common reason that countries have increasingly introduced CIPs: an economic slowdown and "the virtual disappearance of traditional funding sources". He cited both the St Kitts example as well as the United States, which allows foreigners to obtain a
green card under the EB-5 visa if they invest $500,000 in a "targeted employment area" and create 10 jobs. (Since 1990, foreigners have invested more than $6.8bn and the US has given out 29,000 visas through the EB-5 programme, although there is a yearly cap of 10,000.) A few days ago the St. Lucia government strongly defended its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) in the face of harsh criticism from an expert in residence and citizenship planning, who described it as poorly designed and lacking transparency and said his firm declined a contract to be a marketing agent for it. In a statement seeking to correct “misconceptions and inaccuracies” about St. Lucia’s economic citizenship programme in an interview with Managing Partner at Henley and Partners, Dr. Juerg Steffen, the Citizenship by Investment Board stood by the CIP.Asked to give his impression of St. Lucia’s CIP, Steffen had said in the interview published on the firm’s website, that “the programme as it appears now is not well designed and has a number of issues, including structural problems and the lack of transparency”. He identified several fundamental problems, and the Citizenship by Investment Board responded to them. Of particular concern was his claim that “there has been no transparency or open tender process” for engaging agencies to market the CIP.
WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT
WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT
Spa Manager
Computer Programmer and IT Specialist
The Spa Manager plays a very important role in the operations of our business. That individual is responsible for driving sales and overseeing the execution/ implementation of key business initiatives of the company. In addition to oversee the day-to-day operations of our spas, maintaining health and beauty standards to exceed expectations of our guest.
Position Summary The Computer Technician installs and configures computer workstations and local area networks, operates and monitors their performances, programming, data analysis, diagnoses and solves their problems and technical support in various capacities. A solid knowledge of various computer programme languages is also necessary.
Is currently seeking to fill the following position:
Position Summary
The Spa Manager also has the responsibility for managing a team of Beauty Therapist and Spa Assistants: he/she will ensure that all policies/procedures have been clearly communicated and adhered to, maintain positive employee relations and ensure that we are staffed with team members who can deliver best practices and high standards in all areas and services. Duties •To manage finance and record keeping. •To perform business tasks, as well as working directly with customers providing selected spa services. •To conduct promotional campaigns, maintaining stock, inventory and payroll management. •To train and supervise staff including employee performance evaluation. •To guide business decisions by keeping abreast with all Spa industry trends. •To create weekly work schedules, compile and submit reports in a timely manner as required. •To liaise with third party providers to increase brand awareness and revenue streams. •Perform other relevant duties as required. Requirements An Associate or Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, resort or business management from a technical school, college or university. Salary Salary is at the rate of $27,000.00 per annum in addition to other benefits. Closing date Friday, 13th May, 2016
Is currently seeking to fill the following position:
Duties •Install and configure local area data communication networks which may carry data, voice and video following organisational standards. •Install, operate and maintain network services, routers, concentrators, hubs, switches, modems and other network devices following technical plans. •Resolve network communication problems to ensure user’s access at all times. •Install or repair computers with standardized applications and networking software, diagnosing and solving problems that develop in their operations. •Respond to users’ queries and explain the operation network applications and equipment. •Assist in the maintenance of standards and documents. •Perform other related duties as required. Requirements A Master’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Systems Management preferred, plus significant training in installations, operations and troubleshooting. Qualified candidates must have five (5) years directly related experience, including: installing and supporting local area networks and workstations. Salary Salary is at the rate of $30,000.00 per annum in addition to a housing allowance of $9,000.00 per annum. Closing date Friday, 13th May, 2016
Waterloo Hotel Management Limited
Providenciales | Turks and Caicos Islands | BWI Human Resources Contact: Cgibbons@wihl or kbeen@wihl.com 649-946-5646 Ext. 7513
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
Police concerned about tourists on scooters
Scooters have scooters," Diamond said. become increasingly popular "Your licence is supposed to among tourists visiting the say the class of vehicle that Turks and Caicos Islands, but you are entitled to drive or they are also a great source of ride. To be specific, you are bother and concern for the supposed to have a Class 5 of police and other road users. licence to ride a bike in Turks Although a special licence and Caicos and some might is required for persons to be just have C-E and you’re not allowed to ride motorbikes supposed to ride bike with here in the Turks and Caicos C-E licence. You have to have Islands, it appears as though G and it’s a concern for the it is not being rigidly enforced police.” and there are concerns that We have spoken with the popularity of tourists on those rental companies about scooters, some of whom can it, because it's more than hardly ride, is an accident just about making money. waiting to happen. It's a safety and legal issue. It is now I’ve seen instances where commonplace to see the some persons it seems like tourists is groups riding it’s their first time on one scooters all across the road, of those bikes. I know they crossing lanes and stopping have a couple of minutes in suddenly, sometimes without training sessions before they regard to other motorists. send them on the road and Sgt. Winston Diamond most of the companies have of the Royal Turks and tour guides, but it's definitely Caicos Islands Police Force, something that we’ve spoke confirmed to the SUN that a about.” Sgt. Winston Diamond special licence is required for Sgt. Diamond said he riding scooters. plans to meet with Deputy and bikes are operating He said police have Director of Road Traffic illegally on the roads. drawn this matter to the Wilbur Caley about the “Recently, one of attention of scooter owners. matter. them got into an accident “You should have Diamond also noted and the person didn’t have a a special licence to ride that many of these scooters licence, the bike was not
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 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.
licensed and insured and they ran into the back of car breaking the windshield. They’re a lot of problems we have to deal with,” he explained.
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.
DELUXE EMPLOYMENT AND RECRUITMENT SERVICES
CHIRAAG LTD
Is seeking on behalf of an establish business organization Candidates to fill the following positions:
Seeking to employ suitable qualified and experience individuals for the following positions listed below
Store Manager: The successful applicant must have a minimum of over five (5) experience in store management within retail outlets. Responsibilities and functions include but not limited to the following: •To consistently offer professional, cordial and engaging services •General concept of computer analysis, quick books, basic graphic art, merchandising, specific, inventory knowledge base and ordering He or she must have the ability to multitask. Salary ranges from $10.00 - $12.00 per hr.
Computer Engineers and Technicians:
The successful applicants must have the requisite qualifications and experience to perform the following duties: •Maintain and repair all computer network and databases for the company and customers •Plan and develop various hardware /software systems and programs •Make systems more efficient in keeping with current data processing methods and machinery for sales forecasting, payroll, program languages etc. •Assist with staff training Salary ranges from $10.00 - $12.00 per hr.
Artist and Graphic Artist: Candidates recruited for these positions should be well focus, a good attention span with the ability to: •Manually sketch drawings for final designing •Create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand •Produce designs that get the clients’ messages across with high visual impact He or she must be able to work under pressure and meet set deadline Salary ranges from $8.00 - $10.00 Salesperson and Sales Clerks: The successful applicants must have excellent customer service skills, with the ability to: •Engage the customer interest •Master the art of selling goods and services •Properly organize and keep inventory of merchandise on display and general stock.
Sales: •Managers •Persons The successful applicants must be computer literate and self driven individuals, with the ability to engage the customers and master the art of selling goods and services. Managers must be knowledgeable of the merchandise and provide technical information to the customers when required; he/she will be responsible for daily sales and activities. Salary:
Store: •Clerks •Domestic workers •Butler Clerks must have the ability to properly organize and keep inventory of goods on display and general stock. The butler must be able to dine the customers while seeking purchases within the stores; He/she is required to have a valid driver’s license to carryout store deliveries and other menial chores. Domestic workers are required to keep the stores clean and carryout other domestic chores within. Salary:
Salary ranges from $ 7:00 - $8.00 per hr Domestic workers and Labourers: We seek to employ unskilled workers to perform the following duties: •General cleaning and maintenance of the building both inside and out •And other duties associated with unskilled chores
Ranges from $7.00 – $12.00 per hr
Ranges from $6.25 - $7.50 per hr
All successful applicants must have strong communication and excellent customer service skills. They may be required to work on a shift basis, weekends and holidays.
Salary $6.25 per hr. All successful candidates must be willing to work on a shift basis and weekends. Contact:
Telephone number 946-8876
or
Email: deluxebusinesscenter@tciway.tc
Contact: Deluxe Employment and Recruitment Services Telephone number 946-8876 or Email: deluxebusinesscenter@tciway.tc
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 9
LOCAL NEWS
Reports from two recent Cabinet meetings
His Excellency the Governor, pump water directly from the sea for Peter Beckingham, chaired the 14th wash down use in the Westroad Fish meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, Market 27th April 2016, at the N.J.S. Francis Building on Grand Turk. •Approved a renewal of the lease for All Ministers were present the TCI Radio Station Sub-Office except the Hon. Minister of Finance, and Public Works Department at Trade and Investment and the Hon. Butterfield Square, Providenciales Minister of Border Control, Labour for the purpose of carrying out and Employment. governments business
in the production of conch over the years
Employee Representatives as follows – Monet Collymore (Chair), Russel Garland (Member) and Penditer APRIL 21ST CABINET MEETING Hutchinson (Member). Cabinet expressed the desire to have this work His Excellency the Governor, completed within the next 4-6 weeks; Peter Beckingham, chaired the 13th meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday, • Advised the Governor to reaffirm 21st April 2016, at the Hon. Hilly the approval granted for a new 25 year Ewing Building on Providenciales. lease to Leeside Estates over Crown All Ministers were present Land parcels 6113/180-191, 312-340 except the Hon. Deputy Premier and and 343-376 inclusive, at Long Bay the Hon. Minister of Border Control Hills, Providenciales, for the purpose and Employment. of pursuing the development of a At this meeting Cabinet: signature residential community for Turks and Caicos Islanders at an •Approved a review of the Trade annual rent of $68,688.90 and 10% Unions Ordinance (Chapter 17.07) of the sale price of the residential with a view to undertaking the parcels which were previously lownecessary consultations and providing lying swamp lands; the appropriate instructions to the Attorney General for the drafting of • Approve the development the amending and or new legislation of a Donkey Sanctuary at parcel deal with trade unions and the 10402/11 (Over Island) as a tourism activities of trade unions generally; attraction to be funded through the monies appropriated in the •Noted the commencement of the TCIG Development Fund. Cabinet Electricity (Amendment) Ordinance additionally agreed to work with on March 1st, 2016 and the effective the Donkey Welfare Committee to date of the appointment of the Board discuss further options to reduce the from April 1, 2016. Approved the donkey population on the island of appointment of Mrs. Teresa Williams- Grand Turk, as well as discussing Andrews as Secretary of the Board with the Committee the proposed new as per Section 2E of the Electricity Sanctuary; (Amendment) Ordinance; • Approved the publication of a •Replaced Paul Gardiner with George Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Hinson as a member of the Physical construction of a Police Headquarters Planning Appeals Board; and supporting facilities on the island of Providenciales; •Considered and approved a planning application from Fortis TCI for the • Approved the development of relocation and placement of high a policy to assist the construction voltage power transmission cables of privately owned primary and between Providenciales and North secondary roads traversed by the Caicos; public;
•Approved a lease for additional rental space for the Ministry of •Advised H.E. the Governor to approve Infrastructure, Housing and Planning the advertisement of a 0.25 acre of and the Ministry of Home Affairs at parcel 60000/649 and parcels 60811/96 Butterfield Square, Providenciales (Providenciales), 20207/62 (South Caicos), and 10407/115 (Grand Turk) •Approved a lease for rental space over which Andrews Communication for the Environmental Health Limited has licences to determine Department at Ruthann Misickwhether there are competing bids Lightbourne building in Grand Turk to acquire leasehold title over the parcels for the purpose of pursuing a •Instructed the Attorney General commercial development, in keeping to consider the most appropriate with the spirit of good governance structure of an ordinance for the and section 35 of the Crown Land Ministry, Departments and Divisions Ordinance considering PWD ordinances from other jurisdictions to regulate the •Granted permission for the Turks and Ministry of Infrastructure, PWD Caicos Islands to apply for membership and the Estates Department and a of CABI (Centre for Agriculture separate Roads Ordinance and Biosciences International) and for the Director of Agriculture to be •Approved the formation of a Steering liaison person to CABI. The annual Committee that will progress membership fee is to be paid from the discussions and interventions towards Department of Agriculture’s Budget the development and implementation of a single IT System/Revenue •Gave approval to the Turks and Collection Agency. Membership Caicos National Museum to relocate shall include the Director of the the Burrell Steam Road Locomotive Central Information Technology Unit, from West Caicos to Providenciales TCIG Revenue Commissioner, one and to restore and preserve the representative from the Ministry Of Burrell Tractor for public display Health, Ministry of Border Control and Labour, Attorney Generals •Approved a reduction of the Chambers, National Insurance Board Performance Bond from $500,000 to and National Health Insurance Board $100,000 for the initial stages of the dredging for the first 20,000 cubic •Gave approval for the NIB to •Approved the establishment of a • Approved amendments to yards of sand removed (initial phase) proceed with its planned information working group to review the Service the Customs (Government Transit in relation to an application from technology implementations on the Charge Ordinance and the practices Shed and Queen’s Warehouse Rent) Parrot Cay to dredge the Sandy Point basis that it will ensure compatibility of the hotel and restaurant industry Regulations under Section 19 and 66 Channel. with the new consolidated system as it relates to the application of of the Customs Ordinance to permit the management of service charges a waiver of storage fees for goods •In line with Section 54.2(b) granted •Instructed DEMA to consider a within the industry. Membership retained in the warehouse for more Development Permission for the request for the CITES quota to be shall include the Commissioner of than 30 days subject to the payment of Public Works Department to install increased in the Turks and Caicos Labour, Commissioner of Revenue, the Duty and CPF and a reduction in a concealed pipe in the beach in the Islands as it relates to the exportation Representative AG Chambers, the current rates by 50% for general Columbus National Park in order to of conch as a result of a noted increase Representative TCHTA and three merchandise. AT THIS MEETING CABINET:
Scotiabank named Best Emerging Markets Bank for 2016 in Turks and Caicos
Sean Brathwaite, Managing Director, Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Limited
Scotiabank has been recognized by Global Finance magazine as the Best Emerging Markets Bank in Turks & Caicos for 2016. “We are very proud and honoured to have been recognized by Global Finance as the Best Emerging Markets Bank in Turks and Caicos,” said Sean Brathwaite, Managing Director, Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Limited. “I would like to thank our employees for their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to serving our customers and to our customers for trusting Scotiabank with their financial needs.” Scotiabank also received one of the Best Emerging
Markets Bank award in The analysts, corporate executives banking consultants, Bahamas, Barbados, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago, and U.S. selected the best emerging markets bank in the region and Virgin Islands “The world’s banks in 26 countries. Criteria for continue to deal with a number choosing the winners included of headwinds – including growth in assets, profitability, geopolitical risk, volatile economic strategic relationships, customer and market conditions and still- service, competitive pricing, and changing regulatory regimes,” innovative products. In addition, said Joseph D. Giarraputo, a poll of Global Finance’s publisher and editorial director of corporate readership was Global Finance. “We honour those conducted in order to increase banks that excel at addressing the accuracy and reliability of the the needs of their clients and results. will be have the deepest commitment to Winners the market in which they operate, honoured at an Award Ceremony despite the uncertain conditions held during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, they face.” Global Finance editors, DC on the morning of October 8 with input from industry at the National Press Club.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
Beaches taxi drivers respond to protesting colleagues by George Hinson President of Unique Taxi and Bus Group
UNIQUE TAXI AND BUS GROUP LIMITED has signed a contract with BEACHES RESORT AND SPA to provide the transfer of guests from the Beaches property to the Providenciales International Airport ONLY. The other Taxi Associations, Unions and SUVs transfer tourists from the Airport to Beaches Resort. It is customary for some of our members to go to the Airport for additional work after finishing their transfers from Beaches. Many other Taxi Cabs go into the Grace Bay area and work from the Resorts until 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. after which time they also seek additional jobs from the Airport, especially on Saturdays. There are other Associations, Unions George Hinson - President of Unique Taxi and members and Taxi Companies that, like Unique Taxi Protesting taxi drivers Bus Group and Bus Group Ltd., have special arrangements and agreements with resorts to provide transportation holding the contract, which was Provo Taxi and Bus service is a key component. If government starts to services from their property to the Airport. Group Ltd. dictate the level of service that the resorts should When Beaches brings in 800 guests, the Our company has developed a get from transportation providers, it will have a Airport Taxis and SUVs transfer these guests to transportation Policy and Procedures Manual to negative effect on the country’s tourism product Beaches, along with guests going to other resorts, govern our company’s members. This document was especially when the service provided is not in line and do this for a higher price. Our company will presented to Beaches Resort and Spa when we made with the resorts’ service standards. only provide Taxi transfers for guests from Beaches our presentation during our negotiation meeting. In Taxi drivers are some of the first people to the airport, together with private SUVs service. this manual the scope of the transportation policy is that visitors meet when they arrive in the TCI, The market is almost balanced, where the Airport outlined as the following: therefore they should provide the tourists with the Taxis gain more, based on our agreement with highest level of quality service ensuring that their Beaches Resort and Spa Property Policies Beaches Resort. first impression of our country and service will be a Some years ago, Beaches opened the Laws, Transportation, Procedures, lasting impression. transportation service from the Resort to the Airport Personal Appearance, Vehicle Standards Taxis operators do not bring tourist to ,Company Rules andRegulations, Payment for all taxi drivers. these Islands; we are only asked to provide quality However, the Taxi drivers’ negative behavior Schedule, Code of Conduct, Dispute and Fines transportation service to their desired destination. on the property and numerous complaints from Suspensions and Termination Therefore when the resorts demand a high level guests resulted in the resort’s decision to close this of transportation service that meets their guests’ Our reputation is embedded in our policies expectation, there should be no obstacle in their way, open door transportation service. The Associated Taxis then came together and procedures, and we stand by very word. We were especially when the resorts are paying millions of and made a proposal to Beaches Resort to pay a awarded the contract because we provided details of dollars to advertise their properties and the country set fee for adults to and from the resort to ensure how we proposed to operate at Beaches Resort and internationally. The resort needs guests to return; the transportation service remains open to all Spa and guarantees high quality transportation this is how their market remains sustainable, and Taxi operators. This information was circulated service for the resort. this can only be achieved with the highest level of Our Government has called for more guest service satisfaction. to all Government party leaders, Minister and department officials responsible for Road Safety. Turks and Caicos Islanders to be involved in the One of our country’s focus for Tourism should Beaches liked the proposal, but requested a copy Tourism market. Therefore, we as Turks and Caicos be on QUALITY SERVICE. If we can consistently of the Association’s Policy and Procedures which Islanders have to position ourselves to do just that. deliver this type of service, we should continue to outlines how the association would manage its If we cannot move ahead in our own country then the have a sustainable Tourism market. question arises as to who the tourism market is for. I members. Unique Taxi and Bus Group Ltd, will continue Most of the members did not want to comply believe our Government created these opportunities to deliver safe, reliable, quality transportation with the rules and regulations set by the association, for us, and we as Turks and Caicos Islanders must service to our guests and stakeholders satisfaction, this situation remain today at the Airport. This embrace them when they present themselves. now and for the future. Tourism is the life blood of our country and resulted in the Private Transportation Company
Staff of TCI Revenue Department understudy Inland Revenue Dpt. in St. Kitts and Nevis The team of eight (8) officers from the Revenue Department recently returned from St. Kitts and Nevis on a one-week professional attachment at Inland Revenue Department from April 18th to April 22nd 2016. This initiative afforded the officers with the opportunity to understudy that jurisdiction’s tax operations, develop an understanding of best practices utilized in the various functions of tax administration, enhance capacity building and professional development and forge information sharing and networking relationships. The team was led by Assistant Commissioner of Revenues, Mrs. Hilda Caley and Mr Ferique Bruce and comprised of two (2) Senior Tax Officers; Brendalee Williams and Khyla Callender, three (3) Tax Officers; Nycaine Cunningham, Natasha Ewing & Lekensay Missick and Carmaine Ariza, Application Support Officer from the Accountant Generals Office. The attachment commenced with introductions at the opening
meeting and presentations from both IRD St. Kitts and TCI Revenue Department. The day concluded with a discussion on SIGTAS and other IT tools. On day 2, officers were assigned to understudy their respective work functions in the morning and regrouped to discuss Program Management and Intelligence, which continued into day 3 when they observed Business Licence Processing and held discussions with the Accountant General. The Staff visited Nevis Sub Offices on day 4 and concluded on day 5 with an overview and closure meeting with management of the St. Kitts’ Inland Revenue Department. H.E. Deputy Governor, Hon. Anya Williams stated; “I was happy to fund and support the program from the Professional Development Fund, which seeks to improve efficiency and service delivery across Turks & Caicos Islands Government. These programs create opportunities for exposure and information sharing geared at promoting about innovation and change in TCIG’s Public Service.
Staff of tci revenue department “This is the second such initiative to take place in the Turks and Caicos Islands Revenue Department whereby 8 other officers during the month of March were also able to benefit as well from a similar experience at the Inland Revenue Department in Jamaica. As we seek to build capacity across the civil service and to improve efficiency in our core customer centered departments, these types of initiatives are imperative to our organization.” She added; “We extend our gratitude to the St. Kitts & Nevis
Inland Revenue Departments for facilitating this program and we look forward to future partnership opportunities.” The Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mrs. Athenee Basden also expressed gratitude stating; “The Turks & Caicos Islands Revenue Department continues to undergo reform in an effort to strengthen capacity, tax administration and compliance in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The opportunity afforded to the Staff is invaluable and we will continue to support these initiatives.”
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Ladies of Tomorrow Empowerment luncheon to be held next week By Todeline Defralien The Diamond League Foundation in association with the Department of Youth Affairs partnered to host the first annual Ladies of Tomorrow Empowerment Luncheon honoring great women in the community. The purpose of this initiative is to raise money for the second annual Girls Summer Camp which will be held at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre July 2016 to empower young girls. This first fundraiser from the Diamond League foundation is to honor women within the TCI community who have been doing amazing work within their unique fields. Organiser Kency ‘Stevenica’ Garland told The SUN, that the
Diamond League community in one Honorary. She added: “The reason Foundation which way or another, or who are all why it’s called Ladies of Tomorrow is an all girls about woman Empowerment Luncheon is just organization e m p o w e r m e n t , ” basically that these are the ladies that geared towards Garland said. we consider to be taking over the Turks girls 12- 18 years old, is about The women and Caicos for tomorrow. They are not to be honored are: just here temporarily, but they’re here empowerment, Chrystal Charles to make a difference today, tomorrow self worth, growth, – Entertainment, and years to come. The people that we and progression. Charrish Ferguson choose are young ladies, young women T h e luncheon will be - Arts & Media, and women of tomorrow.” On the actual day of the event held at Crackpot Karen Whitt – Kitchen on Hospitality, Ashley they will be presenting the honorees Adams - Social with their awards and there will be a Saturday May Work, Jasmine special guest speaker for the night. A 7th, 2016 at 11am2pm. Parker - Youth performance will be done by Philippa Affairs, Yolande Parker Mayham. “ W e ’ r e Organizer Kency ‘Stevenica’ Garland To purchase tickets for the honoring people Robinson – in the community that we felt have Education, Sonia Bien-Aime – Sports, event you can call 332-1011 or email to been doing good with work within Tianna Williams – Entrepreneurship, diamondleague@outlook.com their fields and have given back to the and Barbara Handfield - Special reserve your tickets.
BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES POSITIONS AVAILABLE
InterCaribbean Airways has the following vacancies and is seeking suitable qualified applications that are Belongers or PRC holders: 1. Captains and first Officers for our EBM120 fleet, applicants must 5 years or more experience on aircraft type. 2. Baggers handlers: Must have a high school diploma, clean police record, and be able to stand for long periods, Can perform tasks of heavy lifting and can work outside in extreme weather conditions. Also must be willing to work on weekends and public holidays. 3. Flight Attendants: 1-2 years experience on EBM 120 aircraft type, excellent communicator of English language, strong leadership qualities, Independent thinker, and ability to multitask. Is in possession of a valid passport. Claudette Gibson is seeking to fill the position of labourer. MUST be reliable and trustworthy. Clean Police record. Wages is $5.00p/h Contact phone #6493321963 no calls after 6pm.
Island Pride Fuel One (1) Gas Attendant Good oral and written skills, no experience necessary. Knowledge of basic mechanically skills would be an asset. Knowledge to maintain gas pump machines would be an asset. Wages: $6.50 per hour Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified. Submit applications to by May 3, 2016 to:
Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211
TCI PAY DAY LOANS Helping People Help Themselves Seeking to employ a:
Business Development Officer The successful candidate must be self-motivated With an excellent command of the English Language both written and oral Must be computer literate Requirements: A minimum of four (4) years experience and qualifications In Business administration, Public relations and Customer services Salary package will commensurate with qualifications and experience Ranging from: 24,500.00 - $25, 000.00 per annum Contact: Deluxe Employment and Recruitment Services Telephone number 946-8876 or Email: deluxebusinesscenter@tciway.tc
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
New direct Service between South Caicos and Grand Turk A partnership between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and indigenous airline company, Caicos Express airways is already bringing relief to a domestic route which was dropped five months ago. Co-owner, experienced pilot Richardson ‘Richie’ Arthur of Caicos Express Airways confirmed with media that since Friday April 1, 2016 his company revived the commute between Grand Turk and South Caicos, and much to the delight of residents who had been forced to travel through Provo from South Caicos in order to get to Grand Turk, which takes more time and costs more money. He added: “We’ve partnered in a subsidy initiative to provide nine flights weekly directly to South Caicos from Grand Turk and we think this is the right start. Our hope is that it will be a long-term arrangement, as we want to continue the route and we think the people who needed this to be returned, want us to continue as well.” Caicos Express Airways is now serving the Grand Turk to South Caicos route with a Cessna 402 eightseater plane, but Arthur said that if the demand is there, they can upgrade on size to the 19-seater. “We have repositioned scheduling and made the changes
Caicos Express Airways getting ready for take-off from Provo Intl Airport necessary and requested of us by a concerned government to accommodate the leg. We didn’t have much time to meet the request but we
recognized how taxing it had become for travelers to fly north and then back down south; taking hours, when the flight between the two islands is just
10 minutes,” Arthur stated. Caicos Express says the nine flights per week include two flights on Tuesdays and two flights on Thursdays.
multi task Knowledge of the law and ethical concerns relating to medicines Excellent customer service skills Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other medicine dispensing software
National Health Insurance Board PHARMACIST JOB SPECIFICATION
Core Functions: Establish and manage appropriate inventory and dispensing of medicines for clients of the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) resident in the Family Islands. Education/Experience/licensing: A Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from a recognized tertiary institution At least three (3) years’ experience as a practicing pharmacist (hospital experience an asset) Certification in Customer Service, Supervisory Management, Human Resource Management or related field. Eligible for Registration with the Health Practitioner’s Board of the Turks & Caicos Islands Specialized Skills, Techniques/Learned Disciplines: Ability to accurately and efficiently dispense medications Ability to communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals Ability to work with minimal supervision, prioritize and
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILTIES Checks on correct dosage and combinations of medicine being dispensed and that they are appropriate and safe for the individual patient Participate in patient care, taking patient drug history and involvement in decision making on appropriate treatments. Monitor and implement inventory of medicines and manage supplies efficiently. Directly supervise the Pharmacy Assistants at the Primary Health Care Clinics in the dispensing of medicines. Ensures that all public health programmes comply with the pharmacy regulations and or maintain acceptable standards for pharmacy and drug administration. Counsel patients on the use of medications Participates in formulary review Application Procedure Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by a Cover Letter and two letters of reference (one preferably from former employer) as well as copies of educational certified certificates and a copy of the Passport photo page. Shortlisted candidates must submit a Police Certificate. Application deadline No later than May 13, 2016. Application should be addressed to: Zaneta Burton Chief Executive Officer National Health Insurance Board Salt Mills Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Email: recruitment@tcinhip.tc
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Page 13
LOCAL NEWS
TCI Hospital celebrates 6 years The Turks and Caicos Islands "Our commitment to our Hospital celebrated their six years patients and families is to improve of service to the country on Monday their health care experience," she said. April 25th, 2016 at the lawn area of the "There is no excuse for delivering poor Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. care and this must and will not become This year, their focus is our legacy. Caring for patients is our community service. To commemorate core mandate. In caring for patients the six year anniversary, they our attitude has to be at its best. An held a ceremony under the theme engaged health care provider goes the ‘Partnerships for Community Service’. extra mile to ensure safe, competent, In attendance were Government and companionate care. Your patient Ministers, including the Premier Hon. does not care how much you know, Dr. Rufus Ewing, who is Minister of until they know how much you care. Health, our Senior Management Team, The patient is the most important stakeholders and friends. visitor to our hospital. The patient is The highlight of the event was a not dependant on us, we are dependent presentation to the Ministry of on the patients. The patient is not an Education, in support of school/library interruption in our work. The patient supplies. is the purpose for it. The patient is Chief of Medical Services, not an outsider in our hospital, the Dr. Denise Brathwaite-Tennant said, patient is part of it. We are not doing “You don’t build a house without its the patient favor by serving him or her; foundation. You don’t build a hospital the patient is doing us a favor by giving without its staff. I take great pleasure us the opportunity to do so.” in wishing you a happy anniversary She stressed that they have a and expressing my deep appreciation lot to be proud of and told the staff to for your invaluable service to the many always hold their head up high and to patients, family and wider community. never doubt their contribution despite Since opening you (the staff) treated in the negativity. our outpatient department 189,095. In “I believe our greatest our emergency department, 171,610, resources is each other and our in our inpatient department, 10, 022 strength is in what we do, how we patients, in our surgical services 8,073 work together, working effectively, patients, in our laboratory services 1.8 efficiently and collaboratively to million and last but not least in our ensure quality services in a safe and rehabilitative services, 13,387.” friendly environment. The patient Brathwaite-Tennant said is central to what we do for without success in life has to nothing to do with them there would be no reason to walk what you gain in life or accomplish for through these doors. It is not our desire yourself, it’s what you do for others. for persons to be unwell but if they are
Library staff, Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Services Hon. Akierra Missick and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Carriere presenting the $6000.00 cheque to the Ministry of Education, Library Services unwell it is our goal that trust is built visit and are impressed with what we and patients leave better than when have here in Turks and Caicos. Six they came to us. We must be the care years tell you that we’re not a start up givers that patients, family and friends anymore, we’re now moving beyond our believe they can trust, that we care and formative years and we’re maturing as that be confident in what we are doing an organization. We’re nearing a point and that we’re doing the best for them,” where our focus will be what lays ahead Braithwaite-Tennant noted. and not how we got here and how our Chief Executive Officer Daniel transitions today was accomplished. Carriere, in his remarks, said “We’ve all You should never forget where you come a very long way, I would imagine came from, but now we must now look many years ago when I wasn’t here forward to the new developments and that this hospital was conserved from the new challenges that we face such as a bold, aggressive national health care the new services that are required here strategy to address the most important on the island. There are new services facets of people’s lives and a country's that we can apply in conjunction with obligation; that being health care. I the NHIP, man power recruitment and come from a country where health retention. What we have to focus on care is clearly a right and not just a also is that the type of people we want privilege and I see that here also in in this organization have to mirror the Turks and Caicos.” qualities that Dr. Braithwaite spoke He added: “Now we are the about.” envy of many Caribbean nations who
Governor sets out challenges facing Turks and Caicos Islands and the UK Governor Peter Beckingham was the guest of honour and speaker at the annual dinner of the Soroptomists Grand Turk Branch on 15 April, 2016. He spoke about some of the similar challenges facing the Turks and Caicos Islands and the UK in the months and years ahead, and highlighted some of the current benefits of TCI’s existing relationship with the UK. “Both our countries face important decisions about regional and global challenges, including migration, security and national disasters, and our place in our regions” the Governor said. “Unlike the UK and some EU and other countries, TCI does not currently face the ever present threat of terrorism, but we do need to ensure that we are as well prepared as possible for natural
disasters and any other issues that would impact on the well-being of the people of TCI, on tourism and on the economy." “Similarly” the Governor continued “both our countries face challenges about migration and the integration of minorities. The migration issues facing the UK and Europe are of course on a different scale to those of Turks and Caicos. But as European countries tackle the problems of absorbing millions of minority communities, so TCI needs to think in the medium term about its willingness or otherwise to embrace foreigners, both from the region and globally. If our tourism expansion continues at the current rate then we need to make decisions about how we handle the increased demand for
a skilled workforce. The business of international tourism, in which we are now a significant player, demands the responsible and sensitive involvement of government in all decisions, from employment to environment.” The Governor compared the decision facing Britain in June about its relationship with the EU, with the discussion in TCI about its relationship with the UK. “As British Ministers have repeatedly said” the Governor continued, “if the people of an Overseas Territory wish to consider the possibility of independence then we will not stand in the way of a referendum. “There are some obvious benefits to the relationship with the UK, including especially in education, access to Europe, and support for
Governor Peter Beckingham government institutions and security. But it would be for the people of TCI to make up their own minds about whether those benefits outweigh the advantages of becoming an independent country,” the Governor said.
InterCaribbean and Beaches Resorts sponsor group of Puerto Rico travel professionals
InterCaribbean Airways and Beaches Resorts are hosting a group from the Puerto Rican Travel Agency Association, as the Association celebrates their annual Pre-Convention on our island. The Group arrived in Providenciales on Saturday April 30th 2016. InterCaribbean Airways, began servicing San Juan, Puerto
Rico in 2015 and since then has continued to enhance the route; In fact, the carrier is adding a third weekly frequency to San Juan beginning June. Trevor Sadler, CEO of InterCaribbean Airways said, “We strongly believe in the Puerto Rico market and look forward to having an even more successful operation
with this third weekly service starting this Summer”. Summer schedule is as follows: JY291 Providenciales to San Juan Mon Wed Fri 11: 50am 01:45pm JY292 San Juan to Providenciales Tue
Thu Sat 01:05pm 03:00pm
Seats are bookable immediately at interCaribbean. com, by calling our reservations centers, calling or visiting a preferred Travel Agencies, and/ or visiting our airport locations during
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
TCI Invest now accepting business proposals By Todeline Defralien The Micro Small, Medium Enterprise (MSME) program was recently launched by a panel at the press Conference held at the Premier’s office on Monday April 25th, 2016. Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick said the small medium enterprise is part of any economy as it is extremely important, noting that in large countries including the United Kingdom, some 90% of the businesses are classified as small medium enterprises. “I think this is an area that we need to put a lot of emphases on and so the launch is really the first step and what we really want to do is to encourage entrepreneurship because there’s a big difference between entrepreneurship and trading, reinvoicing. What we have here people buying and selling stuff and that is not my definition of being an entrepreneur.” He added: “I think that it needs to be stretched out a little longer, a little deeper, a little wider to create more creativity, productivity whether it’s primary or secondary production, but we want to get people thinking creatively and if you look at the list of preferred endeavors in the back of the ordinance you will see that the focus is on agriculture, technology, particular emphasis is placed on the hospitality industry, trying to encourage the local
From L-R (Sophia Thomas, Newly appointed CEO for Invest TCI John Rutherford, Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick, Trina Adams-Smith and Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Finance Mr. Arthur Been. community to get involved in bed and breakfast. At the end of the day what we’re trying to do is to make sure we have an inclusive economy where no one is really left behind.” Misick stated that the funding that they’ve made available so far is expandable based on the success and the level of demand that they see and also they want to make it very clear that the program is not really providing any funding for retail businesses, particularly in the traditional areas of dry goods and food. “A very important part of the functioning of this program is the service level agreement that we will be having with CED (Central entrepreneurial Development) that
RBC ROYAL BANK (BAHAMAS) LIMITED is presently considering applications for: CREDIT OFFICER – RBC TURKS & CAICOS BRANCH The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications: •3 or more years Banking Experience •AICB/ABIFS Diploma or a degree in banking or a related field would be an asset •Previous experience in portfolio and liability administration would be an asset
Key Skills: •Negotiating/Selling •Relationship building •Impact and Influence •Ability to manage multiple priorities •Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills •Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Key Responsibilities: •Contributes to meeting team sales plan, and related activities through effective assessment of customer financial needs, providing product solutions •Contribute to strategic business priorities by successfully sourcing, acquiring and anchoring new clients to Retail Account Managers thereby growing revenue and enhancing customer loyalty. •Develops and maintains relationships with service partners to optimize business opportunities and referrals. A competitive compensation package (base salary & bonus) will be commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications.
Interested persons should apply by May 9th, 2016 and follow the steps below: •Go to jobs.rbc.com •Type Turks & Caicos in the search by location box •Then select Search Jobs •Select the role you wish to apply for
organization will be the integral part of the support mechanism to make sure that when someone does present an application for assistance to the Invest TCI all of the eyes are dotted in and there’s follow up to make sure that every effort is being given to make sure that the small medium or micro businesses is successful,” Misick noted. Newly appointed CEO for Invest TCI John Rutherford said program kicked off since April and it covers three areas of concessions, one is in terms of a cash grant and that cash grant is for micro enterprises, the second area is duty concessions and that is small micro and medium enterprises can qualify for duty concessions to help with building their raw materials and the start up
cost of a new venture and the third area is around technical assistance. Technical assistance, he said, can be in helping an entrepreneur, a business to develop their product whether it be through labeling and through marketing. Rutherford stressed that what they are really encouraging persons to be innovative and creative and there will be a lot of applications coming in and they don’t want just a repeat of something which is already going on. What they want to find is new ideas which will really drive the economy, he said. “The CED is a non-profit organization with a mandate to help to strengthen the Micro Small and medium sector of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We want to encourage the nation, we want our MSME’s to be resilient, and we also want them to exercise proper managerial skills in operating in their businesses and we want them to continue to see themselves as valuable in contributing to the economic growth of the TCI,” Sophia Thomas said. Invest TCI will be holding town hall meetings in all of the islands over the next couple of weeks, Providenciales will be on Monday April 26th, 2016, Grand Turk on Wednesday April 27th, in Salt Cay on April 28th, and next week they will be in North, Middle and South Caicos of May 4th.
Construction Supervisor: Qualifications: - Must Be License Civil Engineer - 10 Years Working Experience in Construction Industry. - Expertise in contract evaluation in relation to tender documents, potential claims and analysis including evaluation of time extension and variation orders. - Extensive experience in all aspects of Construction Management and implementation, organizing & co-facilitating sessions dealing Project Planning and Scheduling, including time impact analysis, Schedule Development, Management Plan, Risk Management Plan, Project Schedule to measure work progress and development. Typical Work Activities: 1.Participates in and may lead project cost review meetings. 2.Participates in analyzing and using financial data to identify project issues. 3.Evaluates manpower, labour hour and labour cost requirements versus budget limitations including preparation of variance analysis. 4.Possesses the knowledge of scope control and change management. Involved in the tracking system to insure that project management is fully aware of detailed change order status. 5.Creates and assists with cost/ schedule baseline budgets. 6.Knowledgeable with company financial systems and processes. 7.Skilled in the use of company construction software and able to represent cost data formats necessary to control the project. 8.Understands financial terminology and measures and recognizes the financial impact in various project actions. 9.Prepare management in development of strategies and plans. Applications together with accompanying CV and certified copies of professional qualifications, etc. may be addressed to: The Managing Director Olympic Construction Limited Waterloo Plaza Complex Waterloo Road Grand Turk Turks and Caicos Islands Mobile No. 649-231-6525 Office No. 649-946-1278 Fax No. 649-946-1101 Email: info@olympic.tc
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Inside Prince’s $12million mansion in Turks and Caicos Islands
Although recording artist Prince spent the majority of his time at the $10 million, 65,000-square-foot Paisley Park Studios, in Chanhassen, Minnesota, outside Minneapolis, he also frequented his $12million mansion on the island of Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Robert Greenwood of Christie’s International Real Estate in the Turks and Caicos, said the resident is amongst the most exquisite estates in the Caribbean. “He moved in without any great fanfare, but still unmistakably Prince with the first project at his new home being the addiction of his trademark ‘Purple’ through the renovation of the estates driveway,” Greenwood said. “He was often seen around town or at the Amanyara, especially during the New Year’s celebration where live music was part of the entertainment and potential guest appearances by the legend himself. However, he always remained reserved and private, something that the Turks and Caicos offers those who are continually in the spotlight. Known for his deep desire for privacy, the music legend found peace and tranquility within his stunning 10,000 square foot, 10 bedroom estate. located on the island of Providenciales. Originally on the market for just under $14,000,000 the property was purchased for an undisclosed amount,
sitting room area, full kitchen and private terrace with steps down to the beach. There is also a separate, three – bedroom staff house, with open kitchen and living area, bathroom. These are some photos of the residence.
The house is superbly positioned above two iron shore peninsulas and private white sand beaches, with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Upon arrival, you will find fully automated entrance gates, a commanding driveway, covered car portico, two car garage and grand entrance foyer. There is a lighted tennis court and 200 ft. boat dock up to the heart of the property, where you can choose to enter the home or take in the amazing views of the ocean, the two beaches, the tropical gardens and various trails, hammocks, and seating areas. The main villa includes a hexagonal great room with ocean views on two sides and marina on the other,
entrance foyer, dining room, spacious kitchen with high end amenities, undercover terrace with large indoor / outdoor cocktail area, ultra spacious master suite with his and hers walk in closets, two further en – suite bedrooms, gym / studio, media room and home theater. The attached guest wing features two bedrooms with shared balcony. The king room has a dual outlook of both ocean and pool, and the twin room has ocean view, with shared bathroom and laundry room. The adjacent guest house features two upper level bedrooms with Juliette balconies and ocean views, bathroom and laundry area. The lower level provides open plan dining, kitchen,
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
Wrightfully Fit Gym opens third location in TCI
By Todeline Defralien
Well known fitness gym Wrightfully Fit hosted their official grand opening ceremony on Saturday April 16th, for their third location adding the Wright Hook Boxing Gym onto the list. The grand opening was attended by more than 100 people who were treated to a live DJ, food, lots of drinks and a visit from retired professional boxer Michael Moorer. CEO/Founder of Wrightfully Fit Centre John Wright said, “This particular gym here is pretty much like a vision that I had as far as like training and it’s a different concept from the other fitness centers. This is more like a functional training center and I wanted to implement also a boxing gym for several different reasons. The main reason is that it’s a great workout. The boxing regimen that I have designed here is only a 30-minute workout and you will burn calories in this 30-minute work out that you can burn in an hour workout.” He added: “This gym is basically designed to do cross fit training/cross training as well, which is all functional training, a lot of body strength, agility, core, and ropes and that was my vision and idea of having
something totally different that is not here on the island and I think that I’ve accomplished that.” Wright said the feedback from the community in the TCI has been amazing and humbling and he feels really blessed to be able to provide this facility to people who enjoy fitness. He also would like to invite other fitness professionals to work at his fitness centre. He said, “Another Long term vision I have is to have superstar boxers come here and do boxing training camps. You know the saying if you build it they will come. So we have the facilities here now to facilitate the boxing training.” Retired professional boxer Michael Moorer who was brought to the TCI for the grand opening of the Wright Hook Boxing Gym said, “It’ was indeed an honor and to be a part of this for John because I now he’s been talking about this for quite some time and it finally came into fruition, and I think it’s going to be a success for him. We spoke about me coming back to have some training classes with this kids so I will be back soon.” Wright was initially brought to the Turks and Caicos Islands by Former First Lady LisaRaye McCoy Misick to help train her and Former Premier Michael Misick for their
CEO/Founder of Wrightfully Fit Centre John Wright and Retired professional boxer Michael Moorer weeding ten years ago. Since then, he has been making a big name for himself here in the TCI and can now say he and his wife own three gyms here in Providenciales. The goal of Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center is to create the best fitness environment where our members
can find their own inner strength and achieve their personal goals and results. The locations of the gyms are in Turtle Cove, Salt Mills Plaza and the new Wright Hook Boxing Gym on the Leeward Highway in Providenciales.
Windvibes to kick off its 10th Annual event in July
By Todeline Defralien
The Turks and Caicos Islands largest watersports event Windvibes is getting ready to kick off its 10th annual event on July 10th and is already promising to be one you don’t want to miss. Hope Levin, founder of the event, told The SUN that the concept of the event is going to be pretty much the same, with mature events and all the water sports, kite boarding and Kayaking, swimming and peddling, log throwing, tug-o-war and charity challenge. There are two main events scheduled for Windvibes 2016 this year which are The Windvibes Gala which will be held on Long Bay Beach near Shore Club with be on June 9th, 2016 and the Main event will be held on Sunday July 10th, 2016. "Everything is basically going to be the same and we’re just going to be bring new personalities from internationally and we’re going to be having a big marketing push this year to raise money for charity,” she said. “We have big charity plans this year to celebrate our 10 years of events. The National Trust will be once again a charity, but we’re going to wait a couple weeks until we announce what our big idea is. We do have a goal for this year’s event but we’re going to announce that when we unveil our art project in
May. We are definitely looking for local sponsors to get involved and they can contact us on the website: facebook. com/Windvibes.” She said, “I initially started the event in 2007 but I definitely can’t claim that I’m the only one doing it. It’s really a community effort and so many people are involved. Windvibes kind of goes hand and hand with my professional kiteboarding so that’s what I do year round. I’ll travel to different events and do photo shoots but I always come back home and organize Windvibes.” “The event a family oriented event, it’s a big beach day for the whole family to come out. Big Blue brings out all their paddle boards and kayaks and people are free to use those. We really focus on the family unit and just having a really fun beach day, beach experience and kind of experiential event where you come to Windvibes and you actually experience something and you get to be out in the waters and have fun,” She noted. Levin said that this year they are thinking about adding some new beach activities and well as a beach Olympics. She explained “Now it’s really become an amazing platform to do good for the community and that’s what we’re really focusing on the charity aspect this year that we have all these people coming to the beach and we have people flying in for the event in Turks
and Caicos and we want to capitalize on that and help the community about what’s happening.” When asked what Windvibes really brings to the table for the TCI she said, “Windvibes can really help to show the beautiful waters in Turks and Caicos and the possibilities for watersports here in the TCI. Kiteboarding has grown hugely in the Turks and Caicos it’s so easy to reach from the USA in such a beautiful and perfect location to kiteboard and that is something that can be translated into kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming and these are all things that can bring tourism to Turks and Caicos. Paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the US(United States) right now and these are people paddle boarding on lakes and rivers and they would jump at an opportunity to come and paddle board in the Turks and Caicos waters where it’s beautiful and clear and you see juvenile marine life and everything.” This year they are again excited to be working with the DO IT Centre on their big art project which is going to be fabulous. Windvibes is an amateur watersports event combining the sports of kiteboarding, kayaking, standing up paddling, swimming and windsurfing. It also organises many family friendly beach games through the day. It’s the Turks and Caicos Islands largest watersports event and annually attracts hundreds to the
Hope Levin Founder of Windvibes beach. The event was started in 2007 with the goal of promoting fun, active and healthy watersports in the Turks and Caicos. As it gained popularity they’ve begun to use it as a platform for the good of the entire Turks and Caicos community. Last year they raised over $10,000 for the Turks and Caicos National Trust.
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Seven Stars Resort & Spa is seeking suitably qualified individuals to fill the positions outlined below. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications, possess a clean police record, and be fluent in the English language.
SPA THERAPISTS Salary $6.31 per hour plus commission. Candidates will join our team in our newly expanded award winning Spa and will be therapists as well as have opening and closing duties. Minimum Requirements: •5 years’ experience as a therapist •Relevant degree or equivalent combination of experience and education •Knowledge of holistic concepts and treatments including facials, full body treatments, massages, physiotherapy, and manicures and pedicures •Enthusiastic demeanor with excellent customer service skills
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER We are seeking an accomplished individual with demonstrated experiences in Hotel/Resort Finance & Controls. Salary range begins at $60,000 and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. Minimum Requirements: •12 to 15 years hands-on experience as a Hotel Financial Controller •Demonstrated experience & background in Hotel/Resort Finance & Controls with specific emphasis on financial reporting, investments, risk management and cash flow analysis. •Solid English communication skills •Excellent people skills, high-energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and professionalism •Caribbean or similar International exposure and experience within the hotel industry •A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance plus CPA Responsible for: •Assist in the preparation of the Company’s financial budgeting and forecast process •Provide leadership in establishing high-quality standards within the accounting department, should possess excellent communication and leadership skills •Direct reports will include accountants, purchasing staff and all peripheral receiving, inventory controls personnel •Assist in the preparation of budget presentations; the production of periodic financials, statistics and operational metrics for senior management
CARPENTER As a Seven Stars Carpenter, you will work alongside our Facilities Team, and Lead Carpenter, to construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, metal studs, and drywall using carpenter’s hand, and power tools; making sure to conform to hotel standards and local building codes. Salary $10 per hour. Minimum Requirements: •3 years of experience in commercial carpentry •Ability to comprehend schematic diagrams, blueprints, sketches, building plans and other specifications required by our client for information pertaining to the type of material required to get job done •Experience working with all wood working equipment •Strong working knowledge of job site safety as well as ability to complete a company specific safety orientation Responsible for: •Repairing, constructing, installing furniture, fixtures, decking, also walls, floors, ceilings, using materials such as: wood, steel, metal, concrete, plastics, and composites of multiple materials •Fitting and installing window frames, doors, door frames, door hardware, interior and exterior trim •Shaping or cutting materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws •Building or repairing cabinets, doors, frameworks, floors, or other wooden fixtures used in throughout the resort, using woodworking machines, hand tools, or power tools •Assembling and fastening materials to make frameworks or props, using hand tools and wood screws, nails, dowel pins, or glue
SUNFLOWERS FACILITIES MANAGER Providing efficient and accurate administrative and day to day operations of the property, including tenant relations, maintenance and repair, security, janitorial services, landscaping, etc. The Property Manager handles tenant complaints and service requests, and must be familiar with the terms of tenant leases. Salary range begins at $2,500 pm and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. Minimum requirements: •Must have at least 10 years’ managerial/supervisory experience •Must have an accounting background and basic accounting qualification. •Excellent customer service skills
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•Highly organised and efficient •Self-motivated and hands-on reliable team player Responsible for: •Administer daily functioning of property •Inspect property daily to ensure compliance with established policies, safety measures and quality standards •Preparing units for lease and leasing same. •Ensure that tenants comply to the terms and conditions of their lease •Ensure the timely collection of rent and utility costs •Prepare monthly accounting statements •Manages operations, payments for leasing and maintenance •Manage on site staff, security team and sub-contractors •Vector Control for site and apartment buildings •Document and report on all business transactions related to the property •Keep complete set of documents and leases relating to Sunflowers operations and tenants.
GENERAL MANAGER The General Manager will be responsible for leading all aspects of the resort’s day-to-day operations and meeting established performance goals and objectives. The ideal candidate must be a strong leader with thorough knowledge of all aspects of hotel operations within a luxury market environment. Salary range for this position begins at $100,000 and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. Minimum Requirements: •Ritz Carlton operating experience at GM or very senior level is essential •Experience as a successful GM within a Luxury Caribbean Resort is essential •Extensive knowledge of luxury hotel operations •Excellent financial acumen with experience managing budgets, revenue proposals, and forecasting results •Proven track record of success achieving revenue and service targets •Demonstrated ability to lead, train, mentor and develop a team •Ability to develop and manage strong working relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as with resort owners, external vendors and suppliers, and business and community groups
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Salary range for this position begins at $3,000 pm and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. Minimum Requirements: •Strong understanding of technology architecture, IT business models, systems development and life cycles with an ability to set the direction of the Resorts IT function. •Degree in Information Technology, Engineering or other technical field and 10 years’ leadership experience working with IT and telephony applications within the hospitality industry. •Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment •Knowledge of Visual One, Micros and/or Opera Fidelio and in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Outlook) •Critical thinker with complex problem-solving abilities •Strong leadership skills with the ability to “see the big picture,” evaluate technologies and identify business solutions strategies •Ability to develop and manage strong working relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as with external vendors and suppliers. •Ability to communicate technical issues to non-technical internal customers and executives, and translate their needs into appropriate applications •Ability to assess technology alternatives and identify and implement applicable solutions •Ability to develop, track and adhere to budgets Responsible for: •Identifying solutions for the resort’s current and future information technology needs •Will play a lead role in the development, delivery and implementation of key business applications •Maintaining current systems
SECURITY OFFICERS
The areas of responsibility for this position include the protection and safety of property assets, employees, guests, accident and fire prevention and response. The ideal candidate must exemplify excellent customer service and create a positive atmosphere for guests and employees. Salary $6.31 per hour. There are new positions available and some positions are held by work permit holders. Minimum Requirements: •Ex-Military with Officer Rank experience •Be proficient in unarmed combat techniques •Highly trained in security procedures •First Aid training is preferable •Ability to communicate effectively •Able to work flexible hours holidays, weekends, nights and 12 hour shifts
HOUSEKEEPING ATTENDANT Salary 6.31 per hour. Candidates will be required to assist in all Housekeeping
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responsibilities, cleaning of guest rooms, stocking amenities and linens. There are new positions available and some positions are held by work permit holders. Minimum Requirements: •Suitable candidates must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working at a 5 Star Resort in a similar role. •Must have a strong attention to details and exceptional ability to maintain the highest standards of quality required. •Must have the ability to lift at least 50lbs.
ROOM ATTENDANT Salary $6.31 per hour. Candidates will be required to assist in all Housekeeping responsibilities, cleaning of guest rooms, stocking amenities and linens. There are new positions available and some positions are held by work permit holders. Minimum Requirements: •Suitable candidates must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working at a 5 Star Resort in a similar role. •Must have a strong attention to details and exceptional ability to maintain the highest standards of quality required. •Must have the ability to lift at least 50lbs.
POOL & BEACH SERVER Salary $6.31 per hour. Candidates will set up the pool and beach area, meet and greet guests, show them to their pool or beach loungers, set them up and deliver amenities as per our standards. Keep all beach and pool areas free of debris, clean ashtrays, straighten chairs and fold towels. Minimum Requirements: •Must be out-going and friendly • Be able to lift heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds •First Aid training is preferable •Must have 1-2 years related experience working at a 5 star resort in a similar role •Must have the ability to memorize multiple guest names In addition, we are currently enlisting for the following positions which are currently held by work permit holders.
FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR Salary range for this position begins at $4,500 pm and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. Minimum Requirements: •Must be sociable and outgoing, and have the ability to manage the discriminating guest while delivering superior customer service •Must be professional in demeanor and delivery •Exceptional communication skills •Prior Caribbean experience is essential •5-7 years F&B management experience overseeing multiple outlets in a five-star Caribbean resort •Relevant degree or combination of experience and education •Thorough knowledge of F&B standards and practices within a luxury resort environment •Excellent knowledge of fine dining, wines and wine service •Proven leader with exceptional supervisory skills, including the ability to motivate, train and develop staff •Sales, marketing and budgeting expertise, including scheduling and food/ labour costing •Working knowledge of Visual One preferred Responsible for: •The Food & Beverage Director will be responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing all F&B and catering operations in a multioutlet environment consisting of fine and casual dining - breakfast, lunch and dinner •Will be responsible for maintaining profitable operations without sacrificing our high standard of food and quality. The F&B Director will be responsible for promoting business, and maintaining payroll and revenue targets
RESTAURANT MANAGER Salary range for this position begins at $3,500 and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous restaurants, previous successes and qualifications. Minimum Requirements: •Successful performance is measured by consistent delivery of balanced results through our systems, methods and procedures from the perspective of all our stakeholders. This leads to sustained growth in sales and profits achieved through personal, people, business and results leadership. •Must have a minimum of 10 years’ experience as Restaurant Manager or Maitre D in a high end or Five-Star high-volume Restaurant. •Proven ability to develop team •Knowledge of systems, methods and processes •Stable job history •Knowledge of Wine and Spirits •Staff Scheduling and labor cost control Responsible for:
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
•For leading and managing high volume quality restaurant and banqueting operations
SENIOR SOUS CHEF Salary range for this position begins at $3,500 and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. Minimum Requirements: •To have worked at a high level in high end, high volume award winning multiple restaurant kitchens including fine dining for three to five years •BA in Hotel and Restaurant Management •HACAPP qualified Responsible for: •To work and lead the kitchen team. To prepare food that conforms to company and kitchen standards and be responsible for the day to day running of all kitchens •To maintain the required level of hygiene standards/HACAPP as laid down both legally and by the standards manual •To be responsible for the day to day training of the team
LEAD SERVER Salary $7.60 per hour. Candidate will lead their section team and at times be responsible for opening or closing the restaurant including responsibility for end of day procedures. •Suitable candidates must have a minimum of 4 years’ experience working in a lead position at a five-star resort or restaurant in a lead position •Experience training and directing staff in fine dining service •High energy with excellent interpersonal skills •Excellent command of English language (writing/reading/speaking) •Experience with point-of-service system, prior cashier or banking experience preferred
DUTY MANAGER Salary range for this position begins at $2,800 pm and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. The Duty Manager role is an important function for the resort and it provides 24-hour coverage for our guests. The selected individual will assist with ensuring the smooth operation of the resort. In the absence of department heads and/or executive management, the DM upholds quality standards, resolves guest and employee issues, complaints and conflicts, and enforces policies and procedures. Minimum Requirements: •Any combination of education/luxury resort experience that will provide required knowledge, skill and ability to perform this job successfully •Minimum 3 years demonstrated supervisory success. •Friendly demeanor with excellent interpersonal and communication skills •Ability to multi task in a busy environment with minimal supervision •Ability to speak, read and write fluently in the English language •Ability to work flexible schedule including early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays
MAINTENANCE TEAM LEADER Salary range for this position begins at $2,500 pm and is negotiable based on current level, previous experience, previous successes and qualifications. Candidate will lead the maintenance team in all aspects of maintenance. •Suitable candidate must have relevant qualifications for this role •Minimum 5 years’ experience with a full service hotel and condo resort property •Ability to develop a comprehensive preventative maintenance program •Able to implement and carry through role with little or no supervision •Computer literate, financial budgeting, supplier knowledge as required
ACCOUNTANT
Salary at $1,750 a month. Will be responsible for AP. •Suitable candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree together with 5 years accounting experience working in the hospitality industry •Must possess strong oral and written communication skills and must be fluent in English •Who works on their own initiative, who is eager to learn and who needs minimum supervision •Proficient in Microsoft Office and Visual 1
Candidates should apply to Seven Stars Resort & Spa, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales via e-mail at hr@sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration or should leave CV’s at the security building for the attention of HR. Prospective applicants who are Islanders kindly send copies of your application to the board. Application deadline: May 12, 2016.
ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING ABOVE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Dr. Kathy Boisvert of TCI's Hope Foundation for Autism Awareness receives distinguished international award Dr. Kathy Boisvert, Educational Consultant to The Hope Foundation for Autism Awareness, US teacher of students with disabilities, and UMass faculty, has been selected to receive the 2016 Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award from The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the world’s largest professional special education organization. The Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding teacher of children with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. The award honors a CEC member whose work reflects significant educational success for students, continued service to the field, and the highest standard of educational quality. Dr. Boisvert, a highly trained specialist was brought to the TCI by her colleague and full-time TCI resident, Dr. Grace Lappin, herself a specialist in the field of disabilities and a Director on the Board of The Hope Foundation. For the last several years Dr. Boisvert has volunteered her services during her summer and school holidays; she provides family evaluations, interventions, and teacher training workshops periodically throughout the year and during the summer months. She has been pivotal in helping to establish the first classroom for children with autism in TCI and Dr. Boisvert continues to provide support and guidance for Hope
classroom teachers. According to Hope director, Mrs. Maxcia Rigby, “Dr. Boisvert’s teacher training is helping Hope classroom teachers create a kind, caring, and respectful environment where every student is individually supported and encouraged to move from strength to strength.” Informed by the latest research, Dr. Boisvert is training Hope teachers to individualize instruction without losing sight of the group and to consider such elements as classroom design, visual aids, and peer support while also implementing social skills instruction for all students. Mrs. Rigby added, “We are delighted to have Dr. Boisvert’s expertise here in TCI and The Hope Foundation is pleased to be able to provide supports for our families and their children on the autism spectrum.” In addition to her work in he Hope classroom, this summer Dr. Boisvert and her colleague Dr. Lappin will present an intensive professional development workshop they created for resort staff. The workshop is specifically designed to educate resort workers and help equip them with the necessary skills, hands-on materials, and information necessary to address the needs of children with autism and their families. Information about the resort workshop can be obtained by contacting Mrs. Rigby or the Foundation at autismtci@gmail.com.
On April 13, 2016 Boisvert will be recognized during the CEC 2016 Convention & Expo’s Opening General Session, the largest annual gathering of members of the field of special education at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis. About Hope On April 16th 2013 The Hope Foundation for Autism Awareness TCI Inc., a non-profit organization, was founded in the Turks and Caicos Islands to fill a gap that currently exists concerning autism awareness, diagnosis, and treatment. In September 2015 Hope reached a major milestone in the foundation’s early history – the opening of the first Autism Model Classroom in the TCI. With only the help of private sponsors and donations, as well as guidance and the ongoing support provided by Dr. Kathy Boisvert and Dr. Grace Lappin, children with autism are now able to learn in an environment created to specifically address their needs. For more information contact us at autismtci@gmail.com. About CEC The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is an international community of educators who are the voice and vision of special and gifted education. CEC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with exceptionalities and their families through professional Dr. Kathy Boisvert excellence and advocacy. Visit us at
HAB GROUP Cook MAIN DUTIES Prepare food items of consistent quality in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment. Start prep work on food items needed for the menu of the day. Organize all of the various prep items needed from different areas to ensure that all items are in place and ready for service. Inform the Manager of any shortage of supplies that need restocking before items completely run out. REQUIREMENTS Applicants must have a minimum of three-year (3) culinary experience preferably in hotel food and beverage industry. Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards. Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. Work with minimal supervision. Salary commensurate with experience and training. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by May 6, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup. com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.
NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands. 1.Parcel 60715/102 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales. Single storey with three bedrooms, one bathroom, living/dining room and kitchen on 0.54 acre. Registered Proprietor: Livingston Williams 2.Parcel 60503/145 Blue Hills and Stamers Run, Providenciales. Single storey with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living/dining area and storage area with an unfinished attached two storey with 2-two bedroom apartments on 0.38 acre. Registered Proprietor: Sharon Elizabeth Rigby The auction will be held at the office of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, Grace Bay Branch, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 29th day of April 2016. A reserved price will be fixed on all parcels and a deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.
Community Christian Academy Requirements
GRADE K3 TEACHER
•Must be a born again believer •Must have at least 2 years teaching experience with a Certificate or higher in Teacher Education or Early Childhood from a recognized Educational Institution. •Familiarization with Abeka teaching program would be an asset. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Suitable applicants may forward resumes addressed to: The School Board Community Fellowship Centre Leeward Highway, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: 649-941-3484 Fax: 649-941-3482 Email: comassem@tciway.tc
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APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
LOCAL NEWS
American woman with account in TCI sentenced for Medicaid fraud
The owner of a home healthcare company will spend two years in prison and pay almost $1.7 million after she pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud. JoAnna Ochieng, 67, was ordered to repay Medicaid $436,306 and $274,206 to the Internal Revenue Service in back taxes. She also agreed to forfeit $1 million held in a trust account in the Turks and Caicos islands. Ochieng pleaded guilty in January in federal court in Columbus to tax evasion, conspiracy to commit
health-care fraud and money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Gregory L. Frost sentenced her on Monday. Ochieng owned Healthy Solutions Home Health Services, which operated in Columbus, Bexley, Washington Court House and Hillsboro, Ohio, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Between November 2011 and March 2013, Ochieng told her employees to instruct parents who were providing home health care to their children to “swap” time sheets with
Will You? By Zahrya Musgrove This week I was thinking that I would try something different. I wrote a poem. When I wrote this poem I really wanted to show how people today are too concerned about their own progression in the world of success that they forget to help one another. Some of us would see someone who needs help but blatantly pass them by because we have our own problems. With this poem I wanted to show people that we need to put forth a different attitude. Also that one way or another whatever we put out in the world always comes back to us.
Hand in hand Foot by foot We trudge along With our rags hanging on us like one big polyester sheet, meant for no bed. We gaze along looking for something to eat But all we see is a grimy dumpster... Nonetheless, we dive in But only I find the shiny green dollar bill I jump out and leave him behind Now I hear the shout:’Pull me up. Will you?’ ‘Ha!No, no, no. I have my own affairs...’ Hand in hand Foot by foot We walk along With our clothes fitted on us Like a cotton sheet, meant for a queen size bed
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
Grace Bay Club is looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their management style is one that balances a commitment to people and their development with business/financial accountability and delivers an exceptional guest experience
LINE COOK
Job Requirements: •Middle level culinary skills •Dependable, proactive, organized, team player •Education from a formal culinary program •At least two to three years cooking experience; preparing international breakfast, lunch and dinner in regional cooking environment •Sanitation certificate •Ability to plan, organize and execute meal plans •Must speak and read English fluently •Additional languages an asset This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range: US$6.25 - US$9.00 per hour
RESTAURANT SERVERS X 2: Job Overview: Qualified individuals should have a minimum of 3 years restaurant experience. Individuals must possess strong work ethics; have a working knowledge of fine dining steps of service, and the ability to provide our guests with an outstanding dining experience. Servers should be industry professionals with excellent food and wine knowledge. Job Requirements: •Responsibilities include setup, organization and cleanup of service areas. •Responsible for staying current with daily menu items and changing wine lists. •Must be able to work as part of a motivated, high energy team that takes pride in their work. •Lifting of trays loaded with food, plates and glassware required. •Responsible for responding to any situation at any given time in a professional and courteous manner. This may include answering any questions posed by guests •Stack, lift and carry trays in a systematic and safe manner •Clean and retrieve tables in a neat, timely and professional manner. •Receive, process, and present all food and beverage orders according to Grace Bay Club standards •Responsible for using suggestive selling techniques, when appropriate and doing so in a courteous manner to up sell and in turn increase the average check These positions are currently held by expatriate workers Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range: US$6.25 - US$8.00 per hour KITCHEN STEWARD
other parents providing home healthcare services to their own children. That gave the appearance that parents were providing home health care to children other than their own. Under Medicaid rules, a home health aide cannot be the parent, foster parent or legal guardian of the child patient. Healthy Solutions nurses also inflated the number of home visits they made, increasing the payments that the company received from Medicaid. Ochieng didn’t pay taxes for 2012 and 2013 on Medicaid payments for nursing and home health services.
She deposited funds in a local bank account that were comingled with other income from Medicaid. In 2013, she electronically transferred $600,000 and $410,000 to an account in Turks and Caicos. “The conduct detailed in this case is egregious,” IRS Special Agent Kathy A. Enstrom said. “Health-care fraud affects every American and contributes to the rising cost of health care and degrades the integrity of our health-care system and legitimate patient care.”
We look around for something to buy All we see is a big store full of suits So we go in But only I find the best one The green pinstriped suit I put it on and leave him behind And I hear him shout ‘Help me pay. Will you?’ ‘Ha, ha! No, no, no. I have my own affairs...’ Hand in hand Foot by foot We run along With our suits tailored on us Like satin sheets meant for a king size We look around for something to do But then... I Trip! And land flat on face So I shout ‘Help me up. Will you? But all he says is “Ha, ha, ha! No, no, no. I have my own affairs...’ Zahrya Musgrove
Job Requirements: •Washes dishes, utensils and cookware following established procedures •Place clean dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment in storage areas. •Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, and utensils in clean and orderly condition. •Assists in performing cleaning tasks as needed in the kitchen •Assists the cook(s) with food preparation as requested This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range: US$6.25 - US$9.00 per hour
ASSISTANT MANAGER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS AND PROCUREMENT
Requirements: •Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of Saflok Door Locking systems •Specific engineering experience related to water treatment plants, swimming pool equipment, irrigation, lighting systems •Must have existing relationships with product suppliers in India, China and other Asian countries with knowledge of Indian languages helpful (Hindi, etc) •Project management experience including managing construction labor, contractors, engineers and architects •Minimum of 5 years experience in procurement and managing refurbishment budgets •Understanding and Experience of Strata Management •Diploma in International Hospitality Management •Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Opera,CAD) Responsibilities •Planning and managing all capital expenditure projects as decided by the hotel owner, including setting out and managing budgets, procurement, purchasing and installation where necessary of furniture, equipment and other items for the hotel, negotiations with subcontractors, management of labor and equipment companies. •Negotiating with international suppliers, including existing key suppliers in India, China and other Asian countries. •Assisting the hotel Engineering department with procurement needs, and repairs when necessary to systems installed in the hotel rooms, restaurant, kitchens, swimming pools and all other areas of the property. Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of Saflok Door Locking systems This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range: US$34,800 - US$48,000 per annum
Incentive Award: Amount per project completed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Annual Bonus: Maximum 10% of Annual Salary at the discretion of Board of Directors Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than May 13, 2015 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1066, Email: sheba.wilson@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies
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FortisTCI Makes History by becoming the first organization in the Turks and Caicos Islands to achieve the coveted Investor In People Standard Accreditation. IIP Advocacy Group Back row from left to right: Sonia Williams, John Gardiner, Avi Adams, Kellie-Anne Evans-Hall, Bradley Jules, Tavardo Smith, Floyd Williams, Deanza Wilson, Lorenzo Fabien, Talisha Simons, Eustace Musgrove, Cecil Ingham, Ruth Forbes Front row from left to right: Delma Harvey, Paulet Hall, Patricia Hamilton, Cleola Ward, Shequida Williams, Denard Sweeting (not pictured)
Investors in People Standard Accreditation was undertaken by FortisTCI to maximize the impact and potential of its people in the business, by promoting the development of people skills, enhancing a culture of continuous learning and improving employee engagement and motivation.
IIP Core Group From left to right below: Talisha Simons, Sonia Williams, Kellie-Ann Evans-Hall, Ruth Forbes
www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI
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APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
PROVO WATER COMPANY LTD.
Provo Water Company Ltd is seeking a suitable applicant to fill the following position:
POSITION:
DOCUMENTATION ENGINEER
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION: •Must be a graduate of Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Management. •With at least 5 year minimum experience in distribution systems management under a water utility company setting. •Must be familiar with the distribution system or water pipeline network including all the description of its appurtenances, line assets and installed devices. •Must be proficient in technical report writing and knows how to prepare project studies. •Must have a background on legal documentations and contract preparation. •Must be analytical and apt in mathematical calculations. •Must be proficient in both written and oral communication. •Must be computer literate and familiar with computer maintenance management software (CMMS). •Must be willing to do fieldwork and at night time or during wee hours in the morning •Must be willing to work under pressure and perform multi-tasking.
JOB DESCRIPTION 1.Writes all documentations for any given PWC project and manages all paperwork required under the engineering department. 2.Reviews all details of the design and processes in the distribution system to determine the type of documentation that may be required in every phases of the project. 3.Prepares feasibility study for any proposed undertaking which includes research, analysis, data consolidation, drafting and finalization of report for the PWC’s board approval. 4.Prepares contracts on any upcoming project and drafts memorandum of agreement / understanding/undertaking for customers with specialized work requirement beyond the standard offering of PWC. 5.Prepares work orders for the distribution department and issues payment certificate on
contractors & sub-contractors on every finished project after careful assessment of its completion. 6.Coordinates with other departments all paperwork and other materials related to project documentation. These documents include engineering drawings, technical specifications, modifications and project scheduling. 7.Keeps and maintains accurate records of all projects and implements a system to keep the information available and up-to-date for both internal users and external customers. 8.Prepares an elaborate technical report as requested by customers on cases requiring enlightenment particularly on leaks, increase in billing, costing, technical investigation and any other assessment related to water and piping problems. 9.Designs and develops engineering forms including its flows and processes to ensure proper channeling of task and information among department involved. 10.Maintains a record of all engineering transactions and activities for ease of access and immediate reference. 11.Prepares correspondence and other related documentation as required to secure government permit or special concession on any road work projects. 12.Provides documentation to any private or government agencies as required in the fulfillment of a specified task. 13.Prepares monthly consolidated engineering report on all projects and related activities carried out by the department. 14.Perform other function as required by the head of the Engineering. Salary Range: US$ 32, 400 – 42, 000 per annum All applications must be submitted by April 29th, 2016. Turks & Caicos Islanders need only apply.
Office Manager PROVO WATER COMPANY LTD. P.O. Box 39, Grace Bay Road Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Fax: (649) 941-8310 Email: K.Clarke@provowater.tc
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
Highlights of the annual Taste of Tapas event
T
he Turks and Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association hosted its annual Taste of Tapas event last week Saturday April 23rd, 2016 at Fire & Ice restaurant, Blue Haven Resort. The purpose of this initiative is to raise money and all proceeds will benefit #TeamTCI participation at this year’s Taste of the Caribbean on June 6th – 10th, 2016.
Individuals who attended the event got the chance to enjoy appetizers from leading restaurants, along with Salsa dancing. Participating resorts and restaurants were: Amanyara, Asu, Beaches Resort, Crust Cafe, Fire & Ice, Grace Bay Club, Kitchen 218, The Palms and Seven Stelle. These photographs captured the event.
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LOCAL NEWS
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
Turtle Week at Provo Primary School Each year Provo Primary dedicates a week to learning about wildlife in our local environment. This year it was the turn of the turtle. The week focused on discovering more about our turtles, how they are a part of our local ecosystem, conservation projects here in the TCI and how we can play a role in their protection and preservation. A wide range of exciting activities were planned and organised for all of the children to participate in throughout the school. We were very fortunate that many local experts came in to share their knowledge with us. Jackie Walker (Amanyara Nature Discovery Centre), Katharine Hart (Environmental Officer for DEMA) and Amy Avenant (Environmental Outreach Coordinator for DEMA) joined together with our Year 3- 6 teachers to offer a morning of turtle activities. David Gallardo visited all the classes across the school to show
some of his amazing photos of turtles and to share stories of some of his diving experiences with them. Our Year 4 children were also fortunate enough to visit Coral Gardens along with Jackie, Amy and Katharine to witness a turtle being tagged. On Friday, the Year 5 & 6 children also participated in a workshop run by the Lempen Puppet Theatre Company in conjunction with TCFAF where they learnt about puppet making, animation and how to make some turtle puppets. Artist, Lucie Winton Stubbs, from Driftwood Studios, also came in on Friday to work with our Year 3 and 4 classes. Under her guidance, each child created their own turtle painting on canvas with acrylic paints. The teachers, parents and children of Provo Primary would like to thank all of these wonderful people for sharing their time and expertise with us.
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HEALTHY
LIFESTYLE
Common medicines tied to changes in the brain Commonly used drugs for problems like colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease have long been linked to cognitive impairment and dementia. Now researchers have some fresh evidence that may help explain the connection. The drugs, known as anticholinergics, stop a chemical called acetylcholine from working properly in the nervous system. By doing so, they can relieve unpleasant gastrointestinal, respiratory or urinary symptoms, for example. The list of such drugs is long. Among them: Benadryl for allergies, the antidepressant Paxil and the antipsychotic Zyprexa, Dimetapp for colds and the sleep aid Unisom. In the new analysis, researchers looked at brain scans and cognitive test results from 451 older adults – including 60 who had been taking anticholinergic drugs for at least a month. The study participants were about 73 years old on average. None of them had been diagnosed with cognitive problems like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. But brain scans of people who used anticholinergic drugs showed lower levels of glucose processing in the brain – an indicator of brain activity – in a region of the brain associated with memory that’s also affected early in the course of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, patients who used these medications had reduced brain volume and thickness in some regions linked to cognitive function, the researchers report in JAMA Neurology. People who used these drugs also scored lower on tests of immediate memory recall and executive function compared to people who weren’t using these drugs, researchers found. “There are definitely medical benefits to all of the anticholinergic medications we looked at, which could outweigh the cognitive risks,” said lead study author Shannon Risacher of the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center A person holds pharmaceutical tablets and capsules in this picture illustration taken in Ljubljana at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. as well by a lack of specifics about potential risk of cognitive decline “But if alternative therapies what dosage of anticholinergic drugs merits avoiding or limiting use of these are available that provide effective people took or how long they used medicines. treatment of these conditions, patients the medications, noted Alain Koyama, Not every patient will arrive at and doctors might want to consider an outcomes researcher at Health the same answer, however. avoiding anticholinergic medications,” Advocate, a consultancy in Los Angeles. “Since the pathology Risacher added by email. “Therefore, it is yet unclear if lower underlying any effect of anticholinergic The study can't prove the doses or shorter durations of use can drugs on cognitive function likely takes anticholinergics were the cause of in fact mitigate risk of cognitive harm,” years to manifest, if a patient is clearly participants' brain and memory Koyama, who wasn’t involved in the benefiting from a drug in the shortdifferences. study, said by email. term, but may not survive in the long The authors also acknowledge Still, the study adds to a term, any cognitive harm from the limitations of their study. In addition to growing body of evidence connecting drug may be inconsequential,” Koyama the small number of participants taking anticholinergic medicines to cognitive said. anticholinergic drugs, another problem problems later in life and offers new “On the other hand, a healthier is that the study relied on participants evidence to explain why this link exists, patient particularly concerned about to accurately recall and report on drug Koyama added. future dementia risk, whether because use, which wasn’t verified by medical The findings should encourage of family history or other reason, may records or prescription data. doctors and patients to discuss the consider alternative treatments,” This study and others like it are limited drugs, and to consider whether the Koyama added.
Canada confirms its first sexually Why you don’t sleep well in a strange bed transmitted Zika case An Ontario resident is Canada's first confirmed case of a Zika virus infection that was contracted locally through sex, health officials said on Monday. The individual, who was not further identified, is believed to have contracted the virus from a sexual partner who came down with Zika after traveling to an affected country, according to a statement from Public Health Agency of Canada and Ontario's Ministry of Health. Zika is transmitted to people mainly through the bite of certain infected female mosquitoes, and a major outbreak that began in Brazil last year has spread to many countries
in the Americas. The World Health Organization has identified Zika cases in Argentina, Chile, France, Italy and New Zealand as likely caused by sexual transmission, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also investigating cases of possible sexual transmission. Along with the new case transmitted locally through sex, Canada has confirmed 55 Zika infections, all related to travel to other countries. The mosquitoes known to transmit the virus have not established themselves in Canada. U.S. health officials have concluded that a Zika infection in a pregnant woman can
cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies. The World Health Organization has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults. The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1,100 cases of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika infection.
An edes aegypti mosquito is seen inside a test tube as part of a research on preventing the spread of the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases at a control and prevention center in Guadalupe, neighbouring Monterrey, Mexico
The old adage about sleeping with one eye open in an unfamiliar place may not be too far off the mark. A new study suggests that one half of the brain remains on high alert during the first night of sleep in a new space. Over the course of three experiments on 35 young, healthy volunteers, researchers measured brain activity during two consecutive nights of slumber. They consistently found that part of the left side of the brain remained more active than the right side only on the first night, specifically during a deep sleep phase known as slow-wave sleep. “When you sleep in a new place for the first time, a part of one side of the brain seems to stay awake for surveillance purposes, so you could wake up faster if necessary,” said senior study author Yuka Sasaki of Brown University. While this may be bad news for business travelers who regularly make brief overnight trips, it may not be as troublesome for people who go away for longer periods of time, Sasaki added by email. “Frequent travel may lead to unrestful sleep,” Sasaki said. “But if you stay for a few days at the same place, your sleep might catch up.” To see how being in a strange place impacts sleep, Sasaki and colleagues performed a series of lab tests on their subjects. When they stimulated the left hemisphere with irregular beeping sounds in the right ear during deep sleep on the first night, that prompted significantly greater likelihood of waking and faster action upon waking,
than if sounds were played in the left ear to stimulate the right hemisphere. In other sleep phases during the first night, and with other tests, there wasn’t any difference in alertness or activity between the two hemispheres of the brain, the researchers report in the journal Current Biology. On the second night, there wasn’t any difference in reactions to tests between the left and right hemispheres, even during deep sleep. This suggests that there is a first-night-only effect specifically in one hemisphere of the brain during deep sleep, the authors conclude. The way participants responded to the sleep lab tests points to the potential for the brain to be on high alert for danger during the first night in unfamiliar surroundings. Some birds have been found to literally sleep with one eye open and one side of the brain awake when they’re in a dangerous setting, and some marine mammals have similar abilities, the authors note. One limitation of the new study is its focus on healthy volunteers, which means the results may not apply to people with insomnia or other sleep disorders, the authors note. While it’s possible that the findings may explain poor sleep among frequent travelers, the study wasn’t designed to test whether these “first night effects” continue to happen to people every time they hit the road, said Patrick Finan, a psychiatry and behavioral health researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
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APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
IS LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION: DEPARTMENT:
Assistant Food & Beverage Manager Food & Beverage Service/Production
KEY RESPONSIBILITES: To manage the day to day Food and Beverage operations in conjunction with the Kitchen Office and Outlet Managers; In conjunction with the Purchasing Department, to supervise all food ordering in line with Company Policy; To monitor the performance of the food outlets and to ensure that standards of food production, presentation and service are maintained; To co-ordinate the production of all products ensuring specifications, quality targets and delivery timetables are met; to meet the company’s food cost target as set out in the Plan through implementing and maintain prudent and established costs; In conjunction with executive chef / management, to create menus for all outlets having regard to customer demand and company margins; In conjunction with management and the kitchen team to develop and achieve the departmental goals and strategies; to complete budgets and forecasts in accordance with the prescribed timetable; to ensure that costs relating to the kitchens, i.e. Payroll and expenses, do not exceed Plan through pro active control; In conjunction with Food and Beverage, to devise and organise food promotions as appropriate; In conjunction with the Personnel Department to recruit, select, and induct new staff for the department having regard for current employment legislation; to be fully conversant with current Health and Safety legislation affecting food preparation and service areas and to ensure that the laid down requirements are met To be fully conversant with: Food and Beverage policies and procedures affecting the Kitchen To comply with Company Health & Safety, and Fire Regulations and procedures. To undertake any other reasonable task/request by Management
POSITION:
Front Office Supervisor
DEPARTMENT: KEY RESPONSIBILITES:
Front Office
Operational To provide a courteous, professional, efficient and flexible service at all times, following East Bayt Resort Standards of Performance; to have a full working knowledge and capability to supervise, correct and demonstrate all duties and tasks in the assigned Place of Work to the standard set. Please note that Master Task Lists are reviewed and changed on a regular bases reflecting change in trends, guest expectations and operating philosophies; to be entirely flexible and adapt to rotate within the different sub departments of the Rooms Division or any other Department of the hotel as assigned; To meet and greet guests at South Caicos Airport on arrival, and accompany guests to the resort; To perform all duties and tasks when rotated or assigned to another Department as per Master Task List for that Department; to handle guest enquiries in a courteous and efficient manner and report guest complaints or problems to supervisors if no immediate solution can be found and assure follow up with guests; to ensure guests settle their payment before leaving the resort, and accompany guests to South Caicos for departure. Occasional Duties: To assist in carrying out quarterly, bi-yearly, yearly inventory of operating equipment. To carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities as assigned. Must be prepared to live full time in South Caicos beginning salary commensurate with experience Interested applicants may submit your resume with qualifications and experience to: info@saunders.tc
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FUN GAMES FUNand & GAMES
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3JS ENTERPRISES is seeking two storeroom keepers and one store clerk. Salary is 6.50 per hour five days weekly. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interested persons please call 232-5144.
Ledis Salon & Spa
Is Seeking: Barber Salary - $6.50 and commission Telephone – 946-8876
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
For All you A and J Groceries and Supplies advertising needs contact TCISUN at 339-5879 Or email – Is Seeking: sun@ Labourer Salary – $6.25 per hr suntci.com Telephone – 946 – 8876
Teona Spa
Is Seeking: Handyman Salary - $6.25 per hr Telephone – 946-8876
Provo Dry Goods Store
Is Seeking: Labourer Salary – $6.50 per hr Telephone – 946 – 8876
MisickGardiner is looking to recruit a committed hard working and career orientated associate to practice from its office in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. The suitable candidate must have a minimum of 10 years experience in all aspects of Civil, Commercial, Conveyancing and Company Law. Must be willing to work long hours and do whatever is necessary to meet client deadlines. Remuneration is in the range US$45,000.00 to US$60,000.00 exclusive of annual work permit fees and a monthly housings allowance (if applicable). Additional bonuses will apply depending on the performance of the successful candidate. Interested applicants can contact our office, not later than 22nd May 2016; via email: misickchalmers@gmail.com, attn: Indira Higgs.
Unity Online Services
Is seeking: Store Clerk Handyman Salary is - $6.25 per hr Telephone - 946-8876
Gloria’s Candy Kitchen
Is seeking: Domestic Worker Salary - $6.25 per hr Telephone: - 946-8876
MBA CONSTRUCTION
SEEKS 1 Carpenter 1 Labourer 1 Tileman Salary $12.00 per hour Contact 242-3450 MBA CONSTRUCTION
SEEKS 1 Carpenter 1 Labourer 1 Tileman Salary $12.00 per hour Contact 242-3450
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
For All you advertising needs contact TCISUN at 339-5879 Or email – sun@ suntci.com
J and P Tailor Shop
Is Seeking: Tailors Salary – $6:50 per hr Telephone – 946 - 8876
For All you advertising needs contact TCISUN at 339-5879 Or email – sun@suntci. com
Marie Shop
Is Seeking: Salesperson Salary – $6.25 per hr Telephone –946-8876
Maria Santha Shop
Is seeking: Storekeeper Salary - $6.25 per hr Telephone – 341-1400
BRIAN CONSTRUCTION Is looking for ELECTRICIAN Must have a minimum 6 years experience, can work under pressure. Must have knowledge in technical drawings and measurements. Salary $6.50 per hour Send or bring resume/to; 123 Longbay Hills, Provo TCI pr call 1-649-333-6577 Deadline of application is May 4th, 2016
SHAY CAFÉ
Yacht for Sale - $135,000.00
SEEKS 1 CHEF Salary $7.00 per hour Interested person should contact 431-0221
The Bullpen Club
Is seeking: Waitress Salary is $6.25 per hr Telephone: - 946-8876
1992, 45ft Viking yacht fast and economical (2)671 Detroits Turbo diesel, phasor generator (2) Staterooms, full size bathroom with macerator head, central A/C full sized refrigerator, Ice maker, water maker, freezer, Davit lift, stereo. (2) TV’s Electric stove GPS, satellite radar and much more. A must sell Tel: (242)357-9633 Tel: (242)361-0840
GRAND TURK INN MICHAEL HARVEY
SEEKS Experience Asian Chef To work 6 days per week Salary $350.00 Contact 331-4900
SEEKS 1 CARPENTER Applicant must be honest, reliable and hardworking Contact 247-5812
APRIL 30TH, 2016 – MAY 7TH, 2016
CARIBBEAN WORLD
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
NEWS NEWS
Body of three-year-old girl fished from sea; police hunting father
Some residents of Flower Hill in this western parish openly expressed their anger yesterday when they learnt that a three-year-old girl from the community was found dead and her father was being sought by the police. Police said that the body of the little girl, Leashay Thomas, was found early in the morning on the popular Dump Up Beach, hours after receiving a distress call from a relative of the child. According to the police, on Monday night, a man, purporting to be the father of the child, called a family member to say that he was going to commit suicide as he had killed Leashay and threw her body in the sea at the popular Montego Bay beach. A police spokesman said shortly after officers were dispatched to the beach to investigate the report but returned to their base after coming up ‘empty-handed’ after an extensive search of the shoreline. However, upon their return to the area yesterday
morning they spotted the body of a child which was subsequently fished from the sea. It was later identified as that of Leashay. They were yesterday awaiting the results of a post mortem to determine the cause of the little girl’s death. Police last night appealed for the public’s assistance in finding the whereabouts of the child’s father, Roosevelt Thomas, alias ‘Timmy’, whom they said could assist them with the investigations. Police alleged that Thomas, a resident of Flanker in the parish, took Leashay from her home in Flower Hill on Monday evening. They said the death of the little girl was being treated as an infanticide, until proven otherwise. Meanwhile, there was a sombre mood yesterday at the Salt Spring Primary and Infant School where Leashay was a student. She was described by her teacher, Zena Bailey, as a jovial individual. “She is always playing and smiling. She is full of life and to see
Leashay Thomas, remembered by her teacher as a very bright little child her gone at this stage of her life is really sad. It is really sad,” the distraught teacher said. “I am going to miss her and I pray that the family of Leashay will get through this. We need to support
them. Leashay was very bright little child. [She was] bubbly, playful [and] a little mischievous at times, but that’s how children are. I love her and it is really sad.”
AG defends red flagging of T&T nationals
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi The “red flagging” of T&T nationals who went to areas associated with terrorist activity is a normal procedure and is necessary for T&T to meet its obligations under the United Nations’ anti-terrorism resolution, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi says. Defending Government’s move to “red flag” such persons, Al-Rawi, at yesterday’s weekly government media
briefing, said he understood concerns which have arisen in the Muslim community about it. “I am Faris Al-Rawi,” he added, “I have an Iraqi name. I have Middle East roots also and I am certainly very well acquainted with the issue of red flagging… just having a name from the Middle East and having family in the Middle East can cause you to be the subject of secondary inquiries in foreign jurisdictions. “So I understand concerns but this is very much an international obligation. One must accept the risk of going to war-torn countries or those who have associations with known terrorist entities,” he added. His comments arose following the issue resulting from UNC MP Roodal Moonilal’s statement in Parliament last week that 400 people have been indoctrinated, radicalised and trained by the Islamic State (Isis) and had gone to Syria, including men, women and children. A 2013-2015 security report
obtained by the T&T Guardian showed said he had just returned from the approximately 105 men, women and Caribbean Financial Action Task children listed as going to Syria to Force’s (CFATF) US meeting where support Isis over that period. such issues were discussed. T&T National Security Minister heads CFATF. Edmund Dillon later said Government When asked if Government had would be “red flagging” those who numbers on the people who would be had gone and also would monitor monitored Al-Rawi replied: “We do…” pilgrimages to track culprits who tried He did not elaborate. Asked subsequently to say to use that as conceal travel to Syria. Yesterday, one representative how many currently, he said he would went to the Ministry of National have to check with Dillon. He didn’t Security to book an appointment to reply to a follow-up text. At the briefing, Al-Rawi said the “red flagging story” speak with Dillon on the issue. Al-Rawi appeared at transcended the Muslim community Government’s subsequent briefing since there were also foreigners and to stress that Government would be Christians at issue. applying anti-terrorism laws, related Saying “red flagging is an legislation and provisions of his office international obligation, he added: as well as the Financial Intelligence “We are obliged to carry it out due to Unit anti-money laundering provisions. support for the UN resolution (antiAlso in his sights are terrorist financing terrorisms) 1278 and it’s something issues and processing the return to the National Security Ministry and other agencies must keep under active T&T of terrorist fighters. He said that would apply supervision to ensure due process is in taking issues to court and served and information is managed operationalising existing laws. He appropriately.”
Royal Caribbean crew members accused of smuggling cocaine in sandals Two Royal Caribbean cruise employees were arrested after they were accused of using sandals to smuggle drugs into Central Florida. Two employees on the Freedom of the Seas ship were bringing cocaine into Port Canaveral, authorities said. Investigators said they found out last year that one of the crew members was a courier for at least one drug trafficking organization. Authorities started following him as he left the port and saw him and another man smuggling the cocaine using sandals. Junior Ellision, 31, was arrested aboard the ship as he was walking away
with cocaine, authorities said. “It’s surprising especially in today’s environment, you know, since 9/11, we’ve stepped up this security,” said Brevard County resident Donnie Paris. Investigators said they started following Ellision last November from the ship, and each time Ellision left the ship, he took a shuttle to a Merritt Island Walmart. Authorities said Ellision would pick up sandals filled with cocaine in St. Maarten and would wear them off the ship. Ellision would then go to the Walmart, buy a pair of sandals, and
then put the cocaine filled sandals in the Walmart bag to deliver to someone else, authorities said. Investigators said Ellision didn’t work alone. Another Freedom of the Seas crew member, Sheldon Grant, was also arrested. “I think that’s a pretty good scheme, you know, a pretty good way to smuggle stuff in,” said Paris. Authorities said the men admitted they had made multiple deliveries and that someone paid them $1,250 each time they delivered the sandals. Grant and Ellision were
Sheldon Grant and Junior Ellison charged with importing a controlled substance into the United States.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
Haiti misses deadline for presidential runoff Haiti has again missed the deadline for an election that was scheduled to be held on Sunday. Although an election was scheduled for April 24 as stipulated in the February 5 political accord to transfer power from the caretaker government to an elected one, provisional President Jocelerme Privert told the Miami Herald that he expects an election calendar to be published by the end of May. His acknowledgment that an election would not be taking place comes amidst mounting pressure from the international community for Haiti to resume the electoral process and have an elected president in office by May 14. Last week, there was widespread speculation that the polls will not be held and spokesman for the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) Richardson Dumel said the body would not create “a new crisis” in Haiti by rushing ahead to stage the elections. “There is no electoral environment favourable in Haiti at this time and for the third time,
Rastas turn out in numbers for Emperor Selassie’s grandson visit
With Minister of Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange by his side, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie greets Rastafarians gathered at Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston, yesterday.
Protest after it was announced that the runoff Jan. 24, presidential election had been postponed, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti the second round is postponed indefinitely,” Dumel then said. The two main candidates who were expected to contest the presidential elections did not sign a document outlining the terms of reference of the Independent Commission of Electoral Evaluation and Verification. Jovenel Moïse and Jude Célestin were not among representatives of political parties that signed and approved the
terms of reference late last week. No reasons have been given for their absence but Celestin has in the past expressed deep concerns about vote-rigging and a lack of transparency by the CEP and is leading an opposition alliance alleging widespread fraud in favour of Moise, who has been viewed as the chosen successor to former president Michel Martelly. Martelly left office on February 7 without a successor being elected.
Pepper worth more than oil
Trinidad – “A barrel of peppers is worth more than a barrel of oil in T&T. What do you think the Government should invest in?” asked Brent Bascombe, a young farmer of North Manzanilla. A bag of hot peppers fetches close to US$40 in foreign markets while the price of crude oil climbed to US$42 yesterday. Bascombe, 26, lived in North Manzanilla all his life, a rural community with not much economic activity to produce employment and other opportunities. He and other young men in the community have taken up the challenge to invest in agriculture. Bascombe said in his community there was nothing much for youths to do. “We sit idly by waiting but we saw a source to become independent Irving Valdez waters his crops and to assist with the current young men are returning the land food crisis in our country,” he said to full production and have gotten in a recent interview. verbal permission from some A total of 48 young men have leaseholders,” Sookoo added. banded together to make a She said they were also difference and championing revitalising the coconut industry their dreams is the Agricultural and were focusing on major food Society of T&T and president of production. However, she added, the North Manzanilla Farmers they were faced with challenges Group, Dhano Sookoo. “like access roads and access to “I am from this area and I see ponds during the dry season. the youths not being able to “I must say these young man have be employed and they engaged potential, rather than sitting idly. me about getting involved in This is something positive and it agriculture. will change the outlook of North “Some of youths in the area are Manzanilla and create economic currently using abandoned State opportunities,” she said. agricultural lands that has not So far the young residents have been in use for over three decades. in production less than 100 acres “The land was handed out in the of land. They are focused on root 1980s but has never been fully and short crops. cultivated and then left abandoned. Another young farmer, Steve Most of the leaseholders have Harripaul, told the GML died or migrated. Now these Enterprise Desk: “Our
involvement in agriculture has brought hope for other young adults in the area and has shown them there is a way out of poverty, instead of being idle and in some instances heading in the direction of crime.” Harripaul said once the issue of land tenure was approved they would be able to seek financing for their projects. Most of the young men in the area are currently catching crabs to help bring in revenue to purchase chemicals and other items for their farms. Many of the farmers are now waiting on the rains to return to start cultivating more crops as they are unable to supply enough water for their crops in the harsh dry season. They hope their plight can be heard and are given the opportunity to be able to help the country’s economy.
Jamaica – PRINCE Ermias Sahle Selassie, grandson of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, arrived in the island yesterday to much fanfare among the local Rastafarian community. Prince Ermias, who was accompanied by his wife Princess Saba Kebede, is here on a threeday visit to participate in activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his grandfather’s visit. Hundreds of Rastafarian men, women and children flocked Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, where the ‘prince’ arrived on a flight from the United States at minutes before noon. But the Rastafarians, who were beating drums, chanting verses, and smoking marijuana, said the gathering was nothing compared to what was seen half-a-century ago. Following a press conference, Prince Ermias — who lives in Washington, DC — emerged from the airport building and walked to the car park accompanied by Minister of Culture Olivia Grange, Transport Minister Mike Henry, and representatives of the Commemoration Committee and the Republic of Ethiopia. He greeted the crowd of Rastafarians and thanked the people of Jamaica for hosting him. He then journeyed to the National Heroes Park where he was greeted by Mayor of Kingston Dr Angella Brown Burke, before placing a wreath at the shrine of national hero Marcus Garvey. “…We are focusing on making sure that we represent our custom; practise lifestyle, as Rastafarians, to be involved and, I pray that everything works out. I give thanks to the brethren and the sistren dem who have been focusing on the tradition of Rastafarians over the period,” Bunny Wailer, the only living member of the Wailers singing group, told the Jamaica Observer. Prince Ermias and his entourage also made stops at the University of Technology, University of the West Indies, The Mico University, and Jamaica College, where he was greeted by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who attended the school. Golding, who said he remembered vividly Emperor Selassie’s visit in 1966, said the spiritual leader visited at a time of great significance when Rastafarians were oppressed and ostracised by society. He said Emperor Selassie’s visit created a platform on which Rastafarians were able to command the respect that they deserved. Prince Ermias, in his response, thanked the Jamaica College family for the warm reception. “You are the future …very bright people who would become future prime ministers, future scientists; but the important part of education is that you also have morality that goes with it; that distinguishes what is right from what is wrong; what is just and what is unjust. Too many times today …we turn against what may seem a challenge, because it doesn’t seem to resolve anything. What makes the difference and what makes leaders [are] principled commitments and if you work hard, there is nothing you can’t achieve,” Prince Ermias told a group of Jamaica College boys. Earlier at The Mico University, trainee teachers who shook Prince Ermias’ hands declared that there would not be any hand-washing for rest of the day as they wanted to cherish the moment. “I am very elated to share in such a historical moment. I feel as if I am reliving a moment when Selassie I was here. So, to be a part of the festivity today, I am very proud,” declared history major, Rachel Dale.
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2 caught on video celebrating with guns in Maloney surrender
CRIME-STOCK GUNS and MASK Two of the people — a 13-yearold and a 23-year-old — who appeared in a video circulating on social media that shows a group of men shooting guns in the air in Maloney, have surrendered to police. The teenager was accompanied by his grandmother when he surrendered to the Maloney Police Station on Wednesday, while the 23-year-old walked into the Arouca Police Station and gave himself up to the police. T&T Guardian, during a visit to the Maloney area yesterday, was told the video was shot during the ringing in of the New Year 2016. It took place at Building 21. A police source yesterday confirmed that a third man is in prison
allegedly for a murder that occurred earlier this year at Building 16 in Maloney. When the T&T Guardian went to the area yesterday, one of the men was seen liming with a group of young men under a tree in front of Building 20 in Maloney. When he saw the T&T Guardian’s photographer he attempted to take cover. Residents, who wished not to be identified, said the men were drinking and having a good time on Old Year’s night and at the countdown, began shooting in the air, as they ushered in 2016. Police sources say that they are yet to locate two other men and two women, who were also shown in the video.
Coral ‘trees’ planted to build up Cayman’s reefs
Conservationists, in conjunction with four dive shops on Grand Cayman, are working to create coral nurseries to help restore local coral reefs By growing hundreds of new Conservationists are planting several coral “trees” in Grand corals from tiny snippets of the most Cayman’s waters this week to help resilient of those marine invertebrates, build up the reefs, thanks to a nonprofit conservationists hope they can help to organization dedicated to protecting offset those threats. “Coral reefs are the life of the the ocean environment. The organization, Sea of ocean, so it’s very important to keep our Change, has donated money and coral reefs healthy and to grow corals,” materials and brought in experts to said Wayne Hasson, a Sea of Change help six Cayman Islands companies board member. that have been issued permits by Mr. Hasson, who is from the Cayman Islands Department of Cayman but resides in Florida, and other Sea of Change board members Environment to begin coral nurseries. The nurseries, which grow coral, are in Cayman this week, along with will assist in boosting the population of experts from the Coral Restoration healthy and strong corals here, where Foundation, to begin installing coral the reefs attract thousands of tourists trees and help train dive operators in each year. However, the reefs are in the process of planting and maintaining jeopardy as they face threats from the nurseries. In Grand Cayman, permits overfishing, boat groundings, pollution and rising ocean temperatures. have been issued to Sunset House,
Speaker shock at injunction HOUSE Speaker Dr Kendal “As chair, I defy this or any Major said he was both “astonished” attempt by any court to direct or and “offended” by the recent granting affect in anyway the conduct of our of an injunction, which bars members business in this place. I have the of Parliament from disclosing Save honour to preside over this House at The Bays’ confidential information this juncture in our history and will during proceedings, calling it a “pre- therefore jealously guard its rights emptive onslaught” against the and privileges.” independence of the lower chamber. He added: “When the courts Dr Major said as this move decide to meddle and extend its reach attempts to usurp the authority of into the halls of Parliament democracy the Speaker and is contemptuous to is not well served. the House of Assembly, he stood ready “Parliament can be messy to have persons brought to the bar of yet it is self-regulating and the the House if necessary in defence of people ultimately cause it to correct Parliament and its freedoms. herself. Members are often wrong In his first public dismissal of and make mistakes. However for the the April 21 interlocutory injunction system to work there must be mutual granted by Justice Indra Charles, Dr cooperation and respect between Major was stern in denouncing the branches of government. Our rules order. operate through the discretion of the He said while the Office of chair and through this vehicle we the Attorney General seeks to have regulate the members. Parliament the injunction set aside, Parliament has its own checks and balances, ie will continue to function as it wishes. rules, chair, committees, private He added that he was unaware of members, diversity, elections every anywhere in the Commonwealth five years, etc. where the court is allowed to curtail “This matter is not about the actions of Parliament. politics or who is right or wrong for The injunction, which lasts what they said or did. This action by until May 12, sought to restrain the court is a violation of a clear-cut Foreign Affairs and Immigration principle in constitutional law and Minister Fred Mitchell, Education separation of powers. Minister Jerome Fitzgerald and “The privilege of freedom of Attorney General Allyson Maynard- speech is both the least questioned Gibson from any further appropriation, and the most fundamental right of perusal, use, publication or disclosure the member of Parliament on the floor in Parliament or elsewhere of any of the House and in committee,” Dr correspondence, including emails, Major stressed. belonging to STB. Separation of powers “Honourable members, I Central and South Eleuthera regard this interlocutory injunctive MP Damian Gomez said this was order as a pre-emptive onslaught the first time that he knew of where against the independence of the a Supreme court judge attempted to Parliament and its attempted regulate the utterances of the House execution usurps the authority of the of Assembly. chair and amasses contempt upon The PLP MP, who is also the our institution,” Dr Major said as he chairman of the House Committee addressed the House. on Privilege, said the concept of “In my view the order violates separation of powers had to be taken the principle of separation of powers seriously. He also raised concerns critical to a parliamentary democracy that in reading Justice Charles’ order and should attract outrage from every it was noted that there had been no member of this place and senator in representation from the Office of the the other place. In short, it is a blatant Attorney General. He suggested that breach of parliamentary privilege and this was due to an intentional act on utterly disdainful on many levels. the part of STB. Ocean Frontiers, Divetech and Cayman Mr. Nedimyer said the snippets Eco Divers to plant nurseries. Brac will usually turn into “basketball sized” Scuba Shack in Cayman Brac and the corals within a year. When the corals Central Caribbean Marine Institute on are grown, most are moved from the nursery and planted onto reefs, while Little Cayman also have permits. The Coral Restoration the rest are cut into snippets to keep Foundation, which developed the the nursery going. The goal is to keep the coral tree nursery framework in 2010, brought in 20 trees and plans to plant nurseries continuously producing coral 10 to 15 of them at Grand Cayman sites by getting recreational divers involved this week, foundation president Ken in the process. “We’ve refined the process to Nedimyer said. The trees are made out of PVC where it’s very simple to train, very piping and resemble white Christmas simple to do, and any recreational trees. Each tree can hold up to 100 diver can pick it up [with] an hour of corals. The trees float in the water, training,” Mr. Nedimyer said. Cameron Higgins, a 17-year-old attached to an anchor with a rope, and can move with storm-generated wave recreational diver from Pennsylvania, surges, even surviving hurricanes. found it easy to learn when he came Coral nursery builders take to Cayman this week to help build snippets of what Mr. Nedimyer calls the nurseries for a school community “tough corals” – those that have survived service project. bleaching and disease. The snippets “A lot of my friends are volunteering are then tied onto the tree “branches” at food banks and animal shelters and left to grow at the nursery for a and that’s all important, but people year or so, and cleaned at least once a forget how important coral reefs are,” month. Cameron said.
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NEWS
Prince died without a will, six siblings likely to share fortune
Music superstar Prince left no known will when he died last week, his sister said in court documents on Tuesday listing his six siblings or halfsiblings as heirs to a legacy estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. The sister, Tyka Nelson, asked that a special administrator be appointed to handle Prince’s affairs and that she be appointed to probate his estate. In documents filed in a state court in Carver County, Minnesota, Nelson listed herself and five other siblings or half-siblings as Prince’s A man writes on a makeshift memorial as fans gather at Harlem’s Apollo Theater to celebrate the heirs but gave no value of his assets life of Prince in Manhattan or debts. that Prince rarely exploited, Husney without a will, given the artist’s Prince, born Prince Rogers said last week. tendency to control his image, likeness, Nelson, was married and divorced The influential singer, name and recordings. twice. Under Minnesota law, Prince’s musician and songwriter behind hits “... That he would put himself assets are likely to be split evenly like “Purple Rain” was found dead at in a position that he would lose control between the siblings, according to age 57 on Thursday in an elevator at of those things at death I found very attorney Stephen Hopkins. his Paisley Park Studios compound in surprising,” Kosnitzky said. The value of his music catalog a Minneapolis suburb. The cause of “What is to stop someone alone has been estimated at over death was not yet known. who controls his estate from saying $500 million, according to Prince’s Michael Kosnitzky, a New that they’re going to promote purple first manager, Owen Husney. That York- and Miami-based attorney who Skittles?” he said, referring to Prince’s included potential licensing rights for advises the extremely wealthy, said signature color and the popular candy, film, TV, commercials and videogames he was surprised Prince had died adding that he did not think Prince
would approve. In her court filings, Nelson said she did not know of the existence of a will and had “no reason to believe that the Decedent executed testamentary documents in any form.” She proposed the Bremer Bank in Minnesota as special administrator, saying it had done business for years with Prince. Since his death, sales of his albums have soared; more than 2.3 million songs and some 580,000 albums have sold since Thursday, according to Nielsen Music. [nL2N17S1QA} Aside from royalties from his more than 30 albums, Prince regained ownership of his master recordings after a dispute with his Warner Bros. (TWX.N) music label. He was also said to have a cache of unheard recordings, including an album cut with late jazz trumpet great Miles Davis. Hopkins, the Minnesota attorney, predicted a long, drawn-out case over Prince’s assets, probably lasting years.
JetBlue pilot charged with flying drunk from Orlando to New York
U.S. prosecutors have charged a JetBlue pilot with flying while drunk from Orlando to New York last year with 151 passengers on board, officials said on Wednesday. Dennis Thomas Murphy Jr. was arrested and arraigned in a federal court in New York City on a charge of operating a commercial vehicle while under the influence, said Nellin McIntosh, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint unsealed on Wednesday said 151 passengers were onboard the flight on April 21, 2015, and Murphy had been selected for
random alcohol testing upon landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. JetBlue officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday. Murphy, who is from New Jersey, was released on a $50,000 bond cosigned by his father and spouse. His attorney, federal defender James Darrow, could not be immediately reached for comment. A breath test showed Murphy had a blood alcohol level of .111 percent, the complaint said. A second test showed him having a level of .091 percent.
“During the walk to the onsite testing office at JFK Airport, Murphy’s face was red and he was chewing gum rapidly,” the complaint said, adding that he attributed the high ratings to the gum he was chewing. A blood alcohol level of .1 or higher qualifies as being under the influence for criminal charges, the complaint said. The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits pilots from flying with blood alcohol content higher than .04, according to the regulator’s website. Earlier in the day, Murphy also piloted a flight to Orlando
International Airport from New York with 119 passengers on board and his co-pilot told authorities that Murphy was drinking an “unknown beverage from a cup” before and during both trips, the complaint said. Murphy was immediately removed from being able to fly JetBlue planes and had resigned from the airline by May 27, 2015. He was hired by the company in February of that year. Last month, an American Airlines co-pilot was charged for drinking alcohol before a weekend flight out of Detroit.
Air strikes on Aleppo hospital kill 27, U.N. declares catastrophe Air strikes destroyed a hospital and killed dozens of people in rebel-held areas of Syria’s Aleppo including children and doctors, and the United Nations called on Moscow and Washington to salvage a “barelyalive” cease-fire. The city of Aleppo is at the epicenter of a military escalation that has undermined peace talks in Geneva to end the five-year-old war and U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura appealed to the presidents of the United States and Russia to intervene. Six days of air strikes and rebel shelling in Aleppo, which is split between government forces and rebels, have killed some 200 people in the city, two-thirds of them
on the opposition side, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. “The catastrophic deterioration in Aleppo over the last 24-48 hours” has jeopardized the aid lifeline that delivers supplies to millions of Syrians, said Jan Egeland, chairman of the U.N. humanitarian task force. “I could not in any way express how high the stakes are for the next hours and days.” The Geneva talks aim to end a war that has killed more than 250,000 people, created the world’s worst refugee crisis, allowed for the rise of Islamic State and drawn in regional and major powers but the negotiations have all but failed and a truce to allow them to take place has collapsed.
Winding up the Geneva talks, de Mistura said he aimed to resume them in May, but gave no date. “Wherever you are, you hear explosions of mortars, shelling and planes flying over,” Valter Gros, who heads the International Committee of the Red Cross Aleppo office, said. “There is no neighborhood of the city that hasn’t been hit. People are living on the edge. Everyone here fears for their lives and nobody knows what is coming next,” he said. A Syrian military source said government planes had not been in areas where air raids were reported. Syria’s army denied reports that the Syrian air force targeted the hospital. The Russian defense ministry, whose air strikes have swung the war in
favor of President Bashar al-Assad, could not immediately be reached for comment. Russia has previously denied hitting civilian targets in Syria where it launched air raids late last year to bolster its ally. The British-based Observatory said 31 people were killed as a result of air strikes on several areas of opposition-held Aleppo on Thursday. In addition, it said at least 27 people were killed in the air strike on the hospital that was struck late on Wednesday. Rescue workers put the toll higher. In government-held areas, rebel mortar shelling killed at least 14 people, the Observatory and Syria’s state news agency SANA reported.
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Trump, Clinton wins solidify movement toward nomination U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S. April 25, 2016 Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton rapidly turned their fire on each other with an eye toward November’s presidential election after rolling up strong wins in Northeastern states. The New York billionaire easily defeated rivals John Kasich and Ted Cruz in all five states that held party nominating contests on Tuesday - Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware. He had a margin of victory rivaling that of New York state a week ago and was on course to win the vote in every county in each state. Clinton, already in control of the Democratic race, defeated challenger Bernie Sanders in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Her only loss of the night was in Rhode Island. The race now pivots immediately to Indiana, which is shaping up to be Cruz’s best, and perhaps last, chance to slow Trump’s momentum toward capturing the Republican presidential nomination for the Nov. 8 general election. If Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, can win a large share of the state’s 57 delegates on May 3, it will boost the chances that Trump will not be able to amass the 1,237 delegates he needs to clinch the nomination before the party’s convention in July. That could give Cruz a shot at convincing delegates to back him for president instead. Cruz’s campaign has begun hinting that he could name a vice presidential running mate as soon as this week, a move that would seek to consolidate more Republican support and create an image that he will be the nominee. Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who made a failed presidential bid, is among the potential picks being vetted. Trump, pressing his point that he views the nominating race as essentially finished, criticized that as a potential Cruz pick. “I think it would be a bad choice, not because she’s a woman but because she did not resonate at all with people.” “It’s too early to do it. And frankly, he’s wasting his time because he’s not going to be the nominee,” Trump said. A loss to Trump in Indiana would effectively cripple Cruz’s already faltering bid, and increase pressure on the party to rally around Trump as the prospective nominee. As Trump has moved from longshot candidate in a crowded field last year to clear frontrunner, he has sparked despair among many in the Republican establishment both for his aggressive and sometimes insulting style and for campaign pledges such as slapping a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, and building a wall along the border with Mexico. Katie Packer, head of the anti-Trump political-action committee Our Principles, said her organization would be active in Indiana with “TV, mail, phones, digital, all of it.” “We’re going to be playing in a lot of different congressional districts,” Packer said. The Club for Growth, a conservative probusiness group, has bought $1.5 million worth of anti-Trump TV ads in the state. Both groups worked to hand Trump a defeat at the hands of Cruz earlier this month in Wisconsin. “Tonight, this campaign moves back to more favorable terrain,” Cruz said in Knightstown, Indiana on Tuesday. Back on the East Coast, Trump and Clinton used victory rallies to snipe at each other, a taste of the kind of back and forth that will take place should they win their party’s nominations and face off in the general election campaign.
Ex-House Speaker Hastert gets 15 months, admits sex abuse
Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, once one of the country’s most powerful politicians, was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 months in federal prison for a financial crime related to sexual abuse of high school wrestlers he coached decades ago. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Durkin called Hastert a serial sex abuser in handing down the sentence, which was longer than the zero to six months recommended by federal prosecutors. Durkin said the sentence would have been even Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert is surrounded by officers longer if it weren’t for Hastert’s as he leaves federal court after pleading not guilty to federal charges of trying to hide large cash transactions and lying to the FBI in Chicago, Illinois, United States, June 9, age, 74, and poor health. 2015 Frail and clinging to a walker, Hastert apologized for ago but the damage lasts today,” to ever speak publicly about the sexually abusing boys when he Durkin said. abuse, choked up as he described was a teacher and coach in his Hastert’s defense had how Hastert molested him in the hometown of Yorkville. asked for a probation-only wrestling locker room in 1972. “I’m sorry to those I hurt sentence, arguing that his shame “As a 17-year-old boy and misled. I wanted to apologize and humiliation were punishment I was devastated,” he told the for the boys I mistreated,” Hastert enough. His portrait has been judge. “I tried to figure out why told Durkin at the two-hour removed from the Capitol, the Coach Hastert had singled me out. sentencing hearing in federal seat of the U.S. Congress, and I felt very alone and tremendously court in Chicago. his alma mater Wheaton College embarrassed.” The judge asked him if he stripped his name from a public Hastert, a conservative acknowledged sexual abuse of his policy center. who trumpeted his honesty and victims and Hastert said he did. “Nothing is more small-town values when he was Hastert, the longest- stunning than having the in Washington, D.C., said he did serving Republican House words ‘serial child molester’ and not contest Cross’s statement. speaker in history and a ‘speaker of the house’ in the same But his defense said the successful international lobbyist sentence,” Durkin acknowledged. former politician had forgotten who was earning $75,000 a month, But he said that an extremely the incident from 1972 and had pleaded guilty last October to aggravating factor in the even approached Cross’s older the crime of structuring. That sentencing was that Hastert lied brother, Tom Cross, former involves withdrawing a large sum to federal agents about the money Illinois House Republican leader, of money in small increments to and falsely claimed that the and asked him to write a letter of avoid detection. victim was extorting him. He said support to the judge. He needed the cash after he Hastert must serve two years of The sex abuse victim who reached a secret agreement probation and go through sex- received money from Hastert with one of his five sexual abuse offender treatment after release, has not been named publicly. On victims to pay him $3.5 million and also pay a $250,000 fine. Monday, using the name James in compensation for pain and Scott Cross, 53, one of Doe, he sued Hastert for $1.8 suffering. Hastert’s victims, and Jolene million, saying he had received The judge said that even Burdge, the sister of another only $1.7 million of the promised though Hastert could not be victim who is deceased, both compensation. charged with sex abuse because spoke during the hearing. Hastert had been out on the statute of limitations had run “Don’t be a coward, Mr. bail pending sentencing. When out, he could take the conduct Hastert,” Burdge said. “Tell there is room for him, he will into consideration at sentencing. the truth. What you did wasn’t report to a federal prison where “Some conduct is misconduct. It was sexual abuse he can get medical treatment unforgivable no matter how old it of a minor.” after suffering a life-threatening is. The abuse was 40 years Cross, the first victim blood infection last year.
Opioid medication found on Prince, at death scene: media Authorities investigating the death of Prince found prescription opioid medication on him, according to various news outlets on Wednesday; the same day court records showed a judge appointed a bank to safeguard the music legend’s estate. CNN reported that the pain-killing substance was found on Prince while the Star Tribune in Minneapolis reported that prescription pills were found where the musician died at the age of 57 last week at his home in suburban Minneapolis.
Both reports were based on unidentified law enforcement sources. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports and local law enforcement officials were not immediately available for comment. Various news outlets including CNN also reported that local enforcement has requested the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to assist in the investigation. Police have said they found no signs of suicide or obvious trauma in the death of Prince and that it could take weeks before
autopsy results reveal how the groundbreaking performer died. The Star Tribune said that authorities are trying to determine what, if any, role opioids may have played in Prince’s death whether the drugs found at the scene were prescribed to him. The intensely private musician, whose hits included “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry,” was found dead in an elevator at his home in suburban Minneapolis last Thursday, shocking millions of fans around the world and prompting glowing tributes by fellow musicians.
Also on Wednesday, a judge in Carver County, Minnesota, acting on a request from Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, named Bremer Trust, National Association as special administrator to handle his estate, which is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. Prince’s sister asked for the bank to be appointed, saying it dealt with the singer’s affairs for years. A probate hearing in the case was scheduled for May 2, according to state court documents and a court spokesman.
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Half of Americans think presidential nominating system ‘rigged’ – poll More than half of American voters believe that the system U.S. political parties use to pick their candidates for the White House is “rigged” and more than two-thirds want to see the process changed, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The results echo complaints from Republican front-runner Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Bernie Sanders that the system is stacked against them in favor of candidates with close ties to their parties – a critique that has triggered a nationwide debate over whether the process is fair. The United States is one of just a handful of countries that gives regular voters any say in who should make it onto the presidential ballot. But the state-by-state system of primaries, caucuses and conventions is complex. The contests historically were always party events, and while the popular vote has grown in influence since the mid-20th century, the parties still have considerable sway. One quirk of the U.S. system - and the area where the parties get to flex their muscle - is the use of delegates, party members who are assigned to support contenders at their respective conventions, usually based on voting results. The parties decide how delegates are awarded in each state, with the Republicans and Democrats having different rules. The delegates’ personal opinions can come into play at the party conventions if the race is too close to call - an issue that has become a lightning rod in the current political season. Another complication is that state governments have different rules about whether voters must be registered as party members to participate. In some states, parties further restrict delegate selection to small committees of party elites, as the
A voter casts his ballot in the Pennsylvania primary at a polling place inside a firehouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 26, 2016 Republican Party in Colorado did this Island. The New York billionaire year. has 950 delegates to 560 for Cruz, a “I’d prefer to see a one-man- U.S. senator from Texas, and 153 for one-vote system,” said Royce Young, Kasich, the Ohio governor, according 76, a resident of Society Hill, South to the Associated Press. A total of 1,237 Carolina, who supports Democratic delegates are needed to secure the front-runner Hillary Clinton. “The Republican nomination. process is so flawed.” On the Democratic side, Trump has repeatedly Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, railed against the rules, at times has taken issue with the party’s use calling them undemocratic. After the of superdelegates, the hundreds of Colorado Republican Party awarded elite party members who can support all its delegates to Ted Cruz, for whomever they like at the convention example, Trump lashed out in a and who this year overwhelmingly Wall Street Journal opinion piece, back front-runner Hillary Clinton. charging “the system is being rigged Clinton has repeatedly by party operatives with ‘double-agent’ emphasized that she is beating delegates who reject the decision of Sanders in both total votes cast and voters.” in pledged delegates, those who are Republican National bound by the voting results - rendering Committee Chairman Reince Priebus his complaints about superdelegates has dismissed Trump’s complaints moot. as “rhetoric” and said the rules would On Tuesday, the former not be changed before the Republican secretary of state won Pennsylvania, convention in July. Maryland, Delaware and Connecticut, Trump swept the five while Sanders won in Rhode Island. Northeastern nominating contests on Clinton leads Sanders by 2,141 Tuesday in Pennsylvania, Maryland, delegates to 1,321, according to the Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode AP, with 2,383 needed to win the
nomination. Sanders has also criticized party bosses for not holding enough prime-time television debates and said before a string of primaries open only to registered Democrats this month that “independents have lost their right to vote,” referring to a voter block that has tended to favor him. A Democratic National Committee official was not immediately available to comment. Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said the U.S. presidential nominating system could probably be improved in a number of areas, but noted that the control wielded by party leadership usually became an issue only during tight races. “The popular vote overwhelms the rules usually, but in these close elections, everyone pays attention to these arcane rules,” he said. Some 51 percent of likely voters who responded to the April 2126 online survey said they believed the primary system was “rigged” against some candidates. Some 71 percent of respondents said they would prefer to pick their party’s nominee with a direct vote, cutting out the use of delegates as intermediaries. The results also showed 27 percent of likely voters did not understand how the primary process works and 44 percent did not understand why delegates were involved in the first place. The responses were about the same for Republicans and Democrats. Overall, nearly half said they would also prefer a single primary day in which all states held their nominating contests together - as opposed to the current system of spreading them out for months. The poll included 1,582 Americans and had a credibility interval of 2.9 percentage points.
Youth with BB gun resembling firearm shot by police in East Baltimore A Baltimore police Department’s intelligence detective shot a boy in East section were driving in the Baltimore on Wednesday 1100 block of E. Baltimore afternoon who he wrongly St. shortly after 4 p.m. believed was carrying a Wednesday when they spotted semiautomatic pistol, Police the boy with what appeared to Commissioner Kevin Davis be a firearm. said. The detectives got out of their The boy suffered vehicle, identified themselves what police called non-life- as officers and told him to stop, threatening injuries to a Davis said. The boy began “lower extremity,” Davis said. running, the officers gave The weapon turned out to be chase for about 150 yards, spring-air-powered BB gun — and one detective shot the boy, not a real firearm. Davis said. Young said she was The boy’s mother identified him as 14-year-old home Wednesday afternoon Dedric Colvin, an eighth- when an older son came grader at City Springs Middle banging on the front door. School. Volanda Young said “Ma,” Alvin Colvin her son was shot once in the said. “The police shot Dedric.” shoulder and once in the leg. Young said she ran outside to The incident came on the find the boy bleeding in a side day city officials marked the street near a basketball court. one-year anniversary of the “All I could see was blood,” she Freddie Gray riots. said. “I was screaming.” Davis said two Police did not release plainclothes detectives the boy’s name. They said he assigned to the Police was 13.
They did release a photograph of the gun they said he was carrying. It appeared to show a Daisy brand PowerLine Model 340 spring-air pistol. After decades in law enforcement, Davis said, he might have mistaken it for a firearm. “I looked at it myself today, I stood right over top of it, I put my own eyes on it,” he said. “It’s an absolute, identical replica semiautomatic pistol. Those police officers had no way of knowing that it was not, in fact, an actual firearm. It looks like a firearm.” Blood was visible outside the McKim Community Center and basketball courts Wednesday evening near the intersection of Aisquith and East Baltimore streets. The detectives were not injured, Davis said. Police did not release their names. Dedric was taken to Johns
Hopkins Hospital. Young said fleeing.” She said she didn’t she pleaded with police: “Is my son alive?” know where he got the BB gun. The incident recalled She said she was leaving to call the hospital when officers the death of Tamir Rice, the handcuffed her and put her in 12-year-old Cleveland boy who was shot by a police a police car. “It was humiliating,” officer in November 2014 after he brandished a toy gun she said. She said she was taken to in a public park. The City of a police station and asked Cleveland agreed this week questions. At one point, she to pay $6 million to settle a said, she was put in a cell. She federal lawsuit brought by said officers told her she was Rice’s family. The heavy police being belligerent. After two hours, she presence Wednesday drew estimated, she was driven to neighbors to the scene. Some the hospital: “I begged them milled around, condemning to take me.” what they described as more She spoke in her police brutality in the city. home Wednesday evening. A Some noted that the medal that Dedric earned in shooting occurred on the the Baltimore Urban Debate day that Mayor Stephanie League hangs on a trophy in Rawlings-Blake was hosting a the living room. “reconciliation” event in West “He gets good grades. Baltimore to mark the oneMy son is a good kid,” Young year anniversary of the riots said. “I know he was scared. that erupted on the day Gray They shot at him while he was was buried.
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Trump’s ‘America first’ speech alarms U.S. allies
Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers a foreign policy speech at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, US April 27, 2016 Donald Trump’s first major foreign policy address alarmed American allies, who view the Republican front runner’s repeated invocation of an “America first” agenda as a threat to retreat from the world. While most governments were careful not to comment publicly on a speech by a U.S. presidential candidate, Germany’s foreign minister veered from that protocol to express concern at Trump’s wording. “I can only hope that the election campaign
in the USA does not lack the perception of reality,” FrankWalter Steinmeier said. “The world’s security architecture has changed and it is no longer based on two pillars alone. It cannot be conducted unilaterally,” he said of foreign policy in a postCold War world. “No American president can get round this change in the international security architecture.... ‘America first’ is actually no answer to that.” Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister and foreign minister who served
as UN envoy to the Balkans in nomination. The speech included the aftermath of the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, said he no dramatic new policy heard Trump’s speech as proposals that might generate “abandoning both democratic headlines, such as his past calls to bar Muslims from allies and democratic values”. “Trump had not entering the United States or a word against Russian to build a wall on the frontier aggression in Ukraine, but with Mexico. Where he was specific, plenty against past U.S. support for democracy in like rejecting the terms of last Egypt,” Bildt said on Twitter, year’s nuclear deal with Iran, referring to lines from Trump’s calling for more investment speech that criticized the in missile defense in Europe Barack Obama administration and accusing the Obama of tepid for withdrawing support for administration autocrat Hosni Mubarak support for Israel, he was firmly within the Republican during a 2011 uprising. Trump’s speech, mainstream. uncharacteristically read out A major theme -- that more from a teleprompter, seemed NATO allies should spend at aimed at showing a more least 2 percent of their economic serious side of a politician who output on defense -- is one that has said he intends to act more has also been taken up by the “presidential” after months of Obama administration itself, including repeatedly during speaking mainly off the cuff. He promised “a the president’s visit to Europe disciplined, deliberate and last week. consistent foreign policy” in N e v e r t h e l e s s , contrast to the “reckless, Trump’s rhetoric raised alarm rudderless and aimless” in allied countries that still policies of Obama and rely on the superpower for particularly the former Secretary of State defense, Hillary Clinton, Trump’s phrase “America first”, used likely Democratic opponent in the 1930s by isolationists if he secures the Republican that sought to keep the United
Iran’s Supreme Leader says U.S. lifted sanctions only on paper
States out of World War Two. Former South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sunghan, who now teaches at the Korea University in Seoul, said Trump would be “the first isolationist to be U.S. presidential candidate, while in the post-war era all the U.S. presidents have been to varying degrees internationalists.” “Saying the U.S. will no longer engage in anything that is a burden in terms of its relationships with allies, it would be almost like abandoning those alliances,” he said. “It will inevitably give rise to anti-American sentiment worldwide.” Xenia Wickett, head of the U.S. and Americas Programme at Britain’s Chatham House think tank, said the speech “suggests Trump would make America’s allies less secure rather than more. “He talked about allies being confident but all of his rhetoric suggested that America should be unpredictable and that America’s allies needed to stand up for themselves.”
Biden arrives in Iraq to try to help settle political crisis
Vice President Joe Biden steps off a C-17 military transport plane upon his arrival in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, April 28, 2016
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) addresses workers in Tehran, Iran, April 27, 2016 Iran’s Supreme Leader accused the United States on Wednesday of scaring businesses away from Tehran and undermining a deal to lift international sanctions. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told hundreds of workers that a global deal, signed between Iran and world powers, had lifted financial sanctions, but U.S. obstruction was stopping Iran getting the full economic fruits of the agreement. “On paper the United States allows foreign banks to deal with Iran, but in practice they create Iranophobia so no one does business with Iran,” he said in quotes from the speech posted on his website. Iran has repeatedly urged Washington to do more to remove obstacles to the banking sector, in the spirit of the July deal with the United States, the European Union, Russia
and China to lift most sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. But some U.S. sanctions remain, and U.S. banks remain prohibited from doing business with Iran directly or indirectly because Washington still accuses Tehran of supporting terrorism and human rights abuses. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in New York on Saturday that Washington was not trying to stop Iran dealing with banks outside the United States. “There are now opportunities for foreign banks to do business with Iran ... Unfortunately there seems to be some confusion among some foreign banks and we want to try and clarify that,” Kerry said.
BAGHDAD (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Thursday to implore the country’s leaders to resolve a crippling political crisis that has hindered efforts to defeat the Islamic State group. Biden landed in Baghdad midafternoon after a secret, overnight flight from Washington on a military plane. Stepping onto the tarmac in blistering heat, he greeted the U.S. ambassador and Lt. Gen. Sean McFarland, the U.S. commander heading the fight against IS, as swirling dust masked the skyline behind them. His first stop was a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi at the late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s grandiose Republican Palace, which served as U.S. headquarters in Baghdad after the U.S.-led 2003 invasion. The two exchanged greetings and spoke in English as reporters were allowed in briefly for the start of the meeting. The White House didn’t disclose the rest of Biden’s itinerary, but said he would meet with other Iraqi leaders
to stress national unity and discuss the campaign against IS extremists. Biden also planned to meet with U.S. personnel in the country. His visit comes amid a wave of tense protests and demands for sweeping political reforms that have paralyzed Iraq’s government, already struggling to tackle a dire economic crisis and battle IS. The Obama administration has stepped up its military role with more troops and equipment in hopes of putting Iraq on a better path as President Barack Obama prepares to leave office in January. Though there’s been progress in wresting back territory from IS and weakening its leadership, senior U.S. officials traveling with Biden said any lost momentum will likely be due to political unrest rather than military shortcomings. Chaotic politics are nothing new in Iraq, but the present infighting risks becoming a distraction, with politicians more focused on keeping their jobs than fighting IS, said the officials, who weren’t authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity.
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TECHNOLOGY
Samsung Elec tips second quarter profit pickup as Galaxy S7 excels Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) on Thursday tipped a pickup in secondquarter profits after reporting a 12 percent earnings gain in JanuaryMarch on the back of “robust” sales of its Galaxy S7 smartphones. The mobile division was the South Korean firm’s biggest earner for the first time since the second quarter of 2014, in a sign the world’s top smartphone maker has righted itself after two years of shrinking profits and market share losses. Boasting an improved camera, waterproofing and microSD storage support, Galaxy S7 models are on track to set a new first-year shipments record, lifting hopes the mobile business will post its first annual profit gain in three years. The firm said inventory levels remain low for the new models, suggesting good momentum. “In the second quarter we expect our solid performance to continue,” Samsung investor relations chief Robert Yi said during a postearnings conference call, adding the firm was “cautiously optimistic” that operating profit would increase quarter-on-quarter. Samsung’s January-March
New Samsung S7 (R) and S7 edge smartphones are displayed after their unveiling ceremony at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 21, 2016 operating profit was 6.7 trillion won trillion won. ($5.84 billion), slightly above with its Profit for the smartphone earlier estimate of 6.6 trillion won. division jumped 42 percent from a Revenue rose 5.7 percent to 49.8 trillion year earlier to 3.9 trillion won, an won, compared with its guidance for 49 almost two-year high. Samsung said
it expected further sales growth for its Galaxy S7 devices in the second quarter as well as from its mid-tolow tier products, flagging improved profitability on lower-end models such as the Galaxy A and J series. The firm expects secondquarter mobile shipments, including non-smartphones, to fall slightly from 92 million units in January-March, partly as older smartphone models are phased out. Average sales prices will rise slightly, however. Market researcher TrendForce says combined shipments for flat- and curved-screen S7 models will reach 52 million by the year-end, surpassing the previous record of 47 million sets by the Galaxy S4. Operating profit for the chip division fell 6 percent to 2.6 trillion won, undercut by price declines for memory chips stemming from slower demand for products such as personal computers. The firm also said it will buy back and cancel 2 trillion won of its own shares in the third installment of its 11.3 trillion won buyback plan. Yi said during the conference call Samsung did not plan to implement quarterly dividends in 2016.
Apple’s nine-year iPhone juggernaut stops with first sales decline
Apple Inc on Tuesday posted sales, many investors fear the iPhone its first-ever decline in iPhone sales has reached saturation, spelling the and its first revenue drop in 13 years end for Apple’s exponential growth. as the company credited with inventing “Apple needs to come up the smartphone struggles with an with a radical new innovation or increasingly saturated market. product rather than just the current The company’s sales dropped incremental improvements to existing by more than a quarter in China, its products. This is the only way in which most important market after the it will reinvigorate sales growth,” United States, and it also forecast said Neil Saunders, chief executive of another disappointing quarter for research firm Conlumino. global revenues. Apple Chief Financial Officer Its shares fell about 8 percent, Luca Maestri told Reuters that the dropping below $100 for the first success of the iPhone 6 a year earlier time since February. A hike in Apple’s had set a difficult bar to beat in the share buyback and dividend as well as second quarter. “The iPhone 6 is an bumper revenue from services failed to anomaly,” he said. mollify investors. But Chief Executive Tim Cook Apple’s results followed told analysts that the smartphone disappointing quarterly reports from market was not growing, reinforcing Microsoft Corp(MSFT.O) and Google- wider concerns of saturation. owner Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), and Cook also conceded that the microblog Twitter (TWTR.N) also on iPhone 6S was driving customers to Tuesday reported results that missed replace phones at a much lower rate expectations. than the 6. “I don’t mean just a hair Apple said it sold 51.2 million lower; it’s a lot lower,” he said. “If we’d iPhones in its second fiscal quarter, had the same rate on 6S as 6, it would down from 61.2 million in the same be time for a huge party.” quarter a year ago but above analysts’ He pointed to the services estimates of about 50 million devices. division, which includes Apple Music While Apple executives had and the App Store, as a bright spot. Its predicted iPhone sales would decline revenue grew 20 percent to $6 billion this quarter, they must reassure and surpassed iMac and iPad sales. investors that the drop represents a Cook also hinted that Apple momentary roadblock, rather than a had more gadgets to come. “The permanent shift for the product that future of Apple is very bright,” he said. fueled its meteoric rise. “Our product pipeline has amazing After years of blockbuster innovations in store.”
Earnings of $1.90 per share fell short of the average analyst estimate of $2 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Revenue of $50.56 billion missed expectations of $51.97 billion. Apple forecast third-quarter revenue of $41 billion to $43 billion, short of the Wall Street consensus of $47.3 billion. Apple also said it was raising its capital return program by $50 billion through a $35 billion increase in its share buyback authorization and a 10 percent rise in the quarterly dividend. iPHONE SE DEMAND STRONG In March, Apple released the iPhone SE, a smaller, 4-inch-screen phone featuring much of the company’s latest technology. Although sales of the phone were not captured in the second quarter, the device is off to a strong start, particularly in emerging markets, Maestri said. “The situation right now around the world is that we are supplyconstrained,” he said. “The demand has been very, very strong.” Although Apple’s revenue in Greater China fell 26 percent from the year-ago quarter, Maestri stressed that the company was “extremely optimistic” about China. “We continue to make a lot of investment there,” he said. Cook said that mainland
Details are pictured on the backside of an Apple Iphone 6 on a table in a restaurant in Hanau, Germany, April 10, 2016 China sales were down only 7 percent in constant currency, attributing much of the Greater China drop to Hong Kong, where strength in the local dollar, which is pegged to U.S. currency, deterred tourist shopping. The company did not comment on prospects for its iBooks Stores and iTunes Movie service, which were shut down last week in China. The drop in after-hours shares wipes out roughly $46 billion in market capitalization, roughly the value of heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N).
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Email privacy bill unanimously passes U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously on Wednesday to require law enforcement authorities to get a search warrant before asking technology companies to hand over old emails. The bill’s prospects in the Senate remain unclear, though the 419-0 vote in the House was likely to put pressure on the upper chamber to approve it. Under the Email Privacy Act, which updates a decades-old law, authorities would have to get a warrant to access emails or other digital communications more than 180 days old. At present, agencies such as the U.S. Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission only need a subpoena to seek such data from a service provider. Supporters of the legislation say it is needed to update the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). Technology companies and privacy advocates say that statute was written before the rise of the Internet and so is outdated.
The issue of law enforcement access to private electronic communications has been at the center of an international debate. This was reflected in the Justice Department’s high-profile pursuit of a court order earlier this year to force Apple Inc (AAPL.O) to help unlock an encrypted iPhone linked to one of the San A lock icon, signifying an encrypted Internet connection, is seen on an Internet Explorer browser in a photo illustration in Paris April Bernardino, California, shooters. 15, 2014 Separately, Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) earlier this month filed lawsuit in federal court against the Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who holds Justice Department, alleging the government is using jurisdiction over the legislation, intends to move it ECPA in a way that violates the U.S. Constitution. forward during an election year. The Iowa Republican will review the House The company argued ECPA is too often used to prevent the company from notifying its users, bill, consult with stakeholders and his committee sometimes indefinitely, when investigators pry into “and decide where to go from there,” a spokeswoman told Reuters in an email. emails and other data stored on remote servers. More than a quarter of senators have Senators Patrick Leahy and Mike Lee, the endorsed similar legislation in the upper chamber Democratic and Republican authors of the Senate to the House bill, including No. 2 Republican John bill, praised the House vote in a statement as “an historic step toward updating our privacy laws for Cornyn. the digital age” and urged quick consideration. But it was unclear if Senate Judiciary
PayPal’s profit surges on growth in transactions, new users PayPal Holdings Inc’s (PYPL.O) quarterly revenue and profit jumped, beating analysts’ estimates, as the company added customers and processed more digital payments. Shares of PayPal, spun off from eBay Inc (EBAY.O) last year, were up 2 percent at $40.90 in extended trading on Wednesday. PayPal, which is facing increasing competition from rival digital payment services by Apple Inc (AAPL.O), Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) and Square Inc (SQ.N), is tying up with retailers, airlines and other
companies to drive growth. billion. The company said it PayPal’s active accounts rose 11.5 percent to was seeing strong growth in its 184 million in the first quarter, Venmo platform, which allows topping the average analyst person-to-person payments. estimate of 182.8 million, “We are on track to according to research firm expand to more merchants and open the service to our FactSet StreetAccount. Total payment full Venmo customer base volumes surged 28.6 percent in the second half of this to $81.06 billion. year,” Chief Executive Daniel “The company’s Schulman said on a postgrowth is just very consistent earnings conference call. PayPal’s total revenue above the market growth rate,” Susquehanna Financial Group rose 19 percent to $2.54 billion analyst James Friedman said. in the quarter ended March PayPal processed 1.41 billion 31, while net income jumped transactions in the quarter, 43 percent to $365 million, or slightly higher than the 30 cents per share. Excluding items, the average estimate of 1.39
A PayPal sign is seen at an office building in San Jose, California May 28, 2014 company earned 37 cents per share. Analysts on average had expected a profit of 35
cents per share and revenue of $2.50 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Amazon found liable for charges incurred by kids using apps
Two freshly delivered Amazon boxes are seen on a counter in Golden, Colorado August 27, 2014 Amazon.com Inc is liable for billing parents for in-app purchases that their children made without permission, a federal judge has judge has decided, in a ruling that resolves accusations similar to ones that Apple Inc and Google Inc settled two years ago. U.S. District Judge John
Coughenour in Washington State on Tuesday granted a Federal Trade Commission motion for summary judgment on liability in a fight between Amazon and the agency over the unauthorized purchases. “The millions of dollars billed to Amazon customers without a mechanism for consent, the
thousands of customers complaining document about Amazon’s marketing about unauthorized charges, and the plan in which it acknowledged that time spent seeking refunds for those “’IAP’ isn’t a concept widely known by charges, all demonstrate substantial customers.” Judge Coughenour also injury,” he wrote. “It is Amazon’s stated policy quoted Aaron Rubenson, who says on that in-app purchases are final and his Linkedin account that he is head of nonrefundable, likely discouraging the Amazon Appstore, that customer much of its customer base from complaints about the purchases were “near house on fire.” The judge also attempting to seek refunds.” The judge also noted that quoted Rubenson as saying, “We’re 1,573 customers who sought refunds clearly causing problems for a large percentage of our customers.” did not receive them. Coughenour denied the FTC data analyst Julie FTC’s request for an injunction that Miller estimated that Amazon would have subjected Amazon to 20 had made $86 million from the inyears of oversight. Amazon has made app purchases and refunded $10 changes in how in-app purchases are million. She estimated that fully 42 made since the FTC began probing percent of the total purchases were unauthorized, the judge said. The the issue, the court said. The judge did not judge said he believed that number immediately decide on a remedy. The could be “inflated” and asked for a FTC, which filed the lawsuit in 2014, further briefing. said it would press for full refunds for Amazon called Miller’s estimate “fundamentally flawed,” the affected Amazon customers. The agency has accused judge said. Amazon did not respond the online retailer of failing to to requests for comment for this story. The FTC settled similar make proper disclosures to parents regarding purchases made by their cases with Apple and Google in 2014. children while using apps such as Apple agreed to refund to customers “Pet Shop Story.” at least $32.5 million in unauthorized The judge cited in his ruling charges, while Google agreed to pay what he said was a confidential at least $19 million.
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WORLD NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
Google, Ford, Uber join coalition to further self-driving cars Alphabet Inc’s Google unit, Ford Motor Co, the ridesharing service Uber and two other companies said on Tuesday they are forming a coalition to push for federal action to help speed self-driving cars to market. Sweden-based Volvo Cars, which is owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co GEELY.UL, and Uber rival Lyft also are part of the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets. The group said in a statement it will “work with lawmakers, regulators and the public to realize the safety and societal benefits of self-driving vehicles.” The coalition said David Strickland, the former top official of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the top U.S. auto safety agency that is writing new guidance on self-driving cars, will be the coalition’s counsel and spokesman. “The best path for this innovation is to have one clear set of federal standards and the coalition will work with policymakers to find the right solutions that will facilitate the deployment of self-driving vehicles,” Strickland said in the statement. On Wednesday, NHTSA is holding the second of two public forums on its self-driving car guidelines that will feature comments from tech companies
A security guard keeps watch as he walks past a logo of Google at an exhibition stage during the 4th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair 2016 in Shanghai, China, April 21, 2016 and automakers at Stanford are not legal. University. NHTSA Administrator NHTSA did not Mark Rosekind has said immediately return a message policymakers should avoid a seeking comment on the coalition. “patchwork” of state regulations Ford said in a statement on self-driving cars but has not the group will “work together to taken a position on California’s advocate for policy solutions that proposal. will support the deployment of In February, NHTSA said fully autonomous vehicles.” the artificial intelligence system NHTSA hopes to piloting a self-driving Google car release its guidance to states, could be considered the driver policymakers and companies on under federal law, a major step self-driving vehicles in July. toward winning approval for California has proposed autonomous vehicles. barring self-driving cars that do The five companies, not have steering wheels, pedals which all are working on selfand a licensed driver ready driving cars, say one of the group’s to take over in an emergency, first tasks is to “work with civic which Google has opposed. organizations, municipalities Under current regulations, fully and businesses to bring the autonomous vehicles without vision of self-driving vehicles to human controls America’s roads and highways.”
Global smartphone market shrank annually for first time in first quarter
Visitors check their smartphones at the world’s biggest computer and software fair CeBit in Hanover, Germany, March 14, 2016 Global shipments of smartphones shrank 3 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier in the market’s first year-on-year contraction on record, researcher Strategy Analytics said on Thursday, reflecting growing strains on the industry. Strategy Analytics said in a statement January-March shipments fell to 334.6 million devices from 345 million in the same period a year earlier, as major markets such as China matured and concerns about the global economy weighed on consumer sentiment. South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd remained the world’s top smartphone maker, but saw shipments fall by 4.5 percent to 79 million, Strategy Analytics said. The firm’s market share dipped slightly, to 23.6 percent from 24 percent a year earlier. Apple Inc remained in second place, but saw shipments fall 16 percent to 51.2 million from a year earlier as Strategy Analytics cited what it called “iPhone fatigue”. Apple’s market share dropped to 15.3 percent from 17.7 percent a year earlier, the researcher said.
Philippine central bank says foiled attempts to hack its website
A logo of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines) is seen at their main building in Manila, Philippines March 23, 2016 The Philippine central bank has foiled attempts to hack its website, its governor said on Thursday amid a warning from global financial network SWIFT about recent multiple cyber
fraud incidents targeting its system. SWIFT’S disclosure came as law enforcement authorities in Bangladesh and elsewhere investigated the February cyber theft of $81 million
from the Bangladesh central bank account at the New York Federal Reserve Bank. “There were attempts, and I think this is a fact of life, but we have been able to turn them back,” Amando Tetangco told reporters. “Attempts are always there.” Tetangco stressed the hacking only involved its website and that it has been updating its cyber security systems. He did not say when the hacking attempts occurred. “We continue to update the firewalls, the security features as we move along. It is a continuing effort,” he said. “What is important is that these attempts should not be successful.” Philippine lawmakers and investigators are looking into how $81 million hacked from the New York Fed account of Bangladesh’s central bank wound up with two casinos and a junket operator in the Philippines in one of the biggest cyber heists in
history. Bangladesh’s central bank was vulnerable to hackers because it did not have a firewall and used second-hand, $10 switches to network computers connected to the SWIFT network, an investigator said. SWIFT, or the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, is a cooperative owned by 3,000 financial institutions. Despite the bank heist controversy, the Philippine central bank believes the country’s banking system remains strong. But it has directed banks and financial institutions in the Philippines to strengthen their knowyour-customer practices following a separate website hacking incident involving the country’s poll body. The hackers had posted online voters’ personal information from the poll body, raising concerns about the possibility of identity theft.
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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS
North Korea rushes to re-test intermediate missile, fails again: South Korea
A South Korean defense ministry official told Reuters that the launch at about 6:40 a.m. local time (2140 GMT Wednesday) from near the east coast city of Wonsan appeared to have been of a Musudan missile with a range of more than 3,000 km (1,800 miles). It crashed within seconds, the official said. “They are in a rush to show anything that is successful, to meet the schedule of a political event, the party congress,” said Yang Uk, a senior research fellow at the Korea Defence and Security Forum and a policy
adviser to the South Korean navy. “They need to succeed but they keep failing. They didn’t have enough time to fix or technically modify the system, but just shot them because they were in hurry,” he said. Thursday’s apparent failure marks another setback for the North’s young leader Kim Jong Un. A similar missile launched on the April 15 birthday of his grandfather, the country’s founder, Kim Il Sung, exploded in what the U.S. Defense Department called a “fiery, catastrophic” failure. Some experts had predicted that North Korea would wait until it had figured out what went wrong in the previous failed Musudan missile launch before attempting another, a process that could take months and a sign that Thursday’s firing was rushed. However, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency had reported on Tuesday that the North appeared to be preparing the second launch of a Musudan, which theoretically has the range to reach any part of Japan and the U.S. territory of Guam. According to South Korea, the missile has never been successfully flight-tested. North Korea lists South Korea, the United States and Japan as its main enemies. South Korea also says the
North is ready to conduct a nuclear test at any time. It would be its fifth nuclear test. “Signs for an imminent fifth nuclear test are being detected ahead of North Korea’s seventh Party Congress,” President Park Geun-hye said at a national security meeting on Thursday. The defense ministry official, who declined to be identified by name, said South Korean and U.S. officials were analyzing the cause of Thursday’s missile crash, declining to comment on why news of the launch was revealed several hours after it took place. Yonhap said the fired missile was not detected by South Korean military radar because it did not fly above a few hundred meters, and was spotted by a U.S. satellite. The South Korean defense ministry told Reuters it could not confirm that report. North Korea’s missile tests are in defiance of United Nations Security Council sanctions against the country, which were strengthened following a January nuclear test and a space rocket launch the following month. On Saturday, North Korea tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile, which traveled about 30 km (18 miles) off its east coast.
Facebook Inc’s (FB.O) ensured its founders’ control by creating quarterly revenue rose more than 50 new non-voting shares. percent, handily beating Wall Street Some 1.65 billion people expectations as its wildly popular used Facebook monthly as of March mobile app and a push into live video 31, up from 1.44 billion a year earlier. lured new advertisers and encouraged Zuckerberg said users were spending existing ones to boost spending. more than 50 minutes per day on The company’s shares rose Facebook, Instagram and Messenger, a 9.5 percent in after-hours trading on huge amount of time given the millions Wednesday to $118.39, setting it on of apps available to users. track to open at a new high on Thursday, Advertisers are shifting money at nearly triple its initial public offering from television to web and mobile four years ago. platforms, and Facebook is one of the Facebook also announced it biggest beneficiaries. It faces fierce will create a new class of non-voting competition in the mobile video market, shares in a move aimed at letting Chief where rivals Snapchat and YouTube Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg give also garner billions of video views every away his wealth without relinquishing day. control of the social media juggernaut Facebook recently expanded its he founded. live video product, rolling out several The company plans to create a new features and making it more new class of non-voting shares, which prominent on the app to encourage would be given as a dividend to existing users to create videos and share them. shareholders. That would allow The quarterly results showed success Zuckerberg, who wants to give away 99 attracting advertisers with the move, percent of his wealth, to sell non-voting and the company was able to expand its stock to fund philanthropy and keep the operating profit margin to 55 percent voting stock that assures his control. from 52 percent a year earlier. Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) “The company consistently passed a similar proposal in 2014 that ‘warns’ about higher spending, but they
consistently manage their spending to deliver earnings upside. They’re an impressive company, and they leave very little room for criticism,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter, who called the operating margin a good surprise. Facebook did not offer details on sales of its Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, but emphasized that it was early days and said that sales would not significantly impact 2016 revenue. Total revenue rose to $5.38 billion from $3.54 billion, with ad revenue increasing 56.8 percent to $5.20 billion. Mobile ad revenue accounted for about 82 percent of total ad revenue, compared with about 73 percent a year earlier. Analysts on average had expected revenue of $5.26 billion. If the stock proposal is approved - and Zuckerberg has a majority of voting stock - the company will effectively carry out a 3-for-1 stock split, issuing two shares of non-voting Class C capital stock as a one-time stock dividend for each share of Class A and Class B common stock. Zuckerberg and his wife,
Priscilla Chan, announced last year that they would give away 99 percent of their Facebook shares to fund charitable endeavors. Investors said they were not concerned that Zuckerberg would have increasing control, pointing to the company’s consistent ability to grow and exceed expectations. “I honestly don’t think anyone cares if he has more power, since he’s done everything right since they went public,” said Pachter.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) speaks during a visit to the Sinhung Machine Plant in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang April 1, 2016 North Korea fired what appeared to have been an intermediate range ballistic missile on Thursday but it crashed seconds after the test launch, South Korea’s defense ministry said, the second such failure in the run-up to next week’s ruling party congress. Isolated North Korea has conducted a flurry of missile launches, in violation of U.N. resolutions, and tests of military technology ahead of the Workers’ Party congress that begins on May 6, and Thursday’s launch looks to have been hurried, according to a defense expert in Seoul.
Facebook revenue smashes expectations as mobile ad sales surge
London boasts largest number of billionaires :rich list Some of the richest tycoons in Britain have lost vast chunks of their fortunes because of a retail slump, sinking oil prices and the steel industry crisis, the paper said. Nevertheless, the overall fortune of the 1,000 wealthiest people in Britain was higher this year, and the country boasts 120 sterling billionaires – a figure beaten only by the United States (378) and China (193), the paper said. And it said there were more sterling billionaires in London (77) than any other city, ahead of New York (61), San Francisco (57) and Hong Kong (49).
Publicity-shy brothers David and Simon Reuben topped the list this year, with a fortune of £13.1 billion (US$18.9 billion), up £3.4 billion on last year. The Reubens, born in Mumbai to an IraqiJewish family, own London property and data centre operator, Global Switch. They are just ahead of the industrialist brothers Sri and Gopi Hinduja with £13 billion – a figure unchanged from last year, and investor Len Blavatnik with £11.6 billion, down £1.6 billion. Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, who topped the list in 2008 with a Rich List record of £27.7 billion, is down to 11th place with £7.1 billion, losing £2.1 billion last year. “The guys at the top who are feeling the pain this year are often hit by a cocktail of plunging stock markets, low oil prices and the crisis in the steel industry — sometimes by all three,” said Robert Watts, the annual list’s new compiler. The 1,000 richest people listed are worth a total of £576 billion, up from £547 billion in 2015.
People are silhouetted as they pose with mobile devices in front of a screen projected with a Facebook logo, in this picture illustration taken in Zenica October 29, 2014
Entry on the 2016 list requires a fortune of at least £103 million. James Dyson, who invented the dual-cyclone vacuum cleaner, is the first self-made Briton to reach the £5 billion barrier, ahead of Virgin tycoon Richard Branson on £4.52 billion. QUEEN IS 319TH RICHEST Queen Elizabeth II, who turned 90 on Thursday, is the 319th richest person in her kingdom, with a wealth of £340 million. The list does not count the £11.5-billion Crown Estate property portfolio or the £10-billion Royal Collection of art and jewellery as her personal wealth. Well known names in the top 50 include Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich (13th, £6.4 billion), easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou (41st, £2.6 billion) and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone (42nd, £2.5 billion).
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Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Hosts Yet Another Successful Fun Run Walk and Bike-A-Thon On Saturday April 16th, 2016, TCIFA partnered with Gordon’s Supply, for the second time, in hosting its 4th annual Fun Run, Walk and Bike-a-thon. All proceeds made from the event will go towards The Youth Development Programmes. The TCIFA youth development programmes facilitate players under the age of sixteen (16), and currently have over three hundred (300) youth involved. The programmes have been extended to other islands outside of Providenciales; namely, South Caicos, North/Middle Caicos and Grand Turk. “It is our mission to continue increasing the numbers of persons involved in football; whether it be players, coaches, or referees. We are dedicated to the development of our Turks and Caicos Island youth and we want to provide the best conditions for this occur. We are also in the business of promoting healthy lifestyles,” says General Secretary, Candia Ewing. “We are very fortunate to have a community of supportive individuals and businesses, who share the same vision, and we are eternally grateful for their continuous efforts and
support.” Lightbourne): Aldino Dayupay Trip Tickets to the Dominican Republic Excitement filled the air, as the event 1st place Most Supportive Group- (sponsored by Tropical Shipping) began with a warm up exercise lead Scotia Bank 4th- Lemarii Robinson - Iphone 6 by Adina Ciurar, of the Graceway 2nd place Most Supportive Group- (sponsored by LIME) Sports Centre, and ended with blood Fortis TCI 5th- Simon Wood - Samsung Galaxy pressure and glucose testings by Dr. $100 KB homes gift certificate: S6 (sponsored by Digicel) Marcela Malcolm, as well as a prize Francois 6th- Dann Hughs - 1 40” Television giving segment. $100 GoldSmith gift certificate: Emily (sponsored by Kishco) The winners of the various Galtin 7th- Clive Stanbrook - 1 BBQ Grill categories are as follows: 3 youngest youth football players- (sponsored by Building Materials) 1st youth runner male- Laptop Footballs: De’aysia Seymour, Kate 8th- Cemone Oberg - 1 Round of Golf Computer (sponsored by Elite Blain and Jack Blain (18 hole) (sponsored by Provo Golf Brokerage): Lavardo Campbell Projetech also sponsored the Club) 1st youth runner female- Laptop TCIFA with two laptop computers to 9th- Rosaria Talbot - $200 IGA Gift Computer (sponsored by Elite be drawn by one male and one female Certificate Brokerage): Zoe Butler TCIFA youth football player. The 10th- Don Scholar - $150 IGA Gift 1st place youth cyclist male- Smart winners of this category were Junior Certificate Watch (sponsored by Marsha Paul and Robria Clarke. We would once again like to Lightbourne): Cameron Thompson One of the most anticipated thank our partner Gordon’s Supply, 1st place adult runner male- Health occurrences of the event was the as well as our sponsors: Provo Travel, Juicer (sponsored by Rodney spring raffle draw. The 10 lucky InterCaribbean Airways, Tropical Munnings): Dan Redmond winners are as follows: shipping LIME, Digicel, KB Homes, 1st place adult runner female- 1st - Jermaine Laporte - 2 Round Provo Golf Club, Building Materials, Health Juicer (sponsored by Rodney Trip Tickets to Miami and 3 day SUV RBC, FCIB, Elite Brokerage, Flamingo Munnings): Rebecca Bernadin Rental ( sponsored by Provo Tavel) Pharmacy, Goldsmith, Quality, Coca 1st place adult cyclist male- GNC 2nd- Darnell Hanchell - 2 Round Cola, Marsha Lightbourne, Kwakou Gift Bag (sponsored by Flamingo Trip Tickets to any InterCaribbean Fulford, Rodney Munnings, Norman Pharmacy): Stewart Howard Destination (sponsored by Hamilton, Allan Robinson, Dr. 2nd place adult male cyclist male- InterCaribbean) Marcela Lightbourne, and Adina Smart Watch (sponsored by Marsha 3rd- Adrian Carr - 2 Round Cuirar.
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SPORTS
NBA team owners propose $1 billion plan to attract U.S. pro soccer to Detroit
Two professional basketball team owners on Wednesday announced a $1 billion investment plan to attract a Major League Soccer franchise to downtown Detroit in a move they said would help revitalize the city. Dan Gilbert, the owner of the National Basketball Association’s Cleveland Cavaliers, and Tom Gores, who owns the Detroit Pistons, proposed a 20,000-seat stadium on 15-acres that includes the site of the halted Wayne County jail, according to a spokeswoman for Gilbert and a statement. The proposal includes plans for fitness facilities, an office tower, covered parking, a residential tower, open and covered plazas, a hotel, restaurants and retail, the statement said. The proposal also includes relocating the current Wayne County Jail, a circuit court and a county juvenile detention facility. The plan was unveiled at a news conference by Gilbert and Pistons executive Arn Tellem, and officials said it is meant to help revitalize downtown Detroit. The city of Detroit exited
Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert celebrates with the Eastern Conference trophy after beating the Atlanta Hawks in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena the biggest-ever U.S. municipal bankruptcy in December 2014. However, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said in a statement that he wanted to see a proposal that would not cost the taxpayers any extra money or delay the opening of the unfinished jail. “My priority is protecting the interests of Wayne County taxpayers,” he said in a statement. “Right now,
finishing the Gratiot jail is the best option for quickly and cost-effectively building the new jail Wayne County needs.” On Tuesday, Gores, chief executive of private equity firm Platinum Equity and a Flint, Michigan, native, and Gilbert, a Detroit native and chairman of mortgage lender Quicken Loans, announced they were teaming up to bring an MLS team to
downtown Detroit. The effort is supported by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who was present at the Wednesday news conference and recently said the league would expand to 28 teams. MLS currently has 20 teams with plans to add four others. Detroit and Sacramento are the leading candidates to be added to the expansion list. Historically, the league has looked at three areas when weighing expansion markets - strong ownership group, plans for a soccer-specific stadium and success as a market that supports soccer. In 2014, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor hosted the biggest soccer game ever played on American soil - a friendly match between Real Madrid and Manchester United that drew 109,318 fans, topping the previous mark of 101,799 set in the 1984 Olympics final, Gilbert and Gores said in a statement. The Pontiac Silverdome outside Detroit hosted four firstround matches in the 1994 World Cup tournament, won by Brazil.
After 27 years, police blamed for UK’s Hillsborough soccer stadium tragedy
People pause at the Hillsborough memorial in Liverpool, northern England April 27, 2016 Police were responsible for the supporters themselves, had told lies deaths of 96 Liverpool soccer fans in and staged a cover-up of “industrial the 1989 Hillsborough stadium crush, proportions” to hide their mistakes in a jury concluded on Tuesday after two managing the crowd surging into the years of hearings into Britain’s worst stadium. sporting disaster. “The conspiracy and lies which The inquest verdicts of began on the 15th April 1989 and “unlawful killing”, which could pave the continued over the years involving way for prosecutions, were greeted with police, politicians, and officials of a mix of cheers and tears by relatives high standing has been the most of the victims, who sang the Liverpool evil act of man’s inhumanity to man,” fans’ anthem “You’ll never walk alone” Karen Hankin, whose husband Eric outside the court in Warrington, was among those killed, told a news northern England. conference. The families had campaigned The fans, many of them young, for almost three decades to get “Justice died in an overcrowded, fenced-in for the 96”, refusing to accept the enclosure at the Hillsborough ground deaths were accidental. in Sheffield, northern England, at an They said the police, who at FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham first blamed the tragedy on the Forest on a sunny spring afternoon. It
The tragedy changed the face was one of the world’s worst stadium of English soccer. Banks of terracing disasters. Britons were shocked by and metal fences around pitches harrowing images of supporters disappeared, replaced by modern, allcrushed against metal fences, bodies seated venues and better security. “Landmark day as the lying on the pitch and spectators using wooden advertising hoardings as Hillsborough inquest provides long overdue justice for the 96 Liverpool makeshift stretchers. After the longest jury fans who died in the tragic disaster,” proceedings ever held in England, the Prime Minister David Cameron said inquest jurors ruled by a 7-2 majority on Twitter. In 2012, Cameron apologized to that the fans had been unlawfully killed, finding police commanders had families of the victims after a damning made mistakes in the build-up to the independent report detailed a catalog match and on the day itself. The jury of errors and evidence that police dishonestly tried to deflect blame onto absolved Liverpool fans of any role. The coroner, John Goldring, Liverpool fans who they portrayed as had told jurors that to return an being aggressive, drunk, and ticketless. unlawful killing verdict they would The new inquests were ordered in have to be sure that David Duckenfield, December that year, when London’s the police commander in charge High Court quashed accidental death at the match, was responsible for verdicts from 21 years earlier. Andy Burnham, a “manslaughter by gross negligence”. Duckenfield had told the Liverpudlian who speaks on home inquest he had lied about fans forcing affairs for the opposition Labour Party, a gate open, and acknowledged that his said the tragedy had been “the greatest failure to close an access tunnel had miscarriage of justice of our times”, and people must be held accountable. directly caused the loss of lives. David Crompton, Chief The state Crown Prosecution Service said it was considering whether Constable of South Yorkshire Police criminal charges should be brought said his force “unequivocally” accepted against individuals or any corporate the jury’s findings and that they body. An independent police watchdog had got the policing on the day is also investigating. “catastrophically wrong”.
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