VOLUME 13 ISSUE 39 by The SUN Newspaper

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

VOLUME 13 - NO. 39

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LISARAYE TESTIFIES ABOUT MIKE’S MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LIFESTYLE by Hayden Boyce

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

In three days of testimony that at one point was punctuated by tears, American actress and former Turks and Caicos Islands First Lady LisaRaye McCoy detailed how millions of dollars were spent while she was married to ex-Premier Michael Misick in what she described as a “whirlwind romance”. Included in those funds were a $6million bank loan which she and Misick were never asked to repay, several hundred thousands of dollars paid to her companies through the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board for marketing the islands (including a cheque for $300,000), payment for her daughter’s school fees in Switzerland, a magazine with Misick, down payments for properties in the United States of America and a more than $100,000 investment in a hairline, on which she never received any returns. Among her expenses, her hairdresser was paid $1,500 per day, and her wardrobe stylist $1,000 per day. McCoy told the court she needed to earn lots of money to promote herself and to keep up her appearance. Dressed in what has become a signature white outfit, McCoy gave evidence in the court presided over by Mr. Justice Paul Harrison through a video link

Former Premier Michael Misick and his ex-wife American actress LisaRaye McCoy from a courtroom in California after she was summoned by a US court to testify. Under direct examination by Queen’s Counsel Andrew Mitchell, the lead prosecutor, she traced her relationship with Misick from when they met at the Trumpet Awards in 2005 until their marriage ended in divorce after about three years. On numerous occasion she told the court that Misick paid the bills but she did not know the source of the

money. She had a black American Express card and she always wanted one “because of the prestige”. She was shown a loan document from J& T Banka in The Prague with her signature on it but she doesn’t remember borrowing or signing for a US$6million loan from that institution, although she recognised her signature on the document. In October 2006, she and Misick made an offer to purchase a house for

$8million in California and they made an initial deposit of $200,000 but they did not complete the purchase because she did not want the house anymore. Asked by Mitchell if she ever received a $1million payment from Misick, McCoy said she couldn’t remember. She told the court that she made a number of visits to the offices of Chal Misick (Michael Misick’s brother) for “something to do with money because he (Chal) handled some of their bills and wire transfers. Continued on Page 2

Scotiabank extends automatic debt relief program to end of year S

cotiabank’s recently announced Customer Assistance Program, a relief effort designed to help their customers in the countries severely affected by the aggressive hurricane season, has been automatically extended to December 31st. The automatic extension removes the responsibility of requesting an extension from the customer’s shoulders. All loan payments including mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and lines of credit will be automatically

THANK YOU

suspended until December 31st, with no action required from the customer. Although no payments are due before January, interest will continue to accrue during the payment moratorium and will be added to the end of the loan. Customers with the ability to make monthly payments are encouraged to do so on a voluntary basis to minimize interest charges, or are kindly asked to contact Scotiabank by emailing bns. turkcaicos@scotiabank.com before October 31st if they wish to opt-out of

Thanks a million to FLOW for keeping us continuously connected throughout Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Your staff proved yet again that you’re the most reliable, caring, trustworthy telecommunications network and provider in the Turks and Caicos. From Management of Turks and Caicos SUN, Airport Hotel, Occasions Ballroom

this relief program. Customers are also invited to contact the Bank to discuss any financial needs not included in the Customer Relief Program. Scotiabank has been in the Caribbean for over 128 years, and had previously announced a donation of US$500,000 towards the relief effort as part of their contribution to the rebuilding exercise. Half of this money will be channeled through the Canadian Red Cross that already has active societies in the affected

THANK YOU

communities, with the remainder being directed to initiatives supporting young people in these areas. Scotiabank has been a part of the Caribbean for over 128 years and has an extensive footprint in over 20 countries across the Caribbean region including the territories of Antigua, Anguilla, British Virgin islands, US Virgin Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

We wish to express sincere thanks and gratitude to the management and staff of FORTIS TCI for restoring power to the Airport Hotel Plaza very shortly after Hurricane Irma. Our situation demanded great ingenuity, flexibility and resourcefulness and your workers demonstrated those qualities in abundance. From the management and staff of Turks and Caicos SUN, Airport Hotel, Occasions Ballroom, Tumble Totz Daycare.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

LOCAL NEWS LISARAYE TESTIFIES ABOUT MIKE’S MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LIFESTYLE Continued from Page 1 McCoy said her company My Way Productions received money from Misick but she could not remember how much. During their courtship, she said, Misick invited her to the Turks and Caicos Islands on several occasions and showed and told her about the many different businesses and properties he owned. McCoy said she was a millionaire at the time of their marriage, adding that she “got nervous” before the wedding and agreed on and signed a prenuptial agreement “because I did not know his worth”.

She said Misick told her he was worth between $108million and $180 million, adding that she saw many advantages to be derived from marrying him. “I would be a loving spouse and I would be a companion and a business partner,” she told the court. McCoy testified about their honeymoon to Israel and Indonesia and about various trips by private jet around the world, yacht cruises, a 40th birthday party in California which was attended by “ a lot of people”. She told the court she met Salt Cay developer Mario Hoffman but could not remember how she met

him or how she was introduced to him. In response to a question from Mitchell, she said she and Misick had dinner in The Prague but she could not remember who she had dinner with. Mitchell later informed the court that McCoy had previously given the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team a detailed statement in November 2012, in which she said she met Hoffman in The Prague with Misick and had dinner with him. McCoy then said she flew with Hoffman on his private jet “maybe one or two times” and that he had allowed her and Misick to take his plane to

Los Angeles for a trip. McCoy was summoned under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) which the United States of America has in force with the Turks and Caicos Islands and several other countries worldwide. MLATs, which are negotiated by the to facilitate cooperation in criminal matters, allow generally for the exchange of evidence and information in criminal and related matters. In money laundering cases, they can be extremely useful as a means of obtaining banking and other financial records.

Premier Robinson pleased with tourism leaders and partners and hopeful for a strong season Premier Hon. Sharlene Robinson shared her pleasure with the progress of the Tourism Sectors’ Post Irma and Maria efforts and had high praises for the country’s leaders in this sector. “I am delighted with the efforts made by the Minister of Tourism and his Team in the Ministry and at the Board in their stewardship during this time.” At a General Meeting of TCHTA held this week and attended by Premier Robinson and her spouse, Hon Ralph Higgs - Minister of Tourism

and Hon Karen Malcolm and her spouse Mr. Walter Malcolm. Premier Robinson thanked the members of the TCHTA present for their efforts to get their Resorts and businesses open; for the updates received on repairs, progress and challenges shared directly with her; efforts to assist their staff and the efforts to have a strong upcoming season in particular the videos and positive stories. She also pledged her Government’s continued assistance where it can. “I am proud of this Industry during this period under the leadership

of President Nikheel Advani and I find in them true, valuable partners. Our leading Industry has been sorely impacted and it is important that we make every effort, with all hands on deck, to rebound stronger in the fast approaching high season. I am equally proud of the go getter leadership of Director of Tourism, Ramon Andrews and the entire Board. Not at least I am proud of the efforts of our renown Minister of Tourism who is more than capable of leading this vital sector. This is true partnership at work and this level of participation,

collaboration towards one end goal sets this sector as the Poster Child for what the country must do in order to recover and rebuild stronger than ever before”, said Premier Robinson. “I am optimistic that we will have a strong season and I, like the Minister of Tourism will join in the promotional campaign “Open for Business” by releasing a short welcome video shortly. We are excited and indeed ready to continue to welcome guests to our resilient and positively beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Invest Turks and Caicos launches ‘Shovel-Ready’ initiative to fast-track investments Invest Turks and Caicos (Invest TCI), the principal investment promotion agency for the islands has launched its “Shovel-Ready” initiative with the aim of attracting more local and foreign investment into the economy. The ‘Shovel-Ready’ initiative is being developed as part of the Agency’s efforts to pre-package a number of investment opportunities that will streamline and expedite the process of investment in The Turks

MARIE MORLEY Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 days per week Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 241-5535

and Caicos Islands. Invest Turks and Caicos is inviting persons to showcase their shovel-ready projects which will be featured in Invest TCI’s Investment Opportunities Catalogues at regional and international conferences, roadshows and industry events. The projects will be presented to an audience of international buyers, sellers, lucrative investors and industry professionals with an opportunity of attracting investors

and fast tracking and progressing the projects. The initiative is targeted towards local and foreign investors. Angela Musgrove, Acting CEO for Invest TCI stated, “We are confident that this initiative will add momentum to the flow of investment into The Turks and Caicos Islands. Our goal is to gather all shovel-ready projects that are seeking financing and assist in matching projects to interested investors. Once an investor expresses interest in a project that

is pre-designed and permitted, there should be a quicker turnaround time for the project to move through the phases of development.” To be deemed shovelready, Invest TCI has provided a list of criteria which can be found on the Agency’s website at www. investturksandcaicos.tc or social media pages @investtci. For more information on this initiative, please contact Invest TCI on 338 4772 or via email at info@investturksandcaicos.tc.

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OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

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LOCAL NEWS

More job cuts at Digicel

by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Digicel TCI will continue to cut more jobs in line with its 2030 global transformation programme, says CEO Sinead O’Marcaigh. “We are re-designing and streamlining our organisation with an expected reduction in our global workforce of around 25%,” she told The SUN. “ We currently have 73 people in our organisation.” O’Marcaigh, who is also Digicel’s regional CEO, declined to say how many persons were terminated by Digicel TCI in recent months but The SUN understands that more a dozen Turks and Caicos Islanders have been severed and more are about to be sent home. The CEO confirmed that Digicel TCI has seven people who are on work permits, of which three come from CARICOM countries. By comparison, Digicel’s competitor FLOW has almost a 100 percent Belonger workforce. She also stated that contrary to widespread reports that Stephen Murad is running Digicel TCI’s operations, she is the local CEO and has been in that role for almost two years. “Our advertisement for the role of CEO for Digicel TCI resulted in zero applications from Belongers,” she noted. Murad, who is very controversial and extremely unpopular in the local and business community, has been blamed for the declining morale among Digicel’s staff because of what insiders have described

CEO of Digicel TCI, Sinead O’Marcaigh

Stephen Murad, Commercial Director

as an obnoxious and unorthodox management style. His work permit was denied by a previous Immigration Board but was subsequently granted on appeal. Past and present Digicel staff have questioned why Murad’s role as commercial director is not being held by a Belonger. “Why is Digicel allowed a work permit for Stephen Murad to do a job that several Belongers are capable and qualified of doing,” a former employee asked. In October 2016, Digicel was at the centre of controversy when it unceremoniously slashed several local jobs and retained many expatriates on work permit. This caused the Immigration Board to revoke a number of work permits. The then chairperson of the Immigration Board, Mrs. Sheba Wilson said, “We will be revoking work permits under the ordinance section 30 & 31 of the Immigration Ordinance. The Board has a right to do so, we’re

doing so under section 30 (e) which states that we’re doing it in the interest of the public. As you know there’ve been a downsizing exercise and a number of Turks and Caicos Islanders are without employments but there remain persons on work permits and for that reason we’ve given them notice of our intension to revoke those work permits.” She added: “We have to act with the confines of the law but at the end of the day the Board’s mandate is to ensure that we protect Belongers. We feel that in this instance the process was unfair to Turks and Caicos Islanders, at the end of the day we believe that the skill sets are here and that our people should have remained on the job and the work permit holders more so should have been the ones to be made redundant.” Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ralph Higgs, who was a candidate for election at that time, described the actions taken by Digicel, with respect to its Belonger workers as a “fiasco”. He said then: “Sadly, this type

of behavior in the labour market is not new, nor is it isolated. Perhaps, every TC Islander can recite details of a story where their friends or relatives, who are locals, may have lost their jobs to give way to a work permit holder. In many cases, the work permit holder was paid more in wages and in benefits, including gratuity. In almost every case, the business doing the hiring or termination acted on advice or guidance of their legal team. Many of our people working in the hospitality sector, across this country, are being short-changed by advice given to their employers by lawyers and aspiring politicians.” Higgs added: “We all know that lawyers and law firms are obligated to act in the best interest of their clients, even if their client’s interest(s) cause hardship to their employees, short change the government of revenue or lead to the adoption of policies which disadvantage our people. Let me at this point say firmly, that I am not indicting or accusing every business, every law firm or lawyer operating in the TCI of acting selfishly and against the interest of our government and our people. But some of them, simply don’t care about anything other than the bottom line. It should be noted, that many of the businesses operating in the TCI are represented by law firms which may have direct or indirect relationships (family or business) with many of our politicians. As a result, many of our politicians speak openly about their love for country and its people, but privately, act in the interest of businesses or law firms they have connections with.”

TCI’s tourism market is open for business By Todeline Defralien The Ministry of Tourism and the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board are happy to inform the Tourism market that the TCI is officially open for business. For the month of October, the Ministry of Tourism and the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board has embarked on a comprehensive series of marketing and public relations activities. The expectations from these initiatives were to negate any misinformation/ bad publicity about the Turks & Caicos following recent storms, to let the world know that the Turks & Caicos is open for business, and to safeguard the remainder of the Fall and Winter travel season for the destination. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday October 19th Higgs said, “It is true that the Turks and Caicos Islands have been hit by two major storms Irma and Maria, but what is also true and incredibly so, is the resilience and strength of brand Turks and Caicos. Following these two storms, the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourist Board and its private sector partners met almost immediately to strategize on how best that we can get the word out to the world and the traveling community about the resilience and the recovery efforts of brand Turks and Caicos. While we wanted to do so immediately following the storm we thought that it was important that we do an assessment of physical inventory including accommodations, we did an assessment of our natural product our beaches, our natural sites, our heritage sites, our underwater world and of course the psych of our people.”

The Minister was pleased that the assessments turned out very well and notwithstanding the strength of both storms, all of the important elements that make the TCI tourism work were very well intact. He added: “The Ministry, the Tourist Board and our partners in the TCHTA (Turks and Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association) decided that we will go out proactively in the boldest fashion to inform the market that we are opened for business. I am pleased to report to the people of this country and indeed to the world today that indeed Turk and Caicos is open for business. All the fundamentals that contribute to our tourism product are recovering, fully recovered or in the process of being recovered and we expect in the next 30-60 days certainly by the peak of mid-December all of our properties and all of our tourism supporting services will be in full swing.” Higgs thanked the people of the Turks and Caicos for the demonstration of class, the demonstration of courage and showing their ability to be versatile and to be good citizens and stewards for brand Turks and Caicos under tremendous pressure. He also commended the Director of Tourism Ramon Andrews and his team at the Tourist Board for being proactive in arranging messages, taking videos and taking candid shots from right across the length and breadth of the country and sending them around the world via social media to give further confidence to the travelling public. Higgs continued: “The world has subscribed to that message that Turks and Caicos is open for business

Director of Tourism, Ramon Andrews, Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs and Oehleo Higgs Public Relations for the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board and we have no doubt that the phones road because as it stands believe it are starting to ring, people are making or not persons in the international their bookings and we have no doubt community think that the Caribbean is that this season notwithstanding just one puzzle. So they assume that a the passage of Hurricane Irma and hurricane went through the Caribbean hurricane Maria that our guests will and there’s no more Caribbean to go return to Turks and Caicos. Needless to. We actually had to get out and go to say Turks and Caicos has become to the market very aggressively and synonymous with quality and luxury very quickly and explain to persons and that is precisely what we can that some parts of the Caribbean have promise persons who would visit with been affected; yes Turks and Caicos us in the short, medium or long term.” has been affected but at the same Higgs noted that they are time we’re back up and running by x confident that the Turks and Caicos amount of percentage and when we get have the will to love, the desire to serve into the festive season we’re going to and pamper their guests. be almost 100% ready for our guests. “I am also pleased that It’s not massive devastation on the my Government led by Hon. ground as it is unfortunately in Puerto Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson very Rico and Dominica and that was all the enthusiastically made funds available educational process.” immediately following the storms for Andrews stressed that one of Public Relations campaigns which we the great things about the Turks and are rolling out now led by the Tourist Caicos are the amazing travel partners. Board. We will for the next 90-100 days “The feedback that we’ve be very active on the international been getting on the road is amazing. I market and sometimes our local public am getting reports from the hoteliers is not fully aware of all of the efforts that people are starting to book, the that we are putting in our international phones are starting to ring and this market,” he added. is very important and I know that the Director of Tourism, Ramon Thanksgiving part of it is going to be Andrews added: “It’s a good thing that a bit soft, but we’re going to have an the Government secured the additional amazing festive and we’re going to funding for the public relations and for have an amazing season next year, it’s the marketing for us to get in the going to be out of this world,” he added.

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LOCAL NEWS

Grand Turk Cruise Centre to open November 1st says Minister of Tourism By Todeline Defralien Minister of Tourism, Hon Ralph Higgs has confirmed that the Grand Turk Cruise Centre will be opened by November 1st, 2017. Speaking during a press conference held at the Premier office on Thursday October 19th he said the Carnival Cruise Centre, which is the main tourist attraction and the economic engine of Grand Turk, will soon embrace tourists in the most welcoming way by the service providers in Grand Turk. “I am very pleased to report that we have been working very closely with the Grand Turk Cruise Centre and Carnival Cruise Lines and we’re on track to have the Grand Turk Cruise Centre opened by November 1st and cruise ships are expected to call around that time, all things being equal. I say all things being equal because in the world we live in, there is sometimes unforeseen situations that may contribute to delay but it is everybody’s intention and goal to have the Cruise Centre opened by November 1st.” Higgs said that at the stakeholders meeting in Grand Turk which was very heavily supported, the overwhelming sentiment was that they are ready to serve guests. According to the latest available figures from the Tourist Board, there has been a decline in the

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ralph Higgs number of cruise passengers and cruise ships going to the Carnival Cruise Center in Grand Turk. The Tourist Board report stated: “There is no secret that there have been grave challenges to the cruise industry in Grand Turk. The port’s under-performance is an indication that an agreeable solution to a list of unresolved matters between Carnival Cruise Lines, operators of the

SENIOR DIRECTOR, ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL AUDIT Description  To ensure sound maintenance of the enterprise’s overall risk and compliance management and benchmarking practices in order to drive management in the formulation of its overall strategic direction.  To ensure that the internal audit activities fulfils the specific and general purposes and responsibilities approved by the management and the board through efficient and effective employment of resources and conformance to the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing Main Duties Key Responsibilities:  Directing the identification and evaluation of the organization’s audit risk areas and overseeing the development of the annual audit plan.  Assessing the adequacy of staff resources and expertise in relation to the annual audit plan and recommending enhancements where necessary.  Directing internal audit staff in the planning, organizing, directing, and monitoring of internal audit operations; including assisting in hiring, training, and professional development, evaluating staff, and taking corrective actions to address performance problems.  Directing the overall performance of audit procedures; including identifying and defining issues, developing criteria, reviewing and analyzing evidence, and documenting FTCI processes and procedures.  Directing the audit staff in conducting interviews, reviewing documents; and  To developing and administering surveys composing summary memos, and preparing working papers.  Directing the audit staff in the identification, development, and documentation of audit issues, and recommendations;  Communicating the results of audit and consulting projects via written reports and oral presentations to management and the board of directors.  Developing and maintaining productive staff, management, and board relationships through individual contacts and group meetings.

Grand Turk Cruise Center, and the Turks and Caicos Government must be reached in a timely manner in order for Grand Turk to rebound.” The Grand Turk Cruise Center greeted a total of 929,737 cruise passengers in 2015. While the total nears the one million visitor goal via cruise only, the number represents a decline in cruise passengers by 4.3 percent year-over-year.

Similarly, the Cruise Center also welcomed fewer ships in 2015, hosting 317 compared to 340 ship calls in 2014; this marked a 6.8 percent decline in ship calls year-over-year. The first quarter of 2015 showed the only significant sign of growth in cruise passengers and ship calls to the Grand Turk Cruise Center, recording an increase in 9.4 percent and 2.0 percent respectively. The month of February saw a total of 104,928 cruise passenger arrivals in 2015, the most arrivals in any given month of the year; an increase of 44.0 percent when compared to 2014. Cruise passenger arrivals and ship calls dwindled thereafter. The second quarter of 2015 was most underwhelming for the destination’s cruise center. The port accommodated 189,446 cruise passengers in the second quarter, a decrease of 15.8 percent when compared to the same period in 2014. The second quarter also saw the least ship calls; a total of 58 ships anchored at the port between the months of April to June, a 20.5 percent reduction year-over-year. The third quarter saw a similar trend. A decline in both cruise passenger arrivals and ship calls when compared to the same period in the previous year. While the fourth quarter saw a mere 0.2 percent growth in cruise passenger arrivals, ship calls were down by 1.1 percent year-overyear.

 Pursuing professional development opportunities, including internal and external training and professional association memberships, and sharing information gained with co-workers.  Representing internal auditing at management and board meetings and with external organisations;  Perform related work as assigned by the audit committee of the Board of Directors.  Benchmarking audit work processes and promoting continuous process improvement.  Implement appropriate risk reporting procedure to senior management.  Present risks and opportunities regularly to the Executive management team, as they relate to the 5 year strategic business plan.  Continue to monitor and maintain FTCI comprehensive ERM program, and to provide management with tools and methodology to integrate risk management with the strategy development process.  Ensure that FTCI is compliant to applicable laws, regulations, internal policies and procedures and contractual obligations.  Other duties that may be assigned from time to time. Minimum Requirements  Must have a Bachelor of Science with a degree or major in Accountancy or a Master’s Degree equivalent.  Must be a CPA or CA or ACCA and CIA, a CISA.  Must have at least 8-15 years managerial experience.  Must have extensive managerial experience with one of the big 4 auditing firms. Abilities, Skills, Experience, Aptitude & Judgement  Must possess excellent team playing and leadership abilities  Must possess extensive working knowledge in the application of the fundamentals of financial management, internal controls, benchmarking and analysis, auditing, cost accounting, program evaluation and business reengineering techniques.  Must possess working knowledge of MS Office software programs, including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and various databases.  Must possess working knowledge of ERP systems. Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications. Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is October 30, 2017 to: Avi Adams Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or aadams@fortistci.com

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LOCAL NEWS

Premier continues to welcome critical delegations

Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson continues to welcome many regional and international partners who are offering assistance and support in the country’s Recovery efforts. “The level of assistance being offered is unprecedented and we are grateful that in this climate where many countries around the world are affected by recent disasters, our country is being considered favorably in our early framing days of our recovery strategy,” said Premier Robinson. “We have a few more critical assessments to complete and we are pleased that the various offers of assistance can be factored in for consideration in our Strategic Recovery Framework. People are eager to learn what if anything the Government is able to do in terms of housing repairs, business support and rebuilding. We are closer to that date and we are pleased with the critical work done thus far.” The Premier said that last week she was pleased to welcome the DFID/FCO Reconstruction Team which comprised of critical skills and posts. The Team led by Chris Austin, Barbados-based head of the UK Joint Task Force in the region comprised of David Barlow, Consultant on

Team will report to the UK Ministerial Group and formal dialogue will follow on our country’s needs and the UK’s commitments,” she added The Premier said she was delighted to receive a courtesy call from a Bahamian Delegation led by the Hon Philip Brave Davis, Leader of the Opposition and which included Member of Parliament, Hon Paiswell Forbes and Senator the Hon Jobeth

Coleby Davis. “This week, I welcomed Caribbean representative, Diane Quarless for UN ECLAC. At my invitation, a full delegation will travel to TCI the first week of November to continue the critical damage and Loss Assessment Report. The work of UN ECLAC is critical in assessing our economic loss and recommendations for recovery efforts.”

Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson with Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, Leader of the Opposition in The Bahamas Emergency Planning; Alex Stevens, Head of OT Governance Team, DFID; John Bowker, Infrastructure Advisor, DFID; David Woolnough and Miriam Sachak, head of Economic and Financial team, DFID, FCO. The Team was able to meet with the Governor, the Premier, Ministers, Senior Public Service Management and critical Department Heads. “I was pleased with the dialogue and was satisfied with the initial feedback received in the Debriefing at the end of the Visit. The

BEVERAGE CART ATTENDANT Responsible for driving Beverage Cart on golf course and serving/selling beverages and snacks from the cart.

Premier and Governor Dr. John Freeman meeting with foreign delegates

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3. Clean and remove all beverage and snacks from the car at the end of the shift. 4. Performs cart set up and break down procedures; contributes to overall cleanliness and organization of cart. 5. Ensures a pleasant visit for each guest; maintains effective guest relations. 6. Reconcile inventory of the beverage cart both before and after each shift and complete the appropriate paperwork required by Management. Requirements Excellent people and communication skills. Provide a high level of service to golfers at all times while servicing their needs. Must have great organizational skills, attention to detail, drive and motivation. Flexibility with schedule with evenings, weekend and public holidays work required. Must be able to speak, read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions. Perform any other duties as it relates to the job which may be required by Management. Wages for this position starts at $6.25 per hour.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Statement from Premier Hon. Sharlene Report from October 17th Cartwright-Robinson on crime in the Turks Cabinet meeting and Caicos Islands His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the 23nd meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday, 17 October 2017, at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales. All Ministers were present. At this meeting Cabinet: • Provided His Excellency the Governor with September’s TCIG Financial Report. It was agreed that further information on the budgetary position for the rest of the current Financial Year would be provided in the week of 23 October;

Supreme Court Registry in both Grand Turk and Providenciales; • Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the tendering of Crown Land Parcel 60603/18; • Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the regularisation of fees for services being rendered by the Survey and Mapping Department to the general public; • Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve extended repayment terms for salary advances paid to Public Officers under the Hurricane Irma Salary Advance scheme. Details will be provided to the Public Service separately;

• Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve reduced provision from the National Forfeiture Fund for the hosting in the Islands of Pre- • Advised His Excellency Assessment training in October and the Governor to approve Planning Financial Action Task Force Standards Applications NC 1109 and SC 760; training in November by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force; • Received an information paper from the Hon. Attorney General • Advised His Excellency the on Crown Land Holding in TCI, as Governor to approve the tabling of requested by the Premier; a Bill recognising the offices of the

BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES POSITIONS AVAILABLE Butterfield Gold One (1) Driver/Concrete Batcher Relief Driver. Must be able to proportions concrete as per mix design using Command Batch software programme. Must be able to ensure that design mixes are prepared in accordance with standard test methods so that the results reflect I the actual characteristics of the batched concrete. Must be able to observes gauges, dials and the operation of machinery to ensure conformance to processing specifications. To be able to prepare invoices, delivery tickets and related documents and assigns driver for scheduled delivery. To be able to test and inspects products at various stages of the production process in accordance with specifications. Must be able to interpret mix design formulas and make adjustments to compensate for moisture conditions of aggregates. Must ensures the cleanliness of the work environment and oversee and small work crew. Performs other related duties as assigned. To able to assist in the General Office. Any other duties pertaining to Butterfield Concrete & Construction Material. Wages: commensurate with experience. Only Belongers apply for this position. Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified. Submit applications to by November 3rd, 2017 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211

• Received an update from the Hon. Deputy Governor, as requested by the Hon. Premier, on TCIG’s Annual Recruitment Plan for the Financial Year 2017/2018, including an update on critical current vacancies and efforts to fill them;

Turks and Caicos Sun

• Received a report from the Hon. Premier on the visit to TCI last week of the UK Recovery Advisory Team and on discussions held with them;

Read us online at www.suntci.com

Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 348-6838 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce

• Received a report from the Hon. Premier on a meeting she held with the Caribbean Representative of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean team;

Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien Reporter

• Received a report from the Hon. Minister of Tourism on the arrest of a vessel caught poaching in TCI waters. • Received an update from the Hon. Deputy Premier on the two recent sloops intercepted and the repatriation process

The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

CHEF NEEDED •Candidates must have extensive experience (10 years min.) of fine dining. •Have a full understanding and Italian cuisine, dough and pasta production, sauces, regional cooking. •Large knowledge of wines. •Be able to work in a high paced and stressful environment. •Work long shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays. •Manage entire kitchen staff, inventories, food costing, cleaning and maintenance. •Be able to create menus, enforce strict sanitary and food handling practices (certificates required). •Handle scheduling, food prep, deal with customer complaints, preparing catering and banquette menus. •Be proficient with Excel and Accounting formats. Salary- $10.00 per hour based on experience. Please send resumes to dillonr2007@mail.com or call 649-245-0127

PUBLIC NOTICE

Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 An Application, REGISTRATION # PR13198, by JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER MORRIS For the construction of a 400 Sq.Ft Jerk Pavilion, has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on BLOCK: 60715 PARCEL: 91 LOCATION: GLASS SHACK, DISCOVERY BAY ISLAND: PROVIDENCIALES On this day 27th October 2017 The public is hereby notified of Mr. Joseph Christopher Morris intension to construct a single storey 400sq.ft jerk pavilion on lot 60715/91. The public is further notified all comments in regards to the proposed structure should be addressed and sent to the Turks and Caicos planning department in written format. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Emily House Complex, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. Notice Dated:

27 October, 2017

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

InterHealth Canada gives direct relief pharmaceuticals to Primary Health care Division

(L-R): Daniel Carriere - IHC Chief Executive Officer; Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant - IHC Chief of Clinical Services; Tony Wilton - IHC Pharmacy Manager; Dr David Bernardo - TCIG Medical Officer, Primary Health care Division Direct Relief, a U.S. based non-profit medical relief and health assistance organization donated US$30,000 worth of pharmaceuticals to InterHealth Canada - Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital following a successful application by the healthcare management company. During a media briefing on Monday, October 16th 2017 at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, InterHealth Canada graciously handed over a portion of the supplies to the Ministry of Health to support and bolster the Primary Health care Department’s inventory. The World Health Organization also donated a supply of items via the British Military. The donation helps to reduce

the operational expenditure of TCI Hospital and Primary Health care. Daniel Carriere - TCI Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Doctor Denise Braithwaite Tennant - Chief of Medical Services and Tony Wilton – TCI Hospital’s Pharmacy Manager were in attendance. Doctor David Bernardo, a Medical Officer within the Primary Health care Department, accepted the supplies on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Human Services. InterHealth Canada Corporate Board referred the international charity to the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital following the passage of Hurricane Irma. The Director of TCI’s Department of Disaster Management and

Handsover Donated Pharmaceuticals to MOH 4 Emergencies also provided guidance. An application process was completed by the local hospital management team and pharmaceuticals of value were selected from the organization’s inventory via a collaborative effort with Primary Health care. The donated pharmaceuticals will be provided to patient’s free of charge and will not be billed to the National Health Insurance Plan. Direct Relief is dedicated to serving the poor and victims of natural disasters and civil strife in the United States and throughout the world. Assistance is provided by distributing donated medical goods to charitable health care institutions

and organizations. The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. Commenting on the handover, TCI Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Carriere said: “Direct Relief has been used in conjunction with InterHealth Canada in Sub-Saharan countries in Africa for humanitarian relief purposes. Hence, the company was familiar with the organization and the application process commenced. During any natural crisis, collaboration, cooperation and communication is essential among stakeholders. This is just one successful example of how these efforts can benefit both partners and the community at large.”

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Charisma University is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) for Independent Further and Higher Education as an Independent Higher Education Institution. BAC is an independent, well-established and globally recognized national accreditation body as evidenced by its full recognition by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and its listing on the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR). BAC is also a full member of The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). YOUR DEGREE AT CHARISMA UNIVERSITY CAN TAKE YOU PLACES

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OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

T H E R E G E N T V I L L A G E , G R A C E B AY R O A D W W W. J A I S .T C

I N F O @ J A I S .T C

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LOCAL NEWS

Students of Clement Howell High School not satisfied with their school’s conditions By Todeline Defralien Some students of the Clement Howell High School are dissatisfied with conditions there, despite the repairs that were done following the passage of hurricane Irma. A concerned parent told the SUN, “This particular class Form 4 Business 2 Arts had to go back to school with rock sheets still down in the class, rooms leaking, black mold, a dirty class room, building stairs are not safe and the bathrooms aren’t working. This class really wanted everybody to know the conditions that they had to go back to school in and they asked me as a concerned parent to take a look into it for them. Seeing the conditions that the classroom was in, I was disgusted, I though the least

that they could have done is clean it. I wasn’t happy about it and I don’t even think the teacher should go back to the classroom in that condition.” The parent added: “If the kids are complaining and are not happy, I think that the Ministry needs to check into it more. There are two sides to every story and this is the kids side and they wasn’t happy with the conditions they had to go back to school in and personally as a parent what I saw, there could have been a little more cleaning done because they have to sit down in those classes and the cleaner the environment is for them the better and the safer they feel and if they don’t feel safe something is wrong.” Partnering with the Public Works Department and the

Environmental Health Department, was removed and officers from the the Ministry of Education in a press Environmental Health Department release said that they are ensuring have confirmed that there is no mold that students resume classes in in the classroom. conditions that are safe and healthy The Ministry added: and free from mold and other hazards “Representatives from the Public Department and the but some students are claiming Works that their classes are not healthy to Environmental Health Department function during classes. visited the school on Wednesday, 18th The very concerned parent October 2017. They will continue to noted that they did meet with the visit the school to oversee the repair Health Department who notified works and to advise on the health them that they did give it a clear and and sanitary conditions of the spaces it was working and they will go back occupied by staff and students at the Clement Howell High School.” and check on it. The SUN contacted the The Ministry of Education Ministry of Education and they stated that all students are back in confirmed that there is a 4th Form school at the Clement Howell High class at the Clement Howell High School which caters to students in school housed in a classroom where Forms 3 to 5. 10 % of the drywall (rocksheet) ceiling

Police investigate death of 4-year-old boy Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of a 4-year-old male of the Bight Providenciales.

On Friday 13th October 2017 around 11:53a.m., police officers and other emergency services responded to the scene where it was reported that the 4-year old and his twin brother were outside playing when he fell into a sewage

well in the yard. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Investigations are ongoing and further details will be provided once available.

applicant.

WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT LTD Alexandra Resort, Blue Haven Resort & Marina and the Beach House We are seeking to employ, suitably qualified and experienced hospitality professionals in the positions listed below. Our ideal candidate should have an outstanding command of the English language, written and oral, strong communication and excellent customer service skills. Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience. Director of All-Inclusive Services Reporting directly to the Vice President. The position is to oversee and direct the daily operations of the Front Office, Guests Services, Tour Operations and Diamond Club. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: •Execute and/or coordinate all staff schedules and related activities. •Supervise the operations of all Guests’ Services Departments and Night Audit. •Management of all financial function and revenue collection. •Assist in the installation of any new software - document retention, inventory management, payroll, POS. •Preparation of budgets, forecasts and cash flows. •Maintenance of financial ledgers and daily departmental accounting processes. •Ensuring that appropriate systems and internal controls are implemented and maintained. •Overseeing the Payroll process. Qualification: • 10 years’ experience in all inclusive operations. Multi-Unit resort operations experience is preferred • Proven leadership skills with a strong ability to assess talent and build effective teams. • Hands on ability to plan, organize, prioritize and effectively manage multiple complex projects concurrently within a fast-paced and growth environment. • Proven success in collaborative leadership and working with cross-functional leadership. • Ability to create effective project management plans, timelines and organization processes. • Strong business acumen with results orientation to drive key business performance metrics. • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; ability to communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization. Salary will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful

Director of Culinary Candidate must demonstrate a proven track record of successfully leading/managing in an upscale Food & Beverage environment; with strong culinary experience and training. • Creates, implements, and ensures Culinary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being followed in the areas of food safety, food storage, prep recipes, line procedures and all other culinary processes • Develops andoperationalizes from beginning to end working with purchasing, training and operations. Assesses and checks new menu items/recipes after rollout and measures success • Implements practices and corrective measures to lower food cost, identifies best practices, and trouble shoots underperforming restaurants to get them back on track • Is the liaison between Purchasing and Operations to ensure product is available and meets our standards. Monitors purchasing practices and prices, communicates to restaurants on best practices or anticipated price fluctuations. • Performs a Quarterly Culinary Audit of each restaurant and regular store visits spot checking safety practices on visits (walk in organization, temps, sani buckets, etc.) and observes, corrects and trains the food safety habits of our Team Members (handwashing, cooling, etc.) • Measures recipe adherence (tastes, observes, course corrects with Teams, etc.) on EVERY visit to a restaurant • In conjunction with the Training Department, is responsible for the culinary set up of restuarants(e.g. smallwares, kitchen set up, training week prep lists, etc.) Qualifications: • 10 years’ experience in culinary operations. Multi-Unit culinary operations experience is preferred • Proven leadership skills with a strong ability to assess talent and build effective teams. • Hands on ability to plan, organize, prioritize and effectively manage multiple complex projects concurrently within a fast-paced and growth environment. • Proven success in collaborative leadership and working with cross-functional leadership. • Ability to create effective project management plans, timelines and organization processes. • Strong business acumen with results orientation to drive key business performance metrics. • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; ability to communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization. Salary will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. Interested persons may contact our HR department you may submit your resume with qualifications and experience via email to: hr@wihl.com Please also submit a copy of your completed application to our local labor department. Closing date ---- October 27th, 2017`

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LOCAL NEWS

Fortis restores service to over 10,000 customers and the underwater cable to North Caicos re-energized FortisTCI continues to make significant progress in restoring electricity across Turks and Caicos. To date, electricity service has been restored to more than 10,000 customers across all service territories. On North and Middle Caicos the progress has been rapid, with service restored to 100% of the customers that can take electricity. A few customers whose homes received extensive damages are unable to be connected at this time. Also, the underwater cable between Providenciales and North Caicos was successfully re-energized. This transmission cable from Heaving Down Rock on Providenciales delivers electricity to the inlets and cays between Providenciales and North Caicos, and onward through to Lorimers, Middle Caicos. The Company’s success on North and Middle Caicos is credited to the joint efforts of the North and Middle Caicos local based personnel and the emergency Fortis crews from Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) in Grand Cayman and UNS Energy in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Progress is also being made on other Islands. On South Caicos, it is expected that service will be

available to all customers that can be connected by the end of this week. On Providenciales, over 80% of customers have electricity available to them and service is expected to be restored to all customers by the first week of November. Restoration efforts on Grand Turk have faced unique challenges including a lack of available accommodations for emergency workers, and the complete lack of communications in the nation’s capital in the days immediately following Hurricane Irma. In addition, the extent of the damage to the electricity grid on Grand Turk was over 90% and approximately 60 kilometers of transmission, distribution, and service lines have to be rebuilt. Despite these challenges, the Company has restored power to almost 500 customers to date. The initial focus was to restore power to key and essential services like the airport and control tower, the FAA facility, the water plant, and hospital. More than 40 utility workers are currently assigned to help rebuild and restore the system on Grand Turk, and these workers will be joined shortly by additional manpower. As such, progress on Grand Turk is expected to increase over the next couple of

NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT Please be advised that the Magistrate's Court and the Magistrate's Registry of Providenciales, located at Old Airport Road, have been relocated to Dr. Malcolm's Building (Supreme Court Building) on Leeward Highway, Highwa Providenciales next to the National Insurance Building, until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may occasion. For further inquiries kindly contact 649-338-4201 or 649-338-4205.

weeks. The below restoration plan (subject to change) details continued restoration dates on Grand Turk. Each schedule accounts for the restoration of service to approximately 75% of customers in all areas. The other 25% of customers may have additional damages to their service equipment that will need further investigation. FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell said, “Considering the scale of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, it is a great accomplishment to have restored electricity to more than 70% of the country in less than six weeks. Alot of work has been done, but we will not relent in our efforts to restore power to every single customer as quickly as possible. We know how important electricity is to our customers and to the overall economy and we are applying all available resources to this effort.” The process of restoring electricity begins with getting power to essential services such as hospitals, water plants, and airports. Then crews work on repairing and restoring main power lines that will restore electricity to large groups of customers. Then the focus moves to restoring smaller service lines that

feed particular streets and cul-de-sacs from the main power lines. Finally, crews address individual customers with damages or disruptions affecting their particular service. As restoration of electricity service continues across the TCI, the Company reminds customers to turn off breakers, unplug appliances and equipment and turn off wall switches. Customers are also encouraged to consult a licensed electrician before undertaking any electrical repairs. Customers with properties that may have been damaged or had their electrical systems compromised will need to make all necessary repairs and have an inspection completed by the Government Planning Department. They will then need to provide FortisTCI with written approval from the Planning Department stating that service can be connected. Customers still experiencing an interruption in areas where service has been fully restored, and all necessary checks have been completed with an electrician, are asked to contact the FortisTCI customer call center to report the outage. The call center can be reached by dialing 9464313 and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 5 pm.

HS LTD. FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER This position will provide all Food &Beverage Management services within Fairways Bar and Grill at Provo Golf Club, including the daily operation of the F&B in the club house and on the golf course, as well as event/tournament banquet services. RESPONSIBILITIES •preparing and updating of various F&B menus •costing of all F&B items to ensure margins and profitability •hiring, training and development of all front of house and kitchen staff •implementing training programs & procedures in accordance with hygiene and food safety standards •planning labourrotas, stock ordering/handling and cost control •preparing annual financial budgets, monitoring and forecasting sales •implementing cost controls, labor management and revenue generating programs •promoting the facility to maximise revenue REQUIREMENTS •a proven track record of operating a F&B facility •an understanding of golf course etiquette, team management & good organizational skills •experience with EPOS systems including payroll management, purchasing and inventory systems •strong technical literacy including Microsoft Word and Excel •must be able to work closely with the Director of Golf to ensure that golf visitors and members are being properly serviced and that functions/ events are being professionally managed to ensure repeat business. •Must be able to worksplit shifts and unsociable hours on weekends when events are taking place. The remuneration for this position is $36,000.00 per annum commensurate with experience. Please submit applications to: Veronica Rigby, HS Ltd, P.O. Box 124, Regent House, The Regent Village, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tel: (649) 946-5126; Fax (649) 946-5191; Email: ronnie@habgroup.com Interested Belongers must also submit copies of their application to the Commissioner of Labour& Work Permit Board Zone 2. Position currently held by a work permit holder. Closing date for application is October 30, 2017.

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LOCAL NEWS

TCI delegation attends CTO’s State Of The Industry Conference 2017 The Caribbean Tourism congress TCI was represented by Miss Organization (CTO) hosted its annual Zaria Ingham, Jr. Minister of Tourism. State of the Industry Conference The Caribbean Tourism Youth on 9-13th October 2017 in the ‘Spice Congress featured the “National Junior Island’ of Grenada, under the theme Ministers of Tourism” comprising of “Super Charging the Caribbean students between the ages of 14-17 Brand: Meeting the needs of the new from several CTO member countries. explorers”. Participants debated on prominent The conference welcomed tourism issues sharing their vision a number of high profile speakers, for the future direction of regional led by Dorsey Levens, Founder and tourism. President of Levens Communications, Minister of Tourism, who delivered the key note address; Environment, Heritage, Culture & distinguished speakers shared best Gaming, Ralph Higgs commented; practices, current trends in tourism “Although we did not secure the top and what vacationers are looking for prize in the competition, Miss Ingham now and in future. did an amazing job representing Turks Following the passage of and Caicos, I must commend her on hurricanes Irma and Maria which an outstanding performance, she was affected several countries across the well-prepared and poised presenting region the CTO added to its program on the indigenous Rock Iguanas. This a special session: Recover & Rebuild, year’s conference came at particularly an in-depth three-hour segment. The significant time following two session focused on the economic cost devastating hurricanes to ever hit the of disasters, employment, the cost to region, it was important for us as policy rebuild and the recovery time from makers and tourism professionals leading experts. The delegation led by to assemble in an effort to share our Minister Higgs participated in various stories and garner support. Like some sessions including: of our neighbors, we also used the opportunity to spread the message, o Spicing up the Caribbean Brand that we are open for business.” o Active Engagement-Riding the The team consisted of Minister Technological Wave Hon. Ralph Higgs, Head of Secretariat o Who are the new Explorers? Mellisa Ariza, Training Manager Ms. Blythe Clare and Jr. Minister of A staple on the program was Tourism, Miss Zaria Ingham. the highly anticipated tourism youth CTO’s State of the Industry

tci delegation attends cto’s state of the industry conference 2017 4 Conference is the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s annual convocation where Caribbean tourism practitioners, policy makers and strategic partners, at the highest levels, gather to discuss issues, identify solutions and generally develop courses of action that will benefit the tourism industry in the Caribbean. CTO, with headquarters in Barbados and offices in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising

membership of 28 countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution and research & information technology.

Security & General Hurricane Irma insurance claims. Dear Valued Customers, Security and General Insurance Company Limited (S&G) wishes to advise its policyholders that all claims related to Hurricane Irma must be notified in writing to S&G no later than October 31, 2017. We know this has been a difficult time for many of you and as you repair your property we want to do everything that we can to evaluate your claim as expeditiously as possible. In order for us to consider your claim we need you to complete the first step, which is the Claim Notification form.

Security & General's authorized brokers and agents: Colonial Insurance Brokers & Agents Ltd. Unit 3D-A, Courtyard Plaza, Leeward Highway, Providencials GK Insurance Brokers Ltd. Saltmills Plaza Unit #25, Grace Bay Road, Providencials The Insurance Centre Project Hous, 930 Leeward Highway, Providencials

Therefore, please visit your Broker’s office, by required deadline of October 31, 2017.

SECURITY AND GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED Atlantic House, 2nd Terrace & Collins Avenue, P.O. Box N-3540 Nassau tel. 326-7100 www.cgigroup.com A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. insurance, health, pensions, life

Security and General Insurance Company Limited is rated A-(Excellent) by AM Best.

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 15

NEW RESTAURANT OPENING IN NOVEMBER It’s an exciting time for Provo. If you have the skills, the attitude and the passion for the restaurant arena, you are what we need.

JOB FAIR

Time: 9:00am – 12.00pm Dates: Wednesday 25th& Thursday 26th October Place: Le Vele Plaza – Grace Bay Please bring your Resume & Status Looking for: Servers Line Cooks Sous Chef Dishwashers Kitchen Helper Restaurant Supervisor Pastry Cook AdministrationHelper Driver Bar Tender

Savor Holdings LTD provencetci@gmail.com Find us on Face book “Provence”

PROVO GOLF CLUB CLEANER Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be responsible for the general cleaning of the premises performing such duties as dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, restroom cleaning etc. The applicant will also be responsible for any other duties assigned regarding general cleaning of the property. Requirements: The successful applicant must be able to work with little to no supervision, must have knowledge of proper cleaning techniques, must be able to speak, read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions, should be physically fit, hard working and reliable. Wages: $6.50 per hour Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by November 3, 2017 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

HS LTD. HS Ltd is seeking suitably qualified individuals to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered. MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Job Description •Responsible for maintaining the general condition of the company’s properties with regards to all aspects of basic electrical, plumbing and mechanical. •Complete daily tasks as outlined by Supervisor. •Complete maintenance request work orders on a timely basis. •Performs all weekly, monthly and other scheduled preventative maintenance programs. •Actively pursue new tasks or jobs when assigned work is completed. •Maintain CCTV Security System. •Maintain and service pumps and control systems. •Maintain irrigation filtration system. •Schedule material purchase order request. Requirements •Should have eight years experience as a Maintenance Technician or experience working in a similar position. •Must have strong skills in troubleshooting and repair of electrical, plumbing and general maintenance. •Work with minimal supervision. •On standby for 24 hours call out emergencies. •Should have great oral and written communication skills. •Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and Excel. Please submit applications to: Veronica Rigby, HS Ltd, P.O. Box 124, Regent House, The Regent Village, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tel: (649) 946-5126; Fax (649) 946-5191; Email: ronnie@ habgroup.com. Interested Belongers must also submit copies of their application to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2. Position currently held by a work permit holder. Closing date for application is October 30, 2017.

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LOCAL NEWS

Erasing stretch marks By Dr. Marsha Barnett It is thought that almost 100% of women have stretch marks somewhere on the body. The usual places are areas that are prone to quick enlargement when we enter puberty or gain weight, such as the hips, buttocks and breasts. Perhaps the most distressing ones however, are the ones on the tummy after a pregnancy. Stretch marks typically appear as bands of parallel lines on your skin. These lines are a different color and texture than your normal skin, and can be red, purple, paler or darker than your skin. Stretchmarks can feel like an indentation in the skin or like a raised area. Although usually asymptomatic, some persons may complain of itching in the area especially when new ones are coming up. WHAT CAUSES STRETCH MARKS? Stretch marks are a result of the skin stretching quickly in an area that does not have the elasticity required to facilitate the sudden increase in size. Many women develop stretch marks during pregnancy as the skin stretches to make room for the developing baby. This stretch may lead to a tearing of the layers of the skin and result in stretch marks. Stretch marks sometimes appear when you rapidly gain or lose weight. Teenagers

may also notice stretch marks after a sudden growth spurt. Corticosteroid creams, lotions, and pills can cause stretch marks by decreasing the skin’s ability to stretch, and some medical conditions that lead to increased cortisone in the body or rapid weight gain, also increase the risk of developing stretch marks. TREATING STRETCH MARKS Stretch marks often fade with time but most tend to be quite obvious even years later. The vast majority of over the counter creams are not effective and have no studies or trials to justify their use. There are a few proven treatments available for stretch marks but the response to treatment varies in patients. Additionally, whilst treatments improve the appearance, no treatment can make stretch marks disappear completely. There are however several ways to improve the appearance of stretch marks: •Tretinoin cream, an analogue of vitamin A, can be applied to the skin at nights if you are not pregnant. It works by restoring collagen in the area and affecting the turnover of collagen thereby improving its elasticity and fading the marks with time. It works best on newer stretch marks and may cause skin irritation and takes months to show improvements in most cases. •Certain lasers can be used to improve the appearance of stretch

marks. The type of laser used depends on the color of your stretch marks and the color of your skin. Multiple treatments are usually required. •Peeling of the skin with a chemical peel, microdermabrasion or combining the two can help reveal new, more elastic skin. Additionally, peeling of the skin can prime the area to allow the creams being applied to improve penetration and enhance its effectiveness. •Radiofrequency has recently been used to treat stretch marks and yielded good results. It applies energy to the skin to affect both the turnover of collagen beneath the skin’s surface, thereby improving elasticity and also the firmness of the skin on its outer layer. Improvement is usually seen in this modality that is comparable to laser technology. The best results are usually gained by a mixed treatment modality approach where prescription creams and cosmetic procedures are combined. PREVENTING STRETCH MARKS

Dr. Marsha Barnett regularly can help to prevent stretch marks caused by sudden weight gain or loss.

There’s no way to prevent stretch marks completely, even if you use the advertised oils and creams *Dr. Marsha Barnett is a general during pregnancy or whilst losing or practitioner who also specializes gaining weight. However, treating in dermatology. For questions them sooner than later increases the or comments, please contact at likelihood of substantial improvement drmarshabarnett@gmail.com or at and keeping your weight in a healthy Associated Medical Practices - 946range by eating well and exercising 4242.

FURNISHING RETAIL CONSULTANT

Intercaribbean Airways has the following vacancies:

INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS HAS THE FOLLOWING VACANCIES:

The successful applicant must have the following: Captain and First Officer for EMB120 fleet: Salary to commensurate experience. Customer service agents/ airport host: must have 1-2 years working experience in aviation industry, computer literate, hardworking, reliable and trustworthy with a valid police record and passport. Willing and able to work weekends and holidays. Security Officer: 1-2 years experience, computer literate, excellent commend of the English language, both verbal and written. Valid TCI driver’s license, police record and passport.

Flight Dispatcher – 2 years experience, Dispatchers license, computer literate, strong work ethics, must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

Labourers/ Baggage handlers/ cleaners: Must be fluent in English language, computer literate hard working, reliable and willing to work weekends and holidays. Aircraft Mechanic: Certification from an accredited institution, with A&P License. 2-3 years or more experience. Dependable, innovative, with strong team player, can work independently.

Aircraft Mechanic Helper – 2 years or more experience with aircraft maintenance, Dependable, innovative, with strong team player. Mechanic – Experience with fixing diesel engine, and with hydraulics.

Welder - 2 years or more experience willing to work long hours including weekends and holidays. Upholster - 2 -3 years experience ability to work independently and long hours.

AVIATION STORE CLERK: 2- 3 years experience must be computer literate, and reliable. To ensure that goods meet required quality and standard specifications. Ensure goods are stored correctly to minimize possibility of damage or deterioration. Assist with the administration, purchasing and distribution of service items.

Interested persons send resume to HR@incaribbean.com. Belongers and PRC holders need only apply.

A proven track record and excellent understanding of contemporary interior design and the international furniture retail industry. Must have previous experience in sourcing, pricing and contract negotiations. Previous experience in establishing brand and retail partnerships and managing these consistently is required. Knowledge of how to create annual budgets, marketing and business plans is necessary. An in-depth knowledge of the inner working of the furnishings industry is needed, adequate understanding of the property development and construction industry required. Experience with working in an entrepreneurial environment is a plus. Competency in the following computer software is a requirement of the application • Microsoft Excel • Microsoft Word • Microsoft Powerpoint • AutoCad / Sketchup • Quickbooks • Apple computer applications Languages: Fluent English necessary Fluent German, Spanish or French beneficial A degree in Business Administration or a similar field is required 5+ years experience in interior design field 5+ years experience in interacting with high-level clients Salary: $4,500 to $5,500 per month subject to experience Resumes to be submitted to: Windward Development Company Ltd, Third Floor Graceway House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Food for Thought amends their food bank programme to support more students after Hurricanes Irma & Maria By Todeline Defralien Now that the government schools are open (for the most part), and Food for Thought has the information it needs to make food orders, they are now working to get their programmes quickly back on track. Their Breakfast Programme and Food Bank Programme have been temporarily revised in order to accommodate the limited resources available at some of the schools. Food for Thought Breakfast Programme continues their usual menu in North and Middle Caicos. Iris Stubbs Primary School in South Caicos is now open using temporary classrooms but as their canteen was severely damaged and their kitchen appliances destroyed the students will be provided with ready-to-eat breakfast items. When Mary Robinson Primary School in Salt Cay reopens the programme will assess what items can be sent over. Co-founder of the charity Karen Savory said, “Our Food Bank Programme puts Breakfast Boxes in the guidance counsellors’ offices at the other 10 government schools. We will at least double the reach of the Food Bank Programme but we need to ask the public to donate to our Food Banks

so we can reach them just a little. It even more children. is so important for We are also asking our country that the for ready to eat food children are taking such as granola part in classes. bars, fruit cups When we started and individual our programme the milk cartons. Many teachers reported schools still do very quickly that not have access they had seen to power and/or an improvement water, and most of in the children’s their appliances focus, attention have been ruined. and attendance. At schools that do Food insecurity have resources is a very sad and to prepare real problem. Not breakfasts we only is the earning will accommodate potential of children them.” likely to be hindered S a v o r y due to the difficulty told the SUN, “We to learn if not believe it’s more properly nourished, important than Co-founder of the charity Karen Savory but the cost of loss ever. Routine is of production to really important the economy is for children so we’re trying our best substantial.” to get their usual breakfasts to them Savory noted that they as soon as we have the information continue to receive fantastic support, from government. We have all been not only from their corporate sponsors impacted by the hurricanes, some more but also a few generous individuals than others, and with all of the repairs both local and international. and lost belongings many families “We even had a 9-year-old may are struggling. Hopefully our hold a bake sale for us in Spain! Many, breakfasts for their children will help many people have also been able

to donate breakfast items - adding a pack of instant oatmeal to your shopping cart, for example, is not too burdensome but it provides breakfast to ten children.” “It’s now more important than ever to reach as many children as possible with our free breakfast. Families are facing huge financial and emotional burdens following the devastating Category 5 hurricane and hurricane Maria. With some resorts and restaurants still closed, small businesses struggling with cash flow, limited employment opportunities, many families are struggling with the additional costs of house repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, and so on,” she explained. For those who would like to support this initiative is asked to also support their upcoming event, the first annual themed party. The event will be an 80’s night event on Saturday 9th December, 2017. Food for Thought is of course also accepting monetary donations. The community can take their donations to Savory & Co., Quality Food Centre, Crust Bakery, Graceway Sports Centre, British West Indies Collegiate, Bark + Bliss, Scotiabank Grace Bay, West Indie and International School of Turks and Caicos Islands.

ROYAL TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS POLICE FORCE Communications Officer POSTING DATE: (20th October 2017) CLOSING DATE: (6th November 2017) MINISTRY/INSTITUTION: Royal TCI Police Force DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Commissioners Office LOCATION: Providenciales REPORTS TO: Commissioner of Police SUPERVISES POSTS: Nil

VACANCY

Purpose of the Job: The Communications Officer is responsible for developing and coordinating all forms of internal and external communications for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The Communications Officer will liaise with local and international media agencies where required, other Government media officers and senior members of the RT&CIPF and other stakeholders and partners to deliver the RT&CIPF Media, social Media and Communications Strategy. Qualifications and Experience: Essential •Experience of working within a communications, media or public relations environment. •Experience of delivering communications using all forms of media including social media and website management. Desirable •A degree in any of the followingJournalism English, Business, Media Studies, Marketing or equivalent. Key Skills Required: •Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing •Excellent team worker •Broad range of IT skills including the management of websites, social media, Word and Excel •Confident in presenting and speaking to a range of audiences •Able to work with limited supervision and on own initiative •Able to prioritise work in line with strategic aims Responsibilities: •Planning and coordinating all forms of internal and external communications for the RT&CIPF •Developing and implementing communication strategies •Providing advice and guidance regarding communications and media strategies to the Force Executive and others Officers as required. •To be the point of contact for all media enquiries, enquiries from individuals and other agencies in all formats (social media, telephone and email)

•Environment scanning of press agencies to highlight issues that may impact upon the RT&CIPF •Production of Video Logs and other videos as required for media releases or as part of policing campaigns •Devising and coordinating media opportunities for the RT&CIPF •Organising press conferences and other media related events •Maintaining and updating the RT&CIPF website •Managing and updating information and engaging with users of the RT&CIPF social media sites •The management of the media and communications following a major emergency of disaster •Production of an in Force monthly newsletter Hours of Work: •The job holder is required to work (8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday) •On occasions, flexibility is required in response to emergency situations of policing operations to provide communications support to the Force Executive Salary: $25,625.04 per annum Allowances: $15,600 per annum Applications Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by a Cover Letter and two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer) as well as copies of educational certificates and a copy of the Passport photo page. Shortlisted candidates must submit a Police Certificate. Applications should be addressed to the Office of Human Resources, Old Airport Road, Grand Turk and Sent by email to: Rex.Swann@tcipolice.tc with the subject line being: Communications Officer, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Successful applicants will work in accordance with the Police Force Ordinance. Applications without all supporting documents will not be processed. Selection Process Stage 1. Application Stage 2. Paper sift Stage 3. Interview - Those successful at stage 2will be invited for formal interview Key Dates •The closing date for applications is midday (6th November 2017) •Interview dates to be advised

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JOB ADVERTISEMENT Gansevoort Turks + Caicos is a contemporary luxury full service boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with Five Star experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring Five Star standards and services are continuously delivered. Corporate Manager: Oversees daily activities of Guest Services Department to provide guidance and leadership to all staff. Responsible to ensure consistent quality of customer service is provided to all guests in accordance with Gansevoort standards. Tasked with representing the Gansevoort brand and reputation in the public, through both oral and written communications. Essentially, he or she becomes the face of the organization, interacting with employees, clients, the media etc. •Must have Gansevoort Hotel Group Management experience. •Must be a Certified Concierge •Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management •8 - 10 years’ experience in a luxury 5 Star Resort environment with experience in Concierge and Management. •Strong leadership skills with the ability to recruit, train, develop, mentor and motivate a team. •Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problem solving skills. Must be experienced in conflict resolution. •3 years experience with MS Office, Opera PMS, Micros POS and prior administrator for CA web. •Ability to prepare reports, effectively presents information, and provides timely response to queries. •Ability to effectively deal with colleagues and customers, some of whom require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy to defuse anger and collect accurate information. •Ability to stand at least 10 hours a day and work up to a 12 hour shift daily. •Prior experience working in a 5 star Forbes rated property •International experience inclusive of the USA •Thorough knowledge of Gansevoort Brand Standards •Deadlines oriented with the ability to multi-task and establish priorities. •Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to speak, read and write fluently in English and Spanish. Additionally, more than one European language required. •Professional appearance and demeanor. Compensation: $40k - $60k per annum *Chef De Partie: The Chef de Partie is a direct link between the Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, sous chef and his/her assigned production areas and outlets. His primary responsibilities are to ensure all communication, standards, policies, and expectations are communicated to his/her team and then executed flawlessly. The Chef de Partie enables his/her team by ensuring equipment and sanitation standards are always met, supplies and inventories are readily available, expectations are communicated, recipes are current, and training is on-going. He/She is expected to be a “hands-on” supervisor who leads his/her team by example. The Chef de Partie is assigned to be directly responsible for one or more outlets or production areas in the following categories: production, alternative restaurants, buffets, or main galley. The Chef de Partie should expect to be rotated into different areas with or without advance notice in regards business demands and career development. Compensation: $20k - $25k per annum *Chef/Cook: Act as a right hand to Station Chef and Sous Chef. Responsible for preparing and producing food items, a la carte, buffets, banquets, etc. to specified requirement set by the Hotel. Be Flexible; open-minded and confident to take over any section of the kitchen operation at any time. To ensure a high level of food quality, value, consistency, and satisfaction to the guests. Compensation: Starting at $8 per hour *Food & Beverage Manager - Report Directly to the Food & Beverage Director. Oversees daily operations of the restaurant. Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/Hostess. Resolve customer complaints regarding food service. Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures. Observe and evaluate workers and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service. Assign duties, responsibilities, and work stations to employees in accordance with work requirements. Previous experience working in a multicultural 5 Star property. Extensive wine knowledge. Proficiency with general office PC applications (i.e. Microsoft Office software, Opera, Micros POS, Open Table, Delphi eTime, TimeSaver, ExponentHR, JD Edwards). Must be fluent in English, French and Spanish. Compensation: $40k - $50k per annum *Food & Beverage Director: Assists in leading the property’s food and beverage/culinary operation, including Restaurants/Bars, Room Service, and Banquets/Catering, where applicable. Position oversees the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures implementation of the brand service strategy and brand initiatives. The position ensures the food and beverage/culinary operation meets the brand’s target customer needs, ensures employee satisfaction, focuses on growing revenues and maximizes the financial performance of the department. Delivers products and services to

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

meet or exceed the needs and expectations of the brand’s target customer and property employees and meeting or exceeding financial goals and provides a return on investment. Essential duties include but not limited to: Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/ Hostess. Directs and ensures the implementation and execution of corporate policies and procedures. Controls, measures and reports Outlet sales performance on a daily basis and takes required corrective action to ensure operations are in accordance with the company standards and objectives. Creates new opportunities and maximizes existing ones to generate extra revenue. Maximizes profitability by increasing turnover (revenue and covers). Ensures that department’s operational budget is strictly adhered to and that all costs are strictly controlled. Recommends measures to control/ reduce costs. Works closely with the Controller and provisioning in regards to inventory taking, cost control, loading, ordering and storing. Ensures that all bars are counted after each shift and investigates discrepancies. Assures correct pouring and ensures proper void handling. Requirements: 4-year degree from an accredited university in Food Service Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major. International equivalent suffices. Minimum 3 years experience as F&B Director from leading international 5 Star Level Luxury Resort, proven knowledge of, and ability to oversee and direct the food and beverage division. Fluent in English, both verbal and written. A second language is preferred. Experience in managing a large multinational staff. Extensive knowledge of varying brands and quality of liquors. Knowledge of new and old world wines including food and wine pairing. Ability to read, interpret and demonstrate the preparation of drink recipes. Ability to investigate and solve guest complaints, follow up and meet/exceed guest expectations. Excellent communication, coaching and leadership skills. Possess excellent financial and computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Avero, OpenTable and Micros POS. Must have the stamina to work 50 to 60 hours per week. Caribbean experience preferred. Compensation: $70k - $85k per annum *Jr Sous Chef: Report directly to the Sous Chef. The position is responsible for assisting kitchen personnel and all related culinary activities; assist in the estimate food consumption and requisition or purchase food; assist in the selection and developing of recipes; assist in establishing presentation technique and quality standards; assist in planning and pricing menus; ensure proper equipment operation/maintenance and ensure proper safety and sanitation in the kitchen. Must have the ability to work in a diverse environment with focus on client and customer services are essential to success in this role. The ideal candidate should possess an associate’s degree or related culinary degree with two or more years of industry and culinary management experience. Compensation: $20k - $36k per annum Public Area Attendant/Room Attendant/Domestic Worker/Houseman - Loves to clean. Clean and maintain guest rooms and general areas. Clean and replenish amenities as per the resort standards. Assists room attendants with heavier tacks, window washing, linen delivery and removal. Compensation: $6.25 per hour *Labourer - Must have experience in a resort, knowledge of cleaning process and attention to details. Transports, stores and generally maintain all of Food and Beverage areas. Compensation: $6.25 per hour *Retail Buyer/Merchandiser - This position requires someone with established relationships with high end clothing wholesalers in Miami, Los Angeles, New York City and South America to bring the right mix of high end merchandise at competitive prices to suit the resort client. Five years or more experience in managing a high end clothing boutique. Familiar with Micros POS, inventory management, Microsoft Office Suite. The successful candidate must have/be; •Financial, Business and/or Hospitality Management degree or equivalent experience, with a passion for customer service •Exceptional leadership skills with a proven record of providing consistently high guest experience standards balanced with operational efficiencies. •Five Diamond and Five Star Forbes experience. •Demonstrated success at delivering results through establishment of standard procedures, disciplined coaching and management. •Proven ability to develop business plans and budgets, and effectively monitor performance to meet objectives •Energetic, results driven leader with collaborative approach; focused on empowering people; developing skill in others through coaching, training and experiential learning. •Sense for perfection and attention to detail •Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problem solving skills •Proficiency with general office PC applications (i.e. Microsoft Office software and Opera) to prepare reports, employee schedules, inventories, budgets as required. •Professional appearance and demeanor •Must be able to work on weekends and holidays •Must be fluent in English and European languages. Additional languages desirable. Salary: Commission based.

Positions with * are currently being held by a work permit holder. Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)941-7555. E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your Resume or C.V. to hr@wymara.com

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

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Come and join our winning team at Seven Star Resort & Spa

The following positions are currently available

Chef de Partie/ Demi Chef de Partie The Chef de Partie is responsible for running a specific section of the kitchen. The chef manages a small team of workers, which are responsible for keeping organized so that meals go out on time and the work area remains clean and orderly. Requirements: •5 to 15 culinary experiences in a five star hotel/resort •Knowledgeable in international cuisine such as Japanese and other Asian dishes •HACCP knowledge, self-motivated and passion for hospitality and cooking •Excellent palate and attention to detail Duties and Responsibilities: •To work and lead the kitchen team •Execute cooking to the expected high standard quickly and efficiently •To maintain the required level of hygiene standards/HACCP as laid down both legally and by the standards manual •To be responsible for the day to day training of the team Salary range: USD13,200 to USD14,400. Position currently held by a work permit holder Retail and Spa Manager The Spa Manager will be responsible for overseeing the entire Spa function. This includes retail, a full-service gym as well as massage therapy. The primary roles of the Spa Manager are; •To ensure optimum guest and employee satisfaction. •Plan or direct spa services and programs •Train staff in the use or sale of products, programs, or activities •Assess employee performance and suggest ways to improve work •Check spa equipment to ensure proper functioning •Coordinate facility schedules to maximize usage and efficiency •Develop staff service or retail goals and guide staff in goal achievement •Establish spa budgets and financial goals •Inventory products and order new supplies Skills and Qualifications: Customer Focus, Tracking Budget Expenses, Pricing, Vendor Relationships, Market Knowledge, Staffing, Results Driven, Yoga/ Pilates knowledge, Strategic Planning, Strong Management Proficiency, Client Relationships, Verbal Communication and able to work long hours. Salary range: USD35,000 to USD44,800 per annum and is based on experience and qualification. Position currently held by a work permit holder. Crystallization Specialist: This individual will be responsible for grinding and leveling of floors with the required machinery. Responsible for all of the following: Travertine Cleaning , Marble Polishing, Marble Cleaning, Granite Polishing, Etch Removal, Stain Removal, Limestone Cleaning, Lippage Removal, Crack & Chip Repair and Marble Floor Maintenance Requirements: •Knowledge of working with chemicals used for floor restoration, polishing, buffing or crystallization on different stone floor types – Limestone/granite/ marble •Some math and measuring skills along with an eye for detail •Also requires a great deal of lifting, bending and squatting, so a reasonable level of physical fitness is needed. Salary range: USD12,000 to USD 13,500 per annum. Position currently held by a work permit holder Lead Server 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 fine dining restaurant in a lead position •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 Wages: $7.60 per hour and position currently held by a work permit holder SPA THERAPISTS Candidates will join our team in our newly expanded award winning Spa and will be therapists as well as have opening and closing duties. Duties and Requirements: •5 years’ experience as a therapist and 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 •Must be able to work long hours and split shift. Salary $6.31 per hour (plus commission). Position held by a work permit hold SECURITY OFFICER 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 and be available to work a rotating and flexible schedule.

Duties and Requirements: •A minimum of 5 years’ experience •Able to work flexible hours, holidays and weekends. •Willing to walk/run through dark bushy areas to carryout checks. •Highly trained in security procedures and martial arts. •First Aid training is preferable •Ability to communicate effectively •Physical ability to run, walk, jump and bend. •Willing to work long Shifts (up to 14hrs) and split shift during the night. •Willing to work in all weather conditions. •Ability to respond to patron problems effectively. Salary range: USD14,000 to USD15,000 per annum and is based on experience and qualification. Position currently held by a work permit holder. Housekeeping Turndown Attendant / Houseman/Attendants Clean, stock, and provide turn down service for guest rooms to ensure cleanliness and guest satisfaction while caring enough to do it well by adhering to the Resort Commitments. Specific Duties and Responsibilities •Provide turn down service by partially removing and storing bedspread, replenishing amenities, linens, and supplies and filling ice bucket as requested by guest •Wipe down tub and sink area •Sign for room keys and restock cart •Visually inspect room for cleanliness and appearance of room •Strip and make beds, change linens •Dust all furniture thoroughly •Replenish amenities, linens, and supplies in guest room •Vacuum entire room and empty trash •All lost and found articles must be turned in to supervisor or the Director of Housekeeping •Clocking in and out accurately is required as per company policies •Respond in a timely manner to guest requests for items and/or other information Job knowledge/Skills/Abilities •Ability to work conscientiously, meets deadlines, follows instruction and directions, with minimal supervision and detailed oriented •Ability to stand, sit, kneel constantly to handle specific details or demands of quality and speedy guest services •Ability to work with cleaning agents by extending arms over head, bending and stooping •Ability and desire to handle the heat as the layout of the resort’s rooms dictate •Ability to push, lift and/or pull equipment up to or more than 100 lbs •Ability to scrub and scour surfaces, extend arms over head to perform cleaning tasks, and work in confined spaces •Additional language abilities preferred Salary range: USD12,000 to USD 13,500 per annum. Line Cook: We are looking for a professional line cook to prepare food to the exact chef ’s specifications and to set up stations for menu. The successful candidate will play a key role in contributing to our customer satisfaction and acquisition goals. Requirement •Proven cooking experience •Excellent understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and procedures •Accuracy and speed in executing assigned tasks •Familiar with industry’s best practices •Culinary school diploma Salary: USD16,800 to USD21,600 per annum. Position currently held by a work permit holder Carpenter Candidate will be responsible for furniture repairs and rebuilds various objects in wood, cardboard, PVC, etc. Assemble, disassemble and repair hydraulic locking arms, locks, boards, doors, furniture, wooden shelves. Prepare special carving and woodwork on a daily bases for room refurbishment. Requirements: •At least 5 years of related work experience •Must understand detailed architectural drawings, schematics, shop drawings and blue prints. •Must have experience operating equipment such as saws, routers, drills and sanders •Must have basic mathematical skills •Ability to train handyman •Ability to determine measurements and attention to detail •Physical ability to lift up to 100lbs, walk, jump and bend Wages: USD6.25 to USD$7.60 per hour. OTHER POSITIONS •Public Area Cleaner •Houseman Salary range: USD12,000 to $17,000 per annum and is based on experience and qualification. Some position currently held by a work permit holder.

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING ABOVE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED. 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: November 15, 2017

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OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

GOVERNMENT VACANCIES – (APPLICATION DEADLINE – 3rd NOVEMBER 2017) Applications that are not accompanied by all required supporting documents will not be processed JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Deputy Director – IT - JCB5-01 Central Information & Technology Unit Providenciales Grade 9 - $59,522.50 per annum plus allowances

JOB SUMMARY Deputy Director of Information Technology reports directly to the department head and is a key member of the department’s Executive Management Team. Will be largely responsible for coordination and planning of all functions of a major organizational unit of the Information Technology Department. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Senior Tax Officer –JCB5-02 Revenue Control Unit Grand Turk Grade 7 - $41,205.00 per annum plus allowances

JOB SUMMARY To ensure the smooth running and functioning of the section, to ensure that the Revenue Department meets its objectives and to promote and facilitate taxpayer’s compliance. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Data Processor (Administrative Assistant) –JCB5-03 Registration and Citizenship Grand Turk Grade 4- $21,935.00 per annum

JOB SUMMARY This is a specialist position which has unit level responsibility for the teaching of one or more of the school’s curriculum subjects to students. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Deputy Director SPPD – JCB5-10 Strategic Policy and Planning Unit Grand Turk Grade 9 - $59,552.50 per annum

JOB SUMMARY This is a senior professional and technical position. This post has the responsibility of assisting in shaping facilitating and implementation economic policies to promote sustainable economic and social development. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Program/Research Officer – CFB5-11 Gender Affairs Providenciales Grade 6 - $33,415.00 per annum

JOB SUMMARY This is a specialized professional position which has nation-wide responsibility. The post holder is responsible for the coordination of gender oriented programmes and activities that seeks to empower the lives of women and men, boys and girls for compliance with national, regional and international guidelines.

JOB SUMMARY This is an administrative support position, which has departmental responsibility for secretarial and administrative support functions in the office.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

JOB SUMMARY To provide professional social work services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is a specialized professional position, which has departmental wide responsibility for the elderly, orphans, juveniles, probationers and parolees.

Labour Tribunal Secretary – JCB5-04 Labour Tribunal Providenciales Grade 5 - $26,650.00 per annum plus allowances

JOB SUMMARY This is an administrative position that will provide support to the President and Members of the Labour Tribunal; and will be responsible for the day running of the Labour Tribunal which includes sitting the President/Chairperson in the hearing room, preparing the Minutes of all Orders made by the Tribunal and will serve as the main liaison point for Labour Tribunal Members. JOB TITLE: Psychiatrist - KHB5-05 DEPARTMENT: Mental Health & Substance Dependence LOCATION: Grand Turk SALARY: Grade 8-- $51,147.50 per annum and allowances JOB SUMMARY The purpose of this job is to ensure provision of a high standard of Mental Health Care to the residents of Zone 1 (Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay). JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Deputy Contract Performance Manager –KHB5-06 Contract Management Unit Providenciales Grade 8-- $51,147.50 per annum and allowances

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Social Worker –CFB5-12 Social Development Providenciales Grade 6 -$33,415.00 per annum

Social Worker – Psychiatric – CFB5-13 Social Development Providenciales Grade 6 -$33,415.00 per annum

JOB SUMMARY The incumbent will apply specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral and developmental disorders, conditions and additions. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Civil Engineer – CBB5-14 Public Works Department/Project Management Grand Turk Grade 8 -$51,147.50 per annum and allowances

JOB SUMMARY The Civil Engineer is responsible for the design for all Government civil works, across the islands, and is required to oversee and monitor their construction, and to conduct regular inspections to ensure quality assurance and quality control procedures are maintained.

JOB SUMMARY The incumbent is required to monitor and coordinate the implementation of all obligations under the Public –Private Partnership (PPP) hospital project agreement and other pay for performance contracts entered into by the MOHAHS.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

JOB TITLE:

JOB SUMMARY The position provides core support to the Department with respect to Sales and Marketing and as such will lead on recommendations to the Director on the implementation of effective strategies to generate sales revenue and marketing the products and services of Radio Turks and Caicos both locally and internationally.

DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Graduate Secondary Teacher – Mathematics & Home Economics -LWB5-07 Education Department Providenciales – (Clement Howell High School) $35,926.25 per annum plus allowances

Graduate Secondary Teacher, Business Teacher & Industrial Arts Teacher – LWB5-08 Education Department South Caicos – (Marjorie Basden High School) $35,926.25 per annum plus allowances

Graduate Primary Teacher – Information Technology –LWB5-09 Education Department Providenciales – (Ianthe Pratt Primary School) $35,926.25 per annum plus allowances

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Sales and Marketing Officer –CFB5-16 Radio Turks and Caicos Providenciales Grade 6 - $33,415.00 per annum

News and Sports Journalist – CFB5-17 Radio Turks and Caicos Providenciales Grade 5 - $26,650.00 per annum

JOB SUMMARY The incumbent will seek out and report the news and bring it to the public as quickly as possible. The job holder will aim to present stories in a clear, engaging style that’s balanced, honest and fair. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Clerical Assistant – LWB5-16 DGO – Human Resource Management Directorate Grand Turk Grade 3 - $16,707.00 per annum

JOB SUMMARY The incumbent in this position will be responsible for clerical and administrative tasks to support the daily functions of the office.

For more details regarding these positions please visit www.gov.tc Please note: Applications that are not accompanied by all required supporting documents will not be processed.

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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Lifestyle Protection

We’re in this together. Our community has been hit hard by a fierce Atlantic storm. $250 gift certificate with new buildings insurance policies Zero deductible home insurance (excluding catastrophe) 10% motor insurance discount if your home insurance is with Colonial $1 million liability with home insurance Fast claims service! Free loss of rental income or alternative accommodation costs Interest free monthly payment plan for home insurance Ask about

SolusHealth

individual health insurance

$250

CERTIFICATE

WITH BUILDINGS INSURANCE *$250 gift certificate applies to new buildings insurance policies only

At Colonial, it’s “business as usual” in exceptional times. Our staff have shared this experience with you and the door is open to receive your claim or protect your future. Colonial is a member of a group of companies that has settled over $330 million of storm related claims since 2000.The group manages $430 million in premium income and pension contributions and has the resources to make sure your lifestyle is in safe hands. We’ve never backed down from a challenge and as a company where people come first, we are in this together. Call 232-9127 or 941-3195 or visit www.cgigroup.com

COLONIAL INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED

Suite 3D-A, Courtyard Plaza, Leeward Highway, Providenciales Tel. (649) 941 3195 www.cgigroup.com

Property and casualty insurance products are from Security and General Insurance Company Limited

A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. insurance, health, pensions, life

cgigrp

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

P L E A S E C O N TA C T : A N A  A L I C I A C O A L B R O O K E

Page 23

PHONE: 332 6418

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

Close to Ho Peanuts by Charles Schulz

The Fusco Brothers by J.C. Duﬀy

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis

Jump Start by Robb Armstrong

Big Nate Monty by Jim Meddick

The Flying McCoys by Glenn and Gary McCoy

Nancy by Guy Gilchrist

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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Close to Home by John McPherson

Wizard of Id by Parker and Hart

Ziggy by Tom Wilson & Tom II

ome by John McPherson

Tank McNamara by Bill Hinds

The Argyle Sweater by Scott Hilburn

Brewster Rockit by Tim Rickard

e by Lincoln Peirce

THE ARGYLE SWEATER BY SCOTT HILBURN

DILBERT CLASSICS BY SCOTT ADAMS

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

NOVEMBER 2 - 4, 2017

7 ANNUAL TH

CULINARYEXTRAVAGANZA

BO O K N OW ! FEATURING CHEFS MELISSA D’ARABIAN, VICTOR YU, AND MEHERWAN IRANI WITH WINES FROM GREG STACH OF LANDMARK VINEYARDS, TUCK BECKSTOFFER OF TUCK BECKSTOFFER WINES & NEIL COLLINS OF TABLAS CREEK VINEYARDS ENJOY THE CREATIONS OF PROVO’S FINEST CHEFS AND MEET OUR HONOREE AMBASSADORS OF FOOD & WINE.

2017 EVENTS & PRICING

M EL ISS A D’A R A BI A N

NOV 2ND

WELCOME DINNER - $150 The kick-off dinner at Grace Bay Club for the weekend-long events, features exceptional creations by Chef Victor Yu with wines by Tuck Beckstoffer Wines. 6:30 PM

M e l i s s a D o n ova n d ’A r a b i a n i s a n A m e r i c a n chef and television show host . She won the f if th season of Food Network Star in 20 0 9.

V IC T O R Y U

E xe c u t i v e C h e f a n d j o i n t o w n e r a t Yu Alderley Edge, known for infusing ingredients and spices from the Far East.

NOV 3RD

WOMEN OF WINE LUNCHEON - $60 Lunch at Solana Restaurant with Chef Melissa D’Arabian. 1:00 PM GOURMET SAFARI - $250 Cocktails at Grace Bay Club, followed by dinner at Coyaba, Seven Stars, The Palms & Gansevoort with wines by Landmark Vineyards. 6:30 PM

NOV 4TH

M EHER WA N IR A NI

E xe c u t i v e C h e f a n d c o - o w n e r o f C h a i Pa n i R e s t a u r a n t G r o u p , fa m o u s f o r his authentic Indian street food in Asheville, Georgia.

With

DINNER UNDER THE STARS - $150 at Shore Club. Headlining Chef Meherwan Irani with wines by Tablas Creek Vineyard. 8:00 PM

GR EG S TAC H

W i n e m a ke r a t L a n d m a r k V i n e ya r d s , r e n o w n e d f o r c r a f t i n g e l e ga n t , world - class vintages.

PACKAGE ONE - $400 per person Includes Welcome Dinner and Gourmet Safari With

**not including Women of Wine, Dinner Under the Stars

T UC K BEC K S T O F F ER PACKAGE TWO - $550 per person Includes Welcome Dinner, Gourmet Safari, With and Dinner Under the Stars

P r e s i d e n t o f Tu c k B e c k s t o f f e r W i n e s a n d p i o n e e r o f t h e N a p a Va l l e y g r a p e g r o w i n g i n d u s t r y, k n o w n f o r h i s h i g h e s t rated Sonoma Coast wines.

**not including Women of Wine

NEIL CO L L INS FOR RESERVATIONS & INQUIRIES CALL: (649) 946-5050 EMAIL: info@caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com

WWW.C ARIBBEANFOODANDWINEFES TIVALTCI.COM

in par tner ship with the Turk s & Caicos Touris t Boar d *Above schedule subject to change

E xe c u t i v e W i n e m a ke r a n d V i n e ya r d M a n a g e r a t Ta b l a s C r e e k V i n e ya r d . Vo t e d b y h i s p e e r s i n 2013 a s “ S a n L u i s O b i s p o C o u n t y W i n e M a ke r o f t h e Ye a r ”

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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THE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON IN NORTH, MIDDLE & SOUTH CAICOS

FortisTCI is working around the clock to get the lights back on. In North, Middle & South Caicos, electricity is now available to 100% of customers who can receive service. We know how much this means to everyone.

Rebuilding. Restoring. Re-energizing Turks and Caicos Islands.

www.fortisci.com | 649-946-4313

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OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

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AMANYARA PROVIDENCIALES TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS RELATIONS MANAGER Amanyara is looking for a Guest Relations Manager who is responsible for maintaining goodwill between guests and the hotel and ensuring the guests are enjoying themselves. They also ensure continued use of the company’s products or services, are readily available and take a proactive approach. Guest Relations Manager must demonstrate the highest level of courteous and efficient service, to ensure guests feel welcome and that their needs will be attended to at all times during their stay. Must also forge strong and lasting relationships and provide information about additional hotel services. He/she need to have a strong working knowledge of the specific industry as well as the company’s offer in order to retain current customers and keep them satisfied. Here are the requirements for this position:

WAIT STAFF/ BARTENDER Minimum 2 year’s previous food and beverage service experience in a luxury/ 5 star resorts. Excellent verbal communication skills, immaculate presentation and friendly, professional demeanor. Micros skills advantageous, be a team player and able to work under pressure. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and evenings.

•Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from a reputable school •Strong affinity for and commitment to the hotel industry •Willingness to demonstrate initiative and perform shift duties •Language skills, Strong market sense and results orientation •Excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills

VILLA F&B SUPERVISOR Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar position in a 5-star resort. Must be immaculately presented, fluent in English and possess a friendly, outgoing and professional demeanor. Computer skills and knowledge of Micros POS system required. Good knowledge of wines beneficial. Proven training abilities and a hands-on leadership approach required. Must be a team player and good communicator with the ability to work under pressure.

BOUTIQUE MANAGER We are looking for a highly qualified self-motivated professional who has a keen interest in Luxury Boutique Sales and Operations within a Luxurious Hotel Environment. The ideal candidate must have comprehensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of Luxury Boutique management, top quality merchandise, and retail operations. He or she must possess excellent communication skills, guest focus with the ability to control and operate a tight budget to maximized profits.

PRIVATE VILLA HOUSEKEEPERS/HOST/COOKS/ KITCHEN HELPER Minimum 2 to 3 years’ experience working in a 5-star resort, private estate or luxury motor yacht with solid food and beverage service experience. Chef de Partie, Demi Chef, Commis Chef, Pastry Chef in a luxury resort, cruise ship, private estate or 5-star restaurant, knowledge of Asian and Mediterranean Cuisines. Fluent in English and possess the confidence to communicate directly with villa owners and renters. Must be self-motivated flexible and hard-working this is a live-in position and extended working hours are required when villa is occupied.

Duties and responsibilities includes but are not limited to the following: The successful candidate must be able to •Comply with work scheduled for 6 days with a minimum of 44 hours a week, however you must be flexible based on occupancy, guest requests, operational needs and conscious of possible change in schedules. •Source unique, high quality retail items and guest amenities with corporate approval. •Organize monthly sales events, promotions and incentive program for guests and employees. •Attend daily meeting. Handle guests’ queries and concerns professionally, politely and in timely manner as well as resolving guest comments and complaints immediately. •Carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities as assigned by your immediate supervisors, General Manager or any other manager senior to yourself. Qualification and Experience •At least 3 to 5yrs Luxury Boutique and Retail experience within a Resort environment. •Strong managerial, leadership, communication and organizational skills. •Ability to create sales initiatives and promotions to encourage sales growth within the Boutique. •At least an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in business/ sales and marketing.

SPA THERAPIST/ SUPERVISOR Minimum 3 years previous experience with working in a spa, preferably in a 5-star resort, providing massage and beauty treatments as well as manicures and pedicures. Must be physically fit and in good health. Immaculate presentation and fluency in English is also required.

BEACH ATTENDANT/TENNIS KNOCKER & GYM ATTENDANT Experience in one or more of the following areas: Sailing (hobby boats), club-level tennis playing ability, operation of gym equipment and personal training. Must be a good swimmer and able to teach snorkeling; Well presented with good communication skills and friendly yet professional demeanor. Recent CPR, First Aid or Life Saving Skills MAINTENANCE TECH/AC TECH At least five years experience in a resort with knowledge of A/C and refrigeration systems repair and maintenance, sound knowledge of plumbing and electrical systems, kitchen equipment and laundry machines repairs. Knowledge of laundry steam boilers and steam systems. LABOURER Must be reliable, strong, able to help clean ponds swimming pools, hardworking and willing to work in the sun all day. Should be able to speak English. Previous experience beneficial. All positions require a flexible schedule (which may include holidays, weekends and evenings) and extended hours on occasion. Salaries based on experience and qualifications.

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE WEDNESDAYS ONLY 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM. E-mail amanyarahr@aman.com

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FUN & GAMES

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

JULY 27TH - AUGUST 3RD,2013

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

JULY 27TH - AUGUST 3RD,2013 FUN & GAMES

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Domingo Hernandez of Dom Design. L.T.D

Seeks a Store Clerk Salary $6.25 per hour Applicant must be honest Reliable and hard working Contact: 241-1242

#304059

BRANDI SELVER Is seeking a Care Taker To work 5 days per week Salary- $6.25 per hour Please Contact: 342-6418 Alleveia Butterfield-Chan Jon Chu

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

BUGALOO CONCH CRAWL

Caicos Express Airways

NOEL MUNROE

Is seeking an Administrative Assistant Willing to work 6 days a week Salary Based on experience Must be able to work with multiple software and assist in all aspects of the business. Please Contact: 332-5646

Seeks a Customer Service Agent To work 4 days per week Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact - 941-5730

In Five Cays Seeks 1 Labourer To work 5 days per week Salary $6.25 per hour Please Contact Noel Munroe at 242-2495

Marie. M .Printant

MACDONALD WILLIAMS BLUE HILLS

J&D Office Supplies

requires a

COPIER TECHNICIAN

Specially with XEROX certification At least 10 years work experience Salary commensurate with experience. Please email resume to jdofficesupplies@tciway.tc

SEAL SECURITY

Marie Convenient Store Seeks 1 Sales Helper Salary $6.50 per hour Applicant Must Be Honest, Reliable and Hard Working Please Contact: 341-8705 #304060

Ramona Veloz - Williams

Wages: starting from $7.00 per hour Please Contact: 946-4211

Island Cable network:

Seeking a Labourer and Domestic Worker Must be hard working and honest Wage: $7.00 per hour Claudette Gibson is seeking an experienced Carpenter Wage $10.00 per hour Interested persons please call 232-7950 no call after 5 pm

Security Officer Needed Old Airport Road Salary $6.25 per hour To work from Monday – Friday Please Contact: 442-6220 #304069

Is seeking a Baby Sitter To work Monday - Saturday Salary: Negotiable (6:30 am - 2:30 pm) Please Contact: 649-331-8389

RODEMIDE JOSEPH

Tips and Toes Beauty Box

In Grand Turk Is seeking a Nail Technician To work 6 days per week Salary - $250.00 per week Please Contact: 432-1579 #304070

IS SEEKING A BABYSITTER TO WORK 5 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 348-8986 #304065

Is seeking a Domestic Worker To work 5 days per week Salary- $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 247-1978 #304071

THE LANDING

LABOURER NEEDED FROM MONDAY – FRIDAY SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT TEL: 241-7557 #304062

IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A COOK TO WORK FULL-TIME IN THE EVENINGS SALARY – NEGOTIABLE PLEASE CONTACT: 341-5856 THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

WE ARE ACTING ON BEHALF OF

Reto Group LTD

Seeks one (1) Labourer Applicant must be physical and able-bodied individual capable of lifting heavy loads and to assist with various construction duties within the company.

Iona Forbes

INSIGHT LTD & KALOOKIS SEEKING 1 WAITRESS -$6.50 PER HOUR SEEKING 1 COOK - $7.00 PER HOUR TO WORK 6 DAYS A WEEK PLEASE CONTACT: 345-7212 #304064

FRANK CONSTRUCTION

IS SEEKING A CARPENTER TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY- $7.50 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 346-2472

Is seeking A Head Chef Willing to work 6 days a Week Must be able to do private catering and food prepping Salary- Negotiable and based on experience Persons should email resumes to retogroup@ tciway.tc

CACTUS CAFÉ

IS SEEKING A CHEF TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $550.00 PER WEEK PLEASE CONTACT: 432-4271 #304064

OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

CARIBBEAN WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 33

CARIBBEAN NEWS

NEWS NEWS

The Bahamas introduces law to stamp out political corruption In keeping with its pledge to tackle corruption and introduce a new standard of accountability in the country, the Dr. Hubert Minnis Administration tabled its highly anticipated Integrity Commission bill which will enshrine a new code of conduct for public officials, establish a commission to investigate alleged corruption and deepen the financial disclosure responsibilities of public officials. The bill gives unprecedented and wideranging powers to the Integrity Commission, allowing it to exercise powers similar to the Supreme Court during investigations and to exercise search and seizure powers otherwise reserved for the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). Through the bill, public officials who can’t explain the source of money and properties in their possession could be imprisoned

for no less than six months and no more than three years. The bill says: “Where a person who is or was a public official is found to be in possession of property or a pecuniary resource disproportionate to his known sources of income, and he fails to produce satisfactory evidence to prove that the possession of the property or pecuniary resource was acquired by lawful means, he commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine and to a term of imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than three years.” The bill also makes it illegal for public officials not to disclose their knowledge of people “likely to be engaged in an act of corruption”, such people would be liable to a six months prison sentence. The Integrity Commission would consist of seven commissioners: a justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal appointed

by the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the Opposition; a chartered or certified accountant of at least seven years standing, appointed by the Governor General after consultation with the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants; a person who is a counsel and attorney-at-law of ten or more years, appointed by the Governor-General after consultation with the Bahamas Bar Association; a member of the clergy appointed by the Prime Minister after consultation with the Bahamas Christian Council; two people appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of members of civil society; and a person appointed by the Prime Minister after consultation with the leader of the Opposition. The commissioners will be appointed for three years and eligible for one further threeyear re-appointment.

The Bahamas House of Assembly, in Nassau, on the island of New Providence The Integrity Commission will be empowered to employ “investigating officers,” people who would not be members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and therefore not subject to the Police Force Act, police regulations or police force orders. The commission’s investigating officers will have the power to arrest and execute search warrants. A panel consisting of a magistrate or justice or retired magistrate or justice, the Commissioner of Police and one other person appointed

who is not a former or current member of the RBPF will comprise the complaints panel and will have the power to investigate the way the Integrity Commission deals with complaints against investigating officers. The bill would empower the Integrity Commission to “examine practices and procedures of public bodies in order to facilitate the discovery of corrupt practices, and to secure the revision of methods of work or procedures which, in its opinion, may be conducive to such corruption.”

Dart buys Ritz-Carlton hotel in Cayman Islands, targets growth in luxury tourism Dart Real Estate has added the luxury Ritz-Carlton resort to its extensive portfolio of properties in the Seven Mile Beach area. According to the Cayman Compass, the developer, which opened the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa late last year, still plans to build another five-star hotel and believes there is sufficient demand for Cayman to become the luxury travel destination of choice for the Caribbean region, according to company president Jackie Doak. The long rumored deal for Dart to buy The Ritz-Carlton from alternative investment firm Five Mile Capital Partners LLC was finalized on Friday. It will continue to be branded and operated as a Ritz-Carlton hotel under a long-term management contract. Ms. Doak said, “It is a great asset to add to our portfolio and sends a valuable message of Dart’s commitment and confidence in the Cayman Islands.” The purchase does not include The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, and Provenance Properties will continue to market and sell those real estate properties on behalf of Five Mile Capital Partners, LLC. In the last two years, Dart

Crisis in courts - Jamaica DPP slaps legislators for failing to understand justice system concerns

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Cayman Islands has acquired the Beach Suites resort, the old Hyatt hotel, the Britannia golf course and the Royal Palms property, all along the Seven Mile Beach corridor. It has also confirmed the purchase of nearly 300 acres on the North Sound, known as the Dragon Bay lands, previously held on a long-term lease agreement from government. Ms. Doak said Dart was still developing its plans for those properties. She said there was the possibility of some “synergies” between The Ritz-Carlton and Dragon Bay operations. Ms. Doak said the company was committed to the Cayman Islands and has invested heavily in its future success.

Jamaica’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn, confronted lawmakers with a grim description of how justice is being dispensed in some criminal courts, particularly in rural areas, and told them bluntly that it was the result of a lack of vision by successive political administrations. “Part of Jamaica’s problem is the fact, and I say it, that the justice system

Plans to build another fivestar hotel, rumored to be a Four Seasons, next to the Kimpton, have stalled as Dart considers its response to a request for an environmental impact assessment on its application to remove beach rock from the shallow coastal waters bordering the development site. Whether the development takes place at that site, or at a different location, Ms. Doak said Dart is committed to building another luxury hotel. She believes there is significant potential for further growth in the luxury travel sector. “Tourism and financial services are the pillars of success and everything we do is focussed on the continuing growth and advancement

has never been as sexy for you legislators as building a highway. Therefore, the resources have not been put in place over the last 30, 40 years,” said Llewellyn, the director of public prosecutions. “It is just unfortunate that over the last 30 years, there has not been a unified holistic vision by both political dispensations in respect of the justice system,” she continued.

of the Cayman Islands in those areas,” she said. Alasdair Foster, president of Active Investments at Dart Enterprises, said Dart’s properties did not compete with one another, but worked together to bring new tourists to the Cayman Islands. “The Kimpton was not designed to compete with The RitzCarlton,” he said. “It was chosen as a new operator that has a unique style that has allowed the market to grow as a whole. Having common ownership gives us the opportunity to focus on growing the market, bringing more people and new tourists to the island.” Marc Langevin, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, said the Cayman Islands had the opportunity to position itself as the region’s luxury “The airport is going to be a key element, ensuring there are flights coming in and proper flight distribution. Demand for the destination is amazing,” he said. “We are booking now for 2019, for 2020. We are not concerned about competition. Every island has something different. We have room to be the luxury destination for the Caribbean.” Ms. Doak agreed that improvements in facilities at the airport were key to Cayman’s reputation as a high-end destination.

The Jamaica Gleaner reported that legislators on the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) of Parliament sat in disbelief as Llewellyn and her deputy, Jeremy Taylor, explained how the nation’s escalating crime rate and the shortage of courtroom space have contributed to the pile-up of cases now clogging the criminal courts.

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OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Caribbean tourism faces long road to recovery The Caribbean is fast approaching tourism season. But this year, some of the islands may not see their vital economic lifeblood. Several islands are still recovering from the one-two punch delivered by hurricanes Irma and Maria, which razed buildings, knocked out communications and killed dozens of people. It’s still too early to know the full extent of the damage, said Justin Ram, the director of economics for the Caribbean Development Bank. Ram said even a 1% drop in visitors could mean the region loses out on about $138 million those tourists would have otherwise spent. In the long term, that could mean a $214 million hit to the region’s GDP. “That’s just from a 1% drop,” he said. There is some reason to be optimistic, said Hugh Riley, the secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. About 75% of the region escaped the storms unscathed. Similarly Jose Izquierdo, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, a public company that markets and regulates tourism on the island, says the territory is already rebuilding. San Juan’s airport and cruise ports are operational, and he expects many local hotels to start taking new reservations. Izquierdo said cruise

Justin Ram, director of economics for the Caribbean Development Bank liners like Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises are scheduling trips out of the harbor. “It’s a sign that there’s some sense of normality to operations here in Puerto Rico,” he added. While tourism operations may be reemerging, residents are still suffering. Riley said some islanders are still without electricity or a viable banking system. Food, water and even shelter can be scarce. “They are still dealing with day-to-day real life survival and nutrition experiences,” Riley said. On the island of Dominica, roofs on at least 80% of the island’s buildings were torn off by Maria. Heavy rainwater made the

asphalt roads crumble. John Collin McIntyre, Dominica’s minister for planning, economic development and investment, said he’s experienced that devastation firsthand. He’s spoken to people on the island who have lost homes or family members and are now trying to recover and rebuild. And he said a crucial part of that process will be figuring out how Dominica can find its economic footing. The damage costs will almost certainly be enormous. A storm that hit the island two years ago, called Erika, caused around $500 million in damage. That was a tropical storm, not a Category 5 hurricane. And it didn’t swallow the entire island, as Maria did. McIntyre said Dominica could start welcoming tourists as early as January, three months after tourism season began. After agriculture, tourism is one of the island’s most important industries. It contributed about $180 million to Dominica’s economy last year, or about 34% of its GDP, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. That’s just a sliver of what’s ultimately a huge economic driver for an entire region. The council reported that 23 Caribbean nations and territories raked in $56 billion from travel and tourism last year, or about 15% of the area’s total GDP.

Chinese firm wants to establish new town in Barbuda The Antigua and Barbuda government says a Chinese firm has shown interest in establishing a new town on Barbuda, which was severely damaged when Hurricane Irma passed through the Lesser Antilles last month. A government statement, which did not identify the Chinese firm, noted that it has expertise in energy and housing and had been invited to brief the cabinet by the Minister of Works and Housing Eustace Lake. According to the statement, the Chinese firm has “proposed to construct a complex of several high-rise apartment buildings that could resist hurricane winds exceeding 200 miles per hour”. It said that the complex would include a supermarket, cleaners, a drug store, a restaurant, a movie theatre, clothing stores, a church, car parks and other kinds of amenities that are common to new complexes. The statement said that the team agreed to return in a week with prices and has “assured the cabinet that it could arrange financing that is low cost, and living spaces that would also be within the reach of families with limited means”. The Gaston Browne administration, which had initially declared Barbuda inhabitable following the passage of the Category 5 storm, has said that it needs in excess of US$200 million to re-develop the island that is home to an estimated 1,600 people. Media reports here said that so far less than US$50 million have been pledged from friendly governments and organisations.

Deep Blue Cable announces pan-Caribbean expansion plans Deep Blue Cable has announced plans to extend its pan-Caribbean subsea network to Colombia and Panama. The developer, owner and operator of a state-of-the-art subsea fibre-optic system providing connectivity across the Caribbean islands and to the Americas has also announced that it will expand to additional landing points throughout the region. The Phase 1 extension of the near 12,000km Deep Blue Cable system to Colombia and Panama will necessitate an adjustment to the project timeline. Earlier this month, Denis O’Brien backed Deep Blue Cable appointed APTelecom, a facilitiesbased consulting and service company, as its international sales partner. Route survey activities for the pan-Caribbean undersea cable will commence in Q1 2018, with manufacturing and installation continuing through 2018 and into 2019. Meanwhile, in view of the recent extreme weather events in the region, Deep Blue Cable is continuing to consider the design of the system to mitigate any future environmental and connectivity concerns. The projected Ready for Service date of the Deep Blue subsea cable system is Q2 2020. “With the planned extension of our subsea fibre-optic cable system to Colombia and Panama, Deep Blue underscores its commitment to the long-term solution of providing advanced subsea connectivity across the Caribbean islands and to the Americas,” said Stephen Scott, CEO of

Deep Blue Cable. “The Deep Blue subsea cable network will have a profound impact not only on the communications ecosystem of the Caribbean, but also on the economic growth potential of an underserved region. Now more than ever, the Caribbean needs resilient communications infrastructure.” The cable has initial landing points in 14 markets throughout the region, including the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos Islands, with dual diverse landings in the U.S., which will include the first landing of a cable on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The Deep Blue subsea cable network has up to 8 fibre pairs with an initial capacity of 6Tbps and ultimate capacity of approximately 20Tbps per fibre pair. Denis O’Brien, owner of Caribbean and Pacific mobile operator Digicel, is the main shareholder behind Deep Blue Cable, which is planning a subsea fibre network around the Caribbean. Deep Blue Cable is a newcomer to the subsea cable market. Last month it announced a contract with TE SubCom to build and deploy the system. But the company has never previously admitted that O’Brien, an Irish businessman, was its key backer. Now Jamaica’s Daily Gleaner newspaper has revealed that O’Brien is its main shareholder. Digicel is privately owned by

Denis O’Brien O’Brien, who made his first telecoms fortune in Ireland with mobile phone operator Esat, sold to BT in 2001. Shortly afterwards he won a licence to build a mobile operator in Jamaica, in competition with incumbent operator Cable & Wireless. Jamaica is still Digicel’s biggest business. The Daily Gleaner asked Deep Blue CEO Stephen Scott about its ownership. “Deep Blue Cable and Digicel Group have a common shareholder, but Deep Blue Cable has its own management team and is separate and distinct from Digicel Group,” he said. The information does not immediately imply that Digicel’s subsea business will move from rival operators, including Cable & Wireless, now owned by Liberty Global, to Deep Blue – but O’Brien has clearly spotted an opportunity in the market. Scott said in July when the TE SubCom deal was announced:

“The Deep Blue cable system will play a critical role in serving developing Caribbean countries that are now experiencing a surge in demand for advanced telecom services and currently rely on fibre-optic connectivity that is technologically and economically disadvantaged.” Deep Blue’s website says it is “an independent company incorporated in Saint Lucia with NOC [network operations centre] services from mainland US”, but says nothing about its ownership. The site lists Scott as CEO, plus five other executives, but not O’Brien. The company plans an extensive network, with more than 40 landing points from Florida in the north and Trinidad and Tobago in South America. Connections to Colombia and Panama are indicated for phase two. “With a contract in force, it is anticipated the route survey will commence in August 2017. Manufacture and installation will follow in 2018 and 2019,” says the website, which says the cable will be ready for service in December 2019. O’Brien is one of the most experienced people in the world when it comes to setting up greenfield mobile operations. Now 59, the Irish businessman has been doing that since the early 1990s, when he set up Esat in his native country as the first competitor to the incumbent, then state owned. That project lasted just a few years until BT bought out the operation. “That happened in January 2001 and the deal closed in April 2001.

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Taking STEPs towards transforming teaching and learning in Barbados schools Despite significant investments by governments in the Caribbean, student achievement at the end of basic education is still lagging behind expected levels. This could change in Barbados, through the School Teacher Effectiveness Plan (STEPs), an initiative funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Barbados. STEPs, a critical component of a wider CDB-funded Education Sector Enhancement Project, aims to transform learning and teaching in schools. It was launched on October 10, with a ceremony at the Erdiston Teachers’ College. CDB’s Division Chief in the Social Sector Division, Deidre Clarendon, told the audience that the initiative now being implemented in Barbados could have a positive impact on other countries in the Region. “This represents a watershed in school reform in Barbados and we anticipate that within the context of regional cooperation and integration, other countries will benefit from this bold initiative which has the potential to transform the culture of teaching and learning in schools,” said Clarendon. The concept of STEPs was framed within the context of identifying models and tools to guide teachers towards being more effective. This comes at a time when countries in the Region have been investing approximately 6 percent of GDP and, in some cases, as much as 20 percent of their recurrent budget on human resource development. Yet optimal achievement eludes a significant proportion of every cohort of learners when they complete basic education. Research examining the teaching of Mathematics in Barbados and the OECS, commissioned by CDB in 2015, indicated that: •teachers demonstrated considerable deficits in effective pedagogy; •there was an absence of instructional planning; and •the quality of the learning environment in classrooms was below the standards defined in teacher education programmes. The CDB Division Chief noted that STEPs is one of the ways in which the Bank was investing in teacher training to improve learning outcomes. “We all recognize the need to extend the focus on teacher development beyond the traditional emphasis on teacher training to supporting the application of effective pedagogy in the classroom. This reflects a paradigm shift in education and training, which is necessary if the education system is to be reconfigured to meet the needs of all learners,” said Clarendon. The Division Chief said the focus on teacher effectiveness changes the traditional focus from professional development to professional practice. “The shift in the discourse from the concept of highly qualified to highly effective teachers resonates with all of us as practitioners, researchers or even development bankers, as we seek to enhance the teaching and learning dynamic,” said Clarendon. The Education Sector Enhancement Project is a collaboration between CDB and Government of Barbados. The Bank, in 2011, approved USD35 million which included support for the intervention, which was designed to assist with the achievement of improved quality and effectiveness of education at the primary and secondary levels.

CDB President concludes meetings in Washington, D.C.

CDB President, Dr. Wm. Warren Smith (front row, 2nd on right), participates in the United Kingdom / World Bank High Level Caribbean Roundtable on Disaster Recovery on October 13 in Washington, D.C President of the blue economy. Caribbean Development Bank, In addition, Smith spoke Dr. Wm. Warren Smith, yesterday at the United Kingdom / World concluded a visit to Washington, Bank High Level Caribbean D.C. for the 2017 Annual Meetings Roundtable on Disaster Recovery of the World Bank Group and on October 13. the International Monetary “The 2017 hurricane Fund (IMF). The President, season has been one of the most accompanied by Vice-President destructive in recent Caribbean (Operations), Monica La Bennett, history. It is a stark reminder attended high-level meetings, of the reality of climate change, met with key stakeholders in the and the dangers inherent in a global development community, ‘business as usual’ approach to and held discussions with leaders reconstruction,” Smith said. from regional governments from “CDB stands ready to October 9 to 15, 2017. work with all of our development During the Meetings, partners to return the affected recovery and rehabilitation for countries to a sense of normalcy; hurricane-ravaged Caribbean to make them more resilient; and nations emerged as a key help them to ‘build back better’,” theme. The President, who has he added. reaffirmed the Bank’s support While in Washington, to help the affected countries the President and Vice-President rebuild more resiliently, (Operations) also attended a participated, along with the Vice- meeting of the development President, in the Small States partners of the Government Forum 2017, a high-level session of Haiti, convened by the IMF, that brought together Finance during which CDB signalled Ministers and Central Bank its intention to continue its Governors from 50 small states engagement in Haiti to support to discuss the most pressing sustainable, inclusive growth and challenges they face. During the poverty reduction in the country. Forum, held on October 14, the The CDB delegation group discussed de-risking, the also met with Inter-American Region’s vulnerability to climate Development Bank President, variability and change, and the Luis Alberto Moreno; IMF

Managing Director, Christine Lagarde; and World Bank Country Director for Caribbean countries, Tahseen Sayed. In addition, they held discussions with the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow; Ministers of Finance of The Bahamas and Haiti; and with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the CCRIF SPC (formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility) and the CARICOM Development Fund. The CDB delegation’s discussions focused on strengthening partnerships with international financial institutions and donor agencies; continuing engagement with its Borrowing Member Countries to meet their national development priorities; and looking at new and different ways to better respond to natural disasters that affect the Region. The Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF bring together the global development community, central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern.

40 people missing as migrant vessel sinks off Haiti About 40 people remain missing after a migrant vessel sank off the northern coast of Haiti, authorities said Monday. Nine people have so far been rescued by search teams scouring the seas off the island of La Tortue, Haiti’s civil emergency agency said, adding they were pessimistic about the prospect of more survivors. The vessel sank after leaving La Tortue on Sunday for Providenciales island in the northern Turks and Caicos archipelago, 200 kilometers (120

miles) to the north. According to the survivors, three of whom were hospitalized on their return to Haiti, the vessel was carrying 50 people when it sank. In a country where more than 60 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day, there are frequent attempts to reach the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos illegally. Over the past five years, thousands of young Haitians have migrated to Chile or Brazil, countries where visas are more

$135

easily obtained. Although Haitians historically have gone to the United States, and to Florida in particular, the flow of migrants has shifted to Canada and other neighboring countries. Since a devastating earthquake in 2010, about 60,000 Haitians have found temporary protected status in the United States. But US President Donald Trump’s administration has said that status will expire at the close of 2017.

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Short on staff: Nursing crisis strains U.S. hospitals

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia - A shortage of nurses at U.S. hospitals hit West Virginia’s Charleston Area Medical Center at the worst possible time. The non-profit healthcare system is one of the state’s largest employers and sits in the heart of economically depressed coal country. It faces a $40 million deficit this year as it struggles with fewer privately insured patients, cuts in government reimbursement and higher labor costs to attract a shrinking pool of nurses. To keep its operations intact, Charleston Medical is spending this year $12 million on visiting or “travel” nurses, twice as much as three years ago. It had no need for travel nurses a decade ago. “I’ve been a nurse 40 years, and the shortage is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” said Ron Moore, who retired in October from his position as vice president and chief nursing officer for the center. Charleston Area Medical’s incentives include tuition reimbursement for nursing students who commit to work at the hospital for two years. “It’s better to pay a traveler than to shut a bed,” he said. Hospitals nationwide face tough choices when it comes to filling nursing jobs. They are paying billions of dollars collectively to recruit and retain nurses rather than risk patient safety or closing down departments, according to Reuters interviews with more than 20 hospitals, including some of the largest U.S. chains. In addition to higher salaries, retention and signing bonuses, they now offer perks such as student loan repayment, free housing and career mentoring, and rely more on foreign or temporary nurses to fill the gaps. The cost nationwide for travel

Job seekers listen to a recruiter at the Colorado Hospital Association job fair in Denver, Colorado, U.S. nurses alone nearly doubled over three reimbursement, $10,000 signing years to $4.8 billion in 2017, according bonuses and free housing for staff who to Staffing Industry Analysts, a global live at least 60 miles away. advisor on workforce issues. Next year, the hospital is The burden falls considering paying college tuition disproportionately on hospitals serving for the family members of long-time rural communities, many of them nurses to keep them in West Virginia. already straining under heavy debt like “We’ll do whatever we need to the Charleston Area Medical Center. do,” said Doug Mitchell, vice president These hospitals must offer and chief nursing officer of WVU more money and benefits to compete Medicine-WVU Hospitals. with facilities in larger metropolitan areas, many of them linked to wellNOT LIKE OTHER SHORTAGES funded universities, interviews with hospital officials and health experts Nursing shortages have occurred in show. the past, but the current crisis is far Along West Virginia’s border worse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics with Pennsylvania, university- estimates there will be more than a affiliated J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital million registered nurse openings by in Morgantown is spending $10.4 2024, twice the rate seen in previous million in 2017 compared with $3.6 shortages. million a year earlier to hire and retain A major driver is the aging nurses. of the baby boomer generation, with But these costs are part of the a greater number of patients seeking facility’s expansion this year, including care, including many more complex adding more than 100 beds as it grows cases, and a new wave of retirements programs and takes over healthcare among trained nurses. services from smaller rural providers Industry experts, from hospital that have scaled back or closed. associations to Wall Street analysts, J.W. Ruby, the flagship hospital say the crisis is harder to address for WVU Medicine, offers higher pay than in the past. A faculty shortage for certain shifts, tuition and too few nursing school slots has

Brazilian who led U.S. to $17 million under mattress pleads guilty BOSTON - A Brazilian whose arrest led U.S. authorities to discover $17 million hidden under a mattress pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges that he tried to launder funds tied to one of the largest pyramid schemes ever. Cleber Rene Rizerio Rocha, who prosecutors said tried to help get money out of the United States that a co-founder of TelexFree Inc left behind when he fled the country, entered his plea in federal court in Boston. Rocha, who pled guilty to conspiracy and money laundering charges, is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 7. While the charges each carry up to 20 years in prison, prosecutors have agreed to recommend a 40-month term based on his cooperation. The 28-year-old’s case stemmed from an investigation of TelexFree, a Massachusetts-based company that sold voice-over-internet telephone service and was founded by James Merrill, a U.S. citizen, and Carlos Wanzeler, a Brazilian. Prosecutors said TelexFree

Approximately $17 million found under a mattress in connection with an investigation related to what authorities say was a pyramid scheme is shown in this photo from a January 2017 raid in Westborough, Massachusetts, U.S. released on March 7, 2017 was a pyramid scheme, making little to no money selling its service while taking in millions of dollars from thousands of people who paid to sign up to be “promoters” and post ads online for it. TelexFree collapsed in 2014, inflicting more than $3 billion in losses on nearly 1.89 million people worldwide, prosecutors said. Merrill was arrested in 2014. He was sentenced in March to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges.

contributed to the problem. Hospitals seek to meet a goal calling for 80 percent of nursing staff to have a four-year degree by 2020, up from 50 percent in 2010. They also face more competition with clinics and insurance companies that may offer more flexible hours. Healthcare experts warn that the shortfall presents risks to patients and providers. Research published in August in the International Journal of Nursing Studies found that having inadequate numbers of registered nurses on staff made it more likely that a patient would die after common surgeries. UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, has invested millions to attract nurses, but still has 300 jobs to fill. At times, nursing vacancy rates in some of its departments has hit 20 percent or higher. “We’ve rarely canceled a surgery or closed a bed because of lack of staffing,” said Terri Poe, chief of nursing at the hospital, the state’s largest, which serves many low income and uninsured residents. Last year, the medical center covered nearly $200 million in unreimbursed medical costs for patients. It spent $4.5 million for visiting nurses during fiscal 2016, including $3 million for post-surgery services, compared with $858,000 in 2012. Healthcare labor costs typically account for at least half of a facility’s expenses. They jumped by 7.6 percent nationally last year, after climbing at a rate closer to 5 percent annually in recent years, said Beth Wexler, vice president non-profit healthcare at Moody‘s. The spending has proven a boon for medical staffing companies like AMN Healthcare and Aya Healthcare.

Puerto Rico still stumbles in the dark a month after Maria SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico in an 11-year recession. That has — One man climbs 24 flights of complicated and delayed efforts to stairs several times a day alongside restructure a portion of a $74 billion dormant elevators. Street vendors public debt load that officials say is hawk plastic washboards for $20. unpayable. And it has thrust Puerto And families outstretch their hands Rico’s territorial status into the as crews in helicopters drop supplies international spotlight, reviving a in communities that remain isolated. sharp debate about its political future This is life one month after as the island attempts to recover Hurricane Maria slammed into from flooding, landslides and power the U.S. territory on Sept. 20 as and water outages. a Category 4 storm that killed at Maria has also put Puerto least 48 people, destroyed tens of Rico into the U.S. political spotlight thousands of homes and left tens of with President Donald Trump on thousands of people without a job. It Thursday giving himself a “10” for was the strongest hurricane to hit his response to the devastation Puerto Rico in nearly a century, with wrought by the hurricane. Asked when the 3.4 million U.S. citizens winds just shy of Category 5 force. “I’ve never seen anything living there could expect power to be like this,” retired schoolteacher fully restored, Trump said it will take Santa Rosario said as she scanned “a while.” empty shelves at a supermarket in “There’s never been a case the capital of San Juan that had run where power plants were gone,” out of water jugs — again. Trump said, seated alongside Gov. Maria caused as much as Ricardo Rossello in the Oval Office. an estimated $85 billion in damage “So it’s going to be a period of time across an island already mired before the electric is restored.”

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Obama hits campaign trail for first time since leaving White House Former President Barack Obama returns to the campaign trail on Thursday for the first time since he left the White House, venturing out to support Democrats in two governor’s races that could offer a clue about the national mood before next year’s midterm elections. Obama, who has spoken at private party fundraisers but largely steered clear of electoral politics since leaving office in January, will make public appearances on behalf of Democratic candidates in Virginia and New Jersey - the only two states holding off-year elections for governor. Those Nov. 7 contests will be closely watched to see if Democrats can turn the grassroots resistance to Republican President Donald Trump into electoral wins after falling short earlier this year in four competitive

special congressional elections. The race in the political battleground of Virginia, in particular, is viewed as a potential bellwether. Opinion polls show a close contest between Democrat Ralph Northam, the state’s lieutenant governor, and Republican Ed Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman who has been endorsed by Trump. Obama carried Virginia in both 2008 and 2012, and Democrat Hillary Clinton won the state over Trump by 5 percentage points in 2016. Obama’s vice president, Joe Biden, appeared recently with Northam, while Vice President Mike Pence campaigned in southwest Virginia’s coal country for Gillespie. In New Jersey, Obama will appear at a campaign event in Newark

with Democrat Phil Murphy. Polls show Murphy has a comfortable lead on Republican opponent Kim Guadagno, the state’s lieutenant governor, who is hindered by the unpopularity in the state of Trump and Republican Governor Chris Christie. Since leaving the White House, Obama has frequently criticized Trump and Republicans in written statements for efforts to gut his signature healthcare law and roll back his immigration and environmental policies. The campaign appearances will give him a forum to take on Trump directly if he chooses. The state contests in Virginia and New Jersey, and a special election in December for a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama, are a preview of next year’s congressional elections, when all 435 seats in the House of Representatives

FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers event in Manhattan, New York, U.S., September 20, 2017 and one-third of the Senate’s 100 seats will be up for grabs. Republicans currently control both chambers.

California Dept of Insurance estimates wildfires losses at $1 billion

The remains of a mobile home park where fatalities took place when it was destroyed in wildfire are seen in Santa Rosa. SANTA ROSA, October 15, 2017 California’s Insurance trailers, officials said on Wednesday, Commissioner Dave Jones said there as the death toll from the blazes rose were 601 claims for commercial to 42. property losses, 4,177 claims for Moody’s Investor Service estimated partial residential losses and 3,000 insured losses at $4.6 billion on claims for auto losses. Monday, based on an earlier figure Since erupting on Oct. 8 and of 5,700 destroyed structures, 9, the blazes in parts of Northern according to a report. Insurer Travelers Cos Inc California have blackened more than 245,000 acres, (86,200 hectares) , which announced its third quarter and destroyed an estimated results on Thursday, also warned 6,900 structures as of Thursday, investors of large claims likely this including homes, wineries and other quarter from the wildfires. commercial buildings. The company paused a More than 15,000 people share repurchase plan in September remain displaced, the California to conserve cash as it reviewed Department of Forestry and Fire claims from Hurricanes Harvey Protection, said on Thursday. and Irma, which made landfall in Residents of Northern September and October, and it is still California’s wine country left evaluating that position in the light homeless by the state’s deadliest- of wildfire claims, said Travelers ever wildfires could be temporarily Chief Executive Alan Schnitzer on a housed in federal government conference call with analysts.

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the EU summit meeting in Brussels, Belgium, October 19, 2017

UK’s May appeals to EU leaders to signal movement in Brexit talks BRUSSELS - British Prime Minister Theresa May called on EU leaders on Thursday to move forward with Brexit talks, underlining their shared support for free trade and promising to remain a strong partner on security. Hours before the European Union will rule that the Brexit talks have not made enough progress to move to a discussion of the two sides’ future ties, May appealed to leaders over a dinner to signal that the negotiations will move forward.

“We should be optimistic and ambitious about what we can achieve as we share the same set of fundamental beliefs in free trade, rigorous and fair competition, strong consumer rights and high regulatory standards,” she told the leaders, according to a British government official. “Alongside this I want to be very clear, the United Kingdom is unconditionally committed to maintaining Europe’s security.”

Sixteen inmates charged with murder in Delaware prison uprising A Delaware grand jury has indicted 16 prison inmates for first-degree murder over a February uprising during which a guard was killed and others taken hostage, prosecutors said. Prisoners seized Lieutenant Steven Floyd, two other corrections officers and a counselor during the Feb. 1-2 uprising at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. Floyd, 47, was found

unresponsive after police stormed the prison’s C building to end the standoff. The other guards were injured, while the counselor was unharmed. A New Castle County grand jury handed up charges against a total of 18 inmates that include assault, kidnapping, riot and conspiracy, Delaware’s Justice Department said in a statement. A spokesman for

the department said he had no information on whether the accused had legal representation. The department’s statement did not give a motive for the uprising. Officials said at the time that the prisoners were demanding better living conditions at the center, which houses about 2,500 inmates in Smyrna, some A Delaware State Police vehicle overlooks the James T. Vaughn Corrections 40 miles (64 km) south of Center during a lockdown where hostages were taken in an incident at the men’s prison in Smyrna, Delaware, U.S., Wilmington.

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Netflix adds more subscribers than expected, shares hit record Netflix Inc added more would boost its content budget to original content. “We have a subscribers than expected around between $7 billion and $8 billion good head start but our job is the world in the third quarter and in 2018. to improve Netflix as rapidly as projected growth in line with Wall “As we move into possible,” the company said. Street forecasts, saying it had a 2018, we aim to achieve steady But Hastings said on head start on rivals as internet improvement in international a webcast it was “extremely television explodes globally. profitability and a growing unlikely” that Netflix would bid Shares of the world’s operating margin as our success on The Weinstein Company if leading online video streaming in many large markets helps fund the opportunity arose. The film service touched a record high on investments throughout Asia and production company is in talks to Monday and rose a further 1.2 the rest of the world,” the letter sell the bulk of its assets to Colony percent after hours to $205.07. said. Capital following the firing of coThey are up about 64 percent this Investors have been founder Harvey Weinstein. year. bullish on Netflix’s ability to keep Netflix distributes some For the third quarter, signing up customers around the Weinstein Company movies and Netflix added 5.3 million world despite new rivals. Netflix TV shows on its streaming service subscribers in all its markets, recently traded at 101 times but the business is not material, compared with Wall Street’s expected earnings for the next 12 Netflix Chief Creative Officer Ted target of 4.5 million, according months, versus Amazon.com Inc Sarandos said on the webcast. to FactSet. Netflix forecast 6.3 at 144 times earnings and Time Netflix’s 5.3 million million additions for the current Warner Inc at 16 times earnings, additional subscribers in the quarter, just above analysts’ according to Thomson Reuters third quarter included 4.45 average estimate of 6.25 million, data. million in international markets which would bring its global The company faces and 850,000 in the United customer base to nearly 115.6 increasing competition from States. Wall Street had expected million. streaming services such as 4.5 million overall, with 3.69 The company known for Amazon.com’s Prime Video, plus million overseas and 810,000 in original TV shows such as “House moves by traditional media the United States, according to of Cards” is spending heavily to companies. Walt Disney Co FactSet. produce and acquire content as decided to yank its first-run Revenue rose about 30 it races to dominate streaming movies from Netflix in the United percent to $2.99 billion in the television in international States starting in 2019, and to third quarter. markets, which now account for launch its own online offering. Net income rose to $130 the majority of its subscriber Netflix, in its investor million, or 29 cents per share, growth. letter, said Disney’s decision in the latest quarter from $52 In its quarterly letter underlined the need to keep million, or 12 cents per share, a to shareholders, Netflix said it building its slate of exclusive year earlier.

Researchers uncover flaw that makes Wi-Fi vulnerable to hacks Cyber security watchdogs and researchers are issuing warnings over risks associated with a widely used system for securing Wi-Fi communications after the discovery of a flaw that could allow hackers to read information thought to be encrypted, or infect websites with malware. An alert from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Computer Emergency Response Team on Monday said the flaw could be used within range of Wi-Fi using the WPA2 protocol to hijack private communications. It recommended installing vendor updates on affected products, such as routers provided by Cisco Systems Incor Juniper Networks Inc. Belgian researchers Mathy Vanhoef and Frank Piessens of Belgian university KU Leuven disclosed the bug in WPA2, which secures modern Wi-Fi systems used by vendors for wireless communications

between mobile phones, laptops applied the update, or had and other connected devices automatic updates enabled, with Internet-connected routers would already be protected, it or hot spots. said in a statement emailed to “If your device Reuters. supports Wi-Fi, it is most likely CERT New Zealand affected,” they said on the www. and CERT India asked users to krackattacks.com website, apply security updates. CERT which they set up to provide NZ suggested using ethernet technical information about the cables and to connect directly flaw and methods hackers might into the network, when possible. use to attack vulnerable devices. “Given the complexity It was not immediately of updating smart devices such clear how difficult it would be for as mobile phones, CERT NZ also hackers to exploit the bug, or if strongly recommends disabling the vulnerability has previously Wi-Fi when it isn’t required,” it been used to launch any attacks. said in its advisory. Finnish security firm The Wi-Fi Alliance, an F-Secure said experts have long industry group that represents been cautious about Wi-Fi’s hundreds of Wi-Fi technology ability to withstand security companies, said the issue challenges of the 21st century. “could be resolved through “But the worst part of it a straightforward software is that it’s an issue with Wi-Fi update”. protocols, which means it affects The group said in a statement practically every single person it had advised members to in the world that uses Wi-Fi release patches quickly and networks,” it said on its website. recommended that consumers Microsoft Corp said it quickly install those security had released a security update updates. for Windows. Customers who

Kentucky city removes two Confederate statues

A monument to Confederate General John Hunt Morgan stands encased in a protective scaffolding because of local construction, outside the Historic Lexington Courthouse in Lexington, Ky., U.S., August 15, 2017 Statues of two leaders of the Confederacy will be moved from public places in Lexington, Kentucky, to a cemetery where the men they represent are buried, an action that began quietly on Tuesday in the midst of a national debate about memorials to those who fought for the South in the U.S. Civil War. The city council in August voted to remove the statues of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and John C. Breckinridge, a U.S. vice president and Confederate secretary of war, the Lexington Herald Leader reported, showing video of the removal work that began without advance notice. The Kentucky vote came soon after a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white nationalists angered at the planned removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee clashed with counter-protesters. The Kentucky statues, which have been in the city for about 130 years, will be taken to a private storage facility as the city works on an arrangement with the Lexington Cemetery about placing them there, it said. The Lexington mayor’s office was not immediately available for comment. Breckinridge and Morgan are buried at the cemetery, and private donors are providing funds to pay for the upkeep and security of the statues there, the newspaper reported. Opponents of Confederate memorials view them as tributes to the South’s slave-holding past, while supporters argue that they represent an important part of history. Kentucky was a slave-holding state at the time of the Civil War but it did not join the Confederacy.

Record number of whales counted in Argentina’s Patagonia EL DORADILLO, Argentina — Conservation groups say a record number of Southern right whales were counted this year in Argentina’s Patagonia region. Thousands of tourists have enjoyed watching the whales and their calves this season swimming near the

shoreline of El Doradillo area. The Whale Conservation Institute says 788 Southern right whales were counted in the region this year. It says that is the highest since records began to be registered in 1971. Southern right whales migrate from their icy feeding grounds off Antarctica to warmer

climates. Many come to El Doradillo, on the coast of Golfo Nuevo in the Argentine Patagonia, to breed and nurse their young. The tiny inlet on the Atlantic coast is one of the few places on Earth where the whales can be seen from shore.

This Oct. 11, 2017 photo shows a Southern right whale breach in El Doradillo Beach , Patagonia, Argentina. A record number of Southern right whales migrate each year from Antarctica to Argentina’s Patagonia to give birth and feed their offspring.

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WORLD NEWS

The rise and fall of the Islamic State group BEIRUT — The Islamic State group, responsible for some of the worst atrocities perpetrated against civilians in recent history, appears on the verge of collapse. After brutalizing residents living under its command for more than three years, the militants have now lost their self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa and are battling to hang on to relatively small pockets of territory in Iraq and Syria, besieged by local forces from all sides. Few, however, expect IS to completely go away, or for the bloodshed in the two countries and the region to end quickly. Here’s a look at the Islamic State group, the rise and fall of its “caliphate” and what to expect next: A ‘CALIPHATE’ NO MORE

FILE - In this undated file photo released by a militant website, which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, militants of the Islamic State group hold up their weapons and wave its flags on their vehicles in a convoy to Iraq, in Raqqa, Syria. Creating a territorial caliphate created a target, and an international anti-IS coalition soon took shape. WHAT’S LEFT

IS, which emerged from the remnants of al-Qaida in Iraq, began its spread across the Mideast in early 2014, overrunning the Iraqi city of Fallujah and parts of the nearby provincial capital of Ramadi. In Syria, it seized sole control of the city of Raqqa after driving out rival Syrian rebel factions. In June 2014, IS captured Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, from where its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared a self-styled “caliphate,” a declaration tantamount to an earthquake that would temporarily redraw borders and shake up the entire region. IS promised justice, equality and an Islamic, religious utopia. But over the next few years, it terrorized people living under its control, systematically slaughtering members of Iraq’s tiny Yazidi community, kidnapping women and girls as sex slaves, beheading Western journalists and aid workers and destroying some of the Mideast’s spectacular archaeological and cultural sites. IS also attracted a motley crew of foreign fighters, mostly marginalized European youths and other foreigners who took up its cause. But it alienated mainstream Sunni Muslims, who found IS’ crude interpretation of Islam also spreading in areas far from Syria and Iraq.

The United States launched its campaign of airstrikes against IS in Iraq in August 2014, and a month later in Syria. In Iraq, it partnered with government forces working with state-sanctioned Shiite-led militias as well as Iraqi Kurdish fighters known as peshmerga. In Syria, it partnered with local Syrian Kurdish-led fighters, the Syrian Democratic Forces. Supported by tens of thousands of U.S.-led airstrikes, these forces drove IS militants from one stronghold after another over the years. The biggest blow came in July when Mosul, long regarded as IS’ administrative capital, was liberated. In Syria, IS appears to be heading for collapse as the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, and Syrian government forces, backed by their Russian allies, are attacking them in separate, simultaneous offensives. A senior SDF commander on Tuesday said his forces liberated Raqqa from IS militants and would formally announce victory soon after clearing operations to remove land mines and search for sleeper cells. Mayadeen, a town in the heart of Syria’s Euphrates River Valley near Iraq’s border where the militants had been expected to

MOSCOW — A Russian celebrity TV host shook up the country’s political scene Wednesday by announcing her presidential bid, a move that would likely boost public interest in the race but could further fragment the nation’s beleaguered opposition. Ksenia Sobchak, 35, announced her intention to become a candidate in March’s election in a YouTube video, arguing that Russia has grown tired of its current political elite and needs a change. Sobchak, the daughter of Anatoly Sobchak, the reformist St. Petersburg mayor in the early 1990s, first became known as a socialite and a fashion icon before she launched her successful TV career. Sharp-tongued and witty, Sobchak has been often critical of the Russian government. She joined antiKremlin protests in Moscow in 20112012 but has largely avoided criticizing President Vladimir Putin, who once

worked as her father’s deputy. Putin, 65, hasn’t yet said whether he will seek re-election on March 18 but he’s widely expected to run. With approval ratings topping 80 percent, Putin would win in landslide against torpid veterans of past Russian presidential campaigns, like Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky or liberal Grigory Yavlinsky. They have all signaled their intentions to run again in 2018. Sobchak told Dozhd TV that she had warned Putin that she planned to join the race while interviewing him recently for a documentary about her father. “I had an impression he didn’t like it,” she said of Putin’s reaction. Some pundits, however, said Sobchak’s candidacy should please the Kremlin, helping counter growing voter apathy without posing a threat to Putin. Andrei Kolesnikov, an expert with the Carnegie Moscow Center,

make their last stand, fell to Syrian government troops over the weekend. In northern Iraq, the jihadis no longer hold any cities or towns after their stronghold of Hawija fell earlier this month. Iraq’s army is now gearing up to fight IS in its last territory — the sprawling desert Anbar province stretching all the way to the Syrian border. In Syria, IS still holds the town of Boukamal near the Iraqi border and scattered pockets of territory in the east.

liberate Mosul resulted in the death of up to 1,500 Iraqi forces. At least 1,100 SDF fighters were killed in the battles for Syria’s Raqqa and Deir el-Zour up until late September, according to the coalition. In the three years since IS began building its “caliphate,” it has killed thousands of people, displaced millions and worked hard on infusing children with extremist doctrine.

STAGGERING PRICE

The rise of the Islamic State group and subsequent wars and alliances to bring about its defeat has worsened political and sectarian faultlines in Syria and Iraq. It gave unprecedented clout to Kurdish populations in both countries, unsettling their central governments, as well as Iran and Turkey, both battling Kurdish separatists within their own borders. Under cover of the fight against IS, Iraq’s Kurds seized the oilrich city of Kirkuk in 2014 — a move Baghdad has now reversed, moving into the city, seizing oil fields and other infrastructure in an attempt to curb Kurdish aspirations for independence. The shifting and chaotic battlefields in Syria’s civil war, tensions between Kurds and ethnic Arabs, the presence of Shiite militias and government troops in predominantly Sunni towns and cities vacated by IS may lead to more violence.

The destruction of IS has come at a devastating cost for both Syria and Iraq, and immense suffering for those who endured the militants’ brutal reign. The fighting and airstrikes have pulverized once thriving cities, turning them into tragic vistas of crushed apartment blocks, flattened homes and collapsed roads and bridges. In Ramadi, Mosul and Raqqa, the scope of the damage is staggering. Two weeks ago, the U.S.-led coalition announced it has returned more than 83 percent of IS-held land to local populations since 2014, liberating more than 6 million Syrians and Iraqis in the process. At least 735 civilians have been unintentionally killed by coalition strikes, although activists and war monitors estimate the toll to be much higher. The nine-month battle to

SHIFTING OF SANDS

Russian TV star Sobchak declares her presidential bid warned that Sobchak’s bid would further fragment and weaken Russia’s opposition. When rumors about Sobchak’s intentions first appeared recently, Russia’s most popular opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, warned her on YouTube that she would play into the Kremlin’s hands if she enters the race. Navalny is currently serving a 20-day jail term for organizing an unsanctioned protest. Navalny has also declared his intention to enter Russia’s presidential race, even though a criminal conviction that he calls politically motivated bars him from running. The 41-year-old anticorruption crusader has organized a grassroots campaign across Russia to support his nomination. It has organized waves of protests this year, putting pressure on the Kremlin. “They need a cartoonish liberal candidate at a time when they don’t want to allow me to enter the race,” Navalny said in a warning to

Sobchak. Sobchak has rejected Navalny’s criticism, saying that if he is allowed to run she would consider withdrawing her candidacy in his favor. She has cast herself as a “candidate against all,” appealing to broad public dismay with Russia’s tightly-controlled and corrupt political system. Like other self-nominated candidates, Sobchak needs to gather 300,000 signatures to get registered for the race. Those nominated by parties represented in parliament don’t need to do that. The candidates haven’t reached the formal registration stage so there is no exact count of their number yet. Sobchak wouldn’t discuss possible sources of funding for her campaign in a nation as vast as Russia, but her high-level connections in Russia’s business world could help her bid.

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BUSINESS &

TECHNOLOGY

U.S. buyers favor iPhone 7 over 8, according to research Apple Inc’s older iPhone 7 models are outselling the recently launched iPhone 8 ahead of the early November debut of the premium iPhone X, broker KeyBanc Capital Markets said, citing carrier store surveys. Traditionally, new editions of the iPhone have sold quickly as fans queue for the latest upgrade, but early surveys have added to chatter that the iPhone 8 is not proving as popular as its predecessors. U.S. wireless carrier AT&T said last week its thirdquarter postpaid handset upgrades were fewer by nearly 900,000 from a year ago, and brokerage Jefferies attributed it to weak iPhone 8 demand. “Many respondents

indicated that a meaningful portion of customers are buying iPhone 7 in lieu of the new iPhone 8, given the lack of significant enhancements in the new phone,” KeyBanc analyst John Vinh wrote in a client note. Vinh also said feedback from stores indicated that customers were waiting to purchase the iPhone X or to compare the iPhone X with other models before buying the iPhone 8. Apple last month introduced the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, which resemble the iPhone 7 but have a glass back for wireless charging. While iPhone 8 starts from $699 in the United States, iPhone 7 is retailing from $549 after a price cut. The iPhone X, a glass and

stainless steel device with an edge-to-edge display, will start shipping from Nov. 3. The 10th-anniversary iPhone is priced from $999 - Apple’s most expensive mobile till date. One investor in Apple’s shares played down any concern around a dip in sales of the iPhone 7 or 8, given the much-anticipated debut of iPhone X. “Worrying about any small down-tick in margins from the sale of the iPhone 7 or 8 is a wrong-headed way to look at it as iPhone X is really the flagship device where we’re going to see a strong upgrade cycle,” said Jason Ware, chief investment officer of Albion Financial Group. Another reason for the slow uptick of the

A man looks at Apple’s new iPhone 8 (L) and his iPhone 7 at the Apple Store in Tokyo’s Omotesando shopping district, Japan iPhone 8 could be the modest upgraded the stock to “overweight” from “sector promotion by U.S. carriers. “While carriers weight” and set a price target continue to offer promotions of $187. for the new iPhone 8, they Apple declined to comment. have been much more modest The company’s compared to the iPhone 7 shares were up 1.51 percent launch last year,” Vinh wrote. at $159.36 around midday in S e p a r a t e l y , New York. KeyBanc’s Andy Hargreaves

Huawei aims to challenge Apple and Samsung on technology as well as price LONDON/HONG KONG analyst Ben Wood. - China’s Huawei has unveiled Perhaps the most distinctive a new line of smartphones that features of the Mate 10 series is its match or even improve on key image recognition capability -- an features offered by Apple or artificial intelligence feature that Samsung while undercutting can tell the difference between their rivals on price. people, flowers or other objects Huawei aims to in different light or weather distinguish itself through conditions. The Mate 10 also technological advances that will boasts cameras with high-grade put it on a level playing field Leica f1.6 aperture lenses. with the most coveted premium- “We have the ability to priced devices, helping to boost start helping the novice become a profitability that has been professional-grade photographer,” undermined by heavy discounting Peter Gauden, a senior Huawei in the chase for market share. product marketing manager, said Monday’s product launch at an advance product briefing. in Munich introduced Huawei’s “(It) is not only a smartphone, it is new Mate 10 series, touting high- an intelligent machine.” end cameras, screens and batteries but at prices 15-30 percent below PRICING AND more or less comparable Apple PROFITABILITY and Samsung smartphones. Huawei was the world’s In March Huawei vowed No.3 smartphone maker by to focus on profit margins and shipments last year, temporarily reduce spending this year after overtaking Apple as No.2 in June posting its slowest profit growth as consumers awaited the new in 5 years in 2016. [nL3N1H73XI] iPhone 8 and iPhone X line-up, Though it has become data from Counterpoint Research more focused on mid-tier and shows. premium phones and reduced its With Apple’s latest models appetite for market share at any now on the market, Huawei cost, it still has a long way to go. has weighed in with the Mate Apple captures nearly 10 and Mate 10 Pro, featuring, two thirds of the smartphone respectively, 5.9-inch and 6-inch industry’s profits and Samsung edge-to-edge displays, as well accounts for almost a quarter as fast-charging batteries that while Huawei and Chinese rivals sustain two days of heavy use. operate on meager margins of “The Mate 10 line ticks all about 4 percent, Counterpoint the boxes in terms of screen size, Research estimates. high-quality camera, powerful Those modest margins processor and slick design - put a cap on how far Huawei can competing with rival products go with further discounting. from Samsung and to some extent, China’s largest Apple,” said CCS Insight mobile smartphone maker is looking

to sustain its momentum in international markets such as Europe while also differentiating itself from fast-growing domestic rivals through technical advances. “Today our product is getting better and better, but the challenge for us is our branding,” Huawei Consumer Business Group chief Richard Yu told Reuters last month. “Our brand, many people don’t know that, they don’t know Huawei.” Huawei’s European growth exceeded 50 percent in the first half of 2017, outpacing other regions, Yu said, adding that European sales had helped to compensate for sluggish growth in emerging markets. The Mate 10, priced at 699 euros ($825), will go on sale in 15 countries this month, ranging from Spain to the Gulf states, Australia and southeast Asia, Huawei said. The slightly more featurerich Mate 10 Pro will be priced at 799 euros and start to ship in midNovember to 20-plus countries, including Germany, France, Italy, as well as Asian and Middle East nations. The company also said it will offer a luxury Porsche Design edition at 1,395 euros.Samsung’s comparable top-of-the-line phone, the Galaxy Note 8, is priced at 999 euros in Germany. Apple’s smaller-screened iPhone 8 starts at 799 euros while the iPhone 8 Plus is 909 euros and the iPhone X starts at 1,149 euros on the company’s German website. ($1 = 0.8472 euros)

White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump accompanied by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim speaks at the forum Taking Women-Owned Business to the Next Level, on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF annual meetings in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Global finance leaders warn against complacency

WASHINGTON — Global finance leaders on Saturday appealed to central bankers to stick as long as possible with low-interest rate policies that have made borrowing attractive and helped safeguard an improving but still fragile world economic recovery. Declaring the “recovery is not complete” even eight years after the 2008 financial crisis, the 189-nation International Monetary Fund wrapped up its fall meetings with a communique warning “there is no room for complacency” as nations confront new challenges to global growth from a range of threats, including cyber-security attacks and more violent weather patterns linked to climate change. The meetings also dealt, at least on the sidelines, with efforts to better understand the policy implications of the Trump administration’s more forceful “America First” agenda. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he had productive discussions during nearly 20 one-on-one meetings with other countries plus the joint sessions of the IMF and World Bank policy committees, as well as two days of talks centered on the Group of 20 major industrial countries. Donald Trump won the presidency with pledges to toughen enforcement of U.S. trade laws and trim huge U.S. trade deficits with nations such as China and Mexico, which Trump has accused of unfair trade practices that have cost millions of American manufacturing jobs.

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WORLD NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Airbus A330neo stages delayed maiden flight TOULOUSE, France - Airbus on Thursday staged the delayed maiden flight of its A330neo jetliner, an upgraded version of its profitable A330 series designed to buttress European sales against the latest model of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The wide-bodied, longdistance jet took off from the planemaker’s Toulouse headquarters under overcast skies, watched by top executives from Airbus and Britain’s Rolls-Royce, which supplies the An Airbus A330neo aircraft lands during its maiden flight event in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, engines. October 19, 2017 In service since the 1990s, the A330 family is Airbus’s biggest- A330neo can serve longer routes such 18-month crisis over Pratt & Whitney selling wide-body jet but the arrival of as Kuala Lumpur to London from 2020. engine delays some time next year. Boeing’s composite-body Dreamliner Separately, Bregier said For now, undelivered jets has eroded that position. Airbus still expected to deliver “around continue to crowd the tarmac in Airbus hopes the A330neo’s 200” of the smaller A320neo aircraft Toulouse as Pratt & Whitney diverts refreshed design with new engines in 2017, but added that meeting this engines from the production line to a will help it defend its position in the previously stated target would be pool of spares to supply airlines that lucrative 250-300 seat market, as a tough. are having to take engines out of second honeymoon in the market and Bregier said Pratt & Whitney, service for early maintenance. a burst of orders caused by production whose industrial problems have The majority of the delayed delays at Boeing start to peter out. delayed deliveries of Airbus jets, jets are destined for airlines that have Chief Operating Officer was testing re-designed parts for selected Pratt & Whitney’s new Geared Fabrice Bregier said Airbus had its engines and expected to start Turbofan engine. CFM International, decided to improve the plane’s delivering the modified version at the co-owned by General Electric and maximum take-off weight by around 4 end of this year. Safran , is also supplying engines for percent to 251 tonnes so that the That suggests Airbus hopes to end an the A320neo.

Ford to recall 1.34 million trucks in North America for door latch fix

WASHINGTON - Ford Motor Co said it would recall 1.34 million 2015-17 Ford F-150 and 2017 Ford Super Duty trucks in North America to add water shields to side door latches at a cost of $267 million. The No.2 U.S. automaker said the safety recall is due to a frozen door latch or a bent or kinked actuation cable in the affected vehicles, that may result in a door not opening or closing. A Ford spokeswoman, Elizabeth Weigandt, said customers would be notified next month but did not have a timetable for when parts will be available. Dealers will install water shields over the door latches and inspect and repair door latch cables if needed. Ford has now recalled more than 5 million vehicles for varying door latch-related issues since 2016, but the company said the issue in the new recall is different from prior ones. The company in November 2016 sent a bulletin to dealers that warned some 20152017 Ford F-150 trucks could have inoperative latches during freezing temperatures. The bulletin told dealers to install

a rain shield to address the Ford has previously problem. The company initially disclosed plans to spend alerted dealers in 2015 about the $935 million on other recalls issue. announced since August 2016. Weigandt said Ford’s In March, Ford said decision to issue a recall is it would spend $295 million to driven by data. “When the data recall 211,000 vehicles in North indicates a safety recall is needed, America to replace potentially we move quickly,” she said. faulty side door latches and Ford said the cost of the 230,000 vehicles for under-hood new recall would be reflected in fire risks. its fourth-quarter results. Ford Ford previously recalled said it continues to expect full- nearly 4 million vehicles for year adjusted earnings in the door latch issues in six separate range of $1.65 to $1.85 per share. recalls since 2014, including The company said it 2.4 million vehicles recalled in was not aware of any accidents August 2016. or injuries associated with the In September 2016, Ford issue but said because of the said it was taking a $640 million fault, the door may appear closed, charge for its expanded side-door increasing the risk of the door latch recalls. opening while driving.

Amazon offered billions in tax breaks for second U.S. headquarters The world’s largest online retailer has won promises from elected officials who are eager for the $5 billion-plus investment and up to 50,000 jobs that will come with “Amazon HQ2.” New Jersey proposed $7 billion in potential credits against state and city taxes if Amazon locates in Newark and sticks to hiring commitments, according to a Monday news release from the governor’s office.

Across the Hudson River, New York City made a proposal without incentives special for Amazon, though the state is expected to offer some, a spokesman for the city’s economic development corporation said on Wednesday. And across the country, California is offering some $300 million in incentives over several years and other benefits, the governor said in an Oct. 11 letter to Amazon’s Chief Executive Jeff

Bezos, published online by the Orange County Register. Dozens of cities and states have expressed interest in HQ2. Credit ratings and research company Moody’s has ranked Austin as the most likely to win based on its labor pool, costs of doing business and quality of life, among other criteria. Austin is also the headquarters of Whole Foods Market, which Amazon recently acquired.

MID-YEAR DELIVERY The A330neo’s debut flight was also delayed by the late completion of Trent 7000 engines from Rolls-Royce, which has been juggling demands with two other development projects. Rolls-Royce says the bigger new engines are 10 percent more efficient and half as noisy as the previous generation. Airbus said the A330neo would enter service in the middle of next year compared with an original target of fourth quarter this year, when the project was launched in 2014. The A330neo and A320neo are examples of relatively cheap upgrades being carried out by Airbus and Boeing to take advantage of a leap forward in engine design, while also bringing out costlier all-new models like the A350 and 787. Airbus earlier this week announced plans to absorb the hightech but financially troubled CSeries aircraft of Canadian rival Bombardier in a deal that offers it new technology and a wider geographic presence in exchange for lending its marketing clout.

Johnson & Johnson wins reversal of $72 million verdict over talc cancer risks Johnson & Johnson won the reversal of a $72 million verdict in favor of the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer they claimed stemmed from her use of the company’s talc-based products like Johnson’s Baby Powder. The Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District said that given a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited where injury lawsuits could be filed, the case over Alabama resident Jacqueline Fox’s death should not have been tried in St. Louis. The February 2016 verdict for Fox’s family was the first of four jury awards totaling $307 million in state court in St. Louis to plaintiffs who accused J&J of not adequately warning consumers about the cancer risks of its talc-based products. J&J says it faces lawsuits by 4,800 plaintiffs nationally asserting similar claims over its talc-based products. Many of those cases are in Missouri, where J&J won one trial, and in California, where in August a jury awarded a woman $417 million. The Missouri cases, which have largely been brought by out-of-state plaintiffs, have faced jurisdictional questions after the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June that limited where personal injury lawsuits could be filed. In a decision in a case involving BristolMyers Squibb Co, the Supreme Court said state courts could not hear claims by non-residents who were not injured in that particular state or if the defendant company was not based in that state. The three-judge Missouri appellate panel cited that decision in its ruling in the case of Fox, who died four months before trial and who was one of 65 plaintiffs in her specific lawsuit, only two of whom were Missouri residents. The cases of Fox and other plaintiffs from outside the state were joined with those of plaintiffs from Missouri, though each case resulting in a verdict has been tried individually. “The fact that resident plaintiffs sustained similar injuries does not support specific jurisdiction as to non-resident claims,” Judge Lisa Van Amburg wrote. Lawyers for Fox’s family say the Alabama resident died in 2015 at age of 62 after using J&J’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for more than 35 years. J&J sold Shower to Shower to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc in 2012.

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HEALTHY

LIFESTYLE Avoiding Aspirin habits unchanged by recommendations from U.S. doctors alcohol U.S. guidelines urging more adults who never had a heart attack or stroke to take a daily aspirin may not have convinced people to take these pills, a recent study suggests. In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a government-backed panel of independent physicians, advised men ages 45 to 79 and women ages 55 to 79 to take aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke as long as they didn’t have bleeding disorders that might make the drug unsafe. To see whether people in that age range took the advice, researchers examined data from 2007 to 2015 on aspirin use for almost 89,000 men and women who didn’t have bleeding disorders or other medical reasons to avoid this drug. Overall, only 43 percent of these adults took aspirin during the study period. Even after researchers looked at how many risk factors people had for cardiovascular disease – such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and smoking – the 2009 recommendations didn’t appear to boost aspirin use, researchers report in the Journal of the American Heart Association. After 2009, aspirin use declined from 45 percent to 40 percent among people at low risk for heart attacks and strokes; from 66 percent to 62 percent among people at medium risk; and from 76 percent to 73 percent among high-risk individuals.

“There are many examples of preventive therapies that are underutilized and are minimally affected by publication of recommendation,” said lead study author Dr. Jeremy Van’t Hof of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. “The challenge with any therapy for prevention is the fact that you are attempting to make a change in a patient who feels well with no manifestation of disease,” Van’t Hof said by email. “It is much easier to convince someone to treat a broken arm or a pneumonia because they can see and feel the problem.” Last year, the USPSTF updated its aspirin recommendations, advising adults aged 50 to 59 who have at least a 10 percent risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years to take aspirin every day. The American College of Cardiology provides an online risk calculator here: here The advice doesn’t apply to people in their 60s because the bleeding risk increases with age, however, and the jury is still out on whether this approach makes sense for people under 50 or over 70, the Task Force concluded in its most recent recommendations. Many patients who haven’t had a heart attack or stroke will see a primary care provider and not a cardiologist, and the new study findings suggest that many of these patients aren’t getting the message that they may benefit from

aspirin, said Dr. Ying Xian, a researcher at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, who wasn’t involved in the study. “What is surprising here is that many patients with intermediate cardiovascular disease risk did not take aspirin for no apparent reasons,” Xian said by email. “This represents a missed opportunity for heart disease and stroke prevention.” One limitation of the study, however, is that it looked at health records from patients seen in primary care, which may not represent all people at risk for cardiovascular disease or capture patients who take aspirin without a prescription, Dr. Samuel Wann, a researcher at Ascension Healthcare in Milwaukee who wasn’t involved in the study, said by email. Even so, the findings add to the evidence that aspirin is underused as a tool to prevent heart disease, said Dr. Gregg Fonarow of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Prior studies have also shown that release of guidelines or national recommendations alone is not sufficient to influence care or treatment of patients,” Fonarow, who wasn’t involved in the study, said by email. “To better ensure evidence-based, guideline-recommended, well calibrated, aspirin use, performance improvement systems need to be implemented in all care settings.”

Study finds even regular walking can lower mortality risk In the age of Fitbit, the require any special equipment Apple Watch and numerous or training, and can be done apps that allow people to count at any age,” Dr. Alpa Patel, a steps -- with a daily goal of researcher in the Intramural 10,000 steps, most of the time -- Research Department of the many may think walking is only American Cancer Society, said beneficial if you meet certain in a news release. step goals. Current guidelines A new study, published recommend that adults have at in the American Journal of least 150 minutes of moderate Preventive Medicine, suggests or 75 minutes of vigorous instead that regular walking, physical activity a week, but even without meeting minimum around half of adults actually requirements, can lower a meet these guidelines. person’s mortality risk when For the study, researchers analyzed data on compared to being sedentary. “Walking has been 140,000 older adult participants described as the ‘perfect over age 65 in the Cancerexercise’ because it is simple, Prevention Study II Nutrition free, convenient, doesn’t Cohort, with 95 percent of

participants engaging in some walking and the rest reporting no moderate or vigorous activity. Research showed that walking for less than two hours a week was linked to a lower mortality rate for all causes compared to being completely sedentary. Walking two and a half to five hours a week showed a 20 percent lower mortality risk. Walking was also linked to specific types of lower mortality risks, for example, walking more than six hours a week was linked to a 35 percent lower mortality risk from respiratory disease. Participants who

walked as their only form of exercise had a 20 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality and a 9 percent lower risk of cancer deaths. For older adults, walking even below the minimum recommended guidelines was associated with a lower risk of mortality compared to being completely inactive. “With the near doubling of adults aged 65 and older expected by 2030, clinicians should encourage patients to walk even if less than the recommended amount, especially as they age, for health and longevity,” Patel said.

Migraine frequency may be associated with anxiety and depression Migraine headaches have been associated with anxiety and depression, but researchers in Taiwan have found a link between migraine frequency and mood disorders. A team of researchers from the National Defense Medical Center in Taipei, Taiwan, found patients with anxiety and depression had more frequent migraines than patients without anxiety and depression. Prior research has found that headaches can be a common symptom and indicator of an anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder. In a 2009 study, researchers

found 11 percent of migraine patients in the study had either major depression, general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, dysthymia, substance abuse disorders and other mental health diagnoses. Experts say migraine patients are two to five times more likely to have either anxiety or depression, and a study published earlier this year suggests anxiety is “robustly” linked to migraine headaches. The current study, published today in Headache, consisted of 588 patients in an outpatient headache clinic in Taiwan who were analyzed for their migraine frequency, demographic data and sleep habits.

The study found emotional distress and migraine frequency can be intertwined due to a common pathophysiological mechanism. Sleep quality, or lack there of, due to migraines was also a significant factor leading to severe depression and anxiety.

helps the heart beat better

The longer you refrain from drinking, the lower your risk of a common heart rhythm disorder. That’s the message of a new longrange study examining alcohol use and atrial fibrillation, or Afib. This is when electrical impulses in the upper chambers of the heart are chaotic and cause an irregular heartbeat, which increases the risk of blood clots that can cause stroke or heart attacks. One in four adults older than 40 is at risk for Afib, and nearly 6 million people in the United States could have the condition by 2050. But the researchers from the University of California, San Francisco found that every decade of nondrinking decreased the risk of Afib by 20 percent, regardless of the type of alcohol. The study included heart-risk data generated over 25 years on more than 15,000 American adults. Past drinkers were at increased risk for Afib, the researchers found. Every additional decade in which alcohol was consumed in the past was associated with a 13 percent increased risk of Afib, and every additional drink per day during former drinking was associated with a 4 percent increased risk. “For a disease that affects millions and is one of the most important causes of stroke, identifying modifiable risk factors is especially important,” study senior author Dr. Gregory Marcus said in a UCSF news release. He directs clinical research at the university’s division of cardiology.

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It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us Help us fill our Breakfast Boxes which will be going into schools this September. Food for Thought is expanding its reach by providing breakfast items to the ten government schools not currently receiving daily breakfast.

Shopping List (Approved by Grace Bay Medical Centre) Nut/grain bar

Crackers

Fruit/nut trail mix

Instant oatmeal

Instant grits

Long life milk (chocolate milk accepted)

Wholegrain cereal

Dried fruit

Peanut butter (Smuckers Natural preferred)

Drop your donations off at Savory & Co. in Regent Village West or visit foodforthoughttci.com for current locations.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Rihanna flashes her legs with red lipstick and a baseball cap in NYC Last month she launched her highly successful makeup line Fenty Beauty. And weeks later, Rihanna stepped out in New York City while rocking bold red lipstick and a sultry ensemble. The 29-year-old singer flaunted her toned legs in a striped top featuring a plunging back detail while heading inside Milk Studios. Rihanna added barely there denim bottoms, a baseball cap and see-through pointed heels for her glamorous outing. The Umbrella star’s unique top had delicate, Rihanna added denim bottoms, a baseball asymmetrical straps and a cap and see-through pointed heels for her glamorous outing plunging back. The front of the piece Inside her clear bag was flashed her shoulders and the limited edition Alexander decolletage, with buttons down Wang X Judith Leiber clutch, the center and an uneven hemline. which retails for $4,995. Beneath the sultry top she rocked The purse, which is in a high waisted black denim skirt. the shape of a rolled up hundred The pop star toted a see- dollar bills with a money clip, has through plastic handbag with 10,263 Swarovski crystals. matching lace up heels. Kim Kardashian and

Beyonce were spotted earlier this month rocking the sold out clutch. Rihanna added a gold choker necklace and vintage inspired sunglasses. Rihanna styled her short brown locks sleek beneath the baseball cap while out in the Big Apple. The hit maker painted her full pout a bold crimson tone with pink colored cheeks. In addition to her Fenty Beauty makeup line, the dark haired artist also collaborates with Puma. Rihanna designs the Fenty Puma line for the sportswear and shoe company. She attended the launch of her latest collection for Fenty Puma, called Fenty University, on Friday; she hosted a pep rally for the school inspired lookbook. The songstress rocked a plaid top with a fitted waist and lace up ties along the side for the event; she paired the piece with cargo bottoms and sneakers.

Gabrielle Union gets candid about sexual assault, her prenup negotiations with Dwyane Wade Gabrielle Union isn’t holding back. The 44-year-old actress opens up about everything in her new book, We’re Going to Need More Wine. “The night I was raped, I had on a tunic and leggings. I was dressed very modestly and I was still raped at gunpoint,” Union said, fighting back at an article which suggested that women should dress modestly as a way to combat sexual harassment. “The idea that your clothing should somehow indicate whether you’re the right kind of girl or whether you are deserving of sexual violence or not is incredibly dangerous.” “Your clothing isn’t going to make or break whether or not it can happen to you. Your race, religion, height, weight, hairstyle, none of those things makes a difference because at the end of the day, sexual violence isn’t about sex, it’s about violence and power,” she added. “People who talk about wearing modest clothing sure aren’t modest about that.” Union is now happily married to Cleveland Cavaliers star Dwyane Wade -- though she said the pair’s prenup negotiations weren’t so easy. “It was my idea to get a prenup, because I made out not so well in the first marriage. I

had to write a nice, fat check,” she explained. “I just kind of went, ‘Whatever. We come into it, God forbid we break up, we leave with it.’ ‘No, I want to give you something!’ ‘OK, well I’m going to base this number on what I actually make, on what my time has actually been proven to be worth’ and, you know, his team came in very low.” “Luckily, I’m in Hollywood. I’ve got quotes. I can help you with that price. I can actually give you my worth, per minute, per tweet, per Instagram post. I can actually tell you these things to give you a better idea of where to head with that number,” she shared. Union is worth a reported $20 million, and undoubtedly even more from a nonmonetary standpoint as a stepmom to Wade’s three sons. As for whether she and Wade will expand their family, Union, who has suffered eight miscarriages, wishes people Gabrielle Union and her husband Dwyane would stop asking. Wade “Whether or not someone has kids is such a personal ‘Please stay out of my vagina,’ by question, and people, especially talking about my vagina in a book in this day and age, feel very and on a press tour,” she joked. “I entitled to not only know what will sacrifice my vagina and her you are using your vagina for adventures for everyone. The in terms of reproducing other greater good of women and men human beings, but who have you and couples out there who this invited up there,” she said. is a very private and personal “I guess that is an a** journey and when or if they ever backwards way of telling people, opt to share it in their own time.”

Bill Cosby leans back to listens to words of encouragement from onlookers outside Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania., August 2017

U.S. appeals court rejects Cosby accuser’s bid to revive defamation suit BOSTON - A federal appeals court has rejected a bid to revive a defamation lawsuit against Bill Cosby by an actress who said the entertainer raped her in 1974 and then called her a liar after she made her accusations public in a newspaper interview. The lawsuit, filed by Kathrine McKee, revolved around a letter that an attorney for Cosby sent New York’s Daily News in 2014 as a wave of women was coming forward to accuse the comedian of a string of sexual assaults dating back to the 1960s. The statute of limitations on the alleged crimes had long expired, leading some accusers to pursue civil lawsuits, such as McKee‘s. The lawsuits and accusations by dozens of women shattered the family-friendly reputation Cosby built in a career highlighted by his role in the 1980s television hit “The Cosby Show.” Cosby, 80, has denied wrongdoing, saying any encounters with his accusers were consensual. He is awaiting an April retrial in Pennsylvania on charges he sexually assaulted a former basketball coach at his alma mater, Temple University. McKee argued in her suit that the attorney’s letter to the newspaper called her a liar by saying the article was ”defamatory, characterizing her claims as “wild” and suggesting she had a criminal record. But the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston stood by a lower-court ruling that the entertainer could not be sued over the letter. The decision found that McKee had made herself a public figure by wading into the controversy with Cosby, rejecting her claim that her dispute with the entertainer was a private one. As a public figure, McKee would have to prove that Cosby acted with malice in his response. “The web of sexual assault allegations implicating Cosby, an internationally renowned comedian commonly referred to as ‘America’s Dad,’ constitutes a public controversy,” U.S. Circuit Judge Sandra Lynch wrote for the three-judge panel. William Salo, McKee’s attorney, said he disagreed with the decision and may appeal. “They’re saying just because a famous person rapes you, you become a public figure if you complain about it,” he said. Alan Greenberg, a lawyer for Cosby, welcomed the ”well-reasoned decision confirming that there was no defamation.” McKee sued Cosby in 2015, a year after the Nevada resident told the newspaper he raped her in a Detroit hotel room in 1974.

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OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 – OCTOBER 28TH, 2017

SPORTS

Hayward receives encouragement from NBA players who overcame injuries

After suffering a devastating ankle fracture just five minutes into his debut as a Boston Celtic on Tuesday, forward Gordon Hayward received encouragement from NBA players who overcame gruesome injuries of their own before returning to the league. Hayward, who signed a blockbuster four-year, $128 million contract with the Celtics during the offseason, snapped the left ankle during the team’s season opener in Cleveland after landing awkwardly while trying to catch a pass at the rim. “It brought me back to Vegas and when it happened to me,” Oklahoma City forward Paul George, who suffered a compound leg fracture in 2014 while playing in a scrimmage for Team USA in Las Vegas, told reporters on Wednesday. “Immediately I felt devastated and nauseous. It took me back to that place.” George, who returned to lead the Indiana Pacers to the playoffs during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, said he spoke to Hayward by phone on Tuesday night. “I tried to give him words of encouragement and tried to be there for him,” he said.

George said the injury forced him to take a new approach to the game after it robbed him of some of his explosiveness and bounce. “I have a bump on my leg for the rest of my life now so I’ll always think about it. It’s always there,” he said. “It’s something I’ve got to live with now.” Hayward also received support from Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston, who as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2007 broke his leg and dislocated his left knee cap in what is regarded as one of the most horrific injuries in NBA history. Doctors even considered amputating the leg of the then 21-yearold but ultimately decided against it. “Only God has ALL the answers,” Livingston wrote in a Twitter message to Hayward that included three prayer emojis. Livingston, who had to relearn to walk as part of his recovery, ultimately returned to the league and has since won two championships as a key reserve for the Warriors. Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, who tore his Achilles tendon in 2013 only to return to the

Former Penn State coach Sandusky denied new child sex abuse trial HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday denied a request by former Penn State University football coach Jerry Sandusky for a new trial on charges that he sexually assaulted pre-teen and teenaged boys for 15 years. Sandusky, 73, was convicted in 2012 of exploiting his position in the top-flight football program to sexually assault 10 boys. He is currently serving a 30- to 60-year prison sentence. Centre County Court of Common Pleas visiting Judge John Foradora struck down all Sandusky’s claims of sub-par legal work by his trial attorney, Joseph Amendola, and two other lawyers. “The bulk of Sandusky’s claims are meritless,” Foradora concluded in a 60-page opinion. “Those that remain, whether they fail for want of prejudice or because Amendola’s actions or failure to act were informed by a reasonable strategy, do not combine to call into question ... the legitimacy of the verdict.” Sandusky’s exposure led to the firing of longtime head coach Joe Paterno and prompted the state to toughen its laws on child sex assault. Sandusky asserted that his original trial attorneys had botched his defense, citing 31 mistakes including allowing Sandusky to be interviewed by sports journalist Bob Costas and failing to seek a mistrial after prosecutors in their closing remarks referred to Sandusky’s decision not to testify at his trial. Defendants in U.S. criminal trials are not required to testify and often do not. “As much as he would like to pretend otherwise, Sandusky did not go into the interview as a legal novice obsequiously following his attorney’s directives with no idea about what Costas might ask or how he should respond,” Foradora wrote. Sandusky’s attorney Al Lindsay said he would appeal the ruling.

Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward sits on the court after injuring his ankle against the Cleveland Cavaliers, October 17, 2017 hardcourt before retiring in 2016, also gave Hayward a pep talk on Wednesday in the form of an Instagram post. “It’s a long journey but if you focus on the mini milestones along the way you will find beauty in the struggle of doing simple things that prior to this injury were taken for granted,” Bryant said.

“You will be so appreciative of being able to stand, walk, run that you will train harder than you ever have. You see the belief within you grow with each mini milestone and you will come back a better player for it.” “Best of luck to you on this journey my brother,” he said.

Trump and NFL at odds on how to get players to stand for anthem NEW YORK- The National Football League rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls to punish players who kneel for the national anthem to protest racism but said players “should” stand and it hopes the demonstrations will stop. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made clear he will take a more patient approach than the one urged by the president: Rather than using discipline, the league will continue to nurture players’ efforts to fight racial disparities in the criminal justice NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks system, believing this would make during a news conference following the NFL owners meeting in New York City, U.S., the urge to protest fade. October 17, 2017 “We have about six or seven players that are involved in Trump responded to Goodell’s this protest at this point,” Goodell approach with impatience. told reporters after a two-day “Too much talk, not meeting with team owners and the enough action,” he wrote, referring players’ labor union in New York to the league, in a Twitter post City, saying he hoped that number on Wednesday afternoon. “Stand would eventually be zero. “What for the National Anthem.” It was we’re trying to do is deal with the the most recent in a series of underlying issue and understand semi-regular rebukes since he what it is they’re protesting.” first expressed his disdain for the The commissioner cited protests at a rally in September. bail reform and ending mandatory Earlier on Wednesday, sentences as justice topics of Trump expressed his anger at concern for players. the previous day’s news that the In contrast to Trump, NFL rulebook, which says players who has scorned any player who “should” stand for the anthem but protests as a “son of a bitch” who stops short of mandating it, was should face suspension, Goodell not being changed any time soon. praised the athletes as political While the president and activists trying to improve their the league appeared to have communities. reached a stalemate, some fans

have said they are heeding Trump’s calls to boycott games while the kneeling continues, which Trump has said is unpatriotic and an insult to the country’s military veterans. Players kneeling during the national anthem are protesting at the killing of unarmed black men and boys by police across the United States, as well as racial disparities in the criminal justice system. More than half of all NFL players are black. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who first popularized the gesture last year, said he settled on kneeling as a form of protest because it is widely seen as a gesture of respect. More players have begun kneeling since Trump criticized the practice, and some sympathetic teammates have linked arms with the kneelers while standing themselves. Some of the league’s 32 team owners, including Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, have said they will bench players who do not stand for the anthem. Goodell said on Wednesday that the question of what individual teams might do had not come up during the meeting. Instead, he said, the team owners generally agreed it was important to listen to players’ concerns.

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Messi joins Ronaldo in exclusive 100-goal club in Europe

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi reacts after scoring during the group D Champions League soccer match between FC Barcelona and Olympiakos at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017 BARCELONA, Spain — Lionel Messi has joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive club of players who have scored 100 goals in European competition. Messi hit the century mark in UEFA club competitions on Wednesday when he scored from a free kick to lead 10-man Barcelona to a 3-1 victory at home over Olympiakos. Messi curled his strike over the wall in the 61st minute. Goalkeeper Silvio Proto got a hand on the ball but couldn’t keep it out as Messi took his career tally in the Champions League to 97 goals. His other three were in the European Super Cup. Messi managed the feat in 122 European matches, 21 fewer than Ronaldo needed to score his 100th European goal in April. In total, Ronaldo has now scored 113 times in 151 European club matches after his goal earned Madrid a 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Tuesday. The next highest scoring player in European competition after Ronaldo and Messi is former Real Madrid forward Raul Gonzalez, who scored 76 times. “The numbers reinforce what we see day in, day out,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “(Messi) keeps on hitting milestones that before seemed impossible.” After Barcelona had gone ahead thanks to an own-goal by Dimitris Nikolaou in the 18th, the hosts were left a man down three minutes before halftime after Gerard Pique got a second booking for using his arm to steer the ball into the net. The strike was disallowed. However, Barcelona continued to outclass the Greek visitors despite playing with 10 men. Messi drew a foul from Nikolaou near the edge of the area to set up his free kick. Messi’s strike gave him 18 goals in 17 matches for Barcelona and Argentina this season. Messi also set up left back Lucas Digne to score in the 64th when he dribbled around a defender before cutting the ball back through the area for the defender to drive it home. “We knew what we were going to face, coming here to play a team like this,” Olympiakos coach Takis Lemonis said. “The second goal really set us back, and followed a foul that we could have avoided. Two minutes destroyed our hopes.” Nikolaou scored Olympiakos’ consolation goal with a header from a corner in the 90th. Barcelona made it three wins from as many matches to lead Group D with nine points. It also extended its unbeaten run at home in the competition to 23 straight games. Olympiakos remained with zero points. Juventus has six points and Sporting Lisbon three after Juventus beat the Portuguese side 2-1 also on Wednesday. Barcelona dominated possession and the scoring chances throughout a game at Camp Nou that started under heavy rain.

LeBron’s future with Cavs may hinge on success this season LeBron James enters the 2017-18 season with a deeper Cleveland Cavaliers team than the one that lost in last year’s NBA Finals and anything less than a championship in June could mark the end of his second tenure with the team. James can opt out of the final year of his current contract and become an unrestricted free agent after this season, which many pundits feel the game’s greatest player will do if he fails to capture a fourth NBA title. But James, whose departure from Cleveland in 2010 left deep psychic wounds, has refused to get drawn into the debate and is instead focused on leading his new-look Cavs to a fourth straight NBA Finals. “Any time I‘m able to be a free agent or my contract is ending, I’ll approach that when the summer comes,” said James, who returned to Cleveland in 2014 and led the Cavs to their only league title in 2016. “I don’t ever cheat my teammates or cheat the fans or talk about free agency all year long because I‘m not going to give energy to something I can handle in the summertime when I should be focused on what I‘m doing on a day-to-day basis to help this franchise compete for a championship.”

LeBron James James, 32, will chase that there is in the game of basketball, title with a much different cast winning another title as opposed of teammates after an offseason to any individual awards, could in Cleveland that saw the type ultimately determine for him of turnover usually reserved for whether his 15th NBA season was developing teams. a success. Gone is All-Star guard Prior to the upcoming Kyrie Irving, who was dealt campaign, James hosted his to the Boston Celtics after he teammates at the University of surprisingly requested a trade, California-Santa Barbara last and among the newcomers are month for workouts and left offensive weapon Isaiah Thomas, feeling upbeat about the group’s out until January with a hip injury, mindset. former league MVP Derrick Rose ”The best thing about it and 12-times All-Star Dwyane is guys just came in to work. No Wade. entitlement at all,“ said James. If all goes according to ”We’re all here for a reason. We script, Cleveland should once want to compete a the highest again roll through the Eastern level. Conference and into a Finals “Our coaching staff will rematch with the reigning give us a game-plan every single champion Golden State Warriors. night like they always do and it’s For someone like James, up to us to go out an execute.” who has already accomplished all

Olympic champion Simone Biles returns to gym with new coach

Olympic gymnastics champion after returning from Brazil. Landi will work out of Simone Biles is ready to get the World Champions Centre, serious about her comeback. Biles, who won four gold the massive gym built by Biles’ medals and five total during the parents north of Houston. Biles 2016 Summer Olympics, has hired pointed to her familiarity with Laurent Landi as her coach as she Landi as one of the deciding plans a return to competition. factors. “It’ll definitely be a Landi served as the personal coach for two-time different atmosphere,” Biles told Olympic medalist Madison Kocian, The Associated Press on Monday. a teammate of Biles’ on the “Final “It’ll be a different style. I think Five” team that dominated in Rio sometimes you need a change to de Janeiro. Landi replaces Aimee help progress as an athlete.” Boorman, Biles’ longtime coach The 20-year-old took a well-deserved sabbatical who moved to Florida shortly

following her triumphant two weeks in Brazil, where her four golds tied and Olympic record for the most won by a female gymnast in a single Games. She competed on “Dancing With The Stars,” released an autobiography and crisscrossed the country while serving as a spokeswoman for everything from mattresses to athletic apparel. Biles began tinkering around in the gym in August, though she said at the time she was taking it slowly and wanted to see how her body responded before deciding whether she was mentally and physically prepared for the arduous task of training to compete at the elite level. She discovered she’s more than ready. “The window to do this is really short and I feel that right now, I feel like I’ve got a couple more years in me, and that’s why I’m going to decide to keep going,” Biles said.

Tiger cleared by doctors to return to golf Tiger Woods has been cleared to resume full golf activity with no restrictions by the doctor that performed back surgery on the 14-time major champion in April, ESPN reported on Monday. The 41-year-old American has only played six competitive rounds in the past two years while trying to recover from multiple back surgeries. “He got a nice report and

is allowed to proceed,” Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg said in the report. “He can do as much as he needs to do. Tiger is going to take this very, very slowly. This is good, but he plans to do it the right way.” Steinberg did not immediately return a request for comment. The American former world

number one won the last of his 14 major titles in 2008 and late last month suggested he may never return to competitive golf but also said he was “optimistic” he could. Woods has posted a series of videos on Twitter recently while hitting a variety of shots, including one on Sunday showing him hitting a driver under the caption “Making Progress.”

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SAILROCK TAKES ACTION FOLLOWING HURRICANE IRMA Immediately following Hurricane Irma, Sailrock stepped up to respond to and lead many of the relief efforts for the South Caicos community. Our amazing team extended themselves day and night to offer the needed aid to local residents.

Shipments of food were donated by IGA in Provo, with Sailrock employees assisting with the offloading and distribution of the food. Many thanks to IGA for their generous efforts!

Sailrock President, Colin Kihnke, participating in the distribution of food, medicine and provisions to the local community.

When the service team from FLOW arrived to South Caicos, Sailrock offered equipment and operators to assist in placing the generator. Cellular service was restored the following day.

Sailrock promptly offered operators and equipment to make needed repairs to the South Caicos shipping port.

Sailrock provided operators and machinery to assist Fortis TCI in the repair of power lines and poles to reestablish power to the community.

The Sailrock water truck and operator distributed fresh water throughout town for several days until the water plant was restored to operational condition.

While a lot of progress has been made, much is left to be done in restoring this resilient community. Join us today in this effort by donating to the South Caicos Heritage Foundation. All donations will be matched dollar for dollar by Colin Kihnke, President of Sailrock, up to $1,000,000.

For information about the Foundation please visit us at

www.southcaicosheritagefoundation.com/irmaresponse

#SouthCaicosStrong

Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks and Caicos Islands | Tel:649 348 6838 | Fax: 649 941 3281