VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

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VOLUME 15 - NO. 12

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‘FINGERPRINTING MUST COME’ Premier Robinson says it’s part of the way forward

By Todeline Defralien

P

remier Hon. Sharlene Robinson said fingerprinting for police records must be introduced in the Turks and Caicos Islands, although she stressed that Commissioner of Police James Smith was not given, and presently does not have, the legal authority to enforce it.

“Bio-metrics is a very important part of the way forward and I want people to appreciate that it will come. It must come for the Turks and Caicos Islands. We are quite keen to do it in (Donald) Trump’s country (United States of America) and he’s doing that as a measure of protection and we should want nothing less for our country,” Premier Robinson said during a session in the House of Assembly on March 25th, 2019.

The Premier said there has been no policy position taken by Cabinet regarding fingerprinting for police records, adding that “nothing has come to the House of Assembly for approval”.

The Police Force recently introduced mandatory printing as a requirement for police records, but abruptly halted the practice after severe criticisms and concerns were expressed by the public and lawyers.

In response to these concerns, the police force said it considered the legal advice it sought from Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite, QC, and decided to suspend the requirement to provide fingerprints with immediate effect as part of the application process whilst the legal requirements are clarified and implemented as necessary.

Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said: “The integrity of the RTCIPF Police Record system is of national importance. The recent changes are designed to enhance integrity by using fingerprints as part of the identity check of the applicant.

However, the concerns of the community have been acknowledged and I have made a decision to suspend the taking of fingerprints whilst a review of the process is undertaken. I thank the public for their understanding.”

During the House of Assembly meeting, Opposition Appointed MP Hon. Royal Robinson called on the Premier to “put her foot down” on this matter. continued on page 2

Pictured are: Hon. Edwin Astwood- Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services, Deputy Premier Hon. Sean Astwood, Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright- Robinson, European Union Ambassador, Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska, Her Excellency, Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Minister for Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Hon. Goldray Ewing.

Construction begins on new primary school in Long Bay

C

onstruction has finally begun on the new primary school on the Island of Providenciales with the support of the European Union.

A corner stone laying ceremony took place at the schools location in Long Bay on Thursday March 28th.

First phase of the $15million project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Greeting were bought by Her Excellency, Anya Williams, Deputy Governor, European Union (EU) Ambassador , Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska and Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright- Robinson who served as Acting Minister of Education in the absence of Hon. Karen Malcolm.

Also in attendance was Deputy Premier Hon. Sean Astwood, Hon. Edwin Astwood- Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services and Minister for Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Hon. Goldray Ewing.

The new school will accommodate over 500 students and it will have 30 classrooms inclusive of the specialist classroom.

In addition, the primary school will

be hurricane-proof and has been purpose-built to double as a storm shelter.

Receiving numerous complaints from the community about overcrowding at schools, the government is confident that this school will assist in reducing a lot of challenges.

During her remarks, Her Excellency, Anya Williams, Deputy Governor said, “Truly we here to give thanks as we begin construction of this new primary school, the first brand new primary school to be built on the island of Providenciales for an extremely long time. In Grand Turk we were forced to rebuild schools because of fires and hurricanes but we’re here today to begin the construction of this new primary school and to say that it’s been a long time coming.”

She added: “As the EU programme manager in Turks and Caicos Islands I start by expressing our thanks first of all to the EU delegation.

This programme begun in 2015 but it started really in 2017 once we signed the financing agreement. Since then we’re been working diligently

to progress the work under the EU programme. Within two short years we’ve already advance two tranches on funding under the programme, having received 10.8millon euros.”

European Union (EU) Ambassador, Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska said the European Union strongly values its partnership with the TCI government to promote a resilient and efficient education system and today shows their commitment to working together for the success of the children of Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Today’s ground breaking ceremony is the latest evidence of the fruitful collaboration between the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the European Union (EU). We are working together to ensure increased access to quality education for all children on the islands. I am proud of the role that European Union is playing as the most significant donor in the education sector with a total of 17.5 million euros allocated to support the implementation of the TCI education sector plan. 2018-2022,” she said.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

LOCAL NEWS

‘FINGERPRINTING MUST COME’

continued from page 1

“I think that I haven’t seen this (fingerprinting for police records) in the Premier’s 12-point plan in the combating of crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands and everybody from the legal profession has had time to weigh in on the matter has said this is a total intrusion on the rights and privileges of loyal and law abiding Turks and Caicos Islanders. Why should we subject ourselves to getting fingerprinted to get a police record when the only reason that that is (done) is under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act that allows that to happen,” Hon. Royal Robinson stated.

He added: “If it is just specific to that then why do you translate that

into other avenues of intrusion into the lives of Turks and Caicos Islanders. I think that something must be said and something must be done with that to make it clear that this was never the intention of any other the law makers and it isn’t in the law, so why should someone like the Commissioner of Police impose himself in that and make it a mandatory position to take place.”

Hon. Robinson asked why the TCI should be subject to such intrusion when the law does not allow it, Parliament has not approved it, and the Executive did not approve a policy position on the matter.

“I have said this time and time again, you’ve seen it on a number

Construction begins on new primary school in Long Bay continued from page 1

Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson stated that the country recognized the need for a new primary school, so therefore it was in the change document for one to be built.

She added: “Today we have every reason to celebrate and we are grateful that our partner in this very important venture is here with us. I pause to say thank you to the Minister of Education Hon. Karen Malcolm and her team together with the key stakeholders. Her Excellency we are grateful for the EU support that demonstrated over and over again your commitment to help us to move the sector forward. Today we lay blocks for this new school and as we lay these blocks we thank those who have helped to bring us to this place, the former administration.”

Phase one will be constructed

as an administrative block, one classroom block, early childhood center, library, computer lab and two special need classrooms. The facility will also be used as a hurricane shelter. Phase one include six early childhood infant classrooms with a playground, eight regular classrooms, four specialist classrooms, two special needs centers, one library a computer lab, an administrative block and parking for staff and a temporary facility for a canteen.

Phase two will consists of the remaining classrooms to allow for over 500 students. Phase two will also include an auditorium, a sports facility and other auxiliary facilities.

JaMalCo Limited, owned by local architect and engineer Jamaine Malcolm, is the contractor for this project.

T.B.T. Construction Location: Kew Town, Providenciales Is seeking four (4) Mason - $7.00 per hour Duties: Layering building materials such as bricks, concrete, tiles and other construction materials Two (2) Labourers - $6.25 per hour Duties: Require high physical fitness and strength to construct structures or buildings One (1) Domestic Worker – $6.25 per hour Must be able to do general cleaning To work 6 days per week These Positions are new Please Contact: 343-2559 Interested Belongers must submit their application to the Immigration Board #814086

occasions where persons have come into our country and try to change the total lifestyle of the people of this country. Enough is enough! I heard the Premier saying that enough is enough on a number of occasions and I think that this is one of the occasions where the Premier should put her foot down that this is enough,” he said.

Commenting on putting her foot down, Premier Robinson agrees with the Chairman of PNP.

She said, “I don’t know where I should put my foot. I got a few several places that I can think of Mr. Speaker, but it’s certainly un-parliamentary and not lady-like, and definitely not Baptist, but the truth is Mr. Speaker,

the Opposition Appointed Member is correct. There has been no policy position (on finger printing) taken by Cabinet and certainly nothing has come to the House of Assembly for approval.”

Hon. Akierra Missick, MP for Leeward and Long Bay also expressed her views on the fingerprinting controversy.

“I think that everyone knows how I feel about that and the right to privacy and as long as there is a legislative framework, then we shall comply with it, but until then...,there wasn’t any legislative framework for it to be done the way that it was supposed to be done,” she explained.

Police launch internal probe into obscene videos

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said it has launched an internal probe into the public distribution of an obscene video of a couple having sex in a Downtown parking lot.

“An internal investigation has been launched into how the video was released into the public domain,” said police communications officer, Takara Bain.

She said a second video involving

a male is also in circulation and is under investigation, following reports to the Police on Sunday, March 24th, 2019.

The public is reminded that it is against the law to share and publish obscene videos or postings in any format, under The Obscene Publications Ordinance and upon summary conviction can be liable to a fine of $5,000 or a term of imprisonment of six months, or both such fine and imprisonment, Bain added.

By Order of the Electricity (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 ALL ELECTRICIANS IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS ARE TOOBTAIN AN ELECTRICITY LICENCE TO OPERATE. The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) invites all electrical practitioners who were issued letters by the Electricity Board to sit an examination, are required to register AT THE GRAND TURK AND PROVIDENCIALES CAMPUS for these examinations before APRIL 7, 2019.

Examinations will be held at both campuses on WEDNESDAY APRIL 10 2019 AT 12:30 P.M. FEE FOR EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION IS $200.00

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LOCAL NEWS

Beaches TCI closures nothing to worry about, says Sandals CEO

by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

The closure of Beaches Resort and Spa in Turks and Caicos Islands in September and October this year and next year is “nothing to be too concerned about”, says Gebhard Rainer, CEO for Sandals Resorts International, Beaches’ parent company.

In a recent interview with Travel Weekly, a business magazine and online information service for the travel industry, Rainer said: “The closures that we have announced for this year, in September and October, and next year, also in September and October, are really nothing to be too concerned about.

You could really label them as seasonal adjustments. Most of the properties in Turks and Caicos are actually closed

during that period. Logistically, it really was not a big issue for us, to be honest with you. We have relocated those bookings that were made during those periods without any problem.”

He added: “Any new booking requests that come in for those periods, we redirect to the other Beaches properties we have. For us, the actual period of closure is pretty short, because by the time we close, we’re quickly preparing to reopen again. But it allows us to do maintenance and do certain repairs that need to be done. So, it’s a little bit of a breathing space, if you will.”

Beaches also announced that it will close for an indefinite period in 2021.

When asked is anything changed in the past few weeks

regarding the Beaches Turks & Caicos situation and whether travel advisors and guests be concerned about booking the property, Rainer said: “We are in continuous discussions, and the situation will evolve.... We should have an update on this in the next couple of months. I believe that it’s going to be ironed out. We play a very big role in the business community on Turks and Caicos, contributing to the local economy both directly and indirectly.

People think that when you’re in an all-inclusive, our guests don’t leave the resort. But we actually encourage them to leave and get to know the culture and the place locally as well as to take tours to understand the islands. It’s an important part of what we do. And I think the government, they all see it this way, as well. But sometimes, you

Gebhard Rainer get into situations where you have to negotiate certain things, and that’s where we are right now. But I am very confident that we will find resolutions.”

TCI removed from Zika Travel Advisory by CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its Zika travel information website to reflect that the Turks and Caicos Islands is among the countries with current or past Zika transmission but no outbreak.

A press statement from the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sport and Human Services stated that the last confirmed case of Zika in TCI was reported in January 2017.

The Ministry of Health has continued its efforts to strengthen its vector control programme through the implementation of its Integrated Vector Management Plan which was approved by Cabinet as well as a number of technical assessments and training facilitated by regional and international partners including PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), CARPHA and PHE (Public Health England), the statement added.

In addition, clean up campaigns are ongoing throughout the country in order to maintain the cleanliness of the environment thereby reducing and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Health promotion activities are ongoing to educate the general public about measures they can take to reduce mosquito breeding as well as avoid mosquito bites through various forms of media.

The Ministry of Health said it continues to take a proactive multifaceted approach in addressing mosquito-borne diseases including Zika in order to protect the health of residents and visitors to the TCI.

The CDCs Zika travel information website provides information to prospective travelers about the risk of acquiring Zika when traveling to different countries. It is a tool to help travelers make informed decisions about whether to travel to a

particular destination.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency, the regional public health agency of which TCI is a member, has previously issued a statement on October 19th 2018, indicating “that the Zika virus transmission in the Caribbean had been interrupted for over 12 months, or was at undetectable levels, thereby posing very little risk to residents and visitors to the Region.

This was matched by data shared with CARPHA by Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America, which showed that no Zika had been detected for over 12 months in travelers returning from the Caribbean to their countries”.

On October 17th 2018, World Health Organization (WHO) discontinued the Zika classification scheme which saw several Caribbean countries, including the TCI, characterized as having “new introduction or reintroduction with

ongoing Zika transmission”. The discontinuation came after much advocacy from several Ministries of Health including the Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). However, the Zika label remained on much of the region based on the United States’ CDC travel advisory website. The CDC travel advisory continued to have an adverse impact on the hotel and tourism industry of the Caribbean, the most tourism-dependent region in the world, and one of the most popular honeymoon destinations worldwide.

According to Dr. James Hospedales, Executive Director of CARPHA, ongoing cancellations due to the classification of most Caribbean countries was hurting the industry unnecessarily. Thus, the new categorization on the CDC travel advisory website is welcomed news for the TCI and the region.

Two men sentenced following Gary Mead’s fatal shooting On Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 Carlos Pena and Alex Cruesta were sentenced at the Supreme Court for the fatal shooting of Garry Meade.

Meade was killed and robbed of a large sum of cash after exiting a

casino on the Airport Road, September 30th, 2016.

Following investigations, Carlos Pena and Alex Cruesta were arrested and charged.

Both men appeared in

the Supreme court where Pena pleaded guilty to manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years and 3 months at Her Majesty’s Prison, while Cruesta pleaded guilty to one count of keeping a firearm and one count of keeping

ammunition, was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months at Her Majesty’s Prison.

Deportation is recommended, upon completion of sentences for both.

The Land Registry workshop a huge success

The Land Registry within the Lands Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers successfully hosted a three (3) day Land Registration Workshop on March 13-15, 2019.

The event focused on providing knowledge and guidance on land matters to the participants who included Attorneys at law, real estate practitioners, legal assistants, paralegals and members of the public.

Over twenty-five persons attended the workshop and they actively interacted with the cadre of experts to discuss land registration rules and practices.

Some of presentations made included: 1.The history of land registration in the Turks and Caicos Islands 2.The Land Registry present and future 3.The role of the Valuation Department, Survey and Mapping Department, Crown Land Unit in land registration 4.Stamp duty and land registration 5.The execution and verification of documents 6.Land Registration and the Court 7.Transferring land in the Turks and Caicos Islands 8.Making applications for Charges, Cautions, Easements, restrictions, restrictive agreements, prescription,

partition, leases among other applications under the Registered Land Ordinance.

At the completion of the Workshop, the participants had a greater understanding of the Land Registry and the legislative and regulatory framework that applies to property transactions in TCI. Participants were also made aware of the key issues that can arise in conveyancing transactions and how to effectively address them.

Participants received certificates of participation and the majority of the participants expressed their satisfaction with event. Some

of the feedback received are captured below.

“The appropriateness of the material covered was excellent.”

“The knowledge gained at the Workshop would help them perform their duties.”

“The overall experience at the Workshop as excellent.”

“I am very satisfied with the quality of the presentations.”

“I would recommend the Workshop to a friend or colleague.”

The Land Registry looks forward to hosting other educational initiatives in the near future.

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LOCAL NEWS

TCI must offer more all-rounded vacation to remain its competitive edge

By Todeline Defralien

Todd Foss, the new president of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) Board said the Turks and Caicos Islands has to offer a more “all-rounded vacation” to remain its competitive edge.

“Turks and Caicos has the highest room rates in the Caribbean and if you want those room rates to continue, you have to provide an excellent all rounded vacation and that includes not just good service but all of the amenities, so those are the things that every day we work on. We’re working on our strategic plans daily but over the long term, we have some big bites to chew on,” Foss said during a Breakfast Meet & Greet with media to welcome the new Board at Sentosa Villa in Leeward, Providenciales on Wednesday March 27th, 2019.

Foss stated that plans are in train to partner with the community, local government, British government, TCHTA to make sure this comes in effect.

“You cannot just have a beautiful beach to attract people. You have to protect that beach. It is not just environmental factors; it is human factors like illegal vendors, harassment on the beach and these kinds of items are part of our strategic plan to deal in partnership with the Government and the technocratic departments to see if we can maintain the quality that we have here now,” he added.

Meantime, Foss said that TCI is very unique in the Caribbean in terms of

Todd Foss, the new president of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) the strength and growth over the last 18 months since the hurricanes in 2017.

“We’re a young (country) and we recovered fast. We had a great private sector such as Fortis, the water company and everybody got us back on track. I think that we have enjoyed growth regionally that others have not, but...in the Caribbean in general, arrivals and the business in total is down by two percent. I think that the lesson from that is that tourism is an industry and industries can come and go if we don’t protect them. So I feel that the important role of this association and all of the great people who are in it, is to ensure that the strength of our industry because

unfortunately it is really the only one on our (country) that contributes 85% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he explained.

Former President of the TCHTA, Mr. Nikheel Advani added that as a Board they’ve decided to become more strategic.

He said, “In the strategic plan you will see very clear deliverables and what is really important that when we hand it over to Todd and his new board is that we had continuity in some of the members with new faces but bring new energy. We had a super great board and we’ve hired now a stronger board and I feel very confident that we’re going in

the right direction.”

Advani added: “As a country that is growing, I think that it is really important to be strategic. There are issues that we need to deal with and we need to be honest and constructive and work closely with the local Government, with the British Government and that is the message that we want to send out there. Together we will be stronger than anybody else and so, our message is we will work with everybody who wants to work with us, but we will address the issues as we grow because if we don’t, we will just put them under the carpet and (if) it gets more and more we’re going to fall off this plan. I think for us it is sharing the plan widely and make sure that we find partnerships to make it happen.”

Meantime, TCHTA vice president Mr. Tapa Tibble stated that the United States (US) is a key market for the country and they have to keep focusing on that as well because of the accessibility, the TCI must expand its reach.

“What we really need to happen is to develop more markets to get more flights into the country and to make more accessibility. We need to continue to work with British Airways and there are some smaller countries that our company is involved in who’s been able to get Middle East flights in and it has also raised long haul markets all over the world because of the quality and ability to travel comfortably to get to destinations,” he said.

TCHTA appoints new Board of Directors

Pictured are some of the Board members

By Todeline Defralien

The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) announced its newly elected Board of Directors on Wednesday, March 27th, 2019, during a Breakfast Meet & Greet with media at Sentosa Villa in Leeward, Providenciales.

Heading the Association for the next two years as President is Todd Foss of the Inn at Grace Bay, while Tappa Tibble of COMO Parrot Cay will serve as Vice President. Armando Pizzuti of the Turks & Caicos Collection was named Treasurer, and Trem Quinlan of the Wymara Resort will serve as Secretary.

Also on the Board are Wilbert Mason (Ocean Club Resorts), Jamie McAnally (Beaches Resort Villages & Spa), Adam Twigg (The Source, Ltd.), Malaika Wint-Williams (Kalooki’s

Grace Bay), Lorraine Kenlock (Frenz Deck), Meryl Cooper (Spa Tropique), Mona Beeson (The Hartling Group), Karen Whitt (The Hartling Group), Tendra Musgrove (Bianca Sands Resort) and Trevor Musgrove (Discovery Tours) who will all serve as Directors.

Seamus Day (Grand Turk representative), Marie McKenzie (Carnival Corporation) and Kyle Smith (Providenciales Chamber of Commerce) will serve as Ex-Officio Members.

Newly elected President Mr. Todd Foss expressed his gratitude at being selected and pledged to take the Association forward

“I think that the great thing for me is that our past President set the groundwork for what we’re going to embark on for the next two years and that’s a strategic plan. It took us a little

while to get this strategic plan to where it is right now, because we had so many crises including the hurricanes and everything else, but to his credit and the committee credit, we have that document.”

He added: “We’re going to guide ourselves with that strategic plan.

I think that it is well thought out. It is going to help the industry to grow and I think that it is an important document to guide the most important industry on our (country). It is guiding our Association and how we organize ourselves to get things done and if that happens, which I am confident it will, the (country) and the tourism industry will be a stronger one two years from now.”

Foss assured that their members continue to market the islands and ensure that every day guests enjoy their stay and visit again.

“While we are doing this strategic action plan each of our members continues to market the islands and works super hard to provide great service. Everyday a lot of work goes on in our hotels and showing our guest to our islands a great time so that they know that this is the best destination to come to,” he explained.

The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) represents a wide range of members from hotels and resorts to insurance companies and financial service providers, from watersports operators to catering outlets, from taxi drivers to human resources. The Association aims to assist the organisations through networking opportunities, training, promotional activities and representation at all levels of decisionmaking in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the region.

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LOCAL NEWS

Beach access blockers warned

Persons obstructing public beach access have been advised to “cease such actions forthwith”, as anyone contravening the above will be charged to full extent of the law.

The warning from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) was issued in a press release following renewed concerns by the public that certain beaches in Providenciales are being blocked.

The DECR informed the public of chapter 4(1) of the National Parks Ordinance (11 of 1975, as amended): which states: “Subject to any regulations relating to any particular national park or nature reserve: a.

An area which is designated as national park shall be open to the public for recreational use, including camping, fishing and sailing, and the Governor may make a grant of development permission for the erection in the area of buildings, the construction of roads, marinas and such other development as may be considered to be desirable to facilitate enjoyment by the public of the natural setting of the area and any features of historical interest therein:

Provided that in considering whether or not any such development as is mentioned in this paragraph as being permissible shall be authorized

in any particular case, the paramount consideration shall be to limit such development to the minimum consistent with the reasonable access to and enjoyment of the area by members of the public.”

The DECR noted that the following areas are protected, on Providenciales: •Chalk Sound National Park •Princess Alexandra National Park •North West Point Pond Nature Reserve •Pigeon Pond and Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve •Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve •Cheshire Hall Area of Historical Interest •Sapodilla Hill Area of Historical Interest

The DECR would also like to urge members of the public to report such activities by contacting the Department at 338.4170/64 or email environment@ gov.tc

Meantime, in an email to The SUN, a concerned resident reported that a beach access in the Cherokee Road area has recently been blocked.

The email stated: “We need to make sense to a situation and stop developers from taking away all our beach access. I live behind Courtyard Plaza and usually can walk over the hill

to go swimming at the end of Cherokee road using the beach access there. The Beach access has a sign saying “ Princess Alexandra National park, Beach access” so one can only assume that it is an official beach access recognized by DECR and Planning and also Crown Land.

This is not a gated community.

Somebody has begun to dump quarry and blocked the access. We called the police, who came, called DECR and Planning. I believe planning came but then we have no news on what will happen.

As a Turks Islander I am very upset that once again people living and working in this island are slowly being

deprived of the right to access the beach and the water around the island to the detriment of a few who believe they are above the laws. Our corner of Provo is represented by families and individuals of all nationalities, TCI, Europe, Canada, other Caribbean Islands and now we cannot access the beach, the kids cannot play there. Turks and Caicos has to stop denying access to its people and also visitors for the privilege of a few. The blockage and destruction of Cherokee road beach access and destruction of it has to stop. Can beach access be respected once for all in this island, or, is it just a question of big money?”

Regulation of controlled drugs in the TCI Workshop

The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services in light of the National Pharmaceutical Policy - continues to urgently address medicines regulation in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). One of the critical areas of focus is the improvement of the regulation of controlled drugs by strengthening legislation, instituting regulations and implementing quality assurance systems that promote the rational use of these medicines.

Controlled drugs are medicines, categorised by the Control of Drugs Ordinance 1976, that require close monitoring and control by authorised healthcare practitioners because of their potential for abuse and misuse. This abuse/misuse may lead to psychological and/or physical dependence.

The Ministry aims to ensure that quality standards and systems regarding the regulation of controlled medicines, imported and utilized within the TCI, are implemented and adhered to. In that respect, the Control of Drugs Ordinance is currently under review and complementary draft regulations are being developed for this purpose.

These pieces of draft legislation are subject to an approval process prior to being drafted into legislation.

In light of the above, the National Pharmacist Mr. André Morgan recently hosted a workshop on 27th February, 2019 to conduct an overview of the regulation of controlled medicines.

The objectives concerning the

regulation of controlled drugs that were discussed are as follows: •Reviewing the provisions of the current Control of Drugs Ordinance •Reviewing the role of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) •Understanding the need for audits of all facilities that store for sale or possess controlled drugs •Understanding the importance of submitting quarterly controlled drugs reports •Strengthening the current provisions of the Control of Drugs Ordinance •Enacting Control of Drugs Regulations •Strengthening the guidelines for the disposal of controlled drugs

The session accommodated a cross section of participants from both

the private and public health sectors, namely: physicians, veterinarians, nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

The MoHASHS is committed to regulating controlled drugs by ensuring that they are utilised according to their accepted medical use and safety profile, and to safe-guard the public against any potential for abuse and misuse.

The workshop was a very significant national step to strengthen and/or establish systems that meet the highest global standards for the regulation of controlled drugs.

For more information regarding the regulation of controlled drugs, please contact the National Pharmacist, André Morgan at 338-3072.

Tensions running high at Her Majesty’s Prison

Tensions are running high between inmates and wardens at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk, following an incident on the evening

of Friday, March 22, where a senior prison officer, a prison officer and an inmate were injured while the officers were discharging their duties.

Shree Sai Limited Shree Sai Limited Shree Sai Limited Is in need of a Store Manager To work at their Indigo Stores in Grand Turk The Store Manager duties include planning and directing the dayto-day operations of the store etc.

For further information please contact their office at Tel. (649) 347-7518 This position is currently held by Work Permit Holder Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

Is in need of a Jewelry Merchandiser To work at their Indigo Stores in Grand Turk Duties includes: Planning and developing merchandising strategies and analyzing sales figures, customers reactions and market trends to anticipate product needs Interested persons should contact their office at Tel. (649) 347-7518 for further details This position is currently held by Work Permit Holder Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

Is in need of (1) Store Clerk and (1) Domestic Worker To work at the Indigo Stores in Grand Turk Domestic Worker must be able to maintain the stores and provide regular housekeeping Store Clerk duties include operating the cash register, greeting customers, helping people locate products, doing paperwork, stocking shelves, and maintaining the store clean and organized Hours of work are based on Cruise Ship Days Wages: Minimum Wage Interested persons should contact their office at (649) 347-7518 These positions are currently held by Work Permit Holders Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

According to a government Grahame Hawkings said; “Prison press release, the specific assignment at officers should be allowed to conduct the time was to locate and retrieve an their work without fear of violence. illegal cell phone that was used twice Additionally, there is a responsibility within the preceding days to post to look for illegal items, and we will always look to remove them at all message on social media.

“During the search Prison times.”

Minister with responsibility for Officers were attacked by the prisoner who was in possession of two weapons, Prison Services, Hon. Vaden Williams, including a home-made stabbing commenting on the incident said; implement. The inmate also threw “Once again I am grateful to our prison diluted cleaning fluid at the staff staff for managing a violent incident. members, in his efforts to further They act with bravery on our behalf harm them,” the release stated. “His and we wish them a speedy recovery. exceptional and unexpected levels of It is my hope that the laws and violence lead to two members of staff operational procedures governing Her being injured. Restraint was necessary Majesty’s Prison be respected, and that to ensure the safety of the officers there will not be any future occurrence and the inmates, as well as a return of incidents of this nature.”

The prison continues to run to normalcy in the area where the incident occurred. Both of the prison a normal regime, and has not been staff were treated at hospital for their affected by this isolated incident injuries, which had the potential to be of violent and potentially criminal life changing if the prisoner had not behaviour.

On Thursday, March 28th, been restrained.”

The incident was reported to 2019, a video was circulating showing the police for an investigation. an inmate on the roof of the prison.

Prison Superintendent,

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

LOCAL NEWS

Premier Robinson gives Brexit Update In Parliament - “much uncertainty”

Mr Speaker, I wish to share a summary of the latest developments relating to Brexit below:

On March 18, 2019, the Speaker of the House of Commons John Brecow ruled that the Prime Minister (PM) could not bring her Brexit Deal to the House of Commons for a third vote without ‘substantial’ changes to the Deal.

On Wednesday 20 March the Prime Minister wrote to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, requesting a short three month extension to try to get her deal through Parliament.

On Thursday 21 March the EU 27 Meet in Brussels and agreed to postpone the date of Brexit with two new possible dates agreed instead: May 22 – if MPs approve the Prime Minister’s Deal or12 April – if MPs do not approval the Prime Minister’s Deal they must by this date tell the EU what it wants to do – a longer extension or to exit without a deal.

Mr Speaker, on Saturday one million people attended a march in London calling for the revocation of Article 50. An online petition to Parliament to revoke Article 50 has received over 5 million votes and must now be considered by Parliament.

On Sunday the Prime Minister met with leading Brexiteers and some members of her Cabinet to seek their support for a third reading of her Deal in Parliament.

The various possible options are as follows: Further vote on PM’s Deal

Following the agreement reached with the EU 27 on Thursday the Speaker may consider there has been a substantial change and allow a third vote on the PMs Deal.

If MPs vote again and accept the PMs Deal legislation would be introduced to bring it into effect on 22 May. Thus the UK will leave the EU on 22 May with a Deal.

Turks and Caicos Sun

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

No Deal

No Deal remains an option although on 20 March MPs voted in a nonbinding vote not to leave the EU without a Deal. No Deal remains the default position and if no other options are put forward could be the result on 12 April.

Renegotiation of the PM’s Deal

On 12 April MPs could vote to request from the EU27 a longer extension to renegotiate the Deal for a closer relationship with the EU – the so called ‘Norway model’.

This however would mean the UK participating in EU elections in May. General Election

This is the preferred option of the Labour Party Leader.

If the PM decided to call a general election under the Fixed Term Parliament Act, two thirds of MPs would need to agree.

A Second Referendum

There are still calls for a second referendum, ‘The People’s Vote’. However, there is not currently enough parliamentary support for a Second Referendum.

Labour call Confidence

for

a

Vote

of

No

Labour can call for another vote of No Confidence in the Government.

The last vote of No Confidence on

Great House Management Limited [Sailrock] is seeking a qualified candidate for the position below: General Manager •The General Manager is responsible for the success of resort operations (financially and operationally) while maintaining the integrity of Sailrock Resort service standards. He/she will oversee the daily operation of all resort departments.

Responsibilities •Manage organizational change productively by driving continuous improvement, building support for change and adapting to change •Manage all activities of the property including employees, maintenance, sales, and profit & loss controls •Demonstrate visible operational leadership and management to the resort staff •Coordinate, direct and manage the resort operation to achieve maximum profitability, ensure guest satisfaction, protect the financial aspects of the business and maintain the building •Create an environment that assures consistent guest satisfaction •Maintain overall operation of the resort through verification analysis of guest satisfaction systems and financial reports. Ability to initiate corrective action when needed.

•Exercise the ability to attract, coach, train, and retain talent by engaging and showing a genuine passion to develop others.

Partner with Human Resources to minimize employee relations issues.

•Manage and support financial aspects of the resort. Understand and formulate annual operations budget by identifying areas of cost reductions, operational improvements and periodic analysis of expense data.

•Work with Executive Director alongside corporate accounting team to prepare, review, and analyze monthly financial reports and to be able to describe impact of revenue, profit, or expenses that could affect financial results. Understand monthly P & L reports.

Read us online at www.suntci.com Hon: Sharlene L Cartwright-Robinson- Premier & Minister of Finance, The Turks and Caicos Islands 16 January was 325 to 306.

The Prime Minister has yet to update Parliament as to her meeting with the EU 27 last week. She is due to speak to Parliament today.

Also in Parliament today 7 amendments have been tabled by Back Benchers to be voted on tonight. These include a motion for a People’s Vote, a Cross Party Amendment for indicative votes to be considered (leading to MPs taking control of the Brexit Process) and the ‘Cooper Amendment’ for the UK not to leave the EU on 12 April with No Deal.

As I’m sure you realise the situation remains very uncertain and fluid even though the deadline has been pushed back from this Friday, 29 March.

Events in Parliament over the next few couple of weeks should hopefully lead to an agreement by Parliament as to the way forward by 12 April.

The Minister for Overseas Territories will hold a Conference call with my colleagues and I on April 4th and I will provide further updates once I am able to.

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien Reporter

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

•Build and maintain strong working knowledge of HOA relationships •Manage and set room rates alongside sales and marketing team •Oversee the coordination of even and special service activities to ensure overall success of the even operationally and financially •Ensure that the product quality standards are met in all areas of the resort as it relates to the appearance, levels of maintenance and cleanliness; establish and maintain preventative maintenance programs to protect the physical assets of the resort •Be a change agent for the company. Initiate and implement resort management strategic initiatives and programs developed to enhance guest satisfaction. Identify areas of process improvement and leverage best practices by working with appropriate parties.

Qualified Candidates will have/be: •10+ years’ experience in Luxury Resort/Hotel Management required •Highly prefer prior experience as a General Manager at a 5-star Luxury Resort •Working Knowledge of Opera system and/or RDP systems preferred •Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and Word •Exceptional verbal, written and strategic planning skills •Strong Organizational Skills •Sound Knowledge of all aspects of resort operation and finance •Outgoing personality with excellent interpersonal skills, comfortable speaking and enjoy working with people •Perform any other reasonable duties as required by Executive Director or Resort Ownership •Ability to speak multiple languages a plus •MS/ED.M in International Hospitality & Tourism Salary Range •$110,000 - $120,000 yearly bonus base on experience.

Please submit applications to Stacey-Ann Albert: •Drop off: W104 Venture House, Grace Bay, Providenciales •Email:humanresources@sailrockresort.com/swharton@ southcaicos.com This position is currently held by a Work Permit holder.

Interested Turks and Caicos Islands must also submit copies of their application to the TCI Work Permit Board

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 9

Page 10

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

LOCAL NEWS

GetMe Ride taxi services app launching in April

By Todeline Defralien

The Caribbean Uber company GetMe Ride will officially launch in Turks and Caicos Islands in less than two weeks.

GetMe Ride, the Uber or Lyft style app that uses taxi drivers for a mobile ride call-up service is going online during a Grand Opening ceremony on Wednesday April 10th, 2019.

Getme Ride will be providing ridesharing, pickup drop off, with license taxi drivers and with a range of services with partners that will have economy, midsize, Large and Luxury rides at a reasonable rate.

During an exclusive interview with The SUN, Regional Marketing Director, Leticia Samper said the idea came from analyzing & experiencing the lack of convenient transportation for locals and visitors alike.

“What we liked about the franchise was their ability to incorporate convenience and technology all into one app and solve the majority of the issues we have in the transportation market here in these islands. Some of the issues we have are as follows; non existing legal community cab services, ability for customers to pay their fare via credit card or online through the app, transparency and fair pricing through the app and eliminating long waiting periods for taxi drivers for jobs in lines

CBMS 131 South Dock Road, Providenciales Is seeking One (1) Carpenter $15.00 per hour Duties include: Installing structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials Is seeking Two (2) Mason - $12.00 per hour Layering building materials such as bricks, concrete, tiles and other construction materials Must be able to work 6 days a week Please Contact: 331-0221 or 941-3400 One of these positions is new and the other is currently held by Work Permit Holder Interested Belongers must submit their application to the Immigration Board

at the airport or hotels, just to name a few.”

She added: “Our partners are taxi drivers. We will be partnering with their cars, with small cars, to luxury cars, for ridesharing, but the cars will be inspected and have to be up to GMR standards. For the Pick deliveries, they to go through that screening process to make sure that all vehicles are in good conditions, and inspected to give the customer an assurance that their cargo is also safe.”

Samper noted that with this app the taxi drivers will be more unified and can deliver better service to their customers and continue to move forward more efficiently to “Literally Drive Tourism” in these Beautiful by Nature Islands.

In addition, the cost of services are set by zone and based on per-mile basis and it fluctuates based on demand.

Asked how this will benefit TCI, Samper stated that this is an issue throughout the globe and she believes this is something that is greatly needed locally.

“Everyone is using mobile apps.

It puts the control in the hands of the rider, from ridesharing all the way to delivery, regardless of if it’s for a tourist or a local. This will benefit them in many ways. Imagine this, you have your child at school, you can’t get them because of a meeting or something important, with this app you’ll be able to book a

GM Mechanic Shop Location: South Dock Road, Providenciales Is seeking Two (2) Mechanics Duties include: Keeping equipment available for use by inspecting and testing vehicles; completing preventive maintenance Must be able to work 5 days a week Salary: $15.00 per hour Please Contact: 3310221 These positions are currently held by Work Permit Holders Interested Belongers must submit their application to the Immigration Board

OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT CANADA AS HONORARY CONSUL TO THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS The High Commission of Canada (HCC) in Jamaica is looking for a highly motivated and experienced professional to serve as Canada’s Honorary Consul to the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Interested candidates can apply by visiting the Job Opportunities section of the HCC website: www.jamaica.gc.ca and submit their application

by April 26, 2019.

ride and pick up your kid and be able to know that all of our drivers are safe and reliable and have been well screened in our process, so if you need a taxi or just a ride, we got you,” she explained.

Samper also revealed that they will be adding P&D (Pickup & Delivery) which is their new feature and this service will available for everyday truck drivers, small cars, large and extra cargo.

She continued: “Anyone with a clean licence and insurance can use that option to work with GMR. They will not be able to pick up riders, as they are reserved for taxi drivers (only). We plan on opening up a call center here locally that will be able to handle inbound and outbound customer service for all of our other locations in the Caribbean, so we believe this will be an awesome way to bring all of the Caribbean together.”

Samper said they are very confident that they will receive the support that they are seeking from the TCI community.

“We feel that the community will be very supportive of having a company that they can control by simply requesting a ride or pick up and tap to go. The idea is to provide more jobs for taxi drivers. We have tourists every day visiting the islands, either by aircraft or by cruises and they are bombarded with jitney drivers or anyone with a car and they are not registered to drive with road traffic and it takes away the income potentially from the taxi drivers.

So for us, this will be a great way that we can consolidate services into one app so we can make sure that the appropriate persons with valid licence will take them around,” she said.

Samper also told The SUN that they will be reaching out to local business to offer their services along with hotels and Airbnb and will be providing other upcoming services in coming weeks that will be targeted for cruise ship and everyday travelers.

Getme Ride is in partnership with local persons and they are; Eugene Walkin as President, Birkley Missick as Vice President, Jervon Hall as Director of Operations and Ikelyn Stubbs as Technical Director.

The Grand Opening will be held on 10th April, 2019 at 6 p.m. in their store located at #41 Princess Drive, Unit #28, Grace Bay. Everyone is encouraged to download the app from their app store.

Getme Ride started with Founder and CTO Michael Broome along with his team, that took his concept and made it a reality, with new offices throughout the Caribbean and now moving into Spain, it definitely shows that this is going to be an amazing future to work for and lots more to come.

Offices will be opening throughout the Caribbean, Jamaica, Trinidad, The Bahamas, Haiti and Dominican Republic, Madrid Spain, San Antonio, Galveston and Texas.

JOB OPPORTUNITY Maintenance/Building Coordinatorfor a Private Residence Needed P&C Ltd. owns a villa in Providenciales and is looking for a hard working individual to work as a Maintenance/Building Coordinator at the villa.

Applicant must speak English, have a valid TCI driver’s license and be fit and able. Applicant is required to live on property and is needed to work six days a week. Salary is $2,000.00 a month.

Applicants must be able to do the following:General Maintenance Responsibilities: •Oversee regular inspection of security, electronics, buildings and general grounds of the property •Carrying out handyman work if and when necessary, carry out or overseeing of carpentry, plumbing, painting and electrical maintenance on property by service providers •Attending to general landscaping at property and liaising with third party maintenance workers and service providers •General pool maintenance and cleaning in coordination with third party maintenance company •General maintenance and cleaning of outdoor spaces, sweeping walkways, arranging outdoor furniture, upkeep of tennis court •Liaison and point person for security company on-island and all other service providers •Monitor special projects and repairs carried out on property •Oversee pest control program for property •Regular communication with owner to report any changes or damages This advertisement is required for a work permit renewal application for this position.

All suitably qualified TC Islanders are requested to submit resumes/ portfolios to PO Box 560, Regent House West, Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales, TCI or send by fax to 946 4663.

Prospective TC Islander applicants are also free to lodge a copy of their applications with the Labour Board.

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 11

LOCAL NEWS

The PNP’s Education Sector Reform Program finally taking physical shape, says Akierra

On Monday March 18th 2019, during a motion to adjourn the House of Assembly brought by the Minister of Education, it was advised that the European Union Consultants would be in country for the brick laying ceremony for the new primary school in Providenciales as part of the European Union Development Fund 11.

Despite the delay in the present Administration’s processing of the EDF11 program, the Former Minister and MP for Leeward and Long Bay, Hon Akierra Missick states “Finally, the Education Sector Reform is taking shape, even though it is 2 years behind schedule. It is a pity that TCIG were unable to activate portions of this funding program before now, they were in a position due to the work completed prior to the PNP leaving office that provided the signing of the Financing Agreement in February 2017”.

By way of background, the Education Sector Reform program was developed in 2013 by the Ministry of Education. The results of the consultations highlighted the challenges in the TCI Education Sector, including lack of spaces at primary school level in Providenciales, the absence of technical vocational learning programs, ineffective monitoring and testing capabilities of students, and limited training and qualifications for some educators.

Hon Missick states; “The challenges presented were not seen as insurmountable by the Ministry of Education, but required considerable funding in the Education sector both in physical and in human capacity. This resulted in the Ministry commencing discussions with the European Union’s Delegation team in the region inclusive of discussions with the Territorial Authorizing Officer, and eventually the application for funding to assist the Turks & Caicos Islands in reforming the Education Sector. The Education Sector Plan 2013-2017 – “Success for Every Learner” bid was successful and on September 10th 2015 the Ministry of Education received confirmation that

the sum of 14,000,000 Euros would be provided by the EDF11 Fund to implement the Education Sector Reform 2013-2017”.

The required support, resources, and work began in earnest to ensure that TCIG would meet the program deadlines, and the development of the Education Sector Reform Contract concluded in 2016. The Financing Agreement was signed in February 2017.

“The decision to now draw down on this significant funding, albeit late, nonetheless secures the future for Education in these Islands, and for that I am very pleased to see the hard work of the previous administration not be lost.

I thank the former PS of Education, Mrs Cheryl-Ann Jones, Dr Timar Stephenson, Former Education Planner, Kathleen Forbes of SPPD, the Deputy Governor Anya Williams and the entire staff of the Ministry & Department of Education for their commitment to establishing this program with me, and thank you the European Union for their commitment and dedication to the Young People of these Islands.” Hon. Missick said.

Whilst the public may be aware that several residents in Leeward and Long Bay constituency challenged the proposed location of the new primary school being in a residential area in Long Bay Hills, and not within the vicinity of the Long Bay High School as was planned in the Education Sector Reform, Missick states “As the MP of Leeward and Long Bay, I will ensure that the TCIG completes the necessary mitigating factors to reduce noise levels, and increased traffic in our residential community. I promise residents that I will raise concerns with TCIG Departments as to the maintenance and up keep of the area that the new school will be located if it begins to deteriorate. Leeward and Long Bay has some of the most beautiful homes belonging to Islanders and we would expect their homes and properties do not reduce in value, due to the construction and operation of this facility.”

The Sandals Foundation-the

Hon. Akierra Missick – MP for Leeward and Long Bay, Attorney at Law; and Former Deputy Premier and Minister of Education 2012-2016 charitable arm of the Sandals & Beaches Resortspartnered with InterCaribbean Airways recently to bring over 400 pounds of school supplies and literary items to students of the Ona Glinton Primary School. The donations included an assortment of backpacks, notebooks, reading material and classroom essentials which were donated through the foundation’s partnership with School Specialty and guests of Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa.

The donation marks the foundation’s second collaboration with the Grand Turk based school and comes as the foundation continues to broaden its reach and impact across the Turks and Caicos in the wake of the foundation’s 10th anniversary. The donation was made possible through a partnership with locally owned interCaribbean Airways. The airline sponsored airfare and waived all fees for transporting the items.

Elanor Krzanowski, Public Relations Manager for Beaches Resort noted,” Sandals Foundation is keen to expand our literacy and educational events here in the Turks and Caicos.

We’ve done several works with local schools on Providenciales and our aim is to extend our reach around the other islands. Fortunately we were able to contact interCaribbean who was gracious enough to provide us with complimentary airfare to make this donation possible.”

Krzanowski further thanked the airline for collaborating on the project, “We’re very grateful for partnerships such as these

because it helps us to reach a greater audience and create a greater impact in Turks and Caicos and we look forward to working with them on future projects that would impact the other islands.” Krzanowski said.

Trevor Sadler, CEO of interCaribbean Airways remarked, “interCaribbean is a leading airline of the Turks and Caicos and the whole Caribbean region. We have long supported educational initiatives, providing support to schools around the country. We recognize the work of the Sandals Foundation in supporting schools via different initiatives, it was our pleasure to fly the Sandals team and be part of this day.”

Speaking on how the airline is helping to promote education across the island, Sadler further noted, “interCaribbean provides free and or reduced rate transport for schools around the country and around the region depending on the event, or the number of seats. We recognize the teachers who teach, with two recent retirees of over 40 years of service to the schools on the islands receiving free travel in recognition of their service. It is important to recognize the teachers for the hard work they put in, who see their students become parents and grandparents.

We firmly believe that a solid education is the very beginning of the future for each child.”

Gwen Harvey, Principal of the Ona Glinton Primary School commended both companies for their donation to the school; “I was very impressed with what was presented and the interaction from the students. We really appreciate having you here today and with the promise that you will assist us wherever you can. When we get assistance from the corporate community we really appreciate it because it helps us fulfill our objectives and our goals for the school.”

Following the donation, foundation representatives conducted an audit of the school to highlight needs and areas where the foundation can be of further assistance.

Foundation representatives committed to increasing support of the students and faculty going forward.

On Monday, March 18th the Sandals Foundation celebrated 10 years in the Caribbean. The foundation supports three core areas including education, community and environment.

Acting Minister of Education and Premier refutes former Minister of Education’s claim

As Acting Minister of Education, I must respond to the claims of the Former Minister of Education that the EDF11 Program signed by myself in Aruba last year February is 2 years behind. These claims are regrettably untrue and whilst we have experienced challenges from mother nature and man – made, we are pleased with the progress of the Program and was commended for this progress during the month of February this year whilst attending the EU Forum in Tahiti.

The Financing Agreement signed between TCIG and the European Union in February 2017 is in support of the Government’s plans to reform the education sector. It should be noted and understand that the reformation of the education sector is not limited to the new Primary School only, but it includes numerous areas which the Government committed to improve over the life of the agreement.

While it is true that the Government experience some delays in the commencement of the construction of the new Primary School in Long Bay, this is not to say that there are delays in other areas. For example, the Agreement made provision for consultancy to assist the Ministry in;

1)to develop a ten-year school infrastructure and equipment maintenance and modernisation plan for

the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services (MoEYSLS);

2) to build capacity within the Ministry/ Department of Education Schools to develop school maintenance plans and also to better monitor school infrastructure projects which is directly applicable to their school.

These initiatives are well underway, and since 2018/19 financial year, each School was provided with their own maintenance budget to facilitate minor and quick maintenance of their equipment and infrastructure. In addition, work is in advance stage by the consultant to adequately project the space need and resource requirements to ensure effective planning and financing well into the future to meet the needs of our students.

The Agreement also provided for a team of consultants to conduct a feasibility study and implementation strategy for the establishment of a National Technical Vocational Training Centre and Agency. This work is nearing completion and we are receiving a presentation from the consultant this week. Based on the results of the feasibility study, the Government will use this information as guidance in establishing a Vocational Education System in the TCI.

We have already seen a number of changes in reforming the Scholarship Policy, the reform of the School

Curriculum for infants 1-4 with further revision of the primary school curriculum for upper grades in progress for completion by summer 2019. We have witness the introduction of CPEA to replace the GSAT exams and the introduction of CCSLC in the lower forms of High Schools in order to reform the way our students learn.

These are but a few examples of the depth of work which is involved in the reform of the Education System. In respect to the New Primary School, the apparent delay in the commencement of the construction was due to a number of factors;

1)The Ministry conducted an extensive survey of possible site locations to place the new school. Taking into consideration a number of factors, including but not limited to environmental consideration, transportation issue, size of land and proximity to a community. In the end the location was finalized to be Long bay.

2)Given the environmental sensitivity of the Government, before proceeding, the Ministry retained the services of an independent consultant to conduct an in-depth Environmental Impact Assessment which looked at all possible implications to the site and the neighboring environment, including potential noise impacts. The report provided a number of recommendations to mitiate the impacts which we are

Hon: Sharlene L Cartwright-Robinson- Premier & Minister of Finance, The Turks and Caicos Islands working to implement.

3)We also received challenges from community members and the elected representative and former Minister of Education Hon Akierr Missick about the location of the school. This further delayed the start of the School. The Government listened to their concerns, and held several meetings to better explain the details of the proposed plans.

Wherever possible, we took on board some of the recommendations to mitigate and alleviate the concerns raised by the community members. We are pleased that now both the elected representative and the community members are now settled and the Project will be moving forward. Though we are behind in terms of timeline, we expect the building of the School to move forward quickly. We continue to enjoy much success under the EDF11 Program and my Government is grateful to the EU and the Government stakeholders for all the work done.

Page 12

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

LOCAL NEWS

Jermaine Missick guilty of double death by dangerous driving

By Hayden Boyce & Todeline Defralien

Jermaine Missick, who broke down in tears minutes after a jury found him guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, will be sentenced to prison by High Court Judge Her Ladyship Tanya Lobban-Jackson on Friday, April 5th, 2019.

The jury of five women and two men took nearly three hours to unanimously decide that Missick’s dangerous driving caused the death of 33-year-old Martin Field and his 26-year-old girlfriend Correll Glinton on South Dock Road, Providenciales, on September 8th 2016.

At the end of the trial on Wednesday, March 27th, Prosecutor Leanna Brooks, who was standing in for Principal Crown Counsel Leonard Franklyn who prosecuted the case, said Missick was a flight risk and she asked the judge to remand him to jail until his sentencing.

However, Judge Lobban-Jackson upheld a submission from Missick’s lawyer Lara Maroof-Misick, extended his $20,000 bail with one surety, gave him

time to “get his house in order” prior to next Friday’s sentencing, but ordered him to surrender his passport and not to travel among or outside the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Missick was the driver of an open-back Nissan truck that was travelling in the direction of Chalk Sound and collided with Fields and Glinton who were on a scooter heading towards town.

In his evidence from the witness stand, Missick said that after the accident, while he was in the hospital speaking with his mother, he told her that “they (the couple) were on my side (of the road)”. Sgt. Winston Diamond, now inspector, reminded him that he was under caution, so he stopped talking.

Missick also testified that Diamond never asked him for a bloodalcohol sample, but the police officer had previously testified that he had asked Missick’s consent for a blood-alcohol sample to be taken and he agreed to it in the presence of a doctor.

In his recap of the accident, Missick said he was driving at between 50 and 55 miles per hour when he collided with “an object” that was in

front of him, but at that time he “could not see or say” what it was.

He told the court that he turned his vehicle to the right to avoid the object in front of him, but “it happened so quick”. It was only after the accident that he discovered he had hit a scooter, he said.

Missick also testified that prior to the accident he was drinking by Club Pillows, by Brother Will’s Bar in The Bight where he was served a mixed vodka drink that was “too strong”, and also by Pompey’s in Five Cays. During cross-examination, Franklyn asked him how he was able to determine that the drink by Brother Will was “strong” and Missick replied: “I don’t drink strong...”.

On further questioning, Missick said he had “a little more than a sipand-a-half” of that strong drink, most of which he spilled in his vehicle after leaving the bar.

At Pompey’s, Missick said he had another drink of vodka and cranberry juice which he did not complete because it became watered down while he was talking with friends.

Franklyn asked Missick if he had reached the stage that night where

he was “feeling the liquor” and he said no.

Asked why he was intentionally driving above the 40-miles-per-hour speed limit, Missick said there was “no particular reason”.

Franklyn asked: “Did your vehicle collide with the scooter on the scooter’s side of the road?”

Missick replied: “It happened so fast that I can’t answer that sensibly.”

Franklyn then asked: “So you’re telling this court that you can’t say if it was on the scooter side of the road or your side of the road.”

Misick replied: “I don’t know which side.”

Franklyn asked: “Did you know if you crossed the center line?”

Missick answered: “All I can say is that it happened fast.”

Responding to another question, Missick said: “I swerved and they swerved and I don’t know where the point of impact hit.”

He also stated: “When I moved to avoid what I thought was an object and it moved, I realised that it was a human or a vehicle or something that moved.”

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 13

LOCAL NEWS

Cross-carrying minister from Tulsa visits TCI

By Todeline Defralien

Well known Cross-carrying minister from Tulsa, Mr. Keith Wheeler accompanied by his wife Nicole Wheeler recently visited the Turks and Caicos Islands and certainly left their mark in the communities.

The Tulsa-based minister, who for more than three decades has shouldered a 12-foot-tall wooden cross on walks to promote Christ worldwide visited Providenciales on his visit.

In an interview with The SUN, Wheeler said that although the country is breathtakingly beautiful, it was not the sand or the sea that stood out but it was the true beauty of the Turks Islanders.

He said, “Our journey to TCI was memorable in every possible way.

TCI was absolutely one of the most welcoming countries we have ever visited in 34 years on our pilgrimage around the world with the cross. From the moment we landed at the airport (before anyone knew about the cross) we were lavished with love, kindness and helpfulness. The cross was welcomed as in very few nations around the world.

All along the roadside people would stop in their vehicles, or come out of their homes or stores to visit and pray with us and so many beautiful people would bring us a bottle of cold water.”

Wheeler stated that with the help of his wife Nicole he began carrying the cross from the far North West tip of the Island, down to Blue Hills until it joins with the end of Millennium Highway. At the roundabout, they turned onto the Leeward highway and followed that all the way to the ferry.

Once that was completed, they came back to the other end of Millennium Highway and followed that into Downtown.

Asked why did he decide to carry a cross worldwide, Wheeler told The SUN that as he was praying one night in 1985 he felt that God spoke to his heart that he should make a large wooden cross and begin walking through the streets of the city where he was living at the time.

“When people ask me what was that like, all I can reply is that it was almost as if God took a firebrand (like used to brand animals) and branded my soul with those words. I knew that God speaks in a still, small voice, but I knew that He also used burning bushes, talking donkeys and even angels to speak to His servants. I had friends who had been “called” into ministry, but most of them were pastors, teachers, youth ministers, missionaries, or evangelists…but not carry a cross.

Over a short period of time, God in His precious and amazing grace, patiently and lovingly confirmed in many and various that I truly was to carry the cross. With heaps of the grace and mercy of God, I built a cross and put it on my shoulder and began walking on Good Friday, 1985,”he explained.

In addition, Wheeler said that none of his journeys are ever planned but he will be carrying the cross again in May.

“Actually, we will be in the USA for the next month and a half. I will be traveling and speaking at many churches and events. Then, with God’s help, I will leave again to carry the cross in May. Honestly, I don’t plan out any

HS LTD. HS LTD is seeking suitable applicants for the following position:

BARTENDER Fairways Bar & Grill Restaurant at Provo Golf Club has an immediate opening for an experienced Bartender who has a positive, engaging personality and can provide exceptional service to guest.

Position Description Responsible for preparing drinks for guest and serving them in a professional manner. The successful candidate should be well versed in bar service and drink preparation.

Requirements Must have 3 years or more experience preferably in hotel food and beverage industry. Must have a strong working knowledge of the bar and EPOS system. Excellent oral and written communication skills required.

Must be willing to work a variety of day/night, weekend shifts and public holidays. Excellent people skills in order to communicate well with guests and staff. Good presentation and a pleasant, friendly, bubbly personality are required. Wages for this position starts at $8.00 per hour 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.

The position is currently available. Closing date for application is April 15, 2019.

of the journey I try to only go where God says go and do what God says do.”

Wheeler also stated that his biggest goal is to put a smile on the face of Jesus and he wants to bring joy to his heart.

He continued: “He truly is worthy to receive that which he was slain, I love Him and I want to honor Him. I love people and I pray that God will use me to serve, bless, encourage, love on, and allow them to see how deep God’s love is for them and how very near his glorious presence is. I want people to know that our Father wants his children to come home and that he has paid a horrible price to give

us a priceless gift. I want to see heaven come and to see individuals, families and nations restored. I dream of a world where love rules, and humility and kindness are a way of life, a place where love, peace and joy replace fear, anger and sorrow.”

Wheeler noted that for him ministry is simply the overflow of a life lived in love with Jesus.

“It’s his ministry and I pray that his pure, undiluted love flows to me but also, through me. I don’t have any ability to touch, or change a life but when his love truly touches our lives we will be changed forever,” he concluded.

Osprey Beach Hotel Location: Duke Street, Grand Turk Wanted Full Time Lead Restaurant Server who will work as a peer to the wait staff and offer the best service possible. Able to work directly with the Food and Beverage Manager to train and ensure high-quality service and standard operating procedures involving safety and sanitation expectations.

• We Require A person who has worked in a number of restaurants for a minimum of three years and has a full knowledge of a least one POS system.

• Knowledgeable about dining and bar service and have a sufficient grasp of wine regions, varietals and styles together with cocktails to make recommendations to customers.

• Competence in building a close, knowledgeable team who work together to offer a charismatic, professional and caring service at all times.

• Understands that service issues can be complicated and is skilled in customer service.

Starting wage $10 hourly or based on experience plus gratuities This position is currently being held by a work permit holder Wanted Full time (preferably) or Part time restaurant server and bartender who will join a dedicated team.

• Proven experience in full service restaurant or/and bar serving • Hands on experience in cashier duties using POS • Attention to cleanliness and safety • Shows patience and a friendly approach to customers • Responsible and trustworthy Starting wage $8 hourly plus gratuities This is a new position Wanted Full time or Part time Cook to join a busy team of professionals • Experience in full service restaurant cooking and preparing all menu items in accordance to standards set by Management • Understanding of cooking methods, ingredients and equipment • Assist in stocking and maintaining sufficient levels of food • Maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment Starting wage $8 hourly or based on experience plus gratuities This position is currently held by a work permit holder All three positions require solid references, flexible schedule and proficiency in the English Language both written and spoken.

Applicants who are Islanders are invited to send copies of their applications to the Board in conjunction with Osprey Beach Hotel C.V To Osprey Beach Hotel, Duke Street, Grand Turk or email to ospreybeachhotel@ tciway.tc.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

LOCAL NEWS

Law firm Prudhoe Caribbean going places

In line with his stated intention to operate a specialist disputes firm across the Caribbean Region and beyond, firm founder, Tim Prudhoe appeared earlier this week in a ground-breaking hearing on insolvency recognition in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) court, in the United Allied Emirates.

The DIFC Court is modeled on the English Commercial Court and Mr. Prudhoe appeared on behalf of BVI-appointed liquidator chasing the proceeds of a large Ponzi scheme. He was successfully in obtaining in what is believed to be the first ever such recognition order in the DIFC.

Asked about the hearing and his international practice, Mr. Prudhoe responded: “Other than to confirm a positive outcome – and the first of its kind – I am not in a position to discuss details of the case. That said, the strategy of my firm actively to pursue overseas work from a TCI base is enjoying success.”

He continued, “As many people realise already, there are jurisdictions in the Caribbean Region that are generally

seen as having litigation capacity well beyond that of TCI. There is a need to for me to get on the road and look for the work that this difference creates simply motivates me to try harder. Just as I have worked in and around those other jurisdictions for many years, I am no stranger to hard work. Seeking out work amongst strong competition is something I am entirely comfortable with. Given its excellent transport links, there is no reason why TCI cannot be an effective net exporter of legal services.”

Prudhoe added: “The firm as a whole is proving repeatedly that it is entirely possible to do precisely that. We continue to grow cross-border disputes and contentious insolvency work as a way of offering truly unique experience for ambitious Turks and Caicos Islander colleagues. This particular BVI-sourced work in insolvency reflects my 15 years of practice in this type of BVI work. It is particularly appropriate for such work to be performed from a TCI base now that this jurisdiction boasts insolvency legislation similar to that of BVI. That

said, we certainly don’t limit ourselves as a firm either to BVI Commercial Court or DIFC Court work. Quality of work will always be the priority over geographic location of delivery of the court piece of the representation.”

He noted that in these types of complex and high-value disputes, there is often substantial preparatory work that can be done from TCI.

“We don’t see that aspect changing. When we as a firm can play a part in putting TCI on business “map” for sophisticated buyers of legal services then doing so can only help us create opportunity for the next generation of lawyers.”

Mr. Prudhoe is an Englishtrained Barrister was admitted in TCI in 2000. He recently appeared in other high value insolvency proceedings in Trinidad, unrelated to the pending Dubai hearing.

He added, “it is obviously important that the local TCI economy continues to grow and as it does many lawyers will understandably look to it as their primary source of work. However, there

Attorney-at-law, Tim Prudhoe is no reason at all why a lawyer based out of TCI should need to limit his or her litigation practice to locally-sourced work. I would certainly encourage any Turks and Caicos Islander lawyer ready for a challenge in the area of disputes work to widened their horizons. In my experience, fortune favours the brave.”

Workshop on combating financing of terrorism

In an effort to better prepare and equip authorities in the TCI in the area of preventing the Financing of Terrorist, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the Royal Turks & Caicos Police Financial Crimes Unit and the Customs Department hosted a one day workshop on Wednesday, March 20th 2019 at the Ministry of Finance Building, Downtown, Providenciales.

The session facilitated by Deputy DPP Mrs. Angela Brooks,

Police Detective Inspector Paulin Nemours and Senior Customs Intelligence and Investigation Officer Gregston Been covered the “Basic Combatting of the Financing of Terrorism Investigation Techniques”.

The CFT workshop welcomed participants from various sectors of the Government service including the Attorney Generals Chambers, the Financial Services Commission, Financial Intelligence Agency, Financial Crimes Unit, Integrity

SENIOR MECHANICAL TECHNICIANS Description Responsible for carrying out effective preventative and corrective repairs to plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification and standard mechanical tradesman practices and as directed by the Plant Production Manager.

Main Duties • Conduct competent and effective preventative and corrective maintenance on all generating prime movers units owned and operated by Fortis TCI in a cost effective manner consistent with manufacturer’s operating and maintenance guidelines in a manner that ensures the highest reliability and fuel efficiency from these units.

• Must be thoroughly familiar with all engine manuals and be able to competently perform all levels of preventative maintenance up to and including major overhauls without supervision on generating units owned and operated by the company.

• To be highly knowledgeable of and competent in the spares parts required by the generation units and supporting mechanical systems at the power plants owned and operated by Fortis TCI and to identify and recommend to the management staff of the Division the spares parts that are needed for maintenance.

• Effectively and competently diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic problems related to the effective operations of generation plant equipment.

• Display a profound knowledge of underlying theoretical and operating principles of all mechanical equipment used in diesel fired operation and to utilize this knowledge in developing the Technical competence and capacity of assigned junior maintenance personnel.

• Prepare comprehensive job reports and failure analysis report.

• Competently use proper tooling during equipment repair and safeguard and maintain tools and other mechanical repair equipment.

• Operate shop tools as needed to fabricate, repair, weld, solder, cut, drill, etc.

•Maintain records and reports as required, including inventory of necessary parts.

• Demonstrate leadership and commitment in ensuring that maintenance activities are performed by self and team members in full compliance with the company’s Environmental, Health and Safety policies and procedures when on the plant site and during the execution of work duties.

• Make recommendations (supported by data) to management staff in the Division of new techniques, tooling and processes to improve maintenance activities and increase overall plant efficiency.

• Be available to respond to emergencies at all times outside of regular working hours, as may be required by plant contingency.

Minimum Requirements: • Successfully complete all the units of module in NCCER Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 (or equivalent) and have at least 10 years industrial experience in the

Commission, the RTCI Police Force and the Customs and Immigration Department. The workshop topics were geared towards the Powers of law enforcement in the prevention of Terrorist financing, Partnership in the fight against terrorist financing and Methods of detection to prevent terrorist financing.

As the TCI continues its journey through the Mutual Evaluation process, it has become increasingly important for

our country to implement the recommendations put forward by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to ensure compliance and to play our role in the fight against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.

This means better equipping the relevant authorities in the TCI in the area of AML and CFT with the information necessary to prevent funding of any terrorist group, this includes any act, even locally that may be interrupted as terrorism.

operations, maintenance and repair of diesel generating stations. An Associate’s degree (or equivalent) in the mechanical engineering trades will be an accepted equivalent academic qualification.

• Successfully complete NCCER Crew Leadership Program (or equivalent supervisory/leadership training).

• Significant experience in failure diagnostics, trouble shooting and carrying out corrective maintenance/repair of Wärtsilä 20V32 & Caterpillar generating units is required.

•Experience in carryout preventative maintenance as team leader for Wärtsilä 20V32 & Caterpillar generating units up to the level of full engine overhaul is a mandatory requirement.

• A high degree of familiarity and competence in diesel engine theory and operations, trouble shooting of mechanical and rotary equipment, and mechanical repair tooling.

• Must be thoroughly familiar with all engine manuals and be able to competently perform all levels of preventative maintenance up to and including major overhauls without supervision on generating units owned and operated by the company.

• Above average analytical skills in math and principles of diesel engine machines • Excellence in interpretation of engineering drawings and manuals.

• Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English.

• Must display a high competency in the use of computers and standard engineering and office computing software programs utilized in maintenance activities, reporting and record keeping.

Salary range: $58,420- $87,640 Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications This position is currently held by a work permit holder. Qualified individuals should apply to the addresses below. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is April 2, 2019 to: Avi Adams Manager Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com AND aadams@fortistci.com Ms. Desireka Glinton Secretary Immigration Board Zone 2 Airport Road, Providenciales Email address: jobregistration@gov.tc

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 15

LOCAL NEWS

Sandals Foundation partners with interCaribbean Airways to donate to Grand Turk School

The Sandals Foundation-the “interCaribbean provides free and or charitable arm of the Sandals & Beaches reduced rate transport for schools Resorts- partnered with InterCaribbean around the country and around the Airways recently to bring over 400 region depending on the event, or the pounds of school supplies and literary number of seats. We recognize the items to students of the Ona Glinton teachers who teach, with two recent Primary School. The donations included retirees of over 40 years of service to an assortment of backpacks, notebooks, the schools on the islands receiving free reading material and classroom essentials travel in recognition of their service. It which were donated through the is important to recognize the teachers foundation’s partnership with School for the hard work they put in, who Specialty and guests of Beaches Turks see their students become parents and and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa. grandparents. We firmly believe that a

The donation marks the solid education is the very beginning of foundation’s second collaboration with the future for each child.” the Grand Turk based school and comes

Gwen Harvey, Principal of the as the foundation continues to broaden Ona Glinton Primary School commended its reach and impact across the Turks and both companies for their donation to Caicos in the wake of the foundation’s the school; “I was very impressed with 10th anniversary. The donation was what was presented and the interaction made possible through a partnership from the students. We really appreciate with locally owned interCaribbean having you here today and with the Airways. The airline sponsored airfare promise that you will assist us wherever and waived all fees for transporting the you can. When we get assistance from items. the corporate community we really

Elanor Krzanowski, Public appreciate it because it helps us fulfill our Relations Manager for Beaches Resort Carolina Torres interCaribbean, Gwen Harvey Principal OGPS, Elanor Krzanowski PR Manager, Ange objectives and our goals for the school.” noted,” Sandals Foundation is keen to Following the donation, foundation Toussaint PR Coordinator, Oddysyon Riley PR Clerk with students expand our literacy and educational representatives conducted an audit of events here in the Turks and Caicos. “We’re very grateful for partnerships such Caribbean region.

We have long the school to highlight needs and areas We’ve done several works with local as these because it helps us to reach a supported educational initiatives, where the foundation can be of further schools on Providenciales and our greater audience and create a greater providing support to schools around assistance. Foundation representatives aim is to extend our reach around the impact in Turks and Caicos and we look the country. We recognize the work of committed to increasing support of the other islands. Fortunately we were able forward to working with them on future the Sandals Foundation in supporting students and faculty going forward. to contact interCaribbean who was projects that would impact the other schools via different initiatives, it was On Monday, March 18th the gracious enough to provide us with islands.” Krzanowski said.

Sandals Foundation celebrated 10 years in our pleasure to fly the Sandals team and complimentary airfare to make this the Caribbean. The foundation supports Trevor Sadler, CEO of be part of this day.” donation possible.” interCaribbean Airways remarked, Speaking on how the airline three core areas including education,

Krzanowski further thanked the “interCaribbean is a leading airline of is helping to promote education community and environment. airline for collaborating on the project, the Turks and Caicos and the whole across the island, Sadler further noted,

• Be professional in dress and demeanor as befits the position of management personnel and ensure that a good public image of FortisTCI is maintained at all times.

• Perform other duties as may be assigned and/or required by Plant Operations contingencies from time to time.

MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR - GRAND TURK & SISTER ISLAND OPERATIONS • Responsible for detailed supervision of subordinate employees, who perform mechanical maintenance work activities at FortisTCI generating facilities.

• Under the direction of the Director of GDT Operations and/or his designate, the Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor will assist in the installation and maintenance of diesel engines and mechanical auxiliary equipment in a manner that will ensure reliable operation of these assets, as per design specifications.

• Assign and supervise the day to day activities of assigned staff, enforce safety, discipline, environmental responsibility and ensure that staff utilizes proper techniques in the execution of assigned duties.

• The Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor must understand and commit to the corporate vision, and successfully gain the support of subordinate employees and implement of that vision.

Main Duties • Supervise and mentor a knowledgeable and motivated plant work force. This includes the use of progressive discipline methods when required.

• Plan weekly maintenance schedules, assign work activity and provide work instructions for Mechanical Technicians based on monthly and annual work plans as directed by Director of GDT Operations and/ or his designate.

• Ensure a high degree of familiarity and profound knowledge of specifications, fundamental operating concepts and operating, required tooling and maintenance manuals and procedures for all plant production assets and equipment.

• Effectively supervise day to day work of Mechanical Technicians with particular regard to safety, efficiency and functionality of the plant.

• Evaluate Mechanical Technicians’ performance to ensure quality operations. Efficiently and effectively evaluate all subordinate staff during the performance appraisal processes and mid-year reviews.

• Conduct on the job training in day to day work with subordinate staff as and when required in carrying out effective preventative and corrective repairs to plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification.

• Prepare failures analysis report for generation plant equipment and advice Director of GDT Operations and/or his designate in a timely manner when spare parts, tools or other maintenance equipment need to be ordered.

• Conduct proper job planning for mechanical maintenance work to ensure all spares parts, tools and adequate manpower is available well in advance of works being carried out; ensure adherence to maintenance procedures and submit relevant maintenance reports to Director of GDT Operations.

• Assist in the preparation of annual work plans and capital maintenance budgets for the mechanical section as assigned and directed.

• Conduct testing and troubleshooting of plant equipment in mechanical aspects of the plant and train subordinate mechanical personnel to competently perform these functions.

•As and when required perform the duties of senior mechanical technician in carrying out effective preventative and corrective repairs to plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification.

• Be familiar with and adhere to all Company policies and procedures (including those established by past practice) relating to the position and to observe and enforce compliance of subordinate employees to these policies and procedures.

• Plan and conduct work in a manner consistent with the company’s commitment to the environment and ensure that subordinate employees are likewise in compliance.

• Be familiar with and adhere to the safety and operating procedures of the company and ensure that all personnel in the department follow these procedures.

• Maintain and ensure the accuracy of statistical records of plant operations and maintenance activities as required by the company.

• Provide calm and competent leadership in response to plant emergencies in a manner that inspires others to do likewise.

Duties • Prepare weekly, monthly and annual maintenance schedules and provide work instructions.

• Prepare job plans for maintenance work, submit maintenance reports and detailed failure analysis reports.

• Execute preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure high equipment availability.

• Any other related duty as assigned from time to time by Plant Production Manager.

Academic/Technical/Management Qualifications • Diploma in Mechanical Technology-Power option (3 year programs) or Technical certification in the trades equivalent to the City and Guilds of London Institute • Extensive experience trouble shooting Caterpillar Generator sets • 15 to 20 years’ experience in operations, installation and maintenance of rotating machinery in a power plant operations setting.

•A minimum of 5 years’ experience at a supervisory level in a power plant setting.

• A high degree of familiarity and competence in diesel engine theory and operations, extensive experience trouble shooting Caterpillar generator sets and rotary equipment; mechanical repair tooling and the ability to train others.

• Familiarity with and competency in the use of computers and standard computing software programs.

Abilities/Skills/Experience • Above average analytical skills in math and electrical theories • Excellence in interpretation of engineering drawings and manuals • Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English • Good man management and communication skills.

• Experience in working under utility emergency response condition • Experience in installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of large generation units.

• Ability to function effectively under emergency situations and thinks clearly and effective and deliver within deadlines and to work under pressure • Self-motivated, solution oriented and positive in outlook • Team player Salary range: $58,420- $87,640 Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

This position is currently held by a work permit holder. Qualified individuals should apply to the addresses below. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is April 2, 2019 to: Avi Adams Manager Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com AND aadams@fortistci.com Ms. Desireka Glinton Secretary Immigration Board Zone 2 Airport Road, Providenciales Email address: jobregistration@gov.tc

Page 16

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

LOCAL NEWS

Natural arthritis remedies

By Dr. Marsha Barnett

The word arthritis literally means inflammation to the joints.

Though there are different types of arthritis, the challenge of controlling the pain and swelling in the joints remains the same.

Most persons need to take medications whether at intervals or consistently, to get control of the pains and their lives. These medications do have side effects however which can be quite serious especially if taken over the long term.

As a result, many persons look to nature for remedies. There are dozens of supplements that claim they’re effective arthritis treatments, but can they really help improve your pain? Research shows that some really may help and might even enable you to take lower doses of prescription drugs!

Glucosamine Sulfate

&

Chondroitin

Most supplements that are marketed for joint health have both glucosamine and chondroitin in them. Chondroitin is found in our connective tissue and is integral for proper functioning of cartilage, bone and collagen in the skin. Experts believe this arthritis treatment works by helping to keep cartilage healthy, and a review of studies found that it significantly improved joint function and helped with pain and inflammation. In fact, a recent study compared it to ibuprofen and showed that in some cases, it gave similar pain relief!

Glucosamine is thought to help with osteoarthritis pain and protect cartilage from deteriorating. Using the sulphate salt of glucosamine seems to be more effective than other preparations.

A National Institutes of Health, NIH, study found that when combined, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are more effective that when taken by themselves.

Omega-3

There is solid medical evidence from a plethora of studies which indicate that omega -3 fatty acids have an antiinflammatory effect on the body. Omega3s are well known to be heart healthy but they are also great for the joints.

When being taken for joint pains daily supplementation should be used and many rheumatologists suggest between 1000-3000mg per day. We can however get these healthy fats from our diet as well.

As such, a diet filled with fatty fish such as salmon and sardines and nuts like walnuts is advisable. This is particularly true if your joint pains are from a generalized inflammatory process such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

SAM-e

Several studies have found S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e), a chemical that occurs naturally in the body, to be helpful for osteoarthritis.

Research has even shown that it may be as effective an arthritis treatment as pain killers such as ibuprofen. However,

it can interfere with other medications, including antidepressants.

Fruits & Vegetables

A diet full of fruits and vegetables will be stocked with lots of vitamins, minerals and of course, antioxidants. Vitamin C, which is found in high quantities in most citrus fruits, is important in building connective tissue.

It is integral in building strong bones and elastic and youthful skin.

Whilst studies geared at proving that vitamin C can help with joint pains have been equivocal, research has found that people with the least amount of vitamin C in their diet were three times more likely to develop arthritis than people whose diets included plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Spices: Ginger & Turmeric Ginger root, either fresh or dried, is known to improve joint pain and reduce inflammation for people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Marsha Barnett Turmeric, which is a bright yellow spice which gives curry its color, is ground the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. from a plant related to ginger root has When choosing supplements, stick with well-known lines and always discuss it also been shown to have similar effects.

An antioxidant compound in turmeric with your doctor before you start as they known as curcumin is said to fight may interact with other medications you inflammation. Adding ginger and may be taking. turmeric to your diet will not only add to the tastiness of your dishes but also *Dr. Marsha Barnett is a general the flexibility of your joints! However, practitioner who also specialises in supplement form both turmeric and in dermatology. For questions or ginger can interact with blood thinners comments, please contact her at drmarshabarnett@gmail.com or at and can aggravate gallbladder disease.

Supplements are not free of side Associated Medical Practices - 9464242. effects and they aren’t regulated by

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION Regulating with Honesty, Integrity and Transparency

The Turks and Caicos Christian Council Incorporated, was birthed out of the Providenciales Ministerial Fellowship. The organization Is a fully registered Non-Proot Organization under the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands Companies Ordinance since 2017.

The objective for which the organization was established is: The Turks and Caicos Christian council apart from its core functions of Christian communion is an advocacy-based Institution in ve areas; education, family values, Governance & Law and Order, Human Rights and Gender, and Social and Economic Justice.

The goal of the Turks and Caicos Christian Council is to contribute to the advancement and development of a peaceful, just and equitable society in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The TCCC seeks an increase engagement of itself, members churches and citizens groups with local and national government on social and economic policies and practices b. This would assist to enable the Turks and Caicos Islands government to be more accountable to its citizens.

Elections were held in November of 2017 and the following persons were elected to form the Executive body of the TCCC: President – Bishop Bryant Cox, Rock of Jesus Ministry Vice President – Bishop Rueben Johnson, New Vision Kingdom Ministries Secretary – Bishop Andrew Stone – Church of God of Prophecy – Blue Hills Public Relations – Pastor Wilbur Jennings – Kingdom Dominion International Treasurer – Pastor Carol Skippings – Church of God of Prophecy – Airport Road The TCCC acknowledges that there are several issues facing the Church and the Turks and Caicos Islands from Immigration issues to same-sex marriage and over the next few weeks we will embark on addressing these issues head on by engaging the local churches and relevant Government Departments.

We are inviting churches within the Turks and Caicos that have not registered with the TCCC to do so by contacting ________________________ . This will ensure that your local church becomes involved in the ongoing activities and initiatives of the TCCC. TCCC is soliciting the full support of the Christian community as it strives to ensure we as a community and country maintain our Christian heritage and identity.

PUBLIC NOTICE We would like to notify our esteemed customers that effective 1 April 2019 the Companies Registry in Grand Turk and Business Name Unit in Provo, will have new public opening hours. Our offices will be open to the public from 8:30am and will close to the public Monday to Thursday at 3:30pm and on Friday at 3:00pm. You can contact any member of staff after these hours via email or telephone.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused as we transition to the new public opening hours.

We assure you and reiterate our commitment to serving you during this time with dedication in furtherance of the Commission’s Mission and Values.

END Bishop Bryant Cox

P.O. Box 140 • Caribbean Place • Leeward Highway • Providenciales • Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946 – 5314/941 – 8311 • Fax: (649) 941 – 3569 P.O. Box 79 • Waterloo Plaza • Waterloo Road • Grand Turk • Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946 – 2791/946 – 2550 • Fax: (649) 946 – 1714 Website: www.tcifsc.tcEmail: fsc@tcifsc.tc

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 17

LOCAL NEWS

More local businesses need a piece of the pie

By Drexwell Seymour

As we prepare for the Turks and Caicos Empowerment Conference this weekend, one of the challenges I believe that will be highlighted is that many local businesses are not getting a piece of the pie. One of the primary reasons is the challenges with the Public Procurement Process and the other challenge is the fact that many resorts have concessions and no need to support local businesses.

Because of the challenges, many businesses refuse to participate in the procurement process and so sometimes it appears the same set of people are winning the bids. Perhaps it is because they are the only ones submitting bids.

This article however, is not about other local business but about businesses operating outside of Turks and Caicos and are able to bid on Government jobs.

The Procurement OrdinanceBusinesses outside of TCI can bid on tenders

Based on the current procurement ordinance and the tender evaluation criteria, it seems businesses outside of TCI are competing with locally registered businesses on the public tenders. Some of these international companies are the suppliers themselves and therefore have competitive advantages over the local businesses. In fact, I am aware of a few local businesses that lost the bid to the international supplier because the international supplier bid on the same job and of

Marjorie Basden In South Caicos Is seeking a Labourer Duties include: general upkeep of the property and may include painting, cleaning etc To work 5 days per week Salary is $250.00 per week Please Contact: 231-2894 This position is currently held by a Work Permit Holder Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders can send a copy of their applications to the Immigration Board

course the bid was lower. Is this fair? Is it right to have an outside business to compete with a local company especially if the local company can provide the services? How are we going to empower our local businesses?

it is form of protection and surety for the completion of the job. Ironically though, some contractors do not have to put up any bond at all when bidding on jobs in the private sector?

Recommendations

Discrimination

Section 8 of the Procurement Ordinance specifically state they want to encourage completion and effective competition requires nondiscrimination. In my opinion, the fact that the international suppliers can bid on a job is a discrimination in itself.

Also, the fact that local businesses are paying the local fees, local payroll costs, NHIB, NIB and are actively operating and participating in TCI, they have more overhead costs than the international suppliers. Isn’t this creating a disadvantage and in so doing isn’t this discrimination? Furthermore, local businesses are required to prove they are in good standing with NHIB and NIB when submitting tenders. What do the international companies have to prove?

Construction contracts For construction contracts in particular, the contractor is required to put up a bond of approximately 20% of the value of the contract. This can create major cash flows for businesses and so only a few businesses may be able to bid on the jobs due to their cash flow position. I understand the rationale for the bond as

L J Contracting Services Location: Kew Town, Providenciales Is seeking a (1) Electrician - $9.00 per hour Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems and Inspect electrical components Is seeking (1) Receptionist - $7.50 per hour Greeting in person or on the telephone; answering or referring inquiries To work 6 days a week These positions are new Please Contact: 331-8546 Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board #814079

I believe the tender process should be in a tiered process. Any projects that are expected to cost $2 million or less should be restricted to a Turks and Caicos Registered Company and that company should be in full operation for at least a year and of course have a valid business licence in the Turks and Caicos

Only specialized services or goods that local companies cannot source should be open to international companies if the value is less than $2million.

The construction bond should be set perhaps between 5 and 10 percent depending on the value of the job. This will provide an opportunity for other businesses to participate in the process.

Statutory Bodies need to follow the same recommendations as there are a number of them that they are ordering things from abroad and therefore do not support the local businesses.

Conclusion If we want to empower our local businesses and see their companies grow, then we need to allow only local companies to participate in the tender process.

It is already a challenge for some

Drexwell Seymour local business to get business in the private sector and the only opportunity they perhaps have is to participate in the Public Sector bidding process.

I know Governments want the best value for their money. If the locals tender bid too high then re tender the jobs. The same way Governments want to ensure locals are hire before issuing a work permit, this same principle should apply to the tender process. Give the qualified local businesses the first opportunity.

Project Manager and Maintenance Coordinator Must be able to plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from concept, tender to completion and include the following •Proven experience as Construction Project Manager •Organize and oversee construction procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

•Collaborate and coordinate with engineers, architects and consultants to create specifications for projects •Draft and negotiate contracts with external vendors •Determine required project resources (manpower, equipment and materials) with close attention to budgetary limitations •Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure timely delivery – create and implement Gant sheets •Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to enable work flow consistently •Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities •Evaluate progress and prepare detailed weekly reports for management •Communicate with clients and manage client requirements in written and verbal form •Outstanding communication and negotiation skills •Excellent organizational and time-management skills •Flawless reporting and documentation skills •A team player with leadership abilities Competency in the following IT programmes is a requirement of the application: •Microsoft Excel •AutoCad •Sketchup •Smartsheet •CoConstruct Ability requirements: Fluent verbal and written English necessary Fluent Spanish or French beneficial Min 15+ years experience in Construction Management.

Good on the ground experience of site management for large scale projects to include post completion maintenance systems and programmes.

Salary: $6,000 per month subject to experience Resumes to be submitted to: Windward Construction Ltd, Third Floor Graceway House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Page 18

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

GOVERNMENT VACANCIES – (APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5th April, 2019) Please Note: Applications that are not accompanied by all required supporting documents will not be processed.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

RESEARCH AND PLANNING OFFICER – JCB8-3 EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 6: $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This incumbent is to undertake research and evaluation activities that will provide the Department / Ministry with evidence required for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

SENIOR CASEWORKER SUPERVISOR – JCB8-4 EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 6: $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This position exists to provide management and operational oversight over Case-workers within the Department of Employment Services.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

CLERICAL ASSISTANT (DATA INPUT OFFICER) - JCB8-5 EMPLOYMENT SERVICES MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 3: $16,707.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This is an administrative support position for the office. The job holder will undertake clerical and administrative tasks to support the day-to-day running of the office.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

MANAGER OF REGISTRATION AND CITIZENSHIP /TCI STATUS – JCB8-6 REGISTRATION AND CITIZENSHIP MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT GRAND TURK GRADE 8: $51,147.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The incumbent in this position will undertake all responsibilities for the efficient operation of the Turks and Caicos Islands Status Commission including research, review, investigation, preparation of applications for assessment by the Commission; recording of minutes and preparations of documents for presentation to the Commission.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

CUSTOMER SERVICE CLERK - JCB8-7 CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 4: $21,935.00 PER ANNUM

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019 ACCOUNTS OFFICER – JCB8-15 ACCOUNTANT GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT MINISTRY OF FINANCE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 5: $26,650.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This is an accounting support position. It has responsibility for the effective administration of the cash management processes.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER JCB8-16 ACCOUNTANT GENERAL DEPARTMENT FINANCE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT GRAND TURK GRADE 7: $41,205.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The incumbent will provide financial support to the Ministry/Administrative Unit assigned on all financial matters pertaining to that portfolio (including all departments and sections).

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

PROJECT MANAGER ¬-CBB8-17 PUBLIC WORKS GRAND TURK GRADE 6.1: $33,415.00

JOB SUMMARY: The job holder’s responsibilities include ensuring value for money for TCIG by checking the installation, specification and workmanship in government contracts and ensuring that they meet the contractual requirements.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

PROJECT MANAGER ¬-CBB8-18 PUBLIC WORKS GRAND TURK AND PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 8.1: $51,147.50 PER ANNUM PLUS ALLOWANCES

JOB SUMMARY: The Project Manager is responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Government infrastructure projects, across the islands. The incumbent is required to liaise with Government agencies to enable the successful completion of Capital projects under the government’s Capital Development Funding.

JOB TITLE: MINISTRY: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

PLUMBER - CBB8-20 INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND PLANNING PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SOUTH CAICOS GRADE 4.1 $843.65 BI-WEEKLY

JOB SUMMARY: The post holder is responsible to provide Plumbing support on all jobs associated with the pipe distribution network – fixing leaks, installation of service connections, disconnections and reconnections. This post will assist with the general maintenance of the entire distribution network.

JOB TITLE: ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR - CBB8-21 DEPARTMENT: PLANNING DEPARTMENT MINISTRY: MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND PLANNING LOCATION: PROVIDENCIALES SALARY: GRADE 5.1: $26,650.00 PER ANNUM JOB SUMMARY: This is a mid-level technical support position with responsibility for the electrical inspection of new and existing electrical installations, and equipment, to ensure compliance with the National Electrical Code for workmanship and safety factors.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - CBB8-22 PUBLIC WORKS GRAND TURK GRADE 5.1 - $26,650.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This post holder will be responsible for communicating with customers and answering their queries both locally and internationally showing dedication towards making sure that customer queries are resolved on time and that they are satisfied with the organization, thereby leaving a good impression.

JOB SUMMARY: This is an administrative position, which has responsibility for the smooth operation of administrative functions in the office and for dealing with information that is sensitive and/or confidential.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

INTELLIGENCE MANAGER – JCB8-8 IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 7: $41,205.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This position is to support the department in the key areas of tactical employment, training, administration, personnel management, maintenance, force protection, and sustainment of the Intelligence Team.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

DEPUTY DIRECTOR SPPD - JCB8-11 STRATEGIC POLICY AND PLANNING UNIT MINISTRY OF FINANCE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT 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 and facilitating and implementing economic policies to promote sustainable economic and social development, providing project management supervision and monitoring and assessing impacts and has oversight responsibility for resource mobilization including debt contacting, negotiations and reporting, coordination of donor programs and assisting with overseeing the day to day operations of the Department.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

TAX OFFICER - JCB8-12 REVENUE CONTROL UNIT MINISTRY OF FINANCE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 6: $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

AC SUPERVISOR - CBB8-23 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT GRAND TURK GRADE 5.1 $26,650.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The post holder responsibilities include the installation, maintenance and repairs to all air conditioning and refrigeration units in government buildings.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

QUARANTINE OFFICER - KHB8-24 AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 6 - $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: To oversee and evaluate the trapping operations of the animal welfare unit and enforcement of animal control ordinances.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

CLIENT CARE ASSISTANT - KHB08-25 SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT – WELLNESS CENTER SOUTH CAICOS GRADE 4.1: $21,935.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This is a practical nursing position with basic level responsibility for patient health care in the wellness center.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

CLINICAL NURSE (MEDICAL) - KHB08-26 SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT – WELLNESS CENTER SOUTH CAICOS GRADE 5.1 $26,650.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The incumbent in this position is expected to conduct the necessary activities to get Taxpayers in default to comply with the requirements under the Revenue Ordinances and Regulations and maintain Compliance and Arrears cases assigned by the Assistant Commissioner/Senior Tax Officer.

JOB SUMMARY: This a professional nursing position with basic level responsibility for patient/client health care in the Wellness Center/Special Needs Unit on Grand Turk and South Caicos.

JOB TITLE: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

CROWN COUNSEL – JCB8-13 MINISTRY OF FINANCE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT GRAND TURK GRADE 8: $51,147.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The job holder in this position must be able to provide legal advice to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade as it relates to a wide range of Government financial and taxation matters.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICER – JCB8-14 CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT MINISTRY OF FINANCE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 6: $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This position is the team leader responsible for the operational units within the Customs Department.

PORTER - KHB08-27 SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT SOUTH CAICOS Grade 1.1 $499.98 BI-WEEKLY

JOB SUMMARY: To provide support service to the Wellness Center personnel to maintain the cleanliness of buildings, moving clients and moving supplies and materials JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

MAID - KHB08-28 SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT GRAND TURK Grade 1.1 $499.98 BI-WEEKLY

JOB SUMMARY: The successful candidate will be responsible to provide clean, sanitary comfortable, orderly and satisfying surroundings for the users of the facilities.

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

GOVERNMENT VACANCIES – (APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5th April, 2019) Please Note: Applications that are not accompanied by all required supporting documents will not be processed.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM OFFICER - KHB08-29 SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 6.1: $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for the coordination of programmes and activities that would enrich the lives and quality of life of the elderly and persons with special needs.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST - KHB8-30 SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT/SNAP CENTER PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 8 - $51,147.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY This is a professional position, performing evaluations, developing and implementing effective patient treatment plans.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

DIRECTOR/EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES - KHB8-31 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 9.1 $59,552.50 PER ANNUM PLUS ALLOWANCES

JOB SUMMARY This is a senior management position with nationwide responsibility for the administration of the Emergency Medical Services Department throughout TCI. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

CLERICAL ASSISTANT - KHB8-32 DENTAL DEPARTMENT HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, HUMAN SERVICES AND SPORTS GRAND TURK& PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 3.1 $16,707.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This is an administrative support position for the office. The job holder will undertake clerical and administrative tasks to support the day-to-day running of the office.

JOB TITLE: CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER - KHB8-33 DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE MINISTRY: HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, HUMAN SERVICES AND SPORTS LOCATION: GRAND TURK& PROVIDENCIALES SALARY: GRADE 8.1 $51,147.50 PER ANNUM JOB SUMMARY: This is senior management position with nationwide responsibility for animal health, biosecurity and administration of the Animal Health Services Division.

JOB TITLE: CHIEF PLANT PROTECTION OFFICER - KHB8-34 DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE MINISTRY: HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, HUMAN SERVICES AND SPORTS LOCATION: PROVIDENCIALES SALARY: GRADE 7.1 $41,205.00 PER ANNUM JOB SUMMARY: To mitigate and /or prevent the ingress and spread of plant pests and diseases of quarantine and economic significance in the Turks and Caicos Islands, utilizing World Trade Organization, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS Agreement).

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

DENTAL SURGEON - KHB8-35 DENTAL DEPARTMENT HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, HUMAN SERVICES AND SPORTS GRAND TURK GRADE 8.1 $51,147.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The Dental Surgeon serves as a general dental practitioner responsible for diagnosing and treating patients, and managing and leading a dental team in providing dental services JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

DEPUTY NATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST- KHB8-36 NATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RESEARCH UNIT MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, SPORTS AND HUMAN SERVICES GRAND TURK GRADE 8.1 $51,147.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: To assist/support the National Epidemiologist to plan, develop and implement epidemiologic and research programmes under the auspices of the National Epidemiology and Research Unit (NERU).

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

MAID - KHB8-37 NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 1.1 $499.98 BI-WEEKLY

JOB SUMMARY: The successful candidate will be responsible to provide clean, sanitary comfortable, orderly and satisfying surroundings for the users of the facilities.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

PORTER - KHB08-38 NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 1.1 $499.98 BI-WEEKLY

JOB SUMMARY: To provide support services to the Wellness Center personnel to maintain the cleanliness of buildings, moving clients and moving supplies and materials JOB TITLE: LABOURER - KHB8-39 DEPARTMENT: AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT LOCATION: PROVIDENCIALES SALARY: GRADE 1.1 $499.98 BI-WEEKLY JOB SUMMARY: The post holder’s responsibilities include providing labour/assistance in all aspects of animal (canine) control.

JOB TITLE: MINISTRY: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Page 19 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - CFB8-40 MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION & COMMUNICATION DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCIES (DDME) PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 5 $26,650.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This is an administrative position, which has responsibility for the smooth operation of administrative functions in the office and for dealing with information that is sensitive and/or confidential.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

HAZARD MITIGATION OFFICER - CFB8-41 DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCIES HOME AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION & COMMUNICATION PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 6.1 $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Hazard Mitigation Manager the Hazard Mitigation Officer is responsible for assisting the administration of the Department’s Mitigation & Planning Programmes.

JOB TITLE: PRISON OFFICER – CFB8-42 DEPARTMENT: HER MAJESTY’S PRISON SERVICE MINISTRY: MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION LOCATION: GRAND TURK SALARY: GRADE 5 $26,650.00 PER ANNUM PLUS ALLOWANCES JOB SUMMARY: To support the Superintendent of Prisons to maintain security, control, supervision and the safe custody of offenders. The successful candidate will be responsible for looking after Offenders and to help them lead law abiding and useful lives in custody and after release.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

PRISON MAINTENANCE MANAGER – CFB8-43 HER MAJESTY’S PRISON SERVICE HOME AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION & COMMUNICATION GRAND TURK GRADE 6: $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: To support the Superintendent of Prisons to maintain security, control, supervision and the Maintenance of the establishment.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

PRISON NURSE – CFB8-44 HER MAJESTY’S PRISON SERVICE HOME AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION & COMMUNICATION GRAND TURK GRADE 6: $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The position has specific responsibility for the Health screening and provision of medical care and referrals at HM Prison.

JOB TITLE: MINISTRY: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER LWB8- 45 EDUCATION, YOUTH, CULTURE & LIBRARY SERVICES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT – IRIS STUBBS PRIMARY SCHOOL SOUTH CAICOS GRADE 1.1 $499.98 BI – WEEKLY

JOB SUMMARY: This is a general support services position, to assist with cleaning and maintenance of assigned facilities and grounds so that they are clean and ready for use.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

GRADUATE PRIMARY TEACHER -LWB8-46 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, CULTURE AND LIBRARY SERVICES NORTH CAICOS (HUBERT JAMES PRIMARY SCHOOL) $35,926.25 PER ANNUM PLUS ALLOWANCES

JOB SUMMARY: This is a professional position which has responsibility for the instruction and supervision of students in primary schools.

JOB TITLE: MINISTRY: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND PARKS SUPERVISOR (CIPS) CFB8-47 MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE, MARITIME AND GAMING ENVIRONMENT AND COASTAL RESOURCES PROVIDENCIALES SALARY: - GRADE 6.1 $33,415.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: The post is a mid-level position with island-wide and national significance, mandated to assist in the planning, directing, promotion and implementation of DECR’s management of the non-protected coastal areas, Protected Areas, and fisheries infrastructures.

JOB TITLE: MINISTRY: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

CONSERVATION OFFICER CFB8-48 MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE, MARITIME AND GAMING ENVIRONMENT AND COASTAL RESOURCES PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 5 $26,650.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This is a mid-level post, with national responsibility for the enforcement of all pertinent environmental, fisheries and maritime laws in TCI. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

DEPUTY DIRECTOR CFB8-49 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND COASTAL RESOURCES (DECR) MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE, MARITIME AND GAMING PROVIDENCIALES GRADE 8 $51,147.50 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This post supports the Director of DECR. It is a senior management position with responsibility to enforce environmental and maritime laws in the TCI. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE- KHB8-50 PRIMARY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, HUMAN SERVICES AND SPORTS SALT CAY GRADE 4.1 $21,935.00 PER ANNUM

JOB SUMMARY: This is a practical position, with basic level responsibility for ensuring that culturally diverse populations and underserved communities receive proper medical attention in the primary health care clinics and the community at large in collaboration with other Primary Health staff.

JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY: LOCATION: SALARY:

COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE- KHB8-51 PRIMARY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, HUMAN SERVICES AND SPORTS NORTH CAICOS GRADE 7.1 $41,205. 00 PER ANNUM

This is a professional position in the nursing service focused on promoting and restoring patients’ health through the utilization of the nursing process; collaborating with physicians and multidisciplinary team members; providing physical and psychological support to patients, friends and families; supervising assigned team members.

Page 20

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OPEN JOB POSITION

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

Salary Range: $6.50 - $7.00 per hour DATE OPEN: March 18, 2019 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Cook PROPERTY: Point Grace

Job Overview: A Line Cook’s major responsibility is to prepare food, help the kitchen workers in the preparation of food items and set up allocated stations for menu, as instructed by Chef and compliant with standards. They also arrange, prepare and break down the stations while maintaining the uppermost hygienic standards. Shifts vary. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

DATE OPENED: March 19, 2019 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Labourer PROPERTY: Point Grace

This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour& Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range:$6.75 - $7.50 per hour

Job Overview: Perform tasks involving physical labor at work sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, and clean up rubble, debris and other waste materials.

May assist other craft workers.Shifts varies. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

DATE OPEN: March 18, 2019 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Bartender PROPERTY: Grace Bay Club

This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour& Work Permit Board Zone 2Salary Range: $6.25 - $6.75 per hour

DATE OPEN: March 18, 2019 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Cook PROPERTY: Grace Bay Resorts

Job Overview: A Line Cook’s major responsibility is to prepare food, help the kitchen workers in the preparation of food items and set up allocated stations for menu, as instructed by Chef and compliant with standards. They also arrange, prepare and break down the stations while maintaining the uppermost hygienic standards. Shifts vary. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour& Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range:$21,600.00 - $26,400.00 per annum DATE OPEN: March 18, 2019 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Housekeeper PROPERTY: Point Grace Job Overview:We are looking for a professional Housekeeper able of attending to our facilities with integrity and attention to detail. The goal is to create a clean and orderly environment for our guests that will become a critical factor in maintaining and strengthening our reputation.

Responsibilities: •Perform a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing •Ensure all rooms are cared for and inspected according to standards •Protect equipment and make sure there are no inadequacies •Notify superiors on any damages, deficits and disturbances •Deal with reasonable complaints/requests with professionalism and patience •Check stocking levels of all consumables and replace when appropriate •Adhere strictly to rules regarding health and safety and be aware of any company-related practices Shifts varies. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour& Work Permit Board Zone 2

Job Description:Prepare alcohol or non-alcohol beverages for bar and restaurant patrons. Interact with customers, take orders and serve snacks and drinks. Assess customers’ needs and preferences and make recommendations. Mix ingredients to prepare cocktails.

Shifts varies. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour& Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range:$6.75 - $7.25 per hour DATE OPEN: March 18, 2019 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Kids Town Counsellor PROPERTY: West Bay Club Job Overview:The Kids Town Counselor is responsible for leading and implementing different programs and experiences for children in an individual and small group setting. They will also be responsible for the general safety and entertainment of the participants in his/her group. The candidate will provide high quality outdoor educational and recreational experiences for participants that focus on during their time spent at the Kids Town.Shifts varies. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

Qualifications •Ability to lead, plan, organize, and implement program activities.

•Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.

•Strong organizational and communication skills.

Physical Demands •Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in camp activities which include, but are not limited to, watersport activities, swimming, team building initiatives and physical games •Must have the ability to restrain and physically support children when needed for safety in general activities This position is currently held by an expatriate worker Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour& Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range:$8.00 - $8.50 per hour Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than April 5th, 2019 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1020 Email: humanresources@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 21

Page 22

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

NIGHT AUDITOR RESPONSIBILITIES •Ensuring that all charges and credits are posted accurately to guest accounts; that the telephone call accounting system reporting has been completed and system is functional •Balancing all credit card charges to cashiers reports and hard and soft copies are balanced with credit card folios •Organizing the night audit work in an orderly manner for distribution to the accounts department •Closing out of accounts and resetting the system for the next day’s operation •Conducts analytical review of all daily Front Office and Room transactions reports and to rectify and discrepancies.

•Acting as Manager on Duty and maintain an open line of communication between guests, team members and management.

•Performing Front Office duties, processing express checkouts and assisting guests as needed during the shift REQUIREMENTS •Must have 3 or more years previous experience as a Night Auditor in a resort or condominium environment •Proficient in Microsoft office and Visual one is a MUST •Clear communications skills (written and oral) •Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays Salary commencing at $10.00 an hour and is based on experience. Belongers only need apply 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 and operationalizes 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 commencing at $50,000.00 and is based on experience. Belongers only need apply Interested persons may contact out Corporate HR department office or by submitting your resume with qualifications and experience to: hr@wihl.com Please also submit a copy of your completed application to our labour department.

Closing date April 5th, 2019

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 23

LOCAL NEWS

2nd Annual Melody and Symphony High School Singing Competition Harmony Melody and Symphony presented its 2nd annual High School singing competition on Saturday March 23rd at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre.

Ten students from around the Islands went head to head to be crowned this year’s competition winner. Aaliyah Elliot from the Clement Howell High

School was crowned this year’s winner.

Ruth St. Flurent of Raymond Gardiner High came in second place, followed

by Asley Jean of Clement Howell High School in third 3rd place.

Apple Astwood, Organizer of the event in another year well-executed the event and continues to give young singers/musicians an opportunity to

shine.

Judges were Ismay Kerr (Jamaican), Kariyanna Cox (Turks and caicos Islander) and Lyssette Wilson (Jamaican).

The MC for the show was Mrs. Rachel Taylor and Huntley Forbes (Super p).

Astwood thanked all of the event sponsors from the Education Department, Nell’s gift shop, Premier’s

office, Wellington collection, Tourism Department, Pelican Design, Hon. Sean Astwood and Hon. Lillian Boyce.

This year’s participants were, Latoya Fulford, Kira Stewrt, Tanell Gray, Ruth St. Flurent, Jerqual Smith, Davis Gardiner, Aaliyah Elliot, Kendly Smith, Ashley Jean and Kurt Tomilson

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SAMUEL MEDAS

KEM GARDINER AND FEARLESS PRAISE

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

JARON NURSE

ANGEL COLEBY-TAYLOR

JAY MORLEY MINISTRIES

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARINA BUSINESS ANALYST

RESPONSIBILITIES • Creating monthly and annual reports to identify results, trends, and financial forecasts; • Creating informative, actionable and repeatable reporting the highlights relevant business trends and opportunities for improvement; • Conducting insightful, ad hoc analyses to investigate ongoing or one-time operational issues; • Conducting and coordinating financial, product, market, operational and related research to support strategic and business planning; • Developing budgets and financial plans for the department based on research and historical data; • Preparing quantitative and qualitative variance reports of Budgets Vs Actuals, as well as Investigating and obtaining explanations for significant variances.

REQUIREMENTS • Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Business or any other numerical discipline or relevant work experience; • Financial modeling skills and understanding of accounting; • High level of proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of products, especially Excel; • Clear communications skills (written and oral) • Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays Salary commencing at $36,000.00 per annum and is based on experience. Belongers only need apply

FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVERS

RESPONSIBILITIES Responsible for welcoming and greeting guests with a worm friendly smile, inform guest of specials and menu changes, makes suggestions and answer questions regarding food, beverages, and service; processes’ guests orders and ensures all items are prepared properly and in a timely manner, communicates with kitchen staff to ensure guest satisfaction with the food and service; prepares guest checks that itemize and toal meal costs and sales tax and accepts payment.

Salary commencing at $7.00 - $9.00 per hour. Belongers only need apply

Interested persons may contact out Corporate HR department office or by submitting your resume with qualifications and experience to: hr@wihl.com Please also submit a copy of your completed application to our labour department.

Closing date April 13th, 2019

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ENTERTAINMENT

Cardi B responds to backlash over her drugging, robbing men

Family members celebrate birthday of late ‘Queen of Soul’

Family members of the late Aretha Franklin gather before entering the Mausoleum Chapel at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Monday, March 25, 2019, in Detroit

Rapper Cardi B, center, arriving at Queens County Criminal Court in New York on charges related to a brawl at a New York strip club

Cardi B is trying to clarify herself after a video resurfaced online where the rapper said she drugged and robbed men for money.

The Grammy winner posted a statement Tuesday on Instagram that she had “very limited options” and needed to do

anything to “survive.” The former stripper says she wasn’t trying to glorify her actions, but felt it was necessary at the time.

Cardi B is facing backlash from the Instagram Live video she says is from three years ago. Some on social media have criticized

the rapper for her admission with the hashtag #SurvivingCardiB in reference to the R. Kelly documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”

Cardi says the men she spoke about in the video were ones she dated and they were “conscious, willing and aware.”

Dismissal of Smollett case brings backlash, more questions

Prosecutors still insist Jussie Smollett faked a racist, antigay attack on himself in the hopes that the attention would advance his acting career. The “Empire” star still says he was assaulted by two men late at night in downtown Chicago.

But with little explanation, authorities on Tuesday abruptly dropped all charges against Smollett, abandoning the criminal case only five weeks after the allegations were filed. In return, prosecutors said, the actor agreed to let the city keep his $10,000 in bail.

The dismissal drew a swift Actor Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago after backlash from the mayor and police prosecutors dropped all charges against him on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 chief and raised questions about entertainment industry cautious that the defendant accept at least a why Smollett was not forced to about fully embracing him. measure of responsibility. Outside admit what prosecutors had said Defense attorneys said court, neither Smollett nor his legal they could prove in court — that Smollett’s record was “wiped clean” team appeared to concede anything the entire episode was a publicity of the 16 felony counts related to about his original report in January . stunt. making a false report. The actor, Defense attorney Patricia

Among those sure to who also agreed to do community Brown Holmes said Smollett was keep pressing for answers is service, insisted that he had “been “attacked by two people he was Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, truthful and consistent on every unable to identify” and “was a who appeared blindsided by the single level since day one.” victim who was vilified and made decision. His voice rising in anger “I would not be my to appear as a perpetrator.” at times, Emanuel called the deal mother’s son if I was capable of one Authorities alleged that “a whitewash of justice” and lashed drop of what I was being accused Smollett, who is black and gay, out at Smollett. He said Smollett had of,” he told reporters after a court knew the men and arranged for exploited hate-crime laws meant to hearing. He thanked the state of them to pretend to attack him. protect minorities by turning the Illinois “for attempting to do what’s Emanuel, who leaves office laws “inside out, upside down for right.” in May after two terms, said the only one thing — himself.”

In a statement, a hoax could endanger other gay “Where is the spokeswoman for the Cook people who report hate crimes by accountability in the system?” County prosecutors’ office said the casting doubt on whether they are Emanuel asked. “You cannot have, dismissal came “after reviewing all telling the truth. because of a person’s position, of the facts and circumstances of Police Superintendent one set of rules apply to them the case.” Tandra Simonton called it Eddie Johnson said Chicago “is still and another set of rules apply to “a just disposition and appropriate owed an apology.” everybody else.” resolution” but said it was not an “I’ve heard that they

Smollett has become a exoneration. wanted their day in court with household name as a result of First Assistant State’s TV cameras so that America could the case, but it’s unclear if the Attorney Joseph Magats said know the truth. They chose to hide dropped charges will diminish the prosecutors “stand behind the behind secrecy and broker a deal to taint that followed his arrest last investigation and the facts.” circumvent the judicial system,” he month. His insistence that he had When dropping cases, said. been vindicated may make the prosecutors will sometimes insist

Family members celebrated Aretha Franklin on what would have been the Queen of Soul’s 77th birthday Monday with a memorial service and a screening of a documentary film.

The service was held inside a chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. Franklin died last yearafter battling pancreatic cancer and was laid to rest inside a crypt not far from Woodlawn’s chapel.

“Our family thought it might be a good idea for us to start today the right way, in prayer,” Franklin’s niece Sabrina Owens said. “And ask for God’s blessing on today as we go through these very exciting events of the day.”

In addition to Owens, Franklin’s sons Kecalf Franklin, Edward Franklin and Ted White Jr. were among those who attended the remembrance service, which focused not only on the legendary singer, but also other departed family members, including Aretha’s father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, and her brother Cecil Franklin, who also was a pastor.

“It’s always very emotional, mixed emotions, when I come here, because not only is my aunt here, but my mom is here. And my uncle Cecil,” Owens said, adding: “I think about my life with them growing up and what each of them meant to me.”

The Rev. Edward Branch, a family friend and the senior pastor at Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit, presided over the service, saying he hoped the gathering would “heal their hearts and help them to focus on the brighter times and the greater memories that are behind.”

Later Monday, the Detroit Institute of Arts was to host the premiere of “Amazing Grace,” which chronicles Franklin’s 1972 performance at a Los Angeles church. Owens said the film will go into wider release next month.

Streisand apologizes for remarks on Michael Jackson accusers

Barbra Streisand apologized Saturday for her remarks about Michael Jackson and two men who have accused him of sexual abuse, saying that she should have chosen her words more carefully and that she admires the accusers for “speaking their truth.”

Streisand had received bitter criticism online after she was quoted in The Times of London as saying that Jackson’s accusers were “thrilled to be there” during the alleged abuse, which “didn’t kill them.”

After an initial statement Saturday to The Associated Press in which she sought to clarify her remarks, the superstar of song, stage and screen posted an apology online that went further.

“I am profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding I caused by not choosing my words more carefully about Michael Jackson and his victims,” she wrote.

“I didn’t mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced in any way,” she wrote. “Like all survivors of sexual assault, they will have to carry this for the rest of their lives. I feel deep remorse and I hope that James and Wade know that I truly respect and admire them for speaking their truth.”

The apology went far beyond the earlier statement to the AP, in which she elaborated on her published remarks, saying she felt “nothing but sympathy” for the men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who accuse the late star of molesting them as children.

She wrote in that earlier statement: “To be crystal clear, there is no situation or circumstance where it is OK for the innocence of children to be taken advantage of by anyone.”

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HEALTHY

LIFESTYLE Childhood anxiety tied to school absences

Kids with school attendance or truancy problems might be suffering from anxiety, a research review suggests.

Chronic physical problems like asthma and diabetes have long been linked to an increased risk of school absences, poor grades and test scores, and lower odds of obtaining a college degree or a high-paying job. The current study offers fresh evidence that mental illness can also limit school performance and success in life, said lead study author Katie Finning of the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK.

“We were surprised to find evidence that anxiety is associated with unexcused absences, or truancy, which is often assumed to be related to behavioral difficulties rather than emotional difficulties like anxiety or depression, as well as authorized absences,” Finning said by email.

“Poor attendance could be a sign of anxiety, no matter what type of absence,” Finning added.

Finning’s team reviewed eight previously published studies with a total of almost 26,000 young students from Europe, North America and Asia. The youth were 15 years old on average, with ages ranging from 5 to 21.

The analysis focused on four categories of absences: truancy and unexcused absences; medical and excused absences; school refusal tied to emotional distress about attendance; and absenteeism for any reason.

Anxiety was strongly linked to school refusal, as expected. It was also associated with truancy, which was a surprise.

Parents and teachers may mistakenly assume some children are missing school due to disobedience or behavior problems when they’re actually suffering from anxiety, Finning said. And some of kids considered truant might have undiagnosed anxiety, depression or other mental health problems.

“There are lots of things about the school environment that might be challenging for young people with anxiety, including social interaction with peers and/or school staff, academic challenges, or separation from caregivers at home,” Finning said.

“Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms like headaches or tummy aches, which might also impact on children’s school attendance,” Finning added.

Most of the studies in the analysis were small, and none were designed to prove whether or how anxiety might directly cause school absences.

The studies also measured anxiety and school attendance in a variety of ways, so the researchers could not pool data across all the studies.

Even so, the results suggest that at least some absences attributed to misbehavior might be due to anxiety, said Bonnie Leadbeater, a psychology researcher at the University of Victoria in Canada who wasn’t involved in the study.

“Parents should consider the possibility that anxiety is behind school refusal and seek treatment once physical causes are ruled out,” Leadbeater said by email. “Punishing children for school refusal due to anxiety will likely be unsuccessful,” she added.

“Children experiencing excessive anxiety need help,” Leadbeater said. “While identifying this may be difficult, sometimes even asking your child, ‘what is it about going to school you find so difficult,’ and trying empathically to understand their point of view may get you started in helping them, and getting help for them to build the confidence to manage anxiety is important.”

Early test of male birth control pill shows no safety problems After taking an experimental male birth control pill for 28 days, 30 men reported no serious side effects and the drug showed signs of decreasing sperm production, according to results of a phase 1 safety test reported Sunday in a poster session at ENDO 2019, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in New Orleans.

The purpose of phase I trials is to gather initial data on a drug’s safety, not to test whether it’s effective. In fact, the duration of the trial was insufficient to prove the pill’s effectiveness as a contraceptive. That would take 60 to 90 days of use, the researchers

said. Instead, the hormone changes seen in the volunteers were “consistent with effective contraception,” according to a news release.

The effects of the drug seemed to fade after the men stopped taking it.

Five men (17 percent) reported a mildly decreased sex drive. Two (7 percent) experienced mild erectile dysfunction although, according to a news release, “sexual activity was not decreased.”

Side effects included fatigue, acne or headache and were seen in four to six men each.

The drug, known

as 11-beta-MNTDC, mimics testosterone. The study tested a base dose of 200 milligrams once daily in 14 people. Sixteen men got twice that dose. Another 10 received a dummy pill.

The team, led by Dr. Stephanie Page of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, is planning longer studies of the drug, also known as 11-beta-methyl-19-nortestosterone dodecylcarbonate.

The same team is testing another potential male birth control pill, dimethandrolone undecanoate, or DMAU.

UK prison guards smell a rat and find rodents stuffed with drugs Suspected organized criminals have been stuffing the bodies of dead rats with drugs, phones and cash and throwing them over the walls of a British prison to get contraband to inmates, the government said on Monday.

Guards at Guys Marsh prison in Dorset, southwest England, grew suspicious when they found the bodies of three rats with long stitches along their stomachs, officials said.

They discovered the animals had been disemboweled and filled with five mobile phones and chargers, three SIM cards, cigarette papers and a large amount of drugs including cannabis and a synthetic substitute as well as tobacco, they added.

“This find shows the extraordinary lengths to which criminals will go to smuggle drugs into prison, and underlines why

Items found inside dead rats at HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset, Britain, are seen in this picture handout obtained March 25, 2019 our work to improve security is so important,” Britain’s prisons minister, Rory Stewart, said.

The government did not say when the rats were found.

Seizures of drugs, mobile phones and SIM cards rose by 23, 15 and 13 percent in the 12 months

to March 2018 when just over 20 percent of tests of inmates were positive for drugs, including new psychoactive substances.

Criminals have in the past tried to use tennis balls, pigeons and drones to bring contraband into prisons.

Your health app could be sharing your medical data

That nifty new health app you downloaded to your phone to keep track of your meds might be sharing your information with a host of unrelated companies, some of which have nothing to do with healthcare, a new study finds.

When researchers ran two dozen medication apps through their paces using a phony identity, to track what was being done with the data, they found that sharing was routine and far from transparent.

“The key finding from our study is that health related data is widely shared with companies that have nothing to do with health,” said study leader Quinn Grundy, an assistant professor in the faculty of nursing at the University of Toronto.

“The consumer has no way to know exactly what is happening with their data and what consequences there might be.”

“This is a breach of privacy that may not just be embarrassing but could also affect our lives in big

ways, just as the credit score does,” Grundy said.

Grundy’s team tested 24 top-rated publicly available medication apps designed to work on Android phones in the UK, the U.S., Canada and Australia.

The interactive apps provided information about medication dispensing, administration or use.

After downloading each app to a smartphone with one of four fictional users, the researchers ran each one 14 times to observe its “normal” network traffic related to 28 types of user data, including Android ID, user’s birthday, email, and precise location.

Then they altered one source of user information and ran the app again to detect leaks of sensitive information sent to a remote server outside the app.

Companies receiving sensitive user data were then identified by their IP addresses, allowing the researchers to scrutinize their websites and privacy policies.

Nineteen of the 24 apps shared data, the authors report in The BMJ. In all, the data were shared with 55 unique entities owned by 46 parent companies - including developers, parent companies, and service providers, many of which were involved in collecting user data for analytics or advertising. Service providers also advertised the ability to share user data with 216 other entities, or fourth parties, including multinational technology companies, digital advertising companies, telecommunication corporations and a consumer credit reporting agency.

Healthcare privacy experts weren’t surprised by the findings.

While health care providers are required to preserve patient privacy, tech companies are not, said John Houston, vice president of privacy and information security and associate counsel at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

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FUN & GAMES

Answer Block

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GENERAL MANAGER REQUIRED

An immediate opening for a GENERAL MANAGER in a luxury Providenciales property has become available OVERVIEW: Responsible for management of overall operation of the resort including maintaining asset, managing guest experience and optimizing profitability by direct and indirect supervision of hotel employees and implementing strategic plans.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1.Develop and implement effective and productive strategic planning and policy.

2.Direct and monitor all daily operations of the resort.

3.Directly supervise, develop, maintain and support individual performance and group dynamics of all executive committee members and be well versed in all of their disciplines (Human Resources, Facilities, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, Resort Operations, Rooms Division, Food and Beverage, Finance).

4.Indirectly supervise all department heads.

5.Work with all key stakeholders including resort owners, brand, villa owners, travel partners, and Government.

6.Optimize profitability and balance that with optimizing service excellence through the aforementioned plans and policies created and managed daily.

7.Indirectly supervise all department heads and review and evaluate their performance on an on-going basis.

8.Develop individual goals and projects for subordinate employees, give ongoing support and training.

9.Monitor hotel renovation projects.

10.Charged with building and recruiting top talent from TCI and abroad with a focus on growing TCI talent pool and developing them to higher levels within the organization.

11.Respond in courteous, professional and prompt manner in order to resolve all guest and staff difficulties.

12.Responsible for employee compliance with resort policies and procedures. Initiate disciplinary action when appropriate.

13.Supervise, direct, coordinate, influence and persuade staff in order to

WORK PERMIT ADVERTISEMENT REQUIREMENT The Ministry of Border Control and Employment is reminding employers, as well as the general public, that the Immigration Ordinance 2015 which was brought into force on April 1, 2016 established new conditions for advertising jobs which must be met when recruiting new staff or seeking a work permit renewal.

For clarity, Section 28 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance states the following.

The advertisement condition is satisfied if the employer has advertised the position in at least two consecutive issues of a newspaper published in and sold or distributed on the Islands and the advertisement— (a) describes the nature of the position available in sufficient detail to enable persons reading the advertisement to have a reasonable indication of the nature of the work and conditions of employment; (b) contains the name of the employer and details of the whereabouts of the office or other place to which the application is to be submitted together with contact details, including telephone and fax numbers and an email address; (c) sets out clearly the salary package relating to the position; (d) invites prospective applicants who are Islanders to send copies of their applications to the Board; and (e ) state whether the position is currently held by a work permit holder.

For further information or questions, please refer to the following Website: http://www.gov.tc/work-permits infobordercontrol@gov.tc

or

email

address:

MARCH 29TH, 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

maintain service standards of hotel.

14.Be able to build a budget with finance and present to ownership along with capital plans.

15.Perform community outreach and organize such efforts on a large scale.

16.Write reports and comprehensive plans for owners and brand on wide variety of topics.

17.Read and use data from STR and Revinate to adjust strategy accordingly.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 1.A minimum of 15 years of hotel/resort experience with at least 10 on the Executive Level and at least 10 in ultra-luxury, ideally some time with Aman.

2.Experience as a resort executive in multiple countries and continents.

3.Ability to train, motivate, evaluate, mentor and guide employees and managers to meet desired results.

4.Ability to maintain excellent relations with staff.

5.Knowledge of pricing and marketing strategies.

6.Must have strong network within the hotel travel agent realm, having attended the International Luxury Travel Market trade shows and consortia trade shows multiple times in the US and Europe.

7.Exceptional oral communication skills to ensure ability to negotiate and persuade guests and staff to achieve results beneficial to operation of resort.

8. Ability to create, implement and monitor resort and staff goals, strategies and policies, as well as lead all departmental and resort wide meetings 9. Ability to converse calmly with irate guests, superiors and subordinates in sometimes intense emotional situations, work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines 10.Essential to be able to operate resort software systems including Opera and Micros and be proficient in reading industry reports including STR and Revinate.

WORK HOURS AND REMUNERATION: Employee will be required to work day and evening shifts, both weekdays and weekends as required along with public holidays, including Festive. Salary for this position is $210K per annum, and will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience.

Applications should include a detailed resume demonstrating strong experience in all of the above areas. References will be required if shortlisted.

Applications should be submitted no later than April 12th, 2019 by email to: marsha@misickstanbrook.tc and be addressed to the Board of Directors, CR Hotel Ltd, Northwest Point, Providenciales.

INTERISLAND AVIATION SERVICES SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES WHICH ARE:

GROUP

interCaribbean Airways, Provo Air Center, Flight Support Limited, Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services has the following position(s) currently held by work permit holders available for immediate filling; Aviation Technical Record administrator: 5 or more years’ experience with the knowledge and experience to perform QC data checks of the various information which managed by the technical office and resolve any ambiguities technical or other problems from engineering, operations and crew.

Maintain and manage any records associated with the maintenance management or operations.

Provide general and administrative support to Engineering department.

Salary $36,000 per annum.

Welder: 2-3 years’ experience, knowledge of using multiple welding machine to repair and maintain equipment and structures of various sizes. Must be willing to work weekend and holidays. Wage $9.00 per hour.

Gardener: 2-3 years’ experience knowledge and experience to maintain the beauty of plants outdoor grounds and trees outside, must be able to perform a range of general maintenance tasks.

Wages; 7.00 per hour.

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

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

CARIBBEAN WORLD

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

NEWS NEWS

Bermuda MPs united in rejecting UK citizens vote

A British Parliament committee report that recommended British citizens should vote, gain citizenship and run for office in Bermuda has been rejected unanimously by MPs.

David Burt moved a motion in the House of Assembly to reject the report from the House of Commons, which he said was “the unwarranted and unjustified attempt at intervention into Bermuda’s domestic affairs”.

The Premier said the report was “a test of our resolve, a test of our democracy and a test of our constitution”.

He added: “There is no doubt that this report’s recommendations, if adopted, will err on the wrong side of a delicate balance that must be struck in modern Overseas Territories.

“To suggest that, beyond voting in Bermuda’s election, people with an undefined, unregulated and tenuous connection to the community will have the ability to stand for elected office is among one of the most tone-deaf recommendations emanating from the United Kingdom House of Commons.”

The motion called on the UK Government “to reject the report and its retrograde recommendations with respect to Bermuda and the Overseas Territories”.

Mr Burt was speaking on Friday night and called for a clear message to be sent from Bermuda to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which drew up the report, that “this Honourable House is the place where decisions are made for the people

of Bermuda”. paper. It means nothing to us.”

He said: “It is the people’s “We have our constitution. We govern representatives who will decide our laws ourselves. We have gone so far as to even and our standards following free and pay for our governor that is here.” fair elections by and for persons with Mr Cannonier pointed out that Bermudian status.” the UK did not use its veto to prevent

He said the motion was needed Bermuda from being blacklisted. to signal the political unity of Bermuda He added: “We need to address on the issue. those concerns because they contribute

But Scott Simons, among other to our GDP more than anything else.”

Progressive Labour Party MPs, including Mr Burt said the debate on the the Premier, highlighted that only the report was not linked to the European Opposition leader, Craig Cannonier, Union’s decision to blacklist the island. spoke on the motion.

Rolfe Commissiong, a PLP

Mr Cannonier questioned if it backbencher, highlighted research in was the right time to discuss the report the book Bermuda and the Struggle and that the European Union decision for Reform: Race, Politics and Ideology, to blacklist Bermuda over its tax regime published in 2011 by Walton Brown, should be dealt with first. now the Cabinet Office minister.

He added: “The report is just Mr Commissiong said Bermuda

experienced a 66 per cent increase in immigration between 1960 to 1970.

Of the 14,496 people who came to the island in the decade, 15 per cent were black and 83 per cent white.

He added: “Since half of these new residents were from the British Commonwealth, they were all entitled to vote after living on the island for a period of three years.”

Mr Commissiong said: “Henry Tucker’s United Bermuda Party government were indulging in some of the worst forms of racialised social engineering to foster white migration in the country ... at the expense of black Bermudians.”

Christopher Famous, also a PLP backbencher, said his mother and others of her generation had to wait until they were 30 or 40 before they got to vote.

He added that the 11 MPs on Westminster’s Foreign Affairs Committee were dictating to the 250,000 in “the colonies”.

Mr Famous said: “That’s how dictatorships operate.”

He predicted that if Bermuda extended the vote to the British, they would form their own political party and dismantle immigration control.

Jamahl Simmons, the Minister without Portfolio, said: “The injustice of voting rights cannot go unchallenged.”

Zane DeSilva, the transport and tourism minister, added that he disagreed with the Opposition that the debate was not needed at present.

Bahamas PM says Venezuelan government illegitimate

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis says the Bahamas remains firm on its position on Venezuela and is backing an Organisation of American States (OAS) position that the polls in the South American country “was an illegitimate election”.

Minnis was among four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders – St. Lucia, Jamaica, and Haiti – who met with United States President Donald Trump at his private residence in Miami last weekend to discuss the ongoing economic and political situation in Venezuela.

Washington, backed by a number of its allies are seeking to remove President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn into office in January for a second consecutive term, with Opposition Leader Juan Guaido, who has since declared himself as the interim president of Venezuela.

“The (Organization of American States has) categorically stated that the

election in Venezuela was an illegitimate abstentions and one absent. Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas, Guyana, and election.

“Our argument was if the Saint Lucia supported the resolution, election is illegitimate it means the while Dominica, Saint Vincent and the government is illegitimate. If the Grenadines, and Suriname voted against government is illegitimate, and we are it. a democratic society who believes in St. Kitts -Nevis, Trinidad and democracy, both us and America, which Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, means that you must have new elections and Belize abstained during the vote, and that must be done as quickly as while Grenada was not present.

But since then CARICOM had possible. That has been our position,” Prime Minister Minnis told reporters on adopted a united position on the matter and last month, the regional leaders at his return here over the weekend.

“When America issued a their inter-sessional summit in St. Kittsstatement that they were recognizing Nevis reiterated their position of nonthe opposition leader, Juan, as the interference in the internal affairs of president of Venezuela, we, likewise, Venezuela and said they were prepared agreed because the election and the to mediate in the process to bring about government was illegitimate and the a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Last Saturday, CARICOM assembly had appointed Guaido as the president of Venezuela. Our position has foreign ministers held talks with Guaidó in accordance with the decision not changed,” he added.

In January OAS members passed by CARICOM leaders to facilitate a the resolution to not recognize Maduro “peaceful resolution” of the political and with 19 votes in favor, six against, eight economic crisis in the South American

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis country.

The meeting provided a greater understanding of Mr. Guaido’s views and perspectives on how to move forward in the search for peaceful solutions, as well as his willingness to take part in meaningful discussions. The participants accepted the benefit of further engagement,” they said in a statement afterwards.

Cricket West Indies has new president

Former West Indies Team Manager, Ricky Skerrit has replaced Jamaican, Dave Cameron as president of Cricket West Indies (CWI). His new vice president is President of the St Vincent & The Grenadines Cricket Association Inc., Dr. Kishore Shallow.

The two were were elected at the CWI presidential election which was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Sunday March 24.

Skerritt, 62, defeated Dave Cameron by a margin of 8-4.

Cameron was seeking a fourth term in office after serving three twoyear terms.

His running mate was the incumbent CWI president, Dominican Emannuel

Nanthan.

However, according to Loop, although the Windward Islands Cricket Board, Barbados Cricket Board, and Guyana Cricket Board had stated publicly that they would support Cameron, the 47-year-old businessman received a big setback to his re-election bid after the Jamaica Cricket Association voted not to support its countryman.

The Leeward Islands Cricket Board and Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board had publicly stated that they would support Skerritt and his running mate, Dr Kishore Shallow.

Loop reported that just a few hours before the election, the Skerritt campaign gained momentum with two

Ricky Skerritt

Dr. Kishore Shallow

more former players – Roger Harper of Guyana and Deryck Murray of Trinidad and Tobago – offering support.

Former West Indies captains,

Guyanese Clive Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards of Antigua and Darren Sammy of St Lucia, had also supported the Skerritt campaign.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

CARIBBEAN NEWS Prince of Wales and Dutchess of Cornwall visit Nevis as part of Caribbean tour

The Prince of Wales with Nevis’ Hon. Premier Mark Brantley

One of the gems of the Caribbean rolled out the red carpet yesterday for the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, who set foot on Nevisian soil as part of their historic Caribbean Tour.

“We are delighted that the Prince of Wales and the Dutchess of Cornwall visited our beautiful island of Nevis. Hundreds turned out to welcome the Royals who received a truly warm welcome from the people of Nevis” said Honorable Nevis Premier Mark Brantley. “We are especially pleased that Prince Charles has returned to Nevis since his last visit was some 45 years ago. Nevis continues to have a love affair with the Royals who have at various times visited our shores.

We wish the Royal couple continued success on their Caribbean trip.”

On their arrival at the Charlestown Port, the Royal couple was greeted by a welcome party, comprising of Deputy Governor General Her Honour Hyleeta Liburd, Premier of Nevis Hon. Mark Brantley, Deputy Premier Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Hon. Spencer Brand, Hon. Eric Evelyn, Hon. Troy Liburd and Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, as well as scores of students and members of the general public.

Cayman company formation sector broke records last year A record 16,326 companies formed in Cayman last year, contributing to the number of active companies reaching 107,309 – also a record – at year’s end.

There was also a record 26,381 active partnerships at the end of 2018. According to recently released statistics from the General Registry, the number of companies has grown steadily since the end of 2017, from 99,327 at Dec. 31 to 103,759 at the end of June, to its current level as of December.

The number of companies here exceeded 100,000 last March, the first time it has broken the sixfigure level since the number of active companies reached a thenrecord 102,369 in September 2016.

That was shortly before taking a dip when around 8,500 were struck off the registry.

Exempt companies saw the most growth last year, with 13,893 such entities registering and 90,265 active at year’s end.

Additionally, 729 new resident companies were created last year, putting the total active number of local companies at 6,840.

Limited Liability Corporations grew from 889 at the end of 2017 to 1,710 at the end of 2018, foreign companies grew

from 4,601 at the end of 2017 to 5,029 at the end of last year, and non-resident companies declined from 3,871 at the end of 2017 to 3,465 at the end of last year.

Partnerships, for their part, grew from 22,655 at the end of 2017 to 26,381 a year later.

In late 2018 and early 2019, new incorporations here have slowed slightly. While Cayman averaged 1,409 new company registrations through November, that average dipped to 1,050 from December through February – 820 companies formed here in December, 1,337 formed in January, and 993 formed last month.

Cayman was not the only offshore jurisdiction to see an uptick in company formations last year. Incorporations in the British Virgin Islands – the leading offshore jurisdiction for incorporations – hit a nearly three-year high in the first quarter of 2018, with 9,798 new companies forming there, according to statistics from the BVI Financial Services Commission.

The Q1 performance was the BVI’s best quarter for company incorporations since the third quarter of 2015, when 11,951 new companies formed. That increase

continued for the next two quarters, with 9,126 registering in Q2 and 9,575 forming in Q3.

Q4 data has not been released yet for the BVI, but the territory is on pace to see in 2018 its the first substantial uptick in company incorporations since the territory’s reputation suffered from the April 2016 reports on the Panama Papers – leaked documents allegedly showing BVI-registered companies being used for illegal activity.

Along with the uptick in new formations, the BVI also saw a major increase in its total number of active companies, from 389,459 in Q4 of 2017 to 422,594 in Q3 of last year (the number of total companies can increase by more than new incorporations when previously dormant companies reactivate).

However, the long-term trend has Cayman’s companyformation sector growing, while the BVI’s has been shrinking. Whereas the BVI has seen its number of registered companies decline by nearly half – from around 800,000 in the mid-2000s to 422,594 as of the third quarter of 2018 – Cayman has seen an increase from 83,532 in 2006 to around 107,000.

Airbnb Celebrates Half A Billion Guest Arrivals

In 2007, three travelers arrived for a design conference in San Francisco and checked in at the Rausch Street home of Airbnb co-founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia. Though they didn’t know it at the time, these three guests (Michael, Kat and Amol) would become the first members of the Airbnb global community of guests and hosts now spanning over 191 countries and 81,000 cities worldwide.

They were the community foundation for what Airbnb has grown into today: an end-to-end travel platform that combines where you stay, what you do, and how you get there, all in one place. Michael, Kat, and Amol were Airbnb’s first three guest arrivals; now, a decade later, three guests check into an Airbnb listing every half-second.

These guests can now choose from 6 million homes, yurts, treehouses, boats and more, scattered across six continents, as well as over 25,000 Experiences available in over 1,000 cities. And today, Airbnb is proud to celebrate a new milestone: since our founding, half a billion guests have checked in at Airbnb listings worldwide.

Hosts have earned $65 billion

Since the first stay hosted by Brian and Joe in San Francisco, the Airbnb community has grown rapidly, with the power of global network effects expanding it to nearly every corner of the world—every new host offering another choice for guests.

Airbnb is delivering people-powered magical travel that is local, authentic

and unique, and providing economic empowerment to millions of hosts worldwide. Since Airbnb was founded, hosts have earned over $65 billion on our platform.

Unique homes and properties

These 500 million Airbnb guest arrivals have occurred at homes and properties spread all over the world, including a range of unusual listing types. Airbnb has an unrivaled global community of hosts and guests—Airbnb can connect travelers to 6 million places to stay and thousands of incredible experiences around the world. There are over 14,000 tiny houses listed on Airbnb, over 4,000 castles, and over 2,400 tree houses. The most-visited private room in Airbnb history is in a castle in Ireland hosted by Peter, who has spent over a decade restoring his 600 year-old home.

And even as our private-home offerings grew, propelling us to our strongest year ever in 2018, we have seen a 152% increase in the number of rooms available on Airbnb in properties that hosts categorized as boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other hospitality venues such as hostels and resorts. Guests at these properties rated their stays an average 4.7 out of five stars, the same rating as the average for our entire platform.

Powered by a community of hosts

Through the ten years of Airbnb growth worldwide, some things have remained constant. For years, the most

popular listing on Airbnb has been the Mushroom Dome in Aptos, California, which is still the most-visited listing in the entire Airbnb community. Hosts Kitty and Michael have been hosting guests in the Mushroom Dome since 2009, when it became one of the first Airbnb listings located outside a city.

Since then, it has amassed nearly 1,300 reviews, with guests coming from all over the world to stay in its tiny, 100-square-foot confines.

Nearly 1,000 cities with 1,000+ listings

Over 75 cities worldwide have now hosted at least 1 million guest arrivals on Airbnb, a diverse array of metro areas spread across every continent except Antarctica. Cities that have hosted over 1 million guest arrivals include Auckland, New Zealand; Mexico City, Mexico; Cape Town, South Africa; Havana, Cuba; Split, Croatia; Chongqing, China; and Busan, South Korea.

As the Airbnb community has grown, the geographic distribution of guest arrivals has expanded. In 2009, 86% of all Airbnb guest arrivals were at listings in our 10 biggest markets.

By 2013, that percentage dropped to 34%. In 2018, just 13% of Airbnb guest arrivals were at listings in our ten biggest markets. Today, over 900 cities worldwide have at least 1,000 Airbnb listings apiece.

Every night, new connections are being forged between Airbnb hosts and guests from over 191 different

countries. Since hosts in Cuba joined the Airbnb community in 2015, they have hosted guests from 108 different countries. Hosts in the United States, meanwhile, have hosted guests from nearly every country or territory on Earth. Guests from Lesotho are staying with hosts in Bulgaria; guests from Norway are staying with hosts from Djibouti; guests from Greenland are staying with hosts from Cambodia.

Globally inclusive

Since the early days of Airbnb, the community has also become more demographically as well as geographically diverse. Though the first Airbnb hosts (Brian and Joe) were men, today, 56% of hosts worldwide are women. Over 1 million hosts are over the age of 50, and over 400,000 hosts worldwide are over 60 years old, with seniors (hosts 60+) representing the fastest-growing demographic of hosts in the US. Over 1.5 million hosts on Airbnb are also guests on Airbnb.

And considering Airbnb’s popularity with younger consumers, we anticipate the Airbnb community is only just getting started. Nearly 70% of Airbnb bookings in the past three years have been made by guests under the age of 40. All-time, millennials globally have spent over $31 billion on booking travel on Airbnb.

From the first three guests in 2007 to the 500 millionth guest arrival this year, we’re proud to celebrate the growing Airbnb community around the world.

Student Knifed To Death Outside School

A ninth-grade student was fatally stabbed Tuesday following an incident outside a school with another teenage boy.

The Tribune understands the victim is Perry Louis, a 15-year-old TA Thompson Junior High School student. The perpetrator is said to be a 16-year-old student from another school.

According to police, Louis and the other boy

were involved in an argument in the Pitt Road area surrounding the stabbing of a juvenile male student, when “one of the males produced a knife and stabbed which occurred shortly before 4pm this afternoon on the other”. While the fight did not occur at either of Pitt Road,” Inspector Leonardo Burrows said Tuesday. the boys’ schools, the violent scene unfurled outside “The male was transported to hospital and is listed the premises of TG Glover Primary School. in serious condition. A juvenile male is in custody

The incident occurred around 4pm in the assisting police with their investigations.” vicinity of Pitt Road, according to police.

Unfortunately, a short time later Insp Burrows

“Police are investigating the circumstances confirmed that the victim had died of his injuries.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS Trinidad police seeking UK assistance to probe fraud matters

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) says is seeking to contract a team of prosecutors from the United Kingdom specialising in fraud and fraudrelated matters.

The TTPS said that the team will assist local investigators probing such matters as well as provide training for the Legal Unit and police prosecutors.

In a statement, the police said that this initiative will optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of the TTPS toward promoting public trust and confidence noting also the implementation of a new Monitoring and Compliance Unit aimed at providing overall operational efficiency, in keeping with international professional standards.

The statement said that the unit within the Legal Department will treat with several areas including the numerous cases of police officers not attending court; to follow up on Freedom of Information requests (FIO) and ensure the timely compliance with these requests.

It will also in comprehensively trace, track and report on all court matters to ensure court orders are adhered to within the appropriate time frame and to effectively and efficiently manage over 180 outstanding matters regarding police promotions and sick leave.

In addition, it will help in the review the matters of 300 police officers who are on suspension, alongside the Professional Standards Bureau, to have these officers either returned to work or sent home based on the outcomes of their outstanding matters.

Jamaica’s Education Minister Ruel Reid resigns

Prime Minister Andrew Holness Wednesday announced the resignation of his Education, Youth and Information Minister, Ruel Reid, saying he had asked him to leave office so as to facilitate an investigation into allegations of corruption at the ministry.

“This morning, I met with Minister Ruel Reid regarding certain allegations in the public domain. In keeping with the principles of good governance, I requested and received Minister Reid’s resignation.

“The Minister’s resignation will ensure that any investigation into matters of concern will not be in any way impeded by his presence or oversight of the Ministry,” Holness said in the statement.

Reid has also resigned from the Senate.

The Ministry of Education Youth and Information will now fall under the temporary supervision of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Education, Youth and Information Minister, Ruel Reid Earlier this week, the main Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), said that it had received reports of misuse of public funds and corruption at the Ministry of Education and suggested that it was equivalent to the scandal uncovered at Petrojam, the stateowned oil refinery.

“We have information

Gov’t of Dominica’s legal adviser says PM Chastanet acting like a ‘lone ranger’ in Caribbean

Legal adviser to the government of Dominica, Senior Counsel Tony Astaphan, has said Prime Minister Allen Chastanet is acting like a “lone ranger” in a number of issues affecting the region.

His comments came in light of a meeting of five Caribbean leaders, including Chastanet, with US President Donald Trump on Friday where a number of issues, including China and Venezuela will be discussed.

Legal adviser to the government of Dominica, Senior Counsel Tony Astaphan, has said Prime Minister Allen Chastanet is acting like a “lone ranger” in a number of issues affecting the region.

His comments came in light of a meeting of five Caribbean leaders, including Chastanet, with US President Donald Trump on Friday where a number of issues, including China and Venezuela will be discussed.

Astaphan told stateowned DBS Radio that there is no unified position among OECS and CARICOM leaders on a number of regional matters, saying some are acting selfishly.

“Some prime ministers, like Mr. Chastanet, … how should

Prince Charles visit shines spotlight on Cuba’s classic British cars

Minister Allen Chastanet and Senior Counsel Tony Astaphan I call them? The lone ranger?” he stated. “You cannot be a long ranger in Caribbean politics if in fact you are part of the OECS and CARICOM.” The Chastanet-led government in Saint Lucia has taken a number of positions on regional issues which are contrary to the positions taken by other Caribbean governments.

For example, on the Venezuelan crisis, the government of Saint Lucia has said the election of Nicolas Maduro as president for a second term was illegal and called for new polls while at the same time maintaining diplomatic relations with Caracas. Other Caribbean countries have openly stood by Maduro while others have opted to remain silent on the matter.

On the issue of cashstrapped regional carrier, LIAT, Chastanet has made it clear that Saint Lucia will not buy shares in the airline unless it is free to make its own commercial decisions.

Other governments have been calling more regional leaders to buy shares to keep LIAT afloat.

On the LIAT matter, Astaphans said Chastanet only has what Astaphan called, “his own pipe dream”.

Meanwhile, Astaphan said the meeting with Trump by the Caribbean is meaningless.

“In fact, I think the prime ministers, in particular the prime ministers from the OECS have shown complete disrespect for the unity of the OECS and CARICOM,” he said.

LIAT pilots reject a call for salary cuts

Pilots of the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, has rejected a call from them to take a salary cut as the Antigua-based airline seeks to reverse its financial situation.

President of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIAPA), Carl Burke, said his members are very reluctant to accept the call for a salary cut at this time.

“Looking at the situation as it is right now, if we are to go forward doing the things that we are doing now, if we do not look at the scheduling, if we do not look at how we are going to generate the revenue going forward, we can give up 10 per cent now and we have no idea when the company will rebound for us to recoup that

regarding…issues of cronyism, nepotism, and corruption which were manifest spectaculary in the Petrojam scandal being also present in the Ministry of Education, involving specifically the Caribbean Maritime University and how funds from the HEART/ Trust sent to the ministry for the career advancement programme and the T-VET rationalisation programme are being utilised.

“We are aware that politically connected persons are being employed as advisors but are not doing any work,” Opposition Leader Dr. Peter Phillips told a news conference on Monday.

The Opposition Leader said that this was a clear case of misuse of public funds and that the allegations require further investigation by the authorities.

He had called for the Auditor General’s Department to investigate the matter and report its findings to Parliament.

investment or even for them to start paying the staff back,” Burke said on Observer Radio here.

He said the pilots could also be in a position “where next year they come asking for an additional five per cent. We just do not have the confidence in the team”.

Earlier this month, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said progress had been made regarding the future direction of the regional airline, following a more than four hour meeting in Barbados.

The Barbados meeting was held against the move by the shareholders to get Caribbean countries to contribute a total of US$5.4 million in emergency funding need to keep the airline

in the sky. At the same time, 11 destinations had been given until March 15, to respond to the airline’s minimal revenue guarantee (MRG) proposals.

Under and MRG model, it is likely that a few flights may be cut if the government is not prepared to fund them with a guarantee, Gonsalves said, adding that theoretically, several countries have no quarrel with the MRG.

Gonsalves had given the impression following the Barbados meeting that the major shareholders – Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines – were close to securing buy-in from labour into the plan, even though it would call for some sacrifice on their part.

Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend a British Classic Car event in Havana, Cuba March 26, 2019 Cuba’s rolling museum of vintage U.S. cars may be worldrenowned, but it was the island’s collection of British vehicles, from Jaguars to MGs, that were on display on Tuesday for Prince Charles and his wife Camilla during their historic trip to Havana.

On his second full day in Cuba, the heir to the UK throne drove a black 1953 MG TD to a rally of British cars at a park known as the island’s most British corner, with its statue of John Lennon and Yellow Submarine bar.

While local musicians played covers of songs

by British bands like the Beatles and Queen, the Prince of Wales spoke with owners of the cars, which like their U.S. counterparts, predate Communist-run Cuba’s 1959 revolution.

The royals’ three-day visit comes as Britain seeks to strengthen relations with Cuba as part of the island’s broader normalization of relations with the West, although the Trump administration has rowed back on the U.S.-Cuban detente.

On Monday evening, they met at the presidential Palace of the Revolution with the Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who said their visit was an honor for Cuba that underscored the good state of bilateral relations.

“This visit is a real boost to the club, which has only met up a few times so far,” said Lupe Fuentes, 66, who co-founded the group last year after realizing there was a wealth of British cars on the Caribbean’s largest island.

Many of the around 50 members are Cubans who inherited the cars from their parents and grandparents and for whom they are now prized family possessions in a country where cars are expensive and hard to come by.

“He asked us how old the car was and how we managed to preserve them,” said Fuentes, adding that the club served to pool knowledge and resources for restoring the cars.

“British cars are harder to maintain than the U.S. ones because there is a constant inflow of U.S. parts but many of the British ones are no longer even made,” said Fuentes’ partner Ricardo Medell, 63. “We end up inventing a lot.”

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WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

NEWS

Prime Minister May says she’ll step down if Brexit deal OK’d

British Prime Minister Theresa May told Conservative lawmakers Wednesday that she will step down once the U.K.’s exit from the European Union is delivered — a dramatic concession meant to bring enough of her colleagues on board to push her deal over the line.

May told a party meeting of legislators that she was aware of a desire for a new approach - and new leadership - in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations.

“I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party,” she said, according to a transcript released by her office. “I ask everyone in this room to back the deal so we can complete our historic duty - to deliver on the decision of the British people and leave the European Union with a smooth and orderly exit.”

May has been under mounting pressure from pro-Brexit members of her Conservative Party to quit. Several have said they would support the withdrawal deal if another leader was chosen to lead the next stage of negotiations, which will determine Britain’s future relations with the EU.

In a packed meeting described by participants as “somber,” May finally conceded she would have to go, although she did not set a departure date.

Anti-EU lawmaker Jacob Rees-

Mogg, who has clashed with May throughout the Brexit process, said she had been “very clear” that if Britain leaves the EU on May 22, she will quit soon after.

He said the prime minister had been “very dignified.”

“She out her case well, and reiterated that she had done her duty,” he said.

May’s announcement came as British lawmakers debated multiple options for leaving the EU as they sought to bring some clarity to the tortured Brexit process and stop the country tumbling out of the bloc within weeks with no exit plan in place.

In the wake of two overwhelming defeats for May’s withdrawal agreement with the EU, the House of Commons seized control of the parliamentary timetable for debate and votes on a range of Brexit alternatives.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow selected eight widely differing options for votes from a list of 16 submitted by lawmakers. They include calls to leave the EU without a deal, to stay in the EU’s customs union and single market, to put any EU divorce deal to a public referendum, and to cancel Brexit if the prospect of a no-deal departure gets close.

Later in the day, lawmakers will vote on all of the options they could

accept. The plan is for the most popular ideas to move to a second vote Monday to find one option that can command a majority. Parliament would then instruct the government to negotiate it with the EU. May has said she will consider the outcome of the votes, though she has refused to be bound by the result.

The government condemned lawmakers’ move to seize control because it upends the usual practice in which the government sets the timetable for debate and votes in Parliament.

But Conservative lawmaker Oliver Letwin, one of those behind Wednesday’s votes, said “this is not an Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa may leaves the Houses of Parliament, on the day that MPs will insurgency.”

“This process has come about be asked to consider a range of alternative Brexit as a result of the increasing concern that options after Parliament seized control of the many of us have had across the House Commons agenda to force a series of “indicative of Commons that we were heading votes”, Wednesday evening March 27, 2019 not towards an approval of the prime minister’s deal, but alas towards a no- to do — leave without a deal, cancel deal exit,” he said.

Brexit or propose a radically new path.

Almost three years after Britons May, meanwhile, still hopes voted to leave the EU, the date and to bring the divorce deal that the terms of its departure are up in the air. government struck with the EU back for Last week, the EU granted Britain a delay another vote in the House of Commons to the scheduled March 29 exit date, — if she can win over enough opponents saying that if Parliament approves the to ensure passage. Lawmakers rejected proposed divorce deal this week, the U.K. the deal by 230 votes in January and by will leave the EU on May 22. If not, the 149 votes earlier this month, primarily government has until April 12 to tell the because of concerns about the Northern 27 remaining EU countries what it plans Ireland border.

Trump tells Russia to get its troops out of Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Russia to pull its troops from Venezuela and said that “all options” were open to make that happen.

The arrival of two Russian air force planes outside Caracas on Saturday believed to be carrying nearly 100 Russian special forces and cybersecurity personnel has escalated the political crisis in Venezuela.

Russia and China have backed President Nicolas Maduro, while the United States and most other Western countries support opposition leader Juan Guaido. In January, Guaido invoked the constitution to assume Venezuela’s interim presidency, arguing that Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

“Russia has to get out,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, where he met with Guaido’s wife, Fabiana Rosales.

Asked how he would make Russian forces leave, Trump said: “We’ll see. All options are open.”

Maduro, who retains control of state functions and the country’s military, has said Guaido is a puppet of the United States.

Russia has bilateral relations and agreements with Venezuela and Maduro that it plans to honor, Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said on Twitter.

A spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said the United States should pull troops from Syria before telling Moscow to withdraw from Venezuela.

“Before giving advice to somebody to withdraw from somewhere,

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Fabiana Rosales, wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 27, 2019 the United States should bring to life its own concept of exodus, particularly from Syria,” Zakharova said, speaking on Russia’s state Channel One, TASS agency quoted her as saying.

Venezuela’s economy is in tatters with food and medicine in short supply due to years of hyperinflation.

In addition, citizens are now grappling with power blackouts that experts have blamed on years of neglect and maintenance.

Earlier this year, the Trump

administration slapped sanctions on state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PDVSA, to try to cut off revenues to Maduro. Oil provides 90 percent of export revenue for Venezuela, an OPEC member. Trump has said tougher sanctions are still to come.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told lawmakers on Wednesday that rebuilding after Maduro leaves office would be expensive.

“The day and week after is going to be a long process,” Pompeo said. “I’ve

seen estimates between $6 (billion) and $12 billion to repair” the economy, he said.

The Trump administration has asked Congress for up to $500 million in foreign aid to help “support a democratic transition in Venezuela,” Pompeo said in written testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives.

At the White House, Rosales, Guaido’s wife, told Trump and Vice President Mike Pence that food shortages in Venezuela were hurting children.

“They are trying to break our morale. They want to submerge us in eternal darkness. But let me tell you that there is light, and the light is here,” said Rosales, a 26-year-old journalist and opposition activist.

Guaido was attacked on Tuesday, she told Trump. Upon leaving a National Assembly session, individuals threw stones at the vehicle Guaido was traveling in and tried to open its doors, according to a Reuters witness.

“I fear for my husband’s life,” said Rosales, who was accompanied by the wife and sister of Roberto Marrero, Guaido’s chief of staff, who was arrested and detained last week.

Rosales is slated to meet U.S. first lady Melania Trump in Palm Beach on Thursday on a swing through South Florida, home to the largest community of Venezuelan exiles in the United States.

Rosales also plans to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and members of the Venezuelan diaspora at a prominent Washington think tank.

Pence praised Rosales for being “courageous.” “Our message very simply is: We’re with you,” Pence said.

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WORLD NEWS U.S. to overhaul air safety oversight in response to two Boeing 737 MAX crashes

The U.S. aviation regulator will significantly change its oversight approach to air safety by July following two fatal Boeing Co MAX 737 passenger plane crashes, according to written congressional testimony seen by Reuters.

At a U.S. Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acting head Dan Elwell will say the agency’s oversight approach must “evolve” after the deadly crashes, according to the testimony.

While specific details on oversight changes were not clear, lawmakers are expected to question Elwell on how the regulator intends to change the process by which a manufacturer such as Boeing can to a large extent certify their own planes and flight software systems.

Anti-stall software on the Boeing 737 MAX plane is among the leading areas of focus for investigations into the two crashes. Investigators have pointed to “clear similarities” between the crashes, putting pressure on Boeing and U.S. regulators to come up with an adequate fix.

The aviation industry has been thrown into flux by a Lion Air crash in Indonesia last October that killed 189 people and an Ethiopian Airlines disaster on March 10 that killed 157, both involving Boeing’s 737 MAX single-aisle plane.

A spokesman for Ethiopia’s transport ministry, which is leading an investigation in Addis Ababa, said the preliminary crash report would very likely be released this week.

Boeing’s fastest-selling 737 MAX jet, with orders worth more than $500 billion at list prices, has been grounded globally by the FAA, although airlines are still allowed to fly them without passengers to move planes to other airports.

One such passenger-less Southwest Airlines Co Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft landed safely on Tuesday after declaring an emergency over an engine-related problem leaving Orlando, Florida, the FAA said. The issue was not related to a computer system on the 737 MAX, Southwest said.

Convicted drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman seeks new trial

Lawyers for Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican crime lord known as El Chapo, on Tuesday said his drug smuggling conviction should be set aside and a new trial ordered, because juror misconduct deprived him of his constitutional right to a fair trial.

In a filing with the federal court in Brooklyn, New York, the lawyers said a new trial was needed after an article in Vice News said several jurors ignored the trial judge’s ban against following media coverage of the case during the 11-week trial.

“We look forward to vindicating his rights in a new trial,” Eduardo Balarezo, a lawyer for Guzman, said in a statement.

Guzman, 61, was convicted on Feb. 12 on all 10 counts he faced, after jurors heard evidence from more than 50 prosecution witnesses, offering an unprecedented look at the inner workings of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Prosecutors said Guzman trafficked tons of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine into the United States over two decades, amassing power in Mexico through murders and wars with rival cartels. He faces life in prison at a scheduled June 25 sentencing.

John Marzulli, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue, whose office prosecuted Guzman, declined to comment.

Recaptured drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is escorted by soldiers at the hangar belonging to the office of the Attorney General in Mexico City, Mexico January 8, 2016

The Feb. 20 Vice News article was based on an interview with an unnamed juror, and said at least five fellow jurors violated Judge Brian Cogan’s orders not to follow Guzman’s case in the media or on Twitter.

Guzman’s lawyers said this exposed jurors to a “flood” of prejudicial information not admitted at trial.

They said this included a New York Times article based on public court filings that said Guzman drugged and raped girls as young as 13 years old, and published just two days before deliberations began.

Guzman previously denied those accusations.

The Vice article also said

jurors knew from Twitter that Cogan would ask if they had seen the Times article, and several lied when he asked. “We all denied it, obviously,” the unnamed juror said, according to Vice.

“If a justice system’s measure is how it treats the most reviled and unpopular, then ours may have failed Joaquin Guzman by denying him the fair trial before an untainted jury to which he’s constitutionally entitled,” Guzman’s lawyers said.

The lawyers want a hearing to examine whether there was juror misconduct. This could require that jurors, who had been transported to and from court during the trial under tight security, be questioned themselves.

Avenatti charged with trying to extort millions from Nike Michael Avenatti, the pugnacious attorney best known for representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against President Donald Trump, was arrested Monday on charges that included trying to shake down Nike for as much as $25 million by threatening the company with bad publicity.

Avenatti, who was also accused of embezzling a client’s money to pay his own expenses, was charged with extortion and bank and wire fraud in separate cases in New York and California. He was arrested at a New York law firm where he had gone to meet with Nike executives. It was just minutes after he tweeted that he planned to hold a news conference Tuesday to “disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by @Nike that we have uncovered.”

“When lawyers use their law licenses as weapons, as a guise to extort payments for themselves, they are no longer acting as attorneys. They are acting as criminals,” said Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. attorney in New York.

California investigators had been building a case against Avenatti for more than a year, but prosecutors in New York said their investigation began only last week and was completed in days.

In the California case, Avenatti allegedly misused a client’s money to pay his debts and those of his coffee business and law firm. Federal prosecutors said he also defrauded a Mississippi bank by using phony tax returns to obtain millions of dollars in loans.

The allegations “paint an ugly picture of lawless conduct and greed,” said Nick Hanna, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. Avenatti describes himself on Twitter as an attorney and advocate, but the accusations describe “a corrupt lawyer who instead fights for his own selfish interests.” ` Avenatti appeared briefly in

Michael Avenatti speaks to the media outside the Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Division after posting bail for a felony domestic violence charge court Monday evening in New York and was ordered released on $300,000 bond.

He did not enter a plea. Emerging from the courthouse, he thanked the federal agents who arrested him for being courteous and professional.

“As all of you know, for the entirety of my career I have fought against the powerful. Powerful people and powerful corporations. I will never stop fighting that good fight,” he said. “I am highly confident that when all the evidence is laid bare in connection with these cases, when it is all known, when due process occurs, that I will be fully exonerated and justice will be done.”

The arrest was a sharp reversal of fortune for the 48-year-old lawyer, who, less than a year ago, emerged as a leading figure in the anti-Trump movement, with relentless cable news appearances, a hard-punching style and a knack for obtaining information about others’ wrongdoing. At one point, he even flirted with a presidential run.

Donald Trump Jr. gloated over the arrest on Twitter.

“Good news for my friend @ MichaelAvenatti, if you plead fast enough, you might just get to share a cell with Michael Cohen!” he wrote,

referring to the former Trump lawyer set to go to prison next month for crimes that include orchestrating hush-money payments to Daniels. Trump mocked Avenatti by ending with the lawyer’s trademark hashtag #basta, an Italian word meaning “enough.”

Prosecutors said Avenatti and another attorney, whom they called a co-conspirator, initially approached Nike on behalf of a client who coached a Nike-sponsored Amateur Athletic Union basketball program in California.

They claimed to have evidence of misconduct by Nike employees and threatened to hold a news conference last week on the eve of a company’s quarterly earnings call and the start of the NCAA tournament. Avenatti told Nike the company could either pay them $15 million to $25 million to investigate the allegations, or pay him more than $22 million for his silence, the criminal complaint said.

Two people familiar with the investigation confirmed that the unidentified co-conspirator was Mark Geragos, a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer known for his work with celebrities. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the

information was not made public by prosecutors.

Geragos, a CNN contributor, has a client list that has included Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder, Scott Peterson and most recently Jussie Smollett, the actor accused of fabricating a racist, antigay attack in Chicago. Geragos did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Within hours, CNN cut ties with him.

While lawyers sometimes make demands to seek out-of-court settlements, they cannot threaten to go public with damaging information to get something of value or gain leverage in a civil dispute, attorney Neama Rahmani said.

Nike officials told investigators Avenatti claimed to know of rules violations by an amateur basketball team sponsored by Nike. Executives immediately reported the threats to federal authorities.

The company “firmly believes in ethical and fair play, both in business and sports, and will continue to assist the prosecutors,” Nike said in a statement.

He rose to national prominence by representing Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, in a lawsuit to break a confidentiality agreement to speak about her alleged affair with Trump. He also made headlines in recent weeks for representing two women who accused R&B star R. Kelly of sexual abuse.

Daniels said she was “saddened but not shocked” by the arrest. She issued a statement Monday on Twitter saying she fired Avenatti a month ago after “discovering that he had dealt with me extremely dishonestly.” She said she would not elaborate.

Mark Pearson, the assistant agent in charge of the IRS office in LA, said Avenatti’s crimes supported a $200,000-a-month lifestyle, a car racing venture and pricey homes in the wealthy Orange County communities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

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Mueller finds no Trump collusion, leaves obstruction open

Special counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence President Donald Trump’s campaign “conspired or coordinated” with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election but reached no conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. That brought a hearty claim of vindication from Trump but set the stage for new rounds of political and legal fighting.

The battle began Monday as White House aides and allies blanketed television news broadcasts to trumpet the findings and claim that Trump has been the victim in a probe that never should have started.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump will let Attorney General William Barr decide whether the special counsel’s Russia report should be publicly released, though she adds that “he’s more than happy for any of this stuff to come out.”

Trump cheered the Sunday outcome but also laid bare his resentment after two years of investigations that have shadowed his administration. “It’s a shame that our country has had to go through this. To be honest, it’s a shame that your president has had to go through this,” he said.

Democrats pointed out that Mueller found evidence for and against obstruction and demanded to see his full report. They insisted that even the summary by the president’s attorney general hardly put him in the clear.

Mueller’s conclusions, summarized by Barr in a four page letter to Congress, represented a victory

for Trump on a key question that has hung over his presidency from the start — whether his campaign worked with Russia to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

That was further good news for the president on top of the Justice Department’s earlier announcement that Mueller had wrapped his investigation without new indictments. That could deflate the hopes of Democrats in Congress and on the 2020 campaign trail that incriminating findings from Mueller would hobble the president’s agenda and re-election bid.

But while Mueller was categorical in ruling out criminal collusion, he was more circumspect on presidential obstruction of justice. Despite Trump’s claim of total exoneration, Mueller did not draw a conclusion one way or the other on whether he sought to stifle the Russia investigation through his actions including the firing of former FBI director James Comey.

According to Barr’s summary, Mueller set out “evidence on both sides of the question” and stated that “while this report does not conclude the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”

Barr, who was nominated

by Trump in December, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller in May 2017 and oversaw much of his work, went further in Trump’s favor.

The attorney general said he and Rosenstein had determined that

President Donald Trump gestures after stepping off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, March 24, 2019, in Washington Mueller’s evidence was insufficient to prove in court that Trump had committed obstruction of justice to hamper the probe. Barr has previously voiced a broad view of presidential powers, and in an unsolicited memo last June he cast doubt on whether the president could have obstructed justice through acts — like firing his FBI director — that he was legally empowered to take.

Barr said their decision was based on the evidence uncovered by Mueller and not affected by Justice Department legal opinions that say a sitting president cannot be indicted.

Mueller’s team examined a

‘It’s not about the Benjamins,’ Netanyahu says of U.S. support for Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “it’s not about the Benjamins” as he hit back on Tuesday against any suggestion that U.S. politicians are paid to support Israel.

A tweet in February by Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, a freshman legislator from Minnesota, was widely seen as echoing an anti-Semitic slur that Jews influence governments through money.

“It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” Omar wrote, using a slang term for $100 bills. She subsequently apologized, saying she was grateful for “Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history” of antiSemitic references.

Netanyahu, addressing a Washington convention of the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC, said via satellite from Tel Aviv: “Some people will just never get it. They’ll never understand why the vast majority of Americans - Jews and non-Jews alike - support Israel.”

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) at an event in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, March 13, 2019

He did not mention Omar by name.

“Take it from this Benjamin: it’s not about the Benjamins,” Netanyahu said. “The reason the people of America support Israel is not because they want our money, it’s because they share our values.”

A few hours later, Omar responded on Twitter: “This from a

man facing indictments for bribery and other crimes in three separate public corruption affairs. Next!”

The Israeli attorneygeneral said on Feb. 28 that he intends to indict Netanyahu on corruption charges in three cases. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

In another tweet, Omar said: “White supremacist violence is on the rise globally. Right-wing extremists killed more people in the US in 2018 than any year since 1995. Anti-Semitic violence accounted for 58% of religious hate crimes. Yet the topic Netanyahu chose to focus on was… me.”

Netanyahu had been due to address AIPAC in person, but returned to Israel on Tuesday, two days ahead of schedule, after a rocket attack from Gaza wounded seven people in a village near Tel Aviv. His speech touched on numerous issues, including Gaza and Iran, before referencing Omar’s February tweet.

Autonomy sale the focus of the UK’s biggest fraud trial

The UK’s biggest fraud trial gets under way on Monday with US technology giant Hewlett-Packard suing the former head of software firm Autonomy.

The civil case is over the £8.4bn sale of the software firm to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

HP alleges that Autonomy founder Mike Lynch and chief financial officer Sushovan Hussain inflated the value of Autonomy before that sale.

Mr Lynch and Mr Hussain deny the claims.

“There was no fraud at Autonomy,” a spokesperson for Mr Lynch said in a statement.

“The real story is that HP, after a history of failed acquisitions,

botched the purchase of Autonomy and destroyed the company, seeking to blame others. Mike will not be a scapegoat for their failures.”

Mr Lynch’s lawyers said the case is a “dispute over differences between UK and US accounting systems” and “certain business judgements”.

Mr Lynch also faces criminal charges in the United States.

On Friday, US prosecutors added three new criminal charges to their indictment against him, including a new charge of securities fraud, as well as additional charges of wire fraud and conspiracy.

They are part of a 17-count indictment filed with the federal court in San Francisco.

A spokesman for the

entrepreneur said: “These are baseless, egregious charges issued on the eve of the trial in the UK, where this case belongs, and Dr Lynch denies them vigorously.”

In the UK case, HP is suing Mr Lynch and former Autonomy chief financial officer Sushovan Hussain for $5.1bn (£3.9bn).

HP and US prosecutors allege that Mr Lynch and other former Autonomy executives artificially inflated the software company’s revenues and earnings between 2009 and 2011, causing HP to overpay for the firm.

But Mr Lynch has argued that HP used the allegations to cover up its own mismanagement of Autonomy after the 2011 deal.

series of actions by the president in the last two years to determine if he intended obstruction. Those include his firing of Comey one week before Mueller’s appointment, his public and private haranguing of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigation because of his work on the campaign, his request of Comey to end an investigation into Michael Flynn, the White House’s first national security adviser, and his drafting of an incomplete explanation about his oldest son’s meeting with a Russian lawyer during the campaign.

Mueller’s findings absolve Trump on the question of colluding with Russia but don’t entirely remove the legal threats the president and associates are facing. Federal prosecutors in New York, for instance, are investigating hush-money payments made to two women during the campaign who say they had sex with the president. Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, implicated Trump in campaign finance violations when he pleaded guilty last year.

The special counsel’s investigation did not come up emptyhanded. It ensnared nearly three dozen people, senior Trump campaign operatives among them. The probe illuminated Russia’s assault on the American political system, painted the Trump campaign as eager to exploit the release of hacked Democratic emails to hurt Hillary Clinton and exposed lies by Trump aides aimed at covering up their Russia-related contacts.

China to prosecute ‘lavish spending’ former Interpol chief China will prosecute former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei for graft after an investigation found he spent “lavish” amounts of state funds, abused his power and refused to follow Communist Party decisions, its anti-corruption watchdog said on Wednesday.

Interpol, the global police coordination agency based in France, last October said Meng had resigned as its president, days after his wife reported him missing after he traveled back to his home country.

The Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Meng Hongwei was suspected of taking bribes and causing serious harm to the party’s image and state’s interests, adding he should be severely dealt with.

The watchdog issued its statement after Chinese President Xi Jinping returned from a state visit to France, where Emmanuel Macron raised the issue of human rights in China and certain specific cases, a French presidency official said.

The anti-graft body said Meng Hongwei had “refused to enact decisions of the party center” and abused his power for private gain.

He “wantonly and lavishly spent state funds to satisfy his family’s luxurious lifestyle”, it said.

Meng also used his position to help his wife get a job and illegally took a “huge amount of possessions” from other people in exchange for help with promotions and job moves and “company operations”, the statement said, without giving details.

Meng has been expelled from the party and his case been handed to legal authorities for prosecution, the statement said.

It has not been possible to reach Meng for comment since he was detained, and unclear if he has been allowed a lawyer.

Meng’s wife, Grace Meng, told French television on Sunday that she had written to Macron ahead of Xi’s trip seeking his help protecting their “fundamental human rights”.

Her lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment on the anti-corruption body’s allegations. France’s interior and justice ministries did not respond to Reuters’ questions.

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Enticed by U.S. ‘Carrots,’ Some Caribbean Countries Break With Venezuela’s Maduro

U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting last Friday with five Caribbean leaders who have publicly sided with the United States in backing the self-proclaimed presidency of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. In return for their support, the U.S. is promising investment in their economies, a powerful diplomatic tool that may entice other Caribbean countries to break off their longstanding ties with President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas. In an interview with WPR, Robert Looney, a distinguished professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, discusses the mounting support for Guaido in the Caribbean and its implications for the Venezuela crisis and for regional integration efforts.

World Politics Review: Why has the Venezuela crisis proved so divisive for Caribbean states? Why have some governments in the region been resistant to backing Guaido?

Robert Looney: There is general agreement throughout the Caribbean region that a major catastrophe is occurring in Venezuela and that its last election was seriously flawed. The Caribbean states’ public differences center more on whether, and to what extent, outside interference to assure Guaido the presidency is appropriate at present. Six countries—Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Guyana and Saint Lucia—are pro-interference and have supported a January 2019 resolution at the Organization of American States, or OAS, refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the Maduro presidency. Three other countries—Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname—oppose interference and acknowledge Maduro’s legitimacy. The remaining Caribbean states—St. Kitts, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Belize—are neutral on the matter.

For some countries in the neutral and pro-Maduro camps, resistance to backing Guaido stems from economic concerns. For years,

Venezuela provided a reliable supply of discounted oil to many Caribbean nations through a program called PetroCaribe. This arrangement provided low-interest credit terms but left many client governments indebted to Venezuela. These countries would like to renegotiate their loans while still receiving oil through the program, but a Guaido presidency would probably not be inclined to go in that direction, given the already substantial debt amassed by Maduro’s government.

Some leaders in the region feel their policies should be guided by the long-standing position of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, that states decide their own future following the principles of non-intervention and non-interference, as laid out in the United Nations charter. In this view, the Venezuelan crisis would ideally be resolved by the U.N. or through a CARICOM-brokered negotiation between the Maduro and Guaido factions. States of this persuasion recognize they are small and powerless nations that must rely on internationally recognized legal norms and principles for their protection. When those rules are ignored, discarded or manipulated, their continued independence is put at risk.

WPR: How has the Trump administration sought to turn Caribbean countries against President Nicolas Maduro? How might these countries play a role in the U.S.-led campaign to oust Maduro?

Looney: Each of the six Caribbean countries that now support Guaido has been affected to some extent by carrots or sticks—or both, as the case may be—from the Trump administration.

At a meeting last Friday between Trump and five leaders from countries that reject Maduro, Trump noted that the meeting would entail “discussing ways that we can be beneficial to you, and you can be beneficial to us.”

Presumably, areas in which the U.S. can be beneficial involve assistance regarding security cooperation,

resilience to natural disasters and expanded investment opportunities. U.S. private investment in the region is often facilitated by the government’s Overseas Private Investment Corporation. This agency will be particularly active in the countries recognizing the presidency of Guaido, sending an implicit message to other countries that they can also receive preferential treatment from the U.S. if they support Guaido.

The Haitian case has an added dimension. Until early 2019, Haiti was a strong supporter of the Chavista government in Caracas. However, the country faces increasingly violent demonstrations stemming in part from public anger over the embezzlement of public funds from the PetroCaribe program. Numerous officials have been implicated in the scandal, spanning three Haitian governments, but no one has been brought to justice.

Partly due to this unrest, the Haitian economy is in a complete freefall and desperately in need of a large amount of financial assistance that only the U.S. can provide. The Maduro regime tried to maintain its close relationship with Haiti through its willingness to renegotiate Haiti’s outstanding debt, but the potential for U.S. assistance was much more attractive. Other cashstarved countries in the region are likely to follow suit, turning to Washington rather than to Maduro as a solution to their problems.

As more countries publicly support Guaido, it will become easier for anti-Maduro governments in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia to increase the pressure on Maduro through sanctions. That is because traditionally, Latin American states do not adopt sanctions without a resolution condemning a regime by a multilateral organization like the OAS. Also, the more countries that support Guaido, the easier it will be politically for the Trump administration to pursue its agenda of undermining the Maduro regime.

WPR: What are the implications

of disunity among Caribbean nations for regional integration efforts through the Caribbean Community?

Looney: The potential problems brought on by the Venezuela crisis could potentially slow CARICOM’s efforts to foster regional economic integration through the Caribbean Single Market and Economy initiative, or CSME. In some cases, it could even lead countries to consider entering competing bilateral alliances, though there has been no sign of this yet. A certain level of disunity among CARICOM’s members is nothing new—its members have made consistent, albeit plodding, progress in economic integration since its inception in 1973.

So far, the most significant achievements under the CSME have been a trend toward easing visa restrictions and the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice in 2003. More meaningful integration, in the form of removal of all non-tariff barriers and establishing single-point levy of import duties, continues to face resistance in most member countries.

However, this resistance is based more on economic considerations than individual governments’ positions on Venezuela. The presence of massive trade imbalances among CARICOM members may cause some member countries to withdraw from the single market in the medium term.

For now, any disagreement among the CARICOM countries over the Venezuela situation is being driven by economic considerations rather than fundamental philosophical differences.

Official CARICOM communications and pronouncements still consistently stress non-intervention, and on March 23, CARICOM foreign ministers cited their meeting with Guaido as a significant step to facilitating a peaceful resolution to the political and economic crisis in Venezuela. As long as CARICOM governments continue to coordinate in this fashion, they should be able to avoid any significant fissures forming as a result of the situation in Venezuela.

Linked by pain: 2 school massacre survivors, dad kill selves

Tragedies like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and Sandy Hook Elementary school massacres eventually fade from view, blunted by other mass shootings and the passage of time. But for the survivors, the pain can never end.

The father of a Sandy Hook victim killed himself Monday, just days after two Stoneman Douglas students also took their lives. The Florida deaths have officials in Parkland and nearby Coral Springs renewing their communities’ focus on the suicide prevention and mental health resources that remain available 13 months after a gunman killed 17 people at the high school.

In Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 first-graders died along with six staff members six years ago, the body of 49-year-old Jeremy Richman was found outside his office Monday morning.

Richman’s daughter Avielle was fatally shot at Sandy Hook. He had visited Florida last week and met with the parents of Stoneman Douglas victims, said Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter Alyssa died there.

Richman and his wife oversaw The Avielle Foundation, a group they started dedicated to preventing violence by better understanding brain health.

“Our hearts are shattered, and our heads are struggling to comprehend,” the foundation said in a statement.

“Tragically, his death speaks to how insidious and formidable a challenge

“It’s not a foregone conclusion that this will happen to everyone who’s been exposed to this and the majority of people who are suicidal don’t go on to die. They go on to recover and live,” she said.

The first suicide took place March 16. Cara Aiello told WFOR-TV last week that her 18-year-old daughter Sydney had suffered from survivor’s guilt — her friend, Meadow Pollack, died in the attack.

Sydney had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and struggled to attend college because she feared being in a classroom, but never asked for help, her mother said.

Mourners bring flowers as they pay tribute at a memorial for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman

Coral Springs police officer Tyler Douglas High School, in Parkland, Fla Reik confirmed Monday that a Stoneman brain health can be and how critical it is psychiatry at Rush University Medical Douglas sophomore apparently killed himself Saturday, but said an official for all of us to seek help for ourselves, our Center in Chicago. determination had not been made loved ones and anyone who we suspect Even if they weren’t hit by may be in need.” bullets or didn’t see shots fired, “anyone pending an autopsy. The boy’s name was

Multiple suicides among mass who was at that school is at risk,” Kraus not immediately released.

Community leaders, shooting survivors can be alarming, but said, and should be screened. mental health experts said the Florida “The scars simply don’t go away government officials, parents, police and others held an emergency meeting deaths are not surprising. They come with a fresh coat of paint,” he said. amid a rising nationwide trend: More Psychologist April Foreman, Sunday after the second student suicide, than 47,000 U.S. suicides occurred in a board member at the American Parkland Mayor Christine Hunschofsky 2017, at the highest rate in at least half a Association of Suicidology, said survivors said.

The biggest push will be to century — 14 per 100,000. Suicide is the are more prone to suicide and thus must alert parents to talk to their children second-leading cause of death among be vigilant about mental health checkU.S. teenagers. ups just as if they had a family history of about whether they are having suicidal thoughts and outline the danger signs

“One of the big risk factors for breast cancer or heart disease. suicide is exposure to violence,” said Dr. With help, people can overcome for them, such as personality changes or a preoccupation with death, she said.

Louis Kraus, chief of child and adolescent their suicidal impulses, she said.

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TECHNOLOGY

Apple belatedly jumps into the streaming TV business

Jumping belatedly into a with more seeming to be bowing into business dominated by Netflix and the competition daily, including AT&T’s Amazon, Apple announced its own TV WarnerMedia, Disney and Comcast. and movie streaming service Monday, “Great competitors make for enlisting such superstars as Oprah great consumer experiences,” Netflix Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston and Steven said in a statement. Netflix stock rose Spielberg to try to overcome its rivals’ $5.22 to $366.23 Monday. Apple’s stock head start. fell $2.31 to $188.74.

Apple didn’t disclose the price Among the upcoming programs or the launch date except to say that on the new Apple service will be WinfreyApple TV Plus will be available this fall. created documentaries; a show about TV It will feature Apple’s original shows and morning talk shows, starring Aniston, movies .

Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell; a

The company also unveiled futuristic drama starting Momoa; and a a news subscription service that will sci-fi show called “Amazing Stories” from give customers access to roughly 300 Spielberg. magazines and a few major newspapers Apple TV Plus will be featured for $10 a month. And it announced a in the existing Apple TV app, which Apple CEO Tim Cook and Oprah Winfrey prepare to new branded credit card. brings together different streaming embrace at the Steve Jobs Theater during an event

The video-streaming venture services such as HBO and Showtime and to announce new products Monday, March 25, 2019, in Cupertino, Calif is fraught with risk for a company traditional cable subscriptions. scrambling to diversify beyond its star Video will be delivered to taken his successor, CEO Tim Cook, product, the iPhone, whose sales have iPhones and iPads, Apple’s own Apple TV nearly eight years to draw up the plan started to decline . Netflix, which started device, smart TVs and, soon, streaming the company will now try to execute. its streaming service in 2007, has 139 gadgets from Roku and Amazon.

“Apple is very late to this game,” million subscribers worldwide.

Netflix, which isn’t included eMarketer analyst Paul Verna said.

But Apple has lots of money, in the Apple TV app, has turned “Netflix has become the gold standard more than 900 million active iPhones, “binge watching” into a worldwide in how to create and distribute content, and a track record for innovation that phenomenon become a powerhouse using all the data they have about their has enabled it to overtake its rivals, in both Silicon Valley and Hollywood viewers.” even when it enters a business late, as since it shifted its emphasis on original Industry analyst Colin Gillis of it did with smartphones, tablets and programming in 2013..

Chatham Road Partners said Apple TV smartwatches.

Apple was long focused on Plus is “not going to be a Netflix killer.”

In the past, of course, Apple making on gadgets: iPhones, iPads, And Martin Garner of CCS Insights said has mostly jumped into relatively small computers. Apple co-founder Steve the service so far lacks “the full range and and undeveloped markets. Streaming Jobs toyed with the idea of building a diversity of content available through video, by contrast, is dominated by huge powerful TV business but couldn’t pull it Netflix, Amazon and others.” services like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, off before his death in 2011. It has

Several analysts, however,

Samsung reportedly removing all physical buttons from the Galaxy Note 10

Something to look forward entire project was just a marketing to: We still haven’t reached the point stunt never intended for mass where a new Galaxy Note 10 rumor production. But there’s still the 2019 arrives every other day, but speculation version of Vivo’s Apex smartphone, over Samsung’s next flagship is which also has no buttons.

The report adds that this growing. One such report makes a bold statement about the smartphone: it “keyless technology” will also be implemented in Samsung’s nonwill have no physical buttons.

The claim, which should be flagship models, including the Galaxy taken with a heavy dose of salt, comes A series.

The smartphone industry from Korean publication ETNews. It writes that instead of the usual volume has been stagnant for a long time rocker and power button, the Note 10 now, leading to the introduction of will use pressure-sensitive capacitive innovative products and designs such sections, meaning you squeeze the as folding phones and hole-punch displays, but a Note phone without sides much like HTC’s U11.

A button-free phone isn’t a buttons does sound unlikely. We’ll new concept. It’s something we saw find out whether the report is accurate in the Meizu Zero, which also had no when the handset launches, which will headphone jack, SIM tray, and speaker likely be sometime in August. grills. Ultimately, however, that phone In other Note 10 news, it looks didn’t manage to reach even half of as if there will be a 5G version of the its crowdfunding target, leading to device, as is the case with the Galaxy the company’s CEO revealing that the S10.

U.S. made progress in convincing EU on Huawei technology risks

The United States has made progress in convincing the European Union of the risks in using technology from China’s Huawei and will continue to push them on the issue, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.

In congressional testimony, Pompeo said he was “hopeful” that the Europeans would move in the U.S. direction on using Huawei equipment. “I think we’ve made progress and I know that we are going to continue to push,” he said.

“When you have telecommunications that are deeply connected to state-owned U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testifies at enterprises connected to China, we don’t a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on see there is a technical mitigation risk the State Department’s budget request for 2020 in that is possible.”

Washington D.C., U.S. March 27, 2019

warned not to count Apple out.

Apple has reportedly spent more than $1 billion on its original TV shows and movies — far less than Netflix and HBO spend every year. It has plenty of money to spend, though, with about $245 billion in cash and marketable securities.

As part of its effort to catch up, Apple hired two longtime Sony television executives in 2017. They have signed up stars such as Spielberg, Ron Howard and Sofia Coppola.

Winfrey received a standing ovation during her appearance at Apple’s announcement Monday in Cupertino.

“I’m joining forces with Apple,” she said. “They’re in a billion pockets, y’all.”

Apple News Plus, the news subscription service, will include such major papers as The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. Other major newspaper publishers have reportedly been wary of Apple’s terms.

The Journal will feature generalinterest articles, not its entire slate of stories, although Apple said any article the Journal publishes could be searched for on the Apple app.

Apple said advertisers won’t track readers inside the app. That will distinguish it from Facebook and Google, the other major online news hubs.

The company’s new Mastercard credit card, called Apple Card, won’t have any late fees or annual fees and will offer 2 percent cash back.

Google to announce deal with Cuba on improving connectivity

Lismai Aguilar (C), 18, uses a mobile phone to connect to the internet at a hotspot in downtown Havana, Cuba, December 12, 2016

Alphabet Inc’s Google plans to announce a memorandum of understanding with Cuban telecoms monopoly ETECSA on Thursday to explore ways of improving connectivity on the Communist-run island, a person familiar with matter told Reuters.

While relations between the United States and Cuba have nosedived of late, the old Cold War foes seem able to agree on the need to increase internet access in what has long been one of the Western world’s least connected nations.

While President Donald Trump has tightened the decades-old U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, he has not eliminated an exception to it established by his predecessor Barack Obama, which allows U.S. telecommunications companies to provide services to Cuba, such as setting up fiber-optic cable.

U.S. tech behemoth Google has been working to expand its business in Cuba for years although the source said the agreement was not a commitment from the firm to build anything.

The Cuban government had been set to hold a news conference in Havana with Google on Tuesday but then rescheduled it for Thursday.

Neither Google officials working on Cuba projects nor the

government replied to requests for comment.

Whether because of a lack of cash, the U.S. embargo or concerns about the flow of information, the internet in Cuba was largely only available to the public at tourist hotels until 2013.

But the government has since made boosting connectivity a priority, introducing cybercafes and outdoor WiFi hotspots, slowly starting to hook up homes to the Web and last December introducing mobile internet.

Still, Cubans complain the connection is slow and expensive and coverage is spotty. The cash-strapped government has acknowledged it needs to build up the infrastructure.

Google already took advantage of the Obama-era thaw in U.S.-Cuban relations, which have since frozen over once more, to set up a small pilot display center in Havana and signed a deal in 2016 granting internet users quicker access to its branded content.

Former Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt met with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel twice last year, first in June in Havana and then at a meeting with other technology executives in New York in September.

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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS

Southwest trims first-quarter outlook after 737 MAX groundings

Southwest Airlines Co on of Southwest, were up in late afternoon Wednesday was the first major U.S. airline trading on optimism that the worst is to formally cut its financial outlook for over for the 737 MAX now that Boeing the year after being forced to pull its new has put forward a plan for fixing the fleet of 34 Boeing 737 MAX planes out of aircraft. service.

Boeing is this week briefing

The Dallas, Texas-based airline, airlines on software and training updates which has struggled with maintenance for the MAX, with more than 200 airline problems and a harsh U.S. winter, pilots, technical experts and regulators estimates it will have canceled 9,400 from around the world due to visit the flights between mid-February and March Renton, Washington, facility where the 31, reducing growth in its number of 737 is assembled. available seats to just 1 percent compared

As well as approval from the to a year ago.

Federal Aviation Administration, any

That compared with a forecast MAX software fixes will need a green of around 3.5 percent to 4 percent in light from governments around the late January. The reduction also led it to world, which could take months. cut growth in another closely-watched

While shares of the world’s measure - revenue per available seat mile A number of grounded Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft are shown parked at Victorville Airport biggest plane manufacturer have fallen (RASM) - by a full percentage point. around 12 percent since the March in Victorville, California, U.S., March 26, 2019

Overall it estimated it would lose 10 crash, Wall Street has been slow to $150 million in revenue in the quarter 10 percent, compared with its previous has so far said only that it was cancelling predict major financial implications. forecast of about 6 percent because of around 90 flights per day as a result of compared to previous expectations. “(Our) base case is a multiple “(We) experienced softness in flight cancellations. This figure excludes the grounding of its own 24 Boeing 737 month grounding punctuated by a MAX planes. No. 3 U.S. carrier United manageable fix; meaning the stock can passenger demand and bookings related fuel costs and profit-sharing expenses.

U.S. airlines and manufacturers, Airlines has 14 of the planes. to the government shutdown, resulting resume its move into the $400s with a United Airlines and Air Canada path to more than $500,” analysts from in an estimated $60 million negative along with Wall Street, have been slow revenue impact in first quarter 2019,” to estimate losses from the fallout of had earlier warned of a hit to their U.S. bank Citi said. the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March business due to the groundings, with Southwest said.

Another analyst, Cai von

“Trends have also been 10, which killed 157 and led to the the Canadian carrier suspending its 2019 Rumohr, said most of the immediate negatively impacted by more winter worldwide grounding of Boeing’s new financial forecasts. impact on airlines was likely to be

“The impacts associated with in March and April given the leisureweather disruptions than expected, MAX jets.

Southwest said of its expected the MAX are contained to Southwest, oriented spring break travel period. unscheduled maintenance disruptions, further softness in leisure-oriented cancellations, about 3,800 would be American, and United, though are most “We still see a tough Q1, marred passenger demand and yields, and the weather-related and about 2,800 due to acute for Southwest per today’s update,” by the government shutdown, weather, unscheduled maintenance disruptions Morgan Stanley analyst Rajeev Lalwani and MAX grounding; and Q2 will be MAX groundings.” said.

Southwest also now estimates and the grounding of the 737 MAX 8. affected through at least April, probably Its larger rival, American Airlines, Airlines shares, including those longer,” he said. first-quarter unit costs to increase about

New Jersey jury finds J&J not liable in latest talc cancer trial

A New Jersey jury on Wednesday cleared Johnson & Johnson of liability in a lawsuit brought by a man who said that asbestos in the company’s talcum powder products caused his mesothelioma.

The jury delivered its unanimous verdict in Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick, just miles from J&J’s headquarters, in the case of plaintiff Ricardo Rimondi.

J&J, which faces some 13,000 talc-related lawsuits nationwide, denies that its talc causes cancer, saying numerous Bottles of Johnson & Johnson baby powder line a drugstore shelf in New York October 15, studies and tests by regulators 2015 worldwide have shown its talc to containing talc sold by J&J in the Some of the ovarian cancer be safe and asbestos-free. verdicts have been overturned on

J&J in a statement said past, caused his disease.

The jury returned its appeal on technical legal grounds, the company’s track record in the talc litigation underscored verdict in favor of the company while the company’s other appeals “the decades of clinical evidence after just half an hour of are still pending.

“It remains true that of and scientific studies by medical deliberations, according to a experts around the world” livestream of the proceedings by all the talc-related verdicts against Johnson & Johnson that have supporting the safety of Johnson’s Courtroom View Network.

The healthcare been through the appeals process, Baby Powder.

J&J shares, which had conglomerate to date has faced every one has been overturned,” been down slightly, turned 12 trials by plaintiffs claiming the company said in its statement positive after the verdict was asbestos in talc caused their on Wednesday.

Plaintiffs’ lawyers have announced and were up 23 cents mesothelioma.

J&J has now been cleared more recently focused on arguing at $138.80.

Lawyers for the 58-year old of liability in four trials, with that asbestos contamination in Rimondi could not immediately another five resulting in hung talc caused ovarian cancer and juries and mistrials. Three juries mesothelioma. be reached for comment.

Reuters in December

Rimondi in 2016 was have found J&J liable, awarding a diagnosed with mesothelioma, a total of $172 million in damages. published a report detailing that the company knew that the talc type of cancer that has been linked J&J is appealing those verdicts.

The majority of the in its raw and finished powders to asbestos exposure.

He and his wife sued J&J in 13,000 talc lawsuits against the sometimes tested positive for 2017. They alleged that Rimondi’s company involve ovarian cancer small amounts of asbestos from lifetime exposure to Johnson’s claims. Juries in those cases have the 1970s into the early 2000s Baby Powder and Shower to hit the company with verdicts as test results the company did not disclose to regulators or consumers.

Shower, another powder product high as $4.69 billion.

Told U.S. security at risk, Chinese firm seeks to sell Grindr dating app

Chinese gaming company Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd is seeking to sell Grindr LLC, the popular gay dating app it has owned since 2016, after a U.S. government national security panel raised concerns about its ownership, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has informed Kunlun that its ownership of West Hollywood, California-based Grindr constitutes a national security risk, the two sources said.

CFIUS’ specific concerns and whether any attempt was made to mitigate them could not be learned.

The United States has been increasingly scrutinizing app developers over the safety of personal data they handle, especially if some of it involves U.S. military or intelligence personnel.

Kunlun had said last August it was preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) of Grindr. As a result of CFIUS’ intervention, Kunlun has now shifted its focus to an auction process to sell Grindr outright, given that the IPO would have kept Grindr under Kunlun’s control for a longer period of time, the sources said.

Grindr has hired investment bank Cowen Inc to handle the sale process, and is soliciting acquisition interest from U.S. investment firms, as well as Grindr’s competitors, according to the sources.

The development represents a rare, highprofile example of CFIUS undoing an acquisition that has already been completed. Kunlun took over Grindr through two separate deals between 2016 and 2018 without submitting the acquisition for CFIUS review, according to the sources, making it vulnerable to such an intervention.

The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

Kunlun representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Grindr and Cowen declined to comment. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which chairs CFIUS, said the panel does not comment publicly on individual cases.

Grindr, which describes itself as the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, had 27 million users as of 2017. The company collects personal information submitted by its users, including a person’s location, messages, and in some cases even someone’s HIV status, according to its privacy policy.

CFIUS’ intervention in the Grindr deal underscores its focus on the safety of personal data, after it blocked the acquisitions of U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International Inc and mobile marketing firm AppLovin by Chinese bidders in the last two years.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

Come and join our winning team at Seven Star Resort & Spa The following positions are currently available DIRECTOR OF CULINARY SERVICES Seven Stars Resort & Spa is looking for a dynamic individual to head up its culinary department. The successful individual will be responsible for managing, planning and coordinating all culinary outletsatSeven Stars Resort & Spa. DUTIES AND RESPONPSIBILITES • Manager and coordinate all aspects of food production of a large-scale food preparation operation, including daily production of all foods and assisting with staffing schedules.

• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and supervising food production staff.

• Develop training programs and coordinate all professional development for staff.

• Inspect all resort restaurants and employee cafeteria to ensure compliance with quality, sanitation, and safety standards.

• Responsible for developing and updating recipes and menus for all culinary outlets.

• Assist as needed in the operation of assigned specialty areas, such as catering and alcohol distribution.

• Oversee the purchase of food items and equipment used in food preparation.

• Inspect cools and freezers for proper storage and inventory levels and use of leftovers in daily operations.

• Participate on committees and maintain appropriate records/files as required.

• Perform related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • Extensive and proven culinary-related leadership experience within multi-unit restaurant organizations required, including menu and recipe development, financial acumen such as budgeting and analyses.

• Strong experience in collaborating and leading through others is required. Must demonstrate ability to influence and develop others through indirect reporting relationships.

• Minimum of 10 years culinary experience with a significant portion spent in five star dining.

• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects under extreme deadlines within specific parameters.

• Strong communicator with solid interpersonal, verbal and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated knowledge of industry trends.

• Passion for food and service.

• Previous five star Executive Chef experience or equivalent experience as Executive Sous Chef • Must contribute to the Community of the Turks & Caicos Islands by carrying out training etc.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management Salary USD65, 000 per annum and is based on experience DIRECTOR OF FINANCE We are recruiting a Director of Finance responsible for overall management of all accounting, purchasing, and MIS functions, including, but not limited to, safeguarding all assets, strategic planning/budgeting, and compliance with internal controls and procedures. To provide functional guidance to the Executive Committee and Department Heads, interact with the resorts legal counsel, insurance companies and auditors to effectively control the assets of the business and to provide business support. Salary is based on experience and qualifications.

Director of Finance Suitable candidates must have a relevant degree plus recognized accounting qualification, ACA/CPA with 15 years post qualification experience at Finance Director/CFO level • Must have at least 5 years’ experience in the hospitality industry at Finance Director/CFO level • Must possess strong background in internal/external audit • Must have extensive experience with Strata Corporation management at Executive Committee level.

• Must possess a strong IT & HR background • Must have extensive knowledge of Visual 1 software • Must be fluent in English Salary Range $70,000 to $90,000 per annum. 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 MAINTENANCE TEAM LEADER We are looking for a competent Maintenance Team Leader to assist the Chief Engineer with supervising maintenance department here at Seven Stars Resort & Spa. The successful candidate will be responsible training staff and must be reliable and have a great eye for detail. Must have Strong technical skills and knowledge of various crafts such as carpentry, plumbing etc. Leadership and knowledge of administrative tasks such as scheduling are also essential. Is required to work nights, weekends and public holidays.

Wages $9.50 per hour.

Other positions: • Housekeeping Attendant • Carpenter • Crystallization Specialist

The Resort Butler will look after the general request of our guests by liaising with relevant colleagues and departments to actively responding to all the guests needs. The Resort Butler reports directly to the Recreation Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Anticipate guest needs and expectations correctly, including those with special needs, and provide appropriate products, services or information.

• Recognize customer dissatisfaction promptly and take action to resolve the situation according to individual level of responsibility and guest feedback/ complaint procedures.

• Offer assistance to colleagues when required, to ensure designated work goals are met.

• Seek assistance from other team members, supervisors and managers when required.

• Assist housekeeping and F&B with the set up preparation of guest areas • Maintaining an open-line of communication with F&B, Front Office and housekeeping colleagues.

• Accurately take and communicate orders to F&B colleagues for service.

• Maintain good knowledge of Beach Bar menu to answer questions the guests may have.

• Knowledgeable of all in-house services as well as local information and be able to assist guests when questioned.

REQUIREMENTS: • Demonstrate a sound knowledge of all menu items and Hygiene Standards • F&B, Housekeeping& Pool & Beach Attendant experience • Must be able to work in all weather conditionsand able to work long hours in the sun • Position requires the individual to work weekends and holidays • Must be physically fit Salary USD15,000 per annum and is based on experience ACCOUNTANT: We are seeking an accomplished individual with demonstrated qualification and experiences as an accountant within a Resort.

Requirements • Have at least 10 years’ experience with Accounts Payable systems, General Ledger and supplier statement reconciliations.

• Must be conversant with stocktaking procedures, stock valuation methods, and automated stock control devices and software.

• Demonstrated strong experience & background in Finance with specific emphasis on financial reporting.

• Excellent people skills, high-energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and professionalism.

• Caribbean or similar International exposure.

• Must have received Bachelors in Accounting or equivalent and 10 years’ experience in Finance.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Visual 1 software • Must be able to work long hours, nights, weekends and holidays Responsible for: • Provide leadership in establishing high-quality standards within the accounting department and must possess excellent communication and leadership skills.

• Assist in the preparation of budget presentations; the production of periodic financials, statistics and operational metrics for senior management Salary range: USD25,000 to USD30,000 per annum (Salary is negotiable and based on level, experience and qualifications) RECREATION MANAGER Oversee the effective and efficient operation of Pool & Beach and Water Sports Services in accordance with the objectives, performance and quality standards established by the resort. To plan, organize, and motivate all colleagues to excel in delivering quality experiences to all guests.

Requirements • • • •

Skills & abilities (required technical/functional skills) Qualified swimmer & certified in First Aid & CPR Must have 4 to 5 years Supervisory or Managerial experience Working knowledge computers and Microsoft office suite with proficiency in excel and word • Well organized with excellent written and verbal communication skills • Must be fit and able to run and lift heavy objects and equipment’s • Must be willing to work long hours in all weather conditions • Outgoing personality with excellent interpersonal skills, comfortable speaking and enjoy working with people • Creative and imaginative and able to translate ideas into action and programs • Able to multi-task several projects at once and establish priorities amongst competing interests Salary range: USD34,000 to USD36,000 per annum (Salary is negotiable and based on level, experience and qualifications).

HOTEL IT MANAGER As the IT Manager at Seven Stars Resort & Spa you’ll ensure our computers are installed properly, working efficiently and that system security measures are in place. You’ll also install new systems to improve hotel efficiency, always following standards and guidelines and making sure your teams have the tools and resources they need.

Must have minimum of three years previous experience as an IT Manager (preferably in a luxury hotel environment). Strong sense of urgency and extremely customer service focused. Familiar with a variety of hotel PMS systems. Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include evenings, weekends and holidays (on call 24hrs). The ability to work in a fast paced team focused work environment.

Salary range: USD35,000 per annum (Salary is negotiable and based on level, experience and qualifications).

RESORT BUTLER

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 Human Resources Department. Prospective applicants who are Islanders kindly send copies of your application to the board. Application deadline: April 15, 2019

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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IMMEDIATE OPENING ASSISTANT HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Purpose: Responsible for managing the Human Resources department ensuring effective and efficient operation of department, processes and programs; coordinate intra and interdepartmental communication. Reports to the Director of Human Resources for all HR matters.

Areas of Responsibility: •Identify staff vacan¬cies and recruit, interview and select applicants.Administer compensation, benefits and performance management systems, and safety and recreation programs •Allocate human resources, ensuring appropriate matches between personnel.

•Provide current and prospective employees with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, opportunities for promotion and employee benefits.

•Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, terminating employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.

•Advise managers on organizational policy matters such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes.

•Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

•Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives.

•Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.

•Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.

•Maintain records and compile statistical reports concerning personnel-related data such as hires, transfers, performance appraisals, and absenteeism rates.

•Analyze statistical data and reports to identify and determine causes of personnel problems and develop recommendations for improvement of organization’s personnel policies and practices.

•Plan, organize, direct, control or coordinate the personnel, training, or labor relations activities of an organization.

•Conduct exit interviews to identify reasons for employee termination.

•Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.

•Prepare and follow budgets for personnel operations.

•Develop, administer and evaluate applicant tests.

•Oversee the evaluation, classification and rating of occupations and job positions.

•Assisting the Immigration and Labour Liaison in compiling compelling arguments for work permit applications and conducting processing of work permits as assigned by the HR Director.

•Study legislation, arbitration decisions, and collective bargaining contracts to assess industry trends.

•Provide terminated employees with outplacement or relocation assistance.

•Assisting in any human resource related position in the absence of other employees.

•Managing special HR Related reports and projects as instructed by Management.

•Ensure confidentiality of all activity and documentation is maintained at all times.

•Other duties as may be requested or required by department or other manager.

Key Skills and Requirement: •Minimum of 2years’ experience in Human Resources or HR Related field •Bachelor’s Degree in HR or Relevant Field preferred •Knowledge of Word, Publisher, PowerPoint and Excel •Typing and computer proficiency •Basic Mathematic Skills •Experience in ADP Software a plus Salary $35, 000- 50,000 per annum Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, in person at 16 Princess Drive, The Bight Providenciales. Hours are Monday through Friday 10AM to 12PM and bring along a recent C.V. Appointments may also be made by calling The Palms at 946-8666. Resumes can also be emailed to Tiersa Hall, Director of Human Resources at tiersa.hall@ hartlinggroup.com. Deadline for Applications March 31st 2019

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

Ocean Vibes Scuba & Watersports Ltd

RAMBO AND JUNA ENTERTAINMENT

BOAT CAPTAINS: Must have captains license, be drug free, willing to work long hours including weekends, holidays and dawn excursions.

Wages are $450 per week.

Location: Providenicales is seeking (10) Barmaids Must be able to serve drinks and assist the Bartender and must be able to serve the customers To work 6 days a week Salary is $6:50 per hour Contact:346-6455 These positions are new Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

Located in Providenciales and Grand Turk Seeks:

DECK HANDS/TOUR GUIDES Duties include prepping boat, tour equipment, food and drink for tours, guiding tours, making sure boat is clean and tidy and tours are executed in a safe and timely manner. Work week includes very early mornings, weekends and holidays. Wages are $75 per day.

LABOURER -$7 per hour Cleaning boats at the end of day, helping with maintenance, sanding, painting, office and yard cleaning.

All candidates must have a clean police record. For boat positions candidates must be able to pass a drug test, be a competent swimmer and have First Aid certification.

To apply please send resume, copies of certifications and references by email to: GTSHOREEXCURSIONS@GMAIL.COM None of the positions are currently held by work permit holders.

Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board.

Toriano Williams

Holton Williams

WALTER MOORE

Location: Providenciales Is seeking one Labourer Duties may include cleaning and preparing a job site, loading and delivering materials, and using a variety of tools and machines Salary is $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 246-1721 This position is currently held by a Work Permit Holder Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

In South Caicos Is seeking a fisherman/diver To work 6 days per week Duties include fishing, diving, and preparing seafood for sale Salary: $300.00 per week Please contact 245-2000 This position is currently held by a work permit holder Interested Turks and Caicos Islanders are encouraged to send a copy of their application to the Immigration Board

Location: Long Bay, Providenciales Is seeking a Labourer Duties may include cleaning and preparing a job site, loading and delivering materials, and using a variety of tools and machines To work 5 days a week Remuneration: $6.50 per hour based on experience and qualification This position is new Kindly forward resume and qualification to toriano_ williams@hotmail.com, copying same to the Turks and Caicos Islands Labour Department and Immigration

A & J TRUCKING

Show’s Bar

Donavon M. Fortune

South Dock Road, Providenciales Is in need of Dump Trailer Driver & (2) Waste Collector Is seeking (1) Labourer - $6.25 per hour Is seeking (1) Mechanic - $400.00 per week •Driver must have at least 5 years experience in driving 24ft-30ft Dump Trailer Salary is $10.00 per hour •Waste Collector must be willing to work on garbage trucks, cleaning garbage from roadsides and various districts in Providenciales.

Salary is $250.00 per week Interested Belongers must submit their application to the Immigration Board and contact: Julie Smith Telephone # 231-0032 anytime These position are currently held by Work Permit Holders

In Grand Turk Is seeking five (5) Bar Maids Must be able to serve drinks and assist the Bartender and must be able to serve the customers To work 6 days a week Salary $6.25 per hour Please contact 231-7246 or 241-6542 These positions are new Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should also send copies of their application to the Immigration Board

#681586

Eagle Claw Security

Location: Five Cays, Providenciales Is seeking a Boat Mechanic Duties include: repairing outboard engines, inboard engines, inboard-outboard engines, boat steering systems, plumbing or propellers To work 6 days a week Salary $10.00 per hour Please Contact: 347-4220 This position is new Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should also send copies of their application to the Immigration Board

Kervin Gordon

Salt Cay Divers

Location: Cheshire Hall, Providenciales Seeking: Surveillance Technician Salary is $3,000.00– 3,500.00 monthly Applicant must be a qualified technician Least 5 years knowledge and experience in the technical field Training in security and surveillance will be an asset Contact: Tel. 941-4429 or Email: Eagle_ Eyeshfw@hotmail.com Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should also send copies of their application to the Labour Board

Location: Kew Town, Providenciales Seeking: Domestic Worker Salary is $6.25 per hour Contact: 344 4313 This position is currently held by a Work Permit Holder Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should also send copies of their application to the Labour Board

Location: Salt Cay Is seeking Scuba Instructor Must be PADI Instructor with 15 years of experience, certified boat captain, outboard mechanic Salary $10.00 per hour Please Contact: 649-245-1063 or email karen@saltcaydivers.com This position is new Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

M & W MEP Services

The LUX Car Wash

LUX Rent A Car

Location: Blue Hills, Providenciales Is seeking a Mechanic Helper Duties: To assist the head mechanic, body work, spraying cars and replace engineer To work 6 days per week Salary $9.00 per hour Please Contact: 231-2650 This position is new Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

#814077

Location: Market Place, Leeward High Way Is seeking (2) Tire Repair Attendant Must be able to change Tires, Repairing flat tires and know how to work under pressure (1)Car wash Attendant Must be able to wash cars in fast speed To work 7 days a week Salary for both is $6.25 per hour These positions are new Please Contact: 341-3279 Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

# 814076

Location: Grace Bay, Providenciales Seeking: Store Clerks Butler Salary is $6.25 - $7.00 per hour Description: Attend to customers, Have the ability to properly organize Keep inventory of goods on display and general stock Contact: Deluxe Training and Employment Agency Tel. 946-8876 or Email: deluxebusinesscenter@tciway.tc These positions are currently held

by Work Permit Holders Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should also send copies of their application to the Labour Board

Freedom Electrical Services

Diamond Cleaning Services

Location: Five Cays, Providenciales Is seeking is Two (2) Electricians Duties: Install, maintain and repair electrical control, wiring, and lighting systems To work 4 days per week Salary is $500.00 weekly Please Contact: 344-1530 These positions are new Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

Location: Kew Town, Providenciales Is seeking three (3) Domestic Cleaners Two females and one male Duties include: Cleaning Villas, schools and offices etc Salary is $6.50 per hour Must be able to work 5 days per week and be on call Please Contact: 241-7600 These positions are currently held by Work Permit Holders Interested Belongers must submit their application to the Immigration Board

#8140822

SPARKLE CLEANING SERVICES Needed Urgently: Four (4) Cleaners/Car washers Duties: Washing and detailing automobiles Wages: On a commission basis Qualification: Honest, hardworking, highly motivated, Friendly, must be able to work under minimum supervision and flexible hours, Ability to safely operate motor vehicle.

Experience is essential.

Closing date for application is April 12th, 2019 These positions are held by Work Permit Holders Applicants who are Turks & Caicos islander should also copies of their application to the immigration board or use directly: Sparkle Cleaning Services Suite 5, Southside Plaza, Five Cays Road, Providenciales Tel: (649)241-0237 Email: carwashguy@hotmail.com

Willette Pratt

Location: Grand Turk Is seeking a House Keeper/ Nanny Duties: Basic cleaning, to take care of a toddler, preparing meals, cleaning and doing laundry To work Monday to Friday and occasionally on weekends Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 241-5722 This position is new Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board #814074

Location: Market Place, Leeward High Way Is seeking three (3) Customer Service Representative Job Duties: Answering telephone calls, answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services Salary is $7.00 per hour To work 5 days per week These positions are new Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

Chiraag Ltd.

JACQUES ROCK NEEDS DOMESTIC WORKER In Grand Turk Duties include providing regular housekeeping.

This may include sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, laundry and cleaning dishes Salary $6.25 per hour To work 6 days per week Please Contact 241-2436 This position is currently being held by a worker permit holder Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board on Airport Road in Providenciales

#814083

Caicos Bakery & Retail LTD Grace Bay Road (behind Caicos café) Is seeking suitable qualified applicants to fill the following position: Baker & Pastry Chef Specialized in gluten free and organic products Have 5yrs experience in similar position Excellent Interpersonal skills Excellent written & verbal communication Ability to work within a team Must be a team player Suitable qualified candidates should apply in writing or send resume to: Phone (649)242-2266(Eric) Please Email: bakerytc@gmail.com These positions are currently held by Work Permit Holders Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should also send copies of their application to the Labour Board #814084

Vilas Oasis Location: The Bight, Providenciales Seeking: Domestic Worker Maintenance Man Salary is $6.25 - $7.00 per hour Contact: 941 5556 These positions are currently held by a Work Permit Holders Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should also send copies of their application to the Labour Board

Coral Reef Bar and Grill Location: Salt Cay Seeking a Cook for Breakfast and lunch Must have 10 years experience Duties include cooking, cleaning, bartending, serving and baking Salary: $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 649-245-1063 or email karen@saltcaydivers.com This position is new . Interest Turks & Caicos Islander applicants must send a copy of their resume to the Immigration Board

After the huge success of the 2018 Fortis Youth Leagues held across the various Islands, Fortis TCI continues to work with the Turks & Caicos Islands Football Assocation (TCIFA) to support the youth development football programmes in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Over 100 players celebrated the return and opening of the Fortis TCI youth league in Providenciales on Saturday, March 22nd. As part of the opening festivities, the event featured a uniform parade of six teams; Transformer Hotspurs FC, Electric Blazer FC, Power Munich FC, Lightening City FC, Electric Madrid, and Spark FC. It continued with an opening ceremony, group scrimmage

matches and aptly named interactive competitions (Speed Circuit/ Voltameter, Circuit Breaker, Surge Protector, and Power Penalty). It is anticipated that 200+ players are expected to join the Providenciales version of the league.

Ruth Forbes, Senior Vice President of Fortis, commented, “I cant help but feel it’s only getting better and better. I am happy to see that so many boys and girls here today are eager to take on the competition of this season.

Indeed their excitement and enthusiasm are certainly contagious, and their interest in this game is very clear for us to see. When we first launched the league in 2017, we were convinced back then,

LOCAL SPORTS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

as we are today, that sponsoring the first competitive youth football league in the Turks & Caicos Islands would be a great investment in the future of our boys and girls. We knew then that this league would be a great outlet for their creativity and energy, and it would help them to express their love for the beautiful game; and we still believe it.

We’ve seen this week after week for the past two seasons. We also realize that in sponsoring the league, we are assisting the TCIFA to fulfill its commitment to developing youth football across the TCI. This is what we call a win-win.”

The League provides an environment for youth players to

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develop and grow through football, providing the highest quality of local competition for players in the Under 9 to Under 13 age groups.

The League will commence in the sister Islands with opening ceremonies slated for the following dates and times: Grand Turk, Parade Grounds- Tuesday, April 2, 3:15pm South Caicos, Iris Stubbs Primary SchoolWednesday, April 3, 3:15pm North/Middle Caicos, Raymond Gardiner High School- Friday April 5, 3:15pm

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WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

SPORTS

LeBron James talks missing playoffs: ‘It’s not what we signed up for’

For the first time in 13 years, LeBron James will not be in the playoffs.

While a few hearty souls predicted the Lakers would fall short of the postseason — shout out to Tim Bontemps of ESPN — the conventional wisdom was the presence of LeBron was enough to lift the Lakers at least into the playoffs. That was certainly the expectation within the organization (where many thought things were more like home court in the first round good). A combination of a poorly constructed roster, injuries, and a perfect storm of little things all added up to the Lakers missing the playoffs for a sixth straight year.

Here is what LeBron James said after the Lakers’ loss to Brooklyn Saturday that officially knocked Los Angeles out of the playoffs. Via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“It’s not what we signed up for. Throughout the year, things happened. Suspensions, injuries, things of that nature. And just not being able to play sustainable

LeBron James basketball for 48 minutes. But you don’t even try to wrap your head around it, you just keep pushing.

Just try to get better tonight, move on to tomorrow, and go from there.

Playoffs are never promised. You’ve got to come out and work. For me personally, you just continue to put the work in and see what you can do to help.”

There were a lot of things

that kept the Lakers out, but on Christmas Day the Lakers had just beaten (a very disinterested) Warriors team, were 20-14, the four seed in the West, and with a top-10 defense. However, in that game LeBron injured his groin and missed the next 17 Lakers games, and even when he returned was not completely right and his old self (how much of that is the injury and how much of that is father time is a matter of speculation). LeBron couldn’t lift this team up like he had previous teams, and there was not enough talent on this roster to lift him up (and the good young talent there was kept getting injured).

Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka signed he guys they did — Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley — to maintain cap space for this summer.

Now the pressure is on them to do something with that money to get both another star and a better supporting cast around LeBron.

Now what for No. 23?

LeBron is not shutting it down.

Conor McGregor walks out of the arena after he was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 229 in Las Vegas

UFC superstar Conor McGregor announced his retirement on social media Monday night, abruptly ending his remarkable fighting career.

In a post on his verified Twitter account, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion said: “I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as ‘Mixed Martial Art’ today.”

The post wishes his “old colleagues well going forward in competition,” and says he would “join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.

Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!”

The name of the drink in the post appears to be a reference to Proper No. Twelve Whiskey, the loquacious Irishman’s burgeoning liquor venture.

UFC President Dana White said in a text message to The Associated Press that McGregor’s going to sit there and debate about announcement “totally makes sense.” it,” he said.

“He has the money to retire, and his whiskey

But as Bryant leaned in is KILLIN it,” White added. “If I was him, I would retire for the bite, along with a little too. He’s retiring from fighting. Not from working. push from Corden to answer the The Whiskey will keep him busy, and I’m sure he has question, he quickly changed his mind and named himself the GOAT. other things he’s working on. He has been so fun to “OK, fine,” he said. “I’m the best, watch!!! He has accomplished incredible things in this sport. I am so happy for him and I look forward to Michael is second-best, LeBron is seeing him be as successful outside of the octagon as third-best.” he was in it.”

Bryant’s response was The 30-year-old McGregor is the most quickly met with chants of “MVP” famous fighter in his sport, but he hasn’t won a fight from the audience. since November 2016, when he beat Eddie Alvarez to become the first UFC fighter to hold championship belts in two divisions simultaneously.

His only fight in 2017 was a loss to boxer Floyd Mayweather in the richest fight in boxing history. He finally returned to the UFC cage last October, but lost a lightweight title fight to Khabib Nurmagomedov via submission in the fourth round.

McGregor was widely expected to fight for the UFC later this year. A few hours before he announced his retirement, McGregor appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in New York and claimed he was negotiating for a probable fight in July at UFC 239 in Las Vegas.

“I don’t necessarily need to fight,” McGregor said on the show. “I am set for life. My family is set for life. We are good, but I am eager to fight, so we’ll see what happens.”

McGregor has quit his sport before. He announced his retirement on Twitter in April 2016 during a dispute with the UFC about the promotion of his next proposed bout. He reversed his decision two days later and fought in August 2016, winning his rematch with Nate Diaz.

Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, returns

White believes this retirement is genuine, a volley to Caroline Garcia, of France, during and McGregor has had plenty of action outside the the Miami Open tennis tournament, Monday, cage to occupy his time.

March 25, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla

In April 2018, McGregor was charged with assault and criminal mischief after he attacked a

In 2012, he was sentenced bus carrying UFC fighters outside Barclays Arena to seven and a half years in prison in Brooklyn. McGregor was acting in revenge for a for being a member of a gang that perceived slight against a teammate, and he eventually attacked lonely pensioners. After pleaded no contest to a count of disorderly conduct. he was released when his sentenced

Earlier this month, McGregor was arrested was suspended, he gave a tip to a again in Miami Beach for stealing the phone of gang of three 2015 to rob a lawyer. someone trying to take his photo, authorities said.

The three tortured that person and McGregor was charged with robbery and criminal robbed him of some 50,000 Czech mischief, but his attorney described the altercation as crowns. minor.

Kobe Bryant ranks himself GOAT over Michael Jordan, LeBron James

Kobe Bryant weighed in on who he thinks is the NBA’s greatest player of all time during a Wednesday night appearance on the “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”

Bryant participated in the show’s popular segment “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts,” in which celebrities are asked to either answer a question truthfully or eat an unsavory delicacy instead.

The retired Los Angeles

Lakers five-time champion was asked by Corden to either rank the best basketball players out of Michael Jordan, LeBron James and himself, or take a healthy bite of cow tongue.

Initially, Bryant backed off from answering the question out of fear of instigating a long debated topic.

You know what I’m going to answer, but I’m not going to answer it, because then everybody’s

Man who stabbed Petra Kvitova gets 8-year prison term

A man who stabbed twotime Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in her home was sentenced to eight years in prison on Tuesday.

Radim Zondra, 33, was convicted of causing Kvitova serious bodily harm by a regional court in Brno.

The state prosecutor requested 12 years for Zondra, who pleaded not guilty to attacking Kvitova in December 2016 in her apartment in Prostejov.

After a quarterfinal round loss in the Miami Open on Tuesday night, Kvitova addressed the verdict.

“Yeah, I heard that, for sure, I heard that this morning,” she said. “I accepted the news. I’m happy for the news and I’m glad it’s over now.”

Kvitova’s spokesman, Karel Tejkal, said she “respects the ruling of an independent court.”

“She’s satisfied with the verdict because she identified the convicted person as the attacker,” Tejkal said.

Zondra can appeal, and so can the prosecution.

Kvitova had surgery on

injuries to her playing left hand. It took the tennis star more than five months to recover.

Kvitova reached the Australian Open final in January, her first Grand Slam final since her second Wimbledon title in 2014.

She is ranked a career-high No. 2.

Her testimony provided key evidence for the court to rule in the case, Judge Dagmar Bordovska said.

Kvitova testified she opened the door when Zondra rang the doorbell because she expected a possible doping control. The suspect claimed he came to inspect her boiler.

In the attack, Kvitova sustained damage to the tendons in her hand, along with injuries to all five fingers and two nerves, and underwent nearly four hours of surgery.(

While bleeding, she said she offered Zondra money. He accepted 10,000 Czech crowns ($440) and left.

Zondra has a criminal record behind him.

Conor McGregor announces retirement on social media

MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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WORLD SPORTS

Patriots owner apologizes in Florida prostitution case

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft walks on the field before the AFC Championship NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is apologizing after being charged in a Florida massage parlor prostitution investigation.

“I am truly sorry,” Kraft said in a statement Saturday. “I know I have hurt and disappointed my family, my close friends, my co-workers, our fans and many others who rightfully hold me to a higher standard.”

The statement was first reported by ESPN.

Kraft said he has “extraordinary respect for women,” adding that his morals were shaped by his late wife. Myra Kraft died in 2011.

“Throughout my life, I have always tried to do the right thing. The last thing I would ever want to do is disrespect another human being,” he said.

“I expect to be judged not by my words, but by my actions. And through those actions, I hope to regain your confidence and respect,” Kraft said.

Kraft pleaded not guilty last month to two counts of misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution.

This week, attorneys for 77-year-old Kraft and other men charged in multiple Florida counties asked a judge to block the release of video recordings that police say show them engaging in sexual acts. The Associated Press is part of a media coalition trying to get the evidence in the case released.

Prosecutors have offered to drop the charges if Kraft and the men enter a diversion program for firsttime offenders. That would include an admission they would be found guilty if their case went to trial, a $5,000 fine, 100 hours of community service and attendance in a class on the dangers of prostitution and its connection to human trafficking. They would also have to make a court appearance and be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.

Attorneys representing other defendants told the AP their clients won’t accept the offer because it is much tougher than what is offered in other Palm Beach County solicitation cases.

Kraft has an arraignment court hearing scheduled Thursday, though he is not expected to appear in person.

Kraft is one of about 300 men charged between Palm Beach and Orlando as part of a crackdown on illicit massage parlors and human trafficking. Ten parlors have closed and employees have also been charged. Many of the women are originally from China and were forced to live in the spas and not allowed to leave without an escort, according to investigators.

According to police records, Kraft was chauffeured on the evening of Jan. 19 to a Jupiter massage parlor, where officers secretly recorded him engaging in a sex act and then handing over an undetermined amount of cash.

Investigators said Kraft returned 17 hours later.

Kraft, who is worth $6 billion, was again videotaped engaging in sex acts before paying with a $100 bill and another bill, police said.

Hours later, he was in Kansas City for the AFC Championship game, where his Patriots defeated the Chiefs. His team then won the Super Bowl in Atlanta, the Patriots’ sixth NFL championship under his ownership.

William Burck, one of Kraft’s attorneys, told ESPN on Friday that police improperly obtained a search warrant to secretly install cameras inside the Jupiter massage parlor.

Djokovic upset in 4th round at Miami Open

Novak Djokovic has had a rough couple of weeks on the court.

The top-seeded Djokovic was upset by Roberto Bautista Agut 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the fourth round of the Miami Open Tuesday.

He also made an early exit from Indian Wells earlier in the month.

Djokovic was looking to win the 850th match of his career against Bautista Agut, but that achievement will have to take place at another tournament.

“This kind of match I should not have lost,” Djokovic said. “I lost the momentum, I lost the rhythm in the second set. I gave him a little room to step in and he did. A little hope that he can come back, and he made a great comeback.

“But fault is on me, for sure.

I had way too many opportunities that I wasted.”

Djokovic lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the third round at Indian Wells.

Djokovic, the president of the ATP Player Council, has been a central figure in recent ATP offcourt news.

He was involved when the ATP Board of Directors decided this month not to renew the contract of ATP Executive Chairman Chris Kermode when it expires at the end of the year.

Initially on Tuesday, Djokovic denied his recent losses were affected by his off-court activities within the game, but later admitted that it might have taken a toll.

“Way too many things off the court,” Djokovic said. “I guess that affected me a little bit on the court.

“I didn’t feel my best health-wise, as well, in Indian Wells and here. You know, still rusty, but, hey, look, you learn that’s life.”

After racing through the first set against Bautista Agut in 33 minutes, Djokovic lost control of the match. He only took advantage of four of 13 break points presented, and had his own serve broken on three of seven break points he faced.

“One, two, three sluggish games, and that’s what happened,” Djokovic added.

Djokovic was leading 6-1, 4-5 when rain delayed play for 30 minutes. Returning to the court, Djokovic surrendered his serve on a second break point in the 12th game to lose the second set.

The Serb recouped one service break in the third set, but he lost his serve again in the sixth game to fall behind 2-4.

Djokovic holds a 7-3 record over Bautista Agut, but the Spaniard has now beaten him the past two times they’ve played.

Bautista Agut defeated Djokovic in a three-set semifinal at the Qatar Open in January.

Earlier in the day, defending champion John Isner advanced to the quarterfinals by securing a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) win over No. 19 seed Kyle Edmund.

Isner, the seventh seed, has played five tiebreak sets in six sets played in his three-match wins to reach this year’s quarters.

In a women’s quarterfinal match, Australia’s Asheigh Barty defeated Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2.

Earlier Tuesday, two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns to Roberto Bautista Agut, of Spain learned that the man who stabbed her in an attack in her home in 2016 was sentenced eight years in prison by a court in the Czech Republic.

“Yeah, I heard that, for sure, I heard that this morning,” she said. “I accepted the news. I’m happy for the news and I’m glad it’s over now.”

Roger Federer’s scheduled fourth-round match against 13thseeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia, scheduled as the second match on the stadium court, was postponed until Wednesday because of a long rain delay.

The match will now take place not before 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday.

The tournament planned to complete the other three matches scheduled for Tuesday night.

NFL expands replay to include pass interference

NFL owners voted 31-1 pass interference call late in the to make offensive and defensive NFC Championship Game against pass interference calls and non- the Los Angeles Rams. calls reviewable in 2019, the NFL “I think we got it right,” announced Tuesday from the Payton told reporters afterward. “It annual league meetings in Phoenix. felt like we had to go around the According to multiple reports, the block twice, and then arrived at the Cincinnati Bengals were the only right address.” team to vote against the rule.

Saints owner Gayle Benson,

The new rule, which will who issued a strong statement after be revisited next offseason to the team’s championship game loss determine if it becomes permanent, in reference to the officiating, added, will allow coaches to challenge any “This is what I wanted to happen. call or non-call of pass interference That’s why I made my statement. before the final two minutes of [The missed call] will never happen each half, and any such plays to again.” be reviewable by the booth inside “People compromised of two minutes. Coaches will still on long-held views because be allowed only two challenges per people wanted to get it right,” game, or three if the first two are commissioner Roger Goodell said successful. in his press conference, held shortly

After getting little support after the new rule was approved. from the owners in meetings ESPN’s Adam Schefter Monday, the rule change was pushed reports the new rule would have over the edge by overwhelming had a major impact had it been support from coaches, multiple in place earlier, not only the NFC outlets reported. Meetings regarding Championship Game but also for the rule ran long Monday as coaches Super Bowl LIII. made their case for implementing According to Schefter, the the change, and they continued competition committee admitted Tuesday. the new rule would have given the

New Orleans Saints head Rams the ball at the 1-yard line with coach Sean Payton led the effort, 4:24 remaining as they trailed 10-3 after his team missed out on a likely in the Super Bowl, after cornerback appearance in Super Bowl LIII when Stephon Gilmore subtly hooked referees failed to make an obvious wideout Brandin Cooks’ arm on

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on as his team takes on the Atlanta Falcons during their NFL football game in New Orleans, Louisiana September 8, 2013 an incompletion in the end zone.

No call was made on that play — Cooks still nearly caught the pass, but couldn’t hang on — and Jared Goff was intercepted by Gilmore on the next snap, all but clinching the game for New England.

Meanwhile, the possibility of a “sky judge” — an eighth official looking at camera feeds live to help make obvious decisions without reviews — is not yet dead, according to Steelers owner Art Rooney II. However, there remain a number of logistics to work out on the subject, and it will be revisited later this offseason.

Page 48

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MARCH 29TH 2019 – APRIL 5TH, 2019

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