TCWN February 20 - 26, 2016 by TC Weekly News

Weekly News Volume 30 | No. 07 | February 20 - 26, 2016

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TURKS AND CAICOS

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ANOTHER BLOW

TO DEFENCE Judge Harrison refused a defence application to call more than 300 witnesses for cross examination in the SIPT trial on Thursday (February 18). PAGE  5

TCI’s first murder in 2016 leaves residents in shock PAGE 

Deceased, Branchard Walkin

POLICY TO 4 ENSURE SAFE WATER FOR ALL PAGE

‘WHERE ARE THE FOREIGN DEVELOPERS?’ PAGE  6 – THORNE QC

ROUGH SEAS PUT GRAND TURK PROPERTIES AT RISK PAGE  12

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

TCI’s first murder in 2016 leaves residents in shock BY DAISY HANDFIELD RESIDENTS of the Turks and Caicos Islands were left in complete shock after hearing the tragic news of the recent murder of 24-yearold Branchard Antonio Walkin whose body was found in bushes on a road leading into Kew Town, Providenciales on Tuesday (February 16). According to police press officer Kevin Clarke the body was discovered after officers were tipped off by a resident who was walking in the area.

At about 9.50am that morning, officers and a medical unit arrived on the scene. The body was later removed from the area. A post-mortem examination will take place to determine the exact cause of death. Clarke said that police are treating this as a murder and inquiries are continuing. Walkin is said to have last been seen in the vicinity of Morris Plaza driving a white Ford Crown Victoria car registration number 26113. In response to rumours of the victim having a gunshot wound to

Man charged with Bight bar armed robbery A MAN has been charged with several offences following the attempted armed robbery of a bar in the Bight. The charges relate to an incident in which a masked man brandishing a handgun, burst into an establishment in the Bight on Sunday, February 7. Terrified patrons were ordered to put their hands up before a struggle ensued between the gunman and security staff. A security officer and several heroic customers were eventually able to disarm the would-be robber. Despite their efforts the man was able to escape and make a getaway before cops arrived.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) arrived on the scene a short time later following reports of a disturbance but were unable to track down the culprit at the time. On Wednesday (February 17) investigators formally charged and cautioned Rashad Stubbs, 28, of the Bight, Providenciales, with attempted robbery, carrying a firearm, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and carrying ammunition. Police are now urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and call Crime Stoppers on 1-8008477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page www. crimestoppers.tc.

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Daisy Handfield - Staff Reporter Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com Follow us on: Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1

the head, Clarke neither confirmed nor denied the allegation. Many took to social media page, Facebook to express their deepest sympathy. One said: “Waking up with you on my mind on this day knowing that you are not here anymore to celebrate with me. “But, I thank God that I had the opportunity to see you one last time before you had to leave. “I can’t stop asking why they took my bro?! “This the worst birthday ever.” Another mourner said: “Oh friend, I woke up hoping everything would have been better, that all of this was just a dream but unfortunately its real. “Lord, please give us the strength we need. “My heart hurts.” Clarke also mentioned that up to press time police had no leads in the case and an update would be given to the media as soon as more information was discovered. Police are appealing to anyone who was with Walkin any time between Monday night and Tuesday

Deceased, Branchard Walkin

morning to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. They can also contact Chalk Sound Police Station on 941-8067 or the National Crime and Intelligence Bureau via email on ncib@tcipolice.

tc.

Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via the polic Facebook and Twitter page. This has been reported as the first murder of the year in the TCI.

Furious legal argument rages over witnesses BY JOHN TONER THE LEGAL team representing former premier Michael Misick have asked a judge for the right to cross examine more than 300 witnesses. Ralph Thorne QC put it to judge Harrison that his client has a “constitutional right” to question each and every person responsible for producing more than 1,400 pieces of evidence. Thorne suggested that the right to pick apart evidence, no matter how simple it may appear, was a “fundamental” privilege enshrined in the principle of “natural justice”. The issue arose after lead prosecutor Andrew Mitchell had begun attempting to introduce 1,425 proposed facts of the case into evidence. Thorne, who gave a lengthy and animated speech to the court, insisted that although he did not oppose the evidence being admitted he demanded the right to question those who had produced it in open court. He said: “Section 6 of the constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands gives the accused a fundamental and absolute right to have a his accuser present for cross examination. “Michael Misick has always said he would require the cross examination of all the witnesses

and he has never wavered from that position. “For centuries it has been a cardinal principle of law that nothing shall be admitted into evidence unless there is a witness responsible for it that will come to court. “The principle of natural justice has as part of its constituency that a man has the right to know who is his accuser, to know his witnesses and the right to cross examine them. “This is most fundamental because it is a rule that finds its expression in the constitution of these Islands and in constitutions on both sides of the Atlantic. “When a person’s liberty is at stake every right and every fundamental right is to be extended to that person at great inconvenience to the court and to the executive. “Convenience pales into insignificance in comparison to a man’s constitutional rights.” Thorne spoke for almost four hours outlining his team’s position on the issue, pausing only to read the skeleton argument and case law which prosecutors had provided in response the night before. The Crown strongly opposed the submissions of Thorne stating that the right to cross examine is not absolute and is subject to certain conditions. Andrew Mitchell QC said: “What my learned friend is seeking is an

order that every single witness be called. “There has never been a formal written objection to Section 6 of the Special Evidence Provision Ordinance being used in this way. “I do not ever recall a request to call every witness nor is it proper management of the trial to do so. “This is not the process or procedure which should be put forward before the court. “Seventeen hundred witness statements have been served and it is impossible for him [Ralph Thorne] to have the view that every one of these would be called, it is simply not right. “We do not seek to deny the right to cross examination of witnesses but the right he seeks is not an absolute, it is subject to the overriding discretion of the court, the relevant case law. “A blanket application of that right is not reasonable or proportionate and does not assist the court.” After listening to further submissions from other defence counsel judge Harrison adjourned for the day just after 1pm to consider how he would rule on the question of whether or not every single witness will be liable to be called and cross examined. All the defendants deny all the charges against them. The trial continues.

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

Judge refuses application to call hundreds of witnesses BY JOHN TONER JUDGE Harrison refused a defence application to call more than 300 witnesses for cross examination in the SIPT trial on Thursday (February 18). Ralph Thorne QC made a formal application to the court that written prosecution evidence, such as bank statements and official documents, could not be admissible unless the defence had the right to call and cross examine every witness behind it. He argued that this was a fundamental right of his client underpinned by the constitution and case law but judge Harrison rejected his approach. The judge agreed with the prosecution argument that written

documents of that kind are admissible as evidence without calling the physical witness as set out by the TCI law namely the Evidence Special Provisions Ordinance (ESPO). Judge Harrison said: “The application is by learned counsel Ralph Thorne QC on behalf of the defendant Michael Misick, the witness statements or facts could not be admitted into evidence unless counsel is given the right to cross examination. “The ESPO on which he relies provides for the admissibility of written witness evidence of a person and can also require them to attend court; this rule is not intended to deprive the person of cross examination. “Andrew Mitchell [lead prosecutor] submits that this rule

Judge Harrison

permits written evidence if the statement has been served upon the defence prior to trial. “However the court may require

Front Street and the Post Office in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk

the person to attend in the interests of justice in which case the defendant will have to satisfy the court that this is necessary. “The right to cross examination is not an absolute, it has been affected by statutes in relation to several incident including public documents. “In my view, clearly there is an old common law rule that at a criminal trial the evidence should be given by witnesses at court who can be cross examined; this is part of the principle of the best evidence rule and the defendant’s right to face his accuser. “However, in more modern times this has been modified by statutory provisions therefore the right is not absolute. “Mr Thorne submitted that the provision is bolstered by the constitution which grants the

defendant the right to examine witnesses, that was erroneous. “The opportunity to call the person making the written submission is at the discretion of the court and must be in the interests of justice. “Therefore the application is refused.” Following the ruling by judge Harrison, Mitchell QC continued to wade through almost 2,000 proposed agreed facts in order to have them introduced as evidence. This lengthy administrative process may take several weeks to conclude depending on what can be agreed between counsel and by the court, following that witness evidence will finally begin. All the defendants deny all the charges against them. The trial continues.

Seawall and groynes in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk

Government accused of neglecting capital island BY OLIVIA ROSE THE RUFUS Ewing-led Government is being accused of neglecting the island-capital of Grand Turk, particularly as it relates to critical infrastructure. Addressing the House of Assembly on Tuesday, February 9, Opposition Elected Member for

Grand Turk South and Salt Cay Edwin Astwood said Grand Turk is falling apart. “For three and a half years we have been complaining about the state of Grand Turk and yes nothing has been done, our roads have gotten worse, this is the worse I have ever seen Front Street in my life. In front of the House of Assembly has about

a foot of water. “What are you doing? You’re supposed to be fixing the seawalls. You just put up a wall that should be around someone’s house and the waves are coming over that wall now. “That wall will soon be down, please fix these things.” He lambasted the Government for

continuously turning a blind eye to issues affecting the people of Grand Turk. “Grand Turk is falling apart. We have visitors here from Canada, CPA and I must say I didn’t come to meet them, because what will I show them, this is my town this is the capital and this is how it looks and we are inviting people to this capital

and this is how you treat the capital Grand Turk. “And you’re here bragging about what you done, and bringing ministerial statement after ministerial statement. This is nothing, this is only worse, this is nothing.” Astwood passionately CONTINUED 

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

‘Where are the foreign developers?’ – Thorne QC BY JOHN TONER AN IMPASSIONED defence statement on behalf of Michael Misick has begged the question “Where are the developers?” in the SIPT corruption trial. Ralph Thorne QC, representing the former premier, exercised his right to reply to the prosecution opening by fiercely questioning “weak” aspects of it. Thorne was in fiery form as the SIPT trial got back underway following the conclusion of the colossal three week prosecution opening and a week-long recess. He was scathing in his assessment of the opening in a number of ways, in particular the fact that none of the foreign developers involved in the alleged corrupt deals are to be brought before the court. Thorne said: “We cannot ignore the fact that this opening excited feelings of antipathy, animosity and in one case a most undue corporate response from an entity involved in

this trial and it is on that basis that I seek to defend my client. “This has been a public trial and that public must be given assurance that it has heard an opening and exactly that, an opening, not a closing speech. “We respond not in castigation of the defence but in early defence of Michael Eugene Misick. “In all criminal trials nothing is resolved and no guilt is established until there is proof of criminality and if that proof remains unsatisfactory or weak and relies on gut feelings then it may be questioned. “The prosecution case takes us no higher than the lowest threshold of proof, than inferences, and this case is far too important for a resolution to be arrived at on the basis of inferences. “There is good reason for which the prosecution invited the court to draw inferences, if they felt comfortable with documentary evidence and witness evidence they would not seek resolve in the womb

Some of the stakeholders at the consultation meeting

Ralph Thorne QC

of inferences. “That opening has revealed glaring weaknesses in the prosecution case in that it rests on a foundation of inferences and no case of this importance can rest on inferences alone, that is source of discomfort and displeasure. “I continue to have concerns that much of the evidence to be presented to this court finds its birthplace in the Commission of Inquiry, evidence

which is not admissible in this trial. “Another weakness is the conspicuous absence of any civilian witnesses, as we all know this case had its basis in politics and there is no enterprise more public than politics and yet this matter is bereft of public witnesses. “A further weakness is the absence of developers as witnesses or defendants; power must never influence the voice of truth, the truth must be unadulterated and spoken with courage. “There is a dangerous truth that visits this case however, the truth being this; not one of the developers has stated in evidence or will come here and say that they bribed Michael Misick. “The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is what characterises this case. “This case is over weighted with documents which may beguile some but not this court. “We have brought a former premier of this country to this place

to bury him under a mountain of documents whilst no developers have been called here as defendants.” Thorne spent the morning of day 16 speaking passionately and flamboyantly in defence of Misick, quoting from Milton’s Paradis Lost at one point and also musing on the philosophical definition of truth itself. Once his submissions had concluded the prosecution had wanted to proceed with laying out the agreed facts of the case to judge Harrison. However, the numerous defence counsel had not yet reached an agreed consensus on the schedule of facts and the court was adjourned to allow them to come together and decide what facts they were prepared to admit. This process must be completed before the trial begins to hear witnesses and may take in excess of a week. All the defendants deny all the charges against them The trial continues.

Malike Cummings, commissioner of Energy and Utilities Department, consultant of the draft policy Claudia Vargas and water engineer Omawale Harvey

Policy to ensure safe water for all BY OLIVIA ROSE EFFORTS are afoot to ensure the long term availability and sustainability of water supply and the provision of safe water and sewerage services across the Turks and Caicos Islands. This comes as the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning commenced consultations for the drafting of a National Water and Sewerage Policy for the Turks and Caicos Islands. As part of the consultative process, the Energy and Utilities Department invited the management of water and sewerage services and other stakeholders across the island

of Providenciales, to a consultation meeting on Monday (February 15) at the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs. The meeting facilitated discussions on policy and regulatory issues and provided the opportunity for stakeholders to give their input and feedback. During the meeting stakeholders raised concerns about monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in the policy for both water and sewage services. Some pointed to the quality of water and access for all citizens living in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Malike Cummings, commissioner of Energy and Utilities Department, said the policy when completed will see regulations stipulating standards compliance with water safety measures. “We recognise also sewage is a serious issue in Providenciales and Grand Turk, how do we address that.” One stakeholder noted that there is need for a solid framework and suggested a draft feasibility study to assess the scope of works to be carried out; he noted that attracting investors is also key. Acknowledging the point made by the stakeholder commissioner Cummings said: “We recognise the need

for a regulatory regime that minimises risk and once we could minimise risk and create certainty we will see interest from potential investors, it is part of the wider framework.” Another stakeholder questioned if there will be one set standard for all the islands as it relates to water supply. That question was answered by consultant of the draft policy Claudia Vargas who said: “The idea is to uniform standards, for instance in the water and quality of standards we will have to work towards the compliance of international regulations.” Meantime executive director

Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams of the Turks and Caicos National Trust asked about plans to preserve the original water sources in the Islands. She said: “In the queue to make some positives changes to the ordinance that controls water distribution and supply and sewage, I would think that perhaps an early discussion with the planning authorities would help to guide the way forward because it will be across the developments that are already established and that might be difficult to get them to change.” Several consultation meetings are CONTINUED 

February 20 - 26, 2016

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Astwood blasts Rufus for zika free claims BY OLIVIA ROSE ELECTED member for Grand Turk South and Salt Cay Edwin Astwood hit out at Premier Rufus Ewing for having no evidence to support his claims that the Turks and Caicos Islands is zika free. Premier Rufus Ewing at a recent press conference said the Turks and Caicos Islands are zika free and the Ministry of Health will be working round the clock to keep it that way. However the Premier came under fire for his assertions on Tuesday, February 9, in the House of Assembly as elected member for Grand Turk South and Salt Cay Edwin Astwood admonished him for having no proof. Astwood said: “As a former health practitioner how can you say that without any evidence, no samples were taken from people, nothing.” Interjecting Astwood and rising on a point of order the Premier said: “I continue to be disappointed in our member from Grand Turk South as a health practitioner; you should be ashamed to call yourself a health practitioner.” Defending his position Ewing noted: “Nowhere do persons go around taking samples of persons who do not show any clinical signs or symptoms of any particular disease to confirm the present existence of the disease. “We’re now doing a study on Turks and Caicos and you raising in this house insinuating that Turks

Elected member for Grand Turk South and Salt Cay Edwin Astwood

and Caicos has zika and leading the whole world to believe that we do is reckless.” Astwood further explaining his remarks clarified that he never said the Turks and Caicos Islands has zika. “I never said anything about this country having any zika, I said he needs to prove it. You cannot say that we don’t have without any proof, and there is something called disease surveillance.” After some back and forth between the two, Premier Ewing turned his attention to advise the general public that while the Government has a role to play as it relates to the prevention of the mosquito borne zika virus,

Government accused of neglecting capital ... CONTINUED FROM 

admonished the Government for not making substantial efforts to improve the island of Grand Turk. “There is one government in power and you all have to do what the people elected you to do. This Government has to perform.” Astwood accused the Government of misleading the populace and making what he deemed as empty promises. “They come inside here and mislead the people. They’re doing this and doing that. How can you brag about surplus when this island looks like this?” In response to Astwood’s remarks Premier Rufus Ewing said that his Government is aware and working assiduously to address issues in Grand Turk and will be providing funds to construct the seawalls. “The seawall itself presents a problem, like the problem we had today that the Government is already actively fixing and

addressing to ensure that the roadways and thoroughfares on Front Street from Duke Street come all the way down, is secure. “We continue to put money into that to address those problems, but porting a seawall is not an overnight fix. “It’s not something that we can just say this is a problem and we’re going to go out there and erect a seawall. “We need engineering, we need to have the facts, engineering and put money behind it.” He further explained that the construction of the seawalls in Grand Turk will cost some $20 million. He said: “And that is part of the $60 million loan that we’re getting from the CDB [Caribbean Development Bank] is going towards addressing this year.” The Premier asserted that certain infrastructure will be targeted such as roads, seaports and the Grand Turk seawalls as part of the country’s loan agreement with the CDB.

Premier Rufus Ewing

citizens also have an individual role to play. He urged citizens to keep their surroundings clean. Due to the prevalence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in the TCI, as the country’s close proximity and regular flights to countries with confirmed cases of zika like Haiti and Puerto Rico, the Ministry of Health has intensified surveillance activities and enhanced its vector control measures. Premier Ewing at a recent press conference held at the Hilly Ewing building noted that the Ministry of Health and Human Services has partnered with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to discuss a coordinated and joint

Aedes aegypti mosquito

approach for the eradication and prevention of the zika virus. Director of the Environment Health Kendrick Neely outlined some of the measures that will be implemented and those that are already ongoing. “We have increased house to house inspections because the Aedes aegypti mosquito, we call it the house mosquito they live around our homes, hotels so we’ll be stepping that up.” He is urging the community to support the department in this effort by ensuring their surroundings are kept clean. “We’re also going to be having meetings with the pastors’ fraternity throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. “The reason why we are taking

Under the tree

this approach with addressing pastors and educating the pastors because we want them to assist in passing the message on to their congregation and educating their congregation.” The zika virus infection is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same mosquito responsible for the transmission of dengue and chikungunya. The most common symptoms of zika virus infection are mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), muscle or joint pain, and general malaise. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for zika. The zika virus has been linked to birth defects in the Americas.

By Benneth Williams

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

Simple facts to delay SIPT trial BY JOHN TONER THE MUCH protracted and long awaited SIPT corruption trial is to be delayed by weeks after a failure to agree basic facts. Defence counsel for the nine accused in the case have been unable to reach an agreement on what they will concede as proved facts in the case. Partly as a result of this, and due to the Crown’s desire to have evidence accepted, the prosecution will now go through more than 1,000 pieces of evidence individually to determine their admissibility at this stage. Some of the 1,425 suggested matters are as simple as, “The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British overseas territory,” the fundamental structure of the Government and official documents. The special investigation team put forward a list of proposed facts in the case almost a year ago yet despite this no consensus has been reached among the defence. Judge Harrison ordered that defence representatives respond to

the prosecution schedule of proposed facts by May 11 last year. Some counsel did respond to the schedule, lead prosecutor Andrew Mitchell told the court, but there had been “no compliance” on behalf of Michael Misick, Floyd Hall and Lillian Boyce. Many defence counsel wanted to press ahead with witness evidence and prove facts as the trial progressed but this was opposed by the Crown. Mitchell said: “We fundamentally disagree with the approach that my learned friends are taking. “We were ordered on February 13, 2015, to serve proposed agreed facts by March 30, 2015, and defence were to respond to those proposed facts by May 11, 2015. “Each of the leading counsel have been instructed by attorneys here who have been on record for some time, despite this there has been compliance on behalf Michael Misick, Lilian Boyce and Floyd Hall. “It was always indicated that as a trial management issue that we would deal with these 1,425 facts. “We say that evidence can be

proved by a multitude if gateways, if the court rules that the facts are proved by the gateways then the facts go in. “Unless we do this exercise we will end up with what I fear some here are hoping for which is your lordship (judge Harrison) having to hear from every single source of each piece of evidence, some 300 witnesses.” Malcolm Bishop QC, representing Thomas Chalmers Misick, and John Perry QC, appearing on behalf of Jeffrey Hall, both argued that facts could be dealt with during the process of witness evidence. While outlining his stance on the admission of evidence Bishop read a number of amusing examples from a legal text book of matters that may not be disputed at trial. These included the idea that a man and a woman who share a bed are likely to have sexual intercourse, that cats are kept for domestic purposes and that the value of money has declined globally since 1189, except in Australia. However judge Harrison ruled in

MILLS MUSES

Are TCIs really passive? YOU hear it on the talk shows and in conversations with people. What they are talking about is the passive nature of the people of the TCI. You never hear what passive means but those using the term are aware of the behaviour they are referring to. They mean we simply accept what is given, done to us and said about us, without challenge. For example, TCIs claim they are passed over for jobs. But those responsible are never confronted. When they complain to someone in authority about their experiences and do not get the response they anticipated they do not persist until the issue is resolved. In social relationships if we feel our character has been impugned many of us do not express our feelings of hurt to others. We tend to leave the issue for a higher power to deal with. In politics if those we elect forget their social contract with us we talk behind their backs rather than expose them. We resist confrontation even when it is in our interest to voice our issues where they matter most which is with those responsible for causing our psychological hurt.

BY OLIVER MILLS

Oliver Mills is a former lecturer in education at the UWI Mona Campus. He holds a BA (Hons.) UWI, an M.Ed. Dalhousie Univ., an MA University of London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in HRM and Training, Leicester Univ. He currently writes a Column for the TC Weekly News.

We leave our reaction for the next election by not supporting them again. But do we really do this? Or is it that because they have so burdened us with guilt we feel we should let things sort themselves out since we cannot be bothered to act in our own interest? When we behave passively it affects us negatively. We store up grief which could give our health a hit. We could experience aches, pains, restlessness, and find ourselves sometimes being confused. And we interpret our experiences to mean the world is against us because of things we did. But it is how we interpret what happens. When we put passivity aside and deal actively and wisely with our unease we liberate ourselves from taking extreme measures. We feel better about the outcome

because we show others we have a sense of worth and are prepared to defend our integrity. They will respect us when they realise we are not potted plants. And will not ‘take steps’ with us again. We develop respect for ourselves and a sense of selfregard. TCIs are a dignified and important people. We need to open our mouths when others step out of line towards us. This is often because those who show off have deep psychological problems so they take it out on others. Being assertive neutralises the situation. Remaining passive ensures it will continue. When we challenge the perpetrators it shows we are not passive and it changes their disposition and behaviour towards us.

favour of the prosecution that they should press ahead with meticulously going through the schedule to establish what agreed facts could be admitted into evidence. Outside court the representative for Lilian Boyce, Gregory Lafontaine, echoed those sentiments saying that the whole process of agreeing facts was a “wheel spinning, a huge waste of time” and that the prosecution should “call their first witness, let’s get it on, let’s start this trial”. After the prosecution began to go through the schedule of facts an objection was raised by Ralph Thorne QC on behalf of Michael Misick in which he wished to exercise his constitutional right to cross examine every witness before anything was admitted into evidence. Mitchell argued that this right was negated by a law known as Section 6 of the Special Provisions

of Evidence Ordinance which states that evidence can be read, ie accepted in the absence of the physical witness where necessary at the discretion of the court. This relates in particular to the large amount of documents the prosecution seek to have admitted as accepted evidence. Judge Harrison ruled that Thorne must formalise this application in writing to the court, he said: “I think what we will have to do is deal with this point at this stage meaning a formal objection in writing by 7pm this evening.” The judge told the court he would rule the following day, Wednesday, February 17, as to whether or not Thorne would be able to call every witness behind each piece of evidence to court. The defendants deny all the charges against them. The trial continues.

Political leanings Dear Editor, This letter is directed to the remarks of Oliver Mills in his column recently. I am the person he refers to when he says as a contributor we lack respect for Dr Carlton Mills, the newly assigned principal of the Long Bay High School. Further Oliver is critical of my writing with a political tone. If a move from education minister to school principal deserves respect, so be it! Any port in a storm. I will not apologise for my obvious political comments. This paper identifies my connection with the PDM party of which I am proud. It is fair to admit that by and large I am a political commentator. If Oliver does not realise politics has driven this territory for 13 years his eyes and ears are closed. In the past Dr Mills had a connection with the PDM and after he switched parties he was appointed as minister under an administration which is now in a corruption trial. Now in the 11th hour of the PNP’s 13 year run which has left the TCI bankrupt morally and financially the PNP has appointed Mills school principal. The credentials of Carlton Mills are not known to me I admit. I am aware of his political history. The title Doctor has been widely assumed by members of the PNP party. Dr Misick and Dr Boyce come to mind.

Perhaps Oliver can provide the credentials earning the title for these two. Certainly our current Premier Dr Rufus Ewing, a medical doctor who has turned to politics, deserves the title doctor but his role as ‘premier’ politician and long term head of our expensive health system deserves political comment. Politics is not a dirty word. In the past Carlton Mills and I did converse. I made him aware that the Doris Robinson School under his ministry was operating for many months without running water in its sanitary facility. To his credit the problem was then solved within 24 hours. I invited him to speak at a Middle Caicos National Hero’s Day Celebration which I chaired. He declined, reasons unexplained. In my opinion Dr Carlton Mills was a better PNP education minster than ‘doctor’ Boyce who he replaced. Mills could be better than the present minister. How many votes could either earn in the next election? I invite Oliver to address the massive issues of this territory on a more direct and less academic nature so his political leanings will become obvious. He suggests that I submit to an alter call. The TCI is well aware of misuse of God by progressives. David L Tapfer, Middle Caicos

February 20 - 26, 2016

Cell operator announces quarterly profits increase LIME network operator Cable and Wireless has announced a jump in earnings in its latest quarterly announcement. The third quarter trading update which accounts for the period up to December 31, 2015, shows a year to date revenue increase of eight percent to $665 million. The telecoms giant also reported a three percent jump on revenue year to date to $1.7 billion as well as a four-fold increase in available cash flow. Executive CEO Phil Bentley said: “Our strategy is delivering: smartphone take up increased nine percentage points to 50 percent and drove mobile data revenue growth of 18 percent against the prior year; in fixed networks, an additional 20,000 homes were passed with high-

speed connectivity. “This has been driving five percent and seven percent growth in broadband and video, respectively; in our B2B division, we are shifting our focus away from one-off IT and Government projects, towards building ongoing relationships with our customers resulting in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) growth of four percent across our markets since the start of the year. “Overall group year to date like-for-like revenue growth of three percent is solid. “We continue to transform our business to become the region’s leading quad-play operator, and I am confident that revenue growth will increase, as we build the platform for sustainable, profitable growth in the coming years.”

Policy to ensure ... CONTINUED FROM 

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

expected to be held during the coming weeks in Grand Turk, South Caicos and North Caicos. The main objectives of the National Water and Sewerage Policy are to ensure the long term availability and sustainability of water supply and the provision of safe water and sewerage services. As well as the implementation

of measures that contribute to the preservation and sustainability of watercourses. The policy will also aim to improve the quality of life and the protection of public health and the environment through effective management, accountability and oversight of service providers while modernising the regulatory regime governing the water and sewerage sector across the TCI.

Sitting vs serving on ‘the board’ THE SEASON is fast approaching for that time of year when the Government will appoint members to statutory boards. It is a time that party supporters look forward to, if their party happens to be the government of the day. MPs nominate staunch supporters, and the decision is made at Cabinet level who gets the appointment. In some cases, individuals can look forward to being appointed to more than one board, and not necessarily having to have an interest or background in the mandate executed by neither of the boards. One of the key rewards for sitting on the board is that one can look forward to receiving an extra $300 or more per month by attending board meetings. There is one board however, that is different. That is the ‘council’ or board of the Turks and Caicos National Trust. The National Trust council is made of 13 individuals, three of whom are appointed by the Governor-in-Cabinet from persons who are members of the trust. The other 10 are elected at an annual general meeting of the trust. The council is to be representative of the wider community of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with specific individuals representing each inhabited island. The National Trust has a list of criteria which the nominating committee must use as guide when nominating candidates, or accepting nominations for membership to the Trust council.

BY ETHLYN GIBBS-WILLIAMS

Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams is currently serving as executive director of the Turks and Caicos National Trust, a certified project manager and chartered director with over 20 years of experience in project, programme development and management and community empowerment.

In order to be an effective governing body, there must be specific skillsets within the group. The Turks and Caicos National Trust is a unique significant organisation established for the purpose of safeguarding the heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands for present and future generations. Hence, the trust has an integral role in the sustainable development of these Islands which encompasses the development of human resources. The Trust council has a very important responsibility of oversight and protecting the assets of the organisation. The council sets the tune and culture of the organisation. Ultimate responsibility for the financial health and longevity of the Trust rest with the council. Investment opportunities, growth targets, risk management, strategic planning, are all components that fall within the remit of the council collectively. Currently, persons who serve on the Trust council are honorary members (meaning they do not receive a stipend) as per the Trust Ordinance. Albeit, this is not to say that this clause in the ordinance cannot change. But on the other hand, one can look at serving on the Trust council as making a significant contribution to the country.

Nevertheless, whether honorary or not, performance counts. There is a job to be done. Commitment is vital to the success of the institution. In order for the nominating committee to do justice to the organisation, there must be a wide enough diverse pool from which to identify candidates. All persons being nominated must be members of the Trust. The National Trust education outreach and marketing programme will be embarking upon a series of membership drives leading up to the annual general meeting. The Trust will be using this opportunity to educate citizens and residents on how they can benefit from the institution and to show how the work of the Trust is contributing to empowerment of their communities and to global conservation. Please lookout for events in your area and join the National Trust in protecting and preserving our cultural, historical heritage and conserving our natural resources. For more information or to become involved, please contact the Trust via (649) 941-5710 or 231-1172 or email tcnattrust. director@gmail.com.

COMMENTARY

Condemnation and recommendation

MADELIENE Albright, 78, has recently appeared at a Hillary Clinton USA presidential campaign rally. Albright warned that any young woman not supporting a woman, Hillary, for president was destined for…hell! An unexpected and totally radical condemnation. One wonders if Ms Albright radical comment will help or hurt Mrs Clinton’s campaign. Madeliene, like Hillary, was US Secretary of State heading the Foreign Service under president Bill Clinton. We wondered during those years at the logic of her appointment. With the kingdoms of the Middle East being the most disturbed world area why appoint a woman to this post? Muslims never respected

BY DAVID TAPFER

David is a retired mobile hydraulic engineer and business executive. He has been married to Middle Caicos native Yvette Robinson Tapfer for 25 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011

women as leaders in their society. Muslims have universal disdain of people of the Jewish faith. Albright is a Jewish woman born in what is now the Czech Republic, home to former Salt Cay developers gone astray. How could Albright succeed? No wonder, after Clinton left office 9:11 happened! Politics in the USA are much more complicated than in the TCI. In a population of 330 million

people of many nationalities and races the complications as well as the potential for success or failure are obvious. Seven thousand TCI voters can unite in our democracy. We do not believe that leaders in a western democracy should be judged on the basis of gender, nationality or race. They must be judged on their experience, training, education and their party’s principles.

Remember Margaret Thatcher who took her place with Winston Churchill as first class PMs. The TCI is blessed with a leader whose training and experience is joined to a party always dedicated to serve and raise up all of the citizens of the TCI. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson will never push her gender. Make no mistake she is a classic West Indian Woman. An ethic we appreciate after decades of marriage to Yvette. Sharlene was educated in law. God and our TCI population know we need adjustments to our laws. Mrs Robinson has been active with the youth of the TCI for years. As the strongest voice for the people during the interim government years this PDM leader from South Caicos won more votes than any other candidate in the 2012 election. Sharlene has a strong family and is anchored in family as were all

PDM leaders, save one. Unfortunately in the 2012 election the PDM was led, through subterfuge by a very negative person. That person showed his negativity by blaming his own party for his personal election loss. His ethic reflect his partner in mind-set, Mike Misick. All about personal glory. The PDM is now shed of that element and is now a totally positive people’s party. Therefore we encourage the voters to look at the qualifications and history of every candidate and party. Tell your neighbours what you discover. We believe you will find reasons to recommend the People’s Democratic Movement. Serious change is obviously recommended !

10 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

Boodle Way in Kew Town.

Unlicensed water vending machines investigated BY OLIVIA ROSE THE WATER and Sewage Board is investigating several unlicensed water vending machines that are allegedly selling un-purified water in some communities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This was revealed during a consultation meeting held by the Energy and Utilities Department where journalist Audley Astwood raised the issue of illegal vending machines. Astwood pointed out that some weeks back he had asked someone to buy bottled water in Kew Town for him however, the smell, taste and colour of the water indicated that it came from a different source and was not on par with quality he was accustomed to drinking. “The water was slightly off coloured and it tasted really bad. I knew without a doubt it did not come from TC Crystal or Blue Mountain. I’ve been buying from both sources for years. “Something seriously needs to be done in Providenciales, because it’s just not in my neighbourhood that this vending machine is set up where clearly it’s not going through a process. “The public believes that they are buying water at a quality that Blue Mountain and TC Crystal sell, but that is not the case.” Confirming that reports of unlicensed water distribution have reached the water and sewage board, Commissioner of the Energy and Utilities department Malike Cummings said: “We received a call and email exchanges about vending machines popping up across the TCI. It was something that was taken to the Water and Sewage Board.”

He noted that the Energy and Utilities department flagged the Environmental Health Department to conduct further investigations. “I don’t know if these persons have business licences but that has been the disconnect, you could have someone having a business licence to enter the water business, for water vending and sometime the water and sewage board have no idea about that business.” Upon further investigation by the Weekly News it was discovered that many residents are under the impression that they are buying water from authorised dealers. One resident of Kew Town who asked to remain anonymous said she purchased some water from a vending machine on Boodle Way in Kew Town some weeks ago and was disgruntled with the quality of the water. She said that she lodged a complaint with the Water and Sewage Board calling on them to conduct thorough investigations into the matter. She also pointed out that two of her grandchildren fell ill and exhibited symptoms akin to the norovirus which causes the affected to be sick, among other symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain as well as fever, headache and body aches. TC Crystal and Blue Mountain are the only two licensed water distributors in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Only last week parents were urged to encourage school age children to practice personal hygiene and sanitation as an outbreak of the norovirus affecting mainly school children has been recorded in North Caicos.

According to the World Health Organisation waterborne viral outbreaks are often difficult to recognise. The WHO notes that a rather extensive outbreak is usually required for medical personnel and authorities to recognize water as a possible source of infection According to a release from the Ministry of Health and Human Services it has noticed a significant amount of gastroenteritis cases in North Caicos especially among school age children. The release said that

A closer look at the condition of the vending machine

environmental health officers have conducted a number of educational sessions with the teachers and students of the affected schools and has advised the principal on the necessary requirements for cleaning and sanitising of the school. According to reports, several children from the Adelaide Oemler Primary School in North Caicos were affected by the bug. Samples were taken for testing

to identify the underlying cause, the release read. However the Weekly News understands that residents of North Caicos have complained about the cases of norovirus in North Caicos for some weeks now and the ministry’s lack of foresight to issue a warning. The ministry in its release noted that the key to preventing the virus is to practice good personal hygiene.

Chess lovers invited to join TCI Chess Club BY DAISY HANDFIELD THE TURKS and Caicos Islands Chess Club is inviting chess lovers on island to participate in friendly games every Wednesday night at Melt Café at 6pm in the Regent Village in Providenciales. One of the organisers Mark Pankhurst on Thursday (February 18) said that he had been playing chess for about 62 years and when he moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands there were not many people interested in the game for him to play with. He said that gradually he started to hear more interest spark

up about the game so he started teaching people how to play. Pankhurst said that this was one of his main motivations to start up the club. He said that since inception, there has been a turnout of about 10 to 12 people. Although there is no charge to play the game, the cofounder said that they do have a piggy bank which each participant puts a dollar in every time they play in hopes to one day purchase clocks to time their games. He said that this is how it was done in real tournaments. However, the contribution of

the dollar is not mandatory. Pankhurst said that he is hoping that more people will turn out to participate in the friendly games and to one day host national chess tournaments in the TCI. Those interested in participating can just show up at Melt Cafe on Wednesdays at 6pm or even contact Mark Pankhurst directly for more information. The club was founded on January 29, 2015, by Mark Pankhurst, Sandeep Jagger and Urmas Karner. Initially the group met on Thursday nights, but in efforts to gain more participates the meeting night was changed to Wednesdays.

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 11

Cabinet supports building height boost CABINET advised the Governor to approve an increase in building height at selected locations this week. Governor Peter Beckingham chaired the sixth meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday (February 17) at the Hilly Ewing Building in Providenciales. All ministers were present except the Minister of Border Control and Employment. At this meeting Cabinet advised the Governor to approve regulations to increase the allowable height of buildings on specific coastal areas of Providenciales with effect from Friday, February 26. These include the tourism related development zone at Grace Bay, the Bight and Turtle Cove starting from Emerald Point to Turtle Cove and the coastal parcels which are located at

the north coastal area of North West Point. Regulations list the allowable maximum height of a building as 12 floors up to a maximum of 150ft for apartments, condominiums and hotels provided that no habitable floors are allowed above 135ft. In order to qualify for the construction of 12 floors, the entire acreage of the plot must not be less than five acres; If the five acre requirement cannot be met then the building cannot exceed seven floors or 90ft in height. The setback for a building exceeding seven floors must be a maximum of 200ft measured from the vegetation line. Cabinet also noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board to award contracts in line with the Public Procurement Ordinance

& CrimeCourt

Man arrested on suspicion of burglary A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and for handling stolen goods in relation to an incident on Monday (February 15). According to a press release issued by Kevin Clarke, press officer for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, at about 3.30am police officers on Grand Turk responded to a burglary that occurred at a home located in South Backsalina. The complainant told officers that she was awoken by her dogs barking and upon making checks she noticed a slim man with a low hair cut standing by her window. She made further checks and discovered her blue Samsung cell phone missing. Acting on information, the officers immediately visited a bar located on

West Road where a 29-year-old-man was found in possession of a cell phone that matched the description of the one reported stolen. The suspect was arrested and will be charged later. Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers. tc. They can also call Chalk Sound Police Station on 941-8067 or contact the National Crime and Intelligence Bureau (NCIB) via email at ncib@ tcipolice.tc. Information will be treated in the strictest of confidence. The public should not report crime via the police Facebook or Twitter page.

Man captured hours after jail break A MANHUNT was sparked on Monday morning after a prisoner escaped police custody. Police were alerted at 7.15am on February 15 that a person had escaped security personnel while detained in Providenciales. Less than five hours later a

25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of escaping lawful custody from a detention centre. A crime scene was established and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are currently carrying out investigations.

2012. They included the construction of a building to house a new salt-water reverse osmosis plant on Salt Cay, a quantitative risk assessment of the petroleum sector, a consultancy for computer programming services for the TCIG business reform strategy, the construction of a mental health facility in Grand Turk, replacement vehicles for the TCIG and furniture for Invest Turks and Caicos on Providenciales. Cabinet also advised the Governor that the Antarctic Regulations 2016 will be made to bring into effect the UK Antarctic Act 1994 which was extended to the overseas territories by the Antarctic Act 1994 (Overseas Territories) Order 1995 to regulate and govern activity in the Antarctic. Members advised the Governor to approve the advertisement of

an application for the grant of a 25 year lease over Crown land for the establishment of a beach park facility to support kiteboarding and windsurfing activity on Long Bay beach subject to the terms and conditions of the Crown Land Ordinance 2012. They also advised Beckingham to approve an application for the grant of a non-exclusive licence over the beach access to undertake the beautification of beach access and the installation of rubbish bins, CCTV security cameras and picnic structures. Cabinet went on to approve the renewal of lease agreements for several Government buildings including the Environmental Health Department offices and the elections office. Members agreed to instruct the

TVs, laptops and meat stolen from Grand Turk business BY JOHN TONER HUNGRY burglars made time to steal meat while raiding a business for laptops and TVs earlier this week. After leaving the premises in Grand Turk locked up at 1pm on Sunday, February 14, the victim returned at 7am the following day to find it burglarised. Thieves made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, a black Acer laptop, two 32” Vizio

televisions and one LG flat screen television. Also taken was an unknown quantity of meat. The burglars also damaged an ATM machine in an apparently unsuccessful attempt to gain access to the cash inside. Investigations are ongoing and police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or by using the online reporting page at www. crimestoppers.tc.

Absconder fined A TEENAGER has been fined for escaping police custody and resisting arrest. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of several offences at Grand Turk Magistrates Court on Monday

(February 17). He was fined $800 in total for resisting arrest, malicious damage to property and escaping lawful custody. The teenager has 14 days to pay or faces serving 21 days in prison instead.

Magistrate’s court closed indefinitely THE MAGISTRATE’S Court on Old Airport Road was closed to the general public on Monday (February 15). All matters listed to be heard at the courthouse will be heard at the Supreme Court, Dr

Malcolm’s Building, Leeward Highway, Providenciales. The court will remain closed until further notice, according to a statement from Nayasha Hatmin, registrar at the TCI Supreme Court.

Estates Department to undertake a review of space and rental values of Government property as part of the Government’s estate strategy. They approved the appointments of Mark Fulford (chairman), Edna Sterling (deputy chair and employers’ representative) and Jamal Joseph Ewing (employees’ representative) as members of the National Health Insurance Board for a period of two years with effect from February 17. Finally Cabinet members noted the initial report from the structural engineers, CSE Ltd, on the HJ Robinson High School administration block, and agreed that $50,000 be drawn from the contingency fund to commence the clean-up and demolition works needed at the site to prepare for the final structural review for the rebuilding of the block.

Cops issue stolen goods warning THE ROYAL Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has issued a stern warning to the public about handling stolen goods. Officers warned the public to be on the lookout for people selling jewellery, flat screen TVs, laptops and smartphones as these are commonly targeted by thieves. Anyone can be charged with criminal offence if they are found to be in possession of stolen items, whether they themselves have stolen them or not. The message is clear: “Do not get caught with stolen goods.” A RTCIPF spokesman said: “The public is reminded that burglars ate interested in cash and are anxious to get stolen items off their hands. “Do not get caught with stolen goods. When electronic items are traced of shut down through the technology now available, it will be your loss. “A person can be charged with handling stolen goods if found in possession. The maximum penalty for this offence is 14 years.” Police are urging anyone with information about stolen goods to contact Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or by using the online reporting page at www.crimestoppers.tc.

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

DEMA is working with residents to battle the issue Severe erosion is taking place along the coast

Rough seas put Grand Turk properties at risk HIGH swells and strong waves in Grand Turk have resulted in severe erosion along the coast, causing concern among several beach-front property owners. A Government press release on Monday (February 15) said that the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) is working with residents to battle the issue. In some circumstances they have granted permission for emergency work

to be carried out within the national park, to protect houses where necessary. Katharine Hart, environmental officer for DEMA, said: “The primary problem is erosion of the beach in the national park which, so far, has been impacting roads, dealt with promptly by Public Works, and private properties.” Some property owners have been permitted to use heavy machinery on the beach to carry out this work.

All work is being monitored and regulated by DEMA, and the department is aiming to deal with these important issues with minimum impact to the national park, the release stated. Anyone with questions or concerns on either to the erosion, or to the presence of the heavy machinery can contact DEMA in Grand Turk on 338-3171 or email environment@gov.tc.

Rough seas caused the damage to the coastline

Haitian consul says farewell after three year reign BY DAISY HANDFIELD

Former Haitian consul Karlo Pelissier and new Haitian consul Wencesclass Lambert

FORMER Haitian consul Karlo Pelissier has stepped down from the post after serving Haitians in the country for three years and has now welcomed his replacement. Pelissier will be transferred to the Bahamas to serve as a consul for the Haitian community there and has been replaced by new consul Wencesclass Lambert. In an interview with Pelissier on Thursday (February 18) he said that he has done a lot of work for Haitians in the TCI during his three year reign. He said: “I have done a lot of work and I have been working with a lot of Haitians here in the TCI. “As I tell everybody all of the time, my job is to come here and live with the Haitian nationals and assist

New Haitian consul Wencesclass Lambert

them with everything that they are doing and advise them so that they could have a better integration in the TCI society.” The former consul said that it saddened him to have to part ways with the country because he has

grown to love and appreciate the TCI and everything it entailed, but his departure was a call of duty. He said that the Bahamas will be a new experience for him and he was hoping for great things there, like he has accomplished in the TCI. New consul Lambert said that one of his main objectives is to amplify what has already been established for Haitians in the TCI. He promised to keep media officials informed on progress as he transitioned into the new position. When asked about his perception of the TCI so far, he said that despite the notable high cost of living, he believed that great things could be done in the country for not only the Haitian population, but also the TCI at large. Lambert is also a certified doctor in Haiti.

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

University team visits community college BY OLIVIA ROSE A TEAM from the University of the West Indies (UWI) visited the Turks and Caicos Community College this week to showcase its programmes to prospective students and stakeholders in the TCI. The delegation from the UWI Open Campus was headed by university manager of the Open Campus British Overseas Territories Sites, Dr Phyllis Fleming-Banks. Also visiting were student recruitment officer from the UWI St Augustine, Nigel Bradshaw, Deputy Dean from the Faculty of Law, Alicia Elias-Roberts and lecturer Farid Youssef from the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the UWI St Augustine campus, along with the UWI Cave Hill’s head of recruitment and marketing, Janet Caroo as part of a combined recruitment. During their visit from Monday to Friday (February 15 to 19) the delegation met with Premier Rufus Ewing and minister of education Akeirra Missick, the Permanent Secretaries Board and other Government officials. Student recruitment officer from the UWI St Augustine Dr Nigel Bradshaw during his address to students noted that they are specific courses designed for Caribbean

people to get a global perspective. “You as a Turks and Caicos Islander have a unique opportunity to be able to attend our campuses anytime that you want. “We have students as young as 14 at the Mona campus and as old 71 studying at the same campus. “So at any time you are ready for us to expose you to your inner brilliance we are ready at UWI and ready to carry you through.” Dr Bradshaw pointed to several disciplines that the students might be interested in pursuing at the University of the West Indies. “We have several areas that you can study; we have engineering, food and agriculture. “Those two areas we are specifically focusing on at the St Augustine campus in Trinidad and Tobago. “The others that we have include humanities and education. Humanities meaning human expression so you look at stuff like history, archaeology and you can study 53 different types of languages.” The delegation will also met with the president, staff and students of the TCI Community College, the staff and students of the various public and private schools, as well as representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and InterHealth Canada. The visit, which is being

Dr Nigel Bradshaw, student recruitment officer from the UWI St Augustine, in discussion with students

coordinated by the TCI Ministry of Education, is particularly significant, as it represents the first opportunity for the UWI to expose people in the TCI to the academic possibilities that are available at the UWI. On Friday, April 25, 2014 a motion for the Turks and Caicos Islands to become a full contributing country of the UWI was carried unanimously at the annual business meeting of the university council held in Nassau, Bahamas. This motion followed a unanimous resolution by the TCI Government to

Schoolboys line up to have their photo taken to mark International Men’s Day 2016

make the country a full contributing member of the UWI. The cost of an undergraduate degree programme at the UWI is based on the economic cost of tuition and a registration fee. The contributing countries pay 80 percent of the economic cost on behalf of each sponsored student directly to the university bursar. Previously, the TCI paid the full tuition fee for every student it sponsored, but as a full contributing member, the Government will receive a 40 percent discount on the

economic cost. Meanwhile, should a student not be awarded a Government scholarship and wish to attend the university, the TCI Government will still be able to assist the student by absorbing 80 percent of the economic cost. That student will therefore pay only 20 percent of the economic cost of the tuition fee. The TCI is the last remaining UK overseas territory and last associate member of CARICOM to become a contributing country of the UWI.

Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing was praised by Mr Bryant for his work as leader of TCI

Renowned entrepreneur inspires youngsters on International Men’s Day BY JOHN TONER A BUSINESSMAN and philanthropist who has raised billions to help lift people from poverty has reached out to the young men of TCI. John Hope Bryant, author of ‘How the poor can save capitalism’ and founder of Operation HOPE, gave a speech to schoolboys and renowned delegates at Beaches resort on Saturday, February 14. Among those in attendance at the seminar on men’s reproductive health and how manhood can be

John Hope Bryant believes in a new way of thinking about self worth and the concept of manhood

improved was founder of 100 Black Men of TCI, and chairman of the event Arthur Forbes as well as TCI premier Dr Rufus Ewing. Free copies of Bryant’s book on capitalism were handed out before he gave a passionate speech about how all men can aspire to better in life. He said: “My pastor told me it’s not what people call you it’s what you answer to that is important; in life if you don’t know who you are the world is going to try and tell you. “I want to suggest to you that

there is a different kind of person we need to be focusing on and we’re going to talk about creating the new black Renaissance man starting here in TCI. “Aspiration is really important for us, it’s a code word for hope, and the most dangerous person in the world is a person with no hope. “I came here with a simple message that with high self-esteem and with high confidence you can achieve. “If you believe things will revolutionise they will, if you believe

they won’t then they won’t, it’s up to you. “Stop letting people tell you who you are and start defining who you are.” Bryant praised premier Ewing for his time in charge of the TCI and expressed his admiration for the work he had done so far in office. Chairman of the event Arthur Forbes was hopeful that the speech and seminar as a whole would have a positive impact on this in CONTINUED 

February 20 - 26, 2016

NEWS 15

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Government officials in Providenciales celebrate the annual Law Enforcement Church Service at Abundant Life Ministries

The services encourage the public to adhere to the laws and to show respect for those who enforce the laws

Public sector partake in annual law enforcement church service PUBLIC sector workers participated in the annual Law Enforcement Church Service on Sunday (February 14) at Abundant Life Ministries in Providenciales and at the Church of God Prophecy in Grand Turk. According to a press release issued by Kevin Clarke, the new press officer of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the service was attended by all officers of the various departments as well as other Government officials. They included Premier Rufus Ewing and his wife, leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Deputy Speaker of the House Josephine Connolly and Human Rights Commissioner Doreen Quelch Stubbs. The release stated that Ewing urges all to continue to show love and

Renowned entrepreneur inspires ... CONTINUED FROM 

attendance. He said: “I think it went very well, it was very inspirational and uplifting, in particular for the youngsters and grown men alike. “For the youngsters in particular I hope this gives them some self-motivation and self-esteem in terms of selfreliance and responsibility. “I do feel that this will be an inspirational start for their journey into the future.” This year is the first time International Men’s Day has been official marked by an event in the TCI.

Government officers march on Leeward Highway, Providenciales

The Towers of Babel Premier Rufus Ewing and his wife participate in the celebration

remove hatred from their hearts for the police as they put their lives on the line to protect the streets and country. The Premier told the congregation that the country would progress through unity if everyone put aside their differences, filled their hearts with positive energy and dropped the negatives. Delivering the sermon during the service was Bishop Coleta Williams III, quoting scripture Matthew 22: 15-20, under the theme, ‘Serving God and our country’. Williams delivered a compelling sermon, one which received applause and a standing ovation at the conclusion. Williams said: “When we disobey the law, we become a lawless society. “We must respect those in authority by honouring our policemen and women because they protect us at all hours of the night while we are asleep.” Williams continued to urge the congregation by saying: “You must comply with the police because their job is to protect you. “They cannot do their jobs effectively without your help, especially to solve a crime; all of us must play a role and do our part.” Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams in his remarks

told all law enforcement agencies that their duty was about service. He said: “We are servants of the public and not their masters. We must be fully dedicated and committed as officers. “With responsibility comes accountability and as such we are accountable to the public that we serve.” Adams told them that more and more police forces are challenged on their effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy. “Our values in our ‘strategic plan’ speak about respect, transparency, compassion, integrity, professionalism and fairness,” Adams said. In closing, he told officers that he is tired of hearing about Belonger or non-Belonger. He reminded them that despite where they were from, they were all members of the RTCIPF. Constable Huntley Forbes Jr gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the RTCIPF. Officers of the RTCIPF, Her Majesty’s Prison, Customs, Border Control, Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority, Road Safety, Ports Authority, Labour Department and Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources were among attendees.

Art is our language For more information email towersofbabel101@gmail.com or visit www.towersofbabel.weebly.com

COLOURED PEOPLE OF PRIDE BY EMANUEL POLLARD (CHHS)

Coloured people of pride, oh how fierce you are. For your words of wisdom and freedom have pierced many. Never have you given up or turned the other cheek. Never have they thought your words would see the light of day, when it seemed so bleak. Coloured people of pride like that of Martin Luther King, Susan B Anthony, Marcus Garvey and the rest. Many have criticized them and put them to the ground unmoved, conquering every obstacle, facing every turmoil. Ye coloured people of pride, let your names not be forgotten but resound throughout history. How fruitful your efforts were you’ll never know. To your beds of earth you went with haunting memories; Let it not be said that your objectives were in vain for we as a people feel your pain. Coloured people of pride, oh how fierce you were, for your words of wisdom and freedom have pierced many.

Lifestyle... 16

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

GARDENING 

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW

Mosquitoes in the garden ALTHOUGH there is no official case of zika virus in the Turks and Caicos Islands, you have to know that the mosquito-borne zika virus is spreading so quickly through the western hemisphere that it is soon expected to reach nearly every country in the Americas (except Canada) so it is just a matter of time before it gets here. No-one has yet developed a vaccine to prevent zika, so simply avoiding mosquitoes is our best defence. Here are very important things that you should understand about mosquitoes and how to control them: There are two things that mosquitoes need. They need blood to manufacture eggs and a place to lay their eggs. The mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water and will hatch in about seven to 10 days. That is why it is important to clean out water weekly, to keep mosquitoes from breeding.

February 20 - 26, 2016

BY DENIS BELANGER - NATURE SPLENDOR

Denis is a passionate landscape architect who enjoys the creative process and his clients’ joy when projects come to life. Contact Denis at Nature Splendor for your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs. For more information call 332-3381 or email denis@naturesplendor.net.

Mosquito hatcheries are everywhere. With the rain we had, expect mosquitoes in many items that might keep water including wheelbarrows, tyres, cans, bottles, toys, garden equipment, pool covers, pipes, tarps, drains, bins and even a bottle cap. Also remove standing water from fountains, ditches, clogged rain gutters, plant saucers, puddles and buckets. The cistern should be sealed and its opening should have a mosquito net. If you have a pond or fountains you might consider adding fish that would eat the mosquito larvae. To avoid mosquito bites, it’s always wise to wear long sleeves, avoid wearing perfume and scented

hair products, make sure you have installed or repaired window and door screens and apply insect repellent that contains DEET only on children over the age of two months. Another product is made of oil of lemon eucalyptus Most of the time zika causes no symptoms at all or at worst a rash, fever and achy body. But there’s mounting evidence that zika can harm foetuses. A worrisome number of pregnant women who contracted zika in Brazil last year have given birth to babies with microcephaly, a condition that stops babies’ heads from reaching full size. Dengue fever is also a disease of the tropics that is transmitted by the

mosquito. The mosquito is a day biter that prefers to feed on humans. Those infected with dengue can suffer from a spectrum of illnesses ranging from a viral flu to severe and fatal haemorrhagic fever. The dengue virus is passed back and forth between mosquitoes and humans and causes an extraordinarily painful ailment that exists in four known strains or serotypes. Dengue is especially dangerous to children who generally have one infection, but if bitten again can get a more serious infection that can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF causes severe internal bleeding, shock and circulatory collapse and is usually fatal to children.

The CO2 baited traps will catch mosquitoes. However, even an impressively large collection may be a minute percentage of all the blood-seeking females in the area and this will not likely impact large populations of mosquitoes. These devices are only successful if the wind is low, the actual mosquito population is low and there are no other factors to attract the mosquitoes in that area.

MOSQUITO TRAPPING DEVICES Many mosquito trapping devices are based on generating carbon dioxide to lure the mosquitoes to the device. Once in the vicinity of the fan on the device the mosquitoes are sucked up into the device and into a collection bag where they will die.

BUG ZAPPERS Bug zappers use ultraviolet light to lure mosquitoes into a trap that will electrocute them. These devices attract many types of insects such as moths and beetles. Studies have shown that these devices do not reduce the number of biting mosquitoes and they kill other types of insects more often than they kill mosquitoes. The best way to reduce the mosquito population is by preventing them from breeding in close vicinity to your home, by making sure your garden has no nests as well as sharing this information with your neighbours.

• Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with a little paprika.

• Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Serve.

Weekly Recipe Helen Barkworth-Knight is a teacher and qualified baker with a lifelong love for cooking for friends and family. She is a mother to Owen, almost two, who has very particular tastes in all things, especially food. Hence she has become an expert in hiding vegetables in all sorts of dishes!

Mac and cheese

INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese • 3 cups milk • ¼ cup butter • 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour • 2 tablespoons butter • ½ cup bread crumbs • Sprinkle of paprika

METHOD

• Cook macaroni according to the directions on box. Drain. • In a saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. • Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. • Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.

• Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown.

February 20 - 26, 2016

NEWS 17

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Monica Forbes, Aaliyah Elliot, Jamika Prosper, Erika Pinales, Jermina Louis, Ketchnaydine Thomas; female contestants

NDA Clare, Fernando Vasquez, Carlentz Jean, Obed Leopold, Wendy Jonka, Keanu Williams; male contestants

Long Bay High School crowns first Mr and Ms BY DAISY HANDFIELD IT WAS a stiff competition for the 12 students from the Long Bay High School in Providenciales that competed for the title of Mr and Ms Long Bay High on Thursday, February 11. It was all laughter and fun until everyone was left in suspense at the end of the show when the judges has to take a moment for the deliberation. The results were in and Jamika Prosper and Keanu Williams had the most votes for best overall female and male contestants, so were crowned Mr and Ms Long Bay High School. Prosper and Williams wowed the judges with their charisma on stage throughout the whole show. Although it was a tough decision, the two stood out in most of the segments of the event. In an interview with Prosper, she told the Weekly News that she was more than excited about being the first Ms Long Bay High School winner.

Lifestyle...

She said: “I feel very happy because we are making history. “It was very hard because I had to memorise lots of things and keep it in my head which took a couple of weeks.” Prosper also walked off with the titles for the best talent and the best dress. The beauty queen said that prior to winning the title, she was sceptical and was quite surprised that she won because of the high level of competition. She said that her platform was to keep the school and her environment clean. Mr Long Bay High, Keanu Williams said that he was very proud to be the winner and his platform was to help other students with their school work. In an interview with the principal for the high school, Carlton Mills, on Thursday (February 18) he said that the pageant surpassed his expectations. He said: “It was well planned

Ms Long Bay High 2015 to 16, Jamika Prosper, and Mr Long Bay High 2015 to 16, Keanu Williams

and well organised and I want to commend the teachers, in particular Ms Ferguson who spearheaded the event. “I think you could see from the reaction and the response from the audience that they were pleased and we have had positive comments even after the show.” Mills said that initiatives like this one are in effort to bring out a sense of confidence in students.

Continued

Tension headaches TENSION-type headaches are one of the most common forms of headache yet they are not well understood. Most people describe having a band of pressure around their head that can last from 30 minutes to a week. Tension headaches can be related to muscles tightening in the back of the neck and improper alignment of the joints of the spine. One of the best ways to combat tension headaches is through lifestyle changes. Here are some helpful tips: EXERCISE REGULARLY This can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Exercise relieves stress, relaxes

Charvis Ferguson, teacher at the school and coordinator of the pageant, said that the event also exceeded her expectations, as there was limited time to put on the showcase. She said: “The contestants were dedicated and really wanted to give the public a grade A show. “Next year, we plan on having a bigger and better event than the one that was held and it’s amazing

how the community came together to support all 12 contestants in the first ever Mr and Ms Long Bay High School pageant. “I am so very appreciative of all of the sponsors who supported the children. “Without these persons, we would not have been able to put on a show of this magnitude. “I believe that to make a wellrounded student, we must not only focus on the academic aspect of learning, but it is important to promote self-confidence and awareness in our children to shape into viable members of society.” Ferguson said that she strongly believes that all of the sponsors shared the same view and helped to ensure that the show went off without a hitch. MC for the night was talk show hostess Paula Arthur-Rigby. Minister of education Akierra Missick was also in attendance and delivered a brief speech, emphasising that the school had great talent.

your muscles and increases the levels of beta-endorphins, which are your body’s natural stress relievers. So don’t just sit there, go for a walk, bike ride or run.

RELAX YOUR MUSCLES Muscle tension is associated with tension headaches. Applying heat or ice to sore muscles in the shoulders and the back of the neck may ease the tension. Massage is another way to relieve muscle tension. Gently massage the muscles of your head, neck and shoulders with your fingertips. Or have someone else do the massage for you. A warm bath can also do wonders for those tight, achy and stiff muscles.

PERFECT YOUR POSTURE Good posture can help keep your muscles from tensing up and reduce strain on your body. A jutting head combined with slumped shoulders can cause fatigue and tension in your neck and upper back. When standing, your head, shoulders, hips and ankles should line up, one comfortably above the other. Your knees should be slightly bent and your feet should be shoulder width apart or more.

RECORD YOUR HEADACHES Record when your headaches occur and what you were doing before they started.

YOUR BODY  Dr Craig Zavitz is a Canadian chiropractor registered in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He specialises in gentle manual therapies, activator, therapeutic laser, and smoking cessation. To make appointments call 941-5252 or email craig@gracebaychiro.com. For more information visit www.gracebaychiro.com.

Try to recognise the factors that cause or aggravate your headaches. Be sure to tell your chiropractor if you’ve noticed any changes in your usual headaches, such as frequency,

BY Dr Craig Zavitz

duration or intensity, or if your headaches begin to worry you. Armed with these simple strategies to prevent headaches, pain doesn’t have to be top of mind.

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

Bahamas leads Caribbean in recorded rape cases THE Bahamas leads the Caribbean in the number of recorded rapes followed by St Vincent, the Grenadines and Jamaica, a new report by the National Task Force for Gender Based Violence revealed on Monday. The countries were included in statistics of the top ten countries where rape is prevalent. In addition, from 2008 to 2012, annual police reports documented 9,045 incidents where females were the victims of assault in the country. These reports also alluded to there being numerous cases of domestic violence of a non-sexual nature. Over a 10-year period, from 2003 to 2013, there were 1,109 reported rapes, according to police statistics. This comes after Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade revealed last week that rapes increased by 16 per cent in 2015 when compared to 2014. “The issue of rape, its magnitude and impact in the country demands further attention,” the report said. “The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape per capita in the Caribbean. The UN Woman narrative on gender-based violence in the Caribbean cites ‘while the worldwide average for rape was 15 per 100,000, The Bahamas has an average of 133,

St Vincent and the Grenadines 112, Jamaica 51, Dominica 34, Barbados 25 and Trinidad and Tobago 18.” The report further pointed to a survey which revealed that in nine Caribbean countries, 48 per cent of adolescent girls’ sexual initiation was forced or somewhat forced.” The report, which also outlines a strategic plan to address genderbased violence (GBV), was officially handed over to Prime Minister Perry Christie on Tuesday. It links GBV to the increasing violent crime levels in the country. When asked how confident the government was that this report would assist in getting a handle on this country’s crime challenges, Mr Christie said he was certain that his administration was on the right path to addressing the issue. “What my administration has found out and has confirmed is that crime is so multifaceted in its manifestation and that this report confirms it, that it takes more than a government with the right policies and the right strategies to bring about the desired results,” Mr Christie said. “This report again goes toward providing empirical evidence, meaning there is hard evidence that

some things exist. Once you know that they exist you are able to design strategies to deal with them.” He added: “With respect to the level of confidence, I am confident that we are on the right path to dealing with all of the social problems that we have and that many of them will take much longer than even I anticipated. But the point is that we are doing the right things and making the right decisions. “We would move to implement the report insofar as governmental action is concerned. So you heard me indicate to you that the government is already in the process of construction or reconstruction and renovations of an existing physical facility to provide young people who are a challenge in school and who challenge the system with their behaviour and challenge their families.” He said the government will dedicate the necessary resources to help the Crisis Centre in its implementation of the recommendations. Mr Christie added that the government will also support the creation of a foundation to involve the Bahamian people in understanding that it goes beyond government resources.

Early predictions suggest an average hurricane season this year Just over a month ago, an unusual Atlantic disturbance turned into Hurricane Alex, making it the first hurricane of 2016 and only the second January hurricane on record since 1938. Alex weakened and was downgraded to a tropical storm before it made landfall in the Azores, but was still an unexpected start to the year, leading many people to wonder what kind of hurricane season lies ahead. While it’s too early for scientists and meteorologists to say with any certainty, they have been releasing long-range predictions since December, and the outlook appears to suggest a return to average conditions. But with a strong El Nin~o currently in the Pacific, which some climate researchers and meteorologists believe to have peaked, the question now is how will it influence the Atlantic tropics in 2016 and how quickly will conditions shift to its opposite, La Nin~a? The respected Colorado

The outlook appears to suggest a return to an average hurricane season.

State University Department of Atmospheric Science tropical storm and hurricane forecast team of Klotzbach and Gray will issue their first official forecast in April, and have only provided a qualitative outlook for the 2016 hurricane season so far. Klotzbach and Gray assess potential 2016 Atlantic hurricane activity based on the strength of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation (AMO) and thermohaline circulation (THC) and the phase of the El Nino

Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Their long-range assessment gives the greatest chance, at 35 percent, that in 2016 the AMO/ THC is above-average and some El Nin~o impacts remain, resulting in a seasonal average Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) of 120. That would indicate a 2016 hurricane season with around 12-15 named storms, 6-8 hurricanes and 2-3 major hurricanes, which is an average year typically.

Jocelerme Privert can serve as Haiti’s interim president for no more than 120 days.

Haiti appoints interim president JOCELERME Privert was elected as the country’s interim president on Sunday, to fill the vacuum following the departure of Michel Martelly last week. Privert, 62 who is the president of the National Assembly, was chosen on the second round of voting after a lengthy session that stretched overnight from Saturday to Sunday. The politicians chose Privert over two other candidates, Dejan Belizaire and Edgar Leblanc Fils, both former presidents of the senate. Under an agreement signed hours before Martelly’s departure, the interim president chosen by parliament will serve for up to 120 days. The agreement proposes a new presidential election on April 24, with a new president installed on May 14. President Michel Martelly left

office last Sunday after being barred by the Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term in office. Opposition parties had called for the establishment of an interim administration to oversee fresh elections in the country and had taken to the streets protesting the outcome of the first round of balloting on August 24 last year as well as preventing the staging of the second round of the presidential elections on January 24 this year. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the election of Privert. “This election stems from the agreement signed on February 6 between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process,” according to a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson.

Another lawsuit threatened in Jamaica election campaign With just about a week to go before Jamaicans go to the polls, another lawsuit is being threatened amid a contentious election campaign. This time, leader of the main opposition Andrew Holness is accusing Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller and Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips of defaming his character. He is demanding an apology in three days, and payment to a children’s charity, to be named by Holness, as compensation for loss and damages. Last week, Simpson-Miller threatened to sue Holness if he did not publicly say sorry for comments he made, which she said defamed her. He has given no such apology. Holness’ demands were contained in a letter sent to Simpson-Miller’s and Phillips’ lawyers, from the Opposition Leader’s attorney-at-law George Soutar. The correspondence stated that on February 12, the two made

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness is threatening to sue.

statements that were published in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper that were, “by implication and/ or innuendo”, defamatory to his client. The remarks related to Holness’ construction of a house in Beverly Hills, in the parish of St. James, and Soutar said they suggested or imputed that the funds being used were obtained “dishonestly, illicitly, illegally, and corruptly”. The lawyer said the damage had been made worse because the comments were repeated.

February 20 - 26, 2016

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Caribbean tourism sets new performance records for 2015 Eleno Olivares stands in the rubble of the three-store apartment building he owes and lived in after it was brought down by an explosion from a nearby Sol Gas distribution station in the Los Rios neighbourhood of Santo Domingo.

Gas explosions in DR injure 40, level homes EARLY morning explosions rocked an LPG distribution station in a densely populated neighbourhood of the Dominican Republic’s capital Tuesday, destroying several homes and injuring at least 40 people, officials said. Soldiers and Civil Defence workers used dogs to find survivors in the ruins of the buildings but determined everyone was accounted for as crews started clearing debris from the area in the Los Rios community in the northern part of Santo Domingo. Fire Chief Oscar Garcia said the 40 victims were hospitalized and officials were investigating what caused the explosion at the Solgas station. Six people taken to one nearby hospital had burns on up to 50 percent of their body, said Eddy Bruno, burn unit director at the Luis Eduardo Aybar hospital. Onlookers stood on rooftops to observe blown-out doors and windows, downed power lines and crumpled cars, including one that had a woman’s sandal on its hood. Neighbours had streamed

out of their homes around dawn because they smelled gas, and the first explosion occurred shortly afterward, around 6 a.m. “It was horrible. We took off running,” said Maria Casilda Bonilla, who was in her second-floor apartment with a 22-year-old son. A second explosion occurred about 40 minutes later, levelling a three-story building owned by Eleno Olivares. He lived in the building with his wife, six children and one young grandchild, and he rented the other units to a dozen other people who also made it out safely except for one who was burned when he tried to rescue some belongings. “What can I do?” Olivares told The Associated Press as he observed the debris. “I’m happy because all my children and grandchildren are safe.” Authorities have evacuated the area to inspect buildings for safety and determine what caused the explosion. Solgas officials did not return a call for comment. (ABCnews)

Scammers rob Cayman bank account A WOMAN living in the UK has lost funds in her Cayman Islands bank account after she fell for an email scam. The RCIPS said the Financial Crimes Unit received a report about the client of a local bank who received an email purportedly from that bank stating that her account had been logged into from an unusual location outside the Cayman Islands. She was given a link to log-in to secure the account, which she clicked

on and later discovered that funds were transferred from her account and later withdrawn. “The RCIPS FCU is advising the public not to click on any links received in emails purporting to be from local banks or any other banks or institutions asking them to secure their account or change details,” the police said. “These emails should be deleted and account holders should contact their bank directly.” (CNS)

FOR the first time since the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) began keeping records, the Caribbean outperformed every major tourism region in the world in setting new arrival and spend records in 2015, while exceeding expectations. International tourist trips to the region grew by seven per cent to 28.7 million visits, much higher than the projected four to five per cent growth. Visitors spent an estimated US$30 billion, a 4.2 per cent rise over the US$28.8 billion spent in 2014. “So 2015 was the second year in a row that the region has done better than the rest of the world, and the sixth consecutive year of growth for the Caribbean,” the CTO’s secretary general Hugh Riley revealed this week in announcing the record performance at a news conference at CTO headquarters, streamed live to a global audience that spanned the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe and as far as Asia. Riley attributed the growth to improved global economic conditions in the marketplace; a boost in consumer confidence, particularly in the United States; falling oil prices; rising seat capacity and persistent marketing by CTO member countries and their partners. The CTO reported growth in all the major markets – the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and South America – with

Visitors to the Caribbean spent an estimated US$30 billion, a 4.2 per cent rise over the US$28.8 billion spent in 2014.

the intra-regional market performing better than it has ever done before. “Despite concerns about the cost of travel within the region, the intra-Caribbean travel recorded its best performance since we started keeping records. In 2015, traffic from the Caribbean market accounted for six per cent of total arrivals into the region, with 1.7 million visits among the various states, an increase of 11.4 per cent over the previous year,” the CTO secretary general said. The US, which remains the Caribbean’s primary market, accounting for about 50 per cent of arrivals, grew an impressive 6.3 per cent to 14.3 million visits. The Canadian market grew by 4.5 per cent to 3.4 million; Europe accounted for 5.2 million visits, a 4.2

per cent jump over the previous year and South America continued its rapid growth, generating 2.1 million visitors, an 18.3 per cent jump over 2014. Of the 5.2 million European visited, 1.1 million came from the United Kingdom, which recorded a 10.4 per cent rise. The European market made significant gains in 2015, with its best performance in seven years. For the first time since 2008, total arrivals from Europe reached the five million mark, a rise of 4.2 per cent compared to 2014. The UK was one of the dominant performers, growing by a healthy 10.4 per cent to 1.1 million visitors. Arrivals from Germany recorded an even better 11.5 per cent rise, while France was relatively flat, increasing by 0.8 per cent.

Guyana and Haiti travellers return to US with Zika virus AUTHORITIES in the US state of Ohio say two people – one of whom travelled to Haiti and the other who went to Guyana – have tested positive for the Zika virus. The latest victims of the mosquitoborne virus are a 56-year-old woman returning from the South American nation, and a 60-year-old man who recently visited the French-speaking island. That brings to four the number of people, reported by the Ohio Department of Health in the past week, as having the virus. In the first two cases, both people had travelled to Haiti. “Given the number of travelers between Ohio and Zika virus-affected countries, it would not be a surprise to see more cases,” said Medical Director at the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Mary DiOrio. “There is no vaccine available for Zika virus so it’s important for Ohioans traveling to affected areas to take steps to prevent mosquito bites.” Though there are no known cases of Zika being transmitted by mosquito in the continental US,

Though there are no known cases of the Zika virus being transmitted by mosquito in the continental US, the number of infected Americans continues to grow.

the number of infected Americans continues to grow. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 52 travel-associated cases of Zika virus in 16 states and the District of Columbia prior to Ohio’s new cases – an increase from 35 cases in 12 states since last Tuesday. Zika virus is primarily transmitted through a mosquito bite, and there is no indication that it can spread from person to person through casual contact. But the CDC has confirmed

a US case of Zika virus infection in a non-traveller after the person’s sexual partner returned from an affected country and developed symptoms. Of people infected with the Zika virus, 80 per cent do not have any symptoms. And when symptoms occur, they are often mild, lasting from several days to a week, and include fever, rash, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), and headache. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

EU referendum: Juncker ‘confident’ of UK summit deal JEAN-Claude Juncker has said he is “quite confident” European leaders can reach a deal with Britain over its future membership of the EU. The European Commission President was speaking as David Cameron left Downing Street to head to a two day summit in Brussels. Mr Cameron aims to return with a reform deal he can put to the British people in a referendum in June. But he faces resistance to some of his key demands from other EU leaders. Leaked copies of a final draft of Britain’s proposals, seen by the Guardian, suggest Mr Cameron still has to convince fellow EU leaders to agree to treaty changes to cement his reforms. The documents also suggest France is still resisting attempts to secure protection for the City of London by giving non-eurozone nations more power to stall financial regulation. Mr Cameron’s plan to cut the amount of child benefit EU migrants can send back to to their home countries would apply across the EU according to the leaked drafts - something that would be resisted by Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The key parts of UK deal:

Boutros Boutros-Ghali led the UN between 1992 and 1996.

David Cameron aims to return with a reform deal he can put to the British people in a referendum in June.

Allowing Britain to opt out from the EU’s founding ambition to forge an “ever closer union” of the peoples of Europe and greater powers to national parliaments to block EU legislation Restrictions on other EU nationals getting in-work benefits in the UK for four years. Changing child benefit rules so payment reflects cost of living in countries where the child lives Explicit recognition that the euro is not the only currency of the EU and guarantees to ensure countries outside eurozone are not disadvantaged or have to join eurozone bailouts A target for the reduction of the

“burden” of excessive regulation and extending the single market Senior EU officials have been talking up the chances of a deal, while admitting there are still difficulties that need to be ironed out. “I’m quite confident that we will have a deal during this European Council,” Mr Juncker told reporters. “We have to sort out a certain number of questions... and I’m convinced that Britain will be a constructive and active member of the European Union.” EU Out campaigners say the draft reforms will make no difference to the number of migrants coming to Britain and will not allow the UK to block unwanted EU laws.

Trump: Obama is “lucky” I didn’t run against him in 2012 AFTER US President Obama made a prediction Tuesday that “Mr. Trump will not be president,” the billionaire businessman bit back with his own challenge to Mr. Obama’s qualifications for the executive office. “He has done such a lousy job as president,” Trump said on stage at a Beaufort, South Carolina rally Tuesday. “You look at our budgets. You look at our spending. We can’t beat ISIS. Obamacare is terrible. We’re going to terminate it. We’re going to absolutely terminate and replace it. I mean you look at everything. Our borders are like Swiss cheese.” Aiming squarely at the president’s 2012 election record, Trump had this message for Mr. Obama: “You’re lucky I didn’t run last time when Romney ran because you would have been a one-term president.” Trump’s comments were responding to a claim the president

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former UN head, dies at 93 BOUTROS Boutros-Ghali, the former UN secretary general , has died aged 93, the UN Security Council has said. He died at a Cairo hospital on Tuesday, Egypt’s state news agency said, after being admitted with a broken pelvis. He took office in 1992 at a time of growing influence for the UN following its decisive role in the Gulf War, serving one five-year term.

However, he faced criticism for the UN’s failure to stop the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Washington was angered by his opposition to NATO’s bombing campaign in Bosnia. The 15-member Security Council observed a minute’s silence after the announcement of Mr BoutrosGhali’s death, which was made at the start of a session on Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. (BBC)

Ameen Jogee (L) and Mohammed Hirsi were both given life sentences under a joint enterprise conviction.

Joint enterprise law ‘wrongly interpreted’ for 30 years, Supreme Court rules

Current president Barack Obama and presidential hopeful Donald Trump traded verbal jabs this week.

made about the GOP front-runner earlier that day. “I continue to believe Mr. Trump will not be president,” Mr. Obama said at a press conference during a summit with Southeast Asian leaders in California. “And the reason is that I have a lot of faith in the American people. Being president is a serious job. It’s not hosting a talk show, or a reality show.” He added that “the American

people are pretty sensible, and I think they’ll make a sensible choice in the end.” At his South Carolina event, the reality television star said that he wasn’t taking the Mr. Obama’s statement as a personal insult. “This man has done such a bad job -- he has set us back so far, and for him to say that actually is a great compliment, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said.

THE law which has allowed people to be convicted of murder even if they did not inflict the fatal blow has been wrongly interpreted for more than 30 years, the Supreme Court has ruled. The joint enterprise law has been used to convict people in gangrelated cases if defendants “could” have foreseen violent acts by their associates. However, judges ruled it was wrong to treat “foresight” as a sufficient test. Their decision could pave the way for hundreds of prisoners to seek appeals. It will apply in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and most UK overseas common law territories but not in Scotland, which has its own rules on joint enterprise. The ruling came after a panel of

five Supreme Court judges considered the case of Ameen Jogee, who had been convicted under joint enterprise of the murder of former Leicestershire police officer Paul Fyfe in 2011. The court heard that Jogee had “egged on” his friend Mohammed Hirsi, who stabbed Mr Fyfe in the heart. Both men received life sentences for murder. Jogee had argued he was not inside the house when the incident took place, and could not have foreseen what his friend intended to do. Delivering the judgement, Lord Neuberger said it was wrong to treat “foresight” as a sufficient test to convict someone of murder. “This court is always very cautious before departing from a previous decision of the House of Lords or the Supreme Court,” he said.

February 20 - 26, 2016

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Venezuela hikes fuel prices by 6000%, devalues currency to tackle economic crisis

President Barack Obama is set to visit the island in March.

President Obama to make historic visit to Cuba BARACK Obama will become the first sitting American president to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years, in what would be a crucial turning point between the Cold War rivals that recently shed their decades-old hostilities. Obama will visit the communist island nation in March, he said in a tweet. A senior administration official told NBC News that the details would be announced Thursday as part of a larger tour by Obama of Latin America. Plans for the presidential visit could also coincide with a trip by a Major League Baseball team, given the island’s passion for the sport. Obama and Cuban President Raul

Castro announced in December 2014 that they would normalise relations after decades of broken ties. A year later, Obama said he would consider visiting Cuba if there was evidence of significant improvements in civil liberties. Obama and Castro met last April in Panama in the first official meeting of the leaders of the two nations since the United States cut diplomatic relations in 1961 after Castro’s brother, Fidel Castro, seized power. The last sitting president to visit the island was Calvin Coolidge, who addressed the Pan-American Conference of Western Hemisphere leaders in Havana in 1928.

VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday announced a staggering 6,000 percent hike in petrol prices and a sharp devaluation of the currency to shore up the oilrich nation’s battered economy. Venezuela, which gets 95 percent of its export revenue through oil, has been hit hard by the collapse in the price of the commodity, which has fallen to $34 a barrel from $90 a barrel two years ago. The move would raise the price of premium gasoline to 6 bolivars a litre from 0.1 bolivar a litre, and regular gasoline to 1 bolivar a litre from 0.07 bolivar. Additionally, starting Thursday, the official exchange rate used for food and medicine imports will be weakened to 10 bolivars per dollar from the current 6.3, while a second parallel floating rate will be allowed to operate alongside. “This is a necessary action, for which I take responsibility,” Maduro said Wednesday in a televised address. “The time has come to establish a system that guarantees access to hydrocarbons at a fair price but that also guarantees the funding of investment in producing that gasoline.” Maduro also said that the revenue generated from the new fuel prices would be used to bolster social

The move would raise the price of premium gasoline to 6 bolivars a litre from 0.1 bolivar a litre, and regular gasoline to 1 bolivar a litre from 0.07 bolivar.

programmes such as housing, health services and education. “Faced with a criminal, chaotic inflation induced a long time ago, we must act with the power of the state to control and regulate markets,” Maduro reportedly said. However, the price rise also risks triggering nationwide protests similar to the ones seen in 1989, when a hike in the prices of food and petrol sparked deadly riots and helped Hugo Chavez rise to power. Venezuela has the world’s largest known oil reserves, and has been

pushed to the brink of collapse by plummeting oil prices. As revenue from oil exports drops, the local currency, the bolivar, has also plummeted in the black market. Last month, the Venezuelan government declared a 60-day nationwide economic emergency after official figures released by the country’s central bank showed that the economy had contracted by 4.5 percent in the first nine months of 2015, and that annual inflation had soared to a staggering 141.5 percent in September — the highest in the world.

Florida $528.7 million Powerball jackpot winners kept the secret from their own children The attacks on women aged 19, 24, 25 and 34 allegedly happened between December 2008 and March 2011 and included forced oral sex and rape, prosecutors said.

Veteran LAPD cops charged with raping four different women while on duty TWO veteran Los Angeles Police officers have been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting four different women over several years while on duty, prosecutors said Wednesday. James Nichols, 44, and Luis Valenzuela, 43, were partners on the narcotics beat in Hollywood when they “began sexually assaulting women at various locations, including in their police vehicle,” the Los Angeles County District Attorney said. The attacks on women aged 19, 24, 25 and 34 allegedly happened between December 2008 and March 2011 and included forced oral sex

and rape, prosecutors said. A lawyer representing two of the women said the men preyed upon “vulnerable, desperate, exposed” victims struggling with drug addictions, revolving-door arrests and extreme concern for their personal safety. “They’re scary, freaky guys,” lawyer Dennis W. Chang told the Daily News Wednesday. “On one occasion, Valenzuela was getting a b---job in the backseat of a department-issued Volkswagen Jetta with Nichols acting as the lookout,” Chang said. “This is just weird stuff. The victims that they chose were just extremely vulnerable.”

THEY had a $528.7 million secret that left one ex wishing he was still part of the family. Powerball winners David Kaltschmidt, 55, and Maureen Smith, 70, kept everyone in the dark until last week about their life-altering win — even their two children. “That was hard,” Smith said in Tallahassee Wednesday. “We are not going to go party. We are still going to live the same lives,” added Kaltschmidt. At least one person could be forgiven for carrying mixed emotions. Smith’s former son-in-law bemoaned his breakup with her daughter, Denise Fiore, after hearing about their big bucks win. “I’m pissed, I could’ve hit the mother lode!” joked Joey Delgado, 51, of Clifton, N.J. “I should’ve stayed married to Denise! I’m in shock, I’m just blown away!” The couple divorced 12 years ago. “In all seriousness, that’s awesome, I’m happy for them,” he said. “They’re good people. It’s going to a good couple.” The winning pair, who married in 1980, are originally from Long Island.

Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie presents Kaltschmidt and Smith with a check for $528 million Wednesday.

They were announced as winners during a news conference at Florida Lottery headquarters after handing in the second of three winning tickets from last month’s record $1.6 billion Powerball bonanza. Their former son-in-law, Delgado, 51, who works in graphic arts, said he wasn’t surprised. “She was a fiend with the lottery,” he told the Daily News. “She played all the time.” Smith, a homemaker who sold Avon products, purchased the golden ticket at a Publix supermarket

in Melbourne, Fla. The winning combination was 4-8-19-27-34, with a Powerball of 10. “They are numbers that I played for years,” she said. Initially, the Melbourne Beach pair couldn’t believe they’d won. “Oddly enough, I checked the ticket and everything matched up,” Kaltschmidt said. “I said, ‘she’s messing with me.’ “ But they kept quiet about the win for weeks. Kaltschmidt said he lost 10 pounds contemplating the incredible turn in their lives the win.

Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

Former President Jimmy Carter wins Grammy Award FORMER President Jimmy Carter on Monday won his second Grammy Award, this time for the audio book version of his memoir, “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety.” This is the second time Carter has been crowned in the Best Spoken Word Album category. In 2007, his reading of “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” won him dual honors alongside Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. In December, Carter announced he was cancer-free after an initial diagnosis in August. “My most recent MRI brain scan did not reveal any signs of the original cancer spots nor any new ones. I will continue to receive regular three-week immunotherapy treatments of pembrolizumab,” Carter said in a statement. Carter, 91, first revealed the news in front of a Sunday School class he was teaching at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Carter announced in August that doctors had told him that four spots of cancer had spread to his brain. He said his fate “is in the hands of God, whom I worship.” Three days after the announcement, Carter was teaching

Mans Zelmerlow won the Eurovison Song Contest last year for Sweden and will host this year’s ceremony.

This is the second time Jimmy Carter has been crowned in the Best Spoken Word Album category.

Sunday school, per his usual routine. The spoken word Grammy has gone to politicians before. President Barack Obama is also a two-time winner, bringing home the award in 2005 for his book, “Dreams From My Father,” published a decade earlier. And again two years later for “The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream.” Other notable honorees from the political world include both Bill and Hillary Clinton. The former secretary of state did it during her time as first

lady, in 1997, for the audio edition of “It Takes a Village.” In 2005, former President Clinton won his second Grammy, for “My Life.” Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, a Democrat, was honored in 2004 for his book -- published while he was in the private sector -- “Lies And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair And Balanced Look At The Right.” Beau Bridges, Blair Underwood and Cynthia Nixon won in 2009 for their reading of the Al Gore book, “An Inconvenient Truth.” (CNN)

Eurovision Song Contest overhauls voting rules NEW rules have been announced for the Eurovision Song Contest in the biggest change to voting since 1975. In previous years each country’s jury and public votes were combined and announced in one go. Now the votes will be split with each country’s jury vote cast first, and votes from viewers in all countries combined and announced at the end. Organisers say this will create a “dramatic finish” as the winner will be only be revealed at the very end. In previous years the winner

has been known for up to 20 minutes before the end of voting. “This format change will inject a new level of excitement into the finish of the Eurovision Song Contest,” said Martin Österdahl, Executive Producer for this year’s show. A video explainer of how the new voting system will work is on the Eurovision website. The new voting system is a “big step forward”, according to Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, that will “make a better television show as well as a more exciting competition”.

Cosby sues sexual assault accuser for breach of confidentiality agreement in 2005 lawsuit WHILE the spotlight was on Bill Cosby’s criminal court hearing earlier this month, the fallen funnyman was quietly pursuing a secret breach-ofcontract lawsuit against the woman he allegedly assaulted in 2004. The contract dispute complaint was filed Feb. 1 in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia against accuser Andrea Constand, her mother, two of her lawyers and the publisher of the National Enquirer, online court records confirm. It remained under seal Wednesday, two weeks after Cosby tried but failed to have the criminal charges filed against him in December by Pennsylvania prosecutors dismissed. Cosby’s camp declined to comment on the new lawsuit Wednesday. Constand, 42, stepped forward in 2005 and said Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her when she was a Temple University employee visiting his suburban Philadelphia mansion in 2004. Prosecutors investigated but quickly declined to prosecute, leading Constand to file a civil lawsuit that ended with a settlement and confidentiality agreement. Cosby’s new lawsuit against Constand, her mom and her lawyers

Terrorists killed 89 persons when the band last played in Paris.

Eagles of Death Metal return to Paris: ‘It was perfect’ Bill Cosby’s lawyers have argued that he had a promise from a former prosecutor that he would never be charged for his alleged sexual harassment of Andrea Constand.

appears to center on that privacy agreement and came just hours before her lawyer Dolores Troiani was set to testify at Cosby’s Feb. 3 criminal hearing. The criminal case was revived after more than 50 women stepped forward over the last year and a half to say Cosby sexually assaulted them

over the decades. Prosecutors filed the aggravated assault charge against the disgraced comedian on Dec. 30, just days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired. The National Enquirer’s publisher was named in the filing because it was a party to Constand’s legal filings back in 2005.

At first glance, the rock concert looked like any other, but beside the leather jackets, jeans and band t-shirts, there were signs that this show was different. Counsellors were present, wearing badges. People carried white roses, and a girl—visibly upset—sat on the stairs, while a few concertgoers shuffled around on crutches. They’d all come to hear the Eagles of Death Metal, a rock band, which returned to play in Paris on Tuesday, three months after terrorists attacked

their concert at the Bataclan, killing 89 of the band’s “friends”. Front man Jesse Hughes and the rest of the band took to the stage to massive cheers. EODM opened with the son “I only want you,” but stopped midway to bow heads and to ask for a moment of silence. The sell-out performance at the Olympia was expected to be packed with some 2800 fans, including 900 survivors and relatives of those killed at the Bataclan on November 13 last year. The Bataclan remains closed.

February 20 - 26, 2016

Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Tennessee sheriff blames Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance for ‘drive-by shooting BEYONCÉ’s powerful demonstration of black pride during the halftime show at the Super Bowl that featured back-up dancers dressed as Black Panthers has predictably amassed more criticism. So much that there was even an anti-Beyoncé protest planned by anonymous organisers outside the NFL’s headquarters in New York City, which, by the way, only three people showed up for. Now, Tennessee sheriff Robert Arnold, has claimed that a drive-by shooting at his house was inspired by the singer’s Super Bowl performance and its aftermath, according to the NYMAG. During a press conference on Tuesday, Arnold told reporters that the shooting that occurred on Monday around 8.18pm, was another target on law enforcement and immediately referenced Beyonce’s unapologetically black performance of Formation. On Monday night, a dark-gray Nissan Altima reportedly fired six

shots at Arnold’s home. Officers found .22-caliber casings in a line on the right-hand side of the street, indicating that a passenger shot from a moving vehicle. No one was injured, and police have not said whether any of the shots fired actually hit the house. However, Arnold also believes that since Bey’s performance, more than seven police officers have been killed because of the singer’s powerful statement. He said: ‘With everything that’s happened since the Super Bowl with law enforcement as a whole, I think we’ve lost five to seven officers... I’m thinking, ‘here’s another target on law enforcement.’’ A reporter at the press conference then asked Arnold what he meant. He responded: ‘Well, you know, Beyoncé’s video and how that’s kind of led over into other things about law enforcement.’ Arnold also said that ‘we all know as soon as you put this uniform on, every day you’re a target’.

Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance was seen as anti-law enforcement by some persons.

‘Unfortunately for this incident, me being in my position, I’m just a bigger target.’ Arnold said when the shooting occurred he yelled for his wife to get their daughter and son, ages eight and three, and take them upstairs.

In a press release, the sheriff’s department said Arnold relied on a statement from the National Sheriff’s Association, according to WKRN. The statement read: ‘The senseless killing of four law enforcement officers just this week – on the heels

of the anti-police ‘entertainment’ at the Sunday Super Bowl halftime show – reminds us that the men and women in law enforcement take a solemn oath that includes putting their lives on the line every day to protect our citizens.’

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Rousey: I thought about killing myself DETHRONED UFC champ Ronda Rousey says she was so devastated after losing her title to Holly Holm last November that she briefly considered suicide. “Honestly ... I was sitting in the corner [of the postfight medical room] and was like, ‘What am I anymore if I’m not this?’ “ the mixedmartial arts fighter told Ellen DeGeneres on Tuesday during an emotional interview. “I was literally sitting there thinking about killing myself.” For the previously undefeated and seemingly invincible Rousey -- whose own father committed suicide when she was 8 -- it was an

existential crisis. “In that exact second, I’m like, ‘I’m nothing. What do I do anymore?” she said, wiping away tears. “No one gives a s--t about me anymore without this.’” What saved her, she said, was her devotion to her boyfriend, UFC fighter Travis Browne, who was standing at her side. “I looked up at him and I was just like, ‘I need to have his babies. I need to stay alive.’ “ The “Ellen” interview was a rare display of vulnerability for Rousey, one of the toughest athletes on the planet, and perhaps the most revealing moment in what for her has

been a sudden return to public life after almost two months of post-fight hibernation. In recent weeks Rousey has hosted “Saturday Night Live,” co-starred with Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen in a Bud Light ad that aired during the Super Bowl and appeared in body paint on one of three covers for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. Being naked during the body-painting process was an adjustment for her, Rousey says. “The only time I think I was really self-conscious was, like, you know, they gotta paint all of you,” she told DeGeneres. “And there was one point

where they’re like, ‘OK, bend over.’ “ “There’s no not-awkward way to do this. ... It was really weird,” she continued. “But (the artist and I) were really like best friends by the time we got out of there.” Rousey also showed up Tuesday night on Jimmy Fallon’s show, where she talked about going to a Marine Corps ball in December -- just four weeks after the humbling Holm fight -- with Jarrod Haschert, a young Marine who had asked her out on Facebook. “He was a real sweetheart,” she told Fallon. “That was, like, the first time I had smiled

Ronda Rousey had an emotional interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

at all since (losing to Holm). ... It was good to get off the couch and not just be, like, crying and eating ice cream all day.”

After the ball they went to Hooters, Rousey said, where she got into an argument about UFC fighters with a waitress who didn’t recognise her.

Entertainment

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Grammys: Taylor Swift wins album of the year TAYLOR Swift’s 1989 has won the coveted album of the year award at this year’s Grammys in Los Angeles. The singer - who is the first woman to win the award twice - also won best pop vocal album and best music video for her track Bad Blood. Rapper Kendrick Lamar won the most prizes on the night with five awards. British singer Ed Sheeran also won his first two Grammys for song of the year and best pop solo performance for his number one hit Thinking Out Loud. A surprised Sheeran beat Lamar, Swift, country group Little Big Town and Wiz Khalifa to the song of the year accolade. “We wrote [the song] on a couch in my house. Thanks to my parents who’ve flown to the Grammys every year for the last four years and every time I lose I say ‘maybe next year’,” he said as he collected the award. “If you’d told my 11-year-

“A wise man should be humble enough to admit when he’s wrong and change his mind based on new information,” Kanye West wrote Wednesday.

Taylor Swift won three awards, including the album of the year prize.

old self I would receive an award from Stevie Wonder I’d be chuffed.” Swift was equally surprised at winning the top honour. Her album, which was released in 2014, came out too late to be eligible for last year’s awards so was finally recognised at this year’s ceremony. She gave a powerful

acceptance speech saying: “As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to young women: There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. “But if you focus on

your work and don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you’ll know it was you and the people that love you that put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world.” Lamar’s wins included best rap album for To Pimp A Butterfly; best rap song and rap performance for Alright; best rap/sung collaboration and best music video, which he shared with Swift for Bad Blood. Alabama Shakes were triple winners. They collected best alternative music album while their song Don’t Wanna Fight won best rock song and rock performance.

West admits ego is his ‘number one enemy’ in new Twitter spree YEEZUS is finally ready to admit he’s not God. The normally arrogant Kanye West humbled himself in a new Twitter spree Wednesday, backtracking on a recent boast that he’d reclaimed “the throne of rap” and admitting that his ego has always been his “number one enemy.” “Man, I was thinking about when I commented on the idea of ‘taking the rap throne’ … that statement has’t been sitting well with me… That’s a dated mentality ... I’m not

on that,” he wrote. “Every rapper is somebody’s favorite.” “A wise man should be humble enough to admit when he’s wrong and change his mind based on new information,” he added. West went on to gush about “positive energy” and an “ultra-light beam” in the 12-tweet dispatch. “In rap we have been developing a brotherhood,” he concluded. “My number one enemy has been my ego… there is only one throne and that’s God’s …”

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

‘Five-dimensional’ glass discs can store data for up to 13.8 billion years Photographs fade, books rot, and even hard drives eventually fester. When you take the long view, preserving humanity’s collective culture isn’t a marathon, it’s a relay — with successive generations passing on information from one slowly-failing storage medium to the next. However, this could change. Scientists from the University of Southampton in the UK have created a new data format that encodes information in tiny nanostructures in glass. A standard-sized disc can store around 360 terabytes of data, with an estimated lifespan of up to 13.8 billion years even at temperatures of 190°C. That’s as old as the Universe, and more than three times the age of the Earth. The method is called fivedimensional data storage, and was first demonstrated in a paper in 2013. Since then, the scientists behind it

say they’ve more or less perfected their technique, and are now looking to move the technology forward and perhaps even commercialise it. “We can encode anything,” Aabid Patel, a postgraduate student involved in the research tells The Verge. “We’re not limited to anything — just give us the file and we can print it [onto a disc].” In order to demonstrate the format’s virtues, the team from the University of Southampton have created copies of the King James Bible, Isaac Newton’s Opticks (the foundational text of the study of light and lenses), and the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was presented to the UN earlier this month. A new paper on the format will be given tomorrow by the team’s lead researcher, Professor Peter Kazansky, at the Society for Optical Engineering

Conference in San Francisco. To understand why these discs can store so much information for such a long time, it’s best to compare them to a regular CD. Data is read from a normal CD by shining a laser at a tiny line with bumps in it. Whenever the laser hits a bump it’s reflected back and recorded as a 1; whenever there’s no bump, it’s recorded as a 0. These are just two “dimensions” of information — on or off — but from them, CDs can store anything: music, books, images, videos, or software. But because this bumpy line is stored on the surface of the CD, it’s vulnerable. It can be eroded either by physical scratches and scuffs, or by exposure to oxygen, heat, and humidity. 5D discs, by comparison, store information within their interior using tiny physical structures known as “nanogratings.” Much like those

Copies of the King James are already stored on the new glass discs.

bumpy lines in the CDs, these change how light is reflected, but instead of doing so in just two “dimensions,” the reflected light encodes five — hence the name. The changes to the light can be read to obtain pieces of information about the nanograting’s orientation, the strength of the light it refracts, and its location in space

on the x, y, and z axes. These extra dimensions are why 5D discs can store data so densely compared to regular optical discs. A Blu-ray disc can hold up to 128GBs of data (the same as the biggest iPhone), while a 5D disc of the same size could store nearly 3,000 times that: 360 terabytes of information.

JOB LISTINGS SERVICES AUTO SALES REAL ESTATE

Classifieds TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

FLOWER GIRL

WANTED URGENTLY

FLORAL DESIGNER

Must have thorough knowledge in the floral business with 3-5 years experience.

Call: 231-3788

FOR SALE

Construction scaffold and roof tiles for sale CONTACT: 431-1591 OR 231-3788

February 20 - 26, 2016

ARACELYS PARDO Is looking for a

CLASSIFIEDS 29

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ARIUS JONCKA

ASHWOOD HALL Is looking for a

Is looking for a

ASSISTANT RESORT MANAGER LABOURER LABOURER LABOURER To work 6 days To work 6 days To work 6 days CONTACT: 342-8360

per week salary $6.25 per hour.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE: • Minimum of 3 years hotel or resort experience at a senior level • Relevant academic qualification

CONTACT: 231-1620

• Proven strong leadership and people-management skills • Proactive approach to management • Excellent understanding of resort accounting • Personal transportation

Forward resume and covering letter to dpapke@portsofcallresort.com

11964

11980

CONTACT: 332-2784

per week salary $6.50 per hour.

11990

per week salary $6.25 per hour.

Providenciales resort seeks experienced Assistant Manager to assist in overseeing all operations.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

WELLONICA BEAUTY SALON

Is looking for a

DOMESTIC WORKER To work 6 days

per week salary $6.25 per hour

11997

CONTACT: 242-5425

PADI DIVE INSTRUCTOR

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

REQUIRED

The successful candidate will have: • MSDT PADI Master Dive Instructor certification • Mature and flexible attitude • Experience in a resort type environment, ideally in the Caribbean • Excellent written and spoke English • Excellent references Candidates should apply in writing, including a cover letter, resume and references to info@bohioresort.com 11965

FINBAR A. GRANT Is looking for a

LABOURER To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour. Contact: 333-9436

11972

Assistant Mechanic/ Public Service Area Supervisor • Responsible for supervision and monitoring of the instrument testing, installation, calibration and commissioning of process control instruments for all scooters and vehicles • Prepare reports and certifications after the completion of jobs. • Ensure quality work and monitor work progress of staff • Commissioning of turbine monitoring instruments such as speed sensors vibration, sensors, and shaft expansion of scooters • Testing, calibration, and commissioning of switches, gauges, transmitters, analyzers and pneumatic control valves of scooters • Responsible for handling multiple site portfolios and for all operational activities, emergency response, safety, collection, regulatory compliance, re-development, customer interaction, and development.

Manager JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining supervisors; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities. 2. Develops strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives. 3. Accomplishes subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, adhering to budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making midcourse corrections. 4. Coordinates efforts by establishing procurement, production, marketing, field, and technical services policies and practices; coordinating actions with all staff. 5. Builds company image by collaborating with customers, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices. 6. Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards. 7. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies. 8. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Bohio Dive Resort is recruiting for the following position:

WATER SPORTS COORDINATOR & NIGHT AUDITOR THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST HAVE • Certification in Sage 50 Accounting Software in order to complete bookkeeping entries in the evenings • ability to plan & schedule scuba diving, boating excursions and water activities for both guests and cruise ship visitors • English and French required, Spanish an asset • Must be PADI Certified Open Water Diver and Boat Captain • Minimum 2 years living in a Caribbean setting • Work Schedule will include weekends, public holidays and most evenings

JOB CRITERIA/ WORK EXPERIENCE:

1. Bachelor Degree in Hospitality; 2. Basic Knowledge of Accounting Principles and applications 3. Minimum of 8 years experience in hospitality; at least 3 in front office; 4. Minimum of 3 years experience in supervisory role and minimum of 2 year management experience

Monthly Wage: $1250.00 per month CANDIDATES SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING INCLUDING A COVER LETTER, RESUME AND REFERENCES TO: INFO@BOHIORESORT.COM

11966

Please contact email sandrews@caicoswheels.com or (649)946-8302

JOB OPPORTUNITY

SENIOR SOLICITOR

ROBERT’S AGENCY

SUNNY FOOD Is looking for a

Is looking for the following positions:

Please send applications in writing with full CV to the Managing Partner, Miller Simons O’Sullivan, P. O. Box 260, Regent House West, Regent Village, Providenciales or email to mslaw@tciway.tc. Deadline for applications is 4 March 2016. 12027

CARPENTER

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

Salary $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: CONTACT: 941-8112 343-0572 RICHMOND HILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SALES ASSOCIATES / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE

TEACHER DOMESTIC Is looking for a

CONTACT: 241-3939 OR 347-5926 IDEAL PETROLEUM

Must have at least 3 years experience and be able to work with little or no supervision Effective communication skills both internally and externally Must be willing to work outdoors with irregular hours, may include weekends and holidays Starting salary is $7.00 per hour

SUPERVISOR Minimum of 5 years experience with knowledge on plants/ chemicals and fertilizer sprays Must be able to work with minimum supervisions Must be knowledgeable in propagation and greenhouse climate Must be willing to work outdoors with irregular hours, may include weekends, and holidays Starting salary $8.00 per hour

Please bring all applications to Flowers by Environmental Arts located at U102 Venture House, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales or email: admin@environmentalarts. tc successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview. Please provide relevant reference from previous employer 12008

FLORIST

REQUIRMENTS:

• Minimum 2 years experience as a florist with relevant certification • Knowledge of different flowers, foliage and potted plants (names, seasonal availability, lifespan) • Up-to-date on current fashions and styles in floral design while at the same time understanding the traditional use of certain flowers for wedding, funerals etc. • Willing to work outdoors and irregular hours • 2 years customer facing experience in retail using POS Systems • English speaking • Engaging and outgoing personality who enjoys working with the public • Starting salary $2,000 per month. Please bring all applications to Flowers by Environmental Arts located at U102 Venture House, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales or email: natalie@environmentalarts.tc successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview. 12009

to clean the school after school each day

Please apply in writing to:

richhillprep@yahoo.com

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

MAYALICE FORBES

Seeks Experienced

Is looking for a

MILLWRIGHT/ CLEANER/ MACHINIST DOMESTIC Please email qualifications to: tropicdiamond@hotmail.com

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: CONTACT: 342-5450 946-5663

ALLIED MECHANICALS LIMITED

Minimum 12 years experience working unsupervised. Clean drivers licence

LABOURER

12015

A JANITRESS

WORKER

Is looking for a

WORKER

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

SAMUEL WILSON

Is looking for a

LABOURER To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: CONTACT: 332-5029 342-2511

12024

TILE LAYER

with a minimum of ten years teaching experience

12011

12018

• Previous experience dealing with resort developers, construction contractors, sales and marketing personnel and the various purchase and strata documents associated with condominium, time share and fractional ownership developments is mandatory. • Must be able to work closely with client attorneys, marketers and financiers. • Familiarization with Turks and Caicos Land Ordinance, Strata Titles Ordinance, Timeshare Ordinance and Fractional Ownership Ordinance is required. • Computer literate with strong written, organizational, analytical and verbal communication skills • Must possess computer, driver’s license and vehicle for site travel and property showings

• • • • •

MAGIC SCISSORS & PRESSING

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

A TRAINED PRIMARY SCHOOL

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• • • •

Is looking for a

Is looking for the following persons:

Prestigious Properties is seeking to recruit a self-motivated Real Estate

Please submit resume via fax to Prestigious Properties ltd. at 649-946-4703 or email to accounting@prestigiousproperties.com

MISS B’S RESTAURANT NORTH CAICOS

CASHIER LABOURER LABOURER TILE LAYER 12017

addition, the successful candidate must have experience drafting and advising on commercial contracts. Excellent communication skills and ability to manage files and work independently is essential, together with requisite experience in preparation of cases to instruct counsel and direct client relationships. Experience in mediation /A.D.R will be a considerable advantage.

12012

A senior solicitor is required for a busy firm based in Providenciales. The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor with at least ten years (minimum) post qualified experience primarily in litigation disciplines— commercial, corporate, construction, contentious probate, negligence, property, partnership and shareholder disputes and related matters. In

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

12019

30 CLASSIFIEDS

EXPLORER VENTURES LTD. A live-aboard diving concern operating out of Providenciales, requires an

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Who speaks/writes English fluently. However, the ability to speak other languages would be a plus. Strong customer service background is required. Duties include liaising with NHIP, NIB, DEMA, and any other necessary government agencies; facilitating the process of applications for work permits for the company’s employees; managing the boat’s

supply of food, equipment and other materials, providing the necessary assistance to the company’s arriving and departing customers. The successful applicant will also be required from time to time to spend time on the boat, which is out of port for 6 consecutive nights at a time. Therefore, (s)he must possess a basic knowledge of boating and diving equipment.

Interested persons are asked to apply by email to Diana Heaton, at diana@explorerventures.com

12019

February 20 - 26, 2016

CLASSIFIEDS 31

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

M & L AMAZING WORLD is looking to fill the following positions:

SALES CLERK LABOURER JANITOR

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT

VACANCIES

Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

The following vacancies currently exist within the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service:

CONTACT: 344-2496

Tax Officer

– Providenciales (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $32,600.00 per annum 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.

IMPRESSION BEAUTY SALON

BLACK CUBE HOLDINGS LTD.

is looking for a

Is looking for a

PAINTER To work 6 days

Administrative Officer

NAIL TECHNICIAN CONTACT: 231-3987

11914

CONTACT: 231-7080

11995

per week salary $6.50 per hour

To work 6 days per week salary $200.00 per week

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

JOB VACANCY We are looking for energetic, motivated and creative individuals to fill the following positions.

Graphic Designer RESPONSIBILITIES ;; Ability to produce quality designs for print, web and television production ;; Interpreting the client’s business needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose ;; Using innovation to redefine a design brief within the constraints of cost and time ;; Proofreading to produce accurate and high-quality work REQUIRED SKILLS ;; A degree in Graphic Design or at least 5 years experience in this field ;; Excellent IT skills ;; Exceptional creative flair and design ;; Excellent time management and organisational skills ;; Accuracy and attention to detail ;; An understanding of the latest trends and their role within a commercial environment ;; Proven competence in design and image processing software including Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, Dreamweaver and Flash ;; Professional approach to time, costs and deadlines. Remuneration based on experience PLEASE SEND WRITTEN APPLICATION AND RESUME TO

coralvisions.tci@gmail.com no later than March 25, 2016. Suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview.

– Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $26,000.00 per annum The incumbent in this post will be responsible for preparing appropriate documentation for approval, ensures all transactions are properly recorded. The incumbent will also manage databases, systems for filing and secure all documents.

Chief Librarian

– Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $49,900.00 per annum The Chief Librarian is responsible for the operational and financial management of the Library Department and for advancing the Library’s strategic direction in a manner that reflects the department’s strategic goals. He/she is responsible for all policy making, planning and administrative activities of the Libraries network.

Accountant General

– Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $71,400.00 per annum The job holder in this managerial position is responsible for overseeing the performance and service delivery standards in the Department. The job holder is the head of the Treasury Department and is responsible for its management; sets accounting standards for Government and prepares Government statutory statements for audit and periodic financial management reports. The job holder also provides impartial, accurate and timely advice; supervises Treasury Department staff; and represents the Ministry at meetings, conferences and seminars.

Secondary School Teachers (Graduate Teacher)

– Grand Turk and Providenciales (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $35,050.00 per annum • This is a specialist position that has unit level responsibility for the teaching of one or more of the school’s curriculum subjects to students. Teachers are needed for the following areas: • English A/B • Special Education • Mathematics

Primary School Teacher (Graduate Teacher) – Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary:

$35,050.00 per annum This is a professional position that has responsibility for the instruction and supervision of students in primary schools.

Grounds Maintenance Worker

– Providenciales (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $487.50 per bi-weekly 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.

Labourer

– Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $487.50 per bi-weekly The post holder’s responsibilities include providing labour / assistance in all aspects of animal (canine) control. Working under the instruction of the Supervisors the labourer may be required to work alone or with a small team.

Tank Attendant

– Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $14,300.00 per annum The successful candidate will be responsible to manage and operate the water issue points assigned to, by issuing water and collecting associated fees.

Air Conditioning Supervisor

– Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $26,000.00 per annum The post holder responsibilities include the installation, maintenance and repairs to all air conditioning and refrigeration units in government buildings. Working along with the electrical supervisors, The A/C supervisor will assist in determining work programmes, job costing and in carrying out joint inspections with user departments prior to undertaking work.

Assistant Water Engineer

– Grand Turk (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $40,200.00 per annum This position includes operational planning, preparation of design drawings and specifications, calculations, as well as directing the work efforts of junior level staff to execute daily functions. The jobholder will liaise with the Water Engineer to plan and complete preventative maintenance of the RO plant and execute daily operational tasks required to operate the RO plants.

Assistant Social Worker

– South Caicos (Deadline: February 26, 2016) Salary: $21,400.00 per annum To assist in providing social work services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The assistant social worker is responsible for interviewing and assessing individuals and families for the financial services of the Department. They will ensure that the needs of disadvantaged persons in the communities are met.

Interested persons are asked to visit www.gov.tc/government-vacancies for job details and the application procedure.

32 CLASSIFIEDS

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS Cook

REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with, and comfortable preparing a variety of different cuisines in a fine dining environment • Understand the importance of consistency • Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Prepare all food items according to recipe cards and correct handling procedures. • Maintain highest quality and appearance of all foods sent from kitchen and make sure plates are clean and appetizing. • Maintain orderly and clean refrigerators and work areas. • Rotate all foods and correctly fill out production charts. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.25 per hour not including service charge.

A/C Technician REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of 3 years experience as an IT Technician • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Must have experience working with Opera and Visual One, Mitel Phone System, Cisco CCTV System, Fiber Optic Music System (fiber optic), Micros, Data Works and Premier Spa • Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to diagnose and resolve hardware and software problems for all systems, and document tracks and reports on deficiencies, progress and follow-up • Must read, speak and write English fluently • Must be able to work all days and shifts and be on call for emergency service request

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Providing routine maintenance of hardware, software and systems • Installing/configuring computers/telephones and point of sales equipment and other systems equipment. • Installing, maintaining and repairing wifi system equipment • Installing/maintaining/repairing CCTV System • Repairing/upgrading hardware and software. • Troubleshooting printers/scanners/copiers. • Maintaining inventory of equipment and supplies. • Maintaining server room(s) and ensuring proper security for such. • Completing system backups according to required schedule. • Providing infrastructure support: • Installing cabling

Gardener DUTIES INCLUDE:

• General laborer duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager. • Willingness to work varying schedules, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays. Salary $6.25 an hour not including service charge.

Waiter/Waitress DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Serve food and beverages to guests in a prompt manner and anticipate guest needs. • Knowledge of food and beverages on the menu included mix drinks and be aware of any menu items which are not available. • Prepare and arrange food or drinks that are attractive and appetizing to the guests. Starting wages $6.25 per hour plus service charge.

International Procurement Manager REQUIREMENTS:

• 5+ years experience in international purchasing in a luxury hospitality environment; while negotiating domestic and international contracts, increasing total quality of the goods, and fully organizing proper container shipments. • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience. • Must be Computer literate, Microsoft Office, MXP, etc. • Must have advanced knowledge of Food & Beverage quality standards, health compliances and specifications. • Must have product knowledge of food, beverage and hotel consumable/durable items. • Knowledge of Marine Exchange Procurement is an advantage. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English, with additional other language is an advantage. • Flexible, ability to work independently and under pressure. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Forecast procurement needs based on historical data and analysis. • Maintain procurement management database. • Upgrade regularly Marine Exchange Procurement software. • Liaise with brokers and support customs clearances. • Liaise with Accounts Payable Department to ensure accurate and timely payment of invoices • Monitor inventory control and spending in order to make recommendations and identify areas for possible savings. • Conduct physical inventories of the storerooms and prepare requisitions for all departments to bring items up to par stock levels. • Supervising and training of Purchasing and Warehouse employees. Starting salary $40,000 not including service

charge.

Senior Landscaping and Engineering Supervisor REQUIREMENTS:

• Proficiency with hospitality operating systems

DUTIES:

• Coordinate projects with workers • Engaged in maintaining and repairing physical structures of buildings and grounds; • Engage in setting up, installing, repairing and maintaining facility systems, pumps, HVAC systems, plumbing, water and sewage systems, Energy Management Systems (EMS), security systems and other building components. • Ensure that appropriate service manuals, technical manuals and blueprints and available, current and utilized during preventive maintenance, repair and/or replacement procedures. • In addition, has overall responsibility for supervising a shift or department operation. • Provide guidance and direction to subordinates. • Provide information to managers, peers, subordinates and other departments. • Function as a technical department resource and provides training to incumbents and new hires. • Coordinate tasks and work with other departments to ensure that the department runs efficiently. • Assist management to ensure that hourly employees have the necessary resources to effectively perform their jobs (e.g., supplies, equipments and inventory). • Serve as a department role model or mentor by working alongside employees to perform technical of functional job duties. Salary $36,000 - $42,000.00 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Bartender REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have 3 years experience as a bartender in branded luxury resort • Must have advanced knowledge of beverage preparation and service of alcoholic beverages with ability to mix, garnishes and present drinks using standard ingredient recipes. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Maintain proper and adequate set-up of the bar on a daily basis and cleaning of bar area on closing. • Requisitioning and stocking of all beer, wine, spirits, paper products, etc. and produce based projections from the daily functions sheet. • Maintaining stock, cutting and storing of all fresh fruit and vegetable garnishes, juices and other perishables daily to insure product quality. • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting wage $6.25 per hour not including service charge and tips.

Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to shaquarse.been@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Friday, February 19th, 2016.

11987

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

LVA MANAGEMENT LTD.

EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE

SALES ASSOCIATE

Seeking to employ a:

LABOURER

CLEANING

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

-Must have at least 2 years of experience in working in a resort -Must be able to communicate in English -Must be ready to work 6 days a week and on request -Duties will include assistance in property maintenance. -$6 / Hour

Please submit resume via fax to: Prestigious Properties Ltd. At 649-946-4703 or email to: accounting@prestigousproperties.com

11975

Is looking for a

DOMESTIC LABOURER WORKER To work 6 days To work 6 days Is looking for a

per week salary $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: CONTACT: 347-0198 331-0818

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE BOARD

JOB VACANCY

MEDICAL OFFICER ANNUAL SALARY: Salary will commensurate with qualifications and experience LOCATION: Providenciales

• • •

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

•

SUBORDINATES: Provider Services Manager/ Patient Representatives/ Clinical Services Manager EMPLOYEE #:

Services

SUMMARY / PURPOSE OF JOB: This is a managerial position, which has departmental wide responsibility for activities and direction of the Operation department and NHIP Emergency Overseas Treatment Programme; Providing technical leadership to the Insurance Operations team, the Medical Officer formulates polies and procedures to enhance the impact of the department; monitors patients overseas to assess their progress and report to the CEO; verify the eligibility of each claims, ensure staff is properly supervised and trained; and customer concerns addressed; as well as ensuring appropriate cost efficient health care services with best medical practices in place. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: • Manages the medical aspects of the NHIP Emergency Overseas Treatment Programme; • Manages all aspects of the Operations department inclusive of all staff assigned to the department; • Manages and develop the Operation Department Budget with the view of ensuring that the Department expenditure remains within or below the Budgeted ranges; • Developing policies, procedures, standards and controls or effective management of the Operations Department • Collection of statistics form ICL (the hospitals) and the

• • •

•

• •

•

private providers as required by management and the actuary Liaise with the NIB to identify number of employment injury and occupational disease cases. Enforces cost-reduction strategies and recommends initiatives in the management of patient’s care; Prepare Quarterly performance reports and trend analysis Recommends and monitors systems and procedures to facilitate achieving of objectives within the area of responsibility; Verifies and signs-off on overseas provider claims in order to ensure veracity of claims as well as conducts value for money audit; Advise on the adjudication of claims by Beneficiaries in special circumstances, outside the scope of usual and customary benefits, including overseas claims To make recommendations to the Board on policy decisions such as but not limited to; reimbursement and to recommend accreditation standards in line with the Health Practitioners Board or other authorized Agency. Conducts a sample survey of health care providers and facilities to derive baseline data on the availability and quality of services as well as the capacity and readiness to meet the demands of the NHIB; Coordinates activities and provides advice to the NHIB team charged with the specification and costing of the service benefit package and in the development of provider payment systems; Convenes and takes the lead in meetings and other mechanisms aimed at defining criteria for inclusion in the NHIB provider network, as well as developing norms and protocols for quality assurance utilization reviews, access to overseas care, and modifications ( inclusion and exclusion) of items in the benefit package; Collaborates with other members on the NHIB team in the design and implementation of activities related to accreditation of health providers; Collaborates with other members of the NHIB team in defining and developing contractual agreements with local and overseas providers for services within the benefit package; Assists in the development of detailed terms of

reference and procedures for the activities of the NHIB Medical Review Committee. • May perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or any other person authorized to give instructions or assignments • Any other duty deemed appropriate and consistent with the position, professional qualification and skill set as directed by the Chief Executive Officer WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: • Internal – Chief Financial Officer, Insurance Claims Manager, Nurse Case Managers, Claims Officers, IT, Registration and Accounting Officers • External - Members of the public, Ministry of Health and other TCIG Ministries, TCI Hospitals, International medical providers, Insurance Third Party Administrators MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: • Principles, practices and techniques of medical case management • Principles and practice of strategic, long-term business planning • Principles and practice of effective management and supervision • Good Problem Solving Skills • Human Relations • Strong written and oral skills including computer literacy in the main processing, spreadsheet and presentation graphics programmes. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: • Medical Doctor with at least 7 years’ experiences a full time practitioner in primary care and hospital settings with the necessary competencies to effectively respond to the challenges of the job. • Business post graduate Degree • Business Management Experience • Knowledge of the NHIB Ordinance and Regulations • Current (Good Standing) Registration with TCI Health Practitioners Board • Experience with health insurance operations such as member of medical review panel will be an asset.

Deadline for submission is February 26th, 2016. All Applications should be addressed to: Human Resources Manager National Health Insurance Board Salt Mills Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands British West Indies Email: recruitment@tcinhip.tc

11981

10 years experience in residential sales, luxury properties, commercial and development site sales College/ university degree Computer literate with strong written, organizational, analytical and verbal communication skills Must possess computer, driver’s license and vehicle for site travel and property showings Must possess financial resources to sustain oneself during initial 6 month startup period This position is 100% sales commission based making compensation unlimited

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS :

107 Turtle Cove Dr. Turtle Cove, Providenciales La Vista Azul Condominium LVA Management Ltd.

CLASSIFIEDS 33 MARIE JOSEPH SPOTLESS

11991

February 20 - 26, 2016

34 CLASSIFIEDS

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC VACANCIES AUCTION SALES Williams Construction, ERB Construction, Discount Car Rentals, Fidelity Construction, Habitat Construction, Velma Walkin, Saint Jean Shop, Queen of the Sea, Tropical Bar, Chicken Shack

TILE LAYER

SALES CLERK/ AGENT

– $7-$10 per hour

FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) Ltd as Chargee pursuant to the Registered Land Ordinance hereby gives Notice that it will cause to be sold by Public Auction the following scheduled properties outside the offices of Miller Simons O’Sullivan, Regent House West, Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales at 10:00 a.m. on 24 February 2016.

PLUMBER/ MECHANIC

– $6.25 per hour

LABOURER/ DOMESTIC WORKER

– $8-$10 per hour

MASON/ CARPENTER

– $6.25 per hour

– $8-$10 per hour

Registered Proprietor: Philip Nathaniel Handfield The property is a 3 acre parcel and comprises a twostorey commercial/residential building containing eight units. The ground floor contains four units, three of which are office space and the fourth currently being occupied by a restaurant. At the back of the building is a two-bedroom apartment unit with one bathroom and an open kitchen/living/dining area. The property is located on South Dock Road.

2. TITLE NO. 60603/63 NORWAY & FIVE CAYS, PROVIDENCIALES

Registered Proprietor: Philip Nathaniel Handfield The property is a 2 acre parcel and comprises generally vacant land. The majority of the property is currently used for storage of construction equipment. The property is located on South Dock Road.

3. TITLE NO. 60804/157/K31 THE BIGHT & THOMAS STUBBS, PROVIDENCIALES

Registered Proprietor: Blue Water Production Ltd. Comprising a one bedroom condominium end unit on the fourth floor of The Alexandra Resort located in Grace Bay. The unit has a floor area of 1,054 square feet including the balcony. The condominium also contains an entrance area, bathroom, powder room, living/dining room and kitchen. The unit has its own parking space and also benefits from the resort facilities including the swimming pool, restaurant, sun deck, tennis courts and a small gym.

4. TITLE NO. 10104/44, NORTH EAST SUBURBS, GRAND TURK

Registered Proprietor: Glennevans Clifton Clarke and Dorothy Clarenda Clarke Comprising 0.30 acre parcel containing a fivebedroom dwelling house with two bathrooms, open kitchen/living/dining area, enclosed rear patio and external laundry/storage room. The property is located on Lighthouse Road in The Ridge residential subdivision.

5. TITLE NO. 10304/33 AND 131,

CENTRAL, GRAND TURK

Registered Proprietor: Dots Enterprises Company Limited The property is a combined parcel size of 0.22 acre. The property contains a two-storey commercial building with a single storey extension.

6. TITLE NO. 60716/55 CHESHIRE HALL & RICHMOND HILL, PROVIDENCIALES

Registered Proprietor: Mamanita Holdings Ltd. This property is a 0.53 acre parcel located off the westbound carriageway of Leeward Highway in the Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill area. The parcel consists of a single storey commercial building, which holds a bar, restaurant, kitchen, bar and night club. There is also an incomplete unit to the west of the building.

7. TITLE NO. 60715/210, CHESHIRE HALL & RICHMOND HILL, PROVIDENCIALES

Registered Proprietor: Lincoln Hudson Ferreira Comprising a 0.54 acre canal-front parcel of bare land containing dense indigenous bush and mature trees.

8. TITLE NO. 60602/396 NORWAY & FIVE CAYS

Registered Proprietor: Kimiko Le-Var Kamal Talbot and Calvina Latanya Talbot The property is a 0.40 acre parcel and comprises a restaurant structure, a two-bedroom and onebathroom house and also an apartment building with five one-bedroom units and a retail space currently occupied by a store. The property is located in Kew Town, on the corner of Birdberry Close and Houseman close.

9. TITLE NO. 50500/194 WHITBY, NORTH CAICOS

Registered Proprietor: John William Gray The property is a 0.60 acre parcel containing a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a kitchen, dining/living area and storage room. The property also contains a structure complete to beam level including columns, external blockwork walls, partial floor slab and cistern.

Any and all potential bidders will be required to produce one (1) valid form of identification to Miller Simons O’Sullivan on the day of the Auction. Draft Terms and Conditions of Sale and the draft Agreements for Sale are available upon demand prior to the Auction. Any and all Successful bidders will be required to pay a ten (10%) per cent deposit upon a successful bid before close of business on the day of the Auction. Any and all successful bidders will also have to pay Auction legal fees in the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars (US$750.00).

– $6.25 per hour

Email: darling86@hotmail.com NATASHA CONSULTANCY acting on behalf of our clients:

MAISON CREOLE

HEAD CHEF Salary $7.00 per hour CONTACT: 431-6163 JUDITH SWANN

SALES CLERK

MMK CONSULTANCY Is looking for the following:

HANDYMEN Salary $6.25 per hour

Salary $6.25 per hour CONTACT: 243-2090 SPECIALTY SERVICES

TILE LAYER

Salary $7.00 per hour CONTACT: 241-9917

11971

VILLA HOUSEKEEPERS

LABORER

Salary $6.25 per hour CONTACT: 243-2030 LPS

11988

1.TITLE NO. 60603/62 NORWAY & FIVE CAYS, PROVIDENCIALES

KITCHEN HELPER/ WAITRESS

CASHIER

CONTACT: 231-6691 OR 242-7602

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

NEWS REPORTER The Weekly News is in need of a reporter. Applicant should have a good background in English and must be a clear and competent writer. Previous experience on a newspaper, magazine or broadcasting operation is essential. Ability to type well and use a camera a must. Successful person will be required to cover parliament the community, politics and the courts. Send application to the Publisher, Turks & Caicos News Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 52, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. Or email: tcweeklynews@gmail. com. Sorry, no phone calls.

February 20 - 26, 2016

CLASSIFIEDS 35

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NOTICE

INVEST TURKS & CAICOS

VACANCY

Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990

VICE PRESIDENT - SME

An application PR12525, by DC43-Provo Ltd. For the development of four 3-bedroom residential units and two 4-bedroom, with communal swimming pool, has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on Block 61112 Parcel 7, Long Bay, Providenciales.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Vice President-SME (VP-SME) will be responsible for leading efforts to implement the TCI Government’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Ordinance and encourage all other aspects of domestic investment. The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating applications by domestic investors for duty concessions and cash grants as outlined under the MSME Ordinance and for providing funds to clients of the Center for Entrepreneurial Development who have been approved for technical assistance.

Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Palmco Building, Leeward Hwy, Providenciales, within twenty-eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. 11980

NOTICE DATED: FEBRUARY 10TH 2016

The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing project proposals, following up with investors to ensure that there is a complete package of materials, arranging for materials to be distributed to the Development Advisory Group for their input, providing feedback to their investor clients on issues, supporting the SVP in negotiating with Government and clients on investment incentives. The ISE-SME will be required to prepare Cabinet submissions with respect to specific projects under their care and to provide advice and support to Ministers related to those projects. As well, the ISE-SME will need to develop and implement guidelines for the provision of cash grants for domestic investors who have applied for grants and to provide contribution (grant) agreements to clients of the CED who are approved for technical assistance.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

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

SPENCE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION SERVICES, LTD

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

1. At least three years’ experience in a management role in a business or economic development organization. 2. Extensive research and analysis experience involving industry or economic development issues 3. Experience in destination and/or investment marketing. 4. Strong background in sales and business development and the ability to proactively seek out and call on senior executives of commercial organizations and advise them on their business operations 5. Experience in lead generation and supporting customer service. 6. Experience in the writing, designing and production of marketing materials. 7. Experience in using website management and other communication channels

The leading and trusted security company in TCI is in need of personnel to fill the following positions.

SECURITY OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS:

• • • •

Security officer experience and police or military experience are assets Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills (English) A good Level of interpersonal and customer relationship skills All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) and neighbourhood enquiries before the appointment is confirmed • Can follow instructions and write comprehensive reports • Must have clear criminal record • A valid TCI Driver’s License is an asset Salary starts @ $6.25 per hour for security officer

CLEANER QUALIFICATIONS:

• • • •

Can follow instructions Ability to work in team environment Must have clear criminal record All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) and neighbourhood enquires before the appointment is confirmed. Salary $6.25

HOW TO APPLY:

SKILLS:

1. Creativity. 2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 3. Use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook 4. Experience making presentations to large and small groups 5. Motivated self-starter with ability to work independently. 6. Ability to effectively manage time.

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

1. Open and engaging demeanor. 2. Able to generate and share ideas. 3. Hands-on approach. 4. Willing to take personal responsibility 5. Able to win trust and personal credibility 6. Persistence and personal resilience. 7. Willingness to personally deliver quality to business clients. 8. Willingness to understand different cultures, lifestyles and associated points of view. 9. Willingness to understand the values associated with small communities.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

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

SALARY AND ALLOWANCES:

• Submit resume with application letter, employment and training certificates, copy of police record, colour copy of passport to Spence Security office.

Negotiable in the range of $65,000 to $71,000 based on qualifications and experience. Application Procedure

Interested applicants should send resume and applicable certificates address to: The CEO Spence Security not later than 16 February, 2016 to:

Interested persons should submit a resume, along with their contact information, cover letter, two letters of reference (one from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport photo page. To obtain a copy of the Vice President - SME job description please send an email to investturksandcaicos@gmail.com. All applications must be received by 12 noon on Monday, February 22, 2016 and should be emailed to investturksandcaicos@gmail.com. Only persons considered for an interview will be contacted.

SPENCE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION SERVICES, LTD. P.O BOX #73, Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales Email address:kansha.bain@spencesecurity.com Fax: 941-3027 BELONGER ONLY NEED APPLY. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

11908

36 CLASSIFIEDS LEW & JAN CONSTRUCTION

ISLAND BROKERAGE & CONSULTANCY

SUNSET CAFÉ BAR & GRILL

MAG ENTERPRISES LTD is seeking a qualified individual to fill the post of

Is looking for the following:

FARMER

Is looking for a

BOUTIQUE MANAGER

Is looking for a

SALES CLERK LABOURER LABOURER To work 6 days To work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour

Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

per week salary $6.50 per hour

11994

11962

CONTACT: CONTACT: CONTACT: 232-7317 332-5029 231-6318 TWO BROTHER’S CONSTRUCTION

SALES CLERK WANTED

per week salary $6.25 per hour

To work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour

DOMESTIC WORKER

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

11996

CONTACT: CONTACT: CONTACT: 332-5029 347-1482 241-4838 11992

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise and Monitor overall floor operations • Organize daily display designs and resort themes • Manage store inventories by monitoring weekly sales reports; selection and procurement of store merchandise • Marketing of store merchandise, including organization of weekly fashion shows, and implementing innovative weekly promotions • Monitor overall store quality, including stock levels, merchandising, sales growth • Supervise and manage staff, including scheduling, training, and coaching staff • Prepare daily and monthly sales reports for MAJ’s Directors • • • •

Is looking for a

This position is based at a resort and responsible for overall management of the boutique operations:

QUALIFICATIONS

NATHANIEL GARDINER NORTH CAICOS

must be able

LABOURER To work 6 days

Qualifications in Marketing, Tourism or Business will be an asset At least five years (5) managerial experience in retail and sales Must be skilled in ordering methods and inventory management Must be proficient in computer systems including accounting and data management soft ware • Will be required to work nights, long hours, weekends and holidays • Ability to speak French will be a plus Interested person should forward a letter of application and resumes to murad97@hotmail.com, no later than Feb 25th 2016

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY THE PREMIER SECURITY COMPANY IS SEEKING

SECURITY/LOSS PREVENTION MANAGER • Minimum of 7 years police/military experience equivalent 3 years in Supervisory of Managerial position. • Security professional with a proven management experience within the security industry, armed services or the public sector. • Must possess strong management and leadership skills together with excellent influencing, negotiating, communication and engagement skills • Salary is negotiable and based on experience

SECURITY OFFICER • • • • • •

Minimum of 2 years police experience or 3-4 years security officer experience Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills (English) Must have basis personal safety and other security course training Required to follow instruction and write comprehensive reports Must be an excellent team player Salary starts at $7.00/hr

ADMIN ASSISTANT/JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT • • • • • •

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in related field Must have be knowledgeable in accounting programs e.g QuickBooks Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills (English) Must have valid TCI driver’s license Must be an excellent team player Salary starts at $1300/month

Interested applicants should emailed their a cover letter and resume to Email: jennings@presidential.tc

CREWMAN

Rubis Turks & Caicos Limited, a company specializing in the marketing of petroleum products, is seeking to fill the vacant position of Crewman in our Aviation Department, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos.

THE PORTFOLIO The responsibilities for the position include, but are not limited to: • Inventory Control • Record keeping • Product receipt and deliveries • Preventative and safety maintenance • Driving a tank truck • Performing quality control procedures • Warehouse duties

REQUIREMENTS

• The successful candidate must have experience in driving oversized vehicles along with the requisite license • Prior safety training • Good writing and basic math skills • Must be a team player

Resumes should be submitted by e-mail on or before February 22, 2016 to employment@rubis-caribbean.com. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. 11974

SMITH ELECTRICAL

NEPTUNE VILLAS

DOMESTIC WORKER WANTED

seeks the following person:

1 DECKHAND

Is looking for a

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

TCI ELEVATOR

12029

12030

CONTACT: CONTACT: 332-3914 946-5306 I.J. VARIETY STORE

Is looking for

2 ELEVATOR TECHNICIANS

Must be willing to work 7 days per week Must have a minimum of 5 years experience Salary $20.00 per hour

Is looking for a

SALES CLERK To work 5 days per week salary $6.50 per hour

CALASCO

12032

12031

CONTACT: CONTACT: 441-7041 332-9257 CHRISTINA WRIGHT

MECHANIC To work 6 days per week salary $12.00 per hour

Williams Construction, ERB Construction, Discount Car Rentals, Habitat Construction, Saint Jean Shop, Queen of the Sea, Tropical Bar, Chicken Shack, Daniel St. Fleur, Terrell Gardiner, Carrington Williams • Plumber / Mechanic $8-$10 per hour • Mason/ Carpenter $8-$10 per hour • Cashier $6.25 per hour • Sales Clerk/ Agent $6.25 per hour • Laborer/ Domestic Worker $6.25 per hour • Kitchen Helper/ Waitress $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: DARLING86@HOTMAIL.COM

DOMESTIC WORKER

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

LABOURER To work 5 days per week salary $100.00 per week

12013

12009

11940

AG CONSTRUCTION

Requires

1 DOMESTIC WORKER CONTACT: 231-0360

12026

Salary $6.25 per hour Monday to Friday

Must have 5 years experience

DOMESTIC WORKER

FREDERICK DAVID KING

IRIS WILLIAMS

Is looking for a

ACRES OF DIAMONDS PROVIDENCIALES

GARDENER

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

Positions:

TRUCK DRIVER

COSMETOLOGIST LABOURER To work 6 days

per week salary $6.25 per hour

Salary $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: CONTACT: CONTACT: 332-5029 242-5425 231-6926 Is seeking to employ an

CONTACT: CONTACT: CONTACT: 231-1489 346-3873 344-8396 WESLEY METHODIST SCHOOL

TIRE MAN / LABOURER

HERZOG CARIBBEAN LTD.

CAICOS TELEVISION NETWORK Is looking for a

Is looking for a

241-5016 OR VACANCIES

5 years experience with gasoline and diesel engines Must have a degree

CONTACT: Salary $6.25 per hour 941- 5707/ CONTACT: 941- 8176 432-4440

CONTACT: 231-7242

MECHANIC

12010

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

Must be willing to live on barge Basic salary

To work 6 days per week salary $250 per week

Is looking to fill the following positions:

11997

LABOURER LABOURER

EXPRESS TIRE & AUTO PARTS LTD.

LEW 1 SHIPPING

12033

Is looking for a

CLASSIFIEDS 37

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

12025

February 20 - 26, 2016

Is looking for a

PAINTER

To work 5 days per week salary $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 941-8112

ASPHALT HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS Project include major airport runways, taxiways and aprons, major retail parking lots, street and road construction, demolition and grading, asphalt paving and pavement markings.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Control and guide machines to lay asphalt Fill tanks or hoppers with paving materials Spread stone, concrete or asphalt on roadbeds Smooth out stone or concrete using special attachments Ensure all machines are well oiled, serviced and inspected Coordinate materials at job site Shovel and remove blacktop Operate tamping machines or manually roll surfaces to compact earth fills, foundation forms, and finished road materials, according to grade specifications Operate other machines such as loaders, dump trucks and distributor trucks Push dump trucks to maintain flow of asphalt into hoppers Drive or attach machines onto tractor trailers Install dies or cutter to screeds Break up pavement with machines using hammers Light burners on machines and regulate screed temperatures Ensure uniform thickness of mat in accordance with job specs Operate other construction equipment Assist foreman in various construction activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Good manual dexterity • Great attention to detail • Work well as part of a team

SKILLS:

• Based on experience

• Minimum 3 years asphalt crew experience • Must have own vehicle to travel to work • Able to recognize drainage issues • Good physical strength • Good physical stamina

COMPENSATION: POSITION TYPE:

• Full-time

Please submit applications to main office at C 5-6 Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, TCI 12023

38 CLASSIFIEDS

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CASABLANCA CASINO Is looking for the following positions:

Wage / Salary: $15.00/hr. + plus lodging depending upon training, experience, work record and capability

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Must be comfortable working with and training Police Dogs. At least 5 years prior experience as patrol dog handler, trainer and security worker essential. Must have training in martial arts/self-defense and be physically fit and capable of controlling and restraining a large, powerful dog. Must provide satisfactory proof of clean police record. Training in general First Aid. Fluency in English required. NOTE: Must be willing to reside on Pine Cay on a full time basis and work nights, as required.

DUTIES:

Must be able to cut, color and style Caucasian and Asian hair all hair types – men and women Proficient in manicures, pedicures and waxing Must be willing to work 6 days per week including Sundays and holidays.

CONTACT: 246-4769 11986

ALBERT HIGGS Is looking for a

Include security patrols with police dogs; response to security problems as needed; Feeding and caring for dogs; exercising and training dogs: Scheduling, supervising and providing additional training to other security personnel; Supervising and training fire control response team. First responder for medical emergencies. Starting Date: May 2016

LABOURER To work 6 days Massage Therapist/Spa Technician per week salary $6.25 per hour.

DUTIES:

To provide massage treatments to guests (Swedish, Swedish Deep Tissue, reiki, visceral manipulation, hot stone massage) as well esthetics, waxing, pedicure and manicures.

CONTACT: 243-7785

11978

Salary: Remuneration based on commission + accommodation on Pine Cay.

POSITION AVAILABLE:

PLEASE DROP OFF CV’S AT THE CASABLANCA CASINO, ADDRESSED TO HUMAN RESOURCES

11981

ALBERT HIGGS

ALBERT SMITH Is looking for a

PAINTER LABOURER

To work 6 days per week salary $10.00 per hour

CONTACT: 243-7785

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 332-5029

Is seeking to employ an

ASPHALT SUPERINTENDENT With the knowledge of managing commercial grading and paving crews. Project include major airport runways, taxiways and aprons, major retail parking lots, street and road construction, demolition and grading, asphalt paving and pavement markings.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • • •

Ability to perform asphalt paving in accordance with TCI specifications Ability to read plans and specifications (application rates, grades, slope, drainage, etc.) Proven track record of completing jobs under budget and on-time Ability to manage all aspects of the operation including ordering of materials, logistics, maintenance and outside services • Coordination between other crews, subs and vendors

HOUSEKEEPER

at The Meridian Club on Pine Cay. Wage/Salary: $6.25/hr +. depending upon training, experience, work record and capability. Room, board and necessary boat transportation to and from Pine Cay included.

DUTIES:

include cleaning guest rooms and public areas; laundry; cleaning private residences

QUALIFICATIONS:

• • • •

Minimum 5 years asphalt superintendent experience Minimum 5 years of paving experience Clean police record Valid driver’s license

SKILLS:

• • • • • • • • •

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

- Must be able to communicate in English - Must be in good health and able to lift bundles of up to 30#. - Must be skilled in handling all duties specified above. - Must be willing to reside on Pine Cay. - Must be willing to work holidays and weekends. - Must be neat, tidy, have attention for detail Starting Date: May 2016

Knowledge of the local customers, materials and specifications is strongly preferred Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills Proven record of being a self-starter and able to work under limited supervision Able to recognize drainage issues Good physical strength Good physical stamina Good manual dexterity Great attention to detail Work well as a team leader

COMPENSATION:

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Based on experience

Qualified applicants should contact: Debbie, Resort Manager. Please email resume and 3 references with your contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, phone number) to manager@meridianclub.com or fax to 649-941-7010 by March 3, 2016. Additional Information: Qualified Belongers preferred. All qualified applicants will be interviewed. Police certificate will be required.

Salary $11.00 per hour • All candidates should have at least 3-5 years experience in the same field • Must be willing to work on weekends, night shifts and holidays

HERZOG CARIBBEAN LTD.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

- Successful candidate will have completed a minimum of 1200 hour massage therapy program and have a minimum of 5 years’ experience at 4-5 star operations. - Must possess some culinary skills - Must be willing to reside on Pine Cay on a full time basis. - Must have pleasant personality, clean and neat personal appearance and enjoy working with people. - Must be able to speak and read English. - Must be able to work flexible hours. Starting Date: June 2016

WAITRESS

Is looking for a

POSITION AVAILABLE:

at The Meridian Club on Pine Cay.

Salary $12.00 per hour

11993

PATROL DOG HANDLER/TRAINER/SECURITY SUPERVISOR

COSMETOLOGIST

DICE DEALER

11985

POSITION AVAILABLE:

POSITION TYPE:

• Full-time

1116

Please submit applications to main office at C 5-6 Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, TCI 12022

February 20 - 26, 2016

CLASSIFIEDS 39

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

M & L AMAZING WORLD

EBEN-NEZER

YASMAH ADAMS

WARD CONSTRUCTION

Is looking for a

P.N.K. SPEND LESS SUPERMARKET

Is looking for a

CONTACT: 344-4977

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

Ocean Club Management is looking for qualified applicants for the following positions, to begin work immediately:

per week salary $6.25 per hour

Is looking for a

per week salary $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: CONTACT: CONTACT: 242-0716 231-6601 232-3487 12003

CONTACT: 232-2267

per week salary $6.25 per hour.

Is looking for a

11976

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

DOMESTIC LABOURER LABOURER LABOURER WORKER To work 6 days To work 6 days To work 6 days To work 6 days 11977

LABOURER

Is looking for a

NANNCIE PIERRE-ZAMOR SEEKS

DOMESTIC WORKER

Main duties will be taking care of cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Must be able to speak English, Salary starts at $6.50 per hour and is based on experience. Will have to work 6 days a week.

Deadline for applications is February 19, 2016 Interested persons should send applications via fax at (649) 941-4034 C/o Alliance Realty Ltd. Only applicants selected will be contacted.

ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Management training and/or certification from a recognized hospitality management training program, plus 5+ years supervisory experience as a department level supervisor or manager in a resort environment. 2. Friendly personality; enjoys working with and helping people. 3. Organized 4. Able to work well under pressure. 5. Able to accurately record information. 6. Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate others. 7. Thorough knowledge of hotel procedures, operations and equipment. 8. Self-motivated and dependable with a strong work ethic and good problem solving skills. 9. Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to speak, read and write fluently in English language. 10. Professional appearance and demeanor. 11. Computer literate with proficiency in RDP Management System, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

GARDENER All applicants must be able to speak English fluently, and be able to present a clean Police Record if offered a position. Individuals must be willing to work holidays and weekends on a flexible schedule dictated by business demands. Preference will be given to someone with previous resort experience. Wage commensurate with experience. All applications are welcome, but preference will be given to qualified Belongers and those persons who have the right to work in the TCI without a work permit.

Please drop off resumes at Ocean Club to the attention of the Human Resource Manager, or via email to diane@ oceanclubresorts.com Only those receiving an interview will be contacted.

ROCK OF JESUS MINISTRY

WILSON’S GROCERIES ENT.

Is seeking employment for:

VIDEO TECHNICIAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Must be able to produce graphic designs, special effects, editor animations, commercials etc. Applicants must have a minimum of five years experience. Must be able to understand, speak & write English. Must have a valid driver’s license. Must be a Christian. Salary based on experience.

Please fax or email resume to Fax: 946-4283 Email: bac@tciway.tc or info@roj.tc Suitable applicants will be contacted for an interview. 11967

Is seeking employment for the following:

LABOURER Salary $6.50 per hour interested candidate can contact

649-346-5872 for further details regarding employment

11982

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages, plans, organizes, and monitors the resort’s operations, under the direction of the Operations Manager, and General Manager including, in the following departments: Maintenance, Gardening and Property Services (Pool & Beach).

AN ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY Is required for a growing firm in Providenciales.

The successful candidate must be a qualified solicitor/attorney with at least ten years previous experience in appropriate property disciplines, including commercial and residential conveyancing and development work; landlord and tenant; commercial lending and also corporate and commercial law. Experience in a registered land system and an offshore jurisdiction; drafting complex development, security and financing documents; excellent communication skills; and an ability to manage files and work unsupervised are all essentials. Candidate must also show willingness to be responsible for marketing and work long hours, including weekends and public holidays, if the need demands it. Salary will commensurate with experience. Please provide a copy of your application to Labour. Resumes with copies of qualifications must be sent by February 22, 2016 to info@karammissick.com.

11973

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

Zika virus: Study supports link to microcephaly SCIENTISTS say a study involving pregnant women in Brazil “strengthens” the theory that Zika is linked to

DOUGLAS A. COX Is looking for a

LABOURER To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

11970

CONTACT: 347-8283

microcephaly birth defects in babies. The research confirmed the presence of Zika virus in the amniotic fluid of two women who had had Zikalike symptoms during their pregnancies. Brazilian experts say this suggests the virus can infect the foetus. But WHO experts caution the link is not proven and expect to release more information in the next few weeks. Brazil has seen a rise in microcephaly - babies born with abnormally small heads and, in some cases, problems with brain development - in the last year, at the same time as a rise in the number of people infected with Zika virus. This has led to a number of

Facebook will be opening up the Instant Articles feature to publishers of all sizes on April 12. The feature will be expanded not just to professional media organisations, but also to individual writers as well. A 10-year-old Brazilian boy holds his two-month-old brother, who was born with microcephaly.

studies investigating whether the virus is behind the rise. The research, published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, involved two women who had fever, rash and muscle aches during their pregnancies. After ultrasound scans revealed their developing

foetuses had microcephaly, scientists ran further amniocentesis checks. This involved taking a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the foetus in the womb. Genetic analysis of this fluid confirmed the presence of Zika virus - discounting similar viruses that may have been responsible.

FRESH FISH

Facebook to open instant articles to all publishers in April Facebook announced the Instant Articles feature in May 2015, with the social network looking to bring full news articles straight to the News Feed of users. The feature was launched in October 2015 for iOS users and rolled out in December 2015 for Android users, with the fast-loading news articles

bearing a lightning bolt icon on the upper right corner to identify themselves as Instant Articles. Facebook has been working with a select few hundred publishers to place their content into the social network. Some of the initial partners include BBC News, Buzzfeed, National Geographic and The New York Times.

Is looking for

SASSI DAVIS

SEWING CLOTHING DESIGN

Is looking for the following:

Is looking for the following

SKILLED WORKERS

BEAUTICIANS SALON HELPER

SEAMSTRESS TAILOR

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the post of

to work out of the Head Office in Providenciales.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful applicant will be required to assist the Chief Executive Officer and

EXECUTIVE TEAM:

• In the preparation of appropriate, timely and accurate Reports on a monthly basis or when requested; • Keep filing update • In preparation of the annual publications • Schedule and arrange all meetings • Managing the reports • Other office Administrations duties as outlined by CEO • To assist with Board of Directors duties • Arrangement of Executive staff travel and conferences

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

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

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to candidates with skills in the following areas; • 5 years or more experience in office administration • 5 years or more experience in internal and external department management • A working knowledge of TCIG processes /Administration • A working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

CONTACT: 241-5678

Salary $6.25 per hour CONTACT: 231-3482

Must have at least 5 years experience. Salary based on commission.

CONTACT: 649-232-7280

PUBLIC NOTICE BELONGER STATUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance)

Salary Commensurate with qualifications in the range of $36,000 - $42,000 per annum Detailed Job Descriptions are available from the Main Office of the TCIAA at Providenciales International Airport via email from johntsmith@tciairports.com Interested persons must submit their Applications before 4th March 2016 to: John T. Smith, Chief Executive Officer Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority Providenciales International Airport,Turks and Caicos Islands Email: johntsmith@tciairports.com

For the processing of fish must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

12035

Executive Assistant / Personal Assistant

12019

Take Notice that I, Peter Beckingham, Governor of Turks and Caicos in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 3(2) of the Immigration Ordinance intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MARIE IRMA ARTHUR by virtue of marriage to a Belonger. PETER BECKINGHAM

12034

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology New cancer treatment excites experts A THERAPY that retrains the body’s immune system to fight cancer has provoked excitement after more than 90% of terminally ill patients reportedly went into remission. White blood cells were taken from patients with leukaemia, modified in the lab and then put back. But the data has not been published or reviewed and two patients are said to have died from an extreme immune response. Experts said the trial was exciting, but still only “a baby step.” The news bubbled out of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual meeting in Washington DC. The lead scientist, Prof Stanley Riddell from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, said all other treatments had failed in these patients and they had only twoto-five months to live. He told the conference that: “The early data is unprecedented.” In the trial, cells from the

immune system called killer t-cells were taken out of dozens of patients. The cells normally act like bombs destroying infected tissue. The researchers genetically modified the t-cells to engineer a new targeting mechanism - with the technical name of chimeric antigen receptors - to target acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Prof Riddell told the BBC: “Essentially what this process does is, it genetically reprograms the T-cell to seek out and recognise and destroy the patient’s tumour cells. “[The patients] were really at the end of the line in terms of treatment options and yet a single dose of this therapy put more than ninety percent of these patients in complete remission where we can’t detect any of these leukaemia cells.” But one cancer expert told me they still felt in the dark on the full significance of the study, as the data is not available. Also seven of the patients developed cytokine release syndrome so severe that they required intensive care, and a further two patients died.

Scientists found sharper cognitive function in over-50s who were still sexually active.

Regular sex among over-50s found to help fight dementia, study says A new British study suggests that having regular sex could help older people ward off dementia. Scientists from Coventry University found sharper cognitive function in over-50s who were still active in the bedroom. In the study, which was published in the journal Age And Ageing, more than 6,800 people aged between 50 and 89 were quizzed on their sex lives and then set mental tests. The tests revealed that those who enjoyed intimacy were better able to recall lists and recognize patterns, both of which are signs of a healthy brain. The participants were played a list

of ten words and asked to recount them immediately afterwards and again after five-minutes. They were also given a sequence of numbers with one missing and tasked with completing the pattern. Elderly men who were sexually active scored significantly higher – by 23 percent on the word tests and 3 percent on the number puzzles – while women also scored higher by margins of 14 percent and 2 percent respectively. Stronger performances were demonstrated even when factors such as age, wealth and physical activity were factored in.

Non-African modern humans have Neanderthals to thank for 1 to 4 percent of their DNA.

Neanderthals and modern humans mated 50,000 years before we thought EVER since geneticists sequenced the first Neanderthal genome in 2010, researchers have been reporting just how related humans are to their ancient, extinct cousins. Since then, there’s been more research. As it turns out, non-African modern humans have Neanderthals to thank for 1 to 4 percent of their DNA. The two species were thought to have interbred around 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, based on the Neanderthal DNA found in anatomically modern human specimens and people living today. But scientists had yet to find a signature of these mating interactions in Neanderthal DNA, until now. “Instead of leaving fragments of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans, we find fragments of modern human DNA in the Neanderthal genome,” says Adam Siepel, a computer scientist using simulations to study genetics, in an interview with The Christian Science Monitor. And that mating event happened some 100,000 years ago. Dr. Siepel, as part of an international team of geneticists, anthropologists, and other computer scientists, found that a Neanderthal specimen from Siberia shared at least 1 percent of its DNA with modern humans. Their results were published Wednesday in the journal Nature. LONG, LONG AGO “Humans and Neanderthals must have met considerably earlier than we thought previously,” Siepel says. The researchers’ analysis suggests that the interaction that gave this Neanderthal some modern human DNA may have occurred 100,000 years ago. And that date pushes interaction between the two groups

back 40 to 50 thousand years. But here’s the catch: Homo sapiens supposedly didn’t trek out of Africa until around 60,000 years ago. And Neanderthal DNA appears in living modern humans with heritage from every part of the world except Africa, suggesting the groups did not mix until they left the continent. So these new findings suggest that some modern humans might have left Africa before 100,000 years ago. There have already been other hints of an earlier migration out of Africa in previous studies. For example, last year, archaeologists unearthed Homo sapien teeth in southern China that they dated to between 80,000 and 120,000 years old. And in 2014, scientists discovered artefacts in the Arabian Desert that they dated to more than 100,000 years ago. SHARED GENES Why is it significant that the gene flow goes in both directions? It may seem obvious because when two people mate both parents’ DNA ends up in their offspring. But this individual, with just 1 to 7 percent modern human DNA, was not the direct result of such an interaction. So this Neanderthal was a descendant of that event. “I think the fact that we see it in both directions is notable, because of the inherent asymmetry of these interbreeding events,” Siepel says. He explains that, because children usually stay with their mother, that means that a human male probably mated with a Neanderthal female to produce this lineage. The hybrid offspring was then raised in a Neanderthal community. Or perhaps, in a more unlikely scenario, the interspecies family was integrated

into the Neanderthal community as a unit. “Obviously these are only speculations, but the fact that we see both types of gene flow does suggest that neandertal/human hybrids were successfully integrated into both human and neandertal societies,” Siepel adds in an email to the Monitor. AN INTERSPECIES LOVE AFFAIR? In addition to pushing back the dates of a modern human-Neanderthal intermingling, this research suggests a more complex story about the relationship between the groups. Years ago, scientists thought that when modern humans spread across the land, they completely replaced the Neanderthals, says Fred Smith, an anthropologist studying Neanderthals and early modern humans at Illinois State University. But, he tells the Monitor, “Now we see that this was a much more complex population phenomenon.” As Siepel describes, “This suggests that Neandertals were not a thriving group that abruptly went extinct, but instead were dwindling for thousands of years and perhaps teetering on the edge of extinction.” And adding to the complexity, says Dr. Smith, who was not part of the new study, is the issue of species. Neanderthals (homo neanderthalensis) and modern humans (homo sapiens) are designated as separate species. Interspecies mating is generally thought to be unable to produce viable, fertile offspring. But here there is a Neanderthal that is many generations removed from such an interaction but still retains modern human DNA.

Sports Interational

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Nike terminates deal with boxing great Pacquiao NIKE has terminated its relationship with Manny Pacquiao after the sixweight world champion described homosexuals as “worse than animals”. The 37-year-old, who is running for a senate seat in his native Philippines, later apologised for his comments. “We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent,” said a Nike statement. “Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community.” The sportswear company added: “We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao.” Pacquiao’s original remark was made in a television interview and he initially appeared unrepentant, writing on Instagram that he was “just telling the truth of what the Bible says”. However, he later wrote on Facebook he was “not condemning LGBT”, while still voicing his opposition for gay marriage. Pacquiao, whose last fight was a defeat by Floyd Mayweather in May, is due to fight American Timothy Bradley Jr in Las Vegas in April. British world heavyweight

Messi’s 300 La Liga goals have come in just 335 league appearances for Barca.

Barcelona star Messi scores 300th league goal for club Christian boxer Manny Pacquiao had described homosexuals as “worse than animals”.

champion Tyson Fury apologised in December for criticising homosexuality, as well as derogatory remarks he made about women. But boxing promoter Frank Warren told BBC Radio 5 live that the sport did not have a problem with homophobia. “No matter what walk of life you come from there are bigots,” said Warren. “I don’t think it’s a problem for boxing. In Tyson Fury’s case I hope it was something he said on the spur of the moment.

He regrets it. “You can’t condemn all of sport because of people’s stupid remarks. They are two boxers out of many thousands of boxers. “Pacquiao’s certainly lost any type of sponsorship. That’s all finished. No-one’s ever going to sponsor him again. “The majority of the fans will be totally abhorred about what he said, but that is going be the test - how many people decide they want to watch him fight.” (BBC)

ANOTHER day, another record broken -- this time football superstar Lionel Messi became the first player to score 300 goals in Spain’s La Liga. The five-time world player of the year scored his 300th and 301st league goals against Sporting Gijon Wednesday. His 25th minute strike brought up the 300 and seemingly not content with that, he added his second six minutes later with a wonderfully struck effort with the outside of the boot. Sporting had equalised through Carlos Castro before Messi restored Barcelona’s advantage four minutes

later. Luis Suarez, who had a second half penalty saved, added a third with a spectacular curling effort to claim his 40th goal of the season. Messi was just 17 when he scored his first goal for the club on May 1 2005 -- a delightful chip in the victory over Albacete at Camp Nou. His 301 league goals have come in just 334 La Liga appearances. The result leaves Barcelona six points ahead of nearest challenger Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga. They are also unbeaten in their past 31 matches in all competitions. (CNN)

Coe ready to ban Kenyan athletes from Olympics SEBASTIAN Coe is ready to ban Kenya’s track and field team from the Olympics if the country’s athletics federation is declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) code. Kenya missed a deadline last week to prove to Wada it was tackling cheating. It comes after a spate of positive drugs tests among some of the country’s athletes and allegations of corruption. “We have to be much more proactive,” said Coe, president of the sport’s world governing body the IAAF. Coe said he would impose serious sanctions on any nation guilty of attempting to cover up drug-taking. Kenya is to be placed on a ‘watchlist’ of nations at risk of breaching Wada’s code and could be banned from international competition if non-compliant, as happened with Russia’s athletes. “We know that a disproportionate amount of reputational damage is caused by a relatively few countries,” he told BT Sport’s The Clare Balding Show. “If it means pulling them out of World Championships or Olympic

IAAF president Sebastian Coe said he would impose serious sanctions on any nation guilty of attempting to cover up drugtaking.

Games then we will have to do that. “I know the World Anti-Doping Agency has looked very closely at the Kenyan National Anti-Doping Agency. We, of course, monitor that through the IAAF, so that work is ongoing.” On Tuesday, the chief executive of Athletics Kenya said he wanted to step down temporarily amid allegations he asked athletes for bribes to reduce doping bans. Isaac Mwangi denies wrongdoing but wants to leave his post for 21 days

while the claims are investigated by the IAAF. For several months, Wada has been trying to persuade Kenya to set up an effective national agency so more drug tests can be conducted, but progress has been slow. The East African country, whose athletes are dominant in distance running, topped the medal table at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing with seven gold medals. But since 2011, more than 40 of its athletes have failed drugs tests. David Howman, Wada’s director general, said “a fully functional” anti-doping agency is “a vital step for a country of Kenya’s sporting stature” if it is to “effectively protect clean athletes”. He added that it must be established “at the earliest opportunity”. Meanwhile, former marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang has urged Kenya’s government to strengthen their fight against doping. Kipsang, 33, is president of the Professional Athletes Association of Kenya and was among 80 athletes who met in Eldoret on Wednesday to formulate an appeal to Kenya’s government to fast-track legislation criminalising doping.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant took part in his last All-Star Game.

NBA All-Star Game 2016 breaks record for most points scored THE 2016 NBA All-Star Game dished out a shootout on Sunday, setting the record for most combined points with 369, according to ESPN Stats & Info. That total surpassed the previous high marks of 321 and 318 set in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Paul George set an All-Star Game record with nine three-pointers, perESPN Stats & Info. He finished with 41 points, just one point shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s record set in

1962, per SportsCenter’s Twitter account. Western Conference head coach Gregg Popovich was incredibly impressed with George’s performance in his first season back after suffering a gruesome leg injury: Russell Westbrook, however, was named MVP, becoming the first player ever to individually win the honours in consecutive All-Star Games. (Bleachers Report)

February 20 - 26, 2016

Sports Interational

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Bosh resumes taking blood thinners The BBC and BuzzFeed found 16 players who have ranked in the top 50 in the past decade had been repeatedly flagged to the Tennis Integrity Unit.

Tennis accounts for majority of suspicious betting in 2015 TENNIS accounted for nearly three-quarters of all suspicious betting identified by a leading sports gambling watchdog in 2015. Essa says it identified 100 cases with 73 of them occurring in tennis matches. Last month a BBC and BuzzFeed News investigation found evidence of widespread suspected matchfixing among leading players over the past decade. Essa issues alerts to regulated bookmakers across Europe when irregular activity is spotted on a match. If several bookmakers confirm that they are encountering suspicious betting patterns, the watchdog sends a formal warning to the sport’s governing bodies. Of the 73 cases, 24 of them

occurred in the final three months of 2015. According to Essa, football - the world’s biggest sports gambling market - attracted suspicious betting on 19 matches worldwide. The BBC and BuzzFeed investigation found 16 players who have ranked in the top 50 in the past decade have been repeatedly flagged to the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) over suspicions they have thrown matches. All of the players, including winners of Grand Slam titles, were allowed to continue competing. Following the report, the Tennis Integrity Board, which oversees the TIU, said it would start an independent review into its anticorruption practices. This will take at least 12 months.

The shooting of an Argentinian referee on Sunday has raised the spectre of football violence in that country.

Argentinian referee ‘shot and killed’ by player he red carded ARGENTINIAN police are hunting a footballer for shooting and killing the referee who had just sent him off. A report from EFE news agency claims Cesar Flores showed the unnamed player a red card during an amateur game on Sunday in Campo de la Ribera, Cordoba, central Argentina. The player then took a gun from his backpack and shot the

referee in the head, neck and chest. Another player, Walter Zarate, 25, was also shot and transported to hospital in Cordoba, where he is reported to be out of serious danger. “It all happened during the football match. We don’t know [exactly what took place], but it appears the player was angry, fetched a gun and killed him,” police sources told EFE.

CHRIS Bosh is back on blood thinners to treat a clot that formed in his leg, the second straight year the Miami Heat forward has dealt with such a situation over the All-Star break. Bosh began the medication regimen in recent days after the clot was diagnosed and has hopes that he can continue playing at some point this season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Bosh has told the team that he will spend at least a few more days reviewing options and collecting information, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither the Heat nor the All-Star forward have yet to publicly reveal details of Bosh’s condition. ‘’I hate it for him,’’ said NASCAR driver Brian Vickers, who has also dealt with clotting issues that have impacted his career. ‘’I would tell him the same thing again, just don’t give up. Just keep fighting. Find a solution and keep going.’’ Athletes in contact sports are typically discouraged from playing while taking blood-thinning medication, because of the additional risk of bleeding and other issues. A year ago at this time, the clot had travelled from Bosh’s leg to

Bosh missed the final 30 games of last season also due to blood clots.

his lung and he had a wave of other problems - including fluid in his lungs. It took about two months to properly diagnose last year’s blood clot problem, with Bosh originally thinking it was a rib or back issue that was causing him such searing pain. This time, the diagnosis apparently came far quicker. ‘’I would not say he has to be excluded from sports because he’s had a second (clot) event,’’ said Robert Myerburg, a cardiologist and a professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. But if Bosh is considering playing

while taking a lower dose of bloodthinners - which could be one of many options on his table right now - Myerburg would advise otherwise. ‘’The problem is that if you lower the dose, you may perhaps lower the bleeding risk but you also lower the efficacy,’’ Myerburg said. ‘’You’ve giving up some benefit to reduce the risk of bleeding in someone who has already had a pulmonary embolism. I don’t think that’s wise.’’ Bosh is Miami’s leading scorer at 19.1 points per game this season. He said over the weekend in Toronto that he was optimistic about playing again this season.

Head injuries: More rugby players will be advised to retire, says doctor INCREASED awareness of concussion will mean more rugby players being advised to retire, says former World Rugby medical adviser Dr Barry O’Driscoll. Wales sevens specialist Matthew Pewtner, 25, quit the game on Wednesday following a head injury. He is the third Welsh professional player to retire in less than a year following concussions. “We have moved on with our knowledge and we’re more ready to advise players to retire,” said Dr O’Driscoll. “Every case of this saddens you and worries you just that little bit more. “It does seem that with the much bigger impacts and speed of the game that these repeated sub-concussive and concussive knocks are becoming more damaging more frequently.” Pewtner’s retirement came nearly seven months after he suffered a blow to the head playing for Newport Gwent Dragons in the Aviva Sevens in August 2015. In May 2015 Dragons centre Ashley Smith announced he was

Wales sevens specialist Matthew Pewtner, 25, quit the game on Wednesday following a head injury.

quitting the game and in September ex-Wales back-row Jonathan Thomas retired after being diagnosed with epilepsy linked to head traumas suffered while playing. The management of head injuries in rugby hit the headlines during the 2015 Six Nations Championship when George North played on for Wales after suffering two blows to the head against England. That followed him missing a 2014

autumn international after suffering a concussion in a Test against New Zealand. The Northampton Saints wing was eventually forced to take a break from the game following a further blow to the head in a game against Wasps. Dr O’Driscoll - who has previously criticised rugby’s concussion protocols - said the handling of players who have suffered multiple blows is a particular concern.

Sports National

Angelo breaks one-year-old 400M national indoor record NATIONAL sprinter Angelo Garland continues to impress in 2016. This time he broke his oneyear-old national indoor 400M record. Competing on Monday and Tuesday at the South Land Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, Garland raced to 48.23s to eclipse his 2015 January record of 48.44s. The 21-year-old, Texas A&M University student, won his heat with a season best of 48.5s, before a seventh place finish in the final on day two with his new PB time in the meet. GREAT SHAPE Garland, who was plagued by injuries last season, said he “felt great”. “This week has been great, I had four 400 metres over the past two days and I’m honestly in great shape.”

February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Academy and Cheshire Hall to kick off President’s Cup THE much anticipated President’s Cup will kick off this Saturday with Academy FC going up against long-time rivals Cheshire Hall. The seven-team tournament first round fixtures were drawn this week at the Academy Ground during a Provo Premier League (PPL) clash. After the 18:00h game on February 20th, Teachers and

Beaches will take the field from 20:00h. The tournament will continue on Tuesday February 23rd with the SWA Sharks tackling Full Physic from 19:00h. Due to proximity issues, new comers Grand Turk United have drawn a bye to the first round. They will meet the winners of the three games in the semi-finals of the competition.

Angelo Garland (left, front row) with members of his university’s Distance Medley Relay team which won a bronze medal.

Along with the 400M race, Garland also split 47.6s in the 400M leg of the Distance Medley Relay and a PB split of 47.7s in the first leg of the 4X400M relay.

His split in the DMR took his team from 5th to 2nd, but the side ended with a bronze. The junior student has three weeks off before he starts his indoor season.

The young boxers practice their moves.

Youth All-Star Boxing Exhibition to showcase TCI’s talent

The Nazarene Kings ended the run of the previously unbeaten South Caicos Harbour Ballers.

PABA NIGHT LEAGUE:

Kings end Harbour Ballers unbeaten run THE Nazarene Kings ended the unbeaten run of the South Caicos Harbour Ballers when action continued last weekend in the Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) Night League. Randy Rigby and Fedlor Semora led from the front for the Kings (who prior to the clash were .500), with 22 points and 21 points respectively. The Ballers, who returned to the league this season, after a break, had won 10 consecutive games before the 75-85 point defeat. Power player Alvardo Parker led the South Caicos team with a doubledouble: 11 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

The Police improved to 11-3 with a 20 point win over the Steelers. The 94-74 win was orchestrated by newcomer Dwain Simmons who scored 23 points to go with four rebounds. Sandro Jermine returned to form after a slump, with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while fellow Police player Peterson Sylvain added 18 points and six rebounds. Cameron Henry was on a scoring rampage for the Steelers with 35 points, six steals and three assists. Defending champions the GT Stallions won their sixth game after defeating the Knights 87-81. It was a two-player attack for the Stallions with

guard Kino Williams and new player Cliff Jean tallying 77 points. Williams finished with 44 points and two assists, while Jean added 33 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Mike Cumberland led the Knights with 24 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. In the final game last weekend the Spartans trounced the Sonics 92-70. Reco Forbes led the winners with 29 points, six assists and three steals, while Trevente Williams was equally impressive with 23 points, eight assists and three steals. Darly Francois led the Sonics with 33 points, while teammate Galvin Hall Jr. added 16 points.

THE amateur boxers who will compete in this month end Youth All-Star Boxing Exhibition will showcase the talent that TCI has to offer and display a positive way for young people to channel their energy, so opines founder of the TCI Boxing Federation Jimkelly “The Hammer” Joseph. Ten boxers from the Clement Howell High School, including four females will make up the card, which is set for the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex from 19:00h on February 27. “The importance of this tournament is not only to raise the awareness of the sport of boxing, but to also help showcase that through the sport of boxing, kids learn not only self-defence, but how to be more discipline, humble and more respectable individuals. Joseph, an unbeaten heavyweight boxer in his prime, confessed that he is more excited about the youths learning the art form than promoting himself. To him, boxing can revolutionise the TCI. Some 217 youths from CHHS and the Edward Gartland Youth Centre are learning the sport. “We have kids gravitating to boxing like bees to honey.” Joseph said that the TCIBF are training youths who get the short end of the stick when it comes to respect. He pointed out that some people simply think less of the youngsters because of the schools they attend or the circumstances they have to deal with in their personal lives, “boxing give them confidence to deal with their issues and to rise above people’s prejudices.” He said that the main objective

of the federation is to spread the sport at the grass root level, not just because it will help grow the sport, but because it will help to grow the youngsters of the TCI. In reference to the current batch of youngsters, he described them as strangers who earned the respect of the others. “Now to see that they are coming together as one, through the love of the sport, is wonderful. “This camaraderie has made them better individuals and earned our respect in the TCIBF.” For the tournament US resident David Hanson from Title Boxing is the main sponsor. The boxing federation is also looking to attract other business entities. “We are hoping after this bout that some companies or persons who want to become long term sponsors can come on board. I will guarantee them, until the last breath in my body that we in the TCIBF would continue to give the youths of the TCI 1000%.” Joseph also sees the need for a facility, especially with the growing number of young boxers. The boxers set to compete are between the ages of 14-17. The five bouts will be for three rounds, three minutes each. Jonothan Henry will tackle Kensly Seide, Patrick Gedeus will match Faizon Forbes and Jerome Frazier will battle Elton Bazile in the male division. The female bouts will be between Shaniel Swaby and Claribel Mercedes and Donielle Hall against Elcherlande Pierre.

February 20 - 26, 2016

Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Otuonye leaps to new national long jump record – Registers PB indoor 4X400M split NATIONAL long jumper Ifeanyi Otuonye’s latest jump is the 30th best in the world for 2016. His scintillating performance at the Tyson Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center on Friday in Arkansas is also a new TCI national record. The Kansas State University student broke his national record twice, with jumps of 7.53M and 7.75M. “This is my best indoor meet ever!” The new record is significantly better than his January jump of 7.52M. It was also the third best

distance by a Kansas State University jumper. “It was good jump, I’m happy with my performance, but kind of disappointed because I was not so consistent. I know this is my first full approach meet, so it wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t really start jumping well until the last few jumps again.” The 21-year-old started with a jump of 7.49M, before he reached 7.43M, he fouled his third attempt, broke the record with his fourth (7.53), while in his fifth attempt he missed the board completely and still finished with 6.8M. In his final jump, he leaped to 7.75M, which earned

him a first place, a number one ranking in the Big XII Conference and 11th in the US. BETTER JUMP “If I had that same execution on the earlier jumps as my last jump, there is no doubt I would have gone 7.85+. I think I do enough long jump work and technique in practice, but it’s just that practice and competition are two different things. In practice you practice to be as perfect as possible, but when competition comes you have to adjust the conditions and circumstances and that is where I’m having the problem,” the ace jumper disclosed to the Weekly News. On Saturday Otuonye had another milestone when he ran his fastest indoor 4X400M split. His 46.8s equals his outdoor personal best. The former Munro College student said that the run has good implications on his jumping. “As I realised last year, the

Ifeanyi Otuonye’s latest jump is the 30th best in the world for 2016.

faster I got in the 4x400M, the more length I got from my jumps. When I started to explode on the track last year, I also produced a lot of distance in the sand, so if I’m splitting that now in the 4x400M,

just imagine how it’s going to transfer into my long jumps through the rest of my indoor season and outdoor.” With his jump, Ifeanyi qualifies for the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Ken Reyes’s new national record in the 800M is 1:56.0.

Reyes’s record breaking 800M run earns him bronze JAMAICAN based TCI school athlete Ken Reyes shaved two seconds off his national 800M record when he competed at the Camperdown Classics last Saturday at the National Stadium in Jamaica. The 16-year-old, who was representing Jamaica College at the meet, clocked 1:56.0 to finish second in his heat and third overall.

Reyes, who ran 1:58.0 in early January and 1:58.97 at the CARIFTA Games last year, said he was disappointed to not clock less than one minute and 56 seconds. “I just have to work harder at the next meet. I was hoping for 1:55 or lower.” Sixty athletes competed in the class one 800M race.

Mackenson Cadet (right, kneeling) with members of his U16 Krush team.

Cadet scores twice for Florida club team AFC Academy footballer Mackenson Cadet scored twice to lead his club team to a second place finish at last weekend’s CDL Showcase Soccer tournament in the Tampa/Clearwater area. Cadet led the Florida Kraze Krush (FKK) U16 Krush team to three wins in three games and an eventual second place

finish owing to an inferior goal difference. Cadet and fellow Academy teen Jameslee Louis were two of the guest players for the FKK club. Louis took part in the U17 division, but his team did not fare well. The national beach soccer player Cadet, who had a stint at the

Nottingham Forest Football Club in England last year, scored the winning goal on Saturday (2-1 victory) and another on Sunday in the team’s 4-1 win. FKK Executive Director and Head Coach Hue Menzies identified the youngsters for the tournament while on a guess coaching programme in Provo last year.

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February 20 - 26, 2016

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February 20 - 26, 2016

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 20 - 26, 2016