by Hayden BoycePublisher & Editor-in-Chief

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 VOLUME 12 - NO. 04 $1.00

Website: www.suntci.com Email: sun@suntci.com Tel: (649) 339-5879 Fax: (649) 941-3281 www.facebook.com/tcisun

Continued on Page 2

Grand Turk ‘gone to the dogs’, says Hon.

Lillian Missick - Page 7

Ministers criticised for absence at Question Time

in Parliament - Page 6

Inmates complain of abuse at police station

- Page 5

Hon. Selver knocks abuse of foreign women - Page 13

TCIPS Lady Lions Victorious In 2016 Inter High Softball Tournament

The 2016 Inter high Softball Tournament was held on January 27th – 28th, 2016 at the downtown ballpark. Four teams from around the Turks & Caicos Islands participated in this year’s tournament; they are HJ Robinson High, Marjorie Basden High, British West Indies collegiate and TCIPS. TCIPS came out victorious after beating Marjorie Basden High from South Caicos who was last years winners in the final match with a score of 19 -7. Team captain Kentavia Saunders said she was overwhelmed with excitement and that she never doubted for a minute that they wouldn’t have won. She said thanks to their coach Ms. Angie Quant for pushing them in practice. Congratulations to all the teams that participated.

MIKE MISICK HITS BACK AT BUTCH STEWART

Lawyers for former Turks and Caicos Islands premier Michael

Misick have called for a mistrial in the high-profile corruption case here, as they responded strongly to a statement issued by Jamaican hotel magnate Gordon “Butch” Stewart that addressed an alleged payment of $1.6million which went from Sandals Resorts International to the politician. In his opening statement before His Lordship Mr. Justice Paul Harrison, a retired President of the Jamaica Court of Appeal, British Queen’s Counsel Andrea Mitchell stated that US$1.6million was paid to Misick from Sandals-related companies, in what he is seeking to prove was an act of bribery. Stewart said in a statement distributed to local, regional and international media that “it is a fact that those payments were made” but he stressed that “all those payments were made without the knowledge or consent of the principals of Sandals”. Stewart said in the press release that the matter first came to light in the course of investigation by the US Department of Justice. This, he added, triggered a series of internal investigations by Sandals to determine the source of the payment and the responsible parties. He said that Tom Scott, a retired Federal judge and partner in the Florida law firm, Cole, Scott & Kissane, was retained by Sandals to assist with the investigation and a highly reputable forensic accounting firm in Washington D.C. was also engaged to conduct an in-depth accounting investigation into the affair. “The results of the

investigation and the forensic audit revealed that some US$1,650,000 had been paid to Prestigious Properties Limited, a real estate company in which Michael Misick, Phillip Misick and Washington Misick (current Turks and Caicos Islands Minister of Finance) were the shareholders, and Chalmers Misick & Co., a firm of lawyers in the TCI. All those payments were made without the knowledge or consent of the principals of Sandals,” Stewart added. He continued: “The unauthorized payments were made by a Senior Executive and then Treasurer of Sandals.

This culminated in the separation of the Senior Executive from the company and was followed by Sandals filing a lawsuit against him in the Bahamas to recover the unauthorized payments. The damage done to the Company by his actions was substantial. Not only had he betrayed the trust which the Chairman and other Directors had reposed in him but based on the level of his authority, the Company was legally bound by his actions and this culminated in the Company having to absorb a fine of US$12M imposed by the Turks & Caicos authorities.” In his response to Stewart’s

statement, prominent Barbadian Queen’s Counsel, Ralph Thorne, the lead attorney for former Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Michael Misick, stated:

“It is my view that the statement has been a consequence of the practice of the prosecution of issuing daily releases of its unproved opening statement through a website created by the prosecution itself. I consider this practice to be improper and undue and I have expressed this position in court.

Alleged $1.6million payment causing controversy

LOCAL NEWSPage 2 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Continued from page - 1

Police sources said arson is suspected in the fire that severely

damaged s section of the H.J Robinson High School in Grand Turk in the early hours of Friday, January 29th. “We are still investigating, but I can tell you that we have good and strong reason at this stage to believe that this is a work of arson,” a senior police officer told The SUN. Governor Peter Beckingham, who visited the school fire, said: “It is too early to speculate about the causes of the fire, and I know that the Commissioner and his team are already beginning an investigation. If it was arson I trust that those responsible will be apprehended, and will realise the damage they have done to the school, which is one of the most precious and vital parts of our community.” He added: “I was saddened to see for myself this morning the damage caused by a fire to the H J Robinson High School in Grand Turk. I hope that the impact on the education of the children there will not be too severe. I asked the senior fire and police officers at the scene to pass on my thanks to all their staff who have assisted in reporting and putting out the fire, and removing furniture and other equipment. I would also like to thank the many staff of the school, and local volunteers, who helped as soon as the fire was reported. Their response was clearly rapid and helpful, and showed a real community spirit.” The opposition PDM said in a

statement that it was deeply saddened by tragic fire at Helena J. Robinson High School, which is the only high school in the country’s capital. “While we wish to express our deep sadness of this unfortunate and tragic development, we wish to comfort the many students and families who have been also deeply impacted by this act of apparent arson. Our hearts, prayers and thoughts are with you as you strive to educate and equip yourself and face the challenges of coping with this new reality,” the PDM said. “The many photographs circulating this morning on social media paint a vivid picture of the difficulties you face in the coming years. The Leader of the Opposition has been briefed by party officials including Hon. Edwin Astwood and Hon. Derek Taylor who are both on the ground and at the scene and is today, through this release, calling on Government to quickly resolve a budget to take to the house of assembly in an emergency session to meet the needs of the people of Grand Turk including the rebuilding of HJ Robinson and properly funding a long called for an overdue domestic fire tender,” said the PDM statement. The PDM continued: “The people of Grand Turk and the Turks and Caicos Islands are a resilient, hard working, hopeful people and we have overcome many great odds and adversity to emerge victorious and enjoy what we know as our country

today. We say that no weapon formed against our nation will prosper. And no act, however originated will dampen the spirit or the will of our people. We will rise from the ashes and build again; we will persevere and win in the face of difficulty and overwhelming odds. We are strong and will emerge stronger from this setback.” In a press release, the Progressive Democratic Alliance’s leader, Oswald Skippings, said: “The country has suffered a great loss this morning when the new block of HJ Robinson High School in Grand Turk went up in flames. Our youth have waited a long time for these classrooms since hurricane Ike and sweated and

suffered for years in container classrooms and this loss is a serious impediment to their education. If it is true that this is arson as suspected, it is one of the most heinous, barbarous and senseless acts imaginable and only serves to put us further backward as a country and a people, therefore I and the Progressive Democratic Alliance do not condone such acts and strongly condemn such irresponsible behavior. We must exercise patience and maturity and work together in unity as a people to bring about positive changes through the electoral process to build this country to the benefit of us all and not destroy what we already have in place by destructive acts.”

MIKE MISICK HITS BACK AT BUTCH STEWART

It is clear to me that the publication of the prosecution’s opening statement to the Judge, and its style, have excited feelings of hostility and antipathy towards my client. This was clearly evident on Thursday, January 28, 2016, when Mr Misick was accosted with threats by an individual while he was leaving the court. Together with the prosecutor, we brought this incident to the attention of the Judge on the following morning. In addition, we now have a large corporate entity feeling obliged to issue a statement in relation to issues that pertain to contested evidence in the case. It is a matter for the Judge if His Lordship will consider at the next sitting whether the issuance of this statement is contemptuous of the court and whether it is calculated to unduly and improperly influence the proceedings.” Thorne said that as Misick’s lawyer, his immediate concern is that

the statement is so “highly prejudicial to his rights and to his presumption of innocence, that it defeats his opportunity for a fair trial”. He added: “It is my view that the prosecution’s daily publication of its highly charged opening statement and this statement have had the cumulative effect of scandalising my client, portraying him contemptuously and ultimately depriving him of the right to a fair trial that is guaranteed by the Constitution and by the Human Rights conventions. I acknowledge that a proper balance between fair trial and press freedom must be maintained and I offer no condemnation of the media that seek to inform the public. However, parties to a trial must not exploit the media to seek resolution or ventilate on matters that are properly only within the purview of the court at this time. These extra-juridical publications, emanating from the

prosecution and from a corporate entity connected to the evidence, are capable of undermining the independence of the judiciary and the dignity of the process of trial.

We must not allow this process to degenerate into the nature and spectacle of an inquisition. I therefore intend to make an application to the court to declare a mis-trial and to discharge my client and will reserve Mr Misick’s right to further recourse. My client has lost his right to a fair trial!” Meantime, in his defence of Sandals, Stewart noted in his press statement that in concluding the investigation the US Department of Justice said that Sandals had cooperated: “with the United States authorities to a degree that [was] acknowledged to be both extraordinary and unique and included the early and voluntary release of valuable evidence

that has been shared with the Special Investigation Prosecution Team (“SIPT”)” Stewart added: “Were it not for the Auld enquiry which followed Michael Misick’s removal from the Premiership in the TCI and the DOJ investigations the illicit payments might not have come to light. Indeed, the incident triggered a Group-wide review of the internal controls with the organisation and during the course of that exercise further instances of irregularities were discovered. One such discovery culminated in the criminal prosecution in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court in Jamaica of Dr. Jeffrey Pyne, former Managing Director of Gorstew Limited the Sandals Treasurer, Patrick Lynch and Catherine Barber, both former Senior Executives affiliated with the Group, regarding violation of the ATL/Sandals Pension Fund, which is still the subject of Court proceedings.”

Mr Justice Paul Harrison Andrew Mitchell, QC Butch Stewart Mike Misick Ralph Thorne QC

ARSON SUSPECTED IN GRAND TURK FIRE

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 3

Page 4 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

Located at The Regent Village649.941.4144 • www.thevix.com

Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

is waiting for your

Second floor premiere office space

LOCAL NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 5

LOCAL NEWS

HAB MANAGEMENT LIMITEDHAB Management is seeking an experienced, professionally qualified Front Desk Manager. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

FRONT DESK MANAGERWe require a dynamic Front Desk Manager who understand the meaning of true Customer Service who is professional, team-oriented and possess good work ethics.

The Front Desk Manager will directly supervises the work of the Front Desk staff to ensure professional and competent service to the guest in accordance with hotel policies and procedures. EssEntial DutiEs & REsponsibilitiEs

•Inform all Front Office staff of daily activities, group and VIP arrivals, repeat guests as well as special requests made by guests.

•Check accommodations, making sure any special requests are carried out accordingly, greet guests upon arrival and ensure guest are escorted to accommodations.

•Develop relationship with guest to provide maximum personalized guest service.

•Communicate with all hotel departments regarding guest accommodations and request to improve guest experience and services.

•Promptly respond to guest needs, request and complaints; effective handling guest issues efficiently and courteously.

•Insuring proper settlement of all guest folios.•Operate all aspects of Front Office POS system, report generation and analysis and perform night audit procedures.

•Has full understanding of hotel reservation system and assist with reservations.

•Maintain a professional and high quality service oriented environment at all times.

•Manage and monitor activities of all employees in the Front Office department making sure they adhere the standards of excellence and the guidelines set out in the hotel policies and procedures, coaching, training and correcting staff where needed.

•Perform all other administrational duties as requested by management.•Act as manager on duty for the hotel, dealing with complaints, problem solving, disturbances, special requests and any other issues that may arise.

REquiREmEnts

•Must have ten years or more experience working at the Front Office Department of a five star resort.

•Must have extensive knowledge of Visual One Property Management System.•Strong organizational skills required.•Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.•Excellent oral and written communication skills required.•Must be willing to work unsociable hours and a variety of split shifts.•Excellent people skills in order to communicate well with guests and staff.•Good presentation and a pleasant, friendly personality required.

The remuneration for this position for this position is $36,000.00 per annum, commensurate with experience. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by January 29, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable

applicants will be contacted by email or telephoned to schedule an interview.

Inmates complain of mistreatment while in police custody

Police are investigating three complaints made by inmates in H.M. prison, Grand Turk, who claim that they were mistreated in police custody at the South Dock/Chalk Sound police station in Providenciales. There were very serious allegations made against some of the police officers such as complaints of inhumane and degrading treatment at the police station for over an extended period of days/weeks, brutality by police officers whilst in Chalk Sound Police Station under investigation and inhumane and degrading treatment while being held at the South Dock/Chalk Sound police station. Rodney Adams Deputy Commissioner Acting told The SUN, “I can confirm that we at the office of Complaints and Discipline have received three complaints from inmates at HM Prison detailing allegations against members of the Force. As result I have reviewed the complaints and have since action them out for a full investigation. He added: “We therefore wish to reassure you the public and the complainants that we will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover to the truth as to what has transpired at the Chalk Sound Police Station.” The inmates wrote letters to both Commissioner of Police Mr. James Smith and Mr. John Masters Director of Public Prosecutions, stating what were their complaints and asking for full investigation. These letters were dated 20th January, 2016. Remanded inmate Juan Alfonso Vargas wrote: “Dear Sirs, I am in prison recovering so peacefully from the torture of the ill treatment by Police officers at the Chalk Sound police station in Providenciales. I am a Dominican national who has been living in the Turks and Caicos Islands for years. I was arrested by police on allegations of dishonesty along with three (3) others. “I was remanded in prison on the allegation and I have to go back to court on 19 February, 2016. Since being in prison I had to recover from being sprayed with mace in my face from illegally acting police officer of high rank. This is setting no kind of proper example from the more junior officers beneath their ranks. I am calling on you to deal with the conduct of your police station, or you and your department will be sued for the cause of some one’s death very, very soon. This is seriously getting out of control. Why is it that you never come down to the police station to see what is going on down there? Why is it that you don’t have any one in charge to ensure that the rights of prisoners are being properly upheld? You better take things under control down at that illegally operating police station or someone is going to die soon.” The letter added: “I will appreciate it if you can bring criminal charges against those unlawful acting officers down in Chalk Sound police station. You need to set an example with them for what they have done to myself and others down at the station. If you continue to do nothing with these legitimate complaints, things will get worse and out of hand speedily. I do hope some action is taken and taken soon with these officers

please SIR.” He then went on to name the officers and added. “The station orderlies are nasty people. They do not know how to treat people’s family or talk to people when they come to the station to see or visit people. You better do something and do something fast and urgently. Hope to hear from you and see actions very, very soon.” Remanded Inmate Wolbert Ferguson wrote: “Dear Mr. Smith I was arrested a few weeks ago and was taken to the Calk Sound police station where I was held for some long days along with other different persons. I must say that while being held at the Chalk Sound police station for those several days I was treated inhumanely, unfair and unlawfully by some of your police officers stationed at the Chalk Sound police station. The Chalk Sound station officers were spraying mace on prisoner’s faces for no apparent reason. We were not even getting our food on time, when it was lunch time we still did not get feed breakfast yet. When sprayed in my face, the chemicals in the spray got me very sick and I was vomiting all over the holding cell. When I was trying to explain to the officers that I need to go to the hospital because of my illness, they ignored me and refused to take me to the hospital. Me and the other prisoners were not getting any drinking water for hours.” The letter added: “Moreover, whenever our family members come with clothes and food items, they were turned back, presuming that they do not have the authority to accept anything for any inmate/prisoner being held for any reason stated by the station orderly....It is very disappointing and a real disgrace to the police force itself, that’s full of unlawful, illegal and unprofessional officers. We had to curse them out, yell at them just to get our entitled food and water. The living conditions of that station in that station in Chalk Sound are unbelievable. The station is dirty, stink and it is not a place to hold any type of prisoner for no amount of time. The back of that police station has to be breaking some type of sanitation and health laws the way the living conditions of the station currently are. It has to be restored. “Can you please, as police commissioner launch a full investigation into this. We had no food or water for hours, breakfast was brought in the afternoon, I was ill and wasn’t taken to the hospital. This really has to be dealt with because my intentions are to take this further. Please deal with this serious situation before it leads to a fatality from bad treatment in the back of the said police station. Please do not ignore this complaint. I hope to hear from you soon.” Inmate Garrick Tucker wrote:

“Dear Mr. Smith, I cannot help but to start this complaint correspondence to you no other way but to start by saying that you have a number of wicked evil and illegally operational police officers in the Chalk Sound Police Station out at South Dock Providenciales. Myself and a number of other different persons were held at the Chalk Sound police station along with me over the weeks/drugs I spent at the police station. It is despicable how the police officers are down there spraying

mace on people (prisoners) face and not feeding the prisoners on time. It is shameful to see how prisoners are sleeping on nothing proper and whenever people’s family bring them clothes and foods to eat, it is turned back by the stations orderly, stating that they have no authority to accept things for prisoners being held under investigation or any other reason. I was sprayed in my face repeatedly by police officers while at the Chalk Sound station. I tried complaining repeatedly but no one heard me or even tried to stop to take my complaint or even hear me out. Officers spraying inmates/prisoners for no reason are inspector Mapp, inspector Hope and a few others that I do not know their names but they come on from time to time. Furthermore they deliberately held me at the police station for weeks and days, threatened me about not sending me to Grand Turk prison until I confess and tell them all I did while out in Providenciales. I was treated inhumanely, illegally and unlawfully by the police officers while in their custody and I will like for you to launch a full investigation into this because I do intend to take this further. No food for hours, no water for hours, breakfast coming to us around 3pm or later. Sometimes the breakfast and lunch

reach around the same time while myself and the others in the back there hungry and cursing them out for food and water. Something has to be done with that illegal treatment going on at the Chalk Sound police station and someone need to look into the living conditions of the Chalk Sound police station, it is nasty, stink, unhealthy and can make any human being sick (which is happening to me or people like myself who were/are held there for beyond the lawfully prescribed time). Please do not ignore this complaint and deal with this serious situation before someone ends up dead from bad treatment in the bank of the said police station. I hope to hear from you soon.”

By Todeline Defralien

Rodney Adams Deputy Commissioner Acting

LOCAL NEWSPage 6 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Seven Stars Resort is currently seeking highly qualified candidates to fill the positions outlined below. The ideal candidate must possess the relevant professional qualifications and experience in a luxury resort environment, as well as a professional, outgoing and friendly demeanor with a strong command of the English Language (oral and written). Salary is based on education, experience and qualifications.

SPA THERAPIST

We are currently seeking a Spa Therapist to administer professional massage and body treatments to our valued guests. In addition to performing treatment procedures at the highest standards of service, the Spa Therapist will have thorough knowledge of various massage techniques and possess a comprehensive understanding of body treatments included, but not limited to, facials, massages, physiotherapy, wellness solutions, manicures, and pedicures. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills with the ability to deliver service in accordance with the Resorts high standards.

REquiRED qualifications

•5-7 years’ experience in the Spa and Beauty industry•Relevant degree or equivalent combination of experience and education

•Exceptional knowledge of current spa trends, products and treatments

•Proven skills up-selling, cross-selling and pre-selling services and products

•Knowledge of holistic concepts and treatments including facials, full body treatments, massages, physiotherapy, and manicures and pedicures

•Enthusiastic demeanor with excellent customer service skills•Professional appearance and business friendly approach•Strong communication skills with strong listening skills and a good command of the English language

•Exceptionally clean with a strong attention to detail•Self -motivated with very strong organization skills•Ability to stand and walk for up to 8 consecutive hours per day•Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds

HOUSEKEEPING ATTENDANT

•Suitable candidates must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working at a 5 Star Resort in a similar role.

•Must have a strong attention to details and exceptional ability to maintain the highest standards of quality required.

•Assist in all Housekeeping responsibilities, cleaning of guest rooms, stocking amenities and linens.

•Must have the ability to lift at least 50lbs.•Perform any other tasks or projects as directed by Housekeeping Manager.

•Clean police record is required

In addition, we are also currently recruiting for the following:

•Lead Bellman•Food Runners, Servers, Bartenders •Demi Chef De Partie•Crystallizing Specialist•Tailor

Interested candidates should apply via e-mail to Seven Stars at hr@sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration. Application deadline: February 5, 2016.

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING ABOVE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.

Ministers criticised for absence at Question Time in Parliament

Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Robert Hall touched the issue of Ministers not being in the House to answer their questions when questions are being asked. He addressed this issue on Monday January 25th, 2016 during a House of Assembly meeting in Grand Turk. Due to questions that were asked by the Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, and left unanswered she asked the Speaker of the House of Assembly ‘Are we going to allow that to be asked later you made no decision on it? . The Opposition Leader added:

“Mr. Speaker please I posed eight questions. Mr. Speaker, I know you

didn’t recognize me and please forgive me and Mr. Speaker I got two answers and a half. Let the record reflect that I would like for all these questions...to be answered orally in the House of Assembly whenever Ministers feel it’s important enough to attend I will like for them to answer them .” The Speaker replied, “It is disappointing when question time comes, some people have to be away sometimes unavoidably absent but ministers must make the effort to be here to answer their questions. All those questions where the answers are not available, as long as they become available during question time and if those ministers who are to answer questions were not here and they come in during question time then those questions ought to be answered. If not

they will have to be referred to another time. But I’d rather that I would

certainly like to see them all call off now.” The House of Assembly of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the legislature of that British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The name of the house was changed from the Legislative Council of the Turks and Caicos Islands to its present name following the implementation of the new constitution on 9 August 2006. In August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos’ self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly were vested in the islands’ governor until a general election was held in November 2012.

Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Robert Hall

Digicel Play launches new bundle packages As part of its continuing evolution as the provider of the ultimate in home entertainment within the Turks & Caicos Islands, Digicel has once again changed the way the industry works by now offering dual bundle TV and broadband packages. What does this mean for customers? Customers will now have the ability to get TV and Broadband services all in one bill, which will

allow them to save while still enjoying crystal clear digital TV and amazing broadband internet. There are three new bundles for customers to choose from: Play Loud, which includes 114 digital TV channels with 10Mbps broadband; Play Bold, which includes 145 digital TV channels with 10Mbps broadband; and Play Strong, which includes 174 digital TV channels with 10Mbps broadband.

“Digicel is always looking for ways to give our customers the best value and service possible, along with offering the best variety of choice. Hence, we have launched these new bundles with every existing and potential customer in mind,” explained Trina Adams, Digicel’s Head of Marketing. Adams went on to say that:

“Customers will find that these new bundle packages gives them the

best of both worlds, while spending less on a monthly basis. These new bundle packages cater to every income level; with packages starting as low as $99, customers can save up to a whopping $170 per month, if they had bought the TV and broadband separately. This is just the start of things to come as Digicel looks to innovate with unique and extraordinary product offers for our customers.”

By Todeline Defralien

LOCAL NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 7

LOCAL NEWS

Governor's appointed member Hon Lillian Missick saying that Grand Turk has gone to the dogs. The Governor’s appointed member addressed this issue at the House of Assembly in Grand Turk on Monday January 25th, 2016. She said, “Mr. Speaker I grew up at a time when you would hear the elderly persons talking about things gone to the dogs. You know that expression. Well I’m here to say that Grand Turk has literally gone to the dogs. This place Mr. Speaker is overrun by diseased and emaciated dogs and Mr. Speaker they have

no compunction, although they are diseased and emaciated, about having their way in middle of the street being a hazard to drivers.” Missick added: “Mr. Speaker, we’re also overrun with donkeys. Two days ago, I counted 18 donkeys outside the cemetery and each one of them you can multiply it by two. Each of those I stopped to count and looked at their face. Mr. Speaker this is not good enough and perhaps you know people can continue to blame the environmental health department, but if I were an employee of the government working in Environmental Health I don’t know that I could got to work. The entire surroundings do not suggest that people can be productive. It is dirty,

when we had the rain the other day; I went in the building the building is flooded and the staff is sitting in that building with all that sitting water; and that building is mold infected.” The MP said that to add insult to injury, seven years after Hurricane Ike, Education Department personnel are still sitting in that building that should have been demolished a long time ago. "That’s not good enough," she said, "and so I am saying this because the government is going through its budget phase right now. Please, for God sake for the health of the people of this country, do something about these conditions. These conditions are unacceptable and I had to say that the

government needs to understand that we are all tax payers in this country."

NOTICERegulation 7 of the Physical Planning

(Development Permission) Regulations, 1990

An Application, REGISTERED PR 12328, by Windward Development Co. Ltd. has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of a subdivision of the land at Block/Parcel 60903/29 for a subdivision of sixteen residental home parcels on Bougainvillea Drive in Leeward. The application includes the excavation of an 80’ wide canal from Leeward Going Through Channel down the center of the parcel, as well as professional site landscaping and associated marine works in keeping with the Leeward community and existing waterways. The Project is low density and will add value to the surrounding properties and the community. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice.

RESORT MANAGER

The ideal candidate will have:

* Minimum of 5 years hotel or resort experience at a senior level

* Relevant academic qualification

* Proven strong leadership and people- management skills

* Proactive approach to management

* Excellent understanding of resort accounting * Personal transportation

Forward resume and covering letter to resort@faym.com

prior to February 12, 2016

pRoviDEncialEs REsoRt sEEks ExpERiEncED managER to ovERsEE all opERations as wEll

as plannED Expansion.

Grand Turk 'gone to the dogs', says Hon. Lillian MissickBy Todeline Defralien

Governor's Appointed Member Hon Lillian Missick

Wetlands for our future "World Wetlands Day 2016" Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods is the theme for World Wetlands Day in 2016. The Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA), in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos National Trust and the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) will be highlighting the vital role of wetlands for the future of humanity. World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. “DEMA, and its partners,

hope to educate the community at large about the importance of wetlands to our Islands’ ecosystems as a whole. Wetlands are often neglected, or worse: filled for building, however these sites are very diverse providing habitats for marine and terrestrial fauna as well as important floral species. If we understand this, conservation of our wetlands would come automatically,” said Amy Avenant (DEMA Environmental Outreach Coordinator). Recently a number of mangrove seedlings were removed from Wheeland pond after a school planting. On February 2nd Students from the Clement Howell High

School will be assisting DEMA and the National Trust by replanting mangroves in the area. Youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are encouraged to participate in the International World Wetlands Day Photo Contest. The contest will run from 2 February to 2 March, 2016. The winner will win a free flight to a famous wetland of their choice courtesy of Star Alliance Biosphere Connections, and other prizes will be given to runners up. To enter the competition Young people are invited to take a photo that shows “people making a living from wetlands” Upload up to 3 photos on the World Wetlands Day website www.worldwetlandsday.

org Other members of the public can participate by voting for their favourite photo and help contribute to the selection process. DEMA and the National Trust would also like to invite members of public to join them for a brief walk-through of Wheeland Pond, on Providenciales, on Saturday 6 February 2016. The walk will begin at 08:00 am sharp. Come along and learn why wetlands are important! For more information, please either contact DEMA’s Environment utreach Coordinator, Amy Avenant, at 338 4176 or Avenant.amy@gmail.com or the Turks & Caicos National Trust at 941-5710/ jeksayao@yahoo.com

LOCAL NEWSPage 8 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Turks and Caicos SunSuite#5, Airport Plaza

ProvidencialesTurks and Caicos Islands

Tel: (649) 339-5879Fax: (649) 941-3281

Email: sun@suntci.com

Read us online at www.suntci.com

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce

Office Manager: Dominique Rigby

Graphic designerInformation Technology

and Production Manager: Kelano Howell

Todeline DefralienReporter

The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary

of The SUN Media Group Ltd.

We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the

overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTIONScotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

1.Parcel 60503/64 Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales. Single storey with seven bedrooms, three bathrooms, living/dining room, kitchen and laundry room on 0.35 acre. Registered Proprietor: Cecily Elaine Ewing

2.Parcel 60004/237 North West & North Central, Providenciales. Single storey with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, living room, kitchen and laundry room on 0.20 acre. Registered Proprietor: Oscar O’Brien Forbes

3.Parcel 10501/51 South Suburbs, Grand Turk. Two storey with both lower and upper levels consisting of two bedrooms, one bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and family room on 0.50 acre. Upper level is 70% completed.Registered Proprietors: Mary Hazlyn Joseph-Roberts & Samuel Stephen Roberts

The auction will be held at the office of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, Grace Bay Branch, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 5th day of February 2016.

A reserved price will be fixed on all parcels and a deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

A Senior Associate Attorney is required for a firm based in Providenciales. Applicants must have at least 7 years post qualification experience. Duties include assisting and developing criminal and common law department, undertaking a variety of work including all aspect of criminal defence work, employment, wills and probate, family matters such as adoption, child/spousal

maintenance, divorce, and human rights work.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Application must be submitted no later than 5th February 2016 to:Employment Department

F Corporate & Management Services LimitedTel 649-339-6275 Fax 649-941-4777

Email oa@fcorporatemsl.com

SAUNDERS & CO.LITIGATION ATTORNEY WITH A MINIMUM OF AT

LEAST 15 YEARS POST-QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE WITH ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES:

•Admission to the Turks & Caicos Bar,•A minimum of 15 years experience in commercial litigation and commercial arbitration at all courts levels ,

•Qualified and experienced as an arbitrator in the areas of insurance and banking disputes;

•Hard working with a willingness to work long hours including weekends and holidays; and

•Fluent French and Spanish are essential.

Salary will commensurate with experience, minimum starting rate is $300.00 per hour.

Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to Saunders & Co., Attention: Office Manager – via Fax: 941-4533 or

Email: info@ saunders.tc

Provo Golf Club seeks a qualified mechanic. A minimum of twelve(12) years experience in golf course equipment is required andthe applicant must possess the following skills and experience.

REquiREmEnts

•A history of maintenance of Golf Carts, mowers and tractors.•General maintenance and repairs of all equipment used and operated on the Golf Course.

•Ordering or replacing any parts necessary.•An aptitude to work unsociable hours is required.

Salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by February 5, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

MECHANIC GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT

PDM opens candidate selection

The Peoples Democratic Movement in preparation for the upcoming General Election is hereby notifying the voting public that it is opening its process for candidate selection. The Party’s Constitution makes provision for the selection of candidates and qualifications for elected office in section 24 but namely:

a.Be members of the Party in good standing

b.Be registered voters and

c.Satisfy the qualifications for membership of the Legislature as laid down by the Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Additionally, prospective candidates for elections shall

be either:

a.Recommended to the Candidates Committee in writing by the Branch of the Party in the constituency concerned;

b.Recommended to the Candidates Committee by an affiliated member of

the Party orc.An individual member of the Party in good standing who applies in writing to the Candidates Committee.

The Peoples Democratic Movement throughout the Islands are readying themselves in preparation to bring a better government to the Turks and Caicos people and usher in a new era of PDM Government.

Prospective candidates are required to join an Island Branch in their respective constituencies.

Corruption trial continues The corruption trial of former Turks and Caicos Islands Premier, Michael Misick and others, continued before Mr. Justice Paul Harrison last week. Lead prosecutor for the Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT), Andrew Mitchell, QC, continued his opening

statement which is now going into its third week. More than 100 persons, including former Governor Richard Tauwhare, current Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Brathwaite-Knowles, former First Lady LisaRaye McCoy, several former and current senior civil servants, local developers, lawyers,

business persons and residents, will be called as prosecution witnesses, or their statements to the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) relied upon. The SUN Media Group will be providing full coverage on all of its media platforms after the opening statement.

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 9

LOCAL NEWSPage 10 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

General Manager for Dive OperationEast Bay Resort is looking for a dedicated professional with at least a minimum of 10 years diving experience in a management position. Needs to be a PADI open water scuba instructor and SSI open water instructor needs to be fluent in German, English and Spanish.

•Must have a strong ability to negotiate, organize and be self-motivated with a strong sales background.

•Must be able to organize and build a dive operation from the ground up. •Candidate has to have a proven ability to build a strong customer client relationships.

•Candidates have to be a licensed boat Captain with proper documentation.•Needs to have high time management skills and be available according to guest needs and hotel occupancy.

Beginning salary commensurate with experienceInterested applicants may submit your resume with qualifications and experience to: info@saunders.tc

TCI gaming officials visit Jamaica The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) of Jamaica on Friday (January 22) hosted consultations with government officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands, to aid that country in the finalization of its gaming policy, reformation of its gaming laws and the crafting of regulations. The team from the Turks and Caicos Islands, including the Permanent Secretary, with responsibility for Gaming in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Culture and Heritage, Mrs. Desiree Lewis, along with the heads of the Gaming Inspectorate, is on a three-day official visit to the island. Mrs. Lewis, in an interview with JIS News during the meeting, held at the BGLC head office on Hagley Park Road in Kingston, hailed Jamaica as a leader in the regulation of the gaming industry in the English-speaking Caribbean, noting that this is the reason it was important to seek discussions with the Jamaican stakeholders. “This is going to help us to strengthen and modernize the legislation. We felt that coming to Jamaica gives us greater exposure of what another Caribbean country is doing and how they are executing their legislation, regulation, enforcement and licensing processes,” she said, adding that the Turks and Caicos Islands is undergoing a reform of its Gaming Inspectorate. The Deputy Chief Gaming Inspector, Wayne Higgs, explained that the Turks and Caicos has been

experiencing challenges with illegally-operated game houses and is seeking ways to eradicate the practice and have better governance of the industry.

“We know it’s going to be quite difficult, but it is something that we can get through. This meeting will help us in (determining) the way forward and to move in the right direction with our gaming laws and regulation,” he said. Chairman of the BGLC, Gary Peart, said this visit by the Turks and Caicos Islands justifies the investments the Commission has made in trying to achieve international standards in the regulation of the gaming industry. “We deliberately invested in our people going to the international markets to understand what happens

in international jurisdictions. We have brought that back to Jamaica, so we have raised the level of compliance, registration (and) enforcement and we view this visit as a testament to the good work that we have done,” he said. He argued that this heightened expertise of the BGLC staff also presents opportunities for the Commission to earn foreign exchange through outsourcing its services across the Caribbean, in helping other countries to formulate regulations. The BGLC, last year, commenced hosting a Gaming Summit, which Mr. Peart has also credited for increasing the international awareness of Jamaica as one of the leaders in the sector.

The Summit, which was initially focused on horseracing, is an annual event. “So, as we increase enforcement and we talk about things like internet gaming and the different aspects of gaming, what we have found is that more information counts. At the summit, by speaking to our local and international stakeholders, we are getting closer to where the benchmark is internationally,” he said. Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Casino Gaming Commission, Phillip Shelton, was also in attendance at the meeting to provide insight into how Jamaica’s casino gaming industry operates and is regulated.

Chairman of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), Mr. Gary Peart (third left), with (from left): Acting Director of the Turks and Caicos Island Gaming Inspectorate, Mr. Desmond Ewing; Permanent Secretary, with responsibility for Gaming in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Culture and Heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Mrs. Desiree Lewis; Turks and Caicos Islands Policy Analyst, Miss Rebecca Astwood; and Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Chief Gaming Inspector, Mr. Wayne Higgs, at a meeting that the Turks and Caicos Islands government officials had with the BLGC to facilitate discussions on how the Commission regulates the gaming Industry in Jamaica, at BGLC head office in Kingston, on Friday, January 22.

Discover what’s possible

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

/ScotiabankTC

Call 649 339 7100or visit your nearest branch.

@ScotiabankTC

Welcome Bonus offers end March 15, 2016.

Apply today and get FREE† additional cards!

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

Reward yourself in two easy waysChoose one or both!

Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, NYC and Miami

†

Scotiabank AERO™ Platinum MasterCard®

Get a Welcome Bonus up to

10,000 ScotiaPoints†

Travel Rewards

#MoreGreatCities #MostCashBackEver

Scotiabank Gold MasterCard®

Get a Welcome Bonus of

US$40† Cash Back

Cash Back

†

TCI_Q1 Credit Card Campaign2016_5.125x6.5.indd 1 1/19/16 10:16 AM

FOR SALE2004 GMC YUKON

$11,000 OBOContact 231 4479

LOCAL NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 11

LOCAL NEWS

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE BOARDThe Turks & Caicos Islands National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Chief Financial Officer.

position: chiEf financial officER

Job summaRy

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for directing the fiscal functions of the NHIB in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and any other financial management techniques and practices appropriate within the health and insurance industry.

main DutiEs anD REsponsibilitiEs

Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the NHIB’s fiscal function and performance. Participate in the development of the company’s plans and programs as a strategic partner. Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning and the introduction of new programs/strategies Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports and financial trends in order to assist the CEO and the Board in performing their responsibilities. Develop, implement and enforce financial policies and procedures that will improve the overall operation, efficiency and effectiveness of the company. Provide technical financial knowledge and advice to others within the financial discipline. May perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or any other person authorized to give instructions or assignments. Lead the timely completion of the financial statement audit process. Assist in the completion of key accounting functions such as reconciliations, manage and supervise the finance, compliance and billing teams.

minimum qualification & ExpERiEncE REquiRED:

Candidates should have a Master ’s degree in Accounting or equivalent combination of education and experience Preferably with professional qualification as a CPA or any equivalent accounting designation. At least 7 years of experience in a senior finance management role is a must.

REquiRED knowlEDgE anD skills:

Experienced financial leader with appropriate industry experience, strong supervisory and mentoring skills, high ethical standards, exceptional analytical and problem solving, well-organized and self-directed, excellent written/verbal communication, speak, read and write in excellent English language, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel Spreadsheets and Pivot Tables, and Accounting software packages, effective time management skills. Solid understanding of international financial reporting standards Solid understanding of the NHIB Ordinance and Regulations Experience in healthcare financing Training in International Accounting Standards for Social Security Experience In Microsoft Dynamics Team worker who is willing to take a hands-on approach to the role.

SAlARy

Salary shall commensurate with qualifications and experience. Deadline for submission: January 29, 2016 All applications shall be addressed to:

Zaneta BurtonChief Executive Officer

National Health Insurance BoardSalt Mills PlazaProvidenciales

Turks & Caicos IslandsEmail: recruitment@tcinhip.tc

What is leadership?

LIFE - Leadership, Integrity, Fraternity, and EducationHOPE - Help Our People ExcelPOWER - Possessing Our Wealth, Economy and Resources

What is leadership?

The above question sounds simple enough, and when answering many will tell you that leadership is simply being in charge or in command, being the one to make the decisions.

While this is absolutely true, we must understand that leadership is so much more than that. While the word ‘leadership’ holds simple conations for most, it means much more than simply being in charge or making decisions. We must understand that there are effective leaders and there are those in a position of leadership; they are not necessarily the same thing. You see, the difference here is position versus purpose.

What do I mean by this?

Often times many persons are given a position where they are in charge of others. However, there hearts have no desire for progress or change, so they keep doing the same things that have always been done. It’s not that they’re not capable but they have not developed a desire for purpose in that role. They may have a lot going on but their actions doesn’t give inspiration to those around them, and therefore, they struggle to gain momentum in their leadership.

What we must understand is that leadership isn’t just about the leader, but also about the people they lead. As a leader you will develop a

purpose for your leadership by having a heart for the people that you lead. Real effective leadership isn’t about getting people to confirm to your way but about transforming people’s faith in their own abilities through your vision. Successful people identify what they do well; but successful leaders identify what others do well. Aside from the above, I firmly believe that there are a few more key characteristics that any leader should have. Some of these key characteristics are:

1.Innovation: Leadership is about introducing something new or different that hasn’t been seen before or taking something already existing or established and transforming it into something new or different. Good leadership is creative and transformative. Innovation in leadership is a process which takes time.

2.Decisiveness: A leader must not be afraid to make decisions. Sometimes those decisions will be very hard choices but a leader must have the ability to make good decisions quickly and effectively. Often times, those closest to you may not agree with your choice but being decisive may be the

difference between life and death.

3.Problem Solving: A leader must have the ability to solve a problem, whether that problem is in the conception of ideas, in the operation of the organization or even with individuals. They must try to see clearly and be objective. When problems are ignored or not resolve they can grow and become even more dangerous later on.

4.Compassion: A good leader not only cares about achieving their vision but is also empathetic to the needs and concerns of others, especially of those that follow you. A simple compassionate act can motivate even the most disheartened follower to continue on or persuade the hardest enemy to see differently. Leaders must show that they care!

As you may see, these few characteristics are not actually about the leader but how the leader related to others in their role as leader. Successful people position themselves well; successful leaders position others well. Not through favouritism or elitism but through vision. Because the greatest legacy of any leadership is producing more leaders not devoted followers.

by Damian WilsonTCI Patriot

LOCAL NEWSPage 12 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY (EHS) OFFICER

DEScRIPTIon

To facilitate the development, maintenance and delivery of environmental, health and safety programs.

MAIn DuTIES

To work in the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Department responsible for implementing methods, policies and procedures. Assist in the development, maintenance, and implementation of a comprehensive Environmental Health and Safety Management System that is based on the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards. Responsible for the development, maintenance, and implementation of the Company’s Employees and Contractor EHS Manual. Assist in establishing new policies & procedures related to safety and environment. Responsible for preparing, conducting, and reporting results of internal audits on EHS management systems and programs. Responsible for creation, collection and maintenance of documentation and records for EHS programs and such are recorded in department files. Responsible for maintaining and submitting all monthly and annual reporting requirements for EHS systems and programs including training hours, spills, accidents and incident reports. To provide technical support and assist with maintaining EHS programs in all departments and to liaise with the public, first responders, and contract employees as required. Increase awareness by providing environmental, health and safety training to employees and contractors. Ensure that skills, work methods, and procedures are current and appropriate. Conduct regular worksite inspections and work with management and staff to ensure corrective actions are put in place so as to reduce noncompliance. Active participation on various committees including, Fire Marshall Committee, Environmental, Health and Safety Committee and others

as appointed by the EHS Manager. Any other duties assigned by the EHS Manager from time to time during or after normal working hours

AcADEMIc QuAlIfIcATIonS:

A four-year Bachelor’s Degree in the field of engineering, safety, environmental or a related science, Master’s Degree preferred; Five or more years’ experience in safety or environmental areas with certification; Experience in the management of ISO 14001 and/or ISO 18001 systems and programs;

tEchnical/managEmEnt ExpERiEncE

Applies practical and technical knowledge to complex issues and solves problems. Ability to effectively communicate with management and staff to coordinate, implement, and maintain safety, training and environmental programs and procedures. Ability to interpret technical standards and legal requirements for safety, training and environmental matters to ensure company compliance at all times. Ability to meet strict deadlines without compromising quality. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, presentation, writing and communication skills. Stays current with industry standards and changes and demonstrates that knowledge by implementing appropriate changes. Has desire to continually expand knowledge and improve abilities. Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Ability to serve as an administrator for the EHS Department’s various Electronic platforms including but not limited to Vivid Online Training and Entropy Software. Current and valid Turks & Caicos drivers’ license

salaRy commEnsuRatE with ExpERiEncE anD qualifications

Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is February 2, 2016:

Dr. Kellie-Ann Evans-HallManager, Human Resources

FortisTCI LimitedP. O. Box 132, Providenciales

Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or khall@fortistci.com

Fax: 649-946-4532

Cable & Wireless and WhatsApp Sign Partnership

Cable & Wireless (C&W) and WhatsApp have entered into a strategic marketing partnership. A first for the Caribbean, this exciting deal offers C&W customers access to the full range of WhatsApp features across the company’s networks. As a result of this partnership, C&W will introduce a suite of innovative packages with additional benefits for customers, which will be unveiled across all its markets in the coming months. Cable & Wireless’s brands – Flow, BTC, and LIME – are currently the only officially authorized providers of WhatsApp data bundles in the Caribbean region. The agreement between

Cable & Wireless with the world’s leading mobile messenger application, WhatsApp, highlights C&W’s commitment to bring the best value to customers through strategic partnerships. “Since the emergence of Over The Top (OTT) Communication services, Cable & Wireless has maintained our commitment to work with authorized service providers to ensure customers have access to world-leading services on their devices, running on the region’s best networks,” said John Reid, C&W’s Consumer Group President. “We are excited to work with Cable & Wireless to help people across the Caribbean stay better connected

with friends and family,” said Brian Acton, Co-Founder of WhatsApp. The most popular cross-platform mobile messaging app available today, WhatsApp Messenger is used by more than 900 million people worldwide to communicate with friends and family, near and far. The application enables WhatsApp calls, the sharing of photos, videos and audio messages, and allows the user to engage in multiple messaging conversations simultaneously on mobile phones and via WhatsApp Web. Reid added, “This partnership with WhatsApp will improve ease and convenience of communication technology, enrich our customers’ experience, and is therefore consistent

with our mission – “Connecting Communities… and Transforming Lives.” Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) is a full service communications and entertainment provider, operating in the Caribbean and Latin America. With annual sales of over $2.4bn, it operates both mobile and fixed networks, supported by submarine and terrestrial optical fibre backhaul capacity. Through the acquisition of Columbus International Inc. on 31 March 2015, CWC now delivers superior high-speed mobile data, broadband and video services. It has leading market positions in Mobile, Fixed Line, Broadband and Video consumer offers.

Blue Haven Resort named winner in2016 TripAdvisor travelers’ choice awards for hotels

Blue Haven Resort & Marina announced it has been recognized as a winner in the Top Hotels in the Caribbean category of the 2016 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ awards for Hotels, ranking 7th out of 43 hotels in Providenciales. For the 14th year, TripAdvisor has highlighted the world’s top properties based on the millions of reviews and opinions

collected in a single year from travelers around the globe. The hallmarks of Travelers’ Choice winners are remarkable service, quality and value. Blue Haven Resort’s private beach, exclusive Leeward address and IGY Marina provides visitors with the ultimate combination of a relaxing and peaceful environment, and a convenient departure point for

marine adventures.Resort facilities include two restaurants, an infinity swimming pool, a gourmet market and café, Elevate Day Spa, a 24 hour gym, and beach service and hammocks at the resort’s private beach. Spacious air conditioned rooms and suites offer contemporary décor, free Wi-Fi, flat screen tv’s, and free coffee and tea provisions. Suites

feature state of the art kitchens, washers and dryers, and private terraces or balconies. Rates include a daily breakfast credit and a free shuttle to dine at sister properties Alexandra Resort and Beach House Turks and Caicos. Blue Haven Resort is affiliated with Stash, the loyalty rewards program for independent hotels.

LOCAL NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 13

LOCAL NEWS

Hon. Clarence Selver speaks out against abuse of foreign women who come here to work

Opposition Appointed Member Hon. Clarence Selver is speaking out against the abuse of foreign women who come to work in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Speaking in the House of Assembly in Grand Turk on Monday January 25th, 2016, Selver said that the Turks and Caicos Islands has seen

“a serious shift in what we tolerate and our minds have become transformed and compromised in such a way that these things don’t bother us”. He said there must be a stop to some of these practices. Hon Selver stated: “We have laws, but I have heard some horror stories of people who are brutalized physically in this country. A Haitian gentleman came to me and he told me that there exists a situation where young girls are being brought in from Haiti to work in a restaurant and they think they come to do a legitimate job because they weren’t involved in prostitution back home, but they are seeking a better life. So they come here with legitimate documentation to work in a restaurant, but once they get here, they are told by the proprietor that ‘hey you are here for more than serving tables’.” He added that once the women arrive in Turks and Caicos Islands,

the person who applied for their work permits “grabs hold of their d o c u m e n t s ” and cause the women to be

“living in a state of fear”. Hon. Selver c o n t i n u e d :

“They (the women) can’t go and they can’t come and because some of these persons use threats, whether real or imagined, they’re afraid to go to the authorities to let them know what kind of dilemma they face.” He continued: “We are talking about in the Turks and Caicos Island people being dehumanized. I am trying to show what is actually happening here and Mr. Speaker we can pass this law now but unless we have a change of mind and a change of heart towards these practices there will be no enforcement or very little enforcement. There will be hardly anything that will

be done to arrest this situation.” Selver said that in the Turks and Caicos Islands so many laws are passed but the country is very low on the scale of enforcement. “We should not have to wait for persons on the outside to urge us that this evil that we are trying now trying to correct or to put some laws in place actually is discouraged. We should do so because we are basic moral persons I’m not

talking about Christians Mr. Speaker I’m talking about being a moral human being,” Selver said. He added: “Mr. Speaker we need for us to have a moral conscience. We have laws in this country that criminalize homicide, murders and people get murdered in this country now and the rates are going up year every year, and what is the detection rate? What is the charge rate? What is the conviction rate? And when we hear

about somebody get shot down the road now, unless it’s one of our close relatives, we seem to take that as just another statistic and most people say well ‘I’m sorry for that family but aint nothing coming out of that’. And we take that sort of mental approach, that lack of social responsibility as a citizen towards that kind of heinous crimes when it impacts on our own people. “ Selver continued: “We couldn’t care less about foreigners coming in here and being ill treated, but charity begins at home. If we take that sort of mentality, mental attitude and approach towards what is happening to our people, I don’t care how much law we pass, we will be meeting a national obligation but we would be falling down on our own responsibility in this country towards these sorts of things. Mark my word, the same way how the young girls are being imported it wouldn’t be long if it aint already happening your going the see the little boy coming in here as tourists as well.” Selver told the Speaker of the house that he thinks that this thing has reached a point where the pastors don’t seem to want to deal with it and they look to the church as the place that would set the moral parameter for the people, but if they the pastors are not doing so as forcefully as they should, then he thinks that somebody has to speak out.

By Todeline Defralien

Opposition Appointed Member Hon. Clarence Selver

Civil Service in Action Committee Launched

The Civil Service Association which is a very vital organ of the public service and has an opportunity to play a very key role in making representations and doing other work on behalf of civil servants in government, was very active during the restructuring of the civil service in 2011/2012, but had since become dormant. Given its importance, a new committee comprised of civil servants from across government has been established by the Office of the Deputy Governor to focus on developing several social community based programs in the civil service and as a first priority will be working towards the revitalization of the Civil

Service Association (CSA). The Committee which is called Civil Service In Action (CSIA), has already met on three occasions since its inception to develop plans to host a nomination and election process for the new President, Vice-President and Executive Board of the CSA. On Wednesday January 20th, 2016 the Committee held an official handover meeting with the former Presidents and Vice-President of the CSA: the Honourable Dr. Rufus Ewing, Mrs. Louise Thomas and Mr. Jamell Robinson along with Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams. Premier Honourable Dr. Rufus Ewing stated: “As a former President of the CSA I am passionate

about this initiative and can attest to the true value of its existence. My government has committed over the years to investing heavily into the civil service and this initiative can only add to the great work that we have planned for the future.” Commenting on the work of the new Committee, Deputy Governor Anya Williams said: “I am pleased that these committed civil servants have taken up the task of becoming members of the new CSIA and to working towards the revitalization of the Civil Service Association. “Substantial improvements have been made in the civil service during the past three years and the CSA has a very vital role to play not

only in making representation on behalf of civil service going forward, but also in assisting to shape policies and programs aimed at the betterment of the service through its representation as part of the Public Service Commission, in keeping with its constitutional remit. This is an initiative that is fully supported by my office and should be welcomed by all civil servants across government.” Over the course of the next three months the Committee intends to hold public meetings with civil servants across government to discuss and emphasize the importance of reestablishing the CSA with the intention of hold an election in March 2016.

CSIA Membership:Dr. Anya Malcolm and Ms. Renessa Williams - Ministry of Health and Human ServicesMr. Patterson Williams and Ms. Nasiya Misick - Ministry of Finance and InvestmentMr. Clyde Green and Ms. Anika Talbot - Ministry of Home Affairs, TransportationMs. Antinique Hall - Ministry of Education, Youth, SportsMr. Joseph Williams - Ministry of Border Control and Labour Mrs. Teresa Andrews - Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and PlanningMs. Angela Freites - Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture

LOCAL NEWSPage 14 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Digicel pays customers’ bills for a year Digicel, in its continued effort to keeping families connected in the diaspora, has launched its latest best value promotion this tax season called, ‘Bills on Us’. ‘Bills on Us’ means that when customers in the USA, UK or Canada send top up to family and friends in the Caribbean, they get a chance to have their bills and that of the receiver paid for one full year. “We understand how tight things can be financially after the holidays when bills start piling up, so we are very happy to be in a position where we can offer

some relief to our customers in the diaspora along with their families back home,” said Declan Cassidy, CEO of Digicel Diaspora. “We’re always looking for ways to reward our customers with meaningful and practical prizes and we are sure that customers will be very happy to have their bills paid for an entire year courtesy of Digicel,” Cassidy continued. Two lucky winners each week, starting January 25, 2016 to March 20, 2016 will have their bills paid for the year, whether it’s their credit card bill, their electricity bill or their

cable bill valued at up to US$3,000 for the sender. To qualify to win in Digicel’s Bills on Us promotion, customers simply need to send top up transactions starting at US$15 or send a prepaid data or international long distance plan to friends and family in Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad or the rest of the Caribbean over the eight-week promotional period. Diaspora senders can send top up back home from DigicelTopUp.com, from a Digicel branded store near them or from

the Digicel Top Up App available for download in the App Store or Google Play. Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After almost 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network. Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special

Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programs.

Class of 2005 donates drum set to the Clement Howell High School

Former students of the Clement Howell High Schools class of 2005 made a generous donation back to their former school on January 11th, 2016 where they purchase a drum set and delivered it to their former school. Former student and graduate of the Clement Howell High School graduating class of 2005 and also the President of the Class of 2005 Charity Tavardo Reasias told The SUN, “As a member of the Class of 2005 and the Class of 2005 Charity it is our mission to support and promote education. Last year in the Month of March we

decided to come together as former students and graduates from the Clement Howell to host our 10 year high school graduation anniversary. But we didn’t want to just do a high school reunion. We wanted to give something back to the school that could be of good use.” Reasias added: “We formed a committee and began planning several events such as a walkathon, and selling of food items to raise money in order to give back to the school. We met with the Principal Ms. Cunningham and asked her some of

the challenges that the school was facing and she advised us that the school was in need of a drum set. We successfully pulled off each of the events and came up with enough funds to purchase the drum set.” “In the month of December 2015 it just so happened that the drum set made it to the school a few days before the Christmas concert. The students were overjoyed as many of them had been wanting a drum set for quite some time; especially the one’s interested in playing the drums. On January 11, 2016 we officially handed

over the drum set to the school and shared a few words of encouragement,” he stated. Mr. Reasias also left some very encouraging words with the current students of the Clement Howell High School. “We hope that you will cherish this gift and we hope that it will inspire you to give back something to your community. We know a lot of you might say well I don’t have the money or I am going to wait for the right time. Well if you continue to wait you will be here a year from now still waiting; and the funny this is there will never be a right time for anything. There will never be a right time to study, to show love and appreciation or to give back. I’m here to tell you that if you simply put a plan together, start and be committed you will find out that the time is always now. You know what you have and want to do? So just do it. So once again on behalf of the Class of 2005 former students of the Clement Howell High School thank you all once again,” Mr. Reasias ended. The former students and graduates of the Clement Howell High School Class of 2005 last year hosted a Walkathon on Saturday, September 19, 2015 to raise funds and help with the restoration of the most affected blocks of the Clement Howell High School. The walk was also used to commemorate their fallen classmates and show appreciation to their families, with the photos of their two passed classmates, Kaziah Burke, Avis Car Rental sales representative who was gunned down on the night of Saturday April 13, 2013 and Cynthia Hinsey, the Clement Howell High School teacher, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Thursday August 1st, 2013 along the Leeward Highway, Providenciales photos were printed on their t-shirts.

From L-R ( Student of the music class at the Clement Howell High School, Former student and member of the class of 2005 charity Giovanni Delancy, President of the Class of 2005 Charity Tavardo Reasias, Principal Ms. Cunningham, Quinte Thomas one of Clemet Howell High Schools aspiring drummer, Teacher of the Clement Howell High School and student of the music class.)

LOCAL NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 15

LOCAL NEWS

Vacancy for an experience Payroll /accounts payable clerk:

Interisland Aviation Services Group seeks motivated and hard working individuals with

accounting qualifications or experience.Suitable candidate must have experience with

payroll, quick books accounts payable. Experience with balance sheet reconciliations and are able to multi task and prioritize.Please send your CV to

Joanne.eyre@intercaribbean.com

Please provide 2 references with email contact details.

REQuIRED A QuAlIfIED

CHEF•Must be a culinary graduate•With at least 15 years of culinary experience•12 years experience working under master chef •Must be able to cook Italian, French, American, Asian and Caribbean cuisine

•Must be willing to live in North Caicos•Must be willing to work long hours and weekends•Required to have own transportation

Interested Applicants please apply with full CV to Saunders & CoFax: 649-941-4533 or info@saunders.tc

Salary commensurate with experience.

Governor visits National Museum in Grand Turk

Governor Peter Beckingham recently visited the National Museum in Grand Turk to open a new exhibition, and he was absolutely impressed with what he saw. “I’ve always been a big fan of museums, and working in the Caribbean hasn’t changed my view. The Museum of Slavery in Nassau presents a detailed, and disturbing, account of the impact of slavery in the Bahamas, and museums in St Kitts and Nevis portray a fascinating picture of life before independence. Nelson’s

Dockyard in Antigua is renowned for a superb collection of memorabilia and historic buildings. But for my money, although of course I am biased, our National Museum in Grand Turk takes some beating for its variety of history. In a 90 minute visit it is possible to see remains from a 17th century Spanish galleon sunk off our shores, a short account of the impact of European settlement on local inhabitants, and gauge the extraordinary achievements of some of America’s first astronauts, including John Glenn’s famous splash down in our waters in Friendship 7 in 1962 prompting a visit by no less than the then Vice-President Lyndon B Johnson to Grand Turk,” the Governor stated. He noted that the display he saw includes the famous plumed hats beloved of a former era, and shows how dependent former Governors were on mail and postage. He added: “As well as casting off the archaic symbols of an earlier

era, Governors in our Overseas Territories now have much easier access to guidance, advice and indeed instructions from London. For example, when we and London were considering recently the impact of TCI’s extraordinary economic turnaround, and its success in paying off the UK guaranteed loan, it was possible for representatives of a range of interested officials from different Departments like the Treasury, Foreign Office and International Development in London to gather by teleconference with TCI. Ministerial views are known almost instantly. Similarly, when an event like the arrest of Dominican Republic fishermen or Haitian migrants in our waters takes place, the BBC can carry the news within hours. This means that TCIG or UK Ministers or Governors no longer have the luxury of days, or even hours, to fashion a public statement.” He said that the National Museum gives a great flavour of how

our history and culture has been influenced by surrounding events. “The sinking of a Spanish ship, or even the return to earth of John Glenn, were not known about as rapidly as they would be today. But by understanding our history, and seeing exhibits like those at our National Museum, we are in a much better place to interpret and respond to the different events which impact on Turks and Caicos,” he added. “Congratulations to the Museum, not least as it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, on being such an integral part of TCI’s history and culture. Its director Pat Saxton, the many volunteers who give hours of their time to welcome visitors, and its sponsors deserve all the support we can give. I hope every school in Turks and Caicos will have on its itinerary a visit to the Museum as well as TCI’s other historic landmarks, like “Waterloo”, Duke Street and The House of Assembly.”

Friendship 7

Front Street

TCI Museum

Governors Exhibition Museum

LOCAL NEWSPage 16 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Beaches Resort’s Be Wise Sanitize Campaign - Goes To South Caicos!

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa once again through its Environmental, Health & Safety Department’s (EHS) Be Wise… Sanitize Campaign did its part in helping schools throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands protect itself from the spread of communicable diseases. An exciting group of Volunteers travelled to South Caicos to supply Marjorie Basden High and Iris Stubbs Elementary Schools with items such as hand sanitizers, toiletries , cleaning supplies and anti-bacterial soap and dispensers for each school facility on the island of South Caicos. “This is a great event for us,” said, EHS Manager Monette Colleymore, “Our team engaged students and teachers at both schools with a fun-filled and well received informational session on the importance of hand washing as a tool for effectively removing and preventing the spread of germs in their classrooms.” In addition to cleaning and sanitation supplies, the team took treats, toys and school supplies as an added surprise to uplift and share the

spirit of the holidays with the children living in South Caicos. “The BTC EHS Guardians plans on continuing this project with the other schools on neighbouring

islands such as Grand Turk, and Salt Cay.” The EHS Manager said, “The Be Wise…Sanitize project has been very successful in Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos and South

Caicos. We anticipate the same success in future projects as we promote, teach and educate our communities on health living.” She concluded.

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 17

MANAGER OF IT SOLUTIONS AND ERP SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

To oversee the effort to analyze, validate and document the business and system requirements as well as to support the ERP production environment.

main DutiEs

Lead the implementation of the new ERP system; contribute to the design of core process technology solutions, establishing basic system administration processes and protocols, including business process design: user training, data/quality controls, and change management. Oversee the design, modification and creation of business processes and/or technology enhancements used to implement the business/ technology solutions. This is done through research and an understanding of applicable business processes, systems, and operations requirements. Work with business users to determine scope and requirements for new projects and/or working with business users on issues/ opportunities on existing applications/process. Collaborate with various departments on identifying appropriate technology solutions to business problems; Identify and recommend alternative methods to meet business needs; Provides an industry perspective and improves business processes. Provide business direction for initiatives with the possibility of leading high complexity projects and teams; Work with cross-functional teams to commit resource requirements over the lifecycle of the project. Coordinate and align the IT function and business activities. Coordinate and perform business analysis as needed for various departments. Other responsibilities:

o Creation/ updating &/or reporting of the Monthly Corporate Scorecard Monthly Corporate Targets Weekly Comparative Peak Loads Quarterly Board Package

o Assistant the Corporate Secretary responsible for the

Board and Committee Meetings Minutes of Management and Business Meetings Corporate Reports, Official Documents and Contracts Oversee policy management

minimum REquiREmEnts:

Bachelor Degree in any Business related course is required; Professional Certification is an advantage i.e. PMP, CIA, ACCA Minimum 15 years working experience in various industries that includes at least five (5) years in a supervisory/ managerial level and four (4) years or more in the Utility industry. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Excellent command of English language (Spoken and written); ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non- technical audiences Comprehensive knowledge of the processes, complexities and possible errors and solutions involved in Business Systems implementation Exceptional organizational, coaching, mentoring, leadership and planning skills Comprehensive experience with data analysis; demonstrates a creative, critical thinking approach to problem solving Comprehensive experience with process and workflow design; Proficient experience leading projects and knowledge of project management principles and methodologies; Experience managing relationships with external vendors and/ or consultancies for outsourced work Proficient in understanding of computer programming languages and operating systems

compEnsation

Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is February 2, 2016 to:

Dr. Kellie-Ann Evans-HallManager, Human Resources

FortisTCI LimitedP. O. Box 132, Providenciales

Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or khall@fortistci.com

Page 18 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

Seven Stars Resort is currently seeking highly qualified candidates to fill the positions outlined below. The ideal candidate must possess the relevant professional qualifications and experience in a luxury resort environment, as well as a professional, outgoing and friendly demeanor with a strong command of the English Language (oral and written). Salary is based on education, experience and qualifications.

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Every memorable dining experience at Seven Stars Resort begins behind the scenes with our Culinary team’s commitment to safe, efficient operations and exceptional cuisine. As Executive Sous Chef, your expertise in recipe development elevates our menus while your leadership inspires and fosters our Culinary talent. This positons reports to the Executive Chef. Responsibilities and essential job functions includes, but are not limited to the following:

•Consistently offer professional, friendly and proactive guest service while supporting fellow Colleagues

•Manage all Kitchens in the absence of the Executive Chef•Create all food menus with the guidance of the Executive Chef•Meet with Storekeepers to ensure quality & par levels are maintained•Conduct daily shift briefings with all Sous Chefs•Ensure all kitchen Colleagues are aware of standards and expectations•Liaise daily with Outlet Managers and Sous Chefs to keep open lines of communication regarding guest feedback

•Balance operational, administrative and Colleague needs•Ensure proper staffing and scheduling in accordance to productivity guidelines

•Follow kitchen policies, procedures and service standards•Follow all safety and sanitation policies when handling food and beverage•Good command of English (both written and spoken); second language is an asset

•Other duties as assigned

qualifications:•Fine dining experience in the culinary field required.•High school diploma; 4 years’ experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area OR

•2-year degree from an accredited university in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 3 years’ experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area.

•Computer literate in Microsoft Window applications required•Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities•Highly responsible & reliable•Ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment•Ability to work cohesively as part of a team•Ability to focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times

DEsiRablE:•2 years’ experience in a similar position within a 5 star resort or fine dining restaurant environment

•Caribbean experience essential

RETAIL CLERK

This position is a people oriented position. If you have an upbeat, outgoing personality with a great smile, you are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated interest in customer service, must be fluent in English and available to work a rotating and flexible schedule. In this role, you will:

•Welcome customers with a smile and warm greeting•Assist customers with purchasing requested merchandise and answer any queries

•Assist customers with clothing selections, make product recommendations, and seek ways to upsell

•Calculate total price including any applicable discounts; accept cash and/or credit card payment; make change where applicable

•Wrap or bag customer merchandise as appropriate•Ensure shelves, counters, racks, etc., are appropriately stocked with merchandise and properly displayed and priced

•Set up displays and/or arrange merchandise to promote sales•Keep accurate record of sales and ensure store is kept clean and orderly•Balance and record bank at the end of each shift or as required•Regularly review service to customers and identify ways to improve•Maintain at all times a professional, courteous manner with customers and coworkers

•Communicate effectively in English, second language is an asset•Accurately perform basic mathematical calculations•Perform other duties as assigned by the Retail Store Manager/Supervisor or any other authorized individual

Requirements:

• Any combination of education and retail sales experience that would

provide the required knowledge, skill and ability to perform this job successfully.

•Friendly demeanor with excellent interpersonal and communication skills

•Ability to work in a busy environment with minimal supervision•Strong math aptitude with the ability to handle cash and credit card transactions

•Ability to speak, read and write fluently in the English language; second language desired but not required

•Ability to work flexible schedule which may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays.

•A clean police record and professional references is required

GUEST SERVICE AGENT

At Seven Stars Resort, the Guest Service Agent sets the tone for the guest experience. In addition to checking in guests, our GSA’s establish a welcoming environment and reflect the true sense of service that is expected at our resort. Individuals in this position are responsible for:

•Welcoming our guests in a professional and friendly manner•Engaging our guests and ensuring they begin their stay with an outstanding experience

•Responding to guests requests, queries and needs in a timely fashion•Thanking our customers for staying with us and being available to assist with their every need

•Maintaining a pleasant demeanor and a warm smile and showing a sense of appreciation

•Confirming guest arrival details, assigning guest suites, providing tours of the property, and ensuring guest requests are fulfilled

•Following up on guest requests and following through on service delivery•Staying knowledgeable of resort rooms, products and services, food and beverage and local attractions, activities and information

•Performing at a high standard and contributing to team success.

REquiREmEnts:

Previous front desk experience in a fast-paced five star resort environment. Candidates must possess outstanding customer service and interpersonal communication skills, excellent grooming, and customer complaint resolution skills. Excellent follow through and the ability to accurately record information is essential. A keen eye for detail and a strong working knowledge of Visual One is essential.

This is a people oriented position and interested candidates must have a demonstrated interest in customer service. If you have an upbeat, outgoing personality with a great smile, you are encouraged to apply. All candidates must be fluent in English and available to work a rotating and flexible schedule. A clean police record and professional references is required.

RESERVATIONS AGENT:

At Seven Stars Resort, the Reservations Agent is one of the first individuals with whom our guests and prospective guests interact. If you have a friendly demeanor and a smile in your voice, you already possess two of the most important qualities needed for this position. We are seeking quality candidates who have a passion for hospitality, enjoy phone sales and possess excellent communication, organization and computer skills. This position requires the incumbent to:

•Take telephone reservations and accurately inputting reservations into the resort’s central reservations system

•Be knowledgeable of resort products, packages, products and promotions, and all room categories

•Be able to answer inquiries related to room rates, locations and layout; food and beverage outlets; property offerings, services and amenities; rates and fees

•Upsell rooms and services as appropriate•Communicate with guests, travel agents, wholesalers, airlines, etc., via e-mail, telephone, fax

•Handle cancellations and/or modifications to reservations•Prepare reservation confirmation and cancellation letters•Track room facilities and availability•Keep up to date knowledge of phone/reservations system•Handle guests’ special requests in a professional manner•Complete projects by assigned deadlines•Complete documents as directed and to specifications•Interact with sales, marketing and events managers on bookings as necessary

•Perform other duties as assigned by manager, supervisor or any other authorized individual

REquiREmEnts:

•Combination of education and reservations and/or customer service experience

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 19

that would provide the required knowledge, skill and ability to perform this job successfully

•Excellent verbal communication skills with exceptional telephone etiquette•Strong writing skills with ability to independently develop responses to guest inquiries

•Prior reservations or sales experience desired•Must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking the English language•Strong computer skills and basic math computation is essential•Ability to interact with diverse personalities with a convincing nature is essential

•Ability to work with limited supervision is necessary

CONCIERGE MANAGER

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Concierge Manager with a strong hotel operations background, as well as previous luxury resort and hotel experience. The ideal candidate for this role must have the ability to work flexible schedule which may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays. A clean police record and professional references is required. Responsibilities and essential job functions includes, but are not limited to the following:

•Oversee the Concierge operations •Maximize the guest experience and try to exceed their expectations•Make certain to keep a proper team work environment at all times and identify training needs.

•Ensure all arrival and departure guests are attended and handled as per the hotel standards and procedures ensuring a distinctive service through high quality of service skills.

main REsponsibilitiEs:

•To ensure appropriate standard level for the smooth run of the Concierge operations and to prepare requisitions accordingly.

•Ensure a proper coverage and supervision of the Concierge at all times.•To be most of the time in the guest area to have a contact with the guest and to socialize, playing a Public Relations role.

•Ensure all the guests receive a warm welcome and enjoy their stay being offered the finest personal service.

•To act as a representative of management when dealing with guest concerns or if a member of the Concierge team is facing difficulties that she/he cannot solve on her/his own.

•To manage guest concerns in a professional manner, by owning it, resolving it to the guest satisfaction and recording it.

•To develop ambassador motivation and performance through action plans.•Manage the whole Concierge with confidence and humility

ExpERiEncE anD skills:

•5 years’ experience in hospitality, preferably in a luxury environment•Knowledge in Visual One •Strong oral and written communication skills •Leadership and strong team management skills•Ability to communicate at all levels•Ability to train and develop team members•Impeccable follow-through; and “Can Do” attitude and mindset. Highly organized with the ability to prioritize in a rapidly changing environment

•Ability to work effectively in a team environment and take initiative•Computer skills (e.g. word processing and spreadsheet)

TRAINING CONSULTANT

This position will be responsible for the training needs of the hotel to achieve the hotel’s goals, and ensures standards and procedures are constantly applied. The ideal candidate for this role will need to have at least 10 + years’ experience in facilitating & delivering training programs to entry level, supervisory & management level positions. Must have prior experience working with European 5 Star Hotels, efficient, enjoys leading and developing associates, and has a positive demeanor and excellent communication skills.

EssEntial functions:

•Develop an effective annual Training Plan which meets the needs of associates and assists the hotel in achieving its goals and objectives.

•Liaise with Department Heads regarding specific training requirements within their Departments and regarding attendance at planned training courses and develop training actions as required.

•Publish an annual and quarterly calendar of training courses and ensure maximum attendance through clear communication to and liaison with Department Heads on a regular basis.

•Develop, source and conduct training courses scheduled in the training calendar.

•With support of HR, structure and monitor the Hotel’s annual training expenses / actions in line with changing hotel requirements.

REquiREmEnt:

•Must be able to design, develop and facilitate workshops and programmes with experience in open learning & development workshops.

•Currently training in European 5 Star Hotels and be able to make them available for Seven Stars Resort staff

•Monitor the effectiveness of pre and post course briefings to ensure maximum benefit from training courses and identify future training needs.

•International Senior Manager with over 10 years of Hospitality & Tourism experience

•Have a strong team of international consultants with diversified experience across all Tourism Industries

•Have a reputation for high standards of personalised service & delivery beyond expectation

•Have a proven track record of success for delivering the highest standards of accuracy, service & results

•Detailed knowledge of Forbes 5 Star Standards and worked with them.•Must be able to develop effective links with partnership organizations.•Must be able to demonstrate passion for the industry and excellence in guest service

•Must be proficient in English.•Outstanding professional communication and personal presentation.•Must be able to show previous delivery and execution of business based projects.

lEaD bEllman

At Seven Stars Resort, our Bellman is one of the first team members to impact the guest experience. If you have leadership skills, an outgoing personality and have a passion for serving guests, you are encouraged to apply for this opening. The ideal candidate will be a team player with a positive demeanor. You must be a diligent worker with a proactive attitude, In addition to greeting guests upon arrival, you will oversee the Bellman operations in providing a welcoming environment and reflecting the true sense of service that is expected at Seven Stars Resort. Individuals in this position are responsible for:

•Prior leadership role in a 5 Star luxury environment•Welcoming guests in a professional and friendly manner•Engaging guests and ensuring they begin their stay with an outstanding experience

•Collecting guests’ luggage and delivering to their suites•Thanking customers for staying with us and being available to assist with their every need

•Maintaining a pleasant demeanor and a warm smile and showing a sense of appreciation

•Assisting guests with securing taxis and responding to requests for information, directions, etc.

•Following through on guest requests and service delivery•Staying knowledgeable of resort rooms, products and services, food and beverage and local area information

•Performing at a high standard and contributing to team success

REquiREmEnts:

Previous bellman, front desk, or guest service experience in a fast-paced five star resort environment. Candidates must possess exceptional leadership, customer service and interpersonal communication skills, excellent grooming, and customer complaint resolution skills. The ability to anticipate guest needs and take action is essential.

This is a people oriented position and interested candidates must have demonstrated interest in hospitality. All candidates must be fluent in English (second language desired) and available to work a rotating/flexible schedule which may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays. A clean police record and professional references is required.

spa nail tEchnician

This position is responsible for the comfort of guests while performing nail treatments according to the standards and procedures of The Spa at Seven Stars. Using the highest quality products, you will be performing Luxury Manicures and Pedicures. Responsibilities and essential job functions includes, but are not limited to the following:

•Acquire proper technical procedures for the position as specified by the Spa.•Conducts nail related services and consultations •Ability to verbally communicate effectively with guests and co-workers in a friendly and professional manner.

•Adaptability to varying schedule changes and flexibility with schedules.•Perform manicures and pedicures according to The Spa procedures and standards.

•Comply with station set-up and sanitation procedures, inventory, and linen dispensation guidelines, and safety measures.

•Ability to handle guests in difficult situations and under pressure•Perform reasonable tasks as assigned by supervisor or manager. •Other duties may be assigned as needed.

REquiREmEnt:

•Minimum of 3 years prior experience required •Excellent customer service skills•Team player with a flexible schedule

In addition, we are also currently recruiting for the following:

•Food Runners•Bartender

Interested candidates should apply via e-mail to Seven Stars at hr@sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration. Application deadline: February 12, 2016.

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING ABOVE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.

LOCAL NEWSPage 20 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Turks & Caicos Islands National Insurance Board

TENDER NOTICEThe Turks & Caicos Islands National Insurance Board invites open tenders for: External Audit 2016 Tender Reference No.: TRN1-16

Further information and tender documents are available upon request in electronic format only from the National Insurance Office in Grand Turk & Providenciales, via telephone at (649) 946-1048/9 or via e-mail at rhesacartwright@tcinib.tc.

Tenders are to be submitted in a sealed envelope by 12:00 Noon on Friday, March 4, 2016 to:

The Chairman National Insurance Board Tender Board Grand Turk or Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

Further information is available on the NIB website at www.tcinib.tc. Or contact:

MISS RHESA CARTWRIGHT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES

NATIONAL INSURANCE BOARDHILLY A EWING BUILDING

PROVIDENCIALESTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Email: rhesacartwright@tcinib.tcTel: (649) 941-5806/5906

British West indies Collegiate’s Reef Action Team cleans up beach and snorkel reef

The Reef Action Team (RATs) from British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC) spent a recent Friday afternoon picking up trash on the beach near the Coral Gardens snorkel trail. They also donned their snorkel gear and removed trash from the snorkel trail as well. Ms. Tessa Rankin, a staff member at BWIC, organized the RATs four years ago as an environmental club. “Working with these students, many of whom have been part of the RATs for several years, is a great pleasure,” said Ms. Rankin. “They are very enthusiastic and really are interested in helping to protect the environment of the TCI.” The RATs meet every Friday afternoon when school is in session and they have been involved in many different activities, including snorkeling in the mangroves, getting their advanced scuba dive certification, learning fish identification skills, learning how to prepare mooring lines, and many other things. The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) has been working with Ms. Rankin and the RATs since the group was formed four years ago. “This is one of the many educational efforts we have been undertaking to further our mission of helping to preserve and protect the environment of the TCI,” said Don Stark, Chairman of the TCRF. “Some of these kids are going to go to college to study marine biology and hopefully they will come back to the TCI to

work in areas that continue their efforts to better understand the TCI environment and to protect it. Young people are the key to protecting the health of the ocean and the reefs for the long-term.” Over the past two years, TCRF has increased its focus on educational programs for local school children. TCRF, in conjunction with the National Museum and the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs is in the process of developing a marine ecology curriculum for elementary school children and will also be developing one for secondary school students.

Additionally, TCRF has been funding a group of researchers from Keene University in New Hampshire, USA who have been training Clement Howell High School students to snorkel and assist them with their coral monitoring efforts. Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through

voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs. Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband.

Reef Action Team and the Results of their work

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 21

RBC Royal Bank is committed to the Turks and Caicos Islands and is proud to partner with the government on this transformative deal. We recognize the strides the government is undertaking on behalf of its people and salute its leaders on their vision to sustain the growth and expansion of its islands.

RBC partners with the Turks & Caicos Government in $28 million dollar loan

It’s All About You

noticE of annual gEnERal mEEting (agm) 2016 of tuRks anD caicos islanDs cRickEt association

26 January 2016Dear All,,

In accordance with Constitution of the TCICA, the Secretary hereby give notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2016 will be held at 7.00pm on 19th of February at Airport Inn, Airport Road, , Providenciales.

The AGM is open to all members as well as the general public and is the best opportunity for members to hear about the progress of the Association as well as ask questions about the past season and to have their say on the direction of the Association for the coming season. Therefore your attendance is warmly welcomed.

The AGM will review the 2015 season as well as look forward to the coming 2016 season. Our particular focus will be a major development of youth cricket. Members will be invited to vote to approve a resolution to implement the proposed restructure by way of amending the Constitution.

Please find attached the following materials for your consideration:

•a copy of the Agenda•the minutes of the 2015 AGM•The 2015 Annual Report•a copy of the audited Annual Financial Statements

Please kindly indicate your ability to attend by emailing no later than 6th of February 2016 @ mcp.process@gmail.com

Michael PereiraSecretary of TCICA

Page 22 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 23

WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT LTDAlexandra Resort, Blue Haven Resort & Marina and the Beach House

We are seeking to employ, suitably qualified and experienced hospitality professionals in the positions listed below.

Our ideal candidate should have an outstanding command of the English language, written and oral, strong communication and excellent customer service skills. Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

EnginEERing & gRounDs •Chief Engineer•Maintenance Manager•Electricians•Maintenance/Room Technicians•Carpenter Helper

fooD anD bEvERagE •Restaurant Maintenance Technician•Line Cooks•Bartenders•Servers•Pool and Beach Servers•Food Runners•Stewards Supervisor

accounting

•Night Auditor•Storeroom Associate

EntERtainmEnt & guEst sERvicEs •Entertainment Manager •Senior Guest Services Supervisor•Senior Guest Services Agents

spa •Spa Therapists

loss pREvEntion •Loss Prevention Manager•Loss Prevention Supervisors•Senior Loss Prevention Officers

Interested persons may contact our HR department Mon. – Fri. from 9am-3pm via telephone number 946-8054 or you may submit your resume with qualifications and

experience to:cgibbons@wihl.com

Page 24 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis

Monty by Jim Meddick

The Flying McCoys by Glenn and Gary McCoy

Brewster Rockit by Tim Rickard

The Duplex by Glenn McCoyThe Duplex by Glenn McCoy

Herman by Jim Unger

F Minus by Tony Carrillo

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 25

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis

Monty by Jim Meddick

The Flying McCoys by Glenn and Gary McCoy

Brewster Rockit by Tim Rickard

The Duplex by Glenn McCoyThe Duplex by Glenn McCoy

Herman by Jim Unger

F Minus by Tony Carrillo

LOCAL NEWSPage 26 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Lime Helps Fifteen (15) Wesley Methodist Students With School Based Assessment Project

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS, January 25th – Last week Thursday, January 21st, a total of fifteen (15) enthusiastic fifth form students visited LIME’s Main Retail Office, as a practicum and means of gathering information for their final report to be presented as part of their Building and Design Technology School Baseed Assessment (SBA) for CXC. Fifteen (15) fifth form students from Wesley Methodist High School and subject teacher, Mr. Charlton Walkin, pictured with LIME Marketing & Communications Exec, Darron Hilaire Jr Accompanying the students on their industrial visit to LIME was their subject teacher, Mr. Chartlon Walkin who thoroughly enjoyed the experience himself. LIME’s Marketing and Communication Exec, Darron Hilaire Jr, facilitated the visit as the tour guide for the day, taking on questions and concerns from each of the students regarding LIME TCI/C&W brand identity, products, services, and processes. “This is a report for CXC. They are required on their second to last term that a report be done on an industrial visit. And, every year around this time I would speak to my principal, giving her two or three names of companies, and she would tell me this one would be better this year”, explained Mr. Walkin. He added that his principal encouraged the visit to LIME saying, “They’ve been here a long time and they can give the children a lot of information to allow them to do a thorough report.” Fortunately the students had an opportunity to visit almost every facet of LIME from marketing to corporate sales to managed

services, including Ericson’s head end. “The students asked very informative questions that I believe would assist them in determining a suitable career path. These sort of trips gives them an inside look to how industries work at a micro and macro level and help to steer their young minds in the right direction to choose the career that best fits them,” said Ronald Gardiner, Managed Services Manager, who facilitated the technical aspect of the tour with the students. Thanks to the Corporate Sales Division each of the students walked away not just with an abundance of information to reduce into a final report, they also were given 2016 C&W Business Branded Journals as a gift. Sixteen (16) year old, Bernard Capron shared afterwards he now has a better understanding of the systems and processes LIME uses to achieve their success on an annual basis. “I wasn’t even aware that LIME was this big”, Bernard Capron. The only female in the bunch, Ms. Arielle Neely, said, “I have learned a lot today, it’s a lot to process and I hope that LIME continues to build and grow themselves even more.” It is always a pleasure for us at LIME to assist with request of this nature as we continue to be champions in the industry for youth and education. We wish each of the students success in their finals. From the left: Tyla Forbes, Bernard Capron, Arielle Neely, Trevaan Garland and Rajun Valentine For more information about this visit, please contact Mr. Darron Hilaire Jr., Marketing and Communications Executive.

WMH Group w ith Darron Hilaire Jr LIME Mkt & Comms Exec

Students with Corporate Sales Team

Students pictured with Corp Sales Manager Joanne Missick

Audely Gibbs Supervisor BTC Field Services Operations (Ericson) with WM Students Devon Lightbourne at the Deezer Station Lime assist WMHS students

LOCAL NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 27

ENTERTAINMENT

"Love Yourself"For all the times that you rain on my paradeAnd all the clubs you get in using my name

You think you broke my heart, oh, girl for goodness' sakeYou think I'm crying on my own. Well, I ain't

And I didn't wanna write a song'Cause I didn't want anyone thinking I still care. I don't,

But you still hit my phone upAnd, baby, I be movin' on

And I think you should be somethin' I don't wanna hold back,Maybe you should know that

My mama don't like you and she likes everyoneAnd I never like to admit that I was wrong

And I've been so caught up in my job,Didn't see what's going on

But now I know,I'm better sleeping on my own

'Cause if you like the way you look that muchOh, baby, you should go and love yourself

And if you think that I'm still holdin' on to somethin'You should go and love yourself

And when you told me that you hated my friendsThe only problem was with you and not them

And every time you told me my opinion was wrongAnd tried to make me forget where I came from

And I didn't wanna write a song'Cause I didn't want anyone thinking I still care. I don't,

But you still hit my phone upAnd, baby, I be movin' on

And I think you should be somethin' I don't wanna hold back,Maybe you should know that

My mama don't like you and she likes everyoneAnd I never like to admit that I was wrong

And I've been so caught up in my job,Didn't see what's going on

But now I know,I'm better sleeping on my own

'Cause if you like the way you look that muchOh, baby, you should go and love yourself

And if you think that I'm still holdin' on to somethin'You should go and love yourself

For all the times that you made me feel smallI fell in love. Now I feel nothin' at all

And never felt so low when I was vulnerableWas I a fool to let you break down my walls?

'Cause if you like the way you look that muchOh, baby, you should go and love yourself

And if you think that I'm still holdin' on to somethin'You should go and love yourself

'Cause if you like the way you look that muchOh, baby, you should go and love yourself

And if you think (you think) that I'm (that I'm) still holdin' on to somethin'You should go and love yourself

Justin Bieber Lyrics

Page 28 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

HEALTHYLIFESTYLEWHO says extremely alarmed by Zika,

could reach 4 million casesThe World Health Organization (WHO) expects the Zika virus, which is spreading through the Americas, to affect between three million and four million people, a disease expert said on Thursday.The WHO's director-general said the spread of the mosquito-borne disease had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions.Marcos Espinal, an infectious disease expert at the WHO's Americas regional office, said:

"We can expect 3 to 4 million cases of Zika virus disease". He gave no time frame.There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which is a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya and causes mild fever, rash and red eyes. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected.WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the organization's will convene an emergency committee on Monday to help determine the level of the international response to an outbreak of the virus spreading from Brazil that is believed to be linked to severe birth

defects."The level of alarm is extremely high," Chan told WHO executive board members at a meeting in Geneva. "As of today, cases have been reported in 23 countries and territories in the (Americas) region."Brazil's Health Ministry said in November 2015 that Zika was linked to a fetal deformation known as microcephaly, in which infants are born with abnormally small headsBrazil has reported 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly, the WHO said last week, more than 30 times more than in any year since 2010 and equivalent to 1-2 percent of all newborns in the state of Pernambuco, one of the worst-hit areas.Chan said that while a direct causal relationship between Zika virus infection and birth malformations has not yet been established, it is "strongly suspected".

"The possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions," she said. Gleyce Kelly embraces her daughter Maria Geovana, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil,

Global health body under pressure to stop Zika virus

The World Health Organization will hold a special session on Thursday on the Zika virus as the U.N. agency comes under pressure for quick action against the infection linked to thousands of birth defects in Brazil that is spreading through Latin America and the Caribbean. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan was set to address the agency's executive board in Geneva as countries took new steps on Wednesday to try to stop the mosquito-transmitted virus linked to the dangerous birth defect called microcephaly.The United States said it will block people who have visited regions impacted by the virus from donating blood in a bid to fight its spread. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it is working with other federal agencies, blood collection establishments and industry organizations to quickly implement

"donor deferral measures for travelers who have visited affected regions in

order to protect the blood supply in the United States." Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said her country must wage war against the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads the virus, focusing on getting rid of the insect's breeding grounds. The mosquito thrives in dense tropical cities, and Rousseff called for the elimination of stagnant water spots where it lives and reproduces.U.S. researchers called on the WHO to take swift action. Georgetown University researchers urged Chan to heed the lessons of Ebola and called on the WHO to convene a special emergency session of health and infectious disease experts to consider declaring Zika a serious health crisis that endangers international public health. Just convening the meeting would focus attention on funding and research, they said in an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

American Airlines expands refunds related to Zika virus American Airlines Group Inc has expanded its refunds for pregnant customers visiting areas impacted by the Zika virus to include Puerto Rico, Martinique and nine countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean, a spokesman said Wednesday. American, the world's largest airline, on Tuesday said it was giving

refunds to pregnant travelers to five cities in Central America. The World Health Organization has warned that mosquito-borne Zika is likely to spread to most of the Americas, prompting concern by travelers and refund announcements by airlines such as United Continental Holdings Inc and Latam Airlines Group SA.

One percent of U.S. docs responsible for a third of malpractice payments

Just one out of every 100 U.S. doctors is responsible for 32 percent of the malpractice claims that result in payments to patients, according to a comprehensive study of 15 years’ worth of cases. And when a doctor has to pay out one claim, the chances are good that the same physician will soon be paying out on another, researchers report in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"I think people will be surprised about the extent to which the claims are concentrated within a relatively small group of practitioners. It's actually more concentrated than in earlier studies," chief author David Studdert of Stanford University in California told Reuters Health. The result, he said, demonstrates that there are practitioners who can accumulate large numbers of claims and continue to practice. Earlier studies looked at malpractice claims that may or may not have had merit. This study looked at all cases in the National Practitioner Data Bank where payments were made. Those other studies typically focused on a single insurer or a single state, and repeat offenders may have been able to avoid being tracked, by moving or switching insurers, Studdert said. "We have a kind of national all-encompassing window, so we should have been able to track the doctors wherever they go." Physicians in specialties such as anesthesiology and neurology have long been known to face an inherently higher risk for malpractice claims.

"This study rather convincingly shows,

however, that even within specific specialties, malpractice claims are relatively concentrated and that a strong predictor of subsequent claims is a prior history of malpractice claims," said Dr. Anupam Jena, associate professor of healthcare policy at Harvard Medical School in Boston, who was not connected to the research.In addition, "this is the most comprehensive exploration of the hypothesis that individual physician malpractice risk may be predictable," he told Reuters Health in an email.

"To strengthen prediction, there are important factors that future analyses will hopefully consider such as patient volume, complexity of services provided, experience, and specifics on medical school, residency, and fellowship training." Studdert's team analyzed 66,426 claims paid against 54,099 doctors from 2005 to 2014. Nearly all were out-of-court settlements. Almost one third of the cases were sparked by a patient's death. About 1 percent of physicians had at least two paid claims against them and those doctors accounted for 32 percent of paid claims.One hundred twenty six doctors had more than five paid claims against them. The median payment among all claims was nearly $205,000. Doctors who accumulated two lawsuits where money was paid out were twice as likely to be successfully sued for malpractice a third time compared to doctors who only had one paid claim against them. Doctors with more than five paid claims were 12 times more likely to face a subsequent claim.

LOCAL NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 29

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDSFINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION

The Financial Services Commission hereby advertises the under-mentioned Posts. Responses may be emailed to administration@tcifsc.tc or delivered to Administration, Financial Services Commission, Unit D7/D8 (Executive Office), Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Deadline February 15, 2016.

Job Title: Filing ClerkLocation: Grand Turk

Salary: Grade 12

Qualification: 5 G.C.E. O’ Levels subjects with ‘C’ grade or above, or equivalent qualification; at least one (1) year in an office environment as an Office Assistant/Filing Clerk handling legal documents .

Job summaRyReporting directly to the Registration Officer, the Filing Clerk is responsible for maintaining the filing system in the Companies, Trademarks and Patents Registration Department.

EDitoR / JouRnalist / social mEDia maRkEting

Seeking writer/editor/office assistant - capable of multi-tasking for busy belonger owned publishing company. Excellent business to client communication and organizational skills. Manage contributors and edit copywriting.

Excellent command of English language, grammar and spelling. Ability to source, research and write feature articles and rich website content. Able to travel within the islands, partake in water and land sports, and conduct interviews to produce engaging promotional editorial content for print and online. Meet strict deadlines. Liaise with clients on social media marketing, update content for rapidly expanding website and blog.

Evaluate strategies, analyze stats, google analytics, SEO, inbound marketing. Sales ability a plus. Requirements: University degree in related field. At least three (3) years ad agency experience in editorial writing, editing, publishing, project management, print and digital magazine production, social media strategy, inbound marketing. Must be Apple Macintosh computer literate with knowledge of: InDesign, PhotoShop, Microsoft Office, Word, Excell, Hubspot, Wordpress, Joomla, Envision, PugPig, WooCommerce. Willing to learn new software. Transportation required.

Three (3) references required. Salary commensurate with abilities and experience. Submit CV and writing portfolio prior to 4 February to: wolf@tmwlaw.tc Twa Marcelin Wolf, PO Box 209, Chancery Court, Providenciales, TCI

High fish consumption in pregnancy tied to brain

benefits for kids When mothers eat three sizeable servings of fish each week during pregnancy it may benefit children’s brains for years to come, according to a large study in Spain. Researchers followed nearly 2,000 mother-child pairs from the first trimester of pregnancy through the child’s fifth birthday and found improved brain function in the kids whose mothers ate the most fish while pregnant, compared to children of mothers who ate the least. Even when women averaged 600 grams, or 21 ounces, of fish weekly during pregnancy, there was no sign that mercury or other pollutants associated with fish were having a negative effect that offset the apparent benefits. “Seafood is known to be an important source of essential nutrients for brain development, but at the same time accumulates mercury from the environment, which is known to be neurotoxic,” lead author Jordi Julvez, of the Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona, said in an email. In an attempt to balance the potential harms of such pollutants with the general health benefits of fish, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2014 guidelines encourage pregnant women to eat fish, but no more than 12 ounces per week. The European Food Safety Authority recently issued a scientific opinion endorsing 150 g to 600 g of fish weekly during pregnancy, Julvez and colleagues note in the American Journal of Epidemiology. But, the study team writes, the effects of maternal fish consumption during development are still not well understood and more research could help give pregnant women clearer guidance. The researchers analyzed data from the Spanish Childhood and Environment Project, a large population study that recruited women in their first trimester of pregnancy, in four provinces of Spain, between 2004 and 2008. Julvez and colleagues focused on records of the women’s consumption of large fatty fish such as swordfish and albacore tuna, smaller fatty fish such as mackerel, sardines, anchovies or salmon, and lean fish such as hake or sole, as well as shellfish and other seafood. Women were tested for blood levels of vitamin D and iodine, and cord blood was tested after delivery to

measure fetal exposure to mercury and PCB pollutants. At ages 14 months and five years, the children underwent tests of their cognitive abilities and Asperger Syndrome traits to assess their neuropsychological development.On average, the women had consumed about 500 g, or three servings, of seafood per week while pregnant. But with every additional 10 g per week above that amount, children’s test scores improved, up to about 600 g. The link between higher maternal consumption and better brain development in children was especially apparent when kids were five. The researchers also saw a consistent reduction in autism-spectrum traits with increased maternal fish consumption. Mothers’ consumption of lean fish and large fatty fish appeared most strongly tied to children’s scores, and fish intake during the first trimester, compared to later in pregnancy, also had the strongest associations.

“I think that in general people should follow the current recommendations,” Julvez said. “Nevertheless this study pointed out that maybe some of them, particularly the American ones, should be less stringent.”Julvez noted that there didn’t appear to be any additional benefit when women ate more than 21 oz (about 595 g) of fish per week. “I think it's really interesting, and it shed a lot more light on the benefits of eating fish during pregnancy,” said Dr. Ashley Roman, director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York. “I think what's interesting about this study compared to some data previously is that they better quantify the relationship between how much fish is consumed in a diet and then the benefits for the fetus and ultimately the child,” said Roman, who was not involved in the study.

“ They're able to correlate the fish consumption with protection from autism and I think that is potentially a very important finding,” she added.Roman said that fish is really important for the fetus's brain development. “We still recommend that women avoid the fish that are highest in mercury like tilefish, shark, swordfish and giant mackerel, typically the larger fish that have longer lifespans and they tend to concentrate more mercury in their tissue,” she said.

Pregnant women attend a yoga class in Madrid

Page 30 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

FUN & GAMES

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 31

FUN & GAMES

LOCAL NEWSPage 32 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

WANTED

Garnet Jolly isLooking for a

LabourerSalary $6.50 per

hour

Contact: 231-2307

GOOD HANDS AGENCY

4 LABOURERS5 DOMESTIC WORKERS

2 Sales personsSalary $6.25

per hourMon – Sat 244-0277

or 946-3437

WANTED SCUBA INSTRUCTOR!!!

Must be fit and healthy love diving, fishes and crazy signs!!

Any interested parties please contact:

jobs.turkoise@seafaridiving.com

FLORICE FORBES IS SEEKING

1 LABORER5 DAYS A

WEEKSALARY:

$6.50 AN HOUR

CONTACT: 247-1932

LIVE IN HOUSE KEEPER NEEDED

Available immediately 1 live in house keeper needed. Suitable candidate MUST be

well verse in the English Language, and have graduated from High School.

Duties include:� Caring for children,� Cleaning� Cooking� Doing grocery shopping.

Interested persons contact # 649 443 3104. No calls after 6pm.

FARAH MORLEY

SEEKS1 BABYSITTER

SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR

CONTACT 343-7407

JESSIE FORBES

SEEKS1 BABYSITTER SALARY $6.00

PER HOURCONTACT 232-1726

Varlidysha Collection

Livenie Ellis is seeking 5 Tailors

2 Designers1 Technician

Work for 5 days a weekSalary: $9 per hour

Telephone: 345-8326/232-7358

STYLZ ABOVE THE REST

SEEKS1 SECRETARY

1 HAIR STYLISTSALARY $6.00 PER HOUR

CONTACT 232-1726

NEEDEDDOMESTIC WORKERTo work five days

per weekFrom 8am – 4pmDuties: General

cleaning in houseSalary $6.00 per hourContact 346-6622

DIJA BOUTIQUE is seeking a sales clerk.

Computer literate, very experience in Excel and Quick books .

Must be willing to work week end and holiday

Interested persons please contact Telephone 443 3104

Julissa’s Beauty Salon

seeks 1 sales person

6 days per week

Salary $6.25Contact

341-2425

Versace Bar & Lounge

SEEKS3 Hostesses

1 DJSalary $6.00

per hourContact

232-1726

WILLIAM GEOGRE

SEEKS1 Domestic

WorkerSalary $6.25

per hour6 days per week

Contact 345-9488

Potwasher NeededBusy Provo restaurant requires a potwasher. Must be willing to work weekends & public

holidays.

Job includes washing pots & dinnerware as well as general

cleaning duties.

Pay is $6.25 per hour.

Please send applications to: PO Box 782, Providenciales

or email to magnoliaprovo@live.com

bElongERs only nEED apply

Aj’s Auto Parts & Accessories

Is seeking for a suitable office manager to run the business on a daily basis Monday to

Saturday.Applicant must possess the necessary skills in the auto

motive industry with at least 3-4 years experience in

computer literate.Applicant must be able to use QuickBooks, Excel and Microsoft word and handle

stock taking and inventories work require lifting heavy

boxes.All inquires resume should be

sent to: ajsautoparts@express.tc

Cairsea Services LimitedRequire one (1) Laborer Salary: $6.25 per hour

Must be reliable, hardworking & honest Hours: 8-5 and some weekends & holidays

Apply in person

PAVILIONIs looking for the

following staffWaitressesBartenders

Beach AttendantsBookkeeper

Belongers need only apply

All applicants must submit via email to arlene39jennings@

gmail.com Chris.joy@paviliontci.com

JERK JUICE BAR & GRILL

1 Kitchen Helper1 Waitress

Must be able to create menus

Must be a drink specialize

Salary $7.00 per hour

6 days per weekContact 431-0221

INTER ISLAND

BUILDERSLooking for a diesel/Gas Mechanic

To repair and service company

vehiclesSalary based on

experienceContact 244-2212

All you advertising

needs contact

TCISUN at 339-5879Or email – sun@suntci.com

All you advertising

needs contact

TCISUN at 339-5879Or email – sun@suntci.com

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 33

CARIBBEAN NEWSWORLDNEWSCARIBBEAN NEWS

Billionaire Paul Allen’s super yacht destroys Cayman Islands reef

Billionaire Paul Allen is being blamed for wrecking a protected reef in the Cayman Islands, thanks to his 300-foot super yacht. Officials with the islands’ Department of Environment say the chain of the Microsoft co-founder’s yacht, the MV Tatoosh, destroyed 14,000-square-feet of reef in the West Bay replenishment zone - roughly 80 per cent of the coral that’s vital to marine life. Local divers conducted a

survey of the damage last week and officials plan to release the findings of the dive next week. ‘In addition to assessing the damage and determining the cause of this incident, we are also paying close attention to lessons learned so that we can more effectively prevent these accidents while still hosting visiting yachts,’ a spokesman for the department told Cayman News Service. It’s unclear when the damage to the reef was done, but pictures on social media show that Allen’s yacht was in the islands last week. The Tatoosh is also based there. An investigation is ongoing into what caused the Tatoosh to destroy such a large part of the reef. Officials say the boat was anchored close to the Doc Poulson shipwreck and The Knife dive site when it did the damage. Spokesmen for Allen pitted the blame on the Port Authority,

saying the crew were simply following officials’ instructions on where to place the vessel. When the winds changed direction and pushed the yacht closer to the reserve, they say they moved it. Technically, any vessel that damages protected reef in the islands is subject to a fine, but the government has reportedly failed time and time again to collect on these sanctions, according to CNS. It’s unclear if Allen was on the boat at

the time of the incident. The billionaire celebrated his 63rd birthday last week, on January 21, and was recently in the news for reportedly purchasing a $5.4million bungalow on Seattle’s exclusive Mercer Island. Allen owns a 10,000-square-foot home on the island, and has been known to buy up smaller properties around it for house guests. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also has his main home on the island.

Paul AllenSuperyacht

Jamaica ruling party ahead in latest public opinion poll

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Portia Simpson Miller led People’s National Party (PNP) is ahead of the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), based on the findings of a poll conducted by pollster Don Anderson on behalf of the RJR Communications Group. In the poll, 27.5 per cent of the respondents said they intend to vote for the governing PNP in the general election that is constitutionally due this year. Concerning the JLP, 23.2 per cent of the respondents said they would vote for the opposition party. Among the remaining respondents, 22.3 per cent said they will definitely not vote; 17.4 per cent said they were still undecided, while 9.6 per cent did not answer the question. In the last RJR/Don Anderson poll, conducted in September, 2015, the two major political parties were tied at 30 per cent each. Meanwhile, the PNP is scheduled to have a mass rally in Half Way Tree on Sunday. In a media advisory on Wednesday, the Party said this will be the first in a series of national meetings. The meeting is part of the Party’s national mobilisation effort, as it prepares itself for general election. But the meeting is being held amid heightened expectations that the date for the election will be announced soon.Half-Way-Tree Square has, historically, been the favourite

venue for the announcement of election dates. Simpson Miller, who is also President of the PNP, and other officers of the 78 year old Party will address supporters. It is likely that the election, which is constitutionally due by the end of March 2017, will be held by February at the earliest, based upon the stipulations laid down by the Constituted Authority, or early March.The law now allows for Nomination Day to be held no less than five days and no more than seven days from the time of the announcement of the general election. Similarly, voting must be conducted no less than 16 days and no more than 23 days between Nomination Day and Election Day. An early sign that Simpson Miller would announce the election date emerged last Sunday when the PNP placed full-page newspaper

advertisements of its 63 candidates. Another signal popped up during a sitting of the House of Representatives in Gordon House on Tuesday, when Simpson Miller, in an off-microphone comment aimed at the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP’s) spokesman on finance and planning, and Member of Parliament for Manchester North Eastern Audley Shaw, said that she had now been touched by the ‘master’ — a reference to her earlier pronouncement that she would only give the election date when God touches her and instructs her to announce it. It was also hardly a secret that Simpson Miller was awaiting the findings of the latest opinion poll conducted by the Don Anderson-led Market Research Services for the RJR Communications Group, which yesterday found that the PNP held a slim 4.3 percentage point lead over the JLP among committed voters.

Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

Barbados sends 27 blood samples to be tested for Zika virus

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Ministry of Health is awaiting the results of 27 blood samples that were sent to the Trinidad based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to be tested for the Zika virus. Following the confirmation of three cases of the virus earlier this month, the Ministry of Health says itcontinues to monitor the disease, and is encouraging members of the public to take the necessary precautions. “This warning is especially relevant for pregnant women and women of child-bearing age, due to reports of an increased risk of giving birth to babies whose head circumference is less than expected for age and sex,” the Ministry said. Barbadians have been urged to adhere to protective measures which include sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net; wearing tops with long sleeves and long pants, especially during the hours of highest mosquito activity (morning and late afternoon); and using mosquito repellents with DEET applied according to manufacturers’ instructions. “Members of the public are also strongly advised to take steps to reduce mosquito breeding by removing potential mosquito breeding sites such as discarded containers, coconut shells, and other places where water can be collected.” The Ministry of Health’s Environmental Health Department says it is also intensifying its vector control programme through fogging of high risk areas for mosquito breeding, house to house inspections and other community mobilisation activities.

A map of Barbados

Page 34 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Caribbean needs cash transfer rules

A forum with government and private sector representatives from around the region last week called for a Caribbean-wide effort to deal with U.S. banks “de-risking” and pulling out of doing business with cash transfer companies and other financial institutions around the region. The process of de-risking for banks is meant to ensure financial institutions are not used to help launder money or finance terrorism, but the heightened regulations and higher costs associated with ensuring transactions aren’t used for nefarious purposes means many major banks have pulled out of offering services such as cash transfers. Former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur said in a prepared speech at last week’s forum, “Unaddressed, the de-risking that is at the center of the correspondent banking issue could serve to de-link Caribbean economies from access to global finance. “It can also increase the cost of access to such finance, or force economic agents in the region to resort to illicit means, further damaging the image of the region,” Mr. Arthur said. “It can also do untold damage to the financial sector in the Caribbean.” The Cayman Islands experienced many of those consequences last year when the only two banks that offered services to cash transfer companies closed the accounts. First, Fidelity Bank closed the Western Union branches on the island, and then Jamaica National and MoneyGram lost their accounts with Cayman National Bank. The banks cited higher costs to comply with international regulations and the possibility of losing their own access to the global financial system if they continued to offer services for cash transfers. Western Union is back up

and running through a new company, GraceKennedy Money Services, and a deal with Scotiabank to provide banking services. Western Union had to close up its operations for four months when Fidelity Group closed its branches in July. Cayman National Bank closed the accounts for JN Money Services, MoneyGram and the other remaining cash-transfer companies in Cayman, but they were able to stay open by accepting only U.S. cash, which was flown off island to be deposited. JN and its affiliates are now accepting Cayman dollars but still do not have a local bank account to convert local currency to U.S. cash, to then send it into the global financial system. JN spokesman Gareth Manning said Tuesday that there was no update on the company’s negotiations with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority to covert local currency to U.S. cash.JN Money Services General Manager Leesa Kow, said in a recent press statement, “The reality is that money transfer companies and operators are more heavily regulated and scrutinized

than banks although they adhere to the same regulations and rules as banks.” In 2014, workers in Cayman sent almost US$180 million overseas to support their families; about $110 million of that went to Jamaica. Data for remittances from the past year is not yet available. Many at last week’s forum called for governments across the Caribbean to coordinate their approaches to the international banking system and regulators. Damien King, co-executive director of the Caribbean Policy Institute, said in a press statement, “What we have is many jurisdictions at many levels that overlap and are not consistent, and then international banks responding to that by setting up their own rules and decisions.” He said Caribbean governments need standards and uniform policies for banking and compliance. Forum organizers said they invited Cayman Islands Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton, but he was unable to attend. Mr. Panton did not respond to requests for comment by press time Tuesday.

Former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur, left, and Earl Jarrett, general manager of Jamaica National Building Society, attend a forum last week on correspondent banking

Man with machete kills American tourist walking

on Caribbean beach A man killed an American woman with a machete as she walked along a remote beach on Grenada with her husband, police on the Caribbean island said on Tuesday. Jessica Lewis Colker, 39, of Atlanta, was found dead after her husband, Brian Van Melito, ran to get help following the attack, which occurred around noon on Sunday on a remote stretch of coast along the island’s southeast, said Sylvan McIntyre, an assistant superintendent with the Royal Grenada Police Force. A suspect was in custody but has not been identified. Colker and Van Melito had arrived on Grenada about a day before the attack and were staying at a guest house near where the attack occurred, in an area of beach and mangrove in St David Parish, McIntrye said. The motive for the attack is unknown. The husband told the police that he fought with the man and managed to get away and call for help. Police and residents of the area launched a search and found Colker’s body about an hour later in the woods. An autopsy found she died of extensive skull fracture and asphyxia. McIntyre said the suspect was cooperating with investigation but he declined to provide any information about the man, who can’t be identified under local laws unless he is formally charged.

OAS to send special mission to Haiti

WASHINGTON – The Organisation of American States (OAS), says it will send a Special Mission to assess the situation in Haiti in response to a request by Haitian President Michel Martelly. According to an agreement reached Wednesday by the Permanent Council of the institution, the chair of the Council and Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Ronald Sanders, said the Mission will be sent by the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro. Sir Ronald said the Mission’s work will include engaging in “a dialogue with all appropriate parties.” Almagro said the “mandate and the limits” under which the Mission will act

“must be set by the legitimate government of Haiti at this moment. “Any other action beyond that would be an intervention that Haiti does not want, and that we want even less,” he said. The OAS Secretary General said the successful conclusion of the electoral process in Haiti is “critically important,” adding that the dates for the second round of voting in the presidential elections should be set as soon as possible. “It is of fundamental importance that there be an election, and not a plebiscite or a referendum on a single candidate,” he said. “Haitians should agree on a mechanism for a clearly defined period of time, as short as possible.”Almagro said this should be within a plan endorsed by the Haitian Supreme Court of Justice. Permanent Representative of Haiti to the OAS, Bocchit Edmond, said the request by his government for a high-level OAS mission was motivated by “the goal of helping the actors to get together to avoid the country falling into an institutional vacuum and chaos.”

Police seize large quantity of drugs The Bahamas police say they have arrested one person after boxes containing 57 pounds of marijuana were found on board a mail boat earlier this week. The police said acting on a tip off, the boat was searched at the Potters Cay Dock after it had arrived from Exuma. “During the search of the vessel the officers found

three boxes containing 57 pounds of marijuana. An adult male of Stuart’s Manor, Exuma was later taken into custody in connection with this find,” the police said in the statement. The police gave no details regarding the street value of the drugs. Meanwhile, the police said that they had arrested 25 people for various criminal offences including armed robbery, firearms and

possession of dangerous drugs. They said the arrests form part of the anti-crime operation led by the Selective Enforcement Unit and that the operation “is consistent with the Commissioner’s Policing Priorities, targeted persons involved in criminal activities, such as armed robbery, drugs, firearms and persons wanted for a number of serious criminal offences”.

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 35

CARIBBEAN NEWS

The Bahamas government rescues CLICO policy holders

The Prime Minister may have prevented the cancellation of medical insurance for hundreds of Bahamians by confirming the Government has finally approved a ‘rescue plan’ for CLICO (Bahamas). Tribune Business can reveal that Perry Christie’s ‘11th hour intervention’ in the House of Assembly has halted, for the moment, the dispatch of letters advising the insolvent insurer’s health policyholders that their coverage has been terminated. Sources close to developments confirmed that Craig A. ‘Tony’ Gomez, the CLICO (Bahamas) liquidator, had been due to send out these notices - and accompanying newspaper advertisements - this week. However, Mr Christie’s confirmation that the Cabinet has approved a plan to transfer all the insurance policies - life and medical - to a newly-created special purpose vehicle (SPV) means there is no reason for Mr Gomez to pre-empt this and proceed with the health insurance cancellation. “He’s going to hold back on that now. I think he’s going to hold off. It doesn’t make sense,” one source familiar with the situation said of Mr Gomez. While the Prime Minister’s intervention has temporarily staved off disaster for hundreds, Tribune Business understands that much work remains to be done before the CLICO (Bahamas) policy portfolio can be transferred to the new SPV. While the Government has approved the basic structure and framework for the switch, the details now have to be fine-tuned between Mr

Gomez, the Insurance Commission of the Bahamas and the Government (the Ministry of Finance and Attorney General’s Office). And Tribune Business sources have also revealed that the guarantee required from the Government to underwrite the transfer has increased sharply, from $30 million in 2009-2010 to somewhere between $40-$50 million.The Government has never provided funds to cover the guarantee in any of its subsequent Budgets, including this year’s, so it is unclear where the monies will come from. This newspaper also understands that while senior Ministry of Finance officials have backed the liquidator’s plan for some time, the wait for formal Cabinet approval has delayed the process. Mr Christie, in his House of Assembly address, spent some time implying that the resolution proposed by the former Ingraham administration was inadequate before addressing the most important issues for CLICO (Bahamas) policyholders. “The liquidator [Mr Gomez] has proposed, and the Government has agreed, a plan to make all existing policyholders whole,” the Prime Minister said. “ This plan involves the creation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to assume the insurance operations of CLICO, and to pay out the policyholders who have been unable to receive the full pay-out of their benefits subject to the policy not lapsing during the period of liquidation.” Mr Christie said Mr Gomez, the Baker Tilly Gomez partner, and

the Insurance Commission would announce the plan’s specifics and any

“pay outs” shortly. Acknowledging the concerns expressed by CLICO (Bahamas) policyholders and annuity holders, who have waited seven years to recover their life savings and long-term investments, the Prime Minister added: “ I know that there are many persons impacted by CLICO, and these persons have grown impatient waiting for a solution, but rest assured a solution is at hand.” He argued that the SPV resolution was “complex”, and achieving a “consensus” between all parties involved required time. Tribune Business, though, revealed the proposed CLICO (Bahamas) solution back in June 2015. Rather than the Ingraham administration’s initial $30 million guarantee, the current government is dividing CLICO (Bahamas) clients into annuity holders and insurance policyholders. The last proposed resolution was to pay out annuity holders with products worth less than $10,000 or less. Those holding annuities worth $10,000 or more will get that sum up front, and be paid the rest in government bonds with a seven-year maturity. Former CLICO (Bahamas) employees also will be paid the severance pay and pension benefits due to them, while insurance policyholders will be transferred either to a new underwriter or the SPV created by the Government.It is only now, more than six months later, that the Government is putting this into effect.

Taking a swipe at the former Ingraham administration, Mr Christie said yesterday: “The previous administration, at the onset of the liquidation of CLICO, proposed to provide a conditional guarantee of $30 million to any entity which would have purchased the insurance operations of CLICO. “This guarantee was conditional on the sale of the book, and while affording comfort to a potential purchaser, did not actually guarantee that the policyholders would be made whole. “For two main reasons, namely concerns with respect to the information system [of CLICO Bahamas] and the conditional nature of the guarantee (i.e. it was unclear what event would have triggered the calling in of the guarantee), [the liquidator] was unsuccessful in the sale of the portfolio.” Tribune Business revealed in November 205 how Mr Gomez planned to cancel all CLICO (Bahamas) medical policies on New Year’s Eve if the Government failed yet again to deliver on its resolution promises. He held off until the New Year so that hundreds of Bahamians and their families were not greeted with bad news over the festive period, but the cancellation notices were due to be issued to policyholders this month. Mr Gomez said he had little choice but to cancel the medical insurance policies unless the Government came through because high claims payouts were eroding the $11.893 million in CLICO (Bahamas) bank accounts. This undermines his duty to preserve and maintain the asset for the benefit of creditors.

Cayman Islands government faces crisis in Parliament With just nine members on the ruling government bench, the Progressives-led coalition was left to consider this week whether it would seek to muddle through the next 14 months via the slimmest of majorities or call for elections ahead of the usual May 2017 date. According to the Caymanian Compass, Premier Alden McLaughlin, the Progressives party leader, said he would not speculate about what decisions the government might make. He indicated to the Cayman Compass this week that dissolving parliament and calling for early general elections is one option – an option that might have to be taken if the current government loses one more member. The road will not be easy for the Progressives-led government even if it maintains its current majority membership. “It will be hell for [Premier McLaughlin] in the next year with barely no backbench,” Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush said Wednesday.

“We will be a formidable group for him to face. Although I can only speak for the official opposition, the independents and [MLAs] Ezzard [Miller] and Arden [McLean] are not weaklings. We must consider the country first.” Meanwhile, opposition independent members of the Legislative Assembly, including Mr. McLean, Mr. Miller,

Alva Suckoo and Anthony Eden, were to meet Thursday with Governor Helen Kilpatrick, who would have to approve the call for early elections if one were made, and no party could gain a majority of assembly seats. The independents are adamantly opposed to the prospect of elections prior to May 2017 and intend to tell Ms. Kilpatrick about their views. “We think it’s ridiculous and none of us support it,” Bodden Town MLA Alva Suckoo said of the prospect of a 2016 vote, which would likely have to be held under the former multimember district voting system, not the single-member districts lawmakers agreed to last year. Political insiders noted that the meeting with the governor might serve another purpose: To nominate

Mr. McLean as the country’s new opposition leader, replacing Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush’s Cayman Islands Democratic Party holds three assembly seats, while the independent opposition membership holds five in total including George Town MLA Winston Connolly. Contacted Wednesday, Mr. McLean declined to comment. Mr. Suckoo denied that the meeting was being held for that purpose. “It’s just to discuss the possibility of early elections,” he said. Mr. Suckoo, along with Mr. Eden and Mr. Connolly, have previously denied that they intend to join any political party ahead of the next general election. For now, Mr. McLaughlin’s Progressives-led coalition maintains

a 10-person majority out of 18 elected Legislative Assembly members. That majority includes Speaker of the House Juliana O’Connor-Connolly who does not get a vote except in the case of a tie-break situation. In order for government to continue meeting, all nine remaining members on the government benches, including all seven ministers and both remaining backbench members, MLAs Roy McTaggart and Joey Hew, would have to attend the full length of every meeting. In practice, legislature members often step out to take calls, meet with constituents and attend to ministerial business while parliament is in session. In a scenario with a nine-person government bench, opposition members could scuttle any meeting if only one member of the government bench stepped out. Parliamentary rules state that a quorum of 10 members, not counting the Speaker, must be present in order for a legislative meeting to proceed. One way to avoid a nine-member government bench would be to have current Speaker O’Connor-Connolly step down and take up her seat with the ruling party. That would require another person to be named as Speaker. It could also require one of the current government ministers to be replaced if Ms. O’Connor-Connolly moved to a minister’s position.

Cayman Parliament

Page 36 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

WORLDNEWS

‘Affluenza’ teen sent back to Texas, ‘docile’ in detention

The American teenager derided for claiming a defense of

“affluenza” in the killing four people while driving drunk arrived back in Texas on Thursday after being deported from Mexico and was placed in juvenile detention. After his flight landed, Ethan Couch, 18, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sporting a beard, was seen with his hands behind his back being escorted by uniformed officers through the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. About an hour after touching down, he was placed in a Tarrant County juvenile detention center, where the local sheriff said he was calm and being fed. “He was as compliant and docile as anyone I have ever seen come into a facility,” Sheriff Dee Anderson told reporters. “We are hoping that the day comes when justice is done for those families and the victims that were killed,” he said. Couch fled to Mexico in December along with his mother after a video emerged on social media that likely showed the teen in violation of

the probation deal reached in juvenile court that kept him out of prison for causing the deadly crash in 2013. He faces a detention hearing on Friday or Monday, at which a judge will determine whether to transfer the case from the juvenile system to the adult system, his lawyers said. “We are optimistic that, going forward, Ethan will comply with all court-imposed terms and conditions and that he will successfully complete his term of probation,” lawyers Scott Brown and Wm. Reagan Wynn said in a statement. Couch was 16 when he was tried as a juvenile. A psychiatrist testifying on his behalf said he had

“affluenza,” as his family’s wealth had left him so spoiled that it impaired his judgment to tell right from wrong. The affluenza diagnosis, not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, was widely ridiculed. If he violated the probation deal, Couch faces about four months behind bars. His mother, Tonya Couch, faces up to 10 years in prison for helping her son flee to Mexico. Couch’s lawyers may seek to

transfer him to the adult system so he can apply for bail, an option not available in the juvenile system, a legal official said. His mother was deported to the United States last month and has

since been freed on bond. He was sentenced to 10 years of drug-and-alcohol-free probation for intoxication manslaughter, a punishment condemned by critics as privilege rewarded with leniency.

Ethan Couch, known as the “affluenza” teen after he killed four people in a drunk driving incident in 2013, is seen getting into a Mexican government vehicle to be driven to an airport in this still image from a video provided by Mexico’s National Institute of migration in.

Irresistible cities: World’s 25 top tourism destinations

Still one of the world’s most vibrant cities despite astronomical living costs, it’s no surprise London is the world’s second most visited destination.So what’s the first? The emphatic answer, says market researcher Euromonitor International, is Hong Kong. Attracting an impressive 27.77 million international tourists in the space of a year, the Asian city outstripped London’s popularity to the tune of 10 million people. The influx, chiefly accounted for by mainland Chinese visitors, kept Hong Kong at the forefront of Euromonitor’s annual Top 100 City Destinations survey for the fifth year in succession. London, which last crowned the list in 2009, pulled in a mere 17.38 million, just ahead of Singapore at 17.09 million. Euromonitor’s list is compiled from data from 57

“core” countries, using national statistics and info from airports, hotels and other tourism industry sources. The company says the latest figures, from 2014, show geopolitical tensions and successful marketing campaigns swaying tourist decisions.

But despite fluctuating fortunes for some key destinations, it says tourism remains an upward trend with all but a few cities improving on visitor numbers. That said, Euromonitor warns of interesting times ahead for some of the main players. It says Hong Kong’s reliance on Chinese tourists is a weakness as their increasing affluence takes them further afield -- a situation likely to be exacerbated by recent protests there against mainland Chinese travelers. London’s expensive reputation and the fact that its airports are nearing capacity could also see it losing out to European rivals, Euromonitor says. As for Singapore,

“limited natural attractions” and a reputation as a business rather than leisure destination could see it struggle to “remain relevant” against low-cost alternatives like Thailand. Istanbul, currently ranked ninth, is identified by Euromonitor as “one to watch.” It says the city could build on a year-on-year increase of 13.2% although the emergent threat of ISIS could prove challenging.

U.S., British spies hacked Israeli air force: reports citing Snowden

The United States and Britain have monitored secret sorties and communications by Israel’s air force in a hacking operation dating back to 1998, according to documents attributed to leaks by former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden. Israel voiced disappointment at the disclosures, which were published on Friday in three media outlets and might further strain relations with Washington after years of feuding over strategies on Iran and the Palestinians. Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily said the U.S. National Security Agency, which specializes in electronic surveillance, and its British counterpart GCHQ spied on Israeli air force missions against the Palestinian enclave Gaza, Syria and Iran. The spy operation, codenamed

“Anarchist”, was run out of a Cyprus base and targeted other Middle East states too, it said. Its findings were mirrored by stories in Germany’s Der Spiegel news magazine and the online

publication The Intercept, which lists Snowden confidant Glenn Greenwald among its associates. “This access is indispensable for maintaining an understanding of Israeli military training and operations and thus an insight to possible future developments in the region,” The Intercept quoted a classified GCHQ report as saying in 2008. That year, Israel went to war against Hamas guerrillas in Gaza and began issuing increasingly vocal threats to attack Iranian nuclear facilities if it deemed international diplomacy insufficient to deny its arch-foe the means of making a bomb.Asked for comment, the United States and Britain said through spokespeople for their embassies in Israel that they do not publicly discuss intelligence matters. Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, sought to play down the potential damage but said lessons would be learned. “I do not think that this is the deepest kingdom of secrets, but it is certainly something that should not happen, which is unpleasant,” he told Israel’s Army Radio. “We will now have to look and consider changing the encryption, certainly.” With the Netanyahu government and Obama administration at loggerheads over the U.S.-led nuclear agreement with Iran, there have been a series of high-profile media exposes in recent months alleging mutual espionage between the allies.

American whistleblower Edward Snowden is seen through a camera viewfinder as he delivers remarks via video link from Moscow to attendees at a discussion regarding an International Treaty on the Right to Privacy, Protection Against Improper Surveillance and Protection of.

WORLD NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 37

WORLD NEWS

Obama calls for rapid Zika research as virus

seen spreading

President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the rapid development of tests, vaccines and treatments to fight the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects and could spread to the United States in warmer months. U.S. health officials are stepping up efforts to study the link between Zika virus infections and birth defects, citing a recent study estimating the virus could reach regions where 60 percent of the U.S. population lives. Obama was briefed on the potential spread of the virus by his top health and national security officials on Tuesday. “The president emphasized the need to accelerate research efforts to make available better diagnostic tests, to develop vaccines and therapeutics, and to ensure that all Americans have information about the Zika virus and steps they can take to better protect themselves from infection,” the White House said in a statement. The virus has been linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, a close cousin of dengue and chikungunya, which causes

mild fever and rash. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected. On Monday, the World Health Organization predicted the virus would spread to all countries across the Americas except for Canada and Chile. In a blog post, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins cited a Lancet study published Jan. 14 in which researchers predicted the Zika virus could be spread in areas along the East and West Coasts of the United States and much of the Midwest during warmer months, where about 200 million people live. The study also showed that 22.7 million more people live in humid parts of the country where mosquitoes carrying the virus could live year round. Given the threat, Collins said “it is now critically important to confirm, through careful epidemiological and animal studies, whether or not a causal link exists between Zika virus infections in pregnant women and microcephaly in their newborn babies.” Microcephaly results in babies being born with

abnormally small heads. There is still much to learn about Zika infections, experts said. For example, it is not clear how common Zika infections are in pregnant women, or when during a pregnancy a woman is most at risk of transmitting the virus to her fetus. Collins said the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease is conducting studies to more fully understand the effects of Zika in humans, and to develop better diagnostic tests to quickly determine if someone has been infected. The NIAID is also working on testing new drugs that might be effective against the virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also announced new instructions for pediatricians treating infants whose mothers may have been exposed to the virus during pregnancy. In those guidelines, the CDC made clear that it considers the Zika virus a nationally notifiable condition, and instructs doctors to contact their state or territorial health departments to facilitate testing of potentially infected infants. Dr. Kathryn Edwards of Vanderbilt University, who serves on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ committee on infectious disease, said the guidelines were intended to help establish whether Zika causes microcephaly and to help pregnant women who may have been infected with the virus.Microcephaly is a lifelong condition with no known cure, the CDC website said. Symptoms range from mild to severe. In mild cases, infants often have no symptoms other than small head size, but doctors still need to check their development regularly. In severe cases, babies may need speech, occupational and physical therapy.

The forearm of a public health technician is seen covered with sterile female Aedes aegyti mosquitoes after leaving a recipient to cultivate larvae, in a research area to prevent the spread of Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, at the entomology department of the Ministry of Public Health, in Guatemala City, January 26, 2016.

North Korea activity points to possible space launch:

U.S. officials The United States has seen increased activity around a North Korean site suggesting preparations for a possible space launch in the near future, U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday. The officials cited intelligence suggesting movement of components and propellant, adding the United States believed a test could take place even within a couple of weeks. “Our concern though is ... it’s the same technology to develop ICBMs” (inter-continental ballistic missiles), one of the officials said. U.N. Security Council members were discussing fresh sanctions against North Korea after it conducted its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6. The Pyongyang government is already under sanctions for its nuclear and missile programs. North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in late 2012, successfully putting into orbit an object it claimed was a communications satellite. Western and Asian experts said it was part of an effort to build an inter-continental ballistic missile. Earlier on Thursday, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported North Korea may be preparing to launch a long-range missile as soon as within a week.South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok declined to comment on whether there were pre-launch activities at the site, citing a policy of not discussing intelligence matters. He said North Korea had issued no international warnings on navigation, however, as it has ahead of previous long-range rocket launches. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned during a trip to China this week of the dangers of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s pursuit of an ICBM, particularly given its declared intention to develop one with the capacity to carry a nuclear warhead.

New U.S. single-family home sales race to 10-month high New U.S. single-family home sales surged in December to their highest level in 10 months, the latest indication that the housing sector remains on a firmer footing despite a massive stock market sell-off and slowing economic growth. The Commerce Department said on Wednesday sales rose 10.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 544,000 units, the highest level since February. Sales last month were likely buoyed by unseasonably mild weather

and a rise in the supply of homes on the market, which increased choices for buyers. “Don’t count the economy out yet with the darkening skies seen in January as world stock markets fell on worries over China and crude oil and world growth. Worries don’t become reality,” said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at MUFG Union Bank in New York. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday acknowledged that economic growth had slowed late last year. The U.S. central bank kept

its benchmark overnight interest rate unchanged and said it was “closely monitoring global economic and financial developments.” The Fed in December raised its benchmark overnight interest rate, the first rate hike in nearly a decade. The dollar was trading lower against a basket of currencies, and prices for U.S. government debt fell. U.S. stocks were down in volatile trade. New home sales soared 14.5 percent to 501,000 units in 2015, the highest

level since 2007. Economists had forecast new home sales, which account for about 9.1 percent of the housing market, edging up to a 500,000 unit-rate last month.Housing is being supported by tightening labor market conditions, which are spurring a rise in household formation.The data came on the heels of a report last Friday showing a record increase in home resales in December from a 19-month low in November. In December, new home sales jumped 20.8

percent in the Northeast and gained 0.4 percent in the populous South. They advanced 31.6 percent in the Midwest and shot up 21.0 percent in the West. The inventory of new homes on the market rose 2.6 percent to a six-year high of 237,000 units last month. At December’s sales pace it would take 5.2 months to clear the supply of houses on the market, down from 5.6 months in November. The median price of a new home fell 4.3 percent from a year ago to $288,900.

A video grab from KCNA shows the Unha-3 (Milky Way 3) rocket launching at North Korea’s West Sea Satellite Launch Site, at the satellite control centre in Cholsan county, North Pyongan province in this video released by KCNA in Pyongyang December

Page 38 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

WORLD NEWS

Dad arrested for taking daughter’s phone as punishment

When Ronald Jackson found a text he thought was rude and inappropriate on his then-12-year-old daughter’s phone in September 2013, he took the cell away. But the child’s mother, Michelle Steppe, balked at his action — and she called the police. Steppe and Jackson have not been a couple for years, and Steppe is now married to a Grand Prairie, Texas, police officer. When the police showed up at Jackson’s door later that day and asked for the iPhone 4 back, Jackson refused. “At that point I decided the police don’t interfere with my ability to parent my daughter,” he told KHOU 11 News on Wednesday. But Steppe insisted that the phone belonged to her, and three

months after Jackson refused to return it, he got a citation in the mail for theft of property. He was offered a plea deal in January 2014 if he would return the phone. Instead, Jackson hired an attorney and requested a jury trial. The case moved to Dallas County and, unbeknownst to Jackson, a warrant was issued for his arrest. The police showed up at his door around 2 a.m. in April 2015, and Jackson was handcuffed and taken to jail. “It made no sense to me for them to show up and make a big deal out of something that was a small thing,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t believe they would go to this extent for a cellphone. It didn’t seem right.” He posted $1,500 bail and was

released after a night in jail. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Cameron Gray, Jackson’s defense attorney, told KHOU Wednesday.

“You would think we were on the Jerry Springer Show.” After just a two-day trial — in which Jackson’s daughter, now 15, testified — Dallas County Criminal Court Judge Lisa Green ordered the jury to find Jackson not guilty, citing insufficient evidence to prove a theft charge. Steppe disagrees with the verdict. “Even if you purchase something with your own money and have a receipt, it’s not yours,” she said. “Someone can take it from you.” Although Jackson won the case and is allowed to keep the phone, he said he has had to separate himself from Steppe and his daughter

because of this incident. “I can’t ever have a relationship with them again,” he said.On KHOU’s Facebook page, most commenters have been supportive of Jackson’s disciplinary action. One person wrote, “Good job dad. Inappropriate text are definitely a reason to lose the phone.” Another lamented the big-picture consequences: “The poor girl just lost her relationship with her dad because her mom was being petty.” Still another commenter wished both parents had acted differently, posting, “In my eyes both of them have growing up to do,” and suggesting that Jackson’s punishment hold for his home but not the mother’s. “It’s called co-parenting for a reason people!”

Most Americans support Obama’s contested immigration plan: poll

Most Americans say they back a plan that would allow certain illegal immigrants to stay in the country, but support for the idea slips when President Barack Obama’s name is attached to the question, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. The results underscore the polarized nature of the debate over how to overhaul immigration laws and how to address the estimated 11 million people living illegally in the country. Congress has been unable to agree on reforms for years. In 2014, Obama bypassed the Republican-controlled Congress to issue an executive order to shield more than 4 million undocumented immigrants from deportation and offer them work permits, but he was blocked by court challenges from Republican-governed states. The Supreme Court is set to rule by the end of June on whether Obama had the power to make the change. The decision will come just weeks before Republicans choose their nominee for November’s presidential election. Republican front-runners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have called for a crackdown on illegal immigration, with Trump promising to build a wall along southern U.S. border with Mexico.

But Hispanic voters are an increasingly powerful voting bloc, and the debate over Obama’s immigration action could hurt Republican attempts to make inroads into the important demographic. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was taken in the week following the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the immigration case. The poll shows 61 percent of Americans support the plan to relax immigration policy for some undocumented people when it is described in general terms without using Obama’s name, including 42 percent of Republicans. Half of Republicans opposed the idea. But when the same plan was described as being an executive action taken by Obama, support fell to 54 percent overall, with only 31 percent of Republicans supporting it and 62 percent opposing the measures. For Democrats, 78 percent supported the plan when it was described without using Obama’s name, and 80 percent supported it when the president’s name was attached to it. The online poll of 1,200 people has a credibility interval of 3.2 percentage points, including 5 percentage points for Democrats and 5.4 percentage points for Republicans.

A man holds an envelope from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Service during a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives Museum in Washington

Twenty-four migrants die in boat sinking off Greek island

Twenty-four migrants drowned when their boat sank off a Greek island close to Turkey, the Greek coastguard said, as people continue to risk the crossing to Europe despite harsh winter conditions. “We have 10 rescued and 11 missing,” a coastguard official said on Thursday. “The search and rescue effort is continuing.” The sinking occurred late on Wednesday north of the island of Samos in the eastern Aegean Sea, close to the Turkish coast. The coastguard said a man who managed to swim ashore told Greek authorities the boat had been carrying 40 to 45 people. Coastguard vessels and a helicopter were continuing to look for survivors. More than 600,000 migrants fleeing Syria, Afghanistan and other

war-torn or impoverished countries arrived in Greece from Turkey last year, risking the short but dangerous sea crossing, often on inflatable rafts. Hundreds have drowned. Six migrants including a child drowned when their vessel sank off the island of Kos close to Turkey early on Wednesday. EU countries have been increasingly critical of Athens’ handling of the continent’s worst migration crisis since World War Two. More than a million migrants reached Europe last year, mainly through Greece. On Wednesday, the European Commission warned there could be more controls over movement between Greece and other states in the free-travel Schengen zone from May unless it fixed “serious deficiencies” in its management of the zone’s external frontier.

U.S. issues treatment guidelines for infants exposed to Zika

U.S. health officials on Tuesday issued interim guidelines for health care professionals in the United States caring for infants born to mothers who traveled or lived in an area with Zika virus transmission during pregnancy. The guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call for pediatricians to work closely with obstetricians caring for pregnant women exposed to the virus during pregnancy, monitoring fetal ultrasounds and testing infants with signs of a birth defect called microcephaly marked by small head size. The guidelines come after thousands of infants in Brazil were born with microcephaly, which was believed to be linked to Zika infections. In studies of the current outbreak in Brazil, genetic material from the Zika virus has been identified in studies of brain tissue, placenta and amniotic fluid from several infants with microcephaly and from miscarried fetuses from

women infected with the virus. Although Zika transmission has not yet been reported in the United States, mosquitoes that carry the infection are endemic to specific regions of the United States, and experts believe transmission is likely in the coming months as the weather heats up. In the interim guidelines for pediatricians, the CDC recommends that infants with microcephaly born to women exposed to Zika while pregnant should be tested for the virus. For infants without microcephaly but whose mothers received a positive or inconclusive test for the virus, the guidelines call for the child to be tested for possible Zika infection. The guidance also informs U.S. doctors that Zika is a nationally notifiable condition, meaning that suspected cases must be reported to state and territorial health departments. No treatments or vaccines are available for Zika infections.

WORLD NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 39

WORLD NEWS

Celebrity backed anonymous messaging app alarms parents, politicians

A new app that allows users to send anonymous text messages is causing alarm among parents, politicians and some teenagers, who say it is being used as a weapon for cyber-bullying. Blindspot, launched by Israeli company Shellanoo, has attracted 700,000 users since it was launched a month ago, mostly in Israel where it is being heavily marketed but also in the United States and Britain. “What would you say to people you know if you were anonymous?” its advertisement says. Shellanoo, backed by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and popstars will.i.am and Nicki Minaj, among others, is being targeted by campaigners but says criticism of its app is undeserved. It believes it is being singled out because of its famous backers and celebrity links. Dor Refaeli, a high-profile employee of Herzliya-based Shellanoo and brother of Israel’s Instagram-savvy top model, Bar Refaeli, has spoken out against the backlash, complaining of being

hit with hundreds of abusive messages after someone published his phone number online. “It’s a little ironic that I am being accused of bullying and shaming and the only one who’s under attack is me,” he said, adding that Blindspot was conceived to give shy people a voice. “There are 353 apps that offer anonymous chats (but) Dor Refaeli has a famous last name,” said the firm’s spokesman, David Strauss. Blindspot requires users to register with their phone number, which is withheld from texts they send. Recipients, prompted by SMS, must themselves download the free app to see any messages, photos or videos sent. The easy interface and playful yellow logo plastered on billboards across Tel Aviv - a winking smiley-face with an eye-patch - appeal to a young market, though Blindspot’s disclaimer says users under 16 should have parental approval. It has become Israel’s most downloaded social app in the

last month, according to market research firm AppAnnie. But critics appear determined to see Blindspot go the way of Secret.ly, a similar U.S. app that shut down last year with its founder acknowledging complaints about abusive messaging had turned its anonymity into the “ultimate double-edged sword”. Blindspot has been accused in the media of helping create a virtual schoolyard where bullies can operate with impunity. “Why wait for the next young person to commit suicide? Let’s stop this now,” 16-year old Ofri Atarchi told Channel 2 television. The call has been echoed by Israeli lawmakers, as well as by parents’ associations that urged members not to allow their children to download the app. A free, Israeli-designed counter-app, Safe Spot, alerts parents to Blindspot use by their children, though it is only available for Android phones. Blindspot receives a rating of just 2 out of 5 on Google Play’s app store, with three times as many reviewers giving it a one star rating than a five. The chairman of the Israeli parliament’s home committee is so alarmed by Blindspot’s potential as a conduit for bullying that he has introduced a proposal that would make the company legally responsible for any bullying and could ban the app. Strauss noted that Blindspot offers a block function: a user blocked three times by message recipients can no longer use the app with his or her phone number. Abuse can also be flagged to the company, something Strauss said so far happened with fewer than 1 percent of around 50 million texts sent over Blindspot. Some teenagers love the app. “I use it a lot,” said Michael Bob, a high school student. “I curse out all the people who I hate and the ones I love I also curse... because I can.”

A billboard advertisement for Israeli app Blingspot, which allows people to send text messages anonymously, is seen in Tel Aviv January 25, 2016.

Canada stops sharing some spy info with allies after breach Canada has stopped its electronic spy agency from sharing some data with key international allies after discovering the information mistakenly contained personal details about Canadians, government officials said on Thursday. Ottawa acted after learning that the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) agency had failed to properly disguise metadata - the numbers and time stamps of phone calls but not their content - before passing it on to their

international partners. “CSE will not resume sharing this information with our partners until I am fully satisfied the effective systems and measures are in place,” Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said in a statement. Sajjan, who has overall responsibility for the agency, did not say when Canada had stopped sharing the data in question. Canada is part of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing network, along with the United States, Britain, Australia and New

Zealand. CSE, like the U.S. National Security Agency, monitors electronic communication and helps protect national computer networks. While the agency is not allowed to specifically target Canadians or Canadian corporations, it can scoop up data about Canadians while focusing on other targets. Sajjan, blaming technical deficiencies at CSE for the problems, said the metadata that Canada shared did not contain names or enough information to identify individuals and added: “The privacy

impact was low.”He made the announcement shortly after an official watchdog that monitors CSE revealed the metadata problem. The watchdog said CSE officials themselves had realized they were not doing enough to disguise the information they shared. An NSA program to vacuum up Americans’ call data was exposed publicly by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in 2013 and prompted questions about the CSE’s practices.

One shot dead as FBI arrests Oregon occupation

leader, others One protester was shot dead and eight others were arrested on Tuesday after authorities confronted members of an armed group that has staged a month-long occupation of a federal wildlife reserve in Oregon, activists and officials said. The FBI said gunshots rang out after officers stopped a car carrying protest leader Ammon Bundy and others near the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Activists said Robert LaVoy Finicum, a rancher who acted as a spokesman for the occupiers, was killed. FBI agents were setting up a perimeter on Tuesday night around the wildlife refuge, where some people were still holding out, continuing their protest against federal control of large tracts of the country, a law enforcement official told Reuters. One of the remaining occupiers, Jason Patrick, told Reuters by phone they would stay until the “redress of grievances”. “I’ve heard ‘peaceful resolution’ for weeks now and now there’s a cowboy who is my friend who is dead so prepare for the peaceful resolution,” Patrick said. The takeover at Malheur that started Jan. 2 was a flare-up in the so-called Sagebrush Rebellion, a decades-old conflict over the U.S. government’s control of millions of acres of territory in the west. Protesters say they are defending the Constitution. Federal officials said they had probable cause to arrest Finicum, who told NBC News earlier this month that he would rather die than be detained.Protest leader Ammon Bundy and four other senior members were taken into custody following the confrontation along Highway 395, near the reserve in northeast Oregon around 4:25 p.m. local time (0025 GMT), the FBI said. A sixth person was arrested by Oregon State Police in Burns, Oregon, about 1 1/2 hours later. The FBI said a seventh person was later arrested, 50-year-old Peter Santilli, a journalist who livestreamed events at the refuge. The FBI said they also arrested an eighth person in Peoria, Arizona, in relation to the occupation. All of those arrested face federal charges of conspiracy to use force, intimidation or threats to impede federal officers from discharging their duties, the FBI said. The protester Patrick likened Finicum’s death to the killing of Tamir Rice, an unarmed 12-year-old African American boy fatally shot by police outside a Cleveland recreation center in 2014. The officers were not charged.

Ammon Bundy is seen in an office at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Buns, Oregon, January 9th, 2016.

䘀伀刀 䄀䰀䰀 夀伀唀刀 䄀䐀嘀䔀刀吀䤀匀䤀一䜀 一䔀䔀䐀匀

䄀昀昀漀爀搀愀戀氀攀 刀愀琀攀猀 簀 䠀椀最栀 瘀漀氀甀洀攀 琀爀愀昀昀椀挀 簀 刀攀氀椀愀戀氀攀

䌀伀一吀䄀䌀吀 ⠀㘀㐀㤀⤀ⴀ㌀㌀㤀ⴀ㔀㠀㜀㤀 漀爀

䔀䴀䄀䤀䰀㨀 猀甀渀䀀猀甀渀琀挀椀⸀挀漀洀

Page 40 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

WORLD NEWS

Putin’s son-in-law boosted by $1.75 billion Russian state loan

The son-in-law of Vladimir Putin stands to benefit from $1.75 billion in cheap finance from the Russian state, a Reuters examination of public documents shows. The money will help fund a petrochemical project at a company in which Kirill Shamalov, husband of Katerina Tikhonova, the Russian president’s younger daughter, has a significant interest. Shamalov is a major shareholder in Sibur, Russia’s largest processor of petrochemicals. This month Sibur obtained $1.75 billion from Russia’s National Wealth Fund to help build a huge new plant in Tobolsk, Siberia. According to corporate documents, Sibur was able to borrow the money at a current interest rate of 2 percent. That is a bargain, according to financial analysts. Artyom Usmanov, an analyst at investment firm BCS, said borrowers on the Russian bond market would expect to pay over 7 percent interest for such a loan. Irina Alizarovskaya, an analyst with Raiffeisenbank called the financing

“quite cheap.” Shamalov did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement by Sibur on Dec. 9, Dmitry Konov, its chief executive, described the state finance as having

“favourable terms.” A Sibur spokesman said the company had no information

“about family relations or relations between the company’s shareholders and the president of Russia.” The state loan, he said, “underwent all necessary procedures and was approved in strict

accordance with the ... laws.” The country’s National Wealth Fund, which was valued at the start of 2015 at 4.8 trillion roubles (then $72 billion), typically invests in national infrastructure projects such as railways, nuclear technology and major roads. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree in October to add the petrochemical plant to the list of projects in which the fund can invest. The decision, Medvedev said, would reduce “dependence on imports” and create up to 15,000 jobs. The state money forms part of the overall $9.5 billion cost of Sibur’s Siberian project, which is known as ZapSibNeftekhim, or ZapSib. Sibur has said in public announcements that the plant will be the “largest modern petrochemical facility in Russia” and create a world-class facility for making chemical products from Siberian gas supplies. The development is central

to Sibur’s future – and to the value of Shamalov’s stake in the company. In 2012, when design work began, Sibur’s chairman Leonid Mikhelson said ZapSib would “change the image of the company and the Russian petrochemical sector.” After Shamalov married Putin’s daughter in 2013, he increased his stake in Sibur five-fold and the company invested more heavily in the ZapSib project. As Reuters detailed earlier this month, Shamalov acquired a 17 percent stake in Sibur in September 2014, making him the second largest shareholder in the company, with a total stake of 21.3 percent. That investment is now worth $2.85 billion, judging by recent share deals. Later in September 2014, Sibur said its overall capital expenditure on ZapSib and other projects would increase from 53 billion roubles ($1.4 billion at the time) to 74 billion roubles.

In February this year, Sibur said the foundations for the plant had been laid. On Dec. 4, the company raised $1.75 billion from the state by issuing 15-year bonds with an interest rate of either 2 percent or the U.S. annual consumer price inflation plus 1 percent, whichever is higher. Annual U.S. consumer price inflation in November was 0.5 percent. The bonds were all bought by the state via the National Wealth Fund. The decision to make the loan was made by the state-controlled Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which said the project “fully complies with the rules for investing NWF money in infrastructure projects” and gives the fund, whose loan is less than 20 percent of the project’s total cost, “maximum protection and corresponding profitability.” RDIF said ZapSib “is one of the most promising projects in the world.” A spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry for Economic Development, which nominates projects for NWF funding, said the Sibur bonds would be profitable in rouble terms, and that the state investment helps attract foreign investment as well. Sibur has also arranged $3.3 billion of financing from European banks and other institutions. To develop ZapSib, Sibur is working with Linde Group, a gas and engineering company based in Germany, and INEOS, a chemical company based in Switzerland. Neither company responded to requests for comment.

Kirill Shamalov, deputy chairman of the management board of SIBUR company

‘El Chapo’ shirt is big seller for California clothing firm

The shirt worn by wanted Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman in a photograph with American actor Sean Penn is a big seller for a California clothing firm. Guzman, who was recaptured last week in Mexico after escaping from a prison last year, was pictured wearing the Barabas shirt in a photo with Penn that accompanied the actor’s recent Rolling Stone

magazine article about the fugitive. The company posted on its Facebook page that “El Chapo” was wearing its shirt. It was reportedly sold out because of the spike in demand following the Rolling stone story. Mexico’s government says it plans to extradite Guzman to the United States, where he is wanted on charges including drug trafficking, kidnapping and murder.

The shirt sold out after company posted on its Facebook page that ‘El Chapo’ was wearing it

Giant church in shape of shoe to open in Taiwan

Budai, a township in southwest Taiwan, is building a church in the form of a giant high-heeled shoe, made of metal and blue glass tiles, seeking to attract more tourists to the area. Still under construction, the structure is some 17 meters (55.77 ft) tall at the highest point, the heel. Talia Pan, Recreation Section Manager of the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration which is running the project, said she wanted to turn a sad part of history into something positive. “Because of (a) drinking

water shortage in the southwestern coastal area in the 1960s, (residents) had to drill deep wells to get drinking water. Because of arsenic in the water, there were cases of Blackfoot disease ... (which if) severe, the only option to save a life is to amputate both legs,” she said. “Because of this, a lot of women lost the opportunity to walk into marriage, walk into a new life chapter on high-heeled shoes ... Because of that history, we hope to create a place in Chiayi County, where people can get married, invoking the fairy tale of Cinderella.”

The shoe-shaped church in southern Chiayi, which measures 55 feet tall and 36 feet wide, took two months to build

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 41

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGYApple sees first sales dip in more than a decade as super-growth era falters

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) forecast its first revenue drop in 13 years and reported the slowest-ever increase in iPhone shipments as the critical Chinese market showed signs of weakening, suggesting the technology company’s period of exponential growth may be ending. The slowdown comes as Wall Street analysts worry the company does not have another blockbuster product to replace the iPhone. Apple does not report Watch sales, but it does not appear to have the makings of being a hit on the same level as the iPhone a year after launch. And while the company is reportedly working on a car, what it plans to do in that area and when are still unclear. The company’s shares, which have fallen 5 percent this year, bounced around in after-hours trading and were down more than 2.6 percent. “It’s disappointing to see them miss on an already downward adjusted sales number and the fact is that with their iPhone growth slowing what was needed was a product to be excited about,” said J.J. Kinahan, chief strategist at TD Ameritrade. “Pressure on the shares will continue without a well-defined plan to grow sales or a new product.” The company said on Tuesday it sold 74.8 million iPhones in its fiscal first quarter, ended Dec. 26, the first full quarter of sales of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. The 0.4 percent growth in shipments was the lowest since the product was launched in 2007. IPhone sales were expected to fall for the

current quarter compared with the same quarter last year, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said on a conference call with analysts. But suggesting there is still room for growth, 60 percent of people who had an iPhone prior to the launch of the iPhone 6 have yet to upgrade to an iPhone 6 or 6S, Cook said. And iPhones remain popular with American consumers. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 86 percent of iPhone owners were somewhat or very likely to buy another iPhone. Of those likely to buy a phone, 15 percent are currently looking to upgrade and 17 percent will when the next iPhone is released. The January poll had a credibility interval of 2.0 percentage points. While revenue in Greater China rose 14 percent in the last quarter, Apple is beginning to see a shift in the economy, particularly in Hong Kong, Apple Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri told Reuters in an interview. “As we move into the March quarter it’s becoming more apparent that there are some signs of economic softness,” Maestri said. “We are starting to see something that we have not seen before.” Apple forecast second-quarter revenue of $50 billion to $53 billion, below analysts’ average forecast of $55.5 billion. In the same quarter last year Apple reported revenue of $58 billion. Apple’s guidance for the March quarter implies iPhone sales of 50 million to 52 million units in the March quarter, which would mark the

company’s first-ever decline in sales of the gadget, said analyst Daniel Ives of FBR Capital Markets & Co. In the same quarter last year Apple sold 61.2 million iPhones. The company reported revenue of $18.37 billion from Greater China, accounting for 24.2 percent of total revenue. Revenue from the region had nearly doubled in the fourth quarter. Apple’s iPhone shipments fell short of analyst expectations for 75.5 million, according to research firm FactSet StreetAccount.

The Apple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are displayed during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, September 9, 2015

Samsung warns of difficult 2016 as smartphone troubles spread

Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) warned on Thursday of possible weaker earnings this year due to softer sales of gadgets such as smartphones, a trend that is also hurting rival Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and major chipmakers. The South Korean firm’s warning came a day after Apple shares fell more than 6.5 percent, the biggest percentage drop in two years, as the iPhone maker forecast its first quarterly sales drop in 13 years. Slowing economic growth in China and weaker emerging market currencies are undercutting sales of electronics ranging from televisions to personal computers, spelling trouble not only for Samsung and Apple but also for their suppliers and the broader industry. “Broadly weaker IT demand will make it difficult to maintain 2016 profits at the level of the previous year’s,” Samsung said in a statement accompanying

its fourth-quarter results, adding that “challenging business conditions” would remain for the current quarter and last throughout the first half of this year. The world’s No.1 maker of smartphones and memory chips said its October-December operating profit was 6.1 trillion won ($5.05 billion), matching its earlier guidance. Revenue rose 1.1 percent to 53.3 trillion won, slightly better than the 53 trillion won it had guided for. The maker of Galaxy smartphones and tablets reported a full-year 2015 operating profit of 26.4 trillion won, compared with 25 trillion won the previous year. Samsung shares ended down 2.6 percent on Thursday, underperforming a 0.5 percent rise for the broader market .KS11. Some investors and analysts believe Samsung will see its profit fall for the second time in three years in 2016, as slack demand for gadgets undercuts prices of memory chips and displays that helped to offset declining mobile profits last year. The semiconductor division was the top earner for the sixth straight quarter in the October-December period, lifting its operating profit to 2.80 trillion won from 2.70 trillion won a year

earlier. Mobile division profit slipped 7.3 percent from the third quarter to 2.23 trillion won, its weakest result in four quarters. Samsung said first-quarter mobile profits would improve slightly, boosted by the launch of new smartphones, although overall smartphone shipments were expected to decline slightly. Samsung also said it will buy back and cancel 2.99 trillion won worth of common and preferred shares, marking the second round of share purchases as part of a 11.3 trillion buyback plan announced late last year. It also declared a year-end dividend of 20,000 won per share. Later on Thursday, the firm said it will sell a 37.5 percent stake in Samsung Card Co Ltd (029780.KS) to Samsung Life Insurance Co Ltd (032830.KS) for 1.54 trillion won ($1.3 billion), the proceeds from which will be used to fund new businesses. The transaction will give Samsung Life a 71.9 percent stake in Samsung Card, a step that analysts say furthers Samsung Group’s restructuring efforts to streamline its ownership structure and solidify the founding Lee family’s control over the smartphones-to-construction conglomerate.

Samsung flags are set up at the main entrance to the Berlin fair ground before the IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin

Amazon says Exclusives store sales top $50 million in first year

A m a z o n . c o m Inc said that sales on Exclusives, its platform for products not available anywhere else, topped $50 million in less than a year since its launch and the site includes more than 120 brands, the first time it has disclosed the data. The sale represents a tiny fraction of those on Amazon’s third-party marketplace platform, which allows other merchants to sell on Amazon’s site. Third party merchants account for roughly 40 percent of Amazon’s total site sales. But Amazon said the store serves as an important avenue for the retailer to get first dibs on new products that could be the next best-seller on the marketplace platform. It is also part of Amazon’s effort to target niche shoppers through stores like Handmade, which offers hand-crafted items, and Launchpad, which sells crowd-funded products.Now the company

plans to expand the site, which lists 10,000 products including a bluetooth-enabled

“smart bag,” although it did not provide details. “We do expect the broadening of the product categories and geographical expansion,” said Peter Sauerborn, director of business development at Amazon who leads the store. In order to be listed on the site, brands agree to let Amazon be the exclusive third-party retailer for their products. In exchange, merchants gets access to the Fulfillment by Amazon program, which refers to the company’s global network of warehouses and its fast shipping and loyalty program, Prime. “There’s a whole new group of consumers (the third-party retailers) can draw to Amazon,” said Seattle-based Christine Boerner, who runs Cielo, which sells fashionable metallic pillholders through Exclusives.

WORLD NEWSBUSINESS & TECHNOLOGYPage 42 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

World Bank slashes 2016

oil price forecast

The World Bank has slashed its forecast for crude oil prices by $14 to $37 per barrel for 2016, it said on Tuesday, amid growing supply and weak demand prospects from emerging markets. In its annual Commodity Markets Outlook, the World Bank lowered its price forecast for 37 of 46 commodities, including oil, saying that weak demand from emerging economies is likely to continue. World Bank economists said weak demand would continue even as oil supply grows with the resumption of Iranian exports, continued U.S. production and a mild Northern Hemisphere winter. Oil prices should decline another 27 percent in 2016 after plummeting by 47 percent last year, according to the outlook. The World Bank uses an average of Brent, Dubai and West Texas Intermediate oil, equally weighted. “Low prices for oil and commodities are likely to be with us for some time,” said John Baffes, senior economist and lead author of the report. Global benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 was trading around $30.50 a barrel late on Monday while U.S. crude CLc1 dipped just below $30.

World Bank economists said they expect a gradual recovery in oil prices over the course of 2016 but the rebound will be smaller than in previous years that followed sharp declines, including 2008, 1998 and 1986. A Reuters poll in January showed that crude oil prices were unlikely to rally much in 2016 because of subdued demand and rising supply, even though non-OPEC output was expected to moderate. Officials of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said on Monday the oil market was poised to start rebalancing itself. “We already see some signs that supply and demand fundamentals will start to correct themselves in 2016,” said OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah al-Badri. Earlier in January, the World Bank cut its forecast for global economic growth due to the weak performance of emerging economies. All main commodity price indexes are likely to fall in 2016 amid a supply glut and a slowdown in demand for industrial commodities from emerging economies. Emerging market economies have been the main sources of growth in demand for commodities since 2000.

Pump jacks and pipes are seen on an oil field near Bakersfield on a foggy day, California

Google Glass goes dark on its social media accounts

Four years after unveiling its wearable glass headset, Alphabet Inc’s Google shut down several social media accounts linked to the Glass gadget, ending its push to popularize the pricey eyeglasses with consumers. On Tuesday, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for Google Glass were no longer active, a development first reported on the website 9to5Google. A statement on the Google Plus page said: “Hi Explorers, we’ve had a blast hanging out with you on G+ throughout the Explorer Program.” It went on to instruct users to get in touch with questions on the support page for Glass. The company declined to comment on the decision. Google stopped selling Glass

to consumers last year noting that it was time for a strategy reset, and the head of the Google X research lab has since then said that the hype surrounding the $1,500 device became overblown considering it was merely a prototype and not a finished product. Glass was greeted with enthusiasm among tech aficionados when it was first unveiled in 2012. But the device, which allows users to access e-mail messages on its eye-level screen and to record video with a tiny camera, quickly ran into problems. Some mocked its awkward appearance, while others expressed concern it could be used to make video recordings surreptitiously. On Twitter, many interpreted the disappearance of Glass’s social accounts on Tuesday to mean a final end to efforts to market the product to consumers. Jonas Haberkorn (@JonasHaberkorn) tweeted: “#GoogleGlass for consumers is dead, yes really dead.” Meanwhile, one user lamented the disappearance of the device’s social presence. Mark Tompkins (@javamarket), who identifies himself as a trader and former hedge fund partner on Twitter, said:

“Disappointed in @google’s decision 2 remove #GoogleGlass history from FB & @twitter. We learn best from actual recorded history. #coverup”

A Google Glass-wearing attendee listens to a speaker in the ‘Designing for Wearables’ session at the Google I/O developers conference in San Francisco.

Google to pay $185 million UK back taxes, critics want more

Google has agreed to pay 130 million pounds ($185 million) in back taxes to Britain, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers and campaigners who said the “derisory” figure smacked of a “sweetheart deal”. Google, now part of Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), has been under pressure in recent years over its practice of channeling most profits from European clients through Ireland to Bermuda, where it pays no tax on them. In 2013, the company faced a UK parliamentary inquiry after a Reuters investigation showed the firm employed hundreds of salespeople in Britain despite saying it did not conduct sales in the country, a key plank in its tax arrangements. Google said late on Friday the 130 million pounds would settle a probe by the British tax authority, which had challenged the company’s low tax returns for the years since 2005. It said it had also agreed a basis on which tax in the future would be calculated. “The way multinational companies are taxed has been debated for many years and the international tax system is changing as a result. This settlement reflects that shift,” a Google spokesman said in a statement.The deal comes as governments around the world seek to clamp down on multinational companies shifting profits overseas to reduce their tax bills. EU competition authorities have investigated arrangements used by Amazon (AMZN.O) and a unit of

Fiat (FCAU.N) in Luxembourg, Apple (AAPL.O) in Ireland and Starbucks (SBUX.O) in the Netherlands, and may start new probes. British finance minister George Osborne welcomed the deal, saying on Twitter it reflected new rules that he had introduced, but others were less impressed. John McDonnell, finance spokesman for the opposition Labour party, said the tax authorities needed to explain how they had settled on the figure of 130 million pounds, which he described as relatively insignificant. “It looks to me ... that this is relatively trivial in comparison with what should have been made, in fact one analysis has put the rate down to about 3 percent, which I think is derisory,” he told BBC Radio on Saturday. “This looks like another sweetheart deal.” Prem Sikka, professor of accounting at Essex University, agreed.

The neon Google sign in the foyer of Google’s new Canadian engineering headquarters in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario January 14, 2016

WORLD NEWSJANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 43

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Fed keeps interest rates steady, closely watching global markets

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and said it was “closely monitoring” global economic and financial developments, but maintained an otherwise upbeat view of the U.S. economy. The central bank’s decision was widely expected after a month-long plunge in U.S. and world equities raised concerns that an abrupt global slowdown could act as a drag on U.S. economic growth. “The committee is closely monitoring global economic and financial developments and is assessing their implications for the labor market and inflation,” the Fed’s policy-setting committee said in a statement that diminished the chances of a rate hike at its next meeting in March. The Fed removed a previous reference from its statement to the risks of the economic outlook being balanced. Instead, the central bank said it was weighing how the global economy and financial markets could affect the outlook. Fed policymakers did not give updated forecasts on the path of monetary policy on Wednesday but said they expected the labor market would continue to strengthen and the economy would expand even with

“gradual adjustments in the stance of monetary policy.” Traders in futures markets marginally cut bets that the Fed would raise interest rates at their next meeting in March to a 32 possibility, from 33 percent just prior to the statement. “I thought it was on the dovish side,” said Kathy Jones, a fixed income strategist at Charles Schwab in New York. U.S. stocks were volatile following the release of the statement. Prices for U.S. Treasuries were trading lower and the U.S. dollar extended losses against a basket of currencies.

The Fed last month raised its key overnight lending rate by a quarter point to a range of 0.25 percent to 0.50 percent, a sign the economy had largely recovered from the 2007-2009 financial crisis and was shrugging off economic weakness in China, Japan and Europe.Ahead of the decision on Wednesday, investors were betting on one quarter-point rate increase in 2016 rather than the four that Fed policymakers signaled in their December economic forecasts. The Fed said on Wednesday that a range of recent labor market indicators, including “strong” job

gains, pointed to some additional firming of the job market. U.S. exports took a hit last year, largely due to the impact of a strong dollar .DXY, but consumer spending accelerated and overall employment surged by 292,000 jobs in December. Oil prices have also plummeted this year, which could keep U.S. inflation below the Fed’s 2 percent target for longer, but a recent uptick in the consumer price index outside of food and energy could point to a stronger medium-term inflation outlook.The Fed said it still expects the downward inflationary pressure from lower energy and import prices to prove temporary. Investors had seen almost no chance of a January hike and were betting on just two increases in 2016 before shares in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index .SPX fell about 8 percent in the first three weeks of the year. Fed policymakers will be able to sift through the January and February employment reports before their next policy meeting in March. All the Fed policymakers participated in the two-day meeting in person, a central bank spokesman said.

The Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington September 16 2015

Takata recalls air bag inflators in 5.1 million U.S. vehicles

U.S. auto safety regulators said Tuesday that air bag maker Takata Corp declared 5.1 million U.S. vehicles defective; as the company disclosed an 11th death could be linked to a faulty airbag. Most of the vehicles mentioned in numerous previous recalls involving Takata air bags have been older models, but the new recalls include some 2014 models. The Japanese company said newer vehicles remain under

“investigation and could be subject to recall at a later date.”

The newly released documents show that regulators may prod automakers to recall recent models. That could greatly increase the total number of vehicles recalled, which in the United States now stands at about 24 million involving about 28 million Takata air bag inflators. Ford Motor Co on Tuesday became the first of several automakers involved to announce a recall. A 2006 Ford Ranger was involved in a Dec. 22 crash that killed the driver when a Takata air bag inflator caused the bag

to rupture, sending shrapnel into the vehicle. A similar airbag inflator was involved in a fatal rupture of a Honda model in Malaysia in 2014, which prompted a worldwide recall by Honda Motor Co. Takata said in a document released on Tuesday that there was another rupture of a similar inflator in August in India in a 2007 Honda Civic, but it is not clear if the rupture caused the death of the driver. That could be the 11th death worldwide attributed to defective Takata inflators. Nine deaths related to Takata air bags have occurred in the United States. The death in the Ford Ranger is the first not to involve a car made by Honda. U.S. regulators from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday that the expanded recall was imminent. The automakers involved in the new Takata inflator recalls include Honda, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG’s

(VOWG_p.DE) Volkswagen and Audi brands, Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter van brands, Mazda Motor Corp, and Saab AB. Toyota Motor Corp is listed by Takata as part of the new recall, but the company said all of its vehicles involved were recalled in 2015. NHTSA did not make clear how many, and which automakers were involved with recalls for 2014 models. The Ford recall announced on Tuesday includes 391,354 2004-2006 Ford Rangers built in North America for driver-side air bags. The Rangers recalled were previously recalled for potentially defective passenger-side air bag inflators, Ford said. Honda has previously recalled about 6.28 million vehicles in the United States for air bag inflators, a Honda spokesman said. Honda worldwide has recalled vehicles with 23 million Takata air bag inflators since 2008 - not counting the latest recall.

Visitors walk behind a logo of Takata Corp on its display at a showroom for vehicles in Tokyo, Japan

Facebook market value surges $38 billion Facebook Inc’s market value soared by $38 billion in morning trading on Thursday, vaulting the company ahead of Amazon.com Inc , after the social networking service’s quarterly results blew away expectations on every key measure. Facebook’s stock jumped more than 14 percent to $107.95 after the company reported a blockbuster quarter on Wednesday, pushing the company’s market capitalization over $300 billion.

That made it the fourth most valuable technology company, overtaking Amazon, which was valued at about $290 billion ahead of its results later on Thursday. At least 22 brokerages raised price targets on Facebook’s stock, with most analysts focusing on a far better-than-expected the 81 percent jump in revenue from mobile ads. Facebook’s strong quarter contrasted with a disappointing performance by Apple Inc , which is worth

about $519 billion, making it the most valuable U.S. company. “FB has built a remarkable ad platform that enables marketers of all stripes to serve targeted ads to nearly every consumer on the planet,” Jefferies analysts wrote. Facebook said it had 1.59 billion monthly active users as of Dec. 31 - about one in every four people in the world. Mobile ad revenue accounted for 80 percent of the total ad revenue in the

quarter compared with 69 percent a year earlier. “FB saw nothing that indicated macro weakness, and we think results bode well for other online ad names like Alphabet ,” Jefferies analysts added. G o o g l e - o w n e r Alphabet, valued at $500 billion and closing in on Apple, will report results on Monday. The median stock price target of the analysts tracked by Reuters was $138 on Thursday, suggesting that Facebook could add $123 billion in market value over

the next 12 months. Piper Jaffray was the most bullish, raising its target to $170 from $155. “We believe Facebook is well positioned to increase its share of digital ad spend as well as to help grow the overall category given its reach and effectiveness for advertisers,” Goldman Sachs analysts said in a client note.Facebook’s photo-sharing service Instagram, in particular, is poised to become a material contributor to revenue in 2016, the analysts said.

Page 44 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 45

Page 46 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

WORLD SPORTS

Match-fixing concerns return as former tennis player pleads guilty

Allegations of corruption in world tennis were reignited on Monday when a former Australian professional tennis player pleaded guilty to match-fixing just hours after a top global bookmaker suspended betting on a suspicious match at the Australian Open. The case against former 187-ranked player Nick Lindahl reached court after reports surfaced last week that tennis authorities had failed to deal with widespread match-fixing, marring the opening of the year's first Grand Slam tournament. Lindahl pleaded guilty in a Sydney court to one charge related to match-fixing in a minor 2013 tournament but will contest a separate evidence-tampering charge on technical grounds. Two other charges were dropped by prosecutors after the guilty plea.Prosecutor Kate Young told the court that in September 2013, when playing at the Toowoomba Futures Tournament, Lindahl offered to intentionally lose a match to a lower-ranked player and informed an associate so that he could wager against him. A transcript of telephone calls intercepted by police after the match and read in court appeared to show Lindahl coaching an associate on how to hide evidence from investigators and admitting to doing the same himself.

"Just get rid of it ... just get rid of everything," Lindahl said in the transcript, which was read by Young.Lindahl, who was arrested a year ago, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment on the charge to which he pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on April 15. His lawyer, Troy Edwards, said the timing of the case coming to court amid a blaze of publicity about suspected match fixing and the Australian Open tournament was unfortunate.

"The matter was set to be heard before Christmas but there was a sick barrister and Nick asked me to agree to a delay," Edwards told Reuters.

"And now it's all kind of blown up in his face." Betting agency Sportsbet noticed heavy gambling on the relatively minor match and suspended betting before alerting police. Similar suspicious betting prompted Pinnacle Sports, a Curaçao-based sports gambling company, to suspend bets on a mixed doubles match at the Australian Open on Sunday.Unusually large amounts of money were placed on Andrea Hlavackova and Lukasz Kubot to beat Lara Arruabarrena and David Marrero, Pinnacle told the New York Times. Heavy betting moved the odds on the match sharply over a 30 minute

period more than 12 hours before the match began, data from sports odds comparison service Odds Portal shows.Tennis regulators accept betting fluctuations can be an indicator of suspicious activity, but stress it is not sufficient to prove match fixing.Nobody was immediately available to comment at Pinnacle or the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), the London-based body set up to counter corruption in the sport. Tennis Australia said in a statement it would continue to work with police and the TIU in regard to

"integrity matters". In an interview with the New York Times, Arruabarrena and Marrero denied any match fixing, with

Marrero saying a knee injury affected their performance.Kubot and Hlavackova told reporters they had spoken with TIU officials and were "surprised" by the allegations. They said they had no reason to believe that their opponents had intentionally thrown the match.

"We won yesterday, the match. We gave 100 percent in that match and that’s it," Kubot said. Tennis authorities have rejected reports by the BBC and online BuzzFeed News, which said 16 players who have been ranked in the top 50 had been repeatedly flagged to the TIU over suspicions they had thrown matches in the past decade.

Being Afro-American quarterback, I scare lot of people: Newton

Cam Newton believes the criticism surrounding his persona is partly due to him being an African-American quarterback who does not fit the traditional mould, the Carolina Panthers signal-caller said on Wednesday. Newton's polarizing popularity has become a focal point this season as he has celebrated his way to a likely MVP campaign and led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. "I'm an African-American quarterback that may scare a lot of people because they haven't seen anything that they can compare me to," Newton told reporters on Wednesday as he prepared for Carolina's showdown with Denver on Feb 7. "People are going to say what they want to say, and if I'm in this world living for that person who is going to say this or that, then I can't look at myself and say I'm Cam Newton because I'd be living for (my critics)."Newton can hardly be compared to other QBs as he is a 6-foot-5, 245-pound specimen who can just as easily use his rocket arm as he can run through, or leap over a defense. But his penchant for celebrating touchdowns and big plays and general showmanship has rubbed some the wrong way. Seattle Seahawks fans, who suffered a playoff loss to the Panthers a week and a half ago, were particularly irked that Newton ripped down one of their signs at Carolina’s Bank of America Stadium. They have started a petition to ban Newton from Seattle’s CenturyLink Field. "I'd like to believe (the criticism is about) his personality more than anything,

the idea that you should be stoic when you play this game," said Panthers coach Ron Rivera. "It really should be about your merit more so than anything else, about what you've accomplished and what you've done. That's how we should judge people."

Former professional tennis player and coach Nick Lindahl (R) leaves an Australian court after pleading guilty to one charge related to tennis match-fixing, in Sydney, Australia, January 25, 2016

Quarterback Cam Newton of Auburn University poses with a jersey after being selected as the first overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2011 NFL football Draft in New York, April 28, 2011

Broncos' Manning says Super Bowl might be his 'last rodeo'

With speculation swirling o n whether the Super Bowl will mark the end of Peyton Manning's illustrious NFL career, the Denver Broncos quarterback may have tipped his hand moments after punching his ticket to the championship game. After his Broncos beat the New England Patriots in Sunday's AFC title game, Manning and opposing head coach Bill Belichick hugged and had a quick exchange on the field that was caught by NFL Network cameras.

"Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo. So, it sure has been a pleasure," Manning, who will turn

40 in March, said in the exchange while blue and orange confetti rained down on them. "You are a great competitor ..." Belichick responded. Manning battled through injuries, missed six games and seemed to lose arm strength this past regular season as he tossed just nine touchdown passes against 17 interceptions. But the future Hall of Fame quarterback has played mistake-free football in these playoffs and will be gunning for his second Super Bowl title when the Broncos play the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7 in Santa Clara, California.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greets father Archie Manning and brother Eli Manning after defeating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 TURKS & CAICOS SUN Page 47

LOCAL SPORTSHeads to North Caicos Schools to offer FREE Rugby

Training Sessions to Schools of TCI “The Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union’s Rugby Development Officer, Brennan Guy and two players from the Turks and Caicos Islands’ U19s team, Reeko Misick and Tyrese Taylor headed to North Caicos on Friday, 22nd January to provide FREE “Get Into Rugby” training sessions. As part of their FREE “Get into Rugby” training sessions, TCIRFU are offering all schools of TCI, the opportunity to learn more about rugby

– and see first hand that it is not just about big hits and physical strength. Rugby can be played as a non-contact sport between teams of girls and boys of all ages and all abilities. Hubert James Primary School was the first school visited, where forty two children across a variety of ages took part in the training session. All forty two children had a great time learning about the game of rugby from passing, positions and tackling to the values the game stands for – integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline. The children and teachers also expressed a genuine interest and enthusiasm for more rugby training sessions within their school. TCIRFU would like to thank the teachers and pupils of Hubert James Primary School for their warm

welcome, enthusiasm and support during the sessions. TCIRFU looks forward to returning to the school in the near future. The second school visited on the trip was North Caicos High School, where around twenty pupils took part in the “Get into Rugby” training sessions. The students and teachers were very welcoming and showed a lot of passion for the game, with the students demonstrating some serious natural talent and playing ability. The FREE “Get Into Rugby” training sessions are the perfect way for schools across TCI to prepare for the annual Inter-School Tag Rugby Festival, which this year will take place on 16th April at the Meridian Field in Provo.To register your school for FREE “Get into Rugby” training sessions with the qualified coaches of TCIRFU, please contact Dan Willis by email at: pro@rugby.tc as soon as possible. Brennan returns to Canada in April, so please act as soon as possible to benefit from this great opportunity. TCIRFU encourages all schools and pupils to continue playing rugby, as with a little more training the Islands will be able to capitalise on their natural talent and ability for rugby.”

TCI Basketball Federation to hold Annual elections very soon

The Turks and Caicos Islands Basketball Federation is scheduled to host its Annual general meeting on Thursday February 25th, 2016 at 6:30pm at the Gus Lightbourne Sports complex this year. In a letter to The SUN it reads, “Any Association/Club in arrears with membership fees shall not be entitled to representation at the annual general meeting. Neither can they take part in the federations business. (Section 17.e). It stated, each

association according to our constitution section 17.d all member association/clubs are entitled to three (3) representatives at the annual general meeting, each representative is allowed one vote at each voting. Nominations for position in this AGM elections should be submitted to the General Secretary at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the AGM and should accompanied by the signature of all nominees certifying their acceptance of nominations. (Section 17.i) Positions contesting

are President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistance Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer. The deadline for these submissions should be in by 3rd February, 2016 at 5pm latest.The letter ended: Thank you (the public) for your support to the development of the sport of Basketball and on behalf of the President and the other executive member we pray that you continue your services and support with whomever is elected in this AGM to develop basketball in the Turks & Caicos islands.

Secretary General for the Turks & Caicos Islands Basketball Federation Mr. Trevor M. Cooke

By Todeline Defralien

Page 48 TURKS & CAICOS SUN JANUARY 30TH, 2016 – FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016

Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks and Caicos Islands | Tel:649 339 5879 | Fax: 649 941 3281