Update of PRC Backlog and Delayed Caseworking for new BOTC Naturalisation and Registration Applications
The general public will recall that the Ministry of Border Control and Labour temporarily suspended the receipt and processing of all new applications for Permanent Resident Certificates on February 26, 2010. The Ministry is pleased to confirm that through the dedication and hard work of staff in the PRC Unit, the backlog has been cleared however, the suspension is likely to remain in effect until after the public consultation on the pathway to citizenship has concluded and new legislation for granting Permanent Resident Certificates is enacted.
In August last year the Consultative Forum was advised of the existence of a backlog of over 1600 outstanding applications for British Overseas Territory Citizenship by naturalisation or registration which had built up through other stages in the process over a long period of time. It is important that these applications be processed therefore, the case working team in the PRC Unit will now devote their full attention to processing them.
In light of the above, notice is hereby given that naturalisation and registration applications that are received on or after Monday, February 13, 2012 will not be assessed until after cases that have been pending for many years are cleared. Potential applicants are accordingly encouraged not to apply until further announcements are made about the lifting of the suspension. Applications received after Monday, February 13, 2012 will not be catalogued.
The Ministry of Border Control and Labour will provide further updates on timing for consideration of cases in due course.
LOCAL CEO CALLED TO REGIONAL BOARD
Digicel TCI CEO E. Jay Saunders has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organization (CANTO) at its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) in St. Maarten.
Under the theme “Accelerating the Broadband experience in the Caribbean-Transforming the way we live”, Saunders was nominated and accepted.
“I am honored to be a part of the CANTO board. It is a very prestigious board, made up of very talented and seasoned telecommunications and ICT executives who collectively have more than 100 years of telecommunications and ICT experience between them, and who represent some of the largest telecommunications and ICT companies in the region. As the youngest member of the Board, I am excited about being able to learn from my fellow Board members,” Saunders.
CANTO, consists of 107 members from 35 countries, and serves as a major trade association in the telecommunications sector, working together to further agendas and policy strategies relevant to the member counties.
Saunders was the only member newly elected to the board. Re-Elected members include: Linus Rogers, TSTT (Trinidad & Tobago); Julian Wilkins, Digicel Trinidad & Tobago; Lawrence McNaughton, Cable & Wireless Grenada; Lyrio Gomez, UTS (Curacao) and Davidson Charles, Cable & Wireless Antigua. Mr. Charles was also re-elected as Treasurer.
The other directors, Chairman, Dirk Currie, TELESUR (Suriname), Vice Chair, Karen Bevans, BTL (Belize) and Helma Etnel, Telem (St. Maarten) continue to serve as directors.
Saunders previously held a position as the chairman of the CANTO Marketing committee, and hosted a meeting of the Board of Directors in the Turks and Caicos in June 2010.
Turks and Caicos Tourism Arrivals Highlights Growth
The Turks and Caicos Islands tourism arrivals for 2011 surpassed the 1 million mark and grew to an all time high in the country’s history.
Since the destination has begun keeping records of tourism arrivals from the 1980’s, the Turks and Caicos have reached a pinnacle in the growth of the nation’s top industry. The overall total arrivals for the past year was 1, 009,720 which draws on both cruise arrivals and land base arrivals to the country. When broken down separately, cruise arrivals accounted for 655,497 and land base arrivals accounted for some 354, 223 totalling in the aforementioned surpassed 1 million mark.
The destination continues to draw on its major source market, the United States with Canada in second place. The United States continues its dominance in arrivals to the destination due in part to major airlift to the destination that increased in 2011, namely JetBlue from New York and Continental from New Jersey. The Tourist Board expects the Canadian market to grow even more in 2012 with the addition of the new in season direct flight from the eastern Canadian city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Tourist Board in the collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority (TCIAA) and the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) marked the occasion of the arrival of the 1 millionth and the 1 millionth and 1 arrival at both the Providenciales International Airport and the Carnival Cruise Center on December 31st 2011. The lucky winner in Grand Turk was awarded return vacation tickets sponsored by JetBlue and accommodations sponsored by the Tourist Board and the TCHTA. The winners on Providenciales were awarded a 7 day vacation back to the destination with airfare provided by JetBlue as well and accommodations sponsored by the Tourist Board and the TCHTA.
In recognition of this accomplishment, the Director of Tourism, Ralph Higgs on reviewing the official statistics report said “The islands remain to shine through a number of factors that would have diverted it from growth but these numbers indicated not only good news for the country and the industry but it also represents the potential for more growth in the months and years ahead.” Higgs further added, “Surpassing the 1 million mark is a major accomplishment for all of us, our partners and stakeholders in the industry and while we are pleased and proud we are also cognizant of the work that lies ahead.”
Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Dr. Hubert Fulford’ said that “the destination and its people, partners in both public and private sectors should be proud of this milestone.” He further added that “as a country we must continue working to win and keep these numbers up and growing.”
Association Executive of the TCHTA, Mrs. Stacy Cox on receiving the arrival statistics for 2011 said “2011 was indeed a very good year for the tourism industry. The Hotel & Tourism Association is very happy to see the record-breaking number of arrivals to the island over the last two years. Our joint efforts with the Tourist Board are bearing fruit and signify the importance of working closely on the marketing of our islands. Promotions coupled with the increased airlift which we have garnered from our major source markets last year, should result in further increases over the next few years. We have a very strong brand but must not "rest on our laurels". We have to ensure that the Turks & Caicos Islands continue to be at the top of mind of travelers when they are thinking about booking a vacation. There is still work to be done, and as the private sector we will continue to play our role in the development and maintenance of a strong product so that we can offer visitors an experience like no other. We look forward to working even closer with the tourist board and the government in 2012.”
Lime has given the gift of magic to the TCI.
In release sent to RTC News Lime is offering to help its local and faithful customers to help cope with the harsh economic times, LIME has introduced an offer that magically extends the talk time for participating customers.
Magic Minutes, as the offer is called, started on January 24, 2012 in the Turks & Caicos Islands, gives each LIME customer who talks on the LIME prepaid mobile network for 5 minutes an extra 25 minutes and, like magic, they rack up significant savings immediately.
Regional Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Grace Silvera points out that the Magic Minutes offer is all about delivering the best prices to customers. “Talking is a normal part of everyday life and business and if customers can automatically get more talk time and realise an immediate saving we know we would have delivered more than they bargained for in these difficult economic times. Once again we are using our technology to make everyday living better for the people of the Caribbean.”
AG Cleared
Police Commissioner Colin Farquhar said Feb. 8 that he has closed the file on assault allegations against the attorney general by a staff member in November.
Attorney General Huw Shepheard had been accused of assault by one of his senior staff prosecutors on Nov. 30.
The staff member also is being investigated "as normal and proper under the civil service investigation procedure," the governor has said. The status of that investigation was not revealed.
An independent counsel outside the AG's office reviewed the police report on the incident.
The AG's office normally is consulted on police investigations but could not in this case to ensure impartiality, the governor has said.
Medical drama House to end, says Hugh Laurie
US medical drama House is to finish its eight-year run at the end of this series in April, it has been announced.
The show's producers, including British star Hugh Laurie, said it was a "painful" decision but that the time had come to bring it to a close.
Laurie plays Gregory House, the brilliant but troubled doctor with an unconventional bedside manner.
It has won nearly 40 awards since it began, including two Emmys and two Golden Globes.
House has won the favourite TV drama prize at the People's Choice Awards for the past four years.
The show also stars Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard and Charlyne Yi.
In a statement, 52-year-old Laurie and fellow producers David Shore and Katie Jacobs said: "We have always imagined House as an enigmatic creature; he should never be the last one to leave the party.
"How much better to disappear before the music stops, while there is still some promise and mystique in the air."
House is shown on Sky1 in the UK.
Nickelback, Drake and Feist lead Juno Award nominations
Nickelback, Drake and Feist are among the artists who have been nominated for more than one prize at Canada's Juno music awards.
Rapper Drake and Feist will go head-to-head for the artist of the year prize and Nickelback have been shortlisted in the best band category.
City & Colour, Dan Mangan and Justin Bieber have also received multiple nominations.
William Shatner will host the annual awards ceremony in Ottawa on 1 April.
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which administers the honours, announced the 41 categories on Tuesday.
The remaining artist of the year nominees are City and Colour, dance artist Deadmau5 and crooner Michael Buble, while group of the year includes Arkells, Down with Webster, Hedley and Sam Roberts Band.
Nickelback's track When We Stand Together was nominated for best single and the band will compete in the fan choice category.
Drake too has also been nominated for the prize, along with Arcade Fire, Avril Lavigne, City And Colour, Deadmau5, Ginette Reno, Hedley, Bieber and Michael Buble.
Drake, who hosted last year's awards ceremony, picked up a nod in the rap recording of the year category for Take Care.
The record is also in the running for best album, alongside Bieber in the album of the year category, which also includes Lavigne's Goodbye Lullabye, Nickelback's Here and Now and Buble's Christmas.
The rock band Blue Rodeo will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Grammys set stage for Adele
With nothing more than a piano, a little black dress and a microphone, Adele rouses crowds using her emotions and her voice.
It's her modus operandi, and it's likely how viewers will see the British songstress perform at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.
The awards show will be Adele's first time taking the stage since she underwent laser microsurgery on a benign polyp on her vocal cords in November. That, in addition to the fact that she's credited with the music industry's 2011 uptick, means all eyes will certainly be on her.
Nominated for six Grammy Awards, including nods for album of the year and song of the year, Adele surprised fans when she tweeted about her impending performance.
Keith Caulfield, the associate director of charts at Billboard, said he expects the singer to captivate viewers on Sunday night, just as she did at the BRIT Awards in February 2011 and then again at the MTV Video Music Awards in August.
"On the off chance that she has a bum note, everyone has survived from a not great performance," Caulfield said. "I don't expect anything less than really good."
And still, a simple performance will be enough, he added.
"You don't see pyrotechnics and fog behind Adele," Caulfield said. "She doesn't need that. ... There are no bells and whistles. It's just her, great song writing, a beautiful voice and great charisma."
Having already spent 18 weeks atop Billboard's Hot 200, sold more than 6 million albums and spawned three chart-topping singles, Adele's ballads have also become anthems for scorned lovers everywhere.
"Every year, some album ends up at No. 1," said David Bakula, Nielsen's senior vice president of analytics for entertainment. "There's always going to be something that rises to the top. But when it's this unique and sales are this unprecedented, it's special."
Album sales rose in 2011, marking the music industry's first uptick since Usher's "Confessions" sold 8 million units in 2004. And Adele is partially to thank for the boom. Sales from her two albums -- her 2008 debut, "19," and "21," her sophomore album, released early last year -- accounted for 2% of all industry album sales in 2011.
"19" sold 460,000 units in 2009, the year Adele won two Grammys for the album. But, more than three years after its release, the singer's catalog title had its best week in December, selling 71,000 units, Bakula said. And so Adele finished out 2011 with two of the year's best-selling albums.
"It does take a very special artist, and a very special song and album release, to move the type of quantities we're talking about here," Bakula said.
According to Nielsen SoundScan, "21" is the first album to sell more than 1 million digital copies in a year.
"People say, 'How can there still be 100,000 people who don't have this album?' ... It just shows the latent demand for great music out there," Bakula said.
And there's a good chance that after Adele performs at the Grammys, the numbers will continue to grow throughout 2012, he added.
"Every day, more and more people are just discovering her, or just being convinced that they should buy her album and not be content with listening to her on Spotify or YouTube," said Caulfield, the associate director of charts at Billboard.
Speculation was heavy as to whether the British chanteuse would be able to perform at the Grammys after her surgery.
Since the debut of her sophomore album, there have been breathless reviews and almost constant praise heaped upon the single-named singer. She's even crossed over into meme territory in the form of a "S*** Adele says" video.
During her February 2011 appearance on E!'s "Chelsea Lately," Adele said she sees the constantly evolving interest in her music firsthand at her shows.
"I love seeing the way people respond to my music," she said. "I love it when, like, a husband or a partner gets dragged along who doesn't want to be there, and you've got to win them over because they're giving you the evil (eye). ... And by the end, they're hugging their girlfriend ... or crying. I love it."
Because her vocal cord issues forced her to cancel the remainder of her 2011 appearances, she wasn't able to convert the disillusioned partners that might have been present at her shows.
After falling ill, Adele stayed off the radar to rest up, Caulfield said, adding, "Meanwhile, her singles are going to No. 1, her albums continue to sell -- that's the kind of career an artist would kill for. ... Everyone else is slogging around ... doing TV shows and concert tours."
Bakula agreed, referencing artists such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, who made their presence known in 2011 with advertisements and various appearances.
Yet, Adele's singles are still permanent fixtures on the radio, but not in the same way that Bruno Mars and the Black Eyed Peas are, Yahoo.com music columnist Paul Grein said.
"(Some pop artists) live and die by their latest hit single," Grein said. "And Adele, even though she's having big hits, too ... you have the sense that her career probably won't always be as a big radio star."
She could be compared to someone like Sade, he said, "who has had hits, or not had hits, but has sold albums throughout a very long career."
Regardless of how we're hearing her music, Caulfield said, many people are finding it "refreshing that it isn't necessarily programmed for your enjoyment."
In fact, some people have said her music is actually programmed to play in the background while you weep. And there's a "Saturday Night Live" sketch to prove it.
One Boston Globe writer even profiled a few people brave enough to admit to crying along to Adele's "Someone Like You."
"(Adele) really struck a chord at the right time," Bakula said. "As soon as people heard it, it was gold. Well, platinum, in this case."
Jay-Z Only Donated $6k to own Charity After Making $63 Million
Rapper Jay-Z’s donations to his own charities are under fire , according to The Daily.
Many believe the rich should give back and The Daily went digging and found Jay-Z made $63 million in 2010 and only donated $6,000 to his own Shawn Carter Foundation.
Jay-Z’s representatives deny the claim and point to a benefit concert he threw last year which raised over $1 million.
“Jay, along with his family, provided office support, overhead support, [mother] Mrs. Gloria Carter’s 100% effort and time, computers, FedEx expenses, accounting, and treasury function support. This was at no cost to the charity,” Jay-Z’s publicist Jana Fleishman said in an email to The Daily.
Jay-Z reportedly gave 0.01 percent of his earning to charity while a typical American donates about 3 percent.
Coroner rules Don Cornelius death a suicide
The death of Don Cornelius, the founder of the "Soul Train" television show, has been ruled a suicide, officials said Tuesday.
Cornelius, 75, died last week of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. His autopsy was conducted Friday.
Toxicology testing has been ordered and the final report will be issued once results are analyzed, the office said.
Cornelius was found February 1 at a house on Mulholland Drive, said Los Angeles police Officer Tenesha Dodine.
In an interview last week with CNN, singer Gladys Knight said Cornelius appeared in ill health when she saw him recently.
"Last time I saw him, he was pretty sick," Knight said. "He had lost a lot of weight, but he still had that thing about him."
Cornelius created a pilot for "Soul Train" using $400 of his own money, according to the website biography.com. The show was named after a promotional event he put together in 1969.
"Soul Train" is the longest running, first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history, according to the website of Soul Train Holdings. "During its 37-year run, the show featured such staples as the Soul Train line and performers as important and diverse as Al Green, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson and Beyonce," according to the website.
CNN