24 Hour Crime Recap in the TCI
Providenciales Police has listed in its crime update, the death of a male American tourist who was found dead in his hotel room located in Grace Bay, Providenciales on Wednesday 11th January 2012.
No further detail was given, however Police say an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death of the tourist.
Also in its 24 hour crime update, detective Inspector Calvin Chase said Providenciales Police responded to nine (9) reports of crime, which included Eight (8) Burglaries Richmond Hill, Five Cays, Blue Hills, Smiths Reef, Turtle Cove, Millennium Highway and 2 in Cooper Jack Bay.
One report of 1 Wounding was made in Kew Town A female was arrested on suspicion of Wounding in connection with a report made on 10th January 2012.
A male was also arrested on suspicion of Handling Stolen Goods. He was later released on Police Bail to return to the Five Cays Police Station on 24th January 2012 to be further dealt with.
And a male was charged for Burglary and Taking Motor Vehicle without Authority in connection with a report made on 10th January 2012.
In Grand Turk yesterday Tuesday10th January 2012, a male was arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Burglary in connection with a report made on 4th January 2012. He was later released on Police Bail to return to the Grand Turk Police Station on 17th January 2012 to be further dealt with.
Also in Grand Turk, a male was charged for Resisting Arrest.
This charge is in connection with a report made on 15th December 2011.
TCI RED CROSS RESUMES WEEKLY COMMUNITY & FARMERS MARKET
The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross resumes its Weekly Community and Farmers Market this Saturday, January 14th, 2012.
Taking place at the Red Cross headquarters opposite Lime on the Leeward Highway in Providenciales from 10am to 2pm, patrons will be able to purchase freshly grown produce and locally sourced items, meet the farmers and shop at our thrift store.
The Community & Farmers Market brings people together in a fun way that promotes a safe and healthy community environment. Arrive with your shopping bags, and save money on goods and services. And, while there, learn more about the TCI Red Cross products and services.
What is more, coordinators are calling for more farmers and persons that make bake goods, delicious jams and other treats to get involved. As this a community spirited initiative, they are also inviting schools to bring their artwork, wood work and crafts to make the event a real fun day for all.
For more information on the Weekly Farmers Market call (649) 247-8911.
With regard to the TCI Red Cross, our services and how you can volunteer or donate, contact our Provo office on (649) 941-8056 or email redcrossprovo@tciway.tc OR for Grand Turk call (649) 946-2761 or Email: tciredcross@tciway.tc
George Lucas says Hollywood won't support black films
Director George Lucas says it took 20 years to get his latest film made, "because it's an all-black movie".
Speaking on The Daily Show, Lucas said he had to self-fund Red Tails, the true story of a group of African-American pilots who fought in World War II.
He claimed major film studios would not back the movie because "there's no major white roles in it at all".
"I showed it to all of them and they said, 'No. We don't know how to market a movie like this,'" he said.
"They don't believe there's any foreign market for it, and that's 60% of their profit," he added.
Lucas co-wrote and produced Red Tails, which which was directed by Anthony Hemingway.
It features several well-known names - including Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr, Terence Howard and R&B star Ne-Yo - and shows how the pilots were segregated and kept on the ground for most of the war, until they were called up to fight for their country.
The real-life airmen featured in the drama were given a Congressional Gold Medal by then-President George Bush in 2007.
'Invisible' audience
Lucas put $58 million (37.8 million) of his own money into the movie. It will be released by his company Lucasfilm, and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox.
He is putting a further $35 million (£22.8 million) towards the distribution costs, said trade paper The Hollywood Reporter.
"It's a reasonably expensive movie," Lucas told Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. "Normally black movies, say Tyler Perry movies or something, they're very low budget.
"Even then, the [Hollywood studios] won't really release his movies, it goes to one of the lower, not major distributors.
"This [film] costs more than what those movies make," Lucas added.
Director and actor Perry, whose movies include Why Did I Get Married and the Madea series, is one of the most profitable film-makers in the US.
However, he retains the rights to all his work - which plays almost exclusively to black audiences - and has previously stated that his fans are "invisible" to the Hollywood mainstream.
Lucas's comments echo those of Spike Lee, who criticised the lack of black faces in Hollywood war movies in 2008.
Speaking about Clint Eastwood's movies Flags Of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima, Lee said: "He did two films about Iwo Jima back to back and there was not one black soldier in both of those films".
"I know it was pointed out to him and that he could have changed it. It's not like he didn't know."
Eastwood later justified his choice of actors on Flags Of Our Fathers, saying that the African-American troops who did take part in the battle of Iwo Jima were not involved in the key incident in the film - where US marines raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
The veteran actor argued that if he had deliberately "put an African-American actor in there, people would go: 'This guy's lost his mind'".
Lucas insisted that Red Tails was nothing like preceding war films, including 1989's Glory which, although it starred Denzel Washington, featured "a lot of white officers running these guys into cannon fire".
If his film does well at the box office, Lucas said he had a prequel and sequel planned.
The House of Marley Collection launched at International Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas
Rohan Marley will be launching The House of Marley, a collection of premium quality, earth-friendly personal audio products at the International Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The show will run starting today until January 13th., and attendees can view product at The House of Marley at Central Hall, Booth #15237, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
In a Press Release Rohan Stated “We take seriously the responsibility that comes with applying the Marley name to any product, particularly audio equipment, and we are extremely pleased with the positive feedback we’ve received from all corners of the Earth to our initial collection of MARLEY headphones,” said Rohan Marley on behalf of the Marley Family. “We want to give people new ways to experience the sounds of their favorite songs, while giving back to the people and the planet through our non-profit organization, 1Love.org. Our father taught us everything we do has to give back, to complete the circle. It’s not enough to make earth-friendly products; we need to support programs that do good and take action.”
The headphones are currently available in worldwide including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and five percent of annual profits will be donated to 1Love.org, the global movement sparked by the Marley family that provides funding to charities and causes focused on youth, planet and peace
www.HouseofMarley.com to learn more.
Is Rihanna in a league of her own?
With the constant comparison to Beyonce, Rihanna finally set the record straight in an interview with Look Magazine. Talking about her competitors and not surprising of her confidence when she stated that she’s in a league of her own
“There’s nobody really in my league. But there’s competition everywhere. The whole music industry is competition. There are people who like other artists, those who like me and others who like both. Beyonce is a great artist and I feel honored to be mentioned in the same sentence, but we’re different performers with different styles.”
Having being name the Top 10 Selling Digital Artists of All Time, Rihanna might have a point that there is really no one in her league.
When asked what artist she admires, Rihanna replied,
"Madonna. She reinvented her style and music with success every single time, and at the same time remained a real force. She’s fantastic.”
Nicki Minaj maybe getting her own Fashion Line
After coming out with a line of lipstick and a nail polish collection, Nicki Minaj maybe venturing into fashion, this according to The New York Times
Nicki's manager Cortez Bryant revealed he is trying to is to negotiate a deal with a fashion house so Nicki can sell her own line of clothes
Would you buy Nicki Minaj's Clothing?
IMF approves US$3.1 million disbursement to Dominica
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 2.05 million (US$3.1 million) under the rapid credit facility (RCF) for Dominica to help manage the economic impact of a series of natural disasters from July-September 2011. The Board’s approval enables the immediate disbursement of the full amount.
Dominica was hit by a number of natural disasters during the summer and fall of 2011, with major flooding and landslides damaging infrastructure and housing. The cost of reconstruction and rehabilitation is expected to be high at 6 1/2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and will weaken Dominica’s balance of payments.
The RCF, which provides rapid financial assistance for low-income countries with an urgent balance of payments need, does not require any program-based conditionality or review. However, economic policies are expected to address the underlying balance of payments difficulties and support policy objectives including macroeconomic stability and poverty reduction. Financing under the RCF carries zero interest (until end 2013), has a grace period of 5½ years, and a final maturity of 10 years. The Fund reviews the level of interest rates for all concessional facilities every two years.
Following the executive board’s discussion of Dominica, Min Zhu, deputy managing director and acting chair, stated:
“Dominica suffered significant infrastructure damage following torrential rains, flooding and landslides in the second half of 2011. The recovery and rehabilitation costs will be high, putting pressures on the fiscal and balance of payments positions.
“Fiscal policies will partially accommodate the near-term increase in spending following the natural disasters, while underlying policies are being appropriately refocused towards medium-term consolidation objectives. The authorities are committed to returning to robust primary surpluses over the medium term to ensure downward debt dynamics, by tackling pressures on current spending and strengthening the revenue base and collection. A strengthened fiscal policy framework will support the adjustment effort.
“Structural reforms are key to supporting the fiscal effort, improving growth prospects, and increasing Dominica’s resilience to external shocks. Reforms to boost external competitiveness and enhance the business climate will be necessary to promote private sector activity. Stronger financial sector policies will help tackle vulnerabilities in the regional and domestic financial systems, both in terms of financial institution health and their supervisory and regulatory environment.”
Caribbean News Now
St Kitts-Nevis police commissioner appeals to local media to be more responsible
Commissioner of the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force, C. G. Walwyn, is urging the media in St Kitts and Nevis to be responsible and balanced in their reporting of crime in the Federation.
“I became concerned when I read an internet radio station’s website report of ’17 tourists robbed in the Federation’,” said the police chief in a statement on Wednesday.
Walwyn said the headline is very alarming if the report was true but the fact is that 17 tourists were not robbed in the Federation.
“Some members of a ship were dropped off in New Town to play soccer. While they were playing soccer and involved in the game, a young man believed to be from the area walked over to the unattended bags, took one and left. He was observed by one of the players leaving the area with the bag, but that player said he was so involved in the game, he did not alert the other players,” said Walwyn, adding: “There was no confrontation between the suspect and the owner of the bag. Because there was no confrontation (actual or implied) there was no robbery. The charge then would be larceny, based on the dollar value of the contents.”
Walwyn also refuted other news reports that masked men were involved in an incident on Tuesday at the Charles E. Mills Secondary School.
“It was students who were involved in the altercation,” said Walwyn, who added: “It is indeed very troubling to see media outlets publishing stories without first seeking clarification or verification.”
Walwyn said urged media houses need to be more responsible in publishing stories without having substantiated information.
“Just this week, there were three stories on one internet media outlet that publishes some stories without verifying the information,” said the police chief.
“Credibility is a word that should not be regarded lightly. Media houses that report unsubstantiated information should be concerned about their credibility,” said Walwyn.
He gave the assurance that the police have a duty to protect victims of crime and cannot give details of the incident “because it is either under investigation or the next of kin has not yet been notified.”
“As Commissioner, I want the media to be a part of the important role in fighting crime,” said Walwyn.
He said the police force’s press and public relations officer and other senior members are willing to provide any information requested as long as it does not compromise ongoing investigations.
Caribbean News Now
Grenada launches new booking engine
The Grenada Board of Tourism (GBT) and the Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association (GHTA) have jointly launched a new, and improved, booking engine on their respective websites which, it is expected, will bolster the island’s tourism industry.
The implementation of Regatta allows hotels, villas and other activity providers in Grenada to use the websites of the tourism board and hotel association to exhibit control as to exactly how they are promoted. It also comes with the capacity to attract a much higher volume of bookings through the various channels that are available.
“We have every intention of maintaining close relationships with our online travel agency (OTA) partners as well as our hotels,” commented Simon Stiell, Director of Tourism for Grenada. “But we are seeing impressive results from other Caribbean destinations that have implemented Regatta and this change in our online sales and marketing strategy makes perfect sense for us. Regatta’s powerful booking engine and destination marketing expertise is an attractive combination for any destination.”
Commenting on this development, executive director of the GHTA, Pancy Cross noted, “Our hotels are very excited about this project. Regatta has made itself very accessible and we are pleased about having a partner that can finally help us reach consumers at a reasonable cost.”
President of Regatta Travel Solutions, Ashwin Kamlani, stated, “There is much potential in Grenada, where the tourism industry is hungry for growth and waiting to take advantage of all of the new marketing tactics that are available on the internet. We are proud to have been chosen for this project.”
Caribbean News Now
Scammers, drug lords lose big bucks in Jamaica
Just under $1 billion in cash and other assets were confiscated primarily from drug dealers and persons involved in the lottery scam last year, the Financial Investigations Division (FID) of the Ministry of Finance has revealed.
Statistics released through the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) yesterday show that over the 12-month period, the FID seized 43 real estate properties, including houses and lands, valued at $588 million; 38 motor vehicles valued at $90 million; bank accounts and monetary instruments valued at $30 million and furniture and fittings valued at $3.5 million.
The assets were confiscated using the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and one FID insider told The Gleaner yesterday that they are being held by the State pending the outcome of a number of civil cases.
"The restraint prevents them (the assets) from being sold, transferred or in any way disposed of by an individual until these cases are completed," the FID insider explained.
However, the Government was able to keep more than $43 million in United States, British and Jamaican currencies that were seized by the FID over the same 12-month period.
The FID insider, while refusing to give details, said a majority of the real estate properties seized were located in a number of upscale communities in Kingston, Montego Bay and along the north coast.
The number and value of the assets confiscated by the FID last year exceeded 2010 when it seized 10 properties valued at $185 million and 33 vehicles valued at $85 million.
The FID was established in 2007 after POCA was passed into law, giving law-enforcement authorities the power to go after the proceeds of criminal activities.