British MP rejects UK takeover
UK Member of Parliament Lord Nigel Jones, has come out against United Kingdom's direct rule in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Liberal Democrat peer had several pointed questions this week directed to new Minister of State to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord David Howell.
Lord Jones admonished the UK b stating: "The Turks and Caicos Islands are in a peculiar position, because they were a prosperous overseas territory until just over a year ago, when the previous government decided to impose direct rule following a report from Sir Robin Auld citing suspected corruption. I oppose direct rule. It has gone down like a lead balloon with the islanders and many CARICOM countries. Business confidence has collapsed and proposed developments have been abandoned."
"As a result, the TCI economy has run into deficit, costs are rising while a special prosecutor takes her time deciding whether any charges are to be made, and the many Haitian workers on TCI are living in dire poverty because no one can afford to employ them anymore and there is no point going back to Haiti following the devastating earthquake there," said Jones.
During an Overseas Territories debate last Wednesday, Lord Jones told the House of Lords and the FCO that the Turks & Caicos Island's economy has collapsed due to the UK take over. Jones asked, "Who is going to pick up the tab for the catastrophic collapse of the economy [of Turks & Caicos]?"
Lord Jones will take up the answers to his direct questioning of UK's actions in the coming weeks.
Tourists still enjoying TCI
The Turks and Caicos hotel and tourism association has sad that the recent protests in Providenciales especially has not hampered that sector and tourists have been enjoying their stay despite the unrest
A statement from President of the TCHTA Karen Whitt, noted that despite the sustained process it was business as usual for the sector. “The peaceful demonstration located approximately 0.5 miles from the Providenciales International Airport has caused the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the TCI Tourist Board and the TCI Airports Authority (TCIAA) to identify an alternate access route, allowing persons to travel quickly to and from the airport.
The demonstration has not compromised the safety of TCI’s visitors and residents and The Turks and Caicos Islands remain a very safe and well-sought after destination,” read a part of Whitt’s statement.'
Whitt pointed out that the Hotel and Tourism Association was ensuring that the sector remained undisturbed, saying that Grace Bay, which is the main tourism area was not affected.
“Tourism agencies are working arduously with the Interim Government on the matter and all businesses throughout the islands continue to function as normal. We encourage all tourism partners worldwide to continue to choose Turks and Caicos as your destination,” Whitt noted.
The police, who also issued a statement on the protest, declared that it did not upset the equilibrium of the sector, adding that for the most part, the demonstration was peaceful and police had to re-direct traffic.
He also said that the demonstration were noisy but non violent, as the protesters directed their anger at the island's administration, and that the police, at this point would only be monitoring the situation so that it does not escalate into anything serious. He said tourists and visitors should not feel threatened as there has been not threat to their well-being.
Statement from Gordon Wetherell
RTC News received the following statement from H.E Gordon Wetherell on the grant to the TCI Government.
H.E statements reads:
I am pleased to confirm that the British Foreign Secretary has today announced that he has approved a discretionary grant of £6.6m to the Turks and Caicos
Islands Government (TCIG). This exceptional grant will reimburse TCIG for money spent during this past financial year (2010/2011) in dealing with corruption and violent crime.
This one-off grant will cover the full costs incurred by the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) and by EAPD, the firm of lawyers engaged on civil recovery work; as well as costs incurred by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) for their work to tackle violent crime.
The RTCIPF have worked hard to combat last yearʼs spike in violent crime. I am grateful to them for their hard work and dedication in difficult circumstances. The grant provides a significant contribution towards the costs of the two operations mounted by the police force to clamp down on crime, and gun crime in particular.
Though it is an integral part of good governance for any Territory government to ensure that its criminal justice system is properly funded, the UK Governmentʼs grant recognises that the burden in the TCI this past year has been exceptional. It will supplement the financial support package put in place by the UKʼs Department for International Development to enable future costs in this and other areas to be met from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government budget.
GORDON WETHERELL
GRACE BAY RESORTS ADOPT ADDITIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Grace Bay Resorts Foundation has added another school to their adoption programme.
The Ianthe Pratt Primary School in Provo is the latest to be under the care of the luxurious resort.
The adoption was due in great part thanks to two members of the foundation who pleaded the case for the school on Providenciales to join schools on North, Middle and South Caicos already adopted by the group.
Adelphine Pitter, who was recently promoted to resident manager of the Estates at Grace Bay, and Deleria Simms, human resource manager for the company, believed the school could benefit tremendously from the support the GBR Foundation has given the adopted schools.
Last year the GBR Foundation donated a remarkable $100,000 to local schools and offered several scholarships for local students to attend the TCI Community College. It has also been active in all of its properties giving opportunities for local students to serve internships during their vacations, gaining experience in the country’s number one industry — tourism.
“We are here not to build hotels, we are here to build lives,” said Mark Durliat, CEO and principal of Grace Bay Resorts. He thanked the school, saying he is grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate how tourism can help the country.
Students showed their appreciation through song, choral speaking and cheers. “This is something we have been longing for, praying for, hoping for and praying for,” moderator Mrs. Alexander told the body of students, teachers, dignitaries from the education department and members of the Grace Bay Resort Foundation who were in attendance for the ceremony.
Director of Education Edgar Howell noted the adoption was critically important for the school, especially given the economic state of the country.
“They can do a whole lot more because of the access to resources this relationship with the private sector offers them,” he said. This is particularly so in the areas of reading, math and early education, he added.
Inter Health Canada looking to operate in BVI
A bid by Inter Health Canada to operate in the British Virgin Islands may have been dealt a severe blow based on negative press received n the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The governing party has been warned at an early stage against any possible move to go deeper with the Canadian-based company, Inter-Health Canada which is contracted to commission the New Peebles Hospital.
During a recent television programme 'Speak Your Mind', Bishop John Cline said while he is aware that Government has only inked a contract for the company to commission the hospital, he understands that the company has expressed an interest in managing the operations of the hospital.
Cline said judging from some negative reports out of Turks & Caicos about the company, he would advise the BVI Government at an early stage not to move in that direction.
"We understand that the company is interested in running this hospital, but we are sending out prior warning to Government - do not entertain this without proper research of this company...Turks & Caicos already has issues with the company with the care promised versus care delivered...To do the commissioning is fine, but not to manage our hospital," Cline stated.
Bishop Cline further noted that it would be a sad day if the BVI Government thinks about moving in such a direction, to give away another vital sector of the Territory to a foreign company.
In February 2010, Government inked a contract with the company to carry out a three phase job, to enable the smooth transition and top class service for the commissioning of the new Peebles Hospital. The purpose of the contract is to provide consultancy services for the commissioning of the hospital and is in the amount of $2,108,698.00.
Kartel takes home four awards
After leading the pack of nominees with a total of six nominations, deejay Vybz Kartel was the real winner at the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Awards at Devon House last night.
The deejay walked away with the trophies for Deejay of the Year, Song of the Year (Dancehall) — Clarks, Album of the Year, and Collaboration of the Year — Clarks, featuring Popcaan and Gaza Slim.
The night’s other big winner was conscious crusader I-Octane who scored in the categories — Breakthrough Artiste of the Year, Sinjay of the Year and Song of the Year (Reggae) — My Life.
Here is a full list of last night’s winners:
Deejay of the Year — Male: Vybz Kartel
Deejay of the Year — Female: Tifa
Vocalist of the Year — Male: Tarrus Riley
Vocalist of the Year — Female: Etana
Producer/Label of the Year — Dancehall: Ainsley ‘Notnice’ Morris
Producer of the Year — Reggae: Donovan ‘Don Corleon’ Bennett
Best New Artiste — Male: Popcaan
Best New Artiste — Female: Denyque
Duo/Group of the Year: Voicemail
Biggest Comeback Artiste: Future Fambo
Song of the Year — Dancehall: Clarks
Song of the Year — Reggae: My Life— I-Octane
Album of the Year: Pon di Gaza 2.0— Vybz Kartel
Cultural Artiste of the Year: Tarrus Riley
Breakthrough Artiste of the Year: I-Octane
Singjay of the Year — Male: I-Octane
Collaboration of the Year: Clarks— Vybz Kartel, Popcaan and Gaza Slim
Riddim of the Year — Reggae: Pleasure— Cash Flow Records
Riddim of the Year — Dancehall: One Day— Seanizzle Records
Most Improved Artiste Nicky B
Gospel Artiste of the Year: Prodigal Son
International Artiste of the Year: Gyptian
Best Theatrical Production: GhettOut
Best Instrumental Group with vocals: Live Wyaa
Video of the Year — Reggae: Unconditional Love— Jah Cure and Phyllisia
Video of the Year — Dancehall: For Ur Eyes Only— Shaggy and Alaine
Performance of the Year: Beenie Man and Bounty Killer — Arthur Guinness Celebration
Best Dressed Artiste: Beenie Man
Show of the Year: Arthur Guinness Celebration
Best Original Dancer of the Year: Dance Xpressionz
Gospel Song of the Year: Drinking from my Saucer— Jabez
International Friend of Reggae Awardees: Eve, Trina
Artiste of the Decade: Beenie Man, Shaggy
50 Cent’s Ignorance and Insensitivity: Jokes about Tsunami on Twitter
One of the conundrums in the entertainment world is rapper 50 Cent. On the one hand with most of his business moves and some of his comments from time to time, you get the impression that he’s a truly gifted and intelligent person.
Then you have situations like this weekend when it was revealed that he is behind one of the most insensitive and stupefying moves we’ve heard of so far this year.
In the wake of the absolutely horrific magnitude 9.0 Japan earthquake that looks like it’s going to claim the lives of upwards of ten thousand people, 50 Cent apparently thought it would be hilarious to joke about it on Twitter:
“Its all good Till b*tches see there christian louboutins floating down da street s**t gone get crazy.”
“Look this is very serious people I had to evacuate all my hoe’s from LA, Hawaii and Japan. I had to do it. Lol”
And after he got critical responses, he tweeted:
“Some of my tweets are ignorant I do it for shock value. Hate it or love it. Im cool either way”
Well dude, you may be cool with it, but we’re not cool with you. Not on this.
New Beyonce Single and CD Coming Soon
It’s been a little while now since singer and international superstar Beyonce released any new music. To end the drought, she may be debuting her fourth studio album this April.
Producer Robert ‘Shea’ Taylor revealed that he has been working with the multi-talented singer and the first single is almost ready to go.
The new album, according to Taylor, is a lot more pop, but still powerful and is reminiscent of Michael Jackson in his “prime.”
Besides sharing that Kanye West is featured on a track, and a few producers like Sean Garrett, Diplo and a few others have worked on the album, the details are scarce.
Aretha Franklin says She didn’t have Gastric Bypass Procedure
In an interview with Access Hollywood, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin emphatically says she did NOT have gastric bypass surgery.
“Definitely not – and would not,” Franklin, 68, tells Access Hollywood in a two-part interview to air Monday and Tuesday. “I heard that [rumor]. I said, ‘That is crazy.’ ”
Since undergoing a mysterious surgical procedure in December for reasons she refuses to reveal,
Since her mysterious surgery in December, Franklin’s health and weight loss have been the subjects of a lot of speculation. In January, she said she was “not going to even deal with” rumors that she had pancreatic cancer.
In the interview with “Access,” she did offer a small clue saying only that the weight came off “from the surgery that I had,” although she did not specify the procedure.
“But it definitely was not the bariatric or, what is it, gastric by- – Yeah, I can’t even tell you the correct name of it,” she says, adding, “It’s really not necessary to talk about one’s personal medical [health].”
Franklin says the surgery was life changing and lengthening.
“The doctor did say to me, he said, ‘Mrs. Franklin, you are going to feel better than you have felt maybe in 10 or 15 years,’” she says.” ‘The surgery that you had is going to add 15 years to your life.’”
Drake, Foxx Booked for Clinton Foundation Fundraiser
Bill Clinton will join rapper Drake, director Brett Ratner, actor Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington and a host of other celebrities, artists, students and philanthropists at a fundraiser for the Millennium Network, in support of the former President’s non-profit, The Clinton Foundation.
The event, open to the general public, will be held on St. Patrick’s day, (Thursday March 17) at Boulevard3 on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., according to Allhiphop.com.
The Clinton Foundation’s Millennium Network encourages young students and activists under the age of 45 to get involved with the work of The Clinton Foundation, and to address global challenges like climate change, childhood obesity and economic development at home and abroad.
President Clinton will have opening remarks, and Drake will close the event with a performance.