Sky News faces uncertain future after Disney deal
Walt Disney's agreement to buy most of 21st Century Fox's business for $52.4bn (£39bn) has raised further questions about the Sky News channel's future.
Before news of the deal, Rupert Murdoch's Fox had been trying to buy the 61% of satellite broadcaster Sky that it does not yet own.
That attempt attracted the scrutiny of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is investigating it.
But of all the channels that Sky has in its portfolio, including sports and movies, it is the ownership of its news channel that raises the most difficulties.
Last month, Sky sent shivers down the spines of Sky News journalists by threatening to close the channel if it proved to be an obstacle in Mr Murdoch's takeover bid.
Now it seems that Sky News could fall into Disney's hands as a result of this latest piece of corporate wheeler-dealing.
After all, Fox's efforts to take over Sky become less politically sensitive if the Murdoch family's existing 39% stake in Sky has been sold to Disney, making it more likely that the takeover will go ahead.
Former ITN chief executive Stewart Purvis, who is also a former senior executive at regulator Ofcom, is less pessimistic about the channel's future.
He points out that there are a number of issues to consider, including the possibility that Disney might not wish to go ahead with acquiring the remaining 61% of Sky, even if the CMA approved it.
In fact, the UK's Takeover Panel says Disney has told it that if Mr Murdoch fails to buy the rest of Sky before the Fox takeover deal goes through, it will not feel obliged to make a full bid for the satellite broadcaster.
Mr Purvis adds that it would be "slightly perverse" if Sky News were closed down over concerns that the various deals would lead to an unreasonable concentration of media power, because its absence "would actually reduce media plurality".
Disney owns the ABC television network in the US, which includes its news service.
But as Mr Purvis says, ABC News is safe because it makes money.
"The way that networks look at their news programmes is that they look at the cost compared with advertising revenues within those programmes," he says.
"By that measure, ABC News is profitable. Good Morning America is the leading breakfast programme in the US. There's no way Disney would shut that down."
Sky News, of course, does not enjoy that kind of status. But Mr Purvis says Disney would have to balance that against other factors, including the "political kudos" that owning Sky News would give it in the UK.
"We don't know the outcome of that kind of consideration," he says.
In the US, analysts are concerned that Disney's existing news interests might suffer from the merger, let alone Sky News.
"I would not look to the Disney-Fox merger to bolster the fourth estate," Ben Gomes-Casseres of the Brandeis International Business School told the Washington Post.
"Whether ABC News will be affected in this way, as a side-effect, is also anyone's guess, but there is no doubt that ABC as a TV channel will decrease in importance in the Disney group."
For the moment, Disney is taking a positive attitude towards Sky News.
Disney chairman and chief executive Bob Iger was asked on Bloomberg TV whether the channel had a future after his company completed the Fox deal.
Source-BBC
EU leaders agree to move talks to next stage
EU leaders have agreed to move Brexit talks on to the second phase but called for "further clarity" from the UK about the future relationship it wants.
The first issue to be discussed, early next year, will be the details of an expected two-year transition period after the UK's exit in March 2019.
Talks on trade and security co-operation are set to follow in March.
Theresa May hailed an "important step" on the road but Germany's Angela Merkel said it would get "even tougher".
Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, broke the news that the 27 EU leaders were happy to move on to phase two after they met in Brussels.
He congratulated Mrs May on reaching this stage and said the EU would begin internal preparations for the next phase right now as well as "exploratory contacts with the UK to get more clarity on their vision".
While securing a deal in time for the UK's exit in March 2019 was realistic, he suggested that the next phase would be "more challenging and more demanding".
Mrs May said the two sides would begin discussions on future relations straight away and hoped for "rapid progress" on a transitional phase to "give certainty" to business.
"This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June 2016," she said.
"The UK and EU have shown what can be achieved with commitment and perseverance on both sides."
Labour's international trade spokesman, Barry Gardiner, welcomed the move forward, but said it would be a "real problem" for business if the EU didn't start talking trade for a further three months.
He also said his party would not put a time limit on a post-Brexit transition phase, as the expected two-year period would be "extremely tight".
The EU has published its guidelines for phase two of the negotiations, with discussions on future economic co-operation not likely to begin until March.
The three-page document says the UK will remain under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and be required to permit freedom of movement during any transition period.
And agreements on the Irish border, the so-called divorce bill and the rights of EU and UK citizens, agreed by Mrs May last Friday, must be "respected in full and translated faithfully into legal terms as quickly as possible".
The document says: "As the UK will continue to participate in the customs union and the single market during the transition, it will have to continue to comply with EU trade policy."
While the EU is willing to engage in "preliminary and preparatory discussions" on trade as part of building a "close partnership" after the UK's departure, this means any formal agreement "can only be finalised and concluded once the UK has become a third country".
Source-BBC
Earthquake Hits Indonesia's Java island, Deaths Reported
A strong earthquake shook the Indonesian capital Thursday and other cities on the country's most populous island of Java, killing an unknown number of people amid reports of collapsed buildings.
Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of Java's coastline after the quake struck just before midnight Friday. People ran out of buildings in panic in many areas and Indonesian television showed heavy traffic on roads as people left coastal areas.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said there were deaths reported but could not immediately provide details. He also said there were reports that buildings had collapsed in the city of Tasikmalaya in western Java and in several western Java districts.
Nugroho said strong tremors were felt for about 20 seconds in the capital of Jakarta and in cities and villages in western and central Java.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.5 and was about 91 kilometers (56 miles) deep and located inland. Indonesian authorities reported a quake of similar magnitude offshore of Java.
Indonesia sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Source-VOA
CDB approves USD76 million to boost development results in St. Kitts and Nevis
- Economic development and enhanced livelihoods: The Country Strategy is designed to achieve improved macroeconomic and fiscal stability; increased productivity; competitiveness and economic diversification; and improved governance through reforms in areas such as project implementation capacity and procurement.
- Inclusive social development: The assistance programme will support enhanced education outcomes; closing the gender gap and increasing gender equality; and better protections for the most vulnerable groups in St. Kitts and Nevis.
- Environmental protection and infrastructure enhancement: Interventions delivered under the Country Strategy will seek to strengthen environmental management and climate-resilient infrastructure, including sea defences, roads, slopes, water and drainage systems, and energy infrastructure.
PUBLIC FORECAST 12:00 PM THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT FRIDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2017.
GENERAL SITUATION: A BROAD SURFACE TROUGH EXTENDS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS...WHILE HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATES THE WEATHER PATTERN OVER THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS.
NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY AND MILD TODAY...TURNING FAIR AND COOL TONIGHT.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: LESS THAN 3 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
TURKS & CAICOS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: EXPECT GUSTY WINDS & HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY 77°F 25°C
LOW TEMPERATURE TONIGHT 61°F 16°C
SUN MOON TIDES
SUNSET: 5:23PM MOONSET: 3:49PM LOW TIDE: 12:07PM & 12:02AM SAT
SUNRISE: 6:48AM SAT. MOONRISE: 5:15AM SAT. HIGH TIDE: 5:55PM & 6:24AM SAT
Mr. Derek Been Appointed as New Director of Immigration
The Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Derek Been as the new Director of Immigration within the Ministry of Border Control and Employment Services.
Mr. Been who officially took up the post on Wednesday, November 15th, 2017, holds a Post Graduate Degree from the University of Leicester Business School and previously dedicated over 10 years to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service where he served as the former Under Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Communication and Immigration from 1999 – 2004; as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs from 2006-2009 and as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Utilities and Housing from 2009-2010, before taking up the post of Deputy Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Ports Authority from 2010-2016.
During his tenure in government Mr. Been had the opportunity to assist in a number of key projects including the construction of the North and Middle Caicos Causeway, Leeward Highway, the introduction of the Ports Authority, the Public Works Change Initiative, the Blue Ribbon Commission and several other key projects.
Mr. Been is a civic leader having dedicated many years of service to the Boys Scouts where he serves as the Leader of the Grand Turk Division and is a member of the Turks and Caicos National Museum. He is also the founder and webmaster of Grand Turk Events which seeks to bring awareness to community events on the island of Grand Turk.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams stated that she was pleased to welcome Mr. Been back to the civil service and in such a critical role at such a critical time; "I am pleased to congratulate Mr. Been on his appointment and to welcome him back to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service. His appointment which is a critical one, comes at a very critical time as we seek to make a number of positive changes in the structures, systems and management in the Ministry of Border Control and more specifically in the Immigration Department.
Mr. Been possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience, having previously served as a former Under Secretary within this and numerous other ministries along with serving as a former Permanent Secretary within government. He is fully aware of both the challenges and needs of the department and has already in his short time in the department set about an action plan for change.
I look forward to working with him and to supporting him in his role where I have every confidence that he will do exceptionally well."
Deputy Premier, Honourable Sean Astwood added, "I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Been to the Ministry of Border Control and Employment. Mr. Been assumes the vital role of Director of Immigration at a pivotal moment in our country's history, where now more than ever, there needs to be sound direction and developments in the policies and practices guiding both migration and immigration activities for the protection and security of our borders.
Mr. Been, as a former Civil Servant, Under Secretary and Permanent Secretary of numerous areas within Government, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be fundamental to the department's ability to address the many challenges that have inundated our communities and social systems over the years. While we have embarked on numerous initiatives for the reshaping of migration and immigration in the TCI, there is a long road ahead of us but I am encouraged by the energy and diversity that Mr. Been has on how the department, and indeed the country, can achieve its goals.
Over the coming weeks Mr. Been will be working to institute new guidelines and policies for the improvement and revitalization of his department and together, with our support, I expect that he will have another long successful tenure with us."
Commenting on the appointment himself Mr. Derek Been said: "I am most thankful to Almighty God for granting me the opportunity to serve in such a role and at such a time. I am fully cognizant of the inherent challenges and threats that seem to dominate the immigration and labour sectors. However, opportunities also exist and the way we manage migration and immigration is critical to the cultural, social and economic well-being of these Islands and for those who conduct business and reside here permanently. The Immigration Department is essentially an enforcement body. The staff that I lead are expected to operate within the provision of the laws of the country. I expect the officers to be fair, firm and consistent in exercising their functions and we expect the Public and our clients to appreciate and adhere to the law.
As it relates specifically to the role as Director, I will support lawful entry to persons (business and pleasure) who will benefit these Islands, while preventing the abuse of the society and its economy.
I look forward to continuing the efforts to improve service delivery and processes that we manage, and to achieve efficiency and effectiveness. Critical to meeting our objectives is increased staff training and cross training, forging strategic alliances and the use of technology to protect our borders. I look forward to supporting the team at the Ministry of Border Control and Employment in achieving the broader objectives."
Would-be Terrorist Sets Off Pipe Bomb in New York
A would-be terrorist set off a pipe bomb strapped to his chest in a pedestrian tunnel between two of New York City's busiest transportation hubs Monday.
Twenty-seven year-old Ayayed Ullah, who came to the U.S. from Bangladesh, wounded himself and three bystanders in what Mayor Bill de Blasio calls an attempted terrorist attack.
“Thank God the perpetrator dId not achieve his goals,” the mayor said.
Police released pictures of the alleged bomber, lying on the ground in a fetal position. Some of his clothes were blown off and his stomach was blackened.
Doctors say the injured bystanders suffered ringing in the ears and headaches.
Federal and New York City investigators questioned Ullah from his hospital bed and searched his Brooklyn apartment.
Ullah allegedly exploded the bomb in a tunnel connecting the Port Authority Bus Terminal with the Times Square subway stop. The tunnel and stops were packed with tourists and commuters hustling to their jobs in Manhattan.
Television pictures show the tunnel filling with smoke while people streamed out of the walkway to safety, not knowing what kind of calamity would greet them outside.
Port Authority was shut down for several hours as well as major intersections right in the heart of New York.
Ullah came to the United States from Bangladesh about seven years ago and was a legal permanent U.S. resident.
“The government of Bangladesh is committed to its declared policy of ‘zero tolerance’ against terrorism and condemns terrorism and violent extremism in all forms or manifestations anywhere in the world,” an embassy statement said Monday.
Ullah came to the U.S. to join family members — something called family chain migration and something President Donald Trump says is "incompatible with national security."
"Congress must end chain migration," a Trump statement said Monday. "The terrible harm that this flawed system inflicts on America's security and economy has long been clear. I'm determined to improve our immigration system to put our country and our people first."
Ullah’s alleged motives are unclear. Officials say he may have been inspired by Islamic State. They believe he acted alone.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday’s blast is a sign that Congress must pass tighter restrictions for people who want to immigrate to the United States.
Source-VOA
"The Shape of Water," "The Post," "Big Little Lies," "Three Billboards" lead Golden Globes
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's nominees for the 75th Anniversary Golden Globe Awards were announced Monday morning.
Alfre Woodard, Kristen Bell and Sharon Stone, and actor Garrett Hedlund announced the noms live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Hosted by Seth Meyers, the Golden Globes telecast will air live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel on NBC Sunday, January 7, 2018.
Here are the nominees in the order they were announced:
Best TV Movie or Limited-Series
Big Little Lies - HBO
Fargo - FX
Feud: Betty and Joan - FX
The Sinner - USA TV
Top of the Lake: China Girl - SundanceTV
Best TV Series, Comedy
black-ish - ABC
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Amazon
Master of None - Netflix
SMILF - Showtime
Will & Grace - NBC
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
"Home" - Ferdinand
"Mighty River" - Mudbound
"Remember Me: - Coco
"The Star" - The Star
"This is Me" - The Greatest Showman
Best Animated Feature Film
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Coco
Ferdinand
Loving Vincent
Best TV Series, Drama
The Crown - Netflix
Game of Thrones - HBO
The Handmaid's Tale - Hulu
Stranger Things - Netflix
This is Us - NBC
Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
The Disaster Artist
Get Out
The Greatest Showman
I, Tonya
Ladybird
Best Motion Picture, Drama
Call Me By Your Name
Dunkirk
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama
Caitriona Balfe - Outlander
Claire Foy - The Crown
Maggie Gyllenhaal - The Deuce
Katherine Langford - 13 Reasons Why
Elisabeth Moss - The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Steve Carell, Battle of the Sexes
Ansel Elgort, Baby Driver
James Franco, The Disaster Artist
Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Armie Hammer, Call Me by Your Name
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
Hong Chau, Downsizing
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama
Sterling K. Brown - This is Us
Freddie Highmore - The Good Doctor
Bob Odenkirk - Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber - Ray Donovan
Jason Bateman - Ozark
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Timothée Chalamet - Call Me by Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis - Phantom Thread
Tom Hanks - The Post
Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington - Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Judi Dench - Victoria & Abdul
Margot Robbie - I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan - Lady Bird
Emma Stone - Battle of the Sexes
Helen Mirren - The Leisure Seeker
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Jessica Chastain - Molly's Game
Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water
Francis McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Meryl Streep - The Post
Michelle Williams - All the Money in the World
Best Director – Motion Picture
Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water
Martin McDonagh - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Christopher Nolan - Dunkirk
Ridley Scott - All the Money in the World
Steven Spielberg - The Post
Best Actor in a Limited-Series or TV Movie
Robert De Niro - The Wizard of Lies
Jude Law - The Young Pope
Kyle McLaughlin - Twin Peaks
Ewan McGregor - Fargo
Geoffrey Rush - Genius
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited-Series, or TV Movie
Laura Dern - Big Little Lies
Ann Dowd - The Handmaid’s Tale
Chrissy Metz - This Is Us
Michelle Pfeiffer - The Wizard of Lies
Shailene Woodley - Big Little Lies
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie
David Harbour - Stranger Things
Alfred Molina - Feud: Bette and Joan
Christian Slater - Mr. Robot
Alexander Skarsgard - Big Little Lies
David Thewlis - Fargo
Best Actress in a Limited-Series or TV Movie
Jessica Biel - The Sinner
Nicole Kidman - Big Little Lies
Jessica Lange - Feud: Bette and Joan
Susan Sarandon - Feud: Bette and Joan
Reese Witherspoon - Big Little Lies
Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy
Pamela Adlon - Better Things
Alison Brie - GLOW
Rachel Brosnahan - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Issa Rae - Insecure
Frankie Shaw - SMILF
Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy
Anthony Anderson - black-ish
Aziz Ansari - Master of None
Kevin Bacon - I Love Dick
William H. Macy - Shameless
Erik McCormack - Will & Grace
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
The Shape Of Water
Lady Bird
The Post
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Molly’s Game
Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Shape of Water
Phantom Thread
The Post
Dunkirk
Source-ABC
TCI celebrates International Anti-Corruption Day 2017 on the theme: “Uniting Against Corruption”
The International Anti-Corruption Day was celebrated globally on Saturday, 9th December 2017. It is a day set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness and sensitize everybody about the destructive impact of corruption on the society.
Corruption undermines democratic institutions and the rule of law. It is a key barrier to effective economic development. It creates and deepens poverty, inequality and social instability. It is a cankerworm that corrodes the very foundations of any society. No nation, big or small, rich or poor is immune to corruption.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission (the Commission) joins the international community in this celebration on the Theme “Uniting Against Corruption”. The Commission, drawing from local, regional and international experiences and best practices, firmly believes, that to effectively combat and prevent corruption, will require the united and collaborative efforts of all - the public and private sector institutions and persons, all persons in public life (including House of Assembly Members, Ministers of Government and Public Officers), Corporate and Business entities, Civil and Religious Societies and the Media. In this regard, the Commission is encouraged to note with gratitude, that these collaborative efforts have enabled Turks and Caicos Islands to score a number of regional ‘firsts’ in anti-corruption and good governance initiatives.
These include the robust regulation of political financing over the last two general elections; the formulation, publication and enforcement of a comprehensive Code of Conduct for Persons in Public life; the more than 90% compliance rate by public officials who are required to file declarations with the Commission; the best-practice public procurement and public finance management regimes; the public and live broadcasts of the proceedings of the House of Assembly and its accountability committees and the recent enactment of the Bribery Ordinance. Consequently, the TCI has not only earned a leadership role in the Commonwealth Caribbean anti-corruption efforts, but serves as one of the regional reference points for anti-corruption and good governance best practices.
Moreover, the Commission acknowledges the critical role the youth and young persons are playing and will continue to play in sustaining the fight against corruption. The Commission, through its Public Education Unit, has therefore closely engaged these leaders of tomorrow over the last two years in the promotion of integrity through annual Inter-High School Integrity debates; the Community College speak-off events; primary and secondary schools’ poster, song and essay competitions. Since last week, the Commission has been visiting the relevant schools to deliver to their students, trophies, certificates and cash awards for their excellent performances in these competitions and in appreciation of their participation.
Director of TCI Integrity Commission, Eugene Otuonye, Q.C. commented: “ The milestones achieved by the TCI in its anti-corruption and good governance efforts are not only remarkable but inspiring. Nevertheless, the Commission recognizes that there is still a long way to go and much more work to be done over time. But by uniting against corruption, by saying NO to corruption and by REPORTING corruption, we will be well on our way to a TCI with a zero-tolerance for corruption.”
TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT-Dec8th,2017
His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the meeting of the Cabinet on Friday, 8 December 2017, at the N J S Francis Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present except the Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the draft Companies Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules) (No.2) Order 2017 for forwarding to the House of Assembly for approval;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve amendments to Section 8 of the Customs (Times of Attendance of Officers and Officers' Fees) Regulations to reflect the full recovery of costs of customs officers working at TCI customs sheds;
· Noted the legislative agenda for the period December 2017 – June 2018;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the government's climate change policy statement;
· Received an information paper prepared by the Director of Ports on a variation in tariff in the stevedoring contract which entered into force on 1 April 2008;
· Approved a MSME concession order to the company Ocean Breeze Laboratories to purchase equipment for its janitorial products business in Providenciales;
· Approved a MSME concession order to the company Been's Welding to purchase equipment for the re-establishment of a welding and fabrication business in Providenciales;
· Approved a MSME concession order to the company Flamingo's Nest to purchase equipment for the establishment of a vacation rental in North Caicos subject to a re-inspection being carried by the Tourist Board and the property meeting the required standard;
· Approved in principle the amended draft Agriculture Policy Paper governing agricultural development in TCI subject to an implementation plan being developed and approved;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the drafting of the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill 2017 for forwarding in due course to the House of Assembly for approval;
· Approved in principle the National School Nutrition and Physical Fitness Policy Paper and the National School Nutrition Guidelines for TCI subject to an implementation plan being developed and approved;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the appointment of Mr Eric Lightbourne as a member of the Prison Visiting Committee in accordance with Section 44 of the Prisons Ordinance;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the appointment of Mrs Carmella Bain as a member of the Radio Turks and Caicos Board of Governors in accordance with Section 3(1) of the Radio Turks and Caicos Ordinance;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the re-appointment of Mrs Beatrice Fulford as a member of the Labour Tribunal for a period of 2 years with effect from 8 December 2017;
· Approved a proposal for the construction of a new library facility for the H J Robinson High School on Grand Turk to be sponsored and funded by Mr Franklyn Misick;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2017 Regulations relating to the quota for the export of conch;
· Approved an amendment to the Tourist Accommodations Ordinance 1979 to align Section 2 (a) of the Ordinance with Section 3(1) of the Tourism Tax Ordinance;
· Advised His Excellency the Governor to grant an exemption from Section 12 (1) of the Immigration Ordinance to permit the entry into TCI of teams from Nokia and Ericsson Corporations to assist with the restoration of FLOW's inter-island microwave link between Providenciales and Grand Turk which was damaged following the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria;
· Received an up-date from the Hon. Premier on applications received for outstanding payments for services provided after the hurricanes to be met from the contingency fund;
· Received a briefing from the Hon. Premier on her attendance at the Joint Ministerial Council in London;