Jamaican Regulator Wants Explanation on New Fee by Telecommunications giant
Telecommunications giant DIGICEL has until tomorrow to explain to Jamaican regulators its introduction of a new charge to some customers.
Effective last Thursday, DIGICEL imposed a prepaid maintenance fee (PMF) on customers whose monthly spend, falls below $50. However, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is not satisfied that the company followed procedure.
In a statement issued yesterday, the OUR asked DIGICEL to provide evidence that it had provided customers with sufficient advance notice; the exact amount to be charged and the basis of such a charge.
The OUR noted that it received a letter dated June 23, 2017 from DIGICEL, advising that the purpose of the PMF is to ensure that all customers adequately contribute to the cost of operating and maintaining their accounts on its systems and networks, in circumstances where they spend less than $50 within a calendar month.
In its response to the company, the OUR said that while DIGICEL had updated its terms and conditions on its website with the PMF, there is no indication of when its customers were notified, if indeed they were notified at all.
The OUR also expressed its disappointment that DIGICEL had not notified the regulator of this new fee prior to implementation.
Prosecutor Wants Suriname President Locked Away for 20 Years
Suriname’s military prosecutor Roy Elgin is proposing a tough prison sentence for President Desi Bouterse for his alleged role in the killing of 15 of his political opponents back in December 1982.
El-gin believes the former army leader should be jailed for 20 years.
Bouterse is accused of being responsible for the December 8, 1982 murders at Fort Zeelandia in the capital, Paramaribo, that served as the headquarters of the then military leadership.
Bouterse has claimed political responsibility for the murders since he was head of the military government at the time of the massacre, but has denied any personal involvement in the killings.
He has charged that the trial is politically motivated and has previously proposed the establishment of a special commission to determine the truth behind the so-called “December Murders”. Several attempts by President Bouterse to have the case dismissed have failed.
During yesterday’s hearing, El-gin told the Military Court that Bouterse was behind the killings and had been in Fort Zeelandia when they were committed.
“The murders were planned properly and there was a script. It was premeditated,” said Elgin.
The prosecutor referred to statements of union leader Fred Derby who was the only one of 16 men, who had been arrested, who was not killed.
Derby died from a heart attack in 2001, but he had given a statement in December 2000, in which he said that it was Bouterse who had presided over a tribunal that decided who would die that night.
And Elgin said that even if Bouterse was not present in Fort Zee-lan-dia, he could still be considered the culprit.
El-gin argued that there were enough statements from trustworthy witnesses to back his demand that Bouterse be jailed for 20 years.
Bouterse legal team was scheduled to address the military court today.
The prestigious Queen’s Baton is in route to the Turks and Caicos Islands
The prestigious Queen’s Baton is currently making its way through the Caribbean having completed its African Adventure.
The eyes of the Commonwealth of Nations will focus on the Baton’s every move when it arrives in our Beautiful by Nature Turks and Caicos on Tuesday July 11 – Friday 14, where it will be embraced by the country’s culture, its hospitality, but most of all our friendly people.
The Queen’s Baton Relay, is the curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games, having visited 70 Commonwealth nations and territories before arriving for the Opening Ceremony of the 21st Commonwealth Games, which is a much loved tradition of the 4 yearly festival of sport and culture and symbolizes the coming together of all commonwealth nations and territories.
In the Caribbean, all eyes are now on the young athletes who will compete at the Youth Games, which will be held in Nassau Bahamas. The TCI will be featured heavily at the event, with some 31 Athletes and 7 officials from 16 – 24 July. It will be the first time the Queen’s baton will visit the Youth Games.
The Secretary General of the Commonwealth Games Association, Mrs. Rita Gardiner, is calling on the entire Turks and Caicos to come out and join in the Baton’s magic as it travels throughout the islands on Wednesday the 12th July, beginning in South Caicos, then on to Salt Cay. The Relay will end on the evening of the 12th with a touchdown in the nation’s capital, Grand Turk with a huge celebration from the Carnival Cruise Port, having made its way from Salt Cay by way of the Salt Cay Boat. The Queen’s Baton Relay will commence with Athletes and persons who have made outstanding contributions to the development of Sports in the TCI.
The Relay will end at the Parade Grounds for a formal celebration where Government Officials and Commonwealth Games Executive Members will be in attendance. The Relay will continue on Thursday 13th July from Grand Turk to North Caicos, then Middle Caicos and climaxing at Grace Bay in Providenicales with the finale at the famous Fish Fry.
The country will be featured every step of the journey.
“When people come together amazing things happen. As the Baton is passed from hand to hand, a bright boundless energy will light up the Baton in colors that reflect the warmth and spirit of the Gold Coast. Everyone is invited to be a part of this magnificent adventure and showcase our spirit, culture and hospitality around the Commonwealth,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
Chaka Khan releases empowering "I Love Myself" video
Chaka Khan is heading into Independence Day with an empowering video for her latest track, "I Love Myself." The clip, featuring guest artist B. Slade, shows the iconic entertainer singing words of self-love and encouragement to herself in the mirror.
Throughout the clip, several young women and two young boys pay Chaka a visit, and images of the winners of her "I Love Myself" video contest are seen singing along to the lyrics on Khan's "Chakagram."
In an official statement, she says that losing her longtime friends Prince, Natalie Cole and Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White "deepens the already universal message of 'I Love Myself' in ways I couldn't have imagined a year ago when the song was originally slated for release."
She adds, "Loving yourself is a life-long process and even more so in the face of loss."
"I Love Myself" is Chaka's first single released under her indie label, iKhan Sounds. You can stream or purchase it through the usual digital platforms.
Source-ABC
TCI Police Investigate Fatal Accident
Police reported to RTC News that at around 8:45 on Wednesday 28th June 2017, a road traffic collision occurred on the Millennium Highway Road in Blue Hills Providenciales. The collision involved two vehicles, a silver Honda Accord Car and an Isuzu Flatbed Truck.
As a result of the collision, the driver, a 25 year old female, received fatal injuries. She has been named as Idette Pierre.
Two people travelling in the Isuzu Flatbed Truck received injuries and received medical attention.
Traffic Officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating the circumstances of the collision and are asking witnesses to contact the investigating officers on 941 3327.
Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said 'This is a serious collision which has sadly resulted in the death of Idette Pierre. The thoughts and prayers of the RT&CIPF go out to the family and friends of Idette.
My officers will be working hard to establish the cause of the collision and I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact my officers as soon as possible.'
Steve Remy Gardiner Plead Guilty to Robbery Charges
21 Year Old Steve Remy Gardiner of Providenciales plead guilty to Robbery and Assault with intent to Rob when he appeared before the Supreme Court on Friday 23rd June 2017 to answer to those offences which occurred on Monday 6th March 2017.
The facts are, around 6am on that date, two ladies were out jogging at different locations. Gardiner attacked and demanded cash from the first female in the Lower Bight area. He then drove down the Leeward Highway where the second woman was seen, he ran across the road and attacked her to the ground and took her cell-phone before getting away in a Black SUV. An investigation was launched. On Friday 10th March 2017 Detectives arrested Mr. Gardiner on suspicion of Robbery. A search warrant was executed at his home where 535 grams (approximate street value of $5,350) of Cannabis were found. He was later charged for the drugs and the offences mentioned above.
In April 2017 he plead guilty to the drug charges and was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment.
Steve Remy Gardiner will be sentenced for the Robbery and Assault with intent to Rob charges on Wednesday 9th August 2017.
Public Relations Officer Kevin Clarke said, "this incident brought much concerns to those persons who jog along the streets of Providenciales as part of their daily lifestyle. I would like to thank the officers for their hard work in quickly apprehending Gardiner for these dreadful attacks. It is my hope that now that he is behind bars it will bring a sense of security to the residents of Providenciales who regularly exercise during the early mornings.”
Serena Williams slams John's controversial ranking comments & poses for Vanity
One day after tennis icon and analyst John McEnroe said that if Serena Williams played on the men's tour, she'd be ranking 700, the female star fired right back.
"Dear John, I adore and respect you, but please, please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based," she tweeted.
Williams, 35, continued, "I've never played anyone ranked 'there' nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir."
For his part, McEnroe told CBS This Morning on Tuesday that he now puts Williams at number five in the all-time rankings.
Although McEnroe said earlier that he wouldn't apologize, the 58-year-old did wish Williams well.
"Serena, have a great time with the baby," he said.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams, who poses nude on the cover of Vanity Fair's August issue, said she plans to return to the tennis court after giving birth to her first child.
"I don’t think my story is over yet," the 35-year-old tennis star and winner of 23 grand slams told the magazine.
Williams is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
In the magazine, Williams recalled learning she was pregnant a week before the Australian Open last January. After taking a home pregnancy test, she said she, "did a double take and my heart dropped. Like literally it dropped." She took five more tests to be sure, then called Ohanian, who hopped on a flight to Australia.
Williams still can't believe she's really going to be a mom.
"I don’t know what to do with a baby. I have nothing...I’ve done absolutely nothing for the baby room," she told Vanity Fair.
She's also trying to enjoy "the little freedom" she has left before marrying Ohanian.
The seemingly mismatched pair -- she didn't know what Reddit was and he had never seen a tennis match -- met by chance in May 2015 at the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome, where they were seated next to each other. After dating nearly two years, in December 2016 they returned to the Cavalieri where Ohanian proposed on one knee.
"I knew it was coming," Williams recalled. "I was like, ‘Serena, you’re 35, you’re ready. This is what you want.'"
Ohanian said he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Williams because she made him want to be a better person.
"I find myself just wanting to be better by simply being around her because of the standard she holds," he told Vanity Fair.
Source-ABC
Baseball fans put aside rivalry to save a life
Game 1 of Monday’s College World Series Finals in Omaha, Nebraska, came with action on the field and lifesaving heroics in the stands.
It was during the sixth inning, above the third-base dugout, when Florida fan Bobby Harvey appeared to be in distress.
“He started slouching down and ... we ended up laying him on the ground,” Jimmy Roy, a LSU supporter told ABC affiliate KETV.
Teamwork kicked in at TD Ameritrade Park as Dr. Jerry Poché, the father of LSU pitcher Jared Poché, was also called to assist Roy by performing CPR for up to seven minutes on Harvey.
“One of the other LSU fans was actually holding his head, which I appreciated because compressions can get a little violent,” Poché said.
Poché believes the 87-year-old Florida fan suffered a heart attack and was saved by the efforts of many LSU supporters.
“The instincts just kind of kick in. It doesn’t matter what team you follow, what race you are, you just try to help somebody,” Roy said.
Harvey is listed in good condition at Nebraska Medicine, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Justin Timberlake invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
Justin Timberlake was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year for his song "Can't Stop the Feeling!" from the movie Trolls. He didn't win, but he did win an invitation to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, which means he'll get to vote on who wins Oscars in the future.
Justin is one of 744 people invited to join the Academy this year; he's been invited by the Musicians Branch. Other invitees include producers and songwriters Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who, in addition to crafting hits for Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, also composed music for movies like Poetic Justice and Akeelah and the Bee.
Others invited to join the Academy this year include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot, Priyanka Chopra, Chris Evans, Rupert Grint, Adam Driver and Jon Hamm.
Source-ABC
John Mayer won't comment on being #1 on Katy Perry's Lovers List
John Mayer once wrote a song called "My Stupid Mouth," and it's gotten him into trouble more than once, especially when it comes to his love life. So it's no wonder he didn't take the bait when Rolling Stone tried to get him to talk about his old girlfriend, Katy Perry.
During her 96-hour live stream, Katy was asked by James Corden to rank three of her ex-boyfriends -- John Mayer, Diplo and Orlando Bloom -- in order of their bedroom skills. She ultimately put John at #1, followed by Orlando and then Diplo. But when asked by Rolling Stone if he had any comment on that achievement, he didn't bite.
"I don't have a cool-enough thought for you," he tells the magazine. "I've hacked this game. I pay very little of the price of fame now. I get to play the music that moves me the most. I'm having the time of my life. I'm 39 – I remember 32. I don't wanna do it again."
Souce-ABC