PDM Chairman and Candidate for Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Announces Vision for Economic Change
The chairman of The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) has announced his party’s plans to focus on people-centered development that will take place throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands under a PDM government.
“From my experience as President of the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce, I recognized and reported then that the fundamental attributes of the Turks and Caicos Islands, which it had enjoyed for decades, and which make it an ideal place for growth, investment and economic prosperity are the “Four Nos”… No Income Tax, No Capital Gains Tax, No Property Tax, and No Exchange Controls. Additionally, permitting foreign ownership of land supports this economic environment as well as our labour and business-licensing regime, which is one of the most liberal in the region. However, what has really caused the Turks and Caicos to flourish is the friendly and tolerant attitude and nature of our people coupled with the skills and abilities of our people and residents alike to run a soon to be billion dollar a year economy. Yes we are small but we have massive promise. These intrinsic qualities when put into the hands of the right government can bring us back on track to wealth and prosperity for years and decades to come.
“First and foremost, the safety and security of our people, residents and visitors will be at the top of the agenda in the upcoming general election campaign. We understand the fears, hunger, thirst and the deep longing that exists in the minds, hearts, bellies and souls of our people, which can only be calmed, satisfied, quenched, and fulfilled through political change. We know that our constituents are tired of politicians who make lofty promises during a campaign that remain unfulfilled. We also know that an outgoing government can sometimes try to preempt the ideas, plans and policies for change that are contemplated by their political opponents.
“However, despite these tactics we thought it necessary to release our 12-Point Crime Plan early in the campaign. In Parliament, we fought for people who have lost their homes, businesses and property through an unholy arrangement with the Interim Government and TOLCO.
The PDM, in opposition, has been working, demanding real change in Crown land, in labour rights, in environmental protection, economic relief, the rights of stateless children, expanded access to educational opportunities, civil servant benefits, infrastructural development and maintenance, health care reform, development opportunities, and immigration control. But none of these things have been perfected thus far from our efforts because the numbers in Parliament to enact laws remain with the government which is precisely why a campaign that details specific credible plans and policies is on the horizon to improve our numbers in parliament with buy-in and the support of the people.
“For the constituencies in Providenciales, to provide a safer and more secure environment is our prime objective. In addition to our 12-Point Crime Plan, we will implement corresponding initiatives that will bring about a vibrant and affluent business climate, while providing better income earning opportunities for workers, all while paying keen focus to improve our physical environment and infrastructure. Detailed plans for each constituency will be unveiled to address the specific needs of each community.
“In North, Middle and South Caicos our primary objective will be to develop a sustainable economy so that our people can have opportunities at home. Our islands will be united through a link from Providenciales to South Caicos by building bridges across our beautiful waters. This will ultimately light the path to future prosperity. For the nation’s capital, Grand Turk, and the historic island of Salt Cay, the vision for the future has already been written that will lift these islands up to the prominence they so justly deserves.
“In the upcoming months, our leader, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson will champion these and other initiatives in a campaign that will bring political change in our country for the betterment of all persons.”
The PDM has unveiled its five at large candidates: Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Hon. Hugh-Derek Taylor, Hon. Delroy Williams, Hon. Josephine Connelly, Karen Malcolm and Roberty “Bobby” Been Jr. Its ten constituency candidates are Hon. Edwin Astwood, Hon. Goldray Ewing, Hon. Sean Astwood, Hon. Delroy Williams, Derek Rolle, Keno Forbes, Ralph Higgs, Ezra Taylor, George Pratt and Douglas Parnell.
Three males sentenced to prison for Robbery
On Friday 7th October 2016, three of the four (4) males of Grand Turk who plead guilty in the Supreme Court to charges of Robbery in connection with a report that was made on Tuesday 14th June 2016 were sentenced to prison.
It was reported on that date shortly after 12 AM, a 14-year-old (name withheld), 17year-olds Jerry Dossou and Tushawn Higgs, and 18year-old Brian Blenman dressed in dark clothing with masked entered the Ocean View Bar located on West Road Grand Turk with a baseball bat and demanded money from the barmaids. One of the men hit the barmaid with the baseball bat causing injuries to her forehead and arms before getting away with a cash register containing an undisclosed amount of money and a lady’s handbag.
On Saturday 18th June 2016, police arrested and charged all males with robbery. They all plead guilty to the charges on Friday 26th August 2016. Jerry Dossou and Tushawn Higgs was sentenced to 15 months, while Brian Blenman was sentenced to two and half years imprisonment.
Man arrested and charged for Carrying Unlicenced Firearm
On Tuesday 11th October 2016 around 10:18 AM Tactical Unit officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force arrested a 39-year-old male of Providenciales for the offence of Carrying Unlicensed Firearm.
Security officers at the Providenciales International Airport made the discovery that the male was in possession of a firearm when he attempted to enter through the security checkpoint. As a result, Police was contacted and informed of the findings. A search was conducted where a black “Ruger” handgun with an empty magazine was found.
The man will appear before a Magistrate on Thursday 13th October 2016.
TCI’s First Annual Lionfish Festival to be GREAT
The Turks & Caicos Islands will be hosting its first annual Lionfish Festival. The Festival, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Culture's along with the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) and the Department of Culture, in conjunction with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund, on Providenciales and Grand Turk respectively and will include a REEF-sanctioned Lionfish Derby.
"This is not only an event for fishermen, but for families too! At each event we have a jam-packed afternoon planned, where you can watch the Derby's catch be weighed, sample this delicious fish, have your face painted or watch a live dissection; all to some local music!" said DECR Outreach Coordinator, Amy Avenant.
Provo's Lionfish Festival is slated for October 29th at Turtle Cove Marina and Grand Turk's the following week on November 5th 2016, at the Public Library. Although the Derby will kick off at sunrise, festivities will begin at 2pm on each day. So be sure to bring your family and friends along to have fun and to support reef conservation in the Turks & Caicos Islands!
The lionfish derbies will be a single day competition to collect and remove as many lionfish as possible. Teams will collect lionfish by spearing while free diving or snorkelling. Teams will begin competing at sunrise and will be required to bring their catch to the scoring station by 3:00pm (South Caicos residents can participate in the Grand Turk Derby and the School for Field Studies will conduct scoring on South Caicos and report it to the organizers on Grand Turk). Each fish will then be measured, and cash prizes are awarded for teams catching the most, biggest, and smallest lionfish.
MARINE FORECAST FOR 24 HOURS FROM 6AM WEDNESDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2016
MARINE FORECAST FOR THE BAHAMAS FOR 24 HOURS FROM 6AM WEDNESDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2016, ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 0930 UTC.
BOATERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ALERT FOR ROUGH SURF AND THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT BEACHES MAINLY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES...SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD ALSO BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AS WELL AS REDUCED VISIBILITY TO 3NM OR LESS.
GENERAL SITUATION: THE ISLAND CHAIN WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE BREEZY CONDITIONS COURTESY OF A HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE NORTH OF THE AREA ALONG WITH HURRICANE NICOLE NORTHEAST OF THE BAHAMAS.
NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS:
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT.
WINDS: NORTHEASTERLY AT 15 TO 20KNOTS.
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET BUT UP TO 10 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS.
WEATHER: FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS.
TURKS AND CAICOS:
WINDS: VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS.
WEATHER: A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MOONRISE: 4:25PM LOW TIDE: 11:07 AM LOW TIDE: 11:41 PM
MOONSET: 4:18 AM THU HIGH TIDE: 5:19 PM HIGH TIDE: 5:48 AM THU
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS)
FORECAST FOR (DAY 2) THURSDAY
WINDS:NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND LIGHT AND VARIABLE ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET BUT UP TO 10 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 3 FEET OR LESS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
.
WEATHER: FEW SHOWERS OR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
FORECAST FOR (DAY 3) FRIDAY
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND LIGHT AND VARIABLE ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: FEW SHOWERS OR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET BUT UP TO 10 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 3 FEET OR LESS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK (HURRICANE SEASON): PLEASE SEE LATEST NEWS ITEM ON HURRICANE NICOLE.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT WEDNESDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2016
GENERAL SITUATION: THE ISLAND CHAIN WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE BREEZY CONDITIONS COURTESY OF A HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE NORTH OF THE AREA ALONG WITH HURRICANE NICOLE NORTHEAST OF THE BAHAMAS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ALERT FOR ROUGH SURF AND THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT BEACHES MAINLY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES.
NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS:
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT
WINDS: NORTHEASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET BUT UP TO 10 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS.
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS:
WEATHER: VARIABLE CLOUDINESS WITH FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS
IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS ACROSS ALL AREAS
WINDS: VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS.
TODAYS HIGH TEMPERATURE 88 °F 31 °C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 75 °F 24 °C
SUNRISE: 7:07AM MOONRISE: 4:25PM LOW TIDE: 11:07 AM LOW TIDE: 11:41 PM
SUNSET: 6:45PM MOONSET: 4:18 AM THU HIGH TIDE: 5:19 PM HIGH TIDE: 5:48 AM THU
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS)
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY WITH FEW SHOWERS OR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND LIGHT AND VARIABLE ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET BUT UP TO 10 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 3 FEET OR LESS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY WITH FEW SHOWERS OR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND LIGHT AND VARIABLE ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET BUT UP TO 10 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 3 FEET OR LESS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: PLEASE SEE LATEST NEWS ITEM ON HURRICANE NICOLE.
Hurricane Nicole Gaining Strength, Headed for Bermuda
Nicole has re-formed as a Category 1 hurricane and is gaining strength as it takes aim at Bermuda.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the storm has maximum sustained winds of about 120 kph and is expected to strengthen before its center reaches Bermuda on Thursday morning.
Nicole was located about 575 kilometers south-southwest of Bermuda late Tuesday and it was heading northwest at 7 kph.
Nicole forced the U.S. space agency to postpone a cargo supply trip to the International Space Station. NASA said the launch, initially set for Thursday, will now launch no earlier than Sunday from Wallops Island, Virginia.
NASA said the delay was necessary because the mission requires the use of a critical launch-tracking station that is based in Bermuda.
"The ability to support a launch will depend on the impact the storm has on not only our systems, but also the overall Bermuda infrastructure," said Steven Kremer, chief of the Wallops Range and Mission Management Office.
Britain Demands Syria No-Fly Zone as Russia Tensions Escalate
Britain has warned that Russia faces becoming an international outcast for its bombing campaign in support of Syrian government forces, which the West says has killed hundreds of civilians. The war of words has escalated sharply in recent days, after Russia vetoed a French motion at the United Nations Security Council calling for an end to airstrikes on Aleppo.
Barrel bombs, missile strikes and mortar shells have reduced much of Aleppo to rubble. Amid the twisted wreckage live an estimated 250,000 people at constant risk of annihilation as the bombs continue to fall.
Western powers have accused Russia of war crimes for firing bunker-busting and incendiary bombs on civilian areas — a charge Moscow has denied — despite the evidence on the ground. France has called for the International Criminal Court to investigate.
In an emergency parliamentary debate Tuesday, Britain’s Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said Russia was becoming "a pariah nation."
"And if President Putin's strategy is to restore the greatness and the glory of Russia, then I believe he risks seeing his ambition turned to ashes in the face of international contempt for what is happening in Syria," said Johnson.
Lawmakers repeatedly called for Britain to help enforce a no-fly zone to protect civilians. Conservative MP Thomas Tugendhat said some military hardware already is in place.
"The helicopters that are dropping barrel bombs could easily be brought down by rockets based in Turkey, in Lebanon or indeed from our own Type 45s [warships] in the Mediterranean," said Tugendhat.
A no-fly zone was pushed by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry last month following an attack on a U.N. aid convoy. More hawkish voices are calling for Britain to back the idea. Alan Mendoza, director of policy group the Henry Jackson Society, is urging aggressive support.
"Come out and publicly say, 'America, we will stand with you on this if you intend to do it. And we will support it, indeed, with an application of our military force.' They [Russia] will not risk a confrontation once there’s a firm military presence to fight against, and you will end up with a much better chance of a negotiated solution," said Mendoza.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has stopped short of supporting any military action to enforce a no-fly zone against the Syrian government or Russian forces, saying, "It is for the international community to continue to put more pressure on Russia."
As relations between Moscow and the West continue to sour, Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled a visit to Paris that was scheduled for next week.
Source-VOA
Russian Olympics Chief to Resign Amid Doping Fallout
Russian Olympic Committee chief Alexander Zhukov said Tuesday he wants to resign from the position to focus on duties as a lawmaker.
Russian media quoted Zhukov as saying he would step down from the Olympic committee to focus on his position as deputy speaker in the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, the State Duma.
Zhukov has served as Russia’s top Olympic official for the past six years, and his planned resignation comes after a massive doping scandal led to Russia’s track-and field team being banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The World Anti-Doping Agency originally recommended a blanket ban of Russia’s 389-member Olympic team, based on an independent investigation that found evidence of a vast state-run doping program. Eventually, though, an International Olympic Committee panel cleared 271 Russian athletes to compete in the games.
The Russian Paralympic team was also banned from competing in the Rio Paralympic games.
In remarks Tuesday to a meeting of sports officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Zhukov made the right decision in choosing to step down, and said Zhukov had done a lot for Russian sports, though he made no mention of the doping scandal.
Russia has denied running a state-sponsored doping program, and said it was being unfairly punished for political reasons while officials ignore doping in other countries.
Source-VOA
Nobody wants to host the Olympic Games
Cities use to covet the Olympic Games as it relates to hosting them, which meant glamour and prestige.
Not anymore.
Rome became the latest city to abandon a bid for the 2024 Summer Games when it withdrew on Tuesday because of worries over the cost.
Budget concerns have led city after city to drop their Olympic dreams in recent years. Hamburg, Germany, previously bailed on 2024. Stockholm and Krakow, Poland, pulled the plug on bids for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which were later awarded to Beijing.
An Olympic host city has to plan, pay for and construct massive infrastructure projects. Security costs can run into the billions of dollars. Thousands of hotel rooms must be built to house athletes and tourists.
Most of it happens on the taxpayer dime -- with little discernible economic benefit.
Elected leaders have argued that ticket sales, construction jobs and increased tourism outweigh the costs. But economists say the real return on hosting the Olympics is not so rosy.
Montreal, host city of the 1976 Summer Games, provides perhaps the best example of the long-term cost.
Before the games, the mayor declared: "The Olympics can no more lose money than a man can have a baby." He was wrong. Mismanagement and gross cost overruns left the city with $1.5 billion of debt that wasn't paid off until 2006.
The Olympic stadium, known as the Big O, was turned into a ballpark and now sits largely idle. The citizens of Montreal took to calling it the Big Owe.
While Montreal is an extreme case, researchers at Oxford's Saïd Business School have found that spiraling costs are the norm.
"The games overrun with 100% consistency. No other type of mega project is this consistent regarding cost overrun," they wrote in an academic paper in 2013. "Other project types are typically on budget from time to time, but not the Olympics."
The Montreal experience went a long way toward scaring off potential host cities for 1984.
Only one, Los Angeles, made a bid, and consequently was able to dictate terms to the International Olympic Committee.
It pursued a new model that relied heavily on private financing. Los Angeles also used existing stadiums as venues, erasing one of the largest costs associated with hosting the Olympics. The result? A profit.
But the days of minimal public investment appear to be over. Russia is said to have spent an incredible $50 billion on the 2014 Sochi Olympics. China spared no expense in hosting the 2008 Beijing Games. Several stadiums built in Rio are expected to be used only lightly now that this summer's games are over.
The IOC will meet next year to select a host city for 2024. Only Budapest, Paris and Los Angeles are still in the running.
Source- Livia Borghese contributed reporting for CNN