SANDALS RESORTS FIRST HIGH STREET STORE OPENS
Sandals Resorts International – operators of Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple resorts across the Caribbean - continues to raise the bar and cement its status as industry leader and innovator with the recent opening of its first ever global dedicated high street retail store. The Luxury Travel Store is based in Chelsea, London and is the first overseas hotel brand to have a stand-alone high street outlet in the UK.
The new 5,000 sq ft interactive store, which saw an investment of over one million pounds, will immerse visitors into the world of Sandals’ Luxury Included® offering through a range of educational and sensory experiences, all designed to evoke consumers’ imaginations as soon as they walk through the door.
The Luxury Travel Store tailored customer journey includes:
Research Area – visitors can virtually sightsee through the world of Sandals and Beaches by engaging with inspirational content across up to 30 55” flat LCD screens, including video footage, apps and real time social feeds
Sandals Showcase – dedicated Sandals team members will take guests through a personable and stress-free booking service, whilst getting a taster of the Luxury Included® offerings available, including lavish surroundings and premium brand refreshments
Dedicated Wedding Lounge - visitors can explore Sandals and Beaches’ tailor-made wedding offerings in one-on-one consultations with members of the Weddings team
Beaches Family Zone – families can book their dream holiday whilst enjoying the fun experiences on offer, including a photo booth and XBox station.
Tour desk – As island exploration is encouraged at Sandals and Beaches, the store will also give visitors a chance to experience a taste of Islands Routes, Sandals and Beaches’ adventure tour company with a dedicated desk showcasing the variety of tours on offer, from sunset cruises, to voluntourism experiences.
The Sandals Bar – to complete their journey, visitors will be able to relax and soak up their Luxury Included® surroundings, whilst enjoying some of the top-shelf spirits and Robert Mondavi wines available throughout Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
Sandals Select counter – A dedicated area for our exclusive reward members
Karl Thompson, managing director for Sandals UK & Europe comments: “We are very excited to be making our mark on the high street and extending our longstanding commitment to providing a high quality of customer service to our guests. The substantial investment in this retail experience further demonstrates the growth potential in the UK market.
The immersive nature of the store will allow us to showcase the incredible Sandals and Beaches’ experience for both existing and new customers, as well as provide a more personable holiday booking experience.”
Immigration Policies: Are We Paying Attention?
I would probably be the last person to complain about TCI Belongers expressing concerns about any issue of importance in this country; especially when we consider our traditional passive attitude towards most things. However, what troubles me about our concerns for certain issues is our timing to speak out about them and our lacklustre interest in investigating the facts, figures and implications before they have an opportunity to impact our lives.
One such example of our lacklustre attitude to be abreast of important issues is the many pertinent concerns related to labour and immigration. First and foremost, there is a traditional saying which states "Knowledge Is Power"; but I often wonder if enough of us grasp this concept when it comes to being informed. We cannot simply rely on our cultural attitudes, fears and hearsay conversations to form opinions on immigration policy. We need to read the proposed policies, reason its merits and loopholes and then voice our concerns. The impact of Immigration policies on our small country is too severe for us not to be properly informed. We need to pay more attention to the immigration laws and policies as a nation.
When a proposed immigration and labour policy opens the door for foreign labour in this country; it raises a number of questions. Firstly, is the importation of labour denying a belonger a job or delaying an opportunity for a potential job. Secondly, are the labour and employment policies creating an economy which gradually decreases our dependency on expat labour? Thirdly, if we have had a consistent shortage of labour in the last few decades in this country, why are many belongers still calling for the creation of more jobs? Moreover, it is fair to state that the demand and supply of foreign labour in this country has placed a heavy burden on the immigration department to police the movement of people in this country, regulate status and determine who becomes belongers, and how they become belongers. Are we paying attention?
Are we paying attention to impact of granting more belonger status to permanent residences on our franchise? Let us be honest, in a country where the majority of the population is indigenous to that country; the process of naturalization might not be a big issue. However, in a country such as ours, in which the citizens are outnumbered or nearly outnumbered by expats, expanding the franchise recklessly could 'open pandora's box'.
Are we paying attention to the fact that although the qualification for citizenship is enshrined in most countries constitution; ours is established in an immigration ordinance subject to the legislature policies or political interest which might not be in the best interest of the country? Should members of parliament have the final say over who should become belongers of this country or should that decision be made by the people through a direct referendum. For example, when the FNM government had proposed amending the Bahamas citizenship law as it relates to the granting of citizenship to the male spouse of Bahamian women, they had to put it to the people of the nation in referendum. Simply put, should citizenship or 'belonger status' be governed by an Ordinance (subject to legislative amendments) or should it established as an article in our Constitution? Are we paying attention?
A new immigration law is about to take effect in this country. Did you read the bill before it was past? Did you attend any discussion of the bill or participate in any domino table or family table conversations on its implication? Did you seek to understand your elected representative position on the bill? I am hoping we start paying attention to immigration policies or our country's policies and laws in general because in the twenty first century, 'knowledge is not power anymore'; the use of knowledge is power.
On the bright side of things, if indeed the new bill has provisions contrary to our interest, it is a bill and bills can be written and then re-written or repealed.
By: A TCI Patriot
Trinidad defends decision to turn away Jamaican nationals
Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses says 12 Jamaicans were denied into the twin-island republic last month because they were deemed “likely to become charges on public funds”.
The group of Jamaicans had accused immigration officials at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad of treating them badly after refusing to let them enter the country when they arrived on two Caribbean Airlines flights on March 21 at 7:53 p.m. and 8:43 p.m.
In a statement issued after he received a report on the matter, Moses said all 12 visitors were denied entry in accordance with Section 8 (1) (h) of the Immigration Act which speaks to persons who may be deemed likely to become charges on public funds. And he said within 12 hours of their arrival, they were put on planes to return home.
The minister explained that both the passengers and airline were notified and served the relevant notices when it was determined that the group would not be allowed in.
“At approximately 11 p.m., the passengers were taken into the care of the airline…to await an outward-bound flight to Kingston, Jamaica on Caribbean Airlines flight BW414 at 7:50 a.m. on 22nd March, 2016,” he said.
Outlining the Jamaicans’ treatment at that point, Moses said: “They were taken to the Customs and Excise section of the airport for a baggage check, then escorted upstairs to the departure lounge area where they remained in the presence of the security company contracted by Caribbean Airlines. The 12 persons were served a meal and drinks and were provided with blankets by representatives of the airline in keeping with usual airline procedure.
“They had access to a water cooler and were escorted to the washroom facilities on the lower level of the terminal building upon request, as repairs to those facilities in the departure lounge were then being undertaken.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister said he had met with High Commissioner for Jamaica to Trinidad, David Prendergast, and the matter was discussed in “an open, frank and courteous fashion befitting the strong relationship between both countries”.
Haiti police arrest 35 including five cop killers
The National Police of Haiti (PNH) says law enforcement officials have arrested 35 people including five for the murder of four police officers and three for lynching three disabled women last week.
PNH deputy spokesman and the Principal Inspector, Garry Desrosiers, said the 35 individuals arrested are accused of various crimes including: criminal conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and kidnapping simulation and rape.
Last week, the Defense National Network of Human Rights (RNDDH) in a report noted that the police officers were killed during the period January 3, 2015 to March 18 this year.
It said that 34 police officers were shot and one died as a result of a knife attack. It said five inspectors were among those killed while 37 others were also injured during the period.
Desrosiers said that the PNH had been actively investigating the murders and that three members of a gang were arrested during the police sweep for allegedly murdering police agents Jean Ralph Coq and Johnson Jean Pierre in April and November last year.
He said two others were arrested in connection with the murder of police officer David Dumé on February 12, this year and murdering police officer Wagnac Warrior on December 19, 2015.
Desrosiers said that three people were arrested in Cabaret in connection with the murder of the three women last week and that other suspects were being sought.
Hundreds of people took to the streets last Friday to protest the murder of the three disabled women.
Several human rights organisations and groups representing disabled people said that the three women, who were deaf and dumb, had been lynched after being taken for “witches”.
Source-CMC
Rihanna Tops Billboard's Hot 100 for Seventh Week
According to the publication, the club banger has logged its seventh week at #1 on both the Hot 100 and the Streaming Songs charts with 28.8 million U.S. streams. It also tops Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for a ninth nonconsecutive week.
Of course, Rihanna continued to celebrate the news on social media. "#WORK at No 1 on the #HOT100 for the 7th week! Glory to God! Thank y’all for the continued love and support! ? #ANTI #CaribbeanTing," she tweeted.
Rihanna has now tied her second-longest Hot 100 reign -- her 2007 hit "Umbrella" and guest feature on Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie," also led for seven weeks each.
Source-ABC
Jennifer Hudson Ranked Among Most Talented American Idol Albums
Jennifer Hudson didn't win American Idol, but her talent is seemingly undeniable. In fact, the Grammy and Oscar winner has ranked in the top five of a new consumer survey conducted by E-Score.
The survey ranked past American Idol winners based on their talents and Hudson came in at No. 4 on the list with an overall score of 64 percent. She is followed by Jordin Sparks at No. 6, Ruben Studdard at No. 12 and Fantasia at No. 17. Other contestants that appear on the list include Candice Glover, Pia Toscano, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, among others.
In the case of this study, alums were also ranked based on appeal, however their talent served as the deciding factor.
In related news, Hudson and various Idol albums will perform during the American Idol series finale, airing April 7 from the Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre.
Iggy Azalea Sets Record Straight About Near $400K Tax Debt, Blames Media
Iggy Azalea may have had a single with Jennifer Hudson titled "Trouble," but the Australian hip-pop artist has gotten in trouble with Uncle Sam. But she’s not fazed.
Earlier this week, TMZ reported the 25-year-old rapper has a tax lien after failing to pay $391,056.55 in income taxes from 2014. The Def Jam artist is blaming the media for blowing it all out of proportion.
"They exaggerate everything. the IRS gave the option to pay them monthly or lump sum. i picked monthly, who wouldn’t?" the "Fancy" rapper wrote on Twitter.
She then suggested the media is only reporting about her taxes because of her fiancé Nick Young's cheating scandal. Filmed by 20-year-old teammate D’Angelo Russell, a leaked video showing Young allegedly discussing being with other women went viral last week.
"But its funny to me because made the deal like 2 months ago but they are trying to make it into something now because...they were hoping some more nick mess would happen and now that it hasn't and its getting boring they need 2 create something else."
Source-TMZ/ABC
US Officials Uncover Fake University Visa Scam
U.S. law enforcement officials say 21 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy that allowed over 1,000 foreigners to stay in the country under the pretense of attending or working for a fake university.
The defendants were aware that the University of Northern New Jersey had no instructors, classes or degree programs, but they did not know it was created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The fake university, complete with a convincing website and a promise of "an exceptional educational experience," was created in 2012 in an effort by Homeland Security to curb visa fraud in the U.S.
U.S. attorney for New Jersey Paul Fisherman told reporters that visa brokers and recruiters flocked to the fake university as word got out, one even admitting to Fisherman that this was a long-standing practice, "just another stop on the ‘pay-to-stay' tour."
The 21 defendants, who are mostly in the U.S. legally, have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and conspiracy to harbor aliens for profit.
Most of the foreign nationals who benefited from the scam come from India and China and were already in the U.S. on non-immigrant visas but looking for ways to stay. They have been identified and will be dealt with by immigration authorities, but not prosecuted, Fisherman said.
Currently, the majority of the 1.2 million students on student visas in the U.S. are attending legitimate universities, government officials told the New York Times.
Several cases of student visa fraud have been reported across the country, creating security concerns for immigration officials under increasing pressure to screen visa applicants for potential terrorism ties.
Source-VOA
Sanders, Cruz Win Wisconsin Primaries
Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Bernie Sanders trail in the overall race to be their party's nominee for president, but each scored an important primary victory Tuesday in the northern state of Wisconsin.
Cruz defeated Donald Trump by about 15 percentage points, according to early returns, and called the victory a "turning point" and a "rallying cry" to America. The Texas senator also turned his attention to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, boasting that he will win not only the Republican nomination but the November general election as well.
"So let me just say, Hillary, get ready. Here we come," Cruz said.
Trump gave no public comments after polls closed Tuesday night, but his campaign issued a statement harshly attacking Cruz as being propelled by those who seek only to keep Trump from being nominated at the party convention in Cleveland in July.
"Ted Cruz is worse than a puppet -- he is a Trojan horse being used by the party bosses attempting to steal the nomination from Mr. Trump," read the statement.
Heading into Wisconsin, Trump had 737 delegates to Cruz's 475, with Ohio Governor John Kasich trailing with 143. Cruz won most of the 42 delegates at stake Tuesday, although the exact number will depend on final vote counts. His win increases the chances that Trump will be unable to secure enough delegates to clinch the nomination before the convention.
Sanders, a senator from Vermont, beat Clinton with about 55 percent of the vote in Wisconsin. He has now won six out of the last seven states and he told supporters in Wyoming, which holds its caucus on Saturday, that his campaign has momentum.
With your help on Saturday, we are going to win here in Wyoming. And then we are headed to New York," Sanders said. "Now please keep this a secret; do not tell Secretary Clinton, she's getting a little nervous and I don't want to get her more nervous. But I believe we have an excellent chance to win New York and a lot of delegates in that state."
Clinton also did not make a speech after Wisconsin's vote. She posted on Twitter congratulating Sanders on his win and told her supporters, "Forward!"
Source-VOA
Caicos Express takes over South Caicos route
There is a new partnership between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and indigenous airline company, Caicos Express airways.
The airline is already bringing relief to a domestic route which was dropped five months ago by the other airline.
Magnetic Media informed RTC News that Co-Owner & Captain Richie Arthur of Caicos Express Airways stated that since Friday April 1, 2016 his company revived the commute between Grand Turk and South Caicos, and much to the delight of residents who had been forced to travel through Provo from South Caicos in order to get to Grand Turk, which takes more time and costs more money. "We've partnered in a subsidy initiative to provide nine flights weekly directly to South Caicos from Grand Turk and we think this is the right start."
Arthur further added, "It is our hope that it will be a long term arrangement, as we want to continue the route and we think the people who needed this to be returned, want us to continue as well." Caicos Express Airways is right now serving the GT to South Caicos commute with a Cessna 402 eight seater plane, but adds that if the demand is there, they can upgrade on size to the 19-seater. "We have re positioned scheduling and made the changes necessary and requested of us by a concerned government to accommodate the leg. We didn't have much time to meet the request but we recognized how taxing it had become for travelers to fly north and then back down south; taking passengers hours when the flight between the two islands is just 10 minutes."
Caicos Express says the nine flights per week includes two flights on Tuesdays and two flights on Thursdays.
Source-MagneticMedia