DIGICEL PLAY JUMPS TO 20,000 SUBSCRIBER MILESTONE IN JAMAICA
Digicel Play has announced that its service has passed the 20,000 subscriber mark in Jamaica, less than sixty days after reaching 10,000 customers. To celebrate the occasion, the company traced its 20,000th customer, Rosalin Marshall, to Portmore and gave her a mind-blowing surprise.
Corporal Rosalin Marshall, a police officer for 17 years, thought she and her husband, Roger, were being taken to a secret location to participate in a focus group session. However, her eyes popped wide open when she saw Digicel Ambassador and the world’s fastest man – Usain Bolt - waiting to present her with a brand new 55-inch LG TV, three months of free service and goodie bags courtesy of Digicel Play.
“Did you see my eyes popping out of my head when I saw Usain? I’m upfront and personal with him, wow,” shrieked an overly excited Rosalin. “My Pastor told me a few weeks ago that God is going to give me a mind-blowing experience. My mind is blown today – this is really a surprise.”
Rosalin also had high praises for the Digicel Play service. “The internet is so fast, I can’t catch it,” she said. “Another thing that stands out is that I can record my favorite shows and use pause and rewind to watch the news because I usually get home late at night. Plus my husband is a sports fanatic, so now he gets to watch the Super Bowl on his tablet even if he can’t be in the living room where the TV is – the service is just great," she added.
“Digicel Play has seen record-breaking growth since we launched in Kingston,” said John Suranyi, Group CEO for Digicel Play, Caribbean and Central America. “This is a clear indicator that customers want a better home entertainment experience and that is exactly what we are delivering to Jamaican homes using the fastest fibre in the region to give customers access to world-class content at the touch of a button.”
Suranyi adds; “And even as we’re celebrating this milestone, we have thousands of customers in the process of being connected in Kingston and Portmore and I want to take this opportunity to apologise for not being able to connect them as quickly as they wish; our team is working around the clock to get everyone connected to our service as soon as possible.”
“Kudos to our employees and business partners who continue to be instrumental in sharing this product with customers, and their success is evident by the satisfaction our customers are expressing with the new options that Digicel Play provides.”
Digicel Play recently announced that it has secured exclusive content deals with major global network operators including BBC, NBCUniversal, CBS and Bravo to give its customers more choice and flexibility in their content viewing experience.
DIGICEL KICKSTART CLINIC DEVELOPING TALENT IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
The second installment of the Digicel Kickstart Clinic got off to an exciting start in the Turks and Caicos lslands as the players were put through high intensity training sessions hosted by youth football coaches from Manchester City FC.
The players were eager to develop their talent as they stepped on to the field at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales, and that they did as they were put through their paces by the Manchester City coaching team, which is being led by Alan Dixon, Project Manager for City Football Schools back in Manchester.
Commenting on the overall performance of the boys, Alan said; “It was great to see the boys apply themselves in the practices and to see how motivated they were to improve in every session.”
The sessions being delivered focus on putting players in realistic game situations to challenge their decision-making abilities during the game. Alan added; “It was encouraging to see the boys embrace the practices and to watch their confidence grow as they performed. By the second day, we saw more of their creativity and personality come out and they were able to really express themselves on the pitch.”
At the end of the Clinic, three successful boys were selected by the coaches to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Digicel Academy: 14 year old Junior Paul, 15 year old Patrick Alouidor and 16 year old Mackensen Cadet. Commenting on the selects, Alan said; “The boys performed at a high level both on and off the field, they did their best to take on every challenge presented to them by the coaches and possess the qualities we think will help them to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands well at the next stage of the Digicel Kickstart Academy.”
At last year’s Digicel Academy, the MCFC coaches selected players from the Caribbean to continue training with them for a week at their City Football Academy, Manchester City’s elite training and youth development facility in Manchester, England. While there, they got a unique opportunity to experience life as a professional footballer – learning the tactics and strategies employed by Manchester City FC first team players.
The Digicel Kickstart Clinic programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity for thousands of aspiring young footballers. Through the Kickstart Clinics, participants not only learn football skills and technical abilities, but also develop an ethos of professionalism and a good attitude – key attributes of successful people across all walks of life.
FortisTCI Achieves ‘Investors in People’ Accreditation
FortisTCI Limited, recently achieved the internationally recognized Investor in People (IIP) Accreditation, demonstrating the Company’s commitment to high performance through good people management. This became official upon receipt of the Certificate of Accreditation in early March.
Investors in People is the international standard for people management, defining what it takes to lead, support and manage people effectively to achieve maximum stakeholders’ value. Underpinning the IIP Standard is the Investors in People framework, reflecting the latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to outperform in any industry. Investors in People enables organisations to benchmark against the best on an international level.
FortisTCI embarked upon the process to accreditation with Investors in People in 2014, receiving a “Working with Investors in People” certificate in October of that year. Throughout 2015, the Company launched several initiatives geared toward achieving the Standard. Investors in People was undertaken by FortisTCI to maximise potential of its people by promoting employee engagement and participation and enhancing a culture of continuous learning and improving. This intense focus on people processes will have the effect of increasing corporate performance, improved operational efficiency, improved flow of communication within the Company and embed a positive corporate culture.
Eric Jenkinson of Management Solutions served as the Company’s Investors in People Advisor and FortisTCI successfully achieved its certification at the end of January 2016.To help achieve the Standard, some of the initiatives undertaken by the Company were: a staff sensitisation programme on employee recognition and rewards, regular celebration of employee milestones, the evaluation of training, improvements to the Company’s performance management process, including the introduction of self-assessments and the continued focus on leadership and management competencies through the launch of the International Leadership and Management programme (ILM).
FortisTCI employees serving on the IIP Advocate Team and the IIP Core Committee were: Sonia Williams, John Gardiner, Avi Adams, Kellie-Ann Evans- Hall, Bradley Jules, Tavardo Smith, Floyd Williams, Deanza Wilson, Lorenzo Fabien, Talisha Simons, Eustace Musgrove, Cecil Ingham, Ruth Forbes, Delma Harvey, Paulet Hall, Patricia Hamilton, Cleola Ward, Denard Sweeting, and Shequida Williams.
Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate FortisTCI. Investors in People accreditation is the sign of a great employer, an outperforming place to work and a clear commitment to success. FortisTCI should be extremely proud of their achievement.”
FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell commented on the success and said, “The foundation of our strategic vision is our employees, and that is why we continue with our focus on investing in our people for the long term. It is because of them we are a great organisation that keeps getting better.”
Burglaries on 4.4.2016 in TCI
Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands are investigating a number of Burglaries which occurred over the weekend.
A complainant reported on Saturday 2nd Of April 2016 that he arrived home at 1:04 am and discovered his home located on Bay Road Blue Hills burglarized. Officers visited the scene where the complainant stated that he secured his home at 10:30 pm the night before (Friday 1st April 2016) and went away. Upon his arrival, he made the discovery. Stolen was a silver and gold Rolex watch.
On Sunday 3rd April 2016 at 1:10 am, officers responded to a home located on Anna lee Lane, Millennium Highway Blue Hills, where the complainant stated that she went to bed shortly after 11 pm the night before (Saturday 2nd April 2016) leaving her home secured.
Upon waking up at 12:49 am the next day (Sunday 3rd April 2016) she noticed her White Samsung Galaxy s6 Edge cell phone missing along with a black handbag containing keys, Bahamian Passport, vehicle keys, driver’s license and bank cards.
Also, police responded to a burglary of a home located in Norway Kew-town, where the complainant reported that she secured her home at 8 pm on Saturday 2nd April 2016 and went out. Upon returning on Sunday 3rd April 2016, she discovered that her home was Burglarized and ransacked. Stolen are Turks and Caicos Islands and American Passports and two (2) Samsung Galaxy Tablets, two (2) 32inches Flat Screen televisions (Element and Apex Brands)
Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc, Chalk Sound Police Station 338-5901 or 941-8082. The information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter page.
Trump Reverses Position on Punishing Women Who Get Banned Abortions
Donald Trump has now walked back a statement he made just hours earlier that women who undergo abortions, if there were a ban on the procedure, should be punished.
The controversial statement was made during a taping of a town hall held by MSNBC, a portion of which was released by the cable network ahead of the full town hall, which aired Wednesday night. In the clip of the town hall exchange, Trump is pressed repeatedly by host Chris Matthews if he thinks there should be "some form of punishment," and Trump finally says: "For the woman?... Yeah." He said that the punishment in question would "have to be determined."
After the clip was released, ABC News reached out to the Trump campaign for further clarification. The campaign first released the following statement from Trump: "This issue is unclear and should be put back into the states for determination. Like Ronald Reagan, I am pro-life with exceptions, which I have outlined numerous times." Trump later released another statement, effectively retracting the most controversial portion of the comments he had made during the MSNBC taping.
The new statement reads: "If Congress were to pass legislation making abortion illegal and the federal courts upheld this legislation, or any state were permitted to ban abortion under state and federal law, the doctor or any other person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not the woman. The woman is a victim in this case as is the life in her womb.
My position has not changed -- like Ronald Reagan, I am pro-life with exceptions."
Source-ABC
TEAM TCI RETURNS FROM CARIFTA 2016
The Turks & Caicos Islands Amateur Athletic Association (TCIAAA) and Team TCI recently returned home after competing at the 2016 CARIFTA Games in Grenada. The CARIFTA games were held during the customary Easter Weekend, March 26th to March 28, 2016.
Team TCI consisted of 14 athletes that were chosen to participate based on their performance at previously held domestic championships. The team was escorted by head coach, Randy Ford; assistant coach, Ali Smith; TCIAAA President, Edith Skippings; as well as guardians, Gertrude Forbes and Terry Brooks.
The group left the Turks & Caicos Islands on Thursday before the games and traveled to Jamaica via Intercaribbean where they met up with team Jamaica and traveled to Grenada on a chartered flight together. This expedited travel arrangement was made possible via the relationship that the TCIAAA has with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
Even though team TCI did not win any medals during the games, the experience of competing on a regional scale was simple priceless for the participants. "Many of the athletes did exceptionally well and their personal best whilst competing," said Coach Ford. "Ms Akia Guerrier was able to beat her personal record as she advanced to the final of the 200 meter dash and set a new national record."
Woodens Corvil, formerly of the Raymond Gardiner High School, and now a scholarship student of the Jamaica College succeeded in a 4th place at the Poll Volt event. It is important to note that this is the first time that team TCI has ever participated in this event on a national scale.
Two female athletes; Zoe Butler and Rebecca Bernadine participated in the 800 meter dash and both did their personal best times. Butler who is only 13 years old, is the youngest member of the team and she has a promising future in track in field to possibly participate again next year. Athletes, Alivia Brooks and Angelica Hall were participants in the heptathlon, completed the array of seven events and did the country proud but were unable to receive medals for their efforts.
Mr Tolby Jennings was also one of the male athletes that made the team and was able to participate in the 400-meter dash. He is one of the students currently enrolled in an athletic scholarship program in Jamaica.
One of the highlights for Team TCI was advancement of Ms Guerrier who broke both the 100-m and 200-m record in TCI that was previously held by Ms Rosalie Ingham. Ms Guerrier now qualifies for the World Track & Field Championship which is to be held in Poland this year. She has also received a scholarship offer from Kent State University of her efforts in sports.
Team TCI was joined in Grenada by Minister of Education & Sports, Hon. Akeira Missick as well as Ms Judith Robinson who cheered on the athletes from the stands.
TCIAAA President; Edith Skippings commented, "I am so proud of the work that there athletes have put in over time. It takes a lot of commitment and training to be able to compete on a regional scale and our athletes have done their best and they should be commended for their efforts."
It is noted that the TCI Athletes may have the potential to do better if more track and field events are held throughout the year. Most local athletes only participate in their school and two major metes before they advance to the big leagues such as Carifta.
According to Coach Ford, "I would like to stress to all athletes that there are many possible opportunities for persons who wish to participate in sports. Students have the opportunity of performing on a large scale and may even be awarded a scholarship to pursue tertiary education. So train if you must, but never give up."
There were 26 participating countries throughout the Caribbean at the 2016 Carifta Games that was held at the National Athletic Stadium in St Georges, Grenada. Next year's Carifta event will be held in Curacao and team TCI will be there to represent the country at its best and hopefully bring home a medal.
Brazil Charges World’s Richest Banker With Tax Scheme
Brazilian prosecutors have charged Joseph Safra, the world’s richest banker, in connection with an alleged scheme to reduce or waive fines on back taxes.
Prosecutors said in a statement Thursday that Safra knew about a 2014 plan by executives at Banco Safra to pay more than $4 million in bribes to government officials.
Bank executive Joao Inacio Puga, who allegedly negotiated the bribe-payment scheme, was also charged, based on recorded conversation with tax officials.
The statement said that Safra was not directly involved in the bribery negotiations, but the conversation showed that Puga reported to Safra on the scheme.
Banco Safra said in a statement that the charges filed by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office were “unfounded,” adding that the Safra Group did not offer any bribe to tax auditors and did not receive any benefits.
Safra's wealth is estimated at about $18 billion by Forbes magazine.
Trinidad & Tobago film makes cannes debut
As the Trinidad & Tobago film industry continues to thrive, the beautiful twin island Republic is thrilled to announce that Trafficked, the award winning film from Trinidad & Tobago will make its European Premiere at the 13th Festival International du Film PanAfricain de Cannes from April 16th - April 20th, 2016.
Trafficked, a 72-minute feature film, directed by Sean Hodgkinson and presented by Eye On Dependency and Quirky Films, centers around a trio of vacationing friends on a picture perfect Caribbean beach, who are seduced into a dangerous con when they become involved with a charismatic stranger.
Inspired by true events - as told to Garth and Natasha St. Clair on their award winning radio program, Eye on Dependency - the film seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of drug trafficking in the Caribbean. Executive Producer St. Clair adds, “The film captures almost perfectly the ills and dangers of Human and Drug Trafficking. Trafficked is not only a fantastic and hair raising film, but it is an important crime fighting tool and shows the darker side of what people believe is a tropical paradise.”
Trafficked has been subtitled into both Spanish and English, and the team is diligently working on subtitling the film into French for the festival release.
Trafficked first premiered at the trinidad +tobago film festival in September 2015 and earned the title for Best Local Feature Film. The award-winning film was also featured at the following film festivals:
· Bahamas International Film Festival 2015
· Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano 2015
· Festival del Global Cine Dominicano 2015
· Martinique International Film Festival 2015
· Pan African Film Festival 2016
· Festival International du Film PanAfricain de Cannes 2016
· New Voices in Black Cinema 2016
For New Miles Davis Movie, Star Don Cheadle Learned the Trumpet to Avoid "Vegas Mimicry"
Don Cheadle wrote, directed and stars in Miles Ahead, a non-traditional biopic about jazz legend Miles Davis. The actor says the whole project was a real labor of love, which is why he actually went so far as to learn how to play the trumpet, just as Davis did.
"It was important to me to learn how to play because at some point in my development, Miles was as bad as I am now," he laughs. "Maybe he was 8 or 9 years old."
Cheadle tells ABC Radio, "I just wanted to be as close to him as possible and not just to do some kind of a Vegas mimicry but try to understand him as much as I could."
As for how Cheadle got involved in the project, the House of Lies star was hand-picked by Davis' family to play the musician -- without Cheadle's knowledge.
"It was a declaration that [Miles' nephew] Vincent made when Miles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, that they were gonna do a movie about his life and I was gonna be the guy who played him," Cheadle tells ABC Radio. "You know, he hadn’t called me to ask first, and I had never actually met him before and didn’t know he existed on the planet! But that was something that he determined, and then we set about trying to figure out what it would look like."
Cheadle adds that the whole project was challenging because he was directing himself, as well as the entire cast.
"Directing me wasn’t as tricky, I think, as directing the other actors," he explains. "You’re not usually in scenes with actors who, once someone says 'cut,' look to you and go, 'OK...I think maybe you need to push that moment a little more.' And you’re like, “Who’re you talking to? You’re just an actor. Don’t talk to me like that!'” (AUDIO IS ABC 1-ON-1)
Miles Ahead opens in limited release Friday.
Source-ABC
Farewell for Jimmy Riley, father of Tarrus Riley
THE celebration of the life of reggae singer Jimmy Riley is slated for Wednesday, April 6.
Saxophonist and close family friend Dean Fraser said the occasion is “not a funeral”. “It’s a memorial, not a funeral... More of a celebration of his life.
People attending are encouraged to wear bright colours or white,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. “There’ll be lots of musical tributes,” he continued.
Fraser said there’ll be no interment, as Riley will be cremated. The lovers’ rock singer lost his battle with cancer in New York, last Wednesday morning morning. He was 68.
Riley, whose given name is Martin James Ziggy Norman Riley, is the father of singer Tarrus Riley. He was diagnosed with bone cancer two years ago and had been receiving treatment in the United States.
Born in Jones Town, Riley grew up in Waterhouse. After recording with the Sensations and Uniques, he went solo and announced himself in 1979 with Love And Devotion and My Woman’s Love, both produced by Sly and Robbie.
Riley had several hits in the 1980s and 1990s, including Bang Bang, Black Mother Prays and It’s Gonna Get Rough. He had a hit with Tarrus, Pull Up Selector, in 2007. Contradiction, his last album was released in 2013.
Source-Jamaica Observer