STATEMENTS FROM THE CABINET MEETING OF TCIG
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 2nd meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 20 January 2016, at the Hon. N J S Francis Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present except the Hon. Deputy Premier and the Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Culture.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Agreed in principle, subject to amendments and further consideration by Cabinet, a draft paper for wider consultation to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) for TCI to create a mechanism for setting aside a proportion of future budgetary surpluses to improve fiscal resilience, assist in financing large infrastructure developments and to ensure the future prosperity of TCI;
· Approved, in accordance with relevant Ordinances, the appointment of members to the Adoption Committee, the Children (Care and Protection) Advisory Committee and the Prison Categorisation Board as follows:
Adoption Committee: Tiffany Thomas Browne (Chairman); Keran Toussaint (Member); Alexia Durham (Member); Desiree Downes (Member); Ian Astwood (Member); Carolyn Dickenson (Member); Marie Pierre (Member); Emily Saunders (Member); Oleta Jean-Missick (Member); Bridgette Newman (Secretary). Members will be appointed to the Committee for the period 1 February 2016 to 31 March 2019.
Children (Care and Protection) Advisory Committee: Tiffany Thomas-Browne (Chairman); Betty Ann Been (Member); Desiree Adams (Member); Pastor Alces Dor (Member); Pastor Wade Coleby (Member); Bishop Andrew Stone (Member). Members will be appointed to the Committee for the period 1 February 2016 to 31 March 2017.
Prison Categorisation Board: George Worrell (Chairman); Superintendent of Prison (Member); Lorna James (Member); Pamela Joseph (Member). Members will be appointed to the Board for the period 1 February 2016 to 31 March 2018;
· Gave approval for the Department of Agriculture to commence public consultation on the draft Agriculture Policy with a view to updating the policy in the light of feedback for further review and consideration by Cabinet;
· Gave approval for the Ministry of Health to commence public consultation on the draft National Pharmaceutical Policy (NPP). The draft NPP has been prepared and endorsed by the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services and supported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO);
· Gave approval for the Ministry of Health to commence public consultation on the draft National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2016-2020 (NHSSP). The draft NHSSPP has been prepared and endorsed by the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services with technical advice and support from the Belize Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO);
· Approved the draft Primary Healthcare Renewal Strategy (PHCRS) for wider stakeholder review and consultation;
· Gave approval for the Ministry of Health to commence public consultation on the draft Non-Communicable Disease Plan;
· Received an up-date on the management of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Inter Health Canada (IHC) and discussed steps to address issues related to the contract;
· Approved a request by Inter Health Canada (IHC) to recruit one full-time registrar level Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and one full-time midwife for a two year period for the Maternity Services at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre during which time TCIG will set conditions and monitor performance and review with IHC measures to improve operational efficiency, subject to the Accounting Officer confirming funds are available to finance this;
· Approved the following appointments: the District Commissioners for Middle Caicos, North Caicos and Salt Cay as Registrars of Marriage, Justice of the Peace and Notaries Public on their respective Islands; Pastor Evan Williams as Justice of the Peace and Notary on Middle Caicos; and Rev Father Tellison Glover as Marriage Officer for TCI.
ST. LUCIA'S KAROLIN TROUBETZKOY ELECTED CHTA PRESIDENT THROUGH JUNE 2018
The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) officially ratified Karolin Troubetzkoy to take office immediately as President of the Association in advance of her term which would have begun in June 2016. She will serve as CHTA President through June 2018.
Troubetzkoy was previously voted President-Elect in June 2015 but assumed the role of Acting CHTA President in November 2015 when Emil Lee, Immediate Past President of CHTA, stepped down to accept the position of Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs for the country of St. Maarten. Past President Richard Doumeng, the current Chairman of CHTA, will continue in this position through June 2016.
"In my role as President, I look forward to further expanding on our marketing, advocacy, sustainability, educational and culinary efforts. Going forward, we will seek even closer collaboration with public sector stakeholders. Our mutual aim must be to further elevate the quality and appeal of the Caribbean as the world's most desired tourism destination. There is much to be done and I am thankful to have the support of past presidents, national hotel and tourism association executives, dedicated members and partners and, especially, the CHTA team under the stellar leadership of CEO Frank Comito," said Troubetzkoy.
Troubetzkoy has served as President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) since 2010 where she has been instrumental in the successful implementation of a hotel booking engine for the association as well as the launch of a Saint Lucia Tourism Enhancement Fund. She oversaw the development of a broad social media platform for the SLHTA as well as the launch of several websites.
She has served as a Director of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board for several years and has been an active member of the Destination Marketing Committee for the past 20 years.
Troubetzkoy is the Chairperson of CHTA's Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) and previously served as Chairperson of the CHTA Advocacy Committee from 2012-14. She is also a Board member of the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC).
Troubetzkoy has successfully spearheaded the marketing and day-to-day operations of the award-winning Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts for more than 30 years.
Troubetzkoy is a past recipient of CHTA's Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award (2012), St. Lucia Hotelier of the Year Award (2006) and Crystal Award for services to the hotel industry from the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association.
She holds a degree in business administration with majors in both tourism marketing and hotel and restaurant management from the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, Germany.
GOVERNOR VISITS BRITISH WEST INDIES COLLEGIATE
The Governor, Peter Beckingham, visited British West Indies Collegiate this week, and met Achsah Wildish, who on 21 January was told that she had been named “Top Student of the World” by the University of Cambridge International Examination Board for her AS performance in mathematics. The Governor issued the following statement at a special ceremony at the school on 21 January:
“Big congratulations to Achsah on this fantastic honour. To be named as the Top Student in the World by a University of Cambridge Examination Board is a huge achievement.
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet Achsah this week, and I would like to repeat publicly my best wishes to her for a successful transition to a British university. This Award should stand you in great stead!
“Congratulations also to Achsah’s teachers, especially of mathematics. You have brought great credit to British West Indies Collegiate, and Turks and Caicos Islands, with this success.
“Finally, my thanks and best wishes to all the pupils and staff of Collegiate. I enjoyed my visit immensely, and got the sense, albeit from a just a short time, that the school is happy and productive place, with a great mix of cheerful and motivated pupils. It was a pleasure to meet some of you, and I look forward to hearing of many other successes over the next year.”
TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 1st meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 13 January 2016, at the Hon. Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.
All Ministers were present.
At this meeting Cabinet advised His Excellency the Governor to:
· Agree to abolish the fees for the issue of a TCI Status Card for first-time applicants but to retain fees for the replacement of lost or stolen cards;
· Give approval for the Tax Information (Exchange and Mutual Administrative Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 2016 to be tabled at the next House of Assembly meeting in January to bring into effect the Automatic Exchange of Tax Information required by the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and the UK and USA Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA);
· Approve the appointment of the following members of the Electricity Board as set out in the Electricity (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 for a term commencing 15 January - 31 March 2017 – Mr Oswaldo Ariza (Chairman); the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure Housing and Planning; the Director of Planning; the Energy and Utilities Commissioner; Mr Emmanuel Gardiner (TCI Electrical Contractors Association); Mr Samuel Williams (TCI Electrical Contractors Association); and Mr Menelik Astwood (TCI Community College);
· Grant approval, subject to meeting certain conditions, for a request from Ambergris Cay Services Ltd for three licences for three years for dredging at Big Ambergris Cay to excavate a swimming area off Monck Beach and dredge sand from a nearby location to replenish and expand the beach; to dredge saltflats/salina to create a clean body of water; and to carry out maintenance dredging of the entrance channel to the marina. Cabinet also agreed to waive royalty payments on excavated materials where appropriate;
· Approve the negotiation for the lease of the Local Village property adjacent to the White Sands facilities on Grand Turk (parcels 10506/33 and 34) to enable the beautification of the area and provide additional market opportunities for local vendors.
In addition, at this Cabinet meeting TCIG signed a loan agreement with RBC to facilitate the refinancing of the $170 million loan bond for which Cabinet approved a remission of Stamp Duty in this respect.
Usher Announces Official Title for Eighth Album, Flawed
Usher has finally decided on a name for his long-awaited, eighth album.
In a video with artist, Daniel Arsham, the singer announced that his project will be titled Flawed, adding that he's collaborating with Arsham for something that he describes as "amazing, incredible , [and] awesome." The set, which was previously rumored to be named after the singer's initials, is "coming," Arsham assures, though he doesn't say when.
The project will serve follow-up to 2012’s Looking 4 Myself, which spawned Usher's massive hit, “Climax.”
Perhaps Usher is cooking up more club bangers like his buzz track, "I Don't Mind," featuring Juicy J, which became his 13th number-one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart last year.
Lady Gaga, Sam Smith and The Weeknd Get Oscar Nods for Best Original Song
Lady Gaga and Sam Smith could find themselves halfway to an EGOT on February 28th. Both artists, already Grammy winners, have been nominated for Oscars for Best Original Song. Meanwhile, The Weeknd, who is nominated for multiple Grammys, has also received a nomination in that category.
Gaga's nod is for "Til It Happens to You," the song she co-wrote with Diane Warren for the documentary The Hunting Ground. Sam's is for "Writing's on the Wall," his theme from SPECTRE, which just won a Golden Globe. The Weeknd got a nod for "Earned It," from Fifty Shades of Grey. Surprisingly, "See You Again," from Furious 7, did not get nominated, despite topping the charts for 12 weeks and receiving a Golden Globe nod.
The Hunting Ground is about rape on college campuses. Gaga herself has spoken about being raped when she was 19, while Warren has said she was a victim of sexual abuse as a child. In a statement posted on Twitter, Gaga wrote, "This nomination lends a voice to victims and survivors all over the world. Thank you to THE ACADEMY for recognizing the movement of people who have come together around THE HUNTING GROUND and “Til It Happens To You” in the name of sexual assault. Diane Warren and I are simply honored to represent the voices of so many survivors.”
Warren released a statement saying, "I am so excited about this nomination for my song ‘Til It Happens To You.’ It means a lot to Lady Gaga and me that the song has been recognized by the Academy and has also resonated so deeply with survivors of sexual assault, giving a voice to this movement as well as comfort and empowerment to those who have experienced any difficult situation in their lives.” This is Warren's eighth Oscar nomination.
Sam Smith posted a photo of himself on Instagram doing a double face palm, with the caption, "This is my Oscar Nomination face. Unreal. Freaking out. Thank you Academy - Thank You Thank You Thank You." He also released a statement in which he said, 'I am sitting in a coffee shop with my mum and just found out I have an Oscar Nomination. Feeling very overwhelmed and just can't believe it. Better pick out a gown. Thank you to The Academy for this incredible honor and recognition."
The other nominations in the category are "Manta Ray," from the documentary Racing Extinction, and "Simple Song #3," from the movie Youth.
Other music-related nominations include the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, nominated for Best Original Screenplay, and Amy and What Happened, Miss Simone?, two documentaries about, respectively, the late Amy Winehouse and the late Nina Simone, which are up for Best Documentary Feature.
The Oscars will be handed out on ABC February 28. Chris Rock is the host.
Zika virus confirmed in Haiti
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has confirmed the first case of the Zika Virus in Haiti.
On Thursday, PAHO’s Communicable Disease and Health Analysis director Marcos Espinal who made the announcement also warned that there are many people who will contract zika without knowing it.
He also said there is no need for alarm.
“The zika virus isn’t a cause to go crazy. The diagnosis is for monitoring. The main thing here is to control the vectors (mosquitoes). The virus shouldn’t cause alarm among the population.”
He said the main thing in this situation is to focus on prevention and education, trash collection and control the vectors in the water.
Espinal told a conference in the neighbouring Dominican Republic that the disease can be confusing and recommends treating the disease like dengue, “because that one kills.”
Last month, health officials here set up an early warning system for detection in time of potential suspected cases of the virus.
The local transmission of Zika virus has been found in 14 Western Hemisphere countries and territories, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.
Since the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transports the virus is found throughout the region, except in continental Chile and Canada, PAHO said it is likely that outbreaks will occur in other countries that have not yet reported any cases.
Source-CMC
TURKS AND CAICOS GOVERNMENT SIGNS $28M LOAN TO REFINANCE
The Turks and Caicos (TCI) Government yesterday, Wednesday, 13 January 2016, signed a new $28m loan agreement with the Royal Bank of Canada. The balance of the $170m UK guaranteed bond will be repaid from the sinking fund and other TCI Government cash resources. The $170m bond is due to be repaid on 22 February 2016.
RBC Royal Bank provided the most competitive proposal following the Government's Request for Financing Proposals in September 2015. The terms of the new loan are very attractive with interest at just 1.2% over Libor. It will be repaid in quarterly installments with the final payment being due in 2019, although the Government may also repay the loan early without penalty. It was not necessary to request a loan guarantee from the UK.
"The TCI economy has seen a major turnaround over the past three years and, with its BBB+ credit rating, 4.3% GDP growth and consecutive budget surpluses, this will allow the Government to retire its $170M UK guaranteed debt. This is a major accomplishment for this Government and all involved, and now we can invest in the socioeconomic development of our people and country to a greater magnitude and pace. This is indeed a proud moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands", said Premier Dr Rufus Ewing.
"This is the final piece of the jigsaw in the refinancing of our UK guaranteed debt taken out in 2011. The competitive terms achieved are a testament to the progress we've made. We are grateful to RBC Royal Bank for their commitment to TCI at this important stage in our recovery and we look forward to working with the Bank as we build on this platform", said Minister of Finance, Washington Misick.
"RBC is extremely proud to partner with The Turks and Caicos Islands Government with respect to this historic transaction and we look forward to exploring future opportunities," said Brian Knowles, Vice President Corporate Banking, RBC Royal Bank.
Governor Peter Beckingham also welcomed the agreement with RBC Royal Bank saying: "The signature of this agreement is a milestone for TCI. Repayment of the $170m bond will mark the end of the loan guarantee provided by the UK Government when TCI's finances were in poor shape, and another step on the country's move to a strong and resilient economy. I would like to pay tribute to everyone in Government, the House of Assembly, the public service and the private sector who have contributed to this achievement, as well a range of special advisers and the Chief Financial Officer from the UK. As the London Times are planning to bill in a special report on TCI next month, it is a major economic turnaround of which the whole country should be proud".
NEWS ITEM ON SUBTROPICAL STORM ALEX
NEWS ITEM ON SUBTROPICAL STORM ALEX ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST OFFICE SECTION, AT 6AM THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY 2016.
... ALEX CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN...
... EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE AZORES TONIGHT AND FRIDAY...
AT 5AM EDT, THE CENTER OF ALEX WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 30.1°NORTH AND LONGITUDE 29.3° WEST OR ABOUT 560 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES.
ALEX IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST AT 18 MPH. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED BY THIS AFTERNOON. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF ALEX WILL MOVE THROUGH THE CENTRAL AZORES LATE TONIGHT OR EARLY FRIDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 70 MILES PER HOUR (MPH) WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN STRENGTH ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ALEX IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE AZORES WITH STORM-FORCE WINDS THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY.
THE NEXT NEWS ITEM WILL BE ISSUED AT NOON
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT THURSDAY
GENERAL SITUATION: A STATIONARY FRONT ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS WILL LIFT NORTH AS A WARM FRONT TONIGHT INTO EARLY FRIDAY CREATING UNSETTLED WEATHER OVER THE AREA WHILE A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO APPROACHES FROM THE WEST INCREASING THE WINDS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION DUE THE HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AND DANGEROUS MODERATE TO LARGE NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELLS.
NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH WIDELY SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY ALONG THE FRONTAL ZONE THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS TONIGHT. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS. SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS TODAY BECOMING EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS TONIGHT IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS TODAY BECOMING EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS TONIGHT IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET TODAY BUILDING 4 TO 6 FEET TONIGHT IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY AND EASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE OCEAN.
TURKS AND CAICOS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND WARM WITH THE CHANCE OF FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS. MAINLY FAIR AND BREEZY TONIGHT
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS LATE OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET BUILDING 4 TO 6 FEET LATE BUT UP TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELLS OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 77°F 25°C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 63°F 17°C
SUNRISE: 6:57AM
SUNSET: 5:41PM
MOONRISE: 10:16AM
MOONSET: 10:35PM
HIGH TIDE: 10:47AM 1:22PM
LOW TIDE: 5:13PM 5:33AM FRI
EXTENDED FORECAST: A HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BRIEFLY BUILD IN THE WAKE OF THE LOW AND A TRAILING COLD FRONT LATE SATURDAY WHILE ANOTHER LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL DRAG A COLD FRONT INTO THE VICINITY OF THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY.
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 20 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 7 TO 10 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER THE OCEAN.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS.
WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 3 FEET OR LESS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS BUT UP TO 12 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELLS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER THE OCEAN.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: SUBTROPICAL STORM ALEX CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN AND IS EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE AZORES TONIGHT AND FRIDAY.