TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT FISHERIES REGULATIONS POSTPONED FOR CONSULTATION
The Turks and Caicos Islands Fisheries (Protection) Regulations 2015 has been postponed to September 1, 2015.
The Regulations, previously scheduled to come into operation on June 1, 2015 has been delayed in order to facilitate further focus group consultation on a number of provisions within the new regulation.
Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing stated; “As a Government, we understand the importance of the regulations governing our waters and its protection, and we also understand and take seriously our role in hearing the voice of the people.
It is expected that this extended period of consultation will result in amendments to some provisions of the new Fisheries Regulations and will address many of the concerns submitted by members of the public.”
RTC news will have more on this developing story.
US Takes Cuba Off Terrorism List
The United States on Friday dropped Cuba from a blacklist designating the communist country as a state sponsor of terrorism in another step toward the resumption of diplomatic links between the two nations after a five-decade standoff.
Shortly after meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro in April, U.S. President Barack Obama announced his intention to remove Cuba from the list as the two countries head toward opening diplomatic missions in Washington and Havana.
The U.S. Congress had a 45-day window to object, but did not.
Still, the White House said there is no timetable for establishing the embassies in the two countries. White House spokesman Josh Earnest "there continue to be issues that need to be worked out."
Cuba is balking at U.S. demands for democracy programs and that American diplomats be allowed to travel throughout the country and meet freely with dissidents.
With that review period ending Friday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry formally removed Cuba from the list.
The U.S. said it still has "significant concerns and disagreements with a wide range of Cuba's policies and actions."
The State Department, however, said the U.S. island neighbor had not supported international terrorism in the last six months and had assured the United States that it wouldn't do so in the future – the criteria for removing Cuba from the list.
Its removal could give Cuba more access to global financial markets and loans from organizations such as the World Bank.
U.S. and Cuban diplomats have been holding discussions about improving trade, educational and travel ties between the two countries.
The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations after Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro took control of Cuba in 1959 at the height of the Cold War, but late last year, the two countries announced a thaw in their icy relations.
One likely 2016 Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, attacked Friday's concession to Cuba.
"Today's news is further evidence that President Obama seems more interested in capitulating to our adversaries than in confronting them," Bush said. "Iran's leaders are surely taking note."
The leader of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, Speaker John Boehner, said Obama "has handed the Castro regime a significant political win in return for nothing."
Three countries remain on the State Department list as state sponsors of terrorism: Iran, Sudan and Syria.
FIFA Re-elects Blatter Amid Corruption Scandal
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been re-elected to another four year term, days after football's governing body was shaken by widespread corruption allegations.
Blatter was seven votes short of the required 140 majority in the first round of voting, but his opponent, Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan, withdrew before a second round could take place.
Addressing the 65th FIFA annual congress in Zurich, Switzerland, Blatter thanked his challenger and praised him for his integrity and commitment to reform FIFA. Blatter promised to elevate FIFA from its current critical state of affairs.
Addressing the congress earlier, Blatter said he will "shoulder responsibility for the current storm" of corruption allegations. "FIFA needs to recover its good name starting tomorrow," he said.
The U.S. Soccer [football] Association expressed disappointment in the result of the election, but congratulated Blatter.
“We will continue to push for meaningful change within FIFA,” U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement. "It is our hope he [Blatter] will make reform his number one property to ensure the integrity of the sport across the world.”
Gulati added that the goal for the governance of FIFA is to "be responsible, accountable, transparent and focused solely on the best interests of the game.”
The FIFA leadership vote came after a U.S. indictment this week led to the arrest of seven top football officials in Zurich.
Blatter said this week's events have "unleashed a storm," but he said he is "appealing for unity and the team spirit" so FIFA can move forward.
Unlike one day earlier when he said that he could not control everyone’s actions, Blatter said that he was “willing to accept that the FIFA president is accountable for everything.”
Blatter also said Friday "I don't think we would have these problems today" if Russia and Qatar were not awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. The U.S. was one of the losing bidders for the 2022 tournament.
A U.S. indictment issued this week charges 14 people with offenses that include racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering. A separate Swiss investigation is looking into allegations of mismanagement and money laundering connected to the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Qatar on Friday insisted its World Cup bid was conducted with "integrity."
In Berlin after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that Blatter must resign, adding that it was “unthinkable” that he was the right person to head the world football federation after this week's corruption charges. “Frankly, what we have seen is the ugly side of the beautiful game,” he said.
Germany's Justice Minister Heiko Maas told the German daily Bild in an interview Friday FIFA's decision to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar can't stand if it turns out that votes were bought.
The U.S. investigation stretches back to 1991 with allegations that include sports media executives paying or agreeing to pay $150 million in bribes in exchange for marketing rights to tournaments, as well as corruption related to the 2011 FIFA presidential election and the sponsorship of Brazil's soccer federation by a U.S. sportswear company.
Lenovo phone features virtual keyboard
Chinese electronics giant Lenovo has unveiled a phone with a built-in laser projector that can be used to display a virtual keyboard or display.
The interactive display can replicate the phone's touch screen, a full-size computer keyboard or even piano keys.
The laser projector can also be used to beam images and videos onto walls.
The Smart Cast phone was unveiled at the company's Tech World conference in Beijing, where the firm also unveiled a new type of smartwatch.
The laser projector measures just 34mm by 26mm by 5mm and, said Lenovo, does not need focussing to project sharp images onto walls or other flat surfaces.
A video showing the Smart Cast in action shows how twisting the mounting for the device's lens turns it from a standard wall projector into "surface mode" that beams the display on to a table top.
A kickstand mounted on the back of the phone keeps the device upright while the virtual keyboard is in use.
At Tech World, Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang used the virtual keyboard to play a version of The Entertainer.
Mike Lowe, reviews editor at gadget site Pocket-lint, who has tried out the phone said there was far less delay using the virtual keyboard with the Smart Cast than was apparent on other devices with similar input systems.
"The history of the projector phone is hardly rosy," he said. "Samsung launched the Galaxy Beam in 2012 and that bombed. It's not been a booming industry for any other manufacturer since."
Mr Lowe said his experience with the phone did not convince him that the Smart Cast would break that cycle.
"It's fun, but ultimately a gimmick," he said. "It's hard to be accurate with the increased scale of the keys for starters, plus the demo was in a dimly-lit room."
In a separate demonstration, he added, Lenovo showed ways to use the interactive projected display to play games.
"It's fun, it's headline-grabbing, but it's also impractical, not coming to the UK and well, just isn't a product anyone is likely to genuinely need," he said.
Tech World also saw Lenovo show off a smart watch, called Magic View, that has two screens.
The device has a standard "public" screen viewable by anyone and a second "private" projected screen only visible when the watch is held close to the face and at a specific angle.
Source-BBC
SURVEY AND MAPPING DEPARTMENT HOST STANDARDS REVIEW WORKSHOP
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s Survey and Mapping Department in conjunction with the Physical Planning Department and the Land Registry, are engaging current private sector and former surveyors, as well as other stakeholder agencies, to join in a workshop to review draft National Standards for Land Surveying in the Turks and Caicos Islands on today, Thursday, 18th May 2015.
It is envisioned that the Survey and Mapping Department will gain valuable input in reforming and modernising the Land Survey Ordinance, the procedures and the technology currently employed in the Land Surveying Industry here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Draft National Land Surveying Standards are set to replace the varying methods of land surveying with a single uniformed methodology that will provide professional Land Surveyors with a common approach to boundary definition and encourage the use of emerging technology in surveying practises.
The one-day workshop will see presentations from the Acting Director of the Survey and Mapping Department, Mr James Fritz and other members from his team. The presentations will focus on standards for positional and computation accuracies, field data acquisition methods, field survey operations and procedures, capturing elevation as part of the standard surveying procedures, among other things.
The Hon. Attorney General, Mrs Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles under whose purview this department fall, said of the workshop; “Establishing National Standards is a key component of the Department’s plan to position the Turks & Caicos Land Surveying System for the future and are designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the System for all stakeholders.
“It presents a valuable opportunity for public/private sector engagement and invites the full participation of members of the surveying industry and other interested stakeholders to ensure that the exercise produces comprehensive and relevant standards for the Islands.”
GOVERNOR VISITS SOUTH CAICOS
The Governor and Jill Beckingham visited South Caicos again on Wednesday 27 May. They spoke to all the children at both the Primary and High Schools , and heard a short performance by the Majorie Basden brass band (who played instruments some of which had been donated by the Governor’s Office) as well as songs by the primary school.
Speaking at the High School the Governor encouraged the school leavers to focus carefully on their next move, whether in higher education or the beginning of a career. He reminded pupils that TCI’s National Hero, JAGS McCartney had reached the level of Chief Minister in his early thirties.
The Governor also told the pupils of his positive and interesting meeting this week with TCI international sports star Delano Williams. “We agreed”, he said, “that all schoolchildren should be encouraged, both at school and home, to participate in extra- curricular activities, in sport, music or other pursuits. Not everyone can reach Delano’s exceptional level, but taking part in sports and other activities is so important for everyone at school in TCI.”
Jill Beckingham announced to both schools that she would be repeating her “Footsteps4 Good” walk across all the family islands, as well as Grand Turk and Providenciales, this October. She hoped that as many pupils and more would take part this year in the South Caicos section of the walk, which would be on Monday 19 October.
The Governor and Mrs Beckingham also visited the East Bay and Sailrock developments, and met senior representatives from both companies. “I was delighted to see so much progress since my earlier visits, and to hear of the quality of the building work in both new resorts “ the Governor said. “ I have followed both developments closely, and it is excellent that they hope to open for business within a year or less. These are precisely the sort of resorts we need to see in the family islands, and they should be a real catalyst for the local economy in South Caicos. There is bound to be a demand for more restaurants and other retail outlets which can only benefit the South Caicos community.”
The Governor and Mrs Beckingham also called on the residents of the Wellness Centre, and the Governor had brief meetings with members of the public service.
PDM TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS IN GRAND STYLE
"ONE PEOPLE ONE DESTINY ONE MOVEMENT"
The nation’s capital will come alive as the PDM celebrates its 40th year in grand style on the island of its birth. June 4 – 7th, 2015, PDMs will converge on Grand Turk to fellowship and unite under the theme: “One People, One Destiny, One Movement”.
On Thursday, June 4th a candle lighting ceremony is planned in memory of its Party’s first Leader, the Right Excellent Hon JAGS McCartney. There will be a time of reflection on the man who led the movement that has contributed to a change in representative politics.
On Friday, June 5th, members of the convention and PDM family will engage in community activities during the morning. That evening, a Legends Ball will be held at Yellow Man and Sons. During this time, former Leaders and early Freedom Fighters will be honored for their years of service and for their role in the Junkanoo Club Event, respectively. We will also recognize other national leaders in the persons of former and current Parliamentarians and former National Chairmen.
Saturday, June 6th will see Party business which will include a review of its work and platform and the election of Party Officers.
Later that evening, the Junkanoo Club Event will be commemorated by the hosting of a street party at the Junkanoo Club on Good Street. This date will mark the 40th Anniversary of the event which took place on June 6, 1975.
On Sunday, as a PDM family, we will worship together at the Salem Baptist Church.
PDM Leader says, “We are excited about this convention. We are forever grateful to those early brave men and women, our former national leaders and all those on whose shoulders we stand. There is a serious air of excitement and a spirit of celebration also in the air.
We are proud of our heritage and our Party. We will review our position as a Party, rally our base and leave united to achieve one goal and that is to become the Government of the Day.”
This historic occasion is geared towards uniting us all.
The PDM Leader noted that everyone is welcomed to share in the events that are open to the public. The business session on Saturday afternoon is for Convention attendees only.
PDM LEADER SERIOUSLY CONCERNED OVER RECENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers and when we can, we must help in whatever way as citizens. We are deeply saddened by these recent events and extend our best wishes to the victims who are recovering and then to express our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim that loss her life. May God comfort them and their families during this time.
TCIG SCHEDULED TO RELAUNCH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIMENT
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services hosted a working group responsible for the re-launch of the TCI National Youth Parliament, today Thursday, 28th May 2015.
The working group consists of Hon. Akierra Mary Deanne Missick (Deputy Premier & Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services), Hon. Ruth Blackman (Government's Appointed Member), Hon. Clarance Selver (Opposition Appointed Member), Mrs. Lydia Butterfield (Deputy Clerk to House of Assembly), Ms. Jasmine Parker (Director, Youth Affairs Dept), Mrs. Dulcine Hall (Youth Officer), Ms. Sharoon Roberts, (Secretary).
Among other things, they will finalize the National Youth Parliament Program re-launch scheduled to take place the week of July 12th - 19th 2015, where aspiring Youth Parliamentarians between ages 18 -25 years will be invited to apply to for the program.
The TCI Youth Parliament will allow persons to participate in Regional and International debates on issues facing our societies, and our Youth Parliamentarians will also focus on Youth Governance in the Country and bring Youth Awareness education and training.
Deputy Premier & Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Hon. Akierra Mary Deanne Missick stated; "There will be many changes to the structure of the National Youth Parliament as we’ve come to know it.
“The re-launch will take into account the recently agreed Standing Orders for the Turks & Caicos Islands House of Assembly and our 2011 Constitution. Further, the make-up of the Youth Parliament will be brought into line with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations guidance on Youth Parliaments across the region."
Jay Z’s Tidal Could Lose Beyonce if Sony Isn’t Paid
A royalty dispute may cause Jay Z’s music streaming service Tidal to lose one of its flagship artists…who also happens to be his wife.
Bloomberg’s insider sources say that both Sony and Warner have been asking Tidal for huge advances in exchange for the rights to stream their artists’ catalogs.
While Tidal has apparently come to terms with Warner, it seems a deal with Sony has yet to be hammered out — and if Tidal is unable to pay its requested royalties, it could yank its roster from the service, including Beyoncé.
This is just one of the tidbits Bloomberg includes in its feature on Tidal. Among others:
* Tidal was apparently counting on a cash infusion from Sprint to help it pay Sony and Warner’s massive royalty requests but Sprint has specifically said that it has not made a financial investment in Tidal.
* While Tidal says it has 900,000 users, analysts who spoke with Bloomberg “suspect many have signed up for trials and will cancel when they have to start paying.”
The piece concludes by saying it’s still too soon to write off Tidal, but with Spotify and Pandora still going strong and with Apple’s new music streaming service on the horizon, things aren’t exactly looking great right now.
You can visit Bloomberg.com and read the entire “Tidal” article “That’s Business Man: Why Jay Z’s Tidal Is a Complete Disaster”
Source-Eurweb