Minster of Border Control and Labour updates the country on Illegal Migrants
RTC News learned today that an illegal sloop made its way on the shores of the Turks & Caicos islands.
In a release to the media a short while ago, the Minister boast that his team has already apprehended some of the illegal immigrants.
Minster of Border Control and Labour of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government, the Hon. Ricardo Don-Hue Gardiner, said:
“I am pleased to announced that we have already apprehended four illegal immigrants who attempted to gain access to the TCI in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 17 February 2015. Their sloop, which could have held 30-40 persons, whom we are presuming were illegal Haitian migrants, came ashore on the Island of Providenciales at approximately 2.00am today.
“TCI immigration and police officers are on the scene, in the vicinity Five Cays Beach, and are continuing to search of the local area for these illegal migrants which will see them apprehended and repatriated in due course. I would take this opportunity to thank our immigration and police officers for their work in swiftly catching these four people, who will help us with our enquiries before being repatriated. This search for others will clearly include those areas of the TCI which are already home to legal Haitian migrants and further afield across the Islands.
“It is a matter of some concern to me that this vessel was not identified by our coastal radar station, which has previously enjoyed significant success in helping us track suspicious vessels, to apprehend, and to send home, hundreds of would be illegal immigrants from Haiti over the past two years. It is a disappointing to have this fine record tarnished in the manner. I will, of course, be investigating why this happened and will report further on this at a later time - our focus for the moment must understandably be upon the pursuit of those who arrived here illegally this morning.
“Both the TCI Governor and I have made several representations to the Haitian authorities, including their Consul-General here in the TCI, to do more to prevent their nationals travelling here illegally. We will continue to maintain this pressure.
"Anyone with information can contact the Police anonymously on 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.”
RTC News is tracking the story and will have more on this during our newscast.
Church Softball Returns to Provo
Church Slow Pitch Softball games return to the National StadiumThe Church Co-Ed Slow Pitch League started back on Monday night with two quick games from the roster.
First up was the 2014 Champions Jericho Baptist Church taking on the Roman Catholic Church, this was played in 30mins, in the full 5 innings.
The game saw Catholic 2 to Jericho 1 until the bottom of the fourth, when Jericho went ahead scoring four runs ending the game at the top of the fifth; Score: Jericho 5 & the Catholics 2.
In the second game of the night Bethany Baptist Church took on St Monica's Saints.
President Godfrey Been to RTC Sports last night that this was another thriller, ending in 40mins.
{mp3}../attachments/Godfrey Been{/mp3}
President of the Softball Federation Godfrey Been
US178.3M SURPLUS A REFLECTION OF TOURISM PARTNERS' MARKETING EFFORTS
The Dr. Rufus Ewing led administration recently announced its achievement of US$178.3M for the first three quarters, and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association – TCHTA – is commending the administration for a job well done in achieving this year to date recurring surplus of in such a challenging economy, which they say, is no easy feat.
As the leading private sector association gears up for another hectic year of promoting the destination throughout its key markets, TCHTA also congratulated its members, the Tourist Board, TCIAA and other tourism partners for being an integral part in Government's achievement of the surplus. With 2015 already seeing TCHTA's members participating in the Caribbean's largest and most important marketing event, a number of strategically selected trade shows and Sales Blitz events have already been organized for the year through TCHTA's membership body and in partnership with the Tourist Board. These events will see TCHTA's members using their own marketing funds and resources to promote, not only their resorts and companies, but TCI on a whole, in an attempt to drive more business to our destination.
In congratulating the administration on its recent announcement TCHTA's Board of Directors noted that their marketing efforts never stop and the recent news will only propel them to achieve an even greater surplus. “We also congratulate our members for their marketing strategies as they constantly network with their travel partners in an effort to sell the destination, with many having representation in our target markets which is critical in remaining "present" in our travel partners' minds. We can truly say that all members have been instrumental in the achievement of the destination's strong revenue and we encourage continued partnership between Government and our members as a united front will only bring about even better results," the Board of Directors said.
The Board also stressed that "the increase in tourism business should trickle down to most businesses in TCI, therefore allowing TCIG to not only pay down the debt, but also allowing them to work on critical Capital Projects, such as schools and infrastructure upgrades much needed."
With new airlift being negotiated for the upcoming winter season, along with an anticipated overall 80% or higher occupancy rate expected, the TCHTA sees a year of great possibilities and achievements for TCI's tourism and hospitality sector.
TCI GOVERNOR PRESENTS FINDINGS OF FSC REVIEW TO ITS BOARD
His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham presented a Review of the Financial Services Commission to its Chairman, Sir Eroll Allen, and Director Kevin Higgins on 10 February.
The Review was commissioned by the Governor’s Office and conducted by Steve Johnson, a former Treasury official and adviser to Overseas Territories.
Commenting on the Review the Governor said: “I am grateful to Mr Johnson for conducting a thorough and wide-ranging examination, consulting both the FSC, business and government. I am pleased he has found the FSC fit for purpose, and in better shape than it used to be.” He continued: “But he also highlights areas where more work needs to be done, and change made, notably in the FSC’s governance and management practices.
There are some other important areas for the Board to examine, including resources and consultation with business and government. I look forward to discussing with the Board all the recommendations, and agreeing how they might be implemented.”
FSC_Review_-_Executive_Summary.pdf
Lance Armstrong given $10m bill after losing lawsuit
Lance Armstrong must pay $10m (£6.51m) in damages after losing a lawsuit with insurance firm SCA Promotions Inc.
In 2006 Armstrong, 43, received $7.5m (£4.88m) in payments from SCA relating to his seven Tour de France victories.
Armstrong admitted to doping and was found to have lied in proceedings.
SCA said: "The award, which must be paid directly to SCA, is believed to be the largest award of sanctions assessed against an individual in American judicial history."
"According to the arbitrators' written ruling, the sanctions award punishes Armstrong for 'an unparalleled pageant of international perjury, fraud and conspiracy'," the company added.
Armstrong testified in the proceedings, which took place almost 10 years after an initial hearing which found in his favour after he gave evidence under oath.
"SCA's dispute with Armstrong is not over," said SCA.
"It has a currently pending lawsuit in Dallas state district court where it is pursuing additional claims against Lance Armstrong and Bill Stapleton (Armstrong's agent)."
Source-BBC
West beat East in highest-scoring NBA game
Russell Westbrook led Western Conference to a 163-158 victory over Eastern Conference in the highest scoring NBA All-Star Game in history.
Oklamhoma City point guard Westbrook, 26, hit 41 points to claim Most Valuable Player honours, with LeBron James top-scoring for East with 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The mid-season exhibition showcases star players from both NBA conferences.
The line-ups for the match are voted for by the fans.
The 64th edition of the event saw a number of point-scoring records broken in an attacking game that had little emphasis on defence.
Westbrook's 27 first-half points were the most ever in an All-Star half and Western Conference's 25 three-pointers were the most for one team in an All-Star game, as was the combined total of 48 for both teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, 30, surpassed Michael Jordan on the all-time All-Star scoring list and is now just two points away from equalling Kobe Bryant's record of 280 career All-Star Game points.
Source-
Cyber-security experts judge '$1bn bank hack' report
A leading security company says it has uncovered an "unprecedented" cyber-attack on up to 100 banks, which could result in $1bn (£648m) of losses.
But security experts are split over the severity of the alleged breaches, and on how much cash was stolen.
Russian company Kaspersky Lab said the hackers had accessed the banks' networks by sending spoof emails to staff.
It added that the criminals manipulated cash machines to dispense stolen money.
The majority of banks that allegedly fell victim to the scheme are based in Russia, with a handful of others spread across China, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, and other countries.
One bank is said to be based in the UK, although it is not believed to be a well-known brand.
Kaspersky said it had worked with Interpol and Europol on the investigation.
Europol director Rob Wainwright told the BBC the agency had "issued warnings and intelligence to national law enforcement authorities and European banks through the European Banking Federation".
He added: "Reported infections in the EU are unconfirmed at this stage, although we are continuing to work actively on the matter."
Kaspersky said it believed that the group was still active.
"This is likely the most sophisticated attack the world has seen to date in terms of the tactics and methods that cybercriminals have used to remain covert," one of its directors told the New York Times.
Kaspersky's revelations build on a report released by another cyber-security company, Fox-IT, last year.
Commenting on the Kaspersky release, Fox-IT said that since it had published its findings in December, "the group has decreased their activities and might now have even stopped entirely".
Some security experts have also called into question the $1bn figure.
"A lot of the money will be got back," said Dr Steven Murdoch, from University College London's Information Security Research Group, adding that while there were undoubtedly "large numbers" involved, the amount had been overestimated.
But he added that the report's findings should be "useful for banks".
Cyber-security expert Prof Alan Woodward, of Surrey University, told the BBC that "nobody knows the real figure" but it was evident that the attackers had "a lot of patience and a lot of planning".
He said that the companies affected would now be working to "close the stable door, and then work out how many horses bolted".
Source-BBC
Global dividend income hits new record of $1.167 trillion
The total dividend income paid to shareholders around the world rose by 11% last year to $1.167 trillion, according to investment firm Henderson Global Investors.
The biggest increase in cash payouts came from US firms at $52bn.
Henderson said global dividends would rise by just 1% this year because of lower oil prices and slowing economies.
Another factor acting as a drag on dividends would be the recent rise in the value of the dollar, the firm said.
This will depress the value of dividend income from around the world once it has been translated into the US currency.
"2014 was a superb year for income investors, with developed markets leading the charge," said Alex Crooke at Henderson Global Investors.
"After such a strong performance in 2014, we now expect a pause for breath in 2015."
Compounding growth
About one-third of global dividend income came from firms on the US stock market.
In 2014, dividend changes varied considerably from region to region:
North America - up 15% to $392bn
Europe excluding UK - up 12% to $229bn
Emerging markets - down 12% to $114bn
UK - up 31% to $135bn
Asia Pacific - up 3% to $116bn
Japan - up 6% to $49bn
Companies outside the top 1,200 - up 11% to $132bn
Total - up 11% to $1.167tn.
Global dividend income has now risen by 60% in the five years since 2009, far outstripping inflation and savers' interest rates in the UK, and also the growth of economies around the world.
That underlines the vital importance to investors of dividend income, especially when share prices have stagnated, as reinvesting the dividends increases the value of a shareholding in a similar fashion to compound interest.
Changes ahead?
Dividend payments are not evenly spread among companies, nor are they necessarily predictable despite firms often saying they aim to offer their shareholders steadily rising payouts.
Just 10 firms accounted for 11% of all global payouts in 2014, and the top 20 accounted for 18% of all dividends.
They were led by Vodafone whose huge special dividend early last year meant it was responsible for 20% of all UK dividend payments.
Other giant payers in the past year have been oil firms such as Shell, banks such as China Construction Bank and HSBC, and technology companies such as Apple and Microsoft.
By contrast, mining firms cut their dividends for the the third year in a row.
"This was a result of commodity companies suffering from lower prices of their products in the face of slowing global demand," said the Henderson report.
With the recent big fall in the oil price, Mr Crooke added: "We don't expect developed market oil companies to reduce their dividends in 2015, but there is a strong likelihood that emerging market producers will pay out markedly less this year as their profitability comes under pressure."
The research was compiled by adding up the dividends paid by the 1,200 biggest firms whose shares are traded on stock exchanges around the world. The rest of the dividend income from smaller firms was estimated.
Source-BBC
Ziggy Marley on a Musical High
Reggae act Ziggy Marley has responded to criticism that his family automatically wins a Grammy Award once nominated.
The 46-year-old became the most Grammy-decorated reggae artiste winning for his album Fly Rasta, on Sunday. The win earned him a total of four as a solo artiste, and an additional three with his sibling group, The Melody Makers.
The Marley clan has gone home with the Golden Gramophone on 11 occasions since the reggae category was introduced in 1985.
For Marley, it is a good thing if people expect members of his family to win the award once nominated.
"I think we are known for putting out good music, so that may be the basis on which we are judged. If Usain [Bolt] is in a race we expect him to win. If Brazil is playing a football match, we expect them to win because they are Brazil... I guess it's the same with us. I really have nothing bad to say about this... I actually feel good that people expect us to win," he told the Sunday Observer from his base in California.
Marley said there is no formula to creating music that wins the award, but noted that the appeal of his family's music perhaps lies in its global reach.
"It does not mean that if you don't win the Grammy your music isn't good. Our music is wide; it's not one type, so we have a wide range of people who listen, understand and can relate to the message of the music."
In relation to Fly Rasta, Marley noted the album represented a move on his part to maintain growth in reggae music.
"A lot of people are talking about going back. I don't believe we should stifle the music. I think we need to expand reggae and have it reach further, and that was the plan with Fly Rasta. As it relates to the lyrics, it's all about a empowering, encouraging kind of energy. Two years ago, I had some personal health issues that I had to deal with, and so some of the songs are all about this. Songs such as Moving Forward and I Get Up are coming from that place. Musically, I just wanted to keep creative and not follow any trends, but set my out path in the same way some of the great artistes that I look up to did in the past," said Marley.
With all that, Marley confesses that he was not overly confident of winning the Grammy this year.
"I really had no big expectations. I went to the show kinda thinking maybe it's not my year and somebody else will win. I am encouraged by the win and see it as help in spreading the message of the music," he said.
This year sees Bob and Rita Marley's eldest son concentrating on the activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of his father's birth; writing songs for upcoming projects, as well as penning another children's book with the Jamaican 'John Crow' as the main character.
He also is giving serious thought to a project being suggested by his brother, Stephen, for a sons of Marley record featuring his brothers.
"We haven't thought about anything with The Melody Makers for a while, but Stephen has been mentioning something to do together with the brothers... Julian, Damian, Ky-Mani... I think it would be really nice, especially this year being our father's 70th birthday," he said.
Contributor: Richard Johnson
Source-Jamaica Observer
Bolt plans to quit after 2017
Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt plans to bow out in glory after the 2017 World Championships in London, he said in a British newspaper interview published yesterday.
The 28-year-old six-time Olympic champion had previously suggested he would retire after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but now says he will continue until 2017, albeit only in the 100 metres.
"That was the initial plan (to retire in 2016)," he told the Daily Mail. "But my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year, to 2017 and London.
"But I'll be doing one event, the 100. I've already discussed it with my coach. I can concentrate on that, and on retiring on a winning note."
Bolt's main focus for 2015 will be the World Championships in Beijing on August 22-30.
He hopes to add to his collection of eight world titles and also wants to break the 100m world record of 9.58 seconds that he set at the 2009 Worlds in Berlin.
"Well, it takes races," he said. "But if everything goes well this season... in my life anything is possible. If I can get myself in good shape, it should be wonderful this season.
"I live for competition. I thrive on competition. I live to compete against the best. It means a lot when you beat the best.
"I remember when I won in Beijing (at the 2008 Olympics), people were saying how Tyson (Gay) wasn't there. So, for me, the World Championships the following year, when everyone was there, that was good."
Source-AFP