HBO expands reach in the TCI & Caribbean
HBO Latin America, the sole authorized distributor of HBO content in the Caribbean, continues its expansion in the market through a recent commercial agreement with Digicel in several countries, including Turks & Caicos, Dominica, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and Jamaica, with further growth planned down the line. This agreement means that Digicel customers can now enjoy the quality, premium programming offered in the HBO/MAX family of channels.
“HBO is proud to announce this expansion with Digicel in the Caribbean, further demonstrating our commitment to the region and signifying another positive step towards establishing legitimate relationships with authorized distributors in these markets,” said Javier Figueras, Corporate Vice President of Affiliate Relations at HBO Latin America.
“We are excited for customers to enjoy our world-class programming and look forward to working more closely with local affiliates and authorities throughout the islands to further develop mutually beneficial relationships that bring viewers the best quality available.”
Subscribers of the HBO/MAX premium package can now enjoy over 300 new titles per month – including exclusive and award-winning series, films and documentaries, all with no commercial breaks – through the variety of channels offered in both their standard and high definition feeds: HBO, HBO Plus, HBO Plus (Pan-regional), HBO2, HBO Family, HBO Signature, MAX Prime and MAX UP, plus two channels created exclusively for the market, HBO (Caribbean) and MAX (Caribbean).
In addition to the premium package, a variety of basic channels are also available: AXN, Canal Sony, E!, Warner Channel, Cinemax and Telemundo Internacional.
"We are delighted and excited to work with HBO in the region. At Digicel, we are committed to delivering best in class content that provides our current and future valued customers with the best possible TV experience - and with this partnership with HBO, we are doing just that," said Digicel Group COO, Andy Thorburn.
This month, HBO subscribers can tune in to the premieres of original productions such as the behind-the-scenes special “Game of Thrones: A Day in the Life,” season two of the satirical news program “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” and an illuminating portrait of a provocative 20th-century thinker in the documentary “Regarding Susan Sontag.” Viewers will also enjoy exclusive premieres of blockbuster films every Saturday, like the Marvel hit “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and the action-packed “Need for Speed.”
On MAX, subscribers gain access to award-winning international films, documentaries and series. The channel features exclusive, weekly film premieres from the most respected directors and internationally recognized actors, with independent titles each Saturday such as this month’s debut of “The Hunt,” and blockbuster hits on Sundays like “Her” and “Prince Avalanche.” Every Thursday in February, viewers can also enjoy a Bollywood film.
Source-TDN
PREMIER EWING RESPONDS TO BRITISH MP EDWARD MILIBAND ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP & CENTRAL REGISTRY
Premier of the Turks & Caicos acknowledged learning about the recent information shared in the UK Press about the UKOT.
Premier Ewing described the various statements made by UK Opposition Labour Party Leader the Rt. Hon. Edward Miliband as quoted recently in a number of the UK Media Channels, where he charges that the UK Overseas Territories are not complying with UK directives as it relates to beneficial ownership of companies and public central registries of beneficial ownership of companies as unfortunate.
It must first be stated that as Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, I have yet to receive or have sight of any correspondence from the UK Labour Leader in respect of this subject at hand or any other subject. However, I note the letter of Chief Minister Picardo of Gibraltar to Mr. Miliband and wish to align, in most parts, the Turks and Caicos Islands’ position with that of Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, and that of the Overseas Territories that stand in solidarity on this issue.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes exception to the statement made by Mr. Miliband, in referring to our jurisdiction as a “Tax Haven”. The Turks and Caicos Islands is a well regulated and compliant financial services jurisdiction that has complied with the FATF Standards, Global Forum Standards and have signed numerous Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs), including the US-FATCA, UK-FATCA and multilateral agreement on automatic exchange of information in Berlin on 29 October 2014, among numerous others agreements.
The Turks and Caicos Islands, represented by the Deputy Premier in June 2014, along with other UK OT Leaders, supported the UK Prime Minister Cameron during his presidency of the G8 as the United Kingdom made commitments to improve transparency of information to combat tax evasion, money laundering and financing of terrorism. Prime Minister Cameron acted on his commitment and is progressing the establishment of a publicly available central registry of beneficial ownership of companies in the UK and is encouraging all of the UK OTs, which, Mr. Cameron emphatically stated are not tax havens, to follow suite.
In keeping with our joint UK/OTs commitment for transparency and to proactively combat illicit activities, the Turks and Caicos Islands devised an Action Plan and conducted a public consultation on the issues of maintenance of Legal and Beneficial Ownership information and the establishment of a Central or public Register of Beneficial Ownership information. This consultation was recently concluded and the Turks and Caicos Islands Cabinet has reviewed the results.
It is the position of the Turks and Caicos Islands that we will continue to comply with all of the global standards as issued by FATF, Global Forum, AML Directives, G20 Principles and we will continue to improve our systems, in ways that support sound business growth locally and globally. However, until such time as there is global agreement on appropriate exemptions and safeguards, and a public central registry becomes the internationally practiced standard, the Turks and Caicos Islands will continue to follow its current regime.
Perhaps it would have been more helpful to these Turks and Caicos Islands and other Overseas Territories for the Labour Leader to have sought an audience with the Leaders of the Overseas Territories during our many visits to the UK, the most recent being for the purpose of the Joint Ministerial Conference meeting during which meeting, the issue of beneficial ownership was of key debate. Such engagement would have allowed Mr. Miliband to familiarize himself with our jurisdictions, and perhaps he might have discovered that the OTs are not tax havens as he accuses, but, in fact, well and better regulated financial services jurisdictions than many larger jurisdictions. Mr. Miliband would have then been in a better position to more appropriately inform his party’s manifesto in support of assisting the Turks and Caicos Islands and other OTs economies, as one would expect of responsible leadership, rather than utilizing outdated and damaging descriptions that undermine the strident efforts made by OTs to date to meet and in some cases surpass internally accepted standards.
The Turks and Caicos Islands stands committed to support and implement any global transparency initiatives and directives that will combat tax evasion, money laundering and financing of terrorism, and welcome discussions with the UK as a part of the solidarity partnership among OTs on the eventual maintenance of a Central Registry, but this will be done cautiously and with sober thought to the appropriate level that the information should be made public. We must ensure that we are supporting law enforcement agencies and thwarting criminals, all while ensuring the sustainable growth and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the protection of the fundamental constitutional rights and privacy of the law abiding citizens and clients we serve.
Ministry Of Health Provides Free Vaccination To Hotel Staff
Public Health Nurses from the Ministry of Health and Human Services administered more than 100 free flu vaccines to Beaches Turks and Caicos Team Members On Tuesday, 3rd of February 2015. The exercise was part of the Beaches Turks and Caicos Healthy Living Initiative’s event for the month of February, “Beat The Flu”.
“2014-2015 Influenza (flu) season has reached its peak. Seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October” stated Dr. Jamillah Berry, Health Planner “However, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.
“We are committed to keeping the Turks and Caicos healthy and this was another step in spreading the word that the seasonal flu vaccine for adults and children are available at all Government operated Primary Health Care Clinics free of charge.”
Please contact the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Primary Health Care Clinics in the TCI Hospitals (941-2900 in Grand Turk and 941-2800 in Providenciales) or your local Island Clinic to schedule a time to get your vaccine.
It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months has a flu vaccine annually. In addition to having a flu vaccine, the Ministry of Health and Human Services recommends the following healthy habits, which can stop the spread of the infection:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Put your used tissue in a waste basket.
If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or long enough to sing the birthday song twice.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth (germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth).
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
If you or your child is sick with the flu stay home from work, school or daycare. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, manage your stress, and be physically active.
Everyday preventive actions can help slow the spread of germs that can cause many different illnesses including the flu.
TCIG issues Measles Alert Outbreak in the USA
There is currently a multi-state outbreak of Measles in the USA associated with travel to Disneyland Resort Theme Parks in California. This has affected 14 US states and Mexico. From the 1st through the 30th of January 2015, 102 measles positive cases were reported. Last year, the US experienced the highest number of measles cases reported in 20 years, 644 cases in 27 States.
The Caribbean sub-region has been successful in maintaining a measles-free status since 1991. In light of the strong travel ties between the Caribbean and the USA, and given that we are in the midst of the tourism high-season, the Ministry of Health and Human Services encourages local residents and visitors to be watchful for fever-rash syndromes.
Measles spreads quickly among unvaccinated people. The majority of the adults and children that have reported cases of measles in the US did not get vaccinated or do not know whether they have been vaccinated. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe, effective and highly recommended. Maintaining high vaccination coverage is very important and it's the best protection we have against disease outbreaks.
Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that occurs over a period of two to three weeks. It spreads through the air by coughing and sneezing. Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, and is followed by a rash that spreads all over the body. A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, four days before the rash appears and four days after the rash appears.
Persons are protected against the disease in two ways: 1) through vaccination and 2) through previous infection, i.e., if you have had the measles already, you cannot get measles again. The vaccine is given in two doses in the TCI, the first at age 1 year and the second at age 2 years. Children who receive the vaccine at age 1 are protected up to 98% until the second dose is due at age 2.
Persons not protected against the disease can contract the virus when a person with measles coughs, sneezes or talks in their face. Also, droplets from coughing, sneezing and talking can fall on surfaces and remain there for hours. Persons who have not been immunized can contract the virus by touching the infected surface and putting their fingers in their mouth, nose or eyes.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is pleased to advise that the Turks and Caicos Island is currently MEASLES FREE. Over the years, the 1st dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage have been 95% - 98%. However, children remain at risk of contracting measles if they have not received the 2nd dose of MMR vaccine and they come into contact with someone who has the disease. Children who have not received the 1st dose of MMR vaccine are at an increased risk of contracting measles if they come in contact with someone who has the disease.
In order to reduce the risk of local transmission of measles to our population in the TCI, the Public Health Staff from the Primary Health Care Department will be conducting the following initiatives:
• Vaccination in schools throughout Providenciales commencing the first week in February 2015.
• Catch-up and Mop-up campaigns in the community. “The target group” are children ages 1 year for the 1st MMR vaccine and 2 years or older for the 2nd MMR vaccine.
• Routine immunization of measles vaccine will continue to be administered at well-baby clinics throughout the country.
• Vaccinations administered at Public Health Clinics are free of charge.
Parents are encouraged to cooperate with the Public Health Nurses and send their children’s immunization take home cards to school upon request. Travellers to the USA or Mexico from TCI (adults and children) are advised to ensure their vaccination records are up to date prior to travelling.
The Peak of Flu Season is Here says the M.O.H
On Tuesday, 3rd of February 2015, Public Health Nurses from the Ministry of Health and Human Services administered more than 100 free flu vaccines to Beaches Turks and Caicos Team Members as a part of the Beaches Turks and Caicos Healthy Living Initiative’s event for this month, “Beat The Flu”.
The 2014-2015 Influenza (flu) season has reach its peak. Seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, however, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
The flu virus travels through the air in droplets when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplet directly, or you can pick up flu germs from an object, and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to keeping the Turks and Caicos healthy and is pleased to announce that the seasonal flu vaccine for adults and children is available at all Government operated Primary Health Care Clinics free of charge.
It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months has a flu vaccine annually. In addition to having a flu vaccine, the Ministry of Health and Human Services recommends the following healthy habits, which can stop the spread of the infection:
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Put your used tissue in a waste basket.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or long enough to sing the birthday song twice.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth (germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth).
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• If you or your child is sick with the flu stay home from work, school or daycare. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, manage your stress, and be physically active.
• Everyday preventive actions can help slow the spread of germs that can cause many different illnesses including the flu.
Ukraine Rebels Attack Local Military HQ
Rocket strikes in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Tuesday hit the headquarters of the military's operation against Russia-backed separatists and residential areas ahead of a key summit aimed at ending the conflict.
President Petro Poroshenko told Ukraine's parliament that rebels launched two salvos targeting Kramatorsk: one trageting the headquarters of the "anti-terrorist operation" in eastern Ukraine, while the second hit residential areas of the city.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Yuri Biryukov wrote on Facebook that two servicemen were killed and nine others injured at the military headquarters.
Donetsk Region Governor Oleksandr Kikhtenko said the rocket attacks on Kramatorsk killed eight civilians and injured 63, including five children and 32 servicemen. The Donetsk regional administration reported that the 32 servicemen were injured when a rocket hit an airfield.
Prior to the attack, Kyiv military spokesmen said at least seven Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the last 24 hours of fighting in the east of the country.
At the front in Vuhlehirsk, a small town captured by rebels last week, volleys of artillery crashed in both directions. The rebels are pushing to encircle government forces holding out in nearby Debaltseve, a strategic rail hub that pro-Russian separatists have been trying to pry from Kyiv forces.
Earlier Tuesday, pro-government forces had reported making gains.
Source-VOA
Niger to send troops to Nigeria
Niger's parliament has voted to send troops to Nigeria to join the fight against militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
The vote took place after Boko Haram attacked a prison and detonated a car bomb on Monday in the town of Diffa, near Niger's border with Nigeria.
MPs said parliament unanimously authorised deploying 750 soldiers with a regional force battling Boko Haram.
The Boko Haram has increasingly drawn in Nigeria's neighbours.
On Saturday Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin agreed to establish a 7,800-strong force to fight the group.
Boko Haram launched its first attacks in Niger last week, and has vowed to create an Islamic state.
Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou, a Muslim, vowed to defeat Boko Haram.
Robots replacing human factory workers at faster pace
Cheaper, better robots will replace human workers in the world's factories at a faster pace over the next decade, pushing manufacturing labour costs down 16 percent, a report Tuesday said.
The Boston Consulting Group predicts that investment in industrial robots will grow 10 percent a year in the world's 25-biggest export nations through 2025, up from 2 percent to 3 percent a year now. The investment will pay off in lower costs and increased efficiency.
Robots will cut labour costs by 33 percent in South Korea, 25 percent in Japan, 24 percent in Canada and 22 percent in the United States and Taiwan. Only 10 percent of jobs that can be automated have already been taken by robots. By 2025, the machines will have more than 23 percent, Boston Consulting forecasts.
Robots are getting cheaper. The cost of owning and operating a robotic spot welder, for instance, has tumbled from $182,000 in 2005 to $133,000 last year, and will drop to $103,000 by 2025, Boston Consulting says.
And the new machines can do more things. Old robots could only operate in predictable environments. The newer ones use improved sensors to react to the unexpected.
In a separate report, RBC Global Asset Management notes that robots can be reprogrammed far faster and more efficiently than humans can be retrained when products are updated or replaced — a crucial advantage at a time when smartphones and other products quickly fade into obsolescence.
"As labour costs rise around the world, it is becoming increasingly critical that manufacturers rapidly take steps to improve their output per worker to stay competitive," said Harold Sirkin, a senior partner at Boston Consulting and co-author of the report. "Companies are finding that advances in robotics and other manufacturing technologies offer some of the best opportunities to sharply improve productivity."
Boston Consulting studied 21 industries in 25 countries last year, interviewing experts and clients and consulting government and industry reports.
The rise of robots won't be limited to developed countries with their aging, high-cost workforces. Even low-wage China will use robots to slash labour costs by 18 percent, Boston consulting predicts.
Increasing automation is likely to change the way companies evaluate where to open and expand factories. Boston Consulting expects that manufacturers will "no longer simply chase cheap labour." Factories will employ fewer people, and those that remain are more likely to be highly skilled. That could lure more manufacturers back to the United States from lower-wage emerging market countries.
Source-AP
Caribbean reports record number of tourists, spending in 2014
A record 26.3 million people travelled to the Caribbean last year and spent an unprecedented amount of money in what is considered the world's most tourism-dependent region, officials said Tuesday.
It is the fifth consecutive year that the Caribbean has reported an increase in tourists following an economic crisis that forced resorts to shut down and caused a drop in visitors and spending.
Hugh Riley, the Caribbean Tourism Organization's secretary general, said Caribbean tourism rose by 5.3 percent, while the worldwide tourism growth rate was 4.7 percent.
Officials attributed the increase in part to improvements at airports around the region, the opening of new hotel chains and an increase in direct flights and airline seat capacity.
The Dutch Caribbean saw the most growth, with Aruba for the first time reporting more than 1 million visitors. The Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica also saw an unprecedented number of visitors. Smaller destinations including Haiti, St Lucia and Belize reported a record number of stay-over arrivals.
A surge in visitors from Canada, the US and Europe helped set those records.
"It tells us that stability is returning to the market," said Richard Sealy, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Tourists overall spent more than $29 billion in the Caribbean last year, an increase of more than $1 billion over the previous year.
The region also welcomed nearly 24 million cruise ship passengers last year, an 8 percent increase, though Winfield Griffith, the organization's research director, said he expected "another shift away from the Caribbean as the cruise lines try to diversity their product" in 2015.
Tourism officials also are keeping an eye on Cuba, with the island expected to attract far more tourists this year as relations between the US and Cuba begin to thaw.
Tourism officials also are keeping an eye on Cuba, with the island expected to attract far more tourists this year as relations between the US and Cuba begin to thaw.
Riley said the organization plans to promote multi-destination travel to ease the potential impact on other islands.
Source-AP
Grammy Awards 2015
Beck and Sam Smith were the biggest winners of the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, which has just been wrapped up. The 44-year-old musician, whose "Morning Phase" was named the Best Rock Album earlier in the day, surprised the crowd at Los Angeles' Staples Center as well as millions of viewers at home when the same effort was unexpectedly announced as the winner for the coveted Best Album of the Year.
Beck won the tough battle against other Best Album contenders that included Beyonce Knowles' self-titled set, Smith's "In the Lonely Hour", Ed Sheeran's "X" and Pharrell Williams' "G I R L". He accepted his award from none other than Prince.
Smith, meanwhile, dominated the winners list as he won four out of six categories he was nominated in. After bagging Best New Artist and Pop Vocal Album, the British sensation nabbed Song of the Year and Record of the Year both for Darkchild's version of "Stay With Me" .
"Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys," Smith said during his acceptance speech.
Despite losing the prestigious Album of the Year to Beck, Pharrell and Beyonce were other stars who scored multiple awards at the event. The former's "Happy" came out as the winner in categories like Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video. Its parent album "G I R L" was named Best Urban Contemporary Album.
The latter's collaboration with Jay-Z, "Drunk in Love" won the Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song titles. Bey additionally grabbed the Best Surrounding Sound Album for her 2013 self-titled set.
Other winners included Miranda Lambert (Best Country Album for "Platinum"), Eminem (Best Rap Album for "MMLP2"), St. Vincent (Best Alternative Music Album for her self-titled album) and Toni Braxton (Best R&B song for "Love, Marriage, & Divorce" with Babyface). The complete winners list is available on Grammys' official website.
Album of the Year: "Morning Phase" - Beck
Record of the Year: "Stay with Me" - Sam Smith (Darkchild Version)
Song of the Year: "Stay with Me" - Sam Smith, James Napier and William Phillips
Best New Artist: Sam Smith
Best Pop Vocal Album: "In the Lonely Hour" - Sam Smith
Best Rock Album: "Morning Phase" - Beck
Best Urban Contemporary Album: "G I R L" - Pharrell Williams
Best Country Album: "Platinum" - Miranda Lambert
Best Dance/Electronic Album: "Syro" - Aphex Twin
Best Alternative Music Album: "St. Vincent" - St. Vincent
Best Rap Album: "MMLP2" - Eminem
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Max Martin
Source-Ace.Showbiz