Major Cabinet Reshuffle in the TCI by Premier Ewing
The New Year brought with it new changes for the elected Government Ministers of the Turks and Caicos Islands, when Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing successfully sought immediate changes to ministerial portfolios and responsibilities.
These changes which will take effect within coming weeks were announced during a Media Briefing held earlier today at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, where the Premier and Ministers explained a two-phased approach to the Cabinet Shuffle. The first phase, which comes into effect as early as January 19, 2015, will see the main swap in portfolios between Premier Ewing and Minister Porsha Stubbs-Smith and Ministers Amanda Missick and George Lightbourne. The second phase slated for April 1, 2015 will see more intricate departmental changes as well as the renaming of actual Ministries.
Premier Ewing, in gaining the approval of His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham last evening to move forward with the proposed changes, made this comment:
“This shuffle is a very positive restructuring of the Ministerial Government and comes at a critical time in our term in office. In the two years already past there have been tremendous wins in each of the Ministries and the efforts of each Minister should be applauded, as their contributions have been impactful and commendable. By swapping ministerial responsibility, we are able to capture a fresh wave of ideas and energy and it is on that momentum that we seek to maintain the pendulum of success.”
Commencing January 19, 2015, the Ministerial portfolios will be as follows:
Office of the Premier and Ministry of Health- Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing
Deputy Premier and Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services-Hon. Akierra M. D. Missick
Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade- Hon. C. Washington Misick
Ministry of Government Support Services- Hon. Amanda Missick
Ministry of Border Control and Labour-Hon. Ricardo D. Gardiner
Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs- Hon. George Lightbourne
Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Heritage- Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith
In anticipation of the upcoming 2015/2016 Budget, the following changes are to take effect on April 1st, 2015.
Office of the Premier, Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services
Minister: Dr. Honourable Rufus Ewing
Permanent Secretary: Wesley Clerveaux
Deputy Secretary: Tamera Robinson
• District Administration
• Agriculture Department
• Dental Department
• Primary Health Care Unit
• National HIV Prevention Unit
• Drug & Mental Health Unit
• National Public Health Laboratory
• Emergency Medical Service (Ambulance)
• Environmental Health Department
Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services
Minister: Honourable Akierra Missick
Permanent Secretary: Cheryl Ann Jones
Deputy Secretary: Russell Cox
• Education Administration – Zone 1
• Education Department – Zone 1
• Education Department – Zone 2
• Education Administration – Zone 2
• Tertiary and Further Education
• Helena J Robinson High School
• Clement Howell High School
• Raymond Gardiner High School
• Marjorie Basden High School
• Youth Department
• Sports Department
• Library Department
Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Culture
Minister: Honourable Porsha Stubbs-Smith
Permanent Secretary: Desiree Lewis
• Gaming Department
• Culture Department
• Protected Areas Department
• DECR & Maritime Department
• Tourist Board
• Turks and Caicos National Trust
Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication
Minister: Honourable George Lightbourne
Permanent Secretary: Ian Astwood
Deputy Secretary: Porsha Clarke
• Road Safety Department
• Prison Service
• Domestic Fire Department
• Social Development & Gender Affairs
• Central Purchasing Unit
• TCIG Publishing Department
• Postal Services
• Radio Turks and Caicos
• Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies
Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning
Minister: Honourable Amanda Missick
Permanent Secretary: Susan Malcolm
Deputy Secretary: Desmond Wilson
• Planning Department
• Public Works Department
• Engineering and Maintenance Services
• Water Undertaking
• Mechanical Services Division
• Project Management Division
• Maintenance Division
• Energy & Utility Department
Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment
Minister: Honourable Washington Misick
Permanent Secretary (Actg.): Shonia Astwood
Deputy Secretary: Arthur Been
• Budget Office
• Strategic Policy & Planning Unit
• Customs Department
• Revenue Control Unit
• Computer Unit
• Exchange of Information Unit
• Investment Unit
• Port Authority
• TCI Airport Authority
• Financial Services Commission
Ministry of Border Control and Employment
Minister: Honourable R. Donhue Gardiner
Permanent Secretary: Clara Gardiner
Deputy Secretary: Sharon Taylor
• Immigration Department
• Employment Services Department
• Registration and Citizenship
• Labour Tribunal
Cabinet was informed that the National Money Laundering Assessment will be completed in June
Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Hon. Anya Williams, chaired the 1st meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 7th January 2015 at the NJS Francis Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
• Noted the draft legislative agenda for the first quarter of 2015 and the time-table for the sitting of the House of Assembly;
• Advised HE. the Governor to approve the commencement of discussions with Hyundai Engineering and Construction Ltd (on a without prejudice basis) following their expression of interest, on the potential for the development of a best-in-class container transhipment port within the Turks and Caicos Islands;
• Received an update from the Attorney General on progress with the Turks and Caicos Islands National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment (NRA). Work on this project commenced in October 2014 with the initial workshop. Recommendations will be presented to policy makers in a further workshop facilitated by World Bank representatives and the final report will be completed by the end of June 2015;
• Confirmed its earlier decision to introduce containerised scanning at seaports in the Turks and Caicos Islands using new technology and requested that the Ports Authority prepare a technical specification to enable publication of an invitation to tender in accordance with the Public Procurement Ordinance 2012;
• Noted the reduction in fuel prices globally and that a corresponding reduction in prices at the fuel pumps across TCI has not been forthcoming. Cabinet requested that the matter be investigated further by the Energy Commissioner;
• Approved a request made by the developers of the Cooper Jack Development to waive royalties associated with the sand mining for maintenance dredging to be carried out in the first phase of dredging in the development. Approval was granted on the basis that it will kick start the development resulting in new employment, new recurring revenue for the Government and other related social and economic benefits and subject to the dredging being carried out within 12 months from the Planning approval for that dredging;
• Congratulated the Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles who was named as the 2014 recipient of the Person of the Year award by the TCI Weekly News;
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
CIBC FirstCaribbean reports $95-million loss
LOAN loss impairments led CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Jamaica Ltd to record a $95-million net loss for its year ending October 2014, according to just released data.
However, it comes within the context of wider losses from the bank's regional parent.
Despite the loss, the local bank continued to reduce its year-end losses which are now roughly one-tenth that of the $927.4-million loss recorded in October 2013. In fact, Chief Executive Rik Parkhill told the Jamaica Observer in a December interview that the bank was returning to profitability on a quarter by quarter basis.
"Jamaica was profitable in the fourth quarter," he said at the New Kingston head office in Jamaica. "We have overcome some of the problems we have had in Jamaica with non-performing loans and are now expanding our retail and corporate business."
Parkhill made the comments following a board meeting but did not disclose the local financials at the time. The financials were subsequently published late December.
The local bank made $4.4 billion in total income compared to $4.2 billion a year earlier while cutting operational expenses by roughly 10 per cent year on year to $4.3 billion. But the bank recorded a $235-million ($870 million in 2013) loan impairment which contributed to its loss.
"Jamaica, for us, is of huge strategic importance because I do not think you can be a successful regional bank without having a significant presence in Jamaica," he added.
The local bank's segment results show that its retail banking recorded a $1.18-billion loss before taxation or flat year-on-year; wholesale banking made a $671-million profit compared with a $436.2-million loss a year earlier; and administration made a $436.5-million profit or 51 per cent more than a year earlier.
Retail banking entails a full range of branch, ABM and Internet banking services for clients. Wholesale banking entails corporate banking, investment banking and client solutions group.
Concurrently, the bank updated its over decade-long legal suit in which a former customer counterclaimed $2 billion. The Business Observer noted that that case was documented and updated annually from at least the 2002 annual report.
Parkhill previously told the Business Observer that CIBC FirstCaribbean Jamaica will spend upwards of US$2 million ($228 million) to build two new branches -- one in Fairview in Montego Bay, and the other in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth.
The move is aimed at increasing the bank's branch network to 15 by summer 2015. The bank will also set up its wealth management arm in Jamaica, which follows steps taken recently in the Cayman Islands and The Bahamas. The new initiatives are aimed at expanding CIBC's retail and corporate customer base.
The overall CIBC FirstCaribbean group, which operates throughout the region, posted a loss of US$151 million for its year ending October 2014. This is based largely on retail non-performing mortgages in The Bahamas and the bank's steps to limit its future impact. As such, the bank made an impairment of US$206 million, its highest in at least five years, in addition to a one-off US$116 million loss of intangible assets.
Source- Jamaica Observer
The charger that boosts cellphone batteries in seconds
A Samsung smartphone has just been recharged from being nearly out-of-juice to full capacity in less time than it takes to boil a kettle.
The Israeli start-up behind the demo, Storedot, has shown off a similar feat before.
But a previous demo posted online eight months ago involved a battery many times thicker than the handset itself as well as an outsized charger - making the tech impractical for real-world use.
This time round the phone involved is no bigger than normal, and the charging dock is pretty slim-line as well.
There's a couple of trade-offs involved, but being able to recharge devices about 100 times faster than at present has the potential to revolutionise the way we use mobile phones, tablets, laptops and wearable tech.
The BBC is the first to have been shown the new kit, apart from tech industry executives who had to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Leo Kelion Technology desk editor, Las Vegas
Source-BBC
Brent Crude oil price dips below $50 a barrel
The price of Brent crude oil has fallen below $50 a barrel for the first time since May 2009.
It fell more than a dollar to $49.92 a barrel in early trading on Wednesday before edging back above the $50 mark.
Slowing global growth and increased supply of oil and gas have pushed prices sharply lower in recent weeks.
The price of oil traded in the United States, known as West Texas Intermediate crude, has already fallen below $50.
Many observers expect the price of oil to fall further as North American shale producers continue to supply increasing quantities of oil and gas, and the oil-producing group Opec resists calls for cuts in production to support prices.
"With no sign that Opec will do anything about over-production, it seems likely that we could well see further declines towards $40 in the coming weeks," said CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson.
Oil industry insiders tell me they think it will be a year or two until prices return to around $80 - $90 per barrel.
A senior oil executive thinks Brent crude will drop to $45 per barrel, while an engineer suggested it could drop further.
Despite this, the Saudi King used a speech, delivered by the Crown Prince on Tuesday, to again insist the oil giant will not cut production, despite themselves having to decrease discounts to Asian customers as the low prices bite.
There are other signs Saudi Arabia may be feeling the pinch a little too hard, despite its large foreign reserves and cheap production costs.
The Kingdom's main oil company has suspended a major clean fuels plant and several new rigs.
Gulf economies are now budgeting for an assumed oil price of around $60 a barrel this year but insist that they will continue spending regardless, to build and diversify their economies, incurring a deficit if needs be.
Iraq however is suffering badly. With major security challenges there, they are already budgeting for a huge deficit.
Analysis by Mark Lobel, BBC business reporter, Dubai
Source-BBC
Barcelona president says striker Lionel Messi is 'happy'
Lionel Messi is happy at Barcelona and will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in 2018, says president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Reports in Spain suggest that La Liga's all-time record goalscorer, 27, is unhappy under coach Luis Enrique.
But Bartomeu said: "Messi has a contract until 2018, he is happy with the club and wants to win more titles.
"There is nothing to panic about in that regard. Messi is the central figure. The team is built around him."
He added: "The whole footballing world knows that Barca don't want to sell Messi. For me he is the best player in the world."
Messi started on the bench as Barcelona lost to Real Sociedad at the weekend.
The defeat meant they remained second in the La Liga table, a point behind fierce rivals Real Madrid.
In November, Enrique insisted Messi was "delighted" to be at Barca after reports linked the Argentine with a move away from the Nou Camp.
Talk of a transfer has resurfaced in recent days, with rumours Messi could be interested in a move to English Premier League side Chelsea.
Catalan radio has claimed that the London club has contacted Messi's father and agent Jorge.
But Bartomeu told a news conference: "These news stories are created to try to damage FC Barcelona. They are written with the intention of creating conflicts where conflict does not exist.
Man Utd to sign former Barcelona goalkeeper
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has accepted an offer to join Manchester United.
The Spain international, who has been training with United in his bid to recover from a serious knee injury, has agreed an 18-month contract.
Valdes, 32, won six La Liga and three Champions League titles with Barcelona, before leaving at the end of last season when his contract expired.
The deal could lead to reserve keeper Anders Lindegaard leaving Old Trafford.
It also poses a question about the future of 24-year-old first-choice goalkeeper David De Gea, who was the club's player of the year last season and has excelled again this term.
His contract is due to expire in 2016, although senior United sources have said they were relaxed about him signing an extension to that deal.
Source-BBC
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali released from hospital
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been released from a hospital after being admitted last month with a severe urinary tract infection.
The three-time world heavyweight champion, a cultural icon, is back home after being discharged on Tuesday night, a family spokesman said.
Bob Gunnell said the 72-year-old had made a full recovery and his family thanked everyone for their support.
Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, after quitting boxing.
He appeared in public at a ceremony in September in his hometown of Louisville for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards.
The name of the hospital where Ali was treated has not been disclosed.
Source-BBC
OPPOSITION SERIOUSLY CONCERNED OVER HIGH COST OF FUEL STILL
Leader of the Opposition the Honorable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson voiced her concerns today over the high cost of fuel impacting Turks & Caicos Islanders.
The Leader in her release states the following:
With the steady plummeting of the price of fuel over recent months and today’s release that the price of oil has fallen below $50 a barrel for the first time since 2009, we are concerned that we are not experiencing or seeing a significant savings or reduction in costs at the pumps and also in the provision of electricity.
While we understand the multi - port handling and the cost of transportation to the islands, we are certain that the price should have been positively impacted by now. In the absence of large storage facilities, the lowered costs should have by now been reflected and passed on to the consumer. And so, we believe that there should have been significant reductions in fuel costs by now.
There is no doubt that the cost of fuel which includes the government’s tax of $1.00 per gallon contributes to the high cost of living and doing business in these islands. There can only be significant benefit to our country’s economy if the providers would pass on their savings.
Nonetheless, we are publicly calling on merchants to share their savings with the customers. This can only help the economy which in turn will benefit us all.
The Opposition will continue to visit these merchants this week in an effort to make representations in this area.
Two linked to the TCI sworn in as Counsel & Cabinet Minister in the Bahamas
Among the new Bahamas Cabinet Ministers and Queen’s Counsels sworn in were two with links to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Hon. Arnold A. Forbes, Member of Parliament for Mount Moriah, was announced yesterday as the new Minister of State in the Ministry of Works & Urban Development as of Monday January 12. Forbes, who served as the Chairman of BAIC or the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, has ties to Grand Turk.
The other, son of the South Caicos soil, attorney at law based in Freeport, Grand Bahama: Maurice Glinton. Glinton, was among the eleven named as now Queen’s Counsel attorneys by the PM of the Bahamas and sanctioned by the Governor General, Her Excellency Marguerite Pindling.
Source-Magnetic Media