Jason Derulo for Sumfest International Night I
American singer-songwriter Jason Derulo will make his Jamaican debut at Reggae Sumfest’s International Night I on Friday, July 18.
The annual week-long festival is scheduled for Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay, St James, from Sunday, July 13 to Saturday, July 19.
Derulo, whose parents are from Haiti, has been in the music business since age 16. He started his career as a producer and writer for acts such as Danity Kane, Sean Kingston, Lil Wayne, Cassidy, Iyaz and Lady Gaga.
As a singer, he is known for hits such as Talk Dirty, Ridin Solo, In My Head, and Whatcha Say.
Neil Young gig in Israel pulled amid security fears
The veteran rock singer, Neil Young, has cancelled a concert in Israel amid fears it could be targeted by Palestinian militants.
Hundreds of rockets have been fired into Israel from neighbouring Gaza in the last week with Israel carrying out a number of air strikes.
Tel Aviv police said the cancellation was because of the security risks.
A spokesman for the Canadian singer said the show was pulled "with heavy hearts and deep sadness".
In a statement on music website Pitchfork, Young's spokesman said the concert could not go ahead "due to tensions which have rendered the event unsafe at this time".
It added that Young would miss the opportunity to play for his fans and looked forward "to playing in Israel and Palestine in peace."
About 30,000 tickets had been sold for the concert, which was scheduled to go ahead on 17 July in a Tel Aviv park.
It would have been the first time Neil Young, and his band, Crazy Horse, have performed in Israel since the 1990s.
Palestinian officials say 172 people in Gaza have been killed since Israel launched Operation Protective Edge against Palestinian militants last Tuesday.
Israel says nearly 1,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza in that time.
Young himself issued a statement saying he would "be making donations to both the Louise & Tillie Alpert Youth Music Centre of Israel, and Heartbeat, two organizations that teach music to Palestinian and Israeli youth simultaneously by enabling them to play music together".
Source-BBC
Quality Kings advance to the final
In cricket, Quality Super Kings advanced to the finals as they demoralize Jam Turks when the TCIC T20 Cricket Competition continued on Sunday 13th of July 2014 at Downtown Ball Park in Providenciales.
Batting first, after being inserted by Jam Turk, Quality Super Kings scored 142 runs for 6 wickets from 20 overs.
The top score came from Captain Ebbon Caesar with 38 runs, which consisted of 7x4 while Naga Khuthlingham chipped in 22 runs, consisting of 4x4’s.
Bowling for Jam Turk Ian Heath took 2 wickets for 22 runs from 4 overs and Robert Johnson had 2 wickets from 29 runs from 4 overs.
When Jam Turk batted they were skittle out for a paltry 38 runs, being the lowest score of the competition. Bowling for Quality Super Kings Winck Caleb snatched 4 wickets for 9 runs from 2.5 overs and Sheldon Henry captured 3 wickets for 4 runs from 2 overs. Walter Henry took 2 wickets from 18 runs from 2 overs.
Man of the match was Winck Caleb
TCI Hotel Executive Elected to CHTA Board
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) elected a new slate of officers at its Annual General Meeting held in Miami early this month and for the first time one of TCI's top hotel executives was elected to serve the membership of CHTA for the 2014-16 biennium.
Regent Palms' General Manger Karen Whitt and TCHTA's Board Member was appointed 3rd Vice President and will work closely with the regional body in order to take a much stronger and more visible position on matters of regional concern such as the need for affordable airlift, the impact of climate change and sustainability.
Commenting on the recent appointment, TCHTA's Executive Director Stacy Cox noted, Karen's commitment and dedication as a TCHTA Director and TCI hotel executive will no doubt be mirrored in her new role as CHTA's 3rd Vice President. “Her election to this Board will give us a greater voice as we address challenges faced, challenges which many of our regional counterparts also face and her presence no doubt will provide TCI greater visibility and input in the development of tourism in the Caribbean region," said Ms. Cox.
CHTA's new officers include:
- President - Emil Lee, General Manager, Princes Heights Hotel, St. Maarten
- 1st Vice President -Karolin Troubetzkoy, President, St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association and owner and executive director of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia
- 2nd Vice President - Stuart Bowe , president, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association and senior vice president and general manager of Coral Towers at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
- 3rd Vice President - Karen Whitt, director, Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association and general manager, Regent Palms Turks & Caicos
- 4th Vice President - Patricia Affonso Dass, immediate past president, Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association and general manager of Ocean Two Resort & Residences, Barbados
- 5th Vice President - William "Bill" Clegg, regional vice president, Franchise Service and Programs for Choice Hotels International
Treasurer - James Hepple, president and CEO, Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association
Court Rulings on NIB Matters Held July 9th & 10th 2014, Providenciales
The NIB had several matters dealt with in the Magistrate’s Court, Providenciales this week – the majority of them have been postponed.
On Wednesday July 9th 2014 Secretary for Caicos Beach Club Resort Ltd. Mr. A.C. Durham and Caicos Beach Club Resort Ltd. appeared in the South Caicos Magistrates Court to answer to complaints filed by the National Insurance Board for failing to pay NIB contributions and additional charges as an employer in the amount of $39,824.71. Legal Assistant John Ewing appeared and represented NIB in the matter. An agreement was reached to pay NIB the amount of $5000.00 by Monday July 14th 2014 and thereafter, $5000.00 at the end of each month until the full amount is extinguished.
Legal Assistant John Ewing appeared on behalf of the National Insurance Board.
On Tuesday July 8th 2014, McAllister Hanchell of Al’s Services appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to complaints file by the National Insurance Board for failing to pay NIB contributions and additional charges as an employer in the amount of $15,264.67. The matter was adjourned for September 4th 2014 pending settlement.
On Tuesday July 8th 2014, Wayne Jackson of TCIPS Foundation was scheduled to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to complaints filed by the National Insurance Board for failing to pay NIB contributions and additional charges as an employer in the amount of $14,538.98. Legal Assistant John Ewing appeared and represented NIB in the matter the defendant failed to appear resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest. The matter was adjourned for Tuesday July 15th 2014.
On Wednesday July 9th 2014 Secretary for Caicos Beach Club Resort Ltd. Mr. A.C. Durham and Caicos Beach Club Resort Ltd. appeared in the South Caicos Magistrates Court to answer to complaints filed by the National Insurance Board for failing to pay NIB contributions and additional charges as an employer in the amount of $39,824.71. Legal Assistant John Ewing appeared and represented NIB in the matter. An agreement was reached to pay NIB the amount of $5000.00 by Monday July 14th 2014 and thereafter, $5000.00 at the end of each month until the full amount is extinguished.
Legal Assistant John Ewing appeared on behalf of the National Insurance Board.
Wednesday July 9, 2014
NIB v Caribbean Security Services Ltd, Marc Bernier and Kerlin Smith for failing to pay national insurance contributions and additional charges in the amount of US $201, 789.68 for the period June 2012 to May 2013. Mr. Smith was the only defendant present. After submissions by the attorneys for both parties Mr. Smith accepted responsibility for payment of the debt and asked that he be given time to work out a settlement agreement with the NIB. The matter was then adjourned to August 7, 2014 to give Mr. Smith an opportunity to work out a settlement agreement with the NIB. Legal Counsel Mr. Leroy Tull represented the NIB in this matter.
NIB v Norma Goodridge on an application for judgment summons in the amount of US $23,200.00. Mrs. Goodridge was not present and the matter was adjourned to August 7, 2014 at 10:00am for a means hearing.
NIB v Romeo Rondell Higgs for failing to pay national insurance contributions and additional charges in the amount of US $12, 519.63 for the period July 2012 to June 2013. Mr. Higgs did not appear and is re-summoned for court on August 7, 2014 at 10:00am.
Thursday July 10, 2014
The part-heard trial of the matter NIB v Security Centre Ltd, Rhynie Campbell and Marc Bernier for failing to pay contributions and additional charges in the amount of US $320,028.63 continued in Magistrate’s Court # 2. Mr. Campbell was cross-examined by in-house attorney at law, Mr. Leroy Tull for the NIB and re-examined by his attorney Mr. Melbourne Wilson. The matter has been adjourned to September 24, 2014 at 9:00am for closing submissions by the attorneys representing both parties.
Legal Officer Leroy Tull appeared on behalf of the NIB.
Boosting schools’ IT’s and literacy skills through fishing and beaches” – the Governor’s latest FCO blog
His Excellency, Governor Peter Beckingham labled his most recent FCO blog from the TCI, “Boosting schools’ IT’s and literacy skills through fishing and beaches,” where he after experiencing his first Grand Turk Fishing Tournament. The Governor said he had heard that the Tournament was a big event for the island, but had not expected the crowds it drew to Governor’s Beach right next to his residential home towards the end of last month.
He noted the Tournament which was arranged by a group of volunteers who in the months before approached numerous companies and organisations to sponsor the event, far outnumbered the visitors from the cruise ships who regularly stroll along the beach.
He said no one has yet explained to him why the auction is called the Calcutta – which to his mind, was the British name for a very big city in India.
Apart from the attractive prize money for the winners of the heaviest fish in a number of categories all the proceeds went for a bank of computers to the H J Robinson High School.
The Tournament’s organisers raised a huge $20,000 dollars for the school, which included the money raised from auctioning the fish caught in the two days, generously given by each of the crews, and the support of many sponsors.
With the biggest fish going for over 200 dollars, and many more reaching healthy sums, the atmosphere in the auction tent was competitive but friendly.
The Fishing Tournament only restarted last year after a gap of some years, and is a great event for the island and Turks and Caicos.
Gov Beckingham shared on his FCO blog that the volunteers who got it going again deserved the well-earned rest after giving hours and days of time to encouraging so many participants.
“Like all successful events their problem will be that everyone who took part will be anticipating an even bigger party next year!
In the meantime he credited another group, sponsored by the major Beaches resorts in Providenciales, who did their bit to support education in Turks and Caicos.
Gov Beckingham said he met with Butch Stewart, the founder of Beaches, recently in Grand Turk, who told him of the work of his Foundation to help promote literacy within local schools.
The Foundation is also organising a “Pack for a Purpose” Programme, which is encouraging guests travelling to Beaches TCI to bring along supplies to adopted schools, and arranging weekly Reading Road Trips to boost literacy at schools.
“It’s another great illustration of community and business support for the children who represent the future hopes of our islands,” his Excellency said.
It’s is wonderful how you and your wife attend all the functions around the TCI and it’s nice to know that we got your support, thank your Excellency!! Is how one person responded to the Governor’s FCO blog.
Emancipation Day 2014
Emancipation Day is celebrated annually on August 1st, but will be observed as a Public Holiday throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday, August 4th, 2014.
The Department of Culture under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Heritage today announced plans for the observance of Emancipation Day.
Emancipation Day is celebrated annually on August 1st, but will be observed as a Public Holiday throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday, August 4th, 2014.
Commemoration of Emancipation Day will begin with an Ecumenical Service at the Methodist Church in Grand Turk on Sunday, August 3rd, 2014 at 3:30pm. Officiating will be the Rev. Mark Christmas, with Guest Speaker, Father Bernard Been.
Government officials scheduled to bring remarks include H.E. Governor, Peter Beckingham, the Acting Premier and (Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson,) the Opposition Leader; with performances by the All Male Choir, Ms. Dixie Smith, Mr. Dudley Been, Mr. Newman Moore and Ms. Ludwina Fulford.
Organizers have put together an Emancipation Day, Family Beach party will take place on Monday, August 4th, 2014 at the Governor’s Beach at 2:00pm where the entire family can enjoy and participate in the cultural games and be entertained by the fabulous Band Boys & DJ, L32. Vendors will also be on hand to provide food and refreshments.
The entire community of Grand Turk is invited to attend these momentous occasions as the country celebrates its history and freedom.
The Bahamas’ Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell champions the cause of TCI at 35th Regular Meeting of Caricom
Restrictions imposed on the government of Turks and Caicos by the British, was one of the issues tabled at the 35th Regular Meeting of Caricom last week, by The Bahamas’ Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell said the Bahamas made representations for the timely resolution of two constitutional matters: the controversial Dominican Republic ruling that has led to the de-nationalisation of persons of Haitian descent and British restrictions imposed on the government of Turks and Caicos.
“As the lead country and spokesperson for the Turks and Caicos within CARICOM, we just updated colleagues on the status of things between the British government and Turks and Caicos. Right now, the complaint is that the constitutional restrictions imposed are choking off the ability of the (Turks and Caicos) government to invest in social projects,” said Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell drew an example where the country needs a high school and is unable to do so because it does not have the fiscal space.
“Our view is that there be a return to full democracy in the Turks and Caicos and the only thing that should be reserved to British government, is defense and foreign affairs,” Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mitchell at CARICOM’s 35th Regular meeting, stated his country’s position on marijuana, noting that it remains unchanged, despite the regional bid to further studies on its medicinal use, with no further consideration on legalization.
He made the comments following CARICOM’s decision to establish a commission to research the social, economic, health and legal issues related to the regional use of the plant.
Mr. Mitchell said: “The question of marijuana hasn’t been advanced. The commission is not meant to deal with legalization, but whether or not (marijuana) has medicinal uses, the issue is to be studied,” he said.
Jamaica announced last month plans to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana through amendments to its Dangerous Drugs Act.
More than 40 countries are now considering changes to legislation against the plant for medicinal or recreational use with notable efforts, including Uruguay’s sweeping legalisation in December, and booming medicinal and recreational industries.
UK warship supports Turks and Caicos during hurricane season
Royal Navy warship HMS Argyll will visit Grand Turk this weekend in a practical demonstration of the UK's support to its six Caribbean Overseas Territories (UKOTs), 12-14 July 2014.
The main purpose of her visit is to strengthen relationships with Turks and Caicos disaster management and recovery officials (DDME), especially in relation to improving crisis communications.
The visit builds on previous meetings between the Royal Navy and Turks and Caicos Government, and disaster management representatives from the other UKOTs, ahead of the Atlantic Hurricane Season in Miami in May.
During her visit Argyll's 191 crew will meet a range of Turks and Caicos Government Officials and provide an aerial reconnaissance of the islands for the Deputy Governor, DDME officials and personnel from the ship, as part of their planning work.
The crew also hope to carry out a community project, helping with the ongoing refurbishment of the Crabtree Corner family park, and there are plans for them to take on local teams at basketball, football and golf when in Grand Turk.
HMS Argyll is in the Caribbean region as part of the Royal Navy's Atlantic Patrol Task (North). This provides a UK a maritime presence in the region all year round. During Hurricane season the ships are on standby to provide humanitarian support to the six UKOTs in the region throughout the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane season: Anguilla, Bermuda, BVI, Cayman, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
During her time in the Caribbean, Argyll will also work with other regional navies and coastguards to combat illegal activities on the high seas.
Lebron “King” James soaking up TCI sun
It couldn’t have gotten any better for Basketball superstar, the Miami Heat’s Lebron “King” James who took a well-deserved vacation after the grueling NBA competition, and guess where he chose to get away from paparazzi and unwind - right here in the beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
While in the TCI, Lebron James, who stayed at the upscale, exclusive, Amanyara Resort in Providenciales, participated in a number of activities, including the popular bone fishing tournament.
TCI Sun newspaper had a photo op with the Heat legend, who took time from his fun in the sun to meet with the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Dr. Rufus Ewing, who presented a keepsake from the TCI to James, who is regarded as the greatest basketball player in the NBA today.
The presentation took place on the tarmac of the Provo Air Centre in Provo.
Source-TCI Sun