Bahamas govt modifies position on gaming industry
The Bahamas government says it is “unable to ignore” the nuances that came to light when the island held a referendum on gaming in 2013 as it announced measures to modify its position on regulating the gaming industry.
Prime Minister Perry Christie said as a result, his administration has decided to proceed with the regularisation of the industry despite the results of the referendum.
“My position and that of my government on the regularisation of web shop gaming has evolved as a result of certain realities which have emerged,” he told legislators.
“While I originally took the position to abide by the outcome of the referendum on this issue, there are certain realities which have come to light following the referendum which I cannot as Prime Minister ignore,”said Christie.
Christie said that he held discussions with various stakeholders including bankers, advisors, Cabinet colleagues and others to ensure that the government was on the right track with its decision.
“As a result of these consultations and in order to preserve and protect the national interest. I took the decision that despite the outcome of the referendum, the right thing to do in the circumstances is to regulate web shop gaming.”
Christie said the government would proceed with the debate of a comprehensive Gaming Bill designed to update casino gaming legislation in order to bring it in line with competing jurisdictions.
Asafa to run in France before CAS hearing
Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell will run in France on July 5, days before his doping hearing at sport’s highest court. The organisers of the Paris Diamond League meeting confirmed his participation yesterday.
Powell is free to compete pending the outcome of his doping appeal.
A former world recordholder in the 100 metres, Powell tested positive for oxilofrine in the Jamaica trials a year ago. Powell appealed the 18- month suspension imposed by Jamaica anti-doping authorities, asking the Court of Arbitration for Sport to cut the sanction to three months.
The CAS hearing is set for July 7-8. Former world champion Tyson Gay is also returning from a one-year doping ban to compete in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 3. The American sprinter will then run at the Montreuil meet on July 7.
New Turtle and Conch Regulations take Effect 1 July 2014
The Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) is advising the public that as of 1 July 2014, new regulations for turtle and conch under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance will take effect. The regulations include the following restrictions on the taking of turtles:
· A closed season for Hawksbill turtles from 1 August to 31 March (inclusive). During the closed season it will be unlawful to take, purchase or possess hawksbill turtles or hawksbill turtle products.
· A legal size limit of 18 inches (minimum) and 24 inches (maximum) for green and hawksbill turtles. It will be unlawful to possess green or hawksbill turtles larger than 24 inches or smaller than 18 inches.
· A permanent closure on the taking of Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley turtles. As of 1 July 2014 it will be unlawful to take or fish for any of these species.
· A ban on the export of all turtles and turtle products, except for scientific purposes. No turtle products shall be exported from TCI.
· A ban on the keeping of turtles in captivity. As of 1 July it will be unlawful to keep any turtles in captivity, unless such captivity is necessary to rescue, rehabilitate or preserve the life of the turtle.
· A prohibition against processing turtles at sea. All turtles will need to be landed live and in whole condition after being taken and only processed where it is to be sold, processed or used for personal consumption.
In addition to the above turtle regulations, as of July 1, 2014, it will become lawful to export conch shells, conch jewellery, conch pearls or craft products made of conch shells during the closed season for conch. This regulation will allow such products to be exported for non-commercial or personal use only.
Drivers License for North & Middle Caicos
The Traffic Department in the Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs is pleased to inform the residents of North and Middle Caicos that commencing Friday June 20, 2014, Driver’s License Applications and Renewals will be conveniently processed at the District Commissioner’s Office located in Bottle Creek, North Caicos.
Prior to today’s announcement, residents in these family islands were forced to travel to Providenciales or the capital of Grand Turk in efforts to remain compliant with Road Safety Regulations, but the Government, under the Progressive National Party Administration saw the need to extend these services to those islands, instead.
Hon. Amanda Missick, Minister of Environment and Home Affairs commented:
“I am happy that we were able to overcome the IT-related challenges that essentially delayed this move and that, residents of North and Middle Caicos can finally renew and apply for Driver’s Licenses conveniently, and within their own community.
“Accessibility to essential Government services, such as this, is critical to improving the lives of our people and we, the Government, will continue to re-establish essential services to the residents of our family islands as a part of our national agenda for the advancement of our people and the sustainable re-development of a Turks and Caicos Islands, that we all can be proud of.”
The general public is hereby reminded that Driver’s Licenses are renewable every four years on the anniversary of the holder’s date of birth and that it is an offence to drive or operate a motor vehicle without a valid document.
Residents in North and Middle Caicos are encouraged to visit the District Commissioner’s Office between the hours of 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday, to take advantage of these services.
Turks And Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission announces new rates
On Friday June 20th the Turks and Caicos Telecommunications Commission released their Telecommunications Decision 2014-4 which establishes a new “Interconnection Rate” plan regulating the wholesale rate that Lime, Digicel and IslandCom Communications will be allowed to charge each other for terminating mobile and fixed telecommunications services over the course of the next three years. The Commission has recommended to Cabinet that regulations be amended to introduce the planned new rates. The new rates are expected to come into effect on July 1, 2014.
Interconnection Rates, which are subject to regulation in many Caribbean as well as other countries, are the rates carriers charge each other for terminating telecommunication services on their respective networks.
Under the plan established by the Commission, the maximum permitted rate for mobile call termination will be reduced, in a graduated manner, from the current level of US $0.0850 per minute to US $0.0750 per minute after July 1, 2014, to US $0.0675 per minute after March 31, 2015 (in each case, adjusted on a pro rata basis for units of less than a minute).
Fixed call termination will be reduced, in a graduated manner, from the current level of US $0.0300 per minute to US $0.0220 per minute after July 1, 2014, to US $0.0195 per minute after March 31, 2015, and to US $0.0170 per minute after March 31, 2016 (in each case, adjusted on a pro rata basis for units of less than a minute).
Transit call termination will be reduced, in a graduated manner, from the current level of US $0.0150 per minute to US $0.0110 per minute after July 1, 2014, to US $0.00975 per minute after March 31, 2015, and to US $0.0085 per minute after March 31, 2016 (in each case, adjusted on a pro rata basis for units of less than a minute).
The reduction in the Interconnection Rates is in harmony with world trends in the telecommunications industry and will foster stronger competition among the carriers. It should also result in lower prices for calls across local telecommunications networks.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. Heather Allen, stated that: “We are very pleased that the Commission was able to continue with pricing reforms that will benefit all Turks and Caicos Islanders, and in these difficult economic times, provide some relief from price increases that are hitting so many essential services. The Chairman added: “The Commission will continue to strive to motivate improvements in services from the telecom sector, and to press the operators to ensure that TCI leads in the region in terms of the availability of state-of-the-art new digital communications services demanded by consumers and businesses as well as by global visitors and businesses seeking to invest in our country.”
The Turks and Caicos Telecommunications Commission is responsible for regulating the telecommunications operators in Turks & Caicos Islands, as set out in the Telecommunications Ordinance of 2004. The Commission is charged with maintaining effective and fair competition in the telecom sector
Copies of the decision can be obtained from the Commission’s office or can be downloaded from its website at http://www.telecommission.tc.
FIRST FEMALE CHIEF JUSTICE FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission to appoint Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale as the next Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands it was announced today, Thursday 19 June 2014.
Ramsay-Hale was previously appointed as Puisne Judge to the Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court in November 2011. She was appointed to the Bench in Jamaica in 1995, and was first admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law in Jamaica in 1991.
The Commission has accepted the current Chief Justice Edwin Goldsbrough's offer to stay on in TCI for a few months while a successor to Ramsey Hale is found.
Commenting on the appointment the Governor said:
"I have offered this position to Justice Ramsay-Hale this week, and I am very pleased that she has accepted it. I am certain that she will bring a great deal of energy as well as professional wisdom and experience to this very important job in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
"I would also like to pay tribute to the work of current Chief Justice Goldsborough. He has over-seen the judicial process at a difficult and demanding time for the country, and Turks and Caicos has benefitted greatly from his contribution."
Justice Ramsay-Hale will assume her new position later this year.
The Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission is Justice Lensley Wolfe; its other members are Sir David Simmons and Sir Brian Alleyne.
Minister of Government Support Services off to Barbados
Hon. George Lightbourne, Minister of Government Support Services, left for Barbaos on Wednesday 25th June to attend the 5th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to be held on the 26th and 27th. 2014.
The meeting will facilitate discussions among participating member states for continued strengthening in disaster and emergency preparations, and the need to have adequate and relevant policies, guidelines, contingency plans, systems and other resources to mitigate or eliminate, as far as practical, the immediate consequence of disasters in Participating States.
Minister Lightbourne expressed the importance the Turks and Caicos Islands being a part of this forum. “The Ministry of Government Support Services remains committed to disaster and emergency preparedness here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I look forward to being at this meeting, which is an icon for the continued strengthening of ties with our regional partners, and by extension global partners.”
Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), is accompanying the Minister.
JAK releases new single on RTC Radio
TCI's most prolific artist Jack Nasty released his first major single to be distributed worldwide.
The artist used RTC's very own morning jock, Donna 'the Stunna', earlier today to debut this hot Alternative/Soca Track.
The single was produced by platinum and Grammy Winning producer AJ Parhm jr who is well known in the music industry for producing for the likes of Usher, Justin Beiber and he also produced last year's World Cup Song for Pepsi featuring Akon and Keri Hilson.
Jack Nasty spoke exclusively with RTC and told us that both he and AJ plan on working on a full project along with some major players in the industry, and when asked specifically if the he was signed to a record deal, Jack told RTC to expect some very positive news in the near by future.
RTC E has heard through the rumour mill, that the artist has signed a major deal which could result in major promotions for the TCI entertainment industry and foster new possibilities in marketing strategies for the TCI tourism.
Jack came onto the music scene in 2003 with his hit single, 'Kick, Drop and Wine,' to which he shot the first ever music video by a solo recording artist from the TC.
Since then Jack has been very consistent with his music which includes songs like "money for the Nino", "Black Crabs" and "over back ninja" which continue to be heard across the TCI airwaves.
We at RTC wish Jack nothing but the best with his career endeavors.
Ministry of Education highlights Graduation, Services & Presetations
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services cordially invites the general public to the Valedictory Services, and Graduation & Prize Giving ceremonies for students completing public primary and high schools in the country. The schedule for the various ceremonies throughout the islands is listed below.
1.High Schools- Valedictory Services - Sunday June 29th 2014: Grand Turk - HJ Robinson-Salem Baptist Church 3:00 p.m.- Speaker: Rev. Mark Christmas
South Caicos -Marjorie Basden -New Testament Church of God-3:30 p.m. Speaker: Bishop Clayton Harris.
North Caicos -Raymond Gardiner-Church of God of Prophecy 3:00 p.m. Speaker: Pastor A. Banzie
Providenciales-Clement Howell-Paradise Baptist Church 3:30 p.m. Speaker: Pastor Pedro Williams
High Schools Graduation Ceremonies
Monday, 30th June 2014HJ Robinson -Yellow-man & Son's Auditorium, 6:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Angela Musgrove
Theme: Unlocking Our Potential, Creating a Path that Leads to Success
Tuesday, 1st July 2014-Marjorie Basden -South Caicos Community Centre, 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mr. Nixon Dickenson
Theme: We Design Our Future through the Power of Choice.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014 Raymond Gardiner - Horse Stable Beach 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Ruth Forbes, theme: We've Only Just Begun.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014 Clement Howell -Williams Auditorium,5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Ms. Anya Malcolm
Theme: Celebrate your Achievements; Embrace your Dreams
2. Primary Schools Prize-Giving Ceremonies
Theme: Recognizing Achievement – Promoting Excellence
Monday, 30th 2014-Grand Turk- H. J. Robinson High Auditorium 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, 1st July 2014- South Caicos -Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014-North Caicos & Middle -Horse Stable Beach 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014- Providenciales -Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex 10 a.m.
Mary Fulford wins Miss Teen Summa Jam
The Organizers of the popular annual Grand Turk festival T I Summajam continued last night, Thursday, June 26th, at the library Tennis Court where contestants took part in the Miss Teen Grand Turk.
3rd runner up was Makayla Tucker wearing the sash of Cash Wiz TCI, 2nd runner up was Royshana Robinson of Herzog Construction, 1st runner up was Shaniqua Wolfe wearing the sash of GQ Car Rentals & Sales & taking home the grand prize was Mary Fulford proudly donning the sash of TCI Lotto games.
However this evening, the Miss Grand Turk 2014 Pageants will take to the runway where they will be vying for the coveted crown:
Miss Grand Turk Pageant
Contestants: Sponsors:
Colea Coalbrooke Other People’s Affairs
Delricia Wilson Grand Turk Liquors
Raynell Smith Paradise Events
Dixie Smith Osprey Beach Hotel
Kathia Rock E and R Supermarket
Wadeline Filsaime Wally’s Restaurant
Olivia Smith Margaritaville
Bethsada Jean Faboutique Fashions
The festival will commence at 8:00 p.m. this evening.