PREMIER EWING MET WITH SEVERAL KEY STAKEHOLDERS WHILE ATTENDING THE SIDS CONFERENCE IN NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Premier Ewing, during his time in Nassau, Bahamas this week, as he attended a two-day Conference for Small Island Developing States, also took the time to meet with key stakeholders in the Government of The Bahamas on critical issues facing the Turks and Caicos Islands.
As a follow-up to recommendations made following the fact-finding mission that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Hon. Fred Mitchell led, under the direction of the Caricom Heads of Government, to the Turks and Caicos Islands in June 2013, on the state of governance, the judiciary system and the economic and social systems imposed during the interim administration under direct rule and subsequent to the return to internal self-government, Premier Ewing met with the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Perry Christie to discuss the progress made in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the past year.
The critical areas of focus were the depth of control still maintained by the UK Government over the financial management of the Government’s operations, SIPT and its’ funding and the challenges faced to fund educational, health and other social programs desperately needed for the sustainable development of the economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
During this unilateral meeting of heads, the very serious matter of illegal immigration was also discuss, in an effort to gain The Bahamas’ support for forging a partnership among the two countries, to tackle the very critical issue of illegal immigration through the improved protection of our borders.
Like the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas has long since suffered from the tides of illegal migrants penetrating their borders to escape the hardships of Haiti. Together, the Governments will aim to thwart the arrival of suspect vessels in our waters thereby eliminating, or at the very least, greatly reducing the high costs of repatriation.
Premier Ewing was also invited to meet with the Management and Staff of Pan America Health Organization (PAHO). This meeting saw the reaffirmation of the relationship that PAHO and the Turks and Caicos Islands has and PAHO’s recommitment to providing its continued support. The support of PAHO over the years has been instrumental in the facilitation of vaccines and other programs for the prevention of communicable diseases.
Key experts, also attending the Small Island Developing States Conference also took the opportunity to conduct break-out meetings with Premier Ewing, on the areas of sustainable development of small and medium enterprise sector (SME), renewable alternative energy and national trust activities.
FIRST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER APPOINTED AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, His Excellency Peter Beckingham, today announced the appointment of Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles as the new Attorney General for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Hon. Braithwaite-Knowles served in the capacity of Acting Attorney General from October 2013, following the departure of her predecessor, Mr. Huw Shepheard from the territory.
The position of Attorney General, since its inception, has historically been held by Foreign Nationals and this latest appointment makes Hon. Braithwaite-Knowles the first Turks and Caicos Islander to hold this prestigious position.
The Premier, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, on receiving word from the Governor of the appointment, made the following comment, “Today is a significant day, and a historical one, for us as Turks and Caicos Islanders with Hon. Braithwaite-Knowles as the first local to be appointed to the position of Attorney General. It is our hope that this is just the beginning and that over time we can see more Turks and Caicos Islanders being appointed to critical roles both within the public and private sectors. I offer congratulations to Hon. Braithwaite-Knowles and look forward to working with her.”
As the Attorney General, Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles will be the legal advisor to the Government and the House of Assembly, according to Section 41 of the 2011 Constitution.
Most Wanted Drug Kingpin Captured in Mexico
The world's most wanted drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, is behind bars after Mexican and U.S. agents captured him Saturday at a hotel in the Mexican resort of Mazatlan.
Agents had been tracking Guzman for weeks after Mexican police arrested other top members of his Sinaloa drug cartel.
They believe Guzman had been able to avoid capture through a series of hideouts and escape tunnels before arresting him without a shot being fired.
Guzman is wanted in the United States on a number of charges including smuggling tons of cocaine, marijuana, and heroin across the Mexican border.
His Sinaloa drug cartel stretches across North America and as far away as Europe and Australia.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder calls Guzman's arrest a victory for U.S. and Mexican citizens. He says the criminal activity Guzman has allegedly directed contributed to the deaths and destruction of millions of people through drug addiction, violence and corruption.
The Sinaloa cartel has been at the center of a bloody turf war with other cartels over drug trafficking routes in northern Mexico.
About 80,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence since the early 2000's, including murders and beheadings. Former president Felipe Calderon sent in the army to try and quell the violence.
Forbes magazine lists Guzman among the world's most powerful people, saying he is worth more than $1 billion.
Source-AP
Maria von Trapp, last member of Sound of Music family, dies
The last surviving member of the Trapp Family Singers, the group whose story inspired The Sound of Music, has died at the age of 99, her family say.
Maria von Trapp died at her home in Vermont on Tuesday, her brother, Johannes von Trapp, told the Associated Press.
He said she was a "lovely woman who was one of the few truly good people".
Von Trapp and her family fled Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938 and ended up performing around the US.
Their story eventually inspired the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, and subsequent 1965 hit film.
It tells the tale of a young woman who leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the seven children of a naval officer widower, Georg von Trapp.
Maria von Trapp was the second-oldest daughter of Capt von Trapp - with his first wife - and was portrayed as Louisa in the musical.
Source-BBC
Late start to Calypso Fiesta ...but performances deliver
Hundreds of patrons chanted in protest of the late start of the 72nd Annual Calypso Monarch semi-finals, with many demanding a refund from show organiser the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) yesterday.
The large crowd, which had lined the streets around Skinner Park, San Fernando, hours before the scheduled midday start, clapped and protested for the show to begin, while Master of Ceremonies Wendell Etienne begged for patience, citing technical difficulties.
Shouts of “We want we money back”, and “What is the matter?”, were heard continuously for almost two hours until the competition kicked off, much to the relief of the patrons, many of whom stood in the uncovered stands in the blistering heat.
The first cotestant, Snakey (Heaven Charles) ,subdued the crowed with his energetic performance of “The Dhoti Song”.
The eagerly awaited performance of Body Guard (Roger Mohammed’s) song “False Papers” went down well with the crowd, as they sang along to his controversial ditty about people in executive positions who have false resumes.
Body Guard made headline news earlier this month after he was allegedly criticised by Sugar Aloes (Michael Osouna) for his controversial song.
Osouna, a two-time national calypso monarch, who opted to stay out of the competition, was backstage during the performance.
The crowd cheered Body Guard on and raised placards with “Big Yard Song”, “Thank you Lord/No Sugar Aloes” and “Aloes Take Dat”.
Body Guard left a trail in his wake but other forceful performances saw Rondell Donawa’s “Yes We Can”, King Luta (Morel Peters) with “No Guns No Weapons”, Heather McIntosh with “Nutten Eh Good”, Amrika Mutroo with “Doh Judge Meh”, Bunny B (Neville Brown) with “Milk” and Mistah Shak (Selvon Noel) with “Bois” also mustering a ripple effect with the several posses in varying colours.
Opposition Leader and political leader of the People’s National Movement Dr Keith Rowley mingled with patrons throughout the evening.
From the 40 competitors, 11 will challenge reigning Calypso Monarch Pink Panther Eric Taylor at the Dimanche Gras on Carnival Sunday night for a chance to take home the first prize of $1 million.
Source- Trinidad Express
Rihanna wins multimillion-dollar settlement against former accountant
Barbados singing sensation Rihanna has won a multimillion-dollar settlement after she nearly went bankrupt reportedly based on bad advice from her former accountant.
Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, claimed her ex-accountant Peter Gounis and the Manhattan accounting firm, Berdon LLP, gave her the green light to buy a US$7-million Southern California house, “even though she was bleeding cash in 2009,” the New York Post reported.
“The defendants advised Ms Fenty by email that purchasing a home in Los Angeles “would be a good investment”, despite knowing Ms Fenty was experiencing financial difficulties,” wrote Rihanna’s lawyer Edward Estrada.
In the lawsuit, Rihanna claimed that she lost US$9 million, leaving her with just US$2 million at the end of 2009.
Her lawyers claimed Gounis was aware the house she was buying was rotting from water and mould damage, forcing her to spend more than US$1 million on improvements before selling it for nearly US$2 million less than what she paid, according to the New York Post newspaper.
The paper said Rihanna fired the accountants and sued them for US$35 million in 2012. It said the firm has offered the singer a settlement of more than US$10 million, and papers are due to be signed soon.
Source-CMC
Pharrell’s Grammys hat attracts $10,500 in auction
Pharrell Williams is selling the much talked about hat he wore at this year's Grammy Awards.
The item, listed as "Pharrell Willams' mountain hat", attracted a bid of $10,500 (£6,301) within 24 hours of being put online.
The profits of the sale will go towards the producer's charity From One Hand To Another.
The charity raises funds for seven to 20 year olds living in at risk communities throughout America.
The 40-year-old tweeted: "We started my hat auction at $200 (the price I paid for it) and it's already up to over 10K?"
So far, there have been 11 separate bidders and 64 bids on the hat, with the auction coming to a close on 2 March.
The description of the item says that it was designed by Vivienne Westwood and that "the hat comes with a letter of authenticity."
Pharrell performed at the Grammys with Stevie Wonder, Nile Rogers and Daft Punk and also played at the Brit Awards.
The singer's number one single Happy, taken from Despicable Me 2 has been nominated for best song at this year's Oscar awards.
He also recently announced that he will release a new solo album next month.
The new album, which will be called G I R L, will be Pharrell's second record in eight years and is set to be released on 3 March.
His debut solo project, In My Mind, came out in 2006.
Source-BBC
Wolf of Wall Street triggers $25m legal action
The producers of Oscar-nominated film Wolf of Wall Street are being sued for $25m (£15m) by a former stockbroker who claims he has been depicted as a "depraved" drug-fuelled criminal.
Andrew Greene has filed court papers in New York claiming the character Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff is based on him.
Mr Greene worked at Stratton Oakmont, the brokerage house founded by Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Paramount and Red Granite Pictures have not commented on the case.
Mr Greene said his name was used in Belfort's memoir, on which the film is based.
In the movie, Rugrat Koskoff - nicknamed for the toupee he wears - assumes significant control at Stratton Oakmont following Belfort's resignation.
The role is played by actor PJ Byrne in the motion picture.
In the claim, Mr Greene said he worked at Stratton Oakmont between 1993 and 1996 as the head of the firm's corporate finance department and a member of the board of directors.
He alleges the film-makers - including director Martin Scorsese - changed the character's name from "Wigwam" to "Rugrat".
The papers, printed in The Hollywood Reporter, said: "The motion picture contains various scenes wherein Mr Greene's character is portrayed as a criminal, drug user, degenerate, depraved, and/or devoid of any morality or ethics."
Mr Greene has said he did not consent to his image, likeness and characterisation being used in Wolf of Wall Street.
He has also claimed the movie contains libellous statements that have "permanently damaged" him by portraying him as a "criminal and drug user with misogynistic tendencies.
In one scene, the claim states, "investigators ask whether his hair is real. Characters are also seen attempting to grab the toupee."
"Mr. Greene's character is shown doing cocaine on company premises during business hours in another scene," it adds.
The film has been a major box office hit and has been nominated for five Oscars, including best picture and best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio.
Brazil Plans Massive Security Operation for World Cup
Brazilian authorities say more than 150,000 security personnel will be deployed across the country during this year's World Cup football tournament.
Officials on Thursday briefed reporters and coaches from 25 of the 32 teams competing in the tournament in June and July.
One-hundred 50-thousand public security personnel will be diverted to World Cup duty, helped by 20,000 private security officers.
Military officials say the army also would be called on if needed to keep law and order.
Brazil is spending more than $800 million for security at this year's matches.
More than 1-million demonstrators turned out for anti-government protests during last year's qualifying games in Brazil.
McIlroy, Rose, Stenson out of WGC World Match
World number seven Rory McIlroy was beaten at the 19th hole by American Harris English in round two of the WGC World Match Play in Arizona.
McIlroy won three holes on the trot to lead by one, but a six at the first extra hole handed victory to English.
The top-ranked man in the field, world number three Henrik Stenson, lost 4&3 to 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.
US Open champion Justin Rose, the final Englishman left in the event, lost at the 20th hole to veteran Ernie Els.
McIlroy, runner-up in 2012, played some sparkling iron shots in the closing stages against 24-year-old English, who comprehensively beat Lee Westwood 5&3 on day one.
When McIlroy's tee shot at the par-three 16th rolled to within four feet for a birdie he seemed certain to progress into round three but English holed a downhill birdie putt at the 17th.
At the first extra hole McIlroy found thick rough with his tee shot and a similarly hazardous spot for his third, as English calmly recorded a par four.
"It was just unfortunate," McIlroy lamented. "I played pretty well for the most part. But he played really solid and didn't really do much wrong, didn't really give me anything. So the more consistent player won."
Four-time major winner Els, 44, was two up after four against Rose but found himself one behind as they left the 16th green.
However, Rose bogeyed the 17th and at the second extra hole took two shots to escape from a greenside bunker, with Els chipping from a precarious spot on the edge of the trap to set up a winning birdie.
Stenson, who in November became the first man to win the European Tour's Race to Dubai and US PGA's FedEx Cup in the same season, was playing in the second round for the first time, having suffered first-round exits in his four previous appearances at the tournament.
But he failed to recover after going three down after four holes to Oosthuizen, who had an eagle and four birdies in the match.
Northern Ireland's former US Open champion Graeme McDowell, who came from three down with three to play to beat Gary Woodland in round one, produced another fine comeback to defeat Hideki Matsuyama on the final green.
World number 22 Matsuyama, who had seven birdies in his 3&2 first-round victory over former world number one Martin Kaymer, won the first two holes against McDowell with a birdie and an eagle.
The lead was still two after the 14th but McDowell holed impressive birdie putts to win the 15th and 17th and level the match, before winning at the last with a par.
This year's event is missing three of the world's top four players in Tiger Woods, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson.