A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE DESK OF THE PREMIER HON. DR. RUFUS EWING
All across our country, families are gathering to share this joyous time and to give thanks for the good things in our lives. This holiday season, one of the greatest blessings of all, is that our Government has met its one year commitment to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands given the many challenges faced following the re-instatement of Elected Government.
Our Government remains committed to continuing our mandate: ”To protect the vulnerable, balance the budget, grow our economy and ensure that jobs are provided for all”. I am also proud of the continuous efforts of our hardworking citizens who despite all odds, work tirelessly to turn conflict into cooperation, transform fear into security and to replace hatred with hope. The Christmas season serves to remind us that we must all set aside contentious thoughts and acts and resolve to honor the true spirit of Christmas not merely at this time but throughout the year. May the joy of the holidays renew our commitment to working together for a future of peace, opportunity, and prosperity.
Let us also remember our responsibility and calling, to freely and reverently serve our fellow man as this is our charge and our purpose.
The purpose of Christmas is celebration as this time of year we commemorate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people", was the message brought unto the shepherds of Bethlehem by the angels and to this day, we continue to rejoice God’s everlasting gift of his only begotten son. The good news of Christmas is worth celebrating because through his eternal presence, Christ inspires us with the promise of a better future despite our struggles, with the hope for progress and change despite the presence of obstacles set before us. Through our faith in him all things are possible and with his guidance all good works are achievable.
Together as a Nation, let us give thanks for God's gift of love and mercy as we also give thanks for his many blessings bestowed upon us this past year and pray that these blessings continue to shine upon us in the coming year.
On behalf of my Family and the Government and myself, I would like wish you a Merry Christmas, good health and a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.
May God Bless you and May God bless our beautiful by Nature - Turks & Caicos Islands.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE DESK OF THE PREMIER HON. DR. RUFUS EWING
All across our country, families are gathering to share this joyous time and to give thanks for the good things in our lives. This holiday season, one of the greatest blessings of all, is that our Government has met its one year commitment to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands given the many challenges faced following the re-instatement of Elected Government.
Our Government remains committed to continuing our mandate: ”To protect the vulnerable, balance the budget, grow our economy and ensure that jobs are provided for all”. I am also proud of the continuous efforts of our hardworking citizens who despite all odds, work tirelessly to turn conflict into cooperation, transform fear into security and to replace hatred with hope. The Christmas season serves to remind us that we must all set aside contentious thoughts and acts and resolve to honor the true spirit of Christmas not merely at this time but throughout the year. May the joy of the holidays renew our commitment to working together for a future of peace, opportunity, and prosperity.
Let us also remember our responsibility and calling, to freely and reverently serve our fellow man as this is our charge and our purpose.
The purpose of Christmas is celebration as this time of year we commemorate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people", was the message brought unto the shepherds of Bethlehem by the angels and to this day, we continue to rejoice God’s everlasting gift of his only begotten son. The good news of Christmas is worth celebrating because through his eternal presence, Christ inspires us with the promise of a better future despite our struggles, with the hope for progress and change despite the presence of obstacles set before us. Through our faith in him all things are possible and with his guidance all good works are achievable.
Together as a Nation, let us give thanks for God's gift of love and mercy as we also give thanks for his many blessings bestowed upon us this past year and pray that these blessings continue to shine upon us in the coming year.
On behalf of my Family and the Government and myself, I would like wish you a Merry Christmas, good health and a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.
May God Bless you and May God bless our beautiful by Nature - Turks & Caicos Islands.
Christmas Message from the Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson
Another year has passed and this year like before has had its challenges, loss, disappointments, but also its joys and celebrations. Despite it all, God in His mercy continues to bless us with the gift of life and with that continued gift comes hope.
This year as we enter the festive season and approach the closing of a year, automatically we are flung into a period of reflection and introspection. We begin to think of the events of the year now ending and the aspirations for the New Year.
As I address you, my mind is bombarded with three words: gratitude, peace and hope. As I think of the difficult year that is fast approaching its end, I have purposefully abandoned the unfortunate human tendency to focus on all that has perhaps gone wrong in this year not in an effort to dismiss the challenges that remain or those whose effect linger but to honor the Christ of Christmas by choosing instead with a heart of gratitude to focus on the blessings that found its way to our country, our homes and our lives. I sincerely believe that if we were to stop and look through the lens of life with a grateful heart, we will see that things could have been worse and that the blessings still far outweigh the challenges and troubles. We as a people must be careful to not become habitual complainers and frown in the face of God’s many blessings. We still enjoy a peaceful existence and God continues to be faithful from generation to generation. I charge us to focus on the blessings and begin to develop a culture of thanksgiving and gratitude.
And then as we think of Christ and the message of the true reason for the season, we must think of the peace born on that Christmas morn. We know that there remain difficult times ahead for us as a country and as individuals, let us face those challenges with a peace that only comes from God above. Let us in our own way and in our singular efforts seek to reconcile and live at peace with one another and seek after true unity on issues of grave national importance if only for our survival as a people. Let us seek to see the beauty and strengths in our diversity and then to peaceably and respectfully differ without the war of words or other forms of destructive actions. We need each other and going forward let us be slow to create mischief, incite hate and stifle hope among ourselves by our actions. Let us in all sincerity wish each other and work towards peace and goodwill. Let us birth anew a new nation and give God the greatest gift of all as a people: our Nation, remembering that a people whose God is the Lord will rejoice. In that same spirit, let us share even from the little that we have and watch God miraculously and in covenant principles, increase our very own.
During this season, perhaps the single greatest message is hope. Christ’s birth signified hope – hope for a dying world and an ability through his birth and eventual death to be reconciled unto God. That hope is still available and it is the truest source of hope. Let us not hope in man but in the God that gives this hope and in hoping we can rest on his promise that he desires that we prosper as a people and individually.
We are a great people in a great nation. We have so much to be thankful for and a Great God in which we can find peace and hope. Let us with grateful hearts celebrate his birth by ensuring that he remains the welcomed guest at all our celebrations. Let us remember all of our brothers and sisters during this time of year. Let us especially remember those who lost loved ones this year, our elderly, our children, our relatives and friends in Prison, those with special needs, the less fortunate and all those that live among us. I ask us to allow ourselves to be guided by our hopes and not fears and let us share the message of gratitude, peace and hope.
0 0 1 603 3440 Tripple M FM 28 8 4035 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
On behalf of the Peoples Democratic Movement: the Official Opposition and our families; and from our home to yours, from our heart to yours, I wish for you a Christ centered Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
Christmas Message from the Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson
Another year has passed and this year like before has had its challenges, loss, disappointments, but also its joys and celebrations. Despite it all, God in His mercy continues to bless us with the gift of life and with that continued gift comes hope.
This year as we enter the festive season and approach the closing of a year, automatically we are flung into a period of reflection and introspection. We begin to think of the events of the year now ending and the aspirations for the New Year.
As I address you, my mind is bombarded with three words: gratitude, peace and hope. As I think of the difficult year that is fast approaching its end, I have purposefully abandoned the unfortunate human tendency to focus on all that has perhaps gone wrong in this year not in an effort to dismiss the challenges that remain or those whose effect linger but to honor the Christ of Christmas by choosing instead with a heart of gratitude to focus on the blessings that found its way to our country, our homes and our lives. I sincerely believe that if we were to stop and look through the lens of life with a grateful heart, we will see that things could have been worse and that the blessings still far outweigh the challenges and troubles. We as a people must be careful to not become habitual complainers and frown in the face of God’s many blessings. We still enjoy a peaceful existence and God continues to be faithful from generation to generation. I charge us to focus on the blessings and begin to develop a culture of thanksgiving and gratitude.
And then as we think of Christ and the message of the true reason for the season, we must think of the peace born on that Christmas morn. We know that there remain difficult times ahead for us as a country and as individuals, let us face those challenges with a peace that only comes from God above. Let us in our own way and in our singular efforts seek to reconcile and live at peace with one another and seek after true unity on issues of grave national importance if only for our survival as a people. Let us seek to see the beauty and strengths in our diversity and then to peaceably and respectfully differ without the war of words or other forms of destructive actions. We need each other and going forward let us be slow to create mischief, incite hate and stifle hope among ourselves by our actions. Let us in all sincerity wish each other and work towards peace and goodwill. Let us birth anew a new nation and give God the greatest gift of all as a people: our Nation, remembering that a people whose God is the Lord will rejoice. In that same spirit, let us share even from the little that we have and watch God miraculously and in covenant principles, increase our very own.
During this season, perhaps the single greatest message is hope. Christ’s birth signified hope – hope for a dying world and an ability through his birth and eventual death to be reconciled unto God. That hope is still available and it is the truest source of hope. Let us not hope in man but in the God that gives this hope and in hoping we can rest on his promise that he desires that we prosper as a people and individually.
We are a great people in a great nation. We have so much to be thankful for and a Great God in which we can find peace and hope. Let us with grateful hearts celebrate his birth by ensuring that he remains the welcomed guest at all our celebrations. Let us remember all of our brothers and sisters during this time of year. Let us especially remember those who lost loved ones this year, our elderly, our children, our relatives and friends in Prison, those with special needs, the less fortunate and all those that live among us. I ask us to allow ourselves to be guided by our hopes and not fears and let us share the message of gratitude, peace and hope.
On behalf of the Peoples Democratic Movement: the Official Opposition and our families; and from our home to yours, from our heart to yours, I wish for you a Christ centered Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
TCIG Signs UK FATCA
The Turks and Caicos Islands were among several British Overseas Territories signing an Intergovernmental agreement to implement the UK version of the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) at the Joint Ministerial Council in London, November 26 and 27, 2013
The signing of the UK FATCA Style IGA is another milestone step by TCI to associate with many of the developed and developing financial services centers that it is taking the required responsible approach to be a part of the global efforts in combating tax evasion and financial crimes. The USA FATCA IGA is in an advance stage of negotiations with an expected initialing to be reaching shortly.
In recognition of the transparency measures being agreed as the new global standard and the likely impact of non-compliance, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has agreed and published an Action Plan to prevent the misuse of legal individuals, institutions and arrangements in line with the standards and requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This is a matter of good corporate governance as well as a means to tackle a wide range of illicit activity. Further strengthening of the current legislative and administrative framework will be undertaken to ensure proper regulation and supervision of the corporate sector. By the second quarter of 2014 many of these reforms are expected to be completed. The result is to have a well regulated financial service industry compliant with the global community in reporting and the sharing of information with tax authorities.
At the G8 Summit held in Northern Ireland in June, British Prime Minister David Cameron committed agreed to promote transparency and cooperation; and to establish and open to the public, a central registry of company beneficial ownership,. This simply means that the legal person behind the corporate veil of the company will be disclosed for tax purposes.
The UK Prime Minister also announced his intention to seek the cooperation of Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories establishing the new global standard.
These actions, in addition to the signing of the Tax Information Exchange Agreements and the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters sets the stage for global standards to combat tax evasion, counter terrorism and prevent money laundering.
Michael Misick will be back in the TCI before Jan 6th,2014
RTC News obtained an update on the extradition of Former Premier of the Turks & Caicos from the Acting AG of the TCI Rhondalee Knowles.
Mrs. Knowles said, “Having had a number of queries, I wish to provide the following update on the extradition of Michael Misick.
The SIPT wished to ensure that Mr. Misick would be back in the Turks and Caicos Islands in time to participate, if he wished, in the Plea and Directions hearing involving his co accused that is to start on 6th January 2014.
It was not until 18th December that confirmation was received from the Brazilian authorities to the British Embassy that the necessary formalities have been completed, the TCI authorities now have to make the necessary arrangements to bring Mr. Misick to the TCI. This is being done as soon as possible but is unlikely to now be done before the Plea and Direction Hearing.
The arrangements for Mr. Misick’s return will be made in accordance with normal policing practice. Those arrangements will be in complete compliance with his human and legal rights,” Mrs. Knowles added.
Financial Services Commission (FSC) announces new policy of Capital Enhancement at Annual General Meeting.
Financial Industry Professionals and Regulators came together for the FSC 2013 Annual General meeting on 13th December in Providenciales and used the annual gathering to exchange ideas on how best to achieve a higher level of performance and growth for the Industry. During the course of the meeting, presentations were made and discussions held on a number of issues facing TCI and Caribbean financial services industry.
Managing Director Kevin Higgins provided details of a new policy for Capital Enhancement while presenting the FSC Vision for 2014. Commenting on the forthcoming policy, Mr Higgins said that the policy was designed to strengthen TCI banks operations in line with international standards. He added that those standards were being constantly raised and that in a jurisdiction like the TCI, a lack of financial infrastructures such as a central bank was bringing a pressing need for banks to hold more capital.
An earlier presentation by Regulatory Consultant, Mr Munro Sutherland to Financial Industry Professionals on Basle II outlined the new International Monetary Fund standards for banks in the Caribbean region. He stressed that the current standards supported the requirement to build up the levels of capital within banking institutions and that they represented a significant change in the way bank’s business risks were better understood and addressed.
His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham in his first attendance to the FSC AGM offered remarks and reported on the UK Government’s Joint Ministerial Conference he attended with the Premier and other Ministers in London in November. He communicated the UK's recognition of TCI over dependence on the North American market and on the tourism sector and reiterated the need to emphasise diversification of the Islands’ economy. He ended his remarks by sharing UK’s acknowledgement of the critical importance of growing the already established TCI financial services sector.
AGM attendees also heard a presentation by Managing Director of British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission on the strategy behind BVI's success culminating in the recent opening of a satellite office in Hong Kong. Further updates on the FSC's progress were given during the course of the day. They included information on the computerising of the company registry, the implementation of a regulatory regime for company managers and the registration of Designated Non Financial Businesses and Professionals.
Crime & Incident Reports for December 23rd,2013
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a number of incidents reported between Saturday December 21, 2013 and Monday December 23, 2013 within the districts of Providenciales, including:
• (6) Burglary: Preliminary investigations revealed that during the commission of these Burglaries, two Sony digital cameras, a baby’s bag containing a wallet, passport and a Blackberry cell phone, a quantity of clothing, a quantity of bed sets, a black Toshiba laptop, a Sony camera, a sum of cash and a purple & brown color purse which contained a sum of cash, two credit cards and one debit card were stolen.
• (1) Malicious Damage to Property: Early investigations revealed that during the commission of this crime a vehicle was damaged and broken into. Nothing was reported stolen but the complainant is making further checks to be sure.
• (1) Motor Vehicle Interference: Preliminary investigations revealed that a male was discovered breaking into a parked vehicle. The vehicle owner approached the male and he ran away with a suitcase containing a quantity of clothing and a wallet containing a number of identication cards. A suspect was later arrested in connection with this report and further investigations are being made.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are also investigating a number of incidents reported between Saturday December 21, 2013 and Monday December 23, 2013 within the districts of Grand Turk, including:
• (1) Handling Stolen Goods: Preliminary investigations revealed that a male was discovered in possession of a stolen IPhone and arrested in connection with a report made on Sunday December 22, 2013.
• (1) Burglary: Initial investigations revealed that during the commission of this crime, a black watch was stolen.
• (3) Theft: Early investigations revealed that during the commission of these crimes a sum of cash, Blackberry Q10 cell phone and a black Toshiba laptop were stolen.
• (1) Malicious Injuries to Property: Preliminary investigations revealed that it was allegded that a male used a heavy duty tractor to damaged the top of a vehicle. Investigations continue.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are also investigating an incident reported between Saturday December 21, 2013 and Monday December 23, 2013 within the districts of South Caicos, including:
• (1) Robbery: Early investigations revealed that during the commission of this crime a sum of cash was stolen. An arrest has been made in this matter and investigations continue.
If you have any information about any criminal activity, please call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.
DIGICEL ACQUIRES SUBMARINE FIBRE ASSETS ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN REGION
Digicel today announced that it has reached an agreement with the Guadeloupe-based Loret Group and with Caribbean Fibre Holdings to acquire a submarine fibre network across the Caribbean region.
Digicel will acquire Middle Caribbean Network, Southern Caribbean Fibre, Antilles Crossings and a number of related assets from Global Caribbean Fibre.
This deal will provide Digicel with a wholly owned submarine fibre optic cable network of approximately 2,100km providing capacity from Trinidad to Guadeloupe.
Digicel has also entered into a transaction with Global Caribbean Fibre and Global Caribbean Network to provide submarine fibre capacity from Guadeloupe to Puerto Rico with onwards connectivity to the mainland United States.
With these new capabilities, Digicel is underpinning its commitments to delivering best network, best service and best value and will once again be at the forefront of driving competition and consumer choice in the region.
In total, Digicel has secured access to a robust network comprised of 15 submarine segments with a reach of some 3,100km across the Caribbean region. Digicel will also have extensive onwards capacity on other submarine networks connecting locations such as Miami, Paris and New York.
The financial terms of the contract are not being disclosed and the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said; “We are always looking for new ways to ensure that we deliver choice and innovation to our valued customers. The acquisition of this submarine network secures significant additional broadband capacity for Digicel. This additional capacity is central to our continued drive to offer innovative services and products to our customers in a data hungry world.”
Cuba to eliminate currency pegged to US dollar
The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) will be eliminated in the process to reestablish a one-currency system on the island, confirmed VP Marino Murillo, during a plenary session of the Cuban Parliament on Friday.
Tourists currently use a convertible peso roughly equal to a U.S. dollar while most Cubans are paid in ordinary pesos worth about four cents. Many goods are easier to find in government stores that exclusively accept convertible pesos, a mechanism designed to keep the flow of the special currency under government control.
The dual system has created special privileges for Cubans who work in tourism, and resentment among those who don't.
The government of President Raul Castro pledged in October to gradually unify the two currencies in order to prevent shocks like spikes in inflation. Many Cuban economists said the process would take years.
On Friday, Vice-President Marino Murillo told parliament that the peso pegged to the dollar, known as the CUC, would eventually disappear, the first time the government has explicitly said that. He promised that savings in the convertible pesos would retain their value until the change took place.
"People who have the convertible Cuban peso (CUC), whether in the banks or kept at home, will not lose any financial capacity when the dual monetary system is eliminated," said Murillo.
He did not say when the change would go into effect. The double monetary system was established in 1994 amid an economic crisis sparked by the fall of the Soviet Union, which heavily subsidized Cuba for decades.
It was designed to allow Cuba to receive hard currency needed for international trade from the outside world while insulating the rest of the communist economy from market influences.
In October, the official newspaper Granma said that the government's first step would be to allow several businesses that currently accept only convertible pesos, or CUCs, to do business in ordinary Cuban pesos, or CUPs.
The official exchange rate will remain in effect, Granma said, meaning the goods themselves will remain out of reach for Cubans without access to the foreigner exchange-driven economy, which includes millions of dollars a year in remittances from relatives in the United States and other countries.