HOUSE SPEAKERS RETURNS TO THE COUNTRY
The Hon. Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Robert Hall, Deputy Speaker Josephine Connolly and Clerk, Tracey Parker attended the 16th Biennial Conference of Presiding Officers and Clerks of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Caribbean and Atlantic Regions held in Georgetown, Guyana 26th-31st October, 2013.
Mr. Hall addressed the Conference and felt that it was very informative and invigorating sharing information and interacting with some brilliant individuals on the island.
Deputy Speaker Connolly said she came back with fresh ideas. Mrs. Connolly said ‘The conference was quite enlightening and now I am even more energized to do my job to the best of her ability.’ She also hinted at the need for us to do something’s differently.
Clerk to the House Tracey Parker said that the experience was informative and felt delighted to be a part of such a great gathering and shared her best practices with other Speakers and Clerks
The Members eagerly await the next conference of C.P.A to share and exchange ideas.
Speaker Hall addressed the Conference and felt that it was very informative and invigorating sharing information and interacting with some brilliant individuals.
Deputy Speaker Connolly said she came back with fresh ideas. The conference was quite enlightening and now she is even more energized to do her job to the best of her ability. She also hinted at the need for us to do something’s differently.
The Members eagerly await the next conference of C.P.A to share and exchange ideas.
Chris Gayle for Sunfoil Dolphins
West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle will return to Sunfoil Dolphins for the Ram Slam T20 competition in South Africa 2013-2014.
Gayle is back in the squad for the new season after reportedly signing for the 2011-12 season but leaving with an injury and without playing a single match.
"I am really excited to have joined the Sunfoil Dolphins for their 2014 Ram Slam T20 campaign," said Gayle.
"I feel there's some unfinished business for me as I didn't get to play for them back in 2012 due to injury".
The Jamaican cricketer is regarded as the most feared batsman in the T20 format, smashing more hundreds and sixes than any other batsman.
He becomes the second overseas professional to join Sunfoil Dolphins after Graham Onions.
The Women’s Football League starts in November
The Women’s Football League (“WFL”) launched Speed Soccer for the first time in Turks & Caicos Islands on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the TCIFA Football Academy, where five teams were introduced to the sport and had an opportunity to play several games. Speed Soccer is a five aside game where each team is allowed a maximum of ten players. Games consists of two halves of ten minutes each, with a two minute interval at half time.
Candace Hanchell, President of the WFL explained that Speed Soccer has been introduced to encourage all females regardless of their age, fitness level or football experience to become involved in what is considered the greatest sport. The Speed Soccer League has seen the return of several past players and also many new players.
The league’s first official game will be held Sunday, November 10th, 2013 at the TCIFA football academy at 3:00p.m. There will be seven teams competing for the championship title of the first Women’s Speed Soccer League. Spectators will witness the following teams compete for this prestige title: CIBC Cats, Earthbenders AFC, Revolution FC, The Blow Pops, U12 Trailblazers FC, Trailblazers FC and Palmiss.
The general public is invited to attend all games which will run from November 10th to December 8th, 2013 when the final games will be played and awards and prizes presented. There will also be various opportunities for spectators to win prizes over the upcoming weeks by way of participating in fun activities.
Global Warming Gases at Highest Level Ever
The World Meteorological Organization reports the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere reached a record high in 2012. This accelerating trend will have devastating consequences on climate change, the U.N. agency says, unless the world's nations do more to to rein in emissions.
WMO reports the warming effect on the Earth’s climate has risen by nearly one-third since 1990. This is mainly due to atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide.
The agency’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin notes that fossil fuel-related emissions, mainly from carbon dioxide, account for 80 percent of the increase in warming. It says CO2 (the English chemical formula for carbon dioxide) concentrations in the atmosphere grew more rapidly last year than the average growth rate over the past decade.
WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud says the increase of carbon dioxide is mostly due to human activity - industry, energy production, land use and deforestation, among other factors.
In its recent report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed that atmospheric concentrations of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide are breaking all records, and are now higher than they have been for more than 800,000 years.
WMO Secretary-General Jarraud says this is causing the climate to change in many worrisome ways.
Indonesian Islamist on Trial for Plot to Attack Burmese Embassy
An Indonesian court has opened a trial of a man suspected of plotting to bomb the Burmese embassy in Jakarta in revenge for killings of minority Rohingya Muslims in Burma.
The 29-year-old Indonesian suspect, who goes by the single name of Separiano, faces terrorism charges that carry a maximum sentence of death. He was arrested in May as he and another man rode a motorbike in Jakarta toward the Burmese embassy, hours before they allegedly planned to stage the attack.
Police found five homemade bombs in a backpack the two men were carrying and later seized other explosive materials from them.
At Wednesday's trial opening in a Jakarta court, prosecutors accused Separianoof seeking revenge against Buddhist-majority Burma for its treatment of minority Rohingya Muslims. Several other Islamists also have been arrested in connection with the plot, including its alleged mastermind, Sigit Indrajit.
Buddhist-Muslim violence has flared in Burma since June 2012, killing at least 240 people. Most of the killings have happened in the western Burmese state of Rakhine, home to Muslim minorities including the stateless Rohingyas. The unrest and perceived Buddhist targeting of Rohingyas has upset many in Muslim-majority Indonesia.
The Burmese government refuses to grant citizenship to the impoverished Rohingyas, labeling them as illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
US Unveils $75 Million for Palestinian Economy
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Wednesday announced $75 million in new aid to the Palestinians aimed at building roads, schools and health clinics.
Speaking at a ceremony in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Kerry said boosting economic development will show both Israelis and Palestinians "that peace has the benefits of economic opportunity and prosperity and a better quality of life."
The money adds to the $25 million pledged by the United States in September for West Bank infrastructure improvements.
In addition, Germany will put up $10 million towards about 200 projects being identified by the Palestinian Authority. The efforts are due to start within the next six months.
The United States sees the economic track as a vital complement to ongoing direct final status negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians . Washington has provided more than $4.5 billion in assistance to the West Bank and Gaza since 1994, creating tens of thousands of temporary jobs.
SPICE ISLAND BEACH RESORT TOPS VIRGIN HOLIDAYS' PLATINUM COLLECTION 8TH YEAR IN A ROW
Grenada's premier luxury retreat, Spice Island Beach Resort has once again been awarded the Virgin Holidays' Gold Award for the eighth consecutive year as the #1 property in the tour operator's exclusive worldwide Platinum Collection.
With over 450 travel industry buyers and suppliers present this prestigious honor was presented during World Travel Market 2013 in London at the Virgin Holidays' awards presentation, which recognizes hotels, airlines and car rental companies worldwide.
Amanda Wills, managing director of Virgin Holidays shared the good news with RTC News this morning, in declaring the resort the Gold winner, emphasized the resort's commitment to excellence, stating: "Spice Island Beach Resort consistently maintains the highest standard of service and continues to reinvest its product."
Her reference to the resort's reinvestment was in recognition of its just completed renovations and upgrade.
TCI 2nd Annual Captive Insurance Conference to address industry key issues
The Turks and Caicos Association of Insurance Managers (TCAIM) will once again welcome more than a hundred international and locally based delegates for its 2nd Annual Captive Insurance Conference in Providenciales on November 15th 2013 at the Regent Palms.
During this year’s Conference, Industry Professionals and Specialists as well as members of the financial services industry will share information and discuss topics such as financial regulatory and taxation aspects of Captive planning, and the utilisation of Turks and Caicos as a perfect domicile for Captive Insurance.
Speaking about the event, TCAIM President Adrian Corr stressed that this Annual Conference was designed to educate business owners and their advisors on all aspects related to structuring, implementing and operating captive insurance programs.
“This forum is also a perfect opportunity for all members of the financial industry in the region and beyond to know or be reminded that our jurisdiction is indeed an International Financial Centre which has been open for business for the past twenty plus years “ he continued.
Insurance professionals are expected to take the opportunity to network and to put questions forward to the TCI regulatory authority, as the Financial Services Commission (FSC) is to take part in the presentations offered on the day.
Confirming FSC support, Managing Director Kevin Higgins stated: “The Financial Services Commission is pleased to see that the Turks and Caicos Association of Insurance Managers took the initiative to organise and bring the 2nd Annual Captive Insurance Conference to the TCI. This event is building on the momentum of the previous year, addressing key issues related to the Captive market”
He further added: “The Commission will continue to support the Industry in their efforts to showcase a well regulated jurisdiction which has a wide range of services to offer.”
The 2nd Annual Captive Insurance Conference is open to Professionals from the Insurance industry and other related financial services. Registration is open until 13th November, 2013.
Commonwealth Games Association April 15 – 17, 2014
The Commonwealth Games Association held their first meeting in preparation of the Queen’s Baton Relay that is scheduled to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands from April 15 – 17, 2014 on its epic journey of 71 countries of the Commonwealth over 248 days before concluding its journey at the 20th Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland on the 23rd July, 2014.
CGA’s President, Mrs. Rita Gardiner chaired the meeting that saw a cross - section of Stakeholders in attendance.
Gracing the meeting was His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Beckingham. The President welcomed them and expressed her gratitude in having them attend the meeting and lending their input and support which she deemed very inspiring and encouraging.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is the world’s most engaging relay, a unique tradition of the games that unites the 2 billion citizens of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace, allowing each nation and territory the opportunity to showcase its unique culture, hospitality and friendliness of its people.
The official launch of the Baton took place on the 9th October from Buckingham’s Palace where her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton. We are honoured once again that we are included in this prestigious journey.
Organizers of the committee are planning exciting and spectacular activities over the 2 day period, that will showcase our most prized attributes, historic sites and the uniqueness of each island. It is the hope of the committee members that each child in the Turks and Caicos will experience the visit of the Queen’s Baton and have memories that will last a life time.
NEW WORK PERMIT FEES & TAXES FACES TCI
Turks & Caicos woke up today to new fees and taxes.
Taxes have now been added to your Internet bill which becomes effective today Friday November 1st, 2013.
At a noticed posted at the WIV Office, the note stated that the tax will amount to 12% of the selected package.
Other taxes that affects the general public stems from visas and work permits.
On October 22 The Ministry of Border Control and Labour announced the following:
The following provisions and fees shall now apply for Visas:
• for a single entry visitor’s visa -$150
• for a one year multiple entry business visa - $500
• for a student visa - $300
• a seaman’s visa - $300
• and a person for a visa to attend a charitable, sporting or religious event -$25
In addition a non-refundable application fee of $100 is payable.
Revised fees were also announced for the endorsements of spouses and children, and work permits.