INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AGENTS ENJOY A WEEKEND ESCAPE IN TCI
Twelve (12) international travel agents including representatives from Consultoria e Negó-cios Tu-rísti-cos in Brazil and Luxury St. in Moscow were treated to true TCI hospitality when TCHTA hosted its 5th annual TCI Destination Weekend Escape from July 18 - 21, 2013.
Accommodated at Venetian Ridge Villas & Spa, Regent Palms, Ports of Call Resort, The Alexandra, Beach House, Point Grace, Ocean Club Resorts and Villa del Mar, the agents were given first hand knowledge of what their clients truly experience while vacationing in the TCI through the Association's Weekend Escape initiative.
Speaking at a Cocktail Reception compliments Blue Haven Resort, TCHTA's Association Executive Stacy Cox said, "Our TCI Destination Weekend Escape programme continues to be a hit with travel agents who sell the destination as they are given the opportunity to visit TCI, as well as stay at and tour some of our amazing hotels courtesy of TCHTA and its members. This then better allows them to promote and sell the destination. Our aim is that through this initiative TCI leaves a long-lasting impression with the agents and reinforces the fact that we have a first class destination for all travellers."
Cox also added, "The TCHTA would like to extend special thanks to its members who so willingly sponsored rooms or services in order to make the Weekend Escape possible. This year Hemingway's hosted the agents to lunch and the boat trip to North and Middle Caicos was facilitated by the Tourist Board and Caicos Wheels. I am also pleased to note that through our recent Sales Blitz in Brazil there has been increased interest in the destination with our first Brazil travel agent from Campo Grande participating this year."
Weekend Escape 2013 was definitely a resounding success, putting TCI in a good position for the upcoming winter season and beyond with all participating agents announcing their continued commitment to promoting and selling the destination on their return.
TCI to Integrate Climate Change Adaptation Strategies into National Disaster Plan
TCIG is seeking to include Climate Change Adaptation strategies into the disaster management system of the Turks and Caicos Islands in a region-wide collaborative effort that is expected to prepare vulnerable Caribbean nations for the effects of climate change.
As part of these efforts, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) COMMENCED hosting the two days of consultation which got on the way today July 24 and will conclude tomorrow July 25, 2013.
The consultation aims to, among other things identify existing, alternative and viable options for disaster risk reduction and will examine the TCIG draft Country Work Plan which charts a course of action for 2013-2020. It is also intended that the consultation will help the TCI to integrate climate change considerations into a draft climate smart CDM country plan.
Specifically the consultation will seek to:
• To develop an awareness of climate change and climate change impacts at the national level including existing development challenges, vulnerabilities and future risks focusing on hydro-meteorological hazards and events;
• To identify existing and alternative adaptation options for disaster risk reduction nationally sectorally and gaps in current capacities;
• To prioritise and sequence viable adaptation options into entry points and actions that build on the current comprehensive disaster management country work programme framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Dr. Virginia Clerveaux kicked off the consultation with her opening remarks Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies Conference Room,
Radar Station receives Coastal Station License, Changes Call-sign
The Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar Station has been designated a licensed Coast Station and now has a new permanent call sign, “Provo Radio, Papa Romeo.”
The Radar Station received its official designation as an official Coast Station on June 11, 2013, which meant that (TCCRS) Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar operations had to undergo a name change from its present call sign “Provo Radar” to “Provo Radio” Papa Romeo. They will however continue to monitor “VHF 16/74”.
Since its official opening in September 2012, the station’s “Provo Radar”, call sign was a temporary one pending the receipt of its official Coast Station license from the Telecommunications Licensing authority, in line with international rules governing the assignment of radio and broadcast frequencies.
The Radar Station is government operated, providing 24 hour coverage to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Since its commission last year, the Station has provided vital services to international and local Boaters, and had been a vital tool in Border protection since it commissioning last year.
“No doubt, Boaters will continue to refer to us as “Provo Radar”, however we hope Boaters will quickly adopt the name Provo Radio,” Radar Supervisor Rodman Johnson said.
Whilst the call sign changes, this multi-functioning facility will keep its present name (TCCRS) Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar Station. While its main role is marine traffic surveillance, the facility will continue to work in collaboration with the Ports Authority and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police force Marine division, in areas of: law enforcement; monitoring all calls from vessels on local and international voyages; issuing navigation warnings and weather forecasts as well as aid in search & rescue.
Radar Supervisor Rodman Johnson told RTC News, ‘we are here to provide the Boating community with any information necessary to enhance your safety in our waters and sea ports.’
Detroit becomes largest US city to file for bankruptcy
Detroit has become the largest US city ever to file for bankruptcy, with debts of at least $15bn (£10bn).
The city, once a symbol of US industrial power, is seeking protection from creditors who include public-sector workers and their pension funds.
Detroit has faced decades of problems linked to the decline of its industry.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Washington says public services are in a state of near collapse and around 70,000 properties lie abandoned.
However, Mayor Dave Bing has vowed that public services will keep running and wages for public workers will be paid.
On Thursday, Michigan state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr asked a federal judge to place the city into bankruptcy protection.
If it is approved, he would be allowed to liquidate city assets to satisfy creditors and pensions.
Detroit - known as Motor City for its once-thriving automobile industry - stopped unsecured-debt payments last month to keep the city running as Mr Orr negotiated with creditors.
He proposed a deal last month in which creditors would accept 10 cents for every dollar they were owed.
But two pension funds representing retired city workers resisted the plan. Thursday's bankruptcy filing comes days ahead of a hearing that would have tried to stop the city from making such a move. At a press briefing on Thursday, Mr Orr said filing for bankruptcy was the "first step toward restoring the city".
Alongside him, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said that residents had to make a new start.
"I really didn't want to go in this direction - but now that we are here, we have to make the best of it," Mr Bing said.
The mayor also assured residents that the city would stay open and bills would be paid despite the filing.
"Paychecks for our city employees will continue, services will continue," he said.
In a letter accompanying Thursday's filing, Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican, said he had approved the request from Mr Orr to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.
"Only one feasible path offers a way out," Gov Snyder said, adding that residents needed a clear exit from the "cycle of ever decreasing services". Meanwhile, the White House said it was closely monitoring developments in Detroit.
"While leaders on the ground in Michigan and the city's creditors understand that they must find a solution to Detroit's serious financial challenge, we remain committed to continuing our strong partnership with Detroit as it works to recover and revitalise and maintain its status as one of America's great cities," said White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage.
Analysts say there are some concerns that businesses might ditch their operations in Detroit.
But, in the wake of the filing, US car company General Motors said it did not expect any impact on its operations, and hoped it would mark a "clean start" for Detroit. "GM is proud to call Detroit home and today's bankruptcy declaration is a day that we and others hoped would not come," the company said.
The city, once renowned as a manufacturing powerhouse, has struggled with its finances for some time, driven by a number of factors, including a steep population loss.
The murder rate is at a 40-year high and only one third of its ambulances were in service in early 2013.
Declining investment in street lights and emergency services have made it difficult to police the city.
And Detroit's government has been hit by a string of corruption scandals over the years.
Between 2000-10, the number of residents declined by 250,000 as residents moved away.
Detroit is only the latest US city to file for bankruptcy in recent years.
Source-BBC
Google and Microsoft earnings disappoint
Two of the world's biggest technology companies, Google and Microsoft, have badly missed earnings expectations for the second quarter.
Google reported profits of $9.7bn (£6.4bn), up 16% from a year ago but less than analysts were expecting.
Microsoft made $4.5bn in the second quarter, but announced that it would take a $900m charge relating to poor sales of its Surface tablet.
Shares in both companies fell by more than 4% in after-hours trading.
Declining PC sales - which recently saw their longest slide in five years - have hurt Microsoft's efforts to boost its business with the sale of its Windows 8 operating software.
Last week, the company also announced that it would cut the price of its Surface tablet amid sluggish sales.
While Google's profits were up by more than 16% since last year, the company missed analyst expectations.
The main driver of Google's profits - advertising revenue - was up 15%.
More of Google's advertising revenues is coming from mobile adverts, which are cheaper.
While the company has been adapting, the change has hurt Google's bottom line.
Chief executive Larry Page said that adapting to mobile was a challenge the company was embracing.
"The shift from one screen to multiple screens and mobility creates tremendous opportunity for Google," he said.
On a conference call to discuss earnings, Mr Page mentioned the company's revamped AdWords programme, which has been well-received.
Tax cut for shale gas firms planned
The government has outlined plans to give tax breaks to companies involved in the UK's nascent shale gas industry.
It has proposed cutting the tax on some of the income generated from producing shale gas - found in underground shale rock formations - from 62% to just 30%.
The plans would make the UK the "most generous" regime for shale gas in the world, the government said.
But they have been criticised by environmentalists, with Friends of the Earth calling them a "disgrace".
Greenpeace added that communities affected by fracking - the technique for extracting shale gas - faced a lot of disruption for very little gain.
Chancellor George Osborne said shale gas was a resource with "huge potential" for the UK's energy mix.
"We want to create the right conditions for industry to explore and unlock that potential in a way that allows communities to share in the benefits," he said. "I want Britain to be a leader of the shale gas revolution because it has the potential to create thousands of jobs and keep energy bills low for millions of people."
The UK is believed to have large resources of shale gas.
Dell delays vote on buyout by founder Michael Dell
Dell has announced an eleventh-hour delay on a vote on founder Michael Dell's plan to buy the computer maker.
Thursday's vote at a shareholders' meeting at Dell's Texas headquarters has been put back until next Wednesday so the board can drum up more support.
Mr Dell has spent the past five months trying to persuade shareholders to approve the buyout proposal.
But the board-backed plan has faced opposition from billionaire Carl Icahn, who argues the offer undervalues Dell.
About 300 shareholders attended the meeting, and many others had already cast proxy votes. Shareholders are allowed to change their votes until polling closes.
The board has recommended that shareholders accept Mr Dell's $24.4bn (£16bn) offer.
With the PC maker's sales and share price falling as consumers turn to tablets and mobile devices, the board thought the company had a better chance of being turned around if it was taken private.
But Mr Icahn had suggested the company buy back 1.1 billion shares at $14 a piece, and offer shareholders the right to buy more Dell shares at a later date.
The board had called Mr Icahn's proposal risky and short on details.
Tina Turner marries her partner in Switzerland
US singer Tina Turner has married her long-term partner in Switzerland.
The 73-year-old married music producer Erwin Bach at a registry office in the Zurich suburb of Kuesnacht where they live.
It is the second marriage for Turner, who divorced Ike Turner in 1978 after suffering domestic violence.
The singer has lived with her German-born partner in Zurich for more than 20 years. She became a Swiss citizen earlier this year.
Swiss media reported they will have a Buddhist water ceremony at their lakefront home this weekend.
Newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag said David Bowie and Oprah Winfrey were among the invited guests, and the couple had written to neighbours apologising in advance for any noise.
Turner retired from performing after her last tour, which ended in 2009.
Flo Rida confirmed for Reggae Sumfest
Summerfest Productions, organisers of Reggae Sumfest has announced the addition of international hip-hop star Flo Rida to the line up for International Night 1 on Friday, July 26 at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.
“Flo Rida is a great complement to this year’s show, he has done very well over the past few years with a lot on internationally recognised hits,” Johnny Gourzong, executive director of Summerfest Productions said.“We are really glad to have him on the show, he will be bringing the full experience to the festival, full band, dancers and everything, so it’s a big full show on International Night 1.”
Nominated for six Billboard Awards in 2013; and with hits such as ‘Whistle’ and ‘I Cry’ from his fourth studio album‘Wild Ones’, Flo Rida is “expected to attract droves of patrons to the second city” for the 21st staging of the Festival.
Flo Rida will share the stage with Jamaican reggae legends Beres Hammond, Barrington Levy, Tarrus Riley and others on the Festival’s International Night 1.
Organisers say that the star studded line-up this year, will showcase young and dynamic hit makers emerging today, including Grammy Award winning R&B singer Miguel, reggae artistes; Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley & The Ghetto Youths International Crew, Romain Virgo, Chronixx, Nature and dynamic performers No-Maddz.
Dancehall headliners Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Lady Saw and I-Octane are expected entertain fans alongside young stars such as Tommy Lee, Popcaan, Aidonia, QQ and RDX.
Reggae Sumfest kicks off with the Beach party on Sunday, July 21 and continues with Dancehall Night and International Nights 1 and 2 from July 25 to 27. The 2013 staging of the show is sponsored by Digicel, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Secrets Resorts, Red Stripe, Pepsi and Courts, Grand Palladum, Half Moon, Holiday Inn and Round Hill Hotel.
Shaggy to appear on Fox 5
Diamond Selling International Recordingartiste Shaggy is ready to electrify New York this weekend, first stop Fox 5 Good Day New York. There is no slowing down international superstar Shaggy, who is set to appear on Fox 5's 'Good Day New York' tomorrow morning, Friday, July 19, 2013 (WNYW-TV)
This performance is not to be missed and Shaggy will perform 'Fight this Feeling' on air alongside a VERY special guest.
With a jam-pact schedule Shaggy has been on the road since June, performing in Azerbaijan, Beirut, Poland, Lithuania, Dubai and has just wrapped up a performance in Tunisia, Africa just to name a few.
Yet, Shaggy still found the time to release the video for his first single,'Fight this Feeling' off his upcoming album, Out of Many, One Music, on Saturday, July 13th on Jamaica's National Television with Winford Williams Onstage. 'Fight this Feeling' featuring Beres Hammond is one of the fastest rising reggae single for 2013, purchased and loved by a wide age demographics of 17 - 78. With over 12,000 YouTube views in one day 'Fight this Feeling' is sure to continue to garner enormous radio spins and sales.