Draft Code of Conduct for Public Consultations
The Integrity Commission has now compiled a draft Code of Conduct for Persons in Public Life. It is being compiled, as part of the Commission's responsibility to promote integrity, honesty and good faith in public life.
The draft Code is being made available for public feedback. In addition, it is also being sent to all political parties, prospective candidates for election, and persons in public life including public officers, CEO's, Executive Officers, members of Statutory Boards and other public sector bodies. The draft is also being made available on the Commissions page of the government website www.gov.tc.
As part of the process, the Integrity Commission will be embarking on a series of public consultations over the next few weeks in the form of Town Hall meetings. It is the intention to visit all the islands within the Turks and Caicos Islands, consult with and get the views and suggestions of as many members of the public as possible. This is part of the Commission's consultation programme and will inform the final Code of Conduct that will be implemented to ensure adherence to high standards. The dates, times and venues set for the public meetings are as follows:
Following the public awareness and consultation programme, the Commission intends to issue the final Code of Conduct prior to the 9th November 2012. Director of the Integrity Commission, Eugene Otuonye stated that "The Code of Conduct is a very important aspect of the Commissions work and we very much welcome the opportunity of taking this to the people of TCI for consultation. Thereafter, the Commission will consider the wide range of views and constructive suggestions from the consultations which will help the Commission formulate and publish a document which will enable high standards of conduct in public life".
Please send your views, comments and suggestions on the draft Code to the Integrity Commission: By e-mail atSecretary@integritycommission.tc; By Phone: 946 1941; 946 2801 – Gov’t ext. 20252
Public Consultation Calendar:
1. Salt Cay, Mon, 29 Oct, 12:30pm-2:30pm, The Salt Shed
2. Providenciales, Tue, 30 Oct, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex
3. Grand Turk, Wed, 31 Oct, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Ona Glinton Primary School
4. South Caicos, Thu, 1 Nov, 6:00pm-8:00pm, South Caicos Community Centre
5. Middle Caicos, Fri, 2 Nov, 2:30pm-4:30pm, Conch Bar Community Centre
6. North Caicos, Fri, 2 Nov, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Adelaide Oemler Primary School
TURKS AND CAICOS AUDIT REPORT PUBLISHED
The complex task of completing audited Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) accounts from financial year 2007/08 until 2010/11 concluded today with the submission of a report to His Excellency The Governor by the Audit Office in Grand Turk today, Tue, 23 Oct 2012.
The long awaited Audit Report and Financial Statements of TCIG for the periods ending 31st March 2008 through March 31st, 2011 had been delayed due to the chaotic state of the previous accounts and the breakdown of the public financial management systems in the past. Hurricane Ike also played a part in the loss of certain documentation.
The report demonstrates TCIG's improved financial position from an overall cash position of -$5.7m in 2007/08 to $19.9m in 2010/11, despite decreases in revenues in 2009/10 due to losses in the real estate and customs sectors. These decreases were compensated for by positive reductions in discretionary expenditures mostly associated with the former Premier’s office detailed in the report: hosting and entertainment, security, rental of buildings, subventions and other expenses.
"The reasons for the delay in this report were undoubtedly the disordered state of the public finances inherited from the previous elected Government," said Governor Ric Todd. “I appreciate that these Financial Statements are being issued during an election campaign, but this is the first time that they have been made available to me and I do not wish to withhold the information any longer than necessary. They accurately assesses how taxpayer’s money was spent over the last 2.5 years of the last elected Government and the first 18 months of the Interim Administration.
"The most important message from the report is that the financial management and systems of the Turks and Caicos Islands have improved beyond all recognition in recent times. Effectively we have spent the past two years clearing the outstanding expenditures of the previous period, and then implementing reforms to prevent these excesses occurring again. This will be of tremendous value to the incoming elected Government providing them with timely and accurate financial information which will allow them to make their spending plans on the strongest possible basis."
Skyfall premiere is biggest and best - Daniel Craig
James Bond star Daniel Craig has declared the launch of the new Bond film Skyfall as his greatest 007 premiere yet.
The actor, playing the spy for a third time, was the first of the stars to arrive at the Royal Albert Hall for the royal premiere.
"It's incredible," Craig told the BBC. "This is my third premiere and this is the biggest and the best."
Skyfall is the 23rd official Bond film and marks 50 years of the franchise.
Large crowds of people had turned out to cheer the stars on the red carpet, which stretched along the streets around the venue in Kensington, west London.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended the screening on Tuesday night, along with stars Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and the film's director Sam Mendes.
James Bond received the royal seal of approval earlier this year at the Olympics opening ceremony when Daniel Craig's character appeared in a short film alongside the QueenCraig said he was "incredibly proud" to be playing the hero created by Ian Fleming, who first appeared on the big screen in Dr No in 1962.
"It was the 50th year so we had try and celebrate that," he said. "Sam and I are huge Bond fans and we wanted to make the best Bond movie we could, and he's done a tremendous job."
Proceeds from the royal gala are going to charities that help members of Britain's intelligence services.
Skyfall sees spy chief M (Dench) battling a crisis with roots in her past, and Bardem playing a villain bent on revenge.
Bardem said: "Sam Mendes has done something very challenging which is to mix the flavour of the classic Bond movies with something more modern."
Mendes said: "The weirdest thing is that about two weeks ago I was still finishing the movie with about three other people in a dark room - so the big shock is coming out and finding people about to see the movie."
Other stars on the red carpet included Ralph Fiennes, who plays a senior government official, Bond girls Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe, and Ben Whishaw as the new Q.
Whishaw said: "I'm so thrilled to be a part of this phenomenon."
Harris, who plays British agent Eve, said she tried to avoid watching the performances of previous Bond girls as she prepared for the role.
"I didn't want to be influenced by that. What was much more useful to me was interviewing a former MI6 agent who came along and answered all our questions about what it was like to be a real agent."
Marlohe, who plays the mysterious Severine, said on the red carpet: "We filmed the movie a long time ago but suddenly it brings back all the memories, and I feel very moved to be here."
Barbara Broccoli, who co-produces the Bond films with Michael G Wilson, said Skyfall was "classic Bond but with a contemporary feel".
She added: "We wanted to make a film for the 50th anniversary for the fans and we wanted to make the best Bond ever - we tried real hard so I hope the audiences like at as much as we enjoyed making it."
Skyfall has been praised by critics, with some indeed hailing it as the ultimate Bond adventure.
The Independent'sGeoffrey McNab said: "If not a full-blown triumph, this is certainly one of the best Bonds in recent memory."
The Times's Kate Muir called it "a great British bulldog of a movie".
All eyes will be on the box office after the film opens on Friday to see if Skyfall can top Daniel Craig's other outings as the secret agent.
2008's Quantum of Solace made £367.4m ($586.1m) worldwide, while Casino Royale (2006) made £372.5m ($594.2m).
BBC
Lindsay Lohan needs rehab, dad says
Lindsay Lohan's father pleaded with the actress to return to drug rehab; otherwise, he may ask a judge to place her under a conservatorship.
"I truly believe, as her team has told me, that she needs to go back in and pick up where she left off to resolve the issues she didn't resolve when she was in the last time," Michael Lohan told CNN Monday.
Lindsay Lohan never completed the family therapy mandated during her three-month stay at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, for substance abuse rehab two years ago, Michael Lohan said. He insisted Lindsay Lohan's lawyers, manager and publicist backed the intervention plan because of their concerns about her recent drug and alcohol use, but they were distancing themselves from it Monday.
Lohan attempted to stage an intervention at his daughter's Los Angeles home on Friday, he said, but was rebuffed when someone called the policeIt's apparent Michael continues to be very focused on getting publicity for himself," Lindsay Lohan publicist Steve Honig told CNN. "Lindsay's team is in no way aligned with him or his actions."
Michael Lohan called Honig "a pathetic liar" for his denial, saying he "was on board, but now he is bailing because he cares more about his job than her."
Text and e-mails prove "her entire team was behind me in this, from the very beginning," he said. "They said they had the same concerns as me, and they were concerned about Lindsay's welfare."
Michael Lohan blames his ex-wife for much of his daughter's current troubles, accusing her of using their children "to distance me and stay close to the goose that laid her gold egg."
Wyclef Jeans Responds To Controversial Picture On Breakfast Club on Power 105
Days after uploading a controversial “speedo” photo on his Twitter, Wyclef Jean emerged on The Breakfast Club yesterday to clear up some backlash from fans.
Speaking with Charlamagne, DJ Envy and Angela Yee, the Haitian born singer says the pic was old“First of all, the pic with the speedos just so you clarify, that’s an old pic. I’m part of a bike club right, and those photos are actually up on Facebook and Instagram. This comes from an old photo shoot,” Wyclef said.
“I turned 43, I feel 26 based on that photo shoot that I did. At 43, to look the way I look and to feel the way I feel, it’s incredible… I’m always gonna look like this,” Clef added.
The former Fugee also showed Charlamagne what was underneath his tracksuit after he was pressed further on the question regarding the photo.
Wyclef Jean also discussed his new autobiography where he made some shocking allegations about Lauryn Hill.
Mojo Morgan Stabilized After Health Scare
After a few minor setbacks Dr’s at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura, Florida have been able to stabilize Mojo Morgan. Immense tests and results are still underway to determine the actual cause of this unexpected illness that hospitalized the “New Dawn” singer.
An anonymous source close to the family has said that Mojo is grateful just to be alive and has every intention to rise up from this unfortunate situation to return back to what he does best.
An official statement is still to come when Dr’s can actually determine what sickness over took the youngest member in Morgan Heritage in South Florida.
Mojo’s “New Dawn” feat Peetah Morgan which embodies the spirit of Nina Simone is available for free download for a limited time
Wins for Williams, Sharapova & Radwanska
There were wins for Agnieszka Radwanska, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova as the WTA Championships got under way in Istanbul.
Radwanska defeated defending champion Petra Kvitova 6-3 6-2 while American Williams beat Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-1.
Russia's Maria Sharapova recorded a 6-3 6-2 victory over Italy's Sara Errani in a repeat of the French Open final.
Victoria Azarenka and Li Na are the other players in the round-robin event.
The top eight women in the world are taking part in the end-of-season showpiece event.
Belarusian Azarenka, Williams, Kerber and China's Na are in the Red Group, with the remaining players making up the White Group.
Two from each group go through to the semi-finals.
Williams said it was important to record a victory in her first game since winning a 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in the summer.
"I really wanted to win today obviously. When you are playing anyone in the top five you just are trying to play better," Williams said.
"[Kerber] won the last time we played so I really just wanted to do well today."
Pole Radwanska was also pleased with victory over her Czech opponent.
"I am just happy that I could play my best tennis today and close that match in two sets," she said. "It's a good start."
Olympics and Paralympics £377m under budget
The cost of the London Olympics and Paralympics will be £377m less than expected, according to the government.
The combined budget for the two events was £9.29bn, but the projected cost is £8.92bn.
Savings came from a drop in security, transport and construction expenses.
Sports minister Hugh Robertson said: "London 2012 was a tremendous success and it is a significant achievement to deliver this large and complex programme on time and under budget."
Another £103m from a contingency fund was also left unspent, meaning a total of £480m still remains from the original budget.
The government said this money will cover "risks" linked to the revamping of the Olympic Park.
The figures are from the government's final quarterly economic report.
With some London 2012 contracts still to be wound up, ministers have described the underspend as a "prudent" estimate.
Robertson added: "The work of the construction and delivery teams, from the ODA [Olympic Delivery Authority] and Locog [London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games], has set a very high standard.
"I have no doubt that London 2012 has set a new benchmark for the management of Olympic and Paralympic Games in future."
The ODA is now transforming the apartments in the Olympic Village into thousands of new homes, removing partitions and fitting kitchens.
It is also returning temporary Games venues to their previous use and owners.
ODA chief executive Dennis Hone said: "We are delighted the venues and infrastructure that we were responsible for delivering proved to be such a big hit and provided an incredible stage and backdrop for the world's greatest sporting event."
The budget set in 2007 was almost four times the estimated cost at the time London bid in 2005.
It was revised upwards after taking into account previously overlooked costs such as VAT, increased security costs, and an expanded brief for the ODA to regenerate the lower Lea Valley area.
Facebook posts loss despite 32% rise in revenues
Facebook has posted a loss of $59m (£37m) despite seeing revenues rise 32% during the third quarter.
The world's most popular online social network revealed that its income rose to $1.26bn, between July and September.
The revenues exceeded expectations, but Facebook's performance remains in the red, following a loss of $157m in the previous quarter.
Facebook's shares have lost about 50% since its stockmarket listing in May.
The company is struggling to turn its online dominance into profits.
Facebook revealed that 604 million of its 1.01 billion users access its site using a mobile device.
"People who use our mobile products are more engaged, and we believe we can increase engagement even further as we continue to introduce new products and improve our platform," claimed the chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, in a statement.
Advertising up 36%
A bright note for investors was that revenues from advertising increased 36%, between July and September, compared to the same period last year.
"Advertising revenue from mobile was the number that really stood out," said Arvind Bhatia, an analyst at Sterne, Agee & Leach.
Mobile revenue of $152.6m made up 14% of total advertising sales, which analysts said came in above their expectations.
Chief financial officer, David Ebersman, said Facebook had a "solid performance" in the third quarter.
Facebook did not provide guidance for the current quarter or beyond, a practice it has maintained since its first earnings report as a public company in late July.
WICB top men go to court to answer questions on Gayle/Bravo
A date has been set for the start of the trial in the US$20M lawsuit brought against the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) by the West Indies Players Association (WIPA). Hearings in the high profile case are due to begin on November 28 in a Port of Spain high court, Trinidad and Tobago media have reported.
High-ranking officials of the WICB including president Julien Hunte have been mandated to attend what has been dubbed the ‘Chris Gayle restraint of trade’ trial between the WICB and WIPA.
Subpoenas have been served on Hunte, vice-president Dave Cameron, former CEO Dr Ernest Hilaire, chief financial officer Barry Thomas and directors Dr Allen Sammy and Baldath Mahabir both from Trinidad.
WIPA has sued the WICB on behalf of Gayle and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo for US$20M for loss of income and reputation.
The players’ body is alleging that the players were denied No Objection Certificates (NOC) which they needed in order to participate in worldwide T20 tournaments.
The Trinidad Guardian has reported that Gayle and Bravo were denied NOCs in 2009 and 2010, and suffered loss of earnings, as well as damage to their reputation.
Gayle, who initially played with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL could not re-sign for a second season after failing to obtain the NOC from the WICB.
Bravo suffered the same fate as a member of the Mumbai Indians.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requires all overseas players to get NOCs from their respective boards in order to take part in the IPL.
It is also been reported that the players who were denied NOCs were also not centrally contracted by the WICB.
When the trial begins, Hunte will become the first sitting WICB president to appear before the court in a matter concerning the regional players and cricket administration.