JOE CONNOLLY RESIGNS FROM ADVISORY COUNCIL
Acting Governor Patrick Boyle accepted the resignation of Advisory Council member Joe Connolly on, Thursday, 5 July 2012.
Mr Connolly has stood down because he felt no longer able to support the Government's VAT Bill in its current form. He understands the Government's objective in trying to secure a regular dependable income through VAT, but feels a delay would give more time to assess its suitability to the Islands. "It has been a great privilege to serve my country as an Advisory Council member," said Joe Connolly.
"It has been particularly gratifying to work with my fellow Council members, and both Governors Todd and Wetherell, to try and ensure the ongoing development of the Turks and Caicos Islands." "We are certainly very sorry to see someone of Joe Connolly's great experience leave the Advisory Council," said Patrick Boyle.
"We will continue to work hard in his absence to make sure that we handover the Turks and Caicos Islands to the incoming Ministerial-led Government in only four months better governed, with improving public finances and a more accountable, independent civil service."
Crime Report and incident
A DINING room table and a set of chairs were stolen from a container located in a yard in Discovery Bay between Saturday June 30th, and Thursday July5th.
A 32 year male of Five Cays, Providenciales was arrested for Theft in connection to an incident that occurred on Providenciales in May.
MEAWHILE a 17 year old male was arrested by Police on suspicion of Burglary in connection to an incident that took place on Thursday 28 June.
St Lucia political party calls for VAT delay
After weeks of what it describes as cautiously examining St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony’s motive for wanting to implement value added tax (VAT) in September -- now in October -- of this year, the Lucian People’s Movement (LPM) said it is firmly convinced that there is a sinister political motive behind the government’s attempts to railroad the implementation of the VAT in St Lucia.
While the LPM said it is not opposed to the implementation of VAT -- and is fully supportive and understanding of why it is required -- the party cannot help but see the motive behind this rush.
According to the LPM, when compared to other standard models, VAT legislation can be very complex and, if too politically motivated, can take an ad hoc path that will destroy the very essence of its implementation, namely, to achieve financial stability through effective fiscal and monetary management. The LPM warned the current administration to refrain from littering the VAT legislation with too many exemptions and privileges. This fiscal path can diminish revenue impact and will be difficult to manage, the party said, in a press statement.
“The LPM is firmly of the opinion that Dr Anthony and his government is in a rush to establish VAT during its first year in government, simply for political expedience. It is thinking in terms of the long-term political interest of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP), and not in terms of what is economically viable for the country at this time,” the statement read.
“By implementing VAT right now, the SLP is hoping to escape the wrath of the people of St Lucia -- a wrath that is bound to occur, given the hardship that VAT will exact. It is the belief of the LPM that by so doing, the SLP is hoping that the passage of its term in office will lead to the people of St Lucia forgetting all about the economic hardship they have had to endure for decades,” the statement continued
The LPM called upon Anthony and his government to delay the implementation of the VAT to 1 January 2013, so as to fine-tune and better define a tax system that is as yet largely unknown to the general populace.
“The design of the VAT has to take into critical account our country’s public sector size, degree of openness, industrial concentration levels, literacy rates, and the size distribution of the tax to name a few. The people of St Lucia must fully understand what they are up against, before being taken like proverbial lambs to the slaughter,” the statement concluded.
Former Nightclub operator on $3M bail for trafficking Guyanese girl
Former Nightclub operator Hermalinda Parker was on Friday granted bail in the sum of J$3 million with sureties on human trafficking charges.
Human trafficking is the movement of people through the use of force or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or labour.
Parker operated the Latin Movement Nightclub on Dunrobin Plaza in St Andrew. In granting bail, Supreme Court Judge Donald McIntosh ordered Parker to report to the Constant Spring police station every other day.
She is charged jointly with her husband, Anthony Parker, and her daughter, Lynn Scantlebury. Parker and Scantlebury are on bail and are to return to the Home Circuit Court on November 12 for the start of their trial.
Hermalinda Parker was held on September 1 last year shortly after she returned to Jamaica from The Bahamas.
The Crown is alleging that young girls were recruited from abroad and forced to work at her nightclub.
It is further alleged that in one case a 16-year-old minor was recruited from Guyana under the guise that she was spending the summer vacation in Jamaica.
She was forced to work at the club doing dancing and sexual acts after Parker allegedly told her that she had to work to pay for her living expenses and plane ticket.
Two women saw the girl looking very distraught and took her to a police station where a report was made. The report resulted in a sting operation being set up at the club where a number of people were arrested.
Jamaica Gleaner
Cuba reviews law on foreign investment
Cuba is working on changes of the law on the participation of foreign capital, Yamila Fernandez, director for Finances of the Foreign Ministry for Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX), said on Thursday in Havana.
Fernandez pointed out that a new law should be enacted before December, 2012, while addressing participants in a panel on the Cuban economic model, held in the final session of the 8th International Meeting on Accountancy, Audit and Finances.
Likewise, she said that efforts are being made for the preparation and updating of the portfolio of projects and businesses with foreign capital, with adequate studies of pre-feasibility.
In this regard, she insisted that foreign investment will continue to be supported, as a complement to national investment efforts, with emphasis on prioritized sectors. This activity should favour access to technologies, contribute financing and access to markets, and generate jobs, she added.
The official also stressed that concentration of purchases started in 2011, in order to improve this capacity in the country and favourably influence the balance of trade, by way of reduction of imports. On the other hand, she reiterated that, for the island, food production is a strategic issue, so suburban development of agricultural and livestock production and credit opportunities for farmers are vital, among other steps.
(ACN)
Andy Murray beaten by Roger Federer & Serena beat Radwanska in final of Wimbledon 2012
Andy Murray's bid to win Wimbledon was ended by Roger Federer as the Swiss claimed a record-equalling seventh SW19 triumph and 17th Grand Slam title.
Murray, 25, was aiming to become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to lift a major singles trophy.
But 30-year-old Federer won 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court to match the mark set by Pete Sampras and reclaim the world number one ranking.
A tearful Murray has now lost all four of his Grand Slam finals.
He was the first Briton to contest the Wimbledon men's singles final since Bunny Austin in 1938, but fell just short of the ultimate goal.
"Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, but it's not the people watching - they make it incredible," said a tearful Murray in the wake of his defeat.
"There are mixed emotions. Most of them are negative. The reaction from the crowd was great. I felt like I was playing for the nation and I couldn't quite do it."
Federer fully deserved his victory, which not only sees him level Sampras on seven Wimbledon titles, but also secures him a record 286th week as world number one.
He is the second-oldest man to occupy top spot, goes away with a cheque for £1.15m and will head to the Olympics - also being staged at the All England Club - as clear favourite.
Murray, who collects the £575,000 runner-up prize, now shares his coach Ivan Lendl's unenviable record of losing his first four Grand Slam finals.
Having made poor starts in each of the previous three - all of which ended in straight-sets defeats - Murray knew it was vital to secure the early momentum.
All was going to plan as a couple of pummelling backhands down the line, a tactic many highlighted pre-match, helped Murray break in the opening game and then consolidate the advantage for a 2-0 lead.
Federer looked uneasy with the pace his opponent was setting and began deploying sliced groundstrokes to slow things down.
A backhand landed on the baseline to engineer a break-back point in game four, and he converted it when Murray found the net.
Both men needed to serve their way out of trouble as the pressure mounted and, crucially, Murray produced a sensational volley at his feet to save the second of two break points in a 13-minute game eight.
He then struck with the help of a forehand pass that Federer ducked to avoid being hit - reminiscent of the aggression shown by Lendl during his career - and comfortably served out the first set.
Statistically, Murray actually improved in almost every area during the second, but the key difference was that he could not take his chances.
Whereas the 25-year-old converted both break points that came his way in the first set, he let two slip at 2-2 and another two at 4-4.
Federer held for 6-5 before going on the attack, and he came from 40-15 down to level the match with a sensational backhand drop volley.
Heavy rain arrived at at 16:14 BST with Federer 40-0 up in game three of set three, and the prospect of further downpours saw the roof closed. wiss, who destroyed world number one Novak Djokovic indoors on Friday, was vastly superior and put Murray under the cosh in a marathon game five.
Murray was reeled in from 40-0, Federer moving to deuce when the Scot took a heavy tumble at the net, and he slipped again before finally succumbing on a sixth break point.
Federer served out with a crunching ace and averted danger early in the fourth set before striking for 4-2 with a cross-court backhand pass.
He wrapped up his first Grand Slam title since the 2010 Australian Open when Murray hooked a forehand into the tramlines.
"This fortnight was a step in the right direction. I won't go back on the court until my mind is right and I am over the loss," added Murray of his future plans.
"The Olympics is a special event and I want to make sure I am ready. If I play like I did this week I have a good chance of winning a medal."
Serena Williams beat Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 Saturday to win her fifth singles championship at Wimbledon.
Williams, who won her 14th Grand Slam title, dominated the opening set, breaking for a 2-0 lead when Radwanska hit a forehand wide. But Radwanska fought back to claim the second set and level the match, winning 7-5.
The 30-year-old American broke serve for the second time in the fourth game when the third seed’s forehand faltered again.
Williams let two set points slip in the sixth game, allowing Radwanska to get on the scoreboard, but she served an ace to bring up set point and followed that with another unreturnable blast to take the opener.
Boston’s Ray Allen Signs with Miami Heat (Blame Rondo)
Ray Allen has signed with the Miami Heat!
That’s right, the Miami Heat … the same team that knocked his now-former employer the Boston Celtics out of this past season’s playoffs.
Allen took less money to sign with the reigning world champions was probably due to his perception of the way Boston was not showing him respect, but most of all, it was his strained relationship Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, according to NBA basketball writer Adrian Wojnarowski.
Rondo and Allen were non-confrontational, but much of the behind-the-back sniping to teammates and those around the team took a toll. So much of it was sandbox stuff, the kind of grating, ultimately petty issues that occur in every locker room, every workplace. Rondo didn’t chase Allen out of Boston, but their relationship did become a drain in the locker room. Their cold war was something Allen discussed with associates, something that become a concern of management and the coaching staff.
R. Kelly Says ‘The Notebook’ Led Him to Divorce His Wife
The Notebook” is arguably one of the most romantic flicks ever made.
But super star singer R. Kelly says it inspired him to divorce his wife of 12 years back in 2009.
In his new memoir, “Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me,” he reveals the film showed him that his marriage was dead.
“As the film credits started to roll, I couldn’t move. I burst into tears. People walking past me patted me on the back, trying to console me. ‘The Notebook’ was beautiful, and I was crying because its hero and heroine had died together,” the 45-year-old writes in the memoir. “But I was also crying because I remembered a Valentine’s Day — when a helicopter dropped a rainfall of roses — that had come and gone … My marriage had died. And there was nothing I could do to bring it back.”
The couple was wed after meeting in 1994 when Andrea Lee, his now former wife, auditioned as a back up dancer for the singer. They were married two years later.
He says in the book that she wasn’t happy and the relationship was in a bad place. In 2005, Andrea filed a protective order against him due to claims of domestic violence. They filed for divorce in 2006, but tried to work things out until the tragic end.
Usher’s Stepson (Kyle Glover) Declared Brain Dead
There’s horrible and sad news to report on Usher’s stepson, Kyle (aka: Kile) Glover.
11-year-old Kyle has declared brain dead by doctors following an accident yesterday when he was struck by a jet ski, TMZ is reporting.
According to our sources, Kyle Glover (son of Usher’s estranged wife Tameka Foster) has not experienced any brain activity since he was admitted to the hospital. We’re told there has been no decision yet as to whether or not to take him off life support.
Our sources say Usher arrived at the hospital last night and Tameka has not left the hospital since she got there.
Young Glover was struck in the head by a passing jet ski while riding on an inner tube on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, GA.
Skinny Fabulous walks away with the 2012 Soca Monarch crown
Gamal "Skinny Fabulous" Doyle was this morning crowned the 2012 Soca Monarch King in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, as that country continues its Vincy Mas celebrations.
His performance was enough to send into second place "a crowd favourite" Lornette "Fya Empress" Nedd.
After her performance many cornwed her, but when the judges made the announcement they placed her one step down (2nd position).
In 3rd place was Shaunelle McKenzie with Carry on and 4th Antonius "Baddy" Simmons - Road Calling.
The social network was buzzing from start to finish, as persons watched and listened to what you can refer to in most cases as "under-standard songs."
It was a step down from what Vincentians and visitors are used too, but it was not reflective in the turn out, as carnival city was packed, as one facebook user said "packed like a slave ship."
Some asked "Is this a rehearsal?" .
Many of the performers with their annual roll calling shouted "Anybody from St.Vincent?" No one moved. Maybe there were more visitors then!
If am to sum it up I would say that in 2013 the criteria needs to change, maybe some judges. Set the bar real high that the practice session last night will not make it to the big city, the big stage.... CARNIVAL CITY VICTORIA PARK!