IMF to help Guyana in move to reduce VAT
The Guyana government is considering reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) in a move that could see the expansion of the tax base. But changes are not likely before the next budget.
At a media conference yesterday, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been approached for assistance, and a team from the institution’s Barbados-based Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre is expected to arrive soon to begin its work.
“They (CARTAC) are going to send a one or two-person mission to do a complete assessment of our VAT, where it is today, including options for changes in the system, so it is on the cards,” he said.
“I don’t see it happening before the next budget. It would be extremely difficult to just bring in a VAT reduction in the middle or half of the year, when our budget anyhow is not based on that.”
During the visit, the CARTAC team is expected to conduct an assessment and examine the quantitative work of the Tax Reform Committee.
Back in January, that committee had recommended that VAT be lowered by two percent to 14 percent, along with the introduction of an intermediate rate of seven percent.
The finance minister said the matter is being carefully examined and changes could affect water and electricity services on which VAT is not currently paid.
“In doing the reduction, we will have to expand the base on which the VAT is being applied to recoup lost revenues from the reductions,” Jordan told the media, pointing to Trinidad as an example where the base was broadened when the VAT was reduced.
“Now there are various options for reducing this VAT. What we will want to do is to have the widest possible consultation because some of the options will involve putting the VAT on some things that could cause trouble.”
Big South says 49th Regatta
The TCI’s oldest festival will be held this weekend in South Caicos, the Big South Regatta, promises to be three days of partying and fun, this according to PRO Alvin Parker.
Parker added that the home coming festival, which began as an annual event following the 1966 visit of Queen Elizabeth II to South Caicos is celebrating 49 years of celebration.
He told RTC News that there will be the usual pageant and sail boat races and the regular speed boat races, plus the diving contests and an old favourite the horse and donkey rides.
Parker added that the committee is inviting tourists, supporters and family to come to South Caicos and join in the celebrations.
James Smith Jr. arrested
Police this afternoon informed RTC News that the 23 years old of Providenciales, James Smith Jr. who was wanted for numerous serious offences and was believed to be armed and dangerous has been captured.
Responding to a tip, Smith was found and captured on Thursday 19th May 2016 at a home in Blue Hills during the execution of a Search warrant.
He was immediately arrested on a Bench Warrant for his appearance in the Supreme Court for another matter.
The 5 feet 9 inches young man will not receive bail because he breached his bail conditions.
Prisoners Receive Certificates in Anger Management
On Tuesday, 24 May, 2016, in a ceremony held at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP), nine (9) inmates received their Anger Management Graduation certification of completion.
The Anger Management program which began in 2007 has seen over 128 inmates graduating from the program to date. Each year, two cycles are conducted to train inmates in how to resolve conflicts and control their anger.
While formerly facilitated by Rev. John Malcolm, Senior Substance Abuse Counselor within the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, the program is now facilitated by Mr. Stanley Been, Substance Abuse Counsellor within the Mental Health Department, who commenced this year's cycle on 1 March 2016. In his address to the graduates, Mr. Been stated; "I encourage you all to lose sight of your past afflictions and focus on your future, using the negativity that you once bottled inside as fuel for something positive."
Further remarks were received from the Hon. George Lightbourne, Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication; Mr. Raymond Grant, Acting Superintendent of HM Prison; Dr. Alicia Malcolm, Director of the Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence and Rev. John Malcolm.
The Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence, has been allotted future calendar dates so as to assist the prison with these support services. The second cycle for 2016 is set to begin on 2 August 2016.
This program continues to represent the collaborative work to aid in the rehabilitation of prisoners within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Nurses leading the Way...Nurses caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow
The Hon Premier and Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services (MoHAHS), Dr. Rufus Ewing, honored nurses of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos last week at an appreciation banquet held at the Carnival Cruise Welcome Center, downtown Grand Turk under the theme "Nurses leading the way...Nurses caring today for a healthier tomorrow".
Nurses and their guests were invited out to a formal and elegant evening filled with cheer, food, music, accolades, and deep appreciation for the dedicated service nurses provide to the people of the TCI. Nurses in attendance represented the TCI Hospital, Government Primary Health Care Clinics, the Mental and Dental Health Departments and the Wellness Centre along with nurses who have now retired.
The evening began with a word of prayer from Pastor Mary Forbes, former Chief Nursing Officer, and past Health Disaster Coordinator. Afterward, an official welcome and tributes were given by Mrs. Tamera Robinson, Deputy Secretary MoHAHS, Hon. Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing, MoHAHS, Hon. Anya Williams, Deputy Governor, Hon. George Lightbourne, Minister of Home Affairs, Communications and Transportation, Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General, and Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Jacqueline Sutton.
Mrs. Tamera Robinson, Deputy Secretary, welcomed guests to the banquet organized under the auspices of the Premier, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing. She invited everyone to relax, socialize and enjoy the evening. She acknowledged that the Nursing profession is not an easy one and that it takes a special person to be a nurse.
Nurses were described by Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing as being the six senses of the health system (the eyes, ears, smell, touch, taste and intuition). He acknowledged that nurses are the foundation of the health system, without which the health system would not function.
He said doctors perform surgery and treatment, but nurses provide the care necessary to heal patients, restore health and save lives.
Hon. George Lightbourne said nurses are not just nurses, but they are caregivers, confidants, parents and friends. They provide for the needs of their patients in hospitals, health centres and communities. He admonished nurses not to devalue themselves and their contributions and encouraged them to always know their worth and be proud of their service.
Hon. Anya Williams said that Nurses are hardworking and dedicated. She stated that nurses are special and uniquely suited for the nursing profession. She recognized the hard work teachers and nurses, and stressed that nurses are essential to the vitality of a society, even more so than teachers. She also acknowledged the work of nurses as priceless and said they deserve to be well compensated for their service.
Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Jacqueline Sutton, described the qualities of a nurse as caring, empathic, detailed-oriented, adaptable, hardworking, quick thinking, physical apt. She said they have good judgment and good communication skills. She emphasized that if a person comes to a nurse in a crisis, the nurse will not have time to read a book. He or she will know what to do and will respond quickly. She gave a special salute to all nurses especially those on the islands of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay who often have to run clinics without a fulltime physician and the benefit of a hospital on island.
Each Nurse was presented with a beautiful plaque by the dignitaries present. Special recognition was given to Nurse Mary Forbes, Nurse Charlene Higgs, Nurse Aldora Robinson and Chief Nursing Officer Mrs. Jacqueline Sutton for their invaluable contributions to the Ministry of Health and the TCI.
May 20th, the Nurses on the islands of Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos had their banquet dinner in their honor at the Beaches Resort, Providenciales.
New tests find 14 Russian athletes positive at Beijing Games
The Russian Olympic Committee has said 14 of its athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics tested positive for doping during re-tests of their samples.
Sports minister Vitaly Mutko said the news of the positive tests "certainly doesn't look good".
Country’s athletes are currently banned from international competition.
In a statement (in Russian), it said it had received the information in "official documents" from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The IOC earlier said up to 31 athletes could be banned from the Rio Games.
The Russian Athletics Federation said any athlete found to have used doping in previous years would not go to Rio.
Former VP Jack’ Warner sued by CONCACAF
Trinidad and Tobago’s Austin ‘Jack’ Warner, the former vice-president of football’s world governing body (FIFA), is being sued for more than US$50 million dollars by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF).
The new suit centres on a lavish soccer facility built in Trinidad with millions of dollars in funding from FIFA.
The suit accuses Warner, who served as CONCACAF president for 20 years before resigning in 2011, of fraudulently securing FIFA and CONCACAF funding to develop the property.
The site now includes a hotel and banqueting facilities and is said to be built on lands belonging to Warner.
who has in the past denied wrongdoing, is also facing corruption charges in the United States and remains in Trinidad where he is fighting extradition.
Warner, banned from soccer by FIFA in September, is one of four presidents who have been forced from office amid claims of wrongdoing, with three charged by the US Department of Justice.
CONCACAF last week elected Canada’s Victor Montagliani as its latest leader and is on the verge of naming a new general secretary as soon as next week.
Racers Grand Prix to confirm Full Athletes’ list Today
A press conference on the inaugural Racers Grand Prix International track and field meet will be held today at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel at 10:00 am this morning Rtc Sports was informed.
The historic Racers Grand Prix, is set for June 11 at the National Stadium, and will bring together more than 100 of the world’s best athletes from more than 10 countries.
Dr Usain St Leo Bolt will make his seasonal local debut in a mouthwatering 100m clash alongside Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Kemar Bailey-Cole.
Meanwhile, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, arguably the best female sprinter of all time, will come face to face with her great American rival Carmelita Jeter in the 100m.
events in the men’s section: 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, javelin and discus throws. On the women’s side there will be seven events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m hurdles, high jump and triple jump.
The Racers Grand Prix could not come at a better time to provide athletes in the region a chance to fine-tune their preparations for the Rio Olympics in Brazil. It will also expose athletes to high-class competition outside of Europe added the release from Cynthia Cooke, the Racers’ general secretary
Praises Vietnamese Youth in Personal Exchange
U.S. President Barack Obama said interacting with young people during his three-day visit to Vietnam makes him optimistic about the country's future. In some remarkably personal exchanges with young audience members at a town-hall style event in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday, he confessed that he was not always very serious in his youth.
The president spoke to some 800 members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Network, who welcomed him enthusiastically with loud cheers, American flags and a standing ovation. YSEALI is Obama’s signature program, launched in 2013, to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia.
The president began by saying he had spent part of his own youth in the Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia, and that the region has shaped him.
One questioner asked the president for advice on how to become a great leader, to which Obama said the young crowd members already appear better prepared and organized than he was their age.
“First of all, let me tell you that when I was your age I was not as well organized, and well-educated and sophisticated as all of you. When I was young, I fooled around a lot, I didn’t always take my studies very seriously, and I was more interested in basketball, and girls. And I wasn’t always that serious,” he said.
There are many ways be to be a leader, and advised young people to find something they are passionate about, and pour all their energy and effort into it.
You can change the world to reflect our best values… and change the region in positive ways," he said.
The President also took questions on the arts and the hotly general elections coming up in the US.
Vietnamese citizens lined the streets to get a glimpse of President Obama, who said the United States and Vietnam are embarking on a new 100-year journey together.
The next stop for the president is Japan, where he will meet Wednesday evening with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Protests Erupt Outside Trump Rally in New Mexico
A Donald Trump rally in New Mexico Tuesday evening was disrupted by angry demonstrators who broke through barricades.
Dozens of police officers, many on horseback, repeatedly warned protesters to stay away from the sidewalk in front of the venue, where Trump supporters were lined up to enter the rally.
Demonstrators held signs painted with Anarchy symbols and messages including "Trump is Fascist" and "We've heard enough" and burned T-shirts and other paraphernalia bearing Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again", throwing some burning items at police officers.
Bottles and rocks were also reportedly thrown, damaging one of the glass doors to the Albuquerque Convention Center.
A few protesters made it inside the rally as well, repeatedly interrupting the real-estate mogul. Some were dragged out of the building as an onlooking Trump commented "This is so exciting, isn't it?"
The rally marked Trump's first visit to New Mexico, the nation's most heavily Hispanic state. It is led by Governor Susana Martinez - the U.S.'s only Hispanic governor and head of the Republican Governor's association. Martinez did not attend the rally and is yet to endorse a presidential candidate.