Delivered by Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson
Mr Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate the Tourist Board on the recent headlines that suggest that TCI is moving towards all year round tourism. This is a positive thing at this time but whilst I am grateful for the much needed revenue in this period, I wish to caution us all to be careful to continue to put so many eggs in one basket. In my Budget Response this year, I raise this matter of such a high dependence on tourism and the fact or reality that this industry is fickle and cannot be relied on so heavily. I again caution us all to move quickly in the right direction to begin to diversify our economy. Another Industry will not be a replacement perhaps but it can add to and this can only spell good economics.
While we focus on external shocks, we must look at internal factors that can also negatively impact this vital Industry. I note three today Mr Speaker:
Crime
Mr Speaker even as we celebrate, we have internal factors that can gnaw away at this vital industry. The increase in crime that is trending up for the year and the increase cases of gun violence, though small in comparison does not spell Beautiful By Nature. (Mr Speaker please allow me to digress for a split second to recognize the success of the Police a few days ago in getting two illegal weapons off the street through police led intelligence – it is a great start). We must work collectively on this issue and take a more aggressive approach.
International Negative Report on Forced Sexual Labour
Then Mr Speaker I note the fact that while we were quick to speak to the report that sought to blacklist us for non - compliance with international regulations, the Government has been silent on multiple reports (3 that I am aware of) that include these Islands among countries where there exists forced sexual labour. Mr Speaker this also has negative implications for our country's reputation. I wait to hear the Government's official response on this issue and then to address where these reports are coming from and to deal with the issue.
Interaction with tourists
Then Mr Speaker, equally important is how we interact with tourists. I must state that I was so disappointed when I was informed of a recent incident that involved an individual driving a Government vehicle in Providenciales who frightened a tourist threatening her arrest or rather "detention" for feeding a stray dog. Mr Speaker the tourist who had been coming to this country for several decades each year and who contribute to charities and help while here, was so afraid to leave this country for fear of being arrested for feeding a stray dog. Mr Speaker the context in which this occurred showed the ugliness of this country and the abuse of persons in certain offices. Mr Speaker I raise this because I sit with fingers crossed hoping that this report does not grow legs and move with the speed or mileage that sad stories such as this usually do. Mr Speaker I raise this here on this platform to highlight an obvious threat to this booming industry – that is the way we interact with tourists. I wish to remind us each of the role we all must play and the fact that what we do to tourists can bite us and Mr Speaker also to remind us that we all have a role to play in protecting and preserving this vital Industry. I will follow this report and seek to have this matter raised in another forum because these type incidences Mr Speaker will only hurt us all.
Steve Smith & David Warner battle for Australia at Oval
Steve Smith struck an unbeaten 78 as Australia made 287-3 on day one of the final Test against England at The Oval.
Australia, all out for 60 when losing the Ashes at Trent Bridge, were asked to bat on a cloudy morning.
In his final Test, Chris Rogers made 43 in an opening stand of 110 with David Warner (85), but both edged to slip.
Skipper Michael Clarke fell for 15 after receiving a guard of honour in his final match, before Smith shared an unbroken 101 with Adam Voges (47).
England hold an unassailable 3-1 lead after winning the past two Tests.
Source:BBC
Chelsea have signed Spain forward Pedro from Barcelona for £21m.
The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year deal and is the Blues' second signing in less than a week after the arrival of Ghana defender Baba Rahman.
"I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles," he told the club's website.
"Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on."
Cilla described as Wonderful Lady Who had Touched All Our Lives
Fans, family and fellow stars have turned out to pay their respects to singer and TV presenter Cilla Black at her funeral in Liverpool. Hundreds of people applauded and threw flowers as her funeral cortege made its way to St Mary's RC Church.
Sir Cliff Richard told mourners the journey to the church had made him realise "how much people loved her". TV stars Paul O'Grady, Jimmy Tarbuck and Christopher Biggins joined her sons Robert and Ben in giving readings.
Sir Cliff performed the song Faithful One and told the congregation it seemed "outrageous" that she was gone. He said: "The one thing that hit me originally was that she was a woman of commitment and dedication. "She had the determination and above all she had the gift - she was able to do what she set out to do. "My memories of Cilla are going to be very, very happy ones."
The funeral Mass was celebrated by the Right Reverend Thomas Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool. Two of Black's sons also delivered readings. Robert Willis described his mother as a "wonderful lady who had touched all our lives and brought joy and laughter" to those she knew.
Ashley Madison: Leaked accounts fallout deepens
Data from the Ashley Madison website breach has flooded on to the web, leaving thousands of people fretting about the potential consequences.
Several big names have supposedly been "outed" by the press after the release of personal information stolen from the dating website, which is aimed at married people. And generally speaking, there is huge potential for damaging people's reputations.
There are questions about how - or whether - Ashley Madison will recover from the incident, which has the potential to be one of the messiest and most legally troublesome data dumps in history.
Source:BBC
Global economy woes spark share falls
Shares and oil prices around the world have seen further falls, sparked by renewed fears over the health of the global economy.
In China, the authorities intervened again on the stock market to little effect. Shares in Shanghai fell 1.5%.
And in Washington, expectations of a US interest rate rise dimmed after Federal Reserve policymakers said the economy was not ready yet.
European markets in Paris and Frankfurt were down 1% in morning trade.
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index shed 0.5%, while the price of Brent crude oil was down 1.1% at $46.66 a barrel. US crude was down 0.4% at $40.95.
Source: BBC
FortisTCI Now Offering In-Home Energy Audits
Residential customers in Providenciales can now apply for an In-Home Energy Audit facilitated by FortisTCI (the Company). This new service will be offered by the Company free of charge for one year, and is designed to assist customers in identifying ways to improve their energy efficiency at home.
To take advantage of the In-Home Energy Audit Program, customers must visit the FortisTCI Customer Service Centre on Leeward Highway to complete an application. The application and interview process allows for the collection of preliminary information, provides insight into what types of appliances are installed in the home, and typical behaviours of household members relating to day-to-day electricity usage. Once the application process and interview is completed, the energy audit is scheduled and performed at the home. All information gathered, including a utility bill analysis, is then compiled to create a summary of the total energy usage. Approximately one week following the In-Home Energy Audit, a final report is issued to the customer. This report details the key findings and recommendations to achieve better energy efficiency.
FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell said, “We are excited about the value proposition of this program. It will empower our customers by offering them solutions for managing their electricity costs. The bottom line is, the FortisTCI In-Home Energy Audit Program will help our customers save money by promoting the efficient use of energy.
Paula Radcliffe says athletes should not release blood data
Three-time London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe has backed the anti-doping agencies in advising athletes not to make their blood data public.
In an interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan, the 41-year-old Briton said the information is complicated and can be misunderstood and misinterpreted. She also said she was proud of her career and had always been clean.
"The whole point is you go through your career, you look back and say, 'That was the best I could do,'" she said. "If you take a short cut, you can't say that. You can't look yourself in the mirror and say that was the absolute best you were capable of."
O'Donnell Missing Daughter- Now Found
US talk show host Rosie O'Donnell has said her daughter who went missing a week ago has been found.
The comedian tweeted that Chelsea "has been found and is safe in police custody - thank u all for the help and light".
The 17-year-old was reported missing to police in Nyack, New York state, on 11 August after failing to return home.
O'Donnell, 53, had asked for the public's help in finding her adopted daughter, who was with a therapy dog.
Chelsea had stopped taking prescribed medication when she went missing.
"Chelsea, like millions of people, lives with mental illness," said a spokeswoman for Ms O'Donnell, Cindi Berger.
10 Gigabytes of Data Stolen from Ashley Madison
It appears that hackers have released 10 gigabytes of data stolen from Ashley Madison, a dating website for married people.
Hackers claim to have distributed the personal information on 33 million accounts via the dark web and it is now being pored over by security researchers, among others.
Many, including security expert Brian Krebs, believe the dump is genuine.
What data has been released?
The BBC has not independently verified the authenticity of the dump, but those who have investigated it so far have said it contains users' names, addresses, phone numbers, encrypted passwords, and 36 million email address. Online security magazine CSO is also reporting that the leak contains over 15,000 government or military email addresses (ending .mil or .gov).
However, having a personal email address linked to an account doesn't mean that person is really a user of Ashley Madison. Users are able to sign up to the site without responding to an email verification, meaning anyone's email address could have been used to create an account.
Indeed, an SNP MP whose email address appears in the list has denied ever using the site.