Canadian cops to descend on TCI
(TCI Weekly News)
Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force expressed thanks to their officers
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The senior members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force today expressed thanks to their fellow officers and the effectiveness of Operation Alpha 2 for the decrease in crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands over the last six weeks..
Commissioner Edward Hall at a press briefing released the figures for November and allowed fellow officers to report to the media.
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Also in attendance was ASP Dave Ryder who gave an outline of Operation Alpha 2 and ASP Rodney Adams who also attended the press briefing and gave tips for the holidays in preventing crime.
RTC News will have more on Monday.
Turks and Caicos political leaders weigh in on British 'milestones'
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Last week, Henry Bellingham, British Under-secretary of State and Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister with responsibility for the 14 British Overseas Territories, issued a three-page statement setting out eight milestones that must be achieved before elected internal self-government can return to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The leaders of both political parties have weighed in on their view of the milestones and how it will affect future elections as well as the prospects for return to healthy public finances. Douglas Parnell, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), appeared on both local television stations and indicated disappointment that elections would not occur until 2012, saying he had hoped the return to elections could occur by December 2011. However, he said he “celebrated” the announcement that a financial package would be forthcoming from Britain. “We need to put a floor on our economic recession here in the TCI,” Parnell said. Part of the struggle the British-run Interim Government has faced is the enormous debt run up by the last administration of now resigned Premier Michael Misick. Parnell went on to say, “This (the financial package) is what I and my party have been calling for for some time.” It is not known what the nature and size of the package will be. The interim government has three major areas of financial concern: old debts and loans left over from the Misick administration; the size of the civil service, which Governor Gordon Wetherell says is itself consuming 60 percent of the government’s monthly revenue; and the contracted healthcare program, which includes the pay down of the two hospitals (total 30 beds) and health care by the contractor, Interhealth Canada. The health program and civil service costs together are estimated to consume $8 million more per year than the entire government income. Parnell went on to say he also felt that several of the eight milestones were nearly completed, including formation of the Integrity Commission and constitutional reform, which is expected to be completed in early 2011. The PDM leader was also pleased that Bellingham had indicated inclusion of the political parties in the process of reaching the milestones. Clayton Greene Leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP), the last internal government, also felt elections ought to be held no later than December 2011. The milestone Greene spoke at length about was that which requires the Helen Garlick-led special investigation and prosecution team to achieve progress and be assured in some formal fashion of being able to continue their work without any restraints. All the witnesses that testified before the 2009 Commission of Inquiry were associated with Greene's PNP party. It was the Inquiry’s findings that resulted in the imposition of direct rule by Britain, with an interim government replacing the PNP internal government, which ruled for exactly six years (two incomplete terms). The PNP leader took issue with prosecutions being necessary before elections can be held. In his interview Greene also called for a “National Action Plan”. The PNP leader did not describe this programme, how it would work and who would participate. |
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Dancehall King Beenie Man and Barbadian popstar Rihanna has made his way onto the Xbox Kinect popular game Dance Central.Janet Jackson Announces 2011 World Tour
Janet Jackson will embark on a world tour next year that will feature performances of her No. 1 singles — and nothing else.
The artist, who released her retrospective LP “Number Ones” earlier this year, will play 35 dates across the globe where she will perform each of her 35 chart toppers.
In a blog on her official website, she said: “During the past several months I’ve had such wonderful experiences. I’ve released my Number Ones CD…and throughout this time I’ve heard from you – my fans – whom I cherish dearly.
“Many have asked when I will tour again – well today I’m really excited to answer that question, and I announce my largest ever world tour, celebrating 35 number ones.
“This tour will be different from those of the past in the way that I will exclusively perform songs from my number ones. You’ll hear all the hits in 35 cities, which I want you to help me select.”
She added: “Wherever possible I will perform in venues that will allow me to be up close so that I can be with you in a much more intimate setting.”
After fans submitted their suggestion to the star’s official website, the first city announced for the jaunt is Hong Kong, where she will perform next year on Feb. 14. Further dates are expected to follow shortly.
Saxophonist James Moody Dies of Cancer
Celebrated jazz saxophonist and flutist James Moody, who achieved fame as an associate of Dizzy Gillespie and was the co-composer of “Moody’s Mood for Love,” died Thursday (Dec. 9) of pancreatic cancer at a hospice in San Diego, The New York Times reported. He was 85.
Moody revealed last month he had cancer and decided against receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, the Times said.
The musician started his career with trumpeter Gillespie shortly after World War I and continued performing well into the 21st century. He was known for his distinctive sounds and was equally fluent on both tenor and alto saxophone, a relatively rare accomplishment in Jazz.
Moody was also known for his self-effacing humor.“I’m not a flute player,” he told an interviewer. “I’m a flute holder.”
His peers and critics found his talent exceptional. In a 1980 review, Village Voice critic Gary Giddins praised Moody’s “unqualified directness of expression” and said his improvisations were “mini-epics in which impassioned oracles, comic relief, suspense and song vie for chorus time.”
Moody was born in Savannah, Ga., March 26, 1925, and raised in Newark, N.J. He started playing saxophone in school and played with an all-black Army Air Force band during World War II. After his military discharge, he auditioned for Gillespie.
A fire at a Philadelphia nightclub destroyed the band’s equipment, uniforms and sheet music in 1958 and Moody said he started drinking. He checked himself into Overbrook, a psychiatric hospital in Cedar Grove, N.J., for several months. He celebrated his recovery by writing and recording “Last Train From Overbrook,” an up-tempo blues tune that became one of his best-known compositions.
Moody said he saw his musical education as a work in progress.
“I’ve always wanted to be around people who know more than me,” he said in a 2006 interview. “Because that way I keep learning.”
Moody, divorced twice, is survived by his wife of 21 years, Linda, and three sons, Patrick, Regan and Danny, all California residents.
Lauryn Hill Schedules Two More Shows
Following her performances as part of the “Rock The Bells” festival, Lauryn Hill is scheduled to play two more shows in the coming weeks, including one at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Dec. 28 and Bowery Ballroom on Jan. 1, reports Billboard.com.
In addition to those dates, Hill will be performing in Boston, Mass., and in Miami, Fla.
The full tour schedule is listed below:
Dec. 20: Boston, MA (Wilbur Theatre)
Dec. 28: Brooklyn, NY (Music Hall of Williamsburg)
Jan. 1: New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom)
Mar. 19: Miami, FL (Jazz In The Gardens Festival)
Mar. 20: Miami, FL (Jazz In The Gardens Festival)
According to brooklynvegan.com, Hill was also recently scheduled to make an appearance in Burlington, Vermont, but those plans have already changed twice. The concert was originally set for Dec. 15, but then changed to the 17, and now it’s been postponed indefinitely.
Woods upbeat despite season-ending playoff defeat
Tiger Woods has finished the golf season without a title for the first time in his career, but the world No. 2 was in buoyant mood despite losing in a playoff in the charity tournament he hosts.
The American squandered a four-shot lead before being beaten by Graeme McDowell at the Chevron World Challenge on Sunday, just over a year after the scandal about his marital infidelities blew up into a media storm.
U.S. Open champion McDowell sunk a dramatic birdie putt at the 72nd hole to force a playoff in California, then holed another at the first hole of sudden death to deny Woods an upbeat ending to a disappointing 2010.
"It was a great week, even though I didn't win," Woods told reporters. "I'm proud of today even though I lost, because I putted awful starting out. I missed three short putts, which I don't do.
"Then I lost my swing in the middle part of the round and pieced it back together again piece by piece. I was proud of that. I was very committed coming in and hit some really, really good shots coming in, which was good."
Woods lost the world No. 1 ranking to England's Lee Westwood in early November, and defeat to McDowell resigned the 14-time major champion to the first winless year since turning professional in 1996.
But there was much to cheer in his performance at Sherwood Country Club. Opening rounds of 65 and 66 saw Woods close to his sublime best and his much-discussed swing changes working to fine effect.
Despite surrendering a four-shot lead on a Sunday for the first time in his career, Woods fought back to set up a tap-in for birdie at the last to card a 73 -- only to be denied by the red-hot McDowell's 20-foot putt.
"Today, even though I lost and made countless mistakes in the middle part of the round, it said a lot for me to come back and put my swing back together again," Woods said.
"I haven't done that yet, and I haven't done it down the stretch when I needed to the most. That's exciting for me to know that it was there when I needed it."
Woods has yet to announce his tournament schedule for 2011, but a lengthy absence appears unlikely as he is keen to build momentum and win his first tournament since a self-enforced five-month absence following the revelations surrounding his private life.
"The way I'm playing right now, I would like to continue playing," Woods said. "I'm also excited about my practice sessions coming up."
McDowell moved up to a career-high seventh in the world rankings after securing his fourth title of 2010, having also won two events on the European Tour.
"Golf needs Tiger Woods and we need him back winning tournaments. It's just great to see him back playing great again this week," the Northern Irishman, runner-up to Jim Furyk at Thousand Oaks last year, told reporters.
"I thought he controlled his ball really well the last couple of days. He just kind of got on the wrong side of the 13th there and made double. Apart from that, didn't do a huge lot wrong today."
Westwood retained the top spot after winning the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa, having needed to finish in the first two to guarantee that Woods could not overtake him.
Navratilova leaves hospital; she became ill during Kilimanjaro climb
Martina Navratilova was released from a hospital in Kenya Sunday after undergoing treatment for high altitude sickness developed during a failed attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
"I am feeling much better and really pleased to be going home," the retired tennis champion said as she left a Nairobi hospital, according to a news release. "It's great to know that the team have all returned safely from the mountain. I was so pleased to hear that so many of them made it to the summit despite the weather conditions."
The 27 climbers in Navratilova's group reached the base of Kilimanjaro Sunday.
Navratilova was one of several high-profile athletes talking part in a climb for charity for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Laureus is an organization that seeks to raise donations for AIDS research as well as confront social problems of crime, violence, discrimination and obesity, among other causes.
Navratilova was forced to withdraw Thursday on the fourth day of the climb after becoming ill 4,500 meters up Kilimanjaro. Navratilova had to be carried down the mountain by porters.
Navratilova was initially seen by doctors at a medical center in Kilimanjaro. She was later transported to the hospital in Nairobi, where she was treated for high altitude pulmonary edema, an accumulation of fluid on the lungs.
The 54-year-old had hoped to finish 2010 on a high note by raising more than $133,000 for Laureus.
Navratilova has described this year as her "own personal 9/11." The former top women's player in the world was diagnosed with breast cancer in February, but has since been given the all-clear from the disease.
Prior to beginning the climb, Navratilova told CNN that she was "very excited" to start the challenge. She said: "I've been waiting for a year to come here."
Despite her recent health problems, altitude tests revealed that the 18-time grand slam singles champion had the lungs of a 25-year-old. However, the Laureus team was forced to face difficult weather of blizzards and mists during the climb.
Doctors say the experience will have no effect to Navratilova's long-term health, and that patients get back to full fitness after recuperating.