Murder Investigation Underway
The Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a murder in the vicinity of Duck Yard, Providenciales, on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 around 9:00 p.m.
According to the Police Control Room, a male and female were shot and needed assistance.Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they discovered the lifeless body of a 39-year-old male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
A 34-year-old female was also seen inside a dark coloured Honda Fit vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken via private vehicle to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for treatment.
Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said, “This is another senseless waste of a life and another is seriously ill in hospital. The perpetrators of this level of violence have no place in our communities and we are determined to identify them and bring them to justice. On behalf of the Force, I would like to express thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the young man who was shot last evening. I also pray for a speedy recovery for the young lady
currently receiving medical care. Finally, crimes like this should anger us all and encourage those of you who might have seen or heard something to let us know immediately to get these criminals out of the community”.
While the investigators are trying to determine the circumstances of this shooting incident, anyone with information into this latest murder investigation or who was in the vicinity of the Zap Zap bar is asked to please call Crime Stoppers confidentially at 1-800-8477(TIPS) or call 911.
In an update, the Premier of the Turks & Caicos, the Hon. Washington Missick in a recently held press conference told the press that the Commissioner & Deputy Commissioner are back, and that after meeting with the Governor & the Nations nap Security Council, there will be a collective statement and action to the recent incident.
Police stray bullet kills teen girl in LA store's dressing room
Los Angeles police have killed two people, including a 14-year-old girl trying on new outfits, after opening fire inside a clothing store.
The teenager was in a changing room with her mother when a stray bullet came through the wall and hit her.
Police say the shooting came after reports of shots being fired by a man inside the store. The suspect was shot dead, but no gun was found.
The state's Department of Justice is currently investigating the shooting.
The incident took place late on Thursday morning, around 11:45 local time (19:45 GMT), at a Burlington department store in North Hollywood amid a throng of holiday shoppers.
Witnesses and store employees told local media that a man was acting erratically inside the store and smashing display cases.
Police said a 911 caller reported hearing arguing inside the store and suggested shots may have been fired. They also say they received reports of a possible active shooter on the scene.
A fire department official told reporters that officers had arrived to find "an individual who was in the process of assaulting another" on an upper level of the store, prompting them to open fire.
The suspect died almost instantly. A bicycle lock was found near his body, but no gun was recovered.
Officers then found a hole in the nearby wall of a dressing room behind the suspect, and the teenage girl dead inside.
Local media also shows a woman with a bloodied face - who appears to be the assault victim - being taken away from the store in an ambulance.
None of the people involved have been publicly identified.
On Thursday night, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore promised a "thorough, complete and transparent investigation" into what he called a "chaotic incident".
"I am profoundly sorry for the loss of this young girl's life and I know there are no words that can relieve the unimaginable pain for the family," he said.
As part of its review, the department is expected to release video of the incident, including from officer-worn body cameras and Burlington security cameras.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he would conduct an independent investigation and refer his findings to a team of special prosecutors.
A state law passed in July mandates that all fatal police shootings of unarmed civilians be investigated by the state's Department of Justice.
Source - BBC
Mazda Miata designer Shunji Tanaka dead at 75
Shunji Tanaka, a key designer of the iconic Mazda Miata, has died at 75.
Tanaka led the exterior and interior design of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a lightweight Japanese roadster inspired by postwar-era British sports cars. The car went on sale in the U.S. in May 1989 with a starting price of $13,800 and a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 116 hp.
The roadster, which featured a lightweight aluminum hood, weighed a feathery 2,116 pounds and could hit 60 mph in less than nine seconds.
U.S. sales peaked in 1990, the car's second year on the market, at 35,944. The 1 millionth Miata rolled off the line in 2016.
Though annual U.S. sales have declined as convertibles have fallen out of favor with consumers, the car remains a key part of Mazda's identity. In 2019, Mazda celebrated the MX-5's heritage with a 30th anniversary special edition.
Following his stint at Mazda, Tanaka joined Kawasaki, where he designed motorcycles.
Source - Automotive News
Tesla has agreed to make changes to its Passenger Play feature
It follows an investigation launched by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The agency said it had been informed by Tesla that a software update would disable the feature while driving.
Elon Musk's car firm had faced criticism that the feature was dangerous.
The New York Times reported that Tesla had contacted the NHTSA directly.
"Passenger Play will now be locked and unusable when the vehicle is in motion," the agency told the paper.
Tesla has not issued any formal statement on the matter.
Announcing its inquiry, which opened earlier this week, the NHTSA said that Passenger Play "may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash".
Although the ability to play games on the car's touchscreen was not aimed at drivers, and asked the person playing to confirm they were a passenger, there was nothing to prevent a driver using it.
Initially the feature was only usable when the car was stationary, but this was changed in December 2020 to allow gameplay when the car was moving.
The change was noticed by one Tesla owner, Vince Patton, who filed a complaint with the NHTSA describing it as "recklessly negligent".
When it opened its inquiry, the NHTSA noted that the feature "may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash".
Its guidelines state that in-car devices have to be disengaged so that they cannot be used by the driver "to perform inherently distracting secondary tasks while driving".
This month, it reported that 3,142 road deaths in 2019 were attributed to distracted drivers.
In August, the agency launched an investigation into Tesla's Autopilot system after a dozen cars using the feature crashed into parked emergency vehicles.
And it is also reviewing other accidents involving the system.
Source - BBC
Unless the UK government intervenes, Energy bills will soar to 50% next year.
Energy bills will soar another 50% next year unless the government intervenes, the industry has warned.
Supplier EDF said the situation was "critical" as customers, already seeing record bills, are hit with more rises due to surging wholesale gas prices.
Emma Pinchbeck, head of trade body Energy UK, said rising prices were now starting to hurt the economy.
The government said it had measures to protect consumers, but she told the BBC tax cuts and green levies would help.
Other European governments, also hit by the global rise in energy costs, were doing more, Ms Pinchbeck said.
"We've had record-breaking gas prices since September, and over the last couple of weeks prices have spiked again," she said. "They are at levels that, frankly, we have not seen before.
"It's looking pretty serious for the spring. Domestic energy bills are going to go up 45-50%."
Wholesale costs hit another record this week of 450p a therm, which experts predict could take average annual bills to about £2,000 next year.
Source - BBC
Home Alone actor Devin Ratray arrested on domestic assault charges
Home Alone actor Devin Ratray was arrested in Oklahoma Wednesday after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend earlier in the month during an argument, E! News reports.
The 44-year-old, who played Buzz McCallister in the Christmas classic, was booked on a felony charge of domestic assault and battery by strangulation, as well as a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault and battery. He reportedly posted his $25,000 bond and was released in fewer than 15 minutes.
Ratray was accused of punching and trying to strangle his girlfriend in an Oklahoma City hotel room on December 9.
After playing Macaulay Culkin’s older brother Buzz in 1989’s Home Alone, Ratray reprised his role in the 1992 sequel Home Alone: Lost in New York and most recently appeared in this year’s Disney+ reboot, Home Sweet Home Alone.
Source - ABC
IDB provided nearly US$20 billion in funding in 2021
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Monday said together with its private-sector arm, IDB Invest, they expect to close this year with US$19.5 billion in new financing for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as they helped countries recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic while ushering an era of sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Washington-based financial institution said that the financing is the second-highest annual total in the history of the IDB and IDB Invest and helps countries invest in priorities ranging from COVID-19-era healthcare and digitalization to climate change action, supply chains and education.
It said the funding will also help reduce gender inequality, expand entrepreneurial ecosystems, and empower small and midsize companies, which account for over two-thirds of the region’s jobs.
The combination of IDB loan approvals ($14 billion) and expected IDB Invest financial commitments ($5.5 billion) and private-sector mobilizations ($2.8 billion) totalled $22.3 billion.
The IDB said that Latin America and the Caribbean is the region hardest hit by the pandemic. It said home to about eight per cent of the world’s population, the LAC accounts for almost a third of all COVID-19 deaths – over 1.5 million people. The region also continues to face high inequality and serious economic and social challenges.
“This year, we demonstrated how a 21st-century IDB can empower countries to overcome unimaginable challenges and pave the way to a new decade of prosperity.
“We did so by listening carefully to our clients and member countries and by leveraging our exceptional human capital to create innovative financing and private-sector partnerships that will accelerate the region’s recovery,” said IDB President Mauricio Claver-Carone.
“The pandemic created unprecedented challenges, but it also opened historic opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean to grow, especially in areas including digitalization, near shoring and supply chains – and we are proud to be there, focused on helping countries seize those opportunities,” he added.
In total, the IDB approved 103 sovereign guaranteed projects in 2021 for a total of US$14 billion, while disbursements are expected to reach US$12.1 billion.
The bank said in the context of COVID-19, financing helped countries secure life-saving vaccines and increased access to credit so that small and midsize companies, the main drivers of employment, can expand their businesses.
It said new projects and financing will accelerate digitalization so countries can improve public services, expand educational access, increase transparency and combat corruption. Funding will also help improve digital-skills training to enrich the region’s human capital.
Amid a historic reconfiguration of international trade, the IDB approved US$2.3 billion to strengthen regional supply chains, nearly doubling the average amount of the three years before the pandemic. “This will help countries take advantage of a tangible new opportunity, amplified by the pandemic and the global supply-chain crisis, to attract foreign direct investment and increase exports of goods and services.”
The IDB said it also worked with 16 countries to identify critical export and supply-chain advantages, including.
In 2021, the IDB continued to make it easier for countries to accelerate pandemic recovery, while simultaneously addressing critical, longstanding issues, such as climate change and gender inequality.
The IDB launched its Amazon Initiative and approved about US$4.5 billion in resources for climate-related operations, the highest amount ever. It also took a leading role among multilateral development banks at COP26, the annual United Nations conference on climate change, announcing a plan to fully align operations with the Paris Agreement and provide $24 billion for climate and green finance over the next four years.
Of all projects approved in 2021, the IDB said nearly 70 per cent included one or more components to tackle climate change, while 75% addressed gender issues, almost 40 per cent of approvals went to small and vulnerable countries.
The IDB said it also piloted a streamlined process for projects that slashed approval times by 30%, enabling the bank to quickly meet the needs of its 26 regional member countries.
“The IDB stepped up and delivered the second-highest level of approvals for sovereign guaranteed operations in the Bank’s history in response to the pandemic, natural disasters and multiple other crises,” President Claver-Carone said.
“I am confident that as we implement new initiatives and roll out ongoing operational efforts, the IDB will be even more productive in 2022 to meet the needs of Latin America and the Caribbean as the region’s partner of choice.”
In addition, the IDB dramatically scaled up its engagement with the private sector by creating the Private Sector Partners Coalition.
The Coalition began with 40 of the world’s leading companies and has since expanded to over 160 of the world’s most innovative firms. Its activities span 13 working groups in areas including nearshoring, climate change, women’s empowerment and digital transformation. The Coalition is creating a resource-mobilization platform to identify investment opportunities and channel new technology, know-how and other private-sector resources to the region.
To further catalyze investment, the IDB also hosted a series of investment-promotion forums in Belize, Brazil, Ecuador and Miami, as well as 12 trade promotion forums, which drew almost 100,000 participants. The events generated $55 billion in expected business deals. In 2022, the IDB plans to hold another round of investment and trade forums in Jamaica, Panama and Paraguay, among other countries.
IDB Invest provided a total of US$8.3 billion in financing in 2021 including US$5.5 billion in short- and long-term commitments, and a record-breaking US$2.8 billion in mobilizations.
IDB Invest has mobilized one dollar for every dollar closed on its own account in long-term financing, a 50 per cent increase over the previous year.
At COP26, IDB Invest announced the first blue bond in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the IDB’s commitment to designing innovative financial solutions for climate action.
Source-CMC
CCCCC says COP 26 outcome puts more pressure on CARICOM’s position on global warming
The Belize based Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) says the decisions reached at United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow last month “only afford a very narrow window of opportunity” to keep the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) position of maintaining global warming below 1.5 degrees centigrade.
In a statement issued here Monday, the CCCCC which is mandated to coordinate CARICOM’s response to climate change, said its board of governors discussed the implications of the outcome of the COP26 for CARICOM.
“The Board noted that while the Glasgow Pact signalled a reckoning with the urgency of raising ambition around greenhouse gas emissions reduction and accelerating implementation of actions to maintain global warming below 1.5°C, in line with the best available science, the decisions reached at COP26 only afford a very narrow window of opportunity to keep that goal within reach.”
The CCCCC said moreover, the ongoing process required for keeping global warming below 1.5°C will demand strong and global political commitment towards achieving this goal.
The CCCCC board said that “the COP26 outcomes did not meet, in the main, the region’s preCOP26 expectations.
“With increasing climate impacts already being felt worldwide, particularly so among Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment report that these impacts will worsen with every fraction of a degree of warming, CARICOM States expected major emitters to step up their near-term 2030 emissions pledges and to do so in line with the science of 1.5°C and the pursuit of the net zero target by 2050.
“In addition, CARICOM expected major emitters to urgently scale up their support to enable the far-reaching systemic transformation of economies and societies toward low emission climate resilient development pathways.”
The CCCCC said that more than 140 countries at COP 26 announced net zero goals, but without strengthened 2030 targets, 1.5°C of global warming “will be ‘locked in’ for this decade with devastating implications for CARICOM member states and all SIDS.
“Given current policies, global warming is still projected to surpass the 1.50C by 2030, and to reach 2.7°C within this century.”
The CCCCC said regarding adaptation and finance, it acknowledged that pledges to the financial mechanisms of the UNFCCC do not come close to the US$70 billion per annum needed now to build climate resilience in the region.
“Furthermore, the demand for climate financing is projected to quadruple by 2030 based on impacts associated with climate change and slow onset events. Still more concerning is the fact that the pledge for a US$100 billion floor by 2020 was not achieved at COP26, with developed countries indicating that they may not be able to meet this target, even with the most creative accounting matrix adopted, until 2023.”
The CCCCC said based on these indicators, the mitigation, adaptation and finance gaps are set to widen, unless immediate action is taken to scale and make climate finance more available to the most vulnerable.
It agreed with the notion that the Glasgow Climate Pact consolidates a new pre2030 climate agenda which has been described as a bridge to ambition.
“Thus, from a process standpoint, COP26 completed work around the Paris Rulebook, inclusive of transparency, common timeframes, while Article 6 maps out the framework for the operationalization of a carbon market. Taken together, these processes could yield results consistent with 1.5°C ambition but how much and how fast is not yet known.”
The CCCCC said it wanted to emphasize the urgent need for the region’s effective engagement in the programmes currently underway based on strong effective leadership, continued advocacy, greater partnership with the private sector and civil society, and other key stakeholders to define deliverables in line with regional interests and priorities.
“Even more critical will be support for regional efforts to advance climate action and bolster access to affordable finance,” the statement said with the CCCCC being encouraged to advance its strategic work plan moving forward and encouraged early engagement with policy makers, member states and the donor community to ensure its adequate resourcing.
Source-CMC
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR WEEKEND -17TH TO 19TH DECEMBER 2021
THIS IS A PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT FRIDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2021 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 6AM
GENERAL SITUATION: A ROBUST HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED NORTH OF THE AREA WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE BRISK WINDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE WATERS WHILE SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD NOT VENTURE FAR FROM PORT DUE TO HAZARDOUS BOATING AND BEACHING CONDITIONS.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WARM AND BREEZY TO WINDY WITH A FEW QUICK PASSING SHOWERS TODAY. MOSTLY FAIR AND BREEZY WITH THE CHANCE OF A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD NOT VENTURE FAR FROM PORT.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 20 TO 25 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 6 TO 9 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 82°F 28°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 70°F 21°C
SUNRISE: 6:48 AM SUNSET: 5:22 PM
MOONRISE: 4:18 PM MOONSET: 6:20 AM SAT.
HIGH TIDE: 6:29 AM & 6:41 PM
LOW TIDE: 12:58 PM & 12:43 AM FRI.
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS) THE ONCE DOMINANT HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL FINALLY WEAKEN AND MIGRATE EASTWARDS LATE SUNDAY AHEAD OF A FRONTAL BOUNDARY ALONG WITH ITS ASSOCIATED ACTIVITY THAT IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE RAIN CHANCES ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY, WARM AND BREEZY TO WINDY WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THE CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
WINDS: SOUTHEASTERLY AT 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 3 TO 5 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
FORECAST FOR SUNDAY
WEATHER: VARIABLE CLOUDINESS AND WARM WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS…SOME SHOWERS MAY BE HEAVY AND THUNDERSTORMS STRONG TO SEVERE AT TIMES.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS & TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS.
Dane Ritchie appointed as New Technical Director of TCIFA
The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dane Ritchie as its new Technical Director commencing January 3, 2022.
Mr. Ritchie replaces Andrew Edwards who returns to Jamaica. In light of this, The TCIFA would to thank Mr. Edwards for his contribution during his time spent in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
As Technical Director, Mr. Ritchie will be responsible for overseeing the Technical Department with the responsibility for all the football programs ranging from Grassroots to all Youth and Senior National Teams.
Additionally, Mr. Ritchie will craft the introduction of a system of play, be responsible for the creating and instituting the TCIFA’s football philosophy, and lead the drive to achieve the objectives under the current Strategic Plan.
“A good football administrator takes his love for the game and instills it in you. Guiding the coach, he molds one the player he sees inside of you and watches your talent and dedication grow into a skill that both of you can be proud of”. This has always been Mr. Richie’s belief, which led him to forming his own guiding philosophy, since being involved in coaching football since 2002.
Mr. Ritchie’s coaching-education journey unfolded in earnest with a FIFA Women’s Coaching Course in September 2011. He went on to complete the Concacaf D License Course within one of the first batch of coaches in our region to do so in 2013, and then he tackled the US Soccer E License. In 2014, he was appointed Head Coach of the Academy Jaguars, competing in the Provo Premier (TCI local men’s) League, winning the championship title in 2014, 2015, 2016 and again in 2018. During this time, Mr. Ritchie also established a reputation within the national football programme as he was assigned Head Coach of the TCI National U20 Men’s Football Team that competed in two consecutive CFU U20 tournaments (2014 and 2016).
In 2015, he participated as Assistant Coach of the TCI Senior Men’s National Football Team. Mr. Ritchie’s coaching career development included educational opportunities including the Concacaf Beach Soccer Coaching Course, FIFA Futsal Coaching Course, and FIFA Advanced Coaching Course. In 2017, he was selected by TCIFA as one of the TCI representatives for the FIFA/CONCACAF “Train the Trainers” Course, where he completed an intensive training program resulting in his being certified as a Coaching Educator.
This certification continued in 2018, and in that year he also completed his US Soccer D License. In 2019 upon completing the FIFA/Concacaf Coaching Educators Course, he was appointed Head of theTCIFA’s Coaching Education Department. He continues to perform this role at present.
Most recently, Mr. Ritchie’s involvement in the national programme included the position of Assistant Coach of the TCI Girls U14 National Football Team and the TCI Senior Women’s National Football Team. He continues to make headway as he trails the final stage of his Concacaf B License
requirements. Mr. Ritchie’s remarkable strides in football is one that is distinguished, as he shares three on-field perspectives; that of a player, a coach, and a Referee.
His contribution to the Turks and Caicos Islands Referee Association involves a 9-year journey where he played instrumental roles as Fitness and Technical Instructor. His successes in this area, landed him on the 2017 and 2018 FIFA International Referee’s List, as an Assistant Referee.
TCIFA President Sonia Fulford commented, “Dane has been a part of the TCIFA family in excess of a decade, working with our grassroots programme, youth and senior male and female national teams, in coaching education and as part of our referee’s department. Having touched so many areas of our organization, it’s almost a natural matriculation to the role of Technical Director.
We are delighted that he is able to take on this position, and we anticipate nothing but continued excellence on his part, as he continues his contributions to the growth and development of football in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”