Beyoncé's second Ivy Park Collection drops next week
Gather your coins, ladies -- Christmas is arriving early. Beyoncé has subtly announced the release date of the second Ivy Park x Adidas collection.
Queen Bey shared a vibrantly colored picture of a field of orange flowers with multi-color mountains in the distance on Instagram, with the caption "DRIP 2 October 30" letting her 155 million followers know, "This Is My Park."
The Beyhive swarmed the Adidas' website when the Ivy Park collection first launched in January. Dozen of celebrities received personalized gift boxes with burgundy- and orange-colored pieces, including Zendaya, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi and Reese Witherspoon, as well as Bey's Destiny's Child sisters Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and Bey's sister, Solange.
According to the post's latest comments, everyone is trying to secure their gift boxes for the second Ivy Park x Adidas collection launch, including Ashley Graham. "OHHH FOR MY BIRTHDAY?! Thank you Bey," the model commented on the picture.
"Queen, don’t forget us this time ima dm you my P.O. Box!" wrote JT from the City Girls.
Oct. 30 is right around the corner, which means you have a small window remaining to grab some Beyoncé drip before your virtual Halloween party, but plenty of time before the Christmas holiday.
INTERCEPTION in the TCI
On the 9th October 2010, at approximately 9:28 pm, an illegal Haitian migrant vessel was spotted by the Coastal Radar Unit and subsequently intercepted by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in our territorial waters just off the coast of Providenciales.
At approximately 4am, officers of the Marine branch arrived at the South Dock port, where these individuals were handed over to the Immigration Department’s Enforcement Unit and Public Health officials for immediate medical assessment and transportation to the Detention Center, Five Cays, for processing.
A total of two hundred and seven (207) individuals were on the vessel inclusive of one hundred and forty-eight (148) males, fifty-nine (59) females and two (2) minors.
All other supporting agencies including the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Tactical team, Ministry of Health’s Public Health team and Ports Authority were available to assist.
All 207 detainees were repatriated back to Haiti on Sunday, 11th September 2020.
This interception over the weekend brings the number of persons arriving on illegal migrant vessels for this Fiscal Year to 880 individuals. Also, seven (7) vessels were successfully intercepted for the April – October 2020.
Hon. Vaden D. Williams, Minister responsible for the Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services, following the successful interception of the vessel and the repatriation of the illegal individuals, stated that he would like to first and foremost thank his team within the Ministry for their continued hard work and dedication they continue to display in assisting to protect the Turks and Caicos Islands borders. The Minister encourage persons living here and have information about this type of illegal activity, to please come forward and provide information that can assist in eradicating this problem as it is very costly to the Turks and Caicos Island.
The public is also requested to continue to provide the Immigration Department and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force with tips or any information related to this or any other illegal landing. We also encourage the general public to submit information or tips anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either to www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.
MINISTRY APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF MARITIME-THECLA JOSEPH
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and by extension the Ministry of Tourism is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Thecla Joseph as the Director of Maritime within the Maritime Department.
Mrs. Thecla Joseph-Charles is a well certified and experienced professional within the Maritime sector. Her passion and drive as well as her attitude of service has made her an asset within the sector. This is true as her early training and certification in the field of Hospitality and Hospitality Management has shaped her approach to problem solving and the idea of service delivery that can be boasted anywhere.
She started her career as an administrative officer with the St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority within various department. Seeing the need to improve upon her Associate Degree in Hospitality which she attained with Distinction, she would go on to further her knowledge in that field earning her a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management from Monroe College, USA where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
After completing studies, she returned to her native home St. Lucia and continued with the Ports Authority where she started and would be transferred to serve in the capacity of Maritime Assistant within the Division of Maritime Affairs. Always one seeking to add value by new learning, she was exposed to several courses and regional training workshops which would cement her belief that she can be a contributor to something important both locally, regionally and even internationally. She was certified in basic Seamanship and earned certification from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy in the form of a Certificate in Trade and Transports and a Diploma in Maritime Business Management all through distance learning while on the job.
Her interest was further sparked and encouraged her to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Maritime Affairs from the prestigious World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden. Upon completion she was given the responsibility of Assistant Registrar of Ships and also acted as the Director of Maritime Affairs.
Mrs. Joseph-Charles is a firm believer in the motto of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College “In pursuit of excellence” and is clear in her purpose to motivate, build, educate and reinforce the gains already made by the Turks and Caicos Islands in the maritime sector. Her warmth and service-oriented attitude will offer opportunities for all who are presently and those who seek to engage in the Maritime sector.
Commenting on her appointment, Permanent Secretary Cherylann Jones stated; “I wish to welcome Ms. Joseph to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and the team of the Ministry of Tourism. She has joined the Department of Maritime in a critical time as we continue to prepare for and advance III code audit, key policies and legislation in an effort to improve and enhance the TCI’s Maritime sector. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and we are confident that with the support of the robust team, and requisite skillset in her ability to lead the Department.”
National Insurance Bill 2020 has passed in the House of Assembly
The National Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, 13 October. The Bill which will see the inclusion of temporary unemployment benefits, was laid by the Premier and Minister for Finance, Investment and Trade and Statutory Bodies, Honourable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson.
In response to the significant increase in unemployment due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, the National Insurance Board was engaged by the Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade to provide a resolve.
The outcome of those discussions was a proposal to Cabinet, to establish and fund a temporary unemployment assistance benefit in the sum of $4.2 million.
The National Insurance Board has approved $4.2 million for payout in unemployment benefits this year. In 2018, consultations were conducted countrywide on the introduction of an unemployment benefit and concluding those consultations.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government requested its actuary to produce a feasibility paper on the introduction of an unemployment insurance provision to the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance System to which the Actuary concluded that an unemployment insurance programme seems feasible. It is the Actuary’s belief that adding the programme to the current TCI National Insurance System would have no significant impact on the financial sustainability of the system as it currently exists. The report also set out parameters for the benefit for consideration which are proposed as follows:
- Contributors would need to have a minimum of 250 or five years of contributions, with special provisions for Turks and Caicos Islanders and permanent residence card holders.
-The applicant must either have been laid-off or terminated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The benefit rate is set at 50% of the individual’s average weekly insurable earnings and is payable for an initial period of eight (8) weeks or until the exhaustion of the $4.2 million.
The Premier commenting on the Bill stated, “The National Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020 is a remarkable and important initiative that my Government is proud to have delivered to the people of these islands. We believe that there is no better time to roll out this programme than now - when our people are in urgent need of further support amidst this COVID-19 pandemic.
The implementation of a permanent unemployment benefit has also been agreed for April 2022. I wish to thank the Ministry of Finance and the National Insurance Board who has worked hard to ensure that this programme is progressed to completion.”
The programme is an unemployment insurance therefore, all applicants will need to be unemployed in order to qualify for the benefit. The fund is estimated to assist up to 2,200 insured persons.
PREMIER PARTICIPATED IN PRE JOINT MINISTERIAL COUNCIL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
The Premier Honourable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson on Tuesday, 6 October attended the annual Pre Joint Ministerial Conference, held virtually for the first time.
The annual conference joins together members of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) to discuss matters that promote the interests of the Territories and the co-operation between them and the collective and individual partnerships between the Territories and the UK Government.
The aim of the one-day meeting was to agree upon topics to be discussed and addressed at the Joint Ministerial Conference which, due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be held virtually later this year.
On the agenda at this meeting:
- Crisis and Security: COVID-19: Economic Impact, Vaccines, Disaster Management: support to deal with hurricanes etc. and Border Security
- Environmental Protection & Climate Change
- Protecting Vulnerable Groups in a Pandemic
- EU Exit & International Trade
- Recent press regarding Her Majesty’s Government sending asylum seekers to Overseas Territories for processing.
The Premier participated in the multilateral meeting and led discussions on border security during the meeting which outlined the Turks and Caicos Islands Government strategy, planned developments and partnerships for managing maritime safety and security in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Premier was accompanied by the Executive Director for the Office of the Premier, Local Government and Community Affairs, Ronlee James and UK Representatives for the Turks & Caicos Islands, Tracy Knight and Kimo Tynes.
UKOTA is a representative group of 12 inhabited Overseas Territories (OT) including the Turks and Caicos Islands and presenting the collective view of the Overseas Territories through dialogue and contact with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and through other UK Government Departments; both at official and Ministerial level.
The annual Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) brings together political leaders from the Overseas Territories along with the Minister for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The conference will meet this year from 26 - 27 November 2020.
Corbyn wins party backing in Brexit vote
Jeremy Corbyn's policy on Brexit has triumphed at Labour conference, as members endorsed his stance to stay neutral while negotiating a new deal.
The party voted against a motion which would have seen Labour backing Remain in any future referendum.
But there was confusion as the votes were called, as the chair of the proceedings faced calls for a recount.
Labour's position on Brexit has dominated the conference agenda, with huge disagreements over the issue.
The party's draft plan for its Brexit policy, put forward by Mr Corbyn, suggests that, if Labour wins power in a general election, it would remain neutral while negotiating a new deal with the EU within three months.
It would then hold a referendum within six months, and the party would decide which side to back ahead of that at a special conference.
Grassroots activists at the conference have been pushing for an unambiguous stance, tabling a motion calling for Labour to campaign "energetically" to Remain.
But this motion was rejected in a show of hands while a motion setting out the leadership's official position and another endorsing its handling of Brexit were overwhelmingly passed.
After the results were announced by trade union official Wendy Nichols, there were charged scenes in the conference hall.
Several delegates called for the votes to be counted individually, suggesting the outcome of the Remain motion was much closer than officials had suggested.
One delegate said there had to be an official card vote as "this is one of the most important decisions Labour is going to take in the next decade".
The result is a major boost for Jeremy Corbyn, who was backed by the majority of Labour's 12 affiliated unions, including Unite and the GMB.
Unison had broken ranks with other unions to back the Remain motion.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said he was disappointed by the result of the vote, and that he would campaign for Remain.
Source-BBC
Lionel Messi wins best men's player of the year
Barcelona's Lionel Messi won the best men's player at the Best Fifa Football Awards in Milan as Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk missed out on the top prize.
It is the sixth time Messi has been voted the world's best, after wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
The 32-year-old Argentine helped Barcelona win La Liga and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
United States forward Megan Rapinoe won the best women's player award.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was named men's coach of the year after a season in which they beat Tottenham 2-0 to lift the Champions League.
The Reds also finished second in the Premier League with 97 points - the third-highest tally recorded in the competition.
Klopp was nominated for the award along with two other Premier League bosses - Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino.
"It is great, nobody expected this 20, 10, five, four years ago that I would be standing here," said Klopp, whose team have won all six league matches at the start of the 2019-20 season.
"We know what an incredible job you Mauricio Pochettino did and what Pep did. I have to say thank you to my outstanding club Liverpool FC.
"To the owners thank you, they gave me an incredible team. I have to thank my team - as a coach you can only be as good as your team is. I'm really proud of being manager of such an incredible bunch of players."
In accepting the award, Klopp announced that he is joining the Common Goal initiative set up by Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata. It means the Reds boss will donate 1% of his salary to the charity, which pledges to "generate social change and improve lives".
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was also a winner as he took the best goalkeeper prize ahead of Manchester City's Ederson and Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa won the fair play award after he ordered his team to allow Aston Villa to score an uncontested equaliser during their 1-1 draw in their Championship match in April.
Bielsa's side had gone ahead controversially when the Villa players stopped as they expected the ball to be kicked out of play when Jonathan Kodjia was injured, before the Argentine intervened.
Eighteen-year-old Daniel Zsori won the Puskas award for the best goal with his spectacular 93rd-minute overhead kick for Debrecen against Ferencvaros, just after he came on as a substitute for his Hungarian league debut in February.
His strike beat Messi's chip from the edge of the penalty area against Real Betis and Juan Quintero's powerful 30-yard free-kick for River Plate against Racing Club.
Source-BBC
Sajid Javid eliminated from the British contest
Sajid Javid has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race, leaving three contenders vying for the job and to be the next prime minister.
The home secretary received 34 votes, coming behind Jeremy Hunt with 59.
Michael Gove received 61 votes, leapfrogging Mr Hunt to gain second place; while front runner Boris Johnson got 157 votes from MPs.
MPs are now voting in a fifth ballot to select the two candidates who will go through to a party membership vote.
The vote will close at 17:30 BST and the result is due at about 18:00.
The remaining two MPs will compete in a run-off of the party's 160,000 or so members, and the winner will be announced in the week of 22 July.
Addressing his comments to "kids who look and feel a bit different to their classmates" he said: "Don't let anyone try and cut you down to size or say you aren't a big enough figure to aim high.
"You have as much right as anyone to a seat at the top table."
Mr Johnson, a former Foreign Secretary, said he was "incredibly grateful" for the support of more than half of all Conservative MP, adding that "we have much more work to do".
Environment Secretary Mr Gove jumped into second place, overtaking Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt, who had been second in each of the three previous rounds of voting.
Mr Gove said he was "absolutely delighted" adding: "If I make the final two I look forward to having a civilised debate of ideas about the future of our country."
Mr Hunt said: "The critical decision now for all colleagues is what choice do we present to the country.
"Choose me for unity over division, and I will put Boris through his paces and then bring our party and country back together."
A source close to Mr Hunt told the BBC: "Boris and Michael are great candidates but we have seen their personal psychodrama before. Jeremy Hunt is the candidate who can best unify the party."
Of the 313 Conservative MPs who voted, there were two spoilt ballots.
Source-BBC
US adds Saudi Arabia and Cuba to blacklist on human trafficking
The United States on Thursday added Saudi Arabia and Cuba to its blacklist of countries that are not doing enough to fight human trafficking, a designation that could bring sanctions.
In an annual report, the State Department faulted ally Saudi Arabia for rampant violations among foreign laborers and accused adversary Cuba of trafficking through its program of sending doctors overseas.
Countries that remained on Tier 3, the lowest ranking in the report, included China, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela.
"If you don't stand up to trafficking, America will stand up to you," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said as he presented the report alongside Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser.
A Tier 3 designation means that the United States can restrict assistance or withdraw support for the country at the International Monetary Fund or other global development bodies.
Pompeo said that the United States last year took actions against 22 countries due to the human trafficking designation.
Source-AFP
Trump & Xi meeting at G20 raises hope for trade truce
US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping said yesterday they plan to meet next week at the Group of 20 summit in Japan, raising hopes for a truce in an increasingly damaging trade war between the world's top two economies.
Trump said the leaders had a “good” conversation, while Xi said the countries have more to gain by cooperating than by engaging in a protracted battle.
The comments set a more upbeat tone for the talks after worsening tensions created fears over whether the two economic powers would be able to resolve their differences after exchanging steep tariffs on hundreds of billions in exports.
“Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan,” Trump said on Twitter.
“Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting.”
Xi too was relatively upbeat.
“In recent times, China-US relations have encountered some difficulties, which is not in the interest of either side. China and the US will both gain by cooperating, and lose by fighting,” Xi told Trump, according to a readout by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
The White House readout of the call said the leaders “discussed the importance of levelling the playing field for US farmers, workers, and businesses through a fair and reciprocal economic relationship”.
The White House repeated that the focus of the talks will be to address “structural barriers to trade with China and achieving meaningful reforms that are enforceable and verifiable”.
Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow warned that there are “no guarantees” of any resolution in Osaka.
“Our position continues to be (that) we want structural changes,” Kudlow told reporters.
“They'll have a good conversation. The fact that they're meeting is a good thing.”
Trump's tweet sparked a rally on Wall Street, where the multi-front trade battles have repeatedly rankled investors worried about dented corporate profits and disruption to one of the major axes of global trade.
Source- AFP