Police identify suspect in Nipsey Hussle murder
The Los Angeles Police Department has identified a suspect in Sunday's murder of rapper and community activist Nipsey Hussle.
"Eric Holder is wanted for Homicide in the shooting of Nipsey Hussle," the LAPD tweeted early Tuesday morning.
"He was last seen in a 2016 white 4 door Chevy Cruze CA license plate 7RJD742," the tweet continues. "Anyone with information related to his whereabouts or this deadly shooting is urged to contact South Bureau Homicide at 323-786-5100."
The news came just hours after at least 19 people were injured during a Monday night vigil for Hussle in South Los Angeles when a panic ensued after false reports of shots fired at the scene. The Los Angeles Fire Department said two of the injured were in critical condition and two in serious condition, with the majority of the injuries non-life-threatening and said to be caused by being trampled while attempting to flee the scene.
Grammy-nominated rapper Hussle, 33, born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was shot multiple times and killed Sunday afternoon outside of his Marathon Clothing store in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles.
TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the 8th meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday, 28 March 2019, at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.
All ministers were present with the exception of the Hon. Minister of Education.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board on the award of the following capital projects:
a) PN 005470 TR 18/14 Schools Infrastructure Project Phase 2, Lot 1: Clement Howell High School
- b) PN 005470 TR 18/47 Schools Infrastructure Project Phase 2, Lot 2: Mary Robinson Primary School
- c) PN 005473 TR 18/40 Fire Truck and Equipment
- d) PN005475 TR 18/76 Replacement Furniture for Departments
- e) PN005480 TR 18/55 Replacement of Government Vehicles Phase II
- f) PN005480 TR 18/50 Replacement of Government Vehicles Phase II- Passenger Van with Wheelchair accessibility
- g) PN005483 TR 18/45 DECR and Tourism Facilities-Four Engines
- h) PN 005484 TR 18/54 Enhancing the Tourism Product: Implementation Of Online Monitoring
- i) PN 005485 TR 18/52 Furniture and Equipment for Ministry of HASH Ambulance
- j) PN 005487 TR 18/63 Development of Non-Communicable Registers and Sports Development Project, STEP Survey-Equipment
- k) TR 18/74 Grand Turk Fire Hall
- l) TR 18/32 South Caicos Control Tower Repair
- m) TR 18/83 Gatehouse Furniture-Grand Turk and Providenciales
- n) TR 18/84 Providenciales Port Pavement Project
Approved the reallocation of funding under the Development Fund Project PN 005469, Schools Infrastructure Project Phase 1 as follows:
a) Raymond Gardiner High School, North Caicos subproject increased to $174,917; and
- b) Oseta Jolly Primary School, Providenciales subproject reduced to $1,783,
- Approved the reallocation of funds for the Airport Authority from the South Caicos Terminal budget ($1.5million).
- Approved the rental agreement submitted by the Hon. Attorney General for a temporary property in Grand Turk for HE the Governor.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
TCIFA President Sonia Fulford re-elected to the Concacaf Council
The 34th Ordinary Congress of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) was held today March 28, 2019, at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Congress is an annual meeting of all 41 Member countries of Concacaf. It is presided over by Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani and deals with the various matters being currently dealt with by the Confederation, a review of past year events and finances amongst other pertinent matters.
A critical agenda item is the Congress’ annual elections and this year, there were 6 positions up for contest: Concacaf President, Concacaf Vice President (Caribbean), Concacaf Vice President (North America), Concacaf Member (Central America), Concacaf Female Member, and FIFA Council Member. TCIFA President Sonia Fulford is the incumbent in the Concacaf Female Member position and was challenged by Jeaninne Wong-Loi-Sing of Bonaire.
Ms. Fulford was co-opted to the Concacaf Council in 2013 and subsequently elected by Congress in 2015 as the first female to hold a position (with voting rights) on the Concacaf Council. At the recent election, the Delegates showed tremendous faith in her stewardship by re-electing Ms. Fulford with a resounding majority of 34 to 7 votes.
In retaining her seat as Female Member of the Concacaf Council, Ms. Fulford shares the collective responsibility of crafting the various statutes, regulations, and resolutions that guides all the countries in the 3 geographical areas, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In this, Sonia Fulford has maintained her platform to bring a path to parity for women in the male-dominated sport of football. This drive to change involved defying gender stereotypes, and building a gender-balanced and inclusive presence, so that women are able to fulfill their full potential both in sports and society.
In commenting on her re-election, Ms. Fulford said: “Firstly I would like to thank the Members for their support and confidence in me by their electing me to another term on the Concacaf Council. I am humbled by the overwhelming support and plan to use this mandate to continue my role in the development of football. Though I am elected as the Female Member, my responsibilities and obligations are not limited to the area of Women’s Football. It is more all-embracing and extends to all the areas of football both on and off the field. I see myself here as a representative of all the Member Associations and look forward to assisting them and address their unique needs all with the overall goal of raising the quality and profile of the game in our region, both on and off the field”.
ACTING MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND PREMIER REFUTES FORMER MINISTER OF EDUCATION’S CLAIM
As Acting Minister of Education, I must respond to the claims of the Former Minister of Education that the EDF11 Program signed by myself in Aruba last year February is 2 years behind. These claims are regrettably untrue and whilst we have experienced challenges from mother nature and man – made, we are pleased with the progress of the Program and was commended for this progress during the month of February this year whilst attending the EU Forum in Tahiti.
The Financing Agreement signed between TCIG and the European Union in February 2017 is in support of the Government’s plans to reform the education sector. It should be noted and understand that the reformation of the education sector is not limited to the new Primary School only, but it includes numerous areas which the Government committed to improve over the life of the agreement.
While it is true that the Government experience some delays in the commencement of the construction of the new Primary School in Long Bay, this is not to say that there are delays in other areas. For example, the Agreement made provision for consultancy to assist the Ministry in;
1) to develop a ten-year school infrastructure and equipment maintenance and modernisation plan for the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services (MoEYSLS);
2) to build capacity within the Ministry/ Department of Education Schools to develop school maintenance plans and also to better monitor school infrastructure projects which is directly applicable to their school.
These initiatives are well underway, and since 2018/19 financial year, each School was provided with their own maintenance budget to facilitate minor and quick maintenance of their equipment and infrastructure. In addition, work is in advance stage by the consultant to adequately project the space need and resource requirements to ensure effective planning and financing well into the future to meet the needs of our students.
The Agreement also provided for a team of consultants to conduct a feasibility study and implementation strategy for the establishment of a National Technical Vocational Training Centre and Agency. This work is nearing completion and we are receiving a presentation from the consultant this week. Based on the results of the feasibility study, the Government will use this information as guidance in establishing a Vocational Education System in the TCI.
We have already seen a number of changes in reforming the Scholarship Policy, the reform of the School Curriculum for infants 1-4 with further revision of the primary school curriculum for upper grades in progress for completion by summer 2019. We have witness the introduction of CPEA to replace the GSAT exams and the introduction of CCSLC in the lower forms of High Schools in order to reform the way our students learn.
These are but a few examples of the depth of work which is involved in the reform of the Education System. In respect to the New Primary School, the apparent delay in the commencement of the construction was due to a number of factors;
1) The Ministry conducted an extensive survey of possible site locations to place the new school. Taking into consideration a number of factors, including but not limited to environmental consideration, transportation issue, size of land and proximity to a community. In the end the location was finalized to be Long bay.
2) Given the environmental sensitivity of the Government, before proceeding, the Ministry retained the services of an independent consultant to conduct an in-depth Environmental Impact Assessment which looked at all possible implications to the site and the neighboring environment, including potential noise impacts. The report provided a number of recommendations to mitiate the impacts which we are working to implement.
3) We also received challenges from community members and the elected representative and former Minister of Education Hon Akierr Missick about the location of the school. This further delayed the start of the School. The Government listened to their concerns, and held several meetings to better explain the details of the proposed plans. Wherever possible, we took on board some of the recommendations to mitigate and alleviate the concerns raised by the community members. We are pleased that now both the elected representative and the community members are now settled and the Project will be moving forward. Though we are behind in terms of timeline, we expect the building of the School to move forward quickly. We continue to enjoy much success under the EDF11 Program and my Government is grateful to the EU and the Government stakeholders for all the work done.
Hon Sharlene L Cartwright Robinson
Premier & Minister of Finance
The Turks and Caicos Islands
EDUCATION DIGESTS PUBLISHED ON TCIG WEBSITE
In planning for the development of school infrastructure and providing the resources for a first class education, The Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services (MoEYCLS) annually collates data on the Education System. This data consists of information on teacher population and qualifications; student enrollment and nationality; examinations and financial statistics for public and private schools and tertiary and continuing education. Once analysed, the data which is published in the Ministry’s Education Digests informs the policies and programmes designed for the growth and development of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands through education.
The latest of these Digests which covers 2015 – 2016 and 2016 – 2017 can now be accessed on the Government Website. These statistics allow for the monitoring and evaluation of the National Education System against regional and international provision and are sort by external agencies such as the Caribbean Development Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, CARICOM and the European Union. Many of these agencies provide technical as well as financial support in building the capacity, for improving the services which afford, to all our citizens, lifelong learning opportunities in safe environments.
The efficiency with which this education data is collected and analysed has been improving since the introduction of the UNESCO data management software OpenEMIS in 2016. Both public and private schools have now been registered and can take advantage of this mechanism for recording and analyzing enrollment, attendance, teacher, assessment, welfare and financial information on their schools. The software is being updated and the Department of Education has been providing training in the use of this valuable tool which saves time and allows for the easy management of data.
The published Education Digests have been made available at https://www.gov.tc/ under the ‘Reports and Statistics’ tab for MoEYCLS and show trends in education statistics from 2013.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT
GENERAL SITUATION: A NEAR STATIONARY FRONTAL BOUNDARY PRESENTLY EXTENDS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS…LOW PRESSURE WILL DEVELOP ALONG THE FRONT WEST OF THE AREA AND MOVE THROUGH THE ISLANDS BRINGING SHOWERS, THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS TO MOSTLY THE NORTHWEST AND PARTS OF THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS TODAY.
WARNINGS: BOATERS AND BEACHGOERS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS ARE URGED TO REMAIN IN PORT AND REFRAIN FROM SWIMMING TODAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS, ROUGH SURF AND THE HIGH RISK OF DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS.
AREA: TURKS & CAICOS AND CENTRAL SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
ADVISORY: GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS CAN BE EXPECTED IN SHOWERS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
WEATHER: ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE.
MOONSET: 6:20AM MOONRISE: 6:05PM
HIGH TIDE: 6:06AM & 6:31PM LOW TIDE: 12:29PM & 12:45AM WED
EXTENDED FORECAST: FRONTAL BOUNDARY ACROSS THE NW BAHAMAS WILL SLOWLY SHIFT SOUTHEASTWARDS WEDNESDAY…A REINFORCING COLD FRONT ACROSS NORTH FLORIDA WILL PUSH SOUTH AND MERGE WITH FRONTAL BOUNDARY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS THROUGH THURSDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS ACROSS THE AREA IN WAKE OF THE FRONT.
Google reveals gaming platform Stadia
Google has unveiled a new digital gaming platform called Stadia which will stream better-than-console-quality games that have traditionally had to be either downloaded or purchased on disk.
At launch it will work on existing desktops, laptops, TVs and phones, said the firm's Phil Harrison.
Google also revealed a controller.
It looks like a traditional console gamepad but the Stadia version has a button for capturing and sharing gaming directly to YouTube.
It was also announced that id Software's major title Doom Eternal will be one of the first games available.
No pricing was revealed at the event in San Francisco but the firm did say Stadia would launch in 2019 in the US, UK, Canada and Europe.
Google experimented with streaming data-rich games in 2018 with Project Stream, when the tech giant made the Ubisoft game Assassin's Creed: Odyssey available to play to trial participants via the Chrome web browser.
This is possible because the games run elsewhere, on Google's own high-end hardware, but users connect to the game with their device via the web.
"We learned that we could bring a triple-A game to any device with a Chrome browser and an internet connection," said Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, referring to big-budget titles.
However, many streaming services to date have suffered due to the difficulty of offering high-end games via an internet connection.
Gamers have complained of issues with "lag" - the delay between a player performing an action, and the game reacting to that move.
In games where split-second reactions are a matter of winning or losing, high latency rates infuriates players.
In an attempt to avoid this, Google said its Stadia controller will connect directly to Google's servers via wifi.
The company has promised the service will offer games at 4K resolution, at 60 frames per second (fps) - and up to 8K, 120 fps in future.
Today's most advanced consoles, the XBox One X and Playstation 4 Pro, can support 4K and 60 fps simultaneously, but only on a limited number of games.
Google is hoping to leverage its success with YouTube, which is incredibly popular among gamers sharing their skills, to make its own gaming platform a success.
Source-BBC
Solutions for transformation in focus for CDB’s 49th Annual Meeting
Solutions and strategies to drive economic and social transformation in the Caribbean will feature prominently when the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) holds the 49th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors in Trinidad and Tobago on June 5 and 6, 2019.
The Meeting programme will include key events and research highlighting transformation in the traditional and emerging sectors and examining the role which technology and digitalisation can play in advancing the Region’s development agenda.
This will be the fifth time that CDB’s Annual Meeting will be held in Trinidad and Tobago, which is one of the founding members of the Bank. Previous meetings were held there in 1977, 1989, 2004 and 2011.
CDB President, Dr. Wm. Warren Smith, explained why transformation is a priority for the Region as a whole as well as for the Bank as it approaches its 50th anniversary year.
“Our borrowing member countries are operating in an increasingly complex global environment. The challenges are new, different and becoming increasingly complex relative to what obtained when the Bank was founded in 1970. As a Region and as an institution we need to, not just keep up but actually use innovation as a vehicle to leap ahead in this changing world. That is what we are anticipating in Trinidad and Tobago – a rich exchange of ideas, approaches and innovation that places the Region’s development at the forefront. We extend our thanks to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for hosting this important meeting,” said Dr. Smith.
Around 400 delegates, including Government Ministers and officials, development partners, private sector representatives, members of civil society, academia, and media are expected to attend the Meeting.
The event will showcase the scope and impact of the Bank’s investments in its 19 borrowing member countries (BMCs). Participants will also engage in strategic discussions aimed at ensuring that every BMC can benefit fully from the transformation process and that CDB remains agile and relevant in a transformed Caribbean.
A major highlight of the Bank’s Annual Meeting is the William G. Demas Memorial Lecture, held in memory of the eminent Trinidadian economic scholar and Caribbean leader who served as the second President of CDB from 1974 to 1988.
Now in its 20th year, the lecture features a distinguished speaker presenting on a trending economic and social development topic of importance to the Caribbean.
Another significant event is VYBZING, where the Bank engages directly with young people on regional development issues and which is held ahead of the Meeting. For the first time, the event will have youth representatives from all 19 of CDB’s BMCs.
During the course of the Meeting, there will be various interactive seminars, at which thought leaders and expert panellists will share new research findings and data on key topics. This year’s line-up will focus on agriculture, digitalisation for development and vulnerability and resilience.
The Bank will also convene its annual Governors’ Roundtable. This year the Roundtable will provide the platform for discussion of the strategic direction of CDB as part of the process for formulating the new Strategic Plan 2020-2024.
UK PM Theresa May to formally ask for delay
Prime Minister Theresa May is writing to the EU to formally ask for Brexit to be postponed.
One ministerial source told the BBC the longer delay could be up to two years, amid reports of a cabinet row, but No 10 said no decision had been made.
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU would not grant a delay without a "concrete plan" from the UK about what they would do with it.
Under current law the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal in 10 days.
MPs rejected the withdrawal deal Mrs May has negotiated with the EU for a second time last week by 149 votes. They also voted in favour of ruling out leaving the EU without a deal, and in favour of extending the Brexit process.
The prime minister had hoped to have another try at getting MPs to back the deal this week - but Speaker John Bercow effectively torpedoed that with his surprise intervention on Monday.
She still hopes to ultimately get it in front of MPs for a third go, but says even if that happens and they vote in favour of it, the UK will need a short extension to get the necessary legislation through Parliament.
A cabinet source told the BBC she therefore plans to ask the EU to agree to postpone the UK's departure until 30 June, but with an option of a longer delay as well.
Mrs May has warned Brexiteer Tories that longer extension will be needed if her deal does not get through Parliament.
One ministerial source told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg there was "no agreement" around the cabinet table when a delay was discussed.
Another cabinet source said they were frustrated that the PM had not been clear about which delay option she would be arguing for.
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom is said to have criticised colleagues, saying they now amounted to a "Remain cabinet", not a "Brexit cabinet".
Chancellor Philip Hammond said ministers all wanted the "shortest possible delay" but cabinet members "have different approaches to how we should do this".
Any delay will have to be agreed by all 27 EU member states and Mrs May is heading to Brussels on Thursday to discuss the options with fellow leaders.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay suggested a third vote on the Brexit deal could take place next week - after Mrs May has sought a delay.
On Mr Bercow's ruling, he said it was important to "respect the referee" and abide by his decisions - but, he added, the Speaker himself had said in the past that if Parliament was guided only by precedent then "nothing ever would change".
Mr Barclay suggested that MPs would "find a way" to get another vote, if the government manages to persuade enough of them, including the 10 Democratic Unionists, to change their mind and back the deal.
At a press conference in Brussels, Mr Barnier said it was up to the 27 EU leaders to decide whether to grant a delay, based on what was in the "best interest" of the bloc.
But for a longer delay "there needs to be a new event" or a "new political process" - so that "we are not back in the same situation as today".
"Extending the uncertainty without a clear plan would add to the economic cost for our business but will also incur a political cost for the EU," said Mr Barnier.
"It is for the British government and Parliament to decide very quickly what the UK wants to do next."
Mr Barnier also warned that UK MPs voting against "no deal" would not prevent it from happening, saying that "everyone should now finalise all preparations for a no-deal scenario."
Source-BBC
Caribbean Footballer Wes Morgan signs deal to remain at Leicester
Veteran Jamaica international Wes Morgan has penned a new one-year deal with Leicester City, just days after scoring a dramatic late winner against Burnley in his 700th appearance in club football.
The 35-year-old entered last Saturday's contest at Turf Moor with doubt over his future especially with his contract due to expire in the summer, but the latest deal will now see him remain at the East Midlands outfit until June 2020.
“It means a lot to me,” said Morgan, who joined the Foxes seven years ago from Nottingham Forest and is now the club captain.
“We've been through so many ups and downs together as a Football Club, and I've been right at the heart of it from the very beginning, so to extend my time here means very much to me and I'm very happy.”
Morgan, who played every minute of Leicester's extraordinary title-winning season in 2016, was benched following manager Brendan Rodgers's arrival three weeks ago leading to speculation over his future.
But following Morgan's heroics at the weekend, Rodgers indicated the defender was still a part of his future plans, albeit in a reduced role.
Morgan, who has already made 292 appearances for Leicester, said the club's star was continuing to rise.
Source-CMC