TCI Footballer First Female Finalist in Flow Ultimate Football Experience
Twenty-nine (29) up and coming youth footballers between the ages of 13 and 16 had their skills put to the test over the weekend at the Flow Ultimate Football Experience, a competition put together by Flow and Manchester United Football Club and supported by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). The girls and boys vied for the chance to participate in a talent development football camp in Trinidad and possibly win a VIP trip that includes touring Old Trafford and viewing a Manchester United home game. In the end, it was Dylan Ayer, 13 and Sydnee Campbell, 15 – the only girl to make it through to the finals – who best demonstrated the abilities needed to compete with 28 other ballers from the 14 Flow markets around the Caribbean.
Local coaches Olivia Graveley, Dane Ritchie, Fraser Park, Gillian Vernice, Mark Parish and Daz Meehan put the kids through their paces at the National Academy Field in a series of challenges that tested their dribbling, short passing and control capabilities. The programme was specially designed for the Flow Ultimate Football Experience by coaches at the Manchester United Soccer School, and the 29 talented footballers were chosen by their clubs and/or school coaches.
Dylan and Sydnee, along with their coaches, will now advance to a two-day skills session in Trinidad and Tobago to experience one-on-one training with CFU and Manchester United Soccer School coaches (MUSS). Both the coaches and athletes will participate in a series of drills designed by MUSS and compete for the trip to the world-famous football stadium.
“I am exceptionally proud of the turnout and performance put on by the young footballers this past weekend. I must also commend the parents that stayed for the duration of the event to show support to the athletes. A big congratulations to Dylan and Sydnee who were evidently superb throughout each of the drills and no doubt deserve this accomplishment,” shared Flow Marketing & Communications Executive, Darron Hilaire.
“To have the only female selected out of fourteen Caribbean countries says a lot about our Women’s programme on the island. Sydnee is a very dedicated and special talent and I believe she will be the future captain for our nation team.”
“Dylan, one of the youngest players at the event at only 13 year olds, scored the highest points out of all the players from across the region, excels at all sports. He has a huge future in football. Having personally coached both players, I believe we have a very good chance that if not both, one should go through to the finals in Manchester,” shared Technical Director for the TCIFA, Daz Meehan.
Certificates were presented to each participant and the two winners each received a trophy. 
The Flow Ultimate Football Experience is one of several Manchester United and Flow partnership initiatives. In January, Flow hosted the FA Cup Caribbean Tour which gave football fans up-close and unprecedented access to football’s most coveted trophy. The final leg of the tour culminated in the Cayman Islands, where Manchester United ambassador Dwight Yorke made an appearance.
Flow Ultimate Football Experiences are taking place in Curacao, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Trinidad, Jamaica, BVI, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Dominica.
Cable and Wireless is Manchester United’s telecommunications partner in the Caribbean.
Premier Robinson Calls Bight MP's Move A Cheap Shot
Disappointed not surprised is how Premier Robinson who approves capital projects in the country's Budget says was her first reaction to what she termed as nothing short of a cheap political stunt taken by Bight MP Porsha Smith.
Premier Robinson stated Hon Ralph Higgs' family project did not influence her to give the green light for the Promenade along the area known as The Creek in Bottle Creek North Caicos. This is a Project that we promised in our Change Document and we will deliver as we hold this Project to be an opportunity to improve on the Tourism offerings in North Caicos. North Caicos has seen many tourists over the years and we must pay attention to both North and Middle Caicos so as to support the growing tourism sector and enhance the visitors' experience.
I sincerely believe that this area is unique and offers a beautiful tourist experience as it offers a beautiful stretch of natural beauty and is a source of pride for those on the Creek.
It is so that Hon Higgs along with his family announced a development along that strip and this was done publicly. In fact this Project was criticized and held to be unlikely to happen by a former PNP candidate. It is therefore no secret. Hon Higgs and his family like any other Turks and Caicos Islanders have a right to engage in businesses in this country.
We do not think this Promenade is too good for the people of North Caicos. The vision of those years ago who first conceived this idea and this continued vision under its current representative Hon Higgs and this Government will bring much needed economic activity to the Twin Islands with the realization of this Promenade.
The Integrity Commission is the place to lodge concerns about persons in public life and would usually go about its business quietly. Had the MP for the Bight felt her complaint had merit, the wise approach would be to allow the investigation to take its normal start and course. I find her approach to be deliberate and intentional in two respects and that is to try Hon Higgs in a Court of public opinion with her vexatious and frivolous claim that is ill conceived.
Her grandstanding in front of the Commission's Office was also an ill-fated effort to defame the character of an individual whom the MP for the Bight worked closely with as former Minister of Tourism while in his role as Director of Tourist Board and whom she publicly stated in the previous Session of the House of Assembly that she had confidence in him. This has of course only changed since his decision to align himself with the PDM.
We stand by the Cabinet's decision to deliver this vital project for North Caicos and will not be distracted by the misguided actions of the Bight MP. We have confidence in the Minister of Tourism and MP for North and Middle Caicos and wish to assure the people of the Twin Islands that there is no cause for the MP that they elected to resign.
Integrity Commission announces electons of Director
The TCI Integrity Commission, is proud to announce the election of its Director, Eugene Otuonye, e.C. as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies (CCAICACB). The election of Mr. Otuonye and other Executive Cornmittee Members of the Association, climaxed the 5-day Conference of the Association held in and hosted by Jamaica from April 24-28 2017 in collaboration with the Association and the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Other members of the Executive Committee elected were, Mr. Dirk Harrison, the Contractor General of Jamaica as the Vice Chairman, Mr. David Grey of Commission for the Prevention of Comrption, Jamaica as the Treasurer of the Association. The Country Members of the Executive Committee are: Dominica" Trinidad and Tobago and Cayrnan lslands. The immediate past chairman, Lady Anande Trotman-Joseph of Grenada and Dr. Koranteng of the Commonwealth Secretariat are also members of the Executive Committee. In addition to Mr. Otuonye's election, Turks and Caicos Islands was voted to host the 4'h Conference of the Association scheduled to be held next year.
Other TCI delegates to the Conference were Rev Julia Williams and Canon Mark Kendall. They played very key roles at the Conference and were excited with the good news for TCL Rev. Williams said: "the election of Mr. Otuonye as Chairman of this Caribbean Anti-Corruption Association and the nomination of TCI to host its next Conference, are milestones for the TCI and a recognition of the immense strides the TCI Integrity Commission and other stakeholders in TCI have made in the fight against corruption and in the protection of good governance"
On his part, Mr. Eugene Otuonye, Q.C. commented: "it is such a privilege and honour to be elected by my Caribbean colleagues to head this important regional anti-corruption body, and for TCI to be voted to host the Association's next conference. I think, these developments are a recognition of the great strides made and lhe leading role being played by Turks and Caicos Islands in anti-corruption and good governance efforts in TCI and the impact regionally. Only late last year, the TCI Attorney General, Hon. Rhondalee Knowles assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Financial Action Task-Force. As a country, we should be thankful and proudly celebrate these developments as they send significant positive message about TCI to the regional and international communities"
HON RALPH HIGGS CALLS ON INTEGRITY COMMISSION TO ACT QUICKLY
"The Press Conference held by Hon. Porsha Stubbs last week to publicly launch a blistering attack on my character can only be described as unfortunate and reckless and I wish to advise the public especially the people of Middle and North Caicos that I will not resign my post as Minister as there is no basis for this.
As Hon. Stubbs has asked the Integrity Commission to carry out an investigation into the proposed construction of the Craft market and Promenade for Middle and North Caicos and my efforts to help my constituents, I am requesting that the Commission move expeditiously to carry out its work to get to the bottom of the false assertions made by Hon. Stubbs so that clear and unambiguous closure can be brought to this matter.
I have worked hard, played by the rules and I have been careful to ensure that all of my actions, both in my public and private life are grounded in the policies and laws of our country.
I will not be discouraged. I will work without fear or favor for the people of the TCI and especially for my people of North and Middle Caicos. I will also take every measure to defend my character when it is falsely being attacked and I await the conclusion of this matter.
Again I urge the Integrity Commission to move quickly so that this cloud which is being maliciously cast over the Government's important work can be removed and that the actions of those that knowingly seek to retard progress for selfish and political reasons are exposed."
Raging Fyah collabs with Cidade Negra on Would You Love Me (Remix)
Coming off their Grammy nominated album 'Everlasting,' Raging Fyah releases the remix single 'Would You Love Me' featuring Brazilian reggae powerhouse, Cidade Negra available on all digital music platforms May 5th. The two acts bring together a distinctive blend of reggae flavor just in time for Brazil's National Reggae Day celebrations.
Based in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Cidade Negra came together in 1986 and reached a great level of success in the 90's with albums "Sobre Todas as Forças" and "O Erê". They perform Portuguese and English lyrics on 'Would You Love Me' adding an international flair. The band is currently working on a new album and doing select tour dates in Brazil through September, concluding at Rock in Rio, Brazil's biggest running music festival in since 1985.
Produced by Riff Raff and written by Raging Fyah in collaboration with Cidade Negra, 'Would You Love Me (Remix)' explores the nuances of materialism in relationships, posing the question, "If I gave you everything I own, would you love me?" From the cover art, to the brilliant blend of roots reggae and soft rock, to the rousing libretto, it all comes together on this classic summer jam.
Raging Fyah was recently nominated in the Best Reggae Album category for the 2017 Grammy Awards which aired on February 12th. The band is currently gearing up for an opening slot on the UB40 summer tour, commencing in Inverness, UK on May 19th and ending in Las Vegas, Nevada in July 29th.
Predators & the Knights lead the PABA
The Predators and Knights lead the PABA best of five semi-finals series 2-1 in their respective games as game 4 gets set to kick off Wed night.
The Predators preyed on the Flyers 74-71 to clinch the win on Monday night in an overtime thriller. Charlton Stubbs scored 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for the Predators. Carlos Bassett chipped in with 14 points 8 rebounds and Darly Francois added 12 points.
Jakee Been led the way for the Flyers with 18 pts, 6 rebounds while Anthony Cash chipped in with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Turnovers, missed layups and free throws plagued the Flyers. Ray Harris of the flyers had a chance to win the game for his team but issued two crucial free throws to send the game into overtime.
In game two the Knights tamed the Stallions 88-87 in another nail biter.
Clifton Jean scored 21 points 12 rebounds and Enrico Smith chipped in with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Andujar Gardiner did most of the damage for the Knights with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals but was eventually fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter.
Melvin Elsie junior added 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals for the Knights for the win.
It's a matter of do or die, win or go fishing for the Flyers and the Stallions tonight. Flyers must minimize their turnovers, score free throws and focus on the game if they are to take this series to a game five says Kelcy Brooks. While Amin McCartney added that the GT Stallions must get some assistance from their second unit coming off the bench if they intend to stop the Knights prolific scoring by Andujar Gardiner and the speed of Melvin Elsie.
S Carolina cop who killed unarmed black man guilty of rights charge
A South Carolina policeman who was filmed shooting an unarmed black man in the back after a traffic stop, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a civil rights violation charge, which could bring up to life in prison. The Justice Department said that former North Charleston, South Carolina, police officer Michael Slager, 35, agreed to the single federal charge, five months after a jury failed to convict him of murder in the case.
Slager's plea will resolve both the federal and state cases against him over the shooting two years ago, which came amid a spate of police shootings of unarmed black men that sparked widespread anger and protests.
In December, a lone jury member in the state case prevented a murder conviction, forcing the judge to declare a mistrial and plan for a new trial.
"The Department of Justice will hold accountable any law enforcement officer who violates the civil rights of our citizens by using excessive force," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
"Such failures of duty not only harm the individual victims of these crimes; they harm our country, by eroding trust in law enforcement and undermining the good work of the vast majority of honorable and honest police officers," Sessions added.
Slager, who is white, pulled Walter Scott over for a broken brake light in North Charleston on April 4, 2015.
The 51-year-old Scott got out of his car and tried to flee. Slager chased him and shot him with a Taser, knocking him down. When Scott got up and ran again, Slager shot him five times in the back, killing him.
Slager had claimed that Scott tried to attack him with the Taser. A cellphone video of the incident made by a bystander showed that Slager was in no danger and had no apparent reason for shooting Scott as he ran.
"The defendant used deadly force even though it was objectively unreasonable under the circumstances," the plea agreement said.
Sentencing in the case is to come at a later date. The charge of depriving a person's civil rights carries a sentence of up to life in prison, and a potential fine of up to $250,000.
"We hope that Michael's acceptance of responsibility will help the Scott family as they continue to grieve their loss," Slager's lawyer Andy Savage said in a statement.
Hillary Clinton says the FBI chief and Putin cost her election
Hillary Clinton on Tuesday laid the blame for her defeat in last year's White House race squarely at the feet of FBI director James Comey and Russia's Vladimir Putin, saying they had "scared off" voters. The Democrat, speaking at a charity luncheon in New York, said she took "absolute personal responsibility" for a series of campaign blunders that contributed to her loss against Donald Trump.
But she pointed a finger at Russian hacking and interference and at the Federal Bureau of Investigation director, who revealed just before the November 8 election he was re-opening a probe into Clinton's use of a personal email server while secretary of state.
"I was on the way to winning until a combination of Jim Comey's letter on October 28th and Russian WikiLeaks, raised doubts in the minds of people who were inclined to vote for me, but got scared off," Clinton said.
"If the election had been on October 27, I'd be your president," she added.
In January the US intelligence community announced it had concluded Russia interfered in the election -- and that Putin himself ordered a campaign to undermine the US democratic process and harm Clinton's electability in order to help Trump win.
Clinton described the Russian president as someone who was "not a member of my fan club."
Clinton's remarks -- which echoed CIA comments branding WikiLeaks a "hostile intelligence service" abetted by the likes of Russia -- were the most extensive and direct about her loss since the shock result last year.
"The reason why I believe we lost were the intervening events in the last 10 days," she said.
851 Police Officers Promoted On Eve Of Poll
The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) has promoted 851 officers, according to an announcement from Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade yesterday, as officers prepare to cast ballots in the general election’s advanced poll today Wednesday.
The promotions take effect on January 1.
Two superintendents have been promoted to chief superintendents; 76 assistant superintendents have been made superintendents; 90 inspectors have been promoted to assistant superintendent, while 107 sergeants have risen to the rank of inspector.
Commissioner Greenslade also announced that 253 corporals have been promoted to sergeant while 323 constables have been promoted to the rank of corporal.
“You’ve waited for well over three years for your promotions, you’ve worked hard, you’ve sacrificed and you have demonstrated a level of commitment and certainly all of the attributes that qualifies you for these promotions,” Commissioner Greenslade said in a video recording issued to the media last night.
He offered congratulations to the officers who were promoted.
This announcement came days after Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed the government will finally pay police officers for working 12-hour shifts in 2013 and 2014, with the first payment of the outstanding sum to be issued on May 29.
He said the second installment in overtime pay would come “in the next budget cycle,” but was not more specific. He said officers who have died or are retired will be paid in full.
Extradited Jamaicans plead not guilty in lottery scam
Four more Jamaicans charged in the United States in what authorities say is a multimillion-dollar lottery scam, pleaded not guilty in federal court in North Dakota yesterday. Jason Jahalal, Kazrae Gray, Dahlia Hunter, and Xanu Morgan all waived detention hearings and will remain in custody pending further court proceedings, according to court documents. No immediate trial date was set for any of the suspects.
They were among eight suspects extradited from Jamaica to Bismarck last week to face charges in what authorities say is a scam that bilked at least 90 mostly elderly Americans, out of more than US$5.7 million. The four others pleaded not guilty last week.
A total of 15 people are facing charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. Each count carries a potential maximum sentence of either 20 or 30 years in prison, according to Assistant US Attorney Clare Hoch-halter, who is leading the prosecution.
The suspects are accused of calling victims, persuading them to send money, and wiring the money to bank accounts in Jamaica. Authorities have dubbed the case “Operation Hard Copy”, a reference to lists of prospective victims' contact information, used by scammers.
The alleged mastermind, Lav-rick Wil-locks, pleaded not guilty in January. Among the remaining defendants, one is awaiting trial in Rhode Island, one is in custody in Jamaica awaiting extradition to the US, and four are still fugitives.
Sanjay Williams, who authorities say was a cohort of Willocks in Jamaica, and ran a separate scam, was convicted by a US jury in 2015 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The investigation has been ongoing for more than five years and involves the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Postal Inspection Service, and the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs.