NIB takes two companies to court
The National Insurance Board continues its case against those companies who tries to side step paying into the fund.
On Tuesday October 11th 2016, defendant Dion Pratt formerly of Sky Juice Ltd. appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to complaints filed by the NIB for failing to pay NIS contributions and additional as an employer during the period October 2009 to April 2011 in the amount of $65,227.02. The matter was set for plea on December 8th 2016 at 9am.
Also making an appearance on Tuesday October 11th 2016, Attorney Arthur Hamilton represented defendants Wayne Garland and Russell Garland of Konk Holdings, who were summoned to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to complaints filed by the NIB for failing to pay nis contributions and additional charges as employers during the periods November 2011 to December 2012 in the amount of $43,461.93.
The matter was set for plea on December 8th 2016 at 9am.
Janet Jackson Pregnant at 50
Pop star Janet Jackson is pregnant with her first child, at age 50.
Jackson went public with her baby news to celebrity magazine People.
"We thank God for our blessing," she said.
Jackson, who is married to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana, stirred speculation that something was up when she cancelled her tour, citing personal reasons.
"I thought it was important that you be the first to know," she said in a Twitter video at the time. "My husband and I are planning our family, so I'm going to have to delay the tour," she was quoted as saying in April.
She hasn’t been seen much since, but she was recently spotted shopping for baby clothes by staff at Hollywood industry program Entertainment Tonight.
NBA CHAMPIONS, ROBERT HORRY AND LIONEL HOLLINS, TO JOIN WNBA ALL-STAR, SKYLAR DIGGINS, AT DIGICEL NBA JUMPSTART ELITE CAMP
Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that seven-time NBA Champion, Robert Horry, 1977 NBA Champion and former NBA head coach, Lionel Hollins, and two-time WNBA All-Star, Skylar Diggins, will coach at the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp in the British Virgin Islands from October 7th-9th.
The Elite Camp will feature the top 63 players – 45 boys and 18 girls – from the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Clinics held in nine Caribbean countries this fall. At the conclusion of the Elite Camp, the NBA and Digicel will choose the top thirteen players – eight boys and five girls – who will have an opportunity to take part in the Digicel Jumpstart Experience in the U.S. later this year.
The Digicel NBA Jumpstart Basketball programme, now in its second year, began August 24th and took place in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The clinics, run by NBA assistant coaches and D-League coaches, along with NBA International Basketball Operations staff, brought together hundreds of players and coaches from across the Caribbean. Each clinic featured the top boys and girls born between 1999-2001 as well as coaching clinics for local coaches.
“These boys and girls who have made it to the Elite Camp are not only the best in their countries, they are also the embodiment of hard work, dedication and a good attitude. Congratulations to all them,” said Digicel Group Director of Marketing, Peter Lloyd. “The players, along with their family and friends, will also be able to relive the memorable moments from the camp, which will be shared on all our social media platforms and on SportsMax.”
“The second year of the Digicel NBA Jumpstart programme has been a resounding success,” said NBA Vice President, Latin America Arnon de’Mello. “As a leading company in the Caribbean and a strategic NBA partner, Digicel shares our vision of growing basketball at the grassroots level and teaching the value of a healthy, active lifestyle. Congratulations to the boys and girls heading to the British Virgin Islands for this year’s Elite Camp.”
Last year, Digicel and the NBA announced a multi-year partnership that will deliver live games and extensive NBA programming to almost 30 Caribbean territories through SportsMax, which is the Official Wireless Partner of the NBA in the region. This partnership also allows Digicel customers to get in on the action through a number of promotions that will be launched across the Caribbean.
Egypt is getting a new capital - courtesy of China
Egypt's new capital city moved a step closer to reality with the announcement that Chinese developers will largely fund the megaproject.
The China Fortune Land Development Company (CFLD) agreed to provide $20 billion for the currently unnamed city, after a meeting between heads of the firm and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
This follows a previous commitment of $15 billion from another Chinese state-owned company, bringing the project close to its $45 billion budget requirements for phase I.
Plans for the new capital were first announced in March 2015. Government officials described the development as a solution to crowding, pollution and rising house prices in Cairo.
"Cairo Capital is a momentous endeavor to build national spirit, foster consensus, provide for long-term sustainable growth," said the project website. "(The) new city will create more places to live, work and visit."
The 700 square kilometer city to be constructed in the desert to the East of Cairo would become the new seat of government, and it is presented as a far grander vision than the current capital.
Proposals for the city include housing for five million people, over 1,000 mosques, smart villages, industrial zones, a 5,000-seat conference center, and the world's largest park.
Interest in the project has been brisk. An Indian company is reportedly planning a vast medical center and university, while a Saudi firm intends to build a 12.6 hectare mosque and Islamic museum.
Construction is already under way. According to Egypt's Al-Ahram newspaper, engineers have begun work on infrastructure including bridges and 210 kilometers of roads.
The first phase of the project will see government ministries and residential blocks rise from the sand. This phase could be complete within five years, with the first residents moving in.
Despite the optimism from officials, there are concerns that the project will encounter familiar problems. Egypt has already constructed several satellite towns around Cairo, which have registered low occupancy despite high investment.
"The needs of Cairo should be met by the existing eight new towns around it," says David Sims, an urban planner and author based in the Cairo. "But people call them ghost towns."
The satellites repeated the same mistakes, says Sims, which are also likely to affect the new capital.
"The new towns produced housing that is unaffordable, unobtainable and inaccessible for the majority of Cairo's inhabitants," says Sims. "The new towns were built with a high modernist approach that did not allow the informal enterprises and activities that most Egyptians rely on."
Egypt has a fundamentally misguided approach to development planning, according to architect and planner and Kareem Ibrahim of the NGO Tadamun.
"We have a chronic problem with the urban government of existing cities, and no matter how many cities you build you are not solving this problem," he says.
Ibrahim's research found that around 50% of Cairo neighborhoods lacked access to sewage services, while public services were failing, and municipal councils were operating with as little as $4 per capita per year.
"The levels of deprivation were shocking," says Ibrahim. "The investment should be going towards providing equal rights to public services and utilities. Let's think about how to develop better governing structure for the cities we have, and then build new cities."
Source-CNN
Bargain-Hunting Tourists in the UK
When the pound plunged this month on new worries about Brexit, New Yorkers Derek Hotter and Ian Clark hopped on a plane for an impromptu holiday in Britain.
Record numbers of dollar-, yuan- and euro-rich tourists eager to snatch up a bargain could be the silver lining of the sharp decline in sterling since Britain voted to leave the European Union on June 23.
The vote took many investors and chief executives by surprise, triggering the deepest political and financial turmoil in Britain since World War II and the biggest one-day fall in sterling against the dollar.
The pound has fallen 28 cents since the night of the vote, dropping to $1.2215 Tuesday.
Britain saw tourist numbers rise in July, with visits up 2 percent from the same month last year to 3.8 million.
“We’ve done a bunch of shopping,” Hotter, who is in digital marketing, told Reuters in London’s Piccadilly Circus. “I was here a couple of years ago and it was a little harder spending and now you come over here knowing it’s so much better in our favor, you feel like you can shop a little bit more.”
Americans last year spent 3 billion pounds in Britain, making them the most important tourists for the United Kingdom.
“In a period post-referendum, post-Brexit, this is the shining star industry that is benefiting from, amongst other things, a weakening of the pound,” said Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of the British Tourism Authority.
He said the weak pound is an attraction for Chinese visitors, but the marketing focus for pulling in more of China’s 100 million who travel overseas is more long term.
“We need to keep going at that market because the real tidal wave of Chinese visitors is going to be probably five to 10 years from now when the market has got a lot bigger,” he said.
Bookings from China to Britain are up by nearly 25 percent between now and Christmas, with the lure of London’s luxury quarter attracting many.
“Exchange rate you know, it’s lower than before,” said one Chinese woman, explaining why her mother chose this month to visit.
“Many discounts here,” said another excited shopper. “Especially for Chinese customers I think.”
Even though visitors from continental Europe come for shorter stays and spend less money than Americans, they are important. Visit Britain predicts a rush of European visitors in the coming months.
Source-VOA
Gunmen Attack Shi'ite Shrine in Kabul
Gunmen, reportedly wearing Afghan police uniforms, stormed a packed shrine for Shi’ite Muslims in Kabul late Tuesday and opened fire, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 30 others.
Officials and witnesses said a suicide bomber blew himself up as the assault began in the Kart-e-Sakhi area of the capital city, while two others were shot and killed by security forces, ending an hours-long siege.
Health officials confirmed at least 16 women were among those wounded and taken to hospitals.
Tuesday was the ninth day of Moharram, the first month on the Muslim calendar.
Shi'ites around the world conduct processions and gather in large groups to mourn the killing of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad on the ninth and 10th of the month.
Security was particularly tight in Kabul for the annual Shi’ite religious rituals. Afghan authorities, fearing an attack, had requested the community not carry out large street processions but to gather inside their mosques or shrines.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the deadly assault.
On Wednesday, the Shi’ite community will mark Ashura, the peak of Moharram. Attacks against Shi’ites are not uncommon in Afghanistan. Shi'ites comprise 15 percent of the country’s estimated 30 million people.
Militants, including the Taliban and Islamic State, consider Shi’ites apostates and are blamed for the sectarian violence.
Source-VOA
Five-time NBA champion auctions face mask
Former LA Lakers captain Kobe Bryant is auctioning off a face mask to raise funds for charity - with bids starting at $15,000 (£12,204).
Bryant had to wear the mask after breaking his nose during the 2012 All-Star game where he passed Michael Jordan as the All-Star Game's leading scorer.
He wore it for four Lakers games, earning the nickname 'The Masked Mamba'.
The auction house describes the mask as "a Hall of Fame worthy piece that every NBA fan would be shocked to see in person".
Bryant previously auctioned another mask he wore in the same season, securing $67,000 (£54,498) for the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.
Source-BBC
Slovenia Draws nil all against England
England were thankful to the brilliance of goalkeeper Joe Hart and large slices of good fortune as they escaped with a draw from a torrid World Cup qualifier in Slovenia.
Hart, on loan at Torino in Serie A after becoming surplus to requirements at Manchester City, saved interim manager Gareth Southgate from an embarrassing loss to the team ranked 67th in the world with a succession of outstanding saves.
He twice denied Josip Ilicic when he was played in by poor backpasses from Eric Dier and captain Jordan Henderson - but the highlight was a world-class reflex save when he turned Jasmin Kurtic's header on to the crossbar seconds after half-time.
Kurtic also hit the post in the first half as England's three-year run of wins in qualifiers came to an end.
They deserved no more as Slovenia were the more dangerous side and even the introduction of Wayne Rooney, dropped by Southgate, for the last 18 minutes could not rouse a disappointing England, who at least still top Group F.
Rooney had a shot just wide and Jesse Lingard forced a fine save from Jan Oblak late on - but an England win would have been harsh on the hosts.
Source-BBC
West Windies Women rally to level ODI series
Star players Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor combined well to hand West Indies Women a 38-run win over their England counterparts at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium yesterday to level the five-match One-Day International series at 1-1.
Taylor, the West Indies captain, struck a polished 56 for her 24th career ODI half-century to guide the West Indies to 148 all out in exactly 50 overs in what turned out to be another low-scoring encounter on a low and slow batting surface.
Dottin, known more for her aggressive batting, emphasised her all-round class with a four-wicket haul that helped to dismiss England Women for 110 inside 42 overs.
Scores: West Indies 148 (50 overs); England 110 (41.4 overs)
England had a five-run win in the first ODI on Saturday after restricting West Indies to 144 in reply to their 149.
Yesterday, West Indies won the toss and opted to take first strike in brilliant sunny conditions at the venue.
They lost promising teenage opener Matthews, who was trapped before wicket to England’s off-spinner Laura Marsh, for 15 at 24-1.
That brought in Taylor, who, from the first ball she faced, was imperious and appeared head and shoulders above her teammates.
Matthews’ opener partner Shaquana Quintyne also went for 15 when she was caught lofting a catch to midwicket fielder Natalie Sciver off the bowling of left-arm finger spinner Sophie Ecclestone.
Taylor and Dottin (21) turned over the strike well to add 47 runs for the third wicket which stabilised the West Indies innings. Dottin played the sweep shot regularly against the spinners, while Taylor generally drove down the ground for singles to long off and long on.
There was a moment or two of anxiety.
Dottin, on six, was dropped by the bowler Marsh when the powerful batter hit aerially down the ground.
In the same over, perhaps still upset because of the missed chance, Marsh fielded a ball played back to her and hurled it in the direction of Dottin, who took evasive action to deflect the ball with her bat. Both umpires had a quick chat with the West Indies batters and the England Captain Heather Knight to ensure the situation did not deteriorate.
Dottin was later dismissed via the lbw route by spinner Alex Hartley to open the floodgates as West Indies slumped from 82-2 to 90-5.
But Taylor continued to stamp her class at the other end. Taylor, who was bothered by a hamstring issue while making nine in the opening game, slashed pacer Katherine Brunt’s short delivery back of point for four to bring up her 50.
She hit six fours off 87 balls before being dismissed by the relentless Brunt.
As Taylor continued to run out of partners she eventually gave her hand away, attempting to clear the straight boundary to a delivery from Brunt, but could only offer a high catch to Marsh at long-on. At that stage the score was 127-7 and West Indies tail-enders had to scrap to bat out the allotment of 50 overs.
England’s slow left-arm orthodox bowler Alex Hartley took four wickets.
In reply, the English batters also found the going tough.
Lauren Winfield was sent back lbw to left-arm pacer Erva Giddings for two at 12-1.
As pressure mounted due to some tight overs, Winfield’s opening partner, Tammy Beaumont (19) was bowled by the off-spin of Taylor at 33-2.
Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, who got plenty turn and some bounce with her loopy off-spin, then bowled Georgia Elwiss for 16 at 56-3 inside the 24th over.
Though England kept the ticking over the scoreboard with one and twos, the lack of boundaries eventually caught up with them.
As the overs remaining dwindled and the run-rate crept upwards, the pressure continued to tell.
England Captain Heather Knight and Natalie Sciver both fell to the naggingly accurate wrist spinner Afy Fletcher for 26 and 27, respectively.
And Wyatt, who made an ODI career-best 44 in the previous match, was dismissed for seven also by Fletcher at 108-6.
The loss of those three left the door open for Dottin to apply the mopping up exercise at the lower end of the batting. Though entering relatively late in the innings, it worked out almost perfectly for skipper Taylor.
Dottin mixed slower balls with several searing full deliveries to good effect as the England batters appeared flummoxed. She finished with 4-19 off six overs and four balls, while Fletcher took 3-20.
The teams now turn their attention to three pivotal games at Sabina Park in Kingston, starting on Friday.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Nicole strengthens as it takes aim at Bermuda
Forecasters have predicted that Tropical Storm Nicole will intensify later on Tuesday and pass virtually right over Bermuda as a Category Two storm on Thursday morning.
A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning have been posted in this British Overseas Territory.
Three cruise ships have already been diverted from the island and American Airlines announced it is cancelling Wednesday’s incoming flights from New York and Miami as well as the return journeys on Thursday morning.
Service on one ferry route was cancelled on Tuesday as strong winds buffeted the island.
Hamilton docks will be closed on Wednesday.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said in an 11:00 am (local time) bulletin that Nicole was strengthening and expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday night.
The NHC said Nicole is likely to dump between three and five inches of rain on Bermuda through Thursday.
The storm, situated 350 miles south of Bermuda, was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour at 11:00 am and moving north-northwest at five miles per hour (mph).
The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) warned residents “ahead of Nicole’s approach to expect hazardous conditions including strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, dangerous surf and rip currents, and very rough seas and swells building high to very high.
“Tropical-storm-force winds arrive by Wednesday evening with hurricane-force winds arriving late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.”
The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) has already swung into action, and National Security Minister Jeff Baron has urged residents to make sure their storm supplies are topped up.
Nicole, the 14th named storm of the Atlantic season, which formed as a tropical storm south of Bermuda last Tuesday, did a U-turn on Sunday night and headed towards Bermuda.
Nicole had meandered erratically while intensifying to a Category Two hurricane with 105 miles per hour winds on Friday.
It began to weaken as it drifted further south but has roared back to life.
Bermuda’s only brush with a storm this season came last month when Tropical Storm Karl dumped around four inches of rain on the island but it caused no serious damage.
Source-CMC