Police investigates three (3) separate incidents of arm robbery on Providenciales
Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands (RTCIPF) are investigating one (1) attempted robbery and two (2) separate reports of armed robbery that occurred in different areas of Blue Hills last night.
At about 4:50 pm (Tuesday 2nd February 2016), a 74year old male and his wife were bird watching in the Wheeland area when they were confronted by a tall and dark slim built male with a mask over his face pointing a gun at them who demanded cash and a wedding ring. The 74year old man managed to escape and reported the incident to the police. Police searched the area; however, the masked man was not located.
Also, at 9:51pm Tuesday, a 36 year old male along with his wife had just arrived home in the area of Snake Hill when they were approached by three (3) masked men described to be 5’10”, dark complexion and slim built; who pointed a gun and knives at them and got away with a lady's handbag.
At 10:48pm the same night, a 20 year old male and his sister were walking home in the vicinity of the Clement Howell High School when they were also approached by three (3) masked men described to be 5’10”, dark complexion, slim built and at the time wearing black hoodie and short pants pointed a gun at them and demanded cash. The suspects got away with two (2) cellular phones.
Police searched the areas for the suspects, but none was found.
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. The information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter page.
Decreased Global Fuel Costs Bring Massive Electricity Savings
As world market prices for crude oil continue to fall, FortisTCI customers are receiving major savings passed on by the Company through monthly electricity bills. The fuel factor was at a peak in August 2014 at $0.2447 and has since declined 60% to $.0999 in December 2015. This new rate reflected on customers’ January 2016 bills. With global fuel prices this low, there should be a relative decline in the cost of living throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In mid-January crude oil prices are reported to have dropped to a 12 year low, trading below $35 a barrel. Considering the fuel factor (or power cost adjustment) is based on the world market price at the time purchased, FortisTCI customers may see further savings, depending on further declines in the world oil prices. The savings that customers are receiving is an indication that the present regulatory framework works to the benefit of all stakeholders. When fuel prices are increasing, it allows the Company to recover sufficient cash-flows to pay for the necessary fuel to ensure the continuity of services. When fuel prices are declining, these savings are passed on immediately to the benefit of electricity customers.
When the fuel factor was at a peak in August 2014, average bills inclusive of the then fuel factor rate for residential customers in Providenciales was $252. That average dropped to $177 in January 2016. Average bills for commercial customers in Providenciales when the fuel factor was at a peak in August 2014 was $1,552. The average bill for commercial customers has declined to $926 in January 2016.
FortisTCI President and CEO, Mr. Eddinton Powell, said, “We are pleased that our customers are seeing reductions in their electricity bills. The calculations of the monthly Fuel Factor is verified independently by the Energy and Utilities Commissioner’s Office, prior to implementation; thus ensuring that electricity customers’ interest is protected. However, we constantly stress to our customers the importance of managing their energy consumption for long term power-costs savings.” Mr. Powell added that “the volatilities of the world market make it difficult to predict future pricing, and while our customers can enjoy the benefits of lower electricity prices as of results of lower fuel prices, the Company continues to pursue other means of bringing potential savings to customers. For example, we commissioned and recently completed a study on ways in which to streamline the fuel supply chain to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We are actively investigating how the findings of the report can be implemented to the benefit of our customers.”
In November 2015, FortisTCI launched its renewable energy programs CORE & UORE, now available to customers in Providenciales. The renewable energy programs will be extended to Grand Turk in 2016. These programs allow electricity consumers to sell electricity into the grid. The Company has set a target to avoid burning 19,000 barrels of oil in 2020 through the integration of rooftop Solar PV systems.
In addition, the Company offers free energy audits to residential customers. More information on this free program can be obtained from the Company’s Customer Service Department.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
GENERAL SITUATION: A COLD FRONT OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL ISLANDS TODAY CREATING GUSTY WINDS TO NEAR GALE FORCE AND COOLER TEMPERATURES. THE FRONT WILL MERGE WITH A FRONTAL BOUNDARY OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS LATER TONIGHT OR EARLY TOMORROW MORNING.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT DUE TO HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AND BEACH GOERS SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ENTERING THE WATERS DUE TO THE HIGH RISK OF DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE BEACHES.
TURKS AND CAICOS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON, FAIR AND COOL TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE AND A BRIEF PASSING SHOWER
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS BUT NORTH TO NORTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS BUT HIGHER IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 72°F 22°C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 61°F 16°C
SUNSET: 06:00 PM MOONSET: 07:21 PM LOW TIDE: 02:29 PM
SUNRISE:06:48 AM WED. MOONRISE: 08:12 AM WED. HIGH TIDE: 08:28 PM LOW TIDE: 02:39 AM WED.
HIGH TIDE: 08:52 AM WED.
Road from the Tourist Board to West Road stretch is now a one way
The Director of Road Safety and Transport advises the motoring public that Front Street Grand Turk going north from the Tourist Board Office onto West Road, straight down to the end of West Road by Mitch Rolling’s House, is now a one way street effective 1 February 2016.
Duke Street, starting from the Osprey Beach Hotel, going north passing LIME on Queen Street, remains a one way street, in addition now to Front Street that stretches north onto the end of West Road.
During RTC’s evening traffic report Wednesday, an officer from the traffic division of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands (RTCIPF), Constable Damian Mitchell, said now is as good a time as any to sensitize the public to this change.
Beyonce’s Super Bowl Performance Lambasted by Rudy Guiliani
It looks like a new Beyontroversy is brewing.
Beyonce's Super Bowl 50 performance Sunday night has been the talk of the town and former Rudy Guiliani is weighing in on it – going as far as to calling it to an “attack” on police officers.
On Monday morning's episode of Fox & Friends, the former New York City criticized the appearance, which featured references to the Black Panther Party and late civil rights activist Malcolm X.
“This is football, not Hollywood, and I thought it was really outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers who are the people who protect her and protect us, and keep us alive," he said.
During her performance of her new song “Formation,” Beyonce's backup dancers wore black berets over afros reminiscent of those worn by the Black Panthers, and formed an X, which some viewers interpreted as a callout to Malcolm X.
"What we should be doing in the African-American community, and all communities, is build up respect for police officers, and focus on the fact that when something does go wrong, okay, we’ll work on that," Guiliani continued. "But the vast majority of police officers risk their lives to keep us safe.”
Giuliani went a step further by asking for "decent, wholesome entertainment" for future halftime shows, criticizing the former Destiny’s Child frontwoman for using the Super Bowl stage "as a platform to attack the people who put their lives at risk to save us."
Beyonce's halftime performance followed the Saturday release of her thought-provoking music video for "Formation," which contained imagery of the ills plaguing inner-city communities.
Rihanna Shares Behind-the-Scenes Video About the Making of "Work"
Rihanna is offering fans a behind-the-scenes look into her latest single, "Work" featuring Drake.
In the 90-second clip, Rihanna hangs in the studio while unveiling her creative process for the tune. The singer dons her Puma sneakers and a cozy grey sweatsuit while her assistant Jenn Rosales attempts to sing along to the track. At one point, Rih goes inside the recording booth and gives the middle finger to the cameraman.
"Work" currently sits at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs while her latest album, ANTI, occupies the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
Zika concerns could see Kenya withdraw from Rio 2016 Olympics
Kenya could pull out of this summer's Rio Olympics if the Zika virus in Brazil reaches "epidemic levels", says the head of Kenya's Olympic committee.
The outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in South America is being linked to severe birth defects.
Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global public health emergency.
Kipchoge Keino said: "We are not going to risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika virus reaches epidemic levels."
Brazilian authorities insist there will be no risk to athletes and spectators, except pregnant women, when the Rio Games take place in August.
The International Olympic Committee says it is in "close contact" with organizers, while Olympic venues will be inspected daily in the lead-up to and during the Games.
Source-BBC
Andy Murray's wife gives birth to a girl
Tennis star Andy Murray's wife Kim Sears has given birth to a girl, who is thought to have arrived on Sunday night.
The couple were married in Murray's home town of Dunblane last April and announced the pregnancy in the summer.
Shirley Erskine, Andy Murray's grandmother said she was delighted at her great granddaughter's arrival.
In the run-up to last month's Australian Open, Murray, said his family would be a "priority".
The world number two made it clear that he would have cut short his first grand slam of the year and flown home if the baby had arrived earlier than expected.
He said: "My child is more important to me, and my wife is more important to me, than a tennis match.
"It's a big change for me and my wife, but that's the current priority and I'll see after that.
"I have no idea how that will change things. I still love tennis."
Source-BBC
Rocky Year Ahead for Nigeria Amid Oil Price Crash
The global fall in the price of oil has rattled the economies of many petroleum producers, and Africa’s oil king Nigeria is no exception, with analysts predicting a rough year ahead.
The fortunes of Africa’s largest economy have long been intertwined with the price of oil. But analysts are worried as crude prices have fallen to $35 per barrel from their peak of over $100 a barrel in 2014.
Bismarck Rewane, chief executive of Lagos-based advisory firm Financial Derivatives Co., said, “Impact of fall in oil price is, to put it mildly, catastrophic, in the sense that, in terms of magnitude, huge, in terms of preparedness to deal with the magnitude, totally ill-prepared.”
Nigeria produces over 2 million barrels per day, making it Africa’s largest producer of crude.
About 70 percent of government revenue comes from crude sales, while the National Bureau of Statistics says petroleum makes up 69 percent of exports. That reliance on petrodollars puts Nigeria in a vulnerable position when the price plunges, said Dolapo Oni, Ecobank’s head of energy research.
“Oil is basically government’s main source of revenue of running the economy, or running its budget, and that really drives investment into the economy," Oni said.
President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in 2015 on promises to provide jobs and cut down on corruption. He recently proposed a budget that’s about 25 percent larger than last year and includes numerous investments in infrastructure.
Source-VOA
UN Warns of Crisis as Syrian Forces Squeeze Aleppo
The United Nations warned Tuesday that if pro-government forces in Syria succeed in encircling the strategic city of Aleppo then up to 300,000 people could be cut off from humanitarian aid.
In an assessment of the situation in Aleppo, the U.N. said the Aleppo offensive has already cut rebel supply lines between the eastern part of the city and the Bab al-Salam crossing on the Turkish border.
Further advances into the city could send another 100,000 to 150,000 civilians fleeing Aleppo.
The World Food Program said Tuesday it is distributing urgently needed meals to 21,000 people who fled Aleppo to A'zaz, just south of the Turkish border.
Pro-government forces have pounded their way toward Aleppo during the past week in their effort to crush rebels who have been fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime for more than five years.
“If that happens, the rebel momentum will be gone,” said Omar Lamrani, a military analyst for Stratfor, geopolitical intelligence firm based out of Texas. “If Aleppo were to fall, it would highlight how dire the situation is for the rebels throughout the country.”
Russian warplanes have been relentlessly bombing northern Syria for days, forcing U.S.-backed and other rebel forces to take shelter in tunnels and blast craters.
Source-VOA