SOFTBALL HEATS UP IN CHURCH LEAGUE
Starting off this week of games in the church co-ed softball league, Bethany Baptist won yet another game, this time it was against Paradise Baptist with an in the park Home run by Dario.
After 4 innings the mercy rule was called ending the game 1-15.
St Monica Saints was also victorious last night against Harvest Bible.
President Godfrey Been said, "Two great wins and another fun filled night."
US Congress Approves Reform of Lapsed Surveillance Program
The U.S. Congress has approved a bill to reform and restart the bulk collection of Americans’ telephone records, along with other anti-terrorism tools that expired earlier this week.
After days of intense and heartfelt debate about protecting national security and safeguarding civil liberties, the Senate voted 67-32 Tuesday to approve the USA Freedom Act, which now goes to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature.
Obama said on Twitter that he would sign the bill "as soon as I get it."
By contrast, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky warned of a less secure America, calling the vote “a resounding victory for those who currently plot against our homeland.”
“It surely undermines Americans’ security by taking one more tool from our war-fighters, in my view, at exactly the wrong time,” McConnell added.
The legislation mandates that private telecommunications companies rather than the National Security Agency will collect and retain phone records nationwide. Federal authorities will need a court order to review those records and look for points of contact with known or suspected terrorists abroad.
“It is a step forward, because ultimately we protect the privacy of individuals,” said Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who helped write the bill.
“This bill recognizes that our privacy is not — and ought not ever be — deemed to be in conflict with our security. Our privacy is, in fact, part of our security,” said Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, a co-author of the legislation.
The bill enjoyed strong Democratic support but divided majority Republicans, some of whom wanted to resurrect the once-secret government program exposed by fugitive former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
“I am truly perplexed that anyone would argue that telephone data are better protected in the hands of 1,400 telecom companies and 160 wireless carriers than in a secure NSA database that only 34 carefully vetted and trained federal employees are allowed to query under the supervision of a federal judge,” said Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican.
“The [new] system is going to be less effective, because there is absolutely no guarantee that this data will be retained by the telecom companies and the wireless carriers,” Collins added.
The nation’s telecommunications industry has been publicly silent on the bill.
Former U.S. intelligence officials say data collection constitutes an important arrow in America’s national security quiver — one that will be affected by the USA Freedom Act.
Source-VOA
Intense Airstrikes Over Syria's Aleppo Region
The Syrian government is locked in a struggle with rebel militia groups in and around the country's largest city, Aleppo, in some of the most bitter fighting since the four-year-old uprising began in 2011. May was reportedly the bloodiest month since the conflict began, with over 6,000 people killed in fighting across the country.
Residents in the town of Tel Rifaat struggle to dig friends and neighbors from under the rubble after a Syrian government warplane dropped a barrel bomb over a block of flats. Intense government airstrikes were reported over the Aleppo region during the past 72 hours. Other strikes were reported over the rebel-held region of Idlib.
Amateur video also showed Syrian rebel fighters rushing men and armed pickup trucks to defend positions north of Aleppo from Islamic State militants who are attempting to encroach on their territory. IS controls several large suburbs of Aleppo, including Monbaj and al-Bab, and is reportedly trying to capture points along the Turkish border.
Al-Hayat newspaper, quoting the opposition Saraj Press Agency, reported that opposition fighters regained ground from IS militants trying to capture the Azouz border crossing. It said the fighting was accompanied by heavy shelling and intense barrages of Grad rockets.
The U.S. Embassy in Syria's official Twitter feed accused the Syrian government Tuesday of conducting airstrikes to help Islamic State militants capture territory near Aleppo. Syrian opposition leader Khaled Khoja accused the Syrian government Monday of helping IS gain ground around the oasis town of Palmyra.
The Turkish newspaper Cumhurriyet, however, accused the Turkish intelligence agency last week of sending arms to Islamic State militants in northern Syria. It posted photos of what it claimed was a shipment earlier this year. Refuting the charge, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denied Tuesday that his country was helping IS.
Syrian state TV, meanwhile, reported that government warplanes bombed Islamic State militants at the Air Force Academy, near Aleppo, “destroying their armed vehicles.”
Source-VOA
FORECAST FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW TUESDAY 02ND JUNE, 2015
GENERAL SITUATION: THE COMBINATION OF AN UPPER TROUGH AND A SURGE OF TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL CREATE UNSTABLE WEATHER OVER THE BAHAMAS.
FOR ALL AREAS:
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS; WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN THUNDERSTORMS.
WEATHER: CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH THE WIDESPREAD RAIN AND SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT THROUGH TOMORROW.
SUNSET: 07:56PM SUNRISE: 06:20 AM WED.
MOONRISE: 08:03PM MOONSET: 07:15 AM WED.
HIGH TIDE: 08:40PM LOW TIDE: 03:07AM WED.
Premier Caribbean Culinary Event Returns To Miami
Food and cooking enthusiasts as well as those who enjoy island fare and libations, will have the opportunity to savor Caribbean creations at a competition lunch, dinner and Taste of the Islands festival during the 2015 Taste of the Caribbean culinary event scheduled for June 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency, Miami.
Presented by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Taste of the Caribbean is an annual event that highlights the art of Caribbean cooking as it brings together top chefs and bartenders from the region to compete for honors in a variety of food and beverage competitions. There are 10 culinary teams registered from Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Suriname and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Attendees can watch as teams go head-to-head in the Caribbean National Teams Culinary Competition Lunch. Taking place on Friday, June 12 from 12 - 2 pm, the lunch will include three-course meals paired with wines and prepared by teams from the Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands. Tickets are US$50 per person.
Consumers can also enjoy the Caribbean National Teams Culinary Competition Dinner that evening (Friday, June 12 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm) featuring three-course meals paired with wines prepared by teams from Anguilla, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname and reigning Caribbean Culinary Team of the Year - Puerto Rico.
FortisTCI Scholarship Recipient TeAndra Thomas Graduates
Congratulations to 2009 FortisTCI Scholarship recipient TeAndra Thomas, who after five years of intense studies abroad, has attained her Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
TeAndra is now the third scholarship recipient of the Company to complete an engineering program at the university level, embarking upon a long-term career with Fortis.
Ready and excited to resume work during the first week of July 2015 with her new accolades, TeAndra shared some of her thoughts on this chapter of her life. She said, “This experience is one I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
It has played a formative role in my growth and maturity; ultimately it has made me a better, stronger and more determined person. Not only has it changed my life but it has afforded me the opportunity to impact the lives of others especially in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I wish to thank my family for their love and support throughout this journey and FortisTCI for the opportunity to realize my academic pursuits.”
The graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at the MUN Arts and Culture Centre in Newfoundland. TeAndra will be surrounded by family and friends as she is presented with her diploma. What makes this achievement even more special is that TeAndra studied with a concentration in mechanical engineering, traditionally a male dominated field. At the young age of 23, TeAndra is now the first known female mechanical engineer from the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The FortisTCI family applauds TeAndra and looks forward to her safe return home where there is no doubt she will continue to excel as a professional engineer with the Company. President and CEO Eddinton Powell said, “We are extremely proud of TeAndra’s hard work and congratulate her on this major milestone.
TeAndra’s accomplishment epitomizes one our core beliefs, that the currency of the future is knowledge.
EU ASSESSMENT RECOGNISES HUGE IMPROVEMENT IN PUBLIC FINANCES
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) government has significantly improved the performance of its Public Financial Management (PFM) according to a leading European Union (EU) assessment, it was announced today, Wednesday, 27 May 2015.
The TCI’s 2015 Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment showed substantial improvements across a range of indicators since its previous assessment in 2011. The PEFA assessment is widely used by the World Bank and EU.
“The timing of this announcement could not be better in bolstering our nation’s rapidly improving financial reputation,” said Minster of Finance Washington Misick.
“We are also due to have our annual credit rating assessment by Standard & Poor’s in the next few weeks, so the news that we have made such significant improvements in public financial management I am sure can only benefit us in the longer term.”
The PEFA assessment examines seven key areas known as indicators, each with a number of sub areas known as dimensions.
The TCI’s improved performance saw it increase its top rated A grade dimensions from 12 to 30, and its B grade dimensions from 17 to 20. These increases saw dramatic improvements from the C and D grades which fell by the same amounts.
The indicators include: Credibility of the Budget; Comprehensiveness and transparency; Policy-based budgeting; Predictability and control in budget execution; Accounting, recording and reporting; External scrutiny and audit; Donor Practices.
This repeat assessment of the TCI was commissioned by the EU as part of its preparations for providing up to €14.6 million in direct budget support to the education sector under the 11th European Development Fund.
PEFA assessments are intended to serve as a common information base for dialogue between participating governments and development partners.
The PEFA PFM Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) is one of the elements of the Strengthened Approach to supporting PFM reforms developed by the World Bank, the European Commission and other development partners. This Approach has three components: (i) a country-led PFM reform strategy and action plan, (ii) a coordinated programme of activities financed by development partners which supports and is aligned with the government's PFM reform strategy, and (iii) a shared information pool.
The PEFA PMF assessment constitutes the third component.
A copy of the PEFA assessment is available at http://www.gov.tc/treasury/index.php/publications/government-financial-reports/8-pefa-assessment-report
German singing 'Superstar' Seeger admits card scam
The newly-crowned winner of a German TV singing contest has admitted in court to defrauding pensioners.
Severino Seeger won €500,000 (£360,000; $530,900) on the show, Germany's Quest for a Superstar (DSDS) last month.
The 28-year-old was accused of being part of a gang that tricked victims, mainly elderly women, out about €19,000 using a bank card scam.
Reports say the court hearing in Frankfurt was delayed until after the DSDS final.
Mr Seeger appeared before a judge on Tuesday as the court was due to hear testimony from several elderly witnesses.
Local media showed images of fans crowding around the building, some wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Superstar 2015: Prince of hearts".
The singer is alleged to have posed a as bank employee to help collect cards and pin numbers from victims, many of them older women.
Gang members - several of whom have already been convicted - called their targets to tell them their cards needed to be checked because of technical problems.
The oldest victim is said to have been 88 years old.
Mr Seeger told the court he had just separated from his first wife when he was manipulated by a number of people including a cousin, according to German media.
"I said yes because I was stupid," he said.
He was earlier quoted as saying he was "ashamed" of what he had done. "I will pay the money back to the cent," he told Bild newspaper.
The singer was voted winner of the 12th series of DSDS - part of the "Idol" franchise - in mid-May with the song Hero Of My Heart, written by Dieter Bohlen who is also a judge on the show.
Source-BBC
Porn, adware found on former FBI web domains
Websites overseen by the FBI have been briefly used to offer visitors porn or links seeded with adware.
Some of the sites involved were seized from net entrepreneur Kim Dotcom and are thought to attract large numbers of visitors.
The sites were taken over thanks to an administrative error by the FBI which forgot to renew its ownership of one domain.
The sites have now been suspended and no longer show any web content.
Tech news site Torrent Freak revealed that several web domains that used to be run by Kim Dotcom were suddenly directing visitors to sites peddling porn, fake security software, adware and bogus special offers.
These domains were seized three years ago when the FBI carried out raids on Mr Dotcom's business empire, alleging that his Megaupload service was a haven for pirates and copyright thieves. The legal action that started with the raids has yet to be resolved.
Megaupload.com and Megavideo.com were two of the domains briefly taken over by the adware peddlers.
Mr Dotcom lamented what happened to the domains in a tweet, saying the US government had "lost control" of them. He also warned people about adware and other bogus offers.
A separate investigation by news site Ars Technica revealed that the domains had become available because the FBI had forgotten to renew its ownership of a separate site - cirfu.net.
This was used by the agency's Cyber Initiative and Resources Fusion Unit that oversaw sites seized during investigations and raids conducted by the force. This unit replaced the seized site's content with banners announcing that they had been taken over by the FBI.
Megaupload.com, an associated Mega video site and several gambling domains were controlled via cirfu.net.
However, said Ars Technica, cirfu.net was auctioned earlier this month soon after the FBI's ownership of it expired and was not renewed.
The exact identity of who got control of cirfu.net and its associated sites is not known. However, net ownership records show it is now run by Syndk8 Media which is based in Gibraltar.
Soon after news stories about the sites began circulating, the sites were suspended by registrar GoDaddy for violating the company's terms and conditions.
The FBI has yet to comment on what happened to the domains.
Sepp Blatter wins another term as president
Meet Sepp Blatter. Still the most powerful man in the world's most popular game, scandal be damned.
You could also call the 79-year-old Swiss national a survivor, after he clung to his job as FIFA's president Friday. He won a fifth term despite a week marked by arrests, investigations in the United States and Switzerland and questions about whether he was the right man to rebuild the reputation of soccer's governing body.
It wasn't a slam dunk, and Blatter failed to get the required 140 votes in the first round of voting to prevail. (He got 133, compared to 73 for Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.) But with the writing on the wall -- since Blatter would only need a simple majority of votes in the next round to win -- Prince Ali conceded.
"I take the responsibility to bring back FIFA," Blatter said, promising he would leave after his four-year term ends. "And I am convinced we can do it."
He is a masterful political operator and his knack for getting off clean amid scandal -- or at least without being directly tied to wrongdoing in the soccer world -- is uncanny.
Then there's the matter of the voters and their loyalties to Blatter.
Part of it is the system itself: There are 209 member associations within FIFA, and each of their votes counts the same. That means a vote from China, with about 1.4 billion citizens, carries the same weight as a vote from the Cook Islands, with about 11,000 citizens.
And, corruption or not, the FIFA gravy train provides quite a bit of gravy. The organization's executive committee members get $300,000 a year plus $500 per day for expenses. If you're on official FIFA business, you can expect flying first class and staying in five-star hotels.
The member associations benefit big-time, including $500,000 payouts linked to World Cup profits. That's a sizable chunk of change that goes a lot further in places where there are fewer people to share it.
No surprise, then, that many of these organizations -- especially in Africa, Asia and the Americas -- have been loyal to Blatter, given his commitment to divvying up the largesse of FIFA, which has $1.5 billion in the bank.
Blatter didn't mention such (perfectly legal) perks in the run-up to Friday's election, though he did reference the recent investigations, asserting that alleged corruption at FIFA was a result of "a few" individuals, not the whole organization.
"I'm willing to accept that the president of FIFA is responsible for everything, but I would like to share that responsibility with you," he told voters at the 65th FIFA World Congress. "We cannot possibly supervise everybody that's in football."
The soccer world, more than ever, needs "needs a strong (and) experienced leader" like himself to restore trust, Blatter argued. He urged voters to give him a chance to do that, but didn't promise any sweeping reforms.
Source-CNN