Violence Mars State Elections in Nigeria; 7 Killed
Sporadic political violence erupted Saturday in Nigeria, with seven people killed as voters went to the polls to elect governors and other state representatives.
Voters were electing 36 state governors, with 29 of the races contested. Turnout appeared to be weaker than in the national presidential election two weeks ago, when Muhammadu Buhari ousted incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.
Election monitors said the seven deaths occurred in Rivers state. An office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Buguma was dynamited, and other violence was reported in Lagos, Delta, Ebonyi and Akwa states.
"These killings form part of a wider pattern of politically motivated violence, arson and hijacking of electoral materials that our observers have noted,” the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said in a statement. It added that electoral regulations at many polling stations were "flagrantly flouted."
Saturday's violence contrasted with the relatively peaceful ballot that Buhari won outright last month, without any need for a runoff. Modern Nigeria's political history has been marred by coups, and Jonathan became the first head of state voted out of office in a peaceful change of power.
Nigeria's 36 state governors are among the most powerful political figures in the nation that is Africa's biggest oil producer and top economy. Analysts say the influence wielded by governors has often prompted previous candidates to try dirty electoral tactics, such as snatching ballot boxes, manipulating voter turnout, and engaging in thuggery and intimidation.
Voters in Lagos state were choosing between two main candidates: Jimi Agbaje of Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party and Akinwunmi Ambode of Buhari's All Progressives Congress, or APC.
Across Lagos, many voters said they expected whoever won to deliver jobs, reliable electricity and prosperity.
Source-VOA
US Capitol Briefly Locked Down After Suspected Suicide
Law enforcement officials say the U.S. Capitol building was locked down for a few hours as a precaution after shots were fired when a man killed himself outside the building.
Capitol Police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider described the suspected shooter as "neutralized" after a self-inflicted gunshot. Officials later confirmed the man was dead.
She said police are also investigating a suspicious package on one of the building's terraces.
During the lockdown, no one was allowed to enter or exit the U.S. Capitol Building.
The incident comes during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, one of Washington's busiest tourist events.
Source-VOA
PREMIER EWING’S VISION FOR TCI YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BECOMES A REALITY
“It is my Government’s vision for you to be the next middle class of the Turks and Caicos Islands. To accomplish that, there are things that we, as a Government, must do, and there are things that you as a united group must do, and we are depending on your support in this initiative, to the benefit of the future of our country.
This group of individuals gathered here, represents a very important sector of our society and we remain cognizant that any policy decisions that my Government makes, will largely impact you as the future leaders of our country. So I invite you to share in a common voice the concerns that you have and the challenges that you face as entrepreneurs, employees and scholars to ensure that these obstacles are negated and that you are empowered to realize your dreams and potential to be successful small and medium business owners and managers. You must hold us accountable and likewise we will hold you accountable for displaying characteristics of integrity and honesty, in the work force to ensure that you are positioned to apply for and occupy the top management positions in our large businesses as well as believing in yourself to make the bold move towards owning your own businesses and your own homes someday soon. This all begins with networking.”
Those were the words spoken by the Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing, one year ago, on January 27, 2014 at the sunset cocktail event which brought together the young energetic group of Turks and Caicos Islanders, who last week officially launched as the Young Corporate Alliance (YCA).
Last Thursday’s launch took place at The Regent Palms Resort in Grace Bay, and although long awaited it was well worth the meetings, planning and effort it took to get the group to this stage.
Among the well-wishers at the corporate-chic event were some of the highest political offices in the Turks and Caicos Islands, including the Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. C. Washington Misick, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson as well as the Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament, Hon. Josephine Connolly, and of course, also present was the man behind the initiative himself, the Premier, Dr. Ewing and the First Lady, Dr. Dawn Perry.
The initial meeting of January last year, took place at the Crackpot Kitchen and was originally planned for about thirty persons, but was attended by some seventy-odd vibrant and energetic young men and women, who were overcome with gratitude and appreciation for the bold and refreshing direction the Ewing Administration took by focusing on this very powerful, but largely overlooked, sector of the community.
The then attendees were all registered in a database at the event and the group conveyed their enthusiasm and gratitude by hosting their first elections that very night for the offices of Chairman and other executives and it was there that Mr. Kyle Smith emerged as the group’s leader and Chairman and his other elected officers were Mr. Jerrel Lowe, Ms. Angie Toussaint, Mr. Sean Bassett, Mr. Dominic Rolle and Ms. Crystal Charles.
Like all newly embarked endeavours, the infancy stage was met with minor set-backs, but through the efforts of the staff of the Office of the Premier and the determination of Mr. Smith and his team, progress meetings and pep talks kept the dream alive and not to be side-tracked, the Young Corporate Alliance overcame the nursery challenges of time and commitment and over the past thirteen months remained steadfast to achieving the challenge issued to them by the Premier.
It is therefore with pride that the Office of the Premier and the entire Government extends congratulations to the Chairman, Mr. Smith, the executive officers and the entire YCA on the occasion of your launch and we further extend our profound gratitude for being bold enough to see and believe the dream, shared with you months ago and for making it a reality today.
The Making of a Hero
It has been about two months since the late Hon. Dr. Rosita B. Butterfield was laid to rest on the 5th February, 2015 following a State Funeral, and it is with great humility that I write this article after a long layoff, not as her Grandson, but an engaged Turks and Caicos Islander. I write to make the case, or should I say state the obvious, that Dr. Butterfield should be the Turks and Caicos Islands next National Hero. Many have had the thought but few have voiced it publicly, save for Dr. Lillian Boyce in her closing remarks at the memorial service held in Dr. Butterfield’s honor.
Looking at this case, neither emotionally nor politically biased, but critically, there is no doubt that she is worthy of such an honor. By any measure, real, imagined or even yet to be imagined, she passes the litmus test. In my view the following are some of the qualities which should be displayed by a National Hero: Leadership; Integrity; Courage; Honor; Longevity; Service to country; and lastly he/she should be someone whom most people would themselves aspire to be like or have as a role model for their children. Dr. Butterfield possessed all of these qualities.
As speaker of the House of Assembly, she ruled with integrity and impartiality, to the point where some of the more junior members of her very own party treated her with disdain at house sittings. She would end her tenure as speaker early rather than compromise her moral standing because of others. Also, under her leadership as chairman of the select committee on the Employment Bill from 1987 to 1988, she and her team would shape positive employment trends still having its impact today.
Both locally and internationally, Dr. Butterfield represented the spirit of her country on numerous occasions, be it in Bermuda where she presented on “Migration and Immigration in the Turks and Caicos Islands” or in the House of Lords or the Isle of Man as a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Her Leadership qualities were well recognized and unquestionable.
Want someone who illustrated their belief in education? She maximized all education opportunities afforded her and won numerous nursing awards such as the Surgeons’ Prize for the most efficient operating theatre surgical student nurse. She would not only use her time to develop education within the TCI but also to put her money where her mouth was by sponsoring our National Spelling Bee for many many years plus giving financial help to numerous families. Besides, Dr. Butterfield and her husband’s role in the development of Providenciales and wider TCI by extension, has been far reaching and can easily be verified.
So much has already been written about Dr. Butterfield’s tremendous contribution in service to our country that I need not repeat it here. Click: www.sppdtci.com for more documentation. To emphasize my point about how special and rare this lady was, not even her husband, Dr. A. V. Butterfield, will be afforded a State Funeral which is reserved Heads of Government or a Speakers of the House, despite his equally devoted service in the development of our country.
So I conclude with one question to all the members of the National Awards Committee: if not the Hon. Dr. Rosita Beatrice Missick-Butterfield, then whom?
By: Jamell R. Robinson
Beyonce releases surprise song on Tidal
Pop star Beyonce has surprised fans with a new single and video, released on Saturday to the Tidal streaming service, in which she is a co-owner.
Die With You is a simple ballad, which the superstar performs alone, seated behind a black baby grand piano.
"I wake up just to sleep with you," she sings to the cameraman who, at the end of the video, is revealed to be her husband, Jay Z.
The couple celebrate their seventh anniversary this weekend.
Both of them are co-owners in Tidal, which was relaunched last week in a star-studded New York ceremony.
Artists including Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Jack White, Kanye West, Madonna, Rihanna and Usher all appeared at the event, signing a declaration that promised to "re-establish the value of music" and protect "the sustainability of the music industry".
The paid-for service pitches itself as "the first artist-owned global music and entertainment platform" and promises musicians a greater share of royalties when their music is streamed on the site.
Key to attracting consumers away from rivals like Spotify, Deezer and Rdio is the promise of exclusive content, of which the Beyonce track is the first high-profile example.
Other exclusives include footage of The White Stripes' first ever TV appearance, on Detroit public television, and Daft Punk's feature film Electroma.
Beyonce's shook up the music industry in 2014 when she released her fifth album on iTunes overnight.
The "stealth release" strategy broke iTunes sales records - in just 48 hours, it sold 68,000 copies in the UK, charting at number five in its debut week.
Several artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Drake and U2, have since released "surprise" albums.
Source-BBC
Chrysler ordered to pay $149m for Jeep crash death
A US jury has awarded $150m (£100m) to the family of a four-year old boy that died in a crash involving a Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2012.
Remington Walden died after the Jeep he was travelling was struck from behind by a truck, which ruptured its rear fuel tank causing it to ignite.
Chrysler will pay 99% of the sum and the driver of the other vehicle 1%.
In 2013 Chrysler recalled 1.56 million Jeep SUVs built between 1993-98 with similar rear fuel tanks.
The model Remington died in was built in 1999 and was therefore not among those recalled.
Chrysler said that the 1999 model was not defective and dangerous.
But jurors said the car giant was liable for the death and the company had failed to warn customers that the tank's position could increase the risk of a fire.
The family claimed their son would have been better protected if the tank was placed further forward in the car.
Source-BBC
Sri Lankan Airlines accused of 'culture of corruption'
The Sri Lankan government has launched a criminal investigation into the country's national airline over allegations of "shocking" corruption.
A statement from the prime minister's office said that an inquiry had unearthed "major security breaches" at Sri Lankan Airlines.
The statement alleges irregularities in a $2.3bn purchase of 10 aircraft made under the previous government.
The loss-making airline is 95% state-owned and 5% owned by staff.
It is the latest in a string of corruption allegations made against the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The statement, issued by the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, accuses Mr Rajapaksa of making management changes within the airline to allow the $2.3bn-dollar purchase of 10 new aircraft "despite the availability of more cost-effective alternatives".
The former chairman of the airline, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, is also singled out by the statement, accused of a "gross abuse of power".
Mr Wickramasinghe - who is Mr Rajapaksa's brother-in-law - is accused of exposing the airline to "reputational damage" by his "penchant for young air hostesses", as well as falsifying documents to lease a luxury sports car.
The statement also accuses the airline of attempting to "hush-up two serious flying mishaps", although no details are given.
Mr Rajapaksa, in power since 2005, was defeated in an election in January 2015, by Maithripapa Srisena.
Source-BBC
Cuba's Fidel Castro makes rare appearance after 14 months
The former president of Cuba, Fidel Castro, has made his first appearance in 14 months.
He met a delegation of Venezuelan officials on a solidarity mission to Cuba at a local school.
The 88-year-old revolutionary icon was described as "full of vitality" by local press.
He was last seen in public in January 2014 at the opening of a Havana cultural centre sponsored by one of his favourite Cuban artists, Alexis Leyva.
This time, official media showed images of a seated Mr Castro shaking hands with the Venezuelan visitors through the window of his vehicle, wearing a baseball cap and windbreaker.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, oil-rich Venezuela has become Cuba's closest ally.
Mr Castro was a close friend of the former Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, who ensured Cuba received cheap oil. In return, Cuba supplied its ally with Cuban advisers, doctors and teachers.
Fidel Castro provisionally stepped down due to illness in 2006, and formally announced his retirement in 2008, handing over to his younger brother Raul, 83.
He occasionally writes a newspaper column and receives dignitaries at home, but rarely appears in public.
Source-BBC
Kenya Easter Services Mourn Slain Students
Kenyan churches used armed guards to protect their congregations Sunday, as Easter services were dedicated to the 148 victims of Thursday's massacre by al-Shabab militants at a university.
Ceremonies were held across Kenya in memory of those killed at Garissa University College by the Somalia-based Islamist extremist group.
For the several hundred members of Garissa's Christian minority, which is fearful following the attack by al-Shabab, Sunday's service was laden with emotion. The gunmen who attacked Garissa University College on Thursday singled out Christians for killing, though al-Shabab has a long record of killing Muslims over the years.
"We just keep on praying that God can help us, to comfort us in this difficult time," said Dominick Odhiambo, a worshipper who said he planned to abandon his job as a plumber in Garissa and leave for his hometown because he was afraid.
In Garissa, where masked gunmen in 2012 killed more than a dozen people in simultaneous gun and grenade raids on two churches, six soldiers guarded the town's main Christian church and about 100 worshippers ahead of Sunday mass.
"Thank you for coming, so many of you," Bishop Joseph Alessandro said to the congregation at Our Lady of Consolation Church. He said some of those who died in Thursday's attack would have been at the service, and he read condolence messages from around the world.
Lagho said churches in the Indian Ocean port city of Mombasa were hiring armed police and private security guards for mass on Easter Sunday. Christians make up 83 percent of Kenya's 44 million population.
During a televised address Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared a three-day mourning period to begin Sunday, appealing to Kenyans to safeguard the nation's "peace and stability."
Kenyatta stressed his belief that "Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance." He said “the radicalization that breeds terrorism” is conducted “in the full glare of day.”
Also Sunday, Kenya identified one of the al-Shabab gunmen who massacred students at a northeastern university as the son of a Kenyan government official, Interior ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka told Reuters.
Some material for this report came from AP, Reuters and AFP.
TCI Tennis Academy tournaments helping to grow the sport in Provo!
TCI Tennis Academy recently concluded a series of successful age-group tennis tournaments, helping to grow the sport in Providenciales and stimulate a healthy lifestyle amongst our youth.
The tournaments, organized by head coach Rey Garcia, were hosted at the Provo Golf & Country Club and players in the Academy School Program were invited to participate. The groups were structured according to the Tennis 10’s format, which is the official program of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), making use of modified courts, balls and racquets to allow young players to compete and enjoy the game in conditions suitable to their development.
More than 80 children participated in the various round-robin matches, held over multiple weekends. Parents and supporters ensured a vibrant and festive atmosphere, with the matches contested in good spirits. While the best performers were invited to compete in semi final, 3rd place playoff and finals matches, all players were rewarded with a medal for the most improved aspect of their game.
“At this age, we stress the importance of each player improving his own game, rather than the final result,” explains Rey.
“For these kids, winning is about getting better and progressing every time they step on the court.”
As such, medals were awarded for a variety of categories, including the best backhand, most improved serve or a display of sportsmanship. Each player also received a new grip or shock absorber, to ensure they have the best quality equipment available.
Congratulations to the winners and finalists in the various groups:
MINI-TENNIS
First place: Maddox Zaidan
Second place: Amy Danics
UNDER 12 HALF COURT
Fist place: Carson Greatrex
Second place: Zachary Scholar
Third: Brenten Handfiel
Forth : Joe Canham
UNDER 12 FULL COURT
First place: Jasmine Coles
Second place : Lucas Coles
Third place: Khalid Fulford
15 YEARS AND UNDER
First place: Roman Rose
Second place: Mathew Danics
Third place: Zarek Swann