Bolt's Relay Team places second at the Gibson McCook Relays
The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) men’s sprint relay team created a massive upset at yesterday’s 39th staging of the Gibson/McCook Relays at the National Stadium as they held off a powerful Racers Lions team, led by Usain Bolt, to win in a world-leading 38.23 seconds.
Tyquendo Tracey, who anchored the UTech team, got the baton about seven metres in front, and despite Bolt finishing like a runaway train, closing the gap with each massive stride, he held on to cross the finish line first to avenge last year’s loss. “I told myself to just relax and run,” Tracey told the Jamaica Observer.
“Last year I got the lead but tightened up and Blake (Yohan) caught me, and I told myself I was not going to let lightning strike twice.” Tracey said he felt Bolt closing in on him, but once again reminded himself to “relax”. UTech’s Julian Forte, whose brilliant second leg contributed greatly to the victory, said he knew he had to run fast.
“Bolt was on the anchor and I knew we had to get a big lead if we were to win.” Bolt told the Observer he was disappointed with the defeat. “You want to win every time you go on the track, but this was a good race and I am feeling OK.”
The treble world record holder, who missed most of last year, said he had some work to do in the gym before he reaches where he wants to be, and that he is down to run a 400m race “some time soon; in the next two of three weeks”.
Andrew Fisher started and handed off to Forte who relayed to Kamarley Brown on the third leg, while the Racers Lions team made one change from the team that ran the preliminaries, Commonwealth Games 100m champion Kemar Bailey-Cole replaced Michael Frater on the second leg, taking the baton from Mario Forsythe and handing off to Warren Weir, the World Championships, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games 200m medallist.
Meanwhile, up to press time last night, two records were broken and one equalled, all in the 4x100m. The Calabar Class One boys smashed the record they set last year, the UTech women also broke the sprint relay record, while Edwin Allen girls’ Class Two team equalled their record. Calabar High and Kingston College shared the high school boys’ 4x100m races, Calabar taking Class One and Class Two, while Kingston College, who withdrew from several events yesterday, won the Class Three and Class Four races.
The Class One team ran under 40.00 seconds as the Calabar team of Edward Clarke, Michael O’Hara, Jelani Walker, and Seanie Selvin ran 39.32 seconds to break the 39.61 seconds set just last year. St Jago High were second in 39.80 seconds with St Elizabeth Technical third in 40.30 seconds. Calabar’s Daniel Bogle, Anthony Carpenter, Alex Robinson, and Tyreek Wilson ran 40.86 seconds to win Class Two ahead of Kingston College (41.42 secs) and Jamaica College (41.76 secs).
Kingston College won Class Three in 43.09 seconds, just holding off St Jago (43.12 secs) with Jamaica College third in 45.51 seconds. The ‘Purples’ also won Class Four in 44.44 seconds, with St Jago second in 46.12 seconds and Calabar third in 46.21 seconds.
The UTech women broke the record 43.28 seconds set in 2007 by an MVP squad, running 43.13 seconds, beating Racers TC (43.75 secs) and Sprint Tech (44.24 secs). Edwin Allen High and St Jago shared the high school girls’ 4x100m races, with St Jago winning Class One and Class Three, while Edwin Allen won Class Two and Class Four.
The St Jago High Class One team ran 45.24 seconds to hold off last year’s winners Edwin Allen (45.57 secs) and Wolmer’s Girls’ (46.27 secs). Edwin Allen equalled the 45.01 seconds record for Class Two, set in 2001 by Holmwood Technical with Green Island High second in 46.11 seconds after Hydel High were disqualified, with St Jago getting third with 46.40 seconds.
St Jago won Class Three with 45.87 seconds, ahead of Hydel High (47.17 secs), with Vere Technical third in 47.44 seconds. Edwin Allen won back-to-back Class Four titles, running 47.74 seconds ahead of St Jago (47.98 secs) and Wolmer’s Girls’ (48.49 secs).
Source-Jamaica Observer
Will Smith's 'Focus' opens with $19.1 million to win U.S. box office
Will Smith's new action drama "Focus" booted the kinky sex tale "Fifty Shades of Grey" for its perch atop U.S. and Canadian weekend box office charts, racking up $19.1 million in ticket sales.
Smith, in his first leading role since 2013's "After Earth," plays a seasoned con artist who meets up with an aspiring con artist, played by Margot Robbie, in the romance-caper film hybrid.
"Kingsman: The Secret Service", an adaptation of a popular comic series which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Firth about a spy agency's training program and a global threat by a tech genius, also outpaced "Grey" to claim second place with $11.8 million.
Third place on a weekend that saw business hampered by rough winter weather in the south and midwest again went to the family-friendly "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water", based on the popular television show about a talking animated sponge. It sold $11.2 million in tickets.
"Grey," the smash hit adaptation of the best-selling novel which stars James Dornan and Dakota Johnson as the libidinous couple, took in $10.9 million, landing in fourth from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates. The film is closing in on $148 million at the domestic box office since opening just over two weeks ago.
Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures released "Fifty Shades of Grey". "Kingsman: The Secret Service" was released by 20th Century Fox, the unit of 21st Century Fox. "The SpongeBob Movie" was distributed by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. "Focus" was released by Warner Brothers, a unit of Time Warner Inc.
Source-Reuters
Scarlett Johansson's Supergroup The Singles Hit With Cease-and-Desist
Scarlett Johansson's supergroup The Singles hasn't even been around for a week, but they are already facing legal issues. Just a few days after the all-girl band premiered their first single, another L.A.-based band with the same name issued a cease-and-desist order to the actress' reps, alleging copyright infringement.
"I woke up one morning and learned from the news that our band name was literally just taken by someone else as their own," The Singles' Vincent Frederick wrote in a press release. "It's hard to believe that any musician would do something like that to another band. The Singles has been my life for the past 16 years. We have worked so incredibly hard to make it a success."
Frederick went on to say that his band has accounts on "nearly all social media sites," and their music is available at record stores, on iTunes and many websites. "Just a simple search on Google would have revealed that 'The Singles' was already a band name being used by another pop/rock band - our band," he added.
Johansson formed her own The Singles with Este Haim of HAIM, Holly Miranda, Kendra Morris and Julia Haltigan. "The idea was to write super-pop dance music written and performed by girls," the "Lucy" star explained her band in statement last week. "I love Grimes. And I love The Bangles. And I love The Go-Go's. I wanted it to be like those bands: ultra pop but also a little ironic, a little in on the joke."
The statement came along with their debut single "Candy". The song was produced by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek who previously worked with Johansson on her 2008 Tom Waits cover album, "Anywhere I Lay My Head".
Source-Ace.Showbiz
LIME aquires ISLANDCOM & strengthens its position as leading Mobile Network in the Turks & Caicos Islands
LIME TCI has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of ISLANDCOM in Turks & Caicos.
The move is another signal of the company’s commitment to the continuous upgrade of its mobile and data networks, as part of the Upgrade initiative launched last year. The acquisition enables LIME to strengthen its position as the leading Mobile Network in Turks & Caicos by now being able to offer Superfast 4G LTE.
The proposed acquisition has been submitted to the regulatory authorities in Turks and Caicos for approval. During the regulatory approval process both companies are expected to continue to operate as separate and distinct entities. Next steps post approval will include a period for the integration of both companies’ networks and a subscriber migration plan.
James Pitt, LIME TCI General Manager said, LIME is focused on providing best in class Mobile and Broadband networks to better serve our customers and provide a superior customer experience. “We believe that data connectivity is a key element for the future growth and success of our business.
The acquisition of ISLANDCOM will allow us to upgrade our mobile offering to Superfast 4G LTE across TCI which forms a key pillar in our strategy – Mobile Leadership,” said Mr. Pitt. “It will also give our customers access to a best in class convergent offering that will include our game-changing Superfast Broadband Internet at home and the expanded benefits of the recent acquisition of Columbus International by our parent company, CWC,” he added.
“Our joint companies will make every effort to ensure that the transition to the LIME network for ISLANDCOM customers will be as seamless as possible including allowing the transfer of their current mobile number,” said Mr. Pitt.
TCINIB announces a revision of NIB Benefits & Contributions Regulations
The Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board today Thursday, announced a number of amendments to various sections of the National Insurance Benefits and Contributions Regulations 1992 effective January 1st and April 1st, 2015.
Deputy Director Operations, Mr. WFL Gardiner in a public announcement noted with regards to:-
1. Maternity Allowance Increase
The maximum duration and payment of a Maternity Allowance Benefit is now increased from 12 weeks to 14 weeks with effect from April 1, 2015.
2. Payment of National Insurance Contributions
To allow for easier payment of contributions, the NIB says provisions will be introduced this year for the payment of contributions at places other than an office of the National Insurance Board as well as payment via credit and debit cards.
3. Mandatory Submission of Monthly Contribution Statements
All Self Employed Persons and Employers will now be required to submit a Contribution Statement to the National Insurance Board at the end of every month, even in the absence of a payment and according to the NIB, failure to do so will be considered an offence.
4. Self Employed Continuous Employment
Of importance, is an amendment regarding the Self Employed in Continuous Employment. The National Insurance Board advises that a self-employed person who fails to notify the Board in writing of any suspension or termination of employment, will now be considered as being continuously employed and as such, will be liable to pay contributions for any period in which the NIB is not formally informed.
5. Disqualification re Entitlement to Invalidity Pension
Persons in receipt of Invalidity Pension are now disqualified from receiving his/her pension during any period that he\she is gainfully employed.
6. New Contribution Rate for Voluntary Contributors
The contribution rate for a person who elects to contribute as a Voluntary Insured person is now increased from 5.5% to 10%.
7. Increase in Wage Ceiling
Also according to the NIB, with effect from April 1, 2015, contributions in respect of an employee who earns more than $600.00 per week or $2,600.00 per month will increase from $600.00 per week to $925.00 per week for weekly paid employees and from $2,600.00 per month to $4,000.00 per month for monthly paid employees over the next three years as follows:
• April 2015 – from $600.00 to $700.00 weekly / from $2,600.00 to $3,000.00 monthly
• April 2016 – from $700.00 to $810.00 weekly / from $3,000.00 to $3,500.00 monthly
• April 2017 - from $810.00 to $925.00 weekly / from $3,500.00 to $4,000.00 monthly
Persons are encouraged to please feel free to contact the National Insurance Board at 946-1048 in Grand Turk or 941-5806 in Providenciales for further details or visit their website at www.tcinib.tc to obtain more detailed information on the recent legislative changes.
PAC WORKSHOP DEEMED A SUCCESS
The first ever Public Accounts Committee Training Workshop, has been deemed a success.
The Training Workshop was held in Grand Turk February 23 and 24, 2015 and was attended by His Excellency The Governor, Her Excellency the Deputy Governor, Members of the House of Assembly and Senior Accounting Officers/Management of the Government. His Honor the Speaker was also on hand to greet the senior Management of the Government. A number of supporting Staff and Heads of Department was also present. There was about 90% attendance by Accounting Officers and we were extremely pleased with this turn out. At the close of the 2 days, there was only one Ministry and Department that had not participated but we consider this a positive response,” said Chairman of the PAC, Hon. Sharlene Robinson.
“We believe that this Workshop has achieved its objectives and as suspected, the Mock PAC Hearing became the highlight of our time together. It was a session for PAC Members and Accounting Officers only and there was a complete reversal of roles with only a few PAC Members also serving as members of the National Audit Office. It was a fun learning exchange and certainly created a lighter environment. The Accounting Officers and members digested the content of a UK National Audit Office’s Report and performed their reversed roles admirably. It was certainly refreshing to observe,” she added.
As scheduled, His Excellency The Governor, Her Excellency the Deputy Governor and the Director of the Integrity Commission, shared on critical issues such as good governance, accountability and curbing corruption, while members of the PAC shared on the role of the oversight Committees and Audit Bodies. “The feedback received was positive and as members of the PAC we believe that it was successful,” said Hon. Robinson.
The Chairman of the PAC noted in the closing sessions, which were restricted to PAC Members only, members, together with the lead facilitator, agreed the way forward. “Mr. Philip Aylett was a great resource person and we are indeed grateful to the Governor’s Office for the funding which aided in the facilitation of his travel,” said Hon. Robinson.
The work of the PAC is a critical one and cannot be downplayed or stifled. It is critical to the public accounts of these Islands. As stated over and over during the Workshop, it is the goal of the PAC to have fewer and fewer audit issues raised and to eventually see cleaner and cleaner audits. This must be the goal of the Government and all financial oversight bodies and committees.
We have committed to ongoing training where necessary and look forward to reap the benefits of having a clearer understanding of our individual roles,” Hon. Robinson added.
PDM calls for crime statistics
The PDM is calling on the authorities to release the last year’s Crime Statistics, noting its disappointment that we are about to enter the 3rd month of the year and are yet to see the crime statistics for last year.
“We are aware that the statistics were some weeks ago presented to Cabinet as it was noted in its Minutes that are released publicly. We consider this important information for the people of these Islands for obvious reasons, but it may also be used to assess whether we are successfully addressing crime reductions and detections,” the opposition’s release noted.
“Last year we were not satisfied with the responses from the leadership of national security and elected government in this country.Whilst we are proud to still enjoy the lowest rates in the region and to remain among the safest, we are not comforted in this fact.
And whilst the numbers last year were not alarming for those who are not indigenous to these Islands, it was rather concerning to those who can appreciate that the numbers and types of offenses are not reflective of the country in which we want to live. We remain firm in our position to the creation of an aggressive Crime Prevention Plan and one that engages the public and involves the people of these Islands,” Hon Robinson said.
“We look forward to seeing the crime statistics and hopefully soon, the Premier’s promised Review of the former Commissioner of Police, who has already hand over leadership of the Force,” she added.
EU AMBASSADOR CONCLUDES HURRICANE REBUILD PROJECT
The successful delivery of the $6.25m project which saw 58 homes rebuilt or repaired following Hurricanes Ike and Hannah in 2008 was officially marked in the Turks and Caicos Islands today, Thursday, 26 February 2015.
The closing ceremony was presided over by Head of the European Delegation to Jamaica, Belize, Bahamas, Turk and Caicos Islands Cayman Islands, Ambassador Paola Amadei, who ceremonially handed over a set of keys to project beneficiary Doris Williams in the capital, Grand Turk.
“That the construction has been completed so quickly, and that the works have been done to such a high standard, is an incredible testament to the hard work of everyone involved since project activities began in 2012,” said Ambassador Amadei. “It was certainly no easy task.”
“The EU’s support for the Turks and Caicos Islands has been tremendous,” added TCI Governor Peter Beckingham, who is also chair of the country’s Disaster Recovery Board (DRB).
“The DRB allocated the resources available to those people in greatest need, with those on the lowest incomes and/or living in a damaged property with elderly, infirmed or disabled dependents taking priority.”
The European Union, of which the UK is a member state, supported repairs to the damage caused by the Hurricanes on the TCI islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. A 2009 UNESCO study identified these as the worst affected by Hanna and Ike.
In total 24 new homes were built; major repairs conducted at a further 27 properties (including new roofs, guttering, rainwater cisterns and storm shutters); and seven homes also had minor repairs carried out.
All of the building work was carried out by local firms, including Olympic Construction, Higgs Construction, Parker & Sons Construction, as well as other small sub-contractors.
Contractors and their staffs also received training, delivered by local professionals, in the application of the new TCI Building Code to residential construction. The training notes produced by the project are now available as a guide for contractors and residents undertaking residential building projects in the TCI.
Governor lauds TCI’S Tourism business at annual Hotel and Tourism Awards
His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham has lauded the Tourism business in the TCI.
Speaking at the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Annual Hotel and Tourism Association Awards dinner on Thursday 26 February, the Governor said that everyone in Turks and Caicos, from MP’s and developers to taxi drivers and bar staff, should congratulate themselves on the country’s impressive tourism figures.
“Our reputation is riding high in our key North American market, as the Premier and I saw in New York last December,” the Governor said. “Many tour operators were telling us how attractive TCI has become as a tourist destination, and I was left in no doubt that our brand is in great shape, thanks to the hard work of the Tourism Board, developers, and all those who work in the industry” Governor Beckingham said.
The Governor also noted how important first and last impressions at the Airport were to retain and develop business. “We don’t have hard, statistical information, but my strong impression is that our Immigration and Customs Officers have made a real effort over the last year or so to give visitors a warm welcome when they first set foot in TCI. Recent visitors from London, as well as one of the UK’s most senior overseas diplomats, have told me that they have had a very positive experience on arriving in TCI,” he shared.
The Governor concluded by saying that not only Association members, but everyone living in TCI, should take credit for the Territory’s robust tourism growth.
“I was able to tell the visiting European Union Ambassador to TCI that we are now one of the best performing tourism destinations in the region. Our low crime rate, and our high quality product, is proving a magnet for North American visitors, not least when they can escape the winter chill,” noted Governor Beckingham in his luncheon address at the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Annual Hotel and Tourism Association Awards dinner on Thursday.
TURKS AND CAICOS AUTHORITIES INTERCEPT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ATTEMPT
A sloop carrying 56 would be illegal immigrants (50 males and 6 females) was intercepted by the marine division, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) at 11:25pm, Thursday, 26 February 2014.
At 10:15pm the Marine Police was alerted by immigration staff at the government’s coastal radar station of a suspicious vessel being tracked, they deployed shortly after.
All Marine Branch assets and officers have since returned Safely to the Marine Base.
All 56 individuals are now being processed by health and immigration officials and will be deported at the earliest opportunity. All appear to be of Haitian origin.
The Police can be contacted anonymously on 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.