Mayweather to fight Pacquiao in May
Floyd Mayweather will fight Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on 2 May in what promises to be the richest bout in the history of boxing.
American Mayweather, 37, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36, are considered to be the best two fighters of their generation.
Mayweather’s WBC and WBA welterweight titles and Pacquiao’s WBO belt will be on the line at the MGM Grand.
Mayweather is unbeaten in 47 professional fights; Pacquiao has 57 wins and five losses from 64 contests.
The fight is expected to generate as much as £162m ($250m). The most lucrative fight in history is thought to be Mayweather’s bout against Saul Alvarez in 2013, which made an estimated £97m.
Mayweather-Pacquiao is also expected to break the record for pay-per-view buys in the United States. The current record of 2.4 million was set when Mayweather fought fellow American Oscar de la Hoya in 2007.
Mayweather wrote on his webpage: “What the world has been waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal.
“This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. Boxing fans and sports fans around the world will witness greatness on May 2.”
IS Militants Kidnap 220 Assyrians
At least 220 Assyrian Christians have been abducted in northeastern Syria in recent days, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Thursday.
Observatory Director Rami Abdurrahman told VOA Islamic State fighters have attacked 11 Assyrian villages in the Tal Tamr area in Hassakeh province in the past three days, taking 220 people prisoner. He said they have now been moved to the Abd al-Asiz mountains, where they are still in captivity.
University of London expert in Eastern Christianity Erica Hunter said she is not optimistic about the fate of those abducted.
“I am sure that they will probably kill the young men, they do tend to do that, particularly if the young men have been involved in any militias, and there have been Christians joining up with the Kurds," Hunter said.
"The women will have the fate of what we saw in the Roman empire of being sold into slavery as sexual concubines," she added.
The Islamic State group has targeted religious minorities with kidnappings and killings during its spread across northern Iraq and Syria.
In Libya last month, for example, 20 members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority were killed by Islamic State fighters.
In addition to the kidnappings in Syria, activists said many more residents in the province have fled from their homes to the main cities of Hassakeh and Qamishli.
Kurdish fighters, backed by days of airstrikes from a U.S.-led military coalition, have also been battling the militants in the area.
Hunter said some Assyrians have aligned themselves with Kurdish militia, taking up arms in an attempt to defend their communities against Islamic State terrorists, known as Daesh.
Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department called for the immediate release of the kidnapped Assyrian Christians.
Source-VOA
Al-Shabab Targets Somali Presidential Palace
Somalia militant group Al-Shabab carried out a mortar attack at the presidential palace Thursday, and witnesses said one person was killed.
Security officials confirmed the attack but did not release any information on casualties.
Police said they are investigating.
Al-Qaida-linked, militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack and said several shells landed inside the palace, but police would confirm only that several mortars landed near the heavily fortified structure.
The attack occurred as Prime Minister Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was meeting with his Cabinet.
Al-Shabab also claimed responsibility for last week's hotel bombing in Mogadishu that killed 25 people, including two government officials, and wounded the country's deputy prime minister.
Mogadishu deputy mayor Mohamed Aden Guled and Somali lawmaker Omar Ali Nor were among those killed in the hotel attack.
Among the 40 wounded there were Somalia's deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arte and Transport and Aviation Minister Ali Ahmed Jama Jangali.
Al-Shabab has repeatedly attacked government and civilian targets in Somalia in its efforts to topple the government and establish its version of an Islamic state. An African peacekeeping force pushed the militants out of Mogadishu in 2011.
The group launched two assaults on the presidential palace during 2014, and killed at least five members of parliament.
Some material for this report came from Reuters and AP.
Anguilla HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY dissolved and RETURNING OFFICERS sworn-in
The Anguilla House of Assembly has today been dissolved in advance of the forthcoming election as provided for by subsection (2) of section 63 of the Constitution of Anguilla. The election must now take place on or before Friday 24 April 2015. A further announcement of the date for the election will be made in due course.
The Governor will also formally swear-in the Returning Officers on Wednesday afternoon. The Returning Officers for each district will be as follows:
District 1: Mr Rodney Rey
District 2: Mr Bernard Wattley
District 3: Ms Laureen Bryan
District 4: Ms Melissa Meade
District 5: Mr Sinclair Buchanan
District 6: Mr Gifford Connor
District 7: Mrs Gracita Christopher
Executive Council has already approved and published guidance to inform public officers and elected officials of the principles that inform decision making between the dissolution and the election. This guidance makes clear that:
“The dissolution of the House of Assembly does not affect the day-to-day business of the Government. Executive Council members remain in charge of their portfolios. Following the dissolution of the House of Assembly it is, however, expected that Ministers will refrain from initiating any action of a continuing or long-term character. Decisions on matters of policy, board appointments and other issues (for e.g. large and or contentious procurement contracts) on which a new Government could reasonably be expected to want the opportunity to take a different view from the present Government should be postponed until after the election, where such postponement would not be detrimental to the national interest nor wasteful of public money.”
Detailed planning continues to ensure that Anguilla’s elections are free, fair and efficiently run, with the Supervisor of Elections, Ms Aurjul Wilson, conducting weekly training sessions in preparation for Polling Day.
Source-Anguilla News
Gayle hits first ever World Cup double century
West Indies opener Chris Gayle became the first batsman to score a double century in a World Cup innings when he reached the landmark against Zimbabwe in a Pool B clash in Canberra on Tuesday.
Gayle, who might have been given out lbw before he had scored, brought up his first double century in 226 one-day internationals off just 138 balls including nine fours and 16 sixes.
The 35-year-old Jamaica left-hander’s innings surpassed the previous World Cup best of 188 not out by South Africa’s Gary Kirsten against the United Arab Emirates at Rawalpindi in 1996.
It was also only the fifth double century in all ODI cricket and the first by a non-Indian, with Rohit Sharma (two), Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag the only other batsmen to achieve the feat.
Source-AFP
DEPUTY PREMIER AND MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, HON. AKIERRA MISSICK BREAKS GROUND FOR LONG BAY HIGH SCHOOL
I am grateful for all of you attending this ceremony today, and recognize my fellow politicians past, and present who took the time to be here to share with the Ministry on this occasion. Regardless of your political persuasion, your motivation to serve this country we love is commendable and the Turks and Caicos Islands love and thank you all. To all who have spoken today I want to say thank you for your kind words and the examples you have set.
I want to say a great thanks to the members of my Ministry and Department of Education who are here to partake in this celebration today. Each and every one of you’ve worked tirelessly on this project and it is only fitting to offer public thanks for your involvement and commitment. So with that said, PS Jones, Deputy Secretary Robinson, Director Howell, EO Thomas, HOS Lightbourne, Executive Assistant Williams, new DS Cox and the team at EMS, PWD and GSS Thank You for making this vision, promise, and pledge a reality!
And as time does not permit me to name everyone, I will conclude my thanks to the Members of Cabinet, Premier, Governor, Ministers, DG and even the CFO by saying that someday when the history is written, History will show that I served with great people -- a talented, dedicated, intelligent team -- team of men and women who love our nation as much as I do.
Today marks a major milestone in a journey started almost 40 years ago. In 1976 the Turks and Caicos Islands embarked on an official journey of nationhood, today that journey takes another step with the development of this school that represents the modernization of Secondary Education in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Today I present a bridge to the future!!!
The construction of this school represents the first new major infrastructural investment by Turks & Caicos Islands Government on the island of Providenciales in a number of years. And while roads have been built and the airport renovate & extended, the idea of a new purpose built Government building on this island has become almost a rare thought – but today I say NO MORE.
Through dedication and motivation we have built a bridge over the obstacles an as we turn the sod on a new Government investment, for which I say proudly JUST LOOK AT US NOW.
Another day, another bridge, another reason to continue -- A bridge from a dream illustrated years ago in a newspaper advert that had been placed by my predecessor of this Constituency Galmo “Gilley” Williams. The advert envisioned a new school in a new area, with a new vision to uphold an old ideal, the ideal of more and better education for all, the ideal of keeping hope alive and keeping the dreams of the next generation always within their reach. Today, Gilley, Our dream is now a reality.
American journalist Sydney J. Harris once wrote, “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” In nation, after nation and generation after generation, education has opened more doors for more people then any key, or influence, or power or might, ever could. You see, in an era of building bridges, EDUCATION represents the strongest, longest and more reliable bridge to take the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands to the future.
Education is our bridge, a bridge over discrimination, a bridge over unsatisfactory jobs, a bridge over insufficient pay, a bridge over bridges that were built to act against us, a bridge over national debt and even a bridge over the sinking fund! As I say to my colleagues time and time again, if the sinking fund is going to be deprived for EDUCATION, then we must either borrow to learn or learn to borrow.
When I came office, I was awarded a group of people who were beyond all else passionate. Passionate about the TCI yes, and also passionate about the future, but I noticed an overarching passion in each of them, the passion to elevate the TCI education system above and beyond the best that the region and even the world has to offer. That kind of passion demanded my support, because while the passion was very much alive, the spirits were slowly dying.
This school project marks a tangible accomplishment of years of hard work and determination. The passion of a people has resulted in this advancement in education and this advancement in education shall cultivate a new passion of our people. Educational philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau once wrote – “Plants are shaped by cultivation and (people are shaped) by education”.
In times like these when the future may not appear as certain as it use to, we are charged as adults and leaders to always preserve the vision of a bright and promising future for our youth. This is our focus in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Libraries. And while other Ministries work equally as hard to ensure that we have a good present and a great future, we in my Ministry are dedicated to make sure that we the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands, through the Children that will be educated in this and other schools, would become the Masters of this country’s future.
This project is of utmost significance to us as a Country, and a People. This project is the sign of bolder and grander things to come for our people, and while this is no time to bask in the accolades or gloat over accomplishments, I want to assure you the Ministry is nearing completion of the design and specifications for Phase 2.
Today’s ceremony, although a major development for this Government and our People, it is only one step in a bolder plan for the investment in our People through Education.
Turks & Caicos we are staying the Course, and on the road to prosperity Good Morning.
Machel Montano performs ‘Like ah Boss’ to retain Power Soca Monarch title
Trinidadian Soca star, Machel Montano, retained the Power Soca Monarch title during the early hours of Saturday holding off a strong challenge from Neil “Iwer” George and veteran comedienne Nikki Crosby during the “Fantastic Friday” celebrations as Carnival activities moved into the final weekend ahead of the traditional street jump up on Tuesday.
Montano, dressed in a gold suit with red trimmings, sang his hugely popular 2015 tune, “Like ah Boss” in which he argues he could party more than any other person on the planet. The song is already being touted as a road march contender.
George, who uses the stage name “he Boss” came second with his tune “Play D Mas” while Crosby entering the competition for the first time, as “Granny” placed third with her tune of the same title.
In the Groovy Soca Monarch category, Ola-tun-ji Yearwood won his popular 2015 hit “Ola,” while Darryl “Farmer Nappy” Henry placed second with his tune “My House.
Antiguan Ricardo Drue stopped a complete Trinidad and Tobago domination of the competition, placing third with his tune “Vagabond”.
New initiative funded by the FSC assists banks
The Turks and Caicos financial Services Commission (FSC) today announced that a recently set up Committee, made of representatives from all TCI licensed banks and chaired by the Commission, will be meeting tomorrow Tuesday February 17th, 2015.
Committee members will be discussing and taking forward steps to implement an Automated Clearing House system (ACH) for banks in the TCI.
ACH is a computer-based clearing and settlement facility established to process the exchange of electronic transactions between participating banks. The system is set to improve the level of service currently offered by performing real time payment and eliminating the existing mandatory clearing period imposed by banks when either party to the transaction is not their customer. The automated service will also lower the cost of check processing as well as streamline the clearing process by handling large volume of credit and debit in batches.
Members of the Banking Association are in full support of the new electronic network, as its implementation should adequately address issues with the way clearings are currently handled, the waste of time and resources spent as well as assist reducing human errors.
Service providers Montran, Aperta and Jack Henry Associates have all been invited to present their software platform to the Committee in the coming weeks. Following their presentation, members of the Committee are expected to recommend their choice and start determining rules to govern the system.
Once implemented, membership in the ACH - Automated Clearing House - will be mandatory for all banks holding a "National" license.
The Turks and Caicos Financial Services Commission (Chair), Turks and Caicos Banking Association, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotia bank, First-Caribbean International Bank, Turks & Caicos Banking Company, British Caribbean Bank and Bordier Bank make up the Membership of the Committee, which includes one representative for each organisation.
Grenada Gets $1.6 Million Grant from Germany for Green Energy
Germany’s government has agreed to provide just under $1.6 million in funding to support reforms in Grenada’s energy sector.
The funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety is for a project called “Reform of the Electricity Sector to support Climate Policy in Grenada.”
The project, which will launch later this month, aims to support Grenada both in the use of green energy and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
The plan is for institutional amendments to allow for more investments in green energy and energy efficiency, according to a statement from Grenada’s government.
“Grenada has great potential for renewable energy and hence a unique opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Dr Michael Freu-den-berg, Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Port-of-Spain with responsibility for Grenada. “By doing this, Grenada can lead the way for small island states in amending institutional structures to follow the path of a sustainable society,” Freu-den-berg added.
The project is the second of its kind by Germany’s government.
The first one launched in April 2013, aiming to increase resilience of climate-change vulnerable communities in Grenada.
LIAT aims to cut over 150 employees reducing costs by EC$13 million per year
The financially strapped regional airline, LIAT, has announced plans for a voluntary separation package (VSEP) that could result in more than 150 employees being removed from the company’s payroll.
Chief executive officer David Evans said LIAT will embark on a process of cost reduction right across the airline, but that will also include a reduction in the number of people that they employ in the business. “We will embark upon that process in full consultation with our staff themselves, and also their representatives. We would wish to achieve these reductions, where possible, on a voluntary basis and that will be our aim,” added Evans.
Chairman of the shareholder governments, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, speaking at the end of a meeting in Bridgetowm, Barbados, said the plans were to reduce the airlines debt significantly.
He said it would involve reducing the staff number from 800 to about 620, “which should save LIAT about EC$13 million per year. But of course, they will have to pay the severance cost of about EC$22 million.
The meeting was also attended by host Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and his Dominican counterpart Roosevelt Skerritt and Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transportation Robin Yearwood.
Prime Minister Stuart said the change in strategic direction is welcomed by Barbados. “We expect to see a turnaround in LIAT’s fortunes, more responsiveness to market messages and, of course, once the whole issue of fleet renewal is complete and the disposal of the seven remaining Dash 8 planes and the reduction in the head count is complete we think that LIAT will be on a much more viable and sustainable footing,” said Prime Minister Stuart.
Evans said the airline had no choice but to trim its workforce given the fact that it is spending an estimated 27 per cent of revenue on staffing. “We hope to come out of this process at the end of the year, leaner, fitter, more responsive to the market and, most importantly, more responsive to our customers,” he said.
Gonsalves said the airline was also in need of an immediate cash injection to help stabilize its finances, and had approached the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for assistance.
CDB is already providing US$65 million to finance the re-fleeting exercise of the airline.
LIAT’s chairman Jean Holder said that the inability to dispose of its retiring seven Dash 8 aircraft is also costing it about US$11 million annually.
He said a “weakening market” for the planes among the reasons for being unable to offload the planes.
LIAT announced that it would re-locate four of the airline’s new ATR aircraft at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, while Antigua where LIAT is headquartered will have two. The remaining two aircraft will be based in Trinidad.