US Black Friday sales fall 11%
US retailers reported sluggish Black Friday spending, with sales falling 11% from the same period last year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
US consumers spent on average $380.95 per person, down 6.4% from a year ago.
Overall, total holiday weekend sales were estimated to be $50.9bn.
The NRF attributed the decline to shifting consumer habits, such as earlier promotions and the growth of online shopping.
"A strengthening economy that changes consumers' reliance on deep discounts, a highly competitive environment, early promotions and the ability to shop 24/7 online all contributed to the shift witnessed this weekend," said NRF president and chief executive Matthew Shay in a statement.
Once more, retailers chose to open earlier on Thanksgiving Thursday in the hope of luring in more shoppers, with Wal-Mart, Target, Macy's and others offering special promotions for those first through the door.
However, those deals and earlier hours appear not to have convinced shoppers to spend, perhaps because they expect further deals as the holiday shopping period progresses.
The decline in sales surprised many, who had seen increasingly positive US economic data as well as lower gas prices as signs that the US holiday shopping season would be better than it has been in the past.
Last week, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis revised its initial estimate of third-quarter US economic growth upwards.
The figures showed the US economy expanded at an annualised rate of 3.9% between July and September, up from the 3.5% first estimated.
Source-BBC
Obama to Hold White House Meetings about Ferguson
President Barack Obama is to discuss the situation in Ferguson, Missouri, with his Cabinet, civil rights leaders, law enforcement officials and others at the White House on Monday.
The meeting will focus on a review of federal programs that provide military-style equipment to law enforcement agencies.
Later, Obama meets young civil rights leaders to discuss the challenges posed by "mistrust between law enforcement and communities of color."
He also plans to meet government and law enforcement officials, as well as community leaders, to discuss how to strengthen neighborhoods.
Protests have continued in Ferguson since a grand jury's decision last week not to indict police officer Darren Wilson, who is white, in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was black.
Since August, roughly 300 people have been arrested amid the protests, which have been marred by looting and arson attacks.
Those arrested face charges of unlawful assembly and trespassing, interfering with police activity and resisting arrest, as well as felonies, including second-degree burglary, arson, unlawful firearm possession and assault.
Also Monday in the southern city of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is to meet with law enforcement officials and city leaders to discuss ways to improve relations between law enforcement and the community.
Windies leave for South Africa tour in wake of controversy
For the first time since the ill-fated tour of India last month, a West Indies Test squad left the Caribbean yesterday for an international assignment in South Africa.
Groups of players who departed from St Lucia, Barbados and Jamaica yesterday evening are expected to assemble in London today, before flying on to Johannesburg later.
West Indies are scheduled to arrive in South Africa's biggest city tomorrow morning.
Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell will join the squad next week following the conclusion of the third round of matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League. He was asked by selectors to stay behind and represent Jamaica Franchise in order to prove his match readiness.
The tour, which was shrouded in doubt following the controversial decision by players to abandon the one-day tour of India, will see West Indies contest three Tests against the World number one-ranked Proteas.
Significantly, the 15-man Windies squad includes seven of those players who walked off the tour, and all eyes will be on team chemistry in light of the recent fractious developments.
There had been speculation ahead of the squad's selection that those players involved in the abandonment would be sacked. However, in announcing the squad, chief selector Clive Lloyd reiterated the selectors' commitment to always choosing the best team available.
The West Indies Cricket Board also came under pressure from St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who sought and gained assurances that the players would not face censure because of their actions.
Gonsalves was at the centre of negotiations between the WICB, the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the players, as the abandoned tour mushroomed into a full blown crisis.
The confusion erupted after the one-day team on tour of India claimed that the changes in their tour contracts would result in a significant reduction in their earnings.
With one-day captain Dwayne Bravo as their spokesman, the players lobbied WIPA and the WICB for a change to the contracts, without success. With no resolution in sight, the players quit the tour following the fourth One-Day International in Dharamsala, with the fifth match remaining in Kolkata, and the one-off Twenty20 International scheduled for Cuttack.
The decision by the players forced the WICB to cancel the subsequent three-Test tour, a move which infuriated the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and saw them slap the regional board with a US$42- million claim for losses incurred.
Also, the BCCI suspended all bilateral relations with the WICB.
However, the WICB announced recently that negotiations were underway with the BCCI for an amicable end to the impasse.
President Dave Cameron had discussions with BCCI officials at an International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai recently.
West Indies will be led by Denesh Ramdin and includes veteran opener Chris Gayle who missed the tour of India through injury.
Stylish left-hander Darren Bravo will miss the tour after declining selection for "personal reasons".
West Indies are due to have their first major training session next Thursday before playing a three-day practice game in Benoni starting on December 10th.
The first Test bowls off on December 17th at Centurion.
SQUAD: Denesh Ramdin (captain), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Christopher Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton.
Source-CMC
PDM ISSUES AWARDS FOR PNP LED GOVERNMENT
No PNP CABINET MINISTER WAS LEFT OUT OF Today's AWARD announcement this morning as the Opposition makes bold presentation in a press conference earlier today.
The certificates are to be delivered to the members of the administration and are actually an indictment on what the PDM labels as their "bad behavior" while in service.
Apparently Hon Donhue Gardiner is "out of control"... words probably borrowed from former Premier Mike Misick...
Hon Porsha Smith is "missing in action" but doubly bestowed, also sharing the most travelled award with DP Hon Akierra Missick.
A prize called: "The Alice in Wonderland" goes to the Premier Hon Rufus Ewing along with the "Frequent flyer" certificate.
"Spin doctor" is the Deputy Premier according to the PDM list and the "Blame Dem" nod is earned by Hon George Lightbourne.
Media was snapping photos of the PDM members as they gave this mid term report card; opting not to go with letter grades for this evaluation as was the case after year one the
PNP.
Hon Washington Misick was prized for his so called keenness to tax; "the Tax and Roll Back" certificate had his name on it.
Hon Amanda Missick was cited for the road works, or lack thereof! "The Road way Award" goes to the member from Cheshire Hall & Richmond.
As for how the Ministers will actually be presented their prizes; it was not clear but media was told the certificates would be en route right away.
RTC News will have more on the nations Report at 6pm.
Source MM.TV & RTC
Marine Forecast for TCI & Bahamas
MARINE FORECAST
MARINE FORECAST FOR THE BAHAMAS & TCI FOR 24 HOURS FROM 12PM MONDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2014 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 1600 UTC
WARNINGS: SWIMMERS AND MARINERS ARE BEING URGED TO CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION FOR HIGH SURF CONDITIONS AND HIGH RISK OF HAZARDOUS RIP CURRENTS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO PRESIST THROUGH THE WEEK
ALL AREAS
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT..SMALL CRAFT ARE URGED TO REMAIN IN PORT
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 20 T0 30 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS
SEAS: 8 TO 12 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
WEATHER: THE CHANCE OF A FEW BRIEF PASSING SHOWERS THROUGH TONIGHT
MOONRISE: 1:56PM MOONSET: 2:43AM TUE.
HIGH TIDE: 3:13AM TUE. LOW TIDE: 9:34PM
HIGH TIDE: 3:56AM TUE. LOW TIDE: 10:19AM TUE.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
WEATHER FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
MONDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2014
GENERAL SITUATION: A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS & TCI GENERATING BRISK WINDS ACROSS THE ISLANDS
SPECIAL WARNINGS: SWIMMERS AND MARINERS ARE BEING URGED TO CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUT1ON FOR HIGH SURF CONDITIONS AND HIGH RISK OF HAZARDOUS RIP CURRENTS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO PRESIST THROUGH THE WEEK
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY, COOL AND WINDY WITH THE CHANCE OF A FEW BRIEF PASSING SHOWERS THROUGH TONIGHT
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT SMALL CRAFT ARE URGED TO REMAIN IN PORT
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 20 TO 30 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS
SEAS: 8 TO 12 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 80F 26C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 70F 21C
SUNSET: 5:20PM SUNRISE: 6:39AM TUE.
MOONRISE: 1:56PM MOONSET: 2:43AM TUE.
HIGH TIDE: 3:13PM LOW TIDE: 9:34PM
HIGH TIDE: 3:56AM TUE. LOW TIDE: 10:19AM TUE.
WEATHER OUTLOOK: STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE DOMINANT WEATHER FEATURE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS GENERATING BRISK WINDS AND ROUGH SEAS ACROSS THE ISLANDS.
LIME ANTIGUA & BARBUDA LAUNCHES FIRST MOBILE 4G LTE NETWORK"
LIME Antigua and Barbuda launched the fastest and most advanced 4G network in Antigua & Barbuda and the first AWS mobile LTE network in the Eastern Caribbean on Thursday, November 20.
LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a ‘fourth generation’ (4G) mobile service which will enable the company’s customers to access mobile data at far higher download speeds than previously available. Browsing the internet, downloading files and streaming videos will become almost instantaneous for 4G (LTE) customers.
The 4G LTE network, which was deployed by Ericsson, boasts 100% coverage across Antigua & Barbuda as well as higher capacity with enhanced mobile data services.
The upgrade to mobile 4G LTE is part of the ongoing EC$37M dollar upgrade across Antigua & Barbuda under the umbrella capital investment programme, called Project Marlin which is valued at US$1.05 Billion.
LIME’s General Manager Davidson Charles said "The launch of 4G LTE in Antigua & Barbuda sets our country apart as one of the best connected and best served countries not just in the Caribbean but anywhere in the world. High Definition (HD) video will be available without buffering as soon as customers click on a website. The freedom, speed and functionality that 4G LTE delivers is immense. We have invested significantly to meet our commitment to deliver a world class mobile data and voice experience to our customers."
LIME’s 4G LTE will allow smartphone users to fully unleash the power of their smart devices and comes just after the only authorised carrier in the English-speaking Caribbean of the Apple® iPhone® 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launched the sale of the devices in stores across the region for the Christmas holiday season. The latest iPhones are considered globally as the most sought-after smartphones to hit the market in recent times. The company also offers a wide array of other LTE-enabled handsets at very affordable prices including the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Ace 4. The launch of LIME’s mobile 4G LTE services positions Antigua and Barbuda on par with the gold standard for mobile data anywhere in the world.
Minister of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Information Technology Melford Nicholas said "This investment in 4G LTE by LIME will undoubtedly unlock further opportunities for new business development, self-entrepreneurship and employment growth. Moreover, it is an important step in Antigua & Barbuda's journey towards creating a highly skilled knowledge based society"
Shand Merchant Marketing and Communications Manager at LIME said “We value innovation and embrace excellence in the services we offer our customers; we have made a huge effort to deliver an unbeatable mobile data customer experience.
This will revolutionise the opportunities available to both consumers and businesses in Antigua and Barbuda."
DIGICEL BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS
Digicel is ensuring that the most wonderful time of the year is even more social this festive season with the launch of its “#ChristmasTogether” Facebook campaign.
With the goal of bringing everyone comes together to make it an extraordinary Christmas, Digicel is asking customers to use their smartphones to film 15 second videos using the 12 days of Christmas as a theme to show how coming together is what makes Christmas Extraordinary.
Each day between December 1-12, customers will be provided with a theme like family, sharing, love, joy, peace and friendship around which to base their mini-video which they can then upload to our Facebook app to be viewed and voted on by the wider Digicel family.
With each and every approved video entrant receiving Digicel credit as a token of thanks, prizes up for grabs for customers also include smartphones – and the chance to have their video creation feature as part of the extra special Christmas commercial which Digicel will create from the user-generated content and broadcast as a special feature on Christmas Day on TV and via social media.
Commenting on the #Christmastogether campaign, Trina Adams, Marketing Specialist of Digicel TCI, said; “Christmas is a time of togetherness so we wanted to do something that would bring people together and make them smile at this special time of year. Our customers are bursting with creativity so we look forward to working with them to bring our 12 days of Christmas theme to life as we spread a little happiness and come together this festive season.”
TCI NON PROFITS MUST REGISTER
Legislation delayed by one year is now live; the Non Profit Organizations Regulation 2014 has been Gazetted and calls for all not for profit entities to register; which means they now become supervised by the Financial Services Commission.
This legislative change was strongly resisted by NPOs, but now the move is forward as the law requires groups like Crime Stoppers, the Turks and Caicos Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Red Cross, the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, the Heart Foundation and others that fall into this category to not only state who they are, name executives, directors or trustees but to report on the monies being made, how they are being made and to show what the funds are being used to do.
Greater transparency and accountability some might call it; for the Turks and Caicos as a UK overseas territory it is a part of the mandate to line up with global expectations about financial transactions within the territory. Ironically, as these organizations were seeking to have more time to brace themselves for this added expense and administrative procedure and hoping for the legislation to be tweaked; a Canadian attorney operating in the Turks and Caicos: Patrick Poulin was arrested in an undercover operation by US agents. Poulin and two others were accused of using a non-profit organization in the Turks and Caicos to launder money; $2 million dollars. Poulin, 41, who worked at Bishops here in Provo, entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised released in a Virginia courtroom last month, according to records from the US DOJ, aka the Department of Justice.
All NPOs in the TCI are required to register, with an exemption going only to groups making less than $10,000 annually, who have less than $20,000 in assets and are with a certificate of exemption. On November 13th HE Peter Beckingham, the Governor signed this revised legislation into law; the three objectives being for non-profits to register, to maintain records and to annually report on finances of up to half a million dollars. There are fines for breaching the ordinance; they range from $30,000 to $50,000.
Turks & Caicos Islands Recognizes World AIDS Day 2014
As the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) observe World AIDS Day on Monday, 1st December with the rest of the world, it is a time to remember loved ones and friends that have passed on. It is also a time to pause and reflect not only on persons presently living with HIV but, on ourselves as individuals. Have our lives impacted someone living with HIV in a positive way? What are we doing if anything and how can we do it better. Achieving an AIDS-free Turks and Caicos as resources for HIV shrink, requires strategic action at both the local and national levels.
We must find the resources to sustain prevention programmes, increase access to services for key populations, while we scale up and expand treatment and care programmes and also meet the needs of our ageing population of people living with HIV.
National AIDS Program Coordinator, Mrs. Aldora Robinson stated; “This year’s theme “take a stand, I stand, we stand for Zero new infections, Zero Deaths, Zero discrimination did you stand?” encourages everyone to stand, it is important that we do. We must ask ourselves what is my organization doing concerning HIV, what is my role. What is my church doing? How do I get involved? What is my civic group doing am I doing my part, anyone in business thinks about profit, for all of us in the business of HIV/STI prevention, profit is an AIDS free TCI.
“Priorities for the TCI for the next year and beyond is a people-centred approach that promotes the welfare and well-being of people ensuring that we meet the 90% of persons in country tested for HIV and know their status, 90% of persons who test positive are linked to care and 90% of persons on treatment viral loads are undetectable. We are also focusing on eliminating Mother To Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis, a men’s health strategy, the prison population, sex workers. We hope to develop targeted interventions for the key populations mentioned. So, let us take a stand.”
Minister for Health and Human Services, Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith added; “As a nation, we have recognized how far we have come, and acknowledge the lengths we still must travel. I would like to applaud the National HIV Prevention Unit on the work that they have done thus far. We must continue the fight together by reducing the acquisition and transmission of HIV within our Beautiful by Nature, Turks & Caicos Islands.