Hong Kong Protest Leaders Surrender to Police
The founders of Hong Kong's Occupy Central movement have turned themselves in to police for their role in organizing pro-democracy protests authorities have deemed illegal.
Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man, and Chu Yiu-ming entered the Central Police Station on Wednesday. They were turned away about an hour later after police refused to arrest or charge them.
In a news conference outside the station, Tai said the trio was presented with a special form and told to check off the crimes to which they were confessing. A line of Occupy supporters also lined up to fill out the form.
It is unclear whether police will arrest or charge any of the activists with a crime. Authorities have not commented on the surrender, which is seen as an attempt to rejuvenate a movement that has begun to lose public support.
The Occupy founders on Tuesday called for demonstrators to retreat, citing fears of further violence following clashes with police on Sunday. So far, the protesters have rejected those calls.
Source-VOA News
Kerry Cites Effectiveness of Airstrikes Against IS
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says coalition airstrikes against the Islamic State group have made it "much harder" for the militants to assemble, travel and carry out attacks.
Kerry spoke Wednesday in Brussels, opening a meeting with foreign ministers from 60 coalition partners to discuss efforts to combat the militant group that took over large areas of northern and western Iraq and eastern Syria earlier this year.
"One outcome of this meeting will be a statement that encompasses our message: that we are united and moving ahead on all fronts and that we will engage in this campaign for as long as it takes to prevail," said Kerry.
He said the militants must worry about what will come down on them from the sky, and that the U.S.-led airstrikes will continue as necessary while training and assistance for Iraq's security forces expand.
So far, the coalition has carried out more than 1,000 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria since the campaign began in August.
New Zealand crush Pakistan
New Zealand completed an innings and 80-run win over Pakistan in the third and final Test in Sharjah yesterday, to level the three-match series 1-1.
Seamer Trent Boult took 4-38 and Mark Craig 3-109 which overshadowed Asad Shafiq's career-best 137 as Pakistan were dismissed for 259 in their second innings in the fading light at Sharjah stadium.
The win was more praiseworthy in a week when New Zealand were left grieving after Australian batsman Phillip Hughes's tragic death on Thursday, the day when both teams abandoned second day's play.
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum admitted it was tough to play.
"It was definitely, really tough circumstances to play the Test," said McCullum. "Our thoughts were elsewhere. Proud of the guys for sticking together."
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq conceded the tragic news affected his team.
"After starting very well during the first day, whatever happened in the second day that was really difficult to concentrate. I was struggling to concentrate, it was really difficult to bat on and carry on."
Boult ended Shafiq's fighting 183-minute knock of 18 fours and six sixes -- his fifth Test century -- with a short delivery.
Craig wrapped up the innings by dismissing Rahat Ali for six to end with match figures of 10-203.
He took 7-94 in the first innings.
Boult struck three times in the space of 18 balls to leave Pakistan struggling at 24-3 before Craig and Sodhi (2-82) chipped in.
Pakistan won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by 248 runs while the second ended in a draw in Dubai.
Pakistan's batting failure was miserable on a pitch where New Zealand plundered 690.
Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed (37) tried to take the attack to the New Zealand bowlers with a 73-run stand for the sixth wicket before Sodhi removed Ahmed and Yasir Shah (10) in the same over before tea.
Shafiq hit Craig for a six and a four to reach his hundred off 123 balls to delay the defeat after Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (24) and Misbah (12) in the post lunch session.
Hafeez gave a return catch to Craig while Misbah was adjudged caught behind off the glove on the same bowler and even a referral couldn't save the Pakistan skipper.
Earlier, Boult had shaken Pakistan at the start of the innings, dismissing Shan Masood (four) in his second over, bowled Azhar Ali (six) in his fourth and trapped Younis Khan for a first ball duck in his fifth in a destructive spell.
Boult's devastating spell came after New Zealand extended their first innings to 690 in the morning -- their highest-ever total in Test cricket.
That gave New Zealand a huge 339-run lead over Pakistan's first innings total of 351 and they pressed home their advantage quickly with Boult's strikes.
Masood drove uppishly to be caught in the slips while Ali misjudged a sharp incoming delivery which hit the off stump as he tried to leave the ball.
Boult again used the angle well from round the wicket to trap the in-form Younis leg-before. A review could not save the batsman.
New Zealand had added a further 53 earlier in the morning after resuming on 637-8, with Craig (65) becoming the sixth batsman to reach a half-century -- a record number of 50-plus scores in one innings by Kiwis.
New Zealand's innings included a world record 22 sixes, beating the 17 struck by Australia against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003.
In all, a world record of 35 sixes were hit in the match, beating the 27 shared by Pakistan and India in Faisalabad in 2006.
Pakistan's much-vaunted bowling attack suffered badly, with paceman Rahat Ali taking 4-99 and leg-spinner Yasir Shah conceding 193 runs for his four wickets.
New Zealand's previous highest Test total of 680-8 came against India in Wellington in February this year.
Both teams now play two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on December 4 and 5 which will be followed by five one-day matches.
Violent protests in Haiti decline, cross-border market resumes Monday
Commerce resumed at the cross border market on Monday, after violent protests staged by Haitians near Dominican territory halted trade on Friday.
Since the early hours hundreds of Haitians have been crossing the border headed to the market to obtain the numerous products, especially agro.
The protests against Port-au-Prince have reportedly eased in Haitian territory, though a source quoted by listin.com.do said the road to the border crossing has been blocked, halting pedestrians and vehicles.
Friday’s tension resulted from a standoff in the heels of the arrest of Dominican truck driver Carlos de León, injured in a collision when he lost control of his vehicle, which fatally struck a minor at the town of Ouanaminthe.
He was handed over to authorities at Dajabon yesterday on an agreement with Haiti officials. De Leon agreed to return Wednesday for questioning by authorities in the city of Fort-Liberté, Haiti northeast.
Jesuit priest blames both governments
Jesuit priest Regino Martinez said both the Haiti and Dominican governments are to blame for the recurring turmoil at the border, citing a lack of will to enact clear rules and control to over the market on Mondays and Fridays, which he affirms benefits more than 15,000 mostly poor people.
Vivica Fox to host World Travel Awards Grand Final 2014 in Anguilla
Award-winning actress Vivica Fox - star of ‘Independence Day’, ‘Batman & Robin’, and ‘Why do Fools Fall in Love’ - has been revealed as the host of the upcoming World Travel Awards Grand Final 2014.
She will take her place among an exciting array of performers at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa on Sunday, December 7th.
After touring the globe in search of the world’s best hospitality organisations over the past year, World Travel Awards will host the crème de la crème of the industry in Anguilla for the first time.
Joining those honoured with awards will be hundreds of dignitaries, luminaries and international media, as well as government and industry leaders who continue to set the standard of excellence in travel.
World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It will be an honour for the World Travel Awards to visit Anguilla for the first time and I can think of no better place for us to celebrate the best of global tourism than CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa.
“Our 2014 Grand Tour has been an extensive search of the very best of the tourism industry around the world. This is the final stage of our annual programme and I look forward to welcoming our regional winners to Anguilla as they compete for the global titles. Best of luck to you all.”
This year has been one of the most successful to date for World Travel Awards, with the annual Grand Tour beginning with the Middle East Gala Ceremony, which took place at the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai in May.
This was followed by the Europe Gala Ceremony at Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso, in Athens, Greece, before the organisation was welcome to Quito, capital of Ecuador, for the South & Central America Gala Ceremony in August.
Most recently World Travel Awards visited The Oberoi, New Delhi, in India, for the Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony, completing the regional events for the year.
“This is a very exciting milestone for Anguilla,” said Haydn Hughes, Anguilla Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Tourism and Sports.
“Tourism is a vital part of our economy, and we have been working closely with the local and international businesses community to implement a number of groundbreaking initiatives over the last two years to generate tourism growth.”
The luxurious CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa has been chosen to showcase the distinguished Gala Ceremony.
General Manager Stephane Zaharia said the resort is working around the clock to prepare for the prestigious event.
Zaharia explained: “Recognition by the World Travel Awards is rightly seen as the highest accolade in the tourism sector. We look forward to extending our rich tradition of hospitality to the attending global travel specialists and invite each of them to experience our renowned culinary, wine and golf offerings in this unparalleled setting.”
The multi-award winning CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa harbours an exceptional setting for the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony.
Situated in the crescent curve of Rendezvous Bay, CuisinArt offers luxurious suites and villas, an exceptional range of fine dining experiences, the highly revered Venus Spa, and a thrilling challenge for golf aficionados at the resort’s stunning 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Design Championship Course.
The World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the most celebrated event in the travel industry, a venue for government and industry leaders to connect with international print and broadcast media.
Winning a World Travel Award has a proven track record of significantly raising a company’s profile, and escalating profitability and recognition.
A full list of nominees for the Grand Final Gala Ceremony can be viewd at worldtravelawards.com
World AIDS Day 2014 Speech
World AIDS Day 2014
As we observe World AIDS Day December 1st with the rest of the world, it is a time to remember love 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.
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 me in the business of HIV/STI prevention, my 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.
Mrs. Aldora Robinson R/N, Msc, MBA,
National AIDS Program Coordinator
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