Grand Turk celebrates Commonwealth Games Beach Olympics
Organizers of the 10th Annual Commonwealth Games Beach Olympics were not disappointed this weekend as their event saw hundreds of children accompanied by their parents gathered at Governor’s Beach for a day of fun, sports and competition. There was not a dull moment as various sports were going on at one time or another.
We saw the swimming competition taking off with children of all ages, some came to just learn how to swim. The Facilitators from Ocean Academy and Big Blue out of Providenciales truly worked the Swimmers that they never wanted to leave the water.
It was a sight to behold as the Beach came alive with action, excitement, and colour as the 4 zones showed up in their zoning colors: Red, Orange, Green and Purple or just anything colourful. Everyone came out to represent and ensure their Zone would walk away with the winning Trophy and title of Best Sporting Zone in Grand Turk.
There were various sports being played: Volleyball, Rugby, Swimming, Horse Back Riding, Cultural Games, Weightlifting and a new sport was also introduced, Boules that showed adults and children taking great interest in.
However, at the end of the day once the points were tallied in all sports, it was South Back Salina, the Orange Team that came out as the Best Sporting Zone in Grand Turk. In the Volleyball Competition it was the Turks and Caicos Community College walking away with the Trophy and cash prize. The Strong Woman Contest went to Rose-Anna Henry, and the Strong Man went to Ronald Parker. The Horse Race was won by Josh Smith whilst many other children won in their sports with medals and prizes.
The President of the CGA, said she was very pleased with the outcome and thanked all those companies that partnered with the CGA, comprising of Kia Motors for sponsoring the T-Shirts, Chloe and Ben of Big Blue and Greg Doolittle of Ocean Academy out of Providenciales for giving of their time and working with the swimmers so diligently, Grand Turk Liquors, Palm Grove Variety Store, Rosa’s Variety Store, Walter Gardiner, Wally’s Restaurant, Cee’s Food Store, Do It Center, Jack Shack and Bohio Resort. Thanks also to the Zone Leaders and volunteers for taking time out of their busy schedule and assisting with this event. It is remarkable that we can give of our time to ensure that our Youths are being empowered through sports and healthy living.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR SPOTLIGHTS PUBLIC SERVICE FOR OCTOBER
In the October edition of the Deputy Governor’s regular articles that mark and celebrate the contribution of public servants to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the head of the civil service this month turns the attention of the 'spotlight’ programme to the Immigration Task Force.
The Honourable Anya Williams said:
“The Ministry of Border Control & Labour’s Immigration Task Force plays a very vital role in the Turks and Caicos Islands and in my belief is second only to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in terms of ensuring our national security.
“Although it clearly has many important functions, I wish to spotlight those key tasks associated with the preservation of national security. These functions act as deterrent to people who arrive on our shores without adequate documentation and people who try to do this are being increasingly detected, arrested and repatriated as necessary.
“Clearly, the Immigration Task Force is essential to the operations of the Border Control & Enforcement Department, culminating the efforts of intelligence, compliance and investigation.
“Theirs can be a challenging job, yet the team conducts its operations in a professional, lawful and humane manner, with desperate people who have often risked everything that they have to try and get here illegally. The Immigration Task Force works closely with other key agencies such as the Police, HM Customs and the Employment Services department towards the benefit of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“It is to their credit that their work is driven by intelligence and evidence, always ensuring that their efforts are complaint with our ordinances.
“So, on behalf of their fellow public servants and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands I would like to recognise and sincerely thank each and every member of the Immigration task force for everything that they do on our behalf.”
NATIONAL YOUTH AMBASSADOR 1ST NATIONAL HERITAGE DAY ADDRESS
To all Turks and Caicos Islanders, residents and visitors, today we celebrate our 1st National Heritage Day. Today is the day in which we celebrate all that was inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed to future generations. We thank God that on this special day in history that we can look back at our achievements as a people and be proud of where we have come and be even more driven to where we should go.
Being the National Youth Ambassador, I am proud to be someone who can inform our youths about our historical achievements laid down by distinguished persons such as our only National Hero and first Chief Minister, Hon. J.A.G.S. McCartney. This is a day we embrace national equality, and togetherness. We must be proud of our language, food, music, dress and our indelible spirit to overcome any challenge that comes our way.
We must never put any shade or be ashamed of who we are or as we say in our native tongue ' Who we is’. Many of our teachers and other professionals claim that we must always speak 'proper’ English. As Turks and Caicos Islanders, we have various words that make up our very own dialect or as we call it 'Talking TI" such as “To-rack-ly”, meaning later on or yinna meaning you all, just to name a few. . As student of linguistics I have learned there is nothing wrong with speaking the tongue in which we inherited from our ancestors as it is just another means of communication. In the word of the great Clement Bethel, "preserve your heritage, speak proper English, only when necessary."
As we celebrate this day, we remember those who come as tourists. We hope they will experience what the Turks and Caicos can offer. I echo the words of Miss Turks and Caicos 2014, Shanice Williams “This is what has and will distinguish us from every other nation in the world. It is our unique marker; our signature across history and it is what follows us into the world even as it brings the world to us.” It simply means that we can show our visitors the true taste of T.C.I., our pristine and white sandy beaches, from Salt Ponds to the Conch Farm. Turks and Caicos we must stand proud of what we offer to the world.
In closing, Turks & Caicos Islanders we must stand strong knowing where we come from and ‘who we is’. We must continue to embrace what is bestowed and inherited in our very own Beautiful By Nature country. We are a nation of accomplishments and this National Heritage Day 2014 is a great testament to embrace these accomplishments.
Donte Francis
National Youth Ambassador 2014-15
Turks & Caicos Islands
GONZALO TO BECOME A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE BY THURSDAY
NEWS ITEM ON HURRICANE GONZALO ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST OFFICE SECTION, AT 11 AM TUESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2014.
…GONZALO IS MOVING NORTHWESTWARD OVER THE OPEN ATLANTIC OCEAN…STRENGTHENING IS EXPECTED TO RESUME LATER TODAY…
AT 11 AM EDT, THE CENTER OF GONZALO WAS LOCATED BY AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE AIRCRAFT AND NOAA DOPPLER WEATHER RADAR DATA NEAR LATITUDE 20.3° NORTH AND LONGITUDE 65.2° WEST OR ABOUT 390 MILES EAST OF GRAND TURK ISLAND OR 830 MILES SOUTH OF BERMUDA.
GONZALO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST AT 13 MPH AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST IS FORECAST BY LATE WEDNESDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF GONZALO WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE OVER THE OPEN ATLANTIC TODAY…AND REMAIN WELL TO THE EAST OF THE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 110MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AND GONZALO IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE TODAY. ..AND POSSIBLY BECOME A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE BY THURSDAY.
THE NEXT NEWS ITEM WILL BE ISSUED AT 6PM.
JP Morgan Chase posts $5.6bn profit
US banking giant JP Morgan Chase has reported a $5.6bn (£3.5bn) profit for the three months to 30 September.
The quarterly results represent a marked improvement on a year earlier, when the bank made a $380m loss.
This was the result of setting aside billions of dollars to settle government charges relating to the sale of mortgage-related investment products in the run-up to the financial crisis.
JP Morgan is the first major US bank to report its third quarter results.
Other big US banks will post their results later this week.
'Performing well'
The JP Morgan results were due to be published at 08:30 local time (13:30 BST), but were posted early.
They showed total revenue for the quarter of $25.2bn, up 5% on a year earlier. Revenue at the investment banking business fell by $600m, with profits down by 34%.
Revenue at the asset management arm grew by $250m to $3bn, with profits up 20%.
"Our businesses continue to perform well," said chief executive Jamie Dimon.
"While challenges remain in the global economic recovery, the US economy is an exception, showing signs of steady improvement.
"Corporate America is in good shape, with strong balance sheets, and employment trends continue to be positive."
Source-BBC
Shillingford, Miller rescue Windies A
A defiant unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 92 between Shane Shillingford and Nikita Miller saved West Indies A from a possible innings defeat on the third day of their opening four-day 'Test' against Sri Lanka here yesterday.
Asked to follow on after being dismissed for 160 in their first innings, West Indies A plunged to 175 for seven in their second innings before Shillingford struck an unbeaten 56 and Miller, 37 not out, to rescue the Caribbean side.
Test batsman Kirk Edwards had earlier led the way with a top score of 76, while Jermaine Blackwood got 39 as Windies A finished the day on 267 for seven, only 14 runs ahead with today's final day remaining.
Resuming the penultimate day on 96 for seven in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings of 413, West Indies A managed to extend their first innings thanks to a half-century from Chadwick Walton.
Unbeaten on 10 overnight, the Jamaican wicketkeeper hit 50 from 90 balls with five fours and two sixes, adding a crucial 36 for the last wicket with Shannon Gabriel (five not out) after the tourists slipped to 124 for nine.
Leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna added the wicket of Walton to his overnight five-wicket haul to finish with six for 64, while seamer Shaminda Eranga picked up two for 54.
West Indies A were in early strife in their second innings, losing Test batsman Kraigg Brathwaite for two in the third over of the innings with the score also on two.
Edwards then anchored two key stands to see West Indies A out of trouble. He added 38 for the second wicket with Assad Fudadin (11) and then put on a further 77 for the third wicket with Blackwood.
The right-handed Edwards hit eight fours and two sixes in an innings lasting 117 balls, while Blackwood, also a current Test player, stroked five fours in his 50-ball knock.
Blackwood's dismissal, however, triggered a dramatic slide which saw five wickets tumble for just 58 runs.
Fast bowler Lahiru Gamage snapped up three for 49, while Prasanna caused trouble again with three for 114.
Tottering at 175 for seven and requiring a further 78 to make Sri Lanka A bat again, Windies A found heroes in Shillingford and Miller.
Shillingford, who boasts a Test half-century, hammered three fours and five sixes off 86 deliveries, while Miller was more measured, facing 76 balls and counting three fours and a six.
Source-CMC
Obama Urges More ‘Robust Commitments’ to Combat Ebola
President Barack Obama spoke with world leaders and was briefed by his public health and national security teams Monday on international and domestic efforts to confront the Ebola epidemic. U.S. public health officials are “rethinking” the way they address effective Ebola infection control following the first U.S. case of the deadly virus in Texas.
Speaking with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon by phone, Obama agreed on the need for more “robust commitments and rapid delivery of assistance” to West Africa “to stop the epidemic at its source.” In a separate conversation with his French counterpart, Francois Hollande, Obama discussed coordinated actions to contain the epidemic, including treatment facilities in West Africa and passenger screening.
The president was also briefed on the response to the diagnosis of a second U.S. Ebola case, a nurse, in Dallas, Texas, including the investigation into the apparent breach of infection control protocols. Media reports have identified the patient as 26-year-old Nina Pham, who cared for Liberian Thomas Eric Duncan, who died last week at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital after arriving in the U.S. in September. She is now in isolation and in stable condition.
At a news conference Monday, the director of the Centers for Disease Control, Tom Frieden, said this case changes some things, but not others.
"It doesn’t change the fact that we know how Ebola spreads. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s possible to take care of Ebola safely. But, it does change substantially how we approach it. We have to rethink the way we address Ebola infection control because even a single infection is unacceptable," said Frieden.
Frieden said none of the 48 people who had contact, or may have had contact, with Duncan have developed symptoms. He said only one person may have had contact with the nurse, and that person is being monitored.
The Associated Press reported about 70 staff members at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital were involved in the care of Duncan, including the nurse. Frieden said they are being interviewed and monitored.
Courtesy of : Victor Beattie
Haitians banned from UN Ebola mission in Africa
After news appeared on social networks that the United Nations was recruiting volunteers to respond to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, authorities in Haiti sprang into action.
A statement released last week, signed by the ministers of health, interior and defence, effectively banned Haitian volunteers from travelling to Ebola-stricken countries in Africa.
Citing other diseases that have devastated the impoverished country in recent years, the ministers prohibited any agency – including the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) – from organising the recruitment of Haitian volunteers
The ministers appealed to “the common sense of every citizen to avoid other more dramatic situations than what we have experienced in the recent past.”
The October 2 statement was described as a “warning” by Minister of Defence Lener Renauld, who added: “It’s a question of public health and security to avoid any (Ebola) epidemic crisis happening in Haiti.”
This latest development follows a recommendation by the minister of health last month that all international agencies “suspend any rotation of members coming from countries where Ebola cases have been found.”
According to Health Minister Florence Duperval Guillaume, the announcement was made “to restore the confidence of our citizens.
“It may be much stronger than necessary, but think of those citizens who have been so traumatized, after the earthquake, after cholera, and after chikungunya. We cannot afford to take an additional trauma,” the minister said.
Cholera, which had not been documented in the French-speaking country for almost a century, hit Haiti in 2010, since when it has killed 8,500 people and infected more than 700,000. It may have been brought to Haiti by UN peacekeepers from Nepal, who were stationed there after the catastrophic earthquake.
The mosquito-borne virus chikungunya, which is currently sweeping the region, broke out in Haiti earlier this year and has since claimed tens of thousands of suspected cases.
Suarez scored his first Uruguay goals since the World Cup
Ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez scored his first Uruguay goals since the World Cup finals and his suspension for biting in a 3-0 friendly win over Oman.
Suarez, 27, is serving a nine-match international ban from competitive games after biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, but can play in friendlies.
The Uruguayan netted twice in nine second-half minutes before Jonathan Rodriguez added a third goal late on.
Suarez could make his Barcelona debut against Real Madrid on 26 October.
He had last scored for his country when he grabbed both goals in their 2-1 win over England in the World Cup in Brazil on 19 June.
Suarez helped Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 five days later but bit defender Chiellini's shoulder during the match and was later banned for four months from all football activity.
An appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in August revised the terms of his ban, meaning he could play in friendly games for club and country.
However, he will not play for Uruguay in the 2015 Copa America tournament and will not be able to play a competitive Uruguay game until during their qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup.
The striker, who moved to Barcelona from Liverpool for £75m in July, has now scored 43 goals for his country.
Nicki Minaj fails to snatch solo UK number one single
Nicki Minaj has failed to capture the first UK solo number one single in her own right as her song Anaconda was beaten into third place in the chart.
The US singer was routed by Meghan Trainor, who galvanised pole position with All About That Bass.
Bang Bang - Minaj's joint effort with Jessie J and Ariana Grande - was ahead of her solo record, remaining steady at number two.
George Ezra retained top spot in the album chart with his debut collection.
The singer-songwriter was ahead of Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Barbra Streisand in the rundown.
Smith's album The Lonely Hours clocks up its 20th week in the chart this week.
Irish musician Hozier scored the highest new entry at five with his self-titled collection.
A large number of other new entries peppered the chart, including Canadian star Caribou at eight, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr at nine, with electro-house duo Gorgon City rounding out the top 10.
Another Canadian, Bryan Adams, was just outside at 11 with his 11th studio album.
Elsewhere in the singles chart, Taylor Swift was at four with Shake It Off, which was the most-streamed track of the week.
US R&B star Jeremih went in at number five with Don't Tell 'Em.
A cover of Beach Boys classic God Only Knows - covered by 27 artists including Coldplay's Chris Martin and Sir Elton John - made number 20 after just four days on sale.
A lavish music video was unveiled to launch BBC Music this week, with proceeds of sales going to Children In Need.
Source-BBC