FIFA denies blocking Maradona from Maracana
Diego Maradona is not a special guest of FIFA at the World Cup, though Gisele Bundchen could still be.
FIFA played down the latest broadside aimed by Maradona, one of the governing body's fiercest and most regular critics.
The Argentina great has claimed in the media that he was blocked from watching his country at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.
While FIFA dismissed reports that Bundchen could present the actual World Cup at Maracana on July 13, the Brazilian supermodel seems a candidate to bring the trophy on to the field before kickoff.
''I have seen a lot of confusion in the media around that,'' FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said Wednesday, confirming longstanding plans that FIFA President Sepp Blatter will present the trophy. He could be joined by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
Maradona played in two World Cup finals - receiving the trophy as Argentina captain in 1986 - but his privileges at this tournament seem to extend only as far as working journalist's accreditation.
He told Argentinian media that FIFA barred his access to the 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Police Demolished KB Homes in TCI Cricket
The Turks and Caicos Cricket Association 2014 Cricket Season continued on Saturday 14st June 2014 at The Downtown Ball Park Providenciales was highlighted by a Sparkling unbeaten Century from National Player Garvin Bruno followed by a Hat trick by Chabbie Charley as Police Demolished KB Home.
Batting first after winning the toss Police posted a massive 202 runs for 4 wickets from 20 overs
Garvin Bruno Top Scorer with 118 runs not out which was decorated with 16x4’s and 5x6 and Des-bourne Young added 32 runs 4x4’s 1x6.
Bowling for Kb Home Paul McKenzie took 2 wickets for 16 runs from 4 overs.
In reply, Kb Homes was dismissed for 115 runs from 16 overs Top Scorer was Mark Butler with 29 runs 4x4’s and 1x6 and Ajay Vyas contributed 22 runs 4x4’s.
Bowling for Police Chabbie Charley captured 4 wickets for 19 runs from 3 overs.
Man of the Match Garvin Bruno
Blast Kills 21 at Nigeria World Cup Viewing Center
A bomb blast at a site where Nigerian football (soccer) fans had gathered to watch the World Cup has killed at least 21 people.
Hospital sources said Wednesday that 27 others were injured in the blast, which took place late Tuesday in the northeastern town of Damaturu.
Scores of people had gathered at an outdoor viewing center to watch the match between Brazil and Mexico on large screens. So-called "viewing centers," where fans can watch the games for a small fee, are becoming a target for terrorists.
Witnesses say a bomb apparently hidden in a tricycle taxi exploded shortly after the match got under way.
There have been no claims of responsibility.
Juan Carlos signs his abdication
The reign of King Juan Carlos of Spain is in its final hours after he signed the bill formally abdicating in favour of his son, Prince Felipe.
Juan Carlos, 76, signed the bill at a ceremony in the Royal Palace in Madrid, which was attended by only 160 guests.
At midnight local time (22:00 GMT), Felipe, 46, will become king although the event will not be marked in public until Thursday morning.
The succession was endorsed by both of Spain's main political parties.
Before the signing, Juan Carlos sat with Queen Sofia and Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia as the content of the law was read out.
After Juan Carlos had signed the document that will end his rule, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also signed the law. Moments later, the assembled guests applauded, the prince's two daughters joined the royal group and the national anthem was played.
Militants Attack Iraq's Main Oil Refinery
Sunni Islamist militants have attacked Iraq's main oil refinery, causing damage to the site in the latest stage of a surge that has included seizing territory across northern Iraq.
The militants clashed with security forces at the refinery Wednesday in Beiji, which is located about halfway between Baghdad and Mosul.
Militants took control of Mosul last week, and India's foreign ministry reported Wednesday that 40 Indian construction workers have been kidnapped from the city. A spokesman said India has not received a demand for ransom and does not know the location of the missing workers. He also said 46 Indian nurses are stranded in militant-controlled Tikrit.
On Wednesday also, PetroChina, the single biggest investor in Iraq's oil sector, is pulling some of its staff out of the Middle East nation, but production remains unaffected.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave a televised address vowing that his security forces would strike back against terrorism and described their earlier defeats at the hands of militants as a setback.
IMF in warning over Argentina ruling at US Supreme Court
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Argentina's legal defeat in its fight against hedge fund investors may have wider implications.
On Monday, a US Supreme Court ruling sided with bondholders demanding Argentina pay them $1.3bn (£766m).
The IMF said it was concerned about "broader systemic implications".
Meanwhile the ratings agency S&P cut Argentina's credit rating, warning the ruling made it more likely that the country would default.
"The Argentine government has limited capacity to pay the plaintiff creditors while servicing its current debt", S&P said.
S&P reduced the credit rating by two notches from "CCC+" to "CCC-".
The move theoretically makes it more expensive for Argentina to borrow money. However, the country has been unable to raise funds on the international market since its 2001-02 debt default.
Argentina's Economy Minister, Axel Kicillof, said the government was "starting to take steps" to restructure the debt under Argentine law - as a way of avoiding complying with the US order.
US Feds cuts growth forecast
The US Federal Reserve has cut its growth forecast for 2014 due to the harsh winter weather.
The central bank is now predicting growth of between 2.1% and 2.3% for this year, down from its March forecast of 2.8% to 3%.
However in its accompanying statement, the bank said that economic activity had "rebounded in recent months".
As expected, it has also trimmed back its stimulus programme by $10bn a month to $35bn.
The central bank has been buying bonds to keep long-term interest rates low and encourage banks to lend.
This is the fifth cut in purchases since December and it is expected to stop buying bonds altogether by the autumn.
However the chair of the bank, Janet Yellen, stressed that this was not a pre-set programme and if necessary it would change course.
As far as interest rates go, the bank said they would remain near zero "for a considerable time" after the bond buying ends.
On inflation, Ms Yellen said she expected it to remain at or below the target of 2% until the end of 2016. Low inflation would enable the bank to keep interest rates low. Currently, they are not expected to rise until the middle of 2015.
Sandals cuts communication costs by 44%
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) reported a 44 per cent decrease in its communication costs just one year after implementing a Pan-Caribbean closed-user group (CUG) solution from Digicel Business.
The communication solution enables unlimited calling on the Digicel network between the company's employees across its fifteen locations throughout the Caribbean.
At Sandals, communication is a critical part of what we do," said Wayne Cummings, SRI director of business administration and processes. "Therefore, we have to ensure that we have the most efficient solutions in place to keep the lines of communication open in our company-the exclusive level of service we are able to provide to our customers is dependent on this."
Digicel Group operates in 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific, while Sandals has 15 resorts across Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada.
Saltans & Stingers tied 2 a piece
In the GTBA, this morning I told you about Fridays game, where the Salt Cay SALTONS took game 3 in overtime to defeat the Good Street STINGERS , Player of that Game was Jay Harvey who scored 22 Pts , had 16 Rebs and 3 blocks to take a 2-1 lead in the best of 7 series.
But on Saturday night the cobra was awaken and the Stingers stung the Saltans with a win of 78 - 64 , to tie the series 2 a piece!
Player of the game was Elvis Smith with 33 pts, 14 Rebs , 2 stls & 1 asts.
Game 5 is schedule for Friday June 20 at the Palm Grove court. Tip off is scheduled at 8:30pm.
Commonwealth Games Announcement of Athletes for 2014 Games
The Commonwealth Organization has named the official team representing the Turks & Caicos in Glasglow in a few weeks.
As stated by the Minister of Sports in the House of Assembly, Richardia Missick will represent the TCI in shooting and is the only female who will be taking part.
In weight lifting, Michael Francois & Ronald Parker will take part in the 94kg & 85kg respectfully.
TCI Track & Field team will be led by Angelo Garland in the men 400m, the 4x 100 relay & the 4x 400 m relay. Barney Hanfield will challenge the field in the High Jump and will also form the 4x100 & 4x400 m relays as well as Wadly Jean who will take part in the 4x100 & 4x400 m. Jean will also take part in the men 200m race. Teammate Courtney Missick will also take part in the same disciplines for the 200,, 4x100 & 4x400 m relay.
Domanique Missick has confirmed the mens high jump as well as the 4x100 & 4x400 m events and competitive challenger Ifeanyi Otuonye will enter the men long jump, the 4x 100 & 4x400 meter relays.
The 2014 games will be held in Glasglow and will commence on July 23rd, 2014.