Saltans do Battle with the Stingers, series tied at 1
The GTBA will continue tonight in the Nations Capital ahead of the Queens Birthday holiday weekend.
Coach Jamal Williams & his Stingers team took game 1, with a win of 82-72, to lead the series 1-0. Terrell Garland scored a whopping 32 points while Elvis Smith through down 26 points as the lead scorers. Enrico Smith of the Saltans responded with 24 points and Williams added 15 points.
But in Game 2, Howard Dickenson’s team, the SALTONS responded with a win of 88-83, to tie the series 1 apiece.
Game 3 will be played on Friday evening at 8:30pm at the Palm Groove Basketball court. It promises to be maleficient!!
Sistani 'issues' Shia call to arms
Iraq's most senior Shia cleric has issued a call to arms while Sunni-led insurgents seize more towns.
The call by a representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani came during Friday prayers, as the militants widened their grip in the north and east, and threatened to march south.
The UN says hundreds have been killed - with militants carrying out summary executions of civilians in Mosul.
Both the US and Iran have promised to help the fight against the insurgency.
Earlier on Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama said Americans "will do our part" to help Iraq confront the Islamic insurgents rampaging through that country.
"We will not be sending U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq," Obama said, but he and his national security advisers "will be reviewing other options."
The president, speaking from the White House grounds, said he and his team have been meeting since yesterday to address how to help Iraq turn back the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which he said threatens not only Iraq and the Middle East but possibly American interests as well.
Kiev forces win back Mariupol
Government troops in eastern Ukraine have won back the port city of Mariupol from pro-Russian separatist rebels after heavy fighting.
Interior Minister Arseny Avakov said the security forces had successfully brought separatist strongholds in the city "under control".
Five pro-Russian rebels were reported killed and at least four government soldiers injured in the city.
Rebels elsewhere in the region have confirmed they now have three tanks.
The appearance of the tanks, filmed in various towns in the Donetsk region, sparked a row between Kiev and Moscow, with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko protesting to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Russia denied Ukrainian allegations that the tanks had entered Ukraine from its territory.
Hundreds of combatants and civilians have been killed since pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk regions declared independence after holding referendums last month, which were deemed illegal by the government in Kiev.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HOST MEETINGS ON CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS
The residents of Turks and Caicos Islands are invited to town hall meetings on “Chikungunya Virus” hosted by the Environmental Health Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Human Services on the following dates:
• Blue Hills and Wheeland Communities: Tuesday June 17, 2014 at 6:30p.m at the Clement Howell High School Auditorium
• Bottle Creek, North Caicos: Wednesday June 18, 2014 at 6:30p.m at the Adelaide Oemler Primary School
• Middle Caicos: Thursday June 19, 2014 at 11:30a.m at the Conch Bar Community Center
RTC News will have the rest of island wide schedule on Monday.
This will be an opportunity to gain awareness and take with you tips on how we as a community can work together to prevent the spread of Chikunguna Virus.
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PARADE CELEBRATION
His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham, is pleased to announce the arrangements for Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Parade celebration that will take on Saturday 14 June 2014 at 10am in Grand Turk at the Parade Ground, and on Monday 16 June 2014 in Providenciales at the Rugby Field in Grace Bay respectively. Both parades will last for approximately 60 minutes and It will conclude with a royal salute taken by His Excellency the Governor.
The parades in both Grand Turk and Providenciales, will feature participants from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, staff from HM Prison, Customs and Immigration officials, Fire fighters, the Ex-Serviceman Legion, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Pathfinders and children from various Schools, accompanied by music from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force band.
Following the parade the Governor will present long service awards to key members of the uniformed services in recognition of their 18, 25 or 30 years of service to the Crown.
As is traditional in the TCI, the Governor’s Office will provide refreshments to all participating in the parade.
The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as visitors and tourists are more than welcome to come out and enjoy these special events to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday.
Wise water garden opens at TCI National Museum’s Provo site
The people and businesses of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are being invited to relearn the efficient water conservation techniques used for hundreds of years in the Islands by a new working exhibit at the Island’s National Museum site in Providenciales today, Thursday, 12 June 2014.
The new wise water initiative demonstrates rainwater harvesting from roofs, garden irrigation and use of native and other medicinal plants adapted to local conditions at the TCI National Museum’s historically accurate recreation of a typical 1800s Caicos family dwelling.
The project aims to help the TCI decrease dependence on water that is reduced by expensive and environmentally costly diesel-powered desalination and promote awareness of the environment.
Interpretive signage explains the natural water systems in TCI, how the wise water use garden works, and everyone can help conserve water. The project is linked to the ‘Wonderful Water’ curriculum and course developed by UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) with the TCI Education Department already in use in the Islands’ schools.
Visitors to the site will be able to find out about the use of the ‘three-sisters’ crop systems used by both the original Taino Indian inhabitants and again in the post-plantation era. This was centred on beans to capture nitrogen so avoiding the need for artificial fertilizers, corn which also provided support for the beans, and sweet potato or pumpkin, also to provide ground cover minimising water-loss.
The water wise garden is a joint initiative by RBC Royal Bank, Turks & Caicos National Museum, and UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF).
Officially opening the garden Governor Peter Beckingham said: “This illustrates the fascinating gardening practices which were traditional in the Caicos Islands for hundreds of years. Given how relevant these still are today, I welcome this collaboration between a local non-profit, its UK-based non-profit partner, and an international commercial organisation.”
Mrs Sanfra Foster, RBC Royal Bank Turks and Caicos Branch Manager, said: “RBC has a longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and has chosen to focus on the conservation of the world’s most precious natural resource - water. We believe that access to water will be one of the most significant environmental and economic issues facing the world in the coming decades.”
Patricia Saxton, Director of the Turks & Caicos National Museum Foundation expressed her appreciation to RBC and the project partners: “The Turks and Caicos National Museum is focused on historical and environmental conservation. In our Grand Turk branch, the Museum, the Botanical Garden and the Science Building rely only on rainwater harvesting and air conditioning run-off to power the operation.”
Dr Mike Pienkowski, Honorary Executive Director of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum said: “The Wise Water Use for Gardens Project will raise awareness of water-supply issues, encourage water-saving measures, and demonstrate the use of rainwater-harvesting for food-crops and of native plants in landscaping as significant measures to save water.”
New bird-watching guides to help extend the TCI visitor season
A series of new guides to bird-watching in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) were unveiled at the new site of the TCI National Museum, Grace Bay, Providenciales, today, Thursday, 12 June 2014.
The guides are designed to help extend the TCI’s tourism offer year round, especially on its less populated islands. The UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) and the TCI National Museum jointly created them.
Within the series called Birding in Paradise, there is a different 48-60 page booklet for each of the TCI’s family islands of Providenciales, Middle & North Caicos, South Caicos, Grand Turk and Salt Cay.
Each booklet is lavishly illustrated with colour photographs taken in TCI and contains descriptions of the birds, and where to find these and some other heritage features, supported by maps and other information.
Launching the booklets, His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, said: “Long-term livelihoods in TCI depend on its natural and historical assets and attracting visitors to experience these unique features. I welcome the work of the UKOTCF and the Turks & Caicos National Museum in providing the information which enables the TCI to better develop these opportunities.”
The booklets’ lead author and photographer, Dr Mike Pienkowski of UKOTCF said: “TCI is one of the best places in the world to view wetland birds, and one of the most important seabird breeding areas in the Caribbean. Amongst the land-birds, there are two sub-species, the Greater Antillean Bullfinch and Thick-billed Vireo, which occur only in TCI.
“The number of people who take bird-watching holidays across the world is huge, and these people tend to spend their money directly in local communities. Many Caribbean countries tap into this market – which greatly extends traditional peak visitor seasons – by safeguarding the wildlife and the special places it needs to survive.
“To begin to provide a basis for the provision of such vacations, we have produced the five new booklets which we are publishing this week. It is now up to local tourism providers and entrepreneurs to turn this opportunity into a business reality.”
Patricia Saxton, Director of the Turks & Caicos National Museum, added, “I believe that the TCI has a terrific advantage through our unique selling points of wildlife that occur nowhere else in the world. Together with our unique history and culture, I think that this is an unbeatable tourism offering.
“I would like to thank our partners at UKOTCF, who have given so much time over the past 17 years to help TCI rediscover and begin to better protect its outstanding natural heritage.”
The booklets are on sale from several outlets throughout the TCI. In most cases, outlets will be selling their local booklets, but the full range will be available from the TCI National Museum on Grand Turk and its new facility on Providenciales, as well as the Unicorn Bookshop, Big Blue Unlimited, and the Regent Palms. They are also available in an online to download for tablets and other devices on the UKOTCF website: http://www.ukotcf.org/birding-in-Turks-and-Caicos/birding-in-Turks-and-Caicos.htm
ISLANDCOM BATTLE OF THE BANDS SET FOR JUNE 21st
The stage is set and the lights are on for the Islandcom Battle of the Bands competition. This year is sure to be a crowd pleaser with seven competing bands and special performances from talented artist. “We are very excited about this year’s event,” says Islandcom Marketing Exec Chandra Craigg. “We had more bands this year that was interested in joining the competition so we had to squeeze the schedule really tight this year.” The event, co-sponsored by the Wine Cellar will take place June 21st at the Turtle Cove Marina.
Events for the competition will kick off on Friday night, June 20th, with a Battle of the Bands pre-party at Zanzi Bar Lounge in Providenciales. The pre-party will feature hot DJs such as DJ Shakes, DJ Hoodie, Prime DJs and a special guest. Then on the 21st, all roads will lead to Turtle Cove Marina for the main event. Gates will open at 5pm and feature special performances from local artist such as Kew Band Links, Tiffany Thomas, and TESS. Following immediately after the event will be a after party session across from the Marina at Royal Flush Casino. The after party, hosted by Prime DJ’s themselves, will feature 3 top DJs and will celebrate the winners of the event.
Last year’s Battle of the Bands featured a stellar performance from newcomer TESS (Chrystal Charles) as she wowed the crowd with a medley of R&B and pop music; singing and dancing to hits such as Crazy in Love by Beyonce and Where Have You Been by Rihanna. Her performance this year is expected to rock the stage. This year’s event will feature an appearance by local favourite Tiffany Thomas. Tiffany is a talented singer, songwriter, and performer and hails from the island of South Caicos. As the female lead vocalist of Caribbean Music Farm she has performed around the world in numerous countries.
A sure crowd favourite, we expect her to shut down the show.
In the competition are seven of TCI’s top bands competing for the number one spot. First place winners will receive $5,000.00 cash and Samsung phones; 2nd place winners will receive $2,500.00 and Samsung S4 Minis; and 3rd place winners will receive $1,000.00. All winners will also receive gift certificates courtesy of The Wine Cellar.
This year’s competition will feature a few up and coming bands. Competing will be: Karib Band, Island Vibes, Grand Land Band, Island Boys, Harbour Catch, Band Boys, and Obstak. The bands represent different islands and cultures of the Turks and Caicos.
Loan growth surges, bad debt falls
Jamaicans are borrowing at record amounts while keeping non-performing loans (NPLs) to three-year lows, according to the latest Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) prudential indicators.
Total gross loans outstanding increased to $468 billion or 9.8 per cent higher year on year.
The bulk of bank loans were issued by commercial banks at $361.9 billion with building societies accounting for $99.4 billion and near banks at $7.6 billion.
National Commercial Bank of Jamaica held the largest slice of loans for any institution at $148.4 billion (net of provisions) followed by Bank of Nova Scotia at $114 billion.
NPLs or loans unserviced for at least three months, across the financial sector, fell to $22.8 billion at March 2014, or down 13.9 per cent when compared with year earlier levels.
It therefore resulted in reducing NPLs as a percentage of total loans to 4.9 per cent compared with 6.2 per cent a year earlier, data indicated.
Two years earlier, NPLs surpassed $32 billion which was the highest since the financial sector meltdown in the 1990s.
Oil prices spike as Iraq violence flares
Oil prices spiked Thursday to levels not seen in nine months as escalating violence in Iraq sparked worries about crude exports.
Light crude oil futures touched $106 a barrel, up nearly 2% and the highest price since September 2013.
The price of oil is one of many factors that determine gas prices. Gas futures rose by 1.7% to $2.95 a gallon, signaling a possible rise in prices for consumers.
Oil prices have been climbing all year on strengthening global demand, reduced output from OPEC nations and other producers, and fear that the Ukraine crisis could disrupt Russian energy exports.
An al Qaeda splinter group occupied Iraq's second biggest city -- Mosul -- and threatened to head south towards Baghdad. The group is trying to establish an Islamic state straddling the Iraq-Syria border.
Iraq produces about 3.3 million barrels of oil a day, making it the second biggest producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia. It is also sitting on the world's fourth largest proven reserves.