US, Afghanistan Work to Finalize Pact Before Elders Meeting
The United States and Afghanistan worked to finalize a crucial security pact on Wednesday, a day before more than 2,500 Afghan elders are due to begin debating whether to allow some U.S. troops to stay in the country after 2014.
Just before midnight local time, the Afghan Foreign Ministry posted what appeared to be a draft of the agreement on its website
The U.S. State Department said later that discussions were still under way and that it was reviewing the draft. In Kabul, an Afghan official with knowledge of the talks said he expected a deal to be struck later in the night.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai negotiated the draft agreement with U.S. officials, but the tribal assembly, or Loya Jirga must give its approval before the document goes to the Afghanistan parliament for a vote.
A key sticking point is whether Washington will agree to offer assurances that U.S. troops will enter Afghan homes only in "exceptional" circumstances to save lives.
The issue gained attention Tuesday after Afghan presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi said the two sides had agreed to allow home raids if President Barack Obama writes a letter acknowledging mistakes by the U.S. military in Afghanistan.
The Afghan government said it had received assurances that a letter from Mr. Obama would be provided this week to the Jirga.
But National Security Adviser Susan Rice told CNN television Tuesday there is "no need" for the United States to apologize to Afghanistan.
Kabul remains on high alert with offices closed and dozens of checkpoints set up along the route leading to the site of the three-day gathering of Jirga delegates, including tribal, political and intellectual leaders.
The so-called Bilateral Security Agreement is seen as vital to lasting peace in the war-torn nation, where the United Nations said the Taliban insurgency this year reached levels of violence not seen since 2010.
Also Wednesday, Afghanistan's election commission announced the final list of candidates for next year's presidential poll, which will be the country's first-ever democratic power transfer.
Mr. Karzai, appointed following the U.S.-led invasion of 2001, must step down after serving two terms.
Broncos hand the Chiefs first loss of the NFL season
With quarterback Peyton Manning's balky right ankle wrapped up tight and then wrapped some more, the Denver Broncos got their first statement win of the season, 27-17 against the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos, for the first time all year, didn't need Manning to be super Sunday night, winning on the strength of their running game, with a pair of touchdowns from rookie Montee Ball, and a defense that sacked Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith three times.
The Broncos and Chiefs both move to 9-1, with what should be an epic rematch set for Dec. 1 at Arrowhead Stadium.
But perhaps the best news for the Broncos is that after a week of agony throughout the Rocky Mountain Region about the state of Manning's ankle, he emerged from Sunday's game unscathed. He was barely touched by the Chiefs, who entered the game with an NFL-best 36 sacks.
The only time Manning hit the grass was when he dove to try to make a tackle after a first-quarter fumble — his sixth lost fumble of the season, and perhaps the only blemish on his MVP-caliber season.
The Chiefs' vaunted pass rush, with its league-leading 36 sacks in the first nine games, never arrived as Manning operated the Broncos' offense quickly and with just enough precision. The Chiefs' secondary, which entered the game looking like perhaps the only group deep enough to match up with the Broncos' trio of receivers, could only survive for so long before Manning struck.
Near the end of the first quarter, the Chiefs defense brought nine players up to the line of scrimmage, threatening to blitz. But that left Marcus Cooper, a rookie cornerback, all alone with just one deep safety for help against Demaryius Thomas. It was an easy pitch-and-catch for a 70-yard gain down the right sideline. Manning hit tight end Julius Thomas for a touchdown two plays later, and suddenly the Chiefs, down 10-0, faced their biggest deficit of the season.
Source-US Sports
Bolt may reconsider plans to retire after Rio 2016
Jamaican Usain Bolt may ditch plans to retire from track after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The World and Olympic sprint champion said there is a possibility that he would compete at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, making a return to the track he set alight in the summer of 2012 at the Olympic Games in the British capital.
"I was having some talk about this with my coach, and he was saying people had said I should go for another year," he admitted.
Bolt has said consistently following his triple gold medals at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow this year that he will seek three more gold medals at the Rio Games before retiring from the sport.
In his full autobiography, released earlier this month, Bolt said he is not concerned about the huge challenge and expectation of repeating these performances in Rio de Janeiro.
"If there's a possibility that I might make it, then I'm going to give it everything I've got. I've talked to coach (Glen Mills) about our chances, and we've discussed the situation sensibly by looking at some of the other athletes around us. I'll be turning 30 when Brazil comes around."
"Some guys in track and field have run times of 9.80, 9.90 seconds at that age. If I take care of my body and if I can push myself to the limits, then I don't doubt my ability to make 9.60 seconds in 2016," he said.
Bolt and his compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were named the 2013 Athletes of the Year at the IAAF World Athletics Gala in Monaco on Saturday.
The awards were hosted by International Athletics Foundation (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and IAF & IAAF President Lamine Diack, who presented the trophies to the Male and Female winners.
Source-CMC
Fiji beat Samoa in Rugby quarter-finals
Fiji will meet Australia in the World Cup semi-finals at Wembley next Saturday after a battling win over Samoa in Warrington.
Aaron Groom and Wes Naiqama both scored first-half tries while Vitale Junior Roqica went over later in the game.
Naiqama converted all three tries and kicked two penalties for the Fijians, who played with greater composure.
Antonio Winterstein scored the only try for Samoa, who lost Penani Manumalealii to injury in a disappointing display.
Fiji will now hope to do better than the 54-0 drubbing they received from the Kangaroos in the 2008 semi-finals.
Cameroon reach African-record seventh finals
Cameroon booked their place at the 2014 World Cup after blowing Tunisia away in a convincing 4-1 victory in Yaounde.
After last month's first leg in Rades ended goalless, Pierre Webo gave the hosts the perfect start when capitalising on a defensive mix-up.
Benjamin Moukandjo doubled the lead in the first half, before Tunisia substitute Ahmed Akaichi halved the deficit with a fine volley.
But Jean Makoun's late double sent Cameroon to their seventh World Cup.
After making an unbeaten debut at the tournament in 1982, the Indomitable Lions have qualified for all but one World Cup since reaching the quarter-finals in 1990.
They failed to qualify for Germany 2006 when a missed Pierre Wome penalty in stoppage time of their final World Cup qualifier led to rioting in Yaounde.
There were very different scenes in the Cameroonian city on Sunday, as Volke Finke's side negotiated a test against four-time World Cup qualifiers Tunisia with relative ease.
Their progress was significantly boosted by hesitation in the Carthage Eagles' defence after just four minutes, allowing veteran Webo to steal in and sweep a left-footed strike past Moez Ben Cherifia.
While the Tunisian goalkeeper may have had little chance with that strike, he should have done more to prevent the lively Moukandjo from doubling the hosts' lead on the half-hour.
The Nancy player showed good awareness to tip-toe his way through three half-hearted challenges before steering the ball home from the edge of the area, with Ben Cherifia seemingly wrong-footed.
The visitors, who have now failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, had an immediate chance to respond only for an unmarked Syan Ben Youssef to head a Wissem Ben Yahia free-kick over when well placed.
Tunisia coach Ruud Krol, who had been drafted in at short notice ahead of the first leg after previous coach Nabil Maaloul resigned, brought on Ahmed Akaichi and Fabien Camus at half-time.
The changes paid instant dividends when just five minutes later, the Tunisia-based Akaichi displayed considerable composure as he drilled a left-footed volley past Charles Itandje from the edge of the D.
Trailing 2-1, the visitors knew another strike would take them through on away goals but it was Cameroon who scored the all-important next goal.
Just minutes after a previous corner had been inadvertently turned against the bar by a Tunisian defender, Jean Makoun profited from slack defending once again as he powered home a header from close range.
Moukandjo could and should have made it four just moments later, but he was denied by a mix of poor finishing and a decent Ben Cherifia save.
Having had a hand in the third goal, substitute Eric Choupo-Moting helped with the fourth as his low strike was tipped against the post - so giving Makoun the chance to turn inside two men before gleefully firing into an empty net as he sent his nation to the World Cup.
The celebrations across Cameroon could finally begin in earnest, with captain Samuel Eto'o, 32, leading the way despite a quiet 90 minutes.
One of the greatest African footballers of all time will now travel to Brazil for what may be his last World Cup and a final opportunity to emulate the feats of his childhood hero Roger Milla.
The then 38-year-old lit up the 1990 World Cup as Cameroon reached the last eight and the challenge for Eto'o, Finke and the rest is to reach the knock-out stages for the first time since that unforgettable run.
PDM Convention concluded this weekend in the city
The People’s Democratic Movement over the weekend held their national convention in Providenciales.
Acting Chairman Clarence Selver was confirmed as the party’s national chairman.
RTC News understands that elections were held for the positions of first Vice President of the PDM that went to 2012 candidate, Ashwood Forbes; while Rosabell Selver was voted in as the Assistant Secretary General of the party.
The party will be holding a press conference in Providenciales on Monday November 18, 2013.
TCI CABINET MEETING AT HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 24th meeting of the Cabinet at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk on Wednesday 13th November 2013.
All Ministers were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
• Considered the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Taxation and agreed that public consultation will commence to gather the views of citizens on the implications of the revenue measures included in the report. The Ministry of Finance will publish further details of the report and the timetable for consultation shortly;
• Approved arrangements for the operation of the Carnival Infrastructure Improvement Account in Grand Turk. The Ministers of Finance and Government Support Services will work with the community to identify qualifying projects for endorsement by Cabinet and subsequent approval by the Carnival Corporation;
• Advised the Governor to approve the recommendations of the Money Laundering Reporting Authority to authorise the following expenditure from the Fund: $35,000 for the Annual Subscription to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, $12,656 for the upgrade of IT systems for the Financial Crime/Intelligence Unit, $69,913 for the replacement of Sea Protector Engines in the RTCIPF, and $4,556 for the annual contribution to the Egmont Group;
• Advised the Governor that the Abolishment of Bearer Shares Bill be enacted to abolish bearer shares in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and to provide a transitional period of six months to enable the holders of bearer shares to convert and register the shares as ordinary shares;
• Advised the Governor to agree an amendment to the 2011 Development Agreement for the Shore Club Development on South-East Providenciales;
• Approved the reorganisation of Public Holidays in the Turks and Caicos Islands as follows: Columbus Day (14th October) will be renamed National Heritage Day and October will become National Heritage month; Human Rights Day (currently 18th October) will continue to be observed but will no longer be a Public Holiday and will move to the 10th December; there will be a new day of observance on the second Monday in November named Remembrance Day that will not be a Public Holiday; a new Public Holiday National Day of Thanksgiving will be introduced and will be celebrated on the last Friday of the month, or the fourth Friday when there are five in the month. As is customary the Governor will publish a full list of Public Holidays in due course;
• Approved the award of a contract for repairs to the clinic on Salt Cay. The award follows a detailed procurement process carried out in accordance with the Procurement Ordinance.
• Approved the award of a contract for design, supply and installation of an integrated digital audio video recording and public address system for the Supreme Court on Leeward Highway, Providenciales. The award follows a detailed procurement process carried out in accordance with the Procurement Ordinance.
The following Ministers will be out of the country on official business:
Premier 23rd – 29th November – Hon. Washington Missick (Acting)
Deputy Premier 23rd – 30th November – Hon. Stubbs-Smith (Acting)
Finance Minister 30th November – 7th December – Hon. Premier (Acting)
CAN CAPTIVE INSURANCE GROW TURKS AND CAICOS GDP?
The Deputy Governor challenged reinsurance experts gathered in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to grow their unique industry sector, today, Friday, 15 November 2013.
The TCI is home to 5,800 registered captive insurance companies, of a global total of around 8,000. The sector is the Islands second largest contributor to GDP, at around 12% or after tourism. The Islands’ GDP is forecast to be worth $558.9 million in 2013.
Captive insurance is insurance, or reinsurance, provided by a company that is formed primarily to cover the assets and risks of its parent company. A captive insurance company, therefore, is an in house insurance company with a limited purpose to deals with the insurance matters of its parent company, and does not sell policies to anyone else.
This type of insurance is becoming a popular means through which companies can protect themselves financially while having more control over how they are insured.
Some 70 delegates will gather at the Regent Palms Resort and Spa, Providenciales. They will be addressed by TCI Deputy Governor, Anya Williams, and a range of industry experts.
The event is hosted by the Turks and Caicos Association of Insurance Managers (TCAIM), a not-for-profit association whose objectives are to protect the interests of the domestic and offshore insurance industries in the TCI.
This is the second annual Captive Insurance Conference. Attendees are a mix of those already with established captive insurance businesses in TCI and those considering starting operations in the territory.
“The captive insurance market offers a tremendous growth opportunity for the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Anya Williams. “We have a unique lead in the sector with the majority of the industry being based here. The Turks and Caicos certainly has the right talent and regulatory environment to do this.”
Over the last twelve months, the TCI has worked to ensure it is at the forefront of the global movement towards greater financial transparency.
Working with the UK, TCI has implemented the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, produced an Action Plan for increasing the transparency of company beneficial ownership and laid the groundwork to introduce US and UK FATCA agreements early next year.
Captive insurance companies are regulated and supervised by the Financial Services Commission.
SPEED SOCCER OFF TO A PROMISING START
The first official game of Speed Soccer was held this past Sunday, November 10, 2013 at the TCIFA’s Football Academy with seven (7) teams slated to play various matches for the day. Six of the teams aggressively competed and tried to score as many goals as possible. Unfortunately, team Palmiss forfeited two of their games due to circumstances beyond their control and remains at the bottom of the table with zero points.
Although only playing one game for the day, Earthbenders team - consisting of Academy players, secured sixth place with One (1) point. U12 Trailblazers, the youngest team in the competition, gave a great performance and made their mark by ending the day with a total of three (3) points, securing fifth place.
Trailblazers, FC and Revolution, FC consist of current league players, both secured three (3) points each, earning third and fourth place respectively.
After securing a draw and a win, Blow Pops comprising of former players were able to comfortably secure second position. However, CIBC Cats, a diverse team with respect to age raised the level of play, by out playing many of their opponents and securing first place of the day with a total of 6 points.
CIBC Cats were proud to debut the young and competitive seven year old Anika Sidden who secured the best mention of day as she aggressively pursued the ball and was able to take on her older opponents without fear. Anika exhibited great ball control and confidence for someone so young.
Sunday, November 17th, 2013 will see more great games played at the Football Academy with a kick off time of 3:00PM.
Tourist Board Adds New Executive Administrative Assistant
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board has recently named Lorenzo Seymour their Executive Administrative Assistant. He is an experienced professional who has 13 years of experience in hospitality, with four of those years spent in Human Resources.
“We are pleased to have the capability and experiences of persons like Mr. Seymour join our organization,” said Tourist Board Director Ralph Higgs. “His appointment is consistent with our commitment to ensure the continued growth of our tourism industry and to guarantee the Tourist Board’s longevity.”
The South Caicos native holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Barry University. Seymour previously worked at the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort starting as an intern, where he worked throughout all departments of the resort, and climbed the ranks to an appointment as Assistant Human Resources Manager where he managed the resort’s recruitment efforts as well as their annual internship program.
“I am honored to join the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and work with this exceptional team,” Seymour said. “The Tourist Board is the premiere marketing establishment for travel and trade in the country, with the greatest role in shaping landscape and perception of our Islands for decades. I look forward to sharing my experiences and contributing to the future direction and growth of the organization and the destination.”
Seymour’s portfolio at the Tourist Board includes the coordination of human resources, employee relations, technical and office administrative duties.