PWD Seeks Public Help to Identify Faulty Street Lights
The Public Works Department (PWD) is seeking the assistance of the public to identify street lights that are non operational or mal-functioning. These include lights that go on and off, dimmed lights, those that burn continuously or lights that remain off.
PWD stands ready to repair any street light that is not working effectively as they benefit all sectors by providing well lit streets and communities. A well-lit street will discourage criminal activity and contribute to the general safety of the public.
Please note that PWD is NOT soliciting requests for new street lights due to budgetary constraints; however the Department is encouraging the public to report areas that are in need of lighting to facilitate planning.
• To report street lights on Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay please contact Anryn Malcolm or Don Lightbourne on 338 2502 or 946 2801 ext. 10913
• For lights in Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos please call: Garvin Thomas or Roger Harvey on 946 4596.
Pakistan's PM to Meet Kerry in Washington Sunday
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington Sunday at the start of the highest-level official Pakistani visit to the U.S. in several years.
Sharif will meet with President Barack Obama later in the week as the two countries consider various issues, including counter-terrorism and Washington's use of controversial drone strikes within Pakistan's borders.
U.S. officials have praised Sharif for his efforts to reduce tensions in the area since he was elected prime minister in May. The U.S. is looking to Islamabad for help in reconciliation efforts between the Taliban and neighboring Afghanistan.
The Englishman in charge of the worst team in the world
Waking up on an island of crystal blue lakes, turquoise seas and tropical temperatures each morning sounds like paradise.
But rather than relaxing in a hammock all day in his adopted home of the Turks and Caicos Islands, 41-year-old Englishman Matthew Green is busy trying to rid the country of the title 'world's worst football team'.
It's a distinction they share with Bhutan and San Marino at joint 207th place in the Fifa world football rankings.
The task isn't easy, as Green's team last won in 2008 (against St Lucia) and haven't actually played a match for two years because of a shortage of players. His squad includes a variety of occupations, including a policeman, lawyer, teacher and construction worker.
Add the fact that his only other managerial experience is with a pub team in Hull and you get an idea of how tough his job is.
"Everybody thinks you are sat on the beach drinking pina coladas," Green says. "I wish I was, but there is too much to do.
"I did once take a pub side in Hull, called Spiders, to a Sunday League title. But that was a bit different to running an international team.
"Every time I go back to Hull, my brother and friends make fun of the fact we are ranked so low. I know they are only joking but there is pride there. You want to see your country rise up the rankings.
"We are certainly capable of doing so, if we can get some extra resources."
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British territory made up of 40 Caribbean islands - eight are inhabited - covering an area of 166 square miles. The overall population is about 30,000, one third of whom are under 15.
As technical director of their football association, Green is responsible for overseeing all aspects of football development, from working with the men's and women's national teams to the youth set-up, coaching and refereeing.
The island's league has six amateur teams, yet most of the players are expats meaning Green has a pool of fewer than 25 players to choose from.
There are some talented youngsters, but they tend to be on scholarships in America and the UK, making it difficult to return for matches or training camps.
One of the few professionals available is Gavin Glinton, 34, who plays for Vietnamese second division club Mikado Nam Dinhis. He is the country's all-time top goalscorer, with four goals in eight international matches.
"The players are great to deal with, for the most part," says Green, one of three full-time football employees.
The island's FA was formed in 1996 and became affiliated to Fifa two years later. Back then they had no pitches, no leagues, and had to wait until 2006 for their first win - against the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Cup.
So how did a former teacher from Hull become their manager?
Green was released by Hull City at the age of 15 for being too small and went on to qualify as a teacher. He arrived in the Bahamas in 1998 trying to find a job at a school.
The search was fruitful and he turned Temple Christian High School into one of the major powerhouses of Bahamian football, with the senior high girls team winning the national championship every year from 2001 to 2007. At the same time he also started to work his way up the national coaching ladder.
He was also an active player, finishing top scorer for Grasshoppers FC in 2000 and 2001.
In 2007, he spotted an advert for technical director of the Turks and Caicos Islands FA and decided to give it a go.
He landed the job and discovered an island of beautiful beaches and average summer temperatures of 29C. It's little surprise that celebrities such as Hollywood actor Bruce Willis and England defender Rio Ferdinand have splashed out on properties there in recent years.
Green lives on his own in a two-bedroom house surrounded by natural vegetation, overlooking lakes and hills. A balcony provides picture-perfect views.
After 15 years in the Caribbean he feels at home, although traces of his heritage are revealed from time to time.
"My accent varies depending on who I am talking to," he says. "I have a 'coaching voice' which is a bit of a 'put on', but it makes sure all our players can understand me.
"My Hull accent comes out when I get angry or excited - which is quite often!"
The islands haven't played since their 10-0 aggregate defeat to the Bahamas in a World Cup qualifier in 2011.
Green is determined to hold a couple of friendlies in the coming months, ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in the Concacaf group.
Written by Andy Cryer for the BBC
Justin Bieber Talks About Dealing With Heartache in 'Believe 3D'
Justin Bieber discusses the challenges that come with being popular in a new sneak peek at his upcoming docu film "Believe 3D". In what seems to be a reference to his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez, the teen singer talks about masking his emotion and smiling through his pains.
"I could be going through a big argument and I'm like, 'I'm about to go onstage right now.' And we're yelling, and then I gotta rise up on the toaster," he says. "It's like, I'm upset. I don't want to have to smile and put on a happy [face], but sometimes you just gotta suck it up."
"That's just one of the things you gotta deal with being in this position, in this world, in this industry," the teen adds. He also states, "You always gotta keep a smile on your face through all the negativity. You gotta hide your emotions sometimes, especially for me going onstage."
The 3D movie will be released in the U.S. on Christmas Day this year. Following up the successful 2011 documentary "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" directed by John M. Chu, it will focus on the singer's transition from teen pop star to young adult during the making of his album "Believe" and the tour that followed.
Stephen Baldwin Pays $100,000 in Back Taxes
Actor Stephen Baldwin has paid a part of his overdue taxes. Baldwin appeared in front of a judge at Rockland County Court on Friday, October 18 and paid $100,000 on the total amount of $343,068 which he owes the State in back personal income taxes, penalty and interest.
Outside the court, Stephen told reporters that he was confident he would be able to pay the remaining $243,068 by March. Stephen and his lawyer Russell Yankwitt also said that prosecutors' decision to allow quarterly payment made the process easier. "This was never about not wanting to do the right thing, never about not wanting or willing to pay what I owe," the contestant on "The Celebrity Apprentice" added, as quoted by The Journal News.
The youngest of the four acting Baldwin brothers was arrested in December for failing to file Personal Income Tax Returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010. His total tax liability due to New York State was $400,000 which included the tax, penalty and interest. He pleaded guilty for tax evasion charge in March and was ordered to pay his debt to the State in one year. At the March court meeting, Supreme Court Justice Charles Apotheker noted that the actor had already paid $100,000 of the total amount.
Outside the court, Baldwin told reporters that he did not intend to avoid paying tax. "Unfortunately, I got some really bad suggestions and advice from lawyers and accountants," he said back then. He is scheduled to appear in court in January.
Source-AceShowbiz
Depp surprises Sir Christopher Lee with film award
Hammer horror star Sir Christopher Lee said it was a "very emotional moment" when he received his British Institute Fellowship from his friend Johnny Depp.
He tearfully accepted the award at the London Film Festival, saying: "I didn't know you were going to be here. I must try and pull myself together."
The prize for best film went to to Pawel Pawlikowski's Ida, about German occupation of Poland and the Holocaust.
Screenwriter Jonathan Asser won best British newcomer.
He took the accolade for his debut feature Starred Up, about the practice of placing violent young offenders prematurely in adult prison.
BFI fellow and film critic Philip French said of Ida that the jury was "deeply moved by a courageous film that handles, with subtlety and insight, a painfully controversial historical situation".
Sir Christopher, 91, who described receiving his award as "a great joy", is famed for his villainous portrayals of Bond bad guy Scaramanga and evil wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings.
He has amassed more than 250 screen credits, including The Wicker Man, The Man with the Golden Gun and more recently, several Tim Burton films including Sleepy Hollow, which starred Depp. He also played Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequels.
Depp, who sneaked into the awards ceremony to surprise his friend, said it was his "great honour" to present the award to "a very great man", saying he had been "fascinated and inspired" by him.
Stars' tributes flood in for Felix Dexter
Stars including Simon Pegg and Matt Lucas have expressed their sorrow at the death of comic and actor Felix Dexter, who died on Friday of cancer.
The St Kitts-born Londoner, 52, had suffered from myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.
Star Trek and Shaun of the Dead star Pegg tweeted: "Very sad to hear news of his passing. Very funny man."
Little Britain's Lucas added that the Real McCoy star was: "A brilliant performer and ...a very nice man."
Comedian and QI panellist Alan Davis added his voice to the tributes, saying that his memories of Dexter went back a long way.
He tweeted: "Sad and shocked to hear about Felix Dexter passing away. So many gigs with him back in the olden days. Always a pleasure. RIP Felix."
Fellow comic and presenter Dara O Briain linked on Twitter to a clip of Dexter performing as "the accountant" in 90s flagship black comedy The Real McCoy, adding he was "so sad" to hear the news.
Comedian and star of The Infidel Omid Djalili described Dexter as "one of the very few who made me howl", while actor David Schneider tweeted: "Lovely, lovely guy. And I think nothing on TV has ever made me laugh more than his Real McCoy Nigerian character", referencing the Real McCoy clip linked to by O Briain.
Actor David Morrissey, who has starred in TV series The Walking Dead and State of Play, said he worked with Dexter a while ago, describing him as a "funny, talented and generous man".
Comedian Jenny Eclair added: "Terribly sad news about a very nice man who did a lot of fabulous work."
Former Brookside star Louis Emerick said Dexter was a "very funny, talented man, gentleman!" tweeting: "Gone too soon."
Dexter moved to the UK when he was aged seven and came to prominence in The Real McCoy and later performed for a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Patti Austin cancels gig after Beijing asthma attack
American jazz star Patti Austin has cancelled a concert in Beijing after suffering "a severe asthma attack".
A statement on the singer's website said Ms Austin was unable to perform at Forbidden City Concert Hall on Friday night "due to health problems".
While the cause of her illness has not been confirmed, it comes at a time of growing concern over air pollution levels in the Chinese capital.
The city has recently announced measures to combat worsening pollution.
They include taking half of the city's four million private cars off the roads on days when there are serious levels of pollution.
The system will be based on a vehicle's licence plate - odd numbers will be allowed on the roads one day, even numbers the next.
A statement on Patti Austin's website said: "She was taken in an emergency to the Peking Union Medical College Hospital this morning where she has been treated for a severe asthma attack in combination with respiratory infection.
"Ms Austin is currently resting in her hotel. Her current breathing condition does not physically enable her to perform tonight.
"Ms Austin is extremely disappointed about this situation since she was very much looking forward to performing."
The new anti-pollution system will give out four different degrees of air pollution warning - blue, yellow, amber and red.
On days when an amber warning is given, factories will stop production and work will be halted on construction and building sites.
Restaurants which offer an open-air barbecues will be ordered to close temporarily, and fireworks will be banned throughout the city.
When a red warning is issued, the new car restriction measure will be implemented. Schools and kindergartens will also be closed.
The measure to restrict the number of private cars from using the road is proving to be controversial.
Critics have aired their concern that those who can afford to buy two or more cars will able to drive any day when the restriction is in force.
Beijing has almost 21 million permanent residents, according to official estimates.
Caricom Has Ignored Invitation For Rum Talks, Says USVI Governor
US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh last Friday said Caribbean governments had refused to back away from plans to take ongoing rum dispute before the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In March, de Jongh wrote to regional leaders urging them to avoid the WTO, claiming that this could lead to a prolonged legal case that could also be divisive and difficult to win.
"I think if you are going to oppose a US programme and oppose it at the WTO or oppose it at the US Trade Representative Office ... it makes sense to at least first talk with me and to hear my opinion," he told a news conference.
"No Caribbean prime minister, no Caribbean ambassador has reached out and spoken to me, even after I made the call. I reached my hand out to all of them saying I would like to have a dialogue with you before you decide ... to take any action."
De Jongh said revenue from the rum sector had been a major boost for the USVI during the recession, given also that a major company had closed its doors in January 2012 with the loss of a significant number of jobs.
"The United States Virgin islands lost over US$200 million and I could not afford not to have this programme. This programme is what helped sustain the US Virgin Islands," he said.
Caribbean countries have in the past reiterated the need for an amicable solution to the rum dispute with the United States.
The regional countries say they are determined to seek a satisfactory solution to the matter of trade-distorting subsidies being granted to the USVI, and Puerto Rico rum producers that threaten the long-term viability of the rum industry in the Caribbean.
Last December, the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) said the region was having "serious concerns" regarding the competitiveness of Caribbean rum in the United States.
"In addition to being the largest agriculture-based export industry in CARICOM, the rum industry is a substantial employer and a major contributor to foreign-exchange earnings and government revenues," COTED said.
UK-based Diageo Plc reportedly warned that should CARICOM mount a complaint to the WTO over the alleged subsidies, it would "re-evaluate" its Caribbean interests.
China's economic growth picks up speed in third quarter
China's economic growth picked up pace in the July-to-September period, the first rise in three quarters.
The world's second-biggest economy grew 7.8% from a year earlier, up from 7.5% expansion in the previous quarter.
The official figures also showed growth in industrial output, retail sales and fixed asset investment.
After years of blistering growth, China has seen its pace of expansion slow recently and there have been fears that growth may slow further.
China has set a growth target of 7.5% for the year. Analysts said the latest numbers indicated that it was likely that Beijing would meet this.
"This is an indication that China's economic growth is holding up in a range which is within the comfort zone of both the Chinese policymakers as well as global watchers," said Song Seng Wun, a senior economist with CIMB Research.
Over the past few decades China has relied heavily on its exports and manufacturing sectors as well as government-led infrastructure spending to help boost growth.
However, a slowdown in key markets such as the US and Europe has hurt demand for its exports.
As a result, it has been trying to spur domestic demand to offset the decline in foreign sales and also to rebalance its growth.
Earlier this year, it unveiled fresh measures to help boost the economy.
From 1 August, China has suspend value-added tax (VAT) and turnover tax for small businesses with monthly sales of less than 20,000 yuan ($3,257; £2,125).
The cabinet said the move would benefit more than six million small companies and boost employment and income for millions of people.
Policymakers said they would also implement measures to simplify customs clearance procedures, cut operational fees and facilitate the exports of small and medium-sized private enterprises.
The cabinet also announced plans to completely open China's railway construction market to private investors to develop the sector further.
It said it would set up a railway development fund, with the initial money coming from the government.
Analysts said the moves were starting to have an impact on the growth numbers.
"There is certainly a build up of momentum among the small manufacturers, which is an indication that China's policies targeted at them are working," said Tony Nash, vice-president at IHS.
Factory output rose 10.2% in September, from a year earlier. Meanwhile, retail sales rose 13.3% and fixed asset investment jumped 20.2% during the month from levels a year ago.
Tim Condon of ING added that the measures may help China sustain its growth rate in the current quarter as well.
"The mini-stimulus we've seen is enough to keep it going at this pace in the fourth quarter," Mr Condon said.