Inter-High School Boys Basketball season reemerges
From November to January, the Turks and Caicos Islands School Sports (TCISS) Inter-High School Boys Basketball season reemerges as one of the most exciting times of the year. Schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands submit their names to compete for the coveted champion title.
This year the groups are as follows:
Group A
British West Indies Collegiate - BWIC
Marjorie Basden High School - MBHS
Raymond Gardiner High School - RGHS
Precious Treasures International School - PTIS
Clement Howell High School - CHHS
Elite High School - EHS
Group B
Maranatha Academy - MA
Alpha Christian Academy - ACA
HJ Robinson High School - HJRHS
Holy Family Academy - HFA
A. Louise Garland Thomas High School - ALGTHS
Wesley Methodist High School - WMHS
Last year's champions the Clement Howell Eagles are keen to defend their two-year standing title. Likewise, schools like the Wesley Methodist High Stingrays and HJ Robinson Stallions are gearing up to upset the season.
On the new season, Hon. Rachel Taylor shares, "As this Basketball Season commences for the academic year 2024-2025, we take this opportunity to express profound gratitude to our schools for their continuous effort in the engagement of our students through sports in building human capital. Our students must be engaged in extracurricular activities, ensuring that mentorship is in place through our PE teachers and coaches who continue to have a meaningful impact on the lives of our athletes. Our partnership with the Sports Commission is a testament of our collective efforts in bridging the gaps in the social skills of our youth. Congratulations to our student-athletes! They are all winners and may the best team win!"
Turks and Caicos Islands School Sports 2024-25 Schedule
TCISS Inter-High School Basketball - November 2024 - January 2025 (All-Island)
TCISS Inter-High School Softball - November 2024 - February 2025
Track and Field Development Meets - February & March 2025
TCISS Inter-High School Track and Field - March 2025 (Providenciales)
TCISS Inter-Primary School Track and Field - April 2025 (Providenciales)
Scoreboard Roundup
TCI SOCCER
Game 1-Community Christian 4 vs Enid Capron 0,
Game 2 -Elite 9 vs Mill 0
Game 3 -International School 5 vs Provo Christian 0
Game 4 -Community Christian 3 vs Thelma Lightbourne 0
Game 5 -Elite 5 vs Enid Capron 1
Game 6 -Provo Christian 2 vs Best 0
TCI BASKETBALL
Wesley 82, Maranatha 76
Clement Howell 73, British West Indies Collegiate 30
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Bucks 99, Grizzlies 122
Rockets 108, Mavericks 102
Spurs 106, Jazz 88
Suns 125, Clippers 119
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Oilers 5, Predators 1
Blackhawks 2, Sharks 3
Kraken 1, Maple Leafs 4
Blues 1, Flyers 2
Ducks 1, Penguins 2
Canadiens 3, Capitals 6
Bruins 2, Hurricanes 8
Trump campaigns in New Mexico, which he falsely claims he won twice
With just four days until Election Day, Donald Trump kicked off his western swing at an unlikely stop in Albuquerque, where he spewed false and baseless claims about past election results as he claimed New Mexico is in play for him.
Trump claimed he won New Mexico in both of his previous presidential runs and that votes from New Mexico were “rigged” -- despite Hillary Clinton winning by more than 8 points in 2016 and President Joe Biden winning the state by more than 10 points in 2020.
“I'm only here for one reason. They all said, ‘Don't come.’ I said, ‘Why?’ ‘You can't win.’ I said, ‘Look, your votes are rigged.’ We can win New Mexico. We can win New Mexico,” Trump said.
Trump claimed he can win states like New Mexico and California if his supporters can “keep the votes honest” and “keep the votes on us.”
“So, you know, we almost won it twice. And let me tell you, I believe we won it twice. OK?” he said. “You want to know the truth? And if you can watch your vote counter – if we could bring God down from heaven, he could be the vote counter, we would win this,” Trump said.
Source-ABC
Harris using Trump's words to shore up Arab American support in Michigan
Vice President Kamala Harris and her allies in battleground Michigan are launching a new turnout campaign to assertively shore up support among Arab Americans, sending out mailers using Donald Trump's own words about reimplementing a Muslim ban.
"Just last month, Donald Trump said he would ban Muslims from traveling here, and also ban refugees from Gaza," one of the mailers obtained by ABC News reads. Further down, the mailer says the former president "is no friend to Arab Americans," with one of their examples being his comment that he would let Israel "finish the job" in Gaza.
Another is a full-page black-and-white photo of Trump with "FINISH THE JOB" written above him. "That's what Trump said he would let Israel do in Gaza." The mailers, which come on the heels of a six-figure digital ad push, also points to the Arab American group Emgage Action's endorsement of Harris. Several other Arab leaders have backed Harris.
Source- ABC
Inflation gauge closely watched by the Fed falls to lowest level in over 3 years
As a presidential race profoundly shaped by Americans' frustration with high prices nears its end, the government said Thursday that an inflation gauge closely watched by the Federal Reserve has dropped to near pre-pandemic levels, according to The Associated Press.
The Commerce Department reported that prices rose just 2.1% in September from a year earlier, down from a 2.3% rise in August. That is barely above the Fed's 2% inflation target and in line with readings in 2018, well before prices began surging after the pandemic recession.
Yet some signs of inflation pressures remained. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 2.7% in September from a year earlier for the third straight month. On a monthly basis, core prices rose 0.3% from August to September, up from 0.2% from July to August. The increase in the core rate is higher than the Fed would prefer.
Still, for the past six months, core inflation has declined to a 2.3% annual rate, down from 2.5% in August. And economists still expect the Fed to cut its key rate by a quarter-point when it meets next week.
Source-ABC
Halle Bailey, Smokey Robinson hosting A Motown Christmas featuring Gladys Knight, Jamie Foxx, Ashanti
With Halloween in the past, many are already focusing on their plans for the Christmas season. NBC, for example, has just announced A Motown Christmas special, which will bring together legends and contemporary stars for performances of more than 25 Motown hits and a few holiday favorites.
The lineup includes Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Temptations, Ashanti, Andra Day, BeBe Winans, Jamie Foxx, JoJo, Jordin Sparks, mgk, October London, and Pentatonix, with Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey taking on hosting duties.
There will also be tributes to Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Motown founder Berry Gordy, and an exclusive performance from the Broadway company MJ the Musical.
“Motown’s timeless hits have played as a soundtrack for American families for the last six decades. NBC is honored to spotlight the iconic legacy of Motown with a festive celebration for the holiday season," said Jen Neal, NBCUniversal Entertainment’s executive VP of live events & specials.
Debbie Allen will serve as executive producer of A Motown Christmas, as will Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones of De Passe Jones Entertainment. Rickey Minor is the musical director and SpringHill's the leading production of the telecast.
"I'm thrilled to be back in the saddle with Motown and Suzanne de Passe to bring this much-needed holiday family special to the world. The music of Motown has always been magical, and we are going to sing and dance everyone into Christmas joy!” Debbie said.
A Motown Christmas will air on NBC at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Dec. 11 and Peacock the following day.
Source-ABC
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
300 PERSONS TRAINED UNDER SUCCESSFUL INNOVATIVE PROJECT
Stakeholders in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are pleased to announce that the post-COVID-19 Resilient Recovery project in TCI is drawing to a close at the end of this year. This initiative, which launched in 2022, has made strides in empowering local communities through targeted training programs, designed to support long-term sustainable development.
A central highlight of the Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) Programme supported, European Union financed and Expertise France implemented project which concludes at the end of the year is the Community Hub. The Hub has successfully trained more than 300 individuals in practical skills that are helping improve food security and enhancing economic diversification across TCI. The training (delivered by Mario A. M. Smith, a consultant agronomist) in hydroponic crop production and composting gave attendees the tools to expand their skill sets and drive new opportunities for local communities. Two participants have even become certified trainers, marking a significant step toward a self-sustaining, locally-led agricultural sector.
“This initiative has not only been instrumental in driving our recovery from the global pandemic but has also positioned us to thrive in the face of future challenges, bringing tangible benefits to our islands. Our people are more equipped to adapt to a rapidly changing world. This project has fostered collaboration across sectors, showing the power of collective effort in community resilience”, remarked Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister for Tourism and the Environment, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Michelle Fulford, one of the Community Hub Training Facilitators, said: “The essence of community resilience is the ability to empower vulnerable groups by building capacity among them. Providing people with the requisite skills to manage and diversify in their operations will help to minimize the impacts of adverse events such as natural disasters, pandemics, economic downturns, and the like.”
In collaboration with the TCI Fishing Cooperative, the Community Hub has also trained over 80 individuals in sustainable fisheries management. By helping local fishers enhance their skills and knowledge, the program is fostering economic growth and promoting responsible environmental stewardship. The project also created ‘Champion Fishers’, individuals who were trained on small-scale commercial fisheries management. This team will now lead fisheries training sessions across TCI, to foster community-led resilience.
Waste management training held on Provo taught innovative waste reduction strategies. Led by Green VI, the training explored topics such as waste as a resource, creating eco-friendly cleaning products, and how to reduce, reuse, and recycle on island. Participants were also guided in developing social business models that could play a vital role in addressing TCI’s waste management challenges.
The project also developed a Natural Capital Investment Plan (NCIP) that outlines investments which could also benefit TCIs environment. TCIs natural environments include breathtaking coral reefs and expansive mangrove forests which play a critical role in supporting the tourism-focussed economy and provide important services such as storm protection, food provision and carbon sequestration. The plan sets out a pathway to increase future investment to protect TCI's economy, communities, and natural environments.
The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) within the TCI Government, in collaboration with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) worked closely together with key project partners, including the TCI Fishing Co-operative, TCI National Trust, and Invest Turks and Caicos to develop this plan.
Luc Clerveaux, Director of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) said: "By investing in TCI’s natural capital, we are investing in the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its communities."
"This plan lays a sustainable path forward that not only preserves the environment but also bolsters the TCI economy against the challenges of climate change and global economic fluctuations."
As the project closes the team will be posting final reports and other essential information to the project website and establishing a resource centre for a virtual Community Hub. This will ensure that the training opportunities and knowledge gained over the course of the project will persist far into the future and provide a location for local individuals and business to access practical information on a wide range of relevant topics.
Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Ministry of Education Relaunch DARE Program
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, proudly announced the relaunch of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program at Oseta Jolly Primary School in Blue Hills on October 28.
This significant event drew attendance from key officials, including the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon. Rachel Taylor; Permanent Secretary Cherylann Jones; Ag. Inspector Huntley Forbes; Deputy Director of Education Mark Garland; and other distinguished representatives from the fields of education, law enforcement and community.
Hon. Rachel Taylor delivered an inspiring address, expressing strong support for the DARE Program’s mission to educate and empower youth in making informed, healthy decisions. She extended heartfelt thanks to Education Officer Cunningham and Ag. Inspector Forbes for their dedication and hard work in driving the program forward.
“It takes collaboration and unwavering commitment to make initiatives like DARE successful, and we are grateful to everyone who has worked to bring this program back to life,” said Hon.Taylor.
Ag. Inspector Huntley Forbes provided insight into the challenges and dedication required to relaunch DARE, thanking the Police Force Executive Team, the Ministry of Education, and the program’s instructors for their invaluable support.
“It was not an easy journey, but together we’ve made this possible and will seek to make a positive difference for our youth,” Forbes shared.
The event was marked by a performance from the Oseta Jolly School Choir, concluding the ceremony on a high note, with attendees leaving in high spirits.
The relaunch of the DARE Program represents a renewed commitment to supporting the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands by equipping young people with the tools and guidance to make positive choices.04th September, 2024.
Instagram lowering quality of less viewed videos 'alarming' creators
Instagram disclosing that it lowers the quality of older, less popular videos has been criticised as "alarming" by creators.
Some users of the Meta-owned social media platform expressed concern after its boss Adam Mosseri said it reserved higher quality for more popular content.
"We bias to higher quality... for creators who drive more views," Mr Mosseri wrote in a post on Threads on Sunday.
One creator told the BBC this was "disheartening" for those who have pivoted to producing content for Instagram over other platforms.
"I think it is incredibly harmful to the creative's art," said Siete Savone.
The 25-year-old creator said she loved using the platform and understood its need to update and add new features.
But she said it should draw the line with moves "actually affecting the quality of someone's original artistic work".
"No one should have to worry about the quality of their content not being retained due to Instagram retaining an "engagement bias" in favor of creators with more visibility," she added.
Mr Mosseri said Instagram reduced the quality of videos that had not been watched for a long time - saying most views occurred soon after publication.
The platform would improve a video's quality again if it got more popular, he added.
Social media consultant Matt Navarra told the BBC the move "seems to somewhat contradict Instagram's earlier messages or efforts to encourage new creators".
"How can creators gain traction if their content is penalized for not being popular," he said.
He said it could risk creating a cycle of more established creators reaping the rewards of higher engagement from viewers over those trying to build their following.
"The playing field amongst small creators and big creators alike should be even," agreed Ms Siete.
Underlying Instagram's decision is the cost of streaming videos.
Videos that have a higher resolution or contain lots of visual assets such as edits, images or other clips can demand more computing power to encode.
These will typically be larger in size than videos in a smaller resolution, meaning they require more storage space on servers.
And one person said in response to Mr Mosseri's post they understood the benefits of potentially reducing storage cost, but it did not outweigh the negatives.
"From a creator’s perspective, spending time on creating high-quality content just for it to be downgraded to low resolution sucks," they said.
In May, Instagram announced changes to its system for recommending content, particularly video, to "give all creators a more equal chance of breaking through".
However, Mr Navarra said he agreed with Mr Mosseri's assertion - when responding to user concerns about the impact on smaller creators - that people will always value a video's content over its quality.
He said creators should focus on how they can make engaging content that caters to their audience, rather than be overly concerned by the possibility of its quality being degraded by Instagram.
Mr. Mosseri clarified to users on Sunday that Instagram does not decide to reduce or improve the quality of individual videos, but rather does so in an "aggregate" way and on a "sliding scale" - adding he believed the difference in quality "isn't huge".
"The goal is to show people the highest quality content that we can," he said in his initial video response.
Source-BBC