PM outlines billions in Sandy damage
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has outlined almost $5 billion in damage resulting from the passage of Hurricane Sandy.
This afternoon in parliament, the Prime Minister provided the preliminary figures received from the various agencies.
She said the estimates have put damage to the agricultural sector at approximately $1.5 billion.
And she detailed $170 million in damage to schools, $160 million to health facilities and damage totaling about $11.4 million to resources in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Department of Correctional Services.
However, Simpson Miller says the biggest hit was to Jamaica’s roads and infrastructure, totaling about $1.1 billion from heavy rains in September and $2.6 billion from Hurricane Sandy.
And Simpson Miller says assessment of damage to homes is currently underway and she expects the exercise to be completed by tomorrow.
The Prime minister says the Labour ministry will be issuing vouchers to some needy citizens, but would not say exactly what other assistance would be provided.
Buju sentencing postponed
Buju Banton was scheduled to appear in court in the United States today to hear if his 10-year jail term will be increased by five more years.
This follows last month’s decision by the US Court of Appeal for the 11th Circuit to agree with prosecutors and reinstate Buju’s firearm possession conviction.
The appeals court had also ordered that the case be sent back to the trial judge for him to decide whether Buju should be retried on the firearm charge or sentenced to the five years allowed under the sentencing guidelines.
Buju, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, was convicted of the firearms charge at his trial in February, but it was later thrown out by the trial judge.
The Grammy-winning artiste was also found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and using a telephone to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.
He was given a 10-year prison term for those convictions and was appealing against them when the high court made the order regarding the firearm charge.
Even though the US Appeal Court has turned down his case, Buju has indicated that he is prepared to continue his legal fight to overturn the convictions.
Last month he parted ways with his long-time attorney David Oscar Markus and hired civil rights attorney Chokwe Lumumba to take over his appeal.
GTBA President ready for GTBA
President of the GTBA, Trent Dickenson says that this season is just as special as the last one and thanked all those who assisted last season. The theme for the 2012-2013 season is, 'Every young Life Matters'. The GTBA previously conducted a clean up at the Palm Grove Basketball court which was damaged by Hurricane Ike some years ago. Since then, the GTBA has undertaken to supply the park with bleachers seats, made court repairs and partially building the parks fence. Mr. Dickenson urged all interested teams to remember the cause and complete an official registration form, as a reminder the form must be submitted by the deadline November 2nd, 2012. He told RTC Sports that each team will be comprised of 8-12 members, one of whom must be identified as the team’s captain and principal contact person for the team as GTBA rules. When asked about the age group, Mr. Dickenson said that participants can join the league from 14 and up. The League will be played at the Palm Grove Recreational Park. In closing the President said that, 'It is the intention of the Association to expand as time progresses and eventually be a part of the Grand Turk culture for years to come.'
South Caicos HB Boys defeated Steelers plus other PABA results
Action continued over the weekend in providenciales as the PABA continued with the basketball tournament. - South Caicos Harbor Boys defeated the Steelers 72-59. Steelers Cameron Henry scored 20 pts,3 stls. Kirk Adams of the HB boys had 14 pts, 5 rebs, 2 stls. In the second game the Flyers defeated the Shottas 74-50. Sugar Ray Smith of the (Shottas) scored 12 pts and had 10 rebs. Jordan Garland(Flyers) 17 pts and 2 stls. The Predators defeated the Customs 50-45. Michael Taylor of the (Predator) scored 12 pts,7 rebs,5stls. Derek Hanna(Customs)scored 18 pts and had 2 rebs. On Saturday, the Stallions defeated the Cobras 79-51. Ray Harris of the (Stallions) scored 12 pts and had 6 assists. Madding of the (Cobras) scored 12 pts, grabbed 6 rebounds and had 3 assists. In a shocking turn of events the Police defeated the knights 76-65. Kjauna Doughty(Police) scored 22 points and had 9 rebounds. Peterson Sylvan of the (Knights) had 20 pts, 5 rebs, 3 assists and 3 steals. There will be no games this weekend but the PABA returns next week.
St.Lucia Marks 2nd Anniversary of Hurricane Tomas
St.Lucia's Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has urged St. Lucians to take a moment to pay respect to the 14 persons who died as a result of Hurricane Thomas which swept through the island on this day two years ago, leaving over US$100 million in damages and many homeless. Dr. Anthony made the call in a written statement, entitled “A Day Never To Be Forgotten”, in remembrance of the victims of Hurricane Tomas. “Today marks the second anniversary of the passage of Hurricane Tomas. On that day, not only was the landscape of our beautiful island battered, but many families were left homeless, displaced, in pain and in sorrow, mourning loved ones,” the prime minister said. “I urge Saint Lucians to take a moment to reflect on that sad day, paying our respects to the 14 lives which were lost during this unfortunate ordeal. The trauma of the people of Fond St Jacques and Columbette in Soufriere as well as other parts of Saint Lucia must remain etched in our minds. We must not forget them and their families. Let us also continue to share that spirit of love, concern and generosity which swept over our nation in the aftermath of Tomas,” he added. “While we often argue that we should have been further with our efforts to rebuild our island, where we are now serves as a reminder of what we have survived as a nation. Many lives have not returned to normal, many homes will never be normal because of the loss of life, but as a people, we continue to reach within and look above for hope and strength to face each passing day. I encourage all Saint Lucians to participate, in their own special way, in the remembrance of October 30, 2010,” he said. Hurricane Tomas was the 19th named storm and 12th hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season.
US ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY TO TNT
The United States has issued a warning to its citizens to exercise vigilance when travelling in or visiting Trinidad in the wake of two recent incidents in the Westmoorings and Glencoe areas, including the home invasion of Congress of the People (COP) member Rocky Garcia. The security warning was uploaded on the United States Embassy's website in this country, asking US citizens to "review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local media outlets for updates". On the night of October 16, an armed man entered Garcia's Glencoe home through a window and proceeded to rob his wife and daughter of cash, jewelry, cellphones and other belongings before escaping. The following day the home of a Westmoorings family was also robbed by a man who entered the building through a skylight window, the US Embassy warning stated. The US Embassy warning stated: "We strongly recommend that US citizens travelling to or residing in Trinidad and Tobago enrol in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). "STEP enrolment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the US Embassy or nearest US Consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don't have internet access, enroll directly with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate."
Signing Signal $500M Three Hotels Deal for Grace Bay
Three agreements have been signed that will see three luxury resort style hotels built at a cost of $500m in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd and developer Desarrollos Hotelco Group it was announced today, Tue, 30 Oct 2012.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will see nearly 400 five star guestrooms added to the Grace Bay area though the first hotel to be built on an 10.5 acre site adjacent to the landmark Seven Stars Resort.
The MOU also covers Hotelco’s plans to build a further two luxury resorts with a further 500 guest rooms, also in the Grace Bay area; they will confirm the premier brands at a later stage.
Consultancy firm KPMG TCI has been employed by Hotelco to complete a full social and economic impact study for the properties.
“This is the best possible vindication of the new Turks and Caicos Inward Investment Policy, management structure and approach to attracting inward investment on the best terms for the taxpayers of the Turks and Caicos,” said His Excellency, Governor Ric Todd.
“This confirms that major international investors are impressed by the reforms that we have made over the past three years and, despite global economic difficulties, see the Turks and Caicos Islands as a great place in which to invest and to do business.
“Our economy has been growing since 2010, by some 4.3% alone last year, and is now set fair for future economic growth. The people of TCI have every reason to be proud of these achievements and to look forward to the future with optimism."
Pedro Vera of Hotelco added, “ We were attracted to TCI because it is a high end tourism destination with great potential , friendly and welcoming people and an excellent investment climate. We look forward to investing in TCI and being a participant in bringing luxury resort brands to these islands.”
Desarrollos Hotelco first visited the TCI in March 2011 . The TCI Government Investment Unit has been in close dialog with the developer since February 2012. Desarrollos then worked with Horton Realty and the Investment Unit to secure the 10.5 acre Soldaco site. A second parcel of land, known locally as the ‘Mandalay site’ was also secured in Grace Bay. It is on this site that Desarollos proposes to build the two further hotels.
The Investment Unit has facilitated technical meetings with the planning department and airports authority to ensure a co-ordinated approach to working with the new developments, to help ensure the sustainable and supported growth of the Islands’ infrastructure needs and airlift capacity.
Desarrollos is based in Venezuela where it owns three hotels managed by Marriott. It has also developed a Ritz-Carlton resort on Aruba.
English FA to probe claims of racist abuse by referee in Chelsea match
English football has been plagued by racism scandals in the past year, and now its ruling body must deal with what is thought to be the first case of racial abuse by a Premier League referee.
League leaders Chelsea made a complaint over "inappropriate language" used by ref Mark Clattenburg during Sunday's controversial 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United.
Chelsea's complaint focused on comments made to two of its players in two separate incidents.
Clattenburg had already infuriated the European champions by sending off two of their players, dismissing Fernando Torres for diving even though he had been fouled and then allowing United's winning goal to stand even though television replays showed it appeared to be offside.
With the issue of racism in English football under intense scrutiny, and following in the wake of Chelsea's own problems with captain John Terry's ban for racially abusing an opponent, the allegations against Clattenburg come at a time when the Football Association is under pressure to be seen to be taking a strong stance.
"I can't think of any previous such incident in the professional game off the top of my head," an FA spokesman told CNN.
"In grassroots football, yes, I can recall incidents but in the professional game I would have to check the record books."
The FA said on Monday they had launched an investigation into the allegations, while Clattenburg has welcomed "the opportunity for the facts to be established."
"We have lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate with regard to inappropriate language used by the referee and directed at two of our players in two separate incidents during (the) match," Chelsea said in a statement said on Sunday.
"The match delegate will pass the complaint to the Football Association. We will make no further comment at this time."
British media have reported that one of the players involved was Chelsea's Nigeria international John Obi Mikel.
For the past year, the Blues have been at the heart of a racism row after an incident involving Terry and Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October 2011.
The FA found Terry guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand, even though a court had earlier cleared the former England captain.
The FA -- which requires a lower burden of proof than an English criminal court -- barred the 31-year-old for four games for the incident and also fined him £220,000.
--CNN
Bolt, Blake Back In Training
Olympic double-sprint champion Usain Bolt and world 100m champion Yohan Blake were both expected back at training yesterday, as the two prepare for the upcoming season, with the IAAF World Championships in Moscow the clear highlight of 2013.
Bolt, fresh from a globetrotting vacation which saw him making stops in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Rio de Janiero - host city for the 2016 Olympic Games - will be keen to pick up where he left off last season.
The 26-year-old IAAF World Athlete of the Year nominee became the first man to repeat an Olympic Games sprint double with 9.63 and 19.32 runs in the 100m and 200m, respectively, inside London's Olympic Stadium; and capped another impressive season as the winner of the 100m in the lucrative Samsung/IAAF Diamond League series.
Blake is the only man to have beaten Bolt this year and only the third since 2008 in a 100m or 200m, with back-to-back wins in both sprints at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Championships in early season.
Blake's only losses were dealt by Bolt in the Olympics finals and although he has spent much of his off-season playing cricket - his self-proclaimed true love, Blake is settling back down to business, as he gets ready to prepare himself for the defence of the 100m title he won in Daegu, South Korea in 2011.
Both athletes are conditioned by noted track and field coach, Glen Mills, at the University of West Indies, Mona-based Racers Track Club.
Pollard, Narine, Bravo Uncertain For CT20
Cricket officials in Trinidad and Tobago have given mixed signals over the availability of leading players Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Dwayne Bravo for next year's Caribbean T20 tournament.
Media reports in Port-of-Spain have suggested a measure of uncertainty over the players available to help Trinidad and Tobago defend their title when the tournament takes place January 6-21.
Pollard and Bravo have declined to confirm their participation when contacted by Trinidad's Newsday, the paper reported.
make himself available
Narine, currently attending a West Indies camp in Barbados, has not been available for comment.
"Previously, before he left for the World Cup, Pollard had indicated to me that he will make himself available. I haven't spoken to him since then (about it) and I didn't get to talk to Sunil (yet)," said Azim Bassarath, president, Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB).
"Kieron had said, however, that in the contract he had signed, there was a space left for the Caribbean T20. It is more than likely that they will be representing TT - Pollard, Narine and Bravo."
Pollard has been signed by the Adelaide Strikers, while Narine has been snapped up by the Sydney Sixers for the Australian Big Bash, which runs from December 7 to January 19.
Dwayne Bravo, who last played for the Sixers, is uncertain since he is currently recovering from an injury.
"I can't say with any certainty (whether they will be playing for TT) right now," said TTCB Communi-cations Manager Suruj Ragoonath.
"We should be finding out within the course of this week."
In 2011, Pollard and Dwayne Bravo missed the regional tournament after opting to play the entire Big Bash tournament. But earlier this year, both players represented Trinidad and Tobago in the WICB tournament as the Red Force successfully defended its regional crown.
Source-CMC