TCIAA Sets The Record Straight with Audit Report
Earlier this week HE Governor Rick Todd released the overdue audited report from 2007/2008 through to 2012 to the public.
RTC News today received a statement from the Turks & Caicos Airports Authority setting the record straight that their audited reports were submitted on time.
The release stated, 'In the interest of transparency, honesty and factual correctness, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, have notified the Audit Office and would like to make a correction to the Audit Report issued earlier this week.'
The Board of Directors of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has requested that the Audit Office immediately correct its reported claim that the TCIAA has not submitted audited accounts. All TCIAA Audited reports were presented on time, as per the TCIAA Ordinance. The last two were also presented at Advisory Council meetings, and recorded as being presented (2010/11 and 2011/12).
The 2011/12 was presented at the very last Advisory Council meeting, two copies, one given to the Government’s Permanent Secretary of Finance. In addition to this, ALL Audit statements of the Airports Authority are published on the web site,www.tciairports.com, immediately after being presented.
That was a release sent to RTC news setting the record straight as it is related to their audited report, our newsroom was not able to get a comment as the release was received at the close of business.
Governor spokesman sets the record straight
Governor spokesman Neil Smith today clarified to RTC news the misconception of nominations ahead of election day.
Mr. Smith said, 'I received inquiries yesterday relating to what is acceptable proof of identity at the forthcoming election to ensure clear advice is available.'
He quoted from Section 44(10) of the Elections Ordinance which states:
"(c) the voter must produce his passport, drivers licence or such other official form of picture identification as will enable the presiding officer to confirm the voter’s identity"
This will be taken to include one of the following: Turks and Caicos Islander Status Card, passport, NIB card, NHIP card or Driver’s Licence. US and Bahamian Driver’s Licence will be accepted also.
A view was expressed today that two forms of photo ID were required. This is not the case - one of the above will normally be sufficient. However, this is at the discretion the Presiding Officer on the day. If the presented form of identity is unclear or believed to be unsatisfactory to establish the voter’s identity, the Presiding Officer is at liberty to request a second piece of picture identification by way of corroboration.
A birth certificate cannot be presented as a form of identification as it does not meet the requirement of being “picture identification”.
List of Nominated Candidates for General Elections 2012
Nomination day has come to a close and all candidates are ready for elections 2012, the candidates are as follows
GRAND TURK NORTH –ELECTORAL DISTRICT 1
1. George Alexander Lightbourne PNP
2. Derek Anthonio Rolle PDM
GRAND TURK SOUTH – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 2
1. Edwin Astwood PDM
2. Rex Elton Swann PNP
SOUTH CAICOS – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 3
1. Edith Andrea Cox PDM
2. Norman Benjamin Saunders PNP
NORTH & MIDDLE CAICOS – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 4
1. Ashwood Leon Forbes PDM
2. Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner PNP
LEEWARD – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 5
1. Akierra M. Missick PNP
2. Ezra Ringo Tyrone Taylor PDM
3. Bennett Williams IND
THE BIGHT – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 6
1. Dorell Monique Pratt/Delancey PPP
2. Sonny Alexander Forbes PDM
3. Porsha Monique Stubbs/Smith PNP
CHESHIRE HALL & RICHMOND HILL-ELECTORAL DISTRICT 7
1. Amanda A. Misick PNP
2. Isaac Oral Selver PDM
3. Edward E. Smith PPP
BLUE HILLS – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 8
1. Goldray McMillin Ewing PDM
2. Adrian Carlyle Williams PNP
3. Wendal D. Wilson PPP
FIVE CAYS – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 9
1. Sean Rickard Astwood PDM
2. Harold Charles PPP
3. Thomas I.N. Ewing PNP
WHEELAND – ELECTORAL DISTRICT 10
1. Zhavargo J. Jolly PPP
2. Gregory ONeal Lightbourne PNP
3. Vaden Delroy Williams PDM
ALL ISLAND DISTRICT
1. Josephine Connolly PDM
2. Rufus Washington Ewing PNP
3. Wayne Newton Garland PNP
4. Samuel I. Harvey PDM
5. Charles Washington Misick PNP
6. Royal Stephenson Robinson PNP
7. Sharlene Linette Cartwright Robinson PDM
8. Carlos W. Simons PNP
9. Oswald M. Simons IND
10. Oswald Oneal Skippings PDM
11. H. Derek Taylor PDM
Victoria Azarenka's win at WTA Championship seals top spot
Victoria Azarenka will finish the year as world number one after beating Li Na to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Australian Open champion from Belarus overcame her Chinese opponent 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to book a meeting with Maria Sharapova.
Russia's Sharapova secured a 6-0 6-3 victory over Australian Sam Stosur.
Agnieszka Radwanska beat Sara Errani 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 6-4 and faces Serena Williams in the other semi-final.
The Pole's victory took three hours and 29 minutes, making it the longest match in the history of the year-end tournament.
Radwanska is into the last four for the first time, but the day belonged to Azarenka after she secured the season-end top ranking.
"It feels great, a dream come true," said Azarenka, who was runner-up at the US Open and also enjoyed a 26-match winning streak in 2012.
"I want to play my last matches here and then enjoy being the world number one. I want to focus on this competition, there are still lots of challenges ahead.
"All the players are on top of their game and it's great to be part of the women's game doing so well at the moment."
If Azarenka had been beaten by Na she would have been replaced as the year-end world number one by Sharapova.
The Russian, who battled for three hours to overcome Radwanska on Wednesday, made the semis for the first time since 2007.
"I was just trying to be really aggressive today and not spend as much time [on court] as I did the other day," she said.
"I knew coming in I was already going to be in the semis, but I didn't want to lose. I wanted to do the right things today and I did them."
Sharapova fell out of the world's top 125 in 2009 but won her first Grand Slam title in four years when she lifted the French Open in June.
Roger Federer beats Benoit Paire to reach Swiss Indoors semi-finals
Roger Federer eased into the Swiss Indoors semi-finals with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Benoit Paire of France.
The five-time champion and home favourite dominated on serve against the 46th-ranked Paire, improving his 2012 win-loss record to 65-9.
World number two Federer next faces another Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, after he beat Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4).
The other semi-final pits Juan Martin del Potro against Richard Gasquet.
Del Potro, who won the Erste Bank Open in Vienna last Sunday, battled past big-serving South African Kevin Anderson 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
The second seed from Argentina will play third-seeded Frenchman Gasquet after he overcame Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-2 7-6 (7-5).
Bolt beaten by Brit in surprise finish
Sprint icon and philanthropist Usain Bolt has had to settle for a rare second place, and not at the hands of his heir-apparent Yohan Blake. This time he finished behind an Englishman.
So just who is the upstart Brit who dared to outstrip the world’s fastest man?
His name is Bond – James Bond.
The fictional 007 hero edged-out Bolt for top spot in a poll for the Top 49 Most Influential Men of 2012 conducted by lifestyle website AskMen.Com, which received more than half a million votes to select the list’s entrants this year.
The online magazine asked its readers, about 17 million each month, to select male figures who made the greatest impact and helped to shape what it means to be a man in 2012.
And Bond gave Bolt the boot.
Not that we imagine Bolt would mind, especially given the great love for Jamaica held by Bond’s creator, British author Ian Fleming.
Meanwhile, former US president, Bill Clinton; creator of the popular Family Guy animated series, Seth MacFarlane; and actor/director, Joseph Gordon-Levitt round out the top five.
Jamaica’s “lightning” Bolt also streaked ahead of US President Barack Obama (#11) and recording mogul Jay-Z (#22), while rapper Kanye West, ranked 31st, is the only man to have made all seven editions of the poll.
See complete list below:
1. James Bond
2. Usain Bolt
3. Bill Clinton
4. Seth MacFarlane
5. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
6. Jimmy Kimmel
7. Elon Musk
8. Frank Ocean
9. Kevin Systrom & Mike Krieger
10. Ryan Gosling
11. Barack Obama
12. Michael Phelps
13. Christian Grey
14. The replacement refs
15. Christopher Nolan
16. Liam Neeson
17. Riad Al Assad
18. Joss Whedon
19. Peter Higgs
20. Price William
21. Bryan Cranston
22. Jay-Z
23. Jeff Bezos
24. Mitt Romney
25. Neil deGrasse Tyson
26. Billy Reid
27. Michael Fassbender
28. Quentin Tarantino
29. Felix Baumgartner
30. Jose Mourinho
31. Kanye West
32. Lebron James
33. Andy Murray
34. Drake
35. Markus Persson
36. Snoop Lion
37. Howard Stern
38. Neil Patrick Harris
39. Psy
40. Jonah Peretti
41. James Cameron
42. John Maynard Keynes
43. Adam Driver
44. Tim Tebow
45. Gotye
46. Harvey Weinstein
47. Tony Horton
48. Tom Hardy
49. Alec Baldwin
Chris Brown’s forthcoming Guyana concert sparks controversy
Domestic violence activists and women’s rights groups in Guyana have come out slugging against American R&B singer Chris Brown’s “Unforgettable 2” concert scheduled to be held in that country on December 26.
The vehement objectors have also slammed the government for giving tax breaks for the Hits & Jams Entertainment-organized show, saying that the administration is not serious about effectively addressing the increase in domestic violence when it supports a man who has been convicted of battering his partner.
Brown was convicted of battering his girlfriend, Barbadian megastar Rihanna, over the 2009 Grammy weekend, an assault that made international headlines and sparked worldwide outrage.
He was subsequently sentenced to community service and ordered into anger management sessions.
The storm of protest against Brown’s Guyana concert comes against the backdrop of an upsurge in domestic violence in the country, in which women are being battered, maimed, and even killed.
While some Guyanese contend that Brown’s concert could be used in a positive manner for sensitization about partner violence, others are strongly opposed to the United States artiste setting foot in their country to entertain.
“As the grim situation on domestic violence has become a staple part of Guyana’s everyday life and landscape, I believe that having a known abuser perform, gives credit to him and sends an unspoken message that it is okay to beat up on your wife or girlfriend and still stay popular and famous,” Sukree Boodram, of Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) and a survivor of domestic violence told Guyana’s Stabroek News on Friday.
She feels that there are many other entertainers who would jump at the opportunity to perform in Guyana and who have great respect for women, but says that to have Brown perform in Guyana is tantamount to a slap in the faces of victims and their relatives.
Boodram pointed out that any governmental or non-governmental body or organisation making decisions in which a person that is a known abuser is being showcased to the public in a positive way, “definitely sends a negative message to our people of Guyana”.
Declining to address the tax breaks given by the government, Boodram said that the main issue is that those “who represent our beautiful country made a decision or approved an individual who is an abuser to enter our land to entertain our people, while he himself has left a trail of bloody marks and abuse on a beautiful woman of Guyanese heritage, Rihanna.”
“The fact that we are allowing a publicly known abuser to enter our country is blatant disregard and disrespect to our people and the cause we claim to want to eradicate. That cause is domestic violence,” Boodram said. “What kind of signal does this send? It says that ‘bringing wealth into Guyana’ is more important than the safety of the nation’s women. It says that talking out of both sides of your mouth concerning violence against women is justified so long as everyone can dance.”
US Secretary of State congratulates Dominica on its Independence
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes and congratulations to the people of Dominica as you celebrate 34 years of independence this November 3.
The United States and Dominica remain united by shared history, values, and strong cultural ties.
Our collaboration within programs such as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief advances our common aspirations and strengthens democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
Our joint efforts will increase security, improve access to health care, improve economic opportunities, and create a brighter future for all our people.
The United States is committed to strengthening our bonds of friendship.
I wish you a happy, safe, and prosperous independence day as you enjoy some of Dominica’s best music and dance during the Cultural Gala and honor your country’s heritage during the annual parade.
Tiger Woods left trailing by Robert Garrigus at Asia Pacific Classic
Robert Garrigus hit his second seven-under-par round of 64 at the Asia Pacific Classic in Malaysia to open a two-shot lead over the field.
The 34-year-old American is 14 under at the halfway stage, two shots ahead of South African Jbe Kruger.
"No disrespect to anybody on the PGA Tour - they're all great players - but I feel like I can beat anybody in the world," Garrigus said.
Tiger Woods is five shots back despite sinking six birdies in a four-under 67.
The world number two has holed 13 birdies in the tournament so far, but two bogeys in each round has left tied fifth on nine under.
"It is playing where it could be had out there," said the world number two,referring, for a second day, as to how easy the course is playing.
"Guys are shooting good scores - a bunch of 65s and lower. You just can't keep passive. You have to be aggressive."
Garrigus, the world number 43, has only one career victory to his name, but has been a runner-up three times on the PGA Tour this season.
"I'm going to try to get to 30 [under par] if I can," he added.
After pars on the first six holes, Garrigus birdied six of the following seven and then made two more, before dropping his only shot of the day on the 447-yard 18th.
Kruger, who won his first European Tour title in India in February, also shot a 64 on day two and credited his excellent round with playing alongside Woods.
"I think it definitely made me concentrate a bit harder," the 26-year-old said. "That is one thing I've been lacking the last couple of months, so I think I want to play with him every day."
First-round leader Troy Matteson, of the United States, is still to drop a shot at the tournament, but only two birdies in a second-round 69 saw him fall to joint-third on 10 under par with Australian left-hander Greg Chalmers.
Alongside Woods are fellow American Kevin Na and Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge, while Scotland's Martin Laird is joint-11th on seven under after a 67 on day two.
Lance Armstrong's Tour de France victories will not be reallocated
Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France titles will not be awarded to any other riders, the International Cycling Union has announced.
Armstrong was stripped of his yellow jerseys for doping by cycling's governing body on Monday.
"The management committee decided not to award victories to any other rider or upgrade other placings in any of the affected events," said a UCI statement.American Armstrong crossed the line first every year between 1999 and 2005.
The UCI acknowledged that "a cloud of suspicion would remain hanging over this dark period - but that while this might appear harsh for those who rode clean, they would understand there was little honour to be gained in reallocating places".
The body has also ordered Armstrong and others to pay back all prize money from this period, and has commissioned an independent investigation into the whole Armstrong affair. Pending the results of the report, defamation proceedings against Paul Kimmage, a former cyclist and Sunday Times journalist, have been suspended.
The statement added: "The committee agreed that part of the independent commission's remit would be to find ways to ensure that persons caught for doping were no longer able to take part in the sport, including as part of an entourage."
Armstrong, 41, and his United States Postal Service team ran "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen", a 1,000-page United States Anti-Doping Agency report concluded.
In the report, it was also claimed that Armstrong paid the UCI $100,000 (£62,300) for the fight against anti-doping.
Floyd Landis, a former colleague of Armstrong's who now admits to using drugs, claims this was hush money to cover up a positive test for the banned substance EPO that was collected from Armstrong during his victory at the Tour of Switzerland in 2001.
The UCI admitted it received money from Armstrong in 2002, but said in 2010 that this was not part of a cover-up.
BBC Sport understands that at Friday's UCI management committee hearing there was an attempt by more than one member to force honorary president Hein Verbruggen to resign, but it did not gain enough support and failed.
Verbruggen and president Pat McQuaid, who has been asked to resign in an open letter by America's three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, have come under intense pressure to stand aside in the wake of the Armstrong scandal. There was no attempt to get McQuaid to quit.
McQuaid said the governing body are "determined to turn around this painful episode in the history of our sport".
"We will take whatever actions are deemed necessary by the independent commission and we will put cycling back on track," said McQuaid.
"Today, cycling is a completely different sport from what it was in the period 1998-2005.
"Riders are now subject to the most innovative and effective anti-doping procedures and regulations in sport.
"Nevertheless, we have listened to the world's reaction to the Lance Armstrong affair and have taken these additional decisive steps in response to the grave concerns raised."
World anti-doping body Wada said it backed the UCI's decision to create an independent review commission.
British Cycling president Brian Cookson said: "The UCI has taken another worthwhile step in its response to the Usada investigation into Lance Armstrong.
"I can assure everyone that my UCI management committee colleagues and I are unanimous in our determination that this independent commission will just be the start of the process and nothing will be off the agenda.
"Cycling must and will learn the lessons of the Armstrong era."