Manchester City beat Swansea 1-0
Manchester City stuttered to an unconvincing win over a battling Swansea in the longest game in Premier League history.
Carlos Tevez's stunner rescued Roberto Mancini's team as they followed up their midweek European disappointment with another lacklustre display.
Keeper Joe Hart had kept the hosts in the game with two saves from Michu.
But Tevez's 30-yard strike on the hour gave the hosts the three points and sent the champions second in the table.
Both managers, however, will be concerned as each had a star player carried off on a stretcher, Swans goalkeeper Michel Vorm and Blues defender Micah Richards suffering worrying injuries.
Each required lengthy treatment on the field, racking up a record 12 minutes of added time.
But a match in which Manchester City extended their unbeaten home league run to 34 games will be remembered for little else, Mancini's men still seeming shaken from their midweek European capitulation at Ajax.
Tevez's clinical brilliance was the difference as Swansea enjoyed the better openings but the hosts had the ability to penetrate.
Mancini's side had an alert Richards to thank early on as he cleared a dangerous right-wing Hernandez cross with Swansea top-scorer Michu lurking.
The Spanish striker suffered a blow to the head as the England right-back headed the ball away and Michu, worryingly, lay motionless for a couple of minutes.
But Michu recovered and showed no ill effects as 10 minutes later he put the ball in the home side's net.
The effort, however, was disallowed because he was offside when Wayne Routledge played the through ball.
That chance came just moments after visiting keeper Vorm almost gifted their hosts an opening goal.
Vorm's poor clearance fell straight to Sergio Aguero and as the Argentine striker set up countryman Tevez, Swans defender Chico Flores stepped in to clear the danger.
Vorm, though, did not make a telling save until the 38th minute when the Dutch international kept out Tevez's 15-yard drive - a statistic that would concern Blues boss Mancini.
And the anxiety around the Etihad deepened as Swansea wasted two glorious chances to put themselves ahead in the final 10 minutes of the first half.
Hernandez failed to capitalise when set free in the box before Michu was also unable to convert Ki Sung-Yueng's defence-splitting pass as England international Hart smothered his toe-poke.
Mancini's side responded to the half-time Etihad boos, Aguero firing wide within 18 seconds of the restart.
Mario Balotelli, a half-time replacement for the injured Aleksandar Kolarov, also had a sight of goal as the hosts stepped up the pressure.
The Italy international could not get to right-back Richards's low driven cross, although Balotelli wanted a penalty as he claimed Chico pulled his shirt.
Swansea, though, did give their expensively assembled rivals a warning as Hart again denied Michu from a header.
But Tevez ended his eight-game goal drought with a moment of magic, a swerving strike that left Vorm helpless as the ball flew into the bottom right-hand corner of his net.
Vorm was injured in the process and was carried off on a stretcher nursing his groin. Moments later, Richards too required a stretcher after collapsing holding his knee with no-one else near him.
Sacked platinum miners reinstated
The world's biggest platinum producer, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), has agreed to reinstate the 12,000 South African miners sacked for taking part in an unofficial strike.
It had agreed to take back the miners if they returned to work by Tuesday, the National Union of Mineworkers said.
South Africa's mining sector has been hit by a series of wildcat strikes, which have cost millions of dollars.
Dozens of people have been killed in strike-related violence.
The miners were sacked three weeks ago.
"They agreed to reinstate all the dismissed workers on the provision that they return to work by Tuesday," NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka told the Reuters news agency.
He said he expected workers would return to their posts and "that will mean the end of the strike".
Amplats said in a statement: "Employees who do not return to work on Tuesday... will remain dismissed and/or be subjected to the illegal strike disciplinary action and will not be eligible for any of the benefits mentioned above."
The company said it was offering the miners a one-off hardship payment of $230 (£140) to facilitate their return.
Calm may now be returning, with many mining companies agreeing to higher wage demands, but in the longer term, more miners are likely to be laid off, says the BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg.
And while the unrest has shaken the authorities here, there is no sign that it has prompted the sort of radical steps many are calling for, our correspondent adds.
High cost
Strikes at South Africa's platinum, gold and coal mines are estimated to have cost the country more than $1bn.
More than 40 people died in violent clashes between police and striking workers at a platinum mine in August.
South Africa is one of the world's biggest producers of precious metals.
Analysts say workers across the industry are disaffected with the NUM and other mainstream unions, regarding them as too close to the employers.
The workers had been demanding 6,000 rand ($1,800; £1,100) in monthly pay, more than three times their current average salary.
Samsung posts record profits on Galaxy phone sales
Samsung Electronics has reported record profits in the three months to September, led by strong sales of its Galaxy range of smartphones. Net profit was 6.5t won ($5.9b; £3.7b), up 91 per cent from a year earlier. The South Korean phonemaker was also boosted by strong demand at its display panel unit.
The results come after quarterly profits from Apple—its biggest rival in phones and tablets—disappointed some investors. While Samsung has enjoyed tremendous success with its Galaxy range of smartphones, other manufacturers have been releasing new models.
But not all mobile phone firms are doing well as competition gets more aggressive. Last month, Apple started selling the latest version of its iPhone and this week, launched a smaller version of the best-selling iPad.
On Thursday, it announced profits in the last quarter were $8.2b, up from $6.6b last year. HTC said on Friday its sales would be lower than had been expected at the end of the year as the Taiwanese smartphone maker has been finding it hard to emulate the success of its rivals and South Korea’s LG Display returned to profit for the first time in more than a year as strong demand for the iPhone 5 and tablets increased sales of its display panels.
Samsung expects market competition to intensify but “we will do our best to sustain our earnings momentum throughout the fourth quarter by implementing strategies we have developed for our businesses,” said Robert Yi, head of investor relations. The firm said its flagship Galaxy SIII smartphone has been a key driver in raising profit margins.
“The business environment remained difficult with global economic uncertainties persisting amid the fiscal concerns in the US and Europe. “However, we continued to break our quarterly profit records,” Yi added. The display panels unit at the firm had revenues of 8.46t won, up 19 per cent from the previous year. The unit is now profitable.
And the firm expects a “flurry of new mobile devices hitting the market” to boost sales of application processors and image sensors it makes that power smartphones and tablet PCs.
BBC
Italy ex-PM Berlusconi threatens to topple Monti government
Italian ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi has threatened to bring down the government of technocrats led by Mario Monti.
Mr Berlusconi said the cabinet was leading Italy into a "spiral of recession" and that his centre-right PDL party would decide in the coming days whether it would end its support.
It is the largest party in parliament and the move could trigger early polls.
Mr Berlusconi was forced to step down last year. His comments come a day after he was found guilty of tax fraud.
He is expected to appeal against the four-year-jail sentence - reduced to one - on charges of inflating the price of distribution rights bought by his Mediaset group to avoid paying taxes.
Painful cuts
Mr Berlusconi was speaking as thousands of protesters marched through Rome in a demonstration against austerity measures launched by the Monti government.
The former prime minister accused the Monti government of "fiscal extortion".
"We have to recognise the fact that the initiative of this government is a continuation of a spiral of recession for our economy," Mr Berlusconi said.
"Together with my collaborators we will decide in the next few days whether it is better to immediately withdraw our confidence in this government or keep it, given the elections that are scheduled."
The last election was held in 2008 and the next is due in 2013.
Mr Monti was appointed last November, when Italy's credit rating was affected by the eurozone debt crisis.
His government has since pushed through tax rises, spending cuts and an overhaul of the pension system.
Nearly 30 Killed in Explosions Across Iraq
A wave of deadly attacks has shattered the peace in Iraq during the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Officials say nearly 30 people were killed in a series of explosions and shootings on Saturday, many of them Shi'ite pilgrims.
The deadliest attacks happened in Baghdad where an explosion at an open-air market and a bus station killed more than 15 people and wounded dozens more, many of then women and children.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks.
Sunni insurgents and al-Qaida militants have previously targeted Shi'ites in a bid to stir up sectarian strife in Iraq.
Violence across Iraq is down sharply from its peak in 2006 and 2007. However, 365 people were killed in unrest in September, making it the country's deadliest month in two years.
Suspected Coup Leader Arrested in Guinea Bissau
Officials with the transitional government in Guinea Bissau say the suspected leader of last week's attempted coup has been arrested.
Captain Pansao Ntchama and at least two other suspects were arrested Saturday on an island just off the coast of the West African nation.
Government troops repelled the pre-dawn attack on an air force base last Sunday. Seven people were killed.
Authorities accuse Portugal, the former colonial ruler of Guinea Bissau, of being behind the the attack. They say Portugal was seeking to restore former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior to power. He was toppled in a coup in April between the first and second rounds of a presidential election.
Guinea Bissau was been wracked by coups and unrest since winning independence from Portugal in 1974.
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.