Mitt Romney raises $17m more than Barack Obama campaign
US Republican candidate Mitt Romney raised almost $17m (£11m) more than President Barack Obama's re-election effort in May, figures show.
Mr Romney and the Republicans raised $76.8m, while the Obama campaign and the Democratic Party brought in $60m.
Mr Romney now has $107m cash on hand, almost matching the $115m Mr Obama's campaign had by the end of April.
Mr Obama's May total included $15m raised at the home of George Clooney, with tickets costing $40,000.
Members of the public also bought $3 raffle tickets to win a spot at that star-studded event.
Both presidential candidates are in the midst of a hectic fund-raising schedule as they prepare for the long campaign ahead of November's election.
Mr Obama is campaigning this week in California and Nevada, while Mr Romney has been in Texas.
The monthly campaign fundraising totals do not include millions of dollars being raised and spent by independent committees backing each campaign.
'Broken promises'
May's fundraising figures were the first since Mr Romney took an unbeatable lead in the Republican primary process, having won the required numbers of delegates to ensure he will face Mr Obama in November.
Announcing its fundraising totals early on Thursday, the Obama campaign said on Twitter that 572,000 people donated in May, 147,000 of them for the first time.
His campaign also reported that 98% of the contributions were less than $250.
In its statement shortly afterwards, the Romney campaign reported that donations of $250 or less made up 93% of all donations and $12m of the total amount raised.
"Our strong fundraising is a sign that Americans are tired of President Obama's broken promises and want a change of direction in the White House," Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.
Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt used Twitter to play down Mr Romney's fundraising haul: "Reminder on RNC/Romney camp fundraising: 1st month joint committee was in existence, so all their primary donors wrote their maxout checks."
Both the camps raised considerably more in May than in April, when the Obama campaign and the Democrats brought in $43.6m, slightly ahead of their opponents.
Laboratory tests for TEN individuals conducted at the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre
The Ministry of Health and Education (MOHE) and Environmental Health Department (EHD) would like to inform the general public that laboratory tests for TEN individuals conducted at the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) Reference Laboratory were confirmed as Norovirus.
The investigations of the Public Health Team are ongoing. The local team has recently been strengthened with the arrival of Dr. Lisa Indar, Foodborne Diseases Manager at CAREC and Ms. Leslie Edwards, an Epidemiologist also from CAREC. Additional assistance is due to arrive shortly from PAHO in the form of two Environmental Health Officers with extensive experience working with the hotel industry.
Norovirus is a highly contagious viral illness, which is common in outbreaks of gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting) throughout the world. It can be rapidly transmitted from person to person, through contact with vomitus or feces of infected individuals, contaminated food or water, soiled surfaces, bed linens, gym equipment etc. Other than supportive therapy, it usually requires little by way of medical interventions and usually resolves without incident.
Infection control measures focused on proper hygiene and deep cleaning and sanitization are vital to prevent the spread of norovirus. These are being promoted throughout the TCI. Public Health teams continue to conduct active surveillance at airports and affected hotels to educate and monitor the implementation of these measures.
The Ministry of Health and Education (MOHE) and EHD would also like to take this opportunity to encourage the general public to practice healthy hygienic measures at all times such as frequent hand washing, especially when preparing meals, before eating and after using the toilet. The MOHE will keep the public up to date on any further developments.
The MOHE, EHD, TCI Health Surveillance Team, Hotel Association and Tourist Board are committed to working closely together to address this situation and to ensure that there is little or no disruption to our people, our guests and to business locally and overseas.
Persons experiencing diarrhea, abdominal pain or vomiting should report to the nearest health care facility. Health surveillance team members continue to interview persons experiencing such signs and symptoms. All information will be kept strictly confidential. Updates on status of the investigations will be released as necessary.
PNP National Congress Elects New Leader; Dr. Rufus Ewing as head of PNP and New Executive Team
The Progressive National Party held its 2012 National Congress this past weekend in Providenciales under the theme - "Moving Forward Together". This historic gathering was hailed as a success by our Delegates and party members who attended the two day event. The program included the election of our new leader, Dr. Rufus Ewing and some officers of the new National Executive Committee (NEC). The NEC under the new leader will be responsible for the continued running the day to day affairs of the party and will be integral to the success of the party moving forward.
The Progressive National Party applauds leadership candidate Mr. Carlos Simons QC whose stellar campaign made our leadership election all the better for his candidacy. The Party also wishes to extend our gratitude to outgoing Leader Mr. Clayton Greene and members of the outgoing NEC for dedicated service to the Party over the preceding two years.
Newly elected NEC members include:
National Chairman - Mr. Trevor Cooke
Deputy Chairman - Ms. Petagaye Blake
Secretary General - Ms Sharon Simons (Appointed by the leader)
Assistant Secretary General - Ms. Sonia Williams (Appointed by the leader)
Treasurer - Mr. Gordon Burton
Public Relations Director - Mr. Justin Missick
Party Whip - Mr. Stanley Taylor
Chaplin - Mr. Conrad Howell
Caretaker Member - Mr. Arthur Lightbourne (appointed by the Leader)
Caretaker Member - Mr. Crayton Higgs (appointed by the Leader)
Caretaker Member - Mr. Royal Robinson (appointed by the Leader)
Party Leader Dr. Rufus Ewing has indicated that he has shortlisted potential candidates for the post of Deputy Leader, an appointment which he hopes to make within the week. The Party wishes to thank all members and delegates whose presence made the 2012 National Congress a resounding success and wishes to encourage all PNP’s to remain dedicated to the ideals and goals of the Party under our theme: “ Moving Forward Together”.
May God bless the Progressive National Party and may God bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Hurricane Preparedness Activities 2012
The Atlantic hurricane season started on 1st June and will be with us until 30th November. Although scientists are predicting a below-average season, with possibly 10 named storms, 4 of which will develop into a hurricane and 2 possibly into a major storm of Category 3 or above, the season has started early this year; so far 2 named storms have already developed. However "below average" is not a reason for us to relax. While it is unlikely that a hurricane will hit TCI we know how devastating this can be. We must therefore do all we can to prepare ourselves.
The Government of the TCI has the responsibility to make necessary preparations; develop the response and relief capabilities that exist both in the country and through international partnerships and collaboration; and to review and hone our planned responses. TCIG's aim is to mitigate impacts from these storms and alleviate associated displacements and hardship in the most effective and humane manner.
But we must all recognise that effective preparations for and effective management of these events rests not only with the Government, but with each and every one of us. As such, it is your individual responsibility as much as it is mine, to take the necessary precautions to ensure that we are as prepared as much as possible for this hurricane season.
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) will lead and co-ordinate planning and preparations. But I have stressed to the Permanent Secretaries that every part of Government shares this responsibility; disaster preparedness is everyone's business. All Government Departments must have a business continuity plan and adequate supplies to deliver it. Numerous stakeholders and voluntary organisations outside Government also have a major role; they have been mandated to help ensure our national preparedness and I am grateful to them.
However it is essential that every resident of the TCI take the necessary steps to ensure their own preparedness. Let me therefore ask all private sector entities to meet the minimum level of preparedness by having in place a business continuity plan and emergency supplies. Every family must have a basic family emergency plan and emergency supplies for up to 72 hours.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that it only requires an impact from one storm to create devastation similar or worse than that experienced following the passage of Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Remember "Disaster Preparedness is Everyone's Business".
Please note that further information can be obtained from the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) or the District Commissioners Offices throughout the TCI.
GOVERNOR TO PRESENT QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDALS
EMERGENCY services workers across the TCI are to receive a special decoration to mark the Her Majesty The Queen’s 60 years on the throne.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal will be awarded to 250 police officers, firefighters, paramedics and prison staff who have completed a minimum of five years of service within the Commonwealth by 6 February 2012. The presentations will be made as soon as the Governor’s diary allows.
As respective heads of their organisations, RTCI Police Commissioner Colin Farquhar and Superintendent of Prisons Ian Sargent were presented with their medals during the Jubilee celebrations in Grand Turk on Monday, while other qualified recipients will receive theirs over the coming weeks from His Excellency, Governor Ric Todd.
Governor Todd explained: “The Queen has dedicated her life to the service of Britain and the Commonwealth, and the Diamond Jubilee has given us all the opportunity to celebrate the commitment, loyalty and faithfulness with which she has served over the last 60 years. Her Majesty has decided, as part of her Jubilee celebrations, to honour those people in the TCI who, like The Queen, continue to dedicate their lives to public good.
He added: “I hope the medal will serve as a mark of thanks to those who give so much in the name of the community and public service.
“I extend my congratulations to all recipients here in the TCI and look forward to presenting them in due course."
Governor Todd today offered his thanks to all those who organised and took part in the Queen’s Birthday Parades on Providenciales and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Grand Turk, which included the lighting of a beacon in Grand Turk.
“These were all spectacular events and I would like to congratulate everyone who were both involved in the organising and those who participated”, he added.
“The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated the world over and the TCI can be very proud of its contribution.”
SOUTH CAICOS BASKETBALL LEAGUE CONTINUES, AS FINALS NEAR
South Caicos league is in full swing in the big South and RTC has all the results for you.
The finals began on Saturday June 2nd,2012. The Canucks vs The Shottas in a best of 5 series.
We had 4 games over the weekend and the Holidays.
HB BULLS and YOUNG GUNZ are playing for 3rd and 4th place in a best out of 3 series.
Game 1, June 2nd, 2012
CANUCKS vs SHOTTAS
CANUCKS(1) Geoquille Penn 24pts,4assist,3steals,10rebounds,6blocks(2) Devin Jules 24pts,4assist,2steals,2rebounds(3) Kodi Seymour 20pts,3assist,22rebounds,2blocks(4) Jay Walkin 12pts,4assist,2rebounds(5) Conrad Kennedy 11pts,1steal,15rebounds,2blocks(6) Tarek Fulford 10pts,5rebounds
SHOTTAS(1) Tranell Basden 23pts,4assist,1steals,6rebounds(2) Dondre Taylor 16pts,2assist,4rebounds(3) Everette Elliot 15pts,5assist,1steal,6rebounds(4) Ron Hall 10pts,2assist,5steals,14rebounds,1block
FINAL SCORE- CANUCKS-118PTS, SHOTTAS-78PTS
Game 2, June 3rd, 2012
HB BULLS vs YOUNG GUNZ
HB BULLS(1)Delano Fulford 31pts,2assist,7steals,21rebounds,1block(2) Hillarian Taylor 20pts,3assist,6rebounds(3) Javardo Smith 10pts,2assist,4steals,10rebounds(4) Camiko Lewis 10pts,9rebounds,3steals,18rebounds,1block(5) Nick Hall 8pts,1assist,3steals,12rebounds
YOUNG GUNZ(1) Dinero Harvey 24pts,4assist,5steals,6rebounds(2) Willis Ingham 18pts,3assist,2steals,6rebounds(3) Terrence Bean 15pts,3rebounds(4) Valdez Thomas 14pts,3steals,8rebounds(5) Makieva Thomas 10pts,1assist,2steals,1rebound(6) Junior Hall 10pts,1assist,1rebound
FINAL SCORE- HB BULLS-87PTS, YOUNG GUNZ-93PTS
Game 2 of the Finals between CANUCKS VS SHOTTAS This Game went into Overtime and the score was 103-103 heading into overtime.First overtime game for the whole tournament which was very exciting both teams fought hard to win.
June 4th, 2012
CANUCKS(1) Kodi Seymour 25pts,3assist,1steals,19rebounds.2blocks(2) Jay Walkin 22pts,2assist,6steals,3rebounds(3) Devin Jules 21pts,3steals,2rebounds(4) Conrad Kennedy 13pts,1assist,2steals,7rebounds
SHOTTAS (1) Dondre Taylor 36pts,1steal,7rebounds(2) Everette Elliott 26pts,1assist,1steal,7rebounds,1block(3) Corderro Seymour 23pts,1assist,2steals,7rebounds,3blocks(4) Tranell Basden 2assist,1steal,1rebound(5) Ron Hall 11pts,1steal,11rebounds
FINAL SCORE- SHOTTAS-116PTS, CANUCKS-113PTS
THIS GAME WAS REALLY INTENSE AND EXCITING TO WATCH MAN I THINK THIS WAS THE GAME TO BE IN ATTENDANCE MAN I DONT THINK THE REST OF GAMES IS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS 1 HERE THE WHOLE CROWD WAS IN IT FROM THE TIP OFF AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WENT INTO OVERTIME REALLY NICE GAME TO WATCH REALLY. CONGRATS TO BOTH TEAMS.
JUNE 5TH, 2012
HB BULLS VS YOUNG GUNZ
HB BULLS(1) Delano Fulford 25pts,1assist,19rebounds(2) Camiko Lewis 20pts,9assist,6steals,15rebounds,4blocks(3) Hillarian Taylor 14pts,6assist,10rebounds(4) Javardo Smith 12pts,2assist,4steals,12rebounds(5) Nick Hall 12pts,2assist,13rebounds(6) RJ Seymour 10pts,7rebounds
Young Gunz(1) Dinero Harvey 31pts,8steals,3rebounds(2) Valdez thomas 1steal,10rebounds(3) Junior Hall 16pts,2assist,2steals,9rebounds(4) Corelle Cox 6pts,4steals,13rebounds
FINAL SCORE- HB BULLS 100PTS, YOUNG GUNZ-91PTS
CANUCKS AND SHOTTAS SERIES TIED 1-1 BEST OF 5
HB BULLS AND YOUNG GUNZ SERIES TIED 1-1 BEST OF 3
SOFTBALL AT THE NATIONAL STADIUM TONIGHT
Wednesday Night games continued at the National Stadium and as always RTC Sports caught the game. The Windsong Braves defeated CBS Tigers 3-1 while Provo Golf Privates was sent fishing as the Sokers defeated them 20-8. Thursday night! The Church's Slow Pitch playoff will begin at the National Stadium. We hope to see Jericho Baptist Church go up against Prophecy Church and in second game Bethany Baptist Church will take on Methodist Church. The first game gets on the way at 6:30 and the second game at 8:15pm. Look out for the finals right here on RTC as the Sports Watch team will have those games live on June 18 as apart of our Summer Heatwave and 40th Anniversary celebrations.
BEACHES TURKS AND CAICOS STATEMENT
Beaches Turks and Caicos has agreed to follow a recommendation by the Ministry of Health not to accept new guests at the resort until Saturday 9th June 2012 in order to undertake precautionary cleaning programmes and break the 14-hour incubation of the illness.
At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate to the highest standards of health and safety in the world and whilst we have experienced a very small number of cases at the resort and in fact now have fewer number of people affected by the illness. We continue to monitor the situation very closely and are working with the resorts and country’s healthcare professionals to ensure that health and safety practices are followed.
We advise guests booked to stay at Beaches Turks and Caicos over the next seven days to contact their travel agent or call 1-800-SANDALS as soon as possible in order to revise their booking.
We apologise unreservedly for any inconvenience that this may cause and extend our thanks for your patience and understanding. We would like to thank the Government and Ministry of Health of the Turks and Caicos Islands for their help and cooperation.
PARTYGOERS RAISE CASH FOR POLICE
GRACE Bay was a sea of red, white and blue as the TCI celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Hundreds gathered for a Royal Party hosted by Island Scoop ice cream store in aid of Crime Stoppers and the RTCI Police.
Revellers were treated to an afternoon of entertainment with the Provo Primary School Steel Band topping the bill.
Other attractions included face and nail painting, quizzes and karaoke, while delicious traditional British dishes such as fish and chips, cucumber sandwiches and scones were also on offer.
Island Scoop's Robin Spruce said: "We wanted to do something to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the party has proved a huge success. People from all cultures and backgrounds have come out to enjoy themselves and it's been a wonderful event.
"As well as having fun, we wanted the party to have a serious meaning and that's why we decided to donate all the proceeds to the RTCI Police through Crime Stoppers. The police are out there working hard for the whole community and this is a way of showing our appreciation."
He added: "Our thanks goes to everyone who helped organise the day and to all the businesses who supported us. And a huge thanks goes to everyone who attended and helped raise money for a great cause."
Among the guests were officers from the RTCI Police community department based at Saltmills Police Post.
Inspector Nigel Couch added: "On behalf of the RTCI Police I'd like to extend our gratitude to the Royal Party organisers for their generosity. Crime Stoppers does such great work in conjunction with the Police Service and the donation will certainly be put to good use.
"It's fantastic to see hundreds of people coming together to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and it's wonderful to see so many children from all different cultures having fun and enjoying the occasion.
"Events like these do so much to bring the community together and I congratulate the organisers on a really enjoyable afternoon."
Mr. Carlos Simons, QC releases statement after elections
Following the recent elections for leadership, PNP hopeful Carlos Simons has released the following to RTC news:
"I would like to thank all those NGC delegates who voted for me at the PNP Leadership Congress last Saturday. The result of the election was as shocking to me as I am sure it was to you, and to my supporters outside the NGC of the Party.
I congratulate Dr. Ewing and wish him well.
I am disappointed but not discouraged; dismayed but not disheartened; saddened but not bitter. So I will not abandon my Party or my Country. I will take time to rest and reflect and in consultation with those who support me I will then decide what should come next in my quest to be of service.
To those who supported me both within and outside the NGC, I say stay loyal to our Party, stay true to your principles and remember always that your Country comes first. I will in due course be touring the Islands to thank you all personally.
May God bless you all, may He bless the PNP and may He bless the TCI."
Carlos W. Simons QC