BOLT AVAILABLE FOR CW GAMES
After saying a week ago that he would bypass the Commonwealth Games, the world's fastest man Usain Bolt could make his first appearance at the championships after making himself available to be selected to the Jamaican team despite missing this weekend's JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships.
Bolt, who has won gold medals at every major meet but missed the last two Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2006 and India four years ago, said, in a release yesterday, he would only be available for the sprint relays, if selected by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association's (JAAA's) selection committee.
Bolt and Racers Track Club training partner Yohan Blake had not submitted entries at last week's deadline and their handlers said then they would not be available for the championships that are held every four years.
Bolt has not competed so far this season and has withdrawn from two meets, and in his release published on the Commonwealth Games website yesterday, said: "I am not ready to compete at the Jamaican Championships this weekend, but I have informed the JAAA that I am available for selection for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and have submitted the relevant documents."
If he is picked he will join fellow World Championships triple gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will also miss this weekend's JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, after submitting a medical certificate, though she will only run in the relays.
In his release Bolt said while he would not be ready to compete this weekend and does not want to take someone else's place, he would be willing to run in the relays if needed.
Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have signed partnership agreements with the European Union, in a move strongly opposed by Russia.
The pact - which would bind the three countries more closely to the West both economically and politically - is at the heart of the crisis in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said making Ukraine choose between Russia and the EU would split it in two.
A ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine is due to end on Friday.
Mr Putin called for a long-term ceasefire to allow talks between the government and separatists.
Meanwhile the United Nations refugee agency said there had been a sharp rise in the numbers of displaced people in eastern Ukraine in the past week, with 16,400 people fleeing the area.
Summit set to snub UK over Juncker
EU leaders meeting in Brussels are expected to confirm former Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker as the next president of the European Commission.
The move comes despite strong opposition from Britain.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said "the odds are stacked against me" over Mr Juncker, but stressed that he would stick to his principles.
He believes Mr Juncker is too much in favour of closer political union and might block EU reform.
He also objects to the way Mr Juncker, a 59-year-old veteran of Brussels deal-making, was put forward. He was lead candidate of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), which won last month's European elections.
The UK Conservatives - who pulled out of the EPP - suspect that the Commission is being politicised in a power grab by the European Parliament. But Mr Juncker's supporters value his record of consensus-building and commitment to EU integration.
Under new EU treaty rules the leaders have to take account of the European election result when nominating a Commission chief. The parliament will vote on the nominee next month.
Mr Cameron is seeking an unprecedented summit vote on the appointment, which is usually made by consensus.
But his bid to block Mr Juncker suffered a major setback this week when his allies changed tack.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel had given Mr Cameron hope after agreeing to a vote on the issue if there was no consensus.
But both the Netherlands and Sweden - normally close to UK positions in Europe - have since said they will back Mr Juncker.
Opposition boycotts Parliament IN ANTIGUA
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that his administration is prepared for early by-elections as opposition legislators made good on their threat to boycott the first sitting of the new Parliament following the June 12 general election.
"I want to send a very clear message that we will ensure using our parliamentary majority that if members on the other side seek to undermine the work of this House and absent themselves for three consecutive sittings, then trust me you will have one or several by elections," he said to loud applause.
Former chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) Sir Gerald Watt was sworn in as Speaker of the new Parliament here on Wednesday after Opposition legislators kept their promise and boycotted the event.
The three Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) legislators, including former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, had indicated they would not attend the sitting, the first since the general election which the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won by a 14-3 margin.
The Opposition legislators alleged that not enough notice had been given to them for the sitting.
IDB approves loan for Jamaica's fight crime
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$20 million loan for Jamaica to strengthen community actions that seek to reduce crime and violence, especially among at-risk youths.
In spite of advances in prevention efforts Jamaica continues to suffer from high crime and violence, the Washington-based financial institution stated.
The IDB noted that the homicide rate remains among the highest in the hemisphere and one in three Jamaicans has lost a family member or friend to crime.
The programme, called Citizen Security and Justice Program III, focuses mainly on individual and community risk factors in urban, marginalized areas, addressing problems such as the use and tolerance of violence as a way to exert control and resolve disputes, the lack of economic opportunities, especially for youth, and the lack of channels for alternative dispute resolution.
"The idea is to promote a culture change that facilitates a more peaceful co-existence and community governance, through interventions that provide knowledge and opportunities," the IDB stated on Wednesday.
Another component aims to improve access to community-based justice services, complementary to the formal court system, and to strengthen the capacity of Jamaica's Ministry of Justice to manage and monitor these services.
The programme which will include rigorous monitoring and evaluations, contains specific targets to lower murder rates in targetED communities and improve security perceptions.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The residents of South Caicos are invited to their town hall meeting on “Chikungunya Virus” hosted by the Environmental Health Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Human this evening June 26, 2014 at the Regatta Village commencing at 6:30p.m.
The Ministry of Health is continuing activities to prevent further spread of these illnesses through public education and enhanced vector control activities throughout the TCI.
To protect yourself and your family, the Ministry of Health and Human Services will be advising persons at the meeting on the following precautions that can be taken
Meetings will also be held for the Bight, Providenciales- Monday June 30th, 2014 at Ianthe Pratt Primary School, 6:30pm and the final meeting will be held for the Kew Town community in Providenciales- Tuesday July 1, 2014 at Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex, 6:30pm
A MEETING OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
A MEETING OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY which was scheduled for this week, WILL now BE HELD IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (HON. N.J.S. FRANCIS BUILDING) FRONT STREET, GRAND TURK ON MONDAY 30TH JUNE, TUESDAY 1ST June, and on WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY 2014.
RTC will have live coverage as the committee looks at the budget proposals for 2014/2015.
Valedictory Services, and Graduation & Prize Giving Ceremonies
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services cordially invites the general public to the Valedictory Services, and Graduation & Prize Giving ceremonies for students completing public primary and high schools in the country. The schedule for the various ceremonies throughout the islands is listed below.
1.High Schools- Valedictory Services - Sunday June 29th 2014: Grand Turk - HJ Robinson-Salem Baptist Church 3:00 p.m.- Speaker: Rev. Mark Christmas
South Caicos -Marjorie Basden -New Testament Church of God-3:30 p.m. Speaker: Bishop Clayton Harris.
North Caicos -Raymond Gardiner-Church of God of Prophecy 3:00 p.m. Speaker: Pastor A. Banzie
Providenciales-Clement Howell-Paradise Baptist Church 3:30 p.m. Speaker: Pastor Pedro Williams
High Schools Graduation Ceremonies
Monday, 30th June 2014 HJ Robinson -Yellow-man & Son's Auditorium, 6:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Angela Musgrove
Theme: Unlocking Our Potential, Creating a Path that Leads to Success
Tuesday, 1st July 2014-Marjorie Basden -South Caicos Community Centre, 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mr. Nixon Dickenson
Theme: We Design Our Future through the Power of Choice.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014 Raymond Gardiner - Horse Stable Beach 5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mrs. Ruth Forbes, theme: We've Only Just Begun.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014 Clement Howell -Williams Auditorium,5:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: Ms. Anya Malcolm
Theme: Celebrate your Achievements; Embrace your Dreams
2. Primary Schools Prize-Giving Ceremonies
Theme: Recognizing Achievement – Promoting Excellence
Monday, 30th 2014 -Grand Turk- H. J. Robinson High Auditorium 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, 1st July 2014- South Caicos -Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, 2nd July 2014-North Caicos & Middle -Horse Stable Beach 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, 3rd July 2014- Providenciales -Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex 10 a.m.
Mary Fulford wins Miss Teen Summa Jam
The Organizers of the popular annual Grand Turk festival T I Summajam continued last night, Thursday, June 26th, at the library Tennis Court where contestants took part in the Miss Teen Grand Turk.
3rd runner up was Makayla Tucker wearing the sash of Cash Wiz TCI, 2nd runner up was Royshana Robinson of Herzog Construction, 1st runner up was Shaniqua Wolfe wearing the sash of GQ Car Rentals & Sales & taking home the grand prize was Mary Fulford proudly donning the sash of TCI Lotto games.
However this evening, the Miss Grand Turk 2014 Pageants will take to the runway where they will be vying for the coveted crown:
Miss Grand Turk Pageant
Contestant Sponsor
Colea Coalbrooke Other People’s Affairs
Delricia Wilson Grand Turk Liquors
Raynell Smith Paradise Events
Dixie Smith(former winner) Osprey Beach Hotel
Kathia Rock E and R Supermarket
Wadeline Filsaime Wally’s Restaurant
Olivia Smith Margaritaville
Bethsada Jean Faboutique Fashions
The festival will commence at 8:00 p.m. this evening.
Integrity Commission Deadline
The Integrity Commission is reminding Specified Persons in Public Life that the deadline for filing their Section 25 Declarations is in 3 days, June 30, 2014.
During the recent public education sessions held throughout the islands, the Commission provided sufficient opportunities for Specified Persons in Public Life to collect blank Declarations Forms. The Commission has subsequently e-mailed Declaration Forms to these persons.
These Forms may be collected from the Office of the Commission at Franklyn Missick's Building, Church Folly Road today, in Grand Turk between the hours of 9am to 4 pm. These Forms can also be e-mailed to you upon your request.
The Commission has also concluded the following arrangements to receive completed Declaration Forms directly from Specified Persons in Public Life, who resides here in Grand Turk. The Commission is advising residents in the capital that they should submit their completed Declaration Forms personally at the Commission Office before 4:30 pm on Monday June 30,2014.
The Compliance Officers, will be travelling to the family islands to personally receive the completed Declarations Forms in NORTH CAICOS, this morning JUNE 27, 2O14 between 10:00 am-2:00pm at the DC's Office.
Then tomorrow Saturday June 28, 2014, the Officers will visit SOUTH CAICOS on Saturday, at 10:00am- 2:00pm at the DC's Office and in PROVIDENCIALES, on Mon June 30 through to Wed July 2, 2014 between 10:00am and 4:00pm at the DECR Environmental Centre.
Director of the TCI Integrity Commission, Eugene Otuonye informed our newsroom a week ago that failure, without reasonable cause, to file Declaration is a criminal offence, punishable with an imprisonment for 1 year or a fine of $15000 or both, in addition, the Commission is obligated to publish the fact of such failure in the Gazette.