TCIG TEAM ATTENDS IRENA ENERGY CONFERENCE IN MARTINIQUE
The Minister responsible for Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, the Hon. Amanda Misick recently lead a delegation to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) -Martinique Conference on Island Energy Transitions: Pathways for Accelerated Uptake of Renewables, held last month in Fort-de-France, Martinique.
The event was based on the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Lighthouses Initiative, which aims to mobilize $500 million USD, deploy 100 MegaWatts(MW) of new solar photovoltaic power, deploy 20 MW of new wind power and ensure that all participating SIDS create renewable energy roadmaps within the initial 5-year timeframe.
Under this initiative, the Martinique Island Energy Conference set forth a Martinique Action Plan (MAP) which proposed a concrete set of actions to accelerate the uptake of renewables, in particular wind, geothermal and marine technologies. Actions included the development of a Grid Integration Framework for islands as well as the creation of a network for islands to share resources, knowledge, experiences and strategies for expanding the use of renewables.
“Given the initiatives currently being undertaken, I welcome the exposure and networking opportunities as well as being able to get a better understanding of the development as well as the benefits of renewables within the region” noted Hon. Missick. “The exposure gives us the opportunity to see how similar countries are tapping into available resources to implement alternative energy options and curb rising energy cost for its population."
The Minister was accompanied by Ms. Sparkle Prentice, Energy Analyst in the Department of Energy and Utilities and Ms. Kathy Walkin, Head of Secretariat for the Ministry.
Among the models showcased at the conference from which the Turks and Caicos can benefit were grid integration examples in Seychelles, São Tomé, King Island and Mauritius, as well as grid stability studies from Barbados, Palau and Martinique. Also showcased were suitable biomass and waste-to-energy applications in Palau and the Maldives, as well as options for renewable desalination systems in Anguilla and St. Barts.
The conference, which highlighted the need for enabling frameworks for renewables investments and advancement through renewable energy project partnerships, was a milestone in the implementation of the Lighthouses goals for the UNFCCC 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21). The progress of the Martinique Action Plan will be showcased at COP21 in November and December.
UK SHIP SUPPORTS TCI HURRICANE AND DISASTER READINESS
The 16,000 tonne Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship Lyme Bay will arrive in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) this weekend to support the Islands’ hurricane season preparations (1-4 August 2015).
Amphibious support ship RFA Lyme Bay is on ‘hurricane watch’ from June until November 2015, ready to offer assistance to the UK’s six Overseas Territories in the Caribbean should a storm hit.
“Preparing thoroughly for natural disasters in this region is vital to each UK Overseas Territory’s safety, security and sustainability,” said TCI Governor Peter Beckingham.
“RFA Lyme Bay’s visit is a very clear demonstration of how the UK supports the people and governments of its Overseas Territories.”
Lyme Bay will spend the first two days of her visit in Grand Turk, where the crew will also get involved in a search and rescue exercise with officials from TCI’s Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), as well as community projects and football and cricket matches against local sides.
She will then sail to Providenciales to survey where the UK’s hurricane support ships should best be positioned if a storm struck the TCI’s most populated island – the island’s reef prevents large ships berthing there.
Her Royal Marines and soldiers will further familiarise themselves with the TCI’s most populous island by working with DDME, the Police Marine Unit and Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs personnel based on Providenciales.
In addition to her crew of nearly 100 RFA sailors, the ship carries 23 Royal Navy sailors, 27 Royal Marines and Royal Engineers in a specialist disaster relief unit, plus 18 soldiers from the Royal Logistics Corps.
Bay Class ships, like Lyme Bay, are amphibious landings ships which can quickly offload troops and equipment in rough weather. The ship can also generate electricity and fresh drinking water after a storm.
The civilian-manned Royal Fleet Auxiliary delivers worldwide logistical and operational support for the wide range of tasks the Royal Navy undertakes including war fighting, counter-piracy, humanitarian and disaster relief, and counter-narcotics operations.
PREMIER RUFUS EWING COMMENTS OF THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A MINOR
The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. The Hon. Rufus W. Ewing, has expressed his sincere regret on hearing news of the tragic death of the three year old who was fatally injured yesterday in South Dock, Providenciales.
Premier Ewing, who returned to the Country last evening after attending the Pre Joint Ministerial Council Meeting in Bermuda this past week, remarked that incidents of this nature not only affects the families of the victims, but also affect the nation.
Premier Ewing commented:
“This is a very sad time for the entire country. As a leader and a father the tragic death of this child weighs heavily on my heart".
“On behalf of the Government, the people of these beautiful islands and my family, I extend my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. May God be your source of strength and comfort during this difficult time
Bobbi Kristina Brown Passes Away
Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of late singer Whitney Houston, has died aged 22, a family representative has said. Kristen Foster said she passed away on Sunday surrounded by her family and was "finally at peace in the arms of God". Brown was discovered face down and unresponsive in a bathtub on 31 January and placed in a medically induced coma. She never regained consciousness. She was moved to a hospice in the city of Duluth, Georgia, a month ago after her condition deteriorated. Brown was the only daughter of Houston and R&B singer Bobby Brown. Houston was found dead in a hotel bath in Los Angeles in 2012.
"It is hard to say goodbye. On Sunday, July 26, Bobbi Kristina Brown made her transition peacefully. The family thanks everyone for their loving thoughts and prayers. As Bobbi Kristina would say: 'The wind is behind me and the sun is in my face.'" "Bobbi Kristina Brown passed away July 26 2015, surrounded by her family," Ms Foster added. "She is finally at peace in the arms of God. We want to again thank everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months." Singer Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston's cousin, described Bobbi Kristina as "a sweetheart". "She will be missed, that's for sure. She was a good girl. She was a good little girl. She really was," she told Bravo's Watch What Happens Live.
Cricket Report Match Number 8
The TCICA T20 Summer Cricket League continued on Sunday the 19th of July 2015 at the Downtown Ballpark Providenciales. Police battled with Kischo.
Kischo won the toss and inserted the Police who then posted 190 runs for the loss of 8 wickets from 20 overs. The top scorers were Desborne Young with unbeaten 66 runs which were decorated with 6x4 and 4x6 and Karim Jack added 35 runs consisting of 6x4.
Bowling for Kischo: Antoine Das captured 4 wickets for 20 runs from 4 overs and Pawan Kumar and Simijo Devassy took two wickets each.
In their chase a magical batting performance by Pawan Kumar which included hitting the last ball of the 20th over for a towering six which enabled Kischo to tie the match with a 190 runs.
Pawan Kumar led the way with 88 runs which was laced with 11x4 and 4x6 and Anthony Das contributed 39 runs, 5x4 and 1x6
Bowling for the Police: Ira Baptiste, Lyndon Tyson & Bauric Jervis took a wicket each
Player of the Match: Pawan Kumar
Competition continues on Saturday, 25th July 2015 at the Downtown Ballpark Providenciales, Beaches will be taking on Mitsubishi Electric and on Sunday the 26th July 2015 Police will go against Quality Super Kings.
PREMIER RUFUS EWING AND MINISTER OF BORDER CONTROL ATTENDS PRE-JMC IN BERMUDA
The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. The Hon. Rufus W. Ewing along with his Minister of Border Control and Employment, Hon. Ricardo Gardiner left yesterday to join other leaders of the Overseas Territories at the Pre-Joint Ministerial Council Meeting being held in Bermuda.
The meeting of OT Leaders this week precedes the Joint Ministerial Conference that is slated for November 2015 as a planning session to have candid discussions on those matters of priority affecting the Overseas Territories for inclusion on the Agenda of the JMC.
Premier Ewing, in a correspondence to the UK Minister of the Overseas Territories, Mr. Duddridge, made known his Government’s areas of priority as being financial and economic sustainability, social development and border control and security. The Premier informed Minister Duddridge of his keen intention to meet with him for further discussion on this and other matters including the UK’s response to the country’s request for a Constitutional Review which remains outstanding, and matters of diplomatic protocol and reciprocal courtesies at border check points for local and visiting diplomats.
Among the other OT Leaders expected to be in attendance at the two-day meeting in Bermuda are Dr. The Hon. Orlando Smith, Premier of the British Virgin Islands and The Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Premier of the Cayman Islands.
During the two-day meeting, the Territories Leaders are also expected to make a unified statement on their approach to Beneficial Ownership, which will be forwarded to the United Kingdom thereafter.
Apple Sees A Possible Downfall In Apple Watch
iPhone?
Still doing well. It sold 47.5 million in the three months to 27 June, up 35% on this time last year. The total is down 22% on the previous quarter, but that's largely because consumers know Apple is about to release a new model - probably in the autumn - so many will wait until then.
iPad?
Continued decline, attributed to bigger iPhones being available. A sixth consecutive quarter of falls - but iPad still dominates the high-end tablet market (that's anything about $200). Apple shifted just shy of 11m units in the last quarter. That said, chief executive Tim Cook said: "I am still bullish on iPad."
Apple Watch?
Now that's a lot trickier.
"We made a decision back to September not to disclose the shipments of the watch," Mr Cook told investors on yesterday.
"That was not a matter of not being transparent. It was a matter of not giving our competition insight on a product we've worked hard on."
Many aren't buying that explanation. But let's look at what Apple did tell us.
Apple has lumped the watch in its "other" category that includes the iPod, Beats accessories, Apple TV and so on.
Compared to the previous quarter - before the gadget went on sale - the "other" category is up 56%, with quarterly revenue of $2.6bn.
But Mr Cook urged against back-of-a-cigarette-packet maths to determine watch sales.
"It would not be be an accurate thing to look at the sequential change and assume that was the watch revenue," he said.
Parts of the category, such as the iPod, are in decline, making a precise number hard to isolate until Apple feels compelled to tell us.
Having canvassed several analysts, the general wisdom is that Apple has sold between 2.5 million and 3 million watches.
Source: BBC
Pic-O-De-Crop Competition
DE BIG SHOW had the lion’s share of calypsonians share when the semi-finalists for the Pic-O-De-Crop Competition were announced this morning at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
From the tents that faced the judges, De Big Show landed six, there were four from Headliners, three each from House of Soca and Experience and two from All Stars. None were called from Stray Cats or Tornados.
Nine-time monarch Gabby makes his return to the Pic-O-De-Crop stage after a hiatus, while De Doctor from the Experience Tent is also back after three years.
A handful of people stayed back after Cave Shepherd All Stars, the final tent was judged, to hear the list. The defending monarch is Ian iWeb Webster. The 18: Donella, Hee Haw (All Stars); Adonijah, Biggie Irie, Classic, Gabby, Mikey, Mistah Dale (De Big Show); AC, Chrystal Cummins-Beckles, Colin Spencer, MRBLOOD (Headliners); Dre, Sammy G, Sir Ruel (House of Soca); Billboard, De Doctor, Enobong (Experience). Reserve: Niqa (All Stars) (NS).
Biggie Irie Performs At Sweet Soca Finals
DEFENDING MONARCH Biggie Irie will be performing at No. 4 when the Sweet Soca finals are staged on July 26 at Bushy Park.
He pulled that number this morning during Festival Stage Live. Leading off the group will be Imani, one of two females in the finals.
Following in order are Hypasounds, TC, Biggie, Mistah Dale, Edwin, Blood, RPB and iWeb.
The Sweet Soca finals will form part of the Soca Royale show. It is also the Day of National Significance.
Neil Young Pulls His Music Off Spotify and Apple
Neil Young is pulling off his music from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Neil made the announcement on Facebook on Wednesday, July 15. The "Harvest Moon" wrote, "Streaming has ended for me. I hope this is ok for my fans."
"It's not because of the money, although my share (like all the other artists) was dramatically reduced by bad deals made without my consent. It's about sound quality," he explained, "I don't need my music to be devalued by the worst quality in the history of broadcasting or any other form of distribution."
"I don't feel right allowing this to be sold to my fans. It's bad for my music. For me, It's about making and distributing music people can
really hear and feel. I stand for that. When the quality is back, I'll give it another look. Never say never," he adds.