Premier League agrees record £6.7bn domestic TV rights deal
The Premier League has agreed a new record £6.7bn domestic television deal for Sky and TNT to show up to 270 live games a season.
The deal includes the BBC continuing to show highlights on Match of the Day.
The top flight said the deal, which covers the four years from the 2025-26 season, is the "largest sports media rights deal ever concluded in the UK".
The Saturday 3 pm blackout will remain in place, but every 2 pm Sunday kick-off will be televised.
The BBC's deal includes MOTD2 and Football Focus plus additional digital rights for its online platforms.
Sky has been awarded four of the five packages and will show a minimum of 215 matches a season including Saturday 5.30 pm kick-offs, Sunday 2 pm and 4.30 pm kick-offs, plus evening games on Mondays and Fridays and three midweek rounds.
TNT will show a minimum of 52 matches a season including all 12.30 pm kick-offs on Saturdays and two midweek match rounds.
Sky Sports will also broadcast all 10 matches on the final day of each season.
Amazon, which shows 20 matches per season under the league's current deal, has not secured rights in the new agreement.
This is the first time the Premier League has been through a tender process for its rights since 2018.
The current £5bn domestic TV rights deal, which expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, was allowed to be extended because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Premier League said the new deal will "provide financial certainty for clubs throughout professional football until at least 2029".
"The outcome of this process underlines the strength of the Premier League and is a testament to our clubs, players, and managers who continue to deliver the world's most competitive football in full stadiums, and to supporters, who create an unrivaled atmosphere every week," said Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
Barbara Slater, Director, of BBC Sport, said: "Match Of The Day remains enduringly popular with audiences and this new agreement with the Premier League is brilliant news for football fans all over the UK.
"For almost 60 years it has been the UK's most discussed football programme, delivering a complete digest of the weekend's action and this enhanced deal with more digital content means we can tell the story of the Premier League every day across BBC Sport platforms."
Even though they are selling significantly more games for marginally more money, the Premier League will be privately satisfied with the figures given they believe additional growth in TV revenues over the medium term will come from the overseas market.
This announcement solidifies Sky's position as the main Premier League broadcaster partner, keeps TNT in the mix, and will deliver more digital content to BBC Sport, which is part of its overall strategy in a period when it will also show highlights of the Champions League.
We are still to see the true emergence of streaming platforms as a player in the market for weekly content, with Amazon - who this week will screen 10 matches - dropping out after the Premier League opted to put its five-midweek rounds into their packages, rather than selling them off individually, as was the case when they last properly negotiated its domestic TV rights in 2018.
The Premier League has confirmed the intention to screen all Sunday 2 pm games, most of which involve clubs playing in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League the previous Thursday.
There is no wholesale switch to Saturday or Sunday nights, which had been feared, although there are some weekend matches that have been sold as part of the packages that do not have timeslots. It remains to be seen what happens with them. In Italy, two matches are routinely played with different kick-off times on Fridays and Mondays.
TNT retaining the 12.30 pm kick-off slot on a Saturday points towards Sky continuing the current trend of screening EFL matches at that time.
However, there is no additional space created for the Women's Super League, which is why there have been suggestions it might benefit from using the 3 pm 'blackout' slot.
Source- BBC
China trials visa-free travel for six countries
China is trialing visa-free travel for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia for a year, its foreign ministry said.
From December 30 November 2024, ordinary passport holders from these countries can do business or travel in China without a visa for up to 15 days.
This is to help "promote China's high-quality development and opening up", spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.
Currently, most travelers need a visa to enter China.
The rare examples of those exempt include citizens of Singapore and Brunei, who are entering China for business, tourism, family visits, and transit for no more than 15 days.
It was only in March that China began issuing all types of visas again, for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in December 2019.
Tens of millions of international visitors came to China each year prior to the pandemic.
For three years, China imposed some of the world's strictest COVID curbs, with travel restrictions, numerous lockdowns, and frequent testing requirements.
Its zero-Covid policy, which hit the economy hard, was only lifted last December.
Source- BBC
Rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of rape in new lawsuit
Mr Combs recently settled a sexual assault suit brought by R&B singer and former partner Casandra "Cassie" Ventura.
A representative for the rapper called the latest allegations "made up and not credible".
"This is purely a money grab and nothing more," the spokesperson said in a statement to the BBC on Thursday.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Joi Dickerson-Neal, says that she knew Mr Combs - who also goes by the stage name Puff Daddy and P Diddy - through acquaintances. She had also appeared in one of his music videos.
According to the complaint, on 3 January 1991, she "reluctantly" agreed to meet Mr. Combs at a Harlem restaurant where she worked, and he "pushed [her] to keep him company as he attended to a few things in the city".
She says that during that time she was drugged by the rapper "resulting in her being in a physical state where she could not independently stand or walk".
He later drove her to the place he was staying, where he sexually assaulted her, according to the lawsuit.
She says she later learned he secretly filmed the encounter and showed it to a number of other people.
The lawsuit describes how after the alleged assault her life went into a "tailspin" - she struggled with her mental health and soon dropped out of college.
The legal action came hours before the New York Adult Survivors Act - which allows alleged victims of sex crimes to sue after the statute of limitations has lapsed - ends on 24 November.
"Our client has not been able to escape the continuing impact of the harm Combs caused her many years ago," said Jonathan Goldhirsch, one of the plaintiff's lawyers, in a statement.
"Through the Adult Survivors Act, she can avail herself to the courts to finally seek justice."
A representative for Mr Combs said: "This last-minute lawsuit is an example of how a well-intentioned law can be turned on its head. Ms Dickerson's 32-year-old story is made up and not credible."
This is the second sexual assault lawsuit brought against Mr Combs this month.
Ms Ventura accused the music mogul of rape and sex trafficking in a federal lawsuit filed last week. She alleged that the rap producer raped and beat her over 10 years starting when she was 19 and he was 37.
The two reached a settlement a day after the suit was filed.
Mr Combs had denied Ms Ventura's claims and his lawyer said the decision to settle was not an admission of wrongdoing.
Source- BBC
Police look for clues in deadly US-Canada border car blast
Investigators are searching for clues as to why a car that was being driven towards the Canadian border from the US accelerated before crashing and bursting into flames.
The Wednesday morning incident happened on the Rainbow Bridge at the US-Canada border near Niagara Falls.
The couple in the car were killed, and a US border agent was injured.
The bridge reopened on Thursday evening as police work to determine what happened.
The crash initially triggered a major security scare on the eve of Thanksgiving, with authorities closing several ports of entry between Canada and the US in the area as a precaution.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul later ruled out terrorism, but many unknowns remain, including the identity of the couple in the car.
The explosion happened at around 11:30 local time (16:30 GMT) on Wednesday, causing serious disruption on one of the busiest travel days of the year ahead of American Thanksgiving.
Gov Hochul said the car traveled at a "very high rate of speed", hurtling over an 8ft (2.4m) fence on the New York side of the border near a checkpoint.
The vehicle was "incinerated", Ms. Hochul said, and nothing was left but the engine. Not even a registration plate was recovered.
US law enforcement confirmed that the two people inside the car were married. But it remains unclear why they crashed.
Robert Restaino, the mayor of Niagara Falls in New York, told the New York Times that the couple were business owners from nearby Grand Island and were both in their 50s.
Mr Restaino said they were driving an older Bentley model and were on their way to a concert in Canada, believed to be a Kiss show that was canceled.
Among other possibilities, Mr Restaino said police were looking at whether the car had suffered a mechanical failure that caused it to accelerate.
A casino located less than a mile from the Rainbow Bridge on the New York side of the border, the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, where the vehicle stopped briefly, has said it cooperates with the ongoing police investigation.
The Rainbow Bridge is a crossing for motor traffic and pedestrians over the Niagara River, and connects the cities of Niagara Falls, Canada, and Niagara Falls, in New York state.
The mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada, Jim Diodati, told Canada's public broadcaster that the immediate aftermath of the blast was an "emotional roller-coaster" as officials struggled to sift through what had happened, and there were initial fears of a terrorist attack.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations of Buffalo said that it had concluded its investigation at the scene.
It found "no explosive materials, and no terrorism nexus was identified".
The matter has been handed over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation. The force said it was working to identify those involved and notify their next of kin, but that due "to the complexity of the incident, the investigation will take some time".
The closure has affected both Canadians and Americans in the area. One eyewitness, Toronto resident Dor Tamang, said he was processing immigration documents on the American side of the border when the blast happened, shaking the ground in the US Customs and Border Patrol building that he was in.
He and about a dozen other people were then told to walk across the bridge back to Canada and were forced to leave their cars behind on the US side.
Aaron Beatty, from Cleveland, Ohio, said he crossed into Canada to see Niagara Falls on Wednesday morning.
"I said, 'Oh, I'll just cross over to the Canadian side for a quick hour to see the other side and walk back," Mr Beatty told the BBC.
But as he was heading back into the US, a border agent told him to go back to Canada.
"That one hour turned into almost eight hours now," Mr Beatty said on Wednesday evening.
Other bridges connecting the US and Canada nearby - the Peace, Queenston-Lewiston, and Whirlpool Rapids Bridges - were temporarily closed but had reopened to the public by Wednesday evening.
Source- BBC
Chipmaker Broadcom completes $69bn deal to buy VMware
Computer chipmaker Broadcom has completed its $69bn (£55bn) acquisition of cloud computing firm VMware, wrapping up one of the biggest takeover deals in the technology sector.
The deal was scrutinized by regulators around the world ahead of the last clearance from China.
There were concerns it could be affected by US-China tensions.
The approval follows a meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in the US last week.
American company Broadcom - headquartered in San Jose, California - designs, develops, and supplies semiconductor chips while it also offers infrastructure software solutions.
VMware - also an American company with headquarters in Palo Alto, California- develops virtualization software that allows a user to run a virtual computer on a physical computer to increase the efficiency of the computer system.
Broadcom's president and chief executive officer, Hock Tan, said they were excited to bring together their teams to build "the world's leading infrastructure technology company".
Together, they hope to create private and hybrid cloud environments where users can run "apps anywhere".
To complete the deal, the firm has sought and received legal merger clearances in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, Israel, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UK.
Shares in VMWare will now cease to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), according to the company.
The US and China have been engaged in a trade war since 2018 when the then US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on China.
Advanced chips, which are used in everything from cars, and smartphones to fighter jets, have been the most recent hot commodity.
Last month, China hit back at the Biden administration's decision to impose new restrictions on their exports.
However, the two leaders who met during the APEC summit managed to agree on a number of issues ranging from tackling climate change together to resuming military communication.
Despite President Biden calling President Xi "a dictator", China's state-owned media hailed it as a "historic" summit that would be a "new starting point" for their relations.
Broadcom has been caught up in tensions between the world's two biggest economies.
In 2017, the firm announced what would have been the largest-ever takeover deal for rival Qualcomm.
But four months later, it was blocked by Mr Trump after US national security officials warned that a deal could help China overtake America in the race to develop 5G technology.
Weeks later, Broadcom decided to move to relocate to the US from Singapore.
Source- BBC
27 September 2023 TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 25th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 27 September 2023 at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales.
All Members were present except Hon. Malcolm and the Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Approved recommendations proposed by the Turks and Caicos Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to amend the Retiring Allowance (Legislative Service) Ordinance, and amendments to transport and travel policies.
· Approved a 50% remission of Share Transfer Duty Payable by Hadley Investments II Ltd in its acquisition of C.B. Holdings Limited.
· Approved the terms of a settlement between the TCIG and Holiday Villages (Providenciales) Ltd DBA Club Med in relation to an outstanding tax amount.
· Received an update on the current state of the Turks and Caicos Islands 2023 Census.
· Approved amendments to the National Insurance Board (NIB) and National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) to facilitate the implementation of the National Insurance Shared Services Project.
· Approved virements from the Space Planning Project for the purchase and installation of a new air conditioning system for the Hon. Hilly A. Ewing Building and funding to facilitate an offer on a parcel of land for a new NIB office complex on Providenciales.
· Approved the appointment of Mrs. Romaine Misick-Smith as Chief Executive Officer to the National Health Insurance Plan for a period of three months, or until a permanent CEO is appointed, with effect from 21 September 2023.
· Approved the designation of the Notary Public Training course offered by the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College in collaboration with the Eugene Dupuch Law School in Nassau, Bahamas, to provide training for Notaries Publics as the prescribed training referenced in the Notary Public Ordinance 2020.
· Approved the TCIAA hiring temporary hires on a fixed term basis for a period of three months to complete repair and maintenance works scheduled for FY2023/2024.
· Approved for:
a) All functions of the Collector of Customs and the Director of Immigration are to be vested in the Director General.
b) Enabling language to be inputted into the legacy legislation frameworks and the drafting of a new Ordinance to give the TCI Border Force the sole responsibility for the administration of the Customs & Immigration Department Ordinance.
c) The updating of the reporting structure in the relevant Ordinances enabling the Director General to report directly to the Minister responsible for the Turks & Caicos Islands Border Force.
d) The updating of the reporting structure in the relevant Ordinances enabling the Director of Inland & Director of Ports to report directly to the Director General.
e) The amending of the Customs Ordinance to give enabling powers to Immigration Officers to act in the capacity of Customs Officers by amending the Customs Ordinance.
Grade 3 student collapses at school and dies; Williams saddened
Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, has requested additional information surrounding the collapse at school and subsequent death of a grade 3 student from Wakefield Primary and Infant School in Trelawny on Wednesday.
Eight-year-old Alexia Drummond was reportedly seen unresponsive on the floor by her classroom teacher after the lunch break, and was taken to a nearby health facility, and then to hospital by school personnel.
She was later pronounced dead.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has traumatized Alexia’s family, classmates, and the wider school community,” said Williams in response.
While stating that more information is needed on the tragic development, the minister is urging school personnel, parents, and all who have a duty of care for children, to be watchful for any early signs of health challenges.
Alexia was described as a quiet, diligent student by her classroom teacher.
Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, has requested additional information surrounding the collapse at school and subsequent death of a grade 3 student from Wakefield Primary and Infant School in Trelawny on Wednesday.
Eight-year-old Alexia Drummond was reportedly seen unresponsive on the floor by her classroom teacher after the lunch break, and was taken to a nearby health facility, and then to hospital by school personnel.
She was later pronounced dead.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has traumatized Alexia’s family, classmates, and the wider school community,” said Williams in response.
While stating that more information is needed on the tragic development, the minister is urging school personnel, parents, and all who have a duty of care for children, to be watchful for any early signs of health challenges.
Alexia was described as a quiet, diligent student by her classroom teacher.
Source- Loop News
5 September 2023 TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 23rd meeting of Cabinet on Tuesday 5 September at the Premier’s Office
on Providenciales.
All Members were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
·
Approved the appointment of Dr Gogontle Gatang-McCartney as the attorney representing the Attorney General’s Chambers on TCI Gaming
Control Commission Board.
Noted the awarding of the contract following the recommendation of the Procurement Board:
o
PN 005720, TR 22/36, Police Vessels
·
Approved Settlement Negotiations in relation to land near Providenciales International Airport which was commandeered by the TCI
Government in 2008.
·
Discussed the current operation of the Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Tax penalty.
·
Approved appointment of Mr. Norman B. Saunders Jr as Chairman of the National Insurance Board Appeals Tribunal for a period of two years.
·
Received presentations from the Department of Tourism Regulations (DTR) and Experience TCI.
·
Considered remission of stamp duty on parcels 60718/138, Cheshire Hall, and Richmond Hill in Providenciales.
·
Noted the Ministry of Education’s re-appointment of Miss Rhesa Cartwright as Director of the National Insurance Board for a period
of three years.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
19 September 2023 TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 24th meeting of Cabinet on Tuesday 19 September 2023 at the Premier’s Office on Grand Turk.
All Members were present except the Hon. Otis Morris.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Approved Supplementary Estimates for 2023-24.
· Received an update on work to enhance compliance with OECD blacklisting.
· Approved the appointment of Ms. Vanessa Hall as Secretary to the TCI National Wealth Fund Board (NWF) for a period of 3 years.
· Approved the Financial Intelligence Agency (Amendment) Bill and for it to be forwarded to the House of Assembly.
· Approved the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill and for it to be forwarded to the House of Assembly.
· Considered recommendations concerning the Anti-Money Laundering regime and assessment of Virtual Asset Providers (VASP) activity.
Nissan to lead £2bn investment in UK electric car plant
Nissan and its partners have announced a £2bn plan to build three electric car models at its Sunderland factory.
The Japanese firm will build electric Qashqai and Juke models at the plant alongside the next generation of the electric Leaf, which is already produced there. The scheme could help preserve the jobs of about 6,000 workers directly, and thousands more across the UK.
Nissan said that alongside this, a major new battery plant known as a "gigafactory" will also be needed.
This is in addition to the current factory adjacent to the car plant, and a further gigafactory already being built by its partner, AESC.
Nissan will spend £1.12bn on preparing its UK facilities and supply chain for the new models and training its workforce.
Alongside the gigafactory the total new investment will be up to £2bn, according to the company. The plan is expected to receive government support, though it is not clear what form that will take. Nissan has confirmed it will receive £15m in funding for its research center in Bedfordshire.
Earlier this year, Nissan's chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta, who has since left the firm, said that the UK would struggle to remain competitive with other car-making countries because of higher manufacturing costs, elevated by energy bills and inflation.
Alan Johnson, Nissan's senior vice president of manufacturing and supply chain, told the BBC's Today program that the UK "can be a competitive place for car production, but everything needs to be right".
"Not just the plant itself, but the surrounding environment: energy costs, infrastructure, local government [and] national government support, needs to be right for it to work," he said.
The UK government has provided support for Nissan through the Automotive Transformation Fund, which received a £2bn top-up in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday.
Mr Johnson declined to comment on how much funding the company has received from UK taxpayers.
He said: "The support we have received in the past has been excellent and we're very grateful for the support we do receive.
"The truth is discussions are ongoing with the government, not concluded, and therefore I'm not in a position at the moment to make any announcement or any comment about any numbers."
The investment by Nissan is thought to be in the region of £1bn.