Portugal passes latest bailout review
Portugal has passed the latest review of its continuing spending cuts and economic reforms, the country's Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar has said.
It paves the way for the government to receive the next 14bn euros ($19bn; £12bn) round of bailout funds from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The move follows after inspectors from the so-called troika had been in Lisbon to assess the country's performance.
Portugal is to get 78bn euros in total.
Mr Gaspar said: "The result [of the evaluation] was positive despite unfavourable conditions.
"The mission confirmed the fulfilment of the criteria demanded by the terms."
Strike plan
The Portuguese government has been working hard to continue to cut costs, despite a steep recession and an unemployment rate of 14%.
In particular, the government is making important changes to labour conditions.
Last month, it reached an agreement with unions and employers to cut holidays and the compensation paid when workers are laid-off.
Under the deal, it was also made easier to hire and fire staff.
Measures like that have won praise from the troika and Portugal has, so far, received its bailout funds with much less drama than Greece.
But the gain has not come without pain for Portugal.
There have been deep cost cuts that are hitting public sector workers particularly hard, with many people facing a steep reduction in income.
That has prompted mass protests, and a general strike is planned for late March.
Unemployment warning
Mr Gaspar also warned on Tuesday that the economic situation in the country would only worsen this year.
The government now predicts that the Portuguese economy will contract by 3.3% in 2012, compared with its previous estimate of 3%.
It also expects the unemployment rate to reach 14.5%.
Economist Diego Iscaro, of IHS Global Insight, said Portugal was likely to need a second bailout before the end of the year.
Markets rise on increase in US consumer confidence
Markets rose slightly on yesterday in volatile trading as an upbeat US consumer confidence indicator offset worries over Ireland's decision to hold a referendum on the plan to tie the 17 euro countries closer together. A forecast-busting consumer confidence survey helped Wall Street recover from losses on the open, when investors were spooked by an unexpectedly big 4 per cent monthly drop in US durable goods orders in January.
The Conference Board reported that its main index of consumer confidence rose to a year-high of 70.8 in February, from 61.5 in January and far above markets' expectations for a far more modest increase to 63. Economists watch the confidence numbers closely because consumer spending accounts for about 70 per cent of US economic activity. The data encouraged investors to look past the news that Ireland will hold a referendum on the plan to strengthen budget discipline within the eurozone.
Digicel, FTC challenge continues
Lawyers will continue submissions in the Supreme Court tomorrow in an action brought by telecoms provider Digicel Jamaica challenging the jurisdiction of the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) in its legal attempt to roll back the Digicel-Claro deal.
The matter came up for hearing today and lawyers for both parties made submissions before Mrs. Justice Almarie Sinclair-Haynes.
Digicel is asking the court to decide whether the Fair Competition Act applies to the transactions effected by the agreement with Claro Jamaica.
It is also asking the court to decide whether the FTC has jurisdiction in relation to the transaction struck with the owners of Claro for the Jamaican assets.
The FTC has taken Digicel and Oceanic Digital Jamaica Limited, trading as Claro, to court over the acquisition.
The Commission is contending that the acquisition is likely to damage competition and stymie consumer benefits.
Deadly Riots in China’s Troubled Xinjiang Region
Chinese state media say at least 12 people died Tuesday during violent disturbances in the remote northwestern region of Xinjiang.
The official Xinhua news agency says rioters killed 10 people and injured several others in Yecheng County near Kashgar, while two rioters were fatally shot by police. An overseas group representing the region's mainly Muslim Uighur population told news agencies the deaths occurred during a clash between Uighurs and security forces.
Xinhua said a manhunt has been launched to capture others involved in the violence.
The Xinjiang region has been plagued in recent years by fighting between the indigenous Uighurs and Han Chinese. The worst of the clashes occurred in 2009, when Uighurs launched attacks against Han Chinese in the regional capital of Urumqui, leaving at least 197 people dead.
Eight people were killed in a shoot-out with police in December, during what Beijing described as the rescue of two herdsmen who had been kidnapped by “terrorists.”
The Chinese government has blamed the violence in the resource-rich region on Islamist extremists. But exile groups say the Turkic-speaking Uighurs are rioting over longstanding grievances. Uighurs say they are economically and culturally disadvantaged compared to the growing numbers of Han Chinese in the region.
Romney Wins Arizona, Michigan
U.S. presidential hopeful Mitt Romney claimed victories in two primary contests Tuesday, easily winning Arizona and pulling ahead in the tough battle in his native northern state of Michigan.
Romney thanked cheering supporters Tuesday night for what he described as a “great victory” in the two states.
“And thank you Michigan. What a win. This is a big night. Thanks, you guys. You know, a week ago, it was just a week ago, the pundits and the pollsters, they were ready to count us out. But…I was confident that we could come together today and take a giant step toward a brighter future. So tonight, their efforts have brought our cause a great victory, and we celebrate with people across these states. Thank you.”
He criticized the policies of President Barack Obama, while pledging to create jobs, get the economy back on track, and reduce debt and the size of government.
Romney fought hard in Michigan to fend off main challenger Rick Santorum, who has surged in the polls and had a three-state victory earlier this month in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. The two were virtually tied in opinion polls going into Tuesday's contest.
Romney once held a commanding lead in Michigan, the state where he was born and where his father was a popular governor. He won the state's 2008 Republican primary.
Santorum thanked supporters Tuesday night, saying they had helped propel him to the front ranks of the nominating contest.
“A month ago, they didn't know who we are. But they do now…You know, we came into the back yard of one of my opponents in a race that everyone said, well just ignore, you have really no chance here. And the people of Michigan looked into the hearts of the candidates, and all I have to say is, 'I love you back.'”
He also criticized the policies of President Obama and talked about the economy, cutting federal spending, and decreasing dependency on foreign oil.
Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, is having difficulty gaining support from social conservatives, who are rallying behind Santorum.
Texas Representative Ron Paul and former House speaker Newt Gingrich are far behind in the polls. Gingrich turned his campaign efforts Tuesday to Georgia, a state he represented in Congress for two decades. Paul held an evening rally in the eastern state of Virginia.
The primaries come a week before the much-anticipated “Super Tuesday,” when 10 states hold presidential nominating contests to pick a Republican candidate to face President Obama, a Democrat, in the November election.
UN: Assad’s Crackdown Has Killed ‘Well Over 7,500′ People
A senior U.N. official says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's deadly crackdown on an opposition uprising has killed “well over 7,500″ people, an increase of 2,100 from the death toll provided by the world body last month.
U.N. political chief Lynn Pascoe said Tuesday he has “credible reports” from Syria of more than 100 civilians being killed every day, “including many women and children.”
In a briefing to the U.N. Security Council, Pascoe also said the Syrian conflict has sent 25,000 refugees into neighboring countries and caused the internal displacement of 100,000 to 200,000 people.
Syrian officials blame the nearly year-long uprising on foreign-backed armed “terrorists” whom the government says have killed more than 2,000 security personnel. The revolt against Mr. Assad's autocratic rule has become increasingly militarized in recent months with Syrian army defectors joining a loosely-organized rebel force.
France said Tuesday diplomats have begun drafting a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate end to violence in Syria so that humanitarian aid can be delivered to communities under weeks of government assault.
Russia and China have twice vetoed Western- and Arab-backed Council resolutions that would have condemned Damascus for its deadly crackdown. Diplomats say Western powers and their Arab partners hope that focusing a new resolution on Syria's humanitarian situation will make it difficult for Moscow and Beijing to cast a third veto.
VOA's U.N. correspondent said there was no confirmation that a draft text had been finalized by Tuesday afternoon.
U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay said a humanitarian cease-fire must be declared in Syria immediately to stop “serious rights abuses” by security forces against civilians. She made the plea at a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. Syrian envoy Faysal Khabbaz Hamoui walked out of the session in protest.
Syrian rights activists said government troops killed at least 41 civilians on Tuesday in opposition hubs throughout Syria.
Witnesses say pro-Assad forces have bombarded Baba Amr on a daily basis for more than three weeks, killing hundreds of people and leaving residents desperately short of food, water and medical supplies.
In other developments, Syrian rebels smuggled wounded British photographer Paul Conroy out of Baba Amr into Lebanon on Tuesday. Global activist group Avaaz said it helped to organize the operation. It also said 13 Syrians were killed during the evacuation — three while helping Conroy escape and 10 others as they tried to bring aid into the area.
French daily Le Figaro told VOA the newspaper's wounded reporter, Edith Bouvier, remains trapped in Baba Amr with two other Western journalists. It said their lives are in “serious danger.” Bouvier and Conroy were wounded in a February 22 shelling attack that killed two other Western journalists as they sheltered in a makeshift media center.
Meanwhile, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki told the French-language daily La Presse he is ready to offer asylum to Mr. Assad and his associates as part of a negotiated solution to the Syrian crisis.
EU Pulls Ambassadors Out of Belarus
European Union members are pulling all their ambassadors from Belarus after its the authoritarian government ordered the Polish and EU ambassadors out of the country.
Belarus ordered the envoys to leave in reaction to new EU sanctions imposed against Belarusian officials because of that country's poor human rights record.
A Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman says the country will not cave in under pressure and will continue to defend its interests.
German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle calls Belarus Europe's last dictatorship. He says President Alexander Lukashenko only fools himself if he thinks he can divide the EU.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner says the United States it deeply regrets Belarus' decision to expel the Polish and EU ambassadors. He says such moves only deepen Belarus' self-isolation.
The EU and United States increased sanctions on Belarus after the violent crackdown on the opposition following the December 2010 presidential election. Hundreds were arrested including a number of opposition candidates.
Human rights groups say many of those arrested are still in jail.
Mr. Lukashenko won reelection in a vote many opposition members say was fraudulent.
GOVERNOR DECLINES CONSUMER ELECTRICITY PRICE RISE
Consumers and most businesses across the Turks and Caicos Islands will not face electricity price rises for the next 12 months following discussions with Fortis TCI involving His Excellency, Governor Ric Todd, and TCI Government staff, it was announced today, Tuesday, 28 Feb 2012.
The Electricity Commissioner and Governor Todd declined Fortis TCI’s request in August 2011 to raise prices for residential consumers, businesses, small and medium hotels. This move will see commercial rates on South Caicos reduced too.
Electricity price rises will be limited to large hotels, defined as those using more than 4.2 million kWh per year, who will have their rates increased to 21.5 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Medium hotels will be reclassified as those consuming more than 300,000 kWh per year. All hotels in this category will see their rates unchanged.
“I have listened to the feedback of the people of the TCI who have made it clear to me that an increase in their utility charges will not be welcomed as they continue to adjust to the new taxation measures introduced late last year,” said Governor Todd.
“As I said at my six recent public meetings, I appreciate that the taxation system here in the TCI is regressive in that as consumption taxes they hit lower income households proportionally more. Future TCI taxation policy is clearly a matter for the next elected government, not the Interim Administration.
“However, the taxes were necessary as the Government seeks to cut its costs and raise its income as it works towards returning to a budget surplus which will allow it to better prioritise its spending and begin to pay off its $189m national debt.”
In addition, Governor Todd agreed to extend Fortis TCI’s service coverage to the smaller Cays between Providenciales and North Caicos and to East Caicos, the company will eventually extend the power grid to connect to South Caicos and thereby improve the resilience of the power supply across the service area and improve the operational efficiency and service reliability.
One further aspect of the agreement with Fortis TCI is the standardisation of electricity tariffs across the Fortis TCI service territory. This will be achieved in a two step process. Initially, commercial electricity rates on South Caicos will fall from 31.6 cents to 28 cents per kWh; by next year residential rates will be aligned across the service territory to 26 cents per kWh. This is the rate currently charged on the other islands. At that time, commercial rates on South Caicos will be further reduced from 28 cents to 27 cents per kWh. This rate rebalancing is designed to help to stimulate economic growth and development on the island of South Caicos.
The tariff changes will come into effect on 1st April 2012.
PRISON OFFICERS RECIEVE FIRST AID ACCREDITATION
To better equip officers at Her Majesty’s Prison with additional skills and provide further assistance to inmates during their incarceration, twelve officers successfully completed First Aid Training on Thursday, February 9th, 2012.
The training was organized through the TCI Red Cross and facilitated by Mr. Kevin Garland, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer and Philippa Lake, from the Red Cross.
The certification covered aspects of general first aid recovery and resuscitation procedures, such as heart attacks and minor injuries.
Senior Officers Jennings and Jackson and Officers Chase, Lewis, Coleman, Monize, Gordon, King, Andrews, Turenne, Thompson and Eze all received first aid certification. The training was received extremely well and further training is planned for March 2012.
Superintendent, Ian Sargent noted that, ‘Prison staff work in an environment that face daily challenges. To be able to equip staff with the training and tools to deal with incidents is crucial. It is also rewarding to know that staff trained in first aid can take their skill into the community. My gratitude is conveyed to tutors Mr. Garland and Ms. Lake for making this training possible.’
AA DIRECT NEW YORK FLIGHT GONE
American Airlines will be cancelling its direct flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Providenciales in April.
Starting April 3, travelers to the Turks and Caicos Islands will only be able to fly direct from JFK with JetBlue airlines, which began its direct service to Providenciales last year.
“We continue to operate two daily flights from Miami and one flight one time per week from Dallas-Fort Worth,” said American Airlines Director of Corporate Communications Martha Pantín.
The news comes at a time when arrivals to the destination are at an all-time high. Visitor arrivals were up 12.3 percent in 2011 reaching, 1,009,720 visitors for the year. While the majority were cruise ship arrivals, the month of December saw a 23-percent increase in stay-over visitors arriving by air.
The Tourist Board revealed this month that a whopping 354,223 visitors hit the beaches of the TCI, an increase of 26 percent over 2010 and a record number for the country.
The United States continues to be the major source market for the destination, with Canada in second place. The Tourist Board said it expects the Canadian market to grow even more in 2012 with the addition of the new in-season flight from Halifax.
Air Canada landed its first direct flight from Halifax on Feb. 16 at 5:05 p.m. Air Canada’s service from Halifax (YHZ), the largest city in Atlantic Canada, will be weekly using A319 aircraft. The flights will operate seasonally until April 26.