Kartel remanded again for Lizard's murder
Deejay Vybz Kartel was again remanded when he appeared in the Home Circuit Court yesterday in relation to the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.
Kartel and five other men are charged in connection with the killing.
The other five men who also appeared in court yesterday are fellow deejay Shawn Campbell, more popularly known as Shawn Storm; Cairo Jones, Shane Williams, Andre St John and fashion designer Calvin Haye.
All except Haye were remanded.
Haye, who is on bail was granted an extension.
He along with Kartel and the other accomplices are to return to court on March 16.
High Court judge Marva McDonald Bishop, yesterday instructed the Crown to write to the forensic lab to have the reports on the case available by that time.
The judge says the reports will be needed because a bail application is expected to be made at that time.
On August 16, Clive Williams was reportedly beaten and stabbed in Havendale, St Andrew.
However, the police have not located his body.
The court heard that the police have video and audio recordings linking Kartel, and his co-defendants to the killing.
The police say they also have eyewitness statements connecting the men to the murder.
REDjet to fly St. Maarten route
The Barbadian low cost airline, REDjet, has announced plans to begin servicing a new route from Barbados to St Maarten for which it expects to begin selling seats within the next two weeks.
The company said it has received the necessary licences required to fly to St. Maarten and intends to operate that route twice weekly, including a service on Saturdays.
REDjet will offer passengers the option to travel with "unlimited baggage, allowing them to capitalise on the commercial and shopping opportunities available in St Maarten," according to a release issued by the company.
The airline’s chief executive officer, Ian Burns, said the “move represents another key milestone in REDjet's plan to deliver the lowest fares, reliable service and accessible travel across the region.”
He noted that since Redjet’s inception in May 2011 customers have been asking the airline to operate that route and “we are very excited to service this new market that will open up many opportunities for shopping and entertainment for which St Maarten is famous."
REDjet currently service six routes, flying to Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, St. Lucia and Antigua. St. Maarten will be its seventh destination.
Warner comes under fire for 'missing' Haiti aid funds
Former Caribbean football mogul Jack Warner has again come under fire over missing Haiti emergency aid money, with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) alleging Thursday that its former special advisor had taken sole responsibility for the funds.
In a release, the embattled TTFF claimed while it was aware of the funds sent by football's world governing body, FIFA, and the Korean Football Federation, the money had been handled by Warner alone through one of its accounts.
"The TTFF acknowledges it is aware of funds made available by both FIFA and the Korean Football Federation for the football victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake in 2010," the TTFF said.
"However, we are unable to confirm the quantum of funds received, as these monies did not go into the account used by the TTFF administration for its day-to-day operations, but instead to the TTFF's LOC account as was requested by Mr Jack Warner, the former vice-president of FIFA and special adviser to the TTFF.
"The current executive is unaware of how these funds were disbursed or utilised and is awaiting the promised audited accounts from Mr Warner."
FIFA said earlier this week it had wired US$250,000 at Warner's request following the Haiti earthquake, but claimed the Haiti federation had only received US$60,000.
The earthquake on January 12, 2010 killed an estimated 300,000 people and left more than a million others homeless. A number of Haitian football executives were also killed.
FIFA said it still had not received "a satisfactory response" about what happened to the remaining US$190,000 and had stopped further payments to the Trinidad federation.
Warner, a former powerful FIFA vice-president, brushed aside the latest firestorm earlier this week as "foolish".
In the release, the TTFF admitted it had ceded much of its authority to Warner who had now failed to provide the relevant information it had requested.
"The TTFF realises the final responsibility for any account in its name lies with us, but confesses that it surrendered its authority to Mr Warner, who has been for more than three decades a larger-than-life figure in national and international football and was a trusted agent and member of our organisation," the TTFF said.
"We never questioned his authority or actions and are now in a position of despair as we are starved of funds by FIFA until full disclosure, which we are unable to provide without Mr Warner's input. Sadly, Mr Warner seems disinclined to comply with our repeated requests."
Warner was also a FIFA executive committee member and head of the North, Central American and Caribbean Confederation and the Caribbean Football Union (CONCACAF) before resigning last year at the height of the cash-for-votes bribery scandal.
CMC
Guyana,Suriname pursue common interest for betterment of both countries peoples
THE fight against piracy, intelligence sharing, strengthening of bilateral cooperation and cross-border security were among the issues discussed by President Donald Ramotar and his Surinamese counterpart, Desire Bouterse, as an eight-member Guyana delegation engaged in a one-day working visit to the Republic of Suriname.
Mining, agriculture, and fisheries, as well as climate change were discussed, while the issue of military cooperation was placed on the front-burner.
President Bouterse told journalists after signing the communique that it is in the interest of both states that the two countries’ armies collaborate. He said however, that recurring comments about a border dispute between Guyana and Suriname must be placed on the back burner. President Bouterse said it is in the interest of the two states to focus on what binds them rather than what causes divisions. In this regard, the two parties agreed to an eleven - point communiqué which states as follows:-
1. His Excellency Donald Ramotar, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, paid a one-day working visit to Suriname on February 17, 2012, at the invitation of His Excellency Desiré Delano Bouterse, President of the Republic of Suriname.
2. The two Heads of State discussed several matters of mutual interest. They exchanged ideas on ways and means of advancing their shared vision of intensifying the existing relations and cooperation between Suriname and Guyana. Agreement was reached on areas that can forge closer ties between the two countries.
3. The two Presidents reiterated the importance of the construction of the bridge across the Corantijn (Corentyne) River, which would considerably enhance trade and economic relations, as well as cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two countries. They decided on a joint approach towards the IDB for the purpose of identifying modalities for financing.
4. Both Presidents underscored the vast potential for cooperation in the field of industrial development, especially in the exploration and exploitation of available natural resources. The potential for joint exploitation of mineral resources was highlighted as well as the need for increased technical cooperation at all levels between the two countries. They also agreed to continue their efforts toward intensified cooperation and sharing of knowledge, know-how and information in the field of petroleum exploration and production.
5. Both Heads of State addressed the need for an increased focus on food security within the Caribbean Community, and reiterated the urgent need to develop a common agricultural strategy, aimed at making the two countries the major food suppliers within the region. To this end, they instructed their pertinent institutions to meet within one month to identify the possibilities for joint action in agriculture and to make recommendations for further cooperation.
6. The two Presidents discussed the initiative of the Republic of Suriname to encourage CARICOM enterprises to mobilise regional resources – natural, financial and human- to promote regional development. The Guyanese Head of State congratulated President Bouterse for conceptualising and promoting this proposal, and supported the view that it has the potential to provide a sustainable base for the generation of funds aimed at financing national development initiatives within the region.
7. Both Presidents addressed the issue of cross -border crimes, which pose a serious threat to their national security and agreed to fully implement the recommendations made by their respective security institutions during the First Presidential Security and Intelligence Exchange Meeting between Suriname and Guyana held on 29-30 April 2011 in Guyana. They noted that the second round of consultations is scheduled to be convened in Paramaribo, in March 2012. They agreed to establish a Border Security Committee as a direct mechanism for information sharing and monitoring, so as to deal with this matter in all its aspects.
8. In view of recent robberies at sea, the two Presidents pledged to continue to work collaboratively to address this phenomenon which is posing a challenge for the fishing industries of both countries. They instructed their institutions dealing with fisheries to adopt measures regarding security requirements for fishing vessels and fishermen.
9. In discussing the issue of climate change, both Presidents highlighted the impact which the recent unusually high levels of rainfall have had on their countries, especially in the agricultural sector. They called for a concerted approach at the global level to deal with serious threats posed by climate change. In this regard, they urged the international community to increase their efforts for the successful outcome of the Rio+ 20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next June. The Presidents instructed their respective Foreign Ministers to consult each other on all matters related to the issue of climate change and the upcoming Rio+ 20 Conference.
In addition to recognizing the need for intensifying adaptation activities, both Presidents recognized and acknowledged the important mitigating role played by their forests. The Presidents reiterated the need to join forces to gain global recognition for the REDD+ mechanism. A more formal partnership framework will be considered to intensify South-South knowledge sharing to upscale technology transfer and strengthen negotiation teams.
10. The two Presidents expressed satisfaction with the successful outcome of their deliberations, which is regarded as a solid base for furthering the excellent relations that happily exist between the two countries. They further agreed to continue maintaining an open channel of communication between themselves and instructed their Ministers of Foreign Affairs to meet at least once every six months.
11. His Excellency President Donald Ramotar expressed his appreciation to His Excellency President Desiré Delano Bouterse for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
JOINT INITIATIVES
“ On the issue of joint initiatives as it relates to natural resources, which is the interest of the people of both states, I am particularly attracted to the ideas put forward by my colleague,” President Ramotar noted.
The Guyanese Leader added, “We have a lot to benefit by integrating our societies more and more and to develop our countries for the benefit of our peoples”.
President Ramotar told those gathered that the issue of making the Springlands/Nickerie crossing referred to as the ‘back track’ route into a legal entry point is under active consideration.
He said the issue must be taken in the context of many similar challenges facing the two states. He referred to the large unprotected borders and the scourge of piracy.
President Ramotar said that his first official visit to Suriname was a reflection of his determination to work toward improving the already existing good relations that have been established and continue to exist between Guyana and Suriname.
Earlier, President Ramotar and his delegation held discussions with, and were hosted to breakfast by Vice-President Robert Ammeerali. The delegation also met with the staff of Guyana’s Embassy in Suriname.
President Ramotar addressed a number of issues affecting them and assured them of his government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the working class, and more specifically, that of Foreign Service workers. Also addressing the Embassy’s staff was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
Guyana’s delegation also comprised Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elizabeth Harper; newly appointed Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George; outgoing Ambassador Merlin Udho; Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud; and Head of the Intelligence Unit of the Guyana Defence Force, Lt. Colonel Omar Khan.
The visit ended last evening with a dinner held in honour of the Guyanese delegation at the President’s Complex.
Guyana Chronicle
GOVERNER SETS MEETING FOR GRANT TURK & PROVIDENCIALES
His Excellency The Governor's programme of quarterly visits to each of family islands continues next week.
After successful public meetings in Salt Cay, South, North and Middle Caicos, meetings will also be held in Grand Turk on 21 Feb and Providenciales on 22 Feb.
These meetings are part of Governor Todd's commitment to the people of TCI to regularly visit the country's population centres, and to build on his promise made late last year to meet the people quarterly throughout 2012 to provide them with his personal update on progress against the milestones - the achievement of which will lead to fresh elections later this year.
The Grand Turk meeting will take place at 6.00pm in the Ona Glinton Auditorium on Tue 21 Feb 2012.
The Providenciales meeting will take place at 6.00pm in the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Centre on Wed 22 Feb 2012.
John Vasatka Named new GM of Veranda Resort
John Vasatka has been named as General Manager for the five-star, fully-inclusive Veranda Resort in Providenciales.
With 28 years of international hospitality experience, Vasatka will oversee all operations and guest services for the 168-room, 10-acre property, including eight private beachfront villas, Marin, the resort’s signature beachfront restaurant with second-floor Sky Lounge, Sabai Spa by Elemis, VIK Kids Town, three swimming pools, a tennis court and meeting facilities.
"We could not be more thrilled to have John Vasatka join our award-winning team at The Veranda," said Nikheel Advani, Chief Operating Officer and Principal, Grace Bay Resorts.
Advani added that the resort is fortunate to have attracted someone like Vasatka given his extensive background with Amanresort.
Prior to joining The Veranda Resort, Vasatka worked intently with five Amanresorts across the globe, including Amanresorts, Amman, Jordan (pre-opening), Amanyara, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, (opening and subsequent operations), Amanwella, Tangalle, Sri Lanka (opening), Amanpulo, Philippines and Amanpuri, Phuket, Thailand, Amanresort’s flagship property. His experience also includes serving as Resident Manager at Little Dix Bay, A Rosewood Resort, Virgin Gorda, B.V.I, and Boca Beach Club General Manager at Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Florida.
24 Hour Crime Recap – Providenciales
During the past forty-eight (48) hours, Police in Providenciales responded to three reports of a serious nature.
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One Burglary— Stammers Run Blue Hills
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Two Theft—Old Airport Road & North West Point
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A male was arrested on suspicion of Assault on Police, Resisting Arrest & Malicious Damage to Property in connection with an incident on 17th February 2012.He was later released on Police Bail with a surety to return to the Five Cays Police Station on 22nd February 2012 to be further dealt with.
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A male was arrested on suspicion of Perverting the Course of Justice, he was later released on Police Bail with a surety to return to the Five Cays Police Station on 23rd February 2012 to be further dealt with.
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A female was arrested on suspicion of Theft in connection with a report made on 18th February 2012, she was later released on Police Bail with a surety to return to the Five Cays Police Station on 29th February 2012 to be further dealt with.
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A male was charged for Burglary in connection with a report made on 1st February 2012.
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Two males were charged for Burglary in connection with a report made on 14th February 2012, they were later released on Police Bail with sureties to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court # 2 on 22nd February 2012.
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A male was charged for Obstruction & Escaping Lawful Custody in connection with an incident on 18th February 2012, he was later released on Police Bail with a surety to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court # 2 on 21st February 2012.
Grand Turk
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Burglary—Palm Grove
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Earlvin Basden (22yrs) was charged for Resisting Arrest, Assault on Police Officer, Disturbing The Peace, Using Offensive Weapon So As To Cause Fear, Indecent Language & Disorderly Conduct On Liquor License Premises. He appeared in the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court on Monday 20th February 2012 and was remanded in custody at Her Majesty Prison Grand Turk until 19th March 2012 when he is schedule to re- appear in the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court to be further dealt with.
South Caicos
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Burglary—The Salina
Chinese VP Concludes US Visit Friday in Los Angeles
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is in Los Angeles for the final leg of his U.S. trip, with events aimed at underscoring the two nations' economic and cultural ties.
Xi arrived Thursday and headed straight to the Port of Los Angeles, a key transport hub for China-U.S. trade. Accompanied by California Governor Jerry Brown and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Xi toured the terminal for the China Shipping company, which is undergoing a major expansion.
Villaraigosa and Brown highlighted the environmental advances in the port upgrade, including a “port-side electric plug-in system” that powers ships with electricity instead of diesel while docked.
Xi, who is expected to become China's president next year, told the crowd he was impressed. He said the port and its expansion are a “solid foundation” for future economic cooperation between the two countries.
On Friday, Xi will speak at the China-U.S. Economic Trade Forum and participate in other events focused on trade and investment. He will be joined again by Vice President Joe Biden, who has been his formal host during his time in the United States. Xi will conclude his visit with a professional basketball game played by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite an overall warm welcome, U.S. leaders have not turned away from sensitive issues. Biden and U.S. President Barack Obama raised human rights concerns with Xi during meetings at the White House Tuesday.
On Wednesday, during Xi's visit to Congress, House Speaker John Boehner presented Xi with a letter concerning Gao Zhisheng, a prominent human rights lawyer in China who went missing nearly two years ago. Senator John McCain says he brought up a wave of self-immolations by Tibetan monks protesting Chinese rule, as well as China's veto of a United Nations resolution on Syria.
“As I just mentioned to the vice president, there has been enormous and dynamic economic progress, but we still have Tibetan monks burning themselves to death, we have Nobel Prize winners in house arrest and the continued propping up of North Korea, a brutal regime.”
During a major policy speech in Washington Wednesday, Xi demanded that the United States respect Chinese claims to sovereignty over Tibet and Taiwan. He also called for more balanced economic ties between the two countries and closer cooperation on international problems, including tensions over North Korea and Iran.
Tibetan protesters have turned out at several events during Xi's four-day tour, including a stop in Iowa.
Xi visited an Iowa farming community Wednesday, 27 years after he first visited the area as a mid-level official.
He spent an hour sipping tea with residents in the town of Muscatine, and many said he remembered faces and recited events from his previous visit in 1985.
Later Wednesday, during a formal dinner in the Iowa state capital, Des Moines, Xi stressed his interest in person-to-person contacts.
“I'm visiting the United States to help implement the important consensus that has been reached between President Hu Jintao and President Obama, and I'm here to build the China-U.S. cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. And I want to engage with a broad cross-section of American society to help deepen the friendship between Chinese and American people.”
In another move likely to be popular among American farmers, officials traveling with Xi announced plans to purchase $4.3 billion worth of U.S. soybeans.
CHRIS BROWN IS ALIVE
The Turks and Caicos Islands has again fallen prey to internet and social broadcast affirmations that a popular recording artist has died on its shores.
Grammy winning artist Chris Brown was reportedly killed in the TCI. Brown fresh off a Grammy win Sunday night, was the talk of the world today when a report surfaced that he died while on island on a Jet Ski accident.
Chris Brown is not dead. RTC can confidently report and in fact is not even in the island territory as police and immigration sources have confirmed no reports.
The same fake death report has been used against multiple celebrities in recent months such as Eddie Murphy and Jo Cole. The false report, moreover, comes days after a fake Keanu Reeves report surfaced online.
The Global Associated has published a fake report today which claimed the singer has died leaving thousands of distraught fans irate that Brown is the latest celebrity to be falsely killed off in a jet-ski report in the tropic islands.
The fake death report read: “Preliminary reports from Turks and Caicos Police officials indicate that the musician struck a concrete boat slip in a marina on Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands…. Specific details are not yet available.” There are no specific details because the report is a complete fabrication.
HIGH TEA AND FASHION SHOW WITH TCI RED CROSS
The Turks & Caicos Islands Red Cross will be hosting its Annual High Tea and Fashion Show on Grand Turk next month. This ‘island chic’ affair takes place at “The Atrium” of Osprey Beach Hotel on Duke Street, Saturday, March 10th, 2012.
Commencing at 4pm in the afternoon, guests will enjoy an assortment of speciality teas, coffees, delicious scones, cookies, cakes, other baked goods and treats. While there, they will be entertained by melodic sounds, revel in our featured event – a live fashion show with outfits from an on island boutique and Red Cross thrift shop and, enjoy a few prizes and surprises we have prepared for the event.
Tickets for the fundraising initiative cost $20.00, with funds going towards projects and programmes that the TCI Red Cross will implement in country. To this end, we trust that the public supports this event, as we strive to provide humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable people in our communities.
For tickets and more information, kindly contact Ann Williams, Fundraising Coordinator on 242-3000, Red Cross Office at 946-2761 or email us at tciredcross@tciway.tc