Burmese President Says Nation on Path to Democracy
Burmese President Thein Sein says his government is committed to moving the country towards a healthy democracy after decades of military rule.
Thein Sein made the promise Monday during a formal state dinner in Singapore, and again in a newspaper interview in the city-state's Straits Times newspaper.
Burma's military-backed civilian government has undertaken a series of dramatic political reforms since taking power last March, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners, the holding of peace talks with ethnic rebels and the allowance of greater press freedoms.
Thein Sein arrived in Singapore Sunday, accompanied by a delegation of business leaders and economic ministers.
The two sides singed an economic agreement Monday, which calls for Singapore to offer technical and vocational education to help Burma train people in such areas as economic planning and urban development.
Burma's economy has largely ground to a halt after decades of mismanagement by the military junta, as well as international sanctions against the junta over its poor human rights record.
Whaboy
Keury M Smith was born September 5, 1990 better known by his stage
name Whaboy, started his early years in Herrera City Santo Domingo,
later on he moved to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands where he
was raised by his loving mother. At the age of 8 he started noticing that
music was everywhere around him, by the time he reached grade 6 his
rapping career begun when he first performed at his graduation his
motivation sparked by the crowds reaction. Ever since he decided to
put together a studio in his room at that time all he had was a lap top,
a mic and some speakers and with his passion for rapping he continues
to grow up to today. This dream holds a mission for Whaboy he is currently
the President of Public Figure Presentation which has been projected to be
a music empire of the Turks & Caicos Islands. He has cultivated audiences
of all ages with his soul-inspired and energy-hyped performances. Whaboy has made many other great achievements, at the 2006 Regatta
festival in South Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands he performed alongside
well known artists Genuwine, Allison Hinds, Cecile among others.
Among his many achievements he has won TCI GOT TALENT competition
on August 2, 2010 which is one of the biggest events to-date within the TCI.
He has since dropped his first mixtape called “Hard-Work Pays off” which
was released November 12, 2010 produced by Lenny Skoolkid.
When asked, he said “this is just the beginning for Whaboy” further stating
“they say the sky is the limit and to the highest star I am aiming”.
“I dream big because of my ambition, I am here to accomplish a task and that’s my mission”.
He is grateful to the big man above “God” (as he says with him all things are possible) for helping him to achieve
his goals.
Obama Confirms Drone Strikes in Pakistan
U.S. President Barack Obama has defended the use of drone strikes in Pakistan, which U.S. officials have never before publicly acknowledged.
Speaking during an online town hall discussion Monday, Mr. Obama said the drone attacks have been used to target al-Qaida and its affiliates, and that many of the strikes have been in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal areas.
The president said the operations are used for “very precise, precision strikes,” and he said the U.S. does not authorize the attacks “willy-nilly.” He said it is a targeted, focused effort against “active terrorists” in difficult-to-reach locations.
Prior to Monday's remarks, U.S. officials had never confirmed the missile strikes against militants in Pakistan's tribal areas, but they have anonymously confirmed such attacks to various news outlets.
Pakistan has publicly condemned the drone strikes as a violation of the country's sovereignty, but they are believed to be carried out with the help of Pakistani intelligence.
Disruption of Meeting on the Pathway to Citizenship
RTC NEWS received a press release from Chair of the Consultative Forum, Lilian Missick as according to the release disruption of a meeting. The release reads:
The disruption of tonight’s meeting on the pathway to citizenship at the Graceway Sports Centre by a small mob of TC Islanders manifested the kind of belligerent ignorance that we simply cannot tolerate.
It was unfair to the Filipinos who duly heeded the Forum’s admonition to register for this meeting and paid out of their pockets to organize it – just as groups of TC Islanders have done without any fuss or controversy. And it was disrespectful to the Forum members who signed on to lead tonight’s discussions – just as other members have done without any fuss or controversy.
That said, let me hasten to set the record straight:
No member of the interim administration and, in particular, no member of the Consultative Forum has ever promoted or even suggested that there should be separate meetings for locals and expats.
In fact I was so disappointed that so few locals were participating in the national questionnaire on the pathway to citizenship that I issued a national plea just weeks ago for more of our people to not only fill out those questionnaires, but also register with the Forum if, like the Filipinos and other groups, they felt the need for more information and guidance in this respect.
So the only reason there were two meetings scheduled for tonight is that a group of locals decided to shun the process that is being facilitated by the Forum. This of course is their right. But they are the ones who decided to separate themselves from the process, which makes any claim that the interim administration is conducting one set of meetings for locals and one set for expats as fatuous as it is mischievous.
It would be one thing if this were the first time a group of TC Islanders has decided to duplicate (or arguably undermine) the efforts of the Forum to inform and engage our people on an issue of national importance. But this is only the latest manifestation of a strain of anti-government, anti-Forum bias that has been doing nothing but sowing discord not just between locals and expats, but also amongst ourselves.
It is often said that a lie can make it around the world before the truth gets out of the door. Far too often this has been the case in our beloved country. The sad thing is that our own people are invariably the ones propagating those lies and we are the only ones being hurt by them.
Alas, there is nothing the governor or I can do to stop people from rumormongering under fake names on the Internet. But the governor can do more to stop this kind of mob-like behaviour, and I urge him to take all necessary steps to do so.
For my part, I can only beg our people to consider the source of their information before acting on it. Because, instead of being proud of what happened tonight, all sensible TC Islanders should feel nothing but shame. I know the vast majority of us do.
That was a release from Chair of the Consultative Forum about a disruption at a meeting held in Providenciales.
Where you at the meeting? Please share with us below what took place.
Fortis Contributes to the Turks and Caicos 911 Programme
FortisTCI has made a contribution to a much needed cause in the Turks and Caicos islands after donating $2000 to TCI’s 911 Emergency Communication Centre.
This now traditional “holiday” donation, done in place of sending company Christmas cards, is made possible each year by their parent company Fortis Inc as they give FortisTCI’s employees the chance to express community support.
As the Turks and Caicos Islands develop, FortisTCI realises the importance of having a successful 911 centre. Daphne Penn, FortisTCI’s Customer Service Manager said, “With 911 serving as a central foundation in cases of emergencies, this year we found it appropriate to assist with the completion of those programmes headed by their team, such as the street naming project.”
The 911 Programme has struggled with erecting street signs in areas that have a high call volume, making it difficult for emergency personnel to determine if they are in the right location when out in the field. Penn added that, “having and knowing your exact street address in any emergency can make the difference in receiving a faster response. FortisTCI is pleased to be a part of this effort.”
911 Manager Tammika Lall was joined by Commissioner Colin Farquhar, and other members of The Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force. They were equally ecstatic after learning that the programme was chosen as this year’s beneficiary. Lall stated, “We are very thankful for this donation. It will be of advantage to everyone, especially those who can now look forward to having a street sign posted in the near future. Thank you Fortis, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Fortis Inc. ensures that each of their subsidiaries is able to give back to local organizations and worthy causes that impact the community at large. Past recipients include The Turks and Caicos Diabetic Association, The Turks and Caicos Heart Foundation, The Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre,
The Special Needs Association of Providenciales and The National Cancer Society.
Digicel 1,000,000 All Pass Winner is Jerome Louissaint
January 2012 marks another milestone for Digicel’s All Pass Plan. The hugely popular All Pass plan launched in July 2010 provides the Best Value for customers to call locally, regionally and internationally.
In May 2011, less than a year after it’s launched, Digicel proudly announced it had reached 500,000 activations and celebrated the milestone by awarding the 500,000th All Pass subscriber Lilio Malbranche won $500 Cash, A Blackberry Torch and 1 year free on the VIP Pass Plan which is the All Pass Plan plus unlimited Blackberry data service for 24 hours.
Less than eight months later, Digicel’s All Pass Plan has once again reached a significant milestone, its 1 millionth activation!
This year Digicel awarded Jermone Louissaint, the 1,000,000th All Pass subscriber a grand prize of $1000, a new Blackberry Torch and 1 year free on the VIP Pass Plan. Louissiant, a Security Officer with The Security Center in Providenciales was overwhelmed with the news.
Jerome Louissaint speaking with RTC News on winning the 1 millionth all pass plan.
Head of Marketing Ava-Dayne Fulford said “With over $150 million in savings, The All Pass Plan has been very successful and has provided tremendous value to customers. “The popularity of the All Pass goes to show that Digicel’s Best Value plans appeal to our customers and allows them to reach out to more of their loved ones in more places” .
Akita Holdings responds
In a press release sent to RTC News from Akita Holdings on the Press Statement Issued by His Excellency, the Governor, Rick Todd’s media briefing on January 24th, 2012 along with Laurence Harris, partner in charge, Edwards Wildman Palmer, the international law firm undertaking the civil recovery programme in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The claim brought against Akita Holdings Limited by the Government in the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands concerns two matters. The first matter is a lease of a parcel of land in South Caicos. That lease has expired and the land belongs to the Government. Akita does not occupy the land and never claim that it was entitled to the land after the expiry of the lease. There is a sum due for rent prior to the expiry of the lease, which Akita has never disputed.
The second claim relates to land at South Dock from which Akita carries on its business. This land was properly obtained by Akita and the claim will be vigorously defended.
As the claim is the subject matter of legal proceedings, no further statement will be made.
Sincerely,
Akita Holdings
Early this week RTC aired a press conference where Mr. Lawrence Harris in charge of Edwards, Wildman, Palmer the International law firm undertaking the civil recovery programme mentioned Akita Holdings in the press conference.
French tourist dies after DIVING ACCIDENT
RTC News understands that on Thursday January 26, at around 9.30am a 55-year-old French tourist was rushed to the emergency department of the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre following a diving incident off Provo.
The patient was brought to shore by boat and met by an ambulance, with paramedics administering treatment throughout the journey.
Intensive treatment was continued by a team of highly-skilled doctors and nurses at the hospital, but sadly this proved unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead just after 10am.
A post mortem will now be held to determine the cause of death.
Inter Health Canada would like to express its deepest sympathy to the deceased’s family members and friends
CARPHA to collaborate with CTO on Quality Tourism
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) which started its operations this month under Interim Director, Dr. Jerome Walcott, former Minister of Health, Barbados was a subject of discussion at the Council of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, held during the Market Place Conference in Nassau, in the Bahamas on 22 January 2012, according to Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
It was disclosed that after receiving a presentation by Dr. Edward Greene, Coordinator of the CARPHA Resource Mobilization Committee on its vision, mission and developments, the Caribbean Tourist Organization (CTO) Council agreed that there were several areas for collaboration with this new Agency. These include using its information and communications system to increase the awareness of CARPHA and the public health agenda for the Region, join forces to reduce the threats of health and environmental threats for the sustainability of healthy tourism and supporting CARPHA’s surveillance programme.
The specific activities to be promoted are accurate and timely information on trends and health risks, disease prevention and control, detection of and response to health emergencies and establishing standards for managing and monitoring information and international health regulations
CARPHA which already has attracted a wide range of partners in Canada, UK, the European Union, USA and Brazil, has received an undertaking from the CTO of its willingness to be engaged in training and capacity building for workers in the tourism sector in the areas of food safety, environmental management and monitoring and promoting the Wellness Revolution in the Caribbean. It also agreed that Mr. Hugh Riley, CTO President will represent the organization on CARPHA Executive Board .These and other matters will be discussed at the 3rd Meeting of CARPHA’s Executive Board to be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in early March 2012.
Honourable Ricky Skerrit, Minister of Tourism St Kitts/ Nevis Chair of the CTO Council, commended the Caribbean Community “for taking this bold step to create a viable public health agency that would no doubt be of great benefit to the people of the region and in particular to those in the tourism business”.
CARPHA is a consolidation of the following five Regional Health institutions into one agency: Caribbean Epidemiological Centre (CAREC), Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI), Caribbean Health Research Centre (CHRC) , Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) and Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL).
CARICOM Heads of Government ratified CARPHA by signing the inter-Governmental Agreement in July 2011 making the agency a legal entity
Trinidad and Tobago has agreed to host CARPHA and new facilities for laboratory and research, surveillance and administration functions are scheduled to be completed by the end 2014. In the meantime CARPHA’s main activities would be hosted at CAREC
New bill tackles child porn, genital mutilation
THE newest version of the Children's Bill to be debated in Parliament is a consolidation of much-needed legislation and could make a difference in children's rights locally, head of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and child rights activist, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, has said.
Mahabir-Wyatt said this particular piece of legislation has been one of those to have suffered years in delays due to changing governments, but she is encouraged by the latest version, which appears to have greater detail than previous documents.
The current incarnation of the bill is an amalgamation of various packages that have been put forth over the past decade and which have continuously been withdrawn for amendments and clarification.
The Children Bill has also been one of those pieces of legislation that has suffered fallout from changes in governments, with successive governments attempting to make the bill their own before passing it.
Mahabir-Wyatt said the present bill appears to have provided clarity on a number of issues that child rights activists have clamoured for and she is hopeful that this package may see more success in Parliament.
It will also go a long way to providing legislative framework that supports this country's signature on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and will give more power to the Children's Authority, as the go-to body for children's issues.
"This is a cleaning up of what should have been cleaned up long ago," Mahabir-Wyatt said.
"This bill could make a huge difference."
Mahabir-Wyatt said some may question the inclusion of issues such as "genital mutilation", which may be seen as irrelevant to local society.
She said, however, that T&T is becoming increasingly "international", with heavy migration into the country from the Middle East and Africa, both with some cultures that practise genital mutilation on women and girls for religious and social reasons.
"This can be preventative," she said.
"As we see more migrants coming into the country, they may also bring their traditions with them. Or some sect or cult may decide that it is necessary for cultural reasons."
The bill also clarifies issues related to child pornography and what constitutes sexual assault on a minor.
The document specifies that any object or part of a person inserted into the orifice of a child, defined not only as the "vagina" and "anus" but also as the ear and mouth, may constitute the sexual abuse of a child.
"The previous legislation was not as detailed," Mahabir-Wyatt said.
Definition was also needed on child pornography, which the document provides.
"This is a growing problem here and with everyone now being able to record things, it is getting worse," she said.
Commenting on the recent spate of child deaths and abuse to have made the news, Mahabir-Wyatt said these incidents do little to change the local belief that children must be beaten and abused to be disciplined.
On January 20, six-year-old Josiah Governor died after being beaten by his stepfather, Ronnie John, for not completing his mathematics homework.
Neighbours in Laventille said the child had been abused most of his life.
Last Wednesday, 12-year-old Everton Vasquez hanged himself after being beaten with a belt by his grandmother, who said she did it to discipline the boy.
Last Monday, an eight-year-old pupil of Blackman's Private School reportedly had his head flushed in a toilet by a teacher, also an act meant to discipline.
Mahabir-Wyatt said children "have the sense of time" and when living with abuse, will often assume that "it will always be this way".
"When another child is murdered, we solemnly stand by and watch ministers cry real tears, and, sometimes, move to pass yet another bill into law, but twenty years goes by and still children get 'punished' by being beaten to death by their care-givers," she said.
"On a Monday we read that Josiah Governor died following a beating from his stepfather who used the excuse that Josiah had not done his math homework. Week after week, the neighbours had heard the nightly beatings and howls of pain. And done nothing.
"A week later we read that a 12-year-old boy committed suicide after being beaten by his grandmother. This, too, was a common practice. These two incidents took place while the trial over the murder of little Amy Anamanthudo was being heard in the courts. She was only four when she was beaten to death, only one incident in a little life filled with beatings, cigarette burns and other brutalities. In the same week we read a report of a teacher flushing a child's head in a toilet, in the same school that my family had to remove a five-year-old grandchild from for having been physically and emotionally abused 20 years ago. The more things change, the more they remain the same, apparently. And in each of the above cases of abuse, the adult perpetrators show little or no remorse."
She added:
"Children die in this country from the abusive actions of adults, and still, and still, grown men and women say of the children in their care: 'If you don't beat them, they won't learn', or 'Well, I was beaten when I was a child and I turned out all right'.
"What makes such people think they have turned out all right? Is flushing a child's head in the toilet the action of an adult who is 'all right'? I once had a man who was buggering his two young sons say the same thing to me: 'So what is wrong with that? They did it to me when I was a child and I turned out all right!'"
What children learn from being beaten, she said, is that violence against weaker persons by strong ones is how to get one's way.