Government Error Could Give Buju Banton Big Break In Case
Incarcerated reggae superstar, Buju Banton maybe able to get a big break in his case following his Lawyers appeal in Georgia Appeal Court earlier this month.
According to new reports, Banton could walk free from his 10-year sentence on drug-related charges after his attorneys discovered that the U.S. government may have violated the Speedy Trial Act.
The act states that any defendant involved in a case must be brought to trial by the government within a 70 day window; a right guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment in the American constitution. Additionally, said right is generally afforded to defendants so that they not subjected to unreasonably lengthy incarceration prior to a fair trial.
Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was arrested in December of 2009, but only face trial in September 2010, almost 10 months after his arrest. Furthermore, Federal Judge James Moody pushed back the singer’s trial date several times before the commencement of the trial which ended in a mistrial.
Banton’s second trial took place in February 2011, four months after his first trial ended. He was then convicted on three charges and sentence to 10 years behind bars.
According to writer Jodee Brown of the Examiner.com, The U.S Supreme Court has developed a four part test considering length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of his right to a speedy trial, and the prejudice to the defendant in judging speedy trial claims. Any violations of the Speedy Trial Act could spark the dismissal of a criminal case given the state’s inability to bring the case to trial within a reasonable amount of time.
Buju Banton was recently moved from a Texas prison and is now housed in Miami, pending the outcome of the appeal in Georgia Appeal Court.
Report on Projected Impacts of Sea –level rise on the TCI as a result of Climate Change
The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources is pleased to announce the completion of the Caribsave Climate Change Risk Atlas (CCCRA) Phase One document that was done in the Turks Caicos Islands, as part of a regional study to develop an atlas showing the impact that Climate change can have on the Caribbean Islands in the future.
This document was developed as a way to give an evidenced based inter-sectoral view of the vulnerabilities and the adaptations that can be made to circumvent the affect that climate change can have on the major economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism.
The main basis of this project is to give a detailed model of climate change for each of the countries selected. The projections for this document were done utilizing three scenarios.
The CCCRA Phase one, which was funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID); will provide the Turks and Caicos Islands with valuable information on the following areas:
• Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Impacts on Coastal Infrastructure and Settlements
• Community Livelihoods
• Gender
• Poverty and Development
• Agriculture and Food Security
• Energy
• Water Quality & Availability
• Comprehensive Disaster Management
• Human Health
• Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Fisheries
The climate change model was able to demonstrate on large scale the affects of global climate dynamic. To attain this data a combination of Global Climate Models (GCM) and a downscaled Regional Climate Model (RCM) was used to investigate the climatic changes for the TCI.
RCMs were also used to simulate the climate at a finer spatial scale over a smaller area allowing the projections of the GCMs to be downscaled attaining a clearer physical representation of the climate of the area being investigated.
The field study sites include notable resorts, ports and an airport runway that are at less than 6 m above sea level. Beach area losses in Turks and Caicos were also calculated for 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m and 3 m scenario (Table 1). At a 0.5 m SLR scenario, more than half of the beach area will be lost in Grand Turk West Shore (53%) and Historic Cockburn Town (65%). All (100%) of the beach area will be lost in Historic Cockburn Town under a 2 m SLR scenario, with all (100%) of the beach area in Grand Turk Cruise Centre and Grand Turk West Shore under a 3 m SLR scenario.
It is important to note that the critical beach assets would be affected much earlier than the SLR induced erosion damages to tourism infrastructure due to SLR-induced coastal erosion. Indeed, if erosion is damaging tourism infrastructure, it means that the beach will have essentially disappeared.
The assessment also looked at other sectors such as Health, Tourism, Social sector, Agriculture, land allocation and development planning, disaster management and much more.
The Department of Disaster Management in collaboration with the DECR worked with members of Caribsave that came to carryout site visits and data collection. Data were retrieved through site visits, questionnaires, focus groups and historical data.
The Department strongly encourage all members of the public to read at a minimum, the summary document and maybe this would serve as a springboard towards TCI starting to take the issue of Climate Change more seriously.
The finalized document can be found on the DECR website: www.environment.tc.
OPSM has begins to distribute voluntary severance package
The TCI Government's Office of Public Service Management (OPSM), on Friday confirmed to RTC News that it began distributing 697 voluntary severance package quotations to civil service applicants this morning.
These quotations outline the compensation package available to individual applicants, should they decide to apply for voluntary severance, and TCIG accepts their application.
The quotation pack according to OPSM, also includes the application form should individuals wish to proceed. It also provides details of the support package that would be made available to successful volunteers.
This support includes financial advice from a variety of sources such as TC Invest and all the locally represented banks, CV and interview skills advice, general careers advice, how to identify private sector job opportunities, vocational and academic training and skills courses.
Each individual will have three weeks to consider their own offer and decide whether or not to apply.
Police in Provo arrest 3 in connection with the RBC robbery
Police in Providenciales are making headway in their investigations into the armed robbery at the Royal Bank of Canada a week ago today, which led the death of one of two security guards who were shot during the incident, which occurred last Friday, December 16.
That victim has subsequently been identified as 58 year-old Haitian National Guil-laury Wilfred, 58.
The two security guards were surprised by a couple of gunmen as they were in the process of making a cash drop-off at the bank. The gunmen openedfire on them before making off with an undetermined amount of cash.
A source from the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre told RTC News that two men were rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre following the shooting incident at the Royal Bank of Canada.
Both were suffering serious gunshot wounds and were initially treated by the trauma team in the emergency department.
He said one of the victims, who suffered damage to his liver and kidney areas, was rushed to the operating theatre but sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Our InterHealth Canada source said the second patient, who was shot in the chest and stomach regions, also underwent life-saving surgery and was taken to the high dependency unit where his condition was described as critical but stable.
Our source said this afternoon that he continues to make progress and is expected to be discharged today or tomorrow, in time for the Christmas.
Our InterHealth Canada Spokesman also said the man’s wife gave birth to a baby girl last Sunday – a double gift of life for the family.
Meanwhile, Media Relations Officer, Detective Inspector Calvin Chase in his 24 hour crime update today said three (3) males are presently in custody assisting the Police as it relates to that Murder/Robbery at RBC on 16th December 2011.
Chase said during the past twenty-four hours Police in Providenciales responded to four (4) reports of a serious nature, namely two (2) Burglaries –Blue Hills & Airport Road, one (1) Attempted Burglary – Blue Hills and one(1) Theft – Old Airport Road.
During the same period one male and one female were arrested for Possession of Cannabis.
A male was also charged for Burglary and Wounding as it relates to a report made on 19th December 2011.
Here in Grand Turk, Police in Grand Turk responded to one (1) report of serious nature namely Burglary-Backsalina.
Christmas Treats for Foster Children 2011
Christmas is a time of giving, sharing and receiving. What better way to celebrate Jesus’ gift to mankind and express the joy of the season, then with children. The Department of Social Development in collaboration with the Grand Turk Cruise Center sponsored this year’s Christmas Treats for Foster Children. The special-separate party was held upstairs Margaritaville, on Thursday, December 22 2011 at 4pm.
The children enjoyed a delicious meal, as they took in the ambiance, sang Christmas Carols, recited poems and presented special ‘Thank you’ messages to Mr. Young and his team. A major highlight of the occasion was the appearance of Santa Claus, who came loaded with Gifts, big and small. Santa called each child by their names, as they collected their presents and took pictures with Santa.
The organizers behind it all, Mr. John Young, GT Cruise Center Manager and his team brought BIG smiles and Christmas cheer to the Foster Care children in our service program of Grand Turk and South Caicos. His warmth and generosity will forever be remembered in the hearts of our Foster Children.
Tiffany Thomas, Senior Social Worker stated:
“I was elated to see all the children in our Foster Care program in Grand Turk, out to spread the Christmas Holiday Season. On behalf of the Department of Social Development, and the Ministry of Home Affairs & Public Safety, I would like to convey my gratitude to Mr. John Young, who was forthcoming and considerate in hosting the Christmas Treats for Foster Children 2011. This event was a success and I look forward to future joint partnership with the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Thanks a million!!”
Britain’s Prince Philip Treated for Blocked Coronary Artery
The husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, has undergone surgery to treat a blocked artery in his heart that Buckingham Palace said had caused him chest pains.
A palace spokeswoman said the prince had undergone a “minimally invasive procedure” that inserted a coronary stent. She said he will remain in the hospital for a short period. But it is not known whether his hospitalization will disrupt Christmas plans for the royal couple
The 90-year-old prince had been admitted to the specialist Papworth Hospital in Cambridge on Friday.
Prince Philip, who was born in Greece in 1921, has been with Queen Elizabeth during her entire time on the British throne, which this year was her 60th. They were married in 1947.
Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, is their eldest child.
Prince Philip, who is also called the Duke of Edinburgh, has been known for his good health, tireless spirit and outspoken views.
Arrest Warrant Isssued for Head of French Breast Implant Firm
The head of a now-defunct French breast implant company is being sought by authorities in Costa Rica for what are described as “life and death” offenses.
Jean-Claude Mas is founder of Poly Implant Prothese , a firm that was shut down last year after the discovery it was using inexpensive industrial-grade silicone to manufacture its implants. Interpol on Friday issued a “red notice” that calls for Mas's arrest.
Earlier on Friday, the French government recommended that the 30,000 women in France with the implants have them removed out of concern they could rupture. It rejected fears that they could cause cancer.
Tens of thousands of women in dozens of countries, most of them in South America and western Europe, used the implants for cosmetic surgery or to replace lost breast tissue.
Environmental Group Says Nigerian Oil Spill Stretches 900 Square Kilometers
An environmental group says an oil spill off the coast of Nigeria this past week could stretch across more than 900 square kilometers of ocean.
The U.S.-based group, SkyTruth, says it estimates from satellite images it has obtained that the slick is 70 kilometers long and spans 17 kilometers at its widest point.
Royal Dutch Shell discovered the spill Tuesday about 120 kilometers off the southern coast of Nigeria.
Shell estimates the amount of leaked oil at less than 40,000 barrels and says the spill has been stopped.
Nigeria's National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency says the amount of oil that leaked into the ocean is similar to the last major spill at a Mobil field in 1998.
Shell says the leak happened in a pipeline that transfers crude oil from a production vessel to a waiting oil tanker .
The company says it has deployed airplanes and vessels with dispersants to locate and break up the leaked
oil, which is moving towards the shore.
Trini woman in marriage scam gets 18 months in UK
A TRINIDAD-born woman will spend Christmas in a British jail after being found guilty of paying her gay hairdresser to become her husband in an attempt to avoid deportation.
Vera Jadoonanan, 39, offered her British hairdresser £10,000 to become her husband in order to boost her chances of staying in the United Kingdom.
She has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for arranging the sham marriage.
Jadoonanan, originally from this country, had been granted a two-year student visa to study in the UK but wanted to secure indefinite leave to remain there.
Due to financial circumstances, the hairdresser agreed to Jadoonanan's proposal and the couple wed at Brighton Register office in August 2006. The hairdresser was paid £4,500 at this stage.
Jadoonanan, of Commercial Road, Eastbourne, made applications for citizenship to the Home Office as the spouse of a British national.
In October 2010, Jadoonanan threatened the hairdresser if he did not support the applications she would make allegations to the police he had assaulted her.
Intimidated by these threats, the hairdresser went to the police.
Police investigations uncovered that the hairdresser was a gay man who had been living with his partner for ten years.
He had never lived at the address Jadoonanan claimed they shared as husband and wife.
Jadoonanan was charged with one count of obtaining leave to remain in the UK by deception.
On November 17, following a three-day trial, she was convicted at Lewes Crown Court.
Jadoonanan was sentenced on December 16.
Foster TD helps Houston take 13-9 lead over Indy
Arian Foster has rushed for 138 yards and the game's only touchdown to help the Houston Texans lead the Colts 13-9 at the end of the third quarter on Thursday night.
Foster's 9-yard touchdown run came less than a minute into the game, but the defenses have dominated since.
Houston quarterback T.J. Yates has completed 9 of 11 passes for 93 yards.
Indy's Dan Orlovsky has connected on 14 of 25 passes for 130 yards. Joseph Addai has 18 carries for 56 yards and Reggie Wayne has five catches for 54 yards for the Colts.
The Texans led 10-6 at halftime and got their offense going right after the break. A 30-yard run by Foster helped set up Neil Rackers for a 35-yard field goal that pushed Houston's lead to 13-6 with 10:30 left in the quarter.
The Colts rallied late in the period, but Orlovsky just missed Wayne near the goal line on a third down, and Adam Vinatieri 's 47-yard field goal cut Houston's lead to 13-9 with 54 seconds left in the quarter.
Things started badly for the Colts. On Indianapolis' first play from scrimmage, Houston's Brian Cushing sacked Orlovsky and forced him to fumble. Houston's Brooks Reed recovered at the Indianapolis 17. Two plays later, Foster's touchdown gave the Texans a 7-0 lead 54 seconds into the game.
The Colts (1-13) went three-and-out on their next drive. Houston took over at its 38-yard line, but this time, the Colts caught the break. Robert Mathis sacked Yates, forced a fumble and recovered it himself at the Houston 36-yard line. The Colts wasted the opportunity when Orlovsky was sacked by Connor Barwin at the Houston 40-yard line on third down.
Houston (10-4) punted out of its end zone on its next possession, and Indy's Pierre Garcon returned it 20 yards to the Houston 27.
Orlovsky's 12-yard completion to Austin Collie on third-and-8 set Indy up at the Houston 13. The drive stalled, and Vinatieri's 23-yard field goal cut Houston's lead to 7-3.
Houston ripped off huge chunks of yardage to start the next drive - a 29-yard pass from Yates to Kevin Walter and an 18-yard run by Foster - to move into Indianapolis territory. Eventually, the Colts' defense tightened up, and Rackers made a 44-yard field goal to push Houston's lead to 10-3 with 2:01 left in the quarter.
Indianapolis finally got its offense moving midway through the second quarter. Helped by a pass interference call and a defensive hold, the Colts pushed inside the Houston 20 before settling for a 32-yard field goal by Vinatieri that cut Houston's lead to 10-6.
The Colts got one more chance inside of two minutes, but Vinatieri missed a 42-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in the first half.