5 Troops Killed in Syria Clashes
Syrian activists say clashes between security forces and gunmen believed to be army defectors have killed five government troops.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday the fighting occurred near a town in Homs province.
Clashes between government troops and suspected army defectors have been increasing in the province, as the authorities press a harsh crackdown on political opposition to President Bashar al-Assad.
From Switzerland Monday, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon urged President Assad to end the killing of civilians during the crackdown and accept an international inquiry into allegations of human rights abuses.
The United Nations says more than 3,000 people have been killed in Syria since anti-government protests began seven months ago.
The Arab League said late Sunday it would bring together Syria's government and opposition groups in an attempt to end the violence.
The league's secretary-general said the group plans to start the dialogue within 15 days. He spoke after an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo.
Some league members sought to suspend Syria's membership in the pan-Arab organization, but deep divisions among the group's 22 members prevented passage of the proposal.
The Arab League suspended Libya earlier this year after then-leader Moammar Gadhafi began a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters. The league later reinstated Libya under the country's new leadership.
In Syria Sunday, activists said security forces in the east opened fire on mourners as about 7,000 people attending the funeral of a slain activist with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. They also said government forces continued arrests near the capital, Damascus.
Syrian authorities have blamed much of the country's violence on gunmen or what they call terrorist groups.
Obama Bus Tour to Campaign for Jobs Proposals
U.S. President Barack Obama begins a bus tour of two southern states on Monday, hoping to rally public support for his calls on Congress to pass his recent proposal for creating jobs.
Mr. Obama’s first stop is Asheville, North Carolina. He is expected to spend the next three days touring North Carolina and Virginia, two traditionally Republican-leaning states that he won in his 2008 election and hopes to win again in his bid for a second term next year. But, polls show his public approval has declined in both states as the U.S. economic recovery has faltered.
Obama aides say this week’s bus tour is about his jobs proposal, not his re-election campaign. They say the president will urge Congress to first approve $35 billion in aid to state and local governments to help them avoid laying off teachers, police officers and firefighters.
The U.S. Senate’s Republican minority blocked Mr. Obama’s full jobs package last week, prompting him to call for the provisions in the bill to be passed by lawmakers piece by piece. Republicans have expressed support for some of those provisions, but complained that the complete $447 billion package contained wasteful spending and job-killing tax increases on wealthy Americans.
The road trip is Mr. Obama’s second in the armored bus since he toured the U.S. Midwest in August on a similar campaign to pressure Congress into enacting his economic agenda.
Jordan’s Prime Minister Resigns
Jordanian government officials say the prime minister has resigned.
Officials said Monday that King Abdullah plans to ask Awn al-Khasawneh, a judge in the International Court of Justice, to succeed Marouf al-Bakhit as prime minister and form a new Cabinet.
The change comes a day after a majority of parliament members called on the king to dismiss Mr. Bakhit.
Many Jordanians viewed the prime minister as unable to swiftly usher in domestic reforms.
King Abdullah dismissed his former government and appointed Mr. Bakhit as prime minister in February during protests for political change.
The king urged the new government then to take “practical and swift” steps to enact reforms.
Thousands of Jordanians had gone into the streets demanding the resignation of a government they blamed for rising food and fuel prices as well as the slow pace of political reforms.
Protests in Jordan continued, and in June, King Abdullah announced some concessions in an apparent bid to meet the demands of demonstrators.
He said he would pursue reforms that would allow the formation of future governments based on an elected parliamentary majority.
CIBC FirstCaribbean Names Noreane Lightbourne as 2011 Unsung Hero
Residents of South Caicos recently received a special visit from executives of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, when the team travelled from Providenciales to “The Big South” to announce the recipient of the 2011 Unsung Heroes’ programme.
South Caicos resident Noreane Lightbourne, who was visibly moved on hearing the news, thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean and assured the Bank that the $6,000.00, which she received would go towards her many projects throughout the community.
The presentation which took place on the same day the Bank operates on South Caicos, saw a small crowd gathering as Sherma Hercules, Country Manager, made the announcement. “Today is an extra special day for us at CIBC FirstCaribbean, as the Bank for the first time since the programme’s inception in 2004, has taken our Unsung Heroes’ presentation outside of Providenciales. We are truly honoured to be here on South Caicos and are very excited to recognise and honour a very deserving individual as our 2011 Unsung Hero,” stated Ms. Hercules.
Noting that this year the interest in the Unsung Heroes’ programme has increased, with many more nominations being submitted, Ms Hercules added, “CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Unsung Heroes’ programme has without a doubt made its mark here in the TCI and throughout the Caribbean as the flagship of volunteerism. Ms. Lightbourne has also made a significant mark throughout the TCI and has played an instrumental role in the development of The Wellness Centre of South Caicos’ Special Needs Programme and has also been part of establishing the Concerned Citizens of South Caicos movement. Our research has shown that Ms. Lightbourne never hesitates to invest physically or financially and always gives her services voluntarily when it comes to projects that involve the community of South Caicos.”
Due to lack of funding after a few years of being in operation, Ms. Lightbourne pushed for the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands to take over the management of The Wellness Centre, in order to continue fighting for the cause. To date, the TCIG finances the daily operations and Ms. Lightbourne continues to manage and execute the many tasks.
Persons who attended the presentation noted that the Wellness Centre’s Special Needs Programme, would not be possible without Ms. Lightbourne, who singlehandedly launched an awareness campaign in order to sensitise their communities on the number of special needs individuals who count on their continued support. They also thanked her for being the main advocate for reserved parking in the community of South Caicos, creating easier access for persons with disabilities.
Ms. Hercules reminded those in attendance that the selection process would not possible without their participation and encouraged them to start thinking about nominees for the 2012 Unsung Heroes’ programme.
BALL IN AG'S COURT
The video and transcripts of Works Minister Jack Warner offering advice on "gifts" from former FIFA presidential hopeful, Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam, to Caribbean Football Union officials have been handed over to the Attorney General.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday she saw the video and read the transcripts and decided to hand the entire matter over to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.
"I have referred the matter to the Attorney General to advise whether there is anything to be concerned about," she said. Persad-Bissessar was speaking to reporters after the launch of the National Integrated Business Incubator System (IBIS) at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain yesterday.
Warner demitted office as vice president of FIFA over the investigations into the allegations of bribery back in June.
Persad-Bissessar said despite the investigations, Warner attended yesterday's Cabinet meeting.
When asked if Warner still has her full support, the Prime Minister said: "I am awaiting the comments from the Attorney General".
Warner was said to be on his way to Mayaro yesterday afternoon and was unavailable for comment.
In a brief telephone interview yesterday, Ramlogan said he did not want to say anything on the matter just yet. He would only confirm that he was asked to look into the matter and he was doing so.
In the interpretation of the video published by British newspaper The Telegraph which was published on Wednesday, Warner appears to be recorded telling other members of the CFU that they must decide whether to accept the "gifts" of $40,000 (£25,000) each, and urging them to vote for bin Hammam rather than current president Sepp Blatter in the Fifa presidential elections.
The recording was made on May 11, the day after bin Hammam is alleged to have offered the money in individual brown envelopes, and is being used as evidence at a Fifa hearing this week in which 16 officials from the Caribbean Football Union are accused of violating Fifa's code of ethics.
The 16 officials facing investigation this week have each been given the footage of the tape.
On the tape, Warner begins the meeting by asking: "Is there media here?" On being told there are no journalists present, he explains the detail behind bin Hammam's "gifts" but stresses they should not be seen by the outside world to have come from bin Hammam.
Persad-Bissessar also commended former head of the Integrity Commission, Dr Eric St Cyr, on his decision to resign.
"I think he did the right thing and no further on it," she said, barring any other questions on the matter yesterday.
She said no one has been tipped to replace St Cyr just yet, adding that the President had to consult with her and the Opposition Leader before a decision is made.
"That has not yet taken place so it would not be appropriate for me to speak on it," she said.
The Prime Minister denied any political interference in the Commissioner of Police's decision not to grant the People's National Movement application to hold a public meeting today.
She said the Government's activities have been curtailed by the State of Emergency restrictions too and advised the PNM to hold an indoor meeting.
"Most certainly we (Government) have not been holding any public meetings, you could meet, we have met at our headquarters. You can have indoor meetings, not public meetings," she said.
Constables arrested for robbery and assault
Police Constables Damian Skyers and Denton Williams were today arrested and charged in relation with the assault and robbery of a businessman.
Constables Skyers and Williams were brought before the Gun Court where they were each offered $250,000 bail.
The cops are attached to the Protective Services Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
They are facing the charges of illegal possession of a firearm, assault at common law, assault occasioning bodily harm and robbery with aggravation.
As conditions of their bails, the constables were ordered to surrender their travel documents and must report to the Port Antonio Police Station three times a week.
A stop order was placed on them.
It’s alleged that in March Constable Skyers gave the complainant a quantity of ganja to sell and, months later returned with Constable Williams seeking payment.
When this money was not forthcoming, Constable Skyers reportedly assaulted the businessman before allegedly taking several items from his business place.
The businessman reported the matter to the police and following investigation the constables were today arrested and charged.
The cops are scheduled to reappear in the Gun Court on Monday October 31.
Source: JA Gleaner
Attorney takes extradition fight to Supreme Court
The attorney for Tony Vincent Ashman is expected this afternoon to file an application in the Supreme Court challenging his client’s extradition.
James is also challenging Ashman’s re-arrest.
Resident Magistrate Georgiana Fraser ordered Ashman extradited at a hearing in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The British Government wants Ashman to stand trial in the UK for murder.
However, his lawyer is contending that his client’s arrest is an abuse of the process of the court.
Ashman was re-arrested more than a week ago, five months after the Supreme Court ordered his immediate release from police custody.
The order was made because Ashman had been in custody for more than the 60 days allowed by the law after waiving his right to an extradition hearing.
Source: JA Gleaner
15 injured in Palisadoes crash
FIFTEEN persons were rushed to hospital following a crash with a Jamaica Urban Transport Company (JUTC) bus and truck along the Palisadoes Main Road in Kingston.
Police report are that at about 1:00 pm a bus was heading towards the Norman Manley International Airport when it collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction.
"At the time we received the reports a pregnant woman who was in the bus started bleeding as a result of the incident," said Michael Cotterell, a cop from the Elletson Road Police Station.
Police are still on the scene of the accident.
Source: jamaicaobserver
G20 ministers meeting to discuss eurozone debt crisis
Finance ministers from the G20 group of nations are meeting in Paris to continue efforts to find a solution to the debt crisis in the eurozone.
While Greece remains the central focus, fears remain that the crisis could spread to other highly indebted eurozone countries such as Spain and Italy, and exposed European banks.
Greece needs its next bailout loan next month to avoid defaulting on its debt.
Spain was hit by a further credit rating cut on Thursday.
Standard & Poor's reduced Spain's long term rating by one notch, citing weak growth and high levels of private-sector debt.
It came a week after fellow credit rating agency Fitch also cut Spain's rating.
On Thursday, Fitch also downgraded the creditworthiness of UK banks Lloyds and RBS, and also Switzerland's UBS.
Funding issues
The euro rose as high as $1.3828 against the dollar in Friday trading, on optimism about the meeting of G20 finance ministers.
However, analysts caution that any major decisions on tackling the eurozone debt crisis will not be announced until the meeting of European Union (EU) leaders on 23 October.
These are expected to include an agreement on increasing the funding and powers of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the fund set up to help national governments in financial difficulty.
The European Commission President, Jose-Manuel Barroso, said on Friday that any decisions taken on banks or on the eurozone's EFSF rescue fund at that meeting should take effect immediately.
Mr Barroso said: "Any decision should be enforced immediately, concerning the strengthening of the EFSF or concerning increased guarantees for our banks."
Warning
Measures to protect European banks with high levels of exposure to eurozone national debt are also expected to be decided by EU leaders.
Prior to the meeting, South Africa's Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan warned that International Monetary Fund (IMF) and EU resources may be "inadequate" if the eurozone debt crisis worsened.
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner disagreed, saying that both the IMF and EU already had sufficient funds.
He said: "As we look at the world today, the IMF has very substantial, uncommitted, available financial resources.
"Of course, Europe as a whole has resources available to help with the financial problems.
"The problems that they are facing there in Europe are complicated to solve, but well within the resources that Europe has."
Mr Geithner also said the G20 was looking for a "clear commitment" from Europe to deal with the debt crisis.
He told CNBC television from Paris: "What you need is the clear commitment by the governments, that they will do what is necessary to hold this together and put as much resources behind this as is necessary."
He said Europe "is clearly moving" to deal with the crisis.
Mr Geithner is expected to make a fresh call at the G20 meeting for China to allow its currency, the yuan, to trade freely.
Washington has long accused Beijing of keeping the yuan undervalued to make Chinese exports artificially competitive.
Greek focus
Athens is now likely to get its next loan instalment in November after inspectors from the EU, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank said they had reached agreement with the Greek government on further austerity measures in the country.
The representatives from the so-called troika had been in Athens to check on whether the Greek government was carrying out sufficient spending cuts and tax raising measures.
Greece's next 8bn euros ($11bn; £7bn) payment of EU and IMF funds has been delayed since the troika inspectors called off earlier inspections in Athens at the start of September.
However, inspections resumed after the Greek government pledged further austerity moves, despite widespread protests.
Protests against spending cuts are also continuing in Spain.
S&P downgrades Spain on weak growth outlook
Standard & Poor's (S&P) has cut Spain's long-term credit rating by one notch, from AA to AA-, because of weak growth and high levels of private sector debt.
The ratings agency added that the country's high unemployment would remain a drag on the economy.
Last week, the Fitch agency also cut Spain's rating, a process that can raise a country's borrowing costs.
S&P's move comes as G20 finance ministers are due to meet on Friday to discuss the eurozone crisis.
On Thursday, Fitch downgraded the creditworthiness of UK banks Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and also Switzerland's UBS.
'Weaken further'
Explaining its decision to downgrade Spain, S&P said: "Despite signs of resilience in economic performance during 2011, we see heightened risks to Spain's growth prospects due to high unemployment, tighter financial conditions, the still high level of private sector debt, and the likely economic slowdown in Spain's main trading partners."
It noted the "incomplete state" of labour market reform, and added: "The financial profile of the Spanish banking system will, in our opinion, weaken further."
S&P also warned of a further ratings cut if Spain's economy worsens.
Its move comes as activists opposed to the Spanish government's continuing austerity measures, the so-called "indignants", are due to hold a protest march in Madrid on Saturday.
In addition to downgrading UBS, Lloyds and RBS, Fitch said it had put 12 other banks on notice that they may receive the same treatment.
The other lenders it has warned include Germany's Deutsche Bank and US group Goldman Sachs.
Fitch said it noted "increased challenges" facing the financial markets as the eurozone debt crisis and government spending cuts continue to affect banks.
Last week, Fitch fuelled concerns about the debt crisis when it downgraded Spain and Italy, citing the "intensification" of the eurozone's economic and financial problems.
Political moves
The euro fell to $1.3723 immediately following S&P's announcement, before recovering to $1.3774 in early Friday trading.
Analysts said this was due to optimism that the G20 meeting of finance ministers may announce new agreements on tackling the crisis in the eurozone.
However, other commentators say any firm decisions on the eurozone will not likely be announced until the meeting of EU leaders on 23 October.
One expected agreement will be increasing the funding and powers of the European Financial Stability Facility, the fund set up to help national governments in financial difficulty.
Measures to protect European banks with high levels of exposure to eurozone national debt are also expected to be decided.