TCI enters first phase of UK bond
The Turks and Caicos Islands completed a roughly $280 million bond sale that officials say aims to help the British dependency tackle a fiscal crisis.
The Caribbean islands' London-appointed governor said the sale "buys us the time we need to tackle the dire fiscal legacy" inherited by his interim administration.
Britain imposed direct rule on Turks and Caicos in August 2009 after a probe into allegations that local leaders misused public money and profited from the sale of government-owned land. The local government and legislature were suspended.
Gov. Gordon Wetherell said the bond sale was the best option to give his administration a fixed interest rate and allow some "certainty over our future debt service." The bonds, with a fixed interest rate of 3.2 percent, will be fully payable on maturity in February 2016.
The bond sale does not provide additional funding for the islands' government, but replaces a $280 million bridge loan that was part of a $417 million rescue package approved by Britain earlier this year.
Wetherell said the bailout won't fund significant new expenditures or reverse spending cuts. It will only allow the financially struggling islands of roughly 23,000 people to bring spending and revenue in line, he said.
Gansevoort signs with private jet company
The Gansevoort Hotel Group in New York City, with one of its flagship hotels being in the Turks and Caicos Islands has selected JetFlite International (JFI) as their exclusive private aviation provider.
The new partnership presents a collection of specially-crafted benefits for guests at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC, and Gansevoort Turks and Caicos and JFI clients.
“We are committed to providing our guests with an unparalleled hospitality experience from start to finish and are delighted to extend that philosophy to our choice of private aviation provider,” said Elon Kenchington, chief operating officer, Gansevoort Hotel Group. “This alliance presents the opportunity to blend the best in private jet travel with the best in hospitality experiences.”
“The partnership will change the way many Gansevoort guests will travel,” said Bill Cripe, JFI chief executive officer. “It will allow a new level of efficiency and productivity in Ganzevoort guest’s lives, providing an extra day or two at a Gansevoort location rather than in airports.”
Over the past two decades, JFI has operated thousands of flights to practically every corner of the globe. And like Gansevoort, JFI takes pride in its ability to delight the most discerning clients, particularly those who value both expertise and attention to detail.
TCI Policeman to answer to gun charge on May 2nd
Officer Dwayne Williams appeared before Magistrate Clifton Warner charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear. He was represented by defence attorney Oliver Smith and Principal Crown counsel JoAnne Meloche represented the prosecution.
Smith argued that the charge should be dismissed as a police officer cannot be charged with this offence whilst in the performance of his duty. He also charged the prosecution with abuse of process in that they delayed the case from being heard in a timely manner.
Ms Meloche told the court that on November 5 2008, Williams and other officers went into a bar in search of illegal immigrants. Patrons at the bar were presenting their work permits to the officers but Williams threw them aside saying, ‘I don’t care about that’.
He then whipped out a firearm that was not issued to him by the Government and fired a shot into the ceiling. “It was a criminal act. It was unprompted,” she told the Magistrate.
The prosecutor felt that the charge should not be dismissed as it was appropriate and based on evidence from witnesses she intended to call.
Magistrate Warner adjourned the matter until May 2 when the prosecution is scheduled to present the court with case laws in support of their position.
eBay profits jump 20% on Paypal growth
Internet auction giant eBay has reported a sharp rise in quarterly profits thanks in large part due to strong growth at its Paypal division.
Net income for the first three months of the year was $476 (£286m), a 20% rise on the $398m recorded a year earlier. Revenue rose 16% to $2.55bn.
EBay is coming to the end of a three-year plan to revitalise its business.
"The year is off to a strong start," said the group's chief executive John Donahoe.
"In the first quarter, Paypal continued to drive strong growth globally, eBay sharply accelerated growth in the US and we announced several acquisitions that we believe will enhance our leadership and innovation in commerce and payments," he added.
The number of Paypal accounts grew by 16% on a year earlier, the company said, while sales volumes excluding vehicles at its online marketplace grew by 8% to $14.5bn.
Royal wedding: William and Kate 'moved by affection'
Prince William and Kate Middleton say they have been "incredibly moved" by the affection shown to them since their engagement.
In a message in their official wedding programme they thanked "everyone most sincerely for their kindness".
Details of Friday's ceremony at Westminster Abbey have been published.
The order of service reveals Miss Middleton will vow to "love, comfort, honour and keep" but not obey Prince William.
The service will be the epitome of "Britishness", St James's Palace said.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office says the invitation for the Syrian ambassador in London has been withdrawn following reports that up to 400 pro-democracy protesters have been killed in Syria by security forces in recent weeks.
A Foreign Office statement said: "Buckingham Palace shares the view of the Foreign Office that it is not considered appropriate for the Syrian ambassador to attend the wedding."
Miss Middleton has taken part in her last rehearsal at Westminster Abbey, with best man Prince Harry, the bridesmaids and pageboys.
In their official wedding programme released on Thursday, William and Kate's message reads: "We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives.
"The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone most sincerely for their kindness."
Music choices
The bride will walk up the aisle to a coronation anthem I Was Glad by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry from Psalm 122.
It was composed for the crowning of Prince William's great-great-great grandfather Edward VII at Westminster Abbey in 1902.
The couple have chosen to use the Series One (1966) Book of Common Prayer ceremony.
Classical compositions by Elgar, Britten and Vaughan Williams will feature during the ceremony, alongside the hymn Jerusalem and the English melody Greensleeves.
St James's Palace said many of the "stunning" pieces were chosen by the royal couple for their "theatre".
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton, sister Pippa and brother James will all act as witnesses and sign the marriage registers.
Kate's brother James Middleton will give The Lesson, reading Romans 12: 1-2, 9-18.
The souvenir wedding programme is available to download free as a PDF from the official Royal Wedding website. The booklet will be also be sold for £2 a copy along the processional route on the day of the wedding, with proceeds going to the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.
William is due to spend Thursday evening with the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Harry while Miss Middleton and her family will gather at the Goring Hotel, in Belgravia.
Royal reception
The Queen is hosting an event for British and foreign royals at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, near Hyde Park, in central London.
Among those thought to be attending are the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips with her fiance, England rugby player Mike Tindall.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are expected to attend the reception before returning to Clarence House for their private dinner.
Some 50 foreign heads of state are among the 1,900 invited guests attending the wedding.
VisitBritain has predicted an extra 600,000 people will be in the capital on Friday, with some royal enthusiasts already beginning to pitch tents outside the abbey.
It is anticipated the events will be watched by millions of people worldwide on television. Thousands of journalists have descended on London and makeshift studios have sprung up outside Buckingham Palace and along the wedding route.
Security has been stepped up, with police sealing off Beeston Place where the Goring Hotel is.
On Friday, a carriage procession will pass along The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Horse Guards Parade, through Horse Guards Arch, along Whitehall, along the south side of Parliament Square and into Broad Sanctuary.
Many of Thursday's papers carry pictures of Prince William playing a game of football with friends in Battersea on Tuesday night.
The Times said William, who is president of the Football Association, looked relaxed as he laughed and joked with his team-mates.
Westminster Abbey has closed its doors to the public so that preparations could get under way.
Large containers of green cuttings have arrived from the royal estates of Sandringham and Windsor and gardeners have set up an "avenue of trees" inside the abbey.
Six field maples and two hornbeams are to flank the route to the altar as part of Kate Middleton's floral plans.
The Met Office says there is a 70% chance of rain on Friday, with heavier showers more likely later in the day. The forecasters expect temperatures will reach a high of 18C (64F).
Storms and tornadoes kill scores in southern US
Ferocious tornadoes and storms in the south-eastern United States have killed at least 85 people and left a trail of devastation.
Alabama was the worst hit state, with 61 deaths reported. A massive tornado struck the Alabama city of Tuscaloosa, killing 15 people.
Deaths have also been reported in Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee.
States of emergency have been declared in seven states, and federal aid money is being sent to Alabama.
One meteorologist described the tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa as possibly the "worst in Alabama's history".
The US National Weather Service has preliminary reports of nearly 300 tornadoes since the storm began on Friday, including more than 130 on Wednesday alone.
The current storm system is forecast to hit North and South Carolina before making its way further north-east.
Tuscaloosa - a city of more than 83,000 and home to the University of Alabama - was hit by the huge tornado in the early evening on Wednesday.
A grocery store manager in the city described how he moved his customers to the back of the shop the moment it hit.
"The power went out, the building started shaking, the windows were shaking, and parts of the roof was flying off the building," Mike Honeysutt said, as he stood amidst the debris of his wrecked shop.
"The windows came in at the front, and then the wind started blowing stuff off of the shelves, and then it passed on through after about 15-20 seconds."
By nightfall, the city was dark, with roads impassable, businesses unrecognisable, sirens wailing off and on, and debris littering the streets and pavements, the Associated Press reports.
The city's hospital said its emergency room had admitted about 100 people, but treated around 400.
Mayor Walter Maddox told reporters the city faced "massive damage on a scale we have not seen in Tuscaloosa in quite some time", and said he expected the death toll to rise.
The damage from the tornado that struck near Tuscaloosa was made worse by earlier storms, which allowed the new system to uproot entire trees out of loose, wet mud, Michael Sznajderman, a spokesman for the Alabama Power Company, told the New York Times newspaper.
He added that at least 335,000 customers were without power in the region, with more storms on the way.
"The number of outages could be as high as what we saw with Hurricane Ivan or Hurricane Katrina," Mr Sznajderman told the newspaper.
Governors of Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee have all declared a state of emergency as a result of the newest round of heavy winds, rains and tornadoes.
President Obama's declared a state of emergency for Alabama, releasing federal aid money.
"While we may not know the extent of the damage for days, we will continue to monitor these severe storms across the country and stand ready to continue to help the people of Alabama and all citizens affected by these storms," Mr Obama said in a statement on Wednesday night.
Mississippi reported 11 deaths on Wednesday, including that of a police officer who shielded his nine-year-old daughter from a falling tree while on a camping holiday. The girl escaped unhurt.
A women was also killed in eastern Tennessee when trees fell on her trailer home in Chattanooga.
At least 11 people are reported to have been killed in Georgia.
Storm systems have hit states across the southern US for weeks, with severe weather being blamed for the deaths of 10 people in Arkansas and one in Mississippi earlier in the week.
Syria: Baath party officials 'quit in protest'
Some 200 members of Syria's ruling Baath party are reported to have resigned over the violent crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrations.
The resignations were centred on the southern city of Deraa, a focal point of violence that has allegedly killed 450 people in six weeks.
Shooting was heard in Deraa overnight, where the government this week sent tanks and troops to regain control.
Meanwhile, the UN failed to agree on a statement condemning the crackdown.
A draft proposed by France, Britain, Germany and Portugal was opposed by several within the 15-member Security Council, with Russia insisting events in Syria were not a threat to international peace.
President Bashar al-Assad's government disputes the Western view that the demonstrations have been non-violent.
In a statement carried by the official news agency, it said it had sent troops to several cities on the request of citizens who were worried about "armed extremists". Opposition leaders say the protests are peaceful.
A declaration signed by the Baath party officials in Deraa said they were quitting to protest against the violent crackdown, Reuters reported.
"In view of the negative stance taken by the leadership of the Arab Socialist Baath Party towards the events in Syria and in Deraa, and after the death of hundreds and the wounding of thousands at the hands of the various security forces, we submit our collective resignation," said the statement.
The resignations follow those of 30 Baath officials from the restive coastal city of Baniyas, north-west of Damascus.
Residents of Deraa have told the BBC the city is in "complete lock-down", with no-one being allowed to leave their homes.
One resident said the streets were filled with tanks and snipers, and people were afraid of going outside for fear of being shot, meaning that plans for a protest on Friday have been cancelled.
On Wednesday, footage posted on the internet appeared to show Syrian tanks heading towards Deraa to reinforce troops who had moved in on Monday.
Amnesty International quoted eyewitnesses as saying army snipers were shooting at wounded residents lying in the streets and that other people were trying to save them.
But with communications apparently cut off from the city, it is hard to be sure what is happening there.
Despite the crackdown, though, protesters have designated Friday a "day of rage" throughout the country: They say there is no turning back.
On Friday, the UN Human Rights Council is due to hold an emergency session to consider a draft resolution demanding an immediate end to President Assad's efforts to crush the challenge to his rule.
The text also calls on Syria to lift its ban on nearly all foreign media and ease its restrictions on the internet and telecommunications.
At the UN on Wednesday night, China and India called for political dialogue and peaceful resolution of the crisis, but stopped short of condemning the violence.
Alexander Pankin, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, warned that a "real threat to regional security could arise from outside interference in Syria's domestic situation".
Moscow has increasingly opposed military action in Libya, arguing that operations against Col Gaddafi's forces have exceeded the scope of a Security Council resolution.
But on Thursday its foreign ministry called on Damascus to "bring to justice" those responsible for deaths at protests across the country, Tass news agency reported.
Four Bahrain protesters sentenced to death
A court in Bahrain has convicted four demonstrators and sentenced them to death over the killing of two police officers during pro-democracy protests.
Three others were sentenced to life in prison by the military court.
Bahraini authorities have responded harshly to protests which began in February, following uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
Hundreds of people have been detained for taking part in protests, many unable to communicate with family.
The seven defendants were tried behind closed doors on charges of premeditated murder of government employees - allegedly running two police officers over in a car.
Rights groups say they were denied communication with family or friends and had little access to legal counsel.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges, reports said.
The trial was the first publicly announced since the Gulf state was put under martial law in mid-March.
That followed more than a month of protests, during which demonstrators had occupied the now-bulldozed Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama.
At least 30 people have been killed since the protests erupted, with four protesters believed to have died in police custody.
Bahrain blames Iran for fomenting the protests, but analysts point to long-simmering tensions between the ruling Sunni minority and Shia majority.
Reps For Beyonce Deny Royal Wedding Performance With Jay-Z
A rep for R&B singer Beyonce has denied reports that she and her husband Jay-Z will perform for Prince William and Kate Middleton at their royal wedding this Friday (April 29th).
“The ceremony is not on her schedule and she has a shoot in New York on Saturday," a representative for Beyonce said.
Rumors began to circulate about the pair's possible perofmrnace when Britain's Daily Star reported that "William and Kate are massive fans of Beyonce and Jay-Z."
According to rumors, the royal couple asked Beyonce and Jay-Z to perform their hit single "Crazy In Love" during a less-formal, reception.
The rumors seemed to be strengthened, as Beyonce and Jay-Z are holed up in the Hotel Le Meurice, a $20,000 per-night hotel in Paris.
The powerful pop couple are in Europe to create new music and promote Bey's latest single "Girls Who Run the World."
Failed Rick Ross/Erykah Badu Concert Results In $50K Lawsui
A failed concert that was supposed to feature rapper Rick Ross and R&B singer Erykah Badu during the Soul Train Music Awards has turned into a lawsuit.
While neither Rick Ross or Erykah Badu are named in the lawsuit, a concert that was supposed to feature the artists is what triggered the lawsuit.
Michael-Bryant Hicks and Eve Runyon filed the lawsuit against Tracey Pennywell and Penny in the Well Productions on April 26th.
The lawsuit was filed in The Superior Court of Fulton County for the State of Georgia.
According to Hicks and Runyon's lawsuit, Pennywell said she had entered into an agreement with the SoulTrain Productions to produce and promote a concert during the Soul Train Music Awards in November of 2010.
The lawsuit claims that Pennywell persuaded Hicks and company to invest $50,000 for the production of the concert.
Not long after signing a deal and receiving the funds, Pennywell and her company allegedly started abusing the investment on personal expenditures, nearly exhausting the finances.
The concert, which was supposed to feature Rick Ross and Erykah Badu, was to take place at the Atlanta Civic Center.
At the last minute, Pennywell changed the venue from the Atlantic Civic Center to Opera.
When Hicks and Runyon hit Opera to see how the event was going, they found out the artists were not performing and keeping their deposits.
When managers at Opera found out there would be no performances, they kicked Pennywell and her assistants out of the club.
SoulTrain ended up having to refund the cost of fans' tickets.
Hicks and Runyon seek to recover their initial investment of $50,000 a damages.