Syria 'Ready to Participate’ in Peace Talks
Donald Trump is hitting back at suggestions that a remark he made about Hillary CliSyria's foreign minister said his country is ready to participate in peace talks in Geneva, "without any foreign interference," nearly a week after the United Nations Security Council approved a plan for an international Syrian peace process aimed at ending its civil war.
Foreign Minister Walid Muallem made the comments to reporters following a meeting in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
Muallem said the Syrian delegation will be ready as soon as it receives a list of the members of the opposition's delegation.
He added that the government hopes the dialogue will be successful in helping Syria establish a national unity government.
China is on the U.N. Security Council that approved the peace roadmap last week. Talks could begin as soon as January.
Source-VOA
Trump Says Derogatory Remark Made Towards Clinton "Not Vulgar"
Donald Trump is hitting back at suggestions that a remark he made about Hillary Clinton was sexually derogatory -- tweeting Tuesday night that the phrase was "not vulgar."
Trump has been under fire since Monday for making eyebrow-raising remarks about the former secretary of state, including that he thought that her use of a bathroom break during the most recent Democratic debate was "disgusting" and that she "got [expletive]" during the 2008 election, when she lost to Barack Obama.
In a tweet Tuesday night, Trump called the media "dishonest" for its characterization of his remarks and said that the term he used was "not vulgar." "When I said Hillary got [expletive] that meant beaten badly," he said. Trump and his campaign refused to clarify the remarks after he made them Monday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Clinton fired back at the remarks without directly invoking Trump's name Tuesday, saying "we shouldn't let anybody bully his way to the presidency." And her campaign also refused to address Trump by name. "We are not responding to Trump but everyone who understands the humiliation this degrading language inflicts on all women should,” Clinton communications director Jen Palmieri tweeted.
Source-ABC
Boy Among 4 Dead, 40 Injured in Tornado and Severe Storm Outbreak
Storms and tornadoes hit the South Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least four dead -- including a 7-year-old boy -- and injuring at least 40 more while leveling homes and causing other damage, according to officials and the National Weather Service. Two other people were missing, officials said.
As of Wednesday evening, there at least 21 reports of tornadoes and confirmed twisters in Iowa, Mississippi and Tennessee, according to the NWS, including a "large and extremely dangerous" tornado near Oxford, MS.
The NWS in Memphis released a map showing the track of an "exceptionally long-track, violent tornado" that hit Northern Mississippi. Two people were found dead and two others were missing in Benton County, Mississippi, in the northern part of the state. Further information was not immediately available. And a 7-year-old boy and another person were found dead as a result of a storm in Holly Springs, Mississippi, according to the mayor.
No further details about the circumstances were immediately available. At least 15 people were injured there. At least six counties reported damage in Mississippi, where at least 40 were reported injured, and search and rescues were being conducted there. One of the storms, a reported tornado, hit Bellevue, MS, damaging 10-15 homes, at least 7 of which were destroyed, according to the Coahoma County Emergency Management.
Five injuries were reported there and 2 additional severe injuries were reported near Shannon Airport, in the Clarksdale, MS, area, the department said.
Source-ABC
Obama Pays Tribute to Persecuted Christians
President Obama has issued a statement paying tribute to persecuted Christians around the world who are not free to celebrate the Christmas holiday, one of the most holy days on the Christian calendar.
Obama said Thursday that he and first lady Michelle Obama hold in mind "those who have been driven from their ancient homelands by unspeakable violence and persecution," such as areas of the Middle East where Islamic State militants have silenced the traditional ringing of church bells.
Obama said he joins people around the world in praying for God's protection of persecuted Christians and people of other faiths, as well as the men and women who work in military, diplomatic, or humanitarian efforts to end suffering and bring hope to their nations.
Two of the nations where Christians may not celebrate this year's holiday are Somalia and Brunei, which have banned all overt celebrations of Christmas.
In Somalia officials said all events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, and might invite Islamist attacks.
Last year Al-Shabab militants staged a Christmas attack on the Mogadishu airport that killed at least 12 people.
In Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has been moving the nation to sharia law.
Religious leaders there have announced a ban on all visible celebrations or symbols of Christmas and forbidden Muslims from participating in any activity that could be interpreted as relating to Christmas.
Source-VOA
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM GOVERNOR BECKINGHAM
A very happy Christmas to everyone in Turks and Caicos!
It is tempting to start a message like this by saying that it has been another eventful year. I’m not sure that, for TCI and most of its residents, it has been any more or less significant than most years. We have, fortunately, escaped the worst of the tropical storms or hurricanes which hit some of our neighbours, and we have been untroubled by some of the traumatic and dreadful events which have hit, through international terrorism, the citizens of Paris and other cities. On a brighter note it was great to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Waterloo residence in Grand Turk, which is an outstanding example in the region of TCI’s history.
So overall we can look back on a year which has seen TCI take a number of steps to strengthening its economy, its tourism and its international standing. By next March the economy will have improved enough for us to pay down most of the remainder of the loan guaranteed by the UK Government in 2010, and to secure a small loan from the commercial banks.
Tourism continues to increase by leaps and bounds and 2015 saw TCI crowned by Trip Advisor as the world’s No.1 island destination. We are now the envy of many of our Caribbean neighbours with a growing air lift across the United States and Canada, with Fort Lauderdale and Chicago being two of the newest cities with direct flights. I’m sure many of us will benefit from the competitive air fares that these new routes bring. We should also not forget the valuable service provided domestically, and internationally, by our two domestic airlines.
Growing alongside these developments we have also been able to enhance our own reputation internationally. Our tourism success is entirely dependent on our standing, and although there remains a worrying level of burglaries and aggravated robbery, and sadly some still unsolved murders, overall our security reputation is high. We wouldn’t get the number of tourist visitors if it wasn’t. Can I pay tribute here to the work of the police force; they sometimes have to put themselves in positions of danger to protect us.
TCI’s international standing was also enhanced by the magnificent achievement of Delano Williams in winning a bronze medal as a member of Great Britain’s 4 x 4 men’s relay team at the World Athletic Championships in Beijing earlier this year. He is a great Ambassador for TCI, I have enjoyed meeting him, and appreciated his support for my wife Jill’s Footsteps4Good walk/run in Provo. We should all wish him well for the Olympics next year.
We need to protect the reputation of our environment. The thousands of tourists who come here expect to see pristine beaches and clean surroundings. I would also like to acknowledge the work of NGOs and many individuals who give up their time to protecting and cleaning up our surroundings. Walking through some of the islands for Jill’s second fund raising event I was able to see what a beautiful environment we have, but how quickly it can be ruined by litter and debris.
Finally, at Christmas, we should of course remind ourselves – in whatever way we see appropriate – of the message of Christmas, about sacrifice and giving. I was interested to hear our politicians, from both main parties, extolling the virtues of graciousness, peace and good will at the lovely Christmas tree lighting in Grand Turk this month. I hope that they, and all of us in Turks and Caicos, will remember those virtues – shown to us above all in the life of Jesus - throughout 2016.
Jill and I look forward to seeing as many of you as we can again next year, and we wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas, and a blessed and prosperous New Year.
TCI NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS SERIOUS ISSUES
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, the Hon. Premier, Dr Rufus Ewing, and the Commissioner of Police, James Smith, met as the TCI National Security Council (NSC) on Friday, 18 December 2015 in Grand Turk.
The Hon. Minister of Border Control and Employment, Her Excellency the Deputy Governor and the Hon. Attorney General who make up the rest of the NSC, were unable to attend.
At this meeting, in response to concerns raised by the Premier, the NSC:
· The council discussed the recent decision to transfer 8 police officers from Grand Turk to Providenciales. The Commissioner of Police explained that the decision had been taken after careful consideration to address the higher incidences of crime in Providenciales compared to Grand Turk. A re-arrangement of working practices introduced by the Assistant Superintendent of Police would ensure that the same level of policing in Grand Turk would be maintained as at present. The Premier stressed the need to monitor and review the impact of the change. He also commented that the introduction of District Constables would provide additional policing presence;
· Members also received a summary from the Commissioner of Police of the new draft National Security Strategy. Discussion focused principally on two areas of concern expressed by the Premier – the need to introduce new measures to address human trafficking and to clamp down on establishments where there are reports of prostitution. The strategy would be discussed in more detail at the next meeting of the NSC in January ahead of wider discussion with the National Security Advisory Group (NSAG);
· There was also a discussion on the increase in robberies and burglaries in Providenciales highlighted by the Premier, including the end destination for stolen goods and measures being introduced by the police to find and identify stolen property. The Commissioner of Police explained measures that were being introduced to tackle the problem including a significant increase in police presence in areas where recent incidents had taken place. The Premier called for better street lighting and the use of CCTV in areas that had been affected;
· Concerns were also expressed by a leading resort in Providenciales about an alleged increase in crime including harassment of guests and measures to address them. The Governor would write to the owner of the hotel offering a meeting with him, the Premier and the Commissioner of Police to discuss the matter;
· They also discussed the proposals for a new Police Headquarters.
NIB heard cases ahead of Christmas
The National Insurance Board in the month of December heard cases in HM Courts, as they sought to put delinquent contributors to the test of paying up the mandatory dues.
Defendant Loften Morley formerly of Direct transport Ltd. was scheduled to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’ s court to answer to an Order of Commitment for the amount of $37,788.24. The defendant, Mr. Morley, was sentenced for 30 days in Her Majesty’s Prison, Grand Turk.
Restaurant Owner Aulden Smith of Smokey’s Restaurant was scheduled to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’ s Court to answer to an application for a Writ of Execution filed by the NIB for the levying of $2,066.15. The Writ of Execution was issued to the NIB for the levying of the said amount in goods and chattels belonging to the defendant.
The NIB will resume their activities after the Christmas holidays.
Sepp Blatter to Appeal FIFA Ethics Ban
Embattled FIFA President Sepp Blatter is taking steps to appeal the eight-year ban from all soccer-related activities that was imposed by the sport’s ethics committee.
The FIFA ethics committee Monday announced its decision to ban Blatter and the European head of soccer Michel Platini after finding them both guilty of breaches involving a $2 million payment made to Platini in 2011.
After the committee’s decision came down, a defiant Sepp Blatter held a news conference in Zurich, declaring his decision to “fight” the committee’s ruling.
“I will fight. I will fight for me, and I will fight for FIFA,” he said Monday.
On Tuesday, attorneys for Blatter formally announced plans for an appeal with the release of this statement:
“President Blatter will appeal the decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber to the Appeal Committee. While the decision announced yesterday confirmed that there was no corruption or bribery, President Blatter is eager to present his arguments to the Appeal Committee that the remaining charges must also fail because the evidence clearly demonstrates the relationship with Mr. Platini was in all respects appropriate. President Blatter is prepared to take all legal steps to prevail on the remaining charges and clear his name.”
In the meantime, Blatter won’t be found attending any soccer-related events. The ban was set to take effect immediately.
Source-ABC
Honda scolded Takata as deadly airbag crisis unfolded in U.S.
Four months before U.S. regulators started their investigation, Honda Motor Co. executives sat down with Shigehisa Takada, the head of Takata Corp., to scold him for the way the manufacturer reacted to the crisis over its potentially deadly airbags, according to minutes of the meeting.
It seemed to be a rough session for Takada, the grandson of Takata’s founder.
One Honda engineer asked if his company grasped the gravity of the situation, chiding the CEO by saying he’d been too slow to act, the minutes show. The president of Honda’s North American manufacturing operations, Hidenobu Iwata, told Takada he was “constantly worrying” because the airbag maker didn’t appear to have control of the situation.
The meeting, at Honda’s offices outside Los Angeles, took place in July 2009.
In November, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened its probe into Takata’s product, which contained a chemical propellant that according to regulators could explode with such force that it turned metal casings into shrapnel. Scores have been injured and eight killed. The U.S. earlier this year ordered a dozen automakers to replace Takata airbags in 19 million vehicles, which ultimately could become the largest overall recall in U.S. automotive history.
Minutes of the meeting indicate the depth of frustration within Honda, which owns a 1.2 percent stake in Takata and had been its biggest customer. Honda is a defendant in most of the cases, and other automakers have also been sued.
“Honda was doing all they could to find out the cause and at every turn they were hamstrung and lied to,’’ said Ted Leopold, a lawyer representing a woman suing Takata in Jacksonville, Fla., who blames faulty airbags for rendering her a quadriplegic after a fender bender. Leopold provided Bloomberg News with the minutes of the July 2009 meeting, along with other documents recently unsealed in the case.
Source-Bloomberg
Dinosaur Skull Purchased by Nicolas Cage to Be Returned to Mongolia
Nicolas Cage has handed over an illegally imported dinosaur skull that he had purchased in 2007 to the U.S. government as part of an effort to return stolen fossils to Mongolia, Cage's representative said.
The Tyrannosaurus bataar skull was sold at auction in 2007 in Manhattan for $276,000 by Beverly Hills-based I.M. Chait Gallery, according to the U.S. Attorney’s civil forfeiture complaint.
Cage agreed to transfer possession of the fossil to the Department of Homeland Security, based on a determination that "the fossil was indeed illegally smuggled into the U.S. and rightfully belongs to the Government of Mongolia," Alex Schack, a representative for Cage, said in an email.
The skull is now in the possession of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of DHS that specializes in investigating stolen antiquities and cultural artifacts.
“Cultural artifacts such as this Bataar Skull represent a part of Mongolian national heritage. It belongs to the people of Mongolia," said ICE Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Glenn Sorge.
The civil complaint, which was announced last week, leaves the buyer unnamed. However, Schack confirmed to ABC News that Cage was the buyer and he was identified in 2013 when controversy over the skull arose.
At the time of sale, the skull was described as “an extremely rare tyrannosaurid” from the Late Cretaceous period (67 million years ago). The specimen measured 32 inches in length and was approximately 65-percent complete, with “knife-like serrated teeth,” according to I.M. Chait Gallery.
I.M. Chait did not respond to ABC News' requests for comment.
Cage received a certificate of authenticity from the auction company, according to Schack. In 2014, DHS contacted Cage’s representatives to inform him that it believed the fossil he had purchased may have been illegally smuggled into the U.S. from Mongolia.
He cooperated with the investigation and arranged for an inspection of the fossil by government officials, Schack said.
The bataar skull was imported through an intermediary via Japan by self-described commercial paleontologist Eric Prokopi, who then put it up at auction at Chait in 2007, according to Prokopi's attorney, Georges Lederman.
Prokopi pleaded guilty in 2012 to engaging in a scheme to illegally import numerous dinosaur fossils, including one count of conspiracy, one count of false statements on entry of goods and one count of interstate and foreign transportation of goods converted and taken by fraud, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
As part of his plea agreement, Prokopi agreed to the forfeiture of a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus bataar skeleton (the First bataar), which sold at auction in 2010 for over $1 million, as well as a second nearly complete Tyrannosaurus bataar skeleton, a Saurolophus skeleton, and an Oviraptor skeleton, according to the Justice Department.
In July 2014, Prokopi was sentenced to three months in prison.
“Mongolian law at the time was very inconsistent and confusing at the time. It has since been changed," Lederman told ABC News.
Lederman said that when Prokopi put the fossil up for auction, he believed it to have been legally imported. Prokopi has since moved on and "is leading a law-abiding life," Lederman said.
Source-ABC News