Denmark challenges Russia and Canada over North Pole
Denmark has presented a claim to the UN, arguing that the area surrounding the North Pole is connected to the continental shelf of Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory.
Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard said it was a "historic and important milestone" for Denmark.
Canada and Russia have already asserted their own sovereignty over the energy-rich Arctic territory.
Arctic nations have agreed that a UN panel will settle the dispute.
The focus of the dispute is the Lomonosov Ridge, a 1,800km-long (1,120 miles) underwater mountain range that splits the Arctic in two.
Back in 2008, a US Geological Survey report estimated that as much as 22% of the world's undiscovered and recoverable resources lay north of the Arctic Circle, but the North Pole itself is unlikely to have much oil or gas beneath its deep waters.
A team from the Danish mission at the UN presented three boxes to the commission on Monday, a spokesman told the BBC.
The 21-member panel investigating the competing claims to the pole will have to decide whether the scientific evidence put forward is valid. If the claims overlap, the relevant states will then have to negotiate, the spokesman said.
Mr Lidegaard said data collected since 2002 backed Denmark's claim to an approximate area of 895,000 sq km (346,000 sq miles)- roughly 20 times the size of Denmark - beyond Greenland's nautical borders.
Denmark, along with Russia, Norway, Canada and the US said in 2008 that the territorial dispute should be settled under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
After ratifying the convention, a country has 10 years to submit a claim to extend its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its borders. Canada expressed formal interest last year, and Denmark's deadline is about to run out.
Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen of Denmark's Syddansk University said the government in Copenhagen had staked its claim, partly to show the world that Denmark could not be pushed about, but also to prove a political point to the people of Greenland.
"There's a strong push for independence in Greenland, and Denmark wants to show it's capable of taking its interest into account," he told the BBC.
"By taking this step, Copenhagen is sending a signal [to Greenland]: 'Listen, we're on your team'."
A Russia submarine planted a rust-proof titanium flag 4,200m (14,000ft) beneath the North Pole in 2007, provoking an angry response from Canada.
However, Danish scientists were firm in their claim on Monday. "The Lomonosov ridge is the natural extension of the Greenland shelf," Christian Marcussen of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland told AP news agency.
Bill Cosby speaks out against sexual assault claims
Bill Cosby has spoken out for the first time against allegations of sexual abuse, saying he only expects the "black media" to remain "neutral".
In an interview with the New York Post, the comedian praised his wife Camille for her "strength" in standing by him.
Cosby, who has been accused of assault by more than a dozen women, said he'd been advised not to discuss the claims.
The 77-year-old actor declined to address the allegations but asked reporters to remain impartial.
"I only expect the black media to uphold the standards of excellence in journalism and when you do that you have to go in with a neutral mind," Cosby said.
New York Post reporter Stacy Brown said the actor sounded "upbeat" on the phone from his home in Massachusetts.
He said "love and the strength of womanhood," had helped him weather the controversy.
"Let me say it again, love and the strength of womanhood. And you could reverse it, the strength of womanhood and love."
But the actor later cut his conversation short, saying: "They don't want me talking to the media."
Police in Los Angeles have recently opened an investigation into claims made by Judy Huth that Cosby molested her when she was 15 years old.
In her legal action, Ms Huth claimed the actor gave her alcohol and forced her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom of the Playboy Mansion around 1974.
Cosby is counter-suing the 55-year-old, saying she attempted to extort money from him, and has described her claims as "absolutely false".
His lawyers, who have continued to deny the allegations, recently issued a strongly worded statement condemning the "media frenzy".
The actor has never been charged with a crime but the accusations have led to his stand-up tour being called off and the cancellation of a number of TV projects.
Source-BBC
Russian rouble falls to new low against US dollar
The Russian rouble has dropped to a new low against the US dollar, as falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to weigh on the country.
As of Monday afternoon, it takes more than 60 roubles to buy a single dollar.
The 60 mark is considered a "psychological barrier" for Russia's national currency, says the BBC's Moscow correspondent, Steve Rosenberg.
Since the start of the year, the rouble has lost more than 45% of its value against the dollar.
Russia's central bank has tried unsuccessfully to stabilise the currency, buying roubles in the markets and raising its main lending rate to 10.5%.
But those efforts have been overwhelmed by the fall in the price of crude oil - one of the country's main exports - and by concerns that international sanctions over Ukraine might be stepped up.
Russian authorities appear unable to bring down inflation either - prices are expected to be 10% higher by the end of the year.
Source-BBC
Haiti PM resigns after protests
Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe has resigned less than a week after President Michel Martelly had received a report from an 11-member presidential commission established to help deal with Haiti’s worsening political crisis.
The Commission had also recommended the resignation of the members of the Electoral Council.
Haiti has seen several violent street demonstrations led by opposition figures in recent weeks and in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Saturday night, Lamothe said “I am leaving the post of prime minister this evening with a feeling of accomplishment”.
The protestors have been calling for the resignation of both Martelly and Lamothe after the country failed to hold elections in October.
Late November, Martelly announced the establishment of the commission as opposition demonstrators planned to continue their streets protests to force him out of office.
Martelly has been holding talks with several social and political groups in a bid to pave the way for the holding of the long-delayed election to renew two thirds of the 30-member Senate, the entire Lower Chamber and hundreds of local government bodies.
Out of the 30 senate-members, only 20 remain in office, and amendments to an existing electoral law are required to facilitate the vote.
But six opposition legislators have consistently refused to attend the meetings of the Senate preventing the body from getting the required 16-member quorum needed to hold a session.
Political observers note that by January 12, next year, the Haitian parliament will become dysfunctional with only 10 senators left, while 16 is required to hold a session Lamothe should resign, along with the head of the Supreme Court and the country’s election commission.
Martelly said earlier that he had accepted the commission’s findings, and would meet government officials on Monday to discuss them.
PM Skerrit reiterates support to Venezuela
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has reiterated Dominica’s support to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Mr Skerrit reiterated that commitment in his address at the XIII Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Agreement (Alba-TCP) in Cuba which was held yesterday, Sunday 14 December 2014.
“Dominica stands in total and absolute solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela,” Mr Skerrit said.
“You can count on us at any time to stand with you in the defence of your independence, in defence of your sovereignty, in defence of the progressive results that you have made since the start of the Bolivarian Revolution under President Hugo Chavez,” he continued.
The Prime Minister noted that an attack on Venezuela “is an attack on Dominica, an attack on the Caribbean”.
Cabinet Meeting for December 10th,2015
His Excellency the Governor, Hon. Peter Beckingham, chaired 30th meeting of cabinet on Wednesday 10th December 2014 at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.
All Ministers were present.
Madam Attorney General (Acting), Ms Khalila Astwood was in attendance in the place of Madam Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles.
· Approved contract awards for Ambulances in Providenciales, Grand Turk, South Caicos, North and Middle Caicos; Designing a water osmosis plant in Salt Cay as well as repairs to Five Cays road.
· Approved request from Trial Enterprises for import duty concession assisting with the renovation and restoration if the Historic Turks Head Inn Hotel in Grand Turk.
· Approved business application submitted by Turks Fleet Ltd seeking permission to operate in a restricted business activity under the Business Licensing (Amendment)(No.3) Regulations 2014.
· The Limited Partnership Ordinance, Companies Ordinances, Mutual funds Ordinance and Trade Marks Ordinance would be referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers and FSC with a view to including these amendments within the draft Companies Ordinance and subsequent legislation.
· Approved the application for long lease over parcel 60602/204, 205, 340 and road subject to the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance.
· Approved application for crown land, South Suburb, Grand Turk subject to the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance.
· Agreed that the Ministry of Finance should draft Terms of Reference for the appointment of a Project Manager to oversee a 2 year project through the infrastructure fund to centralize the tour operators and vendors in Grand Turk. Also a recommendation to have permanent police presence in the Cruise Terminal beach areas of Grand Turk. Tourist Board to look at redeveloping Tourism Booth through infrastructure fund in the Cruise Terminal in Grand Turk.
· Crown land unit to identify a location for Tour Operators including establishment of a tour operator and vendors facility, a tourist board help desk and taxi despatch centre.
· Agreed to the tendering of works for dredging of navigational channel at Sandy Point, North Caicos so it would be open for safe use by mariners.
· Approval of a fast track booth in Providenciales for Diplomats.
· Approved the formation and recognition of the Turks and Caicos Islands Fishing Co-operative Inc.
· Received and noted the report of the proposed amendments to the National Parks Ordinance and undertook to review the National Parks Committee's recommendations and thereafter present the report for Consultation.
· Governor to liaise with officials in the Dominican Republic to discuss a common fisheries protection policy to protect TCI waters.
· Recognised the problems recently faced by TCIG Department and offices on Front Street, Grand Turk and would look to devise a short term and long term strategy to dealing with the storm surge issues.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
InterCaribbean Airways new Services in Haiti, Jamaica and Dominican Republic
InterCaribbean Airways is pleased to announce the commencement of new non-stop services to and from Kingston, Jamaica and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Port au Prince, Haiti .
InterCaribbean Airways began scheduled services on December 13th 2014, between Kingston Normal Manley International Airport and Port au Prince, Haiti, and also Port au Prince to Santo Domingo International Airport. With high hopes for this service, the business and leisure traveler will be able to enjoy this new service in just an hour of travel time.
In concert with the mission of the Ministry of Tourism, and Minister Stephanie Villedrouin to increase flights and build Haiti as a leisure destination, these new services will extend the travel options for the visitors to neighboring islands as an easy means to travel to Haiti and extend their vacation stays.
Seats are on sale, and bookable immediately at interCaribbean.com or calling our call centers and visiting our airport locations. Customers may also visit their preferred travel agency.
Said Trevor Sadler CEO of interCaribbean Airways, "We are pleased to offer these new routes to give the more choices and more connectivity across the Caribbean and support Haiti as it grows its appeal to the vacation visitor, while facilitating new business opportunities. We look forward to increasing the frequency and number of destinations we serve in the new year."
Dominican military 'linked' to US$22.0M bank fraud
National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso on Tuesday called for international cooperation in the Banco Peravia bank US$22.0 million fraud case and revealed that several military officials are being investigated for alleged links.
She said several types of request have been made for international cooperation and that assets have been seized. She also said several accounts of the bank’s executives have been frozen.
Reynoso said she has yet to receive the audits from the Banks Superintendence.
"The prosecution has begun a process of judicial confiscation of property belonging to Peravia bank executives. Various assets, including real estate properties, an aircraft among others ...we have seized,” the official said.
TCI GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER
A new Commissioner has been appointed to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), it was announced by the Governor, HE Peter Beckingham, today Wednesday 10 December.
James Smith will take up the position in charge of the 280 officers and staff of the RTCIPF in February 2015, following the conclusion of the contract of his predecessor, Canadian Colin Farquhar.
"I am delighted that we have secured the agreement of Jim Smith to take over as the next Police Commissioner this February. He brings the most senior experience from both the UK and Caribbean, having been an Assistant and Deputy Chief Constable in the UK, and was previously also Acting Police Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service" said Governor Peter Beckingham, who approves all senior public appointments in the Territory.
"He was a Commander in London’s Metropolitan Police Service, where he was involved in the response to the London terrorist bombings, and introduced neighbourhood policing, a concept which we might usefully further develop here. He was also a senior officer in the Scottish police. His experience makes him a first class leader to take forward the men and women of the RTCIPF into the next stage of their professional and organisational development."
The Governor also paid tribute to the outgoing Commissioner. "I would like to take this opportunity to publicly recognise the contribution of Commissioner Colin Farquhar to policing here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which continues to benefit from one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean and is widely recognised as a largely safe and welcoming destination for our residents and visitors. I wish him well as he resumes his policing career in Canada".
Commenting on his appointment James Smith said; “It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. I believe that my experiences in the UK and overseas have a lot to offer my new RTCIPF colleagues, and I look forward to discussing with them their ideas as to how we can use this knowledge and practical experience to serve all the communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The RTCIPF Commissioner role was advertised locally, regionally and internationally. It attracted a field of nearly 30 applicants. Six candidates were shortlisted and interviewed by a panel comprising the Governor, Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney General, Cheryl Astwood-Tull, Chair, Human Rights Commission, and Larry Covington, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Regional Security Adviser to the Caribbean Overseas Territories and a former UK police officer. They made a unanimous decision to appoint Jim Smith.
Sonia Bien Aime honoured for her achievements in sports
As a WOMAN OF WORTH, she soared to the top and forefront for her integrity as a leader in football. Sonia Bien Aime, a native of Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is one of two women who preside over a Football Association globally!
Friday night at the Regent Palms Resort; Sonia was honoured for her achievements and as she put it, "surpassing her expectations..."
Sonia credited her mother, Mae Alice Forbes and thanked as well past and present members of the TCIFA.
Glasses were raised to celebrate the accomplishment!
The Sparkle Gala event was hosted by Women in Sports. The Charge from 2014 and the first honouree is for all to do everything within their power to invest in the development of girls in sports!