US seize Benghazi raid 'ringleader
A suspect in the September 2012 raid on a US diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya that left four Americans dead has been captured, the Pentagon has said.
Ahmed Abu Khat-a-llah was taken into custody in a secret raid in Libya on 15 June.
He is now being held in a secure location outside Libya, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed.
A US ambassador and three others were killed in the attack.
Clashes on approaches to Baghdad
Iraqi government forces are engaged in heavy clashes with Sunni insurgents who have made major advances in the past week.
Parts of the city of Baquba - just (37 miles) from Baghdad - were briefly taken over by the rebels.
Reports say 44 prisoners were killed during fighting at a police station in the city.
The US is deploying up to 275 military personnel to protect staff at its huge embassy in the capital.
The prime minister of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, Nechirvan Barzani, has told the BBC he believes Iraq may not stay together as Sunni areas feel neglected by the Shia-dominated Iraqi government.
He added it would be very hard for Iraq to return to the situation that existed before the Sunni militants, spearheaded by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), took control of the northern cities of Mosul and Tikrit in a rapid advance last week, and Tal Afar yesterday Monday.
The Iraqi government issued a statement this morning accusing neighbouring Saudi Arabia of supporting the insurgents and providing them with financial. Turkey has relocated its consulate staff from the southern Iraqi city of Basra to Kuwait because of an increased security risk, its foreign minister has said.
Trinidad Parliament approves fingerprinting of visitors, deportees
The Trinidad and Tobago parliament Monday approved of legislation allowing for the authorities to finger print visitors and deportees entering the country.
But opposition legislators voted against the Miscellaneous Provisions Administration of Justice Amendment Bill 2013, which needed a special majority to pass, citing human rights violation.
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan defended the passage of the legislation, which required a special majority, saying it would assist in the fight against crime on the island.
“What we have here is the distillation of thoughts and the collective wisdom of a number of stakeholders that are involved in the fight against crime and I dare say as a Parliament we have a duty and a responsibility to respond positively to the clarion calls made by those involved in the fight against crime on the ground for the necessary legislative tool, that can equip them to raise the detection rate that is so appallingly low in our country.”
Ramlogan assured that people would not be discriminated against by the passage of the legislation.
(CMC)
Second annual Fisherman's Tournament in Grand Turk
This weekend the second annual Fisherman's Tournament will kick off in the Capital Grand Turk.
Seamus Day told RTC News that “Each year we use the Game fishing tournament as a vehicle to raise funds for worthy causes.” Last year the organization supported the Geriatric and Specials Needs Unit, and provided them with a shaded gazebo and landscaped garden area.
Mr. Day says “This year we are 'investing' in our youth and supporting the H J Robinson High School Computer Unit, and hope to buy up to 25 new computers for the school.” He noted that as education leaps into the future we need to cater and aid for our youth say that they can be equipped with the right tools before venturing into the work force.
The organisers are inviting alumnis of the school, community stalwarts & visitors to the Calcutta, raffle and the silent plus live auctions that are scheduled for Friday 20th June at 7PM at the Salt Raker Inn Grand Turk, and fishing on Saturday 21st and Sunday June 22nd from the Governors Beach.
Raffle and auction prizes vary between $50 up to $10,000 in value.
Weigh in will commence at 3PM daily and live fish auction at 4PM daily. The prize giving ceremony will be held at 5PM on Sunday at Governs Beach. H E The Governor, Peter Beckingham, will present prizes.
TCI Hospitality Adventure 2014 Summer Camps
The Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Committee reaffirms their mandate and commitment to the youth to provide programs and activities that leads to holistic development and empowerment of youths towards their full self- actualization and continuous participation in national development of the tourism product.
This summer, the Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourisim Association and the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce will be hosting three summer camps:
July 19th – 26th Lit’l Chefs; for ages; 15yrs – 17yrs
July 7th – 12th Junior Lit’l Chef; 12yrs – 14yrs
July 7th – 12th Spa Camp; 15yrs – 18yrs
July 21st – 26th Junior Mechanics Camp; 15yrs – 18yrs
In a release to RTC News, the agents said that they are seeking the public’s support in this venture through a sponsorship of at least one local student to attend this training initiative, as there are a number of students who are interested, but cannot afford it.
FORMER GOVERNOR SPEAKS ABOUT TCI
Former Turks and Caicos Governor Gordon Wetherell & other dignitaries will be guest speakers at the YCompliance seminar that is scheduled to be held in Bermuda in October.
Mr. Wetherell is heading to Bermuda to share his story of the TCI; also joining him will be a top executive who was jailed over the Enron scandal.
Described on its website as Bermuda’s finest financial crime and compliance event, it promises to provide the opportunity for incomparable executive networking and global intelligence. yCompliance expects to host more than 200 government officials and financial industry decision-makers over the course of the day.
Keynote addresses at the upcoming seminar will include one from Stuart Fastow, who was chief financial officer of Enron Corporation, an energy trading company based in Houston, Texas, until the US Securities and Exchange Commission opened an investigation into his and the company’s conduct in 2001.
Wetherell, will address attendees after assuming direct political control back in August 2009 when the UK imposed direct rule.
This is the 2nd Annual Financial Crime and Compliance Seminar in Bermuda, which is slated in October; this year’s theme is “Who can you trust?”
Commenting on the upcoming seminar, yCompliance said in a statement, “The current high expectation of transparency and honesty reflects the concerns of many voting citizens in many countries that political leaders possess and display high levels of integrity.
“Bermuda, of course, is no exception to this, as has been evident by recent political events.
“This seminar can be seen as one of the key initiatives to position Bermuda at the forefront of action against financial crimes.”
Fitch Ratings on the TCI in 2016
As Turks & Caicos prepares to deliver the budget in less than 6 weeks, Turks & Caicos Islandsers will have to prepare for the tightening of the belt, as TCIG tries to implement the 3% payroll taxes.
All this is to reduce the debt borrowed to secure the TCI by 2016.
Minister of Finance in his papers presented to the House Of assembly last week stated that by 2016,the TCI will have an opportunity to get our own credit rating to see where the country is and to better handle our own affairs.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed that the UK government has guaranteed the Turks and Caicos Islands' USD170m or 3.20% notes due 2016 at 'AA+'. KEY RATING.
The rating is based on the full, unconditional, and irrevocable guarantee provided by the Secretary of State for International Development, for and on behalf of the UK Government at a (AA+/Stable performance), in accordance with the terms and conditions of the guarantee as specified in the guarantee documentation with TCIG.
According to Fitch, the rating is sensitive to any changes in the UK sovereign rating.
Minister Missick is asking members from across the isle and the country at heart to stand with him, when he presents the new budget.
QUEENS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS A SUCCESS
Despite talks of a possible boycott & bloggers questioning the change of location to Grace Bay, the Queens Birthday parade went off without a hitch at the Rugby field in Providenciales.
Attending the celebrations was HE. Governor Beckingham & Mrs. Beckingham, Acting Premier Hon. Akeeria Missick, Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright and Shadow Minister Josephine Connolly along with other distinguished guests.
Following the inspections of the core and the performances by the Police band, HE brought greetings on behalf of the HM the Queen and also mentioned the Premiers visit to the UK.
Compere Jameka Russell presented awards to officers for 25 years, 18 years & 30 years of service for Colonial Medals.
Long Service – 18 years:
Constable Anthony Cumberbatch
Sergeant Peter Quelch
Long Service – 25 years:
Inspector Jerome Caley
Sergeant Carl Lightbourne
Long Service 30 years:
Sergeant Henderson Williams
Police - Providenciales
Long Service for 18 years:
Sergeant Drexel Porter, PROVO
Sergeant Carisa Clare, PROVO
Sergeant Shervin Adams, PROVO
Sergeant Edmond Dick, PROVO
Inspector Everet Warrican, PROVO
Sergeant David Wilson, PROVO
Sergeant Grantley Williams, PROVO
Constable Elliot Brown, PROVO
Sergeant Alston Providence, PROVO
Sergeant Calvin Chase, PROVO
Sergeant Croydon Lightbourne, PROVO
Long Service for 25 years:
ASP Kenville Charles, PROVO (asst sup of police)
ASP Keith Russell, PROVO
Inspector Irene Butterfield, PROVO
Inspector Nigel Gilkes, PROVO
Inspector Sandy Williams, PROVO
Inspector Calvin Chase, PROVO
Long Service for 30 years:
Assistant Commissioner Rodney Adams, PROVO
ASP Ira Baptiste, PROVO
Superintendent Clifford Ashton, PROVO
Inspector Hilton Duncan, PROVO
FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVO
Long Service 25 years
Ronnie Simmons-Senior Fire Prevention Officer- 27 years
Kenneth Williams- Leading Fireman, 26 years
Long Service 30 years
Carlton Jennings Chief Fire Officer 31 years
Joseph Williams Deputy Fire Chief 34 years
CUSTOMS - PROVO
Long Service – 18 years:
Alton Scott SeniorCustom Officer 18yrs
Stafford Samual Senior Customs Officer 18yrs
Gregston Been Senior Customs Officer 18yrs
Lolian Forbes Williams Admin Officer 19yrs
Diana Wilson Customs Officer 21yrs
Denise Robinson Assistant Collector 23yrs
Linda Malcolm Deputy Collector 24yrs
Judge Changes Court Order Restricting Media In The TCI
High Court judge Sir Bruce Robertson on Wednesday changed his court order which had clearly restricted media houses in the Turks and Caicos Islands from reporting the charges against two prominent lawyers.
The New Zealand Judge who was imported specially to hear the case against 57-year-old Timothy Patrick O'Sullivan of the law firm Miller, Simons, O'Sullivan and 52-year-old Gordon William Kerr of the law firm Misick and Stanbrook, made an amendment to his original order which expressly stated that the media could only print "the identity of the parties, the name of the judge and of counsel representing the parties and the date of any future hearings".
The judge ordered that the media can now carry the charges which he agreed were already in the public domain.
O'Sullivan and Kerr are charged with cheating the public revenue, conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to false account. Their cases have been adjourned until June 1, 2015.
When the court sat on Wednesday June 11th, the judge heard submissions from Andrew Mitchell, QC, the lead counsel for the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Team (SIPT), Andrew Radcliffe, QC, the lawyer for Kerr, Jim Sturman, QC, the lawyer for O'Sullivan.
Hayden Boyce, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Turks and Caicos SUN, who was in the court to monitor the proceedings, took the opportunity to make representations to the court on behalf of his newspaper and the local media.
Boyce said he was in the process of formally filing an application to the Supreme Court to vary or discharge the original court order, but he aborted the action after the judge made the amendment in open court.
We thank the Sun for the story.
France rail strike halts many trains
A nationwide strike by train staff in France has halted many rail services and is set to run into the weekend.
The strike began on Tuesday and is one of the longest to hit the railways. It has halted about half of inter-city trains and even more local trains.
Trade unions object to a government plan to unite the SNCF train operator with the RFF railway network. Workers fear the reform will mean job losses.
The strike could affect students who will shortly sit school-leaving exams.
The Eurostar service via the Channel Tunnel is unaffected so far.
The French President, Francois Hollande, has urged the unions to go back to work. But the unions say the proposed merger of SNCF and RFF operations does not go far enough, and they want the government to take on the two firms' combined debt of 40bn euros (£32bn; $54bn).