Yingluck Answers Thai Military Summons
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived at a military installation in Bangkok on Friday, after she and dozens of political figures were summoned to a meeting with the country's ruling military.
The military seized power in a bloodless coup Thursday, with General Prayuth ChanOcha saying the move was aimed at restoring order and pushing through political reform. The military has also suspended the constitution and imposed a nationwide curfew from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. and shut down several media outlets.
The United States, along with other Western governments, has said the coup was unnecessary. Kristie Kenney, the U.S. ambassador to Thailand, told VOA's Steve Herman on Friday that Washington is concerned about the country's human rights situation.
"The Thais will of course chart their own path. But as Secretary of State [John] Kerry has said, we really do call for an immediate return to a civilian government, the lifting of press restrictions, and respect for human rights and a path to elections."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement Thursday that there is "no justification" for the coup. Kerry voiced concern about reports that senior Thai political leaders have been detained by the military.
He called for their immediate release and "a return to democracy."
Kerry also warned the takeover will have "negative implications" for U.S. relations with the Thai military.
In a statement today, the military said 155 prominent figures, including ousted government leaders, were banned from leaving the country without permission.
Cameroon, Chad Finalize Boko Haram Security Talks
The presidents of Cameroon and Chad on Friday concluded two days of meetings during which they fine-tuned plans and reiterated commitments to a declaration of war on Nigeria-based Boko Haram militants made in Paris last week.
Addressing a crowd of applauding Chadians and Cameroonians, both presidents vowed cooperation in efforts to monitor and protect the region from violence perpetrated by the Islamist radicals.
"The public enemy Boko Haram has remained a permanent threat to peace and security," Cameroonian President Paul Biya said. "As far as I am concerned, we are to organize with Chad information sharing, joint patrols and information exchange and other surveillance mechanisms because it is a thing we cannot allow to continue."
Chadian President Idriss Deby called Boko Haram an evil force that must be eradicated.
Deputy Premier plays key role in Commonwealth Women’s Parliamentary Conference
The Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hon, Akierra Missick is expected to play a leading role in the three day Commonwealth Women Parliamentarian’s Association International conference, which got underway in Nassau, Bahamas Tuesday 21 to Friday 23 May 2014.
The Hon, Akierra Missick, will close the conference this evening with an address that highlights the achievements of female parliamentarians in the TCI, where they account for 46% of those sitting in the Island’s House of Assembly. She will describe the contribution of women to other key position in TCI society such as the Deputy Governor, the Hon Anya Williams, Attorney General, the Hon Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles and the significant role of women in TCI politics, including thanking her predecessors Dr. Rosita Butterfield and Arabella Smith.
The conference is focusing on the topic ‘The Voice, The Vote, The Victory’. It will devise strategies for increasing women’s participation and representation in the parliamentary process, ensuring that there is a fair representation of women’s rights and concerns within their respective countries. Delegates will report next year on progress in bringing new initiatives that will further bring women to the fore across the region.
“Wednesday was a very special day as the senior delegates were invited to the Bahamas Parliament where we were welcomed by Speaker of the House Hon Kendal Major, Ministers Rt. Hon. Glynnes Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport & Aviation, and the Rt. Hon. Melanie Griffin, Minister of Social Development,” said Deputy Premier Akierra Missick.
"It was rewarding and humbling to meet with and discuss the future of women in politics with women of the stature of the Right Hon. Rebbecca Kadaga, who is chairing the event. She was the first women speaker in the Ugandan parliament, which has 375 members. She is a real trailblazer in a traditional East African patriarchal society, and reminds me of other ground-breakers in the Caribbean such as Jamaican Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller, the Bahamas’ Dame Marguerite Pindling, and former Bermuda Premier Paula Cox," the Hon. Missick added.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson who’s attending that conference as well, also play a key role, having had the honor of moderating a very important Session entitled "The State of The Region: The Way Forward," managing the discussions from the floor and summarising the contributions.
Ahead of leaving for the conference, she said she looked forward to sharing in this experience again as a delegate, having been afforded the opportunity to attend a Meeting of the CWP in 2000 as an Observer and benefitted greatly from the encounter. “It is always good to hear of the issues other women face and to plan the way forward as to how we can make greater contributions particularly in our individual countries and our Region," she said before leaving for the conference.
Deputy Premier Akierra Missick and Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson are joined at the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarian’s Association International conference by Deputy Clerk to the House of Assembly, Mrs. Lydia Butterfeld.
They are among twenty-six delegates from the region attending the CWP Conference in Nassau, which ends today Friday.
Caribbean Development Bank pleased with S&P’s new ratings
The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it welcomes the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) revision of the bank’s outlook from “negative” to “stable” and affirmation of its “AA/A-1+” status on long and short term foreign currency ratings.
The US-based rating agency had earlier this month reviewed the CDB’s 2013 results and that the decision to change the bank’s outlook had been based on the abatement of external liquidity pressures among some of the Bank’s largest borrowers as well as “high capital adequacy with a risk-adjusted capital ratio of 23 per cent as of December 31, 2013 to offset the significant embedded credit risk in its portfolio”.
S&P also noted the CDB’s “strong” business profile and its “very strong” financial profile as well as its role as a prominent lender in the Caribbean and ability to lend to sovereigns through the credit cycle.
CDB also maintains a strong “Aa1” rating with Moody’s Rating Agency which in November 2013 revised the Bank’s outlook from “negative” to “stable”.
No plans to devalue the local currency in TNT
The Trinidad and Tobago government says there are no plans to devalue the local currency as the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) called for an end to the new system of foreign currency allocation that it claims could lead to the creation of a black market that would eventually lead to a devaluation of the local currency.
Finance Minister Larry Howai told reporters that there was more than sufficient foreign reserves to deal with the needs of the country and that the foreign exchange reserves had continued to increase and was estimated at TT$10.3 billion (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents), which was more than 12 months of import cover.
He said the issue was the new system put in place by the Central Bank.
Source-Carib360
Haiti launches multimillion-dollar project to address poverty
Haiti has launched a multimillion-dollar programme aimed at reducing poverty in the French-speaking Caribbean Community country.
Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said the plan will help better coordinate actions by different ministerial departments and institutions, non-government organisations and international donors in order to have greater impact and reach more effectively the most vulnerable.
"There are international organisations and donors, such as the World Bank, that are intervening, but there was a lack of coordination in the different actions being undertaken," Lamothe told the Haitian news website, HCNN.
"Now we have a common strategy through which we want to put everyone together behind one plan, which is the Action Plan for the Reduction of Poverty in Haiti," said Lamothe.
The plan is estimated to cost U$800 million over a three-year period and Prime Minister Lamothe said it is part of the country's efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in terms of reducing poverty, improving education, among other MDGs.
Two years ago, the Michel Martelly Government set up an ambitious social assistance programme which has already reached several million people through cash transfers to poor families, hot meals, community restaurants, food kits, tuition-free education for poor kids, among other initiatives.
The programme is mainly funded by funds generated by the Venezuelan-sponsored PetroCaribe oil deal.
Caribbean pressures US on Antigua gambling spat
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has once again appealed to the United States to honour the first ruling issued by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in favour of Antigua and Barbuda in relation to US legislation on online gambling, according to reports here.
CARICOM’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) said the US risks undermining the credibility of the WTO’s dispute settlement process by failing to comply with the organization’s decision on its gambling laws, according to the Washington-based Tax-News.com.
It noted that the statement was issued during COTED’s recent meeting in Georgetown, Guyana.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, said the Caribbean territory has lost more than US$1 billion in online gaming earnings annually as a result of the US laws.
In 2004, the WTO ruled that the US had violated its commitments as a WTO member, specifically the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), by enacting laws blocking foreign-based operators from offering cross-border gambling and betting services to US consumers.
CARICOM has appealed to the US to remove these barriers to overseas gambling
Could it be that seeds of discourse are being sewn with G-SAT just around the corner?
A reliable source clarified to RTC News that neither the ministry nor department of Education, is responsible for giving students mock exams and further, that students did sit those mock exams.
RTC News also understands that there are no major changes to the G-SAT paper and certainly not in terms of the volume of work. We also understand that the various schools were notified of the relevant changes quite some time ago. Our source told us that the new specifications were sent to the schools and there were no concerns expressed, nor was there any protest against the two and a half hour test by either the school, nor their PTA’s, to say they were against the idea of a change.
One parent also shared with RTC News that there were concerns expressed previously about the three hour long exams – that it was too long for the kids. So now that the exam time has been shortened, what is the real concern at this nth hour, with G-SAT scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday?
Our source believes it’s just mischief making; however RTC News did contact the Director of Education for a comment and we hope to have some feedback in our subsequent newscast.
PDM challenges changes to GSAT exam papers
With just a mere couple of days before students sit the Grade Six Achievement Test (G-SAT), the People’s Democratic Movement has taken exception to what it refers to as major changes to this year’s G-SAT examination.
It has come to our attention that the Ministry of Education is making a major policy change to GSAT this year. The leadership of the People’s Democratic Movement wishes to register our concern with regards to what is being proposed for the 2014 GSAT Examinations,” a PDM press release noted.
National Chairman of PDM, Hon. Clarence Selver, quoted what he said is a reliable source as saying that the changes being proposed for implementation with immediate effect, are being done without consultation with all the stakeholders, including the teachers and parents.
“Up until now, the GSAT Examinations were written over a three day period and all interested parties (teachers, PTA and students) prepared themselves in keeping with this time frame. What is now being instituted is for the exams to be written over TWO days. The same volume of works will still be undertaken but it is the MATHS examinations that was split in two papers will now be sat as one paper for 2 ½ (two and one half hours). This is a mammoth task for the 11 + year olds. They have not been prepared for an exam this long. We don't think CXC has papers this long. This is far too long an examination and there are scientific reasons why it should not be done in this manner as we could see frustration, confusions, a feeling of heightened anxiety and diminishing returns as the exam progresses beyond the 1 ½ hour mark,” Hon. Selver said.
He contends there were no mock trials to inform students on time management techniques for papers with 2 ½ hours duration.
“We therefore sincerely urge the Ministry of Education to delay the change for another time when the Ministry would have consulted the stakeholder and the teachers be given an opportunity to prepare students to be examined for 2 ½ hours if it is still the decision to move in this direction. We further urge the government not to make this change simply for financial concerns in an attempt to save money and reduce the cost attached to the examinations,” said Hon. Selver.
Robust Growth in First Quarter Tourist Arrivals
The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board has released its latest statistics, which indicate overall tourist arrivals to the Turks and Caicos Islands grew by 41% in the first quarter of this year, with robust growth recorded across all major source markets. January, February and March saw a combined total of 358,188 visitor arrivals to the destination, accounting for 104,437 more visitor arrivals than in the corresponding period in 2013. The combined number represents 105,506 stop-over visitors and 252,682 visitors arriving by cruise ship.
In a very strong start to the year, stop-over arrivals to the Turks and Caicos surged by 30% compared to the same period in 2013. The United States was the leading market generator of all stop-over arrivals to the Turks and Caicos with a sum total of 82,739 stop-over arrivals during the first quarter of 2014, a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2013. The destination’s second largest source market, Canada, indicated a slight rebound with a total of 14,830 stop-over arrivals during the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 13% compared to the same period in the previous year.
Stop-over arrivals from the European markets also signified first quarter growth, with arrivals from the United Kingdom and France increasing by 17% and 86% respectively.Continuing on its upward trend, the Turks and Caicos more than doubled its stop-over arrivals from Italy in the first quarter of 2014 when compared to the same period last year.Collectively the European market recorded 1,889 stop-over arrivals to the destination in the first quarter of 2014.A breakdown in stay-over arrivals from the European region reveals 873 visitors from the United Kingdom; 193 visitors from France; 394 visitors from Italy; 69 visitors from Germany and 360 visitors from other European nations.
The destination’s newest source market, Brazil, recorded 515 stop-over arrivals, an impressive growth rate of 55% at the end of first quarter of 2014. Increases in visitors from the Eastern Caribbean have also been a noted trend. Stop-over arrivals from the Caribbean region in the first quarter of 2014 increased 11% accounting for an additional 4,526 tourists. 1,007 stop-over arrivals visited the Turks and Caicos from the rest of the world, including countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific.
The Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing said these numbers reflect the strength and authenticity of the Turks and Caicos brand in international markets. “The Turks and Caicos brand has been a magnet to our guests who, upon visiting the country once, are compelled to come time and time again. These numbers are not only impressive but demonstrative that this jewel of ours is no longer a secret, and in fact, is one of the most sought after destinations in the region, and indeed the world,” Premier Ewing said. He noted that the country’s economy has already begun the climb towards recovery, and recognized the significance of the contribution that these travelers make. “Tourism has always been the bread basket of our economy and the efforts of both my Government and elected Governments of the past have ensured that the industry runs like a well-oiled machine. However, at the same time, we must recognize that the continued success of the industry, well into the future, remains dependent on the level of service that we provide each and every one of our visitors to the islands. Our hospitality must remain reflective of our high-end, luxury brand and must begin from the moment the guest engages the travel agent to the moment they return to their home. We must ensure that we, immigration and customs officials, taxi drivers and residents throughout the visit, continue to ensure the experience of our guests promote the values of safety, security and service,” added Premier Ewing.
Moving forward the Tourist Board will continue to increase its presence within the market place, embarking on a series of travel and trade shows, sponsor and promotional events in the US, Canada, Europe and Brazil, and continue working with wholesalers and hotel partners to sell the destination.