Israel Willing to Give Up Settlements for Peace
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel would give up some settlements in a peace deal with the Palestinians.
In an interview taped for broadcast with Israel's Channel 2 television, Mr. Netanyahu said it is clear some settlements will not be part of an agreement and everyone understands that.
The prime minister said he will make sure that the number of settlements is as small as possible. He also said Jerusalem will remain under Israeli control.
The Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Friday refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish state -- one of Mr. Netanyahu's major demands for a peace deal.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary John Kerry met with Jordan's King Abdullah in Aqaba to talk about the Middle East peace process talks. No details of their talks have been released.
Russia Has About 20,000 Troops in Ukraine
The Pentagon estimates there are now about 20,000 Russian troops in Ukraine, as East-West tensions simmer over Russia's intervention in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
Rear Admiral John Kirby says Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with Ukrainian Defense Minister Ihor Tenyuh on Friday and discussed humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Meanwhile, the State Department also confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry spoke Friday over the phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, as the Obama administration moves to impose sanctions on Russia.
The White House says President Barack Obama told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Thursday that Moscow's actions in Ukraine violate that country's sovereignty.
It was the first known direct contact between the leaders since Russian military personnel appeared in the Ukrainian territory last Saturday.
Source-VOA
Ukraine Base Under Seige in Crimea
Armed men smashed a Russian military truck through the gates of a Ukrainian missile defense post in the Crimean peninsula.
The men negotiated with the base's commanders as soldiers sheltered in their barracks Friday. No shots have been reported.
Earlier Friday, Ukraine's Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov signed a decree canceling a planned referendum on Crimea joining Russia.
A day earlier,Crimea's Moscow-backed legislature voted for the peninsula to become part of Russia and scheduled a referendum on the issue for March 16.
Ukraine's interim prime minister says that "no one in the civilized world" will recognize the referendum's results.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk says he wants to "warn separatists" and others he describes as "traitors of the Ukrainian state" that their decisions are "unlawful" and "unconstitutional." U.S. and European leaders also called the referendum illegal.
Crimean officials fired back Friday, saying the vote will go forward.
Source-VOA
Kenyan President, Cabinet Take Pay Cuts
Kenya's president says that he and his Cabinet will take pay cuts as part of austerity measures to reduce the government's wages.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said Friday that he and his deputy will take a 20 percent pay cut while his Cabinet and principal secretaries have agreed to reduce their pay by 10 percent.
President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto make over $150,000 per year, while Cabinet secretaries make $110,00 per year.
The salaries of Kenya's top government officials and lawmakers have sparked anger and protests among poor Kenyans and activists for years.
Mr. Kenyatta said that he is also implementing a new policy to restrict the international travel of government officials to only essential trips.
He said Kenya is spending close to $4.6 billion in salaries each year, leaving only $2.3 billion for development.
Source-VOA
“VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED” - PREMIER EWING
The Premier has decried the few recent acts of violent crimes that have been committed in the community of Providenciales, making it clear that “it will not be tolerated” and that law enforcement and the judicial system must “throw the book” at the offenders.
This statement followed the murder of local businessman, Mr. Robert Been, at his place of business in the Grace bay area sometime after eight o’clock last evening.
The Premier has condemned this latest act as being “cowardly” and “brutal,” stating, that “Even though we still boast one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean, these recent incidents of violent crimes, are totally unacceptable. Not only are we destroying the lives of our citizens, we are also potentially destroying the reputation of our beloved country in the international arena and damaging our bread basket tourism industry all at the same time. As Premier, I will ensure that the necessary resources at our disposal are made available to fight crime and in this vein I am calling on the Governor, the Commissioner of Police, the Judiciary and on you, the residents of our islands, let us all do our part and work together in the prevention and detection of crime and the conviction of the offenders. Together we must ensure that our country remains the safe haven that it is known to be.”
The Premier encouraged members of the community who have information that may assist the Police in their investigations, to come forward, and further stated "My Government continues to beseech the UK Government to also do their part in the fight against crime."
Premier Ewing extended condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the late Mr. Robert Been Sr. on behalf of the Government of The Turks and Caicos Islands and said "May God be your source of strength during your period of bereavement. Our country grieves with you".
Fatal shooting of a businessman in Grace Bay
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) are investigating the death of a man following a report of multiple shots heard being fired in the vicinity of a business place last night.
At approximately 7:57PM (Tuesday 4th March 2014), police and emergency services were called to Turkoise Point Plaza on Sand Castle Road in Grace Bay following reports of a shooting.
47 year old Robert Been, was taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in a private vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts of doctors, they were unable to revive Mr. Been and he was pronounced dead at 8:30PM.
Police established a crime scene around the perimeter of Turkoise Point Plaza, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Police officers from various units are conducting investigations into the shooting and have not arrested any suspects at present.
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. All calls are answered by Miami Dade Police and no one from the RTCIPF will know who called. Only the information received will be provided to the RTCIPF. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Shadow Minister for Education Teachers' Appreciation Address
Let me say that I believe in the truism “you can judge a community by how highly it values its teachers.”
Teachers are responsible for molding and shaping not only the hearts and minds of our children who depend on you for guidance in our difficult, fast paced, temptation filled world but also this country’s future citizens. More than ever, young people need the direction and the leadership that can be provided by teachers. You can light a fire of learning in our children which will burn for a lifetime.
I am sure we can all remember a teacher who had a significant impact on our lives; perhaps more than one.
So it is only right that we should have a Teachers' Appreciation Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the important contributions of our teachers.
But perhaps we should do more than pat our teachers on the back once a year; perhaps we should provide a more tangible measure of our appreciation.
Now, I understand that it is easy to play to the crowd and it is easy to talk about money when you are not in a position to have to find it. But I do believe- and I think the recent incident at CHHS underlines this fact - that we risk grave dangers if we do not invest in the infrastructure of education. I do not mean just buildings, I mean the people who teach our children, those persons who have been charged with the truly awesome responsibility of educating our citizens.
All governments and political parties will say that education is high on their priorities, but for some reason that never seems to translate to money.
We need a new covenant between teachers, government and the public. If we want our children to go to good schools taught by energetic enthusiastic teachers we are going to have to pay for it.
So teachers you can count on me. As Shadow Minister of Education, I will champion the cause to improve your pay and conditions of service as well as infrastructural needs. You have my 100% support on that.
So, if you are fortunate enough to find yourself in the role of a teacher, accept my hearty congratulations and a profound word of thanks. Remember that God honors your profession just as surely as He offers His loving abundance to you and your students. With God’s help you are destined to reshape the future of our nation.
So, let me leave you with a quote “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” -- Bob Talber
Teachers, thank you for teaching our children what counts.
Hon. Josephine Connolly
Shadow Minister for Education
Peoples' Democratic Movement
EU Housing Project Invites Bids for Design and Construction of Homes
The European Union Housing Project has issued an invitation to Contractors in the TCI and the Caribbean to tender for the Design and Build of new low cost homes for residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands who have still not recovered from the 2008 Hurricanes, Hanna and Ike.
The Disaster Recovery Board which oversees the project is hoping to attract bids that will see innovative approaches to constructing low cost housing.
“We are looking for design and construction which incorporate energy saving approaches such as the use of solar water heating; and designs which take advantage of the constant breeze in the TCI to keep the new homes cool” says Project Manager Sue Breetzke. “The Beneficiaries are persons with low incomes, so we are looking not only at the design and construction costs but also at any cost of living savings to the person who will live in that home.”
This is the third tender to be advertised by the Project with the two previous contracts for repairs to damaged homes scheduled to commence by the end of March.
In all 124 applicants were deemed eligible for funding. Categorised into four priority groups, the most vulnerable applicants will receive help first. The total number of homes to be built will depend on the costs of the construction.
For more information on the tender please contact the EU Housing Project office on 649-338-3509.
Police - 'Do not get caught with stolen goods'
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force are reminding the public that purchasing property from unlicensed individuals can be unwise, particularly now with the number of stolen items on the streets.
Police Public Relations Officer Audley Astwood is advising the TCI public to ask questions first and do some inquiries before making any questionable purchases.
"Burglars are interested in cash and are anxious to get stolen items off their hands. Do not get caught with stolen goods. When electronic items are traced or shut down through the technology now available, it will be your loss.
"In addition, a person could be charged for handling stolen goods if found in possession of stolen items, whether it be jewellery or electronic items, even if it seems like a legitimate purchase. Maximum penalty for this offense is 14 years," he said.
Police are asking persons to be on the lookout for anyone selling jewellery, flat screen TVs, laptops and smartphones. These are some of the type of items that were mainly stolen in burglaries over the last several weeks.
Persons who want to make inquiries on items that may be stolen can contact the Criminal Investigation Department by calling 941-4448 extension 81843 or 81837
Persons can also contact any Police station or post throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands if they suspect someone of selling stolen items.
Chicken Pox cases in Grand Turk Primary School
Four children from the Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk were seen with Chicken Pox by the Ministry of Health Primary Health Care Department on 3rd March 2014.
Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. It spreads easily from infected people to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.
There are several things that can be done at home to help relieve the symptoms and prevent skin infections. Calamine lotion may help relieve some of the itching. Keeping fingernails trimmed short may help prevent skin infections caused by scratching blisters. Acetaminophen or Panadol can be used to help relieve fever from chickenpox.
The general advice is that all children suspected or diagnosed with Chicken Pox are seen by the doctor and sent home on sick leave until they are well.
The Environmental Health Officer for Grand Turk visited the school this morning Monday March 3, 2014. The Principal of the affected school is following the prescribed protocol of ensuring that children are sent home and only return to school when the doctor gives a medical certificate to state that they are well enough to return to school.
Unfortunately this is the time of year when we experience outbreaks of Chicken Pox in TCI and the region, but the general thought from PAHO (the Pan American Health Organization) is that the number of cases seen in TCI does not warrant immunization against the disease, also it may be better for children to develop natural immunity to the disease.
Residents are reminded to listen to RTC for tips & further updates on these cases.