US Republicans make temporary debt-ceiling offer
US Republicans have offered President Barack Obama a short-term debt limit increase to stave off default.
House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said they would do so in exchange for negotiations with the White House to end a government shutdown that took effect on 1 October.
Republicans will meet Mr Obama, who is a Democrat, later on Thursday.
Officials have warned the US risks default on 17 October if the nation's borrowing limit is not increased.
Mr Boehner told reporters on Thursday: "What we want to do is to offer the president today the ability to move a temporary increase in the debt ceiling in agreement to go to conference on the budget for his willingness to sit down and discuss with us a way forward to reopen the government."
"It's time for leadership," the Ohio Republican said. "It's time for these negotiations and this conversation to begin."
A spokesman for Mr Boehner told media that the deal on the table ahead of Thursday afternoon's meeting was a "clean" increase of the debt limit, with no additional policies attached.
It would only last six weeks - until 22 November.
White House Scrutiny of Leaks Threatens Press Freedom
The Obama administration's aggressive prosecution of leaks and its efforts to control information are becoming a threat to press freedom and democracy, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
A report released Thursday by the New York-based media watchdog group said U.S. President Barack Obama's actions have been a sharp contradiction to his promise of transparency and open government.
Former Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie, the report's author, said "administration officials and employees are increasingly afraid to talk to the press" due to heightened scrutiny of leaks.
He said six government employees and two contractors have been targeted for prosecution under the 1917 Espionage Act for accusations they leaked classified information to the press. Downie said this was a chilling use of a law used "only in three previous cases in the past nine decades."
White House officials interviewed for the report strongly objected to being portrayed as against press freedom. "The idea that people are shutting up and not leaking to reporters is belied by the facts," Obama press secretary Jay Carney told Downie.
National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said there is still investigative reporting about national security issues with information from "non-sanctioned sources with lots of unclassified information and some sensitive information.''
Downie interviewed numerous reporters and editors, including a top editor at The Associated Press, following revelations this year the government secretly seized records for telephone lines and switchboards used by more than 100 AP journalists. Downie also interviewed journalists whose sources have been prosecuted on felony charges.
In a statement accompanying the report, the Committee to Protect Journalists said it was "disturbed by the pattern of actions" that "have chilled the flow of information on issues of great public interest, including matters of national security."
The report about the United States is unusual for the press freedom group, which has this year completed investigations on Burma, China, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, and Tanzania. The only time the United States has been the subject of a CPJ report was 19 years ago in a study on attacks on immigrant journalists.
CPJ executive director Joel Simon said the group decided to investigate U.S. press freedom "because journalists told us that the relationship with the administration had deteriorated to the point where it makes it difficult for them to do their job."
Downie added the Obama administration's "war on leaks and other efforts to control information are the most aggressive" he had seen since the Nixon administration and The Washington Post's investigation of Watergate.
He said the policies are also harmful to U.S. efforts to promote press and Internet freedom around the world.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
N Korea Replaces Hawkish Army Chief
North Korean state media have confirmed the country's hawkish army chief has been replaced, just months after he was appointed.
Since August, there have been rumors North Korea's young leader Kim Jong Un ousted his army's general chief of staff Kim Kyok Sik.
On Thursday, the Korean Central News Agency confirmed the move, mentioning Ri Yong Gil as the military chief that accompanied Kim on an official visit to a prominent mausoleum.
Little is known about Ri, except for that he was a three-star general who previously headed up the army's general staff operations department.
Kim Jong Un has replaced several top military and government officials since he took power following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in late 2011.
Analyst Ken Gause of the CNA Corporation, told VOA's Korean service the shuffling of military leaders is part of Kim's attempt to exert more control over the armed forces.
"He is maintaining a line of information on military matters from individuals who have a lot of operational experience, but they don't have a whole lot of political clout. So I think that is what we are seeing here. Its part of the consolidation process in terms of enforcing his will over the military."
The KCNA article was documenting Kim's visit to Pyongyang's Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of his father and grandfather are on display. Thursday is the 68th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean Worker's Party.
(This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Korean service.)
Former Pariah State Burma Takes Over ASEAN Chair
Former pariah state Burma has taken another step in normalizing its international standing by taking over the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.
At a ceremony in Brunei Thursday, Burmese President Thein Sein accepted the gavel and the responsibility to host more than 1,100 meetings in the next year.
Zaw Htay, a government spokesman in Rangoon said his country has been preparing for two years and has gotten a lot of help from its regional neighbors.
"The Kasakawa Foundation of Japan has given us financial and technical assistance, and some other countries like Singapore and South Korea have also helped us," said Htay. "With Chinese assistance, we are building a state guest house in Nepyitaw [the capital] to accommodate all the visiting heads of states. It is big enough to accommodate all the state guests together," he said.
The chairmanship follows political reforms that have led to the lifting of most international sanctions. Thein Sein's government has won praise for freeing hundreds of political prisoners, lifting censorship laws and holding elections in which many opposition members won seats in parliament.
However, the ASEAN chairmanship is being criticized by some who say the country has not done enough, pointing to continuing sectarian violence against Muslims and the country's remaining political prisoners.
Activist Aung Thu Nyein says the ASEAN chairmanship will shine a much needed spotlight on Burma's human rights record.
"There will be many human rights organizations and civil societies from various countries coming to this country during that moment," said Aung. "There will be discussions and observations about our country's situations. I therefore think the Myanmar National Human Right Commission should be more proactive so as to enhance our human rights situation," he said.
Burma, which joined ASEAN in 1997, was passed over for the chairmanship in 2006.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Burmese service.
UN Calls for Peacekeeping Force in CAR
The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution to help stabilize the war-torn Central African Republic.
The 15-member council approved the resolution in a unanimous vote Thursday. The measure calls on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to prepare options for helping a small African Union force in the country.
It said the options should include the possibility of transforming the force into a U.N. peacekeeping operation.
Much of the Central African Republic has descended into chaos since the rebel coalition Seleka overthrew President Francois Bozize in March. Humanitarian groups say rebel fighters have attacked and looted villages, displacing tens of thousands of civilians.
Reports this week said clashes between Seleka fighters and local self-defense groups had killed at least 23 people in the northwest village of Gaga.
The Central African Republic has endured a long series of coups and rebellions since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Pakistan Rearrests Ex-President Musharraf
Pakistan rearrested former President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday, a day after he was granted bail in other cases and appeared ready to leave the country.
In the latest charge, Mr. Musharraf is accused of ordering a 2007 commando operation against a Islamabad mosque to crack down on armed militants. The raid left a cleric and several other people dead.
A complaint against Mr. Musharraf in the so-called Red Mosque case was registered two weeks ago on the orders of a judge.
The arrest came after the former president had been granted bail in three other cases and his lawyer said he was free to leave the country.
One of the cases is a murder charge in connection with the assassination of opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. She was killed in a gun and bomb attack after leaving a political rally in Rawalpindi in December 2007.
Mr. Musharraf has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include murder, conspiracy to murder and facilitation of murder.
The former leader has blamed Ms. Bhutto's assassination on Taliban militants and said he warned her of militant threats to her safety.
Mr. Musharraf took power in a 1999 coup and ruled as president until resigning under threat of impeachment by his opponents in 2008 and going into exile.
He returned to Pakistan in March after nearly four years in self-imposed exile in a bid to resurrect his political career.
Leader of the Opposition calls on residents for help in finding missing 14 year old old
The Leader of the Opposition is calling on the residents of Providenciales to assist the local Authorities in identifying the whereabouts of 14 year old Merlene Jean Louis missing since September 27th, 2013.
I am alarmed that one of our children has been missing for the past 12 days and only last night was a call made for Public Assistance. I am making inquiries as to what transpired but in the main time, it is our civic and Christian duty to help to bring this child home.
I am calling on the public to carry out two vital roles right now and that is to pray for the parents and family and to also pray that she would be found unharmed and quickly. Secondly, I am begging you to please if you know anything, please do not hesitate to contact the Authorities. This is one of children. Let us help to bring her home.
I am also asking the Police and the family to assist the Public by releasing a photo if possible. This can be very useful.
I will be visiting with the family later today.
Police seeks assistance in locating missing teen
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force are asking for the public's help to find a 14 year old child reported missing on September 27th 2013.
Officers of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating the disappearance of Merlene Jean Louis who resides in The Bight area of Providenciales.
Merlene Jean Louis was last seen on Friday, September 27th 2013 at approximately 6AM at her home in Kingston Lower Bight area of Providenciales.
She is described as a female with a dark complexion standing at about five feet two inches tall and of a medium build weighing about 145 pounds.
Merlene was wearing a brown shirt with a design on it, a black skirt, and her hair was braided from front to back.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police at 941-4448 extension 81843 or 81837, or use the untraceable, anonymous Crime Stoppers Miami number at 1-800-(TIPS) or 1-800-8477. No names or numbers are requested and only the information provided is passed on to the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police.
Crime & Incident Report up to Wednesday 9th October 2013
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a number of incidents reported between Saturday 05th and Wednesday 09th October 2013 within the districts of Providenciales, including:
• (1) Attempted Robbery – Preliminary investigations revealed that two masked men entered a business place in the Blue Hills area around 8PM on October 10, 2013 brandishing a firearm. The two masked men did not steal anything and fled on foot but not before discharging a single round of ammunition. Investigtions are pending.
• (8) Burglary - Preliminary investigations revealed that a Black Toshiba 22inch TV, a brown leather handbag along with its contents to include a sum of cash, Dominican Republic Passport, identification card, Blackberry Z10, a Blackberry curve cellular phone, one Immigration belt, Play Station 3 game console, five PS3 video games, one 32 inch television brand unknown, Blackberry Torch, one LG Phone, a sum of cash, white Isuzu truck, two portable generators, one water pump, one welding machine, two computers, two Dell Laptops, one passport, three printers, one water machine, a Bishop’s ring, an Apostle ring, a black iPad with a black cover, a Citizen watch, flat screen television, a small sonny radio, a quantity of clothing, 2 black 40inch Sankey flat screen televisions, 1 black 17inch HP laptop, 1 white 10inch Samsung galaxy tablet in a black leather case, 1 red 15inch Gateway laptop computer and 1 black boost mobile ZTE wrap cell phone were stolen.
• (3) Theft - Preliminary investigations revealed that a diamond wedding band, a Cell phone, Brown Guess hand Bag, containing a sum of cash, two Credit Cards and a driver’s License.
• (2) Attempted Burglary – Preliminary investigations revealed that nothing was stolen but a window was broken in one of these incidents.
• (2) Malicious Damage to Property: Prelimanary investigations revealed that the driver side window of a vehicle was broken and a Black Dell laptop was stolen from the back seat of the said vehicle. In the other incident, a glass window was broken.
• (1) Motor Vehicle Interference: Prelimanary investigations revealed that a vehicle was ransacked and the right door glass of the said vehicle was broken. During the commission of this crime, one (1) Black 12” speaker, one (1) Senk Radio and one (1) white 300 watt Amplifier were stolen.
• (1) Armed with Offensive Weapon: Three (3) students were found in possession of knifes on school property. Social Services and the Police are carrying out further investigations into this matter.
• (1) Taking Motor Vehicle without Authority: A white Toyota Corolla TCI registration number 26666 was stolen.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating an incident reported between Saturday 05th and Wednesday 09th October 2013 within the districts of North Caicos, including:
• (1) Burglary - Preliminary investigations revealed that an X Box, Eight video game CD’s, one red head phone and a quantity of music CD’s were stolen.
If you have any information about any criminal activity, please call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.
PREMIER’S ADDRESS AT THE SWEARING IN OF H. E. PETER BECKINGHAM AS GOVERNOR
Your Excellency on behalf of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands it is my distinct privilege to welcome you and your family to this Honourable house and to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
These islands of ours were once home to the original inhabitants, the Taino Indians who considered the islands sacred. The Taino lived in tranquility and survived on the available natural resources. Then came the discovery and the exchange of ownership of these islands, between the Spanish, French and the British during the last 600 years. The colonial settlers came, enjoyed what these islands had to offer and left after resources were depleted and after survival and everyday life became too arduous. The slaves who were left to fend for themselves made this land their home. These slaves were our forefathers who toiled and labored, and did so to ensure that the people of these islands and their future generations would not have to make the sacrifices that they endured and would not have to suffer the indignity of bondage and servitude as they did, as it was their hope that their children would reap the fruits of their labour. It was indeed their dream that their offspring would be granted their birthright as these islands developed into a free, proud and prosperous nation where its people would have the right to self-governance and self-determination. Our history will show that although our forefathers may have differed in political ideology or may come from different islands across our archipelago, they were given this same vision for our people.
Today as we progress towards the realization of this vision, those who have given themselves charge over us as colonial overseers, have the responsibility and duty to ensure that each and every decision; from those made in White Hall, to those made in UK parliament! to those made in 10 Downing Street, to those made at FCO, to those made in Waterloo, to those made in the Cabinet and in this very House of Assembly; is always made in the best interest of the people of these islands. Lack of oversight, intentional hindrance from achieving our vision and or regression under colonial rule is not what we the people expect and is not what we the people will tolerate in a 21st century democracy.
The Turks and Caicos Islands has under gone significant transformation over centuries, with the development of both physical infrastructure and human capital. These achievements include the modernization and advancement of our education, healthcare and social protection systems, roadway and communication infrastructure and the development of a first class tourism industry, the mainstay of our economy. The attainment of political governance through locally elected officials and the progress towards economic independence while coming off the UK Grant and Aid were significant achievements in our history, so too was the advancement of our constitution to that which was crafted in 2006. These achievements were the result of hard work and dedication of a people determined to control their own destiny and I say to you today, that the spirit and passions that spurred our forefathers onward then are still burning brightly in each and every proud Turks and Caicos Islander today.
The vision of this Government and that of the Progressive National Party is that of a prosperous God fearing independent nation, where there is sustainable economic growth and development of an empowered people who enjoy prosperity throughout their life cycle being able to retire in the comfort of their wealth in good health. The many goals that must be accomplished in order for us to achieve this vision have been laid out in our manifesto and this Government has begun incorporating them within the various planning and budgeting frameworks in each Ministry.
As Government of the people of these Turks and Caicos Islands, our role is to ensure the preservation of the unique culture, heritage and ideals of our beautiful by nature islands. While we warmly welcome those who come to live amongst us and we graciously accept the contributions they make, we remain committed to the provision of jobs for our working class and the provision of opportunities for our people to allow for the expansion and empowerment of our middle class. The guarantee must be given that our people must not be left behind as we grow this economy and this nation. As a Government we acknowledge and accept our responsibilities and our role to make this vision for our people reality. To those who have authority over us, the expectations will continue to be that the best interest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its people should be second to no other.
Our Government is committed to the practice and furtherance of good governance in the spirit of fairness and equality, ensuring that the will of God and the will of the people are our guiding principles in each and every instance. Your Excellency we know that these guiding principles fall within your remit under the Constitution and we do look forward to your support in these areas particularly that of constitutional advancement in the interest of the people of these islands.
Your Excellency, as I once again extend to you a warm welcome to the Turks and Caicos islands as Governor, I hasten to say that there is much work to do in serving the needs of the people of our country, but together we will endeavor to address the many challenges that are currently being experienced and those that lie in the way of progress. We look forward to a mutually respectful, collaborative and cooperative working relationship as we strive together towards the attainment of our vision in the best interest of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.