US Crime Kingpin Bulger Guilty of Murder and Conspiracy
A jury in the northeastern U.S. city of Boston has found former crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger guilty on charges of murder and racketeering, following a two-month high-profile trial.
The 83-year-old Bulger was charged with committing or ordering 19 murders in the 1970s and 1980s while running the so-called "Winter Hill" crime gang.
He was found guilty of 31 charges and 11 murders. He faces a court sentence of life in prison.
Bulger pled "not guilty" to 32 separate criminal charges, although his lawyers acknowledged their client was an "organized criminal," drug dealer, extortionist and loan shark.
Several former friends and gang members testified against Bulger during the trial.
Bulger was one of the nation's most wanted fugitives after fleeing Boston in 1994, and was captured in Santa Monica, California, in 2011.
Family members of Bulger's victims have long waited for verdicts on the killings, and about a half dozen survivors have been a regular presence in the courtroom.
US Court says NYPD 'Stop-and-Search' Violates Rights
A U.S. judge has ruled the New York Police Department has violated the rights of tens of thousands of people by intentionally discriminating against racial minorities with its controversial "stop-and-search" policy.
But New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the city will appeal the decision. He says the possibility of being stopped by police acts as a vital deterrent to crime.
Police say they have made about five million stops during the past decade, mostly of black and Hispanic men.
The judge said the practice has become "a fact of daily life in some New York City neighborhoods," but is flawed because "the stopped population is overwhelmingly innocent, not criminal.'' She said she is not putting an end to the policy, but is reforming it and ordered a court monitor to oversee its use.
City lawyers argued the police department does a good job of monitoring itself.
NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly defended the policy by saying the notion the police department engages in racial profiling is "recklessly untrue.''
Legal experts say the ruling on the nation's largest police department may affect how other U.S. police departments operate.
Turks and Caicos Cabinet Statement 7 August 2013
His Excellency the Governor, Ric Todd, chaired the 17th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 7 August 2013 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present at the meeting except the Minister for Environment and Home Affairs, who was absent for personal reasons.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Discussed the establishment of the Audit Committee created in accordance with section 16 (9) - (13) of the Public Financial Management Ordinance 2012. The aim of the Committee will be to strengthen the independence, integrity, and effectiveness of audit activities in the public sector by providing independent oversight. Cabinet welcomed the establishment of the Committee and will consider appointment of 6 independent non-executive members (including the Chair) at its next meeting;
· Noted a paper, presented by the Premier, setting out proposals for the Government's Legislative Programme. The programme included some 66 pieces of legislation, identified in consultation with all Government Ministries, which need to be amended or developed over the next 18 months. This legislation is necessary to give effect to Government policies. Cabinet recognised that the list was not exhaustive and would be subject both to new priorities and capacity constraints. Cabinet further agreed that the three priority areas for legislation would be: measures with revenue potential; immigration and employment; and international obligations or matters with international implications. The programme will be published shortly;
· Agreed a proposal from the Finance Minister to reduce duty on insurance and freight charges to 5% for building materials, specifically blocks, steel, sand, cement and aggregate. Cabinet considered this move necessary and expedient given the bulky nature of the items relative to their value and the importance of the construction sector, which is expected to contribute significantly to the expansion of the TCI economy in 2013/14 and beyond;
· Noted with satisfaction a report from the Finance Minister setting out financial performance for the 1st Quarter of financial year 2013/14. The report shows an overall operating surplus of $2.2m and a year to date surplus of $12.8m, which is an encouraging start to the financial year. All of the key revenue streams are outperforming last year’s results, mainly from increased compliance efforts. Expenditure is performing broadly in line with expectations with a $3.2m YTD positive variance; this variance will reduce over time as planned activities are implemented. The Sinking Fund balance currently stands at $43.6m, however, this is expected to grow during July as a further $500k deposit is made;
· Discussed a proposal from the Finance Minister to replace the current Turks and Caicos Islands Investment Policy and a proposed draft Ordinance to establish a new investment promotion agency under the name Invest Turks and Caicos. Cabinet noted that the new investment policy updates the existing one. It aims to provide a clear, simple and fair statement of the support and incentives that the Government will provide to prospective investors. Cabinet agreed to consider these two issues again, along with a revised Encouragement of Investment Ordinance, after further consultation across Government Ministries. Cabinet further agreed to conclude discussion and take decisions on the policy and the draft ordinances in September;
· Recommended that the Governor appoint Ms. Nichola Melhado-Garland to the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) on the nomination of the Leader of the Opposition, in accordance with the National Health Insurance Ordinance 8.10. The appointment will be for a period of three years effective from 1 August 2013 to 30 June 2016;
· Also recommended that the Governor appoint Ms Alrisa Gardiner to replace Dr Dionne Lightbourne-Regans as a member of the Service Review Board as required under the Hospitals Project Agreement Part I, Schedule 6, Section II;
· Considered and agreed a proposal from the Minister for Environment and Home Affairs to undertake an in-depth review of Protected Areas and National Parks in the Turks and Caicos Islands to determine and make recommendations as to the status assigned to them. The areas to be covered will include formalisation of navigation channels, options for allowing maintenance dredging, adding new Protected Areas to National Parks and taking some Protected Areas out of National Parks and considering ways to permit the development of Eco-Tourism within National Parks. Cabinet decided to consider the issue further when the review is completed;
· Noted a report from the Minister for Education, Youth, Sports and Culture on progress made with the School Maintenance works for summer vacation period - 2013. The budget for school maintenance in 2013 is $350,000. Cabinet agreed that a three year infrastructure development plan for schools should be developed and, subject to funds becoming available, the school maintenance allocation be increased to address critical needs such as those at the Clement Howell High School;
· Advised that the Governor should sign the draft Memorandum of Understanding with the Hothman American University relating to the establish a Medical University on Providenciales;
· Endorsed the use of the National Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2008-2017 and the Turks and Caicos Islands Development Strategy 2013-2017 as the foundation on which the new National Development Plan would be developed;
· Noted that the Governor and the Minster for Border Control and Labour would visit Haiti from 11-13 August, accompanied by the PS at the MOBC, to discuss further strengthening of joint work with the Haitian authorities to combat illegal migration and developing partnership and business and human relations between TCI and Haiti. They would, inter alia, meet President Martelly and the Foreign and Justice Ministers. Cabinet further noted that a business delegation, including officials from the MOF, would be in Haiti at the same time. It underlined the importance to TCI of the relationship with Haiti.
Further information on the issues addressed by Cabinet will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Crime Report for August 9th,2013
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a Burglary which occurred at a home in Five Cays Providenciales. The Complainant stated that the home was secured on Thursday 8th August 2013 at 10:30am and on the same date at 3:30pm it was discovered where a door situated on the western side of the building broken and a room ransacked. Missing are one (1) Alcatel Cell Phone and one (1) Asus Laptop Computer.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing.
***
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police are also investigating a Wounding which occurred in Five Cays, Providenciales on today’s date (Friday 9th August 2013) at around 1am. The complainant told police that he was at a friend’s house party when he and another male had an argument which resulted in a fight. During the fight he was stabbed on his right arm. The accused person fled the scene immediately after committing the offence. He was taken to the Chesire Hall Medical Centre where he was seen by a doctor and later released.
Investigations are ongoing into these matters.
***
Charged
On Thursday 8th August 2013, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police formally charged and caution a 43year old male of Italy, residing on Providenciales for Inflicting Grevious Bodily Harm. This charge was in connection with a report that was made on Saturday 22nd June 2013.
***
Sentence
On Thursday 8th August 2013, thirty-eight (38) year old Paul Elliot of South Caicos was ordered to pay a fine of $14, 262.00 and two (2) years probation after he plead guilty in the Supreme Court for Theft.
The sentence is in connection to a report that was in January 2013 by the Chief Financial Controller of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority that a sum of money was suspected to be stolen by an employee on Grand Turk. After thorough investigations by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Financial Crime Unit, Paul Elliot was arrested and charged for Theft. The fine is to be paid within twelve (12) months.
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.
Forecast for 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season lowered
Weather forecasters at Colorado State University (CSU) have lowered their prediction for the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
“We continue to anticipate an above-average season in 2013, although we have lowered our forecast slightly due to anomalous cooling in the eastern subtropical and tropical Atlantic,” said Philip J Klotzbach and William M Gray in their latest prediction.
“We expect an above-average probability of United States and Caribbean major hurricane landfall.”
Klotzbach and Gray said information obtained through July 2013 indicates that the remainder of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season will be “more active than the average 1981-2010 season.”
They estimated that the remainder of 2013 would have about eight hurricanes (average is 5.5), 14 named storms (average is 10.5), 75 named storm days (average is 58), 35 hurricane days (average is 21.3), three major (Category 3-4-5) hurricanes (average is 2.0) and seven major hurricane days (average is 3.9).
“The probability of US major hurricane landfall and Caribbean major hurricane activity for the remainder of the 2013 season is estimated to be above its long-period average,” the two forecasters said.
--CMC
Former administration was eavesdropping on citizens -- Grenada PM
Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell told legislators that equipment capable of intercepting communications had been purchased by the previous administration.
“We found one piece that has the ability to monitor a person’s home from as far a half a mile away. All they needed to do was zoom into the house and listen to whatever was being discussed,” Mitchell told legislators, as Parliament debated the 2013 Interception Communications Bill.
Mitchell, whose New National Party (NNP) won all 15 seats in the February 19 general election, said he is convinced that there were some people close within the Tillman Thomas administration who engaged in illegal interception of communication.
--CMC
British naval vessel to help with Jamaica's drug fight
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Jamaica’s effort to tackle the perennial problem of drug-trafficking in her waters will be getting a much
needed boost from Britain's Royal Navy.
Come early next week, Her Majesty's Ship Lancaster, which is currently docked at the Kingston Harbour, will set out in search of drug-runners, Commander Steve Moorhouse told reporters who were given a tour of the 400-foot-long vessel on Friday.
Moorhouse described the effort as a "strengthening of bonds" with Jamaica and said that the exercise is a joint-effort with a number of countries — including the United States of America — to "stop the flow of narcotics" in the region.
Highlighting the benefits of having such a vessel in the drug fight, Moorhouse said that his ship, during an exercise in the eastern Caribbean recently, inter-cepted a yacht and go-fast boat carrying a "sizeable amount" of ganja and cocaine.
He said that five people were arrested in that incident, but declined further details about the operation.
The ship, which is equipped with two 20-foot speedboats and a multi-purpose Lynx helicopter, will end its tour in December, Lieutenant Oliver Bekier told reporters.
The authorities have reported an increase in the quantity of narcotics seized in Jamaican waters since the start of the year. In all of 2012 some 5,713 pounds of marijuana was intercepted by Jamaica's Marine Police. Up to July this year, the Marine Police had already seized 5,908 pounds of ganja and 44 high-end boats
Woman detained in Curacao politician murder probe
Authorities in Curacao have detained a 43-year-old woman in their investigation into the May slaying of a lawmaker who led a major political party.
Helmin Wiels was hit by five bullets as he socialised on a Curacao beach on May 5. Two assailants sped off in a gold-covered car after fatally shooting the leader of the leftist Sovereign People Party, a big player in Curacao's coalition government.
A brief Saturday statement by police identifies the detained suspect by her initials, MAB. Detectives also searched two homes on the island, confiscating several items.
Police have not released further details.
In June, police spokesman Reginald Huggins said two suspects had been identified in Wiels' murder. One of them was Raul Jacinto Martinez, who was found decapitated on the island.
Baha Mar Names Three Hotel Managers
BAHA Mar has announced its senior operating executives for the Rosewood, Grand Hyatt and Mondrian hotels.
#The newly appointed Rosewood at Baha Mar general manager, Luis Fernandes, is a hotelier with proven international experience in managing and operating some of the world’s best hotels and resorts.
#Mr Fernandes rejoins Rosewood, and was the former managing director of the world-acclaimed Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos.
#He most recently served as chief operating officer for Longevity Wellness Worldwide in Portugal, after holding positions such as chief operating officer at Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts, and executive vice-president of hotel operations at Viceroy Hotel Group.
#The Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar will be led by Greg Saunders, a senior executive with 32 years of experience with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Marriott International and MGM Mirage.
#Hyatt Hotels recognised Mr Saunders as General Manager of the Year in 2012. Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar has already booked its first convention groups 17 months before the resort is scheduled to open in December 2014. Cate Farmer has been named general manager of Mondrian at Baha Mar, Morgans Hotel Group’s boutique lifestyle hotel.
#She has previously held executive positions at Morgans Hotel Group properties including Mondrian South Beach and, most, recently, Ames in Boston.
Ms Farmer is a two-time winner of the Marriott Golden Circle Award for sales achievement, and was a member of the Diversity Council at Marriott International.
#“These talented new leaders of the senior management team at Baha Mar have a wealth of experience and a great deal of passion for their brands and the hospitality industry,” said Tom Dunlap, Baha Mar’s president.
#“They are a perfect fit with the Baha Mar brand and will be critical to shaping a world-class guest experience not only at their respective hotels, but also across the entire resort.”
#Baha Mar has recently posted more than 50 job openings, including project managers and recruitment managers.
--Tribune
West set for record seventh VMA performance
It just wouldn't be a VMAs without Kanye West, now would it?
West will perform BLKKK SKKKN HEAD at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, tying the rapper with Madonna for most VMA performances at seven.
West, a three-time VMA winner, made his debut performance with Chaka Khan in in 2004, doing a medley of Jesus Walks, All Falls Down and Through the Wire. The following year, he performed Gold Digger with Jamie Foxx. He did Stronger and Good Life with T-Pain in 2007, Love Lockdown in 2008 and Runaway in 2010. In 2011, West and Jay Z gave a first look at their Watch the Throne tour with a performance of Otis.
West didn't perform in 2009, but he made one of his most famous VMA appearances when he crashed the stage during a Taylor Swift acceptance speech to rave about Beyonce's Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) video, saying, "Yo, Taylor, I'm'a let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time."
MTV will show the VMAs live on Aug. 25 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lady Gaga already has been announced as a performer, and Justin Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis lead all nominees with six each.
Before the VMAs, MTV Jams and MTV hits will run an hour-long block of West's videos and performances.
--USA.Today