Ex-CIA Milan chief held in Panama over cleric abduction
A former CIA station chief convicted by an Italian court of kidnapping a terror suspect has been detained in Panama, Italian officials say.
Robert Seldon Lady was sentenced to nine years in jail for his involvement in the abduction of the man, an Egyptian cleric, in Milan in 2003.
The cleric, known as Abu Omar, was allegedly flown to Egypt and tortured.
Lady was convicted in absentia with 22 other Americans for their role in his "extraordinary rendition".
But the Italian authorities have so far only sought the international arrest of the former Milan station chief, Italian media say.
However, Panamanian Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino told the Associated Press that he was unaware of the detention. The CIA said it had no immediate comment.
Lady was reportedly arrested near Panama's border with Costa Rica.
The Milan case was the first involving extraordinary rendition, the CIA's practice of transferring suspects to countries where torture is permitted.
The practice has been condemned by human rights groups as a violation of international agreements.
Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, who was considered a terrorism suspect by the US, was abducted in February 2003 and transferred between US military bases in Italy and Germany before being brought to Egypt.
Turks and Caicos Highlights Luxury in London
Interest in our TCI destination from the European markets continues to expand.
Throughout this summer and fall, the Tourist Board will lead initiatives to increase our Islands visibility in all of its source markets. This push will include exhibits in Canadian, US and other European gateways and an increase in our social media endeavours.
But on July 10th it was all about the TCI at the Metropolitan Hotel in London as the Tourist Board’s UK Office partnered with Amanyara, Gansevoort, Grace Bay Club, Parrot Cay, Point Grace and the Regent Palms to showcase the Turks and Caicos Islands to more than 40 tour operators and travel agents specializing in luxury travel.
The evening commenced with a cocktail reception in the Metropolitan Hotel’s famous Met Bar, followed by a workshop during which each hotel showcased their property. The event provided a great opportunity for the invitees to learn about the Islands and to meet and network with the representatives from each participating hotel, as well as the Tourist Board.
“The feedback from all resorts, tours operators and travel agents who participated in the event has been very encouraging,” says Traci Knight, Regional Marketing Executive (UK) for the Tourist Board. “The event carried an excellent format, making for a highly informative evening. Our UK travel partners noted that they feel more confident and fully prepared to promote the Turks and Caicos, not just to their clients who request information about the destination, but also as a suggestion to potential travellers in need of ideas.”
The showcase ended with the ultimate grand prize drawing; Ms. Alice Booth, a representative from the tour operator Scott Dunn, won an amazing 14-night holiday for two persons to the Turks and Caicos Islands, including economy class air tickets. During her visit to the islands, Ms. Booth will have the opportunity to stay at and personally experience each of the hotels that participated in the showcase.
The Tourist Board expresses sincere gratitude to all of its private sector partners for making this event at the Metropolitan a success.
FortisTCI Charts Future Strategic Path to Success
Fortis TCI hosted its second annual Strategic Meeting/ Plenary Session at Beaches Resort and Spa on Tuesday, July 9, 2013. The informative half day session, billed under the theme ‘Optimizing Our Potential 2014 /2019’ , was designed to obtain feedback from stakeholders within the community to assist FortisTCI in its strategic planning efforts.
Key stakeholders, including community and business leaders, financial experts and government officials, used this engaging forum to discuss the various issues affecting them and ways in which to combat these issues.
President & CEO of FortisTCI, Eddinton Powell gave the opening remarks and expressed hopes that information arising from the session would generate a wealth of new ideas, leading to alternative views on the challenges and opportunities specific to the TCI. Powell also introduced featured keynote speaker, Civil Rights Leader and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew J. Young who addressed the gathering on the topic ‘Global Geo economic and Technological Trends and Their Impact on Sustained Economic Development of Caribbean Economies – A Perspective’ . Ambassador Young, an ordained minister with a wealth of experience in politics, national and global leadership, stressed that the small size of a nation should not prevent it from capitalizing on its strengths.
Other speakers included Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing, who offered greetings on behalf of TCIG. He thanked FortisTCI for its unwavering commitment and support to serving the people of the TCI, as well as for providing the platform on which to discuss important issues necessary to enhance the islands’ development. Acting Governor Hon. Anya Williams and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Delton Jones who participated in a panel discussion, which highlighted a number of policy ideas
Following the Strategic Meeting/ Plenary Session, FortisTCI held two days of private meetings with mid to high level management team members. This was facilitated by the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP) to discuss projected organizational strategies for the next five years and beyond. According to Powell, the company has accessed its previous goals and is now in the process of analysing current risks and opportunities, while optimizing its resources to chart a continuous path of success into the future. During the strategic planning process, the FortisTCI team developed the Company’s new corporate Vision: ‘Leading Today. Investing in Tomorrow’ , along with its new Mission: ‘FortisTCI is committed to providing safe, reliable, least - cost energy, using smart innovative technologies and by investing in people, while being a good corporate citizen, being environmentally responsible, maintaining the highest level of customer satisfaction, and ensuring a reasonable rate of return for our investors.’
Powell added, “Our strategic vision of being a world class energy company optimizing people and technology, is brilliantly captured in our new Vision and Mission Statements.
Serious Accident in North Caicos injuries 2
The Royal Turks & Caicos Police are investigating a Serious Accident, which was reported on Tuesday July 16th, 2013 at 4:15PM.
A report was made to Police in North Caicos, that there was a two car vehicular accident on Whitby Main Road and two persons were injured.
Responding officers immediately ensured that two injured persons were given medical treatment, set a containment, took measurements and processed the scene.
According to the RTCIPF, both vehicles appeared to have sustained major damages towards the front end of the vehicles and both vehicles were on the side of the road.
The driver of the Grey vehicle was unharmed but his sole passenger was rushed to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she is recovering from non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the Black SUV sustained minor injuries; however his sole passenger was also rushed to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and is now recovering from non-life threatening injuries.
RTC’s morning traffic reported this morning that the Canadian visitors were driving on the opposite side of the road that led to the accident.
Investigations are on-going.
Constant Louijene Sentenced for Deadly 2008 Accident
Constant Louijene of Providenciales has been found guilty of causing death by Dangerous Driving.
Mr. Louijene appeared before Judge Joyner in the Supreme Court in Providenciales where he was given a three year sentence, to be spent at Her Majesty’s Prison here in Grand Turk.
The offence which occurred on Tuesday April 01st, 2008 involved a vehicular accident which resulted in the death of Israel Dorlus of Providenciales.
In addition to the three year prison term, Louijene will have his driver’s license revoked and suspended from driving for two years after his release.
Health Ministry puts Focus on Substance Abuse
The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Ministry of Health and Human Services is calling attention to the increasing number of Turks Islanders with alcohol and substance use disorders.
The Department reported that in the last two years, the number of individuals presenting with alcohol and substance use disorders have climbed with statics showing that over 50 percent of the people seen between Jan. 2011 and Jan. 2013 met the criteria for an alcohol or substance use disorder.
Dr. Alicia Malcolm noted that problems such as these can have a rippling effect on society at large, impacting both crime rates and death rates, especially in small island nations such as the TCI. This is particularly important she pointed out because increased incidences of crime in many Caribbean countries are being linked to substance abuse.
“Despite their efforts, in our region are seeing an increase in crime, particularly violent crime, which is attributed in part to the use and abuse of alcohol or other drugs,” Dr. Malcolm said.
She noted: “In 2007 the World Health Organization reported that In terms of overall death rates, death by drugs or alcohol is estimated at approximately 1.8 million deaths worldwide each year, and about half of these deaths are the result of injury”.
Alcohol and Illicit drug use can lead to chronic alcohol consumption which negatively affects almost every system in the body and can lead to cancer, liver disease, heart attacks and brain damage among others. Additionally, alcohol use has been found to serve as a gate way to the use of other illicit drugs.
Dr. Malcolm pointed out that one US study showed that 69.9 per cent of heavy alcohol users among those aged 12 to 17 were illicit drug users. This was over 13 times higher than non-alcohol users where 5.2 per cent used illegal substances.
A TCI secondary School Drug Use Survey indicated that about 26 percent of individuals between the ages of 14-18 have reportedly used marijuana during their lifetime and 2.4 percent have used cocaine during their lifetime.
On June 26 this year, the Department marked International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to highlight the harmful effects of alcohol and illicit drug use and to build awareness among residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly among students. Earlier that week, the Department also launched Alcoholics Anonymous in Grand Turk.
The Department is calling on all residents of the TCI who would like to know more, or who know of someone who needs information about alcohol or drug abuse, to contact the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department, Ministry of Health and Human Services at: 649-946-2801 Ext 50504 Grand Turk or Providenciales 82500.
Limacol CPL Can Produce New Generation of Players
The man who masterminded West Indies’ triumph at last year’s Twenty20 World Cup says he has high hopes that the Limacol Caribbean Premier League can produce a generation of players ready for the demands of international cricket.
Speaking during a recent media conference in Trinidad for the just concluded Tri-Nation Series, West Indies coach Ottis Gibson lauded the inaugural Twenty20 tournament, noting that it had the potential to develop the type of qualities integral to success at the highest level.
“It will help our T20 cricket because you have seen that about eight or nine of our guys are IPL stars,” Gibson said.
“Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine are all IPL superstars and we hope that the CPL, while producing more superstars, can produce people that can get used to fierce competition.”
The six players identified by Gibson are all regional franchise players for the Limacol CPL, which opens at Kensington Oval in Barbados on 30 July with what is expected to be a spectacular opening ceremony, followed by the first game between Barbados Tridents and St Lucia Zouks.
All told, 24 matches will be played across the six franchise countries of Barbados, Guyana, Antigua, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago, before the tournament winds up at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad with the final on 24 August.
With an impressive array of regional and international stars decorating each side, heated rivalry is expected throughout the Limacol CPL, and Gibson said this type of competition could only serve as a boost for West Indies cricket.
UN Calls for Humanitarian Access in South Sudan
A top United Nations official is voicing alarm over deteriorating humanitarian conditions in South Sudan, where an estimated 100,000 civilians have been cut off in fighting between two ethnic groups in Jonglei state.
U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said the recent resurgence of intercommunal fighting is threatening the lives of "ordinary people" and reducing the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide urgent help.
The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders says its surgical teams have in the past week treated scores of wounded people. A statement said its workers were trying to reach thousands more thought to be hiding in malaria-infested swamps in Jonglei.
There are no official estimates of fatalities in the latest fighting. But authorities say at least 1,000 people were killed last year as fighting escalated between the two groups, the Lou Nuer and the Murle.
In the last major flareup 18 months ago, analysts say some 8,000 Lou Nuer and others attacked Murle villages, looting cattle and attacking women and children.
Integrity Commission investigates the Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing and Minister Don-Hue Gardiner
RTC News received the following report of the Commission’s investigations into allegations of contravention of the Code of Conduct by the Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing and Minister Don-Hue Gardiner
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1. The Integrity Commission wishes to inform the general public that in accordance with section 102(3) of the Constitution and section 58A of the Integrity Commission Ordinance (the Ordinance), it has carried out investigations into allegations of contravention of the Code of Conduct by the Premier Hon. Dr Rufus Ewing and the Minister Don-Hue Gardiner. The following is the summary of the allegations and the Commission’s findings and conclusions in relation to the allegations:
(a) Allegation against the Premier, Hon. Dr Rufus Ewing:
(i) The substance of the allegation was that the Hon. Dr Ewing abused his powers as Premier and broke the laws and airport security regulations in the course of boarding a domestic flight from Providenciales to Grand Turk on 28th of May 2013.
(ii) The Commissioners found that the Hon. Premier did not abuse his powers and did not break any laws or Airport security regulations, as alleged, and were accordingly satisfied that the Premier, Hon. Dr Rufus Ewing, did not contravene the Conduct of Conduct.
(b) Allegation against the Hon. Minister, Don-Hue Gardiner:
(i) The substance of the allegation was that his conduct at the incident involving the discharge of firearm at Grace Bay, Providenciales in the early hours of March 31, 2013 fell short of the highest standards of integrity, honesty and pro-pri-ety expected of a Minister of the Government.
(ii) The Commissioners found that there were no reasonable and probable grounds to believe that the alleged conduct of the Hon. Don-Hue Gardiner dero-gated from, or fell short of the highest standards of integrity, honesty and pro-pri-ety expected of a Minister of Government.
(iii) Accordingly, the Commissioners were satisfied that the Hon. Minister Don-Hue Gardiner did not contravene the Code of Conduct.
2. In accordance with the requirement of section 58(C) of the Ordinance, the Commission has prepared written reports of these investigations, containing its findings and conclusions. These reports have been delivered to the relevant statutory recipients, including H.E. the Acting Governor and the Hon. Speaker of the House of Assembly.
Koreas Remain Divided on Reopening Stalled Joint Factory
South Korea says it failed to reach an agreement with North Korea at the latest round of talks aimed at reopening a joint factory complex.
Seoul's Unification Ministry said no compromise was reached during the working-level talks held Wednesday across the North's border at Kaesong, where the complex is located.
As with three previous rounds of talks, little progress appeared to be made on the project, an important symbol of inter-Korean cooperation.
Pyongyang has so far rejected Seoul's demands for assurances the facility will not be closed unilaterally during times of worsened relations.
North Korea removed its workers from Kaesong in April, blaming unspecified "hostile action" by the South, which responded by pulling its workers.
The North was upset with expanded U.N. sanctions against its February nuclear test. It also was angry with annual U.S.-South Korea military drills.
Although work at Kaesong has been suspended before during times of heightened tensions, it had never been shut down completely since it was established in 2004.