US drops case against ricin letter suspect Paul Curtis
US authorities have dropped the charges against a Mississippi man accused of sending letters poisoned with ricin to President Barack Obama and a senator.
Paul Curtis was freed on Tuesday after prosecutors revealed the investigation had uncovered "new information".
The letters addressed to the president and a Mississippi senator tested positive for the presence of the lethal toxin this month.
Meanwhile, investigators in the case are searching the home of another man.
Mr Curtis was arrested last week at his home in the town of Corinth, Mississippi and charged with sending letters to Mr Obama, Republican Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker and a judge from Lee County.
But on Monday authorities searched Mr Curtis' home and found neither ricin nor ingredients for the poison, an FBI agent testified in court. A search of his computer yielded no evidence he had researched how to make the toxin, the agent said.
In a news conference outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Mr Curtis thanked his family, friends, Jesus, Mr Wicker and Mr Obama.
"I love my country and would never do anything to pose a threat to [Mr Obama] or any other US official," said Mr Curtis, a musician and Elvis impersonator who also said he was a certified reflexologist.
"I would like to get back to normal, which for me means being the best father that I could be for my children and entertaining through my music."
Mr Curtis' lawyer Christi McCoy, whom Mr Curtis described as a blond, blue-eyed angel sent by God, told reporters she believed the FBI agents who had arrested and charged her client had "acted in good faith".
According to an FBI affidavit released on Thursday, the letters read: "Maybe I have your attention now even if that means someone must die. To see a wrong and not expose it, is to become a silent partner to its continuance."
The letters were signed: "I am KC and I approve this message."
As the case against Mr Curtis appeared to collapse on Monday and Tuesday, another man in nearby Tupelo, Mississippi, told the Associated Press authorities were searching his home in connection with the ricin letters.
Everett Dutschke said he was innocent, and the Associated Press reported agents from numerous law enforcement agencies had established a mobile crime lab near his home.
Ricin, extracted from castor beans, is 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide.
It can be fatal when inhaled, swallowed or injected, although it is possible to recover from exposure.
Australia police arrest hacker group LulzSec 'leader'
Australian police say they have arrested a "self-proclaimed leader" of the hacking group LulzSec.
The 24-year-old from New South Wales is accused of attacking and defacing a government website earlier this month, a police statement said.
Lulzsec has claimed responsibility for several high profile cyber-attacks, including against Sony Pictures and the CIA.
It emerged as a splinter-group of hacking collective Anonymous in 2011.
In the statement, the Australian Federal Police said that the arrested man was an IT professional who used his position in an IT company to access sensitive information from clients, including government agencies.
He has been charged with two counts of unauthorised modification of data to cause impairment, and one count of unauthorised access to restricted data. He faces a maximum of 12 years in jail.
"Those thinking of engaging in such activities should be warned that hacking, creating or propagating malicious viruses or participating in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are not harmless fun," Cyber Crimes Commander Glen McEwen said.
LulzSec gained international attention when they hacked the Sony website in 2011, taking down the company's PlayStation network for weeks and accessing millions of users' accounts.
It was estimated to have cost the company over $100 million (£65m) and was part of a 50-day rampage which targeted organisations ranging from the FBI to Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency.
The name stood for Lulz Security - in which "Lulz" is derived from the popular internet term "lol", meaning "laugh out loud".
The group's members employed techniques to flood websites with high traffic - known as DDoS attacks - in order to render them unusable.
Millionaire president-elect 'to put Paraguay first'
Paraguay's President-elect Horacio Cartes, a wealthy businessman, has said he would "never put personal interests before the country's".
Mr Cartes, one of Paraguay's richest men, told reporters there wouldn't be conflict of interest as he governed one of South America's poorest nations.
He said it would be "silly" to stay out of the regional economic bloc Mercosur.
Paraguay was suspended from the group after last year's impeachment of the left-wing President Fernando Lugo.
The move followed a land eviction at a farm that led to the deaths of 11 farmers and six police officers.
The incident sparked a nationwide outcry and the opposition declared President Lugo responsible. Mr Lugo was replaced by Vice-President Federico Franco of the Liberal Party in less than 48 hours.
Neighbouring countries recalled their diplomats calling the impeachment a "congressional coup".
Woodstock icon Richie Havens dies at 72
Richie Havens, the folk singer who opened the legendary 1969 Woodstock rock festival, has died of a heart attack at 72.
He died at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey, his agent, Roots Agency, told Reuters.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, the musician was famous for his distinctive guitar and singing style.
Recalling Woodstock, Havens once said: "Everything in my life, and so many others', is attached to that train.''
His improvised version of the gospel song Motherless Child evolved into Freedom at the festival and became an anthem of the 1960s hippie generation.
The Woodstock concert film captured his performance for posterity.
More recently, the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's award-winning slavery-era film Django Unchained featured Havens singing a version of Freedom.
Tributes to the singer have come in, with his contemporary and fellow singer Stephen Stills saying Havens "could never be replicated".
China manufacturing activity growth slows in April
Growth in China's manufacturing sector slowed in April, a survey by HSBC showed, adding to concerns about the country's economic recovery.
The preliminary reading of HSBC's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell to 50.5, from 51.6 in March. A reading above 50 indicates expansion.
A drop in new export orders was blamed for the decline, a sign of weak global demand.
Last year, China's economy grew at its slowest pace in 13 years.
"New export orders contracted after a temporary rebound in March, suggesting external demand for China's exporters remains weak," said Qu Hongbin, China chief economist at HSBC in a statement.
Asian shares were lower on the data, with the main index in Shanghai falling 1.4%.
Response expected
Banks have cut their full-year growth forecasts for China after an unexpected slowdown in the first quarter.
Gross domestic product for the first three months of the year declined to 7.7%, compared to 7.9% in the previous three months.
The World Bank, as well as private sector banks, said they expected growth to slow to 8% this year, though that is still high by global standards.
The government had said it will take steps to try and support the economy.
"Beijing is expected to respond strongly to sustain the economic recovery by increasing efforts to boost domestic investment and consumption in the coming month,'' HSBC's Mr Qu said.
Analysts said it was unlikely Beijing would introduce another massive stimulus package like it did after the global financial crisis in 2008.
Boston Marathon bombing: Mystery remains
No mention has been made of any possible motive for the Boston Marathon bombing in the charges filed against surviving suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
Federal prosecutors charged him in hospital with using a weapon of mass destruction and malicious destruction of property resulting in death.
He could be sentenced to death if convicted on either count.
At the hearing, he managed to speak once despite a gunshot wound to his throat sustained during his capture.
Mr Tsarnaev, 19, said the word "no" when asked if he could afford a lawyer. Otherwise he nodded in response to Judge Marianne B Bowler's questions from his bed at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
The next hearing in his case has been scheduled for the end of May.
YOUR CHANGE CAN MAKE A CHANGE – this is the National Trust’s battle cry for Earth Day 2013
The Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday April 22nd joined more than one billion people across 192 countries all around the world in observance of Earth Day.
The annual event is held every year on 22 April to highlight environmental issues
Here in the TCI, the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust is celebrating Earth Day today, with a fund-raising campaign entitled “YOUR CHANGE CAN MAKE A CHANGE”.
Proceeds will go towards enhancing our conservation, education and awareness programs, aid in community projects aimed at environmental preservation and enhancement of heritage sites in the country.
Donation Boxes are available as of today Monday, at the cashier area of various establishments in Providenciales including, IGA Supermarket, Graceway Gourmet, Business Solutions, Do-It Centre and Island Pride Supermarket and in Grand Turk at Super Mercado Dominicano and E & R Supermarket.
Jonathan Sayao, Public Awareness/ Education Programme Manager of the Turks & Caicos Islands National Trust, encourages members of the public to support this worthy endeavor.
“Before you check out of the cash register after shopping at your favorite store, make sure to drop some coins and extra money in our donation boxes.
Indeed, your change can make a change. No matter how small or big, you can make a difference and get involved as we take bolder steps at projects that would benefit our mother Earth, our own heritage and our “Beautiful by Nature” environment,” appealed Sayao.
Opposition expresses concern about pending threats to TCI’s environment
The opposition People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), has expressed concerned with what they see as policy decisions being considered by the Progressive National Party (PNP) that they say can pose a threat to our environment. We are aware of a number of projects and un-substantiated matters in the pipeline for consideration and we have in fact posed a question to the Minister of Environment asking her Government’s Policy on the proposed long line fishing and dredging in the Caicos Bank.
Leader of the PDM, Hon.Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said they became even more concerned after hearing a statement from the Premier that was aired last week on PTV in which he suggested that the Laws may be amended to allow for dredging in the National Parks. She noted that the National Parks have its purpose and that former Governments spent thousands of dollars establishing and educating residents on the importance of the National Parks.
I am admonishing this PNP Government to act responsibly in matters where it appears economically feasible for today and tomorrow, but which can prove to be detrimental to our future.
We as a people rely heavily on the environment and we have a great deal of responsibility to maintain it: be it our clean air, our beaches and/or our marine life,” said Mrs. Robinson.
The Opposition PDM will oppose any proposed Policies that we know are detrimental to the environment of these Islands and we will stand to safeguard our environment as is provided for, in the Constitution. I am from a Fishing Community and the environment is especially important to me. I learnt to be protective of the environment and hence my petitioning to Kate Sullivan in my written submission to have the clause concerning the protection of our environment placed in the highest law of the Land. I remain grateful that the provision was placed there and the Opposition will spare no efforts safeguarding these provisions and our environment,” she added.
Hon. Robinson suggested that the Government places greater effort in strengthening the Department of Environment and Maritime through the provision of more critical staffing needs and training and create clear policies and penalties to protect our environment.
“We need to be more proactive to protect what we have for our future generations and two of our country’s economic sectors and for the general enjoyment of our people and visitors to our shores,” Opposition leader Robinson added.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR HOLDS JOINT WORKING MEETING WITH TCI AND HAITIAN OFFICIALS TO PREVENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
More talks have been held with TCI and Haitian officials to see how best both countries can better work together to tackle the issue of illegal sloops leaving Haiti, headed for the TCI.
His Excellency Governor Todd met jointly with Turks and Caicos' Immigration Minister Don Hue Gardiner, permanent secretary Clara Gardiner and the TCI-based Haitian Consul General, Karlo Pellissier, last Thursday, 18 April 2013.
Here’s Chris Jarrettwith details of that meeting.
Chris Jarrett:- At Thursday’s meeting, it was agreed:
1. That the Haitian government would send an expert delegation to discuss with TCI officials how to build cooperation, focused on deterring illegal immigration and prosecuting the traffickers;
2. That Governor's Office will investigate having the Royal Navy warship stationed in the Caribbean to provide hurricane relief and to interdict drugs and people trafficking, contribute more to maritime patrolling more between TCI and Haiti.
The officials further agreed that
3. Both countries would stress in public information campaigns, that any illegal immigrants making such a journey, are taking a serious risk of death; they will almost certainly be caught and deported; and if they do get into TCI they will not find work.
Todd had earlier visited the TCI immigration detention centre in Five Cays where he met director of immigration Larry Mills and detention facility manager Peter Parker. He personally thanked them and their colleagues for all of their hard work in difficult conditions and efforts to successfully process and repatriate nearly 300 illegal immigrants from three Haitian sloops over the past two weeks.
"Preventing illegal immigration is everyone's business. While positive steps have been taken such as the new coastal radar stations, clearly too many people are trying to make the dangerous 90-mile sea journey to TCI, said Governor Todd.
"While it is true that many of them have been lied to about the possibilities of finding work and a new life here and indeed many think that they are being taken to Miami, we must also face up to the fact that some people in TCI are prepared to employ illegal immigrants. Employing illegal immigrants is illegal and wrong. We are determined to enforce the law, but we must work to make this as socially unacceptable as drunk driving. When an illegal person is employed it denies a legal resident the chance of a job and deprives the government of work permit income," Governor Todd added.
This is Chris Jarrettfor RTC News.
Police still Seeking Help from the Public related to the homicide of Kaziah Burke
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force say they are seeking the public’s assistance regarding information related to a homicide which occurred on Saturday April 13, 2013.
According to Police, 911 received a call at approximately 8:30PM reporting several gunshots in the vicinity of New Era gas station along Airport Road in Providenciales.
It was determined that 25 year old male, Kaziah Burke had been fatally shot by an unknown person. The ongoing investigation has determined that there were a number of other persons at the location where Kaziah Burke was shot, who would have witnessed the shooting or events leading up to, and after the shooting took place.
Police are also looking for information as it relates to a subject of interest seen in the area at the time of the shooting. This person is described as approximately six feet in height, clean low hair cut with a beard. At the time of the shooting this subject was reported to have been wearing dark colored pants and a white top.
It has been ten days since this incident occurred and the police are still requesting persons who may have seen something that can further assist in the investigations to come forward.
Police are reminding the public that information can also be given anonymously be calling 1-800-8477 or online at www.cimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.