North Korea tells foreigners in South to take safety measures
North Korea issued its latest dispatch of ominous rhetoric Tuesday, telling foreigners in South Korea they should take steps to secure shelter or evacuation to protect themselves in the event of a conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
The unnerving message came as Japan set up missile defenses in Tokyo, and North Korean workers failed to turn up for work in the industrial complex jointly operated by North and South Korea.
In the statement published by state-run media Tuesday, the North's Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee reiterated accusations that Washington and Seoul were seeking to provoke a war with Pyongyang.
"Once a war is ignited on the peninsula, it will be an all-out war," the committee said, adding that North Korea doesn't want foreigners in South Korea to "fall victim" to a conflict.
It follows a warning from the North last week to diplomats in its capital city, Pyongyang, that if war were to break out, it would not be able to guarantee their safety.
But staff at the British Embassy in Seoul appeared unimpressed by the North's most recent attempt to rattle nerves in the region.
"We are not commenting on the specifics of every piece of rhetoric from North Korea," said Colin Gray, head of media affairs at the embassy. "Our travel advice remains unchanged. At this moment, we see no immediate threat to British citizens in South Korea."
Several Western countries said last week they had no plans to withdraw staff from Pyongyang after the North's warning to diplomats there.
And foreign visitors in Seoul didn't appear to be panicking Tuesday.
"I am concerned, but not enough not to make the trip," said Vicky Polashock, who was visiting from Atlanta.
She said that there was more tension than she'd noticed on previous visits to South Korea, but that the North's latest threat "doesn't heighten the danger any more than the last couple of weeks."
Kenya Inaugurates President Kenyatta
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been sworn in at a ceremony with thousands of cheering, flag-waving spectators in the capital, Nairobi.
"And that I will protect and uphold, the sovereignty and integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya, so help me God." (cheering)
The event is the culmination of a peaceful March election in which Mr. Kenyatta defeated outgoing Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The president has pledged to work to improve the lives of all Kenyans.
Other African heads of state attended the ceremony Tuesday. Some Western nations sent ambassadors as they limit their contact with the new government because of pending charges at the International Criminal Court.
Mr. Kenyatta is facing charges of crimes against humanity for allegedly helping organize post-election ethnic violence in 2007 that killed more than 1,100 people and displaced 600,000 others. His trial is to begin in July.
Mr. Kenyatta's deputy, William Ruto, is set to go on trial at the ICC next month, in connection with the violence. Both men have denied the charges.
The president narrowly earned enough votes to avoid a run-off in the March 4th election. Mr. Odinga challenged the results, but Kenya's Supreme Court upheld the election.
LAUNCH OF WOMEN IN SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE
In an effort to promote Gender Equity in Sports and Physical Education, the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) will partner with the Gender Affairs Unit to launch: ‘Women and Sports and Physical Education initiative’ under the theme: “Women Taking Action in 2013 and Beyond”.
The CGA and Gender Affairs envision a holistic and equitable sport and physical activity system in which women and girls throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands will participate.
The main objectives are to:
- Raise awareness of the benefits of sport and physical activity for girls and women.
- Increase the number of girls and women involved in sports and physical activity as athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers.
- Entrench equity as a norm in sports and physical activity in communities around the country.
- Recognize and award persons who have made outstanding contributions to sports in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The Launch will take place in Providenciales on Wednesday, April 10th at the Graceway Sports Centre, Luker Lane, from 5pm -7pm and in Grand Turk on Thursday 11th April, at the Bohio Resort from 6pm -8pm.
Guest Speaker for this occasion is Ms. Chantelle Grant, Regional Development Officer, Caribbean & Americas SportWorks Capacity Support Program.
Shooting spree in Serbia kills 13 at close range
A gunman went on a shooting spree in the Serbian town of Velika Ivanca Tuesday, killing at least 13, including a small child, according to police chief Milorad Veljovic. The town lies roughly 25 miles south of the capital Belgrade.
The man in his 60s entered five different houses and shot six men, six women and one child dead.
The motive is not yet known, Veljovic said.
Serbia has a low murder rate, nearly on par with that of Sweden, according to the World Health Organization. With 1.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2010, Serbia's murder rate was one quarter of that of the United States.
Britain's Thatcher to be Buried April 17
Britain has announced that the funeral for former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher will take place next Wednesday (April 17).
The government has said Thatcher would receive a ceremonial funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral with military honors - a step short of a state funeral - in accordance with the wishes of her family. It said a private cremation would follow later.
The former British prime minister died Monday at the age of 87 following a stroke. The outspoken Thatcher led the Conservative Party to three election victories from 1979 to 1990, the longest continuous period in office by a British prime minister since the early 19th century.
U.S. President Barack Obama and other leaders around the world have have paying tribute to Thatcher, known was the "Iron Lady" for her personal and political toughness.
Thatcher was a stern conservative who broke the power of British unions, eliminated many government subsidies and enabled a far greater role for private enterprise.
She led Britain through its 1982 war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, strongly opposed European integration and built a close "special relationship" with U.S. President Ronald Reagan that helped spur the downfall of Soviet communism.
Grand Turk Cruise Center Announces Re-opening Date
A breath of life will return to the nation’s capital for many businesses and it couldn’t come any sooner.
Grand Turk’s economy has been suffering as a result of the recent Cruise ship cancellations due to an outbreak of gastroenteritis at the cruise port, which is owned by the Carnival Corporation.
Here’s Damen Boviewith details.
The cruise port has been hosting six to eight ship arrivals per week. The ships each carry between 2,500 and 3,500 passengers and it is believed that 90 percent of the passengers disembark the ship and visit the welcome centre. Approximately 20 percent of the passengers take taxis to visit other sites on the capital island.
But it has been three weeks since cruise ships have cancelled through fear of passengers disembarking on the island, contracting the virus, although the health department and tourist board have issued press releases describing their efforts in attempting to isolate and contain the outbreak which is now under control.
The TCI government relies on Carnival’s head tax to help meet its budgetary obligations with over $3 million in annual receipts coming from passengers arrivals. It is estimated that the economic impact for Grand Turk is some $250,000 per day in activity.
The cruise port has been hosting six to eight ship arrivals per week. The ships each carry between 2,500 and 3,500 passengers and it is believed that 90 percent of the passengers disembark the ship and visit the welcome centre. Approximately 20 percent of the passengers take taxis to visit other sites on the capital island.
But in a press release today, the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to announce that cruise ship calls to the Grand Turk Cruise Center will commence on April 8th, 2013The Board which has been working in close collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders as well as the local public health department is confident that all measures have been taken to ensure the health and safety of our guests.
The cruise sector which accounts for a majority of visitors to the Turks & Caicos Islands is a vital cog in the tourism industry of Grand Turk and the Board is cognizant of the impact that the cancellation of cruise ship visits may have exerted on the businesses and residents of the Island.
Commenting, Mr. Ralph Higgs, Director of the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board, said “Throughout this situation, we continued an open dialogue with the most senior executives involved in the ports operation. We understand the severity of the impact of the cancellation of cruise ship visits not only to the local business community of Grand Turk but to those guests who have selected to visit our shores via cruise line. Moving forward, the Government feels confident that all the appropriate measures are in place and that Grand Turk will continue to provide the vacation opportunity of a lifetime to our visiting guests.”
Carnival Corporation has faced a number of unfortunate incidents over the past two years. In December 2011, the Costa Concordia capsized in the Mediterranean, while just a few months ago an engine failure resulted in one its cruise ships losing all power in the Gulf of Mexico. Carnival has a number of ports of call throughout the Caribbean and is developing attractions in the Dominican Republic; however, the Grand Turk cruise centre has enjoyed a steady increase over the years since its opening in 2004.
This is Damen Boviefor RTC News.
The 2013 season of the Providenciales Church CO-ED slow pitch Softball League gets underway this Saturday
The second season of the Providenciales Church CO-ED slow pitch Softball League gets underway this Saturday April 6th 2013, beginning at 3pm at the Downtown Ballpark in Providenciales.
Organizers say this league promises to be another exciting season of games, to which everyone is invited to come out and cheer for your respective church.
According to the new schedule, the Methodist Church will go up against St. Monica’s from 3pm to 4:30 pm; Jericho Baptist against Abundant Life from 4:45 – 6:15 pm and Bethany Baptist from6:30 – 8:00p.
RTC Sports will keep our softball fans abreast of the schedule as the games progress.
FORTISTCI SPRING FUN WALK & RUN ON APRIL 6TH
FORTIS TCI IS GETTING READY FOR ITS 5TH ANNUAL FORTIS TCI SPRING FUN WALK & RUN IN PROVIDENCIALES.
THE EXPECTED FAMILY AFFAIR WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW SATURDAY APRIL 6, WITH WARM UP SCHEDULED TO STARTS AT THE FORTISTCI CORPORATE OFFICE ON LEEWARD HIGHWAY AT 5:45 AM. THE WALK AND RUN BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 6 AM.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GAMES, PRIZES, HOT BREAKFAST AND A GRAND RAFFLE, AND THERE IS NO REGISTRATION FEE.
EVENT T-SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE WHILE THEY LAST.
FORTIS TCI ENCOURAGES PARTICIPANTS TO GET FIT AT THE SPRING FUN WALK & RUN THIS APRIL 6TH
The TCI to observe the month of April as Child Abuse and Prevention month
The Department of Social Development and Gender Affairs, will be observing the month of April as Child Abuse and Prevention month in the TCI.
In observance of the month, a number of activities will be taking place throughout the islands.
Ms. Tiffany Thomas of the department in Grand Turk will shed some more light next week.
Four persons appeared in court charged for Aggravated Burglary
Four persons appeared in court on (Thursday April 4th) in relation to the Aggravated Burglary which occurred on Wednesday 27th, March 2013, which involved a vacationing family.
It has been reported that 4 individuals entered a residence, occupied by a family and assaulted a 47 old male before escaping with a quantity of items. The male victim required hospital attention for non-life threatening injuries.
Those persons charged with Aggravated Burglary are
Antonio Luciano 17,
Lorenzo Rigby 21
Wilkie Arthur 38
And a 15 year old whose name Police are unable to release because he is a minor.
All four persons appeared in court earlier today (Thursday) for a sufficiency hearing. The four accused were not required to enter a plea and each were remanded in custody until June 07th 2013 when they will be brought before a Judge in the Supreme Court.