RTC Director – Page 907 – Radio Turks & Caicos

Spain sees jobless total fall in December

The number of people registered unemployed in Spain fell in December, the Labour Ministry has said, a rare glimmer of hope for its recession-hit economy.

Adjusted for seasonal swings, the total fell by 41,023, or 0.8%, in December from the previous month, the first drop since July.

Spain now has 4.85 million jobless.

But across 2012, the number registered out of work was 10% higher than a year earlier.

"It is still a very dire situation as far as unemployment is concerned," said economist Gilles Moec from Deutsche Bank.

He described the situation as concerning, but said there had been some improvements which should help strengthen Spain's economy.

"The corporate sector in Spain has made tremendous efforts in boosting productivity," he said, pointing out that this can hit the numbers of people in work.

"There has been an improvement in competitiveness and a very strong export performance," he added.

Different picture

In Germany, where two million fewer are unemployed, new figures showed the jobless rate was unchanged at 6.9% last month.

Germany's Federal Labour Agency said the seasonally-adjusted jobless rate was unchanged in December, having added 3,000 more unemployed people than the previous month.

The agency said that 2.94 million people were registered unemployed in Germany, Europe's biggest economy.

"Despite the economic dip the labour market is not suffering a breakdown," said Stefan Schilbe from HSBC Trinkaus.

"Companies are not willing to put qualified workers out of a job. Once the economy improves in the course of the year, unemployment too is likely to fall again with a delay."

Germany is the architect and chief backer of the eurozone's many bailouts as the region tries to extricate itself from a debt crisis.

Unlike most of its partners in the 17-nation eurozone, Germany has mainly escaped the worst effects of the crisis that has threatened to unravel the bloc.

But last month the central bank cut its growth forecast for 2013, saying the country's economy might be entering a recession.

'Groundwork being laid'

Spain, the eurozone's fourth-biggest economy, said that, seasonally adjusted, the number of unemployed was up by 10.3% in 2012.

But Spain's Labour Ministry said it was the best performance in the month of December since existing records began in 1996, with young people, women and first-time workers doing particularly well.

Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said on Tuesday he hoped for a return to job creation by the end of this year.

"I think 2013 will be better than 2012," Mr de Guindos told local radio. "The groundwork is being laid for us to begin to see positive employment growth rates in the fourth quarter of this year."

The whole 17-nation eurozone is in recession again - led by fast-shrinking economies such as Greece.

But Spain is also going through a long recession and has received a bailout for its banks from the eurozone's bailout fund.

by RTC Director

US Agents Arrest 245 Suspects in Child Pornography Ring

U.S. federal agents have arrested 245 suspects in an international investigation of child pornography.

The head of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, John Morton, said Thursday that authorities rescued 123 sexually abused children, some as young as three years old.

Morton calls child exploitation a wrong among wrongs. He said a relentless fight against such crimes is the only answer and said his agency will do everything it can to rescue the victims and prosecute the abusers.

Morton gave few details of the investigation, called “Operation Sunflower,” or the other countries involved.

JOHN MORTON, DIRECTOR, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT:

“Let me also say that these rescues highlight the depth and global nature of this problem. I am deeply appreciative of the assistance we received from so many foreign and local law enforcement agencies in making them.”

MORTON:

“The grim reality is that on-line child exploitation is a very real part of our modern lives. It is going on throughout the world right now on a grand scale. My friends, we have to attack child exploitation relentlessly and together.”

by RTC Director

Water Found in 2 Billion-Year-Old Mars Rock

Scientists examining a 2 billion-year-old rock from Mars that landed in the Sahara desert say it holds a large amount of water for a Martian meteorite.

Experts at the University of New Mexico say the rock has about 30 times the water of other Mars meteorites. They say this could lead to a better understanding of how Mars turned from a warm moist planet into a cold and dusty desert.

The scientists also say the rock is very similar to the volcanic rocks found by NASA's Spiritand Opportunity Mars rovers.

A Moroccan man found the meteorite in the Sahara desert last year. He sold it to an American collector who turned it over to the university for study.

Scientists are calling the rock a one-of-a-kind specimen.

by RTC Director

Iraq Car Bomb Kills at Least 20

Iraqi authorities say a car bomb has killed at least 20 Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims on their way home from a religious procession in the country's south.

Police said Thursday's attack at a busy bus station in the town of Musayyib hit the pilgrims as they were returning from Iraq's shrine city of Karbala, where they performed mourning rituals for a revered figure in Shi'ite Islam. Dozens were wounded in the bombing.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, which has renewed fears of an increase in sectarian violence that could further destabilize the country.

The blast comes just days after a wave of bombings across the country killed 23 people. Insurgents blew up several houses in Musayyib on Monday, killing seven people. Bombings also killed people in Baghdad, Hillah and Kirkuk.

Minority Sunni militants have targeted majority Shi'ite pilgrims frequently. Those militants also appear to be exploiting sectarian tensions in the ruling coalition of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is under political fire.

Sunni protesters have held more than a week of anti-government protests in the western province of Anbar, demanding an end to what they see as Mr. Maliki's marginalization of their community and its representatives in his Shi'ite-led coalition.

by RTC Director

Suspected US Drone Strike Kills Top Militant Commander in Pakistan

Pakistani security officials say recent U.S. drone strikes in tribal regions bordering Afghanistan have killed at least 14 al-Qaida-linked militants, including a top militant commander.

Officials say several missiles were fired before dawn on Thursday in South and North Waziristan. They say the deadliest strike was in the South Waziristan village of Angoor Adda, where the main militant commander, Mullah Nazir, and his two deputies reportedly were among those killed.

Nazir had long been accused of harboring Arab al-Qaida operatives and sending fighters to attack U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.

His fighters reportedly have been more interested in attacking the coalition troops in Afghanistan than targeting Pakistan's security forces, and in 2007, Nazir signed a peace accord with the Pakistani government. This helped contribute to a contentious relationship between Nazir's group and the Pakistani Taliban, which targets Pakistani forces.

In November, Nazir was wounded in a suicide bombing that killed at least six people. A year earlier, suspected U.S. drone strikes killed Nazir's deputy leader, Khan Mohammed, as well as a younger brother.

The U.S. drone strikes are deeply unpopular with the Pakistani public.

Last year, President Barack Obama openly acknowledged for the first time that the U.S. had conducted drone strikes against militants in Pakistan. Mr. Obama defended the operations, saying they are used for “precision strikes” against al-Qaida.

Drone attacks against suspected militants in Pakistan's tribal territory have reportedly killed more than 3,000 people since 2004, including several hundred civilians.

by RTC Director

Seven Stars Resort earns first time placement on Coveted Conde Nast Traveller Gold List

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The Seven Stars Resort, located on the island of Providenciales, Turks & Caicos has started the New Year on a high note, announcing its first-time placement to Conde Nast Traveler’s coveted 2013 Gold List of the World’s Best Places to Stay.

RTC’s Phaedrian Astwood tells us more about this latest accolade for the Seven Stars Resort.

Phaedrian:- “On the heels of Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Survey – which ranked Seven Stars highest among all resorts on Turks and Caicos – the publication shared its list of the highest-scoring hotels in the world, with Seven Stars included.

“This recognition is truly a milestone for our resort,” said Ken Patterson, Managing Director, Seven Stars Resort. “We couldn’t be prouder and we have our staff to thank for making each guest’s stay a memorable and personalized experience.”

“This award means a great deal to us given how diligently we have worked to make Seven Stars Resort the most sought-after destination resort in the Turks and Caicos,” said Bryan Guillot, Thomas Lee Group, who leads the resorts sales and marketing teams. “We would especially like to extend our sincere thanks to our loyal guests for their feedback, and to our travel partners, for their ongoing support.”

Seven Stars Resort received high marks for its location, activities, design, food and particularly for its service. Included among the top resorts in the Caribbean on the 2013 Gold List, Seven Stars lives up to its recent accolades by offering guests’ top-notch service and well-appointed luxury suites that are among the Island’s most spacious.

In addition to the luxurious accommodations, Seven Stars’ location along one of the best beaches in the world offers guests a true island oasis. Seven Stars is also home to the Island’s only heated salt water pool and additionally offers guests private pool deck cabanas for lounging, beach butler service, on-site spa and wellness services, a resort-owned boat with accompanying excursions and award-winning top gourmet dining options.

This recent Conde Nast Traveler ranking, follows Seven Stars’ recognition among Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice list of the ‘Top 15 Hotels & Resorts in Caribbean’, in addition to other notable accolades in 2012, including being named the World Travel Awards’ ‘Best All Suite Resort,’ receiving Travel Weekly’s Ma-gel-lan Awards silver rankings in the Luxury Hotel/Resort and Beach Resort/Hotel categories, being named About.com’s 2012 “Favorite Caribbean Hotel” and being awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for its consistent praise and impressive overall customer satisfaction.

This isPhaedrian Astwood, reporting for RTC News.

by RTC Director

West Road Ball Park Benefit Concert

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Community In Action, a not-for-profit organization based in Grand Turk, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs have announced their first OFFICIAL PARK RESTORATION PROJECT, which will see the West Road Ball, taking on a new look.

CIA is a group of residents from all walks of life who are committed and determined to develop community outreach programs, services and projects that improve lives, enrich communities and unite people. Our mission is to protect, advocate and enhance the Turks & Caicos Island communities through ongoing diligence, volunteer support and special events to improve quality of life.

CIA is sincerely committed to building state of the art playgrounds for our children as well as restoring existing parks across the Turks & Caicos, and has sought to begin here in the nation’s capital, Grand Turk.

The restoration includes installing landscape with enduring and self-sustaining plants, installation of fitness stations (such as pull up/push up/sit up bars etc), construction of gazebos, repairing public restrooms, painting of murals, basketball court to code and refurbishment of fencing

On January 9th, 2013 10AM to 3:30PM, CommUnity in Action in collaboration with the non for profit groups Positive Legacy (positivelegacy.com), A Cloud 9 Adventure (cloud9adventure.com), and Trees, Water, People (treeswaterpeople.org), we will host a BENEFIT FUNDRAISER CONCERT that fuses professional musicians & artists with the reinforcement of a community bond. Local rake n scrape musicians will be showcasing their talents alongside several international bands also guest performance by the versatile David Bowen. There will be food & beverages available.

Organizers say Volunteers, Supporters & Donations are desperately needed for this Benefit event. Tools and supplies such as rakes, gloves, garbage bags and water are also requested as items to be donated.

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO: Scotia Bank ACCT #755247 (COMMUNITY IN ACTION)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, TO MAKE DONATIONS OR VOLUNTEER PLEASE CONTACT:PHONE # 246-8222 OR 232-7683; WEBSITE - www.CIATCI.org

by RTC Director

Police arrested a man in The Bight in connection with a report of violent crime

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The Police are investigating a violent crime which happened in the Bight, Providenciales, on Wednesday morning at 11:20 am. They are regarding it as an assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The male victim told police officers that he was at his home when he was assaulted by an unidentified man after denying a request for money. The police later arrested a man in The Bight in connection with the reported incident.

by RTC Director

Police Arrests Man with Stolen Goods

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The Police are investigating a theft which was reported on Wednesday afternoon at 4:30pm.

A Grace Bay businessman told officers that sometime during 2012 (last year), he believes a man, who is known to him, stole a number of cheques and cashed them. Responding, officers later arrested a man on suspicion of handling stolen goods in relation to this report. Investigations are continuing.

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Police are appealing to the public who may have any information about these incidents to call the Police on 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.

by RTC Director

Burglaries in North Caicos

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The Police are also investigating two burglaries which happened in Bottle Creek, North Caicos. A North Caicos man told officers that he locked up his home on Christmas Eve and returned on December 27^th to discover that his home had been broken into. An Apple I-pad was stolen.

Meanwhile, a woman resident of Bottle Creek has told officers that she locked up her home sometime in November and returned

on Saturday December 22nd to discover that her home had been broken into. A Dell desktop computer, a Stand Fan and a gold chain had been taken. Investigating officers have made an arrest and the suspect is now before the courts.

by RTC Director