JLP gears up for annual conference
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says its upcoming annual conference will be focused on having face to face discussion with delegates island wide on the party’s way forward.
This is the JLP's first annual conference since two massive electoral defeats.
Acting JLP chairman Senator Robert Montague says in light of those defeats, it is important that the Party give its delegates an opportunity to speak to the leadership.
He says, it is also important that the Party listens to its base so as to help formulate policies going forward.
Montaque says he is anticipating vibrant and vigorous debates at the one-day conference that is scheduled for Sunday at the Jamaica Conference Centre.
The conference will be held under the theme: Vision, Focus, Build Connect.
Meanwhile, JLP Leader Andrew Holness says the new conference format is part of an attempt to ensure a focused approach by delegates.
Holness says Jamaicans who are not members of the JLP can attend the conference and will be given observer status.
Source- Jamaica Glenaer
Kartel Trial hits snag
The trial of dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel hit a snag when it was called up for mention in the Corporate Area Resident Magis-trate's Court yesterday. Kartel was before the courts for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer is charged jointly with Andre 'Pim Pim' Henry and fellow entertainer Vanessa 'Gaza Slim' Saddler.
The conspiracy case did not get under way today because the prosecution had not served all the required documents on the defence. Saddler and Henry are out on bond. However, Vybz Kartel remains in remand.
Allegations are that Kartel and Gaza Slim were part of a plot to undermine police investigation into the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.
Kartel has been fingered in the killing as well as the plot to kill Williams, whose body has not been found.
Saddler had filed a report with the Constant Spring police claiming that Williams assaulted her during a robbery in Havendale, St Andrew, last year.
Her claim was made five days after Kartel was charged with William's murder.
It is believed that Saddler and the other co-accused fabricated the story to make it appear that Williams was still alive.
Two Killed in Bicycle Bomb Blast in Pakistan
Pakistani police say two people were killed and 10 wounded when a bomb planted on a bicycle exploded in southwestern Pakistan.
The device exploded on a road near Quetta, the capital of restive Baluchistan province, as a military convoy passed by. Some of the people injured were paramilitary soldiers. Vehicles were also damaged in the blast.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Baluchistan has been the scene of sectarian violence, militant attacks and unrest linked to a low-level insurgency. Baluch rebels have been fighting for political autonomy and a greater share of the province's natural resources.
CIA Denies Petraeus’ Mistress Claim It Took Prisoners in Benghazi
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is denying a claim by former CIA chief David Petraeus' mistress and biographer that the agency detained militants in Libya before the September attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
CIA spokesman Preston Golson said “any suggestion that the agency is still in the detention business is uninformed and baseless.”
In January 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama stripped the CIA of its power to take prisoners. The decision meant the CIA could no longer operate secret jails around the world.
In a talk last month at the University of Denver Petraeus biography author Paula Broadwell said the Benghazi attack was an attempt to free militia members held at a CIA annex in the city. Four Americans were killed in the attack, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens.
The university posted a video of the speech on YouTube. Broadwell did not say where she got the Benghazi information, but said it was “still being vetted.” Some reports suggest she may have gotten the details from a report by FOX News, which she cited as a source for other information.
Because of Broadwell's relationship with Petraeus and what she has described as “unprecedented access” to the four-star general, some have raised concerns about whether she may also have had access to classified information.
U.S. officials have said the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined there were no security breaches as a result of Petraeus' relationship with Broadwell. But on Monday, FBI agents entered Broadwell's home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Agents could be seen carrying bags and boxes into the house, which the author shares with her husband and two young sons.
Broadwell has not been seen at the home since Petraeus resigned Friday, citing the affair.
There have also been reports that investigators found classified documents on Broadwell's computer. The material was reportedly related to Afghanistan, where Petraeus was the commander of U.S. and NATO forces when Broadwell was researching her book about him.The New York Times cited an unnamed government official as saying both Broadwell and Petraeus denied he had given her the documents.
Greece Sells Bonds to Avoid Default Friday
Cash-strapped Greece has raised the money it needs to help it avoid a default later this week, but says it still urgently needs more bailout funds in the coming days.
The Athens government sold more than $5 billion in bonds Tuesday, which coupled with other cash will allow it to pay off more than $6 billion in financial obligations it owes on Friday.
Greece has adopted another round of austerity measures demanded by its international lenders in an effort to secure another $40 billion segment of its second bailout in the last two years.
Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras warned the European Parliament that Greece has its financial limits and that if the new bailout money is not forthcoming soon there is a “very high” risk the country would default on future debt payments.
Finance ministers in the 17-nation euro currency bloc have yet to release the money, but French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici says the funds could be disbursed to Greece by the end of November.
“The message we gave is a positive message to Greece. Greece is making great efforts to respect its engagements. It adopted a package of reforms, as well as the budget for 2013. All of that was voted on the 7th of November and on Sunday the Troika gave it a positive assessment. It's a preliminary analysis that will have to be confirmed in the next few days, but we wanted to salute this effort.”
The finance ministers approved a plan to give Greece an extra two years — to 2016 — to cut its debt. But the country's economy is in dire straits, with more than a quarter of its workers unemployed. Greece is headed to a sixth year of recession in 2013.
European leaders say they want Greece to stay in the eurozone. Economic analyst Robert Halver of the Baader Bank said the possibility of a Greek departure from the currency bloc has come — and gone.
“It is a political consideration to keep Greece in the eurozone, and if they would leave now – even if it would make economic sense – it would be harmful for certain politicians. We also know that the euro crisis would then pick up again because it would almost be a joke to let the Greeks leave now. It would have made a lot more sense to make that move two years ago before sacrificing all stability criteria.”
Obama Meeting with Union Leaders on US Fiscal Cliff
U.S. labor leaders are meeting with President Barack Obama Tuesday, calling on him to reject deep cuts in pensions and health care for the elderly as he works to resolve crucial government financial issues by the end of the year.
Newly re-elected, Mr. Obama is turning this week toward a series of talks at the White House with union chiefs, corporate executives and congressional leaders about the country's looming “fiscal cliff.” The financial precipice comprises $600 billion in mandated spending cuts and tax increases set to take effect January 1. They are contentious provisions the president and his Republican political opponents are seeking to avoid, but have been unable to reach agreement on for two years.
Major U.S. labor organizations lent vast funding and campaign support for Mr. Obama's re-election victory last week over Republican challenger Mitt Romney. They share the president's wish to increase taxes on the country's wealthiest households, those making more than $250,000 a year, a tax law change opposed by Mr. Obama's Republican opponents in Congress.
But the labor leaders are also seeking assurances from Mr. Obama that he will maintain current spending for the government pension and health care plans for the elderly. The extent of spending for the two social programs is likely to be a focal point of negotiations between the White House and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, Mr. Obama is planning a news conference, as well as talks with executives from some of America's largest corporations, such as General Electric and American Express. Many of the U.S.'s most prominent financial titans supported Mr. Romney in the campaign, but the president is hoping to enlist their support in persuading Republican lawmakers to vote for increasing taxes on the wealthiest families as part of what he has called a “balanced” plan of cutting spending and increasing government revenue.
The chief executives of 17 big U.S. companies have written lawmakers urging them to reach a compromise on the spending and tax issues.
Mr. Obama is meeting Friday with congressional leaders about how to resolve their long-standing stalemate. The president is leaving Washington Saturday on a four-day trip to Asia.
Three Die in Italy Floods
Heavy rainfall and flooding has left at least three people dead in central Italy.
Authorities say three power utility workers died when their car fell off a collapsed bridge in Tuscany late Monday.
Thousands of people lost power as towns were cut off by rising waters that washed out roads, flooded homes and disrupted train service to and from the region.
The floods have also affected parts of northern Italy, including the tourist city of Venice, which saw some of the worst flooding on record.
Water levels in the city are now receding.
H.E Governor Todd Swears in New Premier & Cabinet
His Excellency Governor Ric Todd swore in Dr Rufus Ewing of the Progressive National Party (PNP) as the new Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) today, Tue, 13 Nov 2012.
This ceremony took place at the Governor's Office in Grand Turk following the PNP's victory in the TCI general election which took place on Fri, 9 Nov 2012.
The PNP won eight seats in the House of Assembly, with People's Democratic Movement (PDM) seven.
Following his swearing in, Premier Ewing will now advise the Governor of his intended Ministers.
Once advised, His Excellency intends to swear in the new Ministers at his residence in Waterloo, Grand Turk, at 9.00am on Wed, 14 Nov.
This will be ahead of their first Cabinet Meeting, which is chaired by the Governor, at 10.00am tomorrow in the NJS Francis Assembly Building also in Grand Turk. The other members of the Cabinet include the Deputy Governor, Anya Williams, and Attorney General Huw Shepheard.
One of the first agenda points will be to decide when the TCI House of Assembly will be recalled. This is expected to be w/c 26 Nov, but this is for Cabinet to decide.
"As I have said throughout the election process, this marks the beginning of a new Chapter in the history of the TCI," said Governor Todd.
"It is a real honour and privilege to swear in a Premier. I look forward to working with Premier Ewing and his Ministerial team to continue the ongoing effort to make the TCI a more open, accountable and better managed society. We have much to do and we both look forward to jointly facing our challenges."
Police Incidents and updates
On Saturday 10 November 2012 , members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Street Crime Unit conducted a stop and search on a vehicle with two occupants - 15 year old and 40 year old males. During the search both males were found in possession of 463.0 grams each of suspected Cannabis.
The 15year old male was charged for possession of controlled drugs and possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
The 40 year old male was charged for possession of controlled drugs, possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, resisting and obstruction.
Both subjects were taken to the court on today’s date where they plead not guilty. Matter is adjourned until the Thursday 11 April 2013.
Also, a 27 year old male of Five Cays was arrested by Traffic Officers on a Commitment warrant for (2) counts of unlicensed vehicle as well as a bench warrant for the offences of unlicensed driving and using motor vehicle without insurance.
Meanwhile, a 52 year old male, Ruben Missick, was arrested by Traffic Officers on a Commitment Warrant for two (2) counts of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and was subsequently taken before the Magistrate where he plead guilty and sentence to twenty (21) days Imprisonment.
Governor Election statement
Following the recount of the ballots that resulted in the PNP winning 8 to 7,His Excellency Governor Ric Todd said: “Now that we have the results of the elections, I would like to add my congratulations to those expressed by Minister Mark Simmonds," said Governor Ric Todd. “Both the election and the result are indeed the start of a new chapter in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).” “I very much look forward to swearing in Premier Elect Ewing later this morning, and then his team of Ministers on Wednesday. As Chair of the Cabinet, I will convene the first session tomorroe and one of the agenda items will be to make the arrangement for recalling the House of Assembly. I hope that this can take place the following week. This is for Cabinet to decide. “Reflecting on the election and its campaign, I would like to extend my gratitude to the parties and candidates for conducting it in such a calm and orderly fashion. “The turnout was quite remarkable and demonstrates the significance of these historic events to the people of these Islands. The patience, fortitude and good humour of the TCI electorate through the clearly lengthy voting process was inspirational. “A special word of thanks, however, must go to the Elections Office and their staff at the 17 polling stations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. They worked unstintingly on Friday through Saturday, and some of them again today at the All Island recount. Their dedication and professionalism to ensuring the proper execution of this election in keeping with our laws was quite simply a fantastic effort. I would like to personally thank them all for making this election so successful. “Finally, I would like to pledge my ongoing dedication to working jointly with the new Premier, Cabinet and Legislative Assembly Members In the interest of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”