U.S. attorney general closes Clinton email case, says no charges
The investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of private email while secretary of state is over, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Wednesday, removing a legal cloud that threatened the presumptive Democratic nominee's presidential bid.
Lynch said she accepted the Federal Bureau of Investigation's recommendations that no charges be brought in the probe, as Republicans made clear they would not let Clinton's email headaches fade away easily.
"I received and accepted their unanimous recommendation that the thorough, year-long investigation be closed and that no charges be brought against any individuals within the scope of the investigation," Lynch said in a statement.
With the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential and congressional elections beginning to heat up, Republicans called on the administration to make public key documents in the Clinton email case.
Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, speaking at a campaign rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, accused Clinton, his likely Democratic opponent, of bribing Lynch to decide not to press charges.
He was referring to reports, including in the New York Times this week that Clinton, if elected president, might ask Lynch to stay on as attorney general.
"She said she’s going to reappoint the attorney general and the attorney general is waiting to make a determination as to whether or not she’s guilty. And boy was that a fast determination, wow," Trump said, adding, "That's bribery folks."
On Capitol Hill, Representative Steve Sca-lise, the No. 3 House of Representatives Republican, reacted to Lynch's announcement by proclaiming: "Secretary Clinton broke the law and lied about it."
Senior Senate Republicans insisted that the FBI's investigation be made available to the public, including a transcript of the more than three hours Clinton spent last Saturday in an interview conducted by the agency.
C'bean countries to tighten rules for investors seeking citizenship
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP) – Caribbean island nations on Wednesday discussed boosting security to ensure terrorists and other criminals do not gain citizenship by posing as investors.
Grenada's Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said that although the island's citizenship-by-investment program has provided a major source of revenue, the government is not prepared to sacrifice its national security.
"We have to come to terms with that, that in this global terrorism atmosphere that we are now dealing with, we have to be extremely careful that one incident, one person being allowed in our region can in fact create havoc," he told reporters at a Caribbean leaders' annual summit being held in Guyana, where the topic has been under discussion.
Having tightened its screening process, Grenada has rejected even some applicants approved by international partners based on anecdotal information, he added.
One country's policies affect the others because the European Union-style free-movement regime of the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) allows Caribbean nationals to travel freely throughout the region without visas.
St Kitts and Nevis -- which pioneered selling citizenship to investors for as much as $500,000 per applicant, but whose economy depends chiefly on tourism -- credited the revenue source with funding the construction of internationally recognised hotels.
Keen eye on Antigua - Golding Commission says Sandals/Antigua dispute on its radar for perceived unfair practices
The Bruce Golding-led Caricom Review Commission indicated yesterday that the current dispute between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaican-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI) had come up on its radar, in respect of the issue of perceived unfair practices.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently withdrew a tax concession agreement that Sandals had signed with the previous Baldwin Spencer Government in 2009, saying it was illegal and accusing the hotel of not paying over sales tax under the agreement.
Sandals has hit back that Browne’s decision was done unilaterally, without notice and without any evidence of wrongdoing on the hotel’s part. SRI has also said it would sue the Antigua Government for defaming its vaunted international brand.
At the first meeting of his star-studded 17-member commission, Golding was asked by journalists if the review body was aware of the dispute and what approach, if any, it would take to seek a resolution.
“Yes, it has come up on our radar in a generic way, because it would have to do with the question of perceived unfair practices,” Golding, the former Jamaican prime minister, said.
Commenting on Browne’s accusations of withholding taxes, Sandals insisted that it had been operating in Antigua and Barbuda since 1992 and had consistently been audited by Price-Waterhouse-Coopers, and more recently by Grant Thornton International, as well as by the Government’s own tax department and “never has there been cause for any such accusations”.
Sandals CEO to give keynote address at State of the Tourism Industry Conference
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Chief executive officer of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart, will outline his vision for Caribbean tourism at the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC), scheduled to be held here in September.
Barbados’ minister of tourism and international transport, Richard Sealy, who made the announcement yesterday, said Stewart’s presentation will focus on the conference theme “Honouring our legacy, defining our future”.
“Sandals is an influential Caribbean brand. Its impact on the economies of the countries in which it operates, and the other benefits it brings, such as immense global exposure which we otherwise could not afford, cannot be missed,” Sealy said at a news conference at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) headquarters here.
Described as “a maverick on a mission, an energetic change agent, and an innovator who is not constrained by convention”, Stewart is expected to share his views on the opportunities that lie ahead for Caribbean tourism and what must be done to cash in on these opportunities.
Stewart’s presentation is expected to draw his experiences in leading the growth and expansion of the global brand since he took over as its chief executive officer at the age of 25.
Another leading presenter will be Craig Landry, the president of Air Canada Leisure Group.
Landry oversees the Air Canada Vacations tour operator business and the leisure airline Air Canada Rouge, both of which are important partners and stakeholders in Caribbean tourism. Canada is itself a long-standing and critically important tourism partner for the region.
“The combination of a keynoter who is the chief executive officer of the Caribbean’s foremost hotel brand – Adam Stewart of Sandals – and a featured speaker who is from Air Canada, signals the importance we attach to our vision for the Caribbean,” stated Hugh Riley, the CTO’s secretary general.
Update on Police Officer who was shot whilst on duty
Meanwhile, the RTCIPF last evening provided an Update on the Police Officer who was shot whilst on duty. Police Constable #219 Ked-kri-zia Missick who was shot while arriving on the scene of a robbery on Monday 4th July 2016 has been released from the hospital.
Missick, a female officer, is attached to the Tactical Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for the past 10 months with 9 years of service was shot just above the knee by an unknown person who had just finish committing a Robbery at the Petro Plus Gas Station on Millennium Highway, Providenciales. She was transported to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she was seen and treated for her injury which did not require any surgery.
Superintendant in charge of Tactical Unit, Darron Williams, said the shooting shows the dangerous nature of the job. “This goes to show the dangers police officers face each day, I am happy that her injuries were not serious or life-threatening and I am hopeful for her speedy recovery and is grateful for the many expressions of concern and support on her behalf,” said Williams.
Police Investigates robberies
Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating two reports of robbery that occurred last night (Wednesday 6th July 2016) on Providenciales.
The first incident was reported at 4:04PM when complainant reported on behalf of two persons who told him that while on North West Point Beach, they were robbed by two masked men who pointed a gun at them and demanded money. The men were described as 6’2” dark complexion and athletic built, the other was about 6’0 light skin and slim built. Their faces were covered with one wearing a Rasta colored bandana.
The culprits got away with a white scooter and a straw bag contained clothing, cellular phone, a Go Pro camera and a small amount of cash. Police were dispatched to the area where an extensive search was conducted for the two suspects. The scooter was later recovered and a 46-year-old male suspect was arrested. The other man is still on the run.
The second incident was reported at 9:39PM, the complainant contacted 911 Central and reported that some guests were robbed by an unknown male with a knife.
The victims told officers that they were walking along the beach heading towards to the Alexandria Resort when they were approached by a 5'7" black man with a broken accent wearing a black hoodie and a Short Dickie Pants. The man held on to one of the victim's neck and demanded money. He was able to get away with a small amount of cash and a wallet containing documents.
Officers made checks around the area but no one fitting the description was seen.
No one was injured in both incidents. Investigators are ongoing for both incidents. If you have information that can help the police in their investigation please contact Chalk Sound Police Station 338-5901.
To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800 8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. The information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force
Another armed robbery has landed in the laps of officers of the RTCIPF in Providenciales – a crime perpetrated against tourists. According to Police, shortly after 4pm Wednesday, Police Officers were dispatched to the North West Point area of Providenciales where two persons stated that they were robbed at gunpoint.
The Police have arrested one of the suspects and are currently searching for a second man who is said to be dressed in black clothing. Police are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area of Phase 1 and 2 and may have noticed such person please call 338-5901.
Police warn that the suspect may be armed and dangerous. RTC News hopes to have an update on this latest crime during our 1:30 news today.
Obama and Clinton: a special and pragmatic relationship
In a highly significant move, a "fired up" President Obama took to the stage in North Carolina to offer his unequivocal backing to his former rival turned ally, Hillary Clinton. Pragmatic partnership has replaced the bitterness and distrust which characterised the 2008 presidential campaign.
They strode on stage under the banner "Stronger Together". They held hands, arms raised up high, in a sign of unity. She wore a vibrant fuchsia jacket, he was in a white shirt, his sleeves rolled up. They were "fired up, ready to go", ready to make their case for a Clinton presidency, one that would build on the Obama legacy.
It was the strongest moment yet in Hillary Clinton's campaign and a mesmerising image of two former rivals turned allies, their political destinies now deeply intertwined.
She spoke first, as he sat on a stool behind her. They paid tribute to each other, their work, leadership and most importantly for her, their character.
"He's a statesman, leading not just our country but the entire world," she said. The president later said: "My faith in Hillary Clinton has always been rewarded."
The morning had been overtaken by the drama of the FBI's final findings after months of investigation into Clinton's unusual private email set-up as secretary of state. There would be no charges, but the FBI said she had been ''extremely careless'', leaving a heavy cloud hanging over her campaign.
Neither Mrs Clinton nor the president addressed the controversy in their remarks, focusing on the unique and unlikely relationship they had forged.
Oscar Pistorius given six years for Reeva Steenkamp murder
South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
It comes after his initial five-year conviction for manslaughter was changed to murder last December on appeal. He was taken immediately to jail. Both the prosecution and defense can appeal, but his lawyers say they will not. Pistorius, 29, shot Reeva Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door in February 2013. He admitted shooting her, but said he mistook Ms. Steenkamp for an intruder and acted out of fear.
In an hour-long session, Judge Tho-ko-zile Ma-sipa said mitigating circumstances, such as rehabilitation and remorse, outweighed aggravating factors for deviating from the prescribed 15-year sentence for murder. Many here have expressed shock at Pistorius's sentence, which is much less than the prescribed minimum for murder. South Africans have taken to social media to express their unhappiness, with some describing the prison term as an insult.
Outside court, legal experts said the sentence was too little. "The judge was sympathetic and empathetic to Pistorius. It was clear in the tone of her entire judgement " one said. But Judge Masipa said she carefully considered the circumstances around Reeva Steenkamp's death and her sentence needed to be fair to both Pistorius and the family of the deceased. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and some say a short sentence will send the wrong message to would-be-offenders.
Venezuelan women push past border controls for food
About 500 Venezuelan women in search of food have broken through border controls separating the western state of Tachira from neighbouring Colombia. The women said their families were going hungry because of severe food shortages in Venezuela. Hours later, they crossed back into Venezuela carrying basic goods and singing the Venezuelan anthem.
Venezuela is going through an economic crisis and many Venezuelans say they struggle to feed their families. The women said they had organised to meet at the border via the instant messaging service WhatsApp. Dressed in white, they gathered on the bridge linking the cities of Urena (I-RAY-NEE-YA) in Venezuela and Cucuta in Colombia.
Hundreds of them pushed past the Venezuelan National Guard and walked across the border, which has been closed for almost a year. One of the women told Colombian media: "We're desperate, we have nothing: no cooking oil, no sugar, no rice." Venezuela closed large parts of its border with Colombia in August 2015 to prevent subsidised good from being smuggled from Venezuela into Colombia.