Arrest Warrant Isssued for Head of French Breast Implant Firm
The head of a now-defunct French breast implant company is being sought by authorities in Costa Rica for what are described as “life and death” offenses.
Jean-Claude Mas is founder of Poly Implant Prothese , a firm that was shut down last year after the discovery it was using inexpensive industrial-grade silicone to manufacture its implants. Interpol on Friday issued a “red notice” that calls for Mas's arrest.
Earlier on Friday, the French government recommended that the 30,000 women in France with the implants have them removed out of concern they could rupture. It rejected fears that they could cause cancer.
Tens of thousands of women in dozens of countries, most of them in South America and western Europe, used the implants for cosmetic surgery or to replace lost breast tissue.
Environmental Group Says Nigerian Oil Spill Stretches 900 Square Kilometers
An environmental group says an oil spill off the coast of Nigeria this past week could stretch across more than 900 square kilometers of ocean.
The U.S.-based group, SkyTruth, says it estimates from satellite images it has obtained that the slick is 70 kilometers long and spans 17 kilometers at its widest point.
Royal Dutch Shell discovered the spill Tuesday about 120 kilometers off the southern coast of Nigeria.
Shell estimates the amount of leaked oil at less than 40,000 barrels and says the spill has been stopped.
Nigeria's National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency says the amount of oil that leaked into the ocean is similar to the last major spill at a Mobil field in 1998.
Shell says the leak happened in a pipeline that transfers crude oil from a production vessel to a waiting oil tanker .
The company says it has deployed airplanes and vessels with dispersants to locate and break up the leaked
oil, which is moving towards the shore.
Trini woman in marriage scam gets 18 months in UK
A TRINIDAD-born woman will spend Christmas in a British jail after being found guilty of paying her gay hairdresser to become her husband in an attempt to avoid deportation.
Vera Jadoonanan, 39, offered her British hairdresser £10,000 to become her husband in order to boost her chances of staying in the United Kingdom.
She has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for arranging the sham marriage.
Jadoonanan, originally from this country, had been granted a two-year student visa to study in the UK but wanted to secure indefinite leave to remain there.
Due to financial circumstances, the hairdresser agreed to Jadoonanan's proposal and the couple wed at Brighton Register office in August 2006. The hairdresser was paid £4,500 at this stage.
Jadoonanan, of Commercial Road, Eastbourne, made applications for citizenship to the Home Office as the spouse of a British national.
In October 2010, Jadoonanan threatened the hairdresser if he did not support the applications she would make allegations to the police he had assaulted her.
Intimidated by these threats, the hairdresser went to the police.
Police investigations uncovered that the hairdresser was a gay man who had been living with his partner for ten years.
He had never lived at the address Jadoonanan claimed they shared as husband and wife.
Jadoonanan was charged with one count of obtaining leave to remain in the UK by deception.
On November 17, following a three-day trial, she was convicted at Lewes Crown Court.
Jadoonanan was sentenced on December 16.
Foster TD helps Houston take 13-9 lead over Indy
Arian Foster has rushed for 138 yards and the game's only touchdown to help the Houston Texans lead the Colts 13-9 at the end of the third quarter on Thursday night.
Foster's 9-yard touchdown run came less than a minute into the game, but the defenses have dominated since.
Houston quarterback T.J. Yates has completed 9 of 11 passes for 93 yards.
Indy's Dan Orlovsky has connected on 14 of 25 passes for 130 yards. Joseph Addai has 18 carries for 56 yards and Reggie Wayne has five catches for 54 yards for the Colts.
The Texans led 10-6 at halftime and got their offense going right after the break. A 30-yard run by Foster helped set up Neil Rackers for a 35-yard field goal that pushed Houston's lead to 13-6 with 10:30 left in the quarter.
The Colts rallied late in the period, but Orlovsky just missed Wayne near the goal line on a third down, and Adam Vinatieri 's 47-yard field goal cut Houston's lead to 13-9 with 54 seconds left in the quarter.
Things started badly for the Colts. On Indianapolis' first play from scrimmage, Houston's Brian Cushing sacked Orlovsky and forced him to fumble. Houston's Brooks Reed recovered at the Indianapolis 17. Two plays later, Foster's touchdown gave the Texans a 7-0 lead 54 seconds into the game.
The Colts (1-13) went three-and-out on their next drive. Houston took over at its 38-yard line, but this time, the Colts caught the break. Robert Mathis sacked Yates, forced a fumble and recovered it himself at the Houston 36-yard line. The Colts wasted the opportunity when Orlovsky was sacked by Connor Barwin at the Houston 40-yard line on third down.
Houston (10-4) punted out of its end zone on its next possession, and Indy's Pierre Garcon returned it 20 yards to the Houston 27.
Orlovsky's 12-yard completion to Austin Collie on third-and-8 set Indy up at the Houston 13. The drive stalled, and Vinatieri's 23-yard field goal cut Houston's lead to 7-3.
Houston ripped off huge chunks of yardage to start the next drive - a 29-yard pass from Yates to Kevin Walter and an 18-yard run by Foster - to move into Indianapolis territory. Eventually, the Colts' defense tightened up, and Rackers made a 44-yard field goal to push Houston's lead to 10-3 with 2:01 left in the quarter.
Indianapolis finally got its offense moving midway through the second quarter. Helped by a pass interference call and a defensive hold, the Colts pushed inside the Houston 20 before settling for a 32-yard field goal by Vinatieri that cut Houston's lead to 10-6.
The Colts got one more chance inside of two minutes, but Vinatieri missed a 42-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in the first half.
Baptiste, Daniel top Sports Desk awards
Shooter Roger Daniel and sprinter Kelly Ann Baptiste walked away with the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards during the Guardian Sports Desk’s Annual Awards Ceremony at the home of Brian Lara, Lady Chancellor Hill, last night. Other accolades went to 22-year-old West Indies batsman Darren Bravo (Emerging Sportsman of the Year) and veteran administrator John Antoine, who was recognised for his contributions to local basketball and tennis over the years. Daniel, 41, was also honoured by the Sports Desk in 2010 along with the T&T Olympic Committee and First Citizens Sports Foundation. In January, he won gold medals in the 10m Pistol and Championship events at the Hell Open Air Championships in Trondheim, Norway, becoming the first shooter from outside Europe or Asia to win the overall title at the meet.
Later that month, he shot his way to two more gold medals and the top shooter prize at the Canadian Airgun Grand Prix in Toronto, Canada. His haul included the Men’s Open Air Pistol and Masters 60-Shot Air Pistol, a feat he had also achieved in 2005. His defining moment came at the Pan Am Games in Jalisco, Mexico, in October when he won a silver medal in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol. He was one of four medallists at the Games for T&T, joining shot putter Cleopatra Borel Browne, sprinter Emmanuel Callender and cyclist Njisane Phillip. He also placed 11th in the Men’s 50m Air Pistol. Baptiste had another stellar year in 2011, having become T&T’s first female sprinter to win a global title (100m) during the IAAF Continental Cup in September, 2010. In May, 2011, she won silver in the Women’s 100m at the Jamaican International Invitational in Kingston in 10.94 seconds, trailing the USA’s Carmelita Jeter (10.86). At the Samsung Diamond League’s Paris Leg in July, she upset three time Olympic Gold medallist Veronika Campbell-Brown of Jamaica and her comrade Kerron Stewart to win the 100m in 10.91. She followed that in August with a silver medal finish (10.97) in the same event when the Diamond League stopped in London.
On August 29 in Daegu, South Korea, Baptiste won T&T’s only medal of the 13th IAAF World Championships when she placed third (10.98) in the Women’s 100m, finishing behind Jeter (10.90) and Campbell-Brown (10.97).
A week later, she joined Semoy Hackett, Michelle Lee Ahye and Kai Selvon to set a new national record (42.50) during the Women’s 4x100m heats. The quartet later went on to place fourth in the final in 43.25. Baptiste continued her good form in September, winning the 100m at the ISTAF Athletics Meet in Berlin in 11.15. A few days later, she sped to a season best time of 10.90 at the Belacom Memorial Van Damme meet in Bruxelles, Belgium, placing third . She was edged again by Jeter (10.78) and Campbell-Browne (10.85). Bravo established himself as one of international cricket’s top young batsmen in 2011, managing 949 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 49.94. He scored three hundreds in his last four Tests including his maiden century against Bangladesh (195) in Dhaka and 136 and 166 against India in Kolkatta and Mumbai respectively. He is currently ranked 20th among Test batsmen in the ICC Rankings and is the youngest player in the top 25. Also earning recognition during the evening’s function were reporters Rachael King and Nigel Simon. King was named the Sports Desk “Employee of the Year,” while Simon walked away with the “Sportswriter of The Year.” The Sports Desk also honoured librarian Wayne Headley for his 45 years of service to the company.
Manchester United defender Phil Jones set for X-ray
Manchester United defender Phil Jones is to have an X-ray after suffering a facial injury in the 5-0 win at Fulham.
Jones appeared to take a knock to the face in a challenge with Fulham forward Clint Dempsey early on in the first half at Craven Cottage.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Phil Jones got an elbow to the jaw and we'll send him for an X-ray. It doesn't look good."
Ashley Young will also be out for two to three weeks with a knee problem.
The winger was forced off in the second half after a challenge from Dickson Etuhu and is likely to miss the whole festive period.
"I thought the challenge on Ashley Young was aggressive. We're all right in the striker department, it's in other areas we are picking up injuries."
Losing England international Jones for what could be six weeks would be a major blow as the 19-year-old versatile defender has been in fine form for United since signing from Blackburn Rovers in the summer for £16m.
Ferguson already has a long injury list that includes Nemanja Vidic, Anderson, Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Fabio and Michael Owen.
Defender Rio Ferdinand also missed Wednesday's win because of a foot injury and will not be fit for the Boxing Day clash with Wigan.
United face Wigan and Blackburn at home, Newcastle away and then an FA Cup third round tie against Manchester City in 13 day's over the busy festive period.
Bonds appeals conviction on obstruction charge
Barry Bonds is officially appealing his felony obstruction conviction.
His attorneys paid $455 and filed a one-sentence notice to the federal trial court late Wednesday, saying that Bonds was asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal to toss out his conviction. The case will be randomly assigned to a three-judge panel later.
Bonds was sentenced Friday to 30 days of house arrest, two-years of probation and a $4,000 fine. But U.S. District Judge Susan Illston delayed imposition until the appeal is resolved.
Bonds appellate attorney Dennis Riordan estimated it could take as long as 18 months for a decision.
Bonds was convicted of giving an evasive answer to a grand jury investigating a Northern California-based steroids distribution ring.
AP
No. 1 Syracuse rolls to 13-0; Big East play awaits
Tulane was executing its game plan just as coach Ed Conroy had mapped it out. The Green Wave was within three points of top-ranked Syracuse late in the first half, and then in the blink of an eye any chance at a major upset disappeared.
James Southerland and Brandon Triche each hit a pair of 3-pointers to key a 19-point surge that included five straight makes from beyond the arc in the final 5:43 of the first half, and Syracuse defeated Tulane 80-61 on Thursday night to remain unbeaten.
"We executed well. We got good shots," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. "We shared the ball, and we got three or four really good extra passes. Everyone got a 3. It was just good ball movement and getting the ball to the open man."
It's the third straight season Syracuse has won its first 13 games as it prepares for the start of Big East play next week. The Orange have won three straight since reaching the top spot in the rankings 10 days ago, including victories over North Carolina State and Bucknell.
On Thursday night, the Syracuse bench did what it's been doing all season, accounting for 45 points. Five players hit at least one 3-pointer in a 10-for-21 performance from beyond the arc.
"I think that's what makes us so good is that we have so many guys that can come off the bench and score the ball to make plays," said freshman guard Michael Carter-Williams, who had seven points, three assists and no turnovers in 18 minutes. "It gives the starters time to rest so they can come out strong. Not too many teams have that."
Tulane (11-2) had faced the No. 1 team in the nation twice before, losing to Cincinnati (72-59) in January 2000 and Memphis (97-71) in February 2008. The Green Wave has never defeated a top-five team and hasn't beaten a top-10 since a 49-47 victory over No. 9 Memphis in February 1983.
Dion Waiters had 15 points, Kris Joseph added 13 and Southerland 10 for the Orange.
Kendall Timmons led Tulane with 16 points, Ricky Tarrant had 15 and Jordan Callahan 10. Josh Davis, a transfer from North Carolina State who was averaging 12.1 points and 10.2 rebounds, missed all nine shots he took and finished with three points and six rebounds.
Tulane stayed tough in the opening minutes despite finding little room inside, playing the Orange to a standstill as they worked the clock in deliberate fashion. A short jumper by Kevin Thomas knotted the score at 14-all midway through the first half, and Timmons' 3-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer moved the Green Wave within 22-19 with 6:57 left.
That was it for Tulane as the Orange's long-range attack shifted into high gear. The Green Wave missed four straight shots and were called for two shot-clock violations in the closing minutes, while Syracuse hit five straight 3-pointers to gain a 41-19 halftime lead.
"We kind of fell into the trap," Timmons said. "We got out of what we were doing and they came with a 19-point run and we were not able to climb back into it. We just have to do a better job of being mentally tough, not get into an up-and-down game."
It all started after a miss by Triche. Fab Melo tapped the rebound out to Joseph, and he hit a 3 from the left wing.
Joseph then sent Scoop Jardine off on fast-break layup and Triche hit a 3 from the right corner after quick passes around the perimeter by Jardine and Joseph.
After Melo blocked a dunk attempt by Tre Drye, it was Southerland's turn to shine. He hit another 3 from the right wing, drove the lane and fed Baye Keita for a resounding dunk, then hit a 3 from the top of the key.
Jardine ended the spurt by feeding Triche for a 3 from the right corner.
Tulane, called for three shot-clock violations in the first half, shot just 24 percent (6 of 25) and committed nine turnovers in the opening period, while the Orange hit 14 of 25 shots (56 percent), including 7 of 12 from beyond the arc. In the previous two games, Syracuse made 19 of 42 3-point attempts, a 45 percent clip.
In its win over the Wolfpack, Syracuse scored 23 straight points in a first-half spurt that took just 6:47 - about a minute longer than Thursday night's blitz.
No. 1 Syracuse rolls to 13-0; Big East play awaits
Tulane was executing its game plan just as coach Ed Conroy had mapped it out. The Green Wave was within three points of top-ranked Syracuse late in the first half, and then in the blink of an eye any chance at a major upset disappeared.
James Southerland and Brandon Triche each hit a pair of 3-pointers to key a 19-point surge that included five straight makes from beyond the arc in the final 5:43 of the first half, and Syracuse defeated Tulane 80-61 on Thursday night to remain unbeaten.
"We executed well. We got good shots," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. "We shared the ball, and we got three or four really good extra passes. Everyone got a 3. It was just good ball movement and getting the ball to the open man."
It's the third straight season Syracuse has won its first 13 games as it prepares for the start of Big East play next week. The Orange have won three straight since reaching the top spot in the rankings 10 days ago, including victories over North Carolina State and Bucknell.
On Thursday night, the Syracuse bench did what it's been doing all season, accounting for 45 points. Five players hit at least one 3-pointer in a 10-for-21 performance from beyond the arc.
"I think that's what makes us so good is that we have so many guys that can come off the bench and score the ball to make plays," said freshman guard Michael Carter-Williams, who had seven points, three assists and no turnovers in 18 minutes. "It gives the starters time to rest so they can come out strong. Not too many teams have that."
Tulane (11-2) had faced the No. 1 team in the nation twice before, losing to Cincinnati (72-59) in January 2000 and Memphis (97-71) in February 2008. The Green Wave has never defeated a top-five team and hasn't beaten a top-10 since a 49-47 victory over No. 9 Memphis in February 1983.
Dion Waiters had 15 points, Kris Joseph added 13 and Southerland 10 for the Orange.
Kendall Timmons led Tulane with 16 points, Ricky Tarrant had 15 and Jordan Callahan 10. Josh Davis, a transfer from North Carolina State who was averaging 12.1 points and 10.2 rebounds, missed all nine shots he took and finished with three points and six rebounds.
Tulane stayed tough in the opening minutes despite finding little room inside, playing the Orange to a standstill as they worked the clock in deliberate fashion. A short jumper by Kevin Thomas knotted the score at 14-all midway through the first half, and Timmons' 3-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer moved the Green Wave within 22-19 with 6:57 left.
That was it for Tulane as the Orange's long-range attack shifted into high gear. The Green Wave missed four straight shots and were called for two shot-clock violations in the closing minutes, while Syracuse hit five straight 3-pointers to gain a 41-19 halftime lead.
"We kind of fell into the trap," Timmons said. "We got out of what we were doing and they came with a 19-point run and we were not able to climb back into it. We just have to do a better job of being mentally tough, not get into an up-and-down game."
It all started after a miss by Triche. Fab Melo tapped the rebound out to Joseph, and he hit a 3 from the left wing.
Joseph then sent Scoop Jardine off on fast-break layup and Triche hit a 3 from the right corner after quick passes around the perimeter by Jardine and Joseph.
After Melo blocked a dunk attempt by Tre Drye, it was Southerland's turn to shine. He hit another 3 from the right wing, drove the lane and fed Baye Keita for a resounding dunk, then hit a 3 from the top of the key.
Jardine ended the spurt by feeding Triche for a 3 from the right corner.
Tulane, called for three shot-clock violations in the first half, shot just 24 percent (6 of 25) and committed nine turnovers in the opening period, while the Orange hit 14 of 25 shots (56 percent), including 7 of 12 from beyond the arc. In the previous two games, Syracuse made 19 of 42 3-point attempts, a 45 percent clip.
In its win over the Wolfpack, Syracuse scored 23 straight points in a first-half spurt that took just 6:47 - about a minute longer than Thursday night's blitz.
CIBC First Caribbean Bank on Christmas campaign to raise funds for President’s Charities Foundation
CIBC First Caribbean is determined to give back to those for whom this sentiment might not be true, and for those whom the Christmas spirit may be thwarted by difficult circumstances.
In its ongoing Christmas campaign, the Bank has made a pledge to distribute one percent of net retail sales made on its suite of Visa Classic and Visa Gold credit card products to charities in each of 15 countries across the Caribbean.
In Dominica, the President’s Charities Foundation Incorporated has been adopted as that special charity. The President’s Charities Foundation Inc. is a registered nonprofit organization founded by His Excellency Dr. Nicholas J. O. Liverpool, President of Dominica, with its prime purpose of raising funds for distribution among charitable organizations in the society.
The Foundation was formally incorporated in July 2006 and has from the year 2004 been involved in the hosting of the President’s Charities Foundation Dinner and Dance to raise funds for constructive and worthwhile social and community oriented projects and organizations or individuals throughout Dominica. The foundation also hosts a Christmas party for underprivileged children between the Ages of 5 and 12 from various parts of the Island. While the Foundation always welcomes donations from the community, CIBC First Caribbean wants to make sure that its pledge is extra special.
Deputy Chairman of the foundation Mr. Antoine Raffoul expressed profound thanks to the Bank for what he called its thoughtfulness in adopting the Foundation as the recipient of the banks generous offer. He said that the money will augment the amount given to the various organizations which benefit from the President’s foundation.
According to Managing Director of Retail Banking of CIBC First Caribbean, Rolf Phillips, the decision was an easy one that is in synch with the Bank’s continued commitment to a wide range of educational, humanitarian, youth development and entrepreneurship programmes that benefit a wide cross-section of people across the region.
Country Head Paul Frampton stated that the Bank had a special affiliation with the President’s Charities Foundation Inc. and was always keen on supporting this very special cause.
The Christmas campaign will climax on December 31st 2011 and thereafter the funds will be transferred.
Dominica Vibes News