LIME ‘CLOUD’ GIVES MORE TO BUSINESS CUSTOMERS IN THE REGION
Telecoms Company LIME announced that it will be expanding its suite of LIME Cloud services across its 13 markets in the region starting immediately.
The LIME Cloud, which is part of its Managed Services solutions, will be upgraded to include hosted voice, desktop video conferencing, hosted e-mail and web hosting, in an effort to ensure that more businesses have access to the range of services available in the ‘Cloud’.
The LIME Cloud provides businesses with options which range from built-in disaster recovery (hosted voice) to infrastructure as a service (servers in the cloud) to significant savings on the expense of capital equipment required for services such as video conferencing
In announcing the expansion of services Managing Director of Products and Services at LIME, Ian Galt said “Global trends are creating opportunities for businesses through cloud solutions and we have packaged the LIME Cloud to help businesses meet the demands of the modern world while controlling and, in some cases eliminating some operational costs. We are leveraging our expertise and our understanding of useful and superior business solutions for our customers’ benefit.”
Emphasising the immediate benefits for customers, Galt said, “we focus on ‘simplicity and scalability’ which means we are able to tailor solutions to match the scale of each business, without the usual complexities.”
“Our Managed Services can be made available to small businesses, large corporations and any companies in between because we scale our offerings for each company’s requirements and budget,” he added.
Managed Services – which can be defined as ‘management by an outside third party of an organisation’s services and equipment related to computers, networks and software – has been trending globally as the best way to efficiently use digital and computer technology to achieve business goals. 2009 data from Forrester Research suggests that by 2013 “globally, managed services will represent over US$190 billion.”
ACG research forecasts that SMEs have been spending an average 126% more on Managed Services since last year. And other experts claim that 51% of companies are already using some form of Cloud Computing.
The backbone of LIME’s Cloud Service is supported by various world renowned industry experts.
“All of our partners are among the best in their fields with very high service levels and LIME will able to draw from their best in class service offerings to provide effective solutions for any business,” Mr. Galt said.
Among other Multinational Providers, LIME is providing its Managed Services in collaboration with international corporations that are global leaders in specific market segments. BCS Global Networks Limited, a leading worldwide provider of managed visual collaboration services is LIME’s video conferencing solutions partner; while LIME is working with Terremark, a leading global provider of utility-enabled managed IT infrastructure solutions and Rackspace, a global leader in hosting and cloud computing to provide Hosted Email Services.
Fifth man charged in $65 million security heist
A fifth man is to be charged jointly with the four already held in connection with the robbery of $65 million from a team of security guards in February.
The case was set for trial today in the Gun Court but was put off to allow the crown to add Vernon Elliott, who is the alleged the mastermind behind the robbery, to the list of accused men.
The accused are Oral Chin, Andre Malcolm, Corriann Collins and Courtney Getten.
It is being alleged that in February this year security guards employed to a company in Kingston were transporting money to two banks in the Corporate Area.
While they were travelling on East Road, off Hagley Park Road, a blue Honda motor car collided with their vehicle.
The guards reportedly got out of the vehicle to assess the damage.
Men from the Honda motorcar reportedly robbed them at gun-point of money, a firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition.
The men are to return to the Gun Court on December 8 when a trial date will be set.
Vybz Kartel gets bail
Controversial dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel, was granted $3 million bail today with relation to one of the murder charges against him.
Bail was offered by Supreme Court judge, Justice Bertram Morrison in relation to the case involving the murder of St. Catherine businessman, Barrington Burton.
Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, has been ordered to report to the Constant Spring Police Station everyday as part of the conditions of his bail.
The bail application was made in chambers by his attorneys, Tom Tavares-Finson and Christian Tavares-Finson.
However, he will not be able to take up the bail offer as he has another case – relating to the August murder of Clive Williams – pending in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's (RM) Court.
Williams was beaten and stabbed at a house in Havendale, St. Andrew.
Kartel will return to the RM court tomorrow, when the matter is set to be called up.
The lawyers are also planning to make a bail application in relation to that case.
Katy Perry laughs off divorce rumors
Katy Perry's life is becoming a soap opera.
At least, that's how the pop star sees it, given all the rumors surrounding her in recent days.
First, there was speculation that she was expecting, which she colorfully denied. Now, there have been rumors that her marriage is on the rocks -- something Perry also denied Wednesday night with a joke on Twitter.
"First I'm pregnant & then I'm divorced. What am I All My Children?!" she quipped.
Earlier Wednesday night, Perry helped announce the Grammy nominations at a live concert in Los Angeles, where she sported her wedding ring. (Perry also snagged two nominations herself.)
Perry, 27, and Brand, 36, were married in October 2010 in a lavish ceremony -- that included two elephants as well as acrobats and jugglers -- at a luxury resort in northern India.
Since then, they've had nothing but fawning words for one another in interviews, with Perry calling Brand her great man of God, and he gushing about his spiritual and emotional connection to his bride.
41,000 added to voters’ list in Jamaica
THE names of 41,607 eligible electors have been added to the new voters’ list published by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica yesterday.
At the same time, the names of 5,636 electors confirmed as dead have been deleted.
This now brings to 1,648,036 the total number of persons registered to vote. The previous list, published in May of this year, contained 1,612,065.
“The total number added reflects the names of all persons who registered from the beginning of the registration phase on April 1 to the registration deadline on September 30. Persons who registered after the September 30 deadline will not be added until the next list is published on May 31, 2012,” said Director of Elections Orrette Fisher.
He added that the Electoral Office will now move towards producing the 41,607 voter identification cards for the electors just added to the list.
“We will now begin printing ID cards for these persons, which we anticipate will be ready for distribution to the constituency offices in approximately one week. The public will be advised once the cards are available for collection from the constituency offices,” said Fisher.
The national voters’ list, which is the complete list of persons registered and eligible to vote, is updated and released every six months — on May 31 and November 30. Persons who wish to be added to the May list must register on or before March 31, 2012.
The online voters’ list database will be fully updated today, December 1, and persons wishing to check their names may do so at www.ecj.com.jm.
Printed copies of the new list will be placed at constituency offices, post offices and other select public buildings.
Cops want ‘Gaza Slim’
THE police have listed Vanessa Saddler o/c ‘Vanessa Bling’ and ‘Gaza Slim’ as a person of interest.
Detectives say several attempts have been made to contact Saddler but to date they have been unable to locate her.
‘Gaza Slim’ is asked to report to police personnel at the Constant Spring Police Station by 12:00 noon tomorrow.
TCIG Statement re Meetings with CSA
In the ongoing negotiations between the CSA and the Interim Government, RTC News has received the following release:
“Our negotiating team intends to meet with the Civil Service Association on Thursday 1st December to continue discussions on the terms and conditions of employment of TCI government employees.
You may recall we last met the CSA on Wednesday 23rd November after which we responded positively to a number of the CSA’s suggestions, including:
- That voluntary severance payments should be based on salaries before the 10 percent reduction imposed last year
- Our intention to slow down the pace of the voluntary severance program, and
- An offer of further discussions with the CSA and the wider public service, about the totality of the public service remuneration package, including the phasing out of the 10 percent salary reduction, improvements to the pension scheme, gratuities, bonuses, etc. as soon as money becomes available.
The government’s negotiating team, led by Susan Malcolm and Mark Greenway, and including Chief Financial Officer Hugh McGarel-Groves will now have detailed discussions with the CSA with a view to averting further strikes and beginning the detailed consultation process outline at (3) above.
I welcome the return to work by public servants today following the two day strike on Monday and Tuesday, and look forward to government services getting back to normal.”
Getting to Zero in the TCI
A target of zero tolerance for stigma and discrimination as the TCI joins the rest of the world in remembering those who died from and those living with HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day, December 1st 2011.
The international theme for this year’s observance is “Getting to Zero” which refers to zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS related deaths. The TCI’s AIDS Department has used this to create a local theme “Getting to Zero through Community Participation towards Eradication,”
AIDS Coordinator, Aldora Robinson stated:
“We have a very high level of stigma and discrimination still within our communities and we seriously need to work on this. Getting to zero discrimination would reduce the amount of persons who present for treatment and care late, zero discrimination would reduce the amount of persons who not only present late, but often die simply because of fear of discrimination.
As I normally say and will continue to say, in order for TCI to reduce the impact of HIV on our society we need to change our behavior and attitudes. Nelson Mandela once said “you can never change society if you haven’t changed yourself.”
The Department said it undertook several successful programmes over the past year geared towards behaviour change. It has revised the healthy living curriculum within the primary and high schools bringing it in line with the regional Health Family Life Education (HFLE); strengthened local capacity to develop policies; re-established a multi-sectoral committee for a more board based approach; and set up a health and wellness programme for the tourism sector with a promise to assist the sector early in the new year with its work plan activities.
The Department has also completed two research studies to inform its strategic decisions and ensure that they are evidence based and sustainable.
“Over the years much has been done; knowledge has increased through our various prevention efforts, access to treatment and care has increased, awareness of human rights for persons living with HIV has improved and there has been progress made in the area of policy and legislation”, Robinson said.
The Department said its staff did an outstanding job over the year, despite the lost of one of its former staff-member, Mrs. Keziah Nash.
Its advice to the TCI on this world AIDS Day and the following holiday season is:
“Season’s greetings and remember to stay safe, abstain, be faithful to one partner or use a condom. Watch your drinking as it impairs your judgment and put you at risk for contracting HIV. Get tested, know your status!”
Adele all the rage at Grammy nominations
Even though Kanye West walked off with the most Grammy nominations Wednesday night, the chatter backstage was all about Adele.
West's seven nominations was one more than that of the 23-year-old British songstress. And she was the clear favorite among many of the artists to take home the most trophies at next February's awards show.
"I feel sorry for anybody whose got to go up against Adele this year," said country artist Jason Aldean, who said he was thankful Adele was not competing in the three categories he is nominated for.
Bruno Mars's "Doo Wops & Holligans" is pitted against Adele's "21" for album of the year and record of the year.
Mars gathered six nominations Wednesday, adding to the seven he got last year.
"Adele's awesome, but I heard she beats up little puppies," Mars joked backstage after the live Grammys nominations telecast Wednesday night.
Kimberly Perry, lead vocalist for best new artist nominee The Band Perry, said Adele's "21" album is the most-often played music on the group's tour bus.
It's uncertain if Adele will have recovered enough from this month's throat surgery to sing at the February 12 show, Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said. The procedure to repair a "recurrent vocal cord hemorrhage" forced cancellation of the remainder of her 2011 shows.
Wednesday night's one-hour Grammy nominations telecast began and ended with Lady Gaga performances, including a finale with country duo Sugarland.
Gaga, nominated in three categories, is up against Adele for the highest honor -- album of the year -- with "Born This Way."
In addition to Adele, Mars and Gaga, the album of the year nominees include Foo Fighters' "Wasting Light" and Rihanna's "Loud."
Other artists with impressive collections of nominations include Lil Wayne and Skrillex with five each.
Indie favorites Bon Iver is up for four Grammys, including best new artist, best song and best record.
Album Of The Year:
21— Adele
Wasting Light— Foo Fighters
Born This Way— Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans — Bruno Mars
Loud — Rihanna
Record Of The Year:
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele
"Holocene" — Bon Iver
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars
"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons
"Firework" — Katy Perry
Best New Artist:
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex
Song Of The Year:
"All Of The Lights" — Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters
(Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
"The Cave" — Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
"Grenade" — Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt,
songwriters (Bruno Mars)
"Holocene" — Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)
POP FIELD
Best Pop Solo Performance
"Someone Like You" — Adele
"Yoü And I" — Lady Gaga
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars
"Firework" — Katy Perry
"F***in' Perfect" — Pink
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
"Body And Soul" — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
"Dearest" — The Black Keys
"Paradise" — Coldplay
"Pumped Up Kicks" — Foster The People
"Moves Like Jagger" — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera
DANCE FIELD
Best Dance Recording:
"Raise Your Weapon" — Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech
"Barbra Streisand" — Duck Sauce
"Sunshine" — David Guetta & Avicii
"Call Your Girlfriend" — Robyn
"Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" — Skrillex
"Save The World" — Swedish House Mafia
ROCK FIELD
Best Rock Performance:
"Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" — Coldplay
"Down By The Water" — The Decemberists
"Walk" — Foo Fighters
"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons
"Lotus Flower" — Radiohead
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance:
"On The Backs Of Angels" — Dream Theater
"White Limo" — Foo Fighters
"Curl Of The Burl"— Mastodon
"Public Enemy No. 1" — Megadeth
"Blood In My Eyes"— Sum 41
Best Rock Album:
Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul— Jeff Beck
Wasting Light— Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown— Kings Of Leon
I'm With You— Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love— Wilco
ALTERNATIVE FIELD
Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver— Bon Iver
Codes And Keys— Death Cab For Cutie
Torches— Foster The People
Circuital — My Morning Jacket
The King Of Limbs— Radiohead
R&B FIELD
Best Traditional R&B Performance:
"Sometimes I Cry" — Eric Benét
"Fool For You" — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona
"Radio Message" — R. Kelly
"Good Man" — Raphael Saadiq
"Surrender" — Betty Wright & The Roots
Best R&B Album:
F.A.M.E.— Chris Brown
Second Chance — El DeBarge
Love Letter — R. Kelly
Pieces Of Me— Ledisi
Kelly— Kelly Price
RAP FIELD
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
"Party" — Beyoncé & André 3000
"I'm On One" — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
"I Need A Doctor" — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
"What's My Name?" — Rihanna & Drake
"Motivation" — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne
"All Of The Lights" — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie
Best Rap Performance:
"Look At Me Now" — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
"Otis" — Jay-Z & Kanye West
"The Show Goes On" — Lupe Fiasco
"Moment 4 Life" — Nicki Minaj & Drake
"Black And Yellow" — Wiz Khalifa
COUNTRY FIELD
Best Country Solo Performance:
"Dirt Road Anthem" — Jason Aldean
"I'm Gonna Love You Through It" — Martina McBride
"Honey Bee" — Blake Shelton
"Mean" — Taylor Swift
"Mama's Song" — Carrie Underwood
Best Country Song:
"Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" — Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
"God Gave Me You" — Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
"Just Fishin'" — Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
"Mean" — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
"Threaten Me With Heaven" — Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O'Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
"You And Tequila" — Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)
AMERICAN ROOTS FIELD
Best Americana Album:
Emotional Jukebox— Linda Chorney
Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down— Ry Cooder
Hard Bargain— Emmylou Harris
Ramble At The Ryman— Levon Helm
Blessed— Lucinda Williams
Best Blues Album:
Low Country Blues — Gregg Allman
Roadside Attractions— Marcia Ball
Man In Motion— Warren Haynes
The Reflection — Keb'Mo'
Revelator— Tedeschi Trucks Band
Best Folk Album:
Barton Hollow— The Civil Wars
I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive— Steve Earle
Helplessness Blues— Fleet Foxes
Ukulele Songs— Eddie Vedder
The Harrow & The Harvest— Gillian Welch
Reggae
Summer In Kingston-Shaggy
Wild And Free- Ziggy Marley
Revelation Pt 1: The Root Of Life- Stephen Marley
Reggae Knights-Israel Vibration
Harlem-Kingston Express Live!-Monty Alexander
Madonna settles noisy neighbour dispute
Singer Madonna has settled a dispute with her neighbour, who took legal action against the star over the noise she made in her New York apartment.
In 2009 Karen George filed legal papers complaining that Madonna was repeatedly using the flat as a rehearsal space.
Ms George said she was driven from her apartment at times by the "unbearable" noise and vibrations".
Madonna's lawyers said the matter had been resolved, but no further detail has been released.
In 2009 Ms George said dance routines subjected her to "blaring music, stomping and shaking walls" for up to three hours a day.
She also launched legal action against the management company of the Manhattan building, saying it had failed to act on her complaints.
Madonna did attempt to subdue the noise, but Ms George said it did not work, according to an August court ruling that turned down the singer's effort to dismiss the legal action.
The singer had always maintained that the noise levels never breached legal limits.
However, she claims she has since built a studio elsewhere and no longer uses the apartment for rehearsals.
Madonna moved into the seventh-floor apartment in the building, which overlooks Central Park, following her divorce from film director Guy Ritchie.