Jagdeo calls Piarco worst airport in the Caribbean
President Bharrat Jagdeo has described the Piraco International Airport in Trinidad and Tobago as the worst airport in the Caribbean when it comes to organization He said that it is a hassle for Guyanese passengers who have to intransit there.
Speaking at a press conference this past week on procedures at the Piarco Airport, Jagdeo said that when passengers board a Caribbean Airlines flight from Miami or New York with the intention of coming to Guyana, they have to in transit in Trinidad. In some cases, passengers would have to get off the aircraft and join another aircraft coming to Guyana.
But instead of being taken to an in-transit lounge, passengers have to join a line and go through security and then enter the departure lounge.
Jagdeo called this treatment “horrible, horrible” and said that he had spoken to Trinidad’s Transport Minister Jack Warner about the problem, but it is still happening.
“Guyanese don’t want to in-transit by choice; they only go through there because the flights come through there,” Jagdeo stated.
“If they had a proper, modern airport…that is in keeping with what is happening around the world, people would just move and sit in the in-transit lounge and then move and come home,” the President stated.
“It is the worst airport in terms of organisation,” Jagdeo declared.
Jamaican-born US marine killed in Afghanistan buried with full honours
A Jamaican-born, United States (US) marine sergeant, who was killed in Afghanistan last month, has been laid to rest with full military honours at a US veterans cemetery.
After a funeral service on Friday, family members and other mourners bid their final farewell to Sgt. Marlon Earl Myrie, 25, at South Florida National Cemetery, this afternoon.
Fellow marines honoured him with a 21-gun salute and the 24 haunting notes of Taps.
The details of Sergeant Myrie death have not been released. The US Marine Corps says he died from injuries sustained during a fire fight in Afghanistan on June 25, which involved a hand grenade. They say he was taken to a field hospital in Helmand province where he later died.
Why the Transformers can't beat their way into Beijing
It is the perfect summer blockbuster for audiences around the world - action packed and not too taxing on the brain. The new Transformers movie broke the record for July 4th tickets sales in the U.S. and it's been smashing records in many of the 110 countries around the world where it's showing. It's already made almost half a billion dollars worldwide.
But there's one country that it's not playing in - China.
China doesn't want its people to see Transformers 3 - at least not yet.
Can you believe it? Beijing has imposed a moratorium on new foreign films.
For almost a month, no new blockbusters produced outside China have been released in China. Why? Well, instead of Transformers or Harry Potter, Beijing really wants its people to watch something else - something quite different.
The Beginning of the Great Revival released last month, is an extravagantly produced, state-sponsored propaganda movie, which cost $12 million to make, a fortune by Chinese standards. The film claims to have a cast of more than 100 top Chinese actors playing an array of historical figures.
Among them Mao Tse-Tung or Chairman Mao, who's portrayed not just a revolutionary, but also as a romantic. He's played by a young Chinese heartthrob. And while that might lure in female audiences, the real message isn't about love, but politics.
The film is a pean to the Communist Party, released to honor the 90th anniversary of its founding. It describes the party's influence as having led China down a glorious path of ethnic independence, liberation, national wealth and strength. No mention of the Great Leap Forward, the famine, the Cultural Revolution, or, of course, Tiananmen Square.
The Chinese Communist Party has made sure that this movie will be seen by its people. It's released Beginning of the Great Revival in more than 6,000 theaters accompanied with massive publicity.
By some reports the government expects it to make well over $130 million, twice as much as its last propaganda flick, The Founding of the Republic. And it has also gotten major Chinese corporations to rent out theaters and give employees tickets. Watching the film is mandatory for school children and so on.
So what do people think of the movie? Well, the ratings on Chinese websites have mysteriously been disabled, but if IMDB.com is any indicator, the film scored a two out of 10 rating which is pretty darn poor.
China's control over its movie industry actually raises much larger issues. Studio heads in Los Angeles salivate over the thought of China's 1.3 billion citizens turning into a Hollywood film buffs. There is already great interest in going to the movies in China. China is said to be building two new movie theaters everyday. But the Chinese government is not allowing market forces to determine who watches what movies.
You see, even when there's no blackout or moratorium, China allows only a limited number of foreign films in its theaters every year - about 20 - and even those are subject to strict censorship. And when the films are allowed in, foreign film studios are still stiffed. They reportedly get only 20% of Chinese ticket revenues, much less than they get anywhere else in the world. And, of course, there is massive piracy of DVDs, which the Chinese government does little to prevent.
China's attitude towards foreign movies is troubling because it points in two directions.
First, Beijing appears to be adopting a policy that favors local companies over international ones even if it deprives the Chinese consumer of choice, variety and quality. Businessmen from around the world in various industries have been complaining about such practices, many of which are potentially violations of free trade and of China's treaty obligations.
Second, Beijing seems to be turning in a nationalist direction - consciously promoting propaganda, keeping out foreign influences, all to create greater solidarity at home and legitimacy for the Communist Party. These are worrying tendencies which would cause friction between China and the world, and they are reversal of China's outward orientation over the last three decades - an orientation that has powered China's rise to wealth and prosperity.
But there is some good news. I like one strategy China is employing to promote its own movies.
You've probably heard of Kung Fu Panda. Well, the sequel to that film is out around the world, as every parent knows, and is doing especially well in China.
Beijing is hoping to counter Hollywood's success with the release this month of its own animated action flick. Legend of a Rabbit, the film is about a kung fu bunny, who takes on a big mean bad enemy. The enemy is a panda. Now, that's a fair fight, and may the best animal win.
Source:CNN
Fire Forces Early End to Rihanna Concert in Dallas
A fire broke out at a Rihanna concert in Dallas on Friday night, forcing the event to end early.
A video posted on YouTube shows a fire burning at the top of the stage at the American Airlines Center, with some sparks falling toward the floor. Some people begin to stream out.
The R&B and pop star posted several messages on Twitter following the incident.
“DALLAS!!! We set the stage on FYAH tonight!!! LITERALLY!!! I’m so (mad), I was havin so much fun wit yall too!!! I gotta come back man!!” the singer tweeted.
Nicole Richie to team up with Jessica Simpson on NBC's 'Fashion Star'
She's a mom and a fashion designer, so it's only logical -- Nicole Richie will serve as a celebrity mentor on the new NBC series "Fashion Star."
Joining Jessica Simpson, who announced her role on the show last month, menswear designer John Varvatos and host Elle Macpherson, Richie, 29, will work with aspiring fashionistas as they compete for a chance to win a multi-million dollar contract to jumpstart their own brands.
"Jessica, Nicole, John and Elle make the most exciting team we have ever worked with on a reality television show," executive producer Ben Silverman says. "We are thrilled to feature such an extraordinary group of mentors and designers."
In her style career, Richie has launched a House of Harlow jewelry collection, footwear, eyewear and handbag lines, a ready-to-wear women's collection and a Pea in the Pod maternity line.
Joe’s Back in Action: His Mission is to Save R&B
After two years of keeping a low profile, singer Joe is ready to release his ninth studio album called “The Good, The Bad, The Sexy.”
“This is a great album, more mainstream,” Joe tells Singersroom. “Different from ‘Signature’ completely. It’s really more mainstream, and still a mix between mainstream and that classic Joe.”
He doesn’t anticipate a huge new fan base, at least those who are into the pop and the dance sound R&B is generating these days.
“I wouldn’t say it’s more dancing. My first single, I would say, is more on the dance side. [But] I wouldn’t say dance because when you say dance nowadays, you’re going more European. Usher’s done a few dance records now, and quite a few [other artists] have too. Everyone’s pretty much going that dance route,” the singer explains. “But if it doesn’t fit me or my style, I just think my fans would be utterly disappointed in me going that direction. So I tried to give them something of what they’re used to and something they haven’t heard before just to spark them up a little.”
The singer expressed his true feelings about music these days, saying it’s taken a turn in a direction R&B was never to take. He says it sounds more mainstream and blends with Pop. But he did lament that he understands that people are just trying to get their hustle on and “ride the wave.”
It’s a struggle out here to continue to do what you do, [which] becomes monotonous to people’s thinking. I can’t really say who is really holding it down like that because it’s a struggle for all of us in the R&B game to deliver good music, remain honest, do what you’re doing, and be successful at it as well.”
TCI goes down 6-0 against the BAHAMAS
The TCI National soccer team will return to the TCI tomorrow after a crushing defeat in the Bahamas.
In our last report, 'There will be no room for error this time around as the TCI soccer team seeks to do damage control when they take on the Bahamas.' However in the home-and-away series of the CONCACAF qualifying bracket, on their home turf TCI lost 6-0.
It’s was the second match toward the TCI’s qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, having lost the first game 0-4 to the Bahamas last Saturday in Provo.
According to RTC's Robert Hall of Expressions, 'our players made every effort but was not able to get the ball behind the net.'
Technical Director Matthew Green believes the Turks and Caicos team could have build on the initial momentum that they demonstrated at the beginning of the match-up last Saturday but will have to go back to the drawing board.
The CONCACAF qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will see teams competing for places at the finals in Brazil. The Turks and Caicos is ranked 30th in the region, while the Bahamas is ranked 31st.
Euro debt market jitters worsen
The cost of borrowing for debt-laden Portugal, the Irish Republic and Italy hit new highs on Friday.
Greek debts also sold off, reversing a recent rally on hopes of a new rescue.
Financial markets were reacting to the European Central Bank's decision to raise interest rates, as well as political developments in Italy.
Italian economy minister Giulio Tremonti, a key figure in shoring up the country's finances, has been drawn into a corruption scandal.
Corruption charges
There is growing speculation that the economy minister may have to step down after Neapolitan prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for his close associate, Marco Milanese, on corruption charges.
The minister - who is seen as a stalwart defender of budget discipline - is seen as increasingly isolated within the Italian government.
Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has said he will amend Mr Tremonti's draft budget in parliament, criticising his own minister:
"He is worried about the markets, I understand him. But I always remind him that in politics the result is made up of consensus and votes. He isn't interested in consensus, but we are."
Italy has seen a sharp rise in its 10-year cost of borrowing over the last week, rising from 4.85% to 5.3% - suggesting markets now view the country as almost as risky as recession-hit Spain, which must pay 5.65%.
Short-lived respite
Meanwhile Greece, the Republic of Ireland and particularly Portugal have seen the value of their debts in financial markets plummet further.
Their implied costs of borrowing in markets for three years now stand at 28%, 16.3% and 18.6% respectively.
The latest sell-off comes as it became increasingly clear that the European Central Bank was more concerned with fighting inflation - which required an interest rate rise from 1.25% to 1.5% on Thursday - than in holding down borrowing costs for embattled governments.
It follows what had been a short-lived respite in the market. Borrowing costs had fallen briefly on expectations that the eurozone would arrange a second bail-out package for Greece after the parliament in Athens pushed through further painful austerity measures.
Greece to get next part of IMF financial rescue package
The International Monetary Fund has backed the latest 3bn-euro (£2.6bn) instalment of a rescue package for Greece.
It is the latest tranche in the IMF's joint bail-out with the European Union aimed at helping the country pull back from an impending debt default.
A 110bn-euro rescue package was drawn up for the country last year.
The IMF also said on Friday that Greece had continued to make "some progress" in introducing economic reforms.
And the fund said it believed Greece would return to positive growth in the first half of 2012.
"The [rescue] programme is delivering important results: the fiscal deficit is being reduced, the economy is rebalancing, and competitiveness is gradually improving," IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said in a statement.
"However, with many important structural reforms still to be implemented, significant policy challenges remain."
Pork prices drive Chinese inflation
Think prices are rising rapidly in the U.S.? Inflation is going even more hog wild in China.
China's Consumer Price Index -- a broad measure of prices consumers pay for food, housing, clothing and other common expenses -- showed prices rose 6.4% over the last 12 months ending in June, China's National Bureau of Statistics reported Saturday.
That marks the fastest pace in inflation since July 2008 and an acceleration from May's 5.5% rate.
But unlike in the U.S., where inflation has being driven primarily by a surge in gas prices, economists say China's inflation problem is due instead to soaring food prices -- namely pork.
Food, which accounts for more than third of an average Chinese person's monthly expenses, rose 14.4% year-over-year. Meat and poultry prices were the worst culprit in that category, surging a whopping 32.3%. Pork prices rose 57.1%.
Mark Williams, senior China economist for Capital Economics, estimates pork prices alone contributed as much as 2 percentage points to June's overall inflation rate.
China raises key interest rates
The retail price of pork has increased 15% in the past four weeks, and is now more than 50% at its year-ago level, he said in a note to investors.
"A decline in China's pig population at the turn of the year is now resulting in a surge in pork prices," he wrote.
While that hurts the spending power of Chinese consumers who buy pork, it's also a good sign that China's inflation is not broadbased, said Carl Weinberg, chief economist with High Frequency Economics.
China's government has said that taming inflation to a rate around 4% is one of its key economic goals for the next five years.
Both Weinberg and Williams think it will miss its target for this year, but the government won't be too concerned. After raising interest rates three times his year -- including one rate hike this week -- an excess of credit is not the problem.
"Inflation is high not because of excessive lending, interest rates being too low, capital inflows or even a pick-up in demand," Williams said. "Increased inflation is simply the result of a cyclical decline in pork supply which will reverse itself in time."
As for Chinese exports to the United States, Weinberg says not to worry -- rapidly rising food prices are not likely to have a major impact on export prices.
"We're not going to see an increase in the prices of T-shirts at Wal-Mart or iPads at the Apple Store because of inflation in China," he said.
"Food prices are the only thing that have gone up significantly," he said. That tells me, it's not an overall price change."