Jamaica welcomes 'faith based' tourists
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has announced that approximately 5,000 Christian cruise ship passengers and crew members will visit Montego Bay, aboard the “Carnival Destiny”, on June 1 to participate in Jamaica Praise Fest 2011, to be staged at the Dump Up Beach, June 1-4.
The cruise passengers, from the United States, will play a leading role in the mission, dubbed “Cruise with a Cause” set to kick-start Jamaica’s involvement in faith-based tourism.
They will be engaged in Christian ministries in western Jamaica’s schools, as well as prisons and other institutions across the island, and will distribute literature and school supplies to over 130,000 students in 230 schools.
A joint effort between the internationally known Praise Fest Ministries and Dove Ministries, the mission is aimed at reaching souls through ministries conducted by world renowned Christians. Events and activities over the four days will culminate with a grand concert featuring acclaimed Christian artistes and evangelists, including Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and Byron Cage, among others.
Addressing a press conference last Thursday, Bartlett said that the event reflects Jamaica’s “aggressive” moves to tap into the lucrative faith-based tourism market. Between May 17 and June 2, Jamaica will welcome some 4,000 faith-based tourists. May 17-25, 1,100 visitors will be coming in from the World Council of Churches, for their International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston, the first time that the convocation will be held in the Caribbean.
“We are seeing a real boom, and we are expecting that Jamaica will earn pretty close to a billion dollars over that period, from the first real intervention of faith-based tourism activities,” Bartlett said.
“I have great hope for this segment to grow and expand and, in growing and expanding, it will also enable the smaller and medium sized entities within the tourism accommodation sub-sector to find their place,” he added.
He indicated that the Ministry of Tourism was fully behind the planners and organizers of Praise Fest, and that his Ministry will commit some $100,000 to support the mission.
President of Praise Fest Ministries, Dr Matthew Dunaway, said that the objective of the mission is to bring together people of different races, ethnicity, age and denomination to minister to people’s needs of the Gospel.
“In order for that principle of unity to come to fruition, it’s important that we realize that it’s a partnership between us and Jamaica. It’s us coming to work with Jamaica, and that’s what drives those results,” he said.
“We believe that when children and people realize and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, that gives them purpose, and we want your children here to understand that they are children of value, and that God has a plan for each and everyone of them, and to realize that they can make something of themselves,” Dunaway stated.
Bartlett congratulated the key players of Cruise with a Cause, and expressed the hope that their mission would be successful. He also extended condolences to persons in the south-eastern US who were victims of the recent tornados there.
REDjet to be cleared for takeoff from Trinidad by mid-May
Minister of Works and Transport Jack Warner has assured the low-fare airline REDjet that it will be cleared for take-off from Piarco International Airport in Trinidad by the middle of this month, around May 13.
Warner, together with officials of the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority, met with REDjet’s CEO, Ian Burns and Business Development Officer, Robbie Burns, last week in Port of Spain to discuss the carrier’s entry into Trinidad and Tobago.
Warner told reporters, "There will be people who booked tickets who will be disappointed and perhaps rightfully, but the fact is that we have certain processes to follow and therefore based on that they won't be able to start on Sunday as was planned."
Warner said the Air Transport Licensing Authority is the committee responsible for issuing the commercial licence to REDjet and the Authority’s board will be appointed on Monday. He said the Board’s first task will be the granting of approval to REDjet after which the matter will be taken to Cabinet for approval. Warner said he hoped the process will be completed before May 15.
After the airline's launch last month, Warner said he was in the dark as to how REDjet got permission to operate locally. REDjet was subsequently told to cease its advertising campaign until it had obtained the necessary approvals.
LIAT Reviewing Jet Options.
Chairman of LIAT (1974) Ltd, Dr. Jean Holder, members of the Board of Directors and executive management were hosted by representatives from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer in Barbados at a breakfast event culminating in a one hour demonstration flight on their new Embraer E-190 aircraft which is in the region en route to be delivered to the airline, Jet Blue.
The Embraer E-190 has a capacity of 100 seats that can be configured to accommodate both business and economy class.
Dr. Holder indicated that "in this era of competition LIAT is not standing still but is seeking ways of offering a better product to the people of the region. We have found the flight to be quite comfortable, now our technical people will analyze the how, when and what as it pertains to the expansion of our fleet and our network."
Dr. Holder stated that "the demonstration flight is the result of discussions currently being held with Embraer, which is among several aircraft manufacturers including Bombardier and ATR that we are consulting as the airline seeks viable options to replace its current fleet with more efficient models."
Following the Barbados flight, the aircraft journeyed to LIAT's headquarters in Antigua where another demonstration flight was launched taking a mixture of LIAT's executive and technical staff, personnel from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority and media representatives, on a short flight.
Woman killed by seven pitbulls
PITBULLS owned by a police officer attacked and killed a woman on her way to work yesterday.
Security guard Denise Rackal, 46, was savaged by seven dogs, which ripped open her throat.
Rackal died on the street outside the policeman's house at Flamboyant Crescent Drive, Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas.
The attack took place shortly after 6 a.m. as Rackal walked toward her worksite at a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing project.
She had moments before purchased a newspaper from a parlour when four adult dogs and three pups pounced on her.
Rackal, the mother of two, of Indian Trail, Couva, was employed with Personal Safety and Security Training Ltd based at Carapichaima.
Her death follows a series of dog attacks that have maimed several and killed one person this year.
The attacks have renewed calls for the proclamation of the Dangerous Dogs Act, and the introduction of laws to penalise owners and protect citizens.
PC Ryan Isaac said he saw Rackal take her last breath.
Isaac said he was walking with his wife and daughter around 6.10 a.m. when he heard screams.
"I looked in the direction and saw four dogs and three puppies in total, all pitbulls. One had the lady by the throat and pulled a piece off her throat."
He said the other dogs were biting Rackal on the head and breasts and ripping her clothing.
Isaac said one of the men who lived at the house where the dogs live was able to lead the animals back into the yard.
Isaac said he called the police and paramedics.
"I took her pulse but she was gasping for breath.... Her eyes were dilated and, although I am not a medical doctor, I would say that in about two minutes after the attack she passed away," Isaac said.
Rackal's husband, Lionel Rackal, 49, called for justice.
He asked to meet the owner of the dogs, two of which are named Obama and Fella.
"Come out and talk to me as a man. Things do happen but tell me something," Rackal said.
He said pitbulls must be properly restrained.
Neighbours of the pitbull owner said the dogs had attacked people four times in the past.
A resident said that back in January he was walking with his wife when the dogs approached. He said while his wife was unhurt, he was bitten on his hands and legs and used a pen knife to defend himself.
"The dogs are always in the road," he said.
Two years ago another man, residents said, had to run into the porch of a house to escape being killed.
Residents said dogs in the area have not been that lucky.
They are calling for the pitbulls to be euthanised.
Just last month, four-year-old Ezekiel Renne-Cambridge, a preschool pupil, was attacked by two hybrid dogs —a German Shepherd and an Akita mixed with German Shepherd—as he walked near his Crissy Street, Palmiste, home.
Thor hammers box office
Superhero movie Thor has repeated its UK success in the US and Canada, making an estimated $66m (£40.3m) in its first weekend of release.
The comic book blockbuster raked in more than twice as much as its nearest competition - action sequel Fast and Furious 5 - between Friday and Sunday.
Kenneth Branagh's film opened last week in the UK and Ireland, taking £5.4m in its first six days at cinemas.
Australian actor Chris Hemsworth stars as Marvel Comics' Norse god of thunder.
Natalie Portman, Idris Elba and Sir Anthony Hopkins also appear in the 3D release.
Thor was already number one at box offices around the world prior to its US release, having made $83m (£50.6m) from 56 markets last weekend.
Strong performances in countries including France, Germany and South Korea saw it record the highest opening weekend of the year so far at the global box office.
Two wedding-themed films followed Thor and Fast and Furious 5 in this weekend's US box office chart, both of which served as a counterweight to their action content.
Jumping the Broom, starring Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine as mothers who clash ahead of their children's marriage, made $13.7 million.
Romantic comedy Something Borrowed made an estimated $13.2 million, landing it fourth place in this week's countdown.
Elsewhere audiences failed to appreciate Jodie Foster's film The Beaver, in which Mel Gibson plays a depressed man who communicates through a hand puppet.
The comic drama, on limited release ahead of a nationwide roll-out on 20 May, made $104,000 (£63,483) from 22 cinemas.
Abdul joins Cole on US X Factor
Paula Abdul is to join the panel of the US X Factor, alongside Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Antonio LA Reid.
The singer, 48, took part in the show's first judging session on Sunday.
"This show would never have been the same without Paula," said Cowell, who also worked with Abdul on American Idol.
Abdul said she was "excited beyond words" about her new role. The talent show is open to solo singers and groups from the age of 12 upwards.
Abdul added that she was "delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again... but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!"
US pop star Nicole Scherzinger and Welsh TV presenter Steve Jones will host the show.
Former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger, who appeared as a judge on the UK version of the show last year, said she was "thrilled" with her new job.
Jones, said he "couldn't be happier" about co-hosting the programme.
West Side Story playwright Arthur Laurents dies
Arthur Laurents, writer of such classic stage musicals as West Side Story and Gypsy, has died in New York aged 93.
The director and screenwriter died at his Manhattan home from complications of pneumonia, his agent said.
Born in Brooklyn, the attorney's son began in radio and wrote military training films during World War II.
His screen credits include the Alfred Hitchcock film Rope, Barbra Streisand romance The Way We Were and 1977 ballet drama The Turning Point.
Laurents won a Tony award in 1968 as author of the book for the musical Hallelujah, Baby!, and another, in 1984, for directing La Cage aux Folles.
He remains best known for writing the books for West Side Story and Gypsy, hit Broadway shows that were later turned into movies.
China's trade surplus beats forecasts, as yuan in focus
China's trade surplus was nearly four times bigger than expected in April, with exports far exceeding imports.
In April the trade surplus was $11.4bn (£6.9bn) according to the customs agency; analysts had expected a figure of about $3bn.
In March, China reported an unexpected trade surplus of $140m.
The news comes during US-China talks on trade relations and will put the issue of the Chinese currency in the spotlight.
Many in the US, especially exporters, argue that China's currency is undervalued making Chinese goods highly competitive in world markets.
Republic of Ireland to get 'EU loan rate reduction'
Ireland is to get an interest rate cut on the emergency loans it has acquired from EU bodies, the BBC has learned.
Currently, Ireland pays an average rate of 5.8% on loans agreed with the IMF, fellow Eurozone countries and a special fund set up by the European Commission.
It is unclear how much of a cut this will entail, but a 1% cut could be worth up to 400m euro ($572m; £349m).
Sources say a special written procedure will be adopted ahead of the meeting of EU finance ministers on 17 May.
This speeds up the implementation of a rate cut as it would bypass the need for a full vote by all 27 EU commissioners on the matter.
Concessions?
Although Britain is not a member of the Eurozone, it would be involved in any agreement to change Ireland's bail-out loans.
That is because the UK pays into the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism as part of the EU Commission's budget affecting all 27 member states.
Britain is also making a bilateral loan to the Irish government of £3.2billion (€3.8bn).
Last November, Ireland applied for a package of loans from the IMF and EU worth €85bn - €17.5bn of which comes from Ireland's own National Pension Reserve.
It is unclear what type of concessions Ireland will have to make under the terms of any rate reduction.
The Irish government has long said that it would never give up its low corporation tax rate of 12.5% as part of any deal, even though France and Germany have argued that some change to that rate would be required.
EU watchers have suggested that Ireland may need to change its corporation tax base rather than the 12.5% rate.
That could mean that large firms headquartered in Ireland might only be allowed to use revenue earned in Ireland rather than EU-wide for corporation tax purposes.
The Irish government spokesperson said: "The reduction in the interest rate has still to be agreed by the member states and this will be discussed in due course".
Some of the world's largest companies have their EU bases in Ireland including Facebook, Google, Intel and Microsoft.
Shares fall on fears Greece needs new bail-out
European stock markets have fallen on continuing concerns that Greece may require a new financial bail-out deal.
The falls follow comments on Friday by Jean Claude-Juncker, chairman of the eurozone finance ministers, that Greece may need a "further adjustment plan".
France's Cac 40 index ended Monday down 1.3%, while Germany's Dax fell 1.1%, with bank shares leading the declines.
Meanwhile, credit rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) cut Greece's bond grade further into junk status.
S&P has reduced its rating from BB- to B, saying Greece will probably have to negotiate an extension to its dept repayments.
Later in the day, fellow ratings agency Moody's threatened to follow suit, saying it would review its B1 rating for Greece for a possible downgrade.
The agency blamed the increased 2010 deficit, as well as its doubts about whether Greece would meet its austerity targets and whether the Greek economy would recover quickly enough.
In response to S&P's earlier downgrade, Greece's Finance Ministry issued to statement saying the decision was unjustified.
It said: "Credit rating decisions should be based on objective data, policymakers' announcements and realistic assessments of the conditions facing an economy. Not on market rumours and press reports.
"When such decisions are based simply on rumours, their validity is seriously cast in doubt."
Greece's current cost of borrowing in bond markets for two years is about 25% a year.
The level suggests that lenders widely expect Athens to have to renegotiate its private sector debts when its current bail-out loans from the European Union and International Monetary Fund are due to be repaid in 2013.
Greece received a 110bn euro ($136bn; £94bn) bail-out last year.
There are concerns about whether the other two nations that have received European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) bail-outs - the Republic of Ireland and Portugal - are also struggling with the cost of paying back their rescue deals.
However, some analysts say the EU and IMF could simply reduce the interest rates that the three countries have to pay.
The banking stocks that fell in Paris and Frankfurt included Commerzbank, down 3.2%, and BNP Paribas, which was 2.7% lower.