No layoffs despite poor economy, says Barbados PM in New York
Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is in New York meeting with prospective investors and having discussions with Barbadians living in the United States.
Last Sunday night he told hundreds of Bajans in Brooklyn that the private sector had admirably linked arms with government by not laying off more people, thus holding much of the economic strain caused by the economic crisis.
The Nation newspaper reported that Stuart said, "We have had to take some decisions in Barbados in light of the economic challenges which the country has been facing, to decide what we thought best for the country in the context of this very daring and this very dangerous crisis."
The prime minister was speaking at the annual "cocktail sip" given by the Friends of Barbados (DLP) Association, the Democratic Labour Party's branch in the United States.
He assured the New York-based Bajans that his government will not lay off workers.
Stuart pointed out however, that it would carry a price tag, "because all of the money that comes into government, all the revenue government earns from taxation and from all the other sources from which government gets its revenue, 36 percent of government revenue is spent on wages and salaries."
Stuart is hopeful for an improvement in the state of the economy in the near future.
Large oil prospects found in Bahamas study
Further studies by the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) have revealed “giant” sized structures in its southern licenses, after a previous independent study showed the potential for several hundred million barrels of oil in that area.
Dr Mark Rowan of Rowan Consulting and Paul Ozanisch of Lago Petroleum Consulting conducted the research. CEO of BPC Dr Paul Crevello said the findings unveiled some of the potential for oil in the area.
“Rowan’s and Ozanich’s reports are significant because they provide the first modern interpretation of seismic data and exploration potential of the Bahamas Offshore Petroleum licences from the Bahamian fold belt,” Crevello said. “These independent studies verify the extent and style of structural geometry of the large-scale folds, which was not possible from the historical seismic data. Improved technology enabled exceptional resolution within the folds, allowing us to see for the first time the lateral continuity of potential reservoir and sealing strata.”
The independent studies included results from the June 2010 fully processed pre-stack time migration (PSTM) data, along with preliminary mapping results of shipboard analysis of a January 2011 2D seismic survey.
Non-executive chairman of BPC Alan Burns was impressed by the size of the structures and is looking forward to moving closer to the drilling stage -- which is subject to government approval. The UK-based oil exploration company said it is now considering conducting a 3D seismic survey.
“These structures are exceptional in the size and extent of the 4-way closure; indeed I am not aware of any anticlines of this size in the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean region,” Burns said. “We look forward to testing these structures with the drill bit to determine if hydrocarbons are present. Bahamas Petroleum intends to stay on course to drill a well within the next twelve months, once appropriate drilling and environmental regulations are in place in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”
Earlier in the month, BPC discovered multiple drilling prospects after completing a two-dimensional seismic survey of its four southern licenses in The Bahamas. The process consisted of a 1,120 kilometer, two-dimensional seismic survey over four of its offshore licenses.
Crevello mentioned in an earlier interview that the country is capable of having fields with over 500 million barrels, and as much as one billion barrels of oil.
Republished with permission of the Nassau Guardian
Former minister faces more questions at Commission of Enquiry in Jamaica
Jamaica’s former Minister of National Security, Dr Peter Phillips, was again the main subject of cross examination on Monday as he continued his testimony before the Commission of Enquiry into the extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke in Kingston.
Phillips, in giving his testimony, said that the coffers of government did not benefit from the signing of the controversial memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the US and UK.
“If my memory serves me correctly, they speak to a commitment of monetary payment, which was to establish a particular facility,” he said under questioning from attorney-at-law, Hugh Small, who is representing the prime minister, Bruce Golding.
He said that the country received US$3.2 million from the US government to acquire equipment to establish a facility to boost wiretapping capabilities.
It was also revealed that the country received an undisclosed sum from the British government.
“They (the MoUs) related to expenditures to be incurred by one agency to establish a facility; that was an addition to the existing network of facilities that facilitated the joint operations of the government of Jamaica, along with our partners, to combat narco-trafficking, gun running, and other forms of organised crime, in which, both countries or all the countries concerned had an interest,” Phillips said.
Small questioned the former minister as to whether any funds associated with the MoUs flowed into the consolidated fund, to which Phillips responded in the negative.
“Did it flow to any other funds, any other accounts of the government of Jamaica?” Small asked.
“Not to my knowledge and understanding,” Phillips answered.
The attorney also asked whether any of the telecommunications providers at the time (Cable and Wireless and Digicel) were party to the agreement.
“No,” responded Phillips.
The former minister and Member of Parliament also testified that neither himself nor the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Gilbert Scott, benefited from funds under the MoUs.
Phillips was expected to be further cross examined during Tuesday’s sitting of the Commission, while minister of national security, Senator Dwight Nelson is also slated to return to the witness stand tomorrow, as well as deputy solicitor general, Lackston Robinson.
The Commission is still awaiting a written statement from former general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, Karl Samuda, following which he will also give verbal testimony.
Buju Banton convicted in Florida drug conspiracy case
Grammy-winning reggae star Buju Banton has been convicted by a Florida court of conspiring to to set up a cocaine deal in 2009.
Prosecutors said the singer, whose real name is Mark Myrie, told an police informant he could broker the drug.
But Banton testified in court he was merely boasting, and prosecutors conceded he had never put money into a deal, nor made any.
His Before the Dawn won Best Reggae Album at the Grammy awards last week.
On Tuesday, Banton was convicted of conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it, another drug trafficking offence and a gun charge. He was acquitted of a fourth charge for attempted cocaine possession.
He now faces at least 15 years in prison, according to his lawyer, and he is being held for sentencing at a future date.
It was Banton's second trial over the charges; his first ended in September when a jury was unable to reach a verdict.
Much of the case hinged on video and audio recordings taken by the informant and by Drug Enforcement Agency personnel. The informant was paid $50,000 after Banton's arrest in December 2009 with two others.
One video shown to the jury showed Banton apparently tasting cocaine in a Florida warehouse.
A co-defendant later gave the informant $135,000 (£83,705). He and another man have pleaded guilty to drug charges in the case.
Jill Scott Settles Suits; New Music a Possibility
Jill Scott’s lawsuits with Hidden Beach Records have finally been settled.
According to reports, the record company initiated the lawsuit against the artist for apparently failing to fulfill her release obligations. But instead of backing down, Scott countersued.
The details of the case were kept private, but the issues have been resolved.
So what does that mean for us? Possibly a new album. We shall see what the deal with be, but in the meantime, we know she’s going to be at the 2011 Essence Music Festival.
Lil Wayne Robbed by Back Up Dancer (who got Caught)
Lil Wayne was caught in a frenzy this weekend when a thief posing as a back-up dancer robbed the rapper blind on the set of his latest video.
According to local reports, Weezy was working on set with artist Porcelain Black at Citrus College in Glendora, California when a number of valuable items including portable computer, a Louis Vuitton purse, a wallet and tickets to last weekend’s NBA All-Star game turned up missing.
So when police began the investigation, they used the laptop’s GPS system to track it down and found that 20-year-old Marco Negrete had the items. He was arrested and is being held on a $20,000 bail, according to the Whittier
Source: Daily News.
Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Inks Deal With Warner Bros.
Maybach Music Group, the hip-hop imprint founded by Rick Ross, has inked a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records — and today (Feb. 22) signed Atlanta rapper Pill to the roster, according to Billboard.
“This deal with Warner Bros. Records has been a long time in the making and I’m confident we’ve found the best home for Maybach Music,” says Ross in a statement. “Together we’re going to make hit records for years to come.”
The Warner Bros. partnership follows a month which saw rising hip-hop artists like Wale and Meek Mill sign new deals with Maybach Music. Pill (real name: Tyrone Rivers), who broke out in 2009 with the single “Trap Goin’ Ham,” is currently prepping his debut album.
Ross is also working on a new full-length album titled, “God Forgives, I Don’t.” His latest CD, “Teflon Don” spawned such hit singles as “Aston Martin Music” and “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast).”
The rapper will join Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Travis Barker on the I Am Still Music tour, which kicks off Mar. 18.
Grammy Awards 'has lost touch with pop'
A veteran music executive has criticised the Grammy Awards in a full-page advert in the New York Times.
Steve Stoute said Grammy voters had "lost touch with contemporary popular culture" by snubbing artists like Eminem and Justin Bieber.
He added the show had become "a series of hypocrisies and contradictions", claiming both acts were only asked to perform to boost TV ratings.
Last week's ceremony attracted 27m viewers - the largest since 2001.
Stoute, who is most famous for managing hip-hop arts Nas, is the chief executive of marketing company Translation and is considered to be one of the most influential voices in entertainment marketing and pop culture.
He also took the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to task for snubbing Eminem in 2001, which saw the rapper's Marshall Mathers LP miss out on album of the year in favour of Steely Dan.
Stoute's letter also questioned why Kanye West's Graduation was also passed over for the same award three years ago by Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters.
"We must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation," Stoute wrote.
'Change this system'
Eminem, who led this year's Grammys with 10 nominations, picked up only two awards, while Bieber went home empty-handed despite his two nominations.
Eminem, who led this year's Grammys with 10 nominations, picked up only two awards, while Bieber went home empty-handed despite his two nominations.
"How is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win best new artist?" Stoute said.
His cultural impact and success are even more quantifiable if you factor in his YouTube and Vevo viewership."
Beiber lost out to singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding for the award in question.
Stoute added: "Interesting that the Grammys understands cultural relevance when it comes to using Eminem's, Kanye West's or Justin Bieber's name in the billing to ensure viewership and to deliver the all-too-important ratings for its advertisers."
He also said his "suspicions" over a link between performers and winners appeared to be proven true, citing Arcade Fire's surprise album of the year win just after they had finished performing on stage.
"Does the Grammys intentionally use artists for their celebrity, popularity and cultural appeal when they already know the winners and then program a show against this expectation?" he said.
He finished by calling on artists to "demand they change this system" and uphold "its mission for advocacy and support of artistry as culture evolves".
Nuggets trade Carmelo to Knicks
The long-anticipated trade of Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks was completed Monday night, multiple league sources told SI.com.
The sides moved close to the agreement earlier in the day when the Knicks agreed to include 24-year-old rookie center Timofey Mozgov in their offer. He was not a key player in the trade, but his inclusion was a deal-maker for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets will receive forwards Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, point guard Raymond Felton, Mozgov, the Knicks' first-round pick in 2014, and second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 drafts that originally belonged to the Warriors.
In return the Knicks will enter the final two months of the season with Anthony, point guards Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter, big man Shelden Williams and forward Renaldo Balkman, a former Knick.
New York will also receive a second-round pick and Corey Brewer from the Timberwolves, with Eddy Curry's expiring contract, Anthony Randolph and $3 million heading to Minnesota.
A league source insisted that none of the acquisitions would be shipped to the Nets, contrary to reports Monday that Denver was considering a secondary trade of Gallinari to New Jersey.
The trade consummates rumors that were launched at Anthony's wedding last July, when LeBron James and Chris Paul launched a series of toasts that predicted Anthony would come to play in New York with fellow All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire, who signed with the Knicks last summer as a free agent.
The Nuggets could have attempted to trade Anthony to the Nets, but it was known that he wanted to sign a three-year, $65 million extension with the Knicks. The package from New York was more palatable to the Nuggets because they're receiving four Knicks starters who are all 26 or younger, which should hasten Denver's rebuilding efforts without Anthony.
Winston Reid sympathises with New Zealand quake victims
New Zealand's Winston Reid said his joy at scoring his first goal for West Ham was quickly put into perspective by the earthquake in Christchurch.
Reid scored West Ham's fourth goal in a 5-1 FA Cup win over Burnley on Monday.
He told BBC Sport: "It was a fantastic night, but the earthquake put it into perspective. It is devastating and my heart goes out to everyone back home."
The 22-year-old has friends and cousins in the Christchurch area, which was hit by the 6.3-magnitude quake on Tuesday.
When Reid heard the news he called home immediately but had some initial problems reaching his loved ones.
"Because of the quake, the phone lines and cables were all down, so it took a bit of time to get through, which was worrying," he explained.
"I had to get messages through and get them sent on to others, but my family and friends are OK.
"Everything is turned upside down, but they are all feeling so fortunate and so am I, that they are all alive. That is the main thing, because people have lost their lives, which is tragic."
The defender, who joined West Ham from Danish side FC Midtjylland in August 2010, has admitted that he is still in shock and has been watching the news intently for updates.
"Even if you live in a country where earthquakes happen, I don't think you are ever fully prepared for it," he reflected.
"I am thinking of everyone back home, especially those who have lost loved ones and have had their lives changed because of this.
"It is not a large country, but the spirit among the people there will be what gets them through. They will all help each other out and help each other recover from what has happened. My thoughts are with everyone."
Reid's headed goal on 59 minutes helped West Ham stroll into an FA Cup sixth-round tie at Stoke.