Obama Meets With Maduro, Other Latin American Leaders
Cuban President Raul Castro was not the only Latin American leader to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama at the Americas Summit in Panama.
Obama met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who wants the U.S. to lift sanctions recently slapped on seven senior Venezuelan officials accused of human rights abuses tied to anti-government protests last year in Venezuela.
Maduro often criticizes the U.S. for what he says is meddling in his country's affairs, and even accuses the U.S. of trying to overthrow his government.
The Venezuelan president described his meeting with Obama as "frank" and "serious." He said after meeting with Obama that there was now a "possibility" of exploring "a path to relations with respect, which is fundamental."
Venezuelan presidential aide Teresa Maniglia said on her Twitter account that there was "a lot of truth, respect and cordiality" at the meeting, which Obama administration officials said lasted only a few minutes.
National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said Obama "reiterated" in the meeting with President Maduro that the U.S. is not interested "in threatening Venezuela, but in supporting democracy, stability and prosperity in Venezuela and the region."
Several of Maduro's Latin American counterparts have been critical of the sanctions. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who met with Obama at the summit and is slated to meet with Obama in Washington in June, said Saturday that "unilateral measures and policies of isolation" are "always counterproductive and ineffective."
She said the South American regional block UNASUR supports dialogue to ease political tensions in Venezuela.
President Obama also met with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos who said the relations between his country and the U.S. "are at the best level ever."
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, like many of his counterparts at the summit, praised the U.S. president for the push to establish ties with Cuba. He said at the summit's plenary session the "openness to dialogue is charged with promise and possibilities."
Some material for this report came from AP and Reuters.
TI Summa Jam reveals plans for 2015
Organizers of the popular Grand Turk Island Annual Festival, TI Summajam confirmed to RTC's ER on Thursday, that they are finalizing plans for this year’s 3 day cultural celebrations which will take place Thursday, June 25th and Friday, 26th at the Victoria Public Library Courtyard, climaxing on Saturday, June 27th at Summajam Village and the Parade Grounds.
Rita Gardiner told the Connoisseur that this year promises to be another dazzling, dynamic display of culture, music, talent, entertainment, sporting competition, and fun for all ages, this year’s central theme and driving force of the festival will be focused on recognizing and “Holding Up Our Very Own” local talent and will feature:
The Miss Teen Grand Turk Pageant (with the winner representing Grand Turk in the Miss Teen Turks and Caicos Pageant)
The Miss Grand Turk Pageant (with the winner representing Grand Turk in the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Pageant)
A Junkanoo Rush Exhibition
An Early Morning Jump Up
Horse and Donkey Rides
Greasy Pig Competition
Softball and Volleyball Tournament
Cultural Games
Open Karaoke Contest; and
Live band performances by all Grand Turk Bands
Gardiner told the Entertainment Report that they are hoping that young ladies interested in entering the Miss Teen Grand Turk and Miss Grand Turk Pageants will contact her early; persons interested in participating in any of the events or operating food or vendor booths; and persons / companies interested in sponsoring / supporting any of the events should contact committee members Brenda Lightbourne, Thelma Van Alstine or Rita Gardiner before May 31st.
The PABA 2015 Playoffs have begun in Provo
The top 8 teams will go head to head in the Paba playoffs this weekend.
Friday night’s number 1 seed with 11-2 the Stallions will battle the 8th seed, the 5-8 Hustlerz.
The Stallions are on a mission to win their third consecutive PABA title. New comers Hustlerz will try to make a statement that they are in the league for one purpose and that is to win.
The 10-3 Knights earned the number 2 seed after missing the playoffs last year, Coach Philip Roker and the Knights will take on a very strong Coca Cola Classics team led by Coach Scott Glinton and Captain Ezra Taylor. The Coca Cola Classics ended the regular season on a winning note after defeating the Predators.
RTC Sports has been watching experienced players such as Alvin Parker, Derek Hanna and Mervin Forbes who have contributed to the Classics line up.
On Saturday night, the number 3 seed Police Badgers will take on the Steelers. Coach Alvardo Parker led his young athletic Steelers to a number 6 spot in the playoff.
Game 2 will feature a Predators & Flyer’s matchup. The Predators lost 3 games to end the regular season which left them In the fourth position.
Coach Mike Clerveaux said that his team is ready for the Flyers despite those losses. The Flyers quietly earned the 5th playoff spot with a 8-5 record. Coach Keith Cox and the Flyers knows what it takes to win a championship but can they return to the finals to avenge their loss to the Stallions?
The playoff series is structured out of the best of 3 games and teams will have to win two games in order to advance to the Semi finals.
RTC Sports will have more for you on the PABA Playoffs 2015 on Sportswatch & RTC Sports News.
Destiny’s Child Reunion May Not Happen
Beyonce is all set to get back with her girls Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, but there is a big hitch.
According to reports, B’s father Mathew Knowles owns 1/4 of the group’s name, a fact that could prevent a 10 year reunion.
To get around it, the trio may record an album that has all the parts, but doesn’t use the name Destiny’s Child.
Daily Mail Online reports that none of the ladies want Knowles involved in any way even though he was instrumental in their early success. He also managed their careers individually early on.
They all ended up firing Knowles and Beyonce even accused him of stealing money in 2011.
They could buy him out, but no moves of that nature have been reported.
Source-Allhiphop
K. Michelle, Mona Scott Win Lawsuit Over Memphitz
Mickey “Memphitz” Wright Jr. lost in a defamation battle against singer K. Michelle, Mona Scott-Young’s Monami Entertainment and VH1, where he says they falsely accused him of physical abuse and embezzlement on “Love and Hip-Hop.”
K. Michelle, real name Kimberly Michelle Pate, was his girlfriend and, on the show, she spoke at great lengths about abuse from an unnamed record executive. She also accused him of taking her money. While, Memphitz was never named on the show, the blogs and other media concluded it was him that they were talking about.
Memphitz own words may have been his undoing.
In depositions, he admitted to a physical confrontation with K. Michelle in a Memphis hotel in 2009 and acknowledged that he spent money from Jive Record’s budget for jewelry. He also sent text messages threatening to murder K. Michelle’s son.
The judgement details how Memphitz put a pillow over K Michelle’s mouth to quiet her and her feeling he was trying to kill her was justified.
To win the defamation case, Memphitz had to really prove that he’s not a public figure and that the allegations against him were false.
Neither Memphitz, Mona Scott-Young or K. Michelle had comment at the time of this writing.
Brown Preparing First Public Appearance Since Bobbi Kristina's Hospitalization
Bobby Brown is gearing up to make his first public appearance since his daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown was hospitalized. The former husband of the late Whitney Houston reportedly will treat audience to his songs at a food festival near Los Angeles on Saturday, April 11.
After Kristina was found face down and unconscious in a bathtub at her Rosewell home on January 31, the 46-year-old celeb was always on her bedside and never left her. However, on Friday, April 10, Brown decided to fly to Los Angeles to attend the Kinfolks Soul Food Festival near the city, a source told TMZ. At the food festival, the husband of Alicia Etheredge is scheduled to perform on Saturday night together with Salt-N-Pepa, Stephanie Mills and El DeBarge. Brown will also give a cooking demonstration in one of the vendor booths.
The news has been confirmed by Brown's wife. "We'll be there. We're excited. He's good. He's in great spirits," Etheredge said when reached by phone by Daily News on Friday.
Brown was scheduled to play three shows in Australia with Treach and DJ Kay Gee of Naughty By Nature at the end of March. He however postponed the tour until May. Considering his daughter's condition, he actually wanted to postpone the tour again but the promoter disagreed and held him to his contract obligation.
A source said that it was difficult for Brown to leave his ailing daughter. However, he decided to go since he believed that his departure would change nothing. "He [Brown] knows there's not much he can do for her here," the source said. "He [Brown]'s going to think of her the whole time, but knows nothing's going to change while he's away.
Source-Ace.Showbiz
Marvel and ABC Developing 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Spin-Off
Marvel is going to expand its universe on ABC. The company is reportedly quietly developing a "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." spin-off for the network with "S.H.I.E.L.D." executive producer Jeffrey Bell shepherding the project.
Details of the potential new series are still scarce, but it is not expected to be introduced as a backdoor pilot. According to EW which first reported the news, the story may draw a line from plotline in the second season of the flagship series.
Deadline further reports that the spin-off may feature cast members from the mothership series, with Inhumans and Deathlok rumored to appear on the spin-off. Words are, ABC won't greenlight the project until the script comes in.
Should the network move forward with the spin-off, it could arrive as soon as this fall, or in midseason next year, with "S.H.I.E.L.D." co-executive producer Paul Zbyszewski expected to serve as showrunner.
Neither Marvel nor ABC has commented on the news.
Source-Ace.Showbiz
Andy Murray marries girlfriend Kim Sears
Tennis star Andy Murray has married his long-term girlfriend Kim Sears in a ceremony in his hometown.
A white wedding car brought Ms Sears to the back of Dunblane Cathedral, out of sight of the media and well-wishers.
The couple, both 27, exchanged vows at the 12th Century cathedral before making their way to a small reception for family members and close friends.
Hundreds of the world's media captured the event which has sparked interest around the globe.
The Wimbledon and US Open-winning player was greeted by a huge cheer from the gathered crowd as he entered the venue with his brother Jamie.
He sported a blue and green kilt while Sussex-born Ms Sears wore an embroidered white gown with three-quarter-length sleeves and a long veil.
Murray's divorced parents Judy and William, his grandparents Shirley and Roy Erskine and former British tennis number one Tim Henman and his wife Lucy were among the guests.
Guests lined the path from the cathedral doors and bells rang as the couple left the church and were showered with confetti.
The bride was accompanied by four bridesmaids in long pink gowns.
The couple left the wedding venue for the reception at Cromlix - which Murray bought in 2013 and converted into a luxury hotel - in a grey car decked with ribbons. They were cheered by crowds lining the streets.
Source-BBC
Samsung: S6 Edge curved screen is difficult to make
Samsung's new flagship mobile phones go on sale today but the company says it may struggle to meet demand for its S6 Edge model.
Although Samsung predicts greater interest in its more conventionally designed S6 model, it is worried about the time it takes to manufacturer components for the distinctive wrap-around touch screen on the S6 Edge.
Experts say it could lead to consumers having to order and then wait for the model, and delay any fall in its price.
Samsung faces strong competition from Apple at the high-end of the market while much cheaper smart phones made in China challenge its position at lower price points.
Mobile analyst, Thomas Husson at Forrester told the BBC: "They [Samsung] will have a serious issue if the shortage is due to the difficulty of producing the curved screen.
"Samsung must succeed in the launch of these new flagship phones to regain leadership in the high-end segment. They have a window of opportunity until the new iPhone comes out. The product and design is great - but [it] lacks service differentiation."
A Samsung UK spokesperson told the BBC the company was "working hard" to fulfil pre-orders and sales "as soon as possible".
Source-BBC
ECCB Upgrades Security Thread for Banknotes
As part of its thrust to maintain the integrity and security of the EC currency, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has upgraded the security thread on all banknotes, with the exception of the $5.00 banknote.
The update to the security thread in the notes is in keeping with the advancement in technology to prevent counterfeiting.
The new security thread therefore makes it much more difficult for counterfeiters and makes it easier for persons to detect counterfeit notes.
The thread also has built-in machine readability and will not affect cash machines such as ATMs, counting and vending machines.