Greece Finance Minister Varoufakis says, 'Europe comes first'
The economist-turned-finance minister seeking to renegotiate Greece's huge debt obligations says his priority is the well-being of all Europeans and has ruled out accepting more bailout cash.
After talks with his French counterpart, Yanis Varoufakis said a new debt deal was needed within months.
Michel Sapin said France was ready to help Greece settle with its creditors.
Greece's leftist anti-austerity Syriza party won last Sunday's election with a pledge to write off half the debt.
Greece still has a debt of €315bn - about 175% of gross domestic product - despite some creditors writing down debts in a renegotiation in 2012.
Beginning his first swing around European capitals and finance hubs in Paris, Mr Varoufakis is to travel next to London and Rome for more talks.
His comments follows remarks on Saturday by new Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, who said he was confident Greece could reach a deal with creditors.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has ruled out debt cancellation, saying creditors had already made concessions.
Source-BBC
North Sea oil summit to hear pleas for action
Industry body Oil and Gas UK is to call for "meaningful action" from government in order to tackle major challenges facing North Sea operators.
Chief executive Malcolm Webb will tell an oil and gas summit in Aberdeen on Monday that "an unpredictable and harmful business environment" has put the sector "at great risk".
The body wants urgent tax cuts amid falling oil prices and rising costs.
It also wants a new oil and gas regulator in place as soon as possible.
The UK Treasury said it was working with industry leaders "as a matter of priority" to address the challenges the industry faces.
The summit, which has been organised by Aberdeen City Council, will be attended by local and national politicians as well as industry and union representatives.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the UK government's Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael will be among the participants.
The summit was called amid warnings the industry was in crisis.
A barrel of Brent crude has more than halved in price since its peak of $115 last summer. On Friday it was standing at less than $53 a barrel.
Last month, the chairman of the independent explorers' association Brindex told the BBC the industry was "close to collapse".
Robin Allan claimed almost no new projects in the North Sea were profitable with oil below $60 a barrel.
However, Sir Ian Wood, another leading industry figure, said Mr Allan's warning was "well over-the-top and far too dramatic".
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing, who is a Labour councillor, said the summit was aimed at coming up with "meaningful" responses to the oil price slump, and other challenges facing the industry.
In recent weeks hundreds of North Sea jobs have been cut by oil firms, including BP and Talisman Sinopec.
Both industry leaders and the Scottish government are calling for taxes to be cut further as a matter of urgency to help the sector deal with falling oil prices and higher costs.
Unions have also raised safety concerns over the number of job cuts being made in the industry.
Source-BBC
WEATHER FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT SUNDAY 01ST FEBRUARY, 2015
FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT SUNDAY 01ST FEBRUARY, 2015
WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACH GOERS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR THE STRONG POSSIBILITY OF RIP CURRENTS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES.
GENERAL SITUATION: A STATIONARY FRONT IN THE VICINITY OF THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS CONTINUES TO DISSIPATE AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN ITS WAKE.
FOR NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, BREEZY AND WARM TODAY, CHILLY AND BREEZY TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
FOR THE TCI AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND WINDY WITH THE CHANCE OF A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS MAINLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE FRONT THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT. BOATERS SHOULD ALSO BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMP.: 77°F 25°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMP.: 63°F 17°C
SUNRISE: 06:53AM SUN. SUNSET: 05:55PM SUN.
MOONRISE: 04:12PM SUN. MOONSET: 05:41AM MON.
HIGH TIDE: 05:59AM SUN. LOW TIDE: 12:26PM SUN. HIGH TIDE: 06:16PM SUN.
EXTENDED FORECAST: ANOTHER COLD FRONT WILL ENTER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS MONDAY NIGHT BEFORE RACING THROUGH THE REMAINING ISLANDS ON TUESDAY.
FORECAST FOR MONDAY:
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE NW BAHAMAS AND SOUTHEASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE TCI & SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
Delano Williams beats Usain Bolt's record
Delano Williams opened his 2015 season with a record run to beat one of many records held by track and field legend, Usain Bolt.
Williams, running under Great Britain, the country he represented at the last 2013 Moscow World Championships, won the men's 400m in 46.20 at Saturday's (Jan 31) Queens/Grace Jackson Track Meet at the National Stadium in Kingston.
The mark by Williams beat the previous record of 46.94, which Bolt ran to win the event in 2008.
Jowayne Hibbert of University of West Indies Mona Campus finished second in 47.20 while third went to Jonia McDonald of University of Technology (UTech) 47.38.
NFL keeps tight rein on 100 match balls for Super Bowl 49
The NFL will keep a tight rein on more than 100 footballs available for use by the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in Super Bowl 49.
The league's championship spectacular will unfold today under the cloud of 'Deflategate', a probe into whether the Patriots purposely used under-inflated footballs to gain an advantage in their playoff rout of Indianapolis.
Dean Blandino, the NFL's head of officiating, said this week that the Super Bowl footballs would be tested before the big game for correct pressure -- as he believes was done properly in the Colts' game at Foxborough.
Before a typical NFL game, 12 balls per team are brought to the officials' locker room where they are tested to ensure they are properly inflated and otherwise meet requirements, then are stamped by the referee.
For the Super Bowl, each team gets 54 footballs. All were handed over to the NFL on Friday by the teams, who were able to practise with and prepare them.
The man in charge of them until Sunday's game is Chicago Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin, who will bring the balls to officials for pre-game inspection, after which they will be turned over to the ball boys.
"He's been doing this for a long time," Blandino said.
The procedure is standard for the Super Bowl, although Blandino said there were some "additional security measures" laid on that he didn't specify.
"Not quite Stanley Cup," he said, in reference to protection for the NHL's famous trophy, "but there will be additional measures".
The increased number of balls used for the Super Bowl is also standard procedure, Blandino said.
"During the first half, we rotate footballs in as much as possible, because then those balls are used for charity and the NFL auction," he said. "That's something that's been in place for many years at the Super Bowl."
On Friday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell promised a "thorough" investigation into how some of the footballs used by New England in their AFC Championship win over Indianapolis came to be under the minimum pressure required by the league.
Source-AFP
Bravo walks out on Test
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo has announced his retirement from Test cricket after four years in the wilderness and just weeks after being sacked from the One-Day squad.
The 31-year-old has played 40 Tests but had not suited up for West Indies since December 2010, when West Indies toured Sri Lanka.
He was recently axed as One-Day captain and dropped from the team for the tour of South Africa and the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month.
In a statement late Friday, Bravo said he had already informed the West Indies Cricket Board of his decision to retire from Tests, but said he had made clear his desire to continue playing One-Day Internationals and Twenty20s.
"Over the years, with the greatest enthusiasm, I have done my best with the deep awareness that I am ultimately representing the people of the game," Bravo said.
"I recognise that this is a difficult time for all of us. Our people of the region have seen and enjoyed great cricketing days but we will not return to glory until we agree to go forward with our love for the game and the respect of the administrators, players and the public."
Bravo made his international debut back in 2004 in an ODI against England and developed into the region's leading all-rounder at one stage.
He came to be known for his effervescent medium pace and a brilliant outfielder, with a safe pair of hands, and effecting batting down the order.
Overall in Tests, he compiled 2,200 runs at an average of 31 with three centuries -- with a best of 113 against Australia in 2005.
He bagged 86 wickets at an average of nearly 40.
The Trinidadian was appointed captain of the ODI team in 2013, replacing Darren Sammy. He then played a key role as players' spokesman on the controversial abandoned tour of India last October, where he frequently clashed with the West Indies Cricket Board and players' union, WIPA.
He was subsequently dropped for the One-Day tour of South Africa and the World Cup, prompting claims of victimisation from several quarters.
Bravo said he had tasted both success and "the devastating pain of defeat" during his career but had also accumulated "joyous memories".
"I have experienced the exhilarating joy of victory and the devastating pain of defeat. The joyous memories will remind me of what we are capable of achieving. I want to be part of that mission," Bravo said in the statement.
"I thank the cricketing fraternity for their support and look forward to serving you with determination and the pride of being a West Indian."
Bravo recently signed a year-long retainer contract with the WICB.
Source-CMC
T&T PM may reshuffle Cabinet amidst corruption scandal
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was up to yesterday said to be considering a Cabinet reshuffle in light of the witness-tampering allegations involving Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.
Ramlogan is under criminal investigation following allegations of an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Persad-Bissessar will make a statement on the matter tomorrow at 4 pm at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.
The Cabinet last underwent a reshuffle on September 4, 2013, which saw Jamal Mohammed and Christlyn Moore being relieved of their ministerial portfolios.
There is a provision for 31 senators, all to be appointed by the president: 16 on the advice of the prime minister, six on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and nine at the discretion of the President.
At present all 16 positions to be selected by the Prime Minister are filled.
However, the Prime Minister has the authority to revoke the senatorial appointments as she sees fit.
Yesterday, an unconfirmed, anonymous e-mail was circulated to the media purporting to be names tipped for senatorial appointments.
The e-mail read that attorney Larry Lalla was tipped to head to the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Last week Lalla’s named surfaced as the replacement for Ramlogan.
Businessman Yasid Gilbert, the e-mail read, is to be appointed junior Minister of Finance.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Rudy Indarsingh, the e-mail, said, is expected to join Labour Minister Errol Mc Leod to assist with trade union negotiations.
Activist Philip Edward Alexander is to be in line for Communications Minister, while Congress of the People member Ashaki Scott is tipped to be the Minister in the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development.
Vasant Bharath, the e-mail read, is to remain only with the Trade and Industry portfolio because he is to be given a constituency to work in the upcoming general elections.
United National Congress Youth Arm chairman Nicholas Morris is to be Minister in the Ministry of Sport, the e-mail said.
Reliable sources told the Sunday Express that up to last night Persad-Bissessar had not met with either Ramlogan or National Security Minister Gary Griffith.
The allegation against Ramlogan is that six days before attorney David West was appointed director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), the Attorney General asked him to withdraw his witness statement in a defamation lawsuit relating to the failed extradition involving Section 34 applicants Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh.
West has reported Ramlogan to the police.
Ramlogan has categorically denied the allegations that were first exposed exclusively in last week’s Sunday Express.
Griffith, however, found himself in the middle of the scandal for a telephone call he made to West on December 19, 2014.
It was during the conversation, the Sunday Express learned, that Griffith told West that he was told to find out if he (West) had “pulled back a document”.
Griffith, sources said, was unaware that the document he was referring to was a witness statement until being told so by West.
West told Griffith the document (witness statement) was filed in the High Court and he was not going to withdraw it.
Griffith, Sunday Express learned, admitted to West that he did not know what document he was told to find out about.
As a result of Griffith’s phone call to West he has been listed as a witness in his (West’s) statement that was handed over to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams on Thursday.
Persad-Bissessar has described the allegation against Ramlogan as very serious and troubling.
In an interview with the media during the tea break of Parliament on Friday, Persad-Bissessar said the people of the country came first, above any friendship, and she will do the right thing in dealing with the scandal involving Ramlogan and Griffith.
“I want to give the assurance that I will do what I think is right because it is the right thing to do, as I have always done. There will be no friendship or friends or family or partisan interest but instead I will be looking at what is to be in the interest of the people of T&T,” Persad-Bissessar said.
Source-Trinidad Express
Castro issues Guantanamo Bay demand
Cuba has demanded the US hand back the Guantanamo Bay military base before relations with Washington are normalised.
In a speech, President Raul Castro also called for the lifting of the US trade embargo and Cuba’s removal from a terror list.
Last month the two countries announced a thaw in relations, agreeing to restore diplomatic ties. They were severed in 1961.
High-level talks were held last week.
A Congressional delegation arrived in Havana to begin negotiations aimed at reopening embassies in the two countries’ capitals.
Meanwhile, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro appeared to signal his approval for the political rapprochement.
Cuba’s state-run newspaper published a letter on Tuesday in which he wrote: “We will always defend co-operation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries.”
He wrote that although he did not “trust the policy of the US”, it did not mean he rejected a “peaceful solution to conflicts”.
Summit takes up anti-hunger plan for the Caribbean
A new plan to combat hunger in the Caribbean and Latin America presented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is being considered for adoption at a summit of the region’s leaders that ends here on Thursday.
On Tuesday, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva presented the new regional Plan for Food Security, Nutrition and Hunger Eradication by 2025 at summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
“This proposal is a tool to help CELAC countries design national plans to transform their commitment to eradicating hunger and extreme poverty in the region into a reality,” said Graziano da Silva, later adding, via social media, that CELAC leaders were considering the plan.
“The plan was developed by FAO – with support from the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) – at the request of CELAC governments.”
“It is based on four broad pillars: strategy coordination at the national and regional levels, with a special focus on gender issues; sustainably ensuring access to safe and nutritious foods; widening school feeding programmes with a priority on addressing all forms of malnutrition, from under-nutrition to obesity, and; tackling the challenges posed to food security by climate change,” it added.
The plan seeks to identify and establish links that can generate “virtuous circles of development,” said the food agency, citing as an example linking family farming with school feeding programmes.
According to the FAO, Latin America and the Caribbean represent the only region in the world which has collectively achieved the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015.
The FAO also said the region is set to reach the more stringent World Food Summit goal of halving the total number of undernourished people.
Source-CMC
Whitney Houston's daughter in medically induced coma
Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of the late Whitney Houston, was placed in a medically induced coma Saturday after being found unresponsive in a bathtub full of water, CNN is reporting.
Brown, 21, "was not breathing" when a man identified as her husband and a friend found her at about 10:25 am inside her town house in Roswell, Georgia, police said.
They reportedly called 911 and performed CPR until public safety officers arrived and took over.
She was taken to hospital where she is said to be alive and breathing.
Nobody knows what caused Brown's unresponsiveness, police spokeswoman Lisa Holland said, but it is being considered as a medical incident at this time. She said investigators had found nothing to indicate it was drug- or alcohol-related.
The police spokeswoman noted one oddity in the case: "Her mother died in the very same manner."
It was three years ago February 11 that Brown's mother, renowned singer Whitney Houston, was found dead -- in a bathtub -- in The Beverly Hilton, hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy bash there.
An autopsy later revealed that she'd drowned face down in "extremely hot water".