CWC and Columbus Promise to Protect Consumer Interest
Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus International today announced plans to launch a series of special “Customer Panels” in 14 markets throug- Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus International today announced plans to launch a series of special “Customer Panels” in 14 markets throughout the region, beginning Monday, December 8, 2014.
Designed to spark a constructive discussion about the proposed merger, these panels will present customers of both companies with a direct and organized platform to voice their concerns, share their opinions and express their service expectations. The panels will also provide the two companies with an opportunity to gain first-hand feedback to aid in the development of a new, consolidated strategy built around their customers’ appeals.
CWC and Columbus will also use the panels to give customers and stakeholders a greater understanding of how the merger will impact the Pan-Caribbean region. These discussions will highlight the pro-competitive nature of this deal, as well as the far-reaching benefits it will have on the development of the region’s infrastructure and the furthering of its general information and communication technology (ICT) agenda.
John Reid, president of Columbus Communications indicated that, “our goal is to meet or exceed customer expectations and place their needs at the very heart of the combined company. These panels provide an excellent opportunity for our customers to understand the vision of the new Company and the benefits that they will enjoy as a result of this merger”.
While both companies have engaged in similar events in the past, these customer panels will provide CWC and Columbus with a chance to directly address this unique situation. Given their ambition to become the region’s first 21st-century telecommunications provider, the panels will allow the organizations to make informed decisions, once approvals are given and when they are ready to consolidate their efforts to make the new
Cable & Wireless Communications’ Shareholders Vote Overwhelmingly in Favour of Merger with Columbus International
Shareholders of Cable & Wireless Communications plc (“CWC”), the parent company of LIME, today voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merger with Columbus International Inc. (“Columbus”), operator of the consumer brand, Flow.
Following the announcement of the transaction on 6 November 2014, shareholders attended a General Meeting in London today to vote on the merger and demonstrated their support by voting almost nine in ten shareholders in favour of the deal.
The combined business of CWC and Columbus will deliver broader pro-consumer product offerings and improved services; inject state-of-the-art TV and next-generation super-high-speed broadband technology into the combined business; deliver huge cost saving and operational efficiency opportunities to the Business and Government sectors and provide rapid and seamless fixed mobile convergence through a premier network platform.
The combination of the two companies is consistent with global industry trends where convergence of fixed and mobile networks, increasing content consumption growth, and continuing development of online applications are driving requirements for higher bandwidth, fixed line networks and TV capabilities.
Commenting on today’s shareholder approval, Sir Richard Lapthorne, CWC's Chairman said:
"I speak for the whole Board when I say that we are very pleased we have received shareholder approval for this acquisition which will significantly enhance CWC's growth profile and accelerate the progress towards each of the strategic goals we unveiled in May. It will also create a fully converged telecommunications business which, with the support of host Governments and Regulators, will provide the Caribbean with leading edge communications capabilities that will be as good as anywhere in the world."
Phil Bentley, CWC's Chief Executive Officer said:
"We know we have to work closely with Governments and Regulators to ensure that our customers benefit and that competition is not compromised - and that's a commitment we've happily made to all our stakeholders; a commitment we intend to uphold.
In the discussions we have already had with Governments and the Regulators, we have emphasised our belief that this transaction will be good for bringing further investment to our markets. The merger is good for our employees, the communities we serve and, most importantly, our current and future customers.”
Deputy Premier attends state recognized funeral service for Dr. Myles Munroe
Hon. Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth & Library Services travelled to Nassau, Bahamas last week to attend the funeral of Dr. Myles Munroe. Mary Lightbourne Head of Secretariat, in the Deputy Premiers Office, joined Hon. Missick.
A commemoration service for Dr. Myles & Pastor Ruth Ann Munroe took place on Wednesday, 3rd December 2014 at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
The result of a tragic plane crash on 9th November 2014, Dr. Munroe and eight others passed away while trying to land at the Grand Bahamas International Airport. He is survived by his son Chairo and daughter Charissa.
Hon Missick said; "The world has lost a giant of a man and we mourn and celebrate with the people of the Bahamas today.
“I was proud to be able to share the people of Turks & Caicos Islands condolences with our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas including the Prime Minister, Hon. Perry Christie.”
Members of TCIG Trained by Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Ministry of Health is was represented at a workshop sponsored by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) which was geared at bolstering the Region’s preparedness for Ebola and other high risk threats by strengthening of capabilities of Caribbean Member States to manage possible outbreak situations.
The “Infectious Shipping Training” (November 17-19, 2014) focused on categorization, packaging and shipping of infectious substances. Successful participants received certification for a period of two years to package and ship Category A, infectious substances. The training was done in accordance with The World Health Organization (WHO) Guidance on regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances 2013-2014.
The purpose of the workshop was to remind laboratories of the procedures that they should follow at all times when handling samples. The participants learnt how to handle infectious substances safely and work in a safe laboratory by mitigating the risk.
Mr. Andrico Garland, Medical Technologist TCI Hospitalstated; “I was privileged to have been among 13 participants from 12 Caribbean countries. I am now an IATA certified Category A Professional and prepared to continue my contribution to TCIG”
Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith, Minister of Health & Human Services acknowledged; “The Turks and Caicos Islands now have 4 Medical Technologists Certified as Category A Professionals. These 4 Medical Technologists are the only persons trained to handle and package infectious substances such as Ebola specimens.
“In addition to being trained and certified, the participants who have been trained at this workshop will become trainers in their respective institutions and countries. This is another example of the Governments commitent to strengthen its internal resources by utilizing all opportunites to do so.”
ST. LUCIA-CRIME-PM blanks call to waive death penalty
Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has dismissed as “improper” a British Foreign Office request for him to waive the death penalty in the case of murdered British hotelier, Oliver Gobat.
The Times of London newspaper has quoted Anthony as saying that he supports a request from the family of the late Gobat for British officers to support the murder hunt, but not Whitehall’s stipulation that it will only send a squad if St Lucia guarantees that it will not use capital punishment for the killers.
“No government can get into the business of bargaining as to the outcome of a case. The British government sometimes forgets that we have a sharper, cleaner idea of the separation of powers than they do in the United Kingdom and we must abide by the powers bequeathed to us,” the British newspaper quoted Anthony as saying.
“Their preoccupation with hanging is very misplaced. Their own Privy Council makes sure that the death penalty never gets carried out,” Anthony told the publication.
Efforts by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) to contact Prime Minister Anthony to ensure the accuracy of the quotes, have so far proven futile.
Gobat’s body was found in his Range Rover on Cap Estate, north of here, on April 25, burnt beyond recognition.
“This particular crime was committed with considerable sophistication,” Prime Minister Anthony told the publication.
Gobat’s family members, who have commissioned a private investigation into his death, are also offering a one million dollar (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) reward for for information leading to the arrest of his killer or killers.
Source-CMC
US adds 321,000 jobs in November
The US economy added 321,000 jobs in November, while the unemployment rate stayed at 5.8%, official Labor Department figures show.
The number of jobs created was well above analysts' forecasts of about 225,000 new jobs in the month.
US employers have added at least 200,000 jobs for 10 months in a row, the longest period of jobs growth since 1995.
The number of jobs created has averaged 241,000 a month this year.
The Labor Department added that 44,000 more jobs were created in September and October combined than the government had previously estimated.
But as in the UK, stronger job creation has yet to lead to a significant increase in salaries.
Analysts said the US economy would continue to improve, despite lower global growth expectations.
They added that companies hiring temporary workers for the winter holidays could be providing a boost to the overall jobs figure,
The US economy is less dependent on exports than Germany, China and Japan, but is more reliant on domestic consumer spending.
Delivery firms have announced ambitious recruitment plans. UPS has said it expects to add up to 95,000 seasonal workers, up from 85,000 last year. FedEx plans to hire 50,000, up from 40,000.
The National Retail Federation estimates that seasonal retail hiring could grow by about 4% to as much as 800,000.
Most recent figures suggest Americans are buying more cars, which is likely to keep factories busy in coming months. Auto sales last month rose to their second-fastest pace this year. Car sales are on track to rise 6% this year from 2013.
The economy is expected to slow in the final three months of the year to an annualised growth rate of 2.5%, down from 4.3% from April to September.
Meanwhile, the US trade deficit fell slightly in October, as exports rebounded, while oil imports dipped to the lowest level in five years.
The deficit edged down 0.4% to $43.4bn, as against a revised $43.6bn in September, the Commerce Department reported.
Exports climbed 1.2% to $197.5bn, recovering after a September dip.
Imports also rose by 0.9% to $241bn, but that increase was tempered by a 0.6% fall in imports of petroleum, which dropped to the lowest level since November 2009.
Recovering Brazil legend 'Pele' thanks fans in video message
Pele has recorded a video message from hospital thanking fans for their support while he underwent treatment for a urinary tract infection.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you, from all over the world, who worried about my health," Pele said in the video.
"Thank God, I'm fine. I have recovered, I'm here with my family."
The three-time World Cup winner, 74, was admitted to Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital on 24 November.
The video, which the hospital said was recorded on Wednesday, begins with Pele playing a guitar while seated next to family members. Then he speaks both in Portuguese and in English.
"Don't worry, thank you very much," Pele said. "I know everybody worried about my health but I am OK.
"Thank you everybody who has been praying for me and my family."
Pele was admitted to hospital after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that stemmed from surgery to remove kidney stones on 13 November.
Doctors said in a statement released on Friday that Pele's condition is good and there are no more signs of the infection.
He remains hospitalised in a semi-intensive care unit.
Source-BBC
The Grammys Nominations Are In!!
Where is "Drunk In Love"? What happened to DJ Mustard? And who could have seen Brandy Clark coming? Inside the biggest shocks and letdowns.
Now that (almost) all of the 57th annual Grammy Award nominations have been revealed, we can eye the 82 categories announced and parse through the no-brainer nods as well as the most glaring omissions and biggest shockers. Although the Grammy voting community tries its best every year, there are still a few categories worth throwing your hands up over in both exasperation and elation.
For months, we assumed that "Drunk in Love," Beyonce's fiercely loved ode to marital sex featuring hubby Jay Z, would be leading the way in the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories, along with Sam Smith's "Stay With Me." Smith's sensitive anthem scored nods in both of the biggest song categories, but "Drunk in Love" was left out in the cold, having to settle for best R&B song and best R&B performance nominations. If Beyonce doesn’t get an Album of the Year nomination, Queen Bey's omission in the major categories will cause many fans to wake up in the kitchen saying, "How the hell did this shit happen?"
Ariana Grande & Katy Perry Left Out of Major Categories
Also left out of the major categories (barring a pending Album of the Year nomination, of course) were Ariana Grande and Katy Perry, who each enjoyed stunningly successful years peppered with Hot 100 hits. Grande was once again shunned for Best New Artist competition, and "Problem" -- a song we thought would score a Record of the Year nod -- was passed over; similarly, Perry's "Dark Horse" could have made some noise in the major song categories, but was relegated to the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category (where it will compete against Grande and her "Bang Bang" pals). It’s hard to be disappointed with multiple nominations for each pop superstar, but getting shrugged off for "All About That Bass," "Shake It Off" and "Fancy" has to sting a bit.
A tenderly written song like "All of Me" seems like catnip for the primary songwriting category, and yet John Legend's hit ballad can only be found in the Best Pop Solo Performance field. And after Idina Menzel's Oscar win for the Frozen standout, "Let It Go" was passed over altogether, with the Frozen soundtrack only competing in the best compilation soundtrack for visual media category. The snow never bothered Menzel anyway… but maybe a Grammy snub will.
DJ Mustard Is Off the Beat
All year long, DJ Mustard has been celebrated for his ubiquitous sound splashing across hip-hop radio, on songs like Tinashe's "2 On" and Jeremih's "Don't Tell 'Em" and on albums like YG's My Krazy Life. Somehow, Mustard was not included in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category, which made room for producers with relatively quiet years like Paul Epworth and Greg Kurstin.
"Happy" Is a Little Bit Sad
Pharrell Williams can't complain too much after getting lucky at the Grammys last year alongside Daft Punk, but geez, did everyone just get too sick of "Happy" to nominate the No. 1 hit for any of the major awards? Best Pop Solo Performance is nice, but with its sunny message and extended run atop the Hot 100, Williams could have reasonably expected more.
One of the big winners of Friday's nominations is Meghan Trainor, whose "All About That Bass" scored rather surprising nods in both the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. After the plus-size anthem bumped Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" from the top of the Hot 100 chart, Trainor began covering Swift's smash in concert; now, she'll try to trump it in the two biggest song categories at the Grammys.
Miley (Finally) Scores a Nod
Smilers rejoice! Miley Cyrus, that ever-controversial pop diva, watched her comeback album Bangerz barrel into the Best Pop Vocal Album category on Friday, giving the 22-year-old her first-ever Grammy nomination. We would have been OK with seeing the still-fantastic "Wrecking Ball" snag a nomination or two in the song categories, but we'll take what we can get.
Check out the nominations for the major categories below. You can see the full list of 2015 Grammy nominees right here.
Best New Artist
Bastille
Iggy Azalea
Brandy Clark
Haim
Sam Smith
Record of the Year
"Fancy," Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
"Chandelier," Sia
"Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)," Sam Smith
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor
Song of the Year
"Chandelier," Sia
"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
"Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)," Sam Smith
"Take Me to Church," Hozier
Best Rap Album
The New Classic, Iggy Azalea
Because the Internet, Childish Gambino
Nobody's Smiling, Common
The Marshall Mathers LP2, Eminem
Oxymoron, ScHoolboy Q
Blacc Hollywood, Wiz Khalifa
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
"Fancy," Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
"A Sky Full of Stars," Coldplay
"Say Something," A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera
"Bang Bang," Ariana Grande, Jessie J & Nicki Minaj
"Dark Horse," Katy Perry ft. Juicy J
Best Rap Performance
"305," Childish Gambino
"0 to 100/The Catch Up," Drake
"Rap God," Eminem
"i," Kendrick Lamar
"All I Need Is You," Lecrae
Best Alternative Music Album
This Is All Yours, alt-J
Reflektor, Arcade Fire
Melophobia, Cage the Elephant
St. Vincent, St. Vincent
Lazaretto, Jack White
Best Rock Album
Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams
Morning Phase, Beck
Turn Blue, The Black Keys
Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Songs of Innocence, U2
Best Rock Song
"Ain't It Fun," Paramore
"Blue Moon," Beck
"Fever," The Black Keys
"Gimme Something Good," Ryan Adams
"Lazaretto," Jack White
Best Country Album
Riser, Dierks Bentley
The Outsiders, Eric Church
The Way I'm Livin', Lee Ann Womack
12 Stories, Brandy Clark
Platinum, Miranda Lambert
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"Blak Majik," Common ft. Jhené Aiko
"The Monster," Eminem ft. Rihanna
"Tuesday," I Love Makonnen ft. Drake
"Studio," ScHoolboy Q ft. BJ The Chicago Kid
"Bound 2," Kanye West & Charlie Wilson
Best Rap Song
"Anaconda," Nicki Minaj
"Bound 2," Kanye West & Charlie Wilson
"i," Kendrick Lamar
"We Dem Boyz," Wiz Khalifa
"0 to 100/The Catch Up," Drake
Best Country Song
"American Kids," Kenny Chesney
"Automatic," Miranda Lambert
"Give Me Back My Hometown," Eric Church
"I'm Not Gonna Miss You," Glen Campbell
"Meanwhile Back at Mama's," Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
"Gentle On My Mind," The Band Perry
"Somethin' Bad," Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood
"Day Drinking," Little Big Town
"Meanwhile Back At Mama's," Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
"Raise 'Em Up," Keith Urban ft. Eric Church
Best Country Solo Performance
"Give Me Me Back My Hometown," Eric Church
"Invisible," Hunter Hayes
"Automatic," Miranda Lambert
"Something In the Water," Carrie Underwood
"Cop Car," Keith Urban
Best Pop Vocal Album
Ghost Stories, Coldplay
Bangerz, Miley Cyrus
My Everything, Ariana Grande
Prism, Katy Perry
x, Ed Sheeran
In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Sail Out, Jhene Aiko
Beyonce, Beyonce
X, Chris Brown
Mali Is, Mali Music
G I R L, Pharrell Williams
Best Dance/Electronic Album
Syro, Aphex Twin
While (1, Deadmaus
Nabuma Rubberband, Little Dragon
Do It Again, Röyksopp & Robyn
Damage Control, Mat Zo
Best Dance Recording
"Never Say Never," Basement Jaxx
"Rather Be," Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
"F for You," Disclosure ft. Mary J. Blige
"I Got U," Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones
"Faded," Zhu
Best Latin Pop Album
Tangos, Ruben Blades
Elypse, Camila
Raiz, Lila Downs, Niña Pastori & Soledad Pastorutti
Loco de Amor, Juanes
Gracias Por Estar Aqui, Marco Antonio Solis
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
American Hustle
Guardians of the Galaxy
Frozen
Get On Up: The James Brown Story
The Wolf of Wall Street
Best Music Video
"We Exist," Arcade Fire
"Turn Down for What," DJ Snake & Lil Jon
"Chandelier," Sia
"Happy," Pharrell Williams
"The Golden Age," Woodkid ft. Max Richter
Best Music Film
Beyoncé & Jay Z: On The Run Tour, Beyoncé & Jay Z
Ghost Stories, Coldplay
20 Feet From Stardom, Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill
Metallica: Through The Never, Metallica
The Truth About Love Tour: Live From Melbourne, Pink
Best Pop Solo Performance
"All of Me," John Legend
"Chandelier," Sia
"Stay With Me," Sam Smith
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
"Happy," Pharrell Williams
Best Reggae Album
Ziggy Marley, Fly Rasta
Lee "Scratch" Perry, Back on the Controls
Sean Paul, Full Frequency
Shaggy, Out of Many, One Music
Sly & Robbie & Spicy Chocolate, The Reggae Power
Soja, Amid the Noise and the Haste
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Cheek to Cheek, Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett
Sending You a Little Christmas, Johnny Mathis
Nostalgia, Annie Lennox
Partners, Barbra Streisand
Night Songs, Barry Manilow
Best Americana Album
The River & The Thread, Rosanne Cash
Terms of My Surrener, John Hiatt
Bluesamericana, Keb' Mo'
A Dotted Line, Nickel Creek
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Sturgill Simpson
Best Spoken Word Album
Actors Anonymous, James Franco
A Call to Action, Jimmy Carter
Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America, John Waters
A Fighting Chance, Elizabeth Warren
Diary of a Mad Diva, Joan Rivers
We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration and the Power of Song, Gloria Gaynor
Best Gospel Album
Help, Erica Campbell
Amazing, Ricky Dillard & New G
Withholding Nothing: Live, William McDowell
Forever Yours, Smokie Norful
Vintage Worship, Anita Wilson
Best Rock Performance
"Gimme Something Good," Ryan Adams
"Do I Wanna Know?", Arctic Monkeys
"Blue Moon," Beck
"Fever," The Black Keys
"Lazaretto," Jack White
Best Metal Performance
"Neon Knights," Anthrax
"High Road," Mastodon
"Heartbreaker," Motörhead
"The Negative One," Slipknot
"The Last In Line," Tenacious D
Best R&B Performance
"Drunk In Love," Beyoncé ft. Jay Z
"New Flame," Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross
"It's Your World," Jennifer Hudson ft. R. Kelly
"Like This," Ledisi
"Good Kisser," Usher
Best R&B Song
"Drunk In Love," Beyonce ft. Jay Z
"Good Kisser," Usher
"New Flame," Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross
"Options (Wolfjames Version)," Luke James ft. Rick Ross
"The Worst," Jhené Aiko
Best R&B Album
Islander, Bernhoft
Lift Your Spirit, Aloe Blacc
Love, Marriage & Divorce, Toni Braxton & Babyface
Black Radio 2, Robert Glasper Experiment
Give The People What They Want, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Source-Billboard
ICC Drops Case Against Kenyan President
The International Criminal Court prosecutor withdrew crimes against humanity charges against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, citing a lack of evidence. Accusations that the government did not cooperate with the court during its investigation also influenced the decision to drop the case Friday.
ICC lead prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said there was not enough evidence to prove the charges against Kenyatta beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bensouda said Kenya's government failed to provide key documents to the prosecution, which undermined her investigations and "had a severe, adverse impact" on the case. She also said she reserved the right to file charges again if more evidence becomes available.
Kenyatta was charged for his alleged role, before he was president, in the inter-ethnic violence that followed the 2007 Kenyan elections, leaving 1,100 people dead and displacing more than 500,000 others.
His deputy, William Ruto, still faces charges at the ICC for similar crimes.
In a message on his official presidential Twitter account, Kenyatta said he was "excited" by the news his case was being withdrawn, adding in a separate message "my conscience is absolutely clear."
His lawyer, Steven Kay, told reporters the ICC owes the president an apology for bringing a case based on what he said was false evidence.
Kenya's Attorney General Githu Muigai said the government had done its best to produce material requested by the prosecution, but some of the demands were impossible to meet.
Source-VOA
Obama Nominates Ashton Carter as Defense Secretary
President Barack Obama has nominated former deputy Pentagon chief Ashton Carter to become the next secretary of defense.
President Obama announced the choice Friday at the White House.
Carter, a physicist and high-tech weapons expert, served as deputy defense secretary from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that, he was the Pentagon's top weapons buyer for two years.
Calling him by his nickname "Ash," President Obama said Carter brings "a unique blend of strategic perspective and technical know how."
He is said to hold bipartisan support in Washington, and if confirmed by the Senate, will replace Chuck Hagel, who resigned under pressure last month after just two years on the job.
Appearing alongside President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden Friday, Carter said if confirmed, he pledges to give Obama his most "candid" strategic and military advice. He also addressed the nation's military personnel, saying he promises to serve the nation with "the same unflinching dedication" they demonstrate every day.
Hagel did not appear at the White House for the announcement, with a U.S. defense official saying he did not want to distract from the focus on Carter.
But the official said Hagel looks forward to working to ensure a speedy confirmation process for Carter and a successful transition at the Pentagon.
White House officials have publicly denied forcing Hagel to resign, but other officials have said off the record that was the case.
Hagel was the only Republican in President Obama's Cabinet. He is the first Cabinet member to leave office since the Republicans won the Senate in November, giving the party control of both houses of Congress in January.
Source-VOA