Dozens arrested in T&T
Hundreds of people are expected to appear before the courts today after police exercises in ten areas in southern Trinidad. Officers arrested 131 people for robberies and narcotics and one man was held for possession of a gun with five rounds of ammunition.
A warrant was issued for another who was in his company and escaped in nearby bushes. More than 130 traffic tickets were issued by officers, while 83 people were arrested on warrants. Twenty-seven people will appear before a magistrate for driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers also recovered five stolen vehicles during the exercises which began last Thursday and ended yesterday. They stopped and searched 975 motorists in Moruga, Princes Town, Ste Madeleine, Cocoyea, Pleasantville, Marabella, Gasparillo, Claxton Bay, La Romaine and San Fernando. The exercises were co-ordinated by Senior Supt Cecil Santana and included Supt Mohammed and James, ASP Maynard and Gaffoor, Insp Williams and Pachiko, Sgt Ramdhanie and Cpl Ramlogan, Southern Division Task Force and CID officers and the police helicopter.
Source-TRINIDAD EXPRESS
LeBron will return to 23 jersey with Cavaliers
NBA superstar LeBron James confirmed Sunday he will return to the number 23 jersey he wore in his first stint with Cleveland when he returns to the Cavaliers next season.
James posted a message on Twitter and Instgram saying he would give up the number 6, which he had worn for four seasons in Miami after leaving the Cavaliers in 2010 and with US Olympic gold medal teams in 2008 and 2012.
"23 it is!" James tweeted. "It's only right I go back 2x3=6. We still family 6."
Replica jerseys bearing James' name and number are among the best selling of all NBA apparel worldwide.
James wore 23 during his high school years in nearby Akron and with Cleveland, although some fans burned James jerseys after he announced his departure to the Heat.
James signed a two-year, $42 million deal with Cleveland earlier this month, holding out on a longer-term contract until after expected new television deals boost maximum payrolls for future seasons. It also allows James to leave if he dislikes the direction the team is going.
In his first stint with the Cavaliers, James guided them to the 2007 NBA Finals, where they were swept by San Antonio, the same team that beat James and the Heat in last month's NBA Finals.
Source-AFP
Four DC Comics brought to TV get Comic-Con event
Four DC comics brought to life for television took over the San Diego Convention Center's 6,500-seat Hall H at Comic-Con last Saturday night.
Arrow star Stephen Amell hosted the extravaganza called 'Warner Bros Television Presents a Night of DC Entertainment'.
He introduced actors Ben McKenzie, Grant Gustin and Matt Ryan before the world premiere of Fox's Gotham, a screening of The CW's first episode of The Flash and footage from the upcoming third season of CW's Arrow. At the end of the night, they played the pilot for NBC's Constantine for fans who sat through the three-hour event.
In the Arrow footage, it was revealed that DC villain Ra's al Ghul will appear in season three. The part has not yet been cast.
The hero character, Ted Grant, known as Wildcat, will also be introduced.
Following the screenings, the cast and producers of all four shows participated in a panel session hosted by Geoff Johns of DC Comics.
Gotham premieres on FOX, September 22, The Flash debuts October 7 on The CW, Arrow returns to The CW October 8, and Constantine comes to NBC on October 24.
Source-AP
TURKS AND CAICOS ATHLETES IN GLASGOW FOR 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
A delegation of nine athletes from the Turks and Caicos Islands is in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games with events began on Thursday July 24.
The TCI team took part in a spectacular opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland, last night, which kicked off eleven days of competition. Over the course of the Games, 5,000 athletes from 71 different nations and territories will take part in 261 events, watched by an estimated global TV audience of 1.5 billion.
“The Commonwealth Games provides a great opportunity for the Turks and Caicos Islands to showcase their sporting talent, and is second in stature to only the Olympics in terms of international athletic events,” commented the Governor, Peter Beckingham. “I hope everyone in TCI will join me in supporting the nine men and women flying the TCI flag in Glasgow. I’m sure they will make their country very proud.”
Team TCI was accompanied to the opening ceremony by the Deputy Premier, and will be supported throughout the competition by Ms Rita Gardiner of TCI’s Commonwealth Games Association and a team of coaches and physiotherapists.
The athletes taking part are: Richardia Missick – 10m Air Pistol Women; Angelo Garland – Men’s 400m, 4x100 Relay, 4x400m Relay; Kivarno Handfield – Men’s High Jump, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Wadly Jean – Men’s 200m, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Courtney Missick – Men’s 200m, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Ifeanyichukwu Otuonye – Men’s Long Jump, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Dominique Missick – Men’s High Jump; Michael Francois – Clean and Jerk, Snatch (weigtlifting); Ronald Parker – Clean and Jerk, Snatch (weightlifting.)
The support team includes: Alvirto Smith - Head Coach Athletics, Donovan Garvey – Manager/ Coach, Kimmitt Harvey – Coach Weightlifting, Franklyn Thomas - Coach Shooting, Edwin Astwood – Anti Doping Rep/Physiotherapist, Rosalie Ingham – Chef De Mission/Team TCI and Cheryl Forman, Secretary General of the CGA.
TCI Post Cabinet Statement, 23 July
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 23 July 2014 at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.
All Ministers were present except Hon. Deputy Premier.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Were given an overview of a draft Manufacturing Policy by the Premier. Cabinet took note, and agreed a public consultation on the policy will commence by the end of August;
· Heard an update from the Premier on the legislative bills that would be presented to the House of Assembly before the end of December. These included: National Honours and Awards Amendment Bill; Trust Ordinance Amendment Bill, Companies Ordinance Amendment Bill, Insolvency Bill, Securities and Investment Bill, Domestic Insurance Bill, Banking Bill, Immigration Bill, National Health Insurance Amendment Bill, National Parks Amendment Bill, Crown Land Ordinance Amendment Bill, Electricity Ordinance Amendment Bill, Child and Family Legislations, Sports Development Bill, Disaster Management Bill, Dormant Accounts Bill, Credit Union Bill, TC Invest Renewed Bill, Encouragement of Development Amendment Bill, Health Regulatory Authority Bill, West Caicos Authority Bill, Lottery and Gaming Bill;
· Approved the grant of a 99 year lease to NCPAA Limited over the northern portion of North Creek (part of Parcel 10105/11,) save and except the main channel of the Creek and subject to the maintenance of a 150 feet buffer between the leased area and the banks of the creek. It also approved the grant of a license to NCPA over the southern portion of North Creek for the installation of mooring buoys and to facilitate the overall developments proposed by the Company;
· Approved the extension of a License to Chukka Caribbean Adventures, for a period of 21.5 years, over a portion of Parcel 10101/24 in Grand Turk to pursue the establishment of a Canopy Challenge Course as a tourist attraction;
Agreed to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the proponents of Caonabo Resort & Spa to develop a mixed use hotel and resort on 67 acres of block #10503, Governor's Beach in Grand Turk;
· Noted the contents of a consultant report on TCI's gaming industry carried out by White Brocklebank Associates. Cabinet agreed to proceed with new gaming and lottery legislation, informed by the report’s recommendations in order to develop a strong and well-regulated industry;
· Approved stamp designs commemorating Chinese New Year, and noted that future designs should highlight the Turks and Caicos Islands culture; Ministers will be out of the country on personal breaks during the period July to August 2014.
GOVERNMENT MAKING PROGRESS ON ITS INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Developers Desarrollos Hotelco Turks and Caicos, Ltd, this week met with the Premier and Minster of Tourism, Culture and Heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing and the Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. C. Washington Misick, to discuss the investor’s commitment to contributing to the development of the Turks and Caicos Islands and a Government’s commitment to fast-tracking the development process, for the mutual benefit of all.
The US$202 million dollar, three-prong Hotel-Casino development that will span some 11 acres of the pristine coastline of the award-winning Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, will deliver 263 new keys, consisting of a combination of guest rooms, condotel units and residences.
While the developers remain tight-lipped on the chosen brand for this five-star luxury property, the Government was however assured that this will be announced in short order. Whatever the chosen brand, the Government aims to have a Development Agreement in place by September of this year, to allow construction to commence in early spring of 2015, thereby creating some 300-400 jobs locally, before moving on to other equally-anticipated developments by the Desarrollos Hotelco Group for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Japan naval vessel visits Jamaica
A Japanese naval vessel yesterday visited the Jamaican capital Kingston in celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between both countries and the Japan-Caricom Friendship Year 2014.
During their stay in Jamaica, members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Training Squadron will participate in a number of engagements with government officials, and representatives of the Jamaica Defence Force, the Jamaica Coast Guard and the Jamaican cadet.
Japanese ambassador to Jamaica Yasuo Takase yesterday described the occasion as significant as he addressed a ceremony at the Kingston Container Terminal to mark the historic occasion of the vessel’s first visit to Jamaica.
The Ambassador said he was encouraged by the warm welcome members of the team received even as he expressed confidence that the relationship between both countries would continue to grow from strength to strength.
To mark the arrival, Ambassador Takase and members of the squadron led by its commander Rear Admiral Hideki Yuasa met with several officials, including Mayor of Kingston Angela Brown-Burke and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Arnaldo Brown.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Singer Adele wins damages over paparazzi photos of son
Lawyers for Adele's two-year-old son, Angelo Adkins, have accepted a five-figure sum in damages to settle a privacy case over paparazzi photos.
Adele and her partner, Simon Konecki, brought the case against photo agency Corbis Images UK Limited over pictures of the child's "milestone moments".
The agency has agreed to pay damages and legal costs and has, in addition, agreed not to use the photos again.
The photos of Angelo with the singer were taken in June and November 2013.
Corbis Images UK Limited, trading as Splash News and Picture Agency, made them available for publishing in the English press.
Adele's solicitor, Jenny Afia, told the High Court in London that the singer was emphatic that her son was not and must never be public property.
"It is a matter of profound sadness that many of his milestone moments, such as his first family outing and his first trip to playgroup, were photographed and published worldwide expressly against his family's wishes," said Ms Afia.
"These images were taken during private, recreational time unconnected with professional or public engagements. They represent a clear infringement of our client's right to privacy."
Ms Afia also stated it was Adele and Konecki's view that "these images were of routine, everyday family occasions which the paparazzi has no right to intrude upon, profit from and file away in picture libraries for future reference and use".
Regarding the payout, Ms Afia confirmed the couple would be "holding the damages on trust".
She added they would "continue to do all they can to protect Angelo's rights in relation to the paparazzi, including taking legal action where necessary".
"They will also continue efforts to improve the laws relating to paparazzi and children generally, building on the successful campaign Adele helped fund in California resulting in far stricter harassment laws."
Ms Afia also said legal firm Schillings had been in contact with the freelance photographers who took the shots to explain that legal action would be taken if they photographed Angelo Adkins again in this way.
Source-BBC
Wreckage of Air Algerie Plane Spotted
Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita says searchers have spotted the wreckage of an Air Algerie plane that went missing on a flight from Burkina Faso to Algeria.
Keita says the plane's wreckage has been spotted in northeastern Mali, between the desert regions of Aguelhoc and Kidal. He made the announcement during a meeting in the capital, Bamako.
There was no immediate word on possible survivors. Authorities said 116 people were onboard flight AH5017.
There were few clear indications of what might have happened to flight AH5017, but Burkina Faso's transport minister said the crew asked to adjust their route at 0138 GMT because of a storm in the area. It is not yet known if weather played a role in the plane’s disappearance. The flight from Burkina Faso to Algiers should have taken four hours.
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told reporters the aircraft "probably crashed," as French fighter jets based in West Africa had been taking part in the search.
French President Francois Hollande canceled a planned visit to overseas territories and said all military means on the ground would be used to locate the aircraft.
Earlier Thursday, Kara Terki, a spokesman for Air Algeria, confirmed there has been no sign of the plane since around 330 GMT, about one hour before it was scheduled to land in Algiers Thursday morning.
“Since 5 o’clock this morning, we have been searching, and continue to search, to trace the signal from our plane, that was destined for Algeria," Terki said. "But for the moment, the plane remains missing... We would like to have more definitive information, particularly for the families of those on board, but for now, we continue to search.”
Spanish airline Swiftair, which owns the MD-83 aircraft, constructed in 1996, said in a statement it was continuing to work with Air Algerie and local authorities to locate the missing plane.
Source-VOA
Facebook profit jumps to US$791m, ad revenues US$2.68b
Facebook stock jumped to record highs Thursday as strong earnings from the leading social network sparked fresh buying.
The shares were up 5.6 percent at $75.30 in late morning trade, well above the record of $72.03 hit on March 10.
Facebook said Wednesday profits leapt to $791 million during the three months ended June 30 in a 138 per cent increase from a year earlier.
Revenue in the quarter surged to $2.91 billion, with approximately 62 per cent of that money coming from ads served up on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablet computers.
Ad revenues overall were up 67 per cent from a year ago to $2.68 billion.
The number of people who visited the online social network at least once a month climbed to 1.32 billion in a 14 per cent rise from the same quarter last year, according to Facebook. The number of active users on mobile devices rose to 1.07 billion.
"It was a very impressive quarter on top of what we believe were very high (Wall) Street expectations," said Paul Vogel, analyst at Barclays.
"We continue to rate Facebook 'overweight' and our top pick as we believe there is still plenty of room for numbers to move higher over the next few quarters."
The market was also encouraged by signs that people remain "engaged" on Facebook, with American users spending some 40 minutes per day on the social network on average.
"User growth remains robust, while engagement continues to increase," said RBC Capital Markets analyst Mark Mahaney in a note to clients.
"The most important Internet trend by far is mobile, and Facebook has become a mobile company."
Source-AFP