Mariah Carey's Christmas track breaks a million sales
Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You has sold its millionth copy in the UK, 19 years after it was first released.
According to the Official Charts Company the track crossed the milestone after selling 68,000 copies in 2013.
The American singer said: "Thank you to all of my British fans! Love, Mariah."
The Motown-inspired track peaked at number two when it was first released in 1994 but was kept off the top spot by East 17's Stay Another Day.
It has since re-entered the chart on a further eight occasions.
Co-written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, the track first appeared on the festive album Merry Christmas and has generated an estimated $50 million (£30.5m) in royalties worldwide since it was released.
It returned to the Official Singles Chart in 2007, since when it has appeared in the top 40 every December.
The song reached number 20 last year and was at number 12 in the most recent chart update.
It only became a top 40 hit in Carey's home country for the first time last year.
All I Want For Christmas Is You is one of only 142 singles in the history of the Official Charts to pass the million copies mark in the UK.
In 2013, tracks including Lady Gaga' Bad Romance, Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, Daft Punk's Get Lucky and Passenger's Let her Go have also passed the million sales mark.
Other seasonal singles to have reached the landmark include Bing Crosby's White Christmas, Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody and Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas?
Carey is working on a new solo album, due for release in early 2014.
Selena Gomez cancels shows to have 'time to herself'
Selena Gomez has cancelled her upcoming Australian concert tour, saying she needs some time to herself.
The 21-year-old singer was due to perform five concerts, beginning on 1 February.
"My fans are so important to me and I would never want to disappoint them," said the singer.
"But it has become clear to me and those close to me that after many years of putting my work first, I need to spend some time on myself."
She added that she wanted to be "the best person" she could be.
The shows were set to start in Perth and finish in Melbourne on 8 February.
Texas-born Gomez is set to tour Asia in January.
The singer starred in Spring Breakers in 2012 and had a top 10 single with Come and Get It in July.
She dated Justin Bieber for around two years and also appeared in The Muppets film in 2011.
Earlier this week a waxwork of the singer was unveiled at Madame Tussauds museum in Hollywood.
In 2011 Selena Gomez hosted the MTV Video Music Awards.
Source-BBC
Jamaica Jazz and Blues Fest signs big acts
Grammy winners Toni Braxton and Chrisette Michele, as well as chart-topping crooner Aaron Neville are the first big names signed for the 18th staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival scheduled for January 30 - February 1, 2014, the Jamaica Observer has learnt.
The popular festival, which will be held at Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on Jamaica's north coast, is expected to sign other major acts who will be announced in the coming weeks.
Braxton captured six Grammy Awards with hits such as Un-break My Heart, Spanish Guitar, and Breathe Again and captured a prominent spot in the hearts of Jamaicans with her smooth vocals.
Chrisette Michele, whose hits include Epiphany and A Couple Of Forevers, won a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2009 for her song Be OK.
Neville's mega hit Don't Know Much ignited Jamaica in 1989.
He has had four top-20 hits in the United States, including three that went to number one on Billboard's adult contemporary chart and one that hit number one on the R&B chart.
He has four platinum-certified albums and, in addition to his solo career, has recorded with his brothers Cyril, Art, and Charles as The Neville Brothers.
Described as Jamaica's most diverse three-day music festival, the event is shaping up to be another outstanding staging with patrons locally and from overseas already making advanced ticket purchases.
The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is also renowned as a launching pad for some of the nation's outstanding talents, including Tessanne Chin, Roots Underground, and Romain Virgo.
Source-JA.Observer
Guyana trade union plans daily protest over 5% wage hike
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) says it intends to stage daily street protests from Friday after criticising the government for imposing a five per cent wage hike on the salaries of public servants.
The GPSU said that it was seeking permission from the police to stage the protest until the end of the year.
In a statement, the union said it would “commence peaceful protests/marches throughout Georgetown from Friday December 20 …to Tuesday December 31, 2013 and hereby, seeks the concurrence and cooperation of the Guyana Police Department.”
The GPSU, which is seeking increases ranging from 15 to 25 per cent, has been calling on the Donald Ramotar government to change its position on the annual y imposition of salary increases to state workers.
The government has said it is unable to pay a higher salary increase citing the move by the opposition parties in the National Assembly to slash the national budget.
Source-CMC
US gives Trinidad equipment to help detect financial crimes
The United States has donated specialised equipment to the Trinidad and Tobago government that will improve efforts to detect, deter, and prosecute financial crimes in the country.
The agreement to launch the Financial Crimes Advisor programme, which was signed by National Security Minister Gary Griffith and Chargé d’Affairs of the US Embassy, Margaret Diop, also allows for the provision of expertise by Washington.
“The US-TT Financial Crimes Advisor program enables an experienced financial crimes investigator from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Technical Assistance to mentor the Police Service’s Financial Investigations Branch (FIB), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and TT’s Public Prosecutors in their preparation of financial crime cases for prosecution,” according to a statement issued by the US Embassy.
It said in support of the programme, Washington donated the “investigative equipment” to the FIB and FIU.
“The equipment includes several Multi-Currency Discriminators which can detect counterfeit currency, optical character recognition software to read scanned documents, cameras for surveillance and evidence collection, and computer equipment.”
Diop said the programme would help combat money laundering and prevent funds from being diverted to terrorist organizations, while Griffith said money laundering investigations were a powerful tool to crack down on criminal gangs by going after their ill-gotten gains.
The US Embassy said that the financial crimes assistance programme is an example of the many initiatives funded under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative launched by U.S. President Barack Obama, during his visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.
It said during the first four years of the initiative, Washington has provided more than US$263 million in funding to the region, providing support to Trinidad and Tobago and its Caribbean neighbours in an effort to advance public safety and security, reduce illicit trafficking, and promote social justice.
Source-CMC
Bahamas and China sign visa waiver agreement
Bahamas and China have signed a mutual visa exemption agreement that Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said represents a “milestone” in diplomatic relations between them.
“Through the signing of this agreement, our tourism industry, which is the cornerstone of this nation’s economy, will be strengthened. With this agreement, The Bahamas will join North America, Europe and Australia as one of the top destinations for over 70 million Chinese tourists who frequently travel internationally.
“Additionally, Bahamians who travel frequently to China for business and tourism opportunities will now be more easily facilitated,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell and China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Xie Hangsheng, Thursday signed the agreement that allows Bahamian and Chinese nationals to travel unrestricted without a visa for up to 30 days.
Mitchell said it was evident that both countries were in an important stage of economic and social development, with Nassau on the brink of an economic leap forward nearing the completion of the Baha Mar project and with China’s phenomenal growth and status as the world’s second strongest economy.
He said the signing of the agreement would indicate that the two countries have “great” bilateral relations and in the future there will be further talks on technical and economic agreements.
“This agreement is not only a great bilateral achievement, but is also a critical step towards the realisation of the government’s policy for visa-free travel for Bahamians,” Mitchell added.
The Chinese Government minister said the agreement was a new step in the bilateral relationship between the countries.
“It will facilitate the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. More and more Chinese visitors and investors will come to the beautiful Bahamas,” said Xie, who prior to signing the accord held talks with Prime Minister Perry Christie and agreeing on how to further improve their relations.
The Bahamas and China have shared diplomatic relations since May 1997.
Source-CMC
Man gets 15 years for shooting another over TT$10 debt
High Court judge, Geoffrey Henderson has sentenced a 35-year-old man to 15 years in prison after he shot a man over a TT$10 (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) debt.
But Jason Braithwaithe will spend seven years in jail as the sentences on the gun-related charges will run concurrently.
Justice Henderson said that firearm offences had become a cancer in the society telling Braithwaithe that his act was “unacceptable in a civilised society. That cannot work”.
The court heard that on October 17, this year Braithwaite approached 36-year-old Leslie Williams, to repay a 10-dollar debt.
Williams told the court that as he walked away, Braithwaithe pulled out a gun and fired at him, shooting him in both feet.
Braithwaithe was found guilty on November 7 for shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a gun and ammunition.
Justice Henderson said, in considering the sentence, he had to remember the serious injuries Williams had sustained, the prevalence of such crimes in society and Braithwaithe’s previous conviction.
He also said that he had to consider the principles of rehabilitation, deterring the accused from wanting to commit such an offence again, and also deterring others,
Henderson said that Braithwaithe could have faced a murder charge had he shot Williams elsewhere and that from the evidence, the shooting appeared to be an unprovoked attack.
“There are many people who come from difficult childhoods who have gone on to become great men,” the judge said, dismissing a plea from Braithwaite’s attorney Subhas Panday.
The judge told Braithwaithe that he had "a lot of time to reflect" and to be an example to others when he is released.
Source-Jamaica Observer
PNP, JLP Haggle Over Who's At Fault For Crime
The People's National Party (PNP) has branded as blatant opportunism the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) criticism of the Government's response to the recent spate of crime and violence across the island.
The PNP's response in a statement from its deputy general secretary, Raymond Pryce, followed a suggestion by Opposition Leader Andrew Holness on Wednesday that the Government was currently reaping the consequences of not supporting an extension of the 2010 state of emergency.
However, Pryce yesterday argued that if the JLP did not attempt to block the extradition of Coke, there would not have been a need for a state of emergency.
He said the unwarranted delays cemented a view in the criminal underworld that they were beyond the reach of the law.
According to Pryce, this view escalated into the unnecessary loss of lives and significant costs to execute the warrant.
Pryce said while it supported the initial extension of the state of emergency, there was no justification for a second as Coke had been captured.
He claimed the then Bruce Golding administration's request for an extension was not supported by the wider civil society and there was no further need to suppress the rights of Jamaicans.
Pryce said for the JLP to suggest that refusal of the 30-day extension has led to what is happening now is ridiculous.
The PNP deputy general secretary said if Holness has information to support his claim, he should provide it to the security forces and become a part of the real solution.
But in response, the JLP yesterday afternoon said it was an indisputable fact that crime increases whenever the PNP is in power and has decreased during each period of JLP rule.
According to the JLP, the country knows the PNP is soft on crime and no amount of intellectual gymnastics could change that fact.
Derrick Smith, JLP spokes-person on national security said: "I challenge the PNP to talk fair and square to the public in the interest of saving lives and changing the increasingly corrupt perception of our country."
Smith challenged the PNP to focus on creating a safe society in which all could prosper, rather than perform public-relations contortions to try to shift the blame from its failures.
Source-Jamaica Gleaner
InterCaribbean Announces New Schedule to South Caicos
Inter-Caribbean Airways (Inter-Caribbean) formerly Air Turks & Caicos, announces a new schedule between Providenciales and South Caicos, and South Caicos and Grand Turk and Providenciales.
The new schedule takes effect from January 20th 2014 and is already available for booking.
Inter-Caribbean Airways heard from businesses who were prompted by the offices of The Government of the Turks & Caicos, and also in meetings with the Offices of the Turks & Caicos Tourism both seeking the ways in which Inter-Caribbean can help promote easier travel, to facilitate developing tourism visitors to South Caicos.
Flight Depart Time Arrive Time
JY 111 Providenciales 07:30 AM South Caicos 07:55 AM (nonstop)
JY 111 South Caicos 08:05 AM Grand Turk 08:20 AM (nonstop)
JY 114 South Caicos 08:05 AM Providenciales 09:00 AM (1 stop)
JY 153 Providenciales 3:45 PM South Caicos 4:40 PM (1 nonstop)
JY 152 Grand Turk 4:25 PM South Caicos 4:40 PM (nonstop)
JY 152 South Caicos 4:50 PM Providenciales 5:15 PM (nonstop)
Inter-Caribbean Airways (Inter-Caribbean), Executive Trevor Sadler has had direct meeting with business leaders from South Caicos to help increase the easy flight activity to support the greater mission of the Government to support the mission of developing Tourism, but give Citizens and Residents of South Caicos the opportunity to travel to both Grand Turk and to South Caicos and back in a single day. Trevor Sadler said, that we are committed to an effective schedule and to support South Caicos residents make connections across our network. With support we will work towards how we can add additional flight frequency.
Mr. Lyndon Gardiner, the Chairman of the company said he is pleased to have an executive of Mr. Sadler’s experience and background is part of Inter Caribbean bringing new energy, to lead the airline representing our country to a greater recognition of airlines on the global stage. Some time ago the Tourism offices sought to increase connectivity to South America, and thanks to the tireless effort of Mr. Sadler, Inter Caribbean will shortly be signing an interline agreement to facilitate such travel.
These efforts are unprecedented not only for our airline, but the history of Aviation for the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Turks and Caicos Islands Set To Receive A Further $19m From EU
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) has secured a further $19m in European Union funding the Territory's Deputy Governor announced today, Thursday, 19 December 2013.
This funding from the European development Fund (EDF) 11 follows on from the successful TCI participation in the 12th Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Forum held in Brussels 2-10 December. TCI signed an agreement last month to receive a further $15m from EDF 10, with this being used over the next three years to improve the TCI government’s business systems and procedures.
The 12th OCT Forum was attended by Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Minister of Finance Washington Misick and Permanent Secretary Athenee Williams and other senior TCIG officials.
In addition to attending the Ministerial Conference, the team held a Tri-lateral Meeting with Director of European Aid Jolita Butkeviche on the current and future EU grant funded programmes that could benefit the Islands. They also signed the Financing Agreement for EDF 10, which will see the TCI receive it's first tranche of $5m in March 2014.
A total of $298m (229 Euro) has been earmarked for EDF 11, with $19m being awarded to the TCI; $24m to Montserrat and $18m to Anguilla, among other UK Overseas Territories. The 11th EDF similar to the 10th will be delivered in the form of Budget support, but will need to be earmarked for a specific sector or purpose.
"The TCI is now set to receive nearly $30m from the European Union, which is testament to our hard work to re-engage with this vital institution over the past year or so," said Anya Williams.
"I am happy that within a relatively short period of time the TCI will benefit from funding to develop and improve another sector of public life here in the islands. Cabinet will now begin its deliberations as to how we can best use these additional funds."
Minister of Finance, Washington Misick, added, "While still in the early stages of its development, I very much welcome the allocation of these substantial sums to the TCI.
"Although no firm decisions have yet been made, we have an aspiration to use these monies to help further build our transport infrastructure. The first drawdown likely to take place in 2016 which is already a critical year for the TCI in terms of its debt refinancing, these funds will be of great importance to our nation."