Stars' tributes flood in for Felix Dexter
Stars including Simon Pegg and Matt Lucas have expressed their sorrow at the death of comic and actor Felix Dexter, who died on Friday of cancer.
The St Kitts-born Londoner, 52, had suffered from myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.
Star Trek and Shaun of the Dead star Pegg tweeted: "Very sad to hear news of his passing. Very funny man."
Little Britain's Lucas added that the Real McCoy star was: "A brilliant performer and ...a very nice man."
Comedian and QI panellist Alan Davis added his voice to the tributes, saying that his memories of Dexter went back a long way.
He tweeted: "Sad and shocked to hear about Felix Dexter passing away. So many gigs with him back in the olden days. Always a pleasure. RIP Felix."
Fellow comic and presenter Dara O Briain linked on Twitter to a clip of Dexter performing as "the accountant" in 90s flagship black comedy The Real McCoy, adding he was "so sad" to hear the news.
Comedian and star of The Infidel Omid Djalili described Dexter as "one of the very few who made me howl", while actor David Schneider tweeted: "Lovely, lovely guy. And I think nothing on TV has ever made me laugh more than his Real McCoy Nigerian character", referencing the Real McCoy clip linked to by O Briain.
Actor David Morrissey, who has starred in TV series The Walking Dead and State of Play, said he worked with Dexter a while ago, describing him as a "funny, talented and generous man".
Comedian Jenny Eclair added: "Terribly sad news about a very nice man who did a lot of fabulous work."
Former Brookside star Louis Emerick said Dexter was a "very funny, talented man, gentleman!" tweeting: "Gone too soon."
Dexter moved to the UK when he was aged seven and came to prominence in The Real McCoy and later performed for a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Patti Austin cancels gig after Beijing asthma attack
American jazz star Patti Austin has cancelled a concert in Beijing after suffering "a severe asthma attack".
A statement on the singer's website said Ms Austin was unable to perform at Forbidden City Concert Hall on Friday night "due to health problems".
While the cause of her illness has not been confirmed, it comes at a time of growing concern over air pollution levels in the Chinese capital.
The city has recently announced measures to combat worsening pollution.
They include taking half of the city's four million private cars off the roads on days when there are serious levels of pollution.
The system will be based on a vehicle's licence plate - odd numbers will be allowed on the roads one day, even numbers the next.
A statement on Patti Austin's website said: "She was taken in an emergency to the Peking Union Medical College Hospital this morning where she has been treated for a severe asthma attack in combination with respiratory infection.
"Ms Austin is currently resting in her hotel. Her current breathing condition does not physically enable her to perform tonight.
"Ms Austin is extremely disappointed about this situation since she was very much looking forward to performing."
The new anti-pollution system will give out four different degrees of air pollution warning - blue, yellow, amber and red.
On days when an amber warning is given, factories will stop production and work will be halted on construction and building sites.
Restaurants which offer an open-air barbecues will be ordered to close temporarily, and fireworks will be banned throughout the city.
When a red warning is issued, the new car restriction measure will be implemented. Schools and kindergartens will also be closed.
The measure to restrict the number of private cars from using the road is proving to be controversial.
Critics have aired their concern that those who can afford to buy two or more cars will able to drive any day when the restriction is in force.
Beijing has almost 21 million permanent residents, according to official estimates.
Caricom Has Ignored Invitation For Rum Talks, Says USVI Governor
US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh last Friday said Caribbean governments had refused to back away from plans to take ongoing rum dispute before the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In March, de Jongh wrote to regional leaders urging them to avoid the WTO, claiming that this could lead to a prolonged legal case that could also be divisive and difficult to win.
"I think if you are going to oppose a US programme and oppose it at the WTO or oppose it at the US Trade Representative Office ... it makes sense to at least first talk with me and to hear my opinion," he told a news conference.
"No Caribbean prime minister, no Caribbean ambassador has reached out and spoken to me, even after I made the call. I reached my hand out to all of them saying I would like to have a dialogue with you before you decide ... to take any action."
De Jongh said revenue from the rum sector had been a major boost for the USVI during the recession, given also that a major company had closed its doors in January 2012 with the loss of a significant number of jobs.
"The United States Virgin islands lost over US$200 million and I could not afford not to have this programme. This programme is what helped sustain the US Virgin Islands," he said.
Caribbean countries have in the past reiterated the need for an amicable solution to the rum dispute with the United States.
The regional countries say they are determined to seek a satisfactory solution to the matter of trade-distorting subsidies being granted to the USVI, and Puerto Rico rum producers that threaten the long-term viability of the rum industry in the Caribbean.
Last December, the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) said the region was having "serious concerns" regarding the competitiveness of Caribbean rum in the United States.
"In addition to being the largest agriculture-based export industry in CARICOM, the rum industry is a substantial employer and a major contributor to foreign-exchange earnings and government revenues," COTED said.
UK-based Diageo Plc reportedly warned that should CARICOM mount a complaint to the WTO over the alleged subsidies, it would "re-evaluate" its Caribbean interests.
China's economic growth picks up speed in third quarter
China's economic growth picked up pace in the July-to-September period, the first rise in three quarters.
The world's second-biggest economy grew 7.8% from a year earlier, up from 7.5% expansion in the previous quarter.
The official figures also showed growth in industrial output, retail sales and fixed asset investment.
After years of blistering growth, China has seen its pace of expansion slow recently and there have been fears that growth may slow further.
China has set a growth target of 7.5% for the year. Analysts said the latest numbers indicated that it was likely that Beijing would meet this.
"This is an indication that China's economic growth is holding up in a range which is within the comfort zone of both the Chinese policymakers as well as global watchers," said Song Seng Wun, a senior economist with CIMB Research.
Over the past few decades China has relied heavily on its exports and manufacturing sectors as well as government-led infrastructure spending to help boost growth.
However, a slowdown in key markets such as the US and Europe has hurt demand for its exports.
As a result, it has been trying to spur domestic demand to offset the decline in foreign sales and also to rebalance its growth.
Earlier this year, it unveiled fresh measures to help boost the economy.
From 1 August, China has suspend value-added tax (VAT) and turnover tax for small businesses with monthly sales of less than 20,000 yuan ($3,257; £2,125).
The cabinet said the move would benefit more than six million small companies and boost employment and income for millions of people.
Policymakers said they would also implement measures to simplify customs clearance procedures, cut operational fees and facilitate the exports of small and medium-sized private enterprises.
The cabinet also announced plans to completely open China's railway construction market to private investors to develop the sector further.
It said it would set up a railway development fund, with the initial money coming from the government.
Analysts said the moves were starting to have an impact on the growth numbers.
"There is certainly a build up of momentum among the small manufacturers, which is an indication that China's policies targeted at them are working," said Tony Nash, vice-president at IHS.
Factory output rose 10.2% in September, from a year earlier. Meanwhile, retail sales rose 13.3% and fixed asset investment jumped 20.2% during the month from levels a year ago.
Tim Condon of ING added that the measures may help China sustain its growth rate in the current quarter as well.
"The mini-stimulus we've seen is enough to keep it going at this pace in the fourth quarter," Mr Condon said.
Toyota to recall 885,000 vehicles
Toyota is recalling 885,000 vehicles to fix a problem that could cause a water leak from the air conditioning unit.
It said water could leak into the airbag control module, causing a short circuit and triggering a warning light.
In some cases airbags "could become disabled or could inadvertently deploy" and in limited cases the power steering function could be disabled, it added.
The models affected by the recall are the Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, and Venza made in 2012-13.
Some 847,000 cars will be recalled in North America, while the rest will be in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
A spokeswoman for Toyota told the BBC that it had received reports of two minor injuries due to the issue, but there had been no reports of any vehicles crashing.
This is the third major recall that Toyota has issued in recent weeks.
Last month, the company called back more than 780,000 vehicles in the US to address a suspension defect in its RAV4 and Lexus HS 250h models, after fears that an initial recall last year did not fix the problem.
Tobago budget shortfall discussed by Howai & London
Tobago’s budgetary allocations, financing options for the funding gap, and the increasing need for data on economic activities in Tobago were among the critical issues discussed yesterday when Finance Minister Larry Howai met with Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London in Port of Spain.
The meeting came together as a continuing measure to maintain close collaboration between the Central Government and the THA, a release from the minister’s office stated.
Howai said: “We discussed a number of very important issues related to development for Tobago including Tobago’s budgetary allocations, financing options for the funding gap, the increasing need for data on economic activities in Tobago, the identification of taxes paid arising from activities undertaken in Tobago, the training of staff in the Finance Division of the Tobago House of Assembly, Caribbean Airlines support for the tourism sector and several related matters.
“This meeting is one of several that will support a very strong collaborative relationship between both offices.”
Expressing his appreciation for the development requirements of Tobago as raised by the Chief Secretary, Howai said: “For 2014, the total recurrent and capital budgetary allocations requested by the various ministries and departments amounted to $113 billion.
“This compares with budgeted revenues of approximately $50 billion. In the circumstances, most ministries received on average 50 per cent of the amount requested.
“Similarly with Tobago, I have a deep appreciation for the structure of the development priorities and the needs which come from their strategies.
“That appreciation notwithstanding, the allocation had to be balanced against available resources and an alignment to medium and long term development priorities.”
He added: “The amount allocated to the THA met the requirements under the Dispute Resolution Agreement and was also in line with the overall allocations to various ministries and departments.
“We must also be guided by the need for fiscal discipline in policy implementation and the need to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long term.”
Jamaicans Branded 'Serial Sexual Harassers' - Government Mum As Farm Workers Are Dissed In Canada
There has been a deafening silence from the Government more than one month after a Canadian mayor and several of his councillors disrespected Jamaican farm workers by labelling them serial sexual harassers.
Instead of the Portia Simpson Miller administration defending the reputation of the Jamaicans, their fight has been taken up by the Canadian group, Justicia for Migrant Workers.
Attempts by The Jamaica Gleaner to get a comment from the Ministry of Labour about the vexing statements concerning the Jamaican workers have so far been unsuccessful.
Minister of Labour Derrick Kellier has failed to respond to questions sent to him more than one week ago, while other officials in the ministry have also not commented.
In August, CBC News in Canada reported that John Patterson, mayor of Leamington in Ontario, raised the issue of Jamaicans sexually harassing women at a police services board meeting.
According to CBC, Paterson claimed Jamaican migrant workers have been making inappropriate comments to women and making them feel uncomfortable.
"Not to be bigoted, not to be racist, not to be anything, it is directly related to some of the Jamaican migrant workers that are here," Paterson reportedly said.
The Leamington mayor also claimed that the aggressive and unwanted sexual advances displayed by the Jamaican migrant workers towards the town's women have been ongoing for years.
While pointing out that he doesn't want the workers to leave the town, the mayor suggested that perhaps that kind of deviant behaviour was acceptable in Jamaica.
"Maybe it's appropriate back in your hometown, but here, it's not. So stop," Patterson said, as he was supported by Councillor Larry Verbeke.
However, the Ontario Provincial Police have said they had not received any harassment complaints about Jamaican migrant workers.
This caused the all-volunteer advocacy group Justicia for Migrant Workers to rip into the mayor.
In response to the Jamaica Gleaner questions last week, Chris Ramsaroop, organiser of Justicia for Migrant Workers, said the mayor has not recanted and the advocacy group has not altered its position on the mayor's statements.
"We believe that the mayor's comments are extremely insensitive at best, at worst has the potential to further accentuate tensions between the local community and the migrant worker community. The question we have for the mayor is what steps is the local community taking to address their own racism towards migrant workers," declared Ramsaroop.
He added: "We believe that the mayor's comments reflect a larger issue of the lack of inclusive practices by the local community towards the migrant workers. The comments are dangerous as they attack migrant workers and show how racial stereotypes are used to criminalise an entire community."
Ramsaroop also categorised the mayor's comments as racial stereotypes "that are being played on by the mayor and the few councillors that support his claims".
"It is very dangerous how they are portraying migrant workers. They don't feel welcomed in the community. Where was the mayor when migrant workers complained of sexual harassment? It sends a statement that migrant workers are not welcomed in the Leamington community," said Ramsaroop, who added that the town of Leamington needed "to face its own racist problems".
While the Government of Jamaica remains mum, Ramsaroop said Justicia for Migrant Workers will continue to monitor the situation and speak out for the Jamaicans.
306 pounds of cocaine found concealed in cocoa beans from Dom Republic
The United States Coast Guard says a joint law enforcement team, comprising its members and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, discovered and seized about 306 pounds of cocaine concealed among a shipment of cocoa beans coming from the Dominican Republic.
On Friday, the Coast Guard said the team was conducting cargo examinations aboard the cargo ship Michaela, when they discovered three duffel bags stowed among a shipment of cocoa beans.
The bags contained 125 brick-like objects that tested positive for the properties of cocaine, the Coast Guard said.
“This is a significant seizure, with a significant street value,” said Coast Guard Captain Jeffrey Dixon, acting Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey.
“The ongoing partnership between the Coast Guard and CBP continues to produce results that protect the American public,” he added. “This intercept prevents a large quantity of drugs from getting to the streets and into the hands of our children.”
The Coast Guard said its personnel and CBP officers commonly board vessels in joint operations in an effort to deter drug smuggling and other illegal activity from the Caribbean and other places.
The cocaine and all other evidence have been turned over to the US Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis and investigation.
It said the estimated street value of the seized cocaine is approximately US$5.5 million.
Source-CMC
Argentine train crashes into Buenos Aires Once station
A commuter train in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, has crashed at the end of the line, leaving at least 80 people injured.
The train failed to stop as it arrived at Once station, crashing through the buffers and ending up wedged between the floor and ceiling of the platform.
The accident happened at the same station where 51 people were killed in a similar crash last year.
The cause of the accident remains unclear.
Saturday's crash happened shortly after 07:00 local time (10:00 GMT).
The line from Moreno 40km (25 miles) west of Buenos Aires to Once station, operated by the Sarmiento train company, is normally a busy commuter line during the week, and its trains are usually packed with passengers.
Security Secretary Sergio Berni said some of those injured on Saturday had been waiting on the platform and were hurt by flying glass as the train's windows shattered.
Jorge Ramirez, a chef who got on the train nine stations before the end of the line, told the AP news agency the accident was "a tragedy".
"I saw people hurt, shouting, others thrown on the floor. The people in the first wagon ended up piled on top of each other," he said.
After the 2012 crash, the authorities revoked a local company's right to operate trains on the line and pledged to make new investments in safety.
But commuters complain of frequent delays and bad service, and it is not uncommon to see travellers crammed into trains on their way to work.
Mexico 'clown' gunmen kill ex-drug chief Arellano Felix
The authorities in Mexico have said gunmen dressed as clowns have shot dead a former leading member of a once-powerful and violent drug cartel.
Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, 63, was killed in a beach resort in Baja California in north-western Mexico.
He and his brothers controlled the drug trade on Mexico's border with the United States in the 1990s.
But their Tijuana cartel was gradually weakened by the capture or killing of other leading members.
"He was hit by two bullets, one in the chest and one in the head," said Isai Arias, a Baja California state government official.
The motive for the attack and the gunmen's disguise were being investigated, he added.
The attack took place during a family party at a rented beach house in the tourist resort of Cabo San Lucas.
The former cartel leader was arrested in 1993 but released nearly 15 years later after spending time in prison in Mexico and the United States.
His brother Eduardo was jailed in August in the US for 15 years after pleading guilty to money laundering.
Security experts believe the Tijuana cartel is now run by his sister Enedina and her son Fernando, known as "The Engineer", according to AFP news agency.