Fitch revises Aruba’s sovereign credit outlook to negative
Fitch Ratings on Thursday revised its sovereign credit outlook on Aruba to negative from stable citing a sluggish economy, large fiscal imbalances, rising government debt and increased vulnerability because of a halt in fuel exports. The Caribbean nation’s investment grade BBB credit rating was affirmed, Fitch said.Valero Energy idled its refinery on the island because of the high cost of running the facility.
“The growth and external forecasts assume that refining operations and fuel exports by Valero will remain suspended during 2013 – 2015. However, the company will continue to be a provider of transshipment services during this period,” Fitch said.
Standard & Poor’s has Aruba one notch higher at BBB-plus with a stable outlook.
The global financial crisis and suspension of operations at the Valero refinery have led to a cumulative 12 percent shrinkage of Aruba’s economy between 2008 and 2012, Fitch said.
“Downside risks to growth remain depending on the tourism sector performance and the execution of large public-private partnerships to transform the infrastructure network and energy matrix of the island,” Fitch said.
“Aruba’s ‘BBB’ ratings are supported by its impeccable debt repayment record, high per capita income, strong rule of law, political and social stability,” Fitch said in its statement.
Source-Aruba Daily
Jamaican woman arrested on US healthcare fraud charges
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says special agents from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have arrested a Jamaican woman for health care fraud, identity theft and unauthorised use of social security numbers.
Georgia Bowen, also known as Georgia Bennett, 38, who resides in Lackawanna near Buffalo in upstate New York, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a US$250,000 fine if convicted.
Bowen claimed to be a US citizen and used a Social Security number assigned to another person, in January2011, Erie County terminated Bowen’s Medicaid eligibility.
During that time, Medicaid, a federal-state programme was billed for more than US$7,000 for medical services rendered to Bowen.
Previously, in August 2010, ICE said Bowen was sentenced in US federal court to two years in prison for identity theft. Based on that conviction, ICE initiated deportation proceedings against Bowen.
The proceedings are currently being litigated before an immigration court.
Source-CMC
Colombian soldiers killed in ambush in Arauca province
At least 13 Colombian soldiers have been killed in an ambush by Farc left-wing rebels in the east of the country, the army says.
Last month, 15 soldiers were killed by the rebel group in the same region.
Even though Farc rebels and the government are holding peace talks in Cuba, both sides are continuing to target each other militarily.
On Friday the Farc announced a "pause" in the talks and the government later withdrew its team of negotiators.
However, the talks are expected to resume soon.
Saturday's attack occurred in the eastern province of Arauca.
A statement by the Colombian army command said: "After a terrorist action by the Farc, two non-commissioned officers and 11 soldiers were killed and another one injured."
As news of the attack became public, the government's chief negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, said President Juan Manuel Santos had instructed his team to return to the negotiating table.
The Farc announced a "pause" in order to study a proposal that any peace deal must be put to a referendum.
The talks began last November, and the Farc's move was the first time either side had broken off negotiations other than for planned recesses.
The latest round was focusing on the eventual participation of the rebels in Colombian politics.
So far, the two sides have reached agreement on land reform, the first of six points on their agenda.
A recent study by Colombia's National Centre for Historical Memory suggested 220,000 people have died as a result of the five decades of conflict.
Bolivia prison riot death toll rises
The number of people killed as a result of a riot at a prison in eastern Bolivia on Friday has risen to 31.
Another 37 inmates were seriously injured when fighting broke out between rival gangs inside the jail.
Most of the victims burned to death after inmates blew up two propane tanks and used others as flamethrowers.
Among those killed is an 18-month-old toddler, one of the many children living in the prison with its incarcerated parents.
Under Bolivian law, children under six years of age can stay in jail with their parents if there is no other relative to look after them.
The authorities have so far not released a list of those who died in the riot at Palmasola prison outside the city of Santa Cruz. Palmasola is Bolivia's largest jail.
Relatives and friends of inmates have been waiting outside the prison for news. The latest victim died on Saturday of burns sustained during the riot.
Interior Minister Carlos Romero said the violence started when inmates in one cell block knocked a hole in the wall separating them from another block.
They then attacked their rivals with propane gas tanks, machetes, knives and sticks.
The fire spread quickly as straw mattresses were set alight. Guards took several hours to put out the fire and regain control of the prison.
Some prisoners jumped off the roof to escape the flames.
President Evo Morales has ordered an investigation into the incident.
LCPL hailed a massive success
The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) has been hailed by organisers and players as a “massive success.”
The tournament ended on Saturday night in front of a full house at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad with the Jamaica Tallawahs crowned as the champions after beating the Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets with 15 balls in hand.
It was the culmination of 24 matches over 26 days involving six franchise teams from across the region, with those matches played out at packed venues.
“We have exceeded every benchmark we set for the Limacol Caribbean Premier League when we embarked on this project,” said the Limacol CPL Chief Executive Damien O’Donohoe. “By every measure there is no doubt it has been a massive success.
“For the first time in many years venues in the Caribbean have been consistently packed to the rafters and the atmosphere the fans have generated has been incredible.
“The staggering public support has been matched by unprecedented commercial support, the like of which this region has never seen for a cricketing event, with local and international business joining the party.”
Even before a ball was bowled 37 commercial partners were on board, including nine league sponsors, an apparel partner and sponsors for each of the six franchises as well as four national tourism boards also supporting the event.
On top of that, high profile individuals from the worlds of entertainment and business also got involved and threw their weight behind the Limacol CPL with Hollywood actors Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler taking equity shares in the Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs respectively while Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group backed the Antigua Hawksbills.
“We have had a global audience for the action through outstanding broadcast coverage on television and radio, and the Limacol CPL has also enjoyed a significant presence on social media through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube,” said O’Donohoe. “I cannot thank the fans enough for showing up in their numbers each night and showing the world how we do cricket in the Caribbean. Caribbean cricket fans are like no other on the planet and their support of this Tournament played a huge, integral part in its success. We are grateful for, and inspired by their love for the game.
“In addition, the commercial partners and players as well as the staff who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and the army of volunteers enlisted at each of the venues, have all contributed to the final result and everyone involved deserves thanks for their efforts.
“The result has exceeded our expectations and now our task is to build on what we have achieved this year, ensures the Limacol Caribbean Premier League goes from strength to strength and that it becomes even bigger and better next year.”
Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and Founder of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League said: “When we set out on this journey we asked everyone involved to come and play – and that is exactly what has happened.
“We wanted the Limacol Caribbean Premier League to be the biggest party in sport and there is no doubt we achieved it.
“The players did their part by producing a host of memorable performances, the fans came and enjoyed themselves in huge numbers and our sponsors backed the event like never before in this region.
“The Limacol Caribbean Premier League has shown both the West Indian public’s enduring love for cricket and the limitless potential for growth and success that there is in this region.
“Within an incredibly short space of time we have established the Limacol Caribbean Premier League as something that everyone – players, fans and commercial partners – wants to be involved in.
“Our task now is to ensure that we build on this success starting with the second edition next year.”
Jamaica Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle summed up the feelings of players from each of the six franchises when he said: “It has been a great tournament and I am really happy to be here at the end.
“I give thanks to the fans for turning out and supporting us. I am very happy with the (Limacol) CPL and hopefully next year it will be even bigger and better – and I will be here again.”
Ramnaresh Sarwan, the captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors added: “I was fortunate to play in the IPL a few years ago but I think this (Limacol Caribbean Premier League) is right up there and I can only see it getting bigger and better.”
The Limacol Caribbean Premier League took place between July 30 and August 24 and involved six franchises – the Antigua Hawksbills, the Barbados Tridents, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the Jamaica Tallawahs, the St. Lucia Zouks, and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel - from across the region.
Source-CMC
WICB happy with success of Limacol CPL
President of the West Indies Cricket Board Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron says he is very pleased with the success of the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament so far, and impressed with the response the League has received both regionally and internationally.
The WICB signed an agreement with LCPL with the goal of further developing and strengthening West Indies cricket by expanding the global fan base as well as increasing the number of West Indian cricketers under regional retainer contracts, and showcasing the talent and beauty of the Caribbean internationally.
Cameron says he believes these objectives are being met.
“The support of the Limacol CPL by the West Indian fans has been overwhelming and this is evidenced by the sold-out crowds at each and every match so far. That says to me that the interest and passion for the game is still there, and it’s our responsibility to continue to nurture that love which is what the LCPL is all about,” said Cameron.
“In addition, the entire world has come to play through the global reach and appeal that the Tournament has achieved. The combination of some of the best regional and international T20 players with the amazing carnival, party-like atmosphere for which the Caribbean is renowned has turned the eyes and ears of the world to our shores, and we could not be more pleased about that exposure.”
The Limacol CPL is being broadcast on television in India, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and the USA, reaching millions of viewers through such networks as ESPN3, Fox Sports, BT Sports and Sony.
ESPN Caribbean also produces a weekly highlights show of the Tournament which airs on the ESPN Caribbean television network and online at ESPN Play. In addition, the Line and Length Radio Network offers live ball-by-ball commentary of all the matches which airs on 22 radio stations in the English-speaking Caribbean and reaches over 850 000 listeners.
The Limacol CPL has also developed a strong presence on social media networks Facebook and Twitter with thousands of fans and followers keeping up to date on the latest news and match information from the six franchise teams. Celebrities such as actor Mark Wahlberg – part owner of the Barbados Tridents – and Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson – sponsor of the Antigua Hawksbills team – who tweet about the Tournament have added to the interest.
Cameron said that he is impressed by the hidden talent that is emerging as a result of the League.
“Players like young Nicholas Pooran (Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel) and the likes of Rayad Emrit (Barbados Tridents), Sheldon Cotterell (Antigua Hawksbills) and Steven Jacobs (Guyana Amazon Warriors) to name a few, that may have flown under the radar or been overshadowed by the bigger names in the region have now been given their time to shine, and they are indeed taking advantage of that opportunity.
“I expect that the Limacol CPL will open many doors for these young men to play cricket all over the world and it’s satisfying to know that it all started with the LCPL.”
Limacol CPL chief executive officer Damien O’Donohoe agrees. “As the governing authority for cricket in the region, the WICB have shown great foresight and support in how they have partnered with us to develop the LCPL.
“While in our inaugural year of the Tournament we recognise we have a long way to go to build and achieve all our mutual goals, we are warmed by the reception that the WICB and all local territorial boards have provided throughout and the passion with which they have interacted with us concerning our future development programmes which we think will yield far reaching results for the sport in the region.”
England win series 3-0 after bad light ends Ashes 2013
England were denied a probable victory over Australia in the final Test when bad light ensured the match ended in a draw which confirmed the hosts' 3-0 series win.
Set a target of 227 by Michael Clarke's ambitious declaration, England needed 21 more from 24 balls with five wickets in hand when play was called to a halt by the umpires at 7.36pm.
The Oval crowd, who had been treated to an incredible final day in which 447 runs were scored and 17 wickets fell, booed in disapproval before gathering to watch England captain Alastair Cook lift the Ashes urn.
England, who have now won three Ashes series in a row for the first time since 1977-1981, celebrated with a lap of honour while fireworks blazed over the pavilion.
Cook said: "It would have been nice to finish with a win but the rules and regulations are there for a reason. The umpires have strict guidelines and, if it was day three, we would have gone off."
Such an absorbing and ultimately controversial conclusion to the series looked unlikely when England began the final day only four wickets down in their first innings.
But the hosts' aggressive approach on Sunday morning, and Australia's determination to give themselves a chance of a consolation victory, saw Clarke declare his side's second innings on 111-6 at tea and set England a tantalising target in 44 overs.
A partnership of 64 between Cook (34) and Jonathan Trott set England on course before a buccaneering 62 off 55 balls from Kevin Pietersen established the hosts as firm favourites.
After Trott (59) and Pietersen were dismissed in quick succession, Chris Woakes and Ian Bell kept up the pace, but with the light fading rapidly, Australia began to complain.
When Bell was run out by Mitchell Starc for 17, the umpires consulted their light meters, and took the unpopular decision to end the match, denying the full house the finale they desired.
Under International Cricket Council regulations, the umpires were obliged to take the players off once the light had faded to the same level it was when they had stopped play on Thursday evening.
The crowd subsequently jeered the umpires and Clarke during the post-match presentation before applauding Cook's triumphant team as they jogged around the floodlit outfield with flags draped around their shoulders.
The victory margin was their biggest in the Ashes since they won 5-1 in 1978-79 and their best at home since their 3-0 win in 1977 - the last time Australia failed to win a single match against their fiercest rivals.
The result also means England move above India into second place in the ICC Test rankings, while Australia drop below Pakistan into fifth.
Source-BBC
Mike Tyson 'close to death from drugs and alcohol'
Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson claims he is "on the verge of dying" from ongoing drug and alcohol problems.
Tyson, 47, admitted he is a continual substance abuser but added he is hopeful of finally getting clean.
"I want to live my sober life. I don't want to die. I'm on the verge of dying, because I'm a vicious alcoholic," Tyson said on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights".
"I'm a bad guy sometimes. I did a lot of bad things, I want to be forgiven."
At the age of 20, in 1987, the American fighter held the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.
But five years later Brooklyn-born Tyson was convicted of raping Desiree Washington and sentenced to six years in prison.
He returned to the ring but retired from the sport in 2006 and in 2007 was sentenced to 24 hours in jail and 360 hours of community service for drug possession and driving under the influence.
Tyson, who now works as a boxing promoter, added: "I hope they can forgive me. I want to change my life, I want to live a different life now.
"I haven't drank or took drugs in six days, and for me that's a miracle.
"I've been lying to everybody that thinks I was sober, but I'm not. This is my sixth day. I'm never going to use again."
Lance Armstrong reaches settlement with Sunday Times
Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has reached an agreement with the Sunday Times after it had sued the drugs-tainted American for around one million pounds, the British paper announced yesterday.
"It is the final episode in a long legal battle between this newspaper and the fallen icon..." the paper said.
The newspaper was forced to pay Armstrong 300,000 pounds in 2006 to settle a legal case after it had questioned his Tour de France victories in an article published two years earlier.
However, after the 41-year-old was stripped of his record seven Tour wins and handed a life ban last year for cheating his way to glory, the newspaper demanded a return of the payout plus interest, as well as costs accrued in defending the case.
After years of denials, Armstrong confessed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year that he used performance-enhancing drugs to cheat his way to the Tour de France wins.
Greece may need a third bailout
Greece may need a third bailout but would not accept new austerity measures, the Greek finance minister has said.
Yannis Stournaras said: "If there is need for further support to Greece, it will be in the order of about 10bn euros (£8.6bn; $13.4bn), or much smaller than the previous programmes."
Greece has already received two bailouts totalling about 240bn euros.
Meanwhile, Angela Merkel has warned about writing down any more Greek debt.
Germany's chancellor said a so-called haircut of Greek debt would be bad for the stability of the eurozone, which has seen a return in investor confidence after years of worrying about the future of the single currency following bailouts of several nations - most recently, Cyprus.
"I am expressly warning against a haircut," Mrs Merkel said. "It could trigger a domino effect of uncertainty with the result that the readiness of private investors to invest in the eurozone again falls to nothing."
Her comments come after Germany's finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, said - for the first time - earlier this month that Greece will need another bailout to plug a forthcoming funding gap.
The issue of bailouts is a sensitive one in Germany, where Mrs Merkel faces elections for a third term on 22 September.
Many Germans feel they have already contributed enough to European bailouts.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month estimated Greece would need around 11bn euros in 2014-15.