US Coast Guard sends cocaine smugglers to Guantanamo Bay
The United States Coast Guard says crew from the Cutter Northland and Coast Guard Station Miami Beach have offloaded over 1,000 pounds of cocaine and transferred the alleged smugglers to US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officials in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
On Saturday, the Coast Guard reported that the estimated street value of the drugs was US$19 million.
According to Coast Guard officials, while on routine patrol on May 29, 2013, the crew of the Cutter Bertholf received a report from a US Customs and Border Protection aircraft crew of a go-fast vessel about 305 miles southwest of Cocos Island, Costa Rica.
The crew of the Bertholf was diverted and eventually launched a helicopter and small boat crew.
The Coast Guard said a helicopter crew located the go fast vessel and informed a small boat crew which intercepted the vessel and located a package with about 1,250 pounds of cocaine.
Six suspected smugglers were detained; the security officials also sank the vessel “as a hazard to navigation.”
The cocaine was later transferred to crew-members on the Cutter Northland and passed on to DEA agents at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach.
The Coast Guard said it is constantly surveying the Caribbean Sea for the increased trans-shipment of illegal drugs and alleged drug traffickers.
Source-CMC
Popocatepetl volcano causes more Mexico flight chaos
US airlines have cancelled flights into and out of Mexico City for a second day over fears that ash from a rumbling volcano could affect their planes.
Delta and United Airlines were among the companies that stopped at least a dozen flights on Friday.
On Thursday, more than 40 flights were cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Popocatepetl volcano has been rumbling all year, and began spewing ash and steam earlier in the week.
Airport authorities insisted there was no danger.
An unnamed airport official told the AFP news agency: "There is a very thin presence of ash, which does not harm operations or affect equipment."
But Jorge Andres Gomez, a spokesman for the airport, said any change in the wind or intensity of the volcano would complicate the situation.
US Airways, Delta, United, American and Alaska Airlines all cancelled flights on Thursday.
The routes affected by the cancellations were flights to Houston, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles.
American said in a statement that it had taken the action as a precaution.
"We are closely monitoring the situation in Mexico City as volcanic ash continues to be emitted from Popocatepetl," said American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller.
Mexican airlines continued to fly into the airport as scheduled.
Most operations were getting back to normal later on Friday, officials said.
The authorities established an 11-km (seven-mile) no-go zone around the volcano, which lies 70km (40 miles) south-east of the airport.
Popocatepetl, which is 5,452m (17,900ft) high, has intensified in activity since May, and the alert level is currently set one notch below evacuation level.
Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Centre reported tremors and columns of ash and vapour at Popocatepetl on Friday.
It advised people living around the volcano to take precautions such as using masks, covering water supplies and staying indoors.
CARICOM Free Movement Bill tabled
A Bill to amend the Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) Act, to broaden the categories of skilled nationals able to access jobs in regional countries has been tabled in the House of Representatives, by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier.
The Bill provides for the introduction of a single certificate system, and it also seeks to implement fees to provide financing for administrative services for the processing and issue of qualifying certificates as well as increase penalties to deter non-compliance with the Act.
The Bill’s “Memorandum of Objects and Reasons” explains that the Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) Act established the legislative framework for the phased implementation of Jamaica’s Treaty obligations under Articles 45 and 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, establishing the Caribbean Community, which was signed in the Bahamas on July 5, 2001.
The revised Treaty was itself implemented into domestic law by the Caribbean Community Act, and Article 45 of the Revised Treaty commits member states to the goal of the free movement of nationals within the community.
Articles 46 of the Revised Treaty obliges Jamaica and other member states to accord categories of community nationals the right to seek employment in their respective jurisdictions, and to establish appropriate legislative, administrative and procedural arrangements to facilitate movement of nationals into and within member state jurisdictions.
The Free Movement of Skilled Persons arises from an agreed CARICOM policy that was originally separate but related to the original Protocol II of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
The agreed policy, called The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Free Movement of Persons Act, is now enacted legislation in all the CSME Member States. It provides for the free movement of certain categories of skilled labour. Under this legislation, persons within these categories can qualify for Skills Certificates (which allow for the free movement across the region).
Eight categories of CARICOM nationals have been eligible for free movement throughout the CSME, without the need for work permits. They are: University Graduates, Media Workers, Artistes, Musicians, Sportspersons, Managers, Technical and Supervisory Staff attached to a company and Self-Employed Persons/Service Providers.
In addition the spouses and immediate dependent family members of these nationals will also be exempt from work permit requirements. At the July 2006 CARICOM Summit, it was agreed to allow for free movement of two more categories of skilled persons; tertiary-trained Teachers and Nurses.
It was also agreed that higglers, artisans, domestic workers and hospitality workers are to be added to the categories of labour allowed free movement at a later date, pending the agreement of an appropriate certification.
Source-jamaicaobserver
Murray wins Wimbledon
From the lawns of Wimbledon to the lochs of Scotland, all of Britain can celebrate.
Andy Murray made it possible Sunday, winning his country's hallowed tennis tournament to become the first British man in 77 years to raise the trophy at the All England Club.
Yes, this was history, and Murray's 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory over top-seeded Novak Djokovic was a fitting close to nearly eight decades of British frustration in its own backyard: A straight-setter, yes, but a hard-fought, 3-hour, 9-minute affair filled with long, punishing rallies and a final game that may have felt like another 77 years, with Murray squandering three match points before finally putting it away after four deuces.
Certainly, the endgame must have felt like torture to the 15,000 watching on Centre Court, the thousands more watching on a big-screen TV on the grounds and, of course, the millions of British watching on TV.
"Imagine playing it," Murray said in his on-court interview.
But he closed it out on this cloudless, 80-degree day on Centre Court. He put his name beside that of Fred Perry, the last British man to win Wimbledon, back in 1936.
Those words don't have to be written again.
"He's someone that I've obviously never met, but is quite relevant in my career really," Murray said.
The second-seeded Murray beat the best in Djokovic - top-ranked and a six-time Grand Slam winner known for both a mental and physical fitness built to handle what he faced Sunday: A crowd full of overheated partisans rooting against him, to say nothing of Murray himself.
"The atmosphere was incredible for him. For me, not so much, but this is what I expected," Djokovic said.
Since falling to Roger Federer in the final last year, Murray had shed some baggage by winning the Olympic gold medal on Centre Court, then following that with his first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open.
Shaq says Houston is a 'safe move' for Dwight
Shaquille O'Neal says the Los Angeles spotlight was too bright for Dwight Howard.
Speaking at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Shaq hammered his former colleague as if they were battling in the post.
O'Neal opened his mouth agape when asked about Howard, who chose to leave the Lakers for the Houston Rockets late Friday, and joked about cheering on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick in Saturday night's race.
A few seconds later, he threw an elbow Howard's way.
"It was expected," Shaq said. "We've all been in L.A., and not a whole lot of people can handle being under the bright lights. Everybody wants to do it, but when you get there, there are certain pressures. I think it was a safe move for him to go to a little town like Houston. That's right, little town. I said it."
Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson, meanwhile, shared his thoughts on Howard's decision through his Twitter account Sunday morning, writing that he believes the Lakers will be fine.
Bravo Banned, Simmons In
Lendl Simmons has been named in the West Indies squad for today's match against Sri Lanka in the CELKON Mobile Cup at Queen's Park Oval.
The 28-year-old batsman, who can also bowl medium-pace, is a replacement for captain Dwayne Bravo.
The selection panel of the West Indies Cricket Board called up Simmons following a one-match suspension handed down to Bravo after the West Indies were fined for a second minor over-rate offence within 12 months during Friday's match against India. Kieron Pollard will be stand-in captain for today's match.
Simmons made his ODI debut back in 2006 and has so far played 42 matches. He has scored 1,152 runs at 30.31 per innings including a top score of 122 against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka two years ago.
West Indies lead the table in the CELKON Mobile Cup tournament with nine points from three matches. They beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to earn a bonus point, and had a one-wicket win in a thriller over India. They lost on Friday against India. Sri Lanka have five points from two matches while India have five points from three matches.
Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith.
Source-CMC
Graeme McDowell earns third win of 2013 in French Open
Graeme McDowell clinched his third win of 2013 as he shot a final round of 67 to finish four ahead of South African Richard Sterne at the French Open.
McDowell and Sterne battled for most of the last round but the Northern Irishman was stronger over the closing holes as the South African faded.
The victory earned McDowell more than £430,000 and moved him into second place in the Race to Dubai standings.
England's Graeme Storm and Spain's Eduardo De La Riva shared third place.
McDowell won the Heritage event on the PGA Tour in April and followed that with victory at the World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria a month later.
However, he went into the French Open having missed the cut in five of his last six stroke-play events, including the US Open and last week's Irish Open.
The 2010 US Open champion moved ahead on Sunday with an early birdie but Sterne responded with a birdie of his own at the third and then took the lead after McDowell dropped a stroke at the seventh.
However, McDowell drew level after picking up another stroke at the 10th and he moved ahead at the 12th after Sterne took five after missing the fairway.
McDowell extended his lead after Sterne bogeyed the short 16th with the Northern Irishman's short putt for par falling in off the left edge after it had appeared set to stay out.
The Ryder Cup star was suddenly four ahead when a magnificent approach at the tough par-four 17th yielded another birdie, with Sterne dropping another shot after a missed short putt.
McDowell's victory was hailed on the 18th green by his parents Marian and Kenny, who had travelled to Paris to watch their son in action.
The 33-year-old described his victory at the tough 2018 Ryder Cup venue as "special".
"It's been a funny year because my game hasn't felt far away most weeks," added McDowell.
"But I've missed a lot of cuts and missing cuts hurts. That has certainly motivated me a lot these last few weeks."
England's Ian Poulter, a 12-time winner on the European Tour, finished on two over after a final round of 73 with Luke Donald on six over after carding a 75.
After McDowell, Gareth Maybin was the the next best Northern Irish player as he shared 11th after hitting an impressive 68 on Sunday.
Gareth Shaw, after finishing in a share of fifth in his first ever European Tour event at last week's Irish Open, was again in the top 20 after a closing 69 left him tied for 15th on level par.
Meath man Damien McGrane finished on one over after a closing 69 with Alan Dunbar on four over after a 71 and Michael Hoey second last of the weekend qualifiers after slumping to a 79.
Lions roar to historic win over Wallabies
The British and Irish Lions secured a first test series win in 16 years in resounding fashion on Saturday defeating Australia 41-16 in the third test match at the ANZ Stadium, Sydney.
With a tense series tied at 1-1 after the opening two tests, it was the Lions who broke free in the deciding game, taking an early advantage and never looking back.
A second-minute try from loose-head prop Alex Corbisiero set the tone for a rampaging Lions performance, who scored four tries and trounce their hosts by a record margin.
"We fronted up today and I think the scoreline reflected it and we represented the four countries with pride," Lions skipper Alun Wyn-Jones said after the match.
We wanted to win the collisions and breakdowns. It was always going to come down to that today. They came back at us in the second half and we came back pretty well."
Corbisiero's opening try was converted by Lee Halfpenny who also bagged four first-half penalties to give the Lions a healthy 19-3 lead moments before the halftime whistle.
James O'Connor's converted try on the stroke of halftime reduced Australia's deficit to nine points and two penalties from Christian Lealiifano early in the second half narrowed the Lions' lead to just three points.
But Halfpenny stepped up in the 51st minute to ease Lions' supporters nerves which were soon forgotten when Irish fly-half Jonathan Sexton scored a second try for the tourists six minutes later.
Welsh winger George North all but sealed victory with a try in the 64th minute but the Lions weren't finished with Jamie Roberts storming through to score a fourth try and cap a thrilling win.
Lions coach, Warren Gatland admitted afterwards that he'd agonized over selection before the match, notably leaving out veteran Irish center Brian O'Driscoll.
"You always doubt decisions you make, but you have to make those hard calls. I have taken a bit of flack. It was about the boys today and winning the series. It was an outstanding performance. We started well, came under some pressure and bounced back."
Player stabbed, referee dismembered over soccer quarrel in Brazil
The argument started over a red card.
It escalated when the referee fatally stabbed the player.
It ended when the player's enraged family members stoned the referee to death and dismembered his body.
Even for soccer, where violent outbreaks are all-too-common, what happened last week in a northern Brazil village was extraordinary.
Referee Jordan Silva called a foul during a soccer match. He showed player Josenir Santo Abreu a red card, the highest penalty, which translates into expulsion from the game.
Referees under siege, attacked by violence
Abreu, 30, wasn't going to take it, police said, and confronted the referee, who was 10 years younger.
The altercation grew ugly. Silva pulled a knife, and plunged it into Abreu's chest, Maranhao state police said in a statement.
While the player was rushed to a hospital, members of his family nabbed the referee and tied him up with the help of fans, CNN affiliate Band News reported. And they tortured him.
The player didn't make it to the hospital alive, police said. When the news reached his family back at the soccer field, the mob took retribution on Silva.
They stoned him to death.
And they cut his body into pieces.
Police later identified the suspects, easily.
They could be seen clearly in video images of the gory incident recorded with a cell phone.
In May: Slain soccer referee risked violence for 'his passion,' teaching kids to cope on the field.
Source-CNN
San Francisco Boeing 777 crash 'not mechanical failure'
A Boeing 777 aircraft that crash-landed at San Francisco airport killing two people did not have mechanical problems, an airline official has said.
The head of the South Korean airline Asiana, Yoon Young-doo, did not rule out human error but said the pilots were experienced veterans.
Most of the 307 people on board were injured, 49 of them seriously.
The plane came down short of the runway, ripping off its tail, after apparently hitting a sea wall.
One survivor said the plane came in to land too fast and too low, but there was no warning of problems.
Passengers and crew escaped down emergency slides as it burst into flames.
Mr Yoon apologised "deeply" for the effect the accident had had on all those involved, bowing in front of TV cameras at a Seoul news conference.
He said there was no emergency alarm and the crew had made the usual requests to passengers to fasten their seatbelts to prepare for landing.