Simon Cowell parties with ex-fiancé Mezhgan Hussainy in Barbados
Simon Cowell and ex-fiancé Mezhgan Hussainy show that they still get along as they escaped the hustle of the entertainment industry by fleeing to Barbados.
Hussainy, who works as a makeup artist for “American Idol,” still has the looks that attracted Cowell in the first place – and she showed off her figure with a stylish teal bikini.
Some may speculate that Cowell and Hussainy have rekindled their past romance.
Cowell recently admitted to dating former Playboy model Carmen Electra, reported Ok!
“She's not my girlfriend," Simon told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show. "We're people who date. She's adorable isn't she?"
In his professional life as a talent judge, lovely ladies surround Cowell. In his personal life, the same appears to be true.
St.Vincent: baby found dead
In news just coming to hand, police in St.Vincent will now have to search for clues as to who left a baby wrapped in a blanket and placed in a plastic bag on the streets of Kingstown.
Reports are that the discovery was made a short while ago in the vicinity of the Income Tax building in the city.
Unconfirmed reports are that the baby was found by a vagrant who was at the time searching a garbage can. Further reports are that the infant's umbilical cord was still attached.
Whasupcaribbean will keep you updated as more information becomes available and will seek to confirm the report.
Antiguan ex-cops get bail on money laundering charges
The ex-police officers facing 15 money-laundering and drug trafficking offences linked to a double murder in Cedar Valley are out on bail.
Arleigh Byer and Cosbert Sergeant spent Christmas with their families after meeting their bail conditions on Christmas Eve.
In lieu of physical cash, the court accepted property and other equipment put up by independent persons.
A stipulation of the bail requirement was that Byer and Sergeant not hold title for any of the properties or have an interest in them.
Byer and Sergeant were granted bail in St John’s Magistrates’ Court for possession of 35 kilos of cocaine, but were unable to come up with the $100,000 cash deposit of the $1.2 million bail. The cash component was later cut in half.
The duo obtained bail in the High Court in the sum of $800,000 on December 20 on the money-laundering offences.
A cash deposit of $200,000 was ordered in addition to other conditions including reporting to the nearest police station three days weekly.
The cocaine was found on the scene of a double murder where thirty-four-year-old Alwin Robin and Alix Riviere, 32, both of Dominica, were found shot to death in a Cedar Valley house.
Both men allegedly are custodians of the property.
While being detained in prison waiting to fulfil the bail conditions, both men were slapped with nine counts of money laundering, by the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP).
The ONDCP later served them with an additional six charges.
The men’s arrest and charging follows a two-year probe by the law enforcement agency.
All the matters have been adjourned until February 25. The money laundering charges, under the Money Laundering Act, are summary matters to be heard by a magistrate unless otherwise directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and without consent of the accused.
Attorney Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin is the men’s legal advocate.
Antigua Observer
Jamaica authorities smash multi million dollar fraud ring
Detectives from the Organized Crime Investigation Division (OCID) have smashed a major fraud ring that fleeced J$85 million (US$920 thousand) from a prominent financial institution in western Jamaica.
The police report that Rohan Ennis, a businessman, was arrested and charged with several counts of forgery, uttering forged documents, conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by means of false pretence.
It’s reported that Ennis was among a group of persons who applied for loans from the institution. It was later revealed that the documents which were submitted for the loans were forged. Some of the documents submitted were from organizations that do not exist. The individuals also submitted fictitious addresses.
Ennis was granted two loans totaling $J15 million (US$160000) of which J$10 million (US$108 thousand) was used to purchase a BMW X6. The police have since seized the vehicle.
Ennis who was arrested and charged on December 27 was remanded when he appeared in the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Wednesday.
The detectives have also listed twelve individuals, suspected to be involved in the scheme, as persons of interest.
Caribbean 360
Haiti embraces leadership of CARICOM
Incoming chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Michel Martelly, president of Haiti, has called on member states to consolidate efforts in order to achieve the “necessary structural changes to increase the well-being of our peoples.”
In a message to the Community at the beginning of its fortieth anniversary year, Martelly, whose country is chairing the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM for the first time, reflected on unity as a means of overcoming the serious economic, environmental, and social challenges affecting the region.
In its fortieth year of existence, there was ample evidence that the Community “constitutes a useful mechanism to facilitate integration within the region,” Martelly said. He added that as small, vulnerable states in a competitive, economic environment, the task at hand was to ensure that CARICOM constituted a bulwark that would protect its member states in the current formidable global environment.
“In my capacity as chairman of the Community, I resolutely commit myself and my country to this noble and urgent necessity. Haiti gladly embraces this opportunity to provide leadership to the integration process for the next six months, and looks forward to help strengthen the Caribbean Community. During Haiti’s chairmanship, we shall also endeavour to promote sustainable development policies based on an effective cooperation strategy,” Martelly said.
In this quest, Martelly said he would build upon the “sterling work” of his predecessor, Dr Kenny Anthony, prime minister of Saint Lucia, and would seek the support of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who is the third member of the Bureau of Heads of Government, and other heads of government.
Referring to Haiti’s role in the Community, Martelly acknowledged that his country must accelerate its integration into CARICOM and committed to doing so during his tenure as chairman.
Caribbean News Now
Cohorts in money laundering scam including a Bermuda national jailed
A Montana judge has jailed two California residents for their roles in a Ponzi scheme involving Bermudian Andre Curtis, once the election campaign manager for former Premier Dr Ewart Brown.
According to local media reports, Shanna Raymond of Oakland and Brian Gill of San Pedro was convicted of investment fraud and money laundering.
US District Judge Donald Molloy sentenced Raymond to two years in prison and ordered the 37-year-old to pay US$1.5 million in restitution.
The judge jailed Gill , 55 for 18 months and made him pay US$570,000 in restitution.
Prosecutors said Raymond and Gill agreed to promote investments by Dan Two Feathers of Hamilton, Montana.
Two Feathers, who spearheaded the scam, was jailed in June for six years on investment fraud and other charges.
Shawn Swor, another who pleaded guilty to his involvement, was sentenced to two years and three months in July.
In September, Terrance Paulin was jailed for two years and nine months and ordered to repay victims following the scam, which saw investors conned out of more than $2.4 million.
Paulin, of Missoula, Montana, admitted conspiracy to commit investment fraud in a hearing before the same judge.
The court had previously heard people were falsely promised huge returns on their investments, with their cash then funneled through a front company which had accounts at the Bank of Bermuda.
Montana State Auditors Office told how Bermudian businessman Curtis helped run the scheme. Curtis was fined $335,000 by the Montana Commissioner in November 2010. The following month, he was jailed for 15 months by the Bermuda courts for operating an unlicensed investment business.
Curtis briefly campaigned in Pembroke South East in last month’s Bermuda general election — in which the One Bermuda Alliance ended he Progressive Labour Party’s 14 years in power — but pulled out after he was sent back to prison for unpaid bills. Brown was Premier between 2006 and 2010.
Caribbean 360
Transocean agrees to pay $1.4bn oil spill fine
Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, has agreed to a settlement with the US government.
The Swiss-based company will pay $400m (£248m) in criminal penalties and a $1bn civil fine after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Water Act.
The rig, which was leased by BP, exploded on 20 April 2010, killing 11 workers.
The oil spill damaged the Gulf of Mexico coast causing one of the biggest environmental disasters in US history.
"Transocean's rig crew accepted the direction of BP well site leaders to proceed in the face of clear danger signs at a tragic cost to many of them," said assistant attorney general Lanny Breuer.
In November, BP agreed a settlement with the US government worth $4.5bn, including a $1.26bn criminal fine.
It has spent $14bn on cleaning up the oil spill and compensating local people.
'Closer to justice'
A report from the US Chemical Safety Board in July 2012 criticised both BP and Transocean for having inadequate safety rules.
The two companies disagreed about who was in charge of interpreting a negative pressure test that could have warned workers of the problems.
Transocean's agreement with the Department of Justice still has to be approved by a federal judge.
As part of the settlement, the company has to make a series of improvements to the safety and emergency responses on its rigs.
"This resolution of criminal allegations and civil claims against Transocean brings us one significant step closer to justice for the human, environmental and economic devastation wrought by the Deepwater Horizon disaster," said US Attorney General Eric Holder.
The $1.4bn will mainly be spent on environmental projects, and research and training to prevent future spills.
In a statement, Transocean said: "These important agreements, which the company believes to be in the best interest of its shareholders and employees, remove much of the uncertainty associated with the accident."
The company plans to pay the fines over the next five years.
Its shares rose 6.4% in New York, while BP shares trading in New York rose 1.7%.
Analysts at Barclays said that the settlement was considerably less than they had been expecting Transocean to have to pay.
They noted that Halliburton was now the only one of the contractors that had not yet settled with the Department of Justice.
BP still faces a trial in New Orleans, which is due to begin on 25 February, which could lead to it paying civil damages of $21bn if it is found guilty of gross negligence.
US Congress: John Boehner re-elected as House speaker
The US Congress has begun its new term, with House Speaker John Boehner re-elected amid the prospect of more budget battles with the White House.
The 113th Congress began two days after the 112th passed an 11th-hour law to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff".
Thirteen new senators and 82 new representatives were sworn-in at noon.
Democrats made slight gains in the November elections, increasing their majority in the Senate, while Republicans still control the House.
In an address, Mr Boehner alluded to forthcoming discussions over government spending.
"The American dream is in peril so long as its namesake is weighed down by this anchor of debt.
"Break its hold, and we begin to set our economy free. Jobs will come home. Confidence will come back," the Ohio congressman said.
'Voice of the people'
He also addressed the new lawmakers, saying: "If you have come here humbled by the opportunity to serve; if you have come here to be the determined voice of the people; if you have come here to carry the standard of leadership demanded not just by our constituents but by the times, then you have come to the right place."
In the first major legislative battles of the new session, lawmakers in the coming weeks will seek to head off a raft of automatic spending cuts and debate legislation to raise the US government's borrowing ability - known as the debt ceiling.
Shortly after the House was gavelled into session, Ohio Republican John Boehner was re-elected as speaker by a roll-call vote.
Mr Boehner overcame dissatisfaction among fellow Republicans over his handling of this week's fiscal cliff vote, as well as a decision to delay a vote on an aid package for victims of December's "superstorm" Sandy.
The 220 to 192 vote saw several Republicans vote against him or abstain, but not enough to derail his re-election bid. No Republican stood against him, but Democrats voted for their party leader, Nancy Pelosi.
Mr Boehner calmed cries from East Coast politicians after promising to vote on the full $60bn (£37bn) package in two parts by 15 January.
A vote on $9bn in immediate aid will be among the lower chamber's first substantive business on Friday, Mr Boehner has said.
In the final hours of the session it approved a measure to avoid the fiscal cliff - a series of tax rises and automatic spending cuts that were due to begin on 1 January.
The deal prevented tax rises on the first $400,000 of income but suspended the spending cuts for two months. That postponement leaves it to the new Congress to negotiate a replacement package.
In addition, the US federal government is expected soon to reach the limit on its borrowing authority, known as the debt ceiling. Congressional Republicans have pledged to seek spending cuts in return for an increase in the debt ceiling.
Some lawmakers expressed cautious optimism the new Congress would work more smoothly and efficiently than the previous.
"Any time you have new members arriving, you have that expectation of bringing fresh ideas and kind of a vitality that is needed," West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said.
"We hope that they're coming eager to work hard and make some difficult decisions and put the country first and not be bogged down ideologically."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned President Barack Obama and the Democrats not to seek new tax revenue, noting they had won tax concessions in the recent fiscal cliff deal.
"Now the conversation turns to cutting spending on the government programmes that are the real source of the nation's fiscal imbalance," hewrote on the Yahoo! News website.
"The upcoming debate on the debt limit is the perfect time to have that discussion."
The two largest credit rating agencies have urged US politicians to do more to sort out the budget.
Black senator
The 113th Congress officially begins at mid-day on Thursday with swearing-in ceremonies.
A record 20 female senators will be seated in the 100-member body. Three Hispanic senators and 28 congressmen constitute a record number in Congress.
The Senate will also have its first black Republican in decades: Tim Scott, appointed by South Carolina's governor to replace retiring Senator Jim DeMint.
The Democrats will have a 55 to 45 majority in the Senate; The Republicans control the House with a 235 to 199 majority. Eighty-two representatives from both parties take their seats for the first time.
The composition of the 113th Congress will not stay the same for long. Senator John Kerry, nominated to become the next secretary of state, is expected to resign in a few weeks, launching a special election for his seat.
--BBC
Google makes concessions to avoid legal action in US
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has decided not to take legal action against Google at the end of a 19-month investigation into the search giant.
It found Google had not biased its search results to favour its products.
Google has agreed to give advertisers access to more information about their campaigns and has agreed not to use other providers' material such as product reviews in its search results.
Google is still awaiting a competition ruling from the European Commission.
Another key concession applies to how Google uses the patents it bought when it acquired Motorola Mobility last year for $12.5bn (£7.9bn).
Google has said it will charge "fair and reasonable" rates to companies that need to use its standard essential patents.
Standard essential patents are ones that are critical to industry standards, for example, the technology that allows devices such as smartphones and tablets to connect to the internet over wi-fi.
It has agreed not to take out injunctions forcing licensees to remove their products from sale if there are disagreements about how much a fair rate should be.
'Disappointing and premature'
Rivals had called for stronger sanctions to be taken against Google.
Fairsearch, an organisation representing several of Google's critics such as Microsoft, said in a statement: "The FTC's decision to close its investigation with only voluntary commitments from Google is disappointing and premature, coming just weeks before the company is expected to make a formal and detailed proposal to resolve the four abuses of dominance identified by the European Commission, first among them biased display of its own properties in search results."
The FTC was asked to investigate whether Google was favouring its own products in search results.
FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz told a press conference that the commission had found no evidence that Google's search engine was biased towards its own services.
"Some may believe the commission should have done more, but for our part we do follow the facts where they lead," he said.
"We do it with appropriate rigour. This brings to an end the investigation. It is good for consumers, it is good for competition and it is the right thing to do."
One of the biggest changes to be implemented by Google will allow advertisers to copy ad campaign data to other search engines, such as Microsoft's Bing.
Google is also promising that it will stop copying content from other websites to use in its summaries, even though the company had insisted the practice was legal under the fair-use provisions of US copyright law.
In response to the settlement, Google's chief legal officer David Drummond said in a blog post: "The US Federal Trade Commission today announced it has closed its investigation into Google after an exhaustive 19-month review that covered millions of pages of documents and involved many hours of testimony.
"The conclusion is clear: Google's services are good for users and good for competition."
Big fine
It does not mean that the search giant is out of the woods on the issue of anti-competitive practices.
Alongside the FTC investigation, Google is still under scrutiny from the European Union.
In December, the EU's Competition Commission gave the search giant a month to address four key areas:
- the manner in which Google displays "its own vertical search services differently" from other, competing products
- how Google "copies content" from other websites - such as restaurant reviews - to include within its own services
- the "exclusivity" Google has to sell advertising around search terms people use
- restrictions on advertisers from moving their online ad campaigns to rival search engines
Google is expected to respond to these concerns shortly.
If found guilty of breaching EU anti-trust rules, Google would face a fine of up to $4bn (£2.5bn).
--BBC
Concern over Federal Reserve's bond-buying programme
A number of senior figures at the Federal Reserve want the US central bank to stop or slow down its bond-buying programme "well before the end of 2013".
December minutes of its interest rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) showed that "several" of its 12 members made the call.
Their concerns are said to focus on the risk of higher inflation.
The Federal Reserve is spending up to $85bn (£53bn) a month on buying bonds.
After its December meeting, the FOMC announced that it would be purchasing both Treasury and mortgage bonds for an open-ended period.
This replaced an earlier bond-buying programme called Operation Twist, which expired at the end of 2012, and spent up to the same amount each month.
The aim of the bond-buying programme is to keep down long-term borrowing costs in the US.
The released minutes said: "Several [officials] thought that it would probably be appropriate to slow or to stop purchases well before the end of 2013, citing concerns about financial stability or the size of the balance sheet."
Analyst Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in Washington, said the revelation was "somewhat surprising".
The Federal Reserve announced immediately following December's FOMC meeting that it would be keeping US interest rates near zero until the country's unemployment rate had fallen to 6.5%. It currently stands at 7.7%.