LIME BRINGS ‘MERRY MOMENTS’ CHRISTMAS TO CUSTOMERS
LIME, the region’s best-value network, will launch its Christmas campaign this Thursday, (November 15,) offering customers across the Caribbean many ‘Merry Moments’, complete with big savings and hundreds of weekly prizes for the season.
Prizes on offer include the powerful and portable Nexus 7 - the Google Tablet, the new credit-card-thin iPod Nanos and the coveted Beats Solo HD headphones. Customers also win a compact travel speaker set with the purchase of BlackBerry Smartphones, while every Samsung Galaxy Y comes with preloaded Apps valued at over US$150.
In a move that the company says will put more ‘value in the pockets’ of its customers, the full-service telco is giving its mobile, internet and landline customers loads of savings and many chances to win in its Broadband specials, Top up and ADSL offers and Bill payment options.
Mr Drexwell Seymour, General Manager of LIME Turks & Caicos said: “LIME has always been cognizant of the situation with the economy and the company wants to ensure that with LIME’s ‘Merry Moments’ every customer will experience the joy of the season.” He says he is particularly pleased about the ADSL offer as it reaffirms his company’s commitment to ensuring everyone has internet access. “As families become more dependent on internet service we are committed to ensuring we increase internet penetration with affordable packages that everyone can afford. No home in the Turks & Caicos Islands should be without it,” he said.
LIME’s prepaid customers who purchase a SIM for $5 will get $5 free anywhere minutes. Existing customers who top up $10 or more and would automatically be entered for a chance to win the prizes and those who top up $30 or more will be entered for a chance to win a $250 shopping spree.
The broadband special gives new customers free installation, free first month’s rental. LIME’s fixed line customer who pay their bill on time and in full would also have a chance to win prizes.
All qualifying customers via the offers mentioned will be entered to win iPod Nanos, Nexus tablet, Beats Solos HD headphones and $5000 to five lucky winners. The draw and announcement is set for December 24, 2012.
Since October 15, LIME has been offering ADSL customers a free modem; the first month’s rental free and free installation, delivering to customers more ‘moments’ they could use to connect with family and friends leading up to the festive season.
General Manager of LIME TCI, Mr Drexwell Seymour commented: “This is LIME’s way of saying ‘thanks for your patronage.’ Nothing is being held back from our customers this Christmas. Customers will have a chance to win by using the regular services offered by LIME.”
The company also announced that it will be continuing its presence in the communities it serves and will be making visits and to various community-based organisation and charities to spread the Merry Moments around.
LIME presented each media house represented with 2 complimentary Samsung Galaxy SIII phones; each valued at over $1000. LIME brought some ‘Merry Moments’ and smiles to those present.
The Merry Moments Christmas campaign runs from November 15 to December 31, 2012.
Thousands of lesbians to travel to the caribbean in 2012 as part of Olivia Travel's 40th Anniversary
In 2013, four special anniversary trips will provide extraordinary opportunities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Olivia, the world's premier provider of lesbian cruises, resort and adventure vacations.
Launching the milestone year in grand style, 6,400 guests will celebrate with Olivia on two 2,100-person Holland America full-ship charters to the Caribbean and two 1,100-person resort vacations at Club Med Punta Cana.
For each trip, Olivia has pulled out all the stops with dozens of entertainers, surprise special guests, parties, excursions, activities, dances and shows - and, as a signature part of its mission, the company always charters the entire ship and resort so their guests can be out and free on vacation.
The 40th anniversary themed trips kick off Olivia's exciting 2013 vacation schedule.
The celebration comes after an impressive four decades during which the company grew from a groundbreaking independent women's record label into the leading lesbian travel company.
"I am so proud of all that Olivia has accomplished in the past 40 years. In addition to introducing women to incredible destinations, we have raised awareness for our community and changed what it means to be a lesbian traveler," says Olivia Founder and President Judy Dlugacz. "These upcoming anniversary trips are all about celebrating women - with women, and all we've experienced over these past four decades."
Former Grenada minister files lawsuit against ruling party
Former Grenada Foreign Minister Karl Hood says he has taken out a court action against the top leaders of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over his recent expulsion from the party.
Caribupdate News quoted Hood as saying that the matter is to be heard in a St George's court on Friday.
Hood was among 10 NDC members expelled at the party annual convention on September 30.
According to Caribupdate News, the former foreign minister is contending that his expulsion was illegal and violated his rights, and he is suing prime minister and political leader of the NDC, Tillman Thomas; Deputy Nazim Burke; chairman Franka Bernadine; and deputy chairman Ken Joseph.
Cuba again offers talks with Obama government
One week after President Barack Obama won reelection, Havana has offered a “draft agenda” for U.S.-Cuba negotiations that largely repeats its years-old positions but almost directly offers to swap Alan Gross for five Cuban spies.
The statement by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla Lopez to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday received little initial media attention. It was disseminated more broadly Wednesday by his ministry and Cuba’s diplomatic mission in Washington.
Obama, reelected the previous Tuesday, has lifted nearly all limits on Cuban American travel and remittances to the island, allowed educational visits by other U.S. residents and restarted — and then stopped again — bilateral talks on migration issues.
But his administration has repeatedly said that more significant improvements in bilateral relations can come only after Cuba frees Gross, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) subcontractor serving a 15-year prison sentence. Wayne Smith, a former chief U.S. diplomat in Havana and now a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington, said Rodriguez laid out a list of issues that Havana has long said it wanted to discuss in any bilateral talks.
“He simply reiterated their position. I don’t see anything new there,” Smith said.
“This is a non-starter. Same demands as in the past. No offers of major concessions on human rights, etc.,” Jaime Suchlicki, head of the Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies at the University of Miami, wrote in an email.
Arturo López-Levy, a former Cuban government analyst now lecturing at the University of Denver, called Rodriguez’ speech “a list of maximum demands that shows the bilateral conflict can be handled better but not solved” during Obama’s next term. Arturo López-Levy, a former Cuban government analyst now lecturing at the University of Denver, called Rodriguez’ speech “a list of maximum demands that shows the bilateral conflict can be handled better but not solved” during Obama’s next term.
But he added that the foreign minister’s words evoked Obama’s offer of a “new start” in relations with Cuba shortly after he won the White House in 2008.
The U.S. State Department said it had no comment on the Rodriguez proposal
“Today, here and now, I am again submitting to the U.S. government a draft agenda for a bilateral dialogue aimed at moving towards the normalization of relations,” Rodriguez said.
His agenda items included lifting all U.S. sanctions; removing Cuba from the U.S. list of countries with links to international terrorism; and ending the Cuban Adjustment Act and the wet-foot, dry-foot policies, which Havana complains unfairly lure Cuban migrants to the United States.
Other draft agenda items included compensation for damages caused by the U.S. sanctions, the return of the territory now used by the U.S. Navy base in Guantánamo; an end to Radio/TV Marti; and a halt to U.S. financial support for dissidents.
Rodriguez also offered to negotiate agreements in areas of mutual interest, such as drug and people smuggling, terrorism, migration, natural disasters, the environment and postal services, but made no mention of human rights or democracy.
Source-Miami Herald
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/16/3099255/cuba-again-offers-talks-with-obama.html#storylink=cpy
Google blanks Govt request to remove YouTube videos
Jamaican economy to shrink due to hurricane damage
Haiti beat Guyana 1-0 in Caribbean Cup semi-final clash
Haiti beat Guyana 1-0 while Gary Emmanuel scored in injury time to help French Guiana draw with Grenada in semi-finals Group Six of the Caribbean Cup on Wednesday night.
Olrish Saurel converted in the 46th minute of play to ensure the Haitians moved to the top of the group as French Guiana and the host nation shared points in front nearly 2 000 disappointed fans at the National Stadium.
Saurel’s goal, in the first minute of the second half, emanated from a spot kick which sailed past goalkeeper Derrick O’Neil Carter whose view was obstructed by his own players.
The Haitians outpaced their Guyanese counterparts for most of the game and may have enjoyed a bigger scoreline if not for the efforts of Carter in goal.
His performance was highlighted by two brilliant saves within 30 seconds in the dying moments of the first half including a 35-yard shot from Peguero Jean Philippe that he deflected onto the right post.
Guyana’s best chance at equalising came midway the second half when Trayon Bobb’s close range shot, from a Carey Harris cross, sailed over the crossbar.
It was the fifth straight victory for Haiti, who have allowed only three goals in that span.
In the second game, Emmanuel equalised in the 92nd minute to earn French Guyana a 1-1 draw with hosts Grenada.
Vice-captain Craig Rocastle, who moved to Thrasyvoulos in the Greek Second Division after two seasons with Sporting KC in MLS, gave Grenada the lead in the 33rd minute.
In a dramatic spell, Rocastle powered home a free kick only moments after Clive Murrays shot edged the crossbar after Moron Phillip made a productive run through three defenders.
Grenada, seeking a third consecutive berth in the regional finals, ended a three-game losing streak, but their fans were left disappointed.
The home side enjoyed the momentum but squandered a number of clear-cut chances until Emmanuel found the extra time equaliser to climax a counterattack.
The top two teams from Group Six will advance to the Caribbean Cup finals in Antigua & Barbuda in December.
French Guiana will play Haiti next today while Grenada will face Haiti.
Despite crutches, D'Antoni takes over the Lakers
Mike D'Antoni circled the court 2 feet at a time, moving smoothly on crutches while his Los Angeles Lakers went through drills orchestrated by his assistant coach and brother, Dan.
Although D'Antoni's surgically replaced knee is slowing him down a bit, he couldn't wait any longer to get the Lakers rolling.
D'Antoni formally took over the Lakers on Thursday, four days after the slow-starting club hired him to replace Mike Brown. The former Knicks and Suns coach is still on crutches and pain medication after surgery earlier this month, but thinks he'll soon be back to normal while he attempts to transform the Lakers into his vision of an up-tempo, high-scoring team.
"I'm really happy to be here - excited," D'Antoni said. "(We're) starting to put stuff in now. Might take a little bit, but ... we're built to win this year. This is not a five-year project. We have a window, and we're going to try to get through it."
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak welcomed D'Antoni after practice at a news conference packed with dozens of media members. Given his limited mobility, D'Antoni isn't likely to make his sideline debut until Sunday night against Houston, with interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff probably manning the bench again Friday night against Phoenix.
"This is a great city to have an up-tempo, exciting game that has a legitimate shot to win a championship," D'Antoni said. "I can't ask for anything more."
D'Antoni's affable charm immediately worked on the Lakers, who praised their new coach's demeanor during their first few hours together. The coach acknowledged few qualms about taking over the star-studded roster that got off to a 1-4 start to the season, speaking instead of the limitless possibilities of the Lakers' talent within his creative style of coaching.
D'Antoni said he rooted for Jerry West's Lakers while growing up in 1960s West Virginia, and he won't have any problem transferring his allegiances after trying to beat L.A. for so many years in Phoenix. The coach also realizes his up-tempo style of play will mesh nicely with the Lakers' heritage under Magic Johnson - who has already criticized D'Antoni's hire.
"We would love to be able to play Showtime-type basketball," D'Antoni said. "Now, they might have done it the best that you can do it. We would like to get some place close to that. I think that would be awesome."
Los Angeles has gone 2-1 under Bickerstaff since Brown's firing, and the veteran coach was in practice Thursday along with Brown's entire staff. They finished their workout with a huddle around D'Antoni, followed by a one-word cheer: "Championship!"
D'Antoni isn't likely to have much trouble meshing with Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant. Nash became a two-time NBA MVP running D'Antoni's offense in Phoenix, while Bryant has played for D'Antoni on the U.S. national team. The coach also recalls the 12-year-old Bryant hanging out at his games in the Italian league.
"He can come over and cuss me out in Italian, and you guys might not even know it," D'Antoni said.
D'Antoni also has ties to Howard, who has been on U.S. national teams with D'Antoni on the coaching staff, and backup forward Jordan Hill, who briefly played for the coach in New York.
Source :sportsillustrated
Felton, unbeaten Knicks rally past Spurs 104-100
Raymond Felton scored 25 points and the New York Knicks stayed undefeated by rallying to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-100 on Thursday night.
J.R. Smith added 17 points, Jason Kidd had 14 and Tyson Chandler 13 for the Knicks (6-0), who closed on a 22-11 run to remain the NBA's lone unbeaten team.
Tony Parker led San Antonio (7-2) with 19 points and 12 assists. Kawhi Leonard added 16 points and Tim Duncan had 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Smith and Kidd hit consecutive 3-pointers to give the Knicks a 100-95 lead with a minute left. The Spurs had won 18 of 19 regular-season games against New York.
The late defensive push offset an uncharacteristic start by the Knicks.
After holding their first five opponents to 87.8 points per game, the Knicks allowed the Spurs to set a quick tone when Danny Green opened with consecutive backdoor layups off assists from Parker and Duncan.
The Knicks kept pace behind Felton, who had nine points and two assists in the opening period while shooting 3 for 5 from the field. Felton's first 3-pointer gave the Knicks a 29-24 lead with 2 minutes left in the first period.
Steve Novak and Rasheed Wallace hit back-to-back 3s to extend New York's lead to 45-38 with 7:21 left in the first half. New York opened 6 for 7 on 3s.
DeJuan Blair smiled at Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and gave him a double fist bump before taking the court for his first start of the season. The move paid off. Blair had two points and an assist while denying Carmelo Anthony the ball defensively and hounding the Knicks All-Star into missing his only attempt in the opening 8 minutes.
Anthony appeared frustrated by the lack of touches, shaking his head and laughing when the Knicks rotated the ball away from him late in the second quarter.
Anthony got aggressive after that possession, taking four shots in the final 3 minutes of the first half. He was blocked twice by Duncan under the basket. The first block resulted in Anthony's own follow-up basket and the second led to a 3-pointer by Green with 0.8 seconds that gave the Spurs a 57-55 lead at halftime.
Cech wants 'racism' saga sorted
Petr Cech has told CNN that he wants a swift conclusion to the 'racism' saga surrounding Chelsea and referee Mark Clattenburg.
The Metropolitan Police dropped the investigation into alleged comments by Clattenburg towards Chelsea's John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata on Tuesday.
Clattenburg has denied allegations that he used "inappropriate language" towards either player and the Football Association will conclude its investigation into the matter on Friday. And the Chelsea goalkeeper hopes the whole episode will be brought to an end sooner rather than laterFor me it is difficult to comment on something that I didn't hear or was not even involved or even close," Cech told CNN.
"I believe that if you come with something like that, you need to have a really good case to say it because if not it would waste time of everybody and again it wouldn't be good for football.
"If there was a case it is not because Chelsea want to do something, it is just because and again, I hope that this story will be finished as soon as possible."
Away from the investigation, Cech believes referees should be made to explain their decisions in a bid to improve their relationship with both fans and players.
"I think there should be better communication from the side of the referee towards the public as well," he added.
"I think it would help. You have so many projects of respects for the referees and I think that would help as well.
"They are more open because like I said, the players come and say fair enough I made mistake, it was completely wrong, I shouldn't have dived, I shouldn't have done this, and you get the credit for that.
"And I think you'll get respect from the people and I think this is what can sometimes happen with the referees.
"Their job is very hard anyway and we all know that but I think the communication could be better."
Source-CNN
