Ben Affleck to receive Modern Master honour
US actor Ben Affleck is to receive the Modern Master award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the highest honour the event bestows.
Organisers described the 40-year-old as "a multi-dimensional artist" who had "come into his own" with the release of Argo, his third film as director.
It tells of a secret mission to spirit American diplomats out of Iran in 1979.
Its star and director will be honoured on 26 January at the Californian city's historic Arlington Theatre.
Affleck first made his name as the co-writer of Good Will Hunting, for which he and co-star Matt Damon won an Oscar for best original screenplay.
He went on to star in such big-budget blockbusters as Armageddon and Pearl Harbor before turning his hand to directing.
First presented in 1995, the Modern Master Award aims to honour "an individual who has enriched our culture through his/her multi-faceted accomplishments in the motion picture industry".
Previous recipients of the accolade include James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, Peter Jackson and Christopher Nolan.
Argo was released in the UK and Ireland last week and earned £1.28 million from its first five days in cinemas.
However, that was not enough to dislodge the latest James Bond film Skyfall from the top of the chart.
The latest 007 adventure has now made £72m at the UK box office since its release on 26 October.
The film opened in the US and Canada on Friday, taking a spectacular $87.8m (£55m) in its first three days.
Haitian government seeks close to $40 million in aid in wake of Hurricane Sandy
The United Nations and the government of Haiti are seeking close to $40 million in extra funding for humanitarian needs in the Caribbean nation in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.
“An additional $39.9 million is required to address rising food insecurity, and provide shelter, health services and potable water for more than a million people,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated, citing the amount added to more than $110 million sought before Hurricane Sandy struck.
“Of this, $23.2 million is needed to meet the most urgent needs in 2012,” the agency added.
The increase brings the total amount sought to meet Haiti’s humanitarian needs over the next year to a little more than $151 million, according to the Emergency Revision of the Haiti Consolidated Appeal: Needs Arising from the Impact of Hurricane Sandy, released on Monday in Geneva.
Beginning as a tropical storm in late October in the Atlantic Ocean and then evolving as it progressed, Hurricane Sandy grew into what some media reports described as a “once in a generation” storm, causing death and destruction across the Caribbean region and the eastern seaboard of the United States.
In the Caribbean, five million people were affected and 72 people died. In Haiti alone, 54 people died, and hundreds of thousands of people were hit by floods and heavy winds. Along the US eastern coastline and the New York metropolitan area, more than 100 people lost their lives and many families are still without power.
The annual Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for Haiti sees government ministries, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations develop a collective action plan to respond to the extensive humanitarian needs in the country. Haiti is still in the throes of recovering from the devastating 2010 earthquake that left millions homeless. It was also stuck by Tropical Storm Isaac in August, while parts of the country have suffered a prolonged drought.
Haiti’s government says that Haiti’s agricultural sector has “lost a third of its annual production” because of the combination of impacts by Sandy, Isaac and the drought, according to OCHA.
“This is a major blow to Haiti’s reconstruction effort, making life for the most vulnerable Haitians even more precarious,” said the humanitarian coordinator in Haiti Nigel Fisher, who also serves as deputy special representative of the UN secretary-general in Haiti. “In the meantime, international partners’ ability to respond has been reduced by dwindling donor support.”
According to Fisher, the increased CAP funding is urgently required “to meet both immediate humanitarian needs and recovery efforts.”
The UN deputy emergency relief coordinator, Catherine Bragg, and the chargé d’affaires at the Haitian Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, Jean-Bony Alexandre, joined Fisher in Geneva on Monday in releasing the revised CAP appeal, which follows the UN’s allocation of $4 million in emergency funding for Haiti in Hurricane Sandy’s immediate aftermath.
“The impact of the hurricane has generated a number of critical needs and exacerbated existing ones,” the executive summary of the revised appeal states of Hurricane Sandy, which arrived in Haiti as a tropical storm on 23 October.
“Of utmost concern are the 1.5 million people living in severe food insecurity in rural areas most affected by the hurricane,” it adds.
In addition to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, Haiti suffered a further setback on 9 November when heavy rainfall in the northern city of Cap Haïtien left at least 10 people dead and drove thousands from their homes, OCHA noted.
“The hurricane and rainy season in the region lasts until the end of November and pre-positioned stocks to respond to emergencies have been largely depleted,” the humanitarian agency warned.
According to government figures cited by OCHA, 2,300 people are in shelters after Hurricane Sandy destroyed or damaged 27,701 homes. The storm also destroyed 61 cholera treatment centres at a time when new cases of the water-borne disease are being reported.
Woman dies after swallowing cocaine to avoid arrest - Autopsy result 'NO COCAINE FOUND IN HER SYSTEM
There are now more questions than answers in the death of 32 yar old Stacy Ramdeen who was was reported to have died shortly after ingesting cocaine after police raided her home last Thursday.
At the Forensic Science Centre, yesterday, the autopsy report revealed that there were no traces of cocaine in her stomach and lungs after a spot test was done, but that she died asphyxiation.
Ramdeen died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, after officers of the Central Division Task Force raided her home armed with a warrant to search for narcotics and ammunition.
Ramdeen's sister-in-law, Allison Petamber police did not do the proper thing by ensuring a female police officer was present during the search as the officers would have known that there were women in the house before rushing in.
"It was only when she start catching fits that they throw her into the back of their van like a dog and drive off. She was dead before she even reach hospital," Petamber said.
Police said the house was heavily burglar-proofed and while attempting to enter they heard the toilet being flushed.
Officers said when they entered the house, they found the woman who suddenly became ill and collapsed.
One of the officers attempted to revive her and she was taken to the Mt Hope hospital. She died shortly thereafter.
Eight year old boy found hanging
What triggered an eight year old to take his own life? Or is too soon to say he did take his own life, since police in Trinidad has started their investigations into this latest tragic incident?
Demario Ragoonanan, was found unconscious, hanging by a curtain in a bedroom, hours after a close female relative complained to doctors that she was hearing voices in her head.
The female relative also attempted to hang herself with a piece of rope, but escaped death after the rope broke, police said.
Relatives took the child for medical attention but he was pronounced dead at hospital.
An autopsy conducted at the Forensic Science Centre, concluded that the child died of ligature strangulation, which was consistent with death by hanging.
Police has detained the female relative and she was taken her for psychiatric evaluation at the San Fernando General Hospital.
By afternoon, doctors deemed her fit to be interviewed by police.
JLP gears up for annual conference
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says its upcoming annual conference will be focused on having face to face discussion with delegates island wide on the party’s way forward.
This is the JLP's first annual conference since two massive electoral defeats.
Acting JLP chairman Senator Robert Montague says in light of those defeats, it is important that the Party give its delegates an opportunity to speak to the leadership.
He says, it is also important that the Party listens to its base so as to help formulate policies going forward.
Montaque says he is anticipating vibrant and vigorous debates at the one-day conference that is scheduled for Sunday at the Jamaica Conference Centre.
The conference will be held under the theme: Vision, Focus, Build Connect.
Meanwhile, JLP Leader Andrew Holness says the new conference format is part of an attempt to ensure a focused approach by delegates.
Holness says Jamaicans who are not members of the JLP can attend the conference and will be given observer status.
Source- Jamaica Glenaer
Kartel Trial hits snag
The trial of dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel hit a snag when it was called up for mention in the Corporate Area Resident Magis-trate's Court yesterday. Kartel was before the courts for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer is charged jointly with Andre 'Pim Pim' Henry and fellow entertainer Vanessa 'Gaza Slim' Saddler.
The conspiracy case did not get under way today because the prosecution had not served all the required documents on the defence. Saddler and Henry are out on bond. However, Vybz Kartel remains in remand.
Allegations are that Kartel and Gaza Slim were part of a plot to undermine police investigation into the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.
Kartel has been fingered in the killing as well as the plot to kill Williams, whose body has not been found.
Saddler had filed a report with the Constant Spring police claiming that Williams assaulted her during a robbery in Havendale, St Andrew, last year.
Her claim was made five days after Kartel was charged with William's murder.
It is believed that Saddler and the other co-accused fabricated the story to make it appear that Williams was still alive.
Two Killed in Bicycle Bomb Blast in Pakistan
Pakistani police say two people were killed and 10 wounded when a bomb planted on a bicycle exploded in southwestern Pakistan.
The device exploded on a road near Quetta, the capital of restive Baluchistan province, as a military convoy passed by. Some of the people injured were paramilitary soldiers. Vehicles were also damaged in the blast.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Baluchistan has been the scene of sectarian violence, militant attacks and unrest linked to a low-level insurgency. Baluch rebels have been fighting for political autonomy and a greater share of the province's natural resources.
CIA Denies Petraeus’ Mistress Claim It Took Prisoners in Benghazi
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is denying a claim by former CIA chief David Petraeus' mistress and biographer that the agency detained militants in Libya before the September attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
CIA spokesman Preston Golson said “any suggestion that the agency is still in the detention business is uninformed and baseless.”
In January 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama stripped the CIA of its power to take prisoners. The decision meant the CIA could no longer operate secret jails around the world.
In a talk last month at the University of Denver Petraeus biography author Paula Broadwell said the Benghazi attack was an attempt to free militia members held at a CIA annex in the city. Four Americans were killed in the attack, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens.
The university posted a video of the speech on YouTube. Broadwell did not say where she got the Benghazi information, but said it was “still being vetted.” Some reports suggest she may have gotten the details from a report by FOX News, which she cited as a source for other information.
Because of Broadwell's relationship with Petraeus and what she has described as “unprecedented access” to the four-star general, some have raised concerns about whether she may also have had access to classified information.
U.S. officials have said the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined there were no security breaches as a result of Petraeus' relationship with Broadwell. But on Monday, FBI agents entered Broadwell's home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Agents could be seen carrying bags and boxes into the house, which the author shares with her husband and two young sons.
Broadwell has not been seen at the home since Petraeus resigned Friday, citing the affair.
There have also been reports that investigators found classified documents on Broadwell's computer. The material was reportedly related to Afghanistan, where Petraeus was the commander of U.S. and NATO forces when Broadwell was researching her book about him.The New York Times cited an unnamed government official as saying both Broadwell and Petraeus denied he had given her the documents.
Greece Sells Bonds to Avoid Default Friday
Cash-strapped Greece has raised the money it needs to help it avoid a default later this week, but says it still urgently needs more bailout funds in the coming days.
The Athens government sold more than $5 billion in bonds Tuesday, which coupled with other cash will allow it to pay off more than $6 billion in financial obligations it owes on Friday.
Greece has adopted another round of austerity measures demanded by its international lenders in an effort to secure another $40 billion segment of its second bailout in the last two years.
Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras warned the European Parliament that Greece has its financial limits and that if the new bailout money is not forthcoming soon there is a “very high” risk the country would default on future debt payments.
Finance ministers in the 17-nation euro currency bloc have yet to release the money, but French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici says the funds could be disbursed to Greece by the end of November.
“The message we gave is a positive message to Greece. Greece is making great efforts to respect its engagements. It adopted a package of reforms, as well as the budget for 2013. All of that was voted on the 7th of November and on Sunday the Troika gave it a positive assessment. It's a preliminary analysis that will have to be confirmed in the next few days, but we wanted to salute this effort.”
The finance ministers approved a plan to give Greece an extra two years — to 2016 — to cut its debt. But the country's economy is in dire straits, with more than a quarter of its workers unemployed. Greece is headed to a sixth year of recession in 2013.
European leaders say they want Greece to stay in the eurozone. Economic analyst Robert Halver of the Baader Bank said the possibility of a Greek departure from the currency bloc has come — and gone.
“It is a political consideration to keep Greece in the eurozone, and if they would leave now – even if it would make economic sense – it would be harmful for certain politicians. We also know that the euro crisis would then pick up again because it would almost be a joke to let the Greeks leave now. It would have made a lot more sense to make that move two years ago before sacrificing all stability criteria.”
Obama Meeting with Union Leaders on US Fiscal Cliff
U.S. labor leaders are meeting with President Barack Obama Tuesday, calling on him to reject deep cuts in pensions and health care for the elderly as he works to resolve crucial government financial issues by the end of the year.
Newly re-elected, Mr. Obama is turning this week toward a series of talks at the White House with union chiefs, corporate executives and congressional leaders about the country's looming “fiscal cliff.” The financial precipice comprises $600 billion in mandated spending cuts and tax increases set to take effect January 1. They are contentious provisions the president and his Republican political opponents are seeking to avoid, but have been unable to reach agreement on for two years.
Major U.S. labor organizations lent vast funding and campaign support for Mr. Obama's re-election victory last week over Republican challenger Mitt Romney. They share the president's wish to increase taxes on the country's wealthiest households, those making more than $250,000 a year, a tax law change opposed by Mr. Obama's Republican opponents in Congress.
But the labor leaders are also seeking assurances from Mr. Obama that he will maintain current spending for the government pension and health care plans for the elderly. The extent of spending for the two social programs is likely to be a focal point of negotiations between the White House and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, Mr. Obama is planning a news conference, as well as talks with executives from some of America's largest corporations, such as General Electric and American Express. Many of the U.S.'s most prominent financial titans supported Mr. Romney in the campaign, but the president is hoping to enlist their support in persuading Republican lawmakers to vote for increasing taxes on the wealthiest families as part of what he has called a “balanced” plan of cutting spending and increasing government revenue.
The chief executives of 17 big U.S. companies have written lawmakers urging them to reach a compromise on the spending and tax issues.
Mr. Obama is meeting Friday with congressional leaders about how to resolve their long-standing stalemate. The president is leaving Washington Saturday on a four-day trip to Asia.