Archive for June, 2010

Bounty Killa Acquitted, Kartel to surrender…… A whaa do demmm!!!!!!

| 30/06/2010 | 0 Comments
Bounty Killa Acquitted, Kartel to surrender…… A whaa do demmm!!!!!!

Dancehall artiste Bounty Killer was acquitted of assault charge yesterday when he reappeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court to find out if the matter would proceed to trial or be dismissed.

Bounty Killer, real name Rodney Pryce, was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm for beating up his girlfriend after she informed him that she wanted to terminate their three-year relationship.

Resident Magistrate Stephanie Jackson Haisley ordered the couple to seek mediation after the complainant, Kadeem Baker, told the court that she no longer had an interest in proceeding with the case.

The report was also presented in court yesterday.


Jamaican Deejay Vybz Kartel yet to surrender

Up to news time, popular dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel was yet to turn himself in to the police following an appeal for him to do so.

Yesterday, Kartel said he did not know why the police wanted to talk to him but he promised that he would be cooperating with them.

As a result, Kartel had said he would have surrendered to the police by 9 a.m.

However, our news centre has been informed that Vybz Kartel whose real name is Adijah Palmer has been in discussions with his lawyer.

Vybz Kartel has been included on a list of people of major interest which was released by the Police High Command yesterday.

RM Jackson-Haisley said she had made the decision to drop the case against Bounty Killer after reviewing the contents of the report.

Bounty Killer was arrested in April and initially taken into custody at the Constant Spring Police Station. He was later transferred to the Greater Portmore Police Station.

Since his release from police custody on bail, Bounty Killer has released songs such as, How We Do It with Elephant Man and Summ’n A Guh Gwaan with Busy Signal. He also released a song in response to his time spent incarcerated titled Jail.

France’s racism “transparent” through World Cup loss black team members called “gang bosses and immature kids”

| 30/06/2010 | 1 Comment
France’s racism “transparent” through World Cup loss black team members called “gang bosses and immature kids”
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World Cup loss exposes France’s racism
By G. Dunkel
Published Jun 30, 2010 4:13 PM

Soccer’s World Cup every four years is the world’s most watched and followed sporting event. It consists of a first round, where the 32 teams selected are divided into eight groups and each plays the other members of the group. The best two teams from each group get to advance to the next round.

France’s team didn’t make it out of the first round, doing worse than South Africa’s. Some of the team’s leaders didn’t sing France’s national anthem “La Marseillaise” at the closing ceremonies.

The team included 13 men of color — from France’s very large North and West African immigrant communities or the Caribbean — out of 22 players. After the team and its entourage flew back to France and landed at a small airport north of Paris, the team’s union representative, Thierry Henry, a veteran of France’s 1998 team that won the World Cup, was driven to a closed, one-hour meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Sarkozy called for a parliamentary inquiry on the failure of the French team after a meeting with Prime Minister François Fillon, Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot and Rama Yade, the junior sports minister who was born in Senegal.

While Sarkozy and his ministers were restrained, members of his UMP (Union for a Popular Movement) party were venomous and racist. They called the team’s mainly Black members “gang bosses” and “immature kids” with “chick peas for brains.”

Fadela Amara, who was born to Algerian parents, is the secretary of state for urban policies. She is mainly concerned with the banlieus, France’s impoverished suburbs where the immigrant communities are concentrated. As reaction to the team’s loss intensified, she warned that it had become racially charged.

“There is a tendency to ethnicize what has happened,” she told a closed meeting of the UMP. She went on to say, “Everyone condemns the lower-class neighborhoods. People doubt that those of immigrant backgrounds are capable of respecting the nation.”

Earlier this year, Sarkozy and his minister for immigration kicked off a campaign of “debates,” which are the French equivalent of Town Hall meetings, on immigration and “national identity.” One sticking point was the fact that the largest number of people practicing any religion in France are Muslim.

Amara criticized Sarkozy’s handling of these meetings, warning that “all democrats and all republicans will be lost” in the “ethnically tinged” criticism that surfaced. As a minister in Sarkozy government, she really couldn’t call this criticism what it was: racist.

“We’re building a highway for the National Front (FN),” she said. The FN is a fascist party in France, founded by Jean-Marie Le Pen, who boasts of having served as a torturer in the French army that fought in Algeria. It has recently been growing in popularity, and is the UMP’s main challenger from the right.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Names Michele Nadeem Vice President,

| 30/06/2010 | 0 Comments
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Names Michele Nadeem Vice President,
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MIAMI, June 30 – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has named Michele Nadeem to the position of vice president, Global Corporate Communications. Nadeem is responsible for leading Royal Caribbean’s overall global communication strategies and community relations efforts throughout all of its brands, and reports directly to the company’s chairman and CEO, Richard D. Fain.

“We are delighted to have Michele join our team,” said Fain. “We feel Michele’s extensive international and domestic accomplishments and experience in corporate communications leadership roles will make her invaluable when the company needs to deliver clear and consistent messages across the organization and to the public.”

A highly versatile communications professional with over 25 years of experience, Nadeem has achieved success in the fields of transportation, logistics, crisis/issues management, internal/external communications, reputation management, technology (software solutions), analyst relations, public and private sector relations, corporate sponsorships, social responsibility, community relations and healthcare.

Most recently, Nadeem was the vice president of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Corporate Social Responsibility, Media and Industry Analyst Relations for DHL Express US (part of DPWN/Deutsche Post) and a member of the parent company’s global Corporate Communications Counsel. While at DHL, Michele led and developed an 18-person team, formulated internal and external strategies for brand visibility, strategic relationships with media and analysts and was also the spokesperson for breaking news, US Congressional Hearings, and crisis situations. Prior to her role at DHL, Nadeem founded multinational PR agency Media Boston International (MBI), and served as the president and CEO. In this role, Nadeem grew the agency internationally and led clients such as the US Department of Transportation, US Army, US Merchant Marine Academy, Teradyne, IDC, Samsung and Siemens. Before this, she worked in corporate communications at Siemens, where she started her international work experience. Nadeem began her career in television news.

Nadeem holds a Master’s of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism, magna cum laude from Boston University and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics and Speech Communications from Boston College.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 39 ships in service and three under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America. Additional information can be found on http://www.royalcaribbean.com, http://www.celebritycruises.com, http://www.pullm

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Vegetable prices rise 60-200%

| 30/06/2010 | 0 Comments
Vegetable prices rise 60-200%
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Aschille Clarke-Mendes
Published: 29 Jun 2010
Aschille Clarke-Mendes

Vegetable prices have increased by between 60 per cent and 200 per cent for this year, with the most expensive ones grown from flood-prone regions—Caroni, Diego Martin and Chaguanas. So said Kumar Maharaj, chief executive officer of the Barataria-based Jumbo Foods Supermarket. “Last year you would be spending $15 for a pumpkin, now you’ll be spending $75,” said Maharaj. He said that imported foods have reflected world prices, with chicken and beef rising 15 per cent in 2010.

Sugar and rice, imported mostly from Guyana, Thailand and Brazil, have seen an increase of between five and nine per cent. Garlic, onions and potatoes have risen by an average of 25 per cent, Maharaj said, adding that this was a natural annual phenomenon due to an end of crop cycle. In its repo rate report last Friday, the Central Bank said headline inflation rose to 9.6 per cent on a year-on-year basis to May 2010 from 7.3 per cent in April and 1.3 per cent in December 2009. Food prices are a main driver of headline inflation. “On a monthly basis, food prices rose by 5.3 per cent in May following an increase of a similar magnitude in April.

“The combined effects of the severe drought in previous months and the recent floods have adversely affected domestic crop production and pushed up local food prices. “In particular, the prices of fruits and vegetables rose, on a year-on-year basis to May, by 48.5 per cent and 25.1 per cent, respectively,” the bank stated. Yesterday, the manager of perishable foods at Food Market, said the prices of cabbage, bhaigan, lettuce, tomatoes and patchoi have gone up by roughly $2 a kilogramme. The manager, who didn’t want to identify himself, said imported foods have also risen. Last weekend, tomatoes were retailing for $15 a pound at the San Juan market, with little being available for consumers to choose from. Officials at Fresh Farms and Hadco, which supply such fruits as apples and oranges from temperate countries, said prices have risen by between ten and 15 per cent a kilogramme.

Economist Jwala Rambarran has warned that when headline inflation breaks the “psychological barrier” of ten per cent, players in the market tend to act uncharacteristically, anxious about a double-digit figure. Rambarran agreed with the Central Bank that “headline inflation is now approaching a threshold, which, in the past, has increased inflationary pressures and complicated wages policy.” “An increase in wages can lead to further rise of inflation,” said Rambarran, “creating what is referred to as an inflationary spiral.”

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San Salvadorian acquitted of raping a French Tourist in the Bahamas……

| 30/06/2010 | 0 Comments
San Salvadorian acquitted of raping a French Tourist in the Bahamas……
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By ARTESIA DAVIS ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com:

A jury yesterday unanimously acquitted a local man accused of raping a French tourist on a beach in San Salvador four years ago.

Clement Jones was accused of committing the crime against the woman as she sunbathed topless on May 31, 2006. According to police witnesses, Jones told them he had sex with a white woman, but he did not rape her. The woman claimed she was on the beach when a man came and spoke to her.

The man allegedly held her down and had sex with her against her will. The woman said the rapist washed himself off in the sea and told her to come into the water as well. The woman said she washed herself off before she went to find her husband, who was having lunch at a restaurant at Club Med.

The woman was unable to identify her assailant. She described the rapist as about 5 feet 8 inches, bald and athletic. Investigating officer Clement Pierre told police that he thought Jones matched the description and went in search of him because he knew he frequented the beach.

Jones allegedly gave a confession statement. However, defense lawyer Dorsey McPhee’s expert witness said that Jones had an IQ of 55. He said the phrases contained in the statement were inconsistent with those of someone with his intelligence.

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APL named Sustainable Shipping Operator of the Year for 2010

| 30/06/2010 | 0 Comments
APL named Sustainable Shipping Operator of the Year for 2010
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Press Release | Jun 30, 2010 12:47PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online – Press Release

London, 30 June 2010: Global container carrier APL has been named the 2010 Sustainable Shipping Operator of the Year. A panel of maritime and environmental experts presented the honor here last week at the Sustainable Shipping Awards.

APL, the world’s fourth-largest ocean carrier, took the award from a list of finalists including Caribbean Cruise Lines, CMA, Louis Cruise Lines, and Maersk Lines. The judging panel said it selected APL “for the combination of initiatives, positive proven results and their conscientious ongoing effort.”

Awards were given in six categories of maritime sustainability. APL was the only ocean carrier to be honored.

“The recognition is gratifying and we appreciate that our efforts to curb the environmental impact of global trade have been noticed,” said APL President Eng Aik Meng. “But we understand that the industry has much more to do, and we accept the responsibility that comes with this honor.”

In making its award decision, judges reviewed a list of APL environmental protection initiatives undertaken in 2010. The list includes:

retrofitting five container ships for cold-ironing, which will enable them to shut down auxiliary diesel engines in port;
constructing shore-power capability at its Oakland, California marine terminal to cold-iron vessels;
slowing down vessels at sea to reduce fuel use and emissions;
testing a ballast water treatment system to prevent the spread of invasive species into waterways; and
introducing a new website that addresses the environmental challenges facing container shipping.
APL said it continues with ongoing environmental efforts that include new engine technology to reduce emissions, fuel conservation measures ranging from friction-reducing hull paint to coastal zone speed reduction, and low-sulfur fuel use in vessels at U.S. West Coast ports.

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Vincy PM Dr. Gonsalves urges Vincentians to “stop filing for refugee status in Canada

| 30/06/2010 | 0 Comments
Vincy PM Dr. Gonsalves urges Vincentians to “stop filing for refugee status in Canada
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Filing for refugee status in Canada makes no sense as chances are you would not be successful.

That’s according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who has encouraged Vincentians to stop filing for refugee status in Canada as by so doing, the country is being given a bad name.

Dr. Gonsalves, speaking recently said that persons go to Canada and overstay their time and then in his opinion, waste their money on lawyers by applying for refugee status saying things like they are being politically victimised.

“Canadian people are not foolish they know the world and they can see when you are trying to pull the wool over their eyes,” stressed Dr. Gonsalves.

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Lady Floella Benjamin takes seat in House of Lords

| 30/06/2010 | 0 Comments
Lady Floella Benjamin takes seat in House of Lords
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Her official title is Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham in Kent but she will go by the simpler Baroness or Lady Benjamin.

The 60-year-old TV veteran was one of 56 new peers created by the Government last month.

Lady Benjamin is best known for hosting shows like Play Away but works with a number of UK charities.

In a statement on her website, she pledged to devote “much energy to the well being of children and young people” during her time in the House of Lords.
Cultural ambassador

Born in Trinidad, Lady Benjamin’s family emigrated to the UK when she was 10.

She hosted children’s television shows including Play School and Play Away and was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2001.

She has also served as chairman of Bafta Television and, in 2006, became Chancellor of the University of Exeter.
Continue reading the main story

In the House of Lords I will be devoting much energy to the well being of children and young people

Lady Benjamin

In recent years, she has played a recurring role in the Doctor Who spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures on BBC One, and created several children’s television programmes through her self-named company.

Lady Benjamin currently works with Action for Children and Barnardo’s and is a cultural ambassador for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

At yesterday’s ceremony, Lady Benjamin swore allegiance to the Queen while dressed in traditional ermine.

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Married cruise passenger sexually assaults teen while on cruise “Fined $5000 USD”

| 30/06/2010 | 1 Comment
Married cruise passenger sexually assaults teen while on cruise “Fined $5000 USD”
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A New York man yesterday admitted sexually assaulting a teenage girl on the cruise ship the Norwegian Dawn while he was at dinner with his wife and son.

James Arismends, a 53-year-old insurance salesman, was fined $5,000 after he was accused of inappropriately touching the 18-year-old with his foot under a dinner table.

The father-of-two pleaded guilty to sexual assault when he appeared at Magistrates’ Court, but insisted he was only resting his foot on the girl’s knee and had no idea it was making her uncomfortable.

Crown counsel Robert Welling said that Arismends met the victim and her family at Tobacco Bay on June 23 and after returning to the cruise ship, the families agreed to have dinner together. During the meal, Arismends foot started to touch the victim’s leg.

Mr. Welling said: “At that point, she thought it was an accident. When it happened again, she apologised. It happened again, and so she said she gave him a look.

“The defendant then slid down his chair, and began to feel her legs with his foot. She crossed her legs to discourage him, but he tried to use his feet to pry open her legs.” Mr. Welling said Arismends had his arms around his wife and son.

The victim left the table during dessert and told Police that she returned to her room feeling violated and cried.

Mr. Welling said Arismends later called the victim in her room to apologise, saying, “that was crazy,” and giggling.

Kenneth Savoury, representing Arismends, said that his client was remorseful and had no idea that the victim was feeling uncomfortable.

“He rested his foot on her knee,” he said. “Perhaps he left it there a bit long, but he was under the impression she was comfortable with it at the time. It is very uncharacteristic of him, and he wants to put it behind him.”

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Arismends $5,000, saying: “It can’t be put down to just an accidental rubbing of the foot. It was not just resting, it was deliberate and prolonged.”

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BSE (Barbados Stock Exchange) seeks companies

| 30/06/2010 | 1 Comment
BSE (Barbados Stock Exchange) seeks companies
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POLICYMAKERS need to be more innovative if capital markets in Barbados are going to develop.
So says Dr Grenville Phillips, chairman of the Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE) and Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc.
Speaking last Thursday during a listing ceremony for Royal Fidelity at the BSE’s office in Belleville, St Michael, he said at present there is a disparity in the costs associated with the two main ways of raising capital.
Phillips noted that in developing societies like Barbados, the source of capital for a company is either a bank loan or shareholder equity.
The chairman said while people have been encouraged to buy securities, nothing has been done to encourage companies to offer them.

Cheaper option
He attributed this to the fact that “it is far cheaper to service loan capital that you borrow from the bank than it is to service equity capital that you get from your shareholders because the cost of one is tax-deductible but the cost of the other is not”.
Earlier in his address, Phillips said: “The issue has been, and we continue to hear from those who admonish us from on high and public spaces, that the stock exchange needs to attract more companies to be listed.
“It is a fact but attracting more companies . . . needs assistance beyond the capacity of the Barbados Stock Exchange.”
He said as regional economies consolidate through amalgamations, mergers and takeover bids, “inevitably the consolidation in large measure is taking place among the companies that are listed on the exchanges and when
that occurs invariably down the road, one of the two will be delisted.” (NB)

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