iNews Briefs
Militants planning mass casualty attacks against West: UK
From Business Insider
London (AFP) – The head of Britain’s domestic spy agency MI5 warned on Thursday that militant Islamists in Syria were planning “mass casualty attacks” in the West and that intelligence services may be powerless to stop them.
“We know… that a group of core al-Qaeda terrorists in Syria is planning mass casualty attacks against the West,” Andrew Parker told journalists in London a day after an Islamist attack in Paris claimed 12 lives.
Water Sports: Best of the Best Sellers Bwsd Scuba Diving Grand Cayman (submersion, dipping, diving, immersion, ablution, sinking , go in, dip) [NOOK Book]
By Resounding Wind Publishing,
Overview Best of the Best Sellers Bwsd Scuba Diving Grand Cayman (submersion, dipping, diving, immersion, ablution, sinking , go in, dip) The book Bwsd Scuba Diving Grand Cayman comes highly recommended and it it’s one you’ll really enjoy.
Obtainable from NOOK Book (eBook) $2.99 at:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/water-sports-resounding-wind-publishing/1120995186?ean=2940150446557
These USB to Lightning charging cables are AWESOME
By Steven Sande From TUAW
No, I’m not being overly effusive about a USB to Lightning charging cable; I’m just referring to the brand name for a line of accessories. Awesome Cables used crowdfunding and some design smarts to create charging cables that are a bit different from what you’ll get from most other manufacturers.
Today we’re looking at a pair of these cables, both of which use a braided, non-tangle covering on the exterior. The Mamba Cable (US$30) is Apple MFi-certified, and what you’re going to love about this cable is its length – it’s 10 feet (3 meters) long! No more sitting next to a wall outlet while charging; you’ll be able to hang out at a distance.
The Lightning connector and USB plug both have aerospace aluminum shells, and there are good-sized stress relievers on both ends as well. Unlike the stock Apple cables, you’re not going to eventually see cracking where the cable meets the connectors, and that’s a good thing.
The Mamba Cables are expected to ship this month, and you can pre-order them now in either Lightning or micro-USB styles ($20) in black or glow-in-the-dark.
The other cable I tested was the 6-foot Braided Awesome Cable 2.0 ($22) in a fun Camo finish (note: the Camo finish was apparently still visible to my cats, who like to play with it). Only the black cables are showing as shipping at this time, but you’ll be able to get them in gold, silver and blue finishes soon as well as the Camo pattern.
There’s usually not a lot to say about charging cables – you plug ’em in and they work. But if you’re the type of person who is constantly plugging and unplugging charging cables and has had to replace short, cheap plastic cables frequently, spend a few bucks more and consider getting one of the Awesome Cables. I have to admit, they live up to their name.
For more on this story go to: http://www.tuaw.com/2015/01/07/these-usb-to-lightning-charging-cables-are-awesome/
UWC Cayman Islands TV Appearance
Featured on national morning television show ‘Daybreak’
UWC Cayman Islands National Committee were featured this week on the national news channel Cayman 27. Committee members Aubrey Bodden and Martina Jackson announced the opening of the application process for Caymanian students.
During the five minute interview, Aubrey and Martina were able to promote the UWC movement and informatively outlined the application and selection process for prospective students.
You can watch the entire interview and can contact the Cayman Island National Committee by going to: http://www.uwc.org/about_uwc/news/uwc_cayman_islands.aspx
Former Cayman Islands Scotiabank employee to wait 2 months to be sentenced for theft
Llsa Archibold, a former employee of Scotiabank in the Cayman Islands will have to wait until March 25th to hear her sentence.
Archibold pleaded guilty to 22 charges that included stealing a total of nearly $40,000 by deception when she worked at the bank in the mortgage department.
Due to the appointed prosecutor not being available her original sentencing date that was last Thursday (8) has had to be postponed.
JFK passenger tried to smuggle cocaine in luggage handles: Feds
From NBC 4 New York
Federal authorities say a passenger on a flight from Jamaica was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport and accused of trying to smuggle cocaine in the handles of her luggage.
The Department of Homeland Security says passenger Chevelle Rusheen Nesbeth arrived in New York on a flight from Montego Bay on Jan. 6
The agency says about 2.5 pounds of cocaine with a street value of over $45,000 was concealed in the handles of her luggage.
Nesbeth faces federal narcotics smuggling charges. It wasn’t immediately known if she had a lawyer.
Cayman Islands articled clerks training scheme has first placement
Victoria King, an articled clerk with Appleby is the first Caymanian to participate in the Cayman Trainee Placement scheme. The programme is over 12-weeks and allows Caymanian articled clerks placement with Chambers in England and Wales. King began her training at Maitland Chambers last Monday (12).
The Chancery Bar Association, the Cayman Islands Law Society and the Caymanian Bar Association established the Cayman Trainee Placement Scheme in late 2014.
George Zimmerman arrested in Florida
From WCVB5
Man acquitted in Trayvon Martin killing facing assault charge
(CNN) —George Zimmerman — acquitted by a Florida jury over the death of Trayvon Martin — was arrested in Florida on suspicion of aggravated assault and domestic violence with a weapon, local authorities said.
The 31-year-old Florida resident was arrested Friday by police in Lake Mary at about 10 p.m. and booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, according to that facility’s website. That facility, like its website, is run by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
It all came about after Zimmerman allegedly threw a wine bottle at a girlfriend, his lawyer Don West told reporters.
“Whatever happened took place several days ago,” said West. “And, as far as I know, they have not been together for some time, certainly not since then.”
Police first learned about it after coming “in contact with the (alleged) victim at a traffic stop” on Monday, Lake Mary police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett said.
When asked about the delay in making the arrest, Gillett said the arresting officer tried to reach Zimmerman on Monday and Tuesday, but couldn’t, and was off-duty Wednesday and Thursday. It was the officer’s decision not to pass off the case to another officer, Gillett said.
The incident is the latest legal run-in for Zimmerman since his acquittal in July 2012 on a murder charge in the death of Martin, a 17-year-old African-American. In fact, it’s his second arrest for alleged domestic violence against a girlfriend — though Lake Mary police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett said this alleged “victim is not the same (woman) as in 2013.”
“It’s clear he hasn’t been very lucky with the ladies the last few months,” West said of his client.
Judge bars contact, orders weapons surrendered
Zimmerman appeared Saturday morning before Judge John Galluzo, who decided to bar him from contacting the alleged victim or going into Volusia County. He was also told to surrender any weapons to a relative or third party, but not to stop drinking since the judge said “there wasn’t any allegation of abuse of alcohol in the arrest affidavit.”
For more: http://www.wcvb.com/national/george-zimmerman-arrested-in-florida/30630072
2 Chinese passengers open emergency exits to protest flight delay; get 15 days in jail
From StarTribune World
BEIJING —(AP) Upset by a delayed flight, two Chinese passengers decided to open emergency exit doors in protest as the plane was taxiing, forcing it to abort takeoff and landing them in jail instead, police said Sunday.
The latest in a growing number of air rage cases involving Chinese travelers happened in the early hours of Saturday morning in the southwestern city of Chengdu, after the China Eastern flight was delayed by a snow storm.
Angry passengers complained about the delay and a lack of ventilation, and a man surnamed Zhou opened two emergency exits to prevent the plane from taking off, forcing it to return to the gate. A total of 25 passengers were held for questioning while the rest continued on to Beijing aboard a separate flight.
Kunming police said in an online statement that Zhou and a tour guide named Li have been placed under 15-day “administrative detention” for opening the doors and inciting passengers with false information.
China’s fast growing air travel market is the world’s second biggest, but heavy traffic and tight military control of airspace have given it the world’s worst record for flight delays.
Flight cancelations and delays have sparked frequent incidents of air rage aboard Chinese flights and at airports. Brawls between passengers and attacks on crew have also grown more frequent, many of them filmed and posted online.
Concerns over lengthy tarmac waits prompted U.S. aviation authorities to pass regulations in 2010 requiring planes to return to the gate after three hours.
For more: http://www.startribune.com/world/288164841.html
Surprise delivery: Weymouth woman has baby hour after learning she’s pregnant
By Neal Simpson, The Patriot Ledger, From WCVB
Katherine Kropas hadn’t missed a day of work in two years, but the strange and sudden pain in her stomach and back Tuesday morning was so bad she called in sick and got a ride to the hospital, the Patriot Ledger reported.
For hours, the 23-year-old Weymouth woman waited for answers in a hospital hallway as the pain got worse, until finally late that night a team of doctors came to her with stunning news: She was pregnant and, incredibly, ready to give birth. An hour later, Kropas was holding her daughter in her arms.
“She’s perfectly healthy,” Katherine’s father, Richard Kropas, said the next morning, still sounding dazed. “I’ve never seen a more healthy baby.”
For Katherine, who goes by “Katie” and works as a catering supervisor at Gennaro’s Eatery in Quincy, there was no morning sickness or other clues that she might have been pregnant over the last nine months. A few days ago she noticed that her ankles were swollen, but she figured it was the 50 hours a week she’d been spending on her feet during the busy holiday catering season.
On Wednesday (7) morning, just 12 hours after her 10-pound baby, Ellie, arrived unexpected into the world, a tired and dazed Kropas sat surrounded by family in South Shore Hospital’s maternity ward.
Caribbean mega port project looking to hire 550 workers in January
By TCRN
The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – The company APM Terminals will be hiring 550 people in late January to start the construction of the first phase of the mega port in Moin on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side.
Communication manager for the firm, Rogelio Douglas , said the process of hiring these people will happen between the end of January and early February.
Douglas said the construction of the first phase will officially begin on January 19 with the installation of a camp for the area and dredging the beach.
Douglas predicts that they will be hiring more and more employees as the project advances. In addition, the Dutch company will hire about 600 people for management, supervision and group leaders in the second phase of the project which commences in 2018.
The new Moin container terminal aims to triple the cargo capacity for the country in the Caribbean.
This is one of the most important infrastructure projects to occur in Costa Rica in recent years and will cost $948 million.
The terminal will be able load and unload 2.5 million containers per year and will have an equivalent dimension if La Sabana Metropolitan Park and Peace Park were put together. (Amelia Rueda)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica
For more: http://thecostaricanews.com/caribbean-mega-port-project-looking-to-hire-550-workers-in-january
Russia bans people with ‘gender identity disorders’ from driving
By Christopher MillerFrom Mashable
The Russian government appears to have banned transgender people and those “with disorders of sexual preference” from driving in the country, according to a decree titled “On Road Safety” signed by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and published on the government’s website.
The restriction is a part of a wide-ranging law signed on Dec. 29 that lists conditions for which the government can bar people from driving. Most notably, it bans those with “gender identity disorders, disorders of sexual preference and psychological and behavioral disorders associated with sexual development and orientation.”
“The decisions are aimed at reducing deaths from road traffic accidents,” the decree reads. The government backs up the new provision with the World Health Organization’s classification of illnesses know as the the ICD-10.
The Association of Russian Lawyers for Human Rights decried the new law as “discriminatory” and said it “demonstrates bias against certain individuals and groups of citizens, as well as significantly restricting the rights and freedoms of citizens as a whole.”
The group urged international human rights organizations to condemn it, while warning citizens that “if police get the information about your sexual preferences… people may lose their driver’s license.”
However, Russia’s Professional Drivers Union supported the move.
“We have too many deaths on the road, and I believe toughening medical requirements for applicants is fully justified,” said Alexander Kotov, head of the union.
The law is the latest in the Russian government’s crackdown on LGBT persons following the passage of a harsh and controversial anti-gay law passed in 2013.
Human Rights Watch, which has strongly condemned the Russian government’s crackdown on its LGBT community, said in a December report that Russian authorities are failing to protect gay people from persecution and are not prosecuting the perpetrators of a growing number of homophobic attacks.
UNESCO World Heritage Site #278: Megalithic Temples of Malta
From Everything Everywhere
From the World Heritage inscription:
The monuments that make up this World Heritage site constitute the most characteristic examples of structures representing a major development in the cultural as well as the artistic and technological domains. Professor Lord Renfrew (Cambridge University), one of the leading prehistorians of the present day, has described the group of megalithic temples on the islands of Malta and Gozo as ‘the oldest free-standing monuments in the world’. They are, moreover, remarkable for their diversity of form and decoration.
Being among the remarkable megalithic temples of the Maltese archipelago, the prehistoric ensemble of Ġgantija on the island of Gozo may be favourably compared with the three great temples of the island of Malta: Mnajdra, Ħagar Qim and Tarxien. Within a completely preserved enclosure wall, Ġgantija consists of two temples of multi-foil plan.
The southern temple, with its two elliptical cells, is the oldest; the northern temple, which is small in size, is more recent, although no later than 2200 BC. The ensemble of Ġgantija which serves as a point of archaeological reference – the ‘Ġgantija Phase’ (c. 3000-2200 BC) is one of the most important periods of the Maltese Bronze Age. The complex structure of the cultural group of Ġgantija, the excellent state of preservation of its materials – hard chalky coralline and the softer globigerina limestone – make it an excellent testament of megalithic prehistoric art.
There are human artifacts older than the megaliths in Malta (cave paintings, pottery fragments, etc). However, there are no structures that we know of which are older. That fact alone makes this an incredibly important world heritage site.
There are several monolithic structures around the islands of Malta and Gozo. The primary structure is the Ġgantija Temple on Gozo, which is where the above photo was taken.
Getting to the various structures is not difficult once you are on Malta. The Ġgantija Temple can be reached by bus from the central station in Victoria on the island of Gozo. Likewise it, and the other sites on the island of Malta can all be reached by car or taxi.
While significant, the sites are not actually that large and do not take much time to explore. 1 hour should be more than enough time for any of the sites.
For more on this story go to: http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/10/13/unesco-world-heritage-site-278-megalithic-temples-malta/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EverythingEverywhere+%28Everything+Everywhere%29
