iNews Briefs
Cayman Airways plane makes emergency landing
According to the Cayman Islands Air Traffic Controllers (CIATCA) a Cayman Airways flight from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman on Saturday (28) made an emergency landing at Owen Roberts International Airport.
The plane, a Twin Otter was reported by the flight crew of losing one of its two engines. The airport was placed on full emergency alert. On the CIATCA Facebook page it says:
“At minutes to 12:00pm ATC issued a full emergency, fire service crews were promptly ready for the stricken aircraft, hospital staff and police were on standby and the perimeter road surrounding the airport was closed to all road traffic, as is standard procedure for all full emergencies in Grand Cayman.
“At 12:15 the aircraft landed safely, fire service crews entered the runway and visually inspected the aircraft, and shortly afterwards the airport was re-opened to commercial and private traffic once again.
“The CIATCA commends the outstanding piloting by the flight crew of Cayman Express flight 4722 today, as well as the outstanding work (of) the flight crew for their professionalism and expertise in the handling of the aircraft. Great work to the fire service, hospital and police for their prompt support and efforts in assisting with this latest incident.”
Cayman Islands press secretary injured in London
Tammie C. Chisholm, Cayman Islands Press Secretary is in hospital after suffering a broken leg last Tuesday (24) in London on official business.
Chisholm was crossing the road by the Cayman Islands London Office around 5pm when another pedestrian hit her who was flying through the air. The pedestrian was also crossing the road, when a car hit him and the force of the impact caused him to crash into Chisholm.
The premier and senior members of his staff and his government are in London this week.
NEWS ADVISORY: EPA issues pesticides warning in Caribbean; Methyl Bromide suspected of making four people ill on St. John, U.S. VI
Release Date: 03/26/2015
Contact Information: National Pesticide Information Center 1-800-858-7378; EPA USVI Community Involvement Coordinator: Geoffrey Garrison, 340-201-5328, [email protected]; EPA Media Contact: Elias Rodriguez, (212) 637-3664, [email protected]
(New York, N.Y.) Today, the EPA issued a pesticides use warning advisory (web link below) with information about the restricted use of pesticides. Pesticides must be used in accordance with label directions.
The EPA is working closely with the U.S. Virgin Islands government to investigate an incident of suspected exposure to Methyl Bromide reported on March 20, 2015. Paramedics responded to a call that four people staying at the Sirenusa Condominium Resort in St. John became ill. An investigation by the EPA and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources is ongoing and includes air monitoring and environmental sampling.
To view the EPA’s Pesticides Use Warning, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region2/epa-pesticide-warning.pdf
For more information about pesticides, their health effects, and how they should be used and disposed of, call the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378, or visit: http://www2.epa.gov/safepestcontrol.
Cayman Islands civil service family fundraises for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers and Big Sisters got a helping hand from the Civil Service today, 27
Public sector employees on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac dressed in purple to raise funds for the charity and to promote awareness within the service. Combined efforts raised $475.
On Grand Cayman this morning (27) Acting Deputy Governor Eric Bush led a team that presented a cheque to Big Brother Big Sister representative Angela Sealey on the steps of the new Government Administration Building. Meanwhile civil servants in Cayman Brac showed their support for the cause with a group photo.
Big Brothers Big Sisters supports young people’s positive development by facilitating one-on-one relationships between caring adults and children. Rev. Stanwyck Myles and others introduced the organisation to the Cayman Islands in the mid-1980s.
Today’s civil service initiative was organised by the Portfolio of the Civil Service and endorsed by the Deputy Governor’s Office.
Disabled benefit fraudster spent weeks in Caribbean
By Lisa Meakin From South Wales Guardian
A Gwaun cae Gurwen benefit cheat has admitted using tax-payer’s money to fund trips to a Caribbean paradise.
Catrin Lynne Gomez, of 90 Heol cae Gurwen, pleaded guilty to claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) while spending prolonged periods living on the sunshine island of the Dominican Republic.
The 53-year-old failed to declare that she was spending more than 13 weeks during the previous 52 in the Caribbean heat when she filled out her annual DLA application.
Appearing before Llanelli magistrates court, Gomez admitted two charges of benefit fraud in that she made statements to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) which she knew to be false.
The court heard how she failed to give details of her international travels when making claims on November 10, 2010, and November 01, 2011.
The trips would have affected her entitlement to DLA.
Gomez was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £85 costs.
Tessanne Chin to return to Cayman Islands to perform at Camana Bay
Jamaican singer and songwriter, Tessanne Chin, will be returning to the Cayman Islands to perform at The Festival Green, Camana Bay on 17 April.
Chin will be performing with her band.
Limited early bird general attendance tickets for event are already on sale for only $30. Tickets will then cost $35 general attendance ($40 at the gate) and $75 VIP ($90 at the gate). All tickets are available from the Epic Day Entertainment office at The Strand, Reflections, Liquor for Less, Funky Tangs, Singh’s Roti Shop and Winners Circle Sports. Partial proceeds from the event will go to the Get Active Challenge Program supported by the Cayman Heart Fund.
ECLAC is assisting the subregion in identifying Caribbean SDGs
The international community will adopt new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a Special Summit of the United Nations on Sustainable Development scheduled for September 2015 in New York.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) subregional headquarters is strongly supporting the regional effort to identify among these SDGs, those representing the most crucial development challenges facing the Caribbean, with a view to consolidating support and action towards addressing them.
ECLAC will facilitate the consideration of Caribbean SDGs at a technical meeting of key stakeholders including intergovernmental organizations and civil society.
The meeting, to be held on Friday 27 March at ECLAC Port of Spain, will be attended by Caribbean experts and will contribute to an ongoing effort to shape, within the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda, sustainable development priorities unique to the Caribbean experience.
Some of these challenges are well known; low resilience to the threat of climate change, limited resources to respond to extreme events, low growth and productivity, high youth unemployment, the need for greater social protection, and the challenges posed by changing population dynamics such as ageing, and the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
The meeting involves the participation of key regional partners, notably the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM).
Cayman Islands searching for a new port director and its financial fortunes are improving
The Cayman Islands are searching for a new director for the George Town cargo and cruise facility says the Port Authority in a press release.
The release says the requirements of the role have been evaluated and enhanced to identify a candidate that will do more than manage the facility. The Port Authority is currently undergoing an organizational performance evaluation to identify opportunities for efficiency to facilitate growth, development and overall profitability.
“We are fortunate to have a large number of long-serving, dedicated employees that possess strong, technical skill sets within the port and now what we are looking for is a strategic leader,” said Chairman of the Board, Errol Bush. “The board members are committed to identifying the best candidate to fulfill this important role and lead the PACI forward.”
While port operations experience is preferred, it is not necessarily required.
The key attributes necessary to lead the port through the anticipated change and beyond were identified as “a strategic, transformational leader, as well as a leader that would be an ambassador for the country in all aspects of the port operations.” The new port boss will also need to build solid relationships, globally as well as locally.
“Not only do we want to make sure the organisation is aligned to achieve our strategic vision, mission and values, we also want to ensure our people have the skill sets and resources required to operate efficiently and safely to facilitate the future development of cargo, cruise, and commercial operations,” said Bush.
Last Wednesday (25) the Public Account Committee (PAC) at the Legislative Assembly were told by the acting director and chief financial officer of the Port Authority that financial fortunes of the Port were expected to have turned its negative liabilities versus assets situation around by the end of this fiscal year.
However, there were still problems, especially regarding tender fees.
See also iNews Cayman story today “Cayman Islands PAC seeks strategic leader”
Multi-jurisdictional conference proves the Caribbean region can work together
TORONTO – For over 15 years, the steering committee for the STEP Caribbean Conference has been meeting to produce of the world’s best attended and most talked about trust conferences. What makes this off-shore financial services conference so unique is the ability of these steering committee members to work together for the good of the region and for the benefit of their individual jurisdictions – all at the same time.
Unlike other initiatives in the region that attempt to bring together disparate and distinct countries, the STEP Caribbean Conference not only manages to put aside individual country and branch agendas, but also manages to attract international delegates and sponsors and most importantly speakers to the table each and every year.
The STEP Caribbean region, part of the larger STEP worldwide association is fast becoming one of the most influential and largest regions in the STEP world. For the first time ever, the former STEP worldwide chair, Helene Lewis was from the BVI, marking a turning point for the global association.
“Not only has STEP Worldwide recognized the importance of the region in the global trust sector, but this conference has become one of the “must attend” events of the year” commented Lewis. “Every year for the past fifteen years, we welcome the world to one of our member jurisdictions and every year, they come in droves to the conference.”
This year’s conference in St Maartin, hosted by Anguilla, promises to deliver more of the same. Conference chair, Carlyle Rogers is confident that delegates will come away from the conference fully equipped to deal with the on-going turbulence of the sector on a macro scale.
“Our delegates know that they are going to be connected with senior colleagues, speakers who are clearly thought leaders in their areas of expertise and a host of new business connections and opportunities,” commented Rogers.
For a list of participating jurisdictions, the steering committee, conference program, speakers, to register for the conference or become a sponsor or exhibitor, please visit: www.stepcaribbeanconference.com
Cayman Islands to get new artificial turf football pitch
The Cayman Islands Football Association’s (CIFA) have begun the first stage to replace their current grass pitch with a new artificial one. The current pitch is being uprooted and when complete Edel Grass will then take over the construction of the actual artificial turf.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of July 2015
Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting
Tuesday, 28 April, 2015 (All day) to Thursday, 30 April, 2015 (All day)
The Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CR-CYMM) will be held in St John’s, Antigua, between 28-30 April 2015.
The CR-CYMM brings together Ministers, senior government officials, youth representatives and select youth development stakeholders from Commonwealth member countries in the Caribbean.
The meeting provides an opportunity to focus on regional and global youth development challenges and opportunities, including new global development goals for 2015 and beyond.
Ministers and senior officials will take stock of current trends in youth development and identify priorities for future action to advance youth empowerment in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth.
The Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting follows the Africa Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (AR-CYMM), held in February in Cameroon. Learn more about the AR-CYMM
For further information, please contact the Youth Division
See more at: http://thecommonwealth.org/media/event/cr-cymm#sthash.MHQbyVKP.dpuf
Car catches fire and causes major traffic delays on Cayman Islands roads
From Loop News Service
Car catches fire on Shamrock Road
Cayman Islands police have reported that a Honda Sabre was destroyed by fire after a three-vehicle collision on Wednesday (25)
According to police around 5:30 pm on March 25, emergency crews responded to a the accident on Shamrock Road at the junction of Buddy’s Way, Bodden Town, which caused a disruption in traffic flow in both directions for approximately two hours.
The Honda Sabre caught fire but was extinguished by bystanders with a fire extinguisher.
The east and west bound lanes were diverted through the East/ West Arterial High way, while emergency crews made the scene safe and removed the wrecked vehicles.
No serious injuries were reported
For more: http://loopcayman.com/2015/03/27/cayman-news-car-catches-fire-shamrock-road/
Britain warns travelers to the Caribbean about Chikungunya virus
From Pride
LONDON, England, CMC – Britain has warned travelers to the Caribbean about contracting the Chikungunya virus, based on the dramatic increase in the number of people affected by the disease in the last year.
Last Friday, Public Health England (PHE) said, according to its latest annual data, there has been a 12-fold increase from 24 cases in 2013 to 295 cases in 2014 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The majority of cases, 88 percent, were acquired on trips to the Caribbean and South America.
The outbreak, which started in December 2013 in the French Caribbean territory of St. Martin, has now affected most of the countries and territories in the Caribbean and Americas.
“Chikungunya is an unpleasant viral illness that can cause fever and joint pains, which, in some patients, may persist for a prolonged period,” said Dr. Hilary Kirkbride, head of PHE’s Travel and Migrant Health.
“Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites, particularly around dusk and dawn, when day biting mosquitoes are most active, as there is no specific preventive medicine or vaccination against chikungunya,” she added.
Dr. Dipti Patel, joint director at Britain’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), “strongly” recommends that travelers seek pre-travel advice from their general physician, a specialist travel clinic or pharmacy at least six to eight weeks before they travel.
For more: http://pridenews.ca/2015/03/25/britain-warns-travelers-to-the-caribbean-about-chikungunya-virus/
Caribbean Export awards €700,000 to agribusiness and handicraft firms in Haiti and Dominican Republic
By: Caribbean Export,
Bridgetown, BARBADOS, March 25, 2015 — The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has awarded €700,000 to 31 firms and Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in Haiti and the Dominican Republic via the Binational Grants Programme, as part of the Haiti/Dominican Republic Binational Programme, Commerce Component, funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).
The announcement was made at the launch and reimbursement workshops in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, on 16th and 20th March, 2015, respectively. Grant contracts were awarded to 21 Dominican organizations for an approximate value of €500,000, and to 10 Haitian firms for an approximate value of €200,000.
The resources seek to benefit companies and BSOs from the agribusiness and handicraft sectors that are currently exporting or that have the potential to export their products, with the purpose of increasing their competitiveness by increasing production capacity, developing market and export strategies, participating in international fairs, obtaining quality certifications, among others.
Opening remarks at the launch event in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic were given by Ambassador Alberto Navarro, head of the EU Delegation to the Dominican Republic; Mr. Antonio Vargas, National Authority of the European Development Funds and Director of the General Directorate of Multilateral Cooperation (DIGECOOM); and Mr. Escipión Oliveira, Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency.
In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, opening remarks at the launch were delivered by Ambassador Javier Niño Pérez, Head of the EU Delegation to Haiti who congratulated the grant recipients expressing that they “presented solid projects that reflect a vision and a development strategy for the medium and long term that will contribute to the building of a more dynamic Haitian economy”. Mr. Charles Jean Jacques, National Authority of the European Development Funds (BONFED); and Mr. Jean-Claude Merine, Deputy Programme Manager of Caribbean Export Development Agency also addressed the attending audience.
The reimbursement workshops were conducted by Mr. Horacio Alvarez, Private Sector Expert at the Caribbean Export Development Agency, with the participation of more than 50 executives and representatives of Dominican and Haitian beneficiary firms and BSOs.
Sexual abuse research in Caribbean
From gofundme
Help: I am trying to spread the word about Child Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean, but I’m having a really hard time getting people to see it as a priority. In order to get people listening to the extensive problem of child sexual abuse in the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean, we have to talk about it. I need your help to get my voice – which represents all victims – heard!
I’ve been selected to present my research on child sexual abuse at the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) annual conference in Grenada in June, but I cannot afford to go. Every funder I have asked says its “not in their budget” or “I wish there was something I could do.” So I have to take it to you, the public, to ask for support. If you can spare a little or a lot, every bit helps. I pray you feel the same way about this issue as I do, and urge you to think about how you can play a part in helping to raise our collective voice against Child Sexual Abuse.
My doctoral dissertation was entitled: “Experiences of Mental Health Professionals Counseling Young Survivors of Sexual Abuse in the Cayman Islands”
This is the second time I’ve gotten accepted to present this vital information, and I hope this time finances won’t stop me from sharing it.
You can also view my TEDxTALK on Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean here: http://bit.ly/TEDxSexualAbuse
Dr. Taylor Burrowes
To make a donation go to: http://www.gofundme.com/CaymanResearchCSA?fb_action_ids=10206082439804827&fb_action_types=og.shares
Trinidad no confidence debate suspended; adjourned to April 8
By Anna Ramdass Trinidad Express From Caribbean News Now
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The debate on the motion of no confidence in Trinidad and Tobago opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley was suspended on Wednesday just after 6 pm and adjourned to April 8. Leader of Government Business Dr Roodal Moonilal kicked off the debate.
Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert responded by totally dismissing the motion and led a walkout of the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) members from the Parliament in Port of Spain.
Congress of the People leader Prakash Ramadhar spoke after, but the opposition benches remained empty.
Then Tobago East MP Vernella Alleyne-Toppin spoke before the Parliament took a tea break.
When the house resumed at 5.15 pm, Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner spoke for about 22 minutes, when he too dismissed the government’s motion.
Opposition members did not return. Warner too left after making his contribution.
Labour Minister Errol McLeod made a contribution following Warner. He spoke for half an hour and after the house approved that his time be extended, Moonilal got up and moved that the debate be suspended.
Digicel reportedly downsizing in Caribbean and Central America
From Jamaica Gleaner
Digicel is reportedly downsizing in the Caribbean and Central America.
Approximately 1,300 Jamaicans are employed to Digicel in Jamaica.
In an email to its staff yesterday, the telecoms company reopened its voluntary separation programme, to all staff in the Caribbean and Central America.
Employees in the French West Indies and Panama are not affected.
The announcement was made to the staff in Kingston in an email by the group CEO, Colm Delves immediately after a board meeting at Ocean Boulevard headquarters.
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre understands that persons who do not wish to leave voluntarily, could see their positions made redundant.
It is also understood that the number of persons who respond to the offer will determine what direction is taken.
According to the source, employees have three weeks to respond as the offer ends midnight, April 15.
Contacted this morning, Digicel group public relations officer, Gillian Power, requested that our news centre email her our queries.
However, Power said she would not respond immediately as she would be going into a meeting.
This is the third voluntary redundancy the company had made since 2009.
The last one was in 2012.
Woman busted with weed whilst visiting her son at prison
By Leigh-Andra Gentle From LoveFM
Fifty year old Primrose Hendricks who plead guilty to drug trafficking for attempting to smuggle 63 grams of cannabis into Belize Central prison, was spared a custodial sentence today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Hendricks was fined $10,000 and she was given until June 30 to pay. If she defaults on payment he will serve 3 years. Hendricks was busted on December 22, 2013, when she went to prison to take food for her son, who is an inmate. When a search was conducted on the 2 foam plates with food, it was discovered that an additional plate under the foam plates contained plastic bags with cannabis . as a result, Hendricks was arrested and charged.
For more: http://lovefm.com/woman-plead-guilty-to-drug-trafficking/
Smoke reported aboard Carnival cruise ship in St. Maarten
From Yahoo News
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (AP) — Smoke billowing from a cruise ship has prompted the evacuation of a few passengers and crewmembers and sent a fire crew racing to the docks on the Dutch Caribbean nation of St. Maarten, but officials say there were no reported injuries.
Carnival Cruise Line spokesman Vince Gulliksen said an overheated bearing caused smoke to emerge from the front section of the Carnival Liberty Friday morning. He says the problem has been resolved.
The ship was expected to depart St. Maarten on Friday afternoon as scheduled. It left Florida on Sunday for a seven-day Caribbean cruise.
For more: http://news.yahoo.com/smoke-reported-aboard-carnival-cruise-ship-st-maarten-183543761.html
US Coast Guard seizes US$16m in cocaine, three smugglers arrested
From Caribbean 360
IMAGE:THE COAST GUARD CUTTER TAHOMA SEIZED APPROXIMATELY 1,100 POUNDS OF COCAINE AND APPREHENDED THREE DOMINICAN SMUGGLERS MARCH 18, 2015, OFF THE COAST OF GUAYAMA, PUERTO RICO. (U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Thursday March 26, 2015, CMC – The United States Coast Guard says it has transferred custody of three Dominican Republic smugglers and about 1,100 pounds of cocaine to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following an at-sea interdiction off the coast of Guayama, Puerto Rico.
On Wednesday, the Coast Guard said the interdiction was the result of a multi-agency law enforcement effort in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force.
The drug shipment was estimated to have a wholesale value of about US$16 million dollars.
While on a routine patrol Wednesday evening, the crew of a Joint Interagency Taskforce South maritime patrol aircraft detected the suspicious go-fast heading towards Puerto Rico with three people and possible contraband on board.
A Coast Guard cutter was to interdict the suspected vessel.
The crew proceeded to embark the vessel and confronted the smugglers and 14 bales of suspected contraband, which tested positive for cocaine.
The cocaine and persons onboard were transferred from the Tahoma to the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba for transport to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they were taken into custody by DEA special agents.
Pope Francis performs ‘half miracle’ in Naples by turning blood into liquid
By Czarina Ong From Christian Today
Pope Francis has supposedly performed a “half miracle” during his visit to Naples Cathedral in Italy on Saturday by turning dry blood into liquid.
The vial of blood belonged to the Neapolitan patron St. Gennaro, who used to be the bishop of Naples. When Pope Francis prayed “Our Father” over it and kissed the relic, something strange happened, NBC News reports.
Archbishop of Naples Crescenzio Sepe deemed it a miracle and said: “The blood has half liquified, which shows that Saint Januarius loves our pope and Naples.”
The ever-humble Pope Francis even joked about the incident and said, “The bishop just announced that the blood half liquified. We can see the saint only half loves us. We must all spread the Word, so that he loves us more!”
St. Gennaro was beheaded during the time of Roman Emperor Diocletian in 305. At the time, it was common for Christians to collect the blood of martyrs and place it beside their corpse.
It was not the first time St. Gennaro’s blood turned into liquid. It reportedly liquified in the presence of Pope Pius IX back in 1848.
St. Gennaro devotees believe that the saint’s miracle can occur three times a year, particularly on his feast day on September 19 if they pray hard enough, but skeptics believe that the “miracle” of turning dry blood to liquid is only because of the chemicals inside the vial that change whenever the vial is moved.
During his visit to Naples, Pope Francis shared his thoughts on temptation, which he considers similar to terrorism. He also shared his distaste for the mafia and corruption, and the pontiff touched on the topic of seminarians. He urged those in the seminary to be honest and evaluate their priorities to serve God.
“If Jesus is not central, postpone the ordination. If you are not sure that Jesus is the centre of your life, wait a little longer,” he said.
Sierra Leoneans to stay home in final push to stop Ebola
By Clarence Roy-Macaulay From Yahoo News
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — Sierra Leone’s 6 million people were told to stay home for three days beginning Friday, except for religious services, as the West African nation attempted a final push to rid itself of Ebola.
Thousands of teams were out reminding people how Ebola is spread and how to prevent it. Teams were also going to search for Ebola cases, particularly in regions around the capital and in the north, where flare-ups persist.
Streets were largely empty Friday except for police on patrols and soldiers and their checkpoints. Muslims were allowed to go to Friday prayers but attendance was low, and the streets emptied quickly after services. Christians will be allowed to go to church on Sunday.
Mabinty Conteh, a community health worker in Freetown, the capital, said some people her team visited were receptive but others were hostile. The National Ebola Response Center said there were no major incidents.
Alfred Palo Conteh, the head of Sierra Leone’s Ebola response, said a major goal was to fight complacency, more than a year after the Ebola outbreak was declared in West Africa.
For more: http://news.yahoo.com/sierra-leoneans-stay-home-final-push-stop-ebola-091003057.html
Cate Blanchett shuts it down in interview: ‘That’s your f*cking question?’
By Jenni Ryall From Mashable
Cate Blanchett doesn’t like beer or interviewers who ask questions about cats, Channel Ten’s Jonathan Hyla discovered on Wednesday night.
The star of Cinderella did not take to Hyla’s unusual style of questioning and the entire chat fell into an awkward mess. To break the ice, The Project’s entertainment reporter offered the Australian star a beer.
“I was going to bring like a six pack of beer. You seem like the type of person that we should just crack open a beer and just have a chat,” Hyla said. Blanchett snapped back: “This date is not going well, I do not drink beer.”
After a chat about potato vodka from Devon, the pair seemed to get along for a fleeting moment before Blanchett refocuses the interview on the film, quipping “one of us has got to do our job.”
Blanchett suggests they start over so Hyla puts forward the question he has been saving: “Were you able to get that cat [in Cinderella] to do what you wanted to do on a leash? Because I try and put my girlfriend’s cat on a leash and it just never works for me.”
Less than impressed and looking around for backup, an apparently shocked Blanchett fires back: “That’s your question? That’s your f—–g question?” Unfortunately, it didn’t end there. They also failed at high fiving each other.
In other news, all we learned about Cinderella is that Cate Blanchett stars in it and that she may be the world’s biggest troll.
FBI must evolve to keep up with terror threats, report finds
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS From mashable
The FBI must scramble to keep up with increasingly sophisticated terrorists and improve its ability to gather intelligence on global threats to the nation’s security, according to an outside review released Wednesday.
The report said the FBI has made significant strides since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, including sharing information with other law enforcement agencies. But it said there’s still room for improvement, especially at a time of emerging new threats such as the Islamic State and Westerners joining militant fighters in Syria.
“These threats are not just knocking on the door. They’re in the room,” “These threats are not just knocking on the door. They’re in the room,” said former Rep. Timothy Roemer, a member of the original 9/11 commission who helped prepare the new 127-page analysis.
Three experts lead the review at the request of the FBI: Edwin “Ed” Meese III, a former attorney general; Timothy J. Roemer, a former congressman and ambassador; and Bruce Hoffman, a Georgetown University professor and author.
The review was ordered by Congress to assess the FBI’s performance on counterterrorism national security matters, and its authors said they hoped it would serve as a blueprint for improvement. It was also intended to gauge how well the 9/11 commission’s recommendations in a 2004 report are being carried out.
It was released as FBI Director James Comey went to Capitol Hill to defend an $8.48 billion budget request that seeks extra funding for cyber investigations, among other changes.
Though largely positive about the FBI’s transformation over the last decade, the report identified several weakness, including a need for better intelligence analysis and collection. The FBI’s staff of intelligence analysts should be valued as part of a “professionalized workforce” with specific requirements in training and education and access to better technology.
“This imbalance needs urgently to be addressed to meet growing and increasingly complex national security threats, including from adaptive and increasingly tech-savvy terrorists, more brazen computer hackers, and more technically capable, global cyber syndicates,” the report states.
The report looked at five terror plots and attacks in the last few years, including the 2009 Fort Hood shooting and the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. It identified lapses in communication and coordination among different offices of the FBI, though the report said it could not say whether law enforcement could have detected the plots earlier with better collaboration.
Italy clears Knox and Sollecito of Kercher murder
From Business Insider
Rome (AFP) – Italy’s top court on Friday cleared Amanda Knox of the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher, bringing a sensational end to an eight-year legal drama.
Judges at the Court of Cassation also cleared Knox’s Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito after ten hours of deliberations in Rome.
The co-pilot of Germanwings flight 9525 reportedly told his former girlfriend he wanted everyone to know his name
By Natasha Bertrand From Business Insider
The co-pilot of the downed Germanwings Airbus 320 who authorities believe intentionally crashed the plane told his former girlfriend that he wanted to do something to “change the system,” German newspaper Bild has reported.
27-year-old German national Andreas Lubitz — described by people close to him on Thursday as a “rather quiet,” “polite,” and “fun” young man — reportedly told his ex-girlfriend that he was disillusioned with his career at Germanwings.
“He understood that because of his health problems, his big dream of a job at Lufthansa as captain and as a long-haul pilot was practically impossible,” his ex, a 26-year-old flight attendant identified only as Maria W., told Bild.
She also told Bild that he told her, “One day I will do something that will change the whole system, and then all will know my name and remember it.”
Revelations about Lubitz’s battle with depression and a “mental illness” — which he allegedly hid from his employers — came as investigators searched his home for clues about what his motivation could have been for deliberately crashing the plane.
A note found in Lubitz’s trash said he was “was declared by a medical doctor unfit to work,” Dusseldorf prosecutor Christoph Kumpa said Friday, according to CNN.
His former girlfriend confirmed to Bild that Lubitz had a “problem” which ultimately led them to split up. She noted that when they spoke about work, “he became upset about the conditions we worked under: too little money, fear of losing the contract, too much pressure.”
He was also plagued by nightmares and would wake up in the middle of the night screaming, “we’re going down,” she added, according to the BBC. He was introverted, she said, and knew how to hide his feelings from the rest of the world.
Maria now understands Lubitz’s eerie prediction that “one day everyone will know my name.”
“I never knew what he meant, but now it makes sense.”
