iNews Briefs
Giant snake-like creature filmed in the sea
By Dev Sharma From Island Crises
An enormous tubular ‘creature’ has been spotted in the sea. Is it a new species so far unidentified? It looks like a giant snake-like animal, navigating its way through the waters.
IMAGE: The tubular creature (Pyrostremma spinosum). Screenshot from Eaglehawk Dive’s YouTube video/ Michael Baron
It looks like a huge inflatable tube, or like a sea-snake. Experts have explained that it is not one creature; rather, it is an aggregation of thousands of animals known as zooids all gathered in a gelatinous tube called a pyrosome.
“One long pyrosome is actually a collection of thousands of clones, with each individual capable of copying itself and adding to the colony,” says marine biologist Rebecca Helm in a statement.
The ‘creature’ is bioluminescent, emanating a bright greenish blue glow that lights up the colony when it meets a disturbance. It has been described as “shining like white-hot cylinders in the water” by 19th century scientist Thomas Huxley.
The ‘cylinders’ can actually evolve into huge sizes, even reaching over 12 meters in length.
Each zooid forming part of the mass is a filter feeder: it feeds by sucking in water and filtering small particles while blowing its waste out. This feeding strategy causes the colony to move forth at a slow pace. When the feeding is paused, the colony can sink 500 – 700 meters below the surface of the water.
The footage depicting the amazing team work was shared by Eaglehawk Dive Center from Australia:-
For more and video go to: http://news.islandcrisis.net/2015/04/giant-snake-like-creature-filmed-in-the-sea/
Discover Tec Diving in the Cayman Islands
By Jay Easterbrook, Divetech, Cobalt Coast Dive Resort. From TecRec Blog
Divetech in Grand Cayman has been a pioneer in Technical diving in the Cayman Islands for 20 years. Divetech has a half day rebreather experience years the worlds largest rebreather event called “Innerspace” with many rebreather manufacturers supporting this amazing event for beginners through expedition courses.
Recreational divers with a nitrox certification can start with a recreational rebreather course which keeps them in the same recreational diving depth limits but gives them long dive profiles with no decompression obligation. This course is awesome for divers that have problems with air consumption on open circuit. The photographers love that marine life come right up to your camera because of no bubbles and I love rebreathers because I do not get cold on long profiles because on a rebreather you are breathing warm moist air.
Technical Diving does not have to be technical. Just the next course to advance your diving knowledge and extend your bottom time with the silence of no bubble diving. It is about the “Sport” of diving.
For more: https://tecrec.padi.com/2015/04/04/discover-tec-diving-in-the-cayman-islands/
Hubble finds giant objects near dead quasars
From Siasat Daily
NASA’s Hubble space telescope has clicked a set of wispy, goblin-green objects that are the ephemeral ghosts of quasars that flickered to life and then faded.
The glowing structures have looping, helical and braided shapes.
“They do not fit in a single pattern. The features offer insights into the puzzling behaviour of galaxies with energetic cores,” said Bill Keel from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
These images reveal a set of bizarre, greenish looping, spiral and braided shapes around eight active galaxies.
The galaxies host a bright quasar that may have illuminated the structures.
“The ethereal wisps outside the host galaxy are believed to have been illuminated by powerful ultraviolet radiation from a supermassive black hole at the core of the host galaxy,” NASA said in a statement.
The most active of these galaxy cores are called quasars, where infalling material is heated to a point where a brilliant searchlight shines into deep space.
The beam is produced by a disk of glowing, superheated gas encircling the black hole.
“The glowing filaments are telling us that the quasars were once emitting more energy, or they are changing very rapidly, which they were not supposed to,” Keel noted.
One possible explanation is that pairs of co-orbiting black holes are powering the quasars and this could change their brightness, like using the dimmer switch on a chandelier.
Not coincidentally, galaxy mergers would also trigger the birth of a quasar by pouring material into the central supermassive black hole.
For more: http://www.siasat.com//english/news/hubble-finds-giant-objects-near-dead-quasars
Cayman Football: More internationals on the horizon
From Digicel Sportsmax
Cayman is to increase the rate at which it plays international football matches.
Prior to the recent World Cup qualifiers against Belize, Cayman had not played an international match in four years; but according to the country’s director of football, Renard Moxam, change is on the horizon.
“One of my responsibilities is to rebuild the national team and playing more games is part and parcel of that. We are looking at various events over the next 24 months and trying to put together a programme of games for our teams at all levels.”
If all goes to plan, the national team could be playing in the Caribbean Cup later this year. The country is also to see increased action as both men and women U23 teams will be playing in Olympic qualifiers.
Cayman is also set to host the CONCACAF Under-15 tournament.
Moxam said the senior team will improve once they play more matches.
“It has been frustrating over the last four years not to have a team, to work so hard domestically and not to have anything to shoot for. I’m glad the national team is back and I hope it is here to stay.”
For more: http://www.digicelsportsmax.com/?q=articles/2015/04/04/cayman-football-more-internationals-horizon
CCRIF moves to improve disaster risk management in Caribbean
From Jamaica Observer
GRAND Cayman, Cayman Islands (CMC) — The Cayman Islands-based Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) has launched its Regional Internship and Small Grants Programme aimed at building capacity in disaster risk management in the Caribbean.
It said the Regional Internship Programme is designed to provide opportunities for young professionals and students who have specialised in the areas of disaster risk management, environmental management, actuarial science, geography, climate studies and other similar areas.
“CCRIF will dedicate up to US$75,000 for a maximum of 10 internships each year and expects to partner with the Caribbean Development Bank, Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology and the University of the West Indies, among others,” it said, adding that the first interns will be placed in summer 2015.
It’s time to talk about what’s next
From The Cayman Institute
This statement also applies to the Cayman Islands, in fact is is more crucial to a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) than anywhere else. “It is time for Caymanians (Americans) to think boldly about… what it will take to move our country to a very different place, one where outcomes that are truly sustainable, equitable, and democratic are commonplace.’
Caymanians ask yourselves
‘Do we want cheaper energy generated by solar and wind’?
Ask ‘how will climate change affect us?’
Ask ‘how will sea level rise affect us?’
Ask ‘how will Cuba opening to US citizens affect us?’
These are questions that very few people or organizations in these islands are asking.
Those are the words of academic and author Gar Alperovitz, founder of the Democracy Collaborative, who—alongside veteran environmentalist Gus Speth—this week launched a new initiative called the “Next Systems Project” which seeks to address the interrelated threats of financial inequality, planetary climate disruption, and money-saturated democracies by advocating for deep, heretofore radical transformations of the current systems that govern the world’s economies, energy systems, and political institutions.
For more: http://caymaninstitute.blogspot.com/2015_04_01_archive.html
In Jamaica, man hurls ‘suspicious package’ at US Embassy
By DAVID McFADDEN Associated Press From ABC News
Heavily armed Jamaican soldiers and police took positions around the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday after a man hurled a “suspicious package” over the building’s wall.
The incident came just over a week before President Barack Obama is due to visit Jamaica on April 9 ahead of the Summit of the Americas in Panama.
Embassy public affairs counselor Joshua Polacheck said a person threw the “suspicious package” over the wall Wednesday morning, leading officials to close the facility to visitors for several hours. The man who pitched the parcel was detained by police.
The embassy reopened to visitors around noon after police said they examined the contents of the package and found no threat. Authorities declined to disclose what was in the package.
Cayman Swimming: Country’s officials get international gigs
From Digicel Sportsmax
Four swimming officials from the Cayman Islands will take part in the administration of two international meets this year.
Referee Tom McCallum, CIASA (Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association), Judge Level II Michelle Bailey, and Jacky Rowland are officiating in the CARIFTA Swimming Championships (April 4-7) now under way in Barbados.
They will serve as technical officials.
More importantly, referee Adam Roberts has been selected as an international technical official for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada on July 14-18.
The Games has a maximum quota of 40 officials, taken from all over the Pan-American region.
CIASA president Michael Lockwood has thanked all four for their work in Cayman swimming.
“The sport would not be progressing, and more to the point, our swimmers would not be progressing, if we did not have the ability to conduct fully officiated swim meets here in Cayman – giving all our competitive swimmers the opportunity to learn the rules and to achieve official times that can be used to qualify for swim meets,” he said.
“Congratulations on your selection! We are confident you will represent Cayman Swimming very well and look forward to having you share your experience and acquired knowledge upon your return.”
Overcrowded vehicle collides with truck killing three, injuring several others
From CARIBBEAN360
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – At least three people were killed and several others hospitalised after an overcrowded vehicle slammed into a truck during the early hours of Monday (March 30), police said.
The authorities have identified those killed as Tommy Thomas, 22 and 19-year old Jevon Gregory. The third person has not yet been identified. Two other persons have been transferred to the Georgetown Hospital and four others taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital.
Police said the vehicle, with a seating capacity for five, was carrying nine people when the accident occurred the West Coast in Berbice.
US visitor to Cayman Islands fined for unlicensed firearm and bullets
A US visitor was fined $2,000 last week after he pleaded guilty of carrying a small .22 Derringer revolver and four rounds of .22 caliber bullets in his suitcase.
The man was leaving Grand Cayman with his wife on March 28th after vacationing here. The gun and ammunition was found by Customs during an X-ray examination.
The man immediately admitted the gun was his and said he had forgotten it was in the suitcase. He had a valid concealed handgun permit in the U.S.A.
Magistrate Grace Donalds accepted that there were exceptional circumstances and did not record a conviction when she fined him.
Fleas test positive for plague in Arizona
From Newsmax
Arizona officials are taking precautions after finding fleas collected in Picture Canyon northeast of Flagstaff have tested positive for plague.
The Arizona Daily Sun reported Friday that the County Public Health Services District is conducting additional tests and disinfecting prairie dog burrows.
Public health officials collected the fleas around trails in the popular hiking area after noticing some prairie dogs dying off.
The positive test is the first sign of plague activity in the county since last September in Doney Park.
Officials are advising residents to take precautions such as using insect repellent and to avoid handling sick or dead animals.
Symptoms of plague appear within two to six days after initial exposure. They can include fever, chills, swollen lymph glands and muscle pain.
First CONCACAF GK course held in St. Kitts & Nevis
BASSATERRE, St. Kitts & Nevis – The evolution of coaching and player development in CONCACAF took another step forward this past weekend as the first-ever CONCACAF Goalkeeping Course was held in St. Kitts & Nevis.
Instructor Claine Plummer conducted the comprehensive workshop from March 26-28 for 21 participants.
The carefully constructed program provided classroom and field instruction, offering a thorough examination of the technical, tactical and analytical aspects of goalkeeping.
Some of the course’s many elements included, video analysis, methodology, training session models, positioning, communication, crosses, distribution and set plays.
The California-based Plummer started his playing career in Costa Rica, before going on to play collegiate and professional soccer in the United States.
New Guernsey fund in £150 million IPO
From Offshore Bankers
Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund – a newly formed Guernsey fund focused on the economic infrastructure sector – has listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, raising £150 million in the process.
The fund expects to target investments in operational projects in the transport, transportation equipment, utilities, power, renewable energy, telecommunications infrastructure and infrastructure accommodation sectors.
Guernsey firms advising were Ogier, who undertook the legal work; KPMG Channel Islands, who acted as reporting accountants and as independent auditors; and Praxis Fund Services as administrator and International Fund Management, which forms part of The Praxis Group, as the investment manager.
For more: http://www.offshore-bankers.net/article/20313/new-guernsey-fund-in-pound150-million-ipo
CARIFTA 2015: Taylor Shatters Bolt’s Under-18 400m record
By Andre Huie From West Indies news Network
IMAGE: Christopher Taylor (Photo Courtesy Jamaica Observer)
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Jamaica’s Fifteen year old Christopher Taylor broke 400m Boys Under-18 record set in 2002 by fellow countryman and track and field icon, Usain Bolt.
“As I started off the race, I was not feeling 100 per cent but I just went out there and said I’m going to do it for by race…and I win the gold medal.” Taylor told WINN FM’s Andre Huie.
Clocking 45.69 seconds at this weekend’s CARIFTA games being hosted in St. Kitts, Taylor said he did not have breaking the record on his mind.
“I did not [come] out here with the plan of making a record or going for the record, I was just coming to win but surprisingly the record came.”
For more: http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/12025-carifta-2015-taylor-shatters-bolt-s-under-18-400m-record
Trinidad man convicted of illegal weapon possession removed from Lafayette
From The Advertiser
A Trinidad and Tobago man who served nearly 10 years in federal prison for illegally obtaining machine guns and silencers in Florida was removed from the United States Wednesday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
According to a press release from ICE, Clive L. Small, 80, was convicted in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in August 2005 of conspiracy to possess machine guns and firearm silencers, and possession of machine guns and firearm silencers. ERO officers took Small into immigration custody in February following his release from federal prison in Oakdale.
Small was previously removed from the United States in 1998 as ordered by an immigration judge. He was paroled back into the country in 2004 to face the federal weapons charges.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will continue to focus its removal resources on violent criminals and other high-priority aliens who pose the greatest threat to our communities,” said ERO New Orleans Field Office Director David Rivera.
Small was removed Wednesday by ERO officers via commercial aircraft from the Lafayette airport to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Justices reject petition from Alan Gross over Cuba detention
By Zoe Tillman, From Legal Times
Alan Gross, the American subcontractor who spent five years imprisoned in Cuba, won’t get to argue his allegations of negligence against the federal government before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The high court on Monday denied Gross’ petition for the justices to hear his case. The denial means a ruling last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit finding that the feds were immune against Gross’ claims will stand.
Gross was detained by Cuban authorities in 2009 while he was working as a federal agency subcontractor. He was convicted in 2011 of attempting to subvert the Cuban government and sentenced to 15 years in prison. In December, he was released as part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to restore ties with Cuba.
While Gross was still in Cuba, his wife Judith sued the federal government and the contractor that hired him, accusing them of negligence in alerting and preparing Gross for the risks of his work there. Gross and his wife reached a confidential settlement with the contractor.
A federal district judge dismissed the Grosses’ claims against the feds in 2013, and the D.C. Circuit affirmed that decision in November, shortly before Alan Gross was sent back to the United States. The D.C. Circuit found that because the Grosses’ claims of economic losses and emotional distressed stemmed from Alan Gross’ imprisonment in Cuba, the federal government was immune.
In February, the Grosses petitioned the high court to hear their case. Their lawyers at Gilbert LLP were not immediately reached for comment.
UAE company offers Antigua passports with property purchase
From Jamaica Gleaner
ABU DHABI, CMC – Property developers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are offering potential new home owners passports for Antigua and Barbuda, opening up fresh avenues for visa-free travel to a wide array of countries for Emirati citizens, according to reports here.
Al Jazeera, the television conglomerate, with offices in the Middle East and the United States, has reported that Sweet Homes – a company based in the emirate of Ajman – has “incentivised its property portfolio by including Antiguan and Barbadian passports with certain luxury home purchases.”
Al Jazeera said “A two bedroom villa costing 1.4mn dirhams (US$380,000) and a four-bedroom home priced at 1.9mn dirhams (US$517,000) come with passports for the purchaser, his or her partner, dependent children and parents over the age of 65.”
“The incentive of having an Antiguan and Barbadian passport for Emiratis is that it allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 132 countries, compared with 77 countries for a UAE passport,” the report added.
MEE said the offer applies to 600 of 1,500 units in the Ajman Uptown development, which Sweet Homes hopes will be completed in time for 2020.
Judge fines Gibson Dunn following partner’s misconduct
By Jennifer Henderson, From The Am Law Daily
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, along with the Republic of Djibouti, has been ordered by a British high court judge to pay Abdourahman Boreh the equivalent of $1.3 million in fees after the firm’s Dubai partner, Peter Gray, was found to have knowingly provided false information regarding the Djibouti businessman’s alleged involvement in a 2009 grenade attack.
The fine—which was first reported by UK publication Legal Business and confirmed by Boreh’s attorney, Ben Davies of Byrne and Partners—follows Justice Julian Flaux’s judgment last week that lifted an order to freeze a reported $100 million in Boreh’s assets after the judge found that Gray failed to correct information he knew to be inaccurate. (Flaux kept in place a “less-intrusive” proprietary injunction that applies to Boreh’s shareholdings in Horizon Djibouti Holdings Limited.)
The root of the misconduct rested on misdated transcripts submitted to the British courts by Gray detailing phone conversations that seemed to tie Boreh to the attack that occurred on Djibouti’s Nougaprix market in March 2009.
A Gibson Dunn team, including Gray, represented Djibouti in seeking the freezing order against Boreh following his terrorism conviction by the country’s Court of Appeals in 2010.
Gibson Dunn had suspended Gray prior to the freezing order reversal, according to a statement issued by the firm last week. It also noted that Gray was the only member of Gibson Dunn alleged to have misled the court.
Davies, a junior partner at Byrne and Partners who is representing Boreh alongside lead partner Yvonne Jefferies, confirmed that Gibson Dunn referred the matter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority after allegations against Gray surfaced.
Gibson Dunn did not return a request for comment Friday.
Trinidad: Twelve cops in hot water
From West Indies News Network
(Trinidad Express) THE 12 police officers allegedly involved in pouring hot water on a detained suspect at Sangre Grande Police Station in late February, and arrested by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau, last Sunday were charged last night following instructions issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), according to reliable police sources.
The Professional Standards Bureau is charged with the responsibility of investigating allegations of misconduct against officers in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Among the officers charged are an acting inspector, a sergeant, an SRP sergeant, three acting corporals and six constables (including one WPC).
For more: http://www.winnfm.com/news/regional/12003-twelve-cops-in-hot-water
Leonardo DiCaprio is developing a private-island Caribbean resort
From Caribbean Journal
Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is developing a hotel off the Caribbean coast of Belize.
The project, which would be an eco-resort, is located on the private island of Blackadore Caye, which DiCaprio reportedly purchased in 2005 for $1.75 million. (He bought the island with Jeff Gram, who owns the existing Cayo Espanto resort, one of the region’s top private island hotels).
Now, the New York Times reports that DiCaprio is planning to build an eco-resort in partnership with development firm Delos.
The project, dubbed “Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island,” would include 68 villas and a residential villa component.
Designer Jason F McLennan has been tapped as the architect on the project; McLennan Designs has already produced renderings of the site.
DiCaprio is the latest high-profile actor to get into the Caribbean hotel industry.
Late last year, fellow Hollywood legend Robert De Niro announced plans to develop a luxury resort project at the former K-Club site on the island of Barbuda.
IMAGE: a rendering of the project (rendering: McLennan Design)
Rihanna accused of plagiarizing Just Brittany’s ‘Betta Have My Money’
By Jessica Goodman From The Huffington Post
Another day, another artist accused of stealing music. Rihanna’s new single “Bitch Better Have My Money” shares its name with a few other tracks, but now Just Brittany fans are claiming that Rihanna’s song sounds a little too much like Just Brittany’s “Betta Have My Money,” which was released nine months ago on SoundCloud.
The hooks and lyrics are pretty similar, as The Fader points out. “Bitch better have my money,” Just Brittany sings over and over again … just like Rihanna.
Representatives for Rihanna and Just Brittany were not immediately available for comment.
For more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/03/rihanna-just-brittany-betta-have-my-money_n_7001036.html
Dining To Donate For Autism
April is Global Autism Awareness Month. This year, the Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation (MCADF) will be enacting its second fundraising effort in New York City, in partnership with Zingflash Films – an American-based film company which specialises in making short films, music videos, and full-length films, with their inaugural staging of Dining to Donate for Autism in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
The foundation is marking its seventh year of existence on April 26, 2015, and as an NGO, it is still struggling to help individuals who are affected by autism and other disabilities. Autism is a mental condition present from early childhood, characterised by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. It affects people of all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, although boys are generally affected at four times the rate of girls and it is rising in prevalence among the world’s populations in the USA, as well as the Caribbean region.
The event is being sponsored by Zingflash Films, a company owned by Jamaicans who reside in the USA. The fundraiser is slated for April 26, 2015 in New York City. The Zingflash Films members heard of MCADF and its noteworthy support and have dedicated their interest to form a lifelong alliance between the two entities – to enable the MCADF to extend its help to individuals who are affected by autism in Jamaica and in the Caribbean. According to Maia Chung, “the fundraiser we have planned is in its effort of MCADF continuing our work to help Jamaicans, individuals in the Caribbean and around the world who are being affected by autism”.
The movement was sparked by one of the Zingflash Films members whose two children are autistic, and this will be the first of an annual partnership between the two entities. So far, corporate sponsors Apple Bees and Clothiers Parish Nation have come on board as sponsors, and New York State senator, Kevin Parker, is also supporting this event.
The Zingflash Films has produced a short film on autism and its effects on families, which will be screened at the Dining to Donate event.
Patrons can buy tickets by clicking on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dining-to-donate-for-autism-aw
Jamaica: Cops seize house, arrest man in money laundering probe
From Jamaica Observer
MONTEGO BAY, St James — A 46-year-old man has been charged with money laundering by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) West following an operation in the swanky Ironshore community on Holy Thursday.
A large house, allegedly belonging to the accused, was also seized by the Financial Investigation Division (FID) during the operation under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
The man was charged shortly after he was held in the house by the law enforcers.
According to Corporal Kevin Watson, spokesperson for MOCA West, Thursday’s operation — which was a continuation of a local and international investigation of a major crime syndicate — was conducted by MOCA and FID.
Thursday’s seizure brings to three the number of houses confiscated by the FID under POCA as part of the major probe in the upscale Ironshore community.
“These houses are involved in a connected investigation being carried out by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency,” Corporal Watson said.
“These investigations, I must remind you, are also a collaborative effort with our overseas law. The overseas partners have already done their part and MOCA West has already charged persons in connection with this investigation,” he added.
Corporal Watson warned that MOCA will be unrelenting in its fight against crime. He also warned that properties belonging to people convicted under the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act, popularly known as the Lotto Scam Act, will also be forfeited under POCA.
“This is the same method which we will be using to [seize] houses owned by lotto scammers. We will be going after their assets just as what obtains here. MOCA is dedicated to the fight against offences of organised crime. MOCA will continue the fight, along with its partners and other agencies, to take the profit out of crime,” Corporal Watson warned.
More than 500 people have been arrested, and billions of dollars in assets seized under the country’s anti-lottery scamming law, since it was passed in 2013.
Some of the cases have already resulted in convictions.
For more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Cops-seize-house–arrest-man-in-money-laundering-probe_18695608
NASA and Boeing to test eco-friendly technologies for airplanes
By Mariella Moon From engadget
Boeing’s new ecoDemonstrator (a 757) is slated to go on a series of flights this spring to try out two of NASA’s experimental fuel-saving techniques. One of them’s the Active Flow Control Enhanced Vertical Tail Flight Experiment, which entails installing 31 tiny jets on a plane’s vertical tail or dorsal fin, as you can see below the fold. These jets can manipulate the flow of air over the tail’s surface and generate enough force to stabilize the plane during takeoff and landing, even if the fin’s around 17 percent smaller than usual. A smaller tail means a lighter plane and, hence, lower fuel consumption.
A few weeks after putting the teensy jets through the wringer, 
ecoDemonstrator will do another series of flights to test five different insect-repellent plane coatings. Apparently, even something as small as bugs can disturb the flow of air around the plane’s wings and cause drag. Planes can reduce fuel consumption by around six percent if that air flow remains smooth. That sounds like such a small number, but it could still save airlines millions of dollars on fuel and lead to lower emissions.
NASA already ensured that these two technologies work in a laboratory setting. But they still need to go through field testing to see if they can survive the harsh environments airplanes typically face. They’re only two of the eight projects being developed under the agency’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) initiative, though, so expect more test flights to take to the skies after spring.
For more: http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/03/nasa-boeing-era-eco-friendly-planes/?ncid=rss_truncated
Fugitive pig loses its cool when denied service at Burger King
By Tricia Gilbride From Mashable
IMAGE Burger king pig Image: Camelotrose
Just like Romeo and Juliet, this pig ran away from its home for love and it ended in tragedy.
The Associated Press reports that a black potbellied pig from Pennsylvania waited patiently for employees to open a Burger King early Thursday morning.
It turned out to be an unrequited love and the pig was denied service. It’s still alive, though, so that’s cool. The dining establishment was offering a 2-for-$4 bacon, egg and cheese croissant special, so that betrayal may have prompted the escapee’s grand romantic gesture.
Employee JJ Nichols told Pittsburgh Action News that he tried to feed the pig bacon, but was scolded by his astute manager. The pig ended up munching on some hash browns from a sympathetic customer.
Things got ugly when the pig started blocking the drive-thru and bit a customer’s foot, presumably oinking a desperate call of, “Burger King! What do I have to do to get you to notice me?” State police showed up to wrangle the burger enthusiast, and eventually the pig’s owner showed up to bring the runaway home.
If Burger King can’t open its heart to love, it doesn’t deserve this pig. Maybe Taco Bell is a better match.
For more: http://mashable.com/2015/04/03/pig-burger-king/
Caribbean governments called on to devote one percent of GDP to science and technology
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (GIS) — Caribbean governments must devote at least one percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to science and technology for the region to make significant progress in this area.
This was one of the recommendations coming out of the second high level Caribbean Community (CARICOM) science and technology meeting that ended in Grenada over the weekend.
Dr Cardinal Warde, who represented the CARICOM Science Foundation at the three-day summit, said achieving a one percent goal could bring in a “paradigm shift for the region”.
“I think if we can achieve those, some spoke of a one percent goal over the next five years – some people think it would take ten years, but that’s okay if we work towards that – it would be very significant,” Warde said.
According to Warde, “Some of the smaller islands and countries in the OECS just have a very hard time even getting to one percent.”
As a result he recommended that “they put some of their energy or some of their money to starting a new technology company that could bring in foreign exchange that could become profitable and could be taxed later on, and then the one percent will be a lot easier”.
Mexico wins CBSC title
Mexico (pictured) after defeating Costa Rica in the final of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship on April 4, 2015, in Costa del Sol, El Salvador. (Photo: Mexsport)
COSTA DEL SOL, El Salvador – Ramon Maldonado scored two goals and set up another to help lift Mexico to a 4-0 win over Costa Rica in the final of the 2015 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship on Saturday night at Estadio de Futbol Playa.
Both teams already clinched berths for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup later this year in Portugal.
Mexico, which beat Guatemala (5-2) in the quarterfinals and the United States (4-3) in the semifinals, captured its record third CONCACAF title, breaking the mark it shared with the Americans.
Maldonado opened the scoring with 2:12 left in the first period, when he avoided a Costa Rican defender and put a low effort inside the far post.
He added his second of the game, and sixth of the tournament, in the second period, taking the ball off his chest, off his knee and then blasting a shot into the upper 90 to give the Tricolor a 2-0 lead with 10:10 left in the second period.
Maldonado then played provider, laying the ball off to Adrian Gonzalez, who gave Mexico a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the third period.
Greivin Pacheco, Costa Rica’s top scorer in the tournament with 11 goals, put a low shot off the far post with nine minutes left for Ticos’ best scoring chance.
Diego Rodriguez capped the scoring for Mexico with a bicycle kick with 2:43 remaining in the game.
While Costa Rica scored the second-most goals in group play with 25, six behind leader El Salvador, Mexico had the stingiest defense and that was again the case in the final.
Mexico, which also won the competition in 2008 and 2010, conceded three or fewer goals in each of its six 2015 CBSC games.
The Mexicans will be making their fourth trip to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after also competing in 2007, 2008 and 2010. Costa Rica will appear in the tournament for the second time, previously qualifying in 2009.
Iraqi PM: Foreign recruits make ISIS unbeatable
From Newsmax
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi told a German magazine that armies in the region around Iraq had no chance of defeating Islamic State (ISIS) if the militants continued to recruit ideologically indoctrinated foreign fighters.
In an interview with Der Spiegel published Saturday, Abadi said that around 57 percent of ISIS fighters were Iraqis but they did not cause any problems as they simply ran away when Iraqi troops entered towns.
“It is the 43 percent who are foreign fighters who have been indoctrinated ideologically who have their backs up against the wall. If Daesh [ISIS] continues to recruit so many from other countries, then no army in our region can stand up to it.”
Daesh is an Arabic name for Islamic State.
Abadi said government security authorities needed to take action to protect young people from ISIS “in the same way they trace child pornography networks around the world”.
Abadi said Germany could play a key role in supporting the fight against ISIS as it had weapons that Iraq requires, particularly anti-explosive devices. He said Berlin should help given that hundreds of Germans were fighting for ISIS.
German security services say about 600 German residents have joined militant groups in Syria and Iraq.
Abadi said cooperation with Germany’s foreign intelligence service was very good and Iraq was providing it with the phone numbers that Germans fighting for ISIS use to call Germany.
Abadi said the liberation of the city of Tikrit from ISIS on April 1 was encouraging but he added that IS was still a major threat: “They keep on recruiting people, they have huge financial resources and, honestly, a uniformed army alone cannot face it on its own.”
For more: http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/isis-iraq-unbeatable-foreign/2015/04/04/id/636450/#ixzz3WZc3LgZD
Caribbean startup launches digital currency exchange
By Narayan Ammachchi From Nearshore Americas
Barbados-based startup Bitt Inc has launched a digital currency exchange after receiving US$1.5 million in venture capital from Avatar Capital. The exchange supports a variety of financial services, particularly mobile digital wallets, e-commerce and international remittances.
Consumers will be able to trade in 11 major currencies, including the dollar, the pound and the euro. Analysts have often argued that digital currencies could prove hugely popular in the Caribbean, where over 60% of residents are unbanked.
“The Bitt Exchange aims to help those without access to banking services. The exchange will bridge the gap between traditional and digital currency markets, helping Caribbean customers to save money on international payments and remittances,” stated Bitt Inc’s co-founder Gabriel Abed.
The biggest beneficiaries will be those who receive large sums of money in remittances from relatives in the United States. The Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), which has aggressively lobbied Caribbean governments to develop a legal framework for digital currencies, has repeatedly urged regional governments to lower the cost of remittance transaction fees.
For more: http://www.nearshoreamericas.com/caribbean-startup-launches-digital-currency-exchange/
St. Kitts and Nevis AG: Electoral office breached, computers accessed externally
By Toni Frederick From West Indies News Network
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Computers at the Electoral Office were being accessed externally, findings from an investigation into its operations reveal, this according to Attorney General Vincent Byron Junior.
“We are having a wider investigation of the office, how the office operated…we’re looking a the procedures of the office. As well too, we’ve had to look very carefully at the computer systems that had crashed as these had been accessed externally, were online and we’re very careful to find out what has been going on,” the Attorney General said.
The investigations into the operations of the Electoral Office are two-fold the Attorney General explained Thursday, The first being an examination of the conduct of the February 16th General Election.
“It deals with the matters dealing with the day of election and the activities that played out in front of the entire nation and the region…that investigation has involved…the police, in as much as there have been reports of a breach of the electoral office. The office has been sealed, and the police have been conducting interviews,” Attorney General Byron said
“The investigation is ongoing. I’m happy to say that we’re nearing the end of the investigation and we will be able to say very shortly, when the office will be able to continue.”
Mr. Byron the broader investigation into the operations of the electoral office are expected to lead to an overhaul of the country’s electoral system.
The electoral offices on St. Kitts and Nevis were closed upon the new Unity administration taking office, following a controversial General Election. In the early hours of the morning following the closing of the poll, the Supervisor of Elections Wingrove George abruptly announced that he was stopping the count, and would be making no more announcements of results.
As the hours dragged on, word began to filter from various polling stations that the count had been completed and agreed upon by candidates representatives that had been filed with the Supervisor, but never announcements.
As the unofficial results were provided it became clear that the incumbent St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party had lost the election. Reports trickled in of government offices being accessed, and supporters of the Unity coalition took to the streets in an apparent effort to stand guard at government headquarters.
By midmorning, calls were coming from Caribbean leaders for the count and the announcement of results to resume. It was not until late afternoon that the Supervisor of Elections officially provided the results of the seat count.
For more: http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/12016-ag-electoral-office-breached-computers-accessed-externally
DOJ antitrust enforcers pursue first online pricefixing charge
By Patience Haggin, from The Recorder
SAN FRANCISCO — The Department of Justice Antitrust Division took action on Monday against an online art seller in what officials called the first criminal prosecution specifically targeting e-commerce.
David Topkins, who sold posters through various websites including Amazon Marketplace, conspired with other sellers to fix the prices for certain posters and wrote an algorithm to implement the agreement, according to court documents filed in the Northern District of California. Topkins has agreed to plead guilty to felony pricefixing and pay a $20,000 criminal fine, according to the Justice Department.
The criminal information describes Topkins as a former employee of “Company A.” He was a director of the Emeryville-based online art dealer Art.com, which hired him in 2012 after it acquired his company, Consolidated Consignment Company, which was doing business as Poster Revolution. He was fired in January 2014, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.
In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division called the case a “first” for the department.
“We will not tolerate anticompetitive conduct, whether it occurs in a smoke-filled room or over the Internet using complex pricing algorithms,” Baer said. “American consumers have the right to a free and fair marketplace online, as well as in brick and mortar businesses.” A phone message left for a David Topkins listed in San Francisco was not immediately returned. The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Digicel confirms restructuration in LatAm, Caribbean
From telecompaper
Digicel plans to restructure its business in the Caribbean and Latin America which will result in the dismissal of some employees, The Gleaner reports. The firms aid the dismissals will be carried out through a voluntary programme. Digicel Group is a communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific.
For more: http://www.telecompaper.com/news/digicel-confirms-restructuration-in-latam-caribbean–1075430
