Report: Obama adviser to join Clinton campaign - Report: Rand Paul hires campaign manager for possible 2016 bid - Romney phones party allies in prep for 2016 decision

Oct. 29, 2011: John Podesta, president and chief executive officer of the Center for American Progress, attends the National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington. (Reuters)

Counselor to the President John Podesta will take on a senior role in Hillary Clinton’s as yet undeclared Presidential campaign when he departs the White House next month, according to a published report. 

The Wall Street Journal, citing three people with the matter, reported that Podesta has sat in on informal meetings of Clinton aides that have have discussed a potential presidential campaign in 2016. The former Secretary of State and Senator from New York has not yet formally announced her candidacy. However, the Journal reports that Podesta’s planned move is seen as the clearest sign yet that she will run. 

It remains unclear what role Podesta would play in a presumptive Clinton campaign, the Journal reported that he would likely become campaign chairman. 

Podesta served as White House chief of staff for the final 27 months of former President Bill Clinton’s second term in office. He became Counselor to President Barack Obama at the beginning of 2014, and has played a key role in advising the president on energy policy. 

Podesta initially told Reuters last week that he would depart the White House “in early February,” a few weeks after Obama delivers the State of the Union address Jan. 20. When discussing a possible role in a Clinton campaign, he said, “If she decides to run, I told her I’d do anything I can to help her.”

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Report: Obama adviser to join Clinton campaign - Report: Rand Paul hires campaign manager for possible 2016 bid - Romney phones party allies in prep for 2016 decision

Success against Proteas could be key to WC campaign, says Gayle

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CMC) — Chris Gayle believes success in the limited overs series against South Africa in coming weeks will put West Indies in good stead for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand starting in February.

West Indies opened the three-match Twenty20 International series with a four-wicket win on Friday at Newlands and also face the Proteas in five One-Day Internationals from January 16.

“With the World Cup right around the corner, you need momentum leading up to the World Cup,” the veteran opener pointed out.

“I know it’s T20, but there are five important ODIs against South Africa and if we can actually gain a lot of momentum going up to the World Cup, it will give us more confidence. It will be important for us to cash in on this ODI series.”

The victory was the first for the Windies on the South Africa tour, after losing the preceding three-Test series 2-0.

Chasing 166, the Caribbean side were propelled by Gayle’s breathtaking 77 off 31 balls, as they reached their target with four balls to spare. Predictably, he was voted Man-of-the-Match.

The second T20 is set for Johannesburg today, with the final contest carded for Durban on Wednesday.

“We lost the Test series 2-0 and to actually get off to a good start in the [T20] series [is a good thing],” Gayle said.

“Hopefully we can build on this momentum and go forward. What would actually be better for us is if we win this T20 series which would give us a boost going into the ODIs. We’re looking forward to it and I know the guys are happy to get a win here in South Africa.”

Gayle sped to the fastest half-century by a West Indies player when he raised his landmark off just 17 balls. The innings marked his 12th T20 International half-century and overall, he struck five fours and eight sixes.

“The wicket was a pretty decent wicket to bat with the new ball … but it was just one of those nights. I am happy it came off and hopefully I can have many more of these nights.”

Remarkably, the innings came with Gayle still not fully fit. He pulled out of the preceding Test series with back problems which have plagued his career in recent years, but said he was continuing to monitor the injury.

“I never say I am a hundred per cent fit,” he said, laughing.

“[My back] was a bit stiff this morning and I was a bit nervous, to be honest, but it pulled up well so with an innings like this I’ll see how [I feel] tomorrow [especially] after a game like this, and I’ll take it from there.”

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Success against Proteas could be key to WC campaign, says Gayle

Roman Catholic Church in Trinidad denies anti-gay campaign

Saturday, September 27, 2014 | 12:32 PM    

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Roman Catholic Church has described as “totally false” any suggestion that it is leading a campaign to discriminate against gays, lesbians and bisexuals after Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said that a gender draft policy had faced “tremendous opposition, especially from the Roman Catholic group”.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told a radio programme in the United States earlier this week that a gender policy drafted by the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administration, has not seen the light of day because of the “tremendous opposition”.

But in a statement issued on behalf of Archbishop of Port of Spain Joseph Harris, the Church said it regretted the statement attributed to the prime minister.

“The alleged statement would seem to suggest that the Catholic Church in T&T is leading a campaign for the continuation of discrimination against members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. This is totally false.

“The Catholic Church is one of several faith communities in Trinidad and Tobago which has raised objections to the Draft Gender Policy, and this was done at meetings organised by the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development in April and May 2013.

“Concerns about the Draft Gender Policy were raised at these consultations by representatives of various Christian denominations. Therefore, any singling out of the Catholic Church as an objector is most regrettable,” the statement said.

The Roman Catholic Church said that its position on homosexuality is also well known and that it views such acts as being “contrary to the natural law” and “homosexual persons are called to chastity.

But it insisted that the position of the Church is that “such persons (LGBT)” must be “accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided”.

Meanwhile, the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) has also condemned the statements made in New York by Prime Minister Persad Bissessar of the need for a national referendum on whether or not to decriminalise homosexuality.?

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Roman Catholic Church in Trinidad denies anti-gay campaign

Increased crocodile public education campaign

Sunday, February 02, 2014 | 9:26 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) will be heightening its public awareness campaign aimed at discouraging crocodile consumption, which is illegal in Jamaica.

Manager for NEPA’s Ecosystems Management Branch, Andrea Donaldson says it is intended to have media features as well town meetings to sensitize persons about how crocodiles should be treated, in and out of their habitat.

“(This) is to get them to recognise that (crocodiles are) important to the (eco) system, and (that the animal is) important to them, (as) people earn income from crocodiles, as an ecotourism activity,” Donaldson said.

Information gleaned on crocodiles indicates that they contribute significantly to maintaining pollution-free waters and clean habitats for themselves and other wildlife by consuming dying animals as well as the carcasses of lifeless ones.

Additionally, their burrows, when unoccupied, often serve as refuge from threats as well as sources of water during periods of drought, for other animals.

In some parts of Jamaica, crocodiles serve as eco-tourism attractions in special sanctuaries created for them, thereby generating foreign exchange for the economy.

In October 2013, reports surfaced that crocodiles were being hunted and slaughtered for their meat in nine communities spanning four parishes, along Jamaica’s south coast.

These are: Springfield, Westmoreland; Parrottee, Font Hill, and Black River in    St. Elizabeth; Salt River, Lionel Town, and Milk River in Clarendon; and Portmore and Amity Hall in St. Catherine. NEPA also received reports of crocodile meat being sold at eateries in Kingston and St. Andrew, Westmoreland, Clarendon, and St Elizabeth.

Hunting and slaughtering constitute offences as, since 1971, crocodiles have been protected by law under the Wildlife Protection Act. Therefore, no crocodile should be hunted, captured, killed or, in any way, harassed.

The penalty for capturing the animal, harming one, or having any part of same in one’s possession, living or dead, is $100,000 and/or a prison term of up to two years.

Jamaica’s crocodile continues to encounter threats to their existence based on illicit human activity, deliberate or inadvertent. This development has rendered it endangered based on the current number in existence.

The population is understood to have declined to less than 1000 since the last survey of the animal was conducted in 2004.  A new survey is to be undertaken during 2014/15 in selected areas to determine the current population level.

Miss Donaldson points to the pattern of behaviour exhibited by crocodiles, which she says persons need to be cognizant of. 

“While they live in freshwater systems, they do walk. The females nest in the sand and on gravel mounds. So they will walk from their water habitat to the mounds to nest and walk back. So, in a lot of instances, people see that and they get scared,” she states.

It is recommended that if a crocodile is sighted, persons remain calm as chances are, it will go away. However, it advisable to stay clear of areas, such as rivers and swamps, if these are known habitats, especially during the breeding season, which runs from March to August.

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Increased crocodile public education campaign