EXTORTION, BABY Vegas police probe alleged plot against GOP lawmaker

Las Vegas police are investigating accusations that a Republican state lawmaker was pressed to switch allegiances in a key vote, in a mysterious attempted extortion case that has allegations flying on all sides.  

In a statement, police said Nevada Assemblyman Chris Edwards is the “alleged victim” who was approached in December about changing his official vote for Assembly speaker. 

The Nevada Assembly voted unanimously on Monday, the first day of the session, to elect Republican John Hambrick as speaker. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Edwards also backed Hambrick during a preliminary vote in December — but allegedly was pressured to switch. 

Police have not identified who may have tried to extort Edwards but confirmed that investigators from their intelligence section executed a search warrant at a Las Vegas home last week. The property searched is the home of Rob Lauer, a Las Vegas businessman who previously applied for an assembly seat when it was vacated but was not picked.

In a phone interview with Fox News, Lauer confirmed he met with Edwards. Lauer, though, said he met with Edwards because he wanted the assemblyman to take the role of chairman on an independent veterans committee he was organizing.  

Lauer claims Edwards was not interested in the position or the committee and instead asked for donations to pay some of his remaining campaign debt.

“I told him three times that I will not give you a commitment for a figure,” Lauer said. “That’s illegal.”

Edwards denies Lauer’s allegations. The assemblyman told Fox News that police have asked him not to discuss details of the investigation, but insisted that Lauer is not telling the truth.

“I heard that he was trying to revise a lot of things that happened,” Edwards said. “If he is not consistent with what transpired it will not go well for him.”

Lauer said investigators confiscated his cell phone and computer during the search of his home, because they’re looking for a recording of the alleged conversation between him and Edwards.

Lauer denies he made a recording. “The police came looking for the tape,” Lauer said. “There is no tape, I have no tape.”

Edwards said there is an ongoing investigation in which “multiple people are involved.” He wouldn’t describe the circumstances but said the potential case is much bigger than the alleged incident involving him and Lauer.

“I would hope that other folks would start cooperating, because we have a session that’s important to the voters of the state of Nevada,” Edwards said.

Lauer also alleges that Edwards alerted the police in an effort to hinder a movement to recall his recent election. A “Recall Edwards PAC” was recently filed with the secretary of state by Citizens Outreach, a conservative organization.

Edwards addressed the issue in a statement on Facebook. “Since the November election we have seen a lot of political hype about recalls and ‘holding people accountable’ it is nice to see that many of those people will soon be held accountable for their hypocritical actions,” Edwards wrote.

Lauer said he now plans to file a defamation suit against Edwards.

“It seriously attacks my character to say I recorded him,” Lauer said. “I don’t record people. I don’t rat people out. People have a conversation with me — it’s private.”

Edwards said he couldn’t address the tape but assured “the truth will come out at the appropriate time and it will disprove Lauer’s account.”

Lauer has a small history of run-ins with the law. Most recently, in 2010, he was cited with assault against a woman in a bar. The case went to court but the charges were ultimately dropped.

“I have a history of being accused of stuff that is not true and I’ve proven myself,” Lauer said.

No arrests have been made in the current case. Police are conducting more interviews.

Matt Finn is a part of the Junior Reporter program at Fox News. Get more information on the program here and follow them on Twitter: @FNCJrReporters

View the original article here

EXTORTION, BABY Vegas police probe alleged plot against GOP lawmaker

South Africa rest big guns for final 2 ODIs against Windies

Friday, January 23, 2015 | 4:48 PM    

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CMC) – South Africa will rest strike bowler Dale Steyn for the remainder of the last two One-Day Internationals against West Indies.

The hosts have already sewn up the five-match series, winning the first three matches by comprehensive margins.

Selectors will also rest in-form batsman Hashim Amla for the fourth ODI at St George’s Park on Sunday, while captain AB de Villiers will be relieved of the glove work for that match, and could be rested for the final game in Centurion next Wednesday.

“We want to play everybody that is in the squad so we will use these next two games as an opportunity for some of the fringe players to stake a claim and to put in some performances for us,” said Proteas coach Russell Domingo.

“It’s highly unlikely that AB will ‘keep for the next two games. I’m waiting to confirm with the selectors but my plan is for Morne van Wyk to ‘keep in the next game and then, in all likeliness, depending on approval from the medical committee, have Quinton de Kock playing the last game.”

De Kock is yet to feature in the series because of injury.

South Africa clinched the series last Wednesday when they trounced the Caribbean side by nine wickets in East London.

The victory followed on from a 61-run win in the opening ODI in Durban and a 148-run victory in Johannesburg in the second game.

Domingo said the series win was especially pleasing because of the pressure the side had come under on recent tours.

“We’re always happy to win the series. You can never take wins or series win in international cricket for granted so we have to be pleased with the way we have played and enjoy the moment. We are pretty happy with where we are at the moment,” Domingo explained.

“We have been under pressure all year. We have had some tough series so whether or not we are under pressure now or six months ago doesn’t matter too much for us. We have been under pressure in Australia, in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, so it’s not that important for me at this stage.”

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

South Africa rest big guns for final 2 ODIs against Windies

Young Boyz look for improvement against Guatemala

HAVING survived a scare in their first outing, Jamaica’s Under-20 footballers will be aiming to really kick-start their CONCACAF Under-20 Championship when they tackle Guatemala inside the National Stadium starting at 8:00 pm today.

In the first game of the triple-header, Trinidad and Tobago play Aruba at 3:00 pm before the United States of America take on Panama at 5:00 pm.

Following their 4-0 mauling of Aruba, Panama lead Group A with three points ahead of Jamaica, T&T, USA and Guatemala, all on one point each. Aruba are pointless after one round.

Jamaica were scheduled to have a training session at Waterhouse Mini-Stadium last evening and head coach Theodore Whitmore was expected to use the opportunity to assess each player to see how they came out of the first match against T&T.

Whitmore pulled US-based striker Michael Seaton at the start of the second half due to discomfort in his back.

“Michael was feeling some back pain and he got a slight knock in the game, so I didn’t want to push him too much because we are looking at the games coming up,” Whitmore explained.

Jamaica enter the game against Guatemala knowing they must improve on a woeful display against T&T in order to keep their dreams alive of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in May.

Guatemala proved against USA that they will not be easily beaten and although they didn’t get too many chances against the Americans, they were organised enough to suggest that Jamaica will have to work hard to break them down.

Meanwhile, early group leader Panama’s mettle will be severely tested when they play group favourites USA. One American commentator said during the Guatemala match that the Panama/US game was the crucial match in the group that could possibly decide the group winner.

In the first encounter of the day, Caribbean champion T&T, still smarting from letting a two-goal advantage slip, should prove too much for a weak-looking Aruba unit.

– H Walker

–>

View the original article here

Young Boyz look for improvement against Guatemala

Mexico look to clinch World Cup ticket with win against El Salvador

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer

Monday, January 19, 2015    

CATHERINE HALL, St James — Two-time defending champions Mexico could book their place in the FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand later this year with a win over second-placed El Salvador in the CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship Group B game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex at 5:30 pm today.

Mexico have won their previous three games to lead Group B on nine points and another win today would give them an unassailable lead and an automatic spot in New Zealand reserved for the group winners.

Canada, who have lost their last two games, including a shocker against El Salvador on Thursday, will seek to revive their hopes when they take on Cuba in the first game set for 3:00 pm, while Honduras and Haiti face off in the 8:00 pm game.

Mexico will be without captain Victor Guzman, who picked up a second yellow card in their bruising 3-0 win over Honduras, and defender Oscar Bernal, who was sent off for lashing out at a Honduras forward.

Hirving Lozano, who has four goals, and Alejandro Diaz, who has three, will be available, however, and they could torment an El Salvador defence that has given up five goals.

El Salvador have improved with every game played, however, and their 3-2 win over Canada, their first ever at this level, would have lifted their confidence a few more notches.

Jose Villavicencio has been their most consistent scorer with three so far and, along Juan Barahona and Andres Flores, could give El Salvador some attacking options.

As proficient as they have been in attack, Mexico are equally good in defence and except for a third-minute goal against Cuba in their first game over a week ago, they have conceded since.

With Mexico running away with the lead, the battle for the two other spots in the play-offs is wide open with four teams all in with at least mathematical chances.

A loss for El Salvador would be good news for Honduras and Canada, who could pass them with wins.

Even with back-to-back losses Canada should be too strong for Cuba, especially if coach Rob Gale decides to start both Jordan Hamilton and Cyle Larin in attack.

Hamilton scored two goals in their opening 3-1 win over Haiti, was held scoreless by Mexico, then got less than 15 minutes off the bench against El Salvador.

Honduras will start favourites against an inconsistent Haiti, who were expected to beat Cuba but ended 2-2.

Honduras’s Albert Elis is due to get back on the scoresheet after being kept out by Mexico last time, while Haiti’s Jonel Desire has shown he has real quality but little support.

View the original article here

Mexico look to clinch World Cup ticket with win against El Salvador

EARLY WARNING Cruz says Dems will win in "16 against GOP moderate

FILE – In this Dec. 13, 2014 file photo, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas talks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke, File)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, predicted late Sunday that Democrats would keep the White House in 2016 if Republicans selected a moderate nominee next year.

Speaking at the South Carolina Tea Party Convention in Myrtle Beach, Cruz, himself a possible presidential candidate, referred disparagingly to political consultants as “Washington graybeards … telling us about the mushy middle.” Cruz has previously used the term when discussing former Massachusetts governor and 2012 nominee Mitt Romney, who is considering a third run for the highest office in the land.

“If we nominate another candidate in the mold of [1996 nominee] Bob Dole or [Arizona Senator and 2008 nominee] John McCain or Mitt Romney,” Cruz said Sunday, “the same people who stayed home in 2008 and 2012 will stay home in 2016 and the Democrats will win again. There is a better way.”

Cruz’s comments echoed criticism of Romney made by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who visited two early primary states, New Hampshire and Nevada, over three days last week. 

“If we try the same thing again we might get the same result,” Paul said. “So maybe we need to keep lookin’.”

Romney says he has not formally decided whether to join the 2016 race. In a speech Friday at the Republican National Committee winter meeting in San Diego, he said only that he was “giving some serious consideration to the future.” 

However, sources close to Romney have told Fox News that he has been been calling former aides, donors and supporters from his 2012 campaign — as well as GOP leaders and insiders in the vital state of New Hampshire. One longtime adviser who recently has spoken to Romney told Fox News it is “very likely” the 2012 Republican presidential nominee will announce a 2016 campaign for president in the next three to four weeks.

Another possible target of Cruz’s remarks Sunday, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, is likely to join Romney in making a bid for the White House, according to Fred Malek, finance chairman for the Republican Governors Association. 

“They’ve taken this forward a lot faster and a lot further than I would have imagined,” Malek told Fox News last Tuesday. “And I don’t think they would have done that unless they have a serious intent on moving ahead.” Malek went on to say that he guessed there was an “80 percent chance” Romney would join the race.

Romney is scheduled to speak Monday in Indian Wells, Calif. at the kickoff of the 2015 “Desert Town Hall Speaker Series,” which has drawn headliners ranging from former presidents George Bush and George W. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former Senator Bill Bradley, and other luminaries.

Fox News’ Serafin Gomez, James Rosen, Hillary Vaughn, Jake Gibson, and Lee Ross contributed to this report.

View the original article here

EARLY WARNING Cruz says Dems will win in "16 against GOP moderate

India earn tense draw in final Test against Aussies

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — India clung on for a tense draw with three wickets left to deny Australia their third victory of the series in the fourth Sydney Test yesterday.

The Australians, with nine fielders crowding around the bat towards the final stages, pushed for victory but could not dislodge Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the gritty tourists batted it out at 252 for seven.

Rahane was unbeaten on 38 and Kumar was 20 not out when the game was called off with one ball left.

The Australians kept pushing throughout the final session and looked headed for victory once they removed batting mainstays Murali Vijay and skipper Virat Kohli, but the tail end resisted.

Australian skipper Steve Smith was named the player of the series after scoring four centuries for the winning side.

“I thought we were going to get there in the end but India hung on well,” Smith said.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t quite get there but I’m really proud of all the boys’ efforts for this Test match and for the series as well.”

The Australians declared at their overnight total of 251 for six, leaving the tourists to hunt down 349 runs to win off 90 overs on the fifth day.

Australia grabbed the vital wicket of Kohli for 46 in the 67th over as he sparred with Mitchell Starc, and Shane Watson took a catch low down at slip.

It completed a magnificent series for the new skipper, with a series aggregate of 692 runs at 86.50, the most by an Indian batsman in a series against Australia.

“The guys stood there, dug it out and pulled out a draw which is satisfying,” Kohli said.

“We took them to the end on three occasions, two Tests were draws and one was a loss that could have gone either way.

“I’m really proud of the way the guys have played in this series.

“We certainly do have negatives we want to improve on, especially seeing the way the Australians bowl.

“If we can improve on that we’re going to be a very strong test team moving forward.”

Vijay was out in the fourth over after tea when he slashed at Josh Hazlewood outside off-stump to be taken by Brad Haddin for 80.

The opener passed fifty for the fifth time in the series and batted for 255 minutes off 165 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Vijay’s series aggregate of 482 at an average of 60.25 was the most by an Indian opener in Australia, eclipsing 464 by Virender Sehwag.

Australia’s hopes soared when the hapless Suresh Raina went for a pair of ducks, this time he lasted three balls before he was leg before wicket by Starc.

Wriddhiman Saha also went for a duck, trapped leg before wicket by Lyon as India’s innings began to quickly fall apart.

Hazlewood got another leg before wicket decision, this time on Ravichandran Ashwin for one and India were three wickets away from defeat with 11.4 overs left. Yet that was as close as the Australians got at the end.

The highest successful run chase in the fourth innings of a Sydney Test remains Australia’s 288 for two against South Africa nine years ago.

Vijay gave a few chances before his dismissal, offering a tough chance to Shaun Marsh at short cover on 42 off Ryan Harris in 37th over.

Marsh had two grabs at the ball before it went to ground.

It was Australia’s 17th missed fielding opportunity in the series.

But Rohit Sharma was out for 39 in the next over when Steve Smith took a brilliant flying right-handed catch at second slip off Watson.

First innings centurion Lokesh Rahul was the only wicket to fall in the morning session.

He advanced down the wicket only to glove Lyon to David Warner at leg-slip for 16 in the 14th over.

View the original article here

India earn tense draw in final Test against Aussies

Prosecutors file rape charges against Colts linebacker

Josh McNary of the Indianapolis Colts NFL football team. (AP)

Indianapolis prosecutors have filed rape, criminal confinement with bodily injury and battery resulting in bodily injury charges against Indianapolis Colts linebacker Josh McNary.

Two Indianapolis police officers said a 29-year-old woman accused an unknown man of attacking her in the early morning hours of Dec. 1. That man later determined to be McNary.

According to the report, police determined the man was McNary after investigating a cellphone the woman claimed she took from the man’s apartment.

The woman also picked McNary’s image out of a group of photos.

Police wrote that McNary was expecting them when they arrived at his apartment to investigate.

McNary has been with the Colts for two seasons after finishing his college career as Army’s career leader in sacks and tackles for loss. McNary spent two years on active military duty to fulfill his commitment before signing with Indy in 2013. He had 20 tackles during the regular season and no tackles in the playoffs, and still serves in the National Guard as part of his military obligations.

Indianapolis (13-5) faces New England (13-4) on Sunday in the AFC championship game.

A message was left at the office for an attorney the report listed as McNary’s legal counsel.

The Colts issued a statement saying they’re aware of the allegations.

“Unfortunately that’s the limit of our knowledge,” the team said. “At this time we are very concerned and trying to find out what the relevant facts are, but we have insufficient information to venture any opinion. As we learn more we will make appropriate updates.”

The woman claimed the two engaged in a “physical fight” and that she scratched his back, neck, face and shoulder before the sexual assault took place. The woman believes McNary slapped her in the face before forcing himself on her.

Police reported that a nurse found dried blood behind the woman’s ear and other injuries following a sexual assault examination.

A friend of the accuser also played a 2-minute voicemail from the woman for police.

“At one point, the female can be heard crying and becoming emotionally distraught,” the report said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

View the original article here

Prosecutors file rape charges against Colts linebacker

Fired-up Windies aim for whitewash against SA

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 | 6:28 PM    

DURBAN, South Africa (CMC) — West Indies , hoping for clean sweep and South Africa, desperate for a reversal of fortunes in limited overs cricket, play each other in the third and final of their three-match T20 International series at Durban on Wednesday.

The Caribbean men, inspired by power hitting from fired-up Chris Gayle, has already clinched the series while the South Africans are keen to end their poor run in this form of the game.

The match is not expected to be a dead rubber as South Africa seek to rebound from a tough period in limited overs cricket after T20 and ODI series losses to Australia.

West Indies, on the other hand, have made a complete turn around and are likely to go all out for revenge after a test series loss in which they were mauled by the Proteas.

“It’s not often that a team that is ranked below a top team whitewashes them so that’s the focus,” said West Indies’ team manager Richie Richardson.

“We are not going to relax. We are saving the celebration for after the next match.”

While West Indies boast probably the most powerful batting line-up in T20 only Gayle and Marlon Samuels have been the main run scorers while the others are due for big scores.

Some attention is likely to focus on Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, who are among players with the last chance to make an impact in the series.

Pollard and Bravo have been left out of the West Indies squad for the world cup, an issue which has triggered a major debate in Caribbean as well as the cricket world.

With a hectic playing schedule ahead, Captain Darren Sammy is likely to announce a revamp team which could rest Gayle and include Andre Fletcher for Denesh Ramdin and Carlos Brathwaite for Jason Holder.

Justin Ontong will skipper South Africa, their third captain this year after Hashim Amla led in Tests and Faf du Plessis took over for the T20s.

“I don’t think we can play the way they play their cricket,” said Ontong.

“We have to look at our strengths and the way we go about our business. There was nothing wrong with the batting in both of the games. We just need more work on the bowling front.”

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Fired-up Windies aim for whitewash against SA

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.”

View the original article here

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

Struggling Barbican delighted with point against Cavalier

Lowly-placed Barbican FC held fifth-placed Cavalier SC to an exciting 0-0 draw in a Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) game at Stadium East on Monday night to the satisfaction of coach Raymond Beckford.

“It was just the result we came for,” the Barbican coach beamed. “We could have lost the game after giving up a penalty, but in the same breath, we too could have won as we also had our chances to score, but like Cavalier, wasted them,” Beckford said.

While the Barbican coach expressed delight with the result that pushed him above the relegation zone on 14 points, Cavalier’s Rudolph Speid was far from amused. “While playing very good football, the missing of goals continues to plague our progress.

“It is a game that we should have won, but as you saw, the two misses by Claudius Blackburn in the first half — one a penalty (and) the other when he struck the cross bar — are indications of how we suffer from not making our goal-scoring opportunities count,” he mourned.

Teams:

Cavalier SC — Kadeem Davis, Dwayne Holmes, Girvon Brown, Kimoy Simpson, Jeffrey Grant, Al Nesbeth, Donovan Alveranga, Davion Alves (Jermaine Ricketts 70th), Nicholas Hamilton, Claudius Blackburn (Kemar Shaw 83rd), Davion Roberts (Javanie Mitchell 72nd,

Subs not used: Liston James, Shomoyo Morgan, Raheem Ellis

Booked: Alveranga (32nd), Nesbeth (65th)

Barbican FC — Nicholas Campbell, Ramone McGregor, Jermaine Parris, Akino Bailey, Shawn Lawes, Jodaine Redwood (Dadrian Dixon 73rd), Shavon Charlton, Shennar Parkinson (Dean Phillips 73rd), Kemar Thomas, Roy Forbes (Shaquille Lewis 52nd), Keno Simpson

Subs not used: Mario McDonald, Jamhoy Green, Andrew McDonald, Ashek Taylor

Booked: Charlton (70th)

Referee: Courtney Campbell

Assistant Referees: Lloyd Reader, Stephanie Dale-Easy

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: Garfield McDonald

– Hurbun Williams

View the original article here

Struggling Barbican delighted with point against Cavalier

West Indies crash to humiliating defeat against South Africa

Saturday, December 20, 2014 | 8:09 AM    

CENTURION, South Africa (AFP) – South African fast bowler Dale Steyn ripped through the West Indian batting to send the tourists crashing to a humiliating defeat by an innings and 220 runs on the fourth day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

Steyn took six for 34 in Centurion as the West Indies crashed to 131 all out after being 76 for two overnight.

Even allowing for an ankle injury to Kemar Roach, which has ruled the West Indian fast bowler out of the rest of the series, the first of three Tests was a mismatch.

West Indian captain Denesh Ramdin admitted that his side were only in the game for about an hour on the first day, when they reduced South Africa to 57 for three.

But they only took two more wickets as South Africa piled up 552 for five declared before their batting crumbled twice in less than a day and a half.

The West Indian batting was dismal.

Leon Johnson’s 39 in the second innings was their highest score of the match, leaving Ramdin rueing poor discipline.

“I am disappointed the way the guys got out after making starts,” he said.

“South Africa are the number one team in the world and Dale Steyn bowled a fantastic spell this morning. We need to be more disciplined against them, including myself.”

Ramdin said he expected a better performance in the second Test in Port Elizabeth, starting on December 26. West Indies won in the coastal city on their previous tour seven years ago and the pitch is expected to be slower with less bounce than Centurion.

South African captain Hashim Amla, who was named man of the match after scoring 208, voiced some sympathy for his team’s vanquished opponents. ? It was exceptional bowling from Dale. 

“The pitch quickened up a bit today and it can be difficult to bat here on days four and five. Any team in the world would have struggled to handle our attack today.”

Steyn left the field after bowling only five balls at the start of the second innings with what was described as tightness in the groin.

But South Africa’s champion fast bowler roared back to his best with a superb display of fast bowling.

Leon Johnson played and missed several times before he was caught behind in Steyn’s third over of the morning.

He was quickly followed by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who could not avoid a vicious lifting delivery and gloved a catch to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.

Marlon Samuels was caught at cover off a leading edge off Steyn in his next over and the rest of the batting succumbed rapidly.

Steyn said the wickets of Chanderpaul and Samuels, the only West Indian batsmen with proven credentials, were crucial.

“Those two are big players. That’s not to say that the rest of the guys can’t contribute but we know those are the two wickets to get.”

Steyn agreed with Amla that the pitch had helped the bowlers more on Saturday than the previous three days.

He cautioned that it might be different in Port Elizabeth.

“The wicket’s a lot flatter so we are going to have to be more on the money there.”

View the original article here

West Indies crash to humiliating defeat against South Africa

Ambrose cautions against writing off Windies

CENTURION, South Africa (CMC) – Bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose has cautioned pundits against writing off West Indies who started their three-match Test series against South Africa yesterday.

The former Windies pacer says he is happy with the level of preparation and is backing the lowly-ranked Caribbean side to do well against their top-rated opponents.

Eighth-ranked West Indies have had a poor record against their number one-ranked host — losing 10 of 12 Tests in South Africa, managing just one win and one draw.

“I feel very confident the way we are at the moment. I believe that we will do well, contrary to what others might believe,” said Ambrose.

“We all know South Africa are the number one team in the world, but we are prepared and ready to do battle.”

West Indies are optimistic about their bowling line-up in which rookie pacer Sheldon Cotterell is being tipped to be a surprise element against the Proteas.

Cotterell, who has been explosive in recent performances in the Caribbean and in the warm-up fixture, is part of a fast bowling arsenal that includes Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder.

“Sheldon bowled very well in the warm-up game. Having travelled from the Caribbean and playing two days later, I thought it was a brilliant effort,” said the former Windies pacer who played 98 Tests.

“He’s looking good, but we’re going to rely on all the bowlers to bowl South Africa out twice. We are a team and we are going to play together as a team.”

Ambrose is urging his pacers not to get carried away with the prospects of South African pitches known for favouring fast bowlers.

“I’ve played in places where they are known to be bowler-friendly and the main thing is to keep focused and put the ball in the right areas,” said Ambrose.

“No one bowler can win a match; it takes a team effort. We’re certainly not going to bowl anything for them to drive.”

View the original article here

Ambrose cautions against writing off Windies

Grenadian promoters against work permits for Caribbean artistes

Monday, December 15, 2014 | 8:21 AM    

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Grenadian promoters are urging the Keith Mitchell administration to remove the need for work permits for Caribbean artistes contracted to perform here.

The 16 top promoters made their position known during a meeting with Culture Minister Brenda Hood as they met to discuss ways of promoting Grenada’s creative industry.

“The promoters expressed that it was very frustrating to promote shows, because Grenada is the only Caribbean territory that is demanding work permits from other Caribbean artistes, who enter the country to perform.  In addition, the promoters stated that the level of taxation on their businesses is too high and is stifling the growth of the entertainment industry in Grenada,” according to a government statement issued after the meeting.

The statement quoted Hood as committing to engage the ministries of Finance and Labour, on the concerns raised, in an effort to seek some relief for the promoters and to advance the creative industry.

It said that the meeting ended with the promoters selecting an executive for advancing the work of the newly formed Grenada Promoters Association.

Another meeting is scheduled for January next year.

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Grenadian promoters against work permits for Caribbean artistes

Cuba would cooperate with US against Ebola – Castro

Saturday, October 18, 2014 | 12:43 PM    

HAVANA, Cuba (AP) — Cuba stands ready to cooperate with the United States (US) in the battle against Ebola, former leader Fidel Castro said in an article published Saturday.

Cuba is sending about 460 doctors and nurses to West Africa to help fight Ebola, an effort that was praised on Friday by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

The US is sending hundreds of soldiers to set up clinics and train health care workers and it also has sent officials from the Centers for Disease Control to help in training.

“With pleasure we will cooperate with US personnel in that task,” the 88-year-old ex-leader wrote in the Communist Party daily Granma. He said it would not be to seek peace between two countries long at odds, but “for the peace of the world.”

Castro did not say what form cooperation might take.

He also noted that Havana plays host on Monday to a meeting of leaders from the ALBA alliance of leftist Latin American nations that is meant to raise more support for the fight against Ebola.

He said such medical cooperation is “the greatest example of solidarity that a human being can offer.”

Jorge Perez, the head of Cuba’s top tropical medicine institute, told The Associated Press on Friday that Cuba is ready to send still more doctors if there is enough funding and infrastructure to support them.

“There are countries that have resources and can send money, but there are also those who can send human resources. It’s not just doctors. We also need nurses, technicians,” he said.

In Washington on Friday, Kerry mentioned Cuba as one of the “nations large and small stepping up in impressive ways to make a contribution on the front lines.”

Perez said that despite the United States’ chilly 55-year relationship with Cuba’s communist government, Kerry’s words were “an important gesture.”

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Cuba would cooperate with US against Ebola – Castro

US-led coalition intensifies airstrikes against Islamic State in Kobani

The U.S.-led coalition targeting Islamic State militants ramped up airstrikes Thursday in the Syrian and Turkish border town of Kobani as the militant group reportedly sent reinforcements into intensified fighting against Kurdish forces.

The fight for the town situated near the Turkish frontier has become a major early test for the co-ordinated campaign aimed at degrading and destroying the terror group.

U.S. officials hope it could pull Turkey into the battle against the Islamic State as a means to opening up a new front, but also fear the country might stand aside and let two of its enemies, the Kurdish fighters and the Islamic State group, fight for the town.

Turkish officials have said that while they do not want Kobani to fall, they will not take on a greater role in the coalition’s strategy until it outlines a plan that also includes attacking Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Attacking Assad’s regime “is not the focus of our international coalition and not the focus of our efforts by the United States,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

“Both sides also agreed that we will continue a dynamic and deepening bilateral consultation process across the multiple lines of effort against ISIL, including military support, countering foreign fighters, counter-finance, humanitarian assistance, and de-legitimizing ISIL’s messaging and rhetoric,” she said using and acronym for the Islamic State group.

Turkey has also asked for a buffer zone inside Syria to secure a border, but the White House and Pentagon have said the U.S. is not considering that option.

U.S. officials said Thursday the U.S. is largely talking to Turkey about other alternatives besides inserting ground forces into the fight: allowing U.S. and coalition aircraft to fly over Turkish territory; allowing its air base in Incirlik, some 100 miles from the Syrian border, to be used by U.S. or coalition planes or for logistics and training; and equipping moderate Syrian opposition forces fighting to topple Assad.

The fight for Kobani has brought Syria’s civil war yet again to Turkey’s doorstep, and for weeks the U.S. and its allies have pressed Ankara to take a more robust role in the coalition.

In addition, Kurds have held massive demonstrations across Turkey in which they accuse the government, which has deployed its tanks just across the frontier, of doing nothing to save the town.

As many as 19 people were killed around the nation in clashes with police over the government’s unwillingness to aid Kurds trapped in Kobani. 

Protesters outraged that Turkey was “letting Kobani fall” burned Turkish flags and statues of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic, when images of Kurds fleeing Kobani and pouring into Turkey sparked a global call for action against the terror group.

Responding to the criticism, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said it was unrealistic to expect Turkey to launch a ground war against the Islamic State group on its own.

Cavusoglu said Turkey is prepared to play a bigger part once a deal is reached with the coalition. “Turkey will not hold back from carrying out its role,” he said.

The U.S. Central Command said five airstrikes south of Kobani since Wednesday had destroyed an Islamic State group support building and two vehicles, and damaged a training camp. The strikes also hit two groups of Islamic State fighters, it said in a statement.

The coalition airstrikes have even forced some Islamic State fighters out of Kobani.

“Indications are that Kurdish militia there continue to control most of the city and are holding out against ISIL,” said the U.S. Central Command.

The Pentagon still has said the town may yet fall to the extremists because air power alone cannot prevent it.

Even with the numerous airstrikes, the Islamic State group has managed to capture a police station in Kobani, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Islamic State militants launched their offensive on Kobani in mid-September, capturing several nearby Kurdish villages and steadily strengthening their control around the town. The fighting forced at least 200,000 residents to flee into Turkey.

More than 500 people have been killed in and around Kobani since the fighting began, according to The Observatory’s chief, Rami Abdurrahman. He said the Islamic State group was rushing in reinforcements, indicating the extremists also view Kobani as a test of will.

The Associated Press and Fox News’ Emily Casswell contributed to this report.

View the original article here

US-led coalition intensifies airstrikes against Islamic State in Kobani

Hundreds march in London against Iraq air strikes

Saturday, October 04, 2014 | 10:28 AM    

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Several hundred people marched in central London on Saturday to protest Britain’s involvement in US-led air strikes against Islamic State (IS) group targets in Iraq.

Demonstrators chanted slogans including “Hands off the Middle East, no justice, no peace” and held up placards with slogans such as “Stop bombing Iraq”.

The protest was due to end outside Prime Minister David Cameron’s Downing Street office, with addresses by speakers including British comedian Russell Brand.

The march came the day after a video was released showing the execution-style murder of British aid worker Alan Henning, who had been kidnapped by the Islamic State group. The London protest had been organised prior to the news.

Parliament voted last week for British forces to join US-led raids on targets in Iraq but not Syria. Britain now has eight Tornado jets flying out of Cyprus in combat operations in Iraq.

One demonstrator, Francis O’Neill, 36, said he had “every sympathy” with Henning’s family but that he thought air strikes were not the solution.

“Whether you see someone being beheaded or being hit by a drone strike… it makes no difference,” he added.

Another, 55-year-old Carl Backland, said of the operations: “It’s just making the situation worse. It’s crazy that we’re spending billions to destroy weapons that we gave to the Iraqi army.”

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Hundreds march in London against Iraq air strikes

Health minister warns against deadly dengue in Chik-V address

Sunday, September 28, 2014 | 7:36 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The health minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson, has warned the public to safeguard against dengue virus, which is also spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito.

Ferguson issued the warning during a national address Sunday night on the spread of chikungunya virus.

“Be reminded that dengue is also spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito and is more serious than chikungunya, as the death rate is much higher,” said Ferguson.

He added: “Deaths from chikungunya are very rare and usually occur in persons with other illnesses, especially chronic illnesses. The death rate from chikungunya is less than one per cent compared to dengue which is 1-5 per cent and influenza which kills millions each year. In 2012, we had a total of 5,929 suspected dengue cases and in 2013, we had 925 cases.”

At the same time, the minister appealed to persons in high-risk groups, including pregnant women, infants, children under five years old and persons with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, to seek medical care “immediately if they experience symptoms that could be chikungunya”.

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Health minister warns against deadly dengue in Chik-V address

US, allies hit ISIS in Syria near Turkey border - British planes prepare for first mission against ISIS

BEIRUT –  U.S.-led coalition warplanes struck Islamic State fighters in Syria attacking a town near the Turkish border for the first time Saturday, as well as positions in the country’s east, activists and a Kurdish official said.

The Islamic State group’s assault on the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani has sent more than 100,000 refugees streaming across the border into Turkey in recent days as Kurdish forces from Iraq and Turkey have raced to the front lines to defend the town.

Nawaf Khalil, a spokesman for Syria’s Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD, said the strikes targeted Islamic State positions near Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, destroying two tanks. He said the jihadi fighters later shelled the town, wounding a number of civilians.

The United States and five Arab allies launched an aerial campaign against Islamic State fighters in Syria early Tuesday with the aim of rolling back and ultimately crushing the extremist group, which has created a proto-state spanning the Syria-Iraq border. Along the way, the militants have massacred captured Syrian and Iraqi troops, terrorized minorities in both countries and beheaded two American journalists and a British aid worker.

The latest airstrikes came as Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem told the Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV that airstrikes alone “will not be able wipe out” the Islamic State group. Speaking from New York where he is attending the U.N. General Assembly, al-Moallem said in remarks broadcast Saturday that the U.S. should work with Damascus if it wants to win the war.

“They must know the importance of coordination with the people of this country because they know what goes on there,” al-Moallem said. The U.S. has ruled out any coordination with President Bashar Assad’s government, which is at war with the Islamic State group as well as Western-backed rebels.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the coalition’s strikes near Kobani came amid heavy fighting between the Islamic State group and members of the Kurdish force known as the People’s Protection Units, or YPK.

The Britain-based group, which relies on activists inside Syria, had no immediate word on casualties from Saturday’s strikes. The Observatory reported Friday that 13 civilians have been killed by the strikes since they began.

Kurdish fighter Majid Goran told the Associated Press by telephone from Kobani that two bombs were dropped over the nearby village of Ali Shar, at 6 a.m. (11 p.m. Eastern Friday), but that the positions they struck were empty.

Turkey’s Dogan news agency reported Saturday that the sound of heavy fighting could be heard from the Turkish border village of Karaca. The agency said Kurdish forces retook some positions they had lost to the Islamic militants a few days ago. It did not cite a source for the report.

Dozens of people wounded in the fighting arrived in Turkey for treatment on Saturday, it said.

Another Kurdish fighter, Ismet Sheikh Hasan, said the Turkish military on Saturday night retaliated after stray shells landed on Turkish territory, firing in the Ali Shar region. He said the Turkish action left Kurdish fighters in the middle of the crossfire.

He said that on Friday, the Islamic militants were attacking the Kobani area from the east with tanks and artillery, advancing on Ali Shar and Haja. He said some 20 people were killed, including Kurdish fighters and civilians, while another 50 people were wounded.

The fighting around Kobani sparked one of the largest single outflows of refugees since Syria’s conflict began more than three years ago. The Syrian Kurdish forces have long been one of the most effective fighting units battling the Islamic State, but the tide has turned in recent weeks as the Islamic militants have attacked with heavy weapons likely looted from neighboring Iraq.

The Observatory said other coalition airstrikes targeted Islamic State compounds in the central province of Homs and the northern regions of Raqqa and Aleppo. The group said 31 explosions were heard in the city of Raqqa, the group’s de facto capital, and its suburbs.

The Local Coordination Committees, another activist group, said the strikes in the east hit the province of Deir el-Zour as well as Raqqa. The LCC also said the coalition targeted grain silos west of Deir el-Zour city.

It was not immediately clear why the silos were targeted.

Max Blumenfeld, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said the U.S. airstrikes “don’t target food or anything else than can be used by the civilian population.” But he said that until the military reviews images from planes that participated in the strikes, he could not rule out that silos were hit.

He said the airstrikes are aimed at specific Islamic State targets such as command and control centers, transportation and logistics, and oil refineries, “but not food that could have an impact upon the civilian population.”

“Our targets are structures that combatants would use,” he said.

Blumenfeld later said the U.S. did target what he called an Islamic State grain storage facility on Tuesday near Boukamal, a town close to the Iraqi border which was seized by the Islamic State group earlier this year.

In recent days coalition warplanes had struck oil-producing facilities in eastern Syria in a bid to cut off one of the Islamic State group’s main revenue streams — black market oil sales that the U.S. says generate up to $2 million a day.

The coalition striking Syria includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan, and the strikes are an extension of the U.S. campaign in neighboring Iraq launched in August.

Near the capital Damascus, Syrian troops meanwhile entered the once rebel-held northeastern suburb of Adra after days of clashes, Syrian state TV said. The advance came two days after troops captured the nearby Adra industrial zone.

View the original article here

US, allies hit ISIS in Syria near Turkey border - British planes prepare for first mission against ISIS

Thousands of Barbadians march in protest against solid waste tax

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Thursday July 24, 2014, CMC - Thousands of Barbadians took to the streets on Thursday to protest against the imposition of the Municipal Solid Waste Tax.

The midday march, led by Mia Mottley – leader of the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) ended outside the office of Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, where she delivered a letter of protest on behalf of people across the island.

“Today is about sending a message to the government about this bad Solid Waste Tax that they need to repeal and rethink,” Mottley said before proceeding to Prime Minister Stuart’s office.

Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)

“The people of Barbados have spoken across the length and breadth, that we’ve had 27 other taxes and fees imposed on us in the last six years. We can take no more.”

“This march is for the repeal of the Solid Waste Tax. This march is for a new government mechanism that allows us…as Bajans not to be surprised by a tax , not to be unfaired [sic] by a tax.

“But we say we know we are in trouble as a nation. Talk to your people Freundel, and let us work with you.

“And if you cannot talk to your people and let us work with you, do the decent thing and step one side.”

This new tax was announced last year with a sweeping .03 per cent charge on the site value of real estate property across the island, but there have been widespread complaints about the financial burden it places on residents.

View the original article here

Thousands of Barbadians march in protest against solid waste tax

DA in Pennsylvania warns against Jamaica lottery scammers

According to an Associated Press report on Wednesday, a district attorney in the American state of Pennsylvania is warning people in a Pittsburgh suburb to beware of a telephone scam, apparently based in Jamaica.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. reportedly said the callers claim to work for Publisher’s Clearing House — the legitimate sweepstakes firm — and tell residents they’ve won a prize but must first send a check to cover processing fees.

According to Zappala, the callers have targeted residents of Whitehall Borough and South Fayette Townships in recent days, and that caller IDs have indicated the calls are being placed from the ’876′ area code in Jamaica.

Zappala has reportedly advised residents to always refuse to send money when they’re contacted by phone about any sweepstakes prize or similar offer. He said residents can avoid the calls altogether by having their phone company block any calls from the Jamaican area code.

SOURCE: Associated Press

View the original article here

DA in Pennsylvania warns against Jamaica lottery scammers