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Argentina train crash: 20 dead, 550 injured

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:15:36 -0400

Photos by Clarin.com

A train crashed in Argentina this morning leaving at least 20 dead and 550 injured, Clar�n.com journalists Maria Arce and Maria Sol Fabi reported. The train reportedly ran off its tracks and crashed into a barrier. However, an investigation into what went wrong has already been announced. It will be spearheaded by Federal Justice Claudio Bonadio

Reports are that the accident occurred about three hours ago and emergency responders including firefighters and federal police are still rescuing passengers trapped in train wagons. The train crashed upon its arrival at Station 11. According to Clarin, most of the victims have already been transported to nearby hospitals. Some 30 ambulances remain on the scene.

Passengers and eye witnesses said the train was speeding. "A train coming from Moreno lost its brakes, came off its tracks and crashed against another station, not against another train," Paula, one of the passengers told Radio Mit ...

Calypso Monarch 2012 is Duane O'Connor

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:15:42 -0400

Calypso Monarch 2012 is Duane O'Connor. The result was announced by Raymond Edwards, Samantha John and another announcer minutes ago at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain. Kurt Allen placed second and Karen Ache third. Ache was defending the crown but critics say she disappointed with a song about her rise to the top.

O'Connor won with two songs including, "The Hunt Is On," about Trinidad's newest TV sensation Ian Alleyne who hosts a reality-type pre-news crime show at 6 pm on TV six every weekday.

O'Connor's most popular song, The Hunt Is On glorifies the popular TV personality who he was able to bring on stage on Dimanche Gras night as a closing prop. In the song, O'Connor says Alleyne wants to replace Canadian Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs.

Widely popular among the masses, Alleyne was mentioned in a number of calypsos directly and indirectly on Calypso's big night.

The older brother of controversial Akon "dance partner" Danah Alleyne, Ian rose to fame when he was allegedly booted out of Chaguanas-based WINTV under Government pressure. He was since grabbed up by rival CCN TV6 and has been the beneficiary of a further publicity boost when police raided TV6 in a matter related to an alleged breach of the rights of a minor. Alleyne showed a video of a teenager being raped on "national television" as he refers to the airwaves. His show was suspended for a few days but he was back on the air without extensive delay.

Consistent with the song, Alleyne appeared in look-alike clothes to the Police Commissioner's. With a reference to having something else up his sleeve, the song about Alleyne, who was also a PNM candidate for the then Chaguanas seat in parliamentary elections, hints that his ambitions are not limited to the Police Commissioner's chair.

Like others who have graced the stage of Calypso's big night, Dimance Gras, Duane O'Connor is a police officer.

With the completion of Dimanche Gras, J'ouvert in Trinidad and Tobago has now officially begun.

Partying in the streets of Trinidad and Tobago and a parade of bands in Port of Spain and San Fernando will continue on Monday and Tuesday (February 20-21, 2012) as part of this country's Carnival celebration.

The pre-Lenten festival of Carnival officially ends on the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday but many also use the day to visit the beaches and "cool down." On Ash Wednesday, however, believers will flock to churches to received ashes on their foreheads and be reminded that man came from dust and to dust he shall return.

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CREDITS:

- Photo of Duane O'Connor in Police uniform taken from his social media pa ...

Hindus pray during Carnival

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:00:23 -0400

While some revel in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2012, devout Hindus have been praying this weekend and will likely continue to do so in coming days.

"Amidst the irreverence of Carnival, comes a national sacred ceremony," said Dr. Kumar Mahabir, Cultural Adviser to the Minister of Tourism in a release yesterday. "Nationals are free to visit any temple in Trinidad and Tobago
from sunset to midnight tonight (Sunday) to witness, or participate in this celebration."
The celebration is called Maha Shivratri,is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Hindus' lord Shiva. The celebration is about the great night of Shiva and is observed every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha or Phalguna month of Hindu calendar.

Celebrated in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha according to the Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama or Phalguna according to the Vikrama era, the festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil.

In accordance with scriptural and discipleship traditions, penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's "sum mum bonus" steadily and swiftly.

Rituals of Maha Shivratri

From the very early morning, Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, mostly women, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga worship and hence hope for favours from the god. Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any othe rholy water source (like the Shiva Sagartank at Khajurao). This is a purificatory rite, an important part of all Hindu festivals. Wearing a clean piece of clothing after the holy bath, worshippers carry pots of water to the temple to bathe the Shivalinga. They offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva. Women pray for the well-being of their husbands and sons. An unmarried woman prays for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

The temple reverberates with the sound of bells and shouts of �Shankerji ki Jai� or 'Hail Shiva'. Devotees circumambulate the linga, three or seven times, and then pour water over it. Some also pour milk.

According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri worship must incorporate six items:

Bathing the Shiv Linga with water, milk and honey, and Wood apple or bel leaves added to it, representing purification of the soul;
The vermilion paste applied on the Shiv linga after bathing it, representing virtue;

Offering of fruits, which is conducive to longevity and gratification of desires;

Burning incense, yielding wealth;

The lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge;

And betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshippers of Lord Shiva. These stripes symbolise spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga), so also they represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.

Wearing a rosary made from the rudraksha seed of the rudraksha tree (said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshipping Lord Shiva is ideal. A rudraksha seed is a mahogany-like color, sometimes black, and sometimes may have traces of sacred sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, or holy ash if the rosary was used in worship ceremonies or anointed.

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CREDITS:

- Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaratri ...

Best Village, NCC host Canboulay re-enactment

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:52:46 -0400

The National Carnival Commission, (NCC) an arm of the Ministry of Multiculturalism, partnered with the Prime Minister�s Best Village Trophy Competition of the Ministry of Community Development, to stage the annual re-enactment of the Canboulay Riots of 1881 on Piccadilly Street in Port of Spain earlier this morning, Friday February 17, 2012.

From as early as 5:00 am, performers from Best Village groups in Belmont, including the Wasa Foli dance troupe, the Malick Folk Performers and students of Pacific Lutheran University in the United States, took the stage to put on a lively, colourful and exciting performance, which lasted just over one hour.

About Canboulay

Carnival was brought to Spanish Trinidad by French planters via Martinique in the 1770s. The British authorities disapproved of the festival because of its bacchanalian overtones, but the festival was popular with most of the free population on the island.

Carnival was transformed when local slaves were freed in 1834 due to the passage of the Abolition Act by the British Parliament in 1833. The emancipated slaves first celebrated their freedom on August 1, the anniversary of their emancipation but soon participated in Carnival instead. As part of this transformation, they started carrying burning sugar canes, which were soon called "canboulay."

The carnival featured dancing by men and women in masks. The people would also gather in "kaiso" tents where a "chantwell" or lead singer would lead them in song to vent their feelings. "Kaiso" music has its origins in West Africa and was brought over by the slaves who used it to sing about their masters.

But the festival was often marred by clashes between groups of revellers carrying sticks and lighted torches. While the confrontations started in song duels between the chantwells, they often worsened to physical violence. The British authorities banned carrying sticks and torches in 1868 due to a clash between two groups. However, this ban was not enforced for some years.

The Canboulay Riots occurred in February 1881 in Port of Spain, San Fernando and Princes Town in February 1884 causing loss of life. The riots are still commemorated today and canboulay music is an important part of the music of Trinidad and Tobago notably the use of steel pans which were the descendants of percussion instruments banned in the 1880s.

Caption: Members of the cast during a scene from the Canboulay Re-enactment on Piccadilly Street in Port of Spain

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CREDIT: Information sourced through http://google.com
Photo courtesy the Community Development Ministry's Communications Uni ...

UN launches art contest to promote disarmament

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:30:10 -0400

The Art for Peace disarmament education contest has been launched.

Contestants are encouraged to watch a short video film online, then to imagine a world free of nuclear weapons. Based on their musings, young people are asked to create and upload online original artwork. Youth from ages 5 through 17 are urged to tap their imaginations and draw, paint, sketch (using pens, pencils, crayons, charcoal, oil, acrylic paint or watercolours) to illustrate a world free of nuclear weapons, without wars, without fear.

All work will be judged on creativity, composition, theme and technique. Four winners from each age category (5-8, 9-12 and 13-17) will have their artwork reproduced in a United Nations calendar. The two younger age groups will receive art supplies, and cash prizes will be awarded to the four winners in the 13-17 year old group in sums of of $500, $300, $200 and $100.

Once the artwork is posted, family and friends can vote on the UN Peace Day Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/unpeaceday

The videos, rules and uploading form are available at the contest website: http://www.unartforpeace.org

The contest deadline is 30 April 2012.

<ENDS>

Drawing posted on FaceBook by a young person ...

Minister Baksh gets visit from Altus Health Officials

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:11:54 -0400

Officials of Altus Health Services paid a visit to the Honourable Nizam Baksh, Minister of Community Development at the Ministry�s Head Office on Jerningham Avenue, Belmont on Wednesday February 15, 2012.

The group included Altus CEO, Mr. Inshan Meahjohn, along with members, Ms. Lisa Niles and Mr. Godfrey M Araujo.

Altus Health Services was officially launched at the Carlton Savannah Hotel on April 28, 2011, where Minister Baksh attended and delivered an address. The company�s offerings span specialized services in the areas of advanced therapy and rehabilitation with professional neurological, sports, cardiac, hand/upper limb therapeutic services and executive wellness programmes and is located on the sixth floor of the hotel.

The organization�s goals and objectives include:

� In a socially responsible manner, the provision of the highest quality of health care to the Caribbean region by aligning investments, the best local and international expertise, thereby providing continuous education and training for the regional talent pool and significantly developing the industry to achieve and maintain international standards.
� Providing a full complement of rehabilitation services to individuals with physical and emotional limitations or challenges, in order to maximize their quality of life by improving their physical and emotional functions.
� Partnering with the best providers to actualize their objective of optimum care for their clientele.
� Empowering employees to perform at their highest potential with consistency by utilizing current and cutting edge field training and technology.

The Ministry of Community Development is pleased to be associated with Altus and looks forward to continuous partnership opportunities in the future.

Caption: from left to right, the Honourable Nizam Baksh, Lisa Niles, Godfrey M Araujo and Altus CEO Inshan Meahjohn

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CREDITS: Information provided by Altus Health Services
Photo courtesy the Ministry's Communications U ...

Chinese journalist: US focus more on Renminbi than human rights

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:20:42 -0400

White House Press Secretary repudiates claim

A man identifying himself as a political journalist and analyst from China (above with hand upheld) yesterday, through a translator, said the United States government places more emphasis on the value of the Chinese currency than on that country's human rights record. Speaking during the White House press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing, the journalist said, "I have been here for two and a half years, and I have always seen the American government, the Obama government, place much more importance on the appreciation of the Renminbi." The Renminbi, roughly translated as the "people's currency," is the official currency of China. The primary unit is the yuan.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney sought clarification, "On the appreciation of the Renminbi?" and then the journalist continued.

"Yes, place much more importance on the appreciation of the Renminbi. Our readers are very concerned whether the U.S. government is much less interested in the human rights situation in China. And our readers are also interested to know whether the U.S. government will center on the human rights issue and policy between [the] Middle East region and China. Can you talk to our readers about these two issues?"

Press Secretary Carney responded, "Well, I would simply say that we have, in our relationship with the People's Republic of China, a whole host of issues, as I was saying before. And we always raise human rights concerns at the highest levels when we have meetings with senior members of the Chinese leadership, and we will continue to do that. It is simply not the case that we emphasize one aspect of our relationship over the other. They are all important -- both the areas where we agree, and the areas where we disagree. And we certainly express ourselves openly when we have concerns about human rights issues, as we do in this case."

Carney had earlier expressed "[US] disappointment that China joined with Russia in vetoing the United Nations Security Council resolution not long ago with regards to Syria."

The US has also been peeved that China continues to be Iran's top customer of crude oil while the US has been advocating tough sanctions on Iran, including limiting its crude oil exports, in an attempt to pressure nuclear-ambitious Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad out of office. President Ahmadinejad and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have so far both survived the Arab spring much to the chagrin of the US.

China's Vice President Xi Jinping, the most likely successor to President Hu Jintao, is in the United States for a reciprocal visit after US Vice President Joe Biden visited China in August last ye ...

Energy Minister to lead 15-member delegation to Houston

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:29 -0400

Trinidad and Tobago's Energy and Energy Affairs Minister Kevin Ramnarine will lead a 15-member delegation to hold meetings with potential oil and gas partners in Houston on February 28 and 29, 2012, meeting planner Nexant said.

Trinidad and Tobago's Energy and Energy Affairs Minister Kevin Ramnarine, a 15-member delegation of senior executives from the ministry, the National Gas Co. of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (NGC), National Energy Corp. of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (NEC) and the Petroleum Co. of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (Petrotrin) will meet with investment companies and industry partners to discuss opportunities in a number of areas, including exploration and production particularly offshore and in deepwater.
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IMF expects Trinidad and Tobago economy to grow

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:12:54 -0400

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team visited Trinidad and Tobago during February 1�10, 2012 to conduct the 2011 Article IV consultation. The team met with senior government and central bank officials, a broad range of private sector representatives, and political and business leaders, and discussed recent macroeconomic and financial developments, medium-term prospects, and policy challenges. At the end of the visit, Ms. Judith Gold, head of the IMF mission to Trinidad and Tobago, issued the following statement in Port of Spain:

�There is concrete evidence that the economy is turning the corner and that economic growth will resume in 2012 notwithstanding the ongoing technical disruptions in the energy sector. Real economic activity is projected to increase by 1.7 percent in 2012 as private sector credit expansion gains momentum, the resolution of a large failed insurance company (CLICO) proceeds, the faster pace of government investment continues and energy production returns to normal as the maintenance work is completed while energy prices remain high. Still, there are downside risks to the forecast stemming from the global economic environment, uncertainty in gas prices, and possible delays in the implementation of the public sector investment program.

�The economic slowdown that began with the global financial crisis has been more profound and lasted longer than anticipated. The economy is estimated to have contracted by 1.3 percent in 2011, after recording no growth in 2010 and a significant decline in 2009. Ample buffers, including savings in the Heritage and Stabilization Fund, low public debt, and high international reserves, have cushioned the impact of the crisis, including the failure of CLICO. While unemployment has increased during this period, it remains low at 5.8 percent. Inflation, despite its recent resurgence due to volatility in food prices, also remains moderate at 5.3 percent.

�The 2011/12 budget seeks to provide further support to the economic recovery by maintaining the high level of public capital expenditure, strengthening the business environment, and enhancing the social safety net. The mission agrees that the near-term focus of fiscal policy should be on reviving economic activity, and the timely implementation of the investment program should be a priority. The completion of the restructuring of CLICO claims will also be important to defuse remaining uncertainties. Over the longer term, a shift in the fiscal trajectory will be needed to continue building net savings for future generations while maintaining public investment to support diversification and growth of the non-energy sector. Such a strategy would focus on containing increases in transfers and subsidies while better targeting social benefits to vulnerable groups. It would also include a strengthening of the tax effort through ongoing improvement of tax and customs administration and a broadening of the tax base.

�The financial system has not been immune to the prolonged economic downturn. Although commercial banks remain well capitalized, profitable, and liquid, the banking system�s non-performing loans (NPLs) have increased and provisioning has declined. Given financial vulnerabilities, the mission agrees that continued intensified monitoring and surveillance of the financial system is warranted and urges accelerating the strengthening of the regulatory and supervisory framework, including the enactment of legislation on insurance, credit unions, and securities. The mission concurs with the central bank�s accommodative monetary stance to support the revival of private sector credit.
�Key challenges in the energy sector are the projected depletion of oil and gas reserves and the uncertainty in the gas market as a result of the shale gas production in the United States. The industry has been successful in redirecting its exports to new markets in view of the falling gas prices in the United States. Looking forward, adapting the sector�s investment framework and the fiscal regime to ensure its competitiveness will be essential. Just as critical will be the continued effort to diversify the economy. The mission welcomes the government�s focus on improving the regulatory and administrative framework for private sector activity, and fostering investment, including the planned divestment and public/private partnership programs. It will also be important to strengthen public administration and the public service, to ensure effective and efficient delivery of public goods and services.

�The mission wishes to express its gratitude for the exceptional collaboration of many government and non-government representatives, and for their kind hospitalit ...

Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister visits Trinidad

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:59:29 -0400

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications Dr Suruj Rambachan will receive a courtesy call from his Colombian counterpart Maria Angela Holguin Cuella at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communications at 3:30 pm today.

A Political Scientist, Holguin Cuella has extensive experience in Colombian foreign policy. She has held high positions in the Government of Colombia at the Office of the President of the Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Inspector General.

She previously served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations.

In other Government news, Minister of Finance Winston Dookeran will tomorrow address and take questions during a media briefing on the concluded Article IV discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the Ministry of Finance, Eric Williams Finance Building in Port of Spain.

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CREDITS:

- Photo taken from the Government of Colombia's website ...