All posts by FreeNews

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Terminal Boyz’s father-son pair impressive in domino tournament

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Terminal Boyz Domino Club sent out a clear message that they were all out to take the crown during fourth segment of play in the second round of the St. Kitts National Domino Association tournament on March 2, held at the New Town Community Centre.

Galvanised by the outstanding show put up by the father and son pair of Selwyn ‘Bungo’ Anjo and Vincent ‘Five Cent’ Bowry, who played opposite each other, Terminal Boyz dismissed Spartans Fig Tree Domino Club 26-12 with ease, to assert their top position in points standing.

For Terminal Boyz, Marcus and O’Brian won six games and lost one, Vincent ‘Five Cent’ Bowry and his dad Selwyn ‘Bungo’ Anjo won five games and lost three, while Orville Nolan and Jeff won two games and lost one. For Spartans, the pairs of Rameece and Shezzle, Harris and Naddy, and Harris and Tristan won a game each.

We are latecomers but not for the game: Zeyn Pencheon of Latecomers Domino Club in action as his team beat Newcomers II Domino Club 26-18.

Latecomers Domino Club cast aside the meaning of their name and proved it is only a name by banging Newcomers II Domino Club 26-18. For Latecomers, Robert Tyson and Norris ‘Chuck’ Sharry won three games and lost one, Robert Tyson and Kally won three games without loss, while for Newcomers II, Keithly Blanchette and Laba won four games and lost three.

Poor Man Pocket Domino Club raided King Balang Domino Club’s barns and came out the richer with a 26-8 win. For Poor Man Pocket, Desmond Rawlins and Antonio ‘Marsh’ Phillip won six games and lost two, while Patrick and Arnie won three without loss. King Balang side had Noah Mills and Yazid Francis winning three games and losing one.

In other results of the night, Masters Domino Club made a dramatic comeback from down 8-18 to beat Til Ah Marnin Domino Club 25-18, Los Fuertes del Domino outlasted Newcomers I Domino Club 26-24, and Eagle Claws Domino Club edged out Lodge Domino Club 26-24.

Points standing after four segments of play in the second round: Terminal Boyz, 63 points; Poor Man Pocket, 59 points; Masters, 55 points; Los Fuertes, 51 points; Til Ah Marnin, 42 points; Newcomers I, 37 points; Latecomers, 35 points; Spartans, 33 points; Lodge, 30 points; Eagle Claws, 30 points; Newcomers II, 21 points; and King Balang, 10 points.

The competition, which is sponsored by the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis – Platinum Sponsor, First Federal Credit Union, Best For Less Trading Ltd, The Craft House, and NAGICO Insurances, continues on Thursday March 4 at the New Town Community Centre starting at 6:00 pm with the teams meeting for the fifth segment of play in the second round of the competition.

Order of play: Terminal Boyz vs. Newcomers II, Los Fuertes del Domino vs. Eagle Claws, Spartans vs. Masters, Newcomers I vs. Latecomers, Lodge vs. King Balang, and Til Ah Marnin vs. Poor Man Pocket.

Raiding king’s barns: Antonio ‘Marsh’ Phillip of Poor Man Pocket (hand on the board) was not afraid of King Balang (to his left) as his team went on to down King Balang Domino Club 26-8.

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Three awardees honoured during Upper Market Street presentations

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Three plaques were presented to James ‘barman’ Hanley MH of Hamonites Hitters basketball fame, and a community organizer; Michael ‘Mick’ Stokes Heylingr MH, an outstanding musical composer and performer; and Everton ‘Jabou’ Dolphin of Jabou’s Hideaway.

The special ceremony took place on February 26 at Upper Market Street, with many area residents present. Everyone enjoyed the Department of Culture presentations.
The three awardees were honoured with plaques presented by His Excellency Governor General Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, LL.D, a resident of Market Street.

Other officials at the presentation were, Dr. Rt. Excellent and Rt. Honourable Sir Kennedy Simmonds, National Hero, First Prime Minister and former Representative of Central Basseterre, Constituency No. 2 (which includes Market Street, Soho, Dorset and its environs); and the Hon. Jonel Powell, JP, the Minister of Education and Culture, and present Central Basseterre Constituency Represenative. Also in attendance were the 2003 IAAF World Champion and Spring Icon Kim Collins and her family.

Everyone expressed appreciation with a riveting impromptu performance by Mick Stokes of one of his many calypsos. Another cultural presentation included dancers, poetry extolling the memory of Samuel’s Big Drum of Market Street and drumming by Royd Phipps MH, Drumming Specialist of the Department of Culture and Sylvester’s Masquerades.

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US seeks to Increase Pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro

Miami Herald- The Biden administration is seeking ways to increase international pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in order to secure a peaceful, democratic transition of power, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told opposition leader Juan Guaidó in a phone call on Tuesday.

Blinken “stressed the importance of a return to democracy in Venezuela through free and fair elections” in their first conversation since Blinken became secretary, according to State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

“Secretary Blinken described our efforts to work with like-minded allies, including the European Union, Lima Group, Organization of American States, and International Contact Group, to increase multilateral pressure and press for a peaceful, democratic transition,” Price added.

The call comes at a time when Maduro appears to be solidifying his grip on Venezuela, despite U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressure from the European Union and a number of Latin American countries. Meanwhile, the opposition has struggled to regain its momentum, with Guaidó sliding in popularity and unable to draw large crowds as he did in years before.

Though Biden is expected to make some adjustments to the Trump administration’s approach to Venezuela, Price said the State Department continues to recognize the 2015 National Assembly as the last remaining democratic institution in Venezuela, and Guaidó as its interim president.

In a press release issued later Tuesday, Guaidó’s team said Blinken reiterated U.S. commitment to working with allies to put an end to the suffering of the Venezuelan population, including by increasing humanitarian aid, and vowed to work together to establish free and fair elections.

“Venezuela can solve its own problems, but only when its people can establish a legitimate government through free and just elections that employ international standards of transparency, pluralism and auto determination,” Guaidó said, according to the press release.

Guaidó proclaimed himself Venezuela’s legitimate president in January 2019, a position quickly accepted by the United Sates and eventually more than 50 other countries.

His term in Congress, the basis for his claim as Venezuela’s transitional leader, ended in January after the opposition boycotted a legislative election widely considered a sham. He and other lawmakers have continued holding sessions virtually, but some international actors have scaled back their support, referring to him as an important opposition figure rather than interim head of state.

Maduro has begun trying to curb the opposition’s influence inside the country as a new National Assembly made up in more than 95 percent by his followers initiates investigations. The government also recently barred Guaidó and two dozen other lawmakers from holding public office for 15 years.

The international community is now watching the Biden administration closely to see if the new president will maintain Donald Trump’s policy of increasing economic pressure or push for a new round of talks with Maduro that could lead to relaxing the sanctions already in place.

Most proponents of relaxing the sanctions argue that they have so far failed to oust Maduro while increasing the hardships of a population already facing a humanitarian crisis.

Blinken and Guaidó also discussed the “urgent humanitarian needs” created by the Venezuelan crisis, which has forced nearly 5.5 million Venezuelans to flee the country.
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Tributes to Manchester’s Mama Edwards Who Fought Racism With Kindness

Elouise Edwards MBE sadly passed away on Saturday 22nd January 2021

Tributes have been paid to a much loved ‘icon’ in the Manchester UK Afro-Caribbean community.

Elouise Edwards MBE was a community activist and lifelong campaigner for racial equality and justice, involved in over 35 organisations in Greater Manchester.

Lovingly known as ‘Mama Edwards’, she was at the forefront of the push for equality in Manchester for new Windrush arrivals and their children.

She sadly passed away on Saturday 22nd January 2021 aged 88.

Elouise Chandler, the youngest of ten children, was born in Guyana, South America, in 1932.

Her father was a civil engineer who extracted gold from the goldfields of Guyana and her mother was a housewife.

In 1955, she married Beresford Edwards at St George’s Cathedral, Georgetown, Guyana.

Beresford came to England in 1960, and Elouise followed in 1961 with her three year old son.

Elouise grew up and studied in Guyana before moving to England in 1961

They settled in Moss Side and became part of the growing West Indian community that was developing in the area.

Known for her kindness, knowledge and empathy, Elouise was a major influence in the tight knit community forming in Moss Side.

Her family home became a place where black people could meet and talk about the troubles they faced in England such as exclusion and racism, while seeking advice and support.

The same home became the birthplace of the West Indian Organisations Coordinating Committee (WIOCC) which is still active today.

Concerned with the lack of educational resources, jobs and the social well-being of people in their community, Elouise and Beresford made it their mission to improve the lives of their neighbours.

Elouise managed to juggle being a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother throughout her long and impactful career.

She worked as a neighbourhood social worker, community development officer and in 1994 received an MBE for her incredible work in the community.

Elouise and her husband Beresford Edwards who sadly passed away in 2003

She was also awarded an honorary degree of the Masters of Arts by The University of Manchester, as well as the title of Honorary Chieftain by the Nigerian Community of Manchester for her work with the African community.

Instrumental in celebrating black culture, battling racism and developing integral community services, her influence touches many corners of Greater Manchester.

During her time she was the co-founder of Manchester Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia centre, Awarak Walton Housing Association, Cariocca Enterprises Manchester Limited, NIA Cultural centre, Culture Week, Roots Oral History Project, Roots Festival and much more .

In September 2017 she retired to Guyana and with the help of her family, where she fulfilled her dream of passing away peacefully in her homeland.

Anthony Brown was the director of WIOCC in 1997 and 2004, working directly with Elouise and Beresford.

Elouise receiving her MBE from Prince Charles

He told the Manchester Evening News: “ I learned a lot about how to look after my own children from her.

“She raised the aspirations of people and gave insights to how the younger generation could be developed to reach their full potential.

“A number of people still speak fondly of her as a matriarch of the community, she could come anywhere and talk to anyone about what should be done and what shouldn’t be done.

“She had a presence about her and was held in great esteem by the community, people looked up to her.”

A celebration of life ceremony will take place for Elouise Edwards MBE on Friday 5 March 2021.

As part of the ceremony, her cortege will pause at various places that Elouise took an active role in or helped develop.

The service will start at 11:15 at Manchester Cathedral and can be livestreamed on her website.

The post Tributes to Manchester’s Mama Edwards Who Fought Racism With Kindness appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Viral footage of double knockout more than meets the eye

Video of a man knocking out two people in a matter of seconds on Darwin's party strip has gone viral on social media, but there's more to this incident than meets the eye.

The Mitchell Street madness shows a woman charge at a man before being knocked out clean after one blow, leaving her unresponsive on the roadway.

A male then runs in – he drops his milk before he also drops to the ground after one hit.

It's left, right, goodnight, within five seconds.

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The man that threw the single punches is confronted again by another man – you can hear: "One on one! One on one!"

But police won't be laying any charges against him for delivering the blows. NT Police told 9News he is actually the victim.

Police allege moments earlier inside a nightclub, the man in the yellow shirt inappropriately touched the other man's girlfriend.

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After a confrontation between the pair, the man in yellow allegedly started a physical altercation, punching the fellow in the white shirt several times to the face and head.

The duo were kicked out of the club before it's then alleged the man in white has tried to walk away – that's when the female is seen launching herself at him.

After reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses, police are satisfied the knock-out punches were thrown in self-defence.

The man also declined to take legal action against those that confronted him.

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Little girl falls multiple storeys from balcony – and lives

A little girl has had the luckiest of escapes after plunging from a high-rise balcony in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Video showed the three-year-old hanging off the balcony, clinging on by just one hand.

She lets go and falls multiple stories.

However, amazingly, a delivery driver was waiting below to make a lifesaving catch.

He had spotted the girl's plight and managed to climb up onto a roof before she fell.

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Associated Press World View: Attack on US Base, States Ease Restrictions, Vaccine Race, Deadly Immigrant Crash

March 03, 2021

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AP Morning Wire

Ted Anthony

Director of Digital Innovation

The Rundown

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BAGHDAD (AP) — At least 10 rockets targeted an Iraqi military base in western Iraq on Wednesday that hosts U.S.-led coalition troops, a coalition spokesman said. The rockets struck Ain……Read More

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Texas on Tuesday became the biggest state to lift its mask rule, joining a rapidly growing movement by governors and other leaders across the U.S. to loosen COVID-19 restrictions despite …Read More

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said the U.S. expects to take delivery of enough coronavirus vaccine for all adults by the end of May — two months earlier than anticipated — and he …Read More

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BERLIN (AP) — Slow off the blocks in the race to immunize its citizens against COVID-19, Germany faces an unfamiliar problem: a glut of vaccines and not enough arms to inject them into. L…Read More

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HOLTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Barely a mile from where an SUV packed with 25 people struck a tractor-trailer — killing 13 inside — a cemetery with unmarked bricks is a burial ground for migran…Read More

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YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Authorities in Myanmar have charged Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw and five other members of the media with violating a public order law that c…Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden doesn’t just have to manage the coronavirus pandemic, he also has to manage people’s expectations for how soon the country will come ou…Read More

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Talk about your yard sale finds. A small porcelain bowl bought for $35 at a Connecticut yard sale turned out to be a rare, 15th century Chinese artifa…Read More

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California driver who said he had used a mannequin as his passenger for at least a year and a half in order to access carpool lanes has been cited and f…Read More

The post Associated Press World View: Attack on US Base, States Ease Restrictions, Vaccine Race, Deadly Immigrant Crash appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Largest Dinosaur Found in Argentina

Scientists have unearthed fossils of what may be the oldest-known member of the dinosaur group known as titanosaurs that includes the largest land animals in Earth’s history.

Researchers said on Monday the fossils represent a dinosaur species named Ninjatitan zapatai that lived 140 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. They identified Ninjatitan as a titanosaur, a group of long-necked plant-eating dinosaurs that walked on four pillar-like legs.

 

The dinosaur’s incomplete skeletal remains were discovered in Argentina’s Patagonian wilderness, south of the city of Neuquen. The researchers said Ninjatitan demonstrated that the titanosaurs as a group first appeared longer ago than previously known.

“It is the oldest record known, not only from Argentina but worldwide,” study lead author Pablo Gallina, a researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina (CONICET), told Reuters.

“Titanosaurs are recorded on various sides of the world, but the oldest-known records were more modern than this find.”

 

At a length of about 65 feet (20 meters), Ninjatitan was a large dinosaur, but much smaller than later titanosaurs such as Argentinosaurus that reached a length of around 115 feet (35 meters). The researchers also said the presence of such an early titanosaur in Patagonia supports the idea that titanosaurs originated in the Southern Hemisphere.

The findings were published in the scientific journal Ameghiniana.

Titanosaurs are part of a larger dinosaur group called sauropods that includes others with similar body designs such as Brontosaurus and Diplodocus that lived in North America during the Jurassic Period, which preceded the Cretaceous Period.

A number of the titanosaurs that inhabited Patagonia achieved gigantic proportions such as Argentinosaurus, Patagotitan and Dreadnoughtus.

José Luis Carbadillo, another CONICET researcher, told a local university publication that the age of Ninjatitan’s remains could have led people to assume that the bones belonged to a dinosaur group that pre-dated titanosaurs.

“In Patagonia, titanosaurs are only known about from less than 120 million years ago,” he said.

 

 

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Amazon changes app icon after Hitler comparisons

Amazon has quietly changed the design of its new app icon, replacing the blue ribbon on top that drew some unfavourable comparisons.

Users of the Amazon Shopping app will now see a brown box that resembles a parcel with a blue strip that looks like packaging tape above the company's signature arrow in the shape of a smile.

Amazon introduced the initial new icon in a handful of international markets in late January, but has now changed the design of the blue tape after some said it resembled a toothbrush-style moustache, similar to the one worn by Adolf Hitler.

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"I completely missed that amazon quietly tweaked its new icon to make it look… less like hitler," wrote Alex Hern, a technology editor for the Guardian, on Twitter.

The new icon, the first design change in more than five years, replaces the shopping cart and ditches the word "Amazon," but displays the company's smiling arrow logo more prominently. The blue tape looks like it's being torn off, as if opening the package.

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Adolf Hitler (Getty)

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"We designed the new icon to spark anticipation, excitement, and joy when customers start their shopping journey on their phone, just as they do when they see our boxes on their door step," an Amazon spokesperson said. The app icon was tweaked based on user feedback.

Only iOS users in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and Netherlands saw the Hitler-esque logo over the past few weeks.

The updated logo rolled out worldwide for iOS users last week. Android users will see the new logo beginning this week.