Daily Archives: April 2, 2017

Speed camera on Sealand Road "worth it if it saves a life" – News North Wales

Posted: April 2, 2017 at 8:25 am

If THE newly installed average speed camera saves one life it will be worth it, it has been claimed.

Flintshire Council has spent 130,000 on the speed calming measure which has now been installed on Sealand Road following a decade-long battle.

Cllr Christine Jones, Labour councillor for Sealand, said she was thrilled about the cameras installation at long last.

The local authority confirmed it is working in partnership with road safety organisation GoSafe to install the 130,000 enforcement system on the A548 Sealand Road near Chester.

The scheme is the first of its kind in North Wales and is expected to go live next week.

Studies carried out by the local authority identified the majority of the accidents have been shown to be speed related.

In a bid to curb the number of accidents on the stretch of road, the system will operate over a four-kilometre stretch of the A548, from the existing 40mph speed limit east of Manor Road to the county boundary with Cheshire.

The system will measure average speeds over the route and fixed penalty notices will be issued if vehicles are found to be exceeding the speed limit along the route.

Cllr Jones said: Were thrilled to bits because its been a long campaign.

It's been a long time coming and hopefully it will save lives.

Something had to be done and we needed the extra initiative.

People will have to take it now and hopefully it will slow traffic.

We've been after this for 10 years and if it saves one life, it will be worth it.

Appropriate signage will be installed at the entry points and additional repeater camera signs will be installed along the section of Sealand Road affected by the proposals.

The new camera system will monitor the average speed of vehicles along the whole route, preventing the temptation for motorists to speed up as sometimes happens after passing the usual static speed cameras.

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Sealand returns after bond scandal – IFR Asia

Posted: at 8:24 am

Sealand returns after bond scandal
IFR Asia
Sealand returns after bond scandal. IFR Asia 985 - April 1, 2017 By Ina Zhou. This content is only available to IFRAsia.com subscribers. This content is available to IFRAsia.com subscribers. Please login if you have a subscription. Alternatively, you ...

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Witness of multi-fatality wreck speaks out – Uvalde Leader-News

Posted: at 8:24 am

by Kimberly Rubio, staff writer

The collision that left 13 people dead and two others injured on Wednesday afternoon was one of the most horrific motor vehicle crashes to occur in the area. Witnesses following the 20-year-old driver who is believed to have caused the accident captured the moments leading up to the tragedy on video.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the fatal crash occurred at approximately 12:23 p.m. on U.S. Highway 83 North, just south of Ranch Road 1050 in Uvalde County.

Leakey residents Jody Kuchler and his girlfriend Thania Sanchez called 911 to report a reckless driver at 12:04 p.m., and Uvalde County Sheriff's Office deputies were notified by phone at 12:05 p.m.

The wreck site is located 29.5 miles from the city Uvalde. Three UCSO deputies were on duty, and two of those were paired up for training. The paired deputies were en route from Uvalde to find the reckless driver when the accident happened. They arrived at the scene at approximately 12:30 p.m.

According to DPS, 14 senior members of New Braunfels First Baptist Church were traveling southbound in a white 2004 Turtle Top bus when 20-year-old Jack Dillon Young of Leakey, was headed north in a 2007 Dodge Dually pickup truck.

The church members were headed home from a three-day retreat at Alto Frio Baptist Encampment in Leakey.

Twelve bus passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while two survivors were airlifted to San Antonio hospitals.

Rose Mary Harris, 64 of New Braunfels was airlifted to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where as of Thursday she remained in critical condition.

Addie Maurine Schmeltekopf, 84, of New Braunfels was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio, where she later died.

Pickup truck driver Young was also airlifted to University Hospital at San Antonio and is in stable condition.

Pronounced dead at the scene were Murray William Barrett, 67, of New Braunfels; Howard Bryan Allen, 81, New Braunfels; Rhonda Barlow, 61, New Braunfels; Harold Boyd Barber, 87, New Braunfels; Margaret Robinson Barber, 82, New Braunfels; Cristie Clare Moore, 68, Cibolo; Donna Elizabeth Hawkins, 69, Schertz; Avis Scholl Banks, 83, Austin; Mildred Goodlett Rosamond, 87, New Braunfels; Sue Wynn Tysdal, 76, New Braunfels; Martha Holcomb Walker, 84, New Braunfels; and Dorothy Fern Vulliet, 84, New Braunfels.

The deceased were taken to Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.

Reckless driving

Kuchler and Sanchez were traveling behind Young as the couple headed home from Uvalde. Kuchler said the pair witnessed Young traveling at speeds of up to 80 mph. He also said he observed him swerve into oncoming lanes of traffic and nearly strike two other vehicles.

Fearing the worst, Sanchez took out her cell phone and began recording the vehicle they were behind. She captured nearly 15 minutes before her phone stopped recording. Kuchler said Sanchez did not record the impact.

According to Kuchler, Young veered into the oncoming lane and collided with the bus.

He didn't even hit the brakes, Kuchler said. He hit them head-on.

Calling for help

I told them they needed to get someone out here to get this guy off the road, Kuchler said of his call to emergency services. The dispatcher said they would send someone.

Kuchler said he also placed a call to the Real County Sheriff's Office but was told the alleged reckless driver was not in their jurisdiction.

I called them before we got to Concan. He drove 65 mph through Concan. He barely missed some other vehicles, Kuchler said. Whenever that bus came around that curve he went into that lane and hit them head on.

After the collision, Kuchler said he pulled over and ran to the vehicles.

I came up to the bus driver. He tried to lift his head to look at me and then he put his head down, Kuchler said of Murray Barrett. He was dead.

I could see two ladies moving toward the back of the bus, but I couldn't get to them. The driver of the truck was a young kid. He was alive and asking me to help him but there was no way I could get him out, Kuchler said. I did break the glass in the back and his dog jumped out of the truck.

At that time, Kuchler said several others, including a Leakey ambulance, drove up to the wreckage. The Leakey ambulance was transporting another patient, but phoned 911.

Utopia EMS and Uvalde County Sheriff's Office arrived soon after.

Other agencies dispatched to the scene included the Texas Department of Public Safety, Uvalde EMS; and volunteer fire departments from Utopia, Leakey, Reagan Wells, and Concan.

Concan Volunteer Fire Department employed the Jaws of Life.

It was the most horrific thing I have ever seen, said Rodney Jeffreys, Concan fire chief.

Please see Sundays edition of the Uvalde Leader-News for additional comments and information.

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Can Oceania Compete Against Rocket League’s Best? – Red Bull

Posted: at 8:23 am


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Can Oceania Compete Against Rocket League's Best?
Red Bull
The third RLCS season introduces Oceania to the fray, which for the league's purposes includes Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines and several other islands. Two finalists from a regional tournament will face off against the four best ...

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Oceania Healthcare out to raise $200m in a share float – Radio New Zealand

Posted: at 8:23 am

Oceania Healthcare is aiming to raise $200 million in a share float on the New Zealand and Australian stockmarkets.

Photo: 123RF

New Zealand's third largest rest home operator - which is owned by funds managed by Australia's Macquarie Group - is offering up to 263.2 million new shares for between 76c and $1.04 each.

That would value Oceania Healthcare between $472m and $571m.

The proceeds from the float would be used to pay down debt and give the company flexibility to buy more development sites.

Oceania chief executive Earl Gasparich said the company's focus on government-funded aged care gave it a stable cashflow in a sector with growing demand.

While 73 percent of its portfolio was weighted towards care beds, that was expected to fall to two-thirds, once Oceania's current development sites were built-out, over the next eight years.

The company's underlying profit rose 59 percent last year to $47m, compared with $29.5m in 2015.

That profit was expected to fall by 6 percent this year to $44.3m, as resale volumes were expected to fall, while 100 care-beds were taken out of service, ahead of some redevelopment.

However, the company expected underlying profit growth to bounce back next year, with a forecast 40 percent increase, as it completed a couple of development projects.

The share offer opens on 13 April, with listings on the NZX and ASX scheduled for 5 May.

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Oceania’s rugby sevens teams poised for funding boost – Insidethegames.biz

Posted: at 8:23 am

Oceania's rugby sevens teams have been handed an increase in funding as they seek to replicate the achievement of the Fijian men's side at Rio 2016.

Fiji's 13-man squad became the country's first Olympic gold medallists when they triumphed at last year's Olympics.

The sevens team defeated Britain 43-7 in the final as the sport made its debut at the Games.

Before Rio, the Fijian team were also crowned as winners of the World Rugby Sevens Series after a number of fine performances.

Their achievements saw the team inducted into the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) Hall of Fame earlier this week, while they have also acted as an inspiration to the region's other sides.

Oceania Rugby's services manager Bruce Cook has now confirmed several teams are set to receive a funding boost as they look towards qualification for Tokyo 2020.

"This is the start of a new four-year cycle for Fijian rugby and other teams in the Pacific," Cook told the Fiji Sun.

"Most teams that missed out on the Olympics have been given additional funding and chances to get through the repechage, both men and women, [including] teams from Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga.

"There are a number of exciting programmes aligned with the increase of funding, which rugby unions can apply for and the funding could help them.

"It is up to the National Federations to get their houses in order."

Australia, Fiji and New Zealand represented Oceania in the men's and women's competitions at last years Games.

Samoa narrowly missed out on securing the last place in the men's event, losing in the final qualifier to Spain.

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Kenya to host Seychelles President Danny Faure on Monday – The Star, Kenya

Posted: at 8:23 am

Seychelles President Danny Faure will visit Kenya on Monday.

Faure will be welcomed by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House.

The visit will begin with a 21gun salute, a teteatete meeting with Uhuru, State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said on Sunday.

Esipisu said the two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting, followed by a State Luncheon in honour Faure.

"Kenya and Seychelles share warm and cordial bilateral relations. Areas of interest between both countries include Maritime Security," he said.

He said the cooperation will be enhanced through other initiatives such as sharing of intelligence and capacity building measures.

"Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner for Kenya and Seychelles and the two countries share similar product - beach tourism," he said.

Esipisu said there are opportunities of cooperation in this sector between the two countries.

These include sharing of best practices, training and exchange programmes, joint marketing strategies and joint packaging of the destinations.

He also said Kenya stands to benefit by encouraging qualified Kenyans to seek employment in Seychelles.

"Seychelles requires well-trained and skilled human capital for employment in various sectors of their economy," he said.

"This will not only have an impact on the economies of the two countries but will also increase the linkages between Kenya and Seychelles."

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Air Seychelles begins flights to Durban – North Coast Courier

Posted: at 8:23 am

Delegates celebrate the launch of the Air Seychelles flight to Durban.

Yesterday the inaugural flight of Air Seychelles to Durbans King Shaka International Airport landed safely on the runway a significant event for KZN tourism.

Air Seychelles will be flying a twice-weekly non-stop service on Thursdays and Saturdays, connecting Durban and the Seychelles capital Mah, using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

The Airbus has a 16-seat business class and 120-seat economy configuration, which will achieve an average flight time of five hours, 20 minutes.

KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala said KwaZulu-Natal, with its thriving tourism sector, placed great importance in opening its borders to foreign visitors.

These include a combination of general tourists and potential investors who contribute significantly to the regions economic growth. This new airline route will further help in facilitating that movement of leisure and business travelers between KwaZulu-Natal and the Seychelles.

Zikalala said the new route into the Seychelles would boost the supply of various consumer goods, machinery parts and implements, which the island currently imports.

With available cargo capacity on the Airbus A320 aircraft being flown by Air Seychelles, freighting goods using this flight will contribute towards KZN produced goods being more competitive within the Seychelles.

Given that there are already South African retailers with operation on the island nation, suppliers who have been flying their goods out of Johannesburg, now have a direct route, and far more convenient logistics option, which speaks directly to the potential of this route, said the MEC.

Since late 2015 Durban has attracted six new airlines, which together provide onward connections to over 700 destinations around the globe.

The new flight will connect Durban and the Seychelles capital Mah, using an Airbus A320.

Mr Hamish Erskine, CEO, Dube TradePort Corporation said the KZN Route Development Committee had been working tirelessly behind-the-scenes to secure the introduction of new regional and international air services to Durbans King Shaka International Airport.

Strategically presenting data-driven business cases to airlines, we aim to show route planners, from around the world, the potential market that exists within Durban and the rest of KZN. We are always motivated when a new airline takes up our offer and commences a new route into Durban; we had been in talks with Air Seychelles for the last 12 months for them to put on this new non-stop route.

Air Seychelles will provide onward connectivity to key destinations across Europe, the Far East, India and the Middle East, through the hub in Abu Dhabi.

Air Seychelles connection to Mumbai will provide a convenient travel option for KwaZulu-Natal and other neighbouring provinces.

Alan Renaud, General Manager for Aeropolitical, Alliances and Public Affairs said, We are delighted to begin serving the vibrant city of Durban with twice-weekly flights from Seychelles.

Our route network now boasts air connections to one of the most popular cities on South Africas coast, known for its Golden Mile beach and fantastic surfing, and we are confident it will attract strong leisure traffic and business traffic from across our network.

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Seychelles touchdown marks 11th international airline in Durban – Times LIVE

Posted: at 8:23 am

Seychelles touchdown marks 11th international airline in Durban

Yasantha Naidoo | 2017-03-30 15:20:09.0

King Shaka International Airport. Image by: Google Maps

The arrival marks the twice-weekly direct flight to Durban from Seychelles. Speaking shortly after the arrival Maurice Loustan Lalanne Seychelles minister for tourism and civil aviation said SA is a very important source for inbound tourism.

The number of tourists has tripled from 4000 in 2000 to 12 000 today. Lalanne said the direct route launch coincided with the 25th anniversary of bilateral agreements signed with SA.

He said in addition to tourism the new route would enhance trade ties and investments between both countries. Brigette Gasa chairperson of the Dube Trade Port said the launch was the result of a route development strategy implemented a few years ago.

"Within a short while this strategy has already resulted in partnerships with 10 airlines." Acting head of department for economic development tourism and environmental affairs Sibusiso Myeza said the touchdown marked a significant economic opportunity for both countries.

- TMG Digital/The Times

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Overview of Filmmaking in Central America, Caribbean | Variety – Variety

Posted: at 8:21 am

Central American and Caribbean filmmakers are coming into their own, despite the myriad obstacles they face.

Scant resources, infrastructure, and training are just some of the challenges in the region. However, film production has risen in some territories, especially in Panama, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico where state-backed film funds are available.

Due to recession-related budget cuts, Trinidad & Tobagos already limited film fund has been dormant of late although state org FILM TT has been offering micro-grants towards marketing costs. In 2015, Costa Rica launched film and TV production fund El Fauno, valued at 250 million colons ($446,735), and has backed 17 projects so far.

The regions burgeoning cinema needs all the support it can get, said IFF Panama founder-director Pituka Ortega-Heilbron who has made it her life mission to support the arts and hopes that the festival will not only give the films a much-need platform but nurture new audiences.

The festivals Central American & Caribbean section and pix-in-post platform Primera Mirada showcase the growing sophistication of a budding film industry.

Heat, color and rhythm are recurring elements in these films, with the exception of Costa Rican drama The Sound of Things, which has a more austere look to it, said artistic director Diana Sanchez.

Despite external influences, whether from their studies abroad, theres an honesty and visceral quality to these filmmakers work, said Ortega-Heilbron.

I believe there is a tendency ever more pronounced for the region to produce two kinds of films: Those that are more complex, with profound themes, and the more commercial audience-friendly films, said Habanero Films Alfredo Calvino who brings Cubas controversial Santa y Andres by Carlos Lechuga to IFF Panama. Banned in Cuba, Santa & Andres has been making the round of festivals worldwide. Habanero Films is also handling Costa Rican Hilda Hidalgos (Del Amor y Otros Demonios) latest film, still in post, Violeta al fin.

For the first time ever, IFF Panama is closing with a Caribbean film, Carpinteros (Woodpeckers) by Jose Maria Cabral of the Dominican Republic. Carpinteros was also the first Dominican film to compete at the Sundance Film Fest. Inspired by real-life detainees at the Dominican Republic Najayo prison, the pic centers on a romance that blooms between two inmates in neighboring prisons where they learn to communicate via a sign language. Female lead Judith Rodriguez Perez also plays a key role in Primera Mirada entry, Cocote by DRs Nelson Carlos de los Santos. Carpinteros Dominican-Haitian lead Jean Jean also has a documentary he directed competing at IFF Panama, Si Dios Quiere, Yuli, (God Willing, Yuli), which turns on the injustices Haitians suffer in the Dominican Republic where they are treated like second-class citizens.

Some of last years Primera Mirada entries are in this years Central America & Caribbean selection, led by Costa Rican Jurgen Urenas Abrazame como Antes (Embrace Me Like Before) which centers on a transsexual prostitutes bid to create a family. Dominican Yanillys Perezs debut feature Jeffrey, winner of Torontos Dropbox Discovery Film Award, is another 2016 Primera Mirada alum playing at IFF Panama.

Julio Hernandez Cordon, who won the Primera Mirada Grand Prize in 2015 with I Promise You Anarchy, is back with his sixth feature film Atras hay relampagos (Behind, Theres Lightning), which premiered at Rotterdam. Bikes, instead of Anarchys skateboards, are key elements in Hernandezs latest drama about the travails of two young women. The story stems from two friends who have a falling out, said Hernandez. I wanted to make a movie where vintage cars, bicycles and lush vegetation were present, he added.

An animated feature made the cut this year: Martiniques Alain Bidard, Battledream Chronicle, a dystopian thriller with videogame aesthetics about slaves revolting against tyranny. Given the Caribbeans slave history, the film has a decidedly political undertone.

Panamas La Matamoros, Delfina Vidals account about Panamas first feminist, is among the noteworthy documentaries coming from the region where the non-fiction genre is prevalent due to its relatively low production costs. Another Panamanian entry, docu Cimarronaje en Panama by Toshi Sakai, explores the history of the rebel slaves in colonial-era Panama.

I would like to think that a new wave of talent will enrich film production in Central America, said Hernandez. Now that theyve managed the nuts and bolts of making a film, they need to polish their content, and find or decide on an aesthetic that is uniquely Central American; for that, we need more productions, he said.

The 6th IFF Panama runs from March 30 to April 5.

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