Delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands attends high level meeting on Universal Health in the 21st Century
Honorable Edwin Astwood, Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services attended a high level meeting on Universal Health in the 21st century: 40 years of Alma-Ata on December 11-12, 2017, in Quito, Ecuador by invitation from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Mrs. Jackurlyn Sutton, Chief Nursing Officer/Primary Health Care Manager, Ms. Nordia Campbell, Budget Director and Mrs. Darlene Clerveaux-Forbes, Executive Administrator, accompanied the Minister to this meeting.
This high level meeting organized by PAHO constituted a forum for regional dialogue, analysis and debate on the values and principles of Alma Ata, within the context of Universal Health in the 21st century. During this meeting the Minister Hon. Edwin Astwood met with a number of Caribbean and Latin American Ministers of Health which included Minister of Public Health of Ecuador – Maria Veronica Espinosa Serrano and other key representatives from Member States, participants and representatives of PAHO/WHO and High level Officials of UNASUR. Also in attendance, was former Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, who is currently a consultant with PAHO.
The meeting discussed the achievements and challenges faced by member states throughout the region on the Declaration of Alma-Ata which was adopted 40 years ago when member states committed as signatories to “Health for All by the year 2000”. It was envisioned that this would be accomplished through the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of All people.
The meeting provided the opportunity for member states to revisit the advances made over the past 40 years in Primary Health Care: A clearly defined first level of care;
· Different models of health care systems that have been implemented to guarantee access to care;
· Progress or talks on Universal Access to Care Declaration;
· Signature of the cooperation strategy between the countries and PAHO on Universal Access to Care Declaration.
· Major challenges, identified were:
· Inequity in health care
· Lack of genuine social participation from civil society and
· Identification of a sustainable financing measure to secure universal access and equity
Detailed presentations were made on:
· Universal Health in the 21st Century: how to build political viability?
· Universal Health and the participation of civil society
· Transformation of health systems towards Universal Health
· Expansion of Equitable Access to Health Systems based on primary health care
The Chief Nursing Officer/Primary Health Care Manager, Mrs. Jackurlyn Sutton in her comments stated
“This forum was timely in the life of the health care system in the Turks and Caicos Islands as we commit to strengthening our Primary Health Care Services though workshops and meetings with wider stakeholder consultation on the way forward in identifying and adopting a new model of care focused on individuals, families and communities”.
This dialogue on Universal Health will continue in the region throughout 2018.
Notice of Upcoming Road Improvement Works
The general public is hereby advised of upcoming Road Improvement Works on Providenciales, from mid-December 2017 to May 2018 (5 months). See details below:
Project Details: Road Improvement Works (including road surfacing, drainage works and new sidewalks).
Location: Walter Cox Drive, Black Crow Road, Millennium Highway.
Start Date and Duration: Works start mid December 2017 and will continue for a period of 5 months.
Please drive safely and be aware of workers carrying out roadworks. Suggested alternative routes will be announced as required.
November 2017 Curriculum News Letter- “Curriculum Matters”
The Ministry of Education is pleased to distribute its November 2017 Curriculum Newsletter – ‘Curriculum Matters’. This is a newsletter that emerged as a result of curriculum reform in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Curriculum Development Officers, Mrs. Rhonda A. Blackman-Smith states that, “the newsletter will keep all stakeholders (Principals, teachers, parents, businesses and the wider community) abreast of all things curriculum in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).”
The revised curriculum is broad, balanced, coherent, relevant, seamless and continuous and meets the holistic development and diversity of the students in TCI. It translates national development goals to classroom instruction and pedagogical practices so as to allow all students to reach their fullest potential.
Free access is available to the Curriculum Newsletter – “Curriculum Matters” via the Ministry of Education, Youth Sports and Library Services website under the heading Curriculum. https://www.gov.tc/ministry-of-education-youth-sports-and-library-services/.
Feel free to download and share with others as we continue to build the Nation of TCI by reforming education.
Curriculum_Matters_Newsletter__November_2017.pdf
Ian Boyne is Dead
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Veteran journalist and deputy chief executive officer of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Ian Boyne is dead.
Boyne who was recuperating for some time after he was rushed to the University Hospital of the West Indies on Saturday, December 2, died this morning.
The highly respected and internationally acclaimed journalist whose career in all facets of media spans 30 years, was most known for his personality television series Profile — the longest running seasonal show on local television. It features successful and remarkable personalities, many of whom overcame significant hardships.
Profile celebrated 30 years this March, earning Boyne many accolades, including congratulations from Prime Minister Andrew Holness who said it was admirable that the programme, which represents “the power of good journalism”, was still on air when internationally, successful programmes rarely surpass 25 years.
Boyne, arguably a self-made success, published a book on the series in 2013 titled Profile of Excellence: Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement from 25Years of Interviewing Remarkable People', co-written with author and motivational speaker Glenford Smith. At the time it was published, Boyne had already done 1,300 interviews on Profile.
The launch ceremony at King's House on April 10, 2013 was peppered with high profile Jamaicans including then Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, and former prime ministers Edward Seaga and Bruce Golding.
Boyne is also popularly known for a weekly unorthodox television show Religious Hardtalk, newspaper columns, and other writings. He has also published IdeasMatter, a compilation of some of his print media work.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness took to his official Twitter page to express condolences at the passing of Boyne saying, “It is with deep sadness that I acknowledge the death of veteran journalist and a true friend Ian Boyne. This is a shock to me. I will make a statement soon.”
- Jamaica Observer
Ninja Man Gets Life Imprisonment
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Veteran Dancehall deejay Ninjaman was a short while ago given a life sentence in the Home Circuit Court for the March 2009 murder of Ricardo Johnson.
He is to serve 25 years before being eligible for parole. He was given 20 years for shooting with intent and life imprisonment for murder.
The DJ gave the thumbs up after the sentence was handed down.
His co-accused — son Jahneil, and Dennis Clayton — were also handed life sentences, with 15 years before being eligible for parole.
The three were to be sentenced on Friday; however their sentencing was postponed because the attorney representing Clayton was late for court, resulting in Justice Martin Gayle postponing the matter until today.
The three were found guilty on November 20.
According to police reports, Ninjaman, Jahneil, and Clayton were among several men who entered a yard on Mall Road in Olympic Gardens on March 16, 2009. They fired shots at a man who fled the premises, but 20-year-old Johnson was fatally shot.
The men were subsequently arrested and charged for his murder. Ninjaman spent three years at the Horizon correctional centre in Kingston and was granted bail in 2012 in the sum of $2 million. On October 17, he was taken into custody after High Court judge, Justice Martin Gayle revoked his bail and ordered that the trial commence immediately.
A native of St Mary, Ninjaman rose to prominence in the 1980s. His first hit song was, Cover Me, featuring Tinga Stewart.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Ninjaman faced several run-ins with the law. In recent years, however, he opted to project a positive image through social media and more community involvement.
He also experienced a career resurgence after signing with the Josef Bogdanovich-owned Downsound Records label for two years.Ninjaman's attorney, Queen's Counsel Valerie Neita-Robertson told OBSERVER ONLINE that he will be appealing.
Nigerian women's bobsled team make Winter Olympic history
(CNN)Thirty years after the Jamaican bobsled team captured hearts around the world, three women from Nigeria stand on the brink of making history of their own in the same event.
Driver Seun Adigun and brakewomen Akuoma Omeoga, Ngozi Onwumere have qualified for Pyeongchang 2018, ensuring an African nation will be represented in the sport at the Winter Olympics for the first time ever.
Despite numerous success stories in the summer Games -- notably gold in the men's football at Atlanta 1996 -- no Nigerian has ever competed in a Winter Olympic event before.
Now, after completing all five qualifying races, the Nigerian women's bobsled team are on their way to South Korea in February.
"Ecstatic to say the least!" posted the Bobsled & Skeleton Sports Federation of Nigeria (BSFN). "To see a mere dream come to reality is a true blessing."
"Their hard work was inspiring and I hope Nigerians can appreciate what it took for them to achieve this," said BSFN president Solomon Ogba.
"They are all very successful people in their own right -- in sports and out of it, and somehow they are still motivated and still push for more success.
"I have watched them train and work hard to represent Nigeria at the Winter Olympics in a very technical and high risk sport and they have achieved that."
Away from the ice, all three have been professional track and field athletes in their time.
Adigun, who once dreamed of becoming the first woman in the NBA, enjoyed particular success in the 100m hurdles, winning the national championships on multiple occasions and representing Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Now they go where no Nigerians have gone before.
"We are from a continent that would never imagine sliding down ice at 80 or 90 miles per hour," Adigun told the BBC in March. "I find the idea of getting people to take to that inspiring in itself."
Compatriot Simi Adeagbo, a four-time NCAA All American and triple jump school record holder, is aiming to compete in the skeleton.
Charlie Rose fired from CBS amid sexual misconduct allegations
CBS has fired veteran journalist Charlie Rose after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.
In a statement to staff posted on Twitter, CBS said Rose was terminated "effective immediately."
"This followed the revelation yesterday of extremely disturbing and intolerable behavior said to have revolved around his PBS program," the statement read in part. "Despite Charlie's important journalistic contribution to our news division, there is absolutely nothing more important, in this or any organization, than ensuring a safe, professional workplace."
Shortly thereafter, PBS released a statement of its own: "In light of yesterday’s revelations, PBS has terminated its relationship with Charlie Rose and canceled distribution of his programs. PBS expects all the producers we work with to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect."
Rose's dismissal came after multiple women shared their personal stories with The Washington Post and Business Insider.
The Post reported that Rose's accusers either worked with or aspired to work with him on his PBS show, "Charlie Rose," from the late 1990s to 2011. At the time of the alleged incidents, the women ranged in age from 21 to 37, according to the paper.
Business Insider featured three women, all former “Charlie Rose” interns, who also accused Rose of inappropriate behavior, speaking to the site on the condition of anonymity.
Before being fired on Tuesday, Rose's "CBS This Morning" co-anchors Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell addressed the situation, calling for an end to the alleged behavior from Rose or anyone else in a position of power.
"Let me be very clear, there is no excuse for this alleged behavior," O'Donnell said. "It is systematic and pervasive and I've been doing a lot of listening. ... Women cannot achieve equality in the workplace or in society until there is a reckoning and a taking of responsibility."
Rose issued an apology to the Post after the allegations first broke and later shared it on Twitter Monday night.
“In my 45 years in journalism, I have prided myself on being an advocate for the careers of the women with whom I have worked,” he said in a statement to the newspaper. “Nevertheless, in the past few days, claims have been made about my behavior toward some former female colleagues.
“It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken," he continued. "I have learned a great deal as a result of these events, and I hope others will too. All of us, including me, are coming to a newer and deeper recognition of the pain caused by conduct in the past, and have come to a profound new respect for women and their lives.”
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend expecting baby No. 2
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are expecting their second child.
Teigen made the announcement on Instagram today, posting a cute video of their 1-year-old daughter Luna touching her mother's belly.
The model can be heard asking, "What's in here?"
Luna responds, "Baby."
"It's John's!" Teigen wrote on Instagram, in case there was any doubt.
This will be the second child for the Grammy Award-winning singer, 38, and his Sports Illustrated swimsuit model wife, 31. Teigen gave birth to their daughter, Luna Simone Stephens, in April 2016, after undergoing infertility treatments.
During the SI Swimsuit fan event in February 2016, Teigen revealed that she had done IVF during the swimsuit issue's photo shoot.
"I was getting my shots and everything in Zanzibar, I had a little medical kit," she told People. "It was hard because you bloat from it, and you bruise ... if I hit the wrong area. That’s the kind of things we had to cover with makeup."
Teigen has also been candid about her struggle with postpartum depression after Luna was born.
Federal prosecutors charge Iranian national for allegedly hacking into the computer servers of HBO
An Iranian hacker was accused by federal prosecutors in New York Tuesday of orchestrating the summertime cyberattack that targeted HBO and compromised some of the channel’s most popular programming.
Behzad Mesri was charged in a seven-count indictment with computer fraud, wire fraud and other crimes. He is believed to be in Iran and likely beyond the reach of American authorities, but federal prosecutors and the FBI scheduled a lunchtime news conference to discuss the case.
The hack of HBO lasted for several months this past summer and exposed confidential and proprietary data, including video files of unaired episodes of "Ballers," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Deuce," the indictment said. Scripts for "Game of Thrones," confidential cast and crew lists and emails belonging to at least one HBO employee were also compromised.
The motive was money. According to court records, Mesri “commenced the extortion phase of the scheme” in an email to HBO executives: “Hi to All losers! Yes it’s true! HBO is hacked!” The email demanded $6 million worth of the digital currency bitcoin, federal prosecutors said.
Another email quoted in court records said, “I have the honor to inform you…that we successfully breached into your huge network.” The message continued: “We obtained most valuable information.”
Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said in a statement today: “Mesri now stands charged with federal crimes, and although not arrested today, he will forever have to look over his shoulder until he is made to face justice. American ingenuity and creativity is to be cultivated and celebrated -- not hacked, stolen, and held for ransom. For hackers who test our resolve in protecting our intellectual property -- even those hiding behind keyboards in countries far away -- eventually, winter will come.”
Bill Sweeney, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York field office, said that Mesri "lurked in the alleyways of the Internet, identified the vulnerabilities of his victim, and pickpocketed their information from thousands of miles away. After he had successfully identified their proprietary secrets, he held their future for ransom. Today's charges show that international cybercriminals are never beyond the reach of U.S. laws."
Mesri was a self-professed expert in computer hacking, court records said. He had worked previously “on behalf of the Iranian military” to hack military systems, nuclear software systems and Israeli infrastructure.
He was known online as Skote Vahshat, a hacker pseudonym federal prosecutors said Mesri used to deface hundreds of websites in the United States and elsewhere around the world.
Uber reveals cover-up of hack affecting 57M riders, drivers
Uber is coming clean about its cover-up of a year-old hacking attack that stole personal information about more than 57 million of the beleaguered ride-hailing service's customers and drivers.
So far, there's no evidence that the data taken has been misused, according to a Tuesday blog post by Uber's recently hired CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi. Part of the reason nothing malicious has happened is because Uber acknowledges paying the hackers $100,000 to destroy the stolen information.
The revelation marks the latest stain on Uber's reputation.
The San Francisco company ousted Travis Kalanick as CEO in June after an internal investigation concluded he had built a culture that allowed female workers to be sexually harassed and encouraged employees to push legal limits.
It's also the latest major breach involving a prominent company that didn't notify the people that could be potentially harmed for months or even years after the break-in occurred.
Yahoo didn't make its first disclosure about hacks that hit 3 billion user accounts during 2013 and 2014 until September 2016. Credit reporting service Equifax waited several months before revealing this past September that hackers had carted off the Social Security numbers of 145 million Americans.
Khosrowshahi criticized Uber's handling of its data theft in his blog post.
"While I can't erase the past, I can commit on behalf of every Uber employee that we will learn from our mistakes," Khosrowshahi wrote. "We are changing the way we do business, putting integrity at the core of every decision we make and working hard to earn the trust of our customers."
That pledge shouldn't excuse Uber's previous regime for its egregious behavior, said Sam Curry, chief security officer for the computer security firm Cybereason.
"The truly scary thing here is that Uber paid a bribe, essentially a ransom to make this breach go away, and they acted as if they were above the law," Curry said. "Those people responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of the data in-fact covered it up."
The heist took the names, email addresses and mobile phone numbers of 57 million riders around the world. The thieves also nabbed the driver's license numbers of 600,000 Uber drivers in the U.S.
Uber waited until Tuesday to begin notifying the drivers with compromised driver's licenses, which can be particularly useful for perpetrating identify theft. For that reason, Uber will now pay for free credit-report monitoring and identity theft protection services for the affected drivers.
Kalanick, who still sits on Uber's board of directors, declined to comment on the data breach that took place in October 2016. Uber says the response to the hack was handled by its chief security officer, Joe Sullivan, a former federal prosecutor whom Kalanick lured away from Facebook in 2015.
As part of his effort to set things right, Khosrowshahi extracted Sullivan's resignation from Uber and also jettisoned Craig Clark, a lawyer who reported to Sullivan.
Clark didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent through his LinkedIn profile. Efforts to reach Sullivan were unsuccessful.
Uber's silence about its breach came while it was negotiating with the Federal Trade Commission about its handling of its riders' information.
Earlier in 2016, the company reached a settlement with the New York attorney general requiring it to take steps to be more vigilant about protecting the information that its app stores about its riders. As part of that settlement, Uber also paid a $20,000 fine for waiting to notify five months about another data breach that it discovered in September 2014.