China to end one-child policy
China has decided to end its decades-long one-child policy, Xinhua news agency reports.
All couples will now be allowed to have two children, the state-run news agency said, citing a statement from the Communist Party.
The controversial policy was introduced nationally in 1979, to reduce the country's birth rate and slow the population growth rate.
However, concerns at China's ageing population led to pressure for change.
The one-child policy is estimated to have prevented about 400 million births since it began.
Couples who violated the policy faced a variety of punishments, from fines and the loss of employment to forced abortions.
Over time, the policy was relaxed in some provinces, as demographers and sociologists raised concerns about rising social costs and falling worker numbers.
The Communist Party began formally relaxing national rules two years ago, allowing couples in which at least one of the pair is an only child to have a second child.
China's one-child policy
- Introduced in 1979, the policy meant that many Chinese citizens - around a third, China claimed in 2007 - could not have a second child without incurring a fine
- In rural areas, families were allowed to have two children if the first was a girl
- Other exceptions included ethnic minorities and - since 2013 - couples where at least one was a single child
- Campaigners say the policy led to forced abortions, female infanticide, and the under-reporting of female births
- It was also implicated as a cause of China's gender imbalance
What was China's one-child policy?
Currently about 30% of China's population is over the age of 50.
Correspondents say that despite the relaxation of the rules, many couples may still opt to only have one child, as one-child families have become the social norm.
Critics say that even a two-child policy will not boost the birth rate enough, the BBC's John Sudworth reports.
And for those women who want more than two children, nor will it end the state's insistence on the right to control their fertility, he adds.
"As long as the quotas and system of surveillance remains, women still do not enjoy reproductive rights," Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch told AFP.
The announcement comes on the final day of a summit of the Chinese Communist Party's policy-making Central Committee, known as the fifth plenum.
The party is also set to announce growth targets and its next five year plan.
Dr. Malcolm joins TCIG
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is pleased to congratulate Dr. Anya Malcolm on the recent completion of her Doctorate Degree in Psychology and to welcome her to the civil service as the new Clinical Psychologist within the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence in the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services.
Dr. Malcolm, a native Turks and Caicos Islander who hails from the island of South Caicos was granted a Government scholarship upon graduating as Valedictorian from Clement Howell High School in 2004, and moved to District of Columbia (DC) in 2005.
While residing and furthering her education in the East Coast of the USA, Dr. Malcolm acquired a wealth of knowledge and skills which has deemed her qualified for the post of Clinical Psychologist.
Dr. Malcolm holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology (Magna Cum Laude Honors), a Terminal Master's degree in Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology Degree in Clinical Psychology. She has previous experience in private practices and community mental health clinics across Virginia, Maryland, and DC namely, Emmaus Services for the Aging, Neuropsychology Associates of Fairfax, Associated Clinical Services, New Perspective Psychotherapy and Consulting, and Community Counseling and Mentoring Services, Inc.
While Dr. Malcolm has worked with individuals of all ages in diverse populations and settings, her concentration is in Child and Family Therapy. She boasts about her main focus and professional goal of "providing children and adolescents with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate their complex worlds, while fostering self-love and boosting self-esteem."
Dr. Malcolm added, "I am bursting with joy as I embark on this new journey. One that I have been preparing for in my personal and professional development. Despite being only 28 years-old, I feel that I can assist my country in an area which is very much needed. Not to mention, the youth of the country who can benefit from someone of whom they can relate given my upbringing in the TCI."
In reference to her post of Clinical Psychologist with responsibilities for children and adolescent cases, Dr. Malcolm commented, "I often ask, what if we treated our children's mental health with the same urgency as we do physical illnesses? Now is the time for us, as Turks and Caicos Islanders, to push mental health to the forefront as it should be. This something that I am passionate about, and with your help we can secure the social, emotional, and psychological well-being of our children.
“It truly 'takes a village' to raise a child, and I want to contribute to their development by performing my duties of providing therapeutic and assessment services for those in need. I want to thank the Government for selecting me for the position, and I welcome all requests for consultations and coordination of services within the various government departments and ministries as it relates to providing mental health services to our children. I join an excellent team here at the DMHSD and I look forward to assisting them in their courageous and selfless efforts."
TCAAF Donates Machine to National HIV Prevention Unit
The Turks and Caicos Aids Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) will today hand over the purchased PIMA Analyzer/CD4 Machine for the benefit of the National HIV Prevention Unit within the (Ministry of Health and Human Services).
The PIMA Analyzer/CD4 Machine is an essential tool in monitoring and providing an absolute CD4 count to those infected with HIV/AIDS in the Turks and Caicos Islands, this according to Anansa Jervis.
The machine is the first of its kind in the TCI and will be housed and operated by the staff of the Primary Health Lab under the Ministry of Health and Human Services in Providenciales.
It will be used solely for the purpose of providing an effective and valuable tool for the management of HIV/AIDS patients throughout TCI.
The “Hand-Over” Ceremony will be held at Pelican Bay.
The CD4 Machine will significantly contribute to the improvement in the livelihood of all HIV/AIDS patients in the TCI.
Alcohol Awareness month begins in November
The Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence (DMHSD) within the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services will observe Alcohol Awareness in the month of November.
The department hopes to increase public awareness and understanding about alcohol abuse, treatment, and other related issues, and to encourage people to evaluate their own drinking and determine if they need to change their habits. This November, DMHSD highlights the treatment and prevention of alcoholism with particular focus on underage drinking.
In a release to RTC news, Dr. Malcolm said that "Most people have a general sense of the negative impact of high-risk drinking, but may not realize how widespread and extensive the consequences are. In the neighboring United States, nearly 80,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, making it the third leading preventable cause of death. In addition, alcohol problems can cost governments billions each year, primarily from lost productivity, but also from health care and property damage costs. Problems such as these affect everyone, regardless of whether they drink or not."
She further added that "Underage drinking also carries significant consequences and needs to be reduced in order to ensure the future of Turks and Caicos Island’s (TCI) youth. Alcohol used by the youth is a serious issue and has association with traffic fatalities, violence, suicide, education failure, overdose, unsafe sex, even for people who may never develop a serious addiction. Alcohol is the number one drug choice for TCI’s youth, and has the potential to cause more deaths than all illegal drugs combined."
Reducing the underage drinking in TCI requires effort from everyone; parents, schools, community organizations, business leaders, government agencies, alcohol manufacturers/retailers, and the youth, especially when many young people starts at an early age.
With this year's theme, “For the Health of it: Early Education on Alcoholism and Addiction" the month of November will be filled with local events aimed at educating people about the treatment and prevention of alcoholism and encouraging individuals and families to get help for alcohol-related problems.
Activities being held by the Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence include:
1) 7th Annual Inter-campus College Debate- November 6th 10:00 am at the TCI Community College, Grand Turk Campus
2) Alcohol screening at local Hospitals – November 9th. (Alcohol screening questionnaires will be administered, and counseling will be available on site).
3) Alcohol Free Weekend: November 13-15 (During this seventy-two-hour period, the DMHSD extends an open invitation to all persons residing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, to participate in three alcohol-free days. The goals are to raise awareness around alcohol-related diseases, and promote healthy lifestyle choices.
4) Airing of Daily Alcohol Facts
Race
Based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy. “Race” is an enthralling film about courage, determination, tolerance, and friendship, and an inspiring drama about one man’s fight to become an Olympic legend.
Daddy's Home
“DADDY’S HOME” follows a mild-mannered radio executive (Ferrell) who strives to become the best stepdad to his wife’s two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling and freeloading real father (Wahlberg) arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the kids.
Former Antigua PM continues to defend his reputation
Former prime minister Baldwin Spencer has continued to defend himself against accusations that he is guilty of wrongdoing in the widespread scandal at the UN involving former Antiguan & Barbudan Diplomat, Dr John Ashe.
Spencer told Parliament, on Monday, that despite several suggestions reported in the media, at no time did he seek to “enrich himself” personally from proceeds he received on behalf of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP).
Spencer said yesterday:
I have been prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda for 10 years, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, I have absolutely nothing to hide or to be ashamed of, especially as it relates to the whole matter of enriching myself on the backs of the people of Antigua & Barbuda
Dr Ashe is accused of tax evasion and accepting bribes of over US $1 million from Chinese investors in exchange for his representing their interests before the UN.
Spencer has admitted to asking Dr Ashe for and receiving his assistance to help finance his re-election campaign.
The MP for the St John’s Rural West Constituency declared he has no foreign accounts and has never abused his power for monetary gain.
Ride Along 2
As his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who's supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product.
Kevin Hart and Ice Cube lead the returning lineup of Ride Along 2, the sequel to the blockbuster action-comedy that gave us the year's most popular comedy duo. Joining Hart and Cube for the next chapter of the series are director Tim Story as well as Cube's fellow producers—Will Packer, Matt Alvarez and Larry Brezner—who will produce alongside Cube.
Flexx goes solo
Flexx is launching his own solo career following a split from iconic dancehall group T.O.K.
Flexx says that he parted ways with the group because other members were focused on their own personal endeavors and not giving the group any attention.
“A chain is as strong as its weakest link, and I think every man a duh them owna thing right now. When you talk to them, they say T.O.K is priority, but it’s clear that’s not the case,” Flexx said. “I am not going to sit and wait on people to do their business because I have a youth and business to take care of. I also feel like music is my first love and mi just need fi put more inna Double X right now. I had some singles before, but at the end of the day, T.O.K was priority. But right now, Double X is my priority.”
Flexx also noted that their is no bad blood between the former group members.
Which League?
Vybz Kartel caught the attention of dancehall fans with his recent single “Which League.” The internet blew up with reports that he was dissing Mavado and Alkaline.
The incarcerated dancehall deejay says that he wasn’t attacking Mavado on the track but was just reminding the dancehall community that he is still the top man.
“Addi didn’t mention any artist in the song its just people trying to instigate a feud with him and Vado,” a rep for the World Boss told Urban Islandz. “Addi and Vado a legends in dancehall they had their thing and transformed dancehall with it but they still recognized that there are brothers from the same camp.”
Vybz Kartel’s reps also told us that the deejay has a lot more gritty singles to be released in the coming weeks.