Caribbean Telecommunications Union seminar to hear update on network security
Delegates to the 10th Ministerial Strategic Seminar of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), which opens in Miami on May 29, will receive an update by Fortinet Inc, a world leader in high performance network security, on network threat landscape trends, vulnerability and the best ways to mitigate them.
The update and recommendations will be provided by Pedro Paixao, vice president of international sales for Fortinet.
Paixao will outline the new threat trends and the security solutions that are currently available to today’s network administrators. In his presentation at the two-day seminar, a follow-up to a similar CTU meeting in Barbados last December, the Fortinet executive will also explain why it is important to be ready to protect and recover from directed cyber attacks and how to create an actionable cyber security action plan.
“We fully support the work of the CTU in promoting the adoption of cutting-[edge technology that enables Caribbean countries to be more competitive at the global level,” Paixao said. “Fortinet has been active in Latin America and the Caribbean region since 2003 and has worked a number of different groups to help educate public and private sectors on the importance of having a sound security strategy when planning a network expansion.”
The CTU’s Ministerial Strategic Seminars create a forum for technology executives to explain the impact of today’s emerging technologies, listen to the concerns of ministers, their secretaries, technocrats, senior policymakers and regulators and provide the necessary insight for informed decision-making.
The seminars seek to educate senior Caribbean government and regulatory officials in order to advance the social and economic development agendas of Caribbean countries.
This 10th Seminar will focus on the need for the Caribbean to participate more actively in global discussions and within international organizations that have a fundamental role concerning internet governance. The seminar will delve into the mechanisms that are open to the region to participate in these organizations and will discuss a framework that will enable the region to effectively represent its interests.
Caribbean News Now
Bahamians outraged by “shacks and huts” travel report.
An American journalist who reported that “the poorest Bahamians typically create makeshift homes out of straw…” felt the full weight of Bahamian fury earlier this week.
Freelance journalist Nellie Day, whose article “What types of houses do people live in the Bahamas?” was posted on the website www.travels.com, provoked howls of protest from hundreds of understandably outraged islanders who read it online.
The offended Bahamians fought back, sending a barrage of blistering criticism to her Twitter feed. Others threatened to e-mail the host website and lodge complaints about the inaccuracies of the article.
The deluge of righteous indignation paid off, with the website, agreeing to take down the article.
In a story that read more like fiction than fact, Day also contended that “lower and lower-middle class” Bahamians dwell in “small beach shacks and huts” that are often built from “straw or wood”, materials which “are readily available along the beach” or at “industrial and retail outlets”.
The article was accurate in some respects, but many readers who left comments online said they found the inaccuracies “insulting”. Some called for Day to publish an apology.
On her Twitter feed, the freelancer, who is believed to be based in California, claimed she had visited and researched the Bahamas before she wrote the article.
“For the record, on this Bahamian story, I have travelled to the Bahamas, I did talk to locals and I did research what other agencies had to say,” she said.
Day’s “travel and research” nevertheless inspired her to state that many Bahamians make their living “farming or selling trinkets at the local straw markets” in her article. Some people jokingly commented that she must have visited the Bahamas in the 1960s.
The torrent of Bahamian invective prompted a response from Travels.com.
“The article in question was written by a freelance contributor, and not by a member of our staff. We have reviewed the article and determined that it does not meet the standards for our site, because of the number of factual inaccuracies in it,” a spokesperson said.
“Therefore, the article has been deleted from our site. It will take time for this change to show up on all of our servers, but the article will definitely be completely removed within the next 12 hours.
“We do sincerely apologise for any trouble or offense that this article caused,” the response concluded.
Caribbean 360 News
Amnesty urges probe into over 70 bloody Kingston deaths.
On the second anniversary of a bloody military operation in West Kingston that claimed the lives of some 70 civilians and two members of the armed forces, the human rights watchdog Amnesty International is pushing for an inquiry.
The violent upheaval unfolded when security forces clashed with individuals loyal to then-fugitive Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke who were attempting to block his arrest.
Now, two years after the deadly clash, Amnesty is backing calls by the public defender and other civil society groups for government to get the inquiry underway.
“As Jamaica commemorates the second anniversary of the proclamation of the state of emergency, it is time for the Government of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to appoint an independent commission of inquiry with a broad mandate and powers. This will be a decisive step to ensure that investigations into the allegations of human rights violations during the 2010 State of Emergency are completed and that these investigations result in justice and remedy,” Amnesty stated in a press release.
The human rights watchdog cited the case of Paulette Wellington, mother of Sheldon Gary Davis, who was allegedly killed by security forces during the first week of the State of Emergency after reportedly being arrested at his home on May 30, 2010 in Denham Town, West Kingston.
Four days later, after searching frantically for him, Wellington received confirmation that he was dead. A policeman told her that another officer shot him when he tried to take a soldier’s gun.
According to Amnesty, however, other men who were in custody with Davis said they saw a police officer put him under a mango tree and shoot him.
Wellington and others with relatives who died in the incident are still waiting for justice and a chance to find out how their loved ones died, Amnesty said.
“Two years have passed since the two-month-long state of emergency was declared, during which time several other people like Sheldon Gary Davis were suspected of having been unlawfully killed by the security forces and hundreds of others are believed to have been unlawfully arrested,” the release said.
The human rights watchdog also drew attention to an interim report from Public Defender Earl Witter, based on 1,000 civilian complaints about the conduct of the security forces during the State of Emergency, which is to be presented to Parliament. The report is expected to outline the initial findings and what Government support is required to conclude the investigations.
Amnesty indicated that the delay in publishing this report was because of the government’s forensic inadequacies.
“Shortcomings in the forensic services are one of the reasons for the long delay in the investigations. In particular, the resources available at the ballistics laboratory were deemed to be inadequate to deal with such a high number of cases, especially given that the laboratory already had a backlog of 2,000 requests in October 2010 for cases prior to the state of emergency,” said the group.
Among the many families awaiting answers about the circumstances of their relatives’ deaths during the state of emergency is that of businessman Keith Clarke, who was killed at his upper St Andrew home by a special joint forces team during the manhunt in May 2010.
But, according to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewelyn, her office had not been able to rule on the case.
In a release, Llewelyn said that she had appointed a team, comprising two deputy directors and two Crown Counsel, to review the huge file on the investigations into the killing which sent shockwaves through the country.
But despite its voluminous nature, the file lacked critical information.
“Having considered all the statements and other material on the file, it was discovered that there is need for further and better particulars touching and concerning an important aspect of this matter that is still to be furnished by the investigators. Having consulted with my team, I am therefore of the view that a ruling cannot be rendered at this time,” the DPP stated.
Llewelyn said her office wrote to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) on May 9, 2012 requesting that this outstanding material be furnished as soon as possible so that she can complete the review and render a ruling in the matter.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has again expressed alarm at the number of extrajudicial killings in the country.
“The number of people killed weekly by police officers in dubious circumstances in Jamaica continues to be unacceptably high. In the first six days of March 2012, the killing of 21 people by police officers spiked a wave of criticism against the way the police conduct its operations in marginalised inner-city areas,” the human rights advocate group declared.
Caribbean 360 News
Lady Gaga Indonesia concert cancelled
Lady Gaga has cancelled a concert in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, citing security concerns, after protests by religious groups.
Police in Indonesia had refused to issue a permit for the US pop star after Islamic groups objected to her show, claiming it was too vulgar.
The hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) had threatened to try to stop Lady Gaga getting off the plane.
Indonesia is officially secular but has more Muslims than any other country.
More than 50,000 tickets had been sold for the 3 June event. Promoters said they would offer refunds.
Police had said they would only issue permits for the concert - part of her Born This Way Ball concept tour - if the flamboyant singer agreed to tone things down. Instead, her management pulled the plug on the show.
'Nothing holy about hatred'
"Lady Gaga's management has considered the situation minute to minute, and with threats if the concert goes ahead, Lady Gaga's side is calling off the concert," Minola Sebayang, lawyer for promoters Big Daddy, told reporters.
"This is not only about Lady Gaga's security, but extends to those who will be watching her."
Big Daddy President Michael Rusli said: "I think everyone including the government itself would have hoped that the show would go on. But of course along the way we have to review all the planning and we have to be mindful of what is happening in the media, what is happening in Indonesia itself."
Just hours before the announcement, Lady Gaga wrote on her Twitter account: "There is nothing holy about hatred."
The singer has nearly 25 million followers on Twitter - the highest number on the social networking site.
The Islamist FPI had threatened violence if the concert went ahead, calling Lady Gaga a "devil's messenger" who wears only a "bra and panties".
Habib Salim Alatas, the group's FPI Jakarta chairman, said the cancellation was "good news" for Indonesia's Muslims.
"FPI is grateful that she has decided not to come. Indonesians will be protected from sin brought about by this Mother Monster, the destroyer of morals," he told AFP news agency.
He added: "Lady Gaga fans, stop complaining. Repent and stop worshipping the devil. Do you want your lives taken away by God as infidels?"
Indonesia's conservative Religious Affairs Minister, Suryadharma Ali, also welcomed the cancellation.
"I strongly believe this cancellation will benefit the country," he said.
"Indonesians need entertainment and art which have moral values."
This is not the first time that Lady Gaga has faced objections during her Asian tour.
Her concert in South Korea in April was made an adults-only event following protests from Christian groups.
Protests also took place in the Philippines, with Christian groups accusing her of being blasphemous.
She is scheduled to play three shows in Singapore this week before moving on to New Zealand and Australia.
R. Kelly Returning to a New York Stage
R. Kelly is making a big come back to New York after taking a six year hiatus.
On July 1, the artist will headline the annual “Groovin’ In The Park” at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens.
“Fans are hyped and ready for an extraordinary performance from the Rhythm & Blues legend who will be returning to New York for his first performance since his ‘Best of Both Worlds’ concert with Jay Z in 2004,” said event CEO Christopher Roberts, of Groovin Inc. “R Kelly represents the best of R&B and I am confident he will deliver a spectacular performance for music lovers.”
It will be a big event with other performances to include Boyz II men and music legend Jimmy Cliff.
The event will be a part of the American Independence celebrations, a concert series dedicated to celebrating the nation.
Michael Vick & Kijafa Frink Tying the Knot on June 30
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick is getting married.
The NFL star set the date with his longtime fiancée Kijafa Frink for June 30 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
Wedding invitation went out this month for 300 people. The guest list includes Vick’s mentor and form Colt’s coach, Tony Dungy, Eagles coach Andy Reid, Vick’s NFL agent Joel Segal, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and other teammates.
Busy Signal denies involvement in drug dealing
EMBATTLED dancehall Deejay Busy Signal has denied any involvement in drug smuggling.
In a release to the media Busy Signal, who was detained in England after immigration authorities suspected he was travelling on false documents, said his present predicament allowed him time to reflect.
"I have never admitted that I was involved in any drug deal or drug arrangement. I waived my rights to an extradition trial here in Jamaica, so that I can return to the US to face a charge of absconding bail ONLY. This incident took place ten (10) years ago before I even considered becoming an artiste," the release said.
He also took time out to hail his fans.
"In this a time of reflection, I would like to thank my fans who have supported me through this difficult situation and who will continue to support me. Your messages and prayers via social networks and via members of my team are what have brought light to the darkness of my cell," he said.
The Deejay said he was not about to sink into oblivion.
"As you can understand, this is a difficult time for me, however during my time away, my fans will not be left with a void – there are several unreleased tracks that will definitely keep you “busy” until my return. I recently released my album Reggae Music Again, which debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Reggae charts. On my recent tour of Amsterdam and Paris, we shot elements for the video to the title track of the album. It features cameos from Marcia Griffiths, Queen Ifrica and Anthony B and that will be released in a couple of weeks," he said.
despite his legal woes Busy Signal remained positive.
“We not going down, cause God alone controls my destiny,” he said.
JA.OBAERVER
Rajon Rondo, Celtics oust 76ers, advance to Eastern Conference finals
Rajon Rondo helped his aging teammates keep their season going Saturday night, finishing with 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in Game 7 against the 76ers to lead Boston to an 85-75 victory and into an Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Miami Heat.
The Celtics will open the third round of the NBA playoffs in Miami on Monday night.
"I've already packed," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We'll be ready. It's going to be a tough turnaround, but we're not an excuse team. We'll be ready on Monday."
Bouncing back from his worst game of the playoffs -- and snapping out of a 32-minute slump in which he had just two assists and five points -- Rondo scored nine straight Boston points after Paul Pierce fouled out to help the Celtics turn a three-point edge into a double-digit lead.
Rondo had 11 points in the fourth quarter, including his first 3-pointer in five games, made all four of his free throws down the stretch and grabbed his 10th rebound in the final minute -- chucking it over his head and into the frontcourt to help the Celtics dribble down the clock.
"He really came through," Sixers guard Jrue Holiday said. "He put the team on his back."
Andre Iguodala scored 18 points, and Holiday and Elton Brand had 15 apiece for the 76ers, who eliminated the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the first round but couldn't do the same with the Celtics.
Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, and Ray Allen hit a pair of fourth-quarter 3-pointers after missing his first five attempts.
"Ray is the ultimate gunslinger," Rivers said. "That's what makes great players great. I was a basketball player someday, and I would have never taken that shot."
Pierce had 15 points and nine rebounds before fouling out with 4:16 left.
That's when Rondo took over.
The point guard, who had nine points and a playoff-low six assists in the Game 6 loss in Philadelphia, scored on a baseline drive and followed it up with a long 2-pointer (originally scored a 3) with 2:47 left. Then he made a 3-pointer with a little more than 2 minutes left to make it a 10-point game and, after Brand scored on a tip-in, Rondo went to the line as the crowd chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" and hit a pair of free throws to leave Boston with an 80-70 lead with 1:44 left.
The Celtics will now face the actual NBA MVP -- LeBron James -- along with Dwyane Wade and the rest of the Heat. Miami advanced to the conference finals by eliminating the Indiana Pacers in six games.
Miami beat Boston in five games in the conference semifinals last year. In 2010, the Celtics eliminated the Heat in the first round and then knocked James and the Cavaliers out in the second -- his final game with Cleveland before defecting to Miami.
FIFA sets up insurance coverage for int'l players
Football's world governing body, FIFA, decided at their 62nd Congress here Friday to compensate clubs whose players are injured while on international duty.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke confirmed that the so-called "player protection programme" will cover all senior international matches played between September this year and October 2013, as well as the football tournament at this summer's London Olympics.
The amount of compensation will depend on the salary earned by the player in question, although the maximum salary taken into account will be $8.75 million, excluding bonuses.
FIFA's total budget for the scheme will be $75 million.
"European players will also be insured from May 15 to August 31 to cover the risk posed by the European Championship, but UEFA will assume the whole cost," added Valcke.
"It is a big step in the right direction because certain clubs or federations experienced problems during the last World Cup," said FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
The issue of compensating clubs whose players are injured on international duty has been a source of discord between clubs and federations for some time.
PM expresses sadness at Gardener's passing
PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller has expressed "deep sadness" at the passing yesterday of Olympian Keith Gardener in New Jersey, USA, describing him as "one of Jamaica's finest and most formidable former track and field athlete."
Simpson Miller said Gardener, who represented Jamaica in the 1950s and '60s was "one of those athletes who demonstrated tremendous commitment, unquestionable loyalty to country, a high level of discipline and unrivalled professionalism".
Gardener put in an outstanding performance at the 1958 Commonwealth Games when he won gold medals in the 100 and 120 yards hurdles, as well as a silver medal in the 220 yards and bronze in the 4x400 yards relay.
Prior to that he won a gold medal in the 120 yards at the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada, and later, in 1960 was a member of the bronze medal-winning 4x100 relay team at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome.
The prime minister said that with such performances, Gardener was "one of those athletes who helped to pioneer Jamaica's international recognition in track and field and paved the way for the current set of athletes who are building on that legacy".
After 'hanging up' his spikes, Gardener took on the responsibility of giving guidance and direction to young people by becoming a director of the Multicare Foundation. In that capacity he interacted with hundreds of youth in downtown Kingston, as he sought, in his own way, to impart the importance of proper attitudes and values.
The prime minister concluded: "I express my sympathy to his dear wife, Fay and his children Maxine, Christine and Keith during this period of grief."