TCI representatives attend the Commonwealth at 48th CPA British Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands delegation led by His Honour the Speaker, Hon. Dwayne S. Taylor, Hon. Douglas F. Parnell, Elected Member for Chesire Hall and Richmond Hill, Hon. George A. Lightbourne, Elected Member for Grand Turk North and Mrs. Tracey I. Parker, Hon. Secretary TCI CPA Branch, were in the midst of over forty Parliamentarians from more than thirteen Commonwealth countries and territories in Guernsey to discuss the impact of ‘fake news’ and the media challenges for Parliamentarians and democracy.
The 48th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference, was hosted by the States of Guernsey and CPA Guernsey Branch from 19 to 22 May 2019 in St Peter Port.
Parliamentarians discussed the impact ‘fake news’ and digital disinformation on media freedoms in the Commonwealth and the importance of quality journalism in the reporting of Parliamentary proceedings and elections.
The regional conference was opened by the Bailiff of Guernsey and President of the CPA Guernsey Branch, Sir Richard Collas, Presiding Officer of the States Assembly and Parliamentarians were welcomed to the regional conference by Deputy Lyndon Trott, Chair of the CPA Guernsey Branch. Deputy Trott said: “We are very excited to have so many high-quality speakers with us in Guernsey and we are also pleased that as well as delegates from the CPA BIM Region, we have a large number of observers from other parts of the Commonwealth. It’s a very relevant topic and I think our Guernsey meeting will showcase what is best about the CPA.”
Guest speakers at the regional conference included Dr Victoria Nash, Senior Policy Fellow and Deputy Director of the Oxford Internet Institute at Oxford University; Rita Payne, Journalist and President Emeritus, Commonwealth Journalists Association; Professor Dr Horst Risse, Secretary-General of the German Bundestag; Victoria Schofield, Historian and Contributor to The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs; and Doug Wills, Managing Editor of The Evening Standard and The Independent. Other topics discussed included ‘No-platforming’ which is the practice of preventing someone from discussing their ideas by refusing them a platform either physically at an event or online via a website or social media.
His Honour the Speaker said “This was a rather timely and informative forum when the impact of ‘fake news and digital disinformation is impacting social media in a negative way. It’s not so much the machine, but the man behind the machine utilizing it to negatively impact the political atmosphere and society at large. Technology is here to stay and it is the new communication apparatus that make us a global village and it’s one animal which is most difficult to tame, but it must begin with being accountable. Politicians and Parliamentarians alike should strive in their deportment to be more responsible by being on the side of truth and be honest when conveying information to the public in general because of the many bloggers and fake account holders whose quest is to mislead and obscure the truth. In essence, it begins with us the Parliamentarians and Politicians.”
Delegates also heard presentations on the CPA Headquarters Secretariat’s roll-out to CPA Branches of self-assessment against the updated CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures and the CPA UK Branch’s work on Commonwealth Election Observations. They were also briefed by the CPA Headquarters Secretariat on preparations for the upcoming 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) due to take place in Uganda in September 2019. The CPA Small Branches Chairperson, Hon. Angelo Farrugia, MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Malta also attended the regional conference.
The regional conference also incorporated the CPA BIM Region’s Annual General Meeting and a reception at Government House, Guernsey.
Atlantic hurricane season begins after three years of big storms
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season begins Saturday, and US authorities are warning coastal residents to stock up on supplies and remain vigilant after a spate of intense storms in recent years.
Over the past three years, four powerful hurricanes made landfall in Florida or skirted the coast, pummelling the Sunshine State after a decade of relative calm.
For Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, this is not the time to be complacent.
"You just have to prepare every single year," Graham told AFP.
Graham, a trained meteorologist, said the number of serious storms in the last few years has made the public more aware of the need to have water, food and medicine at the ready when a storm is coming.
But unfortunately, that awareness tends to fade with time.
After a storm hits, "it's fresh on their mind. So I think you have an increased preparedness... but it's stressful too because you just went through and it's scary," Graham said.
n 2016, Hurricane Hermine was the first to strike Florida in a decade. Then came Matthew, which caused widespread damage in Haiti but largely spared Florida.
The following year, Irma wreaked havoc in the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. And in 2018, Michael — a massive category five storm — devastated the Florida Panhandle.
Other parts of the US have been hit hard in recent years — Harvey slammed Houston in 2017 and Maria ravaged Puerto Rico that same year. Last year, Florence took aim at the Carolinas.
Many of these areas are struggling to recover from damage caused by the storms.
"If the last years have taught us anything, they've taught us that we need to be prepared," said Daniel Kaniewski, who leads pre-disaster efforts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Subtropical storm Andrea jumped the gun and was the first named storm of the year, forming briefly in the Caribbean in May.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that for a week starting Friday, state residents could buy supplies for hurricane preparation tax-free, including batteries, flashlights, radios and generators.
"This tax holiday is a perfect opportunity for Floridians & residents of the Caribbean to get essential supplies and make a plan for the very real possibility of storm impact," he said in a statement.
Serena Williams debuts new high-fashion outfit for 2019 French Open
If anyone thought Serena Williams would tame her fashion after last year’s French Open catsuit controversy, she proved them wrong.
Williams, 37, took to the court Monday for her debut match at the 2019 French Open in her designer, superhero-inspired outfit.
Williams chose to go without the look's dramatic cape though to face off against Russian player Vitalia Diatchenko, whom she defeated 2-6, 6-1, 6-0.
Williams' full French Open look, a collaboration between Nike and designer Virgil Abloh, is not your average tennis skirt.
It features ruffles, a crop top, black and white print and the cape -- reportedly with the words “Mother, Champion, Queen, Goddess” printed on it in French -- that gives it a superhero vibe.
It follows last year’s controversy that saw Williams wear a Black Panther-inspired bodysuit earlier to mark her return to her first major tournament since giving birth to her daughter in 2017.
Williams, who dealt with life-threatening postpartum complications related to a pulmonary embolism, said the fitted suit was designed to protect her against blood clots.
She also used the catsuit as a form of inspiration for other moms, writing on Instagram, "Catsuit anyone? For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy—here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!!"
While Williams' catsuit won't be seen again at the French Open, her boldness did help score a victory for female tennis players.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) now allows for leggings and mid-thigh length compression shorts to be worn with or without a skirt, shorts or dress. The WTA's rules only apply to regular tournaments, not to the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the French Open, which each have their own set of rules.
Cardi B appears in court; misdemeanor assault charges could be upgraded
Cardi B appeared in criminal court in New York City Friday on the first day of her trial on misdemeanor assault charges, and there is a possibility the charges could be upgraded.
She told the judge she would not testify, and prosecutors announced that her case is now before a grand jury.
The “I Like It” rapper was arrested for allegedly throwing bottles and chairs at two female bartenders last August in the Angels strip club in Queens, New York. The altercation is believed to have started after the Grammy-winning artist accused the two women of having sex with her husband, Offset.
She previously rejected an offer to plead guilty to third-degree assault and receive a conditional discharge.
Before appearing in court, Cardi dropped her single “Press.”
Major Cycling event during Heroes day weekend
The third annual IGA National Heroes Day Cycling Classic took place on Sunday 26th May 2019 from the IGA Supermarket Parking Lot.
There were four races split over four categories, though the rains delayed the start of the races, the weather did not discourage the cyclists who showed up in record numbers. This race is always one of the most anticipated races of the year for the Federation, mainly because of the bragging rights for cyclist to have their name on the prestigious Clive Stanbrook floating Trophy.
All eyes were on defending champion Tyrone Bishop, who won in 2018.
The Winner of the Cadets (kids) race was Ethan Gardiner one of our most promising young cyclist, he was followed in second by new comer Renardo Palmer and Kymani Ewing who held his own against the older boys, in third.
The 41-mile female category was won by Gabriella Hedegus. Though she was the lone cyclist in her category, she made it her mission to surpass her personal performance in last year’s race.
The Masters and Elite categories both rode a distance of 51-miles. Masters was topped by Shanwell Gardiner followed by Dan Redmond and Fred Registre. Elite was bested by Tyrone Bishop, with Anthony Plunkett in second and Reno Palmer in third.
The honour of being named the IGA National Heroes Day Classics champion and being awarded the Clive Stanbrook Memorial Floating trophy was bestowed on the first rider from the Masters or Elite category to cross the finish line. Tyrone Bishop, the first recipient of this prestigious honour, was unable to hold on to the title for a second year. He was bested in the final sprint by Shanwell Gardiner.
June will begin the 2019 championship races beginning with the Grand Turk Classic on June 15th. There will be a championship race in Providenciales and North and Middle Caicos, leading up to the ultimate championship The Tour of the Turks and Caicos in October. The tour will include 5 stages over 4 islands. In mid-July a team will represent the Turks and Caicos Islands for the third year at the John T Memorial Classic in Anguilla.
The Turks and Caicos Cycling Federation wishes to thank our sponsor: IGA, the public who came out to support the event, the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force who kept us safe during the event. A special thank you also to the race committee and volunteers who assisted in making this event a success.
Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Edward Seaga dies at 89
Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon.Edward Seaga has died.
Seaga, who turned 89 today, is Jamaica's fifth prime minister, from 1980 to 1989, and the leader of the JLP from 1974 to 2005 when he retired from active politics.
Since his retirement he has been an honorary distinguished fellow at the professorial level at The University of the West Indies, and also serves as chancellor of the University of Technology, Jamaica.
He fell ill earlier this month and was being treated in Miami, Florida.
Current Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon. Andrew Holness wrote on twitter today that " It is with great sadness that I inform the nation of the passing of the Most Honorable Edward Phillip George Seaga, the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica." Prime Minister Holness added that Mr. Seaga transitioned on 28th May 2019 at 1pm.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Antiguan gov't says Canadian banks want to withdraw from the island
The Antigua and Barbuda government is defending its position regarding the sale of Soctiabank operations here even as it announced that all the Canadian banks operating here have expressed a desire to leave the country.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking on his private radio station, told listeners that “the Canadian banks have indicated their desire to leave, all of them, and I would expect that as they leave, that they will give local entities the first right for refusal and again we make no apologies about that”.
Browne did not name the Canadian banks desirous of leaving here, but apart from Scotiabank the other Canadian entities operating here are the Royal bank of Canada and the Canadian Imperial bank of Commerce.
Last November, the Trinidad-based Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) announced that it was seeking to acquire Scotiabank operations in several Caribbean countries.
Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana had initially expressed reservations about the proposed acquisition, with St John's indicating that it would not be issuing a vesting order to facilitate the move.
The RFHL statement said that the banks being acquired are located in Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
It said that the purchase price is US$123 million, which represents US$25 million consideration for total shareholding of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited; and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the remaining eight countries.
Antigua and Barbuda has said that it wants assurances that local banks will be given priority to purchase Scotiabank's operations on the island and that local persons' investments and savings will be protected.
Browne told radio listeners that his administration's policy regarding the sale of the bank is “not anti-capitalist, it is not anti-investment (but) it is just about protecting and growing the domestic economy.
“Our domestic banks are so small that generally speaking they are not quite bankable for corresponding banking services,” said Browne, a former senior banking executive, adding that the departure of the Canadian banks presents an opportunity for local banks to expand.
“The only how are banks are going to get to the stage where they are large enough is through inorganic growth, through acquisitions. So whereas the Canadian banks have signalled their intention to leave it is quite an opportunity for the local banks to build capacity and grow rapidly so that they can become more resilient,” Browne said, adding that the growth would ensure the maintenance of existing corresponding banking relations.
Source-CMC
France and Germany differ on Brussels' top job
Signs of disagreement have emerged between France and Germany as EU leaders meet following elections that shifted the balance in parliament.
The talks are a chance to assess the new political landscape and consider candidates for the EU's top jobs.
But the leaders of France and Germany have already suggested different figures to take over the key role of EU Commission president.
The vote saw the big centrist blocs lose their majority for the first time.
Nationalists, liberals and Greens all gained ground, leaving the EU more fragmented and the possibility of finding consensus more distant.
The talks over dinner on Tuesday may not even result in a shortlist of candidates and the haggling is likely to take months.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May is participating, but Brussels sources say there will be little or no discussion of Brexit.
It is far too early to say. Negotiations are likely to be long and tricky, with several candidates in the mix.
The role of Commission president, the body that enforces EU rules and drafts EU law, is currently held by Jean-Claude Juncker, who is at the end of his five-year term.
In 2014 Mr Juncker was chosen to head the Commission as the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) candidate, after the EPP had won the election.
But it is a much tougher challenge this time for the EPP's candidate Manfred Weber - a German - after his bloc shrank from 217 seats to 180 in the 751-seat parliament.
Arriving in Brussels, Mrs Merkel said she "of course" backed Mr Weber, with her domestic party one of those in the EPP grouping
But French President Emmanuel Macron did not even mention Mr Weber as a possible candidate, instead naming chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who is French, Danish liberal Margrethe Vestager and Dutch centre-left candidate Frans Timmermans as having the right "skills".
Mr Timmermans has described the nomination process as like the brutal TV fantasy drama Game of Thrones.
Among other EU members, the leaders of Ireland and Croatia have backed Mr Weber, Spain and Sweden support Mr Timmermans while Luxembourg has spoken for Ms Vestager.
Source-BBC
Johnson & Johnson faces trial over opioid crisis
Johnson & Johnson, one of the world's largest drug manufacturers, has gone on trial in a multi-billion dollar lawsuit by the US state of Oklahoma.
Prosecutors accuse the firm of deceptively marketing painkillers and downplaying addiction risks, fuelling a so-called "opioid epidemic".
Johnson & Johnson denies wrongdoing and says it marketed products responsibly.
It is the first of 2,000 cases brought by state, local and tribal governments against pharmaceutical firms in the US.
On average, 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Johnson & Johnson produces a fentanyl patch which can be prescribed for severe pain.
Fentanyl belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics, which change how the body feels and responds to pain. It is also used as a recreational drug, often mixed with heroin and cocaine.
In its court filing, Oklahoma alleged that Johnson & Johnson was the "kingpin" behind "the worst man-made public health crisis in [the] state's history," growing and importing raw materials which other drug-makers used for their own products.
In its opening statements to the court in the city of Norman on Tuesday, the state said that Johnson & Johnson along with Purdue Pharma - which produces the prescription painkiller OxyContin - and Israel-based Teva Pharmaceuticals had pushed doctors to prescribe more opioids in the 1990s by using misleading marketing.
State lawyer Brad Beckworth said Johnson & Johnson did so by marketing opioids as "safe and effective for everyday pain" but downplayed addictive qualities and thus helped to create a drug oversupply.
"If you have an oversupply, people will die," he said.
Mike Hunter, Oklahoma's attorney general, told the court that it was time to hold the companies "responsible for their actions".
"This is the worst manmade public health crisis in our state's history. To put it bluntly, this crisis is devastating Oklahoma," he said.
For Johnson & Johnson, lawyer Larry Ottaway said the company's marketing statements were no different to those made by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2009 which said painkillers, when properly managed, rarely caused addictions.
"We're not mocking anyone, but facts are stubborn things," he said.
The state argues that Johnson & Johnson created a public nuisance which will cost between $12.7bn (£10.02bn) and $17.5bn (£13.8bn) to remedy over the next 20 to 30 years.
But Johnson & Johnson argues that the public nuisance law does not apply in this instance.
This is the latest in a string of legal cases against painkiller manufacturers over prescription drugs.
Source-BBC
Nude Photo leaked of Iggy
Iggy Azalea has deactivated her social media accounts, after her topless photos were leaked online.
The pictures were taken during a photoshoot for GQ magazine in 2016, but never intended for publication.
The Australian rapper said she felt "blindsided, embarrassed, violated [and] angry" by the leak.
But it was the "vicious" and "vile" reactions to the photos, including men sharing sexual fantasises, that led her to erase her accounts.
"A lot of the comments I see, from men in particular, sharing their thoughts and fantasises in regards to my body has honestly disturbed me," she wrote.
"The outright wicked things people say is overwhelming and makes me feel like throwing up.
"If you've ever been humiliated before in front of family and those you care about, maybe you can relate to what I'm going through."
The photographer who took the pictures, Nino Muñoz, said on Instagram that Azalea's images were "stolen and published without my permission".
He added: "My heart goes out to anyone this situation has affected. I'm utterly outraged and will not rest until justice is served."
The images that leaked over the weekend were outtakes from a 2016 photoshoot, which were more explicit than the images published in GQ.
Azalea said she had "never consented" to their release, explaining that 'it was my understanding [that] GQ do not print topless pictures."
She wrote: "A lot of high profile women have shot covers for GQ with a strategically placed hand, etc, covering their breasts.
"I always felt they were very beautiful covers, so I jumped at the opportunity.
"I hadn't seen other women's covers leak so I felt comfortable (on a closed set) to model for such a reputable magazine knowing only the images with my hands covering [my breasts] would be considered for print."
Officially-sanctioned images from the photoshoot are still available on GQ's website, along with a story explaining how the topless photos were not intended for publication but were a "birthday gift" for her plastic surgeon Dr Ashkan Ghavami.
However, Azalea said, "There was no reason for anyone to have kept the outtakes from the shoot.
"I'm surprised and angry that they were not immediately deleted after the final images were selected."
The star said she would "press criminal charges" over the leak, and told fans she would be taking a break from social media.
"I have seen some really vicious [expletive] written in the last 24 hours and it is too much negativity for me to handle," said the 28-year-old.
"For now it's best to keep my accounts deactivated."
Source-BBC