Motion Picture Academy president accused of sexual harassment
If change has to come from the top, then Hollywood may be in trouble.
Variety reports that John Bailey, the 75-year-old president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has been accused of sexual harassment and the Academy is now investigating three different claims against him.
Last October, the Academy expelled Harvey Weinstein for alleged sexual misconduct and in December, it established new rules stating that members can be ejected for harassment, abuse or discrimination. Earlier this month, the Academy, which hands out the Oscars, replaced Casey Affleck as a presenter on the awards telecast because he settled two sexual harassment lawsuits in 2010.
In a statement to ABC, the Academy said, "[We] treat any complaints confidentially to protect all parties. The Membership Committee reviews all complaints brought against Academy members according to our Standards of Conduct process, and after completing reviews, reports to the Board of Governors. We will not comment further on such matters until the full review is completed."
Bailey is a former cinematographer who worked on movies like The Big Chill and Groundhog Day. He was elected president this past August. Variety reports that when he succeeded outgoing president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, there were concerns that as a 75-year-old white man, Bailey wasn't the best choice to lead the Academy at a time when it was trying to diversify its membership.
When asked about that by Variety last year, he said, "What you just said is bulls***. I was born a white man, and I can’t help it that I’m 75 years old. Is this some sort of limiting factor?”
Source-ABC
BEACHES BLOWN AWAY BY CHESHIRE HALL
The Provo Premier League continues and Beaches TCI suffered against Cheshire Hall 3 to 1 on Saturday 10th March 2018.
Coach Swaby's steady Cheshire Hall team took on Johnny Suckrajh's Beaches team, languishing without a win and it was Cheshire Hall who came out on top through their in form young striker Jeanlis Job.
Job has had injury issues over the last couple of years and had been playing in goal, but has been healing nicely and was able to back up the frontline this season.
After just two minutes, he threaded his way through the Beaches defence and managed to surprise the keeper to make it 0-1.
Ten minutes later, saw him producing another superb overhead kick from a cross from the left, which was followed by a deft chip over the keeper 34 minutes into the game.
Beaches huffed and puffed but didn't have the firepower up front to cause too many problems to the Cheshire Hall keeper. Steve Kendrew told RTC Sports that Beaches seemed to lack some structure and organisation this season so far, and a lot of work needs to be done.
Kendrew further added that Cheshire Hall are an improving side, and the likely later kick-offs, as the evenings get longer will help them in future games.
There were strong performances in the Cheshire Hall team this week, including Wilwood Telfort, Ganel Joseph and the dependable Jackson Joseph but the star of the show has to be Jeanlis Job.
Games will continue at the TCIFA field on Saturday’s at 4pm.
Restoration of Water Services – Salt Cay, TCI
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning in collaboration with the Water Undertaking Unit within the Department of Public Works would like to advise the residents of Salt Cay as well as the general public of the following measures aimed at restoring water services on Salt Cay:
- Effective Friday 16th March, 2018, a chartered vessel will deliver water supplies to Salt Cay as a temporary measure
- A technician will be on the ground as of Tuesday 20th March, 2018 to repair the Reverse Osmosis unit. When these works are completed and the plant is back online, it is expected that the unit will begin with the immediate water production for distribution to the general public
- A team from the Public Works Department will also conduct a damage assessment of the storage facilities with the view to begin repair works
- Funding for these works have been requested and we are now awaiting final approval
We do apologize for all that has happened and ask for your continued patience, as we work through this very serious matter.
OVER 150 TRAINED IN STRATEGIC BUDGET REFORM (March 5-16, 2018)
The Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment in collaboration with the IMF's Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), conducted training for over 150 policy makers and program managers across Government and Statutory Bodies between March 5 -16, 2018.
Since the 2015-16 financial year, the Turks & Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) with the assistance of CARTAC implemented a number of changes to the way the annual budget is prepared. These changes which fall under the heading of 'strategic budget reform', have been designed to strengthen fiscal discipline so that the Government's finances are sustainable in the long term. The changes were implemented to ensure that budget spending decisions are more consistent with national policy priorities so as to achieve the best possible value for money from available resources.
The strategic budgeting approach has been built around two key components –
(i) the introduction of a rolling three-year budget and forward estimates that establish 'hard' annual and medium term budget ceilings for each ministry; and
(ii) the presentation of budget estimates in a program budget format which will set out the objectives, key strategies and performance indicators for each budget program.
Like most developing countries the Public Financial Management (PFM) framework in the TCI is evaluated using international standards that are developed by agencies such as Public Expenditure Financial Accountability (PEFA). These standards were recently revised to place greater emphasis on measurement of performances, including developing programmes performance indicators by gender.
During the two weeks of training, program managers were brought together in workshops to strengthen and improve program structures, program performance information and develop monitoring regimes that they may use to monitor and evaluate program performance.
The Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment hopes that participants will utilize the information obtained in the training sessions to enhance their annual budget submissions.
The annual budget, is expected to be tabled in the House of Assembly in the upcoming weeks.
UK EXPRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT ILLEGAL SLOOPS FROM HAITI
The UK Government has been following with concern the recent dramatic increase in the number of illegal sloops reaching TCI from Haiti. The UK government is considering immediate practical steps to help the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to deal with the situation including the possible deployment of a Royal Navy vessel to carry out maritime patrols and aerial surveillance.
The UK government is also in discussion with regional partners about possible assistance that can be deployed quickly to address the situation.
Additionally, the UK Government is funding the cost of the upgrades to the TCI coastal radar at a cost of over $500,000. The radar equipment and technicians have already arrived in TCI and work is underway.
Commenting on the situation, Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Mrs. Anya Williams, said "I have been in frequent, active dialogue with the Governor while on leave in the UK and with the TCI Government, the police and border control officials over the past week on the country's response to this worrying recent surge in the number of illegal sloops from Haiti.
I have alerted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to these developments and requested assistance from the UK Government to help TCI deal with the problem.
I am glad that the UK Government is considering as matter of urgency immediate measures that will help us tackle the problem."
En Vogue riding a “Rocket” for first hit in over 20 years
En Vogue dominated the 90s with six number one R&B singles, and now the “Funky Divas” are making a strong comeback with their first hit in over two decades.
Their new single “Rocket” is living up to its name, flying up the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart to number ten. This is their first top ten hit since “Whatever” reached number eight in 1997.
“Rocket,” written by Ne-Yo, is the single from En Vogue’s first new album in 14 years, Electric Cafe, due out April 6.
The group will kick off a European tour April 2 in Dublin, Ireland, and will also perform several spring and summer shows in the United States, including dates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, Houston, and Washington, D.C.
Source-ABC
Trade wars are good, says Trump
US President Donald Trump has said "trade wars are good", amid controversy over his decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
He tweeted that the US was "losing billions of dollars on trade" and would find a trade war "easy to win".
On Thursday he said steel imports would face a 25% tariff and aluminium 10%.
Canada and the EU said they would bring forward their own countermeasures. Mexico, China and Brazil have also said they are considering retaliatory steps.
Critics argue that the tariffs would fail to protect American jobs and would ultimately raise prices for consumers.
The news sent shares down around the world on Friday, with Wall Street stock markets opening sharply lower.
In a tweet early on Friday, Mr Trump said the US would "win big" in a trade war.
He later followed this up with further tweets, saying the US must "protect our country and our workers" and that the trade deficit left him with no choice on tariffs.
The combative posts follow Thursday's assertion on Twitter that US steel and aluminium industries had been "decimated" by trade policies.
"We must not let our country, companies and workers be taken advantage of any longer," he said.
The US imports steel from more than 100 nations and brings in four times more steel from abroad than it exports.
Since 2000, the US steel industry has suffered, with production dropping from 112m tons to 86.5m tons in 2016, and the number of employees in steel work falling from 135,000 to 83,600 in the same period.
Source-BBC
TCI Passes on Chairmanship of OCTA after successful year
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Premier, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson along with a delegation consisting of the Deputy Governor and EU Program Manager, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Permanent Secretary of Finance, Athenee Basden, Director of the Office of the Premier Ronlee James, TCI UK Representative and Head of the London Office, Tracy Knight and Consular Officer, Kimo Tynes attended the Ministerial Conference of the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union (OCTA) and 16th annual European Union Overseas Countries and Territories Forum in Brussels, Belgium on the 22 and 23 of February, 2018.
The Turks and Caicos Islands has had a long relationship with European Union and as such the islands have significantly benefitted in expertise, advice and financial assistance over the years. The TCI most recently benefitted from two European Development Funds (EDF) 10 and 11 and is also a participant in several Regional EU Programs. Under the EDF 11 Program, which is focused on improvements in the education sector and sustainable energy, marine biodiversity, climate change and disaster risk reduction.
Commenting on the EU Forum and the continued partnership between the TCI and the EU, Premier Hon. Cartwright-Robinson said; "The Turks and Caicos continues to benefit over the years from funding through the European Development Fund programme, but moreover, the past several days spent with fellow OCTA Leaders and Representatives as well as European the Commission, signify to me their commitment to issues we face both collectively and individually. It has been a rewarding year as Chair of OCTA and we look forward to continuing our relationship, building on the successes we both share.
"Last year on assuming the Chair of OCTA, I outlined that one of the main areas my government would be focused on is the environment and renewable energy for the long-term protection, survival and vitality of our marine and eco environments and I was pleased to report on the success we have had at that, particularly in light of experiencing two major hurricanes in 2017. But my governments commitment doesn't end there. I remain steadfast to the issues around Climate Change, a specific concern to all members of OCTA and which remit falls under my office, as we have begun to identify initiatives that will lower our carbon emission and footprint and increase our adaptability."
Deputy Governor and EU Program Manager Her Excellency Anya Williams added; "As the European Development Fund Program Manager for the past five (5) years since the Turks and Caicos Islands was reinstated into the program in 2008, I am happy to report that the TCI currently manages one of the most successful EU programs in the region. Programming Documents for the 11th EDF which focuses on the Education Sector were the 2nd in the region to be signed at the 15th OCT Forum held in Aruba in February 2017 and work is already well underway through the development of a new Education Sector Policy, the tendering of the construction of a new primary school on the island of Providenciales and a number of key strategic reforms in the education sector. "We are grateful for our continued partnership with the EU and for the early release of the first tranche of $4m under this program which was received shortly after the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in Sept2017 to assist with any potential cash shortfalls. The Turks and Caicos has already submitted an application for emergency relief funding under the EDF 11 B Envelope to assist with rebuilding works required in our education sector and is also a part of the Regional Program which will be focusing on Renewable Energy and Marine Biodiversity, along with the Thematic Program which will be focusing on Climate Change.
We register our thanks to our technical team the PS Finance Mrs. Athenee Basden and Director of Strategic Policy and Planning Mrs. Kathleen Forbes (Deputy Program Manager) for their continued assistance in managing the EU work programs and along with colleagues in the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning and Ministry of Tourism and the Environment look forward to even further progress on the EDF 11, Regional and Thematic work programs."
As the Chair of OCTA, the Premier was responsible for chairing the Ministerial Conference of OCTA and round table discussions, with her Ministerial colleagues. This year, the TCI also participated in a one-day meeting on oceans organised by OCTA, under the theme "More than 17,000,000 Km2 of Ocean Policy: OCTs and the Sustainable Management of the Ocean and its resources". During that discussion, the Premier highlighted her governments challenges and commitment to the issues faced including: challenges with pollution, fisheries, new opportunities for blue growth and new opportunities for research.
It is customary for the Chair of OCTA to host a Gala Dinner in honour of the delegates, officials and guests who have travelled to the host country, or in this instance Brussels, for the auspicious occasion.
This year the Premier, as Chair, brought some of Turks and Caicos' best cultural performers along with her to treat guests to a taste of TCI's culture, with musicians Quinton Dean and Lindsey "Zeus" Butterfield, as well as London based students Renate Hinds and Mary Fulford who performed both songs and poetry.
At the conclusion of the week of meetings, French Polynesia was elected as Chair of OCTA and thanked the TCI for its leadership over the past year and welcomed all to Tahiti next year where the next OCTA Ministerial and OCT EU Form 2019.
Inter-Caribbean Airways Announces Dominica to Tortola and St Lucia Services
Inter-Caribbean Airways has announced new nonstop schedule services from Dominica to St Lucia and Tortola, with one-stop connections via Tortola to St Thomas, St Croix, Sint Maarten, San Juan, Providenciales and Santo Domingo.
The latest information from the airline, release Sunday, says Travelers can also make two-stop connections via Inter-Caribbean flights to Kingston and Nassau. Flights to and from Dominica begin on Thursday, March 22 with three weekly flights.
“We are pleased to begin connecting Dominica with our Caribbean, bringing affordable air fares to this latest Inter-Caribbean destination,” said the airline’s CEO Trevor Sadler.
“We look forward to welcoming citizens and residents aboard and adding new connections and cities that Dominica can enjoy,” Sadler further added.
Colin Piper, Director of Tourism in Dominica, said the new service, which gives Dominicans new choices to fly to and from the island and more connections to other places, is very timely.
Racist’s Name Stripped from Hall of Residence at UWI St Augustine Campus
The oldest Halls of Residence at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) St Augustine Campus, has officially dropped the name of a racist British Colonial Governor in South Africa.
What was once Milner Hall of Residence, named after Lord Alfred Milner, is now Freedom Hall.
The process to review the name started last October, after having gained approval of the Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GPC) on the recommendation of a report compiled by Pro Vice-Chancellor Alan Cobley, Professor of South African History.
The report confirmed the association of Lord Milner with crimes against humanity in Africa among other actions driven by his self-proclaimed ‘British race supremacy’ ideology.
The name review process included a series of consultations with key stakeholders of The UWI St. Augustine Campus including Hall residents and a wider call to all students, staff and alumni to recommend alternative names.
The final decision was made on the recommendation of current residents of Milner Hall.
The new name was approved by both the Campus Finance and General Purposes Committee earlier this month and the University-wide Finance and General Purposes Committee on Tuesday.
Campus Principal, Professor Brian Copeland expressed his satisfaction with the process.
“I am pleased that due process was followed with transparency and that consultation was prioritised. The result is a new name and our new focus will be on helping our students, particularly the residents of Freedom Hall to adjust to the change,” he said.