Puerto Rico to audit power contract for Montana firm
Storm-ravaged Puerto Rico has promised a full audit of a $300m (£227m) deal won by a small electrical firm with Trump administration connections.
A US House of Representatives committee is also scrutinising the contract.
The chief executive of Whitefish Energy Holdings in Montana knows US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, while one of its investors has donated to Donald Trump.
More than 80% of Puerto Ricans remain without power more than a month after Hurricane Maria struck.
Governor Ricardo Rossello's announcement came late on Tuesday as questions mounted about the deal with Whitefish Energy Holdings, a two-year-old company that has seemingly little experience with work on this scale.
The contract, inked by Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa) in the immediate aftermath of the storm, will be paid for by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), Puerto Rican authorities have said.
A Fema spokeswoman said their organisation "had no involvement" in the deal-making process between Whitefish and Prepa.
"Fema has received the project from Prepa and it is under review to ensure it is in compliance with established procurement guidelines," she said.
Congressman Darren Soto, a Florida Democrat of Puerto Rican descent, told the BBC he will be requesting an investigation from the Department of the Interior's Inspector General.
"It is concerning that the task of rebuilding Puerto Rico's energy grid - the biggest infrastructural rebuilt in the United States since Hurricane Katrina - is being contracted solely with Whitefish Energy," he said in an email.
The House Natural Resources Committee is scrutinising the agreement.
"The size and unknown details of this contract raises numerous questions," committee spokesman Parish Braden told the BBC on Tuesday.
"This is one of many things the committee is taking a close look at as it continues to work with the resident commissioner, governor's office, and oversight board to ensure Puerto Rico's recovery is robust, effective and sustained."
Puerto Rico, a US territory whose 3.4 million residents are US citizens, was struck by two hurricanes in September - Irma and, later, the more-destructive Maria. The second storm all but wiped out the island's power grid.
Source-BBC
TCIG completes Pre-Assessment Training in preparation for its Mutual Evaluation Assessment by the CFATF
The Turks and Caicos Islands has undertaken Pre-Assessment Training in preparation for its Mutual Evaluation Assessment by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in line with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) procedures that requires each country's money laundering and terrorist financing risks to be assessed. The mutual evaluations process is the mechanism used to conduct assessments. The Pre-Assessment Training is a requirement in the mutual evaluation process.
The assessment of the effectiveness of the legislative and regulatory infrastructure of the Turks and Caicos Islands' financial sector has started by the delivery of a Technical Compliance Questionnaire which was received July 20, 2017 and to which the TCI responded on October 17, 2017. Another desk-based assessment whereby the TCI will have to provide to CFTAF Secretariat responses on the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering and combating of terrorism framework (AML/CFT) will have to be submitted. This will be followed by a two-week On-site evaluation by a CFATF assessment team early next year which will be followed by the publication of the Mutual Evaluation Report.
Around fifty stakeholders and representatives from both the public and private sectors convened for a three-day workshop at the Sands Resort in Providenciales on 18-20th of October 2017. The workshop facilitated provision of comprehensive information needed for the country to prepare for all the stages of the assessment process.
The training was divided into two sections with the first two days being geared towards the public sector and the last day for the private sector.
Announcing the completion of the Pre-Assessment Training, Chair of the lead agency, the Anti-money laundering Committee (AMLC), Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE said: "National cooperation and coordination are the keys to a successful outcome. This is major step in the preparation process here in the Turks and Caicos Islands which provides stakeholders with the necessary understanding of the Mutual Evaluation process, particularly the On-site visit. It will assist the country in being prepared to receive the Assessment Team and create awareness of the demands of the process."
The Hon. Attorney General also expressed special thanks to CFATF Deputy Executive Director Mr. Carlos Acosta and Legal Advisor Mr. Rommel St. Hill who led the training sessions. The TCI is also very grateful to the Government of Canada that facilitated the CFATF's attendance and conduct of this training.
For more information on the Mutual Evaluation Assessment process, please contact the TCI Attorney General's Chamber.
FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVE TRAINING IN PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID
Disasters such as hurricanes can have serious mental health consequences which can take the form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress, Grief or Depression. First Responders in particular, typically operate on the front lines and often work under severely stressful conditions during disasters.
To assist the country in providing mental health support to affected communities, the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services (MHAHS) along with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, welcomes Dr Claudina Cayetano, Mental Health Regional Advisor of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington DC. Dr. Cayetano has extensive experience assisting countries in developing strategies to improve national emergency responses and will be conducting Psychological First Aid training with first responders and other health professionals starting today October 25th – 26th.
This training is designed to increase competence and skills necessary to improve the mental health of adults and children who may be struggling to cope after a natural disaster. Participants of this training include Emergency Health Responders, Mental Health Department, Primary Health Care, TCI Red Cross and 911 Call Centre.
The Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services is grateful to PAHO for its offer to assist, and sees this as a great opportunity to support and further strengthen TCI's mental health services within the national emergency response.
Guyana bank directors in fraud case offered bail
Eight directors with the Guyana Bank For Trade Industry were released when they appeared in Court on Monday.
They are all charged with failing to comply with an order of the High Court, in relation to providing information about the movement of US$500 million in the account of the Guyana Rice Development Board.
Attorney Nigel Hughes who represented the eight accused – Chairman Robin Stoby and Directors, Edward A Beharry, Suresh Beharry, Kathryn Eytle-McLean, Richard Isava, Carlton James, Basil Mahadeo and acting Chief Executive Officer Shaleeza Shaw, said the stance taken by the court was nothing more than an abuse of prosecutorial power.
The accused denied the allegation which stated that on the 7th of September, they failed to comply with a Court order made by the Chief Justice.
According to Hughes, his clients were following the Court order and were last Friday granted an extension by the Chief Justice to turn over all the relevant information to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
SOCU recently launched an investigation into tracking down over US$500M that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) handled as far back as 2010.
During the investigation, GBTI and SOCU battled over information concerning the GRDB accounts. SOCU believes the documents could possibly point to major fraud taking place at the GRDB under the previous government.
Source-CMC
CDB: Technical support, diversity critical in Caribbean’s shift to clean energy
As the Caribbean makes the shift to clean energy, governments need technical support to plan for and implement new technologies. In addition, sector stakeholders could accelerate the Region’s transition to renewables by building diverse partnerships and networks, and improving their engagement with the wider public. These were key themes in the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) presentations during the 2017 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Miami, Florida from October 18 to 20.
Tessa Williams-Robertson, Head of the Bank’s Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency Unit, told participants at the Utility Leaders Workshop that Caribbean Governments have been focusing on improving efficiency in utility operations as they work towards reducing spending on electricity.
“In every case, governments are committed to reducing tariffs to consumers, recognising the dampening impact of high electricity costs on growth. Interventions that contribute to efficiency in utility operations are therefore welcomed, and recent reductions in the prices for lithium-ion batteries has everyone’s attention,” said Williams-Robertson.
She also mentioned that there were still development and planning challenges to be overcome as utilities and governments look at integrating battery storage into their electricity grids. This integration could improve the reliability of renewable energy supply, particular during periods of peak demand.
“Microgrids, the operational impacts of variable renewable energy and how battery storage may be integrated, and its potential value as direct replacement for baseload, are all being studied by several utilities and other stakeholders. However, guidance and technical support are needed for assessing and planning suitable solutions for individual electric grids,” Williams-Robertson told participants.
At the event sponsored by CDB and the Government of Canada, attendees also heard about developments in battery storage and got an introduction to a roadmap that could guide them through the design and implementation of projects integrating the technology. The presentation, designed to improve utility leaders’ understanding of how and when to invest in energy storage, was commissioned by CDB through the Canadian Support to the Energy Sector in the Caribbean Fund.
The Bank also participated in the panel discussion, “Caribbean Energy Leadership and the Power of Networks.” During the session, Williams-Robertson called for diversity in partnerships and improved stakeholder engagement to drive the transformation of the Caribbean’s energy sector. She encouraged the audience to involve diverse groups in the process, including players who work outside of the sector, those in non-technical positions, and the youth, while communicating about energy in a more simple way.
While at CREF, CDB’s energy specialists held discussions with sector stakeholders, hosted delegates at their booth, and helped participants better understand how the Bank supports sustainable energy projects in the Caribbean Region.
CREF, now in its ninth year, is the largest annual gathering of the Caribbean energy market and brought together more than 500 representatives from academia, governments, utilities, multilateral institutions and investment companies.
China vows to continue lobbying for Caribbean
China says it will stand with small island states in the Caribbean which have been lobbying multilateral institutions that put restrictions on them in receiving concessionary loans and grants because of their designations as middle-income countries.
Zhang Run, the deputy director general at the Latin America and Caribbean Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Beijing, made the announcement at a briefing with journalists from the region.
China, a rising world economic power, said that in addition to lobbying multilateral institutions on behalf of small island states in the Caribbean, it will also continue to provide support for the region.
“I fully understand the concerns and China will continue to lobby on behalf of the Caribbean and will collaborate with multilateral institutions for more resources for Caribbean countries,” said Zhang.
Zhang, meanwhile, announced that China recently donated cash and hurricane relief items to Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda. Dominica received US$800,000 in cash and relief items and another US$3 million in assistance channelled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), while Dominica received US$500,000 in cash and another US$2 million through the UNDP.
Jamaica and other members of the Caribbean Community have, over the years, complained that the middle-income designation prevents regional countries from getting concessionary loans and other special treatment from multilateral institutions.
Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet had earlier this month promised to use “important meetings” in the United States to push the international community to rethink its policies regarding regional countries that are no longer eligible for concessionary loans and other forms of preferential treatment.
Chastanet, the chairman of the subregional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), who was leading a delegation to the hurricane-battered island of Dominica where he held talks with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said he hoped the visit later in the month by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to the hurricane-affected countries would also help provide an impetus for change.
Chastanet also said he hoped the visit would help persuade the international community that small island states are vulnerable and can have their economies wiped out by just one natural disaster, despite their designation as middle-income countries.
“I am convinced, and certainly in the discussions I had with him, that he (Guterres) would become a champion for our cause, and again I am sorry that it is the people of Dominica who have had to suffer to this extent in order for us to make that message known to everybody,” Chastanet said ahead of the UN chief's visit.
It is, however, not clear what was the outcome of subsequent discussions between the Caribbean Community and multi-lateral institutions in the United States.
However, Guterres, after viewing hurricane devastation in Dominica, said he would make a case for special consideration for mid-to-high income vulnerable states that have been “deprived” of concessional loans.
Dominica, as well as Antigua and Barbuda, which was also hit by a powerful hurricane earlier, due to their high per capita incomes, have advanced or “graduated” from the low-income least developed country (LDC) designation to upper-middle income.
“Most of the countries impacted are middle-income countries and because of that, they are deprived of the form of assistance or concessional loans that low-income countries can have access to,” said Guterres after touring the two hurricane-battered countries.
“The fact is that even though these countries have graduated as middle-income countries, they have a number of vulnerabilities that need to be taken into account if we want them to be sustainable as middle-income countries,” he added.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Janet Jackson not "banned" from NFL halftime show, but NFL won't speculate on "potential guests"
Calm down, Twitterverse. Janet Jackson is not "banned for life" from the Super Bowl halftime show.
Following the news that Justin Timberlake would be headlining the 2018 halftime show, Janet Jackson fans took to Twitter to decry the fact that JT was "allowed" back following the duo's infamous 2004 "Nipplegate" performance, while Janet has supposedly been "banned" from ever performing at the event again.
In a statement to ABC News, an NFL spokesperson insisted, "There’s no ban." As for those fans who'd like to see Janet join Justin onstage in February, he added, "We are not going to comment on any speculation regarding potential guests. There may be no guests."
The spokesperson added, "Along with Pepsi, we’re excited to have Justin Timberlake. Like the elite NFL players who can run, catch, and block, Justin can do it all -- sing, dance, act and entertain. He’s the ultimate global superstar who we know will put on an entertaining and unifying show that will appeal to the massive worldwide audience."
In 2004, Justin and Janet were performing Justin's song "Rock Your Body" when he tore a part of her costume off, exposing her breast, naked save for a strategically-placed pastie. It is widely believed that JT, as a white male, emerged unscathed from the incident, while Janet's career suffered. Based on the reaction from the Twitterverse, many fans agree with this viewpoint, and feel that Justin "owes" Janet an apology for his role in the debacle.
As one fan wrote, "Unless Justin Timberlake starts his set by introducing Janet Jackson with an apology and then continues watching quietly while she does 12 minutes of her catalog solo, the Super Bowl can keep this halftime show."
Source- ABC
JAY-Z all-star Tidal X concert raised $3.7 million for disaster relief
JAY-Z's star-studded Tidal X: Brooklyn charity concert raised nearly four million dollars to assist victims of the recent natural disasters.
The third annual show, held on October 17 at Barclays Center in New York City, featured over 40 performers, including Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Lopez, DJ Khaled, Chris Brown, Cardi B, Fat Joe, Remy Ma. Yo Gotti, Vic Mensa, A$AP Ferg, Iggy Izalea, and Donnie McClurkin..
The concert raised money to assist victims of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria and the earthquakes in Mexico. Organizations receiving funds include Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico, Greater Houston Community Foundation, Miami Community Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity in Puerto Rico, according to Variety.
Tidal, Jay-Z’s streaming service, has also sent more than 500,000 pounds of water, clothes and supplies to Puerto Rico.
Source-ABC
Boo 2! A Madea Halloween scares off Geostorm and The Snowman with $21.65 million debut
Boo 2! A Madea Halloween topped the weekend box office, easily crushing this weekend's other big releases, Geostorm and The Snowman, with an estimated $21.65 million haul. It becomes the eighth film in Tyler Perry's Madea series to top the $20 million mark in its debut. (TRAILER CONTAINS MILD PROFANITY)
Geostorm -- starring Gerard Butler, Andy Garcia and Ed Harris -- settled for second place, earning an estimated $13.3 million, followed by Happy Death Day taking third place, with an estimated $9.37 million.
Bowing in fourth place was Blade Runner 2049, hauling in an estimated $7.15 million.
The second of the weekend's new releases, Only the Brave -- starring Josh Brolin and Miles Teller -- rounded out the top five with an estimated $6 million take.
The Snowman -- starring Michael Fassbender, J.K. Simmons, John Voight and Val Kilmer -- posted a disappointing eighth place finish, earning an estimated $3.4 million.
Another debut, the Greg Kinnear and Renée Zellweger-led Same Kind of Different as Me, failed to crack the top 10, earning an estimated $2.56 million.
Here are the top 10 movies from Friday through Sunday, with estimated weekend gross ticket sales:
1. Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, $21.65 million
2. Geostorm, $13.3 million
3. Happy Death Day, $9.37 million
4. Blade Runner 2049, $7.15 million
5. Only the Brave, $6 million
6. The Foreigner, $5.45 million
7. It, $3.5 million
8. The Snowman, $3.4 million
9. American Made, $3.16 million
10. Kingsman: The Golden Circle, $3 million
Source-ABC
Man allegedly inspired by ISIS arrested in plot to bomb Miami shopping center
A Miami-area man has been arrested for allegedly plotting to plant a bomb at a Miami shopping mall, two people familiar with the matter told ABC News Sunday.
The man, Vicente Solano, was allegedly inspired by ISIS, as first reported by the Miami Herald.
Solano was caught up in an FBI sting operation, where he allegedly thought he was engaging with a like-minded radical but was actually in touch with someone working for the FBI, the sources said.
He never had access to any real, operative explosives because the device he was allegedly planning to use was inert, they said.
He will be charged with an offense related to use of a weapon of mass destruction, one of the sources told ABC News.
The Dolphin Mall was his alleged target, the Herald reported, adding that he was scheduled to have his first appearance in Miami federal court Monday to face a criminal complaint and affidavit.
Source-ABC