Bell Biv DeVoe ready to kick off Three Stripes tour with En Vogue and SWV
After releasing their first new CD in 16 years in January, Bell Biv DeVoe is headlining a new tour beginning tomorrow...with special guests En Vogue and SWV.
Named after BBD's Three Stripes CD, the tour includes 16 dates, beginning Saturday in Jacksonville, FL. Stops also include Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston, Chicago, and New York City.
SWV is featured on the song “Finally” on Three Stripes. En Vogue is preparing to release their first new CD in 13 years, Electric Café, which will drop this summer.
There are the tour dates:
5/3 -- Jacksonville, FL, Metropolitan Park
5/14 -- St. Petersburg, FL, Mahaffey Theater
5/20 -- Atlanta, GA, Wolf Creek Amphitheater
5/26 -- Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
5/27 -- Niagara Falls, NY, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
6/1 -- Philadelphia, PA, Mann Center for the Performing Arts
6/ 2 -- Brooklyn, NY, Kings Theater
6/9 -- Dallas, TX, Verizon Theatre
6/10 -- Little Rock, AR, First Security Amphitheater
6/16 -- St. Louis, MO, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
6/17 -- Kansas City, MO Providence Amphitheater
7/2 -- Houston, TX, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
7/22 -- Chicago, IL, Firstmerit Bank Pavilion
7/28 -- Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati Music Festival
7/29 -- Detroit, MI, Chene Park Amphitheater
8/6 -- Columbia, MD, Merriweather Post Pavilion
Source-ABC
Countries hit by huge cyberextortion attack
Dozens of countries were hit with a huge cyberextortion attack Friday that locked up computers and held users' files for ransom at a multitude of hospitals, companies and government agencies.
The attack appeared to exploit a vulnerability that was purportedly identified by the U.S. National Security Agency for its own intelligence-gathering purposes and was later leaked to the internet.
Britain's national health service was hit hard, its hospitals forced to close wards and emergency rooms. Spain, Portugal and Russia were also struck. Several cybersecurity firms said they had identified the malicious software behind the attack in upward of 60 countries, with Russia apparently the hardest hit.
The Russian Interior Ministry confirmed it was among those that fell victim to the "ransomware" — software that locks up a computer and typically flashes a message demanding payment to release the user's data.
Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at Helsinki-based cybersecurity company F-Secure, called it "the biggest ransomware outbreak in history."
Security experts said the attack appeared to be caused by a self-replicating piece of software that takes advantages of vulnerabilities in older versions of Microsoft Windows. It spreads from computer to computer as it finds exposed targets.
Its ransom demands start at $300 and increase after two hours to US$400, US$500 and then US$600, said Kurt Baumgartner, a security researcher at Kaspersky Lab.
The security holes it exploits were disclosed several weeks ago by TheShadowBrokers, a mysterious group that has repeatedly published what it says are hacking tools used by the NSA as part of its intelligence-gathering.
Shortly after that disclosure, Microsoft announced that it had already issued software "patches" for those holes. But many companies and individuals haven't installed the fixes yet or are using older versions of Windows that Microsoft no longer supports and didn't fix.
Chris Wysopal of the software security firm Veracode said criminal organizations were probably behind the attack, given how quickly the malware spread.
"For so many organizations in the same day to be hit, this is unprecedented," Wysopal said.
By one security firm's count, the malware struck at least 74 countries, including the U.S., where its effects seemed muted. In addition to Russia, the biggest targets appeared to be Ukraine and India, nations where it is common to find older versions of Windows in use.
Experts said the malware enters companies and organizations when employees click on email attachments, then spreads quickly internally when employees share documents and other files.
Hospitals across Britain found themselves without access to their computers or phone systems. Many canceled all routine procedures and asked patients not to come to the hospital unless it was an emergency. Doctors' practices and pharmacies reported similar problems.
Patrick Ward, a 47-year-old sales director, said his heart operation, scheduled for Friday, was canceled at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
Tom Griffiths, who was at the hospital for chemotherapy, said several cancer patients had to be sent home because their records or bloodwork couldn't be accessed.
"Both staff and patients were frankly pretty appalled that somebody, whoever they are, for commercial gain or otherwise, would attack a health care organization," he said. "It's stressful enough for someone going through recovery or treatment for cancer."
British Prime Minister Theresa May said there was no evidence patient data had been compromised and added that the attack had not specifically targeted the National Health Service.
"It's an international attack and a number of countries and organizations have been affected," she said.
Spain, meanwhile, took steps to protect critical infrastructure in response to the attack. The government said it was communicating with more than 100 energy, transportation, telecommunications and financial services providers about the attack.
Spain's Telefonica, a global broadband and telecommunications company, was among the companies hit.
Ransomware attacks are on the rise around the world. In 2016, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in California said it had paid a $17,000 ransom to regain control of its computers from hackers.
Krishna Chinthapalli, a doctor at Britain's National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery who wrote a paper on cybersecurity for the British Medical Journal, warned that British hospitals' old operating systems and confidential patient information made them an ideal target for blackmailers.
He said many NHS hospitals in Britain use Windows XP software, introduced in 2001, and as government funding for the health service has been squeezed, "IT budgets are often one of the first ones to be reduced."
"Looking at the trends, it was going to happen," he said. "I did not expect an attack on this scale. That was a shock.
Windies crawl to 218-5 at stumps against Pakistan
West Indies replicated their opponents' dour batting effort in crawling to 218 for five off 100 overs in reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 376 at stumps on day three of the third and final Test at Windsor Park in Dominica on Friday.Leg-spinner Yasir Shah lifted his series-leading wicket tally to 20 with three victims in the morning session but the home side then showed resolve with all-rounder Roston Chase leading the defiance in a topscore of 60 before being forced to retire hurt in the final session.
Struck painfully on the right elbow attempting a pull at Mohammad Amir operating with the second new ball, the lanky right-hander's departure after 190 minutes at the crease gave Pakistan a measure of optimism which was heightened when Vishaul Singh fell leg-before to Mohammad Abbas to make the score 189 for five.
However captain Jason Holder, despite sustaining a painful blow as well on his left shoulder, held firm with Shane Dowrich and the pair will resume on the fourth morning heartened by the prospect of Chase returning at the fall of the next wicket to continue his innings.
For all of Shah's perseverance and the efforts of the fast-medium bowlers it was Azhar Ali's part-time leg-spin which broke a stubborn 55-run fourth-wicket partnership between Chase and Shai Hope in mid-afternoon.
Having batted grittily for almost three hours, Hope mistimed a drive off the very last ball of the post-lunch session to be caught for 29. He was a model of correctness and discipline until his critical error of judgement.
In contrast, Chase played more positively. Nevertheless both found run-scoring difficult and had moments of good fortune.
Troubled again by Shah operating round the wicket, Chase was given out on 23, caught at slip by Younis Khan as he swung at the leg-spinner. However the decision of standing umpire Richard Illingworth was overturned on review of the television replays.
There was more frustration for the bowler in his very next over as Asad Shafiq failed to hold on to a fierce square-cut from Hope. Earlier, Shah raised Pakistan's hopes of dismissing the West Indies cheaply despite the placid pitch.
He broke a 43-run opening partnership when Kieran Powell's miscued heave was well caught by Azhar Ali running in off the boundary.
With Kraigg Brathwaite plodding along in his usual stoic manner at the other end, Shimron Hetmyer sought to seize the initiative only for Shah to bring his enterprise to an end when an original "not out" verdict by presiding umpire Bruce Oxenford for an appeal for a leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed was overturned on television review.
There was no doubt though to Ahmed's second dismissal of the morning as Brathwaite, who had grafted his way to 29 off 123 deliveries through three-and-a-half hours, pushed forward to Shah in the last over before the interval and edged a catch high to the wicketkeeper's right.
CARICOM miffed over US label as money launderers
The 15-nation Caribbean community is angry at the United States for labeling virtually all members of the regional trade bloc as money laundering jurisdictions and plans to mount a stiff lobbying effort in Washington, its leader said Friday.CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque said the United States's listing 14 member states in its 2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report could have devastating effects on the region.
Most of the countries have economies heavily dependent on tourism and financial services such as offshore banking and economic citizenships.
"I think these unilateral blacklistings are not helping anything," he said, adding that "there ought to be some discussion and transparency on how these lists are arrived at."
La Rocque spoke to AFP after the issue was discussed by CARICOM trade ministers at a two-day meeting in Guyana, on the northeast coast of South America.
He said that when CARICOM foreign ministers meet in Barbados next month, they would prepare the groundwork to intensify regional lobbying efforts that individual member states have already begun in Washington.
The only CARICOM member state not blacklisted by Washington was Montserrat, a British overseas territory.
La Rocque insisted CARICOM members comply with international norms for fighting money laundering.
"And all of a sudden we see these unilateral blacklistings. This is not the way to do it," he said.
In recent years, a number of US commercial banks have cut relationships with some banks across the Caribbean in an effort to reduce the risk of being exposed to movement of dirty money across borders, as part of the global fight against money laundering and terror financing.
Listed as "major money laundering countries" in the INCS report are Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Other Caribbean territories and countries also labeled as money launderers in the US report are Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, the Dominican Republic and Saint Maarten.
Also listed are Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and United Kingdom.
Source-AFP
Treasury Unit to Reportedly Share Records with Senate for Trump-Russia Probe
A unit of the U.S. Treasury Department that fights money laundering will provide financial records to an investigation by the Senate into possible ties between Russia and President Donald Trump and his associates, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Senate Intelligence Committee asked for the records from the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, late last month, the Journal cited the people as saying.
One person said the records were needed to decide whether there was collusion between Trump associates and Russia during the 2016 campaign, the Journal said.
Representatives for FinCEN and Republican Senator Richard Burr, the intelligence committee chairman, declined to comment, the Journal said.
The Senate probe took on added significance after Trump dismissed FBI Director James Comey earlier this week amid an agency investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible Moscow ties to the Trump presidential campaign.
The House of Representatives intelligence panel is conducting a similar probe.
Michelle Obama Criticizes Trump School Lunch Directives
Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama has criticized the new Trump administration's directives on school lunches during her first high-profile public appearance since leaving the White House.
Obama, who led a nationwide effort to reduce childhood obesity while first lady, told an annual health conference Friday in Washington that more nutritious school lunches are important because millions of children receive federally subsidized meals at school.
The Trump administration recently said it would delay federal rules promoted by Obama aimed at trying to make school lunches healthier.
Without mentioning the Trump administration by name, Obama urged parents to think about the new government directives and the motives behind them.
"I don't care what state you live in, take me out of the equation — like me, don't like me — but think about why someone is OK with your kids eating crap. Why would you celebrate that?" she said during the keynote speech.
She said healthier school lunches should not be a political issue.
"You have to stop and think, 'Why don't you want our kids to have good food at school?' What is wrong with you? And why is that a partisan issue? Why would that be political? What is going on?' " she asked.
In one of his first major actions, Sonny Perdue, Trump's new agriculture secretary, said the department will delay some school lunch rules, including reducing sodium in the meals and increasing whole wheat.
If kids aren't eating the food and it's ending up in the trash, they aren't getting any nutrition ... undermining the intent of the program," Perdue said earlier this month. The secretary said he appreciates what Obama wanted to do, but he said his department wants to adjust the program to make the healthier food more appetizing.
Under the 2012 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, schools that wanted federal meal subsidies would have to put limits on salt and fat in lunches, and add more fruit, vegetables and whole grains to the menus.
Health experts say U.S. children do not exercise enough and that one child in six is overweight.
Source-VOA
Tourism expert warns TCI to regularize Airbnb ASAP
FORMER Bahamian Tourism Minister, Vincent Vanterpool-Wallace has strongly urged the Turks and Caicos Islands government to put regulations in place as soon as possible to regulate airbnbs and VRBOs in the country.
Vanterpool-Wallace's firm urging came just a few weeks ago during a business conference hosted by Fortis TCI here in the TCI.
It also came at a time when the government is only now talking about regulating this emerging vacation rental service in the country, and when many hotels are protesting the unfair advantage VRBOs have over traditional options.
But Vanterpool-Wallace's warning not only focused on the unfairness of these rental options, the thrust of his argument was the potential and known damage that these business have had on other countries – such as the Bahamas - and what it can have on the Turks and Caicos's very highly rated and sought after tourism product.
The former CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation noted that a study of some Caribbean countries has indicated that the Turk and Caicos has the highest potential for bad deals where AirBnB and VRBO are concerned.
"The bad deal is that Airbnb has the potential to disrupt the business model that was put in place here... when you begin to see some new clusters of people coming in... you've got a problem."
Vanterpool-Wallace's reference to the local business model harkens back to earlier statements he had made at the Fortis conference.
Those statements related to the investors in the TCI developing a business model that attracted a particular high end and wealthy cluster of clients, who stick together when seeking out vacation spots.
Drawing reference to the Bahamas's vacation rental situation and the damage that has been done to the country's reputation through some of these places, Vanterpool-Wallace stated that the Turks and Caicos has to be careful to guard its reputation.
"There is such a thing as the economic value of reputation and that has to be guarded as closely as you possibly can.
"So, with Airbnb you got to decide where they are located and where not to, you have to deal with the licensing, how you're going to license them, you have to deal with inspections to make sure they are up to par, and they have to pay their taxes."
He pointed out that if these things are not in place, then these people are taking advantage of the reputation and the economy of the country and they are not contributing anything.
He noted also that the Turks and Caicos especially, does not have a full appreciation for what it has, and how important it is to preserve its tourism product.
"The birds of a feather idea, if you want to preserve that, and make it stronger, you have to try to figure out what it is you're doing very well and why, and making those things stronger.
"Because you need those birds coming back and continuing to flock here," the former Bahamian minister urged.
Vanterpool-Wallace's statemen is especially relevant to the TCI right now, as the new government battles with having to regulate the popular and controversial industry.
Back in March, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson promised that regulations will be put in place to ensure protection of the TCI's product.
At that press conference, held on March 2nd, she said: "We want to do that from two stand points and that is to make sure that we are not losing revenue, to make sure that it is regulated and also the issue of national security, because we want to know who is renting where.
"In the recent unsettling environment as it relates to crime, we want to know where people are in this country and it is important to know where tourists are in these stand alone villas and heavily-bushed and not well lit areas."
However, she did accept that not all of these rentals are illegal or unregulated, but that the industry of itself has to be regulated and managed better.
Back in February, information the Weekly News pointed to quite a number of unregulated villas, condos and private homes in the TCI.
A call was made at the time from the owners of the Regent Grand and other hotels for greater regulatory practices to be put in place by the government.
LEtiTIa Williams Appointed As New Financial Manager
The Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to announced the recent promotion of Ms. Letitia Williams to the role of Financial Manager within the Turks and Caicos Government Ministry of Finance.
Ms. Williams having graduated from Howard University in Washington D.C. in 2013 with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.83, can be considered a scholar.
She holds a Bachelor's Degree (Hons.) in Business and Economics and since joining the civil service in 2013 as an Auditor, has worked herself up the ranks of Finance Officer in the Ministry of Finance 2014, Senior Finance Officer 2015 and now having excelled to the role of Financial Manager on May 1st, 2017.
Commenting on her recent promotion Ms. Williams said: "I am proud to be a part of a dynamic and professional team within the Ministry of Finance that plays such an integral role in our Government. With this new appointment, I plan to continue to deliver the best quality service to the Turks and Caicos Government and by extension the entire Turks and Caicos Islands and look forward to taking on this new challenge."
Deputy Governor Anya Williams commented that she was both honored and proud to congratulate Ms. Williams on her recent achievement: "I am honored to have the opportunity to congratulate Letitia on her recent accomplishment. Within a relatively short period since joining the service just under 4 years ago, she has proven to be a valuable member of the team in the Ministry of Finance and has continued to excel.
In her role as Senior Finance Officer she was responsible for assisting the Accounting Officers in the Attorney Generals Chambers and my office in the management of its financial responsibilities such as budgeting, expenditure control, monitoring and procurement and played a vital role in the Treasury in the area of reconciliation and funds account management. I take this opportunity to thank her for her stewardship throughout the years and wish to encourage her to continue to take advantage of the opportunities available which would allow her to excel even further going forward."
Ministry of Tourism undertakes site visits on Twin Islands
A team from the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage & Culture, accompanied by the Minister Hon. Ralph Higgs, members of the DECR & Public Works departments, District Commission and the National Trust, embarked on a series of site visits on the Twin Islands, North and Middle Caicos on 3rd & 4th, May 2017.
Following a recent capital project, the team deployed to the islands for a firsthand assessment of the proposed sites which has been earmarked for development within this Financial Year. The projects comprises of the construction of a Promenade and Craft Market (including a sisal museum), interpretative signage and revamping of heritage and ecological interest sites under the remit of the Turks and Caicos National Trust.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Cherylann Jones, and Deputy Secretary, Michelle Fulford-Gardiner, utilized the opportunity to visit departments and project falling within the auspices of the Ministry.
The visit was a successful one, as the main objective was to garner an understanding of the day to day operations, challenges and constraints experienced by the departments, as well as facilitating the upgrade of core visitor attractions. Management will continue with the familiarization tours of the departments and sites in the ensuing months with the ultimate goal of providing assistance and support to the departments.
Hon. Higgs commented that; "The Ministry was able to meet the staff and get firsthand knowledge of the sites, and the challenges they face. We will make every effort to ensure that these islands receive the attention they need to promote key players in our tourism industry."
Turks and Caicos Government Launches 2nd Recruitment Drive for 2017/2018
After successfully launching the official Turks and Caicos Islands 2017-2018 Recruitment Drive in April 2017, the Office of the Deputy Governor has now embarked on the 2nd recruitment drive for 2017/2018.
April 13th 2017, marked the initial launch of what would turn out to be a highly effective recruitment drive that included a number of positions throughout the TCI Civil Service, largely focused on the area of law enforcement.
The process closed on April 27th 2017 with TCIG having received a total of 640 applications for some 40 positions advertised across government. This was highlighted by the reception of: 249 applications for the new 11 Primary and Secondary Teacher roles in the Ministry of Education; 115 applications for the 6 new Customs Officer roles in the Ministry of Finance; 127 applications for the 6 new Immigration Officer roles in the Ministry of Border Control and 48 applications for the 2 new Fire Safety Officer roles in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Human Resource Directorate along with the various ministries responsible, is now in the process of conducting the necessary shortlisting and interview process for appointments and numerous announcements will be made regarding these upcoming appointments over the course of the next few weeks.
Deputy Governor, Hon. Anya Williams commented on the accomplishments of the opening drive for 2017-2018 and the potential leading into the second exercise: "As a part of our plan to ensure that all positions across government are filled within a reasonable time frame and that departments are able to efficiently deliver on their mandate, our 2017-2018 recruitment drive commenced very early in the new financial year and has already begun to reap success through a significant number of positive responses.
Whilst we complete the shortlist and interview process for Drive 1, we are now pleased to move into our second drive where we will be releasing a further 40 positions in various fields across government including Road Safety, Planning, Emergency Services, Finance, Border Control and other departments and will be looking forward to similar responses as well. However, whilst we are pleased with the level of responses, we wish to use this opportunity to encourage both current and prospective civil servants to fully utilize the training and other development opportunities that are available to them through the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and other institutions, as the continued high volume of applications demonstrates that there is a keen interest in TCIG roles and that persons must adequately prepare themselves to compete for these roles.
As the 2017-2018 Scholarship Application process is also underway we wish to encourage potential students to pursue the area of Teaching and Education which remains an under subscribed field of study in the Turks and Caicos Islands and still relies heavily on overseas recruitment.
The Turks and Caicos Civil Service boasts of over 90% local employment across government and over 75% locals in senior management positions, however, as there are still gaps to be filled in the area of Teaching, Engineering, Agriculture and Nursing, we encourage Turks and Caicos Islanders to further pursue studies in these areas which are vital to government.