Google Docs users hit by phishing scam
Google says it has stopped a phishing email that reached about a million of its users.
The scam claimed to come from Google Docs - a service that allows people to share and edit documents online.
Users who clicked a link and followed instructions, risked giving the hackers access to their email accounts.
Google said it had stopped the attack "within approximately one hour", including through "removing fake pages and applications".
"While contact information was accessed and used by the campaign, our investigations show that no other data was exposed," Google said in an updated statement.
"There's no further action users need to take regarding this event; users who want to review third party apps connected to their account can visit Google Security Checkup."
During the attack, users were sent a deceptive invitation to edit a Google Doc, with a subject line stating a contact "has shared a document on Google Docs with you".
The email address hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh@mailinator[.]com was also copied in to the message; Mailinator, a free email service provider has denied any involvement.
If users clicked on the "Open in Docs" button in the email, they were then taken to a real Google-hosted page and asked to allow a seemingly real service, called "Google Docs", to access their email account data.
Source-BBC
KPMG's audits of Rolls-Royce accounts probed by regulator
Britain's accountancy watchdog has opened an investigation into KPMG's audit of the accounts of aero-engine maker Rolls-Royce.
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) will probe the accountancy giant's oversight of Rolls-Royce's financial statements covering four years.
It follows Rolls-Royce's settlement of £671m with the Serious Fraud Office in January over corruption allegations.
KPMG said it was co-operating and was "confident in the quality" of its work.
The FRC said in a statement: "The FRC has commenced an investigation under the Audit Enforcement Procedure into the conduct of KPMG Audit Plc, in relation to the audit of the financial statements of Rolls-Royce Group plc for the year ended 31 December 2010 and of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc for the years ended 31 December 2011 to 31 December 2013.
"The decision to investigate follows the SFO announcement on 17 January 2017 of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement between the SFO and Rolls-Royce which relates to offences including conspiracy to corrupt and a failure to prevent bribery."
The agreements relate to bribery and corruption scandals involving intermediaries in overseas markets such as Indonesia and China.
Rolls-Royce first passed information to the SFO in 2012 after facing "allegations of malpractice" in the two countries, after which the fraud squad launched a formal investigation.
The company said at the time that its own investigations had found "matters of concern" in additional overseas markets.
KPMG, one of the world's largest accountancy firms, said: "It is important that regulators acting in the public interest should review high profile issues. We will co-operate fully with the FRC's investigation, which follows the SFO's investigations into Rolls-Royce.
"We are confident in the quality of all the audit work we have completed for Rolls-Royce, including the 2010-2013 period the FRC is considering."
The firm has audited Rolls-Royce for 26 years, but is due to replaced next year by PwC.
Rolls-Royce apologised "unreservedly" after the SFO settlement.
The SFO revealed 12 counts of conspiracy to corrupt or failure to prevent bribery in seven countries - Indonesia, Thailand, India, Russia, Nigeria, China and Malaysia.
Often described as "a jewel in the UK's industrial crown", Rolls-Royce makes engines for military and civil planes, as well as for trains, ships, nuclear submarines and power stations.
But in addition to the corruption claims, the company has been hit by a string of profit warnings that sparked a tumble in the share price in the past couple of years. In February, the company reported a record loss of £4.6bn.
Rolls-Royce is holding its annual meeting in Derby, home to its main factory and where it employs 14,000 people.
In a statement ahead of the meeting, chief executive Warren East said estimates for profits and cash flow this year were unchanged, news that will be welcomed by long-suffering shareholders.
"We have some important transformation initiatives under way and, while we have made good progress in our cost-cutting and efficiency programmes, more needs to be done to ensure we drive sustainable margin improvements within the business," Mr East said.
The statement made no reference to the KPMG investigation.
Source-BBC
Oil price tumbles to five-month low
The oil price has fallen to a five-month low as investor concerns re-surface about a worldwide glut.
Brent crude dropped by more than $2 on Thursday to below $49 a barrel, hitting its lowest level since oil cartel Opec struck a landmark deal to cut output on 30 November.
Analysts said investors were worried that oil nations would fail to ease supply fears at a meeting later in May.
They also pointed to higher-than-expected US oil production.
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, dropped 4.8% to $48.38 a barrel in London on Thursday. West Texas crude lost 4.9% to $45.48.
'Jittery'
Opec's deal in November, and subsequent supply cuts agreed by other oil producing countries, helped to boost prices earlier this year, said David Hunter, an energy industry analyst with Schneider Electric.
But the market is getting a bit "jittery" as countries decide whether to extend those cuts, he said.
Opec and other oil nations are meeting on 25 May where they will discuss the success of the six-month cutback and whether it should be deepened.
Russia, one of the non-Opec countries to sign up to the cuts, gave mixed signals on Thursday about whether it would continue.
"While the cartel is expected to extend a self-imposed production cap by another six months, it will be a challenge to convince several non-Opec members to follow suit," said Abhishek Kumar, senior energy analyst at Interfax Energy's Global Gas Analytics.
"Persistent growth in US oil production ... will also make extensions of the Opec cap beyond 2017 unlikely."
'Losing faith'
Data released on Tuesday indicated US crude stocks fell 930,000 barrels last week. Analysts had been expecting a drop of 2.3 million barrels.
The US data and some investors "losing faith with Opec" are not helping the oil price, said Abhishek Deshpande, an oil analyst at Natixis.
The fall in crude prices hit global energy and commodity stocks.
US oil giants Chevron and Exxon Mobil were two of the biggest fallers on Wall Street, dropping 2% and 1.3% respectively.
In London, Shell's shares wiped out most of their earlier gains as the oil price tumbled.
The UK oil firm had started the day 3% higher after reporting better-than-expected profits, but finished trading with gains of only 0.5%.
Source-BBC
SIPT trial will likely plough on into 2018 -Crown Prosecutor
WHILE the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team's (SIPT) trial of Michael Misick and several others from all appearances appears to be labouriously dragging on, the lead prosecutor assures that progress is being made in it drawing to a conclusion.
Weekly News spoke with the Queen's Counsel Andrew Mitchell on Wednesday (May 3) outside of the Supreme Court's annex on Leeward Highway when he gave this assurance.
However, while Mitchell is confident of the progress being made, he was almost as certain of it not coming to close in 2017.
Part of this is due in no small part to the very lengthy delays in the trial – due to the lead defendant changing lawyers and the defence being allowed to put their defence of the charges.
"When I told you last time that the Crown's case was going to finish by June of course I didn't have in mind a three month delay, which followed Mr Misick and his lead counsel parting company.
"He has instructed new counsel, that new counsel has had a chance now to read into the papers, but giving him that time in order for him to understand the case, of course has meant that we have lost effectively three months and so my June deadline in that case was optimistic.
"I would have thought that we would have reached a conclusion and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will reach a conclusion of the Crown's case by the time we are slated to rise for the summer holiday. So that would mean by the beginning of August," Mitchell told this publication.
Asked for an update on the advancement thus far, the Prosecutor explained that since the trial's resumption last week Monday, he and his colleagues representing the Crown are indeed making progress.
"We are making progress; we have called a lot of witnesses over the last two weeks.
"We are going through members of the public who were beneficiaries of cheques for not doing anything; other people whose names were used for developments that they didn't know their names were being used and those people have come into box and giving their evidence.
"Today (Wednesday) we called evidence from Miami, these are witnesses who worked for UVI who are part of the Sandals Group to prove around $900,000 being sent to Prestigious Properties, which we the Crown say was for the benefit of Michael Misick and other monies being sent to Chal Misick, again being used by Chal and to the benefit of his brother."
As for how many witnesses are left to be called, Mitchell said that the Crown is currently awaiting feedback from the defense on how many witnesses they are prepared to allow them to read.
This, he further explained, is because the defense had challenged some of these witnesses, some of whom produced bank accounts and similar things to the prosecution.
All told, Mitchell said that he would estimate the Crown has just below 50 witnesses left to call to give evidence.
Asked for a guesstimate on the length of the defense's case, the prosecutor was unable to provide one.
He said that he has no idea whether any of the defendants in the trial will give evidence, so he is unable to gauge how long the defense's case will last.
"If everybody gives evidence, of course it won't finish this year, and I'm sure Michael Misick alone has got to be six weeks plus in terms of the issues he has to deal with, and similar for the others.
"So, no, it's very difficult to suggest it would finish this year, but we are now making progress.
"Everybody is working a lot more industriously."
However, the defendants will certainly get an opportunity to either defend themselves against the charges in the witness box, recall witnesses, or even call rebuttal witnesses, if they so choose.
As such, it is extremely hard to anticipate when the trial will end.
To date, the SIPT has taken one year approximately five months, with another four months to go, to present the Crown's case against the defendants.
And with eight defendants on trial, all of whom are represented by no less than two lawyers, there is no telling when they will conclude their case of refuting the numerous charges laid against them.
High profile witnesses
Over the past year, quite a few high profile and sometimes controversial witnesses have taken the witness box, with still a few more expected.
But asked about this, Mitchell responded: "Not quite as many as you would think, we have one of the lawyers who worked in the attorney general's chambers who will deal will deal with matters that were on her desk before Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles became senior commercial counsel, and we are still anticipating Lisa-Rae McCoy coming to give evidence.
"But I'm afraid I can't yet tell you when. That is definitely a high profile witness but otherwise these witnesses are just people who are giving light evidence and witnesses that we are calling to prove they received money or earnings use, or were involved in small parts of discussions or negotiations."
Positive outcome for the Crown
Asked about the Crown's expectations of an outcome to the case that favours them, Mitchell explained that the system here is vastly different from an American style prosecution, and that the way in which in which he is conducting the trial is in accordance with that of English common law.
As such, he added that it is not for him to be confident about the outcome.
"I am a minister of justice, I have got a case to present; I wouldn't be presenting it if I didn't think it was obviously a good case.
"If you were to ask me, do I think that our case has been fundamentally shaken to the point that there is no case less, the answer is no, on the contrary I think our case has only enhanced and developed our views of what has been going on during those [Misick's] years," the Crown Prosecutor stated.
MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT ADDRESSES HEALTH CONCERNS AT THE DETENTION CENTER
On Tuesday May 2nd 2017, the Ministry of Border Control and Employment received reports from the management of the Detention Center that one of the 43 poacher prisoners had been diagnosed with a skin disease known as Scabies.
Diagnosis was made at the primary health care clinic in Providenciales where the prisoner was taken after complaining of severe skin irritation and itching.
Scabies, a disease caused by the mite Sacoptes Scabiei, is highly contagious and immediate actions were taken by the Ministry to sanitize the area of the Detention Center and to activate protocols for mitigation against spread of the infectious disease. In addition to the changing of mattresses, bedding, linens and clothing, and due to exposure to the infected poacher, health officials were immediately called in to assess the health of the remaining poacher prisoners, attending security guards and the ministry officials assigned to the Detention Center.
On Wednesday May 3rd Health officials informed the Ministry of a 95% infection rate among the poacher prisoners at the Detention Center, all of whom are currently undergoing treatment for the disease which is expected to last 7 - 14 days.
Visitation by the public and other officials is currently suspended until further notice as a measure for containment of the outbreak to the Detention Center only. Officials from the Ministry of Health and the Department of Disaster Management are assisting in the coordination of sanitization, sterilization and treatment efforts at the center and it is anticipated that the area will be normalized within 10 - 14 days.
The 43 alleged poachers of the Dominican Republic remain at the Detention Center Prison Designate awaiting trial.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE HOSTS AUDITIONS FOR NATIONAL CULTURAL GROUP
The Department of Culture today culminated an exciting week of auditions, throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, for the formation of the Turks and Caicos National Cultural Group. Auditions were conducted in South Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales and Grand Turk with approximately 90 persons attending island wide.
The auditions were facilitated by members of the Ashe Group of Kingston, Jamaica. Founded in 1993 by the late Joseph Robinson of Turks and Caicos Islands. The Ashe Company is a non-governmental internationally acclaimed edutainment and theatre arts group.
After the completion of the auditions the Ashe performers staged a thrilling 90-minute performance at the Tourist Board's Annual Kite Flying Competition. The performance included a variety of songs and dances, notably TCI local folk songs. It was the first time that that suite of songs and dances was performed before a live audience.
Director of Culture, Miss Ludwina Fulford, said; "The reestablishment of a National Cultural Group is an excellent avenue for our young people to get involved in positive cultural expressions. It was exciting to see the turnout of students throughout the islands. The children showed much enthusiasm in learning the dances and rendering their song and poem selections. Having the team from Ashe here brought nostalgic feelings to the audience especially those members who had trained under the direction of the late Joseph Robinson."
Minister, Hon. Ralph Higgs was especially pleased to witness the group put on an impromptu show for him. He expressed warm sentiments to them and his desire to see a stronger relationship developed between the Ashe Company and the Department of Culture.
The group will be formalized within the next two weeks and presented to the local media along with the plan for its development.
Provo Ocean Warriors held beach clean-up in The Bight
AS PART of a goal to keep the TCI clean, the Provo Ocean Warriors held their annual beach clean-up over the weekend.
Organiser of the clean-up and member of the club Jennifer Martel explained that she has been conducting initiatives such as this since last November.
She explained that she tries to do them on a monthly basis, targeting some of the most severely affected beaches, in an attempt to preserve the beauty of the Islands as much as possible.
The target area for this clean-up was The Bight beach in Providenciales.
Martel added that this was the third time that she and her team had visited the beach in this area over the course of six months and that they were disappointed at the amount of trash they have discovered each time.
"...the amount of trash even after that short amount of time is astronomical each time. We collect bags and bags every time.
"It is such a delicate environment and we are so close to Coral Gardens and all these other reefs and as soon as the trash goes into the water it does not go away, it stays there and it is damaging our ecosystems... that is what brings people to the TCI, our beautiful waters."
She expressed that she is willing to come out every few months to maintain the clean environment because no one wants to see dirty beaches and litter in the ocean, especially not tourists who are sold on the 'Beautiful by Nature and Clean by Choice' brand.
Martel explained that this is why she started the clean-up campaign and has been doing it ever since, however, residents have to play a collaborative role in this process.
"The most important thing is actually throwing the garbage away. A lot of it is from events such as Fish Fry...here is where we find the most garbage.
"If you are at the beach, take a couple of pieces of garbage that you see, do not just walk past it because it will end up in the water in the beach."
Mike Bozzer, sales and marketing representative of Turks Head Brewery who is also a sponsor of the initiative, said that he was happy to be involved in something as positive as this clean-up.
"It is a great event to sponsor. We have a lot of people coming out every month and it just feels great to do our part for the community," he said.
Government promises population policy
IN AN attempt to guide the future growth of foreign residents in the TCI, the PDM Government will soon be developing a population policy.
This policy, according to Deputy Premier Sean Astwood, will highlight the areas of opportunity for migrants to live and work in the TCI as well as protect the citizens of the Islands and promote their gainful employment, development and prosperity for decades to come.
The promise was made during Astwood's presentation in the House of Assembly last week during the budget debate.
Explaining the need for the policy, the Deputy Premier stated: "Over the years there has been an unprecedented number of work permits issued to foreign nationals without any plan or analysis as to the skills that are required.
"This did little but to open the floodgates and in some cases resulted in the displacement of our people in the middle to upper management jobs that would otherwise have been available to them. This trend cannot continue, will not continue, and change, it must."
He added that with increasing developments there will be a continuing need for migrant workers, and that his Government will facilitate businesses in obtaining the workforce they need.
However, he added that the people of the TCI must come first and "we will never apologise for this, as we see this as our greatest responsibility".
The population policy will also be formed on the findings of the National Skills Audit, which he said is 80 percent completed and which will inform what skills and certifications are available in the country and those that are required.
"This audit is critical to the future of these Islands and it is long overdue."
The national skills audit, in addition to being used to help form the population policy, must also help form the country's immigration, health, and education policies, to ensure that these systems are also offering the appropriate programmes and framework that would meet the needs of the current workforce, even while developing a more desirable labour pool for the developing nation.
"With these guiding frameworks, it is the aim of my ministry to reduce the timeframe for the processing of work permit applications, across the board, and enable greater scrutiny of applications, to ensure that the persons being requested are absolutely needed, and capable of fulfilling the work which they are committing to do," Astwood said.
Already there is significant progress in the streamlining of processes within the employment unit, which has brought greater transparency and accountability to the operation and management of the unit.
He added that these have in turn brought greater efficiency in the few short weeks that this work has begun.
Meanwhile, as it relates to the issue of labour disputes not being completed, Astwood said that his ministry will be undertaking a review of the legal framework and policies, as well as staff resources of the Labour Tribunal in an effort to address this.
However, he stated that one of the main reasons there are so many disputes in the work place, is the fact that many employees are not aware of their rights, and either through fear, frustration, or feelings of inadequacy, they are unable to articulate their concerns to their employers in a constructive manner.
"We will also be seeking to have more disputes settled by the Labour Commission therefore, lessening the number of cases reaching the tribunal," he promised.
Police believe that small group is responsible for most crime in TCI
JAMES Smith, Commissioner of Police, believes that a small group of individuals are responsible for the majority of violent crime that takes place in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
He expressed these thoughts during a police press conference held at the police headquarters in Providenciales on Thursday (April 27).
Commissioner Smith referred to the statistics which he gave at the press conference, stating that from April 1, 2016, to March 30, 2017, there have been 111 reports of incidents involving firearms.
One of the media houses asked why it is so difficult for police to capture these criminals since police believed that there are small numbers, adding emphasis to the fact that Providenciales is a small island.
Smith explained that some of the criminals live in areas that are a bit more challenging to access.
The Commissioner of Police added that this does not mean that police would not go in these areas, just that the circumstances made it more difficult to locate the individuals and firearms.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams agreed with Commissioner Smith, stating that he too believed that a small group of individuals were out committing most of the crime heard of in the TCI.
Crime down by 14 percent in the TCI
CRIME in the Turks and Caicos is down by 14 percent, said Commissioner of Police James Smith in a press conference at the police headquarters in Providenciales on Thursday (April 27).
Commissioner Smith broke down the numbers from 2016-17, stating that during that time period a total of 2,626 crimes have been reported in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
He added that for the 2015-16 year there were 3,068 crimes reported for all islands, which means 442 victims less this year.
The commissioner stated that in the last two years overall crime in the TCI has fallen by 21 percent, so there are 704 victims less in two years.
Smith added that the budget settlement will allow the force to allocate more funds to specific units within the force and assist with the promotion of more officers.
The Commissioner said that although these changes will be made, it is the root causes of the crimes that needs to be tackled.