Trump Reverses Position on Punishing Women Who Get Banned Abortions
Donald Trump has now walked back a statement he made just hours earlier that women who undergo abortions, if there were a ban on the procedure, should be punished.
The controversial statement was made during a taping of a town hall held by MSNBC, a portion of which was released by the cable network ahead of the full town hall, which aired Wednesday night. In the clip of the town hall exchange, Trump is pressed repeatedly by host Chris Matthews if he thinks there should be "some form of punishment," and Trump finally says: "For the woman?... Yeah." He said that the punishment in question would "have to be determined."
After the clip was released, ABC News reached out to the Trump campaign for further clarification. The campaign first released the following statement from Trump: "This issue is unclear and should be put back into the states for determination. Like Ronald Reagan, I am pro-life with exceptions, which I have outlined numerous times." Trump later released another statement, effectively retracting the most controversial portion of the comments he had made during the MSNBC taping.
The new statement reads: "If Congress were to pass legislation making abortion illegal and the federal courts upheld this legislation, or any state were permitted to ban abortion under state and federal law, the doctor or any other person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not the woman. The woman is a victim in this case as is the life in her womb.
My position has not changed -- like Ronald Reagan, I am pro-life with exceptions."
Source-ABC
TEAM TCI RETURNS FROM CARIFTA 2016
The Turks & Caicos Islands Amateur Athletic Association (TCIAAA) and Team TCI recently returned home after competing at the 2016 CARIFTA Games in Grenada. The CARIFTA games were held during the customary Easter Weekend, March 26th to March 28, 2016.
Team TCI consisted of 14 athletes that were chosen to participate based on their performance at previously held domestic championships. The team was escorted by head coach, Randy Ford; assistant coach, Ali Smith; TCIAAA President, Edith Skippings; as well as guardians, Gertrude Forbes and Terry Brooks.
The group left the Turks & Caicos Islands on Thursday before the games and traveled to Jamaica via Intercaribbean where they met up with team Jamaica and traveled to Grenada on a chartered flight together. This expedited travel arrangement was made possible via the relationship that the TCIAAA has with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
Even though team TCI did not win any medals during the games, the experience of competing on a regional scale was simple priceless for the participants. "Many of the athletes did exceptionally well and their personal best whilst competing," said Coach Ford. "Ms Akia Guerrier was able to beat her personal record as she advanced to the final of the 200 meter dash and set a new national record."
Woodens Corvil, formerly of the Raymond Gardiner High School, and now a scholarship student of the Jamaica College succeeded in a 4th place at the Poll Volt event. It is important to note that this is the first time that team TCI has ever participated in this event on a national scale.
Two female athletes; Zoe Butler and Rebecca Bernadine participated in the 800 meter dash and both did their personal best times. Butler who is only 13 years old, is the youngest member of the team and she has a promising future in track in field to possibly participate again next year. Athletes, Alivia Brooks and Angelica Hall were participants in the heptathlon, completed the array of seven events and did the country proud but were unable to receive medals for their efforts.
Mr Tolby Jennings was also one of the male athletes that made the team and was able to participate in the 400-meter dash. He is one of the students currently enrolled in an athletic scholarship program in Jamaica.
One of the highlights for Team TCI was advancement of Ms Guerrier who broke both the 100-m and 200-m record in TCI that was previously held by Ms Rosalie Ingham. Ms Guerrier now qualifies for the World Track & Field Championship which is to be held in Poland this year. She has also received a scholarship offer from Kent State University of her efforts in sports.
Team TCI was joined in Grenada by Minister of Education & Sports, Hon. Akeira Missick as well as Ms Judith Robinson who cheered on the athletes from the stands.
TCIAAA President; Edith Skippings commented, "I am so proud of the work that there athletes have put in over time. It takes a lot of commitment and training to be able to compete on a regional scale and our athletes have done their best and they should be commended for their efforts."
It is noted that the TCI Athletes may have the potential to do better if more track and field events are held throughout the year. Most local athletes only participate in their school and two major metes before they advance to the big leagues such as Carifta.
According to Coach Ford, "I would like to stress to all athletes that there are many possible opportunities for persons who wish to participate in sports. Students have the opportunity of performing on a large scale and may even be awarded a scholarship to pursue tertiary education. So train if you must, but never give up."
There were 26 participating countries throughout the Caribbean at the 2016 Carifta Games that was held at the National Athletic Stadium in St Georges, Grenada. Next year's Carifta event will be held in Curacao and team TCI will be there to represent the country at its best and hopefully bring home a medal.
Brazil Charges World’s Richest Banker With Tax Scheme
Brazilian prosecutors have charged Joseph Safra, the world’s richest banker, in connection with an alleged scheme to reduce or waive fines on back taxes.
Prosecutors said in a statement Thursday that Safra knew about a 2014 plan by executives at Banco Safra to pay more than $4 million in bribes to government officials.
Bank executive Joao Inacio Puga, who allegedly negotiated the bribe-payment scheme, was also charged, based on recorded conversation with tax officials.
The statement said that Safra was not directly involved in the bribery negotiations, but the conversation showed that Puga reported to Safra on the scheme.
Banco Safra said in a statement that the charges filed by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office were “unfounded,” adding that the Safra Group did not offer any bribe to tax auditors and did not receive any benefits.
Safra's wealth is estimated at about $18 billion by Forbes magazine.
Trinidad & Tobago film makes cannes debut
As the Trinidad & Tobago film industry continues to thrive, the beautiful twin island Republic is thrilled to announce that Trafficked, the award winning film from Trinidad & Tobago will make its European Premiere at the 13th Festival International du Film PanAfricain de Cannes from April 16th - April 20th, 2016.
Trafficked, a 72-minute feature film, directed by Sean Hodgkinson and presented by Eye On Dependency and Quirky Films, centers around a trio of vacationing friends on a picture perfect Caribbean beach, who are seduced into a dangerous con when they become involved with a charismatic stranger.
Inspired by true events - as told to Garth and Natasha St. Clair on their award winning radio program, Eye on Dependency - the film seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of drug trafficking in the Caribbean. Executive Producer St. Clair adds, “The film captures almost perfectly the ills and dangers of Human and Drug Trafficking. Trafficked is not only a fantastic and hair raising film, but it is an important crime fighting tool and shows the darker side of what people believe is a tropical paradise.”
Trafficked has been subtitled into both Spanish and English, and the team is diligently working on subtitling the film into French for the festival release.
Trafficked first premiered at the trinidad +tobago film festival in September 2015 and earned the title for Best Local Feature Film. The award-winning film was also featured at the following film festivals:
· Bahamas International Film Festival 2015
· Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano 2015
· Festival del Global Cine Dominicano 2015
· Martinique International Film Festival 2015
· Pan African Film Festival 2016
· Festival International du Film PanAfricain de Cannes 2016
· New Voices in Black Cinema 2016
For New Miles Davis Movie, Star Don Cheadle Learned the Trumpet to Avoid "Vegas Mimicry"
Don Cheadle wrote, directed and stars in Miles Ahead, a non-traditional biopic about jazz legend Miles Davis. The actor says the whole project was a real labor of love, which is why he actually went so far as to learn how to play the trumpet, just as Davis did.
"It was important to me to learn how to play because at some point in my development, Miles was as bad as I am now," he laughs. "Maybe he was 8 or 9 years old."
Cheadle tells ABC Radio, "I just wanted to be as close to him as possible and not just to do some kind of a Vegas mimicry but try to understand him as much as I could."
As for how Cheadle got involved in the project, the House of Lies star was hand-picked by Davis' family to play the musician -- without Cheadle's knowledge.
"It was a declaration that [Miles' nephew] Vincent made when Miles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, that they were gonna do a movie about his life and I was gonna be the guy who played him," Cheadle tells ABC Radio. "You know, he hadn’t called me to ask first, and I had never actually met him before and didn’t know he existed on the planet! But that was something that he determined, and then we set about trying to figure out what it would look like."
Cheadle adds that the whole project was challenging because he was directing himself, as well as the entire cast.
"Directing me wasn’t as tricky, I think, as directing the other actors," he explains. "You’re not usually in scenes with actors who, once someone says 'cut,' look to you and go, 'OK...I think maybe you need to push that moment a little more.' And you’re like, “Who’re you talking to? You’re just an actor. Don’t talk to me like that!'” (AUDIO IS ABC 1-ON-1)
Miles Ahead opens in limited release Friday.
Source-ABC
Farewell for Jimmy Riley, father of Tarrus Riley
THE celebration of the life of reggae singer Jimmy Riley is slated for Wednesday, April 6.
Saxophonist and close family friend Dean Fraser said the occasion is “not a funeral”. “It’s a memorial, not a funeral... More of a celebration of his life.
People attending are encouraged to wear bright colours or white,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. “There’ll be lots of musical tributes,” he continued.
Fraser said there’ll be no interment, as Riley will be cremated. The lovers’ rock singer lost his battle with cancer in New York, last Wednesday morning morning. He was 68.
Riley, whose given name is Martin James Ziggy Norman Riley, is the father of singer Tarrus Riley. He was diagnosed with bone cancer two years ago and had been receiving treatment in the United States.
Born in Jones Town, Riley grew up in Waterhouse. After recording with the Sensations and Uniques, he went solo and announced himself in 1979 with Love And Devotion and My Woman’s Love, both produced by Sly and Robbie.
Riley had several hits in the 1980s and 1990s, including Bang Bang, Black Mother Prays and It’s Gonna Get Rough. He had a hit with Tarrus, Pull Up Selector, in 2007. Contradiction, his last album was released in 2013.
Source-Jamaica Observer
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT FRIDAY 01ST APRIL 2016
GENERAL SITUATION: A BROAD RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL PREVAIL ACROSS THE BAHAMAS THROUGH SATURDAY BEFORE RETREATING EASTWARD.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS MAINLY IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS TODAY. FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 88°F 31°C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 73°F 23°C
SUNRISE: 7:01AM
SUNSET: 7:27PM
MOONSET: 1:42PM
MOONRISE: 3:14AM SAT
LOW TIDE: 9:18AM 9:23PM
HIGH TIDE: 3:13PM 3:47AM SAT
EXTENDED FORECAST: A COLD FRONT WILL REACH THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND STALL BRIEFLY ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS THEN MOVE EAST AGAIN ON MONDAY NIGHT.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY WITH THE CHANCE OF AN ISOLATED SHOWER OR TWO.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS AND 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS OVER THE OCEAN.
FORECAST FOR SUNDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY WITH A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS MAINLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS BECOMING NORTHEASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS BUILDING 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS OVER THE OCEAN.
DIGICEL LAUNCHES SAMSUNG GALAXY S7
Today, Digicel launches the newest additions to the Galaxy family of products, Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge capable of transforming the lives of consumers in the Caribbean and Central America. With a sleek design, a more advanced camera, streamlined software functionality and unparalleled connectivity to a galaxy of products, services, and experiences, the new Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge push the limits of what traditional smartphones are capable of doing.
Galaxy S7 and S7edge: All You Could Want from a Phone
The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge introduce the first Dual Pixel camera on a smartphone, delivering brighter and sharper images with brighter lens, wider aperture, bigger pixel and a more accurate autofocus even in low-light conditions. Motion Panorama, a new camera mode, brings movement to traditional panoramic photos, giving the user a completely immersive visual experience.
This is coupled with an elegant design, made possible through a perfect combination of 3D glass and metal; the Always-On Display [Always-On Screen] that provides users with a simplified experience without having to touch the screen; IP68 certification, which provides resistance to dust and water under certain conditions and an overall improved user experience with the screen edge of the S7 edge, capable of displaying easy shortcuts to users favourite features.
Enhanced Performance: From Charging to Gaming
The technology found in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge also incorporates fast cable and wireless charging capabilities, extra storage via a microSD card slot, a powerful processor and increased battery capacity. These features, together with the Game Launcher and Vulkan API make the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge a new staple for gamers who can now record their experiences, share their screens with other gamers and even play high-performance graphic games with lower battery consumption.
The Virtual Galaxy Experience and More
Samsung has opened up new possibilities in the world of virtual reality with new Gear VR and Gear 360. With the Gear VR, Samsung has created a unique mobile experience combining the best hardware and software in the world of virtual reality. Gear VR offers a completely new way to experience and consume mobile content, continuing to strengthen the company's leadership in the portable devices category.
Samsung further enhances the already state-of-the-art virtual reality experience with the new Gear 360, a 3600 camera that transforms the way experiences and memories are shared. With its high resolution (3840 x 1920), the ability to withstand frozen images of 30 megapixels from two powerful lenses and aperture of F2.0, the Samsung Gear 360 potentiates the best of the Galaxy experience and allows users to become creators of their own content and enjoy virtual reality in ways that were once unimaginable.
Regional Sales Director of Samsung Electronics Latin America, Jorge Lopez, said; "At Samsung, we understand that the smartphone is at the centre of everyday lives, which is why we are fully dedicated to listening to what our customers need and want from their mobile companion and making that happen for them. For instance, with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, we set out to design a best-in-class camera, with optimal graphics for gamers and a phone that was resistant to water and dust. The constant evolution of the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem is reflected in innovative products precisely like the new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7edge, Gear 360, Gear S2, Gear VR and solutions such as Samsung Pay, all of which have taken the mobile experience to the next level.”
Digicel Chief Commercial Officer for Caribbean and Central America, John Delves, said; “Our customers want their devices to deliver on form, function and fashion. They want a device that spans both business and entertainment. The Samsung Galaxy S7 line delivers on all fronts - and then some. So we happy to be bringing next generation technology to our customers now – it is truly an exciting time in the world of technology for Digicel and our customers.”
Samsung continues to push the boundaries of hardware, software and services to create devices that are designed to improve how consumers connect, share, organise and get more out of life. The company is redefining what is possible, beyond the limits of today’s technology, by introducing a constellation of seamless mobile experiences.
Over the coming months, consumers in the Caribbean and Central will also have access to the secure, easy-to-use mobile payment service, Samsung Pay, which today operates in multiple other countries around the world and has become a global sensation after processing more than $500M during the first six months of operations.
Obama Sees 'Significant Progress' on Nuclear Security
U.S. President Barack Obama hailed the "significant progress" the world's nations have made on nuclear security, and pledged the United States will continue to cooperate with all efforts to reduce nuclear stockpiles and keep them safe.
Addressing more than 50 world leaders gathered at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, Obama said more than a dozen nations have disposed of their entire supplies of highly enriched uranium and plutonium — the radioactive elements necessary to build nuclear bombs.
During six years of international meetings on nuclear security — including four summits, which he initiated — the U.S. president said, "We’ve embraced a new type of thinking and a new type of action."
"This is a perfect example of a 21st-century security challenge that no one nation can solve alone," Obama told the leaders at a plenary session of the summit broadcast worldwide. "It requires coalitions and sustained coordination across borders and institutions. And the good news is we’ve made significant progress.”
Obama also met with a smaller gathering of the nations mostly closely involved in last year's nuclear agreement with Iran. He told the so-called P5+1 group the deal with Iran "achieved a substantial success and focused on the dangers of nuclear proliferation in a real way."
He stressed, however, that "full and continued implementation" of the Iran agreement will "take the same level of cooperation" from the international community.
Source-Voa
Jamaica equipped to conduct Zika testing for other countries
Jamaica is equipped to conduct Zika virus testing on behalf of other countries if so assigned by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Acting Director of the National Virology Reference Laboratory at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Professor Monica Smikle, told JIS News that the facility is a valid WHO testing agency.
Members of staff have also benefited from training from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The certification to test for Zika, Professor Smikle informed, comes from the WHO through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“There was a process of capacity building after which tested samples were sent to the CDC in Puerto Rico for validation. Following subsequent reports that all tests were completely successful, the lab was given the go-ahead to proceed with testing here in Jamaica,” she explained.
The Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was designated as the Zika testing lab in the Caribbean when the virus entered the region.
With the need to facilitate faster diagnosis for Zika, the Government of Jamaica provided $10 million to upgrade the UHWI Virology lab to quip it to test for the disease locally, and also provide increased capacity for the diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya.
WHO/PAHO Country representative, Dr Noreen Jack, explained that while there is little difference in the cost of having the test done in the island versus sending samples to CARPHA, the benefit is in the faster turnaround time for results.
She noted that PAHO has been supporting in-country testing and capacity building for Jamaica and other countries in the region. “We had a consultant virologist here to provide support and this was also done for Barbados and Suriname,” she explained.
For his part, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Winston De La Haye, said that while the Ministry’s interest is in procuring the equipment and ensuring that the lab has adequate chemicals for the testing of Jamaicans, this does not preclude the facility from assisting other countries.
He said that having had its testing approved by the CDC and benefited from training from PAHO, “the lab will be able to tweak and fine-tune its processes and be able to do more samples.”
“This opens up an opportunity for them to offer the service to other Caribbean islands,” he added.
The virology lab houses the National Influenza Centre for the island.
It is a full service laboratory that performs a range of diagnostic services for the detection and monitoring of a wide range of viral infections such as respiratory, central nervous system, gastrointestinal and sexually transmitted infections.
Source-JIS