TCAAF COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY WITH A COCKTAIL PARTY AT SEVEN STARS
World AIDS Day is commemorated annually on December 1st around the world and provides an opportunity for us to unite in the fight against HIV, remember those who have died and strengthen our efforts in the battle against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The UNAIDS World AIDS Day theme for 2011 to 2015 is: “Getting to Zero” This theme, echoes the UNAIDS vision of achieving “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.” This year the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) hosted a Cocktail party at Seven Stars to promote this theme, raise awareness, remember those who died and support the people who are living with HIV/AIDS in the TCI.
“I call upon all of us to stop discriminating against persons infected with HIV. World AIDS Day serves as a time to renew our collective community. We should not discriminate against fellow human beings irrespective of race, religion or health status. Let us focus on prevention and education as well as remembrance of those who have died and support for those infected,” said Hon. Galmo Williams, patron, founder and director of the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation. Guests in attendance of the cocktail party were entertained live by Crystal Charles and members of the Towers of Babel. Former Coordinator of the National HIV Prevention Unit Mrs. Cheryl Ann Jones, was honoured for her dedication and works in the field of HIV/AIDS in the TCI and Goldsmith was honoured for their continued support to the Foundation.
In 2016, TCAAF anticipates, continued works in partnership with the National HIV Prevention Unit, strengthening local services to the people living with HIV/AIDS, eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination and preventing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths added the release.
DOMUS SEMO SANCUS (DSS) LAUNCHES GLOBAL BACKGROUND CHECK APPLICATION SAFETYNET
E. Jay Saunders, Founder & CEO of Domus Semo Sancus, is on a mission.
In an unforgettable night at Jai’s Jewelry Store, located in the Regent Village, Grace Bay; E Jay stepped out in a cloud of smoke as new character, Bond, E Jay’s Bond; and disclosed his mission to bring the KYC (Know Your Client/Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and background checking world into the cognitive era. Event attendees watched as E. Jay revealed DSS’ new online application SafetyNet, which is poised to revolutionize the way background checking is done.
SafetyNet is a global background checking utility that is powered by IBM Watson. Watson is a cognitive computing platform that is designed to understand, reason, and learn. Like a human, it can read and understand natural language, but at a rate of 800 million pages per second. SafetyNet utilizes Watson’s cognitive power to search high risk individuals and persons in public life (politically exposed persons) in several databases along with big data from the internet at large to help companies tackle their onboarding risks. In addition, it also gives companies an in-depth view of their current clients. With features such as Personality Insights, SafetyNet not only helps companies manage risks, but it also helps them improve their customer service, as companies can use the date to tailor their products and services to match a customer’s needs.
When it comes to background checking, SafetyNet powered by IBM Watson is helping businesses “outthink the limits of what’s possible.”
”SafetyNet breaks new ground in the background checking space.” stated E. Jay, who went on to say that “We are confident that it has the potential to revolutionize not just the KYC and AML space, but also background checking for the on-demand economy. Once customers try SafetyNet they’ll see that they’re not just doing due diligence, but enhanced due diligence. And to top it off, they can get a full report on an associate or entity-of-interest within minutes.”
Since 2013, financial institutions around the world have been fined over US$10 Billion dollars for KYC and AML lapses. With SafetyNet, DSS customers have a tool that can help them avoid adding to that figure.
SafetyNet is a business to business (B2B) application. To learn more visit www.safetynetkyc.com
Oil Prices Fall to 7-year Low; Stocks Falter
Crude oil prices fell to their lowest level since 2009 in Tuesday's global trading.
The latest in a long string of price plunges follows Friday's meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that failed to reach a consensus to cut oil production. They might have raised prices by limiting supplies.
Experts say current oil supplies are significantly higher than oil demand. That oversupply is expected to grow even more as Iran, one of the world's largest oil suppliers, gets out from under international sanctions that limit its exports. Worries about slackening demand were also heightened by forecasts for mild winter weather in the United States, which could cut the need for heating oil.
Prices for the benchmark Brent crude fell below $40 a barrel Tuesday, while the closely-watched price for West Texas Intermediate fell to that level in Monday's trading.
Worried investors sold stock in oil companies and the firms that supply and support the oil industry. The selloff of these large companies helped push down stock prices on major indexes around the world.
Declining oil prices also "weighed" on credit profiles of major oil exporters, according to the Fitch rating agency. Fitch experts are calculating the impact of falling oil revenue on government budgets. They are also watching how well the affected nations cope by cutting expenses, finding other revenue sources, devaluing their currencies or taking other actions.
Digicel Play inks deal for child-friendly video service
Digicel Play today announced that it has signed a deal with A Parent Media Co Inc (APMC), owner of children’s over-the-top (OTT) entertainment service, Kidoodle.TV®, to bring a new entertainment and educational experience to its growing customer base.
Digicel Play, which includes fibre, fixed lines and Internet services, has secured the child-friendly subscription video-on-demand service for its markets in the Caribbean, and will begin viewing of the entertainment package over the next few months.
According to Digicel, Kidoodle.TV features robust parental controls, a brightly coloured, easy-to-use interface, a customisable library of content, and Family Moments™ — which is the world’s first kids’ subscription video-on-demand platform to allow consumers to upload and watch family videos and home movies alongside popular children’s programmes.
“This innovative integration of such an advanced app into our ecosystem is an exciting next step in enabling our customers to access opportunities for positive growth and quality entertainment through our connected services,” Digicel Play CEO for the Caribbean and Central America, John Suranyi stated.
“We are also excited to provide parents with the tools to protect their kids’ media experience while incentivising them to engage in education-based consumption and healthy viewing boundaries. Kidoodle.TV provides an exceptional offering,” Suranyi said.
Source-Jamaica Observer
US, Cuba turn to sticky issue of compensation claims
The United States and Cuba began discussions Tuesday on one of the thorniest issues in their budding rapprochement: the outstanding claims for compensation by both former Cold War foes.
Washington is seeking payment of between $7 billion and $8 billion for American citizens and companies whose property on the Caribbean island was confiscated by Fidel Castro's government in the wake of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.
Havana for its part is seeking damages for its losses under the suffocating US embargo imposed in the revolution's aftermath -- an estimated $121 billion to date, according to the Cuban government.
Current Cuban President Raul Castro, the retired Fidel's younger brother, has warned the negotiations will be "long and complex" -- a phrase echoed by Washington ahead of Tuesday's high-level talks in Havana.
"The meeting is the first step in what we expect to be a long and complex process, but the United States views the resolution of outstanding claims as a top priority for normalization," said US State Department spokesman John Kirby.
The US delegation is led by State Department legal adviser Mary McLeod, said a statement from Washington.
Cuba for its part has so far kept mum on the new talks.
News site Cubadebate said the Cuban claim included an additional $181 billion for "human damages" caused by the embargo, which the government in Havana calls a "blockade."
That would bring Cuba's total claim to more than $300 billion.
On the American side, the nearly 6,000 firms and individuals seeking compensation include Coca-Cola and oil giants Exxon and Texaco.
The talks come just before the first anniversary of the historic rapprochement announced by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro last December 17.
The two former enemies have since reopened embassies in each other's capitals and announced a series of breakthroughs in talks on thawing their Cold War freeze.
But deeply divisive issues remain untouched, including the ongoing embargo and the future of the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
Source-AFP
Baby girl electrocuted in T&T, stepfather detained
The police have detained a man who reportedly tried to revive his two-year-old stepdaughter with live electrical wires.
The police report that the infant, Kristha Knutt, who lived with her mother was suffering from a cold.
The man went to check on the girl and found her unresponsive.
The child’s mother told the police that when the stepfather saw that the child was not responding, they tried to revive her by using live electrical wires with 110 volts of electricity.
The attempt however failed and the child was rushed to the Port of Spain General Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
An autopsy revealed that the child died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, aspiration due to pneumonia and electrocution.
Source-CMC
Donald Trump Defends Barring Muslims from US
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Monday night defended his latest controversial proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States, drawing cheers at a rally when he said, “We have no idea if they love us or hate us.” “We’re out of control; we have no idea who is coming into our country,” Trump said at the rally in South Carolina. “I want ISIS to surrender.”
Trump said he watched President Obama’s address to the nation Sunday night and said the president appeared “he didn't know why he was there. He refuses to use the term 'radical Islamic terrorism.' He refuses to use the term. I don't even know if he knows what the hell is going on.” In a statement released earlier Monday, Trump called for a "total and complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the United States until "our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."
Reading from the statement Monday night at a rally aboard the USS Yorktown in South Carolina, Trump said, "Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life."
Source-ABC
Donald Trump Unites Democrats, Republicans Against His Plan to Bar Muslims from Entering US
Bipartisanship is breaking out in Washington over Donald Trump’s latest comments on Muslims. The presidential contender brought Democrats and Republicans together in condemnation of his plans to bar Muslims from entering the United States.
“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on,” his campaign announced in a statement Monday afternoon. Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona quickly called him out on Twitter: "Just when you think @realDonaldTrump can stoop no lower, he does. These views do not reflect serious thought."
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., a national security hawk, said during a cable news interview, “I would say I don’t support the policy, but I also think the president needs to focus more on defeating the Islamic State.” Indeed, no Republican leaders, as of Monday evening, were prepared to support Trump's plan. “I think you’ve seen that the leader has stayed away from commenting on the presidential candidates,” Don Stewart, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, said. And AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan, said the congressman would not weigh in on the matter Monday but would likely address it at his weekly press availability Tuesday.
Ryan has previously condemned the idea of religious tests in interviews and on the House floor. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., one of two Muslim members of Congress, called Trump's plan "asinine."
Meanwhile, White House officials took to cable news channels to condemn Trump. “It's totally contrary to our values as Americans,” deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said. “What he is doing is he’s dividing America in a really cynical way,” added White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
NAACP Image Awards Nominees Announced
The nominations for the 47th annual NAACP Awards were announced today in Los Angeles by a variety of stars, including Scandal's Guillermo Díaz, Shemar Moore of Criminal Minds, Tika Sumpter of The Have and The Have Nots, Danielle Nicolet of Born Again Virgin, and Marsai Martin and Miles Brown of black-ish.
Hosted by Anthony Anderson, the awards will air live on TV One Friday, February 5, 2016 at 9pm ET.
Here are the nominations in the main categories.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Michael B. Jordan
Misty Copeland
Pharrell Williams
Shonda Rhimes
Viola Davis
TELEVISION
Outstanding Comedy Series
black-ish
House of Lies
Key & Peele
Orange is the New Black
Survivor’s Remorse
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Anthony Anderson – black-ish
Don Cheadle – House of Lies
Dwayne Johnson – Ballers
RonReaco Lee – Survivor’s Remorse
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Gina Rodriguez – Jane The Virgin
Loretta Devine – The Carmichael Show
Tracee Ellis Ross – black-ish
Uzo Aduba – Orange Is the New Black
Wendy Raquel Robinson – The Game
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
David Alan Grier – The Carmichael Show
Laurence Fishburne – black-ish
Mike Epps – Survivor’s Remorse
Miles Brown – black-ish
Terry Crews – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Anna Deavere Smith – Nurse Jackie
Danielle Brooks – Orange is the New Black
Laverne Cox – Orange Is the New Black
Marsai Martin – black-ish
Tichina Arnold – Survivor’s Remorse
Outstanding Drama Series
Being Mary Jane
Empire
How to Get Away with Murder
Power
Scandal
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
LL Cool J – NCIS: Los Angeles
Morris Chestnut – Rosewood
Omari Hardwick – Power
Terrence Howard – Empire
Wesley Snipes – The Player
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Gabrielle Union – Being Mary Jane
Kerry Washington – Scandal
Nicole Beharie – Sleepy Hollow
Taraji P. Henson – Empire
Viola Davis – How to Get Away With Murder
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Alfred Enoch – How to Get Away with Murder
Bryshere Y. Gray – Empire
Guillermo Diaz – Scandal
Joe Morton – Scandal
Jussie Smollett – Empire
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Cicely Tyson – How to Get Away with Murder
Danai Gurira – The Walking Dead
Grace Gealey – Empire
Naturi Naughton – Power
Regina King – American Crime
Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
American Crime
Bessie
Luther
The Book of Negroes
The Wiz Live!
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Cuba Gooding, Jr. – The Book of Negroes
David Alan Grier – The Wiz Live!
David Oyelowo – Nightingale
Idris Elba – Luther
Michael Kenneth Williams – Bessie
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Angela Bassett – American Horror Story: Hotel
Aunjanue Ellis – The Book of Negroes
Jill Scott – With This Ring
LaTonya Richardson Jackson – Show Me a Hero
Queen Latifah – Bessie
Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)
Katrina: 10 Years After the Storm
News One Now
Oprah Prime: Celebrating Dr. King and the Selma Marches 50 Years Later
Oprah: Where Are They Now?- Civil Rights Special
Unsung
Outstanding Talk Series
Melissa Harris-Perry
Steve Harvey
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
The Talk
The Wendy Williams Show
Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series
Dancing with the Stars
Iyanla: Fix My Life
Shark Tank
The Voice
Welcome to Sweetie Pies
Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)
Black Girls Rock!
Family Feud
Oprahs Master Class
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore
Outstanding Children’s Program
Doc McStuffins
Dora and Friends
K.C. Undercover
Little Ballers
Project MC2
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series)
Hudson Yang – Fresh Off the Boat
Marcus Scribner – black-ish
Marsai Martin – black-ish
Miles Brown – black-ish
Skai Jackson – Jessie
Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety (Series or Special)
Family Feud – Steve Harvey
Melissa Harris-Perry – Melissa Harris-Perry
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel – Bryant Gumbel
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – Trevor Noah
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore – Larry Wilmore
MOTION PICTURE
Outstanding Motion Picture
Beasts of No Nation
Concussion
Creed
Dope
Straight Outta Compton
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Abraham Attah – Beasts of No Nation
Chiwetel Ejiofor – Secret in Their Eyes
Michael B. Jordan – Creed
Michael Ealy – The Perfect Guy
Will Smith – Concussion
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Lauren ‘Keke’ Palmer – Brotherly Love
Sanaa Lathan – The Perfect Guy
Teyonah Parris – Chi-Raq
Viola Davis – Lila and Eve
Zoe Saldana – Infinitely Polar Bear
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Chiwetel Ejiofor – The Martian
Corey Hawkins – Straight Outta Compton
Forest Whitaker – Southpaw
Idris Elba – Beasts of No Nation
O’Shea Jackson, Jr. – Straight Outta Compton
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Angela Bassett – Chi-Raq
Gugu Mbatha-Raw – Concussion
Jennifer Hudson – Chi-Raq
Phylicia Rashad – Creed
Tessa Thompson – Creed
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
Beasts of No Nation
Brotherly Love
Chi-Raq
Infinitely Polar Bear
Secret in Their Eyes
DOCUMENTARY
Outstanding Documentary – (Film)
Amy
Dreamcatcher
In My Fathers House
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Outstanding Documentary – (Television)
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand
Belief
Kareem: Minority of One
Light Girls
Muhammad Ali: The Peoples Champ
Source-ABC
Kanye and Kim's New Baby Is a "Saint"
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West welcomed their son on Saturday, but it's only now that they've gotten around to naming the baby.
On her website, Kim announced that the couple's new arrival is named Saint West, and that he weighed in at eight pounds, one ounce when he arrived on December 5.
Earlier this year, Kim told Ellen DeGeneres that she liked the name "Easton" for the unborn child, but in another interview, she denied that she'd name the kid "South," to match the couple's daughter, "North."
Since Kanye named his 2013 album Yeezus, perhaps it's appropriate that he has a "Saint" for a son.
According to an E! source, the child was so named because he is "a blessing," especially because Kardashian "had such a difficult pregnancy."
Source-ABC