Facebook, Twitter 'too slow' to tackle meddling
Facebook and Twitter have said that they took too long to tackle foreign campaigns to meddle in US elections.
Responding to lawmakers, Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said the social network was "too slow" to act on election interference.
Twitter's chief executive Jack Dorsey said his platform was "unprepared and ill-equipped" for the "weaponisation" of debate.
Google did not show up to the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
Opening the hearing, Democratic senator Mark Warner said he was "deeply disappointed" that Google "chose not to send its own top corporate leadership".
Nigeria slaps $2bn bill on phone giant MTN
Nigeria has asked mobile phone operator MTN to pay a $2bn tax bill, the company says.
MTN challenged the figure, saying it related to activities over the past decade. It said it had settled the bill with a $700m payment.
The tax demand is the latest in a series of disputes between MTN and Nigeria, the company's largest market.
In 2016 it agreed to pay Nigeria $1.7bn over failing to disconnect unregistered Sim cards.
Last week, Nigeria's Central Bank ordered the company to repatriate $8bn it said had been taken out of the country illegally.
MTN, Africa's largest mobile phone company, said the tax bill had emerged from an investigation by Nigeria's attorney general and related to "the importation of foreign equipment and payments to foreign suppliers over the last 10 years".
But, it added, "MTN Nigeria believes it has fully settled all amounts owing under the taxes in question".
Shares in the company on the Johannesburg stock exchange fell sharply on Tuesday's news, reaching a low of almost 10 years.
Ayanna Pressley: African-American woman wins Massachusetts primary
yanna Pressley is set to become the first African-American woman elected to the US Congress in Massachusetts, following a primary upset.
The 44-year-old Boston city councillor beat House veteran Michael Capuano to secure the Democratic nomination.
She will not face a Republican opponent in November's mid-term election.
It is the latest in a series of victories for progressive, young and minority candidates representing the opposition party.
2018 has also seen a historic amount of female candidates run for Democratic nominations.
In a speech after her win, Ms Pressley said: "Change is coming and the future belongs to all of us."
She also referred to President Donald Trump as "a racist, misogynist, truly empathy bankrupt man" and hit out at wealth inequality in her seventh congressional district.
It is the only district in her state to have a majority non-white population.
An emotional video of her finding out she had won has been shared thousands of times online.
Her 66-year-old opponent has represented the district for two decades, and had not faced a primary challenger since he first won the nomination in 1998.
TROPICAL STORM FLORENCE WEDNESDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2018
FLORENCE A LITTLE STRONGER…MOVING OVER THE OPEN ATLANTIC…
LOCATION: NEAR LATITUDE 21.4°NORTH AND LONGITUDE 44.8° WEST OR ABOUT 1210 MILES EAST-NORTHEAST OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS.
PRESENT MOVEMENT: NORTHWEST NEAR 13 MILES PER HOUR.
AT 5AM DST, THE CENTER OF HURRICANE FLORENCE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 21.4°NORTH AND LONGITUDE 44.8° WEST OR ABOUT 1210 MILES EAST-NORTHEAST OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS. FLORENCE IS TEMPORARILY MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 13 MILES PER HOUR. A TURN BACK TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED LATER TODAY, AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WITH FLORENCE’S FORWARD SPEED DECREASING BY THE WEEKEND.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 105 MILES PER HOUR (MPH) WITH HIGHER GUSTS. A GRADUAL WEAKENING TREND IS FORECAST TO BEGIN TONIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY. AFTER THAT TIME, FLORENCE IS FORECAST TO RESTRENGTHEN THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Florence is several hundred miles away from the TCI. Forecasters have indicated that the system is currently temporarily moving towards the northwest, a turn back towards the west-northwest is expected later today and this motion is expected to continue through today with a decreased in forward speed by weekend. As this information is based on current projections, Florence poses no threat to the Turks and Caicos Islands at this time, residents should continue to monitor Florence. The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) will continue to monitor and provide information of any changes.
The next advisory issued on Florence by the DDME will be at 6:00am. If it appears Florence may pose an immediate threat to the TCI, advisories will be issued in keeping with those of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology Forecast Office Section.
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS RELEASES UPDATED GUIDELINES ON REQUESTS FOR INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE 2018
The Attorney General’s Chambers has produced its second edition of the Guidelines on Requests for International Legal Assistance.
The Guidelines on Requests for International Legal Assistance aims at providing comprehensive guidance on the different types of legal assistance available in the TCI, jurisdiction. The 2nd Edition addresses information gaps and is updated to reflect legislative changes made since 2014.
Announcing the release of the Guidelines on Requests for International Legal Assistance, the Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE said; “This is an important document as it signals to other countries that there are systems in place in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the processing of legal assistance requests which allow us to effectively cooperate internationally with other countries. It also demonstrates our commitment to keeping such guidance updated to better assist requesting countries in obtaining international mutual legal assistance from the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The Attorney General acknowledged with special thanks Principal Crown Counsel, International Mrs. Khalila Astwood-Tatem and Senior Crown Counsel, International Mrs. Shayone Handfield-Gardiner of the International Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers for their work on these guidelines.
For more information a copy of the guidelines, please contact the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Attorney General Chambers at: kwastwood-dorsett@gov.tc. The updated guidelines will be available on the Attorney General’s Chambers www.gov.tc/agc
THE UWI OPEN CAMPUS TO RE-ESTABLISH SITE IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus is partnering with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to re-establish a physical presence in the territory. The re-launch of the UWI Open Campus Turks and Caicos Site is an initiative of the TCI Ministry of Education and comes in the wake of an increasing number of TCI residents in the UWI’s online programmes.
The partnership will see the re-opening of the UWI Open Campus TCI in Providenciales following the closure of the Site in Grand Turk some years ago. The re-introduction of the Site will allow for ease of access to the University’s online degree programmes, as well as its Continuing and Professional Education programmes. It will also serve to strengthen the University’s longstanding bonds with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. The initiative is part of the Government’s plan to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders who may be constrained by economic or social responsibilities can access tertiary education through online/face to face modalities within the borders of the country. The Government strongly believes that the partnership with the UWI via the re-establishment of an Open Campus site in the Turks and Caicos Islands will achieve this goal.
According to the Honourable Minister of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services, Mrs. Karen Malcolm; “While education has inherent value beyond the economic function, it is essential for an individual to have a productive and meaningful career. This depends on the opportunities created in the economy. The more vibrant and sophisticated the economy, the more individuals can fulfil their aspirations, and the more governments will have the resources to invest further in education.”
“This partnership between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and the UWI Open Campus will help many realize their dreams and permit every native of the Turks and Caicos Islands an opportunity to obtain a degree at the tertiary level. Given that most people would love the opportunity to obtain their degree but they do not have the time; they now have access to online studies in the comfort of their own home.”
Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth stated; “The University is pleased to collaborate with the Government of the TCI to re-launch the local Site. This initiative is particularly significant because it comes during the University’s 70th Anniversary celebrations and at a time when the University is expanding its operations around the globe.”
“As the fourth Campus of the UWI we are charged with meeting the needs of the non-campus territories of the region. We are therefore delighted to re-establish our physical presence in the Turks and Caicos Islands to meet the growing needs of our TCI current and potential students, as well as the society at large. The Government of the TCI has been most welcoming and we look forward to realising this important initiative.”
The ongoing discussions have included a number of virtual meetings with the Honourable Minister and other Education officials, as well as a recent site inspection visit by Manager for the UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks.
About The UWI
Since its inception in 1948, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged, regional University with well over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Open Campus. The UWI has faculty and students from more than 40 countries and collaborative links with 160 universities globally; it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology and Social Sciences. UWI’s seven priority focal areas are linked closely to the priorities identified by CARICOM and take into account such over-arching areas of concern to the region as environmental issues, health and wellness, gender equity and the critical importance of innovation. Website: www.uwi.edu
Nike suffers #justburnit backlash over advertising campaign
Critics have burned Nike trainers and clothing in protest at Colin Kaepernick's appointment as the face of the brand's new advertising campaign.
The American football quarterback, 30, protested against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the US national anthem.
In announcing the deal, Nike said he was "one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation".
But opponents took to social media, promising to destroy Nike products.
On Twitter, they hit out at the deal using the hashtag #JustBurnIt - a play on Nike's slogan 'Just Do It' - which trended on Twitter alongside #BoycottNike.
According to social media analysis site Spredfast, there were more than 800 tweets using the hashtag #JustBurnIt in a matter of hours on Tuesday morning.
Andrew H. Scott, the mayor of Kentucky city Coal Run, said he was "officially done" with Nike and the NFL and asked Nike to cancel an order, while several videos showed Nike trainers being burned.
Country singer John Rich tweeted a photo of a pair of Nike socks with the brand's swoosh logo cut off.
However, another Twitter user Teri Shockey countered: "To everyone who is planning to #JustBurnIt, might I suggest you donate your @Nike merch instead? Plenty of people in need, including vets and families of active duty military, would be more than grateful to wear it. #JustDoIt"
However, there has been an outpouring of support for ostracised former San Francisco 49ers player Kaepernick, who first protested by sitting during the national anthem in August 2016, later opting to kneel.
Other players followed suit, leading to criticism from President Donald Trump.
Kaepernick, who has received Amnesty International's highest honour, has been without a team since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2017.
"Colin Kaepernick drew our collective attention to the problem of continued racial injustice in America," said former CIA director John Brennan on Twitter.
"He did so not to disrespect our flag but to give meaning to the words of the preamble of our Constitution-'in order to form a more perfect union.' Well done, Colin, well done."
Nike's new advertising campaign, celebrating the 30th anniversary of its 'Just Do It' slogan, also includes ads featuring tennis star Serena Williams, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr and Seattle Seahawks rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin.
Viagogo sues Ed Sheeran's promoter in fraud claim
Ed Sheeran's promoter is being sued by ticket reseller Viagogo for allegedly defrauding music fans.
Viagogo claims that Stuart Galbraith's firm, Kilimanjaro Live, set up fake Viagogo stalls during Mr Sheeran's 2017 tour where it voided genuine tickets and told fans to buy new ones.
Mr Galbraith described Viagogo's allegations as "totally false".
Viagogo's move is the latest in a long-running feud between artists and their promoters and ticket resellers.
Mr Sheeran himself has been vocal in criticising secondary ticketing sites for snapping up thousands of tickets only to resell them above their face value.
Swiss-based Viagogo filed the lawsuit against Mr Galbraith and Kilimanjaro Live a day before both companies are due to appear in front of the Department for Media, Culture and Sport select committee.
Christopher Miller, head of business development at Viagogo, will face questions from MPs, including about the firm's conduct.
St Lucia airport corruption allegations attract US media attention
Long-standing allegations of corruption involving government ministers and other officials in Saint Lucia and a South Florida businessman have attracted the attention of the widely-read Florida newspaper, The Miami Herald.
In a lengthy article on Monday, Herald reporters Adiel Kaplan and Aaron Leibowitz described how Antonio Assenza, who came to the United States from Venezuela in 1990, became tangled up in a corruption scandal involving a proposed $157 million redevelopment project at Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, in 2009.
In 2014, the government of Saint Lucia requested assistance from the United States in relation to a criminal investigation into suspected bribery regarding the airport redevelopment project.
The targets of the investigation were initially said to be Assenza and Guy Joseph, Saint Lucia’s current minister for economic development, housing, urban renewal, transport and civil aviation.
However, from court documents filed in US federal court in Fort Lauderdale, which although meant to be kept under seal were instead filed publicly in the Southern District of Florida, the investigation also focused on Andre Edgar, a businessman in Saint Lucia, and Sean Matthew, former head of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA).
According to Saint Lucian authorities, in 2009 SLASPA requested proposals for the development of a new airport, which was an estimated $157 million project. After evaluating the submitted proposals, SLASPA was to present its recommendation to the Saint Lucian Cabinet, which would make the final determination.
With input from Matthew, as then head of SLASPA, and others, Assenza and his local company Asphalt & Mining (St Lucia) Company Limited (A&M) submitted a proposal for the project. Prior to and during the request for proposal process, Assenza, Edgar, Joseph, and Matthew were in regular communication with one another via telephone.
The volume of calls increased at key points in the bidding period, including before and after Assenza’s pitch meeting with SLASPA. In total, some 200 calls were made between Assenza, his business partner and three government officials – Joseph, Matthew, and then tourism minister, now prime minister, Allen Chastanet – in the months leading up to the initial contract award in 2009. The majority of the calls were made before the request for bids was even announced.
The investigation did not find any calls to the other two bidders during that crucial time.
When asked by the Herald about the calls, Assenza noted that the majority did not involve him personally and, besides, he had proper cause to communicate with the government because he was separately working on other public roads projects on the island. Indeed, the investigation found most of the calls involved Assenza’s partner, a Saint Lucian businessman who was close friends with Joseph.
In fact, A&M had been awarded two substantial so-called “direct purchase” contracts previously at the behest of Joseph as the responsible minister without any advertising or any competitive bidding. One contract to rehabilitate the Babonneau Highway in Saint Lucia was valued at EC$12.24 million (US$4.5 million), while the other to rehabilitate the Desruisseaux Road was valued at EC$10.55 million (US$3.9 million).
Both contracts were later revealed to be significantly overpriced.
Nevertheless, the volume of the calls overall “increased at key points in the bidding period, including before and after Assenza’s pitch meeting with the Port Authority.”
In August 2009, the Port Authority recommended that another competitor be awarded the bid, with Assenza’s bid ranked last out of the three proposals received.
In September 2009, Matthew met with the Saint Lucian Cabinet to present the development plans. A high volume of calls between Assenza, Edgar, Joseph, and Matthew occurred around Matthew’s presentation to the Cabinet. A few days after the meeting, Joseph provided the Port Authority with additional details about A&M’s proposal.
In October 2009, Matthew and SLASPA recommended further negotiation with A&M.
SLASPA then wrote to all three bidders notifying them that their bids were unsuccessful and, under instructions from the Cabinet, issued a new request for proposals. A&M submitted a new proposal.
In January 2010, the Port Authority recommended A&M as the winning bidder. In February 2010, the Cabinet approved the award to A&M.
As part of its winning bid, A&M agreed to provide US$23,550,000 interest-free counterpart financing for the project. Saint Lucia planned to obtain the rest of the financing for the project from Deutsche Bank. In July 2012, Deutsche Bank notified SLASPA that they could not move forward with their portion of the financing, in part because Assenza failed the bank’s due diligence requirements. The project did not proceed at that time due to lack of funding.
Saint Lucian investigators believed that the facts are indicative of a criminal agreement between Assenza and public officials in the government of Saint Lucia regarding the project.
Based upon the date of the initial request for assistance by the Saint Lucia attorney general on November 12, 2014, and the amended request on December 15, 2015, it seems clear that the investigation was launched locally during the previous administration of then-prime minister, Dr Kenny Anthony.
PlayStation 2 repair services close in Japan
Sony has ended its repair service for the PlayStation 2, more than 18 years after it first went on sale.
The console was first released in Japan in March 2000 and remains the best-selling games console ever produced.
Manufacturing of the device ended in 2012, six years after the follow-up PS3 console had been released.
Sony said it was no longer able to offer repairs because it was running out of replacement parts for the ageing console.
In a statement, the company thanked customers for their "continued patronage".
Gamers seeking repairs will now have to try their luck with unofficial services.
More than 150 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been sold.
The latest model, the PS4, has sold about 80 million units.
Rival console-maker Microsoft no longer reports sales figures for its Xbox One console. But the consultancy IHS Markit estimates more than 40 million have been sold.