Government Dental Services - Dentist to visit South Caicos
The General Public is hereby informed, that the Government Dentist will be visiting the Island of SOUTH CAICOS on Thursday January 26, 2023.
ALL persons requiring dental treatment, should visit the South Caicos Primary Health Clinic, during normal working hours.
The Government Dentist will be doing regular visits on the Second and Last Thursday of every month.
Please ensure that you wear your mask/face covering to attend the clinic, practice social distancing and follow the Ministry of Health Protocols as it relates to Covid-19. Persons with symptoms of Covid-19 are reminded to stay home and call the Health/Coronavirus Hotlines (649) 333-0911 OR (649) 232-9444.
For more information, Please Contact the Dental Clinic in South Caicos on Telephone – 232-3216
US accuses Google of 'driving out' ad rivals
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and eight US states have filed a case against Google alleging it has too much power over the online ad market.
Its anti-competitive actions had "weakened if not destroyed competition in the ad tech industry", US Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
Google accused the DOJ of "doubling down on a flawed argument".
The case attempted to "pick winners and losers" in a competitive industry, the firm said.
Online advertising accounts for the lion's share of Google's multibillion dollar revenue.
Google is the market leader, but its slice of total US digital ad income has fallen from 36.7% in 2016 to 28.8% in 2022, according to market research firm Insider Intelligence.
Mr Garland alleged that Google's anti-competitive conduct extended into three key areas:
It controls the technology used by nearly all major website publishers to offer ad space for sale.
It controls the leading tool used by advertisers to buy ad space.
It controls the largest ad exchange that matches publishers and advertisers.
As a result of Google's scheme, "website creators earn less and advertisers pay more", Mr Garland said.
It meant that fewer publishers were able to offer content without subscriptions, paywalls, or other forms of monetisation.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter alleged that the firm's actions over 15 years had the effect of "driving out rivals, diminishing competition, inflating advertising costs, reducing website publisher revenues, stymieing innovation and flattening our public marketplace of ideas".
But in a statement to the BBC Google said the legal action "attempts to pick winners and losers in the highly competitive advertising technology sector.
"It largely duplicates an unfounded lawsuit by the Texas Attorney General, much of which was recently dismissed by a federal court.
"DOJ is doubling down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow."
In a blog post Dan Taylor, vice president of global ads said the DOJ's action would "reverse years of innovation, harming the broader advertising sector".
The almost 150-page complaint accuses Google of breaches of US antitrust law and aims to "halt Google's anti-competitive scheme, unwind Google's monopolistic grip on the market, and restore competition to digital advertising".
It could lead to the break-up of the firm's advertising business if the courts side with the US government. The Justice Department complaint asks the court to compel Google to divest parts of its ad business.
The US states of Connecticut, California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia are also joining the legal action.
This latest case follows a 2020 action launched during the Trump presidency against the tech giant over its dominance in search.
Source-BBC
Classified documents found at former vice-president's home
Classified files have been found at ex-US Vice-President Mike Pence's home in the latest discovery of secret papers at the homes of officials who have served in the top ranks of government.
The documents, discovered by a lawyer last week for Mr Pence at his Indiana home, have been handed over to the FBI.
Investigators are already looking into President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump's possession of files.
Mr Trump faces a criminal investigation for allegedly mishandling papers.
Representatives for Mr Pence sent a letter to the National Archives alerting them to the documents.
The FBI came to the former vice-president's home to collect the documents, bypassing "standard procedures" and requesting "direct possession" of them, lawyers added in a separate letter.
Under the Presidential Records Act, White House records are supposed to go to the National Archives once an administration ends. Regulations require such files to be stored securely.
A "small number of documents bearing classified markings" were "inadvertently boxed and transported" to Mr Pence's home at the end of Mr Trump's presidency, his lawyer wrote in a letter shared with US media.
The latest development emerged after Mr Pence sought legal help from specialists in handling classified documents "out of an abundance of caution".
He asked for help "after it became public that documents with classified markings were found in President Joe Biden's Wilmington residence", the letter read.
Lawyers found "a small number of documents that could potentially contain sensitive or classified information", which were locked by the former vice-president in a safe.
After the letter became public, Mr Trump came to Mr Pence's defence, taking to his Truth Social social media platform to say that he is "an innocent man".
"He never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life," Mr Trump wrote. "Leave him alone!!!"
Mr Pence had repeatedly said over the last months that he did not believe he was in possession of classified documents.
Earlier this month, he told the BBC's US partner CBS that he was confident reviews of documents in his home were done "in a thorough and careful way".
Mr Biden previously said he had "no regrets" over not going public before the midterm elections with the news that classified documents had been discovered in his private office.
Six more classified files were found during a 13-hour search of President Biden's home in Delaware on Friday, his lawyer Bob Bauer said in a statement on Saturday.
The documents unearthed so far are believed to be related to Mr Biden's eight-year tenure as vice-president under former President Barack Obama.
Mr Biden offered access "to his home to allow DoJ [the Department of Justice] to conduct a search of the entire premises for potential vice-presidential records and potential classified material", Mr Bauer added.
Earlier this month, Mr Biden's lawyers said a first batch of classified documents had been found on 2 November at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank that the president founded in Washington DC.
A second batch of records was found on 20 December in the garage at his Wilmington home, while another document was found in a storage space at the house on 12 January, his lawyers said.
The discoveries at the homes of Mr Pence and Mr Biden come as Mr Trump faces a special counsel inquiry over his alleged mishandling of documents.
Hundred of classified records were found at Mr Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago residence - Mr Trump and his lawyers resisted handing over the documents until the FBI raided the Florida holiday home last August.
He denied any wrongdoing, alleging that President Biden was being treated more favourably by the FBI.
Source-BBC
Babyface, Sheryl Lee Ralph tapped to perform at Super Bowl LVII pregame show
Babyface and Sheryl Lee Ralph will warm up the crowd ahead of Super Bowl LVII. The stars have been tapped as entertainment for the event's pregame show.
According to a press release, Babyface will sing "America the Beautiful." Sheryl, who recently won an Emmy for her role in Abbott Elementary, will showcase her singing during a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Also taking the stage is Chris Stapleton, who will sing the national anthem.
Super Bowl LVII will take place at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Sunday, February 12. The game will air on FOX and will feature a halftime show headlined by Rihanna.
Source- ABC
Academy Award Nominees Revealed
All Quiet on the Western Front, Avatar: The Way of Water, The Banshees of Inisherin, Elvis, Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Fablemans, Tár, Top Gun: Maverick, Triangle of Sadness, and Women Talking are the Best Picture nominees for the 95th annual Academy Awards, announced Tuesday morning by Riz Ahmed and Allison Williams.
The 95th annual Academy Awards Oscars will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
The ceremony will also stream on ABC.com and Hulu Live TV.
Over $1M in marijuana at Trinidad PoS port
Over $1 million worth of marijuana was seized at the Port of Port of Spain on Monday.
It was found during a joint intelligence-led, anti-crime exercise conducted by a team of officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Customs and Excise Division and Port Authority Police.
Around 1.45 p.m. on Monday, the team went to a shed at the port, where a shipping crate was checked and searched. They found 18 black plastic packages, each containing quantities of marijuana which amounted to 28.8 kilogrammes, with a street value of $1,077,120.
The evidence was processed by crime scene investigation officers, who were able to find and process workable prints.
The exercise was supervised by Senior Superintendent Subhash Ramkhelawan and Superintendent Parriman of the Port of Spain Criminal Investigations Department/ Criminal Records Office (CID/CRO), and conducted by Sgt Bhagwandeen, acting Cpls Neaves, Forgenie and Holloway and constables Greene and Daniel. Supervisor Ramdath led the contingent from the Custom and Excise Division, while Superintendent Ali supervised the officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Port Authority Police.
Investigations are being conducted by acting Cpl Holloway of the Port of Spain CID/CRO, and Customs Officer II Augustus, of the Customs and Excise Division.
Source-TNT Express
Ukraine expects to receive 100 leopard 2 tanks from 12 countries - as long as Germany green lights
Twelve countries have agreed to supply Ukraine with a total of around 100 Leopard 2 tanks if the German government gives its consent, according to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke exclusively to ABC News.
Those agreements, the source said, were made at Friday’s summit at Ramstein US Air Force Base in Germany when allied nations discussed military support for Ukraine. Countries such as Poland and Finland have already indicated publicly that they are willing to provide a number of their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian official with knowledge of the matter said Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark were also willing to provide some of their tanks, however Germany’s consent was still necessary for the coalition of countries to proceed on the matter. The catch is that since it's the country where the military hardware is manufactured, Germany has to approve the export license.
Earlier this month the UK made a symbolic gesture by pledging to supply Ukraine with 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks. The move was a blatant attempt by the UK government to convince Berlin to move on its Leopards.
Source-ABC
TCI 3 Day Weather Forecast
A SURFACE RIDGE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE AREA AND FAIR WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST TODAY.
ALL AREAS WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND A BIT BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS, FALLING TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN, DIMINISHING TO 2 TO 4 FEET BY AFTERNOON
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 83°F 28°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 70°F 21°C
SUNSET: 5:31 PM
TIDES
NEXT LOW TIDE: 3:48 PM (0.7 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 9:35 PM (2.6 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: THE HIGH PRESSURE WILL SHIFT NORTHEAST AS A COLD FRONT MOVES OFF THE FLORIDA COAST THIS EVENING MOVING THROUGH THE BAHAMA ARCHIPELAGO. A HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS BEHIND THE FRONT, GENERATING BREEZY CONDITIONS THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH FEW PASSING SHOWERS POSSIBLE.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET, BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FEET
SUNRISE: 6:28 AM
SUNSET: 5:32 PM
LOW TIDE: 3:48 AM (0.3 FT) 4:34 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 10:10 AM (3.0 FT) 10:29 PM (2.6 FT)
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY WITH FEW PASSING SHOWERS POSSIBLE.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
SUNRISE: 6:28 AM
SUNSET: 5:33 PM
LOW TIDE: 4:44 AM (0.7 FT) 5:21 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 10:59 AM (2.6 FT) 11:26 PM (2.6 FT)
INVEST TCI TO SIT ON CAIPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2023-2024
In a year-end meeting of the members of the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), held on December 19th, 2022, the members elected a new president, Mr. Ronald Theodore, CEO of the Grenada Investment Development Corporation, along with a new Board of Directors for 2 years 2023-2024.
Mr. Theodore, no stranger to CAIPA, worked with the organization when the Association began in 2007 and served as the President of CAIPA from 2013-2014.
Members of the CAIPA Board of Directors were also elected to their posts on December 19th: 1st Vice President, Ms. Diane Edwards, President of JAMPRO (Jamaica), 2nd Vice President, Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Executive Director of BELTRAIDE (Belize), Director 1, Mr. Sekou Alleyne, President of InvesTT (Trinidad and Tobago), Director 2, Ms. Rhoda Josephs, Executive Director of IDA (Dominica), Director 3, Ms. Jeanette Bonet, Executive Director of CINEX (Curacao) and Director 4, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest TCI (Turks and Caicos Islands). The outgoing President, Ms. Annette Mark, Executive Director of InvestSVG, will also support the Board in an ex-officio role.
In her appointment as a Director of CAIPA, Angela Musgrove stated, “Invest TCI has been a strong partner of CAIPA from the Agency's inception. We are delighted to have a representative on the Board of Directors and will do our part to ensure representation and visibility for the Turks and Caicos and the Caribbean. I look forward to working with my colleagues from around the region to ensure the success of CAIPA.”
In speaking about his vision for the Caribbean and CAIPA, Mr. Theodore noted, "I intend to help position CAIPA as a contributor to the integration process in the Caribbean, pulling the Caribbean together. We are at a crucial point in our history. Investment promotion funding is scarce, investor confidence is low, and the Caribbean is highly dependent on investment to move our economies forward. This is not a time for us to work on our own. We must work together to position the Caribbean as a destination for investment. A rising tide will float all boats. All our countries will benefit if we push a Caribbean brand." Mr. Theodore also noted that for the period of his tenure, his focus will be on building strategic partnerships.
Mr. Theodore will be supported by members of the CAIPA Board of Directors.
Building collapses in La Vega, Dominican Republic
A three-story building collapsed on Wednesday in the Dominican Republic, in La Vega. The owner of the building that collapsed with six employees inside, R&S Multimuebles, reported that the causes of the collapse are still unknown and that the company is awaiting the intervention of an expert and competent authorities to conduct a technical survey of the site. “Our company acquired the collapsed building in 2008, and it was in the process of changing the exterior glass on the first level,” the company explained in a statement. An unauthorized source declared that a beam that served as support had been removed as part of the remodeling work being done in the building.
Similarly, residents in the area confirm that the structure was left vulnerable following a fire that occurred several years ago. The company stated in the statement that the final report would be prepared in collaboration with the authorities after the rescue work. R&S Multimuebles expressed regret for what had occurred and thanked all citizens for their assistance in the rescue efforts. At the publication time, authorities rescued three of the six people trapped when the four-story building collapsed. There were two women among the rubble. According to the company, there were only six people inside the building at the time of the collapse because most of the employees were on their lunch break.
“R&S Multimuebles regrets to inform you of the collapse of our main building, which is located on Calle Las Carreras, Esquina Sánchez, La Vega. At the moment, our entire team is working on rescue efforts alongside the appropriate authorities. At this time, only two (2) members of our team are trapped beneath the rubble, with whom the authorities have already established contact,” he explained.
A woman’s body was recovered early today from the rubble of a multi-story building that collapsed around noon on Wednesday in La Vega. The deceased was identified as Yasiris Joaquin by representatives of relief organizations. The woman was trapped in the rubble with five coworkers, all of whom were saved alive. Yesterday at noon, the building belonging to the Multi Furniture company collapsed. Four people were rescued alive in the early hours of the incident. According to the business owners, three of them had minor injuries and one would be operated on for facial injuries. Yesica Bueno, 23, was rescued shortly after 10 p.m. on Wednesday. She received first aid from 911 personnel and was taken to a health center in this city to be evaluated.
Source- Dominican Today