TCI ONE OF SAFEST COUNTRIES FOR TRAVEL, SAYS TOURISM MINISTRY
Following the recent news of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands relaxing travel restrictions and public health measures, the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board released an uplifting message on Thursday, 19th May.
The TCI Tourist Board encourages travelers to bear in mind that more than 85 percent of the adult population within the TCI are fully vaccinated, making the Turks and Caicos Islands one of the most inoculated countries in the world.
The Board stated that due to the ‘Beautiful by Nature’ British Caribbean islands’ commitment to the health and safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, the country has received an Alert Level 2 from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly said that “travelers can take heart and be confident in their vacation plans, as they make the Turks and Caicos Islands their destination of choice to visit.” She added that “the Turks and Caicos Islands is one of the safest countries for travelers”.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services announced a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in April which is currently being administered to adults throughout the country, prioritizing those aged 60 and older or who are immunocompromised.
The Minister of Health, Hon. Jamell Robinson, said that “the COVID-19 pandemic was first and foremost a humanitarian crisis affecting people’s lives and livelihoods, but it also impacted our Islands further as tourism is an important part of our economy.”
The Honourable Minister mentioned that the government’s health team moved quickly to introduce measures aimed at containing the spread, while minimizing as much as possible the impact on the tourism sector.
In this regard, the great work of TCI’s health professionals and personnel is being celebrated this week with the launch of EMS Week 2022 – Rising to the Challenge last Sunday.
Hon. Robinson stated that his health team has “worked hard to restore traveler confidence and stimulate demand with new safe and clean labels for the health sector through information apps and continuous promotion campaigns.”
Hon. Connolly stated that when the country’s borders opened in July 2020, Turks and Caicos saw a steady increase in visitor arrivals. She went on to say that last year, the destination performed tremendously well, showing that the number of arrivals were returning to pre-Covid numbers.
She explained that as the tourism sector continues to rebound, the preliminary numbers have indicated that the Turks and Caicos is once again breaking visitor arrival records, with some 138,700 air arrivals and 173,100 cruise arrivals in the first quarter of 2022.
The Minister of Tourism continued to say that last month travel restrictions have relaxed significantly, so travelers are now being encouraged to embrace all that the Turks and Caicos Islands has to offer and create memories to last a lifetime.
Hon. Connolly reminded the public that while all travelers over the age of 18 must still show proof of full vaccination to visit the Islands, they are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of travel insurance to gain entry as of 1st May 2022.
Also, she reminded persons that all visitors will no longer be required to upload their information to the TCI Assured Portal, as it was discontinued on Saturday, 30th April 2022. Moreover, face masks will no longer be required indoors and in enclosed spaces.
Sri Lanka defaults on debt for first time in its history
Sri Lanka has defaulted on its debt for the first time in its history as the country struggles with its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years.
A 30-day grace period to come up with $78m (£63m) of unpaid debt interest payments expired on Wednesday.
The governor of the South Asian nation's central bank said the country was now in a "pre-emptive default".
Later on Thursday, two of the world's biggest credit rating agencies also said Sri Lanka had defaulted.
Defaults happen when governments are unable to meet some or all of their debt payments to creditors.
It can damage a country's reputation with investors, making it harder for it to borrow the money it needs on international markets, which can further harm confidence in its currency and economy.
Asked on Thursday whether the country was now in default, central bank governor P Nandalal Weerasinghe said: "Our position is very clear, we said that until they come to the restructure [of our debts], we will not be able to pay. So that's what you call pre-emptive default.
"There can be technical definitions... from their side they can consider it a default. Our position is very clear, until there is a debt restructure, we cannot repay," he added.
Sri Lanka is seeking to restructure debts of more than $50bn it owes to foreign creditors, to make it more manageable to repay.
The country's economy has been hit hard by the pandemic and rising energy prices, but critics say the current crisis has been of the previous government's own making.
A chronic shortage of foreign currency and soaring inflation have led to a severe shortage of medicines, fuel and other essentials.
Professor Mick Moore from the University of Sussex and former consultant on Sri Lanka for the Asian Development Bank said even though it looked like Sri Lanka was struggling from the effects of global economic problems, it was "emphatically not that".
"This is the most man-made and voluntary economic crisis of which I know," he told the BBC's Today programme.
Source-BBC
Power Ranger Actor busted for alleged $3.5 million COVID fund scam
Austin St. John, who played the Red Ranger in the hit '90s show Power Rangers, has been charged in an alleged scam of funds from the CARES Act for COVID relief.
The Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney's Office this week unsealed charges against St. John, who was born Jason Gieger, claiming he was among 18 people who allegedly obtained fraudulent Payment Protection Program loans to the tune of $3.5 million and kept the money.
The fraudulent loan applications said the funds were needed for utility payments, payroll and health benefits for their businesses affected by the pandemic.
"Instead, the defendants ... transferred money to their personal accounts, and spent the funds on various personal purchases," the authorities say.
The defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in federal prison, the Department of Justice says.
Source- ABC
Marcus Smart returned from injury to defeat Miami Heats
A superb all-round effort from Smart saw him contribute 24 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in the Celtics' 127-102 win in Florida.
Jayson Tatum top-scored for the Celtics with 27 points, while Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 29.
Smart, who sat out game one with a foot injury, said: "I was pumped."
He added: "I felt bad that I couldn't be out there with my team-mates and go to battle with them.
"We're playing against a really good Miami Heat team. I got to get my rest, I got my health back, I got to watch and see some things and come out to execute this game."
Butler had scored 41 points in game one of the series but was hounded by Smart - who scored five three-pointers - on Thursday.
"My assignment was to make everything tough for him," Smart, the NBA's defensive player of the year, said. "We knew he would hit some shots. If he did, he was going to have to work for them."
Butler said: "This has to hurt. They tried to embarrass us, they did embarrass us.
"We have to realise that. It can't get too much worse. They whipped our tails on our home floor."
Game three of the best-of-seven series is on Saturday (01:30 BST Sunday) in Boston.
In the Western Conference finals, the Golden State Warriors lead the Dallas Mavericks 1-0 and host the second match of the series on Friday (02:00 BST Saturday).
Source- BBC
China's Huawei and ZTE banned from its 5G networks in Canada
Canada says it will ban two of China's biggest telecoms equipment makers from working on its 5G phone networks.
The restrictions against Huawei and ZTE were announced by the country's industry minister on Thursday.
Francois-Philippe Champagne says the move will improve Canada's mobile internet services and "protect the safety and security of Canadians".
But Huawei Canada said it was "disappointed" by the decision, which it said was "political".
"This is an unfortunate political decision that has nothing to do with cyber security or any of the technologies in question," a statement said.
Several nations - including the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand - have already put restrictions on the firms.
The four countries, along with Canada, make up an intelligence-sharing arrangement named "Five Eyes". It evolved during the Cold War as a mechanism for monitoring the Soviet Union and sharing classified information.
Canada's announcement was widely expected, as its allies had already barred Huawei and ZTE from their own high-speed networks.
Speaking to reporters in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Mr Champagne said the decision came after "a full review by our security agencies and consultation with our closest allies".
"Let me be very clear: We will always protect the safety and security of Canadians and will take any actions necessary to safeguard our telecommunication infrastructure," he added.
"In a 5G world, at a time where we rely more and more in our daily lives [on] our network, this is the right decision."
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Ottawa told the Reuters news agency that Beijing sees the security concerns raised by Canada as a "pretext for political manipulation".
The spokesperson for China also accused Canada of working with the US to suppress Chinese companies.
The Chinese embassy in Ottawa did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment.
Huawei Canada said its equipment had been "closely scrutinised" by the government and security agencies, and added there had been "zero security incidents caused by Huawei equipment".
"Banning Huawei's equipment and services will lead to significant economic loss in Canada and drive up the cost of communications for Canadian consumers," a statement said.
"Unfortunately, this decision is beyond our control as a business. However, we will do everything in our capacity to protect the legitimate rights and interests of our customers, partners, and ourselves."
Meanwhile, ZTE said it rejected the "premise" of the Canadian government's announcement, saying it was "highly speculative".
"We have always abided by international standards and best practices, opening up our cyber security labs to enable regulators and stakeholders to verify the security of ZTE products," the firm said.
5G, or fifth generation, is the next upgrade to mobile internet networks, offering much faster data download and upload speeds.
It also allows more devices to simultaneously access the internet.
It comes as data usage is soaring, as the popularity of video and music streaming grows. This is pushing governments and mobile phone network operators to improve their telecommunications infrastructures.
The Canadian government's decision means that telecoms firms in country will no longer be allowed to use equipment made by Huawei and ZTE.
Companies that have already installed the equipment made by the Chinese manufacturers must now remove it, Mr Champagne said.
Canada first announced a review of Huawei equipment in September 2018.
Some of China's biggest technology and telecoms firms have been targeted in recent years by governments in the US and other Western nations over national security concerns.
In November, US President Joe Biden signed legislation that stops companies judged to be security threats from receiving new telecoms equipment licences in the country.
It means equipment from Huawei, ZTE and three other Chinese companies are banned for use in US telecoms networks.
Source- BBC
80 cases confirmed in 12 countries
The World Health Organization has said another 50 suspected cases are being investigated - without naming any countries - and warned that more cases are likely to be reported.
Infections have been confirmed in nine European countries, as well as the US, Canada and Australia.
Monkeypox is most common in remote parts of Central and West Africa.
It is a rare viral infection which is usually mild and from which most people recover in a few weeks, according to the UK's National Health Service.
The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk to the wider public is said to be very low.
There is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, but a smallpox jab offers 85% protection since the two viruses are quite similar.
So far, public health agencies in Europe have confirmed cases in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden.
In a statement on Friday, the WHO said that the recent outbreaks "are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries".
It said it was "working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected".
The WHO also warned against stigmatising groups because of the disease.
"It can be a barrier to ending an outbreak as it may prevent people from seeking care, and lead to undetected spread," it said.
WHO's Europe regional director Hans Kluge warned that "as we enter the summer season... with mass gatherings, festivals and parties, I am concerned that transmission could accelerate".
He added that all but one of the recent cases had no relevant travel history to areas where monkeypox was endemic.
The first case of the disease in the UK was reported on 7 May. The patient had recently travelled to Nigeria, where they are believed to have caught the virus before travelling to England, the UK Health Security Agency said.
There are now 20 confirmed cases in the UK, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Friday.
Authorities in the UK said they had bought stocks of the smallpox vaccine and started offering it to those with "higher levels of exposure" to monkeypox.
Spanish health authorities have also reportedly purchased thousands of smallpox jabs to deal with the outbreak, according to Spanish newspaper El País.
Australia's first case was detected in a man who fell ill after travelling to the UK, the Victorian Department of Health said.
In North America, health authorities in the US state of Massachusetts confirmed that a man has been infected after recently travelling to Canada. He was in "good condition" and "poses no risk to the public", officials said.
Source- BBC
Trinidad takes precaution regarding Moneypox virus
Health authorities Friday urged people who have travelled to countries where the Monkeypox virus has been detected and “are symptomatic” to visit their nearest health provider.
Cases of Monkeypox are being investigated in several European countries as well as the United States, Canada and Australia. Cases have also been reported in Belgium, France, and Germany.
Monkeypox is most common in remote parts of Central and West Africa.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said while no “suspected” case has been detected here, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh convened a high powered meeting attended by the Chief Medical officer, Dr. Roshan Parasram as well as Dr. Erica Wheeler, the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) representative “to address reports of the detection of this virus” in countries overseas.
“The public is advised that the main symptoms of Moneypox are fever, rash and swollen nymph nodes. The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal or with contaminated material such as bedding,” the ministry said.
It said the virus may also be transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets.
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.
Source- CMC
Rihanna reportedly welcomes first child with A$AP Rocky
There's got to be nothing but love on the brain for Rihanna right now!
The superstar singer and fashion icon reportedly welcomed her first baby with rapper boyfriend A$AP Rocky. According to People, a source close to the couple says they are at home in Los Angeles with the baby.
Per TMZ, Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, gave birth to her baby boy last Friday, May 13. The name of the baby is not yet known.
The 34-year-old "Diamonds" singer and A$AP, 33, started dating in July 2020, according to People. The A$AP Mob rapper opened up for Rihanna during the U.S. stops on her Diamonds World Tour. He was also featured on the remix of Rihanna's 2012 single, "Cockiness (Love It)." The duo was spotted out and about a few times, and rumors really began circulating after Rihanna included A$AP in her 2020 Fenty Skin beauty campaign.
The news of Rihanna's pregnancy shook the music world. While fans had been patiently awaiting new music from the Barbados native, she was busy planning her preggo debut. In the cute reveal, the couple were photographed in Harlem, New York, A$AP’s hometown, holding hands and showing off Rihanna’s growing baby bump. In one photo, A$AP kisses the mom-to-be on her forehead; in another close-up image, A$AP’s hands adorn hers, showing off not only the bump but also the multicolor jewels that accompanied her stylish foot-length pink jacket.
Throughout the duration of her pregnancy, Rihanna stepped out in style. From multiple chic all-black looks to bump-revealing colorful ensembles and even couture party looks, the singer’s fashion during the nine months was always a topic of discussion.
She opened up about her fashion journey as a mom-to-be to Vogue.
"When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, 'There's no way I'm going to go shopping in no maternity aisle,'" she told the magazine. "I'm sorry -- it's too much fun to get dressed up. I'm not going to let that part disappear because my body is changing."
Rihanna has also opened up about what becoming a mom means to her, saying the experience has changed the way she relates to her own mother, Monica Braithwaite.
"Being on the verge of motherhood, unlocked new levels of love and respect I have for my mommy in a way that I could never explain!" she wrote on Instagram for her mom's birthday in April. "She's the true MVP and I wanna give her her flowers every second I can! Love you mumzzzz!!!"
POLICE COMMISSIONER DENIES PUBLIC ACCUSATIONS
There has been a circulation of misinformation among communities within the Turks and Caicos Islands regarding a senior member of the RTCIPF being investigated for a serious sexual offence.
Commissioner Botting stated that he is disgusted by the whispers of a senior police officer being investigated for sexual assault against a disabled-bodied person. He said that frankly he is appalled that someone would circulate such a terrible untruth which has no basis at all.
He said that he believes the misinformation was intended to discredit the Force and those responsible for sharing the information should hang their heads in shame. Thankfully, most people on the TCI see through such disgraceful and divisive actions and continue to support policing in the work that they do, he added.
Members of the public have said that there are rumors of a police officer being accused of raping a disabled girl and will be charged by the RTCIPF. They have also said that they are disgusted to hear those the rumors as they understand that the girl could not give consent.
According to the rumors, the alleged rape has been ongoing for several years and the Commissioner of Police refuses to release the officer’s name to the public, who was suspended for acts of corruption.
Once again, Commissioner Botting has denied these allegations.
Jimmy Butler leads Miami over Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference
Jimmy Butler's 41-point haul powered the Miami Heat to a 118-107 comeback win over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals opener.
The Heat trailed by eight points at half-time, but roared into a 76-64 lead, scoring 22 points for the concession of just two in a period of third-quarter dominance.
Butler scored 17 of his points in the third quarter.
"MVP Jimmy did his thing. He put us on his back," Heat guard Tyler Herro said.
The second contest in the seven-game series is on Thursday in Miami. The Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks contest their Western Conference finals opener on Wednesday, with the winners of the respective series meeting in June's finals.
The 40-point effort was Butler's fifth in the postseason during his three-season stint with the Heat. The only player with more is franchise icon Dwyane Wade with seven.
"I know what I'm capable of, I don't do this to score 40 points," Butler said
"I play the way I play to win by all means necessary and it just so happened that I score 40. If I score 40 and lose, I'll be pretty [ticked] off."
Boston's star Jayson Tatum had a quieter night. He picked up 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals but also gave up seven turnovers.
Source-BBC