Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease Reported in Florida
Like many territories in the region, the Turks & Caicos has received an alert from the CDC regarding an outbreak of meningitis in Florida, primarily among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men, including those living with HIV. The number of cases reported is higher than the five-year average and investigations are currently underway. Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Carriers of this disease have this bacterium in the back of their nose and throat without showing illness. This occurs in 1 in 10 persons. There are different types of this bacteria, however, those of concern causing the outbreak in Florida are types B, C and Y.
Meningococcal disease spreads from person to person by respiratory or throat secretions. Therefore, the bacteria are spread through close or lengthy contact with an infected person. The bacteria cannot be contracted through respiratory droplets i.e., breathing the same air as an infected person. Complications of this disease are serious and including meningitis and bloodstream infections (septicemia).
The most common signs and symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, and a stiff neck. This can also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Because the disease affects the brain, sensitivity to light and confusion is also possible. It can also be fatal in some cases.
Prevention of this disease is through vaccination with the meningococcal vaccine for high-risk groups. High risk groups include infants, teens and college students who share dorm rooms, the elderly, and people with a weakened immune system. It is important to note that the vaccine does not guarantee 100% protection against the disease.
Antibiotics can also be used to prevent close contacts of those infected from becoming sick. Close contacts are people living in the same household, roommates, and anyone in direct contact with the infected person’s oral secretions. Reinfection with the disease is still possible even after contracting and recovering from the disease.
The TCI has not recorded any cases of meningococcal disease as a result of the recent outbreak in Florida. The last reported case of meningococcal disease in the TCI was in 2012 through importation in a middle-aged visitor with comorbidities. It was a single case who unfortunately succumbed to the disease.
The TCI offers the Pentavalent vaccine to the under 5 years population which offers protection against bacterial meningitis. Over the years the coverage in this vaccine has been maintained at 90% and above. The meningococcal vaccine is not a part of the TCI’s routine vaccination program. Persons interested in the meningococcal vaccine, particularly those in the vulnerable group, are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider for more information about the vaccine.
TURKS AND CAICOS’S UPDATES ENTRY PROTOCOL FOR ALL ARRIVING PASSENGERS
Travelling to the Turks and Caicos just got easier. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has relaxed restrictions for vaccinated travelers to the destination.
In accordance to amendments to the Public and Environmental Health Arriving Passengers Travel Clearance Regulations, effective May 1st 2022 - the Government has maintained that all visitors must be fully vaccinated on arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, visitors are no longer required to provide a negative Covid test and insurance to gain entry. What is more, all passengers will no longer be required to upload their details to the TCI Assured portal, as it will be discontinued on Saturday, April 30th 2022.
Pamela Ewing, Director of Tourism stated: “We are delighted to make it easier for travelers to rediscover Turks and Caicos. Throughout 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, we saw strong visitor numbers from our largest source market, the United States and we believe the measures announced today will boost numbers further in 2022.”
‘Beautiful by Nature’ Turks and Caicos Islands are a luxury British Caribbean paradise, boasting a wealth of unspoilt natural beauty, natural resources, breath-taking underwater seascapes and white sandy beaches, including the world-famous Grace Bay Beach and a vibrant culture.
Travelers are invited come, rediscover and enjoy the unique serenity, superior hospitality and exquisite beauty of our Islands!
For more information about the Turks and Caicos Islands including the latest travel protocols, visit www.TurksAndCaicosTourism.com.
Macron defeats Le Pen and vows to unite divided France
Emmanuel Macron has won five more years as France's president after a convincing victory over rival Marine Le Pen, who nevertheless secured the far right's highest share of the vote yet.
He won by 58.55% to 41.45%, a greater margin than expected.
The centrist leader told jubilant supporters at the foot of the Eiffel Tower that now the election was over he would be a "president for all".
He is the first sitting president in 20 years to be re-elected.
Despite her loss, Ms Le Pen, 53, said her significant vote share still marked a victory.
The ideas her National Rally represented had reached new heights, she told her supporters. But far-right rival Eric Zemmour pointed out that she had ultimately failed, just like her father who preceded her: "It's the eighth time the Le Pen name has been hit by defeat."
Marine Le Pen took over the party founded by her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2011 in a bid to make it electable. She won more than 13 million votes on Sunday, on a platform of tax cuts to tackle the high cost of living, a ban on wearing the Muslim headscarf in public and a referendum on immigration controls.
"An answer must be found to the anger and disagreements that led many of our compatriots to vote for the extreme right," Mr Macron said in his victory speech. "It will be my responsibility and that of those around me."
More than one in three voters did not vote for either candidate. Turnout was just under 72%, the lowest in a presidential run-off since 1969, and more than three million people cast spoilt or blank votes.
Much of France was on holiday on the day of the vote, but the low turnout also reflected the apathy of voters who complained neither candidate represented them.
Voters who said they were casting blank ballots told the BBC they wanted to punish the sitting president.Anti-Macron demonstrators rallied in a number of cities, including Paris, Rennes, Toulouse and Nantes, refusing to accept the result.
In his speech Mr Macron, 44, said his government would have to "answer their choice to refuse to choose".
Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who was narrowly beaten by Ms Le Pen in the first round of voting two weeks before, was scathing about both candidates.
While it was good news France had refused to place its trust in Marine Le Pen, he claimed that Mr Macron had been elected with a worse result than any other president. "He floats in an ocean of abstentions, and blank and spoiled ballots."
Source-BBC
Nissan signals the end of the road for Datsun cars
Car maker Nissan is to stop producing vehicles under the Datsun name, which has a more than century-long history.
It was one of the brands that helped Japanese car makers become established globally after the Second World War.
Despite selling millions of cars around the world, the Datsun name was phased out in the 1980s.
The company revived the brand three decades later, describing the new range of vehicles as "an important part of Nissan's DNA".
On Monday, Nissan spokesperson Azusa Momose told the BBC that the firm will continue to sell its stock of Datsun cars and provide aftersales services to their owners.
"We can reassure all existing and future Datsun owners that customer satisfaction remains our priority," she added. Before the Datsun brand name came into being, a car named the
DAT was built in 1914 by the Kaishinsha Motorcar Works in Tokyo.
The word DAT was an acronym of the family names of three early investors in the business: Den, Aoyama and Takeuchi. It also literally means 'lightning fast' in Japanese. At the same time, it was promoted as Durable, Attractive and Trustworthy, or DAT for short.In 1933, Nissan's founder Yoshisuke Aikawa took over the business.
The early 1930s also saw the company launch an economical and lightweight car named "DAT-son" or "the son of DAT". The name was subsequently changed to "Datsun". Datsun was one of the brands that helped Japanese car makers establish themselves in Europe, the US and Asia after World War II.
It was one of the main brands Nissan marketed globally, besides the mainstream Nissan and the luxury Infiniti.
In the 1970s, the fuel-efficient Datsun was marketed as the choice of the everyday motorist looking for an alternative to unreliable gas-guzzlers. Around 20 million Datsun cars were sold in 190 countries across the world.
However, the name was phased out from 1981, with Nissan becoming the company's primary brand globally.
In 2012, Nissan announced the return of the Datsun brand and sold cars under the name in countries including India and Indonesia.
At the time, like many rival car manufacturers, Nissan faced weak markets in Europe and the US and was targeting emerging economies with lower priced models. Despite this, sales of the models have slumped in recent years.
Nissan said on Monday that it will now focus on "core models and segments that bring the most benefit to customers, dealer partners and the business" as part of a global transformation strategy.
Source-BBC
Twitter board meets Musk to discuss bid, reports say
Twitter's board reportedly met Elon Musk over the weekend to explore his $43bn (£33.6bn) takeover offer for the social media platform.
After the Tesla boss first revealed his bid, Twitter's management announced a so-called "poison pill" strategy to fend off a potential hostile buyout.
Mr Musk plans to finance his bid with the backing of US lender Morgan Stanley and other financial institutions.
A spokesperson for Twitter declined to comment on the reports.
Details of how Mr Musk intended to finance his offer, which were disclosed to US regulators on Thursday, made Twitter's 11-member board seriously consider a possible deal, according to Reuters, the New York Times and Bloomberg - citing anonymous sources.
Mr Musk, who owns a more than 9% stake in Twitter, has lined up a $46.5bn financing package for his bid, according to a regulatory filing.
The funding will come from a mixture of his own assets and the backing of Wall Street banking giant Morgan Stanley and other firms.
A number of Twitter shareholders reportedly contacted the company after Mr Musk announced the financing plan and urged it not to miss the opportunity for a potential deal.
Dan Ives, an analyst at investment firm Wedbush Securities, said many investors will view the discussions "as the beginning of the end for Twitter as a public company, with Musk likely now on a path to acquire the company unless a second bidder comes into the mix".
A hostile takeover attempt by Mr Musk, who is the world's richest person, would put "further pressure on the board with their backs against the wall in this Game of Thrones battle for Twitter," Mr Ives added.
Earlier this month, Mr Musk refused a seat on Twitter's board, which would have limited the shares he was allowed to own. He then made made an unsolicited offer for the company on 14 April.
The next day, Twitter's board announced a plan to protect itself against a potential hostile takeover by adopting what is known as a "limited-duration shareholder rights plan", also known as a "poison pill".
The move deters anyone from having more than a 15% stake in the company. It does this by allowing others to buy additional shares in the firm at a discount.
A takeover bid is considered to be hostile when a person or business tries to take over another company against the wishes of the target firm's management.
Source- BBC
CWI thanks retired Pollard for “outstanding” contribution to West Indies cricket
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Wednesday afternoon thanked white-ball captain Kieron Pollard for his “outstanding service” as a player and captain of the regional side, after the all-rounder called time on his 15-year international career.
CWI, which said Pollard had formally communicated the retirement news prior to making the farewell announcement on social media earlier in the day, added that it respected his decision.
“On behalf of everyone at CWI I would like to express our thanks to Kieron Pollard for his outstanding service to the West Indies ODI and T20I teams over the past 15 years,” said CWI President Ricky Skerritt in a statement.
“We respect his decision to retire from international cricket and are especially grateful for the high quality of leadership and commitment he invested in both West Indies teams since his appointment as our white-ball captain in September 2019. We wish him continued success in his career.”
Earlier, in a post on Instagram that included a produced video and text of his retirement announcement, Pollard said he had decided to retire from international cricket after careful deliberation, and he expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Skerritt “for his unwavering support and encouragement, especially during my time as captain”.
He had also expressed gratitude to the West Indies selectors, management teams, and, in particular, head coach Phil Simmons for seeing his potential and the faith they “steadfastly had in me throughout my career”.
Pollard said being asked to captain both the T20I and ODI squads in 2019, a position he held up until his retirement on Wednesday, was to date, the highest honour bestowed on him and for which he would forever be grateful.
“As captain, I believe that I have led with passion, openness, courage and everything I could possibly give, both on and off the field, without ever compromising my principles and integrity,” the Trinidadian said, admitting that he had been a hard taskmaster in his last three years at the helm of the Caribbean side.
“Respect for my teammates has been a guiding principle of mine and, in turn, I have always felt that reciprocated. This made my job all the more enjoyable and rewarding. For their support, I am ever thankful to all my teammates over the years, both as a player and as captain, and wish each of them continued success in the years ahead.”
Saying that playing for the West Indies was the realization of a dream he had from the age of 10 years old, Pollard recalled his international debut in 2007 under the leadership of his childhood hero, Brian Lara. The 34-year-old said wearing the maroon and playing alongside greats like Lara had been a privilege he never took lightly, “giving my heart and soul in every facet of the game, whether bowling, batting or fielding”.
He added that through the highs and lows of the game, he always felt the unwavering support of West Indies cricket fans.
During his career, the all-rounder was one of the most powerful batters on the international stage and revolutionized the way T20 cricket was played, CWI said, noting that was recently demonstrated when he struck six sixes in an over against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua in March last year.
His finest hour, the cricketing body said, came in 2012 as a member of the West Indies team that won the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup when they defeated Sri Lanka in the final at the Premadasa Stadium.
Source-CMC
The Bad Guys scores $24 million debut to top the weekend box office
The animated family film The Bad Guys scored an estimated $24 million to top the North American box office over the weekend The film -- featuring the voices of Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Zazie Beetz, Craig Robinson and Awkwafina -- also grabbed an estimated $63.1 million overseas, for a worldwide total of $87.1 million.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 held on to second place with an estimated $15.2 million in its third week of release. Internationally, where it opened a week earlier, the live action-CGI animated sequel to 2020's Sonic the Hedgehog has earned $142 million so far, bringing its current global tally to $287.8 million.
That left last week's box office champ, Fantastic Beats: The Secrets of Dumbledore, in third place. It delivered an estimated $14 million to bring its two-week North American total to $67.1 million. Overseas, Fantastic Beasts 3 has grossed $213.2 million, bringing its worldwide tally to $280.3 million.
The Northman -- starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe -- and the Nicolas Cage meta comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, took fourth and fifth place, respectively, earning an estimated $12 million and $7.2 million.
Source-ABC
Bahamas Government moving to establish carbon credit payment system
The Bahamas government has tabled legislation that will allow for the establishment of a carbon credit payment system for the country.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has tabled the Climate Change and Carbon Market Incentives Bill that seeks to give effect to the Paris Agreement to aid in the global response to the threat of climate change and to create and implement initiatives to offset carbon emissions.
Through this framework, the government will be able to create incentives and implement initiatives to support the overall global target of greenhouse gas emissions reduction consistent with its nationally determined contributions; to ensure compliance by Nassau of its obligations under the Paris Agreement.
The legislation will take into consideration the common but differentiated responsibilities, respective capabilities and flexibility provisions acknowledged under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for small island developing states to address climate change; and to enable the establishment of a market in The Bahamas to trade in carbon credits.
The Bill will also create shared ministerial responsibility between the prime minister/minister of finance and the minister responsible for the environment and natural resources; the appointment of a management company, and the appointment and functions of an advisory council, which will have responsibility for serving as a technical advisory body to a management company.
Attorney General Ryan Pinder said interest has already been shown in acquiring carbon credits.
The Bill will also create shared ministerial responsibility between the prime minister/minister of finance and the minister responsible for the environment and natural resources; the appointment of a management company, and the appointment and functions of an advisory council, which will have responsibility for serving as a technical advisory body to a management company.
Attorney General Ryan Pinder said interest has already been shown in acquiring carbon credits.
“We don’t have the regime in place nor are we confident that we have done what we have to do to ensure The Bahamas maximises its position so people will come out the blue all the time, ‘I want to buy your carbon, I’ll buy all the carbon credits you can create and this is the price.
“Well, you know, the fact of the matter is our responsibility is to maximise the benefits for Bahamians, not jump on the first opportunity and so that is the policy decision we have made, anybody who approaches we will just put them in a databank, in the future when we are ready to monetise.”
Meanwhile, special advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister on climate and environmental matters, Rochelle Newbold, said a carbon credits system would help the planet and that the project will be based on science and will not amount to “greenwashing” or providing an escape clause for people to continue emitting greenhouse gases.
“When you have industries that are having to make decisions about becoming carbon neutral by 2050 but the technology isn’t there or readily available (for) them etc (to) make that change immediately, they need to be able to look at ways that will enable them to incrementally meet that 2050 deadline.”
Source-CMC
Prime Minister Skerrit on official visit to Cuba
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit leaves here on Monday at the head of a five-member delegation for an official visit to Cuba.
Skerrit will receive the Order of Jose Marti named after the Cuban national hero, who became the symbol of Cuba’s struggle for independence, during his two-day visit and will also hold talks with President Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
“I have been invited by the President of Cuba to pay an official visit to Cuba from the 26th to the 27th of April. As you know we have very strong bilateral relations with Cuba,” Skerrit said, noting that the Caribbean country has been a “steadfast friend and supporters of our efforts in Dominica”.
He said Havana had provided significant assistance to the island’s health and education sectors, noting that the majority of doctors here are Cuban trained.
“Had it not been for that kind of opportunity sector many of them would not have been able to go to medical school…and of course with the medical professionals from Cuba…without them the health care system would not have been able to sustain itself, especially during the challenging times …of the COVID pandemic.
“Our friendship with Cuba is not based on what we receive from Cuba. This is not how we conduct our foreign policy. It is a mutually beneficial relationship, we respect the sovereignty of Cuba, we respect their right to self-determination and we will always continue as a matter of principle to call on the United States to remove the economic blockade on Cuba,” Skerrit said.
The United States embargo against Cuba prevents American businesses, and businesses organized under US law or majority-owned by American citizens, from conducting trade with Cuban interests. It is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history.
Washington maintains the comprehensive economic embargo on the Cuba in place since 1962, when President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the two countries in response to certain actions taken by the Cuban government, and directed the Departments of Commerce and the Treasury to implement the embargo, which still remains in place.
Source- CMC
PUBLIC FORECAST 6:00 AM TODAY AND TONIGHT MONDAY 25TH APRIL 2022
GENERAL SITUATION: A SEMI-STATIONARY HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM MEANDERING JUST NORTH OF THE AREA WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LOCALLY BRISK BREEZES, AS MARITIME CONDITIONS GENERALLY IMPROVE ACROSS BAHAMIAN WATERS THROUGH TONIGHT.
WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG EASTERN AND ATLANTIC SHORELINES.
ALL AREAS:
WEATHER: A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS, WARM AND BREEZY WITH A FEW LIGHT PASSING SHOWERS TODAY, BECOMING MOSTLY FAIR AND MILD WITH A FEW STRAY SHOWERS TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS.
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET OVER OPEN WATERS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 84°F 29°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 72°F 22°C
SUNRISE: 6:38 AM MOONSET: 3:00 PM LOW TIDE: 10:42 AM & 10:58 PM
SUNSET: 7:36 PM MOONRISE: 4:17 AM TUE HIGH TIDE: 4:47 PM & 5:11 AM TUE
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS): WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN RELATIVELY CONSISTENT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, AS THE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM BEGINS TO WEAKEN AND EVENTUALLY MOVE SOUTHWARDS OVER THE NORTHERN ISLANDS AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING FRONTAL BOUNDARY BY MIDWEEK.
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY, WARM AND BREEZY WITH A FEW PASSING SHOWERS.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, INCREASING 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, BUILDING 4 TO 6 FEET OVER OPEN WATERS ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY TO SUNNY AND WARM WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS.
WINDS: VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, SHIFTING NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER THE REMAINDER OF THE ISLANDS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET NEARSHORE, BUILDING 4 TO 7 FEET ALONG ATLANTIC EXPOSURES IN MODERATE NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS