Widespread damage due to tornadoes in Kansas
A tornado has been filmed tearing through part of the US state of Kansas, with pictures showing cars crumpled into buildings and homes without roofs.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Midwest states including Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.
In the city of Wichita, the mayor said 50 to 100 structures had been damaged, especially in the suburb of Andover.
However there are so far no reports of serious injuries.
The Andover City Police Department says roads are blocked due to downed power lines and large debris.
Wichita Mayor Dr Brandon Whipple urged people not to travel.
"I'm hearing roads in Andover are closed to traffic. Please stay put if you can. Lots of large hail throughout our area. Bad visibility as well for those driving," he posted on Twitter.
Extraordinary videos and photos posted online show the tornado tearing through Andover, destroying buildings, with debris flying in the air.
According to the Energy outage map, more than 22,000 customers are without power.
Kansas is in the heart of so-called "tornado alley" and is one of the most active regions in the world tornado-wise, according to the NWS,
Mid-to-late April through to mid-June historically has the highest tornado frequency, NSW records show.
Andover has just commemorated the 31st anniversary of a series of deadly twisters that killed 17 people and injured 225 in 1991. The EF5 tornado - the most intense rating - hit the ground for 69 miles (111km), and was one of 55 tornadoes that formed from Texas to Minnesota.
Source- BBC
Scooter Braun calls out Taylor Swift for "weaponizing" her fan base
Scooter Braun has offered his side of the story about his bad blood with Taylor Swift.
To recap, Scooter acquired Taylor's former record company, Big Machine, in June of 2019 -- and, by extension, ownership of her master recordings up until her album Reputation. The same day the deal was announced, Taylor lamented in an emotional Tumblr post that the buyout was her "worst case scenario" and accused Braun of being a manipulative bully.
Taylor has subsequently been famously re-recording her Big Machine album catalog in an attempt to reclaim ownership of her masters, while Braun has since sold the rights to Taylor's first six albums for a reported $300 million+.
Now, Braun is sharing his perspective on what happened. He told MSNBC, "The person who owned Taylor’s masters throughout her career was not myself, and when I was buying a record label, I actually said to that group, ‘If at any point she wants to come back and be a part of this conversation, please let me know because I wouldn’t do this deal."
"I was shown an email, which has now been made public now, where she stated that she wanted to move on that negotiation and wasn’t interested in doing that deal anymore," he continued. Taylor claimed at the time that she was never offered the opportunity to purchase her masters outright, without additional contractual obligations.
Talking about Taylor's attempt to regain ownership of her music, Braun said, "I think Taylor has every right to re-record. She has every right to pursue her masters, and I wish her nothing but well, and I have zero interest in saying anything bad about her."
"I’ve never said anything bad about her in the past, and I won’t start to now," he added. "The only thing I disagree with is weaponizing a fan base." As previously reported, Braun said in a since-deleted Instagram post that Taylor's fans were sending death threats to his family.
Source- ABC
ECLAC warns economic slowdown deepens in the Caribbean
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has warned that the economic slowdown in the region is deepening, with the economies facing “a complex juncture in 2022 due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, which ushers in a new source of uncertainty for the world economy.”
ECLAC said this is negatively affecting global growth, now estimated at 3.3 percent, a percentage point below original projections before the hostilities began.
“At the regional level, lower expected growth will be accompanied by higher inflation and slow employment recovery,” warned ECLAC in its new estimates, predicting average growth of 1.8 per cent for the region in this context, “where the conflict in Ukraine has heightened inflation, increasing financial volatility and costs”.
ECLAC said the economies of South America will grow by 1.5 per cent, Central America and Mexico 2.3 per cent, while 4.7 per cent growth is expected for the Caribbean economies, excluding Guyana.
The new figures were announced by ECLAC’s acting Executive Secretary, Mario Cimoli, to the ambassadors for the Group of Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) during a meeting at United Nations headquarters in New York.
According to ECLAC, the conflict in Ukraine will also negatively affect world trade dynamics, causing a decrease in foreign demand in Latin America and the Caribbean.
ECLAC said the region’s main trade partners – the United States (US), China and the European Union (EU) – will see lower growth rates than those expected before the conflict began.
In the case of the US, ECLAC said growth will be 2.8 per cent, 1.2 percentage points lower than previous projections.
Projected growth for China is at 5 per cent, 0.7 percentage points less than before the hostilities, and for the EU, growth of 2.8 per cent is expected., 1.4 percentage points lower than pre-conflict projections, ECLAC said.
It said the war in Ukraine has also caused an increase in commodity prices, mainly in fossil fuels, some metals, food and fertilizers.
ECLAC said this price increase is in addition to higher costs observed due to disruptions in supply chains and exacerbated interruptions in maritime transport.
“These price hikes have given impetus to world inflation rates, in some countries reaching historic highs in 2022. In the face of the persistent and increasing inflation, higher interest rates in developed countries can be expected.”
The United Nations regional commission said that monetary adjustments in the countries of the North have “accentuated the tightening of global financial conditions witnessed in recent months, causing greater volatility in financial markets.
“Alongside the increase in global aversion to risk resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, this has jeopardized capital flows to emerging markets,” it said.
“These trends may be accentuated in the coming months, especially if inflationary pressure persists in developed economies and the central banks in these economies deepen contractive monetary policies, including rate hikes and the reversal of monetary stimuli (asset purchases).”
As in the rest of the world, ECLAC said inflationary dynamics have accelerated in Latin America and the Caribbean.
As of March this year, ECLAC said regional inflation is estimated at 7.5 per cent, adding that many central banks in the region anticipate sustained high inflation for the rest of the year, “given the greater uncertainty abroad in light of the war in Ukraine, especially in higher international energy and food prices and disruptions in global supply chains, as well as persistent high transportation costs.”
In response to higher inflation, ECLAC said monetary policy in central banks in the region has become more restrictive, and that the majority have significantly raised interest rates, “which in most cases have reached levels similar to those observed in 2017.”
“Retreating fiscal momentum is expected to accelerate in 2022, in step with the evolution of macroeconomic conditions and increased financing costs,” ECLAC said.
“Public expenditure will contract, reinforcing the reduction observed in 2021 and reducing fiscal policy contributions to growth.
“Although labour markets are showing signs of recovery, this has been slow and incomplete. The pace of job creation in 2022 is expected to decline along with the slowdown projected for growth in the region. The combined factors of greater labour participation and lower job creation will drive higher unemployment rates this year,” ECLAC added.
Source-CMC
Acting BVI Premier says “due process” should be given to Premier Fahie arrested in the US
Acting Premier, Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, says Premier Andrew A. Fahie as well as the managing director of the British Virgin islands (BVI) Ports Authority (BVIPA), Mrs Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard and her son should be “afforded due process” after they were arrested and charged in the United States on Thursday on drug related charges.
“I know the other ministers of Government have spoken with Premier Fahie or Mrs Maynard, however, we call for them to be afforded due process in the US courts of law,” Wheatley said in a national broadcast on Thursday night.
According to the charges filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Fahie, Mrs Pickering-Maynard and her son Kadeem Maynard, have been charged with conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering
The 19 page indictment alleges that as far back as October 16, 2021, a United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) confidential source had several meetings with a group of self-proclaimed Lebanese Hezbollah operatives who stated they had business ties to South Florida and the Middle East.
The indictment alleges that those meetings occurred in Tortola and that during the course of these meetings assistance was sought to facilitate the Lebanese group use the British Overseas territory as a “temporary storage point for drugs (cocaine) transported from Colombia via boat and destined for the United States.
‘Those efforts would also include the subsequent laundering of the drug proceeds,” the indictment alleged, adding that the Lebanese group agreed to assist by “facilitating introduction senior members of the BVI government who would offer protection…but would require payment for their assistance”.
The DEA said 51-year-old Fahie had agreed to allow an informant, who was posing as a member of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel and whose identity remains confidential, to use British Virgin Islands’ ports to ship cocaine in return for a payment of $500,000. He also asked for additional money to repay a debt to a “fixer”.
In his broadcast, Wheatley said he has met with the Governor, John Rankin, who alerted him of the developments in the United States.
“Cabinet as a body met earlier this evening, where we discussed the situation. I will also discuss the current circumstances with UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, the Rt Hon Amanda M. Milling MP tomorrow (Friday) morning, along with the Governor and the Attorney General,” Wheatley said.
He told the nation that while he cannot comment further on the arrest since it is an active investigation, the Commission of Inquiry that had been examining allegations of corruption and abuse of office by elected and statutory officials, would be published sooner given the new development.
However, he maintained that the report is not connected to the Premier’s arrest in the United States.
On Thursday, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Liz M. Truss, had said that the arrest of Premier Fahie has shown the importance of the UK-sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the territory, despite the Governor saying the two were not connected.
Wheatley urged the public to read the report objectively and not in the context of the arrest, with the aim of strengthening systems of government under a democratic framework as opposed to draconian measures that would set the VI back.
Acting Prime Minister Wheatley maintained that the BVI remains committed to good governance and he would be updating the island in due course.
Source-CMC
Fraser-Pryce eyeing world-record as World title defence looms
Superstar sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce believes she can break the world 100 metres record this season as she prepares for her World title defence, and continues to take aim at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
At age 35, Fraser-Pryce is in the twilight of her career but has shown little sign of decline, copping silver in Tokyo last year behind fellow Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah, and already showing good form with a 22.79 seconds run in the Velocity Fest here last weekend.
And while no woman has dipped below 10.50 in 34 years, Fraser-Pryce said she was upbeat about her chances of doing so.
“After having that season last year, it has definitely opened a new door for me in terms of the dreams and the goals that I am chasing for this season,” the Gleaner here quoted her as saying.
“I am definitely looking forward to running 10.5 and possibly 10.4 so that is the aim.
“I think I am on my way to doing that, I just have to continue to trust that God will give me the strength and trust in the coach and just continue to put in the work.”
Fraser-Pryce was one of several international athletes making an appearance last weekend at the National Stadium here, as she finished second in the 200 metres.
She dominated the race from the outset but visibly eased up in the stretch, allowing Bahamian Anthonique Strachan to come through for the win in 22.55.
Fraser-Pryce said she was pleased with the outing and believes it set the right tone for the remainder of the season.
“Once you are training and you are doing well, you set those kind of goals for yourself because it is something that I am attempting,” she explained.
“And last year, I opened with 23 seconds and I went on to run [21.79] so [with] a later start to the season, I [ran] 22.79 so I am feeling good.”
Fraser-Pryce’s stellar career has seen win two Olympic 100m titles and four World 100m crowns, the last of which came three years ago in Doha.
She will defend her World title in Eugene, Oregon in the July 15-24 meet and said managing her workload will be critical to her success.
“As you know, I am looking forward to going to Paris and so I want to make sure that I am very cautious in the amount of races that I run and, of course, the aim is to defend the title in Oregon,” she said.
Fraser-Pryce is the third fastest woman in the world with a personal best 10.60 in the 100 metres.
Source-CMC
CRISTIANO RONALDO SCORES 17TH GOAL OF THE SEASON
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 17th goal of the season to earn Manchester United a point after David de Gea had frustrated Chelsea with several superb saves.
The visitors were thoroughly dominant in the first half at Old Trafford but were unable to find a way past De Gea, who made saves from Kai Havertz and N'Golo Kante.
But Chelsea finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half when Marcos Alonso volleyed home from an angle.
The Blues' celebrations had barely finished as Manchester United responded within a minute, Nemanja Matic playing a brilliant ball into the box and Ronaldo taking a touch before thumping a shot into the net.
That brought Old Trafford to life - there had been a subdued atmosphere inside the ground up to that point, while discontent against the club's owners was still clear as protests were held outside for the second home game in succession.
Reece James hit the outside of the post while Ronaldo could have secured all three points for the hosts but his effort from a difficult angle was saved by Edouard Mendy.
But the game ended all square as Chelsea edged closer to securing a top-four finish. Thomas Tuchel's side are third, eight points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham with five games remaining.
Manchester United are sixth, five points behind Arsenal in fourth but having played two games more.
Police Update from Blue Hills
RTC News has learned that just after 11pm on Wednesday 27th April 2022, the Police Control Room received reports of a firearm being discharged on Blue Hills Road and soon afterwards on Bay Road, Blue Hills.
Responding Officers found no evidence of shots being discharged and there are no reported injuries or further reports.
If anyone knows anything further about these reports, they are urged to contact the RTCIPF or Crime Stoppers confidentially at 1-800-8477(TIPS) or call 911.
Elon Musk strikes deal to buy Twitter for $44bn
The board of Twitter has agreed to a $44bn (£34.5bn) takeover offer from the billionaire Elon Musk.
Mr Musk, who made the shock bid less than two weeks ago, said Twitter had "tremendous potential" that he would unlock.
He also called for a series of changes from relaxing its content restrictions to eradicating fake accounts.
The firm initially rebuffed Mr Musk's bid, but it will now ask shareholders to vote to approve the deal.
Mr Musk is the world's richest person, according to Forbes magazine, with an estimated net worth of $273.6bn mostly due to his shareholding in electric vehicle maker Tesla which he runs. He also leads the aerospace firm SpaceX.
"Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," Mr Musk said in a statement announcing the deal.
"I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans," he added.
"Twitter has tremendous potential - I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it."
The move comes as Twitter faces growing pressure from politicians and regulators over the content that appears on its platform. It has drawn critics from left and right over its efforts to mediate misinformation on the platform.
In one of its most high-profile moves, last year it banned former US President Donald Trump, perhaps its most powerful user, citing the risk of "incitement of violence".
At the time Mr Musk observed: "A lot of people are going to be super unhappy with West Coast high tech as the de facto arbiter of free speech."
News of the takeover has been cheered by the right in the US, although Mr Trump on Monday told Fox News he had no plans to re-join the platform.
The White House declined to comment on the takeover but spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters: "No matter who owns or runs Twitter, the president has long been concerned about the power of large social media platforms."
On Twitter, MP Julian Knight, chairman of the UK's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, called the deal an "extraordinary development in the world of social media".
"It will be interesting to see how a privately owned Twitter (run by a man who is an absolutist over free speech) will react to global moves to regulate."
Mr Musk, who has more than 80 million followers on Twitter, has a controversial history on the platform himself.
In 2018 US financial regulators accused him of misleading Tesla investors with his tweets, claims that were resolved in a $40 million settlement and that Mr Musk continues to deny.
And in 2019 he was hit with a defamation suit - which he successfully defeated - after calling a diver involved in rescuing schoolboys in Thailand "pedo guy" on the platform.
On Monday, Mr Musk, who has been known to clash with journalists and block critics, suggested that he saw Twitter as a forum for debate.
"I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means," he wrote just hours before the deal was announced.
Source-BBC
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.