Government open to international assistance to deal with crime situation in St.Lucia
The St. Lucia government said Monday that ‘all options are open” as it responds to the criminal activities on the island highlighted by the weekend murder of an off-duty police officer and the hospitalisation of another law enforcement official.
“We have to do whatever we can to avoid the scourge of violence afflicting our country,” Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre told reporters as his Cabinet meet on Monday for its weekly meeting.
Constable Nathan Timaitre was shot and killed last Saturday, while his colleague Constable Isaac Calvin sustained injuries and remains in a critical condition after they were fired upon by gunmen as they provided escort for a cash transaction at Bocage on the outskirts of the capital, Castries.
“All options are open,” Prime Minister Pierre said, when asked about the possibility of international assistance, describing the Bocage incident as a sad day for the island.
Pierre said that the crime situation has been affecting St. Lucia for a long time and warned against playing the blame game.
He said while the government, within its fiscal ability, provides resources to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), it’s for the police force to develop strategic responses to crime.
“We have to be calm, we have to be resolute, we have to fight the criminality together.
Criminality at all levels, at the level of corruption, at the level of situations where people do not speak the truth – we have to get all these situations under control.
Criminality in all aspects is horrible and what’s happening now where there’s a loss of life and property cannot be tolerated,” Pierre told reporters, urging the population to get together to help deal with the situation.
Source-CMC
EDUCATION WEEK COMMENCES ON MARCH 6TH – 11TH
Education Week 2022 kicked off on Sunday 6 March with its usual flare, as the official ecumenical church services were hosted across the country. Social media was lit up with lots of pictures from the various services across the islands, as the Ministry of Education personnel, schools, parents and supporters all displayed their Sunday best for the occasion.
Activities for Education Week 2022 will run until 11 March under the theme "Success for Every Learner". The Ministry of Education says that activities are planned at the national and school level.
Today, in Grand Turk, the Ona Glinton Primary School held a special award ceremony for students who made the honour roll. The event was attended by the Minister for Home Affairs, Honourable Otis Morris, who reminisced about when he attended the school and said that he would do everything in his power to ensure that the school remains the number one primary school in the country.
Former Principal, Ms. Gwen Harvey also attended, where she gave a prayer and assisted with the handing out of awards. Consequently, today is also her birthday. Happy birthday to you former Principal Harvey.
Also, in Grand Turk, the Eliza Simons Primary School also hosted a cultural day with local ripsaw musicians, where students got to sing local songs, learn how to play local music, and have lots of fun.
Other activities taking place today included the Fortis Virtual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Teachers Workshops.
Also, later today at 5:30 pm there will be a symposium on the Education Week theme of Success Every Learner. The symposium begins with a keynote address and will be followed by a panel discussion. The panel will discuss the theme with a view towards providing recommendations aimed at improving the education system’s ability to facilitate, what the theme postulates.
On Tuesday, 8 March there will be a TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) Day will be hosted at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex.
In addition to the main activities, individual schools across the country will be hosting a variety of activities.
Education Week concludes on the 11th Teachers Day. The Ministry of Education says that teachers are this world's unsung heroes, and it implores us to remember that special teacher that made a difference in our lives and helped us to become the successful individuals we are today and send that teacher or teachers a special shout-out.
Holy update, Batman! New movie The Batman actually made $134 million over the weekend
As reported, The Batman was this weekend's box office champ, but a recalculation of the numbers shows that the film made even more money than previously thought.
Variety reports that Robert Pattinson's first turn as the Dark Knight actually made $134 million in the U.S.; estimated numbers on Sunday had said that the Matt Reeves-directed movie had made $128.5 million.
The discrepancy was chalked up to a stronger-than-thought Sunday performance stateside. The movie made $34.1 million on the last day of the weekend, when ticket sales generally slow down. The Warner Bros. film has earned $258 million worldwide.
The Batman notched the best weekend performance of 2022, and it's only the second film in the pandemic era to open to over $100 million in a weekend -- the other being the more than $1.8 billion-grossing Spider-Man: No Way Home, which opened late last year.
Source-ABC
One gas station in Los Angeles close to $7 a gallon
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose to almost $5.25 on Saturday, but some gas stations in the area have even higher prices according to KABC.
The Shell gas station located at Olympic Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in Mid-City was advertising regular unleaded at $6.99 a gallon. The price for premium was listed at $7.29 a gallon.
Each of the three highest increases since July 14, 2015, have occurred over the past three days.
The average price rose 8.6 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The Orange County average price rose 10.3 cents to $5.238 - the largest increase since July 2015.
Oil industry analysts attribute the price spike to the possibility of a supply shortage because traders, shippers, insurance companies and banks are avoiding Russian oil transactions for fear of running afoul of Western sanctions.
Pump prices have reached record highs as the price of a barrel of Brent crude for May delivery on the Intercontinental Exchange rose Friday to its highest amount since Feb. 13, 2013, $118.11, increasing $7.65. Its 25.49% increase for the week -- $23.99 -- is the largest on record, based on available data back to Jan. 11, 1991.
Crude oil costs account for slightly more than half of the pump price, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The rest of the price includes the other components of gasoline, production costs, distribution costs, overhead costs for all involved in production, distribution and sales, taxes and carbon offset fees in California paid by the refineries.
Source-ABC
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SERVICE MOURNS THE LOSS OF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, DONIESHA CAPRON
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Civil Service mourns the loss of Immigration Officer, Doniesha Capron.
Doniesha joined the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service on March 16th, 2018 as a Temporary Assistant Immigration Officer and on June 15th, 2018 was appointed to the post of Immigration Officer.
Ms. Capron was a serving Immigration Officer at the Providenciales International Airport at the time of her passing.
A short ceremony was held at the Providenciales International Airport earlier today March 7, 2022 to pay homage to Officer Capron and to offer prayers and comfort to the affected staff.
In attendance were: Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams; Minister responsible for Border Security Honourable Arlington Musgrove; Permanent Secretary responsible for Border Security Mrs. Althea Been; Deputy Director of Immigration Mr. Anthony Swann; Compliance and Enforcement Manger Mr. Tito Forbes; Collector of Customs Ms. Chawa Williams; Head of Secretariat Ms. Jenika Laporte, as well as senior and other ranks of the Immigration Department.
Prayers and words of comfort were offered by Bishop Coleta Williams and Bishop Joseph Hall of Abundant Life Ministries International in Providenciales.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in expressing her condolences stated to the family and loved ones of Ms. Doniesha Capron stated:
“It is with deep sadness that we extend our condolences to the family of the late Doniesha Capron in particular her parents Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Orien Capron on her recent passing.
Having had the opportunity to directly interact with the staff at the Providenciales Airport on a number of occasions over the years, I can only describe Doniesha as a bright spark whose presence will greatly be missed.
The pain of losing a loved one is never easy, but as sudden death has the propensity to compound the impact of loss and grief, we pray for your strength at this time.
We pray also for our Immigration Officers and staff at the Providenciales Airport that have been devastated by this loss.
We are eternally grateful for the time that Doniesha was able to share with us and for her service to the Government and people of these islands.
May her smile and laughter be forever etched in the hearts and minds of all her family, friends, loved ones and colleagues and may her soul rest in eternal peace!”
The Minister of Immigration and Border Services, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, joining with the Deputy Governor and members of his Ministry, in addressing the staff on the tragic loss of their colleague, lamented:
“Death is never an easy thing, and it is especially difficult when it signifies the loss of a colleague, a person who we have come to know and love.
The Ministry mourns with our staff in the Departments of Immigration and Customs, with whom Ms. Capron worked.
My condolences are extended to her family and her friends and it is my prayer that God will be a source of comfort for you during this difficult time.
Ms. Capron was a vibrant soul and her infectious smile will forever be in our hearts."
Rest In Eternal Peace Doniesha!
TRAGEDY ON THE ROADWAY
Once again, another family is grieving today at the tragic death of their loved one due to a traffic accident.
Reports are that last evening, at about 9:32pm, a police patrol car came upon a car, which had smashed into one of the poles inside the median near the roundabout close to First Caribbean Bank on Leeward Highway in Providenciales.
Fire and medical emergency responders attended the scene.
The driver, a young female resident, reportedly passed away at the scene and was pronounced dead by a medical doctor. She was employed with the Immigration Department in
Providenciales. Some of her coworkers have said that she was a joy to work with and a wonderful friend.
Magnetic Media, who were the first to report the accident, noted that the family was traumatized at this unexpected and tragic loss.
This is the second traffic fatality for 2022 on the roadways of Providenciales. We hope to have further details of this accident in our later newscast.
Police say that enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances that led to this collision. They are asking that if anyone witnessed the incident or has any information that could assist
the police with their enquiries, please contact 911.
Chris Rock and Kevin Hart combine forces for the Rock Hart: Only Headliners Allowed tour
Recently, we reported that both Kevin Hart and Chris Rock were launching respective stand-up tours, but now it's been announced that the longtime friends are teaming up for a trek.
Live Nation reports that Hart and Rock will take the stage together in July with their joint Rock Hart: Only Headliners Allowed tour.
The exclusive arena run kicks off on July 21 at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island, New York, and also will stop at the Prudential Center and PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey and at New York City's historic Madison Square Garden, before wrapping up at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center on July 25.
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 11, at 10 a.m. ET at Ticketmaster.com.
In a statement, Hart said, "When Chris and I realized we were both going to be on tour this year we immediately knew we needed to do something special. We have been friends and mentors to each other for 20 years, but we have never shared a headlining stage together -- until now!!!"
He added, "I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the return of live comedy than to co-headline a show with my brother Chris Rock. This is a major moment in comedy and one for the history books."
Source-ABC
Russian forces now control Europe’s largest nuclear plant
Management of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, is now operating under orders from the commander of the Russian forces that took control of the site last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Sunday.
Meanwhile, there’s been a second failed attempt at a ceasefire in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, as Ukrainian officials say the Russians never stopped shelling.
Russian forces moving from neighboring Belarus toward Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, don’t appear to have advanced closer to the city since coming within about 20 miles, although smaller advanced groups have been fighting gun battles with Ukrainian forces inside the capital since at least Friday.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported Sunday that it has verified 1,123 civilian casualties in Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country began on February 24. Aaron brings you the latest from Lviv.
Source-ABC
Scotland v Ukraine World Cup play-off semi-final postponed
Scotland and Ukraine's World Cup play-off semi-final has been postponed.
The nations were set to meet at Hampden on 24 March but Ukraine requested Fifa push back the tie following Russia's invasion of the country.
As a result, the play-off final for the winners against either Wales or Austria on 29 March will now also be delayed.
Discussions are under way for a new date, with the Nations League window in June the most likely option.
The World Cup finals take place from 21 November to 18 December.
A large contingent of Ukraine's recent squads has contained players from their homeland, with 15 out of the 23-man squad in November's World Cup qualifiers playing in their home leagues.
Both sides are set to face each other in June on Nations League duty, with each side already scheduled to play four games during that break.
Speaking last week, Scottish FA president Rod Petrie offered his Ukrainian counterpart support as the nations held talks with Fifa over moving this month's tie.
"Football is inconsequential amid conflict," said Petrie.
"But we have conveyed the strong sense of solidarity communicated to us by Scotland fans and citizens in recent days.
"[The SFA] have offered to support our Ukrainian colleagues' preparations as best we can in these unimaginably difficult circumstances."
Source-BBC
Fresh Russian attacks throw evacuation into chaos
Russian forces continued to shell the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on Saturday, despite agreeing to a ceasefire just hours earlier - throwing an attempted mass evacuation of civilians into chaos.
"I'm right now in Mariupol, I'm on the street, I can hear shelling every three to five minutes," said Alexander, a 44-year-old engineer and resident of the city.
The green corridor set up to get people out was not working, he said.
"I can see cars of people who tried to flee and they are coming back. It is chaos."
Three hours after the ceasefire was supposed to begin, at 09:00 (07:00 GMT), Mariupol authorities announced they had postponed a planned mass evacuation because of the continued bombardment. "We ask the people in Mariupol to head for the shelter, there will be more information on the evacuation asap," a statement said."Due to the fact that the Russian side is not sticking to the ceasefire and continues to shoot Mariupol itself and the outskirts, the evacuation has been postponed."
Mariupol, a port city of about 400,000 people, is a key strategic target for Russia because seizing it would allow Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine to join forces with troops in Crimea, the southern peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Russia has not commented on the renewed shelling, but its defence ministry said civilians had not used the escape routes from Mariupol and Volnovakha and accused Ukrainian authorities of preventing people from leaving, Russian state media said.
Maxim, a 27-year-old IT developer, sent the BBC videos from his grandparents' Mariupol apartment building showing smoke from explosions near the city centre and he said smoke was rising from the highway to Zaporizhzhia - the planned ceasefire escape route.
"We can hear missiles and see smoke coming from buildings around us," Maxim said. "Our apartment building is full of people now because everyone is fleeing the shelling into the city centre. "Some people have come from the left bank district and they said it was a total disaster there and there were bodies in the streets."
Family members of those trapped in the city said they feared their loved ones were not getting any up-to-date information about what was happening. "I talked to my uncle Dmitri for less than a minute before the phone connection cut," said Juliana Ivliova, 26.
"They didn't know about the evacuation or green corridor. People who know about it and try to get out are being told to turn and get back to their houses. "The city is still being shelled. I'm devastated, I'm like a robot, I've gone completely numb. When I heard the voice of my uncle on the phone I just wanted to cry."
Thousands of civilians were preparing on Friday morning to evacuate from Mariupol, in south-eastern Ukraine, and the smaller city of Volnovakha to the north.
Up to 9,000 people were initially expected to attempt to escape Mariupol by bus and private vehicle on Saturday, Mr Orlov said, adding that trains were unable to run because infrastructure had been destroyed.
Local officials earlier said residents were in dire need of food, water and medicine because of Russia's blockade.
In a statement on Friday, the International Community of the Red Cross called the scenes in Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities "heartbreaking" and said it was "in dialogue with the parties about the safe passage of civilians from different cities affected by the conflict".
Ukraine's army has so far held control of the Mariupol, but Russia has pounded residential areas with air strikes, leaving the entire population without water, power or sanitation for four days.
Russia's increased aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities has raised fears it is shifting to a tactic of destruction from the air after failing to make significant progress on the ground.
In Volnovakha - another key city as it sits on the road between Mariupol and Russia-controlled Donetsk - heavy clashes have been taking place and much of the area has been flattened by Russian bombardments.
There were about 25,000 people there and since the bombardment 90% of buildings there have reportedly been destroyed.
Elsewhere, fighting continues in the north and the east of the country, with several cities bombarded by Russian shelling. In some places, there have been reports of hand-to-hand combat.
Source - BBC