Megan Thee Stallion wants her film career to go beyond acting: "I also really want to be a director"
2021 was the year of Megan Thee Stallion as she won numerous honors, including being named one of Glamour's Women of the Year. Now, the 27-year-old rapper is looking to go beyond music, with a Netflix production deal, and making her film debut in the movie musical F****** Identical Twins.
"I definitely want to be an actress, but I also really want to be a director. I love movies and I'm definitely a film buff," the "Hot Girl Summer" star tells The Hollywood Reporter. "I like to create. Not only do I like to write music, I like to write stories. I definitely want to see these stories come to life."
The Identical Twins, as described by THR, "follows two business adversaries who realize they're identical twin brothers and decide to switch places in order to reunite their divorced parents and become a family again."
On social media, Megan shared a screenshot of the exciting news of her film debut, and wrote, "HOTTIES THIS IS OUR FIRST MOVIEEEE/ MUSICAL! WITH SOME MOVIE LEGENDS."
The Houston MC continued, "I'm so excited i feel so blessed i feel anxious lol i feel a bunch of s***...I really have been quietly putting in this work and i just cant wait for the hotties to see everything."
Meanwhile, as Megan plans her first project for Netflix, she tells THR that her favorite TV series is Euphoria.
"They got me wanting to cry, wanting to scream and everybody is giving the best performances right now," Megan says. "I know these are characters and the show is not real, but they got me yelling at the TV like, 'Girl, get it together! What are you doing?!'"
Regarding Euphoria's star, her friend Zendaya, Megan says, "She's the best actress, and perfectly cast."
Source-ABC
Toyota Offers BZ4X Buyers a Year of Free EVGo Fast Charging
Toyota's BZ4X electric SUV may sound like it's named after a copy machine and feature some somewhat unconventional styling. Still, it looks like it'll be a good first SUV for many people and an overall decent value proposition. That proposition only looks like it's getting better thanks to an announcement made by Toyota on Thursday that BZ4X customers would be getting a year of free charging with EVGo.
This partnership with EVGo is brilliant for a few reasons. First, people love the word "free." That they won't have to pay for charging for a year will likely be enough to convince some people to make the jump to an EV. It also makes the BZ4X a more attractive option for someone who maybe can't charge at their home since they'll be able to fast charge for free, and EVGo stations are relatively commonplace so apartment dwellers with a burgeoning EV kink should statistically be relatively close to one, making charging convenient.
This isn't the first time that Toyota has employed a free fuel strategy with an unconventional vehicle, either. It has offered folks who bought a Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in California up to $15,000 in free fuel as well as nearly a month of rental car days in case the still somewhat unreliable hydrogen network makes it impossible to fill up when you need to.
Will the free charging thing be enough to get people over the way the BZ4X looks, as well as their initial concerns about transitioning to electric power for their transportation needs? Who knows, but it's a pretty good start.
Source-MSN
Weekend Weather for The Bahamas & TCI
GENERAL SITUATION: PREVAILING HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO SUPPORT PLEASANT WEATHER AND A MODERATE TO FRESH BREEZE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS, WHILE A SURFACE TROUGH SIT ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST ISLANDS INCLUDING THE TCI.
WARNINGS:
BEACH-GOERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT FOR POSSIBLE RIP CURRENTS ALONG ATLANTIC EXPOSED BEACHES.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY, AND WARM WITH PASSING SHOWERS, BREEZY IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN ISLANDS, FAIR AND COOL TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST INCREASING 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET, BUILDING TO 6 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST AND 4 TO 6 FEET, BUILDING TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS IN THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 82°F 28°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 64°F 18°C
SUNRISE: 6:34AM
SUNSET: 6:09PM
MOONSET: 1:59 PM
MOONRISE: 4:21 AM SUN
LOW TIDE: 10:15AM 10:11PM
HIGH TIDE: 4:02PM 4:44 AMSUN
EXTENDED FORECAST: HIGH PRESSURE WILL REMAIN THE DOMINANT FEATURE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS THROUGH MONDAY.
FORECAST FOR SUNDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND WARM, BECOMING BREEZY IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN ISLANDS, QUICK PASSING SHOWERS EXPECTED.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, BECOMING EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST ISLANDS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS BUILDING UP TO 6 FEET ALONG ATLANTIC EXPOSED SHORES. 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE CENTRAL, SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS & THE TURKS & CAICOS.
FORECAST FOR MONDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY AND WARM, BREEZY IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS, WITH PASSING SHOWERS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS, FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS, NORTHEASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: UP TO 5 FEET ALONG ATLANTIC BEACHES, 1 TO 3 FEET ELSEWHERE IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS BUILDING 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST ISLANDS
Snoop Dogg calls sexual assault lawsuit a “thinly veiled” extortion attempt
Snoop Dogg says in documents filed Thursday in Los Angeles federal court that a sexual assault lawsuit against him is a “thinly veiled attempt” to extort money from him.
His legal team claims that the lawsuit, which was filed four days before Snoop performed on February 13 at the Super Bowl, was legally flawed in a variety of ways, including that it was filed years too late, Billboard reports, citing California’s statute of limitations for such accusations.
Snoop’s attorney, Jennifer L. Keller, wrote that the accuser filed the lawsuit to stop her client “from continuing to assert her false claims publicly.”
“Nothing remotely resembling plaintiff’s story about defendant Calvin Broadus ever happened,” Keller continued, using the rapper’s legal name. “He vehemently denies ever engaging in any sex act with plaintiff or assaulting or battering her.”
The unnamed accuser claims that Snoop and Bishop Don “Magic” Juan separately assaulted her over a 24-hour span in May 2013. She alleges that she was first assaulted by Juan after she accepted a ride home, fell asleep in the car and woke up at his house.
The lawsuit also says the accuser traveled with Juan to Snoop's recording studio, where the latter demanded oral sex. She says she reluctantly complied because she was “afraid for her safety and for her life.”
Source-ABC
Flow TCI recognizes need for strong leadership in a post-pandemic world Hosts 1st Annual John C. Maxwell Live to Lead Leadership Conference
Flow TCI will host the first John. C. Maxwell ‘Live to Lead’ Leadership conference in Turks and Caicos. The leadership symposium features renowned leadership guru and multiple New York Times Best Selling author, John C. Maxwell alongside a world class team of speakers and panellists and is designed for industry leaders, community leaders and emerging leaders in TCI. The FREE leadership event will be held at the Shore Club for a limited in person audience and streamed live via ZOOM to hundreds of registered viewers in Turks and Caicos. level.
Flow TCI Country Manager, Joanne Missick said: “The world has changed dramatically in the last two years, more has been demanded from leaders physically, mentally, emotionally and professionally. Flow’s Live to Lead 2022 is an experience we want to bring to leaders to create a visceral shift in their leadership paradigm to meet and deliver on these new demands as we navigate the changes in our industry and world together. This is an investment in our customers, our communities, and by extension our country.”
Speakers will include #1 New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker, John C. Maxwell; New York Times bestselling author and Founder of IT Cosmetics, Jamie Kern Lima; life strategist, international speaker, and CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute, Valorie Burton; bestselling author and host of the top-rated Max Out Your Life Podcast, Ed Mylett, and Forbes Magazine endorsed speaker, Jeff Henderson.
Panellists include Flow ambassadors and John Maxwell influencers, Sheba Wilson and Melanie Smith, along with a wide cross section of creatives, professionals, and next generation thinkers and emerging youth leaders who will expand on key subjects around the concept of leadership and brand of leadership.
The venue sponsor for the event is The Hartling Group.
“The Hartling Group is delighted to be a key sponsor behind such a meaningful event that aims to cultivate leadership in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I wish to congratulate FLOW on their excellent commitment to make this a reality”, shared Stan Hartling, CEO, Hartling Group.
For more information on registration and to access the agenda for this year’s Live to Lead Conference 2022 visit https://discoverflow.co/turks-and-caicos/local-leadership-event.
Guilty verdicts on all counts for three other police officers involved in George Floyd's death
The three former Minneapolis, MN police officers who, with former officer Derek Chauvin, were involved in George Floyd's death, were found guilty on all counts Thursday in a federal trial of violating Floyd's civil rights.
Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were charged with depriving Floyd of his right to medical care when Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes on May 25, 2020, as the 46-year-old Black man was handcuffed and face down on the street. Thao and Keung were also charged with violating Floyd's civil rights by failing to intervene in Chauvin's actions.
Lane is white, Kueng is Black and Thao is Hmong American.
Chauvin, who was criminally convicted in Floyd's death in a state trial, pleaded guilty in December to federal charges that he also violated Floyd's civil rights.
The 12-person jury of eight women and four men who all appeared to be white deliberated for about 13 hours over two days to reach their verdict.
Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, Lane held his legs and Thao kept bystanders back during Floyd's arrest. Kueng and Lane both said they deferred to Chauvin as the senior officer at the scene, while Thao testified that he relied on the other officers to care for Floyd’s medical needs as his attention was elsewhere.
Conviction of a federal civil rights violation that results in death is punishable by life in prison or even death, but such sentences are extremely rare.
Floyd's videotaped killing sparked protests in Minneapolis that spread around the globe as part of reckoning over racial injustice. Chauvin was convicted of murder in April last year in state court and is currently serving a 22-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
Thao, Kueng and Lane still face a state criminal trial in June on charges that they aided and abetted murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death.
Trump praises "genius" and "savvy" Putin: "This never would have happened with us"
As Vladimir Putin steers Russia toward an invasion of Ukraine, former President Donald Trump is calling the actions of the Russian president "genius" and "savvy." The comments were made Tuesday on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, where the former president spoke of Putin's decision to declare certain breakaway regions in Ukraine as independent, a move that has severely raised tensions on the Russian-Ukraine border.
"This is genius. Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine...Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that's wonderful," said former President Trump. "You gotta say, that's pretty savvy. And you know what the response was from Biden? There was no response. They didn't have one for that. No, it's very sad. Very sad."
The U.S. and other countries have imposed sanctions on Russia as Ukraine's top security official announced Wednesday that a nationwide state of emergency will be declared due to the threat of a Russian invasion. President Joe Biden announced U.S. sanctions on Wednesday that targeted two Russian banks, Russia's sovereign debt, and members of the Russian elite and their relatives. Republican leaders have been critical, saying his response to the situation has been too weak.
Former President Trump praised Putin in the same interview, calling him "a tough cookie" full of "great charm and a lot of pride," and said the two "liked" each other. "This never would have happened with us," the former president said of his administration. "He's acting a little differently I think now."
Source-ABC
Explosions heard in Kyiv following Putin’s announcement of "special military operation"
In a possible sign of a broader attack on the country, ABC News’ team on the ground in Ukraine heard explosions in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv mere minutes after Russian President Vladimir Putinannounced on state television the start of a “special military operation” in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, saying that Russia would now “strive for the demilitarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine.”
He urged Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms and returned home and warned foreign countries not to interfere in the conflict. The move coincided with the start of a special late-night session of the UN Security Council, at which the U.S., France, and other members of the UNSC are working on a draft resolution to condemn Russia for its actions, according to France's permanent representative to the U.N.
Shortly before Putin’s announcement, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a direct appeal to Putin: "If indeed an operation is being prepared, I have only one thing to say from the bottom of my heart: President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died."
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, President Joe Biden condemned the attack and vowed that the U.S. and its allies will “respond in a decisive way” and the world “will hold Russia accountable.”
Biden said, “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable."
"I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security," he continued. "We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine.”
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, at an afternoon press briefing on Wednesday, said Russian forces are now prepared for an invasion of Ukraine. "What we see is that Russian forces continue to assemble closer to the border and put themselves in an advanced stage of readiness to act to conduct military action in Ukraine," Kirby said. "We believe that they are ready."
He said that the U.S. did not know when or how an invasion might begin, but repeated President Biden's message that if a large-scale invasion happens, it will be a "war of choice" for Putin. "There will be suffering, there will be sacrifice, and all of that must and should be laid at his feet, because he's doing this by choice," Kirby said.
Source-ABC
Press Statement by Minister of Health 24th February 2022
Good morning my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, residents both home and abroad, those listening via the various media platforms, thank you for tuning into this National Health Update.
I would like to thank all the Health Professionals, Frontline workers, the TCI Medical Association, TCHTA, Chamber of Commerce, TCI Restaurant and Bar Associations, and all those in support roles that have helped us to get where we are today. Finally, I would like to thank you the general public for taking collective responsibility in helping to bring our cases down to more manageable numbers.
Before speaking to the updated regulations, I would like to reiterate a few key facts. As of the 23rd of February 2022, the following was the Covid-19 outlook:
1. 21 active Cases all on Providenciales
2. 28-day Positivity rate 3.1%
3. 0 Confirmed Hospitalizations.
TCI will have done it again!! We’ve effectively faced 4 waves of COVID -19 and have beat it every time.
At a meeting held 23rd of February 2022, Cabinet agreed the following:
• Cabinet approved amendments to the existing COVID-19 measures and protocols, which will come into effect from 5am on Monday 28 February and remain in place until 31 March 2022:
a) Churches or Religious Places of Worship be increased to 100% of their approved capacity,
b) Restaurants, bars, nightclubs or discotheques be increased to 100% of their approved capacity,
c) Weddings and funerals be increased to 100% of their approved capacity,
d) Social gatherings inclusive of beach events over 100 persons require written permission from the Chief Medical Officer or Chief Environmental Health Officer and written approval (permit) from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DEC
e) Updated the Health Protocol and Quarantine Guidelines for the handling of positive COVID-19 cases.
f) A weekly public (only) dashboard of COVID-19 cases to be published in lieu of the current daily one. Public Health will continue to submit daily reporting to CARPHA, CDC, Public Health England etc. as per international requirements,And
g) Mask wearing and/or face covering will continue to be required indoors and enclosed spaces
while their use is now recommended for outdoors when in close proximity to others.
• Members also agreed to discontinue the following COVID-19 measures and protocols with effect from Monday 28 February 2022:
a) Restaurant, bar, nightclub or discotheque patrons are no longer required to be fully vaccinated and 24-hour negative testing requirement
b) Commercial/excursion boat owners are no longer restricted in capacity, and
c) Logbooks for all establishments will no longer be required
Cabinet approved for the Arrival Passengers Travel Clearance Health Regulations 2020 to remain old.
Some folks might say if Cabinet has removed all these restrictions, why not follow other countries like the DR and the UK and go all the way and burst the country wide open? I say we must all continue to be mindful of our unique position as a country with our strengths and weaknesses.
When it comes to COVID- 19 we must continue to cut our own cloth and find ways to still both protect lives and livelihoods. On the livelihood front we are doing better and better economically, with having over 40,000 passenger arrivals in January.
This was again powered by the number one beach in the world, Grace Bay Beach, as noted by Trip Advisors Readers Choice. From a lives standpoint we must be more cautious as it’s better to measure 10 times and cut once rather than measure once and cut 10 times. We believe that these are smart regulations that will be monitored for the next month to ensure they are effective.
Ultimately, we have to continue to take personal and collective responsibility for our actions, both good and bad. Again folks, we are in a great position and can grow from strength to strength.
Citizen Inflation Stimulus
The general Public is advised that the Turks and Caicos inflation stimulus is still currently being processed. Please remember to check the email submitted with your application to see if an approval letter was sent or a letter sent requesting additional information. Also, check your junk email as the communication may have ended up in your junk email.
Regrettably, the first batch of payments which is scheduled to be released on February 25th will now be released on March 3rd. Please see the revised schedule below.
The revised approved payout dates are as follows for approved applicants:
- Applicants approved by 14th February, 2022 will be paid on 2nd March 2022;
- Applicants approved by 21st February, 2022 will be paid on 7th March 2022;
- Applicants approved by 28th February, 2022 will be paid on 11th March 2022.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Please also be reminded of the following:
To qualify for the assistance, the applicant must satisfy the following criteria:
- Submission of a completed form on the Portal;
- Proof of documentation of Turks & Caicos Islands Status Holder or British Overseas Territory Citizenship;
Proof of TCI Status may include the following:
|
Category |
Documents Required |
|
TCI Status; |
Turks & Caicos Islander Status Card; OR |
|
TCI Status |
Copy of applicant’s TCI birth certificate, along with a copy one or both parents’ TCI status Card; OR |
|
TCI Status; |
Copy of applicant’s TCI birth certificate, along with a copy of one or both parents’ birth certificate; OR |
|
TCI Status |
copy of applicant’s TCI birth certificate along with Islander Status Card/Island Status Certificate of one or both of his/her parents |
|
a BOTC; |
Copy of BOTC passport (if passport is expired the expiration date could be no later than 31st March 2020; OR |
|
a BOTC; |
Copy of BOTC certificate; |
- Applicants who are not incarcerated and serving a prison sentence;
- Applicant is 18 years of age and over;
- Proof that applicant is living in the Turks & Caicos Islands. (Evidence would include an active NIB number, TCI voter’s registration number or copy of a utility bill displaying the applicant’s name which was issued in the TCI during the last 12 months.