Navient, formerly Sally Mae, agrees to $1.7 billion student loan settlement
One of the nation's largest student loan services agreed to pay a nearly $2 billion settlement after 38 states and the District of Columbia claimed it deceived thousands of students to pay more than they should have.
The company Navient, formerly Sally Mae, is accused of pushing borrowers into subprime, private loans they knew most would be unable to repay. Navient is also accused of steering students into costly, long-term forbearance plans instead of counseling them about a more affordable repayment plan.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro called the practice a "multi-billion dollar scam." Adds Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, "These loans were doomed to fail from the start and Navient knew it."
The agreement cancels nearly $1.7 billion dollars in balances owed by 66,000 borrowers nationwide. Borrowers will receive notification of private loan debt cancellation from Navient, along with refunds of any payments made on the cancelled private loans, after June 30, 2021.
Source-ABC
FBI arrests Oath Keepers leader in relation to Jan. 6 attack
Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy related to allegedly coordinating the insurrection ahead of January 6. Multiple other members were also charged. This is the first time the Justice Department has used the seditious conspiracy charge in relation to Jan. 6, which carries a maximum sentence of no more than 20 years.
Authorities said Rhodes and other Oath Keepers conspired to "oppose by force the execution of the laws governing the transfer of presidential power" from outgoing President Donald Trump to incoming President Joe Biden. The case involving 17 other Oath Keepers' participation in the insurrection is the department's largest and most complex conspiracy case resulting from the January 6 attack.
Javed Ali, the former senior counterterrorism director at the National Security Council and a former FBI and DHS official, told ABC News, "The charges against Stewart Rhodes send a strong message."
Kanye West named as suspect in criminal battery investigation
Kanye West was named as a suspect in the report of a battery to the Los Angeles Police Department Thursday morning.
The Donda rapper was not arrested, KABC reports
The incident occurred at about 3 a.m. at South Santa Fe Avenue and Bay Street in downtown Los Angeles, outside of Soho Warehouse, a members-only club, according to the LAPD.
TMZ reported that Ye is being investigated for an alleged misdemeanor battery, which carries a maximum jail sentence of six months. The website claims that he allegedly punched a man following an argument. A video shows West yelling, “Did y’all say that or not? Did y’all say that or not? Cuz that’s what happened now.”
TMZ also reports that Kanye was at Delilah nightclub in West Hollywood with actress Julia Fox Wednesday night and eventually left while she remained at the club.
Source-ABC
Cardi B testifies she felt "extremely suicidal"
Cardi B is opening up about the mental toll she suffered after YouTuber Tasha K spread alleged lies about her.
Cardi appeared in court on Thursday, January 13 to give an impassioned testimony expressing to a Georgia jury that Tasha, who boasts one million subscribers, went on a "malicious campaign" to damage the rapper's reputation, according to Billboard.
While on the stand, the "WAP" rapper said that she felt "helpless" as Tasha continued to spread alleged false rumors about her, adding that she also suffered fatigue, anxiety, and migraines as a result.
"I felt defeated and depressed and I didn't want to sleep with my husband," said Cardi, who is married to fellow rapper Offset, according to TMZ.
When asked by her attorney what she thought of Tasha, the "Up" rapper said she "felt like only a demon could do that," She then followed her statement up with an apology to the judge for swearing.
Cardi, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, filed a libel lawsuit against Tasha, real name Latasha Kebe, in 2019 after the YouTuber posted videos claiming the rapper was a prostitute, contracted herpes, and used drugs, among other things.
Cardi is seeking damages as well as for Tasha to "remove in full al defamatory and disparaging statements."
The trial is set to continue on January 18.
Source-ABC
TURKS AND CAICOS PRODUCES RECORD NUMBERS FOR 2021
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to announce that 2021 was one of the most successful years on record. This, not only owing to the destination being open for business as of July 2019, but due to the Tourist Board’s continued marketing the country as safe for travellers.
The Board was instrumental in welcoming two new carriers: Frontier Airlines out of Orlando, Florida and Sun Country Airlines from Minneapolis, Minnesota. This, in addition to helping to negotiate the return of Southwest Airlines from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. What is more, there was the resumption of service from Toronto with Air Canada and British Airways (BA) from London Heathrow. The Tourist Board also had marketing partnerships with BA and Air Canada, affording travellers in the UK, EU and Canada the opportunity to discover, book and fly to TCI!
The last quarter of the year, September to December 2021, saw an average increase in arrival numbers of approximately 122,289 for 2021, versus 1116,338, an upsurge from 2019 numbers of the same period. These preliminary numbers reflect the continued advertising and promotions initiatives carried out in collaboration with our wholesaler partners, travel advisors, hotel partners and airlines.
The Board organized familiarization and press trips from the US and UK markets. These trips showcased the country, providing partners with in-depth knowledge on the destination and our various product offerings, with the view of promoting the TCI on to their clients and in their publications.
This past year marked record tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands, along with record publicity for the destination across the United States, our leading market generator. The Turks and Caicos Tourism board developed and executed diverse multi-faceted public relations plans and strategies to expand upon the Islands cachet as a world-class luxury vacation destination, having with affordable options and offerings for all.
The Tourism Board has been aggressive with advertisement, that resulted in notable placements in the UK publications: Travel & Leisure, Food & Travel, Conde Nast Traveller and Travel Weekly magazines; and in the US: Travel + Leisure online, Conde Nast Traveler (print and online), Forbes online, USA Today, ELLE online, Harper’s Bazaar online, CNN Travel, CNBC Travel, The Washington Post online, Brides online, PEOPLE Magazine online, MSN, Time Out, Marie Claire online, JustLuxe, Departures, TripSavvy, TravelPulse, Travel Weekly, Caribbean Journal, and The Points Guy, among others.
The Tourism Board exhibited at trade shows and roadshows in the United States, United Kingdom and France. Showcases focused on luxury, cruising, diving and water sports, weddings, honeymoons, adventure and eco travel.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Board is proud to have won multiple awards from Caribbean Journal this year, chiefly: Providenciales being named the Best Island in the Caribbean to Visit in 2022; Luxury Destination of the Year; New Hotel of the Year won by The Ritz-Carlton Turks & Caicos; and Caribbean Tourism Director of the Year.
“The record number of traveller arrivals, advertisement placement, events and activities, accolades, in conjunction with our partner collaboration, is indicative of the work that the Tourist Board has been building upon and will continue to do,” said Pamela Ewing, Director of Tourism. “We have been steadfast, contentious and consistent in these trying times. We are cognizant of the travelling publics needs, and we strive to inform them not only of our destination, but keep them up-to-date on the various protocols with regard to entry and remaining safe.”
“2021 was indeed a banner year for us, and with hope, 2022 will be an even better year ahead, as we work toward not only increasing our arrival numbers, but bettering the product we have to offer”, added Miss Ewing.
Cabinet extends invite to Religious Leaders to discuss COVID-19 protocols
The Turks and Caicos Islands Cabinet sincerely apologizes to the Church Community for unintentionally including Churches and religious events alongside bars and discotheques in a press release on the new COVID-19 regulations.
In our haste to announce, via the press, the updated regulations ahead of the implementation date, the egregious error was made. We wish to make it clear that in the actual regulations, the Church is properly separated from other groups.
We will invite the Religious Leaders in the days ahead to discuss how best to grant our people their right to worship and conduct their religious affairs while protecting them from COVID-19 when we have major spikes.
The decision to impose these stricter restrictions was not arbitrary but with Public Health guidance to reduce the spread of the virus. The new restrictions are temporary and will be reviewed within the next two weeks.
We thank the church for the work they have done to help with our public education on COVID-19 and vaccination. We could not have achieved success without your valuable support. We ask the Church to work with us, over what will be a very short period, to get us through what we expect to be a temporary spike.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government continues to value the role of the Church and its importance to the religious and social development of our communities. The government’s commitment to supporting faith-based initiatives, as set out in its manifesto, will ensure the views of the church are considered in critical decision-making initiatives.
TCI Observes Earthquake Awareness Week 2022
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies will be observing Earthquake Awareness from January 10th to 15th January 2022, and commemorating the fatal Earthquake, which devastated Haiti twelve years ago on January 12, 2010. According to the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility Country Risk Profile for the TCI, the islands are vulnerable to earthquake and tsunami risks, but at a low to moderate level. Earthquakes cannot be predicted with any level of accuracy and we cannot prevent them from occurring. However, we can be prepared to respond to an earthquake event whether it be in the TCI or abroad.
We must consider the TCI's geographical location. The Puerto Rico Trench, (which is an active plate boundary between North American and Caribbean Plates) an active plate boundary, which makes the TCI vulnerable as it is located approximately 150 kilometers to the north of the Trench. Moreover, the Caribbean is a very active seismic region. Home to three live volcanoes, over a thousand earthquakes happen annually, although the magnitude of many are too small to be felt. This region has experienced major earthquake events which have triggered several tsunamis warnings. To bring it closer to home; this season marks 12 years since TCI was issued a tsunami warning as of a result of the 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti.
As the department continues to work towards Comprehensive Disaster Management, and raising awareness on all hazards, during this week we place emphasis on Earthquake Hazards Mitigation.
You cannot stop an earthquake, but you can lessen the effects of that earthquake -thus protecting your home, your life, and your family. Don’t make the mistake of thinking, “Well, there's nothing I can do anyhow; if it comes, it comes.” You can make your house safer by applying building codes and securing lose and heavy items.
When the TCI Building Codes, are obeyed by ordinary citizens, developers and construction industry practitioners, then Earthquake Awareness Week will have real meaning. Together we can improve our response time, and strengthen our infrastructural resilience and overall national preparedness. The DDME encourages you to do your part and be Earthquake Smart.
REMEMBER! When an earthquake is felt:
Wherever you are when an earthquake starts, take cover immediately. Move a few steps to a nearby safe place if need be. Stay there until the shaking stops.
If you are indoors: "DROP, COVER, HOLD ON"
Stay inside.
Drop under heavy furniture such as a table, desk, bed or any solid furniture.
Cover your head and torso to prevent being hit by falling objects.
Hold onto the object that you are under so that you remain covered.
If you can't get under something strong, or if you are in a hallway, flatten yourself or crouch against an interior wall.
If you are driving, stop your vehicle in a safe location and wait until the shaking stops. ‘
After the shaking stops, evacuate buildings and wait for aftershocks. Move well away from buildings, brick walls, and overhead signs, lights, and power lines.
Do not go sightseeing or enter damaged buildings. Stay calm and help others if possible.
Listen for warnings from DDME before moving.
Always have a Family Emergency Plan.
Earthquakes and other hazards can happen anytime and anywhere so be prepared. Be Earthquake Smart!
Revised National Guidelines for COVID-19 cases
As 10th January 2022, a number of changes to the current guideline on quarantine/isolation take effect. The complete guideline can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website at: https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/guidance . Some of the main changes include:
· Individuals are now to contact the team directly on each island. The Ministry will continue to provide results to persons tested through the Primary Healthcare Department.
· Persons requiring a quarantine order for work/school/insurance purposes, who tested positive at a Private Facility should contact the Public Health Team directly:
o North Caicos
§ Kew: 342-6860
§ Bottle Creek: 347-2126
o Middle Caicos: 243-2522
o South Caicos: 345-7360
o Grand Turk: 347-5657
o Salt Cay: 245-9409
o Providenciales: Visit the National Stadium, Venetian Road
§ Mondays-Wednesdays: 9am-2pm
§ Thursdays and Fridays: 9am-12pm
· All persons testing positive are to inform their contacts of their status. Close contacts within the same dwelling should contact the Public Health team for testing/quarantine documents.
· Contacts in a separate dwelling will no longer require quarantine, however should monitor themselves for symptoms and seek testing if symptoms develop.
· Isolation/quarantine periods may be reduced based on vaccination/booster status, symptoms and a negative rapid antigen/lateral flow device test
· Households are still to quarantine together
· Tourist groups: The person(s) within the group that tests positive is recommended to isolate for the required period, however, persons testing negative in the group may repatriate as planned.
National Public Health Laboratory
The National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) wishes to advise the public that in an effort to mitigate the massive surge in requests for testing, approximately 450 samples were sent overseas for processing late last week. In partnership with Grace Bay Medical, these samples
were couriered to a large capacity laboratory in Florida. All results have since been received over the weekend and are currently being entered in the local database for reporting purposes. As a result, significant changes in the COVID-19 dashboard are anticipated; due to both delays in some samples being processed, as well as ongoing data entry.
If you are the recipient of a text message from the laboratory, you may find you are unable to access the site/app to which you were directed. Please be assured that you will be contacted by the TCI Ministry of Health with your results.
The team at the NPHL and by extension the Ministry of Health remains committed to providing timely, quality service to the TCI. The Ministry is grateful for the continued patience and consideration by the public during this challenging period.
COVID-19 Vaccination
As of January 2 2022 the TCI vaccination coverage stands at 81% of the population fully vaccinated, 86% with at least one dose and 13% having received a booster shot.
The Ministry of Health would like to encourage all residents of the TCI to use all available precautions:
· Maintain a face covering while around others
· Physical distancing of at least 6 feet
· Avoid large gatherings; especially indoors
· Frequent hand hygiene
· VACCINATION
COVID-19 Vaccines are available for residents 12years and older across the TCI free of cost. Booster doses are now available three months after receiving the second dose. Vaccination is one of the best measures to protect against severe disease, hospitalizations and death from COVID-19. The Ministry of Health encourages unvaccinated individuals to strongly consider taking the shot, and those who are vaccinated, to take the booster!
The Ministry of Health implores everyone to play their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the TCI. Get Vaccinated, Get Boosterized, Protect yourself and Protect your loved ones!
EXTENSION OF EXISTING COVID-19 MEASURES AND PROTOCOLS
In response to recent trends that show an increase in COVID-19 numbers here in the TCI, the Government through the Ministry of Health and Human Services is implementing measures that will help blunt transmission and prevent overwhelming hospitalizations. Some of these COVID-19 measures and protocols came into effect on Friday, January 7, and the others will become active on 05:00 (5am) Friday 14 January 2022 and unless otherwise stated will remain in effect until 28 February 2022.
Based on the trajectory of the pandemic, the levels of vaccination in the country and the available capacity within the health sector, Cabinet has decided to make the following changes.
Approved policy for the voluntary vaccination of children aged 5-11 years against COVID-19 in line with UK JCVI (Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunization) guidelines and in response to an increase in positive cases recorded in TCI among children. Plans are being developed to source the approved dosages for children.
Effective January 7:
i. Social gatherings and social activities, including public beaches, of more than 50 persons shall require a permit.
ii. Bi-weekly testing of front-line staff to include teachers with an exemption of those that received their booster shot or who became fully vaccinated within the last 3 months.
Effective January 14:
i. Only patrons who are fully vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test within 24 hours are permitted to enter restaurants, bars, nightclubs, discotheques and attend religious events and funerals. Regulation applies to those 12 years of age and above.
ii. Approved amendments to the Arriving Passengers Health Clearance Regulations with the lowering of mandatory testing to persons two years old and above for arriving visitors and residents returning to the TCI.
Additionally, to avoid learners losing school time, the Government has re- implemented its online learning platform. Parents are encouraged to have their children vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service has advised that the Public Service Business Continuity Plan has been implemented as an option to help to slow the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant.
The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains acriminal offence.
Boundary Rectification Survey of Block 61112, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
In response to a myriad of boundary discrepancies in Block 61112, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, the Survey and Mapping Department will be executing a Boundary Rectification Survey to correct the discrepancies. The survey will be executed between January 17, 2022, to April 15, 2022.
We apologize for the protracted delay in addressing this matter, please facilitate our field personnel as much as possible so that together we can solve this problem.