CARICOM countries threaten boycott of OAS Council meeting
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have threatened to boycott a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) scheduled for later on Wednesday, if their request for a debate on the “current situation” in Cuba is not placed on the agenda.
The 13 CARICOM countries said they have taken note of a special meeting of the Permanent Council of the OAS to address “The Situation in Cuba” and has written to the Chair of the Council, Washington Abdala, regarding the matter.
In their July 27 letter, signed by the Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative, Sir Ronald Sanders, the regional countries noted that “our delegations collectively reiterate the position, previously expressed by Antigua and Barbuda, by formal letter of July 26th that since 1962 Cuba has not been a member of the OAS and has not participated in any of its activities.”
The letter noted that although efforts had been made to get Cuba back into the organisation including the passage of a resolution in 2009 that “the participation of the Republic of Cuba in the OAS will be the result of a process of dialogue initiated at the request of the Government of Cuba”, Cuba has made no effort to re-join the OAS and has publicly said that it will not do so.
“It is the considered opinion of our delegations that the proposed convocation of this meeting, which has been called without consultation, would be unproductive and would serve no useful purpose.
“All 13 of our delegations urge you to reconsider holding the meeting and advise that should you decide to proceed, our delegations will be obliged not to attend,” the letter stated, adding that “we request that this letter be distributed to all member states urgently”.
The countries named in the letter are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St Lucia, St Kitts-Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago
Source-CMC
CDC reverses guidance on masks for vaccinated people
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday reversed its mask guidance for vaccinated people due to the delta variant surge.
Vaccinated Americans should now wear masks inside if they’re in places with substantial or high transmission, the CDC said.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said data show that on "rare occasions, some vaccinated people with the delta variant … may be contagious and spread the virus to others. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendations."
The CDC also said Tuesday that masks should be worn in schools by all students, teachers, staff and visitors, even for those who are vaccinated. The CDC said students should return to full-time in-person learning this year with prevention strategies in place.
The United States is facing a COVID-19 summer surge as the delta variant spreads.
More than 611,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Just 57.6 percent of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
COVID-19 has infected more than 195 million people worldwide and killed over 4.1 million.
Just hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its policy on indoor mask use for vaccinated Americans, the agency sent out an alert to doctors, pressing them to step up vaccines.
The Health Alert Network Health Advisory reiterated that vaccine coverage needed to go up "to prevent surges in new infections that could increase COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality, overwhelm healthcare capacity, and widen existing COVID-19-related health disparities."
As of Tuesday, 66.6 percent of Americans above the age of 12 have received one vaccine dose, however the rates are lower in several southern states including Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Those states, the alert noted, have seen a major jump in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
"Unvaccinated persons account for the majority of new COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths," the CDC said in its alert.
Source- ABC
TCI Hospital relaunches key educational programs
InterHealth Canada - Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital held a press conference on Thursday, July 22nd, 2021, to relaunch two educational programs that seek to raise awareness of healthcare careers to help improve the currently limited local medical expertise in the domestic workforce.
During the press conference, remarks were delivered by Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant – Chief Executive Officer at TCI Hospital, Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders – Minister of Health, Hon. Rachel Taylor – Minister of Education, Hon. Kyle Knowles – Member of Parliament for Wheeland, Dr. Sani Amatti – Deputy Chief of Medical Services at TCI Hospital, and Dr. Jacqueline Moe-Cox – Education and Training Manager at TCI Hospital.
The READY observership program seeks to provide upper-level high school students with a behind-the-scenes look and in-depth knowledge about professions in health care. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the program is delivered in a virtual format over three days with practical and theory presentations delivered by health care workers. The program commenced on Wednesday, July 21st, 2021.
The Clinic Exploration program seeks to target students pursuing a health care-related course at a tertiary level institution and ordinarily resident in TCI. The program spans ten days and comprise of virtual and onsite sessions. The onsite sessions include a skills lab on phlebotomy, suturing, vital signs, manual handling, applying splints, Heart Saver, and Basic Life Support training. There is also a requirement to deliver a 20-minute presentation. TCI Hospital is accredited and licensed as a teaching hospital, and the program commenced on Monday, July 26th, 2021.
Commenting on the relaunch, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Chief Executive Officer at TCI Hospital, stated: "The program started in 2012, and we currently have two graduates of the program who are now physicians. There is Dr. Raven Saunders, who is working with the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Royelle Robinson, who is working at the TCI Hospital's Emergency Department." She continued: "There is a worldwide shortage of health care workers, which the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened. We are continuously partnering with the TCI Government, TCI Community College, and the TCI Ministry of Health as we recognize that there is a need to build local capacity."
The TCI Government scholarship policy currently includes even more areas in health care. Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, stated: "Our scholarship policy currently addresses areas in healthcare including medicine, medical technology, environmental science, health care management, psychiatry, psychology, health, and safety. Therefore, we plan to review the education policy within the year, and it will definitely relate to other areas of concern. During the process, we will partner with the Minister of Health who will guide us accordingly."
Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders, Minister of Health, stated: "This is a great initiative because there is a shortage of medical personnel. We are competing with the world market now, trying to find staff to fill in when the Cuban Brigade leaves the TCI, and I am certain that we will solve this problem. However, we are very short on local medical talent in almost every area. This program encourages students and holds their hands, and helps them to get across the finish line. I wish to thank everyone who is a part of this program. This is a major initiative, and I encourage you to stick with it and use the experience."
Hon. Kyle Knowles, Member of Parliament for Wheeland, stated: “This is definitely a wonderful opportunity for many of our youth across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The initiative has really shown success stories. Having two persons who would've initially started and are now medical practitioners shows the program's overall success. I want to encourage our young people across the country who are now looking at career paths. There are more opportunities, and as the Minister alluded to, we are making significant strides to broaden that scope so that we can, at some point, have a fully staffed medical facility with Turks and Caicos Islanders."
Professional Growth Opportunities at FortisTCI with Recent Promotions for Four Employees
FortisTCI announces four recent staff promotions that became effective between May and June 2021. The movements are a part of the company's talent growth strategies, which seek to ensure continuous learning and development and mobility throughout the organization. FortisTCI is also a people-focused and performance-based organization that recognizes and rewards consistent exemplary work.
Shatel Wilson previously served as Manager of Internal Audit and has been promoted to Director of Internal Audit and Risk Management. In her new role, she will be responsible for assurance services, including risk assessment, design, testing, reporting, and monitoring of corrective actions for all internal audit activities. She is also responsibility for advisory services that contribute to achieving operational, compliance, and financial objectives.
Shatel is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and a Certified Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001:2007 Internal Auditor. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and has recently joined the TCI Society of Professional Accountants (TCISPA). She also holds both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Accounting and joined FortisTCI in 2012.
Richard Gibbs previously served as Supervisor of Financial Services and has been promoted to Manager of Financial Services. In his new role, Richard is responsible for managing company-wide accounting and financial reporting, including providing and maintaining reliable financial and business information and ensuring financial systems, data, and reports meet accounting standards, best practices, regulatory requirements and strategic objectives.
Richard holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. He is also a CPA and a current member of AICPA. Richard joined FortisTCI in 2014.
TeAndra Thomas previously served as Energy Production Engineer I and has been promoted to Manager of Maintenance Planning and System Control. In her new role, TeAndra is responsible for the efficient dispatch of generation units at the Providenciales plant and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. TeAndra is also responsible for the maintenance program and maintenance planning for all energy production assets at the Providenciales Plant.
TeAndra joined FortisTCI in 2009 and was one of the company's earliest scholarship recipients. She is also one of the few female engineers locally and regionally. TeAndra holds a Bachelor of Engineering and recently earned a designation as a Professional Engineer with Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL), a distinction recognized throughout North America.
Tarek Fulford previously served as Mechanical Technician II and has been promoted to Mechanical Technician III. He is responsible for carrying out preventative and corrective repairs to all plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in line with recognized mechanical practices in his new role,. Tarek is also responsible for troubleshooting, diagnosing and repairing mechanical faults on diesel generating units and plant auxiliary equipment utilizing appropriate technology. He will occasionally assist as the maintenance team leader.
Tarek joined FortisTCI in 2011 and is certified with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) as a level 4 Power Generation Mechanic.
Speaking about the company's recent promotions, FortisTCI President & CEO Ruth Forbes said, "Talent management and professional development are critical areas of focus at FortisTCI. We know that providing high-quality electricity service for our stakeholders requires having the right skills in the right areas at all times. This includes ensuring that employees have access to learning and growth opportunities throughout their careers which can afford them upward and lateral advancements."
Mrs. Forbes continued, "On behalf of the FortisTCI team, I congratulate Shatel, Richard, TeAndra, and Tarek on their recent promotions. It remains an exciting time for those working in the energy sector, and I know each of them has much to contribute in their respective new roles to our energy transformation. I wish them every success in this new phase of their careers."
Dominica launches new electronic passport
Dominica yesterday launched its electronic passport (e-passport) that it says will significantly reduce identify theft and will be an integral component of its border management systems.
National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore told the ceremony that Dominicans have until July 2023 to acquire the new passport.
“Let me assure you that the rolling out of the new e-passport should not lead to concerns and confusion. There will be a two-year period for the phasing out of the current machine-readable passport, and this is being done to ensure that everyone can reasonably apply for the new passport,” he said.
Blackmoore said the authorities are aware that some passport holders have recently renewed their travel document “and it is this consideration, as well as ensuring that there is a smooth transition, that's why we are giving a phased out period to apply for the new passport”.
Tourism Minister Denise Charles, who deputed for Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at the launch, said Dominica has joined other countries worldwide that have “taken the bold step” in providing the new travel document.
“E-passports will add a new layer of security to traditional non-electronic passports by embedding an electronic chip in the passport booklet that stores biographical information such as facial features as well as a digital security feature.
“Therefore, our electronic passports should make the immigration checkpoint process must faster and would allow immigration officers to quickly authenticate of travels, first providing protection against identity theft and fraud,' she said.
Source-CMC
Key moments from the Olympic Games: Day 3
American swimmer Caeleb Dressel led the men's team to a gold medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay on Monday, marking Team USA's second gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Katie Ledecky on the U.S. women's swimming team was bested in the 400-meter freestyle by Australia's Ariarne Titmus. Ledecky's silver increased U.S. swimming's current medal total at the Tokyo Olympics to 8.
The U.S. softball team defeated Japan 3-1 to keep their perfect 5-0 record, finishing the group stage. The two teams will face off again in the final on Tuesday.
Naomi Osaka is hoping to bring home the gold in women’s singles for host country Japan and is on her way after defeating Viktorija Golubic 6-3, 6-2. Novak Djokovic is also closer to something remarkable after defeating Jan-Lennard Struff: a Golden Slam. A Golden Slam is achieved by winning all four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold in the same year, a feat only accomplished by Steffi Graf in 1988.
There were 16 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, including three athletes and one personnel member staying at the Olympic Village. The total now stands at 153, according to data released by the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee.
Source-ABC
Scorching temperatures and an incoming tropical storm the latest obstacles for Tokyo Olympics
Extreme weather, including Tokyo's infamous summer heat and an incoming tropical storm, is the latest factor concerning athletes and Olympic organizers at the already problem-plagued summer games.
Temperatures in Tokyo over the weekend hit a high of 93 degrees Fahrenheit and athletes have seen no reprieve from the brutal summer humidity in Japan's capital city. Heading into this week, the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts a relatively mild Tuesday (with a high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit) with temperatures again topping 90 degrees for the rest of the week.
The oppressive heat is not the only weather concern facing athletes and organizers, as the region also braces for an incoming tropical storm expected to make landfall on Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Nepartak is forecast to move through the greater Tokyo area in the coming days. As of Monday, the storm was moving at some 18 mph and had maximum wind speeds of approximately 44 mph and maximum wind gust speeds of some 67 mph, according to the Japanese weather agency.
Source-ABC
Snoop Dogg provides update following his mother's health scare: "She still fighting"
Snoop Dogg expressed his gratitude to fans over the weekend, thanking them for their continued prayers for his mother, Beverly Tate, who fell ill last spring.
In May, the 49-year-old rapper asked fans to pray for his mother, but didn't specify any details surrounding her health or the situation. Then Sunday, Snoop shared some positive news, posting a photo of his 70-year-old mom resting on a hospital bed while he and his siblings comfort her.
"Happy Sunday me and my brothers went to c mama today and she opened up her eyes to c us and let us know she still fighting," he explained in the emotional caption. "God is good."
"Thanks for all the prayers," he concluded, adding, "1 day at a time."
Snoop's update attracted support from his famous friends, including Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx, Lizzo, Kenan Thompson and many others.
Snoop has yet to publicly disclose his mother's ailment or condition.
Shortly after revealing his mother's health struggles in May, Snoop shared in an Instagram video, "Gotta stay strong, gotta keep pushing on. They say God ain't gon put nothing on you, you can't handle. I'm being tested right now y'all. Make sure y'all pray for me and my family."
Source-ABC
Minister of Sports listens to athletes during a Sporting Session
USA Gymnastics takes silver at Tokyo Games after Simone Biles withdraws
Without the GOAT leading her team for the finals competition, USA Gymnastics took the silver medal at the Tokyo games, following Simone Biles' surprise withdrawal earlier today.
The athletes from Russia came out on top, beating the cumulative U.S. score by more than three points. Great Britain won bronze.
The U.S. women's gymnastics team was seeking to bring home the gold for the third time in a row at the competition on Tuesday.
This was one of the strongest gymnastics teams the world has seen, led by all-time great Biles and uneven bars phenom Sunisa Lee. The team is rounded out by Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum.
After a rare stumble on vault Tuesday, Biles withdrew for what USA Gymnastics called a "medical issue." She went on to cheer on her teammates from the sidelines.
Following news of her withdrawal, Simone got praise online, including from fellow Olympic medal winner Adam Rippon. The former figure skater noted on Twitter, "I can't imagine the pressure Simone has been feeling. Sending her SO much love. It easy to forget she's still human. WE LOVE YOU."
After a shaky Olympic debut on Monday, Biles Instagrammed, "It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it. I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard hahaha! The Olympics is no joke!"
Source-ABC