TCI Cabinet holds 17th meeting on July 7th,2021.
Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 17th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 7 July 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Providenciales.
All members were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
• Was given an update by the Ministry of Health on the measures being taken to address and mitigate against the threat of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to the country, including:
Current cases and entry requirements for testing,
Progress with the vaccination programme incl. registration of 12-15 year-olds and the delivery of the 4th batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on 7 July,
Compliance with regulations,
The instillation of the oxygen generators at the Cockburn Town Medical Centre on Grand Turk and at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center on Providenciales,
Progress with establishing a National Laboratory on Grand Turk, and
The issuing of e-certificates for vaccinations.
Approved the appointment of Anton Faessler (Chair) and Greschelle Been Missick a Members of the Financial Intelligence Agency Board for a period of one year with effect from 1 August until 31 March 2022.
Approved transitional amendments to the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance, following broad discussion and agreed for these to be submitted to the House of Assembly.
Were presented a recommendation for the construction of an office building on the Leeward Highway, Providenciales, for the Telecommunications Commission, representing broader benefits for the TCI Government going forwards.
Noted the acceptance of donations valued at $700 and $750 respectively, received from Sailrock Development and East Bay Resort in the form of drinking water during a time when the Reverse Osmosis plant in South Caicos was non-operational (13 May – 4 June 2021).
Approved for the production and sale of four (4) international commemorative stamps marking events relating to the Royal Family.
Approved a revised budget for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) capturing funding to strengthen the governance systems at the TCICC and for the effective implementation of the TVET Program.
Discussed the 3rd Quarter Financial Report for FY 2020-21 of the Government’s Statutory Bodies and agreed next steps.
Approved proposed amendments to the National Insurance (Financial & Accounting) Board Regulations.
In line with the process under the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance, approved the Procurement Board’s recommendation on the award of the following contract - TR 20/42, Operations and Maintenance of TCIG Solid Waste Disposal Site on Grand Turk. Members agreed a way forward on the tendering for waste management and disposal on Providenciales.
Approved the withdrawal of an offer of purchase of a property for the establishment of a National Hospitality Training Institute on Providenciales. Members agreed an alternative and more cost effective way forward.
Approved for the TCI Government to proceed with negotiations for the purchase of property on Grand Turk for tourism and related purposes.
Approved proposed Terms of Reference to establish a National Agriculture and Food Security Board to oversee the National Agricultural Development Plans for the Turks and Caicos Islands and an Implementation Strategy for the 200-day Strategy and other government priorities for Agriculture.
Was updated on work required by government to execute the budget incl. (but not limited to) new legislation, policies and structures required; the establishment of a Destination Management Office; community enhancement work; the creation of a policy unit; launching the E-government initiative; road safety works; offshore financing; and filling senior government vacancies.
Approved an amendment on the appointment of Joseph Connolly to the National Insurance Board as Employer Representative for a period of three years, instead of two, with effect from 1 July until 31 March 2024 as required by the Ordinance.
Discussed recent events in Haiti and possible implications. Members agreed to call a National Security Council meeting on 9 July.
Re-confirmed approval for the extension of the current measures under the Public and Environmental Health (COVID-19 Pandemic) Regulations 2020 for a period of 3 months as follows:
Restriction on visitation
(1) Limited visitation will be permitted to— (a) a place of quarantine or an isolation station; or (b) a patient in a hospital or residential care establishment or facility, where the visitor has been fully vaccinated, proof of which must be provided by the visitor by presenting his vaccination card or a photo of his vaccination card.
(2) Limited visitation will be permitted for a detainee in a detention centre, prison or police cell.
(3) Nothing in subregulation (2) shall be construed as preventing an attorney from visiting a client who is in lawful custody.
(4) Limited visitation permitted under subregulations (1) and (2) shall be in accordance the application of physical distancing requirements and protocols issued by the Chief Medical Officer from time to time.
(5) For the purpose of subregulation (1) a person is considered “fully vaccinated”— (a) two weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine series; or (b) two weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
Extension of the principal regulations Public and Environmental Health (COVID-19 Pandemic) Regulations 2020 (to extend the requirements of wearing of face mask when in a public place, physical distancing protocols, power of CMO to order quarantine, screening, etc. to 30 September 2020).
Closure of cruise ports
Cruise ports shall remain closed until 30 September 2021 and no cruise ship shall be permitted to enter the Islands until after 30 September 2021, subject to guidance from the Ministry, the CDC and the cruise industry.
Taxis
Restrictions on occupancy levels to remain.
Re-confirmed approval of the draft Appropriation (2021/2022) Bill 2021 that supports the Estimates and granted permission for cost neutral adjustments and corrections.
Members congratulated the Hon Premier on his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Caribbean Development Bank.
Members expressed condolences on the passing of the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse.
Batch 4 of the Covid19 vaccines arrives in the TCI
The Ministry of Health is pleased to inform the general public that batch 4 of the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech COVID-19 Vaccine arrived at the Providenciales International Airport on 5th July 2021. A total of 1170 vials which is approximately 7,020 doses, has been received, and once fully utilized, will allow the TCI to attain above 70% coverage. Recommendations by international public health agencies, including Public Health England, is to achieve at least 80% vaccination coverage to provide effective herd immunity for the TCI.
The Ministry of Health is grateful for the continued support of the UK in providing the precious commodity of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Ministry of Health is encouraging all eligible TCI residents to register on the TCIs vaccine registration portal at: https://covidvaccineregistration.gov.tc/. Vaccines can be accessed at Primary Health Care Clinics throughout the TCI at no cost as well as through private medical clinics.
All persons in the TCI are encouraged to comply with the COVID-19 Health Protocols from the Ministry of Health;
1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
3. Maintain social distancing of 6 feet between persons
4. Wear face coverings in public settings (covering both your nose and mouth)
5. Avoid mass gatherings or crowds
6. Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or use disposable tissues
7. Comply with public health measures
8. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 which include; cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, fever, diarrhoea, loss of sense of taste or smell-please get tested and call the health hotlines on 232 9444 or 333 0911
9. Do not visit health care facilities if you have symptoms or signs of COVID-19 unless your symptoms are severe
10. If you are under quarantine by the Public Health Team, please remain at home and comply with the guidance provided to you
11.Stay informed with the latest information from the Ministry of Health by visiting our website on https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/
12. Consult with your healthcare provider regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and register online.
Bucks defeats Suns in Game 3
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks made the NBA Finals' return to Milwaukee a slamming success. Antetokounmpo had 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, and the Bucks pounded Phoenix 120-100 on Sunday night, cutting the Suns' lead to 2-1.
The first NBA Finals game in Milwaukee since 1974 went to the home team in a romp, with Antetokounmpo and the bigger Bucks overwhelming the smallish Suns to the tune of a 20-2 advantage in second-chance points.
''We knew what type of game it was going to be,'' Antetokounmpo said. ''We knew we had to come here, play good basketball and compete as hard as possible.''
Game 4 is Wednesday night, with the series guaranteed to go back to Phoenix afterward.
Antetokounmpo, who missed the last two games of the Eastern Conference finals because of a hyperextended left knee and was no sure thing to even be ready to start this series, followed up his 42-point, 12-rebound performance in Game 2 by doing it all again - even making his free throws this time.
Back in front of his own fans and free of the loud counts he's been hearing on the road, Antetokounmpo went 13 of 17 at the line.
Chris Paul had 19 points and nine assists, but the Suns got next to nothing from his star backcourt mate. Devin Booker shot 3 for 14, scoring just 10 points.
Source-AP
Fires burning across West as heat waves affect millions around the country
Fires are continuing to spark in the West as a heat wave blankets millions of residents.
With another heatwave looming, extreme drought and dry conditions are persisting in the West, creating matchbox conditions. Dozens of large wildfires are currently burning in the West.
The entire state of California is in drought and 85 percent is in extreme drought, while nearly two-thirds of Utah is in exceptional drought, and more than one-third of Washington state is in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The Beckwourth Complex Fire in Doyle, California, is now the state's largest wildfire at more than 86,000 acres and is only 8 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire prompted mandatory evacuations, closed portions of U.S. Route 395 and has nearly crossed state lines into Nevada, ABC Sacramento affiliate KXTV reported.
The Bootleg Fire in Klamath County, Oregon, grew to more than 143,000 acres on Sunday, prompting evacuations in the area, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The worst of the heat wave wrapped up Sunday, and the extreme heat will subside over the next few days.
Surfside building collapse latest: Death toll rises to 90
The death toll of the devastating partial collapse of a 12-story residential building in Surfside, Florida last month rose to 90, officials announced Sunday.
The recovery effort entered its 19th day on Monday and officials said 62 victims are now identified, 217 people are accounted for, and 31 are potentially unaccounted for.
Officials would not provide an estimated timetable for the end of recovery efforts.
Eight additional victims have been identified, the Miami Dade Police Department said Friday, including 3-year-old Luis Lopez Moreira III, the youngest so far; the boy's father, Luis Pettengill, 36; and his mother, Sophia López Moreira, 36, the sister of Paraguay's first lady, Silvana López Moreira. Two other children in the family remain missing.
The cause of the partial collapse to a building that has withstood decades of hurricanes remains unknown and is under investigation. Built in the 1980s, the Champlain Towers South was up for its 40-year recertification and had been undergoing roof work -- with more renovations planned -- when it partially collapsed, according to officials.
Source-ABC
Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon to claim record
Novak Djokovic tied Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal by claiming his 20th Grand Slam title Sunday, coming back to beat Matteo Berrettini 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final.
The top-ranked Djokovic earned his third consecutive championship at the All England Club and sixth overall.
He adds that to nine titles at the Australian Open, three at the US Open and two at the French Open to equal his two rivals for the most majors won by a man in tennis history.
"I have to pay a great tribute to Rafa and Roger," Djokovic said during the on-court, postmatch interview. "They are legends of our sport and they are the two most important players that I've ever faced in my career. They are I think the reason that I am where I am today. They have helped me realize what I need to do in order to improve, get stronger mentally, physically, tactically."
The 34-year-old from Serbia is now the only man since 1969 to win the first three major tournaments in a season. He can aim for a calendar-year Grand Slam -- something last accomplished by a man when Rod Laver did it 52 years ago -- at the US Open, which starts Aug. 30.
Source-ESPN
Key suspect' arrested after President Jovenel Moïse's assassination
Police in Haiti say they have arrested a doctor they believe is a key suspect in organising last week's assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
They say Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a 63-year-old Haitian national, flew into the country on a private jet in early June with "political motives".
Mr Moïse, 53, was killed at his residence on 7 July, by 28 foreign mercenaries, the police said earlier.
His wife was injured in the attack, and then flown to the US for treatment.
Martine Moïse later described the moment assassins "riddled" her husband with bullets after bursting into their home in the middle of the night.
She said the attack happened so quickly, her husband Jovenel was unable to "say a single word".
The arrest of Mr Sanon was announced at a police briefing late on Sunday in the capital Port-au-Prince.
"This is an individual who entered Haiti on a private plane with political objectives," said Haiti's police chief Leon Charles.
He said the initial plan had been to arrest President Moïse, but "the mission then changed". He did not elaborate.
"When we, the police, blocked the progress of these bandits after they committed their crime, the first person that one of the assailants called was Christian Emmanuel Sanon," said Mr Charles.
"He contacted two other people that we consider to be the masterminds of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse." The police chief did not say who the other two people were.
A delegation of senior US security and justice officials on Sunday arrived in Haiti to assess the security situation.
The team will also meet three Haitian politicians. each of whom is claiming to be the country's legitimate leader.
After the attack, Haiti's authorities asked the US and the UN to send troops to the country to protect key infrastructure.
President Joe Biden's administration initially rejected the request - but has now decided to have a closer look at the situation.
Mr Moïse had been president of Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, since 2017. His time in office was rocky as he faced accusations of corruption and there were widespread demonstrations in the capital and other cities earlier this year.
Parliamentary elections should have been held in October 2019 but disputes have delayed them, meaning Mr Moïse had been ruling by decree. He had planned to hold a referendum on the proposed constitutional changes this September.
In February this year, on the day the opposition wanted him to leave office, Mr Moïse said an attempt to kill him and overthrow the government had been foiled.
It is still unclear who organised last week's attack and with what motive. A number of questions remain unanswered, including how the alleged assassins were able to enter the property. Mr Moïse's bodyguards are due to be questioned later this week.
Source-BBC
Marvel series features Chadwick Boseman in his final appearance
Marvel Studios has just released the trailer to its animated What If...? series for Disney+, which features the last performance of the late Chadwick Boseman as King T'Challa.
For Marvel Comics fans, issues of What If...? broke with the usual narratives and saw characters swap storylines and powers -- and that's what the series will do.
The MCU's cast members returned to play their animated alter-egos. Here, Boseman's T'Challa/Black Panther will swap places with Chris Pratt's Star-Lord, buddying up with Michael Rooker's Ravager leader Yondu.
Similarly, Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter swaps places with Steve Rogers in taking the super soldier serum, becoming Captain Carter, and Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger is shown rescuing Tony Stark from the Afghanistan ambush that opened Iron Man.
Acclaimed actor Jeffrey Wright voices the all-seeing The Watcher, whose divinity over time explores each story.
The series also features the voices of other MCU stars, including Josh Brolin again portraying the Mad Titan Thanos; Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury; Chris Hemsworth as Thor; Frank Grillo as Brock Rumlow/Crossbones; and Dominic Cooper, who played Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger and the Agent Carter series.
At least according to the snippet, it seems Howard dons the "cave suit" that his son wore on the big screen in 2008's Iron Man -- Captain Carter is shown riding the iron giant's shoulder as it flies through the air.
Back in 2019, ABC Audio broke the story that Cooper was working on What If..., and he explained, "[I]t was very exciting to play. And it's very comical how those relationships which you've already established change if those 'what ifs' happened. And that's what's really exciting about that." (AUDIO IS ABC 1-ON-1)
The series debuts on Disney+ on August 11.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News.
G20 finance ministers back deal to tax companies
G20 finance ministers have backed an "historic" plan which will see multinational companies pay their "fair share" of tax around the world.
The plan to battle tax avoidance puts in place a minimum global corporate tax rate of 15%.
It is likely to affect companies like Amazon and Facebook.
So far, 132 countries have signed up to the framework, being championed by The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The agreement is a further boost for the plan signed up to by leaders of the G7 major economies in Cornwall a month ago.
The G20 finance ministers - who represent 19 countries with the largest and fastest-growing economies, as well as the European Union - announced their support following a two-day meeting in Venice, Italy.
The UK's Chancellor Rishi Sunak hailed the deal as "historic", adding it would ensure the "global tax system is fit for purpose in a digital age".
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said there would be "no turning back".
"We are putting an end to the race to the bottom and the digital giants will now pay their fair share of taxes," he added. "It's a once-in-a-century tax revolution."
The policy - which will also make companies pay more in the countries where they do business - will now go to a meeting of G20 leaders in October for final consideration.
Governments have long grappled with the challenge of taxing global companies operating across many countries.
That challenge has grown with the boom in huge tech corporations like Amazon and Facebook.
At the moment companies can set up local branches in countries that have relatively low corporate tax rates and declare profits there.
That means they only pay the local rate of tax, even if the profits mainly come from sales made elsewhere. This is legal and commonly done.
The deal aims to stop this from happening in two ways.
Firstly it aims to make companies pay more tax in the countries where they are selling their products or services, rather than wherever they end up declaring their profits.
Secondly, a global minimum tax rate would help avoid countries undercutting each other with low tax rates.
Not everyone is in favour, however. Ireland is among those countries which have yet to sign up.
Source-BBC
Tesla faces fine over illegal construction at German plant
A German regional authority said it was preparing to fine Tesla for illegal building activity on the site of its planned new car factory near Berlin.
The environment ministry for Brandenburg, where the factory will be located, had found that Tesla had constructed tanks on the land where it had no authorization to do so, wrote the Tagesspiegel newspaper, which first reported the fine.
The company was banned from using the tanks it had already built, the newspaper added.
Tesla was not immediately available for comment.