Mexico doubles vaccine donation to Jamaica
Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, is advising that the Government of Mexico has increased its donation of AstraZeneca vaccines to Jamaica to 65,000 doses, which will be delivered to Kingston this week.
Johnson Smith stated, “Just last week, we welcomed Mexico’s generosity for a smaller amount and we were in the process of making arrangements for collection. Further to engagements with the Mexican Foreign Ministry, and in particular, conversations with Deputy Minister Delgado Peralta, we now have an agreement for almost double the amount, to be delivered to Kingston by the Government of Mexico.”
She continued, “We therefore express our even greater appreciation to Mexico for their generosity. We note in particular that although both Foreign Minister Ebrard and Deputy Minister Delgado are at G20 meetings, they ensured that arrangements would be completed this week.”
She also advised that the Ministry of Health and Wellness of Jamaica, and the Secretary of Health of Mexico had now signed to the increased amounts to address Jamaica’s urgent need for vaccines, and that the foreign ministries were working together with the support of Jamaica’s new Ambassador to Mexico, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the National Health Fund.
Johnson Smith reminded that Mexico currently holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and in that capacity, has donated supplies of vaccines to several countries in the region. She stated that engagements within the context of CELAC were productive and representative of the great possibilities that can be realised through South-South and Regional Co-operation.
Source-The Observer
Facebook enters the $1 trillion club after Anti-Trust victory
The stock market value of Facebook has topped $1 trillion for the first time after the tech giant won a court victory against US regulators.
A federal court dismissed two lawsuits, from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of states, sending Facebook shares up 4.2%.
It took the value of Facebook above $1tn, making it the last of the "big five" tech firms to hit the milestone.
The legal actions had accused Facebook of stifling competition.
But Judge James Boasberg ruled that the FTC's anti-trust complaint against the social networking giant was too vague.
Another separate anti-competition lawsuit filed by a group of 46 states was thrown out because the alleged violations occurred too long ago.
In the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruling, Judge Boasberg wrote that the FTC's complaint was "legally insufficient" and had to be dismissed, because the FTC had "failed to plead enough facts" to back up its claim that Facebook was stifling competition.
The FTC's lawsuit had requested that the technology giant, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, be broken up.
"The FTC's complaint says almost nothing concrete on the key question of how much power Facebook actually had, and still has, in a properly defined anti-trust product market," wrote Judge Boasberg.
"It is almost as if the agency expects the court to simply nod to the conventional wisdom that Facebook is a monopolist."
While this is a setback for the FTC that some analysts say could have repercussions for the future of anti-competition law in the US, the watchdog can re-file the charges and has until 28 July to do so.
However, investors saw it as an important victory for Facebook, sending the share price higher. The values of the other tech giants - Apple, Google-owner Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon - have already topped $1tn.
Separately, Judge Boasberg also dismissed an anti-competition lawsuit brought by a coalition of 45 US states together with the FTC.
This lawsuit had also sought to force Facebook to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. It related to Facebook's acquisition of the two apps in 2012 and 2014.
Separately, Judge Boasberg also dismissed an anti-competition lawsuit brought by a coalition of 45 US states together with the FTC.
This lawsuit had also sought to force Facebook to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. It related to Facebook's acquisition of the two apps in 2012 and 2014.
n March, Facebook petitioned the federal court in the US to dismiss them, describing the FTC complaint as "nonsensical".
The firm said the FTC's case "ignores the reality of the dynamic, intensely competitive high-tech industry in which Facebook operates".
In his ruling on this case, Judge Boasberg said that the states did not provide "a reasonable justification" for why they had waited between six to eight years to decide to sue Facebook - an argument the social networking giant previously made.
He added that the states had failed to provide "a factual dispute" and only gave a "half-hearted contention that Facebook was not prejudiced but rather 'benefitted from the states not filing sooner', since it has been and remains a very profitable company".
"Ultimately, this anti-trust action is premised on public, high-profile conduct, nearly all of which occurred over six years ago - before the launch of the Apple Watch or Alexa or Periscope, when Kevin Durant still played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and when Ebola was the virus dominating headlines," wrote Judge Boasberg.
He added that the states' allegations made it clear that the lawsuit could easily have been filed between 2012 and 2014: "The system of anti-trust enforcement that Congress has established does not exempt plaintiffs here from 'the consequences of [their] choice' to do nothing over the last half decade. "
Source-BBC
United Airlines bets on travel boom with big plane order
United Airlines has placed its biggest aircraft order to date in a bet on travel returning post-pandemic.
The US airline confirmed it had ordered 270 Boeing and Airbus planes worth more than $30bn (£21.6bn) on Tuesday.
Its chief executive Scott Kirby said the purchases would "accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel".
The deal will see older, smaller jets replaced - mostly with Boeing 737 Max planes - between 2022 and 2026.
The bigger planes will carry more passengers on domestic routes and enable the airline to sell more premium seats in first class or with extra legroom.
Like many other airlines, United Airlines struggled as demand for travel was constricted during coronavirus-related lockdowns.
At the height of the crisis, it announced that it would need to furlough up to 36,000 staff.
But Mr Kirby said Tuesday's move "underscores the critical role United plays in fuelling the broader US economy".
He added: "We expect the addition of these new aircraft will have a significant economic impact on the communities we serve in terms of job creation, traveller spending and the shipping of goods and services."
In a separate update on Monday, it announced that it expected that July would be its first profitable month on a pre-tax basis since last January. It is, however, still expected to report a quarterly loss between April and June in its next update.
United also plans to build up domestic hubs across airports in Chicago, Houston and Denver, as international and business travel returns at a slower pace.
The US screened 2.02 million passengers on 11 June at airports - the highest number since March 2020, according to its Transportation Security Administration.
But passengers who have been in the UK, Ireland, Brazil, China and Iran in the last 14 days cannot enter the US unless a specific exemption applies, as a presidential decree introduced last March is still in place.
Stan Deal, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said on Tuesday: "We are truly humbled by United Airlines' confidence in the people of Boeing and the airplanes we design and build every day.
"Our strong partnership, dating back to United's founding, has helped us grow and weather challenges through the decades."
Source-BBC
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT TUESDAY 29TH JUNE 2021
GENERAL SITUATION:STREAMING TROPICAL MOISTURE CONTINUES TO GENERATE POCKETS OF UNSETTLED WEATHER OVER THE BAHAMAS WHILE, BUILDING HIGH PRESSURE WILL MAINTAIN MODERATE TO FRESH BREEZES
SPECIAL WARNINGS:BOATERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT DUE TO THE THREAT OF POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT ACTIVITY, GUSTY WINDS, HIGH SEAS, AND REDUCED VISIBILITY TO 3 NM OR LESS IN HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. BEACHGOERS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG EASTERN AND SOUTHERN SHORELINES.
FOR ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND A BIT BREEZY WITH ISOLATED PASSING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BECOMING VARIABLY CLOUDY, WARM AND BREEZY TONIGHT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS BUT GUSTY AT TIMES FOR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS; 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS; 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 90°F 32°C OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE: 73°F 23°C
SUN
SUNSET: 8:02 PM SUNRISE: 6:24 AM WED
MOON
MOONSET: 11:15 AM MOONSET: 12:20 AM WED
TIDES
HIGH TIDE: 12:29 PM LOW TIDE: 6:34 PM
HIGH TIDE: 12:48 AM WED LOW TIDE: 7:19 AM WED
OUTLOOK FOR TOMORROW: HIGH PRESSURE CONTINUES TO BUILD ACROSS THE ISLANDS WHILE LINGERING TROPICAL MOISTURE GENERATES SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH MOSTLY HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK:
- DISORGANIZED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE IN ASSOCIATION WITH A TROPICAL WAVE LOCATED OVER THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC, ABOUT 850 MILES EAST OF THE LESSER ANTILLES. SOME SLOW DEVELOPMENT OF THIS DISTURBANCE IS POSSIBLE LATER THIS WEEK AND THIS WEEKEND WHILE THE SYSTEM MOVES WESTWARD TO WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT 15 TO 20 MPH, LIKELY
REACHING THE LESSER ANTILLES BY WEDNESDAY NIGHT. IT HAS A MEDIUM OR 40% CHANCE OF FORMATION OVER THE NEXT 5 DAYS.
- SHOWER ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH A TROPICAL WAVE LOCATED ABOUT 800 MILE SOUTHWEST OF THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS HAS BECOME A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED SINCE YESTERDAY. ADDITIONAL SLOW DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM IS POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS AND IT HAS A LOW OR 20% FORMATION CHANCE THROUGH THE NEXT 5 DAYS.
Six hurt in huge blaze at a railway in the UK
Six people were injured and several buildings evacuated after a fire caused a huge plume of smoke to billow into the sky above south London.
About 100 firefighters battled the blaze at some railway arches near Elephant and Castle station.
Fire crews were called shortly before 13:45 BST and local residents reported hearing a number of explosions.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said three commercial units were alight along with six cars and a telephone box.
London Ambulance Service said it had treated six people at the scene, with one of those taken to hospital.
A police officer was among those who needed treatment for the effects of smoke inhalation, according to the mayor of London.
People living in the area were warned to keep doors and windows closed and trains are not expected to run through Elephant and Castle for the rest of the day.
Fifteen fire engines were called to the scene, with the fire thought to have started in some garages close to the railway station.
Five people had escaped before fire crews arrived, LFB said.
Anthony King told the BBC he was about to catch his train home when he saw smoke coming out of a car mechanics and "after about five to six minutes, canisters went up".
The 51-year-old said the fire then spread to the adjoining arches and "there was acrid smoke going up as high as the new towers".
The blaze was under control shortly after 15:30 but LFB said firefighters would remain at the scene for a few hours to dampen down the scene.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The Met said that "significant road closures" were put in place and people were advised to avoid the area.
London mayor Sadiq Khan praised the emergency services, who he said had acted quickly to ensure both local residents and passengers at Elephant and Castle station were safely evacuated.
Source-BBC
Three Persons Convicted for Various Immigration Offences
On 27th May 2021, Immigration Enforcement Unit officers conducted an operation on a construction site in the Turtle Tail area where they arrested Dominican nationals Juan Quezada De La Rosa and Louis Diaz Jimenez after they failed to show proof of status in the Islands.
An investigation conducted by the Immigration Department identified Seferina Cooper as Mr. Rosa’s employer.
Ms. Cooper was charged with Employing a Prohibited Person while Mr. Rosa and Mr. Jiminez were charged for Remaining in the Islands Beyond the Permitted Time and Unlawfully Engaging in Gainful Occupation.
On Tuesday, 8th June 2021, the accused appeared in the Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges, where Ms. Cooper plead guilty and was fined $4500. Mr. Jiminez plead guilty to both charges and was fined $1800, while Mr. Rosa plead guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 100 days imprisonment.
The Immigration Department would like to remind the public that under the Immigration Ordinance, it is an offence to work in the islands without proper authorization, and it is an offence to employ persons who don’t have proper authorization to work in the islands.
Both offences are punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or two (2) years imprisonment.
CDEMA introduces 2021 Model National Recovery Framework for its Participating States
CDEMA recently met with its Participating States to present and discuss the updated Model National Recovery Framework (MNRF) under the UNDP
Enabling Gender Responsive Recovery, Climate and Environment in the Caribbean (EnGenDerProject).
The framework focuses on gender responsive recovery before a disaster and was well received by representatives from 15 of CDEMA’s 19 Participating States.
Project Manager of the UNDP EnGenDer project, Massimiliano Tozzi said, “This tool is a key piece in the EnGenDER efforts to support the construction of a more resilient Caribbean as it provides guidance to countries on how to plan and implement comprehensive and gender responsive recovery processes. While our Project focuses on 9 countries, the tools that are being developed by CDEMA under EnGenDER will eventually be available for application to all
participating states in the near future.”
Executive Director (ag) of CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, told participants that since the surge of hazards from 2015, CDEMA embarked on its Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy 2014-2024 to support the region’s capacity to Build Back Better and Bounce Forward.
“The updated MNRF is a framework that draws on lessons learnt to strengthen governance and enhance disaster recovery resilience in Caribbean States. Another important aspect of the updated framework is the focus on gender responsiveness and greater attention to the inclusion
of vulnerable groups, gender equality and human rights-based approaches to Disaster Reduction.” Riley explained.
It appears Windows 11 is the beginning of the end for Skype
Microsoft has officially announced Windows 11, its new operating system which will replace the current version over the next few years.
Among all the new features are two seemingly small but related things that jumped out.
First - Microsoft Teams, the video-calling app which saw a boom during 2020's pandemic, will be integrated into Windows 11 by default.
And second - Skype will not be, for the first time in years.
That seems to suggest that Teams is the new favourite child, and many pundits think this is the beginning of the end for what was once the king of calling apps.
"Looks like Microsoft is killing off Skype," wrote the Irish & Sunday Independent tech editor Adrian Weckler. "Bye bye Skype," added Future Publishing's content director Jeremy Kaplan. "RIP Skype," was the immediate reaction from The Verge's Tom Warren.
Microsoft bought Skype 10 years ago for $8.5bn (£6.1bn). At the time, it was the tech giant's biggest-ever acquisition, and there were questions over whether it was over-paying.
But Microsoft was buying into an app that had been downloaded one billion times and had hundreds of millions of users.
"Together we will create the future of real-time communications," Microsoft chief Steve Balmer projected.
It seemed to work - the app came bundled with every new computer, and user numbers were strong.
But by the middle of the decade, internet forums were full of posts asking "why is Skype so bad?" and complaining about updates. Many pointed to poor performance and questionable design choices.
At the same time, mobile messaging apps - such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger - were exploding in popularity and started to introduce video calls, one of Skype's main attractions.
The first version of Skype was launched in 2003, and despite frequent updates, it was starting to show its age.
Meanwhile, Microsoft was cooking up its business chat app, Teams, based on more modern tech, which launched in 2017.
"Microsoft has been moving beyond Skype for several years now, with Teams being its strategic voice and video technology for the new era," explained Angela Ashenden, an analyst at CCS Insight.
Teams is likely to evolve to make things simpler for personal users -particularly on mobile devices, she added.
But Skype is not being killed off entirely - it will continue to be offered as a download in the Microsoft Store for those who want it in Windows 11.
It won't be alone.
Alongside the announcement of Skype's relegation to the store, Microsoft also announced that some other much-maligned apps were being downplayed or removed.
Its ill-fated Cortana virtual assistant will no longer be pinned to the taskbar; Internet Explorer is disabled by default in favour of the more modern Edge browser; and tools such as OneNote, Paint 3D, and Windows' 3D viewer app are getting the Skype treatment and becoming optional store downloads.
Source-BBC
Financial watchdog FCA bans cryptocurrency Binance
Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, has been banned by the UK's financial regulator.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has ruled that the firm cannot conduct any "regulated activity" in the UK.
It also issued a consumer warning about Binance.com, advising people to be wary of adverts promising high returns on cryptoasset investments.
Binance said the FCA notice would have no "direct impact" on the services it provides from its website Binance.com.
Binance's existing crypto exchange is not UK-based so despite the FCA ruling, there will be no impact on UK residents who use the website to purchase and sell cryptocurrencies.
The FCA does not regulate cryptocurrencies, but requires exchanges to register with them. Binance has not registered with the FCA and therefore is not allowed to operate an exchange in the UK.
The FCA move comes amid pushback from regulators around the world against cryptocurrency platforms.
Binance.com is an online centralised exchange that offers users a range of financial products and services, including purchasing and trading a wide range of digital currencies, as well as digital wallets, futures, securities, savings accounts and even lending.
Binance Group is currently based in the Cayman Islands, while Binance Markets Limited is an affiliate firm based in London. The firm has multiple entities dotted around the world and Binance Group was previously based in Malta.
The FCA said that Binance Markets Limited (BML), which is owned by Binance Group, is not currently permitted to undertake any regulated activities without the prior written consent of the FCA. It has until Wednesday to comply with the ruling.
Covid Outbreaks emerge across Austraila
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has met national leaders for emergency talks on how to tackle a spike in Covid-19 infections.
An outbreak in Sydney linked to the highly contagious Delta variant has grown to 128 cases.
Cases have also been recorded in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
Officials say it is a "critical time". Australia has kept case numbers low with border closures and lockdowns.
Reports say the emergency meeting considered measures such as mandatory vaccinations for care home workers and new quarantine rules.
This is the first time in months that cases have emerged in multiple parts of the country at the same time.
"I think we're entering a new phase of this pandemic, with the more contagious Delta strain," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told ABC News ahead of the meeting of the Covid-19 response committee.
The escalation in Covid infections has prompted lockdowns in the cities of Sydney and Darwin, as well as restrictions across four states.
Many businesses and venues have been ordered shut.
On Monday NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian reported 18 new cases, down from the 30 reported the previous day. Nearly 59,000 people had been tested in the previous 24 hours.
Source-BBC