Microsoft unveils Windows 11 operating system
Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11, its "next generation" operating system, at a virtual event.
The new software will let Android apps run on the Windows desktop.
Product manager Panos Panay promised smaller, faster security updates - a common complaint for Windows users - and said they would happen in the background.
Windows 11 will also let users configure multiple desktops for work, home, and gaming, like on a Mac.
Microsoft says there are currently about 1.3 billion devices running Windows 10.
An early preview version of the new system will be released for app developers next week.
Windows 11 will be available as a free update to existing Windows 10 users - although some devices will not have the right specifications. These include a minimum of 64 gigabytes of storage and gigabytes of RAM.
One cosmetic change is putting the "Start" button at the bottom-centre of the screen rather than left-hand side.
In addition, Windows 11 will feature tighter integration with Microsoft's communications platform Teams. Xbox Games Pass, a subscription service offering access to hundreds of games, will also be pre-installed.
The tech giant said it would share more profits from its app store with creators and developers - as rival Apple continues to face challenges over its business model.
When Windows 10 launched in 2015, Microsoft said it would be the final version of the operating system. It has since announced Windows 10 will be retired in 2025.
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella described the launch as "a major milestone in the history of Windows", but analyst Geoff Blaber from CCS Insight said he did not consider it to be "a revolutionary step".
"Windows 11 is an iterative release that pinpoints where Windows needs greater ambition, rather than introducing the sweeping changes seen with its predecessor," he said.
"The end game for Microsoft is ensuring that the step up from Windows 10 to Windows 11 provides significant enough improvements to offset any complaints."
Forrester's principal analyst JP Gownder noted that the new operating system was based on the code of Windows 10, which should prevent upgrade glitches such as those seen in the past with Windows Vista.
"These user-friendly nods to the past are a double-edged sword, though," he added.
"They're great for continuity of experience, but they make you wonder what the 11 really stands for. Is this really more of an admittedly feature-rich Windows 10 update than a full-version release."
Source-BBC
Miami building collapse with 51unaccounted for
One person has died and 51 others are unaccounted for after the collapse overnight of a 12-storey residential building north of Miami, Florida, officials say.
Rescuers are combing the rubble in the search for survivors and were seen pulling a boy out alive.
It is unclear how many people were in the building at the time.
The complex in the town of Surfside was built in 1980. Out of 130 units, about half were affected by the collapse.
Fifty-one people believed to have been living in the building have not yet been contacted, County Commissioner José Díaz said.
Rescuers pulled 35 people from the wreckage, officials said. Ten were assessed and treated, of whom two were sent to hospital.
"The back of the building, probably a third or more, is totally pancaked," Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett told a news conference.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he would travel to South Florida later on Thursday. "We are bracing for some bad news just given the destruction that we're seeing," he warned, saying he thought the quick response from the emergency services had saved lives.
A community centre in Surfside has been turned into a family reunification centre and an information point for concerned relatives.
One man who was out with his brothers walking their dog described hearing the building come down.
"Basically we heard a really big rumble and we thought it was a motorcycle, you know, and we turned around and saw a cloud of dust just coming our way," he told CBS Miami.
"We were like - 'what is going on?' We went rushing toward it with shirts over our faces and the security guard came out and we were, like, 'what happened?' and she said the building collapsed."
A man who witnessed the aftermath of the collapse told CNN, "It looked like something from 9/11," referring to the attacks that brought down the Twin Towers in New York in 2001.
Santo Mejil, 50, was woken when his wife called from a unit on the ninth floor of one of the three buildings that make up Champlain Towers. She is an overnight caretaker for an elderly disabled woman.
"She said she heard a big explosion," Mr Mejil told the Miami Herald. "It felt like an earthquake." His wife was among those rescued.
Source-BBC
Bipartisan Senate negotiators announce infrastructure 'framework' deal
Following multiple hours-long bipartisan Senate meetings with senior White House aides on a traditional infrastructure package, lawmakers said Wednesday that they have reached a "framework" deal and are headed to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday.
"We have a framework, and we're going to the White House tomorrow," Republican Senator Mitt Romney told reporters.
"We made significant progress," White House counselor Steve Richetti told ABC News.
Three Senate negotiators -- Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Ohio's Rob Portman and Montana Democrat Jon Tester -- clarified to reporters that there were still some details to be worked out on how the $1.2 trillion package is to be paid for, though all agreed that a deal was at hand.
When asked if the group of 21 senators had a deal, Portman said, "I wouldn't use exactly those words, but I would say that we're very, very close, and we're going to now do the outreach. It is important to grow the vote from the middle out."
Portman was referencing the crucial sales job now underway with senators outside the group of 21.
The core, bipartisan group of 10 senators - five Democrat, five Republican - has been at this effort for a month.
Senior White House aides now must show the president the final numbers.
Source-ABC
Vin Diesel confirms Cardi B will be involved in F10 & talks about Dwayne Johnson
Cardi B's character, Leysa, will stick around for at least one more Fast and Furious movie, confirms series star Vin Diesel.
In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actor explained how Cardi's character Leysa's story will continue in F10 and why Cardi B will help bring the long-running action franchise to a satisfying conclusion.
"We are very much excited to evolve her character and to expand it to the finale," said Diesel, 53. "She came in Fast 9 just in time."
The Fast franchise is slated to wrap with its eleventh film, F11, of which Diesel teased, "You know, like I said, the finale's coming and F9 starts to align everything perfectly for the greatest finale in cinematic history."
Current director Justin Lin also raved about the "Up" rapper and how the franchise benefited from her involvement. Explaining that Cardi is now a "part of the family," Lin explained that her character will answer a lot of questions that have persisted through the franchise.
"I love how when I got together with her, her and Vin were talking about the character because she's actually really embedded into the overall universe," Lin hinted. "She's been around for a long time and this is just the first time we are seeing her, so I'm really excited to explore that character of her."
The Grammy-winning rapper said she's proud to be playing Leysa, telling ET in a prior interview, "I like the fact that I’m representing such a powerful, strong woman."
Meanwhile, Vin Diesel had a much-publicized feud with his Fast & Furious co-star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson back in 2016 we are learning, -- something Diesel now chalks up to what he calls a little "tough love."
Johnson, who debuted his Luke Hobbs character in 2011's Fast Five, referred to some of his male co-stars as "candy **** and "unprofessional" on Instagram back then, which fans quickly speculated was about Diesel.
"It was a tough character to embody, the Hobbs character," Diesel says in a new interview with Men's Health.
"My approach at the time was a lot of tough love to assist in getting that performance where it needed to be," he explains. "As a producer to say, 'Okay, we’re going to take Dwayne Johnson, who's associated with wrestling, and we're going to force this cinematic world, audience members, to regard his character as someone that they don't know' -- Hobbs hits you like a ton of bricks. That's something that I'm proud of, that aesthetic."
"That took a lot of work," Diesel continues. "We had to get there and sometimes, at that time, I could give a lot of tough love. Not [Federico] Fellini-esque, but I would do anything I'd have to do in order to get performances in anything I'm producing."
Diesel, 53, and Johnson, 49, addressed the rumors of their on-set feud at the Fate of the Furious premiere back in April 2017.
"Just like, in life, you have different philosophies and people have different fundamental philosophies on how you do things," Johnson told Entertainment Tonight then.
"In my house, he's 'Uncle Dwayne,' and I'm proud of that," said Diesel. "We still love each other, that's my boy."
Johnson doesn't appear in the franchise's latest installment, F9 charges into theaters June 25.
Premier Washington Misick brings remarks on the Opening of the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Resort
Premier of the Turks & Caicos, the Hon. Washington Misick along with Cabinet members attended the opening of the Ritz Carlton hotel on Grace Bay beach on Wednesday June 23rd, 2021. In his opening remarks, the Premier added that the Turks and Caicos Islands' success in the global tourism sector has not been a straight line as indeed it has fluctuated with global economic ebbs and flows.
The industry here has however proven to be very resilient to exogenous shocks. Over the last forty years we have seen the Turks and Caicos Islands gradually position itself
amongst its sea of competitors as a distinctive destination. The journey from Club Med to Ritz Carlton has been an experience of high and lows, but over the last twenty years, we have been mostly highs with more success stories then failures and for that we are thankful to Almighty God and the collective ingenuity of our stakeholders and all connected to it in the travel and tourism space.
Today it gives me much pleasure to share in this momentous occasion of the opening of the Ritz Carlton - a member of the Marriott extensive portfolio of 7,300+ hotels worldwide, spread out across 131 countries.
Although I am proud of our own exclusive home-grown brands, this is the moment in a sense, when we can say that the TCI hospitality sector has grown up. That is due to the huge network of resorts and potential visitors that will for the first time be introduced to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This would not otherwise be so without a global brand of the Ritz standing.
The Turks and Caicos Islands government congratulates you, the Ritz Carlton team, on the opening of this resort. We are happy to officially welcome you as a part of our Turks and Caicos family. We look forward to the economic benefits that your opening will bring to the Turks and Caicos Islands and appeal to your sense of corporate responsibility to do right by the people of the TCI and our fragile environment by ensuring that they are given every opportunity to excel within your organisation, and to ensure that your operational methodology is sensitive to the environment.
It is notable that the journey to develop this resort started under a previous PNP administration amidst much ridicule and resistance. This new PNP administration will continue to give you its support in every possible way to ensure that this development is successful. However, this support is not without conditions. Those conditions are summed up in our desire to see inclusive growth and social development for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, we are aware of the many clever legal maneuvers practiced in the TCI private sector to exclude Turks and Caicos Islanders from the economic process and put all on notice that the time has come for this to stop.
My government remains encouraged and enthusiastic about the growth we currently see in our recovering market. Our tourism industry continues to set trends and break records even as we work our way out of this pandemic environment. We are optimistic and excited about plans to upgrade and expand airports in several of
our islands, welcome new development projects and support existing ones.
We are making plans to revolutionise the management of the TCI destination because the moment calls for it.
We hope to be able to draw on your vast experience from the 131 countries in which you operate. Again we welcome you and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship and extend the hand of friendship and partnership on the behalf of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands added Premier Misick.
Ports Authority Chairman Jason Francis and Kendell Higgs, signs a contract for Welcome Center/ Port Office in North Caicos.
Ports Authority Chairman Jason Francis and Kendell Higgs, CEO of Unlimited Contracting today signed a contract for the construction of Welcome Center/ Port Office at Bellefield Landing, North Caicos.
On signing of the contact Chairman Francis stated “ We’ve worked hard towards this, it is good to see our hard work paying off, the people of North and Middle Caicos would be pleased for this, it will improve not only tourism on these Islands but the whole destination.” Chairman Francis also indicated he was pleased that Mr. Higgs ‘ an island boy was awarded the contact’ Mr. Higgs expressed his delight on being awarded the contract, he said “ I am happy to be working with the Ports Authority again, I pledge to deliver the best possible product.”
Bellefield Landing is the hub for agriculture and craft exports and bourgeoning tourism developments on North Caicos and Middle Caicos, centered around for day trip visitors from Providenciales.
The Port Office/ Welcome Center will consist of a restaurant, space for rental as shops, a port office, car park, gazebo and other tourism amenities. The project should commence immediately and has a construction duration of one (1) year. A date for project ground breaking ceremony will be announced shortly.
Director of Ports, Delton Jones, indicated “the Welcome Center project is part of the plan for the phased development of Bellefield Landing. The plan is for Bellefield Landing to become a community port; catering to tourism traffic and regular trade and shipping to support prosperity on North and Middle Caicos.”
The project for the development of Bellefield Landing begun with the clear-up of Bellefield Landing earlier in 2021, to improve the aesthetics of the port facility. Other projects which should commence in the new financial year include preparation of a master plan; clean-up (to remove sunken vessels) and dredging of the turning basin, coastal structural improvements and installation of safe boating slips.
WEATHER FORECAST 24TH JUNE 2021
GENERAL SITUATION: STREAMING TROPICAL MOISTURE CONTINUES TO ENHANCE UNSETTLED WEATHER ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, WHILE A HIGH-PRESSURE RIDGE SLOWLY LIFTS NORTHWARDS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT DUE TO THE THREAT OF POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS. BEACHGOERS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG EASTERN SHORELINES IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY, HOT AND HUMID WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY OVER THE EXTREME NORTHWESTERN ISLANDS THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION WILL COME INTO EFFECT TONIGHT EXPECT GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS THIS AFTERNOON INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS TONIGHT.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET THIS AFTERNOON BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FEET TONIGHT.
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY, HOT AND BREEZY WITH A FEW ISOLATED PASSING SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE, BECOMING FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 90°F 32°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 77°F 25°C
SUNSET: 8:01 PM
SUNRISE 6:22 AM FRI
MOONSET 8:19 PM
MOONRISE: 7:02 AM FRI
LOW TIDE: 2:00 PM 3:00 AM FRI
HIGH TIDE: 8:29 PM 8:49 AM FRI
***FULL MOON @2:39PM***
OUTLOOK FOR TOMORROW: HIGH PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE SHIFTING NORTH OF THE AREA WHILE GENERATING MODERATE TO FRESH BREEZES. EXPECT PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND A BIT BREEZY CONDITIONS WITH A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE.
1) A SMALL AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF BARBADOS HAS A LOW, OR 10 PERCENT CHANCE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION THROUGH THE NEXT FIVE (5) DAYS.
2) A STRONG TROPICAL WAVE HAS EMERGED OFF THE COAST OF AFRICA TODAY. THIS SYSTEM HAS A MEDIUM OR 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION THROUGH THE NEXT FIVE (5) DAYS.
DECR apprehended Poachers in the TCI National Parks
The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) and the Department of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries apprehended individuals caught fishing, whilst diving, in the North West Point National Park, Providenciales. The marine product confiscated included illegally caught conch, lobster and parrot fish. These individuals are currently being prosecuted accordingly.
As a reminder, please note that failure to comply with the Regulations will result in prosecution in court in accordance with the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Ordinance 5 of 1941); Section 3 of the Regulations, Part 1(9,12, and 19), as follows:
Restrictions on means of taking marine products and harmful activities
- (1) No person shall––
- (c) use scuba equipment or any artificial breathing device other than a snorkel when taking marine products:
- (d) use Hawaiian sling for the taking of marine products, unless he is the holder of a commercial fishing license, anywhere within the fishery limits...
- (e) use any net or trap with intent to take any species of marine product in any part of the area known as Bell Sound and bounded on the North by a line running in an easterly direction from Horse Cay to Sail Rock Point.
- (f) be in possession of a spear gun within the fishing limits of the Islands; (Inserted by L.N. 9/2004)
- (g) engage in the practice of throwing any food into the water for the purposes of feeding or attracting or harvesting any species of marine life unless authorised to do so by the Director; and (Inserted by L.N. 9/2004).
- (1) & (2) No person shall––
- The close season in relation to crawfish shall be the period from the first day of April to the thirty-first day of July (inclusive) in each year or such other dates as may, from time to time, be appointed by the Governor in the Gazette;
- (a) any person who takes any marine product during a period which is a close season for that species of marine product commits an offence;
(b) any person who purchases or is in possession of any marine product during a period which is a close season for that species of marine product commits an offence unless he proves, the onus being on him, that the said marine product was not taken during the close season or that he did not know and had no reason to believe that the said marine product was so taken.
Under NO circumstances is anyone permitted to be in possession of lobster after the midnight on the 31st of March 2021. During the closed season it is illegal for fishermen to land or trade in lobsters and for restaurants and hotels to serve lobsters. The DECR therefore urges all fishing interests to ensure that they have NO lobsters in their possession at the end of the season. Please also be reminded that in the remaining days of the season, berried lobsters (or lobsters with eggs) MUST be returned to the water.
Restrictions relating to parrot fish
- (1) No person shall take, have in his possession, buy or sell any parrot fish;
(2) Any person who contravenes this regulation commits an offence.
Similarly, the DECR would like to remind the public that fishing within a National Park is illegal. Persons caught doing so will face the full extent of the law. This is in accordance with the National Parks Ordinance, Ordinance 11 of 1975, as amended.
According to Regulation 3, subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) the following activities are prohibited within all National Parks, Nature Reserves, Sanctuaries or Areas of Historical Interest:
- The taking of any animal or plant by any method on land or at sea, except to the extent permitted in any fishing zone;
- The destruction of, or damage or injury to, any animal or plant;
Any persons caught contravening these regulations are committing an offense and is liable, on summary of conviction, to a fine of up to $50,000.00 or a term of imprisonment of 12 months, or both.
The DECR would like to encourage the public to be familiarize themselves with the National Parks / Nature Reserve / Sanctuary / Historical Area boundaries. This information is available in the National Parks Ordinance, which can be found on the DECR’s webpage: http://www.gov.tc/deacr . Should you notice illegal activity within the boundaries of these Protected Areas, please contact the Department at environment@gov.tc.
TCI Port Authority hosts virtual meeting of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean
The Turks and Caicos Ports Authority will be hosting a virtual meeting of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) during the 23rd -24th of June, where they will discuss the resumption of cruise tourism, post pandemic shipping outlook and post digitalization and cybersecurity.
This conference comes at a critical time as the region grapples with re-opening their economies, this is especially critical locally as the Grand Turk community continues to prepare for the reopening of the Grand Turk Cruise Centre by the end of this year.
Director of Ports Delton Jones indicated that “delegates at this year’s annual meeting will discuss a number of issues affecting shipping in a post pandemic environment; so it’s a great honour for the TCI Port Authority to be hosting this meeting, which we were scheduled to host last year, but could not due to the pandemic.’
Apart from the key topics, the meeting will include discussions on performance of membes ports, introduction to eco-efficiency in container terminals, update on regional logistics and relief management and training opportunities.
This will be the 24th meeting of the PMAC, which is a regional association consisting of 18 regional member ports and other regional and international associate members. PMAC was established to foster operational and financial efficiency and to enhance the level of service for the mutual benefit of Caribbean Ports and their stakeholders, through the sharing of experience, training, information and ideas."
Due to its membership in PMAC, the Ports Authority of the Turks and Caicos Islands benefited from technical assistance programs, visits to and networking with member ports, which has enabled the country to embrace new procedures and introduce new systems to improve port efficiency and effectiveness.
RTCIPF provides Law Enforcement updates in the TCI
The crime update, 28-year-old Larenzo Demetre Rigby of Five Cays Providenciales, who was arrested and charged for Keeping Firearm and Ammunition in October 2019, was found guilty on both charges by a seven-member jury in the Supreme Court on Friday, June 11th 2021.
Rigby is remanded in custody until Thursday, July 8th 2021, for sentencing.
Superintendent Lisa Mitcheson, Head of Crime and Public Protection, said, “Officers in the Criminal Investigation Department and supporting departments should be proud of the hard work and professionalism executed that resulted in this conviction. I want to express thanks to the team on behalf of the
Executive Team of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and members of the community who continue to assist us with information. We must work together with the public to improve crime detection and keep the Turks and Caicos Islands safe”.
Anyone with information on any incident can call the Police on 911 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 (TIPS).
Turning to other law enforcement news. In a joint operation, Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), and the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), stepped up their patrol of the Sapodilla Bay Beach area on Thursday, June 17th, 2021. A quantity of alcoholic beverages were seized from a vendor who was operating illegally on the beach.
The public is reminded to comply with the relevant Business and Liquor Licensing Ordinances to avoid the confiscation of items and prosecution.
The Police, DECR and DEH will continue monitoring the Sapodilla Bay Beach area throughout the weekend and in the weeks to come and enforcing the Business Licensing and Liquor Licensing Ordinances and the Covid-19 Regulations.
The Joint Operation Team will work hand in hand with local vendors and party promotors to create a plan to enhance public safety while assessing other concerns, including illegal drugs, loud music, and littering.