Health officials warn that a fourth COVID-19 surge may be underway
As states relax COVID-19 health and safety measures, like mask mandates, in tandem with a slowly rising number of Americans who are fully vaccinated against the infectious virus -- health officials expressed caution that the nation is still at risk for another COVID-19 surge if America lets its guard down too soon.
Current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that roughly 70 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have obtained at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine -- roughly 28 percent of the nation's population -- which could play a role in how hard a potential fourth surge may impact the nation.
CDC data adds that 15 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated.
Dr. John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital, says its possible another surge may result in fewer hospitalizations and deaths because of the vaccine rollout.
"With rapid dissemination of the vaccines, increases in cases among healthy populations will not necessarily translate to hospitalizations and deaths as previously seen during the pandemic," he said.
Despite that, health officials express concern over a forth surge, regardless of vaccination rates.
Speaking Saturday to ABC News, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, said he is "quite concerned" that the nation may see an uptick in daily cases.
The nation is already experiencing a rise in new daily COVID-19 cases, with 60,000 new diagnosed cases a day -- a 12.5 percent rise. This marks the first time in two month that new cases have risen, not fallen.
22 states have already seen at least a 10 percent rise in their seven-day case average -- on top of that, the Department of Health and Human Services also reports that hospitalizations have stopped falling, but have plateaued at 33,000.
Prior to that, hospitalizations plummeted by 70 percent since January.
Health officials are determining what caused daily cases and hospitalizations to stop falling -- citing relaxed COVID-19 measures, an increase in air travel and the emergence of new COVID-19 strains that are more infectious as potential contributors of the new trend.
And, while health officials say a fourth wave is likely, it might not be as widespread or fatal as the prior three surges due to the number of vaccinated Americans.
COVID-19 has infected more than 30.2 million Americans and killed nearly 550,000 lives in the country, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Source-ABC
Justin Bieber makes history as "Peaches" debuts at number one
Last year, Taylor Swift became the first artist ever to debut at number one on both the Hot 100 and the Billboard 200 album chart in the same week: She did it in August and in late December. In between, K-pop superstars BTS managed to pull off the same feat. But now, Justin Bieber has become the first solo male artist ever to do it.
Following the news that his latest album Justice had debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, now comes word that his new single "Peaches" has entered the Hot 100 at number one. It's Justin's seventh number-one hit, and his fourth to debut on top.
So far, "Peaches" is the first single from Justice to reach the top of the chart, following the Top 30 success of "Holy," "Lonely," "Anyone" and "Hold On."
Justin must've had a good feeling about the song: He recently had a peach inked on the side of his neck. His mom wasn't too pleased, though: In the comments on Justin's Instagram post showing off the new tattoo, she wrote, "Don't you have enough yet?"
Justin's wife Hailey celebrated the success of the album on Instagram on Monday, writing, "My best friend and favorite human made an album that is incredibly special. Being along for the ride and watching the journey, the work and dedication that went into this project has inspired me deeply. @justinbieber you are so dedicated, hard working, talented, and cool. I love you more everyday and I’m proud in a way words can’t describe."
Source-ABC
The 52nd NAACP Image Awards produced Big Winners
The 52nd NAACP Image Awards, which aired virtually Saturday, was a memorable and historical night -- to say the least.
Hosted by comedian and black-ish star Anthony Anderson, the annual event spotlights the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of TV, literature, film, social justice and music. Ahead of this year's awards ceremony, Anderson won Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series during last week's non-televised show, where a slate of winners were revealed among various categories.
Beyoncé won four awards, including Outstanding Female Artist and two for her assistance on Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage" remix. Bey also won Outstanding Music video for "Brown Skin Girl," a win she will celebrate with her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, as well as WizKid and Saint Jhn, who were all featured on the song.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris opened Saturday night's show with a testimony of their efforts towards creating a united nation. Meanwhile, former First Lady Michelle Obama appeared to present Georgia's Stacey Abrams with the first Social Justice Impact Award for her dedicated efforts and advocacy for voting rights and social issues.
This year's Image Awards gave viewers a history lesson with presenters such as Misty Copeland, Samuel Jackson, Regina King, and Lin-Manuel Miranda appearing at historical destinations across the country. Appearing from the California African American Museum, Sistas co-stars Novi Brown and KJ Smith introduced Jazmine Sullivan, who performed her Heaux Tales single, "Pick Up Your Feelings."
Later in the evening, fellow R&B vocalist Maxwell celebrated the 25th anniversary of his debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, with a nostalgic performance.
Comedian Tracy Morgan took us back to his old stomping grounds at the Apollo Theater in New York to reveal Issa Rae's win for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy series. Issa's HBO series, Insecure, also won Outstanding Comedy series.
Fellow comedian and actor Eddie Murphy received NAACP's Hall of Fame Award, presented by his longtime friend and collaborator Arsenio Hall.
Mary J. Blige and Method Man won Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Drama series, respectively, for starring in Starz series, Power Book II: Ghost from Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. It also won Outstanding Drama Series.
Viola Davis won Outstanding Actress for her roles in How to Get Away with Murder and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, bringing her a total of six NAACP awards.
Davis' co-star Chadwick Boseman received the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for starring in Da 5 Bloods. Boseman's widow, Taylor Simone Ledward appeared on his behalf to accept the award and encourage viewers watching to get screened for colon cancer, which is the disease Chadwick silently battled for four years until his death last August.
The evening also paid respect to fallen entertainers including Cicely Tyson, Andre Harrell, Naya Rivera, Bishop Rance Allen, as well as civil rights activist John Lewis, among others.
Four-time NBA champ and entrepreneur LeBron James was honored with the prestigious President's Award for using his platform and status to uplift and empower others through the LeBron James Family Foundation, as well as his groundbreaking, public I PROMISE School.
Other big winners include DJ D-Nice for Entertainer of the Year and Martin Lawrence and Will Smith's Bad Boys For Life for Outstanding Motion Picture.
Source-ABC
Lil Nas X’s “Satan Shoes” sell out in under a minute
Controversy sells! Lil Nas X’s exclusive “Satan Shoes,” inspired by the devilish music video for his new song “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” were released on Monday, and Complex reports they sold out in less than a minute.
The sneakers, created in collaboration with art collective MSCHF, are black-and-red Nike Air Max 97s that have been modified to include a pentagram charm, text reading "LUKE 10:18" and even a drop of real human blood. LUKE 10:18 references a Bible verse about Satan’s fall from heaven.
Only 666 pairs were made and sold at $1,018 a piece. Fans can still enter to win the 666th pair on the sneakers’ website. The winner will be drawn on Thursday.
Nike, by the way, has neither authorized nor endorsed the sneakers. According to docs obtained by TMZ, the company is now suing MSCHF over the shoes. Lil Nas is apparently not named in the lawsuit.
After receiving backlash for the shoes, the "Old Town Road" singer released a fake apology video, which jump-cuts to the now-infamous end of the "Call Me By Your Name" music video.
Source-ABC
Misick Government releases Stimulus Checks to TCI Residents
The Turks & Caicos Government commenced on the 26th March 2021 the release of its Citizen Relief Stimulus Cheques on the islands of Grand Turk and Providenciales to approved applicants.
In a noticed sent out via RTC news, the PS of Finance, Athenee Harvey asked residents to ensure the social distancing rules are followed, she added that cheques will be released using a batch system.
The first round of cheques will be issued to approved applicants age 50 years and older. Approved applicants within this age range should take note of the following dates, times and venue:
- Providenciales – Turks and Caicos Islands Government Providenciales Treasury
26th March 2021 between 1pm and 6pm approved applicants ages 60 years and older
27th March 2021 between the hours of 10am to 6pm approved applicants ages 60 years and older
- Grand Turk – Anglican Church Dillion Hall
26th March 2021 between the hours of 10am to 6pm approved applicants ages 60 years and older
27th March 2021 between the hours 10am to 6pm approved applicants ages 50 years and older
Citizen Relief Stimulus cheque issuance will begin on the Islands of South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos and Salt Cay at 10am on 29th March 2021. Further updates will be provided in due course.
To access your Citizen Relief Stimulus cheque approved applicants must adhere to the following:
- Provide a VALID Turks & Caicos Islands Government issued photo identification (eg. Driver’s Licence, NIB Card, NHIP card, BOTC passport or a TCI Status Card);
- Provide a copy of their application number;
- Appear in person at the cheque issuance location. (Cheques will not be assigned to a bank or issued to individuals other than the approved applicant); and
- Wear a facial covering
Kindly note cheques MUST be collected on the same island as indicated in the application. Additionally, uncollected cheques will be cancelled one month from date of printing she told our news desk.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 5th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 24 March 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Grand Turk.
All members were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
• Was given an update by the Ministry of Health on:
a) The measures being taken to address and mitigate against the threat of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to the country, including the need to test for multiple variants, and
b) The installation of Oxygen Generators at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and the Cockburn Town Medical Centre.
• Approved amendments to the Public and Environmental Health (Testing of COVID-19) Regulations to include:
a) The use of Lateral Flow Devices for local surveillance of high-risk TCIG departments;
b) Robust reporting requirements; and
c) Confirmatory testing and testing requirements.
• Approved the rollout of an expanded Vaccination Campaign, including among other measures, the use of more marketing mediums, drive-through vaccine sites, and community outreach/events.
• Approved a policy for a programme of mandatory Covid-19 testing of unvaccinated staff in the public sector for key high-risk departments.
• Approved an amendment to Public and Environmental Health (Arriving Passengers) Regulations to allow for upon arrival PCR testing at the airport for TCI residents who have been fully vaccinated (2 doses) in the TCI; doing away with the requirement for such persons to obtain a negative PCR test within five days prior to their arrival in the Islands with effect from 1 May 2021.
• Approved an amendment to the Public and Environmental Health (Pandemic) Regulations to reduce the prescribed quarantine period from 14 days to 7 days for fully vaccinated persons (2 doses) who come into contact with someone with the COVID-19 disease.
• Approved an MOU with the Turks and Caicos Islands Medical Association (TCIMA) to assist the Ministry of Health with COVID-19 local surveillance through a programme of community testing using Lateral Flow Devices.
• Approved the overturning of a decision by the Collector of Stamp Duty by granting a waiver to a named individual on appeal in the context of a closed stimulus programme.
• Approved an update to the Provisional Warrant approved by the House of Assembly in December 2020 for a withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund in respect of the Recurrent Expenditure of the Islands for part of the fiscal year 2021/22. The revised Provisional Warrant will be re-submitted to the House of Assembly.
• Approved the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Amendment) Bill 2021 to improve good governance within the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency Ordinance regarding legal, financial, regulatory, and compliance matters. The Bill will be submitted to the House of Assembly for debate.
• Approved an amendment to the supporting documents to be submitted by applicants over the age of 75 years to enable them to benefit from income assistance/relief under the Citizen Relief – Covid-19 Stimulus Program.
• Approved the removal of members of the Board and the appointment of Joe Conolly as Chairman and Carla P. Blake-Thomas as Deputy Chair of the TCI National Health Insurance Board for a period of two (2) years with effect from 1 April 2021.
• Were updated on ongoing work by Labour and Employment Services and the Department of Immigration, in particular issuance of work permits, prosecution and departure from the TCI of persons found residing in the country illegally.
• Were updated on progress with addressing processes, structures and staffing of the Gaming Control Commission and approved the removal of the members of the Board.
• Approved the waiver of stamp duty for the purchase of Project House by the Financial Services Commission.
• Confirmed the round robin approval of the Supplementary Appropriation (2020/2021) Bill 2021 and noted its recent approval by the House of Assembly.
• Were updated on ongoing works by the Ministries of Education, Infrastructure, Tourism and Health. Members were also updated on end of year (financial) work by the Civil Service and staffing across various departments.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
US stocks close broadly lower on Wall Street as banks stumble
The US Stocks closed broadly lower yesterday and gave back nearly all of their gains from a day earlier as technology, industrial and bank stocks fell.
The S&P 500 fell 30.07 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 3,910.52. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market and pushed the Nasdaq 149.85 points lower, or 1.1 per cent, to 13,227.70. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 308.05 points, or 0.9 per cent to 32,423.15.
Stocks of smaller companies, which have far outpaced the rest of the market this year, fell even more. The Russell 2000 index gave back 3.6 per cent.
Industrial and health care companies also accounted for a good part of the selling. Energy stocks helped drag down the market too as oil prices fell.
Bond yields declined. That weighed on banks and other financial companies which look to yields as a benchmark for the interest rates they charge on mortgages and other loans.
Investors continue to be focused on the future outlook for the US economy as millions of Americans get vaccinated every day. Investors are wavering between optimism regarding coronavirus vaccines that might allow business and travel to return to normal, and fears of higher inflation after struggling economies were flooded with credit and government spending.
“The market feels like it is in this inflection point,” said Darrell Cronk, chief investment officer of Wells Fargo Wealth and Investment Management. “It's a good day for reflection.”
The price of US crude oil dropped 6.2 per cent to US$57.76 a barrel, pulling energy companies lower. Energy prices have been steadily climbing this year until recently, as the global economy recovers and oil demand worldwide increases while production remains constrained. Marathon Oil fell 6.1 per cent.
Another drop in long-term bond yields pulled bank stocks lower. When bond yields fall they result in lower interest rates on loans such as mortgages, and weaker profits for banks and other lenders. Bank of America fell 2.0 per cent and Wells Fargo dropped 1.9 per cent. American Express slid 2.8 per cent.
The yield of the 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.63 per cent. The yield was well above 1.70 per cent last week, which had put some pressure on the stock market.
The S&P 500 hit a pandemic-era low exactly one year ago, on March 23, 2020, having dropped nearly 34 per cent in about a month. That wiped out three years' worth of gains. The index wound up roaring back in the coming months, and recovered all its losses by August. Through Monday it had surged 76% from that low point.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congress yesterday that more must be done to limit the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic. Powell also stressed that he does not expect programmes aimed at reviving the economy to trigger unwanted inflation.
Facebook outlines proposal for online platform liability reform
Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg urged US lawmakers Wednesday to reform the rules for online platforms' liability to require systems in place for removing unlawful content.
The proposal outlined in testimony prepared for a congressional hearing detailed Facebook's idea for reforming a law known as Section 230 which shields internet services from liability for content posted by others.
The comments come amid growing pressure across the political spectrum to hold online platforms accountable for misinformation, incitements to violence and abusive content.
Zuckerberg said in his written remarks released by a House of Representatives panel that "people of all political persuasions want to know that companies are taking responsibility for combatting unlawful content and activity on their platforms".
He maintained that Congress "should consider making platforms' intermediary liability protection for certain types of unlawful content conditional on companies' ability to meet best practices to combat the spread of this content".
Instead of being given blanket immunity, Zuckerberg said "platforms should be required to demonstrate that they have systems in place for identifying unlawful content and removing it".
He maintained that online services should not be held liable for "if a particular piece of content evades its detection," saying it is not feasible for platforms with billions of posts per day, but "should be required to have adequate systems in place".
Zuckerberg said the requirements should be "proportionate to platform size and set by a third-party" so that the biggest services don't have an advantage over new startups.
The comments come ahead of what was expected to be another contentious hearing with the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter, appearing remotely, to address the problems on online disinformation.
The largest online platforms have seen a growing backlash over what many see as a failure to clamp down on false and misleading content which can have real-world consequences.
A statement from the Energy and Commerce Committee said the big platforms "maximise their reach — and advertising dollars — by using algorithms or other technologies to promote content... (and) often elevate or amplify disinformation and extremist content".
Source-AFP
Trinidad & Tobago to receive vaccines from India, China
Trinidad and Tobago will get a total of 140,000 doses of two different types of COVID-19 vaccines donated by India and China.
The Government of India on Wednesday officially informed Port of Spain that 40,000 doses of the World Health Organization (WHO)-approved AstraZeneca vaccine have now been released for donation to the twin-island republic.
A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister added that China has also offered 100,000 doses of another vaccine, Sinopharm, “to support and safeguard the health of the people of Trinidad and Tobago”.
“The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has graciously accepted this generous offer of the Sinopharm vaccine as we anxiously await WHO approval,” the statement said, adding that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has expressed his sincerest appreciation and gratitude to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping of China for their generosity.
“All relevant arrangements are being made for the shipment of the vaccines to Port of Spain.”
The announcement came two days after Foreign and Caribbean Community (Caricom) Affairs Minister Senator Dr Emery Browne and Indian High Commissioner Arun Kumar Sahu agreed to work together on the vaccine issue.
That came out of a meeting on Monday, amid tensions between Sahu and Rowley over whether India's vaccine facility was made available to Caricom member states.
Source-CMC
Tesla Customers can buy cars using Bitcoins
Tesla customers can now buy their car with Bitcoin, company chief Elon Musk has said.
Mr Musk, a well known Bitcoin enthusiast, made the unexpected announcement in a tweet.
But Bitcoin's value rapidly moves up and down - meaning the cryptocurrency price of the car could change day to day.
Tesla has invested heavily in the digital currency, buying $1.5bn (£1.1bn) worth of Bitcoin.
And that apparent vote in confidence saw Bitcoin's value shoot to a record high.
Wednesday's announcement also led to a modest bump to the price of Bitcoin.
Mr Musk tweeted Tesla would be running its own internal software to handle Bitcoin payments, which "operates Bitcoin nodes directly".
Nodes, in this sense, are the computers that process Bitcoin transactions.
And in an apparent bid to assuage fears of Bitcoin enthusiasts who want to see the ecosystem thrive, Mr Musk said: "Bitcoin paid to Tesla will be retained as Bitcoin, not converted to fiat [government-controlled] currency"
For example, Tesla's terms and conditions say if a refund is needed, it can pay in either the exact amount of Bitcoin paid or in US dollars based on the dollar price of the car - whichever it wants.
So if the price of Bitcoin shoots up before a refund is issued, the customer could lose out.
The announcement comes the same day US magazine Consumer Reports warned Tesla cars were recording and transmitting video footage, to help develop its self-driving technology, in a way that raised privacy concerns.
Other carmakers did not record or send the video they captured, it said - instead using the technology to warn a driver if they were not paying enough attention.
"If Tesla has the ability to determine if the driver isn't paying attention, it needs to warn the driver in the moment, like other automakers already do," it said.
John Davisson, from the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told Consumer Reports: "In Tesla's approach, there's always the possibility that insurance companies, police, regulators, and other parties in accidents will be able to obtain that data."