Bermuda opens COVID-19 vaccinations to residents aged 16 and above
In Bermuda today, teenagers here have the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with health authorities on Monday opening vaccination to all residents over the age of 16.
Health Minister Kim Wilson told the House of Assembly that the government's vaccination campaign was “our best chance of moving beyond the pandemic”.
She said the island's latest outbreak of COVID-19 infections – 40 in the space of three days – stemmed from social gatherings last month that broke restrictions against the spread of the virus.
“Everybody in Bermuda is now being impacted as a result of the actions of a few irresponsible people. Now is not the time to relax our vigilance,” Wilson said.
Unlike similar outbreaks in November and December, linked to three events at two venues in one weekend, the surge in new cases was “almost all” linked to a more contagious UK variant of COVID-19.
Minister Wilson said it was spreading among a “noticeably younger” demographic, and that “more workplaces, more schools and a greater variety of activities are being impacted” as people test positive and their contacts are quarantined.
She noted that the Cabinet had responded by rolling back “earlier relaxations” and imposing restrictions, including an 11:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew and reducing gatherings from 25 to a maximum of 10.
Source-CMC
FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT TUESDAY 23RD MARCH 2021
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND WARM WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS OR A THUNDERSTORM, BECOMING FAIR AND MILD TONIGHT
SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION IN SEA SWELLS, GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS INCREASING 10 TO 15 KNOTS BY EVENING
SEAS: 1 TO 3 FEET BUILDING 3 TO 5 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 84°F 29°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 66°F 19°C
SUNRISE: 7:10AM MOONRISE: 2:19 PM LOW TIDE: 10:32AM 10:26PM
SUNSET: 7:21PM MOONSET: 4:22 AM WED HIGH TIDE: 4:20PM 4:55 AMWED
EXTENDED FORECAST: WINDS SPEED WILL INCREASE AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS ACROSS THE ISLANDS
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WARM AND HUMID WITH A QUICK PASSING SHOWER, FAIR AND MILD AT NIGHT
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET, UP TO 5 FEET ALONG EASTERLY SHORES
10 people killed, suspect in custody following mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado
The state of Colorado was rocked Monday by a mass shooting at a grocery store in Boulder. Police tell ABC News the "active shooter" was reported at a King Soopers grocery store.
Police tell ABC News that authorities were responding to reports of a person shot in the parking lot. When officers arrive, the gunman opened fire.
Sources claim the gunman used a long gun. 10 people, including a Boulder police officer, have been confirmed dead, but the number of persons injured remains unknown. That number can chance, says Boulder District Attorney Michael Michael Dougherty, who says authorities are still notifying next of kin.
The slain officer was later identified as 51-year-old Eric Talley, who joined the force in 2010.
Talley's father, Homer Talley, spoke about his son in a statement to ABC News.
"He took his job as a police officer very seriously. He had seven children. The youngest is 7 years old. He loved his kids and his family more than anything," he said, adding Eric was training to be a drone operator to remove himself from the front lines because "He didn't want to put his family through something like this."
The state SWAT team responded to the shooting, as well as several law enforcement agencies. The FBI also arrived to investigate.
According to video taken by witnesses, the gunman was apprehended alive and walked out of the store with his hands up to surrender. Boulder Police say the suspect, who has not been identified, was injured and was taken to a hospital.
Currently, the motive is unknown, but police say there are no additional suspects at this time.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis tweeted out a statement Monday, writing, "My prayers are with our fellow Coloradans in this time of sadness and grief as we learn more about the extent of the tragedy."
A King Sooper spokesperson said in a statement, "Our hearts are broken of senseless act of violence."
Source-ABC
Robin Thicke reflects up about past drug abuse: "I lost myself"
"Blurred Lines" singer Robin Thicke has a lot to be thankful for, especially when he looks back at his "darkest days" when he was dependent on drugs and alcohol.
Appearing Monday on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, the singer -- who is now sober -- didn't mince words about his past struggles with addiction.
Thicke, 44, said his substance abuse spiraled out of control after the sudden deaths of his father Alan Thicke and manager Jordan Feldstein, followed by losing his home in a fire within the span of two years.
"Just everything at the same time all hit the wall," the singer described.
"I was in good control of my faculties. I was a beer and a glass of wine kinda guy. It wasn't until the touring and partying and the lifestyle. You just think you can manage it all," said Thicke. "You think you can keep going at that pace. And then your habits catch up with you."
Thicke also expressed he became addicted to painkillers when he began having problems with his back, which "became a bad habit."
Shepard, who recently confessed to falling off the wagon after over a decade of sobriety, connected with Thicke's analysis about painkillers and added, "Opiates have the illusion of being manageable, don't they?"
"And the illusion of normalcy. Some form of normalcy," the Masked Singer judge replied. "You don't have to hide in the bathroom. You're not falling down or slurring your words. It's not on your breath. You can't necessarily see it in the eyes."
He says another major loss, the 2020 death of his mentor Andre Harrell, is what finally snapped him out of the downward spiral and inspired him to "change my life."
"I lost myself," the Grammy nominee confessed. "I don't want to be that person ever again."
Source-ABC
Bobby Brown Jr.'s cause of death released
It's been over four months since the tragic death of Bobby Brown Jr. and, on Monday, authorities released his cause of death.
TMZ reports that the aspiring artist, who died a few days shy of his 28th birthday, accidentally overdosed on a "lethal cocktail" of drugs and alcohol.
According to the autopsy and toxicology report from the L.A. County Medical Examiner's Office, Brown had fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol in his system when he died.
In addition, a witness told authorities they watched the "In Her City" artist drinking tequila while ingesting cocaine and half a Percocet.
Authorities ruled no foul play was involved in his death, but added no drugs were found at his residence, either.
As previously reported, Brown Jr. was discovered in his LA. home last November.
He was the son of legendary "My Prerogative" singer Bobby Brown and Kim Ward, and is survived by his sister La'Princia. He is also survived by half-siblings Landon, Cassius, Bodhi and Hendrix.
Brown Jr. was pre-deceased by half-sister Bobbi Kristina, who is the daughter of late singer Whitney Houston.
Bobbi Kristina fell into a coma after drowning in her bathtub and stayed on life support before passing away in July 2015. Authorities found cocaine and alcohol in her system.
Source-ABC
PUBLIC FORECAST 19/03/2021
TURKS & CAICOS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH THE CHANCE OF A FEW SHOWERS; TURNING FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 84 F 29 °C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 70°F 21°C
SUNSET: 7:19PM SUNSET: 7:14AM SAT.
MOONSET: 12:54AM SAT. MOONRISE: 11:45AM SAT.
HIGH TIDE: 12:32PM & 1:05AM SAT.
LOW TIDE: 6:39PM & 7:24AM SAT.
GENERAL SITUATION: A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, INCREASES CLOUDINESS AND SHOWER CHANCES THIS AFTERNOON; AND WILL SUBSEQUENTLY BECOME STATIONARY TONIGHT WITH A LOW PRESSURE CENTER FORMING ALONG ITS BOUNDARY OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
WEATHER OUTLOOK: VARIABLY CLOUDY AND MILD WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS IN VICINITY OF THE FRONT…PARTLY SUNNY AND WARM ELSEWHERE.
PREMIER ATTENDED 10 TH UK-CARIBBEAN FORUM
The Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick attended the Tenth UK-Caribbean Forum which this year was hosted by the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Thursday, March 2021 virtually.
The forum brings together Foreign Ministers from the UK and CARICOM which aims at strengthening cooperation between the UK and Caribbean countries; and provides an opportunity to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues at Ministerial level. Discussions this year were led by Minister of State for the Commonwealth and United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), Lord Tariq Ahmad.
The three main areas of focus were the: Economy, Environment; and Values and Security. The forum heard from various country leaders and received a special message from The Prince of Wales, Charles Philip Arthur George.
The Premier, commenting on the forum stated, “The invitation to attend this Tenth UK –Caribbean Forum was a welcomed one. The representation of Turks and Caicos Islands at a meeting of this level is necessary to ensure not only that this country has an opportunity to promote our brand, but also to hear from other Ministerial Leaders their best practices and to discuss major global and regional matters, including economic growth, national security and the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important that we not only show our strength as a leading country in the Caribbean but it is equally as important to build mutually beneficial relationships with countries in the region and across the globe. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands can thrive and prosper.
Thank you to Lord Tariq Ahmad and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for the invitation. It has been a very productive and insightful day of discussion. My Government will continue to work to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands ascends in upward growth.”
The UK –Caribbean forum is a biennial event, with the UK and a Caribbean country hosting alternatively. The UK Overseas Territories have been invited as participatory observers to the forum by the UK. Discussions during the forum was captured in a Joint Communique and an Action Plan which was signed digitally. The next forum will take place in 2023 in the Caribbean.
Premier Misick met with Clergy Members in Grand Turk
The Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick met with members of the Clergy on Thursday, 11 March 2021 at the New Testament Church of God, Grand Turk.
Representatives from various religious denominations were invited for an introductory meeting to hear from the Premier and to discuss areas of concern as it relates to matters of the community.
During the meeting the Premier shared plans to introduce a new Department of Religious Affairs which will oversee and liaise with religious leaders to enhance the Turks and Caicos Islands Government community outreach strategy, programmes and other critical partnerships.
Clergy members expressed the desire to enhance rehabilitation outreach, programmes and increase in employment opportunities for young men. The Premier reassured that the development of rehabilitation curriculums is a priority plan for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to function as a deterrent for crime and repeat offenders.
“Members of the Clergy play a vital role in the growth and development of our country. My Government will strengthen our relationship with religious leaders who are influential individuals in their respective communities.
Working along with the Clergy across the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is the goal that we bolster community-government engagement and partnerships to guide our policy decisions, education and training opportunity offerings; and to aid in effective and engaging programme creation,” said Honourable Charles Washington Misick.
Premier Misick further added, “This meeting was an open conversation with some of the religious leaders across the islands. I intend to hold several other meetings with members of the Clergy in the remaining islands over the coming weeks. I will hear their concerns and share my Government’s plans for the next four years.
This first meeting was a success and I look forward to engaging further, with a focus first and foremost on the well-being and betterment of the lives of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE EXTENDS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF SERGEANT LIGHTBOURNE
It is with deep regret, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force acknowledge the death of our friend and colleague, Sergeant Carl Lightbourne, who passed away on the evening of March 16th, 2021.
Sergeant Lightbourne enlisted into the police service on May 2nd, 1988, at the age of 22-years- old after graduating from the Regional Police Training Centre in Barbados. He has served in several policing roles throughout his service. During the last few years of his life, he served as a supervisor on the response and operation unit on shift C on Division A in Grand Turk.
Sergeant Lightbourne had an easy-going personality and conducted himself as a true professional. He was passionate about music and was one of the founding members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Combo Band, where he remained a member for many years.
Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams, in expressing condolences, said, “Sergeant Lightbourne, better known as ‘Lighty’ chose as his career service to others, and for that, we all benefited. Mr Lightbourne and I were not only colleagues but terrific friends. Our friendship goes back to the 1980s while we were in high school, and later we both graduated in 1983 and again became colleagues within law enforcement.
We will miss him tremendously. I have spoken to Mrs Lightbourne and other family members and reassured them of our love and support. We ask that everyone keep his wife, children, other family members and friends in your prayers. To lose his life at an age with much more to offer is truly heart-breaking, and my deepest thoughts and sympathies are with all who knew him”.
May his soul rest in peace.
Samsung warns of 'serious imbalance' due to Chip shortage
Samsung, the world’s biggest computer-chip manufacturer, has warned of a “serious imbalance” in the semiconductor industry, as global shortages cause disruption.
It also said it might skip the launch of the next Galaxy Note smartphone, to streamline its lineup.
There are growing fears market shortages could slow economic recovery after coronavirus.
EU, US and Chinese governments are seeking to boost production.
“There’s a serious imbalance in supply and demand of chips in the IT sector globally,” Samsung's co-chief executive and mobile chief, Koh Dong-jin, said at a shareholder meeting.
"It is hard to say the shortage issue has been solved 100%."
Samsung was working with overseas partners to meet demand, he added.
The semiconductor shortage began last year, as the pandemic hit.
Suffering from poor sales, car manufacturers cut their orders from the Chinese factories making computer chips.
In response, the chip supply from factories was transferred to other sectors that had high demands.
And unable to retrieve cancelled orders when demand for cars grew, Volkswagen, Honda, Toyota and General Motors all had to reduce production.
Meanwhile, as technology sales boomed, with people staying at home, the other sectors were also affected.
New graphics cards were scarce, Apple staggered the release of some iPhones, and the latest models of Xbox and PlayStation consoles are selling out each time a new stock is announced.
"The semiconductor manufacturers are working hard to fill the gaps in supply," Counterpoint Research partner Peter Richardson said.
"But it will take time before investment translates to more supply.
"This means that shortages for some products may continue for several months - possibly even in to 2022."
However, most consumers were unlikely to feel the impact, unless buying a new car, he added.
By Cristina Criddle of the BBC