COVID-19 forces company to pivot online
Caribbean Assurance Brokers has gone digital, as it seeks to offer more products online while growing the business seamlessly in this pandemic-struck business environment.
The multi-line insurance broker has been forced to pivot its business towards new digitised product offerings in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As such, Caribbean Assurance Brokers is now focusing on e-commerce development for online payment and has developed a suite of new digitised product offerings.
In addition, the brokerage firm, which went public early last year, has also developed a new website, increased its social media presence and has changed the method of operations to virtual meetings and presentations for both internal and external meetings.
Among the new additions to its product line are international insurance and Credit Union New Health Plan. In addition, the brokerage firm has partnered with Sutton Special Risk, a managing general underwriter, Lloyd's coverholder and third party administrator out of Canada.
This partnership has resulted in a number of new services. These include the Credit Union Gold Series, which falls under the Credit Union New Health Plan.
This plan offers local health insurance to credit union members through the Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League. In addition to pivoting digitally because of COVID-19, the company has also implemented pandemic safety measures.
Source-Ja.Observer
TCI WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 3RD,2021
GENERAL SITUATION: HIGH PRESSURE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS WILL BEGIN TO RETREAT EASTWARD AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THAT ENTERS THE EXTREME NORTHWESTERN ISLANDS TONIGHT.
BEACH GOERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG EAST AND SOUTH COAST BEACHES.
NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, WARM AND BREEZY WITH INCREASING CLOUDINESS, SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS THIS EVENING. PARTLY CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS ELSEWHERE
SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT
WINDS: SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST TO WEST IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS TONIGHT
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET
TURKS & CAICOS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND BREEZY WITH A QUICK PASSING SHOWER, BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS TONIGHT
SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION
WINDS: SOUTHEASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 84°F 29°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 66°F 19°C
SUNRISE: 6:30AM MOONSET: 9:36 AM HIGH TIDE: 10:43AM 11:18 PM
SUNSET: 6:11PM MOONRISE: 10:59 PM LOW TIDE: 4:58PM 5:41 AM THUR
EXTENDED FORECAST: THE COLD FRONT ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS WILL DRIFT SOUTHEASTWARD ACROSS THE ARCHIPELAGO BEFORE BECOMING STATIONARY OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS ON FRIDAY.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS, PARTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE TURKS & CAICOS AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
WINDS: NORTHWEST TO NORTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOT FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, LIGHT AND VARIABLE OCCASIONALLY WEST AT 10 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 1 TO 3 FEET IN THE TURKS & CAICOS.
Dominican Republic plans to build a wall to keep out Haitian migrants
Experts have hit out at a plan by the Dominican Republic government to build a wall on its border with Haiti to reduce illegal immigration, claiming it won't work unless accompanied by development.
The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola, which was the site of the first European colony in the Americas. They are separated by a 380-kilometre (240-mile) border.
Dominican President Luis Abinador announced on Saturday that work on a border wall would begin in the second half of the year.
"Within two years we want to end the serious problems of illegal immigration, drug-trafficking and the transport of stolen vehicles that we've suffered from for two years," said Abinader.
The relationship between the neighbouring countries has historically been difficult and every time there is a new government in Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic, it makes tackling illegal migration from French-speaking Haiti a priority.
Almost half a million Haitians live in the Dominican Republic, which has a population of 10.5 million.
On January 14, Abinader and his Haitian counterpart Jovenel Moise signed an agreement that included a commitment to take measures against "the wave of illegal migration" and "to reinforce border security and vigilance".
Source-AFP
Amazon changes app logo that 'resembles Hitler'
Amazon has quickly changed its main shopping-app logo, after commentators said the recent redesign made it look like Adolf Hitler.
Launched in January, the icon depicts a strip of blue tape over an Amazon "smile" logo.
But some observers said it resembled a toothbrush moustache, associated with the Nazi dictator.
The technology giant has now changed the design to a folded blue tape, following customer feedback.
Amazon told BBC News the first icon had been trialled in a few countries before the change had been made.
The app logo - which appears on smartphones and tablets - previously showed a graphic of a shopping trolley.
The new design appears to be based on a brown Amazon parcel, with the company's signature smile and blue tape.
Amazon said: “We designed the new icon to spark anticipation, excitement, and joy when customers start their shopping journey on their phone, just as they do when they see our boxes on their doorstep.”
One customer had tweeted: “My parents use Amazon nearly every day.
"They’re going to be lost for the next few days.
"When they ask where Amazon’s gone, I’ll tell them to look for the cardboard Hitler."
Another customer had said: “It’s not just a ripped Scotch tape, it’s a ripped Scotch tape that has a similar shape and is right on top of a smiling mouth - Looks like a happy little cardboard Adolf to me.”
Brand designer Studio LWD founder Laura Weldon said: "Brands change and tweak their logos all the time.
"It reflects well on Amazon that they listened to their customers.
"It's clear they care about what their customers say and put the customer at the heart of what they do.
"That can only be a good thing."
Hitler's face is so recognisable many people claim to "see" it in inanimate objects.
In 2011, an image of a Swansea house that resembled the dictator went viral.
A few years later, a man was "completely horrified" to find his new passport photo made him look like Hitler.
And brand errors related to the Nazis are also not unheard of.
In 2002, sports brand Umbro was criticised after one of its trainers was found to have the same name as the toxic gas the Nazis used to murder millions of people across Europe.
Source-BBC Tech
Eddie Murphy to receive special award from the Make-up and Hairstylists Guild
Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy will be honored with the Distinguished Artisan Award during the eighth annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards, according to the guild's website.
The Coming 2 America star will be honored for translating his comedic skills into film and television with an award presented by his co-star Arsenio Hall during its virtual ceremony on April 3.
"From The Nutty Professor to Prince Akeem, Eddie Murphy is a legendary actor whose myriad of characters live in our hearts forever," said Local 706 president Julie Socash. "He has expertly created memorable personalities in numerous award winning films, often portraying multiple characters in the same film. This award recognizes all the hours that he has spent in the make-up chair collaborating with our talented and innovative make-up artists and hair stylists, and we celebrate these great relationships and Eddie’s enormous talents."
Eddie Murphy will join actors Johnny Depp and Melissa McCarthy, who were previously honored for enhancing the collaboration of make-up and hair styling artistry to create memorable characters.
The actor has starred in a long list of blockbuster films including 1988's Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, Doctor Dolittle, The Nutty Professor, 48 Hrs., and Dreamgirls, for which he received an Oscar nomination. In 2019, he transformed into Rudy Ray in Netflix's Dolemite Is My Name, which earned him a Golden Globe award nomination.
This Friday, Eddie Murphy will release his next blockbuster film and sequel, Coming 2 America, on Amazon Prime.
Source-ABC
Biden says there will be enough vaccine for American adults by end of May
President Joe Biden announced a major partnership Tuesday afternoon between pharmaceutical giants Merck & Co. and Johnson & Johnson to help produce J&J's newly authorized vaccine and changed the vaccine timeline, saying there would be enough for every American adult by the end of May.
He compared the two companies collaboration to what the U.S. saw during World War II and said that Johnson & Johnson's vaccine manufacturing facilities will now begin to operate 24/7.
The president also announced Tuesday that he wants teachers and school workers to receive at least one vaccine shot "by the end of March."
While Biden can't mandate that states prioritize teachers for their vaccine supplies, Biden is challenging them to do so. To help make this happen, Biden announced that starting next week and for the month of March, his administration will be using their federal pharmacy program to prioritize the vaccination of pre-k through 12 educators, staff and child care workers.
Asked when things will "get back to normal," the president said he hopes "by this time next year," but added that it depends on if people continue to be "smart."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an Emergency Use Authorization for the J&J vaccine Saturday, which triggered the shipment of 3.9 million doses of the vaccine on Monday. Of those, 800,000 are expected to go directly to pharmacies. The first shots were being administered Tuesday.
Source-ABC
FBI director says Capitol seige was "domestic terrorism," not antifa
FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress Tuesday regarding the January 6 seige of the U.S. Capitol to deliver his findings, saying he was "appalled" by the violence.
In Wray's opening statement, he said, "That siege was criminal behavior, plain and simple and his behavior that we, the FBI view as domestic terrorism. It's got no place in our democracy and tolerating it would make a mockery of our nation's rule of law."
Wray went onto announce the agency arrested over 270 individuals who allegedly stormed the Capitol and more than 300 people face federal charges. Wray insisted more suspects are being identified by the day as the FBI has received more than 270,000 digital media tips.
Wray also dismissed Republican fringe claims that antifa was responsible for the violence and said the majority of those arrested could be categorized as militia extremists.
Said Wray, "A large and growing number of the people that we have arrested so far in the connection with the 6th are what we would call militia violent extremists ... and some already who emerged that I would have been in the racially motivated extremist bucket."
He added that the group responsible for the seige were "domestic terrorists" and not antifa.
Wray then sounded the alarm of the growing domestic terrorism threat in the nation, saying the threat level has been on the rise for "a number of years now."
Zion dominant as Pelicans upset Jazz, Sixers bounce back
Zion Williamson produced a dominant performance as the New Orleans Pelicans upset the league-leading Utah Jazz with a 129-124 victory on Monday.
Pelicans prodigy Williamson finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to give New Orleans a deserved victory over the Western Conference-leading Jazz.
It was the sort of display from the 20-year-old Williamson that made him one of the most coveted young players in years, when he was snapped up by New Orleans two years ago with the number one pick in the Draft.
Against Utah on Monday, the six-foot-seven-inches (two meters), 284-pound (129 kilograms) powerhouse used his physique and skill to barrel through the Jazz defence.
Utah had led by nine points in the second period but were left trailing by 17 early in the fourth quarter as the Pelicans cut loose.
Although Utah closed to within one point with 47 seconds remaining, two Williamson free throws restored the Pelicans' three-point cushion before Josh Hart added the coup de grace after Mike Conley missed for Utah.
Williamson's scoring tally was matched by Brandon Ingram, who also finished with 26 points, while four other Pelicans players cracked double digits.
MISICK ADMINISTRATION OFFERS STIMULUS TO NATIVE CITIZENS I THE TCI
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government led by Premier of the Turks & Caicos, Hon. C.Washington Misick on March 3rd, 2021 will open its the database to accept online submissions from eligible Turks & Caicos Islands residents; many of whom were impacted by the economic fallout emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Citizen Relief Stimulus package aims to provide Turks & Caicos Islander status holders and British Overseas Territory Citizens with a $1,000.00 payment to supplement household income to cover any shortfall; be it rent, medication, utilities, childcare, food etc.
Applications will be received online by the Ministry of Finance as of 3rd March 2021 until 12th March 2021; unless otherwise directed by the Permanent Secretary of Finance.
To qualify for the grant, the applicant must satisfy the following criteria:
- A Turks and Caicos Islands Status or a British Overseas Territory Citizen, as verified by supporting documentation;
- is 18 years of age and over; and
iii. living in the Turks & Caicos Islands
The following will be used to determine eligibility for the Citizen Relief Stimulus grant:
(i) Copy of two valid Government Issued IDs, one confirming Turks & Caicos Islands status or British Overseas Territory Citizenship. *****(In the case where a copy of the
TCI Status card is used, this would replace the requirement of two valid Government Issued IDs)
For the purpose of this cash grant proof of Turks and Caicos Islands Status (TCI Status) or British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) will include:
|
Category |
Documents Required |
|
TCI Status; |
Islander Status Card; OR |
|
TCI Status |
Copy of applicant's birth certificate, along with a copy one or both parents' TCI status Card; OR |
|
TCI Status; |
Copy of applicant's birth certificate, along with a copy of one or both parents' birth certificate; OR |
|
TCI Status |
copy of applicant's birth certificate along with Islander Status Card/Island Status Certificate of one or both of his/her parents |
|
a BOTC; |
Copy of BOTC passport; OR |
|
a BOTC; |
Copy of BOTC certificate; OR |
|
a BOTC; |
Copy of Naturalization certificate |
Applicants are advised that incomplete applications will not be processed. Therefore, it is important that you ensure that you read the instructions on how to fill the application to understand clearly what is needed, inclusive of the evidence to be provided.
Applicants can also submit their application, along with supporting documentation, in person at the following locations between the hours of 10 am to 2:30pm:
- North Caicos District Administration Office
- Middle Caicos District Administration Office
- South Caicos District Administration Office
- Salt Cay District Administration Office
- Ministry of Finance, Butterfield Square, Providenciales
- Ministry of Finance's Grand Turk Office on 4th to 12th March 2021
- Anglican Church Dillion Hall on 3rd March 2021
Applicants will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible following the submission of their applications. Successful applicants will receive an approval letter issued by the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment. A single payment will be made by the Government Treasury directly to the applicant via cheque. The approved applicant will be required to present photo identification showing either BOTC or Turks & Caicos Islands status.
All grant payments will be required to be collected within one month of being printed, to avoid the grant from being cancelled and withdrawn.
Questions concerning this application may be directed to the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment via email: tcicitizenrelief@gov.tc
Application forms are available on the Turks & Caicos Islands Government website at web link: https://stimulustci.gov.tc/
British Airways parent company suffers record loss on virus
IAG, owner of British Airways and other European airlines, said last Friday it plunged into a record annual net loss of 6.9 billion euros (US$8.4 billion) as the coronavirus pandemic paralysed air travel.
IAG, which also owns Spanish airline Iberia and Ireland's Aer Lingus, said last year's huge loss after tax compared with a net profit of 1.7 billion euros in 2019.
Revenues dived almost 70 per cent to 7.8 billion euros in 2020 as government travel restrictions slashed passenger numbers.
IAG said there had been an upturn in bookings since London outlined a four-month plan last week to ease England's current lockdown and the company's shares rebounded.
“Our results reflect the serious impact that COVID-19 has had on our business,” said chief executive Luis Gallego.
Owing to the fallout, IAG has axed around 10,000 jobs at British Airways or one quarter of the carrier's workforce and has cut 500 positions at Aer Lingus.
“We have taken effective action to preserve cash, boost liquidity and reduce our cost base. Despite this crisis, our liquidity remains strong,” Gallego said.
The group's bottom line was also impacted heavily by restructuring costs and losses incurred on aircraft and other assets as a result of the pandemic.
Additionally, there were exceptional charges for jet fuel and foreign currency hedging contracts which turned sour.
Airlines seek to bet against volatile oil and currency market swings by taking defensive positions on futures markets. If they get the market direction wrong, it can turn out costly.
Gallego said IAG had experienced a “big increase” in demand since the Government announced plans last week to ease England's current coronavirus lockdown amid a rapid vaccination drive.
“We know there is pent-up demand for travel and people want to fly,” Gallego said.
“Vaccinations are progressing well and global infections are going in the right direction.
“We're calling for international common testing standards and the introduction of digital health passes to reopen our skies safely,” he added.
Despite the record loss, IAG shares jumped 5.5 per cent to 196.65 pence in mid-morning deals on London's FTSE 100 index, which was down 0.4 per cent overall.
“One could argue that the worst times could soon be over, particularly as people are starting to think about booking holidays again,” noted AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
“IAG is naturally reluctant to issue any earnings guidance for the new financial year, but one cannot help feeling there are grounds to be optimistic about it having significantly more planes in the sky in six to nine months' time."
Source-AFP