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
Top golfers Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson wears red in support of injured golfer
Tiger Woods expressed his gratitude after seeing several male and female golfers show their support on Sunday.
Former world number one Rory McIlroy was among those who wore red and black - the colours Woods is known for wearing in the tournament final rounds.
The 15-time major winner, 45, is recovering from leg injuries sustained in a car accident last Tuesday.
"It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the TV and saw all the red shirts," Woods tweeted.
"To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time."
McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed and Tony Finau were among those who wore red and black while competing at the WGC-Workday Championship in Florida, which was won by USA's Collin Morikawa.
Phil Mickelson did the same at a PGA Tour Champions event in Arizona, as did Annika Sorenstam at the LPGA's Gainbridge Championship.
"I guess for us it's just a gesture to let him know that we're thinking about him and we're rooting for him," said McIlroy, 31.
"Things are looking a little better today than they were on Tuesday, but he's still got a ways to go.
"If there was no Tiger Woods, I just think the tour and the game of golf in general would be in a worse place. He's meant a lot to us; he still does mean a lot to us."
Morikawa's victory at The Concession in Bradenton saw him join Woods as the only players to win both a major and the WGC title before turning 25.
"Tiger means everything to me," said Morikawa, 24. "I don't think we say thank you enough, so I want to say thank you to Tiger."
Woods faces a long period of recovery but was reported to be "in good spirits" after being moved to a new Los Angeles hospital for treatment on Friday.
He was already recovering from his fifth back surgery and hoped to be able to compete at the Masters in April.
Source-BBC
Prince Philip transferred to second hospital for heart condition tests
The Duke of Edinburgh has been transferred to St Bartholomew's Hospital for continued treatment, after 13 nights at another London hospital.
Doctors are treating Prince Philip, 99, for an infection. They will also undertake testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition, Buckingham Palace said.
The duke is responding to treatment and "remains comfortable", it added.
He is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week.
Philip, who turns 100 in June, was taken to King Edward VII's hospital in London on 16 February as a precaution after feeling unwell. A palace source at the time said the duke had walked into the hospital unaided.
On Monday morning, someone was screened from journalists' cameras by umbrellas as they got into an ambulance outside the hospital in Marylebone.
Philip was transferred about three miles (5km) to St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Bart's, in the City of London.
St Bart's is a centre of excellence for cardiac care, its NHS site says.
The exact reason for Philip's initial admission has not been disclosed, but his stay is not related to coronavirus.
Both the duke and the Queen, 94, received Covid-19 vaccinations last month.
Source-BBC
2021 Golden Globe Awards winners list
Here's the complete list of winners at the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards, presented Sunday night from New York City and Beverly Hills, California:
FILM
Best Motion Picture — Drama
Nomadland
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama
Andra Day, The United States Vs. Billie Holiday
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Borat Subsequent Moveifilm
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Rosamund Pike, I Care a Lot
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Best Motion Picture — Animated
Soul
Best Motion Picture — Foreign Language
Minari
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Jodie Foster, The Mauritanian
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas the the Black Messiah
Best Director — Motion Picture
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Best Screenplay — Motion Picture
Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Original Score — Motion Picture
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste, Soul
Best Original Song — Motion Picture
"Io Sì (Seen)," Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, Niccolò Agliardi - The Life Ahead
TELEVISION
Best Television Series — Drama
The Crown
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama
Emma Corrin, The Crown
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama
Josh O'Connor, The Crown
Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy
Schitt's Creek
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy
Catherine O'Hara, Schitt's Creek
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
The Queen's Gambit
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen's Gambit
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role
Gillian Anderson, The Crown
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role
John Boyega, Small Axe
Best Motion Picture — Animated
Soul
Carol Burnett Award
Norman Lear
Cecil B. DeMille Award
Jane Fonda
CDB’s COVID-19 response exceeds US$190 million in 2020
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) provided more than $140.2 million in financing in 2020 and secured an additional $50 million for 2021 to support its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) in mitigating the macroeconomic fallout and adverse social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The onset of COVID in the first quarter of the year triggered a steep fall in BMC government revenues, which along with an increased demand for healthcare and social support, put social services and health systems under pressure, exacerbated inequalities in education and increased the vulnerability of at-risk groups.
In response CDB provided multidimensional support to address the immediate needs of BMCs through mitigative intervention.
In Part 2 of CDB’s Regional Report: 2020 Review and 2021 Outlook, released today, Bank President, Dr. Wm. Warren Smith said:
“When the pandemic struck, CDB recognised quickly that the resulting increase in COVID-related expenditure was occurring at a time when taxes and other government revenues were also being adversely affected. We were able to use resources from our concessional Special Development Fund (SDF) to provide US$66.7 million in emergency loans to seven eligible countries. In this way these countries gained access to additional resources to meet unforeseen expenditures whilst continuing to protect the most vulnerable in their populations.”
The seven beneficiary countries were:
• Antigua and Barbuda - US$13 million
• Belize - US$15 million
• Dominica - US$2.5 million
• Grenada - US$5.9 million
• Saint Lucia - US$10.8 million
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines - US$11.3 million
• Suriname - US$8.2 million
CDB also provided US$50 million in policy-based loans (PBL) for St. Lucia (US$30 million) and Dominica (US$20 million) to support economic recovery and resilience building in the sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, US$15 million from a PBL for The Bahamas was assigned for supplementary support for the country’s COVID-19 response.
In December 2020, CDB signed a US$50 million loan agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank to support COVID-19 response projects in Member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. This line of credit will finance programmes to help reduce COVID-19 transmission and fatality rates; ensure access to minimum levels of quality of life and health for vulnerable citizens and provide support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in 2021 and beyond.
CDB also provided support to strengthen social resilience within its BMCs. This included US$4.2 million from a previous loan which was repurposed by the Government of Grenada to procure 15,000 laptops to improve remote learning access for primary and secondary school students. Similarly, almost US$310,000 from an earlier CDB loan was used to purchase laptops, projectors and cloud storage for online technical and vocational teaching in Guyana.
A US$200,000 grant was given to the University of the West Indies to purchase computing devices for disadvantaged students and a US$59,000 grant was used to procure 130 tablets for special needs students in Saint Lucia.
Through a collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Pan-American Health Organisation, CDB provided US$3 million to procure personal protective equipment for healthcare workers across 14 countries. CDB also collaborated with the Caribbean Export Development Agency to provide a US$600,000 emergency response mechanism to assist export oriented MSMEs to retool. Additionally, through its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund, CDB awarded US$100,000 in grant funding to implementors of seven cultural and entertainment events that lost income from the cancelations due to the onset of COVID-19.