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.
First Case of the UK Variant COVID-19 B.1.1.7. identified in TCI
The Ministry of Health received the results of genomic sequencing which was conducted at the Caribbean Public Health Agency on samples from the TCI.
Samples were sent by the National Public Health Laboratory in the TCI, from a selection of positive samples identified through PCR testing. Genomic analysis/sequencing was undertaken in order to identify whether any of the variants reported overseas, were in circulation in the TCI.
Four samples were sent for analysis, one of which has been confirmed as the UK variant or B.1.1.7. This individual has completed quarantine and recovered.
Today's results were not unexpected due to the TCIs borders being open to international and regional travel as well as the recent increase and spike in the number of new cases reported locally, however, it does highlight the need for all TCI residents to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and one another through the use of face coverings, frequent hand hygiene, physical distancing and getting vaccinated.
The COVID-19 virus like any other virus, can undergo mutations. This is well documented in viruses such as seasonal influenza (flu). The B.1.1.7. variant was first detected in the UK and was first sequenced in the UK in September 2020. A number of variants have been identified globally and there is concern that variants could cause additional challenges with controlling the pandemic. COVID-19 variants have been shown to spread more easily (more infectious), have a higher mortality rate and possibly may not be as responsive to the different vaccines being rolled out. This particular variant includes a mutation in the 'spike'protein which is responsible for the more infectious characteristic described.
Approximately 91,626 cases of the UK variant have been detected in England and Wales and it is responsible for the surge in cases seen in the UK since the end of 2020. It was first identified in South East England and since its identification, became the predominant strain in the UK with a preponderance to spread more rapidly between persons resulting in high case counts as well as having a higher rate of mortality. The UK variant or B.1.1.7. has been identified in a number of other countries including the US with cases being found in Florida which the TCI has close travel links, where it is becoming more and more prevalent.
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, which is being rolled out in the TCI to residents, has been shown to be effective against this variant, however the general public is reminded to be vigilant in adhering to all public health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus throughout the community.
Commonwealth Games to highlight women's sport on 'super Sunday'
The 2022 Commonwealth Games will have a 'super Sunday' on 7 August celebrating women's sport with three major finals.
The medal matches for women's hockey, 20-over cricket and netball will all take place as part of 11 medal sessions in one day.
Ama Agbeze, who captained England to netball gold in 2018, said: "It's a great boost for female sport.
"It's great that the schedule has been accommodating and to get it sorted this way."
Agbeze, who joined the Games board earlier this month, added: "It's highlighting women and it's basically a whole day to celebrate women's sport."
There will be a further nine events that will conclude a week earlier on Sunday 31 July, with the schedule designed to fit around the final of the women's football European Championship which kicks off at 17:00 BST that day.
In total, there will be 283 medal events across 11 days of competition, with the Games in Birmingham set to start on 28 July.
Meanwhile, Ian Reid, chief executive officer for Birmingham 2022, is confident the Games will be able to go ahead with full capacity venues.
He said: "The general environment looks a lot more positive with the publication of the government roadmap [out of the coronavirus lockdown].
"Of course it would be remiss of us if we weren't also looking at various scenarios and all the appropriate plans in place to make sure this is a safe environment.
"But we're really confident that we'll get back, that we'll have full stadiums.
"We'll start selling tickets later in the summer and we'll feel positive if at that point stadiums are starting to fill up in other events."
Source-BBC
REVENUE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES E-SERVICES FOR BUSINESS LICENCE PROCESSING
The Revenue Department is pleased to announce the launch of the Business Licence E-Services Platform on February 22nd, 2021. Businesses will be able to digitally obtain or maintain their business license accounts with the Revenue Department through the world wide web.
The introduction of the E-Services Platform will allow businesses to apply for, renew, amend, cancel or pay related business license fees. The Business Licence E-Services will be accessible through Revenue Department's Webpage: http://gov.tc/revenue
Via the E-Services portal, applicants will be notified when applications are ready for pick up, or if there are any additional information required; Applicants can login to their portal and track their application status, and submit required information requested by the Department to further process their submissions on the E-Services platform.
The Department highly urges the general public to utilize the online portal in the upcoming 2021/2022 business license renewal period and going forward as this will assist in the fight against the spread of Covid-19 by reducing the need to visit our offices.
The Revenue Department anticipates your continued cooperation as we work to improve efficiency through digitization of our Services.
TCI OBSERVES FIRE PREVENTION WEEK CAMPAIGN February 22nd– 26th2021
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), in conjunction with the Turks and Caicos Fire and Rescue Service, will be hosting a Fire Prevention Campaign during the week of February 22nd– 26th2021, as part of a national effort to increase fire safety. This year's theme of Fire Prevention Week is "LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere."
The theme focuses on three fundamental actions people can take to be fire-safe:
LOOK for potential fire hazards around your home and take action to prevent a fire from starting.
LISTEN for the smoke alarms in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows the sound of the smoke alarms and can hear them in an emergency.
LEARN two ways out of every room. Practice a home fire escape plan with everyone in your home before a fire starts so you and your family can get out quickly.
The Turks and Caicos Islands have seen an increase in the number of fires over the years. The most-reported home fires start in the kitchen. Throughout the week the DDME in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Island Fire and Rescue Department will have educational Fire Safety posts and PSA videos on social media.
Since COVID-19 has impacted in-person events and gatherings, this virtual awareness campaign will demonstrate what to do and not do in the kitchen to avoid fire accidents. With more people staying inside their homes, it is arguably more important now to raise awareness on fire prevention. We encourage residents to follow us on our Social Media Platforms and participate in activities for the week.
The DDME encourages everyone to participate in fire prevention activities at home, work, school, and all locations, making this Fire Prevention Week the beginning of an annual effort to improve fire safety in the TCI.
House to vote on COVID-19 relief bill
The House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill for COVID-19 relief.
The package includes direct aid to small businesses, $1,400 direct checks to Americans making less than $75,000 annually, an increase in the child tax credit, and a $15 minimum wage.
If it passes the House, it will head to the Senate where it faces a tougher test.
The Senate Parliamentarian already ruled that a $15 minimum wage requirement cannot remain in the coronavirus relief bill as written.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement calling the ruling “deeply disappointing” and promising that Democrats will continue their effort to raise the minimum wage. “We are deeply disappointed in this decision. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.”
Budget committee ranking member Lindsey Graham celebrated the ruling in a tweet.
Source-ABC
Kanye spent over $12 million on presidential campaign
Kanye West spent over $12 million on his 2020 presidential campaign, according to his Federal Election Commission report.
In total, the 43-year-old rapper received over $14.5 million in contributions for his failed run at the presidency, with just under $12.5 million of that coming out of his own pocket. According to Forbes, though, it seems he's got plenty to go around.
West topped the outlet's list of highest-paid celebrities of 2020, claiming the number two spot behind his soon-to-be former sister-in-law Kylie Jenner. He earned an estimated $170 million, with a lot of the funds coming from his Yeezy sneaker deal with Adidas.
Source-ABC