Djokovic defies injury to reach the last eight in the Australian Open
Eight-time winner Novak Djokovic fought through what he had described as a tournament-ending injury to beat Milos Raonic and reach the Australian Open quarter-finals yesterday.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams survived scares to go through but US Open champion Dominic Thiem was a major casualty when he fell to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.
Simona Halep avenged her crushing French Open defeat by Polish teenager Iga Swiatek to set up a meeting with Williams, while Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei reached her first Slam quarter-final at the age of 35.
Djokovic, the world number one, had raised the alarm over an abdominal injury after his five-set battle with Taylor Fritz, but he showed few outward signs in his 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.
However, the 17-time Grand Slam winner said he had spent “every single hour” since Friday's win trying to recover, and wasn't sure he would play until he warmed up before the match.
“If it was any other tournament than a Grand Slam I would retire from the tournament, that's for sure,” said Djokovic, who becomes just the second player after Roger Federer to win 300 Grand Slam matches.
“But because it's a Grand Slam, I want to give my best alongside my team to try to recover and get on the court.”
JetBlue probing actions of worker after kidnapping allegations in Jamaica
A JetBlue spokesman has confirmed that the airline is investigating reports that one of its flight attendants who, after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, reportedly faked that she was kidnapped in Jamaica and was being trafficked by a local hotel accompanied by her mother.
The United States flight attendant, Kalina Collier, yesterday departed the island on a flight from Sangster International Airport.
Derek Dombrowski, a JetBlue spokesman, said the airline is aware of reports that Collier, who was vacationing in Jamaica, had been required to quarantine due to coronavirus health regulations and that she has safely returned to the United States after her quarantine expired, a NBC News report said.
"We have full confidence in Jamaica's health protocols and it is important everyone follows the rules," Dombrowski is quoted as saying in a statement Monday.
"We hold each JetBlue crewmember to the highest standards when it comes to personal integrity and we are conducting an urgent investigation into the actions of our crewmember."
Collier left the island after both the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) strongly refuted the claims that surfaced on social media that she was kidnapped.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Masked Olympics will still dominate crowded 2021 in sports
The rescheduled Tokyo Olympics will be the centrepiece of a crammed sporting year in 2021 as sports administrators who had their calendars wiped away by the novel coronavirus pandemic try to fill the gaps even as a second wave hits.
While the Games will still be called the 2020 Olympics, they have been changed by COVID-19.
Tokyo organisers and the Japanese Government are struggling with increased costs and, despite the growing possibility of vaccination, whether to allow foreign visitors and what safeguards and restrictions will apply to spectators and participants.
In early December, organisers said the delayed Games will cost at least an extra US$2.4 billion as the unprecedented peacetime postponement and a raft of pandemic health measures inflate a budget that was already over US$13 billion.
Enthusiasm appears to have waned in Japan. A poll in July showed that just one in four people wanted to see the Games held in 2021 — and a majority backed either further delay or cancellation.
“Whether it's seen as too much or that we have done well to contain the costs, I think it depends on how you look at it,” said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto.
Organisers have reduced the number of free tickets, scaled down the opening ceremony and made savings on mascots, banners and meals, but so far have cut just US$280 million.
Source-AFP
34 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in last 24 hours
Jamaica recorded 34 new cases of the coronavirus over the last 24 hours and reported one coincidental death.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases across the island to 12,827. The death toll stands at 302 as no new virus deaths were reported.
According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the new cases include 16 males and 18 females, with ages ranging from two to 87 years.
Of the new cases, seven each were recorded in St Ann and Westmoreland, six in St James, four in Kingston and St Andrew, three in St Mary, two each in St Catherine and Trelawny and one each in Hanover, Manchester and Portland. The transmission of all of the new cases are under investigation.
The country also recorded 64 recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 10,383.
Source-Ja.Observer
Her Majesty’s Prison takes action following COVID19 outbreak
Following a recent outbreak of Covid-19 in Grand Turk, there have been cases affecting staff at HMP Grand Turk.
As a result, specific special measures were introduced on Christmas Day, at 1600Hrs. Those measures remain in place and are reviewed daily with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Utilities & Transportation & Ministry of Health officials.
The matter of the workplace cluster current stands at 14 staff members who have tested positive. There are additional numbers who are self-isolating.
Strict infection control measures are in place for the staff members. All staff on duty have received negative Covid-19 tests within the last 48 hours. Staff are also cohorting in shifts.
There are significant restrictions to prisoners to ensure the risk of infection is reduced. Prisoners are being briefed daily on actions and direction as it relates to operations in the Prison, and mitigation of potential further risks. In cell activity has been increased and prisoners continue to receive exercise individually. Prisoners are using face masks and sanitizer and Prison Officers using full PPE. Telephone calls to family members have also been increased.
No prisoners are symptomatic and we are working with our health care colleagues on testing of prisoners in the coming week.
The prison remains calm and all are engaging responsibly and safely with the strengthened protocols.
Contact tracing would support the view that infection of staff was likely within social settings, outside the prison prior to Christmas.
Local businesses across the U.S hunker down as states see a spike in COVID-19 cases
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases has had a devastating affect on local business nationwide, and workers are using various means to ride out the pandemic.
It's been more than three weeks since outdoor dining closed in most of California's Bay Area, a major blow to restaurants and bars in what would be one of the busiest times of the year. That has service workers seeking jobs out of state as COVID-19 restrictions continue to impact food industry.
As restaurant and bar owners struggle to pay rent and other overheads with minimal income, service workers have had it the hardest, argues Tim Nugent, owner of Shakewell in Oakland. One of his employees decided to move back home to Thailand, rather than try to stick it out in the Bay Area.
Los Angeles County surpassed 10,000 deaths from the coronavirus Wednesday as California also hit a record high number of fatalities. The governor also announced the first detected case of the new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus in a San Diego man. L.A. County Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer called the 10,056 deaths there a "terrible milestone." She noted that more than 7,400 people remain hospitalized with coronavirus in the county, with 20% of them in intensive care units.
Meanwhile, elected leaders of some Oregon towns gathered in Estacada Tuesday for a rally, calling on businesses to reopen on New Year's Day. Those behind the rally said they feel small businesses are suffering, while large corporations are surviving the pandemic.
Sandy Mayor Stan Pulliam recently went to dozens of local businesses and encouraged them, as a group, to go one tier above Clackamas County's current COVID-19 risk level on New Year's Day.
"We're encouraging all businesses in these local Main Street communities to open your doors on January First. We don't believe that you should be able to pack in to support corporate America and malls but not support a locally owned, Main Street small business," he said.
The city of New Orleans -- arguably “party central” for 300 years -- announced on Wednesday that bars, breweries and adult live entertainment venues must close their indoor facilities, as the COVID-19 positive case rate holds above 5% for the second consecutive week.
Traditional parades celebrating the Crescent City’s premier event of the year, Mardi Gras, have already been called off.
This week’s national ensemble forecast predicts that 12,400 to 24,300 new U.S. deaths will likely be reported in the week ending January 23, 2021.
The national ensemble predicts that a total of 383,000 to 424,000 COVID-19 deaths will be reported by this date.
Source-ABC
Hip hop legends LL Cool J and Q-Tip spotted "cooking" up new music in the studio
It's been nearly seven years since hip hop giant LL Cool J released a full-length album. But wait no more, new music is on the way.
On Tuesday, the New York rap legend shared a photo of himself in the studio with legendary lyricist Q-Tip. "We cooking B," captioned LL on Instagram.
"Oh [snap]" wrote Busta Rhymes in the comments, while videographer and filmmaker Benny Boom Benny Boom wrote, "Let's Go."
LL mentioned he was working on new music with Q-Tip last year, tweeting, "I just started recording new music produced by my lil bro @QtipTheAbstract." In another tweet, he confirmed the new music would be released under Def Jam Records.
LL has released 13 albums since his 1985 debut, Radio. His last album, Authentic, was released in 2013 under S-BRO Music Group, 429 Records. Lately, LL's been keeping busy with his radio show, Rock the Bellsand starring as Sam Hanna on CBS's NCIS: LA for the last 12 seasons.
CONSULTATION ON PETROLEUM (EXPLORATION & EXPLOITATION) BILL 2020
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Utilities & Transport, Department of Energy & Utilities is pleased to announce a two-week online consultation commencing today 1st October to 14th October 2020 on the newly established Petroleum (Exploration & Exploitation) Bill 2020.
With increase interests showed by developers on procedures for acquiring permission &/or licensing to conduct reconnaissance testing and analysis for possible petroleum deposits in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) over the years, and given the absence of relevant policies and legislation related to permitting and licensing for the assessment, exploration, extraction, and production of petroleum; in the Energy and Utilities Department with the assistance of the Ministries of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning & Home Affairs, Public Utilities & Transportation, began and completed the process of developing relevant policy and legislation to guide and regulate all upstream activities related to oil and gas. We have through further assistance of experts in the field collated a comprehensive Bill. We are now soliciting the support of as broad a stakeholder participation as possible to add to the value of this Bill.
Like all major legislation, the process of completion requires structured input from its stakeholder groups to provide their views on the various provisions detailed, such as safety, research & development, environmental considerations, standards, penalties, permitting, etc. The on-line consultation will further, seek comments on the framework established to oversee and ensure the safety and compliance with industry standards and practices.
In addition to the two-week online consultation, we will coordinate Focus Group meetings with core stakeholders in the petroleum sector via virtual platforms.
Hon. Goldray Ewing, Minister responsible for the Energy & Utilities Department, stated, "I am elated to see this Bill advance to the consultative phase, as it will seek to standardize procedures for research & development, whilst affording opportunities for stimulating economic growth & investment in this untapped sector."
We are encouraging you, the general public, to participate and provide your input.
Send comments to email address petroleumbill2020@gov.tc
You can also access the on-line consultation via the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Portal at www.gov.tc
Petroleum_Exploration_and_Exploitation_Bill_2020.pdf
Narine's bowling action cleared by IPL committee
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has been taken off the warning list for suspected bowling action in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the tournament's organisers said yesterday.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) off-spinner was reported for suspected chucking during a game on October 10; another report would have resulted in a bowling ban from this season's tournament.
Kolkata appealed to the IPL's suspect bowling action committee to review Narine's action.
“KKR requested for an official assessment of Mr Narine's action from the IPL Suspect Bowling Action Committee, submitting action footage in slow motion with back and side angles,” the IPL said in a statement hours before Kolkata's game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“The committee carefully reviewed all the deliveries of action footage sent of Mr Narine with the naked eye and has come to the conclusion that the elbow-bend appears to be within the range of permissible limits.”
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), bowlers are allowed to bend their elbow by up to 15 degrees, beyond which the action is deemed illegal.
“Narine should reproduce the same action going forward in the IPL 2020 matches as presented to the committee in the video footage,” the statement added.
President Trump blasts Fauci, underplays pandemic
Less than 15 days until Election Day and President Donald Trump has increased his attacks on Doctor Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases.
In an all-staff campaign call on Monday, the president ripped the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, saying Americans are "over COVID" and belittled the severity of the pandemic.
"People are tired of COVID. Yep, there's gonna be spikes, there's gonna be no spikes, there's gonna be vaccines—with or without vaccines, people are tired of COVID," President Trump said in the call. "I have the biggest rallies I've ever had and we have COVID. People are saying whatever, just leave us alone. They're tired of it."
The president also expressed dismay that he cannot fire Dr. Fauci, saying it would be a "bigger bomb" if he was dismissed.
"People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots -- these, these people, these people that have gotten it wrong," he said. "Fauci's a disaster, I mean this guy, if I listened to him we'd have 500,000 deaths."
When reminded that reporters were listening to the call, the president quipped, "If there’s a reporter on, you can have it just the way I said it, I couldn't care less."
As for who he thinks is doing their job properly, the president said, "I love Mark Meadows, and Mark Meadows is doing a great job."