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T&T Joins Jamaica with Most Caribbean Cases

Trinidad and Tobago became the second Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to register more than 1,000 COVID-19 related deaths since the onset of the pandemic.

Jamaica is the other CARICOM country registering more the milestone with the latest figures indicating that the island had now 1,158 deaths as a result of the virus.

Jamaica also has 51,282 confirmed cases of the virus, of which 3,046 are active. The country also recorded 46,724 recoveries.

The latest bulletin issued by the Ministry of Health in Trinidad and Tobago noted that two deaths over the last 24 hours had pushed the total to 1,000, and that there are 5,691 active cases.

There are 301 patients in hospitals, 146 people in state quarantine facilities, and 5,150 people in home self-isolation.

The authorities here said that the number of people tested in public and private facilities is 255,325, with 262,976 people having received their first vaccine dose, while 174,992 people had received their second dose.

In Suriname, six deaths in the past 24 hours, have pushed the death toll from COVID-19 to 620 since March last year with this month accounting for 98 deaths.

The authorities said that 123 new cases were reported on Tuesday, pushing the total number of positives in the country to 24,435.

There are 114 people in the hospitals and 29 patients in the Intensive Care Units. A total of 20,581 citizens have been healed, including 180 in the past 24 hours. There are also 955 infected people in isolation.

In Guyana, the death of an 82-year-old woman on Tuesday, pushed the death toll to 514 since March last year.

The Ministry of Public Health said that the woman from Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), died while receiving care at a medical facility.

It said that there were 62 new recorded cases of the virus pushing the confirmed cases to 21,668 with 19, with 993 having recovered.

The ministry said that 12 persons are in the ICU, while 1,144 are in isolation with 1,052 isolating at home.

St. Lucia recorded three new cases of the virus from a batch of 147 samples taken during the period July 15-19.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness said confirmation had also been received that 11 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 had recovered while the total number of active cases in the country to date is 97.

It said presently, all of the active cases are doing well. The new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in the country to date to 5484.

As of July 19, a total of 31, 723 individuals have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 23, 329 individuals have received the second dose.

“As we continue to be at risk for the introduction of the COVID-19 variants, the public is advised to remain vigilant and adhere to the public health measures. It is important that everyone make it a priority to protect the health and safety of themselves, family, friends, colleagues and others.

“Let us all remember that we are still managing the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore everyone should take the necessary measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” the ministry added.

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Second man charged with murder over Kelly Wilkinson's death faces court

The second man charged with murder over the death of Gold Coast mother Kelly Wilkinson has faced her family today while his matter was mentioned in court.

Bradley Bell, 25, faced Southport Magistrates' Court wrapped in a hospital gown this morning.

9News understands Mr Bell is a former colleague of Ms Wilkinson's estranged husband and her accused killer Brian Johnston, with both working at a Coomera marine engineering company.

Bradley Bell, 25, has been charged with murder over Kelly Wilkinson's death.Kelly Wilkinson was allegedly murdered by her estranged partner.

Police allege Mr Bell helped Mr Johnston collect fuel and drove the former US marine to Ms Wilkinson's Arundel home.

The fuel was then allegedly used to cover the 27-year-old mother before she was set alight, with Mr Johnston later found streets away with significant burns.

Mr Bell was interviewed by police in the days following the murder but was only arrested yesterday at a Coomera business.

Ms Wilkinson's family was present at court today, police alleging Bell wasn't known to them or Kelly.

Police have accused Mr Bell of knowing Mr Johnston's alleged plans and helped facilitate them.

Ms Wilkinson's family was present at court today.

Police allege Mr Bell wasn't known to them or Ms Wilkinson.

Mr Bell was remanded in custody with his matter, and Mr Johnston's, to be heard again in October.

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World View: US Life Expectancy Down, Drug War has Imprisoned Millions of Blacks, Weinstein to Face More Accusers, More

Jul 21, 2021

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The Rundown

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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. life expectancy fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II, public health officials said Wednesday. The decrease for both Black Americans and Hispanic Americans was even worse: three years….Read More
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TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo Olympics should not be judged by the tally of COVID-19 cases that arise because eliminating risk is impossible, the head of the World Health Organization told sports officials Wednesday as events began in Japan. …Read More
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With schools shuttered due to the war, the coronavirus and the summer hiatus, Gaza’s children have little to keep them occupied as they wade through the wreckage. Most are poor; more than half the population lived in poverty before the pandemic and w…Read More
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Landscaping was hardly his lifelong dream. As a teenager, Alton Lucas believed basketball or music would pluck him out of North Carolina and take him around the world. In the late 1980s, he was the right-hand man to his musical best friend, Youtha An…Read More

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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister vowed Tuesday to “act aggressively” against the decision by Ben & Jerry’s to stop selling its ice cream in Israeli-occupied territories, as the country’s ambassador to the U.S. urged dozens of state governors …Read More

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The post World View: US Life Expectancy Down, Drug War has Imprisoned Millions of Blacks, Weinstein to Face More Accusers, More appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Haiti: 4 More Arrests, Including 3 Cops, In Moise Assassination

Haitian police chief Léon Charles announced Tuesday four more formal arrests in connection with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Three of the arrests are police officers whose ranks Charles did not disclose.

“There was infiltration in the police,” he said. “It happened with money.”

Charles added that authorities are investigating who financed the operation, noting that the FBI and Interpol is helping track down U.S. citizens living in the United States whom he believes are responsible.

Charles also said that a total of seven high-ranking police officers have now been detained and isolated—but not formally arrested—as they tried to determine why the attackers were able to reach the president without any of his guards being injured. The officers are not formally considered suspects.

Haitian police identified the fourth suspect, who was not a police officer, as Dominick Cauvin.

An individual named Dominick Cauvin has lived in South Florida, spending time in recent years in Miami, Miami Beach and Pembroke Pines, public records show. He’s listed as an independent security consultant, according to his LinkedIn profile; his private Instagram account lists him as founder and owner of Armotech International Corp. and Armotech Gro

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Cauvin is currently listed as CEO for a company based in Pembroke Pines, Fla., called Armotech International Corp., which he registered with the state on Nov. 2, 2020, public records show. He set up a similarly named company, the Armotech Group Inc., in early January 2020, only to dissolve it in April 2021, records show.

NTD Photo
Haiti interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph and Ariel Henry, tapped by late Haitian President Jovenel Moise to be the new prime minister just days before he was assassinated, chat at the official memorial services for Moise, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 20, 2021. (Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters)

New Leader Sworn In

Haiti’s government installed a new prime minister on Tuesday, while officials mourned assassinated President Jovenel Moïse.

Designated Prime Minister Ariel Henry was sworn in to replace interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who assumed leadership of Haiti with the backing of police and the military after the July 7 attack at Moïse’s private home, which also badly injured his wife and stunned the nation of more than 11 million people.

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Cuba Protests: Three Key Issues that Explain the Unrest

By Lioman Lima
BBC News Mundo

Cuba has been plunged into turmoil by the largest protests against its Communist government in decades.

Thousands took to the streets in towns and cities across the island shouting “freedom” and “down with the dictatorship” on Sunday.

Protests are rarely seen on the Caribbean island, where opposition to the government is stifled.

“We are not afraid. We want change, we do not want any more dictatorship,” one protester in San Antonio told the BBC.

So what have been the main drivers of these protests?

1) The coronavirus crisis

Sunday’s protests appeared to be the result of societal exhaustion stemming from acute economic and health crises. The pandemic and economic measures taken by the government have made life in Cuba increasingly difficult.

The island, which had kept the Covid-19 pandemic under control in 2020, has seen infections explode in recent weeks.

On Sunday, the island officially reported 6,750 cases and 31 deaths, although many opposition groups say the true figures are likely to be far higher.

A man is vaccinated in Havana
Cuba has been developing its own vaccines against the coronavirus

Last week the country broke records for daily infections and deaths, pushing health centres to the point of collapse.

The BBC spoke to several Cubans who claim that their relatives died at home without the receiving medical care they needed.

This was the case for Lisveilis Echenique, who said her brother, 35, died at home because there was no room for him in hospital, and Lenier Miguel Pérez, who said his pregnant wife died due to what he alleged was “medical negligence”.

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Social media posts in recent days with the hashtag #SOSCuba have been calling for a humanitarian intervention to address what is seen as a critical situation on the island.

Thousands of Cubans joined in, while several videos of overwhelmed hospitals went viral.

In a message on Sunday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel said he considered the current coronavirus situation to be comparable to that of other countries.

He also stressed that Cuba had produced its own vaccines against the coronavirus (although the administration of doses is still limited in most areas).

2) The economic situation

With tourism – one of the engines of the Cuban economy – practically paralysed, the coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on the economic and social life of the island.

This has been compounded by growing inflation, blackouts, and shortages of food, medicine and basic products.

At the beginning of the year, the government proposed a new package of economic reforms that, while increasing wages, triggered a spike in prices.

Economists such as Pavel Vidal, from the Pontificia Javeriana University of Cali in Colombia estimate that prices could rise between 500% and 900% in the next few months.

People queue to buy products with US dollars at a supermarket in Havanaimage copyrightGetty Images

Since last year, the government has opened shops where Cubans can buy food and basic necessities in foreign currencies, which there is a shortage of on the island.

But the shops have angered the majority of locals, who are paid in Cuban pesos, the national currency.

Long lines of Cubans queuing up to buy goods such as oil, soaps or chicken have become commonplace during the pandemic.

Basic medicines have become scarce in both pharmacies and hospitals and in many provinces they have begun to sell pumpkin-based bread due to the lack of wheat flour.

Cubans interviewed by the BBC last week said some medical centres do not have any aspirin, while the island has seen outbreaks of scabies and other infectious diseases.

Last month, the government said it would temporarily stop banks accepting cash deposits in dollars, the main currency that Cubans receive in remittances from abroad.

People line up outside a bank branch in Havana
Cubans were seen queuing outside banks before the government suspended deposits of US dollars

The move was seen by some economists as the most severe restriction imposed on the US currency since the government of the late president, Fidel Castro.

The government attributed the decision to tighter US sanctions that are restricting its ability to use the currency abroad.

In his TV address on Sunday, President Díaz-Canel said this was “the main problem that threatens the health and development of our people”.

3) Internet access

Before Sunday, the largest protest Cuba had seen since the start of Castro’s communist revolution took place in August 1994 on Havana’s Malecón waterfront.

Many Cubans had no idea what had happened in the capital.

Thirty years on, though, the scenario is very different.

Under the presidency of Raúl Castro, Cuba took liberalising steps that led to greater internet connectivity on the island.

People shout slogans against the government during a protest in Havana
Protesters chanted slogans as they marched through the streets on Sunday

Since then, Cubans have used social networks to express their dissatisfaction with the government.

Today, a large part of the population – mainly young people – have access to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, which are their main sources of information from state and independent media.

These social networks have become platforms for artists, journalists and intellectuals to demand their rights or call for protests.

Indeed, Sunday’s protests were partly organised on social media, where news of them spread.

The Cuban government says social networks are used by “enemies of the revolution” to create “destabilisation strategies” that follow CIA manuals.

While the protests were somewhat predictable, given the circumstances, what happens next is less so.

As Cuba faces an unprecedented crisis, the world will be watching to see how the government – and the Cuban people – react.

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CDC: Delta Variant 83% of All Cases in US

Delta takes stronger hold: CDC director says delta variant accounts for 83 percent of all COVID-19 cases in US.

The delta variant of the novel coronavirus is now responsible for 83 percent of all sequenced COVID-19 cases in the United States, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday.

That estimate is a major increase from just over two weeks ago. For cases tallied during the week of July 3, the CDC estimated the delta variant accounted for about 50 percent of new infections.

Walensky told the Senate Health Committee that in some parts of the country with low vaccination rates, the percentages are even higher. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, noted that the delta variant could be responsible for up to 90 percent of cases in some areas.

Arkansas, Missouri, Florida and Louisiana are the four states with the highest per capita new cases per day, according to data from the Covid Act Now tracking site.

Vaccination has been uneven across states, and only about half of all eligible people nationwide are fully vaccinated.

Health officials have described the latest stage of the coronavirus as a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” while emphasizing that those who have had their shots are relatively safe.

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Australia hits one million jabs a week

Australia has hit a key target in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as one million vaccinations were administered in the past week, but the rollout remains two months behind its original schedule.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the milestone at a press conference from the Lodge this afternoon.

"Today, with the most recent seven days' data, we finally hit that mark of a million doses in arms in a week," he said.

LIVE UPDATES: South Australia's COVID-19 cases all linked to NSW outbreak

READ MORE: 'Too early' to call lockdown extension as NSW records 110 new cases

"We've been working towards that now for weeks."

The latest figures put yesterday's vaccination doses at close to record numbers, with 174,589 vaccines given.

The milestone follows a steady increase in vaccination rates, which several weeks ago were sitting at around 700,000 per week.

Despite this, the nation remains around two months behind the Federal Government's original vaccination schedule.

Mr Morrison acknowledged "significant challenges" in the early stages of the nation's vaccination program, but refused to apologise for his failure to meet his own government's vaccination targets.

"I know Australians would like the vaccination program to be further advanced than it is now," he said.

He labelled the delays "regrettable" but said they were the result of "many factors".

He addressed the government's decision to use AstraZeneca as its primary vaccine, pointing to anticipated difficulties in distributing Pfizer at sub minus-70 degree temperatures across remote Australia.

"I take responsibility for the problems that we have had but I am also taking responsibility for the solutions we're putting in place and the vaccination rates that we are now achieving," he said.

READ MORE: Hundreds queue for testing as NSW Central West towns lock down

Long lines of people were also seen at the NSW Vaccination Centre in Homebush on July 01, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. The hub administered a whopping 7,057 doses yesterday.

In another much-anticipated measure, the first shipment of ramped-up supplies of the Pfizer vaccine has also arrived in Australia this week.

"We've gone from 300,000 doses a week escalating to a million doses coming every week with Pfizer," Mr Morrison said.

To assist in rolling out the more-than-tripled supply, an additional 320 GP clinics across the country will begin administering Pfizer vaccines this week.

More pharmacies will also begin administering the AstraZeneca vaccine.

It comes as more than half of Australia's population is in lockdown today, with three states battling outbreaks of the Delta variant.

South Australia began a seven-day lockdown overnight, with its cluster now standing at six cases, all linked to the Sydney outbreak.

Victoria continues to battle its own Delta outbreak with 22 new cases today, as Premier Daniel Andrews institutes an even tougher border with NSW that sees many of its own residents unable to return.

READ MORE: Coronavirus cases spike in Victoria with 22 new infections

Meanwhile, the outbreak in New South Wales continues to deteriorate despite almost four weeks of a harsh lockdown affecting millions across Sydney and beyond.

Three regional Central West towns were the latest to enter a snap lockdown overnight after a visit from an infected pet store delivery driver.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has repeatedly pointed the finger at the Federal Government for insufficient vaccine supplies leaving the state vulnerable to the highly contagious Delta variant.

Mr Morrison hit back today, noting that vaccination rates in NSW remain below those achieved in Victoria and some other states.

"I would like to see more AstraZeneca vaccines being distributed through the state-based clinics like Victoria has been able to achieve," he said.

https://twitter.com/jekearsley/status/1417692669296349186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Asked whether the government would petition ATAGI to change its advice that AstraZeneca be limited to those over 60 in light of current outbreaks, Mr Morrison said it was "a constant appeal".

"When they made the decision to restrict or to have a preference for those under the age, ultimately, of 60 to have the Pfizer vaccine, they said they made that decision on the balance of risk," he said.

"Well, it's for them to now constantly reconsider how that balance of risk applies and provide their advice accordingly."

Mr Morrison acknowledged the current lockdowns would deliver "a heavy blow" to the Australian economy, but said he was unable to name a final figure for the September quarter.

He insisted that once lockdowns lifted the economy would "bounce back" as it had done previously.

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'A new era for Brisbane': Jubilation after 2032 Olympic win

Brisbane has been announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee confirmed the widely expected news during a meeting of the 138th IOC Session in Tokyo this evening, beating out bids from countries including Spain and Germany.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner made a successful pitch for the Games this afternoon, assisting with the final push.

LIVE UPDATES: Brisbane named as 2032 hosts

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 21: Members of the Brisbane 2032 delegation (L-R) John Coates AC, President, Australian Olympic Committee, The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade, The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Adrian Schrinner, and Senator the Honourable Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services and Minister for Sport celebrate after Brisbane was announced as the 2032 Summer Olympics host city during

"I'm so excited, I have so much pride in my state, for our people, never in my lifetime did I think this was going to happen," Ms Palaszczuk said after the decision.

"We've done it Queensland, we've done it Brisbane, this is fantastic, it's amazing.

"Tonight is your night, enjoy."

Mr Schrinner paid tribute to Brisbane's tumultuous history but said tonight marked a "new era" for the city.

"Brisbane is a place that has been through a lot, it's been through natural disasters and floods but it's always had that determined spirit and ambition," Mr Schrinner said.

"Today is Brisbane's time to shine – it's a new era for Brisbane, but also a new era for the Olympic movement as well.

"We are so excited … it's going to be so great for our city and our region and our state."

People celebrate in Brisbane following a vote announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Brisbane's successfull 2032 Summer Olympics bid, in Brisbane, Wednesday , July 21 , 2021. (AAP Image/Jason O'Brien) NO ARCHIVINGBRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Spectators celebrate after Brisbane was announced the host of the 2032 Olympics during the announcement of the host city for the 2032 Olympic Games, watched via live feed in Tokyo, at the Brisbane Olympic Live Site on July 21, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Hashimoto Seiko was among one of the first to congratulate both Australia and Brisbane for the achievement.

"My heartfelt congratulations go to the people of Brisbane and Australia, he said.

"Over the past year, the world's sporting community has faced the multiple challenges of COVID-19; however, under the steadfast leadership of IOC President Thomas Bach, the Olympic movement has made steady progress, culminating in today's decision in favour of Brisbane.

"I am confident that the Olympic movement will continue to gain momentum as it moves from Tokyo to Paris, from Paris to Los Angeles, and finally on to Brisbane."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visibly jumped out of his chair in Canberra following the announcement.

He said securing the Games was a coup for the nation.

"It's a historic day not just for Brisbane and Queensland, but for the entire country," Mr Morrison said.

"Only global cities can secure the Olympic Games – so this is fitting recognition for Brisbane's standing across our region and the world.

"It's a proud day for Queenslanders and Australians everywhere."

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Spectators celebrate after Brisbane was announced the host of the 2032 Olympics during the announcement of the host city for the 2032 Olympic Games, watched via live feed in Tokyo, at the Brisbane Olympic Live Site on July 21, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: A general view is seen of the stage area during the announcement of the host city for the 2032 Olympic Games, watched via live feed in Tokyo, at the Brisbane Olympic Live Site on July 21, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Queenslanders at several locations along the state's south-east region rejoiced with thunderous applause and cheers following the announcement, with confirmed venues in Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast lighting up in celebration.

AOC President John Coates promised Brisbane, Queensland and all Australians stood ready to deliver an Olympic and Paralympic Games to the highest standard.

"I thank the IOC Members for their confidence. Brisbane 2032 is genuinely committed to serving the ideals of the Olympic movement," Mr Coates said.

"The Olympic Games in Brisbane will be in the most diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands. And I make this commitment to the athletes of the world – we will provide you with an unforgettable experience."

It's expected that the 2032 Olympics will flush more than $4 billion into the Queensland economy through jobs, tourism and infrastructure.