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Mississippi well being officers are asking aged folks to keep away from indoor mass gatherings because the Delta-Covid variant rips throughout the state

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Medical staff from the Delta Health Center will be waiting on Jan.

Spencer Platt | Getty Images

Mississippi state health officials issued new guidelines Friday urging state residents over 65 and immunocompromised residents, vaccinated or unvaccinated, to avoid indoor mass gatherings for the next two weeks “significant transfer” of the Delta variant in the coming weeks.

The new policy is valid until July 26th and is not mandatory. Instead, the guidelines should be viewed as a recommendation.

“We do not recommend mandates. What we do is provide personal recommendations to people who are at high risk of serious consequences, ”said Dr. Mississippi State Health Commissioner Thomas Dobbs during a news conference Friday. “We don’t want anyone to die unnecessarily.”

Dobbs said he currently “doesn’t expect” the guidelines to be extended to other age groups in the future.

Officials said they are starting to see significant transmission of the Delta variant, very reminiscent of what was seen in the early days of the pandemic. Mississippi state health epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers, highlighted church groups, school and summer programs, funeral meetings and workplaces, and long-term care facilities as areas where officials are already seeing spikes in infection.

“We saw right away that they were the result of the Delta variant, and the broadcast … was pretty significant,” Byers said at the news conference on Friday.

The state is second to last of all states after Alabama when it comes to the percentage of the population who are fully vaccinated with two doses. About 25% of Mississippi population aged 65 and over are still unvaccinated and make up the majority of Covid deaths in the state. State health officials also said they are also seeing deaths in vaccinated residents “because we keep exposing them,” Dobbs said, although the percentage is tiny.

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The graph shows cases, hospital admissions, and deaths of vaccinated and unvaccinated people in Mississippi from June 3 to July 1, 2021.

Mississippi State Department of Health

Mississippi ranks last in the country for the percentage of adults with at least one Covid vaccination, and the state also ranks last in the country for the percentage of residents 12 years and older with at least one vaccination.

“I don’t think we’re going to have a miraculous spike in our vaccination rate in the next few weeks, so people are going to die unnecessarily,” warned Dobbs.

State health officials asked vaccinated residents to speak to others about their experiences with the vaccine in order to raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccinations.

“Let people know, let your family know, let your neighbors know, let your friends know,” Dobbs said. “There is no stronger message than trust and trust to let people know how widespread the vaccine is and understand that people are safe and happy to be protected.”

“Black Widow” grossed $ 13.2 million in field workplace on Thursday

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Scarlett Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow, in Marvel’s “Black Widow”.

Disney | wonder

“Black Widow” sold $ 13.2 million in preview tickets Thursday, raising the box office bar of the pandemic era.

The Marvel movie is expected to gross between $ 80 million and $ 110 million in box office revenue this weekend.

Universal’s “F9” grossed $ 7.1 million in its Thursday previews last month and $ 70 million on its debut weekend. Both were records for a film released in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The revenue for “Black Widow” on Thursday is equal to the $ 15.4 million raised from “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and the $ 14.5 million raised from “Thor: Ragnarok” . Both films were released in 2017. “Spider-Man” grossed $ 117 million on its three-day opening weekend and “Thor: Ragnarok,” according to Comscore, $ 123 million.

The strong preview numbers – coupled with pre-sales of tickets that keep pace with several Marvel films released before the pandemic – suggest fans will see this feature hit the big screen, despite it being available at Disney + for US $ 30 Dollar is available.

“This is the weekend Marvel fans have been waiting for, and their enthusiasm is reflected in Thursday’s preview figures, which point to what may well be the best pandemic-era opening weekend for Black Widow,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “Despite its availability on Disney +, ‘Black Widow’ is undeniably a big screen event and once again proves the essence of the cinematic experience.”

The number of cinemas open to the public is still below the level of 2019. Before the weekend, around 81% of the cinemas will sell tickets, reports Comscore.

Regardless, Black Widow is headed for the biggest opening of the pandemic, and the industry is likely to see the highest total weekend box office gross since March 2020. This will be a massive step up from the $ 901,000 domestic box office made during the same weekend last year.

Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of Universal Studios and CNBC.

Why the solid of the brand new Gossip Lady appears so acquainted

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That’s right now … there’s a fabulous new cast of Gossip Girl to dominate television.

On Thursday, July 8th, the much-anticipated reboot kicked off on HBO Max and launched its stars –Emily Alyn Lind, Eli Brown, Whitney Peak, Thomas Doherty, Jordan Alexander, Evan Mock, Zion Moreno, Savannah Smith and Tavi Gevinson– in nocturnal sensations. However, some viewers may not realize that some of the cast members are not new to the industry.

For starters, you’ll never guess which starlet played the younger version of Emily VanCamp‘s character on Revenge. (Tip: She’s one of the blonde stars in the cast.) Oh, and we can’t forget to mention that a handsome actor graduated from Disney Channel to take part in this captivating revival.

And while one member of the cast is new to TV, they’re well known in the model and skate industries. And then of course there is an actress who is no stranger to blockbuster films and critically acclaimed TV shows.

Fascinated? Well, that’s a secret we’ll never tell – just kidding.

You should not be utilizing your new bank card till you do these items

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Image for the article titled You Shouldn't Be Using Your New Credit Card Until You Do These ThingsPhoto: PKpix (Shutterstock)

Trying out a new credit card is like driving a car for the first time: just as you adjust your seat and mirror, find the emergency brake, or fiddle with the air conditioning controls, you’ll want to tweak the settings for your new card before you start spending. Here is a checklist of things to do when getting a new credit card.

Activate your card

Seems obvious doesn’t it? Well, not everyone: I made the mistake of tearing open the envelope for a new card, walking off to buy something and having my card rejected right at the counter. It used to be more tedious to activate cards over the phone with a customer service representative, but the process is now automated and only takes a few minutes by phone or online registration (a URL should be on the sticker or in the letter that came with the credit card) .

Destroy your old card after the new card is activated

If your new card replaces an old one, you can also cut up the old credit card right after activating the new card to avoid identity theft. Make sure you cut up the card including the magnetic stripe and chip as thieves can steal information from either.

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Set up mobile banking

As long as you follow your lender’s instructions on how to download their app, it should be as safe as browsing their website in a browser. The main benefit of mobile apps is convenience (I often pay off my credit card right after purchase so I don’t forget), but the added security of push notifications that let you know if your card is being used without your permission is too Super. You will also likely check your account balance more regularly.

Call customer service to confirm the card’s bonus terms and conditions and adjust your billing cycle

Many cards offer a cash back bonus if you spend a certain amount of money within a few months. The problem with this is that once you have the card, the bank’s message about bonuses is not always clear. When I signed up for a Bank of America Cash Rewards card, there was nothing on the website or in the app that said, “Hey, the bonus is active, you’ve got so much to spend and so many days to spend.” Also delayed Often times, once you hit the target, which can make you a little paranoid about somehow missing the spending target.

So before you spend thousands of dollars chasing a bonus, contact a customer service representative to determine the bonus amount, the spending target, and the actual start date of the offer (this should be the activation date, but that is not always the case).

After all, you may want to align the billing cycle with a date that works best for you. One trick that will help your credit score is: Confirm the completion date of your credit cardwhere your balance will be reported to the credit bureaus. Knowing this date will allow you to time your payments so that the reported balance reaches the lowest total possible (for me it is in the middle of the month after payday). This way, you are using up as little debt as possible, which is good since the amount of available credit that you are not using is 30% of your credit score.

Set up automated payments

The downside to credit cards is that they come with ridiculous late fees and interest rates, so you want to make consistent, on-time payments for any outstanding amounts you might owe (and besides, it helps with your creditworthiness, do so).

Since it’s easy to forget and miss a payment, set up automated payments through your checking account, either in the bank’s app or on their website. You can even set up these payments to settle the full balance each month – whatever that is at that point in time. The only risk with automated payments is overdraft fees, so you still have to keep track of your checking account every month.

Activate your rewards

Cash back cards have often increased the rewards based on different expense categories, such as: B. 3% cashback for online shopping versus 1% for all other expenses. Since reward cards often contain multiple categories with tiered rewards, you should log into your card’s app or website and customize these categories to suit your spending habits. Your card may also have other benefits such as bank statements or short-term coupons that need to be activated before you can claim them (look for the Rewards tab on your lender’s app or website).

What’s a debit card and the way does it work?, Cash Information

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With similar payment capabilities as credit cards, yet none of the high interest charges, debit cards are an increasingly popular choice among debt-wary Singaporeans.

According to a recent Straits Times report, debit cards have seen a surge in popularity among Singaporeans. The main driver of this trend is the heightened unwillingness to take on debt, given the uncertain economic conditions with Covid-19 still lurking in the background. 

You’re probably well aware that debit cards have been around for a long time, although they’ve long endured being regarded as the ‘poor cousins’ to the more prestigious credit cards. This was largely due to their lacklustre benefits and easy eligibility.

These days, debit cards are starting to look more and more interesting, although they still have a ways to go before they can hold a candle to credit cards.

But perhaps that’s an unfair comparison – after all, debit cards belong to their own class. Here are seven of the best debit cards in Singapore you should check out. 

What’s the difference between a debit card, credit card and an ATM card?

  ATM card Debit card Credit card
Primary function – Withdraw cash from ATMs – Make selected electronic payments – Withdraw cash from ATMs– Make payments for various transactions – Make payments for a wide variety of transactions– Provide unsecured credit– May be used for cash withdrawals, but costly
Spending limit – Based on bank account balance– Spending or withdrawals are immediately debited – Based on bank account balance– Spending or withdrawals are immediately debited – Based on limit granted to cardholder– Transactions charged are first made against credit limit, to be repaid to the bank later– Transaction limits may exceed bank balance, but not credit limit on card
Typical fees – Card replacement fees  – Card replacement fees – Annual fee– Interest on balance carried over– Cash advance fee– Supplementary card fee– Conversion fee for certain perks
Perks – None – Limited – Earn cashback, air miles and reward points– Enjoy cardmember benefits (discounts, vouchers, complimentary services such as travel insurance, etc.) 
Overseas usage – Yes, but fees may apply – Yes, but fees may apply – Yes, subject to conversion fees and other charges
Eligibility – Bank customer aged 16 and above– No minimum income required – Bank customer aged 16 and above– No minimum income required – Aged 21 and above– Minimum annual income required

ATM cards: Basic banking and selected payments

So from the table above, we can see that ATM cards provide the least utility and perks, but are virtually cost-free to use. 

They are most suitable for basic banking functions, and may be used for selected types of electronic payments (such as NETS).

ATM cards are easy to apply for. In fact, they are regularly offered when you apply for an account at a new bank.

ALSO READ: 3 best credit cards for petrol discounts at Esso, Shell, SPC & Caltex (2021)

Credit cards: Convenient and versatile, but can be expensive 

Credit cards, on the other hand, are the most versatile card payment method, making them a highly convenient tool. 

They also provide a range of attractive perks and benefits, rewarding consumers for spending on them. 

On the flipside, credit cards come with many fees, which can add up to a pretty penny. 

They also should not be used to withdraw cash – such transactions are known as a cash advance, which is a type of loan that incurs service fees and high interest.  

Unless used responsibly, credit cards can cause you to rack up debt, which can be difficult to pay off on account of their high interest rates.

Credit cards also have rather strict eligibility criteria. You’ll need to be 21 or older, and fulfil the annual income requirement for the card you want. 

Debit card: Occupying the sweet spot 

Occupying the middle ground are debit cards. As a payment solution, they provide a level of utility that is on par with credit cards as they belong to the same payment networks, such as VISA or Mastercard. 

This means for the vast majority of the time, you can use a debit card wherever credit cards are accepted.

Furthermore, debit cards can double up as your ATM card for easy and cost-free cash withdrawals at local ATMs. 

However, debit cards must be linked to a valid bank account, which must contain sufficient funds for the purchase or withdrawal you’re trying to make. 

This makes debit cards unsuitable for big-ticket purchases (unless you happen to be holding that much cash in your bank account).

Debit cards also do not have as many perks and rewards as credit cards, due to the lack of fees which typically go towards funding such customer reward programmes.

They are also easy to apply for, as long as you’re 16 or older and have a valid bank account.  

How do debit cards help with debt management?

Debit cards can help users manage their debt in two ways.

Firstly, debit cards are limited by the amount of funds in the associated bank account. You can only spend up to that amount, and no more. 

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Hence, this prevents debit card users from spending beyond their means, preventing the accrual of debt in turn. Using a debit card is a good way to learn how to budget your finances and control your spending. 

Secondly, switching to a debit card will allow you to continue accessing major payment networks like VISA and Mastercard. 

This enables you to carry on enjoying convenience and flexibility, without incurring additional debt or paying credit card fees. 

Best debit cards in Singapore

Name of card Key benefits Eligibility and fees
PAssion POSB Debit Card – Complimentary PAssion membership worth S$12 (entitles you to members’ rates and perks at Community Clubs and PA outlet)– Spend at least $400 and receive 6x TapForMore points at participating Dairy Farm Group stores (150 TapForMore points = $1 off)– 1 per cent cashback at Takashimaya Department Store and Takashimaya Square– Up to 15 per cent off Agoda bookings till Dec 31, 2021– 1-for-1 deals at selected merchants on 10th of every month– Tap and SimplyGo function for bus and MRT ride payments – At least 16 years old– Have a POSB Savings Account, DBS Savings Plus Account, DBS Autosave Account or DBS Current Account– Annual fee: $0– PA membership fee: $12 for five years (waived perpetually)
DBS VISA Debit Card – 4 per cent cashback on online food delivery – 4per cent cashback on local transport (ride-hailing, taxis, buses and MRT)– 4 per cent on all foreign currency spends including online purchases– 1 per cent cashback on local VISA contactless spend – New customers get 10 per cent cashback on food delivery and transport – Minimum spend of $500 and ATM withdrawals of under S$400 per month required to qualify for cashback– Cashback capped at $20 per month– Tap and SimplyGo function for bus and MRT ride payments – At least 16 years old– Have a POSB Savings Account, DBS Savings Plus Account, DBS Autosave Account or DBS Current Account– Annual fee: $0
Citibank Debit Mastercard – No additional conversion fee for foreign currency transactions and overseas ATM withdrawals– Contactless and mobile payments enabled– Tap and Go on buses and MRT rides– EZ-Pay-capable, can be used for ERP gantry payments and other fees while on the road– Lifestyle benefits and privileges  – At least 16 years old– Available accounts for linking: Citi MaxiGain Savings Account; Citibank Interest Plus Savings Account; Citibank Maxisave Account– Annual fee: S$0
OCBC FRANK Debit Card – 1 per cent cashback on fast food, and selected online fashion, convenience stores and ride-hailing spends– Minimum spend of $400 a month required to earn cashback– Zero foreign currency conversion fees for selected currencies (when linked to Global Savings Account)– Supports contactless payments, including for bus and MRT rides– 60 card designs to choose from – At least 16 years old– Available accounts for linking: FRANK Account; Global Savings Account– Annual fee: $0– Card replacement fee: $30 per card from third card onwards
OCBC Plus! VISA Debit Card – Spend $200 monthly outside of FairPrice stores and earn 4 per cent cashback at FairPrice stores, 3 per cent cashback at FairPrice Online– Spend $500 monthly outside of FairPrice stores and earn 7 per cent cashback at FairPrice stores, 3 per cent cashback at FairPrice Online– Cashback given in mix of FairPrice Rebate and LinkPoints– Enabled for VISA PayWave transactions – At least 16 years old– Available accounts for linking: OCBC Plus! Savings Account– Annual fee: $24 (first year waived.) – Annual fee waived with minimum spend of $1,200 per year 
UOB Debit Card – 3 per cent cashback on Shopee Singapore– 3 per cent cashback on Dairy Farm Group stores– 1 per cent cashback on Grab transactions – Minimum spend of $500 per month to qualify for cashback– Cashback capped at $20 per month– Free overseas ATM withdrawals in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand– Enabled for contactless and mobile payments, including bus and MRT rides  – At least 16 years old– Available accounts for linking: UOB Savings/Current Account– Annual fee: $18 (first three years waived)– Annual fee waived with at least 12 VISA/Mastercard transactions per year 
Aspire Corporate Debit Card – 1 per cent cashback on digital marketing and SaaS spends– No monthly fees, no minimum balance, no fall below-fees– Low foreign transaction fees, from 0.7 per cent on VISA rate – Only director or appointed official of a business to apply

POSB PAssion Debit Card

The POSB Passion Debit Card comes bundled with a complimentary PA Membership, which is great if you’re a fan of the many interesting courses and activities offered at Community Clubs and PA outlets around Singapore. You can use your debit card to save money with members’ prices, and also get freebies and other perks.

Regular shoppers at Takashimaya can receive 1per cent cashback on all their purchases. Meanwhile, those who visit Cold Storage, Giant and other Dairy Farm Group stores can earn bonus points that can be redeemed for cash offsets, although you’ll need to spend at least S$400 within the month to qualify. 

You can also use the POSB Passion Debit Card to get 15 per cent off Agoda bookings (valid till Dec 31, 2021).

Other key benefits include selected 1-for-1 deals on the 10th of every month, as well as the ability to use your debit card for Tap and SimplyGo on MRT and bus rides. 

DBS VISA Debit Card   

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The DBS VISA Debit Card’s main benefit is the cashback you can receive on many services you are likely to make use of. 

With this card, you can receive up to 4 per cent cashback on online food delivery, local transport and foreign currency spend (including online purchases), and 1 per cent on local VISA contactless transactions.

New customers who sign up before Dec 31, 2021 will receive 10 per cent cashback on food delivery and transport. 

While these cashback rates appear attractive, the maximum cashback you can claim is capped at just $20 per month. Also, in order to qualify, you have to spend at least $500 on your debit card, and keep your ATM withdrawals below $400 for the month. 

Citibank Debit Mastercard

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The Citibank Debit Mastercard doesn’t have anything too exciting in terms of perks, but it does offer a distinct advantage for those who make many cross-border transactions.

This card is Multi-Currency-capable, which allows you to sidestep conversion fees while locking in your preferred foreign exchange rates. This can help you save a tidy sum when paying for transactions denominated in foreign currency. 

Other useful features include both contactless and mobile payment capabilities, as well as acting as a bus and MRT card. Those who drive will appreciate the EZ-Pay functionality, which lets you pay for ERP gantry and car parking fees without having to use a stored-value card. 

There is also a range of lifestyle perks and privileges you can enjoy as a cardholder.    

OCBC FRANK Debit Card

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The FRANK Debit Card helps you save with 1 per cent cashback on selected convenience stores, fast food services, ride hailing and online fashion and shopping. Do note that you’ll need to charge  at least $400 per month to your card in order to qualify for cashback.

Link your FRANK Debit Card with the Global Savings Account to enjoy waivers on foreign currency conversion fees on these eight currencies: AUD, CAD, CNH, EUR, GBP, NZD, USD and HKD. This helps you further save when shopping at online websites that transact in these currencies. 

You might also be attracted by the FRANK card’s unconventional designs – choose from 60 card faces featuring pop culture, animals, geography, hobbies, art and more to express your individuality. 

ALSO READ: Best business credit cards in Singapore (2021)

OCBC Plus! VISA Debit Card

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This card is catered to those who frequently shop at stores under the FairPrice banner, including Unity pharmacy, FairPrice Supermarkets and Warehouse Club.

You can earn quite attractive cashback with this card (between 4 per cent to 7 per cent, and as high as 12per cent at Unity) but there are some major caveats. 

One, you’ll need to jump through some pretty illogical hoops to qualify for cashback. For example, you will need to spend at least $200 at anywhere else except FairPrice stores, in order to earn 4 per cent cashback (7 per cent cashback requires at least $500 monthly minimum spend).

Two, the cashback you receive comes in a mix of FairPrice Rebates and LinkPoints, meaning yet more hoops jump through to unlock the value of your cashback. 

Another thing to note about this card is that unlike other debit cards, there’s an annual fee of $24, which is waived if you spend at least $1,200 per year.

Given all these restrictions and complications, it’s hard to recommend this debit card to all but the most die-hard supporters of the FairPrice brand. 

UOB Debit Card

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The UOB debit card lets you earn cashback for online shopping, groceries and transport, but its usefulness is hampered by a pretty narrow range of options. 

You see, you will only earn cashback when you shop at Shopee, Dairy Farm Group (Cold Storage, Guardian, Giant, etc.) and for Grab transactions (although this includes both ride hailing and food delivery). 

Also, while the cashback rate (as high as 3 per cent) is not too shabby, your maximum cashback across all eligible transactions is capped at only $20 per month. You’ll have to spend at least $500 per month to qualify for cashback.

One other thing: this debit card comes with an $18 annual fee, which is waived for the first three years, as well as when you make at least 12 VISA or Mastercard transactions per year. 

So if you’re thinking of signing up for this card, make sure it doesn’t end up as just an extra nice-looking ATM card. 

Aspire Corporate Debit Card

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Unlike the preceding six cards, the Aspire Corporate Debit Card is purely for corporate use only. To apply, you need to be a director or appointed official of a registered business. 

So if you’re a budding entrepreneur in need of some financial and payment services, but don’t want to be tied down to a traditional business account with their large minimum deposits and multiple fees, the Aspire card should do nicely for you. 

Its main strengths are in providing much-needed payment solutions for local and cross-border transactions, while acting as a corporate account card for you and your team. 

The card’s virtual format means you can easily set separate budgets for different team members, and deep integration with Xero accounting software means less headache when it’s time to do your statement of accounts. 

Other useful features include 1 per cent cashback on all digital services; no monthly fees, minimum balance or fall below fees; as well as low fx conversion rates.  

This article was first published in SingSaver.com.sg.

The distinction between aluminum and tin foil

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Image for article titled The Difference Between Aluminum and Tin FoilPhoto: Happy Stock Photo (Shutterstock)

We recently got over. posted the many ways that aluminum foil is helpful around the house and quickly realized that the mention of “stone foil” was scientifically incorrect (and I’m always ready to admit my mistakes). Depending on where you’re from, it may be a natural reflex to say “aluminum foil” while wrapping leftovers or grilling – aluminum foil is a bite and you may not notice a difference. But there is a difference between aluminum foil and aluminum foil.

What happened to aluminum foil?

In front 1926, Americans used real tin foil. The sheet metal was made for industrial use and was popular in the early years 1900s as packaging material and insulation, and earlier Line packs of cigarettes. However, the foil is less durable and more expensive than its aluminum counterpart, and it’s rare to find any type of tin foil these days. When the cheaper aluminum alternative came on the market, aluminum foil was no longer usable.

When did aluminum foil take power?

The roll of film in your kitchen consists of around 99 percent aluminum alloy that looks matt on one side and shiny silver on the other. Basically in 1910 a Swiss inventor a continuous rolling process for aluminumthat changed the film industry. In 1926, Americans started using Aluminum foil for packaging material in the USA, and then it became an industry standard.

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Even so, the new foil didn’t become a household item until a Reynolds employee got into a dilemma on Thanksgiving that couldn’t hold the turkey. He thought quickly to his feet, grabbed some aluminum foil that he had lying around, it worked wonders, and the rest is history.

Can you tell the difference between aluminum and aluminum foil?

It’s pretty hard to tell them apart because aluminum foil is no longer widely used. Their looks are similar enough that most people wouldn’t know unless they physically used both for comparison. In general, however Aluminum foil is “Less stable and stiffer compared to aluminum and can also leave a bitter taste in food.”

Real tin foil is used more for things like electrical capacitors these days than for food preparation or storage. It can still be used for packaging materials and the like, but since it’s not the popular or inexpensive choice, it’s rare that you can find real aluminum foil at your local grocery store. Most of the time, it’s okay to assume that the foil covering your roasted vegetables is made of aluminum.

Jamie Lynn Spears’ editor addresses controversy over the title of the memoir

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In 2007, at the age of 16 and while she was a performer on the Nickelodeon show Zoey 101, Jamie Lynn announced OK! Magazine that she was pregnant. Jamie Lynn gave birth to a daughter Maddie Briann Aldridge the following year. In 2009 the actress and Maddie’s father, Casey Aldridge, ended their engagement.

Jamie Lynn later stayed out of the spotlight for years before making a comeback as a country singer in 2013. She married her current husband Jamie Watson the following year and 2018 they welcomed their first child together and the star’s second daughter, Ivey Joan Watson.

“She spent years escaping into different characters – All That !, Zoey 101 and even playing Britney’s little sister,” the summary of Jamie Lynn’s memoir reads. “Pretending to be other people was easy, but when she decided to begin a music career in Nashville, she realized that she could no longer hide behind the characters she was playing. Soon the real Jamie Lynn began to take center stage – a raw, flawless, and imperfect woman in her own power. “

FBI helps investigations, not US troop plans

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The crowd reacts near the Petionville Police Station, where armed men charged with the murder of President Jovenel Moise are being held in Port au Prince on July 8, 2021.

Valerie Bäriswl | AFP | Getty Images

The US is dispatching high-ranking FBI and DHS officials to Port-au-Prince as soon as possible to assist in the investigation into the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, the White House said on Friday in response to the Haitian government’s formal request for help .

“The United States remains committed and in close consultations with our Haitian and international partners to assist the Haitian people after the President’s assassination,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a press conference.

However, the US currently has no plans to send military aid, White House officials told NBC News Friday afternoon, amid reports that Haitian officials had requested troops to secure critical infrastructure.

An FBI spokesman said the agency is working with the US embassy in Haiti and law enforcement partners to see how they can help with the investigation.

Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States, Bocchit Edmond, said Friday that the Haitian government’s request outlined the “critical role” the FBI and Justice Department can play in the investigation into the assassination.

Edmond added that the Haitian government has also urged the US, under the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorizes the US president to refuse entry and impose economic sanctions on any foreign person responsible for extrajudicial killings or human rights abuses, To impose sanctions on the perpetrators involved in the attack.

“We look forward to working with our US partners to seek truth and justice,” said Edmond in a series of posts on Twitter.

Colombia has also announced it will help with the investigation, Reuters reported on Friday. Colombian President Ivan Duque said the head of the Colombian intelligence directorate and the intelligence director of the national police are dispatched to Haiti with Interpol.

The US State Department confirmed on Friday that two Americans were arrested by Haitian authorities after the president was assassinated.

“We are aware of the arrest of two US citizens in Haiti and are closely monitoring the situation,” a State Department spokesman told CNBC. “We remain determined to cooperate with the Haitian authorities in the investigation.”

The State Department declined to comment, citing privacy considerations and referred to the Haitian authorities for more information.

Haitian police on Friday identified the American suspects who are of Haitian descent as James Solages and Joseph Vincent. Solages, 35, is the youngest of the suspects and Vincent, 55, the oldest, according to a document presented to Haitian election minister Mathias Pierre.

Along with 18 Colombians, you are among the at least 20 suspects that the Haitian police have arrested in the shocking attack.

The search for at least five other suspects continues, with four others killed in an exchange of fire by the police, according to the Haitian police. Haiti Police Chief Leon Charles on Thursday called on the Haitian public to help the authorities find the other suspects, but not “take the judiciary into their own hands”.

US President Joe Biden condemned the attack on Wednesday and said he was “shocked and sad to hear about it”.

“The United States offers its condolences to the people of Haiti and we stand ready to help as we continue to work for a safer Haiti,” Biden said in a statement.

After the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on July 8, 2021 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, citizens take part in a protest near the Petion Ville police station.

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A group of armed men murdered Moise and wounded his wife at their private residence Wednesday, plunging the Caribbean nation into an even deeper political crisis fueled by gang violence and protests against the late president’s increasingly authoritarian rule.

Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said the police and military were now in control of security in Haiti. The authorities declared a siege on the country after the murder and closed the international airport.

Edmond has called for an international investigation into the attack and has asked the US for assistance in strengthening Haitian security.

The State Department on Thursday vehemently denied that the Drug Enforcement Administration was involved in the attack after the attackers reportedly identified themselves as DEA agents.

Edmond said the attackers posed as DEA agents and described them as “well-trained professional killers, commandos” based on a video taken from a neighbor’s house during the attack. He also noted that some spoke Spanish. Haitians speak French and Creole.

Protests against the late Haitian president have turned violent in recent months as opposition leaders and their supporters demanded his resignation.

Moise had been accused of trying to increase his power even after his term ended in February. Opposition leaders pointed to his approval of decrees restricting the powers of a court that scrutinizes the government and his creation of an intelligence agency under his sole responsibility.

Opposition leaders and their supporters also turned down Moise’s plans to hold a constitutional referendum, with controversial proposals that would bolster the presidency’s power.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

10 video video games for newbies who’ve all the time needed to be a gamer

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Players fell in love with the vast landscapes of Skyrim almost a decade ago and many have never left – there is just so much to do and see. It’s also a great introduction to the series and open-world RPGs in general.

While the main objective of the game is good – you kill dragons, travel to the lands of the dead, and get into a brutal civil war – you can play as you like. There’s just so much to do in this huge open-world role-playing game: discover unique sights, take on countless side quests and acquire ancient artifacts.

Players create their own unique characters and then slowly specialize their skills as they progress. You can be a lithe wood elf assassin, a magical humanoid cat, or even a Nordic cheese collector. You can venture into the cold mountains in search of vampires, build your own home and virtual family, join the ranks of renowned guilds, and much more. This may sound like too much freedom to inexperienced gamers, but don’t let Skyrim’s openness put you off; it’s actually quite forgiving.

While some old-school RPG fans are skeptical of Skyrim’s streamlined gameplay systems, they’re perfect for new players: skills, gear, and other menus are snappy and easy to use; a quest log tracks your progress; and a compass on the screen marks destinations and points of interest. There’s also a Combat Difficulty slider that allows you to refine the level of challenge and options for playing in the first person or third person perspective.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S. (Original version also available on Xbox 360 and PS3)

John Carreyrou predicts the end result of Elizabeth Holmes’ examine

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The writer of “Bad Blood” has not finished telling the Theranos story.

Three years after his bestseller was published, John Carreyrou is releasing a new podcast to uncover the final chapter of former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes. “Bad Blood: The Final Chapter” follows the upcoming trial against Holmes.

In an interview with CNBC, Carreyrou shared his bold predictions about her criminal fraud trial due to begin in August after several delays due to the coronavirus pandemic and her unexpected pregnancy. Despite the postponements, Carreyrou predicts Holmes will be convicted of wire fraud and said a guilty verdict in her trial will be a “big shot across the bow for Silicon Valley entrepreneurs”.

“The message will be that you can’t really do what you want, you can’t completely ignore rules and regulations. You can’t shake your nose at regulators and authorities,” Carreyrou said.

He warns that a not guilty verdict will set a dangerous precedent among startup CEOs. “Young entrepreneurs will say, ‘Look what Elizabeth Holmes got away with and she didn’t go to jail for it.'” Carreyrou adds, “In this case, it takes a guilty verdict to correct course.”

Holmes and Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani ran the now defunct start-up Theranos together as CEO and President – and at times also as girlfriend and boyfriend.

The two are facing separate criminal jury trials over allegations they lied to patients and doctors while pushing investors for hundreds of millions of dollars. Holmes and Balwani have both pleaded not guilty.

Carreyrou tells CNBC that a large part of Holmes’ defense strategy could be blaming Balwani. He predicts that Holmes will take a stand and tell the jury that Balwani “kept her in his psychological grip, that he was an abusive friend”.

CNBC reached out to Holmes and Balwani attorneys. They did not respond to calls for comment.

Holmes plans to call a psychologist who specializes in relationship trauma as a witness. Carreyrou, who has spent years reporting on Holmes and the events in Theranos, says he is not buying the defense.

“Based on all of the interviews I did for my book and other interviews I did for the podcast, it’s clear that they ran this company and allegedly committed this fraud together as a couple,” he said.

“If they couldn’t agree, she had the last word,” said Carreyrou. “That’s why I find it hard to believe that she was under his psychological grip and had no will of her own.”

Watch the video to learn more from Carreyrou about his trial predictions, new evidence he’s received, and his upcoming podcast.

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