Everything to Know about the Emergence of Prepaid Cryptocurrency Debit Cards: – PaymentsJournal

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Data for todays episode is provided by Mercator Advisory Groups report Cryptocurrency: A New Growth Segment for Prepaid Debit Cards?

Everything to Know about the Emergence of Prepaid Cryptocurrency Debit Cards:

Cryptocurrency prepaid debit cards are the method of choice for spending cryptocurrency off the blockchain.

A major cryptocurrency prepaid debit card serving the U.S. market closed in 2018. Only a year later, in addition to BitPay, there are two new entrants. Should you be a part of the new Wild West of cryptocurrency prepaid debit cards?

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Everything to Know about the Emergence of Prepaid Cryptocurrency Debit Cards:

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A major cryptocurrency prepaid debit card serving the U.S. market closed in 2018. Only a year later, in addition to BitPay, there are two new entrants. Should you be a part of the new Wild West of cryptocurrency prepaid debit cards?

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Everything to Know about the Emergence of Prepaid Cryptocurrency Debit Cards: - PaymentsJournal

bitFlyer Europe and Quazard Partner to Bring First Ever Trading Competition to Botwars Ultimate Trading – Business Wire

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LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading cryptocurrency exchange bitFlyer, is partnering with crypto-trading game developer Quazard, to bring the first ever gamified trading competition to the Botwars Ultimate Trading universe.

The competition, which launches today, allows Botwars players to compete in a free to enter crypto-trading simulator to win real Bitcoin. This is the first trading competition to launch on Botwars, and the only live trading competition of its type.

In Botwars Ultimate Trading, players need to build an army of trading robots (each representing a trade) and lead them into battle to conquer the cryptocurrency markets.

Botwars is a real-time, gamified currency trading experience where you will learn new trading skills, unlock powerful new trading robots and discover advanced ways to dominate the global battlefields.

bitFlyer Europe, the European arm of bitFlyer Inc. the Japanese-owned cryptocurrency exchange, is providing the prize pool to enable Quazard to bring the competition alive.

The latest release of Botwars is available to download on iOS and Android and the competition launches on 1st June.

Paul Lindsell, CEO and founder of Quazard said, Millennials are looking for experiences from brands, rather than just services, and that includes cryptocurrency exchanges. Gamification and game based learning can help provide that. Working with bitFlyer means we can not only give newbie traders a safe environment to learn how to trade within Botwars, but also a safe and reputable exchange to trade cryptocurrency for real.

Andy Bryant, COO of bitFlyer Europe, said, Gamification in trading is a growing trend and this industry-first partnership between bitFlyer and Quazard is a step forward in bringing cryptocurrency trading to the mainstream. Its a fantastic opportunity for people to try out trading in a risk-free environment, but with the incentive to earn a reward for developing their skills.

bitFlyer launched in the USA in November 2017, followed by bitFlyer Europe in January 2018, both as fully owned subsidiaries of bitFlyer, Inc., a household name in the cryptocurrency space in Japan, and one of the longest-standing cryptocurrency exchanges. It is the only cryptocurrency exchange to be licenced in Japan, the US and Europe combined, and has also recently been recognised as one of only 10 exchanges that isnt faking trading volumes.

ENDS

About bitFlyer EUROPE S.A.bitFlyer EUROPE S.A. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of bitFlyer, Inc., a leading bitcoin and blockchain company based in Japan. The European office is located in Luxembourg and operates an exchange platform for European traders to buy and sell virtual currencies. bitFlyer EUROPE S.A. site: https://bitflyer.com/en-eu/

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bitFlyer Europe and Quazard Partner to Bring First Ever Trading Competition to Botwars Ultimate Trading - Business Wire

Africa’s young population and the drive for cryptocurrency – Techpoint.ng

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In response to the global challenges in various financial markets, recent trends suggest that Africas youth is leaning towards cryptocurrency as an alternative. Despite the obvious attraction, a number of questions persist on how cryptocurrency will shape the future of finance.

A study conducted by Arcane Crypto a Norway-based crypto researcher in collaboration with Luno, a leading crypto exchange provider, maintains that Africa is ideal for rapid crypto adoption due to current high inflation rates, volatile currencies, and a dearth of banking infrastructure, as well as a young digital-driven population.

According to CoinMarketCaps Q1 2020 report on cryptocurrency adoption, Africa had the second-highest adoption of cryptocurrencies worldwide. The continent had a percentage youth growth of 91.47%, owing much to Nigerias 210.6% growth in young crypto users.

At 210.6%, Nigerian youth led the rest of the world in percentage growth of cryptocurrency adoption, far ahead of Australia (+158.07%), Spain (+120.71%), Canada (+112.45%), and Mexico (+97.33%) that make up the top five.

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These numbers might seem impressive considering that the global crypto market was not spared from the pandemic in Q1 2020 when its market cap fell by 57% to $150 billion in March 2020.

However, as shown by Arcanes research, African countries lag behind others in infrastructure that will support the use of cryptocurrency. There is no meaningful mining activity, and it still has the lowest number of merchants that accept cryptos as a means of payments.

Africa also has relatively low numbers for non-P2P trading but has a higher focus on P2P trading. This means the main drive for most African users is buying cryptos when they are cheap and selling to others for a profit.

While cryptos are neither legal nor illegal, Arcane believes the hesitance of most African governments to take a stance is linked to the low adoption levels. It would then seem that several Africans are still not sure what to make of this currency.

Cryptocurrencies are the talk of the Internet these days, but you dont see where to spend them when purchasing an item because theyre not yet legal. Our best option is to buy them, sell, and make money, says Kevin* a crypto trader in Nigeria.

According to Kevin, without this option, several Nigerian youth will not see the value of cryptos or take it seriously as a possible currency for the future.

Arcane reports that the rapid adoption of cryptocurrencies is being fueled by the volatility of traditional currencies, an unstable political and economic terrain, and a large population that is underserved by banking services.

However, the cryptocurrency market is also subject to volatility which constantly shoots the price up or crashes it within a short time. Between January and May, Bitcoin has gone as high $10,000 and as low as $3,900. A difference of $6,100.

While this might be linked to the pandemic, that has always been the case for most cryptocurrencies. From December 17, 2017, to that same date in 2018, Bitcoin fell in value from $19,870 to $3,391.

An analysis by Investopedia reveals that just like the regular stock market, market forces still affect the price of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

News reports speculating that Bitcoin is about to be regulated, experts speculating the directions the price will go in, or just plain bad news regarding the sector has greatly caused a lot of volatility.

When the values of normal currencies are about to drop, governments can intervene to limit the impact, but as an unregulated market, the fluctuations are uncontrollable and subject to the activities of big influencers of the market.

For Kevin, Bitcoins represent another means to make money, but no one is certain as to what the future holds for it.

I started trading Bitcoins in 2015, and then you would hear things like Bitcoin was just $2 in 2011, if you had bought it then, you will have $504 now. Today, at roughly $9,000, the same message is still being preached, he recounts.

Rather than let their money sit in the bank where it will accumulate charges, Kevin insists most youth would prefer to brave the uncertain waters of Bitcoin like they do in the forex market or with US stocks.

No one holds a patent for cryptocurrencies, so anyone can create them. While the market is uncertain for unregulated digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, recent trends are showing that world governments and the corporate world are not entirely averse to cryptocurrencies.

In a rumour that was later denied, with the country stating it remains open to experiments, Tunisia was said to have issued a central bank digital currency (CBDC), Senegal has piloted an eCFA, while Ghana and Rwanda are exploring the development of their own CBDCs.

Companies like Facebook, IBM, and JPMorgan Chase are developing their own internal cryptocurrencies.

While Arcane believes that this might influence the adoption of cryptos, the creation of digital currencies by governments or corporations might change how it is used and monitored.

Cryptos developed by juggernauts like JPMorgan Chase will only be used internally within the company and will be tightly controlled and closely monitored.

Kevin believes that once governments start creating their own cryptos, they will be eerily similar to fiat money since they will be regulated and protected against the fluctuations normally seen in the unregulated and decentralised crypto market.

* not real name.

Nigerian startups raised $55.4m in Q1 2020;over 99% of which came from foreign sources. Find out more when you download the full report.

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Africa's young population and the drive for cryptocurrency - Techpoint.ng

Kraken CEO: Bitcoin (BTC) Would Be Worth $1,000,000,000,000 If the Masses Knew the Power of Cryptocurrency – The Daily Hodl

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The CEO of the US-based crypto exchange Kraken says he believes Bitcoin is on the cusp of a new long-term rally to $100,000.

In new a conference call hosted by Pantera, Jesse Powell says the masses dont yet understand the importance of Bitcoins scarcity and independence from banks and middlemen. He expects that to change in the decade ahead, if and when the value of the dollar dwindles.

I dont think Bitcoin is even priced into Bitcoin. Most people have heard about Bitcoin but they dont own any Bitcoin. They dont know what the future of Bitcoin is. I think if everyone knew about Bitcoin and the potential of Bitcoin and how great it was, the price would be a trillion dollars a Bitcoin. We would all just be switched over to Bitcoin and not be using anything else

I think that theres a lot thats not priced in, even though its predictable, like what the future is. Ten years down the road, the US dollar is going to continue to be printed like crazy. Its going to be totally worthless. No one is going to want it. Everyone is going to want Bitcoin. But thats not priced in because of perceived risks or perceived uncertainty about the future, about regulation, about how does the government respond in different situations as Bitcoin continues to develop, or how useful does it actually become?

Kraken is already witnessing an explosion of institutional trading. According to Powell, BTC will likely hit $100,000 in about two years.

I believe that were in a completely unprecedented time in terms of the global political and economic systems. I believe that this is going to continue to drive a pretty massive shift into digital currency. I think the next couple of years well likely see 1 BTC exceed $100,000

Just anecdotally, in the last two months, weve seen a huge surge in new accounts, from institutions. I think, again, I mentioned it earlier, something thats preventing more institutions from getting in is just the uncertainty around the regulatory situation.

I think many are in a wait and see mode, many maybe trying to have their mandates changed to allow them to invest in these asset classes. But I do think its coming. I think that more LPs are going to demand that their GPs invest in crypto. I think its going to come from the bottom up. The returns are just so hard to ignore. It seems irresponsible not to have crypto be a piece of your portfolio.

Despite his optimism, Powell says that right now, cash remains king, which is a significant factor working against Bitcoin in the current macro economic climate.

In a time like this, with so much uncertainty, I think people are looking to what they know, which is cash. Ive got to pay my rent in cash. Ive got to buy my food and my toilet paper with cash.

Theyre not looking to hold a volatile asset, however a good investment it might be in the long term. People are thinking very short-term right now. I think thats one thing working against Bitcoin.

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Kraken CEO: Bitcoin (BTC) Would Be Worth $1,000,000,000,000 If the Masses Knew the Power of Cryptocurrency - The Daily Hodl

Cryptocurrency Cardano increased by 15% – The Times Hub

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Cardano, the cryptocurrency was trading at $0,082729 at 11:23 (08:23 GMT) on the stock exchange Investing.com Index Sunday, changes made up of 15.35% for the day. It was the sharp one-day rally in the cryptocurrency since may 30.

This growth has pushed the market capitalization of Cardano to $2,14732 B, 0.00% of the market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies. Earlier at the peak of capitalization Cardano was $23,91700 B.

In the past 24 hours the currency Cardano was trading in the range of $0,074890 to $0,084612.

In the last 7 days Cardano showed growth within gained-pct. The volume of Cardano in the last 24 hours was $676,45782 M or 0.00% of total cryptocurrency. She was trading between $0,0511 to $0,0846 during the last seven days.

Currently, the price of a Cardano is still below 93,87% from their peak values, amounting to us $1.35, which was achieved on 4 January 2018..

The cryptocurrency Bitcoin was worth $9.563,1 on the stock exchange Investing.com Index up 0.31 percent on the day.

The Ethereum was trading at $238,85 on the stock exchange Investing.com the Index showed an increase by 2.68%.

The market capitalization of Bitcoin previously was $175,92495 B or 0.00% of total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies, while the capitalization of the Ethereum was $26,36678 B or 0.00% of the total cryptocurrency market.

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Cryptocurrency Cardano increased by 15% - The Times Hub

Calibras Rebrand to Novi: An Effort to Create Distance from Facebook? – Finance Magnates

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Earlier this week, Facebook announced that it would be renaming its Calibra wallet initiative to Novi. The announcement comes not so long after Libra unveiled Libra 2.0, a newer version of the global cryptocurrency project that is believed to have been designed to have greater regulatory appeal.

Though Calibra has always been separate from both Facebook and the Libra cryptocurrency project itself, the wallet was widely considered to be an important component of Libra, which was launched last June.

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The digital wallet firm that was slated to provide custody options for Libra token holders formerly known as Calibra is henceforth to be known as Novi.

Why did the rebrand happen? In a Facebook post on the name change, David Marcusthe head of the Libra projectstated in a Facebook post that the primary reason for the new name was that the old name was a little too close to the name of Libra.

Therefore, weve made an update to make sure there is clear differentiation and clarity, Marcus explained. Novi, like Calibra, will be just one of the wallets that will eventually be built on the Libra network.

Why Novi? Marcus explained that the new name for the wallet was not, in fact, named after a small town in the great state of Michigan; instead, the name comes from the combination of two Latin words, novus, which means new, and via, which means way, he wrote.

Marcus said that as such, Novi will offer a new way to send, receive, and secure Libra currencies.

A spokesperson from Novi told Finance Magnates that the rebranding is just that: a rebranding; that there wont be any changes in the functionality in how the-wallet-formerly-known-as-Calibra will operate.

As a member of the Libra Association, we [Novi] remain committed to the Libra mission and are eager to begin delivering on it, the spokesperson said, adding that we are thrilled that seven new members have joined the Association in 2020 already.

Among these seven are e-commerce giant Shopify, non-profit organization Heifer International, cryptocurrency brokerage Tagomi, and payment processor Checkout.com.

Although the change to Novi has been explained as an effort to differentiate between the Libra network and the Calibra wallet, the spokesperson also explained that originally, the similarity in the names between Libra and Calibra was intentional.

When we announced Libra and Calibra last June, we wanted to demonstrate that Calibra, the digital wallet, was closely linked to Libra, the global payment system, the spokesperson explained. Both brands were born out of the same vision, to give people more access to the global economy.

However, weve found that Calibra and Libra sounded too similar, and people were getting confused, so we set out to create a distinction between the two, the spokesperson said.

However, confusion between Libra and Calibra among potential users of the system may indeed be the primary reason for the name change; some analysts believe that the name change may be an attempt to distance the wallet from Facebook.

After all, much of the heat that Libra has garnered from regulators the world over has focused around Facebooks mishandling of its users data. Facebook chief executive and founder Mark Zuckerberg himself acknowledged this in a hearing before the United States Congress late last year.

This has been a challenging few years for Facebook, Zuckerberg said. We understand we have a lot to do to live up to peoples expectations on issues like privacy and security.

Haider Rafique, the chief marketing officer of San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange OKCoin, explained to Finance Magnates that distancing the Libra projectas well as Calibrafrom Facebook may be important to the future of both the network and the wallet.

Indeed, although the fact remains that [] Novi, previously Calibra, is the Facebook-built wallet with integrations for their entities: WhatsApp & Messenger, Rafique said that it might be better to separate Libra from Facebooks direct involvement for the sake of the projects future.

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Similarly, Reuben Yap, project steward for privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcoin, told Finance Magnates that some have opined that it is possible that they want to make it clear that Libra isnt just a Facebook project, but instead only a member of the Libra Association.

I do actually believe that the official reason is to prevent confusion of Libra, the digital currency or association, with Calibra, which is merely Facebooks wallet, Yap continued, especially since we have gone through this very same problem ourselves with Zerocoin (the privacy protocol) and Zcoin (the currency and project).

Notably, Ripple has also made branding efforts to create a clear distinction between itself as a company and XRP, the currency, and network that is only used in some of its products.

Therefore, we see some clear benefits of the rebrand, Yap said, adding that also, oftentimes, optics and public perception go a long way even with regulators.

Therefore, [] By having Facebooks official Libra wallet name not linked directly to the Libra brand, it may give an impression that Libra isnt a Facebook initiative,' Yap added.

One of the worries that regulators have is that Facebook is creating its own digital currency that challenges the sovereignty of traditional currencies, Yap continued. By showing that Libra is instead a consortium with many other members and that Facebook is merely a member among other equal members would assuage fears that Facebook will wield too much power.

OKCoins Haider Rafique also explained that indeed, by distancing themselves from it they make it seem more community-focusedthis likely is another effort to decentralize the Libra stablecoin in the eyes of regulators.

And indeed, the Libra Association involves many community members, Rafique explained. The new name may allow Calibra to fit in more casually with these other members of the Libra Association, as well as any potential other wallets that may be built to hold Libra tokens.

Novis spokesperson did say to Finance Magnates that the name change was an attempt to lessen the association between Libra and Calibra (now Novi) so that potential users would be more aware of the possibilities to use other wallets for their future Libra tokens.

With our new name, itll also be easier to address the misperceptions that were the only wallet for the Libra blockchain, the spokesperson said, adding that we hope that Novi will be one of many wallets.

By creating some critical distance between Novi (formerly Calibra) and Libra (and then perhaps also between Novi and Facebook), its also possible that Libra and Novi could be setting the stage to try and separate their respective regulatory futures.

The wallet and stablecoin could face very different regulatory paths, OKCoins Haider Rafique said. Libra will likely face years of regulatory battles to try and gain US approval of its stablecoin/currency, but its wallet (now Novi) could take a more narrow path and not need the same kind of regulatory approval.

And indeed, it is possible that years could pass before Libra is live in the world: the most important thing about Libra is that it still doesnt exist, remarked David Gerard, author of Attack of the 50-Foot Blockchain, to Finance Magnates.

Theres nothing to talk about yet, he said. Lets see what they come up with that doesnt absolutely horrify the regulators.

So far, Libra has indeed attempted to come up with at least one other iteration of itself meant to be less jarring for regulators.

Earlier this year, Libra 2.0 was unveiled: a new version of the project that stripped away the single-token model of the original Libra, and plans to [enhance] the safety of the Libra payment system with a robust compliance framework and [build] strong protections into the design of the Libra Reserve.

While Libra 2.0 doesnt seem to have made a particularly strong impression on regulators one way or the other, Reuben Yap said that the new plan of action could change the regulatory course of the project: with its recent redesign, regulators are being re-engaged, he said.

And while the projects original launch date has been delayed, the project still has an ambitious plan for the future: the recent recruitment of pro-regulatory and compliance people to their ranks such as Stuart Levy as CEO and Robert Werner as general counsel also shows that they are serious in getting this off the ground.

I believe Libra is aiming to launch by the end of the year, while also continuing to recruit additional Libra Association members, Yap said.

However, David Gerard pointed out that in spite of the redesign and the Calibra rebrand, regulators are still drawing a hard line. Libra say they could launch before the end of 2020, but first they need to get buy-in from regulatorsat the very least the Swiss, US and EU regulators, he said.

The thing is, working with regulation was always 100% of the issue. The back-end technology being a blockchain, never mattered. The big issue was always going to be how to integrate this huge payment processor with existing real-world systems of regulation when youre a large enough player to have systemic effects.

Therefore, it seems that 2020 isnt in the cards for Libra or for Novi: I would be surprised if they do launch at the end of the year as planned, Zcoins Reuben Yap said. Perhaps sometime in 2021 is a possibility if they manage to assuage regulator concerns.

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Calibras Rebrand to Novi: An Effort to Create Distance from Facebook? - Finance Magnates

Cryptocurrency Market Update: Bitcoin bleeding as the market gets ready for CME futures expiration – FXStreet

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The cryptocurrency market volatility is on the rise as the market gets ready for Bitcoins futures expiration on CME. These contracts expire every two months and often lead to the sell-off on the spot market. According to the recent data, compiled by Cointelegraph and Arcane Research, BTC/USD tends to lose 2.3% of its value ahead of the expiration. The traders will be closely watching the spot prices to be ready to react to the situation.

Currently, the total capitalization of all digital assets in circulation is registered at $264 billion, while an average daily trading volume reached $110 billion. Bitcoins market share increased to 66%.

Read also:Cryptocurrency Market News: Cardano and Bitcoin set the pace for the end of May crypto rallies

Bitcoin (BTC) hit the intraday high above $9,600 and retreated to $9,450 by press time. At the time of writing, the first digital coin is moving within the strong bearish trend amid expanding volatility. Since the start of the day, BTC/USD has lost nearly 1.5%, though it is still 3% higher from this time on Thursday. The resistance area of $9,500-$9,600 remains unconquered so far. The support is created by $9,000.

Ethereum tested the intraday high of $224.80 during early Asian hours on Friday, but retreated to $220.30 by the time of writing. The second-largest digital asset has stayed unchanged since the start of the day, though it is still nearly 7% higher from this time on Thursday. Despite the retreat from the intraday high, the price is moving within a bullish trend amid low volatility.

XRP/USD has experienced a sharp decline below $0.2000 after a failed attempt to clear a strong resistance at $0.2030. At the time of writing, XRP/USD is changing hands at $0.1980, down 1% since the beginning of the day and mostly unchanged on a day-to-day basis.

Litecoin (LTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) are also experiencing sharp sell-offs. Both coins has lost over 1% of their respective value in les than 5 minutes. LTC/USD is changing hands at $44.54, BCH/USD - $237.45

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Cryptocurrency Market Update: Bitcoin bleeding as the market gets ready for CME futures expiration - FXStreet

SA investors fear cryptocurrency CEO accused of stealing millions could be on the run – The Citizen

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Bitcoin investors who poured millions intoVaultAge Solutions are concerned that its CEO has made a run for it after not hearing from him since December.

There is speculation that Willie Breedt is staying near Jeffreys Bay and while the Hawks are investigating, information indicates he has left the country.

The Hawks, who are investigating a case of fraud, say they cannot reveal any more information about their probe into Breedt.

Investors who were contacted by News24 said they have not heard from the CEO of VaultAge Solutions (VS), Willie Breedt, since December when he promised to pay back their money.

The Hawks have stepped in to investigate after an investor opened a case of fraud against Breedt.

Some have speculated Breedt is staying at a luxury mansion in the well-known Marina Martinique Estate in Ashton Bay, Jeffreys Bay.

However, officially he seems to be still out of the country. According to information from the Department of Home Affairs, Breedt left the country for Mozambique on 21 December via the Kosi Bay border post.

There is no indication on the system he had returned to the country; however, a source said a glitch in the system might not have updated his movements.

In the meantime, investors are concerned they will never see their money again.

VaultAge Solutions, which is not registered as a legitimate financial institution with the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA), has more than 2 000 investors.

Millions of rand have been invested in Breedts cryptocurrency scheme, with one investor depositing more than R6 million.

Besides a few generic emails from Breedt promising to repay the outstanding amounts, no other communication has been received.

I dont have R50 in my purse, Lettie Engelbrecht from Krugersdorp said.

We are pensioners and invested R200,000. From December until April, we received payments on the growth of our investment. Since then, we never got any money. We are desperate and living on a shoestring budget.

In a written reply to News24, Breedt said: I am busy attending to the commitments I have made to

He, however, did not respond to the questions about his whereabouts and his visit to Mozambique.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed they were still investigating the case and cannot reveal any information at this stage.

For more news your way, download The Citizens app foriOSandAndroid.

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SA investors fear cryptocurrency CEO accused of stealing millions could be on the run - The Citizen

Islands of Ireland: Whiddy in the same boat – Irish Examiner

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This time last year Whiddy Island in West Cork was bustling with people who had caught the ferry for the short trip from Bantry to ramble the islands boreens as part of the Bantry Walking Festival. Not so this year. The very popular Bankhouse pub run by Kathleen and Tim OLeary is closed and hardly a boat pulls in to the pier.

Bantry has had a phenomenal success in recent years with its trio of international festivals that are the envy of the country: The Chamber Music Festival; the Masters of Tradition festival; and the West Cork Literary Festival. Whiddy benefits from the spillover with many visitors to the festival catching Tims ferry Ocean Star 3 across on the 10-minute trip. Throw into the mix the Fit-up Festival, the Walking Festival, and the cruise liners that have been arriving for the last few years and the region was doing very well from tourism.

However, Tim is philosophical about the turn of events brought about by Covid-19.

For years, the islanders have been ooking for recognition of how difficult it is to live on an island. Its all very rewarding too of course, but difficult to run a business. Now the HSE with their guidelines are trying to protect the islands very much.

The big opening up is on July 20 [phase 4 but not islands], theyre seeing if it will work, instead of endangering the islanders theyre giving us three weeks more and theyre hoping that when things change on August the 10 that things will be OK. If elderly people on an island got it, its nearly as serious as a nursing home, says Tim. The logistics of getting them off the island would be very challenging, he says.

Whiddys population has actually been increasing in the last few years. While some of the older residents have passed on, new people have arrived, including from Cork City, Co Meath, and Switzerland. There are now 25 people living on the island. A far cry from its pre-Famine peak of 800, but it is recovering.

Twenty years ago they said only rabbits would be living on Whiddy. A crowd makes a crowd and theres a community centre being built and we have a regular ferry service. Im not saying we have a booming community but were still there. I accept its very heard for people who have holiday homes on the islands. I have a sister in Wexford and a sister in Dunmanway and they havent seen my mother since this started. Thats very hard. But I accept its tough for everybody, says Tim.

Tim says the island has its regular visitors many of whom come over from Eagle Point Camping at Bantry.

Whiddy Island

We have people who come to Whiddy to socialise every weekend, they come to walk the island, theyre our friends and we miss them. We look on them as our diaspora. We cant wait for them to come back when things are safe. Ive had a lot of phonecalls from them in the last few months and its never when are ye getting back?, its how are ye doing on the islands, is everything all right? says Tim.

There are no Covid-19 cases on Whiddy in large part due to the care people have been taking. However, theres no getting away from the loss of business.

The festivals are a huge loss to us this year. And the passenger liners too. They were really building up. We do a lot of business with Excursions Ireland and before the liner would come in wed have tours sold to them. We were fully booked for this year, he says.

Whiddy Island Ferry

With the population on the rise, better infrastructure has followed. Tim says the authorities are much better to them now than they were. We have very good roads, good piers, a regular ferry service. We have all the amenities but not the people. Before, we had all the people but not the amenities. Maybe sometime down the line it will all balance out, he says.

As for the future post-Covid-19 he strikes a positive note.

Well have social distancing on the ferries, well be down to a third of capacity. Well get on with it. Id be positive enough. There are a lot of rewards living on an island but life is a bit harder too. Were used to challenges. If we adapt to this as we have to other challenges well be fine, says Tim.

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Islands of Ireland: Whiddy in the same boat - Irish Examiner

Mackinac Island eases into summer season with soft, soft opening – MLive.com

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MACKINAC ISLAND, MI -- Both ferry lines are carrying passengers, some bikes are lined up to be rented and a handful of restaurants are opening this weekend as Mackinac Island wades carefully into its summer season with what its mayor has called a soft, soft opening.

Today is the beginning of a big, cautious exhale for Michigans top tourism destination. The island has remained closed to almost all but essential workers since mid-March as officials there followed Gov. Gretchen Whitmers stay-home executive order during the coronavirus crisis. The current statewide stay-home order has been extended to June 12.

While the governor allowed bars and restaurants to reopen in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan ahead of Memorial Day weekend, island officials decided to remain closed to tourists for the holiday to give themselves and businesses another week to prep new health and safety amenities.

I am still very, very concerned about keeping everyone on Mackinac safe and healthy, Mayor Margaret Doud said this week during a special City Council meeting held via video on Zoom. She said officials and island businesses have worked hard to not only keep island residents safe during the past few months, but planned diligently to set up precautions as the island begins to reopen to guests.

We cannot go backward. If we do, we know what is going to happen, she said, talking about the specter of a second shut-down that would keep tourists away from the island.

She reiterated that she wants to see a gradual, controlled opening phase where employees and tourists alike remain vigilant as far as social distancing, sanitizing and hand-washing, and wearing masks in enclosed spaces.

I think we can do it. We have to keep our eye on the ball.

The million-dollar view from the lawn of the Inn at Stonecliffe, where a new beer garden and food truck-style dining is making its debut. Photo courtesy of the Inn at Stonecliffe.

Phasing in the islands summer tourism season has a lot to do with lodging. Some of Mackinacs larger resorts wont be reopening until later in June. Grand Hotel will see its first guests on June 21, while Mission Point will reopen on June 25. Mackinac State Historic Parks attractions on the island, including Fort Mackinac, will open on June 19.

For an updated list of when specific hotels, B&Bs and attractions will open, see the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau website.

The islands public health task force distributed a set of recommendations for businesses as they work to reopen and bring over employees during this new era. Guidance on daily health checks, an initial quarantine period and best practices for keeping everything sanitized is included.

Tourism officials have been working with city leaders to roll out some public hand sanitizing stations and signage for island guests. More signs in business windows and sandwich-board style signs in public areas reminding people about social distancing and health/safety precautions are expected to be placed as more things reopen.

During the soft-soft open the only things you can do on the island are take a ferry ride, rent a bike, shop and eat, said Mackinac Island Tourism Executive Director Tim Hygh.

Mission Point's 18-acre grounds hug the Mackinac Island shoreline along the Straits of Mackinac. Photo courtesy of Mission Point.

Going forward, city leaders are looking for more ways to allow for social distancing on what can be a crowded Main Street during the summer and fall season. They are exploring ways to reduce bicycle parking on that main thoroughfare where bikers, walkers and horse-drawn carriages are often in tight proximity.

The current situation will mean changes for some favorite spots. For example, Stonecliffe Inn has temporarily closed its Cudahy Chophouse and instead opened the Mackinac Island Food Truck and Beer Garden on the inns expansive back lawn overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Mission Point Resort is offering a wider selection of to-go meals and picnics from its kitchens, and has increased its outdoor seating options.

For more information on the islands early season, see the tourism bureaus website.

For ferry service schedules, check the Star Line and Sheplers websites.

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Woman who inspired Mackinac Island angels leaves legacy of love

Jane Seymour dishes on Mackinac Island love during her Somewhere in Time weekend

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Mackinac Island eases into summer season with soft, soft opening - MLive.com

Watch Rivers Cuomo cover Jesus Christ Superstar song for Islands In The Zoom sessions – NME

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Rivers Cuomo has shared a cover of I Dont Know How To Love Him from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar watch it below.

The Weezerfrontman shared the rendition on Twitter ahead of this weeks episode of his Islands In The Stream sessions. It comes after his recent covers of Green Days Good Riddance and Nirvanas Heart-Shaped Box.

I Dont Know How to Love Him was originally written byAndrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1970 forJesus Christ Superstar. It originally featured Yvonne Ellimans Mary Magdalene singing the song.

Sharing the cover on Twitter, Cuomo wrote: Heres my cover of I Dont Know How To Love Him from last weeks Island In The Zoom.Tune in tonight at 6:25 PST for another episode, featuring guest star.

Watch Cuomos rendition of I Dont Know How To Love Him below:

Earlier this month, Weezer postponed the release of their forthcoming album Van Weezer indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was originally set to be released last week. Speaking about the forthcoming album with Beats 1s Zane Lowe last year, Cuomo said it was all just guitars.

So far, theyve shared three of its singles: End of the Game, Hero, Blue Dream. The last of those was debuted on an episode of The Simpsons.

Meanwhile, Green Day,Fall Out Boy, andWeezer have officially postponed the North American leg of their joint Hella Mega Tour due to coronavirus.

It comes after they were forced to cancel the inaugural European leg, which was setto take place in June.

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Watch Rivers Cuomo cover Jesus Christ Superstar song for Islands In The Zoom sessions - NME

Hundreds gather at Brown’s Island: ‘We are going to protest peacefully’ – wtvr.com

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RICHMOND, Va. -- Hundreds of people gathered at Brown's Island in Richmond Sunday carrying signs and chanting in a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd following two nights of destructive riots in the River City.

"We do not want violence today," said Sam Reed, who was one of the hundreds of protesters who took part in the nearby Justice for Black Lives Car Rally. "If you act a fool, you will be booted out."

Demonstrations were sparked across the country and in Richmond in protest of the death of George Floyd, a black man who died Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck until he stopped breathing.

Signs filled the sky at the Brown's Island event, which featured speakers, artists and a march, to bring attention to the deaths of black men and women like Floyd, Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor. They died at the hands of police or former police officers.

Arbery was shot and killed in Georgia following a struggle with a former police officer and his son in February, and video showed the two men block his path as he ran down a suburban road.

Floyd died in police custody in Minnesota on Monday, and video showed an officer kneeling on his neck as he struggled to breathe.

Taylor was shot in her Louisville home in March when police entered her home on a "knock-free" warrant. Thinking the police were intruders, she shot at the officers, who then responded with fatal fire of their own.

One protester at Sunday's event called Richmond a "great city full of great people."

"It's for a great cause," she said. "This is bigger than all of us."

Organizers said they were cognizant of the devastation the two night of riots caused to Richmond businesses.

"The people who live here are going to protest peacefully," Stephanie Hewlett said. "The destruction that's happening that I've seen is not of our people."

Reed said the event left her full of emotion, hope, pride and joy because "we need that in order to move forward."

"Everyone is necessary in order to win the battle," Reed added.

Community leaders are planning a call to action event Monday at 1 p.m. at the Richmond Reconciliation Statue.

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New COVID-19 case with ties to San Juan Island under investigation – SanJuanIslander.com

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PRESS RELEASE:The San Juan County Health & Community Services surveillance and contact tracing team is actively investigating a positive COVID-19 case with ties to San Juan Island.

The case technically belongs to another county due to both the patients residence and the testing location being on the mainland, however the patient had recently worked in San Juan County. The initial cause of transmission to the patient was due to an off-island exposure.

The County contact tracing team has been aggressively reaching out to anyone who may have had close contact with the patient. At this time, the risk to the broader community appears to be low. The patient was tested at a mainland clinic as soon as symptoms appeared, and the results were received within 12 hours.

This case is a perfect reminder of the need to remain cautious and focused. Though there is reason to think the risk with this case is low, the situation will require ongoing follow up and monitoring by public health surveillance staff to identify and prevent community spread.

As we move into Phase 2 and prepare for Phase 3, we will need to be vigilant. Whether the source be a worker or visitor coming to the island, or an islander headed to the mainland for a visit with family, shopping trip, or work the need for safety precautions is real. This is why there are strict guidelines for businesses as they open, why the face covering order is in effect, and why those who are at high risk are asked to minimize their exposure as much as possible.

San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James summarizes the situation, It is too soon to know for sure, but I think theres a good chance we have avoided community transmission on the island from this case. If so, this will be a textbook example of why the precautions were taking to keep the islands safe matter so much. The fact that the patient was tested quickly by their provider, that their employer was taking full precautions, and that our community and the patient have been covering their faces all matter. If were going to avoid outbreaks we all need to wear face coverings, social distance, and continue to wash our hands. As we move forward toward opening our economy we have a collective responsibility to do so safely.

If the early assessment of this case changes or if additional positive cases are identified, updates will provide further details as they are available.

Again, this case will not appear on San Juan Countys official count- but has certainly triggered a local response and merits increased local awareness. This disease is still a threat to our community.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

Here is a list of the cases so far in San Juan County

As of May 28, 1118 tests had been conducted and 15 people tested positive. Eight on Orcas Island, six on San Juan Island and one on Lopez Island.

The dates shown are the dates the information was released.

MARCH 20 - MORE INFORMATION

1. Orcas Island - Person

MARCH 24 - MORE INFORMATION

2.Orcas Island - Person who was close contact of first case

MARCH 26 - MORE INFORMATION

3. Lopez Island - Person

March 28 - MORE INFORMATION

4. San Juan Island - Resident who was exposed at Seattle fire station where he works. He was called while on traveling home to the islands on the ferry. Stayed in car, contacted Peace Island Medical Center, was tested by a healthcare worker while in his car. Stayed home for 14 days. MORE INFORMATION

APRIL 1 - MORE INFORMATION

5. Orcas Island resident -

6. Peace Island Medical Center staff member. Ordinarily, the county Health Department does contact tracing. PIMC is doing its own contact tracing with advice from San Juan County Medical Officer Dr. Frank James.

APRIL 4 - MORE INFORMATION

7. San Juan Island - A San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services person.

8. Orcas Island - Person who is a close household member of one of the earlier Orcas Island cases.

9. Orcas Island -A man - half of a couple who run a farm on Orcas Island

10. Orcas Island - A woman -half of a couple who run a farm on Orcas Island MORE INFORMATION

APRIL 7:

11. San Juan Island

12. Orcas Island

APRIL 10:

13: Orcas Island

APRIL 16:

14:San Juan Island

MAY 5, 2020 - ACTUAL ONSET DATE APRIL 1

15. San Juan Island

COVID 19 INFORMATION LINKS

Microsoft Interactive Global Map of COVID 19

Centers for Disease Control

Washington State Coronavirus Response

Governor Jay Inslee

Washington State Dept. of Health

San Juan County Dept. of Health

San Juan County's Hot Topic: Contact Tracing

San Juan County Case Numbers

San Juan County COVID 19 Hot Topics

San Juan County Departments' Service Status during COVID-19 Crisis

FAQs about San Juan County's Stay at Home Order

King County/Seattle Dept. of Health

Whatcom County Dept. of Health

Skagit County Dept. of Health

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New COVID-19 case with ties to San Juan Island under investigation - SanJuanIslander.com

Cruise the Greek Islands with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon – The New Yorker

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Steve Coogan and Rob BrydonIllustration by Joo Fazenda

Ten years ago, the British comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon went on a culinary tour of northern England, which the director Michael Winterbottom filmed as both a BBC miniseries and a movie, called The Trip. Coogan (English, undermining) and Brydon (Welsh, eager) played themselves, only pettier, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants and competing over Michael Caine impersonations. More trips, and films, followedto Italy and Spain. The final installment, The Trip to Greece, out on demand this week, finds the duo eating their way through Lesbos, Athens, and Hydra, and it may have to substitute for your cancelled summer vacationif you dont mind tagging along with two passive-aggressive middle-aged comedians.

The other day, the pair caught up over Zoom. Both were self-isolating at home, Coogan in Sussex and Brydon in Twickenham, about fifty miles apart. (And that feels right, Brydon said.) Coogan was in his office, his hair grown to a salt-and-pepper shag, and Brydon sat in his kitchen, in front of a fridge covered with photographs. He held one up, of him with Bruce Springsteen. Rob is very keen on Bruce Springsteen, and Im happy to share that enthusiasm by proxy, Coogan said.

When we were doing The Trip to Greece, I was playing him Western Stars, the new album, in the car, Brydon said. He came to admire it. I would go so far as to say he loved it. At the end, I presented him with it in vinyl.

I have it in this very room, Coogan said. Its over there, behind something. He disappeared for a moment and returned with the album, still in plastic wrap.

Unopened, Brydon observed.

Its all about the anticipation, isnt it?

To re-create their shared dining adventures, both had received an identical delivery of Grecian snacks: pita, feta, olives, dried oregano. Brydon drank a glass of ros. He had been spending his quarantine tending to his garden and watching old movies, while Coogan had been filling his hours with Skype screenwriting sessions. Neither mans palate had suffered; Brydons wife, Clare, loves to cook, as does Coogans twenty-three-year-old daughter, also named Clare. So, for both of us, Clare is taking care of the food, and that is good, Brydon said.

Coogan winced at the slant rhyme. If my daughter wasnt here, he said, I would probably buy a very high-end precooked thing, like a fish pie, and then steam my own broccoli and pretend that Ive made a meal.

When you say steam your own broccoli, it reminds me of when we were at that beach resort in Greece, Brydon said. And that rather lugubrious-looking waiter came over and told us what he had, and at the end he said, And I have two soft lobsters.

No, he didnt, Coogan countered.He said, And I have two flat lobsters. And Rob said, Im very sorry to hear that.

Brydon wagged a finger. What I said was, Oh, Im sorry.

Thats right, Coogan conceded. It was said with sympathy. Very pure malapropistic comedy. Malapropistic? Thats got to be a word. Its timeless comedy, because it ultimately doesnt mean anything, and therefore its sort of liberating.

In Greece, they visited the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and other ruins, where Coogan expounded on Greek philosophy. I have a greater and deeper knowledge of Grease the movie than he does, Brydon said.

Id happily admit that, Coogan said, and returned his thoughts to the ancients: Aristotle, Socrates.

Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta.

Aristotle talks about striving for excellence, Coogan said. It was a noble human pursuit, just to perfect whatever it is you do.

The title song from Grease wasnt in the original stage production, Brydon offered, nibbling on feta. Frankie Valli, of course. It was written by Barry Gibb, specifically for the film.

Yeah, Coogan said. Its important in comedy not to duplicate skill sets. Did they have a favorite Greek god? Zeus, Coogan answered, because he is flawed.

Does he remind you of anyone? Brydon prodded.

Youre not going to lure me into comparing myself to a god, Coogan said. But, if you put a gun to my head and said, Which kind of god do you identify with, Steve?, Id say, Not the Christian one. Brydon was struggling with some pistachio shells. Dont your nails start to get sore pulling them apart? Coogan asked.

Its all about technique, Brydon said. Youve got to know where on the shell to apply the pressure. Its a bit like life.

So you are really into philosophy, just not Greek philosophy, Coogan said, not quite impressed. Youre into pistachio philosophy. Brydon, pleased with his progress, displayed his bowl of nuts.

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Cruise the Greek Islands with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon - The New Yorker

Meet kumu the whitesaddle goatfish – Thegardenisland.com

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Kumu is Hawaiis only endemic shallow-water goat fish. It occurs no where else in the world other then here in Hawaii, and it was once one of the most common fish on the reef. You often see the word kumu used in the Hawaiian language, like kumu hula or master teacher in the art of hula

This special fish is in the goat fish family, and has two barbels that resemble the goats beard. They use these barbels as little electromagnetic sensors that probe the sandy bottom to find hidden shrimp, crabs or small fish. Kumu is very good at finding small creatures hiding in the sand. and this may have lead to their decline in numbers. Kumu is such a master at finding the hidden food that other fish follow it around and try to steal the meal as soon as kumu scares it up from its sandy home. It is really fun to watch kumu hunting with two papio (jacks) on each side just waiting to steal its hard-earned meal.

Back in the 1950s the state imported the blue-stripe snapper (taape) from Marquesas Islands into Hawaiian waters, and this schooling fish exploded in numbers.

Today, over a third of the fish on the reef are taape, and they can have over 500 fish in one large school.

Now when the kumu is out feeding, hundreds of taape are in the area to steal its meal versus one or two papio in the past. The taape realized quickly that the kumu is a master at finding dinner, and they have taken advantage of this and have almost wiped out this colorful, native Hawaiian species.

Kumu are good to eat, and were one of the Hawaiians favorite food fish, but now they are quite rare and tend to live in caves where they feed at night.

Their bright-red color is actually black when they are in a cave because the red wavelength of light does not make it into the cave, so kumu are actually black, and are hard to see, so they can hide from the sharks, monk seals and large predator fish that might eat them.

You can see kumu in action in the movie The Worlds Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fish at underwater2web.com.

Terry Lilley, a marine biologist and lives in Hanalei. His websites include underwater-2web.com and http://www.gofundme.com/5urrm4zw.

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Meet kumu the whitesaddle goatfish - Thegardenisland.com

No new COVID-19 cases reported on Big Island – West Hawaii Today

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The state Department of Health reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, all on Oahu, bringing the statewide total to 651 cases.

Two of the new cases were on Oahu and the other was on Maui, according to the department.

With the new cases, the City and County of Honolulu has now recorded 421 cases and Maui 119.

Hawaii County has now recorded 81 cases after the department said Saturday that a case was removed from the list as the result of updated testing information. All of the patients have since recovered and been released from isolation.

Kauai Countys tally remained at 20.

Ten of the total cases are Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state but reported as Hawaii cases according to guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There have been 17 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Hawaii, 11 on Oahu and six on Maui.

Of the statewide cases, 606 individuals have been released from isolation.

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No new COVID-19 cases reported on Big Island - West Hawaii Today

Staten Island obituaries for May 31, 2020 – silive.com

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The following is a roundup of obituaries published on SILive.com. Viewing times and guestbooks can be found here.

James Whitford IV, 80, Advance editor and teacher who knew Staten Island like no one else; he cared about his family and the family of Staten Island, died last Sunday at home.

Mark Pompa, 53, beloved father, husband, and brother, of Staten Island, N.Y., died on Monday, April 20, 2020 due to COVID-19.

Lt. Charles (Sunny) Nola, 91, retired from NYFD Engine 162 and took varied leadership roles in S.I. youth sports over many years, died at home on May 24, 2020 surrounded by his family.

Russell Charles Grimshaw, 91, native Islander, died peacefully at home on May 25, 2020.

James Frazier, 90, Army veteran, police sergeant, traveled far and wide in retirement, died on May 25, 2020, at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Dominick C. Dente, 96, WWII Navy Veteran, native Staten Islander, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died peacefully on May 27, 2020 at his home.

Ely Cohen, 88, U.S. Army veteran, educator and leader, of Willowbrook, Staten Island, New York, died May 24, 2020, at Staten Island University Hospital.

Jerry (Azaria) Capuano, 87, Navy veteran, retired NYPD detective, family man, died peacefully on May 25, 2020.

Betty Amaniera (nee Johnson), 97, native Staten Islander, died on May 11, 2020.

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Staten Island ShopRite melee ignites feuding factions on masks in pandemic – silive.com

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A viral video showing an angry mob forcing a mask-less grocery store customer out of a ShopRite on the South Shore has drawn the ire of the anti-mask movement, while participants on both sides of the melee have since provided their own account of what happened.

The heated confrontation occurred nearly three weeks ago inside the Charleston location.

An Instagram user who identified herself as the woman without a mask in the video said she would have fought off the crowd, but [its] very different when youre a young woman alone, being attacked by all these grown a-- men, and mind you I had my 1-year-old daughter with me... its scary.

As employees and shoppers berate the woman for not wearing a mask, one man calls her a dirty a-- pig, while another man off-camera is heard shouting, get the f--- out of here!

One of the shoppers in the video who was wearing a mask claimed the woman was the aggressor.

William Pellegrino, of New Jersey, who identified himself as the man in the camouflage mask, told the Advance/SILive.com the video footage was preceded by a confrontation that was not filmed.

He heard yelling and walked toward the ruckus. The video begins some time after the fight started.

Pellegrino said he wasnt certain of her motive for not wearing a mask, but that she was arguing with the crowd, saying, 'Why does it matter to any of you?'

A spokesman for ShopRite said the store contacted authorities following the incident, though it didnt appear Thursday that police had taken any action in the matter.

The spokesman said earlier this week the only exception for not wearing a mask would be a medical condition, and if customers see someone in the store without one they should contact management rather than addressing the issue themselves.

The woman did not mention in her comments if she had a medical condition, and did not respond to requests for comment.

Deputies from the New York City Office of the Sheriff distributed 3,000 masks at the FDR Boardwalk Sunday in South Beach. May 3, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason Paderon

ANTI-MASKERS ERUPT

On Instagram, dozens commended the mask-less woman for standing her ground.

Responding to the support and defending her decision to ultimately leave the store, the woman in the Instagram account said she "unfortunately was the only one speaking up...its really a joke at this point.

One version of the video posted by IG account @we_are_the_revoluti0n garnered nearly 20,000 views and hundreds of comments.

The post was captioned: When the sheep gather up and enforce mask laws.

The accounts home page shows a link to a documentary that discredits world history as its currently taught, including claims 6 million Jews did not die during the Holocaust, and Truths including The destruction of Europe and Western Civilization," and The New World Order and the Satanic Endgoal.

Many conspiracy theorists -- some who identify as truthers -- believe that information funneled from scientists and government leaders to the mainstream media, including the importance of masks, is either fake news or over exaggerated in an attempt to fool the American public for the financial and personal gain of liberal politicians and other elite members of society.

The recommendation to wear a mask comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nations director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and several other top health officials across the globe as an effective way to prevent droplets from spreading to others and therefore slowing the spread.

Some truthers and President Trump supporters cite reports that one type of N95 mask, or wearing the mask incorrectly, could harm others.

An executive order issued this week allowing businesses to refuse service to anyone without a mask came days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed the issue at a press conference Monday.

FILE - In this May 21, 2020 file photo, President Donald Trump holds a face mask in his left hand as he speaks during a tour of Ford's Rawsonville Components Plant that has been converted to making personal protection and medical equipment, in Ypsilanti, Mich. From the U.S. president to the British prime minister's top aide and far beyond, leading officials around the world are refusing to wear masks or breaking confinement rules meant to protect their populations from the coronavirus and slow the pandemic. While some are punished when they're caught, or publicly repent, others shrug off the violations as if the rules don't apply to them. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)AP

TRUMP GOES MASK-LESS

As hundreds protested earlier this month for the early reopening of businesses on Staten Island, some were mask-less and congregating within inches of each other. One sign read, Masks dont work, people should.

Several protestors showed support for Trump, who continuously has appeared on television in public places within close proximity to others not wearing a mask.

Not all anti-maskers are conspiracy theorists, but many believe the governments support of the mask and inclusion of suspected COVID-19 cases in the data reported publicly is a political ploy by Democrats to make the federal government look worse in its handling of the crisis, while accusing hospitals across the U.S. of inflating numbers for additional federal funding.

Politically, they often self-identify as anti-liberal, anti-media, anti-elite and question the opinions of doctors in both science and medicine commissioned to council government leaders around the globe.

Government leaders in New York credit the masks and the shutdown with flattening the curve," as was the formula in several other nations. Officials have said the suspected COVID-19 cases based on a patients symptoms is necessary in obtaining a true picture of the impact, due to a lack of testing thats made it impossible to test anyone exhibiting symptoms.

At a press conference last month, Trump suggested New York City was padding the number of total deaths with suspected COVID-19 deaths, in an effort to obtain more federal funding than needed.

More than 100,000 people across the U.S. reportedly have died from coronavirus (COVID-19), as the World Health Organization has deemed the Americas the current epicenter of the pandemic. Most who have died were seniors, or had pre-existing conditions. Though some were not, and reports of a new illness in children which the CDC has linked to COVID-19 has raised new concerns among experts and the general public.

Hundreds gather at the old DMV parking lot in Travis for a rally to reopen New York City for business. May 16, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

SHADES OF THE SPANISH FLU

During the Spanish Flu of 1918 and 1919 that killed 675,000 people in the U.S., local governments instructed residents to wear a mask in order to help prevent the virus spread.

While compliance was high, some complained the masks were uncomfortable, ineffective or bad for business, while public officials were seen publicly without one, according to History.com.

Mask slackers were arrested and taken to court by the hundreds; a health official shot an unmasked protester, and thousands attended meetings held by the Anti-Mask League in San Francisco, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Some public officials were among those seen publicly not wearing a mask.

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Allow Staten Island students to have outdoor graduation ceremonies, city official says – SILive.com

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Members of the Class of 2020 should be allowed to graduate at outdoor ceremonies similar to their New Jersey counterparts, a city councilman says.

In a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Minority Leader Steven Matteo asked that he consider following the lead of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who announced that schools in the Garden State will be allowed to hold outdoor ceremonies beginning July 6 provided they comply with appropriate social distancing rules due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As you know, the lives of our children have been upended, Matteo wrote. "Those who are in the Class of 2020 did not have the opportunity to participate in many of the rites of passage experienced by graduates for many decades, including attending their proms with their friends and a full in-person graduation ceremony."

Governor Murphys plan is rational, safe, and recognizes the unique position the Class of 2020 finds themselves in through no fault of their own, he added.

On behalf of the Class of 2020, I ask that you implement a plans similar to the one announced by Governor Murphy. Lets give the Class of 2020 a chance to celebrate together in a safe, socially distanced way.

New York City schools have been closed since March 16 as a result of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with all schools statewide closed since March 18.

Initially, city schools were slated to be closed until at least April 20. Several extensions were enacted at the state level before Cuomo officially announced May 1 that they would remain closed for the rest of the academic year with remote learning set to continue, shattering many graduates hopes of being together one final time.

Some schools across the borough have handed out lawn signs to acknowledge their graduates.

While there has not been a final deicision about if and when schools might be able to hold commencement ceremonies in New York state, many have opted for virtual graduations.

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Allow Staten Island students to have outdoor graduation ceremonies, city official says - SILive.com

The island that can save America | TheHill – The Hill

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Homemade masks. Ventilators from Russia. Critical drugs in scarce supply. As our health care workers scramble to fight the pandemic with insufficient tools, the country has woken at last to the danger of our reliance on foreign-produced drugs and medical equipment.

The Trump administration took an initial step toward rectifying it last week. It awarded a$354 millioncontract to a Virginia company to make COVID-19 treatments on U.S. soil, leading Peter Navarro, the president's economic trade advisor, tocall itan historic turning point.

As we focus on rebuilding our formerly vibrant pharmaceutical manufacturing base, policymakers should remember the place where so much of it was once located: Puerto Rico. That began to change in 1996, when federal tax policy spurred manufacturers tomove outof Puerto Rico to foreign countries with cheap labor and low taxes, like China and India.

Puerto Rico can still offer immediate solutions to the current crisis, however, if the administration and Congress use the next relief package to create economic incentives to address two urgent needs at once: re-domesticating pharmaceutical manufacturing and stimulating the Puerto Rican economy.

Before 1996, the tax code gave makers of drugs and medical devicesfavorable treatmentfor manufacturing products in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico. At that time, Puerto Rico was the American engine of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing. Many, if not most, domestic companies had a presence there. In an effort to curb"corporate welfare,"however, the Republican Congress passed and President Clinton signed theSmall Business Job Protection Act of 1996, which phased out the tax exemption. The results were predictable.

The manufacturersreduced or eliminatedtheir operations in Puerto Rico,movingthem to China, India and Ireland, which welcomed their presence with favorable economic policies. Puerto Rico's economy slid into a 14-year recession from which it has yet to recover. With Puerto Ricos bond rating at junk status, Congress passed aspecial lawin 2017 permitting it to file for bankruptcy, where it has remained ever since.

Another law passed in 2017, theTax Cuts and Jobs Act, further discouraged manufacturing on the island. Under the act, income generated from the Puerto Rican operations of U.S. companies is treated as foreign income and subjected to double taxation. The pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers that remained began to rethink their decision to stay.

Puerto Rico has been severely tested by two major hurricanes and a series of earthquakes. Now, COVID-19 has aggravated its distress, putting the island on lockdown and keeping away the tourists on which it relies. As with tourism in the rest of the United States, it will require much time to recover in Puerto Rico. There is, however, an opportunity now to revive both the Puerto Rican economy and America's capacity to manufacture medical products.

While many manufacturers have left the commonwealth, those that remain play a vital role in American's health care. According to the FDA,one in 10 pharmaceuticalsused by U.S. citizens is manufactured in Puerto Rico. The dollar value of pharmaceuticals produced in Puerto Rico, in fact,exceeds the outputof any other single state or foreign country.

The U.S. has a dire need to end its reliance on foreign-produced pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, and Puerto Rico has ready solutions. It has the manufacturing infrastructure in place; it has the ability to fire up limited and closed facilities; and it has experienced, cost-effective labor. Now, President TrumpDonald John TrumpDonald Trump and Joe Biden create different narratives for the election The hollowing out of the CDC Poll: Biden widens lead over Trump to 10 points MORE and Congress can solve two problems in one stroke. The next relief package should: one, eliminate the foreign tax treatment of manufacturing income generated in Puerto Rico; and two, re-institute the tax incentives for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing operations located in Puerto Rico.

These policies will not cost federal and state dollars; instead, they will increase tax revenues as American companies return their operations and supply chains back to U.S. soil.

The United States must regain its competitive edge against the foreign jurisdictions that lured American pharmaceutical manufacturers away. In the long-term, that cannot be achieved through government contracts, but through economic incentives that will make manufacturers want to return. By adopting common sense measures that provide those incentives and rely upon market forces, President Trump and Congress can strengthen both the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain and Puerto Rico at once.

Luis G. Rivera Marin, J.D., is Puerto Rico's former secretary of state. He is currently the general manager of Porzio Life Sciences' Puerto Rico operations and of counsel to Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, P.C.

Christopher P. Dephillips , J.D., is the vice president and general counsel to Porzio Life Sciences. He also serves as an assemblyman for New Jersey's 40th District, one of the areas in the country hit hardest by COVID-19.

William J. Hughes, Jr., J.D., M.A., LL.M., is a principal with Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, P.C. He is a former assistant U.S. attorney and Trial Attorney for the United States Department of Justice.

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The island that can save America | TheHill - The Hill