PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2021
GENERAL SITUATION: A WEAK HIGH PRESSURE AREA OVER THE BAHAMAS & TCI WILL MAINTAIN LIGHT TO GENTLE WINDS ACROSS THE CHAIN OF ISLANDS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: DUE TO VERY HOT TEMPERATURES, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO REMAIN HYDRATED AND REDUCE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
OVER ALL ISLANDS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, HOT AND HUMID WITH WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY AND WARM TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS.
ADVISORY: EXPECT GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE
SEAS: LESS THAN 3 FEET
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 93 °F 34 °C HEAT INDEX 109°F 43°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 75°F 24°C
SUNSET: 7:27 PM MOONSET: 2:55 PM HIGH TIDE: 3:31 PM & 3:47 AM WED
SUNRISE: 6:51 AM WED MOONRISE: 1:37 AM WED LOW TIDE: 10:04 PM & 9:54 AM WED
OUTLOOK FOR TOMORROW: PARTLY CLOUDY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: PLEASE SEE LATEST NEWS ITEM ON TROPICAL STORM KATE, LOCATED OVER THE CENTRAL TROPICAL ATLANTIC. ELSEWHERE TWO OTHER AREAS ARE BEING MONITORED:
1. A WELL DEFINED LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE COAST OF GUINEA HAS A 90% CHANCE OF CYCLONE FORMATION THROUGH 48 HOURS.
2. A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS WITH A 20% CHANCE OF CYCLONE FORMATION DURING THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.
Naomi Osaka wins in first Grand Slam
Defending champion Naomi Osaka claimed a straight-set victory at the US Open on her first Grand Slam appearance since withdrawing from the French Open.
The Japanese third seed, 23, ground down Czech world number 87 Marie Bouzkova for a 6-4 6-1 first-round win.
She will play world number 145 Olga Danilovic of Serbia next.
Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros in May, revealing she had "suffered long bouts of depression" since winning her first major title at the 2018 US Open.
The four-time major champion decided not to play at Wimbledon in June but returned for the Tokyo Olympics, where she lost in the third round.
Bouzkova showed impressive early resistance in New York, but Osaka eventually got a break at 5-4 up to seal the first set.
The 2021 Australian Open winner came into the tournament having won only three matches in the past three months but looked to have recovered her form as she overpowered and outmanoeuvred her opponent in the second set.
After her win, Osaka said she felt "really comfortable" playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium again, adding it was "kind of crazy" to play in front of fans after the tournament was held behind closed doors in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Last year when we didn't have a crowd I know it felt quite lonely for me," she said.
"I'm just really glad to see little kids in the audience and of course grown-ups too. To be playing the first night match is something I've never done before so I'm just glad I won."
Osaka celebrated her win by running over to a young fan and sharing a souvenir to remember her visit to Flushing Meadows.
Source-BBC
Vaccines appear slightly less effective at preventing hospitalization this summer, CDC says
The COVID-19 vaccines' ability to keep people out of the hospital appears to be dropping slightly, particularly for those 75 and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday during an advisory panel.
The CDC has previously estimated that 97 percent of people in the hospital being treated for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, but that data was collected before the spread of delta, a hyper-transmissible variant that many doctors have warned appears to be making people sicker.
The latest CDC analysis estimates that the ability of the COVID vaccines to keep a person out of the hospital is now between 75 percent to 95 percent.
For people older than 75 in particular, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization experienced the steepest decline, from more than 90 percent to 80 percent between June and July.
Health experts are also concerned that a person’s immunity could be waning over time, particularly among older people whose bodies are less likely than younger people to develop a strong immune response to the vaccines.
However, the vaccine still remain highly effective at preventing serious illness, according to the briefing.
As COVID-19 infections steadily increase across the country, the U.S. continues to see a concerning surge in pediatric cases just as children head back to the classroom for a new school year.
Just under 204,000 new child COVID-19 cases were reported last week, marking the second-highest week on record, according to a newly released weekly report that compiles state-by-state data on COVID-19 cases among children from the American Academy ofPediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA).
Since the onset of the pandemic, nearly 4.8 million children have tested positive for COVID-19. Last week, children represented 22.4 percent of all reported COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 has infected more than 39 million American, which is the current population size of California, the nation's most populous state with 39.5 million residents, according to census data.
The virus has killed more than 638,000 Americans, reports Johns Hopkins University.
Source-ABC
TNT PM delivers Independence Day message
“We may be bruised but we will not be defeated. I know we can overcome the challenges of the 21st-century, and emerge from this crisis.”
So said Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in his message marking Trinidad and Tobago’s 59th Independence anniversary being observed today. It is the second anniversary without fanfare since the Covid-19 pandemic was declared in 2020.
Rowley also called on the national community to draw on its “innate resilience” during trying times and when lives, including children’s lives, depended on every citizen’s sense of responsibility.
He said, “once we fully recognise our obligations and rights, that all citizens hold an equal share, we can take charge in shaping a better, collective future; not only for ourselves, and families, but for all others and all future generations who will call these twin islands home”.
Rowley noted that the word “Independence” carries “great significance for every nation as it allows their citizens to stand equally and proudly as members of a nation-state recognised in the international community”.
“This means that their citizens hold a great obligation of collective, yet individual responsibilities, privileges, duties and rights,” the Prime Minister said, as he extended “warm” Independence greetings to Trinidad and Tobago on behalf the Government and his family.
With that, however, comes the charge of each citizen being accountable for his/her individual actions within the nation-state—the magnitude of which a few may not truly understand, or choose to ignore”, he said.
He later said the world was caught up in the Covid-19 pandemic but also faced other threats including climate change, which was of particular concern to the Caribbean.
However, the PM also stated:
“I speak of rights, but placing more emphasis on responsibilities, because at this historical point every citizen is being called upon to be alert more so to his/her responsibilities; our very lives and the lives of our children depend upon it.”
He went on to “urge all citizens to seek to refine your understanding not only of your individual rights—but more so your responsibilities”.
The PM issued an appeal:“Fellow citizens let’s all truly believe and act within these ideals. The national interest, the national cause must always go above and beyond partisan politics and private interests; it must always be pre-eminent, for in this way we are all better off in all situations and for all times.”
Economic support, risks
The Prime Minister said the past 18 months “have been difficult if not destructive for the world economy, and also our Republic”.
“Our risks have been heightened by both the $5 billion disbursed on relief measures against the Covid-19 virus, and the collapse in energy prices in early 2020,” he stated.
He said during this time the Government “had to protect the lives of our most vulnerable citizens...this has placed a continued strain on the treasury, but the Government is determined to take care of the neediest”.
Rowley said “an unprecedented scenario called for unprecedented responses from everyone” and added: “As a people, we have dug deep, tapping into our innate resilience, our strength and shown our ability to adapt and cope with these changes.”
“We may be bruised, but we will not be defeated. I know we can overcome the challenges of the 21st-century, and emerge from this crisis,” he said.
The PM said first, “we must acknowledge many economic opportunities are no longer available, but the global pandemic is creating new ones”.
He said massive transformations are taking place in manufacturing, finance, medicine, security, business, music, fashion, food, entertainment, energy and climate.
“There is now a new world out there, which this country must first understand, then grasp ‘with boundless faith in our destiny’,” the PM said, adding that “entrepreneurship is the key”.
“Our citizens must unlock the Trinbago creativity, passion and energy,” he stated.“There must be a new mindset, new attitudes, new world views, searching every prospect, hungrily and courageously, to build businesses.”Rowley said T&T has to “adapt to 21st-century changes, becoming more aware of emerging realities and trends, overcome the disadvantages of complexity, and develop indigenous Trinbago models”.
He went on to assure that the Government will provide the necessary support and enabling environment and noted the recent establishment of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, which “will be mapping our transition towards a digital economy”.
“Other sectors, some traditional and some new, will receive renewed focus as we will take meaningful steps to build, re-build and create further opportunities,” Rowley stated.
He added:“Through our prudent management, and past good fortune this country has amassed some savings and other buffers which have allowed us to weather the economic storm of the pandemic. This is evident in the recent affirmation of our credit rating by Standard & Poor’s debt rating agency.”
The PM said that as an independent nation and though tiny, “we have been players on the world stage, and have established our ability to govern ourselves and hold independent and non-aligned positions in world affairs”.
Message to youths
The PM also called on young people not to shirk their responsibilities to their country.
He recalled the words of first prime minister, Dr Eric Williams, who had stated: “The strength of the nation depends on the strength of its citizens”.
He said: “In this country, it is a charge our first Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams gave the youths of the nation in that famous Youth Rally back in 1962, warning us that ‘Your responsibility is…a heavy one. If you shirk it, you betray our Nation. If you fail in that responsibility, you jeopardise your nation’,”.
Rowley said the world is caught up with the Covid-19 pandemic but “human beings are facing other threats, specifically, global climate change, alongside challenges in resource depletion, and fundamental changes in technology, business, education, health services, work; our overall way of life”.
US Fed on track to slow aid for its economy
The US Federal Reserve will start dialing back its ultra-low-rate policies this year as long as hiring continues to improve, Chair Jerome Powell said Friday (Aug 27), signalling the beginning of the end of the Fed's extraordinary response to the pandemic recession.
The Fed's move could lead, over time, to somewhat higher borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards and business loans. The Fed has been buying $120 billion a month in mortgage and Treasury bonds to try to hold down longer-term loan rates to spur borrowing and spending. Powell's comments indicate the Fed will likely announce a reduction — or “tapering” — of those purchases sometime in the final three months of this year.
In a speech given virtually to an annual gathering of central bankers, Powell stressed that the beginning of tapering does not signal any plan to start raising the Fed's benchmark short-term rate, which it has kept near zero since the pandemic tore through the economy in March 2020. Rate hikes won't likely start until the Fed had finished tapering its bond purchases.
But Powell said inflation has risen enough to meet its test of “substantial further progress” toward the Fed's goal of two per cent annual inflation over time, which was necessary to begin tapering. There has also been “clear progress,” he said, toward the Fed's goal of maximum employment.
At the same time, the Fed chair said the central bank is monitoring the economic impact of the highly contagious Delta variant, which has caused a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in the United States, especially in the south and west.
“While the Delta variant presents a near-term risk, the prospects are good for continued progress toward maximum employment,” Powell said. He spoke via webcast to the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, which is being held virtually for a second straight year because of COVID-19.
A sharp jump in inflation has put the Fed's ultra-low-interest rate policies under growing scrutiny, both in Congress and among ordinary households that are being squeezed by surging prices. Inflation, according to the Fed's preferred gauge, rose 3.6 per cent in July compared with a year earlier, the biggest increase in three decades. The month-to-month increase slowed from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent.
In his speech, Powell underscored his long-standing view that while inflation has surged, causing difficulties for millions of Americans, the price acceleration should ease once the economy further normalises from the pandemic and supply shortages abate. History, he said, suggests that the Fed should not overreact to temporary price spikes by undoing its support for the economy too aggressively. Doing so could weaken job growth.
If the Fed were to reduce its stimulus “in response to factors that turn out to be temporary,” the Fed chair said, “the ill-timed policy move unnecessarily slows hiring and other economic activity and pushes inflation lower than desired.”
Powell also noted that while average wages have risen, they haven't increased enough to raise fears of a “wage-price spiral,” as occurred during the ultra-high-inflation 1970s.
“Today,” he said, “we see little evidence of wage increases that might threaten excessive inflation.”
Most Fed officials said at their last meeting in late July that inflation had met their goal of making “substantial further progress” toward topping to per cent for some time. If the economy continued to improve, most officials said it would be appropriate to begin reducing the Fed's bond purchases later this year, according to minutes from the meeting released last week.
Complicating the situation, the resurgence of the pandemic, led by the Delta variant, has confounded the Fed's expectations that the economy and job market would be on a clear path to improvement by this fall. The Delta variant could slow spending in such areas as air travel, restaurant meals and entertainment.
Fed officials also hoped that many factors discouraging Americans from seeking jobs, such as fear of catching the virus, would begin to dissipate this fall and boost job gains. Instead, the Delta variant may renew those fears and potentially postpone the point at which the Fed can gain a clear read on the job market.
Source-AP
PREMIER ANNOUNCES POLICY ON BEACH AND COASTAL VENDING
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG), in its continued commitment to improve and expand the economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is prioritizing the development of the MSME sector through a comprehensive policy with a focus on beach and coastal vendors.
Given the potential for small business opportunities in the beach and coastal vending sector in recent years, this Government intends to focus on improving the management and regulation of the sector.
The goal through the development of the Beach and Coastal Vending Policy includes provisions to license legitimate business operators in coastal and beach areas as part of that regulatory framework to effectively and orderly manage all beach and coastal vending in line with our luxury branding.
We want to make clear: the Beach and Coastal Vending Policy is in no way a ban on the operation of current small businesses however, while the government evaluates the carrying capacity of our coastal areas, a moratorium on new business operations in coastal areas shall come into effect immediately.
This policy was developed with the best interests of all stakeholders in mind, and the immediate aim is to create a safe and enjoyable interaction with our visitors without diminishing the guest experience or undermining the integrity of brand Turks and Caicos. Through this policy, we will also ensure profitable yields for business owners.
As it relates to Sapodilla Bay, the Government has conducted a thorough assessment of the beach to ascertain its capacity to facilitate a safe and agreeable level of activity for the general public.
Initial plans are for the Government to acquire additional land to erect a permanent structure for vendors that will improve the regulation of vending at the Sapodilla Bay beach and provide a more orderly vending experience amidst other beach activities; however, this process will take time.
In the meantime, TCIG has identified an area of crown land near the beach and will build restroom facilities, vending kiosks and an appropriate allocation for parking. It has been agreed that as of 1 December 2021 vendors will operate from this location until further notice.
TCIG recognizes that there are various challenges in the management of this sector and to resolve this we will be developing vending facilities at various sites across the islands as part of our new management regime.
Statement on motor vehicle accident from the Ministry of Health and Human Services
The Ministry of Health and Human Services and the National Emergency Medical Services Department of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the individual who died on August 28th, 2021.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time. The Ministry of Health has noted speculation which has circulated on various media forums over the weekend. The N.E.M.S, TCI wishes to advise the general public that there was no delay in the dispatch of the ambulance to the scene. A review of call logs clearly demonstrated that the team was dispatched in a prompt manner when the call was received from 911 to the scene in order to render assistance.
The National Emergency Medical Services Department encourages all motorist to safely move to the left when an ambulance is approaching to assist us in responding to emergencies in a timely manner.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT
WEATHER:PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
ADVISORY: GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS ARE EXPECTED IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 3 TO 5 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
HIGH TEMP TODAY 91°F 33°C
HEAT INDEX 105°F 40°C
LOW TEMP TONIGHT 77°F 25°C
SUNRISE: 6:46 AM
MOONRISE: 5:51 PM
LOW TIDE: 11:45 AM & 12:46 AM FRI
HIGH TIDE: 6:16 PM & 6:36 AM FRI
WEATHER OUTLOOK: HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE WILL REMAIN OVER THE BAHAMAS.
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND HOT IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS BUT MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 KNOTS FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE OVER THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 1 TO 3 FEET OVER THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 7 FEET OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
Government sends condolences to Haiti following 7.2 magnitude earthquake
The Bahamas Government joining the Caribbean community in expressing sadness at the loss of life and significant damage following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti Saturday morning.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in statement saying a message of condolence has been sent to the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Haiti, adding that The Bahamas stands ready with the Caribbean community to render whatever assistance possible to our sister member of CARICOM, adding that the prayers and thoughts of the government and people of The Bahamas are with the government and people of Haiti at this very painful time.
Heartfelt condolences go out to those who lost loved ones, and we pray for the swift recovery of those who were injured and the prompt reappearance of those missing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirming that the diplomatic staff of The Bahamas embassy were not in Haiti at the time of the earthquake.
Contact has been made with the local staff of the embassy, and they are all reported to be well. Contact has been made as well with the Bahamians who are in Haiti, and they are also reported to be well. The Bahamas stands in solidarity and prayer with its friend and neighbor, Haiti, in the recovery efforts during this most difficult period.
Source-ZNS
Azeem Rafiq accuses Yorkshire of downplaying racism
Former player Azeem Rafiq has accused Yorkshire of downplaying racism by calling him the victim of "inappropriate behaviour".
Rafiq, 30, claimed last year that "institutional racism" at the club left him close to taking his own life.
Yorkshire have offered him their "profound apologies" after "several of the allegations" were upheld in an independent investigation.
"I'm frustrated and pretty angry," Rafiq said.
The independent investigation into allegations commenced in September, with the ECB writing to the club this week to ask for a copy of the findings. The club responded by saying "several of the allegations" were upheld.
Yorkshire have yet to publish the report or the recommendations though they have responded to an ECB request for a timeline of publication by stating an aim to disclose the information "in the coming weeks".
The club said the scope of the investigation - carried out by law firm Squire Patton Boggs - went beyond solely examining Rafiq's allegations, also considering whether they were institutionally racist.
"The investigation has been in depth and far from easy," the club said. "Sadly, historically, Azeem was the victim of inappropriate behaviour."
Rafiq said: "To try and say that these are historical things, yes there are things that are 10 years ago but predominantly most of my allegations relate to people that are still there in leadership positions.
"It's like saying 'we're going to punch you, knock you down and then pick you back up'. To be honest I'm absolutely sick and tired.
"I'm sick and tired of giving these people, the game, Yorkshire Cricket Club, the ECB, everyone, an opportunity to the detriment of myself.
"The damage that this last 12 months has caused me… I don't know when I will actually know that."
Rafiq also reiterated his anger at the pace of the investigation, saying he had given Yorkshire "countless opportunities to do the right thing".
In May, he said he had "lost faith", stating the process was flawed and that key supporting witnesses had not been approached to give evidence.
Yorkshire said "many witnesses" including Rafiq, current and former players, coaching staff and management, "willingly came forward" to contribute to the investigation.
In a separate process in June, Yorkshire and Rafiq failed to find a resolution in an employment tribunal case.
In that legal claim, the former England Under-19 captain alleged discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race, as well as victimisation detriment to his efforts in addressing racism at the club he told the BBC.
Source-BBC