PUBLIC FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY 26TH MAY, 2021
HIGH PRESSURE RIDGING CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE WEATHER PATTERN OVER THE BAHAMAS THROUGH TONIGHT.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION FOR RIP CURRENTS ALONG EAST COAST BEACHES.
AREA: ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY, WARM AND A BIT BREEZY WITH THE CHANCE OF A LIGHT PASSING SHOWER OR TWO TODAY… BECOMING MOSTLY FAIR AND MILD TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT IN THE CENTRAL AND TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, AND NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, AND 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE CENTRAL AND TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS.
TODAY’S HIGH TEMPERATURE: 88°F / 31°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE: 72°F / 22°C
SUNSET: 7:51 PM
SUNRISE: 6:21 AM THU.
MOONRISE: 8:25 PM
MOONSET: 7:19 AM THU.
LOW TIDE: 2:19 PM
HIGH TIDE: 8:44 PM
LOW TIDE: 3:15 AM THU.
HIGH TIDE: 9:05 AM THU.
WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR THURSDAY: HIGH PRESSURE CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN GENTLE TO MODERATE WINDS AROUND THE BAHAMA ISLANDS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: THE OFFICIAL HURRICANE SEASON COMMENCES ON THE 1ST JUNE.
George Floyd's family meets with Biden, lawmakers on policing reform
George Floyd's family came to Washington Tuesday to meet with President Joe Biden and key lawmakers involved in policing reform negotiations -- talks now stalled with no concrete progress to show one year after Floyd's death in police custody sparked worldwide protests demanding change.
Between meetings on Capitol Hill, the Floyds met with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House behind closed doors, in order to have a "private discussion" with the family because of Biden's "personal relationship," with them, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.
Biden later released a statement, saying in part, "To deliver real change, we must have accountability when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we need to build lasting trust between the vast majority of the men and women who wear the badge honorably and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect."
He continued, "We can and must have both accountability and trust and in our justice system. The negotiations on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in Congress are ongoing. I have strongly supported the legislation that passed the House, and I appreciate the good-faith efforts from Democrats and Republicans to pass a meaningful bill out of the Senate. It’s my hope they will get a bill to my desk quickly."
The Floyd family told the press following the meeting that Biden expressed that he wants to wait for "the right bill and not a rushed bill." During the visit, family attorney Chris Stewart said Biden also played with Gianna, Floyd's 7-year-old daughter, in the Oval Office, and said she "had an absolute ball" during the visit, which lasted more than an hour.
"That's why this may be a sad day across the country, but this was a super happy day, seeing her smile -- like she's still smiling," said Stewart, adding, "so if everybody could just come together, Democrat or Republican, and pass the bill."
Source-ABC
First virtual Caribbean Marketplace declared a success
The first virtual staging of Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) was a resounding success, organisers have reported.
More than 6,000 meetings were held over three days (May 11–13), giving buyers from 20 countries the chance to connect with suppliers representing more than 150 Caribbean hotels and tourism-related businesses.
“This virtual format allowed us to introduce the Caribbean to new buyers and travel advisors from over 20 markets that haven't been able to attend in the past,” said Vanessa Ledesma, acting chief executive officer and director general of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), which hosts the annual CTM.
CTM 39, the CHTA said, was especially meaningful for Caribbean hospitality professionals who have been diligently working on enhancing their products from a health safety perspective.
CHTA President Pablo Torres added that the past 15 months have been the ultimate test of the region's resiliency and ability to bounce back.
“…And bounce back is exactly what we are doing. We are back and ready to open for business better than ever,” he said, noting that the region has about 30,000 new hotel rooms in the planning and construction stage and is seeing a 10 per cent increase in its inventory.
Torres further indicated that while the pandemic disrupted Caribbean tourism and the impact will be felt for years to come, traveller interest in the Caribbean is surging.
CTM 39's virtual conference platform and resources will be available online until June 30.
Source-CHTA
Caricom describes Guyana as a 'valued member'
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has described Guyana as a “valued member” of the regional integration movement and that it was looking forward to the country's “continued contribution” to the development of the region.
In a congratulatory message marking Guyana's 55th anniversary of independence on Wednesday, Caricom Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque, said Guyana has progressed “markedly since becoming a nation.
“Guyanese have made their mark globally in diplomacy, the arts, academia and sport. A valued member of the Caribbean Community from its inception, Guyana has played a pivotal role in shaping our regional integration movement,” LaRocque said, noting that in addition, being host of the Caricom Secretariat, “confers both a symbolic and a physical dimension to the centrality of its role.
“Mr President, the Community looks forward to Guyana's continued contributions, especially in your capacity as the Lead Head of Government with responsibility for agriculture and food security in the quasi cabinet of the Conference of Heads of Government. Those priority areas have taken on increased importance under your leadership, as the Community seeks to address and recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” La Rocque said in his congratulatory message to President Irfaan Ali.
He said Caricom pledges “its continued support and commitment to the people and Government of Guyana, especially in relation to the preservation of the country's territorial integrity”.
Source-CMC
Turks and Caicos Islands 'BBB+/A-2' Sovereign Credit Ratings Affirmed
On May 26, 2021, Standard and Poors (S&P) Global Ratings affirmed its 'BBB+' long-term and 'A-2' short-term sovereign credit ratings on Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI). S&P Global Ratings also affirmed its 'AAA' transfer and convertibility assessment on the territory. The outlook remains stable.
The report, which was issued on 26th May 2021, reflects the rating agency’s expectation that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is waning, and the TCI’s economy and government finances will improve in 2021. Additionally, S & P assumes that the TCI will continue its practice of prudent financial management and limited borrowing, and that reserve balances will recover over the next two years.
On the downside, the sovereign credit rating agency cautioned that they could lower their ratings over the next two years if the rebound in tourism, which they expect ‘will occur gradually in 2021, is interrupted or turns out to be weaker than expected, leading to prolonged stress on revenues that causes the government to run persistent fiscal deficits.’ S & P could also down grade the ratings in circumstances where the TCI do not achieve financial equilibrium by fiscal 2022, owing to increased government spending above historical levels.
On the upside S & P indicated that they could raise the TCI credit rating during the next two years if sustained GDP growth rate for the country achieve pre-pandemic levels thereby boosting prosperity and economic resilience. In addition to GDP growth rate the agency indicated that in circumstances where the external economic position strengthens and the quality of TCI data improves it could upgrade TCI rating.
In arriving at its decision S & P recognized the huge impact that COVID-19 has had on TCI's largely tourism-dependent economy equating to the negative 26.8% TCIG forecast in 2020 plunging it into a recession and shrinking TCI government revenues, while health and social needs spurred increased spending. Unlike many regional peers, the TCI entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position, with sufficient cash reserves to fund its 2020/2021 fiscal deficit. S&P ratings assumes that the TCI economy will gradually rebound in 2021 resulting in a recovery sufficiently strong enough to support necessary government spending thereby limiting the need for debt financing, albeit it is still expected to borrow in FY 2021/2022 to supplement its’ spending needs. Based on current trajectory the credit ratings agency believe the TCI is poised to return to its ‘previous practice of maintaining fiscal surpluses and begin rebuilding its cash reserves as the economy strengthens over the next two years’.
The Premier in reacting to the report confirmed his expectation that the credit rating of the TCIG would remain at investment grade and his pleasure that this has now been affirmed by the S & P report. Premier Misick said “My expectation for the future is that barring any new external shocks, including a reoccurrence or resurgence of COVID-19 we are set for the return to surplus budgets, rebuilding our reserves, and an upgrade in our credit rating within the next two years.”
WhatsApp sues Indian government over new Internet rules
The messaging app WhatsApp has sued the Indian government seeking to defend its users' privacy and stop new rules that would require it to make messages "traceable" to external parties.
WhatsApp filed the lawsuit Wednesday in the Delhi High Court. It is arguing that government rules regarding the traceability of messages are unconstitutional and undermine the fundamental right to privacy.
The company currently uses end-to-end encryption for its messaging service, which encrypts messages in such a way that no one apart from the sender and receiver are able to read the messages sent between them.
The lawsuit follows sweeping regulations for technology companies announced in February that hold them more accountable for content shared on their platforms. A 90-day grace period for complying with the rules ended Wednesday.
"Civil society and technical experts around the world have consistently argued that a requirement to 'trace' private messages would break end-to-end encryption and lead to real abuse," WhatsApp said in a statement.
"WhatsApp is committed to protecting the privacy of people's personal messages and we will continue to do all we can within the laws of India to do so."
The new regulations require Internet platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to erase content authorities deem to be unlawful and to help with police investigations, including identifying the originators of "mischievous information”.
The government said it would respond to the lawsuit.
IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government is committed to ensuring the right to privacy, but that it is not an absolute right and comes with "reasonable restrictions”.
He said in a statement that asking for details of the "first originator of information" is an example of a "reasonable restriction”.
Source-AP
NBA Round Up for Tuesday
Anthony Davis scored 34 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 109-102 to level their NBA Western Conference first round play-off series.
Davis, 28, also served up 10 rebounds, while LeBron James added 23 points for the Lakers to level the series at 1-1.
"I put it on myself as all leaders do and wanted to make sure I made a statement in this game," said Davis.
"Since last year, LeBron has been on me about perfection, playing hard and playing in environments like this."
The Lakers will now switch to their home court at the Staples Center for game three of the best-of-seven series on Friday.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic scored 39 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, adding seven assists and seven rebounds in a 127-121 win.
Doncic's second straight 30-plus-point game leaves the Mavericks 2-0 up in their Western Conference series, which now heads back to Dallas for game three on Friday and game four on Sunday.
Kevin Durant scored 26 points and Joe Harris added 25 as the Brooklyn Nets eased to a 130-108 win over the Boston Celtics to lead their Eastern Conference play-off series 2-0.
The Nets entered the play-offs as favourites to land the NBA Championship but now have two matches at Boston's TD Garden in the seven-game series.
Source-BBC
Akon's SUV was stolen as he was pumping gas
Akon was targeted by a brazen car thief in the early Tuesday as the "Smack That" artist was fueling up at an Atlanta gas station.
WAGA-TV reports that Akon, 48, had apparently left his car running as he was pumping gas into his Range Rover SUV, allowing an opportunistic thief to jump into the driver's seat drive off with the luxury vehicle.
Atlanta PD Captain Dorian Graham said of the unfortunate situation, "It only takes a second for someone to jump in your vehicle and take off."
Akon wasn't harmed and, luckily, was able to retrieve his car by using a tracking app on his phone to locate his vehicle's whereabouts.
The SUV was located in nearby Forest Park, Georgia -- which is about an 11 miles drive. An investigation is ongoing but no arrests have been made.
The brazen theft transpired the day after Atlanta officials mulled over a new measure that could deter wannabe car thieves by mounting security cameras directly on gas pumps.
Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong said that the additional cameras are necessary, adding, "It is a significant enough crime and a consistent enough crime that it warrants this intervention."
In addition, drivers are being cautioned not to leave their vehicles running during gas runs.
Source-ABC
Tiger Woods makes rare public appearance following accident
Three months after undergoing emergency surgery following a serious car accident, golf pro Tiger Woods appeared in public for the first time over the weekend.
A picture shared on a Luna Perrone's Instagram account shows Woods, on crutches, posing next to the youngster who is battling Ewing's Sarcoma.
"I got to have a quick chat with @tigerwoods this weekend when I bumped into him at the soccer fields!" Luna captioned the picture. "He told me to 'stay strong' which has always been my goal! Stay strong physically and mentally and inspire others to do the same! No matter what you are going through YOU GOT THIS!!!"
"Luna ran into Tiger at the soccer fields. His daughter plays soccer and flag football at the same fields that she plays at," Luna's mother Hailey told E! Online. "He was very nice and encouraging! He told her to stay strong and she told him to stay strong, too!"
Tiger was injured in a rollover car crash in Southern California back in February. He underwent emergency surgery on his right leg and later received follow-up procedures for his injuries.
During a press conference in April, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said speed was the cause of the accident, as well as Woods' "inability to negotiate the curve of the roadway."
Woods was driving at an estimated 84 to 87 mph before the accident. The car was moving at 75 mph when Woods struck a tree, according to the sheriff.
Source-ABC
Minister for Physical Planning and Infrastructure, Hon. Akierra M. D. Missick, travels to South Caicos with PPID team
The Minister responsible for Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Akierra M. D. Missick, recently travelled to the Island of South Caicos affectionally known as ‘The Big South’. She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ian Astwood, Director of Public Works, Mr. Garvin Thomas, Principal Architect, March Macaulay and Executive Administrator, Ms. Bernadya Smith.
On arrival the Minister and PPID team were met by the District Commissioner, Mrs. Yvette Cox, and Public Works Team Member Maxwell Thomas, who escorted them as they visited various sites on South Caicos.
This initiative provided an opportunity to become cognizant of the needs, as they pertain to repairs and maintenance of the buildings visited as well as to conduct an assessment of other areas on the Island, that may also warrant preservation.
The Minister’s objective was to review ongoing government projects and to assess any additional required maintenance works on South Caicos.
The team first toured and assessed the Turks & Caicos Government Complex. They next viewed upgrades to the Conch Ground Port, where Hon. Missick met with some of the local fisherman and was able to get their views on improvements that would increase the efficiency of the seafood industry in South Caicos.
The Minister and the PPID Team then visited the Marjorie Basden High School, where the Principal Mr. Rodney Cox, afforded them a tour of the facilities, pointing out the works that were done and highlighting other maintenance needs.
Hon. Missick reminisced; “It is always a heartwarming experience returning to South Caicos, an Island that I formed many of my favorite childhood memories on. The task of revitalizing the Island of South Caicos will not be an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination; but with the guidance of key stakeholders, and the Community in South Caicos, we look forward to enhancing and developing sustainable and resilient communities together.”
The Minister expressed her commitment to offer any required assistance through the Department of Public Works and by extension, the Ministry and assured the community of South Caicos that she and the Team at PPID will maintain an open-door policy and is readily available to hear any concerns and rectify any issues that may arise.