FORECAST FOR FRIDAY 06TH OCTOBER 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A DEEP LAYERED TROUGH ACROSS THE FLORIDA PENINSULA CONTINUES TO SUPPORT UNSETTLED WEATHER ACROSS PARTS OF THE BAHAMAS WHILE A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE NORTH OF THE AREA RETREATS NORTHWARDS ALLOWING WINDS TO RELAX ACROSS THE ISLANDS.
CENTRAL BAHAMAS/ TURKS & CAICOS
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
WEATHER: ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE.
MOONSET: 7:48 AM
MOONRISE: 7:52 PM
HIGH TIDE: 8:43 AM 9:02 PM
LOW TIDE: 3:02 PM 3:15 AM SAT
EXTENDED FORECAST: WINDS WILL DIMINISH ACROSS THE BAHAMAS AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT SIGNIFICANTLY RELAXES, WITH MUCH MORE TRANQUIL MARINE CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS, FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
WEATHER: ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE.
FORECAST FOR SUNDAY
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS, FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
WEATHER: ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: PLEASE SEE LATEST NEWS ITEM ON TROPICAL STORM NATE, LOCATED OVER THE GULF OF HONDURAS.
AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS FORECAST TO FORM IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO ALONG THE SOUTHERN EXTENT OF A FRONTAL BOUNDARY, ABOUT 900 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES. THIS LOW COULD SUBSEQUENTLY ACQUIRE SOME SUBTROPICAL OR TROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS WHILE IT REMAINS NEARLY STATIONARY OVER THE NORTHEASTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THIS SYSTEM HAS A LOW CHANCE OF BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS.
Digicel Chairman Visits TCI After Hurricanes
Digicel’s Chairman, Denis O’Brien, visited the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) on Tuesday, October 3rd, to get a first-hand account of the impact of the recent hurricanes on the cluster of Islands.
His itinerary included meetings with His Excellency Dr. John Freeman, Governor Hon. Anya Williams Deputy Governor, Hon. Premier Charlene Cartwright Robinson, Hon. Sean Astwood Deputy Premier, Hon. Delroy Williams Minister of Telecommunications and Hon. Edwin Astwood Min. of Health in Grand Turk to discuss Digicel’s plans for further investment in the rebuilding of the TCI.
Mr. O’Brien’s trip also incorporated a meeting with the hard-working Digicel technical team in Providenciales and Grand Turk. “I am very impressed with the hard work and dedication that the team displayed in such a difficult time. It shows in the rapid recovery that I’ve seen here today only two weeks after Hurricane Maria impacted The Turks and Caicos Islands. I can assure you Digicel will continue to be a pillar of strength in the community as the resilient TCI team continues recovery efforts,” Mr. O’Brien stated.
- Jay Saunders, one of Digicel TCI’s founding Directors said of Denis O’Brien’s visit, “This signals that the TCI is top of mind to Digicel. In fact, the urgency with which the network restoration has been treated, with the team of engineers on the ground in quick time, sends a strong message that the loyalty of the people of The Turks and Caicos Islands to Digicel has not gone unnoticed.”
Digicel was the first mobile provider to restore 3G services in Grand Turk, a feat that according to Stephen Murad, Digicel TCI’s Chief Commercial Officer was a tremendous one for Digicel, he added, “Knowing that we were able to connect people in a desperate time of need brought us the greatest satisfaction. Our customers have been patient and understanding and we will continue to honour their commitment to us by working to restore the network fully.”
“Full restoration will take more time in some places. We will be continuously updating our customers as we complete key areas of our TV and Broadband Network” said Addison Stoddard, Chief Technical Officer.
Digicel Applies 75% Rebate After Hurricanes
Digicel will be applying a 75 percent rebate to all Postpaid, Home TV, Broadband and Corporate customers’ bills for the month of September, following the havoc wreaked by the recent hurricanes on the Turks and Caicos Islands. This rebate is due to the lapse of service, post the weather systems and also in keeping with the company’s efforts to help the public with the return to normalcy.
The Digicel technical team continues to work around the clock to restore full service to our Home Internet and TV services as well our Business Solutions network, with good progress being made. Lydia Tucker, Digicel’s Accounts & Service Director comments, “It is imperative that we ensure that we take care of our customers’ needs while still working towards the humanitarian element after two major storms.”
Digicel will continue to provide network updates to customers through all media channels and on its Facebook page.
THE TURKS & CAICOS HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER HURRICANE WATCH
ALERT #1 ON HURRICANE IRMA ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY TUESDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2017 AT 6AM EDT.
…DANGEROUS HURRICANE IRMA IS HEADING FOR THE LEEWARD ISLANDS WITH 150 MPH WINDS ……
A HURRICANE ALERT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLANDS OF THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. THIS INCLUDES THE ISLANDS OF INAGUA, ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLANDS, MAYAGUANA, LONG CAY, SAMANA CAY, RAGGED ISLANDS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS HAS NOW BEEN PLACED ON A HURRICANE ALERT! THAT MEANS HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE MENTIONED ISLANDS WITHIN 60 HOURS.
AT 5AM EDT, THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRMA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.6 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGITUDE 57.0 DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT 320 MILES EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS, 1040 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, 1120 SOUTHEAST OF MATTHEW TOWN INAGUA AND 1440 MILES SOUTHEAST OF NEW PROVIDENCE.
IRMA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 14 MPH, AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY, FOLLOW BY TURN TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST TONIGHT. ON THIS FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF IRMA WILL MOVE NEAR OR OVER PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS TONIGHT AND EARLY WEDNESDAY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 150 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IRMA IS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE LIKELY DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, BUT IRMA IS FORECAST TO REMAIN A POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 45 MILES FROM THE CENTER AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140 MILES FROM THE CENTER.
RESIDENTS IN INAGUA, ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLANDS, MAYAGUANA, LONG CAY, SAMANA CAY, RAGGED ISLANDS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS SHOULD ENSURE THAT ALL HURRICANE PREPARATION ARE PUT IN PLACE AS THEY CAN BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANE IRMA BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON. RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE BAHAMAS ARE ADVISED TO SERIOUSLY BEGIN MAKING PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE IRMA.
SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS SHOULD BEGIN TO SEEK SAFE HARBOUR FOR THEIR VESSELS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROPERLY SECURED.
THE NEXT ALERT ON HURRICANE IRMA WILL BE ISSUED AT 9AM TODAY.
HURRICANE IRMA ISSUED BY THE MET OFFICE SECTION, AT 6PM MONDAY 04TH SEPTEMBER
... IRMA STRENGTHENS AS IT HEADS TOWARD THE LEEWARD ISLANDS ...
... PREPARATIONS WITHIN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION ...
AT 5:00PM EDT, THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRMA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.7° NORTH AND LONGITUDE 54.4° WEST OR ABOUT 490 MILES EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
HURRICANE IRMA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 13 MPH AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY, FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWESTWARD LATE TUESDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF IRMA WILL MOVE NEAR OR OVER PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS TUESDAY NIGHT AND EARLY WEDNESDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 130 MILES PER HOUR (MPH) WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IRMA IS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
THE NEXT NEWS ITEM WILL BE ISSUED AT 9PM.
GOVERNOR URGES TCI TO PREPARE FOR LIKELY IMPACT OF HURRICANE
“His Excellency the Governor has urged all residents of TCI and visitors to the islands to take all possible steps to prepare for the likely impact of Hurricane Irma which is predicted to reach TCI by Thursday evening. Commenting on the hurricane, the Governor said,
‘We are following closely the progress of Hurricane Irma which is due to reach land on the Northern Leeward Islands in the next 48 hours and to continue on a path that will take it to TCI by Thursday evening and into Friday. It is forecast that Irma will be a powerful Category 4 Hurricane by the time it reaches TCI. In the light of that, I cancelled a planned trip to the UK yesterday so that I can be on hand to oversee preparations for Irma’s arrival. While we hope that the islands will escape major damage we must plan for the worst. This morning I chaired a meeting with the Premier, Ministers, Department for Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) and others to assess our state of readiness and to address where steps need to be taken. I commend all those who are working to protect TCI and its people from the threat we face. We will continue to meet each day this week to monitor the situation and to try to ensure that all possible preparations are in place.
While the authorities are doing all they can, I urge everyone in the islands to make their own preparations to protect their families and property by ensuring that they have stocked up on emergency supplies and that their places of shelter are as secure as can be. I encourage everyone to follow the advice of the DDME which will broadcast regularly on the radio and on social media. I, too, will be making a broadcast via Radio Turks & Caicos in the days ahead to up-date everyone in TCI on the situation’.”
US dollar losing its lustre as safe haven investment
In times of uncertainty or crisis, investors typically take refuge in “safe” options like the Swiss franc, gold or the US dollar, but under President Donald Trump the greenback has lost its lustre, especially to the euro.
After this week's North Korean missile launch over Japan raised fears it could trigger a major conflict, the single European currency rose above the symbolic threshold of US$1.20 for the first time since January 2015.
“The dollar and US Treasuries are typically safe haven assets. But no one really wants to own the dollar right now,” said Brad Bechtel, head of the foreign exchange trading at Jefferies.
US monetary policy also plays a role in the dollar's relative value, as do comments — or the absence thereof — from central bankers.
“The lack of faith in the US administration and the fact that the Fed has been relatively clearly not anxious to hike rates again any time soon” influence the dollar, Bechtel said.
The US currency had benefited from the promises of economic reforms from candidate Trump at the end of 2016. But the president is finding it increasingly difficult to get his pro-growth agenda through Congress.
While economic growth is strong — achieving Trump's three per cent goal in the second quarter — inflation has been persistently weak, making the Fed reluctant to raise interest rates a third time this year, a move that would benefit the US dollar.
Traders were very disappointed when Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen carefully avoided any discussion of monetary policy in a speech last week at the closely watched Jackson Hole central bankers forum.
Meanwhile, the euro is attracting more and more investors.
Thanks to the very accommodating monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB), interest rates remain very low, even negative, in the euro area.
That has made the single currency a funding vehicle for speculative trades, where investors borrow at a low interest rate to move into assets with higher returns.
“The euro with negative interest rate is a funding currency for carry trade, like Japanese yen and Swiss franc,” said Greg Anderson of BMO Capital Markets.
But that means in a time of crisis, like this week, “In a flight to safety, people ... have to buy euro.”
The economic and political situation in Europe also favours the single currency.
The region's current account surplus “has gotten much bigger than it was in the past. which is a safe haven for a currency,” Anderson told AFP.
Meanwhile, the EU political situation has stabilised, especially after the Dutch and French elections in 2017.
“European countries have proved over the last five years they are able to do things in an emergency. And the US looks like a political mess right now,” Anderson said. “The political safety of the US dollar has been damaged.”
But Sireen Harajli, currency strategist at Mizuho, said that even so the greenback “is still a safe haven currency.”
It would only take the Fed sending a positive signal or for good data on US employment, including wages, or inflation to revive the dollar.
And Anderson said the euro move to break the US$1.20 threshold has made investors nervous.
They are “on pins and needles,” he said, waiting to see what the ECB will do.
“If they don't do anything over the course of the next couple of weeks in terms of verbal intervention ... probably the market will be disposed to push the euro higher against the dollar.”
J.J. Watt raises more than $11M for Hurricane Harvey victims
The Houston Texans star tweeted Wednesday that he hoped to reach $10 million, and by midday Thursday, his YouCaring fundraiser had already spiked past $11 million.
That amount included a $200,000 donation from rapper Drake and a $1 million donation from Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart, both of which were posted Thursday.
"I can't say thank you enough. Celebrities, musicians, athletes, kids with their lemonade stands and people hosting fundraisers, businesses donating -- I cannot thank everybody enough," Watt said in a video. "My focus is very much on getting this money directly back to the people."
Watt, 28, launched his fundraiser on Sunday, and at the time hoped to raise $200,000. He has said that the money will go toward purchasing basic supplies including food, water and clothing, which he and his teammates will distribute in and around the Houston area.
Currently, he said, there are semi-trucks being filled with supplies which are set to be delivered imminently.
"It’s unbelievable," Watt said on Good Morning America Tuesday about the response he received. "The biggest part of it all is being able to see the power of what can happen when people come together. I think that’s the beauty of the people in this country: When they see somebody going through a tough time they all rally around. It’s pretty incredible and we’re going to be able to do a lot of great things to help rebuild this city, and we’re trying to raise as much as we can because we know these recovery efforts are going to be massive."
Fifth Harmony equals Destiny's Child in number of top 10 albums
One of Fifth Harmony's biggest influences is Destiny's Child, and now they have something unique in common with their idols.
As Billboard notes, Fifth Harmony's self-titled new album has debuted at #4 on the Billboard album chart. It's the group's fourth top 10 collection. Destiny's Child also scored four top 10 albums, as did the all-girl country group Dixie Chicks. When it comes to all-female groups, only The Supremes have more: they scored eight top 10 albums.
Fifth Harmony's other top 10 albums? 7/27, Reflection and the Better Together EP.
Trump to end protections for young C'bean immigrant 'Dreamers'
US President Donald Trump has decided to end a popular programme that shields hundreds of thousands of young undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants from deportation, while deferring enforcement for six months, Politico reported Sunday.
The online news outlet said the plan would give Congress, where many in his own party support the so-called "Dreamers" program, time to come up with a replacement before the grace period expires.
Trump was scheduled to announce his decision on Tuesday, but Politico said he had already made up his mind and White House aides had met Sunday to plan the rollout.
The New York Times also reported that Trump was strongly considering ending the programme after a six month delay, but said officials cautioned that he could still change his mind.
Known as DACA for Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals, the programme was put into effect in 2012 by president Barack Obama, allowing an estimated 800,000 undocumented immigrants to stay in the country for renewable two-year periods to study or work if they had come to the United States before age 16.
Trump, whose anti-immigrant rhetoric helped propel him to the White House, made ending the program a top campaign promise, although once in office he appeared to soften his stance.
Politico said Attorney General Jeff Sessions persuaded Trump to kick the programme to Congress, arguing that the legislature -- not the executive -- was responsible for writing immigration law.
Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have defended the programme.
"These are kids who know no other country, who were brought here by their parents and don't know another home," Ryan said in a radio interview on Friday. "And so I really do believe there needs to be a legislative solution."
In a letter to the White House and top Republicans and Democrats in Congress, business leaders -- including executives at Cisco, eBay, Facebook, Marriott and Microsoft -- warned of the moral and economic impact of dismantling the program.
Source -AFP