Trump again blames Charlottesville violence on both sides
US President Donald Trump has again blamed both sides for the violent unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, which left one protester dead and others injured.
In a statement on Monday, he had condemned white supremacists.
But in New York on Tuesday he also blamed left-wing supporters for charging at the "alt-right".
His latest comments drew swift criticism, including from many in his Republican party.
Many echoed Senator John McCain's view: "There is no moral equivalency between racists & Americans standing up to defy hate & bigotry".
The right-wing march had been organised to protest against the proposed removal of a statue of General Robert E Lee, who commanded the pro-slavery Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The event drew white supremacy groups.
Violence broke out after they were confronted by anti-racism groups. A car ploughed into one group of anti-racism protesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others.
On Monday, Donald Trump's condemnation of the far-right came from advisers counselling him on what was politically necessary to defuse the growing storm following the Charlottesville violence.
On Tuesday, the president said what he really thought.
Although he initially explained away the delay in condemnations of white supremacists as necessary for him to gather "the facts" of the situation, the nature of the protests were quite evident by the evening before, when demonstrators chanting white supremacist slogans held a torchlight parade through Charlottesville.
In any regard, Mr Trump has shown little reluctance in jumping to conclusions about violent incidents when it appears Islamic extremism is at play.
Upon further questioning, it became clear that the president views the Charlottesville unrest as far from a one-sided affair. Mixed in among the white supremacists, he said, were some good, peaceful people protesting the removal of a statue (of a man who led an army against the US government). And there were plenty of violent individuals among the counter-protesters as well.
When the president on Saturday said there were "many sides" to blame, he meant it.
If Donald Trump's initial handling of the fallout from Charlottesville started a political fire, on Tuesday the president poured on a bucket of kerosene and danced around the flames.
DDME provides updates on 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) has revised its original forecast and it is now predicting that the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook will be worse than previously forecasted.
In their August update, released on Wednesday August 9, 2017, forecasters indicated that there is a 60 percent chance of an above-average Hurricane Season, with 14 to 19 named storms expected throughout the season. This is an increase from 11 to 17 named storms.
In light of the updated 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast, Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), stated that 'despite the predictions from the experts, we know that it only takes ONE storm to affect the development gains that the Turks and Caicos Islands have achieved over the years. Therefore, it is important that Government departments, businesses and residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands ensure that they are prepared this Hurricane Season and continue to monitor information from DDME's Website and Social Media Pages'.
To date the following number of storms in the outlook have already occurred: Tropical Storms Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don and Emily, Gert and Hurricane Franklin.
Daniel Craig confirms he'll return for a fifth James Bond movie
It's official: Daniel Craig will return as Agent 007 in the next James Bond movie.
During his appearance on Tuesday's edition of CBS' The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert asked Craig if he would return as the secret agent. "Yes," answered the 49-year-old actor.
The New York Times had reported in July that Craig was attached to the upcoming Bond film, but he'd been dodging questions about the role, until Tuesday night.
"I always wanted to, I wanted a break," said Craig, leading Colbert to call him out on a comment he made to Time Out London in 2015, where he insisted, "I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists" than return to the role.
"It was two days after I finished shooting the last movie. I went straight into an interview and someone said, 'Would you do another one?' And I went, 'No!'" he explained. "And instead of saying something you know, with style and grace, I gave a really stupid answer."
Craig first played Agent 007 in 2006’s Casino Royale, and has since starred in three more Bond films: 2008's Quantum of Solace, 2012's Skyfall and 2015's Spectre.
The as yet untitled 25th Bond movie is slated for a 2019 release.
Source-ABC
App iTrump wins trademark fight against Trump Organization
An app developer appears to have prevailed in a long-running trademark war against the US president's business operation.
The creator of iTrump first clashed with the Trump Organization in January 2011, when the billionaire's lawyers alleged the trumpet simulator's name falsely suggested a link to the tycoon.
After defeating this claim, the developer then went on the attack.
And this resulted in the company losing a key trademark of its own last week.
On 11 August, the US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board cancelled the New York-headquartered company's exclusive right to use "Trump" in relation to entertainment services, including reality TV shows.
The ruling followed earlier victories by San Francisco-based Tom Scharfeld, in which he prevented the Trump Organization from owning the exclusive right to use "Trump" in connection with computer games, golf-related mobile apps and music streaming.
Source-BBC
Merkel vows to pressure auto firms to boost electric cars
Germany must exert pressure on auto companies to accelerate the transition to electric cars, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday as German firms try to mend their reputation after a diesel emissions scandal.
In an interview on YouTube just six weeks before a federal election, Merkel also said she would invite local governments to a meeting on Sept. 4 to discuss toxic emissions. Maybe more than 500 million euros (US$585.65 million) would be made available to a planned fund to improve urban transport infrastructure, she said.
Merkel also expressed concern about whether auto companies were sufficiently innovative in the right areas.
TODAY AND TONIGHT WEDNESDAY 16TH AUGUST, 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: AN UPPER LEVEL LOW WILL PRODUCE SOME UNSETTLED WEATHER AS IT DRIFTS SOUTHWESTWARD OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS. MEANWHILE, SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE WEATHER ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE BAHAMAS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF WATERSPOUTS TODAY. MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD ALSO BE ALERT FOR THE MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES IN THE CENTRAL AND THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS.
FOR ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND HUMID WITH SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS OR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS TODAY. MAINLY FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT WITH SOME LINGERING SHOWERS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION CONTINUES FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS. BOATERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 5 TO 10 KNOTS FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS; EASTERLY AT 12 TO 18 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 1 TO 3 FEET OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS; 3 TO 5 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE TCI.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMP.: 93°F 34°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMP.: 79°F 26°C
SUNRISE: 06:44AM WED. SUNSET: 07:43PM WED.
MOONSET: 03:09PM WED. MOONRISE: 02:26AM THU.
LOW TIDE: 09:12AM WED. HIGH TIDE: 03:43PM WED.
LOW TIDE: 10:11PM WED. HIGH TIDE: 04:02AM THU.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY: MOSTLY SUNNY, HOT AND HUMID WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS, TURNING MAINLY FAIR AND WARM AT NIGHT. WINDS: E TO SE AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NW BAHAMAS; E'LY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND E'LY AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE SE BAHAMAS. SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NW BAHAMAS; 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE SE BAHAMAS.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR FRIDAY: PARTLY CLOUDY, HOT AND HUMID WITH FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS OR ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH NIGHT TIME. WINDS: E TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NW BAHAMAS; E'LY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EASTERLY AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE SE BAHAMAS. SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE NW BAHAMAS; 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE SE BAHAMAS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: See latest News Item on hurricane Gert located 330 MILES NW OF BERMUDA ....
- A broad area of low pressure located about 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles is producing disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms.This system is moving westward at 15 to 20 mph, and it is expected to cross into the Caribbean Sea on Friday. Environmental conditions are expected to be marginally conducive for slow development of this system during the next few days. Formation chance through 5 days is medium, at about 40 percent.
- Showers and thunderstorms continue to show some signs of organization in association with an area of low pressure located about 600 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Gradual development of this system is possible before upper-level winds become less conducive for development by the weekend. This system is expected to move west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph during the next several days. Formation chance through 5 days is medium at about 40 percent. 3. A tropical wave near the west coast of Africa is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this wave while it moves westward to west-northwestward at about 15 mph during the next several days. Formation chance through 5 days is low, at about 30 percent.
IMF warns on China's credit boom
The International Monetary Fund has warned that China's credit growth is on a "dangerous trajectory".
In a new report, the IMF says there is an increasing risk of a "disruptive adjustment" and/or a marked slowdown in economic growth".
The agency calls for decisive action to deflate the credit boom smoothly.
Without the boom, the report suggests, China's recent economic expansion would have been significantly slower.
Since the global financial crisis, China's economic growth has slowed, from an average of 10% a year in the previous three decades to a rate of 6.7% last year.
The Chinese government expected a slowdown, since the earlier double-digit rate was not sustainable over the long term.
China has been trying to manage a transition to slower growth with a different pattern, one that is less dependent on industry and exports and has a greater role for consumer spending at home and service industries.
But the IMF's report says the slowdown would have been more pronounced, were it not for a boom in credit.
It suggests that over the years 2012-16, a more sustainable pattern of debt and credit would have led to economic growth that was slower by two percentage points.
The IMF sets out some disturbing evidence from previous credit booms with similarities to China's. It says that out of 43, only five were not followed by either a financial crisis or a major slowdown in economic growth.
The report does set out a number of features of China's situation that it says reduce the risks. One example is the surplus in China's current account, which is its international trade plus some financial transactions.
That makes it less dependent on borrowing from abroad and so less susceptible to a sudden loss of confidence on the part of foreign lenders - something that happened in many emerging-market financial crises.
But for each of these relatively favourable factors, the report sets out reasons why the protection they provide may be limited.
The biggest single group of debtors are state-owned enterprises (SOEs), although there have also been large increases in the debts owed by the government, other businesses and households.
SOEs are a long standing issue in China. Many are what are called zombie companies that are not financially viable and are often in industries where there is excess capacity. They account for the most pressing corporate debt issues, the report says.
There is also a warning about the housing market. A sudden "correction", or in other words, a fall in prices, could pose a risk to financial stability.
The report says that decisive action is needed.
The most general recommendation the IMF makes is that China should put less emphasis on targets for economic growth (this year it's 7.5%), as it says these "have fostered an undesirable focus on short-term, low-quality stimulus measures".
Many of the other problems reflect that feature of China's economic strategy. The report says "government has had the tendency of boosting infrastructure spending, real estate activity and credit during economic downturns to meet growth targets."
There is also a menu of other more specific initiatives the IMF suggests, including a renewed effort to deal with the zombie companies, many of which are likely to go out of business.
It says the government should consider restricting the use of unsecured loans to pay for down-payments by home buyers.
2017 PREMIER LEAGUE KICKS OFF ON FLOW
The Premier League – the world’s most popular and most watched football league – will once again dominate screens across the Caribbean, as diehard football fans get ready for another season of exclusive, must-watch live action kicking off on August 11.
Recognizing that for many sports fans in the Caribbean, “football is life,” Flow is giving customers the ultimate viewing experience with access to ten (10) action-packed live Premier League games every single week when they sign up for the Flow Sports Pack – meaning they can always follow their team. This special package also gives Flow customers exclusive access to hours of nail-biting live coverage and commentary, as well as rare behind-the-scenes footage. Customers who sign up for the Flow Sports Pack will also enjoy exclusive Premier League content that’s only available on the Flow Sports Premier network; riveting goal-by-goal coverage on Flow Sports Goal Rush; and fan favourites like the official club channels for Chelsea and Manchester United. Basically, with the Flow Sports Pack, customers will never have to worry about missing out on the action.
What’s more, with the Flow Sports App customers can take the game with them wherever they go and watch the matches live on any device, literally putting the best football league in the world right in the palm of their hands.
“It’s set to be another exciting football season and we’re proud to again give our customers exclusive access to every single Premier League match, which they can watch anytime and anywhere,” said Garry Sinclair, Flow’s President, Caribbean. “Can Chelsea do it again? Will Arsenal or Liverpool be resurgent, or will Mourinho and Guardiola bring the trophy back to Manchester? Whoever our customers support, with the Flow Sports Pack they won’t miss a minute of the action. To many of our customers football is life and, as the Home of Sports and Football in the Caribbean, we’re delighted to bring them every minute of the best football league in the world.”
The 2017/2018 season kicks off on August 11 with Arsenal playing Leicester City, and Flow TV customers will benefit from an exclusive freeview of the Flow Sports pack for the first two weekends of the season (August 11 through August 21) to get a taste of all the action that the Flow Sports pack offers!
North Korea leader holds off on Guam missile plan
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said Tuesday he would hold off on a planned missile strike near Guam, but warned the highly provocative move would go ahead in the event of further "reckless actions" by Washington.
Some analysts suggested Kim's comments opened a possible path to de-escalating a growing crisis fuelled by bellicose words between US President Donald Trump and the North Korean leadership.
Their recent exchanges were focused on a North Korean threat to fire a volley of four missiles over Japan towards the US territory of Guam, which hosts a number of strategic military bases.
The North's official KCNA news agency said Kim was briefed on the "plan for an enveloping fire at Guam" during an inspection on Monday of the Strategic Force command in charge of the nuclear-armed state's missile units.
But Kim said he would "watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees" before executing any order.
If they "persist in their extremely dangerous reckless actions on the Korean peninsula," then North Korea would take action "as already declared," he was quoted as saying.
"In order to defuse the tensions and prevent the dangerous military conflict on the Korean peninsula, it is necessary for the US to make a proper option first," he added.
China said Tuesday that the North Korean nuclear crisis had reached a "turning point" and it was time to enter peace talks.
Beijing, which is Pyongyang's main diplomatic ally, has repeatedly called on the United States and North Korea to tone down their rhetoric in recent days.
The North Korean announcement prompted joy in Guam, where officials described themselves as "almost ecstatic that Kim Jong-Un has backed off".
Tensions have been mounting since the North tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month, which appeared to bring much of the US within range.
Responding to the tests, US President Donald Trump warned Pyongyang of "fire and fury like the world has never seen", while the North responded with the Guam threat.
South Korean President Moon Jae-In weighed in on Tuesday, saying Seoul would avoid a second Korean War at all costs and "no one may decide to take military action without the consent of the Republic of Korea".
But he added there could be no dialogue before the North halts its "nuclear and missile provocations".
Moon's comments came after US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson penned an opinion piece in the The Wall Street Journal insisting that America has "no interest" in regime change in Pyongyang.
"We do not seek an excuse to garrison US troops north of the Demilitarized Zone," they wrote. "We have no desire to inflict harm on the long-suffering North Korean people, who are distinct from the hostile regime in Pyongyang."
Mattis and Tillerson called on China, which is North Korea's main trading partner, to take advantage of an "unparalleled opportunity" to assert its influence on Pyongyang, and bring its errant neighbour to heel.
Source-AFP
13 new officers join the ranks of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force
13 new officers have joined the ranks of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The new officers were sworn in as Constables on Monday 14th August 2017 by the Commissioner of Police.
The already trained officers from Jamaica are David Barnett, Marlon Dawkins, Christopher Morrison, Robert McClean, Horace Chung, Renaldo Burke, Monique Brandford, Rory Burke, Dexter Anthony, Marlon Morse, Andrea Lewis and Carl Wynters; and from the Philippines Daphney Alcima.
The officers are presently undergoing Orientation and introduction session to the Force’s Code of Conduct.
They will be assigned to the Criminal Investigations Department, Tactical Unit and Marine Branch.