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.
Cydireo Smith of Kew Town sentenced to 7 years
20-year-old Cydireo Smith of Kew Town was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment after he plead guilty to the charge of ‘Wounding with intent’ in connection with a report made on Friday 6th January 2017.
Around 10:30 PM that date, the male complainant contacted station and reported that he had an altercation with Smith earlier that night where Smith tried to stab him but was unsuccessful. Smith left and returned with a gun and fired three shots at him. The victim received a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. Police launched an investigation.
Acting on information, on Saturday 7th January 2017, Detectives saw and arrested Cydireo Smith on suspicion of attempted murder.
He was later charged with the offense mentioned above. During his court appearance in the Supreme Court, he plead guilty to the charge.
The firearm was not recovered.
Taylor Swift & team triumphant; jury sides with her against deejay
It's over, and Taylor Swift has come out the winner.
A jury in Colorado has unanimously rejected former deejay David Mueller's claim that Taylor's mother Andrea Swift and her manager Frank Bell were responsible for him losing his job, after Taylor said he groped her backstage during a 2013 meet-and-greet.
In addition, the jury has found for Taylor in her counter claim of sexual assault and battery against Mueller. They have agreed to award her $1 in nominal damages.
After the verdict was announced, Taylor released a statement saying, "I want to thank Judge William J. Martinez and the jury for their careful consideration, my attorneys Doug Baldridge, Danielle Foley, Jay Schaudies and Katie Wright for fighting for me and anyone who feels silenced by a sexual assault, and especially anyone who offered their support throughout this four-year ordeal and two-year long trial process."
She added, "I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this. My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard. Therefore, I will be making donations in the near future to multiple organizations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves."
The trial, which began last week, pitted Taylor's claims that Mueller lifted her skirt and grabbed her bare butt, against his claims that he'd been falsely accused, and was owed the remainder of the money left on his contract when he was terminated from his job at a Denver radio station.
Initially, Mueller sued Taylor, her mom and her manager, but the judge threw out the suit against Taylor last week, saying there was no evidence to show she was involved in his termination. Taylor counter-sued, claiming assault and battery for "offensive and harmful physical contact."
During her testimony, a defiant Taylor told Mueller's attorney, "I’m not going to allow you or your client to make me feel like this was my fault, because it isn’t. I’m being blamed for the unfortunate events of his life that are a product of his decisions. Not mine.”
Source-ABC
Bermuda keeping eye on Hurricane Gert
Bermuda is keeping an eye on Hurricane Gert that could begin affecting the British Overseas Territory over the next few days with “life threatening surf and rip current”.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said that the hurricane, packing winds of 75 miles per hour was located at 450 miles west of Bermuda.
The NHC said that while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, the hurricane is moving is moving toward the north near 12 mph and a turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later on Tuesday.
It said maximum sustained winds remain near 75 mph with higher gusts.
“Gert has the opportunity to gather some strength later today or Wednesday,” the NHC said, noting that hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
“Swells generated by Gert will spread northward along the east coast of the United States from North Carolina northward to Long Island during the next couple of days. Swells are also expected to affect Bermuda during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the NHC added.
Source-CMC
Thousands Left Homeless after Sierra Leone Mudslide
Thousands of people in Sierra Leone left homeless by a mudslide which killed at least 270 people urgently need food, shelter and healthcare, aid agencies said on Tuesday, as they raced to prevent outbreaks of fatal diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
A mountainside collapsed on the outskirts of the capital Freetown on Monday morning, burying dozens of homes as people slept in one of Africa's deadliest mudslides in decades.
Rescue workers have recovered 270 bodies so far in the mountain town of Regent and the search continues for more, Freetown mayor Sam Gibson said on Tuesday.
"We estimate that at least 3,000 people are homeless ... they need shelter, medical assistance and food," Sierra Red Cross Society spokesman Abu Bakarr Tarawallie said by phone.
"We are also fearful of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Freetown. "We can only hope that this does not happen."
Contaminated water and water-logging often unleash potentially deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhea after floods and mudslides.
Torrential flooding has also destroyed buildings and covered homes in low-lying areas of Freetown, agencies said.
"Houses have been totally submerged and washed away," said Ramatu Jalloh, advocacy director at Save the Children. "Families are trying to gather their lives together but they have lost their homes, all of their possessions, their whole livelihoods."
President Ernest Bai Koroma on Monday evening told residents of Regent and other flooded areas to evacuate immediately so that military personnel and rescue workers could continue to search for survivors that might be buried underneath debris.
The United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) is providing trauma counseling and therapy to families and children in the dozen-odd communities struck by the mudslide.
"You can see people openly grieving ... there is a lot of hurt to address," said UNICEF spokesman John James.
Britain's aid department said it is sending assistance, having invested in disaster preparedness and emergency response since the Ebola outbreak which ravaged the former British colony from 2014 to 2016, infecting 14,000 people and killing 4,000.
"From stopping the Ebola outbreak in its tracks to helping the country rebuild after this deadly event - the UK continues to stand by the people of Sierra Leone," said Priti Patel, the minister of the Department for International Development.
Several aid agencies told the Thomson Reuters Foundation they were bracing for more heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Source-VOA