Weather Update for Sunday July 16th,2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A SURFACE TROUGH ACROSS THE BAHAMAS COUPLED WITH DEEP LAYERED TROUGHING CONTINUES TO INCREASE SHOWER CHANCES OVER THE ISLANDS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR THE RISK OF WATERSPOUTS.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY AND WARM WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, SOME BECOMING HEAVY AT TIMES.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS, BUT FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 91°F 33°C
LOW TEMPERATURE TONIGHT: 75°F 24°C
SUNRISE: 06:30 AM MOONSET: 01:12 PM LOW TIDE: 07:42 AM
SUNSET: 08:02 PM MOONRISE: 01:12AM MON. HIGH TIDE: 01:59 PM
LOW TIDE: 08:14 PM
HIGH TIDE: 02:12 AM MON.
***LAST QUARTER MOON @ 3:26PM***
EXTENDED FORECAST: THE SURFACE TROUGH WILL GRADUALLY SHIFT WEST OF THE ISLANDS THROUGH TUESDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS ACROSS THE AREA.
FORECAST FOR MONDAY
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY AND WARM WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
Social Media Statements on Brandie Nova Anderson false says IC & AG
The Integrity Commission & the Attorney General's Chambers jointly released a statement to RTC News following a fake story.
This matter on a publication by someone who appears to be under a pseudonym has been published on various social media sites viciously defaming the Registrar of Lands, Ms. Brandie Anderson.
Ms. Anderson was appointed Registrar of Lands, on November 3rd, 2014 following an open competition for the post and was successful having gone through the procedures set out in the Public Service Ordinance.
Ms. Anderson came to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government with various qualifications and having had over twelve years of legal practice in the private and public sectors in Jamaica and has transformed the Land Registry into an efficient operation in accordance with the requirements of the Registered Land Ordinance and has garnered the respect of her peers both within and outside of the public service. Ms. Anderson came to the Turks and Caicos Islands with a clean police record.
Having seen the public statement from the Integrity Commission, it is now very clear that some person or persons hiding behind the name "Joshua Pierre" made a malicious and damaging publication that has no basis in truth as it has been confirmed that no investigation into Ms. Anderson is being carried out by the Integrity Commission.
The Commission has a constitutional and statutory obligation to investigate every complaint or report of alleged act of corruption or breach of the Code of Conduct with a view primarily, to establish the truth or falsity of the complaint or report. This is what the Commission proposes to do in this case.
The Commission recognizes that social media provides a platform through which persons freely interact and communicate various information on any matter, using their names, pseudonyms or plainly anonymous. When social media exchanges relate to or concern the Commission or its operations, it is not the policy of the Commission to respond to such exchanges, unless it is absolutely necessary to safeguard not only the effective discharge of the Commission’s mandate but also public confidence in its ability to continue to do so. This includes the discharge of its strict confidentiality obligations. Equally to be emphasized, is that persons who use the liberty of social media as a cloak to make or give false and malicious information, complaints or reports against other persons, agencies or institutions, must be prepared to face the severe consequences under the law for so doing.
The Government's funds, including that, which have been appropriated to the Land Registry, are managed and paid through strict financial management and procurement procedures, and audited at the end of each Financial Year. There has been no finding to implicate Ms. Anderson of any wrongdoing since she commenced her service with TCIG.
All persons are reminded of the serious legal consequences of causing damage to the professional reputation of public officers who are merely seeking to carry out their functions in accordance with the high professional standards of the public service. Public officers are reminded of Circular No.2 on Social Media issued by the Deputy Governor in June 2017 and in particular, that under penalty of law, officers are reminded to uphold and maintain the highest ethical and processional standards and to not -in activities that would bring himself or herself or the public service into disrepute, and at all times shall discharge his or her duties and generally conduct himself or herself with integrity, impartiality and honesty."
This matter has been referred to the Police.
Floyd Mayweather uses homophobic slur after accusing Conor McGregor of racism
Floyd Mayweather used a homophobic slur after accusing Conor McGregor of racist comments during the media tour to promote their Las Vegas fight.
Mayweather will face UFC lightweight title-holder McGregor in 12 rounds under boxing rules in August.
"He called black people monkeys," said the American, 40, during a news conference at Wembley Arena on Friday.
Mayweather then addressed McGregor as: "You punk. You faggot. You ho."
In response to accusations of racism, McGregor has said that he is a "multicultural individual".
The 29-year-old is alleged to have made racist comments during the third stop of the tour in New York on Thursday.
"He totally disrespected black women," added Mayweather. "Then he spoke disrespectfully to my mother and he spoke disrespectfully to my daughter."
Former five-weight boxing world champion Mayweather and his opponent McGregor have conducted a series of press conferences in recent days to promote their fight, with stops in Los Angeles and Toronto before the trips to New York and London.
Source-BBC
Knicks halt Carmelo Anthony trade talks
The New York Knicks are reportedly putting the brakes on talks to trade Carmello Anthony.
League sources told ESPN that the team is considering the possibility of reincorporating the small forward into the franchise.
The Knicks were in talks for nearly a month with the Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers to work out a deal for Anthony. New York is now stepping back from trade talks for a short period of time, league sources told ESPN.
Anthony was said to be eager to waive his no-trade clause to join either team.
Source-ABC
Bucks to schedule free-agency meeting with Derrick Rose
The Milwaukee Bucks are in talks with representatives for free-agent point guard Derrick Rose, sources tell ESPN.
The two sides will schedule a meeting that will be held in Los Angeles.
One concern in the agreement with Milwaukee has been compensation. The Bucks will have to shed salary in order to offer Rose a worthwhile deal. The Bucks only have $4.4 million available to sign a free agent. Going over the $4.4 million salary would trigger the NBA hard cap and the Bucks will not be allowed to exceed salaries of $125.2 million.
Representatives for Rose and the Bucks want to find a new team for Rose, who is the top free agent currently. Rose has also met with the LA Clippers.
Source-ESPN
Tyler Perry inks major film and television deal with Viacom
Tyler Perry has just signed a major wide ranging content deal with Viacom.
According to Variety, Perry has confirmed a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures which will also allow him to produce TV shows for BET and other Viacom networks.
The film deal will take effect immediately, while the television deal will begin in May 2019, after Perry's current deal with OWN expires.
As part of the five-year TV deal, Perry will have to "deliver some 90 episodes of comedy and drama series a year."
“Viacom has a rich tradition of reaching my audience through their TV, film and digital platforms and I am excited to partner with them,” Perry said in a statement. “I am eager to have one home where I can leverage all of their assets to tell my stories to an even wider audience."
For the past four years, the director-actor has helped to create several notable prime time series for OWN, including The Haves and Have Nots and If Loving You Is Wrong.
Source-ABC
DMX posts $500,000 bail following Thursday arrest, released from jail
DMX has been released from jail after posting $500,000 bail. The rapper, born Earl Simmons, surrendered to law enforcement agents Thursday on tax evasion charges and was subsequently arrested.
As previously reported, Simmons faces federal charges of engaging in a multi-year scheme to conceal millions of dollars of income from the IRS and to avoid paying $1.7 million of tax liabilities from musical recordings and performances from 2002-2005.
Between 2010 - 2015, the entertainer made more than two million dollars, but did not file personal income tax returns.
Other allegations against Simmons claim that he went out of his way to evade taxes by setting up bank accounts in the names of others, paying personal expenses in cash and even refusing to appear on Celebrity Couples Therapy until he was re-issued a previously issued check, this time without taxes withheld.
Simmons is due back to federal court in Manhattan on Monday morning; he faces 14 counts related to tax fraud. Before then, he's restricted to traveling only in New York City and the immediate surrounding area.
Source-ABC
Trump at Bastille Day was Deeply Symbolic
U.S. President Donald Trump was the guest of honor Friday at France’s Bastille Day celebrations, an elaborate display that included military bands, flyovers by American jet fighters, and a parade that lasted more than two hours to mark the centennial of the U.S. entry into the First World War.
The American flag flew along with the French flag on Paris’ famed Champs Elysees, where U.S. troops marched in a parade with thousands of French soldiers, tanks, missile launchers, and armored personnel carriers.
More than 3,500 police took positions along the parade route to guard against potential terrorist attacks.
"We have also found sure allies, friends, who came to help us," Macron said."The United States of America are among them. This is why nothing will separate us, never.The presence today of the U.S. president, Donald Trump, and his wife is the sign of a friendship that lasts through time."
In saying goodbye Friday, the Trumps, President Macron and his wife, Brigitte, walked together before Macron took Trump's hand and shook it firmly for several seconds -- in what has appeared to become a tradition for the two men.President Trump and first lady Melania Trump then went by motorcade to Orly Airport, where they boarded Air Force One for their flight to their next stop in New Jersey.
The celebrations in Paris came one year after a truck attack in the Mediterranean city of Nice killed 86 people. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.
Source-VOA
3.5 magnitude quake rocks BVI
An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.50 was felt in the British Virgin Islands late Thursday.
The Puerto Rico Seismic Network says the quake occurred 7:23 pm (local time) at 18.27, longitude 64.66, or 16.67 kilometres south-south-east of Road Town, at a depth of 21 kilometres.
The government's Department of Disaster Management said “No tsunami watches or warnings were issued for the Virgin Islands from this event.”
However, it reminded residents that they live in a seismically active zone, which makes the territory vulnerable to earthquakes.
CDB and UN Agencies partnering to achieve SDGs in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women have embarked on a collaborative approach, combining technical expertise and lessons learned over their many years of development work in the Region. In a time of shrinking resources, the agencies are partnering to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Caribbean.
CDB, UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women today signed agreements that allow CDB to utilise expertise from the agencies in the execution of specific projects, which the Bank is funding, so that the most effective outcomes for the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries are achieved. The signing took place at CDB’s headquarters.
Acting Vice-President (Operations) at CDB, Monica La Bennett, who signed on behalf of the Bank said the signing strengthened the ongoing spirit of collaboration between the two development partners.
“The signing of these agreements underscores the value of partnerships in helping Caribbean countries achieve their goals and targets under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We welcome this strengthened cooperation between CDB, UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women and look forward to working together towards the ultimate goal of no poverty,” La Bennett said.
Under the agreement, UNICEF, UNFPA or UN Women may be called upon to execute projects financed by CDB to reduce poverty and accelerate the achievement of SDGs in the Caribbean Region, where external support is needed. There is also expected to be an exchange of knowledge and information relating to the achievement of the SDGs.
Cooperating to protect the rights of children in the Region
Ms. Fatoumata Ndiaye, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director said: “A strong foundation for partnership has long existed between UNICEF and CDB in the Caribbean. This Agreement will open the window ever wider so that we strengthen our own sub-regional approach through the strong outreach of CDB’s networks and convening powers.”
The UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Team has long been emphasizing the importance of the relationship and strong partnership with the CDB. We at headquarters equally recognize that importance. We will go from strength to strength to build an even more beautiful partnership for the children and young people of the Caribbean,” she added.
Collaborating for a more productive, healthier Caribbean
Ms. Alison Drayton, Director, UNFPA Subregional Office for the Caribbean, signed the agreement on behalf of UNFPA.
“The signing of this agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank will open opportunities for a wide collaboration efforts towards the systematic reduction of poverty in the Caribbean through social and economic development. UNFPA looks forward to sharing our technical expertise and evidence-based support to ensure that every woman, adolescent and youth in the Caribbean can realize their full potential and contribute to economic and social transformation. UNFPA is committed in contributing to develop capacity in data collection and analysis to help governments track and analyze population trends in areas such as fertility, mortality, migration and ageing,” she said.
Partnering to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls
Making the Sustainable Development Goals work for women and girls is central to achieving the SDGs. The attainment of Gender Equality is both a stand-alone goal – Goal 5 – and a goal that cuts across and has a direct and significant impact on the realisation of the other 16 SDGs.
“Working in development, we understand clearly that while we have individual agency mandates of focus, because each mandate has impact on the other, it is only through collaboration that we can be truly responsive to needs on the ground whilst working towards the realisation of safety and justice, resilience, equity, prosperity and the overarching goal of sustainable development for the Caribbean,” said Ms. M. Alison McLean, Representative – UN Women MCO Caribbean.
“The United Nations agencies in the Caribbean are working under the common basis of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework – the MSDF – to ensure coherence and appropriate scale in the design and delivery of programme support. In this time of shrinking resources, we are delighted to expand this cooperative approach to partner with the Caribbean Development Bank – a significant contributor to socio-economic development in the Caribbean, to meet the priority needs of the Governments and people of the Caribbean,” Ms. McLean continued.