Drone causes Gatwick Airport disruption
A drone flying close to Gatwick Airport, led to the closure of the runway and forced five flights to be diverted.
An airport spokesman said the runway had been closed for two periods of nine minutes and five minutes on Sunday evening after the drone was sighted.
Easy-jet said four of its flights had been diverted, while British Airways said one aircraft had been sent to Bournemouth. Other flights had to fly holding-patterns as a precaution.
Sussex Police is investigating.
The airport said "Runway operations at Gatwick were suspended between 18:10 BST and 18:19, and again from 18:36 to 18:41 BST, resulting in a small number of go-arounds and diverts.
"Operations have resumed and the police continue to investigate," it said.
Passengers have told the BBC how their flights were diverted away from Gatwick.
An Easy-jet spokeswoman said while the circumstances were outside of their control, Easy-jet apologises for any inconvenience caused.
In November 2016, the UK's drone code was revised and updated to help pilots ensure they fly the gadgets safely.
Former senior air traffic controller Doug Maclean told BBC News that aviation authorities had to "act on the safe side" in incidents involving drones.
Three Men from Dominican Republic Arrested in $3 Million Drug Bust
Three nationals of the Dominican Republic have been arrested while attempting to smuggle 151 kilogrammes of cocaine worth approximately $3.7 million into the United States.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, working jointly with officers of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF) arrested the trio on Monday.
A Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft had detected a 25-foot boat traveling without navigation lights. Three law enforcement vessels – one from the US Coast Guard and two from the Puerto Rico Police Department – were deployed to intercept the suspicious vessel.
Upon approach by the Coast Guard, the crew of the vessel threw five large bales overboard and sped away before stopping approximately six nautical miles north of Loiza.
The vessel was seized, the crew taken into custody and the bales recovered and found to contain128 bricks of cocaine and two objects which tested positive for heroin.
The three Dominican nationals have been charged with possession and importation of a controlled substance and failure to heave. They had their initial hearing before the magistrate Tuesday and were transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center to await the outcome of their case.
They face a term of 10 years to life in prison for the narcotics violations.
CARICOM Heads of Government meet this week
The Thirty-Eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will take place in Grenada 4 – 6 July 2017, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Grenada Dr. Rt. Hon Keith Mitchell.
Following an Opening Ceremony today 4 July at the Grenada Trade Centre, the Heads of Government will move to the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort for the business sessions on 5 -6 July. The Conference will welcome its two of its newest Members - the President of Haiti H.E. Jovenel Moise, who was sworn into office on 7 February, and the Prime Minister of The Bahamas Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis who took his oath of office on 11 May.
This meeting is expected to include the presentation for approval by the Heads of a Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy and Implementation Plan to address the development of skills for the 21st century Caribbean economy and society.
The Heads of Government are also expected to deliberate on outstanding matters related to the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) following the comprehensive review of the CSME’s performance, presented to them at the last Inter-Sessional Meeting in February.
There is also expected to be an update on the preparations for CARIFESTA XIII (23), to be staged in Barbados 17 – 27 August, under the theme “Asserting our Culture, celebrating ourselves. The work on the Commissions on Reparations and Marijuana is also expected to come under the spotlight. So too, the progress made with implementing the specified actions, agreed a decade ago, under the 2007 Port of Spain declaration to stop the epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs)”. Regional Security issues are also expected to receive attention.
A highlight of the Opening Ceremony would be the presentation of the Triennial Award for Women to the latest recipient. The Ceremony will be addressed by the two new Members of the Conference, the outgoing Chairman, President of Guyana H.E. David Granger, the incoming Chairman, and the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.
TCI Hospital launches revised Fall Prevention Program
Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital has implemented a revised program of best practices in fall prevention to help minimize the incidence and severity of falls. While not every patient fall is preventable, the health care facility has utilized a combination of steps, care processes and precision to prevent falls.
Fall Prevention Expert based in Canada, Elaine Fockler RN, has updated and customized the internal program and conducted various training sessions. The sessions included education on the tools and interventions used to assess and reduce the risk of falls and injury from falls in adults and children.
Professional disciplines beyond nursing staff including rehabilitation services, pharmacy, physicians and nonclinical staff have also been sensitized. A total of 75 clinical and 38 Facilities Management staff have received training.
Mechanisms have been developed for departments to identify and communicate if a patient is at high risk for falls. Every Friday will be observed as "Fall Prevention Friday" at TCI Hospital to ensure every in-patient receives a fall risk assessment. This initiative will be enforced in addition to the completion of fall risk assessments upon admission, upon unit transfer if there is a significant change in the patients' status and post fall.
Green armbands will be applied to all patients who are identified to be at risk of a fall. In-patients found to be at risk will receive a green triangle placed on the door of their assigned room and above their bed. Patients in the Operating Room will have green socks applied. These green identifiers will alert hospital staff members that the patient is at risk of falling and requires special assistance.
Most falls are caused by the interaction of multiple risk factors. The more risk factors a person has, the greater their chances of falling. Healthcare providers and caregivers at home can lower a person's risk by reducing or minimizing that individual's risk factors and environmental hazards.
Persons who are more likely to fall may experience risk factors such advanced age, gait & balance problems, impairments such as poor vision or muscle weakness, postural hypotension, chronic conditions including arthritis, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson's, incontinence and dementia. The revised program will help to reduce the social, psychological and economic impact of falls on individuals, families and the community.
DECR WARNS OF MEGA ONE TRITON – SAFETY HAZARD
The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) would like to advise that members of the public are to keep a safe distance from the Mega One Triton wreck, on Governor's Beach, Grand Turk.
The vessel, a former cargo ship which ran a ground during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, poses a serious hazard to individuals climbing or entering the wreck, due to the deterioration in its condition.
"The public is urgently reminded to keep a safe distance from the Mega One Triton wreck. The condition of the vessel is deteriorating and the marine conditions in this area are unpredictable, subjecting any person who may access or come into close contact with the vessel, to significant harm," said Deputy Director of the DECR Ethan Gries-bach.
A press release from the DECR will be conducting regular patrols in the area of the wreck. Anyone caught climbing or entering the wreck will be charged under the Wreck and Salvage Ordinance and will be subject to a penalty.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT MONDAY 3RD JULY 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: AN UPPER-LEVEL LOW OVER CUBA ALONG WITH A SURFACE TROUGH JUST WEST OF THE BAHAMAS WILL SUPPORT ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS... WHILE A SURFACE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE GENERATES MODERATE TO FRESH BREEZES MAINLY ACROSS THE TURKS & CAICOS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE EASTERN SHORELINES IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY, HOT AND A BIT BREEZY THIS AFTERNOON WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS...TURNING MAINLY FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE OF A FEW STRAY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS & CAICOS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS IN THE NORTHWEST & CENTRAL BAHAMAS...& EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST & CENTRAL BAHAMAS...& 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 92 °F 33 °C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE 76 °F 26 °C
SUN MOON TIDES
SUNSET: 8:04PM MOONRISE: 3:33PM HIGH TIDE: 4:55PM 5:05AM TUE
SUNRISE: 6:25AM TUE MOONSET: 3:08AM TUE LOW TIDE: 11:17PM 11:17AM TUE
WEATHER OUTLOOK: MOSTLY SUNNY, WARM AND A BIT BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
U.S. auto sales fall for fourth straight month
Major automakers on Monday reported a fourth consecutive month of lower U.S. new vehicle sales for June and came in below analyst expectations, despite hefty consumer discounts and looser loan terms, providing fresh evidence that 2017 will fall short of last year's record year for the industry.
Automakers' shares rose, however, as retail sales to consumers were relatively stable at the U.S. automakers, with General Motors Co (GM.N) asserting that the industry was set for a stronger finish to the year.
Industry consultant Autodata put the industry's seasonally adjusted annualized rate of sales at 16.51 million units, which was the lowest rate since February 2015. It came in below Wall Street expectations of 16.6 million vehicles and 2 percent lower than the June 2016 figure.
U.S. consumers continued to shun passenger cars in favor of larger pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers. Passenger car sales were also hurt as some automakers, including GM, have moved to reduce relatively low-margin sales to rental agencies.
The U.S. auto industry has been bracing for a downturn after hitting a record 17.55 million new vehicles sold in 2016. A glut of nearly new used vehicles poses competition for new vehicle sales and automakers have relied increasingly on consumer discounts and loosened lending terms.
Car shopping website Edmunds said the average length of a car loan reached a record high of 69.3 months in June.
Source-Reuters
Jamaicans hit in Phone Scam
JAMAICA is the latest country to have been affected by the 'Wangiri Scam', which resulted in hundreds of phone customers receiving missed calls from the +48 area code, originating in Poland, over the weekend.
The scam, translated in Japanese as 'one ring and cut', literally means that the caller calls once, then hangs up. By leaving the missed call message on the user's phone, the scammers hope that the users will call back, and when they do, they pocket the revenue from the call. This fraud method was said to have originated in Japan and has caused millions of dollars in losses globally.
Yesterday social media users were first to report the scam, with hundreds of people using Facebook and Twitter to voice their experiences.
Two Digicel customers told the Jamaica Observer that they had returned the calls from their postpaid numbers, only to hear music when they called. They await their bills to see how much money they have lost.
Others reported on Facebook and Twitter to getting calls in the wee hours of Sunday morning, some calling back and losing their credit.
Digicel, whose customers seemed to have been most affected, said yesterday that it has been blocking some overseas calls from numbers it believes are involved in the scam.
The company also urged customers not to return the calls.
Source-Jamaica Observer
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. wins Coke Zero 400
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. took the checkered flag Saturday in Daytona, winning the Coke Zero 400.
David Ragan was leading going into the three-lap overtime finish, but Stenhouse jumped into the lead at the end, robbing Ragan of the victory.
Stenhouse was the only driver who began the race in the top ten, and also finished in the top ten. He was helped by a series of wrecks during the race that sidelined a good bit of his competition, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his #88 Chevy.
Here are the current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup standings after Saturday's race:
1) Kyle Larson -- 667
2) Martin Truex, Jr. -- 649
3) Kyle Busch -- 559
4) Kevin Harvick -- 557
5) Brad Keselowski -- 535
6) Chase Elliott -- 524
7) Jimmie Johnson -- 504
8) Jamie McMurray -- 504
9) Denny Hamlin -- 498
10) Clint Bowyer -- 469
Source-ABC
Despicable Me 3 takes down the competition with $75.4 million debut weekend
Despicable Me 3 nailed down the top spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $75.4 million haul, but the news wasn't all good for the latest film in the franchise. The animated feature fell $10 million shy of the debut of its predecessor, Despicable Me 2.
It was a different story for Baby Driver, Edgar Wright's comedy/thriller starring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx. The film, which opened on Wednesday earned $9 million and beat expectations, earning an estimated $21 million over the three-day weekend.
Transformers: Last Knight took third place with an estimated $17 million take. It's total earnings currently stand at over $102 million stateside and $327.8 worldwide.
Wonder Woman, in fourth place, wasn't finished shattering records. It added another $15.57 million, bringing its total to over $346 million domestically and $708 million worldwide. It's now the third-largest release among all DC Comics-based features and one of the top 100 films globally.
Rounding out the top five is Disney's Cars 3, raking in another $9.5 million, for a total of $120 million here in the states. It tacked on another $53 million worldwide. ABC News is owned by Disney.
The House, starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler, debuted outside the top five, with just $9 million. It's on a course to becoming the lowest debut for a film in which Ferrell has starred.
Here are the top 10 movies from Friday through Sunday, with estimated weekend gross ticket sales:
1. Despicable Me 3, $75.4 million
2. Baby Driver, $21 million
3. Transformers: Last Knight, $17 million
4. Wonder Woman, $15.57 million
5. Cars 3, $9.5 million
6. The House, $9 million
7. 47 Meters Down, $4.68 million
8. The Beguiled, $3.25 million
9. The Mummy, $2.78 million
10. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, $2.4 million
Source-ABC