Weather Update until Sunday July 2nd,2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A broad western Atlantic high pressure ridge continues to maintain brisk winds over the Central and SE Bahamas, as it shifts southward ahead of an approaching weak cold front over the Southern United States. The combination of increased surface moisture and several low to mid level troughs in the Central and Northwest Bahamas will produce some unsettled weather across the area through Thursday. These weak lows or troughs in the NW and Central Bahamas will continue over the area as surface high pressure system remains stationary through Sunday.
Wednesday 28th – Partly cloudy to occasionally cloudy with few scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms during the day through nightfall in the NW and SE Bahamas. Maximum temperature 89ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution for all areas. Winds SE'ly at 10 to 15 knots in the NW Bahamas, falling light and variable at times and E to SE at 10 to 15 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet over the entire Bahamas.
Thursday 29th – Partly to mostly cloudy with lingering showers or isolated thunderstorms mainly across the NW Bahamas during the day through night time. Elsewhere mostly sunny, hot and humid with the slight chance of showers during the day, turning fair and warm at night. Maximum temperature 90ºF and minimum temperature 80ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the SE Bahamas. Winds E to SE at 10 to 15 knots in the NW and Central Bahamas and E'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the SE Bahamas, decreasing late. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW and Central Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the SE Bahamas, decreasing late.
Friday 30th – Partly to mostly sunny, hot and humid with the slight chance of showers or a possible isolated thunderstorm during the day. Fair and warm at night. Maximum temperature 89°F and minimum temperature 80°F. Small craft caution continues in the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds E to SE at 10 to 15 knots in the NW Bahamas and E'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas and 4 to 7 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.
Saturday 01st – Partly to mostly sunny, hot and humid with few isolated passing showers or a possible isolated afternoon thunderstorm during the day. Mainly fair and warm at night. Maximum temperature 89°F and minimum temperature 80°F. Small craft caution continues in the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds E to SE at 10 to 15 knots the NW Bahamas and E'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas and 4 to 7 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.
Sunday 02nd – Partly to mostly sunny, hot and humid with few scattered showers or a possible isolated thunderstorm during the day. Mainly fair and warm at night. Maximum temperature 89ºF and minimum temperature 80ºF. Small craft caution continues early for most islands in the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds E to SE at 10 to 15 knots in the NW Bahamas and E'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas, decreasing to 15 knots or less later in the Central Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas, decreasing to 5 feet or less in the Central Bahamas later.
Beachgoers and Mariners should exercise extreme caution due to the high risk of rip currents and rough surf, especially along the northern and eastern shorelines during stated advisories. Winds and seas will be higher in heavy showers and thunderstorms. Boaters and beachgoers should be alert for possible waterspout activity and take all necessary precautions.
AGRICULTURE DEPT. ACKNOWLEDGES FOOD RECALL OF CONAGRA BRAND PRODUCT
Conagra Brand, Inc., a Milton, Pa. establishment a recall of spaghetti and Meatball products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens.
The Animal Health Service Division of the Department of Agriculture wishes to inform the public that it is issuing an immediate recall for spaghetti and meatball products Imported by Sunny Foods.
The initial recall was issued by Conagra Brands, Inc., a Milton, Pa. establishment, the company is recalling approximately 717,338 pounds of spaghetti and meatball products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product(s) contains milk, a known allergen which is not declared on the product label.
The United States Department of Agriculture has learnt that some of the recalled product was exported to the Turks and Caicos Islands. If you have bought any of this product, please do not consume it but rather return it. The Agriculture Department has ensured that all remaining product is removed from the shelves.
For further information you may contact the Agriculture Department at 946-5801.
Luis Fonsi attempts to explain "Despacito's" success
It's lucky number seven for "Despacito," the smash song by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber. The song has just racked up its seventh week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. But what is it about "Despacito" that's made it the first Spanish #1 hit since "The Macarena" 20 years ago? Luis says, "That's probably the question I get asked the most, and I don't have a perfect answer."
Luis does have a few theories, though. One is that he "didn't write it or record it thinking that it was gonna be a crossover record," he tells ABC Radio. "I just wanted to write a great song for people to dance to, with one of those melodies that just sticks in your head and it won't leave."
"I think it has a little bit of that, to the point that it's so strong that even people who don't understand the language just kinda automatically get connected to it."
Then, Luis recruited guest artists to add something special to the mix.
"Daddy Yankee did an amazing job and obviously, five months in, four months in, we dropped the remix with Justin Bieber...who just took the song one step further," he tells ABC Radio. "So I think everything just kind of aligned and happened in a very sort of organic way."
"People are loving it," Luis says. "So I'm just honored that, after 20 years of not having a Spanish #1 song, it just happened to be my song."
Luis will kick off a U.S. tour in September, starting in Las Vegas and wrapping in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Source-ABC
Antigua regrets Canada's decision to end visa-free travel
The Antigua and Barbuda Government yesterday said it regrets the decision of the Canadian Government to end visa-free travel for nationals of the twin island.
In a statement, the Gaston Browne Administration said that “this decision relates to concerns over persons who obtain passports under Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIP) in the Caribbean”.
Under the CIP, several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis, and St Lucia provide citizenship to foreign investors who make a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of the individual Caribbean countries.
The statement noted that the Trinidad-based Canadian high commissioner had advised Prime Minister Browne of the new development late on Friday, “prior to an official announcement today.
“At the time, the Canadian official said that a concern is that Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Programme is not a residency programme. In response, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne pointed to the intense vetting of its CIP system, the revenues to the people of Antigua and Barbuda when the terms of trade and aid have declined and the banking system is threatened.”
The statement noted that despite the end of visa-free travel, the official Canadian Government statement said, “Canada continues to welcome visitors from Antigua and Barbuda.
“Most approved visa applicants will receive a multiple entry visa, which allows travellers to visit Canada as many times as they want, for up to 10 years. For each visit, travellers can stay for up to six months,” the statement noted.
It said that Antigua and Barbuda is the last of the countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States from whom the Canadian Government has withdrawn visa-free travel, at a time of heightened security over terrorism and refugees.
It said that of all 14 independent Caricom countries, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, and Barbados were the only ones that had continued to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada.
“The Canadian Government was keen to point out in its official statement that “Canada remains firmly committed to its partnership with Antigua and Barbuda, and values working together on mutual challenges and opportunities”.
The statement recalled that, “Canada and Antigua and Barbuda share long-standing ties that are rooted in history,” the Antigua and Barbuda Government statement quoted from the Canadian statement.
Prime Minister Browne said that at a time of intensified concerns about terrorism and refugees in North America and Europe, including evidence of ISIS recruits in the Caribbean, he recognised the concerns that Canada and other countries might have.
He has pledged that, as part of the international effort to combat terrorist activity, Antigua and Barbuda would continue to be vigilant with its passports and border security.
Browne said that the two countries have already started working to make the system of visa applications and approvals for Antigua and Barbuda citizens as efficient and affordable as possible.
Source-CMC
Bolt to bow out in farewell season in Europe
Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt will on Wednesday make his first appearance in Europe in his farewell season.
Bolt, winner of eight Olympic and 11 world gold medals, will bring down the curtain on his glittering career at August's world championships in London.
After kicking off his season on home soil in Kingston, the 30-year-old chose Ostrava and the Diamond League meet in Monaco as his two pre-worlds warm-up events.
It will be Bolt's ninth appearance in the northeastern Czech city, where organiser Alfons Juck has unashamedly gone out of his way to tailor the meet to the Jamaican's plans for the season.
"We gave priority in our preparation and the whole set-up of the meet to Usain," Juck told AFP.
Bolt said a Czech visit was always on the cards. "One meet I was always going to come to was Ostrava," he said.
That is not to say the meet has not attracted other stars, although there is a dearth of US and Jamaican athletes.
Van Niekerk summed up the athletes' sentiments that the meet was all about one person, however, Bolt.
"This year's really about honouring him and what he's done for the sport," said the 24-year-old South African, who beat Michael Johnson's world record when winning Olympic 400m gld in Rio last year to add to his world crown.
"He's been a massive inspiration to myself and to many other athletes out there.
"Hopefully, we as an upcoming generation can take the baton and continue what he's done."
Farah has similarly dominated his events.
Since winning silver over 10k at the 2011 world champs in Daegu, the 34-year-old Londoner has enjoyed an unbroken streak of nine global final wins (the 5000m in 2011, and the double at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and the 2013 and 2015 worlds).
Due to trade in the track for a pitch at conquering the marathon, Farah was full of praise for Bolt.
"The guy's incredible, what he's done for the sport," he said.
"It's going to come to an end at some point. I see him as a role model, someone I look up to. When you go through a down patch and say 'how am I going to do it?', he's shown us the way and I'm just glad to be part of it."
Bolt's presence has ensured a sell-out 15,000-capacity crowd at the Mestsky stadium.
Source-AFP
Global cyber-attack spreads to US
US drug giant Merck confirmed Tuesday it has become the first American company hit by a global cyberattack that started in Russia and Ukraine has spread through Europe and across the Atlantic.
"We confirm our company's computer network was compromised today as part of a global hack. Other organisations have also been affected," Merck said on Twitter.
"We are investigating the matter and will provide additional information as we learn more."
TCI COMPLETES NATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT ON MONEY LAUNDERING
A team from the Financial Market Integrity Unit of the World Bank Group is in the Turks and Caicos Islands to assist in the completion of a National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. The risk assessment process itself is organized, led and undertaken by the national Anti-Money Laundering Committee using the World Bank Group's self-assessment methodology. The Hon. Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE chairs the Anti-Money Laundering Committee.
The assessment aims to identify the primary money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks in the country through a comprehensive analysis that will facilitate the making of comprehensive action plans to allow for a consistent approach to decrease the levels of risks, and strengthen controls and supervisory oversight in each sector. This will help allocate resources for the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing more effectively and efficiently, while meeting international standards as established by e.g., the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The World Bank Group has assisted the Turks and Caicos Islands in understanding the underlying methodology and in the use of the tool. This way, the Turks and Caicos Islands will build the capacity to undertake future risk assessments with no or minimal external support. The self-assessment methodology supports collaboration between the different government agencies and private sector parties that are jointly responsible for the country's anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing efforts. The World Bank Group has supported over seventy (70) countries in performing their national risks assessments since 2010.
The Turks and Caicos Islands National Risk Assessment was launched during the first initial workshop which was held over the period October 21-23, 2014. This second and final workshop marks the end of the NRA project with around fifty stakeholders and representatives from both the public and private sectors from 26th and 27th June 2017 at the Blue Haven Resort Conference Room on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands from 8am to 4:30pm daily with a half day closed policymakers' workshop on 28th June 2017.
Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles said; "This exercise will provide an opportunity for the Turks and Caicos Islands to evaluate whether existing legislative and administrative arrangements are adequate and sufficient to address existing and emerging threats in line with international standards. The assessment will also assist the TCI, including financial sector stakeholders to apply a risk-based approach in their business practices. We have had the support of both public and private sector stakeholders and are very grateful for their collaboration."
Men’s Health Conference 2017- 'Dubbed as Exciting'
The first ever exciting, provocative and informative Men's health Conference was held by the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit within the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services. The conference was held on the 15th and 16th of June islands represented at the conference held on Grand Turk on the 15th were Grand Turk and South Caicos, on Providenciales, men from Providenciales and North Caicos.
Men from other islands were engaged but were unable to attend. The conference delivered a holistic experience which provided education and connections to community resources aimed at improving the overall health of men in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Men were met with services that were at their fingertips. This conference encouraged positive health habits among men and even women who were in attendance.
Men were able to access service by visiting the various booths. Screening conducted at the conference were blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, blood sugar checks, HIV checks, Syphilis checks, BMI checks and depression screening checks. Men benefited from a nutritionist being on site to speak generally and one on one about healthy eating and demonstrations of how to prepare healthy nutritious drinks and sampling of a variety of drinks was a huge hit.
Other services offered at the conference were massages this was also a popular service along with the Red Light District were a very romantic scene was set up to encourage men to use condoms correctly. According to Mrs. Robinson Director of Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit even though the number of men anticipated was not reached the conference was a huge success and saw men engaging and showing a willingness to adapt healthier lifestyles. She further stated; "It was for some men a real defining moment where commitments were made."
Dr. Connell keynote speaker from the University of the West Indies Cave Campus and Hypertension Specialist stated; "I would like to congratulate Turks and Caicos for hosting what appears to be the first Men's Health Conference in this region. I did some research on Men's Health Conferences and up to this point I have not seen one, Turks and Caicos you are doing a great work."
Engaging topics generated much discussion, topics presented were:-
"Most common Cancers in Men" - Dr. Yohamna Marante
"The Importance of the Physical Man Being Healthy to House the Spiritual Man" - Bishop Cox, Rock of Jesus Ministries
"High Blood Pressure, Diabetes & Early Morning Stiffness - Man Up, Stand Up & Know Your Numbers!"- Dr. Kenneth Connell, Key Note Speaker
"Men and Depression" - Dr. Patrick Prince
"Kidney Failure Who Cares" - Dr. Ravindra Kidney
"Man enough to Make the Right Choices"- Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing
"Cancer and Kidney Failure"- Dr. Henry Blythe
There was one screening that was to be offered at the conference and due to unforeseen challenges was not offered was the PSA test for prostate cancer. But, men were referred to the Public Health laboratory to have the test done. Due to the test being a blood test and not a rectal examination men opted to have the screening done.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association plays crucial role in embedding good governance
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) has held a post-election seminar for newly elected Members of the Turks and Caicos Legislature to strengthen parliamentary practice and procedure following the recent elections. The CPA is the only Commonwealth body that works to strengthen territorial assemblies and legislatures such as the House of Assembly in Turks and Caicos as well as national, state and provincial legislatures. The relationship between Turks and Caicos and the CPA is key in providing a platform to develop good parliamentary practice within the UK Overseas Territories and to share good practice with other similar legislatures across the Commonwealth.
In her address at the opening ceremony, Turks and Caicos Premier, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, MHA said that she wholeheartedly welcomed the CPA seminar, the purpose of which is to equip local Parliamentarians with the tools and knowledge they need to better serve the people who elected them. She further encouraged: "It is so important that as Parliamentarians we sharpen our skills and that we keep doing so to better equip ourselves."
On 15 December 2016, Turks and Caicos held transparent, free and fair elections for the second time since the introduction of the interim administration in 2009. The elections demonstrated the islands' commitment to the democratic ideals and standards upon which the Commonwealth is founded and the ideals enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. The election also resulted in the first female Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands signifying a strong commitment to gender equality and the importance of women's political leadership.
The CPA Post-Election Seminar in Turks and Caicos provided an excellent opportunity for newly elected Members of the House of Assembly to ask questions about parliamentary practice and procedure and provided Members with a better understanding of the parliamentary system and democratic processes in other Commonwealth jurisdictions. The seminar was opened by Hon. Dwayne S. Taylor, MHA, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Turks and Caicos. Commitment to improving democratic processes in the legislature was demonstrated by the active participation in the seminar of Members from all sides of the House.
The CPA Secretary-General, Mr Akbar Khan also addressed Members at the CPA Post-Election Seminar.
The CPA Secretary-General said; "The Post-Election Seminar in Turks and Caicos demonstrates the CPA's commitment to our Small Branches and to the territorial legislatures that we represent. I am delighted to visit the CPA Turks and Caicos Branch to share good practice with local Members on issues such as the importance of Codes of Conduct as a tool to help address the trust deficit in Parliaments; the importance of gender equality in parliament; and the essential role that an effective Committee can play. This peer-to-peer learning and bringing together of expertise from across the Commonwealth, goes to the heart of the CPA's key strength as an Association."
The newly elected Members of the House of Assembly heard from experts from across the Commonwealth including: Hon. Shirley Osborne, MLA, Speaker of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly; Hon. Dave Levac, MPP, Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly, Canada; Mrs Jacqui Sampson-Miguel, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago; as well as local Members and officials from Turks and Caicos.
Following the CPA seminar, a CPA Roadshow for over 150 young people was held at the Helena Jones Robinson High School Auditorium in Turks and Caicos as part of the CPA Roadshows tour of Commonwealth schools and universities. The CPA Secretary-General was accompanied at the CPA Roadshow by the Speaker; the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition; and many Members of the House of Assembly of Turks and Caicos.
Students had the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Commonwealth and of parliamentary democracy with the CPA Secretary-General. The Premier of Turks and Caicos spoke to students about what unites them with each other and with others across the Commonwealth and to recognise that focusing on unity will benefit all citizens in Turks and Caicos. Hon. Shirley Osborne, MLA spoke about the work of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) as the CWP regional representative for the Caribbean Region and she highlighted the great success of women's representation in Turks and Caicos with women occupying many senior positions in all three arms of the state – executive, legislature and judiciary. Hon. Shirley Osborne also reminded young people that parliaments work best when all people including women govern together.
The CPA Roadshows provide an opportunity for young people to learn about the political values of the Commonwealth such as diversity, development and parliamentary democracy; to discuss issues of concern about the society in which they live; and to find out about the work of the CPA.
During the CPA visit to Turks and Caicos, the CPA Secretary-General held a range of bilateral meetings with the Speaker of the House of Assembly; the Premier; the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Charles W. Misick, OBE, JP, MHA; and His Excellency the Governor of Turks and Caicos, Dr John Freeman, CMG.
The Secretary-General discussed the range of parliamentary strengthening programmes that the CPA offers to its members and is developing to support the professional development of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. The newly-elected Members attended the CPA Post-Election Seminar, which took place in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, from 7 to 9 June 2017, hosted by the CPA Turks and Caicos Branch.
Google hit by EU fine over Shopping service
Google has been fined 2.42bn euros ($2.7bn; £2.1bn) by the European Commission after it ruled the company had abused its power by promoting its own shopping comparison service at the top of search results.
The amount is the regulator's largest penalty to date against a company accused of distorting the market.
The ruling also orders Google to end its anti-competitive practices within 90 days or face a further penalty.
The US firm said it may appeal.
However, if it fails to change the way it operates the Shopping service within the three-month deadline, it could be forced to make payments of 5% of its parent company Alphabet's average daily worldwide earnings.
Based on the company's most recent financial report, that amounts to about $14m a day.
The commission said it was leaving it to Google to determine what alterations should be made to its Shopping service rather than specifying a remedy.
Margrethe Vestager, the European Union's Competition Commissioner declared that "What Google has done is illegal under EU antitrust rules,"
"It has denied other companies the chance to compete on their merits and to innovate, and most importantly it has denied European consumers the benefits of competition, genuine choice and innovation."
Ms Vestager added that the decision could now set a precedent that determines how she handles related complaints about the prominence Google gives to its own maps, flight price results and local business listings within its search tools.
Google had previously suggested that Amazon and eBay have more influence over the public's spending habits and has again said it does not accept the claims made against it.
Source-BBC