Seven Day Weather Forecast 15th June to 21st June 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A broad Atlantic high pressure ridge will maintain moderate to strong breezes over the area as it meanders between the Bahamas and Florida this weekend through next week. Meanwhile, the combination of a developing broad low pressure system near the Yucatan Peninsula and a mid to upper level low in the Gulf of Mexico waters near Florida will continue to push rich tropical moisture across parts of the Bahamas through early next week.
Thursday 15th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with few scattered showers and widely scattered thunderstorms mainly across the NW Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 90ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds ESE to SSE at 10 to 15 knots in the NW and Central Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 20 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.
Friday 16th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with scattered showers and widely scattered thunderstorms mainly across the NW and Central Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 89°F and minimum temperature 79°F. Small craft should exercise caution in the SE Bahamas. Winds SE to S at 10 to 15 knots with higher gusts in the NW Bahamas; E to SE at 12 to 18 knots in the Central Bahamas and E'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas; 3 to 5 feet in the Central Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the SE Bahamas.
Saturday 17th – Continuing partly to mostly cloudy with some scattered showers and widely scattered thunderstorms across the entire Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 90°F and minimum temperature 79°F. Small craft caution in effect for Central Bahamas and an advisory for the SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 10 to 15 knots the NW Bahamas; E to SE at 15 to 20 knots in the Central Bahamas and E to SE 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 over the ocean.
Sunday 18th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms affecting the NW and Central Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 91ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the NW Bahamas and an advisory is in effect for Central and SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 25 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas becoming gusty at times. Seas 4 to 7 feet in the NW Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas but higher in gusts.
Monday 19th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated showers or thunderstorms, becoming fair to partly cloudy and warm at night with the chance of few passing showers. Maximum temperature 89ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the NW Bahamas and an advisory continues for the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 25 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 4 to 6 feet in the NW Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet in the Central and the SE Bahamas.
Tuesday 20th – Partly sunny, hot and humid with spotty daytime showers or isolated thunderstorm possible during the day. Patchy clouds at night with scattered showers or possible isolated thunderstorms mainly across the NW Bahamas. Maximum temperature 89ºF and minimum temperature 80ºF. Small craft caution continues in the NW Bahamas and an advisory continues for the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 25 knots with stronger gusts in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 4 to 6 feet in the NW Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.
.
Wednesday 21st – Partly Cloudy to Cloudy, hot and humid with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across the Bahamas through night time. Maximum temperature 90ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft caution continues for the NW Bahamas and an advisory continues for the Central and SE Bahamas through early afternoon, then a caution comes into effect for the SE Bahamas. Winds SE to S at 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts in the NW Bahamas, decreasing to 10 to15 knots or less from the SSE to SSW later; E to SE at 15 to 25 knots at first in the Central and SE Bahamas, decreasing to 10 to 15 knots in the Central and 15 to 20 knots in the SE Bahamas with higher gusts later. Seas 4 to 6 feet in the NW Bahamas, decreasing to 2 to 4 feet later; 5 to 8 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas, decreasing to 3 to 5 feet in the Central Bahamas and 4 to 7 feet in the SE 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.
Brexit negotiations rules out 'concessions'
The EU's chief negotiator said there would be "substantial" consequences from Brexit after the first round of talks with the UK.
Michel Barnier said he was "not in the frame of mind to make concessions or ask for concessions".
UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said talks got off to a "promising start".
The UK appears to have conceded to the EU's preferred order for the talks which will mean trade negotiations do not begin immediately.
Mr Davis and Mr Barnier gave a joint press conference after day one of the talks in Brussels.
The initial focus will be on expat rights, a financial settlement and "other separation issues".
Discussions aimed at preserving the Good Friday Agreement and common travel area in Ireland will also begin, although Mr Davis suggested these issues may not be settled until the end of the process, when the UK's trade relationship with the EU is settled.
The UK had wanted talks on its future relationship with the EU to be considered from the outset, but Mr Barnier said this would only happen once the European Council decided "sufficient progress has been made" on the other issues.
Mr Davis - who had predicted this would be the "row of the summer" - denied suggestions the agreed timetable showed Britain's "weakness" and insisted it was "completely consistent" with the government's aim of parallel trade and exit talks.
Asked whether he had made any concessions to the UK in return, Mr Barnier said the UK had decided to leave the EU - not the other way around, and each side had to "assume our responsibility and the consequences of our decisions".
Source-BBC
Carrie Fisher 'had cocaine' in her system when she died
Carrie Fisher had three drugs including cocaine in her system when she died, her post-mortem has concluded.
The report released on Monday stated the star may have taken cocaine three days before she fell ill on a flight on 23 December, US media reported.
Traces of heroin and MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, were also found in the Star Wars actress's system.
But investigators could not determine what impact the cocaine and other drugs had on her death.
The findings were based on toxicology samples taken when Fisher arrived at a Los Angeles hospital.
Investigators could not say when the actress had taken the MDMA or heroin.
The star, who played Princess Leia in the film series, died on 27 December.
Source-BBC
T&T to close schools, offices ahead of storm
The Caribbean island of Trinidad & Tobago is closing public schools and government offices as heavy thunderstorms approach the region.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the cluster is forecast to become a tropical storm by Monday night or early Tuesday.
Officials said schools in Trinidad will close on Tuesday and that government offices in the sister island of Tobago also will be shuttered. Meteorologists warned of waves of more than 9 feet (3 meters) along the islands' coasts.
Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines cancelled more than 30 flights on Monday.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for the nearby Dutch Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba.
Source-AP
British PM Condemns ‘Sickening’ Attack on Muslims
A van rammed into a group of pedestrians outside a London mosque early Monday, injuring 10 people in what British Prime Minister Theresa May called a "sickening" terrorist attack on Muslims.
The vehicle swerved into a group of people shortly after midnight as they left prayers at the Muslim Welfare House and the nearby Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, one of the biggest in Britain.
One person died at the scene, but it was not clear if he died as a result of the attack or from something else.
Police will assess the security of mosques and provide any additional resources needed ahead of celebrations marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, May announced.
"This was an attack on Muslims near their place of worship," she said in a televised address." And like all terrorism, in whatever form, it shares the same fundamental goal. It seeks to drive us apart, and to break the precious bonds of solidarity and citizenship that we share in this country. We will not let this happen."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the incident "a truly horrific terrorist attack on our city" and Prime Minister Theresa May said it was "an attack on Muslims near their place of worship."
Ariana Grande to get honorary citizenship of Manchester
Ariana Grande is to get honorary citizenship of Manchester under plans put forward by the city council.
The council is proposing a new system to recognise outstanding contributions to the city.
The US singer is in line to be the first recipient for organising the One Love Manchester concert in aid of victims of the bomb attack at her gig, in which 22 people died.
An event to mark "selfless acts" after the blast is to be held, too.
Under the proposals for the new scheme, honorary citizenship of Manchester could be granted to those from outside Greater Manchester.
Council leader Sir Richard Leese, said many people would already consider Grande to be "an honorary Mancunian".
He said: "This seems a fitting moment to update the way we recognise those who make noteworthy contributions to the life and success of our city.
"We've all had cause to be incredibly proud of Manchester and the resilient and compassionate way in which the city, and all those associated with it, have responded to the terrible events of 22 May - with love and courage rather than hatred and fear."
He said Ariana Grande had "exemplified this response".
Some 50,000 people went to the One Love Manchester concert at Old Trafford on 4 June, which raised almost £3m for victims of the Manchester Arena attack.
Mario caps Nintendo's triumphant comeback
The return of Super Mario is set to be the crowning achievement in what’s already been a remarkable year of recovery for Nintendo.
The loyal (and I mean loyal) fans weren’t worried, but rewind a year and many people - myself included - were questioning Nintendo’s ability to compete realistically with Sony and Microsoft in the console market.
The Wii U - a follow-on to the wildly successful Wii - had tanked, and the new console, Switch, seemed like it would be just too basic to make an impact.
Yet at E3 this year, the company is brimming with confidence. Its strategy has paid off.
"It seems to have brought back Nintendo’s mojo,” says Tom Phillips, news editor at Eurogamer.
"You look at where Nintendo are now compared to 12 months ago, it’s really night and day. They really turned things around.”
Eyeing the Wii
The Switch got off to a blistering start when it came out in March. It sold almost three million units in the first month, making it the company’s fastest-selling console. The first big release - Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - is now considered to be one of the best games created, with several million copies sold.
Source-BBC
Windies look to quell Afghan threat in series decider
Embattled West Indies face minnows Afghanistan in a crucial series decider here Wednesday night, needing a victory now only to avoid a devastating series defeat but the embarrassment associated with losing to the ICC Associate side.
What was supposed to be an easy assignment for the Windies to placate their absence from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in England, has gone horribly wrong, leaving the three-match series level at 1-1 with everything to play for in the final One-Day International at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground starting at 2:30 pm.
The Caribbean side's performances have not lived up to expectations, especially against an inexperienced Afghanistan who are a non-playing Test nation and who have spent most of their time scuffling with the likes of fellow minnows Zimbabwe and Ireland.
Perhaps the statement of the series came in the opening ODI last Friday when West Indies shockingly collapsed to a stunning 63-run defeat. Asked to chase a modest 213, they stumbled to 149 all out, undermined by the magic of 18-year-old leg-spinner Rashid Khan who took seven for 18 – the fourth best figures in one-day history.
West Indies hit back strongly through their bowling in the second ODI to win by four wickets last Sunday. They shot the Afghans out for 135 with aggressive, short-pitched bowling but then laboured to reach their target, getting home in the 40th over, as Khan once again caused consternation with three for 26.
Bowling coach Roddy Estwick on Tuesday urged his side to employ the same approach, pointing out that Afghanistan were susceptible to the short ball.
“Go at them hard again, stick to your game plan, hit your line hard, make sure you get your field placing right,” Estwick said.
“You've got to run in and bowl hard and stay aggressive all the way through because as you can see they are not very comfortable with the short ball but you've got to earn that right to bowl short as well.”
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been forced out of the contest after picking up a side strain in the second game, and has been replaced by Twenty20 specialist Kesrick Williams who was the leading bowler in the recent T20 series with eight wickets.
However, it is the batting which West Indies will need to focus on heavily as not a single batsman has passed 50 in the series. Shai Hope, at number three, has been their most reliable player, top-scoring in both games with 35 and 48 not out.
Jason Mohammad, so prolific against England and Pakistan earlier this year, has failed to fire with scores of two and seven while Test star Roston Chase, drafted in to the one-day unit, has struggled with scores of zero and nine.
In contrast, Afghanistan have managed two half-centuries – one from opener Javed Ahmadi in the opening game and the other from Gulbadin Naib in the second.
There was more bad news for the Windies on Tuesday with the latest ODI rankings showing the Caribbean side had dropped two points to 77 as a result of their loss in the first ODI, seeing them slip further behind in the race to qualify automatically for the 2019 World Cup in England.
And even with a win on Wednesday, the Jason Holder-led side will earn just a single ratings point, meaning they would have ended the series worse off than when they started. SQUADS:
WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Kesrick Williams, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell.
AFGHANISTAN – Asghar Stanikzai, Noor Ali Zadran, Javid Ahmadi, Usman Ghani, Rahmat Shah Zarmati, Nasir Jamal, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Gulbuddin Naib, Rashid Khan Arman, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Shapoor Zadran, Amira Hamza Hotak, Dawlat Zadran, Afsar Zazai, Farid Malik.
Deadly, Massive Fire Destroys Apartment in London
Firefighters on Wednesday battled one of London’s biggest fire disasters in recent memory as a rapid-moving fire raced through a 24-story apartment building in West London. Hours after the fire was first reported, crews worked to rescue people trapped inside and count the number of dead.
“I can confirm six fatalities at this time,” Metropolitan Police commander Stuart Cundy said. “But this figure is likely to rise during what is a complex recovery operation over a number of days."
Neighbors said they heard screams for help as the fire stormed through the floors, trapping residents who could be seen from windows flashing their cell phone lights in hopes of being rescued. Witnesses said some residents held small children from windows while other people jumped from the lower stories of the building.
Grenfell Tower, is in an ethnically diverse, densely populated West London’s North Kensington area. Officials said it contained about 140 apartments and was home to an estimated 500 people. Among those missing on Wednesday morning were a number of children.
As the building continued to burn into Wednesday morning, questions emerged on why the fire spread through the building so quickly in a city where a centuries-old history of disastrous fires has forced one of the world’s most stringent fire codes.
Fire investigators said it was too early to tell what started the fire or caused it to spread so rapidly.
Source-VOA
Macron says 'door always open' for UK to stay in EU
French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the door was "always open" for Britain to remain in the EU despite Prime Minister Theresa May saying Brexit talks would begin next week.
The meeting in Paris followed the leaders' remarkably different political fortunes in the past week, which saw Macron's party headed for a massive parliamentary majority, while May lost her slim advantage in the House of Commons.
"Of course the door is always open as long as the negotiations on Brexit have not finished," Macron said in a press conference.
But he stressed that the British people had taken the sovereign decision to leave the 28-member bloc in their referendum a year ago, adding that the beginning of talks would be a milestone.
"Once it (the Brexit process) has started we need to be collectively clear that it's more difficult to reverse course," he said at the Elysee palace.
May stressed that she would stick to her timetable of starting Brexit discussions next week in Brussels, saying the talks were "on course", despite her domestic difficulties.
Her Conservative party lost its majority in a bungled snap election last week which some observers suggested might lead May to abandon her plans for a so-called "hard Brexit".