PUBLIC FORECAST FEBRUARY 20TH 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A WEAK FRONTAL SYSTEM IN THE VICINITY OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE SOUTHEASTWARDS AND EXIT THE AREA TODAY.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: NO WARNINGS.
FOR TURKS AND CAICOS:
WEATHER: VARIABLE CLOUDINESS AND BREEZY WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FRONT. MOSTLY FAIR AND MILD TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: BOATERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHERLY AT 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 3 TO 5 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY 81F 27C
LOW TEMPERATURE TONIGHT 68F 20C
SUNRISE: 6:40 AM
SUNSET: 6:07 PM
MOONSET: 1:03 PM
MOONRISE: 2:42 AM TUE.
LOW TIDE: 9:11 AM HIGH TIDE: 2:57 PM
LOW TIDE: 9:08 PM HIGH TIDE: 3:39 AM TUE.
POLICE KEPT BUSY IN PROVO
Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are conducting inquiries into the murder of 25-year-old James Smith Jr. which occurred today (Friday 17th February 2017) in Blue Hills, Providenciales.
Around 12:05am, Police and Medical services responded to the Bay Road area after the numerous reports of shooting were made to 911. Upon arrival the victim’s lifeless body was seen and was later pronounced
deceased by Dr. King.
No arrest has been made in this incident.
Meanwhile, Police Units were dispatched to the Leeward Palms area of Providenciales after reports of gunshots were heard at 11:11am this morning (Friday 17th February 2017).
Upon arrival at location, a number of persons were interviewed by officers and confirmed that they heard noise that sounded like gunshots but are unable to give exact location.
Further checks were carried out but was unsuccessful.
Anyone with information regarding this report should either contact the police at Chalk Sound Police at 338-5901/941-8067 or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-8477. The information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind you not to report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter page.
White House denies report that National Guard would be used for immigration round ups
The Trump administration considered a proposal to mobilise as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up unauthorised immigrants, including millions living nowhere near the Mexico border, according to a draft memo obtained by The Associated Press.
Staffers in the US Department of Homeland Security said they had been told by colleagues in two DHS departments that the proposal was still being considered as recently as February 10. A DHS official described the document as a very early draft that was not seriously considered and never brought to Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly for approval.
The 11-page document calls for the unprecedented militarisation of immigration enforcement as far north as Portland, Oregon, and as far east as New Orleans, Louisiana. The document can be accessed at http://apne.ws/2l1Dj0k
Four states that border on Mexico were included in the proposal — California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas — but it also encompasses seven states contiguous to those four — Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer said today the document was "not a White House document".
"There is no effort to do what is potentially suggested," he said. Spicer called the AP report "100 per cent not true," adding that there was "no effort at all to utilise the National Guard to round up unauthorised immigrants."
The AP had sought comment from the White House beginning Thursday and DHS earlier today and had not received a response from either.
Governors in the 11 states would have had a choice whether to have their guard troops participate, according to the memo, which bears the name of Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general.
While National Guard personnel have been used to assist with immigration-related missions on the US-Mexico border before, they have never been used as broadly or as far north.
The memo was addressed to the then-acting heads of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Customs and Border Protection. It would have served as guidance to implement the wide-ranging executive order on immigration and border security that President Donald Trump signed Jan. 25. Such memos are routinely issued to supplement executive orders.
Also dated January 25, the draft memo says participating troops would be authorized "to perform the functions of an immigration officer in relation to the investigation, apprehension and detention of aliens in the United States." It describes how the troops would be activated under a revived state-federal partnership program, and states that personnel would be authorized to conduct searches and identify and arrest any unauthorized immigrants.
If implemented, the impact could have been significant. Nearly one-half of the 11.1 million people residing in the US without authorisation live in the 11 states, according to Pew Research Center estimates based on 2014 Census data.
Source-AFP
Regional leaders end successful summit in Guyana
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have ended a two-day summit here adopting decisions that they said are important to moving the 15-member regional integration movement “towards its objects”.
CARICOM chairman and host, President David Granger told the summit news conference that the leaders had also reflected on the importance of the 'CARICOM brand’, and the pride that we have in our citizenship, citizenry and membership.
“Every citizen of this Community must count; every citizen of this Community has rights, and, wherever our citizens are, they have the right to be treated as Caribbean citizens.
“There is no such thing as a ‘stateless person’ in our Community. There should be no such occurrence as a citizen of a Caribbean state being treated as inferior in any jurisdiction in the Community,” he added.
The regional leaders had entered their 28th inter-sessional summit with the future of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region, under the microscope.
Granger acknowledged that in the discussions “for which we received a review, the matter of free movement of skilled persons was ventilated.
“We agreed on priority areas to be addressed, including the completion of the protocol on procedures relating to facilitation of travel.
“We commended the significant progress in implementation of the CSME. We agreed on priority areas to be addressed including the challenges of payments for goods and services traded within the region.”
But he said the regional leaders continued to be concerned that “some of our previous decisions have not been fully complied with and agreed that the necessary action will be taken to effect compliance.
“In that regard, the meeting also addressed the need for the relevant ministerial councils and committees to meet,” he said. At the start of the summit, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that of particular concern is the inability of the Legal Affairs Committee comprising Attorneys-General to come together to deal with critical agreements with respect to both the CSME and regional security.
“ I am also concerned that our Council for Finance and Planning has not been able to meet for a considerable period of time. We can and must do better,” Skerrit said, adding “this is a time for action. We cannot afford the luxury of procrastination”.
Granger said that the “unacceptable levels of crime” in CARICOM was another critical agenda item at the meeting with the leaders resolving “to do more to curb the scourge, including placing greater focus on the social determinants of crime, especially among the youth.
“Our Attorneys-General will take action to finalise agreements which are essential to the implementation of the regional crime and security Agenda.
“We will be seeking to take full advantage of opportunities for capacity-building to address existing and emerging threats, including those related to cyber security and cybercrime, crime prevention and drug demand reduction.”
Granger said that the leaders had approved the draft road map for a Single ICT Space and commended the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the officials who had prepared the document.
He said the Single ICT Space would be one of the driving forces for social and economic development of the Community.
“It would enhance the environment for investment and production, provide an opportunity for innovation to flourish, support a sustainable increase in growth and jobs and enhance efficiency and increase access to public services.”
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who has lead responsibility for ICT within the quasi CARICOM Cabinet, told reporters that the leaders had agreed on a new strategy to support innovation.
“It will also protect our citizens on the whole issue of where cyber security is concerned, ensuring that the best legal and regulatory framework is available to support our citizens in the digital economy.
“It will also provide meaningful partnerships among private sector, public sector and the people at large,” he said, adding that “:it would link several national ICT programmes for regional impact, and it examines also the educational opportunities in linking ICT in the whole area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics” more seamlessly”.
Mitchell said that there is no doubt in his mind ICT will allow for the region to compete in the global economy.
“That is going to be the one that will equalise us with our big brothers and sisters internationally because one can do business in Grenada or Guyana wherever in the Caribbean providing services to all parts of the world if we harness the issue of technology more than we are doing at this particular time”.
Granger told reporters that on the issue of corresponding banking, the leaders had recognised the need for a regional approach and “continued concerted, urgent action to address effectively the challenge posed by the de-risking strategies of the global banks which result in the withdrawal of correspondent banking services”.
He said the regional approach was also necessary to strengthen the integrity of the financial system in CARICOM member states and to attenuate the perception of the Caribbean as a high-risk region.
“We considered the strategy and action plan submitted by the Committee of Central Bank Governors and we have asked the Committee of Ministers of Finance with responsibility for Correspondent Financing to assume the oversight of its roll-out.
“We noted, particularly, the need to strengthen Member States’ compliance with the global regulatory standards with regard to Anti- Money Laundering/Counter Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) and Tax Transparency Information Exchange.”
He said regarding the tourism industry, the summit recognised the importance of the “vital sector in the economies of member states” and welcomed proposals from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) for advancing a regional tourism agenda particularly through the public-private sector partnerships.
“We acknowledged the importance of transportation and facilitation of travel, human resource development, the creative industries and marketing as well as competitiveness and financing for the sustainability of tourism in CARICOM.
“We also asked that the marketing campaign(s) encompass, in particular, the tourism product of the mainland member states – Belize, Guyana and Suriname. “
He said with regards to travel, the leaders called for an urgent meeting of the Council for Trade and Development (COTED) on Transportation to address air transport issues in particular, including those related to the tourism sector.
The leaders also received a progress report from Prime Minister Freundel Stuart on the preparations for CARIFESTA which will be held in Barbados from August 17-27, 2017, under the theme ‘Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves’.
“We acknowledged the importance of the Festival to the Caribbean identity and ‘brand’, and we encourage full participation in this event. We are a unique people and it is important that we showcase the diversity of our people,” Granger said.
Source-CMC
Jamaican gets 3 years in US prison for possession of child porn
A 28-year-old Jamaican citizen was sentenced to three years in prison and another three on extended supervision after pleading no contest to a charge of possession of child pornography in a Wisconsin court yesterday.
Jermayne Webley's hard drives were found to contain videos and images of young boys engaged in sexual acts after police raided his home in May of last year.
Webley admitted to his crime, according to Assistant District Attorney Rick Spoentgen, and struck a deal to get the state's minimum sentence for such a charge.
He was also required to pay US$2,000 in fines, register as a sex offender and have no contact with minors as part of the sentence.
Webley reportedly spent his entire adult life in America. He may, however, be deported after his conviction.
Source-JO
Democrats and some Republicans want to stop Trump from lifting Russia sanctions
Democrats and a handful of Republicans are rallying around a bill designed to prevent President Donald Trump from lifting sanctions on Russia without congressional approval.
The measure, introduced by House Democrats Wednesday and supported by at least three Republicans, would give Congress 120 days to block lifting any sanctions on Russia imposed in response to actions in Ukraine and Russia's efforts to interference in the 2016 election.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said questions about the Trump campaign’s alleged communications with Russian officials ahead of the election makes the proposed legislation “all the more important.”
“If there were condoned discussions that Flynn had or he was acting as free agent, this president shouldn't have ability to eliminate Russian sanctions,” he said at the Democrats' press conference.
“It's obvious and clear that Putin is testing the new administration,” said Rep. Eliot Engel, D-New York. “The last thing that the U.S. should consider is dialing back sanctions on Russia.”
Late last month, Trump said it was "very early to be talking about" lifting sanctions on Russia, but "if we can have a great relationship with Russia and with China, and with all countries, I'm all for that."
A bipartisan group of senators led by Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, and Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, recently introduced an identical bill in the Senate.
Source-ABC
Robert Harward turns down national security adviser position
Retired admiral and former Navy SEAL Robert Harward was offered the job of national security adviser to President Donald Trump, but has turned down the position for personal reasons, a senior administration official tells ABC News.
The 60-year-old Harward had been the leading candidate to replace Gen. Michael Flynn, who was fired Monday, sources said. Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence about whether he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador ahead of the inauguration.
Harward most recently served as the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command under Gen. James Mattis, now the Secretary of Defense, a relationship which was seen as a strong selling point, administration officials said.
Harward, an ABC News consultant, and Trump had spoken recently about a position in the administration, according to the officials.
But after weighing the opportunity of national security adviser, Harward cited his family in declining the job, the senior administration official said.
"I was humbled and honored," Harward told ABC News, but said of the job, "It takes 24 hours a day of focus... It's a tough sacrifice" and after 40 years of military service, he was not ready to come back from retirement.
Harward denied turning down the offer because of chaos in the West Wing.
Other names have been under consideration as possible replacement for Flynn, according to administration officials: retired Gen. David Petraeus, former Ambassador Bob Kimmitt, and retired Gen. Keith Kellogg -- who is currently serving as the acting NSA -- have all been in the mix.
Thursday evening, reaction to Harward's decision was already coming in.
"Robert Harward’s decision to not take over General Flynn’s old job is the latest evidence that the Trump WH is falling into utter disarray," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi tweeted.
Source-ABC
President Trump calls reports that campaign had contact with Russia 'fake news'
President Donald Trump held a press conference at the White House Thursday to announce his new pick for labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, but once he began taking questions from reporters, the focus shifted away from Acosta to a slew of other topics including allegations of his campaign's contact with Russians and a popular go-to topic for the president, his disdain for the mainstream media.
Trump said reports that members of his campaign team had multiple contacts with Russian officials during his presidential campaign are "fake news" and called the storyline "fabricated" by those bitter over Hillary Clinton's election loss. “It's all fake news,” Trump told reporters at a press conference in the East Room of the White House, calling the matter a “fabricated deal to make up for the loss of the Democrats.”
Though the president refuted the reporting as fake news, Trump told ABC News Jonathan Karl that suspected leaks coming from inside the government are real.
"Well, the leaks are real. You are the one that wrote about them and reported them. The leaks are real. You know what they said. You saw it. And the leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake because so much of the news is fake," the president said.
"I've actually called the Justice Department to look into the leaks. Those are criminal leaks," Trump said.
Trump also told reporters Thursday his administration is working "like a fined-tuned machine," in the wake of this week’s resignation of his national security adviser and the withdrawal of his nominee for secretary of labor.
"This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine," Trump said. "Despite the fact that I can't get my Cabinet approved, and they are outstanding people."
Trump also raised eyebrows when he asked a black reporter at the free-wheeling press conference to arrange a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus.
“Do you want to set up the meeting?" Trump asked April Ryan, the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks. “Are they friends of yours? Set up a meeting. Set up the meeting. I would love to meet with the Congressional Black Caucus, I think it's great.”
NBA All-Star Game: Carmelo Anthony named as Kevin Love's
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will be stepping in for Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love on Sunday when the 2017 NBA All-Star Game tips off.
Anthony was picked by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Love, who underwent knee surgery on Tuesday. The Cavs said Love is expected to be out for approximately six weeks as he recovers from the operation.
With Anthony now part of the Eastern Conference roster, this marks his 10th NBA All-Star selection. So far this season, he is averaging 23.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
The 66th NBA All-Star Game is set to air February 19 at 8 p.m. ET from New Orleans.
Source-ABC
John Mayer's new wave coming next Friday
John Mayer has confirmed that the next batch of songs from his in-progress album The Search for Everything will arrive next Friday, February 24, but he's already revealed the track listing.
John posted the details on Friday: the four songs are called "Still Feel Like Your Man," "Emoji of a Wave," "Helpless" and "Roll It on Home." He posted the artwork on Wednesday: it's a line drawing of a young girl looking down, with feathers falling around her.
Last month, John released the first batch of songs from the album as The Search for Everything -- Wave One EP. He's promised to release four new songs every month for an undetermined amount of months -- and then later this year, he'll release the album in its entirety.
John's Search for Everything world tour kicks off March 21. It'll feature John performing solo acoustic, with a full band and with his John Mayer Trio.