US economy adds 209,000 jobs in July
The US added 209,000 jobs in July, adding to optimism that the country's recovery continues apace.
The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 6.2%, latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has shown.
The biggest job gains were in professional business services and manufacturing jobs.
On Wednesday, the Commerce Department said the US economy grew by a better-than-expected 4% during the April-to-June period.
In an encouraging sign, the number of people in the US labour market increased slightly, meaning that workers who may have given up looking for a job have now begun to re-enter the jobs market.
The May and June jobs data were also revised upwards to show that the US economy added 15,000 more jobs.
Source-BBC
LIAT announces cancellation of flights due to Bertha
LIAT wishes to advise its customers and the general public of the following flight cancellations for tomorrow as the airline’s operations continue to be impacted by the passage of Tropical Storm Bertha:
· LI 362 – Antigua-San Juan
· LI 563 – San Juan-Antigua
· LI 560 – Dominica-San Juan
LI 565 – San Juan-Dominica
· LI 500 – Antigua-Santo Domingo
· LI 500 – St. Maarten-Santo Domingo
· LI 501 – Santo Domingo-Antigua
LI 500 will operate from Antigua to St. Maarten
Passengers travelling tomorrow are asked to check the LIAT website, the LIAT Facebook Page, their local LIAT office, or to call the LIAT Call Centre from Antigua – 1-268-480-5582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean – 1-888-844-5428 and from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands – 1-866-549-5428 for information on the status of their flights.
Customers affected by the disruptions who wish to rebook for a later date will be allowed to do so without change fees or fare differences for a period of one week from the date of their original scheduled travel.
Following the one-week grace period, passengers will be required to pay applicable fare and change fees when re-booking.
LIAT also wishes to advise that passengers who decide to travel but are unable to complete their journey due to disruption caused by weather conditions, will not be provided with meals, transportation, hotel accommodation etc.
Obama: Hamas to Blame for Cease-fire Collapse
U.S. President Barack Obama condemned a reported Hamas attack on Israeli soldiers in Gaza as a violation of the newly reached humanitarian cease-fire and called for the release of an Israeli soldier allegedly held hostage.
"That soldier needs to be released as soon as possible," he told reporters at an afternoon news conference on Friday at the White House.
President Obama said he has "unequivocally" condemned Hamas for taking actions against Israeli soldiers that led to to the breaking of short truces this week.
Israel declared a cease-fire over on Friday hours after it began, saying Hamas militants attacked two Israeli soldiers looking for tunnels in Gaza, killling two and reportedly abducting another one of them.
"I think it's going to be very hard to put a cease-fire back together again if Israelis and the international community can't feel confident that Hamas can follow through on a cease-fire commitment," President Obama said, adding that the U.S. will continue peace brokering efforts.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who with U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon had announced the 72-hour cease-fire late Thursday, in a statement Friday decried its “outrageous violation" and called for the missing soldier's immediate release.
Kerry called upon the international community to "redouble its efforts to end the tunnel and rocket attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israel and the suffering and loss of civilian life."
White House spokesman Josh Earnest, speaking on CNN, said the attack posed a "barbaric violation of the cease-fire agreement'' and repeated the call for the Israeli soldier's release.
The United States urged the international community to condemn the Hamas cease-fire violation in the "strongest possible terms,'' Earnest said.
Source-VOA
ALERT #5 ON TROPICAL STORM BERTHA FOR SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST, 2014.
…DISORGANIZED BERTHA MOVING WEST-NORTHWESTWARDS ACROSS THE NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA…
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES ACKLINS AND CROOKED ISLAND, LONG CAY, RAGGED ISLAND, MAYAGUANA AND INAGUA.
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS COULD AFFECT THE MENTIONED ISLANDS WITHIN 48 HOURS.
AT 11:00 PM EDT THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 15.7° DEGREES NORTH AND LONGITUDE 63.0° DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT 180 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ST. CROIX, ABOUT 275 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO, 673 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND 779 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF INAGUA.
TROPICAL STORM BERTHA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 22 MILES PER HOUR AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TONIGHT AND ON SATURDAY. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED BY SATURDAY NIGHT AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY.
DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. BERTHA REMAINS IN AN ENVIROMENT THAT IS NOT FAVORABLE FOR STRENGTHENING AND LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST THROUGH SUNDAY.
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES MAINLY TO THE NORTH AND EAST OF THE CENTER.
ON THE FORECASTED TRACK AND SPEED BERTHA COULD REACH THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND INAGUA BY SUNDAY. THEREFORE RESIDENTS IN THE MENTIONED ISLANDS SHOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY PREPERATIONS IN THE EVENT THAT BERTHA SURVIVES THE CROSSING OF HISPANOLA.
THE NEXT ALERT ON TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BE ISSUED AT 6AM, SATURDAY.
TCI WATCH & WARNING FOR BERTHA
When a Watch is Issued:
Fixhurricaneshuttersorplywoodsheetstoupperfloorsofmulti-storeybuildings.
· Ensurethatshuttersforgroundfloorwindowsanddoorsarewithineasyreach.
· Checkthatyouhaveadequatesupplyoffood,drinkingwaterandprescriptionmedication(sevendays).
· Removeallpictures,clocks,books,figurines,tools,officeequipment,appliancesandimportantpapers(passports,birthcertificatesetc.);wraptheminplasticorinwaterproofcontainers;storeinasafeplace.
· Clean,Sanitiseandfillbathtubsandsparecontainerswithwaterforhygienicpurposes.
· Turnyourrefrigeratorandfreezertocoldestsettings,openingonlywhenabsolutelynecessary.
· Fullychargedcellphoneaswellasanextrabattery.
· Makesureyouhaveafairamountofcash.
· Replenishyourvehicle’sfuelsupply. Alsofillcontainersforportablegenerators.
· Parkyourvehicle(s)inaplacethatwillbesafestfromfallingtreesandutilitypoles.
· Moveboatstosafeharbour.
· Takedownradioandsatelliteantennas.
· Unplugallmajorappliances.
· Turnoffelectricityfrommainswitch24hoursbeforestormisexpectedtohit.
· Ensurethatyourpropertyissecured.
· When a Warning is Issued: Hurricaneshutterstoremainingwindowsanddoors.
· IfyoufeelyourhomeisunsafeproceedtothenearestPublicShelter.
· Ifyouaregoingtoashelter,takefood,water,blankets,medication,personalhygieneitemsandallimportantdocuments.
· Staycalmandcontinuetomonitortheprogressofthestorm.
· DonotrelaxprecautionsifthereisalullinthestormanddonotgooutsideuntiltheALL CLEARisgivenbytheDepartmentManagementandEmergencies.
ALERT #3 ON TROPICAL STORM BERTHA ISSUED BY THE MET OFFICE, FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST AT 6:00 PM EDT.
…..TROPICAL STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR THE SE BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS…
A TROPICAL STORM ALERT PLUS WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES THE ISLANDS OF ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLAND, LONG CAY, RAGGED ISLAND, MAYAGUANA AND INAGUA.
AN ALERT PLUS WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS COULD AFFECT THE MENTIONED ISLANDS WITHIN 48 HOURS.
AT 5:00 PM EDT THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 14.9 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGTITUDE 61.2 DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT 20 MILES NORTHWEST OF MARTINIQUE, 822 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND 887 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF INAGUA.
TROPICAL STORM BERTHA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 24 MILES PER HOUR AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES FROM THE CENTER MAINLY TO THE NORTHEAST.
ON THE FORECASTED TRACK AND SPEED BERTHA COULD REACH THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND INAGUA BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THEREFORE RESIDENTS IN THE MENTIONED ISLANDS SHOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY PREPERATIONS IN THE EVENT THAT BERTHA SURVIVES THE CROSSING OF HISPANIOLA.
THE NEXT ALERT ON TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BE ISSUED AT 9 PM EDT.
ALERT #2 ON TROPICAL STORM BERTHA ISSUED BY THE MET OFFICE FRIDAY 1STAUGUST 2014 AT 3:00 PM EDT.
…..CENTER OF BERTHA APPROACHING MARTINIQUE…
A TROPICAL STORM ALERT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WHICH INCLUDES THE ISLANDS OF ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLAND, LONG CAY, RAGGED ISLAND, MAYAGUANA AND INAGUA.
AN ALERT MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS COULD AFFECT THE MENTIONED ISLANDS WITHIN 60 HOURS.
AT 2:00 PM EDT THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 14.5 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGTITUDE 60.3 DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT 45 MILES EAST OF MARTINIQUE, 888 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND 954 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF INAGUA.
TROPICAL STORM BERTHA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 22 MILES PER HOUR AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES FROM THE CENTER MAINLY TO THE NORTHEAST.
ON THE FORECASTED TRACK AND SPEED BERTHA COULD REACH THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND INAGUA BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THEREFORE RESIDENTS IN THE MENTIONED ISLANDS SHOULD BEGIN MAKING THE NECESSARY PREPERATIONS IN THE EVENT THAT BERTHA SURVIVES THE CROSSING OF HISPANIOLA.
THE NEXT ALERT ON TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BE ISSUED AT 6 PM EDT.
AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
PROVIDENCIALES GRAND TURK
Wheeland, Blue Hills West Road
At the back of Leeward Palms area North Backsalina (The Garden)
In the area of Kingston, The Bight Palmgrove
Long Bay Hills The Salinas
Juba Sound South Backsalina (Virgil’s Square)
Kewtown The Quarry
Blue Hills (Old Clinic) Grand Turk, Central Creek
Leeward Highway in the area of Cedar Lodge North Creek
At the back of Glass Shack Close Haul Road
The by-pass road leading to Five Cays
SOUTH CAICOS NORTH CAICOS
The Flat Bottle Creek
The Salinas, east of Primary School Kew Settlement
East Canal Whitby
Turtle Crawl
SALT CAY
Deans Dock Road
Airport Road
Portion of Folly Road
An experiment on racism in TCI and the DPP’s office
Dear Editor,
Re: An experiment on racism in TCI and the DPP’s office
Let’s see what you conclude after reading the following two paragraphs, published recently on Bloomberg’s Business Week:
“A Caribbean-based lawyer charged in a sting operation pleaded guilty to helping launder what he was told were proceeds of a bank fraud designed to hide $2 million from U.S. tax officials, according to the Justice Department. Patrick Poulin, 41, appeared today in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder monetary instruments.”
“Agents met with one of Poulin’s partners in Turks and Caicos, with Poulin on the phone, according to the indictment. The lawyers set up an offshore foundation called Zero Exposure Inc. Agents later wired $200,000.00 to Poulin’s firm, and he wired it to a Cayman account,according to the indictment.”
The local police and DPP’s office were likely aware in February of Poulin charge, and now almost five months later, they must be aware of his guilty plea. Does the U.S. Justice department now need to do their job for them? Are they specialists in pretending there is no big white elephant in the room? Was’nt Poulin’s white TCI resident partner in the room with the U.S. officers when they were discussing their schemes?
While the criminal justice system in the United States leaves much to be desired, that operation, compared with the slovenly, slow,expensive, and racist approach to policing and prosecutions of professional Belongers by the SIPT and the DPP’s office is a contrast in efficiency. After five years and tens of millions of dollars in public funding, living it up at five star beach front resorts, it is unimaginable that the SIPT could have undertaken such a swift, clean, and inexpensive operation. It is also unlikely, in the absence of a prolonged moral spanking from the local press, that the TCI’s criminal justice system would indict a white professional.
Many expatriates become defensive when you point out the obvious racism, but my theory is that much of the lethargy in prosecuting white expatriate professionals is to maintain the myth that it is Belonger politicians and professionals in the TCI who are mired in corruption, and to the limited extent that white professionals have to be dragged in, the explanation is that they were otherwise impeccable persons that were either coerced into offering bribes to Belongers in a “pay to play” environment, or that they knew nothing of the corruption they facilitated. The former explanation is Padgett’s song and dance routine, choreographed by the SIPT and accepted hook line and sinker by Judge Harrison, setting Padgett scot-free. The latter is the benefit of doubt that is generally given to white professionals.
At first glance there is a problem with this theory, which is the two white attorneys the SIPT recently strung up in a vulgar public
display. If you look closer at that, however, you will see that the complaint against those individuals went back to a matter almost a decade old, and that before charges were brought there were prolonged complaints from the press about the failure of the local criminal justice system to act. It was only after those complaints developed traction that the SIPT, not the DPP’s office, stepped outside its mandate to prosecute the individuals, in an effort to rehabilitate a growing image of its prosecution as racist. Those arrests also echo an incident a few years ago where a white drunken police officer killed a young Haitian girl who was walking on the side of the road, and where he too was only charged after prolonged complaints from the local press. On examination the exception with the two white attorneys, in fact, is no exception at all.
As for this experiment, after reading the abstracts from the Business Week article how many readers feel that the TCI’s authorities are ostridges with their heads in a hole, still pretending and automatically giving white professionals the benefit of doubt, a privilege that is not equally extended to black professionals? The DPP’s office seems comfortable assuming, even in a sting, that U.S. police posing as ‘clients’ do not tell their white partners what they are up to, and that even when it is proven that they did, it is only limited to those professionals who confess, not their partners who are in the same room. What do you think would be their conclusions if there were two black professionals participating in the conference?
My guess is that the real reason for the heads in the hole is because it would undermine and expose as a farce the argument that in order to have clean and transparent Government we need expatriate, preferably white faces, at the head of most of TCI’s institutions. Sticking together and playing deaf dumb and blind to each other’s abuses. That is how a handful of white plantation owners controlled more than ten times as many slaves. Whatever the reason it certainly helps the foot dragging that two of the heads in the hole are white Commissioner of Police (and Canadian) Colin Farqhuar and white DPP (and Canadian) JoAnn Meloche.
Whatever spin you wish to put on it, there is an obvious cultural bias, and an assumption that black Belongers are generally criminals, and that they generally confide in each other about their criminal misdeeds, even when the suggestion is farcical and strains credibility. The SIPT and local DPP has made those assumptions when there is absolutely no basis for believing them, and in other cases they have strung up professional Belongers on charges for the flimsiest of transactions.
Excuse my bluntness, but clearly the opposite presumption extends to the white folks?
Jonathan Forbes
Long Bay, Providenciales
Clippers sale can go forward
Shelly Sterling says she can finally get some rest now that it looks like she will be able to sell the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion.
But Donald Sterling's lawyers say this is just one battle in a war their client wants to continue waging.
It appears, however, they are losing the war to keep the franchise Donald Sterling has owned for more than 30 years.
A California probate judge ruled Monday that a deal to sell the NBA team for a league-record price can move forward.
Judge Michael Levanas tentatively ruled in favor of Shelly Sterling, saying the estranged wife of Donald Sterling acted properly in removing her husband from the trust that owns the NBA team and in winding up the affairs of the trust.
The sale can go forward regardless of any appeals, Levanas said.
And Donald Sterling will appeal, his attorneys said.
"His reaction is very calm. He didn't see this as the final battleground. This is one stage of a long war," Bobby Samini said.
The ruling is expected to become final in about 10 days, after Donald Sterling's lawyers are allowed to enter their objections to the judgment.
Source-CNN