More Heavy Rains for Battered Colorado Flood Zone
Forecasters in Colorado are warning residents near Denver to brace for torrential overnight rains, as raging flood waters roar through the region and cloud cover hampers helicopter rescue efforts.
Days of heavy rains and flooding have turned the state's Rocky Mountain foothills into high risk zones, with dozens of washed out roads and bridges turning entire communities into disaster areas short on supplies and services. At least four people were known dead by late Sunday, with two others officially missing and presumed dead.
Authorities say about 500 people were unaccounted for Sunday, while cautioning that some may be unable to communicate with loved ones while stranded and awaiting rescue.
Rocky Mountain rescue management officials say as many as 1,000 people were awaiting rescue north of Denver, in an area that includes the hard-hit mountain community of Estes Park. But all airlifts were grounded Sunday because of new rains and poor visibility.
Local news outlets say 50 bridges linking rural communities have been destroyed or damaged, and warn of a growing threat from mudslides and rockslides as roads crumble. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, speaking to reporters Saturday, said authorities were only beginning to understand the scope of the crisis.
President Barack Obama has declared Colorado a major disaster zone and ordered federal help to boost state and local recovery efforts.
Helicopters have plucked hundreds of people from inundated homes. One helicopter carrying Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper on a tour of the region made two stops to pick up residents waving to be rescued on Saturday.
1 Protester Killed as Cambodian Political Crisis Escalates
Violence erupted in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, on Sunday, as thousands of opposition activists protested the government's victory in a disputed election. Human rights activists said one protester was killed by a gunshot to the head during a street battle with police.
The violence marked an escalation of a political crisis that has gripped Cambodia since official results from July's election gave a victory to the party of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen, albeit with a reduced parliamentary majority. The main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party rejected those results alleging widespread fraud.
Sunday's protests began peacefully with about 20,000 opposition activists gathering in Phnom Penh's Freedom Park for a rally addressed by CNRP leader Sam Rainsy. The protesters complained that their votes were stolen and demanded an independent investigation of the disputed election.
Clashes began later, as protesters marched in other parts of the capital and tried to remove street barricades set up by police, who responded by firing tear gas, smoke grenades and water cannons.
0 0 1 217 1238 Tripple M FM 10 2 1453 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
A male demonstrator was fatally shot in the head during a confrontation on an overpass leading to Freedom Park.
"There was a clash that caused people to be injured and killed but we did not know how many were killed. We know that a young man died and we took a photo. Another injured person was shot in his stomach because armed authorities used guns to shoot, and many were arrested."
The French news agency quotes military police spokesman Kheng Tito who denied that security forces used live rounds against the protesters. Another violent clash happened at a police barricade near Phnom Penh's Royal Palace. Several demonstrators were hurt.
Hundreds of Cambodian opposition activists camped in Freedom Park into the night Sunday, vowing to remain for at least several days.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy was due to hold more talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen Monday to try to resolve the crisis. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni brought the two rivals together on Saturday for a rare meeting that ended without a breakthrough.
Cambodia's election commission certified Mr. Hun Sen's party as the winner of the July election with 68 seats in the national assembly, ahead of Sam Rainsy's CNRP with 55 seats. The certification has left Sam Rainsy with few legal options to challenge the result.
Mr. Hun Sen has led Cambodia for 28 years and is seen by critics as an authoritarian ruler despite overseeing a period of prolonged economic growth.
Kerry says 'Threat of Force Against Syria is Real'
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the threat of force against Syria is real if that country fails to live up to its agreement to rid itself of chemical weapons.
Kerry said in Jerusalem Sunday that the government of Bashar al-Assad needs to understand that the United States is committed to achieving this goal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Kerry. Mr. Netanyahu said it is deeds, not words, that count. He said Syria proves that if rogue regimes have weapons of mass destruction, they will use them.
Mr. Netanyahu said the world's determination on Syria will directly impact Iran, which is suspected of building a nuclear weapon. Israel sees Iran as a direct threat to its existence.
The United States and Russia announced agreement Saturday on a plan to end Syria's chemical weapons program. It includes a requirement for the Assad government to submit a comprehensive list of such weapons in one week.
Syria is promising to comply. National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar tells Russia's Ria Novosti news agency that that the agreement is a victory because he says it avoids war against Syria and takes away the excuse for war from those who he says want to start one.
But the civil war in Syria is showing no signs of easing. Government warplanes on Sunday bombed rebel areas outside Damascus. There is no word so far on casualties.
Twin Storms Batter Mexico
Twin storms are battering the east and west coasts of Mexico, killing at least 17 people so far and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
Hurricane Ingrid is forecast to strike Mexico's Gulf coast early Monday with winds as high as 120 kilometers per hour.
The Category One storm could dump as much as 63 centimeters of rain on parts of the east. Ingrid already has soaked several coastal towns and sent thousands running for safety.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Manuel has brought heavy rains and high winds to Mexico's Pacific Coast. At least 17 people have been killed by landslides, flash floods and collapsed buildings in the southwestern state of Guerrero.
Forecasters predict more heavy rain and life-threatening weather before Manuel is expected to break apart over land Monday.
1 Protester Killed as Cambodian Political Crisis Escalates
Violence erupted in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, on Sunday, as thousands of opposition activists protested the government's victory in a disputed election. Human rights activists said one protester was killed by a gunshot to the head during a street battle with police.
The violence marked an escalation of a political crisis that has gripped Cambodia since official results from July's election gave a victory to the party of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen, albeit with a reduced parliamentary majority. The main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party rejected those results alleging widespread fraud.
Sunday's protests began peacefully with about 20,000 opposition activists gathering in Phnom Penh's Freedom Park for a rally addressed by CNRP leader Sam Rainsy. The protesters complained that their votes were stolen and demanded an independent investigation of the disputed election.
Clashes began later, as protesters marched in other parts of the capital and tried to remove street barricades set up by police, who responded by firing tear gas, smoke grenades and water cannons.
Chan Soveth of Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) told VOA that a male demonstrator was fatally shot in the head during a confrontation on an overpass leading to Freedom Park.
"There was a clash that caused people to be injured and killed but we did not know how many were killed. We know that a young man died and we took a photo. Another injured person was shot in his stomach because armed authorities used guns to shoot, and many were arrested."
The French news agency quotes military police spokesman Kheng Tito who denied that security forces used live rounds against the protesters. Another violent clash happened at a police barricade near Phnom Penh's Royal Palace. Several demonstrators were hurt.
Hundreds of Cambodian opposition activists camped in Freedom Park into the night Sunday, vowing to remain for at least several days.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy was due to hold more talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen Monday to try to resolve the crisis. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni brought the two rivals together on Saturday for a rare meeting that ended without a breakthrough.
Cambodia's election commission certified Mr. Hun Sen's party as the winner of the July election with 68 seats in the national assembly, ahead of Sam Rainsy's CNRP with 55 seats. The certification has left Sam Rainsy with few legal options to challenge the result.
Mr. Hun Sen has led Cambodia for 28 years and is seen by critics as an authoritarian ruler despite overseeing a period of prolonged economic growth.
Tropical storm disorganised, heads to Puerto Rico
Tropical Storm Gabrielle, which formed South of Puerto Rico late last night, poses no threat to the Cayman Islands, weather officials have said, but the storm and other weather systems are being closely monitored. At 8am Thursday morning the centre of the storm was about 65 miles WSW of Ponce, Puerto Rico, moving northwest at near 8mph. Forecasters said a turn toward the north-northwest is expected on Friday, with a slight decrease in forward speed. On the forecast track the centre should pass near or over the southwestern portion of Puerto Rico this morning and across the Mona Passage later today. Gabrielle should then move east of the Turks And Caicos Islands on Friday.
With maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and higher gusts, weather experts described squalls to the northeast of the centre, in what they said was a poorly organized storm with little change in strength expected today, though some slight strengthening is possible tonight and Friday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the centre.
Meanwhile, Cayman was expecting another showery day in association with the interaction between a slow moving tropical wave and a upper level low over our area. Radar images show widely scattered showers, mainly east of Cayman Brac and southeast of Grand Cayman moving west to northwest.
FATCA could affect 6,000 people living in Cayman
A seminar focusing on how the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) will impact individuals has been set for early next month, and everyone who was born in the US, holds a US passport or a green card, or who has a US address is encouraged to attend and find out more about what they need to do to prepare themselves for compliance. The event will be co-hosted by Cayman Finance and the Financial Services Ministry, which both stress the serious impact the new legislation is anticipated to have on individuals, as well as businesses, in the Cayman Islands. Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton said that while Cayman’s financial services industry has been working diligently to prepare for FATCA, local residents also need to take careful note.
“This may be an American law, but it has impact and consequences in the Cayman Islands as well. Everyone with a close US connection will likely be affected by FATCA to some degree,” he warned.
Panton said he was delighted his Ministry is again teaming up with Cayman Finance to ensure this important information reaches as broad an audience as possible. “We have continued to strengthen our relationship with Cayman Finance, and we are very happy to be able to reinforce our message by joining forces with the private sector in this way,” he said.
Urging anyone with a US connection to understand how high a priority FATCA should be for them, Gonzalo Jalles, CEO of Cayman Finance, said that any US person, as defined by the IRS, living or working in the Cayman Islands, must understand the effect that FATCA regulations may have on their particular situation.
“The way taxes are levied in the US means, for example, all Caymanians born in the US (even if they never lived there nor have a US passport) are liable to pay taxes and file tax returns yearly,” he explained. “FATCA will expose those persons who have not been complying with the US tax law, including some Caymanians. It is therefore vital people are fully aware of how the legislation can impact them.”
The Seminar, which is sponsored by Dillon Eustace and KPMG, will be held at the Westin Grand Cayman on Thursday, 3 October, from 4:00 – 6:00pm.
Confirmed speakers include Councillor Roy McTaggart with the Ministry for Financial Services; Steven L. Cantor, Cantor & Webb P.A.; and Doug Harrell of KPMG.
Crofty-bomb injures Academy-student
A student at the St. Maarten Academy PSVE sustained injuries yesterday morning from a homemade plastic bottle bomb, commonly known as a Crofty-bomb. According to a police report, a fellow student probably threw the bomb. The victim suffered superficial wounds to his face and body. Paramedics treated him on the scene, and police notified the victim’s parents.
Officers located the remains of the plastic bottle bomb and confiscated them for further investigation. No one has been arrested as a suspect yet.
The police noted that it is possible to make these bombs with chemicals that are available at any supermarket.
Surplus $18M short of goal
Although the UK appears to have fewer concerns about the current budget situation in the Cayman Islands than last year, the government has wound up around $18.7 million short of the predicted target. Finance Minister Marco Archer confirmed this week, as he went through the supplementary appropriations, that the unaudited results for the 2012/13 fiscal year saw government end the year with a surplus of $63.3 million. While this was the biggest surplus for many years, it was still short of the projected budget surplus of $82 million, which the former premier and minister of finance, McKeeva Bush, had presented last year after a protracted battle with the UK and a flurry of new fees and increases.
Although austerity measures across the civil service resulted in a fall in the operating budget of a welcome $10 million, government collected around $30 million less than anticipated.
The fall in predicted revenue was because the relevant legislation was passed too late to generate new fees or not passed at all and because predicted sources of revenue missing thier targets. For example, the special economic zone, Cayman Enterprise City, was expected to generate millions of dollars but the revenue collected was less than $200,000.
Although the new PPM government has not yet presented its full budget for the 2013/14 year, because of the need for an interim budget it has already cleared the broad outline with the UK after the FCO confirmed that it had accepted the government’s new four year fiscal plan and the route back to compliance with the Public Management and Finance Law.
Presenting a report on the first 99 days in office on Thursday, Premier Alden McLaughlin said that government had managed to tighten its belt recently and by not using its overdraft facility over the last quarter, it had saved government those fees as well.
“Government negotiated an increased overdraft of up to $46 million for more flexibility with cash flow, with the stipulation that government could not spend more than $30 million before 31 October. One of the positive effects of achieving expenditure restraint is the fact that government has not incurred an overdraft balance during the three-month period from 1 June to 31 August, 2013. Consequently, overdraft interest has been completely avoided,” McLaughlin told legislators.
Government is expected to deliver the full budget for 2013/14 during the week starting 23 September, more than a month ahead of the expiration of the emergency budget, which the finance minister and premier have said will give MLAs time to properly scrutinize the spending plans and question civil servants without sitting in the early hours of the morning in last minute marathon sessions, as has been common over the last four years.
--CNS
TCIG Economists Forecast 3.4 Percent Economic Growth for 2013
TCIG Department of Strategic Policy and Planning (SPPD) is forecasting a 3.4 percent growth for the TCI economy in 2013. This growth is underpinned by a recovery in the tourism and construction sectors with spillovers into the wholesale and retail sectors. The Department cautions, however that actual growth will depend on the strength of the recovery in the US and the success of the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands in finding ways of diversifying the economy.
The Hotel and Restaurants which accounts for the largest portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 2 percent in 2013. This just about makes up for the 3.5 per cent decline in the tourism sector in 2012.
Although the Turks and Caicos economy experienced a slight decline of 2.1 percent in 2012, evidence shows that the economy is stable and though fragile, has recovered from the disastrous 19.6 percent decline in 2009, which was partly reflective of the state of the world economy at that time.
Adjusting for indirect taxes and subsidies, GDP in constant market prices was estimated to have decreased by 2.1 percent to $540.6 million in 2012, but is expected to grow by 3.4 percent to $558.9 million in 2013.
Projections beyond 2013 show a continuous positive growth rate, as people adjust to new standards of living and become more comfortable with their purchasing power; the further strengthening of the industrial sectors and the emergence of new industries to take the lead in contributing to the growth of the TCI economy.
Given the importance of the tourism sector which accounted for 42.8 percent of GDP, it is not surprising that the overall economy recorded a slight decline of 2.1 percent in 2012. Sluggish performance in agriculture and fishing; manufacturing, construction and public administration and defense also contributed to the unfortunate results. A poor fishing season resulted in a decline of 32.9 percent in the Agriculture and Fishing in sector in 2012 as the fishing sector experienced a poor season.
Construction output, which is closely linked to capital investment in the tourism sector, also fell by 9.2 percent in 2012. This is also reflected in a decline in the importation of building materials relative to the previous year. Underlying these economic developments was also the political uncertainty related to the November 2012 parliamentary elections which may have been a contributor to delays in investment projects.
Construction activity is projected to increase in the last quarter of 2013 and is expected to surge in 2014, as a result of foreign direct investment in large-scale tourism related projects. These include the JW Marriot, the West Caicos Project and the Third Turtle Club, as well as the revitalisation of stalled projects and other proposed private sector projects. These will be complemented by significant public sector spending on capital works, which is expected to include a number of road works throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands; the continued expansion of the airport and the building of various classroom blocks around the islands among other government projects.
Overall mortgage commitments indicate that the challenges facing domestic private construction are expected to last into the medium term. As a result domestic private construction remains weak due to the relatively high unemployment rate but is expected to improve come 2014. Projects such as those outlined above and others will likely boost employment levels and local income. However, the modest US recovery (major source of TCI tourist arrivals) will continue to temper the rebound in the TCI. This underscores the need for greater diversification by the government and the TCI becoming less reliant on tourism as the major contributor to GDP.
SPPD wishes to thank the business community, public corporations, government agencies, and everyone, who has contributed, in one way or another, for the cooperation received in the provision of the necessary data. The department wishes to advise the businesses community that outstanding questionnaires to be submitted as they remain integral to the updating the estimates. The Department also thanks the public for their patience as we try to make the necessary data available.