Sturgeon to challenge May over Brexit 'plan B'
Prime Minister Theresa May is to face questions about her Brexit plans from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Edinburgh.
Mrs May is in Scotland to mark the signing of a "city deal" investment package for the south east region.
She will also take in the Edinburgh festival before talks with Ms Sturgeon. The first minister has challenged Mrs May to set out her "plan B" if she is unable to sell her preferred Brexit plans to European leaders.
Mrs May said she was aiming to "create more good jobs and spread economic prosperity across the country" as the UK leaves the EU.
The trip is the prime minister's first domestic appearance since she cut short her summer walking holiday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.
She has also spoken to the EU's chief negotiator Jean-Claude Juncker in a bid to win him over to the vision of Brexit she agreed with her ministers at Chequers in July.
And while in Edinburgh she will come under pressure from Ms Sturgeon to set out more details of what the UK's future relationship with the EU might look like after it leaves in March 2019.
The Scottish and UK governments have long been at odds over Brexit, having failed to come to an agreement over the future of devolved powers which saw MSPs refuse to give their backing to the EU Withdrawal Bill.
The unapproved antidepressant that's poisoning people
From 2014 through 2017, there was an increase in US poison control calls related to the intentional abuse and misuse of tianeptine, an unapproved antidepressant drug, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report on Thursday.
Tianeptine, marketed as Coaxil or Stablon, is used as a prescription antidepressant in Europe, Asia and Latin America. In the US, it can be purchased on the Internet, even though the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved its use.
There have been reports that recreational abuse might result in severe side effects including vomiting, confusion, coma and kidney failure. The drug can be lethal in rare cases.
"Deaths associated with misuse of tianeptine have been reported outside the United States," CDC researchers wrote in the new report. They added that two recent deaths attributed to "tianeptine toxicity" occurred in the US after the drug was purchased online.
California fire explodes in size, is now largest in state history
Catastrophic wildfires continue to ravage California, as one blaze nearly doubled in size over the last three days, making it the largest in the state's history.
No one has been injured in the Mendocino Complex Fire, which consists of two fires -- the Ranch Fire and the River Fire -- burning around Clear Lake, in several counties in Northern California.
Combined, they form the biggest blaze that California firefighters are currently battling. Altogether, the Mendocino Complex Fire has burned 283,800 acres -- growing about 80% since Friday night. As of Monday evening, it was 30% contained and had destroyed 75 residences.
The Mendocino Complex Fire has now surpassed last year's Thomas Fire, which burned 281,893 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, as the largest fire in Cal Fire history.
Exhausted firefighters across the state are trying to contain 16 major fires that are burning in hot, dry and windy conditions.
On Monday, another fast-moving fire ignited in the state -- this time in Orange County, where firefighters battled the Holy Fire that expanded to more than 4,000 acres. That fire started in the Cleveland National Forest and evacuations in the nearby areas have been ordered, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
Trump warns countries against doing business with Iran as sanctions kick back in
President Donald Trump has warned that countries doing business with Iran will "NOT be doing business with the United States" as his administration reimposed sanctions on Iran Tuesday.
In an early morning tweet, Trump described the measures as "the most biting sanctions ever" and warned they would "ratchet up to yet another level" in November, when US sanctions on Iranian oil will be reimposed."I am asking for WORLD PEACE, nothing less!" Trump added.
Trump's warning appeared to be aimed at the European Union, which is attempting to protect European businesses trading in Iran from facing US sanctions. US sanctions are being unilaterally reimposed on Iran in waves following Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal earlier this year.
The deal, officially titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, is a landmark agreement to restrict Iran's nuclear program in return for the lifting of international sanctions.
Orchestrated by the Obama administration, it was signed by Iran, some European countries, China and Russia in 2015. Trump has long been a fierce critic of the deal, calling it "insane" and maintaining that, even with the current restrictions in place, Iran continues to pose a threat to the US.
In May, the US pulled out of the deal, with the first round of sanctions reimposed on Tuesday. They affect, among other things, the purchase or acquisition of US dollars by the Iranian government, the country's auto industry and trade in gold or precious metals.
Facebook denies seeking users' bank data
Facebook has denied reports that it is actively asking banks for details of users' financial transactions.
The statement follows a story in the Wall Street Journal that said the social media giant had asked US banks for such data.
Facebook said some users opted in to accessing some financial information in its Messenger app.
Any data that was accessed by the company for such purposes was not used for advertising, it added.
The Wall Street Journal had reported that Facebook approached JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and US Bancorp to ask for information about users' account balances and card transactions.
However, Facebook said that users must opt in to linking the Messenger chat app to their bank accounts.
"Like many online companies with commerce businesses, we partner with banks and credit card companies to offer services like customer chat or account management," Facebook said.
"The idea is that messaging with a bank can be better than waiting on hold over the phone - and it's completely opt in."
Some account linking is in place on a relatively small scale at the moment - for example, Facebook users in Singapore who bank with Citi can check balances and view recent transactions.
More widely, Facebook users can connect their PayPal accounts to Messenger to track transactions and shipping updates.
German startup Sono Motors trials solar car that can charge as you drive
A Munich-based start-up has taken advantage of the strong Bavarian sun this summer to test the final development of the charging system of its Sion car, an all-electric solar vehicle that lets you charge as you drive.
Germany will likely miss its target of putting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020 but the government said in April it was ready to offer support to companies that make batteries for electric vehicles.
Sono Motors, founded in 2016, is developing the Sion, a fully-electric vehicle that has solar cells integrated into its bodywork. It can be charged via solar power, from conventional power outlets or other electric cars.
Production will start in the second half of 2019 at one of its German plants and the company has around 5,000 orders which it aims to start selling at $18,540 next year.
Sion will have 330 solar cells attached to the vehicle's roof, roof and sides and its battery system will offer a range of around 155 miles (250 km) before it needs recharging.
Demi Lovato has been released from the hospital and entered rehab
Police Commissioner statement regarding recent shootings
“On Friday, August 3rd, 2018, around 9:00 p.m., we saw a second firearms incident, in the area of Five Cays, within 24 hours when a male lost his life and two others were injured as a result of gunshot wounds. This follows the Murder near a local bar on Aviation Drive, also by gunshot wounds.
Both incidents occurred in areas busy with lots of people and it is extremely fortunate that more persons were not injured or killed as a result of indiscriminate violence. These men of violence are a blight on Turks and Caicos and my officers are working round the clock to detect the culprits. Two man are already under arrest in relation to the Aviation Drive shooting and our inquiries continue with detectives, forensic teams and other specialist officers involved.
Members of the public can expect to see increased patrols, including armed officers and K9 patrols tonight and in the coming days to prevent or react to further incidents. I seek the active cooperation of the public in bringing offenders to justice and recover the firearms used in these and other crimes.
The suspects are hiding among us, people know who they are, and it is their public duty to come forward, in confidence, to any police officer or by calling Chalk Sound Police station on 338-5901 or 941-8082 or by calling Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477.
We must act together to stop this violence and get guns off the street, please help us in our inquiries and keep Turks and Caicos a safe place to live.”
BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS PUBLIC FORECAST 7TH AUGUST, 2018
THIS IS THE PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY TUESDAY 7TH AUGUST 2018 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 12:00 AM.
GENERAL SITUATION: THE NORTHERN EXTENT OF A WESTWARD MOVING TROPICAL WAVE ACROSS HISPANIOLA INTERACTING WITH AN UPPER LEVEL LOW ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS WILL SUPPORT SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN ISLANDS. HIGH PRESSURE WILL DOMINATE ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE BAHAMAS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: THERE REMAINS THE RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS ALONG EAST COAST BEACHES IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS. GUSTY IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN. HIGHER IN GUSTS
NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE. MAINLY FAIR TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS CAN BE EXPECTED IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY 92F 33C
LOW TEMPERATURE TONIGHT 77F 25C
HEAT INDEX 103F 39C
SUNRISE: 6:40 AM
SUNSET: 7:49 PM
MOONRISE: 2:35 AM
MOONSET: 4:23 PM
HIGH TIDE: 3:14 AM 4:00 PM
LOW TIDE: 9:29 AM 10:29 PM
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A NON-TROPICAL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED A LITTLE MORE THAN 1000 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES IS INTERACTING WITH AN UPPER-LEVEL LOW, AND SHOWER ACTIVITY REMAINS DISORGANIZED. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS COULD
FAVOR SOME DEVELOPMENT DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO, BUT AFTER THAT TIME, THE LOW WILL ENCOUNTER INCREASING COOLER WATERS AND DEVELOPMENT IS NOT ANTICIPATED. FORMATION CHANCE THROUGH FIVE DAYS IS LOW AT AROUND 30 PERCENT. ELSEWHERE TROPICAL CYCLONE
FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.
The Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment to Host Summit on Illegal Migration
The Office of the Deputy Premier and Ministry of Border Control and Employment, under the leadership of the Deputy Premier and Minister, the Honourable Sean Astwood will be hosting a one-day Summit on Illegal Immigration, on Thursday 9th August 2018 at the Shore Club in Providenciales.
The ministry recognizes the problems that exist with illegal migration in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the increase of illegal sloops and overstays, which has become a national concern and has the potential to negatively impact the lives and businesses of all our citizens and those living among us. In a bi-partisan approach towards cooperation on this critical matter at the highest level, the Deputy Premier will convene a meeting with past Chief Ministers and Premiers, as well as former Ministers of Immigration and Border Control to formulate an eventual agreement for strategic approaches to effectively address and combat this challenge, and agree the pathway to the eventual stemming of illegal migration in the country.
Honourable Astwood indicated that "My ministry holds the main responsibility for migration and immigration, and continues to do its utmost to fight illegal migration, and in recent months have had numerous successes". He further stated that "However, as a country we remain cognizant that while we continue to affect our operational mandate, there is a need for a strategic direction and sustainable program in order to curb this issue for the long term."
The Department of Immigration, in recent months has led on numerous operations and through its Task Force Unit, continues to mount joint operations with the Police Department and other enforcement agencies, which resulted in a number of apprehensions of persons who are illegally residing and working within the country.
This high-level meeting is another in a series of engagements with public stakeholders that the Deputy Premier has undertaken since coming to office, as a collaborative approach to addressing major immigration and migration issues in the Turks and Caicos Islands.