The trade war is deepening the gloom at Chinese factories
Chinese factories are losing export orders and laying off workers as the trade war with the United States exacerbates an economic slowdown that started earlier this year.
Growth in output from China's huge manufacturing sector slumped last month to its lowest level in more than a year, according to the results of a survey of hundreds of companies published Monday.
The latest purchasing managers index survey, conducted by media group Caixin and research firm Markit, fell to 50.6 in August from 50.8 in July. Any reading above 50 indicates growth, but August showed the slowest rate of acceleration in 14 months.
China is one of the world's fastest growing major economies, but it has begun to slow down this year, and signs of further weakness are spreading.
"China's economy is now facing relatively obvious downward pressure," Zhengsheng Zhong, a senior analyst at research firm CEBM Group, said in comments accompanying the release of the survey Monday.
Chinese factories' export orders slumped for the fifth month in row, according to the data. The decline in orders has coincided with the escalation of trade hostilities with the United States, which began in earnest in late March.
Over 100 Pink Cadillacs Turn Out for Aretha Franklin's Funeral
Of all the motor vehicles that have been lionized in popular music, none have carried more lyrical and atmospheric impact than the Cadillac. Whether for the way its triple-syllable name rolls off the tongue and can be twisted like phonetic putty or for its stature as the pinnacle of Motor City sheet metal, it’s been the go to muse for countless artists.
But unlike Chuck, Johnny, Bruce, and countless others who appropriated the Caddy, Aretha Franklin is a Detroit native, and when she called out a Pink Cadillac in her 1985 hit “Freeway of Love,” it intrinsically linked her for eternity with the make and hue. So when the call went out earlier for a procession of pink Cadillacs to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul at here Detroit funeral, the faithful responded en masse.
Coming from as far away as Houston, participants lined Detroit’s Seven Mile road with all manner of pink Cadillacs including Escalades and at least one XLR. Many were bearing the Mary Kay logos in the rear windows. The procession, led by Crisette Ellis, the first lady of the Greater Grace Temple and Mary Kay national sales supervisor, preceded the service.
Definitely a fitting tribute to the Queen of Soul.
Alastair Cook: England great to retire from international cricket after fifth Test
England's highest Test run-scorer Alastair Cook will retire from international cricket after this week's final Test against India.
The opener, 33, has scored 12,254 runs and made 32 centuries in 160 Tests - all England records.
"There is nothing left in the tank," said Cook, who captained his country in a record 59 Tests.
The fifth Test of the series, in which England have an unassailable 3-1 lead, starts on Friday at The Oval.
Cook is sixth on the all-time list of Test run-scorers and has made a record 11,627 runs as an opener.
He added: "I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and feel very privileged to have played for such a long time alongside some of the greats of the English game."
However, he has struggled this year, averaging 18.62 in 16 innings, and has not scored a fifty in the current series against India.
Chloe x Halle: Meet Beyonce's soulful proteges
Chloe and Halle Bailey were in their mid teens when, five years ago, they posted a cover of Beyonce's Pretty Hurts on YouTube - but they showcased a poise and vocal ability beyond their years.
The clip soon caught the attention of Beyonce herself, who shared it on her Facebook page, adding the caption: "So amazingly talented!!"
After learning they were unsigned, she contacted the sisters at their home in Atlanta, Georgia - taking them under her wing and signing them to her Parkwood Entertainment label.
A few years later, they have uprooted from Atlanta to Los Angeles, released an award-nominated debut album, landed roles in TV show Grown-ish (for which they wrote the theme song), and are currently opening for Beyonce and Jay-Z on their On The Road II stadium tour.
"We're having such a blast," says Chloe, on the phone from New York. "Just building our craft and being really happy and making memories."
It's a pretty safe bet, however, that the duo would have succeeded even without Beyonce's endorsement.
They wrote and produced their debut album themselves, concocting an ethereal take on R&B infused with trap beats and intricately-woven harmonies.
"Pretty much the whole album we did in our living room," says Halle who, at 18, is the younger of the two sisters.
"It's so funny because that's the family area where we watch TV, then our studio's off in a little corner of the room. So whenever we're recording it's like a game where we're like, 'OK everybody, be quiet!'
"Our little brother's bedroom is right next door so he always has to tiptoe by when we're recording!"
They prefer the homemade approach, turning down the A-list collaborators Beyonce could easily have supplied so they could forge their own musical identity.
"Our mum and dad instilled in us that we can do amazing things, we can learn to do whatever we want," says Halle.
"So we were like, 'Instead of getting a big-time producer and having to wait four weeks for a meeting, why don't we just try to create it ourselves?'"
Skype U-turns on Snapchat-like features after complaints
Microsoft has announced it will remove a number of Snapchat-style features from its Skype messenger service.
The software giant updated Skype in June 2017 but faced criticism from users who said it was "stupid" and the "worst ever update".
Microsoft said it accepted that the new features "got in the way" of the app's core uses: messaging and making phone calls
Many of the updates simply "didn't resonate" with most users, it said.
It will reduce the navigation options from five to three by removing the highlights and camera buttons.
When it announced the June 2017 updates, Microsoft told the BBC: "We know this was a big change and we welcome feedback along the way.
"We're confident that as we continue to listen to users and provide updates to the app... we'll be able to keep improving the experience."
And now, Skype design director Peter Skillman has written in a blog: "This past year we explored some design changes and heard from customers that we overcomplicated some of our core scenarios."
Released in 2003, Skype was bought by Microsoft in 2011.
But now, Facebook's Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp as well as Telegram and Snapchat all provide similar features, with many copying ideas from one another.
Most noticeably, Messenger and Instagram incorporate the "stories" features from Snapchat.
Brazil museum fire: Funding cuts blamed as icon is gutted
Officials in Brazil have blamed lack of funding for a huge fire that has ravaged the country's National Museum.
One of the largest anthropology and natural history collections in the Americas was almost totally destroyed in Sunday's fire in Rio de Janeiro.
There had been complaints about the dilapidated state of the museum. "We never had adequate support," its deputy director said after the fire.
Presidential candidate Marina Silva also criticised lack of investment.
"Given the financial straits of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and all the other public universities the last three years, this was a tragedy that could be seen coming," Ms Silva, a left-wing politician standing in next month's election, tweeted.
The fire started on Sunday evening, after the building - a 19th Century former royal palace - closed for the day.
The cause is not known, but Culture Minister Sergio Sa Leitao was quoted in Brazilian media as saying it may have been ignited by a small paper hot air balloon landing on the roof.
No injuries have been reported but most of the 20 million items the museum contained went up in flames.
Mr Sa Leitao said it was a "tragedy that could have been avoided" but a reconstruction effort would begin.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT NOTICE: PRE–TENDER MEETING
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government would like to invite potential tenderers to a Pre-Tender Meeting for the following Contracts:
- Refurbishment of Ministry Infrastructure - Parade Grounds, Grand Turk, TR 18/11
- Reinstatement of Seawall Salt Cay, TR 18/13
- Schools Infrastructure Project Phase 2, TR 18/14
Lot 1: Mary Robinson Primary School
Lot 2: Clement Howell High School
- Reinstatement of Government Buildings All Islands, TR 18/15
Lot 1: Crown Land Building, Grand Turk
Lot 2: Ministry of Education, Grand Turk
- Shelters and Emergency Operations Center, TR 18/16
Lot 1: Community Centre, South Caicos
Lot 2: Antioch Adventist Church, Grand Turk
Lot 3: H. J. Robinson High School, Grand Turk
Lot 4: Club House, Salt Cay
Lot 5: Methodist Sunday School, Salt Cay
This meeting will be held on Friday, 7 September, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Waterloo Plaza, Waterloo Road Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands.
All interested persons must RSVP via email to procurement@gov.tc by 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Additional information for these contracts may be obtained from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s website: https://www.gov.tc/government-tenders.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT NOTICE: PRE–TENDER MEETING
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government would like to invite potential tenderers to a Pre-Tender Meeting for the following Contracts:
- Road Development Phase 4, TR 18/12
Lot 1: Blue Hills
Lot 2: Five Cays
- Schools Infrastructure Project Phase 2, TR 18/14
Lot 1: Mary Robinson Primary School
Lot 2: Clement Howell High School
This meeting will be held on Thursday, 6 September, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the PWD Conference Room, Butterfield Square, Downtown, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
All interested persons must RSVP via email to procurement@gov.tc by 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Additional information for these contracts may be obtained from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s website: https://www.gov.tc/government-tenders.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government Tender Notice
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government invites open tenders for the following Contracts:
Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services
- Schools Infrastructure Project Phase 2, TR 18/14
Lot 1: Mary Robinson Primary School
Lot 2: Clement Howell High School
Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Human Services and Sports
- Refurbishment of Ministry Infrastructure - Parade Grounds, Grand Turk, TR 18/11
Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning
- Road Development Phase 4, TR 18/12
Lot 1: Blue Hills
Lot 2: Five Cays
- Reinstatement of Seawall Salt Cay, TR 18/13
- Reinstatement of Government Buildings All Islands, TR 18/15
Lot 1: Crown Land Building, Grand Turk
Lot 2: Ministry of Education, Grand Turk
- Shelters and Emergency Operations Center, TR 18/16
Lot 1: Community Centre, South Caicos
Lot 2: Antioch Adventist Church, Grand Turk
Lot 3: H. J. Robinson High School, Grand Turk
Lot 4: Club House, Salt Cay
Lot 5: Methodist Sunday School, Salt Cay
Additional information for these Contracts may be obtained from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s website at http://www.gov.tc/government-tenders.
Tenders are to be submitted in a sealed envelope by 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 26 September 2018 directly to:
The Secretary to the Procurement Board
Office of the Deputy Governor
Waterloo Plaza (upstairs Scotiabank)
Waterloo Road
Grand Turk
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is not bound to accept any bid, and reserves the right to annul the tender process at any time prior to award of Contract.
Deputy Premier Hon. Astwood Response to Former Premier Hon. Ewing
Deputy Premier the Hon Sean Astwood says he cannot sit idly by and decided to respond today to Former Premier Dr.Rufus Ewing.
In his letter sent to RTC, the DP says and I quote:
I normally avoid referring to events of the past but since the failed former leader of the PNP, Hon. Rufus Ewing, accused the current PDM administration of either running scared or being incompetent, I will have to remind him of the PNP Government being both scared and incompetent under his leadership.
100% Service Charge
In April 2016, the Peoples Democratic Movement, the official opposition at the time, successfully brought a Private Members Motion to the House of Assembly asking for the reinstatement of 100% gratuity which was amended by the PNP Government in 2004 that allowed 40% of the gratuity paid by guest to be retained by the Hotel Resort. Members of the Rufus Ewing led PNP Government gave reason after reason why gratuity could not be reinstated. All Government Ministers abstained from voting for this motion and this included Hon. Rufus Ewing, Akierra Missick, Washington Misick, Portia Stubbs Smith, Norman Saunders, Ruth Blackman, and Hon. Donhue Gardiner. This is a matter of public record. All 8 members of the PDM opposition voted yes and the motion was carried. The PNP Government refused to implement it. This was a clear indication that the Rufus Ewing led PNP Government had no intention of ensuring that 100% service charge was received by the persons in tourism industry who rightfully deserved it.
PDM was the only Party that ran on reinstating 100% gratuity and the only Government to bring the Bill to the House of Assembly to ensure that this happens. History shows that the only party that was scared to restore the 100% to the hospitality workers was the Rufus Ewing led PNP Government." End quote.
In the just concluded HOA, leader of tge Opposition tried to present a motion on
Vehicle Policy to which Hon Astwood now responds.
Hon. Washington Misick brought a motion to the House for a vehicle policy and did not attached the reference document for his motion. Therefore Hon. Misick could not expect to debate this motion when the Government was not privy to information he wanted to reference. With all his years of legislative experience, Hon. Misick should have known better. Hon. Misick must accept fault for his failure to prepare a proper motion. If he is serious about his private member's motion, he should resubmit the motion with the reference document attached.
The former failed PNP leader refers to the Premier disrespecting the Leader of the Opposition. However, he neglected to mention the disrespect displayed by the Leader of the Opposition towards the Premier. After the Premier asked the Speaker of the House of Assembly to take a ten-minute break to allow the Leader of the Opposition to collect his thoughts, the Leader of the Opposition became irate and hurled disrespectful words towards the Premier and the Premier responded. The Premier apologized to the Leader of the Opposition, the HOA, and the Country for her response to the Leader of the Opposition, however the Leader of the Opposition has yet to apologize to the Premier.
Incompetence
The Rufus Ewing led PNP administration's premature firing of the former Attorney General which resulted in his Government being sued and ultimately having to settle costing taxpayers thousands of dollars in an undisclosed amount is just one example of incompetence under Rufus leadership. The Rufus Ewing led PNP Government also was sued by students that were entitled to scholarships that his Government refused to honour. The fact that Hon. Rufus Ewing called the wrong election date in 2016 which resulted in him going into an election like a deer in headlights magnified his level of incompetence.
However, the ultimate demonstration of incompetence and recklessness is when the former Premier and former member of the National Security Council in a press release, after Hurricane Irma, publicly stated that our radar station was damaged and needed to be repaired, thereby announcing to the world that our borders was open to be breached.
The former leader of the PNP was out of touch when he was Premier, and he continues to be out of touch and clueless as to what is transpiring in the HOA but if he wants to go down the road of being reminded of his lack luster performance as the former Premier of this country, I will oblige him."