too far away for forecasters to predict where she is headed.

A Bermuda Weather Service spokeswoman yesterday said Cindy was showing "some signs'' of disorganisation but said the storm may strengthen during the week.

The second named Atlantic storm of the season, at 6 p.m. yesterday Cindy was 2,115 nautical miles east southeast of Bermuda or more than 450 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands.

The tropical storm was traveling west northwest at four knots with winds of 55 knots and gusts up to 65 knots. Central pressure was 994 millibars.

The Weather Service's longest range prediction places Cindy at 1,477 nautical miles southeast of Bermuda on Wednesday afternoon.

It had spent most of Sunday as a Hurricane with winds above 60 knots, but was downgraded in the evening update.

Local forecasters are also monitoring the development of a tropical wave 500 nautical miles south south east of the Island.

They expect increased rain shower activity over the next few days as the outer reaches of the wave reach the area.

POLICE INVESTIGATE THEFTS CRM Police investigate thefts Police are investigating two thefts from private homes and one handbag snatching over the weekend.

A Dunscombe Road resident returned home at 1.45 p.m. Saturday after being away for exactly 24 hours to find a significant amount of cash had been stolen from their apartment.

And a window left unsecured for ventilation in an otherwise secure home was used by a thief or thieves who got away with a camera and several pieces of jewellry.

The resident left home at 6.30 p.m. and returned at 11.30 p.m. to find the premises had been ransacked.

Police are searching for a handbag thief who escaped without a trace early on Saturday morning on a railway trail in Devonshire.

Around 1 a.m. as a cycle rider was approaching the Barker's Hill roundabout from the west, a man rode up on a scooter and snatched a blue backpack from a basket.

The thief then rode onto Palmetto Road, and onto a Railway trail with the bag containing personal items and a small amount of cash.

A search by the complainant and a subsequent search by Police turned up nothing.

MORE TEACHERS NEEDED ED More teachers needed An increase in the number of teachers required for the public school system this year has driven the Ministry of Education to still try to fill vacancies at the 11th hour.

The reason for the new demand is two-fold, according to the ministry's human resource manager, Veronica Todd. Firstly Government's decision to replace all para professionals at the pre-school level with qualified teachers, and secondly, Berkeley senior school being granted additional staff.

The new staff at Berkeley are needed in order to facilitate the comprehensive form of education that the school has adopted. According to Ms Todd some of the students may have learning disabilities and it is essential that staff are there to aid them.

Recruiting teachers both here in Bermuda and overseas is currently underway by the Ministry of Education. The late advertisements, according to a ministry spokesperson, will insure that qualified Bermudians are given every possibility to apply.

Seven teachers are still being sought for the public school system. A music teacher at the primary level, Spanish language, dance, English and a learning support teacher for the middle schools as well as a reading and Spanish language teacher for the senior schools.

Ms Todd explained that the late advertisements have been placed to ensure that Bermudians "have every opportunity to apply for the posts.'' "We have advertised these posts before but did not get the required number of people.'' she said. "We recognise that there may be some Bermudians who may have missed that opportunity as they may have just returned home from summer courses. We find it expedient to re-advertise.'' "In terms of staffing we have done quite well.'' she continued. "We have practically exhausted our list of Bermudian applicants.'' The Ministry of Education advertise vacancies every February, April and July.

LACK OF BPS PROBLEMS POL RAO Lack of GPS problems Predictions of massive problems with navigation on the water proved to be unfounded yesterday, with no reports of boaters in distress.

Predictions that timers in older receivers connected to the Global Positioning System might revert back to January 5, 1980, had overseas experts worried of boaters in distress worldwide yesterday.

But as of last night, both Police and Bermuda Harbour Radio reported no GPS rollover problems in local waters.