TC Weekly News May 4 - 10, 2024

No more ‘tax holidays’ for foreign investors - says Premier

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a bold move to strengthen the economy and ensure that the benefits of foreign investment flow to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick has announced that the government will no longer be granting long tax holidays to new development agreements.

As foreign direct investments flow into the Turks and Caicos Islands at an unprecedented pace, only limited by the territory’s ability to accommodate the growing demand, the Turks and Caicos Islands government is dotting i’s and crossing t’s when it comes to investors and the degree of perks they receive.

To this end, Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick said that his government has replaced the “tax holiday clauses in development agreements with an equilibrium clause” that forces foreign investors to comply with the new taxation regime.

“Our goal is to maintain an investment policy that will benefit our people and help build our country for the long term,” He said.

“We want higher paying jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, knowledge transfer, and new technologies.”

Misick stressed that by ending tax holidays, the TCI can attract the right kind of investment that will create sustainable growth and improve the lives of all Turks and Caicos Islanders.

He said: “We have the luxury of choosing the right investments and the right partners”.

The Premier also highlighted the significant amount of foreign direct investment that is already flowing into the TCI.

“Projects in varying stages of development valued at over $4bn are in the pipeline.

“Projects with development agreements or currently under construction are valued at nearly $792m.

“Projects with MoUs in place with the finalization of development agreements in progress are valued at over $2.7bn.”

“Projects at the due diligence stage have a combined value of nearly $453m.”

Misick stressed that this is a clear indication that investors are confident in TCI’s economy and his government’s commitment to good governance.

While the government is committed to attracting foreign investment, Premier Misick underscored that it will not be at

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the expense of the people.

“We removed tax holidays from new development agreements.

“The old policy of long tax holidays for foreign investors and wealthy individuals has facilitated the transfer of tens of millions of dollars into foreign economies and private pockets.

Misick told the House of Assembly that these old practices have deprived the TCI of muchneeded funding for people and infrastructure development.

He continued: “By guaranteeing foreign investors exemption from future taxes, it ties the hands of the government in developing a fair and equitable tax structure.

“My government has replaced tax holiday clauses in development agreements with an equilibrium clause which forces foreign investors to comply with any new taxation regime.”

The Premier chided the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) administration for underwriting what was described as “superprofits of some developers”.

He said: “The PDM supported the splitting of purchase contracts for the development of condominium resorts, villas and the construction of residences for foreign wealthy individuals.

“This was in contravention of the spirit of the investment policy. Mr Speaker, this is how a split contract works, one contract is for the sale of the land on which the private purchaser pays stamp duties. “The other is a separate contract for the construction of the building for which the developer pays no stamp duty but enjoys a reduced rate on customs duties.

“In the PNP we put our people first and will collect every dollar that belongs to them.”

The territory’s leader maintained that the government’s decision to end tax holidays is a significant step towards building a more equitable and prosperous Turks and Caicos Islands.

Provo water woes continue – nightly restrictions to continue,

big project completed by

The Provo Water Company (PWC) is asking residents to be patient with them a little bit longer as nightly water restrictions will continue throughout the month of May, as works progress to alleviate the shortfall.

Since March, the island has been experiencing severe water shortages, due in large part to the surge in tourism in Providenciales, forcing the water company to implement temporary restrictions, primarily during the evening hours, to certain communities.

This was done to safeguard daily water reserves, while works were being undertaken to address the shortfall, the company said at the time.

This week, the utility company said they have made considerable progress in addressing recent water supply issues.

They said while ongoing projects aimed at long-term solutions are proceeding as planned, water restrictions will continue in the interim. These restrictions will be implemented on an as-needed basis, and if deemed necessary, the restrictions will be in effect from 11:30pm to 5:30am, so as to optimise conservation efforts during off-peak hours.

In response to the extension, Managing Director Robert Hall has again apologised to customers and stakeholders, reaffirming PWC’s dedication to minimising

June

the frequency of water restrictions, saying they look forward to eliminating them altogether.

“We will implement these measures only as required throughout the month of May to efficiently regulate water usage. We recognise the impact of these restrictions, and we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to minimise inconvenience and ensure that your needs are our top priority,” Hall said.

He said the company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station, alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues.

The transmission main project which will enhance various aspects of the existing water supply network - ultimately improving water distribution across the island - is currently scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2024.

Hall said: “This project is pivotal in strengthening our water distribution infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community.

“By actively working towards its completion, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the utmost excellence, reliability, and efficiency.”

Work is underway on several projects aimed at alleviating the strain on the PWC’s network (Photo: PWC)

Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade Hon Charles Washington Misick

TCIG warns visitors that guns and ammunition are forbidden

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Turks and Caicos Islands government has issued a stern warning to visitors, reminding them that it is illegal to bring guns or ammunition into the country and that those who continue to do so would face stiff penalties.

This comes as several American travellers have been arrested in recent months and are currently facing stiff prison time for bringing guns and bullets into the islands.

Like many other Caribbean countries, the Turks and Caicos Islands is pushing back against the tsunami of weapons flooding the islands to curb gun-related crime.

The penalties for gun and ammunition offenses in the Turks and Caicos are severe, carrying a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of 12 years, plus a fine.

The territory’s stringent approach to gun violence has garnered mixed reactions locally and many negative responses on the international scene as reports of the visitors’ arrests were picked up by several international news agencies such as NBC, CNN, Yahoo, Daily Mail and CBS News.

In response to these developments, the Minister of Tourism, Hon Josephine Connolly told the Weekly News, that the

safety of residents and guests is paramount.

She said: “It is unfortunate that the visitors in question had to experience this while vacationing with us, but the safety of our people and our visitors alike is of utmost importance and the laws were developed to serve as a deterrent for anyone who is not licensed to have gun or ammunitions as a means to protect our people.”

On Friday, April 26, the government strongly advised travellers to search their luggage before they travel to the territory and to refrain from bringing in forbidden items inadvertently.

A statement from the Communications Directorate, the Government’s Public Relations arm, said the TCI reserves the right to enforce its legislation and all visitors “must follow its law enforcement procedures.”

While the United States has a unique gun culture, gun owners also need to recognise that their choice to have a gun comes with a lot of responsibility.

In this vein, the government said: “Persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms.

Visitors were reminded that the importation of firearms, ammunition, and other weapons

are strictly forbidden unless a license to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws against the possession of firearms and or ammunition and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community.”

“An Attorney General’s Reference to the Court of Appeal certified that where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion to impose a custodial sentence (less than the 12 years) and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system”, the government explained.

Further, it stressed that the onus is on the traveller to ensure their baggage is free of ammunition and/ or firearms as the Transportation Security Administration screening in the United States may not identify ammunition in a traveller’s baggage.

The government reminded that permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in arrest.

In one recent incident, a US citizen was able to pass through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma with four rounds of ammunition in his carry-on bag.

Although the government did not comment on ongoing legal cases before the courts, it confirmed that four US nationals have been charged for possession of ammunition offences against the Firearms Ordinance (as amended).

The charges and status of the cases are as follows:

Michael Lee Evans, 72, of Texas, pled guilty to possession of seven 9mm rounds of ammunition.

Evans appeared before the court on Wednesday, 24th April 2024, via video conference link. He is currently on bail, with the sentencing hearing adjourned to June 18th, 2024.

Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania pled guilty to possession of 20 rounds of ammunition (rifle rounds). Hagerich is currently on bail and is scheduled to reappear in court on May 3rd, 2024.

Ryan Tyler Watson, 40, of Oklahoma, currently on bail, is charged with possession of four rounds of ammunition. He appeared in court on April 24th, 2024. The matter was adjourned to

June 7th, 2024.

Meanwhile, Tyler Scott Wenrich, 31, of Virginia, is currently remanded at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Grand Turk). He is charged with possession of two 9mm rounds. He has not applied for bail.

According to NBC10 Boston, the Transportation Security Administration recently said it is aware of the incident in the Turks and Caicos Islands involving a US citizen and a representative confirmed that ammunition was not detected in a bag at the airport.

“TSA takes its security mission very seriously. TSA can confirm that four rounds of ammunition were not detected in the traveller’s bag during security screening at Will Rogers World Airport (OKC), which was the originating airport. Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on bags and passengers are responsible for the contents of their luggage.

“TSA is here to protect our transportation security systems, and an oversight occurred that the agency is addressing internally.”

The TSA encouraged passengers to start packing with an empty bag, and when travelling internationally, to be cognizant of local laws.

Visitors at the Howard Hamilton International Airport, Turks and Caicos

GILBERT SELVER’S CROWN LAND CASE

Leader of the PDM and the official Opposition, Hon Edwin Astwood believes the court of appeal decision in the Gilbert Selver case with the government is unfair and does not protect the rights of the people of the TCI.

In a decision last week, the Court found that Selver illegally occupied three parcels of land and when given the opportunity to regularise his occupancy of said land, did not accept the offers, and ignored several notices to vacate the properties.

As such he has been ordered off the land within 90 days, has to pay the government’s legal costs and will not be compensated for the structures that reside on the land parcels.

In response to the judgement, Astwood stated: “I do not agree with the Turks and Caicos Court of Appeal ruling against our local businessman Mr Gilbert Selver”. What are your thoughts?

The law was applied

The courts interpret and apply the law. They don’t make policies. They aren’t fit for that purpose. Neither is Astwood.

Selver is a developer, not a flipper

This must be a watershed moment in the TCI for the fight to obtain control of Crown land resources and to do justice by the people. The leader of the opposition has taken the right position by publicly disagreeing with the Court of Appeal and calling it “unfair”. He clearly identified that the current “legal” structures in place cannot benefit the people. This ruling confirms that the Crown Land Ordinance remains a perennial problem and it must go. This law was put in place to prevent the flipping of Crown land because, in the years prior to it, Turks & Caicos Islanders would be encouraged to sell land grants for really low prices. The granting of Crown land was an instrument of empowerment and many Turks & Caicos Islanders, who were allowed by the then

TCIinvest, actually got empowered through it.

Tragically all of Grace Bay, Chalk Sound, Silly Creek, the Bight, the multimillionaire areas of Providenciales, were once owned by TCIslanders and the Crown. This is a sad state of affairs and a paradise lost.

Gilbert Selver and these Turks & Caicos Islanders who responsibly developed and used their land grants, cannot be held responsible for this “Wholesale sale of Paradise”.

Selver used his life savings and investments to build his property. The Crown Land Unit forgot that it was them who showed him the properties and that he was granted planning permission. For him to go to court and have it taken from him and without compensation is a real injustice. This is a serious and deliberate double standard. The Leader of the Opposition is to be congratulated for making the kind of representations that he did. How is it that former Governor Dakin’s project to empower illegal migrants in the TCI through the resettlement project has taken precedence over Crown land reform? Shouldn’t there be a project where efforts are made to amend the Crown Land Ordinance to remove the lottery and the power of the Crown Land Unit to do what it likes?

Mischief afoot

What lurks beneath this legal action and the claim for land and buildings is a much wider issue. It is not without precedent that the site of the PNP’s headquarters was the subject of asset recovery efforts by the Asset Recovery Unit and they sat with the recalcitrant PNP and reached settlement.

Much closer to the airport are the buildings of the Hon Samuel Been and settlement was reached in those cases. Why not sit with Mr Selver and reach a similar settlement, in the interests of justice?

Is this one law for one and one for the others? In 2012, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government served civil proceedings with the Progressive National Party seeking to recover land on which the party’s headquarters is constructed. “According to the suit, the PNP, in building its headquarters on Airport Road, committed a trespass, as the land was Crown land to which the PNP allegedly had no title”.

Unlike Gilbert Selver they just simply went there and squatted but the government still settled the case even though the PNP broke the law. Could this government have its eye on the Selver’s property because it is so immediate and adjacent to the airport and its planned expansion? Anything other than reaching settlement would be an injustice.

Land flipping must end

This entire saga where lands were sold for literally “nothing” to TCIslanders, flipped for real money, depriving the treasury, the Robin Auld Commission of Enquiry 2008 thru 2009, the removal of Ministerial control of Crown land owing to abuse was a rather sorry and sordid era in TCI’s history.

Really and truly the idea of giving Crown land was to empower the TCI native but it was so abused by politicians that the bulk of TCI’s multimillion-dollar assets ended up in the hands of expat developers and not the people for whom Crown grants were created. The parties must commit to ending the flipping and abuse of Crown land so that its administration could go to a process where the Crown Land Unit’s biased and dictatorial approach can be removed.

The Crown Land Unit is reputed to be anti-Turks & Caicos Islander and it can be seen in their approach. It is said that anytime a TCI native applies for land that native is routinely frustrated. It raises certain questions about the attitude. Reforms and policies are needed to rein in the Crown Land Unit and to develop an ordinance that would benefit, not hurt the TCIslander.

Who is giving the instructions?

government through the AG’s Chambers to initiate court action against Mr Selver? Were ministers aware of this action and did they consent to it? Essentially, ministers of this ruling PNP government could not, “not be aware” of this action. If they were fully aware and allowed it, then they have participated in one of the greatest assaults on the empowerment of the Turks & Caicos Islander.

In Cabinet “where all things should come together”, they should have told the AG’s Chambers, ‘do not move this case to Court’. Just like they ‘instructed the Attorney General” to appeal the gay marriage ruling, they should not instruct that department to sit with Gilbert Selver and settle the matter.

Laudable stand by Hon Astwood

In taking a bold move for justice, the Leader of the PDM Opposition, the Hon Edwin Astwood, stated, “while we respect the jurisdiction of the Courts, we do not always agree with its rulings.” To that end, I do not agree with the Turks and Caicos Court of Appeal ruling against our local businessman Mr Gilbert Selver.” This is such a correct and forthright position to take by the PDM leader. In relation to the Court of Appeals decision, he stated further that the judgment does not ‘reaffirm the government’s authority to act in the best interests of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and ensures responsible stewardship of our finite land resources’.

In essence, it must be stated here that the government is prepared to take a policy position that it will manage the land resources well and that it will fight for the right of the TCIslander to access Crown land assets. The ruling is counter to that objective but more so, the government must not remain silent but state its objectives. Can they or will they do so? It says a lot about a person based on what they fight for. This is an emotive but serious issue and the government must respond to the Court’s ruling and the bold policy position taken by the Leader of the Opposition.

Lamenting that the principles of justice and fairness were not followed, the PDM leader stated, further, “No Turks and Caicos Islander should be contented or in any way agreeable with this ruling. This point strikes a nerve because the TCI Constitution is clear, that decisions of the government, ie

Bomb hoaxes at TCI airports under investigation

– Police working with regional and international partners

BY DELANA ISLES

A series of bomb threats at the JAGS McCartney and Howard Hamilton International Airports over the past week is currently under investigation by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) and its regional and international partners.

The first threat was issued last Friday, April 26, at the JAGS McCartney Airport in Grand Turk, causing an immediate shut down of operations at the facility by the Airports Authority.

At 4:48 pm last Friday, the Airports Authority received a bomb threat via email and alerted the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

First responders were immediately deployed to the airport and evacuated the terminal building and surrounding areas to ensure the safety of travellers and staff.

No bomb was found, and investigations were immediately launched to ascertain where the

threat had originated, as police continued to monitor operations at the airport.

Two hours later, the all-clear was given by the police and the airport resumed operations.

However, the following day at about 5:18pm, another threat was made to the Grand Turk Airport, forcing its closure and subsequent inspection by police. Once again, the threat was proven to be false, and shortly after operations resumed at the facility.

Police then issued a statement urging anyone with information about the bomb hoaxes to contact them.

This did not dissuade the pranksters, who again on Monday, April 28, targeted both international airports, issuing two threats to the Grand Turk and Providenciales’ airports, causing disruptions in flight operations as bomb sweeps had to be conducted.

Once again, the threat was proven to be a hoax, prompting Commissioner of Police, Edvin

of the Crown Land Unit, must be fair and proportionate. In the Gilbert Selver case, they have fallen short of this mandate to be fair.

A blow to TCIslanders

A prescient government will rise and fall on this issue. A statesman would take the lead and through the gauntlet to the ground and issue a decided position that reforms will be made to the Crown Land Ordinance. Should this case go to the Privy Council, it would be helpful if that board would have something to follow such as an updated governmental position on the issue. In these respects, empowerment remains the governing point which the Crown Land Ordinance does not anticipate. In like measure, the leader of the Opposition states, “Mr Selver is a Turks and Caicos Islander businessman who has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in developing these properties, and if allowed to be executed, this ruling will greatly hurt the position of this native Turks and Caicos Islander businessman.” “He shared that the ruling also demonstrates that the Crown Land Ordinance is not in the interests of Turks Caicos Islanders.

These sentiments cannot be lost on the public and they must operate on the minds of the government, attorney general, the premier and ministers.

The Crown Land Ordinance must be amended so that Mr Selver and others like him would not face similar fates as in the Court of Appeal.

Martin to issue a strongly worded statement.

“I unequivocally condemn the actions of those who delight in creating chaos through cyber space.

Over the past four days, there has been a series of bomb threats at our JAGS McCartney and Howard Hamilton International Airports. A dedicated team of officers searched the premises and surroundings, but nothing was ever found.”

The commissioner revealed that threats have also been issued to public officials, all of which are under investigation.

“The RTCIPF view bomb hoaxes and threats as wholly reprehensible and aimed at disrupting our community.”

He said the Royal TCI Police Force is collaborating with its regional and external partners to tackle the issue.

“Our agency will also do everything possible to protect TCI, its residents and visitors, and I applaud the quick action of our officers, the Airport Authority, staff and other national security persons working tirelessly to address these threats.”

The commissioner is urging anyone with information about the hoaxes and threats to come forward and report it.

PDM calls on Govt to up security at airports amid bomb hoaxes

BY DELANA ISLES

Hon Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition PDM is calling on the government to take the airport bomb threats of the past week seriously and to further address security concerns at the country’s two international airports.

Three separate threats were issued via email to the TCI Airports Authority last weekend and early in the past week, all of which were subsequently proven to be hoaxes by the police.

However, while the Commissioner of Police has publicly condemned the criminally mischievous behaviour, the government has not issued an official statement on the matter.

This lack of acknowledgment by the government has prompted the opposition to once again call them out for their “continued silence” on serious issues.

“If something serious is happening to our country and our people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, by now we all know who will be silent and who will be hiding from their responsibilities.

“If you said the Premier and his Cabinet Ministers, you are 100% correct.

“I have never seen such a government that constantly hides from crises and is afraid of speaking about serious issues affecting our people,” Astwood pointed out.

He said while the recent threats to the airports have been extremely disruptive to TCI’s tourism brand, travelling residents and guests, the government refuses to address it.

“This PNP government needs

to understand that the importance of security and safety at airports cannot be overstated, especially in today’s world where the threat of terrorism and other security risks loom large.

“Additionally, they must take into consideration persons who may want to harm our country directly, and those who do not agree with our laws and way of life. They must also understand the fragility of our tourism industry, and that there are many other destinations in the Caribbean alone that persons can choose as an alternative to coming to our country.”

Astwood said the people or organisations behind the recent threats appear to know well that the airports are critical hubs of transportation and commerce, hence making them attractive targets to cause harm, sow chaos, or disrupt societal order.

“This is especially amplified in an archipelago nation and one that the economy is based on tourism.”

He said that given all of this, action is needed by the government, not silence.

Questioning: “What new robust security measures are being established to elevate and protect passengers, airline personnel, airport staff, and the general public from potential threats and acts of terrorism?”

He is calling for a plan to be put in place to ensure continuity of operations, as the disruptions at the country’s main airports can have far-reaching consequences, leading to flight delays, cancellations, and economic losses.

“I do believe that by maintaining a high level of security and preparedness, airports can minimise the impact of security incidents and ensure the continuity of operations.”

He is calling for a wide range of additional security measures, including access control systems, additional surveillance cameras, security patrols, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to be implemented at the airports.

Also, advancements in technology, such as biometric identification systems and artificial intelligence-based security solutions, are now being leveraged to enhance security capabilities and improve threat detection.

“A government that is not out of touch like this current PNP government would have understood that as technology advances and security threats to our country evolve, the airports should be continually exploring new measures to enhance security and safety,” the party leader stated.

He said a PDM government, under his leadership, will review and implement innovative approaches and technologies that can be considered for at airports to strengthen security measures.

“I am putting to the premier and his government that the Terms of Reference for the New Airport Development should be immediately reviewed, in order to ensure that the highest levels of security measures are included, thereby allowing the new airport to be not only state of the art in appearance, but also state of the art in safety and security.”

Govt bolstering tourism with data-driven approach

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Turks and Caicos Islands is cementing its position as a worldrenowned tourist destination, armed with a new data-driven approach the government is looking to use to take the territory’s enviable tourism status to new heights.

The government aims to use data and analytics to target its marketing efforts and improve the overall visitor experience.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Josephine Connolly, in her recent ministerial speech in the House of Assembly, highlighted the significant progress made in recent years in promoting the TCI as a premier tourist destination, through what is known in the industry as a Smart DMO which utilises state-of-the-art data-management techniques.

“We have placed data and research at the core of our operations, enabling us to navigate the complexities of the tourism landscape with precision and foresight,” Connolly said.

“It is this data-driven approach that empowers us to make informed decisions to maximise the efficiency of our marketing, improve our product and ultimately, safeguard the interests of our nation and its people.”

Connolly said the DMO is using data and analytics to target potential visitors, so they can focus their marketing on people who are most likely to be interested in visiting the Islands. This has resulted in a more efficient use

Home Affairs and Transportation ministry boasts of successful 23/24 budget year

BY DELANA ISLES

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, and Telecommunications Commission, headed by Hon. Otis Morris, consists of ten departments with some 113 positions and one statutory body with nine employees.

In presenting his ministry’s plans and achievements for the new fiscal year, and the one past, Morris stated that on the operational side, his ministry was successful in completing the majority of its programs, strategies and operational mandates.

His ministry comprises of the Policy Planning and Administrative Support (Ministry), Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Development & Welfare Department, Gender Affairs, Registrar General’s Department, Citizenship and Naturalization Department, District Commissioner’s Offices and the Telecommunications Commission.

“During the last financial year my ministry exhausted 99% of its total allocations,” Morris boasted.

“Our original budget was $12,958,783.19, the revised

budget was

$14,272,364.42

(which includes all supplementary appropriations, addition and withdrawal of funds), the total expenditure at the end of the financial year was $14,091,436.17, leaving some $180,928.25 or just 1% available.”

Morris stated that this year’s overall budget of $17,723,228, is an increase in allocation from last year’s revised estimates of $14,272,364. This is an increase of $3,450,864.

He said this year, there will be a focus on legislative changes to various Ordinances as well as the digitisation of various services throughout the many departments.

“My ministry’s general focus will also be on the move toward bettering the customer experience and improving customer satisfaction.

“We will do this by improving policies, creating standard operating procedures and investing in new technologies that will allow the customer to access our products remotely.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The minister said in this year’s budget there will be a dramatic

of marketing dollars and a higher return on investment.

She added that the Smart DMO is also monitoring worldwide web searches to gauge the pulse of global interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “The word is spreading rapidly, evident in the surge of online searches reaching unprecedented levels.

“In March alone, Turks & Caicos experienced robust growth in online searches, with a remarkable 4% increase in volumes compared to the previous month, surpassing the search volumes recorded in both 2019 and 2023. A staggering 2.3m individuals are actively searching for TCI, marking a notable 14% increase in search patterns compared to the same period last year.”

Connolly also revealed that there is a surge in searches originating from London, New York City and San Francisco, and the DMO is analysing data to identify emerging markets based on search patterns, disposable income, and other insightful metrics.

“By staying vigilant and responsive to these evolving trends, we can strategically position ourselves to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the global tourism market,” she said.

In 2023, the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomed a whopping 1.5m visitors via its air and cruise ports. These record-breaking arrivals for 2023 demonstrated its evergrowing popularity among travellers.

Air arrivals increased to 662,707 visitors, representing a 21.62% increase when compared to 2019. Air arrivals in 2023 surpassed 2022 air arrivals by 6.56% and exceeded 2021 air arrivals by an impressive 52.38 %, according to arrival figures released by the Ministry of Tourism.

Coupled with this, a staggering 924,250 guests arrived at the Grand Turk Cruise Centre and graced TCI’s sunny shores, representing a 25.84 % increase over 2022.

However, cruise visitor arrivals for 2023 are below 2019 arrivals by 16.85%.

increase in the ministry’s ‘Community Enhance’ vault to the tune of over $800,000.

He said this money will be used for community enhancement projects focused on Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos.

Some of the project earmarked are, but not limited to: the renovation and restoration to Parks/Play Ground Throughout the island of Grand Turk, upgrading and renovations to the Boiling Hole in South Caicos, renovation and restoration to the Pine Barrel Creek Community Park on the island of Middle Caicos, construction of Observation Decks throughout the island of Middle Caicos, repairs to the Boat Ramp and Dock in the Belfield Landing area on the island of North Caicos, refurbishment of Community Parks throughout the island of North Caicos, construction of a Guard House at the Safe House, renovations to the Safe House grounds, renovation and restoration to the Thomas Cedar Park on the island of Salt Cay, and renovation and restoration of the Cricket Field on this island of Salt Cay.

There will also be a multilevel, multifaceted intervention campaign aimed at ending domestic violence in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a Vital Data Hub which is a comprehensive database for births, deaths, and marriages as well as the replacement of street signs and markers.

More on the ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, and Telecommunications Commission budgetary allocations and plans in our next issue.

Minister of Tourism Hon Josephine Connolly

Hon Otis C. Morris, Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation, and Telecommunications Commission (TCIG photo)

Astwood sums up budget: ‘A mess, rife with broken promises’

BY DELANA ISLES

“Who is really living their best lives,” Leader of the Opposition, Hon Edwin Astwood asked, as he spoke on the government’s big budget recently.

The question was prompted by an oft-repeated phrase that has been incorporated into presentations made by government officials in the last two years. Astwood pointed out that the people of the TCI are certainly not living theirs, hence, who is?

“Between the concepts of logic and illogic, the doubt arises as to what is real and what is unreal, so I will ask you, are you living your best life, who do you know is living their best life?

“You whistle and I will point.”

He noted: “I see many of our people struggling. The premier sees people living their best lives.

“I see a struggling underfunded healthcare sector; the premier sees optimal access to stateof-the-art health for all. I see an economy that is leaving our people behind, the premier sees an economy that is booming for all.”

He also pointed to crime, underfunded scholarship program, skyrocketing mortgages, people losing their homes, illegal immigration, millions of taxpayers’ money being tied up in unused property purchases, and political gimmicks as all glaring issues that affect the country, while the government continues to view these issues through rose-tinted glasses.

“The Premier denies that the living standards of working people have gone down. He denies that the country is growing without our people growing with it.

“And the reason is simple, the Premier and his Cabinet have no plan for growth. They have no plan for health, crime, illegal immigration, and education.”

Astwood noted that in the 2023/2024 budget, the government announced 15 new projects and some 20 new growth measures, stating that since that announcement, many of those projects have been “discarded, disregarded, resubmitted or retendered”.

“That is their record for the last three years: lack of productivity, lack of performance, and lack of impact,” he stated.

He said there appears to be no urgency by the government in providing affordable housing for its citizens, even with a housing policy in place.

“How can they come here and speak to the TCI people now after they have failed to put even one family in a home? This must be of high priority.

“And that is a record they must stand on at the election.”

He said never again will a PNP government be known as the party that knows how to spend money.

“The one thing that the voters, whether correctly or incorrectly aligned the PNP party with was saying that they knew how to spend money. The record now shows that it is not so.

“This group of PNP ministers has completely destroyed that reputation. Millions and I mean millions of dollars unspent over the last three budget cycles. Millions of dollars of contracts not awarded, of projects not executed, equipment not purchased, critically needed vehicles not purchased, and millions of dollars for badly needed staff not hired.”

He said Turks and Caicos Islanders deserve better than the current administration, “our people deserve a real plan for a real TC Islander’s growth”.

BUDGET MESS

Pointing to the current budget, Astwood outlined several things he believes the government failed to inform the people of when they presented it to the country.

“They boast about the success of Experience TCI, the DMO, what success is he talking about?

“Nothing is working with the DMO as it relates to increasing the productivity, marketing, and enhancement of the TCI as a sought-after destination.

“They didn’t tell us that on page 3.88 of Volume II of the Budget, item #35829, it shows that last year the DMO received $2.3 million

from the government, guess how much of the people’s money is going to them this year?

“A staggering $6.5m.

“The Premier said that the budget expenditure was $29 million below budget, $29 million that has not gone into our communities. Showing again their inability to spend money.”

He said while the premier boasts of extending a second economic leg, he is simultaneously chopping the current leg.

“The Premier said the goal in terms of the economy is to extend a second leg. Nothing in this budget shows a second economic leg being formed, but their policies are chopping the economic leg we currently have.”

He said unlike the current government, a government under his direction intends to free the people from depending on welfare for survival and make them producers and owners.

“We seek to eliminate the power that politicians have over our people – giving them the power, while the PNP wants to keep you

$2.7bn in MOUs signed.

“Then he starts complaining and saying that the TCI needs a capacity study. This indicates a confused government and one that does not know how to schedule or prepare for future development.”

He stated that in order to get many of the projects off the ground, adequate staff are needed.

“He also went on to say that our technocrats in public works stick their finger up in the air and come up with a project number. Now, I take offence to that, that comment alone shows how out of touch the premier and his ministers are, and this alone shows why they are unfit for office.

under their power and depending on them for your survival.

“To that end, the PDM seeks to get our abled mind and abled body people off welfare and get them a job or in a business, hence returning their power to them.”

Pointing to the failure of the capital projects programme, the opposition leader said the PNP has once again proven their inability to spend money.

“The premier also did not tell you that out of the $90m in the Ministry of Health’s Budget, that $60 million goes to Interhealth Canada, which is two-thirds of our total healthcare budget.

“The premier didn’t say that on page 3.97 of the budget book, items # 36104 and # 39201, that a colossal $59.7m is going to Interhealth Canada, and they also did not tell you that even after paying that $60m rounded off, we still have to pay their $4m light bill, page 7.9 of Volume I, first item.”

He recalled that the premier initially bragged about $79.2m in projects was in progress, and some

“All they require is the staff that they have constantly been requesting, and which the premier has been constantly denying.”

The Opposition leader also pointed to Solid Waste Management, Mortgage Corporation, modernising the education system and increasing scholarships, and crown land reform, as all areas that have been woefully neglected.

“The Premier bragged about the national identification cards, but what he did not tell you was that it has been kicked down the road over and over again.

“Now the Premier has kicked it to the first quarter of next year, beyond general elections.”

Astwood added: “Almost everything they’ve told us about the economy has turned out to be untrue.

“World events occurring, and the predictions of what may happen, explain. The premier’s information about the global outlook is shamefully incorrect and outdated.

The premier’s budget and his speech are filled with misdirection, misinformation, and inadequate allocations.”

CONTRIBUTORS NEEDED

Leader of the Opposition, Hon Edwin Astwood

Sandals University and TCICC ink MoU

to elevate tourism & hospitality

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In an initiative to enhance the human capital within the Turks and Caicos Islands workforce, Sandals Corporate University and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, April 29th, 2024.

The MoU aims to provide structured training and high-quality education for students of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, equipping individuals with the necessary skills to address the evolving demands of the tourism industry.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon C. Washington Misick; HE Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam; Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts Mr Adam Stewart; President of the TCICC, Dr Candice Williams, and government ministers, and other esteemed guests.

The collaboration between TCICC and Sandals Corporate University is geared towards enhancing academic cooperation in education and training, with a specific emphasis on capacity building within the Hospitality and Tourism sector.

Minister of Education Hon Rachel Taylor spoke highly of the partnership, stating that it is “not just a formal agreement, but a shared commitment to the future of our people, both young and seasoned, and the robust growth of our hospitality and tourism industry.”

She stressed that the initiative is a testament to the dedication of both organisations to providing quality education and training to Turks and Caicos Islanders, and it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the future of the tourism industry in the country.

She said: “This initiative will provide our students with practical hands-on training that is essential for their professional and career readiness.

“This is indeed an opportunity for us to focus on our mandate within education, which is building human capacity.

“In addition to internship opportunities, our educators will also gain from their partnership.

“Another significant aspect of this MoU is the focus on embracing

new technologies within the hospitality sector in collaboration with other institutions that TCICC and SCU will explore and integrate emerging technological advancements that can transform hospitality management practices.”

She stressed that the pathway to international certification by SCU will give students a competitive advantage, allowing them to meet growth industry standards, and vie in an internationally and highly competitive workforce.

During his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts Mr Stewart emphasised that the new partnership is underpinned by a wider vision to ensure TCI’s tourism industry is sustainable.

He said: “Tourism is our economic engine that taps in through linkages. It used to be called trickle down or they call it linkages some call it inclusivity we are not selling a brand we’re not selling the four corners of the four pegs of beaches on Turks and Caicos, or sandals Montego. Bay.

“We are indeed selling the archipelago in the Caribbean, we are trying to convince visitors that if they take their hard-earned money, and they come here, they will have a better experience than going anywhere in the world.”

Stewart stressed that investing in people has been at the core of the Sandals Group’s ethos since the beginning.

He said: “We have seen time and time again, division by division, island by island across the Caribbean, where we invest in people we see all tides rise.

“The quintessential saying of ‘teach an individual to fish as opposed to giving them a fish’ provide them a career and exposure, build them on their confidence to be able to be the best version of themselves.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Minister of Tourism Hon Josephine Connolly said: “This collaborative partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey towards advancing education and training, particularly within the hospitality and tourism sector.

“The agreement between these esteemed entities underscores our commitment to enhancing academic cooperation and capacity building within our community through this partnership to cultivate a skilled

equipped with the knowledge and

needed to excel in the dynamic field of

Connolly underscored that the hospitality and tourism sector plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and development in the TCI.

“We are not only empowering individuals but valuable skills, but also positioning our destination as a leader in the global tourism industry”, she added.

Premier Misick also lauded the partnership which he believes will augur well for the territory’s human capital development.

He said: “When my government

came to office, we made a commitment that we’re going to focus on human capital development. And one way to look at where we started from where we are today, in terms of this expenditure on education, one would see that that is becoming a reality.”

Sandals Corporate University is the company’s regional adult education programme that certifies staff members without formal academic qualifications and provides qualified team members with an avenue to advance their education.

Through partnerships with internationally recognised universities, professional organisations, and local education institutions, the university offers programmes that range from basic hospitality-specific training, to training that can ultimately lead to master’s and/or doctoral degrees.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College is TCI’s premier tertiary learning institution which seeks to empower the graduates of tomorrow by equipping them with the requisite skills needed to perform at optimal capacity in the workforce.

workforce,

expertise

Sandals and Beaches Resorts Executive, TCI government officials and Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Executive team

(L-R) President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr Candice Williams, Dean for the TVET Programme; Dr Barbara Ambrister; Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick; Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Mr Adam Stewart; General Manager for Sandals Resort International, Mr Shawn DaCosta; Senior Corporate Director at the Sandals Corporate University, Dr Luz Longsworth

Premier Washington Misick and Dr Luz Longsworth exchange a handshake after signing the MoU (Photo: Communication’s Directorate)

tourism.

Govt earmarks $71.6m to bolster public order and safety in the TCI

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Turks and Caicos Islands

Government has allocated $71.6 million of its $498 million, almost 15 per cent of its spending bill to improve public order and safety for this financial year.

This money will be used to fund a variety of programmes and initiatives aimed at reducing crime and violence, including increasing the size and capabilities of the police force, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the courts, and providing young people with opportunities.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick in a recent address in the House of Assembly emphasised that tackling crime and violence on all fronts remains a priority for his government.

“In recent times criminals have wreaked havoc on our communities, my government sees the safety and security of our people as a sacred responsibility.

“When crime threatens the security and safety of our people, especially our children, we will do everything in our power to find and stop the producers and perpetrators of violence.”

He asserted that the government

New Commissioner of Police Mr Edvin Martin, Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick, HE Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam at the Commissioner’s swearing-in ceremony

has spent millions of dollars to expand and equip the police force, the border force, and the TCI Regiment to address crime and security challenges that threaten to disrupt the safety, peace and tranquillity of the TCI and derail

the strides made in the territory’s tourism sector.

Missick said: “Currently the Regiment has 20 permanent staff and 40 reserves, they are currently recruiting 30 more reservists which will bring their complement to 90.

“If we had not taken the steps we took, and invested so much in our national security, I believe things would have been far worse.”

In his breakdown of how the funds will be spent, the Premier explained that the monies will

cover all agencies, including the police and the courts to deal with crime and rehabilitation.

He said: “Of this amount, $39.0m will go towards police services, $20.9m is for the law courts, AG Chambers, Director of Public Prosecution, and the labour tribunal.

“$19.2m is for customs and border protection, immigration, and repatriations, $7.7m for prisons, correctional, and rehabilitation services and $1.5m has been allocated for fire and rescue.”

Reporting on some of the government’s ongoing initiatives to tamp down crime, he disclosed that the new Gangs, Drugs and Guns Unit which has been operating since May last year is reaping benefits.

He said: “17 persons charged with offenses including gang membership, possession of firearms and drugs.

“Since January last year, 27 firearms have been taken off the streets.

“Last year we had over 6-hundred drug seizures at Howard Hamilton International Airport and recently, 61 pounds of narcotics were seized during a search on a vessel that illegally landed in Providenciales.”

Public Safety and Utilities Ministry commits to improving critical services in TCI

BY OLIVIA ROSE

To provide residents and visitors with the highest quality of service, the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities has announced a new focus on service excellence and safety, with an emphasis on accountability and transparency.

The ministry, led by Hon Kyle Knowles, has a broad mandate to provide high-quality services to residents and visitors, while safeguarding the islands’ wellbeing, safety, and security.

In his recent address to Parliament, Minister Knowles outlined the ministry’s key priorities, goals and initiatives for the year, which include completing the halfway house, reforming the energy and utilities department, upgrading the water infrastructure, and increasing community outreach.

He noted that completing the halfway house will provide a supportive environment for rehabilitation and recovery for

individuals struggling with addiction and homelessness.

The minister also emphasised the importance of regulatory reform in the energy and utilities sector, as well as ongoing efforts to expand water infrastructure on Grand Turk.

“Our mission is to consistently excel in service delivery, produce high-quality products, enhance customer service experiences, and uphold the highest standards of excellence and accountability, while safeguarding the well-being, safety and security of the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The minister added: “It is on this basis that the ministry’s focus will be on ‘Forging Ahead: Building A Stronger, More Sustainable Ministry.’”

The ministry is supported with financial resources of $14.9m ($14,918,892) for its operating expenditure and $1.4m ($1,430, 980) projected for revenue estimates. This will be the

ministry’s first year as its own cost centre, and the funding will be used to support programme objectives and critical initiatives aimed at improving service delivery, efficiency, and sustainability.

In addition to the halfway house, the ministry is also working to establish a multi-sector independent regulatory body for the energy and utilities sector. This body will be responsible for

ensuring regulatory accountability, good governance, independence, and transparency. The ministry is also committed to developing renewable energy initiatives to help stabilise electricity rates.

The Water Undertaking Department is making significant progress on the 1-million-gallon salt water reverse osmosis plant project, and plans are underway to upgrade water storage facilities on Grand Turk and South Caicos.

The newly formed Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services is committed to preventing and reducing crime, and the Department of Correctional Services is focusing on enhancing security across the prison.

“We are committed to making our islands safer and more secure.

“We are working hard to provide our residents and visitors with the high-quality services they deserve, and we are committed to making sure that our islands are a safe place to live and work.”

Minister of Public Safety and Utilities Hon Kyle Knowles.

TCI shines at Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum ‘24

The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) 2024 concluded last week in Miami, marking another milestone in advancing the region’s energy agenda.

This year’s forum, held from April 24-27, at the JW Marquis Hotel in downtown Miami, attracted some of the most distinguished names and advocates in the field of renewable energy.

The delegation from The Turks and Caicos Islands led by Hon.

Kyle Knowles of the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities, included Permanent Secretary Bridgette Newman, Energy and Utilities Commissioner Delano R. Arthur, Energy Analyst Dr. Eric F. Salamanca, Senior Legal Drafter Priscilla Paquette, and Executive Administrator Jasmine Malcolm. Hon. Knowles was among a high-caliber panel in the session ‘Caribbean Leadership: Delivering on the Vision’ where he highlighted

the policy directions of TCI government towards transitioning to renewable energy.

Discussions centred on the transformative strategies required to integrate renewable technologies across the TCI.

In a statement on the event,

government reported that Knowles’ insights on policy enhancements and infrastructural development were met with high interest and acclaim, underscoring his pivotal role in shaping the energy landscape.

Commenting on his first CREF, the Hon Minister noted: “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) held in Miami, Florida. The Forum provided a valuable platform for discussions on the advancement of renewable energy solutions in the Caribbean region.

“During the event, I engaged with key stakeholders, industry experts and government officials to exchange ideas on strategies to promote sustainable energy development. Renewable energy plays a crucial role in enhancing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering economic growth in our region.”

He said the TCI’s participation in events such as CREF underscores the government’s dedication to advancing clean energy solutions and building a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape for the benefit of its citizens.

Commissioner Delano R. Arthur, a key transformative leader in the energy sector, presented a

compelling paper titled ‘Renewable Energy and Resource Bill for the Turks and Caicos Islands’.

His presentation highlighted the legal framework for transition to renewable energy, interconnection agreement, licensing, among others. He also emphasizes the use of mature commercial technology, rather than emerging technologies that have not been proven on a commercial scale.

He also presented an approach to overcoming logistical and financial challenges in TCI. Com. Arthur’s pragmatic and innovative solutions offered a visionary perspective that resonated with the attendees.

Dr. Salamanca, and Atty. Paquette, also contributed to a roundtable discussion on Regulatory Framework led by the Caribbean Development Banks’ Joseph Williams and William Hinds, each bringing unique viewpoints and solutions to the challenges facing the TCI energy sector.

TCI’s attendance at this year’s CREF also provided opportunity to establish networks. Among the most notable side event meeting was with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) where the TCI delegates discussed various projects in support of transition to green/renewable energy in the Turks and Caicos Island.

The delegation from The Turks and Caicos Islands led by Hon Kyle Knowles of the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) 202. (TCIG photo)

Dr Williams appointed as senior programme officer

The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands announced the appointment of Dr Demekos Williams to the post of Senior Programme Officer in the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit within the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Hailing from the island of North Caicos, Dr Williams has consistently exemplified academic excellence and a commitment to community service.

As a former national scholar and valedictorian of the Raymond Gardiner High School, he has always been recognised for his dedication and overachievement.

Notably, his winning piece in the National Tree Essay competition led to the naming of the national tree of the Turks and Caicos Islands, showcasing his early leadership and impact.

Dr Williams holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a concentration in Chemistry from

Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Demonstrating a pioneering spirit, he furthered his studies by pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree from the same institution, graduating in 2016. His dedication to advancing in his field makes him one of the earliest local pioneers at this level, addressing crucial national needs in healthcare.

With over six years of experience in the pharmacy industry of the Turks and Caicos Islands with the Grace Bay Pharmacy chain, Dr Williams has a deep understanding of healthcare delivery and community needs, ably preparing him for his new role in the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Reflecting on his appointment, Dr Williams stated: “I am deeply honoured to serve as the Senior Programme Officer in the Ministry of Health and Human Services. My journey from North Caicos to this role has been marked

by a commitment to excellence and a passion for improving healthcare outcomes in our islands. I look forward to leveraging my experience and expertise to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our community.”

Commenting on Dr Williams’ appointment, Head of the Public Service and Deputy Governor, HE Anya Williams stated:

“It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Dr Demekos Williams on his appointment as a Senior Programme Officer in the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit within the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Dr Williams has contributed significantly to patient care advocacy, wellness, and drug therapy and disease state management during his tenure at the Grace Bay Pharmacies.

His strong academic background and experience as a trained pharmacist will be an asset to the

Health Promotion and Advicach Unit and we are pleased to have him as a part of our health team.

and welcome to the

Dr Demekos Williams

Congratulations

Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Dr Williams!”

TCI Red Cross hosts dazzling tea party and fashion show

Red Cross Month

BY DELANA ISLES

The TCI Red Cross recently hosted another one of its dazzling

affairs, this time in Grand Turk, inviting residents, supporters and volunteers to come out in their most fashionable attire.

Last weekend, the highly anticipated Red Cross Tropical Hat Tea Party and Fashion Show was hosted at the HJ Robinson High School’s auditorium. The event was a dazzling affair that brought together members of the community for an unforgettable day of style, elegance, and philanthropy.

Models and guests illuminated the runway with grace, style and purpose, uniting for a cause.

The event heralded in the annual ‘Red Cross Month’, a month of fundraising activities for the charitable organisation.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, observed annually on May 8, pays tribute to the unwavering dedication of volunteers and the lasting influence of humanitarian efforts worldwide.

The day also commemorates the birth of Henry Dunant, the visionary behind the Red Cross movement. Dunant’s groundbreaking idea involved establishing national relief societies comprised of volunteers who would receive training during peacetime. Their mission: to offer neutral and impartial aid in times of war and crisis.

The TCI Red Cross is a vital part of this global humanitarian network and will continue its work to make a difference in the lives of those affected by crisis, a statement from the organisation this week, read.

This year’s observances are being celebrated under the theme ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’, a poignant reminder of the unwavering dedication of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The organisation is calling on the TCI to recognise and support the tireless work and commitment of the 200-plus volunteers in the country during the month of May.

Red Cross Month Activities

During this month there will be community outreach on all islands, wherein, volunteers will focus on raising awareness about health, disaster preparedness, and hygiene with residents.

First Aid Training Workshops will be hosted on May 8, 5pm to 7pm at the Community First Aid Workshop at Red Cross Building, Sunshine Plaza, 1005 Leeward Highway, Providenciales.

First aid instructors will conduct first aid training sessions for community members, aimed at empowering people with lifesaving skills, such as CPR, wound care, and handling emergencies.

There will also be various fundraising events hosted to support the Lady Grace Sunset Cruise to be held on May 18.

On May 31, Islanders, businesses, schools, and organisations are encouraged to wear red attire to show solidarity with the humanitarian cause.

The month of activities wraps up with the third annual Red Hot Challenge. All are invited to participate in or attend this fun and vibrant sporting event scheduled for June 1, at the National Stadium in Providenciales.

This event brings together individuals, businesses, and the community to support the Red Cross and its humanitarian efforts.

The event will run from 8am to 3pm, with a total of 20 competitions, including 10 nonathletic games and 10 athletic contests. Participants can enjoy a range of activities such as spoon relay races, egg tosses, water balloon tosses, sprints, tug-of-war, arm wrestling, soccer kicks, and much more.

Both individual and corporate teams are welcome, with an entrance fee of $1,000 per team with a maximum of 10 participants permitted.

Attendees can join in for a $5 general admission fee, while children aged 12 and under enjoy free entry.

The Red Cross Tropical Hat Tea Party and Fashion Show at the HJ Robinson High School Auditorium in Grand Turk was a dazzling affair! (Photos: TCI Red Cross)

RBC appoints new country manager and area VP for TCI

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) recently appointment of Kerryl-Lyn KingHenry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the government, regulatory bodies, and the local community, a release from the bank said.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience.

Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior

roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialisation in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others.

“Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in

Send American tourists

home

not to jail

Dear Editor,

American tourists victimised by our zero tolerance laws regarding possession of firearms and/or ammunition should be sent home, not jailed. However, because of the wording of that ordinance, judges are hamstringed unless the victims (and they ARE victims) can come up with “exceptional circumstances” which would allow them to pay a fine and go home.

Currently four men, two of whom I know are fathers of young children, are facing 12 years in Grand Turk prison because a few pieces of ammunition which they inadvertently brought into the TCI, were found in their luggage when they were LEAVING this country. The TSA in the United States didn’t catch them when they flew here, and there are now on-going investigations over that unforgiveable oversight. That won’t help Ryan Watson or the other three.

I fully understand that very tough gun laws are an unfortunate necessity in the TCI, due to the rise of gangs, drug and turf wars which have grown exponentially in the past ten years.

We seem to be competing for the Murder Capital of the Caribbean. But Ryan Watson didn’t have a

the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI. “Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

gun or a rifle. He had four loose pieces of ammunition that were in the backpack he takes when he and his friends go deer hunting.

Ryan, his wife Valerie and their friends spent about $35,000 US$ while they were here having the perfect vacation in paradise. Of course, they will never return, and millions of people who are following this story, and the story of the other three men, on NBC, CBS and of course their local news networks, may feel the same way. Am I the only person who thinks that their horrific situation just might have an impact on our tourism industry?

Visitors, check your bags before you come here, and TCI lawmakers, check your conscience and please formulate a legal way to get these men home, now, before this situation explodes in our faces. The TCI is not important to the United States citizenry, but the United States citizenry is very important to the TCI. Look at the number of USA visitors who come here every year. Please do the math. But more importantly, draft legislation that allows for logic and compassion.

Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry

New office to provide rehabilitation services to offenders

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision officially opened its office in Providenciales on May 2nd, 2024 with the aim of providing support and services to offenders in the community. The focus is on rehabilitation and reintegration.

The new office is designed to be a place where people can find

healing, support, and the tools they need to rebuild their lives.

The Department operates under the purview of the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities, to provide rehabilitative opportunities for the inmates in the TCI.

“It is not about what we want to achieve individually,” said Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision Mr Jaron Harvey at

the opening ceremony.

“It is about what we can achieve together. We believe that all of us working together can create a wraparound approach to the social ills plaguing our country. We can address them one family at a time.”

“As we stand here today at the grand opening of our office, I can’t help but to think of the many seeds that will be planted in and through this office,” Harvey continued.

“Seeds of hope, redemption, resilience, seeds of discipline, change, and supportive services.

Harvey acknowledged that while the Department is cognizant that in some instances, the ground may be rocky and not conducive for development, “we are determined to keep on digging up the root causes of criminal behaviour and reducing crime and reoffending in our country.” he added.

Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon Kyle Knowles echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards fostering inclusivity and empowerment and compassion within our community.

“The establishment of this department symbolises our recognition of the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their background, abilities, or challenges that they may face.”

“Through a comprehensive range of services and programmes provided by the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision, we inspire to create a nurturing environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society,” Knowles continued.

He underscored that by fostering a culture of inclusivity and support, the TCI will strengthen the fabric of its communities and promote more understanding, empathy, and solidarity.

In her brief remarks, Governor Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam said: “Every person is worth more than the worst thing that they have done.

“That truly encapsulates what this department is and actually the role that they play.”

“I have to commend …Hon Morris, because I know when I first came in, and we were looking at the criminal justice landscape, where we were, what the risks and issues are, our conversations were never about office space, you know, square footage. It was not

about that.

“It was all about what is the environment we need to foster, and how we support that in terms of driving forward the right tools, the right space, the right environment, and the right people.”

The Governor lauded the efforts of the department and encouraged the staff to continue their noble work.

“Our director and his brilliant team have really exemplified what it is and how they have been unparalleled in their leadership and compassion to drive this agenda forward and also to seek… to undergo changes, embracing rehabilitation, reintegration, and ultimately, redemption,” the Governor said.

In his remarks, Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development Hon Jamell Robinson emphasised that the services provided by the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision are crucial in ensuring that those in need receive the support and guidance necessary to overcome challenges and embrace a brighter tomorrow.

He said: “The establishment of this office is about building stronger, safer and more resilient communities. It’s about recognizing that effective rehabilitation and supervision are key components of a justice system that not only holds individuals accountable but also offers them a path to reintegration.”

Robinson encouraged members of the community to work alongside the Department to create a safer TCI for all.

“To the community members present here, your support and engagement are invaluable. Community supervision is most effective when it operates in collaboration with communities.

“I encourage you to remain involved, to offer insights, and to continue to be a part of effective change”, he added.

(Fourth from left) HE Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and TCIG ministers and the Chief Justice cut a ribbon to declare the new office open (Photos: TCI Governor’s Office)

Staff of the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision

Making a threat is an act of cowardice, fear, and bullying

Be bold and brave and face the

Two of our public officials, the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General were threatened. There were also three bomb threats against the JAGS McCartney Airport on the island of Grand Turk and one bomb threat against the Howard Hamilton Airport on the island of Providenciales.

There are a lot of speculations as to what these threats are in connection with. The truth is we do not know if these threats have anything to do with these ammunition cases. These threats can also be related to local cases and the ammunition cases can be a distraction.

We do not know the motive behind these threats or who is behind these threats but what we do know is that threats were made. A threat made against our attorney general and deputy attorney general is a threat against our judicial system. A threat made

BY DREXWELL SEYMOUR

Drexwell Seymour is a certified public accountant and is the managing partner for HLB TCI. His favourite hobby, however, is writing. He has a personal website, www.drexwellseymour. com, where all of his writings are posted. He also has a YouTube channel where you can find inspirational videos. Drexwell has a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance.

against our airports is a threat to destroy the front door or gateway to our livelihood.

It is obvious that these threats are related to our judicial system given that the threats highlighted our Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. These individuals have very important roles in our country when it comes to our judicial system, and they should not be threatened for their roles.

If your threats are successful

against them (God forbid) or if they resigned from their positions but your court case is not successful, are you going to threaten their successors too? These threats are serious threats against our judicial system.

The threat against our airports is a threat to our tourism-based economy which in turn will affect the livelihood of our economy. Is this what you want? Do you really want a repeat of what the world went through during the

judicial process

pandemic? Why would you do this? Do you really care? You are not hurting one person; you are hurting the entire country. Is this what you want? Do you want to be responsible for negatively impacting an entire place?

Threatening someone or something is an act of cowardice. You are not brave. You are insecure. You want to hurt others while deep inside you are hurting. You want your issue to go away, but a threat will not do that, it may make the matter worse. You want to create fear among others.

If you have a problem with something, face the judicial system. If you are not happy with the outcome of the judicial system and you are innocent, then appeal the case. Even guilty people are appealing cases and sometimes win.

Threatening someone is a criminal offense and should not

be taken lightly. Whenever these perpetrators are found and they will be found, the judicial system needs to punish them with the maximum penalty.

It is so ironic that you are not pleased with your situation and so you think the solution is to threaten our public officials and airports.

Some people feel that they can change the outcome of a situation by making threats. While the perpetrators will create some fear among us, it will not change the outcome of your case. You are a coward, and you are afraid of something. Face the music. You did not have to be in the situation you are in if you had abided by the law.

Please do not bother with our public officials and our airports. This is a serious matter. This is not a game. If you think this is a game, you will not win.

Reskilling and upskilling the futureready workforce for TCI tourism

Growing at the speed of light, the TCI is home to some of the best luxury resorts nestled on the stunning Grace Bay beach and a grandeur of villas, condominiums, guest houses and Airbnb spread across its sparsely populated landscapes.

These magnificent enchantments fashion the pillars on which the TCI’s tourism sector is feasting; coupled with, its warm and stable tropical climate year-round and some of the most picturesque coral reefs and marine lives.

Today, these phenomena have lured affluent investors from all over, to invest in elegant luxurious tourist’ accommodations. The most recent grand marvel was the sky–reaching Ritz Carlton hotel and now, St Regis residences and Salterra are making headways, along with a few smaller projects.

More so, this tropical paradise has become the playground for scores of celebrities and business

BY D MARKIE SPRING

D Markie Spring, a TCI resident of 15 years, is an expert in law enforcement. He worked as a detective in the Royal TCI Police Force and was director of security at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

moguls and to maintain this trend the TCI must produce and retain qualified workers for the tourism industry.

Ideally, these activities would translate into employment and overall economic growth; however, there is a huge festering problem – an inadequate availability of workers exists locally and; therefore, it will be an uphill battle to fill the pyramid of jobs expected.

So, what should be the response to this apparent dilemma? Instead of, recruiting from outside the TCI both the government and private

sector entrepreneurs should join forces to rally young vibrant TC Islanders for the workforce.

They must fund apprenticeship and training programs, designed to qualify individuals for prospective jobs within the hospitality industry. And for this initiative to be successful lawmakers must strike a deal with investors for trainees’ job security.

Besides, the government must invest in skilled occupations, such as technicians, electricians, and mechanics and even entertainment, which are jobs prominent in most

hotels.

And if policymakers introduce a five-day workweek, the industry will entice more islanders to apply for vacancies.

Moreover, these proposed mandates should be part of TCI’s overall labour policy framework.

In it, lawmakers must ensure that an appealing employment package with fringe benefits, flexible working arrangements and job security is provided.

Meanwhile, hoteliers must ensure that they defuse the negative perception of the hospitality industry – marred by difficult customers, high effort and unsociable long hours with low pay.

And while some islanders are not motivated to work within this industry, there are a few important facets to consider. First, one must start somewhere and work one’s way up!

It was author Antony C.

Sutton in his book, “Start small, dream big: Dare to dream, stop procrastination and be the master of your life” dramatises how the one-percent of successful people achieve their dreams; henceforth, I urge individuals to take a read.

Additionally, TCI has one of the least diverse economies in the region and so, we depend solely on tourism for economic survival; hence, there are only a few options for financial security outside the tourist sector.

Too, the TCI Community College has accredited hospitality programmes and while businesses are encouraged to recruit workers directly from the college or those with tertiary education, individuals are urged to make use of these programmes.

The TCI is developing fast and; therefore, the government, hoteliers and residents must play their roles to ensure that most of the prospective jobs are filled locally.

OPINIONS

Exile and resistance: standing against injustice

I am an exile. All my life, I have felt like an outsider. In Trinidad, I was the boy from the “small island”; in Barbados, I was the “down islander” (I don’t know, so don’t ask); when I finally moved to St Vincent, I became the “one who did not grow up here.” When I finally went to the island, I was born, and I became “Sharon’s son.” Peter softens the abrasive isolation of being always an outsider when he says, “conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,(1 Peter 1:17b).

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

Kenyatta Lewis is the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a growing church committed to taking followers of Jesus deeper and going further in their faith. Besides loving, serving, and helping people he has watched the extended Director’s cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy multiple times.

When the Christ follower sees injustice, they must find ways to resist and change it. This can be done through advocacy, non-violent protests, marches and prayer, one of the most powerful weapons in the battle against wickedness.

Another form of non-violent resistance to evil is noncooperation, as in not cooperating with evil. This is worked out on several levels. One, we resist the evil of godless governments and multinational conglomerates when we resist the evil within our hearts. Evil resides in the human heart; when we refuse to give it reign in ours, we are taking concrete steps

Spiritually and in light of eternity, those who follow Jesus are exiles here on earth. Throughout history, immigrants have been the most despised, isolated, and marginalized population. Hatred and animosity often morph into legal discrimination and sponsored oppression. For spiritual exiles, the opposition and animosity are multiplied. Timothy says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). And yet, in the face of antagonism, we are to fight for righteousness in the face of evil. But how?

to stop its spread.

Two, we resist evil when we love and bless the perpetrators who are enslaved to evil. Jesus says, “Love your enemies, and do good” (Luke 6:35), while Paul adds, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14). Evil is defeated when we have pure hearts and love others with pure motives.

Finally, we resist evil when we do good. In the Kingdom of Jesus, love is not a mere emotion but practical, sacrificial, and enduring.

Paul puts it best when he writes, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

We do good when we make

the place of our exile better; “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7). Practically, that means praying for God to bless these islands. While contributing to its existence by using your gifts and talents. Along with blessing the place you live with your words. last thing. We resist evil, not to replace its rule in the lives of others, but to transform the lives of all under its foot. Remember, YOU ARE LOVED.

Let’s not beat around the bush this week. I got things to do. Here are eight signs that you are a catastrophic thinker like me.

JUMPING TO WORST-CASE SCENARIOS:

You tend to assume the most negative outcome will happen, even when the evidence doesn’t support it.

PERSISTENT WORRY:

You often feel a constant sense of anxiety or dread about future events or outcomes.

DIFFICULTY FOCUSING ON POSITIVE OUTCOMES:

It’s hard for you to consider positive or neutral outcomes; the negative seems more believable.

OVERREACTING TO MINOR PROBLEMS:

Small issues or setbacks can

BY DAVIDSON LOUIS

Rachel Wolchin once said: “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have had roots instead of feet.” On this quest to self-discovery, TC Islander Davidson Louis vowed to travel, write, paint, laugh and forgive. Subsequently, he hopes to find himself and or, leave behind a few pieces of himself. Contact him at hello. octopen@tcinews.tc

trigger an intense reaction, making them seem far worse than they are.

NEGLECTING CONTEXT:

You focus on potential negative outcomes without considering the broader context or other contributing factors.

EXCESSIVE PLANNING FOR DISASTERS:

You spend a lot of time preparing for unlikely catastrophic events,

believing they are imminent.

AVOIDING RISKS OR NEW OPPORTUNITIES:

You shy away from trying new things or taking risks because you anticipate disaster.

RELUCTANCE TO SHARE CONCERNS:

You may find it difficult to talk about your worries with others, fearing they won’t understand or will downplay your feelings.

Welcome to the club of overthinkers, where we ponder, scrutinize, and dissect every detail until it looks like roadkill.

You see, overthinking is like being on a rollercoaster ride designed by someone who has never seen a rollercoaster, but has watched a lot of disaster movies. It’s a loop-de-loop of “What ifs” and “Did I?” smashed with “God, what am I going to do?” for the simplest things.

Don’t worry_ we all do it. It’s practically a national pastime, right up there with watching cat videos and avoiding exercises. We’ve all laid in bed at night wondering if the cashier at the grocery store secretly hates us because we forgot to say “Have a nice day” or convinced ourselves that the sharp pain in our chest is, in fact, a severe case of Ischemic heart disease that will

shortly kill us.

At some point, we have all rehearsed a conversation with someone who, by the way, has no idea there’s going to be a conversation. We’re all sitting in this same metaphorical room, rehashing our life choices, replaying that awkward handshake, and wondering if we remembered to turn off the stove. The house never burns to the ground… so, relax.

If you find yourself spiraling into an overthinking vortex, just remember that all of the worrying you did over your grade 7 maths exams was futile. In other words… take a chill pill. Care to share what keeps you awake at night?

I really wanna know.

SHARE HERE AT LOUISEDENS@GMAIL.COM OR @DAVIID.L2

Stop exploiting people’s fears and anxieties

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,” as stated in Matthew 7:12, aligns closely with the integrity and empathy that should guide political conduct. This is particularly true as we approach the elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). This biblical principle is a steadfast reminder of the values we should expect from our leaders; especially in turbulent times like these.

As voters, we must discern the stark contrast between the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) ‘s campaign strategies and the leadership qualities we aspire to. The PDM has shown a knack for exploiting societal issues, not as opportunities for problemsolving but as fuel for public discontent. This approach, which thrives on fearmongering rather than fostering hope and unity, is detrimental to our community, leading to increased anxiety and division. It’s high time we critically examine this approach and demand a change. I urge you to reflect on these points and consider the leadership you want for our community.

True leadership is about charting a course towards positive change and comprehensively addressing the electorate’s needs. It should inspire and uplift us, making our community stronger. However, the tactics employed by the PDM suggest a strategy more focused on manipulating emotions to gain electoral advantage rather than genuinely solving the pressing issues we face, such as rising living costs, crime, and illegal migration. This reiteration of the need for genuine problemsolving should instil a sense of urgency in each of us.

These legitimate concerns deserve to be addressed with thoughtful, precise plans and policies. A campaign that uses these issues as emotional leverage undermines our society’s democratic values and risks deepening divisions. True leadership fosters unity and strength.

Remember what Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ This call for transformative action is incredibly relevant now. We have the potential to create a stable,

BY AUDLEY ASTWOOD

prosperous future. We don’t need leaders who only pinpoint the problems. We need leaders with the creativity, experience, and empathy to solve them. Leaders should engage with the electorate based on hope and unity. True leadership offers a vision for resolution, resilience, and growth that resonates with our collective aspirations. This potential for positive change should inspire hope in each one of us.

Our responsibility as constituents of TCI is to demand more than rhetoric that aligns with our fears. We deserve leadership that embodies the change they promise, standing with us, for us and addressing our concerns with sincerity and dedication.

In this election, let’s be guided by a vision of what can be achieved through unity and positive action. Your role as constituents of TCI is not just important; it’s pivotal in shaping our future. It’s time to raise the bar of our political discourse and elect representatives who genuinely mirror our values and hopes for Turks and Caicos. This emphasis on unity should foster a sense of community and collective responsibility, empowering us to make a difference.

Let’s choose leaders who view problems as genuine opportunities to serve and improve our community, not as tools to manipulate public perception. Our call to the PDM is clear: Engage with us based on hope and unity, not division and fear. Speak to the best in us, and let us rise together towards a brighter, more secure future. This call for leadership that embodies hope and unity should echo in each of us, inspiring us to demand better.

An American tourist caught in the machinery of TCI and UK governance

Just watch our elected officials mess this situation up. Unless something is not in their political or personal interests, they are unable to represent, negotiate, or resolve anything for the benefit of our Turks & Caicos and its people. And this is despite the everincreasing retirement pensions they keep giving themselves. Before the government now is the matter of American tourist Ryan Watson who, on departing T&C from vacationing with his family was found to have 4 boxes of bullets in his luggage. He was arrested and has since then been locked up and faces a sentence of up to 12 years. I am not privy to T&C police information on this matter, but what is highly likely the case is that, unless a simple search of US law enforcement records finds him to have a record of being involved in illegal weapons trafficking and sales, Mr Watson probably accidentally had the rounds in his suitcase and forgot to remove them prior to travel. Keep in mind that the US does not have stringent laws on owning firearms as does T&C, and that Mr Watson comes from a state where such ownership and usage is quite high. Add to this the possibility that he probably does not have a weapons lock-up station at his home, then it is quite possible that routinely storing such items in his suitcase at home serves as protection from accidental harm. In truth, this situation with Mr. Watson has less to do with him, a visiting tourist, than the poorlythought-out, inefficient, slapdash ‘modus operandi’ of both local and British-run Oversight governance.

Reports are that, in efforts at curbing mushrooming violence in our country, T&C Govt underwent training in arms detection by specialists from the UK, and then enacted tough imprisonment laws to deal with cases of such possession. But then with all this, how much thought would have gone into the fact that tourism is our lifeblood and addressing the fact that legions of our visitors come from destinations where weapons and ammunition possession are not so stringent, and what the resolution would be when faced with the scenario of visitors such as Mr Watson arriving on our shores for a rest-filled vacation? Given the shoddy oversight governance that is the hallmark of British colonial governance, it would be a safe wager that the UK gave this not a thought or care and simply defaulted our stance to what it probably is in the UK. But who suffers here? Our country, since it survives from tourism.

BY BEN ROBERTS

Ben is a writer and published author of the novel ‘Jackals of Samarra,’ at Amazon.com. He is a Turks & Caicos Islander who often contributes articles to T&C local newspapers. He is a founding member of the NGO Turks & Caicos Forum (TC Forum) that gives voice to matters Turks & Caicos Islands. Contact him at: grandt730@aol.com

Do the British care about such a fallout? No, they do not. After many appearances at the United Nations petitioning as Turks & Caicos Forum (TC Forum) before their Decolonization Committees, along with Mr. Alpha Gibbs in the interest of our country, there exists little doubt that they do not. Then to complicate matters, our elected officials, jumping at the chance to gain political mileage by appearing as if they are effective and ‘on the ball’, ramp up the rhetoric to suggest they are solving crime and protecting our borders by vilifying Mr Watson and the country he hails from. Even as they fail to provide solutions, year after year, to our country being awash in guns and gun violence. Not good at all. We can do better.

This situation with Mr Watson should be quickly resolved in an amicable manner. It seems highly unlikely that he is a gun-runner or weapons dealer if the rounds were detected on departure. What, he was taking his excess unsold items back to his country where he could have run into problems with U.S Customs? Does not make sense. Did he acquire or buy the rounds while in T&C, since they presumably were not detected while leaving the U.S.? In that case, we should give him a medal and not lock him up, as he has done us a favour in ensuring against a gun crime on our soil by removing ammunition. If T&C is smart it, and its tourism product, could benefit from this situation. The most that should have happened here is that Mr Watson, and others like him in this situation, should have been made to hire a practicing T&C lawyer when he was found to have, and was charged with possession of the ammunition

(and not be incarcerated at this point); appear for an expedited bail hearing with his Counsel and pay a monetary fine and, at minimum, spend no more than 48 hours in lock-up [with nothing to appear on his record[; served with a warning by T&C Govt and possibly banned from travel to the country for a period of time, with the last two conditions based on the seriousness and severity of the offense. Such action would prove beneficial to all parties concerned. It would ensure that Mr. Watson got to embrace what he came for in enjoying his vacation; ensure that the party concerned paid for breaking our laws, but in a manner that was not unduly harsh or ruinous to his vacation; would not harm our tourism product in bad publicity; and demonstrate that T&C does not have a relaxed approach to weapons possession. In fact, this latter outcome would serve to encourage tourist visitors that they are visiting, or have been to a destination that takes weapons possession seriously. But in the unfortunate case here it must be considered that US quick tendency to designate destinations such as T&C and our other Caribbean neighbourhood countries as ‘destination hazards’ at the smallest incidents of unrest is quite ruinous to our economies. And, as such, a potentially harmless Mr. Watson might be paying the price for such actions. He should not and should be released in short order unless, as stated, his law enforcement search demonstrates something other than what he explains as an error and, from where I sit, seems to be just that. Get this one right Turks & Caicos, because if not we could end up seriously damaging our world-renowned tourism product.

Regional News

Sudden announcement of a prime minister divides Haiti’s new council

A surprise announcement that revealed Haiti’s new prime minister is threatening to fracture a recently installed transitional council tasked with choosing new leaders for the gang-riddled Caribbean country.

Four of seven council members with voting powers said Tuesday that they had chosen Fritz Bélizaire as prime minister, taking many Haitians aback with their declaration and unexpected political alliance.

The council members who oppose Bélizaire, who served as Haiti’s sports minister during the second presidency of René Préval from 2006 to 2011, are now weighing options including fighting the decision or resigning from the council.

A person with direct knowledge of the situation who did not want to be identified because negotiations are ongoing said the council’s political accord had been violated by the unexpected move and that some council members are considering other choices as potential prime minister.

The council on Tuesday was scheduled to hold an election and choose its president. But two hours and a profuse apology later, one council member said that not only a council president had been chosen, but a prime minister as well. Murmurs rippled through the room.

The Montana Accord, a civil society group represented by a council member with voting powers, denounced in a statement late Tuesday what it called a “complot” hatched by four council members against the Haitian people “in the middle of the night.”

“The political and economic mafia forces have decided to take

Jamaican

control of the presidential council and the government so that they can continue to control the state,” the Montana Accord said.

Haitian politics have long been characterised by secretive dealings, but many worry the country cannot afford further political instability as gangs lay siege to the capital of Port-au-Prince and beyond.

“People change parties (like) they’re changing their shirts,” said François Pierre-Louis, a professor of political science at Queens College in New York and former Haitian politician.

He spoke during an online webinar on Tuesday evening.

Like others, he said he believed that Jean-Charles Moïse, a powerful politician who was a former senator and presidential candidate, was behind Bélizaire’s nomination.

“Interestingly, Moïse, of all the politicians there, is the one calling the shots,” Pierre-Louis said.

Moïse, however, does not sit on

the council. His party, Pitit Desalin, is represented by Emmanuel Vertilaire, who is among the four council members who support Bélizaire.

The others are Louis Gérald Gilles, Smith Augustin and Edgard Leblanc Fils, the council’s new president.

They could not be immediately reached for comment.

Fils represents the January 30 political group, which is made up of parties including PHTK, whose members include former President Michel Martelly and slain President Jovenel Moïse. Meanwhile, Augustin represents the EDE/RED political party, founded by former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, and Gilles represents the December 21 agreement, which is associated with former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who recently resigned.

A document shared with The Associated Press and signed by the four council members who chose the new prime minister state they

appointed Racial Justice Director for Church of England

Reverend Dr Evie Vernon O’Brien has been appointed as the new racial justice director for the Church of England in the West Midlands.

A Montego Bay, St James native, O’Brien is expected to take up her new role come July and will have responsibility for six dioceses – Birmingham, Coventry, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, and Worcester.

In the role, O’Brien is to lead a

team of people who will support each diocese as they promote racial justice by examining culture, practices and policies to ensure adherence to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.

“Jesus calls his followers to join him in preaching the good news to the poor, and in bringing liberation to the oppressed,” said O’Brien.

“I believe that the coming together of these six dioceses to set up a unit to concentrate on racial

justice is a powerful manifestation of our commitment to our mission as Jesus’ disciples,” she added.

Ordained as a deaconess in the 1980s, O’Brien moved to the UK where she was director of the Selly Oak Centre for Mission Studies, later going on to serve as the theological adviser at USPG, an Anglican mission agency.

O’Brien has also served with the Catholic AIDS Prevention and Support. (Jamaica Observer)

the council and the decisions it’s taking.

Jean Selcé, a 57-year-old electrician, noted that most of the council members are longtime politicians: “Their past is not really positive.”

“I hope their mentality can change, but I don’t believe it will,” he said. “They don’t really love the country. Who’s dying right now? It’s Haitians like me.”

Robert Fatton, a Haitian politics expert at the University of Virginia, noted that some of the parties represented on the council are responsible for the current chaos in Haiti.

have agreed to make decisions by consensus. The document is titled, “Constitution of an Indissoluble Majority Bloc within the Presidential Council.”

Henry was on an official visit to Kenya to push for the UN-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country when gangs in Haiti launched coordinated attacks starting February 29.

They have burned police stations, opened fire on the main international airport that remains closed since early March and stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates. The violence continues unabated in certain parts of Portau-Prince, including the area around the National Palace.

Haitians are demanding that security be a top priority for the council, which is tasked with selecting a new prime minister and Cabinet, as well as prepare for eventual general elections.

But some Haitians are wary of

“It’s a contradiction,” he said. “Every time we seem to be in a crisis, we reappoint the same people and hope that they change their ways, but they do not.”

Raising the same criticism is Michael Deibert, author of “Notes From the Last Testament: The Struggle for Haiti,” and “Haiti Will Not Perish: A Recent History.” He noted in a recent essay that the council is “dominated by the same political currents who have spent the last 25 years driving Haiti over a cliff, taking advantage of impoverished young men in the slums to be used as political bludgeons before - bloated on the proceeds from kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking and other criminal enterprises - these groups outgrew the necessity of their patrons.”

More than 2,500 people have been killed or injured across Haiti from January to March, according to the UN.

In addition, more than 90,000 people have fled Port-au-Prince in just one month given the relentless gang violence. (AP)

Reverend Dr Evie Vernon O’Brien has been appointed as the new racial justice director for the Church of England in the West Midlands

Haiti’s transitional Council members

Regional

Bahamas:

‘MP raped me and spat on me’

A woman cried and alleged in court that North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish raped her, spat on her and left her in fear for her life.

The 35-year-old woman’s testimony this week depicted Cornish as violent.

She claimed she was with the defendant in his car off Arawak Cay in November 2022 when he put his hands on her and choked her after a conversation did not go his way. She claimed when the defendant released her, she coughed, vomited and tried to catch her breath.

She said she was sitting in a yard in Cornish’s vehicle in Cooper’s Town, Abaco, on January 20, 2023, when another conversation between the two turned sour.

She alleged that when she failed to say what Cornish wanted her to say in a phone conversation with a friend, Cornish flew into a rage and struck her in the eye with his fingers two or three times.

She claimed Cornish then choked her again, adding that when the attack stopped and Cornish dropped her home, he told her: “I should just shoot you”.

She said she took photos of herself after that alleged attack.

She said Cornish accompanied her when she saw an eye doctor in New Providence after the January 20 incident.

The complainant said on March 25, 2023, she accompanied the defendant to the swearing-in ceremony for a new commissioner and later went to an Airbnb with him in the Stapledon area.

She claimed the two were sitting on a couch in the living room when Cornish got angry over something she had said.

It was then, she claimed, that Cornish grabbed a knife and launched at her, putting the knife to her throat. She said she held her hands in a defensive position, pleading with him to stop.

Minister Darville: Bills to legalise and decriminalise marijuana will be passed by year-end

Bills legalising medical marijuana use and decriminalising recreational marijuana use will be passed before the end of this year, Health Minister Dr Michael Darville said this week.

He could not definitely say when the legislation will be tabled in the House of Assembly, but said it will be completed before the budget debate in June.

“Me and the Attorney General are wrapping up all of the parameters in order for them to be laid,” he said.

“I believe that we have something that is very palatable. It is good, and it is unique for The Bahamas.

She said she saw her life flash before her eyes. She said when the defendant released her, he began to rant throughout the room.

She said when she went to her bedroom, the defendant later came in.

She calmly told the court how the defendant allegedly took off her underwear and had sex with her against her will and spat in her face before she went to the bathroom.

Vashti Bridgewater and Basil Cumberthatch are the prosecutors.

When Mr Cumberthatch asked the complainant why she stayed with Cornish until their return flight to Abaco the following morning, she said she had nowhere else to go.

She said she didn’t go to the police until April 7, 2023 –– after the second alleged sexual assault –– because the two were in a relationship and she did not want to embarrass him.

She said that on April 4, 2023, she was on a phone call with a foreign-based friend at her Cooper’s Town, Abaco, residence when Cornish tried to call her, but she ignored him.

She said she began to panic when she heard him knock on the door shortly after.

She said after letting Cornish inside, he locked the door behind him and started to talk while walking towards her as she backed away.

Through tears, she alleged that Cornish said: “Why are you “stenching”? If I wanted to do something to you I would have done it.”

After composing herself in court, she alleged Cornish forced her into her bedroom and pinned her to the bed as he took off her clothes.

She said Cornish cleaned himself up after the alleged rape.

“I believe it will prove to be very beneficial for patients who are seeking medical cannabis for serious medical illness and do not have to cross borders with certain derivatives of cannabis that is currently breaking the law.”

In April, the Rastafarian community expressed a desire to meet government officials before the legislation is tabled to ensure the government amended the original draft, which had elements they opposed.

Dr Darville said the meeting has not happened and could not say if it ever will.

“I can tell you that our bill, we

did have serious consultation with various diffident subsets of the Rastafarian group and we are very concerned that we do it right,” he said.

“No one in any bill gets everything what they want, but I believe that through the mitigation and through the discussions, I think we have something that is workable, something that is safe, something that the Bahamian people could be proud of, and something that the community can benefit economically from the industry once it is put in place.”

Dr Darville declined to comment on the Rastafarian community’s desire for free cannabis cultivation licenses as reparations for years of being criminalised for marijuana

possession, saying the decision is up to Cabinet.

The administration’s timeline for tabling and passing cannabis legislation has shifted repeatedly.

Several licences could be obtained under the original draft: a cultivation licence to permit the growing, harvesting and packaging of cannabis; a retail licence to sell cannabis and cannabis accessories for medical, scientific research and religious purposes; an analytical testing licence; a manufacturing licence for the manufacturing and packaging of cannabis and cannabis accessories; a research licence; a transport licence to deliver cannabis within the country and a religious use licence.

(Tribune242)

US charges 16 people in ‘grandparent scam’ operated from Dominican Republic

United States law enforcement authorities have charged 16 people in connection with a sprawling “grandparent scam” that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars.

The Justice Department said 11 of the 16 are from the Dominican Republic and have been named in the 19-count indictment with mail and wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.

According to the indictment, unsealed in New Jersey, the defendants engaged in a longrunning “grandparent” or “family in need of bail” scam against seniors in the United States. The scam was operated from call centres in the Dominican Republic.

The Justice Department said an additional five defendants, all based in the United States, were charged by the complaint with wire fraud conspiracy as part of the

The authorities say the 16 defendants preyed upon grandparents’ familial love and devotion, cheating them out of millions of dollars

same scheme. They are alleged to have acted as couriers who picked up cash from defrauded victims in New Jersey, New York and elsewhere.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue individuals who prey on vulnerable and

elderly victims through fraudulent schemes,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Arun G Rao of the Civil Division.

“We will continue to identify perpetrators of these schemes and prioritise the pursuit of those who deliberately target vulnerable consumers, whether located in the United States or abroad,” he added.

North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish leaving court on April 29, 2024

Marijuana laws in the Bahamas will change by the end of 2024

US warns rates to stay high as it battles inflation

The US central bank again said it would keep interest rates unchanged, noting a “lack of further progress” toward lowering inflation.

The decision left the Federal Reserve’s key rate hovering at the highest level in more than two decades, in the range of 5.25%5.5%, where it has stood since last July.

By keeping borrowing costs high, the Fed is hoping to cool the economy and reduce the pressures pushing up prices.

But with inflation in the US proving more persistent than expected, the bank is facing questions about its next move.

Analysts who had expected the bank to start cutting rates early this year have been forced to postpone forecasts - and some have even raised the possibility of a rate rise.

At a press conference following the announcement, Fed chairman Jerome Powell said he thought that a rate increase was “unlikely”, while repeating that officials wanted greater confidence that inflation was easing before moving to cut.

“It really will depend on the data,” he said.

“It’s going to take longer to reach that point of comfort. I don’t know how long it will take,” he added.

In the US, consumer prices rose 3.5% over the 12 months to March. That is down sharply from the

The Federal Reserve’s chair Jerome Powell

9.1% rate seen in June 2022, but remains above the Fed’s 2% target, ticking higher in recent months.

In its statement announcing its latest decision on Wednesday, the Fed drew attention to those trends, noting “a lack of further progress” bringing inflation back to its goal.

“The statement explicitly recognises the recent deterioration in inflation dynamics,” said Brian Coulton, chief economist at Fitch Ratings.

“Patience is the watchword now for the Fed and the risk of fewer or no rate cuts this year is growing.”

The Fed has left rates untouched since last July, after boosting them aggressively from near zero in March 2022.

Higher interest rates trickle out to the public in the form of more expensive mortgages, car and

business loans and other debt.

The Fed’s moves are being closely watched around the world where many central banks, including the Bank of England, have also had a prolonged period of sharply raised rates.

Mr Powell said policymakers in other countries may move more quickly than the US to cut rates due to worries about economic slowdown.

“The difference between the United States and other countries that are now considering rate cuts is they’re just not having the kind of growth we’re having,” he said. “We can be patient.”

Separately, the Fed also outlined its previously-discussed plans to slow the pace at which it is shrinking its holdings of US Treasuries.

UK: More than 700 people arrive by small boats in a day

A total of 711 people were detected crossing the English Channel in small boats on Wednesday, the highest number on a single day so far this year.

Provisional figures from the Home Office show the total number of migrants arriving by small boats so far this year now stands at 8,278. This is 34% higher than the total at the equivalent time last year, (6,192 people) and 19% higher than the total at this stage in 2022 (6,945 migrants).

Some 14 boats were detected on Wednesday, which suggests an average of about 51 people per boat.

A total of 29,437 migrants arrived on the Kent coast from France in small boats across the whole of 2023 - about a third fewer than the figure for the previous year.

Five people, including a sevenyear-old girl, were killed in a

A total of 8,278 people have arrived in the UK by small boats this year

crush on board a boat crossing the English Channel last week.

On Wednesday, it was reported that the first failed asylum seeker has gone to Rwanda under a voluntary removals programme which the government has said will deter future migrants from crossing the Channel.

Swinney offers ‘significant’ role to potential SNP rival Forbes

John Swinney has launched his campaign to become the next SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister.

The highly experienced former cabinet secretary offered his potential rival Kate Forbes a role in his government should he succeed Humza Yousaf.

He told a press conference in Edinburgh he aimed to “unite Scotland for independence”.

Ms Forbes, the former finance secretary, will announce her decision on a leadership challenge later on Thursday. She did not attend Mr Swinney’s launch event in Edinburgh and was said to be “still weighing up her options”.

Mr Swinney, 60, announced his decision at a speech in the Grassmarket.

He told supporters: “I want to build on the work of the SNP government to create a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland that will ensure opportunity for all of her citizens.

“I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence.”

The former deputy first minister, who led the SNP between 2000 and 2004, said the party was not as “cohesive” as it should be but he could bring it “back together”.

Mr Swinney - who questioned last year whether views expressed by Ms Forbes about gay marriage made her “appropriate” to be first minister - said he wanted her to play a “significant part” in his government if he becomes first minister.

He described her as a “colleague and friend”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to “stop the boats” as one of five key pledges a year ago.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible”.

“She is an intelligent, creative, thoughtful person who has much to contribute to our national life,” Mr Swinney said.

“And if elected, I will make sure Kate is able to make that contribution.”

He told BBC Scotland News after his speech he had “always believed” Ms Forbes could made a significant contribution to the government, despite his criticism

during the 2023 leadership contest.

One of Mr Swinney’s supporters said they expected Ms Forbes to “rally behind” the former deputy first minister following his speech. However, an ally of Ms Forbes told BBC Scotland News that Mr Swinney would need to offer a “big job” in the cabinet to win her support.

Mr Swinney, who also pledged to deliver economic growth and social justice in Scotland, told the BBC’s Nicola Sturgeon podcast last year that he had been trying to stand down from government since 2016.

But he said he was repeatedly talked into staying by Ms Sturgeon. Mr Swinney insisted he would not be an “interim leader” or a “caretaker” first minister and aimed to see out a full term should he win the leadership contest.

“I am offering to lead my party through the Westminster elections, to lead us beyond the 2026 elections, to contest, which I intend to win for the SNP and for Scotland,” he said.

He has been backed by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, deputy leader Keith Brown and cabinet ministers Neil Gray, Jenny Gilruth, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Mairi McAllan.

Ms McAllan introduced Mr Swinney at the launch event, describing him as a “steadfast” defender of Scotland’s interests.

Cabinet ministers Angus Robertson and Fiona Hyslop also attended the campaign launch.

Ms Forbes is the only other SNP figure to have said she is considering a leadership challenge. She pulled out of a meeting of the Scottish Parliament committee on Thursday morning.

If two candidates receive enough nominations from party branches, a ballot of party members will be held.

If there is only one candidate, they will automatically win the leadership.

John Swinney has been backed by several senior SNP colleagues

UK: Two boys, 12, killed man with machete, court hears

Two 12-year-old boys used a machete to murder an “utterly defenceless” man, inflicting injuries to his skull and heart and slashing his legs, a court heard.

Shawn Seesahai, 19, died in November last year after being set upon on Stowlawn playing fields in East Park, Wolverhampton.

Jurors were told that he had offered no violence and done nothing to offend either of the boys but was violently attacked.

The accused pair, who cannot be named due to their age, both deny murder.

Opening the case at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, Michelle Heeley KC said: “Shawn Seesahai was murdered by being struck with a machete to his back, legs and skull.

“He was also beaten and kicked. The Crown say that these two defendants were jointly responsible for that attack.”

Mr Seesahai, who lived in Handsworth, Birmingham but was originally from Anguilla in the Caribbean, had travelled to the UK to receive treatment for cataracts.

On 13 November, he had travelled to Wolverhampton with friends, while the two defendants were together on the same afternoon, meeting two girls who were about the same age, both who are witnesses in the case.

The court heard one girl told police one of the boys had regularly carried a machete and that he and other boy “were passing it between themselves” on the day of the attack.

Ms Heeley described how the boys had gone out “armed with a lethal weapon” and “had been roaming the streets” while Mr Seesahai was “just with his friends.”

Holding up the machete, she told the court: “It’s understandable how a weapon of this type and size could cause fatal injuries in such a short space of time.”

She told the court the victim was

Brown: Police should investigate News UK phone hacking ‘cover up’

Gordon Brown has called for police to investigate whether the publisher of the Sun and News of the World covered up phone hacking evidence.

The former prime minister told the BBC that civil court documents show News UK deleted emails to stop police seeing them.

He also believes his phone may have been hacked while in No 10 and could now take legal action.

News UK said Mr Brown’s allegations were “unfounded and wrong”.

hit so hard on the skull that a “piece of bone had actually come away.”

“He had slash wounds on his leg, and most significantly he had an injury from the machete that went through his body all the way from his back, through his ribs and into his heart.”

‘JOINT ATTACK’

After spending time walking near basketball courts, Mr Seesahai and his friend “came together” with the defendants as the boys passed the machete between them.

Ms Heeley said according to Mr Seesahai’s friend, one of the defendants had “deliberately shoulder-brushed” the victim before pulling the knife from his trousers.

“Mr Seesahai told his friend to run and he ran,” she added, with his friend managing to escape before looking back to see Mr Seesahai on the floor.

One of the witnesses told police she saw one defendant using the machete on Mr Seesahai’s legs and saw the other defendant punching and stamping on his head.

“The prosecution say the two boys were engaged in a joint attack upon a man who had done nothing wrong, a man with no weapon, who was utterly defenceless on the ground,” Ms Heeley said.

“We say that these two boys were acting together and meant to kill Mr Seesahai, at the very least they intended to cause really serious harm.”

PHONE EVIDENCE

The jury was told one of the defendants had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a machete “without good reason or lawful authority,” while the co-defendant denied the same charge.

The court also heard the boys had screenshots of knives like the one used on their phones and had searched online for news articles about the attack.

In 2015, prosecutors said there was no evidence of corporate wrongdoing.

However, Mr Brown said that decision was based on an “incomplete picture” of the case against News UK, previously known as News Group Newspapers.

He said: “What we have is new evidence. What we now know was not available at the time, perhaps not even available to the police.

“What is coming out is the extent of the interference in people’s civil liberties, the extent to which the organisation tried to cover up.”

He said he was speaking out on behalf of “ordinary families” targeted by newspapers “at the moment of greatest difficulty for them - grief, tragedy, accidents, murders”.

Victims of phone hacking include the murdered teenager Milly Dowler and families bereaved by the 7 July 2005 terror attacks in London.

Mr Brown continued: “The intrusion into their private lives at the time of grief was so extensive, whether it be by phone hacking, or by using private investigators or by investigating their family life and the relatives of people around them.”

The police investigation into the company was brought to a halt in 2015 after the convictions of senior journalists including Andy Coulson, a former editor of the News of the World.

The company had accepted journalists at the tabloid were involved in wrong-doing and closed it down in 2011.

It has paid damages to hundreds of News of the World phone hacking victims, and has also settled cases brought by those targeted by the Sun, without admitting any liability.

More than 40 people are currently suing News UK for hacking their phones or unlawfully obtaining their private information.

The complex case is likely to

go to trial next year but evidence is already being disclosed to the claimants’ lawyers.

A key question in the trial is likely to be why the company deleted more than 30 million emails in 2010 and 2011, when it knew it faced a police investigation over phone hacking.

Nine million emails, detailing important periods during the phone hacking saga, were “irretrievably lost”, according to court documents.

The reasons for the email deletion policy are at the centre of claims the firm was involved in a corporate cover-up which went beyond the wrong-doing of individual reporters and private investigators.

News UK has always insisted it was clearing out old computer servers, but claimants say it was deleting evidence at the time the police investigation was expanding.

They have accused the company in court filings of inventing a false “security threat” to provide another reason why emails needed to be deleted.

Court documents filed by the claimants suggest senior figures at the News UK believed an insider sympathetic to the Labour Party had leaked emails belonging to chief executive Rebekah Brooks.

They believed these had been passed to a third party, who had then met and discussed them with Gordon Brown.

The court documents suggest the company decided to delete Mrs Brooks’s emails to prevent further

leaks.

On Wednesday, Mr Brown discussed this claim for the first time, describing it as an “an attempt to blame someone else... when, of course, they themselves were guilty of destroying evidence”. He denied ever being passed information relating to Mrs Brooks, adding: “The police should never have accepted their explanation.”

Mr Brown has never taken legal action against News UK but revealed he is now considering it.

He said it was possible that his phone was hacked between 2005 and 2007 when he was chancellor, and for the three years he was prime minister, before losing the 2010 election.

Mr Brown said he had a personal mobile phone at the time, and believes his voicemail messages may have been accessed.

He continued: “If a prime minister was having his phone hacked by News Group, then that is a very serious matter.

“And we need to get all the evidence about what happened, what didn’t happen, what was happening at their headquarters.

“I think that is all still to come out. And that’s why although time has passed, we must not allow this to happen again because of a failure to investigate what happened in the past.”

In response, News UK said Mr Brown’s allegations related to events from over a decade ago which are the subject of current legal proceedings in the civil courts. (BBC)

The late Shawn Seesahai, who lived in Handsworth, Birmingham but was originally from Anguilla in the Caribbean

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is considering taking legal action against the newspaper company for the first time

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Experience Turks and Caicos is now accepting applications/resumes for the following positions: Only highly self-driven and motivated personable and professional individuals whom have the desire to serve other need apply:

CHIEF DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Hours: 40 hours

Department: Destination Development Department

Unit: Destination Development

Classification: Employee

Annual Salary: Up to $100,000

Reporting Supervisor: CEO

Probationary Period: 6 months

Positions Supervised: All employees under the Destination Development Department

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: The Chief Development Officer will be responsible for leading the organization’s Destination Development Department. This will include implementing all strategies and activities that will allow the TCI DMO to diversify the current tourism products, thus making the tourism industry more sustainable and competitive

KEY

RESULTS AREAS:

1. Development of new tourism products and strengthening of the existing ones

2. Make the tourism industry in TCI more sustainable, inclusive and competitive

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Responsible for all activities implemented by the Destination Development Department

• Develop and implement a comprehensive tourism development strategy that effectively develop the tourism industry in TCI

• Collaborate with all other Departments and Units within the DMO to ensure that destination development efforts align with the Organization’s overall goals and objectives

• Collaborating with local businesses, government officials, and community leaders to identify and capitalize on opportunities for tourism development

• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to identify new tourism services that must be developed to meet tourist expectations

• Define the DMO’s Destination Development budget

• Manage the budget and resources of the Department to ensure effective and efficient use of funds.

• Building relationships with travel industry partners and international organizations to design and implement programs that allows the TCI DMO to develop the tourism offer in TCI

• Providing guidance and support to department staff to ensure that their work meets the needs of the organization and the destination

• Representing the organization and the destination at conferences trade shows, and other events, when needed

• Continuously research and stay informed about industry trends and developments to ensure that the DMO’s destination development efforts are current and effective

• Collaborating with the Finance and Operations Department for the financial control and monitoring of the Destination Development Department and for the preparation of the DMO Annual Report

OTHERS:

• Supervise the department work

• Coordination with all other Departments of the TCI -DMO

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, business administration, marketing, economics or similar

• At least ten (10) years in tourism development and tourism product design and development, industry trends and best practices

• Extensive knowledge of data analysis, Strong analytical, problem solving and statistical inference etc.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with stakeholders, staff and industry partners.

• Good Leadership and management capacity

• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills to identify opportunities and develop plans

• Good project management skills to oversee multiple projects and initiatives

• Strong negotiation skills

• Strong knowledge of the tourism industry in TCI or in the Caribbean region, including culture and history

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi -disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

FILM COMMISSIONER

Hours: 40 hours Department: Film Commission Unit: Film Commission Classification: Managerial Salary Grade: Up to $120,000 Reporting Supervisor: CEO Probationary Period: 6 months Positions Supervised: All employees under the Film Commission Department

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: to develop the film industry in TCI promoting the destination as an outstanding location for audiovisual productions He / She will be responsible for attracting and supporting film and television production n TCI.

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

1. Film industry

2. Intermediation between film producers and TCI businesses

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Coordinate and monitor all activities of the Unit.

• Prepare and submit plans, budgets, progress reports and annual reports about the activities and performances of the Unit.

• Responsible to manage the relations with the international organizations and film producers.

• Responsible for the identification of the best locations that could be

JOB OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED

used for film producers. This involves scouting for appropriate settings, obtaining permits and authorizations, and coordinating with local authorities.

• Responsible for the mapping of all TCI businesses that could be involved in the film industry and could provide services to the film producers.

• Identification, in collaboration with the Destination Development Unit of specific training and technical assistance needs of the local businesses that could be involved in the film industry.

• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to promote TCI to filmmakers, producers, and other industry professionals. This includes showcasing the unique features, scenery and attractions of the country that would make it an attractive location for filming.

• Collaborate with the TCIG to facilitate permits to streamline the process of obtaining permits and permissions required for filming.

• Collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Finance to identify and promote incentives that could be provided by the TCIG.

• Work with local communities to ensure that the production process does not disrupt daily life. This includes managing logistics such as traffic, parking, and crowd control, etc.

• Providing technical assistance and support to local businesses industry professionals and international film producers, including access to resources, networking opportunities and assistance with securing financing

• Having a mediatory role explaining, translating, reconciling) between public stakeholders and audiovisual / film producers to foster mutual understanding and encourage fruitful working relationships al round.

• Encouraging the recruitment of local professionals to the on-location filmmaking teams

OTHERS:

• Assist develop marketing and promotional activities through the productions

• Integrate all Unit activities with all other Departments and Units for achieving the objectives of the DMO

• Collaborate with the Chief Destination Development Officer to coordinate the Film Commission Unit activities with the TCIG and all its Ministries

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts or a related field

• 10 or more years’ experience in audiovisuals productions

• Five or more years’ experience in promoting the development of the film industry in popular tourism destinations

• Management skills including ability to supervise and motivate employees

• Ability to multi-task and establish priorities

• Exhibits initiative, responsibility, flexibility and leadership

• Good social and interpersonal skills

• Good health and high energy level

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi -disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

FILM COMMISSIONER ASSISTANT

Hours: 40 hours

Department: Film Commission Unit: Film Commission

Classification: Employee

Salary Grade: Up to $48,000

Reporting Supervisor: Film Commissioner Probationary Period: 6 months Positions Supervised: --

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: She / He is responsible for providing administrative support and managing the Film Commission Unit’s schedule and communications. The goal s to help the Film Commissioner in her/his day-to-day activities being ready to solve problems before they become obstacles

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

Supporting the day-to-day activities of the Film Commissioner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide administrative support to the Film Commissioner, including scheduling meetings managing emails, and maintaining files and records.

• Answering and managing phone calls and emails

• Coordinating meetings with internal and external stakeholders, take notes, and prepare minutes.

• Acting as a liaison between the Film Commissioner and other staff members, clients, and business partners, facilitating communication and ensuring that everyone is kept up-to-date.

• Managing incoming and outgoing correspondence, including drafting letters, emails, and memos.

• Conducting research various topics and preparing reports or summaries for the Film Commissioner.

• Managing office operations, such as ordering supplies filing documents, and maintaining the Film Commissioner’s office.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.

• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and marketing software.

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Proactivity, flexibility and adaptability

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi –disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

IT MANAGER

Hours: 40 hours

Department: Finance and Operations

Unit: Finance and Operations

Classification: Employee

Salary Grade: Up to $75,000

Reporting Supervisor: CFOO

Probationary Period: 6 months

Positions Supervised: --

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: The position of IT Manager at involves overseeing the organization’s IT operations, infrastructure, and technology solutions As an IT Manager, you will be responsible for, implementing IT policies and procedures, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the company’s technology systems You will collaborate with crossfunctional teams to align IT strategies with business goals and support overall business operations.

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

Technology Strategy and Innovation IT Operations and Service Delivery

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s T infrastructure, including networks servers, and systems.

• Develop and implement IT policies, procedures, and security protocols to ensure data protection and information security

• Collaborate with other departments to identify technology needs and develop IT solutions that support business objectives

• Monitor IT performance, conduct regular audits, and optimize T systems and processes for efficiency and reliability.

• Develop & Manage IT budgets, expenditures, and vendor relationships, ensuring costeffectiveness and compliance

• Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in IT management, and proactively recommend innovative approaches.

• Provide IT support and troubleshooting assistance to end-users and resolve ITrelated issues in a timely manner.

• Ensure compliance with data a privacy regulations, IT governance standards and industry certifications

• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity pans to safeguard critical IT systems and data.

• Maintains quality service by establishing and

enforcing organization standards.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/ COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Advanced degrees and certifications are a plus

• A minimum of 5 years of experience as in ITG Manager or n a similar leadership role, with a strong track record of managing IT operations.

• Solid understanding of IT infrastructure, systems administration, and network management.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing IT policies, procedures, and security protocols.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent Leadership skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.

• Experience with T budget management vendor management, and contract negotiations

• Proficiency in IT project management methodologies and tools to oversee IT projects and initiatives.

• Business acumen and strategic thinking to align T strategies with overall business goals.

• Strong organizational and time management s kills.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Proactivity, flexibility and adaptability

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi -disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by a cover letter and two letters of Reference (one preferably from a former employer) as well as copies of educational certificates and a copy of the passport photo page. Shortlisted candidates must submit a police certificate.

Applications should be addressed to: Human Resources Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos, Providenciales Applications can be delivered via email to hr@myexperiencetci.com

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only persons selected for an interview will be contacted. APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 17th, 2024

• Applicant must be honest, reliable and willing to work.

• Passing of tools and materials to workers on all jobs.

• Cleaning and putting up tools at the end of each work day.

CONTACT: 649-346-0204

Cher: I date younger guys because men my age are ‘all dead’

Cher says men her age can’t handle her.

While chatting to Jennifer Hudson on Wednesday’s episode of her talk show, the multihyphenate performer explained that she dates younger men because she’s “kinda shy” around men in general.

“And the reason I got with young men is because men my

age are older — well now they’re all dead — but before, they were always terrified to approach me. And younger men — they were raised by women like me,” the 77-year-old detailed.

“They are bold,” Hudson added, to which Cher agreed.

Before confessing why she prefers younger men, Cher claimed that she had previously shut down

Elvis Presley’s romantic advances because she was “nervous” about his reputation and she “knew of the people around him.”

The “Moonstruck” actress is currently dating music executive Alexander “AE” Edwards, who, at 38, is 40 years her junior. They met at Paris Fashion Week in September 2022 but briefly broke up in May 2023.

Cher (77) is currently dating Alexander Edwards (38)

RTCIPF hosts momentous parade and awards

Police officers attached to the Division B Operations and Response unit of the Royal TCI Police Force this week turned out in full dress attire for a May Day parade and inspection.

Held at the Ethel Ingham Centre on Wednesday, May 1, 7am, the officers were resplendent as their uniform and kit were inspected, under the command of Superintendent of Police Dwight Gardiner.

The parade was momentous, with Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Kendall Grant and Assistant Superintendent of Police Darron Williams applauding the officers’ dedication, bravery, and commitment.

delivered brief remarks, encouraging the officers to continue keeping the best interest of the TCI at the centre of all they do.

Superintendent Gardiner

BOAT AND TRAILER FOR SALE

“Our roles are critical in society, not just enforcing laws but also building bridges with communities by being beacons of hope and serving with pride and integrity,” Gardiner said.

Among the parade’s highlights was the recognition of officers within the Division who exemplified teamwork, due diligence and a commitment to the communities they serve.

Commendation certificates and plaques were presented to Sgt. Allan Scipio, Sgt. Philippe Jean, Constable Jermaine Jackson, Shawna Gray, Rohan Pennant,

Dujuana Fulford, Durando Pinder, Foline Dor, Domareo Outten, Wisline Claire, Royan Manning and Travis Robinson for their swift response to a medical emergency on April 5.

The officer’s quick action at the Chalk Sound Police Station saved the life of a visitor who was suffering from chest pains, collapsed and was unconscious.

Additionally, Officers of the Month awards were presented to Constable Austin Etienne (February) and Constables Alesa Brown and Shawna Gray (March), while the Traffic Enforcement Unit received Team of the Month (March).

Constable Tyrone Cox was named ‘Best Turn Out Officer’.

A rank being inspected during the RTCIPF parade and awards ceremony this past Wednesday (Photos: RTCIPF)

Constable Alesa Brown (centre) - flanked by ASP Kemron Lowhar (l) and Supt. Dwight Gardiner - received the Officer of the Month (March) certificate and plaque

Constable Austin Etienne receives his plaque and certificate for Officer of the Month (February)

Constable Shawna Gray receives her plaque and certificate for Officer of the Month (March)

Weinstein faces new trial after rape conviction overturned, returns to prison

A judge remanded Harvey Weinstein to prison during the entertainment mogul’s first court hearing Wednesday following his rape conviction reversal, Fox News Digital can confirm.

Weinstein appeared in person in a wheelchair at the New York court hearing, which was mostly procedural, days after being hospitalised. The entertainment mogul was “examined” upon his arrival at Rikers Island jail on

Friday and then sent to Bellevue. “It seems like he needs a lot of help, physically,” his lawyer Arthur Aidala said at the time. “He’s got a lot of problems. He’s getting all kinds of tests. He’s somewhat of a train wreck health wise.”

At the hearing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg insisted Weinstein be remanded for now and emphasized the office’s plans to retry the film producer on the sexual assault charges as

quickly as possible.

“We have every belief the defendant will be convicted again at trial,” he said.

Weinstein’s defence argued against remand, citing his medical issues. Aidala pointed out that Weinstein was already acquitted of the most serious counts, and has already done jail time.

The judge scheduled a discovery hearing for May 29 and Weinstein’s new trial was tentatively scheduled for after Labour Day.

A New York appeals court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction on Thursday, ordering a new trial in a stunning reversal of a landmark #MeToo case.

In a 4-3 decision, the court found that Weinstein’s trial judge allowed prosecutors to call women who said Weinstein had assaulted them to testify, even though their accusations did not specifically relate to the entertainment mogul’s charges.

Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being convicted in February 2020 of forcing oral sex on TV and film production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006 and third-degree rape of hairstylist Jessica Mann in 2013. He was acquitted of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault from actor Annabella Sciorra’s allegations of rape in the 1990s. Weinstein has denied ever engaging in non-consensual sex.

Weinstein’s lawyer first filed an appeal in his New York case in January 2023. The appeal, filed by Aidala, claimed the entertainment mogul didn’t receive a “fair trial.”

“Harvey is innocent and never should have been convicted or even tried for these allegations,” Weinstein’s rep, Juda Engelmayer, told Fox News Digital at the time.

“The trial failed at objectivity from the minute former Judge Burke berated Harvey, asking him if he wanted to spend the rest of his life in prison over the use of a cellphone that occurred before the judge ever entered the courtroom or began the day’s proceedings.

“Burke was rejected from the bench as a result, and the case should have been, too. From the lies a juror told to private lawyers representing non-case-related complainants acting as prosecutorial surrogates, as we were often gagged, the jury was steered in a direction they never would have gone in if it were honest.”

Ultimately, the appeals court found the trial judge should have only allowed witnesses to testify about the sexual assault encounters that Weinstein’s charges stemmed from. During his trial, multiple women testified about sexual assaults allegedly performed by Weinstein, even though it wasn’t what he faced charges for.

Harvey Weinstein appeared in person at the hearing

Applicant must have experience as a Floral Assistant or Florist. Must have extensive knowledge of tropical flowers, foliage and potted plants, including their names, seasonal availability and lifespan. Candidates must have experience using current styles in floral design while at the same time understanding the traditional use of certain flowers for weddings, funerals etc. salary commensurate with experience.

2 STORE CLERKS CLEANER

SOUTH BANK MARINA

LTD is seeking suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position at its location in Long Bay, Providenciales, TCI.

and general shoreside yacht support activities. As the Yacht

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have on board experience with offshore vessels

• 10+ years of experience in yacht concierge activities

• Demonstrated achievement in yachting operations based on internationally recognized schemes with proven success

• Must identify, develop and implement business strategies and report to the CEO on operational and financial performance

• PADI certification ideal

• First Aid Certificate required

• Knowledge and experience in dealing with hazardous and dangerous substances

• Able to work long hours, including holidays and weekends if required Salary for this position will be in the range of $25k to $35k per annum depending on experience.

BABYSITTER

MASON

ELECTRICIANS

Must have a recognized qualification/licence from a governing body in country of origin. Must have at least 10 years experience on large commercial projects. Duties will include electrical installations, repairs, and service calls to residential and commercial projects. Electricians pay starts at $12.00 per hour

MAINTENANCE WORKERS LABOURERS

Must have at least 10 years experience on commercial & residential projects carrying out repairs and maintenance. This position pay starts at $10.00 per hour.

Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Duties to include assisting electricians in all aspects of residential and commercial electrical installations. Pay starts at $9.00 per hour.

DESIGN BUILD ASSOCIATES

PROJECT MANAGER

REQUIREMENTS

• Certificates/Diplomas/Degree in any of Business Management, Construction Technology, Engineering preferred

• 10+ years management experience on several construction sites of 10 or more staff

• Proficient knowledge of software such as Excel, AutoCAD/Revit, Blue Beam Software. Sage Contractor

• Excellent communication skills, organization, ability to quantify orders, high attention to detail

• Have a high-quality standard and work ethic and drive to succeed and motivate others. Oversee all aspects of operations for the construction division DUTIES

• Manage and Schedule activities to maintain budgets and timelines.

• Maintaining a high degree of quality in workmanship of trades.

• Keeping records of inventory, management of staff, time control, schedule orders.

• Management of inventory, equipment and tools getting to sites, maintained, and all safety measures are in place.

• Write subcontract agreements and scopes of work

• Prepare cost estimates, schedules and cash-flow projections

• Manage the procurement process

• Manage the public tendering process and bid analysis

• Write subcontract agreements and scopes of work

• Prepare monthly project status reports for clients

• Handle all accounting for the construction division

• Assist with Business Development efforts

Work week is full time Monday to Friday 7am-5pm and 7am-12pm on Saturdays. Salary $800-1500 per week dependent upon level

CASABLANCA CASINO

is accepting applications for the following positions:

BLACKJACK DEALERS/DICE DEALERS

Salary $9.00-$16.00/ hour

All candidates should have at least 2-3 years of experience in the same field, excellent full knowledge of all casino table games and excellent knowledge of Blackjack table game and/or dice game. Job summary: carry out specific tasks in the gaming operation to the highest standard of efficiency and customer service in accordance with gaming policies and procedures set by the company and gaming laws.

LABOURER

Salary $8.00 - $9.00/ hour

Must have several years kitchen helper experience, stock refill, cleaning experience of the full casino with knowledge of covid requirements and be physically fit. Also provide routine building cleaning and maintenance including painting, sanding, lifting, and moving heavy equipment.

HOST

Salary $12.00/ hour

Facilitate a positive guest experience by greeting guests and providing information. Provide a point of contact for customer feedback and help to resolve customer issues. Assist with food and beverage service as needed. Assist with casino shuttle driving as needed.

Positions presently held by work permit holders.

DOMESTIC WORKER

Working hours are Mon-Fri, weekend and holidays when called upon. Salary is $8.00 per hour 8am – 5pm. Successful candidate will be cleaning office complex.

•

•

GENERAL PRACTITIONER CLEANER

•

Pick up waste, dispose waste, maintain cleanliness of property and assist with on going construction. $8.00

FRANKLIN PINTURA TCI Leeward Highway / 343-7291 LABOURER

To carry out and assist with continuous maintenance

ROLIN BERNARD South Dock / 241-7845 HELPER

Pick waste on my apartment complex, dispose waste, maintain cleaness of rental complex and assist with new ongoing construction. $8.00

IDLIN PIERRE VICTOR Behind Mara / 342-1088 HELPER

To assist with construction on my apartment Complex Behind Mara. $8.00

WELDER

We are looking for a skilled Welder to cut and join metal and other materials at our source center. You will operate appropriate equipment to put together mechanic structures or parts with a great deal of precision. Your job is important as it provides the foundation for strong infrastructure.

Must be competent in using potentially dangerous equipment following all safety precautions. The ideal candidate will also have a steady hand and great attention to detail. Knowledge of different kinds of metal and their properties is essential.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determine the appropriate welding equipment or method based on requirements.

• Set up components for welding according to specifications (e.g. Cut material with powered saws to match measurements)

• Operate angle grinders to prepare the parts that must be welded.

• Align components using calipers, rulers etc. and clamp pieces.

• Weld components using manual or semi-automatic welding equipment in various positions (vertical, horizontal or overhead)

Salary: $10 hourly

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Turks and Caicos Islands oldest and leading publishing house is in need of additional staff to fill the following posts:

WRITERS/ PHOTO JOURNALIST

Candidates must have at least five (5) years’ experience working full-time for daily newspapers and/or news/features magazines, reporting on hard news, features and parliamentary/court proceedings. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

FOR MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICALS GRAPHICS PRODUCTION DESIGNER/ PAGINATOR

This position requires someone with at least five (5) years’ experience working with Macintosh or PC computers. Must be skilled in the make-up of advertising and pagination. Proficiency using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop software for print is essential. Some technical, networking and web design knowledge an asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

COURT REPORTER

College or high school graduate with at least five (5) years’ experience in community reporting. Ability to drive and use a camera a desirable asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

ADVERTISING SPACE SALES PERSON

Candidates must have had actual hands-on experience selling advertising space for newspapers and magazines. Ability to assist clients with the writing of copy for ads and gathering of collateral an asset. Salary is commission based.

LABOURER

LABOURER

ALEXIS PHANORD

JOURNALIST

PUBLIC NOTICE

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS APPLICATION

( SECTION 4(3) OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS

ORDINANCE)

Take notice that I, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands in exercise of the powers conferred in me by Section 6(4) of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance intend to grant a Certificate of Turks and Caicos Islander Status to Yvette Denise Bullard-Outten by virtue of marriage to a Turks and Caicos Islander.

GREENHOUSE MAN

NANNY

CONTACT:

A Senior Manager will provide our clients with a mix of audit and assurance services in the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas. We strive to understand our clients’ operations, their industry and the issues they face thus enabling us to provide relevant attestation services and advice. The incumbent will be responsible for managing a portfolio of key clients on a day-to-day basis with a focus on driving Audit quality and developing your team’s capabilities. They will be expected to have advanced knowledge in relevant industries and to play an active role in business development activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or above with excellent academic credentials in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Management or related disciplines required

• Internationally recognized professional accounting qualification: ACCA, CPA, CA, ACA or other designation as accepted by similar International Federation of Accountants member bodies

• Minimum 7 years of relevant external audit experience in public practice with at least 3 years experience in a managerial capacity

• Advanced knowledge of ISA and IFRS

The salary for this position will be based on qualifications and experience and will range from $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 p/a. Interested Turks and Caicos Islanders can also submit copies of their application to the Labour Department/ TCI Work Permit Board.

This is a new position.

GRACE

Is seeking a qualified individual for the following position. Only candidate who meet minimum qualifications and requirements will be considered. Applicants may be required to pass a written skills test. Qualified Turks Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labour Department.

COATING SPECIALIST

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for supporting the customer service and sales offers at Grace Bay Paint and Supply Ltd. Through specialized knowledge of coating products and their installation. The ideal candidate will be able to fluently educate customers on the benefits of each coating and translate of using these products. This candidate must also have prior certification, experience, and factory-sponsored training with the installation of specialized coating, including Llumar film coatings. This person must also be able to accurately estimate coating jobs, schedules, and properly install Llumar film coatings. This position is also seeking to expand sales of products in new customer markets.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION:

• Customer service skills, including problem solving and dealing with difficult situations.

• Must be able to write and speak in English fluently and have good written and verbal communication skills.

• Must be able to retrieve material from shelves and carry up to 50 lbs.

• Must be able to operate a computer and point of sale system and communicate via the telephone.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation.

• Must be proficient in mathematics with ability to calculate surface area and estimate jobs accordingly.

• Must have prior experience and certification in the factory-sponsored training of Llumar film coatings.

• Must have certified installation training in residential and commercial film coatings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficient in Microsoft office applications.

• Able to speak a second language.

• Experience working in the construction industry.

Salary: $3,500.00 Monthly

LABOURER

HEAD OF DIGICEL BUSINESS

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

The Head of Business Solutions role will lead BTB Sales, Customer, Team satisfaction and go to market. This person will be accountable and responsible for the go to market function outcomes including business objective achievement, sales target achievement (new business, retention and year on year revenue growth), customer satisfaction, financial outcomes and team/people development in the TCI. Sales performance to target, forecasting and forecast accuracy, market and sales KPI’s (leading and lagging), Sales Playbook/Process compliance and customer/team satisfaction. This person is expected to build a premier sales team and successfully collaborate/ interlock with the functional support business units to underpin customer and cross team success. Mobilizing and moving the market as defined by delivering double digit Revenue, EBITDA growth, acquiring key new clients, stewarding double digit customer satisfaction results and developing a high performing/high achieving culture that is known for being infectious about their customer, their business, their team and their results.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the achievement of all sales objectives inclusive of sales targets, revenue, margin, EBITDA and debt by new business acquisition, client retention (reduced churn), notable improved customer satisfaction and client engagement. Expectation is to deliver double digit growth across all key financial metrics whilst significantly improving P&L performance by reducing debt, churn, synergizing OPEX and prioritizing CAPEX investments in unison with the broader Caribbean team.

• Define and implement an optimal sales organizational structure across the market (s) ensuring that resource alignment optimizes their market opportunity base.

• Lead and own (externally with the client and internally within the business) the top by value strategic new business acquisition opportunities annually and the top by value renewal opportunities annually.

• Develop and own strategic relationships with key Enterprise and Government officials/dignitaries that result in mutual success for the client and Digicel.

• Develop a new business acquisition opportunity roadmap inclusive of client, value, solution, investment required and timing in their first 9 months and refreshed bi-annually.

• Lead and represent the development of key Customer Account Development Plans that outline the vision, strategy and plan for relationship and business optimization. Review, coach and validate the quality, content and messaging of all client proposals, bid responses and presentations are “world class” in quality. Take their team with them in the development of

high quality communications.

• Build a high-performance Business Solutions sales team and culture through competencebased sales leadership, management and sales appointments and the development, implementation and consistent communication of people development, business results and success celebration.

• Implement an operational management system that measures, communicates and actions performance. Reward and celebrate achievement, reduce mediocrity and address non-performance… quickly.

• Lead compliance with the sales KPI reporting and cadence inclusive of leading and lagging sales indicators, Sales Playbook, Sales Process, market insight and performance to sales targets.

• Communicate with all internal stakeholders inclusive of the exec on regular basis business briefings inclusive of performance, risks, dependencies, customer, projects and opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR JOB:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Technology or a related field

• At least five years experience in the telecommunications industry

• 5 or more years in a senior management capacity leading a B2B Sales operation.

• Must understand Telecoms with in-depth knowledge of all trending ICT products.

• At least five (5) years’ Service Delivery, Business Sales, ICT Service Delivery or Business Services experience.

• Track record of outstanding Business Service Success

• Experience in a Quota driven environment is essential.

• PMP Certification an asset

• Working knowledge of ICT products, sales and solution development including, strategy, design, related technologies and the ability to demonstrable benefits.

• Must have extensive reporting experience.

• Must be a number-oriented individual with strong analytical skills and well-developed business senses.

• Experience in Sales Force.com

• Experience in Redknee E-Care Systems

COMPENSATION

85,000 – 90,000

DEADLINE:

Positions persons who are Turks and Caicos Island nationals or who have Belonger status. Interested applicants can forward their resumes to the closing date for applications is May 31, 2024. https://careers.digicelgroup. com/job-invite/5488/

DOMESTIC WORKER

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd. Of Cherokee Rd, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

• Parcel 10308/158 Central, Grand Turk – Four-bedroom, two-bathroom house approximately 2045 sq. ft located in Palm Grove, Grand Turk

Registered Proprietor: Dudley Moore & Cheryl Prospere

• Parcel 60003/113 North West and North Central, Providenciales, TCI – Three-bedroom, two-bathroom house approximately 1248 sq. ft located in Belglade Gardens, Providenciales Registered Proprietor: Verginia Paisley & Gregory Dean

The auction will be held at the office of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, 88 Cherokee Road, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 20th day of May 2024.

A reserved price will be fixed on all parcels and a deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids. Conditions of Sale available upon request or at the Auction.

PROJECT MANAGER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities.

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $15 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and project management principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities

Salary: $2000/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board Position currently held by a work permit holder.

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities.

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $50 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and project management principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities

Salary: $3500/weekly Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board

Seeks A

GENERAL PRACTICE SURVEYOR

The successful applicant must possess:

• MSc / BSc in Land Economy & Valuation Surveying

• (RICS-recognised Qualification).

• Ten years post qualification work experience.

• Computer literate with experience in Word, Excel, MS Project & Argus.

Duties will include and candidates should have experience in:

• Market appraisals and secured lending valuations.

• Development feasibility studies.

• Facilities and Asset portfolio Management.

An annual salary of $36,000.00 plus performance related commission is offered for this position.

The suitable candidate will be able to work under his own initiative and be able to see through projects from concept to completion.

This position is available immediately and closing date for application is 29th April 2024.

Qualified Turks And Caicos Islanders Preferred.

JOB TITLE:

LECTURERS IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (NEW) AND MARINE ECOLOGY (RENEWAL – 2); PROGRAM AND WATERFRONT ASSISTANTS (NEW); SITE MANAGER (RENEWAL); DIVE SAFETY OFFICER (NEW), AND RESEARCH ASSISTANT/AQUARIST (NEW)

JOB SUMMARIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Lecturer – PhD required in related field, teaching and research experience, $30K annually; Assistants – BS or higher in Marine or Environmental Science, coordinates all field activities, $10K annually; Site Manager - Maintain facilities including plumbing, electrical, and construction. Must be familiar with vehicle maintenance and repair – gas and diesel – and small boat engine repair, $21K annually; Dive Safety Officer and Research Assistant – BS or higher, lead field and lab activities, $20K annually.

All positions required to live on-site, 6 day work week, minimum Divemaster Scuba Diver unless otherwise stated, prior experience living/working at a field station and boat handling is preferred. Additional information can be found –www.fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/

TEACHING POSITIONS AT THE WESLEY METHODIST SCHOOL

PEARLS VILLA MANAGEMENT LTD.

217 Long Bay Beach Drive, Long Bay, Providenciales IS LOOKING FOR A

PRIVATE CHEF

JOB SUMMARY:

Must be deft in moving around the kitchen and apt in multitasking. Experience in using various ingredients and cooking techniques is also important. Must be able to create new menus, work independently, available to work seven (7) days weekly.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare ingredients for cooking usage.

• Ensure great presentation by dressing dishes before serving.

• Keep a sanitized and orderly environment in the kitchen.

• Ensure all food and other items are stored properly.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants MUST possess a degree, or its equivalence in the areas stated.

Certification for Teachers MUST be from a recognized institution. Applicants MUST have a minimum of five (5) years teaching experience. Must be multitalented; honest, trustworthy, willing to uphold the tenets of the institution, and also strive diligently to raise the standard of education in the school, must be of the Christian faith.

Salary – commensurate with experience and qualification.

Domestic Workers Renewal

Sweeping the rooms, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms and toilets, cleaning kitchen and other domestic works.

Salary - $8.25 hourly rate

Interested persons must submit application, accompanied by their curriculum vitae, a police record, and a contact number and references from two (2) individuals, no later than June 30th 2024 to:

• Check quality of ingredients.

• Grocery shopping for kitchen menu items.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a restaurant or hotel.

• Hard working with a willingness to work long hours including weekends and holidays.

• Fluent in French and Spanish are essential.

• Knowledge of various cooking procedures and methods.

• Very good communication skills.

• Excellent physical condition and stamina.

Salary 60,000.00 per annum

Please note that all applications must be submitted with a valid police record, and copies of all educational certifications. Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR RESUME WITH QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE TO: INFO@SAUNDERS.TC,

HOUSEKEEPER

•

DOMESTIC WORKER

HANDYMAN

NANNY

BABYSITTER

STEELMAN

CONTACT:

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities.

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues. Requirements:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $15 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and project management principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities Salary: $2000/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board Position currently held by a

SITE ENGINEER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Allocate staff with responsibilities

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $15 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and site engineer principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities Salary: $1500.00/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board Position currently held by a work permit holder.

WC SECURITY SERVICES

SECURITY OFFICERS

Salary $9:00 per hour

Responsibilities -To maintain a safe and secure environment for customers/ clients. Patrolling, deterrence, monitoring and securing properties and business establishments. Surveillance Skills, Deals with Threats, exercising excellent Judgment, Objectivity, Dependability, Conflict Management, Integrity, Safety Management, Professionalism, Reporting Skills, CCTV and Security Alarm knowledge are desirable.

SECURITY SUPERVISOR

Salary $9.45 per hour

Setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision. Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks. Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching. Required: Experience in providing advice and resolving critical situations. An understanding of basic police and other Emergency Services procedures. Willingness to commit to further training. The ability to operate surveillance equipment, including cameras, camcorders, and CCTV systems is desirable. Preferably Former police/military, or with longer security experience and with TCI driver’s license.

REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE SERVICES

The Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board hereby invites quotations for Building Maintenance

Services for the Hon. L. Headley Durham Building, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands from suitably qualified suppliers with a valid business license to provide the following services for a period of twelve (12) months:

• Monitor the general Fixtures and Fittings throughout the building and provide necessary cleaning

• and repairs monthly

• Monitor restroom urinal sensors and exhaust fans monthly and service as needed, providing

• replacement parts

• Monitor remedial works to internal and external building structure

• Monitor the plumbing system monthly and carry out all replacement of parts and repairs required

• Monitor and maintain monthly the sewer treatment plant and grey water tank, including inspection of

• bacteria levels, adding chemicals, removal of all blockages and replacement of parts and repairs as

• necessary

• Inspect Fire extinguishers quarterly and replace when required

• Organize the installation of hurricane shutters in the event of a storm

• Monitor all electrical and other mechanical systems, make necessary replacements and repairs when

• required

• Cleaning of exterior windows and doors

DOMESTIC WORKER

VIA EMAIL TO

EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Manage the housekeeping staff. Ensure that guest rooms and public areas are clean and well maintained. Inventory control. Set and enforce standards for cleaning and presentation. Must be detail oriented, work well under pressure and able to manage multiple duties. Salary $26,400 per annum.

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Oversee the kitchen staff and ensure the quality of food items. Develop unique and cuisine-appropriate menus. Ensure the kitchen and surrounding areas meet the company standards and health code regulations. Assist and direct kitchen staff in meal preparation, creation, and plating. Must have culinary skills, in-depth knowledge of food handling regulations, leadership skills, communication, and time management skills. Salary $60,000 per annum.

FACILITY MANAGER

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Responsible for the overall maintenance, repair, and upgrade for the Meridian Club. Maintain equipment and building provision to meet health and safety requirements. Run routine maintenance inspections. Knowledge of HVAC and other building systems. Advanced mechanical and plumbing skills. Great leadership and problemsolving skills. Salary $62,000 per annum.

VILLA GUEST SERVICE SUPERVISOR

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Provide world class guest service experience for guests and homeowners pre arrival/ departure. Actively listen to and resolve complaints. Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all department policies/service. Inspect all villas liaising with housekeeping. Must be detail oriented, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Salary $24,000 per annum.

ACCOUNTS SUPERVISOR

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Review and monitor internal control procedures in the hotel, Review and analyze the company results throughout the hotel to ensure alignment with the company’s financial objectives. Assist with the compilation and preparation of the financial statements, periodic forecasts, and monthly/annual budgets. Familiar with reporting and budgeting as well as MS office and accounting software. Good communication skills, management skills and organizational abilities. Salary $35,000 per annum

Salary $2,575.00/ month

For this role you must have at least five years’ experience of working with electronic security systems including intruder alarm, CCTV and access control systems. You must be able to design, specify, install, program, service, maintain and repair such systems. It is important that you have a knowledge of low voltage installations, a great customer care approach and strong attention to detail. Knowledge of a range of alarm systems and CCTV by various manufacturers is a necessity.

TECHNICIAN SECURITY OFFICERS

Salary $9:00 per hour

Responsibilities -To maintain a safe and secure environment for customers/ clients. Patrolling, deterrence, monitoring and securing properties and business establishments.

Surveillance Skills, Deals with Threats, exercising excellent Judgment, Objectivity, Dependability, Conflict Management, Integrity, Safety Management, Professionalism, Reporting Skills, CCTV and Security Alarm knowledge are desirable.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

REQUEST FOR AIR CONDITIONING MAINTENANCE SERVICES

The Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board hereby invites quotations for Air Conditioning Maintenance Services for the Hon. L. Headley Durham Building, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands from suitably qualified suppliers with a valid business license to provide the following services for a period of twelve (12) months:

• Inspect and monitor all air conditioning units and connecting systems at least once per week

• Clean A/C filters and replace as necessary

• Maintain and adjust integral/control electrical wiring, components and controls

• Inspect, adjust, lubricate and clean fans, bearings, drives and motors.

• Inspect condenser and evaporator coils and pressure clean as required

• Paint unit housing and components as required to combat rust and erosion

• Repair and replace as needed all parts and components of air conditioning units identified during the maintenance process

• Inspect all air conditioning units to assess need of replacement

• Prepare all purchase orders, purchase air conditioning units, prepare and process all documentation for customs purposes, collect and transport air conditioning unit

• Remove and discard all non-functioning and obsolete air conditioning units

• Prepare and install all new air conditioning units

• Clean and make presentable the surrounding area upon completion of installation

• Prepare and provide client with a maintenance program to ensure that all works and services can be inspected and monitored.

• Prepare and provide the client with a maintenance report upon completion of each inspection

• Respond to all call outs that may be initiated by the Director or any other person acting on their behalf from time to time.

EASYWAY EMPLOYEMENT SERVICES

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Sports International

Worcestershire spin bowler Baker dies aged 20

Worcestershire spin bowler Josh Baker has died at the age of 20.

Baker made two County Championship appearances this season, the last against Durham at Kidderminster in April.

The left-armer made his first-class debut in 2021 and played 47 games in all

formats, taking 70 wickets.

“The news of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated,” said Worcestershire chief executive Ashley Giles.

The club has not said how Baker died.

He played in a county second XI fixture this week against Somerset at Bromsgrove School, taking three wickets on Wednesday after wet conditions meant no play was possible on the first two days.

Worcestershire’s first XI do not have a County Championship fixture this week.

“Josh was much more than a team-mate; he was an integral part of our cricket family,” added former England spinner and coach Giles.

“We will all miss him terribly. All our love and

prayers go out to Josh’s family and friends.”

Born in Redditch, Baker came through the ranks at New Road and represented England at under-19 level.

He signed a three-year contract last year, having recovered from a back injury

that he suffered in 2022, and played five Championship games to help Worcestershire win promotion from Championship Division Two.

A club statement said:, external “More than his skills as a spin bowler, it was his

vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met.

“His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved member of our team.” (BBC)

Josh Baker was born in Redditch in Worcestershire

Blue Hills, Providenciales /Breezy Brae, Grand Turk, Is seeking

Science & Technology

Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows

Does it ever feel as if your anger courses through your veins? Well, that isn’t too far off, according to new research.

Feelings of anger adversely affect blood vessel health, according to a study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

“This study was meant to figure out, ‘why is that?’” he said.

In the randomised trial, researchers divided 280 participants and gave them a task that made them recall feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety or neutrality for eight minutes.

Before and several times after the task, the researchers took measures of the individuals’ vascular health.

“There have been some studies in the past that have linked the feelings of anger, the feelings of anxiety and the feelings of sadness to heart disease risk in the future,” said lead study author Dr Daichi Shimbo, professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Columbia University in New York City.

Sadness and anxiety tasks didn’t show a significant change in those

Tmarkers compared with the neutral task — but anger did, Shimbo said.

“It looks like anger’s adverse effects on health and disease may be due to its adverse effects on vascular health … the blood vessel health itself,” he said.

While the new research is not the first study to make a connection between emotions and cardiovascular impacts, it does shed light on how the connection operates, said Dr. Joe Ebinger, an associate professor of cardiology and director of clinical analytics for the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. He was not involved in the research.

“This is one of the first well-done randomised studies and placebocontrolled studies has really shown us that there are changes in our vasculature that occur acutely in response to the emotions that we’re feeling,” Ebinger said.

How 40 minutes could turn into a longer problem

Researchers in this study observed three major ways that anger impacted blood vessel health, Shimbo said.

First, it made it harder for blood vessels to dilate in response

to ischemia, or a restriction, he said. Anger also affected cellular markers of injury and their ability to repair themselves, Shimbo said.

After the eight-minute task meant to induce anger, the impacts on blood vessels were seen for up to 40 minutes, he said.

That might not sound so bad on its own, but Shimbo said we should be concerned about a cumulative effect.

“We speculate that if you’re a person that gets angry over and over again, that you’re chronically impairing your blood vessels,” he said. “We didn’t study this, but we speculate those kinds of chronic insults from anger can lead to chronic adverse effects of blood vessels.”

Don’t just grit your teeth through anger

Another question that the study

didn’t investigate but should be asked next is: What do you do about it?

Anger is a human emotion, and you can’t and shouldn’t avoid feeling it all together, Ebinger said.

The best approach is to learn to process feelings of anger without letting it fester, said Dr Brett Ford, associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, in a previous CNN article.

Ask yourself: “What might be impeding on your energy or thoughts? What are you protecting yourself from? What do you need that isn’t being met?” said Deborah Ashway, a licensed clinical mental health counsellor based in New Bern, North Carolina. Neither Ford nor Ashway was involved in the study.

“And then once you’re aware of it, you’re in control of it. It’s no longer going to control you now,” she said, adding that is the place from which you can decide how to move forward.

This latest study on just how anger affects the body might help in encouraging people who experience a lot of anger to seek behavioural therapies, Shimbo said.

Maybe there are ways — such as exercise or medication — to treat the adverse effects of anger on blood vessels, he speculated.

“Understanding that the mechanism that’s there is the first step in being able to help to treat it,” Ebinger said. “This isn’t about denying anger. We’re all going to experience anger but (it’s about) finding ways for us to be able to both control it and minimise it.”

rex not as smart as previously claimed, scientists find

An international team of scientists including two neurobiologists from the University of Alberta is weighing in on the latest controversy over the brain power of Tyrannosaurus rex.

Dinosaurs have been extinct for more than 60 million years, but they can still cause a bit of a ruckus. It was as though an asteroid hit the world of dinosaur research in 2023 when prominent neuroscientist

Suzana Herculano-Houzel of Vanderbilt University claimed that dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex were far more intelligent than had been believed.

In an article in the Journal of Comparative Neurology, she argued that T. rex had an exceptionally high number of neurons, the cells that carry and send information in the brain. In fact, Herculano-Houzel said there were so many neurons in the brain of a theropod such as T. rex that it may have been as smart as a baboon and capable of cultural transmission of knowledge and tool use.

A t rex was probably only about as smart as a crocodile

It was a provocative study that was immediately greeted with skepticism in the scientific community. And now an international team of paleontologists, neuroanatomists and cognitive psychologists has conducted a new study, published in the journal The Anatomical Record, that refutes HerculanoHouzel’s claims.

Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez, a research associate in the University

of Alberta’s Department of Biological Sciences, was one of the leaders of this new study debunking the notion that the T. rex was as smart as a baboon.

“There were a lot of people who thought the record needed to be set straight,” he says. “Particularly because it did make it into the press. You end up with this popular idea that T. rex was super smart and could use tools and have culture and you go, ‘Whoa!’”

AN ACADEMIC FIRESTORM

Herculano-Houzel had touched off an academic firestorm, and lots of scientists wanted to respond.

Gutierrez-Ibanez says a group of scientists eventually decided to combine their efforts and author a single paper to refute her findings.

“We said there is no point in eight different things being written to say this is wrong. Why don’t we just put them all together?”

It was a project unlike anything he had been a part of, with academics from a range of disciplines working together. Doug Wylie, a professor in the U of A’s Department of Biological Sciences, says a project like that can be a challenge, with a lot of cooks in the kitchen. But thankfully, a couple of people took control of the process. Wylie credits Gutierrez-Ibanez for being one of them, particularly in the analysis of data.

The team examined the techniques that Herculano-Houzel used to estimate dinosaurs’ brain size and number of neurons in

their brains, and found that her assumptions were unreliable. Despite the temptation to think of them as big birds, dinosaurs were reptiles, and reptile brains are far different from those of mammals and birds.

For one thing, they don’t fill up the skull cavity. There is a lot of cerebrospinal fluid taking up space as well. “The first time I dissected an alligator brain, I took the top of the skull off and I went, ‘Where is the brain?’” says Wylie. “Because there is this big space in there.”

Then there is the animal size factor. An adult male baboon can range from 14 to 40 kilograms. A T. rex could be in the neighborhood of 7 tons. According to GutierrezIbanez, the number of neurons scales with the body size.

“We don’t know why it’s true, but it is true. A larger animal needs more neurons.” That means T. rex needed a lot of neurons for just doing the basics with such a large body, with none left over for using tools and transmitting cultural knowledge.

Anger affects more than your mood

Science & Technology

Scientists work to make healthier white bread

Scientists are trying to create a new type of bread that is just as healthy as wholemeal but looks and tastes like its white counterpart.

Aimed at lovers of white bread, the project has been funded by the government to improve the health benefits of UK food.

The researchers plan to add small amounts of peas, beans and cereals to the bread mix, as well as bran and wheat germ that are normally removed from white flour.

Bread makers have attempted to make their white loaves healthier in the past by adding bran to their flour, but their customers didn’t like the taste and texture.

The research project is still in its early stages.

Dr Catherine Howarth of Aberystwyth University, who is one of its leaders, said scientists had begun to analyse the detailed chemical composition of existing white flour.

She said boosting its nutritional values to the levels of wholemeal bread while keeping the taste and feel of white bread was a delicate balancing act.

It involved adding back smaller quantities of the wheat germ and part of the bran that is taken out in the milling process, she said, as well as adding other grains that are richer in vitamins, minerals and fibre such as quinoa, teff, sorghum and millet. Green peas

and chickpeas would provide extra protein.

“We want to find out exactly what vitamins and minerals are lost during the milling process,” said Dr Howarth.

“Using other cereals we can enhance the iron, zinc and vitamin levels and most importantly the fibre content, because white bread has very little fibre, which is so important for good health.”

Once Dr Howarth has come up with some possible recipes, Chris Holister, a product development manager for Gloucestershire flour producer Shipton Mill, will turn them into bread.

“Most people know that wholemeal bread is better for you, but a lot of them are put off

by the flavour, or because it’s not what they are used to and they are simply not interested,” he said of the challenge.

The final stage will be to test the new bread out on people to see if they can tell it apart from sliced supermarket white loaves.

Mr Holister used me as a guinea pig for an early prototype made from a mixture of normal white flour and some added grains and peas.

It was crustier than the white loaves you get from the supermarket - but otherwise looked and tasted like white bread. But there is a lot more work to be done.

It is hoped that a product could be on supermarket shelves in about two years’ time.

Plastic-eating bacteria can help waste self-destruct

Scientists have developed a “selfdigesting plastic”, which, they say, could help reduce pollution.

Polyurethane is used in everything from phone cases to trainers, but is tricky to recycle and mainly ends up in landfill.

However, researchers have come up with a sci-fi like solution. By incorporating spores of plastic-eating bacteria they’ve developed a plastic that can selfdestruct.

The spores remain dormant during the useful lifetime of the plastic, but spring back to life and start to digest the product when exposed to nutrients in compost.

There’s hope “we can mitigate plastic pollution in nature”, said researcher Han Sol Kim, of the University of California San Diego, La Jolla.

And there might be an added advantage in that the spores increase the toughness of the plastic.

“Our process makes the materials more rugged, so it extends its useful lifetime,” said co-researcher, Jon Pokorski. “And then, when it’s done, we’re able to eliminate it from the environment, regardless of how it’s disposed.”

The plastic is currently being worked on at the laboratory bench but could be in the real world within a few years, with the help of a manufacturer, he added.

The type of bacteria added to the plastic is Bacillus subtilis, widely used as a food additive and a probiotic.

Crucially, the bacteria has to be genetically engineered to be able to withstand the very high temperatures needed to make plastic.

But not everyone is convinced by the idea of developing biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics. Some scientists argue it is far better to reduce the amount of plastic used

The research team believe that their approach will succeed because they are adding only the inner layer of the bran, which is less strongly flavoured and coloured. They say they will need to add less of it because they are using other highly nutritious but less strongly flavoured grains.

White bread has to have minerals and vitamins added to it by law to make up for the goodness that’s lost in the refining process. But Dr Amanda Lloyd, who is working with Dr Howarth and Mr Holister, believes that the use of natural ingredients would make the sliced white loaf even healthier.

“If the nutritional quality of bog standard bread is improved,” said Dr Lloyd, “then the quality of people’s life and their health and wellbeing will improve.”

Tim Lang, a professor of food policy at City University, who is independent of the research team, said that the work could be an important step forward in improving people’s health.

“The British have had a love affair with white bread for more than a century and nutritionists have longed to get more people to eat the whole grain,” he said. “The new research seems like a really interesting approach to doing that.

“Critics would say that it is tricking people into improving their diet, but nutritionists would

say it doesn’t matter how it’s done - it’s important to get it down people’s throats to improve their health!

“But the jury’s out as to whether this new approach will work,” he added.

According to the British Diabetic Association, the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes may be up to 30% lower in people who regularly eat wholegrains and the risk of bowel cancer may be also reduced.

The BDA says surveys show that 95% of adults don’t eat enough wholegrains and nearly one in three of us get none at all.

That was not always the case, according to Chris Holister.

“It used to be the case that white bread was for the upper class because it was a refined product and a lot more expensive than wholemeal bread. So that led to everyone else wanting white bread because it made them look better,” he said.

“Then some people switched back the other way when research showed that it is more nutritious.”

But Chris doesn’t think it will come full circle because so many people are so accustomed to eating sliced white bread.

“White bread is so much cheaper than wholemeal because firms are geared up to producing it. And it’s also what most people are used to.” (BBC)

in the first place.

The penultimate round of UN talks for a future plastics treaty have just drawn to a close in Canada, aimed at agreeing a global deal on tackling plastic pollution.

Prof Steve Fletcher, director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth, said the most effective way of tackling plastic pollution was to agree on global legally binding cuts in plastic production.

He told BBC News: “Care must be taken with potential solutions of this sort, which could give the impression that we should worry less about plastic pollution because any plastic leaking into the environment will quickly, and ideally safely, degrade. Yet, for the vast majority of plastics, this is not the case.”

The research is published in the journal, Nature Communications. (BBC)

The scientists are working with millers to produce experimental flour with added grains, cereals, peas and beans

Science & Technology

Patch to protect against measles in children shows promise

A vaccine patch could be a safe and effective alternative way to protect young children against measles, a trial in The Gambia suggests.

The device - the size of a sticking plaster - is easier to transport and store than standard injections, especially in remote areas.

Measles is a very contagious disease which is common in children, and can kill.

Protecting vulnerable children worldwide is a priority, experts say.

MICROSCOPIC NEEDLES

Despite the existence of a very effective measles jab, falling vaccination levels since the Covid pandemic have left millions of children unprotected, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

But now, scientists hope microneedle-patch technology can put vaccinations back on track with 95% of children immunised.

The microarray patch sticks to the arm and lots of microscopic needles deliver the vaccine through the skin, with no pain.

“These are extremely promising

results which have generated a lot of excitement,” said paediatrician Prof Ed Clarke, vaccine and immunity lead at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia.

“They demonstrate for the first time that vaccines can be safely and effectively given to babies and young children using microarraypatch technology.”

In the trial, involving more than 200 healthy toddlers and babies, the immune response to the patch was as strong as to the jab.

After one dose, more than 90% of babies were protected against measles and all infants against rubella - and there were no safety concerns.

The patch stayed in place for five minutes - but that will come down to a minute or even less in

future trials, the researchers say.

And it could eventually be used against other diseases.

SPREAD QUICKLY

The patch has several advantages over needle injections - volunteers with minimal training can apply the patch, instead of doctors and nurses, and fridges for transporting and cold storage are no longer necessary. It also reduces people’s fears over needles and the risk of injuries from them.

Even in countries such as the UK, where there is no shortage of these resources, the patches could be more convenient and attractive to some parents of young unvaccinated children, the researchers say.

The latest figures for England show measles cases rising, with a particular spike in recent weeks in London, where some areas have low measles vaccination rates.

In these communities, it takes only one child to catch measles for it to spread quickly, health experts warn.

The measles, mumps and

rubella (MMR) jab offers the best protection against measles.

Two doses by the time children start primary school are recommended but older children and adults can catch up on vaccines at any point.

‘VACCINE EQUITY’

Globally, in 2022, about 83% of children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday - the lowest since 2008, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the same year, there were about 136,000 deaths from measles, mostly among underfives who’d had only one dose or none at all.

Co-study author Dr Ikechukwu Adigweme said: “We hope this is an important step in the march towards greater vaccine equity among disadvantaged populations.”

Larger trials among young unvaccinated children are now planned, to see whether the patches could be rolled out more widely. (BBC)

Face of 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman revealed

What would it be like to meet one of our closest human relatives from 75,000 years ago in the flesh?

Scientists have produced a remarkable reconstruction of what a Neanderthal woman would have looked like when she was alive.

It is based on the flattened, shattered remains of a skull whose bones were so soft when excavated they had the consistency of “a well-dunked biscuit”.

Researchers first had to strengthen the fragments before reassembling them.

Expert palaeoartists then created the 3D model.

The representation appears in a new BBC Studios documentary for Netflix called Secrets of the Neanderthals, which examines what we know about our long-lost evolutionary cousins, who became extinct about 40,000 years ago.

The sculpture puts a face to these people.

“I think she can help us connect with who they were,” said Dr Emma Pomeroy, a palaeoanthropologist on the project from University of Cambridge.

“It’s extremely exciting and a massive privilege actually to be able to work with the remains of any individual but especially one as special as her,” she told BBC News.

The skull on which the model is

based was found in Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. It is an iconic place where the remains of at least 10 Neanderthal men, women and children were unearthed in the 1950s.

When a British group was invited back by the Kurdish authorities in 2015, they soon chanced upon a new skeleton - dubbed Shanidar Z - that comprised much of the individual’s upper-body, including the spine, shoulders, arms and hands.

The skull was largely all present, too, but squashed into a 2cm (0.7in)-thick layer, probably by a rock that had fallen from the roof of the cave at some point in the distant past.

“The skull was as flat as a pizza, basically,” said Cambridge’s Prof Graeme Barker, who leads the new excavations at Shanidar.

“It’s a remarkable journey to go from that to what you see now. As an archaeologist, you can sometimes get blasé about what you’re doing. But every now and then you are brought up short by the fact you are touching the past. We forget just what an extraordinary thing it is.”

With permission of the local department of antiquities, the skull fragments were brought to the UK in blocks of sediment to begin the painstaking process of freeing

them, stabilising them and then putting them back together.

The complicated jigsaw puzzle took an archaeological conservator more than a year to complete.

The rebuilt skull was then surface-scanned and a 3D print given to Dutch artists Adrie and Alfons Kennis, who are renowned for their skill in creating anatomically faithful representations of ancient people from their bone and fossil remains.

But as intriguing as the sculpture is, with her rather contemplative expression, it is the original skeleton that holds the real value.

The team is pretty sure “she is a she”.

Pelvic bones would help the determination but those were not recovered with the upper-part of the body.

Instead the researchers have relied on certain dominant proteins found in the tooth enamel that are associated with female genetics.

The slight stature of the skeleton also supports the interpretation.

How old? She probably died in her mid-40s, indicated again by her teeth which are worn down almost to the roots.

“By the time the teeth are getting this worn, chewing is not as effective as it would have beenso she’s not able to eat in quite the same way,” explained Dr Pomeroy.

“We’ve got some other indications of poor dental health - some infections, some gum disease as well. By this time, I think she was getting to the natural end of life.”

or a long time, scientists considered Neanderthals brutish and unsophisticated by comparison with our species.

But that view has been transformed since the discoveries at Shanidar.

The cave is famous for displaying what appears to be some kind of burial practice. Bodies were carefully placed in a gully next to a tall rock pillar. All the dead shared a similar orientation in how they were laid out.

Pollen throughout one skeleton led some to argue these Neanderthals might have been interred with flowers, suggestive perhaps of a spiritual awakening, even religion.

But the British team thinks it more likely the pollen was left by later burrowing bees, or perhaps from flowering branches that were placed on top of the bodies.

“Not because of the flowers on the branches but because the branches themselves could have prevented the likes of hyenas getting at the bodies,” said Prof Chris Hunt of Liverpool John Moores University.

A young child in The Gambia has a microarray patch applied to the wrist, to vaccinate him against measles

The new 3D model: Neanderthals were a separate species to us, but similar in so many ways

Bermuda Cricket Board honoured at ICC awards

The Bermuda Cricket Board won two awards at the two-day International Cricket Council Americas conference in New York.

Garcia denies steroid use after positive test report Sports International

BCB’s efforts to establish the World of Americas Cricket website to promote the sport in the region led to bringing home the ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year award. For launching the Bermuda Premier League, the BCB received the Getting on the Front Foot award.

Established by Cal Blankendal, the BCB executive director, the website gives the ICC Americas members outside West Indies more visibility.

“It is a site I created to give the Americas region a larger profile,’’ Blankendal said.

“As an emerging region outside of Cricket West Indies, there are many members where football is the primary sport [Mexico, Brazil,

Argentina].

“To give more visibility, I thought it would be best to create a platform similar to the NBA and MLS, where all members are listed for easy access.

“This gives each member a more visible profile, creates new networks and cross-marketing opportunities.”

Blankendal shed light on how the Front Foot accolade, presented to him by Dan Migala, co-president and chief revenue officer for Legends IQ at the conference held on Tuesday and Wednesday, came about.

“The BCB also won the Front Foot Award for being an innovative leader in the Americas region,’’ he said.

“This was for the launch of the Bermuda Premier League by Steven Douglas [cricket committee chair, assistant secretary/treasurer].

(Royal Gazette)

Ryan Garcia has denied taking performance-enhancing steroids after testing positive for a banned substance before his win over Devin Haney.

Sanctioning body the WBC confirmed it had “received notification” from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) that Garcia returned “adverse findings” in tests taken in April.

ESPN has reported that it obtained a letter, external from Vada showing Garcia’s positive result for ostarine.

The samples were allegedly taken the day before and the day of

Tonali given suspended FA ban for betting breaches

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been given a suspended two-month ban after admitting to breaches of Football Association betting rules.

The Italian, 23, will not serve the ban if he does not commit further breaches before the end of next season.

He is already serving a 10-month ban running until August for offences during his time in Italy.

Tonali was charged by the FA in March and admitted placing between 40 and 50 football bets after joining Newcastle from AC Milan last July, including four on the Magpies’ results.

The FA said the money placed on the bets by Tonali, who has also been fined £20,000, would have been “well in excess of 100,000 euros” (£85,600).

Tonali’s four bets on Newcastle were all on his side to win, the FA said. He played in three of the four fixtures.

Newcastle said Tonali is “continuing to follow a therapeutic plan and educational programme with the club’s full support and will continue to train with his team-mates”.

An independent regulatory commission heard the process has had a “profound effect” on the midfielder and “is something he

does not want to experience again”.

The independent commission, in summarising the evidence, said the FA contended it was “highly unlikely” that it “would have ever become aware of Tonali’s misconduct but for his admissions”.

The written reasons issued on Thursday stated the four Newcastle matches Tonali admitted betting on were:

An accumulator involving either Newcastle to beat Brighton on 2 September 2023 or to beat Burnley on 30 September

An accumulator including Newcastle to beat Brentford on 16 September

his win over Haney in April, but the results came through afterwards.

“Everybody knows that I don’t cheat,” Garcia, 25, wrote on X.

“Never taken a steroid, I don’t even know where to get steroids. I barely take supplements. Big lies, I beat him.”

Garcia has 10 days to request for his B sample to be tested.

BBC Sport asked the New York State Athletic Commission to comment on the reported failed tests and whether the fight with Haney could be ruled no contest.

“Safety, fairness, and integrity in professional athletic competition

are essential. The Commission is in communication with Vada and is reviewing the matter,” it replied. Vada president, Margaret Goodman, told BBC Sport the organisation “does not publicly discuss results of any athlete without express permission.”

Ostarine, which is non-steroidal and used to support muscle growth, has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list since 2008. It is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM).

English being extremely limited”. (BBC)

Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55m

A single bet on Newcastle to beat Manchester City on 27 September

An accumulator including Newcastle to beat West Ham on 8 October It was also confirmed Tonali took

part in an FA training programme about betting in August, nine days before his offences began, but he had not fully understood the content because of “his

Bermuda Cricket Board executive director Cal Blankendal, left, receives the Front Foot award from Co-president and Chief Revenue Officer for the Legends IQ, Dan Migala

Ryan Garcia floored Devin Haney three times in his upset win in April

Tiger Woods to play in U.S. Open

Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption to play in next month’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina, the United States Golf Association announced Thursday.

Woods, a three-time U.S. Open winner, last captured the event in 2008. While he has lifetime exemptions into the Masters and PGA Championship and can play in The Open until he’s 60 as a former winner of those tournaments, Woods’ exemption into the U.S. Open ran out in 2023.

It’s the first time Woods hasn’t qualified for a major championship since the 1996 PGA Championship, when he was still an amateur.

The 124th U.S. Open will be played on Pinehurst’s Course No. 2 on June 13-16.

“The U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career,” Woods said in a statement. “I’m honored to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game.”

Woods, 48, has captured nine USGA championships -- three straight U.S. Junior Amateurs (1991-1993), three consecutive U.S. Amateurs (1994-96) and U.S. Opens in 2000, 2002 and 2008.

Tiger Woods is a three-time U.S. Open winner

“The story of the U.S. Open could not be written without Tiger Woods,” USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer said in a statement.

“From his 15-stroke victory at Pebble Beach in 2000 to his inspiring win on a broken leg at Torrey Pines in 2008, this championship is simply better when Tiger is in the field, and his accomplishments in the game undoubtedly made this an easy decision for our special exemption committee.”

During an interview on the “Today” show Wednesday, Woods indicated he still hopes to play in

WNBA great Candace Parker announces retirement after 16 seasons

Three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker announced her retirement in a post on social media Sunday.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft played 16 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces.

“I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it,” Parker said on Instagram. “The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.

“This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating. It’s no fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career) it’s no fun knowing what you could do, if only…it’s no fun hearing ‘she isn’t the same’ when I know why, it’s no fun accepting the fact you need surgery

AGAIN.”

The two-time WNBA MVP retires as a two-time Olympic gold medallist. The 38-year-old was named to the league’s Top 20 at 20 and W25 teams, a collection of the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history. During her career, Parker was a 10-time All-WNBA honouree and seventime WNBA All-Star.

She led the Sparks to 11 playoff appearances in her 13 seasons with the franchise, culminating in a WNBA championship in 2016. In her first year, Parker became the first player in WNBA history to be named the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season in 2008.

She returned to her hometown team in 2021, signing with the Sky as a free agent and leading the team to its first-ever WNBA championship in the first of two

one event per month, starting with the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 16-19.

Following the U.S. Open, the Open Championship will be played at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland on July 18-21.

“I have basically the next three months,” Woods said. “So, I have three majors, and hopefully that will all work out.”

Last month, Woods set a Masters record with his 24th consecutive made cut, which broke the previous mark he shared with Fred Couples (1983-2007) and Gary Player (1959-1982).

West Indies’ Thomas banned for match-fixing

West Indies international Devon Thomas has been banned from cricket for five years after admitting to seven anti-corruption breaches.

The 34-year-old has played 34 times for West Indies across all formats, most recently in 2022.

His most serious offence was contriving or being party to matchfixing attempts in Sri Lanka’s domestic T20 competition in 2021.

The all-rounder and occasional wicketkeeper also admitted several

charges of failing to report illegal approaches at the Abu Dhabi T10 and Caribbean Premier League to the authorities.

Thomas made his international debut in 2009 - the first of 21 oneday internationals.

He also played 12 T20s and one Test, against Australia in Adelaide in 2022.

Eighteen months of his ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) have been suspended. (BBC)

Parker dribbles during a game against the Indiana Fever last year

seasons with the franchise.

Following her stint with the Sky, Parker joined the Aces where she helped the team to a 16-2 record before being sidelined for the remainder of the championshipwinning season with a foot injury.

“The dunks. The dimes. The boards. The blocks. The smile. The swagger. The memories

Candace Parker created for a generation of women’s basketball fans will remain ingrained in our collective conscience forever, but she has given so much more to the game beyond her accolades and statistics,” the Aces said in a statement.

“Although the majority of her career was played in opposing

uniforms, we were blessed to have her as part of our championship team a year ago. We are saddened that she won’t be a part of our three-peat aspirations, but we look forward to welcoming Candace back to Las Vegas as an Aces alum, and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter in her life has to offer.”

Devon Thomas is an all-rounder and occasional wicketkeeper

Sports International

Álvarez puts undisputed world title on the line against Munguía

Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez has made fighting on Cinco de Mayo weekend – which celebrates Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 – a habit.

This year, the undisputed super middleweight champion faces fellow Mexican Jaime Munguía on May 4 in Las Vegas, a day before his compatriots celebrate their national holiday, widely recognized as an occasion to eat tacos, drink and make merry.

“I feel so proud about this fight because it’s two Mexicans in one of the best weekends in Las Vegas. Everybody is watching us. The first time two Mexicans fighting for the spirit, for the four belts,” Álvarez told CNN en Español. “I feel so proud about this fight.”

In boxing, there are four governing bodies, the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF. Each governing body has a title belt for each weight division, and if a fighter captures all four, they are known as the undisputed champion of that division. Álvarez is putting all four of his super middleweight belts on the line as he takes on Munguía.

In May 2022, the world was stunned when Álvarez suffered a shock defeat to Russian Dmitry Bivol having made the step up to light heavyweight, but he avenged that loss with three consecutive

victories back at the more familiar super middleweight level.

This will be the first time Álvarez has fought another Mexican in May since his unanimous win over Julio César Chávez Jr. in 2017. “I think [Munguía] is a good fighter, but we will see,” Álvarez said. “He has something dangerous in front, so we will see.”

WHO IS JAIME

MUNGUÍA?

Born in Tijuana, Mexico, the 27-year-old Munguía has put

‘Emotional’ Nadal bows out of Madrid Open, likely his final match in Spanish capital

Rafael Nadal had an “emotional day” playing what was likely to be his final professional match in the Spanish capital, losing 7-5 6-4 against Czech Republic’s Jirí Lehecka at the Madrid Open.

The 22-time grand slam singles champion is looking to rediscover his form after a spate of injury problems have hampered his progress so far this year.

Before the tournament, Nadal said that he was determined to play in Madrid – where he is a record five-time champion – one final time, despite doubts about whether he was physically ready to compete at a high level.

However, he won his first three matches before losing to Lehecka in the fourth round, showing no obvious signs that his body was holding him back.

“Today is an emotional day, of

course, today is an unforgettable day in terms of saying goodbye to Madrid,” Nadal told reporters.

“But it’s one of the places – or even probably the place – where I’ve received more love and support during all these years.

“My career keeps going and I have my personal goals for the next couple of weeks.”

Tuesday’s match saw a close opening set until Lehecka broke Nadal to love at 5-5 and then breezed through his own service game to take the first set, silencing the home crowd.

The world No. 31 claimed another break in the opening game of the second set and, though Nadal battled hard to stay in touch, was able to see out the victory from there in just over two hours.

Lehecka will now face Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev in the

knockout.

The 33-year-old Álvarez is coming off a victory over American Jermell Charlo in September 2023, which also took place at the T-Mobile Arena. Although the fight went the distance, it was a dominant performance by Álvarez who won by a unanimous decision.

THE OSCAR DE LA HOYA FACTOR

Former boxing great Oscar De La Hoya is Munguía’s promoter.

The multi-time world champion’s Golden Boy Promotions previously represented Álvarez until they parted company a few years ago.

Now, Álvarez will share the stage with his former promoter.

together a perfect 43-0 record, 34 of them by knockout.

He is coming off a dominant win over John Ryder in January 2024, dropping the Briton in the second and fourth rounds, as well as twice in the ninth en route to a technical knockout (TKO) victory.

After the fight, Munguía said it would be an “honor” to fight his compatriot Álvarez, who is still one of the biggest names in boxing. Álvarez posts a professional record of 64-2-2, 39 of them by way of

Boxing YouTube channel Seconds Out asked Álvarez’s promoter Eddie Hearn the boxer’s current relationship with De La Hoya.

“No, never. Not with the conversations I’ve heard,” said Hearn. “The way I see Canelo Álvarez, I don’t see him having grudges against people, but he doesn’t want to entertain any conversations about Oscar De La Hoya.”

In March 2024, Álvarez said he didn’t “like that kind of person,” referring to sharing a stage with De La Hoya at a pre-fight press conference for the fight against Munguía.

De La Hoya spoke to FightHype about his relationship with Álvarez in April 2024.

“Let me give you exactly what happened, why he is so mad at me,” De La Hoya said. “So one day, a reporter asks me, you think Canelo needs another trainer? I had seven trainers in my career. I learned from every trainer. [They] taught me something new. You know, maybe Eddie Reynosa can use a little help.”

“Well guess what, they called me, not being loyal. He said I wasn’t loyal. That, how could you do this.”

“Have I received a thank you, never. When I got him the biggest deal of his life, did I receive a thank you, never.”

Although Álvarez is one of boxing’s biggest draws, he has been criticized by some of the biggest stars in the sport for not fighting undefeated David Benavidez.

The 27-year-old Benavidez is a three-time WBC super middleweight champion. At age 20, the American became the youngest super middleweight title holder in the history of the sport.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who dealt Álvarez his first defeat with a majority decision win in 2013, has also been critical of the Mexican boxer not fighting Benavidez. (CNN)

quarterfinals on Thursday.

The tournament paid tribute to Nadal’s five titles at the Madrid Open after the match, unfurling banners with photos of his victories in 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

While his family members shed tears in the players’ box, Nadal

thanked fans for their support, which he said would “stay with me forever.”

The Spaniard later told reporters that he now plans to play at the Italian Open in Rome as he continues to target more grand slam success at the French Open, which begins on May 26.

“It has been a very positive week, winning three matches, playing four matches at a high level of tennis,” said Nadal. “I enjoy it a lot playing at home and I leave here with a very positive energy in all ways.” (BBC)

Álvarez and Munguía shake hands during a media conference in March

Nadal lost in the fourth round of the Madrid Open against Jirí Lehecka

GK Foods beat Police in T20 cricket clash

GK Foods recorded a four-wicket victory over Police in the latest round of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association (TCICA) T20 Senior Men’s Competition which was held on Sunday last at the Downtown Ball Park.

Police won the toss and opted to bat first but even with the in-form Damian St Ange and talisman

Garvin Bruno in the line-up, they struggled early.

After losing opener Rashid George in the opening over, off the bowling of Rajakumar Kasi, the Lawmen lost Bruno in over number two. The ace batsman scored a solitary four before he went down to Sudalai Raju.

St Ange laboured over the next four overs, scoring six singles

Rugby players warm up with exhibition match for Washington DC tour

The Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union (TCIRFU) male rugby team is scheduled to take part in a tour to Washington DC later this month.

They are set to battle against Washington DC on May 11.

In a lead-up to the trip, the side held an exhibition clash with the Captain’s XV (led by Ed Butler) taking on the Vice-Captain’s XV (led by Wesly Chery and Bobby Moxon).

According to a release from Simon Taylor, the Captain’s XV finally ended Moxon’s undefeated streak with a 32-30 win, which was sealed in the “final minutes after a somewhat fortuitous 50-22 kick from Michael ‘Griff’ Griffin

gave the Captain’s a lineout chance close to the try line. The lineouts had been under attack all night so hooker Sam Gill threw short and safe and a couple of tight passes allowed Rob Weekes to dive rather awkwardly over the try line. Earlier, Roshaun Talbot finished a great try for the Vice Captain’s XV by crashing through the defensive line and Wes Chery led from the front with a solo try after receiving a kickoff.”

Taylor said that the teams worked hard in the build-up to the match with well-attended training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Meridian Field. The highlight was a scrum and lineout coaching clinic from the TCIRFU most

in the process before he lost his wicket to Ariharan Kuthalingam.

In fact, all the Police batsmen, except Alpha Edwards batting at seven, went either batting at a runa-ball (only Bruno) or less than at the wicket.

Edwards played with a free bat and managed to get three fours before he fell for 18 off 15 balls.

The stunning bowling

performance continued with all five bowlers used (Kasi, Raju and brothers Ariharan Kuthalingam, Ganesan Kuthaligam and Nagarajan Kuthaligam) picking up two wickets each, which restricted Police to 96 in 19.1 overs.

In reply, Rashid George and Haiden Spring produced solid performances with the ball, but an unforgivable 38 extras proved to

be Police’s downfall. George finished with 4-23 from four overs, while Spring supported with 2-31 from four overs.

For GK Foods, Ganesan, the eventual man-of-the-match, scored 17 (3x4s, 16 balls) and Nagarajan 16 (3x4s) from 25 balls, which helped them reach the needed score in 12.1 overs with four wickets to spare.

GK Foods consist of players born in India

Ganesan Kuthaligam was named man-of-the-match

The exhibition game was a competitive clash (Photo Lloyd Inwards)

Second consecutive overall victory for TCI golfers at Caribbean Classic

The Turks and Caicos Islands marched to its second consecutive overall victory at the Caribbean Classic Golf Tournament, which was held at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic.

A whopping 58 golfers represented the TCI at the 28th edition of the event from April 25 to the 27.

Led by the Turks and Caicos Islands Golf Association’s President Fraser Dods and Vice President Mark Fulford, the team secured wins in all categories, including the men’s and women’s divisions.

The likes of Wendy Ayer, Christine Dickenson, Justin Simons, and Fulford contributed to the team’s success.

The win was not just about pride or trophies, it signalled a turning point in the sport.

At a press conference on

Thursday, Fulford, who won his flight, said that plans are in place to grow the sport from the youth level in the TCI.

Other speakers also shared

similar sentiments, including podium finisher Justin Simons, who said he is ready to help grow the sport.

Minister responsible for Sport,

Hon Rachel Taylor said that the government is ready and willing to work to help push the sport further.

“I think this is a sport that our young people really need to

be engaged in…It will take an assertive effort to ensure that we are intentional about what we do, to ensure that we have a lot more of our young people involved.”

The female players were also congratulated for their solid performance and Dods said that their passion and drive are good for the sport.

“Great to see the women participating in larger number, particularly the novice women.”

He said that the plan is to keep the numbers up.

Dods also lauded the performance of Head Golf Professional, Sean Wilson, who was the driving force behind the team.

“Our success is due to what Sean has been able to do over the last few years.”

Amateur players from 12 countries competed in the tournament.

Minister Taylor and President of the TCAAA Edith Skippings were among those leading the celebrations (Sports Commission photo)

The squad was welcomed by Minister Rachel Taylor, sport officials and family members (Sports Commission photo)

Some of the male golfers who participated in the tournament (Royalturksandcaicosgolf.com photo)

The female golfers were lauded for their performance in DR (Royalturksandcaicosgolf.com photo)