TC Weekly News August 19 - 25, 2023

Howard Hamilton Airport will not be completely privatised – TCIAA Chair

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Howard Hamilton International Airport has not been sold and there is no intention to completely privatise the facility.

An increasingly important theme in airport government policy around the world and nearly always controversial, is private sector involvement or privatisation.

Similarly, the Howard Hamilton International Airport formerly the Providenciales International Airport has seen its fair share of contention, ever since the government announced its intention to seek a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for the redevelopment of the facility.

However, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority

('TCIAA') Mr Selvyn Hawkin in an attempt to set the record straight, said no preferred bidder or partner has been identified for the redevelopment of the airport.

“One of the things we think is important to clarify in this process is that there has been no sale and there is no intent to sell the airport or to completely privatise it”, he explained during a recent town hall meeting.

Hawkins argued that the PPP model being proposed to potential investors will in fact do the opposite and allow the TCIAA and by extension the TCI government, to leverage the expertise and skills of the private sector whilst maintaining ownership of the asset at all times.

“We've been given the green light to explore the possibility

of redeveloping the airport by a private-public partnership, and just for the record, I want to say that the process as far as we know has been wholly compliant with TCI laws, so we're starting off on good footing.

"I know some persons may say it has taken quite a long time to get here, but we got here because every step of the way, we were trying to make sure that we complied with TCI law.”

He underscored that the PPP process is being explored by running an open, transparent and public tender exercise under the supervision of the Government’s Procurement Board to further explore if value for money can be obtained through such a project.

He emphasised that if in the end, the project yields unfavourable results, the project as intended will have to be reconsidered or possibly

abandoned.

Need for redevelopment

The multi-million dollar redevelopment and modernisation of the airport in Providenciales, TCI’s main gateway for international travel is deemed a priority project for the government, as the island’s economy is largely dependent on tourism.

Turning his attention to the plethora of challenges facing the airport, which handles an increasingly high traffic volume, Hawkins reminded that it is no secret that the airport is in dire need of expansion and upgrade.

He said: “It's indicative that there's a demand for the Turks and Caicos that exceeds our ability to meet it on our own in terms of infrastructure.

“And so, we realised that we need to maximise these opportunities to address terminal passenger

constraints, airside constraints, constraints resulting in late arrivals and late departures, health and safety concerns, due to the congestion that's currently there, and just the state of the current asset itself, there are concerns with regulatory compliance, there's a need for enhancing our maintenance and obtaining better procurement.”

He acknowledged that the territory has been very fortunate to have a robust tourism sector and its main airport has to reflect the tourism luxury brand.

“We are an award-winning traveller’s destination, with several accolades around the world, connected to our beaches, and to the services that we provide on the luxury tourism scene.

“I'm happy to note that the CONTINUED 

Knife-wielding bandit charged with aggravated burglary

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Juliano Brekeem Fulford has been charged with a burglary committed at a property along Long Bay Beach Drive earlier this month.

The Long Bay Highway resident was officially charged with aggravated burglary and cautioned on August 13, by detectives of the Serious Crime Investigation Unit.

Police reported that on August 11, the occupants of the property called 911 to report that the accused had entered the location, armed with a knife and stolen a number of personal belongings.

Fulford has been remanded into police custody pending his court appearance.

Juliano Brekeem Fulford

Howard Hamilton International Airport

Chair of the Board of Directors for the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority ('TCIAA') Mr Selvyn Hawkin

TCI, Bahamas, and UK reignite maritime boundary talks: Bahamas recommends “split in the middle” of the two nations

The Turks and Caicos Islands government and the UK have resumed negotiations to finalise the maritime boundaries between the TCI and the Bahamas.

Although no official information has been disclosed, the local media in the Bahamas has quoted the islands’ Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon Fred Mitchell as saying that the border should be split down the middle.

According to the Bahamas Tribune, Mitchell said that “… We have to agree formally what the border is, now our position is clear, both with the United States and with the UK. I think Haiti also has a maritime border with us. Our position is in the middle, you draw a line down the middle, and you take that, and we take that. That's the way it is.”

He is further quoted as saying that the “conclusion of these negotiations will be to the mutual benefit of our region as another milestone, further cementing our relationship with the Turks and Caicos Islands."

Minister Mitchell said negotiations with the Turks and Caicos Islands have been slow because of difficulties with geographical mapping and getting the locational data needed to determine exact boundaries.

“There's a lot of geospatial data, which has to be supplied,” he said. “We have the equipment and the technical capacity to do so. But you know, as a small country, it's a little difficult wrapping up all of this to meet the requirements of these various meetings, and that's why it's taken such a long time to get it all sorted out. But we're hoping to move the project along.”

These discussions mark a significant step forward in addressing issues from the early 1990s.

The talks, which commenced in 1992, culminated in a technical agreement reached in 1996.

However, the maritime boundaries were not ratified at that time.

Recognising the importance of this matter, both parties have reconvened to address this historical challenge and work towards a definitive resolution, the National Security Secretariat (NSS) said in a statement on Thursday, August 17.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas have shared a history of close collaboration and partnership, extending beyond the realm of maritime boundaries.

“This partnership has been exemplified through joint efforts in border enforcement and other areas of mutual interest.

“The deep-rooted ties and cultural affinities between these islands further underscore the significance of concluding the maritime boundary delimitations.

"As negotiations resume, the parties are committed to engaging in open and constructive discussions to achieve a fair and sustainable solution that benefits both territories”, the NSS said.

The NSS stressed that representatives of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the UK express their optimism for a successful outcome.

“They are dedicated to upholding the principles of cooperation, diplomacy, and mutual respect throughout the negotiation process. All parties to the negotiations are confident that by working together, they will reach an agreement that will contribute to both countries' security stability and economic development.”

This renewed dialogue reflects the mutual understanding of the importance of clearly defined maritime boundaries to ensure the continued prosperity and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas.

The meetings took place on August 9th and 10th, 2023.

(From Left to Right): Edward Atcherley-Symes, Maritime Boundaries and Ocean Science Desk Officer, FCDO, Fiona Bloor – Law of the Sea, UK Hydrographic Office Khalila Astwood-Tatum- Deputy Attorney General, TCI, Dr Virginia Clerveaux, Deputy Secretary, National Security Office, TCI Thecla Joseph- Director of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, TCI, Gavin Watson- Legal Counsellor (Head of UK Delegation & Lead Negotiator), FCDO, Rebecca Fabrizi - Charge de Affairs – UK High Commission, Bahamas, Rachel Lewis – Assistant Legal Adviser, Ocean and Overseas Territories Team, Legal Directorate, FCDO, Adam Ashton - Law of the

TCI & UK Officials during negotiations

Howard Hamilton Airport will not be completely ...

reputation we boast is that of luxury or niche tourism and it's something that we’re working hard to preserve.

“But one of the things that we want to set in is that, whilst we may …be thriving on the fact that we are luxury, tourism award winning tourism destination, traveling into the destination at present, doesn't

seem so luxurious.

“It's just the reality of what we're currently faced with at the Howard Hamilton International Airport.

“ And so, I think the pictures alone are revealing in that not only is there a need for a new terminal, but there's a need for bringing in some form of worldclass or international expertise in

understanding what is needed to meet the international demands of what we would say should be the transport or gateway to a luxury destination.”

The airport registered 1.2m passengers in 2019, demonstrating a steady growth over the past decade, and it is estimated that by the year 2040, those numbers

will double reaching about 2m passengers annually.

In the aftermath of Covid-19, travel into and throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands returned at a rapid rate and surpassed its pre-pandemic traffic volume.

If all goes according to plans, the massive project will see the construction of a new passenger

terminal building of a minimum of 270,000 square feet for a capacity of approximately 2.5m passengers including boarding bridges, increased commercial areas and increased VIP lounges and an expansion of the airside to add domestic and international standards, including the addition of a parallel taxiway.

Sea, UK Hydrographic Office and Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary, (Head of TCI delegation), TCI.

HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT

A UK-based contract support firm has been hired by the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands to strengthen the management of the TCI hospitals' Public Private Partnership (PPP). The engagement of P2G is also aimed at building contract management capacity in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Ministry of Health and Human Services said in an invited statement on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

The firm will be supported by University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on the clinical elements of the contract. The University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a Central London University teaching and research hospital delivering topquality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research across a number of London hospitals.

Meanwhile, the ministry stressed the importance and impact of contracts on all levels of an organization, which govern the rights and obligations of every commercial relationship. "High-quality contract management is therefore essential to ensure service delivery, which in the hospital context leads to better health outcomes and improved value for money."

What are your thoughts?

Would the consultants need to consult?

Really? Not sure when the existing InterHealth hospital management contract ends, and maybe the involvement of the UK consultants is in anticipation of that date, but it would seem to me that the current contract (though we, the public, have never seen it except in heavily-redacted form) is likely to preclude any significant involvement by outside “meddlers.

One must also question the decision to bring in consultants whose background seems to be with Britain’s National Health Service, which almost everyone in Britain will agree is the most broken and dis-functional health service in the developed world - with junior doctors now on strike, ambulances waiting up to an hour to discharge patients to hospitals, and unacceptably-lengthy waits for hospital beds because there are no places to which patients no longer needing hospital care can be discharged.

Perhaps the “skills” of these consultants might better be employed at home.

High-fluted waffle

You naturally tend to be wary when you read

this type of high-fluted waffle. From past experience, it reflects how we have become a frenzied feeding ground for experts securing fat fees with nothing to show for it. Cynicism aside, in principle it sounds good. Actually, our hospital delivers great service. In the UK you stand a better chance of becoming a skeleton before getting an appointment! The staff are nice as well. Please no more change for change's sake simply because somebody makes money out of it!

Look elsewhere

If I wanted help with health contract management I would look in France. Not for health care, for management. Also remember the iron law: "If you can't do it, teach it, if you can't do either, consult."

Obligations vs benefits

It is taken from reliable media sources that “The Turks and Caicos government signed a PPP contract with InterHealth Canada in 2008/09 to build and operate two hospitals in the territory, the Cockburn Town Medical Centre on Grand Turk and the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Providenciales. The contract was signed during the time

of former Premier Michael Misick”. It all starts here and stands in the way of each Islander’s daily life and the ability to build a TCI state of its own. The hospitals, allegedly costing $120 Million for 90 beds, were completed in 2010. The one thing that underlies the contract is its “huge, utter and sheer secrecy” for such a serious multimillion dollar obligation on the backs of every Turks & Caicos Islander alive today and into future generations... This PPP and contract management deal must be further revealed to the public, including details of the company and who is behind it.

It can be agreed that "high-quality contract management is, therefore, essential to ensure service delivery, which in the hospitals' context leads to better health outcomes and improved value for money”. If something could be done then there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The leader of the Opposition admits that he wants to terminate the deal. If that could be done and a new chapter written in TCI’s history, a shopping list could well include: a $10 million per annum transfer to the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Scholarships for all students in the TCI. Subsidies to TCI people for high electricity bills, $3000 monthly salary increase across the board for all TCI public sector works, civil service and statutory bodies. All other public could be paid off. The government could then recruit more officers for the police force, more surveillance, and build a secure state with radars and other high-tech equipment but these billion-dollar hospital obligations stand in the way. Maybe then the islands could plan for independence. A public policy project is needed to strengthen the laws and constitution so that deals of this nature, written in “blood and deep secrecy” could be prevented in the future.

Shrouded in secrecy

This InterHealth-Canada hospital contract will emerge in history, when the books are written, as the “Bane” of TCI people’s existence. Like a blank cheque, without limits, it sits like a trap under the annual Budget, preventing any government from truly budgeting for its people in a meaningful way.

There is a reason why the contract MUST BE SECRET and the only access to it is by way of visiting the Ministry of Health and wading through pages after pages. The people are being fleeced and the powers that be, seem highly comfortable with it. Unless this PNP government joins with the official PDM opposition and its leader, Hon Edwin Astwood, “nothing of any substance” is going to come of this PPP.

First of all, it is a “UK-based contract support firm” hired by the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands “to strengthen the management of the TCI hospitals' Public Private Partnership (PPP). The engagement of P2Gis also aimed at building contract management capacity”. All of these fancy words cannot assist the stark realities of the hospital contract and its absolute realities. It

may well be an elegant way of keeping the charade going.

The gauntlet has been thrown

This entire hospital arrangement with InterHealth Canada and the TCI Government, from some media sources, has been described by the Leader of the Opposition as “an enigmatic secret, asserting it as one of the most concealed agreements globally”.

“Enigmatic”, such a big word to describe such a big deal. After 13 years of operation, “they”, the powers that be, whoever “they are” seem willing to touch the deal with a health management contract team.

From various press statements in local media, the Opposition Leader, “lamented the undisclosed nature of the contract, emphasising its draining impact on the country's resources.

Hon Astwood, formerly the Minister of Health, disclosed his efforts to uncover evidence to terminate the contract, acknowledging near-misses in discovering crucial information.”

The gauntlet has been thrown and for the first time since the start of this secret deal in 2010, someone, in officialdom, the Leader of the Opposition has publicly stated that he wants to terminate the contract.

If nothing else happens, this resolve on his part gives energy to TCI’s public policy debate to ensure that something happens. It can no longer be ignored. This statement illustrates a number of issues.

This agreement is bigger than any Government, Minister or Premier. "No one", it seems, can break this logjam in getting to the truth. The difference however is that the Leader of the Opposition seems willing to actually touch the issue.

No one, it seems, in the current PNP Administration, or even past ones, seems willing to “bell the cat”. They have 14 elected MPS and one appointed member, shouldn’t all 15 of them be on the streets, day and night, demanding answers or in the least joining the calls of the leader of the Opposition for “Some Resolution” to this deal?

Who in the PNP Government will take up the gauntlet thrown by the Hon Leader of the Opposition and join the fight to see that justice is done for TCIslanders. This issue should overshadow "politics and the parties unite" to do something about it all.

American tourist gets slap on the wrist for illegal gun and ammo possession

– lawyer pleads exceptional circumstances

BY DELANA ISLES

‘Free as a bird’, Alec Keith Nash, a citizen of the US, is now back in his home country, having paid a $5,000 fine for an offence that in the TCI typically carries a 12 year prison term.

His defense on the charge of gun and ammunition possession – both of which he attempted to check-in on an outbound flight at the Howard Hamilton Airport on July 17 – was that the US airline he used to travel to the TCI had assured him that he can travel with his US licensed firearm to the Island.

This argument was put forth by his attorney Sheena Mair when she and her client appeared before a Judge on August 11.

Alec Keith Nash

The American was arrested after airline personnel contacted the police as he attempted to check in his weapon. An investigation was launched, and Nash was charged on August 8 and granted bail.

The 36-year-old subsequently pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and illegal possession of 20 rounds of ammunition.

Last week, Judge Chris Selochan

imposed a $5000 fine or 60 days in prison after hearing arguments from the defence and prosecution.

A detailed report on the proceedings appeared on the Magnetic Media news website this week, in which the attorney explained that Nash did not have a permit to travel with the firearm, and when he contacted the airlines was informed that he could travel

to the TCI with his gun.

According to the lawyer, the American tourist travelled to the TCI with his weapon without incident. Upon arrival at the airport, he reportedly picked up his luggage, in which the weapon was stored in a lockbox, and proceeded to enjoy his holiday in the Islands.

The lawyer said that Nash did not try to conceal the firearm when travelling in and out of the TCI, that he made inquiries and was apparently given the wrong information.

The attorney submitted to the court a number of cases in which defendants charged with gun possession were only fined under the exceptional circumstances application.

However, Prosecutor Clement Joseph reportedly argued that exceptional circumstances should not apply in Nash’s case, as all persons charged with illegal gun and ammunition possession must be imprisoned.

He asserted that possession

of a gun license in the United States, should not qualify as an exceptional circumstance here in the TCI where said weapon is unregistered.

According to the Magnetic Media report, the prosecutor argued that there is nothing exceptional about local gun cases involving tourists any longer, as it is becoming a norm, with the guilty parties all claiming the same defence.

Joseph also pointed out the preferential treatment afforded to foreigners found in possession of illegal firearms when brought before the courts, highlighting the stark difference in similar matters involving locals.

Joseph’s sentiments were shared by residents on social media, who expressed their shock and disgust at the fine.

The judge was not swayed by Joseph’s arguments, deciding that the circumstances of the case were exceptional, granting Nash an escape from the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years.

InterCaribbean Airlines and Caicos Express get sizeable debt write off

BY DELANA ISLES

The House of Assembly has agreed to write off $1.6 million of a debt owed to the Government by InterCaribbean, and $600,000 or 50% of a debt owed by Caicos Express.

A motion for the write-off was presented to the Assembly on Wednesday, August 16, by the Honourable Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Erwin Jay Saunders.

Saunders reminded the House of the legal action taken by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) in 2016 against InterCaribbean Airways for the settlement of the long outstanding receivables of US$2.5 million. He

said to date, no resolution has been reached.

Likewise in 2016, InterCaribbean Airways filed a legal action against TCIAA and the Government for declaratory relief, due to the government’s withdrawal of a waiver of landing fees originally granted in November 2001.

Saunders reported that the Board and Management of the TCIAA are of the opinion that the best resolution of this matter is a settlement outside the judicial system, as the outcome is uncertain should they go to court, where they may be liable for costs and damages in the event of an adverse finding by the court.

They thereby proposed a writeoff of the amount of $1,062,473.66 of the total debt of $2,662,473.66

owed by InterCaribbean Airways as of October 31, 2022.

In advance of the write-off, InterCaribbean Airways was instructed to pay $1,600,000 as full and final settlement of accounts receivable.

Also, the House has agreed to the write-off of 50% of the total debt ($1,344,493.73) owed by Caicos Express Airline to TCIAA, in the amount of $672,246.87 as of October 31, 2022.

This is provisional on Caicos Express continuing a thirty-day credit line and making good on its payments within the terms of the credit line for the next 12 months or be subject to pay the full amount of the write-off.

Saunders noted that Caicos

Express has largely lived up to its payment commitment by paying its current and arranged debt reduction plan, acknowledging the struggles of the airline to recover losses associated with the Pandemic, rising fuel, labour and operating costs.

ARREARS ACCRUED

In 2010, a letter was sent by TCIAA informing all airlines that effective April 30, 2010, all accounts in arrears will be subject to a 2% per month finance charge.

However, Saunders said no such charge is provided for in the Regulations for passenger-related fees and there is no record of any Board or Cabinet approval for this policy then implemented by the TCIAA.

He said despite the TCIAA recording these finance charges, not all customers have paid finance charges resulting in accumulating receivable balances and associated bad debts, adding that other than passenger fees, finance charges constituted most of the outstanding balances as noted by external auditors.

He also stated that both the Board and Management of the TCIAA agree, that the TCIAA has historically erroneously imposed the 2% per month finance charge to delinquent accounts, airlines and concessionary leases.

It is in this vein that the writeoffs are being instituted.

The motion was passed without objections.

InterCaribbean Airways

Caicos Express Airline

Estates Management Department launches Landlords’ Partnership Programme

The Estates Management Department (EMD) recently launched the Landlord Partnership Programme aimed at fostering better relationships with landlords in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The programme, which forms part of the department’s key programme strategies (KPS), was started at the EMD’s first meeting with landlords of Grand Turk on Thursday, 10th August 2023, as the department gears up to introduce an Estates Management Ordinance, policy and strategy by the end of FY 2023/24.

The department which falls under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID) is responsible for the management of all TCIG properties owned and rented, including lease

agreement negotiation drafting and management, and other ancillary estates-related services such as management of security contracts, janitorial services, space utilisation, management of utility services, and health and safety.

According to the ministry, some of the plans under the Landlord Partnership Programme include formal quarterly meetings with landlords or whenever required, a standardised complaints system for public servants, review streamlining and enhancement of security services and working in partnership with landlords to ensure preventative maintenance of leased properties.

“This is a historic event that marked the launch of the KPS, which ultimately is intended to foster a good working partnership

with landlords, to ensure that the vehicle of the government, our public service is accommodated in comfortable, conducive and safe working environments”, the ministry said in an invited statement.

Commenting on the initiative, Minister of PPID, Hon Jamell Robinson said: “I am elated to see the launch of this initiative come to fruition, marking a mutual partnership between TCIG and our landlords.

He continued: “It is one which has been in the pipeline since last year, and I would like to ensure both the public service and our existing landlord pool, and any potential landlords, that my government is fully committed to satisfying the needs of both sides, which we know will translate into more

conducive work environments and consequently better service delivery”.

The Landlord Partnership Programme will reach all islands in the coming weeks.

Free daycare and after-school programmes for the new school year

In an effort to alleviate the financial burden on lower-income families, the TCI government has launched two programmes to support students, parents, and educators in the new school term.

Recognising the importance of early childhood education and understanding the demands of modern lifestyles, the two groundbreaking initiatives are aimed at enhancing the educational landscape in the Turks and Caicos.

The initiatives, namely the Early Start Daycare Assistance Programme and

Social Enrichment

Academic Afterschool Programme form part of the Government’s National Minimum Wage package and will be implemented in the upcoming September school term.

Parents are encouraged to check the eligibility criteria and register their children as early as possible.

The Early Start Daycare Assistance Programme is a subsidised daycare initiative for parents with Belonger Status.

The programme offers a strong foundation for young learners by providing access to high-quality

daycare services, ensuring their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Through a network of accredited daycare providers, the programme will relieve the financial burden on parents, enabling them to work and pursue personal growth while ensuring their children receive the best care and education.

While the Social Enrichment Academic Afterschool Programme, is a free programme to cater to the needs of working parents and guardians.

This initiative aims to provide students with a safe and productive environment after regular school hours.

With supervised activities, homework assistance, and enrichment programmes, students can continue learning and engage in constructive activities, fostering holistic development.

Minister of Education, Hon

Rachel Taylor in a statement on Friday, August 11, announced the implementation of these initiatives and stressed that it reflects her ministry’s unwavering dedication

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to the advancement of education in the TCI.

She said: “The implementation of these social support programmes is a testament to this government’s commitment to providing the needed social support to improve the lives and livelihoods of so many families across the Turks & Caicos.

“I encourage and welcome all our stakeholders and the people of this blessed and beautiful country to join us as we embark upon this exciting journey toward educational excellence! Together, we can and will shape a brighter future for our children and build the country’s human capital.”

The education minister emphasised that her ministry is committed to creating an educational environment that is accessible, inclusive, and supportive, to foster a generation of well-rounded individuals.

Parents and guardians are being encouraged to take full advantage of these programmes and actively participate in shaping the future of education in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Information, programme details, and enrolment procedures can be found on the official Ministry of Education website https://gov.tc/ education/ or by contacting 649338-4804/649-338-3809.

Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon Jamell Robinson

$40.5m

to be spent on improving TCI airports in 2023

A whopping $40.5m will be spent this year to improve airport infrastructure across the Turks and Caicos Islands through the upgrading of terminals, air traffic control towers, runways, and taxiways.

Recognising the importance of providing world-class airport operations through high-standard safety, security, efficiencies, and customer service to the overall economic development and strategic growth of the TCI, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has embarked on several major projects to modernise airports across the territory.

To this end, renovation, expansion, and constructions are underway across the six public airports, namely; The Howard Hamilton International Airport/ Providenciales International Airport, The JAGS McCartney International Airport / Grand Turk International Airport, The Norman B Saunders International Airport / South Caicos International Airport, The Clifford Gardiner International Airport/ North Caicos Airport, The Eric Arthur Airport/ Middle Caicos Airport and The Leon Wilson Airport / Salt Cay Airport.

This was revealed by the chair of the TCIAA’s Board of Directors,

Mr Selyvn Hawkins, at a town hall meeting held on August 9, 2023, at Brayton Hall in Providenciales, to update residents on the ongoing works and the level of completion of each airport project for the 2023 fiscal year.

He explained that the TCIAA is looking to create and implement a strategic master plan to guide the authority with the development of all airports in an effort to maximise the benefits of these facilities.

“Moving forward rather aggressively, not only with Providenciales but developing all of our airports, on the aggressiveness with which we find ourselves is for the purpose of ensuring that we do our part to keep our airports open and to make them viable entities or reliable entities for not only driving travel but economy into the islands in which they exist.

“Nonetheless, we realise that in order for us, to leverage or maximise the best that we can out of all of our airports, we really need to implement a strategic master plan.”

He underscored that the strategic master plan will go beyond infrastructure development and encompass business development opportunities.

In this vein, the TCIAA is hopeful to complete the

procurement process for constructing a new terminal and doing expansion works at the Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales during this fiscal year.

“Our goal for this year is to see the repairs of the Jags McCartney International Airport completed. We currently have a $4.29m fence restoration project going on, and we also hope to recommence the construction of the fire hall there”, he added.

Hawkins stressed that the TCIAA is working aggressively to attract international airlifts to the island of Grand Turk.

“Also realising that Grand Turk offers support for domestic travel into Salt Cay and realising that our operations in Salt Cay are not just confined to the airport, but we also provide public services so we felt the need to ensure that we put in there this year, or at least acquire for this year, a new fire truck.”

On the other hand, he informed that works are progressing on the long-awaited South Caicos Airport terminal despite some setbacks.

He said: “The Norman Saunders International Airport includes a new passenger terminal and combined services building, I would like to say that we visited

the site a few weeks ago and there's been significant work completed on the terminal just a few more cosmetic works.

“But then, there's also still the work of restoring the fence line and completing the exterior works to the terminal before it can be fully operational, but we are working with the intent of also attracting international airlift into South Caicos and we don't say that lightly, we actually believe that there's strong potential for some sort of international airlift even from a regional level into South Caicos just based on the current developments that are happening there”, he added.

Turning his attention to the construction of the North Caicos Airport, Hawkins disclosed that the TCIAA will close the tender for the design of a new terminal in North Caicos this month.

“So we look forward to the architectural phase of that project being completed…We are going to be repaving the runway there, because we would hope to immediately restore flight operations thereafter into North Caicos.

“We're still exploring the possibility of introducing an FBO and then also for Eric Arthur Airport in Middle Caicos.

The TCIAA chair told the gathering that although there are no commercial flight activities going into Middle Caicos currently, the terminal building operates as a structure that can offer some community commercial activity. He said: “So, we restored the restaurant there and that restoration is almost completed with the roof, windows, doors and furnishings; and that is likely to be available for reopening in October of this year, but we continue to look at Middle Caicos to see how we can maximise its potential.”

Progress snapshot

In a nutshell, Hawkins presented a snapshot of the TCIAA’s capital works and the level of progress made thus far.

He said: “The Grand Turk roof repair at the JAGS McCartney Airport, as of today's date, is 99% completed.

He said that the new control tower and fire hall at Providenciales are 42% completed the airside walkway canopy in Providenciales is 71% completed, and the repair works to the perimeter fencing in South Caicos are 50% completed.

“The South Caicos airport terminal building combined services building is near completion.

The JAGS McCartney International Airport – one of the airports’ currently under renovation

Chair of the TCIAA’s Board of Directors, Mr.Selyvn Hawkins, at a town hall meeting

Can we try to get along?

There is too much separation and division among us

There is so much unnecessary separation and division among us. Of course, this is not new as people have not been getting along with others for years. However, it does not mean it is right. This issue is more complex because some of us as Christians don’t see anything wrong with the division that exists. In fact, some of us are promoting the division. The Bible reminds us in Psalms 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”

This article is to encourage you to try and get along with others because we can accomplish so much more.

There are so many reasons why we don’t get along with others, but I think James 4:1-2 sums it up well. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle with you?

You desire but you do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.”

Whatever your desires are, if you are not careful in managing

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.

them, it can lead to division. You may have a desire for a particular position, or something but you did not get it and so now you are not getting along with the person who acquired it.

Another reason why we are not getting along with others is simply due to our race and nationality. Some of us just cannot pass the race and nationality factors. Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of this. We “stick” with our own. It just does not make any sense to me.

Politics is also a major issue as to why we cannot get along with one another. We have allowed ourselves

to be caught up in an obsession with politics to a point where we love our political parties more than we love our brothers and sisters who do not support our political choice. We also have allowed the spirit of jealousy and the spirit of insecurity to divide us. This is a very dangerous path to be on. Finally, misunderstanding, miscommunication, and assumptions cause people not to get along.

I cannot speak for other countries, but I think the Turks and Caicos is in such a unique position in that we have more than 99 nationalities residing among

us. At some point, we will interact with other races and nationalities whether in the workplace, church or a charitable organisation. This is a great opportunity for all of us to get to know different individuals and it is more likely you will notice they are no different from you and me.

Respect the opinions of others and try to understand their perspectives rather than fighting over differences of opinion.

Give people a chance. Don’t discriminate against others because of where they are from, how they look or what you hear about their

race or nationality. Not everybody is the same.

Watch what you say about others. Be sensitive and have empathy for others. The words you speak can hurt and kill others.

Are you gaining anything by not getting along with others? By not getting along with others, we are creating a divisive, unhappy, bitter, and angry society. Is this what we really want? Let us appreciate and respect the differences and the achievements of others that exist among us rather than using the differences and achievements to divide us.

Theatre: promoting and preserving culture and tradition in the TCI

As TCI Islanders reminisce about the keenest memories of former times, many have been gripped by a wave of nostalgia.

Today, mostly mature folks are distraught about the fading TCI culture to internationalism and interculturalism, which have opened up prospects for ties between cultures and, which transcends the distinctions of TCI’s history, language, race, customs and time.

At one level, this is owing to the undeviating steadily shrinking world, where geographical and national boundaries, which formerly sequestered cultures, are challenged by cross-border movements and information swapping.

This global community is now infinitely more accessible – at least for those who can afford air travel. Henceforth, it is futile imagining TCI culture through travel narratives and transcribing

BY D MARKIE SPRING

texts, as it is possible to experience it, insofar as tourism permits.

TCI culture is collapsing by choice, as Islanders absorb all things America, as multinational corporations and American tourists dominate the sphere. These western traits are evident in the aesthetic architecture of buildings, fashion, language and music.

If there are any doubts, the dominance of international music genres in entertainment at major hotels over the non-existent of the TCI ripsaw and calypso music supports this fact.

More so, some people opined that accepting the dominant culture; it will produce socioeconomic benefits for TCI society.

But all is not lost; the TCI can showcase and preserve its history and culture through theatre and performing arts. However, success is dependent in the ability of the Department of Culture and Heritage and Destination Management Organization working together.

Theatre can have a powerful influence, from reenacting folklore of yesteryear – while embracing multiculturalism and the cultural

phenomenon of our time.

Theatre will allow TCI Islanders to share their stories and experiences with others and present an avenue to connect with their heritage and, in the interim, engender social change and raise awareness concerning important issues. Additionally, theatre challenge stereotypes and promote cross-cultural understanding.

The Greeks minted theater as escapist entertainment and civic engagement. It inspired them to become more virtuous by subpoenaing the most important issues of the day,” through both tragedy and satire, which help to interpret everyday life and events.

Similarly, the TCI can exploit theatre tourism, allowing the international community to discover their lives depicted through plays. To some degree, dramatizing history and traditions is something we all share – when wielded in such a creative way and

distinct to other societies, theatre and performing arts transcend reenactments of cultic celebrations. This would be an exceptional course for people – both local and visitors – to learn and grow, and help everyone to see the TCI in a new light. Moreover, it will allow TCIslander to better understand their own culture and emotions, and the preservation of their traditions.

Therefore, creative playwrights should start plotting; reenacting the rich heritage of seafaring, salt raking and farming of the Taino and Lucayan peoples and ensure a clear understanding of the play structure and intent, through the relevance of the plot, characters and theme.

Theatre is still an important facet of cultural expressions and respect for ‘other’ cultures and; therefore, such a rich and colourful culture, should be acted-out for the world to see!

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.

Please note that all submissions are subject to editing in keeping with defamation laws and newspaper style. Letters should be accompanied by the author’s full name, location and phone number. Names will be withheld if requested.

We welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics

Bill passed granting gov’t wider scope to remit duties on certain investments

BY DELANA ISLES

Amendments to the Land Holdings Companies Transfer Duty Amendment Ordinance, was this week passed by the House of Assembly, giving the finance minister authority to remit duty on transfer or equity capital in a land holding corporation.

Honourable Erwin Jay Saunders, Minister of Finance, who presented the bill to the House on Wednesday, August 16, said the Bill includes pivotal amendments to the Ordinance.

A change to the bill (Clause 3) amends the Ordinance to insert a new section (4A) to empower the Minister of Finance to remit, wholly or in part, the duty payable on the transfer of an interest or transfer of any equity capital in a land holding corporation.

The amount of any duty remitted under the new section 4A (1) in respect of the transfer will be deemed to have been paid in respect of that transfer, under the amended Ordinance.

Speaking on the bill, Saunders stated: “I am happy to say that this Bill stays true to our government’s

OCTOPEN

commitment to fiscal prudence, while giving us the ability to continue to grow our local economy at a pace that maximizes benefits to our people and the TCI.”

Clarifying the provisions of the Bill, the minister said: “Simply put, this Bill will give our government, and future governments, a strategic lever, that can be used, when necessary, to dynamically adjust our economic policy to strengthen our ability to achieve the best outcomes for our people and our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Bolstering his argument for the Bill, the minister explained: “Consider for example, a situation where a significant investment opportunity comes to our shores.

“Let’s say an international company with a reputation for sustainable and responsible development wishes to establish a large-scale project that promises employment for hundreds of our citizens.

“If such a development required a transfer of equity capital in a land holding company, currently it would not qualify for the stamp duty concessions that are allowable

on property such as land sales.

“However, with this Bill, the government will have the ability to step in, assess the broader socio-economic benefits, and if deemed prudent, provide relief on the transfer duty; and in so doing, make our islands a more attractive investment destination.”

He noted that not every transfer of capital in a land holding company will qualify for this remission.

However, the bill provides the Minister of Finance with the discretion to evaluate and respond to situations in real-time, thereby ensuring that every decision made is in the best interest of the TCI.

Additionally, this amendments to the law will act as a safety net for unforeseen economic downturns or global crises, Sauders stated.

“During challenging times, like the Covid-19 pandemic, governments need every tool at their disposal to stimulate economic activity, encourage investments, and bolster economic resilience.

“By having the ability to remit transfer duties, we are giving our government, and future

governments, a tool that can be used for swift, targeted responses to economic challenges whenever they arise.”

He added that for those who may have concerns about the bill, it is not about foregoing revenue arbitrarily.

“Instead, it is about giving the government the flexibility to make strategic fiscal decisions, to assess the broader socio-economic

implications of each transaction, and to act in the best interests of TCI.”

He said the Bill offers the government an opportunity to level the playing field with its regional and global competitions, as well as signal to the world that TCI is open to attracting responsible, impactful, and transformative businesses. The Bill was passed without objections.

Do it like the French

La Ville Lumière, Ville d’Amour and la Capitale de la Mode, are just some of the nicknames the famous city of Paris has accumulated over the decades. Attracting over 30 million tourists each year, many like myself, adore this romantic city. If you have not been, I want you to pack your most fashionable outfits, a lover, or your sneaky link and make your way to this dreamer destination tout-de-suite. Nothing screams romance like une promenade avec ton amoureux, in the city of love.

But before you embark on this love journey, I thought you could use a bit of insight to some things that even I found peculiar at first.

So whilst in Paris, somewhere on the green looking at the Eiffel Tower, I researched eight things you ought to know before you too venture off to France.

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

Here they are, eight mindboggling French truths.

UPSIDE BAGUETTE, IS SEEN AS UNLUCKY

Ahh Oui! The French are a suspicious bunch! According to folklore, placing a baguette or a loaf of bread on the table upside down puts the people around you at risk of misfortune, or worse –death. This quirky superstition supposedly stems from medieval

times when executioners were allowed to grab things in shops with- out paying for them. Hence, bakers would leave an overturned loaf of bread out to deter them. How clever!

The French government initially introduced a 40% quote in 1994 to protect France from what the government considered the Anglo-Saxon cultural invasion. Today, even radio stations specializing in foreign music must have at least a 15% quota.

NO KISSING ON TRAIN PLATFORMS

ANIMALS MUST HAVE A TICKET TO RIDE HIGHSPEED TRAINS

No, we’re not making this up – we promise! It is against the law to carry live snails on a highspeed train in France without them having their own tickets. In fact, any domesticated animal under 5kg must be a paying passenger.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE WORLD

35%

OF ALL MUSIC PLAYED ON PRIVATE RADIO STATIONS MUST BE FRENCH

If you’re not a fan of French music then you might want to stick with your own playlist for a while.

Speaking of seemingly crazy laws and decrees, this one is totally bizarre. In France, it is actually illegal to kiss while a train is on the platform. This old law was introduced in 1910 at the request of rail chiefs who wanted to prevent the amorous Frenchies from delaying the departure of trains. All kissing on the platform must now be done before the train arrives. There goes that dramatic Hollywood movie kiss! But no one really cares nowadays.

Of course, France isn’t only famous for its cuisine, the country also produces some of the best wines in the world – not to mention expensive. A 73-year-old bottle of French

OPBAT & Shiprider operation nabs 145 on illegal migrant vessel

A migrant vessel carrying 154 illegal immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands was intercepted through a MultiAgency Operation

This came on the heels of the Governor and Premier’s announcement that HMBS Bahamas, the flagship of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force was deployed to the Turks and Caicos Islands to work in collaboration with maritime forces to patrol territorial waters against any illegal activities occurring at sea.

The illegal migrant vessel was safely and successfully intercepted on Sunday, August 13 2023, under Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), involving the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Royal Bahamas Defense Force vessel HMBS Bahamas, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force

(RTCIPF) and Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment.

Upon apprehension, the migrants were provided with essential medical care, sustenance, and accommodations, before being transported to the Turks and Caicos Islands authorities for processing, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force said in a statement.

Two service members from the Turks and Caicos Island Regiment and Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are actively involved as sea riders onboard HMBS Bahamas, contributing their expertise and cooperation to the mission's success.

In a statement the following day, Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting explained that the collaborative arrangement in the Northern Caribbean is aimed at ensuring a “robust and resilient approach to the issue of irregular

migration” under the arrangements in the OPBAT and shiprider agreement between the TCI and the Bahamas.

He said: “Last evening’s interception involved all three countries, the TCI, Bahamas and the US, working together to identify and deal with vessels carrying large numbers of persons seeking to enter our jurisdictions illegally.

“The HMBS, with two crew from the TCI safely intercepted the vessel and brought the persons on board to the TCI where they were handed over to colleagues from Immigration who as ever

did a great job in dealing with the migrants as they were removed from the ship.

“ Her Excellency the Governor and I, met the vessel this morning and took the opportunity to meet with the Ship’s Commander and senior crew to thank them for their partnership and a job well done.

“We also took the chance to congratulate our crew from the TCI for their part in the operation, we will continue to be vigilant and committed to protecting our borders and we will do this in partnership with our regional colleagues, we are stronger together”, he added.

Sunday’s successful interdiction

marks the second interdiction under the Ship Rider Agreement, signed by both nations in 2022. The agreement facilitates crossborder cooperation, enabling law enforcement personnel from one country to conduct operations aboard vessels of the other country for specific law enforcement purposes.

In this instance, the collaborative efforts underscore the unwavering partnership between the United States, Turks and Caicos Island and the Bahamas, emphasising their shared commitment to maritime security and law enforcement operation

The illegal vessel was safely intercepted under Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), involving the United States Coast Guard (USCG)- (Royal Bahamas Defence Force photo)

Governor & Commissioner interacting with HMBS crew (RTCIPF photo)

HE Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, member of the TCI Regiment and member of the RTCIPF currently on board the HMBS Bahamas, Commissioner of Police Mr Trevor Botting (RTCIPF photo)

Top performers rewarded at National Academic Awards

Students graduating from secondary school this year were recently honoured for their commitment to their studies and outstanding performances during their secondary education.

Hosted at Brayton Hall on August 4, the National Academic Awards ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Council of External Examinations to recognise students' performance in external exams after their annual exit exams.

The awardees had significant accomplishments, both individually and collectively, deserving recognition, the ministry said.

Students were awarded by the Examination Council in five different categories: passes in five to nine subjects and 10 or more subjects; passes in English Language and Mathematics with General 1's and 2's or A and B; best-performing student from different disciplines (Business, Science, Hospitality, Humanities, Foreign Languages, Regional Merit List Awardees, etc.); five or more general 1's or A's in one examination sitting; and top performing student with a general certificate of secondary education (IGCSE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

This year, three Turks and Caicos Islands students received awards for their academic achievements at the CXC and General Certificate of Secondary Education.

One student received the CSEC award and two were recognised as

the IGCSE top performers.

Shania Forbes of the H J Robinson High School has earned first position with twelve grade one passes; second place was Anika Harry of the British West Indies Collegiate with10 passes and third place was Evadne Gardiner of British West Indies Collegiate with 10 passes.

For the first time, this year's ceremony included a place for the best British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) student and Ephita Monestime of the British West Indies Collegiate captured this award.

The best-performing students overall are awarded government scholarships, and therefore, currently, only TCI students are

considered for these awards.

OTHER AWARDS

PRESENTED

Ryan Hurdle of Precious Treasures International School won the award for Best Performing Student in Humanities.

Best Performing Technical Vocational Student was awarded to Teandra Milord of Clement Howell High School.

Favour Mubenwafor of H J Robinson High School captured the award for Best Performing Business Student.

Best Performing Science

Students were Yuan Sayao of Clement Howell High School, Shaina Forbes and Adrienne Parry of H J Robinson High School, Thais Burgess, Joel Degouth, Evadne Gardiner, Anika Harry, Ephita Monesime and Zakri Smith of British West Indies Collegiate.

Best Performing Student in Hospitality went to Roodemailine Brenord of Clement Howell High School.

Best Performing Prevocational Student was awarded to Joshua

Swann of Clement Howell High School.

"The entire Turks and Caicos Islands is proud of your scholastic achievement, which is a result of your diligence and the dedication of your teachers," Minister of Education, Hon Rachel Taylor said in congratulating the awardees. She encouraged them to continue being beacons of inspiration, charging them to aim high in all their endeavours.

A full list of the 2022 awardees can be found on the government’s website and Facebook page.

Do it like the ...

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Burgundy became the most expensive bot- tle of wine ever sold at auction, fetching an eyepopping $558,000. The bottle of 1945 Romanee-Conti was sold to a private Asian collector at Sotheby’s for more than 17 times its original estimate of $32,000. Imagine dropping the bottle!

JEANNE LOUISE CALMENT

The oldest person who ever lived was a French woman named. She died at 122 years and 164 days. Jeanne Louise Calment was born in France on 21 February 1875 and died on 4 August 1997. She lived through the opening of the Eiffel Tower in 1889, two World Wars, and the invention of television,

the modern motor car, and airplanes. Mmmmm, there must be something in the water or the wine, whichever one you drink!

FRANCE WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO BAN SUPERMARKETS FROM THROWING AWAY FOOD

Now, here’s a French fact to feel proud of. In February 2016, France became the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying food. Stores must now donate surplus groceries to food banks and charities. Supermarkets larger than 400 square meters that are caught binning good quality

food approaching its bestbefore date face hefty fines of up to €75,000 or two years of imprisonment. Isn’t it brilliant!

IN FRANCE, YOU CAN MARRY A DEAD PERSON! Posthumous? Yes? One rather shocking fact about France is that under French law, you can marry posthumously in exceptional cases. This is on the condition that you can prove that the deceased had the intention of marrying you while they were alive. You must also receive permission from the French president.

Where would you like to go in France? Paris? Why? Do tell on louisedens@gmail.com.

Anika Harry – 2nd Position – National Scholar – National Academic Awards

Shania Forbes – 1st Position – National Scholar – National Academic Awards

Evadne Gardiner – 3rd Position – National Scholar – National Academic Awards

Government launches terminal benefits registration portal for civil servants

A Terminal Benefits

Registration Portal, an online database designed to collect registration and beneficiary data was launched this week by the Deputy Governor’s Office.

The launch follows the implementation of the government’s employee terminal benefits programme for all post-1992 employees on April 1, 2022, and the reinstatement of the pre1992 government employee gratuity program.

The first phase of the launch will focus on registration, and the second phase will focus on benefit calculation and tracking data.

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams commenting on the portal in a press statement this week recalled the launch of the pension fund on April 1, 2022, with seed funding of $7.8m fully funded by the government.

She said as of March 2023, the government’s pension fund had a total of $14.8m, including employee and employer contributions fully

funded by the government. She added that this new programme addresses the absence of a terminal benefits program for employees hired post-1992.

“During its first year in operation, 24 post 1992 public servants received payouts from the fund in the financial year 2022/2023, which included retirees and persons that departed the service through resignations, terminations and other departures,” the Deputy Governor said.

She noted that her Office is continuing its work on the fund's private administration and investment management, which they hope to complete in the next 60 days. An announcement on the successful bidder will be made at a future date.

She stated: “In the interim, we encourage all public servants to register your personal information and beneficiary details on the portal as this greatly assists in the processing and payment of your benefits at the time of retirement or departure from the public service."

The portal will also be utilised to keep public servants updated on their terminal benefit entitlements.

Current government employees are urged to officially register their personal and beneficiary data on the Benefits Portal to confirm their participation.

To register, visit: https:// tcigpension.gov.tc.

Details needed to log in include date of birth, employee ID (found on monthly pay slip), and government email address. A verification code will then be sent to employees’ government email allowing access to the site.

Employees are advised they will need their employment start date, two copies of identification (passport, status card, driver's licence), and their beneficiary details such as name, birth date, address, telephone number and email address to complete registration.

Once the registration process is completed online, confirmation with registration details and beneficiary data will be sent to employee’s government email.

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

Youth Centre students tour Howard Hamilton Int'l Airport on summer field trip

Twelve eager and excited students from the Edward Gartland Youth Centre visited the Howard Hamilton Int'l Airport as part of a summer field trip to learn more about the aviation industry.

The tour kicked off in the security area of international departures where students were shown the proper security procedure, various stalls and stores, the upstairs departure lounge, and the boarding gates, a statement from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority said.

Students toured the airport’s apron, where they learned about how planes park, security on the ramp and runway and baggage claim.

“The excitement grew larger when it was time to visit the fire department, they course they were amazed to see the big fire trucks and what happens at the fire station”, TCIAA Media officer Zoya Faessler said.

She said that firefighters explained to the students how to put on their uniform in the case of an emergency and that they learned about the many aspects of the fire truck and even got to sit inside, turn on the sirens and blow the horn as part of the day’s activities.

“Whilst they were having fun with all of this, the time came when they got to play with water.

“Students were given the opportunity to put on their goggles and turn on the hose, this was most exciting as they wanted to soak each other with water, especially since it was a hot day.”

The tour concluded with a tour of the Immigration and Customs Halls.

One of the female students, Chenell McPhee commenting on the field trip said: “It was actually good, we enjoyed it and stuff like that. My favourite thing about it was using the firefighter hose, and we all got to have a turn."

Edward Gartland Youth Centre Tour Howard Hamilton Int'l Airport

Cry the beloved country!

Provo, crime, and that little thing that makes a big difference

I did not publish a column last week, not for a lack of topics to write about, but due to an unexpectedly heavy workload and I was also angry and distressed following the shooting incident in Grace Bay on 2 August. My distress stems from hearing the news of yet another fatal incident, this time in broad daylight and in the very heart of TCI’s high-end tourism district. More heart-rendering is the loss of a life which is the real tragedy in this story.

In the aftermath of the shooting much of the public debate centred on the “Grace Bay Lifestyle” supporters lamenting how their idyllic afternoon was marred by gunfire. But the question that keeps gnawing at me is: how did we get here? The answer, I believe, lies in one word: attitude.

I remembered overhearing a conversation among a group of expats last year when violence had once again erupted at the southwestern end of Providenciales. “Yeah, it’s unfortunate”, one remarked dismissively, “but let’s face it, a bunch of young black guys, shooting other young black guys…dessert anyone?” And with that the conversation nonchalantly moved on to an upcoming social event.

A memory from the early 1990s resurfaced, a time when Provo was a haven of peace, almost entirely free of crime. Back then, the only thing that needed to be shut at night was the mosquito screen door. I recall a conversation with a wellintentioned expatriate, who seemed earnest in his belief. He turned to

BY TITUS DE BOER

me and said, “you know of course the only area on Provo one should acquire property is Leeward”.

When, having only recently moved to the TCI, I enquired why this was so, his answer was as perplexing as it was disturbing.

“Well clearly this is the only area where we will stand the best chance of creating a proper gated community…Blue Hills may seem far away now, but it won’t always be…”

Let me be clear: I have no doubt that even in today’s, largely money-driven Providenciales the majority of residents, both locals and expatriates, are compassionate, unprejudiced, and caring people.

Their generosity at charitable events speaks volumes about their character. However, when I hear comments dismissing this month’s shooting as “that’s just amateur gang-related, not tourist targeted, unfortunate but not serious”, I can’t help but question the perspective of those making such comments. How can they not see this as serious?

Providenciales is often touted by politicians, real estate agents and developers as an extraordinary success story and the driving force behind our economy. This much is true. However, we must

also acknowledge another truth, as Aristotle observed: poverty is “the parent of revolution and crime”. With this in mind, we must critically re-examine how Provo has been allowed to develop. On this 38-square-mile island, one can find staggering levels of opulence and wealth juxtaposed within a mere mile of deplorable living

conditions. Just look to your right as you take off on a domestic flight from Providenciales airport and you’ll see what I mean. It is not a pretty sight.

While collaboration with the Bahamian Defence Force and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as the delivery of one Cayman Islands Police helicopter,

may be helpful in combatting crime and make for a compelling press release, they are not the ultimate solution to this problem. We, the inhabitants, of this archipelago are the solution by our resolve and our shift in attitude. The South African writer Alan Paton aptly noted in his truly brilliant 1948 novel “Cry the Beloved Country”: “I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men, desiring neither power nor money, but desiring only the good for their country, come together to work for it”.

There is clearly no comparison between 1940s South Africa and Providenciales of the 2020s. And yet, as I remarked in a column last October, “Perhaps we in the TCI had become too complacent and just perhaps we took our success and the wealth that came with it for granted for too long”.

As is so often the case in these columns we have come full circle in our discussions. Our most potent weapon against crime is what Winston Churchill called “…a little thing that makes a big difference”. That thing is attitude. So, let’s change ours - all of us. Let’s start thinking beyond the confines of the “Grace Bay Bubble” and see the situation for what it is. We need to understand that tourists can choose other destinations if we do not get a grip on this scourge. Today it’s a shooting in broad daylight in Grace Bay, tomorrow, God forbid, it could be inside a restaurant or shop. The time to come together, for the greater good, free from negative attitudes, is now!

Titus de Boer was born in Hamburg and spent his formative years in the West Indies. After a formal education in Germany and subsequent training as a journalist, he moved to the TCI in 1989. These days he works as a residency consultant for Titan Services. (www.titanservices.biz). Readers wishing to contact Titus with ideas and/or suggestions for columns, can to so on tdbtci@aol.com.

The 2022 statistics we can do without. The time to come together, for the greater good, is now. (Photo: insightcrime.org)

The Turks and Caicos Islands, as they should be, Beautiful by Nature and crime free. (Photo: Titus de Boer)

The headlines we do not want. Tourists will chose other destinations if we do no get a grip on the crime situation. (Photo: RTCIPF/The Guardian)

Chief Justice shows Dorian victims mercy

(REPRINTED FROM THE TRIBUNE)

The Chief Justice has shown mercy to a Freeport couple who lost their home in Hurricane Dorian by not dismissing their battle against a commercial bank and top insurance broker over a Supreme Court order breach.

Sir Ian Winder, in an August 9, 2023, verdict decided after lengthy deliberations not to impose sanctions against Andrew and Sophia Smith even though the violations could have resulted in their “negligence and breach of contract” claim against both CIBC First Caribbean International Bank (Bahamas) and Insurance Management being dismissed.

The couple, whose Devonshire subdivision home was deemed “a total loss” after it “sustained significant damage” from Category Five Dorian in September 2019, are alleging that the BISX-listed lender failed to pay the necessary property insurance premiums on their behalf and/or notify them of this. As a result, insurance coverage was purportedly cancelled without their knowledge and they cannot make a claim for funds to rebuild or construct a new home.

The couple are represented by Beryn Duncanson, an attorney from the Turks & Caicos Islands, who has filed at least two similar claims against CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) and Insurance Management. However, the two corporate entities and their attorneys last year took the position that the Smiths’ claim “stood dismissed” because they had failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s case management instructions

These were issued in the form of an ‘Unless Order’, which means that an action can be struck out or dismissed if the instructions - and specific dates by which they must happen - are not complied with.

Mr Duncanson, in a July 25, 2022, e-mail to Viola Major, Insurance Management’s attorney, accused the broker of using “the merest of excuse to attempt to shut out our poor clients from justice” and pledged that would take “delight in that particular flight”.

After Ms Major informed him that he and his clients were in breach of the ‘Unless Order’, and that their claim “stands dismissed”, Mr Duncanson retorted: “It is unfortunate that your clients are so eager to use the merest of excuse to attempt to shut out our poor clients from justice in finally having their day in court.

“Should you wish to waste costs from your clients’ doubtlessly bottomless bank account on a special application to dismiss for alleged ‘lateness in receiving

the actual stamped/filed copy, or not having a document headed ‘Expert’s Report’ in an affidavit, that is your prerogative. Just know that we are prepared for and shall delight in that particular fight. Bring it.”

Mr Duncanson asserted similar arguments when he appeared before the Chief Justice, arguing that “a dangerous precedent has built up whereby opposing counsel can simply assert slight noncompliance with an Unless Order and thereby derail and progress towards trial until the other side obtains relief from sanctions..... This is a tactic used by deeppocketed corporate defendants, and the Civil Procedure Rules were intended to discourage it”.

Nevertheless, while finding that Mr Duncanson’s clients were in breach of the Unless Order, Sir Ian declined to punish them or dismiss the case and granted their motion for relief from any Supreme Court sanctions to allow the dispute to proceed towards trial.

The two Unless Order terms that the Smiths were alleged to have breached were that they needed to file and serve the “list of documents”, or evidence they intended to rely upon, by June 10, 2022, while the report by their “expert” witnesses had to be filed and served by July 22 last year. The Order also stipulated that failure to comply with these conditions would result in their claim being struck out and dismissed.

Mr Duncanson, on his clients’ behalf, sent an “unfiled” list of documents to attorneys for CIBC FirstCaribbean and Insurance Management on June 10, 2022. And, on July 22, 2022, he sent them “an unfiled draft affidavit”

that was supposed to be sworn by Brian Hanna as the Smiths’ “expert witness”. Neither submission met the requirement that they be filed by that date, leading Insurance Management’s attorney to argue that the action should be dismissed.

This prompted Mr Duncanson’s filing of a motion requesting that no sanctions be imposed on the Smiths. However, Sir Ian found there was “no room for reasonable debate” that they had not complied with the Unless Order, even though the couple’s attorney argued that CIBC FirstCaribbean and Insurance Management’s objections were “over form and not substance, and it is a ‘new day’ with ‘new rules’” via the Civil Procedures Rules.

They also argued that it was in “the public interest for this case to be resolved as expeditiously as possible”, and urged that the Supreme Court not pursue procedural justice by ‘throwing out the baby with the bath water’. CIBC FirstCaribbean, though,

argued that the order breaches were “serious and significant” because they inhibited trial preparations, and they questioned the Smiths’ claim of “financial hardship” as they had been able to finance the action.

Similar arguments were made by Insurance Management’s attorneys. Sir Ian agreed that the non-compliance was “serious and significant”, as it had forced the Supreme Court to vacate two trial dates, impacted other court users and “unnecessarily wasted time and expense”.

He also found that the couple had not justified or explained their non-compliance, even though it was alleged that the Smiths had “simply struggled under continued severe financial hardship because of the defendants’ own negligence, a dilapidated and mostly destroyed, uninhabitable house, with continuing outside rental accommodation rental expense also whilst bank mortgage payments still continued/continue’.

Sir Ian, though, said that while the non-compliance was not

willful or deliberate, there was “no excuse for what transpired” as they “adopted an excessively casual and lackadaisical approach” to the case. He hinted that some of the fault lay with Mr Duncanson. However, in the “final analysis”, the Chief Justice decided not to impose sanctions or drive the Smiths’ “from the seat of judgment” by dismissing the case. Noting that the proceedings were at an early stage, he added that neither CIBC FirstCaribbean or Insurance Management had argued they would be “prejudiced” by allowing the matter to continue to trial.

Tribune Business records show that Mr Duncanson, who seemingly set up Bahamas Claims Assistants Company in Hurricane Dorian’s wake, also initiated four claims against J S Johnson & Company Ltd/Island Heritage Insurance Company, and Star General Insurance Agents and Brokers/Royal Star Assurance and Safeguard Insurance Brokers over disputed claims payouts. (Tribune242)

Sir Ian Winder Beryn Duncanson

Regional News

Oil found on Grand Bahama beach sent to USA to determine source

OIL residue found on several Grand Bahama beaches has been sent to the United States for testing to determine the source, Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey said yesterday.

She said that clean-up, monitoring and investigations into the incident are underway to determine where the oil came from.

On August 8, tar washed ashore at Fortune Beach. Residents and visitors encountered oil on their feet and swimsuits while walking the beach. A pet dog was also burned on its paws.

Some have reported oil residue in Gold Rock Creek and old Freetown Beaches in East End.

Minister Moxey said the government agencies involved include the Department of Environment Planning and Protection, the Department of Environmental Health Services, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Grand Bahama Port Authority Environmental Department. (Tribune242)

Bahamas: ‘Mother’ Pratt, ready to “make a difference” as next Governor General

CYNTHIA “Mother” Pratt said she wants to make a difference and “touch the lives of every Bahamian” as the next governor general.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced yesterday that Mrs Pratt will ascend to the highest office effective September 1.

“I want to do what is right,” she told The Tribune yesterday. “I want to make a difference. That’s the bottom line.”

Mrs Pratt, 77, was the member of Parliament for the St Cecilia constituency for 15 years. She was the first woman to be deputy prime minister.

the governor general sitting over the people like you have a whip in your hand. It’s about inviting the people to join me to help, it’s about the people that you’re leading.”

Since leaving the forefront of politics in 2012, Mrs Pratt said she remained an active churchgoer. She is also a former co-chair of the Urban Renewal Commission.

“As a matter of fact, I hesitated in coming to public life, period, and so right now, I don’t feel anxious about anything,” she said.

More than two dozen people, including a four-month-old baby, have died in an explosion which rocked the small town of San Cristóbal, in the Dominican Republic, on Monday.

The death toll rose from 11 to more than 25 on Wednesday as the search for survivors continued.

It is not yet known what caused the blast in the town’s commercial area.

Smoke from the explosion and the fires it ignited could be seen wafting over the town for many hours afterwards.

President Luis Abinader, who visited the site of the explosion, said on Tuesday that “we are doing all that is humanly possible to locate” the missing.

Dozens of people were injured and many remain in hospital.

Hundreds of firefighters are still

trying to extinguish the flames in four of the nine buildings which caught fire.

The explosion ripped through the town, on the south-western outskirts of the capital Santo Domingo, on Monday afternoon.

Its exact source has not yet been pinpointed. Among the buildings destroyed are a hardware shop, a veterinary clinic and a plastics factory. (BBC)

Her appointment as governor general is likely to be accepted by people across political lines. She will be the third woman governor general in the country’s history.

Yesterday, she said she wants to impact many areas in her new role.

“Overall, I know we do have a number of challenges in our country, but you know there’s nothing that we cannot solve,” she said. “We can do it collectively as a people. I believe it’s a matter of our people having confidence in us that they can come and join us, and we can work as a team, not as

“I’m not worried about anything as I know God would lead me and guide me with prayer. With prayer, I would be able to execute my duties.”

Mr Davis said Sir Cornelius A Smith would officially demit office on August 31.

He said Mrs Pratt had made significant contributions to the nursing, education, politics, sports and religious industry.

“I am confident that the appointment of Cynthia Pratt will be widely accepted as a representation of Bahamians everywhere due to the character and contributions which distinguish her as a nationalist of the highest order,” he said. (Tribune242)

Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey (File photo)

dozens, including a baby

Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt will take the post effective September 1, 2023

Regional News

UN chief says ‘robust use of force’ needed against Haiti’s gangs

A “ROBUST use of force” by a multinational police deployment and use of military assets is needed to restore law and order in Haiti and disarm gangs, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres told the Security Council in a report seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

Haiti last year asked for international help to combat violent gangs that have largely overrun the capital Port-au-Prince. Guterres suggested in October that countries send a “rapid action force” to support Haiti’s police.

The council last month encouraged countries to provide security support and asked Guterres to report within 30 days on a full range of U.N. options, including backing for a non-U.N. multinational force or a possible peacekeeping operation.

Guterres’s report was circulated to the 15-member council on Tuesday and outlined two potential U.N. options: providing logistical support to a multinational force and Haiti’s police and to strengthen a U.N. political mission already in Haiti.

“Haiti’s current context is not conducive to peacekeeping,” Guterres wrote, adding that law and order had to be restored, gangs disarmed, strategic installations

The Police are finding it difficult to defend against the gangs

and roadways secured and a state presence re-established to provide basic services.

“Nothing short of the robust use of force, complemented by a suite of non-kinetic measures, by a capable specialized multinational police force enabled by military assets, coordinated with the national police, would be able to achieve these objectives,” said Guterres, who visited Haiti last month.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 after a

rebellion led to the ouster and exile of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Peacekeeping troops left in 2017 and were replaced by U.N. police, who left in 2019.

Haitians are wary of an armed U.N. presence. The Caribbean country was free of cholera until 2010, when U.N. peacekeepers dumped infected sewage into a river. More than 9,000 people died of the disease, and some 800,000 fell ill.

‘ACT NOW’ SAYS UN CHIEF

Guterres again appealed for countries to “act now” to contribute to the deployment of a non-U.N. multinational force and for the Security Council to support such a move. The United States has already said it is prepared to put forward a draft Security Council resolution to back a deployment.

Countries have been wary of supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity. Haiti has been

without any elected representatives since January.

Kenya said last month it was ready to consider leading an international force and pledged to send 1,000 police officers. Kenyan officials are due to travel to Haiti soon to assess the needs for such a deployment. The Bahamas has since committed 150 people if the United Nations authorizes the force.

Guterres said Jamaica had also renewed its pledge to contribute to a force and he also welcomed announcements made by Antigua and Barbuda to consider contributing. He urged member states, particularly in the Americas, “to continue to build on this new momentum.”

Guterres cited the “extreme violence” of gang attacks. “The capital is encircled by gangs and effectively cut off by road from the northern, southern and eastern parts of the country.”

International security help should include safeguards to prevent abuses, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.

In his report, Guterres said any targeted operations against gangs must also protect people and respect human rights and due process. (Reuters)

NOAA forecasters increase Atlantic hurricane season prediction to ‘above normal’

Scientists at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service — have increased their prediction for the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season from a near-normal level of activity to an above-normal level of activity with its recent update. Forecasters believe that current ocean and atmospheric conditions, such as record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures, are likely to counterbalance the usually limiting atmospheric conditions associated with the ongoing El Nino event.

NOAA forecasters have increased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60% (increased from the outlook issued in May, which predicted a 30% chance). The likelihood of near-normal activity has decreased to 25%, down from the 40% chances outlined in May’s outlook. This new update gives the Atlantic a 15% chance of seeing a below-normal season.

NOAA’s update to the 2023 outlook — which covers the entire six-month hurricane season that ends on Nov. 30 — calls for 14-21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 6-11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74

NOAA forecasts approximately 14-21 named storms, of which 6-11 could become hurricanes

mph or greater). Of those, 2-5 could become major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or greater).

NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. These updated ranges include storms that have already formed this season.

The Atlantic basin experienced an active start to the hurricane season with five storms that have reached at least tropical storm strength, including one hurricane already. An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes,

including three major hurricanes.

“The main climate factors expected to influence the 2023 Atlantic hurricane activity are the ongoing El Nino and the warm phase of the Atlantic MultiDecadal Oscillation, including record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures,” said Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Considering those factors, the updated outlook calls for more activity, so we urge everyone to prepare now for the

continuing season.”

El Nino conditions are currently being observed and there is a greater than 95% chance that El Nino will continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter, according to the latest ENSO discussion from the Climate Prediction Center. El Nino usually results in atmospheric conditions that help to lessen tropical activity during the Atlantic hurricane season. So far, those limiting conditions have been slow to develop and climate scientists are forecasting that the associated impacts that tend to limit tropical cyclone activity may not be in place for much of the remaining hurricane season.

A below-normal wind shear forecast, slightly below-normal Atlantic trade winds and a nearor above-normal West African Monsoon were also key factors in shaping this updated seasonal forecast.

MORE ABOUT HURRICANE SEASON OUTLOOKS

NOAA’s hurricane outlooks are forecasts of overall season activity, not landfalls. A storm’s landfall is usually the result of mesoscale weather patterns and are typically

predictable within roughly one week of a storm approaching a landmass.

“The National Weather Service is dedicated to providing timely and accurate forecasts to empower individuals, families and communities to take proactive measures this hurricane season,” said Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “New tools such as a new hurricane model, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System and the expansion of the National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Weather Outlook to seven days are examples of our commitment to enhancing our forecasting capabilities and services.”

In June, NOAA deployed a new model to help produce hurricane forecasts. The Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System was put into operations on June 27 and will run alongside existing models for the 2023 season before replacing them as NOAA’s premier hurricane forecasting model.

NOAA urges everyone in vulnerable areas to have a wellthought-out hurricane plan and stay informed through official channels as this season progresses. (NOAA.Gov)

World News

Maui: Over 1000 still missing as death toll passes 110

The search for victims isn’t even halfway over, but the devastation wrought by Maui’s wildfires already defies imagination as scrutiny mounts over their cause –and officials’ response.

Over 110 people – including children – were killed in last week’s catastrophe. And the tragedy is expected to intensify, with most of the burn zone still left to search, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said Wednesday.

“No one has ever seen this that is alive today – not this size, not this number, not this volume,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said Wednesday. “And we’re not done.”

The number of residents still unaccounted for is “probably still over 1000,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told CNN on Wednesday.

Crews are expected to keep scouring the charred debris of more than 2000 burnt homes and businesses for days. The task for some is deeply personal, the police chief said.

“Realize that the responders that are going out there are recovering their loved ones and members of their families,” he said.

Meanwhile, though the cause of the fires hasn’t been determined, Hawaiian Electric – the major power company on Maui – is facing scrutiny for not shutting down power lines when high winds created dangerous fire conditions. A company that runs a sensor network on Maui says it detected major utility grid faults hours before fires started.

Hawaiian Electric said publicly in 2019 it would conduct drone surveys to identify areas vulnerable to wildfires and determine how to help keep residents and infrastructure safe.

But between 2019 and 2022, Hawaiian Electric invested less than $245,000 on wildfirespecific projects, citing regulatory

filings, according to The Wall Street Journal. Hawaiian Electric also didn’t seek state approval to raise rates to pay for safety improvements until 2022, and the rate hike has yet to be approved, the Journal reported.

Fires are still raging: “We are spread thin, and we are at multiple locations throughout the island,” Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said. Still, “if something should come, we’re ready for it.”

• Questions over sirens: Hawaii has one of the largest siren warning systems in the world, but the 80 alarms on Maui stayed silent as flames spread. The sirens are primarily used to warn when a tsunami is approaching the area, and if they had sounded, many residents would’ve gone to the mountainside, where the fire was at its worst, Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya told reporters.

• Emergency response will

be reviewed: Hawaii’s attorney general will spearhead a review of official decisions in response to the wildfires, her office has said.

FIREFIGHTERS BATTLED BLAZES AS THEIR OWN HOMES BURNED

When ferocious winds hurled flames across and quickly overwhelmed crews on August 8, some firefighters knew their own homes could burn.

“The people that were trying to put out these fires lived in those homes – 25 of our firefighters lost their homes,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said Wednesday.

Maui firefighter Aina Kohler was on the front lines that day and stuck to her mission to save lives – even as her house burned to the ground, she told CNN affiliate KITV. By the time flames reached her home, she said, firefighters had run out of water.

“That was honestly the most disheartening thing of my life. I

Texas woman arrested after threats to Trump judge Tanya Chutkan

A Texas woman has been charged with threatening to kill a judge who is overseeing a criminal case against former US President Donald Trump.

Abigail Jo Shry, 43, allegedly phoned the court in Washington DC on 5 August and used a racial slur in her message for US District Judge Tanya Chutkan.

Ms Shry also allegedly threatened to kill a Democratic member of Congress.

She admitted making the call

after investigators traced her phone number, according to a court document.

In the call, Ms Shry allegedly told the judge, who is overseeing an election conspiracy case against Mr Trump: “You are in our sights, we want to kill you.”

Prosecutors say Ms Shry added: “If Trump doesn’t get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you.”

The caller also threatened all Democrats in Washington DC and the LGBT community, according

to the court filing.

She allegedly also threatened to kill congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a black Texas Democrat who is running for mayor of Houston. When federal agents visited Ms Shry’s home in the Houston suburb of Alvin three days later she said she had harboured no intention of going to Washington DC to carry out her threats, according to the court filing. But she allegedly added that “if Sheila Jackson Lee comes to Alvin, then we need to worry”.

the next morning, the company’s CEO Bob Marshall told CNN on Wednesday.

“Through the overnight hours, when all the fires ignited, we measured 122 individual faults on the utility grid,” Marshall said.

Video taken at the Maui Bird Conservation Center in Makawao appears to show a power pole faulting just before 11 p.m. on August 7. Soon after, what appears to be flames are seen in the video, first reported by The Washington Post.

The sensor system provided “verification that, indeed, this was very likely caused by a fault on the utility grid,” Marshall said.

The Makawao fire was hours before and miles away from the fire that decimated the historic portions of Lahaina in Western Maui. But sensors detected faults on the grid before that fire, too, Marshall said.

felt the supply, and I’m like: It’s limp. Just leaving a house to burn because we don’t have enough water is like something I’ve never experienced before,” she said.

Two of Kohler’s fellow firefighters also lost their homes while battling the fires, she said.

“They watched their homes burn as they fought the fire for other homes in their neighborhood,” she explained. “That hit really hard.”

“It’s not just firefighters that were out there risking their lives to help people,” said her husband Jonny Varona, who’s also a firefighter. “It was the community. Everybody down there understood what was happening. You couldn’t just let people die without trying to help them.”

ROLE OF POWER LINES SCRUTINISED

A sensor network run by Whisker Labs detected an “increasingly stressed utility grid” on Maui, beginning late August 7 and into

A class-action lawsuit filed over the weekend alleges the wildfires were caused by Hawaiian Electric’s energized power lines that were knocked down by strong winds.

The company and its subsidiaries “chose not to deenergize their power lines after they knew some poles and lines had fallen and were in contact with the vegetation or the ground,” the suit alleges.

Precautionary shutoffs have to be arranged with first responders, Hawaiian Electric Vice President Jim Kelly told CNN on Sunday in an email, adding the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

“Electricity powers the pumps that provide the water needed for firefighting,” Kelly said.

Hawaiian Electric is also eager to find answers, a company spokesperson said.

“We know there is speculation about what started the fires,” spokesperson Darren Pai told The Washington Post. “And we, along with others, are working hard to figure out what happened.” (CNN)

Over 110 people – including children – were killed in last week’s catastrophe

Judge Tanya Chutkan

World News

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman invited to visit UK

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been invited to visit the UK, the Saudi Arabian embassy has told the BBC.

No 10 said it would confirm the prime minister’s engagements in the usual way, with nothing in the diary yet.

A spokesperson said the prime minister looked forward to meeting the crown prince “at the earliest opportunity”.

It would be the crown prince’s first UK visit since the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

The invitation was first reported by the Financial Times and the Times newspapers.

The murder of Mr Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Arabia’s government, was condemned by the West at the time.

UK ministers said it involved “appalling brutality” and later sanctioned 20 Saudi nationals involved in the killing.

US intelligence agencies concluded that the prince must have authorised the killing, despite him denying any involvement.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to the crown prince earlier, with the leaders discussing their commitment to developing the trade and investment relationship between the two countries, as well as to strengthening cooperation on defence and security.

The BBC has been told the Saudis were already making plans for a visit at least a month ago.

The visit is likely to be in October, although there is no date in the diary so far.

Canada

One of the largest cities in Canada’s far north is being evacuated amid warnings that a wildfire could reach it by the weekend.

The 20,000 residents of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, have been given until noon Friday (18:00 GMT) to leave.

As of late Wednesday, the fire was within 16km (10 miles) of the city.

Another fire is threatening the community of Hay River.

One evacuee told the CBC her car began melting as she and her family drove through embers while fleeing the town.

The Northwest Territories declared a state of emergency late on Tuesday as it battles nearly 240 wildfires.

The invitation was criticised by the Liberal Democrats, who said it sent a signal that the crown prince “can continue acting with impunity and we and our allies will do nothing about it”.

The party’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran said: “It beggars belief that Rishi Sunak is rolling out the carpet for Mohammed bin Salman.

“This man - who authorised the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi and presides over a dismal human rights record - should not be receiving a warm welcome from the UK government.”

Campaign group Amnesty International called for a new approach on relations with the kingdom “which involves a far more principled stance on Saudi Arabia’s appalling human rights record”.

Polly Truscott, Amnesty International UK’s foreign policy

adviser, said: “There must be no question of the UK rolling out the red carpet for Mohammed bin Salman or of the Saudi ruler being able to use this visit to rehabilitate himself on the world stage.”

However, Labour said the UK also had to have a “dialogue” with Saudi Arabia.

The party’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “It’s important as part of that visit that the prime minister speaks to him about human rights.”

She added: “Part of our role internationally is to challenge other nations… and to try and influence in that way. If you don’t then you don’t have any influence whatsoever.”

UK ministers have indicated a desire for closer ties with the kingdom in recent months. The nation has opened an office in London for its trillion pound investment fund to diversity its economy away from oil.

Saudi Arabia has also spent billions of pounds through its Public Investment Fund on international sports deals, including a takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United and the negotiation of a dominant stake in professional golf.

Critics have described this as an attempt to “sportswash” - or distract from - the country’s human rights record.

Earlier this year, when he was business secretary, Grant Shapps held talks with Saudi Arabia over collaborating more in sectors like space, tech, and critical minerals.

The government has also been exploring support for a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which Saudi Arabia is a key member.

While they have not been involved in the crown prince’s invitation, a Department for Business and Trade source said

securing a trade deal with the GCC was a “priority” for Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

The GCC is headquartered in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, where Ms Badenoch visited earlier this summer.

The source added a deal would provide “enormous opportunities to bring investment into the UK” but said talks were separate to those about a visit by the prince.

They said the government view was that “when it comes to trade deals and relationships you are in a stronger position to talk about what they are doing if working with them not lecturing from the outside”.

Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson met the crown prince in Riyadh last year, as part of talks with Gulf leaders about ending reliance on Russian oil and gas.

However, he turned down an invite to the Queen’s funeral in September, with another senior Saudi royal attending in his place.

He last visited the UK in March 2018, when Theresa May was prime minister, six months before the murder of Mr Khashoggi. During the visit he had lunch with the Queen and dinner with the then-Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge.

The prince, who is the de facto ruler of the world’s leading oil exporter, won plaudits from Western leaders for overseeing some reforms in the conservative Gulf kingdom, including lifting the ban on women driving.

However, his international reputation was severely damaged by the killing of Mr Khashoggi. (BBC)

Shane Thompson, the region’s environment minister, told a press conference on Wednesday that the fires had “taken another turn for the worse” and now represented a “real threat” to Yellowknife.

“I want to stress that the city is not in immediate danger,” he said. “[But] without rain, it is possible [the fire] will reach the city outskirts by the weekend.”

“You put yourself and others at risk if you choose to stay.”

The Premier of the Northwest Territories described the Yellowknife evacuation as “unprecedented”.

“I know we are all tired of the word but there’s no other way to describe the situation in the Northwest Territories,” Caroline Cochrane said on Wednesday.

Some

with her baby to nearby Edmonton, told the CBC.

Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson pleaded with anyone remaining in the town to leave immediately.

The fire moved 30km in a few hours because of strong winds

earlier this week, closing the only two highways out of the town. Then it stalled about 10km away from the town.

The road out of Hay River is “treacherous”, the mayor said, and food and petrol supplies are getting low inside.

The crown prince met the Queen during a visit to the UK six months before the murder of Jamal Khashoggi

Cars on Highway 3 out of Yellowknife were bumper to bumper on Wednesday as people scrambled to evacuate

wildfire: Race to evacuate city as blaze approaches

residents of Yellowknife had already began leaving earlier on Wednesday after parts of the city were put on evacuation alert. “Watching the flights sell out and the prices go up I just kind of got to a point where we should leave,” Ashley Maclellan, who fled

TCI’s hosting of SOTIC is a significant opportunity for new DMMO

– Tourism minister on October conference

The Turks and Caicos Islands is gearing up to host yet another major regional conference this October – the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) flagship event the ‘State of the Industry Conference’ (SOTIC).

Notably, this will be the first major event hosted under the TCI’s newly constructed destination management

CONTINUED  27

TCI public service mourns the tragic loss of port health officer

A tragic accident on Leeward Highway which claimed the life of a promising member of the port health unit within the Environmental Health Department, Mr Romello Cadron Delancy has plunged family, friends and coworkers into mourning.

Delancy met his untimely demise on Friday, August 11, 2023, in a serious motor vehicle accident, which occurred on the eastbound lane of Leeward Highway, around 5:41 pm.

Although the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force initially reported on the accident, no update has been issued on whether an investigation has been launched into the incident up to press time.

Below is a statement from the TCI Public Service regarding his passing:

It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that the Office of the Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service announces the sudden and tragic passing of a bright and promising member of our Port Health Unit within the Environmental Health Department, Mr. Romello Cadron Delancy. His untimely departure on August 11th 2023 has left us all in a state of shock and disbelief.

Romello joined our Port Health Unit in July 2021 with a zest for learning and a determination to

make a meaningful impact. In the short time he spent with us, he managed to forge deep connections with colleagues and supervisors alike.

His infectious enthusiasm touched the lives of all who had the privilege of working alongside him. His dedication to his work was evident in his unwavering commitment to excellence.

Romello consistently demonstrated the remarkable ability to tackle challenges head-on, approaching each task with a fresh perspective and a tenacious spirit. His innovative ideas and creative solutions enriched his department and fostered an environment of growth and collaboration.

Beyond his professional achievements, Romello was a source of positivity and camaraderie. His smile, genuine kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand brightened days and made the workplace feel like a second home.

His ability to connect with others, regardless of their position or experience, made him a beloved friend to many.

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, HE Anya Williams in expressing her condolences stated:

“It is with deep sadness that we extend our condolences to the family of the late Romello Cadron

Delancy.

Romello was a dedicated public servant to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, in particular the Environmental Health Department. He was known for his warm personality and the efforts he contributed to his team during their daily duties at the Providenciales

International Airport.

My office also extends condolences to Romello’s direct colleagues (the Environmental Port Health family), close friends, and business partners. The outpouring of love and sadness experienced over the weekend speaks to the intentional life he lived and the

government is forever grateful for the part Romello played in building a better Turk and Caicos Islands. While his time with us was tragically cut short, Romello's impact will forever resonate within hearts of the many he touched. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Mr Romello Cadron Delancy (deceased)

Minister of Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly

Neil Walters, CTO’s Acting Secretary General

TCI’s hosting of SOTIC ...

organisation and will mark the return of the conference after a five-year hiatus.

Commenting on the momentous opportunity this week, Minister of Tourism

Hon. Josephine Connolly stated: “The selection of Turks and Caicos Islands reflects our dedication to hospitality and excellence.

“As the first major event being held under our new Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMMO), the State of the Industry Conference is a significant opportunity for us to collectively shape the narrative of our region’s growth in a post-COVID environment.”

Connolly, who is also the Vice Chair of the group of British Overseas countries and territories within the CTO, said she looks forward to showcasing the beauty of the TCI and the territory’s dedication to sustainable tourism development.

She underscored the potent impact of coordinated action and regional collaboration that conveys a strong message of unity to stakeholders within and beyond the region’s borders.

CTO reported this week that preparations are already well underway for the muchanticipated event, set to take place at The Shore Club from October 9 to 13.

Neil Walters, CTO’s acting Secretary General, anticipates a plethora of meaningful discussions and industry networking to unfold in TCI.

He noted: “SOTIC has traditionally been the CTO’s flagship event held in the Caribbean, and with its return this year under the leadership of our newly appointed Secretary General Dona Regis-Prosper, we are confident the forum will set the stage for sharpening our industry’s collective vision to become even stronger and more effective in positioning the Caribbean as the world’s leading destination for leisure as well as business travel.”

CTO’s business meetings and destination media briefings will precede the official conference program, which features panel discussions spanning themes from tourism investment and financing to aviation competitiveness and the burgeoning film industry.

CTO’s popular Caribbean Youth Congress will also be making its return this year.

COOK

IMMEDIATE OPENING

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Prepare all food items according to recipe cards and correct handling procedures.

• Maintain highest quality and appearance of all foods sent from kitchen and make sure plates are clean and appetizing.

• Maintain orderly and clean refrigerators and work areas.

• Rotate all foods and correctly fill out production charts.

• Prepares sauces, soups and hot entrees in accordance with menu

• Sets up for meals by ensuring proper amounts are in place for forecasted covers, special functions and any reservations

• Organizes and maintains work areas, coolers and storage areas

• Requisitions food with necessary approvals according to policy

• Takes proper care of ranges, ovens, broilers, fryers, griddles, utensils and other equipment

• Follows proper safety, hygiene and sanitation practices in the designated kitchen areas daily

KEY SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with, and comfortable preparing a variety of different cuisines in a fine dining environment

• Understand the importance of consistency

• Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety

• Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts and stand for long periods at a time

• 2 years’ experience in this role

Starting salary $7.00 per hour not including service charge.

EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Oversee and coordinate all housekeeping operations including planning, execution and communication

• Lead Housekeeping team to ensure success of housekeeping operations by performing work details alongside the frontline staff; participating in recruitment and training; developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure achievement of department goals; ensuring team members follow established safety regulations

• Act as liaison between Housekeeping and other departments

• Manage, monitor and develop use of facility management software, Opera, & Alice ADP; forward requests to applicable departments; follow-up and ensure completion of projects; run activity and project reports

• Maintain adequate equipment and supply inventory to provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment

• Work closely with The Executive Housekeeper by providing administrative and operational support including but not limited to compiling operational information and recaps; reviewing daily Housekeeping Reports in Opera, Glitch; and updating SOPs

• Act as Manager on duty for special events

• Act has relief Supervisor when necessary

• Perform other related duties, as

• Manage Housekeeping Supervisors, Coordinators and team members

KEY SKILLS AND REQUIREMENT:

• Guest satisfaction and loyalty

• Reliability (Attendance & Timeliness)

• Completion of work assignments

• In depth knowledge of housekeeping services

• A solid understanding of effective cleaning methods, equipment, chemical use, and manual handling techniques

Starting salary $57,000 per annum not including service charge.

Our Hartling Core Values for Success include but are not limited to:

ACCOUNTABILITY: Being responsible for every action by acknowledging and understanding expectations.

LEADERSHIP: Showing initiative and being empowered to motivate, guide, and develop others by using expertise to execute actions while fostering mutual trust and a positive work-life balance.

INTEGRITY: Being honest, dependable, and doing what is right even when no one is watching.

SAFETY: Maintaining an environment where risks to health and safety are minimized for employees and guests.

TEAM: Valuing all team members by helping selflessly towards achieving ultimate efficiency and guest satisfaction.

EFFICIENCY: Accomplishing a task competently with a minimum expenditure of time effort and resources.

RESPECT: Showing consideration for self, guests, and each other while embracing diverse cultures, communities, and points of view.

Our Key Heart Beat Principles include but are not limited to:

WARM INTERACTIONS

We provide Warm Interactions through Acknowledgement, Courteous Engagement, and our standards of Personal Appearances

MAGICAL MOMENTS

We create Magical Moments by Creating the Wow, Building Connections, and through our Service Recovery.

SEAMLESS

PROCESSES

We ensure Seamless processes are created by managing a Sense of Urgency, providing Accurate Information, and superb Telephone Etiquette.

IMPECCABLE FACILITIES

We ensure our Facilities are Impeccable by Cleaning as We Go, Reporting Deficiencies, and adhering to the Mona Lisa Rule, which ensures everything is as it should be.

Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume Attention to Joanna Martinez, Human Resources Assistant Manager at careers@theshoreclubtc.com

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00

CONTACT: 348-9414

BELONGERS ARE

Cleaning outside the property, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 343-0035

Stocking

Assists in keeping a restaurant clean and sanitary, assists in cleaning dishes, and tends to customers' needs.

CONTACT: 241-4881

2 CLEANERS

Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 343-8991

DOMESTIC WORKER

Landscaping, cutting and trimming of trees and decorating.

CONTACT: 649-343-1420

TILE LAYER

BABYSITTER

Setting up workstations. Preparing ingredients, chopping and peeling vegetables, cutting meat etc. Cooking food in various utensils or grillers.

Hourly

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary. Salary: $8.00 hourly

D’BOY BARBER SHOP

COSMETOLOGIST

Shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. Makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal, nail and skin care. $8.00 hourly

2 BARBERS

Cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair, trimming beards, etc.

$8.00 hourly

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $8.00 hourly

DERRICK AND SONS CONTRACTING

SPRAYER/PAINTER

Apply paints, stains, and coatings to interior and exterior walls, new buildings, homes, offices and other structural surfaces. $9.00 Hourly

LABOURER

Cleaning property, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $9.00 Hourly

DESROULEAUX MASSILLON

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 442-7240

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 231-7791

CONTACT: 649-347-7980 38067

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 247-7591

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

CONTACT: 649-333-1199

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

38123

HOUSEKEEPING

Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing.

Ensuring all rooms inspected according to standards.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-342-7954

CONTACT: 342-8847

CONTACT: 649-342-9006

CONTACT: 242-5161

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

38052

DOMESTIC WORKER

Help to take care of 2 small children and perform all general housekeeping chores which include laundry and ironing.

CONTACT: 431-0565

THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

CHEF DE PARTIE

The Chef de Partie is responsible for running a specific section of the kitchen. The chef manages a small team of cooks, which are responsible for keeping organized so that meals go out on time and the work area remains clean and orderly.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 to 5 years’ culinary experience in a five-star hotel/resort

• Knowledgeable in international cuisine such as Japanese and other Asian dishes

• HACCP knowledge, self-motivated and passion for hospitality and cooking

• Excellent palate and attention to detail

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To work and lead the kitchen team

• Execute cooking to the expected high standard quickly and efficiently

• To maintain the required level of hygiene standards/HACCP as laid down both legally and by the standards manual

• To be responsible for the day to day training of the team

Salary range: USD20,000 to USD30,000 per annum based on experience and qualification plus shared tips, service charge, additional allowances and benefits. Position currently held by a work permit holder

HOUSEKEEPING/ TURNDOWN ATTENDANT / HOUSEMAN/ATTENDANTS

Clean, stock, and provide turndown service for guest rooms to ensure cleanliness and guest satisfaction while caring enough to do it well by adhering to the Resort Commitments.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide turndown service by partially removing and storing bedspread, replenishing amenities, linens, and supplies and filling ice bucket as requested by guest

• Sign for room keys and restock cart

• Visually inspect room for cleanliness and appearance of room

• Strip and make beds, change linens and dust all furniture thoroughly

• Replenish amenities, linens, and supplies in guest room

• Vacuum entire room and empty trash

• All lost and found articles must be turned in to supervisor or the Director of Housekeeping

• Clocking in and out accurately is required as per company policies

• Respond in a timely manner to guest requests for items and/or other information

JOB KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Ability to work conscientiously, meets deadlines, follows instruction and directions, with minimal supervision and detailed oriented

• Ability to stand, sit, kneel constantly to handle specific details or demands of quality and speedy guest services

• Ability to work with cleaning agents by extending arms over head, bending and stooping

• Ability and desire to handle the heat as the layout of the resort’s rooms dictate

• Ability to push, lift and/or pull equipment up to or more than 100 lbs

• Ability to scrub and scour surfaces, extend arms over head to perform cleaning tasks, and work in confined spaces

• Additional language abilities preferred

Salary range: USD16,000 to USD17,000 per annum, plus service charge.

ONLY

LINE COOK

We are looking for a professional line cook to prepare food to the chef’s exact specifications and to set up menu stations. The successful candidate will play a key role in contributing to our customer satisfaction and acquisition goals.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven cooking experience in a five start resort restaurant

• Excellent understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and procedures

• Accuracy and speed in executing assigned tasks

• Familiar with industry’s best practices

• Culinary school diploma

Salary: USD21,600 per annum plus shared tips and service charge.

HVAC TECHNICIAN

We are looking to hire a detail-oriented HVAC technician to install, maintain and repair HVAC systems. The HVAC technician will be skilled in cleaning, adjusting, diagnosing and repairing systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Installing, maintaining and repairing ventilation and air conditioning systems and equipment

• Identifying maintenance risks on equipment

• Diagnosing electrical and mechanical faults for HVAC systems

• Cleaning, adjusting and repairing systems, and performing warranty services.

• Performing emergency repairs promptly and efficiently

• Providing technical direction and on-the-job training

• Keeping daily logs and records of all maintenance functions

• Ensuring compliance with appliance standards and with Occupational Health and Safety Act

• Complying with service standards, work instructions and customers’ requirements

• Assisting with customers’ queries

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma

• 1+ year experience as an HVAC technician, and willingness to continue education in HVAC field

• Understanding of advanced principles of air conditioning, refrigeration and heating.

• Working knowledge of boiler systems /proficient in balancing air and water treatment systems in line with HVAC protocols

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills

• Proficient in reading schematics and work plans

• Ability to work after hours, over weekends and on public holidays with short or no notice.

• Ability to work in confined spaces

Salary range: USD36,000 to USD40,000 per annum based on experience and qualification plus shared service charge, additional allowances and benefits. Position currently held by a work permit holder

OTHER POSITIONS

• Houseman

• F&B Server

• Runner

• Turndown Attendant

• Painter

Wages range from $8.00 to $10.00 per hour and based on experience and qualification. Benefits includes Life insurance, cash prize ambassador awards and service charge.

Come and join Santral Management winning team With great benefits such as Life Insurance, Highest paid service charge, Great Employee incentives and Training & Development

CANDIDATES MEETING ABOVE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED. Candidates should apply to Santral Management, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales by scanning the QR code above for consideration or leave a copy of their CV’s and a valid police clearance at the security building for the attention of The Human Resources Department. Prospective applicants who are Turks & Caicos Islanders kindly send copies of your application to the board or the Employment Services Department. Application deadline: August 31, 2023

It’s not just a Barbie world but a Barbie record, now that Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” has overtaken “The Dark Knight” as Warner Bros. highest-grossing domestic film.

The news comes just after the pink-as-can-be Margot Robbie vehicle surpassed $537.5m at the US box office, less than a month after hitting theatres July 21, Variety reports.

The Oscar-winning Batman flick, released on the same weekend in July 2008, raked in $536 million in domestic box office receipts.

This isn’t the first record “Barbie” has achieved since its highly anticipated release.

“Barbie” surpassed 2019’s “Captain Marvel” ($153m) by a mile as the biggest-ever debut for a female-directed film, according to the outlet.

Spears and husband Asghari separated, headed for divorce: report

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari have separated and are heading for divorce, according to a new report.

life for 13 years, then defended her in the face of several postconservatorship tabloid reports.

The meta Mattel comedy also boasts the best box office previews of 2023.

The film, which also stars Ryan Gosling, crossed the $1 billion threshold in global ticket sales earlier this month, in turn surpassing the previous record for films helmed by female directors.

Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman,” also from Warner Bros., grossed $821m.

The separation stems from a vicious fight in which Asghari accused Spears of cheating on him, TMZ reports. It was allegedly the latest event in a relationship that had become toxic.

“It’s only a matter of time before Sam files for divorce,” a source told TMZ.

Asghari, 29, has stuck by Spears, 41, through a turbulent seven years since they met in 2016. He fought alongside her to end the conservatorship that controlled her

“I’ve always respected and supported her privacy with everything I’ve had,” he wrote on Instagram in December 2022. “I ask of you supportive and protective fans to do the same.” TMZ previously reported in May that Asghari and Spears’ relationship was in “deep trouble,” citing multiple sources. The outlet said Spears became physical with Asghari in multiple fights, and Asghari responded by moving out of their house.

Former UK policemen charged for racist texts about Meghan Markle, Prince Harry

Six ex-UK policemen are facing charges for racist texts they allegedly sent about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, according to officials.

The messages in question were sent in a closed WhatsApp group between August 2018 and September 2022, the Metropolitan Police Service said in a news release.

Those accused — aged 62 to 67 — had all retired from the Metropolitan Police between 2001 and 2015 and “were not serving at any point during their participation in the group.”

Peter

Michael Chadwell, and Trevor Lewton are each charged with at least one count of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages, per authorities

“They served in various parts of the Met throughout their careers but all spent time in the Diplomatic Protection Group, now known as the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command,” said the MPS.

The force noted it initiated the probe in the wake of an October 2022 BBC Newsnight investigation, which said it was “passed dozens of messages shared within the chat by a member of the group.”

Booth, Robert Lewis, Anthony Elsom, Alan Hall,

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari met while she was filming the music video for her 2016 song “Slumber Party”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Barbie surpassed $537.5m at the US box office, less than a month after hitting theatres on July 21

‘Barbie’ overtakes ‘The Dark Knight’ as WB’s highest-grossing domestic release

Scottish film-makers to bring horror studio back from the grave

An independent Scottish production company is hoping to revive one of the most famous names in horror from the heyday of the British film industry.

Fife-based Hex Studios, which specialises in low budget horror and fantasy films, is bringing back the name Amicus for their latest production.

Amicus was once one of the UK’s leading horror studios, enjoying a long rivalry with Hammer Film Productions in the 1960s and 1970s before going out of business.

The new film In The Grip of Terror will be partly funded by the public and is due to begin production in September.

The plan to bring back the defunct studio name is the brainchild of Hex Studio’s owners Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly, who have made 11 films over the past decade from their headquarters in Kirkcaldy.

The proposed new film will be part funded by the public

CROWD FUNDING

They specialise in producing and distributing horror and fantasy films with budgets of between $300,000 to $450,000 (£235,000 to £354,000). Previous films include The Owlman, For We Are Many, and The Unkindness of Ravens. The company part finances its films through the crowd funding

website Kickstarter, which allows backers to pre-order the film on DVD or Blu-Ray. Higher value donations can lead to a credit on the final film, a set visit, or even a walk-on part.

Mr Brewster has been working on the deal with the owners of the Amicus brand for two years and is excited by the chance to bring the

name back.

“Our aim is to re-establish Amicus Productions as a beacon of independent British horror. We’re concocting a film that captures the essence and panache that rendered the studio iconic. By emphasizing atmospheric storytelling, tangible effects, and a genuine respect for the genre, our vision is to teleport audiences back to British horror’s golden epoch,” he said.

Amicus Productions was set up in London by American producers Milton Subotsky and Max J Rosenberg in 1962 and became a major player in the UK film industry. It is best remembered for a series of seven “portmanteau” films starting with Dr Terror’s House of Horrors in 1965.

These featured four or five short horror stories linked by a connecting story in which a group of people share their tales of the supernatural. Some of the biggest horror names of the day, including Peter Cushing and Christopher

Lee, were regular stars.

The studio, which operated on strict budgets and short production schedules, produced several films a year including big screen versions of Dr Who and dinosaur adventures such as The Land That Time Forgot. Changing tastes and the decline of the British film industry led to its closure in 1977.

Milton Subotsky retained the rights to the name Amicus and these were passed on to his family after his death in 1991.

Hex Studios started speaking to the Subotsky family two years ago. The proposed new film’s title and stories came from the late producer’s archives. They were suggested by his son Sergei and widow Fiona.

Sergei Subotsky said: “The Amicus name has been kept in my name since it was bequeathed to us by my late father Milton Subotsky, so I am greatly looking forward to its reincarnation”. (BBC)

PNP founder Arimilda Delancy Simons, 105, laid to rest – “A

life well lived”

BY DELANA ISLES

The oldest surviving founding member of the Progressive National Party (PNP), Mrs. Arimilda Delancy Simons was last week laid to rest at the age of 105.

Last Friday (August 11) was a day that will live in the annals of history as the PNP party came out in droves to honour and pay last respects to Mrs. Delancy Simons who laid in repose at the headquarters of the Progressive National Party along Airport Road in Providenciales.

“It was an early afternoon of solemn songs, laughter, reflection and a walk back on the historic life of this phenomenal woman, who was dedicated to her party and country,” shared the Honourable Samuel E. Been, Elected Member for Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill (ED 7).

Preceding Friday’s ‘Lying in State’ at Progress House, a memorial service was held on Thursday at the Church of God of Prophecy in Lower Bight Road at 7pm; and on Saturday a funeral service was conducted at the Abundant Life Ministries, Leeward Highway.

Mrs Delancy Simons made many notable contributions to the party she helped found along with thirteen other members in 1976, prominent among them is her establishment of the PNP’s Providenciales Women Group in 1980.

“She was a great person, a great soldier and a stalwart of this party,” PNP Chairman, Calvin Green said while paying his respects at last Friday’s ceremony.

President of the PNP’s Women’s Group, Vallie Musgrove paid tribute to her predecessor.

“Today I pay tribute to Mrs Arimilda Delancy Simons, a cherished mother, grandmother, mentor and friend. It is saddening to lose such a kind, generous and insightful person, to see someone who consistently worked for the betterment of women, children and girls pass away.

“Throughout her life, she supported her party and country every step of the way. Despite admiring her longevity and blessing of living to be over 100 years old, we should take a moment to reflect on the changes she witnessed during her lifetime.

“We can only imagine her challenges while supporting the PNP and working tirelessly for the party back then. She devoted countless hours, nights and days quietly and consistently campaigning in communities and constituencies across these Islands for the party.

“Today, the party stands on her shoulders. Our departed sister’s life should inspire us to strive towards social, economic and political empowerment for Turks and Caicos Islanders in any way we can.

“Her life was a beacon of hope, leaving us to pick up her course and continue making fundamental changes for women and girls.

“She was a devoted and loyal supporter of our party, and we offer our deepest sympathy to her family.”

Another tribute was delivered by Deputy Premier, Honourable Erwin Jay Saunders, who shared condolences on behalf of his father Hon. Norman B. Saunders, who is the first party leader, a former Chief Minister and another founding member of the PNP.

The elder Saunders in sharing his recollections of his late colleague and friend wrote: “I CONTINUED 

Mrs Arimilda Delancy Simons: Sunrise November 23, 1917 – Sunset July 3, 2023 (PNP photo)

Hon Royal Robinson joined other members of the party at Progress House for the homegoing service for the late party stalwart (Sammy Been photo)

remember Mrs. Arimilda Pratt Delancy with fondness and love. I recall her being present at all of our street meetings. Her actions at our meetings were those of a woman who loved the party and got a special joy in just being there.

“I believe she was present at all our rallies no matter where they were held. I believe she had a special love for me, I could see the delight in her eyes when she saw me, and she would hug and kiss me and tell me how happy she was to see me and to be at our meetings.

“I understand that she did a lot of things in order to raise money for the party. She understood more than most the need for the party to have funds to carry out its mission.

“Her age did not affect her enthusiasm for the body, when most people would have stayed at home complaining she made sure she was around to show her support.

“There was something else about Mrs Arimilda, she stood out in the crowd because of her beauty and that captivating smile she always wore, and she knew how to dress.”

Saunders Snr shared that in his years as leader of the PNP, he saw several people like Mrs. Delancy Simons from across the TCI, but she exceeded them all.

“We thank God for her life which was long and productive, she brought happiness to many especially her family. Her willingness to extend a helping hand to those in need will never be forgotten,” Saunders stated.

Other tributes were brought by Karen Delancy on behalf of the family, Arabella Rosalinda Smith and Premier, Hon Charles Washington Misick.

The premier, who also shared condolences during Thursday evening’s memorial service, shared on Friday that in addition to Mrs Delancy Simons contribution to her party, it is equally important to

remember her for the contributions she made to the church and the life she lived.

This remembrance he said, was stark in the tributes given in her honour, with many people expressing confidence that she was in the arms of her Lord.

“I am certain Arimilda would have laughed often and much over her lifetime, laughter with her family and friends and fellow supporters of this great party.

“But in life, we know not everything is a laughing matter, Arimilda would have wanted more for her country including economic, social and political advancement and she saw that in the PNO,” the Premier shared in a brief tribute.

He recalled what the landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands was in 1976 – much different than what exists today – noting

that Mrs Delancy Simons would have seen all of the advancements the territory has made since then, especially under the PNP umbrella.

The premier added: “The unwavering loyalty of her family to her party demonstrated by their decision to hold a viewing of her remains at PNP Headquarters even during such a summertime is

truly admirable and it serves as a reminder that staying committed and devoted until the very end is a remarkable quality to possess.”

“Every patriot should aspire to emulate her sharp intellect, her benevolent spirit, steadfast loyalty to her friends and unwavering dedication to advancing the TCI,” Misick said.

On December 4, 2021, the PNP honoured Mrs Arimilda Delancy Simons as a Founding Member of the Party. She was at the time the oldest surviving member of the team who served the party with distinction and made great sacrifices on behalf of the people of the Bight and the territory.

PNP elected members Hon Samuel Been and Hon Kyle Knowles sign the book of condolences (Sammy Been photo)

note that all submissions are subject to editing in keeping with defamation laws and newspaper style. Letters should be accompanied by the author’s full name, location and phone number. Names will be withheld if requested.

We welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics

PROVO

HOUSEKEEPER

Cleaning of business and residential premises, washing, ironing, and making sure premises are clean to a high standard.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

RO'S DECOR PLUS

BABYSITTER

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and etc.

LABOURER

CONTACT: 649-244-2327

DRESSMAKER

To assist in sewing and textiles to design, make and repair dresses and men’s clothing and other articles of clothing.

Salary: $10.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-342-7954

IS URGENTLY LOOKING FOR A

FLORIST

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.

CONTACT: 231-3788

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames.

Salary: $8.00

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 341-3070

TWO (2) PLANT WORKERS

Must have some knowledge of cleaning Marine products. May be required to work after normal hours.

CONTACT: 342-4088

BABYSITTER

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and etc.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-3551

TECHNICIAN

Install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain production and facility equipment according to safety, predictive and productive maintenance systems.

Salary: $10 hourly

CONTACT: 342-2511

REGULATION

An Application, REGISTERED PR 16960, by RUTH GARDINER-FORBES AND KENO FORBES for OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION for THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX: TWO (2) TWO STOREY BUILDINGS CONTAINING FOUR (4) STUDIO UNITS, EIGHT (8) ONEBEDROOM UNITS, SIX (6) TWO-BEDROOM UNITS, GAZEBO, SWIMMING POOL AND DECK AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES. This application has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Outline Development Permission on Block & Parcel 60810/158, which is 0.90 acres of land located at Pond View Drive, The Bight, Providenciales. The proposed development is inconsistent with a plan which has been approved.

Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty-eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. You may also make representation(s) via in person or video conferencing at the sitting of the Physical Planning Board when this application would be considered. If you are desirous so to do via video conferencing or in person, contact the Secretary of Physical Planning Board. Dated: July 31st, 2023

GLASS CUTTER

Cleaning the church property with sweeper, pick up yard

Various skills. Have a diploma from a different country.

LABOURER

PLUMBER

Installs pipes and fixtures, installs supports for pipes, equipment, etc.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

BOARD RENEWAL

DOMESTIC WORKER

ASSISTANT IT TECHNICIAN

General IT duties, attend service calls, structured cabling, installation of software, diagnosis of systems.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-232-3544

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing. Ensuring all rooms inspected according to standards.

CONTACT: 244-3450

KITCHEN HELPER

Preparing the workstation for the cook. Keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy at all times.

Salary: 350.00 Weekly

CONTACT: 347-0491

BELONGERS ARE TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

LABOURER

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 341-4128

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

CARETAKER

Help the patient get dressed, eat, bathe and complete light housekeeping duties, such as dishes or folding laundry. Plan, prepare and monitor meals. Run errands, remind patients of medications.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment,

CONTACT: (649) 341-4248

CONTACT: 341-1555 38256

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

CARPENTER

Follow

CONTACT: 231-6432

Setting up workstations with all needed ingredients and cooking equipment. Preparing ingredients to use in cooking chopping and peeling vegetables, cutting meat etc. Cooking food in various utensils or grillers. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

Help the patient get dressed, eat, bathe and complete light housekeeping duties, such as dishes or folding laundry. Plan, prepare and monitor meals. Run errands, remind patients of medications. Salary: $8.50 Hourly

SAMUEL

FORBES

#6 Grapeseed Ave., Leeward Palms Is seeking to employ a

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, heating, and air conditioning system.

Salary: $9.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 343-2348

TURQUOISE VACATION RENTALS

TURTLE CLOSE VILLA

Greet guests at entrance, assist in the planning of events and dinner parties, oversee table settings, and serve drinks and food

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 431-5723

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

CONTACT: 649-333-0617

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-0726

Fixing,

CONTACT: 342-5450

ONE POOL MECHANIC ONE CARPENTER

CONTACT:

ADAM TWIGG

Live-in Butler

We are looking for an honest, hardworking, self-motivated individual with keen organizational and communication skills to join our team. The butler must be knowledgeable about services offered and serve as an attentive liaison between guest and staff. Please note this position requires the applicant to be on call 24/7.

BUTLER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspect villa before and after guest arrival

• Greet guest upon arrival, unpacking and packing guest suitcases/bags

• Anticipate and meet guest needs

• See Guest off upon departure

• Unpacking and packing guest clothing

• Ironing clothing and pressing linen

• Serve meal & prepare cocktail and other beverages

• Run errands (must have valid driver’s license)

• Must assist with cleaning rooms and assist with the upkeep of the villa

• Assist with replenishing inventory, including cleaning supplies, dishware, etc.

BUTLER REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification in Safety Management or Food Safety

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working as a butler at a luxury villa/resort

• Must have a sunny disposition and must maintain a positive attitude

• Ability to adapt to fast paced-paced environment

Please note that renumeration for this position starts at $1500.00 based on qualifications and experience.

INTERESTED PERSONS ARE ASKED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO HR@ THESOURCE.TC AND SEND A COPY TO THE EMPLOYMENT/LABOUR DEPARTMENT

EASYWAY EMPLOYEMENT SERVICES

BABYSITTER

CLARA LIGHTBOURNE

Millennium Highway 333-1236

$8.00 hourly

Assist with ongoing construction on the property and maintain apartments

LABOURER HAIRDRESSER

COMPLE BEAUTY SALON

Blue Hills Road 345-8505

$8.00 hourly

Braiding men and women hair, styling all type of hair, braids children hair.

SALES CLERK

FISH & THING

Dock Yard 344-3858

Unloading container, assist with transporting goods, assist customers in out of the store with merchandise.

CORDERO MISSICK

Blue Hills 342-7027

$8.00 hourly

Caring for our one year 1 year old son, monitor, feed him, bath & dress him & cleaning the house, make beds, cook, wash, iron.

LABOURER

JACKLYN B. JEAN

Five Cays 341-2314

$8.00 hourly

Pick up waste and maintaining upkeep of apartments and property.

WARD’S CONSULTANCY

Acting on behalf of:

READY TO GO

#2 Parade Ave. Butterfield Sq.

LABOURER $11.00 p/h

Cleaning and preparing a job site, Tel: 964-8583

COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION

#53, P. O. Box 68, Blue Mountain, Providenciales Tel: 231-0337

CONSTRUCTION LABOUR

$17.00 p/h

Loading or unloading materials, and removing hazards

INSIGHT LTD #5 Eddie Laporte Plaza, Dowtown . Provo Tel: 399-9000

BAKER $8.00 p/h

Preparing garnishes for baked items.

ALICE KITCHEN S. Dock Rd. Provo Tel: 241-1608

2 KITCHEN HELPER-$8.00 p/h

Clean kitchen areas and wash dishes

PURE REJUVE

Provo Plaza #5, 963 Leeward Hwy Tel: 343-6029

MASSEUSE $8.00 Manipulate clients' muscles and soft tissues,

STEEL UNLIMITED

Mary Jane, Blue Hills, Tel: 341-4502

MASON

$8.00 p/h

Fabricates, alters, repairs, and maintains walls, bathroom showers and sink etc.

SOUTHWIND MILLWORK

6 Industrial Park Rd, Providenciales Tel: 946-5700

FINISH PAINTING

$11.00 P/H

Sanding, painting & staining

38132

BELONGERS CAN SEND RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. FIRST TIME & RENEWAL

38164

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

KITEBOARD & WINGFOIL INSTRUCTOR

We are looking for an experienced instructor to teach all aspects of kiteboarding and Wing foiling for our resort, ensuring all safety protocols and guest satisfaction. This includes providing lessons, communications with guests prior and during lessons and maintaining the equipment assets, accounting for guest/client billings and ensuring the operation runs well.

To be successful in this role, the applicant must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience as a kiteboarding and Wing foil instructor. Be an excellent communicator in English and a second language is a plus. Must be IKO, PASA or equivalent certified. Boat operators’ experience is important and other guiding or tour operator experience is desired. Expected to work long hours.

The salary is $2000 monthly plus service fee.

Stocking and supplying facilitydesignated areas, and cleaning the boats etc. Salary:

CONTACT:

CONTACT: 241-4894

Cleaning outside

property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 344-5314

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONSTRUCTION

TROPICANA UPHOLSTERY

VACANCIES

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters.

Salary: $9.00 hourly

CONTACT: 348-7428

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

38141

Sweeping, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, and other work necessary. $8.00 hourly

DOMESTIC WORKER CARPENTER

Follow blueprints and building plans. Install windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials. $10.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-244-7033

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

38058

JEANITHE VERNET PIERRE-CHARLES Kew Town, PLS. 341-8081

DOMESTIC WORKER $8.00 per hour Clean, cook, wash,

ONLY BELONGER APPLY/RENEWAL WORK PERMIT

38159

Shampooing, cutting, and styling hair, provide hair treatments, deep conditioning, permanents, coloring, and weaving. Salary: $8.00 hourly

Desire to make Aviation your Career? Want to work with a company that believes that our Human Resources are our most important asset? A company that trains, develops and promotes from within? TCA Handling Flight Services Ltd with over 30th years serving American Airlines and JetBlue is the organization for you, we are currently seeking passionate, committed individuals with a great personality to fill the positons of:

AIRLINE ATTENDANTS VACANCY EIGHTEEN (18)

Job Description:

• Provides friendly service to travelers

• Communicates with travelers by furnishing information regarding fares, schedules, routings, flights and availability of space.

• Answers travelers’ inquiries regarding flight arrivals, delays, cancellations, flight irregularities, facilities, and other general information.

• Works in a highly organized, restrictive environment requiring extended periods of time at a fixed work position

• Utilizes computerized system.

• Attends initial and ongoing training (classroom and/ or on -the-job), and keeps current and proficient on knowledge, information, and equipment that is pertinent to the job.

• May perform other job duties as directed by Management.

Rate per Hour: $9.00

BAGGAGE HANDLERS VACANCY TWENTY-FIVE (25)

Job Description:

• Loading and unloading aircrafts in accordance with the instructions of the crew chief.

• To ensure that all bags are accounted for by the triple A system or any other system that the company may be using.

• The unloading and clean-up of any kind of waste from the aircraft.

• Help in the lifting of travelers that is immobilize, up and down the aircraft ensuring a safe path at all times.

• Able to fluently read, write, speak and understand English

• Able to work in stressful situation and tight time constraints.

• Responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the ramp at all time

• Responsible for accurate and careful handling of customer baggage

• Set up ramp and storage of equipment and baggage.

• Service aircraft as needed (e.g. aircraft lavatories, potable water and any commissary items).

• May perform other job duties as directed by Management.

Requirements:

• Highly trainable and a quick learner

• Must be able to work long hours, weekends, Public Holidays and varying schedule

• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs repeatedly

• Ability to work with a diverse team

• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Must have a clean Police Record

• Must have a valid Turks & Caicos Driver’s license (applicable to Baggage Handlers)

• Valid Passport

• Must be able to travel regional and internationally Rate per Hour: $9.00

GSE MECHANIC VACANCY THREE (3)

Job Description:

• Inspect, maintain, and modify ground equipment.

• Service equipment with fuel, water, oil, hydraulic fluid, and compressed air.

• Responsible for repairs and maintenance of all ground support equipment including, but not limited to, Tugs, Belt loaders, Push backs Conveyors, Ground power units, Air start units, air-condition units, Baggage carts, motorized/manual Air stairs, Turbo way and Golf carts.

• Inspects ground support equipment and their components for the purpose of ensuring safety and identifying necessary repairs and providing an ongoing program of preventative maintenance

• Responds to emergency calls for ground support equipment assistance.

• Troubleshoot, repair, overhaul, and modify ground equipment.

• Diagnose problems using test equipment and applicable manuals.

• Remove, test, repair or replace components and accessories such as carburetors, governors, air and oil cleaners, ignition points and auditory sensors.

• Check and adjust tolerance of valves, bearings, cams, clutches, and drive shafts.

• Operate and test ground equipment for performance assessment.

• Replace bearings, bushings, shafts, end plates, brushes, springs, coils, armatures, push rods, valves, manifolds, tubing, hose, and wiring as required.

Requirements:

• Must have a Degree and/or a Level (3) Diploma in Vehicle Repairs

• Must have at least six (6) years’ experience in automotive

• Must be able to conduct apprenticeship programme

• Must possess a valid driver’s license

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Ability to operate equipment used in semiskilled trades, power and hand tools, etc.

Salary Scale: $36,000.00 to $42,000.00 per annum based on qualification and experience

Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be addressed to:

Ms. Denise Westcarr

Human Resources Manager

TCA Handling Flight Services Ltd.

Butterfield Square, Providenciales

Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI

And should reach no later than _________________ , for further information/interview you can contact us at Tele:649-941-5969 or email: denise@tcahandling.com or hr@tcahandling.com.

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, etc. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 345-9486

CONTACT: 232-6296

CONTACT: 441-8321

BARTENDER

In search of a skilled person to work in stone fabrication

Starting Salary $10.00 per hour.

DUTIES:

• Must have 5 years experience and show proficiency with cutting and polishing natural and man made stone according to specifications and schedule.

• Must be able to assist the foreman in charge at warehouse and on job sites.

• Must be able to read blueprints, lay out job plans, operate all tools associated with stone.

• Fabrication, rally other coworkers and follow directions from supervisors.

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

Salary: $8.00

CONTACT: 244-0117

LABOURER

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 333-6328

BELONGERS

2 DOMESTIC WORKERS

Duties:

SALARY:

CONTACT: 247-4466

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

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.

REGULATION 8 OF THE PHYSICAL PLANNING (DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION). REGULATIONS, 2021

An Application, REGISTERED PR 16843 by AD RENTALS LTD. for OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION for THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX CONSISTING OF ONE (1) 3-STOREY BUILDING CONTAINING SIX (6) ONE BEDROOM UNITS, EIGHTEEN (18) EFFICIENCY UNITS, MANAGER’S OFFICE, GYM, SPA, SWIMMING POOL AND DECK AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.

This application has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Outline Development Permission on Block & Parcel 60906/130 which is 0.77 acres of land located at Sunshine Loop, Leeward Going Through, (Grace Bay), Providenciales.

The proposed development is inconsistent with a plan which has been approved.

Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty-eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. You may also make representation(s) via in person or video conferencing at the sitting of the Physical Planning Board when this application would be considered. If you are desirous so to do via video conferencing or in person, contact the Secretary of Physical Planning Board.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION NOTICE

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORT – FOR THE MOLO HOTEL DEVELOPMENT FOR PLANNING APPLICATION PR15987 – BLOCK AND PACEL NUMBERS 60813/17,18, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report – for the Molo Hotel Development for Planning Application PR15987 – Block and Parcel Numbers 60813/17,18, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands has been finalized and is available online for public review at: https://gov.tc/planning/images/docs/PR15987.pdf

Hard copies of the EIA Report are also available at the Department of Planning Offices in Providenciales and Grand Turk.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report was submitted in accordance with Section 44 (1) b of the Physical Planning Ordinance. Comments on the EIA report can be sent to the Department of Planning at planningconsultation@gov.tc or to the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, or at South Base, Grand Turk on or before September 1st, 2023.

A Public Consultation on the EIA will be held on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 at 6:30p.m. – 7:30p.m. at the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

IT TECHNICIAN

Maximum of 5 years’ experience working in a luxury resort atmosphere. Responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing hardware & software components throughout the Club. Develop and maintain local networks in ways that optimize performance. Ensure security and privacy of networks and computer systems. Perform troubleshooting to diagnose and resolve problems. Inspect and test all software and hardware and ensure that they are in perfect condition and identify unsatisfactory conditions. Make reports on anything broken or damage. Maintain inventory for IT equipment. Requires to lift heavy objects. Must have basic mechanic knowledge. Must pay attention to small details. Can work unsupervised and under pressure. Must have great time management. Excellent communication skills. Knowledge of computer software and hardware, a variety of internet applications, networking and operating systems. Salary $25,000 per annum.

WATERSPORTS/ ACTIVITIES SUPERVISOR

Maximum of 5 years’ experience in a luxury resort environment. Manage the day-to-day business operation in the watersports department. Ensure that all services meet the highest possible standards and all staff are supervised Observe and patrol the beach, pool and staff. Enforce safety regulations. Review staff performance. Maintains all relevant records. Prepare work schedule. Conduct training. Motivate staff. Conduct beach activities with hotel guest and staff members. Perform general pool and beach related duties. Perform regular pool testing and ensure the pool remains clean. Must be detailed orientation, well organized with advanced verbal and written communication skills, adapt quickly, multitask and work under pressure. Highschool Diploma Required. Must be a CPR/First Aid certified. Must be STCW Trained and completed the TCI Tides- customer service course. Must possess a valid boat license to be able to operate the resort rescue boat. All certification must be up to date. Must do some heavy lifting. Salary $25,000 per annum.

B OAT MATE

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a luxury resort environment. Take orders from the boat captain. Perform cleaning and minor maintenance work to all Club and homeowner boats. Assist with loading and unloading freight or boat passengers’ luggage. Assist with marine area and dock maintenance operations. Must have customer service skills, communication skills. Can work unsupervised and under pressure. Highschool Diploma Required. Must be CPR/ First Aid Certified. Must do some heavy lifting. Salary $8.00 per hour.

TO: RECRUITMENT@PINECAY.COM

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All Applicants must have a valid police record when applying. Some positions may require you to

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE COMPLIANCE*

This position supports the Executive team in all decisions relating to strategic, organizational and operational people matters for luxury hotel property. This role helps to drive organizational performance on the objectives of quality control and compliance (through compliant and efficient company operation, policies and procedure).

KEY SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Relevant University degree, business administration, (must have)

• A masters degree and/or a relevant professional accreditation preferred.

• At least 8 years’ experience in management roles in luxury hospitality industry, with at least 4 years of leadership in policy implementation and monitoring within organization of a similar size (must have)

• Computer literacy (Excel/Power Point/Word), ideally including experience with HR information systems (Oracle, Success factors)

• Effective communication and listening as well as counseling skills.

• Must be able to provide; clean police record, medical, negative PCR test and written reference.

Salary range $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per annum not including service charge.

THIS POSITION MARKED WITH (*) IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER.

Interested applicants should apply to The Shore Club, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume Attention to Joanna Martinez, Assistant Human Resources Manager at careers@theshoreclubtc.com , no later than end of day Friday, September 9th, 2022. All resumes are subject to screening. Accepted candidates will receive a call or email confirmation with a scheduled time for meeting and required documents for the actual interview.Resumes can also be submitted to the Labor Department directly. The Shore Club HR Office can be contacted at (1649) 339-8000.

MANAGERIAL & SUPERVISORY POSITIONS

SUSHI CHEF

• We are looking for a Sushi Chef to join our culinary team and prepare delicious plates for our guests in accordance with food health and safety regulations and restaurant standards.

• Sushi Chef is responsible for handling a wide range of raw fish and other ingredients, managing food stock and working with an attention to detail to fulfill all orders within quality standards.

• Creating a rich sushi menu that include a wide variety of fishes, vegetables and sauces.

• Selecting fresh vegetables and fishes like salmon and tuna on a timely basis.

• Preparing all types of sushi, including maki, nigiri and sashimi according to established guidelines on quality, portion size, presentation and food safety.

• Add additional flavors to sushi rolls.

• Prepare appetizers, soups and salads that are close to the philosophy of Japanese Cuisine.

• Maintaining a clean work environment in order to prevent food contamination.

• Communicating with wait staff to ensure that special requests and food allergy considerations are met.

RESTAURANT CHEF

• Proven experience as a Restaurant Chef.

• Adhere to Health & Safety standards.

• Train kitchen staff on dish preparation to ensure consistency and quality.

• Oversee preparation and preparation of all dishes.

• Explore new culinary trend and cooking technique and infuse in menu to create unique blend.

• Communicate with the dining staff to ensure smooth coordination between kitchen and dining area.

• Providing great dining experiences while responding to guest feedback, accommodating specific requests, and ensuring total client satisfaction.

ASSISTANT RESTAURANT MANAGER

• Must have previous experience in restaurant management or at a supervisory level.

• Creating and designing distinct and appealing menus that reflect the restaurant's theme and appeal to a wide range of customers.

• Managing staff scheduling.

• Delivering superior food and beverage service and maximizing customer satisfaction.

• Responding efficiently and accurately to restaurant customer complaints.

• Maintaining the restaurant’s revenue, profitability and quality goals.

• Ensure efficient restaurant operation, as well as maintain high production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards.

BAR SUPERVISOR

• Must have previously worked bar supervisor in similar operation.

• Supervise the day-to-day operations of the bar.

• Keeping the bar area clean and orderly, as well as adhering to food safety and sanitary regulations.

• Planning and executing bar services for special events and promotions in collaboration with the events team.

• Supervising and motivating the bar team, which includes bartenders and cocktail servers, to provide great service while adhering to the highest quality standards.

• Developing and maintaining a wide and imaginative beverage menu that includes both classic favorites and one-of-a-kind, handcrafted cocktails.

• Ensure regular training sessions are held to improve the mixology skills of the bar crew and ensure uniformity in cocktail preparation.

GUEST SERVICES SUPERVISOR

• Previous experience in guest service or front desk operations, as well as some supervisory experience.

• Supervise daily shift operations, ensure enough personnel coverage, and coordinate breaks and schedules.

• Handling reservations, cancellations, and hotel assignments, as well as maximizing occupancy rates and inventory management.

• Responding to visitor concerns and resolving issues as soon as possible to ensure a great experience and guest satisfaction.

• Train guest service staff on how to improve their customer service abilities and knowledge of hotel offerings.

• Upselling hotel amenities and services to improve the guest experience and earn revenue.

• Ensure guest get the best check-in and checkout experience.

LINE LEVEL POSITIONS

• Line Cooks

• Chef De Partie

• Entertainment Coordinator

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

Take orders and serve food and beverages.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 246-5189 JOHN ACCEMA

CONTACT: 243-3718 38120

JEWELRY REPAIRMAN

Repairs broken jewelry.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 247-5610

Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-343-7291

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

HARSHA’S RESTAURANT & CAFETERIA

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-232-8738

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY, & FAIR COMPETITION

MADE IN TCI - EVENT & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Made in TCI is the National Trade Show of the Turks and Caicos Islands and is geared towards the promotion of locally produced goods and services.

The inaugural show was held on October 29, 2022 at the Stubbs Diamond Plaza in Providenciales and showcased agricultural products, hand-made jewellery, beverages, skin care products, leather goods, home goods, arts and craft, tobacco products, photography services, catering, services, events management services from providers across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

As preparations are underway to organize Made in TCI 2023, the Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition is actively searching for capable individuals or companies to take on various advertised roles. Qualified consultants are invited to apply to the following available positions for Made in TCI 2023:

• EVENT COORDINATOR • MARKETING COORDINATOR

The core responsibility of the Event Coordinator revolves around overseeing and managing all logistical aspects related to the event to ensure a seamless execution of Made in TCI 2023. On the other hand, the Marketing Coordinator’s principal duty is to supervise, manage, and implement a marketing campaign that efficiently and effectively promotes Made in TCI 2023. To access the comprehensive job descriptions for each position, please visit the DTIFC’s website at https://gov.tc/trade

Persons interested in applying for the positions of Event Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator for the Made in TCI 2023 should forward their application to tradetci@gov.tc by 4:00 p.m. on September 1, 2023. Kindly note that any submission after this deadline will not be considered.

The Department of Trade, Industry, and Fair Competition thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

InterHealth Canada Construction & Services is currently recruiting for Key positions within TCI Hospitals. Successful candidates will be offered excellent packages depending on qualifications and experience.

CATERING MANAGER– PROVIDENCIALES

Candidates must have extensive experience including Retail and Patient Dietetics and at least 5 years of management experience within a Healthcare or Hospital Environment and will be responsible for all operational aspects of the Catering services at both sites. Responsibilities include development and training of the Team including the development of Trainee Chef Manager and Second Chef and the Service Team. Experience must include HACCP, Human Resources Management, Menu Development and Costing, Quality Compliance, Customer Service, Advanced Food Hygiene, Stock Control and Management, Profit and Loss and Budget Management, Health and Safety and Marketing.

The candidate will also participate in ‘On-Call Management Duties’ for Facilities Services on a rostered basis and in response to site based or National Emergencies.

*Please be aware that Management cover, emergency response and general operational monitoring of the Catering services at Cockburn Town Medical Centre will also be required, facilitating the ability for travel and short term stay in Grand Turk.

*Salary: Starting $65k plus

CHEF MANAGER– PROVIDENCIALES

Responsible for operations of daily kitchen, food production, HACCP, due diligence, Catering Budget patient and retail menu compilation and costing and stock management. Also responsible for training and development and management of catering team.

*Salary: Starting $50k plus

Appointments will be made based on a successful interview, a positive reference check and a clear Police check. *Previous experience is required for all posts.

For full Job Specifications, Qualification Requirements, and Package Details, please contact Ms. Vielka Fulford for further information and queries on Tel: 941-2800 Ext 71803.

Qualified Belonger’s will be given first consideration.

DATE:

FRANKLIN PINTURA T.C.I

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

REPORTING: MAINTENANCE MANAGER

DEPARTMENT: MAINTENANCE

STARTING DATE: 2 OCTOBER 2023

CLEANER

Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Maintenance Manager, the Maintenance Technician is responsible for performing diversified duties to troubleshoot, install, repair and maintain all resort facilities, parking lots, vehicles, equipment and water works.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Perform daily maintenance tasks as assigned by the Maintenance Manager or other authorized individuals, manage time responsibly and actively pursue new tasks as appropriate.

2. Respond to maintenance inquiries, issues, concerns, requests, procedures and projects and take immediate action to resolve/provide solutions.

3. Repair defects in facilities, appliances, machinery and equipment and report same to supervisor, relevant owners, management and co-workers.

4. Complete work order requests as assigned and submit completed forms, detailing time and materials, to supervisor or authorized persons; ensure work orders are given priority and completed timely with the highest quality standards.

5. Conduct pre-arrival room checks 24 hours prior to arrival or as soon as practical.

6. Test, record and/or service health and safety systems, physical plant, utilities, pools, waste water treatment plants, fitness equipment, laundry equipment, lighting, the Resort and related equipment on a regularly scheduled basis.

7. Perform special projects as assigned by the Maintenance Manager or other authorized individuals.

8. Report inventory shortages prior to depletion; submit purchase order requests to supervisor or authorized person; maintain inventory control procedures and participate in physical inventory as required.

9. Keep maintenance work areas, workshop and storerooms neat, tidy, organized and in compliance with TCIG health and safety regulations.

10. Maintain a proper set of work tools; keep company tools in good working order; keep tools/equipment secure and in proper storage areas.

11. Keep supervisor and relevant co-workers informed/advised of projects and provide progress reports on guest/owner issues.

12. Remain flexible to accommodate customers and respond to emergency calls as needed when off duty.

13. Complete assigned Checklists and Work Orders in a timely manner and submit to supervisor for approval.

14. Follow safety and cleanliness standards in the completion of all maintenance tasks.

15. Take ownership/responsibility for issues that require maintenance attention and respond quickly and appropriately.

16. Maintain knowledge of the resort, its operations and relevant inventory.

17. Maintain professional, courteous manner with guests, owners, contractors and co-workers at all times.

18. Manage and monitor the standards of performance and work of vendors/contractors in the absence of the supervisor.

19. Comply with OCR’s policies, procedures and guidelines.

20. Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or any other person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

1. To perform this job successfully, individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

2. High School Diploma, appropriate resort or building industry trade certification, plus relevant education and 2-3 years general maintenance experience, preferably in a resort environment.

3. Experience in general trades: plumbing, electrical, AC, carpentry, appliance repair, painting, masonry, drywall.

4. Thorough knowledge of hotel maintenance procedures, operations and equipment, including pool and waste water treatment plant testing.

5. Self-motivated and dependable with a strong work ethic and good trouble-shooting skills.

6. Good communication skills; ability to speak, read and write fluently in English language.

7. Professional appearance and cooperative demeanor.

8. Heavy lifting, use of multiple types of electronic and manual equipment and tools, ability to work in varied weather conditions.

CONTACT: 649-244-4471

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

CONTACT: 232-2347

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

CONTACT: 341-4904

Stocking and supplying, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc. $9.00 Hourly

CLEANER GARDENER

Soil cultivation, digging, and forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting. $9.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 347-9345

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

2 HAIRDRESSERS

CONTACT: 341-1021

HYACINTH

DRIVER

CLEANER

CONTACT: 649-243-6653

DOMESTIC WORKER

CARPENTER

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 241-8719

DOMESTIC WORKER

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 347-3596

CONTACT: 331-3874

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CHILD CARETAKER

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and etc. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-342-9534

VIELKA27@FIVE.COM

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 241-4072

CONTACT: 348-1832

BELONGERS

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-344-4360

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

SAFE-T-FIRST

Occupation Health and Safety Educator, Providenciales, TCI

SEEKING A FIRST AID AND SAFETY TRAINING AND COMPLIANCE INSTRUCTOR

To facilitate training courses and instruction in OSHA, First Aid, CPR, Water Safety and other safety topics; selling and scheduling training; up-selling safety and first aid products to our training customers; and working with team to ensure customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities include providing group and location education with guidance and support regarding the effective administration of safety and health programs; driving companies efforts to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses; reducing accidents; Personal Protection Equipment Programs; serving as a corporate safety team resource for companies; developing and maintaining safety and health programs, training materials; educating on safety and health policies, procedures and best practices; conducting and reviewing inspections of work spaces to identify potential issues; coordinating and reviewing inspections with partners; developing and monitoring corrective action plans developed to address safety issues; ensuring effective implementation of the safety and health management system; monitoring group safety performance as reflected in monthly safety reports.

REQUIREMENTS;

• OH&S Degree or 5 years of full-time safety experience

• Certified First Aid Trainer

• Train the Trainer Diploma

• Psychologic First Aid Certification

• MSDS and TDS Certification

• Certified Water Safety Trainer

• Emergency Services and/or Disaster Response, training and experience

• Valid Drivers License and Vehicle

• Police Record

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Experienced Public Speaker

• Human Resources

• Development of online training programs

• Experience in developing and implementing safety and health management systems

• Ability to travel

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and intranet/internet

• Lift 50 lbs

Salary; $2500.00 per month

CIMA/ACA

An opportunity exists for a financial advisory manager who is a professionally qualified chartered management or financial accountant with a minimum of six years post graduation professional experience gained within a major public accounting firm. This individual is required to manage complex advisory engagements from planning through to completion including leading the engagement team. They will report to the senior managers and directors of the firm. Salary ranges from US$50,000 to US$70,000 per annum. This is a new position.

If you wish to be considered for this opportunity please apply in confidence by sending details of your experience and qualifications to either:

Gary Brough Baker Tilly P.O. Box 357 18 The Village at Grace Bay Turks & Caicos Islands

The Labour Commissioner Labour Office Butterfield Square

Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands OR EMAIL YOUR PARTICULARS TO GARY.BROUGH@BAKERTILLY.TC

SOUTH BANK MARINA LTD

South Bank Marina Ltd, is seeking suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position at its location in Long Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

BOATYARD MANAGER/ TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

This is a senior position, as the successful applicant will oversee all areas of the marina aspect of South Bank Marina and Boatyard, Including but not limited all Boat Yard operations, to buildings, IT infrastructure, docks and general seaside activities. As the Boat Yard Manager the successful candidate will be required to produce a Standard Operation Procedure and other procedural and staff training manuals for the Boat Yard, implement and provide leadership and motivation required and develop to maintain a culture of excellence in customer service, people development and the assortment and presentation of services at the Boat Yard.

REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Must hold intermediate marina managers designation

• Over 10 years of Yard Management experience at a senior level

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

• Must have the ability to identify, develop and implement business strategies and report to Management and Directors on operational and financial performance

• Broad Experience in creation of budgets and business plans and a good understanding of financial information, financial statements and supporting financial documents

• 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

• Ship surveyors certification necessary

• Hold a degree or secondary education in a related field

Salary for this position will be in the range of $80k to $90k per annum depending on experience

NATURAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION LTD

Looking for a skilled

Inventory Controller

TO JOIN THE TEAM

REQUIREMENTS

• 5 year’s experience in Inventory Optimization and Retail

• Experience in Logistics and Supply Chain Management 2.0

• Online QuickBooks and Inventory management system experience

• Fluent (written and oral) in English and Spanish

• Valid TCI driver’s license, own vehicle and a clean record

• Flexibility with working hours, weekends and public holidays

• Attention to detail, Customer service and interpersonal skills

• Organization and time management skills

DUTIES

• Receiving and cross-checking orders with stock records

• Coordinating stock counts to maintain accuracy

• Monitoring supplier performance and resolving discrepancies

• Liaising with transport companies, suppliers and clients

• Planning and forecasting inventory items

• Compiling daily reports and addressing inventory discrepancies

• Maintaining records of pricing, purchases and other relevant information

Candidates to apply via email to naturaltradecaribbean@gmail.com and include a resume, cover letter, references. 7960

ACCOUNTANT

Reporting: OCR Controller (U.S. Based)

Department: Accounting Department

Location: Turks & Caicos

Summary of Position:

Responsible for the daily accounting functions for the TCI operations of the company, including the general ledger function, the month-end process, and management reporting for multiple facets within the company, with an understanding of the operations of the business and the underlying relationships and processes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Ensure an accurate and timely monthly and yearly accounting close.

2. Prepare and review appropriate ledger entries and reconciliations across multiple entities.

3. Responsible for Vendor Account reconciliations and payments.

4. Ensure all invoices and work-orders are properly coded and approved.

5. Review and monitor cash floats (petty cash) and prepare bank deposits.

6. Assist with weekly payroll processes and act as “backup”.

7. Assist with the development, implementation, and maintaining internal controls and procedures.

8. Assist with miscellaneous accounting projects and work as part of a cross-functional team.

Life.Style.Resort is looking for

LIFESTYLE CONSULTANT

Consistently offering professional and friendly services for resort guests and being able to handle guest concerns and react quickly and professionally in any situation. The candidate must have good communication skills and be excellent at writing.

As a Lifestyle Consultant, your job will include but not limited to developing personalized lifestyle plans and strategies for guests. The candidate will provide ongoing support and guidance to guests to ensure successful implementation of lifestyle plans and stay up to date on the latest trends and research in the health and wellness industry. The applicant will conduct educational seminars and workshops on healthy lifestyle habits for individuals and groups, promote services, and build a client base through networking and marketing efforts. The lifestyle consultant will ensure that the overall experience is organized, professional and will coordinate third-party services such as trainers, chef, meal plan, etc. The participant must be proactive in anticipating guest needs before they ask and be willing to learn new skills, grow and take responsibility at the resort.

REQUIREMENTS:

The applicant must have excellent communication skills and ability to understand guests’ needs and provide personalized lifestyle plans. Knowledge of healthy lifestyle practices and trends needed. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in creating and implementing luxury lifestyle plans is required. The candidate will have strong organizational skills to manage guest’s schedules and needs. Proficiency in relevant software and tools. The applicant must have bachelor’s degree in nutrition, culinary, social work and Psychology. Must be available weekends and evenings.

Salary $2000 monthly. Position for a first-time work permit holder.

9. Regular phone, zoom, e-mail communication with U.S. based Controller and Management

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

1. BS/AS in accounting or a related specialization

2. 3+ year in general ledger accounting

3. Exceptional attention to detail

4. Proficiency in accounting software (Quickbooks preferred) and Excel

5. Superb time-management and organizational skills

6. Excellent collaboration and communication skills

7. Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with all members of the organization and with third parties.

8. Ability to multitask between responsibilities; prioritize and handle multiple requests and projects.

9. High level of integrity, respect, commitment, and confidentiality.

10. Strong Interpersonal skills.

11. Ability to manage and collaborate with off-site employee(s).

All applicants must be able to present a clean Police Record if offered a position. Wage commensurate with experience.

H2O

a dynamic and energetic person to fulfill the position of

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Wymara Resort and Villas is a contemporary luxury full-service boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with Five Star experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring Five Star standards and services are continuously delivered.

*VILLA PROJECT ENGINEER

Reports to the Director of Projects and is responsible for providing oversight for overall construction, maintenance and refurbishment projects, planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and control. The Villa Project Engineer will own and manage all aspects of projects to include client relationships, schedules, budgets and profitability through comprehensive project completion. The project manager will develop, refine and update project schedules to ensure all milestones are identified and tracked.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Demonstrate sound structural assessment knowledge and interpretation of design documentation.

• Supervise and monitor contractor compliance with design specification and drawings for all assigned projects.

• Project accounting functions including managing the budget, tracking expenses, and minimizing exposure and risk, in order to report to Director of Projects any budgetary savings.

• Procurement of supplies and parts as well as maintenance of inventory and requisition process, billing and reporting.

• Contract and manage the design and execution.

• Manage document control and ensure project documents are completed timely and filed properly within project management software and database.

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining relationship with Purchasing, IT hotel operations, Suppliers, Contractors; closely monitoring process and coordination of resources.

• Participate in all project and engineering meetings.

• Assist in new project design and scheduling.

• Preparation of project contractor tender packages and vetting.

• Contract administration for preventative maintenance programing.

• Implement, co-ordinate and maintain villa quality assurance programs.

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily.

• Bachelor of Engineering Civil Degree with 4-5 years managerial/supervisory field experience. Three+ years of e

• Proficient with AutoCAD, MATALAB, HEC-RAS and Revit

• Must be able to use Microsoft Project scheduling software, or software of industry equivalent.

• Thorough understanding of all types of mechanical equipment, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, waste treatment, power, water and fuel consumption

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability manage multiple projects and implement effective solutions while meeting deadlines.

• Must be CPR Certified.

• Hospitality/Hotel engineering management experience is a plus.

• Must have the stamina to work long hours due to Operation’s needs.

• Ability to work flexible schedule including days/weekends/holidays.

Base Range: $35k - $45k per year

*LABOURER

Must have experience in a resort, knowledge of cleaning and preventative maintenance process and pays keen attention to details. Transports and generally maintain all of Maintenance areas. Compensation: $8.00 per hour

DIRECTOR OF ROOMS DIVISION

The Director of Rooms is responsible for the consistent delivery of exceptional performance of Rooms Division in both guest experience and financial results, and for the successful management of all internal and external relationships.

Essential duties include but not limited to:

• Exceptional leadership skills with a proven record of providing consistently high guest experience standards balanced with operational efficiencies.

• Demonstrated success at delivering results through establishment of standard procedures, disciplined coaching and management.

• Provides input into, and executes, strategic plan for assigned department(s) consistent with the strategic vision of the divisions.

• Responsible for preparing and monitoring of fiscal budgets, CAPEX, division operations and marketing strategies to produce both short-term and longterm profitability for Wymara Resort and Villas.

• Provides input into, and executes, the development, implementation, and measurement of guest service standards within assigned department(s), consistent with the company’s established guidelines/standards.

• Participates in the research, development, evaluation and implementation of new products, services, technology and processes to ensure Wymara Resort and Villas competitive position and in anticipation of changing customer needs within the dynamic hospitality environment.

• Ability to perform a myriad of duties with extreme care and attention to detail, while working in a fast-paced and busy environment.

• Pre-opening Experience with proven ability to successfully lead, train motivate, develop staff and processes implementation is essential

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily.

• Experienced hospitality executive with minimum 10 years five-star international management success – Caribbean experience desirable with 3-5 years management in each departmental discipline.

• Hospitality Management degree/Financial, Business and/or or equivalent experience, with a passion for customer service

• Thorough knowledge of resort front office and housekeeping procedures, operations and equipment, with the ability to execute all aspects.

• Minimum of 5 years of management experience in a major hotel/resort complex with a Forbes Five Star Rating, LQA & AAA – 5 Diamond Rating

• Proven ability to develop business plans and budgets, and effectively monitor performance to meet objectives

• Energetic, results driven leader with collaborative approach; focused on empowering people; developing skill in others through coaching, training and experiential learning.

• Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency with general office PC applications (i.e. Microsoft Office software and Opera, Alice, Opentable, Salto system) to prepare reports, employee schedules, inventories, budgets as required.

• Working knowledge of chemicals, fabric care, carpet care, floor and stone care.

• Knowledge of Laundry operations, textiles, fabric care, equipment and housekeeping techniques.

• Must be fluent in English. Additional languages desirable.

Base Range: $60k - $77k per year

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

*HVAC TECHNICIAN

Must be able to troubleshoot and repair different HVAC systems and maintaining and repairing ventilation and air conditioning systems and equipment. Identifying maintenance risks on equipment. Must be HVAC certified. Must be able to work with hand and power tools. Work on ladders and lift a minimum of 50 lbs. Must be able to work independently and have troubleshooting skills. To provide the guests and associates with a secure and comfortable environment by maintaining and ensuring that all mechanical systems are operating in accordance with the Wymara standards. Work in a safe and responsible manner to avoid accidents. Daily monitoring check operations of heat pumps, circulating pumps, check reading temperature. Repair and installation of aircon split type, ceiling type aircon and inverter type unit. Compensation: $20k - $25k Per Annum.

PROTECTION AND SAFETY SUPERVISOR

The practical application of Protection and Safety measures and standards, which will include the wellbeing of staff and guests, according to agreed policies of the company. To direct and coordinate the overall activities of the Protection and Safety Team to guarantee the safety of all guests, employees and protected assets of hotel property.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Ensure that the company’s premises, assets, customers, guests and staff are safe and secure through effective deployment, resourcing, communication and timely response to threats and incidents.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to recruit, train, develop skills, mentor and motivate a team.

• Thorough knowledge of resort security procedures, operations and equipment, with the ability to execute all aspect

• Ensures property policies are administered consistently, disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs) and supports the peer review process.

• Initiate investigations or where appropriate to personally carry out an investigation ensuring clear, concise and factual records are taken and communicated.

• Maintain proactive communication, with the Executives and Heads of Departments, regarding relevant protection and safety matters and where employees are concerned, to maintain direct contact with the Human Resources Director as soon as practically possible.

• Organize and ensure fire training; to ensure that regular checks and inspections of fire exits, equipment are carried out and to report and/or deal with any deficiencies or any irregularities with fire exits or equipment and to bring these

BARMAID

to the prompt attention of

Management SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily.

• Senior Security, Protection and Supervisor experience required with certification in First Aid training

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior Security Supervisor with 3/5 years at a luxury resort

• Thorough knowledge of fire, health and safety systems.

• Well versed with Computers/CCTV Footage/ Vigilance during Operations.

• Ability to effectively deal with internal and external guests, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy to defuse anger and collect accurate information.

• Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problemsolving skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to speak, read and write fluently in the English language

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability manage multiple projects and implement effective solutions while meeting deadlines.

• Computer proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

• Must have the stamina to work long hours due to Operation’s needs.

• Ability to work flexible schedule including days/ weekends/holidays.

Compensation: from $16.00 to $20.00 per hour including service fee. Depending on experience.

*Director of Engineering: Responsible for all aspects of the maintenance of the Resort Operations. The Director of Engineering will provide technical direction and ensures compliance with all local and state building codes and quality standards. Responsibilities span a broad spectrum, covering all the areas of project management such as Project Planning, Cost Management, Inventory Management, Time Management, Quality Management, FF&E Management and overviews Health & Safely. Preopening Experience is essential with proven ability to successfully lead comprehensive renovative and maintenance projects to completion and on schedule. Must have at least 10/15 years’ experience in Engineering, Facilities, Property Management with working knowledge of Hotel and Villa experience in a similar position and knowledgeable in all disciplines of Maintenance/ Engineering. Advanced Degree with distinction of Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Advanced Degree with distinction Business, Commerce and Management Studies, Degree.

Compensation: $65k - $72k Per Annum.

Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)941-7555. E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your Resume or C.V. to Hr@wymararesortandvillas.com

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

$8.00 hourly (Renewal)

Taking food and beverage orders, serving customers. $8.00 hourly

Stocking and supplying designated areas, dusting, sweeping, mopping, restroom cleaning. Keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy at all times. $8.00 hourly (Renewal)

L &

#3

SEA SAGE

• Schedule preventative maintenance;

• Repair or replace broken or dysfunctional parts.

• Required to work 6 days a week

• Salary: $18 per hour

CONTACT: 946-5855

THIS AD IS IN SUPPORT OF A WORK PERMIT RENEWAL. BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND THEIR RESUME TO: LABOR DEPART AND HELLO@THEKFORCE.COM

• Assist with light carpentry;

• Calculate materials needed weekly;

•

• Keep record of inventory and organize materials in containers.

TILER

– Prepare surface, measure, lay tiles etc.

BLUE HILLS CONSTRUCTION (346-0002) Blue Hills, Providenciales

$10.00 hourly – Measure & cut wood, Install doors, framework etc.

FINAL PREPARATION STRIKE 2 (341-8585) 151 South Dock Road, Providenciales

Salary: $8 hourly Repair damaged body parts and bodies of vehicles etc.

REQUIRES QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED

ELECTRICIANS, MAINTENANCE WORKER AND PLUMBERS

ELECTRICIANS must have a recognized qualification/ licence from a governing body in country of origin and at least 10 years experience on large commercial projects is essential. Duties will include electrical installations, repairs and maintenance to residential and commercial projects.

Electricians pay starting at $12.00 per hour.

PLUMBERS must have at least 10 years experience

on commercial projects and duties will include plumbing installations, repairs and maintenance to residential and commercial projects. Plumbers pay starting at $10.00 per hour. MAINTENANCE WORKERS must have at least 10 years experience on commercial projects and duties, repairs and maintenance to residential and commercial projects. Maintenance worker pay starting at $10.00 per hour.

NATURAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION LTD

INVENTORY CONTROLLER TO

JOIN THE TEAM

DOMESTIC WORKER/ CARE TAKER

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $8.00

CONTACT: 332-0311

Candidates must be Excellent and Strong Swimmers, English Speakers and have a Valid Driver’s License Starting Hourly Wage of $9.00 per hour plus additional Service Charge Payout for Estimated Total Years Earnings of Approximately $36,000. RESUMES CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT

TO TLEWIN@PORTSOFCALLRESORT.COM

B & S COOLING SERVICES

HANDYMAN

Duties and Responsibilities:

•

REQUIREMENTS

• 5 year’s experience in Inventory Optimization and Retail

• Experience in Logistics and Supply Chain Management 2.0

• Online QuickBooks and Inventory management system experience

• Fluent (written and oral) in English and Spanish

• Valid TCI driver’s license, own vehicle and a clean record

• Flexibility with working hours, weekends and public holidays

• Attention to detail, Customer service and interpersonal skills

• Organization and time management skills

DUTIES

• Receiving and cross-checking orders with stock records

• Coordinating stock counts to maintain accuracy

• Monitoring supplier performance and resolving

•

•

•

CONTACT NO. 941-8112

38070

CANDIDATES TO APPLY VIA EMAIL TO NATURALTRADECARIBBEAN@GMAIL.COM

$8.00 Hourly

General cleaning duties.

10 BUTLERS-$8.00 Hourly Greet guests at the door, assist in the planning of events and dinner parties, oversee table settings, and serve drinks and food.

SHA CONSTRUCTION, MAID TO CLEAN, NEWTECH CONSTRUCTION CARPENTERS, WELDERS, MASONS, PLUMBERS, TILE LAYERS, LABOURERS, PAINTERS, STEELMAN, CLEANERS.

Must be able to read and understand building drawings; layout and erect brick wall, concrete columns, beams, supports concrete staircases; concrete floor rending, layout and build driveways, deck floors, swimming pool, cisters, competent with masonry tool and working knowledge of imperial and metric measurement. Perform maintenance and minors repairs (replacing broken switches, fixing doors handles, minor leaks, cut and polish rocks, install, measure, cut and shape).

Salaries started @$8- $13 per hr. Work 5-6 days a week.

CELL : 432-3447

BEEN MEP CO. LTD.

Science & Technology

Ötzi the Iceman’s true appearance revealed by new DNA analysis

ÖTZI the Iceman, whose frozen remains were found in a gully high in the Tyrolean Alps by hikers in 1991, is perhaps the world’s most closely studied corpse.

The mystery over his violent death, who he was and how he ended up on a mountain pass has sparked fascination far beyond the field of archaeology. Each year, thousands visit his mummy contained in a special cold cell at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy.

A new study of ancient DNA extracted from Ötzi’s pelvis suggests he still has some secrets to give up. The analysis of his genetic makeup has revealed the 5,300-year-old mummy had dark skin, dark eyes and was likely bald. This stands in contrast to the reconstruction of Ötzi that depicts a paleskinned man with a full head of a hair and beard.

“It was previously believed that his skin has darkened during the mummification process,” said Albert Zink, head of the Institute for Mummy Studies at Eurac Research, a private research center based in Bolzano.

“It seems that the dark skin color of the mummy is quite close to the Iceman’s skin color during (his) lifetime,” said Zink, who is a coauthor of the research published Wednesday in the scientific journal Cell Genomics.

It’s not that surprising that Ötzi was dark skinned, said Zink via email, noting that many Europeans at that time likely had darker skin pigmentation than many present-day Europeans.

“Early European farmers still had a quite dark skin, that changed with time to a lighter skin, as an adaption to the changes in climate and diet of the farmers. Farmers consume much less vitamin D in their diet compared to hunter-gatherers,” he explained.

“It seems that the Iceman

still consumed quite a lot of meat, that was also confirmed by our analysis of his stomach showing the presence of ibex and deer meat,” he added.

Zink’s coauthor Johannes Krause, director of the department of archaeogenetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, said the findings suggested that the Iceman in life looked a lot more like the mummy itself.

“It is remarkable how the reconstruction is biased by our own preconception of a Stone Age human from Europe,” Krause said in a statement.

While the ancient DNA analysis suggested that Ötzi had male pattern baldness, it’s not possible to be sure to what extent he already lost hair in his lifetime, said archaeologist Lars Holger Pilø, a codirector of the Secrets of the Ice project in Norway. He has studied Ötzi but was not involved in the latest research.

“Ötzi may well have been balding for genetic reasons, but the near complete baldness he has now is in my opinion more likely due to have happened after his death,” Pilø said.

“The hairs on skin will

often fall out during the (body’s) stay in and outside the ice (and sometimes in water) as the epidermis decomposes.”

DETAILED GENOME YIELDS MORE ACCURATE INFO

The genome sequenced from DNA taken from Ötzi’s pelvis was more complete than a previous genome that was pieced together in 2012 when the field of ancient DNA was still in its infancy, according to the study. The latest research also helps clear up a conundrum in Ötzi’s ancestry, Pilø said

“The application of new methods makes Ötzi a scientific gift that just keeps on giving,” Pilø added.

The new study shows that this early result was probably due to contamination by modern human DNA.

“The advancement in sequencing technologies allowed us to generate a high coverage genome of the Iceman. This allowed us to obtain more accurate results,” Zink said.

The genome also appeared to rule out a previously proposed genetic affinity between Ötzi and presentday Sardinians.

When the researchers of the new study compared Ötzi’s genome with those

DOMESTIC WORKER

of other ancient humans, they found he had more in common with early Anatolian farmers — from what is now Turkey — who did not have much interaction with his European hunter-gatherer contemporaries.

“It does not completely change our knowledge about the Iceman but makes some things clearer,” Zink explained. “It shows that the Iceman most likely lived in a relatively isolated area with only limited contact to other populations and low gene flow from huntergatherer-ancestry-related

populations.”

Nearly every part of Ötzi and his belongings have been analyzed, painting an intimate picture of life 5,300 years ago.

Stomach contents yielded information on his last meal and where he came from, his weapons revealed he was right-handed, and his clothes gave a rare look at what ancient actually people wore.

Zink said the team hopes to uncover further details such as the composition of his microbiome.

It’s not the first time a chapter in Ötzi’s fascinating

story has gotten a rewrite, Pilø said.

Originally, it was thought that Ötzi froze to death, but a 2001 X-ray revealed an arrowhead in his shoulder, which would have been fatal. He also had a head injury, possibly sustained at the same time, and his right hand shows a defense wound.

“The whole story of the Iceman is intriguing, including the mystery of his violent death … and the question why he was up there in the high mountains when he was killed,” Zink said. (CNN)

BCS-CS/ GRACE BAY CAR RENTALS

AUTO DETAILER HELPER RENTAL AGENT

• Clean vehicles according to company standards or client specifications, performing detail inspections, thoroughly washing, buffing, and waxing exteriors, vacuuming, steaming, and deodorizing interiors, and keeping records related to gas levels and the condition of the vehicle.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Must have 10 years’ experience Salary: $1020.66 bi-weekly

• Rental Agent is required to handle enquiries involved with renting vehicles. Must have excellent customer service skills. You will also need good communication skills and a basic understanding of vehicle types.

Salary $8.00 per hour

THESE POSITIONS ARE FOR WORK PERMIT RENEWAL BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF OUR RESUME TO THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

A reconstruction of Ötzi the Iceman is shown on display at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

Science & Technology

Mars is rotating more quickly, NASA mission finds

Mars is rotating more quickly than it used to, according to data that NASA’s InSight lander collected on the red planet.

The now-retired InSight was armed with a suite of instruments, including antennae and a radio transponder called RISE, or the Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment. The instruments were used to track Mars’ rotation during the mission’s first 900 days on the planet.

Astronomers determined that the planet’s spin is increasing by about 4 milliarcseconds per year², or shortening the length of a Martian day by a fraction of a millisecond per year. A Martian day lasts about 40 minutes longer than a day on Earth.

The increased acceleration seems incredibly small, and researchers aren’t quite sure what is causing it. However, they suggest it might be due to ice accumulation at the Martian poles or the rise of landmasses after being covered in ice. When a planet’s mass shifts in this way, it can cause the planet’s spin to accelerate.

The findings, based on an analysis of InSight data shared before the mission ran out of power and retired, were reported in a June study published in the journal Nature.

Initially, the InSight mission, the first to study the interior of Mars, was supposed to last about two years after it landed in November 2018. But NASA extended the mission for another two years.

The InSight mission continued to collect data about Mars until the very end, falling silent in December 2022 after dust blocked its solar panels from receiving sunlight.

InSight benefited from relying on advances in radio technology that were a vast improvement on what the Viking landers in the 1970s and Pathfinder in the 1990s carried. Upgrades to the Deep Space Network, or the massive antennas placed at three strategic points on Earth that relay info from space missions, also enhanced the accuracy of the data captured by InSight and sent back to Earth.

Scientists used the Deep Space Network to beam signals to RISE on InSight, which then reflected the signal back to Earth. These relayed signals helped researchers track small frequency changes caused by the Doppler shift, which is what causes sirens to change in pitch depending on their distance. The frequency changes correlated with the planet’s rotation.

“What we’re looking for are variations that are just a few tens of centimeters over the course of

An artist’s concept shows the InSight lander and all of its instruments

a Martian year,” said lead study author Sebastien Le Maistre, RISE’s principal investigator at the Royal Observatory of Belgium, in a statement. “It takes a very long time and a lot of data to accumulate before we can even see these variations.”

MEASURING MARS’ WOBBLE

Previous research made possible by the mission’s unique detections of the planet’s interior confirmed that Mars has a molten metal core. Researchers then used RISE to measure the wobble of Mars as the core sloshes around inside it. Tracking Mars’ wobble, or nutation, enabled the team to

measure the size of the core.

The RISE data suggested the core has a radius of about 1,140 miles (1,835 kilometers).

This new figure was compared with previous estimates of the core’s radius that were collected by tracking seismic waves as they traveled through Mars’ interior.

By combining these measurements, the researchers estimate that Mars’ core has a radius between 1,112 and 1,150 miles (1,790 and 1,850 kilometers).

Even though InSight is no longer operational, its treasure trove of data collected during four years on the Martian surface has changed the way scientists understand the

red planet. The mission was the first to reveal some of the secrets of the Martian interior, and scientists will be analysing its data for decades to come.

“It’s really cool to be able to get this latest measurement — and so precisely,” said Bruce Banerdt, who served as InSight’s principal investigator before retiring on August 1, in a statement. He worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, for 46 years.

“I’ve been involved in efforts to get a geophysical station like InSight onto Mars for a long time, and results like this make all those decades of work worth it.” (CNN)

A new COVID-19 variant is spreading rapidly throughout the U.S. and The World Health Organization says “EG.5” poses a similar level of global risk as existing variants.

This new COVID variant, EG.5 also known as Eris, is now labelled as the most dominant Omicron subvariant as it is said to be more transmissible than the other strains. And if you are wondering how to go about getting tested for the virus, a Baystate Health expert says PCR tests or at home tests are the way to go.

“Any of the local pharmacies, they still sell COVID-19 testing kits and of course you can still contact your health provider primary care doctors, a provider who can order the test for you,” said Dr. Armando Paez.

This new variant is the fastest growing COVID-19 subvariant in the U.S. and is responsible for about 17% of new COVID cases. The symptoms of this EG.5 are similar to the other COVID-19 strains. Some potential signs of the variant include coughing, a sore throat, fatigue, and loss of smell. These symptoms can progress over time leading to difficulty breathing, so if you are at high risk, Dr. Paez says you should take more safety precautions, “People who are at risk of severe infection, elderly, immunocompromised patients, patients with weak immune system should be up to date with their booster shots.”

Dr Paez recommends that those at high risk also wear a mask and a keep a good distance from others. (WWLP.com)

This new COVID variant, EG.5 also known as Eris, is now labelled as the most dominant Omicron subvariant

New COVID variant ‘EG.5’ spreading rapidly: WHO raises global concerns

Science & Technology

Being physically fit when younger can reduce risk for 9 types of cancer: study

Being in good physical shape when you’re younger can reduce the risk of cancer — at least for men, new research suggests.

The study, published Tuesday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that men with high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness at a young age were less likely to develop nine types of cancers later on in life, including cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, bowel, kidney and lung.

Typically, cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to lower risks of certain cancers, but prior to this study, there have been very few large, long-term studies reported.

“This study shows that higher fitness in healthy young men is associated with a lower hazard of developing 9 out of 18 investigated site-specific cancers, with the most clinically relevant hazard rates in the gastrointestinal tract,” the authors said in a media release.

“These results could be used in public health policymaking, further strengthening the incentive for promoting interventions aimed at increasing [cardiorespiratory fitness] in youth.”

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden looked at over 1 million men who underwent a military fitness test at around Surgeons in Birmingham and New York City on Wednesday reported advances in the transplantation of organs obtained from pigs that have been genetically modified to prevent rejection after they are implanted in humans.

Enhancing fitness at a young age has numerous health benefits as people age

18 years old — a test that was legally required until 2010 — and compared those fitness levels to their rates of cancer diagnoses over the next 33 years.

Researchers analysed data from the Swedish registry up until the end of 2019, covering background information and medical diagnoses, as well as deaths for those who started military service between 1968 and 2005.

The military test consisted of

riding a stationary bike, starting at a low resistance for five minutes and then increasing resistance by 25 watts per minute until the men were too tired to keep going.

Based on the test results, the researchers divided the participants into three categories: low, moderate and high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Cardiorespiratory fitness refers to a measure of the capacity of one’s circulatory and respiratory

systems to supply oxygen to the muscles for energy production during physical activity, according to the American Heart Association. It includes one’s ability to do aerobic exercises, such as running, cycling, swimming for sustained periods and climbing stairs.

Dr Aron Onerup, lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher in the pediatrics department at the University of Gothenburg, said that as people’s

fitness levels increase, the risk of cancer continues to decrease.

The findings showed that, compared to the low-fitness group, those with high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness had a 19% lower risk of head and neck cancer, as well as a 20% lower risk of kidney cancer.

The group with the highest fitness levels also showed a 42% lower risk for lung cancer, although the authors determined that this was due to people’s smoking habits.

As for gastrointestinal cancers, findings showed that those with higher levels of fitness had a nearly 40% lower risk for cancers in the esophagus, the liver, the bile ducts and the gallbladder, and about 20% lower risk for the stomach and colon — a finding that Onerup said he was surprised about.

However, higher levels were also associated with a 7% higher risk of prostate cancer and a 31% higher risk of skin cancer — potentially due to prostate cancer screenings and exposure to sunlight.

With this study being observational, it cannot confirm direct conclusions about cause and effect. Lifestyle information such as diet, alcohol intake, smoking and any changes in cardiorespiratory fitness would need to be taken into account. (NYPost)

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham published a peer-reviewed study showing that modified pig kidneys performed complex life-sustaining functions in a brain-dead patient for a full week.

In an apparent response, surgeons at NYU Langone Health announced that a kidney from a genetically modified pig continued to function well after 32 days in a brain-dead patient maintained on a ventilator, the longest period for such an experiment.

The patient has shown no signs of rejecting the organ, said Dr Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. But the research has not yet been published in a scientific journal.

The research is part of a radical scientific effort to develop an alternative source of transplant organs for Americans whose kidneys, hearts and other organs have failed.

The greatest need is for kidneys.

More than 800,000 Americans

have kidney failure, and over 100,000 are on a waiting list for a transplant. Kidney dialysis can keep patients alive, but the gold standard treatment is an organ transplant.

Yet fewer than 25,000 kidney transplants are performed each year because of a scarcity of human donor organs. Thousands of people on the waiting list die each year.

“A lot of folks think dialysis is an appropriate alternative, but people die on dialysis,” said Dr Jayme Locke, director of U.A.B.’s Comprehensive Transplant Institute and a lead author of the new report.

A number of studies last year demonstrated that pig kidneys that had been transplanted into braindead individuals made urine, an essential function, for short periods of time. But the U.A.B. study is the first to clearly show that the organs also filter creatinine, a byproduct of muscle contractions that must be removed from the blood.

Pig kidneys performing effectively in two brain-dead patients WHY IT MATTERS: AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF DONOR ORGANS

“The really new finding here is that these pig kidneys can clear enough creatinine to support an adult human,” Dr Locke said. The U.A.B. paper was published Wednesday as a research letter in JAMA Surgery.

The kidney performs numerous functions, among them balancing the body’s fluids, regulating blood pressure and controlling pH levels.

“If you want to have life-sustaining kidney function, the kidneys have to do more than just make urine,” Dr Locke said.

Xenotransplantation, the transplantation of animal organs into humans, has long been a goal of surgeons. Recent advances in cloning and genetic engineering have led to rapid breakthroughs.

In 2021, surgeons at NYU Langone Health announced they had attached a kidney from a genetically modified pig to a brain-dead individual who was maintained on a ventilator. A few months later, researchers at the University of Maryland transplanted a heart from a genetically modified pig into a 57-year-old patient with heart failure. He died two months later, and traces of a virus known to infect pigs were found in the organ.

Dr Locke and her colleagues reported last year that they had

Pig kidneys in a lab in Eden Prairie, Minn

Science & Technology

Lower vitamin D levels linked to increased inflammation in older adults

Older adults who are deficient in vitamin D may be more likely to experience chronic inflammation, new research suggests.

The study, recently published in PLoS ONE, found an association among a group of older Irish people between low vitamin D levels and high levels of a protein that denotes inflammation in the body.1

The link between the two held up even after adjusting for behavioral and lifestyle factors that might otherwise put someone at risk for more inflammation, explained study author Eamon Laird, PhD, a research fellow at the University of Limerick and Trinity College, Dublin.

It’s not yet clear, however, whether low vitamin D levels are driving chronic inflammation. But if researchers find causation, the implications could be significant for helping people avoid dementia, heart disease, cancers, and other chronic diseases as they age.2

“As people get older, our immune system goes from a balanced to a more proinflammatory profile. We think this is something called inflammaging,” Laird told Health. “The more chronic inflammation you have over your lifespan, the higher your risk of chronic disease later in life.”

A recent study estimated that 22% of Americans have moderate

vitamin D deficiency, and an additional 2.6% have a severe deficiency. Those who are younger, have lower education levels, have lower socioeconomic status, or are non-white are more likely to be deficient.

The new research builds off of a 2014 study in which Laird and his team found an association between vitamin D deficiency and inflammation in nearly 1,000 adults over the age of 60.4

Drawing from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, the new study includes a broader population—more than 5,300 Irish adults over 50 with an average age of about 63.1

Researchers used participant blood samples to measure vitamin D levels and concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation.1

They then grouped participants based on their vitamin D levels.

Concentrations of 50 nanomoles (nmol) per liter (L) or higher were deemed sufficient, while concentrations between 30 and 50 nmol/L were defined as insufficient. Deficiency was defined as a vitamin D concentration of less than 30 nmol/L.1

To see the specific connection between inflammation and vitamin D levels in each group, the study authors discounted lifestyle factors

Although we mainly get vitamin D from sunlight, there are several foods that supply the vitamin

that may have played a role—such as obesity, education, disease, and tobacco and alcohol use—in the analysis, Laird said.

“We looked at vitamin D levels and measured inflammation,” he explained. “[People who] were more deficient—[who had] less than 30 nmol/L—had a much higher CRP level, a much higher indication of inflammation.”

This link indicates that raising vitamin D levels could work to control inflammation among older adults with a deficiency.

It’s important to note that the study did not find that vitamin D deficiency caused the inflammation that researchers noticed, said Marilyn Tan, MD, chief of the endocrine clinic at Stanford Health Care.

“Association does not establish causation,” Tan told Health in an email. “It’s possible that the subjects had other chronic medical conditions that were associated with higher [inflammation] levels, and these conditions led to lower vitamin D levels (rather than low vitamin D levels leading to higher CRP).”

Pig kidneys performing effectively in ...

for the first time successfully transplanted kidneys from a genetically modified pig into the abdomen of a brain-dead man.

The organs used in the experiments in Alabama and New York are slightly different, though both were derived from pigs provided by Revivicor, a subsidiary of United

Therapeutics Corporation, a biotech company.

The kidneys used at U.A.B. came from pigs that had undergone 10 gene modifications, while the kidneys used at N.Y.U. Langone Health had only one genetic modification. The latter procedure also calls for embedding the pig’s thymus gland, which is responsible for educating the immune system,

underneath the outer layer of the new kidney to prevent an immune-system attack.

So far, transplants of genetically modified pig kidneys have been made only to braindead patients. Dr Locke and her colleagues are in discussions with the Food and Drug Administration about launching a first clinical trial in live patients. (NYTimes)

Genetics, additional lifestyle factors, or other elements not measured in the study could also explain the link between vitamin D deficiency and inflammation, added Laird.

But there are a few different theories as to how sufficient vitamin D levels may keep inflammation at bay, he explained.

There’s some evidence that vitamin D helps regulate inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins that signal immune cells to fight threats such as viruses and bacteria. They also help decrease the body’s inflammatory response when it’s no longer needed.

“When the vitamin D levels are out of whack, it leads to a bit of immune dysregulation,” said Laird, adding that it’s important to remember that factors such as diet, smoking habits, physical activity levels, and obesity also play a role in inflammation levels.

Having adequate vitamin D levels also has benefits beyond managing inflammation and the immune system.

The vitamin plays a vital role in bone health and regulates calcium and phosphorus balance, Tan said.

However, she noted that despite interest in vitamin D as a health promoter, research hasn’t substantiated links between vitamin D and conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and COVID. In fact, other research “did not show efficacy of vitamin D in preventing fractures, falls, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and respiratory infections,” she added.

It would be helpful to have a “randomized controlled trial to see what is the true link between vitamin D and inflammation,” Laird said.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that people maintain sufficient concentrations of vitamin D to maintain bone and overall health. According to the NIH, people in the U.S. should have at least 50 nmol/L of vitamin (the level deemed “sufficient” in the study).5

Although the NIH recommends that people between the ages of 1 and 70 consume 15 micrograms or 600 IU of vitamin D daily, Tan said this may not be sufficient for many people.5

“How much vitamin D replacement one needs depends on their baseline levels and other factors such as sun exposure, diet, natural skin color, kidney function, and other health conditions,” she said.

Unfortunately, it’s challenging to determine if a person is deficient or sufficient without a blood test. “There are no real symptoms,” Laird said.

But, added Laird, a person who doesn’t spend much time in the sun or eat enough oily fish or fortified foods may not have sufficient vitamin D levels.

While you can increase vitamin D levels by making foods such as trout, salmon, mushrooms, fortified milk or plant-based milk, and eggs a regular part of your diet, Laird said it’s “very difficult” to get sufficient levels from food alone.

Supplements can be a cheap and effective way to add vitamin D to the body, Laird said. He warned, however, that it’s possible to take too much vitamin D to the point that it becomes toxic (the upper limit is around 375 nmol/L), so he recommended sticking to a low dose—10 to 20 micrograms daily, for example. (Health.com)

How England crashed Australia’s party to reach a World Cup final

It started as a night full of optimism in Sydney as thousands flooded into Stadium Australia desperate to see their team create history - but England had other ideas.

England arrived this time, not with hope, but with expectation, despite experiencing heartache in previous back-to-back Women’s World Cup semi-finals.

Memories of defeats by Japan in 2015 and the USA in 2019 were cast aside - any doubts the Lionesses would not succeed this time disappeared as they played with swagger and composure, producing arguably their greatestever performance in the 3-1 win over the Matildas.

As the higher-ranked side and the European champions, England would in theory have underwhelmed if they had lost. But in practice, the task was much tougher - they had to overcome serious injuries and adapt throughout the tournament before meeting fierce Australian opposition.

In the end, the performance they produced was a culmination of two years’ worth of sensational growth under manager Sarina Wiegman, whose status as the world’s best is unquestionable.

Having led England to Euro 2022 glory last summer on home soil, the Dutchwoman will now coach in a fourth successive major tournament final. Before joining England, she led the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title and runnersup spot at the 2019 World Cup.

The squad have evolved under her leadership from being nearmisses and contenders to relentless winners and tournament favourites.

‘Matildas Mania’ had taken over Australia during their World Cup run, with their success dominating the front and back pages of every national newspaper. The momentum they had built en route to the semi-finals made for a carnival atmosphere in Sydney on Wednesday.

Streets were painted in green and yellow, supporters queued for hours to get into fan parks across the city and there were barely any shops left selling merchandise, with most stock sold out.

The match was sold out too; 75,784 fans piled into the stadium, most of them booing the England players as they emerged for the warm-ups, and then belting out their national anthem with pride.

But England were not fazed by any of it. They have lived in

England were applauded as they did a lap of honour following their 3-1 victory over Australia

the bubble of their base camp out in Terrigal, an hour from Sydney, for the duration of the tournament and they arrived for the semi-final apparently oblivious to the hostility of the home crowd.

A crunching tackle from Keira Walsh on Australia’s superstar Sam Kerr within two minutes set the tone. The next 15 minutes was a masterclass in killing momentum.

Whatever feverish excitement had built throughout the week, England dampened quickly as they controlled possession, broke up play and frustrated the home crowd by taking their time over set-pieces.

A few half-chances came Australia’s way - Kerr raced through on goal and was offside when goalkeeper Mary Earps

blocked her strike - but England brushed them off instantly.

At the other end, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo’s flourishing partnership up front caused havoc for Australia as they linked up instinctively, creating chances and terrifying the hosts’ defence.

It was not a surprise when the Lionesses took the lead through Ella Toone, someone synonymous with the big stage; she is the first England player to score in a major tournament quarter-final, semifinal and final.

The deafening roars that had greeted the Matildas on their entrance at Stadium Australia were quietened by half-time but England did not become complacent. They had been here before, they knew the score.

The fierce pressure promised by Australia arrived in the second half. Kerr burst into life, pouncing on England’s lost possession and scoring a sublime long-range goal to make it 1-1.

In past semi-finals, this may have been the moment England’s players began to doubt themselves. But this is a squad built on resilience and lifted with unwavering belief.

Another goal would comethey knew it would - and when the moment arrived, Hemp did not hesitate.

“I just want to be fearless, I want to show what I can do on the biggest stage,” she said afterwards, having earlier stated England’s intentions to go all the way in the tournament.

By the time Hemp linked up

with Russo to add England’s third, Australia’s balloon had burst.

Meanwhile, England were creating more history, having come through a test that required steeliness and experience, yet the scenes of celebration at full-time were short-lived.

The Lionesses allowed themselves just a few minutes of dancing and applause, greeted by another rendition of Sweet Caroline by the travelling support, before heading down the tunnel. Job done.

While England gathered momentum during their successful Euro 2022 campaign, feeding off the memorable scenes of celebration after each victory in front of a home crowd, they have done the opposite here in Australia, having to navigate each match as if they were making their way across a board game of snakes and ladders, picking themselves up if they had an unexpected fall and finding a different route.

It has felt less like a party and more like a mission.

If this England team can reach the final without their captain Leah Williamson, the Euro 2022 top goalscorer Beth Mead, playmaker Fran Kirby - all out through injury - while also dealing with an injury scare to instrumental midfielder Keira Walsh and a two-match suspension for Lauren James during the competition, there is no reason why they cannot go all the way.

And while Australia absorbs the pain of defeat and the missed opportunity of a lifetime, England supporters are now believing that this team could be champions again. (BBC)

Cincinnati Open: Novak Djokovic

eases through on USA singles return

Novak

at the Cincinnati Open in his first singles match in the United States in two years.

The 23-times Grand Slam champion had been unable to compete in the US over Covid protocols.

But rules for unvaccinated foreign travellers were relaxed in May, enabling him to return to competition.

He won the first set 6-4 against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who later retired with a

back issue.

The victory was the 36-yearold’s Serb’s first time playing singles in Cincinnati since 2019, although he lost in doubles on Tuesday when he and compatriot Nikola Cacic were beaten by Britain’s Jamie Murray and Michael Venus of New Zealand. “Time flies. Four years seems like it was yesterday. It’s definitely nice to be back,” said the world number two, who will next face Gael Monfils.

Djokovic eased to victory

Djokovic saved two early break points before easing into the match

Russian & Belarusian track and field athletes

‘unlikely’ to be at Paris Olympics - Lord Coe

Russian and Belarusian track and field athletes are “unlikely” to be able to compete at the 2024 Olympics, says World Athletics president Lord Coe.

World Athletics has banned competitors from the two countries from its events, including under a neutral flag, because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has said athletes should be able to compete as neutrals.

However, Lord Coe said World Athletics’ position was “very clear”.

He was speaking in Budapest before the World Athletics Championships which start on Saturday, having been re-elected for a third and final term as head of track and field’s governing body alongside a new council.

The IOC has not made a final call for the Olympics, and can only give broad recommendationsmeaning individual sports can still choose to enforce bans.

“The new council, and I’m not going to speak for them in advance, but I would be very surprised if there is any shift in that position,” Lord Coe said.

The two-time British Olympic champion, 66, has led World Athletics, formerly the International Association of Athletics Federations, since 2015.

When World Athletics announced its ban in March, he said “unprecedented sanctions” on Russia and Belarus by “countries and industries” are the “only way to restore peace”.

Speaking on Thursday, Lord Coe added: “I don’t have a crystal ball, I follow world events in the same way that you all do.

“We have risk committees, we have working groups that will always be wanting to be across that and what might the circumstances look like if there’s any shift in the situation but I have to say that looks unlikely at the moment with where we are with events in Ukraine.”

The IOC has been criticised for saying it is “exploring a pathway” for Russian and Belarusians to compete, with the United Kingdom among more than 30 countries to pledge support for a ban.

It updated its stance last month, saying it was still fine-tuning plans

World Aquatics launches open category for transgender athletes at Swimming World Cup

World Aquatics, swimming’s governing body, has created an open category for transgender athletes at a World Cup event in Berlin.

The new category will be open for “all sex and gender identities” and will include 50m and 100m races across all strokes.“

“This pioneering pilot project highlights the organisation’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity,” a statement from World Aquatics read.

It added: “Detailed entry requirements and entry times and process information will be available soon.“

“For this inaugural event, the

Neymar praises Ronaldo for starting Saudi Pro League boom

for the Olympics next summer.

Lord Coe’s third term in charge of World Athletics will run until 2027 after he was re-elected unopposed, while he has refused to rule out a bid for the IOC presidency in 2025.

“I genuinely haven’t ruled it in or certainly haven’t ruled it out,” he said.

“My primary objective was to make sure we had the best possible council, the strongest executive board to complete the work that I set out in 2015.”

He said over his term he wanted to lead a “really significant shift” in the way the sport is presented to keep up with changing audiences.

(BBC)

Neymar Jr. became the latest in a long line of players to make a move to the Middle East when he joined Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal from French giant Paris Saint-Germain, but the Brazilian superstar credits one of his rivals for starting the country’s soccer boom.

“I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him ‘crazy,’ and this and that. Today, you see the league grow more and more,” the former PSG forward told Al Hilal’s social channels.

Ronaldo signed a two-and-ahalf year contract reported to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220.16 million) with Al-Nassr in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United.

Since then, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino,

Sadio Mané and Marcelo Brozovic have been among the star names to move to the Saudi Pro League.

Neymar says that he wants to follow in Ronaldo’s footsteps and help develop the league even further.

“I am driven by challenges,” said Neymar after making the move. “Obviously, when you face a challenge like this it boosts your self-esteem. I am there to help the league grow more and more.

“They are already changing a lot; they have made a lot of signings. Yes, surely the league will be very competitive especially after the signings made in this summer transfer window.”

The Brazilian forward spent six years with PSG, winning 13 major trophies along the way. However, the prestigious prize of winning the Champions League eluded the 31-year-old in the French capital.

emphasis is on gaining further experience for future development and celebrating diversity.”

Last year, World Aquatics –formerly known as FINA – voted to restrict transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s aquatics competitions.

The gender inclusion policy – ? which went into effect on June 20, 2022 – dictated that male-to-female transgender athletes would only be eligible to compete in the women’s categories if they transition before the age of 12 or before they reach stage two on the puberty Tanner Scale.

The policy also says athletes who have previously used testosterone as part of female-to-

male gender-affirming hormone treatment would only be eligible to compete in women’s competitions if the testosterone was used for less than a year in total, the treatment didn’t take place during puberty

and testosterone levels in serum were back to pre-treatment levels.

At the time, the governing body promised to establish a new working group in order to develop open category events for athletes

that do not meet the criteria for men’s or women’s categories.

World Aquatics oversees aquatic competitions in swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving.

Lord Coe won gold in the 1,500m at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics

Neymar joined Al Hilal from French giant PSG

The World Cup event will run from October 6-8 later this year

Beth Potter: Briton claims dramatic Paris 2024 triathlon test event win

Britain’s Beth Potter out-sprinted home favourite Cassandre Beaugrand to secure victory in the Paris 2024 triathlon test event.

It was the Scot’s first-ever win in an Olympic-distance race.

It leaves the 31-year-old top of the standings before October’s World Triathlon Championship Series Finals in Spain.

The swim leg of the event took place in the River Seine after it passed water quality tests.

Earlier this month, World Aquatics cancelled the Open Water Swimming World Cup in the river after it was ruled to be “below acceptable standards.”

Potter and Beaugrand broke clear with about 5km to go in the run before Potter made her decisive move on the last corner to finish six seconds ahead of her

rival in one hour 51 minutes and 40 seconds, with German Laura Lindemann in third a further three seconds behind.

“I was just trying to run fast at the end. I’m glad I had something left in the tank to be honest,” said Potter, who ran the 10,0000m on the track at the 2016 Olympics.

“I was biding my time and I had in my head I was going to wait until the last moment. I enjoyed every moment of it. This was my main goal for the season and I ticked it off, so I’m super happy.”

Kate Waugh finished in seventh with Sophie Coldwell in 20th

The men’s race featuring Alex Yee and Jonny Brownlee takes place on Friday with the Paralympic test event on Saturday and the mixed relay on Sunday.

(BBC)

Vlatko Andonovski took charge of the US in October 2019

US coach Andonovski resigns after earliest Women’s World Cup exit

US head coach Vlatko Andonovski has resigned after the team’s worst performance at a Women’s World Cup.

The four-time winners were knocked out by Sweden in the last 16 on penalties at this year’s tournament.

It was the team’s earliest exit from a World Cup - they had finished at least third at every other edition.

“Vlatko worked tirelessly for this team and has been a strong and positive leader for our women’s program,” sporting director Matt Crocker said.

“We’re grateful for everything he has contributed to US Soccer and know he has a bright future in the sport.”

Andonovski added: “While we are all disappointed by the outcome at this year’s World Cup, I am immensely proud of the progress this team has made, the support

they’ve shown for each other, and the inspiration they’ve provided for players around the world.”

Twila Kilgore, a current assistant coach of the national team, has been named interim head coach.

Andonovski’s record with the team was 51 wins, five draws and nine losses, while at major tournaments he oversaw three wins, two draws and five defeats.

He took charge of the team in October 2019 after Jill Ellis, the coach who led the team to back-toback World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019, stood down.

Andonovski’s reign started well as he set a record for the best start for a US coach with 11 wins on the bounce.

But an underwhelming outing at the Tokyo Olympics, where the US won bronze, saw Andonovski under pressure.

The scrutiny intensified when the US lost three consecutive

matches in 2022 to England, Spain and Germany - the team’s worst losing streak in 29 years.

In the World Cup the US started with a 3-0 win over Vietnam but a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and a goalless draw with Portugal meant they finished second in their group. It was the first time ever they had failed to win at least two group games.

The US were criticised for their performances in the group stage but put in an improved display against Sweden.

However, they were repelled by an impressive performance from keeper Zecira Musovic, who made 11 saves over 120 minutes, to send the match to penalties.

During the shootout US veterans Megan Rapinoe and Kelley O’Hara were among those to miss, while Lina Hurtig’s winning penalty for Sweden was awarded after a video assistant referee check. (BBC)

Floyd Mayweather offers aid to families impacted by Hawaii wildfires

Devastating wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui last week left hundreds of families displaced and virtually destroyed the town of Lahaina. However, several celebrities have provided aid to displaced families, including boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

According to TMZ Sports, Mayweather personally paid for 68 families to fly to safety. In addition to assisting with hotel accommodations, Mayweather bought the families food from local restaurants and is working with retailer H&M to provide the families with clothing.

Oprah Winfrey – a part-time Maui resident — also handed out supplies, including shampoo and pillows, to residents at an evacuation centre, according to PEOPLE.

toxic and cancer-causing chemicals including asbestos, arsenic, and lead,” according to the Hawaii Department of Health.

Even water is presumed unsafe to drink in some areas.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden ordered “all available federal assets” to support the response to the Maui wildfires.

“Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui, and our prayers are with those who have seen their homes, businesses, and communities destroyed,” Biden said in a statement Wednesday evening. “We are grateful to the brave firefighters and first responders who continue to run toward danger, putting themselves in harm’s way to save lives.”

Beth Potter (centre) is hoping to make her Olympic triathlon debut in Paris having competed in athletics at Rio 2016

Mayweather personally paid for 68 families to fly to safety

USA Today reported that the death toll in Lahaina has reached 93, though efforts to find and

identify the dead are still in the early stages. The fires may also have long-

term health effects on survivors: “Ash and dust (particularly from burned buildings) may contain

Sports National

TCI finish third overall in Group C of CONCACAF Boys’ U15 Championships

THE Turks and Caicos Islands Boys’ U15 team lost a single clash en route to an overall third-place performance in the CONCACAF Boys’ U15 Championships, which was held in the Dominican Republic this month.

After a commanding 5-0 victory against BVI and a 1-1 draw against Dominica, the TCI had topped their Group C division which carried them to the semi-finals.

A 3-1 loss against Saint Martin, the eventual winners of the group, however, relegated TCI to play for the third-place trophy and they did not disappoint.

They battled Dominica again and this time, they edged past them 1-0.

Despite the loss to Saint Martin, the boys showed courage and resolved and played quality football.

TCI U14 girls’ team set for CFU Challenge Series

The Turks and Caicos Islands Girls’ U14 team has travelled to Antigua and Barbuda for the 2023 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series, which kicks off on Friday, August 18, and runs until August 28.

According to information from CFU this week, some 20 teams are competing in the tournament, TCI is grouped with the Cayman Islands and Aruba.

The other nations include the home team, Anguilla, Barbados,

Bermuda, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands.

The CFU Challenge Series is a developmental competition held alternatingly for girls and boys.

The series is an introduction to international competition and exposure for players.

It is also a pivotal component

of the CFU’s Next Generation Referee Course and affords regional match officials, who possess the abilities to advance to the FIFA International Refereeing Lists, technical and practical training.

TCI played solid football at the championships

TCI junior teams continue to impress on the international stage

TCI U15 football team won two games, drew one and lost the other

The TCI U14 Girls during practice on Thursday in Antigua

TCI is grouped with the Cayman Islands and Aruba