TC Weekly News August 24 - 30, 2024

NO HOMELESS TCISLANDER

Watersports Controversy: Premier says regulations being reviewed to close loopholes

BY DELANA ISLES

Premier, Hon Charles Washington

Misick has responded to questions surrounding the controversy in the watersports community, regarding alleged predatory practices by a US-owned company operating in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Late last month, a circular from RED Hospitality and Leisure was shared on social media with regards to changes to the booking procedures for water sports, tours and activities for guests offered at Grace Bay Resorts.

Country Manager of RED Hospitality and Leisure, Alvin Hegner outlined that Grace Bay Resorts had recently entered into a partnership with RED to provide exclusive provisioning and booking of private charters, motorised watersports, and other island-based excursions and activities to the Resort’s guests.

RED is also set to – come October 1 - manage the Preferred Vendor Program, allowing hotel guests to book local experiences through third party vendors who are vetted and contracted by RED.

It is alleged that RED will also be charging contracted operators 30% of their income earned.

In 2021, RED Hospitality entered into an exclusive agreement to provide resort services that includes watersports, as well as beach and recreation operations to the RitzCarlton Turks & Caicos Resort, and its expansion of its concierge services to Grace Bay Resorts is seen as a move towards monopolisation of the local industry.

Local operators are concerned

Premier, Hon Charles Washington Misick

that this presents a significant risk to local businesses and consumers.

In a Change.org petition some operators sought government intervention as RED proceeds with its expansion, to safeguard the livelihood of local businesses.

In late July, Premier Misick met with the local operators of watersports and other excursions to hear their concerns.

On Thursday, August 22, Weekly News reached out to the Premier to ascertain what moves the government is taking to allay local operators’ fears of being pushed out of the market.

Responding to our questions, the Premier assured us that the government has indeed looked into the company and has found nothing amiss.

He stated: “We have met with local operators, and we have looked into the Red Hospitality operations.

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“Red Hospitality is properly licensed… it has relationships with local people and local companies, and we have not found anything irregular.”

However, the Premier stated that they are taking it a step further and are currently looking at the Regulations to ensure that loopholes that allow companies such as RED to operate in the manner they currently are in the TCI, are closed.

“We are making changes to the Regulations to close the loophole.

“But it is difficult to, without finding ourselves in lawsuits… to withdraw their licence, and at the end of the day we have to look after the entire industry.”

He added: “The one part of the Regulations which permitted the likes of RED being licensed, we are now plugging that hole, and we will continue to dialogue with the local watersports community.”

The Premier said the government is also looking at other measures to further safeguard and reserve the local watersports sector.

According to their website, RED Hospitality and Leisure has 11 brands, 13 hotel partners, 65 assets under management and 265 employees across USVI, BVI, TCI, Key West, Key Largo and Hawaii and are expanding soon into Barbados, Puerto Rico and Bahamas.

According to the change.org petition RED currently offers services to the Ritz Carlton, Wymara and Grace Bay Club in the TCI.

“These properties represent a significant portion of the available accommodations in Providenciales. According to Experience TCI’s 2020 data, there

were 4,114 room keys across 30 hotels in Providenciales.

“The properties of The Ritz Carlton, Wymara, Wymara Villas, Grace Bay Club, West Bay Club, Point Grace, Rock House, and Private Villa Collection, represent approximately 500 room keys.

“With the addition of Grace Bay Resort managed developments of South Bank and The Point, this will add another estimated 150 room keys.”

The petitioners are calling for a limit to RED’s expansion, stating: “This is imperative to maintain a fair market and foster economic growth within the local economy.” They stated that RED’s assertion of serving unmet market demands is unfounded.

“Local watersports businesses in the Turks and Caicos Islands have been providing these services for years, leading to a thriving industry that has grown naturally over the past forty years.

“Furthermore, the TCI Watersports Association and local operators are prepared to continue to address any market gaps or customer service needs without the intrusion of foreign competitors who threaten the livelihoods of local businesses.”

Officers of the Royal

and

Force (Marine Unit), with assistance from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, intercepted two illegal vessels and over 160 migrants during a six-

hour period earlier this week.

The first vessel was stopped near West Caicos with 144 persons on board, this included 112 males and one male minor and 32 females, including five female minors.

According to information from the RTCIPF, it extends gratitude to its local and international partners, including the Royal Bahamas

Turks

Caicos Islands Police

Combined, the two boats had over 160 persons on-board

TCIslanders not targeted in land reclamations, government officials assert

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In the wake of recent land reclamations and the removal of unauthorised structures in the Turks and Caicos Islands, government officials are staunchly defending their actions, emphasising that Turks and Caicos Islanders have not been rendered homeless by these operations.

During a recent interview, former Supreme Court Justice Carlos Simons KC, Head of the Informal Settlement Unit (ISU), addressed concerns about the targeting of local residents, stating unequivocally that the law does not permit such discrimination.

He said: “So far, I am aware of only two instances where Turks and Caicos Islanders Indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders, have been affected.

“Out of dozens, there is no targeting. The law doesn't allow for targeting, and there is no targeting, I can assure the public of that two out of dozens does not indicate targeting.

That is not the case”, he stressed. He acknowledged two instances where Turks and Caicos Islanders were affected but emphasised that these cases were clear violations of Crown land regulations and planning regulations.

“What is heart-breaking about it is that they spent money on structures that were always at risk of being removed.”

Premier Washington Misick

An illegal structure in Five Cays before it was demolished

echoed these sentiments, highlighting the complexity of the issue, particularly concerning private land ownership within informal settlements.

He cautioned against indiscriminate demolitions, which could lead to widespread homelessness, including among Turks and Caicos Islanders who may have unknowingly purchased land with questionable titles.

The Premier advocated for a holistic approach to housing, emphasising the need for temporary

Two vessels and over 160 illegal ...

Defence Force, United States Coast Guard, TCI Border Force and TCI Regiment. This remains an active investigation.

Meanwhile, based on information received, on Monday, August 19th, at 4:50 am, a little over six hours later, Marine Unit officers responded to an area near Long Bay, Providenciales, where an illegal vessel was intercepted. Seventeen illegal migrants (10 males (one minor) and seven females were detained.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force wishes to remind the public that under the TCI Immigration (Amendment)

Ordinance 2022, Sec. 105 (2), any person who assists in the transportation of illegal migrants’ entry to the Islands commits an offence and is liable to “ (a) on summary conviction to a fine of $20,000 or imprisonment for a term of four years, or to both.”

We are asking anyone with information that may help in these investigations to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-8008477 to provide any information anonymously. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.

housing solutions to support residents during redevelopment efforts.

He underscored the importance of avoiding actions that could exacerbate homelessness and disrupt the lives of individuals who are contributing to the local economy.

However, the government's actions have drawn sharp criticism from Leader of the Opposition/ People's Democratic Movement, Hon Edwin Astwood.

Astwood condemned the demolition of a senior citizen's

home, characterizing it as a symbol of the government's failure to prioritise the welfare of vulnerable citizens. He accused the government of selective enforcement and of targeting individuals who are least able to defend themselves.

The PDM party has expressed solidarity with the affected senior citizens and is demanding accountability for what they perceive as a grave injustice.

This ongoing debate highlights the challenges faced by the Turks and Caicos Islands in balancing

the need to protect public land and enforce regulations with the imperative of safeguarding the well-being of its citizens, including those residing in informal settlements.

While government officials maintain that their actions are not discriminatory, the controversy surrounding these demolitions underscores the need for continued dialogue and a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex issue of informal settlements in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

The TCI Government will submit its proposed constitutional changes to the Privy Council this November, which although nominal are essential for the territory’s continued progress towards self-governance.

The proposed changes to the Constitution include but are not limited to, the transition to a fully-elected House of Assembly.

The Premier wants the transition to take place at the forthcoming election with the four additional elected seats contested on an ‘all-island’ basis. Those four seats are currently appointed by the government, the opposition, and two by the Governor.

The Premier proposed that the 'all-island candidate' suggestion be a transitionary phase, until the next election when the Electoral District Boundary Commission will inform what additional constituencies may be implemented.

However, the leader of the opposition wants the four appointed members to be retained for the next general election, and the move to an all-elected House of Assembly to take place at the subsequent election and on completion of the work of the Electoral District Boundary Commission.

What are your thoughts?

Working for the people

We don't need more politicians in numbers. We need politicians who are actually working aggressively and with integrity to ensure the growth, health and wealth of these islands–in a sustainable manner. There has been very little that has improved the lives of the people of the Turks and Caicos islands. More MPs means more of the public funds to pay people who will not be actively working towards improving the lives of the citizens of this country.

No system is perfect

I favour simple majority victors in constituencies of nearly equal size. No system is perfect but this limits the power of crazy minorities.

Self-governance is and should remain a

and Caicos Islands, why couldn't they get together and guarantee the investors a hotel in Grand Turk?

It only takes togetherness, unity, and a number of bodies on the ground. I don't want to hear only about the Premier and what he didn't do. I also want to hear what we did to change the negative into something positive. I also want to hear how we gathered the people together and reverse the situation...For all you people in Grand Turk, Provo, and any other island whenever there is a death of a family on the Island, the world tries to attend and support the dead person's family.

for change”. Adding seats to the ones that can be voted on will be interesting. It is perhaps not advisable for the premier to call for an additional four elected seats nationwide. This election will then become a referendum on the Premier and all attacks from the PDM opposition and any fringe group will be focused on the Premier and his entire Parliamentary bench.

myth until the TCI removes its repellent and dangerous apartheid.

Accountability

Before we talk about constitutional change, let’s talk about getting other aspects right.

When will we stop sitting and ridiculing one another's failure when we as Turks and Caicos Islanders endorse everything that the Government does? I don't understand why people like Hon George Lightbourne, someone who I hold in high esteem would write about the incident of the investment instead of taking the bull by the horns and ride it into the ground.

Where are the influential people and the stakeholders of Grand Turk? Where are the stakeholders of the Turks and Caicos Islands? I am not saying that the statements that Mr Lightbourne wrote are true or false. But if it is what happens to all the people like Hon Lightbourne, Hon Astwood, all the Hon'bles and stakeholders of the Turks

I applauded those efforts, this is good. So much for the dead person and their family. Now how much support did any of us give to that dead person and their family when they were living? All I am saying is if the company that wanted to invest in Grand Turk really exists why can’t a committee be formed and invite the individuals' back and rally the people and hold a town hall meeting with the people in Grand Turk along with supporters from the other Island and make the hotel happen? How can five or six people stop a thousand or more? It can't happen if we work together. Now, for you who have this information about the company, put the name on Talkback, and let's see if any individual will reach out to this company in reference to the plan of all the people in the Turks and Caicos Islanders interested in this development, In unity we stand.

Mild constitutional crisis

It is possible that the country is in the middle of a mild constitutional crisis, an impasse or refusal to get it right. This is unfortunate for the premier in that he has lost the element of surprise in being able to call elections, “in the heat of the night” when the Opposition least expects and to catch them “off-guard”.

He's really "lost the moment". Reasons for this are numerous in that there is disquiet in the electorate and one can sense a “mood

Talk of “transition” does not make any sense because there is no time for such. The issues that the country faces are numerous and a savvy leader of government would not really want “all guns” pointed at him because that would evoke the irresistible notion of “I shot the sheriff”. This government knows it so well. Leaks from its internal polling do not show a pretty picture and changing the structure of parliament how it is formed and constituted will not change that reality. It is reported that 'the TCI government will submit its Proposed Constitutional Changes to the Privy Council this November, which although nominal are essential for the territory’s continued progress towards selfgovernance.'

Yet given the performance of back-bench MPs, and their inability or refusal to provide oversight, one wonders if this country is ready for greater self-governance.

Useless

The question must be asked, will four additional elected members improve the quality of life for the people of the TCI?

There is unprecedented wealth in the

Premier will not seek re-election after current election cycle

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Turks and Caicos Premier Charles Washington Misick announced on Tuesday, August 21, 2024, that he will not seek a fourth term in office if his party emerges victorious at the 2025 polls, marking the end of a political career that has spanned two terms as Premier and over three decades as a politician.

In an interview on the show "THIS IS WHAT'S UP 2.0" with host Hon Erwin 'Jay' Saunders, Misick confirmed his decision not to run again after this election cycle, stating "Absolutely not... if he [God] were to spare my life and give me the good fortune of serving out either the entire term

or parts of it, I have no intention, absolutely none."

Misick cited his age as a factor in his decision, stating that he would "probably be, Biden's age" by the time of the next election.

However, he emphasised that he remains mentally sharp and committed to serving the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. "I feel entirely up to what I'm doing and up to serving the good people of this country for another term," he said.

Reflecting on his time in office, Misick highlighted his focus on institution building and social development. "I believe passionately, that institutions outlive people, right and good,

strong institutions have to be part of a successful democracy," he said. "Every time I've come to office, I've focused on building institutions."

He pointed to significant investments in social programmes, infrastructure projects, and human capital development as key achievements of his administration. "Our focus has been on trying to make lives better for our people," he said, emphasising the importance of the human development index over GDP growth.

Misick also addressed ongoing challenges facing the Turks and Caicos Islands, including the high

TCI where the “others”, the expatriate community are united in one economic cabal taking the best of the land. The reaction to this is grumbling but no real pressure from elected officials to change the status quo. Imagine you have elected MPs that would get in bars and social gatherings and grumble against what “Washy, the Premier, is doing to the country” But when they get on the floor of the House they would do and say absolutely “nothing” to challenge him and His policies.

It will be interesting to see if any elected MP would get on the floor of the House and call into question the “Gift of $13m to Club Med while cutting fully paid scholarships in the budget from 11 to 8. Yet these self-same MPs would campaign that when elected they will fight for education.

Yet the government is free under their watch abuse. This really destroys the rationale for adding four elected MPs to the House because the existing ones are virtually useless.

They are not doing their jobs. There is a greater reason because of the abject lack of representation for the number of MPs in the TCI to be reduced from 15 to 13 or nine.

You do not need 19 men and women to pass a budget and to provide the kind of oversight over the government that is so sorely needed. Make those who are there, do their work.

No need to rush

Given the current state of affairs in the country there is no need to rush into anything. There is a greater need for a set of parliamentary reforms to the status

quo in the House as it currently stands. Where there is a need to add additional seats, the Premier and his colleagues must find a serious and pressing reason to do this.

One must remember that there is no need to “get the British out of our business” when appointing MPs because after they are appointed, they are supposed to be representatives and not delegates, meaning they are not there to do the bidding of the Governor as it often seems to be the case.

In this way, one can agree with the stance of the Leader of the Opposition because at the end of the day, it really makes no difference. His suggestion that “the move to an all-elected House of Assembly to take place at the subsequent election and on completion of the work of the Electoral District Boundary Commission” is wise and true.

What TCI needs now are fighters; men and women who do not merely react to the Crime issue but take the lead on it with ideas, policies and pressure to improve budgeting for law enforcement and training.

This current parliament voted for huge salary increases for themselves and not much if any for those at the lower ranks of the public service. They are there for themselves. This is one time the issue of quality over quantity needs to be properly assessed. More does not mean better.

More

without political intent. Now there is a retreat from that. Interesting. When you look at some of the proposed MPs who have been nominated for the various parties, you wonder if we are making any progress as a country. No need for beautiful faces, cheerleaders and those who can cite recitations like they’re in Sunday school. The time for platitudes is over. This is a real JAGS McCartney Hour where fights are needed.

MPs have to be real, powerful and fully understand why they are there and it is not to collect a salary and a pension. There are no reports of any government MP fighting for the low rung of the civil service and persons making less than US$1500 per month.

We are a crumbling social sector, with low budgeting and no real answers but new faces will not help. They were silent when the Premier threatened the traffic controllers and promised to replace them with foreign labour. These MPs are not worth their salt. What mettle are they made of?

Will it make any difference?

The net result of this exercise will be to remove the Governor from the task of appointing members to the House of Assembly and reduce the role of the parties in doing so. The people decide. Will it improve the level and standard of governance or build a good government?

It is practical because the Governor does not really "know anybody on the ground" and must take advice on who or whom to appoint. There are 14 elected government MPs in this Parliament and

the backbenchers in this government, it has been firmly established, do not know their roles.

They function as a rubber stamp to any law, policy, or proposal that the government brings forth.

There is no objection, questioning, or opposition to anything whether it is good or bad for the country. The proposed airport deal presents an existential threat to the future of the country, its economic and long-term financial position.

The only voice “crying in the wilderness is that of the PDM Opposition, its Leader, Hon Edwin Astwood, and his appointed member, Hon Alvin Garland. It seems as if the backbenchers to the PNP government are either clueless, oblivious or careless about the sheer ramifications of the project. None of them are calling for “an account” or any form of accountability towards this enormous project.

Where the TCI is reaching a budget for the first time in its history of close to $500m and the proposed airport deal is in excess of $450m, then the risk factors are too high. No government MP is asking about this and given the political and cultural trends in the TCI, the new MPs as nominated will not touch this at any level. Some are really in it for the gravy train, the deals, and as MPs that Pension, gratuity and related perks after only two terms “in the House”.

I reality, given these circumstances, there is real or innate urgency to add four new seats anywhere. What people need is representation, seriousness and persons who will call the government to account, whether it is PDM or PNP.

There is a huge body of ‘slackness” in the House of Assembly and adding more “slackers” will not help the situation of oversight and responsible Government

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick

Sweeping healthcare reform ordinance enacted

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a landmark move set to reshape the healthcare landscape in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Health Professions (Amendment) Ordinance and Regulations 2024 officially came into force on Friday, August 16, 2024.

This significant legislation, signed by Minister of Health, Hon Shaun Malcolm, and assented to by the Governor, introduces a series of transformative changes aimed at enhancing the regulation of medical professionals and expanding local nursing capacity.

The amendments introduced by the Ordinance are designed to empower the Nursing and Midwifery Professions Council (NMPC) with the authority to regulate the curriculum and training of nurses; host and administer examinations for nursing registration; and serve as the sole authorised body for administering nurse registration and licensure examinations.

For the first time, this landmark change will allow for the training and licensing of registered nurses within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Coupled with this, the ordinance also enhances the Health Professions Authority (HPA), essentially expanding the functions of the HPA, particularly in the process of verifying the registration and licensure of medical professionals providing services through the Migrant Health Programme.

Additionally, the ordinance significantly enhances the

Minister of Health, Hon Shaun Malcolm, has signed this landmark legislation, which officially came into force on Friday, August 16, 2024 (TCIG photo)

operational efficiency of the HPA, streamlining its processes to improve overall functioning and effectiveness.

The amendments have been met with a mix of support and concern, sparking a passionate debate in the House of Assembly.

Central to the controversy are the provisions that empower NMPC to regulate nursing curricula, administer examinations, and oversee nurse registration and licensure.

This shift towards local control over nursing education and certification is intended to help address the global nursing shortage, a challenge acutely felt in

small island developing states like the Turks and Caicos.

Minister Malcolm, in a recent media statement, expressed his pride in the legislative advancements, stating, "These amendments represent a crucial step forward in our commitment to ensuring that healthcare professionals in the Turks and Caicos Islands are held to the highest standards of practice and professionalism.

“By empowering our local regulatory bodies, we are not only enhancing the quality of healthcare services but also investing in the future of our healthcare system”, he added.

Premier will not seek reelection after current ...

cost of living, crime, and illegal immigration. He expressed disappointment with the level of support from the British government in addressing these issues, particularly in regards to border control.

Despite these challenges, Misick expressed optimism about the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He said: "I truly believe that the Turks and Caicos Islands

should be the place where Turks and Caicos Islanders live their best lives. I don't think Turks Islanders should have to go to the UK to live their best lives and to North America to live their best lives. I think the Turks and Caicos Islands should be the place where you live your best lives."

As he prepares to leave office, Misick's legacy will be defined by his commitment to social progress, institution building, and his unwavering

belief in the potential of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Charles Washington Misick has been the leader of the Progressive National Party since December 2016.

He previously served as the 5th Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 3 April 1991 to 31 January 1995, was Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment from 2012 to 2016 and Leader of the Opposition from 1995 to 2003 and again from 2016 to 2021.

In introducing the Bill to the House of Assembly, Minister Malcom, a staunch advocate for the amendments, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, "Globally, the World Health Organization estimates a shortage of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives by the year 2030."

By empowering the NMPC to train and license registered nurses within the territory, the government aims to reduce dependency on foreign-trained nurses and ensure a sustainable healthcare workforce.

However, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Edwin Astwood, while supportive of the bill's overall direction, voiced concerns about the recognition of qualifications obtained through local training programmes.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that graduates from institutions like the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College are not disadvantaged in the job market, asserting, "No institutions such as InterHealth Canada or TCI hospitals can say their

qualifications are not recognised by their institution."

The bill also seeks to streamline the operations of the HPA, particularly in verifying the registration and licensure of medical professionals participating in the migrant health programme. This programme, which evaluates individuals seeking immigrant visas and work permits through medical examinations, plays a crucial role in public health.

Changes to the migrant health programme, specifically the shift towards testing for infectious diseases like HIV and syphilis outside the country, have also drawn scrutiny. Astwood argued for conducting these tests locally, citing benefits for local health professionals and increased accountability. He cautioned against potential fraud, stating, "We have seen over the years, health documents coming to the Ministry of Health that are not correct, that are fraudulent."

During the House of Assembly debate, Member of Parliament for Leeward Long Bay, Hon Akierra Misick, an attorney, provided a legal perspective, praising the bill's clarity in outlining disciplinary procedures for health professionals.

She emphasised the importance of transparency and due process, explaining, "Breaking this down is extremely helpful, and it advises again that professionals what they can lose if the inquiry goes against them."

As the Turks and Caicos Islands navigate these complex healthcare reforms, the debate underscores the delicate balance between safeguarding public health, ensuring fairness for medical professionals, and addressing the unique needs of the territory.

The enacted legislation represents a bold step towards a more self-sufficient and robust healthcare system, however, its long-term success hinges on ongoing collaboration and adaptation to the evolving needs of the islands' residents.

Teenager charged with Grand Turk double murder

BY DELANA ISLES

Police in the nation’s capital have officially charged the 17-year-old male arrested earlier this month, with the murders of Necal Pierre and Stavardo Talbot, both of whom were gunned down on August 4.

The teen – name and photo withheld at this time – was first arrested on August 8, following intensive investigations in Grand Turk.

The accused, who resides in Grand Turk, was charged on Tuesday, (August 20) with the murder of 47-year-old Pierre, and on Wednesday, police slapped an additional murder charge on him, that for the shooting death of Talbot.

Head of Crime, Safeguarding, Public Protection and Intelligence Superintendent (ag) Kenville Charles said that 17 days of dedicated investigative work by officers working over twelve hours per day resulted in the suspect's arrest.

“I wish to acknowledge the Serious Crimes Unit investigators and the team in Grand Turk who

vigorously worked on these investigations to achieve this result,” he added.

Pierre’s lifeless body was discovered at about 3:15pm on Sunday, August 4, in her Palm Grove, Grand Turk home.

An autopsy performed on her body later revealed that she succumbed to gunshot wounds.

Shortly after Pierre’s body was discovered, at about 4:49pm police were again summoned to another crime scene, having received several reports from residents of gunshots being heard near the Parade Ground in Back Salina.

When officers arrived, they found Talbot’s motionless body,

with what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

Police immediately launched robust investigations into the two murders, rounding up several persons for questioning.

The accused teen murdered is set to appear in the Magistrate’s court soon.

Police continue to appeal to

members of the public to come forward with information they may have about the two murders that have rocked the small community. Persons can contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or on Crime Stoppers P3 app to provide any information anonymously.

Authorities confiscate $2m worth of drugs on board migrant sloops

BY DELANA ISLES

The flood of illegal migrants and drugs into the Turks and Caicos Islands continued unabated last weekend, as Border Police captured hundreds of fleeing Haitians and millions in illicit drugs on board five vessels.

Two-hundred and seventeen migrants were intercepted and arrested from five vessels on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday following a joint collaboration between the Royal TCI Police Force, Border Force, TCI Regiment, Royal Bahamas Defence Force and members of the public.

On Friday, August 16, at about 11:40pm, Police were alerted to an illegal vessel landing at Bird Rock, Providenciales.

When officers responded to the scene, 15 migrants were captured in the area. Further searches in the vicinity of the landing site by officers revealed bundles of what was discovered to be cannabis sativa (marijuana) with an estimated street value of US$131,660.

The following day, (Saturday) shortly after 5pm, officers of the Marine Unit of the RTCIPF received information from members of the public about another suspected landing.

When officers arrived at Jones Cay they found two illegal migrant vessels, they also managed to capture forty one illegals inclusive

of 32 men, six women and three minors.

While at the location, officers conducted searches of the two vessels and discovered cannabis sativa onboard with an estimated street value of US$2,704,932.

On Sunday, at about 10:17pm, a joint task force intercepted an illegal migrant vessel in waters near West Caicos.

The vessel was escorted to Providenciales, with 144 illegal migrants onboard – 112 males

inclusive of one minor and 32 females inclusive of five minors.

The following day (Monday) at 4:50am, based on information received, Marine Units responded to an area near Long Bay where an illegal vessel was intercepted. Seventeen illegal migrants comprised of 10 males inclusive of one minor and seven females were detained.

ILLEGAL MIGRATION AND DRUGS

Just a year ago, almost to the date (August 29, 2023), police captured an illegal vessel which had set sail from Haiti with drugs and migrants on board. That bust saw a $500,000 drug haul, after the boat was run aground by Marine officers.

Several of those migrants fled the scene, as police and custom officials retrieved the drugs. That same day, another vessel was found abandoned by officials in North West Point and hauled into South Dock. Searches of that

boat by customs officials revealed 27 kilogrammes of cannabis on board.

A few weeks later, on September 16, 2023, yet another drug bust was made on board an illegal vessel carrying adults and children from Haiti.

In addition to the 33 illegal migrants, police also found $92,000 worth of marijuana onboard the vessel.

Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin is reminding the public that the trafficking of illicit contraband into the Turks and Caicos Islands is an offence with serious penalties.

He said his officers and their law enforcement partners are resolute in capturing the people involved in the smuggling of people and trafficking of illegal drugs to bring them to justice.

He is also reminding the public that under the TCI Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, Sec. 105 (2), any person who assists in the transportation of illegal migrants’ entry to the Islands commits an offence and is liable to “(a) on summary conviction to a fine of $20,000 or imprisonment for a term of four years, or to both.”

Anyone with information that may help in these investigations is urged to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or Crime Stoppers P3 app to provide any information anonymously.

Necal Pierre, found dead in a Grand Turk home shot to death Starvado Talbot was shot in broad daylight by masked gunman

Drugs confiscated by immigration, police and border patrol on board a loaded boat of illegal migrants

TCIG tackles informal settlements: A balancing act of necessity and empathy

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Turks and Caicos Islands is facing a mounting crisis: the rapid proliferation of informal settlements. These settlements, often characterised by substandard living conditions and inadequate infrastructure, pose significant health, environmental, and social risks.

In a special edition of the

Expressions show with host Robert Hall, on Monday, August 19, 2024, Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick and Former Supreme Court Justice Carlos Simons KC, Head of the Informal Settlement Unit (ISU), addressed this pressing issue, revealing the government's controversial strategy to tackle it.

The conversation shed light on the government's multifaceted approach to addressing this complex problem, emphasising the

Former Supreme Court Justice Carlos Simons KC, Head of the Informal Settlement Unit (ISU), Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick with host Robert Hall

need for comprehensive solutions that balance legal compliance with empathy for affected residents.

THE GENESIS OF THE PROBLEM

Premier Misick candidly acknowledged the government's historical failure to control illegal immigration, a factor he directly linked to the rise of informal settlements.

"For many, many years, we have given lip service to controlling illegal immigration," he stated, “and that has resulted,

among a number of things, in the rapid development of informal settlements."

Informal settlements, often referred to as shanty towns, have been a growing concern in TCI. These settlements pose significant challenges, including health risks, environmental degradation, and potential social issues such as crime.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Misick said: "For many, many years, we have given lip service to controlling political immigration, and that has resulted, among a number of things, in the rapid development of informal settlements."

The government's response to this challenge has been the establishment of the ISU, a unit tasked with finding long-term solutions to the issue.

The Premier emphasised the unit's comprehensive approach, stating, "The informal settlement is meant to address adequate housing, affordable housing, social housing, environmental remediation, all of those things."

BALANCING LEGAL ENFORCEMENT WITH SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

One of the key concerns raised during the discussion was the potential displacement of residents due to the ISU's activities. Premier Misick offered assurances that the government is committed to protecting the rights of TCI Islanders, stating, "I have been given every assurance by the ISU that absolutely no Turks and Caicos Islander has been put on the street or made homeless."

He further explained that the government is working on plans to ensure housing for those affected, including the allocation of $20m for a Mortgage Corporation to provide affordable housing options. Additionally, the government has taken steps to ensure legal compliance and social services for individuals impacted by the ISU's actions.

APOLITICAL

Justice Simons, Head of the ISU,

emphasised the unit's apolitical nature and its commitment to upholding the law while working towards sustainable solutions. He stated, "The ISU is not the political arm of any political party. The ISU is a genuine agency of the Turks and Caicos Islands government... It is above politics."

Simons also highlighted the ISU's collaboration with other government agencies, such as the Crown Land Unit and the Planning Department, to ensure that development in TCI complies with existing laws and regulations.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by the illegal occupation of crown lands but reiterated the ISU's commitment to finding alternative accommodations for affected residents before any demolition takes place.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

The conversation underscored the government's commitment to addressing the issue of informal settlements through a holistic approach that considers the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the problem.

Premier Misick outlined several initiatives aimed at achieving this goal, including increased funding for social services, stricter regulations for developers to provide housing for foreign workers, and a focus on providing affordable housing options for TCI Islanders.

The government's efforts to tackle informal settlements in TCI represent a complex balancing act between enforcing the law, protecting the rights of residents, and promoting sustainable development.

While the ISU's activities have faced criticism, the Premier and Justice Simons emphasised the unit's commitment to finding longterm solutions that prioritise the well-being of all TCI residents.

As the Premier aptly stated, "The journey has begun," and the government's comprehensive approach offers hope for a future where all TCI residents can live in safe, adequate, and dignified communities.

Parenting 101

In today’s constantly changing world, raising children who are grounded in the ways of God is more challenging yet more critical than ever. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse offers both guidance and reassurance, promising that the seeds of faith and values we plant in our children today will bear fruit in their lives for years to come. However, the question remains— how do we effectively train our kids in the ways of God?

PRINCIPLE #1:

SEEK GOD FIRST

The foundation of training children in God's ways begins with earnestly seeking God. Isaiah 55:6-7 encourages us to "seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." Similarly, Matthew 6:33 instructs us to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." We set an example for our children by prioritizing our relationship with God. When they see us making God the center of our lives, they learn to do the same.

This principle is not about merely following religious rituals but about developing a deep, personal relationship with God that influences every aspect of our lives. Parents who live out

KENYATTA

E. LEWIS

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

their faith authentically—through prayer, worship, and obedience to God’s word—create a powerful model for their children to follow.

PRINCIPLE #2:

LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

In the context of a Christian marriage, one of the most significant ways to train children in the ways of God is by loving your spouse. Ephesians 5:25 exhorts husbands to "love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her," while Titus 2:4 instructs wives to "love their husbands and children." The love and respect shared between parents is a living testimony of God’s love for their children.

For those who are single, the task of raising children in the faith may seem more daunting. It’s true that the absence of a spouse makes this task more challenging, but it is by no means impossible. God’s grace is sufficient, and single parents can lean on the strength and support of their church. Single parents can still provide their children with

a robust spiritual foundation by seeking God first and surrounding themselves with godly influences.

PRINCIPLE

#3: BE THE PARENT – IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Training children in the ways of God is primarily a parental duty. Proverbs 1:8-9 reminds children to "listen to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching." Ephesians 6:1 further emphasizes, "children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Parents are the first and most influential teachers their children will ever have. God chose each parent for this role, as seen in Genesis 18:19, where God speaks of Abraham, saying, "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord."

This principle underscores the importance of taking responsibility for your child’s spiritual education. It is not enough to rely on churches or schools; parents must actively

engage in teaching their children about God, modeling Christian values, and correcting them in love.

PRINCIPLE #4: YOUR CHILDREN NEED YOU

Finally, children need their parents’ presence, guidance, and wisdom.

Proverbs 4:20-22 urges parents to "pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health

to one’s whole body." This passage highlights the importance of being actively involved in your children’s lives, not just in a physical sense but emotionally and spiritually as well. Your children need to hear you speak words of life, see you live out your faith, and feel your love and support as they navigate the challenges of growing up. This involves more than just providing for their material needs; it means being there to guide them, teach them, and help them understand what it means to live a life that honors God.

Raising children in the ways of God is a journey that requires dedication, love, and an unwavering commitment to biblical principles. But you are not alone; seek God’s wisdom and the support of wise people, and you will be able to lay a solid foundation for your child’s faith and future.

How El Salvador was able to reduce crimes?

The power of prayer

I came across a video recently in which Tucker Carlson interviewed Nayib Bukele, the 43rd President of El Salvador. El Salvador was considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world and now it is safer than many other countries.

Tucker asked the President how he was able to achieve that. Of course, the President said they rolled out several initiatives to combat crime, but the real solution came about due to a miracle which is because of him and his cabinet praying to God.

Over ten years ago, the murder rate in El Salvador was 103 per 100,000 inhabitants. The murder rate is now 2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. 70,000 gang members ae.

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.

President Bukele recognised that what he was facing in El Salvador was a spiritual battle. The gangs in their country are satanic and therefore being controlled by Satan. To win a spiritual battle, you must fight spiritually. You fight spiritually by praying, putting the full armour of God and believing a change will take place. Fighting

in the natural realm is inadequate. As you consider what is happening in the Turks and Caicos and the rest of the world, crime is becoming a global issue. Some of us blamed the politicians and the police for not solving the crime situation. The politicians and the police have a role to play but I know it does not matter

what political party or who the Commissioner of Police is if they continue to fight crime in the natural realm.

We need to apply the biblical strategy that President Bukele uses in El Salvador. We really need to pray not just when a crime takes place but always pray. Our society is not the same anymore and it is because many of us no longer have a fear of God. We are not praying anymore. We are not believing in God anymore.

Our country also has an influx of people who believe in another God other than the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There are Satan worshippers in this country. Demons are loose in our community and controlling the minds of so many people and so

whatever their minds tell them to do, they are doing it. In addition to demons, the minds of many are being controlled by the music they listen to.

The President of El Salvador rolled out a plan to deal with the gangs. The effective way was using the power of prayer. I encourage you today to pray always. Don’t be reactive and wait until something happens and then pray. Don’t take prayer for granted. I know many of us are so preoccupied with other events and issues in our life but find the time to pray.

We are in a spiritual battle with individuals being controlled by demonic forces such as a spirit of jealousy, a spirit of greed, a spirit of murder and a spirit of poverty. Do not be afraid. Pray.

Why are people worshipping AI technology?

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has ignited hysteria among the global populace – that machine technology will eventually overpower mankind. While the pace of technological development is moving at an alarming pace, I am adamant that the only threat comes from falling for the hype!

Like many people, I also believe that humanity has a divinely inspired purpose and; therefore, no powerful machine and system programmed with 1’s and 0’s with large language models fed with massive data cannot replace the unique abilities of humans.

A part of what animates this AI hyperbole is the idea that the computer is an alternative to objectivity or ultimate means.

There is; however, an overpowering belief from prominent voices, asserting that AI poses an existential threat to society, which is true, if not regulated and used properly.

They say, it is not only the tech that is a part of our daily lives, but there is also a distinct cognition and

BY D MARKIE SPRING

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

ethic of tech and its ‘libertariancapitalist ideology.’

One of these voices, Nick Bostrom, founding director, Future of Humanity Institute, Oxford University, sanctioned in his book, “Superintelligence” – that society must depend on computer brains that transcend those of humans in capacity.

Before we further justify the deployment of this technological marvel, it is worth noting, the emergence of the World Wide Web in the mid-1990s came with a similar strong assertion of a new utopia, depicting an imaginary world, where frontiers, dissimilarities and misery would

culminate.

But almost three decades later, we’ve seen it importance of connecting the world, where everyone can retrieve, share and disperse information and to date, it is yet to overpower humans. Nevertheless, it did not come without its unique effects on global communities.

The biggest threat AI posits; however, isn’t that computers or systems will make man obsolete; it is the idea that the technology is so intelligent and transformative that it impels governments and businesses to outsource social and political tasks to machine software.

To date, many established

businesses have succumbed to the hype and are investing billions of dollars into the technology, which has, so far, ignited panic among artists and writers that they will inevitably be discarded.

And now, governments are scrambling to remain relevant and regulate the use of AI, and as of late, there has been contentious debate concerning the use and future of the technology.

Mind you, I am not advocating repelling advancing technology, as AI has enormous potential to help grow businesses and make life easier across societies. What I am saying is, we must not succumb to the puffery that comes with it.

The fact remains, AI platforms, such as ChatGPT can write flattering essays when prompted; however, the contents they create are often incorrect.

This suggests, that a machine with the capacity to perform language is lifeless and generic and it cannot think, express feelings, or will or being, and all this is contrary to what humans are proficient in.

And to assume that AI is the answer to everything and the idea that it is an exponentially inordinate brainpower is certainly a bizarre kind of fantasy, which abstracts out intelligence into a sort of major power, which is they expect to become greater over time.

How to win even when you’re losing

Need some comforting news?

Here it is: Everyone’s a loser.

Yep, you heard that right! If you've been feeling like one, welcome to the club—we’ve got jackets.

In the game of life, stumbling, failing, and falling flat on your face are all part of the deal. No one escapes it. You can't dodge the losses, but embracing this fact can help you lose like a pro— and maybe even score a few more wins along the way.

Here are some key points to help you get back in the game like a pro.

1. MAKE PEACEWITH REALITY

To win, you've got to tackle obstacles, not pretend they'll disappear on their own.

Newsflash: They won’t. The truth is, if something’s broken, you need to admit it and put in the work to fix it. Ignoring dysfunction, avoiding tough

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

conversations, and neglecting your healing will only keep you stuck. So, face the mess, deal with it, and save yourself from a future of even bigger headaches.

2. LOSE LIKE YOU’RE WINNING

You’ll win some, you’ll lose some — this is guaranteed and is how life works.

3. FIGURE OUT WHAT WINNING MEANS TO YOU

“Winning isn’t getting ahead of others. It’s getting ahead of yourself.”_ Roger Staubach. Is it

creating a family of your own?

Buying a home? Carving out a successful career in (fill in the blank)? Retiring with enough savings? Finding your purpose in life? Travelling the world?

This list can go on and on. This is where you’ll have to figure out what you want to keep, and what to cut out so that you can give your all to games that you want to play and win at.

4. GET CLEAR ON WHAT YOU DON’T WANT

“The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.”_ Rumi

Before you jump into any game, you’ll need to know what the rules are and how they work. Once you’ve sorted out what you can and cannot do, the process of narrowing down your to-dos can then be shortened considerably by figuring out what you don’t want to do. This is really a note to myself.

5. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

“You learn more from losing than winning. You learn how to keep going.” _ Morgan Wootten Anyone who's been around the block will tell you: life is hard, and there’s no cheat code. You’ll face plant eventually— it's practically a rite of passage. When that happens, you’ve got to bounce back smarter, faster, and stronger. The key is building resilience when life throws punches. Give yourself permission to fail, learn, and keep moving forward. Otherwise, you'll end up stuck at your own pity party, which,

let’s be honest, is a pretty boring way to spend your time. And hey, even if you’re not losing, taking a breather might just lead to your next big breakthrough. So cut yourself some slack—you deserve it!

If you’re not first, you’re still in the race! Every step forward is progress, and there's always another opportunity to improve, learn, and come out stronger. Even at 30, 50 and even 70 years old you still have a fair chance. I am cheering for you.

How do you deal with the many obstacles of life?

Shoot me your thoughts at louisedens@gmail.comor on IG: daviid.l2

E. LOUIS

TCI Watersports Association cries foul over perceived corporate takeover

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Representatives of the TCI Watersports Association have penned a scathing letter accusing RED/Ashford Inc., a Texas-based investment firm, of attempting to monopolise the watersports industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In the strongly worded letter, the association expressed deep concern over the actions of RED/ Ashford, particularly their recent appointment of John Hazard as Managing Director of Grace Bay Club. Hazard previously served as GM of the Ritz-Carlton, where RED/Ashford first introduced their watersports services.

“A few months ago, John Hazard was appointed Managing Director of Grace Bay Club, and it appears as though he plans to bring a branch of RED/Ashford to Grace Bay Resorts with him,” the letter alleges.

The association argues that RED/Ashford, with its vast financial resources, poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of local operators who have built the industry over the past 40 years.

“RED/Ashford seems to be very proud of their Vertical Integration business strategy," the letter continues. "This basically means they seek to control the watersports industry at every level

Local water sports operators, who met with the Premier and other government officials on July 8th, 2024

of production.”

The association accuses RED/ Ashford of using its financial might to edge out local competition by bringing in their own equipment, rather than utilising the services of existing operators.

"With Grace Bay Resorts, RED/ Ashford will assess the market and bring in equipment to fully control that market, displacing many local operators in the process," the letter warns.

The association also claims that RED/Ashford has shown a disregard for the local community

Thirty-two take part

and its traditions.

"Generations of Islanders have survived by resourcefully hand making small boats to fish with and larger, ocean-going boats to trade with," the letter emphasises. "It is insulting for a Texas-based Investment Group with many billions in assets to land on our shores and ask our mariners to step aside, suggesting that they have a better way to do it."

The association concludes by issuing a call to action, urging the public to contact their elected representatives and the directors

in week-long empowerment camp for boys

During the week of August 5th to 9th the Department of Gender Affairs within the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications Commission hosted Camp “Build a Boss”.

The week-long empowerment camp for boys 11 to 18 was a residential adventure that explored the development of leadership capacities, enhanced the decision-making process and gave a grounding in key concepts of personal and interpersonal development to the 32 participants.

The opening ceremony featured powerful words of encouragement from the Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs Mr Frederico Johnson, the Director of Gender Affairs Mrs. Carolyn Dickenson, and the District Commissioner for Salt Cay Ms Aisha Thomas.

The camp was declared open by the Minister of Home

Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications Commission the Honourable Otis C, Morris. During his declaration statement, Minister Morris spoke to the importance of the camp and its role in shaping the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands through the young men present. The address counselled the boys to reject the scourge of violence plaguing the beautiful by nature islands that they stand to inherit. The boys were also called upon to ensure they made the best of the opportunities the coming week would have afforded. During the camp there was coverage of several developmental topics which included communication, decision-making, the role of a leader, etiquette and good manners, peer pressure and conflict management and resolution. Skill-building sessions were also a part of the camp and these were facilitated by partners such as the

Dept. of Environmental and Coastal Resources, the Department of Agriculture, Fire and Rescue and the Dept. of Youth Affairs.

The participants closed the camp on Friday night with a concert that featured their singing, sharing poetry which they composed on the themes of the camp and sharing their own thoughts on what they had learnt and how it impacted them. They were presented with certificates of participation, special prizes which they had won during sessions during the week and other rewards they had earned for their participation in Camp Activities. At the concert, members of the community and some family members of the boys present showed their appreciation for the expressions of the campers. They also gave their commitment that the community of Salt Cay would always be a home for the hosting of “Camp Build a Boss”.

economy and the need to protect the interests of small businesses and traditional industries.

The government has reiterated its unwavering support for local entrepreneurs and its commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with all industry stakeholders.

Efforts are being made to find a solution that is mutually beneficial, according to a statement from the government.

Local water sports operators allege that Red Hospitality is using its financial clout to push out existing players at all levels of the industry.

of Grace Bay Resorts to express their opposition to RED/Ashford's perceived takeover of the watersports industry.

“We warned of allowing a wolf into the henhouse with RED and the Ritz, and all our concerns have come to pass," the letter concludes. "RED/Ashford, a TCI newcomer with unlimited funding, will not be satisfied until they have gobbled up most of our market."

The TCI Watersports Association's letter has sparked a heated debate about the role of foreign investment in the local

This includes booking services, concierge services, tour operators, and jet ski operators. The company's alleged strategy involves acquiring targeted businesses and then offering services across all subsectors, creating an uncontested market space.

However, the Turks and Caicos Watersports Association remains sceptical. They view Red Hospitality as a "wolf in the henhouse" and are calling on the public to reach out to their representatives and the directors of Grace Bay Resorts to voice their concerns.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick has pledged to investigate Red Hospitality amid concerns the company is monopolizing the local water sports industry.

The week-long empowerment camp for boys 11 to 18 was a residential adventure that explored the development of leadership capacities

Govt takes action after asbestos discovery in South Base, Grand Turk

A recent survey has revealed widespread asbestos contamination in South Base, Grand Turk, prompting immediate government intervention.

Testing conducted from July 10 to July 15, 2024, confirmed the presence of asbestos in 59 out of 103 samples taken from various structures in the area. The hazardous material was found in bitumen, cement, flat sheets, felt, floor tiles, mastic/sealant, papers, and ropes.

The presence of asbestos, a hazardous material known to cause serious health issues, has

been a concern due to the age of the buildings and the construction materials used at the time.

The government has moved swiftly to restrict access to the affected structures and is developing protocols for the safe abatement and removal of the asbestoscontaining materials (ACMs).

"The public is advised to adhere to warnings erected in the South Base compound," the government's press release stated.

"They are positioned to prevent accidental damage to the asbestoscontaining material and to protect persons who frequent the area.”

Funding for the removal and disposal of the ACMs has been approved under the Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency (GTESA) in the Turks and Caicos Islands Government's Appropriations Bill 2024/2025. The project has been designated as a high priority.

While the identified ACMs

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority (TCIAA) recently completed its first-ever internship programme.

According to information

pose a low to medium risk, the government is taking no chances.

Regular monitoring and annual inspections will be implemented to prevent any deterioration in the condition of the materials.

The government plans to publish subsequent phases of the abatement project through a public tendering process.

The compound, which covers an area containing over 21 building sites, was formerly used as a United States government base and later as administrative offices by the Turks and Caicos Islands government.

Many of the structures have fallen into disrepair due to hurricanes and neglect. (OLIVIA ROSE)

from the authority, the “interns gained hands-on experience across departments like corporate affairs, finance, terminal & airside operations,

engineering, projects, and meteorology”.

The social media post noted that the youngsters also participated in resume-building

sessions and received gifts to support their professional journey.

“Their enthusiasm and talent have been outstanding,” adds

Training Manager Phylicia

who spearheaded this project. “These young professionals are set to excel in their aviation careers.”

Hawkins

An abandoned building at the Grand Turk NAVFAC 104 base. (Photo: Visit TCI website)

Ministry of Health issues public health alert on Mpox

The Ministry of Health and Human Services this week informed the public that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

This declaration, made on August 14, 2024, recognises the significant global threat posed by the more transmissible and severe strain of the Mpox virus, known as clade 1b. By declaring a PHEIC, the WHO raises global awareness about a possible public health threat, ensuring that governments, health organizations, and the public understand the urgency and severity of the situation.

Mpox clade 1b, which emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2023, has now spread to several countries in Africa and, as of August 15, 2024, was confirmed in Sweden. This is the first time this strain has been detected outside of Africa, heralding the need for heightened vigilance worldwide.

A health alert coming from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the primary public health agency for the Caribbean region, reports the current situation in the Caribbean as:

No reported cases of Mpox clade 1b have been reported in the Caribbean or neighbouring regions, including the United States to date.

The risk to the Caribbean population is currently assessed as low to moderate, given the limited travel and direct commercial connections to the DRC and its neighbouring countries.

However, the Ministry urges continued vigilance and surveillance.

Mpox (previously known as monkeypox), is an infection caused by the monkeypox virus. It can spread through close contact such as touching; kissing or sex through contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles; Respiratory droplets from an infected person or pregnant women, who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.

Once an individual comes in contact with an infected person the time between contact to the display of symptoms (incubation period) for Mpox ranges from 5 to 21 days but is typically from 6 to 13 days.

PERSONS INFECTED WITH MPOX INITIALLY DEVELOP SYMPTOMS THAT INCLUDE

• Exhaustion

• fever,

• headache,

• backache,

• muscle ache,

• chills

• swollen lymph nodes

Painful rash is quite common, firstly appearing on the face then on the hands, feet and other parts of

the body. Rask appears as vesicles (fluid-filled blister).

Symptoms often last for 2 to 4 weeks and are mild in most people but severe illness and complications, such as sepsis (severe whole system infection), secondary infections and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), may occur in children, pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems.

PREVENTION IS PRIMARILY THROUGH AVOIDING

CONTACT WITH INFECTED INDIVIDUALS

BY

• Wash and Sanitize hands frequently

• Avoid contact with anyone with a suspicious rash

• Avoid contact with contaminated object

• Wear a mask for close contact with an infected person

Since this declaration, the Ministry of Health and Human Services has enhanced syndromic surveillance systems to rapidly identify cases presenting with fever and rash, especially among travelers from affected regions. The Ministry has also elevated awareness among healthcare professionals, ensuring they recognise the symptoms of Mpox, particularly in patients with recent travel history to those

areas. Additionally, there has been strengthened infection prevention and control procedures in healthcare settings to better manage potential outbreaks.

The Ministry, in collaboration with CARPHA, will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

Public health authorities across the region are urged to remain vigilant and ready to respond swiftly to any potential cases.

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/tciministryofhealth/

Bankers Association hosts countrywide back-to-school giveaway event

The Bankers Association of the Turks and Caicos Islands successfully held a country-wide back-to-school giveaway event on Saturday, August 17th.

The event took place simultaneously across Providenciales, Grand Turk, North Caicos and South Caicos, bringing together communities from all corners of the islands.

The giveaway featured the distribution of backpacks filled with essential school supplies, all sourced through a local small business. The backpacks, available in a wide range of colours and sizes, allowed eager students to select options that best reflected their unique personalities and styles. Roughly three thousand school children benefitted from this initiative.

In addition to the distribution of school supplies, the event also featured a lively atmosphere with

food, drinks, games, music, and dancing. Volunteers from every bank in the Turks and Caicos were present on each island, ensuring a smooth and joyful experience for all attendees. The consensus among the volunteers was that it was truly heart-warming to witness the excitement and sheer glee on the children's faces as they explored their backpacks, treating them as treasured possessions.

The event organizing committee was Co-Chaired by Mr Kenrick Walters, General Manager of Bordier Bank and Mrs Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry, Country Manager and Area Vice President of RBC Royal Bank.

Mr Walters shared his thoughts on the initiative: "While all of our member banks support the community in various ways, we were excited to collaborate as an association on helping to

ensure that every child in our community has access to the school supplies that they need to succeed. It’s about giving back to the community and supporting the next generation."

Ms King-Henry encouraged the young people of Turks and Caicos to take advantage of all available opportunities: "Our member banks offer excellent youth training and leadership programmes, and we are keen on supporting projects that enhance financial literacy and promote career opportunities.

This Back-to-School Giveaway is just one example of how we can make a positive impact." President of the Bankers Association, Mr Marcus Samuel, who also serves as the Managing Director of British Caribbean Bank, stated “We are happy to have invested and will continue to invest in our youth as this planted seed will become

tomorrow’s tree which will feed us in our latter years.”

He further emphasized the importance of community outreach: "Among the many functions of our association, one of the most important is community outreach. Our commitment to community outreach is multifaceted with one of our primary focuses being promoting financial literacy across all stages of life – from basic financial literacy to understanding the complexities of lending and debt management. Additionally, we aim to showcase the numerous opportunities awaiting residents in the banking sector."

The Bankers Association extends its heartfelt thanks to all staff members who participated and community partners whose invaluable support made this nationwide event a resounding success.

“Hands foot mouth disease” in children

Aka coxsackievirus infection

Coxsackievirus infection is common in the TCI, however, the diagnosis is often missed! Coxsackieviruses are part of the enterovirus family of viruses (which also includes polioviruses and hepatitis A virus) that can live in the human digestive tract. The viruses can spread from person to person, usually on unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by feces (poop), where they can live for several days. In most cases, coxsackievirus infections cause mild flu-like symptoms and go away without treatment. But in some cases, they can lead to more serious infections.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COXSACKIEVIRUS INFECTIONS?

Coxsackievirus can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Some kids with an infection have no symptoms. Others suddenly get a high fever, headache, and muscle aches, and some also develop a sore throat, belly discomfort, or nausea. A child may simply feel hot but have no other symptoms. In most kids, the fever lasts about 3 days, then disappears.

WHAT PROBLEMS CAN HAPPEN?

Coxsackieviruses commonly causes painful blisters in the throat and on the tongue, gums, hard palate, inside of the cheeks, and the palms of hands and soles of the feet (aka “Hands Foot Mouth Disease”). Less common symptoms include: blisters on the buttocks, herpangina (causes red-ringed blisters and ulcers on the tonsils and soft palate, the fleshy back portion of the roof of the mouth), hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (affects the whites

Dr Guirlene Nicolas

of the eyes, usually begins as eye pain, followed quickly by red, watery eyes with swelling, light sensitivity, and blurred vision). Occasionally, coxsackieviruses can cause more serious infections that may need to be treated in a hospital, including: viral meningitis - an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, encephalitis - a brain infection, myocarditis - an infection of the heart muscle. Mothers can pass an infection to their newborns during or just after birth. Babies are more at risk for a serious infection, including myocarditis, hepatitis, and meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and meninges). In

newborns, symptoms can develop within 2 weeks after birth.

ARE COXSACKIEVIRUS INFECTIONS CONTAGIOUS?

Coxsackieviruses are very contagious. They can pass from person to person on unwashed hands and contaminated surfaces. They also can spread through droplets of fluid sprayed into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. If there's an outbreak in a community, the risk for coxsackievirus infection is highest among infants and kids younger than 5. The virus spreads easily in group settings

like schools, childcare centres, and summer camps. People are most contagious the first week they're sick. In cooler climates, outbreaks most often happen in the summer and fall, but tropical parts of the world have them year-round.

HOW ARE COXSACKIEVIRUS INFECTIONS TREATED?

Depending on the type of infection and symptoms, the doctor may prescribe medicines to make your child feel more comfortable. Because antibiotics only work against bacteria, they can't be used to fight a coxsackievirus infection. You can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease minor aches and pains. If the fever lasts for more than 24 hours or if your child has any symptoms of a more serious coxsackievirus infection, call your doctor.

Most kids with a simple infection recovers completely after a few days without needing any medical treatment. A child who has a fever without any other symptoms should rest in bed or play quietly indoors. Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration

HOW LONG DOES COXSACKIEVIRUS INFECTIONS LAST?

The length varies. Kids who only have a fever may see their temperature return to normal within 24 hours, although the average fever lasts 3 days. Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually lasts for 2–3 days but can last as long as 7 days. Viral meningitis can take 3–7 days to clear up.

WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE DOCTOR?

Call the doctor right away if

your child has any of these symptoms:

• Fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C) for infants younger than 6 months and higher than 102°F (38.8°C) for older kids

• Poor appetite

• Trouble feeding

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Trouble breathing

• Convulsions

• Unusual sleepiness

• Pain in the chest or belly

• Sores on the skin or inside the mouth

• Severe sore throat

• Severe headache, especially with vomiting, confusion, or unusual sleepiness

• Neck stiffness

• Red, swollen, and watery eyes

• Pain in one or both testicles

CAN COXSACKIEVIRUS INFECTIONS BE PREVENTED?

There is no vaccine to prevent coxsackievirus infection. Hand washing is the best protection. Remind everyone in your family to wash their hands well and often, especially after using the toilet, after changing a diaper, before meals, and before preparing food. Shared toys in childcare centres should be cleaned often with a disinfectant because the virus can live on these objects for days. Kids who are sick with a coxsackievirus infection should be kept out of school or childcare for a few days to avoid spreading the infection.

Dr Guirlene Nicolas Pediatrician

Regional News

Haitian ex-President Martelly hit with US sanctions, accused of facilitating drug trade

The U.S. imposed sanctions on the former president of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly, Tuesday following accusations that he abused his influence to facilitate drug trafficking into the U.S. and sponsored gangs that have contributed to instability in the Caribbean country.

The Treasury Department’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Bradley T. Smith, said the action “emphasizes the significant and destabilizing role he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in Haiti.”

Haiti is engulfed in gang violence while peaceful protesters are tear-gas sed by police as they call on law enforcement to help them stop the gangs that have been violently seizing control of neighbourhoods.

Hundreds of police officers from Kenya have arrived in Haiti for a U.N.-backed mission led by the East African country to deal with the gangs.

A July United Nations report states that gang violence in Haiti has displaced more than 300,000 children since March — with many children living in makeshift shelters, including schools in poor hygienic conditions, placing them at risk of disease.

Martelly, who served as president from 2011 to 2016, was previously sanctioned by the Canadian government in November

2022 for financing gangs.

In January, a Haitian judge issued an arrest warrant for Martelly and more than 30 other high-ranking officials accused of government corruption, namely misappropriation of funds or equipment related to Haiti’s National Equipment Center.

State Department official Vedant Patel said the Tuesday

sanctions were meant to “promote accountability for all individuals whose activities contribute to gang violence and destabilize the political environment in Haiti, regardless of their rank or stature.”

The U.S. uses a December 2021 executive order related to foreigners engaged in the drug trade as its authority to impose the sanctions. (Winnmediaskn)

BVI Premier under fire for more than $20m budget shortfall, probe urged

Premier Natalio Wheatley has come under fire from an Opposition member after he revealed a budget shortfall of millions of dollars that would have gone to fund raises for public employees.

As a result, new hires and nonessential travel will be restricted as the government attempts to find ways to raise the necessary revenue.

Wheatley, during a sitting of the House of Assembly on Friday, revealed there was a “very wide variance” in budget calculations for public sector salaries. As a result of the discovery, the premier, who also serves as Finance minister, said he asked the office of Gov. Daniel Pruce, which oversees the public service sector, to launch an investigation to determine

the circumstances that led to the budget deficit.

According to Wheatley, a “major appropriation of resources” was made in this year’s budget to implement a new salary structure, and the House of Assembly approved a budget of $11.7 million for the purpose. During comments on the House floor, which was carried via live broadcast to the public, Wheatley said the actual salary increase was significantly higher than the $11.7 million budget, and the actual figure was upwards of $25 million.

“This very wide variance between what was budgeted and what is required, has caused a great concern for myself as Minister of Finance, Cabinet and I’m sure for the House of

DR’s Abinader vows economic growth, social reforms in second term

Dominican Republic leader Luis Abinader assumed his second fouryear term as president on Friday, vowing economic growth and a set of social reforms while criticising the aftermath of the recent elections in Venezuela.

Abinader, a 57-year-old former businessman, cinched another term when he secured 58% of the vote in May on a pro-business platform with a tough stance on corruption and barring migrants from neighbouring conflict-hit Haiti.

“There is no magical solution for success but we have a simple recipe to achieve it,” Abinander said in a livestreamed ceremony, pledging to promote private investment to grow the economy and strengthen transparency and efficiency in public spending.

The Dominican Republic, the

largest economy off the continental Americas, aims to double its $113-billion gross domestic product by 2036.

Guests from the political and private sectors - including the presidents of Panama, Uruguay and Paraguay - dressed in white gathered for the event at the capital’s National Theater. Abinader said he would present reforms to lawmakers looking to improve labor rights, social protection, ensure the electoral body’s independence and prevent future presidents from exceeding the two-term limit defined in the constitution.

Abinader’s Modern Revolutionary Party won a strong majority in both upper and lower houses, allowing them to easily pass laws.

Assembly, which approved the budget,” Wheatley said. “As a result of this variance, Cabinet has recommended to the governor, an immediate freeze on nonessential hiring, restrictions on travel, advancing the implementation of a contributory pension scheme and the establishment of a committee to consider proposals for revenue raising initiatives and cost saving measures.”

Opposition legislator Myron Walwyn, a former Education minister with the National Democratic Party, who returned to the legislature last year as the Sixth District Representative, called for Wheatley to resign his Finance post.

“I know how these things work. Sometimes a Minister of Finance

or a Premier goes off on a frolic of his own and I believe this Premier goes off on a frolic of his own,” Walwyn said.

Walwyn said he’s calling on Wheatley to do the proper thing and give up the Finance Minister’s post.

“You wouldn’t fall your government. You’ll still have seven (members) but what you have

shown to this country is that you’re not capable of being the Minister of Finance,” he said. “How can you underestimate — and the truth really is about $20 million. How can you get that wrong? A $20 million mistake? And what is even worse is everybody has their job. Nothing has been done whatsoever to show contempt for this level of mistake.”

BVI

Dominican Republic leader Luis Abinader

Premier Natalio Wheatley also serves as the BVI’s finance minister

Former president of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly

Regional News

New forecast reveals when and where hurricane season could get active after Ernesto

Tropical activity in an unusually active hurricane season will take a breather after Ernesto, but forecasters don’t believe it will last long.

Atlantic storms will be limited for at least the next week. Dry, dusty air and some disruptive winds in the upper atmosphere are making it difficult for stormy weather to get its act together. A similar setup kept the Atlantic quiet for a few weeks following record-breaking Hurricane Beryl.

But this brief break in activity isn’t likely to last nearly as long, according to forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center. Once the dry, dusty air eases, Atlantic tropical activity could be off to the races as stormy weather pushes off the coast of Africa and out to sea

unimpeded.

The centre’s latest forecast highlights a broad area in the Atlantic from the western coast of Africa to the Caribbean where tropical activity could reignite in late August and early September.

The western tropical Atlantic, just east of the Caribbean, has the greatest chance for development during the same timeframe.

A 40% or greater development chance stretches nearly into midSeptember over much of the tropical Atlantic, according to the forecast, so hurricane season might not be hitting the brakes again anytime soon.

This isn’t surprising because the climatological peak of hurricane season is just a few weeks away.

The Atlantic ocean is also still near record-warm, which

The ship was found with no crew onboard after running aground and overturning off south-western Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago refloats

mystery oil spill tanker

The mysterious tanker that caused a major oil spill after capsizing off Trinidad and Tobago in February has been successfully refloated, the government said.

The operation was completed on Monday, and the vessel - known only as the Gulfstream - will now be inspected by divers before being towed away, the energy ministry said.

The ship was found with no crew onboard after running aground and overturning off south-western Tobago. No emergency calls were made and local authorities have been unable to find anyone responsible for the incident.

Since then some 50,000 barrels of oil have leaked, damaging the Caribbean island’s pristine beaches and prompting the government to

A 40% or greater development chance stretches nearly into mid-September over much of the tropical Atlantic

could help systems develop and potentially explode in strength – something becoming more common in a world warming due to fossil fuel pollution.

Warm water was one of the chief reasons a chorus of expert voices have called for a hyperactive hurricane season, with multiple groups – including NOAA – saying close to two dozen named storms are possible by season’s end.

The season has already been unusually active, producing five named storms – three of which became hurricanes – by midAugust. Ernesto strengthened into

the third hurricane of the season almost a month earlier than normal, according to the NHC.

Beryl also shattered expectations when it became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record in early July. It was a major hurricane – Category 3 or stronger – almost two months ahead of schedule.

These early storms aren’t the only signal of how unusually active the season has been.

This season is the third most active to date since the 1960s, according to one measure of tropical activity used by hurricane experts. Only 2005 and 1980 had

a more active start to hurricane season, according to Michael Lowry, a hurricane expert.

The busiest part of hurricane season typically starts in midAugust, peaks around September 10 and persists into mid-October. About 68% of all Atlantic tropical activity typically unfolds after September 1, according to data tracked by researchers at Colorado State University.

This season has already racked up about half of the activity an entire normal season would produce with plenty of tropical activity to come. (CNN)

Bahamas has vaccines available and protocols are set in case of m-pox virus

The Ministry of Health and Wellness said vaccines for monkeypox are available, following the ministry activating emergency protocols to protect against the spread of the viral disease in The Bahamas.

declare a national emergency.

In a statement, the energy ministry said the Gulfstream was now afloat in an overturned state 60m (197ft) deep in the sea, secured and supported by tugs.

A team of divers will assess the tanker and remove any hanging debris that could impact its towing to the capital Port-of-Spain in Trinidad.

The government has so far been unable to find who was responsible for the incident, which happened on the eve of the country’s carnival celebrations.

Soon after the spillage occurred, the authorities suggested the tanker had originated in Panama and had been towed by a tugboat. They said it appeared “to have been bound for Guyana”.

The Ministry of Health in a statement said the emergency protocols were activated following the declaration of monkeypox/Mpox in Africa. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global emergency in response to the rapid spread of the virus across the African continent and a newly reported case in Sweden.

Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville confirmed that protocols and response measures to protect against the spread of M-pox in the country were activated and that quarantine measures and modalities are in place. The ministry also has retains antivirals and the M-pox vaccine for people seeking preventative treatment or who may be high risk.

Dr Michael Darville

“We also would wish to note that we are now able to test for monkeypox in country via the National Reference Library (NRL). This significantly reduces wait times on samples and offers the opportunity to rule out or treat persons presenting with

symptoms,” Dr Darville said.

The vaccines are available at any public clinic and free of charge.

Last week, Dr Darville said the Davis administration is not currently considering any travel restrictions for countries affected by the resurgence of monkeypox.

Regional News

US-backed mission in Haiti struggles to take on gang violence

The U.S.-backed and Kenyanled international police force that deployed to Haiti almost two months ago to defeat a powerful coalition of armed gangs has struggled to achieve its mission goals and restore order to the Caribbean nation.

The 400 police troops sent in have yet to advance through the capital of Port-au-Prince to clear out armed gangs, and the only two major clashes so far have both resulted in setbacks.

The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission remains underfunded, lacking the resources and necessary forces to bring Haiti back to normalcy, which has put pressure on the international community, along with the operation’s main sponsor, the U.S., to increase financial support.

“This is not moving at the speed that I think everyone expected,”

said Georges Fauriol, a senior adviser with the Latin America program at the U.S. Institute of Peace. “The MSS itself is sort of a three-legged vehicle that is missing a wheel, and everyone’s trying to

figure out whether to rebuild the whole vehicle, or whether to stop and actually add another wheel.”

Fauriol said Washington is focused on two other major global conflicts, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and that Republicans are resistant to sending more money to support the MSS, making it difficult to get more funding, especially during an election year.

“Everyone is waiting for something more to happen from the United States,” he said, adding there’s a perception “the United States doesn’t want to get too engaged, [but] it’s misleading, because actually it is very much engaged.”

US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the military headquarters overseeing South America and the encompassing region, said they were delivering armored and unarmored vehicles, protective gear, riot-control gear and other supplies for MSS, the first of which arrived last month.

A spokesperson added that they would soon deliver Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles as well

and stressed the MSS was a “longterm campaign” that requires sustained international support.

“It will take some time to achieve a level of operational success that reverses the current security crisis and restores lasting stability in communities that were previously exploited and victimized by ruthless gangs,” the SOUTHCOM spokesperson said, noting there has already been signs of progress such as a resumption of commercial flights.

Kenya’s mission is primarily to train and lead the Haiti National Police (HNP) to defeat the armed gangs.

But the gangs’ coalition has only grown in strength after taking over much of Port-au-Prince earlier this year. The U.N.-backed MSS will need helicopters, combat vehicles, more infrastructure and other

equipment and assets if it is to have any chance of success against the gangs, which are estimated to have between 5,000 and 10,000 members, mainly in and around Port-au-Prince.

The MSS, which sent its initial forces to Haiti at the end of June, wants to deploy around 2,500 troops but will need more funding to bolster its ranks from the current 400. Besides Kenya, other countries plan to send forces, including the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Jamaica, but they are unlikely to jump in if there are not enough resources available.

So far, fighting has been limited, with gang members largely unthreatened by the MSS, which is patrolling the city but has not engaged any strongholds. There are up to 200 gangs in Haiti, including the powerful 400 Mawozo.

In July, on the outskirts of Portau-Prince, Kenyan troops took over the town of Ganthier near the Dominican Republic border, only for the gangs to take back the town when the MSS left.

And when the Haitian acting prime minister, Garry Conille, travelled to a Port-au-Prince hospital in July, he was ambushed by gangs, forcing him to flee.

Renata Segura, programme director for Latin America and Caribbean at the International Crisis Group, said the gangs have forged strong alliances but are not united and do not have the training to stand up to a proper armed force. Segura said the U.S. has already financed a lot of the MSS and that other countries, particularly in Europe, should step up if Washington can’t commit any more.

Bahamas: Partnership to help teachers buy homes

The Teachers & Salaried Workers

Co-Operative Credit Union

Limited and The Bahamas Union of Teachers have partnered to generate $20m to provide financial opportunities to BUT members.

Byron Miller, general manager of the TSWCCU, said during a press conference with BUT and TSWCCU this week that these opportunities will aid those seeking financial arrangements related to mortgages and home renovations.

“The credit union will offer a range of financial solutions to the members of the BUT,” he said. “This initiative includes financing options for mortgages, for home and investment property ownership, switch mortgages, home renovations, debt consolidations and personal education loans, for those members that are seeking to pursue higher degree studies.”

The initiative will

aides, guidance counsellors and librarians

He noted that the initiative will benefit teachers, teachers’ aides, guidance counsellors and librarians. Leroy Sumner, chairman of the board of the TSWCCU, added that contractors, plumbers

and electricians may also benefit.

“One of the things that will come out of this for us, and I was speaking with the general manager just a little while ago, is that we’re not only providing for the homes but we have

in the system many persons who are contractors who are members of the teachers credit union, many who are plumbers, many who are, electricians, they also stand to benefit because,” Mr Sumner said.

“We will take a register of all those contractors who are members, all those who are electricians, all those who are plumbers, , all those who are in the building trade. They can sign up with the credit union so that whenever these houses are being constructed we know we’ve got a ready source of persons available who could be engaged in these turnkey operations.”

Mr Miller said that he knows that there are competing financial institutions that members can go to. However, he said the process of acquiring a mortgage loan, or any other benefit that is being offered through the union is going to be

“easier” and less “complex” than it would be with a bank.

“Our turnaround time, our level of responsiveness, our connectivity with our members, remains at a very high level,” he said. “As a matter of fact, we’re bragging of a member retention rate of 98 percent. Other financial institutions cannot brag of that. So that tells you, are members are in this for the long haul and we want to deliver the solutions to our members that they need without the hassle, without the interrogation, and maintaining the level of respect for the member.

BUT president Belinda Wilson also commented on retention and noted that teachers are not getting paid, “as high as we expect or would want it to be”. She said the benefits being offered will, “ensure” BUT members are able to own a home.

Gang violence is still rampant in Haiti

benefit teachers, teachers’

Russia’s Putin and China’s No. 2 official praise deepening ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed “flourishing” trade ties with China during a meeting with a top Chinese official in Moscow as the two countries bolster their partnership in the face of mounting frictions with the West.

Speaking to Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Putin said RussiaChina “large-scale joint plans and projects” in economic and humanitarian areas would “continue for many years,” according to a Kremlin readout.

Li, China’s No. 2 official under leader Xi Jinping, had travelled to Moscow for a longstanding annual meeting with Russia’s prime minister, which focused on economic and practical cooperation as the Kremlin continues to look to Beijing for economic partnership as its war with Ukraine grinds on.

In his remarks to Putin, the Chinese premier hailed efforts by the Russian leader and Xi to “inject strong momentum” into “deepening bilateral relations and cooperation,” according to Chinese state media.

Li’s four-day trip, which will include a stop in Russian ally Belarus, is the first visit to Russia by a high-level Chinese official since the Kremlin’s war with Ukraine took on a new dimension following a surprise, ongoing military incursion by Ukrainian forces into the Russian border region of Kursk two weeks ago.

Russia has been scrambling to repel that assault, which marks the first time foreign troops entered Russian territory since World War II and comes amid mounting pressure for a conclusion to the war in Ukraine, which began in 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion of

its neighbour.

The Kremlin has become increasingly reliant on China’s market, goods and investment since the start of the war, when it was slapped with broad international sanctions – and both Moscow and Beijing see the other as a key counterweight against a West they see as seeking to suppress their development.

In his meeting Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Li said China was ready to work with Russia to strengthen “all-round practical cooperation” and stressed that the countries’ relations did not “target any third party.”

The two nominal heads of government agreed to expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation and pledged to oppose any attempt to restrict their “economic development, technological progress, and

international development,” according to Chinese state media.

“Certain countries” obstruct the “collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries,” the two officials said, using typical language to refer to their shared view on the United States and its allies.

An official readout from the meeting released by China’s Foreign Ministry did not mention the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to Li, Mishustin said Russia and China were “in a difficult external situation” as Western countries impose “illegitimate sanctions under far-fetched pretexts” and seek to “contain the economic and technological potential of Russia and China.”

“That is why it is important to concentrate efforts on protecting our common interests, building a multipolar world order and

Misogyny to be treated as extremism by UK government

Extreme misogyny will be treated as a form of extremism under new government plans, the Home Office has said.

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, has ordered a review of the UK’s counter-extremism strategy to determine how best to tackle threats posed by harmful ideologies.

The analysis will look at hatred of women as one of the ideological trends that the government says is gaining traction.

Ms Cooper said there has been a rise in extremism “both online and on our streets” that “frays the very fabric of our communities and our democracy”.

The review will look at the rise of Islamist and far-right extremism in the UK, as well as wider ideological trends, including extreme misogyny or beliefs which fit into broader categories, such as violence. It will also look at the causes and conduct of the radicalisation of young people.

Ms Cooper said the strategy will “map and monitor extremist trends” to work out how to disrupt and divert people away from them.

It will also “identify any gaps in existing policy which need to be addressed to crack down on those pushing harmful and hateful

beliefs and violence”, she said.

Ms Cooper said that action against extremism has been “badly hollowed out” in recent years.

The work will inform a new counter-extremism strategy, which was promised in Labour’s manifesto and which the Home Office says will “respond to growing and changing patterns” of extremism across the UK.

The review is expected to be completed by October. It is one of a number of policy reviews Labour has announced since coming to power in July, including the Strategic Defence Review, spending review and a review of

Last week, in response to a media inquiry on the situation in Kursk, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry called on “all parties” not to expand the battlefield, escalate fighting and “fuel the flame,” saying China would continue to work for a “political settlement of the crisis.”

Wednesday’s meeting between Li and Mishustin is part of annual talks held since 1996, typically focused on economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation and seen as a means to implement broader policy direction set by Xi and Putin.

strengthening coordination on international platforms,” he said, according to Russian state media.

RECORD TRADE

Beijing has faced mounting scrutiny and pressure from the West to curtail the export of dual-use goods such as aerospace, manufacturing and technology equipment to Russia, which Western leaders and Kyiv have alleged are propping up the Russian war effort.

Chinese officials have sought to present the country as a neutral, aspiring peace broker in the war, but have had limited high-level contact with Kyiv while continuing to deepen relations with Moscow across trade, diplomacy and security.

China last month hosted a top Ukrainian official for the first time since Russia’s invasion of the country nearly two and half years ago.

Following Wednesday’s talks, the two sides signed a host of cooperation documents in areas including science and technology, chemical industry, maritime search and rescue, and cross-border cargo transport, according to Chinese state media.

Trade between China and Russia hit record highs last year, surpassing a target of $240 billion ahead of schedule. Russia has grown hugely reliant on China’s market, goods and investment since it was slapped with broad international sanctions following its Ukraine invasion.

Bilateral trade increased by more than a quarter year-onyear in 2023 from 2022, but has only grown about 1.6% between January and July this year over the same period last year, according to China’s customs data.

Li is expected to end his fourday trip in Belarus, where he will meet Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko for an “indepth exchange of views on bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields,” China’s Foreign Ministry said Monday. (CNN)

the National Curriculum.

Critics might argue that some reviews are a proxy for actual action, but Labour has pointed out that there has been no new Counter Extremism Strategy since 2015, and that an assessment of new and emerging threats is overdue. This is also not the first time

the government has considered misogyny as a form of extremism. For some years there has been concern around “Incel culture”, an online movement of mainly young men who describe themselves as “involuntarily celibate” and blame women and “alpha males” for their problems.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Moscow on August 21

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to crack down on people “pushing harmful and hateful beliefs”

Edinburgh backs introduction of new ‘tourist tax’

Councillors in Edinburgh have voted for the introduction of a tourist tax aimed at raising up to £50m a year.

The city will become the first in Scotland to charge a transient visitor levy (TVL) on stays, with profits used to fund improvements to the capital.

The charge, which mimics those already in place in major destinations, covers hotels, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and rooms and properties let through websites such as AirBnB.

Opponents said it would deter visitors to the city and risks harming Edinburgh’s appeal as a tourist destination.

The vote in favour of draft proposals took place at a meeting of the policy and sustainability committee.

A 12-week consultation period will be launched in the autumn, with residents asked whether the 5% charge tabled in the initial proposal should be higher or lower.

The Scottish Greens proposed raising the additional levy – which is planned to be brought in in time for the 2026 festival season – to 8%.

The charge will bring Edinburgh in line with cities including Amsterdam, Berlin and New York.

Funds generated from the tax would be used for the improvement

of public spaces.

Council leader Cammy Day said £5m of that would be devoted to housing, with 35% going back into the arts sector.

The council’s SNP group pushed for that sum to be increased to £20m, but their motion was defeated.

Mr Day said the charge would be of “huge benefit” to the city, adding he doubted the size of the charge would turn any potential visitors away.

He told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland: “It’s equivalent of a few pounds worth of a cup of coffee. The evidence that we’ve done and research from across the world shows a levy has no impact on tourism.

“People don’t come here to see the insides of hotel rooms, people come here to see the world heritage centre, the castle, the palace, the hills, the sea around the city, the amazing capital that we are.

“I can’t see a few pounds putting somebody off visiting the city. If you can afford to spend hundreds of pounds on a hotel room, you can afford a few pounds to support the city that you are visiting.”

HOUSING CRISIS

Edinburgh introduced new regulations for AirBnB-style properties in October last

Millions of people visit Edinburgh every year

year in an attempt to curb the expansion of short-term letting accommodation.

Hosts must licence their homes if renting them as a short-term let, or face a fine of up to £2,500.

The city council declared a housing emergency in November 2023 due to skyrocketing house prices and rental rates, coupled with a record number of people identifying as homeless.

Tourists contribute an estimated 5.3 million overnight stays to Edinburgh every year.

But already expensive room rates soar in price during the August festival season and concert-goers visiting Murrayfield for Taylor Swift’s trio of sold out shows earlier this year reported surging prices for single-night stays.

Leon Thompson, executive director of UK Hospitality Scotland, said an additional charge

on top of that rate would be passed on to tourists.

He also said the increased administrative and implementation costs for businesses would be a further blow to those in the sector.

“Tourist taxes are not good for this country,” he said.

“We are already not a very competitive destination.

“We have the highest rate of VAT on hospitality in Europe and we also have outdated business rates which all add to the costs for businesses and obviously those costs are which go on to the visitor experience.”

Proposals for a tourist tax in Edinburgh were initially put forward in 2019.

However, legislation giving local authorities the power to apply the levy was not published until May 2023.

A final decision on the plans will

be taken in January 2025, with the scheme fully implemented by July 2026.

A future phase of the measure may also see cruise ships included.

Manchester introduced a £1 per room, per night fee last year aimed at paying for measures to attract more tourists.

It was estimated to have raised about £2.8m in its first year.

John Lennon, director of the Moffat Centre for travel and tourism business development at Glasgow Caledonian University, said surcharges were not necessarily a barrier to tourists visiting major cities.

“Visitor levies are not new, you see them in cities from New York to Amsterdam, to Manchester.

“In New York, for example, the levy is 15%, so Edinburgh in comparison at 5% looks quite small.

World’s second-largest diamond found in Botswana

The second-largest diamond ever found - a rough 2,492-carat stone - has been unearthed in Botswana at a mine owned by Canadian firm Lucara Diamond.

It is the biggest find since the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, found in South Africa in 1905 and cut into nine separate stones, many of which are in the British Crown Jewels.

The diamond was found at Karowe mine, about 500km (300 miles) north of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone.

Botswana’s government said it was the largest diamond ever discovered in the southern African state.

The previous biggest discovery in Botswana was a 1,758-carat stone found at the same mine in

production.

In a statement, Lucara said the stone was “one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed”.

“We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492 carat diamond,” said Lucara head William Lamb.

The diamond was detected with the use of Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, said Mr Lamb.

It has been used since 2017 to identify and preserve high-value diamonds so that they do not break during ore-crushing processes.

The firm did not give details of the stone’s gem quality or its value.

However, the UK-based Financial Times newspaper reported that people close to Lucara, whom it did not name,

estimated that the stone could be worth upwards of $40m (£30.6m).

The 1,758-carat stone found in 2019 was bought by French fashion brand Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed sum.

A 1,109 carat diamond, unearthed at the same mine in 2016, was bought for $53m by London jeweller Laurence Graff, chairman of Graff Diamonds, in 2017.

Lucara has 100% ownership of the mine in Karowe.

Botswana’s government has proposed a law that will ask companies, once granted a license to mine, to sell a 24% stake to local firms if the government does not exercise its option of becoming a shareholder, Reuters news agency reported last month. (BBC)

Canada rail shutdown threatens US supply chains

Crucial supply chains are under threat across North America after a rail labour dispute in Canada led to shutdown of freight traffic on the country’s two largest railways.

Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), locked out nearly 9,300 workers after midnight on Thursday (04:00 GMT), after failing to clinch a late deal with the Teamsters union.

Canada sends around 75% of all the goods it exports to the US, mostly over rail. A prolonged dispute could disrupt shipments of a wide range of goods, from grains and beans to potash, coal and timber.

The lockout will also snarl commutes for tens of thousands of people in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, where lines rely on CPKC-owned tracks.

Canada, the world’s secondlargest country by area, relies heavily on rail transport.

After months of talks, the increasingly bitter negotiations ground to a halt late on Wednesday evening, CBC reported, with both sides accusing the other of refusing to negotiate seriously.

In separate statements, CN and CPKC said they took the steps

after months after “good faith” negotiations, which stalled over working conditions like shift scheduling and fatigue provisions.

“Without an agreement or binding arbitration, CN had no choice but to finalize a safe and orderly shutdown and proceed with a lockout,” CN said in a statement.

“CPKC is acting to protect Canada’s supply chains, and all stakeholders, from further uncertainty and the more widespread disruption,” CPKC said, adding that binding arbitration was the only “responsible” way to move forward.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, the National President of Teamsters Canada, François Laporte, said he wanted to resume negotiations “as soon as possible”.

Mr Laporte said the sticking point for his union was safety.

“Across Canada, we have trains who are carrying goods, they are carrying energy, they are carrying chemicals,” he said. “And we want to make sure that those train are operated by people who get the proper rest, who are safe, get who are not fatigued.”

Mr Laporte echoed an earlier statement from the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference which

The strike may also snarl commutes for tens of thousands of Canadians

accused the railways of caring only about the “bottom line.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a last-minute appeal to both sides to keep up their attempts to reach a deal.

Dozens of industry and trade organisations warned last week in an open letter that the disruption would have “an immediate impact” from coast-to-coast and damage Canada’s reputation as a trading partner.

“Factoring in the millions of Canadian jobs that would be impacted, the magnitude of the disruption is daunting,” it said.

The US and Canadian chambers of commerce followed up earlier this week, warning of the potential “devastating” impact of the stoppage

on Canadian businesses and families, but also the US economy.

A group of agriculture trade associations has urged Ottawa to step in, but the government has so far resisted calls for binding arbitration.

Labour agreements for both railways expired at the end of last year.

During the lockout, rail networks in the US and Mexico will continue to operate. But a stoppage north of the border could be felt across North America.

US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg said earlier this week that he was monitoring rail negotiations and the potential impact on the cross-border flow of goods.

Some C$380bn (£214bn) in goods is moved by rail each year and railways move half of the country’s

goods for export, according to the Railway Association of Canada.

Ahead of the full shutdown, both CPKC and CN had already begun pausing some shipments.

Shipping firm Maersk on Monday stopped accepting shipments destined for Canada meant to move by rail and that could not be transported on heavy trucks instead.

Professor Barry Prentice, director at the University of Manitoba Transport Institute, said the government would likely pass back-to-work legislation in the coming days if the sides couldn’t come to an agreement, as has been done in similar past disputes.

“This isn’t the best way to run the show,” he told the BBC on Wednesday.

Panama starts returning migrants on US-funded flights

Panama on Tuesday started repatriating undocumented migrants on flights financed by the United States.

The move comes less than two months after José Raúl Mulino was sworn in as Panama’s president.

Mr Mulino campaigned on a promise to “close” the Darién Gap, the dangerous stretch of jungle which more than half a million migrants crossed last year on their way north from South America.

The Biden administration said it had agreed to pay for the flights as part of its efforts to deter irregular migration.

A group of 29 Colombians with criminal records were the first to be returned on Tuesday.

Under an agreement jointly signed by the Panamanian foreign minister and US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the US has committed to helping Panama with $6m (£4.6m)

for equipment, transportation and logistics to “remove foreign nationals who do not have a legal basis to remain

ahead of November’s presidential election in the US and the stream of migrants arriving at its border with Mexico is being closely monitored. The agreement with Panama

aims to drive down the number of people making it to the US border by stopping them further south.

The Darién Gap, an expanse of jungle which straddles Colombia and Panama, is a natural bottleneck for those heading from South to North America.

In 2023, an estimated 520,000 people made the perilous journey on foot, many of whom had to pay gangs who prey on those embarking on the crossing.

President Mulino, who has promised to reduce the number of migrants transiting through Panama, described their situation as “sad”.

“Most of them are from Venezuela,” he explained.

“They’re human beings... there are families torn apart, children of five or six years of age whose parents have died during the crossing. We don’t even know who they are or what their names are.”

The president had earlier said that the flights would in the first instance take migrants to Colombia, the country from which they entered Panama.

It is not yet clear if flights will be organised from Colombia to repatriate them to their homelands.

According to Panamanian government figures, Venezuelans form the largest share of migrants trekking through the Darién Gap, followed by Colombians, Ecuadoreans and Haitians.

There is widespread concern in the region that the flow of those fleeing Venezuela could increase in the months to come if the political crisis triggered by the announcement of disputed election results is not solved.

Ahead of the election, polls had suggested that large numbers of Venezuelans were planning on migrating should President Nicolás Maduro win.

Colombians with criminal records were made up the first group sent back

in Panama”.

Cate Blanchett to return to stage after six years

Actress Cate Blanchett is to return to the stage for the first time in six years, with a role in Anton Chekhov’s play The Seagull.

The Oscar winner will play Arkadina in the new adaptation, which will also star Strike actor Tom Burke.

The show will play at the Barbican Theatre in London for six weeks from February.

Its director Thomas Ostermeier described Blanchett as a “once-ina-generation actress”.

‘ALWAYS

A PRIVILEGE’

The new adaptation will mark a reunion for Blanchett and Burke, who recently completed filming for Steven Soderbergh’s forthcoming film Black Bag.

Ostermeier told BBC News: “I have known and admired Cate for many years, and to see her on stage is always a privilege.

“I am thrilled that we will make our first artistic collaboration with this production of The Seagull at the Barbican, and that London will experience this once-in-ageneration actress in one of the greatest theatrical roles of Arkadina.

“I’m also very pleased to be forging a new artistic relationship with Tom Burke, who will play the role of Trigorin.”

Another production of The Seagull, starring Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke, played in London two years ago.

Blanchett’s character Arkadina is a celebrated actress whose larger-than-life presence dominates both the stage and her personal relationships.

But when she arrives at her family’s country estate for the weekend, she must navigate a

series of conflicts.

Her son struggles to step out of her shadow, and her lover becomes the romantic target of an aspiring young actress. The play explores themes including ambition, vanity, disappointment and desire.

The Seagull will be produced by Wessex Grove, the same team behind Ostermeier’s production of An Enemy of the People, which starred Matt Smith earlier this year.

Blanchett last performed on the Barbican stage in 2012’s Big and Small (Gross und Klein).

Her last theatre role overall, however, was just before the Covid

pandemic, in a 2019 production of When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other at the National Theatre.

Blanchett has had a long and varied film career, with credits including Carol, Nightmare Alley, Tar, Don’t Look Up, Notes on a Scandal, Thor: Ragnarok and Ocean’s 8.

She has been nominated for eight acting Oscars, winning twice - for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine. Burke has appeared in The Wonder, Living, The Souvenir and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga as well as the BBC’s Strike. (BBC)

Ashanti and Nelly are parents to a baby boy

Singer Ashanti and Nelly recently went from two to three.

The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, last month, a representative for Nelly told CNN on Wednesday.

“Funny how life’s plans aren’t… always on time,” Ashanti wrote in a post on her Instagram page Wednesday, referring to a lyric from her hit song “Always On Time” with Ja Rule. “I’ve been waiting to be a mom for a long time now but nothing could prepare me for EVERYTHING motherhood brings!”

Ashanti, 43, and Nelly, 49, confirmed last year that they had

reunited as a couple.

Their romantic reunion came 20 years after they were first linked in a relationship, and a decade after they had split.

In April, the pair announced that they were engaged and expecting a baby in an exclusive statement given to Essence magazine.

“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” Ashanti said at the time. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”

The Oscar winner will play Arkadina in the new adaptation

Ashanti and Nelly in Miami in February

Swift comments on ‘devastating’ Vienna terror plot for the first time

Taylor Swift shared a statement on social media on Wednesday in which she commented on the thwarted terror attack that led to the cancellation of three Eras Tour shows in Vienna, Austria earlier this month.

“The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives,” Swift wrote.

“I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together. I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the

shows in London,” she continued.

“My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of

that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us.”

Swift just completed a run of shows at London’s Wembley Stadium and the European leg of her tour. On August 7, Austrian authorities announced they had foiled a terror attack planned for at least one of the Vienna dates.

Wednesday marks Swift’s first public comment on the incident.

As for the timing of Swift’s statement, she wrote, “I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows. In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with

great relief that I can say we did that.”

Three teenagers have been detained in connection with the investigation and are suspected of plotting a suicide attack.

Investigators found a stockpile of chemicals, explosive devices, detonators and €21,000 (about $22,944) in counterfeit cash at the home of the main suspect, a 19-year-old ISIS sympathizer who had been radicalized online, authorities said.

The young man, who was arrested last week in the eastern Austrian town of Ternitz, planned to kill “a large number of people” in a suicide attack, according to the head of the domestic intelligence agency, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner.

Swift is scheduled to resume her tour in Miami in October. (CNN)

Idris Elba: I know what heartbreak feels like

Luther actor Idris Elba told the BBC he knows what heartbreak feels like as he spoke at the opening of a new play he is promoting.

Shifters, starring Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole, tells the story of Des and Dre, two young black people who meet again after years apart.

The drama of first love is described by The Guardian in a four star review as having “giddy kisses, real heart and soul” while also showing the “everyday tragedy of long-lost first loves”.

Speaking after the show at London’s Duke of York theatre, Elba said the theme was important now because “it feels like no one celebrates love anymore”.

“I’ve been in and out of love and I’ve had all the swings and roundabouts the characters have, so to see a love story that speaks to a young demographic is really unique.”

The 51-year-old actor is helping to promote the play alongside Love Island host Maya Jama and Mercury Prize and Brit-winning rapper Little Simz.

Playwright Benedict Lombe has

now became the third black British woman to have a production staged in the West End.

But Elba says the play “is not about colour and even though the actors in it happen to be black, this show is for everyone”.

A City AM review said Shifters “gives a fresh perspective on black storytelling on London stages”.

“Dre and Des feel like two Black Britons who could feasibly exist, and we’re living in an age where that itself is ground-breaking on major West End stages,” Adam Bloodworth added.

Cole, who recently appeared in Netflix’s Supacell and plays Dre, says it’s great that people from certain ethnic backgrounds are able to “connect with my character on a deeper level”.

But he adds that the emotions Dre experiences “are universal as everyone has dealt with grief, love and knows the pain of making mistakes”.

A four star review in The Telegraph said the show “tackles everyday issues – from mental health to grief to class inequality – without ever laying them on too thick”.

Taylor Swift performing the Eras Tour in London on August 15

Idris Elba is one of the producers of Shifters

An Application, REGISTERED PR 17785 by VILLAGE ESTATES HOLDINGS LTD. for DETAILED DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION for THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WAREHOUSE BUILDING CONTAINING STORAGE SPACES, OFFICE SPACES, RESTROOMS, RESTAURANT AND SHOWROOMS has been submitted to the Department of Planning on Block & Parcel 60905/178 which comprises of 2.33 acres of land located in The Village, 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.

MAKEUP ARTIST

CAREGIVER TO WORK IN

PROVO

Duties will include

housekeeping and taking care of two

Must be able to speak, read and write English must have first aid training Must be able to work 5 days a week $8.00 per hour.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOUNDATION

OPERATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER

To be responsible for day-to-day operations of the charity – including: representing charity at presentations/ meetings/interview, management of inventory, purchasing, food orders, merchandise, volunteers; promotion and marketing including social media content; fundraising, organizing and assisting at events; liaising with schools, government departments and other charities; food bank collections and deliveries;

implementing new initiatives.

Five days a week plus attending meetings and events held on evenings and weekends. $4,000/ month. Must have 2+ years' experience managing a non-profit organization, as well as event planning experience. Must also have a high level of attention to detail, excellent organizational and communication skills, experience working with children, and a driver’s license.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Turks and Caicos Islands oldest and leading

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.

ICE CREAM MAKER

Measure

DOMESTIC WORKER

LABOURER

TEL:

SERVICE ADVISOR/CONCIERGE CLERK

JOB DESCRIPTION

Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a service advisor job description.

The service advisor communicates with appointments customer and Concierge customers to determine their vehicles problems and the repair timeline and provides the technicians with accurate repair descriptions about the customers’ concerns. Also, to ensure our Concierge customers’ vehicles are delivered on time to the airport upon their arrival.

• Greeting customers when coming to our service Department.

• Consulting with mechanics regarding necessary repairs and possible alternatives to expensive repairs.

• Using your knowledge of our products and services to set or provide indepth information about available parts and service options to customers.

• Answering questions about service outcomes and scheduling and booking appointments, vehicle drop- off, and vehicle pick-up.

• Providing customers with information and advice on warranty protections, potential cost savings, and the advantages of trading in versus fixing their car.

• Calling customers to advise them about service changes or car pick-up times.

• Maintaining positive customer relationships to ensure repeat business.

• Ensuring all details on services rendered and costs are related to customers and processing their payments.

• Liaising with service technicians about parts ordering and ensuring parts are available when needed.

SERVICE ADVISOR REQUIREMENTS:

• An associate degree in mechanics or a related field may be advantageous.

• Experience in the automotive field may be advantageous.

• A strong understanding of automotive technology and the automotive industry.

• Proficiency with industry-specific software.

• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Strong organizational, decision making, and problem- solving skills.

• The ability to communicate with mechanics, customers, and management.

Salary: $2,550.00 Monthly Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board

Quantity Surveyor

We are seeking a skilled, reliable, efficient quantity surveyor to join our growing organization. In this position, you will estimate the costs of construction projects, working with contractors, builders, and architects.

QUANTITY

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review architectural plans and prepare quantity needs

• Estimate the quantity and costs of materials

• Prepare contracts and documents

• Set budgets for payments, inventory needs, and materials

• Track changes in plans or constructions; update budgets

• Negotiate with contractors and subcontractors

• Act as a liaison between clients and site managers/engineers

• Identify potential financial or construction risks.

• Advise clients on improvements, strategies, and/or estimated costs

• Prepare payments for contractors and subcontractors

• Document progress, materials, and reports on project

• Utilize software to calculate, record, and track inventory and estimates, proficiency in plan swift, Procore and Blue beam is essential.

QUANTITY SURVEYOR REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying

• 5-10 years of quantity surveying experience, financial experience, and construction experience

• Proficient in computer skills and Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft projects

• Able to analyze financial records and apply data to improved results

• Strong aptitude for numbers, spreadsheets, and financial reports

• Experienced at compiling and following strict budgets; strong estimating and financial analysis skills

• In-depth understanding of construction, materials, pricing, and industry

• Able to analyze problems and strategize for better solutions

Salary: $1600/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board.

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Wymara Resort + Villas is a contemporary luxury full-service boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with minimum Four to Five-Stars Forbes experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring five-star standards and services are continuously delivered.

ASSET MANAGER

Reporting directly to the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, the Asset Manager oversees all aspects of engineering operations, sustainability initiatives, capital projects, guestroom preventive maintenance, and equipment preventive maintenance programs. The Asset Manager will lead a team of professionals to deliver high-quality services and maintain a safe and welcoming environment for guests and staff.

MAIN DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Ensure the efficient functioning of the property’s facilities and infrastructure while adhering to industry standards and regulations.

• Develop and implement maintenance and engineering standards and procedures, and strategies to enhance property value through asset maintenance and aesthetic improvements.

• Coordinate with department heads to prioritize maintenance tasks and allocate resources effectively.

• Conduct regular inspections to identify areas for improvement and address any maintenance issues promptly.

• Collaborate with senior management to develop long-term plans and budgets for property maintenance and upgrades.

• Develop and implement energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.

• Manage the budget for the engineering department, including equipment and supplies procurement and labor costs.

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.

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education.

• 5 years preferred years of experience in a hotel environment or related field with minimum 4 years working within a luxury resort/hotel environment.

• Exceptional organizational skills and aptitude for numbers.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to recruit, train, develop, mentor and motivate a team.

• Demonstrated success at delivering results through establishment of standard procedures, disciplined coaching and management with strong problem-solving skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

• Ability to prepare reports, effectively present information, and provide timely response to queries.

• Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problemsolving skills.

• Deadline oriented with the ability to multi-task and establish priorities.

• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to speak, read and write fluently in the English language.

• Must be able to work on weekends, holidays and overnight shifts if necessary.

• Professional appearance and demeanor.

Salary range: $90-120K per annum.

Warehouse Assistant – Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, the Warehouse Assistant is responsible for assisting with the daily operations of the warehouse, the ideal candidate will be responsible for receiving, storing, and distributing products within the warehouse, as well as maintaining a safe, clean and organized work environment.

MAIN DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Loading and unloading of trucks and containers.

• Ensure the safe receipt, storage and dispatch of warehouse goods, verifying for accuracy and quality.

• Organize and maintain inventory and storage areas.

• Operate warehouse equipment, including driving flatbed truck for deliveries (must be able to drive manual transmission vehicle).

• Perform general warehouse duties as needed.

• Follow workplace health and safety rules.

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

• Fluent in English, both verbal and written.

• Minimum three years experience in a similar role.

• Energetic, results driven leader with collaborative approach.

• Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problemsolving skills.

Compensation: $8 per hour.

1 MASON

DOMESTIC WORKER

THE FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS

ISLANDS

is inviting applications for the following:

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday 08th September 2024

Applications not accompanied by all required supporting documents, and applications received after the deadline may not be processed. This is a contract position. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

The Financial Intelligence Agency of the Turks and Caicos Islands (FIATCI) is a key competent authority within the Turks and Caicos Islands AntiMoney Laundering, Counter Financing of Terrorism and Counter Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) regime. Its main functions are to receive, analyse, and disseminate financial intelligence, to aid in the identification, investigation and prosecution of persons involved in money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing, and associated predicate crimes.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS OFFICER

LOCATION: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

SALARY: USD40,800 -45,900 per annum, plus allowance (subject to qualifications and experience).

JOB SUMMARY:

The post holder will be responsible for effective and efficient office administrative functions of the FIA, the Board of Directors and maintenance of the Agency’s finances. The BOO will conduct his/her duties with high professional standards, integrity, and confidentiality. Honesty and transparency are key are key attributes of the BOO’s character. The BOO will conduct his/her functions in accordance with TCI laws, FIA policies and guidelines. The post holder may be required to carry out other duties as may be required within the scope of the administrative functions of the FIA.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Undergraduate degree in accounting, finance or related field; OR an associate degree in accounting, finance, management, or related field with at least 4 years’ experience in office administration.

• Prior experience as a senior administrative or business operations officer is a plus.

• Experience in the preparation, recording, presentation and explanation of budget, payroll, expense, and accounting reports.

• Experience preparing, accurately recording and timely processing of accounts payable and proper record keeping.

• Efficient preparation of papers and minutes for a Board of Directors, and logistical preparations for board meetings.

• Office management (includes reception and recording of visitor movements, notifying relevant persons of maintenance issues, ensuring adequate office supplies and inventories are procured, maintained and recorded).

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.

• Proficiency in the use of QuickBooks.

• Valid driver’s license.

TO APPLY PLEASE COMPLY AND SUBMIT:

1. Application cover letter stating how you meet the job and qualification requirements for the post;

2. Copy of updated Curriculum Vitae including your contact details;

3. Two recent reference letters with a date (no older than 6 months); one of which must be from a person who can speak to your competencies and professional capacity for the job;

4. Copies of relevant qualifications;

5. Copy of passport Bio page; and

6. A Police certificate of character no older than 6 months.

OSPREY SECURITY SOLUTIONS

SECURITY OFFICERS

Salary $9:00 per hour

Responsibilities -To maintain a safe and secure environment for customers/ clients. Patrolling, deterrence, monitoring and securing properties and business establishments. Surveillance Skills, Deals with Threats, exercising excellent Judgment, Objectivity, Dependability, Conflict Management, Integrity, Safety Management, Professionalism, Reporting Skills, CCTV and Security Alarm knowledge are desirable.

SECURITY SUPERVISOR

Salary $9.45 per hour

Setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision. Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks. Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching. Required: Experience in providing advice and resolving critical situations. An understanding of basic police and other Emergency Services procedures. Willingness to commit to further training. The ability to operate surveillance equipment, including cameras, camcorders, and CCTV systems is desirable. Preferably Former police/military, or with longer security experience and with TCI driver’s license.

Caicos Islanders

B & S TECHNOLOGY

Five Cays Access Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Island Contact No: 1649-9417939

We are looking for the following:

COMMUNICATION TECHNICIAN

• Configure, install and maintain communication networks and components.

• Provide Tech support on site or remotely to clients.

• Review and monitor operational processes for accuracy, completeness, and efficiency, including but not limited to estimating, purchasing,

• Invoicing, warehousing, scheduling and reporting.

• Maintain and install IT hardware in critical spaces within a data centre environment.

• Good communication and listening skills.

• You are process-driven and able to follow procedures in an organized and efficient way;

• Desire to work with customers on a consistent basis;

• Adequate knowledge of computer systems , POS ,and comfortable using them;

• Strong attention to detail; Sound judgement /decision making skills; selfdirected;

REQUIREMENTS:

• Diploma in Information Technology

• Master in Network Administration

• With at least 3 years of work experience.

• In an 8-hour workday: stand or walk between 6-8 hours

• Flexible schedule including working nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

• A positive attitude. Show up on time

• Being flexible on what days and hours you can work

• The willingness to do any job that is needed even if it’s not “technically” part of your job description

MECHANIC

HOUSEKEEPER

SALES CLERK

MAINTENANCE

LABOURER

EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

DOMESTIC WORKER

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT (PAYABLES)

Rubis Turks & Caicos Limited, a company specializing in the marketing of petroleum products, is seeking to fill the vacant position of Junior Accountant in its Finance Department.

THE PORTFOLIO

• Track all payments and expenditures, including purchase orders, invoices, statements, etc.

• Reconcile processed work by verifying entries and comparing system reports to balances

• Maintain historical records

• Processing of vendors payments

• Respond to vendor enquiries

• Prepare analyses of accounts and produce monthly reports

REQUIREMENTS

• Post graduate degree in Finance and accounting

• Work experience with a Big 4 accounting firm is a plus

• A minimum of three years’ experience with accounting software and data entry

• Excellent understanding of accounting rules and procedures, including the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Advanced knowledge and experience with spreadsheets

• Analytical skills

COMPENSATION:

Starting salary is US$47,700.00 per annum. Medical and Pension benefits provided.

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT:

MILLWORK MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION

A Millwork Manager in the construction of a hotel plays a crucial role in overseeing the design, production, and installation of custom woodwork and related elements. This position requires a combination of technical expertise, project management skills, and industry knowledge.

DUTIES

AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the planning, scheduling, and execution of all millwork-related activities.

• Coordinate with architects, designers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure that millwork aligns with the overall hotel design and construction timeline.

• Work closely with architects and interior designers to interpret and implement millwork designs according to the hotel’s specifications.

• Review and approve shop drawings, ensuring they meet the design intent and technical specifications.

• Provide technical guidance on materials, finishes, and construction methods for custom woodwork.

• Manage and oversee the production process, ensuring that millwork is fabricated according to the highest quality standards.

• Coordinate with millwork vendors and manufacturers to ensure timely delivery and installation of products.

• Lead and manage a team of millwork carpenters, installers, and subcontractors.

• Identify and resolve any issues or conflicts that arise during the design, production, or installation phases.

• Ensure that all work complies with local building codes, regulations, and hotel standards.

REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

• Relevant certifications in millwork, carpentry, or project management are a plus.

• Extensive experience (typically 5-10 years) in millwork, including design, fabrication, and installation, preferably within the hospitality industry.

• Proven track record of managing millwork projects from inception to completion, with experience in hotel construction being highly desirable.

• Proficiency in reading and interpreting architectural and engineering drawings.

• Strong knowledge of woodworking techniques, materials, and finishes.

• Familiarity with CAD software and other design tools.

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Science & Technology

Mysterious object discovered speeding over one million mph across our galaxy

A mysterious object has been spotted zooming through space at about 1.6 million km/h (1 million miles per hour), so fast that it could exit the Milky Way entirely – and scientists are trying to work out what it is.

Currently 400 light years from Earth, the object –known as CWISE J1249 – is very unlikely to be a probe due to its large size. Around 30,000 times bigger than Earth, CWISE J1249 is 8 per cent of the Sun’s mass.

This unusual size puts J1249 “somewhere between a star and a planet,” Dr Darren Baskill, astronomy lecturer at the University of Sussex, told BBC Science Focus.

“Such rapidly moving stars are unusual. Locally, only one or two stars out of every thousand are moving at such a speed, and a star moving as rapidly as J1249 would be leaving our Milky Way galaxy in just a few ten million years: a blink-of-aneyes for such stars that can live for tens of billions of years.”

While the gigantic object is only moving at 0.001 per cent of the speed of light, it could break free from our galaxy and soar off into intergalactic space.

Baskill explained: “To put the speed of J1249 into

perspective, it is moving 2.6 times faster than the fastest space probe ever launched, which is the speed that the Parker space probe reached when it looped around the Sun in June 2024.”

The fast-moving object was discovered by citizen scientists volunteering their time for a NASA project known as Backyard Worlds: Planet 9. For this, they scoured through online images from NASA’s Widefield Infrared Explorer (WISE) and NEOWISE missions, hoping to spot something exciting.

Three volunteers – Martin Kabatnik, Thomas P Bickle, and Dan Caselden – noticed

the faint, fast-moving object moving across the WISE images.

“I can’t describe the level of excitement,” said Kabatnik. “When I first saw how fast it was moving, I was convinced it must have been reported already.”

Due to be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, a new study has confirmed these findings using ground-based telescopes and characterised the object. (Currently, the study is awaiting peer review at Cornell’s arXiv site.)

The research team led by scientists at the University of California, San Diego (USA), believe the object

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study also revealed the strange composition of the object, which contains far less iron and other metals than in stars and brown dwarfs. According to NASA, this unusual composition could be a sign the object might be one of the first ever stars in our galaxy.

So why do the researchers think it’s moving so fast? The strange object could be the remnants of a binary system gone wrong: its companion, a white dwarf, might have exploded in a supernova after pulling off too much material from J1249.

could be a low-mass star or a brown dwarf: a star larger than a planet but without the mass for nuclear fusion to be sustained in its core.

Further observations for the

Or, they think, it may have come from a cluster of stars which were rapidly dispersed after encountering a pair of black holes.

“One way to get to such extreme speeds is to fall towards an object… and miss,” explained Baskill.

“Such gravitational slingshots are how we accelerate space probes to such extreme speeds to allow us to explore the solar system up-close over reasonable timescales.

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This unusual size puts J1249 “somewhere between a star and a planet

Science & Technology

Our skin is teeming with microbes, we should learn to love them

Billions of bacteria, fungi and viruses live on the surface of our bodies. We are only just beginning to understand the vital role they play in our health and wellbeing.

Your skin is crawling. Zoom in on any square centimetre of the skin on your body and you’ll find between 10,000 to one million bacteria living there. Your body is covered in a bustling microbial ecosystem. Pretty disgusting, right?

Or is it? There is growing evidence that our skin microbiota actually plays a crucial role in keeping us healthy and brings a surprising range of other benefits. So don’t reach for that antibacterial soap just yet.

You might already have heard of the gut microbiome – the ecosystem of microbes that inhabit your intestines. It is well established that the diversity of this collection of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other single-celled organisms plays an important role in a range of diseases, from diabetes to asthma and even depression.

But it turns out the microbial hitchhikers on our skin can be just as good for us, offering the first line of defence against any pathogens that might be unlucky enough to settle on the surface of our bodies. They also help to break down some of the chemicals that we encounter in daily life and play an important role in the development of our immune systems.

The skin microbiome is second only to our guts when it comes bacterial diversity. This is quite surprising if you think about it. Compared to the safe, warm and moist habitats of our mouths or guts, the skin is a pretty inhospitable place.

“Skin is a very hostile environment compared to other areas of the body,” says Holly Wilkinson, a lecturer in wound healing at the University of Hull, in the UK. “It’s dry, barren, and very exposed to the elements. Bacteria that live there have evolved over millions of years to cope with these pressures.”

And this co-evolution has brought us many benefits.

Not all parts of the skin are colonised equally either. Bacteria can actually be surprisingly picky about where they want to live. Take a swab and run it along your forehead, nose, or back, and you’ll find that these areas are brimming with Cutibacterium, a genus of bacteria that has evolved to feed off the oily sebum made by our skin cells to help moisturise and protect the outer layer of our body. Take a sample from your warm and moist armpit, however,

The cosmetic products we use and the environment around us all play a role in altering the microbiome of our skin

and you’ll probably find plenty of Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium. Look between your toes and you’ll find an abundance of Propionibactrium species – some of which are also used in cheesemaking along with a wide range of fungi. Dry regions of the skin, such as the arms and legs, are particularly inhospitable to bacteria, and so species that make their home here don’t tend to stay for too long. They also tend to play host to a larger proportion of viruses than other external areas of the body. (Of course, our skin plays host to other creatures too, such as tiny mites – see the video below to find out more about them, if you can stomach it.)

Over millennia, these microbes have formed a kind of symbiotic relationship with us humans. The bacteria, fungi and mites living on our skin benefit from a constant supply of rich nutrients. But we rely on our skin microbiome too, as beneficial species help us repel more harmful, pathogenic bacteria by competing against them.

“Just by virtue of the fact that there are all these bacteria already there, it’s quite hard for a pathogen to get a foothold,” says Wilkinson. “Any bacteria coming in has got to be able to overwhelm the system, but to do so they’ve got to compete with bacteria that [are] highly evolved to be in this environment.”

Skin bacteria can also wage war on potential invaders by producing chemicals that inhibit their growth, or even kill them outright.

For example Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis – two commensal species that rely upon us and other animals to host them – produce antimicrobial molecules that inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, a harmful species of bacteria associated with MRSA infections and a common source of skin infections.

Some scientists also believe that, like our gut microbiome, the

skin microbiome plays a role in helping to “train” our immune system during childhood, teaching it which targets to attack, and which to ignore. There is thought to be a link between the diversity of certain bacteria on the skin and a lower risk of allergies, for example.

The skin microbiome has other important functions too. For example, it’s thought that certain bacteria can help us retain a youthful visage by helping us retain moisture, keeping our skin supple, smooth and plump.

To stop toxins and harmful pathogens from coming in and water from rushing out, our skin contains several layers, with the top being the most impenetrable. The top layer is called the stratum corneum and is formed from dead cells called corneocytes, interspersed with fatty molecules known as lipids.

“It’s very tough and waterproof, hence why we don’t dissolve when we go out in the rain,” says Catherine O’Neill, professor of translational dermatology at the University of Manchester.

Beneath the stratum corneum you have layer upon layer of live skin cells called keratinocytes. There are tiny gaps between these skin cells through which water could leak. To stop this from happening keratinocytes produce lipids, which help repel moisture.

“It’s kind of like a brick-andmortar kind of structure,” says Wilkinson. “You’ve got the cells, and then in between the cells you’ve got all of these lipids that act as part of the barrier as well. They act like a glue keeping everything together.”

So, where do bacteria come into this? Well, it turns out that some of the more helpful bacteria that live on our skin not only produce lipids themselves, but send out signals telling our skin cells to produce more lipids too. For example, studies show that Cutibacterium

Elizabeth Grice, a professor of dermatology and microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania, has shown that wounded mice lacking a skin microbiome take much longer to heal.

Meanwhile work at the Hull York Medical School by Wilkinson’s colleagues has shown that a person’s skin bacteria can predict whether they will heal from a chronic wound or not. Chronic, non-healing wounds are a life-threatening skin condition affecting one in four diabetics and one in 20 people over the age of 65.

stimulates the skin to produce more of the lipid-rich sebum, which reduces water loss and increases hydration. Staphylococcus epidermidis also increases levels of skin ceramides – lipids that act like a glue holding our skin cells together to keep our skin barrier intact and healthy. So far so good. But what happens when the delicate balance of the skin microbiome is disrupted?

Skin “dysbiosis” has been linked to conditions from atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), to rosacea, acne and psoriasis. Even the presence of dandruff on the scalp is associated with a particular type of fungi. Malassezia furfur and Malassezia globosa fungi produce a chemical called oleic acid, which disturbs the stratum corneum cells on the scalp, provoking an itchy inflammatory response.

However, in each of these cases it is difficult to establish whether the disease state is caused by the skin microbiome, or whether the skin microbiome itself has changed as a consequence of the disease.

One phenomenon that we can, at least partially, blame on bad bacteria is skin ageing. As you get older, the types of bacteria that live on your skin change. You tend to find less of the “good” species that protect against infections and help keep skin moist and hydrated. Instead you get higher levels of the harmful pathogenic bacteria. This has implications for skin healing.

“Older people tend to have drier skin that’s associated with lower amounts of the types of bacteria that help with lipid production,” says Wilkinson. “That leads to increased risk of skin infections, as, it reduces skin integrity. In older people, you’re more likely to get a spontaneous wound appearing because you lose that integrity of the skin.”

Unfortunately, “bad” skin bacteria may also interfere with wound healing. Research by

“Hopefully at some point in the very near future we might be able to use that kind of strategy to figure out which patients are going to be most at risk of developing a nonhealing wound, and provide that early intervention before it gets to the stage where they need to have a leg amputation, or develop a really nasty infection,” says Wilkinson.

Indeed, certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus are associated with delayed healing. However, the exact mechanisms by which this pathogenic bacteria interferes with healing are uncertain.

“Staphylococcus aureus produce enzymes that can help them invade and digest the tissue around them,” says Wilkinson. “But they can also interfere with your immune function, causing your own system to turn against you.

“The main driver of poor healing in chronic wounds is the fact that the wounds are stuck in that inflammatory phase, and they can’t get out of it. So having the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria there just keeps it in this perpetual loop of inflammation.”

There’s even some evidence to suggest that the skin microbiome could protect us from the some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. When UV radiation hits the skin it can damage DNA. However, skin cells have an inbuilt protection mechanism.

“Essentially they stop reproducing and then the skin goes through a series of checks to repair that damaged DNA,” says O’Neill. “If it can’t repair it, the cells will basically kill themselves.”

However, in a recent unpublished study, O’Neill found that if you remove the microbiome, then skin cells carry on dividing even when they have damaged DNA.

“Obviously, this is a really important protective mechanism against tumours,” says O’Neill. “And clearly the microbiome seems to be a big part of that.”

Research in mice has also indicated that the microbiome

Science & Technology

The boredom scroll on socials may be making your problem worse, study says

Puppies, dancing babies, celebrity soundbites: A common go-to salve for a bout of boredom is to swipe through videos on your social media platform of choice. But that habit is likely making your problem even worse, according to new research.

“Our research shows that while people fast-forward or skip videos to avoid boredom, this behaviour actually increases boredom,” said lead study author Dr Katy Tam, a postdoctoral fellow of psychology at the University of Toronto at Scarborough.

“It also makes their viewing experience less satisfying, less engaging, and less meaningful,” she added.

With the wide array of entertainment at your fingertips, it’s easy to assume that people now are less bored than ever, Tam said. From 2008 to 2020, however, research has shown a growing trend of boredom in young people, she added.

“This is concerning because boredom is linked to negative mental health, learning, and behavioural outcomes, such as depressive symptoms, poorer academic grades, and even sadistic aggression,” Tam said.

EXPECTATIONS VERSUS

REALITY OF BOREDOM

To investigate the roll that fastforwarding and switching videos has in boredom, researchers performed two experiments on about 1,200 people, according to the study published Monday in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

In the first trial, the study participants had two viewing experiences. The participants both watched a 10-minute video without the option to switch or fast-forward and then had a 10-minute period where they could switch between seven 5-minute videos, according to the study.

In the second experiment, participants watched a 10-minute video in one round and in the other round were allowed to fast-forward or rewind through a 50-minute video.

Participants predicted they would be less bored with the option to switch or fast-forward for both experiments but reported afterward that they found watching one video all the way through to be more engaging, satisfying and meaningful, according to the study.

“Boredom is closely linked to our attention,” Tam said. “We feel bored when there’s a gap between how engaged we are and how engaged we want to be. When

people keep switching through videos, they’re not fully engaging with any one video, and are instead searching for something more interesting.”

THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF BOREDOM

To understand what you should take away from this study, it’s important to look further into what boredom really is, said Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center, an independent research organization. She was not involved in the research.

“A study like this is easy to misinterpret as another mark against digital media, rather than to more usefully understand boredom as a motivational signal,” Rutledge said.

Like anger or sadness, boredom is an unpleasant emotion, and it’s often misunderstood or stigmatized, she said.

“While some people equate boredom with laziness or lack of ambition, it can have both positive and negative effects,” Rutledge said. “Boredom, like all negative emotions, is a signal that motivates

us to change what we’re doing. In this sense it is healthy and adaptive.”

If you think of boredom as a shortcoming rather than a motivational tool, you will react to it differently, she added.

Seeing it as a shortcoming may motivate someone to react quickly to engage their attention to feel less frustrated and guilty, Rutledge said.

“The other may encourage me to examine what I’m doing and think about what activities would genuinely be meaningful and rewarding,” she said.

HOW TO STAY ENGAGED

If you want to get out of the loop of scrolling through boredom, intentionality is key.

“Take your time before hitting the fast-forward or skip button, and find ways to stay focused while watching videos,” Tam said. “Just as we pay for an immersive experience in a movie theater, enjoyment often comes from engaging with the content rather than swiping through it.”

Knowing there is always

more — and potentially better — content online can enhance a fear of missing out and get in the way of “rational appraisal” if you aren’t intentional about how you are viewing the content, Rutledge said. It’s also important to reflect on what you are trying to avoid when going through the videos — because not everything can be exciting all the time, Tam added. You shouldn’t feel guilty and ashamed when bored, but you can use it as an opportunity to think about what activities give you meaning and challenge, Rutledge said. Research shows that activities that engage a skill in a challenging but meaningful way gives a better sense of satisfaction than those that just keep you busy or help you relax, she added.

Finally, Rutledge urges people to “Become more mindful of how you use media of all kinds.”

“Pay attention to your moods during media use so that you can identify when a positive experience turns negative — a restorative few minutes watching funny cat videos can turn into a downward spiral of self-doubt,” she added. (CNN)

Our skin is teeming with microbes, we should ...

may also help to modulate the way our immune system responds to UV exposure, helping to prime it to fight off potential infection. UV light is known to suppress our immune response while it can also damage the skin, offering pathogenic bacteria the opportunity to invade our bodies. It appears the skin microbes help to induce an inflammatory response to UV light exposure, priming our bodies to fight off infection.

There’s even some evidence to suggest that the skin microbiome could influence the gut. For example a recent study shows that skin injuries can lead to significant changes in the intestinal microbiome, increasing a person’s susceptibility to gut inflammation.

Studies also show that Malassezia restricta, a fungal member of the skin microbiota, is associated with Crohn’s disease and can exacerbate colitis.

“Everyone knows there is gutskin axis, whereby eating a poor diet can give you bad skin, but the idea that when something is wrong with our skin microbiome, that it could maybe give us diarrhoea.

That’s completely crazy,” says Bernhard Paetzold, cofounder and chief scientific officer of S-Biomedic, a company which aims to treat conditions like acne by restoring the skin microbiome.

“However, very recently, we have started to understand that this crosstalk is bidirectional and in fact there is a skin-gut axis.”

There’s even a theory that your skin microbiome could affect your brain, although the jury is still out on this. For example, a recent study took 20 healthy volunteers and asked them to perform a range of cognitive tests while measuring their brain activity. It found that removing bacteria from the skin on the forehead increased the attention level of participants.

TREATMENTS

So, could we improve our health by swapping our bad skin bacteria for the good guys – a kind of microbial skin transplant, if you will. Possibly, although to do this you’d have to wipe out the existing microbial community on your body, which could cause other

problems, including the risk of driving antibiotic resistance.

Our skin microbes are also heavily influenced by our environment, so we would also need to consider how the world around us contributes to the diversity of different bacteria, fungi and viruses on our bodies. Even the cosmetics we use can alter the make up of our skin microbiota in ways that are only just starting to be understood.

Some companies believe it may be possible to stimulate the growth of “healthy” microbes by treating the skin with “prebiotics” and “probiotics” to feed the good bacteria, or apply bacterial proteins or lipids to your face directly. There is little published evidence for how

CONTINUED

effective this is, but there are some signs it can tweak the balance of different skin bacteria.

Wilkinson is even researching whether special viruses that infect bacteria – known as bacteriophages – and the molecules they produce, could be used to wipe out Staphylococcus aureus in a targeted way without harming the rest of the microbiome.

“The idea is that by depleting the pathogenic bacteria, and allowing the natural microbiota to be restored, you can accelerate wound repair,” she says. “So that is all very exciting for us, and hopefully that will eventually lead to a step change in the way that we approach treating these infections.” (BBC)

From 2008 to 2020 research has shown a growing trend of boredom in young people

Science & Technology

Why category 1 hurricanes can be as damaging as the strongest storms

Don’t be lured into a false sense of security by a category one hurricane – storm surges and flooding mean they can still be incredibly dangerous.

As Hurricane Ernesto – classed a category one – left 40% of Puerto Rico without power and caused flash flooding, scientists are cautioning that low-ranked hurricanes can be just as damaging as category five storms.

Hurricanes are ranked from one to five on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with five being the most intense. The scale was developed back in the 1970s by a wind engineer and a meteorologist. Hurricanes are ranked by their sustained wind speed, but the scale does not take into account other impacts, such as storm surge and rainfall. Hurricanes of all sizes can bring both of these in abundance.

“Focusing too much on hurricane categories can be misleading,” says Craig Fugate, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) and now a crisis response consultant. “While a category five hurricane’s winds are undoubtedly destructive, the real danger can lie in the storm’s other characteristics,” he says. “There is a significant danger of people underestimating the threat of a category one hurricane because

of its lower category. The focus on wind speed can lead to a false sense of security.”

Category one hurricanes, such as Ernesto, can cause deadly storm surges, catastrophic flooding, and tornadoes. This can lead to infrastructure damage such as power outages, road closures and water contamination – which can have severe, lasting impacts. In fact, the greatest threat to life comes from storm surges, which are caused by water from the ocean being pushed towards the shore by the hurricane’s wind force. Water levels can increase by at least 30ft (9.1m). One study found that 49% of hurricane-related deaths in the US were caused by storm surge, 27% were caused by flooding from heavy rain, while just 8% were caused by wind.

“Most damages are from water not wind,” says Michael Wehner, a senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory who specialises in the changing behaviour of extreme weather events. “The issue is that the [Saffir-Simpson] scale is simply a measurement of the highest wind speed at any point in the storm.”

There are also concerns over the public safety aspect of categorising hurricanes by wind speed.

Category three storms and above

Classed a category one hurricane, Ernesto caused catastrophic flash flooding and major power outages

are considered by the National Weather Service as “major” hurricanes, meaning that the public might perceive lesser categories as nothing to worry about.

What is more relevant, Wehner says, is the size of the storm, rather than the wind speed. Category one hurricanes can bring devastating damage even if their windspeed remains under 95mph (153kmph).

Hurricane Debby, a category one, killed five people, while early estimates put the losses between $12.3bn and $28bn (£9.5-22bn).

Hurricane Sandy, also classed a category one, is ranked as the fifth costliest hurricane to hit the US, causing $88.5bn (£68.2bn) in damages.

Hurricane Katrina, which killed more than 1,800 people, made landfall in Louisiana as a category three storm, after weakening from a category five at sea. The storm brought surge flooding of 25-28ft (7.6-8.5m) above normal tides in Mississippi, and 10-20ft (3-6m) in

south-east Louisiana. Katrina is a “grim reminder” that storm surges pose the greatest potential cause for large loss of life in a single hurricane, a tropical cyclone report by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) concluded in 2005.

“Category one hurricanes can still cause considerable damage to the local communities, especially for the people who live in the flood zones and/or mobile homes,” says Xilei Zhao, a data analyst at University of Florida specialising in evacuation behaviour modelling for hurricanes. “The residents should pay close attention to the local officials regarding the evacuation orders, which could be issued for category one hurricanes,” Zhao adds.

Improvements in storm surge messaging could ultimately save lives, Jeane Camelo and Talea Mayo, authors of a study on the impacts of the Saffir-Simpson scale on storm surge communication to the public, found. They also

noted that climate change would significantly increase the storm surge hazard in coastal regions. That, coupled with more people moving to the coast, puts an increasing number of people at risk of storm surge, heightening the need for improved communication around storm surge risk.

While category one hurricanes are often as damaging as category five hurricanes, Wehner points out they’re not as deadly. When category five hurricanes make landfall, the death toll is often high – Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines it left more than 6,000 dead.

As the system that’s dominated hurricane communications for more than 50 years, the SaffirSimpson scale has one big benefit: it’s an instantly recognisable measure for a storm’s strength. But, as Wehner says: “The public needs to know that the SaffirSimpson scale is not the whole story.” (BBC)

US fertility rate dropped to record low in 2023, CDC data shows

Women in the United States are having babies less often, and the fertility rate reached a record low in 2023, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The US fertility rate has been trending down for decades, with particularly steep dips after the Great Recession of 2008. An uptick in 2021 spurred theories about a Covid-19 “baby bump,” but the birth rate has quickly returned to its more consistent downward pattern.

In 2023, the US fertility rate fell another 3% from the year before, to a historic low of about 55 births for every 1,000 females ages 15 to 44, according to final data published Tuesday by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Just under 3.6 million babies were born

the number of births has declined 17%, and the general fertility rate has declined 21%, according to the new report.

There’s not one particular reason why fertility rates are on the decline in the US, said Sarah Hayford, director of the Institute for Population Research at The Ohio State University. A number of social and economic factors are probably coming into play, she said.

A “package of demographic changes” – people getting married later and less often, spending more years in school and taking longer to get economically established in a steady job, to name a few –align with birth rate trends, said Hayford, who was not involved in the new report.

“People are waiting to have children. And on average, when people wait longer to have children, they end up having fewer children,” she said. “I think there’s also greater social acceptance of not having children or having a smaller family. So as that has become more acceptable, people are more carefully weighing their decision to become parents.”

The CDC data shows that births have continued to shift to older mothers; the birth rate was highest among women ages 30 to 34, with about 95 births for every 1,000 women in this group in 2023. The data also shows that the teen birth rate dropped to a record low in 2023, with about 13 births for every 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19.

Hodgkinson to miss rest of 2024 season with injury

Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson will miss the rest of the 2024 athletics season because of injury.

The 22-year-old had been set to compete in the Diamond League finals in Brussels in September.

Britain’s Hodgkinson won all nine of her 800m races in 2024, capped by winning gold at the Paris Games earlier this month.

“No more races for me,” she posted on Instagram.

“Unfortunately I picked up a small injury, but we achieved everything I had hoped to do this year, thank you for all the love and

support.

“See you on the track next year.”

Hodgkinson defended her European 800m title in 2024 and broke her own national record by running one minute 54.61 seconds at the London Diamond League in July.

She has set her sights on breaking the 800m women’s world record of 1:53.28, which has stood for more than four decades.

Hodgkinson will also target a first World Championship title in Tokyo in September 2025, having won silver in each of the past two years. (BBC)

Brazil police close investigation into Man Utd’s Antony

A Brazilian police investigation into allegations of domestic abuse by Manchester United winger Antony has concluded without any charges being brought, but prosecutors could still look into the claims.

The 24-year-old, who has denied wrongdoing, remains the subject of a Greater Manchester Police investigation.

Allegations of domestic abuse were made against Antony by three women in September last year, though he has not been arrested or charged in either Brazil or the UK and denies the allegations.

A statement from the player’s lawyers said: “The defence of player Antony Matheus dos Santos, in light of the news published by

Ronaldo also has 170 million followers on Facebook, 112.6 million on X and a whopping 636 million on Instagram

Ronaldo launches YouTube channel, breaks record

Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday, with millions of subscribers signing up within hours.

The Portugal international uploaded 19 videos on his ‘UR Cristiano’ channel that features content of himself and his family.

“The wait is over. My @ YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on Instagram.

It was an immediate hit. Within

90 minutes, the Al Nassr forward had broken the world record by becoming the fastest channel to hit 1 million subscribers. He now has 26 million and counting.

Ronaldo, 39, posted a video on Instagram showing his children a gold “play button” plaque that was given to him from YouTube for surpassing 1 million subscribers.

He wrote: “A present for my family ?? Thank you to all the SIUUUbscribers!”

While Ronaldo quickly surpassed

eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s subscriber count of 2.31 million, he still has a long way to reach Mr. Beast, the top-subscribed YouTuber with 331 million.

It’s not the first the former Real Madrid and Manchester United start has set records on social media.

Ronaldo has 170 million followers on Facebook, 112.6 million on X and a whopping 636 million on Instagram. (ESPN)

the press this Tuesday (20 August 2024), hereby confirms that the police investigation opened at the fifth Women’s Defense Precinct of Sao Paulo, of the Civil Police, was closed without any police indictment.

“The defence has always believed that the investigations, that run under confidentiality, would prove Antony’s innocence.”

Officials have told BBC News Brasil that although the police investigation has concluded without an indictment, the case has not been dropped because the prosecutor’s office is still reviewing it and can decide to make another independent investigation.

Antony became Manchester United’s second-most expensive

Antony has scored 11 goals in 82 appearances for Manchester United since joining from Ajax in August 2022

signing when he joined from Ajax for £82m in September 2022.

During the international break in September 2023, Brazilian news outlet UOL published allegations made by Antony’s ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin, which he denies.

Further assault allegations followed when Rayssa de Freitas and Ingrid Lana each claimed Antony assaulted them in 2022, which he also denies.

Greater Manchester Police became involved as one of the

allegations was said to have taken place at a Manchester hotel. United responded by saying they took the allegations “seriously” and granted Antony leave with full pay to deal with the allegations on 10 September.

Keely Hodgkinson had been set to compete in the Diamond League finals in Brussels in September

Sports

Tina Charles moves up to second place on WNBA all-time scoring list

Atlanta Dream centre Tina Charles moved up to second place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old came into the team’s game against the Phoenix Mercury needing 10 points to move past Tina Thompson’s 7,488 career points. The Dream defeated the Mercury 72-63 and Charles finished the game with 12 points. She now stands at 7,491 career points.

In the fourth quarter and stuck at nine points, Charles knocked down a three-pointer and got loud applause from the sellout crowd at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park. At the next stoppage of play, Charles’ teammates surrounded her to celebrate the accomplishment while fans

continued to cheer on.

Charles now only trails Mercury star Diana Taurasi on the league’s all-time scoring list. Taurasi, who was on the court at the time, went up to Charles with a smile and embraced her.

Last season, 42-year-old Taurasi became the first player to score 10,000 points in league history.

After the game, Charles said it was “great” to celebrate the milestone with her teammates and expressed gratitude for achieving it while sharing the court with “GOAT” Taurasi.

“Just to hear my name in the same sentence as Diana (Taurasi) is just unimaginable,” Charles said. “Just what she meant to me personally, this league, her impact - she’s definitely the GOAT. I’m

just thankful. I’m just thankful. A lot of gratitude.”

Charles was a two-time NCAA champion with the University of Connecticut and was selected with the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. She won the 2010 Rookie of the Year award and was later named the 2012 Most Valuable Player.

Charles is also a three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA.

The eight-time All-Star has spent time with the Mercury, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics and Seattle Storm. She sat out the 2023 WNBA season before signing with Atlanta earlier this year. (CNN)

With a

collective bargaining agreement, the NWSL becomes

first major American

sports league to abolish the

NWSL and players association agree to abolish draft, raise player pay in new CBA

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and NWSL Players Association have a new collective bargaining agreement, one which includes higher pay, expanding benefits and – in a notable move – abolishing the draft.

With the new CBA, which will be in place through 2030, the NWSL becomes the first major American professional sports league to abolish its player draft.

“The draft is an antiquated model that empowers teams to decide for Players instead of Players deciding for themselves,”

NWSLPA president Tori Huster said.

“Now, Players can choose the team environment that fits their needs and maximises their opportunities. Teams will need to step up to create environments that appeal to Players.”

The agreement raises the minimum player salary, and there will be no limit for an individual player’s maximum salary. A team’s base salary cap will rise by nearly

55% over the term of the agreement from $3.3 million in 2025 to $5.1 million in 2030.

Parental leave and childcare benefits also will be further expanded under the new deal. Charter flights can be used for up to six legs in a league season, and additional charter flights are required in what the league says is “a variety of scenarios to ensure player health and safety requirements are satisfied.”

Player movement also is addressed in the new CBA, granting unrestricted free agency and guaranteeing all contracts. Any trade, intra-league or interleague transfer will require player consent. This, the league said in its statement announcing the CBA, aligns NWSL standard player agreements with FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players.

“Given our vision to be the best league in the world, we determined that this was the right time to align with global standards and achieve long term labor peace,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said.

2023 Wimbledon champion

Markéta Vondroušová will miss the upcoming US Open after undergoing shoulder surgery, she announced on social media.

The 25-year-old’s defense of her Wimbledon title ended in a huge first-round upset to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in July and Vondroušová wrote she has been “struggling with shoulder pain for a few months.”

“There was no other option but to go for surgery,” she added on

Instagram. “Everything went well and I’ll start rehab soon.

“See you back on the court happy and healthy.”

Vondroušová, also a finalist at the French Open in 2019, reached the US Open quarterfinals last season – her best performance in New York – but has fallen to No. 22 in the world from a careerhigh of No. 6 after she failed to defend any of her ranking points at Wimbledon.

the

professional

draft

Tina Charles now has 7,491 career points

Marketa Vondrousova will miss the US Open

Sports International

World No. 1 Sinner won’t be suspended after twice testing positive for banned substance

Less than 24 hours after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner won the ATP 1000 Cincinnati Open title, it was revealed that the Italian tennis star avoided a suspension despite twice testing positive for a prohibited substance in March.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced in a statement Tuesday that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence” despite testing positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid, at low levels from a sample that was collected March 10 at Indian Wells. A further sample collected eight days later also tested positive at low levels.

In a statement posted on social media, Sinner said the positive tests stemmed from “inadvertent contamination of Clostebol” through treatment from his physiotherapist. The 2024 Australian Open winner also said that his physio had been applying an over-the-counter spray to their own skin – not on Sinner – to treat a small wound.

“His fitness trainer purchased a

product, easily available over the counter in any Italian pharmacy, which he gave to Jannik’s physiotherapist to care for a cut on the physiotherapist’s finger,” Sinner’s statement said.

“Jannik knew nothing of this, and his physiotherapist did not know that he was using a product containing Clostebol. … The physiotherapist treated Jannik without gloves and coupled with various skin lesions on Jannik’s body caused the inadvertent contamination.”

Typically, after a positive test, a player would be handed an automatic provisional suspension, though they have the right to apply to an independent tribunal chair appointed by Sport Resolutions to have that provisional suspension lifted, according to the ITIA.

In both instances, the ITIA said, Sinner successfully appealed the provisional suspension, which led to him continuing to play.

In Sinner’s case, the ITIA said scientific experts had determined that the Italian’s explanation was

Sinner, seen here at Wimbledon in July, twice tested positive at low levels for

credible and thus the organization did not oppose his appeals to lift the provisional bans.

The ITIA referred the case to an independent tribunal, with a hearing occurring on August 15. The tribunal subsequently determined a finding of no fault or negligence leading to Sinner avoiding any suspension.

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner said in his statement on his social media accounts. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”

In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), Sinner’s results, prize money and ranking points from Indian Wells were disqualified. Sinner, who reached the semifinals at the California tournament, lost $325,000 and 400 ranking points.

In a statement Tuesday, the ATP said it was “encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part.”

“We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis AntiDoping Programme (TADP), which has allowed him to continue competing,” the ATP statement

said.

“This has been a challenging matter for Jannik and his team, and underscores the need for players and their entourages to take utmost care in the use of products or treatments. Integrity is paramount in our sport.”

Sinner has won five titles this season – the most on the ATP Tour this year. He won the Australian Open in January to claim his first grand slam title. His ranking rose to world No. 1 in June, and he will be the top seed at the US Open, the final major of the season. US Open main draw play begins Monday.

On Monday, Sinner defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4) 6-2 to win the Cincinnati title for the first time in his career. (CNN)

‘I’ve not been at level of world champion’ - Norris

Lando Norris says he has “not performed at the level of a world champion” so far this season - but still believes he can challenge Max Verstappen for the title.

The McLaren driver is 78 points behind Red Bull’s Verstappen with 10 races to go as the season resumes at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, following the summer break.

Norris said: “I’m still very happy with how the season’s gone, but just one too many mistakes and a few too many points given away.

“Which is not the level I need to be at if I want to fight for a championship and fight against a driver like Max.”

Norris and McLaren head into the second part of the season with a realistic chance of overhauling Red Bull’s 42-point lead in the constructors’ championship,

Lando Norris won his maiden F1 race at the Miami Grand Prix in May

but with both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri motivated to do everything they can to catch Verstappen in the drivers’ chase.

“For the team, of course [we can do it],” Norris said. “As a driver, it is still within reach but it is a lot of points and it’s against Max.

“I want to be optimistic and say there are still chances. I know it’s a lot and it’s going to be a very difficult challenge but, with how I know I can perform when things click, I still want to believe it’s possible.”

But Norris said a series of small errors - particularly at the starts and first laps of races - had let him down.

“In the first half of the season, I have not performed at the level of a world champion,” he said. “Simple as that.

“At times I have. Many races I have. But little things have let me down along the way and those are things I can’t afford. In the last few races I have not been at the level I need to be at.”

Norris’ hopes are boosted at Zandvoort this weekend by an upgrade on the McLaren car - their first performance development since the one introduced in Miami in May, which transformed them into frontrunners.

“We have some things on the car this weekend,” Norris said. “We’ve not really had an upgrade since

Miami. And a lot of other teams have done.

“So it’s about time, but in a good sense, we have taken our time to try to understand things well. We have seen other teams put things on the car and they’ve not worked, and we wanted to avoid that.”

Piastri, who is 32 points behind Norris in the championship, says he had been driving with a broken rib for the three races leading up to the summer break in Britain, Hungary and Belgium.

He revealed the injury on Instagram this week, but until Thursday had not said when it happened or how it had affected him.

He said it had been caused by his race seat not being a perfect fit, and that the problem began to emerge at the Spanish Grand Prix five races ago.

Jannik

Clostebol in March, an anabolic steroid

Sports National

Skyhawks advance to PAL basketball semi-finals

Skyhawks advanced to the 13U and 16U semi-finals of the Police Action League (PAL) basketball competitions owing to their dominant performance in the regular season.

In the 13U battle, Skyhawks and Commanders finished as number one and two on the standings, which automatically propelled them into the final four.

In the playoff battle, this Saturday at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex, Avengers will battle Seaquest and the Guardians

will meet the Badgers to decide the other two semi-finalists.

In the younger age group’s latest clash, Skyhawks defeated Sequest 57-23.

Bethenly Joseph once again led the winners with a whopping 30 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Frantz Junior led Seaquest with 14 points, five rebounds and four steals.

Commanders also recorded a 45-16 point win over the Badgers.

Johansen Steplin led the attack

with 19 points, while Danord Handfield led the Badgers with nine points and 16 rebounds.

In the other U13 battle, the Avengers got past the Guardians 38-34. Carlos David Morel led the winners with 24 points and three steals, while Romeo Higgs Jr led the Guardians with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Skyhawks also dominated the 16U battle. They automatically qualified for the number one spot, while Avengers booked the number two semi-final spot.

In the latest round of games, Skyhawks, on the back of a shooting clinic from Leroy Hyman, who finished with 33 points, four rebounds and two steals, finished with a 58-49 point victory over Seaquest.

Allan Gedeon led Seaquest with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Avengers got the better of the Guardians 36-32.

V. Gbemudu led the winners with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

The Guardians were led by Justin Forbes with 12 points and seven

rebounds.

In the other clash, a lowscoring one, the Badgers defeated Commanders 19-16.

Traheim Saunders and Carlens Louis finished with six points each, while Jovany Job led the Commanders with six points also.

After this weekend’s playoff, action continues on August 31 with the semi-finals and on September 7 with the finals and third-place games.

Coach LaDonna Bassett with the Skyhawks

Leroy Hyman shot his way to a weekhigh 33 points for Skyhawks 16U team

Bethenly Joseph led the 13U Skyhawks with 30 points

Johansen Steplin led Commanders 13U team with 19 points

Allan Gedeon led Seaquest to victory

Carlos Morel led the Avengers with 24 points and three steals

Sports National

TCI ON TOP OF GROUP B IN TIER II OF CFU U14 CHALLENGE SERIES

The Turks and Caicos Islands U14 male football team has been flawless en route to an undefeated run in the group stages of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys’ U14 Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago.

In their four games so far, the TCI boys won three games and

Skyhawks dominate latest softball clash

Skyhawks recorded a 24-11 run victory against the Avengers when softball action in the Police Action League (PAL) continued on Saturday last at the Downtown Ball Park.

With their latest victory, Skyhawks are on two wins and a draw in four games with a run difference of 11.

The Guardians, who have only played three games, are second with one win and a draw, while the Avengers are on one win in three games with a run difference of -11.

drew their fourth for 10 points in Tier II, Group B.

Their opening victory took place on Friday last against Anguilla. That game finished 3-1 in favour of TCI.

TCI had taken a 2-0 lead following goals from Wilsony Charles in the fourth minute and

Idelin Gardiner in the 15th.

Charles completed his double in the 42nd to ensure that TCI registered a comfortable win.

In their second clash, TCI again dominated. This time they registered a 4-0 win against BVI.

Jordan Dean opened the scoring in the 14th minute

with Gardiner making it 2-0 10 minutes later.

In the second half, Charles found the back of the net in the 57th, while Charlie Thornhill added the fourth in the 63rd.

Charles and Gardiner also scored in the third game when TCI defeated Dominica 3-0.

Gardiner pushed TCI ahead in the 10th minute, while Charles scored in the 67 and Khazaiviyon Darvol in the 70th.

The other clash, against USVI, ended in a nil-all draw.

The tournament was expected to continue with the semi-finals and finals.

The U14 boys with their coaching staff prior to departing

TCI going through practice drills

Skyhawks won their latest battle

Wilsony Charles scored four goals in the first three games

Idelin Gardiner was also in scoring mode for TCI