TC Weekly News December 23 - January 6, 2023

A bright future ahead for TCI and its hotel industry

– Opines Nikheel Advani

BY DELANA ISLES

Nikheel Advani, Chief Operating Officer and Principal of Grace Bay Resorts, foresees a bright future for the tourism and hotel industry of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Advani expressed this sentiment during an interview with Sean McCracken, News Editor with Hotel News Now earlier in December.

That optimism, he said, is driven by how far both have come in just the past two years.

Sharing his views on the outlook for the Islands and the hotel industry,

the GBC Chief said he is feeling incredibly positive about the future.

“I’ve got a little cautionary side note based on headwinds coming in, whether its economic… the war in Ukraine… we’re being very cautious, but the data is looking very very positive now.”

He added: “Looking on the real estate side, I think 2021 was a bumper year, I don’t think we’ll ever see that again. On average a good year for us was 300 plus, $350 million of total real estate sales, and for a small island like us that’s a significant amount, in 2021

it was $758 million.”

He said that with $758 million in 2021, it’s clear 2022 is down, but the Islands will more than likely go back to the pre-pandemic sales of 2019.

He added that he foresees sales closing at about $500m by the end of December, which is 38 percent up from 2019.

“I wish we could do what we did in 2021 but look 2019 is most people’s best year… so on a real estate level its very strong, very robust sort of demand and our challenge is we do not have

Daniel Malcolm Snr remembered for his commitment to self-governance

A pioneer and visionary, retired politician Hon Daniel Malcolm Snr is remembered for his passion for these islands.

A staunch believer that greater self-determination would bode well for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the former leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP) passed away on November 28, at the age of 86.

Affectionately known by family and friends as ‘Sir Daniel, Sir D, Tiger and Papi Dan,’ Hon Malcolm dedicated his life to politics in the Turks and Caicos Islands - decolonisation was his passion.

In a 2012 interview with the Weekly News, Hon Malcolm stated: “Self-determination is where the government and the people of TCI, and other territories like us, make advances toward greater political, social and cultural determination or stay within the framework of their own situation”.

Also in 2012, Mr Malcolm was invited to join the special committee of experts regarding the implementation of the ‘Declaration on the Granting of Independence of Colonial Countries and

Peoples’.

This was supported by the Decolonization Unit of the Department of Political Affairs, United Nations Secretariat.

That committee was set up to, among other things, monitor the implementation of the declaration, hear statements from the non-self-governing territories, organise an annual regional seminar and make recommendations regarding the dissemination of information on the decolonisation process.

Hon Malcolm believed in

2012 that the TCI was too young for independence, citing 10 additional years as enough time to move towards selfgovernance.

He said at the time: “We are at least ten years away from being ready for independence. We must develop our country and our people so that when we move to independence we will do so from a position of strength.”

Mr. Malcolm Snr. is survived by his children, grandchildren and several other family members. (DELANA ISLES)

enough supply, we can’t build fast enough, and we don’t want to build fast enough.”

Pointing to hotel performance over the past two years, Advani said the data is similar, apart from 2021, where the first quarter of the year took a hard hit with the closure of the TCI borders.

He said for 2022 versus 2019, hotel performance is up 23 percent for most of the luxury resorts that share data.

“So that’s a really healthy sort of growth off your best year, 2019; 2021 is not relevant because we didn’t have the first quarter, but for our resorts from March 2021 onwards it beat 2019.”

Advani remarked that September in both 2021 and 2022 looked good for the industry – a month that is

typically a slow period for tourism in the Islands, when some hotels close for the ‘slow season’.

Asked how sustainable this demand is going forward, Advani said the pace for the first quarter of this year did not falter, it was stronger than in 2019.

“So, for us, looking into the crystal ball unless something changes, we're looking to have an incredible 2023 quarter one.”

When Advani started 20 years ago, the company only had its flagship Grace Bay Club resort; this has now grown to four resorts – three on Grace Bay Beach and the latest one, Rock House on the North Shore, which opened earlier this year.

A fifth – South Bank - is slated to open in the first quarter of 2023.

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd.

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P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI

W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

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Former politician, Hon Daniel Malcolm Snr (Photo provided by family)

Nikheel Advani, Grace Bay Resorts

Principal and Chief Operating Officer

THE joint Crown Land Review Committee said it is concerned that reforms do not deplete the supply of Crown land available for future generations of Islanders who may be in need. The long-awaited report stemming from the joint independent review by the TCI and UK governments which was released for public consumption on Thursday, December 8, included 146 recommendations covering a wide range of areas, including future allocations of crown land, existing conditional purchase leases, and unauthorised occupation. Members of the public and a wide range of stakeholders were consulted by Attorney at Law Mr R Donhue Gardiner, TCI Attorney with experience in land law and policy development, and Professor Simon Cooper an expert in Caribbean land law and registration systems. In the foreword of the report, the review committee said: "The aspiration for residential Crown land must be to provide homes for Islanders, but noted that it should not become "freely available to all the members of the current generation of Islanders even if they are not in need". What are your thoughts?

TC Islanders need homes

Many Turks and Caicos Islanders by descendant are in need of housing. The government should claw back those 10 and 5 acers given out back in the day and replace them with .25-acre plots. Government need to look at building multi-family homes and guaranteeing low-interest rates through a government-backed Mortgage Corporation where Turks and Caicos Islander can get funding for their homes.

We also need to ensure that banks are not allowing persons on a work permit to operate or manage accounts of businesses unrelated to their work permit. This is a violation and a lot of work permit holders are signatories on accounts where the business license is in the name of a Turks and Caicos Islander (usually a Belonger Status given by a grant through marriage or other relationship).

Bias and unfair

It seems really disingenuous that the “Joint Crown Land Review Committee” did not comprise any member or appointee of the Official Opposition or other sensible stakeholders in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The irony is increased when Don-hue Gardiner is presented as an "independent", "objective" or professionally 'detached' "expert" in Land Law but is really an

operative, former Minister and Official of the Governing PNP Administration. It is really like the PNP have the right to give the Crown Land of the Islands away, take for themselves 1000s of acres of Land for $1.00 an acre, sell it all for Millions and have one of their operatives participate in a report that further undermines the stability of Land Holdings in the TCI.

Their operatives should not be part of any solution and that's proven in the hapless report presented. There is no land left because it was stolen and given away. The foreword of the Report reads that “The aspiration for residential Crown land must be to provide homes for Islanders, but noted that it should not become "freely available to all the members of the current generation of Islanders even if they are not in need”.

Why shouldn’t Turks and Caicos Islanders have “free” access to their own resources and Crown Lands in their own country? Did the Report look into taking back the Lands that were frittered away? Just to name a few, like the 2500 acres at Juniper Hole Middle Caicos, or the 1500 acres on Salt Cay, or the 1000s of acres at Northwest Point?

If they really wanted a proper and fair process, they would have given the “Kangaroo Committee” wider terms of reference so that Lands that were frittered away could be taken back for Turks and Caicos Islanders. The Report is a dud, and they need to come again

Glorified waste of time

Recently, while this so-called Crown Land Committee was doing its report in the night, the Privy Council ruled that the lands given away at South Caicos, Sail Rock and Downtown, were to be retained by the Crown. The PNP Government was always keen to just give the land away at Peppercorn Rents but the native paid through the nose and now there is No Crown Land Left, as what was there, was sold to the highest bidder. This whole exercise, including the asset recovery regime, was just a glorified waste of time. For a time, they got away with giving half of South Caicos away. None of these issues such as lack of access for the rest of the country or proper recovery seemed to have been addressed by the Committee. What happened to the Turks & Caicos Islands as a result of all of this was a travesty and an injustice.

Lack of confidence in current Govt

The committee expressed a deep lack of confidence in the current government by suggesting that Crown Land Administration should not be under an elected minister again. It was Ministers of the former PNP Government 2003-2009 that simply just took the land as if it was their own and played with it.

It comes as no surprise but an irony that the Committee, with Don-hue Gardiner on it, would recommend "without controversy" that ministers should no longer have control over Crown Land in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Today Crown Land is controlled by the Crown Land Unit, under the AGS Chambers.

That unit has a mind of its own. They have added new rules, made up by themselves onto the Crown Land Ordinance and have made it almost impossible for Turks and Caicos Islanders to get Crown lands for themselves. What makes anyone think that there is any hope for future natives getting Crown land under these arrangements?

Even though land is to be managed for the benefit of TC Islanders, the Crown Land Unit seems to have a bias against locals getting lands even from the “little that there is”. A serious debate should address this inbuilt bias against locals.

We must hold our leaders accountable

Today, after over 10 years and more of confusion about no Lands Left, Turks and

Caicos Islanders must look to hold their socalled leaders accountable.

Their leaders come and go but are always there to waste natural resources and get away with it. Previous CEOs of TCInvest were free to lie and mislead locals on land Applications, tearing them up and the Ministers just “doing nothing” about it.

The Crown Land Unit has always been a law unto itself, and it is still there, systematically denying locals access to Crown Land. Today to get Land one must do a business plan, do all kinds of studies and at the end of the process may yet be disappointed in getting the Crown grant of land. Locals need to demand accountability of their governments and so-called leaders who are in business for themselves.

Ask “why have you given our lands away”. Demand answers. This so-called report, made in the heat of the night should be debated on the floor of Parliament and heads must roll. There is no confidence in this report because it starts off at zero suggesting that locals will not get access to Crown Land for residential purposes.

Will we have land for those the Premier invite from the Bahamas?

Most recently the Premier went Global and to the Bahamas inviting third-generation descendants of Turks & Caicos Islanders to come home and take up their rights.

This invitation was met with wide objections, skepticism and support in various pockets. Tragically when the parents of these descendants left the islands in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s etc, there was still so much land left on Provo, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, West Caicos Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

Now today the land is gone, the “joint Crown Land Committee" is negative and there are no answers to getting the land that was given away and stolen back. The invitation for the people to return home seems like an empty promise not backed by anything, Gold or otherwise.

A

Weekly News column that puts you on the spot for your opinions on the issues of the day

December power bills to also reflect 15% fuel factor reduction

Residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands can expect to see the 15 per cent reduction in the fuel factor rate also applied to their December power bills, however, the standard rate calculation will return in January for some islands.

Fortis TCI, the territory’s main electricity provider said the reduction will remain relatively stable in December, with further reductions in the fuel factor rate across some service territories.

The increase in the fuel factor rate came as a result of the Russia/ Ukraine war which disrupted the supply chain and created an unstable global economy.

According to FortisTCI, the fuel factor rate (or power cost adjustment) is a mechanism used to recover the cost of fuel used to produce the electricity consumed by each customer. It is calculated monthly and is based on the fuel consumed for a specific period and determined by the actual price of fuel at the time it is purchased.

The challenges have caused excessive spikes in the prices of fuel and food across the world.

As such, the high rates of inflation, especially in the United States continue to negatively impact the cost of living in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In September and October 2022, fuel factor rates reached their highest in the territory.

In an effort to alleviate the

burden of high power bills on residents, FortisTCI and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) implemented the fuel factor stabilisation initiative to cushion residential customers from the impact of the volatility in the market during this period.

According to FortisTCI, this arrangement set a fixed price for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used for the last four months of the year.

In keeping with this, residential customers will continue to be billed at a fixed cost of $0.20 per kilowatt hour ("kWh") for the fuel factor rate on their December electricity bill.

However, December will be the final month in which the fuel factor stabilisation credit will be in effect, based on the current arrangement with the TCI Government, and electricity bills at the end of January will return to the standard fuel factor rate calculation.

In a statement on Friday, December 16, FortisTCI said: “The fuel factor rate on November's electricity bills decreased by 15% to $0.2587 from $0.3048 per kilowatt hour ("kWh") for Providenciales, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos customers, and this rate will remain relatively stable on December's electricity bills.”

The utility company further explained that the fuel factor rate for Grand Turk and Salt Cay

customers decreased by 4% to $0.2773 per kWh from $0.2889 on November's electricity bills and a further decrease is projected on December's electricity bills due to a decline in fuel costs.

“The fuel factor rate for South Caicos decreased from the prior month's $0.2815 by 2% and projections for December's electricity bill will be shared once the information becomes available. Current fuel factor rate projections reflect that customers will see a reduced or relatively stable fuel factor rate on their December electricity bill.

“This general fuel price trend is expected to continue into January 2023 but with slight changes across some service territories,” Fortis TCI added.

While on the islands of Providenciales, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos, customers will see a slight increase in the fuel factor rate on January's electricity bills compared to the previous month.

Grand Turk and Salt Cay customers are projected to receive another decrease in the fuel factor rate, creating a three-month-streak.

These projections are subject to change based on volatility in the fuel market.

Fuel factor rates are authenticated by the TCI Government's Energy and Utility Commissioner's Office every month before the release of bills.

Police investigating Grand Turk fire

– One man in custody

A 40-year-old man was taken into police custody following a suspected arson attempt in Grand Turk on Friday, December 17.

Initial police reports stated that around 5.56 pm, the Police Command Centre received a report that the upstairs of the TIMCO building, located along Front Street, was ablaze.

Both the Fire Department and Forensic Support were also notified.

In an attempt to extinguish the blaze, officers from the Grand Turk Division “A” Station led by ag ASP Michael Francois and other persons formed a bucket brigade.

After several minutes, the fire was contained.

Investigations are ongoing.

A fire brigade helped to extinguish the blaze at TIMCO building, Grand Turk

Fortis TCI on Leeward Highway, Providenciales

Slain family laid to rest

– Surviving family member granted BOTC status

BY DELANA ISLES

It was a heartbreaking sight, three coffins laid out alongside each other – a pregnant mother, a father and a three-year-old child, their lives snuffed out prematurely and brutally.

Videm Cesar, Phenix Gertrude and Videm Cesar Junior were brutally slain on October 31, a dark time in TCI’s history, one that will forever scar the surviving family member, a seven-year-old girl who witnessed the murder of her family.

Last weekend, His Excellency Governor Nigel Dakin joined the bereaved family as they laid their deceased relatives to rest in an emotional ceremony.

“The service, mainly in French Creole, was a mixture of uplifting evangelical sermon, haunting Creole anthems, French hymns and eulogies marking their short lives. I read a lesson,” the Governor shared on social media after the service.

The lifeless bodies of the two adults and the child were discovered in a car on November 1, parked among several abandoned vehicles in Dockyard. The girl was found injured in the back seat. Residents made the discovery and alerted police.

The Governor shared: “We believe the main suspect was Brandon Rahming, killed in a

police shooting several weeks ago.”

He added that members of the extended family told him that the surviving child is being well looked after by professionals in the public and medical service. “I know there has also been help from private individuals.”

The governor revealed that the child has since been granted British Overseas Territory Citizenship (BOTC).

On November 2, during a press update, Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting had stated that investigators have an open mind as to why the family was targeted.

“It may be that this attack is not linked to the gang-related violence which the Force is currently fighting against but was driven by other motivation.”

Since that update, there has been no further word from police as to the motivation for the murders, or arrest of the suspected killer(s).

Botting had however stressed at the time, that the Royal TCI Police Force is ‘focused and determined' to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.

Anyone with information into this or other crimes in the Islands is advised to notify the nearest police station or call Crime Stoppers and give any information regarding this incident or any illegal activity anonymously.

Public Appeal

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to any member of public who may have any information on any crimes. They can contact Chalk Sound Police Station on 338-5901 or make use of the confidential reporting system through Crimestoppers on 1-800-8477.

CABINET MEETING SUMMARY

Turks and Caicos Islands post Cabinet meeting statement

His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 34th meeting of Cabinet on Monday 19 December 2022 at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales.

All Members were present.

AT THIS MEETING CABINET:

• Approved an extension to the Covid-19 Arriving Passengers Health Clearance Regulations until 31 March 2023, requiring visitors entering the Turks and Caicos Islands to be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. Members also agreed on next steps.

• Noted and approved recommendations

of the 10th Actuarial Review of the Turks & Caicos Islands National Insurance Board. Members also approved amendments to the National Insurance Ordinance and Regulations to reflect these.

• Noted a report on a draft National Employment Policy and Human Capital Development Plan and a proposed strategy for its implementation over a 5-year period.

• Approved the appointment of Pekiera Brooks and Ladonna Bassett as Members of the Sports Commission Board for a period of two years with effect from 1 January 2023.

• Discussed a draft points-based merit

system as criterion for the granting of Turks and Caicos Islander Status and agreed next steps.

• Noted recommendations for the establishment of a National Minimum Wage index for the Turks and Caicos Islands and, in parallel, approved the implementation of social support strategies covering a school nutrition program across all public schools, a national child day care program and after-school programs in all schools.

• Approved a Hurricane Fiona Relief Policy for dwellings significantly impacted by the recent storm and agreed human and financial resources

to support the operationalisation of the relief programme.

• Approved changes to the process for the granting of Business Licences under restricted categories ensuring a more streamlined process going forwards.

• Was updated on the progress of projects being delivered by the Premier’s Delivery Unit.

• Noted a court ruling for a final settlement on a case against the TCI Government and approved a payment from the Claims against Government Account.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

Videm Cesar, Phenix Gertrude and Videm Cesar Junior were brutally slain on October 31, a dark time in TCI’s history, one that will forever scar the surviving family member, a seven-year-old girl who witnessed the murder of her family

Do you feel empty sometimes?

It is okay to feel that way but reconnect and refuel

I know sometimes I feel empty, and it is not a good feeling. You feel like you have nothing to offer, nothing to say and nothing to do. It is okay to feel empty at times, but you do not have to be in an empty

There is always a way to refuel so you do not have to remain empty. Of course, you may say how can I refuel when I am empty? The truth is when you are empty, this is the time for you to reconnect and refuel.

You see when you are full or half full, you may not see the need to refuel.

People feel empty for many different reasons. One of the reasons I used to feel empty was that I did not know my purpose.

Even though I had a successful career and was getting paid well, I felt there was more to life than what

BY DREXWELL SEYMOUR

I was doing and so I felt empty. However, as soon as I discovered my purpose, that empty feeling alleviated. I encourage you today to discover your purpose. Oh, what a great feeling of fullness you will experience.

Another reason I felt empty was due to limited knowledge. I wasn’t studying and reading a lot. However, when I started to do my research and started reading on

various areas including the Bible, I became equipped with knowledge and no longer felt empty. Therefore, it is important to learn as much as you can.

Some people feel empty too because of their past. If you have not overcome the events that took place in your past, you are going to feel empty. I know the feeling. Find the courage to talk about it or talk to someone about it. Don’t let anyone

or your past allow you to feel empty. I know it is easier said than done but you have so much potential if you can overcome your past.

Some of you are lonely and as a result, you feel empty. You may not be in a relationship or don’t have anyone around and as a result, you feel empty. Of course, there are people in relationships who have people around them that still feel empty. You may have gone through the loss of a close friend or family member and so you feel lonely. Find an organisation that you can get involved in and do some volunteer work. You will be full when you realise the impact you have on others.

Some of you have not achieved your desired goals and so you feel empty. Even though you may have not achieved your goals within your timeframe, it does not mean

you will not achieve them sooner or later.

Some of you are looking at the achievements of others and you feel empty because you think you have not reached or will never reach what the others have achieved. The thing is, you are comparing yourself to others and as a result, you become stressed out. Focused on you and your purpose and you may discover that you are not empty at all.

To move to that place of fulfilment, fuel up. It is good to recognise you are empty as this is the time for you to reflect on your life. I believe everybody may have experienced a time of emptiness. It is how you deal with it, that matters. Know that you can experience fullness in your life especially when you are doing what you were created to do.

The emerging challenge to security and safety and the needed response

Worldwide, criminal activities are mounting. People at all levels are involved in organised crimes ranging from money laundering, the trafficking of people, drugs, illicit goods and weapons, which often lead to armed robbery, gang violence, and considering its ‘copy-cat’ culture, the TCI is prone to these contretemps.

Undoubtedly, the globalisation phenomenon has facilitated, and to some degree, complicated the security threat faced by TCI’s contemporary society. The rapid increase in cross-border movement of commodities and finances, the easing of regulatory control and the conflict-torn neighbouring nations, have accelerated the flow of prohibited activities, which

are naval cords of the criminal enterprise.

Equally, the emerging cohesion between TCI and the world is a critical facet determining the proliferation of other security threats, like terrorism. This phenomenon is on the rise, as extreme cultures endeavour to disrupt the lives of Americans and their allies, emanating from

geopolitical tensions.

More so, the emergence of global media networks and instantaneous communication systems have increasingly helped to spur radical politically motivated actions and ideological posturing, giving rise to radical Islamic fundamentalism – spanning across US borders and in every case, terrorists’ acts are organised and transcended national borders.

Although terrorism has not impacted the TCI and the wider Caribbean significantly, we are not immune. The terrorist’s tactic is to pounce on soft targets, such as tourism and; therefore, this illustrates the vulnerability of TCI’s tourism-dependent economy to terrorist attacks. One would remember the aftermath of 911 and how the TCI was transformed into a ghostly paradise.

The thing is, islanders are not

the target of terrorists, Americans and their allies are, and the 2002 terrorist attacks in Bali, Indonesia exemplify this ordeal.

Lately, we’ve witnessed an increase in the level of violent radicalism and despite the Jamaat al Muslimeen coup (July 1990) attempt in Trinidad, the Caribbean remains un-alert. But approximately five years ago, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago was jolted by the 100 Trinidadians who were recruited to fight alongside ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Moreover, the heightened ethnic and cultural diversity of TCI communities, arising from the flurry of migratory population flows, has amplified greater resonance from surging economic activities; in addition to, intensifying domestic crises and economic decay abroad, adding impetus to the security threat.

The recent spate of crime in Providenciales exposed the nation’s lack of readiness to effectively respond to crimes. This has created the urgency to prioritise counter-security capacity building.

Therefore, it is imperative that the government provide adequate human resources, tools and

equipment, training and a solid legal framework for security and law enforcers to credibly carry out their jobs; in addition to, having access to applicable intelligence.

The TCI must beckon the UK government to acknowledge the importance of security in the TCI to British national security interests – focusing on bolstering TCI’s institutional capacities to effectively deal with socioeconomic challenges and tackling transnational crimes while championing a regional security initiative.

Concerning the latter, lawmakers must recognise the shared interdependence and importance of cooperation to curb new and emerging security threats and considering the lack of technical, financial and human resources, these islands are susceptible to security breaches, in particular, arms, humans and drug trafficking.

Criminals can perpetrate significant damage with one successful attack, and while we cannot prevent all security breaches, establishing functional institutions is vital to effectively respond to irregularities with minimal damage or loss of lives. We must act now!

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.

state forever.

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.

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

Real hope

The world is in a bad state. The world’s richest 26 people own as much as the world’s poorest 3.8 billion people combined according to Rob Wijnberg of the now defunct The Correspondent.

Let me say that again 26 people own more than 3.8 billion people combined. While the richest nations contribute most towards destroying the climate, it’s the poorer nations who suffer the worst. We know that abundant energy resources are the primary economic driver for nation-building, but with poorer nations being cut off from these resources and forced to move towards expensively sourced renewable energy sources, the cards are stacked against the poor. Here is what Wijinberg says “sustainable technology isn’t yet ready to serve as the backbone for our modern society.”

The current economic set-up ensures that the rich get richer, and the poor remain impoverished. Other factors that point towards the

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.

fact that the world is getting worse include increasing dependency on anti-depressants in the developed world, a compounding mental health crisis, political corruption, higher costs for education resulting in a mountain of debt, and persistent social and economic problems that decrease the quality of life for billions. So what’s the reality? Max Roser sums it up well in an article for Our World in Data, “The world is awful. The world is much better. The world can be much better.”

Sin is the reason the world is awful. Not the economic or social structures of the world, but sin.

Now you may dismiss the idea of sin as many have been doing over the years. However, psychiatrist Karl Menninger once commented that though sin has disappeared from our modern vocabulary, guilt has remained. Today, enormous efforts are being made to eradicate guilt, but the human heart remains a fertile ground for its germination. While society seeks to erase it, we all want child murderers and genocidal maniacs to at least show guilt for their crimes when confronted. Dismiss it all you want, but sin is very much present, just take a look around at its effects.

A working definition of sin is

that it is “acting or behaving in a way that does not conform with God’s character or commands”. By going against God’s nature and commands, we humans have set up systems that devalue, exploit, and disenfranchise others. Sin is the root of racism, discrimination, murder, corruption, theft, strife and so much more. In short, sin is universal, here is what Paul says in a letter to Christ's followers in Rome, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23 New Living Translation). Sin is what makes the world such a gloomy, bleak place.

But sin has a solution. His name is Jesus. The Bible says he is the one who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He is also the giver of life according to Romans 6:23. But to be the solution for sin for each person, every single individual needs to agree that their actions and words are contrary to God’s personality and principles. When you confess that you have sinned against God the result is a change in your relationship with God – you are no longer an enemy – a change in your relationship with others –you start blessing others – and a change in how you see yourself –from broken to whole.

One more thing. If the world is awful because of sin. Then the world can only be much better because of Jesus. When a person believes in Jesus and is submitted to him, that person stops being greedy and manipulative and instead becomes kind, loving, thoughtful, and a doer of good works. When they do, the systems and structures they install in business, government, entertainment, and education honour, value and bring dignity to others. All good in the world stems from a relationship with Jesus. He is the Light. He is Life.

YOU ARE LOVED.

Eight Christmas cocktails you need to try this season

Bring whatever you can find in the kitchen to make cocktails_ this Christmas, you are going to be the most epic mixologist your friends and families have ever known.

There are countless cocktails that can be improved and adapted for the holiday season. Add cranberry to Moscow mules, bourbon to your mojitos and a bit of Baileys to your hot chocolate, the possibilities are endless. And in case you’re not a fan of alcohol, I got you as well! Let your newly discovered passion for mixology be the talk of the table and not your newly pronounced wrinkles. Keep them happy and drunk, maybe your noisy aunt will stop asking personal questions as to why you are still single at 35.

From gourmandelle.com, I have handpicked eight Christmas cocktails that will have your guests begging for more. He who has the liquor is the most loved. So go on playas, here is what is on the cocktail menu for the closing of 2022.

BY DAVIDSON LOUIS

CHRISTMAS PUNCH

A Christmas punch can be both alcoholic or not. It usually contains either tea or some festive fruits such as cranberries and pineapples mixed with alcohol such as wine, beer, or hard liquor. Make a huge, partysized punch first, and then ask your guests what spirit they would like, to make it personal. It is all about hospitality!

DARK RUM MOJITO

Mojito lovers, you’re gonna want to hear this: here’s how to make the ultimate dark rum spiced mojito. Add passion fruit, mango,

strawberry or watermelon. Pick a decent-priced rum. Do not pick any cheap old rum, because it will taste like burnt tires. Garnish with mint, limes or lemons, whatever you have in the fridge! Voila!

PEPPERMINT WHITE RUSSIAN

One part vodka, One part Kahlua, One part half & half, One dash peppermint extract, 1 candy cane (crushed), Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate chips. Make it a bit messy intentionally. Presentation is key!

SPICY MOSCOW MULE

Upgrading the classic Moscow Mule to this Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule. Vodka mixed with fresh lime juice, a squeeze of grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, spicy jalapeños, and topped off with ginger beer…for a touch of sweetness and a little bit of bubbly!

BOOZY EGGNOG

Do not waste your time making eggnog from scratch. You do not need to! The effort is going to be in the presentation. Add Baileys, Kahlua or both! grate nutmeg with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top_ for the final touch. Let the youngsters in the family have a glass. I mean it, just one. You want them to think you’re cool but equally do not want to be beheaded for encouraging underage drinking.

BOURBON ON THE ROCKS Bourbon fan? You'll be in awe when you find out how to make this amazing winter-spiced herbal bourbon on the rocks.

Perfect for the winter holidays! Maker’s Mark Whisky, a lovely sized ice, orange zest and a single sage leaf_ ta-da. The other fellas will be unsettled by skills.

CRANBERRY MOCKTAILS

This cranberry mocktail is perfect any time of year, but it is especially delicious for the holidays. It's a festive Christmas or Thanksgiving mocktail recipe for anyone who wants a tasty non-alcoholic drink. Cranberry puree or cranberry juice. Freshly squeezed lime juice. Sparkling water or club soda, Ice and rosemary, and/or fresh cranberries for garnishing.

HOT CHOCOLATE

Do not let anyone leave the house without a thick, hot and fullof-marshmallow hot chocolate. Use a thick white mug with extra whipped cream on top. It needs to be done properly.

Send pics of your creation to louisedens@gmail.com.

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

RTCIPF receives new armoured SWAT truck to boost crime fighting

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) recently received a significant boost to its fleet of vehicles, when Premier Hon Washington Misick handed over a spanking new armoured tactical truck.

The brief handing-over ceremony took place during the Commissioner’s Parade at the Downtown Ball Park, Providenciales on Friday, December 16.

The Alpine Pit-Bull VX, commonly referred to as a SWAT truck, is the first of two vehicles purchased at a cost of $400,000 each and was handed over to Commissioner Trevor Botting and the force's senior leadership.

The armoured SUV truck, designed to withstand artillery fire and ammunition, will be an

important tool in combatting crime and broader national security challenges.

The vehicles which will be used during certain tactical operations are outfitted with bulletproof glass windows which are passivated even for close-range shots from high-powered rifles as the glass layer absorbs and disperses the energy of each explosive attack.

While policing and matters of national security fall under the Governor’s responsibilities and purview, the Turks and Caicos Islands government said it is committed to providing the resources needed to combat crime.

Speaking at the brief ceremony, Premier Misick said: “It is my pleasure on behalf of my government, to hand over this

vehicle to you Commissioner Botting, and the wider RTCIPF.

“My government and I are keenly aware that this is just another step towards building a more resilient force.

“My government has pledged to allocate the resources and equip the RTCIF with all that it needs to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in these islands.”

He stressed that it is imperative that the force’s ability to combat crime, which has dramatically increased over the last few months, is bolstered on all fronts.

“As Premier but also as a citizen, it is my honour to make this presentation because we all know, this is for the safety of the people of these islands and all those who call it home,” he added.

At the ceremony, Premier Misick and Cabinet Ministers also greeted the visiting members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force who have over the last several months, assisted the RTCIPF in tackling the proliferation of gang-related crime in the territory as well as the new recruits of the RTCIPF.

According to a statement from the Office of the Premier, the diverse group of both women and men will leave the islands early in the New Year to begin training for their new roles.

Members of the government also met the trainees and wished them success in their training and expressed how proud the whole country is of them for taking this step in national service.

Coupled with this, three brand

The specially outfitted vehicles will aid in the fight against crime on the island.

Commenting on the arrival of the vehicles, Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said: “The acquisition of new vehicles for the RTCIPF is significant, as it will contribute to increased police presence and visibility within the Grand Turk communities.

“These additions will enable greater mobility, thereby allowing officers to increase their responses to emergency calls from the public.”

new, fully equipped Dodge Sports Utility Vehicles were handed over to officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in Grand Turk on Thursday, December 15.

Premier Hon Washington Misick hands over the vehicle to Police Commissioner Trevor Botting

The Alpine Pit-Bull VX

Three brand new, fully equipped, Dodge Sports Utility Vehicles were handed over to officers of the RTCIPF in Grand Turk on Thursday, December 15

Premier Misick met with new recruits of the RTCIPF

Merchant shipping bill passed

– To improve safety at sea and protect marine life

The safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment as well as compliance with local and international maritime laws are the linchpins of the recently passed Merchant Shipping Bill 2022.

Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime, Gaming and Disaster Management, Hon Josephine Connolly in presenting the bill to the House of Assembly on Monday, December 12 said the legislation will give the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resource Management the power to regulate the industry and ensure that Turks and Caicos Islands remain compliant with its international obligations.

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Resource Management as the regulator of the industry supports key economic activities such as the vital tourism industry, trade, and the blue economy among other areas, and ensures that international standards and key measures are in place to mitigate risks such as marine pollution.

She said: “Mr Speaker, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, maritime transport is the backbone of international trade and the global economy around 90% of global trade by volume and over 80% of global trade, by value are carried by sea and are handled by courts worldwide.

“In comparison to air transport,

maritime transport has reduced the costs to the consumers significantly.

“The merchant shipping Bill consolidates the law relative to merchant shipping and provides for the nationality and registration of British islands’ ships, regulates navigation, and contains provisions relative to the Prevention of Pollution by ships.”

In this vein, the bill will implement the necessary laws to safeguard and mitigate risks as the Government aims to be proactive, rather than reactive.

Connolly said: “This bill will repeal and replace the merchant shipping ordinance between 2002 with further fulfilling the obligations under the applicable international instruments extended to Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This bill incorporates necessary provisions in respect of flag for and coastal state controls and allows Turks and Caicos Islands to remain to maintain a modern and vibrant ship registry in the islands.

Mr Speaker as a public servant, leading this initiative, the merchant shipping bill is the first of three bills that will be presented to this honourable house.”

COMPLIANCE

The Merchant Shipping Bill 2022, is replete with 19 parts and 311 clauses, and a significant portion deals with compliance with shipping regulations.

The Environment Minister opined that although the bill is lengthy, it is necessary for the Government to reduce the compliance burden in accordance with the rights and privileges of seafarers to ensure the safety and security of vessels, and life at sea, and prevent marine pollution.

She said: “Moreover, this bill is designed to make better provisions for standards and behaviours within the merchant shipping industry, taking care of new conditions and changes that have taken place in the international arena to ensure compliance on the maritime treaties and conventions.

IMPORTANT CLAUSES

Part three of the bill contains

Her Majesty’s Prison gets new superintendent

Veteran prison official, Michael Woodbine

new head of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Her Majesty’s Prison) in Turks and Caicos Islands.

Although no official announcement has been made by the government (at press time) Woodbine confirmed the news on his Facebook page last week, December 15.

In the post, he wrote: “So after 32 years today I walked out of my prison in the UK for the last time. Fly out to the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday,

arrive Sunday in the office Monday.”

Woodbine replaces Dave Bowden, whom he credits (in another post shared on December 3) for having brought order to the TCI’s prison’s system.

Bowden was appointed in 2020, shortly after the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force took control of the disruptive facility. They were later joined by twelve SERCO prison security officers from the United Kingdom.

Speaking of his new appointment, Woodbine

stated: “I’m looking forward to the challenges and exciting opportunities the TCI will offer, coupled with the apprehension of leaving the family behind for now.”

Woodbine brings with him 32 years of experience in the prison system and will serve in the TCI for two years.

“Luckily Dave Bowden has worked his amazing magic during his tenure, and I look forward to building on his success,” the new prison boss shared with his Facebook friends. (DELANA ISLES)

eight clauses, which introduce provisions in respect of the Maritime Administration for the islands.

It also retains an existing provision, making the Minister responsible for the general superintendence of all matters relating to merchant shipping and seafarers and marine pollution that gives effect to the International Maritime conventions extended to the islands.

Connolly added: “Mr Speaker, the Bill then provides that the Department of maritime and shipping has responsibility for the implementation of the ordinance and supporting regulations.

“It further provides for the appointment of a director and

supporting staff including appointment and qualification of surveyors and inspectors who can carry out surveys and inspections as required to regulate island ships and foreign ships in island waters.

This Department, she explained, will be the focal point for communication with the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency and the International Marine Organization IMO providing information to the UK Hydrographic Organisation with updated hydrographic information in respect of charting of TCI and of other functions given to it on any other maritime law.

Additionally, the Merchant Shipping Bill outlines several guidelines under which a ship may be mortgaged or transferred.

It also details the legal rules applicable to manning of the ship, certification of crew, crew agreements, discharge of seafarers, payment of date and payment of wages.

To this end, Clause 143 of the bill requires the owner or master of every island ship to have a sufficient crew on board and hold appropriate certification in accordance with the many requirements. Any breach of these clauses would mean that the ship would not be allowed to proceed.

Further, the bill also contains nine clauses in respect of the carriage of bulk and dangerous cargo, which seeks to enhance safety around the transporting of loads, in particular dangerous goods.

Dangerous goods are defined as substances when transported are of high risk to health, safety property or the environment such as fuel.

is the

HMP’s new Superintendent, Michael Woodbine

Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime, Gaming and Disaster Management, Hon Josephine Connolly during a House of Assembly sitting on Monday, December 12.

TCI Hospital installs brandnew Revolution Maxima CT Scan

The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital (InterHealth Canada) has installed a brand new Revolution Maxima CT Scan at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

The installation of this cuttingedge equipment is the second phase of the Diagnostic Imaging Department’s upgrades at the medical centre.

The Revolution Maxima is a powerful, high-performing, and reliable CT designed to maximise every step of the CT workflow, from referral to report.

The machine will reduce the radiation dose while improving the overall patient experience allowing for high-resolution imaging, more weight capacity, and smart technology, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the TCI Hospital Dr Denise BraithwaiteTennant.

Speaking in a video posted to the Hospital’s website, she said the machine will “revolutionise care” for patients.

“We at the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital are proud to present to you our new modalities and equipment for our diagnostic imaging department.

“We are now talking about our CT scan, which is the GE revolution, maximum brand or newest model of the GE brand for CT scanning.

“What's important about this, this is going to revolutionise the care that we give to patients from a diagnostic perspective and a patient comfort and experience perspective.”

She explained that previously, the CT scans would last one to two minutes which was considered fast but this new technology completes the scan in half the time, “a matter of seconds”.

She said: “With the artificial intelligence embedded in the software, the resolution, the images are even brighter for our radiology team in order to deliver on the best quality final reads for our patients.

“It also has automation, thereby reducing the amount of manual work that the radiologist and the radiographer have to do, such as it has a high definition and highresolution camera that helps to position more accurately, the patient.

“And so improving the quality of care that we deliver and the

accuracy....”

Dr Braithwaite-Tennant expressed her gratitude to those who have been instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of the project.

She said: “I would like to thank our project leaders who have supported in the success of this project. And of course, our facilities management team that worked very hard with all of the infrastructure changes that needed our teams also in biomedical engineers, and of course, our radiology team who supported the work and ensure that we continue to deliver excellent service to our patients.

“And last but not least, our valued patients and families that stood with us supported us and

were patient as we had to do many changes to the department in order to facilitate their care. Thank you very much for your continued support.”

Earlier this year, the hospital installed a new GE SIGNA™ 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine.

InterHealth Canada TCI Hospital had received the stateof-the-art machine on June 29, heralding a new era of precision medicine at the Medical Centre, a statement from the hospital advised.

The GE SIGNA™ 1.5T MRI's arrival marked a significant milestone in the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, and it demonstrated a commitment to excellence, and people-centred

care, the hospital CEO had said at that time.

She said the machine is the first of its kind with artificial intelligence-enabled features in the Caribbean. The installation of a new MRI and CT scan is a capital project sponsored by the Government and InterHealth Canada.

The machine is designed to increase efficiency, improve productivity, maximise diagnostic potential, and keep the patient experience at the forefront.

She explained that GE has utilised its over 40 years of experience in Magnetic Resonance innovation to develop a system with an ingeniously simple, environmentally friendly design and future-ready capability.

Seven experienced police officers added to RTCIPF

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has been bolstered by the addition of seven new police officers with Jamaican experience.

Collectively, the officers have some 72 years of experience having worked at the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The officers: Thona Gillings, Andreen Smallwood, Teran Spence, Romario Gayle, Nicora James, Jason Crossman and Tenesha Stewart took their oaths on Monday, December 19th.

They have been tasked with protecting and serving the citizens and visitors of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting in administering the oath to the officers called on them to adhere to the principles of policing and maintain their integrity at all times.

“We are delighted to have these experienced officers join the RTCIPF, your combined wealth of knowledge will assist in augmenting the various units within the RTCIPF. I am thankful you have decided to pick up the mantle and come forward to serve the beautiful by nature TCI.

“I’m confident that each of you will bring valuable insight, experience and skills to our organisation that will assist us in delivering on our priorities to protect and serve. I wish you all the very best during your service to the Turks and Caicos Islands”.

The officers are currently completing orientation and introduction sessions through the RTCIPF Human Resources and Training Unit.

Present at the ceremony were: Sgt Tashauna Wilson and Sgt Kevin Clarke.

Combined, the officers have some 72 years of experience having worked at the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Chief Executive Officer of the TCI Hospital Dr Denise BraithwaiteTennant stands in front of the Brand-new Revolution Maxima CT Scan.

“Imported Christmas tree snake” is native to TCI – DECR

The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) Research and Development Unit has concluded that the snake allegedly found in an imported Christ tree is a native and harmless snake that is common throughout the Caicos Islands.

The department made the conclusion after reviewing the photos attached to the social media forwarded message about the snake.

Information from the DECR noted that based on the photos, the snake was a female striped-phase Turks and Caicos boa Chilabothrus chrysogaster.

“The snake was not one that would have entered the Turks and Caicos Islands on the Christmas tree. It is a native, harmless snake common throughout the Caicos Islands.”

Further to this, the farm origin of the trees was ascertained as North Carolina. There are 38 native species of snakes in North Carolina and none of them fit the colour, size and patterning of the snake in the photographs. The highest temperature in the weeks the trees were shipped was 59°F, below the usual activity temperature of reptiles there. The trees were also inspected and packed in North Carolina prior to shipment and were certified as free of pests and disease.

The trees were trans-shipped

via South Florida, which has 44 native snake species, again none of which match the size, colour, and patterning of the snake in the photographs.

The snake in the photos, being a native boa, was not a dangerous or venomous species.

DECR Director Ms Lormeka Williams stated, “We are fortunate to have on DECR staff biologists who are both intensely familiar with our native wildlife, and the wildlife of other countries. I was able to concur with the identification, given as I am familiar with our reptilian wildlife myself. It is of course important that we monitor our biosecurity closely, so reports of suspected incursions should always be made to authorities like DECR and Department of Agriculture.”

The DECR reminds the public that the Turks and Caicos boas provide a valuable ecosystem service in rodent control and they do not constitute a threat to humans. In the event it is suspected that a snake or any other animal has arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands through shipping means, it is important to contact the Department of Agriculture or DECR and not attempt to capture or kill the animal. Both departments have staff trained in animal handling to minimise any potential danger.

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

The Chilabothrus chrysogaster is commonly known as the Turks Islands boa

American Airlines celebrates 30 years of flying TCI

Thirty years later, American Airlines (AA) continues to faithfully serve the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Last Sunday, marked the 30th anniversary of the first American Airlines flight to the TCI which took place on December 18, 1992.

Beginning with one daily flight between Providenciales and Miami, airlift has significantly increased over the last three decades with up to three daily flights to Miami, as well as connecting flights to Charlotte, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York.

Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, who addressed a small celebration at the Providenciales International Airport, expressed gratitude on behalf of the government for the airline’s commitment to these Islands.

“We are grateful to American Airlines for the service that they provide to the Turks and Caicos Islands and look forward to expanding our partnership to include additional hubs in the near

future.

“We are grateful as well to our on-island American Airlines team, including General Manager Olga Taylor who has been with the airline since its inaugural flight 30 years ago and continues to serve the airline and our islands well.”

The anniversary coincides with the establishment of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s (TCHTA) 30 years ago, which, as one of its first steps as an association, aided the collaboration.

“Our 1992 board of directors played an integral part in finalising this historical collaboration, and the Turks and Caicos community rallied as a whole to make it happen,” the TCHTA shared in a celebratory message on social media.

The association further stated: “AA has been an exceptional partner to these islands, and we look forward to another 30 years with added routes and continued excellence in service.” (DELANA ISLES)

Government and tourism officials joined American Airlines in celebrating 30 years last weekend (Deputy Governor’s photo)

First on island AA crew (Deputy Governor’s photo)

Thirty years and still going strong, American Airlines marks a significant milestone servicing the TCI (Deputy Governor’s photo)

Police Chief reflects on gruelling 2022

BY DELANA ISLES

“The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is a relatively small force, but we stepped up, we did not shirk the challenge and officers stood strong in the face of the most serious threats.”

These were the words of Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting during his address at the Police parade last Friday (December 16) in Downtown Providenciales.

Reflecting on a challenging year – made more so in the last four months – the commissioner said the unprecedented threat to national security and safety of the TCI and its residents saw 35 people losing their lives, a police officer suffering serious injuries and distress and upset caused to families and friends of victims.

“The men and women of the Force felt the full weight of responsibility of dealing with what amounted to an attack on the very fabric of our society, a never-before-seen ferocious attack on decency, humanity and dignity affecting local people and visitors to these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.”

He said he is grateful that the officer who suffered a serious injury during the confrontation with cowardly criminals on October 2, survived and he continues to make a remarkable recovery.

“I salute his and his colleague’s courage, courage of the highest order in facing down murderous criminality.”

Botting noted that despite the courage of his officers, the situation was so grave that they needed support, support for a policing

operation that it was clear would continue for many months.

He thanked the Premier and the government for their support and faith in the police force.

“A police commissioner simply could not have asked for any more from a government in terms of financial support to bring in officers from our close cousins in the Bahamas, to the purchase of vital equipment to assist in keeping our officers safe and the trust that we will do what was needed to restore security to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

He said the last four months have been tough, but his officers have shown themselves to be tough and uncompromising in their response.

“We have made progress but there is more to do, and we are committed to doing it.

“I want to reassure our communities that we will remain on the front foot in tracking down and bringing to justice those who seek to terrorize our communities.”

He also extended thanks to the UK Government for the deployment of 24 investigators to the TCI for an extended period to support his “excellent but overwhelmed investigations team”.

This, he said, will add real capacity to the force’s investigations of serious crime and “I am grateful for His Excellency the Governor for his support getting this level of support from the UK”.

Commissioner Botting further thanked the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security for the Bahamas and the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Clayton Fernander

“We have made progress but there is more to do, and we are committed to doing it,” Commissioner

Trevor Botting told gathering at

the police parade. (RTCIPF

photos)

– UK, Bahamas and local cops commended for their resolve and commitment

for their support in deploying 24 of their best officers to the TCI to work with the men and women of the RTCIPF

“To you, the officers from the Bahamas, I say this; thank you for your commitment, courage and support during your deployment to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“I knew the people of the Bahamas were very close cousins to us, but all 24 of you are truly brothers and sisters to us within the RTCIPF. The communities of the TCI, my officers and I are so very grateful for all that you have done and will do in the future in support of policing here in the TCI.”

He told the ranks that despite the challenges faced, they did their country, force and commissioner proud.

One of the things the Commissioner has staunchly advocated for since his appointment has been community involvement in policing efforts.

In 2022, the communities of the

TCI, delivered, as acknowledged by the Commissioner.

“Often you have heard we need the support of our community and I want to express, on behalf of the force, our gratitude for the support from our communities, most especially during these difficult times.

“Those who have told us what they know about crime, those who offer their support directly and to those who showed patience when inconvenienced during essential police operations, we thank you: all your support makes a real difference to policing and to the police officers themselves as they serve you.”

The Commissioner also gave heartfelt thanks to his officers, who over the past year showed courage amid a challenging period in the TCI’s history.

“Every day, you are doing something extraordinary, every day and night you are serving, protecting our communities and

daily you are working on keeping our citizens and visitors safe.

“Do we always get it right, I am sure we don’t, we are human

after all, but we have shown we are committed, courageous and dedicated to our mission of making the TCI a safe place to live, work,

invest and visit.

“Please know you are appreciated and thank you for all you do.”

Public Appeal

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to any member of public who may have any information on any crimes. They can contact Chalk Sound Police Station on 338-5901 or make use of the confidential reporting system through Crimestoppers on 1-800-8477.

CHRISTMASPages

Experts say it’s okay to eat whatever you want over the holidays – there’s just one rule

As the year winds down, the rhetoric around weight loss resolutions ramps up. Additionally, ‘tis the season for unsolicited comments on how much we’re eating. For those of us trying to celebrate the holidays with a family meal, or just enjoy a pumpkin-spiced snack, this could lead to asking ourselves questions like, “Do I deserve to have this food?” or “Will my body pay for this later?”

“If our brain tells us that we don’t deserve to eat our favourite pie on Christmas day because we’re not at our ideal weight, when we inevitably cave and have our favourite pie, our brain is going to tell us how disgusting we are and how little self-control we have,” Clare Goodwin, a registered nutritionist and eating disorder practitioner, tells Fortune.

While ignoring internal dialogue about what we should be eating is easier said than done, there are steps that we can take to simply enjoy food. Experts suggest four ways we eat without feeling guilty over the holidays. These strategies will serve us well into the New Year to push back against a diet culture that does not want to leave us alone.

1. DON’T RESTRICT

Even if you feel like you will—or did—overindulge, restricting your food intake at subsequent meals may backfire.

“When you’re in this cycle it’s really common to restrict food to

compensate for holiday eating, often by not eating the next day, or only eating something very low-calorie,” Goodwin says. “The problem with this is that your body doesn’t like low blood sugar, so it will drive you to go and find food to bring [blood sugar] back up.”

If you’re going to a holiday dinner, don’t skip lunch beforehand or avoid breakfast the next

Prince William and Kate release family Christmas card image

THE Prince and Princess of Wales have released their official Christmas card image - showing them hand-in-hand with their children in the countryside.

Prince William and Catherine are pictured walking with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a sunny day in Norfolk this year.

The children are in short sleeve tops and shorts while their parents are casually dressed in jeans and trainers.

They were snapped by Matt Porteous, who has documented the family in the past.

Other publicly-released family pictures have been taken by the

Duchess of Cambridge, a keen photographer.

It has become an annual tradition for the royals to reveal which of their favourite photographs they have chosen for the cards they send out each Christmas.

The King and the Queen Consort released their card on Sunday.

King Charles and Camilla's photo was taken at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering on 3 September, when he was still the Prince of Wales. The Queen passed away five days later, aged 96.

It is not known exactly when this year Prince William and Catherine's photo was taken.

Porteous took the official picture

morning. Your blood sugar and hunger levels will be more stable. Additionally, restricting ourselves at holiday get-togethers when others may not be doing so may make socializing with other people more difficult and breed bitterness. “From an emotional perspective, not allowing yourself a food that everyone else is enjoying leads to feelings of resentment,”

says Lisa Ellis, a nutrition therapist and registered dietician.

2. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness means bringing attention to the present moment, which can help manage stress. It’s another helpful tool to prevent feeling guilty about what we eat over the holidays. Want to have a

red velvet cupcake? Take time to really appreciate it. Think about the taste and how you’re enjoying it. If you’re with other people, you can also talk about how the food makes you feel, or how you’re glad to share a meal with others.

3. FORGET THE FORBIDDEN FOODS LIST

Food is often a central part of holiday events, but trying to navigate a list of forbidden ones is stressful, not celebratory. “Unless there is a specific medical reason to avoid something, or a specific food item is moldy, rotten, or actually toxic, I don’t believe there are any foods that are actually harmful,” says Ellis. “From a health perspective, in most cases, any food that is appropriate for the occasion is fine.”

4. STOP QUESTIONING WHETHER YOU DESERVE MEALS OR SNACKS

If you want to eat some chocolate from an Advent calendar, then allow yourself to do that without overthinking it. Second-guessing what we should or should not eat can negatively impact emotional well-being, says Ellis.

“Such negative self-talk robs us of joy,” she says. “If we accept that all foods fit, there’s really no place for such judgment.”

Let’s go ahead and enjoy ourselves—and our food—over the holidays. (Fortune Well)

of Prince George - who is second in line to the throne - on his fifth birthday, as well as photos of the family at the Chelsea Flower Show. His other commissions include

behind the scenes moments from Prince Louis's christening, and the family's 2020 Christmas card image, which was taken at Anmer Hall, their home on the

Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Last year's Christmas photo showed Prince William and Catherine with their family on a visit to Jordan. (BBC)

Christmas dinners can make many people feel guilty

The photo depicts the family on a sunny day in Norfolk this year.

Trump tax returns will be made public, US House panel votes

A COMMITTEE in the US House of Representatives has voted to make public six years of Donald Trump’s tax returns.

The move caps a nearly fouryear legal battle by Democrats to obtain the documents, which was ultimately decided by the US Supreme Court last month.

US presidents are not required by law to release their tax returns, but for decades they have done so voluntarily.

The former president has fought hard to shield his tax returns.

The returns could offer a first-hand look into Mr Trump’s finances, including his assets, sources of income, charitable contributions and liabilities, including the possibility of loans owed to foreign entities.

In 2016, Mr Trump became the first major-party presidential nominee since Richard Nixon in 1972 to decline to publicly release his tax returns while campaigning

for office. At the time, he said he would do so after an Internal Revenue Service audit had concluded.

The House Ways and Means Committee had first sought the returns when Democrats took over the lower chamber of Congress in 2019. The committee, citing a federal law allowing it to request special access to individual tax returns, said the information was necessary as a part of a review of federal tax law.

Republican critics, however, have countered that such explanations were merely an excuse to access Mr Trump’s financial documents.

Publicly releasing those returns would lead to the weaponisation of the tax information of political opponents, including private citizens, for partisan advantage, they have argued.

The Trump administration refused to co-operate with the

committee’s request, prompting a drawn-out legal battle that ended when the US Supreme Court, in an unsigned opinion, upheld an appellate court ruling that the Democrats were entitled to the returns.

In 2020, the New York Times obtained leaked copies of 18 years of Mr Trump’s tax returns. In a series of articles on the topic, the newspaper reported that the president paid no federal taxes in 10 of those 18 years and only $750 (£615) in each of his first two years in the White House. It also disclosed that the then-president was in a fight with the Internal Revenue Service over the legitimacy of a $72.9m (£59.8m) tax refund he had claimed and owed more than $400m (£328m) in debt due by 2024.

A representative of Mr Trump’s business empire denied the accuracy of the report at the time.

Title 42: Emergency in El Paso as Trump border policy in limbo

THE Texas border city of El Paso is grappling with a mounting humanitarian crisis as a Trumpera policy hangs in the balance, leaving many migrants unsheltered in the cold night.

Title 42 gives the government the power to automatically expel undocumented migrants.

It has blocked thousands of people from crossing the USMexico frontier.

The policy was due to expire on 21 December, but has won a temporary reprieve from the Supreme Court.

On Monday Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily blocked its termination pending a ruling on an emergency appeal from some Republican-led states who have asked for the policy to remain in place.

The court’s intervention, however, has meant little on the streets of El Paso, where shelters and humanitarian services have already been overburdened and weary migrants left sleeping rough in bitterly cold nights.

In central El Paso early on Tuesday afternoon, dozens of migrants were at the city’s main Greyhound bus terminal, including women and young children sleeping on the pavement. While the majority were Nicaraguan and Venezuelan, citizens of countries throughout

Latin America were present as well.

The experience of Dylan Torres Reyes, a 21-year-old Venezuelan, is typical of many of the migrants in El Paso.

After an arduous two-and-a-half month trip across South and Central America - in which he faced deadly jungles, corrupt police officers and racist treatment - he’s spent three nights sleeping on the ground near the bus terminal, after one night when he was able to find room at a shelter.

He hopes to get to Chicago, where he has relatives.

“I’ve got no idea how I’m going to get there. I’m trying to get bus tickets, but I don’t know how we’ll get them,” he told the BBC at a

nearby park. “But I’m happy to be here. The treatment here has been excellent - it’s just been very, very cold.”

While city officials say they are doing their best to help house and transport migrants released from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) each day, swelling numbers have strained resources. In the week ending 18 December alone, more than 10,300 migrants were released into the city, up from about 8,000 the week before.

If Title 42 were to be lifted, federal and local officials have estimated that the number of daily migrant detentions would rise from 1,500 to between 4,000 and 6,000 - a figure that the city would be unable to handle with existing

resources.

“It’s not manageable. The shelters and community efforts have been overwhelmed,”

Fernando Garcia, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights, told the BBC. “We have a problem, right now.”

“We can’t wait to see whether Title 42 ends or not,” he added.

“Right here, right now, we’ve got people in El Paso, on the streets.

Children, women, with no winter clothing, No food, no water and no money to be transported to relatives.”

STATE OF EMERGENCY

On Sunday, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, a Democrat, declared a seven-day state of emergency,

which he said would give local authorities the resources to deal with an influx of migrants sleeping on the city’s streets.

“We wanted to make sure people are treated with dignity,” he told reporters. “We want to make sure everyone is safe.”

On Monday, Mr Leeser warned that the city’s shelters were already at capacity, with an estimated 20,000 more migrants across the border prepared to cross into the US.

Vowing to be “prepared for whatever is coming through”, Mr Leeser said that city officials are still preparing emergency plans, including converting large buildings into makeshift shelters and chartering buses to help transport migrants to other cities in Texas.

Much of the day-to-day work of helping the migrants, however, has fallen on a handful of NGOs and activist groups.

One such organisation - the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank - has been feeding dozens of migrants at a time at locations throughout the city.

“This is absolutely a humanitarian crisis,” chief executive Susan Goodell said. “The number of migrants in our community is amazing. I have never seen numbers like this.” (BBC)

The former president has fought hard to shield his tax returns

Official copies of the former president’s tax returns, which are now expected to be released

before Republicans take control of Congress on 3 January, should settle the matter. (BBC)

This food

bank is feeding hundred of migrants a day

North Korea ready to prove ICBM progress by firing at normal trajectory, Kim’s sister claims

NORTH Korea is ready to testfire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a normal trajectory, leader Kim Jong Un’s sister said Tuesday in state media, a flight pattern that could prove the weapons can threaten the continental United States.

In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Yo Jong – the top official in her brother’s regime –also dismissed experts’ skepticism surrounding North Korea’s ICBM technology progress, specifically about the re-entry capability of its weapons.

ICBMs are fired into space, where they speed along outside the atmosphere before their payloads –nuclear warheads – undergo a fiery re-entry process, much like a space shuttle or space capsule, before plunging down on their targets.

If the process isn’t executed with pinpoint accuracy and with materials that can withstand the immense heat generated, the warhead would burn up before reaching its target. The angle at which the warhead re-enters the atmosphere can make the process more difficult.

To date, North Korea has fired ballistic missiles that go hundreds of miles into space then renter the atmosphere at steep angles, with most falling into waters between North Korea and Japan.

To successfully target the

mainland US, a North Korean missile would have to take a much shallower flight path and a shallower reentry angle.

“For several years, socalled experts have been saying that our ICBMs re-entry into the atmosphere has not been recognized or verified,” Kim Yo Jong said.

“It seems obvious that they will try to disparage our strategic weapon capabilities with such a logic that it cannot be proven by a lofted-angle launch alone, and that it can only be known by firing at

Scotland: People aged 16 and 17 to be allowed to change gender

YOUNG people aged 16 and 17 will be allowed to change their legal gender after the Scottish government rejected moves to keep the minimum age at 18.

Some SNP MSPs were among those who argued that 16 is too young to make such a “profound change”.

But the government said lowering the age was in keeping with other rights and responsibilities people gain at 16.

It came during a marathon debate on controversial plans to make it easier for trans people to change gender.

The Scottish Parliament was due to discuss and vote on more than 150 proposed amendments to reforms of the Gender Recognition

Act on Tuesday ahead of the final vote on Wednesday.

But it had only dealt with about 64 of the amendments by 23:00, with the session finally finishing shortly after midnight when the lights in the Holyrood chamberwhich are on a timer - went out.

Parliamentary authorities had earlier decided that it could continue until 02:00 - a prospect several MSPs were unhappy about, and which would have been unprecedented in the parliament’s history.

The debate and votes on the remaining amendments are due to resume at about 13:15 on Wednesday. It is not yet clear whether the final vote will have to be delayed.

The Scottish Conservatives

a normal angle…I’ll give an easy answer to that. We can try it soon and once you see it, you’ll know.”

In November, North Korea claimed to have launched a “new type” of ICBM, the Hwasong-17 – a missile that could theoretically reach the mainland US.

That was one of a record 35 occasions this year on which North Korea has tested missiles.

Western officials and experts are also expecting Pyongyang to test a nuclear warhead at any time. If that test comes, it will be its first since 2017.

On Sunday, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles that the South Korean military analysed to be mid-range ballistic missiles (MRBM).

The following day KCNA said the country’s space agency conducted a “final gateway process of a reconnaissance satellite launch.”

Photos published in staterun newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Monday appeared to show high-altitude, black-and-white aerial photos of South Korea’s capital Seoul and the nearby city of Incheon – location of the South’s main airport – but many experts questioned the images’ authenticity, particularly given their poor resolution.?

In Tuesday’s statement, Kim Yo Jong defended North Korea’s recent report about a test for its satellite development and dismissed skepticism from experts about the purported aerial photos.

“South Korea’s so-called experts’ skepticism over the two photos taken by a testing colour camera and their evaluation on my country’s satellite development and preparation state is so inappropriate and frivolous,” she said.

She defended that the testing was done properly and the results were known to the public.

“Through the test, important technical indicators such as camera operation technology,

data processing and transmission capability of communication devices, and tracking and control accuracy of the ground control system were confirmed in space environment conditions,” she said, according to KCNA.

“Our people will stand firm in the reconnaissance satellite development project decided by our Party, no matter what the cost.”

US F-22 STEALTH FIGHTERS IN SOUTH KOREA

Meanwhile, top-of-the-line US F-22 stealth fighters are in South Korea this week for combined exercises with South Korean forces, the South Korean Defence Ministry said.

On Tuesday, the two allies combined their airpower for exercises in the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone near the southwestern part of Jeju Island, the ministry said, noting the deployment of a US B-52 bomber near the Korean Peninsula.

From the South Korean side, F-35 and F-15K fighter jets participated, according to a ministry statement.

It said the US F-22s, currently stationed in Japan, will stay in South Korea this week and conduct training with an emphasis on strengthening response capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. (CNN)

have accused the government of attempting to rush the reforms through parliament before Christmas in an attempt to avoid proper scrutiny.

Parliament had earlier been suspended for about half an hour when protestors shouted “shame on you all” and “there is no democracy here” from the public gallery as MSPs voted against a move to make it harder for sex

offenders to change gender.

Members of the public were later allowed back into the galleries, with MSPs describing the decision to remove them as “a disproportionate response” to the heckling.

The government wants to make it easier for trans people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), which changes the gender recorded on their birth certificate.

The proposals will remove the

requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

They will also lower the minimum age for applicants from 18 to 16 and drop the time required for an applicant to live in their acquired gender from two years to three months - or six months for people aged 16 and 17 - with a three-month reflection period during which they can change their mind.

North Korea launches a missile from an unknown location in North Korea, in November 2022

Opponents to the gender reform bill held a candle lit vigil outside Holyrood during the debate

Peru orders Mexico ambassador to leave after asylum granted to family of ousted president

PERU has ordered Mexico’s ambassador to leave the Andean country within 72 hours, declaring him “persona non grata,” according its foreign ministry on Tuesday, after the family of its ousted president was granted asylum by the Mexican government.

The ministry said the decision was made after Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador made comments about Peru’s political situation, “which constitute unacceptable interference in internal affairs, in clear violation to the principle of non-intervention,” a statement read.

It comes after Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he had offered asylum to Peru’s former President Pedro Castillo’s family, who were already in the Mexican embassy in the capital Lima.

While Ebrard did not identify which members of Castillo’s family were inside the diplomatic mission, Peru’s Foreign Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi Diaz said on Tuesday that Castillo’s family, specifically his wife and children, will be granted safe passage to leave the country.

Castillo, a former teacher and union leader from rural Peru, was impeached and removed from office nearly two weeks ago after he attempted to dissolve Congress and install an emergency government –a tactic that lawmakers slammed as an attempted coup.

He was detained while making his way to the Mexican embassy in Lima, according to prosecutors. He is currently under “preventive detention” for 18 months for alleged rebellion and conspiracy –accusations that he denies.

Mexican President Lopez Obrador has been critical about Castillo’s impeachment, saying the Peruvian was a victim of “harassment” from “his adversaries, especially the economic and political elites of that country.”

In a joint statement last week, the governments of Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Bolivia expressed concern over Castillo’s fate, claiming he had been a victim of “undemocratic harassment” since his election last year and urging Peru to honor the results of last year’s presidential vote.

Castillo’s wife, Lilia Paredes, is being investigated on suspicion of allegedly coordinating a criminal network led by Castillo. Her former attorney, Benji Espinoza, had stressed her innocence and argued the investigation against Paredes included “a number of flaws and omissions.”

CNN is trying to reach Castillo family’s new legal representation for comment.

ONGOING PROTESTS

Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has been battling to contain widespread protests against Castillo’s impeachment since becoming the country’s first female leader. While Boluarte has offered the possibility of holding early elections, Defence Minister Luis Alberto Otárola declared a state of emergency and deployed troops to the street.

Some 26 people have died in the violence, according to Peru’s Ministry of Health data on Monday, many of whom come from the rural and largely indigenous area of Ayacucho in the country’s south, according to Reuters. (CNN)

GrahamThompson wil be closing half-day on Friday, December 22 at 1 pm, and re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Pedro Castillo’s family are already at the Mexican embassy in Peru’s capital Lima, Mexico’s foreign minister says

FTX shows Bahamas can’t ‘live or die’ by one investor

Governance reformers are arguing that FTX’s implosion further reinforces that there is “no silver bullet to solve our economic growth issues coming out of Dorian and COVID-19”.

Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director, told Tribune Business that the cryptocurrency exchange’s spectacular collapse again showed the danger for The Bahamas in relying upon one major foreign investor to serve as “a game changer”.

Speaking before Sam BankmanFried, FTX’s embattled founder, waived his right to fight extradition to the US after a court hearing that some foreign media described as “a farce”, the ORG chief argued that this nation should have learnt that lesson when Baha Mar fell into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and subsequent Bahamian legal proceedings that delayed its completion and opening for some

two years.

Mr Aubry also suggested to this newspaper that the laser-like focus successive administrations have placed on attracting multimillion foreign direct investment (FDI) projects has served to distract attention from building greater resilience in the domestic Bahamian economy, and enabling small businesses to scale up so they can become mid-sized and larger enterprises.

“I think it highlights a couple of things,” he explained of the FTX situation. “We’ve seen this before in The Bahamas, building out foreign direct investment as the next big thing. We’ve seen projects like Baha Mar have hiccups where entities do not manifest themselves exactly as intended, but the presentation the Government puts out; it puts more emphasis on whatever entities are coming in and bringing investment to move forward.

“The big lesson coming from this is there’s no silver bullet to solve our economic growth issues coming out of Dorian and COVID. We need to spend time building local economic development, building more resilience to external shocks, whether it’s things like this, COVID and hurricanes coming in here.

“We need to nurture scalable small businesses that move into medium-sized businesses, that move into larger businesses. It reinforces this need to have solid, diverse, inclusive economic growth. Our focus on one big project coming in and changing the game takes our focus off building

slow and steady in other spaces.”

Arguing that the Government’s latest public procurement reforms, which are designed to create a fair, transparent and competitive tendering process for all public sector contracts and counter the decades-old system of political patronage, is one such area that requires sustained attention, Mr Aubry said initiatives that foster small and local business growth will better enable the economy to withstand FTX-style collapses.

“If a problem like FTX comes around, it doesn’t send such different types of shocks through the system,” he explained. “It’s not going to move our attention off building or with what’s happening with small local businesses.”

The ORG chief agreed with Prime Minister Philip Davis, in an assessment that was also backed by John Ray, FTX’s now-US chief who has chosen to frequently blast The Bahamas in public, that the crypto currency exchange’s implosion would have occurred wherever it was domiciled.

“This is something that could have happened in any jurisdiction,” Mr Aubry argued. “We are dealing with a new industry. It’s important to keep this in context. We’ve seen other large scale businesses go down through poor administration or lack of appropriate corporate governance structures. That’s not the Government’s responsibility to ensure an entity like that is going to be successful.

Hodge was born on December 20, 1917.

The Director and the staff of the Community Development

and Citizens’ Engagement paid her a birthday visit where they expressed greetings on her special day.

According to the Community Development and Citizens’ Engagement Division, Hodge continually thanks the Lord and her family for their care.

CENTENARIAN Gladys Hodge who is from Antigua and Barbuda celebrated her birthday and a milestone, as she turned 105 years old today.

Sam Bankman-Fried waived his right to fight extradition, which means that the FTX founder will go to the US

Gladys Hodge was born on December 20, 1917

Antigua and Barbuda’s oldest resident is now 105 years old

Regional News

Bermuda: Premier accused of ‘cynical marketing exercise’ on Independence

A FORMER Progressive Labour Party MP has dismissed speculation that the Bermudian Government is pressing ahead with Independence.

Instead, Rolfe Commissiong insisted that David Burt, the Premier, had instigated a “cynical political marketing exercise” while “kicking the can down the road”.

He also alleged that the PLP’s central committee had agreed a year ago to “essentially” ban party members from using the word Independence when representing the party or government publicly.

Mr Commissiong spoke out after Rena Lalgie, the Governor, blocked flagship legislation to legalise the use and sale of cannabis — a move that Mr Burt had said could “destroy“ Bermuda’s relations with Britain.

Speculation intensified last month after it was revealed that the Government had commissioned and received a report on selfgovernance options.

Mr Burt later declared that his support for sovereignty had grown since becoming Premier “because I have seen the disregard paid to our issues by the Government in London”.

But yesterday Mr Commissiong accused Mr Burt of sabre-rattling to satisfy the party’s grassroots supporters.

He said: “I never once believed that the Premier … had any intention of pursuing Independence, despite evoking as

such over the speculation or leak that the Governor would not give assent to the then pending cannabis Bill.

“Even then most people had a choice of labelling that curious announcement as either naive or terribly cynical. I would take the latter.

“I postulate, but what country in modern history suddenly goes to Independence because of a failed bid to gain the Royal Assent on a cannabis Bill?

“That in contrast to the response to the speculation around the proposed cannabis Bill last year before it was tendered. They now are running desperately in the other direction using such terms such as self-government when it is clear that they are seeking only to claw some additional powers from the colonial power, the UK. In other

Clico Investment Fund to close by year’s end

CLICO Trust Corporation Ltd as trustee of the Clico Investment Fund has notified unitholders that in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed, the fund will be terminated on January 2, 2023.

A notice posted on the T&T Stock Exchange yesterday said the trustee further advised unitholders that the last trading day for units in the fund will be December 30, 2022, and the record date for distribution of the fund assets will be January 5, 2023, in accordance with the settlement period of three working days for the mutual fund market of the T&T Stock Exchange.

It is expected the fund’s assets (including the shares in

Ltd, Government Bonds and cash) will be transferred to the brokerage accounts of qualifying unitholders before the end of January 2023.

Given the final trading day noted above, any one still holding 11 to 20 year bonds from Clico, who wishes to exchange these bonds for units in the fund, may submit the 11 to 20 year bonds to the lead broker, First Citizens Brokerage and Advisory Services Ltd for processing before December 16, 2022, the notice also said.

It added details relating to the termination of the fund will be communicated to unitholders via ads in the press and the stockbrokers.

words, independence without Independence.”

He added: “If they believe the Premier that the UK will move beyond the delegation of their powers by way of the signing of entrustments — let’s say in the area of internal security and foreign affairs — they are kidding themselves. But, of course, the Premier — the cynical one — already knows that.”

Mr Commissiong, who was MP for Pembroke South East for eight years, accused party leaders of being ignorant of Bermuda’s history.

He went on: “Nor do they really support Independence — save for rhetorically, when convenient — but they feel they must act as if they do.

“Because if they did support Independence, they would be

arguing for it and not be indulging in this type of political obfuscation and cultural schizophrenia — another example of kicking the can down the road by Mr Burt. He, in fact, has kicked so many cans down the road that it is hard to even keep track of them any more.”

Mr Commissiong claimed that last year, party officials successfully moved to ban its members from using the word “independence” and replace it with “sovereignty”.

He said: “The other piece of evidence that this was all some cynical political marketing exercise — the Premier’s chief talent — was the fact that the central committee devoted over an hour trying to get a motion adopted that would essentially ban members using the word when representing the party or Government publicly.

“Subsequently that is all you have heard from even MPs like Walter Roban who should know better. They are all like parrots, using this term in the hope that those opposed to Independence would not get too upset with them by using the allegedly incendiary term Independence. You can’t make this stuff up.”

Mr Commissiong led a Bermuda Independence Commission delegation to London in 2006, and noted that “nothing had changed in the interim”.

He said: “The British — then as was the case now — are not going

to relinquish any substantive power outlined in the constitutional order they imposed upon us in 1967, if only because that leaves them vulnerable to contingent liabilities.

“If we were serious about independence, we would have long put in place the systemic changes right after 2017’s election that are a necessary precursor to a more sustainable, equitable and united independent Bermuda.

“The same public policies that I have accused Mr Burt of kicking down the road over the last six years are the same public policies that are the foundation to the types of longoverdue systemic changes which are the precursor to Independence.

“That is what they should be focusing on — not this exercise in technocratic hubris as an empty substitute for real leadership.”

He also said other options, such as Bermuda being fully incorporated into Britain, were highly unlikely.

Earlier this year Mr Commissiong said that the PLP had no interest in implementing another progressive policy — a living wage.

He accused the party of becoming more conservative under Mr Burt’s leadership, but added that the shift began earlier when a number of UBP MPs crossed the floor.

He said: “Is the party as progressive and pro-labour as it has been in the more recent past? I don’t think so.” (Royal Gazette)

Clico announced it paid off $17.3 billion in debt

In December Clico announced it paid off $17.3 billion in debt, inclusive of interest, to the Government and is looking forward to creating new business and continuing to serve its policyholders.

On February 13, 2009, the

Central

gained emergency control of Clico, which, it said, was to “safeguard the interests of Clico’s policyholders and creditors and to prevent substantial disruption posed to the domestic financial system by Clico’s collapse.”

Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin

had also said while the bank could have exited earlier, it was not only focusing on Clico’s profitability but also its governance structure, capacity to move forward and the stability of the financial system. (Trinidad Guardian)

Republic Financial Holdings

Former MP Rolfe Commissiong (in photo) has accused Premier David Burt of sabreratting over the issue of Independence.

Bank

Hilaire

Regional News

BVI to refer matter of same-sex marriage to a referendum

The electorate of the British Virgin Islands will be given the opportunity through a referendum to consider and decide on the question of whether same-sex marriage should be legal.

This has emerged as the territory faces a legal challenge on the matter of same-sex marriage. This will be the first referendum in the history of the Virgin Islands.

Providing the background for the move in a statement, BVI Premier Natalio Wheatley said: “A case is currently before the High Court, which could potentially impact the social and religious fabric of our society. A same-sex couple, both Virgin Islanders, were married abroad, and have mounted a legal challenge to have their union legally recognised here in the Virgin Islands.”

THE BVI PREMIER WENT ON TO STATE:

If they were to be successful, section 13(1)(c) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act, which provides that marriage is void unless the parties are respectively male and female, would be declared unconstitutional

and, therefore, be null and void. As a result, same-sex marriage would become legal in the Virgin Islands.

The Constitution provides that “every man and every woman of marriageable age has the right to marry and found a family in accordance with laws enacted by the legislature”.

The Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act is a law enacted by the democratically elected legislature of the Virgin Islands.

Wheatley stated that in response

to this legal challenge, the Virgin Islands Government who is the Respondent in this case, through counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers, is vigorously defending the BVI’s laws which clearly provide that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Importantly also, we are defending the ability of the democratically elected legislature of the Virgin Islands to make legislation on this issue.

We believe very firmly that

such weighty matters of social and religious significance must not be decided in the courts or elsewhere.

It is our belief that the people of the Virgin Islands must speak clearly and loudly on their views on marriage, and that legislators should be obligated to comply with their wishes. This is the essence of democracy.

He said in a special meeting of the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands held on Friday, December 16, 2022, Cabinet decided to refer the matter of same-sex marriage to a referendum so that the electorate can consider and decide on the question of whether same-sex marriage should be legal.

This will be the first referendum in the history of the Virgin Islands.

This referendum will give all eligible persons, the opportunity to defend what they believe to be socially and morally right.

This referendum will also consider the question of whether new legislation should be introduced to provide persons in a domestic partnership with certain legal rights, such as the ability to pass on one’s estate to their partner regardless of sex, in intestacy. This approach

takes into account the territory’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights while protecting the sanctity of marriage.

The BVI Premier said: “It is important to note that as a part of the process, a resolution must be prepared and then considered and voted on in a sitting of the House of Assembly. Once successful, the Governor, in consultation with myself, will affix the date of the referendum. This referendum will be preceded by a portion of time dedicated to educating the population on the subject.

It is important to note that we are not the only Overseas Territory government to face a legal challenge on the matter of samesex marriage. Both the Cayman Islands and Bermuda also had similar cases very recently.”

Wheatley stated that more will be said on this matter in the very near future and ended his statement with the following:

“Let us pray for wisdom and divine guidance as we consider the future of what we want for our beloved Virgin Islands. Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.” (Caribbeanloopnews)

Cayman Islands to have public discussion on increasing building heights to 15-20 storeys

Premier Wayne Panton has accepted an amended private member’s motion brought by McKeeva Bush (WBW) asking the government to consider lifting height restrictions in some areas to allow buildings of 15-20 storeys, catering to the demands of wealthy developers. But Panton said the discussion couldn’t be confined to parliament but would be opened up to the whole country, despite Bush’s arguments that the “naysayers” would be allowed to block the idea.

In the last debate of this final meeting of parliament for 2022 Thursday night, Panton said he welcomed the motion as it “raised important issues that should be discussed”, but said it was an emotive issue. He disagreed that this was a matter to be debated only among politicians, calling instead for a wider public discussion. Given the pitfalls and risks, including increased population density, that have to be weighed against any benefits, he said the people should contribute to the discussion.

“I feel strongly that we need to include the people of the country,” he said, adding that it was important to plan appropriately. “We need to ensure our people are involved,” Panton said, and questioned the process around previous decisions to increase building heights and what planning there was around that decision-making.

“It did feel at times that it was more of a reaction to a specific proposal,” he stated, implying the last increase in building heights along Seven Mile Beach of ten storeys, steered through parliament by Bush when he was premier had likely been as a result of lobbying from the country’s handful of major developers. The ten-storey increase was then extended by the last administration to George Town and other coastal areas.

Dart executives and Frank Schilling have been vocal about their desire to lift height restrictions for development. They are supported in that by several other well-known developers and investors with deep pockets who are pushing hard for skyscrapers.

But Paton was evidently far more cautious about the growing clamour for a free for all on heights. He said that while some believe development has been a success with no significant consequences, people were now seeing the reality of the impact and the problems it has caused. He pointed to the recent surge in population from an

estimated 65,000 at the beginning of 2021 to almost 80,000 now and the impact that is having on traffic and other infrastructure.

He said the problems of excessive development were compounded by the challenges of climate change and very poor planning decisions regarding development on Seven Mile Beach,

which was a significant issue. He said the erosion of Seven Mile Beach illustrated the need to put an end to development anywhere near the dynamic beach zone.

Given the clear need for a managed retreat on Seven Mile Beach and to compensate owners for moving buildings back, increasing the height of buildings in those circumstances could form part of the solution.

“Managed retreat is necessary,” he said. “A compromise in respect of that is to allow buildings to go higher.” The question is how much higher, he said, adding, “That is what I think the people of this country have a right to have a say in and not just us making assumptions about what people feel.”

As he wrapped up the debate on his motion, Bush accused those concerned about the environment or the aesthetics of tall buildings of blocking things and preventing them from “getting done”. He railed against various unidentified people who he said had tried to stop him from doing things for the country.

This will be the first referendum in the history of the Virgin Islands

The increase in building heights is catering to the demands of wealthy developers

BODY REPAIR MECHANIC

APPLICANT MUST:

• Examine damaged vehicles and estimate needed repairs.

• Have knowledge and qualifications to repair & paint automotive bodies back to pre-damaged condition / manufacturer’s standard, using the appropriate repair techniques and tools (must have basic tools of trade; e.g. paint guns, sanders, etc.).

• Be able to refinish parts by mixing paints, match colors, apply primer & finishing coats; use chassis liner jig safely to perform chassis realignment;

• Have knowledge of mechanical

accident processes; e.g.: suspension drive shaft, steering & tracking; trim & lock, replacing glass and windscreens.

• Demonstrate sound knowledge of welding TIG/ MIG, gas welding & brazing, and safety procedures during welding process.

Remuneration: Basic Wage (Retainer) - $6.25 per hour plus commission.

GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER

Neptune Plaza, Providenciales TCI, Is seeking to employ a

NURSING ASSISTANT

Requirements and Duties:

• Certificate/equivalent in NA

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a fast-paced Urgent Care practice

• Knowledgeable in setting up for procedures, able to assist doctors with procedures and examination

answering telephone, scheduling appointments, action patients results,

• Experience in patient care in home and in a clinical situation

• Must have experience in sterilization procedures

Requirements and Duties:

• Bachelors Degree in nursing

• Current registration with the Health Professions Authority in TCI

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a fast-paced Urgent Care practice and hotel setting

• Practical skills to include but not limited to IV therapy, venipuncture, injections, vitals, dressings, ECG,

•

•

•

• Must be able to work as part of the Nursing Team with little or no supervision to ensure proper flow of patients

• Computer knowledge,

Monthly salary $2000.00 - $3000 depending on experience. Belongers only need to apply. The position is currently held by a work permit holder.

Drop your resume off at Mac Motors Ltd. 1089 Leeward Highway, Providenciales TCI or contact us on 649-339-3841 or email at Jodell@claymore.tc 34113

EMAIL: CYNTHIA@GRACEBAYMEDICAL.COM | PHONE: 649-941-5252

•

•

•

•

•

• Communicate and collaborate with other team members.

• Availability on work nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Ability to multitask, prioritizes, and manages time efficiently.

• Wages start at $6.25 per hour.

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ opens to $134 million, just missing box office expectations

JAMES Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” fell short of lofty box office expectations, but international ticket sales spark hope that the longawaited sequel could still pull in a substantial global haul.

The film snared $134 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend, short of the $175 million that industry analysts had predicted, and just under the $135 million to $150 million range that Disney had forecast.

The film is tied with Warner Bros.’ “The Batman,” which also generated $134 million during its domestic opening in March, as the fifth-highest opening of the year, according to data from Comscore.

Internationally, “Way of Water” tallied $300.5 million, bringing the film’s opening weekend haul to $434.5 million.

“Because most people are loving

the film, the sugar high of that enthusiasm inspired some opening weekend predictions that the historical data and various headwinds for the film don’t support,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “That said, ‘The Way Of Water’ has many factors working in its favor that ensure its longterm prospects for massive global success.”

Notably, China accounted for $57.1 million in ticket sales for the three-day opening weekend.

The Chinese box office contributed around $265 million to “Avatar’s” global tally a decade ago, but the market has grown significantly since. Prior to the pandemic, China was the second-highest-grossing theatrical market in the world. Since cinemas reopened in the country, it has been one of the fastest markets to recover and generate box office success.

Internationally, “Way of Water” tallied $300.5 million, bringing the film’s opening weekend haul to $434.5 million.

In 2009, China’s overall box office reached $910 million. A decade later, it topped $8 billion.

Box office analysts aren’t concerned with the movie’s smallerthan-expected domestic box office, particularly because of how it has played internationally. The original “Avatar,” which was released in 2009, only made $77 million during its opening weekend, but went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time. It maintains that title thanks to several rereleases.

The first film had incredible

staying power at the box office, running in theaters through August 2010, a staggering 234 days. “Avatar” ultimately generated $760 million in the U.S. and Canada and more than $2 billion from international markets during its initial theatrical run.

“Although the film is opening on the low end of expectations, it’s important to again emphasize the long-term outlook,” said Shawn Robbins, chief media analyst at BoxOffice.com. “Audiences are showing a strong preference to see the film in premium formats,

factoring into the volatility noted in pre-release forecasts.”

Robbins noted that the upcoming holiday corridor and a lack of competition in the market positions “The Way of Water” for a more back-loaded box office than a typical blockbuster.

Premium formats, which include IMAX, Dolby Cinema and Motion auditoriums accounted for 62% of all tickets sold. A whopping 57% of that total was for 3D tickets. Premium format tickets are more expensive than traditional tickets.

Johnny Depp lawyers say he will donate $1 million Amber Heard settlement to charities

JOHNNY Depp is pledging to donate $1 million to charities on the heels of ex-wife Amber Heard announcing she’d settle their defamation case.

Hospital’ star

Sonya Eddy dead at 55

SONYA Eddy, who appeared on more than 500 episodes of “General Hospital” as nurse Epiphany Johnson, has died, a producer of the soap opera said.

A cause of death wasn’t released for Eddy, who was 55.

“I am heartbroken about the loss of the incredible Sonya Eddy,” executive producer Frank Valentini said Tuesday in a statement to Variety.

“I truly loved her not only as an actress, but as a friend. The lights in the hub of the nurse’s station will now be a little dimmer, but her spirit and light will live on in both the show and our set. On behalf of the entire

GH cast and crew, we send our deepest sympathy to her family, friends and fans. She will be very missed.”

In addition to starring on “General Hospital” from 2006 to 2015, Eddy earned more than 100 acting credits during a career spanning more than two decades.

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Eddy appeared on popular series such as “Crazy ExGirlfriend,” “Girl Meets World,” “Mike & Molly,” “Glee” and “Malcolm in the Middle.”

“My friend @sonyaeddy passed away last night,” Oscarwinning actress Octavia Spencer wrote Tuesday on Instagram.

The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, 59, announced the move Monday in a statement his legal team made to E! News.

“We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light,” said Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez — who themselves became topics of internet discourse amid the six-week trial.

“The jury’s unanimous decision and the resulting judgement in Mr. Depp’s favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place.”

Chew and Vasquez made a point of saying Depp “will actually donate” the money he’s pledging. The remark seems to be a pointed nod to a pledge made by Heard, 36, to the American Civil Liberties Union. Information that the “Aquaman” star had donated less than half of the $3.5 million she pledged came to light early in the trial.

Depp sued Heard for $50 million regarding a 2018 Washington Post

op-ed, in which she labeled herself “a public figure representing domestic abuse.” Heard countersued for $100 million after a Depp lawyer slammed her allegations as a hoax.

The jury awarded $10 million in

Depp’s suit and $2 million in Heard’s countersuit.

Heard took to Instagram Monday to say she would settle the case, but still maintained she “never chose this” and was “defending my truth.”

Sonya Eddy in March 2022 ‘General

The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, 59, announced the move Monday in a statement his legal team made to E! News

Harry and Meghan’s next Netflix docuseries will drop on New Year’s Eve

Netflix has announced its next project with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – a Nelson Mandela-inspired docuseries titled “Live to Lead.”

Dropping December 31, the series will feature interviews with several familiar and famous faces, from New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and South African rugby player Siya Kolisi, to the late United States Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In a statement, the streaming giant summarized the seven-part series as “extraordinary” leaders reflecting on their lives, while highlighting the “fundamental values, daily disciplines and guiding principles

that leaders employ to motivate others and create meaningful change.”

“Live to Lead” is executive produced by Harry and Meghan in association with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, it said.

Geoff Blackwell, the series’ creator and director, said in the statement that he and co-executive producer Ruth Hobday wanted to “honor Mandela’s values by surfacing the stories of leaders who distinguish themselves through their moral courage, the conviction of their ideals and values, and their prioritization of others.”

A trailer for the series, released Monday, features both the subjects

and the Sussexes, with Harry quoting Mandela as saying, “‘what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived,’” and Meghan concluding “it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

Other interviewees include climate change activist Greta Thunberg, social justice campaigner Gloria Steinem, and anti-apartheid activist and former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa Albie Sachs.

This project follows the release of the eagerly anticipated docuseries “Harry & Meghan” on the streaming platform earlier this month. (CNN)

THE death of Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ has inspired Tyler Perry to share about his past suicide attempts. The director hopes his story might dissuade others struggling with depression and suicidal ideation.

The multi-hyphenate, 53, posted a video to Instagram Thursday, which he addressed to “any of you who are going through hard times, struggling.”

Perry was “shocked” by the death of 40-year-old Boss, the dancer, DJ and producer perhaps best known for his work on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The ‘House of Payne’ creator noted Boss was “always full of life.”

“With that said, I just want to take it back to a time in my life when I tried to commit suicide, a couple of times, because it was so dark I

didn’t think it would get any better,” continued Perry. “I had endured so much pain, so much abuse, sexual abuse, it was all so hard to just move through that I thought the only way to make this better was to end my life.”

Perry said he now looks at the allencompassing pain as “a buy-in.”

“What I mean by that is, all that pain, all that hell, all that struggle, if I had given up, if I had stopped, I wouldn’t have seen the better part of my life,” he said. “I was buying into something, I was paying for something.”

Though he acknowledged some might feel “there’s no hope,” Perry implored people struggling to reach out for help if they ever feel they’re in “a place where you think you want to end your life.”

The upcoming docuseries is inspired by Nelson Mandela

Tyler Perry (left) and Stephen “tWitch” Boss

Tyler Perry, ‘shocked’ by ‘tWitch’ suicide, shares about his own attempts to end his life

GSE SENIOR ELECTRICAL MECHANIC

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, overhaul, maintain, diagnose, and modify ground equipment.

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

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

• Responds to emergency calls for ground support equipment assistance.

• Document daily, quarterly and annual preventative maintenance. Create and maintain daily, quarterly and annual service maintenance records.

• Identify and sources specialized components and tools. Prepare and maintain spare parts inventory

QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• Must have at least six (6) years’ experience in automotive and be able to conduct apprenticeship program

• Must possess a valid driver’s license

• Skill in effective oral and written communication. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite

• Must be able to work long hours, weekends and public holidays, and to be accessible in case of emergency

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

The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital are currently seeking experienced candidates to join the Facilities Management Department at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

CHESHIRE HALL MEDICAL CENTRE, PROVIDENCIALES:

HOSPITAL PORTERS

Duties including patient movement, movement of specialist equipment, specialist cleaning including use of industrial equipment and deepcleaning included. Previous experience of standard Portering Duties required. Additional training supplied for specialist tasks. $9.16 Per Hour

HOSPITAL HOUSEKEEPERS

Seeking experienced Housekeepers to join our established team responsible for maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and infection control across our Clinical and Administrative Departments. Duties will include standard and hospital cleaning regimes. Candidates will be trained for specialist tasks, however previous Housekeeping experience is required. $8.12 Per Hour

MULTISKILLED ENGINEERS

Required to join an established team of Engineers responsible for Planned Preventative and Re-Active Maintenance. HVAC and Electrical specialties required. Previous experience within a Healthcare setting is preferred. Associated Qualifications required. Salary Package $35k to $50k

CHEF MANAGER

Responsible for the Management of a busy production kitchen servicing a Retail Outlet and Patient Dietetics. Role includes food production, due diligence, financial control and people management. Previous experience in a similar role is essential. Associated Food Craft, Food Hygiene and Management Qualification required. Salary Package $35k to $45K

All applicants must have relevant experience in the field they have applied for, and be able to work 40 hours per week (5 shifts allocated over 7 days and include weekend working and bank holidays).

*Please note that this is a 24/7, 365day operations. Weekend working may be required as part of your shift pattern.

Excellent customer service skills, communications skills, good standards of spoken and written English are required for all posts. FOR

CONTACT: DPINNOCK@INTERHEALTHCANADA.TC

Belongers will be given first consideration

DATE: December 30th 2022

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Based in Providenciales, with rotation and visitation to Grand Turk as required.

Responsible for Total Facilities Management at both Grand Turk and Providenciales Hospital sites. Covering Hard Services (Engineering, Grounds Management, Pest Control Services), Soft Facilities (Retail Catering & Patient Dietetics, Housekeeping, Portering & Laundry Services) and Business Administration (Helpdesk, Administration, Finance) and Security Services functions with specific responsibility for:

• Financial & Business Management

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• Human Resources Management

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FOR FULL PACKAGE DETAILS, AND JOB DESCRIPTION, PLEASE CONTACT: DPINNOCK@INTERHEALTHCANADA.TC

Qualified Belongers will be given first consideration

CLOSING DATE: December 30th 2022

TCA Handling Flight Services Ground Handlers for American Airlines and JetBlue is currently seeking qualified individual to fill the following position.

DATE OPEN: DECEMBER 5TH, 2022

START DATE: ASAP

ENGINEER MANAGER

PROPERTY: West Bay Club

Job Requirements: Engineering course, undergraduate or vocational school graduate with good verbal and written communication skills. Must have at least seven (7) years work experience in engineering/facilities equipment operations and maintenance gained in hospitality or other industries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical equipment and plumbing trouble shooting

• Working knowledge of swimming pool operation and water chemistry

• Working knowledge of sewage treatment plant operation and maintenance

• Knowledge of computers and its peripherals

• Planning and executing preventative maintenance of suite and equipment within

• Knowledge of Operational Health and Safety Standards

• Knowledge of basic kitchen equipment maintenance and trouble shooting

• Knowledge of industry storekeeping procedures

• Must be computer literate and technology savvy, particularly for ordering and follow up processes

• Must be familiar with electrical and mechanical parts

Shift varies. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required. This position is currently held by an expatriate worker. Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2.

Salary Range: $3,000.00 - $3,500.00 per month

Negotiable depending on qualifications and experience.

DATE OPEN: DECEMBER 5TH, 2022

START DATE: ASAP

ASSISTANT FINANCIAL

CONTROLLER

PROPERTY: West Bay Club

JOB OVERVIEW:

We are looking for an experienced Assistant

Financial Controller to assist the Financial Controller with the undertaking of all aspects of financial management, including corporate accounting, regulatory and financial reporting, budget, and forecasts preparation, as well as development of internal control policies and procedures. The Assistant Financial Controller responsibilities will also include financial risk management.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists to provide financial guidance in the formulation and implementation of Strategic Plan, Budget and forecast

• Making sure at all times that the Hotel is operating under all required licenses and permits.

• Works closely with the DOF and all other Heads of Department with the objective of improving the Hotel performances

• Assists to provide an up to date cash flow projection is maintained and maximizes cash flow performance of the hotel through controls on inventory, credit and collection, disbursements, deposits and remittances

• Working closely with FC to prepare outlooks for forthcoming months and forecasts for the remainder of the year

• Assists to prepare monthly position of actual results against budget, analyze results and recommend to Executive Committee measures required to meet budget

• Assists to distribute outlook and forecast information as an up to date management tool for operating departments

• Analyze financial and management reports

• Assist to manage internal and external audits when they occur

• Ensure the smooth running of the various sections of the Finance Department with the ultimate objective of meeting financial deadlines. This would entail follow-up meetings and troubleshooting all interdepartment difficulties faced by respective sections in their work.

• Perform any other duties which may be assigned by the management from time to time.

Full time. Weekend and Holiday work may be required.

Qualified Islanders need only apply a copy of application to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2.

Salary Range: $3,500.00 – $4000.00

Negotiable depending on qualifications and experience.

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5

experience in a

resort environment. Must have P.O.S. experience, be able to track and manage purchasing orders, develop budgets, evaluate inventory, compile orders. Maintain/ reconcile inventory records. Must have clerical, communication skills and must have experience in accounting night audit or accounting software. Second language preferred but not mandatory. Computer skills and excellent customer service is essential. Should pay attention to detail and be a team player. Must be able to reside on Pine Cay for scheduled shifts. $12 per hour

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

RESPONSIBILITIES

quality.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Multi-disciplinary, able to cook global cuisines including Japanese, Mexican Mediterranean, and Indian

• High school diploma or GED.

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in culinary arts is preferred.

• Proven culinary experience.

• A strong understanding of nutrition.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Effective communication skills.

Salary: Will be based on experience.

NATURE OF POSITION:

• Build and assemble machines or mechanical components according to requirements.

• Inspect machines, engines, transmissions etc. and run diagnostics tests to discover functionality issues.

• Conduct repairs aiming for maximum reliability.

• Troubleshoot reported problems and resolve them in a timely manner

• Perform thorough maintenance on machinery, equipment and systems.

• Clean and apply lubricants to machinery components.

• Replenish fluids and components of

BRAND MANAGER

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carrying out market research in order to keep up to date with customer trends, as well as trying to predict future trends

• Developing strategies and managing international marketing campaigns across print, broadcast and online platforms to ensure that products and services meet customers’ expectations and to build the credibility of brands

• Supervising advertising, product design and other forms of marketing to maintain consistency in branding

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. MBA preferred.

• 3-5 years of experience in brand management, brand marketing, or marketing management

• Experience managing a brand across multiple markets

Salary: Will be based on experience.

Please: Contact us at privateblackcarservicesltd@gmail.com

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conferring with the concierge to determine the guest meal preferences, specifications, food allergies, and dietary restrictions.

• Preparing customized meals for guests based on their preferences, specifications, and dietary needs.

• Shopping for meal ingredients as well as necessary kitchen tools and equipment as needed (Kosher etc)

• Inspecting meal ingredients before making purchases to ensure that they are of the highest quality.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Multi-disciplinary, able to cook global cuisines including Japanese, Mexican Mediterranean, and Indian

• High school diploma or GED.

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in culinary arts is preferred.

• Proven culinary experience.

• A strong understanding of nutrition.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Effective communication skills.

Salary: Will be based on experience.

Please: Contact us at privateblackcarservicesltd@gmail.com

JOB SUMMARY

The Registrar manages

engines and machinery.

• Provide consultation on correct maintenance and preventative measures to machine or vehicle users.

• Undertake other duties as assigned (e.g. repair of hydraulic systems, make hydraulic hoses etc.)

• Keep logs of work and report on issues.

Must possess suitable mechanic background (Degree preferred) as well of experience with in all aspects of automotive movil services/ repaired industry.

Salary: With experience and qualifications salary range $15-$20 per hour. Must have own tools

649-946-2791 ext. 4021 or 4048.

Applications should be emailed to administration@tcifsc.tc no later than December 30th, 2022. A copy of the application should be submitted to the Employment Services Department by emailing to CHbacchus@gov.tc and MCadams@gov.tc. Applications received after the application deadline may not be considered in this recruitment phase but may be placed on file for future reference. While we appreciate your response, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Financial Services Commission (FSC), the regulator of financial services business in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is seeking suitably qualified applicants to fill several vacancies.

JOY to the WORLD

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

–Isaiah 9:6-7

May the spirit of the season fill your heart with enough joy to carry you through the year. From our family to yours, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

CBMS

Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

CHRISTMASPages A look at traditional Christmas recipes from all around the world

Christmas is around the corner, and countries across the globe have different dishes they like to eat as they celebrate.

Did you know in Japan, many eat KFC for Christmas due to an ad from the 70s? Demand is so great that reservations have to be made to eat at a KFC on Christmas Day, and an online service has been created for deliveries.

While we aren’t sharing any recipes for replicating KFC’s beloved chicken, below are a few dishes and recipes that are traditional around the world that you can make this holiday weekend.

POLAND: BARSZCZ (POLISH BEET SOUP)

Ingredients

• 4 whole beets, about 1 pound, (or 2 cups sliced canned or jarred beets)

• 4 cups stock (chicken, beef, mushroom, or vegetable)

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar)

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Boiled potatoes, optional

• Chopped fresh dill, optional

DIRECTIONS

If using fresh beets, heat the oven to 400 F. Wrap beets in aluminum foil and place them on a baking dish. Roast until tender, about 30 to 45 minutes.

When cool enough to handle, peel, and slice into strips or julienne. If you prefer, julienne some for garnish and dice the rest.

In a medium pot, bring meat or vegetable stock to a boil. Add the cut beets, garlic, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper.

Simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve hot with optional boiled potatoes and garnish with chopped dill.

PHILIPPINES: BIBINGKA (FILIPINO COCONUT-RICE CAKE)

Ingredients

• 2 cups rice flour

• ½ cup glutinous rice flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted,

plus more melted butter for the topping, and butter for greasing pan

• 1½ cups of coconut milk

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 banana leaf (optional)

• 1 salted duck egg, sliced (optional)

• 1 cup grated queso de bola or cheddar cheese

• ½ cup grated coconut, for topping (optional)

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together rice flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the centre and pour in melted butter, coconut milk and eggs. Whisk the mixture until smooth.

Wash and dry banana leaf, if using, and line a 9-inch cast-iron skillet with it. (One leaf should be enough, but if more are needed, make sure to overlap leaves so there are no gaps.) Butter the leaf, and trim edges leaving a 1 to 2 inch overhang. Alternatively, generously grease the skillet with butter.

Pour mixture into skillet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and top with salted egg and cheese. Return skillet to oven until bibingka is golden and browned, and a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes more. Brush with more melted butter and sprinkle with coconut, if desired.

GOA: SORPOTEL (INDIAN PORK CURRY)

Ingredients

• 2.2 pounds of boneless pork meat with some fat on it

• ½ onion sliced

• 2 green chili pepper slit into half

• 2 cups water

For the curry paste

• 20 Kashmiri chili dried

• 3 inch ginger

• 20 cloves garlic

• 15 piece black pepper

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

Poland: Barszcz (Polish beet soup)

Philippines: Bibingka (Filipino coconut-rice cake)

CHRISTMASPages

A look at traditional Christmas recipes ...

ingredients.

Put the mixture in a casserole dish and bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. The casserole should be brown and fully cooked through.

Note: in the USA, “yellow turnips” are sold as “rutabagas”.

MEXICO: PONCHE NAVIDEÑO (MEXICAN CHRISTMAS PUNCH) Recipe from Goya

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (flor de Jamaica)

• 6 quarts (24 cups) water, divided

• 20 cloves

• 2 oranges

Goa: Sorpotel (Indian pork curry)

• 10 piece cloves

• 3 inch cinnamon stick

• 1 cup vinegar coconut or white wine

• ½ cup oil

• 6 piece green chili pepper chopped fine

• 4 medium onion chopped fine

• Salt pinch

• 2 tablespoon feni optional Directions

Grab a big pot and place your previously rinsed pork meat into it, together with the sliced onion, slit open green chilies and 2 cups of water. Keep it on medium heat and cover the pot to parboil the pork meat for about 20-30 minutes or until it is tender.

In the meanwhile prepare the Masala paste. Combine the Kashmiri chili, fresh ginger root, garlic cloves, black pepper, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon stick, vinegar, oil, and some water if necessary in a blender to a smooth paste. Keep aside.

Once the meat is tender, take it out and dice it fine (even the fats will give flavour and melt anyway).

Keep the meaty water stock aside.

Heat up a pan and fry your diced pork pieces batch by batch until they get some colour.

At the same time, heat up a big pot and fry your chopped green chilies and onions until they turn

golden brown.

Add all the cooked pork meat to the fried chilies and onions and stir fry for 2 minutes. Then continue to add in the curry paste and salt together with the meat stock and the Feni.

Mix it all well and bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer the sorpotel. Stir frequently and cook it until it thickens, then keep aside. Best served with flavoured butter rice or Pulao rice or lemon rice.

FINLAND: LANTTULAATIKKO (FINNISH MASHED TURNIP CASSEROLE)

Ingredients

• 1 large turnip, peeled

• 1⁄8cup breadcrumbs

• 1⁄8 cup breadcrumbs

• 1 large egg

• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar

• 1⁄2 teaspoon of cinnamon

• 1⁄2 teaspoon ginger powder

• 1⁄8 cup breadcrumbs and nutmeg

• Salt & pepper

Directions

Boil turnip until tender (15-20 minutes). Remove the turnip and allow it to cool.

When cooled, mash the turnip with a potato masher or ricer in a medium bowl. Mix in all other

• 2 cups drained tejocotes from 1 jar (32 oz.)

• 1 package (14 oz.) of frozen whole guava

• 6 sticks from 1 package (14 oz.) of frozen whole sugar cane

• 2 cones (8 oz. each) brown sugar cane - piloncillo, or 2 cups dark brown sugar

• 1 medium apple, chopped (about 1¾ cups)

• 1 medium pear, chopped (about 1½ cups)

Simmer, stirring gently, until flavors are completely infused and the fruit is tender for about 1 hour. To serve, ladle drink and fruit into serving mugs. Add liquor, if desired. Serve warm or chilled.

SICILY: BUCCELLATI

Ingredients

Dough

• 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter,

are the size of peas. Add eggs, 1 tablespoon of milk, vanilla, and orange zest; pulse until a dough forms. If the dough seems dry, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of milk.

Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a rectangle, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Filling: In a food processor, pulse together figs, raisins, honey, brandy, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, orange zest, vanilla, and salt until thick paste forms. Transfer the paste to a bowl and stir in pecans. Measure a heaping 1/4 cup of filling, place it on a piece of plastic wrap, and roll it into a log about 10 inches long. Freeze until firm. Repeat the process with the remaining filling (you should have about 10 logs).

Working with one rectangle of dough at a time, place dough on a lightly floured sheet of parchment. Roll out the dough to a 15-by-10inch rectangle, a scant 1/4 inch thick. Transfer parchment to a baking sheet; refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat the process with the remaining dough.

• 1 cup pitted prunes (about 6 oz.), chopped

• 1 cup walnut halves (about 4 oz.)

• ½ cup raisins

• 4 cinnamon sticks

• Rum, brandy or tequila, to taste –optional Directions

Bring hibiscus flowers and 1 qt. (4 cups) water to boil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and let steep for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, press the sharp side of 10 cloves into one orange. Repeat with remaining cloves and orange. Quarter oranges.

Strain the hibiscus mixture into a large (10-12 qt.) pot; discard solids. To pot, add the remaining 5 quarts. (20 cups) water, clovestudded orange pieces, tejocotes, guava, sugar cane sticks, piloncillo, apple, pear, prunes, walnuts, raisins and cinnamon sticks. Bring water mixture to boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve piloncillo. Reduce heat to low.

cut into pieces and chilled

• 3 large eggs

• 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Grated zest of 1/2 orange

Filling

• 1 cup dried Black Mission figs, stems removed

• 3/4 cup raisins

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1/4 cup brandy

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

• Grated zest of 1/2 orange

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 1/2 cups pecans, toasted and finely chopped Glaze

• 2 large egg whites, beaten

• 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Dough: In a food processor, pulse together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter and pulse until the largest pieces

Cut each rectangle of dough crosswise into five 3-inch-wide strips. Position one strip of dough on the work surface with long sides parallel to the edge of the work surface. Place one log of filling along the upper edge of the long side of each strip. Fold the remaining dough over the filling to enclose it. Transfer to a parchmentlined baking sheet, seam-side down. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut logs into 2-inch pieces. Using a paring knife, make 2 cuts on one side of each piece, being careful not to cut all the way through. Shape each piece into a crescent, with the cuts on the outside of the crescent. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake, rotating halfway through until bottoms are brown and tops are light golden brown, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

Glaze: Whisk together egg whites and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a very small round tip. Pipe glaze over cookies; let stand until set. Glazed cookies can be stored in an airtight container, between sheets of parchment, at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Finland: Lanttulaatikko (Finnish mashed turnip casserole)

Mexico: Ponche Navideño (Mexican Christmas punch)

Sicily: Buccellati

Projetech Construction Management & Services Ltd., wishes to recruit the following key staff to join its team. These opportunities have arisen due to a substantial increase in potential workload. We encourage Turks and Caicos Islanders to apply. In some instances, recent graduates with a strong drive to succeed may be considered. For each role remuneration and benefits will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Successful candidates must be prepared to work flexible hours, including holidays and weekends.

PROJECT MANAGER

Preferred applicants should be able to demonstrate suitable experience as a Project Manager on large commercial and residential building projects, together with a suitable professional qualification in Construction Management. A proven track record demonstrating the ability to complete projects on time, within budget, to a high standard of quality, and all within a demanding schedule must be shown. Strong leadership, communication and organization skills are essential, together with experience with very high quality finishings. Experience with Construction Management Software packages such as Procore, UDA, or similar would be an advantage.

QUANTITY SURVEYOR

Preferred applicants should be able to demonstrate suitable experience as a Quantity Surveyor on large commercial and residential building projects, together with a suitable professional qualification in Quantity Surveying. General duties will include preliminary budgeting, the preparation of detailed Bills of Quantities, project estimating, the procurement of materials, labour and subcontractors, financial forecasting, and reporting, managing all contractual and legal issues, and general commercial control in all aspects. A proven track record demonstrating the ability to manage all commercial aspects of construction projects must be shown. Strong leadership, communication, organization and presentation skills are essential.

PROJECT SITE ENGINEER

Preferred applicants should be able to demonstrate suitable experience as a Project Site Engineer on large commercial and residential building projects, together with a suitable professional qualification in Construction Technology. A proven track record demonstrating the ability to complete projects on time, within budget, to a high standard of quality, and all within a demanding schedule must be shown. The main role of this position is to accurately provide line and level for the trades and the successful candidate must be fully conversant with setting out techniques using GPS, Total Station, Theodolite etc. Strong leadership, communication and organization skills are essential, together with experience with very high quality finishings.

GENERAL FOREMAN

Preferred applicants should be able to demonstrate suitable experience as a General Foreman on large commercial and residential building projects, together with a suitable professional qualification in Construction Management. A proven track record demonstrating the ability to complete projects on time, within budget, to a high standard of quality, and all within a demanding schedule must be shown. Strong leadership, communication and organization skills are essential, together with an in-depth knowledge of construction trades and techniques using very high quality finishings.

Applications must be made in writing and should include career history and the names and contact details of at least two references. Interested Turks and Caicos Islanders should also submit copies of their application to the Labour Department. All applications will be properly reviewed and suitably qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applications should be received by 16t February 2022 and sent to:

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The

Science & Technology

COP15: Nations reach

‘historic’ deal to protect nature

NATIONS have agreed to protect a third of the planet for nature by 2030 in a landmark deal aimed at safeguarding biodiversity.

There will also be targets for protecting vital ecosystems such as rainforests and wetlands and the rights of indigenous peoples.

The agreement at the COP15 UN biodiversity summit in Montreal, Canada, came early on Monday morning.

The summit had been moved from China and postponed due to Covid.

China, which was in charge of the meeting, brought down the gavel on the deal despite a last minute objection from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hailed the deal and said: “We are finally starting to forge a peace pact with nature.”

The main points include: Maintaining, enhancing and restoring ecosystems, including halting species extinction and maintaining genetic diversity “Sustainable use” of biodiversity - essentially ensuring that species and habitats can provide the services they provide for humanity, such as food and clean water Ensuring that the benefits of

resources from nature, like medicines that come from plants, are shared fairly and equally and that indigenous peoples’ rights are protected · Paying for and putting resources into biodiversity: Ensuring that money and conservation efforts get to where they are needed.

“It is truly a moment that will mark history as Paris did for climate,” Canada’s Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault told reporters. The Paris climate deal saw nations agreeing in 2015 to keep world temperature rise below 2C.

The summit in Montreal had been regarded as a “last chance” to put nature on a path to recovery. Throughout the talks there was division over the strength of ambition and how to finance the plans.

One big sticking point was over how to fund conservation efforts in the parts of the globe that harbour some of the world’s most outstanding biodiversity.

Biodiversity refers to all the Earth’s living things and the way they are connected in a complex web of life that sustains the planet.

A new text of the agreement was released by China on Sunday.

Delegates convened a full session

Baby’s life ‘probably saved’ by umbilical stem cells

A HEART surgeon says he “probably saved the life” of a baby by carrying out a “world-first” operation using stem cells from placentas.

Professor Massimo Caputo from the Bristol Heart Institute used pioneering stem cell injections to correct baby Finley’s heart defect.

He hopes to develop the technology so children born with congenital cardiac disease won’t need as many operations.

Finley, now two, is “a happy growing little boy”.

But he was born with the main arteries in his heart the wrong way round and at just four days old had his first open-heart surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

Unfortunately the surgery did

not solve the problem and his heart function deteriorated significantly, with the left side of the heart suffering from a severe lack of blood flow.

His mother, Melissa, from Corsham, in Wiltshire, said: “We were prepared from the start that the odds of him surviving were not good.

“After 12 hours, Finley finally came out of surgery but he needed a heart and lung bypass machine to keep alive, and his heart function had deteriorated significantly.”

After weeks in intensive care it looked like there was no conventional way to treat Finley’s condition and he was reliant on drugs to keep his heart going.

But a new procedure was tried, involving stem cells from a

of the summit early on Monday morning after hours of delays, but then agreed to the text quickly.

The president of COP 15, Minister Huang Runqui, declared the deal approved despite objections from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which said it couldn’t back the deal.

Georgina Chandler, senior international policy advisor for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said people and nature should both be better off thanks to the deal struck in Montreal.

“Now it’s done, governments, companies and communities need to figure out how they’ll help make these commitments a reality.”

Sue Lieberman of the Wildlife Conservation Society said the agreement was a compromise, and although it had several good and hard-fought elements, it could have gone further “to truly transform our relationship with nature and stop our destruction of ecosystems, habitats and species”.

The agreement follows days of intense negotiations. On Saturday, ministers made impassioned speeches about the need to agree on clear goals to put nature on a path to recovery by the end of the decade.

The UN Development

Biodiversity includes all living things, big and small, and the way they fit together in a web of life

Programme said the “historic agreement” meant people around the world could hope for real progress to halt biodiversity loss.

Scientists have warned that with forests and grasslands being lost at unprecedented rates and oceans under pressure from pollution, humans are pushing the Earth beyond safe limits.

This includes increasing the

risk of diseases, like SARs CoV2, Ebola and HIV, spilling over from wild animals into human populations.

A key sticking point has been finance. In echoes of the climate summit, COP 27, in Egypt, some countries have been calling for a new fund to be set up to help preserve biodiversity, but this was rejected by others. (BBC)

placenta bank.

Prof Caputo injected the cells directly into Finley’s heart in the hope they would help damaged blood vessels grow.

The so-called “allogeneic” cells were grown by scientists at the Royal Free Hospital in London, and millions of them were injected into Finley’s heart muscle.

Allogeneic cells have the ability to grow into tissue that is not rejected and in Finley’s case, have

Melissa celebrating Christmas with her two-year old Finley

Science & Technology

Met Office forecasts 2023 will be hotter than 2022

NEXT year will be warmer than this one, and one of the hottest on record, the UK Met Office is forecasting.

Predictions suggest it will be the 10th year in a row the global temperature is at least 1C above average.

The Met Office explained that a cooling effect known as La Niña will likely end after being in place for three years - part of a natural weather cycle.

It also noted the warming impact of human-induced climate change.

Scientific evidence shows that climate change is driving up the global temperature.

Governments globally have promised to cut emissions to keep temperature rise below 1.5C to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

The world has already warmed by around 1.1C compared to the period before the Industrial Revolution in 1750-1900 when humans began burning large amounts of fossil fuels, releasing warming gases into the atmosphere.

Temperatures in 2023 are forecast to be between 1.08C and 1.32C above the pre-industrial average.

The warmest year since records

began in 1850 was in 2016, when meteorologists said the weather phenomenon known as El Niño boosted global temperatures.

But the past three years have been affected by another weather pattern called La Niña when coolerthan-average sea temperatures in the Pacific lowered the average global temperature.

That effect is now predicted to end, bringing warmer conditions in parts of the Pacific and leading to the global temperature being warmer than in 2022.

Unlike 2016, it is not expected to be a record-breaking year because El Niño will not be boosting global temperature, explains Prof Adam Scaife, head of long-range prediction at the Met Office.

But some parts of the world such as the Arctic are warming at a faster rate than average.

“Next year the natural and temporary braking effect of La Niña will wane. The full-on gas pedal will invigorate warming over the coming year and continue into the future, along with more severe wet, dry and hot extremes, until policies are in place to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Richard Allan, professor of climate

science at University of Reading told BBC News.

In 2022 temperature records were broken in numerous parts of the world, including in the UK which recorded above 40C.

Devastating wildfires hit parts

Flu nasal spray vaccine for children may reduce strep A risk

A NASAL spray vaccine that protects children against flu may also help protect against strep A infections, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says.

It found that rates of strep A were lower in areas where the vaccine was offered to all primaryage children when it was first being used.

Everyone eligible for a flu vaccine is urged to get one after a sharp rise in hospital admission levels last week.

Children under five and the over-85s are the most vulnerable age groups.

There are unusually high rates of Group A strep infections in the UK at present, including scarlet fever and strep throat. Most are mild and easily treated, often with antibiotics, but occasionally the infection causes serious problems when it becomes invasive.

There have been 18 confirmed deaths of children in the UK with this form of the infection since September - the highest since the winter of 2017-18.

The UKHSA study of data from 2013-17, which is not yet peerreviewed, found that rates of strep infections were lower in areas where the flu vaccine was piloted - 73.5 per 100,000 children aged two to four years old - compared to areas where it was not offered as widely - 93 per 100,000 children.

There was no difference in the number of children reported to have scarlet fever or invasive group A strep (iGAS), however, the analysis said.

Parents of any primary school age children who have missed out on the nasal spray flu vaccine can still get it by contacting their GP surgery, school or local vaccination clinic.

The vaccine is free on the NHS for:

children aged two or three years old on 31 August 2022

all primary school children some secondary school-aged children

children aged two to 17 years with long-term health conditions

This winter, the vaccine is also

being offered to the youngest secondary school aged children in December and January.

“Children who catch influenza are at greater risk from subsequent infections, including group A strep, so these findings provide yet more reasons for parents of eligible children to bring them forward for the flu vaccine,” Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, from UKHSA, said.

FLU SURGE

Hospital admission rates for flu have risen sharply in the past week and have now overtaken admissions for Covid-19 in England, latest figures show.

When compared to the actual number of people in hospital with Covid, the number of patients with flu is relatively small - still below 2,000. But it is the speed of increase that is being watched carefully - up by two-thirds in a week.

The under-fives and over-85s are most likely to become ill with flu, but vaccine take-up is low in young children (less than 40%).

As people mix more indoors than

of Europe and Australia linked to hot weather, and Pakistan and India sweltered with temperatures reaching 51C in May.

In a series of studies scientists concluded that these temperatures were made much more likely by

climate change.

Rising temperatures are predicted to lead to devastating effects on humans and nature, including more drought, desertification and heat-related illness. (BBC)

Children under five and the over-85s are the most vulnerable age groups

in previous years, winter viruses are rising, including flu and Covid, with health officials warning they are expected to continue going up.

Flu, particularly, is putting more people in hospital in England than at any point since the winter of 2017-18, when there was a large wave.

Admission rates have doubled in the over-85s and children under five years old in the past week, says the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) latest weekly

winter briefing - increasing to 6.8 per 100,000 people overall.

While most older adults are getting jabbed against flu, fewer than a third of pregnant women and fewer than half of the extremely vulnerable under-65s have had a flu vaccine.

“The flu vaccine offers the best protection against severe illness and it’s not too late for everyone eligible to get it,” said Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA. (BBC)

Predictions suggest it will be the 10th year in a row the global temperature is at least 1C above average

Science & Technology

Over 80% of adults don’t meet US strength guidelines

There are more than 600 muscles in the human body, and it’s impossible to strengthen each and every one. Yet there are plenty whose power you can enhance, and doing so is key to enjoying a healthy, active life.

Strong muscles help combat diabetes, boost cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and mental health, and reduce mortality, research has shown. They’re also crucial to the wellness of older people, whose muscles atrophy with age.

That’s why adults should perform muscle-strengthening exercises involving all major muscle groups on two or more days each week, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ physical activity guidelines for Americans. (This is in addition to exercising at least 2 hours and 30 minutes per week at a moderate intensity.)

Unfortunately, more than 80% of adults aren’t meeting the federal government’s muscle-strengthening guidelines. In addition, those who are strength-training tend to work the same well-known muscles, such as the biceps, triceps, hamstrings and quads.

While that can be a great start, there are several often-overlooked muscles that, if strengthened, may help avert some common injuries and pains. Here are five of them, with recommended exercises to incorporate into workouts.

GLUTES

The gluteal muscles form the buttocks area and assist with everyday activities. “Gluteal muscles help give us good support and stability with walking, stair-

Don’t forget these muscles

which helps power arm and shoulder movements. Since the shoulder is the body’s most mobile joint, it’s easy to injure through misuse or overuse. People susceptible to rotator cuff injuries are those who play a lot of baseball or tennis, or those with jobs requiring repetitive overhead motions, such as construction workers.

climbing and going from sitting to standing,” said Amy Koch, physical therapy clinic manager at Methodist Physicians Clinic in Omaha, Nebraska.

Strong glutes can also help reduce back pain, Koch said, since they assist with pelvic, hip and trunk motions.

By developing pelvic stability, these muscles also can help prevent knee pain, as an unstable pelvis can result in more force on the knee. Conversely, weak glutes can lead to chronic lower-back pain, which can progress to degenerative disc disease.

Glute bridge: Lay on your back with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides. Press your heels into the ground as you lift your rear into the air. Squeeze your butt cheeks and hold for two seconds, then slowly lower back down.

OBLIQUES

Part of your core, the obliques are muscles on your side or waist that attach to the spine. They assist in

bending and turning your body from side to side, and are instrumental to good spinal alignment and stability. Ignore your obliques, and you may develop back and hip issues.

“Most people think about working on their six-pack, but the obliques are really important, too, because they’re a complete stabilizer for your body,” said Cat Kom, a certified personal trainer and founder of Studio SWEAT and Studio SWEAT onDemand in San Diego.

Bird dog crunch: Kneel on all fours. Stretch out your right arm and left leg, keeping your abs tight. Return to all fours, then switch sides.

GRIP STRENGTH

Having a firm grip allows you to lift and carry things more easily, and assists with many everyday activities — opening a jar or holding a racquet, for example. If your normal activities don’t require a lot of lifting and carrying, your grip can weaken over time. It can also be negatively affected

by hand, wrist, shoulder or neck injuries, said Zach Webster, a physical therapist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

Poor grip strength can reduce the amount of weight you can carry, and how long you can hold it. It can even affect your fine motor skills.

“People come in and say they’re having trouble putting on a dress shirt or bra, or they’re dropping things more often, because they don’t have the ability to sustain their grip,” Webster said of his patients. “Luckily, you can get a ton of good grip strengthening work just by picking something heavy up and walking with it.”

Farmer’s carry: Grab a dumbbell in each hand and, with your hands hanging down at your sides, stand tall and walk at least 10 steps in a straight line.

ROTATOR CUFF

The four muscles surrounding the shoulder joint form the rotator cuff,

Baby’s life ‘probably saved’ by umbilical stem ...

regenerated damaged heart muscle.

“We weaned him from all the drugs he was on, we weaned him from ventilation,” said Prof Caputo.

“He was discharged from ITU and is now a happy growing little boy.”

Using a bio-printer, a stem cell scaffold is made to repair abnormalities to valves in blood vessels, and to mend holes between the two main pumping chambers of the heart.

Artificial tissue is normally used used on babies for cardiac repairs, but it can fail and it does not grow with the heart, so as the children grow, they require more operations.

Prof Caputo hopes a clinical trial on the patches will happen in the next two years, after successful laboratory work.

The trial of the stem cell plasters offers

hope for patients like Louie from Wales, who has a number of congenital heart defects.

The 13-year-old from Cardiff had his first open heart surgery with Prof Caputo at just two weeks’ old and then again aged four to replace the material fixing his heart.

But because the materials are not completely biological, they are unable to grow with him and he needs repeat operations.

Like Louie, every day in the UK, around 13 babies are diagnosed with a congenital heart defect - a heart condition that develops before the baby is born, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Because the materials used to fix the heart can be rejected by the patient’s immune system, they can cause scarring in the heart

that can lead to other complications, and can gradually break down and fail in just a few months or years.

A child might therefore have to go through the same heart operation multiple times throughout its childhood - around 200 repeat operations for congenital heart defects are carried out every year in the UK.

Louie hopes the breakthrough means the number of operations he faces will be significantly reduced thanks to the stem cell technology and tissues able to grow with his body.

“I don’t like having the procedures,” he said.

“It’s not good in the long term, knowing every couple of years I need an operation so that would make me a lot more relaxed.”

Standing row: Take an elastic band with a 3-foot loop and attach the loop to a doorknob or other stable object. Hold the band with your elbow bent and at your side. Slowly pull your elbow back, keeping your arm close to your side, then return to the start position.

POSTERIOR DELTS

The posterior deltoids, or delts, are tucked under the back of your shoulders and help maintain an upright posture. They’re also directly opposite the pectoralis muscles in your chest. Many people work their pecs but ignore their posterior delts, Kom said, which can lead to a muscle imbalance, injury and a hunched posture.

“We spend so much time driving, at our computers and doing things in that hunchedover position, which shortens the anterior delts and pecs in the front of the body,” Kom said. “So it’s important to lengthen them, and a great way to do that is to strengthen the posterior delts and trapezoids.”

Seated dumbbell rear fly: Holding a dumbbell in each hand, sit down and lean forward. Remain in the forward position as you raise your arms up to shoulder height, then slowly lower back down. (CNN)

Prof Caputo and his team say the stem cell technology could save the NHS an estimated £30,000 for every operation no longer needed, saving millions of pounds each year.

Dr Stephen Minger, an expert in stem cell biology and director of SLM Blue Skies Innovations Ltd, applauded the research.

He said: “Most studies that I am aware of in adults with heart dysfunction or failure show only minimal therapeutic benefit with stem cell infusion.

“I’m happy that the clinical team will go on to do a standard clinical trial which should tell us if this was a ‘oneoff’ success and also give us some better understanding of mechanisms behind this.” (BBC)

The bird dog crunch works the obliques, core muscles on your side or waist

Messi leads Argentina to glory - is he now football’s greatest?

LIONEL Messi strode alone into a single spotlight amid the darkness at Lusail Stadium to finally take possession of the one prize that has remained painfully out of reach throughout his silver-lined career.

The 35-year-old Argentina maestro rubbed his hands together in glorious anticipation of his crowning glory, donning the traditional Arab robe known as a bisht, before finally lifting the World Cup to the sky amid an explosion of flashlights and pyrotechnics.

Messi had achieved his dream. The gap in his glittering collection had been filled - the set complete after arguably the most spectacular World Cup final in history, a game for the ages that tore at the emotions and played havoc with the pulse rates before Argentina’s icon reached his summit.

He can now add the World Cup to seven Ballons d’Or, four Champions Leagues, one Copa America, 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona and a Ligue 1 crown in France with Paris St-Germain.

This was the one. This was the trophy that Messi’s millions of advocates will now use as ‘Exhibit A’ in their argument that he is the greatest to have played the game.

This is a trophy, almost 15 inches of solid gold, that will now have many saying Messi is the greatest - and those with a counterargument will have an added degree of difficulty presenting their case.

Comparisons are expanded over generations, which adds a different frame to all the arguments, but noone can now deny Messi belongs in the same pantheon as Pele and another whose image was across many Argentina banners at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

Inevitably, Diego Maradona, his legendary predecessor in Argentina’s number 10 shirt, had a forceful case for the best. The point of difference was always his World Cup triumph in Mexico 36 years ago - a triumph Messi did not have. It has now been removed.

Messi will always be in any conversation about the greatest, and the fact he now has the biggest honour the global game has to offer makes for a more powerful discussion as to his merits.

How do you even begin to tell the tale of how Messi reached his pinnacle? How do you recount events that eventually led to Argentina’s World Cup win and the climax of a tournament that will have the name Lionel Messi attached to it forever?

Messi should have known, given his history of World Cup heartache and disappointment stretching back to 2006 and including a losing final to Germany at Rio’s Maracana in 2014, that this was an honour which would not be won easily.

The fact that this spectacular night at Lusail Stadium contained so much suffering before Argentina and Messi hit the heights of their third World Cup win may make it even sweeter.

And it was all done in the face of brilliance from the 23-year-old who will, if he is not there already, join Messi in any debate about the sport’s true elite in years to come: France’s Kylian Mbappe.

France appeared to be rolling out the red carpet for Messi’s coronation as they barely threatened for 80 minutes. Lusail was Messi’s playground as he scored Argentina’s opener from the penalty spot, making him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, round

of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single tournament.

Messi then helped to create Angel di Maria’s second, the game taking a routine course with celebrations started among Argentina fans until the muchanticipated battle with Mbappe was joined in stunning fashion.

Mbappe pulled one back from the spot with 10 minutes left, then fired in a brilliant volley seconds later. Messi’s smile that stretched across the giant screens in each corner of the stadium was one of “not again” disbelief.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni pulled off a masterstroke of selection with the inclusion of 34-year-old Di Maria, who ran Jules Kounde ragged, but then appeared to give way to fatal conservatism by taking him off with his side on top after 64 minutes for the workmanlike Marcos Acuna.

Messi, of course, pulled Argentina round with his second in extra time but France, revived from the earlier mediocrity, were level again through Mbappe’s penalty.

In an atmosphere of near hysteria, Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved with his foot from Randal Kolo Muani with the World Cup at his mercy in the closing seconds, although there was still time for Lautaro Martinez to head wide of an unguarded goal at the other end.

To say extra time was highly charged would be an understatement, with some fans even tearing their gaze away from the action, such was the unbearable tension.

Magnificently stressful, it went to penalties which Argentina won 4-2, a painful way to settle a game that will now be talked about whenever the World Cup is discussed.

When Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive kick, Messi slumped to his knees in tears in the centre circle, arms raised to the heavens before he was buried under an avalanche of light blue and white striped shirts.

He then claimed a microphone to address Argentina’s supporters amid scenes of celebratory mayhem.

Messi picked up the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, the first player to win it twice since it was introduced in 1982, after also winning the honour in 2014.

He has now been involved in 21 goals for Argentina at World Cups13 goals and eight assists, the most by any player for any nation. The goals in this World Cup final give him 793 in his career. He was also the first player to score in every round in the same men’s World Cup tournament.

There was one statistic that mattered above all others on this night: Messi was a World Cup

winner - at last.

He sat astride the figure-of-eight stage on which he had received the World Cup with his team, basking in the fact he can at last fill that one space in his trophy cabinet. It was a stage later filled with friends and family of the Argentina squad, their country now back on top of the football world for the first time since 1986.

Argentina’s supporters stayed in their seats for well over an hour, going through the songbook that has been the soundtrack to their World Cup campaign, paying homage to the man they counted on. The man who had delivered.

The seismic shock of that opening loss to Saudi Arabia seemed an age away. It was Messi who got Argentina’s World Cup into gear with a brilliant goal against Mexico and he was unstoppable as he carried it through to the finish.

Messi had the golden trophy in his hands. It was mission accomplished - a mission stretching back more than 16 years to when he came on as a scoring substitute in a 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro in Germany.

The final chapter of Messi’s World Cup story was a thriller from first to last against France, with the plot taking so many twists. It delivered the perfect ending on a never to be forgotten night in Qatar.

PLAYERS who have signed up to the controversial LIV Golf circuit will be allowed to play at the 2023 Masters, Augusta officials have confirmed.

LIV players, which include previous Masters champions Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, have been suspended indefinitely from the PGA Tour.

But Masters chairman Fred Ridley said the event’s focus was to bring together “a preeminent

field of golfers”.

He said: “We will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete.”

The 87th Masters will take place at Augusta National in the United States from 6-9 April.

American Scottie Scheffler won the iconic Green Jacket this year, finishing three shots clear of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. They are players who have both been vocal in their support of the

PGA Tour.

The emergence of LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed breakaway tour offering huge sums of money to players, has caused deep divisions in the sport.

Fronted by Australian former world number one Greg Norman, the project has promised to shake up the golfing landscape and has lured some of the biggest names in men’s golf.

Lionel Messi achieved his dream with the World Cup win

Former Masters champion Phil Mickelson will compete in the prestigious tournament

Millions on the ground as Argentine stars Messi and De Paul fly in helicopter over parade

Argentine national football team stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, along with coach Lionel Scaloni, were forced to fly in a helicopter over the centre of Buenos Aires after their bus got stuck in the massive crowds gathered to watch the parade celebrating the country’s World Cup victory, Argentine federal police said on Tuesday.

A bus carrying the entire team departed from the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) headquarters and was set to head to the Obelisk, a historic monument in the capital.

However, the bus was not able to progress due to crowds gathered on the streets, Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association said on Tuesday.

“They won’t let us go to greet all the people who were at the Obelisk, the same security agencies that escorted us, won’t allow us to move forward,” Tapia said.

“A thousand apologies on behalf of all the champion players.”

The players were flown over the

Obelisk and other areas and then flown back to the AFA training site in Ezeiza, outside of Buenos Aires, police said.

State-owned Télam news agency reported that four million people came out to see the parade in Buenos Aires, citing police.

According to Argentine outlet InfoFunes, Messi and Ángel Di María flew back to their districts in their native city of Rosario, Sante Fe province, by helicopter after arriving by plane to Rosario’s local airport.

Messi eventually arrived at his house by car to be greeted by a huge crowd of fans celebrating his triumphant return, chanting “Dale Campeón, Dale Campeón” – “Let’s go champion.”

Fellow Santa Fe natives Scaloni and forward Ángel Correa also flew back, but InfoFunes reported this was via a late airplane flight.

Tuesday had been declared a national holiday in Argentina following the team’s thrilling penalty shootout victory over France in Qatar on Sunday.

The team’s highly-anticipated

return continues several days of celebration across the country, following Argentina’s World Cup success

Superstars Messi and Kylian Mbappé faced off on the pitch, in what has widely been called the greatest World Cup final of all time.

Mbappé was defending France’s 2018 win at the tournament in Russia, while 35-year-old Messi was playing in what may be his final World Cup match, looking to claim the trophy which had eluded him for so long.

Argentina took an early lead in the first half through a Messi penalty and a wonderful counterattacking goal from Di Maria, before France roared back in the second half with two Mbappé goals that forced the match into extra time.

Messi scored his second goal of the match to restore his team’s lead – but Mbappé netted a second penalty to grab his hat-trick and take the final to a penalty shootout, which ended with triumph for Argentina after France missed two of its spot kicks. (BBC)

Lionel Messi World Cup Instagram post is most-liked ever

A gallery of Lionel Messi celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win has become the most-liked Instagram post ever.

Hours after posting it, the footballer received more than 65 million likes - and the number is constantly rising.

Argentina defeated France on penalties in Sunday’s final in Qatar - their first World Cup triumph in 36 years.

Messi’s Instagram post scored over millions more likes than the previous record-breaking postheld by a simple picture of an egg.

WAIT, WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT AN EGG?

The previous holder of the mostliked status was indeed an egg.

When it first appeared it seemed to be some kind of protest vote against celebrity - people were urged to engage with the picture in the hope of toppling the thenrecord holder, Kylie Jenner.

The make-up mogul previously took the record for her 2018 photo announcing her baby Stormi, which has since collected 18 million likes.

Jenner was the first woman to get 300 million followers on the social media site - a milestone also achieved by Messi.

BUT THAT STILL DOESN’T EXPLAIN THE EGG

There was a lot of speculation about

who was behind the @world_ record_egg Instagram account and how it managed to attract so many likes so quickly.

Some said it was a marketing ploy from a large company that had bought followers - but British advertising executive Chris Godfrey has since claimed he created it, along with two others, and that their sole purpose was to get as many likes as possible.

But while the egg overtook Jenner’s record - 57 million and counting - it has finally been surpassed by a rival with several world records in his own right: Lionel Messi.

After the World Cup final, Guinness World Records posted a series of records broken by the victor, noting Messi had surpassed Germany’s Lothar Matthäus for the record of most World Cup matches played, with 26 - as well as four other records:

· 11 - most World Cup Man of the Match awards

19 - most World Cup appearances as captain 5 - most appearances in World Cup tournaments by a male player

First person to assist (a goal) at five different World Cups With the success of his latest gallery on Instagram, Messi has yet another record to add to his collection. (BBC)

Billionaire Mat Ishbia is closing in on a deal for the Phoenix Suns and Mercury in an agreement that will value the franchises at $4bn (£3.3bn).

Mortgage executive Ishbia has made a deal in principle with Robert Sarver, who is selling after being suspended for racist and sexist behaviour.

“Both teams have an incredibly dynamic fanbase. I have loved experiencing the energy of the Valley,” said Ishbia.

The deal would be a record for the purchase of an NBA team.

Ishbia’s investment in a controlling stake in the Suns and WNBA side the Mercury values

the franchise at $4bn, more than the $3.3bn price tag that Joe Tsai’s deal put on the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center in 2019.

Ishbia played college basketball at Michigan State and was a fringe player in the team’s NCAA Championship win under the longserving coach Tom Izzo in 2000.

Local media reported that four million people took to the streets in Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup victory

Hours after posting it, the footballer received more than 65 million likes - and the number is constantly rising

The Suns are currently fourth in the Western Conference after losing out to the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference semi-finals last year

England in Pakistan: Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum restore joy to Test cricket

IT stands to reason that you are more likely to be good at something if you enjoy doing it.

Going to work, doing the garden, learning the whamola. You get the idea.

For a long time, the only thing less enjoyable than playing for the England Test team was watching them.

Not so much shutting the curtains if they were playing in the backyard, but asking the police to escort them away and taking out a restraining order so they could never again set foot in the same county.

The transformation under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum is absolute not only in terms of results - nine wins in 10 Tests capped with a historic 3-0 victory in Pakistanbut the restoration of joy to every aspect of England’s Test cricket.

New Zealander McCullum is a man who always looks like he is a having a good time, but Stokes knows what it is to struggle - it was only 14 months ago that he ended a hiatus from the game.

“Very early on in the summer, I tried to describe to the lads that we’re in the entertainment business,” said Stokes.

“Go out and entertain the people who watch us. Try to make every day of a Test as entertaining and watchable as we can. Enjoy the moment.”

All of which is a perfectly reasonable aim, but much harder to put into practice.

Professional athletes are often wracked with self-doubt. It is a rare career where you know that there is always someone out there looking to pinch your place in the team, or squad, and essentially take your job.

Keith Miller, all-rounder in Don Bradman’s Invincibles and a World War II pilot, once said pressure is a Messerschmitt on your tail“playing cricket is not”.

Pressure, though, can be allconsuming for a cricketer and often comes from within.

It is perhaps, therefore, the removal of pressure that is key to the success of the StokesMcCullum regime.

After the innings defeat inside three days by South Africa in the first Test at Lord’s, England’s only loss under the Ben-Baz axis, Stokes returned to the dressing room, unsure what to say.

“The lads were a little bit down,” he recalled. “The first thing I said was ‘right lads, put your hand up if you want to play golf’.

“They were looking at each other. I’ll never forget the relief on their faces, because they were wondering what would be said after we’d been beaten so badly. That lifted the weight off shoulders.”

Pressure taken away, fun added.

Venus Williams given Australian Open wildcard

VENUS Williams has been awarded a wildcard to compete in January’s Australian Open at the age of 42.

The American will be back in Melbourne 25 years after her debut in the tournament, which begins on 16 January.

Williams won just three matches in 13 tournaments last season but is yet to show any inclination to follow her sister Serena into retirement.

A seven-time Grand Slam champion in singles, she was beaten in the Australian Open final in 2003 and 2017.

“I am very excited to be returning to Melbourne. It will be an honour to play for the fans again,” said Williams, who has won five doubles titles in Melbourne.

“I’ve been competing in the

country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly.

“I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”

Williams is ranked 1,007th in the world and her last competitive singles match was a firstround defeat at the US Open in August, having played just four tournaments in 2022.

The Grand Slam in New York was the last for Williams’ sister Serena, who announced she was “evolving away” from tennis before the tournament.

Nine-time champion Novak Djokovic is also set to compete in Melbourne - a year after being deported from Australia because of his Covid-19 vaccination status.

Training can include a penalty shootout, or a game where a helmeted coach tries to head a tennis ball dropping from orbit. McCullum’s questionable taste in music is often the soundtrack to a net session.

The day before the final Test in Karachi, the squad held a sixhitting contest, North v South, then Stokes v McCullum. The coach’s victory meant the captain had to serve dinner to Harry Brook that night.

In the build-up to the Pakistan

series, England went to the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, before the tour of New Zealand in February they will meet for a holiday in Queenstown. McCullum says he is looking forward to showing the team around his homeland, probably with a glass of red in his hand.

If this sounds like the world’s longest stag do, it is all part of a wider plan to keep the players as relaxed as possible so they are in a better position to perform at the peak of their powers.

There is a time for business, too. Practice sessions, often optional, are targeted and tailored so not a moment is wasted.

“I feel in cricket that a lot of training sessions are for the sake of it and you don’t get much out of it,” said Stokes.

“You just go there because it’s the thing to be seen to do. There has to be an outcome for that effort, not turning up, rolling your arm over, having a bat for 30 mins but not getting anything out of it and not improving as a player.”

Meanwhile, 17-year-old British player Ben Bartram has been given a Australian Open men’s wheelchair wildcard after

being named the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Junior Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year.

(BBC)

Venus Williams will compete in her 22nd Australian Open in January

Bartram has won six senior titles since June and will join Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid in the tournament.

England have won nine out of 10 Tests since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took charge

Scott motivated after finishing fifth at Olympia

TCI’s top bodybuilder Denique Scott finished fifth at the prestigious Joe Weider’s Olympia Amateur in Las Vegas and although he is still chasing the illustrious pro-card he is humbled with his placement.

The 31-year-old attended his first US competition after years of competing in Canada. He said that the event, which attracted the best Mr Physique amateurs across the globe proved to be

very competitive with a stacked field of 21 competitors.

“The judges gave a really good look that I’m grateful for but it wasn’t enough to knock off the four guys placing ahead of me. All in all, I’m very pleased with that outcome.”

Moving forward, the former athlete said that he intends to relax for the holiday and compete again next year.

“Downtime and chill with the

family for the holidays and then it’s right back to improvement.

As for competitions - I’ll select another Pro Qualifier mid-late next year and make another attempt.

“I can consider myself the fifth best in the world right now for my category. Just need to keep improving and continue the upward trajectory.

“The Pro Status will come, it’s just a matter of time now.”

Man Utd trigger contract extensions for Diogo

Dalot, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford & Fred

MANCHESTER United have triggered one-year contract extensions for a quartet of firstteam players, including England striker Marcus Rashford.

Negotiations continue with goalkeeper David de Gea, whose deal will expire at the end of the season.

Last week, manager Erik ten Hag said United would be triggering options for Rashford, England’s Luke Shaw, Portugal defender Diogo Dalot and Brazil’s Fred.

All four players would have been free to leave Old Trafford in June.

However, 32-year-old De Gea’s case is different.

If United triggered an extension,

it would be on the £375,000-a-week salary the club committed to when they last extended De Gea’s contract in 2019, when he became the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.

The option for a shorter contract on reduced terms for the Spaniard has been raised.

Without an agreement by 1 January, De Gea, who earlier this season became the 11th player to make 500 appearances for United, will be able to agree pre-contract terms with an overseas club.

Rashford, 25, has enjoyed an uplift in form under Ten Hag, earning a recall to the England squad and finishing the World Cup as his country’s top scorer.

ANDY Murray says he is one “big injury” away from calling time on his career, but that he is currently in the best shape he has been in for some time.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, 35, had hip surgery in 2018 and 2019.

And, while 2022 has been disappointing, a training block with coach Ivan Lendl in Florida

has convinced him he is fit enough to compete at the top level.

“If my body is in good shape and I’m still able to compete consistently, I’ll keep playing,” Murray said.

“But I can’t look so far in advance with the age I’m at and with the issues I’ve had. If I was to have a big injury, I probably wouldn’t try to come back from that.”

Denique Scott finished fifth at the prestigious

(left to right) Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Fred will all remain at Old Trafford beyond next summer

Andy Murray: Scot in good shape but wary of one ‘big injury’ ending career

Williams returns home, starts working at Sports Commission

– Wants to make an impact

TCI’s top sprinter Delano Williams has not given up on his athletics dreams, but he is transitioning to create the next generation of athletes in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

After a 14-year stint in Jamaica, the national 100M and 200M record holder has opted to return full-time to the TCI to give back to athletics and he is doing so with his Munro College colleague Angelo Garland, who was the former fastest Turks and Caicos Islander in the 400M (a feat now held by Colby Jennings).

For Williams, the decision to come home is all about giving back.

The poster boy of TCI sport could have opted for a more senior position, he does have several accolades under his belt, including that of being TCI’s first Olympian, but he has since started as a Sports Performance Apprentice.

That position sees him working with Garland to enable young athletes to perform at their maximum.

“What we deal with is the strength and conditioning and the fitness of the athletes.

“I wanted to come home to make an impact on the Sports Commission, on the sports performance side…The sports performance department is picking up really, really good, we are training about 200 athletes per week…I’m happy to be here, I love

my job.”

Currently, the department trains athletes from Clement Howell High School, British West Indies Collegiate, and Wesley Methodist among others.

He is however hoping to get more schools involved.

on

sport in the TCI

SETTLING IN

The Grand Turk native who turns 29 on Friday, is still navigating around finding an apartment in Provo and getting his stuff from Jamaica, but he is loving his time back home and the ability to give back to the younger generation.

Although his national sprint records were made almost a decade ago (March 2013) before he switched allegiance, the seasoned sprinter is still the fastest Turks Islander and he is not giving up on his athletic career just yet.

Balancing work and training would not be an easy task, but he still has dreams of making it to the big stage again.

The former World Junior Champion 200M gold medallist, who competes for Britain, noted that he nevertheless has the drive needed.

Williams noted that the objective is to reach all athletes in the TCI.

“We want to reach the other islands as well…so that me and Angelo can go to different islands so we can share our expertise because we want every school to be on the same playing field.”

He said that he intends to still train professionally, but has scaled it back to approximately three times per week because of his 9-5 job.

Williams is hoping that his apprentice position can transition into something long-term in the near future and he can continue to give back to his home nation.

Delano Williams is a working man giving back to his native TCI

Although he trained and studied in Jamaica for some 14 years, Williams has always been giving back to the TCI

As a youngster, Williams set several records, including the national 100M (10.28s) and 200M (20.27s), which have never been broken.