TCWN February 4 - 10, 2023

Hon Jameka Williams said: "I am fearful for the TCI that should this illegal migrant issue continues to be left unchecked, in about five years we will have a TCI we all do not recognise..."

Convicted killer Malik Cox loses appeal at Privy Council

BY DELANA ISLES

One of the Versace club shooters, Malik Cox, has once again been denied his freedom for the murder of Andreika Stubbs on March 23, 2018, this time by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

The appeal was heard on December 12, 2022, before Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lord Sales, Lord Hamblen, Lord Burrows and Lord Stephens in London.

Representing Cox at the hearing were King’s Counsel Siobhan Grey and Lara Maroof instructed by Simons Muirhead & Burton LLP.

The Crown was represented by King’s Counsel Andrew Mitchell and Eugene Otuonye, and attorney Tamika Grant.

The appeal was dismissed on several grounds with the court affirming the decision of trial judge Shiraz Aziz.

The appellate board concluded that this is not an exceptional case where it should depart from the decisions of the trial judge and the Court of Appeal.

The judgement stated: “The conclusions of Justice Aziz in respect of the evidence of Anthony Francis (Ground 1) and

Tyrone Smith (Ground 2) were reasonable and were supported on the evidence and there has been no wrong decision on a point of law and no miscarriage of justice.

“The Court of Appeal was therefore entitled to uphold the decision of Justice Aziz.”

The Privy Council outlined that there are three general features of the case that are worthy of mention as supporting the decisions of the lower courts.

“First, there was no evidence at all put forward by the defence. Malik Cox gave a ‘no comment’ interview and chose not to give evidence at trial.

“Secondly, the evidence of the prosecution’s witnesses at trial was consistent as between one another. In contrast to some trials, there was no conflict within the prosecution evidence given at trial.

“Thirdly, Justice Aziz decided that both Anthony Francis and Tyrone Smith were credible and reliable witnesses independent of each other.

“Even if the Board had decided (contrary to what we have actually decided) that Justice Aziz’s assessment had been unreasonable in respect of one of those two

witnesses, there would still have been the evidence of the other which in itself, alongside the other evidence in the case, would have been sufficient to convict Malik Cox.”

Life Sentence Affirmed

On December 12, 2018, Cox was convicted and sentenced in a judge-alone trial. Cox’s trial was the second one tried under the Trial Without a Jury Ordinance.

The facts of the case are that on March 23, 2018, he and another man, Anthony Francis were at the Versace Club along Leeward Highway, Providenciales when they opened fire on a crowd of people.

Andreika Stubbs-Saintelmon was fatally shot, and a second

victim, Tyrone Smith – who was 17 years old at the time, was injured. Smith was reportedly the intended target.

Both Cox and Francis were initially charged with Stubbs’ murder and the shooting of the teenager.

However, Cox’s co-accused testified against him, providing much of the evidence that convicted him at trial.

A subsequent appeal to the appellate court was dismissed, and Cox took his case to the Privy Council on two grounds which focused on the evidence of the two main witnesses for the prosecution, Anthony Francis and Tyrone Smith.

Those two grounds were that

one, the Court of Appeal erred in concluding that the trial judge was entitled to find that Anthony Francis was a credible and reliable witness for the prosecution and/or that the trial judge’s conclusions in that regard were reasonable having regard to the undertaking agreed by Anthony Francis prior to him providing the police with his first witness statement on May 4, 2018.

“And ground two, that the Court of Appeal erred in concluding that the trial judge was entitled to find that Tyrone Smith was a credible and reliable witness and/or that the trial judge’s conclusions in that regard were reasonable.”

Cox will serve the mandatory 30-year life sentence before he has a chance at parole.

UK veteran detective heads up crime unit in RTCIPF

Veteran detective, Dean Holden of the United Kingdom was sworn in this week to head the Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit of the Royal TCI Police Force.

The highly decorated officer officially assumed the role of superintendent of the unit on Wednesday, February 1.

Superintendent Holden is a former detective chief superintendent who joined the Lancashire Constabulary in 1994 and became a detective in 1999.

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During his detective career, Holden worked within the counterterrorism branch, intelligence and an external secondment to the national crime squad.

As a senior detective, Holden worked within a basic command unit and specialised in the force's major incident team, public protection unit and the Northwest regional organised crime unit (ROCU).

He has led numerous major investigations, including highprofile cases such as the Sophie Lancaster ‘Goth’ Murder in Bacup in 2007, the domestic murder of

Convicted murderer Malik Cox Deceased Andreika Stubbs-Saintelmon

Superintendent Dean Holden is sworn in by Commissioner of Police, Trevor Botting (RTCIPF photo)

a local Chorley solicitor David Edwards in 2015 and the murder of toddler Daisy Mae Burrill in Fleetwood in 2016.

Superintendent Holden transferred to Cumbria

Constabulary in June 2017, as the director of intelligence (superintendent) and took up the role of detective chief superintendent and head of crime in March 2018.

represent the people of the TCI most especially the voiceless.”

She acknowledged that the problem has been festering for many years and that everyone contributed to it.

Govt member calls for discontinuation of TCI relations with Haiti – Says ‘too many of them, not enough of us’

BY DELANA ISLES

Government-appointed member, Hon Jameka Williams has called on the government to discontinue its relationship with Haiti until some stability returns to the neighbouring country.

In a two-minute speech delivered in the House of Assembly last Thursday, January 26, Williams recalled the upsurge of violence in the country since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021.

Reference was also made to the effects of devastating hurricanes which have left many in extreme poverty.

She said while the Turks and Caicos Islands has for years relied on Haitians for its unskilled labour, a relationship that spans decades, the TCI is too small a nation to concern itself with the hardships of Haiti.

Williams was mainly concerned with the increased number of persons – Haitians in particular – in the territory who do not “look like her”, saying that she is not racist.

“In recent years there are too

many people, particularly on the island of Providenciales that does not look like me. We can barely recognise anyone anymore.”

The member complained that when she goes about her daily life – from the grocery store to the bank, the airport and even the hospital – “it’s too much of them and not enough of us”.

She is concerned that Haitians have dominated the TCI’s workforce, its schools and social programmes geared at protecting and empowering Turks and Caicos Islanders.

“I am fearful for the TCI that should this illegal migrant issue continues to be left unchecked, in about five years we will have a TCI we all do not recognise; and so to this end, I think it is time for us to discontinue our relationship with Haiti until there is some level of normalcy in Haiti with its government and the island on a whole.”

The member emphasised that it is not only Haitians who are saturating the islands, other nationalities are ‘flying under the radar, and milking this country of

all its benefits”.

She said: “They are in the Caucasian and Asian communities, involved in the sale of our real estate, dominating the water sports industry and Villa markets, doing the catering and property management and they are grossly offensive and disrespectful to our people. Who are we building this country for?”

Williams bemoaned the exodus

of native Islanders to places like the US and the UK because they feel there is no real opportunity for them in their own home.

She claims that there are too many restrictions on Islanders and fewer on outsiders.

Not racist: “I’m not a racist nor am I discriminating against any nationality but this is still the Turks and Caicos Islands and I was sent here to this honourable house to

Williams noted that while there are measures the government has put in place to stem the illegal migration problem, she wants the people who sit on the National Security Council to urgently intervene and help save this country for native Islanders.

Her speech comes just two weeks after the government announced a moratorium on visas for Haitian nationals.

The reasons for the moratorium were due to an increased number of irregular migrants attempting to enter TCI over the last year illegally and clandestinely; the upsurge in violent crimes in Haiti and in the TCI. The number of persons repatriated and deported to Haiti recently; the rise in communicable and infectious diseases in Haiti (cholera etc.); hiring of illegal immigrants and persons not authorised to work in the TCI by unscrupulous employers; and a noticeable propensity of persons arriving in the islands who are violating the terms of their visitor’s visa by overstaying and engaging in gainful occupation.

The moratorium will be in effect for six months.

Eighteen police recruits to be trained in Grand Bahama

Eighteen locally hired recruits of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (ten males and eight females) will undergo training in Freeport, Grand Bahama from Friday, February 3, 2023.

The initial police training programme consists of 22 weeks of training and lectures.

Topics to be covered include; laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands, criminal investigations, patrol procedures, self-defence, traffic control, firearms, physicals, precision drills, and driving skills.

Accompanying the recruits will be Inspector Delton Robinson, a seasoned investigator with over 16 years of policing experience in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a statement from the police revealed.

Speaking with the recruits ahead of their departure, Training Manager Mrs Odessa Forbes encouraged them to remain focused as they prepare to start their professional careers in the force.

She said: “Set goals on what you wish to accomplish both personal and those that will benefit the organisation on your return.

“Identify what needs to be done and prepare yourself mentally to achieve those goals. Support each other and in times of need, be there for each other…and in times of need lend your colleague/s a helping hand. No officer should be left behind, even if you have to push him over the finish line. You are representing yourselves, the RTCIPF and the TCI”.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Rodney Adams, in a brief address, called on the recruits to always give their best.

“Upon completion of your training, you return to the TCI to serve the people to the best of your ability”.

Human Resource Manager Rex Swann, Sgt Kevin Clarke and Inspector Robinson also wished the recruits well on their training.

Jameka Williams, government-appointed member in the House of Assembly

RTCIPF recruits to undergo

THE ISLANDER STATUS CASE

This week, Former Chief Minister Hon Oswald Skippings - a current member of the TCI Status Commission responded to court filings by attorney Tim Prudhoe on behalf of several expatriates whose applications for TC Islander status were denied by the commission. Records show that the applicants - who have resided in the Islands for a number of years - had initially applied for TCI status some six years ago; applications that were denied last year.

In court documents - which the Sun Newspaper reported on last week - Prudhoe asked the court to “quash the decision of the commission as it relates to each of them and as contained in the rejection letters. They are also seeking an order quashing the appointments of the commission members and an order mandating that a reconstituted commission reconsiders their application for TC Islander Status; or in the alternative, an order quashing the Turks and Caicos Islanders Status Ordinance as being inconsistent with the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution."

The members of the Status Commission are Herbert Been, Algernon Dean, Dozzlie Delancy, Benson Harvey and Oswald Skippings. What are your thoughts?

Put persons of heritage first

Turks and Caicos Status ought to be expanded for persons of HERITAGE. That is to say, persons who can trace their ancestry prior to 1950, should automatically be granted Turks and Caicos Island Status.

Turks and Caicos Status obtained as a grant of the law should have a limit of 75 per year.

Indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders by Heritage should have more benefits in this country than BOTC and Belongers who were bestowed this right.

The Board listed appeared to be staunch opposition members.

The abused becomes the abuser

People who have historically been discriminated against should not themselves discriminate. But, psychiatrists and psychologists inform us that the abused tend to turn out to be themselves the abusers.

We are already outnumbered

First of all, we need to stop issuing Belonger Status and issue residence permits with strict guidelines. Once someone would have gained STATUS, there is no real separation on what should be restricted or granted to Indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders. IT HAS TO STOP!!! We are already outnumbered.

Not because someone may have a lot of money or high social status, means that they are entitled.

I stand by the decisions that were made.

Lion in the winter

There are many times in history when leaders must come back from the “cold” to take the lead and the mantle to “rescue a nation and a people from sudden destruction”. These are of those epochal times when men like the Hon Oswald Skippings, former Chief Minister and a founding member of the nationalism movement in the Turks and Caicos Islands, must re-emerge to light the fire under an indolent and listless form of

Governance.

Just a little background is necessary. During the interim Government years of 2009 thru 2012, the reality had already set in that native Turks and Caicos Islanders (the Belongers with blood ties to the TC) were losing control of their land.

Talks ensued during the constitutional suspension to implement measures in the new Constitution to protect what was left of the franchise. The “franchise” was to hold Turks and Caicos Islander Status (formerly captioned “Belongership”) based on blood ties and or marital connections: the sacred right to vote, being free from immigration control, owning residential Crown Land and occupying a dominant position in the reserved category of business licensing (the “prevailing economic and social norm”).

This policy norm forms a vital part of the 2011 Constitution. To implement these Constitutional norms, laws were passed to protect the franchise and to establish the Turks and Caicos Islander Commission (the "Commission").

The Hon Oswald O. Skippings, “lion in the winter”, like other TCI nationalists, such as the Hon Herbert Been and Benson Harvey, Algernon Dean and Dozzie Delancy, were placed on the Commission, to protect the interests of native-born, Turks and Caicos Islanders, the franchise and the prevailing norm. His words, language and syntax, in the “defence of the realm” are salient, prescient and representing what all native Turks and Caicos Islanders are saying in such a time as this. He has found and has always protected the prevailing norm.

He is 100% correct for pointing out the fact that the Constitution refers only to the right to be “considered” and not the absolute

and fundamental right to be entitled to TCI Islander status.

The Commission is absolutely and 100% correct in protecting the Franchise and opposing this ‘effrontery”. His defence of TCI people, their norms and principles, do not mean that he is anti-non-native, an absurd and cheap assumption on the part of the litigants to get their hopeless lawsuit into court. The Rt. Skippings a former Minister of Tourism and by his nature, a Christian evangelist, an extroverted politician; who has embraced all nationalities and races. He must just defend his people. That is all. He is pro-TCI, not anti-non-native and these two "mutuallyexclusive" concepts can "co-exist".

The new “expats” resist assimilation

There are many times in our nation’s history when former expatriates would have come, assimilate, join the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other charitable groups and

Suspected arson destroys historic home in Grand Turk

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire that destroyed a historic home in Grand Turk on Monday, January 30.

According to a Police statement, officers attached to the Grand Turk Police Station responded to a report of a fire on Front Street, Grand Turk.

Upon arrival at the scene, police officers alongside their firefighting colleagues saw a structure engulfed in flames.

However, all efforts to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful.

The building was later identified as a historic home constructed during the salt industry.

Commenting on the suspected arson, Ag. ASP Michael Francois from the Grand Turk Division “A” Station condemned the act in a brief

statement: “This latest fire-setting was an attack on our history, the devastation caused is a tragic loss to Grand Turk’s heritage.

“Last year, (December 18th) we were able to save the upstairs of the TIMCO building, which is also located along Front Street.

“The cowardly acts of firesetting being perpetrated should be condemned. We owe it to our future generations to preserve our history”.

Additionally, Francois stated that Chapter 3.11 of the Malicious Injuries to Property Ordinance Section 6 -Setting Fire to any Public Building makes it an offence to maliciously set fire and upon conviction be liable to imprisonment for life.

The public is being advised to notify the closest police station

become a true part of TCI’s societal fabric and family.

Many gave loans and interest-free facilities to natives to start businesses and help the TI out. Legendary tales of old from the 1970s, 80s and part of the 90s were told and a genuine community spirit began in TCI. It seemed that in the 1990s some came to plunder, exploit and divide our country and people. Grounds were being lost and protections were needed to protect the people.

It comes as no surprise that a man with the history and character of the Hon Oswald Skippings would step out from behind the pulpit to take on the fight for the people. His words are clear, “Imagine the temerity and the effrontery to attack governments and citizens responsible for the issuance of Islander Status that would empower them not only to further erode our franchise, but to take it totally out of our hands so that we would not only be disempowered economically, socially and industrially, but we will no longer have the voting power to determine who our government is”.

In times like these when the interests of the people are at stake, ‘you do not need rookies or sympathisers with the enemy to lead the fight. It is men like the Hon Oswald Skippings who are on the frontlines again, leading the vanguard for the interests of the people. He is correct and not only is the lawsuit ill-founded and ill-conceived, it has an imperialistic tone to it.

Tim Prudhoe and his cohorts are applying to the court to seek

Attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful - RTCIPF photo

or to contact Crime Stoppers and give any information regarding this fire or any illegal activity anonymously.

Please note, that Crime Stoppers calls are answered in Miami and in Houston by Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers which is a non-profit and

not a police agency. Calls are anonymous and cannot be traced in the United States or the TCI.

declarations, inter alia, that would quash the appointments of the commission members and an order mandating that a reconstituted commission reconsiders their application for TC Islander Status; or in the alternative, an order quashing the Turks and Caicos Islanders Status Ordinance as being inconsistent with the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution”.

Imagine asking the court to tell the Governor in Council, the elected Cabinet of the TCI, what to do!!! This is going too far. It is also clear and obvious that no court should accede to these imperialistictype applications because given the language of the Constitution, they do not even qualify for consideration. Very few of the applicants are married to Turks and Caicos Islanders, nor do they have any blood connections to the islands.

Why would any court entertain such a nonsensical motion? Unless courts are prepared to allow surmising, guessing disconnected analogy to form part of the reasoning these applications should be thrown out.

Fighting for the heart and soul of the TCI

They are fighting for the heart, soul and control of the country and the language employed is plainly clear in that way. It is like a dirty and bloody fight where devious tactics and tricks are being used

to get a hopeless lawsuit before the courts. It is now personal where the lawsuit seeks to accuse the Hon Skippings of perceived bias to non-natives.

This is so nonsensical, childish and typical of low-brow fight, employing adhominem tactics against a nationalistic and patriot leader of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It would be hard or near impossible to find any TCI politician, PNP or PDM that did not make statements in the last 47 years in defence of the TCI native and his interests. Unless that politician was a sell-out or a non-patriot with “house slave” tendencies, which are quite a few.

Most serious TCI politicians are known for stances of the kind that the Hon Skippings represents. To be proTurks and Caicos Islander is not the same as anti-non-native. Anyone familiar with the Hon Skippings and the other members of the Commission would know that they maintain friendships and close personal bonds with persons of all nationalities, races and ethnic groupings. None of their words offended anyone because the language was always filled with a deep patriotic tone for the people of these islands.

The accusations against the members of the Commission are petty, low level, cheap, and without evidence, when tested cannot be proven in a court of law, as they are built by sheer speculation and rife gossip.

This application for judicial review is an onslaught in the fight to take the land from the Turks and Caicos Islander.

Flood gates

There are two sides to this story, one, there is a clear-cut attempt to stem the number of persons getting status, while on the flip side, many new persons are applying for documentation, which can create a problem.

The Government is focused on protecting the interest of TC Islanders and this is a good thing.

If the expats can challenge this ruling, what stops a Haitian or other foreigners?

There must be rules in place for the overall betterment of the TCI or the country could become overrun.

The rich will stay rich and live in their parts of the Islands, while everybody else will have to face the consequences. Don’t open the flood gates, let’s keep our TCI precious.

Inevitable changes

Not only TC Islanders live in the TCI, so others should have a voice. I understand that people want to protect their past, but there are very few countries that have remained the same.

TCI needs foreigners and must understand that foreigners want to have some sort of rights and a place to call home. A place to raise their families. They are looking at what’s fair to them.

I feel that there can be a middle ground, but at the end of the day, change is unavoidable.

National Agriculture and Food Security Board to be established

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In an effort to boost food production in the TCI and lower the territory’s hefty food import bill, a National Agriculture and Food Security Board will soon be established.

This comes as the House of Assembly on Thursday, January 26, 2023, passed the Agriculture Regulations Bill 2023, to allow the establishment of the National Agriculture and Food Security Board.

The Board will be tasked with advising the Government on the development of an agriculture and food security plan for the Islands with a key role in the monitoring of the Agro-Incentive Programme established under the Department of Agriculture.

Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Environment, Fisheries, and Marine Affairs, Hon Josephine Connolly presented the bill to the House of Assembly for debate.

During her contribution, Hon Connolly said her Government is committed to ensuring that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands have access to a constant and nutritious supply of food, as well as reducing the food import bill and retaining money in the local economy.

She said: “Food security is the foundation of all human needs. Mr Speaker, given the threat of the global supply chain and the growing inaccessibility to enough nutritious food, the government, my government, is committed to putting in place a secure system to supplement the food requirements

of our country.

“Mr Speaker, our priority is to provide an enabling environment to increase food production, promote sustainable use of agriculture, land, and fisheries resources, and facilitate local investment within the sector as outlined in our people's plan for empowerment.”

In order to achieve this, Cabinet at a meeting on July 7, 2021, granted approval to amend the existing Agriculture Ordinance 2012, and the agricultural policy 2018 to establish a national Food Security Board (FSB).

“The agriculture ordinance 2012 will be repealed and replaced by the agriculture regulation ordinance, which is presented today Mr Speaker, this bill…will seek to provide for the structure and functioning of the Department of Agriculture”, she added.

Connolly stressed that the Government found it necessary to repeal and replace the existing agriculture ordinance to rectify the “significant shortcomings” which did not adequately address the comprehensive needs or the development challenges of the agricultural sector.

She said: “This agriculture regulation ordinance presented today will fully address the role and functioning of the Department of Agriculture inclusive of the establishment and functioning of the National Food Security Board as well as the regulating of the farming sector.

“The legislation has to be amended to accommodate the structure, establishment, and function of the board.”

The Agriculture Minister told the House that the need for a board arises out of an increasing emphasis being placed on the department to address food security as a national priority.

As such, when the Board is established, members shall comprise people with the relevant technical skills and experience, Connolly stressed.

Board members will liaise with the Director of Agriculture to initiate and implement agriculture strategies to advance the agricultural industry and carry out specific tasks contained within the agricultural action plan.

This will include promoting the agricultural industry, planningrelated matters that could have an impact on the agriculture industry, developing regulations and developing education and health agendas.

ALL ISLAND REPRESENTATION

Leader of the Opposition Hon

Edwin Astwood, who supported the bill underscored that food security is a matter of national importance, and the board members should represent all islands.

He said: “It is not an issue that we should play political football with because our peoples’ food security is very important, and whatever one government did not get done, a next one should take up and do.”

The Opposition Leader suggested that the board be made up of representatives from each inhabited island within the Turks and Caicos chain.

“He said: “We know that we tend not to want to make boards very large, however, I think with this being so important, Mr Speaker, we should have a representative from …each of the five main islands.

“I think at least we should have a representative from each of those islands here on this board so we can see what agriculture practices best suit each island…for instance, there's nothing that stops us from doing hydroponics in the salt islands.”

He also opined that food merchants should also be represented on the board as they will be responsible for getting the goods directly to the consumers.

He said: “I don't know if the representative from the Hotel and Hospitality and Tourism Association will represent the store owners Mr Speaker if we're talking about food security, and getting our local products to our people via merchants, local businessmen, food providers, small stores, small and large stores, we should have a representative from them because they are going to be the ones getting the goods to market.”

Coupled with this, Astwood a former Minister of Health stressed that it is imperative for the board to be replete with a representative from the Department of Health to ensure locally produced food items meet the standards required for consumption.

He said: “Suppose we look to start doing eggs and all of a sudden none of the merchants or store owners want to take the local eggs because they think it is inferior quality..."

“So you cannot have a board regulating food production in the Turks and Caicos Islands and not have someone from the Health Department, whether it's people from environmental health to do food safety testing, of lettuce and sweet peppers, of the fertilisers etc.

“It's very complicated, Mr Speaker so you need persons with a technical background on these boards.

REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Governor’s Appointed Member Hon Willin Belliard during his contribution to the Bill, suggested that local farmers should be incentivised to foster more partnerships with regional suppliers.

He said: “We also need to accept that there will be some food items that we will not be able to produce in the Turks and Caicos for example, rice.

“Also there will be a long time before we are able to produce sufficient livestock to supply the market of these islands, especially in the vibrant tourism sector that we have in Providenciales.

“For those areas where we are not able to produce locally, I think we need to provide the necessary incentive to our farmers so that they can partner with regional suppliers and regional producers so that those items can be brought into the islands at an affordable price.

He added that while the government may not be able to force the supermarkets to buy those items, he feels that the elimination of duties and tariffs will make the items very competitive.

Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Environment, Fisheries, and Marine Affairs, Hon Josephine Connolly

Leader of the Opposition Hon Edwin Astwood

Governor’s Appointed Member Hon Willin Belliard

Skippings wants another shot to win over electoral district six – promises to bring back peace and tranquillity to The Bight

BY DELANA ISLES

Political hopeful, Audric Skippings has once again thrown his hat in the ring as a contender for the 2025 elections with a promise to bring back the peace to electoral district six, The Bight.

Skippings – who was a candidate in the last elections - will again be contending for the seat under the banner of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM).

Skippings lost to Matthew Stubbs, 299 to 367 in the historic 2021 elections, but he has not given up hope. He wants another shot.

Once again, he bemoans the lack of representation in the constituency which has been won by PNP candidates in the last two elections – both of whom, according to him, have provided residents with zero empowerment and representation.

“The current elected member

subscribes to the same status quo.

The two-decade-long adage of absolutely no representation and no empowerment of the Bight people.

“Moreover, despite the massive development, the Bight people are still, for the most part the employees and not the employers, the customers, and clients and not the businessmen and businesswomen and undoubtedly remain second and third-class citizens.”

A member of The Bight community from childhood, Skippings said the community remains his pride and joy – from Tower Drive in the east to Venetian and Turtle Tail in the west.

However, he said it saddens him to see the lack of substantive community projects, programmes, and other opportunities for residents, but should the voting community provide him with the opportunity, he will turn things around.

Citing unfulfilled election

promises made by the current seat filler, Skippings stated that halfway through this current PNP administration’s term in office, the lack of focus and attention for the constituency is appalling, and that the current elected member does not seem to have the ability to accomplish the most mundane community initiatives.

He pointed to the numerous tourists’ hotspots and financial activity in the community, yet residents in that district continue to suffer in poverty.

“Most residents are living on a month-to-month basis, having to make a choice between paying school fees or keeping the light on, or putting food on the table or purchasing school supplies.

“This cannot continue to prevail in a district that is responsible for a significant portion of the country’s GDP, I promise this will not be the same status quo, if I become the representative of this

constituency.”

He promises to provide employment opportunities for adults and educational programmes for those children who may not be academically inclined, in the form of a trade school.

“I would also assure you that community events are consistently done to preserve the cultural vibrance and community essence.

“I will continue to assist the youth of the Bight with sound life

advice and ideas that ignite their entrepreneurial spirit.” Skippings also promises to bring back the peace, security and tranquillity of the community –eliminating violence and crime that are now commonplace in the district.

“So, I encourage my people of the Bight (ED6) not to give up, but remain steadfast, resilient, and hopeful, genuine help is on the way.”

Over 85 businesses in TCI to be monitored for price gouging

OVER 85 businesses in the TCI will be monitored by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Fair Competition for evidence of price gouging next month.

This comes as the Department of Trade gears up to launch its Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement (C.A.R.E) drive in February 2023.

The overall objective of the C.A.R.E. campaign is to actively educate providers whilst enforcing the main provisions to protect consumers under the Consumer Protection Ordinance, the Department said in a recent statement on Friday, January 27.

The Department of Trade which is responsible for the promotion and enforcement of the TCI Consumer Protection Ordinance said it anticipates that the drive will lead to a more

predictable and efficient trading environment for both consumers and providers alike.

“The C.A.R.E. Drive will focus on two major work activities: (i) Part IV and V Checks – Consumer Officers will monitor businesses activities across the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure that providers are compliant with their duties to consumers as outlined in Parts IV & V of the Ordinance.

“The Ordinance specifies that providers should give certain basic information to consumers about goods and services being sold, inform consumers about terms and conditions before payment is made (e.g., warranties, refunds, returns, exchanges, etc.), as well as abstain from misleading and deceptive conduct, false representation and unfair business

practices.”

The second part of the drive will see Consumer Officers monitoring the prices of selected breadbasket items to assess if there is evidence of price gouging, a practice that is prohibited under Section 33 of the Ordinance.

The Department will monitor the prices of 23 items in specific retail outlets across the TCI to assess how these prices compare with the prices of similar goods or services that are available to consumers in the TCI.

A monthly price report will be published on the Department of Trade’s website for informational purposes.

The initiative is expected to reach over 85 businesses throughout the islands.

In this vein, the Department stressed that if businesses are found to be noncompliant with provisions under the

Consumer Protection Ordinance, the infractions will be thoroughly investigated.

“The Department of Trade will investigate the matter thoroughly and issue warnings to providers to desist from these practices, if no corrective action is taken, fines will be issued in accordance with the Ordinance.

The goal of the Ordinance is to establish provisions for the protection of consumer interests in relation to the supply of goods and services in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Businesses throughout the islands were also urged to get familiar with their duties to consumers under the Consumer Protection Ordinance by contacting the Department of Trade on 338-3703 or via website www.gov.tc/trade.

Audric Skippings looks to contend for The Bight in 2025 elections

There is a saying that 20% of the employees do 80% of the work which is referred to as the Pareto Principle. I do not think this is the case in all workplaces but it appears that this principle is evident in many workplaces.

It is so unfair and unacceptable that some people that have a job are not doing their jobs but rather are busybodies in the workplace. In this context, a busybody is someone who is busy with everything else but doing their job. They are busy on the phone talking to others about issues unrelated to the job. They are busy gossiping. They are busy on social media. They are just idle. They are doing a different job on the job. Ironically, they are expected to get paid for being busybodies, but they know they didn’t work.

BY DREXWELL SEYMOUR

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

The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3 10-12 NIV “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule. The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people, we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.”

I encourage all of us who have

a job to do our work. There are some people that are unemployed who are willing to work but they do not have the opportunity to do so. Furthermore, it is not right that some people are doing their jobs while others are not. In fact, those that are doing their work sometimes have to take up the duties and responsibilities of busybodies.

The workplace can be so efficient if everyone does their

job. Those individuals who are not doing their jobs must be held accountable and reprimanded. Otherwise, we will continue to have busybodies in the workplace.

Some people do not have to work long hours as they should, but they do so because the busybodies do not do their part. The busybodies need to work and give back the hours they were busy not working.

The first step in dealing with busybodies is to have a candid conversation with the busybodies about their behaviour. If they continue, give them a warning in writing.

Also, give them tasks to do on a daily basis and let them know they must complete the tasks that day even if it means working late hours.

The workplace may have to

enforce some strict rules such as no use of the mobile phone or internet during working hours.

I think some busybodies may be in the wrong jobs. Perhaps they do not like what they are doing and so they are busy with other things. No one should be on a job being a busybody. You are being paid for a job and so you should do your job.

Sometimes some hard-working employees are getting blamed because busybodies are not doing their part. I remind each busybody to be conscious of the fact that you are being watched. Do you think it is right to get paid for not working? If you had a business, would you want your employees to do what you are doing? If your answers are no which I am quite sure they are, then do your work and stop being a busybody.

Busybodies in the workplace Big Tech layoffs and the potential impact on TCI’s tourism-reliant economy

Within the walls of Big Tech corporations are the innovations of our future – preserved through a wide array of information technology, but not limited to artificial intelligence, e-commerce or computer software.

The transformations they engineered exhibit the people and artifacts throughout the ages, which have shaped the world around us. Still, trends guarantee a series of technological marvel to come.

BY D MARKIE SPRING

However, an atypical phenomenon is sweeping the tech sphere! More than 200,000 workers were laid off in 2022

and 2023, owing to the poor job market, as tech plunges into a ‘pull-back’ period for the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis (GFC).

So, how did we get here?

During Covid-19 tech companies recorded the best financial period ever. In Europe and the US especially, governments dispersed several stimulus packages worth trillions of dollars, in which period consumers spent more money online than ever before, propelling companies’ financial growth to soaring heights.

Consequently, Tech Giants: Zoom, Google, Snapchat, Meta, Amazon and others, hired tens of thousands of workers – and with interest rates nearing zero – they invested in projects and spent more on marketing campaigns.

Until now, these tech companies were ‘flying high,’ and suddenly their successes have metamorphosed into unsustainable

growth, as COVID-19 restrictions ease and government spending becomes exhausted. Interest rates began rising again and the present value of money became more beneficial than money in the future. All these risky projects and the workers they hired to execute them are now under enormous scrutiny.

Additionally, the Financial Times is reporting, since the GFC, banks are now bracing to cut jobs and firing is expected to be ‘super brutal,’ the paper outlined! Already, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are laying-off workers and tens of thousands more – across the sector – are expected to go, reversing the mass hiring by banks in recent times.

And therefore, bank executives are forced to slash costs following the collapse in investment banking revenues, following overrecruitment during the height of the pandemic, inapt policies for the business going forward; not withholding, the deteriorating economic climate.

By now, you’re asking, what does this unfortunate axing of workers has to do with the TCI?

The answer to this question surrounds TCI’s reliance on tourism; especially, the American

market, which accounted for roughly 82 per cent.

If so many workers become unemployed, and this trend continues – it could create a huge dent in the tourist sector.

To bolster this argument, a study conducted in 2018 by Alegre et al, found, an unemployment rate above 10 per cent has a positive impact on the probability of vacation cancellations and; subsequently, the demand of goods and services designed for tourists.

Therefore, a drop in tourist arrivals will certainly decrease economic output within the services industry, the gross domestic product, as well as, TCI purchasing power parity, as we’ve witnessed on September 11, 2001, during the 2008 GFC, and during the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, these setbacks can adversely affect households and communities – reducing family disposable incomes; thus, eroding their purchasing power. Besides, individuals may face layoffs; hence, limiting access to medical services, which would negatively impact social life.

As the trend continues, let’s hope layoffs are not significant, as to influence vacation cancellations to the TCI!

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.

Are we doing everything within our power in TCI, to avoid creating a school-to-prison pipeline?

These are harsh words to hear, but in a climate where it appears the jails are filling up faster than the schools, we must sound the alarm.

In any given year, we have hundreds of high school graduates leaving their comfort zones with absolutely nothing to do in these beautiful by nature islands.

A very small minority are able to find jobs. Some of the brilliant scholars are often lucky to be awarded the Chevening scholarship, while others may have families in a position to send them off to the local community college or abroad to continue their studies.

What about the majority who are not as fortunate? Where are the hands-on talent workshops available to assist students that may have fallen behind academically?

Building that school-to-college or trade talent pipeline to attract high school students before they complete their final year is of paramount. We have got to find better ways to augment a pathway forward on this.

Paring the immigration department with labour and offering free two-year college tuition were both smart moves by this administration. It allows the department heads and leaders to work hand in hand to identify areas of need and be in a better position to bridge those needed gaps.

What more can be done for struggling parents or those where English may not be their first language? Challenges like this may put students at a disadvantage to excel or for parents to assist them academically.

Are there any available afterschool programmes? Where there is hope for a better life and constructive things to do, our

BY ED FORBES

young people will not be attracted to senseless acts of violence. Finding ways and means to help students identify and develop their skill sets earlier in life, will also help to prepare them for the next step in their career path. What’s even more important, is for teachers and administrators to recognise when a student is screaming out for help; often times it’s mischaracterised as criminal mischief.

Students who are having behavioural issues at school may be coming from abusive or dysfunctional households. They may also have mental and/or emotional challenges and need an intervention that is focused on

their specific needs.

We should be doing everything within our power to avoid students being exposed to the criminal justice system.

In order for a transformation like this to take place, it will certainly require more communityled solutions, parental involvement and stronger support and commitment from civic leaders.

What's troubling to me and many others, is the rate of incarceration the country is currently experiencing, with many involving our youth. What will it take to shift this trajectory? Is trade school one of the long-term solutions?

Just take a look around the

country, the mechanism that's driving our workforce are trade and service-related jobs. We should be advocating more for studies in these areas.

Building the opportunities for TCI youth

Inherently, despite some of our youth being dealt a hard hand in life, most want to succeed; they just need an opportunity.

Many of our young men and women may not have any interest in attending college or university but have acquired other skills over the years. Therefore, what opportunities do we have for this segment of the population in terms of further education or trade?

I’m of the opinion, that there are many on-the-job workers who possess untapped skills that only need to be cultivated in their area of interest or expertise. With that being said, offering vocational education will allow students and young adults to gain the necessary practical experience with a renewed focus in their chosen field of study or career path. This is something they may have otherwise never been able to achieve through traditional CONTINUED

Brag like an American to get ahead at work

Last week in The Times, an interesting article made its way out and became a sensational piece almost instantaneously. There’s a saying that goes, “A good wine needs no bush”, which came from the days when there were no inn or shop signs as we know them now, so pubs and wine-sellers would advertise by hanging a clump of grapevine above their door. It means, if you’re the best, you don’t have to keep advertising the fact: people will hear about it anyway.

But apparently, nowadays if you want to get ahead in your career, there’s one thing you absolutely have to do: brag. You need to tell the whole world what you're doing.

Self-deprivation, hide-alight-under-a-bushel kind of behaviours have no space in the workplace. If you were voluntarily denying or suppressing your own interests or desires, you need to stop now. Adapt a thing or two from our fellow Americans_ boasting is the only way to get ahead.

You see, you’re the only

BY DAVIDSON LOUIS

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

person who really knows how much you do and how hard you work. For instance, when your colleagues charge the door at 5 PM, they don’t know that you stay until 8 PM. When your boss is in Miami shopping, she doesn’t know you’re putting out fires at the office. So tell your truth.

OFFER MORE DETAILS

To promote yourself effectively, you need to explain what you’re doing without being obnoxious. So, for example, do not dominate the team meeting with a lengthy and detailed description of every single thing you did over the past week. However, don’t pass up opportunities to discuss

important accomplishments, either—simply use a wellthought-out, succinct description.

DOCUMENT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

You also need to be able to eloquently put your accomplishments in writing. If you do not, no one else will.

TAKE ON HIGH-PROFILE PROJECTS

Just as grade-school teachers prefer students who sit up front in class and freely raise their hands to answer questions, bosses prefer employees who freely volunteer to take on difficult and

high-profile projects. Be the one who gets difficult things done_ or at least tries.

SPEAK UP IN MEETINGS

A business meeting is no place to be a shrinking violet. Do your homework, know your subject, and then make your views known in groups and in one-on-one meetings--with your boss, and with members of your team. Be careful, however, not to go overboard. Give others a chance to talk, too.

TAKE CREDIT FOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

While humility is a virtue, don't mistake being humble with the need to make sure that your boss knows that you are the one who accomplished something good for the company. Also, give credit to others.

SHOWCASE YOUR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE

If you have become an expert on some work-related subject, then build your own personal brand by

promoting that expertise to the outside world. Mediocrity is not a thing there, put your money where your mouth is.

VOLUNTEER

Here’s another reason to boast. If you are part of any non-profit, never be afraid to mention that. Do not however mention how much you donate each year to charity, there is a fine line here. Do not cross it.

LIMIT HOW MANY TIMES YOU SAY THANK YOU

Being thankful is great, but there is a limit. At some point, you need to move away from your self-doubts. Accept your accomplishments and own your achievements. Say thank you once to those who have paved the way for you, but you do not need to thank them for the rest of your life.

In this dog-eat-dog world, if you can get ahead by boasting, who am I to stop you? Do let me know what you think at louisedens@gmail.com.

A concerned citizen of Grand Turk

Monitoring measures for pleasure crafts tightened

The government has introduced a new method of reporting for pleasure crafts entering and departing the Turks and Caicos Islands.

As of Wednesday, February 1, owners of yachts and other recreational vessels are required to submit information about their voyage at Sailclear when traversing TCI waters no later than 24 hours before arrival or departure.

SailClear is an online yachting clearance system designed to facilitate the clearance requirements of Customs and Immigration throughout participating regional territories. Registering for a user account is simple. Once an account has been activated a user can begin entering his voyage details and other information related to crew, passengers, weapons and stores. This submitted information is immediately available to Customs

and other authorities.

SailClear allows the user to edit the information if travel plans change.

ARRIVAL

On arrival, vessels are required to display the International Pratique Q-flag and travel directly to the port of entry to satisfy the face-toface requirement.

Whether a returning resident or a visitor, owners need to comply with four important entry requirements.

These requirements stipulate that all persons onboard must have a valid passport and visa, if required; owners must have the relevant permits for the importation of certain foods, animals and prescribed medicinal products, firearms and ammunition and explosives.

Government reminds that the

TCI have strict laws to protect its citizens and the natural environment. As such penalties may be imposed if these laws are breached by illegally importing prohibited or restricted items including cannabis-infused products, products containing cannabidiol derivatives, and any oils containing cannabidiol

A third requirement states that owners must declare cash or other negotiable instruments with a value over US$10,000.

The fourth requirement states that owners must stay onboard until clearance is given.

No person other than a Port Health, Customs and or Immigration officer is allowed to board the vessel, nor can any person, animal or article leave the vessel until full clearance has been granted.

Owners should be aware that it

Building the opportunities ...

CONTINUED FROM  10

classroom learning in academia.

In the 2021 PNP manifesto, under education, labour and employment, clearly states their commitment to the following:

“Create learning opportunities for students that caters to different interest, strengths and learning needs as well as provide the diverse skills that the country requires”.

Henceforth, it's my belief that government should make further provisions to subsidize apprenticeships for our young people, so it becomes more than just platitudes.

Let’s give credit where credit is due, the previous administration was on the right track when a proposal was made to launch a vocationaltechnical school. Unfortunately, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic may have hampered those efforts.

Nevertheless, the idea was brilliant! Let’s put politics aside, this current administration should continue to work extremely hard to embark on this initiative and see that it materialises. It is my belief the return on investment would be priceless.

So, how do we attract more foreign investors in this particular area?

It’s complicated because in most cases, foreign investors are looking for businesses that can generate the fastest return on their investments. With that in mind, it would be in the best interest of our country to offer huge incentives for initiatives such as this to make it more attractive to would-be investors.

For example: Annually, a foreign company is hired to come in to train and certify our boat captains on primarily international boating standards.

Depending on the location and whether it’s a new or recertification, the cost could range anywhere from $360-$650 per person, in addition to travel and hotel accommodations.

With tourism being the bread and butter for TCI, in addition to having some of the best and brightest boat captains, perhaps this could be a customised curriculum or certification offered at a local trade school.

This particular curriculum should include but not limited to, local regulations best practices and navigational charts for local waters to help mariners better understand the skills they are learning.

This could also be a joint

is an offence to go ashore without prior clearance. Depending on the arrival time, occupants of the vessel may be required to remain on board overnight before being cleared the following day.

In case of an emergency, medical, mechanical or adverse weather conditions, a notification must be submitted immediately on arrival by a crew member, passenger or agent. This will help in expediting the clearance process.

If there is a notifiable illness on board, the Department of Environment Health must be contacted via email at thinds@gov. tc and occupants of the vessel must comply with any instructions given.

DEPARTURE

Meanwhile, for departure, customs clearance – which is available at every designated port - is required before a pleasure craft can leave.

The owner, master or agent must submit a notice in advance through SailClear to avoid unnecessary delay. It is an offence to depart without clearance.

outbound fee of US$50 to customs for departure. An overtime fee is charged if clearance is needed outside of working hours.

OVERTIME FEES

On weekdays, from 6am to 8am a fee of $10 is applied per hour and from 12:30pm to 2pm another $10 per hour.

On Monday to Thursday from 4:30pm to midnight there is another $10 fee per hour; from Friday 4pm to midnight the fee is $10 per hour; on weekdays from midnight to 6am the fee is $12 per hour, while on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays a $15 per hour is to be paid.

The Customs department is encouraging the use of credit or debit cards to pay fees as a swipe machine is available.

FAILURE TO REPORT

effort between the school, DECR/Fisheries department and TCI Sailing Association, with qualifying personnel to assist with facilitating such training. Other courses of interest should be offered to include hospitality management, marine mechanics, welders, carpentry, AC technicians etc. Especially trade areas where it would give students an opportunity for apprenticeship on the islands.

Not only will we have a higher level of skilled workers and tradesmen, but it will help to alleviate the need for such high dependency on the foreign labour force, in addition to providing a readily available recruitment source.

In short, it is my opinion, alternative education should always trump building more prisons. Failure to see beyond the erection of hotels, motels and villas on these islands, will leave us with no alternative but to build more prisons. Wouldn’t that be a shame!

Let’s give our youth a fighting chance! As concerned citizens, we have a choice to make, stay silent or let our collective voices be heard.

This is what helps to drive governments to action.

In cases of an extended stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is the master, or agent’s responsibility to update the outbound notification in SailClear.

They are required to file a request with the Immigration Department to extend or change their leave to enter before the authorised stay expires.

CHARGES

The master of the vessel must pay an inbound fee of US$50 to customs on arrival and an

The Customs Department and its law enforcement partners are actively monitoring Turks and Caicos Islands waters, as such failure to submit an advance notice for arrival or departure to Customs may result in detention, seizure or forfeiture of vessels and or monetary penalties applied. Failure to report, even if the purpose is non-discretionary (nonoptional) such as to refuel, vessel owners may face severe penalties. Additionally, if carrying any goods for industrial or commercial purposes onboard, the vessel becomes a commercial vessel and is no longer a pleasure craft, for that entry. Different customs rules will apply.

Robbers attack again, leaves two wounded

Two men – ages 19 and 27 – are nursing gunshot wounds after a late-night shooting and robbery near a hangout spot.

Reports are that two armed men drove up to where one of the victims was hanging out at a location in Five Cays, opened gunfire hitting him about his body with bullets.

Police said the incident occurred at about 11:05pm on Tuesday, January 31. The 19-year-old was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where he was treated for his injuries.

The shooters drove away in a grey Nissan March vehicle.

Police said they were then notified

by the hospital at about 11:23pm, the same night, that another man had been shot and was receiving treatment at the medical facility.

They report that the 27-year-old man was approached by two armed men, robbed, and shot. He too was dropped off at the Emergency department.

The public is being advised to notify the closest police station or to contact Crime Stoppers and give any information on these shootings and illegal activity anonymously.

All Crime Stoppers calls are answered in Miami and in Houston by Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers which is a non-profit and not a police agency.

Local farmers receive grants from government for hurricane damages

Fifteen local farmers who suffered losses on their farms due to the passage of Hurricane Fiona in September last year have received disaster relief grants from the government.

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at a simple ceremony held at the Kew Town Farmers Market in Providenciales, Minister with responsibility for Agriculture, Hon Josephine Connolly, distributed the grants to the registered farmers.

Hon Connolly who delivered brief remarks at the presentation ceremony said her government has made it a priority to provide an enabling environment, to facilitate local investment within the agriculture sector as outlined in the People’s Plan for Empowerment.

She said: “In February last year my government launched the Agriculture Finance Support Programme (Agro-Grant Incentive).

“This Finance Support Programme for farmers is the first programme of this kind in the Turks and Caicos Islands and shows Government’s mandate is to invest heavily in local food production by providing financial support.

“My government has allocated US$250,000 in this first year to promote agriculture development, she added.

The Agriculture Minister told the Weekly News, that the total payout for the Disaster Relief Grants was US$47,000.

She explained that compensation of 10% was paid to each farmer based on an assessment of their damages.

Commenting on the programme, Director of AgricultureWilhelmina Kissoonsingh said: “Farming is an expensive business, cost of farm inputs is high and years of work and establishing a farm can be destroyed in a few minutes by a natural disaster”.

The Director thanked her staff, including Extension Officer Mario

Smith and Farm Manager-Hopeton Panton for their work in assessing damages to farms after the passage of the hurricane.

She added that the department will continue its efforts to develop a comprehensive agriculture incentive programme to assist farmers in developing their farms while urging persons to support

Skippings weighs in on expat’s ‘racist, disrespectful’ email

BY DELANA ISLES

The controversy aroused by an email purportedly emanating from the account of a Canadian expatriate has ruffled the feathers of statesman and former Chief Minister, Hon Oswald Skippings.

Skippings – who by his own admission is unafraid to tackle controversial issues that affect TCI and its people – this week called out the email writer for his disrespectful and disparaging statements that directly reference TCI’s government officials.

As reported last week, when the PNP’s Jameka Williams spoke on

the issue, the email reads: “Yup- it is because we have leftist minded idiots in government, which is a double wammy since government people here historically were already idiots even when they were not leftists. It’s painful here on a good day”.

The former chief minister pondered how Turks Islanders could “justifiably” be called “idiots” since they have for years welcomed, embraced and financially empowered prejudiced “haters like this individual, who come here as an ordinary worker, takes business opportunities and jobs away from Turks and Caicos Islanders, then disrespect

and belittle our governments and people with derogatory, degrading and disparaging accusations”. However, he noted that whilst there are “racist haters” living among us, whom we have welcomed to our shores and among other benefits, given permanent residence”, residents cannot allow these persons to cause others to overlook the fact that there are genuinely friendly and respectful peoples from different nations, be it white, black, brown or yellow, who have assimilated into TCI communities.

Skippings is calling on everyone to exhibit more respect and to unite

local farmers by patronising the Kew Town Farmers Market.

Ms Ruth Missick, daughter of well-known farmer Mr Manny Missick, thanked the government for the grant and said that farmers would be looking forward to even more support in the future.

North Caicos farmer, Courtney Missick, who benefitted from

the Farm Upgrade Grant and the Disaster Relief grant, expressed gratitude to the Government for the resources provided.

He said the funds were used to relocate his farm.

Missick said: “Great things are coming” in the near future to include Agro Tourism as part of his Farm Business.

and embrace each other to help build the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He stated that people need to demonstrate maturity and show love when they encounter such malevolent hate, and not allow it to distort their sense of reasoning and responsible governance, and if there are justifiable grounds

to legitimately deal with such “idiots”, then they do so.

He is calling for unity and vision in purpose and efforts to build a buoyant and sustainable economy with healthy, progressive and empowered people, in a peaceful, safe and secured Turks and Caicos Islands.

Former Chief Minister, Hon Oswald Skippings

Minister Josephine Connolly with farmers, following the presentation of grants. Health Minister, Hon Shaun Malcolm, MP for Wheeland, Hon Kyle Knowles and Permanent Secretary, Mr Wesley Clerveaux are also in the photo

Bermuda Regiment instructors conduct firearm training for TCI Regiment

Marines of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment recently completed training in the use of firearms and got their first taste of firing their newly acquired rifles.

Instructors of the Royal Bermuda Regiment conducted the short-term training course which ran for a period of three weeks.

The training sessions saw marines advance through shooting exercises in readiness for their Annual Personal Weapons Test, which now means they can carry firearms on patrols.

As part of the training, an exercise was held on Thursday, January, 26 at the police range.

Some of the TCI Regiment troops have now been qualified by the RBR team to take on roles in range safety and coaching.

Marines received support on the firing range as the two British Overseas Territory units build on opportunities to work together.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Warrant Officer Class One Peter Ramm, the RBR’s Sergeant Major Instructor, travelled to the TCI with Colour Sergeant Shanteì Arnold and Colour Sergeant Curtis Grant to train the marines.

Commenting on the sessions, CSgt Grant explained that the training included the use of a Colt M5 rifle, which marines fired live for the first time.

“It’s great to see the progression starting from novice shooters; they’ve progressed well in the time.

“I’m pretty happy about my part in that and I’m sure the rest of the team is as well.”

CSgt Grant noted that the training was similar for newly enlisted members of the RBR.

He said: “When we take our recruits on the range for the first time to fire live, it’s the same thing – they have the theoretical part of it

and then apply the practical part.”

Lance Corporal Tim Browning said the weapons practice, which also included the use of a Glock 19 handgun, made TCI Regiment troops the “envy” of their friends.

He said: “We’re very grateful having the Royal Bermuda Regiment guys here because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to go on the ranges.”

The 42-year-old, who was among a group of marines that visited Bermuda for training last year, added: “The TCI Regiment is very much in its infancy, so everybody is still learning a lot.

“There is a world of difference between the TCI Regiment and the

RBR, so the guys have brought training that is second to none, it couldn’t be any better.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Beasley, the RBR’s Commanding Officer, said: “Last year in London, the Commanding Officers of the British Overseas Territories met for the first time to discuss opportunities for enhancing collective support.

“After consultation with our Governors, this is one of the initiatives which has been implemented, along with training courses we delivered last year in the US and Bermuda.”

Lt Col Beasley said: “As island nations, we share many similarities,

particularly with TCI.

“Our regiments are based primarily on reservists who are drawn from the communities we serve.

“Quite often, as is the case in many local industries, we will receive training at overseas establishments and then amend policies and procedures to fit the local environment.

“Although it is for their Commanding Officer to decide what is best for his unit, we can share our training practices that have been shaped and refined by years of experience.”

By training together, sharing methods and exchanging

personnel, overseas territories can work more cohesively when called upon to support each other.

Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant Commanding Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment was very delighted that the TCI Regiment has accomplished this significant milestone, which is a very important aspect of fully operationalising the Regiment.

Lt. Colonel Grant said: “Training is the cornerstone of excellence and professionalism. The best militaries around the world are very good at what they do because they invest heavily in training. “We have invested over $200,000 in training during the current fiscal period.

“It's not only about the amount of money we have invested but finding intuitions and organisations that can deliver the highest standard of training. The Royal Bermuda Regiment is certainly one of those organisations.

“We are enormously grateful to the Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, and the Government and people of Bermuda for supporting the development of the TCI Regiment. “The training team are excellent ambassadors for Bermuda. They bring an enormous wealth of knowledge, which we are very privileged to benefit from.

“Finally, thanks to our Marines for dedicating their time and demonstrating an unselfish commitment to serve the citizens and residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment was formed in 2020 and is the country’s home defence force, it is a battalion within the British Armed Forces.

The Regiment has three primary functions: the defence of the Turks and Caicos Islands; disaster relief and humanitarian assistance; and border protection.

TCI Regiment marines and Bermuda instructors (seated)

Marines at a shooting demonstration held on Thursday, January 26, at the police range.

Bermuda Regiment and TCI Regiment members proudly display their badges

Misick and Stanbrook announces Mrs Harvey as new partner

Misick & Stanbrook is pleased to announce the promotion of Mrs. Tremmaine Harvey from associate to partner effective from January 2, 2023.

Since joining the firm in 2007, following a successful career as a news anchor and television journalist, Tremmaine has gained extensive experience in all aspects of real estate and real estate finance. During her legal career spanning 15 years, she has represented commercial banks in numerous financing transactions and represented numerous buyers and sellers in high-value conveyancing transactions. She has acted in the sale of various commercial complexes, and the registration and licensing of several airlines servicing the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Tremmaine holds an LLB Bachelor of Law with a Business Degree from the University of Birmingham, and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Skills (The

Bar vocational course) and an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the College of the Bahamas (currently University of the Bahamas). She is a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates as a certified Trust and Estate Practitioner with a diploma in International Trust Law with Distinction.

She is a current member of the TCI Bar Council, current Chair of the Medicine and Dentistry Professions Council, former Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission, former Deputy Chairman of Invest Turks and Caicos (2015-2018), and former Chairman of the TCI Electoral Boundaries Commission (2012). She is also a well-known keynote speaker – presenting at various conferences and seminars.

Commenting on her promotion, Tremmaine states, “I can vividly recall as a pre-teen being drawn to

the legal field and knowing even then that I wanted to pursue a career in law. That dream influenced all of my decisions throughout high school and university, and I am elated that through the help of God’s sustaining grace and power, I am now at this point in my career. I look forward to continuing my contributions to Misick & Stanbrook in this new capacity.”

She continues, “I am forever grateful to Misick & Stanbrook for taking a chance on me as a young ambitious high school graduate. Having reached out so many years ago, I expressed my desire to the firm to pursue a career in law. They placed such confidence in me and have since been an integral part of my career growth and development.”

Tremmaine further states, “A special thanks to the firm’s leadership for this opportunity and especially to Mr. Gordon Kerr, who has been my supervising

partner and mentor. He has been instrumental in my career development. I would also like to express thanks to my husband Elwood Harvey, my parents, and the wider family circle for their support through the years, as well as to all those who allowed me the opportunity to represent them. I look forward to the road ahead and encourage anyone with a dream to always remember that there is power in the process.”

“We are delighted to have Tremmaine joining the partnership

as we have witnessed her growth within the firm,” commented partner Gordon Kerr. “She is an expert in providing superior service to clients and is a highly skilled attorney. With her wealth of knowledge and local perspective of the islands, she continues to be an invaluable asset to our firm.”

In her role as partner, Tremmaine will join the leadership of Misick & Stanbrook led by senior partner Ariel Misick KC, partners Owen Foley, Gordon Kerr, Sarah Knight, and Karen Willis.

Mrs. Tremmaine Harvey

Thriving Prison Farm hosts school children

Students at the Ona Glinton Primary School enjoyed a tour of the bountiful farm tended by prisoners of Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk.

Last week, prison officials welcomed the little ones, sharing tips on farming, and answering their questions as they walked through the lush farming compound.

Governor Nigel Dakin commenting on the visit, said the farm is now a resource for the prison, serving as an educational experience for children as it helps rehabilitate those incarcerated at the facility.

From pigs and goats to sugarcane, papaya and so much more, the farm at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk continues to thrive, having been established some years ago, as one of many rehabilitative efforts for inmates.

Though suffering some damage in the last major hurricane, the farm is back and fully operational, and according to the Governor, it is a model farm for Turks and Caicos Islands.

He said drawing on this national resource, officials at the prison are now reaching out to schools, with Ona Glinton Primary being the third school to visit so far.

“The farm has 400 chickens producing 800 plus eggs per week, which are sold to the local community along with goats and pigs that also find a local market.

“There are rabbits which are for

petting by the children, and the farm grows peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, cabbages, callaloo, sweetcorn, tomatoes, onions, okra, melons and a range of herbs,” the Governor recounted.

The farm employs up to eight prisoners, has a farm manager and two civilian workers.

According to the Governor, in the 2022/2023 fiscal year, the farm has so far generated over $11,000 in revenue which was paid to the Treasury.

He said the produce reaped also supports the prison kitchen, causing savings to the prison’s budget.

While visiting, the children learn how vegetables grow from seed to plate, and what vegetables make up well-known local foods. They also learn about animal welfare and how they live and are cared for.

The Governor said it is a great experience for the children.

“The new Prison Superintendent, who is as keen

on it as his predecessor, tells me that Mr. Lyons’ rendition of “Old McDonalds Farm” is priceless. The song strings together the tour, each section of the tour adding a new verse; the children love it.”

The visits are part of a programme the Ministry of Home Affairs is developing to connect the Prison to the community.

“Mandy and I have enjoyed helping the prison on this journey in other ways. Why? Because today’s prisoner is self-evidently tomorrow’s

neighbour - and HMP Grand Turk needs to be a place where those convicted are not only incarcerated but where they can make a positive change in their lives.

“This looks like a step in the right direction,” Governor Dakin stated.

In addition to farming, the Grand Turk Prison has many other rehabilitative programmes – from educational ones - offered by the college - to skills-based programmes. (DELANA ISLES)

Cops take to the streets to interact with Dock Yard residents

This week the Royal TCI Police Force intensified its anti-crime suppression operations in Providenciales.

The aim of the operation was to bridge community relations, maintain public safety and reduce crime while improving residents’ trust and respect for law enforcement.

Part of the Force’s adopted strategy focuses on high visibility with targeted operations.

On Wednesday (February 1), officers of the Tactical Unit led by acting Superintendent Nigel Gilkes conducted walks within the community of Dock Yard, Providenciales, and interacted with members of the community.

During the walkabout, Superintendent Gilkes noted that the model of policing that has proven effective is one in which there is heavy community involvement, matched with proactive, responsive, professional and sensitive policing.

He said earning people’s respect and cooperation in preventing crime is the core of good policing,

“The RTCIPF Community Engagement initiative is one great avenue through which young persons who are vulnerable to falling victim to criminal activity, can receive mentorship and have their energies channelled into more positive and productive areas. Police visibility is an important aspect of the crime fight. People are more likely to

trust the police if officers are often seen within communities,” Gilkes said.

He is also urging residents of the TCI, to not only partner with the police in the aftermath of criminal occurrences, but to also support them in their more preventative efforts, aimed at curbing the spread of criminality in the territory.

He promised: “The RTCIPF

will continue to actively pursue initiatives to strengthen our relationships with law abiders.”

Meanwhile, whilst patrolling, officers found a quantity of packaged vegetable matter suspected to be cannabis which was seized for destruction.

Residents are reminded once again that they can report a crime to 911, at the closest police station

or contact Crime Stoppers and give any information on illegal activity anonymously.

Police assures that all Crime Stoppers calls are answered in Miami and in Houston by MiamiDade Crime Stoppers which is a non-profit and not a police agency.

All calls are anonymous and cannot be traced in the United States or the TCI.

School children tour a bountiful farm at Her Majesty’s Prison (Governor’s photos)

Police officers as they conversed with some residents of the ‘crime riddled’ community, Dock Yard (RTCIPF photo)

World News

Americans are broadly unsatisfied with the state of things in the US, poll finds

PRESIDENT Joe Biden will deliver his second State of the Union address next week to a country that has a pretty gloomy outlook on things.

For the past two decades, Gallup has surveyed the American public on a collection of policy issues and broad perceptions of society in its annual “Mood of the Nation” poll. Average ratings hit record lows during the Covid-19 pandemic and have changed little in this year’s report, responses for which were collected in January.

In 2023, on average, only about a third (36%) of Americans said they were satisfied with a set of policy issues spanning all aspects of government.

Among the lowest-rated issues was the state of the economy, which just a quarter of Americans said they were satisfied with. It had the largest year-over-year decline, dropping 8 percentage points.

Satisfaction with gun laws dropped sharply this year, to a record low of 34%. Policies on abortion, efforts to control crime,

quality of public education and efforts to combat poverty and homelessness also remained at or near low points.

“This notion of a sour mood that the country finds itself in – a pretty persistent one since Covid that the country hasn’t really bounced out of – is a challenge for our political leadership,” said David Chalian, CNN’s political director. “I don’t know that a president alone can really upend this.”

Long-term trend data from Gallup suggests that there’s a deeper undercurrent affecting the public’s view of the country.

Perceptions on specific issues can ebb and flow, said Lydia Saad, director of US social research at Gallup.

“These things bounce around a little bit more. It’s about how much we trust each party and who’s in power to handle these issues,” she said.

But satisfaction with broader aspects of American life have been generally trending down for decades, through multiple

Despite the decline, nearly two-thirds of the country (65%) still say they are satisfied with the overall quality of life

administration changes and political party shifts.

“There’s been a rise of polarization and decline in national harmony,” Saad said. “Our baseline was a simpler time when people were more content with the country, before a lot of events happened that we know have eroded trust over time.”

Perceptions of the overall quality of life in the US dropped to a record low in 2023, as did perceptions of wealth inequality. Less than a quarter of adults say they are satisfied with the way income and wealth are distributed in the US, according to the Gallup poll.

There is some room for optimism, experts say.

Despite the decline, nearly twothirds of the country (65%) still say they are satisfied with the overall quality of life, and more than half (61%) say there is opportunity for a person to get ahead by working hard.

“Those are things to build on,” Saad said. “Despite all, people are still kind of gripping onto the American dream.”

Pessimistic attitudes can be a challenge for incumbent political parties, Chalian said.

“When he addresses the country at his State of the Union next week, how does the President tout progress

while also still giving voice to this very, very real sensation among Americans that things are not going quite as well as perhaps they felt they have in the past?” But they’re not always deterministic.

“We just came through an election where the economy was issue number one and tended to favor Republicans,” Chalian said. “But there were other issues, like the sanctity and security of our democracy and abortion, that Democrats really rallied around and overperformed expectations in the midterm election, despite the very negative views on the economy.” (CNN)

A father ‘gone too soon’: Tyre Nichols funeral held in Memphis

FAMILY, friends and civil rights leaders gathered in Memphis on Wednesday to mourn the death of 29-year-old father Tyre Nichols.

Mr Nichols died three days after he was beaten by police following a traffic stop.

Five officers were charged last week over his death.

Relatives as well as national figures, including Vice-President Kamala Harris and actor Spike Lee, came to Tennessee to pay their respects.

During the three-hour ceremony that featured gospel songs and African drumming, those who knew Mr Nichols spoke of a kind and caring father who enjoyed skateboarding and photography, while many called for police reforms.

Rev. Dr J. Lawrence Turner, a pastor at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, began the service by mourning a “son, father, brother, friend, human being gone too soon and denied his rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.

Several other prominent leaders

also gave speeches, including Vice-President Harris, who told Mr Nichols’ family the country was mourning with them.

“Mothers around the world, when their babies are born, pray to God when they hold that child that that body and that life will be safe,” she said. “Yet we have a mother and a father who mourn the life of a young man who should be here today.”

She called Mr Nichols’ death “an act of violence at the hands and the feet of people who have been charged with keeping them safe”, and called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Graphic bodycam footage of Mr Nichols’ encounter with police released last week showed him being brutally punched, kicked, pepper-sprayed and hit by police

officers.

Mr Nichols was black, as are the police officers now charged with second-degree murder, assault, kidnapping, official misconduct and oppression.

None have not entered a plea, but lawyers for two of the men earlier said they would contest the charges.

The families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, both of whom died as a result of police violence, were also in attendance.

Mr Nichols’ siblings remembered their brother as someone who touched many lives, including older sister Keyana Dixon, who said through tears that her younger brother was “robbed of his life, his passions and his talents, but not his light”.

Mr Nichols’ other sister recited a poem titled “I’m just trying to go home”, a reference to what Mr Nichols’ told police officers in bodycam footage.

“I’ve skated across barriers designed to hold me back. I’m just trying to go home, where the love is loud and the smiles are warm,

like the sunsets that come for me in the coldest of my storms,” she said.

Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton noted Mr Nichols was murdered in the same city as Dr Martin Luther King Jr 55 years before. There’s “nothing more insulting and offensive” than police officers beating their “brother” to death, he said.

“If that man had been white you wouldn’t have beat him like that that night,” he said, pledging to never let Mr Nichols’ “memory die”.

Ben Crump, the high-profile attorney representing Mr Nichols’ family, said police failed to see him as a human being. He said the world needed to secure “equal justice” for Mr Nichols.

He and other civil rights activists have argued police culture is to blame for Mr Nichols’ death.

They have said Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis’ swift response in charging the five police officers should be a”blueprint” for justice going forward.

Ms Davis has said the treatment of Mr Nichols “defied humanity”. (BBC)

Tyre Nichols’ family spoke at the funeral alongside Reverend Al Sharpton and high-profile attorney Ben Crump

World News

US secures deal on Philippines bases to complete arc around China

The US has secured access to four additional military bases in the Philippines - a key bit of real estate which would offer a front seat to monitor the Chinese in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

With the deal, Washington has stitched the gap in the arc of US alliances stretching from South Korea and Japan in the north to Australia in the south.

The missing link had been the Philippines, which borders two of the biggest potential flashpointsTaiwan and the South China Sea.

The deal, which in part reverses the US’ departure from their former colony more than 30 years ago, is no small matter.

“There is no contingency in the South China Sea that does not require access to the Philippines,” says Gregory B Poling, director of the Southeast Asia programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

“The US is not looking for permanent bases. It’s about places, not bases.”

The US already had limited access to five sites under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) - the new additions and expanded access, according to a statement from Washington, will “allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges”, likely a veiled reference to countering China in the region.

The statement came after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr in Manila on Thursday.

The US hasn’t said where the new bases are but three of them could be on Luzon, an island on the

northern edge of the Philippines, the only large piece of land close to Taiwan - if you don’t count China.

China criticised the agreement, saying “US actions escalate regional tension and undermine regional peace and stability”.

“The United States, out of its self-interests and zero-sum game mentality, continues to step up military posture in this region,” its embassy said in a statement.

These days the US is seeking access to places where “light and flexible” operations involving supplies and surveillance can be run as and when needed, rather than bases where large numbers of troops will be stationed.

In other words, this is not a

return to the 1980s, when the Philippines was home to 15,000 US troops and two of the largest American military bases in Asia, at Clark Field and nearby Subic Bay.

Then in 1991 the Philippine government called time. The Filipinos had recently overthrown the hated dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, and sending the old colonial masters home would further cement both democracy and independence.

The Vietnam war was long over, the Cold War was winding down, and China was as yet a military weakling. So, in 1992, the Americans went home - or at least most of them did.

Roll forward 30-odd years and

Canadian province experiments with decriminalising hard drugs

Canada’s province of British Columbia is starting a first-in-thenation trial decriminalising small amounts of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

From Tuesday, adults can possess up to 2.5g of such drugs, as well as methamphetamine, fentanyl and morphine.

Canada’s federal government granted the request by the west coast province to try out the threeyear experiment.

It follows a similar policy in the nearby US state of Oregon, which decriminalised hard drugs in 2020. Ahead of the pilot’s launch,

British Columbia and federal officials outlined the rules under the federally approved exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

While those substances will remain illegal, adults found in possession of a combined total of less than 2.5g of the drugs will not be arrested, charged or have their substances seized. Instead, they will be offered information on available health and social services.

Federal minister of mental health and addictions Carolyn Bennett on Monday called the move “a

monumental shift in drug policy that favours fostering trusting and supportive relationships in health and social services over further criminalisation”.

Some 10,000 residents have died from drug overdoses since British Columbia declared drugs to be a public health emergency in 2016, officials said.

“Decriminalising people who use drugs breaks down the fear and shame associated with substance use and ensures they feel safer reaching out for life-saving supports,” said Jennifer Whiteside, the British Columbia minister for

“We had a live and let live situation in the South China Sea. But in 2012 they tried to seize control of Scarborough Shoal. Then in 2014 they began building the islands. The land grab by China changed the relationship.”

“We have very limited capability against the threat from China,” says former Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr.

He says the Chinese have repeatedly broken promises not to militarise their new South China Sea bases.

“The Chinese have militarised those features and that puts more of our territory under threat. Only the US has the power to stop them. The Philippines cannot do it alone.”

But this time there will not be thousands of US marines and airmen filling the red-light districts of Olongapo or Angeles city again.

The history of violence and abuse by US troops in the Philippines is still a sensitive subject. There are an estimated 15,000 children left with their Filipino mothers when their American fathers went home.

another Marcos is back in the Malacañang Palace.

More important, China is no longer a military weakling, and it’s knocking on the Philippines’ front door. Manila has watched - horrified but powerless to intervene - as Beijing has set about redrawing the map of the South China Sea, or the West Philippine Sea as Manila insists on calling it. Since 2014 China has built 10 artificial island bases, including one at Mischief Reef, deep inside the Philippines’ own exclusive economic zone or EEZ.

Up to then relations between Manila and Beijing had been free of major problems, says Herman Kraft, a political science professor at University of the Philippines.

“We have a long history of inequality in our relationship,” says Renato Reyes, secretary general of New Patriotic Alliance, a left-wing group. “The Philippines has been forced to shoulder the social costs. There’s a history of rape, child abuse, and of toxic waste.”

The US’ return to the Philippines is strongly opposed by the country’s left-wing groups.

While there won’t be as many troops as earlier, Washington is now asking for access to several new locations, some facing the South China Sea, others facing north towards Taiwan. Unofficial reports point to options in Cagayan, Zambales, Palawan and Isabela. (BBC)

Adults

mental health and addictions.

Thousands of police officers in the province have been offered training on the rule change, including those in Vancouver, the largest city in the province.

The programme will run from

31 January 2023 until 31 January 2026, unless it is revoked by the federal government.

Some experts have questioned the 2.5g limit, saying that it is not enough to account for the habits of many addicts.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) was in the Philippines to finalise the deal

can possess up to 2.5g of cocaine and heroin.

World News

UK to see shorter recession, says Bank of England

The UK is set to enter recession this year but it will be shorter and less severe than previously thought, according to the Bank of England.

The slump is now expected to last just over a year rather than almost two as energy bills fall and price rises slow.

As a result unemployment may not rise as much as previously thought with firms expected to make fewer redundancies.

The fresh forecast came as the Bank raised interest rates to 4% from 3.5%.

It is the tenth increase in borrowing costs in a row and will add pressure to many households already struggling with the cost of living.

The impact will be felt by borrowers through higher mortgage

and loan costs, although it should also mean better returns for savers.

The rise means homeowners with a typical tracker mortgage will pay about £49 more a month. Those on standard variable rate mortgages face a £31 increase.

The Bank has been putting up interest rates to tackle inflation, which at 10.5% remains close to its highest level for 40 years - more than five times what it should be.

Higher interest rates can encourage people to save more and spend less, which should help stop prices rising as quickly.

The Bank had previously said it expected the UK to fall into recession at the end of 2022, with the downturn lasting until mid 2024. It now expects the slump to be shorter - starting in the first three

The impact will be felt by borrowers through higher mortgage and loan costs, although it should also mean better returns for savers

months of this year and lasting until the end of March next year. A recession is defined as when the economy shrinks for two consecutive three-month periods, or quarters. Typically companies

make less money and cut jobs, leaving the government with less tax revenue to spend on public services.

Overall, it expects the economy to shrink by 1% during the

downturn, versus 3% in an earlier forecast.

The Bank said that since it gave its last update in November, “wholesale energy prices have fallen significantly”. (BBC)

Russia planning 24 February offensive, Ukrainian defence minister says

Ukraine’s defence minister has said Russia is preparing a major new offensive, and warned that it could begin as soon as 24 February.

Oleksii Reznikov said Moscow had amassed thousands of troops and could “try something” to mark the anniversary of the initial invasion last year.

The attack would also mark Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day on 23 February, which celebrates the army.

Meanwhile, three people have died in an attack on the city of Kramatorsk.

Seven others were wounded in the city in Donetsk region after a Russian missile struck a residential building, the provincial governor said.

The toll is expected to rise as rescuers comb through the wreckage.

“The only way to stop Russian terrorism is to defeat it,” Mr Zelensky wrote on social media about the attack. “By tanks. Fighter jets. Long-range missiles.”

Ukraine has recently renewed calls for fighter jets to help protect itself from air attacks after Germany, the US and the UK agreed to send them tanks.

Mr Reznikov said Moscow had mobilised some 500,000 troops for the potential offensive.

In September, Russian President

At least three people are thought to have been killed in a Russian rocket attack on the eastern city of Kramatorsk

Vladimir Putin announced a general mobilisation of some 300,000 conscripted troops, which he said was necessary to ensure the country’s “territorial integrity”.

But Mr Reznikov suggested that the true figure recruited and deployed to Ukraine could be far higher.

“Officially they announced 300,000 but when we see the troops at the borders, according to our assessments it is much more,” he told the French BFM network. The BBC cannot independently verify this figure.

Despite some heavy fighting in the eastern Donbas region, the war has entered something of a stalemate in recent months since Ukraine retook the southern city of Kherson.

With the exception of the Russian seizure of the town of Soledar, neither side has made major territorial advances.

But a Russian spring offensiveand a Ukrainian counter-offensive - has long been considered likely.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) recently said that Moscow could seek to

“undertake a decisive action” and launch a “big offensive” in the east.

Mr Reznikov said Ukraine’s commanders would seek to “stabilise the front and prepare for a counter-offensive” ahead of the rumoured Russian advance.

“I have faith that the year 2023 can be the year of military victory,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s forces “cannot lose the initiative” they have achieved in recent months.

The defence minister was in France to strike a deal to purchase additional MG-200 air defence

radars, which he said would “significantly increase the capacity of the armed forces to detect air targets, including winged and ballistic missiles, and drones of various types”.

Mr Reznikov’s comments come as Ukrainian intelligence alleges that President Putin has ordered his forces to seize the Donbas before the end of spring.

But speaking on Monday, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that there were no indications that Mr Putin had limited his military goals to seizing eastern regions of Ukraine.

“That they are actively acquiring new weapons, more ammunition, ramping up their own production, but also acquiring more weapons from other authoritarian states like Iran and North Korea,” Mr Stoltenberg said.

“And most of all, we have seen no sign that President Putin has changed his overall goal of this invasion - that is to control a neighbour, to control Ukraine. So as long as this is the case, we need to be prepared for the long haul.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said that intense fighting was continuing in the Donbas region, where Russian forces and Wagner Group mercenaries have been trying to take the town of Bakhmut.

Jamaica security forces could be a part of regional delegation in Haiti

PRIME Minister Andrew Holness signalled on Tuesday that Jamaica’s security forces could be part of a regional delegation to support efforts by the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc to stabilise gang-ravaged Haiti.

Holness told the House of Representatives that the descent into political and economic chaos of Jamaica’s neighbour was a source of worry for his administration and the entire region.

“The Government of Jamaica and indeed the people of Jamaica, even with our own challenges and concerns, are deeply concerned about the humanitarian and security crisis being experienced by our Caribbean neighbour and sister nation Haiti.

“The people of Haiti continue to have their human rights threatened by powerful gangs and militias which perpetrate heinous crimes including killings, kidnappings and acts of violence against women

and children ... ,” said Holness in opening comments.

He told the House of Representatives that the situation had escalated to dangerous proportions with the killing of several policemen recently.

The prime minister reiterated the condemnation by CARICOM and extended condolences to the families of the fallen officers. He said the recent round of violence has left Haiti’s five million population facing acute hunger.

Violent deaths and cholerarelated fatalities continue to pose challenges to Haiti’s fragile health sector, which Holness said have triggered several emergency crises in a country that has been crippled by political instability for decades.

Jamaica, he said, restated its preparedness to support a united international effort in response to the crisis, which deteriorated in the wake of the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Holness said that he endorsed

efforts being contemplated by the Organisation of American States (OAS) towards a solution.

Outside of that collective, specific bilateral support has been discussed, including electoral reform, capacity building, and logistics. Jamaica is prepared to host Haitian representatives in that regard.

“In addition, Jamaica would be willing to participate in a multinational security assistance deployment to Haiti under the appropriate jurisdictional parameters to support a return to a reasonable level of stability and peace which would be necessary ... for any democratic process to take root,” the prime minister told colleague lawmakers.

“Both the Jamaica Constabulary

Force and Jamaica Defence Force have been alerted to this possible course of support and they would have started to plan for such eventuality as part of their routine situational awareness and response readiness,” he stated.

According to the prime minister, thousands of Haitian children, especially those living in gangdominated areas, have yet to return to school, and there are increasing reports of minors being recruited by criminal organisations.

Against that backdrop, Holness said Jamaica reaffirmed its commitment to working with CARICOM and bilateral partners such as Canada and the USA, as well as Latin American and African nations, towards achieving sustainable solutions in Haiti.

In a press statement issued last Saturday, CARICOM said the bloc was deeply concerned about the severity of the challenges being faced by police in Haiti.

“CARICOM strongly condemns the killing of police officers and expresses its condolences to the families of the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The anger and dismay of the police at the gruesome killings of their colleagues, 78 killed since July 2021 and 14 to date this January, are shared by all,” the secretariat said.

The regional grouping, however, urged the security forces not to abandon their role of maintaining public order, cautioning that that action would further destabilise the country.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Jovenel Moise: Four suspects in Haiti leader’s killing sent to US

FOUR men accused of having played a key role in the assassination in of Haitian President Jovenel Moise have been transferred to the United States, where they will face charges.

President Moise was shot dead at his home in the Haitian capital on 7 July 2021 by what police described as a hit squad of mainly foreign mercenaries.

Three of the suspects are dual US-Haitian citizens and one is Colombian.

They are due to appear in a federal court in Miami later on Wednesday.

The investigation being conducted into President Moise’s assassination in Haiti has stalled, with investigators and judges receiving death threats. But as the plan to kill Mr Moise was allegedly hatched by Haitian-Americans in Florida, investigations are proceeding in the US.

The transfer of the four men from Haiti to Florida has brought

the total number of suspects in US custody to seven.

Three of those moved to the US have been charged with conspiracy to murder President Moise. The fourth, Christian Sanon, was charged with smuggling bulletproof vests to Haiti for use in the plot.

THOSE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER ARE:

James Solages, dual Haitian and US citizen, 37 Joseph Vincent, dual Haitian and US citizen, 57 Germán Alejandro Rivera, Colombian citizen, 44 Prosecutors allege that James

Solages and Christian Sanon met in Florida in April 2021 to discuss “regime change” in Haiti.

According to police in Haiti, Mr Sanon, a Haitian-American doctor and pastor, had “political objectives” to replace Mr Moise as president.

Haiti’s police chief at the time of President Moise’s killing also said that Mr Sanon was the first person one of the assailants called as police surrounded them after the murder.

In a statement, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) said that while Mr Sanon had not been charged with conspiracy to murder, he “participated in crimes that culminated in the assassination of the Haitian president”.

According to the DoJ, James Solages, Joseph Vincent and Germán Rivera had originally planned to kidnap President Moise and take him to an unknown location while a new president was installed in his stead.

But when they failed to get a

plane to take the Mr Moise away, they allegedly changed their plan.

“It is alleged that on July 6, 2021, Solages, Vincent, Rivera and others met at a house near President Moise’s residence, where firearms and equipment was distributed and Solages announced that the mission was to kill President Moise,” the DoJ statement said.

The other man, German Alejandro Rivera, is suspected of having recruited the Colombian mercenaries who made up the hit squad hired for the purpose.

All four men were arrested in Haiti shortly after President Moise’s assassination and been held in the Caribbean nation until their transfer on Tuesday.

If found guilty, Mr Sanon could face up to 20 years in jail while the three other suspect could be sentenced to life in prison.

The political void left by the killing has led to a surge in violence and lawlessness across Haiti. (BBC)

Gangs control large parts of Haiti

Jovenel Moise was shot dead in his home on 7 July 2021

Barbados retains position as least corrupt Caribbean state

The 2022 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) Report has concluded that Barbados is the least corrupt country in the Caribbean.

Barbados retained its top ranking in the Caribbean with score of a 65 out of 100 points.

The island had an overall rank of 29th out the list of 180 countries.

Transparency International found that 37 per cent of people surveyed on Barbados thought corruption increased in the previous 12 months while nine per cent of public service users paid a bribe.

The second least corrupt Caribbean country was The Bahamas with a score of 64 and an overall place of 30.

Haiti was the lowest ranked

Bahamas: British Colonial Hilton may be fully opened by end of year

Caribbean state with a score of 17 and an overall rank of 171, which it shared with four countries including North Korea.

Overall ranking of Caribbean states on the CPI: Barbados, The Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, The Dominican Republic and Haiti.

St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Belize were not on the list.

The least corrupt state on the 2022 CPI was Denmark, who received a score of 90.

Finland and New Zealand, who shared the top spot last year with the Danes, dropped to second with 87 points. (Loopnews)

TOURISM, Aviation and Investments Minister Chester Cooper said officials anticipate that parts of the Hilton hotel will be open during the summer months based on the most recent information from the owners of the property.

However, he said on Tuesday that they had to get an update from the developers.

“Work is actively going on at the British Colonial Hilton,” he said. “We need to get an update from the developers but we are anticipating that parts of the hotel will be open during the summer months based on the most recent information received from the owners of the resort and they are pushing to have the hotel fully opened by the end of the year by the winter season.”

The minister addressed complaints about the Nassau Cruise Port.

“This problem is decades old as you would well know - it’s not a new complaint,” Mr Cooper explained. “Firstly, I would say that I (toured) the Nassau Cruise Port itself yesterday, with a view to assessing readiness for an opening at the end of May. This is going to happen. It’s going to be phenomenal.

“For those who may not have seen it, you may perhaps imagine a larger version of Marina Village. So this is going to have a significant draw in and of itself. This will be also a driver I hope for the rest of Bay Street to redevelop. We’ve spent a lot of time already speaking with the stakeholders. We have

issued demolition orders for nine of the buildings east of East Street.

“We are talking with the art community to see how we might be able to do some beautification works. We’re spending significant sums for remedial work like cleaning and beautification, but we need everybody to play their part. We call on the building owners to make efforts to improve the exteriors of their buildings.”

He also said: “We are going further. We’re currently looking at draft legislation for (the) management of the city centre of Bay Street. The Attorney General has been working on that diligently. We have drafted that legislation out for consultation at the moment and we hope to be able to present that to the public soon.

Bahamas: Police to make reporting sexual assault crimes ‘easier’ for women

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said officials intend to continue to make it much easier for people to report sexual offences.

The minister said that in some countries, a woman may be slow to go into a police station to report a crime due to fear.

However, officials want everyone in The Bahamas to feel comfortable in reporting to the police that a crime has been committed against them, regardless of the nature of the crime.

His comments came after Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander revealed on Friday that there were 55 rape cases reported last year, adding it was a 15 percent increase over 2021.

Activists said the increase of sex crimes is “not surprising”,

arguing that the government has continuously failed to prioritise laws that protect women.

Addressing the increase in sex crimes and activists’ outcry,

Mr Munroe said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if the initiative that the commissioner of police is doing now, which should make people more comfortable in reporting sex

crimes, causes people to report more.

“In some countries, a woman may be slow to go into a police station to report a crime because of the reception she thinks she’s gonna get. In this country, we want everyone to feel comfortable in reporting to the police that a crime has been committed against them, regardless of the nature of the crime.

“So the commissioner has indicated that they’re opening a special unit that will focus on this and that this unit will have in the same place, organisations, NGOs, to provide support and care for the victims. So we intend to continue to make it much easier for people to report sexual offences and we intend to provide them the support. We don’t intend to do anything to

discourage that as happens in other countries.”

The minister said the people that commit such offences need to understand that it will not be tolerated.

“There was some uproar last year when I notified the public about a release of a dangerous sexual offender. People were all over me about why did I splash the man’s face out to the public because in my judgement he was dangerous and the public needed to know about him.

“If you don’t want to run the risk of being notified to the public as a dangerous sexual offender, then don’t commit sex crimes, simple. We will do what is necessary to protect our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, we will not tolerate any interference.”

Under Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Barbados turned a Republic in 2022

Parts of the Hilton hotel will be open during the summer months based

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe

Regional News

Bermuda: Government seeks ideas on how to increase working population

THE Government is seeking input from the public to find ways of increasing the island’s working population.

The Ministry of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward is creating a strategic policy paper to tackle Bermuda’s “demographic crisis”, and has posted a consultation page through the Bermuda Citizen’s Forum website.

A ministry spokesman said that the paper “will contain strategic initiatives for implementation aimed at improving and expanding the economy and increasing the working population“.

The paper will focus on three areas:

• Immigration, emigration, new business development and labour policy changes for current and future sectors

• Driving investment, innovation and improved opportunities for a sustainable Bermuda

• Expansion of current and future sectors and activities to promote sustainable growth, increased job creation and accelerated recovery

The spokesman added: “While not exhaustive, this list will help provide points of interest and stimulate ideas yet to be discussed or discovered. Essentially, there is a need to deliver better outcomes,

build investment opportunities, create jobs and sustain employment activities.

“The public is invited to contribute their insight, ideas and feedback to help ensure that decisions made are in agreement with and benefits the community.”

Hayward said: “We must continue investing in products, people and technology and working with the private and public sectors to improve our competitiveness and develop processes that provide

Bahamas: Push reforms to make ‘real dent’ in corruption

equal access and opportunity for all.

“The actions we take now will shape the future of our community, and I urge everyone to contribute their thoughts and work together to solve this critical challenge facing the future of Bermuda.”

A 2018 labour force survey revealed that the working population had dropped by more than 1,500 in the previous two years, while the number of retirees was increasing.

Desi Bouterse: Suriname court seeks to uphold ex-president’s sentence

PROSECUTORS in Suriname have asked the High Court of Justice to uphold a 20-year jail sentence given to former President Desi Bouterse.

The 74-year-old was convicted in 2019 of ordering the extrajudicial execution of 15 political opponents four decades ago.

Bouterse has since been appealing against this ruling and cannot be arrested until the process ends.

The court is expected to rule on the sentence later this year.

Bouterse has denied involvement in the executions. He insists the victims - who included lawyers, union leaders and journalists - were shot while trying to escape a colonial-era fortress in Paramaribo, the capital of the South American country.

An appeal hearing for the former leader is currently under way and is expected to last until the end of March, after which time the High Court will announce its decision on

the sentence.

Bouterse recently admitted in court that he had heard gunshots on the day the prisoners were killed but insisted he did not order their execution.

The Bahamas can make “a real dent” in its anti-corruption standing if it passes four critical laws this year, a governance reformer argued yesterday, having “missed the opportunity” in 2022.

Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director, told Tribune Business that enacting reforms to the Public Procurement Act and Public Disclosures Act, as well as passing legislation to create an Integrity Commission and Ombudsman, will send observers a message that The Bahamas is serious about combating corruption.

He spoke out after The Bahamas held its position in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking as the world’s 30th least corrupt nation in 2022 and maintaining the same ‘64 out of 100’ score it achieved in the prior year. This nation rated better than the likes of Spain, Italy and Portugal, all nations that form part of the European Union (EU) which has blacklisted The Bahamas for being ‘uncooperative’ on tax matters.

But Mr Aubry, while agreeing it was positive The Bahamas had maintained its perception as the second least corruption nation in the Caribbean behind only Barbados, added that the Transparency International index also indicated it was doing too little to improve the status quo in the world’s eyes.

“Indexes are important in several instances and, at the same time, they are not fully reflective,” the ORG chief told this newspaper.

“It’s important to recognise we haven’t dropped. But we were at the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Washington D. C. last December and we were participating with hundreds of organisations from around the world.

“What we’re learning is that corruption has so many destructive

impacts at all levels on countries. There’s wastage from government procurement contracts not coming to fruition, citizens have to “pay to play” to access services, and there’s a lack of efficiency and effectiveness in government spending and decision-making. Those things are clearly present in our circumstance.”

Mr Aubry said, when viewed from another angle, 2022 was thus “a missed opportunity” for The Bahamas to improve both its standing in the Transparency International rankings and reduce perceptions of corruption that may exist internationally. He added that reforms had been enacted, but the country was receiving little credit for them.

“There are many things we are doing now that involve changes. We have greater reliance on technology, the digitisation of government services,” he added. “We have a Procurement Act that was passed and, had we followed it, it would have introduced a different level of transparency and integrity into government procurement.... If we bring these things to fruition, there should be a return on that,”

The ORG chief said The Bahamas was thus far failing to link such reforms together, with the Transparency International index showing it had “not really moved forward the way we could” and “moved us away from an environment where corruption flourishes”.

He added that there were real benefits to be gained from being “seen as a place where corruption does not flourish”, including individuals and companies more willing to follow the rule of and pay due taxes. The Bahamian business environment will also become more competitive, with the best qualified bidders winning government contracts so that tax dollars are put to their best and most efficient use.

Matt Aubry is the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director

The Ministry of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward

A Suriname court is expected to rule on whether to uphold Desi Bouterse’s 20-year sentence later this year

He has instead blamed his deputy, Paul Bhagwandas - who died in 1996 - for the deaths. But witnesses testified that Bouterse was present when the victims were killed.

2

SALES CLERK

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: (649) 341-8378

CONTACT: 241-5948

DOMESTIC WORKER

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 241-3771

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

CONTACT: 332-9284

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

CONTACT: 348-9122

To clean and maintain premises especially Gardening by removing all trash and debris inside and outside of premises. Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT

BUTLER BABYSITTER

Uses equipment like nets, fishing rods, and traps, to catch fish and other marine life that will be consumed by humans or used as animal feed or bait. Salary: $10.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 345-7959

Cleaning office buildings, apartments and villas by mopping, dusting, organizing and upkeep tasks.

Salary: $6.50

CONTACT: 649-347-3710

To wash, scrub and polish the interiors and exteriors of car suv’s and buses. Task; vacuum, clean and maintain vehicles. $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-4464 / 443-4000

WATERSPORTS ATTENDANT

CONTACT: 649-344-9863

CONTACT: (649) 232-0631

LUXURY VILLA

CONTACT: 247-4924

SECURITY OFFICER

We are looking for a qualified Security Officer to join our team. The successful candidate will identify and report any incidents at the assigned villa and will be responsible for the security and safety of our guest, staff and property. Other duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Detect, deter, observe and report

• Be observant of signs of a crime or disorder and investigate

• Act lawfully in direct defense of life or property

• Report in detail any suspicious incidents

• Patrol randomly or regularly the villa and its perimeter

• Monitor and control access to building entrances and vehicle gates

• Watch alarm systems or video cameras and operate detecting/ emergency equipment

• Inspect villa before guest arrival and following departure

• Perform First Aid and or CPR

• Maintain a “Sunny disposition” and positive attitude.

• Must be properly attired in uniform.

• To carry out maintenance and checks of all security systems.

• To carry out other duties as directed by the Villa Manager or The Management Company.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. STARTING SALARY FOR THIS POSITION IS $1500.00 PER MONTH. INTERESTED PERSON ARE ASKED

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.25

CONTACT: 241-3561

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up

CONTACT: 241-3561

JOSEPH

Hourly

SEPARATION OF LIABILITIES

I JOSEPH A. SKIPPINGS hereby acknowledge and inform the general public that I am no longer in relationship with Ms. Natacha Alce Soto Skippings and a formal separation will follow. As a result I will not be responsible for any bills or expenses that she will incur after 31st January 2023. This serves as a notice that Ms Alce Soto will be responsible for all liabilities that she will incur after the above stated date.

RAMP AGENT

Assisting with towing and pushback Ensuring the safety and security of the area around a parked airplane. Guiding airplanes to and from their gates.

Loading, Unloading and sorting baggage’s. Operating Cargo handling equipment. Salary $1400-$2000 Holidays, long hours, weekend

TEL: 941-5730

Cleaning up of job sites, removal of debris, maintaining a clean and safe environment for workers, and other related chores as needed.

Salary: $7.00 per hour

CONTACT: 231-3456

AGGRESSOR II/ CAICOS LIVEABOARD DIVING LTD

• Aggressor II is a Scuba Liveaboard Company operating from Providenciales. The company requires an experienced Captain with a current 200 Ton (ITC) US Coast Guard License with previous experience on vessels greater than 120Ft. Must also have a Certified Scuba Instructor

Certification and Full STCW-95210.

• Must be fluent in english and have a strong background in customer service. Drug test screening is mandatory.

• The captain must live on board the vessel with a rotation of 8 weeks on and 3 weeks off.

Starting Salary: $700.00 / Week.

CONTACT: 000-0000

DENISE PREMISE SMITH

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 341-6997

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

DOROTHEA

General household chores: cleaning, mopping, washing, dusting, sweeping and any other related chores as needed.

Salary: $7.00 per hour

CONTACT: 247-1554

DUTIES INCLUDES:

• Assist with offloading of containers

• Assist with transporting inventory from containers to main warehouse

• Stocking shelves with inventory and making sure they are clean at all times

• Assist customers in and out of store with merchandise

• Ensure a clean and orderly workplace

• Any other duties assign by Management.

Salary: $6.75 per hour

CONTACT: 946-4536 OR EMAIL INFO@WINECELLAR.TC

• Repaint and restore heavy equipment including handling, sand blasting equipment, cleaning and any prep work involve in restoration projects

• Must be willing to work 6 days per week

Salary: $12.00 per hour

DIEUFORT DIEUDONNE PIERRE

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 345-7087

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

34709

DRADLEY MERVEILLE

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 344-8551

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

• Must be willing to work 6 days per week

• Diagnostic Mechanical Repairs maintenance

• Electrical troubleshooting

Salary: $12.00 per hour

CONTACT: 649-941-4015 EMAIL: ALSHAULING@YAHOO.COM

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

EASY SHOP

LABOURER

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

CONTACT: 246-7466

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

EDRISS JOSEPH

The Bight Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

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

WAITRESS Norway Rd., Kew Town Is seeking to employ a

food and beverages

TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

34726

RENEWAL

Dr Phil talk show will end after 21 seasons

Dr Phil, the daytime television show offering life advice to US households for more than two decades, will go off air.

Phil McGraw, the show’s host, will be exiting the programme for “new ventures”, CBS Media Ventures announced on Tuesday.

The talk show, on air since 2002, is known for interviewing guests with unconventional stories.

New episodes will still air through the end of the current 2022-2023 cycle.

Mr McGraw, once a licensed psychologist. started his television career as a life coach on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1990s, where he rose to prominence in US households.

Ms Winfrey then helped him launch his own programme. Since then, Dr Phil has been offering advice on an array of topics from

mental wellness to parenting to family relationships.

In the news release by CBS Media Ventures, the programme’s production company, Mr McGraw said he has been “blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television.”

“With this show, we have helped thousands of guests and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children,” the 72-year-old said.

“This has been an incredible chapter of my life and career, but while I’m moving on from daytime, there is so much more I wish to do.”

The news release did not specify what Mr McGraw’s new ventures will be, but the production company said he will focus on prime-time programming,

scheduled for an early 2024 launch, that “will expand his reach and increase his impact on television and viewers.”

The show is known for interviewing high-shock-value guests with unconventional stories, and many of the interviews have launched viral memes on the internet.

Mr McGraw and his show have

also drawn significant criticism in recent years. In particular, a 2016 interview with former actress Shelley Duvall drew backlash for being “exploitative”.

In 2020, he was criticised for speaking negatively about Covidlockdowns despite his lack of medical expertise on the disease.

In 2022, US news outlet Buzzfeed reported that current

and former employees of the programme have alleged “verbal abuse in a workplace that fosters fear, intimidation and racism”.

Employees also spoke out about the unethical treatment of guests with mental illness, according to the Buzzfeed report.

Mr McGraw and the programme have denied all of the allegations in that report. (BBC)

Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter in Rust shooting

Alec Baldwin was on the phone during firearms training for a movie where he fatally shot a cinematographer on set, prosecutors said, as they charged him with involuntary manslaughter.

Santa Fe’s District Attorney’s Office accused the actor of “many instances of extremely reckless acts”.

Halyna Hutchins died on the set of Rust in New Mexico after Mr Baldwin allegedly fired a prop gun. The film’s armourer has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The documents released on Tuesday detailing the charges - first announced on 19 Januaryportray a chaotic set with a reckless approach to gun safety.

Mr Baldwin was “distracted” talking to family members on his mobile phone during training on how to operate the prop gun, Robert Shilling, a special investigator for the district attorney’s office, wrote in a statement of probable cause filed with the manslaughter charges.

If Mr Baldwin had performed mandatory safety checks with armourer Hannah GutierrezReed and not pointed the gun at Hutchins, the “tragedy would not have occurred”, Mr Shilling argued.

“This reckless deviation from known standards and practice and

protocol directly caused the fatal shooting,” he said.

“Baldwin knew the first rule of gun safety is never point a gun at someone you don’t intend on shooting,” Mr Shilling added.

The charging document outlines at least a dozen “acts or omissions of recklessness” leading up to the

shooting, including:

Not using a replica firearm for an unscheduled rehearsal

Letting the armourer leave the set against protocol

Deviating from the practice of only receiving the gun from the armourer

Not dealing with safety complaints on set

Not performing required safety checks with the armourer, who was hired without adequate certification

Lawyers for Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed have said they intend to fight the charges in court.

If found guilty, Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed could face up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 (£4,050) fine. They will be tried by a jury, according to prosecutors.

Ms Hutchins died in hospital after she was shot in the chest by a prop gun allegedly fired by Mr Baldwin during a rehearsal at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe.

Mr Baldwin has previously denied responsibility for the

shooting. He argued in media interviews that he did not pull the trigger on the gun and that it had just “gone off”, prosecutors alleged.

But photos and videos from the Rust shooting depict Mr Baldwin practising drawing and firing the weapon with his finger inside the trigger guard and on the trigger multiple times, prosecutors said.

In addition, officials with the FBI found the gun could not be fired without pulling the trigger, according to a report the agency sent to the Santa Fe County Sherriff’s Office.

The 30 Rock actor has filed a lawsuit against Ms Gutierrez-Reed and other people involved with the film, alleging they failed to check the gun carefully.

Ms Gutierrez-Reed has said she had checked that the rounds she loaded in the prop gun were dummies before it was handed to the film’s assistant director Dave Halls, who then handed it to Mr Baldwin and told him it was an unloaded gun.

Phil McGraw, the show’s host, will be exiting the programme for “new ventures”

Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of the film Rust, after Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun during rehearsal

BTC WATER SPORTS DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES WITH STAFF

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: In a show of appreciation for outstanding service over the past year, particularly with the addition of new offerings following the expansion of the Beaches Turks & Caicos waterpark, the resort management recently held a commemorative function for its dedicated watersports team.

The function, which took the form of a special luncheon in the resort’s lavish ballroom, was spearheaded by the resort’s leadership including General Manager, James McAnally and WaterSports Manager, Mark Henley.

McAnally thanked the team for their unwavering efforts in providing stellar service over the past year and reminded them “The resort recently received recognition from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) for more than 25 years of certification which means that you as our valued team members, have been providing world-class watersports experience for our guests.”

“Among you, there are three team members who have been recognized for over 60 years of diving experience, combined. As a team, you have all continued to give nothing but outstanding service as you provide amazing experiences for our guests every day. This is just one way for us to let you know that we see you, and we appreciate you. Thank you all for your continued support as we remain committed to not only exceeding our guests’ expectations but to also elevate our brand offerings and positioning as the best place to work in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said McAnally.

For his part, Henley stated, “each of you here today has shown tremendous will and determination to make this resort the best family resort on the Islands. For the three men who have each given more than 21 years of service each, I encourage you to continue to show the way forward to those who are not as experienced in this field. Let us continue to grow as a team, having fun as we

work hard together. We believe that, together everyone achieves more.”

Evanz Inelus, Pool and Waterpark supervisor while sharing his commendation for the team noted, “we are forever a team in this department and the resort in general. As we continue to grow in our professional life, let us look forward to the new year with getting more certifications from the Sandals Corporate University (SCU). Beaches Turks and Caicos has made it possible for us to grow professionally in what we love in this department by allowing us to be certified while we are doing what we enjoy in the water sports department.”

Three members of the team were given special recognition for their years of service to the resort; Jacquelin Pierre, Marion Pierre and Charitable Sertune August. Marion Pierre, while sharing his gratitude for the recognition added, “Beaches Turks and Caicos is the best place for anyone to start their career. My team and I are very grateful for this award as the resort continues to build us into becoming the best professionals that we can be. The training and exposure provided, allow us opportunities at other Sandals and Beaches resorts across the Caribbean and to get certification from some of the most recognised institutions in the world. Working with this company has given me and my family the opportunity to live a prosperous and comfortable life.”

Two team members, Jed Arkim Reggie and Nicorge Edward, from Sandals La Toc, St Lucia who were on training and experiencing the resort, were recognised for their contribution to the department. Edward stated, “what I love most about this company is the opportunity to gain professional experience in different cultures and regions. My colleague and I came here to gain valuable leadership experience while learning more about the daily operational duties of the watersports department at this, the largest and most equipped resort. We are grateful for the exposure and look forward to going back home to share the best practices we have learned.”

The watersports group

James McAnally, BTC General Manager (right) presents Nicorge Edward with a token of appreciation at the event

Mamrio Pierre (right) accepts his certification of recognition from Mackenson Petit from the Learnign and Development department

Educational Aids Strengthen Learning Experience for Provo Students

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Scores of students in Providenciales will benefit from back-to-school supplies donated by Sandals Foundation Ambassadors at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort, strengthening the instructional process in four schools at the start of the new school term.

More than 2,000 students from Ianthe Pratt, Enid Capron, Oseta Jolly and the Thelma Lightbourne Primary Schools were presented with a generous supply of educational materials including notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, sharpeners, knapsacks, reading material, sports gear and musical instruments from members of the philanthropic arm of the family all-inclusive resort. While sharing the gratitude for the gifts received, the leaders at the various institutions lauded the efforts of the more than 20 volunteers on hand.

Neekimo King, Principal of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School shared, “Beaches Turks and Caicos and the Sandals Foundation over the years have adopted our institution as their own. These reading books will go a far way in increasing our library stock and improving literacy among the students while the physical education and the guidance counseling units have received lots of materials to bolster the learning experience for our students.”

Sophia Garland, Principal of the Enid Capron Primary School was equally elated as she expressed how beneficial resources will be for the teaching and learning process.

“These supplies, including the books, will definitely aid in increasing literacy amongst the students and the many teaching aids that we have

been received will create an environment that is conducive for teaching and learning.”

In sharing with the schools, James McAnally, General Manager at Beaches resort noted, “Sandals Foundation and the resort remain committed to the development of the education of our children, the environment and the communities in which we operate. These four government operated primary schools were identified for these supplies to help in fostering their academic and extra-curricular growth.”

McAnally continued, “A big thank you to the Sandals Foundation Ambassadors who came out and helped with making these distributions possible.”

Vice principal of the Oseta Jolly Primary School, Diana Dean, also expressed gratitude noting, “With these tools, I am sure the students will be excited about learning and the teachers will be better equipped to deliver the lessons.”

The Sandals Foundation and Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort have long been supporters of education and community development in Turks and Caicos, donating to a number of schools and youth sports programmes. Since 2011, the organisations have been assisting students at Ianthe Pratt, Enid Capron Primary Schools and other schools across the islands in their holistic development by providing educational supplies and the opportunity for Sandals and Beaches resorts guests to meaningfully engage with the students through a weekly literacy enhancement programme, hosted in partnership with Island Routes Tours - Reading Road Trip.

Members of the Enid Capron staff and the Sandals Foundation Ambassadors with students

Staff and students from the Oseta Jolly Primary share a moment with some members of the Sandals Foundation and BTC team

Staff and students from the Thelma Lightbourne Primary pose with member of the Sandals Foundation and BTC team

Students and staff from the Ianthe Pratt Primary pose with members of the Sandals Foundation and BTC team

Coupland remembered at Service of Thanksgiving

The life and work of the late Kevin Coupland, a much-admired retired lawyer at Misick & Stanbrook, was celebrated through a Service of Thanksgiving at the Catholic Church on the Leeward Highway in Providenciales on Saturday, January 28.

During the touching service, family and friends of Mr Coupland gathered for reflection, solace and to listen to hymns and to a eulogy of his life.

The event was officiated by Father Orlando.

Mr Coupland, who died in December of 2022, at the age of 79, spent 15 official years at the reputable law firm in the TCI.

The Englishman, born in South Hammersmith, London, graduated with Honours when he did his law degree at Christ’s College in Cambridge at the age of 21.

He then accepted a position as a lecturer at Slough College of Further Education, before passing the bar finals a few years later.

Mr Coupland started his legal career as a general lawyer at the Department of Imperial Chemical

Industries (ICI) and rapidly rose through the ranks.

Work took him to Brussels, Belgium, during which time he met and formed a friendship with the late Clive Stanbrook OBE.

In the late 80s, Mr Stanbrook formed a partnership called Misick & Stanbrook with Ariel Misick KC and he persuaded Mr Coupland, who was formally called to the Bar in England in 1985, to join.

Mr Coupland arrived in Grand Turk in 1989 and was admitted to the Turks and Caicos bar a short while after.

He worked as the senior commercial lawyer and was a partner at Misick & Stanbrook until he retired in May of 2005.

Even after retiring, he was still a regular visitor and would give his legal advice.

According to his eulogy, he produced exquisite legal opinions and ribald limericks with equal enthusiasm and skills.

After the church service, his former colleagues and friends held a Memorial Reception for him at Baci Restaurant.

Friends and colleagues of the late Kevin Coupland held a Memorial Reception for him at Baci Restaurant

The late Kevin Coupland

Last week, Beyoncé performed her first headlining concert in four years at the opening of a luxury hotel in Dubai, but did not play any of her new material

Beyoncé announces Renaissance world tour, as fans brace for ticket rush

BEYONCÉ has announced a 43date world tour in support of her critically-acclaimed Renaissance album, including five nights in the UK.

The shows will kick off in Sweden on 10 May, before landing at Cardiff’s Principality stadium a week later.

Further UK dates will take place in Edinburgh on 20 May, Sunderland on 23 May and London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 29 and 30 May.

Ticket demand is expected to be huge for her first solo tour since 2016.

A series of pre-sales for the star’s UK shows will begin at 10:00 GMT on Thursday, before tickets then go on general sale on Tuesday.

In North America, fans are being

asked to register for Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan process - which the company says will filter out touts - before ticket pre-sales open on Monday.

Those who have registered will be entered into a “lottery-style process” if demand outstrips the number of available tickets.

Politicians in the US, who are already investigating Ticketmaster over the fumbled sale of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, will be keeping an eagle eye on how the systems cope with Beyoncé’s concerts.

Last week, Beyoncé performed her first headlining concert in four years at the opening of a luxury hotel in Dubai, but did not play any of her new material.

She was reportedly paid $24m (£19.4m) for the one-off show, but

Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo welcome third child

TV host and singer Adam Levine and wife Behati Prinsloo welcomed their third baby recently.

faced criticism for performing in a country where homosexuality and gender reassignment are outlawed.

Critics said that contradicted the message of her latest album, which explicitly celebrates black and queer dance culture.

Beyoncé conceived the album as “a place to dream and to find escape” during the pandemic, layering her songs with multiple samples and references to club music, from Nile Rodgers’ Studio 54 disco grooves and Grace Jones’ imperious soul, to less-celebrated movements like bounce and dancehall.

Exclaim magazine called it “the sound of a once-in-a-generation superstar performing at her peak”, while the Guardian described it as “a breath-taking, maximalist tour de force”.

The 43-year-old Maroon 5 frontman and former “The Voice” panelist and the 34-year-old former Victoria’s Secret model also share daughters Gio Grace, 4, and Dusty Rose, 6.

People magazine confirmed news of the birth. No other details about the newest addition to their family were available.

The couple first said they were expecting baby number three in September and Prinsloo posted frequent updates on Instagram.

The announcement was quickly followed by Levine publicly denying allegations he had had an affair with Instagram model Sumner Stroh who shared purported screenshots of messages from Levine on TikTok.

“I used poor judgment in speaking with anyone other than

my wife in ANY kind of flirtatious manner,” he said in a statement. One of the messages Stroh claims Levine sent her asked whether it would be OK if he named his third child after her. “I’m having another baby and if it’s a boy I really wanna name it Sumner. You okay with that? DEAD serious,” the message read with a shrug emoji.

“I did not have an affair, nevertheless, I crossed the line during a regrettable period in my life,” he said. “In certain instances, it became inappropriate; I have addressed that and taken proactive steps to remedy this with my family. My wife and my family is all I care about in this world. To be this naive and stupid enough to risk the only thing that truly matters to me was the greatest mistake I could ever make. I will never make it again. I take full responsibility. We will get through it. And we will get through it together.”

Michael Jackson’s nephew Jafaar Jackson to play him in biopic

MICHAEL Jackson’s 26-yearold nephew has confirmed he will portray the singer in a new bigscreen biopic.

Jaafar Jackson’s performance in the film, titled simply Michael, will mark his first major film role.

Announcing the news on social media, the young actor said he was “humbled and honoured” to have been cast.

Jaafar is the second-youngest son of songwriter and Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson, Michael’s older brother.

Michael will become the latest in a string of big-screen musical biopics, following the release of movies which have charted the careers of Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley, Queen and Elton John.

‘JAAFAR EMBODIES

MY SON’

The film is being made with the cooperation of the Michael Jackson

estate. It is unclear whether or not it will reference allegations of child sexual abuse which were made against Jackson during his life and after his death.

Jackson always maintained

his innocence, and was found not guilty of child molestation in 2005.

Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, said: “Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the

Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.”

Antoine Fuqua, who helmed Training Day and Emancipation, Will Smith’s recent film for Apple, will direct the biopic.

Michael Jackson is one of the most well-known singers in music history, from shooting to fame with his family band the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most successful artists of all time.

His most popular solo singles include Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Bad and Rock With You, while Thriller remains the best-selling album ever.

Fuqua said Michael “explores the journey of the man who became the King of Pop”, while the film’s studio, Lionsgate, said it would include “his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time”.

One of the producers of the new film is Graham King, who also produced the Oscar-winning Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. King said the team behind the film had searched widely for an actor to play Jackson, before ultimately settling on Jaafar.

Michael Jackson’s sister La Toya Jackson pictured with his nephew Jafaar Jackson in 2019

Adam Levine, 43 and Behati Prinsloo, 34, also share daughters Gio Grace, 4, and Dusty Rose, 6.

AUTO SALES REAL ESTATE

TILE LAYER

DOMESTIC WORKER

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

Salary: $6.25

HANDYMAN

Millennium Highway, Providenciales

Contact: 244-3939 | $6.25 hourly

Maintaining of yard cleaning, small painting, fixing of small furniture etc.

PLUMBER HELPER

TEN & SANCHEZ LTD.

12 Bronze Lane, Long Bay

Contact: 341-4752 | $600.00 Bi-Weekly

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

HAIR BRAIDER

ABIGAELLE BARBER & SALON

CONTACT: 649-342-1979

Five Cays, Providenciales

Contact: 331-2701 | $7.00 hourly

Braiding and grooming of hair.

Acting on behalf of

MASON

HARD ROCK CONSTRUCTION

#128 Millennium Highway, Blue Hills

Contact: 244-3939 | $7.00 hourly

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

LIVE-IN HANDYMAN

CLOVER PARKER

Millennium Highway, Blue Hills

Contact: 231-7222 | $7.50 hourly

Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs.

KECHIE 34787

DESIGN

Village, GraceBay, Provo, Is looking for VARIOUS

Regent

Contact: 941-4750

June Hills, Blue Hills

Up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, layout tools, pouring of concrete foundation.

$300.00 weekly

LABOURER LABOURER

TILE MAN

D & B TILE

Contact: 232-6435

South Dock Road

Laying tile.

$15.00 hourly

VOYNEL A. GRAY

Five Cays, Contact: 247-6382

Attending to my apartments need such as paint, cleaning and assisting with ongoing construction. Salary: $300.00

DRYWALL MASON

Responsible for installing wallboards to ceilings or to interior walls of buildings and applying plaster.

$9.00 Hourly

STEEL

Build and install iron or steel girders, columns, and other construction materials.

$9.00 Hourly

Build and install iron or steel girders, columns, and other construction materials to form buildings, bridges, and other structures. Cut, position, and bolt down steel bars.

$9.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 247-4924

IS URGENTLY LOOKING FOR A FLORIST

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

CONTACT: 231-3788

Sourcing the materials, measuring and cutting materials to specifications

Welding materials using the correct materials to join the metals together. Checking finished work to make sure that it falls within the tolerances marked on the blueprints.

$10-15/Hr., Mon-Fri, 7:00AM-5PM.

CELL: 231-6858 / 432-3447

Whereas, PAUL SLATTERY of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands has declared that the Land Certificate for the above mentioned title number(s) registered in the name of BARZAN LIMITED was inadvertently mislaid and cannot be found.

Take notice that I, Toni-Ann Foster, Acting Land Registrar, shall issue a new Land Certificates for the said title six weeks of the date of the first publication of this Notice in a Local Newspaper and the Gazette.

Dated this 21st day of October 2022

CONTACT: 343-2775

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 345-0856

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

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor,

CONTACT: 246-2661

DOMESTIC WORKER/ CLEANER

Fix

maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, etc.

CONTACT: 343-6168

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

Salary:

CONTACT: 348-6452

LABOURER

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

CONTACT: 344-3659

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 347-3410

Install materials on floors, walls, ceilings, countertops. Level the surface with a layer of mortar or plywood. Salary:

CONTACT: 346-1897

ENCOURAGED

Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 1-649-441-4433

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

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

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 343-6168

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO

WORKER

CONTACT: 344-4801

CONTACT: 331-9854

DOMESTIC WORKER LABOURER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. $6.50

Cleaning property, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-1159

CONTACT: 345-7823

MAINTENANCE

Duties will be moping, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning windows etc.

Work 5 days a week

Salary: $6.50 an hour

CONTACT: 241-3048

ONLY BELONGER APPLY/ RENEWALS

CONTACT: 243-6653

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, etc.

Salary: $1,800.00 Monthly

CONTACT: 946-4684 OR 231-0262

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. $6.50 Hourly

DOMESTIC WORKER LABOURER

Cleaning property, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 243-6332

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients. Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials.

Salary: $7.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-241-6380

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, etc.

CONTACT: 649-247-2633

MARIE CHANTALE CHERY DOMINIQUE

MARIE THEODORE FENELON

CONTACT: 343-2775

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 345-0856

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

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor,

CONTACT: 246-2661

DOMESTIC WORKER/ CLEANER

Fix

maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, etc.

CONTACT: 343-6168

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

Salary:

CONTACT: 348-6452

LABOURER

LABOURER

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 344-3659

CONTACT: 347-3410

Install materials on floors, walls, ceilings, countertops. Level the surface with a layer of mortar or plywood. Salary:

CONTACT: 346-1897

ENCOURAGED

WORKER

CONTACT: 344-4801

CONTACT: 331-9854

Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 1-649-441-4433

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

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

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 343-6168

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO

DOMESTIC WORKER LABOURER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. $6.50 Hourly

Cleaning property, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 243-6332

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

DOMESTIC WORKER LABOURER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. $6.50

Cleaning property, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-1159

CONTACT: 345-7823

MAINTENANCE

Duties will be moping, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning windows etc.

Work 5 days a week

Salary: $6.50 an hour

CONTACT: 241-3048

ONLY BELONGER APPLY/ RENEWALS

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, etc.

Salary: $1,800.00 Monthly

CONTACT: 946-4684 OR 231-0262

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 243-6653

Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients. Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials.

Salary: $7.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-241-6380

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

DOMESTIC WORKER

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, etc.

CONTACT: 649-247-2633

MARIE CHANTALE CHERY DOMINIQUE

MARIE THEODORE FENELON

GEORGE

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

CONTACT: 345-2560

BELONGERS ARE

DOMESTIC WORKER

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 244-7865

CONTACT: (649) 341-7518

LABOURER

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

To work 5 day a week.

Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 243-6890

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 345-7087

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO

DOMESTIC WORKER

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.50 Hourly LUXENE

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-3561

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 344-0684

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

MAINTENANCE

• Conducting routine inspections of premises and equipment.

• Performing preventive maintenance.

• Handling basic repairs and maintenance.

• Overseeing contractors when professional repairs are necessary.

• Diagnosing mechanical issues and correcting them.

• Repairing machine, equipment, or structures as necessary.

Salary: $10.00 per hour

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 342-0022

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

BABYSITTER

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

Salary: $7.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-0062

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE

DOMESTIC WORKER

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 347-7844

CHRISTOPHER FORBES

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 341-6997

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.25

CONTACT: 341-7475

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

ASSISTANT PASTOR

MERVIN

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-241-3881

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

HELPER

Clean the store, dusting, sweeping, mopping, clean ceiling vents, restroom cleaning, stock shelves, pick, pack, receive and restock products inside the store

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 342-4067

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

Salary: $500.00

CONTACT: 232-3007

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

Salary: $6.50

CONTACT: 346-2537

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

Salary: $6.25

CONTACT: 346-9461

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

DOMESTIC WORKER

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 232-8509

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 333-3312 OR SASHAUNA.WILLIAMS@TCIPOLICE.TC

CONTACT: 341-3168

CONTACT: 342-2245

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 345-7087

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

and detail.

• To work 9 to 5, 6 days a week. Salary: $7 hourly

CROSLEY BAIN

TRAINEE OPERATOR

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

CONTACT: 649-242-8751

CONTACT: 331-6639

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 649-946-5885

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

Salary: $7.50 hourly

CONTACT: 246-2555

BELONGERS

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 331-9167

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

MECHANIC

BOAT CAPTAIN

Responsible

Cleaning outside the property, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Cares for garden on a daily basis

Salary: $7.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 245-1721

BELONGERS ARE TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD WORK PERMIT RENEWAL

Greets customers, receive payment by cash, checks and credit cards, Issue receipts, and change due to customers.

CONTACT: 231-0658

DOMESTIC WORKER

Salary: $1097.66 Bi-Weekly

CONTACT: 347-8185

CONTACT: 344-3630

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-346-4935

Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 649-244-5191

Salary:

Salary:

CONTACT: 246-6464

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Desire to make Aviation your Career? Want to work in an industry where no day is the same? Want to work with a company that believes that our Human Resources are our most important asset? A company that trains, develops and promotes from within? TCA Handling Flight Services Ltd with over 30th years serving American Airlines and JetBlue is the organization for you, we are currently seeking passionate, committed individuals with a great personally to fill the positons of:

AIRLINES SERVICE AGENTS (ABOVE WING)

JOB DESC RIPTION:

• Provides friendly service to and maintains positive relationships with all internal and external Customers.

• Works in a cooperative spirit to ensure the success of our Company.

• Responsible for providing Legendary Customer Service to people desiring to travel, by determining and recommending the service that meets the Customers' needs.

• Communicates with Customers by telephone to furnish information regarding fares, schedules, routings, flights and availability of space.

• Finalizes sales of contracted Airlines flights, confirms reservations, and provides information regarding ticket purchase and other special services.

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

• May be assigned to specialized reservations functions servicing travel agents, groups and tours, or special accounts.

• May be assigned to specialized duties such as aircraft grooming, assisting and/or lifting disable passengers on or off aircraft.

• May be assigned as a Training Coordinator assisting with onthe-job and classroom training programs, as assigned by the Company.

• Keeps his or her work station clean, neat and in orderly fashion all time while on duty.

• Works in a highly organized, restrictive environment requiring extended periods of time at a fixed work position answering telephone calls within established guidelines, procedures, and performance standards.

• Utilizes computerized reservations system including a computerized video display terminal and keyboard on a constant basis to book reservations and retrieve information on flights and schedules.

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

• Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements, such as lifting bags up to 50 pounds repeatedly.

• May perform other job duties as directed by Management.

AIRLINES SERVICE AGENTS (BELOW WING)

JOB DESCRIPTION:

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

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

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

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

• Possess a valid driver’s license.

• Able to lift a minimum of 50lbs. routinely with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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

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

• Be self-motivated and a team player.

• Able to work nights, weekends, holiday and varying schedules.

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

• Marshall aircraft on the ramp (e.g. directing assisting and parking all arriving, departing and towed aircraft).

• Observe safe ground-handling procedures and maintenance of ground service equipment including the performance of equipment checks.

• Comply with all safety procedures and airline policies.

• Responsible for courteous, prompt, accurate and careful handling of customer baggage, airfreight and company material, continuous lifting, loading/unloading, sorting and transfer of baggage, freight and company material.

• Set up ramp and storage of equipment and baggage.

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

• Constantly communicate with flight crew personnel and other ground personnel.

• May perform other job duties as directed by Management.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Warm and friendly personality

• Customer service focused

• Highly trainable and a quick leaner

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

• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs

• Ability to work with a diverse team

• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Must have a clean Police Record

• Must have a valid Turks & Caicos Driver’s license (applicable to ASA Below Wing)

• Valid Passport

• Must be able to travel regional and internationally

TCI EDUCATION FOUNDATION

AN INCORPORATED CHARITABLE ORGANISATION REGISTERED IN TURKS AND CAICOS

Registered Office: c/o Stanbrooks Law, Graceway House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, TKCA 1ZZ

Email: carlsimmons@tropical.com Telephone: +1 649 231-6500

PRINCIPAL

Clean kitchen areas, wash dishes, and help workers who prepare or serve food and beverages.

Renewal 6.25 Hourly

KITCHEN HELPER SERVER BAKER Airport Road, Providenciales, Is seeking to employ

Mixing, preparing and baking bread and pastries.

$7.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 343-3568

10. Developing, implementing, and supervising professional development activities for faculty.

Taking orders, answer question about the menu and take payments. $6.25 Hourly

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

RESTAURANT AND PIZZERIA 34779

VACANCIES

• Master’s Degree in Education or other related areas

• Principal ’s Certification or other equivalent/ relevant accreditation

• Teacher’s Certificate, Licence or Accreditation

• Minimum of five years experience as Principal, Vice-Principal, or other relevant leadership experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The candidate must have experience or be willing to acquire knowledge of the Cambridge Assessment International Education Curriculum as well as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

The candidate will demonstrate knowledge and experience in the following areas:

1. Planning & and meeting educational and other goals for school improvement

2. Improving the instructional program to include developing and implementing plans for continuous evaluation of curriculum and programs.

3. Managing change.

4. Developing and overseeing departmental budgets and demonstrating accountability by meeting financial and budget limits as determined by the TCI Education Foundation

5. Preparing & submitting regular reports for the TCI Education Foundation

6. Team development & building strong work relationships.

7. Ensuring safety protocols for staff and students and implementation of a school code of conduct

8. Supervising secretarial, para-professional, custodial, and teaching staff.

9. Provide veritable information to requests from TCI Education Foundation, stakeholders, faculty, parents, national governing bodies, and the community by developing strong communication pathways.

11. Managing the staff orientation process.

12. Providing leadership in the student orientation process.

13. Liaising with the Department and Ministry of Education of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

14. Interpreting guidelines (policies) and developing procedures related to all aspects of the school.

15. Supervision of athletic events, school meetings and functions, community related events and field trips.

16. Conduct meetings with parent council and provide support to PTA.

17. Planning, conducting, and attending meetings and events related to the public relation needs of the school.

18. Marketing the school and growing the student population.

19. Recruiting and hiring high quality staff as well as conducting regular performance appraisals.

20. Managing time tabling to ensure efficient & optimal use of resources, staff, and facilities.

SALARY

Salary will be commensurate with qualification & experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates must send the following information by email to Mr. Carl Simmons, President of the TCI Education Foundation at carlsimmons@tropical.com or deliver by hand to the registered office - Stanbrooks Law, Graceway House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos TKCA 1ZZ:

1. Letter of application addressed to Mr. Carl Simmons, President of the TCI Education Foundation

2. Detailed CV with the names of the two most recent or current supervisors

3. Copy of all diplomas, certificates, licenses, and relevant accreditations

Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.

The British West Indies Collegiate is seeking a dynamic, qualified, and experienced candidate to assume the position of Principal. The contract for this position is initially for two-years, beginning in August 2023 with the possibility of renewal based on the mutual approval of the TCI Education Foundation and the Principal. Individuals who meet the qualifications and requirements below and who have a minimum of five years experience as a Principal or Vice-Principal are invited to apply. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 10TH, 2023.

TILE LAYER

Install materials on floors, walls, ceilings, etc.

$9.00 - $12.00 Hourly

3 MASONS

Plaster, put blocks, etc.

CONSTRUCTION LABOURER

Assist Mason, Carpenter, Lift heavy things. $7.00-$9.00 Hourly

$10.00 - $12.00 Hourly, ERB CONSTRUCTION 4B Blue Hills Provo | Contact: 649-331-1067 L.A.F. CONSTRUCTION Bible Street Blue Hills | Contact: 649-343-6168 LABOURER - $7.00 - $9.00 Hourly. Keep job site clean, carry materials to workers, etc. ONLY BELONGER APPLY/ RENEWALS Acting on behalf

BEAUTY SECRET

Basic manicures, artificial nails, gel nails, hand massages, nail repair, and nail polishing. $7.50 Hourly

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions or wellness maintenance.

Renewal $8.00 Hourly

34782

Shampooing and styling hair, provide hair treatments, permanents, coloring, and weaving. $7.50 Hourly

HAIRSTYLIST SALON CLEANER

Stocking and supplying facility areas, dusting, sweeping, mopping, restroom cleaning etc. $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 247-1957/231-0640

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWALS

34778

PUBLIC NOTICE

Any one presenting copies of my documents to be notarized without presenting the original documents should be considered as fraud and will attract legal actions.

34620

Regulation 8 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 2018

NOTICE

Schedule 2 Regulation 8 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 2018

An Application, REGISTERED PR16415, by The Hotel Corporation & Urban Development Ltd. for the development of a Hotel Development. The proposed hotel development contemplates a Full Service Resort including One Hundred and Eight (108) Bedrooms Condo Hotel (Comprising Fifty-Four (54) Condo Units in Two Buildings of varying heights 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Stories, Plus Basement). Two (2) Pools, Beach Club, Poolside “Beach Bar”, Reception, Two (2) Restaurants, Coffee Shop, Ice Cream Parlour, Commissary, Café, Convenience Store, Playroom, Music Room, Creche, Clothes Shop, Spa, Gym, Two (2) Tennis Courts, Kids Center, Synagogue. Eleven (11) Beachfront Villas.

This application has been submitted to the Department of Planning on 22nd December 2022 for consideration of Outline Development Permission on Block & Parcels 60000/150,151,152,153 North West Point on Providenciales.

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

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

Bark & Bliss Ltd. is seeking a qualified individual for the following position. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and requirements will be considered. All candidates must be willing to work unusual hours including weekends and public holidays. All candidates must be non-smokers. Applicants will be required to have a valid passport, the ability to travel globally, and pass a written skills test.

This position is currently occupied by a Work Permit holder. Qualified Turks Islander applicants are invited to apply or forward resumes to the Labour Board.

CERTIFIED VETERINARY ASSISTANT/GROOMER

Salary: $15/hour or commensurate with experience

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Assist in diagnosis, treatment and intensive medical care for patients in need

• Assist in the treatment urgent and emergency medical and surgical cases

• Provide nursing care or emergency first aid to injured or recovering animals

• Restrain animals during exams or procedures

• Prepare animals and instruments for surgery

• Administer medications, vaccines, and treatments prescribed by a veterinarian

• Collect and record patients’ case histories

• Perform general hygiene procedures such as nail clipping, bathing, etc.

• Perform animal grooming

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a Certificate in Veterinary Assistant

• Must have Certificate in Dog Grooming

• 10+ years of experience in a veterinary clinic environment

• 10+ years of experience in assisting with animal surgeries

• Must be fluent (Written & Oral) in English

GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER

THERAPEUTIC SOCIAL WORKER

• Requirements and Duties

• Bachelors Degree in Social Work

#30 Neptune Plaza, Providenciales TCI Is seeking to employ a patient results, updating and maintaining patients EMR files, maintains confidentiality records relating to Patients treatment.

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in counseling or mental health services

• Counselling patients, establish a positive, trusting rapport with them

• Diagnose and treat mental health disorders

• Creates treatment plans according to patient needs

• Computer Knowledge, action

Monthly salary $3500.00 to $4500.00 depending on experience.

Belongers only need to apply. Submit your CV with proof of status, three professional references {2 of which must be previous employers}, only suitable applicants will be considered.

NO PHONE CALLS

PLEASE SEND YOUR RESUME VIA EMAIL: CYNTHIA@GRACEBAYMEDICAL.COM

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

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

WRITERS/ PHOTO JOURNALIST

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

FOR MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICALS GRAPHICS PRODUCTION DESIGNER/ PAGINATOR

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

COURT REPORTER

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

ADVERTISING SPACE SALES PERSON

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

35624

SOUTH BANK MARINA LTD

is seeking suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position at its location in Long Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

CUSTOMER SERVICE / RECEPTIONIST

This is a junior front of house position, the successful applicant will oversee customer enquiries, reception duties as well as assist with data input and general office duties.

REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have typing skills

• Computer literate with understanding of windows applications, excel, word etc.

• Basic understanding of accounts practices, quick books knowledge would be an advantage.

• Customer service experience and polite mannerism is a must.

• Reports to Senior office administration and the CFO.

• First aid training would be an advantage.

• Knowledge of the maritime industry and boats not essential but would be a benefit.

Salary for this position will be in the range of $9 to $11 an hour.

This is an open position for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible. Please forward all enquiries to contact@southbank.tc.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING LTD

P.O. Box 158, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI. Tel: (649) 941 4437 Fax: (649) 946 4670 E-mail: cse@tciway.tc CSE LIMITED

SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT MUST POSSESS:

• University Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (B.SC or MEng)

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Civil Engineer or the Institution of Structural Engineers.

• Minimum of 10 years post qualification work experience

• Computer literate with experience in Word, Excel, Autocad, Revit and Structural Analysis Software.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE AND CANDIDATES SHOULD HAVE EXPERIENCE IN:

• Structural & Civil design calculations and drawing work

• Structural surveys and Reports.

• Site Inspections.

Salary will be $63,000.00 per annum.

The suitable candidate will be able to work under their own initiative, Manage the Work of other Engineers and be able to see through Design Projects from conceptional design to final drawing works.

This position is available immediately and closing date for application is 10th February 2023. Qualified Turks & Caicos Islander Preferred.

APPLY IN WRITING TO CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING LTD. LIMITED, P. O. BOX 158, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS. CONTACT: INFO@CSECARIBBEAN.COM

ON 946-7184.

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

The assistant general manager (AGM) must possess a broad range of skills and be multifaceted. The ideal candidate will execute a variety of daily duties including but not limited to placing orders, receiving deliveries, accounting, maintaining inventory, and executing the Café’s wine program. The AGM will handle daily cash sales and receipts.

They will work to promote specials created by the kitchen and work closely with bar staff to market specialty cocktails and drinks. The AGM will have expert knowledge/ sommelier training in oenology as it pertains to the Café, ie., service, pairings and training of staff.

He/she will be attentive to resolve customer complaints about food or service. They will monitor and govern customer behavior to ensure conduct is becoming of the Café’s high standard. The AGM will support the General Manager by participating in the disciplining and training of staff, hiring, and creating schedules to properly service the establishment.

The candidate will possess certification in Quick Book accounting, Microsoft Office programs and have extensive knowledge of Micros POS systems and will be required to utilize these skills on a daily basis. The AGM will be able to effectively read, and decipher profit and loss statements, and demonstrate strong accounting skills through daily analysis of trade.

Candidate will possess problem-solving abilities and be quick to respond in a fast paced-high pressure environment. Candidate must be able to climb stairs and be prepared to lift heavy boxes that are inherent in the local and type of business.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with management to estimate beverage consumption, place orders with suppliers and schedule delivery of beverage and non-food related items.

• Resolve customer complaints regarding service or food.

• Direct cleaning of dining areas to maintain sanitation standards and keep appropriate records.

• Monitor actions of staff and guests

• Proficiently operate computer software to assist with the implementation of inventories, track staffing, and record keeping tasks as they are instructed by the General Manager or Ownership

• Maintain stock of supplies such as table ware, paper goods and cleaning supplies as deemed applicable

• Assist with the weekly and monthly maintenance and repair of equipment and other services

• Ensure total receipts and balance against sales at end of day and be able to lock facility

• Recruit, hire, and oversee staff and on going training

• Schedule work hours for servers and bar staff

• Opening and/ or closing of the establishment ensuring all is ready for daily trade or secure for closing

OTHER DUTIES:

• Maintain relationships with guests and staff

• Update and use job related knowledge

• Schedule staff work hours and activities

• Evaluate health and safety practices against standards

• Organize, plan, and prioritize

• Make decisions and solve problems quickly and efficiently concerning staff and guests

• Process and analyze information when scheduling and budgeting

• Record information about inventory and health practices

• Implement creative promotional ideas working with vendors and staff

• Guide, direct, and train staff

• Coordinate the work and activities of staff

• Communicate with customers, sales reps, and suppliers

RESORT, PENNS ROAD, PROVIDENCIALES TCI 649 941 8260

$50-$60K

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

Salary: $7.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 347-2608

LABOURER PERSONAL ASSISTANT

• Must work split shifts 7-11, 6-10

• Salary $650 per week 40 hours a week

• Mornings, evenings, holidays and weekends

• Must speak and write English and Spanish

• Ability to assist me in work at restaurant during the day and evening

• Abilities to check in deliveries made to restaurant

• Ability to supervise gardeners and other staff in preparation for day to day maintenance

Cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair, trimming beards, or giving shaves. Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 231-0882

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

Cleaning outside the property, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $8.00 Hourly

PLUMBER PLUMBER HELPER

$6.50

QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER

Renewals. $6.50

hourly

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

#18 Oxford Close, Cooper Jack Bay, Providenciales, is seeking to employ

Normal working hours are from 8:00am to 4:00pm weekdays and Saturdays-(30mins for lunch) (number of hours worked may vary occasionally depending on our work demand).

Rate of pay is $9.00 per hour.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESUME TO US VIA EMAIL: AUDLEYAGW@GMAIL.COM THIS AD IS FOR NEW WORK PERMIT HOLDER OFFER EXPIRES MARCH 31ST, 2023

KITCHEN HELP

On

• To assist with preparing ingredients, processing customer orders, cleaning the kitchen workspace throughout the evening, whilst following health and safety guidelines.

Starting wage: $7.00-$8.00 per hour plus service charge

HANDYMAN

• To undertake upkeep and repair tasks at the interior or exterior of company premises.

34690

• Mixing various ingredients to make cocktails and mock tails.

• Washing of equipment and barware.

• Collecting payments.

• Ordering supplies that are required for the bar.

• Good interpersonal skills are necessary as they deal with the customers directly.

Starting wage: $8.00-$9.00 per hour plus service charge

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO: AZIZA RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, 229 GRACE BAY ROAD, GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES TEL: 649-332-9432 EMAIL: AZIZATURKSANDCAICOS@GMAIL.COM

34681

ONE (1) HANDYMAN

CONTACT: 344-1220

Duties: To clean and maintain

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 242-0255

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping, mopping, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels, personal clothing, and other housework.

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 332-6963

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $6.50 Hourly

LABOURER

DUTIES: To assist skill workers And keep all work areas clean.

SALARY: $7.50 per hour

CONTACT: 242-2215

AUTO BODY MAN

Examine vehicle damages; Remove damaged parts/repair; Bolt/Weld replacements parts

File/grind/sand/paint repaired surfaces; Repair all electric hand tools. Wages - $12 per hour (6 days weekly)

TEL: 344-8753

THIS POSITION IS BEING ADVERTISED FOR A WORK PERMIT RENEWAL. BELONGERS SHOULD APPLY TO LABOUR BOARD AND HELLO@THEKFORCE.COM

CAICOS AUTO WORLD 34619

Whereas BENGT AKE GÖRAN OLSSON, of Sweden, has declared that the Land Certificate for the abovementioned title number registered in his name has been irretrievably lost.

Take Notice that I, Nicholas Arculus, Registrar of Lands shall cancel the land certificate for the said title within six weeks of the date of the first publication of this notice in a local newspaper and the Gazette.

Date this 22 day of November, 2022.

Signed: ..............................................................................................

of Lands

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

Woodwork Electrical Plumbing Drywall

Must have certification in the corresponding position.

Salary $9.00 per hour

Must be willing to work six days a week, including weekends and public holidays.

CONTACT: 649-946-7366

TWO (2) GLAZIERS/GLASS TECHNICIANS

These applicants must have 10 years experiences in shop fronts and window glazing, certain wall systems, ALL glass interior and entrance systems, cutting/ installing glass, mirror, aluminum windows and fabrication of metal frames. Successful applicants must be able to read architectural and structural drawings

and have a valid driver’s license.

Normal working hours are from 8.00am to 5:00pm weekdays - (1 hour for Lunch) (number of hours worked may vary occasionally depending on our work demand).

Rate of pay is $30.00 per hour

EUNIKE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

To work 7 days a week including some weekends. Applicant should be able to work without supervision and have good time management skills. All interested applications should be sent to P.O. Box 521, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands or email: eunike@tciway.tc. Salary: $9.00 per hour.

STONE FABRICATOR

In search of a skilled person to work in stone fabrication.

Starting Salary: $10.00 per hour.

DUTIES:

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

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

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

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

Please email resumes to accounts@ tcimarbleandgranite.com or inquire in person.

We are willing to train if you are motivated to learn the trade!

To work 5 days a week including some weekends. Applicant should be able to work without supervision and have good time management skills and eye for pruning. All interested applications should be sent to P.O. Box 521, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands or email: gardenscapetci@gmail.com. Salary: $8.00 per hour.

NB: This AD is for a new application.

CONCIERGE /GUEST RELATIONS

Duties include inspecting rooms prior to arrivals, greeting guests and coordinating welcome drinks,luggage management,assisting with weekly Managers Social and booking guest tours and dinner reservations

Min 1 yr Front Desk or similar service position exp req’d

Salary based on Qualifications /Experience $10.-$12. per hr plus

•

SEEKS A

CHARTERED QUANTITY SURVEYOR

An annual salary of $42,000.00 plus performance

Related commission is offered for this position.

• Ten years post qualification work experience.

• Computer literate with experience in Word, Excel, MS Project & Vector BQ system

Duties will include and candidates should have experience in:

• Pre and post contract Quantity Surveying duties

• Market appraisals

• Feasibility studies

The suitable candidate should be able to work under his own initiative and be able to see through projects from concept to completion.

This position is available immediately and closing date for application is 2nd February, 2023

Qualified Turks & Caicos Islander Preferred.

6B Mechanical Crest, Rony Ellie Building, Industrial Park

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION

SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Turks & Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission (the “Commission”) is seeking a Senior Administrative Officer to carry out the duty of clerical and organizational tasks for the Commission. The Senior Administrative Officer will report directly to the Managing Director and be a part of the Commission’s operational staff, discharging their duties in accordance with the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission Policy and Procedures.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES

Organization Relationship

• Reports directly to the Managing Director for successful performance of assigned duties

• Receive Applications for Licenses for and on behalf of the Commission and review whether they are in order before presenting Applications to the Commission for vetting.

• Ensure resources are in place that would enable the Commission to carry out its mandate.

• Provide Commission staff the necessary support in conducting its daily activities.

• Assist with the presentation of the Commission’s annual legislative reports.

• Record all Commission Assets and monitor any repairs and or maintenance of Commissions office equipment

• Assist with the travel arrangements for Commission personnel.

• Monitor and make appointments for Commission Staff.

• Assist in developing and managing the budget of the Commission.

• Assist with staff interviews, hires and annual confidential evaluations.

• Establish and maintain a working relationship with other government agencies; local and overseas.

• Custodian of all records of the Commission

• Ensuring the confidentiality and security of files within the Commission’s filing systems

• Verify and submit purchase orders, vouchers and invoices for approval.

• Attend to other duties as assigned by the Managing Director.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Education Training and Experience

• At least 5 to 10 years working as a supervisor.

• An associate’s degree in a related field will be preferred.

• Must be computer literate with Microsoft Windows, Excel, and PowerPoint skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Adhere to STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY regarding all Commission information in trust and confidence and

shall not disclose confidential Commission information to any third party without the written consent of the Commission.

• Must have the ability to learn, understand, and apply the applicable laws, regarding the gaming industry.

• Must comply with Commission Code of Ethics requirements.

• Must have the ability to resolve problems as they arise and handle situations in an expedient manner.

• Must have excellent organizational skills to work effectively with frequent interruptions, work on multiple tasks simultaneously, and prioritize and organize workload.

• Must be able to develop and maintain positive relationships and prioritize assistance in a friendly, helpful manner to all employees, visitors, and operators.

• Must be willing to work as part of a team and work within a team-structured environment.

• Must possess analytical skills in researching various data, identification or area sensitive applications, problem areas, and ability to present and apply solutions.

• Must possess the ability to write clear and concise reports.

• Must have the ability to carry out assignments discreetly, effectively, and efficiently, in sensitive, confidential circumstances.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Must possess strong organizational, record-keeping, and time-management skills.

• Good Telephone Etiquette and strong organizational skills

• Discretion and Professionalism

• Ability to work under pressure and with minimum supervision

• Ability to complete a variety of tasks and meet deadlines

The Salary for this position is $41,808.00 per annum

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR VACANT POSITIONS

All applications should be emailed to info@tcigamingcc.tc

Resumes being submitted must be accompanied by: -

• A cover letter and two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer)

• A clear copy of educational certificates and or diplomas.

• A colored copy of your passport’s bio page and your TCI status.

Candidates who are shortlisted will also be required to submit a Police Certificate.

While we thank all applicants for their interest in these positions, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023

Selling products and providing customer service. Greet customers and guide them in finding products. Maintain the outlook of a store by cleaning and restocking shelves.

Salary: $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 333-1674

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

LABOURER

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

Salary: $7.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-343-1420

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

ALMONDA ALEXANDER INGHAM

LABOURER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-247-2633

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

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

Salary: $6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 441-0731

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR

Sports International

Tom Brady’s broadcasting future presents new challenge for the ultimate champion

Tom Brady was the ultimate winner on the field but that success does not guarantee the seven-time Super Bowl champion will make a seamless transition when he steps into the TV booth to begin his new role as a lead NFL analyst.

The 45-year-old Brady, who retired from the National Football League earlier on Wednesday after an illustrious 23-year career, agreed last May to join Fox Sports when his age-defying

career as a quarterback came to an end.

Brady, whose intense preparation for games has been well-chronicled, has an unmatched knowledge of the sport. If he can translate what he sees on the field as quickly as he processed plays as a quarterback, he could prove to be one of the best analysts around.

But making the switch from the field to the TV booth is not always easy, and being relaxed, laughing at

Six Nations 2023: Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong replaced by Finlay Bealham

IRELAND prop Tadhg

Furlong has been ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff and replaced by Finlay Bealham.

Leinster tighthead Furlong has been suffering with ankle and calf injuries in recent weeks.

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey retains his place in Andy Farrell’s side, with Bundee Aki named on the bench.

Farrell’s two other changes see captain Johnny Sexton coming in at fly-half and James Lowe starting on the wing.

Jack Crowley and Jimmy O’Brien drop out of the team that beat Australia in November.

Furlong not being available meant an unexpected change to the Ireland pack that had played in the wins autumn series over South Africa, Fiji and and the Wallabies.

McCloskey is continuing to fill the void left by

the experienced Robbie Henshaw, out with a wrist injury, and is joined in midfield by Garry Ringrose. It will be a first appearance in the championship for the Ulster centre since his Test debut seven years ago.

Captain Sexton, who pulled out of the win over Australia in Dublin minutes before kick-off with a thigh injury, is fit to lead the side after training on Wednesday without a face mask for the first time since having cheekbone surgery last month.

Leinster wing Lowe makes his return after having to sit out the November series because of a calf injury. He takes his place in an expected backline that includes Jamison GibsonPark, Hugo Keenan at fullback and Mack Hansen on the other wing.

Bealham will pack down in the front row with fellow prop Andrew Porter, with hooker Dan Sheehan between them.

The terms of Brady’s deal with Fox Sports were not disclosed, but media reports said it is worth hundreds of millions of dollars

himself and not clamouring for attention could take time.

“It’s going to be a challenge. Tom is a pretty serious guy, at least in terms of his public persona,” Neal

Pilson, the former president of CBS Sports who now runs his own sports television consulting company, told Reuters.

“He’s going to be getting

a tremendous amount of money from Fox and I think he’s going to feel the pressure of entertaining people, and up to now Tom’s method of entertaining people was to

play quarterback, show how good he is.”

The terms of Brady’s deal with Fox Sports were never disclosed but media reports said the former quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots agreed to a 10-year contract worth $375 million.

Fox will be broadcasting the February 12 Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs but the network did not immediately reply when asked by Reuters whether Brady would be part of the lineup.

Pilson suggests it would be better for Brady if his analyst debut did not come at the Super Bowl as that would expose him right away during the most-watched NFL game of the year.

• Must be willing to work on weekends, holidays and at nights as required

• Minimum of 2 years working experience

• Knowledge of computer software

• Must be 21 years or older

Furlong was with the Ireland squad this week for their training camp in Portugal

Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan are the lock pairing, while Caelan Doris is at number eight, and Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony on either flank.

Science & Technology

Shop loyalty card data may help spot ovarian cancer

Tracking what shoppers buy, via loyalty-card data, can help spot those with early signs of cancer, doctors who have been running a study say.

Frequent purchases of over-thecounter painkillers and indigestion tablets revealed a higher risk of ovarian cancer, they found.

Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late.

There is no reliable screening test and the symptoms, such as bloating, can be vague and confused with other common, harmless conditions.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

swollen or bloated stomach indigestion

pelvic or abdominal pain loss of appetite or feeling full quickly after eating needing to urinate more often

Early diagnosis improves the chance of successful treatment.

Fiona Murphy was 25 when she

was diagnosed and treated for a rare type of ovarian cancer.

She had been having stomach cramps and indigestion for a couple of years, which other doctors had repeatedly thought might be irritable-bowel syndrome.

She told BBC News: “I lived on Gaviscon for months and months before my ovarian cancer diagnosis. It went everywhere with me. I couldn’t leave the house without it.

“My symptoms were vague but they were frequent and continuous. That’s what you need to be looking for.”

Her symptoms continued and a scan revealed a large mass or growth.

Now 39, Fiona has been helping the team at Imperial College London with their research.

“I wanted to help with developing this study because I had the wrong diagnosis for nearly two years,” she said.

“If there is a way to get an earlier

Frequent purchases of over-the-counter painkillers and indigestion tablets revealed a higher risk of ovarian cancer

diagnosis, I want to help people who are in the same position I was in.

“Getting diagnosed early is vital. Had my cancer been spotted sooner, I might have had far less surgeries and better fertility options.”

Dr James Flanagan, lead author of the Cancer Research UK-funded work, said: “The cancer symptoms we are looking for are very common - but for some women, they could be the first signs of

something more serious.

“Using shopping data, our study found a noticeable increase in purchases of pain and indigestion medications among women with ovarian cancer, up to eight months before diagnosis, compared with women without ovarian cancer.

“This suggests that long before women have recognised their symptoms as alarming enough to go to the GP, they may be treating them at home.”

The researchers worked with two big High Street retailers and 283 female customers, who agreed to share their shopping data going back over six years. More than half had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. More research is needed to confirm the findings. The team now plans to test if shopping data can help spot other cancers toosuch as stomach, liver and bladder cancer. (BBC)

Novak Djokovic says 10th Australian Open is his ‘biggest victory’

NOVAK Djokovic says winning a 10th Australian Open to equal Rafael Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slam men’s titles is “the biggest victory” of his life.

Djokovic, 35, beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne having missed last year’s event after being deported because of his Covid-19 vaccination status.

He also had to deal with a hamstring injury and a row involving his father.

“Only the team and the family knows what we have been through in the last four or five weeks,” said the Serb.

“I would say this is probably the biggest victory of my life, considering those circumstances.”

Djokovic was overcome with emotion after sealing a straightwin over Greek third seed Tsitsipas on Rod Laver Arena.

After climbing into the box to celebrate with his team and family, he broke into tears and laid down in the middle of them as the magnitude of his achievement hit home.

Djokovic continued sobbing under his towel when he returned to his chair on the court.

Novak Djokovic was overcome with emotion after sealing a straight-win in the final

The win sees him return to world number one for a record-extending 374th week from Monday.

How Djokovic overcome distractions to regain crown

Twelve months ago, Djokovic was not allowed to play after being deported from Australia following the coronavirus saga which eventually led to his visa being revoked after a court case.

After being allowed back to play

at Melbourne Park this year, he had to overcome more adversity.

The hamstring issue was particularly problematic in the earlier part of the tournament, with his coach Goran Ivanisevic saying “97% of the other players” would have withdrawn injured.

“If I turn back the time two and a half weeks ago, I wasn’t really liking my chance in this tournament with the way I felt with

my leg,” said Djokovic.

“Then it was just a matter of survival of every single match, trying to take it to the next round.

“The good thing about the Grand Slam is you have a day between the matches, so it allowed me to have more time than normal to get myself in somewhat of a good state to play and eventually win.”

Djokovic also had to deal with controversy surrounding his father Srdjan - who was photographed with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin - before Friday’s semi-final against American Tommy Paul.

Srdjan Djokovic decided to stay away from the semi-final because he did not want to be a “distraction” and also watched the final from outside Rod Laver Arena.

“We both agreed it would probably be better that he is not there. That hurts me and him a lot because these are very special, unique moments,” Djokovic said.

“He was a bit sad. In a way I’m sad that he was not there in the stands. But he was throughout the entire tournament, so it’s fine. In the end we have a happy ending.”

Despite those distractions, and

a second-set wobble when he became irritated with his coaching team, he played imperiously in the key moments to regain the crown which he was unable to defend last year.

“I have to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have ever played in my life considering the circumstances, not playing last year, coming back this year,” said Djokovic.

“I want to thank all the people who made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable to be in Melbourne and to be in Australia. There is a reason why I have played my best tennis throughout my career in this arena.

“I try to pinch myself and really live through these moments. It’s a long journey.”

Ivanisevic, who said Djokovic was “from outer space” when discussing the level of his play, is looking forward to the rest of the season as his player and Nadal continue to contest the men’s major record.

He added: “Battle of Spain against Serbia, it’s like a handball match. 22-22 for the moment. Now it’s going to be interesting this year.”

Science & Technology

Dad’s warning after girl, 14, dies from inhaling deodorant

THE parents of a girl who died after inhaling aerosol deodorant want clearer product labelling to warn people of the potential dangers.

Giorgia Green, who was 14 and from Derby, had a cardiac arrest after spraying the deodorant in her bedroom.

Her parents have since become aware of other young people who accidentally died after inhaling deodorant.

In response, the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) said deodorants have “very clear warnings”.

By law, aerosol deodorants must be printed with the warning “keep out of reach of children”.

However, Giorgia’s parents said the writing was small.

They believe many parents buy deodorant for their children without noticing the warning.

“People don’t know how dangerous the contents of those tins can be,” said her father Paul.

“I would like it so that no-one else in the country - or the worldwould end up having to go through what we’ve personally gone through.

“We don’t want our daughter’s death to be in vain.”

Giorgia was autistic and her father said she liked to spray deodorant on blankets as she found the smell comforting.

“The smell of it gave her a certain sense of relaxation,” said Mr Green.

“If she was feeling in any way a little bit anxious, she would spray this spray and it would give her a sense of comfort because it’s a deodorant my wife used.”

Giorgia’s older brother found her unresponsive in her bedroom on 11 May 2022.

“Her door was open, so it wasn’t as if it was an enclosed environment,” said her father.

“The exact amount [of deodorant] isn’t clear but it would be more than you would normally spray.

“At some point her heart stopped as a result of breathing it in.”

An inquest was held into Giorgia’s death and the coroner recorded the conclusion as

misadventure.

Her medical cause of death was “unascertained but consistent with inhalation of aerosol”.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), “deodorant” was mentioned on 11 death certificates between 2001 and 2020.

However, the actual number of deaths is likely to be higher than this, due to the fact that specific substances are not always mentioned on death certificates.

Giorgia’s death certificate referred to “inhalation of aerosol” rather than “deodorant”.

Butane - the main ingredient of Giorgia’s deodorant - was recorded as having been involved

in 324 deaths between 2001 and 2020. Propane and isobutanealso in Giorgia’s deodorant - were mentioned in 123 and 38 deaths respectively.

The ONS said the substances had been linked to a number of deaths, noting: “The inhalation of butane or propane gas can lead to heart failure.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said a number of people had died after over-spraying deodorants.

‘COMMON MISCONCEPTION’

Ashley Martin, public health adviser at RoSPA, said: “It’s easy to assume they are completely safe and totally free from risk. The truth is they’re not.

“Inhaling large quantities of aerosols, not just deodorants, can lead to a whole host of lifeendangering scenarios - from blackouts and breathing difficulties, to heart rhythm changes and sadly, death.

“There’s a common misconception that fatalities from aerosols only happen in a substance abuse scenario, but this is absolutely not true.

“We have seen a number of fatalities over recent years where children and young adults have over-sprayed aerosols - from teenagers conscious of body odour, to children seeking reassurance from familiar smells.”

Giorgia’s parents said they had

come across some of these cases through their own research.

They include 12-year-old Daniel Hurley, also from Derbyshire, who collapsed and died after spraying himself with deodorant in a bathroom.

“That was in 2008 but my daughter died in 2022,” said Mr Green. “The awareness still isn’t where it should be.”

More recently, 13-year-old Jack Waple died in similar circumstances to Giorgia in 2019. His inquest heard he sprayed deodorant if he felt anxious when his mother left the house, as it smelled like her.

By law, aerosol deodorants must be printed with the warning “keep out of reach of children”.

Most aerosol deodorants also have a warning that says “solvent abuse can kill instantly”. This is not a legal requirement, but is recommended by BAMA due to the risk of people inhaling aerosols to intentionally get high.

Giorgia’s parents believe the warning should be changed to “solvent use can kill instantly”, because Giorgia was not abusing deodorant.

Aerosol deodorants must also contain instructions on their correct usage, which are written following risk assessments carried out by the manufacturer. For example, the instructions might say “use in short bursts in well-ventilated places”. If an aerosol deodorant is flammable there must also be a warning about this. (BBC)

Bharat Biotech: India launches its first nasal Covid vaccine

INDIA has approved its first nasal Covid vaccine.

Made by Bharat Biotech, iNCOVACC is administered in the form of drops and stimulates an immune response in the tissues that line the nasal cavity.

In September 2022, China had approved an inhaled Covid vaccine, administered in the form or a spray.

Scientists say that nasal vaccines may offer added immunity in the lining of the nose and upper airways, where Covid typically enters the body.

Research teams in the UK and the US have also been investigating nasal spray vaccines.

In November, India’s drug regulator approved the use of iNCOVACC as a heterologous

booster dose - a booster for people who had previously received two doses of Covishied or Covaxin, the two main Indian vaccines - in emergency situations among adults.

In December, it was approved by the drug regulator as a primary vaccine and as a subsequent booster shot in adults.

The vaccine will cost 800 rupees ($10; £8) per dose in private hospitals and 325 rupees per dose in government hospitals and can be booked on the government’s online platform. Two doses are to be taken 28 days apart.

iNCOVACC uses a adenovirus as a carrier for the genetic code that teaches the body how to fight the infection. Adenoviruses used in the vaccines are harmless transporters which have been modified so they

cannot replicate or cause infection.

Dr Krishna Ella, chairman of Bharat Biotech, told ANI news agency that the vaccine was “easy to deliver” as it didn’t need a syringe or needle, and that it produced a broader immune response as compared to injectable Covid vaccines.

India has administered over two billion Covid jabs so far. More than 70% of the Indian population has taken at least two doses, according to the federal health ministry.

In January 2022, India began giving boosters to healthcare and frontline workers, and those above 60 years with comorbidities. It was later expanded to all adults. However, the pace of booster doses administrated has been slow. (BBC)

Paul Green said the smell of deodorant gave his daughter “a sense of comfort”

Scientists say that nasal vaccines may offer added immunity in the lining of the nose and upper airways, where Covid typically enters the body

Science & Technology

Newly discovered green comet comes close to Earth

A newly discovered comet will make its closest approach to our planet on Wednesday.

Astronomers say the object’s journey toward us took around 50,000 years.

Photographs captured by astronomers show a distinct green hue around the body of the comet.

But those expecting a brilliant streak of emerald in the sky will be disappointed. Its brightness is right at the threshold of what is visible to the naked eye.

“You might have seen these reports saying we’re going to get this bright green object lighting up the sky,” says Dr Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society.

“Sadly, that’s not going to be anything like the case.”

However, away from light pollution and below dark skies, you might be able to see a smudge in the sky - if you know what you’re looking for.

Would-be stargazers have a better chance of spotting it using binoculars, in which it will appear as a faint white blur.

“Even a small pair of binoculars will help you find it,” says Massey.

Comets are mostly composed of ice and dust. As they approach the Sun, the ice is vaporised and the dust shaken off to create the signature long tail.

“If you’re lucky, you’ll see a hint of the tail coming off it, so it’ll look more like a classic comet,” says Massey.

Astronomers discovered the comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) last March at the Palomar Observatory in California.

It has been visible to those in the Northern Hemisphere through binoculars for the past few weeks.

But it will make its closest approach to Earth at around 41 million km (26 million miles) away this Wednesday.

The object originates in the Oort

The comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) as seen through a telescope

cloud, a collection of icy bodies at the edge of the Solar System.

To find it, Massey suggests first searching for the pole star, which is always in the same place in the sky.

You can identify the pole star by looking directly north and locating a star that hangs distinctly by itself.

You can then use free planetarium software online to determine where the comet will be moving in relation to the pole star

on the night you’re looking at it.

The best time to view it will be in the early hours of Thursday morning when the Moon has set.

At that time the comet should appear just to the right of the pole star.

A green appearance for comets is not uncommon and is usually the result of breakdown of a reactive molecule called dicarbon - two carbon atoms joined together by a

double bond.

Such colour is better picked up by digital cameras, which are more sensitive to colour.

The comet will not match the spectacle of the 2020 Comet NEOWISE - the brightest comet visible from the Northern Hemisphere since 1997.

But the Planetary Society said “an opportunity to see it will only come once in a lifetime”. (BBC)

Covid in China: Officials say current wave is ‘coming to an end’

Chinese health officials say the country’s current wave of Covid-19 infections is “coming to an end”.

The number of severe Covid cases and deaths is trending downward, the country’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report.

It also said there had been “no obvious rebound” during Lunar New Year holidays last week, where millions reunited for family gatherings.

There have long been questions raised about China’s Covid reporting.

But experts say the decline reported now corresponds with the expected timing of an end to this major wave.

The virus tore through Chinese cities and towns after authorities lifted zero-Covid restrictions in December. However fever clinic visit rates have dropped over 90% through January and hospitalisation rates are down over 85%.

Separately, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the pandemic remained a global emergency, saying it was too early to lift the highest level of alert which it declared three years ago.

It said the weekly Covid death

China has been in the grip of a major Covid wave since restrictions were lifted in December

rate had been rising in recent weeks and that more than 170,000 Covid-19-related deaths had been reported globally within the last eight weeks, adding that a lack of surveillance now made it more difficult to track down variants.

But the WHO acknowledged that the world was in a better position than during the peak of the Omicron wave a year ago.

Fears that the virus could surge again during the festive period

have also not yet been realised.

The CDC said: “There has not been an obvious rebound in Covid cases during the Lunar New Year holidays.

“In this time, no new variant has been discovered, and the country’s current wave is coming to an end.”

It also reported a sharp decline in the daily Covid death toll reported by hospitals - from a peak of 4,300 deaths on 4 January to 896 deaths on 23 January.

Infectious diseases expert Hsu

Li Yang told BBC News: “This drop in deaths follows the decline in the first huge wave of cases after China relaxed its restrictions, which is understandable and has been seen in virtually every country experiencing a large Covid wave.

“We will know soon if the Lunar New Year celebrations will trigger another surge in China cases, but it is unlikely to match what was experienced in December and the

earlier part of January 2023.”

One of China’s leading epidemiologists - and former head of the CDC - Zeng Guang had earlier this month warned that cases would surge in rural areas during the new year.

BBC News has also found evidence of a considerable number of Covid-related deaths in China’s rural regions, as the virus spread from big cities to more remote areas with older populations.

However, the CDC said there had been no immediate spike following the festive period.

It’s estimated that 226 million passenger trips were taken during the Lunar New Year festive season from 22-27 January - a 70% increase from last year when pandemic restrictions were still in place across many parts of China.

According to CDC data, Covid deaths halved in consecutive weeks in January. A total of 12,658 deaths were recorded between 1319 January, while 6,364 deaths were recorded the following week.

In December, Beijing abruptly ended draconian Covid curbs that had seen millions of its citizens locked down over the past three years.

Sports International

Wimbledon and LTA face decision over whether to lift ban on Russians and Belarusians

THE Australian Open women’s singles trophy bears the name of Aryna Sabalenka, but not of Belarus - her country of birth.

The new champion was playing as a neutral athlete in Melbourne last month, just as all Russians and Belarusians have been since the invasion of Ukraine.

With one notable exception. The grass courts of the UK were off limits last summer as the All England Club and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) decided with “deep regret” to decline all entries from those two countries.

The announcement was generally very well received in the UK. But within the sport of tennis it caused enormous ill-feeling, led to the removal of ranking points at Wimbledon and resulted in large fines being issued to the LTA governing body for breaching its contracts with the ATP and WTA Tours.

Over the next few weeks, the All England Club and the LTA will finalise how they are going to proceed this year.

The early indications are that Sabalenka will be seen alongside Victoria Azarenka and Daniil Medvedev on the grass this summer - although the stringency of the conditions attached and how that will be presented to a domestic audience are still being fiercely debated.

Most players, but notably not all Ukrainians as Marta Kostyuk indicated at the Australian Open, think individual Russians and Belarusians should be free to play

where they like.

The two countries are banned from tennis’ team competitions, in keeping with most other sports, but in choosing to ban individuals the All England Club and the LTA adopted a stance seen in athletics and skiing, but rarely elsewhere.

It may prove helpful to the two organisations that the International Olympic Committee executive board recently declared that “no athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport”.

If the decision is to be reversed, despite no sign of a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, the All England Club and the LTA will have to perform some deft

linguistic gymnastics to make the case that circumstances have changed.

Last year the All England Club argued it must play its part in limiting Russia’s global influence and ensure the regime does not “derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players”.

Another Sabalenka Grand Slam success at Wimbledon would create a gilt-edged opportunity to do just that.

Public opinion played a part last year, and will do so again. There was little disquiet in Australia, France or the US when it was announced Russians and Belarusians would be free to enter those Grand Slams,

but a YouGov poll last April found 69% of the British public supported Wimbledon’s decision.

But it will not have been lost on those making the decision that if they ban these players again this year, they will probably have to continue to do so until the war is over.

Another major factor last year was the UK government. While the All England Club may have over-emphasised the pressure it was under to exclude Russian and Belarusian players, government rhetoric and guidelines still significantly shaped their final decision.

Those guidelines - to all sporting organisations - have not changed. And they do not trigger a blanket ban on these athletes. Broadly speaking, if the players compete under a neutral flag, do not publicly support the war or take money from the state, then they are free to play. The then sports minister Nigel Huddleston suggested in March last year that a written declaration could be made to that effect, although in practice that might not need to be shared publicly.

The All England Club will want to rebuild some bruised relationships, ensure the strongest field possible, and avoid another year without ranking points.

The stakes are even higher for the LTA. It was fined $750,000 (£608,355) by the Women’s Tennis Association and $1m (£811,140) by the Association of Tennis Professionals for excluding the

players from the tour events they operate at venues like The Queen’s Club and Eastbourne.

That is a significant sum of money, even for a governing body which received £42.43m from Wimbledon last year. But of even greater concern, aside from the prospect of further fines, is the very explicit threat to the viability of the pre-Wimbledon tournaments.

Both tours have said they will cancel the LTA’s membership if it exercises further “discrimination based on nationality”.

That would mean no grasscourt tour events in the UK in the run-up to Wimbledon. Queen’s and Eastbourne could, in theory, continue as exhibitions but few would want to play, and the tournaments would almost certainly not take place.

The consequences on the profile of the sport, and the numbers who play or take it up, could be felt for many years.

This is, self-evidently, an issue of great sensitivity.

The All England Club and the LTA will hope they can steer a path which maintains the integrity of the tournaments, preserves tennis for the long term in the UK and falls broadly in line with the rest of the sport.

They will hope to be able to do so without incurring the wrath of government or the displeasure of too many in the country at large.

And, most importantly, try to avoid worsening in any way the continuing suffering of the people of Ukraine. (BBC)

Some supporters will be permitted to stand during the EFL Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United.

The match, on 26 February, will be the first major domestic English men’s final in almost 35 years in which standing will be allowed.

Both clubs will be allocated 867 seats within new safe standing areas located behind each goal at Wembley Stadium.

Premier League and EFL clubs have been allowed to introduce standing areas since the start of the 2022-23 season.

It came after five clubs - Chelsea,

Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City - took part in a governmentcommissioned ‘early adopters’ pilot study during the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.

In safe standing areas, fans stand behind a barrier or a rail which helps prevent them from falling forward.

EFL Cup: Man Utd v Newcastle Utd Wembley final to have safe standing areas fans died following a crush at an FA Cup semi-final. Spectators at many grounds have continued to stand in seated areas, most commonly behind the goals, despite regular warnings from local authorities and police that it is dangerous.

Designated standing areas had not been seen at Premier League grounds since the adoption of allseater stadiums in the early 1990s - a recommendation of the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 when 97 Liverpool

Standing areas in stadiums are commonplace in Germany’s Bundesliga and there are similar examples across the rest of Europe, the United States and Australia.

The EFL Cup final will be Manchester United’s first domestic final appearance since 2018 and

puts them a win away from ending their six-year wait for a trophy. For Newcastle, it will mark their first cup final since 1999 and a chance to win their first trophy since Ujpest Dozsa were beaten in the 1969 Inter Cities’ Fairs Cup Final. (BBC)

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka won the Australian Open women’s singles title in January

The safe standing areas at Wembley Stadium are located behind each goal

Sports National

Kobe Bryant’s MVP jersey could fetch up to $7m at auction

A rare Kobe Bryant jersey from the basketball star’s sole MVP season is going up for auction – and it could sell for up to $7 million.

An iconic photo of Bryant grabbing his jersey after clinching a 14-point lead against the Denver Nuggets during the 2008 NBA playoffs has been captured and recreated endless times.

Its likeness spans murals across Los Angeles and the United States, is frequently reprinted on Lakers memorabilia, and has become a symbol of the basketball star’s determination and passion.

This week, Sotheby’s is auctioning off the jersey captured in that image, with an estimated market value of between $5-7 million – the most valuable Bryant jersey to ever appear at auction, according to the auction house.

During his 2007-2008 season, Bryant averaged almost 28.3 points per game and scored 2323 points over the course of the regular season, according to the NBA.

The jersey up for auction is the only one he wore in the 2008 playoffs where he led the Lakers to the NBA finals for the first time since Shaquille O’Neal was traded, according to Sotheby’s.

The jersey sits front and center at the auction house’s exhibit, surrounded by other Bryant memorabilia and photography of murals and paintings of the iconic image of the Lakers star.

“It’s actually crazy pervasive, this image,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s vice president and head of streetwear and modern collectibles.

“He had so much passion and if you really look around this exhibit, you’ll see this image that’s associated with him – grabbing his shirt, in kind of elation, and it’s become so iconic,” Wachter told CNN.

The auction will take place shortly after the three-year anniversary of Bryant’s death, where he and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria Onore Bryant were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California in January 2020.

“We are always commemorating his legacy,” Wachter told CNN. “He meant so much to so many different people.”

RECORD BREAKING?

Within an hour of the sale

opening, Sotheby’s received a $4.5 million bid, a representative from the auction house told CNN. If confirmed, it would be the highest price ever paid for a Bryant jersey.

The previous record is a basketball jersey from Bryant’s 1996-1997 season which sold for $3.7 million in 2021, according to Sotheby’s.

During his time in the NBA, Bryant won five championships, four NBA All-Star Game MVP awards, two NBA Finals MVPs and two Olympic gold medals. An 18time All-Star, he was known for his scoring ability and championship pedigree.

But Bryant’s impact was not just

Raphael Varane: France defender retires from international football

FRANCE and Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from international football.

The 29-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2018, scored five goals in 93 appearances for his country after making his debut in 2013.

The last of his caps was won in the 2022 World Cup final, in which France were beaten by Argentina on penalties.

“Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” said Varane.

“Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride. The duty to give it all, play my heart out and win every time we put on the field.

“I’ve been contemplating this for several months and deciding it’s the right time for me to retire

internationally.”

Varane, who signed for United from Real Madrid in August 2021, is the latest Les Bleus player to retire after the World Cup.

In January, Tottenham goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris stepped down three weeks after the final.

Varane had been expected to take over the French captaincy from Lloris.

“As a child, I remember following France 98, this team, these players who made us experience indescribable emotions,” said Varane.

on the court and, as Wachter said, “he touches people beyond the scope of basketball.”

“He doesn’t just touch athletes, he touches executives, he touches businessmen who also want to be the best version of themselves,” he said, adding that his “constant quest to be the best version of yourself,” encapsulates Bryant’s self-labeled philosophy of the ‘Mamba Mentality.’

“When you think about his

legacy, part of what he left the world was his mentality. And I think that’s what really makes Kobe so special, and that’s what makes this jersey special,” Wachter continued.

Bryant’s jersey will come with a collection of photos, artwork, books and more. The lot will be open for bidding February 2-9.

It will also be on public display at Sotheby’s New York during the first week of February. (CNN)

Mason Greenwood attempted rape charges dropped

Attempted rape and assault charges against Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, Greater Manchester Police have said.

He was arrested in January last year amid allegations surrounding images and videos that emerged online.

The 21-year-old, who has made one appearance for the senior England men’s team, had not played or trained with Manchester United since his arrest.

Nike also ended its sponsorship deal with him and Electronic Arts removed him from active squads on its Fifa 22 game. (BBC)

Mason Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 after the allegations emerged

Kobe Bryant celebrates his three pointer against the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center in 2008

Varane won the World Cup with France in 2018

Sports National

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Noah Lyles target world records in 2023

World records come as no surprise to some of athletics’ biggest names - and one of Usain Bolt’s longstanding marks is under threat as a World Championships year gets under way.

American star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone believes “anything is possible” following her record-breaking 400m hurdles triumph to win world gold in Eugene last year.

The 23-year-old will be joined by compatriot Noah Lyles, world 200m champion, in Boston for the second World Athletics Indoor Tour event of the season on Saturday, where both athletes will compete over 60m.

“It wasn’t a huge surprise,” said McLaughlin-Levrone on her record run.

“That was our goal all along. But it was a sigh of relief being able to accomplish it,” added the Olympic champion, speaking to BBC World Service.

Unbeaten over 200m in 2022, Lyles defended his 200m title in emphatic fashion as he broke Michael Johnson’s 26-year-old national record to become the third-fastest man over the distance in history.

And he believes beating Jamaican sprinting legend Bolt’s world record “will not be that hard”.

Switch possible as McLaughlinLevrone targets ‘great things’

McLaughlin-Levrone, named World Athlete of the Year for 2022 alongside pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, produced her latest astonishing run as she took almost three-quarters of a second off her own 400m hurdles record to take world gold last year.

Improving her best time to 50.68 seconds in Eugene, she has now run five of the six fastest times in history.

That time over the hurdles would have placed her seventh in

Welsh rugby: WRU was in denial on sexism –acting chief exec

THERE were “warning signs” of sexism in Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) but the organisation was “in denial”, its acting chief executive has said.

Nigel Walker apologised when questioned by a Senedd committee on Thursday.

He said work is underway to publish a redacted version of an “uncomfortable” unpublished report into women’s rugby.

Mr Walker spoke at a culture and sport hearing into allegations of sexism and misogyny aired by BBC Wales Investigates.

At the session Welsh government sports minister Dawn Bowden said she “did what I could” to address the claims before the programme was aired.

A Labour MP had said on Wednesday that the Welsh government was aware of the claims after they were raised in the

Commons last year.

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips resigned at the weekend, while the union has announced an “external taskforce” will be created to review accusations of sexism, misogyny and racism.

Mr Walker said the name of the person appointed to chair a taskforce to review the culture within the WRU should be announced on Friday.

He says she is a woman with experience of working in the judiciary.

“I think in any organisation, especially a large organisation like the Welsh Rugby Union, it’s possible for things to happen over a period of time and for people to turn a blind eye and not to address those problems.”

“So the warning signs have been there for quite some time,” Mr Walker said.

the final of the 400m flat.

The three-time world gold medallist’s stunning performances have led many to wonder when she might switch her attention to that event, in which Marita Koch’s record of 47.6 seconds has stood for 37 years.

“There’s room in both to accomplish great things and continue pushing my times,” said McLaughlin-Levrone, who will come up against world 200m champion Shericka Jackson on

Saturday.

“I haven’t ran the 400 competitively in a few years. Once we decide what is best for 2023, that’s what we’ll do.

“I think anything is possible. It’s just a matter of preparation, determination and putting all the pieces together on the day.”

Lyles powered home in 19.31 seconds to lead an American clean sweep in the world final and edge closer to eight-time Olympic champion Bolt’s record mark of

19.19s set in 2009.

Not lacking in confidence, the 25-year-old, a bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, said he knew “three weeks before” that he would win the world title.

“I always knew this was my race to win,” Lyles said.

“I remember I got down and prayed and all of a sudden I heard the crowd. I looked up at the clock and I just went crazy, out of my mind, it was like a scene from a movie.”

Only Bolt and the Jamaican’s former team-mate Yohan Blake (19.26s) stand between Lyles and history as he sets his sights on the all-time fastest 200m performances.

On chasing down Bolt’s record, Lyles said: “Personally, I know it’s crazy to say, but I don’t think it will be that hard.”

He added: “I say that because I know my own journey. The work that I did in 2022 was not as big as it could have been, we held back in training more than we should have.

“Now that we have a new benchmark we are attacking this as if I am a 19.3 runner - and I am being forced to train like one.”

It means all signs point towards potentially seismic moments when Lyles and McLaughlin-Levrone take to the start line at this year’s World Championships in Budapest in August. (BBC)

Nigel Walker: “As an organisation we have been in denial as to the extent of the problem”

“When it’s presented as graphically as it was during that programme, the BBC Wales programme the week before last, it hits you like a 10-ton truck.”

He apologised and said his thoughts were with staff and players who had negative experiences.

“To be candid, I think as an organisation we have been in denial as to the extent of the problem,” he said.

The acting chief executive said that cases had been “in theory dealt with and people have moved on”.

“Each individual case has been an indication that there has been a wider problem but people have not joined the dots,” he said.

Mr Walker said an unpublished report commissioned by WRU into the women’s game “would not make comfortable reading” and work was being done to get a

“redacted version” published. “I personally have no objection to the report being released,” he said.

Mr Walker said Londonbased arbitration company Sports Resolution has been asked to set up the review but it will be the responsibility of the chairwoman to choose the other members of the panel, of which there will be three or four people.

Americans Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Noah Lyles both won world outdoor titles on home soil in Eugene last year

King and Redstone explode in Greyhound’s big win

DYLAN KING and Liam Redstone exploded in the latest round of the Provo Hockey League (PHL) to propel their team, the Saunders and Co Greyhounds, to an emphatic 11-1 win against the Waratah

Flyers.

On Saturday last, at the Graceway Sports Centre, the two talented players scored six and five goals respectively in the Junior Division battle.

In the opening period, Redstone had led the charge with four of the seven goals, while in the second, it was King who scored three consecutive strikes to take his tally up to six goals.

Williams joins Let’s Move TCI

Provo workout

THE Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams joined the Let’s Move TCI workout this week in Providenciales, which was led by Raymond Williams.

The event, which also included athletes and the TCI Sports Commission representatives Delano Williams and Angelo Garland will continue in the new week.

Here are the designated venues for the in-person group workout sessions:

Grand Turk: Tuesdays at 6pm at the Parade Ground Providenciales: Wednesdays at 6pm at the Down Town Ball Park North Caicos: Thursdays at 6pm at the Horse Stable Beach

South Caicos: Thursdays at 6pm at the South Caicos Sports Complex Basketball Court You can still register for LMTCI: www. letsmovetci.com/registration

Both players also made two assists each.

Meanwhile, Aiden Doherty scored a consolation goal for the Flyers.

Flyers also went down to the Projetech Pirates in their clash. In that game, Reggie Monuma scored a hat-trick and Wyatt Pollon a brace to secure a 5-2 win.

The Pirates had jumped up to a 4-0 lead after the opening period, and although Aiden Doherty had fought back in the second with two goals, the game was already lost.

In the Bantam Division, the Kvanar Oilers whipped the Tibors Sharks 6-2. The Sharks fought back in the second period with goals from Emeric Gula and Ryan King, but the Oilers’ pair of Owen Barkworth Knight and Jack Henry were relentless as they scored a hat-trick each.

Meanwhile, the LHeureux Co

Canadiens defeated the Temple Financial Panthers 4-1 in the other Bantam Clash.

Rishith Gururaja continued his form with three goals, two of which were scored in the opening period.

Lucas Emery scored the other for the winners. The Panthers were led by a first period goal by Heath Francis.

Last weekend’s games opened with the GBCR Islanders defeating the Design Studio Jets 3-1 in the Novice Division.

Nicholas Comert led the attack with a pair, while Wyatt King added the other. The Jets were led by LeNnox Losinske.

The Scooter Bobs Canucks won the other Novice clash 4-2, when they tackled the TMW Lightning.

Yash Ochani and Shlok Ganglani scored two goals each for the Canucks, while Oisin Ryan added a pair for the Lightning.

The objective is to keep the TCI healthy Anya

Jack Henry scored a hat-trick for the Oilers

Wyatt King scored for the GBCR Islanders

Liam Redstone continued his dominance for the Greyhounds with five goals and two assists

Shlok Ganglani scored a pair for the Scooter Bobs Canucks

Sports National

HJ Robinson crowned TCISS

Inter-High Softball champions

Wesley Methodist finished with 75% of the season’s awards, but when it came down to the championship clash, HJ Robinson High School softball players took control en route to the TCISS InterHigh Softball title.

The final weekend of the 20222023 competition was a spectacle last Friday and Saturday at the Parade Ground in Grand Turk with

hundreds of residents not only supporting their favourite teams, but demonstrating a vivacious display of community and school spirit.

In the semi-finals, HJ Robinson were able to stop the 2022 champions, the British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC) 19-11.

On the other hand, Wesley Methodist won semi-final two in emphatic style with Traeshel

Williams dominating in the pitching department to keep the Clement Howell High School (CHHS) at bay 13-3.

With several dominant players in the side, Wesley Methodist were favourites going into the championship clash, but HJ were able to dig deep to win 14-6.

HJ led 2-0 before Wesley Methodist tied the game up at 2-2;

that would be the closest they would come to the title, as the innings progressed the lead jumped to 7-2, then to 14-3, before a last rush by the eventual second place performers.

HJ Robinson’s Keimari Simons finished as the MVP of the final, while Williams, got the top pitcher’s trophy in the final.

For the season, the talented pitcher was also voted as the Best Pitcher of

the tournament, while teammates Shakeathia Taylor finished as the overall Best Hitter and Laribel Belen as the League’s MVP.

The lone HJ Robinson player receiving a season award was Simons, who copped the Best Defensive Player award. Meanwhile, the BWIC finished third overall, after they defeated CHHS 18-5 in the third-place clash.

Shakeathia Taylor finished as the top hitter of the tournament

HJ Robinson won the softball title

HJ Robinson’s Keimari Simons finished as the finals MVP and the Best Defensive Player

Laribel Belen finished as the League’s MVP

Traeshel Williams from Wesley Methodist High School was outstanding throughout the entire tournament to cop the top pitcher award