TC Weekly News July 27 - August 2, 2024

FORTISTCI REVIEWING COURT’S DECISION

FortisTCI is awaiting the written ruling, which will outline the judge’s detailed reasoning as to how he arrived at his decision to dismiss the judicial review application filed against the Energy and Utilities Commissioner Mr Delano Arthur. The company maintains it has TCI’s best interest at heart. The Government is also adamant that it is doing all in its power to build and maintain a strong energy sector.

Olivia Quido. The visitors were greeted with a warm welcome facilitated by Experience Turks and Caicos featuring the graceful contestants vying for the title, live music by The Island Boys and a cultural dance by New Level. They were also greeted by the Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon Jamell Robinson. (TCIAA photo)

Last SIPT trial starts this December

BY DELANA ISLES

The SIPT corruption trial of Michael Misick, McAllister Hanchell and Chalmers Misick has been set to commence on December 2.

The date was decided this past Monday, July 22, when the three accused, their attorneys and the prosecution appeared before newly sworn-in Judge Mr Rajendra Narine in a Providenciales courtroom.

The trio also entered pleas of not guilty to the charges against them, namely bribery, conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

Last month, Hanchell’s lawyer filed a constitutional motion to stay the trial, alleging abuse of process.

The judge has set October 21 and 22 for that application to be heard.

Justice Narine was appointed on July 8 after almost a year of the process being stalled due to an inability to hire a judge to preside over the trial of the remaining defendants.

He takes over from Chief Justice Mabel Agyemang, who on September 25, 2023, following a judge-alone trial, handed down a mixed verdict against former Deputy Premier Floyd Hall and former Speaker of the House of Assembly Clayton Greene

They were found guilty of one count of bribery and one count of money laundering, respectively.

In that trial, the defendants were Hall, Greene, ex-government minister Jeffrey Hall and attorney Melbourne Wilson. Hall and Wilson were both found not guilty on their charges.

The upcoming trial of the Misick brothers and Hanchell will also be a judge-alone proceeding.

The original trial began on December 8, 2015.

That trial which had nine defendants was split in two partly to alleviate the overload of evidentiary documentation in the proceedings and streamline the charges. This was precipitated due to the death of the original Judge in the case, the late Justice Paul Harrison on February 7, 2021.

Two other defendants - Lisa Robinson-Hall and Lillian Boyce - were both released from the trial.

Robinson-Hall was released in March 2021 after the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the two money laundering charges against her.

Boyce – who served as a minister of government in the Michael Misick administration - was released in January 2021,

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after pleading guilty to misconduct while in public office.

She was also charged with defrauding the government and/or Belongers, conspiracy to defraud the government, conspiracy to defraud the PNP, conspiracy to disguise the proceeds of crime, acquiring $1 million knowing or suspecting it to be proceeds of criminal conduct in an arrangement to defraud the government and facilitating Michael Misick in criminal conduct.

On those charges, Boyce had agreed to a financial settlement, and for her admission, she did not serve any prison time.

Meanwhile, when the Misick brothers and Hanchell return to court in December 2024depending on the outcome of the October hearing - the court will hear from the Prosecution on the five charges that implicate the former Premier in wrongdoing while he held office, three that alleged Hanchell conspired with the brothers together and separately, and three in which Chalmers Misick conspired with his brother and Hanchell, separately and together.

See below for a detailed list of the counts against the remaining trio.

CHARGES

Count One on the indictment, a bribery charge, reads: Michael Eugene Misick, between the 1st day of June 2004 and the 31st

day of March 2007, accepted inducements directly or indirectly on behalf of the Beaches Group (including Gordon Arthur Stewart) by unlawful corrupt payments or other rewards (in the form of cash, credit, entertainment and other advantages), whilst serving as a Minister of the Crown in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands so that he would act in a way that was contrary to the ordinary rules of honesty and integrity expected of Ministers of the Crown.

A second bribery charge outlines: “Michael Eugene Misick and McAllister Eugene Hanchell, between the 1st January 2005 and the 30th day of January 2009, accepted inducements directly or indirectly from Mario Hoffman and/or related and connected entities, by unlawful corrupt payments or other rewards (in the form of cash, credit, entertainment and other advantages), whilst serving as a Minister of the Crown in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands so that he would act in a way that was contrary to the ordinary rules of honesty and integrity expected of Ministers of the Crown.

Count three: Michael Eugene Misick and McAllister Eugene Hanchell, between the 1st day of November 2006 and the 1st day of May 2008, accepted inducements directly or indirectly from the Logwood Development Company and related and connected entities

(including Harold Charles, Alan Lisenby, Matt McDonald and Scott Boatman) by unlawful corrupt payments or other rewards (in the form of cash, credit, entertainment and other advantages), whilst serving as a Minister of the Crown in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands so that he would act in a way that was contrary to the ordinary rules of honesty and integrity expected of Ministers of the Crown.

Count four: Conspiracy to defraud, states that McAllister Eugene Hanchell and Thomas Chalmers Misick, between the 1st day of January 2006 and the 31st day of December 2008, conspired together and with Michael Eugene Misick and to defraud the Crown, the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and/or the Belongers, by arranging the transfer of Crown Land at West Caicos on terms that were contrary to the economic interests of the Crown, the said Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and/or the said Belongers.

Count five: Concealing or disguising the proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to section 30 (2)(a) of the Proceeds of Crime Ordinance 1998, states: “Thomas Chalmers Misick, between the 1st day of August 2003 and the 31st day of August 2009, concealed or disguised the proceeds of criminal conduct knowing or having reasonable grounds for suspecting it to represent in whole or in part directly or indirectly the proceeds of criminal conduct committed by Michael Eugene Misick, with a view to avoiding the making or enforcement of a confiscation order or avoiding prosecution for unlawful conduct.”

Count six: Concealing or disguising the proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to section 30(2) (a) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1998, states: “Thomas Chalmers Misick, between the 1st day of August 2003 and the 31st day of August 2009, concealed or disguised the proceeds of criminal conduct knowing or having reasonable grounds for suspecting it to represent in whole or in part directly or indirectly the proceeds of criminal conduct committed by McAllister Eugene Hanchell, with a view to avoiding the making or enforcement of a confiscation order or avoiding prosecution for unlawful conduct.”

Michael Misick

McAllister Hanchell

FortisTCI reviewing court’s decision, awaiting full judgement

BY DELANA ISLES

FortisTCI said it is awaiting Justice Chris Selochan’s written decision in his dismissal for a judicial review concerning the Energy and Utilities Commissioner Delano Arthur’s apparent bias, and removal from his position.

The company alleges that Arthur’s private business interests in the energy sector prevents him from being impartial in his current position.

On Friday July 19, Judge Selochan dismissed the utility company’s application for a judicial review having heard arguments from both sides on June 20.

In a statement on the Supreme Court’s decision, Fortis said the company is reviewing the court’s decision and is awaiting the written ruling - which will outline the judge’s detailed reasoning as to how he arrived at his decision to dismiss.

In that statement FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stated: “The customer is at the centre of everything we do, and good governance in our business and in the regulation of the energy sector, is paramount to delivering a reliable, least cost and sustainable electricity service to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Forbes added that the utility company remains committed to fostering a constructive relationship with the TCI Government and the Energy and Utilities Department.

In its application, the company was seeking a declaration that Commissioner Arthur is subject to apparent bias and so should recuse himself from all matters concerning Fortis by reason of such apparent bias, and thereby it is impractical for the current Commissioner to continue in office.

They were also seeking from the court, an order of mandamus directing the Deputy Governor to consider whether the current commissioner can continue in that post by reason of the apparent bias identified by Fortis, the applicants in the matter.

Responding to the company’s application were the energy and utilities commissioner and the deputy governor.

King’s Counsel Conrad Griffiths and attorney Devonte Smith appeared for the utility company, while Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles KC, Crown Counsel Clemar Hippolyte and Khadija Mac Farlane appeared for the commissioner and the deputy governor.

BACKGROUND

FortisTCI said in 2023 they became aware of the Commissioner’s private business interests as the owner of two registered energy solutions companies, one in the Bahamas and one in Turks and Caicos Islands, both offering the sale and installation of renewable energy systems.

They said they believed that this presented an apparent bias between his private interests and his responsibilities while serving as the regulator in the energy and utilities sector.

The matter was first taken to Her Excellency the Governor, however, there was no substantive response. The company then applied to the court for a judicial review in November 2023.

In its application to the court, the company contends that Ano Tech Bahamas has clearly stated ambitions to enter the TCI market in the energy sector. In support of this contention, they drew reference to the sworn statement of Delano Arthur in which he stated that he had suspended further entrance into the TCI market, having put this on pause in the TCI.

They contended that upon demitting his office as commissioner, they believe Arthur’s company will enter the TCI market.

They argued that there is material that suggests that the Commissioner clearly favours renewable energy and that while this may be consistent with Government policy it also suggests that the Commissioner is influenced by his own business interests.

Fortis also pointed to the last

advice sent to Arthur from the Integrity Commission on March 27, 2023, in which the Deputy Director stated, ‘As such, the Commission has also informed you that you should not be engaging in private business in the E&U sector, with your companies, whilst serving as the TCIG E&U Commissioner.’

In arguments to quash the application for the judicial review, the Attorney General and her team argued that the advice from the Integrity Commission was limited to the Commissioner’s role in the energy sector of the TCI.

However, Fortis disagreed stating that the email contained

no such restriction and that the Commissioner’s continued role in the energy sector in the neighbouring Bahamas is a source of grave concern and adds to the appearance of bias.

The Attorney General argued that prior to Commissioner Arthur assuming that position, he disclosed that he will be transitioning from Managing Director of Ano Tech Ltd, a renewable energy firm that was seeking entrance into the TCI market.

She said the Integrity Commission considered his disclosure and advised him that his companies are not to conduct

business in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the energy and utilities sector.

She said he has heeded the advice of the Integrity Commission and has not done any business in the TCI as his company remains non-operational.

The attorney general said the Commissioner continues to discharge his duties in a fair and reasonable manner and in accordance with the Ordinance.

Judge Selochan in his decision has agreed with the Attorney General and will in the coming weeks disclose in written judgment his reasons for so doing.

Real estate market continues its boom in first half of 2024

In the second quarter market report on the Turks and Caicos Real Estate industry, tourism and real estate continues to top the charts.

As demonstrated by the TCI’s Real Estate Association’s (TCREA) Multiple Listing Service (MLS), sales trends and the government’s arrivals statistics report, luxury lifestyle in the TCI continues its upward trend.

These figures show that in 2024, the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors, representing a 21% increase over the previous year.

“Luxury lifestyle continues to top the charts in both real estate sales and tourism arrivals as demonstrated by the Tourist Board being recently re-branded as ‘Experience Turks & Caicos’, which aims to diversify our tourism offerings to the outer islands to ensure a sustainable tourism revenue that benefits the entire population,” the market report issued by Sotheby’s this week outlined.

In the first half of 2024, the TCI’s real estate market saw a healthy sales volume throughout all sectors, with condominium

sales surpassing them all.

The report outlined: “With over $270 million in pending deals in the condominium sector at an average price point of circa $2.5 million, and building daily, the product mix is re-balancing towards a more equitable blend of condominiums and single family homes, of which the latter carried the market the prior decade.”

It noted that based on overall pending transactions, which are predicted to close out in 2024, the year-end numbers are poised to remain at this newly established sales volume.

FortisTCI headquarters, Providenciales

ADEQUATE OR INADEQUATE POLICING IN FIVE CAYS?

In a recent community meeting, the residents of Five Cays cited inadequate policing, lack of police presence, and perceived insensitivity to the community’s plight. They said that the police are just offering lip service and are out of touch with what’s happening on the ground.

Member of Parliament for Five Cays, Hon Rachel Taylor, echoed the residents’ concerns and called for a relationship between the police and the community built on trust and mutual respect.

The Lawmen acknowledged the force’s shortcomings and pledged to address the issues raised. They also emphasised that crime prevention is a shared responsibility, calling on parents, church leaders, and community leaders to play their part in steering youths away from criminal activities.

What are your thoughts?

Police work

The new law permits the collection of cell phone data. That will help the police to locate and track gang members.

Nuanced policy approaches

There is a sharp divide between the realities of Policing in the TCI, Policy Commitment to protecting the areas that actually “count” in the eyes of the Lawmakers, ie government of the day, and those who bring policing policy to their attention. Gone are the days when an elected Minister could sit idly by and say, “We have no input or responsibility over law enforcement and policing”.

crime but they would not.

Why join the crowd?

The Minister is now in the community echoing the concerns of the community! This is really strange because the minister should be taking information from the community and developing solutions of a financial and budgetary nature.

Now she’s “joining the crowd” and ‘complaining’ with the crowd, about things she can do something about, as if she’s not there to provide serious and substantive solutions. It really seems that they are not elected to lead or make policy but really to ‘cheer-lead”, make speeches and join the crowd. There is a dire absence of leadership coming from this government.

Shared responsibility

Any churchgoer who knows his/her Bible, and understands the Scripture, not with an honorary qualification but with Truth, would already know his role to deal and share policing responsibilities. In the Bible, Matthew 21 already speaks to : giving unto Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s, the “Government”, the things that are Caesars’ will include cooperation and admonishing one’s Church members to ‘obey the law’ and to help the police solve crime.

This is not an issue, nor is it at issue. The issue is the government’s refusal to budget what is needed to deal with crime and or to find out from the public what the real issues are! This campaign event by the Hon Minister cannot elicit in any way from the Public what they feel is the “issue” and how it may be resolved.

Examples of good fathers and responsibility are rare, few and far between. To lead on these issues one must actually be a leader. Leaders have ideas, and solutions and know where to take a people. Like never before in the history of these TCI Islands, we have a government with all of the resources but coupled with an inability on how the use them. They literally have 14 seats, a super-majority and can do just about ‘anything’, and money like never before but they are not ‘leading”.

The Minister and her Government could stay in touch with the community more often than these ‘sporadic’ meetings. They could also create a round table to meet the community and see what the needs are and where the community could positively impact at-risk youth.

More budgeting is needed for cameras in the local areas of the Bight, Five Cays etc. and not just Grace Bay. How could this biased execution of law enforcement be possible under an elected Government with its own Minister of Finance, who could quite plausibly determine fiscal policy of this nature?

We need support

The communities have been shouting this from the rooftops FOR YEARS!!! LITERALLY!!! We need brick-and-mortar police stations within our local communities. We NEED police officers to walk the beat in our local communities. We NEED more Turks and Caicos Islanders on our police force. We NEED justice for all the unsolved murders!!! We NEED our borders to be properly secured!!! WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE LIP SERVICE!!!

By now voters are well aware that the Premier and Minister of Finance both sit on the National Security Council (‘NSC’) and could ably inform that council where the Governor also sits, as to what they want for police Policy. One must remember Turks and Caicos ministers are not elected to “Lead” or “make policy” but rather to collect huge salaries, make meaningless speeches, rouse up crowds, have fun, collect a pension after a mere two terms and do absolutely “nothing”.

This is their “Manifest Destiny”, “nothing more” and “nothing less”. The evidence is seen in the racial paradigm that has emerged in Police Policy, where Grace Bay Businesses are ‘duly’ outfitted with cameras and the ‘less than important’ areas of Provo are without and or financed by the business owner. What minister would stand by and allow this to happen? Only those elected in the TCI!!!!

Yet they could, if they wanted, pressure and budget for more resources to deal with

We are dealing with a generational crisis of at-risk youth erupting all over the island, shooting and killing, an existential threat to the well-being and economy of the TCI. This process, i.e. to find solutions requires serious leadership and insight. Gatherings of this nature cannot help, nor are they designed to help but make it look like the minister is trying to “do something” about a situation that has gotten out of control.

How about actually doing something

TCI is watching the natural order and precise structure of its society decline, disappear and dwindle right before its very eyes and all the Government can do is fiddle. Ancient Roman Emperor, Nero, would be proud of the quality of the fiddling and the music, leading to a road to ‘’nowhere.

The youths are at issue. Young men are free to roam the streets and ‘bring themselves up’ TCI has really lost the script because some of these young men are the children of some of the leaders we elect and or leading in other areas of the country.

Getting worse

There is a breakdown and it will only get worse - if we are all realistic and honest.

Lack of Trust

There is a big lack of trust as it relates to sharing information with law enforcement. Five Cays needs to see more police presence (random but more frequent patrols) the human aspect is really disconnected. There are too many illegal structures throughout the community that harbours criminals.

Parliament passes Retiring Allowances and Legislative Service Amendment Bill

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a significant move towards ensuring the financial wellbeing of former members of the legislative assembly, the House of Assembly unanimously passed the Retiring Allowances, Legislative Service Amendment Bill 2024, and the Retiring Allowance, Former Legislative Service Increase Repeal Bill 2024 on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

This landmark legislation aims to provide increased retirement allowances for former members while sparking a passionate debate about fairness, equity, and the financial implications for both former and current members.

Although the Bill does not specify the percentage of the increase, it makes a provision for it to be increased in the future.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick introduced the bill, explaining that it sought to amend existing ordinances to enable increases in retiring allowances through an order made by the governor.

This amendment was necessary due to changes in the TCI constitution, which had transitioned from a state council to a house with a legislative assembly.

The existing ordinances had not accounted for these changes, necessitating an update to ensure that retiring allowances could be adjusted appropriately.

However, the proposed

amendment raised concerns among some members, particularly regarding the exclusion of benefits for current members who would reach retirement age without serving two full terms.

Appointed Member Hon Harold Charles expressed his support for providing benefits to former members but questioned the fairness of neglecting the needs of current members who might not qualify for the full retirement package.

“I do agree with what the government is doing here to look after former members of the House of Assembly, and I do agree, and I fully support that, but I don’t understand why we’re looking after

the others, but we’re not looking after the current members that serve and will reach the retirement age,” Charles argued.

He emphasised that members who served one term should still be entitled to some form of retirement benefit, albeit a reduced amount.

Opposition Leader Hon Edwin Astwood clarified that the bill was not designed to benefit any current members of the chamber or those who had retired in the past four to eight years.

Instead, it aimed to address inequities in the system and provide support for those who had served long before the recent constitutional changes.

“We are not doing this for

ourselves,” Astwood stated. “We are doing this for those who have gone before us, long before us, that we try to make things right and balance things out.”

Premier Misick acknowledged the concerns raised by members and assured them that the government was committed to transparency and fairness in addressing the issue of retirement benefits.

He pledged to review the recommendations made by the Integrity Commissioner and provide an update to the House, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considered the risks and sacrifices of public service while ensuring fiscal responsibility.

“There needs to be a balance between what is equitable, what is fair, in relationship to the risk one takes in entering politics,” Misick remarked. “But at the same token, there needs to be a balance between what is equitable, what is fair, in relationship to the risk one takes and entering politics, which is a voluntary, equal opportunity, risk-taking venture to enter into politics.”

The debate highlighted the complexities surrounding the issue of retirement benefits for elected officials, underscoring the need for careful consideration of both the contributions of those who have served and the financial implications for the government.

FSC gets new commissioner and incoming Chair

Deangelo Rigby has been appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Board of Commissioners.

The announcement was made last Friday, July 19, by Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam.

A statement on the appointment outlined that Rigby is a senior advisor to Private Equity Funds, Corporate Buyers and Venture Capital Investors. He specialises in providing support and advice related to insurance and risk management implications that arise from mergers and acquisitions transactions, restructuring, refinancing and disposals.

In a second appointment, the Governor reported that when the current Chair of the FSC, David Oakden demits office on August 1, 2024, current Commissioner Geoff Scott will take up the post of Chair

She said: “I am confident that Mr Rigby’s experience and expertise will help ensure the FSC continues to deliver our vision for the financial services sector.

“I am pleased that Commissioner Scott has accepted the role of Chair of the FSC.

“He brings a wealth of experience from the region and is a highly regarded financial services professional, with a successful track record of over 30 years in banking.”

She noted that his extensive experience and strong leadership will be instrumental in driving a stable, transparent and progressive financial services environment for the Turks and Caico Islands.

“I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to the outgoing Chair, David Oakden, for his service to the FSC and the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick

Governor’s Appointed Member Hon Harold Charles

Deangelo Rigby

New FCS Board Chair, Geoff Scott

Supreme Court dismisses judicial review filed by Fortis TCI

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a landmark ruling delivered on July 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands dismissed a judicial review application filed by Fortis TCI Limited against the Energy and Utilities Commissioner Mr Delano Arthur.

The application sought to remove the Commissioner from his post on grounds of alleged apparent bias due to his personal financial interests in a solar energy company operating in the Bahamas.

Fortis TCI, the primary electricity provider in the Turks and Caicos Islands, initiated the proceedings on November 8, 2023, asserting that the Commissioner’s involvement in the solar energy sector presented a conflict of interest.

They argued that this conflict could potentially influence his decisions and impartiality in carrying out his duties under the Electricity Ordinance and the proposed Renewable Energy and Resource Planning Bill.

The legal battle, which spanned several months, involved complex arguments from both sides and extensive affidavit evidence.

The Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands was initially named as a party to the proceedings but was later removed, with the Deputy Governor being substituted in her place, according to a statement from the Government on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

The crux of the matter centred on whether the Commissioner’s personal interest in a Bahamian solar energy company could be perceived as influencing his decisions in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Fortis TCI contended

Energy and Utilities Commissioner Mr Delano Arthur

that this created a situation of apparent bias, undermining the Commissioner’s ability to act impartially.

A

STATEMENT FROM

THE GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED

THAT FORTISTCI URGED THE SUPREME COURT TO:

I. Declare that the Commissioner is subject to apparent bias and so should recuse himself from all matters concerning Fortis, as a result, and thereby that it is impractical for the Commissioner to continue in office.

ii. An order of mandamus directing the Governor to consider

whether the Commissioner can continue in that post in light of those allegations.

However, the Court, presided over by His Lordship Mr Justice Chris Selochan, found no merit in Fortis TCI’s claims.

The Court applied the test of whether a “fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts, would conclude that there was a real possibility that the decision-maker was biased.”

In its analysis, the Court considered several factors, including the Commissioner’s early disclosure of his interests to the Turks and Caicos Islands

Government (TCIG) and the Integrity Commission, his compliance with the Integrity Commission’s advice, and the nature of his role, which does not primarily involve policy formulation.

The Court also noted the absence of any direct connection between the Commissioner’s Bahamian solar energy interests and his regulatory functions in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It emphasised that the mere fact of having a business interest in a similar industry in a different jurisdiction did not automatically constitute apparent bias.

Attorney General, Hon

CONTRIBUTORS NEEDED

Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC, expressed satisfaction with the Court’s decision, stating, “We are incredibly pleased with the Court’s decision, which confirms our position that the Deputy Governor and the Energy and Utilities Commissioner acted appropriately throughout, without bias and in full compliance with the law.”

She further highlighted the importance of the ruling in affirming the Integrity Commission’s role in providing guidance to public officials on matters of potential conflicts of interest.

“This outcome reaffirms my Chambers’ dedication to assisting TCIG decision-makers to ensure that their decision-making is sound, fair and impartial. It also affirms the advice of the Compliance Unit of the Integrity Commission which had earlier considered the circumstances and advised the Commissioner on handling.

“The Commissioner, having acted faithfully in keeping with that advice, is also vindicated. We are relieved for the Commissioner who ably withstood the personal and professional pressures this challenge brought yet continued to press forward with the Government’s agenda in the face of it”, she added.

The Minister for Public Safety and Utilities, Hon Kyle Knowles, also welcomed the Court’s decision, emphasising the government’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of accountability and transparency in the energy and utilities sector.

Commenting on the ruling, he said: “The Government is undertaking significant reforms in the energy and utilities sector which will build a firm foundation for a strong energy future in the Islands.

“The government’s successful defence in this matter signals that whilst the Government remains committed to maintaining the integrity and transparency of its regulatory processes, independent judicial scrutiny of the Deputy Governor’s decision not to remove the current Commissioner in the face of the allegations brought by Fortis, give credence to the government’s well-placed confidence in the professionalism, fairness and impartiality of the current Energy and Utilities Commissioner’s actions.”

He added that the Government is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all officials perform their duties in keeping with the highest ethical and professional standards.

Twelve new officers sworn in to bolster police force

A dozen new officers were sworn into the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on Monday, July 22, 2024, pledging to protect and serve the citizens of the islands.

The ceremony, held at Police Headquarters in Providenciales, was a solemn occasion marked by words of encouragement and caution from Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin.

“Thank you for choosing the

TCI,” Martin said to the new recruits. “It will not be a bed of roses. Policing requires hard work, and you ensure our communities are safe. Your arrival was anticipated and highly overdue.”

The new officers are Ronn James, Ernie Henry, Aron Charlery, Andrew Ottley, Emmanuel Dabreo, Damion Clarke, Jeffrey Kaye, Roan Waugh, Shan Livermore, Kemar Chambers, Michael Campbell, and Ajay Budhai.

Martin reminded them of the weighty responsibility they now bear. “You are now officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, and you are committed to the safety of the people of these archipelagos,” he said. “We must lead by example and not let our guard down.” He also emphasised the importance of integrity in law enforcement. “Stand firm on the foundation of our motto - Service

with Pride and Integrity,” Martin urged. “Integrity is doing the right thing in the absence of anyone watching.”

The ceremony began with an opening prayer by Pastor Wilbert Jennings, President of the Christian Council, who advised the officers to always call on God in their time of need, a statement from the RTCIPF said.

Several high-ranking police officials attended the swearing-in,

including Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioner Kendall Grant, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton, Chairman of the Police Welfare Association Sgt Jepson Victor, and Human Resources Manager Rex Swann. The addition of these 12 new officers is expected to bolster the police force’s ability to maintain law and order in the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Olivia Rose)

CABINET MEETING SUMMARY

Turks and Caicos Islands post Cabinet meeting statement

WEDNESDAY, 10TH JULY 2024

Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 21st meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday, 10th July 2024 at the Premier’s Office, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, commencing at 10:00 a.m.

All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of the Ministers of Tourism, Health and Human Services and Home Affairs.

AT THIS MEETING CABINET:

• Approved the appointment of Mrs. Latisha Williams-Bruce, attorney-atlaw, as an alternate Chairman of the National Insurance Board Appeals Tribunal for a period of two (2) years with immediate effect.

• Granted approval of a new Import Duty Concession Order for Waterloo Hotel Management Ltd. (The Alexandra) with a new completion date of 31 January 2025.

• Approved the amendment to the TCI National Wealth Fund Ordinance in

Section 19(2)(a)(b) Establishment and Composition of the Board; Section 33(4)(a)(b) under the Procedure for Meetings for the Attorney General and Permanent Secretary to nominate a proxy.

• Reviewed and approved the proposed increase for the Legislative Retiring Allowance Plan to progress to the House of Assembly, to affect a 20% increase in retiring allowance.

• Received a presentation on the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Carrying Capacity Model.

• Granted approval to make a cash donation to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) of 250k each to Jamaica, St. Vincent and Grenada following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Proceeds of the donation were authorised from the contingency fund.

• Approved a stamp duty remission application in regard to purchases made in reference to Palace Resorts.

• Noted information from the Ministry of Tourism on the hotels and restaurants that are scheduled to close during the 2024 off-peak season.

• Approved the rental lease agreement for the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, Butterfield Square, Providenciales.

• Approved the appointment of the following persons to the Cadet Advisory Committee for a period of one (1) year:

• Commandant as the chairman - (Act. Commandant - Nimrol Beckles)

• Permanent Secretary of Youth or his/her designate

• Senior Police Officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner

• Director of Youth – Mrs. Jasmine Parker

• The Officer Second in Command of the Cadet Corp - Chaka Skippings

• Secondary Education Officer –Mr. Reinwald Lewis or designated member

• Member – Jerome Caley

• Member – Michael Baptiste

• Member – Desiree Downes

• Secretary - A staff officer of the Cadet Corps

• Approved the Planning Application PR 1690 for a change in use from open space for the purpose of the

construction of two – two story apartment buildings to be taken through the required process.

• Approved the Planning Application PR 17036, for the subdivision of a parcel 60002/391 zoned as open space to create seventeen (17) residential parcels to be taken through the required process.

• Granted approval for the reestablishment of members and the appointment of Ms. Danielle Rigby as secretary to the Adoption Committee for a period of one (1) year.

• Approved the change to the appointment of the Secretary of the Safeguarding Children’s Board. Appointing Ms. Tamara Handfield as secretary of the Board for a period of one (1) year.

• Approved the request to exempt work permit fees for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College educators in line with the established policy for private-sector educators. Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

(Standing) New police officers and RTCIPF executives following the swearing-in ceremony (Photos: RTCIPF)

Commissioner of Police, Mr Edvin Martin addressing the new officers

God’s blueprint for the workplace

Look at this text from Paul’s letter to the Colossians - Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

It’s essential to understand that Paul’s writings here are not an endorsement of slavery, especially the type that existed in the Americas close to fifteen hundred years later, but rather a set of instructions to Christians on living out their faith within the societal structures of their time.

In today’s context, the closest analogy to masters and slaves is that of employers and employees.

This passage, therefore, offers essential guidance on how Christians should approach their work.

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

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

Paul’s command to slaves was to obey their earthly masters in everything, not just with superficial compliance but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord (Colossians 3:22). This speaks to an attitude of gratitude and a commitment to integrity. Unfortunately, today’s work environment fosters negativity, with many people complaining about their jobs more than thanking God for having one or being able to glorify him in a different context to the church.

Christians must be different. However, we must be thankful for our employment, recognising it as a provision from God and an opportunity to show the wisdom, love, and compassion of Jesus to those who may never take a step into a church building or service.

Paul is not calling for blind obedience, especially when

it conflicts with God’s laws. Instead, he urges believers to work with a mindset of serving the Lord, not merely pleasing human supervisors. This calls for a profound reverence for God, known as the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Working with sincerity of heart, as unto the Lord, transforms even the most mundane tasks into acts of worship, dignifying all aspects of work. We must see all work as God’s work and nothing less.

There is also the warning against eye-service and peoplepleasing. Incidentally, both reflect a lack of integrity. Such behaviours are driven by the desire to impress others rather than a commitment to doing what is right, indicating a superficial approach to work responsibilities. This lack of authenticity

undermines trust and reliability, which are core components of integrity, as actions are performed for show rather than from sincere motivation. Integrity involves a firm adherence to moral values and honesty. In the Bible, integrity means being without blemish, complete, sincere, and upright. Working with integrity means being consistent in good works and having a sound character that reflects God’s standards whether or not someone is watching or noticing.

Moreover, Paul encourages employees to serve wholeheartedly, knowing that they will receive their reward from the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). This perspective can transform the workplace, making business dealings more pleasant and fostering a positive work ethic. The instruction to masters (or employers) is to treat their

bondservants (employees) justly and fairly, recognizing that they, too, have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1). Christian employers are held to a higher standard of fairness (in wages, time and workload) and justice knowing they are accountable to God for their actions. Both employees and employers are equal before God, who shows no favouritism.

These principles raise important questions for self-reflection. Are you an employee who works with integrity and serves your job as if serving the Lord? Do you avoid grumbling and complaining about your work? Do you see your job as a blessing through which you can bless others? On the other hand, as an employer, do you treat your employees justly and fairly?

Do you recognise and reward their contributions? Are you modelling Christlikeness in your business practices?

Whether you are an employee or an employer, honouring God’s blueprint in the workplace is a call for all Christians. It involves working with integrity, showing gratitude, and treating others with fairness and justice, reflecting the love and standards of Christ in all aspects of our professional lives.

You need to experience things for yourself

It helps to understand the feelings of others

I know sometimes we think we understand the pain and suffering that people go through, but I believe to appreciate the feelings and behaviours of others, we must experience some of these things for ourselves. There are individuals who have undergone years of training as professionals to counsel and help others but to experience something for yourself will go a long way in helping others in their healing and recovery process.

This is one of the reasons why we should not judge others. Some of us simply do not understand what others are facing.

Some people do not understand what it means to be broke. You do not have any money. Your expenses are more than your income. You are ignoring calls from your creditors. You are worried because you don’t know where your next dollar is coming from. Don’t judge broke people. If you experience it yourself,

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.

perhaps you will be more emphatic toward others and if you are able to become financially stable, you can share your experiences with others.

Depression is real and it is probably more common than you think. I suffered from depression for years and so I think I can relate to those who are experiencing depression. Of course, there are different levels of depression. Do not judge someone who is depressed. Depression can happen to anyone.

Some people lose close family members and friends and as a result, they face grief. Some people do not understand why people are still grieving after so many years. Let people grieve. Some of you do not know what they are going through until you experience it for yourself. I had to learn this the hard way through the loss of close family members and friends.

Some people have gone through multiple marriages or relationships, and we judge them because it

didn’t work out. We do not know what these individuals faced in their marriage. Leave them alone. Until you experience it, then you will understand.

Prior to becoming the CFO and eventually the CEO of Cable & Wireless, I didn’t understand or appreciate the role of a leader. It is a lonely task. It is easy to say if you were a leader, you would lead and make decisions differently. However, you must experience being a leader to appreciate other leaders.

When we reflect on our parents and the way they brought us up, we didn’t appreciate them at that time. Now that we are parents, we find ourselves doing some of the same things to our children that our parents did to us. There are some people who are not parents or guardians but want to tell parents what they should or should not do. It is not the same thing. Experience being a parent yourself and then

you will understand.

When you find the love of your life and you make a commitment to them by marrying them, it is a great thing. However, from time to time, you will face challenges. I think getting advice from other married couples or a married marriage counsellor than to get advice from a single person. I don’t know what it is like to be an alcoholic or drug addict. I can talk to them about what I read but I don’t know how they feel. An exalcoholic or an ex-drug addict may be more effective.

In conclusion, experience matters. You must experience it to understand it. If you have not gone through it, it is not the same thing. Don’t tell people you can imagine what they are facing when you have not experienced it. If you know others who have gone through what they have encountered, connect them with others who have experienced it.

Kenyatta Lewis is the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel,

The Caribbean has a defence system against destructive hurricanes

but why it is dissipating?

Hurricanes ranked among the most devastating storms on the planet and known for inflicting staggering death tolls and wreaking havoc on properties worth billions of dollars each year. Fortunately, forecasts helped safeguard society from destruction.

The 2024 hurricane season has just begun and on Monday a category 4 hurricane, Beryl, the first storm of the year, bore down mercilessly on St Vincent and the Grenadines, devastated Union Island and left residents homeless and now they are desperately searching for basic resources for their survival.

You may ask, how are hurricanes formed? While they do not understand the dangerous shift in the disposition of a hurricane, scientific research uncovered how they are formed.

You must know, that radiation from the sun heats the Earth’s landmasses and ocean bodies and it

BY D MARKIE SPRING

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

is this transferred heat energy that drives the weather and climate on Earth.

Moreover, the polarity between heating and cooling of land and ocean bodies influences the temperature and movement of air masses over land and water.

And considering that water has a higher heat capacity than solid ground for a specified amount of solar radiation, land temperature will increase beyond the temperature of the ocean.

The high capacity of ocean bodies

is highly insulated and at night this prevents the rapid changes in temperature, while land temperature drops rapidly. This suggests that land heats and cools quicker than ocean bodies and this variation impacts weather patterns across regions.

When hurricane Beryl was formed, this is what happened.

Surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean reached 27°C and as the warm air rapidly spirals into the atmosphere, it created an area of low pressure.

While this air rises, and it takes with it warm moist air above the

surface of the ocean, and in the interim, generates gust winds.

As the warm humid air continues to whorl upwards – eventually, it cools and the water vapour it takes with it condenses, then forms cumulonimbus clouds, and from this the eyes of the hurricane is formed.

But there is an interesting development occurring in the waters surrounding the Caribbean.

Scientists say that hurricane Beryl and other superstorms could substantially be more threatening without the venerated underwater animals called coral reefs.

These rocklike sea creatures are communities of living organisms working in harmony to form natural seawalls and they help to suppress ocean waves and avoid coastal flooding; hence, protecting the Caribbean coastlines.

The TCI, which is blessed with the second-largest barriers reef in the Western Hemisphere, has

reaped the benefits of corals that surround its flat-lying landscapes.

But now, experts are concerned that the region’s underwater defense system formed by corals against deadly hurricanes is dissipating.

So, what is responsible for the disappearance of corals?

Geographers cited that rising temperature is the single most impactful phenomenon.

The warm Atlantic Ocean around the tropics retards the interconnectedness between coral and a kind of symbiotic algae that inhabits the polyps. And once that connection is lost, it causes the coral to bleach, turn white and starve, and eventually die.

Not only does ocean warming intensify hurricanes, but the increase in temperature is withering corals. This means we’re losing resilience, which the iconic ecosystems render during a storm.

The alpha male and the misconceptions

The concept of “alpha males and females” surfaced the conversations whilst on a lovely holiday in the south of Scotland with the in-laws. I have never given that topic much thought, primarily because I never wanted to delve into the reasons why I never fit the “alpha-male-kindof-guy” mould. I always looked at the loudest guy in the room as a prick with an un-measurable urge to be seen. Anyone who goes out of their way to gather followers, to be heard and seen is an instant “no” for me, subsequently, I steer clear of all power-hungry people and that topic altogether.

The alpha male originates from observations of animal behavior, particularly in wolf packs, where an “alpha” leads the group. What does it mean for humans? Well, this is where the mass over-speculation starts. Whilst it may be true in wolves, when applying this concept to human social dynamics, this is far from being straightforward. It is problematic and much deeper than a wolf-pack call in

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

the middle of the night. Here’s why:

Oversimplification: Human social interactions are far more complex than those of most animals. Reducing human behavior to simple alpha-beta dynamics overlooks the nuances of our relationships and social structures. There are nearly infinite factors that drive this today. Your number of Instagram followers is one of them.

Scientific Misconception: The original alpha wolf theory, popularized by studies in the 1940s, has been debunked. The “alpha” behavior observed in captivity did not reflect natural wolf behavior, where packs are usually family units led by

breeding pairs, not through dominance.

Variety of Leadership Styles: Humans exhibit a wide range of leadership styles. An “alpha” in one situation might be a follower in another. Leadership can be situational and fluid rather than fixed.

Collaborative Success: Modern societies often value cooperation and collaboration over dominance. Many successful leaders achieve their status through empathy, communication, and teamwork, not through dominating others. “No man is an island” is a popular Ted Talk talk.

Negative Connotations: The alpha male/female stereotype

often emphasizes aggression, arrogance, and entitlement, traits that are generally not conducive to healthy relationships or effective leadership. We no longer gravitate towards these.

Cultural Differences: Not all cultures value the same traits. What might be seen as “alpha” behavior in one culture could be viewed as inappropriate or ineffective in another.

Myth of Scarcity: The alpha male concept suggests a scarcity of leadership opportunities, as if only a few can be at the top. In reality, leadership and influence can be widely distributed across a community or organisation leaving room for more than just one to be on top.

Individual Differences: People have unique strengths and weaknesses. Some might excel in social situations, while others are leaders in intellectual or creative endeavors. Labeling people as alpha or beta ignores these individual differences.

BONUS: Evolving

Understanding: Our understanding of human

behavior continues to evolve. Relying on outdated or simplistic models like the alpha male concept fails to account for the complexities of modern human interactions, diversity, and attributes.

Why some people seem to lead effortlessly is nothing short of an art form—and dare I say, a bit of a superpower. If you’re like the rest of us, who prefer to stay off the podium and away from the spotlight, don’t beat yourself up for not being an “alpha.” Embrace your role in the background! After all, when the chaos hits the fan, you’ll have had plenty of time to find a comfy shelf to hide behind. And here’s a little something for the ladies: Alpha males or beta males—what’s your preference?

The table is set, the mic is open, and we’re ready for your verdict. Dive in and let’s see what the real winners of the dating game have to say! Share your testimonials: at louisedens@ gmail.com or Instagram: @ daviid.l2.

Creating a new tourism destination concept

What would happen if an entire tourism destination was dedicated to expressing tourism legacy in a new way? Wanting to explore the potential for developing a bolder, and more distinctive concept for tourism destination services and products. Conceived as a model to explore future directions with innovative features and enhanced by promotion language that reflect the destination’s unique products and professional services.

The new concept may be a radical demonstration of the power of an avant-garde brand that will appear as the tourism destination of tomorrow.

Does it sound like a politician’s biddle-boo diddley squat? It doesn’t mean being disrespectful or contesting any existing shortcomings in a heavy-duty script.

Ever heard of Maslow’s

Throughout his professional activities, he was involved in international aviation promotion, development and management matters in the region and in Europe.

Hierarchy of Needs? Academic courses in marketing teach Maslow’s hierarchy as one of the first theories as a basis for understanding consumers’ motives for action. Marketers have historically looked towards consumers’ needs to define their actions in the market. If producers design products to meet consumer needs, consumers will more often choose those products over those

Bud has written numerous articles and columns for international and regional magazines.

As a specialist in strategic communication, he aims to ensure that the essential information is noticed by the senses, sticks in the mind, and affects thinking, behaviour, or activities of an audience.

of competitors, thus increasing sales.

It is an art to remain down-toearth, yet achieve something that is almost heavenly for many. It may not be the concept that is referred to, but the following may provide some food for thought.

He dropped out of high school at age 15, he bought an uninhabited Caribbean island at age 28. He developed it to serve as a family

private retreat. It was not supposed to be a tourist destination. Yet now, years later, it can be booked any time of the year for exclusive use from US$105,000 per night. During selected weeks of the year, the island opens up ‘hotel style’, allowing guests to book individual rooms at US$ 5,150 per night.

“Don’t bother doing something unless you’re radically different from the competition” according to Sir Richard Branson, the man behind this example and described as a man with an innovative spirit, deeply committed to sustainability and environment, as well as wildlife preservation, with an outlandish lifestyle, and who turns his visions into reality.

The point is not about telling anyone what to do or suggesting to go to extremes. It is not about how much is invested. It is about a philosophy or vision that offers an exclusive escape, where guests can escape the pressure of everyday life and immerse themselves in the tranquillity and beauty of the Caribbean’s natural beauty and feel totally and truly at ease. Branson’s personal philosophy is embracing new experiences, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible that will be encapsulated in unique experiences.

How about that for creating a new tourism destination concept?

It brings us back to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which is used to study how humans intrinsically partake in behavioural motivation. Maslow used the terms “physiological”, “safety”, “belonging and love”, “social needs” or “esteem” “self-actualisation”; and “transcendence” to describe the pattern through which human needs and motivations generally move. So, if one wants to invite guests to come to a destination, one has to understand their behaviour, lifestyle and culture first. The characteristics and demographics of every tourism source market differs. Don’t expect to get them all.

Specialisation and exclusivity will create uniqueness. Why shouldn’t a destination be homey; a kind place that has the feeling of a cozy and comfortable home? Why not go ‘Shabby Chic’ which is in essence a feminine design style that reflects a casual and relaxed lifestyle and homelike warmth. Yet, feminine design relates to beautification. Not cosmetics, but the true natural beauty from within of a destination that should reflect the warmth of hospitality and of guesticology which is the study of the people for whom services are provided. It recognizes that there is a vital link between customer satisfaction and brand reputation. The only regret from a stay at a destination would be that the visitor couldn’t stay longer!

A new exciting tourism destination concept harnesses the power of creativity and crosswise thinking to make a unique statement in a hi-class and hi-performance tourism concept model. One must not feel restricted by previous traditional concepts but instead explore new ways of expressing what a tourist destination stands for. It should represent the brand’s destination roots in an intelligent way, without using showy gimmicks. Mind that quality goes in before the brand goes on. Yet, some believe that guests can be induced to swallow anything, provided it is sufficiently seasoned with praise, and they promote it with ample braggadocio.

In character and performance, a new tourism destination concept should be the most advanced focused model yet to come to the industry and be uncontaminated by the world around it. The concept shares the core values of the brand: progressiveness, comfort, warmth, quality, and functionality combined with authenticity, creative culture and innovative thinking. That may be an exhausting lot to think about. Create a different atmosphere than is found elsewhere. It’s no good to copy others, but it does make sense to be inspired by others to come up with new ideas. In a region where the ocean hugs the shore, a destination can be an experience offering an extensive range of features that go above and beyond expectations.

“Nothing is so common as the wish to be remarkable,” according to William Shakespeare, who also said: “Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”

So, let’s run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it.

Commander Bud Slabbaert from Sint Maarten is the initiator and chairman of the Caribbean Aviation Meetup conferences.

CDR BUD SLABBAERT

Second National Risk Assessment to bolster defence against financial crime

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a significant move to fortify the nation’s defences against financial crime, Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick has announced the launch of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ second National Risk Assessment (NRA).

This comprehensive evaluation, spearheaded by the Anti-Money Laundering Committee (AMLC) under the leadership of Attorney General Hon Rhondalee Knowles, aims to identify and mitigate risks associated with money laundering (ML), terrorism financing (TF), and the financing of weapons of mass destruction (PF).

“The security and prosperity of our beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are our utmost priorities,” declared Premier Misick.

“The NRA will serve as a critical tool in identifying and mitigating the risks associated with ML/ TF/PF and related offenses. The resultant action plan and strategic plan will lead to enhancing our resilience and ensuring compliance with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)”, Misick said in a statement on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

The NRA represents a

cornerstone of the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation from the threats posed by illicit financial activities.

It will involve extensive collaboration among public sector authorities and consultations with key private sector stakeholders.

“By leveraging the expertise and insights of all relevant parties, we aim to develop a nuanced and effective strategy to allocate resources to effectively mitigate the risks,” explained Premier Misick.

Recognising the complex and evolving nature of ML/TF/PF risks, the Premier emphasised the need for a dynamic and proactive response.

The findings of the NRA will play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s policies, regulations, and operational measures moving forward.

“We acknowledge that ML/ TF/PF risk is complex and evolving and demands a dynamic and proactive response,” stated Premier Misick. “The findings of the NRA will be instrumental in shaping our policies, regulations, and operational measures going forward, bolstering our national security and reaffirming our

commitment to upholding global standards in the fight against terrorism.”

The Premier expressed his gratitude to the AMLC and the dedicated personnel undertaking this extensive task. He called upon statutory bodies, ministries, and departments to prioritise the assessment, emphasising the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s risks and an appropriate risk-based response to identified gaps or weaknesses.

“I affirm my government’s

commitment to prioritising the effective implementation of the FATF recommendations and look forward to receiving the findings of this risk assessment and seeing through the implementation of all recommended actions,” affirmed Premier Misick. “Together, we can build a safer and more secure future for our nation and its people.”

The launch of the second NRA underscores the Turks and Caicos Islands’ unwavering dedication to combating financial crime and protecting its citizens from harm.

The government’s proactive

approach and commitment to international cooperation position the nation as a leader in the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation designed to develop and set standards for fighting financial crimes—such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing—worldwide.

The international watchdog organisation acts as an authoritative judge of whether a country’s mechanisms and efforts to limit financial crime are working effectively.

If the FATF puts a country on its grey or blacklist, it has judged its systems for fighting financial crime to be severely inadequate and has concluded that no noticeable efforts are being made to improve them.

Both Black- and Grey-Listing have adverse implications for a country’s economy and financial system. It can restrict cross-border transactions, lead to difficulties for a state obtaining credit, and limit inward foreign investment.

In addition to economic consequences, Black- and GreyListing damages a country’s reputation and reduces its international standing.

PDM leader expresses deep sorrow at skyrocketing gun violence in TCI

I come to our people again with a heavy heart to address the tragic loss of life to gun violence in our community.

The recent death of the 24th victim this year is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to address this escalating crisis.

As a leader who values the sanctity of life and the well-being of our families and communities, I am deeply troubled by the relentless wave of gun violence that continues to claim the lives of too many young men in our society. Each life lost is a profound tragedy that leaves a void in the hearts of families and loved ones. These young men are our children, our brothers, our nephews, our cousins, our young Fathers, and our children’s friends.

In the words of the timeless

song, and one of my all-time favorites, ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ by Peter, Paul and Mary, “How many deaths will it take till he knows, that too many people have died?”

pressing issue. Their inaction speaks volumes about their priorities and their disregard for the safety and well-being of our citizens.

How many eyes must you, Mr. Premier have, before you can see that too many of our people are dying????? The reality is our people’s lives matter!

OUR YOUTH LIVES MATTER!

our neighborhoods are safe for all. I call upon the Premier and his Government to break their silence, to show genuine concern for the lives lost to gun violence, and to take decisive action to prevent further tragedies from occurring. The time for complacency has long been over – we must act now to protect our communities and our future generations.

It is time for us to speed up our coming together as a community, as leaders, and as individuals to demand meaningful change and to put an end to the senseless violence that plagues our streets.

I am disheartened by the silence and apparent lack of interest displayed by the Premier and his Government in response to this

These poignant lyrics resonate strongly with the current situation we face, where the toll of gun violence has reached a devastating level.

We the PDM are committed to working without ceasing to address the root causes of gun violence, to provide support and opportunities for our youth, and to ensure that

Let us heed the words of ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and ask ourselves: how many more lives must be lost before we take a stand? The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind – it is up to us to make a difference.

Together, we can create a safer, more peaceful society for all.

Hon.

Edwin A. Astwood Leader of the Opposition

Opposition leader, Hon Edwin Astwood

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick

Police force receives vehicle donation amidst fleet challenges

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) received a much-needed boost to its fleet on Wednesday, July 17th, with the donation of a Polaris Ranger vehicle.

This generous contribution came from the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and the Turks and Caicos Resorts Economic Council (TCREC), demonstrating a strong partnership between the police force and local stakeholders.

The handover ceremony, held at the police headquarters on Airport

Road, Providenciales, was attended by Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin, TCHTA President James McAnally, Chief Executive Officer Stacy Cox, Secretary Nello Lambert, TCREC and TCHTA member Ken Patterson, and several high-ranking police officials, according to a statement from the RTCIPF.

Commissioner Martin expressed his gratitude for the donation, emphasising its importance in enhancing both officer safety and public security. He stated, “This handover represents the close working affiliations between the Force and our stakeholders and

a continuous desire to make the community safer. Thank you for your support and trust. This vehicle will enhance our crime-fighting efforts, secure the neighbourhood, and increase police visibility.”

Mr McAnally echoed these sentiments, highlighting the TCHTA’s commitment to community partnerships and safety.

“We are proud to support our local police department by donating a Polaris Ranger,” he said.

“At TCHTA, we believe in fostering strong community partnerships, and this contribution underscores our commitment to enhancing safety and security

in our community. We look forward to seeing this vehicle’s positive impact in assisting our law enforcement officers in their critical work.”

While the donation is a welcome addition to the police force’s resources, Commissioner Martin recently revealed at a press conference that the RTCIPF is grappling with significant challenges in expanding its fleet.

Acquiring new police-grade vehicles has proven to be a formidable task, with delays and obstacles hindering the process.

“The issue of getting vehicles at this point in time has been difficult,” Commissioner Martin admitted.

“We continue to work on the fleet. We don’t have it yet, and we encountered a number of issues that are beyond our capacity. We understand that the provision of vehicles to us…cannot be readily extracted out of the United States at the moment. The local dealer here told us it will take at least a year in order for us to get vehicles.”

In response to these challenges, the RTCIPF has shifted its focus to procuring local vehicles as a temporary solution until specialised police vehicles can be

obtained. Commissioner Martin acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating, “We have now turned this on its head with trying to get a number of local vehicles that we can integrate in the meantime until we can get police-adapted vehicles to be used.

“We do understand the issue of vehicles being in a particular situation of hardship for several officers on the ground and departments that are trying to deliver the highest quality of policing service at this point in time.”

The Commissioner emphasized the need for well-branded and outfitted vehicles suitable for police work, given the unique demands of the environment. He also revealed plans to address the issue of derelict police vehicles scattered across Providenciales.

The donation of the Polaris Ranger, while a positive development, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the RTCIPF in maintaining an adequate and effective fleet. The force’s commitment to finding innovative solutions, such as utilising local vehicles, demonstrates its dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

(L-R) Nello Lambert, DCP Rodney Adams, Commissioner Edvin Martin, Stacy Cox, Ken Patterson, Supt Dwight Gardiner, ag Insp. Kevin Clarke, ASP Kemron Lowhar and James McAnally (Photos: RTCIPF)

Commissioner Edvin Martin receives the keys from TCHTA President James McAnally

Commissioner of Police, Edvin Martin presents the keys to Supt (Community Policing and Division B) Dwight Gardiner

Scotiabank’s global executive asserts commitment to TCI’s development

Scotiabank’s Executive Vice President, Caribbean and Central America, Anya Schnoor, recently reiterated the global Bank’s commitment to the continued growth and development of the financial services sector in TCI and the wider Caribbean region.

During a visit to the island, the high-level executive, who leads the development of the overall strategic direction for the Bank’s operations in the region, engaged industry and government officials to share Scotiabank’s strategic outlook for the region and its alignment with development.

“As a global leader within the financial services industry, we understand the growth potential of this region and are committed to nurturing this growth. We continue to position ourselves to invest in the continuous improvement of the industry and enable the advancements that we believe will augur well for Caribbean nationals and fortify the economies across the region. Schnoor advised.

Dr Suzan Snaggs Wilson, Managing Director & Country Head for Scotiabank TCI, underpinned this sentiment, noting that the local team is keen on “leveraging its international expertise to continue to give clients the best-in-class service, which is a trademark of Scotiabank.”

L- R are Roger Archer - VP & Country Head, Bahamas, William Ingraham-Commercial Banking Manager, Savon Persard - Vice President, Retail and Small Business Banking- CCA, Mrs Yolande Robinson, Hon Jamell Robinson, Anya Schnoor - Executive Vice President, Caribbean and Central America, Hon Charles W. Misick, Mrs Delthia R. Misick, Audrey Tugwell - Senior Vice President Caribbean North & Central & President and CEO Jamaica, Suzan S. Wilson - Managing Director. Edmund Bain - Chief Financial Controller, Bahamas & TCI, Marcus Moxey -Branch Manager, Scotia Centre TCI

The visit primarily focused on strengthening key relationships and gaining insights on regulatory changes and key developments that could enhance client experience.

Schnoor met with Premiere Charles Washington Misick and the Deputy Premiere, Jamell Robinson, as well as officials from the Financial Services Commission, Niguel Streete, Managing Director and Prudence Edwards, Director of Bank and Trust.

Schnoor underscored Scotiabank’s commitment to investing in the Caribbean and outlined the Bank’s continued support for the robust development and efficacy of the country’s financial sector and its advancement through transformative and innovative technology.

During her visit, she also hosted a client reception to thank clients for choosing Scotiabank, at the opulent Rock House Hotel. The event, called Sunset Soiree, saw guests being serenaded by the enchanting music of Sax-O-Pan Serenades while basking in the captivating TCI Sunset. Schnoor also toured several developments around TCI.

Focusing strongly on sustainable growth, the Bank aims to play a pivotal role in driving economic progress and fostering financial inclusion across the Turks & Caicos and the broader Caribbean.

Managing Director of Scotiabank Turks & Caicos,

Dr Suzan Snaggs-Wilson is all smiles as she greets clients and a recent event at the Rock House Hotel

Scotiabank Executive Vice President for the Caribbean and Central America, Anya Schnoor is flanked by members of the Scotiabank Turks and Caicos team on a recent visit to the island

TCI mourns the loss of Mark Connolly

– The Tourism Minister’s son was known for his genuine warmth

Mark Alexander Connolly, the beloved son of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Minister of Tourism, Hon Josephine Connolly and her husband, Joseph Connolly, who tragically passed away earlier this month, was scheduled to be buried on Friday.

The news of his sudden death sent shockwaves of grief and disbelief throughout the islands, leaving family, friends, and a community heartbroken.

Mark was a young man known for his vibrant personality, infectious laughter, and genuine warmth. He had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he met.

His untimely passing has left an indescribable void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Tributes have poured in from all corners of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with friends and family sharing cherished memories and

expressing their profound sadness.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick offered his condolences on Instagram, writing, “We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Hon Josephine Connolly and her husband Joe on the profound loss of their beloved son, Mark.”

The Progressive National Party also expressed their grief on Facebook, stating, “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we extend our deepest condolences to the Hon. Josephine and Joseph Connelly on the tragic loss of their cherished son, Mark. We also offer our profound sympathy to the Smith family and the entire family circle.”

Mark’s funeral was scheduled for Friday, July 26, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Grand Turk.

On Thursday, a viewing and visitation took place from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral Anglican Church in Grand Turk,

Funeral arrangement infographic

while a memorial service was held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 6:30 pm at Abundant Life Ministries International Church in Providenciales.

As the Turks and Caicos Islands mourn the loss of this remarkable young man, the outpouring of love and support for the Connolly family is a testament to the impact

Mark had on his community. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. May his soul rest in eternal peace. (Olivia Rose)

Director urges responsible behaviour towards social workers and children

The Director of Social Development and Welfare, Ashley Forbes has addressed malicious conduct, rumours and attacks against social workers and children in state care by members of the public.

Social workers play a crucial role in our community, providing essential support and services to vulnerable children, individuals and families.

The director said it is disheartening to see that during the

course of their duties, her staff are being targeted with accusations and harmful rumours and behaviours that not only undermine their hard work but also jeopardise the well-being of the children and vulnerable adults under their care.

“I urge all community members to stand in solidarity with our department and to refrain from engaging in harmful behaviours that destabilise our efforts in protecting individuals.”

The director’s warning comes

We welcome letters from all members of

on the heels of allegations of inappropriate conduct at one of the ongoing summer camps.

On Monday, Minister of Education, Rachel Harvey assured the public that they are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency.

“We are working closely with the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) unit, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force’s Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, and other relevant authorities,” the minister advised.

Meanwhile, Director Forbes in her appeal emphasised the importance of responsible behaviour and communication when discussing matters related to the department and those in its care.

“Acting violently towards our department and engaging in malicious communication not only harms our social workers in the

course of their duty… but it also has serious consequences for the individuals in our care, families who rely on our services, and social workers’ private lives.”

She said it is imperative that the public recognise this and provide social workers with the support and protection needed to perform their duties responsibly and effectively.

“This department tries its very best to work with and not against parents, however, a child’s safety will always be prioritised. We have worked tirelessly over the years to strengthen our controls to safeguard children in care.

“Let us all work together to create a safe and supportive environment for our children that does not exploit them on public forums for personal gain but protects them during their childhood to either reunite with their natural families or to stay with their chosen families through

continued fostering or adoption,” the director urged.

Anyone with genuine concerns or in need of information about the department’s functions is encouraged to contact them so that their issues can be addressed constructively and transparently.

Director Forbes said they are currently formalising a complaints process that all persons will be welcome to utilise if they have concerns.

To report a safeguarding matter or complaint to the department, members of the public are encouraged to call 1-649-3384013, email mash@gov.tc or reportabusetci@gov.tc.

Contact number for the family islands are Providenciales: 1-649338-4008, Grand Turk: 1-649338-2684, North Caicos: 1-649338-6411/12 and South Caicos: 1-649-338-6321. (DELANA ISLES)

Gunshots erupt at Blue Hills Gas Station in brazen daylight shooting

– Police investigation launched

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a hail of gunfire erupted at a gas station along the Millennium Highway in Providenciales.

The brazen attack, which occurred around 10:59 am on Monday, July 23rd, unfolded in broad daylight, leaving witnesses stunned and authorities scrambling to investigate.

According to an eyewitness account, the occupants of a red Suzuki Swift pulled into the gas station, only to be met by another vehicle whose occupants opened fire.

The barrage of bullets struck a gas pump, narrowly missing bystanders and employees.

In the ensuing chaos, the driver of the Swift managed to escape, while the assailants sped off in a separate direction.

Responding swiftly to the scene, officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police

Force (RTCIPF) discovered the abandoned Swift near Miracle Close, Blue Hills, shortly after the incident.

Although no injuries have been reported, but the brazen nature of the attack has left the community on edge.

As investigators worked to piece together the events that led to the shooting, traffic was diverted from the highway, causing significant disruptions for commuters.

The RTCIPF is urging anyone with information or CCTV footage to come forward, either by contacting 911, the nearest police station, or the Serious Crime Unit directly. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide tips through Crime Stoppers.

The RTCIPF said the investigation remains active and authorities are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The community is left grappling with the unsettling reality of violence erupting in such a public setting, raising concerns about safety and security.

Public Appeal

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

Police officers cordoned off the scene to conduct preliminary investigation (Photo: Olivia Rose)

A bullet pierced a gas pump during the shootout

Traffic was diverted from the Highway following the incident

Church Folly and West Road bridges reopen in Grand Turk after major upgrades

The newly reconstructed Church Folly and West Road Bridges officially opened this week, marking a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to infrastructure development.

The bridges, which suffered structural failure due to wear and tear, have been rebuilt to withstand climatic changes and rising sea levels.

“These bridges represent more than just physical structures; they represent the lifeline that binds

our community together,” stated Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon Jamell Robinson, at the opening ceremony.

The Church Folly Bridge, known for its historical significance, and the West Road Bridge, both feature enhancements to facilitate greater water flow and manage increased water levels during storm surges. Additionally, the bridges are equipped with guard rails and solar lights to ensure safety for all users.

Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety, Hon Otis Morris, expressed his pride in the project’s completion, stating, “As the Member of Parliament for the ED1 constituency and a Minister in Cabinet for Grand Turk, I am deeply committed to the welfare and advancement of this island and its wonderful people. I am immensely proud to represent you and to witness the positive changes that these projects bring to our community.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to

Daryll Williams appointed as project manager in public works

The Office of the Deputy Governor announced the appointment of Mr Daryll Williams as a Project Manager in the Public Works Department within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.

Mr Williams holds a Bachelor of Education in Technical, Vocational Education & Training in Industrial Technology and Construction from the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica. He has an extensive professional background, having served as a high school Building Technology teacher at Clement Howell High and Long Bay High for over nine years. Additionally, he has twelve years of experience as a private contractor and construction specialist on commercial and residential buildings. Mr Williams furthered his education

by returning to Jamaica to obtain his PMP certification while attending the University of the West Indies (U.W.I). During his training, he worked as a Project Manager and Project Manager Assistant for three years at XKR Design Consultants in Jamaica. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Project Management.

Mr Williams’s appointment is part of a broader initiative to advance the infrastructural developments and improvements within the Turks and Caicos Islands. His extensive background in construction and project management is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the department’s objectives, particularly in areas such as planning, executing, and overseeing infrastructure projects.

COMMENTING ON HIS

APPOINTMENT,

MR WILLIAMS STATED:

“I am deeply honoured to accept the role as Project Manager in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development. This position surrounds me with some of this country’s most decorative technical staff for development. I am eager for this opportunity to lend my assistance and carry out my duties as required.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, HE Anya Williams, commented on Mr Williams’s appointment:

“I am pleased to officially congratulate Mr Daryll Williams on his appointment as Project Manager in the Public Works Department within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

the Public Works team, the Ministry of PPID, and the contractor for their dedication and hard work in bringing these projects to fruition. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and will have a lasting impact on our island.

“As we celebrate this milestone, let us remember the words of Psalm 127:1 (KJV): ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.’ Our collective efforts, guided by faith and unity,

are what truly strengthen and sustain our community.”

The government has invested over $800,000 in the reconstruction of the two bridges, ensuring that residents and visitors can safely and efficiently traverse the streets and communities of Grand Turk.

The project underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing the island’s infrastructure and improving the quality of life for its residents.

(Olivia Rose)

and to welcome him back to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service.

As we work to progress the infrastructural developments and improvements of our islands, we are happy to have Mr Williams join our team, where his knowledge and skills will be greatly utilised. Congratulations and welcome back to the Public Service, Mr Williams!”

Upgraded Church Folly Bridge reopens (Photos: TCIG)

Community members joined government ministers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Daryll Williams

Stolen vessel recovered in daring police operation

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a brazen act of theft, a black, 26foot hurricane boat equipped with two Yamaha engines was stolen from the Turtle Cove district on Friday, July 19th.

The Weekly News was reliably informed that the owner had securely moored the vessel on Thursday evening but discovered it missing the following day.

The daring crime was reported to police shortly after 10 am, sparking a swift response from law enforcement.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Marine Branch Officers and Response and Operation Unit Officers, acting on intelligence, conducted a search

operation in a mangrove area near Five Cays on Saturday, July 20th. Their efforts proved successful as they located the stolen vessel.

During the recovery operation, authorities encountered two suspects. One individual, a 23-yearold from the Bight, Providenciales, was apprehended and arrested on suspicion of stealing the vessel.

However, the second suspect managed to evade capture.

This incident is part of a disturbing rise in boat thefts plaguing the community. The stolen boats range in size and are believed to be targeted for resale, illegal migration, or other illicit activities. These thefts represent a significant financial loss for owners and a threat to public safety.

Superintendent Dwight

Gardiner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force reassured the public, stating, “We are committed to addressing this issue and apprehending those

responsible. We urge anyone with information to come forward.”

The RTCIPF is asking for the public’s help in combating this crime wave. Anyone with

information is encouraged to contact 911, the nearest police station, or the Serious Crime Unit directly. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers.

Wheeland shooting leaves one dead, amidst spate

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A wave of violence has swept Wheeland, Blue Hills, leaving one man dead and another injured in a shooting incident, while two separate robberies have left the community on edge.

Shortly after 8 pm on July 18th, gunshots rang through the streets of Wheeland. Police responded

to find 29-year-old Duren Jamine

Been of South Dock lifeless on the ground. Another male victim was rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds.

Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime, expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and friends, and urged the public to come forward with any information.

“If you know anything, please tell

us confidentially or anonymously,” he pleaded.

Adding to the turmoil, two robberies occurred in Blue Hills on the same evening.

According to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, four armed men robbed a victim and his companion of personal items and a silver Nissan Dualis, which was later found burnt in

of violent robberies

Snake Hill. In a separate incident, six armed men robbed another male victim in Dacko Yard.

Hon Kyle Knowles, MP for Wheeland, condemned the violence and expressed gratitude to the police for their swift response.

He emphasised the need for a community police post in Wheeland and called on the community to unite in bringing the perpetrators to

justice. “We as a community must work together in bringing justice and closure to these families and the community,” he stated.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is urging anyone with information to contact their nearest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 8477 to provide any information anonymously.

Police detectives on the scene of the murder in Wheeland

Hon Kyle Knowles, Member of Parliament for Wheeland

RTCIPF Boat theft prevention infographic

Regional News

Why Atlantic hurricane season could turn active again in early August

An outbreak of Saharan dust has kept tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin at bay since Hurricane Beryl lashed Texas more than two weeks ago, but the current lull might not last much longer due to an expected change in weather patterns across the tropics beginning in early August.

Over the past month, multiple plumes of dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa have traversed the tropical Atlantic. According to NOAA, the air surrounding a Saharan Air Layer (SAL) has about 50% less moisture than the typical atmosphere, which means the presence of the SAL can be detrimental to cloud formation and thunderstorm activity, which are building blocks for tropical cyclones.

Significant plumes of dust and dry air are common in the Atlantic during the first two and a half months of the hurricane season and help to limit tropical cyclone formation.

Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Chris, which all developed during a busy stretch between midJune and early July, were each able to find favorable spots for development outside the Saharan dust plumes. Ever since that parade of named storms, the dust has put a lid on the tropics.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) doesn’t expect any tropical storms or hurricanes to form in the Atlantic for at least the next week. In fact, the only active tropical cyclone in the world on Tuesday was Typhoon Gaemi in the Western Pacific Ocean, which is forecast to become a Category 4-equivalent storm as it barrels toward Taiwan by midweek, according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane is still going to be very active

TROPICAL UPTICK POSSIBLE IN EARLY AUGUST

The FOX Forecast Center believes the hostile weather patterns currently in place across the tropical Atlantic will fade away as the calendar flips to a new month.

Computer models run by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center are suggesting a recurring climate cycle called the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) will create more favorable atmospheric conditions for tropical storm and hurricane development in the Atlantic during the first half of August.

The MJO is an eastwardtraveling pulse of waves of enhanced moisture and dry air that impact areas along the equator and

the subtropics. It is estimated that any one particular point within the MJO takes 30-60 days to circle the Earth.

During the summer and fall, the MJO can lead to an increase in hurricane activity in regions considered to be in enhanced precipitation zones (rising air) and a decrease in tropical cyclone activity in suppressed regions (sinking air).

Computer forecast models indicate this enhanced precipitation zone with rising air, associated with the MJO, will move over the tropical Atlantic Ocean in early August.

While there are no guarantees, this pattern would at least make conditions more conducive for

tropical development than they have been in recent weeks.

BUSIEST TIME OF HURRICANE SEASON LIES AHEAD

Research shows that it’s not unusual for the Atlantic Basin to enter a quiet period in late July.

However, the busiest time of hurricane season still looms in August and September. That coincides with the warmest ocean temperatures, lowest wind shear – the change in wind speed and direction with height – and fewer outbreaks of Saharan dust.

“On average, tropical development doesn’t accelerate until about the second week of August,” FOX Weather Hurricane

Specialist Bryan Norcross said. “The peak date, when there is most likely to be a named storm somewhere in the Atlantic, is about Sept. 10. But notice the likelihood of storm development ramps up very quickly in the few weeks before that date and slowly tails off through the rest of September and October.”

In fact, more than 90% of activity during the hurricane season typically occurs between August and the end of the season, according to an index called Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE). The ACE index measures the combined intensity and duration of all named storms throughout the hurricane season.

HYPERACTIVE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON STILL EXPECTED

NHC data shows an average season would produce 12 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) from August through November, but this season is expected to be far more active than usual.

An updated hurricane season outlook from Colorado State University (CSU) issued earlier in July predicted even more storms than its previous outlook from early June.

CSU experts are calling for 25 named storms, of which 12 would reach hurricane strength and six would become major hurricanes. The outlook includes the three named storms that have already formed, which means an additional 22 are expected.

This is significantly higher than an average Atlantic hurricane season, which features 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. (Foxweather)

UK asks for documents in police corruption probe

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said “UK partners” have asked for documents relating to the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s investigation of voice notes purporting to capture a quidpro-quo arrangement involving a senior police officer, a lawyer, a murdered gang leader and his murdered friend.

The Tribune reported earlier this month that police have asked the Metropolitan Police of the United Kingdom to assist in investigating the matter.

The status of that help is unclear, but during a press conference yesterday, Commissioner

Fernander said: “The investigators are making some excellent progress in the investigation. They are also in communication with our UK partners, who have asked for some documents, and they are doing just that, and they are in communication with them. So that matter is well in hand and hopefully, we will be able to continue to update you as we continue to progress with respect to that matter.”

Chief Superintendent of Police Michael Johnson, previously in charge of the Central Intelligence Department, has taken garden leave as police investigate matters

surrounding five voice notes that leaked this month.

The recordings feature a wellknown lawyer and two recently murdered gang members: Michael Fox Jr, and Dino Smith.

Commissioner Fernander has said the Security and Intelligence Branch is investigating the matter and that the Police Complaints Inspectorate will oversee the branch.

The commissioner could not confirm if the FBI would be involved.

He said the investigation will be completed in a “reasonable time”. (Tribune242)

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander

Regional News

Caribbean AIDS epidemic can be ended by 2030, new UNAIDS report says

A new report from UNAIDS reveals that the Caribbean region has the potential to end its AIDS epidemic by 2030, but only if leaders take decisive action now.

The report, titled “The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads,” highlights both progress and challenges in the fight against HIV/ AIDS in the region.

According to the report, the Caribbean has made significant strides in HIV treatment and prevention since 2010. However, the pace of progress has slowed in recent years, particularly in reducing new infections.

Dr Richard Amenyah, UNAIDS Multi-Country Director for the Caribbean, emphasized the need for targeted interventions: “Prioritising targeted interventions, community-led responses, and integration to leave no one behind; bolstering treatment accessibility and retention in care; advocating for legal reforms; and challenging harmful gender and other social

The Caribbean has made significant strides in HIV treatment and prevention since 2010

norms will go a long way to address the root causes of risk and vulnerability of people living with, and most affected by, HIV.”

The report highlights four

countries - Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaicaaccount for nearly 90% of new HIV infections in the region, with Haiti alone responsible for

38% of new cases. Additionally, key populations and their sexual partners continue to be disproportionately affected, accounting for 47% of new infections in 2022.

While treatment coverage has expanded in the Caribbean, with 70% of people living with HIV now on treatment, significant challenges remain. Late diagnosis and difficulties in enrolling and retaining people in care continue to hinder progress. Particularly concerning is the low treatment coverage for children, at just 39% compared to adult coverage.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima stressed the importance of political will and resource allocation saying, “World leaders pledged to end the AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030, and they can uphold their promise, but only if they ensure that the HIV response has the resources it needs and that the human rights of everyone are protected.”

The report underscores that human rights protections are crucial for an effective HIV response. Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, stated, “We can choose the road of rights protections, of respecting others, of following the science and the evidence. This is the road that has led to reductions in new infections and to healthy lives.”

The “Urgency of Now” report presents a critical juncture for the Caribbean’s HIV response. It suggests that with sufficient resources, sustainable funding, and a commitment to protecting human rights, the region can make significant progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

However, failure to take bold action now could result in a reversal of hard-won gains and an increase in the number of people requiring lifelong HIV treatment.

(Loop News)

Jamaica PM vows to take back Spanish Town from criminals

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday boldly stated that the Government, through his leadership, is resolute in taking back Spanish Town, St Catherine from thugs who have, over the years, taken control of the nation’s former capital.

Holness made his remarks on Tuesday while speaking during a ceremony inside the lobby of the Office of the Prime Minister in St Andrew for the contract signing between the Government, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) for the 24-month construction of a $2.2 billion St Catherine North Divisional Police Headquarters.

St Catherine consists of a population of approximately 520,000 persons, which represents the second largest population in the island, following the urban city of Kingston and St Andrew. St. Catherine also boasts historical buildings.

Since the start of the year, St Catherine North has accounted for 48 murders of the total crimes committed islandwide. To Holness, although this represents a 15 per cent decrease when compared to 2023, this is troubling, and, as the parish in which he grew up, he outlined his commitment to working harder to change things for the better.

“I am from Spanish Town. I was born in Spanish Town. I love

Spanish Town. It is a place of such great history and it pains my heart to see the buildings deteriorating; the Georgian buildings just disappearing, so much history and culture there… but the town [albeit] historic for a long time, has been overrun by criminal gangs that are really strangling the town of its true potential,” Holness said.

“For us to take back the town, the JCF will be an important element of that strategy, but it is not the criminals that we need to get out of the town, more so, it is the people we need to get on the side of the police, because the criminals have interwoven themselves into the fabric that they have protection and safety,” he said.

Although now significantly weakened due to the direct intervention of the security forces, one of the popular gangs that were known to control aspects of the old city, was the Clansman gang, which represents one of the groups Holness and the security forces are targeting.

In addressing the organised criminals who operate in the St Catherine police division, Holness made reference to one of St Catherine’s most wanted men, known as ‘Devil’, who police said previously faked his death and organised his wake to throw police off his trail, but was then cut down along with his cousin by a joint police-military team who went in search of them in Linstead Saturday morning.

“Strategically, we are going to retake Spanish Town from the criminals, so I want to commend the police for the work they are doing, and have taken out one character called Devil,” he said.

In the meantime, Holness also offered condolences to the relatives, colleagues and friends of a police officer who was killed on Monday at the Half-Way Tree Police Station.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Mayne was shot and killed by Deon Singh, part owner of Singh’s Motors, who reportedly disarmed a policeman and shot the detective before turning the gun on himself, as he was being fired on by other police personnel.

Singh and his wife, Sophia Ramsundar-Singh, had reportedly been before the court on Monday

to answer to fraud-related charges.

Holness described the situation which unfolded as “bizarre” while speaking at the contract signing.

He reminded Jamaicans that police personnel are understanding of the average person’s situation.

“The men and women of the JCF were not imported. They were not recruited from abroad. They are from your communities. They go to your churches. They tell and share our stories, and every day they put their lives on the line for your safety and security,” he said.

Signing the contract was Holness; Dr Horace Chang, minister of national security; Dr Kevin Blake, commissioner of police; and Peter Melhado, chairman of WIHCON.

The new divisional headquarters is to be built on 217,894.9 square

feet (or 20,243 square metres) of land. The three-storey building will have a footprint of 13,203 square metres and a total floor area of 43,200 square feet. The works will include a main building, electrical room, garbage room, guard house, multi-purpose courts, sewage disposal, storm water drainage, paved areas, and boundary walls. Sustainable design features include rainwater harvesting, passive cooling, natural lighting, solar energy, and flexible floor plans. The aim of this project is to strengthen the national security infrastructure in the St Catherine North Police Division in order to satisfy the demand for effective policing services, which is being driven by population growth and unacceptable levels of criminal activities in the parish.

Andrew Holness during the signing of the contract for the Ministry of National Security’s construction of the St Catherine North Police Divisional Headquarters at Jamaica House in St Andrew

Regional News

New Providence home sales hit fastest pace in two years

New Providence real estate sold at the fastest pace for two years in the 2024 second quarter with a wellknown realtor saying the market had achieved a state of “balance”.

David Morley, Morley Realty’s principal, told Tribune Business it was difficult to predict “which way it’s heading” with the sector having “levelled off” as buyers absorbed much of last year’s “inventory surge” across the major island markets.

He added, though, that there was “no doubt” Bahamian realtors and their firms continue to enjoy strong sales despite not attaining the heights of the post-COVID “golden years” of 2021 and 2022. Mr Morley said the latest statistics “show a really healthy, consistent market” with “nothing alarming” on the horizon despite the looming US presidential election and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy.

He spoke after his firm, drawing on data from the Bahamas Real Estate Association’s (BREA) Multiple Listing System (MLS), noted that the market’s performance varied by island during the three months to end-June 2024. Morley Realty’s 2024 second quarter report noted, in particular, that home and land sales on New Providence hit their fastest pace for two years during this period.

With buyer demand ensuring that the time required to sell new home listings “remains very low”, Morley Realty said: “Homes in Nassau and Paradise Island are selling faster than they have in the past two years, and this trend is also observed in the land market for this area.

“Conversely, the land market across the other four islands has remained stable, though there have been quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) increases in days on the market

(DOM).” The MLS data showed that some 56 home sales were completed on New Providence during the 2024 second quarter, which represented a 19.1 percent increase compared to this year’s firs quarter but a 28.2 percent decline year-over-year.

“In the 2024 second quarter, homes have been selling faster than in any other quarter over the past two years, with days on the market decreasing compared to both the last quarter and the 2023 second quarter,” Morley Realty said. The time a listed property spent on the market stood at 85 days, representing a 35.6 percent decline compared to the 2024 first quarter and a 5.6 percent yearover-year fall.

“Contracted Sales increased by 28.8 percent year-over-year but decreased by 5 percent quarter-

over-quarter,” Morley Realty’s report said of New Providence’s real estate market, which saw some 76 homes o under contract in the second quarter.

“Similarly, the volume of new listings decreased from last quarter but is still up nearly 10 percent from last year. The volume in the 2024 second quarter remained like what we have seen since the 2023 second quarter.” The saleto-list ratio remained steady at 94 percent, signalling that vendors were receiving close to full asking price.

Vacant land sales on New Providence also exhibited similar trends in the 2024 second quarter.

“The New Providence land market experienced a significant surge in demand,” Morley Realty’s report said. “The volume of completed sales surged during the 2024

second quarter, more than doubling the volume in the 2023 second quarter and last quarter.

“Similarly, the volume of contracted sales decreased from last quarter but more than doubled compared to the 2023 second quarter. Despite the quarterly decrease, the 2024 second quarter remains above the normal range for this market.”

Some 57 vacant land sales closed on New Providence during the 2024 second quarter, representing 103.6 percent and 119.2 percent year-over-year increases, respectively. Contracted land sales also jumped by 114.8 percent compared to the same period in 2023, although they were down by 37 percent compared to the 2023 second quarter, while new listings were up 8 percent at 94.

“The volume of new listings

increased by 8 percent from both the 2023 second quarter and last quarter. This is encouraging, as growing inventory provides more options for buyers in response to rising demand,” Morley Realty added.

“The average sales price during the 2024 second quarter marks the highest average we have seen over the past two years. During the 2024 second quarter, the median sales price also increased, reaching the highest median observed in the past two years.”

The average selling price for New Providence land, according to Morley Realty’s report, increased by 100.3 percent - more than doubling - compared to the 2024 first quarter, while also jumping by 53.3 percent year-over-year to hit $335,000. The median sales price for vacant land rose by 75.1 percent and 66.7 percent quarterover-quarter and year-over-year, respectively.

Mr Morley told Tribune Business: “It doesn’t look like things have changed much since the [2024] first quarter... I want to believe it’s a balanced market right now. Which way is it heading? I’m not sure at this stage.

“The only thing we’re trying to put a better calculation on is to predict whether it’s a buyer’s market, whether it’s a seller’s market or whether it’s a balanced market. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we will have a better mechanism to predict what type of market we’re in. We typically don’t have big swings in this market.”

The Morley Realty chief added that the influx of new inventory and listings, which began in the 2023 second quarter, had largely been absorbed by buyer demand. “I think what we’re seeing now is a levelling off,” he said.

US envoy to UN announces $60m in aid for Haiti during visit

The US envoy to the United Nations announced tens of millions of dollars in aid for Haiti during a visit a month after the first contingent of Kenyan police arrived as part of an international security mission aimed at tackling gang violence.

The $60m in humanitarian assistance announced by Ambassador Linda ThomasGreenfield while in Haiti will support the country’s people and alleviate suffering caused by gang violence, according to a statement. It will fill critical gaps in nutrition, food security and shelter and improve water and sanitation

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

vehicles to assist mission personnel, according to the statement.

Gang wars have displaced more than 578,000 Haitians, while nearly 5 million – almost half the population of 11.7m – are facing acute hunger, with 1.6 million of those people at risk of starvation, the United Nations says.

Armed gangs, which now control most of the capital Port-au-Prince, have formed a broad alliance while carrying out widespread killings, ransom kidnappings and sexual violence. The U.N. has said that between January and August 2023, rape cases increased by 49% compared with the same period in

2022.

Some 200 Kenyan police arrived in Haiti late last month as part of the long-delayed multinational security support mission to help national police fight the armed gangs. The full force is set to number over 2,500, but it remains unclear when additional members could arrive and funding has lagged far behind requirements.

The UN Security Council authorised the force in October 2023, a year after Haiti’s previous government asked for help. The United States has provided some $300m for the mission, which is not a UN peacekeeping operation.

Port New Providence is a gated, canal-front community in eastern New Providence

Press battle ‘central’ to Royal Family rift – Harry

The Duke of Sussex has said his decision to fight against intrusion from the tabloid press has been a “central piece” behind the breakdown of his relationship with the rest of the Royal Family.

In December a High Court judge ruled that Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) had unlawfully gathered information for stories published about Prince Harry - and he has since been awarded hundreds of thousands of pounds in damages.

Speaking for the first time since the four-year legal battle concluded, he said he felt “vindicated” by the ruling, calling it a “monumental victory”.

But in comments due to be aired as part of an ITV documentary on Thursday, Prince Harry added “it would be nice if we did it as a family”.

Prince Harry, who became the

Prince Harry became the first British royal in 130 years to give evidence in a court

first British royal in 130 years to give evidence in a court, told the programme his decision to fight these cases had “caused... part of a

Jenrick becomes third Tory leadership candidate

Former cabinet minister Robert Jenrick has joined the race for the Conservative Party leadership, promising to win back Reform UK voters who deserted the Tories in the recent general election.

The former housing secretary and immigration minister is the third contender to announce his candidacy, following ex-Home Secretary James Cleverly and former security minister Tom Tugendhat.

The 42-year-old was an ally of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, but resigned from his cabinet last December arguing the government’s Rwanda legislation did not go far enough.

Mr Jenrick’s campaign team say he has already secured the support of the 10 Tory MPs needed to formally enter the race.

Once seen as a centrist figure and close ally of Mr Sunak, Mr Jenrick has since moved to the right.

His resignation from Mr Sunak’s government for not being sufficiently tough on migration marked a pivotal moment.

Since then, Mr Jenrick has championed strict immigration controls, advocating the UK’s withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as a way to regain border sovereignty.

In recent months, he has been seen as an ally of Suella Braverman, his former Home Office boss who is also believed to be considering a leadership campaign.

Managing Mr Jenrick’s campaign is Danny Kruger, an influential MP also on the right of the party.

In statement Mr Kruger said: ‘’To have any path back to government we must win back those voters we have lost - across the board but particularly to Reform.

he believed there was evidence his mother - the late Princess Diana - was hacked, claiming she “was probably one of the first” victims.

This has never been proven in court.

“The press, the tabloid press very much enjoy painting her as being paranoid, but she wasn’t paranoid, she was absolutely right of what was happening to her,” he said.

Referring to one headline from the Daily Mirror brought up in his case against MGN which claimed his then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy was preparing to break up with him, the prince said it “seems as though they knew something before I even did”.

rift” with the rest of his family.

He and his wife, Meghan, stepped back as senior royals in 2020 after publicly revealing their struggles under the media spotlight.

The prince, who now lives in the US state of California, also said

“I think there’s a lot of... paranoia, fear, worry, concern, distrust in the people around you, clearly a headline like that has absolutely no public interest whatsoever,” he said.

The interview is due to air in a new ITV documentary, Tabloids on Trial, on Thursday evening.

The programme speaks to other famous faces - including Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church and Paul Gascoigne - whose lives have been impacted by the press.

In response to the documentary, an MGN spokesperson said: “We welcomed the judgment in December 2023 that gave the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago.

“Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologise unreservedly, have taken full responsibility and paid compensation,” the spokesperson added.

The case was just one of a series of legal challenges the prince has brought against parts of the British press.

Cases against Associated Newspapers - the publisher of the Daily Mail - and News Group Newspapers - now News UK, which publishes the Sun - are currently making their way through the courts. (BBC)

Detroit pastor slams ‘identity politics’ as Harris becomes presumptive Democratic nominee

Detroit-based Pastor Lorenzo Sewell said on Wednesday that “we need to stop” playing identity politics, reacting to Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

“It would be amazing to have the first Black woman president, I think that would be cool,” Sewell, the pastor of 180 Church on Detroit’s west side, told ABC 7.

“But we need to stop playing identify politics as well,” he added.

The pastor, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last week, went on to say, “You don’t have anything more powerful in America than a Black woman, so I understand there are allegiances there, but sometimes that can be misguided. I’ve had people call me this afternoon and say ‘vote for Kamala Harris because she’s Black.’ That doesn’t resonate with me right?”

ABC 7 reported further that Sewell said that he has not publicly endorsed any candidate for the 2024 presidential election and that he never intended being “front and center with the Trump campaign.”

Sewell hosted former President Trump at his church in June in addition to speaking at the RNC last week.

“If President Trump would’ve

moved just a millimeter, we would not be hearing tonight how he is going to make America great again,” Sewell said at the GOP convention.

Sewell added that the Black community has been “hurting” under the Democratic leadership.

“When we look at our community, we see clearly that our community is hurting and it’s been under Democratic leadership,” Sewell said.

“I’m not saying for the last 60 years Democrats are doing the wrong thing. What I’m saying is that when you look at our community, specifically Detroit, Pontiac, Flint, and Saginaw, we’re hurting. And the Republican

Party is saying ‘I want to have a conversation.’”

Furthermore, Sewell said that a growing number of Black men are shifting support toward the Republican Party.

The ABC local affiliate also interviewed Black voters about their thoughts on Trump.

Tayson Stewart, 27, said that “Trump looks like he’s trying to help us.”

“… he looks like he knows what he’s talking about,” Detroit-based Stewart said.

“The Black voters are asleep. They are going to vote for Kamala, because they following Biden, and don’t do it. Trump really trying to help us, that’s what I think.”

Former cabinet minister Robert Jenrick

Lorenzo Sewell said that that a growing number of Black men are shifting support toward the Republican Party

US economy picks up amid heated presidential campaign

Economic growth picked up in the US this spring, raising hopes that the world’s largest economy will be able to get inflation under control while avoiding a painful slowdown.

The economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.8% over the three months to June, lifted by brisk consumer spending, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The pace was faster than expected, but still marked a slowdown from 2023.

The strong figures arrive during a heated presidential campaign, in which voters have regularly named the economy as their top concern.

The country’s steady growthfar outstripping its international peers - would usually typically favour Democrats as the incumbent party.

But the current mix of conditions has made for a puzzle.

Unemployment, at 4.1%, is low but rising. Growth is solid, but has slowed from the boom that came as the economy reopened after Covid.

And though price inflation has significantly subsided, economic discontent remains elevated, as households grapple with a 20% leap in prices since 2021 and high borrowing costs.

President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race has scrambled the picture further.

“There’s a lot of crosscurrents here, in terms of voters thinking about the economy,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “At this point, I don’t think it’s a headwind or a tailwind.”

The economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.8% over the three months to June

Forecasters had been predicting growth this quarter of about 2%.

But Thursday’s figures showed the economy bouncing back from a slowdown at the start of the year, when gross domestic product (GDP) grew just 1.4%.

As well as strong consumer spending, the report showed increased business investment and an uptick in exports.

In a statement, Mr Biden said the report “makes clear we now have the strongest economy in the world”.

But University of Iowa professor Michael Lewis-Beck, who is known for a model that predicts popular vote outcomes based on economic growth and presidential approval, said growth did not appear to have been strong enough in the first half of this year to overcome Mr Biden’s steep

Obama expected to endorse Harris

Former President Barack Obama is expected to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris soon and his team has been in touch with the campaign, a source told CNN.

Obama and Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, have been in touch regularly, and he is serving as a sounding board for her as he has over the 20 years they’ve known each other, the source said.

Obama, who didn’t immediately endorse Harris following President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he was not seeking reelection, believed it was important for the Democratic Party to have a legitimate process through which delegates select their new nominee, and he thinks Harris is off to an impressive start, the source said.

News of Obama’s expected endorsement was first reported by NBC News.

Regarding Obama’s statement on Sunday, an adviser told CNN that the former president was taking the same approach as he did in the 2020 Democratic primary, watching closely with the intent of being able to unify the party when a nominee is chosen – whether it was Harris or someone else.

Obama’s statement was intended to keep the focus on Biden on the day he announced he was no longer seeking a second term, the adviser said.

The former president was supportive of Biden’s reelection campaign as he attended multiple fundraisers that raised millions of dollars, along with participating

unpopularity.

His model had predicted a narrow loss for Mr Biden based on the start of the year growth. He warned that Democrats would face even stiffer odds now that the president is off the ballot, as they lose any incumbent advantage.

The election remains close and complicated, he added, noting that the three elections since 1948 that his model has been wrong - in 1960, 1968 and 1976 - took place in “turbulent times”, like today’s.

“Not that the economy wasn’t relevant in those times, but there were other huge things going on,” he said, describing the current race as a “nail biter”.

Some other analysts said they thought Mr Biden’s decision to quit the race could make it easier for Democrats to pick the parts of his legacy they want to promote,

while separating themselves from negatives such as inflation.

“I see upside with vice president [Kamala] Harris taking over the ticket because she can put distance between herself and President Biden” on inflation, said Danielle Deiseroth, executive director of the progressive pollster Data for Progress.

The administration’s signature economic policies - including investments in roads, bridges, advanced technology and clean energy - are otherwise popular, she noted.

“It’s an opportunity for a reset on the economic narrative,” she said.

Until Mr Biden bowed out, Mr Zandi said he had been “very uncomfortable” with the Democratic victory that his firm has been forecasting for the

presidential election, using a model that takes into account things like gas prices and unemployment rates.

Now, he said he felt better “sticking with the model”.

“I think it’s a game-changer politically,” he said of Mr Biden’s move, while noting that small changes to non-economic factors such as turnout could “easily” deliver a win to Trump.

“It’s going to be very close,” he said. “It’s very much on a razor’s edge.”

What happens to the economy in the months ahead could make a difference.

Most analysts do not expect major changes to economic conditions between now and November, though some weakening is anticipated.

They are widely expecting the US central bank to cut interest rates in September, in an effort to head off further slowdown.

Those in favour of cutting soon say the Federal Reserve needs to act before borrowing costs, which stand at a roughly two-decade high, send the economy into a recession.

But the strong GDP showing could weaken that case.

For the Fed, which prizes its political independence, it is an uncomfortable position to be in, especially since a cut, which would provide relief to households with credit card debt and businesses looking to borrow, might boost Democrats, Mr Zandi said.

“What the Fed does or does not do here matters,” he said. (BBC)

US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama at an event in 2022

North Korea hackers trying to steal nuclear secrets, US and UK warn

North Korean hackers are attempting to steal nuclear and military secrets from governments and private companies around the world, the UK, US and South Korea have warned.

They say the group - known by the names Andariel and Onyx Sleet - is targeting defence, aerospace, nuclear and engineering entities to obtain classified information, with the aim of advancing Pyongyang’s military and nuclear programs and ambitions.

The group has been seeking information in a wide range of areas - from uranium processing to tanks, submarines and torpedoesand has targeted the UK, US, South Korea, Japan, India and elsewhere.

US air force bases, Nasa and defence companies are said to have been targeted.

The high-profile warning about this specific group appears to be a sign that its work combining espionage and money-making activity is worrying officials because of its impact both on sensitive technology and everyday life.

The US says the group funds its espionage activity through ransomware operations against US

healthcare entities.

Paul Chichester, director of operations for the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), an arm of GCHQ, said: “The global cyber espionage operation that we have exposed today shows the lengths that DPRK state-

Great Britain: Drinkdriving deaths at highest for 13 years

The number of fatalities in drinkdrive collisions has reached its highest level for more than a decade, newly released figures show.

The official estimate released by the Department for Transport (DfT) says that in 2022, there were 300 deaths in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the limit.

That is the highest since 2009, when there were 380 deaths. Since then, yearly estimates have not exceeded 260 and reached a low of 200 in 2015.

However, fatalities are significantly down on historical highs and the number of drinkdriving casualties of all severities has “steadily decreased” over the past decade.

Drink-drive fatalities made up 18% of all road deaths in 2022, according to the new statistics.

Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart called the data, released on Thursday, “deeply concerning”. Its policy and public affairs manager, William Porter, said it

“worryingly shows a dangerous upward trend for the second year running.”

The charity suggested more resources should be made available for police to carry out random roadside breathalyser testing, and more rehabilitation courses. The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for roads policing, chief constable Jo Shiner, called for stronger, more effective legislation “which enables policing and other agencies to... (revoke) the licence of those who offend more quickly.”

IAM RoadSmart added that “the UK Government should give serious consideration to reviewing and reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales.”

AA president Edmund King added that it was a “tragedy that drink-drive fatalities are still so high” and said road deaths “should be decreasing”.

He called for more police “in cars to act as a visual deterrent and more campaigns to show the utter carnage caused by drivers’

sponsored actors are willing to go to pursue their military and nuclear programmes.

advice to help defend against North Korean actors, which it says have also been seeking information on robot machinery, mechanical arms, and 3D printing components.

“This indictment showcases that North Korean threats groups also pose a serious threat to citizens’ everyday lives and can’t be ignored or disregarded,” Michael Barnhart, Mandiant Principal Analyst at Google Cloud said.

“Their targeting of hospitals to generate revenue and fund their operations demonstrates a relentless focus on fulfilling their priority mission of intelligence gathering, regardless of the potential consequences it may have on human lives.”

This is just the latest in a series of warnings about North Korean hackers over the years.

The NCSC assesses that Andariel is a part of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) 3rd Bureau.

The joint warning issued by the US, UK and South Korea shares

“It should remind critical infrastructure operators of the importance of protecting the sensitive information and intellectual property they hold on their systems to prevent theft and misuse.”

Some of the most high profile cyber incidents have been linked to the country, including an attack on Sony Pictures in 2014 in retaliation for a Hollywood comedy film that depicted the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea is also known for the activities of Lazarus Group which has carried out major thefts of millions of dollars. (BBC)

In 2022, there were 300 deaths in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the limit

actions”.

While deaths related to drinkdriving were at their highest level in more than a decade - the statistics painted a different picture when injuries were included.

Across both these categories, 2022 saw 6,800 people either killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit.

Although this is up 1% on the previous year, it is the third lowest figure recorded since 1979.

The 1967 Road Safety Act made it an offence to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - a limit which remains in place today in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is 50mg in Scotland.

The RAC acknowledged that

the number of deaths are now far lower than the final decades of the 20th century - and in many other countries.

But its road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis called for the government to work with experts to implement a clear action plan. He added that drivers need to be prevented from being able to drink-drive.

He said it was also important that drivers know they were at serious risk of getting caught if they did drink-drive.

“Data suggests a significant number of drink-drive offences are committed by reoffenders, so there’s a good case for fitting alcolocks which stop someone over the limit from starting a car”, he said.

Mr Dennis continued: “It’s abundantly clear that a hard core of people, especially men, continue to put the lives of all road users at risk by choosing to get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol.”

A DfT spokesperson called drink-driving “selfish and dangerous” and pointed to strict enforcement and tough penalties for those who “chose to put lives risk”.

They added that the government will deliver an updated Strategic Framework for Road Safety – the first in over a decade – to reduce deaths and injuries on the roads.

The department said its longstanding THINK! Campaign was encouraging behaviour change. (BBC)

The hackers are targeting defence, aerospace, nuclear and engineering entities to obtain classified information

UK: Police filmed stamping on man’s head at airport

A police officer has been filmed kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the ground at Manchester Airport.

The uniformed male officer is seen holding a Taser over the man, who is lying face down, before striking him twice while other officers shout at onlookers to stay back in a video shared widely online.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said firearms officers had been attacked while attempting to arrest someone following a fight in the airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday. It said it had referred

SALES ASSOCIATE

HOTEL DOMESTIC WORKER

APPLICATION FOR ACQUISITION OF LAND BY PRESCRIPTION (REGISTERED

THIS NOTICE IS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 137 OF THE REGISTERED LAND ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS GIVEN that an application under Section 135 of the Registered Land Ordinance has been received by the Registrar of Lands from William Richard Penn of the Bight & Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands to acquire all of the property listed below by prescription from the registered proprietor.

The Registrar of Lands, after one (1) month has elapsed from the date of this notice, and on being satisfied that the Applicant has acquired the ownership of the land claimed, may allow the application and register the Applicant as the proprietor of the land claimed, subject to any interests on the register which have not been extinguished by the possession.

Dated this 26th June, 2024 at Cockburn Town By order of the Registrar of Lands Any Objections to this application should be made before the expiration of one (1) month from the date above and sent to: The Land Registry, Pond Street, Grand Turk marked “Application 853/22 Objection.”

itself to the police watchdog.

Anger has grown over the video and a crowd of what appeared to be several hundred people protested outside the police station in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday evening.

The Manchester Evening News reported that one of the protesters had told the crowd they were “no longer going to settle” for “police brutality”.

“A protest held last night outside Rochdale Police Station about our response at Manchester Airport has concluded safely, without incident,” Assistant Chief

Constable Wasim Chaudhry said in a statement obtained early on Thursday by BBC News. GMP earlier said one officer had been removed from operational duties over the events, and it had referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) over the events.

In an earlier statement, Assistant Chief Constable Chaudhry said: “We know that a film of an incident at Manchester Airport that is circulating widely shows an event that is truly shocking, and that people are rightly extremely concerned about.

•

•

•

Whereas, KATHLEEN DIANE GREEN in her capacity as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Robert Allen Green, has declared that the Land Certificate for the above-mentioned title number registered in the name of Robert Allen Green was inadvertently lost.

Take that I, Lasana Murray, Registrar of Lands, shall issue a new Land Certificate 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 4th day of July, 2024

Publicized by Order Registrar of Lands.

A screen-shot from the video shows the police about to stamp the man’s head

LABOURER

Reports to: Business Manager.

Job Purpose: To carry out general laboring duties.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

A Labourer’s responsibilities include:

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This will involve manual handling of heavy and/or awkward objects.

• Adapting to variety of tasks which could include cleaning our properties, organizing storage, cleaning windows and other general duties as required.

• Assist Sales department with daily task.

• At all times comply with company policies, procedures and instructions.

• Contribute to improving the business, protecting and enhancing the reputation of the company, by putting forward new ideas and, when requesting to do so, implementing change.

COMPENSATION

USD$17,300 per annum.

PREMIER BUILDING SOLUTIONS

S&F WHOLESALE CASH & CARRY LTD.

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Contact No: 1649-9462811

REFRIGERATION MECHANIC

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• With 5 years experience in maintaining, repairing, and installing commercial refrigeration systems is required.

• Strong understanding of refrigeration principles and components, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, and controls.

• Ability to identify and resolve issues related to refrigeration systems in a timely and efficient manner.

• Adherence to safety protocols and practices to ensure a secure work environment.

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• Salary for this position is $8.00 per hour.

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JOB DESCRIPTION:

ABOUT US:

Premier Building Solutions is a renowned construction company specializing in high-quality and innovative building projects. With a reputation for excellence and a commitment to superior craftsmanship, we are expanding our team and seeking experienced finish carpenters/joiners to join us.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

As a finish carpenter/joiner at Premier Building Solutions, you will be responsible for the final touches and detailed work that give a project its polished look. Your tasks will include:

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• Maintaining a clean and safe work environment

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as a finish carpenter/joiner

• Hands-on experience in working with carpentry materials

• Excellent understanding of carpentry techniques and methods of installation and construction

• Proficient in using electrical and manual equipment and measurement tools (powered saws, hammers, rulers, etc.)

• Ability to read technical documents and drawings

• Exceptional attention to detail

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• High school diploma; successful completion of a carpentry apprenticeship program is required

How to Apply:

Primary responsibilities will include inspecting, repairing, and maintaining commercial refrigeration systems. This includes diagnosing issues, replacing defective components, and conducting regular preventative maintenance tasks. You will also be required to keep accurate records, order necessary parts, and collaborate with other technicians or contractors as needed. Overall, your expertise will ensure optimal functionality and performance of the company’s refrigeration systems.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven and with 10 years experience as a Maintenance Technician or a similar role

• Solid knowledge of refrigeration, and mechanical systems

• Ability to diagnose and repair technical issues

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• Conduct general upkeep procedures and other tasks as assigned (painting, carpentry, etc.)

• Compile with all policies for the safe storage, usage and disposal of hazardous materials

• Salary for this position is $15.00 per hour.

• This position is for work permit holder.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Conduct inspections and surveys of buildings. Repair and maintain refrigeration and mechanical systems for optimal functioning. Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Diagnose and troubleshoot issues with equipment and systems. Perform regular preventive maintenance tasks. Keep accurate records of maintenance activities. Collaborate with other team members and communicate effectively. Follow company policies and guidelines.

Eleven nations to compete in 2024 Miss Caribbean Culture Pageant

The 2024 Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant, set to take place in Nevis on August 5, will feature a diverse array of talented contestants from eleven Caribbean countries.

This year’s lineup promises an exciting showcase of the region’s beauty, intelligence, and cultural heritage.

Antigua and Barbuda will be represented by Dominique Trotman, who was the first runnerup in Antigua’s Carnival Queen pageant and is the most recent addition to the show.

Kyanna Dyer will be carrying the flag for Dominica, while

Guyana seeks consecutive victories with Shequana Holder following last year’s triumph.

Anguilla’s hopes rest with Jackeedah Bryan, and St Kitts will be represented by Desnarine Hanley.

In a departure from previous years, when St John, St Thomas, and St Croix had individual contestants, this year Na’Zirah Armstrong will represent all three as Miss US Virgin Islands.

St Lucia’s contestant is Geekella Ermay, while the host country, Nevis, which has won the title twice before, will be represented by Nykeisha Henry.

This year marks a significant

milestone as Turks & Caicos makes its debut in the competition with Aaliyah Elliott.

Haiti’s representative is Valentchina Dantes, and Trinidad & Tobago will be represented by Tineka Francois.

Last year, Shemina Peroune of Guyana was crowned Miss Caribbean Culture 2023, becoming the first woman from her country to win the title.

That year, contestants from nine Caribbean countries competed in various categories, including interview, talent, swimwear, evening wear, and a question and answer session. (Loop News)

American rapper Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch

American rapper Snoop Dogg has been named as one of the final torchbearers of the Olympic flame before Friday’s opening ceremony in Paris.

The 52-year-old will carry the torch through the streets of Saint-Denis in the north of Paris, which is home to the Stade de France Olympic Stadium, on Friday.

The Saint-Denis stretch is the penultimate leg of the flame’s journey before the relay ends at the Eiffel Tower.

The Olympic torch has crossed France since starting

its journey in May and has been carried by a host of different personalities, including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Formula One driver Charles Leclerc and actress Halle Berry.

Snoop Dogg, whose full name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, was born in Los Angeles - the host city for the 2028 Games.

The US artist will be joined by fellow torchbearers in SaintDenis, including French actress Laetitia Casta and French rapper MC Solaar. (BBC)

Beyoncé gives Harris permission to use her song ‘Freedom’

Vice President Kamala Harris made a big entrance during her first official visit to her campaign headquarters on Monday evening, walking out to Beyoncé’s song “Freedom.”

A source close to Harris told CNN that her team got approval from Beyoncé’s representatives to use the song throughout her presidential campaign.

Beyoncé, who is known for maintaining strict clearance guidelines around her music, gave quick approval to Harris’ campaign when they sought permission to use “Freedom” on Monday — just hours before she walked out to the song, the source added.

While Beyoncé has not officially endorsed Harris in the day since President Joe Biden announced he would not seek a second term, granting her permission to use “Freedom” as a campaign song indicates that Harris has the superstar’s support.

Neither the Harris campaign nor a representative for Beyoncé

responded to CNN’s requests for comment.

Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, endorsed Harris on Sunday, shortly after Biden’s announcement.

“New, Youthful, Sharp , , energy !!!!” Knowles posted on her

Instagram with a photo of herself alongside Harris. “Putting personal Ego , power and fame aside . That is the definition of a great leader, . Thank you, President Biden for your service and your leadership . Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let’s Go”

Beyoncé has a history of endorsing Democratic candidates. In 2013, she sang the National Anthem at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In 2016, Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z headlined a pre-election concert for Clinton in Cleveland, Ohio,

with her backup dancers dressed in blue pantsuits to honor the woman who could have been the first female president.

“I want my daughter to grow up seeing a woman lead our country and knowing that her possibilities are limitless,” Beyoncé said at the time. “And that’s why I am with her.”

In 2020, Beyoncé endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket, posting on her Instagram to encourage her followers to vote.

“Freedom,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, debuted on Beyoncé’s 2016 album “Lemonade.” The Grammynominated song became an anthem in many demonstrations following the 2020 death of George Floyd.

On Monday night at her campaign headquarters, Harris walked out to the following lyrics: “Freedom, Freedom / Where are you? / ‘Cause I need freedom, too / I break chains all by myself / Won’t let my freedom rot in hell / Hey! I’ma keep running / ‘Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves.” (CNN)

Kamala Harris and Beyonce

Shemina Peroune of Guyana was crowned Miss Caribbean Culture 2023

American rapper Snoop Dogg

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.

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• Advanced knowledge and skills in computer systems, most specifically,

• QuickBooks Pro 2020, Microsoft Excel, and Inventory control management.

• Extensive knowledge of SMS Front & Back Office POS System

• Extensive knowledge of NCR 7456 POS

• Manage retail staff, including cashiers and people working on the floor.

• Ensure pricing is correct. Work on store displays.

• Coach, counsel, recruit, train, and discipline employees.

• Evaluate on-the-job performance.

• Identify current and future trends that appeal to consumers.

• Maintain inventory and ensure items are in stock.

• Keep up with fluctuating supply and demand.

• Maintain store cleanliness and health and safety measures.

• Organize and distribute staff schedules.

• Manage different departments within the store.

• Handle customer questions, complaints, and issues.

• Committed to work flexible hours, days, nights, weekends and holidays.

• Able to safely lift boxes

• Salary $9.00 Per Hour.

• This Position is for work permit renewal .

LABOURER(S)

• Responsible for doing manual work

• Loading and unloading Container

• Assisting in stocking shelves

• Should be physically fit to lift products 50lb or more.

• Being able to work at heights

• Committed to work flexible hours, days, nights, weekends and holidays.

• Salary $8.00 per hour.

• This position is for renewal and for first time work permit application..

DOMESTIC WORKER(S)

• Maintain cleanliness and tidiness of the grocery store premises, including aisles, restrooms, entrance, and parking area.

• Perform routine cleaning tasks such as wiping down surfaces, disinfecting high-touch areas, and emptying trash receptacles.

• Restock and organize cleaning supplies as needed.

• Assist in maintaining inventory of store supplies, such as paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning products.

• Committed to work flexible hours, days, nights, weekends and holidays.

• Salary $8.00 per hour.

• This position is for renewal and for first time work permit application.

PRODUCE CLERK (S)

• Responsible for doing Manuel work

• Loading and unloading Container

• Assisting in stocking shelves

• Knowledge on produce products and sanitary methods

• Should be physically fit to lift products 50lb or more.

• Committed to work flexible hours, days, nights, weekends and holidays.

• Salary $8.00 per hour.

• This position is for renewal and for first time work permit application..

PREMIUM RELATIONSHIP

OFFICER, RETAIL BANKING

JOB GRADE: 6.1

ANNUAL SALARY: $47,650 — $77,300

The Premium Relationship Officer is responsible for contributing to the branch’s overall success by meeting the financial needs of the mid-market affluent segment by selling personalized financial solutions and superior customer service. The incumbent is expected to attract, manage and deepen the Bank’s relationships with these customers by providing a differentiated customer experience that supports the Premium Banking value proposition. The mandate of the Premium Relationship Officer is to offer advice to personally meet a customer’s banking, credit and investment needs. The PRO will also solicit and action referral opportunities to grow the portfolio while identifying referring opportunities to segment partners where appropriate. The PRO is responsible for meeting negotiated goals on portfolio growth, portfolio profitability (if available), portfolio size, number of products per customer, sales, and sales productivity, along with objectives relating to customer service, cross-segment referrals, operational effectiveness, teamwork and personal development. In addition, the RO is expected to provide individual, straightforward and knowledgeable service to create a relationship of mutual trust and confidence with Premium Banking customers and colleagues.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet or exceed weekly, monthly and annual individual sales targets across product categories by providing personalized financial solutions to meet the needs of Premium Banking customers.

• Actively manage, grow and retain product holdings of Premium Banking Customers

• Grow the Premium Banking customer base.

• Identify referral opportunities to other lines of business (e.g., Insurance, Brokerage, SPCG, Small Business, Commercial)

• Consistently deliver the desired Premium Banking customer experience during all customer interactions to achieve the Branch’s TYCE-OBP goals.

• Execute the Branch Compliance/Security responsibilities as reflected in the Branch Services and Procedures Manual.

• Maintain an ongoing commitment to personal development and fostering a positive team environment.

• Champions a customer focused culture to deepen client relationships and leverage broader Bank relationships, systems and knowledge.

• Understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.

• Actively pursues effective and efficient operations of their respective areas, while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to and effectiveness of day-today business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational risk, regulatory compliance risk, AMUATF risk and conduct risk, including but not limited to responsibilities under the Operational Risk Management Framework, Regulatory Compliance Risk Management Framework, AMUATF Global Handbook and the Guidelines for Business Conduct.

• Champions a high performance environment and implements a people strategy that attracts, retains, develops and motivates their team by fostering an inclusive work environment; communicating vison/values/ business strategy and managing succession and development planning for the team.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelors degree in Banking or Business related areas

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)

• Excellent relationship management and negotiation skills

• Strong analytical skills

• Five (5) years work experience at supervisory level or above.

DOMESTIC WORKER

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.

DOMESTIC WORKER

LABOURER

CLEANER

NAIL TECHNICIAN

LABOURER

ESTATE MANAGER SANCTUARY LTD.

The Sanctuary, a 4-bedroom rental villa located in the private island of Parrot Cay, is looking for an Estate Manager. Employee would be required to wear “several hats” and to understand that the standard work hours and weeks do not apply to this position; Employee is expected to work on weekends and holidays as needed and to be always on call. Employee must be willing to live on site full time especially when the property is occupied (by both rental guests and owners) and during hurricane threats.

• in charge of the upkeep and day-to-day running of the property

• responsibility for management and supervision a team of maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping

• Employee will have a diverse range of tasks which will include managing the team to keep the estate generally well run and maintained and maintaining safety and security on the estate.

• responsibility for finances and accountingmaintaining accurate records and accounts as required and reporting as agreed, responsibly use resources and control expenses to operate within budgetary controls, payroll, managing the cash, carry out tasks as human resources, purchasing and receiving agent

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum ten (10) years experience as a private estate or property manager with high end resorts, properties or other private homes

• Experience with celebrity clients

• Posses a thorough understanding of all areas of private home management and supervision of design, construction and major renovation

• Ability to monitor and manage household budget and finances

• Must be able to liaise with worldwide FBOs and jet charter and make travel arrangements.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Meticulous attention to detail

• Strong accounting and computer background preferred

• Strong communication skills and conflict resolution

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Strong ability to work well in stressful, fast-paced and high-pressure situations

• Strong knowledge on F&B and butler service

• Ability to travel with minimum to zero notice

• Team player, multitasker, proactive, out of the box thinker, service oriented

• Must be willing to sign confidentiality agreement and undergo extensive background (including drug) checks

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and administrate operations of multiple properties for employer

• Monitor and manage household budgets and bank account(s)

• Handle household bills, petty cash, payroll, and administrative duties

• Communicate information, goals/objectives, wants/needs for Principal and organization

• Arrange appointments for personal and professional needs

• Organize Principal and guests: travel, advances, calendars, hospitality and services, etc.

• Look after all guests, main point person for any requests

• Work with private chef on menu plan and estimate food cost analysis

• System and procedure developments

• Serve as a go-to person for all staff to voice concerns, needs and problems that need to be addressed

• Oversee major renovation, design and land altering projects, in addition as requested act as liaison between employer and contractors

• Oversee security requirements

• Make sure all areas of the home are clean, organized and appear in the way of the homeowner wishes

• Oversee all household personnel and scheduling

• Oversee all ordering, shipping and inventory of supplies

• Overseeing hurricane preparedness

• Helping where needed or when team member including principal’s caregiver is unavailable i.e. monitoring principal’s daily medicine intake, maintaining communications with principal’s primary doctor & personal trainer in US, assisting principal with daily living activities and personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)

Starting salary $55,000 per annum

Due to the nature of this job and owner’s preferences, female candidate is preferred

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER.

Preference will be given to Turks & Caicos Islanders meeting the foregoing applications. Applicants are invited to copy the TCI Labour Board with applications

CLEANER

CLEANER

MAINTENANCE

HOUSEKEEPER

DOMESTIC WORKERS

DOMESTIC WORKER

CARETAKER

Seeking a caretaker to assist my husband and I at the

Assisting with medication, doctor visit, grocery store, must be bilingual. SALARY: 8.00 per hour.

SUNNY FOODS BLUE HILLS

BLUE HILLS, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLAND CONTACT NO: 1649-9462811

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• With 5 years experience in maintaining, repairing, and installing commercial refrigeration systems is required.

• Strong understanding of refrigeration principles and components, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, and controls.

• Ability to identify and resolve issues related to refrigeration systems in a timely and efficient manner.

• Adherence to safety protocols and practices to ensure a secure work environment.

• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and provide exceptional customer service.

• Salary for this position is $8.00 per hour

• This position is for work permit holder.

JOB

DESCRIPTION:

Primary responsibilities will include inspecting, repairing, and maintaining commercial refrigeration systems. This includes diagnosing issues, replacing defective components, and conducting regular preventative maintenance tasks. You will also be required to keep accurate records, order necessary parts, and collaborate with other technicians or contractors as needed. Overall, your expertise will ensure optimal functionality and performance of the company’s refrigeration systems.

Applications, REGISTERED GT 5304, GT 5305 AND GT 5306 by LUNA DEVELOPMENT for the PROPOSED PHASE ONE DEVELOPMENT WHICH CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-FOUR (4) BEDROOM VILLAS AND ONE-THREE (3) BEDROOM VILLA ON BLOCK & PARCEL 10101/26 LOT 1, LOT 4 AND LOT 10 WHICH ARE RESPECTIVELY.

LUNA DEVELOPMENT HAS CONTEMPLATED A MASTER RESORT DEVELOPMENT, TO BE CONSTRUCTED USING A PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING STRUCTURE MANUFACTURED BY SUNSINO SOLUTIONS, WHICH COMPRISES OF EIGHTEEN (18) VILLAS OVERALL AND ANCILLARY ON BLOCK AND PARCEL 10101/26 LOCATED AT NORTH EAST SUBURBS, GRAND TURK.

These applications have been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on BLOCK & PARCEL 10101/26 LOT 1, LOT 4 AND LOT 10 RESPECTIVELY, WHICH IS 5.00 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT NORTH EAST SUBURBS, GRAND TURK.

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. Dated

VACANCIES

OMAR’S BEACH HUT

Five Cays, Providenciales BAR SERVER

Serving mixed and frozen drinks. $8.00 hr

Contact: 242-8792, New

QUEMO BAILEY

South Dock Road, Providenciales

DOMESTIC WORKER

$8.00 hr.

General home cleaning

Contact: 242-8792. New

ENYE GUERRIER

Blue Hills, Providenciales

LABOURER

New Salary: $8.00 hr. Contact: 242-8792

General cleaning chores around home

LAYER

VACANCIES

RIGBY BUILDERS (241-9541)

Five Cays, Providenciales

LABOURERS (2) $8-9 hourly

Clean sites, heavy lifting etc. D & B TILE (232-3465/241-7845)

South Dock Road, Providenciales

LABOURERS (2)

Heavy lifting, mixing thinset etc. $8-9 hourly

SELVERADO BUILDERS (247-1252)

#9 Walker Lane, Kewtown Providenciales

CABINET MAKER

$9.00

Constructinghourlycabinets, repairing furniture

Eddy Laporte Plaza, Providenciales, Is

CLEANER

VACANCIES

D & B TILE

South Dock / 241-7845

TILE LAYER $10.00 Hourly

Laying and grout out tiles

SERGE ETIENNE

Kew Town

MASON $10.00 Hourly

345-8238

Laying blocks and plastering

JC BUILDING & HANDMAN

CONSTRUCTION

Blue Hills / 342-0275

LABOURER $9.00

To carry out and assist with continuous maintenance work, painting apartment interior & exterior and assist with construction work site

GEORGES LUNEAS

The Bight / 241-3729

LABOURER $8.00

Pick up waste, maintenance upkeep of apartments and property.

SERGE PIERRE

Glass Shack / 231-3171

DOMESTIC WORKER

$8.00

Taking care of my home, wash, cook, iron and clean and care for my children

TAKE CARE YOUR BELLY

343-1293 / South Dock

KITCHEN HELPER $8.00

Preparing the workstation for the cook, sorting and distributing ingredients, keeping the kitchen clean

BRUTUS LANDSCAPING

Millennium Highway 343-1420

PLUMBING $10

Fixing and install pipe for toilets, showers, sink and washer & dryer

BLU WAVE CONTRACTING SERVICES

Leeward Highway, Providenciales

6 LABOURERS WANTED

Blu Wave Contracting is a leading construction company in the TCI, offering quality services in residential and commercial projects. We are looking for hardworking and reliable labourers to join our team and assist with various tasks on our job sites.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Clean and prepare construction sites, including setting up scaffolding, removing and disposing of debris, and digging trenches

• Shovel materials to and from job site, including dirt and asphalt

• Maintain a clean and safe site by handling and storing materials, picking up and removing tools and equipment, and securing job site

• Load and unload supplies from trucks

• Report incidents to foreman

• Travel to work on remote construction sites

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Previous experience as a labourer or in a similar role

• Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, and moving heavy objects

• Ability to work in various weather conditions and environments

• Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team PAY:

• $9.00 hourly

If you are interested in this position, please send your resume and cover letter to bluwave649@gmail.com or call us at 649-343-5343. We look forward to hearing from you!

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd. Of Cherokee Rd, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

• Parcel 60505/71 Blue Hills and Stamers Run, Providenciales, TCI – Three-bedroom, two-bathroom house approximately 1666 sq. ft located in Blue Hills, Providenciales

Registered Proprietor: Sherlene & Dion Ramsey

The auction will be held at the office of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, 88 Cherokee Road, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 16th day of August 2024. A reserved price will be fixed on all parcels and a deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids. Conditions of Sale available upon request or at the Auction.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

NOTICE

REGULATION

Applications, REGISTERED GT 5304, GT 5305 AND GT 5306 by LUNA DEVELOPMENT for the PROPOSED PHASE ONE DEVELOPMENT WHICH CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-FOUR (4) BEDROOM VILLAS AND ONE-THREE (3) BEDROOM VILLA ON BLOCK & PARCEL 10101/26 LOT 1, LOT 4 AND LOT 10 WHICH ARE RESPECTIVELY.

LUNA DEVELOPMENT HAS CONTEMPLATED A MASTER RESORT DEVELOPMENT, TO BE CONSTRUCTED USING A PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING STRUCTURE MANUFACTURED BY SUNSINO SOLUTIONS, WHICH COMPRISES OF EIGHTEEN (18) VILLAS OVERALL AND ANCILLARY ON BLOCK AND PARCEL 10101/26 LOCATED AT NORTH EAST SUBURBS, GRAND TURK.

These applications have been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on BLOCK & PARCEL 10101/26 LOT 1, LOT 4 AND LOT 10 RESPECTIVELY, WHICH IS 5.00 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT NORTH EAST SUBURBS, GRAND TURK.

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.

Dated

REGISTERED LAND ORDINANCE, CAP 9.01 NOTICE OF LOST LAND CERTIFICATE

Whereas, ERIK NIKLAS WIIK in his capacity as Administrator of the Estate of Nils Erik Vilhelm Wiik also known as Nils Erik Wiik, has declared that the Land Certificate for the above mentioned title number registered in the name of Nils Erik Wiik was inadvertently has been irretrievably lost.

Take that I, Lasana Murray, Registrar of Lands, shall issue a new Land Certificate 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 28th day of JUNE 2024

Publicized by Order Registrar of Lands.

VACANCIES

(649) 332-0007

• Providing clients with estimates on labor costs and materials required to fix or build a

• Measuring and cutting materials to ensure that they fit securely around vents, gutters, chimneys, and walls.

• Smoothing out rough spots on roofs to prepare the surface for new shingles or waterproofing.

• Replacing areas of clients’ roofs that are damaged or rotting.

• Installing

• Safely setting up ladders, scaffolding, and hoisting equipment as required.

• Updating the supervisor on job progress and reporting any problems related to the job.

• Safely transporting all required equipment and materials to job sites.

Salary: $4,000 monthly

Duties:

• Facilitate Communication, Coordinate Collaboration, Relationship Management.

• Support:

• Information Management, Strategic Planning, Stay Updated.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Communication, or a related field.

2. Fluent in 4 languages: English, Spanish, French and Italian 3. Proven experience 4. Proficiency in MS Office Suite 5. Strong understanding of industryspecific regulations, policies, and protocols.

6. Professional demeanor, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality

QUANTITY SURVEYOR

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

QUANTITY SURVEYOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review architectural plans and prepare quantity needs

• Estimate the quantity and costs of materials

• Prepare contracts and documents

• Set budgets for payments, inventory needs, and materials

• Track changes in plans or constructions; update budgets

• Negotiate with contractors and subcontractors

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

• Identify potential financial or construction risks.

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

• Prepare payments for contractors and subcontractors

• Document progress, materials, and reports on project

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

QUANTITY SURVEYOR REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying

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

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

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

• Strong aptitude for numbers, spreadsheets, and financial reports

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

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

• Able to analyze problems and strategize for better solutions Salary: $1600/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board. This position is currently being held by a Work Permit Holder.

LABOURER

Science & Technology

Fossil of an ancient shark that swam in the age of dinosaurs solves centuries-long mystery

During the Cretaceous Period, a genus of sharks roamed the sea with rows of unusual teeth. Mostly large and rounded, these chompers were not meant to slice through their prey, but to grind and crush shelled creatures.

However, since the sharks’ presence in the fossil record has mostly consisted of isolated teeth, scientists have been left to speculate on what the rest of this ancient predator looked like since its discovery in the 18th century.

Now, remains uncovered from limestone quarries in northeastern Mexico are finally giving researchers a clearer idea of the shark’s appearance, including one fossil that shows almost all skeletal elements and an outline of the specimen’s soft-tissue body. The find also reveals where the genus, known as Ptychodus, sat on the shark evolutionary tree, and other previously unknown traits of this “longstanding enigma,” according to a study published in April in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

“The finding of the skeletal remains in Mexico not only allow us to unite these teeth that have been searching for a long time for a skeleton, but also allow us as scientists to revise our previous hypotheses regarding its biology and relationships and see what we got right and what we got wrong,” said study coauthor Dr. Eduardo Villalobos Segura, an assistant professor in the department of paleontology at the University of Vienna, Austria, in an email.

The discovery also provides insight into the evolutionary history of sharks found in our oceans today, experts say.

ANCIENT RELATIVE OF THE GREAT WHITE SHARK

Most species of Ptychodus lived between 100 and 80 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period. The deposits in which the fossils were discovered — in Nuevo León near the municipality

of Vallecillo — date back to approximately 93.9 to 91.85 million years ago, Villalobos Segura said.

Because shark skeletons are made of cartilage, they do not fossilize well, typically leaving archaeologists only teeth and few skeletal remains to find. But evidence suggests the Nuevo León fossils ended up in mostly stagnant conditions that would have allowed for an oxygen-deficient zone, resulting in the preservation of the soft skeletons, Villalobos Segura said.

In the study, the researchers analysed six fossils found at the site, including the complete specimen. Three other fossils were almost complete, and two were incomplete. With these remains, the study authors determined that Ptychodus belonged to the order of sharks known as Lamniformes, or mackerel sharks, the same group that the extinct Otodus megalodon and the modern great white shark belong to. Lamniformes also includes the modern species of megamouth, sand, goblin and basking sharks, among others.

“Present-day sharks represent just a vanishingly minimal portion of the astonishing biodiversity that occurred throughout their entire evolutionary history (spanning almost 400 million years) … studying fossil sharks is crucial to understand fully the evolutionary phenomena related to current groups,” said study coauthor

Dr. Manuel Amadori, a postdoctoral researcher in the department of paleontology at the University of Vienna in Austria, in an email.

The existence of mackerel sharks with crushing teeth was unknown until now, Amadori said. “There is still much more to discover, but we can say that we have taken another important step forward in understanding the complex evolutionary history of mackerel sharks,” he added.

The outline of the body, which revealed the shark’s shape and fin location, also provides evidence that the prehistoric fish was not just a bottom-dweller as previously believed, but instead, a fast-swimming predator that might have hunted and eaten sea turtles and large ammonites instead of only eating mollusks found on the ocean floor, according to the study authors. Although the shark’s exact diet is still unknown, the researchers suggest that this revised hypothesis about what it ate could be a hint at the cause of Ptychodus’ extinction, since it puts the shark in competition with other Late Cretaceous marine predators with similar diets.

“Without a complete specimen (hard evidence), what was known about Ptychodus beyond the teeth was largely scientific guesswork,” said Michael Everhart, an adjunct curator of paleontology at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays, Kansas, and an expert on Late Cretaceous marine

fossils, in an email. He was not involved in the study.

“The new specimens answer questions that go back 180+ years to the 1830s when Louis Agassiz (an early renowned scientist and paleontologist) first coined the name Ptychodus,” which means rugous or wrinkled tooth, Everhart added.

MASSIVE SHELLCRUSHING SHARKS

The findings also suggested that the largest species of Ptychodus may have been slightly smaller than previously thought, reaching a maximum length of 9.7 meters (nearly 32 feet).

Previous estimates of a species known as Ptychodus

mortoni put it at 11.2 meters (nearly 37 feet), but the revised size is still larger than modern apex shark predators, the authors note in the study. Great whites today reach up to 6 meters (20 feet) in length.

There are modern shellcrushing species, the largest being the Zebra shark, which reaches a maximum length of a little over 3.5 meters (12 feet) — not near as gigantic as Ptychodus.

“The crushing teeth together with the gigantic size make Ptychodus a very unique shark,” Amadori said.

“(In the fossil record) some teeth are massive, polygonal and almost flat, while others have strange, rounded

protuberances or pointed cusps on the top surface. All these were joined together to form massive tooth plates, which this predator of the past could have used to crush almost anything it encountered.”

A new fossil revealing the complete side view of Ptychodus measured nearly 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) in length, suggesting it was from was of a much smaller shark. This could be due to the remains belonging to a younger shark, or because the Ptychodus genus included various species of different sizes, Villalobos Segura said. According to the nonprofit Mindat.org database, there are 22 species of Ptychodus currently known. Most species and individuals of Ptychodus were likely smaller than the largest Ptychodus mortoni specimen discovered, but there could also be the possibility of larger species yet to be found, Everhart said.

Often, researchers can tell apart the different species of Ptychodus by varying features in the teeth, but the study authors were unable to identify which species of Ptychodus the six fossils studied belonged to due to the teeth being too worn down, Villalobos Segura said. (CNN)

THREE ELEVATOR MECHANIC OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Install and adjust new commercial and residential Elevators Repair, service, and maintenance of all Elevators. Be available for after-hour emergency shutdowns and entrapments when needed.

• Answering phone calls and emails

• Communicating with senior managers and other colleagues

• Answering customer questions

• Written communication such as compiling reports, memos, faxes and other documents

• Filing various documents and maintaining databases

• Updating spreadsheets and other

• Storing sensitive information correctly

• Recording and reconciling office expenses

• Processing client/customer payments

• Creating invoices and billing clients

• Process invoices and manage accounts payable and receivable

A fossil revealing the complete side view of the ancient shark Ptychodus, with almost all skeletal elements, was uncovered in Mexico

Science & Technology

Want to live a long life? Start prioritising your friends

Your social network may influence your health as much as your exercise routine. David Robson, the author of a new book about our relationships, explores the evidence and reasons for this surprising link.

If you have paid attention to the latest thinking on wellbeing and longevity, you will have noticed increasing focus on the state of our relationships. People with thriving social networks, we are told, tend to be far healthier than those who feel isolated.

Our interactions with others are so strongly linked to our longevity that the World Health Organization has just founded a new Commission on Social Connection, calling it “a global health priority”.

You may be a little sceptical about these claims, and the mysterious mechanisms that are supposed to tie our physical wellbeing with the strength of our relationships. But our understanding of the “biopsychosocial” model of health has been growing for decades. While investigating the science for my book The Laws of Connection, I discovered that our friendships can influence everything from our immune system’s strength to our chances of dying from heart disease.

The conclusions of this research are clear: if we want to live a long and healthy life, we should start prioritising the people around us.

The roots of the science can be traced to the early 1960s. Back then, Lester Breslow at the California State Department of Public Health set out on an ambitious project to identify the habits and behaviours that led to greater longevity. To do so, he recruited nearly 7,000 participants from the surrounding

Alameda County. Through comprehensive questionnaires, he built an extraordinarily detailed picture of their lifestyles, and then tracked their wellbeing over the subsequent years.

Within a decade, Breslow’s team had identified many of the ingredients that we now know are essential for good health: don’t smoke; drink in moderation; sleep seven to eight hours a night; exercise; avoid snacks; maintain a moderate weight; eat breakfast. At the time, the findings were so striking that when his colleagues presented the results to him, he believed they were playing some kind of prank. You will hardly need me to explain these guidelines in more detail – the “Alameda 7” are now the basis of most public health guidance.

The research continued, however, and by 1979, two of Breslow’s colleagues – Lisa Berkman and S Leonard Syme –had discovered an eighth factor that influenced people’s longevity: social connection. On average, the people with the greatest number of ties were around half as likely to die as the people who had smaller networks. The result remained even after they had controlled for factors such as socioeconomic status and people’s health at the survey’s start, as well as cigarette consumption, exercise and diet.

Delving deeper, it became clear that all kinds of relationships mattered, but some were more meaningful than others. A sense of connection with spouses and close friends offered the greatest protection, but even casual acquaintances at church or a bowling club helped to stave off the grim reaper.

Healthy relationships ensure longevity

The sheer audacity of the claim may explain why it was initially neglected in public health guidance. Scientists were used to seeing the body as a kind of machine, largely detached from our mental state and our social environment. But since then, extensive research has confirmed that connection and loneliness influence our susceptibility to many diverse diseases.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Social support can boost your immune system and protect you from infection, for instance. In the 1990s, Sheldon Cohen at Carnegie Mellon University in the US asked 276 participants to give full details of their social ties. They were tested for an existing infection, then placed in quarantine and asked to inhale water droplets laced with rhinovirus – the bug behind many coughs and sneezes.

Over the following five days, many of the participants went on to develop symptoms, but this was significantly less likely if they had a large and diverse range of social connections. Indeed, those with the lowest levels of social connection had three to four times the risk of developing a cold than those with richer networks of family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

Any good scientist should always consider whether other confounding factors might explain the result. It’s reasonable to assume that lonely people could be less fit and active, for example, if they spend less time out and about with friends and family. As Berkman and Syme had also discovered, however, the link remained even after the researchers accounted for all those factors. And the size of the effect vastly exceeds the benefits of popping vitamin supplements – another measure we might take

to boost our immune system. The social health boost extends to our risk of chronic, life-changing conditions such as type 2 diabetes. This arises when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, and the body’s cells stop responding to the insulin that’s flowing through the blood – both of which prevent it from breaking down blood sugar to power cells. Factors such as obesity can contribute to diabetes, but so, it seems, does the quality of your relationships.

A study of 4,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found that a higher score on the UCLA Loneliness Scale – a questionnaire that scientists use to measure social connection – predicted the onset of type 2 diabetes over the following decade. There are even signs that people with stronger social ties have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The strongest evidence, however, concerns cardiovascular diseases. Massive studies tracking the health of tens of thousands of people over many years have repeatedly highlighted the link. This can be seen in the earliest stages – people with poor social relationships are more likely to develop hypertension – and in the worst outcomes, with loneliness increasing the risk of a heart attack, angina or stroke by about 30%.

To get a measure of the social health boost’s overall importance, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychologist at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, compiled the findings of 148 studies. Together they covered 300,000 participants and had looked at the benefits of social integration and the hazard of social disconnection. She then compared the effects of loneliness with the risks of various other lifestyle

factors, including smoking, drinking alcohol, exercise and physical activity, body mass index (a measure of obesity), air pollution and taking medication to control blood pressure.

The results, published in 2010, were astonishing: Holt-Lunstad found that the size and quality of people’s social relationships either equalled or outmatched almost all the other factors in determining people’s mortality. The more people feel supported by the people around them, the better their health and the less likely they were to die. Overall, social connection – or its absence – played a larger role in people’s health than alcohol consumption, exercise, body mass index and air pollution. Only the effects of smoking came close.

CORRELATION OR CAUSATION?

This research has faced critics. For iron-clad proof of a causal link between one lifestyle factor and overall longevity, you’d need to conduct a controlled experiment, in which you randomly allocate people to different conditions. That’s how new medicines are tested – some take the pill and others take a placebo, and you then record the different outcomes. In this case, you would have to allocate some people to a loneliness condition, denying them friendships, while others are given a ready-made social network full of loving people. Clearly, this is ethically dubious and practically impossible to do – a fact that has led some people to question whether the apparent effects of social connection are real and significant. They suggest that the scientists might have missed some confounding factor that gives the illusion of a link between our social lives and our health and longevity, despite their best efforts. (BBC)

Science & Technology

Shingles vaccine may help delay dementia – study

Being vaccinated against shingles may also help delay getting a dementia diagnosis - a study in the journal Nature Medicine suggests.

The work builds on previous suggestions that a shingles jab may have this unintended benefit.

Researchers compared some 100,000 people who had a new shingles jab to a similar group who had an older one.

On average, those who had the new jab had an extra 164 days free from a diagnosis of dementia over six years. Further work is needed to prove the link, scientists say.

Shingles is a painful, serious condition that is more common in older people.

It is caused by a reactivation of the Herpes zoster virus - the virus that causes chicken pox.

A vaccine against shingles was introduced in many countries about 18 years ago.

Since then there has been growing evidence that the jab could help protect against dementia - but no conclusive proof.

In this study, researchers from the University of Oxford compared the health records of people in the US who had the older Zostavax jab with a newer jab, called Shingrix,

On average, those who had the new jab had an extra 164 days free from a diagnosis of dementia over six years

which is increasingly used in the UK.

While similar numbers still got dementia by the end of the study, the researchers found, on average, over the six-year period:

People who had Shingrix had 17% more time without a diagnosis of dementia than those who had the older vaccine

· The benefits were greater for women

Study author Prof Paul Harrison

Komodo dragons have iron-tipped teeth, new study shows

Komodo dragons, the world’s largest species of lizard, have irontipped teeth that help them to rip their prey apart, according to new research.

The metal is concentrated in the cutting edge and tips of their curved, serrated teeth, staining them orange, scientists wrote in a paper published Wednesday in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Komodo dragons are native to Indonesia and weigh around 80 kilograms (176 pounds) on average. They eat almost any kind of meat and are known as deadly predators.

A team of researchers led by Aaron LeBlanc, a lecturer in dental biosciences at King’s College London, analysed Komodo dragon teeth using advanced imaging and chemical analysis, according to a statement from the university.

They found that the iron is concentrated in a thin coating that acts as a protective layer that keeps them sharp, LeBlanc told CNN on Wednesday.

“If they didn’t have this iron coating I’m sure the enamel on the cutting edges would wear away very quickly and the tooth would dull,” he said.

“That’s not very good for an animal that relies on having these razor blade sharp teeth to slice through meat.”

LeBlanc said he was surprised to find iron, as the metal is normally associated with the more complex teeth of mammals, such as beavers and rats, rather than reptiles, which tend to have simpler teeth.

“I saw it many times before I actually believed it,” he said. “The first few times I saw it I thought it was staining from feeding.”

“It looks like someone took an orange Sharpie or a fine paintbrush and painted the tip of the cutting edges orange,” he added.

LeBlanc analysed teeth from museum collections as well as from a Komodo dragon named Ganus, which lived at London Zoo until it was euthanized last year.

Having a fresher sample from

said: “Even if it is a delay of 164 days, for example, on the public health level, that would not be a trivial finding.

“It is a big enough effect that if [the link is proved] it feels meaningful to us.”

Dr Sheona Scales, at charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, said finding new ways to reduce people’s risk was “vital”.

She added: “This research, carried out in a large group of

people, suggests that people given the Shingrix shingles vaccine might have a reduced risk of dementia.

“But it isn’t clear how the vaccine might be reducing risk, nor whether the vaccine causes a reduction in dementia risk directly, or whether there’s another factor at play.”

Other factors that have definitively been linked to an increased dementia risk include smoking, high blood pressure and

excessive alcohol consumption, she added.

Prof Harrison said the study threw up a number of questions that need to be urgently addressed.

“One possibility is the herpes viruses may be one of the many factors that might promote dementia,” he said.

“Therefore a vaccine that is stopping you have a reactivation of the virus might delay whatever that process is that is leading you to have dementia in coming years.”

Another possibility is that ingredients in the vaccine, designed to help the body mount a protective response, could play a part, he added.

In the UK, a free shingles vaccine is available to people who turn 65, those aged between 70 and 79, and people aged 50 and over who have a severely weakened immune system.

Older shingles vaccines are now being replaced with Shingrix.

Shingrix is made by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

It was not involved in the research, but one of the scientists working on the study does other, separate work with GSK. (BBC)

a zoo-kept animal was interesting because the whole jaw including the gum tissue was still intact, LeBlanc explained.

Analysis showed that iron was already present when the teeth erupted from the gum tissue, and was also present despite Ganus having a very different diet to wild Komodo dragons, he added.

The findings may help us understand how carnivorous dinosaurs, which had curved, serrated teeth similar to Komodo

dragons, would have killed and eaten their prey, LeBlanc said.

However, at this stage it has not been possible to determine whether dinosaur teeth had high levels of iron, because the metal is very common and seeps into fossils over time, he added. The next task is to analyse fossilized monitor lizard teeth and look for alternative markers that can help us to understand the composition of fossilized teeth, he said.

Benjamin Tapley, Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at the Zoological Society of London and co-author of the study, said in the statement that Komodo dragons are “inarguably impressive animals.”

“Komodo dragons are sadly endangered, so in addition to strengthening our understanding of how iconic dinosaurs might have lived, this discovery also helps us build a deeper understanding of these amazing reptiles as we work to protect them,” he said. (CNN)

Komodo dragons are the world’s largest lizards

Science & Technology

Why you are probably sitting down for too long

In the office, on transport, at home…Sitting down is ingrained in most peoples’ days. But, due in part to vascular dysfunction, staying sedentary for too long can increase the risk of serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

In 1953, epidemiologist Jeremy Morris found that London bus drivers were more than twice as likely as bus conductors to develop coronary heart disease.

Demographically (in age, sex and income range) the two groups of workers were the same, so why was there such a significant difference?

Morris’ answer: bus conductors were required to be on their feet and regularly climb the steps of London’s iconic double-decker buses as they sold tickets to passengers, whereas the drivers remained seated for long stretches of time. His landmark study laid the groundwork for research on the links between physical activity and coronary health.

Whilst London bus conductors may now be a thing of the past, Morris’ results are more relevant than ever. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a huge shift towards working from home, which is likely to increase our collective sitting time. Without the trips to the water cooler and trot from meeting room to meeting room, it’s easy to spend hours sat behind a desk without getting up. (Office culture, however, had already changed our working lives so much by the 1980s that some researchers joked that our species had become Homo sedens – the “seated man” – rather than Homo sapiens.)

Prolonged sitting is a form of sedentary behaviour, characterised by a highly reduced energy expenditure in a seated or reclined position. Typical sedentary behaviours including televisionwatching, gaming, driving and desk-bound work. Sedentary behaviours are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and premature mortality, and the time we spend sitting down in particular has been identified as an independent risk factor in a range of health conditions. In 2020, the World Health Organization

Sitting too long is not just harmful on your back

suggested measures to reduce sedentary behaviour.

Since 2010, researchers have been keen to point out that sedentary behaviour is distinct from a lack of physical activity. You can get sufficient exercise per day, and still sit for too long. However, the risks of sedentary behaviour are heightened for those who do not exercise enough.

Why does sedentary behaviour increase risk of cardiovascular disease? The primary hypothesis is increased vascular dysfunction, particularly in the legs. The vascular system is responsible for keeping blood and lymph fluid –which forms part of the immune system – moving through the blood vessels.

David Dunstan, a physiologist at Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, in Melbourne, Australia, has extensively researched the effects of prolonged sitting and possible interventions.

“What characterises sitting is a reduction in muscular activity,” says Dunstan. “If I’m on a chair, the chair is taking all the responsibility there.”

The combined effect of reduced muscular activity, lower metabolic demand and gravitational forces

decreases peripheral blood flow to the leg muscles, which can lead to blood pooling in the calves. The biomechanics of sitting, with the legs usually bent, can also reduce blood flow.

Reduced muscular activity of the leg muscles reduces their metabolic demand. Metabolic demand is the primary determinant of blood flow, so blood flow in the legs is also reduced. The biomechanics of sitting, with the legs usually bent can cause to blood pool in the calves – one study of 21 young healthy volunteers saw their calves increase in circumference by nearly 1cm (0.4in) over the course of two hours. This can also reduce blood flow.

Normal blood flow provides friction, known as arterial shear stress, against the endothelial cells which line the walls of blood vessels. The endothelium responds to this force and secretes vasodilators, like adenosine, prostacyclin and nitric oxide, which keep the vessels sufficiently dilated and maintain the ability of the vascular system to regulate itself – known as homeostasis.

Reduced blood flow, however, reduces shear stress, and the endothelium produces vasoconstrictors like endothelin-1 which cause the blood vessels to narrow. In a vicious cycle, vasoconstriction further reduces blood flow, and blood pressure rises to keep the blood moving. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the predominant risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

“That’s [vascular dysfunction] one of the potential mechanisms,”

diabetes.

Given all these well-known potential consequences, why is it that we sit for so long – and can we break the habit?

“I think people are becoming more sedentary because it’s what society has encouraged,” says Benjamin Gardner, a social psychologist specialising in habitual behaviour at the University of Surrey, who has been researching why people sit for so long. “It’s not that anyone’s deliberately pushing it. It’s just as things get more efficient, we don’t have to move around so much.”

In 2018, Gardner and colleagues found that encouraging standing in meetings presented unique social obstacles.

“We encouraged people to try this [standing up] in three different meetings, and we interviewed them after each one to find out how they got on, and the findings were fascinating,” says Gardner. “In a formal meeting, it was felt it was not appropriate to be standing.”

says Dunstan. “But the truth is that we haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact mechanisms, and there’s likely to be multiple.

Whilst the underlying mechanisms are hypothetical, recent studies support the theory.

A study with 16 young, healthy men found that sitting for threehour periods increased blood pooling in the legs, peripheral vascular resistance, diastolic blood pressure and leg circumference.

Another study finds that blood pressure increases with time spent sitting uninterrupted. Researchers generally agree that 120-180 minutes of uninterrupted sitting is probably the threshold at which you have probably spent too long in a seated position, but vascular dysfunction generally increases with time spent sitting.

Sitting for a prolonged period after a high-fat meal is thought to be particularly harmful.

The muscular skeletal system is also likely to be affected.

Prolonged sitting contributes to reduced muscle strength, lower bone density and increased total and visceral fat in adipose tissue. Additionally, prolonged sitting is associated with physical discomfort, stress at work and higher depression, and can even lead to pressure ulcers.

Dunstan, who specialises in researching type 2 diabetes, also notes that sedentary behaviour increases post-meal, or postprandial, rises in blood glucose and insulin. Impaired insulin sensitivity and impaired vascular function, both contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2

Other interventions include height-adjustable workstations, sit/stand chairs, treadmill workstations, and fidgeting the legs which enhances blood flow. Just getting up every-so-often and going for a light walk or climbing some stairs has also been shown to be beneficial.

Wearable technology may also help nudge us into action. In a promising new study, wearable devices called accelerometers provided 24-hour data on individual behaviour patterns including sitting, standing, sleeping and exercising. As Dunstan pointed out, this potentially allows for tailored optimal sitting and standing times, with devices then sending automatic reminders whenever we sit for too long. However, the use of technology is not without its drawbacks, as some may become frustrated by or desensitised to its prompts.

Above all, Gardner and colleagues encourage moving between sitting and standing positions more frequently. The premise of breaking up sedentary time by just standing up is simple, but has significant health benefits, particularly for low-activity individuals. For wheelchair users or others with mobility constraints, specific, adapted exercises can be beneficial.

For many, sedentary behaviour can seem like an unavoidable consequence of modern life and work. But even small changes to your routine – be it stretching more, fidgeting or standing up to make a cup of tea – can help break your sitting habit. (BBC)

Sports International

Paris set for its first Olympics in 100 years

‘Games wide open’ is the motto for this year’s Paris Olympics, which officially begin on Friday with the opening ceremony.

It is the first time in 100 years that the French capital has hosted the summer Games, with the majority of the events taking place in or around the city’s most iconic areas.

Friday’s opening ceremony will see boats carry athletes and dignitaries down 6km of the River Seine, with room for 300,000 spectators.

Few details are known about the event - though there has been speculation about Celine Dion and Lady Gaga performing - with the ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly saying he wants to “show France in all its diversity”.

The Paris Games is the first to achieve gender parity among athletes, with 5,250 male and 5,250 female athletes set to compete.

With millions expected to attend the Games, Paris is making the final touches for a Games it hopes will be like no other.

French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this week, external that the country was “ready and we will be ready throughout the Games”.

However, some Parisians have used social media to warn people, external about issues such as overcrowding, price inflation and difficulties in getting around the city.

There is a huge security operation in place, with up to 5,000 police, soldiers and hired guards on patrol at any one time. The Seine - the river than runs through the centre of Paris - has been fenced off for the opening ceremony, leaving residents needing QR codes to access certain areas.

That has affected local businesses along the Seine, leading to some criticism,, external

at

Wood

‘closer and closer’

to 100mph, says Stokes

England captain Ben Stokes says fast bowler Mark Wood is getting “closer and closer” to breaking the 100mph barrier.

Wood, 34, was shown to have reached 97.1mph in an electrifying spell on the second morning of the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge last week.

The Durham man’s top recorded speed is 97.73, while only three bowlers are thought to have been clocked at 100mph or more in an international match.

“He’s got it in the tank,” said Stokes. “He’s been close a couple of times. Maybe one day.”

Wood has been named in an unchanged England team for the third Test against the Windies, which begins on Friday.

Asked if he was surprised Wood

Olympic Phryge - based on a soft hat that was worn as a symbol of freedom during the French Revolution - is the official mascot of the Paris Olympic Games

but French authorities say the barricades will be removed after Friday’s event.

The cost of this year’s Games is expected to be about 9bn euros (£7.6bn), with the organising committee promising to make it the greenest Olympics in history.

Only two arenas are new and purpose-built - an aquatics centre and an arena for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics.

Other iconic venues such as the Stade de France - the national stadium - and French Open tennis venue Roland Garros will host events, alongside historic sites such as the Grand Palais and the Place de la Concorde.

One of the big concerns in the build-up was the water quality of the Seine, which will host the swimming leg of the triathlon and open-water events.

Swimming in the river was banned for a century because of the water quality, with tests in June still showing levels of E.coli above the upper limits imposed by sports federations.

However, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the river on 17 July to try to prove it was safe. The water will be tested regularly in different areas before the events. (BBC)

is able to register 97mph, Stokes said: “It’s not surprising. It’s great to watch. I’d much rather have him in my team than having to have my helmet and pads on facing him as an opposition.”

Wood averaged 94.47mph in the second over of his first spell last Friday morning at Trent Bridge, the fastest recorded over by an England bowler in a home Test. His fastest delivery of 97.73mph was bowled to David Warner in the Boxing Day Ashes Test of 2021.

Measuring accurate bowling speeds is difficult. The three bowlers to have topped 100mph, all in limited-overs cricket, are Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan and Australian duo Brett Lee and Shaun Tait. However, data analysts Cricviz dispute these speeds. (BBC)

England overpower France to win Under-20 World Cup

England ended France’s dominance of the Under-20 World Cup and claimed their first title since 2016 with a 21-13 victory in the final.

Lock Joe Bailey powered over from close range to score the opening try and hand England a narrow lead at half-time in Cape Town after Hugo Reus’ two penalties for France.

England’s forwards continued to outmuscle the French pack after the interval and Arthur Green picked

up from the base of the scrum to score their second try.

Sean Kerr’s three penalties edged England further in front as Mathis Ferte’s late consolation try could not prevent France falling short in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive title.

Victory for Mark Mapletoft’s England caps a fine year in which they also won the Under-20 Six Nations. It is England’s fourth under-20s

title, having not reached the final for six years.

England came from behind to beat France and clinch the Six Nations title in March, but they would have been under no illusions as to the task at hand in South Africa.

France have had a stranglehold on the Under-20 World Cup and booked their place in the final with a convincing 55-31 win over New Zealand.

Ben Stokes and Mark Wood are county team-mates

Durham

Sports

‘Right time’ for me to retire - Murray

Andy Murray says it is the “right time” for him to retire from tennis after the Paris Olympics - and he is “happy” with the decision.

The two-time Olympic singles champion confirmed on Tuesday the Games, where he will play in the doubles with Dan Evans, will be his final event.

Murray, 37, said recent injuries, which prevented him playing singles in his Wimbledon farewell earlier this month, mean he is now content with ending his career.

“I didn’t feel that way a few months ago when I thought that this is when I was going to stop,” said the Scot in his first interview since the announcement.

“I didn’t want to. Now I want to.

“I know it is the right time for me.”

Murray, who has been hampered by a series of injuries in recent years, said in February he did not plan to play beyond the summer, but did not give an indication of when his final tournament would be.

An ankle injury in March and a back issue which required surgery in June put emotional farewells at Wimbledon and the Olympicstitles he won twice in his glittering career - in jeopardy, but he was able to play doubles with his brother Jamie at Wimbledon, where they lost in the first round.

Murray said his back issue will likely prevent him from entering the singles in Paris - a decision which must be made before Thursday’s draw - but he and Evans are capable of doing “very well” in the doubles.

“Me and Dan made the commitment to each other, that is what we will prioritise,” he added.

“That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal.

“My back is still not perfect. I didn’t feel great in the build-up to Wimbledon and during it. I feel better here.”

Evans will still play in the men’s singles, along with Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper, while Team GB will also be represented

in the doubles by Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury.

Either British pair could be drawn against high-profile opponents, including 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal and his fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz – the Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion.

MURRAY ON FUTURE, RADUCANU AND FINAL OLYMPICS

Murray’s final match at Wimbledon was expected to be in the mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu

Low pressure but not low key as Biles returns to Games

When Simone Biles landed a spectacular vault in Paris on Thursday, she made a huge statement in what is supposed to be a low-pressure return to the Olympic stage.

The American, the most decorated gymnast in history with 37 world and Olympic medals, is back after pulling out of several events at the Tokyo Games three

years ago with the ‘twisties’ - a disorientating mental block.

Many wondered if they would ever see her at a Games again, but now the 27-year-old is giving herself the chance to add to her seven Olympic medals.

She has returned with a new skill - the Yurchenko double pike vault, which was last year named the Biles II after she became the first

woman to land it in competition, and which is one of five gymnastic elements named after her.

It was this move that she executed perfectly at the Bercy Arena in podium training - the only chance gymnasts get to practise on the equipment in the venue before they compete there.

Nailed, stuck, not a hint of a shuffle.

but his fellow Briton pulled out to protect a wrist issue that threatened her campaign in the singles.

Speaking for the first time on the incident, Murray said he and Raducanu have not spoken since her withdrawal, but he respected her decision.

“Getting to finish playing at

Wimbledon on Centre Court with my brother was unbelievably special,” he added.

“It is something we never experienced. That wasn’t how I planned it, but that is how it ended up and I am really happy about that. I am not frustrated or bitter about it.”

The 36-year-old German is a former world number one and claimed the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2016 before winning Wimbledon two years later

Kerber to retire from tennis after Paris 2024

Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber has said she is going to retire from tennis after the Olympic Games in Paris.

The 36-year-old German is a former world number one and claimed the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2016 before winning Wimbledon two years later.

She competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio when she won silver in the women’s singles, having been beaten by Puerto Rican Monica Puig in the final, and did not compete at the Tokyo Games.

“The finish line,” said Kerber on social media. “Before the Olympics begin, I can already say that I will

never forget Paris 2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player.

“And whereas this might actually be the right decision, it will never feel that way. Simply because I love the sport with all my heart and I’m thankful for the memories and opportunities it has given me.”

Kerber returned to the WTA Tour earlier this season after being on maternity leave.

She added: “The Olympics I’ve participated in so far have been more than just competitions as they represent different chapters of my life as a tennis player: the climb, the peak and now, the finish line.” (BBC)

Murray, 37, said recent injuries, which prevented him playing singles in his Wimbledon farewell earlier this month, mean he is now content with ending his career

Simone Biles began her training session in Paris on beam - which was the only apparatus final she competed in at the Tokyo Olympics

Sports International

Dressel has doping fears over Olympic swimming

Seven-time Olympic swimming champion Caeleb Dressel says he is not confident rivals are not doping at the Paris Olympics.

The build-up to the Games’ swimming event has been overshadowed by the continuing row over positive drugs tests from 23 Chinese athletes in the run-up to the last Olympics.

Earlier this month an independent report backed the decision not to dispute Chinese authorities’ claims the swimmers ingested trimetazidine (TMZ) by contamination.

Eleven of those swimmers will compete for China in Paris.

Asked if he had confidence authorities had ensured there would be a level playing field in Paris, American great Dressel said: “No, not really.

“I don’t think they have given us enough evidence to support them in how this case was handled.”

Dressel, 27, is one of the most

high-profile names in the US Olympic squad, having won two Olympic golds in 2016 and five in Tokyo, and his damning comments come a day before the Games are officially opened on Friday.

Details of the case were first made public by the New York Times in April, which shared reporting with German broadcaster ARD. The positive tests were not made public at the time in 2021.

The World Anti-doping Agency (Wada) said it was “not in a position to disprove” the conclusion made by the China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) and opted not to appeal after consulting independent experts as well as external legal counsel.

That drew criticism from athletes and the United States AntiDoping Agency (Usada), whose chief executive Travis Tygart suggested a cover-up - a claim Wada rejected as “completely false and defamatory”.

Ferocious France beat Argentina in Olympics grudge match

France turned on the style to overwhelm Argentina - their recent antagonists - as the hosts reached the semi-finals of Olympics men’s sevens in front of an euphoric Parisian crowd.

London-born wing Aaron Grandidier scored two scintillating tries in a 26-14 victory for Les Bleus and led the jubilant celebrations at full-time with 70,000 supporters in the Stade de France.

French fans have been upset by the behaviour of Argentina’s footballers towards their nation.

Bad blood between the two countries’ football teams has developed - with Argentina deemed to have celebrated their 2022 World Cup win too exuberantly and players recently filmed chanting what is a deemed a racist song against their French counterparts.

It led to Los Pumas being angrily booed when they ran out into the Stade de France before each of their matches at the Olympic event.

The atmosphere was ferocious in the early stages of Thursday’s quarter-final - and the intensity of the French players matched it.

“I know we’ve only just won a quarter-final but the emotions we’re living in this stadium we have never experienced,” Grandidier told BBC Sport.

“It is really moving. Having 69,000 people for a game of sevens has never been seen in history.”

After a series of underwhelming performances in the pool stage, where they finished second behind Fiji, this was a statement performance from France.

Back-rower Andy Timo scored the opening try after two minutes before 24-year-old Grandidier, who has an English father and a French mother, twice stormed in down the right.

Rayan Rebbadj added the conversions as France led 21-0 at half-time, even with talisman Antoine Dupont starting on the bench.

“We knew we had to start strong against a team like Argentina, they have been so good this season,” said Grandidier.

“If we didn’t put in a XXL performance against them we knew we would be in trouble.”

Argentina narrowed the deficit to 21-14 through tries from Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta after the break, with Joaquin Pellandini

kicking the extras.

Dupont, the irrepressible 15s superstar who is one of the poster boys of the Games, came on to add some nous as France played patiently to slow down their opponent’s momentum.

Of course, Dupont also had to sprinkle some magic too. The scrum-half ran in a late try to seal victory and end Argentina’s hopes of what would have been seen as a villainous comeback.

Grandidier was at the centre of the celebrations after the final whistle, high-fiving the gleeful supporters on the front row behind the dugout.

“We need to play without pressure which maybe let us down the first couple of games but we set the record straight,” he said. (BBC)

Radcliffe apologises for wishing convicted rapist luck

Former marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe has said she is “very sorry” after wishing a convicted rapist competing at the Olympics the “best of luck”.

Steven van de Velde, who was named in the Netherlands beach volleyball squad for Paris 2024, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19.

The Dutchman, who met his victim on Facebook, travelled from Amsterdam to the UK and raped the girl at an address in Milton Keynes.

The now 29-year-old resumed his volleyball career after serving just 12 months of his four-year sentence and was selected in June for the Dutch Olympic team for the Games.

“I am mortified that I expressed it so badly and didn’t condemn the rape out loud,” said Radcliffe.

Earlier, in an interview with radio station LBC on Wednesday, she said: “I know that he is married now and has settled down.

“I think it’s a tough thing to do to punish him twice and if he’s managed to successfully turn his life around after being sent to prison, and to qualify and to be

playing sport at the highest level, then I actually wish him the best of luck.”

She referred to doping offenders being allowed to return to sport after serving bans.

In a series of posts on social media, BBC pundit Radcliffe apologised for her remarks.

“I do believe in second chances after serving punishment but think the Olympics should be for those who uphold the ideals - that’s why I poorly brought the doping comparison in,” she added.

“I myself am shocked and disappointed at how I expressed this so badly.

“I am very sorry and should have done much better. I by no means meant to overlook the crime and meant to say those who don’t uphold ideals should be excluded

but can’t be.

“I profoundly apologise and am deeply shocked and disappointed in myself and can’t understand how I managed to convey it so badly.”

Following Van de Velde’s initial selection for Paris, the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) told BBC Sport: “After his release, Van de Velde sought and received professional counselling. He demonstrated to those around himprivately and professionally - selfinsight and reflection.”

The NOC says his return to the sport met guidelines set by the Dutch Volleyball Federation (NeVoBo) in the organisation’s ‘Guidelines Integrity Record’, which sets out conditions for athletes to resume competing after conviction.

Dressel will compete in the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly in Paris

Aaron Grandidier scored two scintillating tries

Radcliffe competed at the Olympics four times in her running career

Sports National

Williams appointed as Sports Performance Coach

TCI’s first Olympian Delano Williams is the new Sports Performance Coach of the Sports Commission.

Williams, who began as a sports performance coach apprentice, was recently promoted to the senior position.

Along with being the first athlete from the TCI to have competed at the Olympics, the “Golden Boy” still holds the 100m and 200m national records.

His accolades include a bronze medal in the 4x4 Relay at the 2015 World Championships and a Bronze Medal at the 2016 European Championships.

His qualifications include multiple certifications from the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA): Certified Running Coach, Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, and CPR/ AED Certified.

He holds an associate degree in business administration from Munro College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in sports coaching at the University of Cumberlands.

Williams will be required to work in collaboration with the Head of Sports Performance in the development and implementation of performance enhancement programmes for designated sports, through the Sports Performance Centre.

He said that “Being appointed as the Sports Performance Coach is a tremendous honour, and I feel both thrilled and grateful

for this opportunity. I’m eager to leverage my skills and knowledge to elevate the teams’ performance and achieve our collective goals. This role represents a significant milestone in my career, and I’m enthusiastic about the positive impact we can make together.”

Commenting on the success of the Apprenticeship programme, Minister of Education Hon Rachel Taylor said, “I am delighted to learn of another apprentice transitioning into full employment after being meaningfully engaged in the Apprenticeship Programme.

The relevant work experience gained through new skills and knowledge will better position Mr Delano Williams to carry out his work more efficiently and effectively. I take this opportunity

to congratulate Mr Williams for his resilience and the maturity he exhibited throughout his journey. We are delighted to welcome Mr Delano Williams to the Sports Commission, as our newly appointed Sports Performance Coach. Congratulations!”

In addition, Mr Tyler Emmanuel was also appointed as a Sports Performance Coach. He has over three years of experience working as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in the United Kingdom.

He is also skilled in working with multi-sport athletes.

Emmanuel will be required to work in collaboration with the Head of Sports Performance in the development and implementation of performance enhancement programs for designated sports,

Smith appointed as Sports Commission’s facility supervisor

The Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission recently appointed Mr Cyril Smith as facility supervisor.

His role entails the coordination, supervision, and operations of sporting facilities on the island of Providenciales. He is also responsible for the supervision of facility staff and assists the Facilities Manager with facility maintenance, grounds, security, and equipment.

Mr Smith is a seasoned professional with a wealth of

experience in the hospitality and security industries.

Hailing from the picturesque island of Grand Turk, he has dedicated over a decade to ensuring the safety and security of guests and patrons. With eight years of exemplary service as a Security Officer Supervisor at the Cruise Port facility, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a keen eye for detail.

His expertise extends beyond security, having also served as an Acting Supervisor for the

security department at The Palms, where his strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities were instrumental in maintaining a safe environment.

Before this, Cyril honed his managerial skills during his threeyear tenure as a Housekeeper Supervisor at Beaches Resort TCI, where his dedication to excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction set him apart.

He is deemed an asset to the organisation and we are happy to have him on board.

through the Sports Performance Centre.

Areas of performance enhancement include strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports nutrition, and mental health. The target audience includes the youth through young adults, to build the capacity of athletes to perform at their peak, to train coaches and supportive families to develop athletes’ full potential, to sustain physical activity for the aged, and to promote inclusion in sports of women, people with special needs and other underrepresented groups.

Emmanuel has a BSc (Hons.) in Sports & Exercise Science with an Active IQ Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning. In addition to his qualifications in strength and conditioning, he is

certified in Personal Training as a Qualified Boxercise Instructor. He has great experience working primarily in the arena of football for youth and grassroots programs. His expertise includes the ability to instruct players about the correct use of functional and cardiovascular equipment, directing effective exercise programs and training strategies, and bolstering individual and team performance.

On his appointment, Mr Emmanuel shares, “It is a true blessing to be a part of such an esteemed National sporting organisation. I look forward to working with the team and all the athletes to help elevate and produce the next best Turks and Caicos elite athletes.”

Cyril Smith

Tyler Emmanuel has over three years of experience working as a Strength and Conditioning Coach Delano Williams is the new Sports Performance Coach

Leroy Hyman scored 19 points for the Skyhawks in the 16U

Several competitive basketball games and a drawn softball clash commenced this season’s Police Action League (PAL), last weekend in Providenciales.

In an exciting clash, the Skyhawks and the Guardians battled to a 13-13 draw in the 16U softball match at the Downtown Ballpark, before the 13U basketball players competed in some close clashes.

Basketball action at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex tipped off with the Guardians, coached by Mr Wadson Prophete defeating the Commanders coached by Mr Walken Gedeon in the opener.

– Action-packed games open PAL

The game proved to be an even contest with the former coming out on top via two points 36-34.

The winners were led by Yeniel Santana, who scored 13 points, three assists and three rebounds.

Johanson Steplin led the Commanders with 11 points, six rebounds and four steals.

Game two was by a large margin as Midjelyn Dorelus shot his way to 17 points, four steals and six rebounds in a 35-30 point win for Seaquest over Avengers.

Carlos Davis Morel was a one-

man army for Avengers as he scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed 11 boards.

The third, 13U clash was a blowout victory for Skyhawks, who whipped the Badgers 47-14.

Bethenly Joseph led the winners with a game-high 24 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Jarod Magny led the Badgers’ attack with 11 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

In the other age division, the 16U, Commanders edged the Guardians in the opener 41-40.

Dashawn Lightbourne, who was the Inter High Basketball Season 2023/24, MVP scored 22 points, six rebounds and three assists.

The Guardians were led by the all-round efforts of Issack Missick, who made 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks for his team.

Game two, ended with the Avengers comfortably defeating Seaquest 29 - 18. Potensky Dumesle, known for his dunks, was the Avengers’ top scorer with 10 points and a whopping 18 rebounds.

He also made two blocks.

In the final clash, the Skyhawks got past the Badgers by a score of 49-25. Leroy Hyman led the attack with 19, while Samuel Harvey II powered his way to 16 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Traheim Saunders scored 11 points for the Badgers.

Games continue this Saturday at the Downtown Ballpark and the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex, with softball from 9:30 am and basketball from 1:00 pm. Fans can purchase entry tickets at the venue: Adults $3, Children $1 (access to both softball and basketball games).

Carlos Morel was a one-man army for Avengers in a losing cause as he scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed 11 boards

Inter-High Basketball Season 2023/24 MVP’s Dashawn Lightbourne opened with 22 points, three assists, and six rebounds

Potensky Dumesle grabbed a massive 18 rebounds and 10 points for the Avengers in the 16U competition

The Guardians in action in the 16U softball battle

Midjelyn Dorelus led Seaquest with 17 points in their 13U opener