TC Weekly News March 9 - 15, 2024

Haiti took a turn for the worst this week, with massive jailbreaks and police attacks, almost total control by gangs in the capital, and a Prime Minister struggling to return home. With all talks and no action by the international community, the country looks likely to move into a full state of anarchy. The TCIG is attempting to stem a massive influx, but dire needs lead to desperate actions.

“Not Enemies”

– No bad blood between the Premier and former Deputy Premier

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a move to quell rumours of lingering animosity following their recent political rivalry, Premier Charles Washington Misick, and former Deputy Premier Erwin Jay Saunders have publicly declared that there is no bad blood between them and that they will continue to work together for the betterment of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Premier Misick has made it pellucid that there is no lingering animosity between him and the former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance who challenged him in a bruising contest for the leadership of the Progressive National Party (PNP).

The Premier broke his silence on the matter during his address at the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, for the new Deputy Premier Hon Jamell Robinson, and the new Cabinet Minister of Public Safety and Utilities Hon Kyle Knowles.

Acknowledging the former Deputy Premier’s presence at the ceremony, Misick emphasised that they are still on the same team and will continue to work together for the betterment of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“I’m happy to see Hon E Jay Saunders and I want to make it very clear that Hon Saunders and me are not enemies, we’re still a part of the same team and you’ll see that as we move forward.”

The territory’s leader stressed that the former Deputy Premier who is now a backbencher in the House of Assembly after being stripped of his portfolios, will continue to play an integral part of the government’s operations.

He said: “You will see him helping us to execute our agenda because it’s not my agenda, it’s not Robinson’s agenda, it’s the agenda of the progressive National Party and the rest of all of us who came to office in 2021 and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

“There are certain parliamentary practices and procedures that are standard and we try to follow them, they say politics is a blood sport.”

He called on ministers and party members to put aside differences and band together as a team to execute the Progressive National Party’s agenda which is buttressed by a desire to ensure the prosperity of the residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Misick said: “The PNP has had

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its fight and we are where we are.

“But I think it’s time for us to put our arms around each other, focus on the good of the people of these islands and move forward.”

“Everybody’s got their views, everyone’s got their special capacity and skills and teamwork makes the dream work.

“So all I’m asking is that as we move towards trying to build a stronger, more inclusive country, and we work together and that let the aims of all of getting a better Turks and Caicos.

“We’re doing everything we can to improve the quality of life for everyone and sometimes those decisions are difficult and we have a culture of TCI to focus on personality rather than the good of the masses.

“We’ve got a very strong me

attitude and all I’m asking is as we work together, let us start to think about being our brother’s keeper.”

Last week during his address to the nation, Saunders expressed similar sentiments and vowed to continue to passionately represent the Turks and Caicos Islands and fight for their rights even from the back bench.

He called on the party members to refocus their energies on securing a re-election for the Premier.

“Now that it’s over, we need to look to what’s next, we the PNP have an election to win and we need all hands on deck fully behind the leader of the party.

“The only thing we should be thinking about on Election Day is improving on our 14th seat and getting our premier his second term. I think we will be making

history with that because he will be the first person to have three terms in government as leader of the country”, he stated.

The Premier’s decision to terminate Saunders’ position in his Cabinet came just days after Saunders unsuccessfully challenged him for the PNP leadership earning 58 votes, to Misick’s 88 at the Party’s recently held National General Council which was rife with controversy and public bickering.

Saunders’s termination sparked mixed reactions and ignited a firestorm of online comments from residents with some expressing shock and disbelief as the Deputy Premier has been instrumental in bringing about notable positive changes for the territory during his tenure.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick (right) and former Deputy Premier Hon Erwin Jay Saunders

TCI ramps up border security as thousands break out of Haitian jails – flights suspended; borders tightened

BY DELANA ISLES

A state of emergency was declared in Haiti over the weekend following jailbreaks that resulted in some 3000 dangerous criminals, including murderers and kidnappers, escaping back onto the streets of the poor and violenceracked nation.

On the heels of this news, the TCI’s National Security Council met to strategise ways to combat an impending flood of illegal migrants into the country.

At that meeting were the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Hon Arlington Musgrove, the Permanent Secretary of Immigration and Border Services, Director General of the Border Force, the Police Commissioner, his Deputy and Assistant Commissioners, the Colonel of the TCI Regiment, and other strategic national agencies.

In an immediate response to the developing situation, the Security Council activated a Strategic Coordinating Group effective Monday, March 4.

carrying out a comprehensive strategy on land, air, and sea. This includes the deployment of marine assets, the co-opting of air support, and additional land patrols.

other operations.

country’s borders and to protect the citizens, residents, and visitors of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The TCI is also collaborating closely with its international partners in the Bahamas, United States, and the United Kingdom, reinforcing collective efforts to address the evolving circumstances.

The government said they will continue to work on a response plan to address the escalating violence and unrest in Haiti.

Kenya.

Henry was in Kenya to finalise an agreement for the deployment of a United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support mission to help the Haiti National Police combat gang violence that has destabilised the country.

In his absence, gangs launched an attack on the capital that led to the deaths of at least five police officers when they overtook a police station and forced the cancellation of international flights.

This past Monday, March 4, armed gangs attempted to take over Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

The group is responsible for Former Deputy Premier, Hon Sean Astwood has urged the government to take long-term and urgent action regarding the TCI’s border security as dangerous convicts and armed gangs roam the streets of Haiti, terrorising its citizens.

The Council has also agreed to continue with Operation Shepherd, which is a joint operation between the Royal TCI Police Force and the TCI Regiment. This joint operation will continue to tackle serious and organised crime and provide reassurance to communities through stepped-up patrols and

Additionally, the TCI Airports Authority and local air carriers have been instructed to discontinue normal flight operations into Haiti. As such, InterCaribbean has suspended operations in PortAu-Prince and Caicos Express has suspended their flight operations in Cap-Haitien. Flight operations into Haiti will continue to be monitored.

The government said the primary objective of these measures is to fortify and ensure the safety of the

News of the jailbreak came on Saturday after armed gangs attacked Haiti’s National Penitentiary allowing several notorious gang leaders and other prisoners to escape the vastly overcrowded facility.

The prison houses some of the country’s highest-profile inmatesincluding indicted suspects in the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Quoting police sources, The Miami Herald reported that the break occurred after gangs had besieged the Port-au-Prince prison for days, and unfolded while Prime Minister Ariel Henry was visiting

Monday’s firefight broke out around 1pm. after gunmen opened fire from several directions and attempted to breach the facility by creating a hole in a wall.

They were immediately met with heavy gunfire from the police, who were also accompanied by members of the Armed Forces of Haiti.

Gangs control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince, and since these concerted attacks, they have grown even more powerful.

Opposition calls for heightened security amid Haiti jailbreaks

said.

He reiterated that securing the country’s borders has to be a top priority, particularly with the new threat arising out of the chaos in Haiti.

Astwood’s call came on the heels of the jailbreaks on Saturday which saw 3000 inmates - from murderers to kidnappers and other dangerous criminals - escaping Haiti’s National Penitentiary following a two-day siege on the overcrowded facility by armed gangs.

He said in recent years, border security in the TCI has become an increasingly pressing issue that demands immediate attention from the government.

“The porous state of our borders poses significant risks to national security, public safety, and the well-being of our citizens.

“It is imperative that decisive action is taken to strengthen border security measures and safeguard our nation from potential threats,” the former government minister

“Haiti is now under a state of emergency, according to reports by regional and international news organisations of gangs breaking gang leaders and members out of prison.

“They are now free to catch the next sloop to TCI that this government promised they would have stopped years ago.”

Astwood emphasised that the unchecked flow of illegal immigrants, contraband, guns and potentially dangerous individuals across TCI’s borders presents a clear and present danger to the country.

“Not only does this compromise our national sovereignty, but it also undermines efforts to maintain law and order within our borders.”

He said the rise in transnational crime, human and drug smuggling, further underscores the urgent

need for robust border security measures.

But illegal sloops are not the only national security issue that needs the government’s urgent attention, the PDM member said.

“The influx of undocumented immigrants places a significant strain on our social services,

healthcare system, and economy.

“The unchecked entry of individuals seeking to exploit our resources without contributing to our society only serves to exacerbate existing challenges and deepen societal divides.”

He said addressing border security is not just a matter of

national security but also a crucial component of ensuring the wellbeing and prosperity of the nation and its citizens.

He added that in addition to boosting land, sea and air support –which the government announced on Monday has been boosted – they also need to invest in advanced technology and increase border patrol staffing.

“The government must prioritise border security as a top national issue and allocate the necessary resources to enhance surveillance, improve infrastructure by increasing the number of radar sites for better coverage, purchase new air and sea vessels, equipment and deploy personnel to effectively patrol and secure our borders,” Astwood insisted.

He said action cannot be delayed at this point.

“By prioritising border security and implementing effective measures to secure our borders, we can protect our nation, our citizens, and our way of life.” (DELANA ISLES)

Hon Sean Astwood, Former Deputy Premier”

A demonstrator holds up a Haitian flag during protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Friday. Odelyn Joseph/AP

TACTICAL POLITICS OR AUTOCRACY

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick’s decision to remove his deputy could be seen as a tactical political play or borderline autocracy, depending on what end of the political spectrum you are viewing this decisive move.

In November 2022, it was Akierra Missick, who lost her Ministerial post, now it’s the poster boy of the PNP Erwin Jay Saunders. Both were much liked and both had built portfolios that could have bolstered their political careers.

It can be argued that Misick’s decision to stop Saunders, the man who challenged him for leadership of the party late last month, is justifiable. But should there not be a separation between government and party politics?

Is the PNP moving forward as a united front with multiple power players or is it just a one-man show?

What are your thoughts?

Insecure leader

In business, the most successful CEOs are those who surround themselves we people who are smarter than them.

With Akierra Misick as an earlier example, and now the firing of Jay Saunders, it is obvious that an insecure leader of the PNP is instead firing those valuable people.

Not a good omen for the development of the country!

Power without vision

A one-man show is always highlighted by the current Premier. He is not about advancement and displays the characteristics of Hitler. The Premier has done nothing but play tug-o-war with the people. Give you a dollar then turn around and tax you $20. Power without mercy, long-term vision, or empathy.

Lacking

You’re right. Poster Boy: a brilliant mind but don’t expect him to execute a to-do list.

No confidence

It is the gift and power of the party leader and Premier to select his team and cabinet.

The state of affairs in the ruling Progressive National Party, otherwise known as the PNP, shows a ship that’s near shore and is about to run aground.

Proceedings at the recent 2024 PNP convention, allegations and remarks flowing from it, indicate a leader who is no longer in Command and his people, “want him gone”. The word is that “we are tired of Washy”.

It is a sad state of affairs when a leader does not know that his time on the stage is over and there is “no more applause coming from anyone. Washy’s victory over EJ Saunders, a political neophyte was easy because the young man has yet to learn the rules of the game and the “skullduggery” that goes with it”.

Young Saunders made fatal mistakes because at one time there was a campaign in his favour within the last 24 months but without explanation, he suddenly dropped it, ignoring the cries for change from within the PNP and those PDM supporters who crossed over or stayed home in the 2021 elections.

Saunders after dropping his clandestine campaign, to the surprise of many of his supporters, suddenly picked it up at the last minute. His base was obviously confused and were by then, already committed to Washy for the moment.

With the Premier scoring 88 votes and Saunders garnering 58, it shows a clear lack of confidence by the PNP’s rank and file across the country and where the people are regarding this current Premier. They want him gone but the troops were led by an inexperienced leader.

Saunders fell on his sword

The Hon EJ Saunders should not have imagined that he would wake up and be king. He had to respond to what people on the street and the wider community were telling him.

The Washy era is over. If the PNP were reading the tea leaves, they would realise that where the country is today, people need more than slogans, nasty rhetoric, mere empty promises and the like. The flailing attempt on Washy’s leadership and its “lost cause reality” reflects what people are saying and feeling on the ground. If a poll were held, it is possible that “none of the above” would be the outcome. Saunders really did not acquit himself well.

His post-convention speech, on the other hand, created fallout, consternation and surprise. His admonition to support the Premier seems incredulous and contradictory.

How do you run against the Premier for leadership and days later you are calling for unity? It is either your campaign for leader was a legitimate one or a knee-jerk grab for power. Being the son of a PNP founding Father, former Chief Minister, the Hon Norman Saunders, it is not clear that young EJ Saunders inherited any of his father’s political skills.

The elder Saunders was often seen as a man of the people, while the son seems a bit elitist, aloof, “stand-offish” and not

really keen on reaching out to the average man. Walking among kings but no common touch. The post-convention speech caused him a lot of ground and really “did him in”, he really fell on his sword.

The late Lloyd Bentsen, former US Senator, in a vice-presidential debate delivered Dan Quayle after he invoked the name of John F. Kennedy, a massive rebuke. It was like this, Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.

The same may be true of EJ Saunders in the context of political skill, he may be the son of Norman Saunders but he is “No Norman Saunders”.

Time for a change

To be a leader, you must be ruthless, and in politics, kindness and weakness really

and truly do not fit. You must be ready, willing, and able to “cut the political necks off your opponents and get rid of them”. There is really no democracy within political parties and the savvy leader would be ruthless in how he dispenses power, makes selections, and leads the officers of State. Getting raid of Akierra Missick was inevitable because she would not bow down and worship him and of course, he could see her coming.

Social media seems exceptionally silent in the wake of the removal of EJ. When Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, former PDM premier, was tasked with the responsibility to mete discipline to the Hon Josephine Connolly, social media was wild and crazy and the then Premier “couldn’t catch a break”. No leader would surround himself with people who could easily replace him. It does not matter that they were capable; political survival depends on the law of expediency and doing what’s right in your own interests”. In the case of young Saunders, he is alleged to have objected to some of the deals and decisions that were being made and not in the best interests of the people of the TCI.

Not all is well in “Salem” and the official PDM Opposition has made various allegations surrounding these would-be decisions about the “sale” or proposed “joint venture.

It is also said on the street, that there were certain bills and measures, Saunders refused to take to Parliament, owing to their nature. While holding on to power for the time, it is clear that the Premier would not be able to take his cabinet with him. They are bucking the trend and most of his decisions, he cannot explain to the people or his own bench. With all of these pressures and tensions within the ruling Progressive National Party, there is that feeling that elections are imminent, could be morn, noon or night but sometime this year ahead of the constitutionally mandated 2025 Feb elections. Again, that shows that the government is in trouble with the people as there is a consensus that elections are to be earlier and that this is indeed time for a change.

Pluck out the weeds

These things happen in politics. The Premier is thinking about himself over his party, that’s obvious. On the flip side of it though, if he had retained Saunders and the young ambitious politician attempted another “overthrow” and Misick lost, he would only have himself to blame.

Pluck out the weeds before they flood your garden.

Kyle Knowles, the missing link

Your man Kyle Knowles is obviously the heir apparent to the throne and is likely to be the next Premier or leader of the PNP. He is silent and has a good reputation with people, PDM and PNPs alike. His personal life as a man in “public life” is something to be proud of and he is emerging amid the strife within the ranks of his own party.

It is understood that he does not like the trappings of public life and eschews going to bars, strip joints and places where the real political players tend to go because it simply is not his style. You would say he came from “good, good parents” and was well brought up. This is the kind of example that is needed in a country falling apart at the seams with crimes, murders, rapes and fatherless homes.

Young Knowles may be a shining example but he may also be in the wrong party and modern TCI politics is really gutter. It is interesting during the Shaun Malcolm and Courtney Missick, freedom of speech debacle, it was Knowles they sent to defend the PNP’s position and to suggest they were not against freedom of speech.

He is also the messenger to suggest to the public that the PNP is united against the backdrop of its 2024 convention that will go down in history as a fish market fight.

Allegations that some of the delegates used derogatory language against the wife of the Premier and she was prompted to remind some of them of their criminal past over 40 years ago. It is a party ripe for change and transition and young “Master Kyle Knowles” is the one that this country may look forward to for leading that change.

A win for the PDM

This is perfect for the PDM. More infights, more disunity, and the story comes out. Victory in 2024 or early 2025 seems more likely now. The PNP is falling to pieces and they have only themselves to blame.

Divided PNP

All signs are that the PNP is deeply divided and they want Washy gone. The PDM need not rest on this precipice and must get their message out to show they are ready to govern and that it will not be more of the same.

This is certainly shaping up to be one of those elections where they want the leader gone and people are prepared to vote against them or stay at home. It is the political model of the TCI where autocracy prevails and One Man, the Premier is the last and only voice.

Never in this current Parliament would one witness any PNP MP voting against any measure whether that measure is good or bad for the people. That’s modern government. There is little to show from any budget that the people are benefitting. It was seen as a “stab in the back” that ministers and top-level civil servants took huge salary increases but gave the bottom ranks of the public services a ten per cent increase, peanuts. A huge budget but people are suffering and there is frustration.

A “runaway youth” situation and there is the feeling that “they do not care”. Crime and murders are out of control, hitting again the tourism areas and threatening the tourism product. Tensions at the airport and the firing of workers, while involved in industrial action, may be against the law and show that this Premier has lost control of the reigns to the ship of state.

Duo charged with kidnapping

Two men will face the courts soon to answer to several charges relating to kidnapping and weapon possession.

Wilfredo Williams, 32, and Jonathan Alexander Handfield, 33, both of Providenciales, have each been charged with the following: kidnapping, robbery, possession of an offensive weapon, inflicting bodily injury

and taking away a motor vehicle, according to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The charges stemmed from an incident at Parade Avenue, Providenciales, on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Both accused are remanded in custody, pending a sufficiency hearing.

Shooting in Kew Town leads to swift arrests – woman hit by stray bullet

A 57-year-old woman is currently nursing a gunshot wound after allegedly being hit with a stray bullet this past Wednesday, March 6.

The incident occurred at about 2:17pm when residents along Black Crow Road in Kew Town, Providenciales reported hearing gunshots in the community to police.

When police arrived on the scene, eyewitnesses reported seeing a vehicle hastily leaving the area following the shooting. A coordinated response resulted in officers intercepting the suspected vehicle on Bay Road, where two men of Five Cays, ages 28 and 21, were arrested.

At 2:36 pm, officers received additional information that a woman was seeking medical treatment at the hospital. According

to police, the woman revealed that she was hit by a stray bullet while in Kew Town the same day.

Head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, Superintendent Dean Holden commended the swift arrests, stating: “Today’s arrest marks a significant step towards ensuring justice and restoring community safety. Criminal behaviour will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 2311842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-8008477.

Residents are once again encouraged to download the Crimestoppers P3 app and share information anonymously.

Jonathan Alexander Handfield

Air traffic controllers stage sick-out, causing flight delays and disruption in TCI

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Air traffic controllers in the Turks and Caicos Islands staged a sickout on Friday, causing flight delays and disruptions for hundreds of passengers.

The action was in protest of low pay and poor working conditions. The controllers demanded a 5070% pay increase, as well as improvements to their working conditions.

Since then, several air traffic controllers who participated in the sick-out on Friday, March 1, 2024, have been terminated and the TCIAA is moving at breakneck speed to recruit new and former employees to fill the vacancies created as a consequence of the industrial action, as part of its efforts to ensure that adequate staffing levels are restored as soon as possible.

The disgruntled workers who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace reported sick and refused to work last Friday, to demand the attention of authorities to issues affecting them in the workplace.

Poor working conditions, low pay in comparison to regional standards, and outdated equipment were some of the grievances highlighted by air traffic workers as reasons for the strike.

The issue was brought to the Public’s attention by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (“TCIAA”) which advised the public that its airports throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands (“TCI”) remain operational amidst a “sick-out” carried out by its air traffic controllers.

The industrial action disrupted

travel plans for hundreds of passengers coming and leaving the destination.

However, through quick and decisive interventions, the Turks and Caicos Islands government and the TCIAA implemented a string of measures to mitigate the fallout and ensure the airport’s operations were not suspended; and scheduled flights arrived and departed albeit with some delays.

The Airport Authority said the actions of the works constituted a “breach of trust and integrity”, as well as a failure to adhere to the standards of honesty and transparency expected of all employees.

Underscoring its support for employees’ well-being and further recognising the need for occasional sick leave when necessary, the TCIAA said this leave mustn’t be “abused or exploited for personal gain and/or with the intentional pursuit of causing harm, the disruption of business, and compromising the safety of the travelling public”.

“Notably, those participating in the “sick-out” falsely reported their absence as due to illness and then subsequently attended the meeting held to discuss and pursue negotiations for a salary increase.

“This conduct further undermines the principles of integrity, professionalism and accountability and the TCIAA cautions the public against endorsing such behaviour, particularly in the case where it was admitted by one of the representatives for the group that the action taken by them was upon reflection, wrong”, the TCIAA said.

SWIFT INTERVENTION

In an effort to mitigate the fallout and address the workers’ concerns, Acting Governor, HE Anya Williams and Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick, Minister with responsibility of the Turks and Caicos Airports Authority (TCIAA), Hon Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Tourism Hon Josephine Connolly, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Hon Jamell Robinson and Minister of Education, Hon Rachel Taylor met with the Chairman and members of the TCI Air Traffic Controllers Association on Friday.

Despite the Government’s 31% increase in pay which was previously awarded to Air Traffic Controllers in 2022, the workers reiterated their request to the TCIAA for additional increases in pay, having presented a proposal to the TCIAA for pay increases that range from 50-70%, as well as increases in allowances, Christmas bonuses and other remuneration requests during the meeting.

A statement from the government said the ATC Association was advised of the government’s intention to undertake a comprehensive review of the salaries of all statutory bodies across the government.

“This initiative led by Ernst and Young (Jamaica) is scheduled to commence in March 2024; however, efforts were being made to expedite this work; the recommendations of which would be back paid to April 1, 2024.

“There was agreement from two of the six officers present at the meeting to return to work,

while others advised that they were not in agreement to do so”, the Government explained.

Recognising the importance of airport operations from both a national security and an economic perspective, the government with the TCIAA quickly made arrangements to ensure the continued operation of the international airports on Friday.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick who condemned the industrial action, stressed the seriousness of the demonstration, noting the potential adverse effect on the territory’s economy. He said: “The HHIA is the gateway to the Turks and Caicos Islands, and on a weekend when international arrivals are expected to be in the thousands, we cannot allow the behaviour of a select few to disrupt the livelihoods, health, and safety of the people who make this country great.”

Misick emphasised that his Government has been working with TCIAA and all other stakeholders to ensure the Howard Hamilton International Airport operates smoothly.

He said: “It is unacceptable to hold the economy and national security of our country hostage. Our top priority is the safety of all domestic and international travellers, and we will work to prevent any disruptions to travel plans.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Hon Musgrove condemned the actions of those who he said “sought to disrupt the Turks and Caicos Islands’ economy via the nation’s gateway”.

“The actions taken by a small

group of persons had impacted national security and a threat to life, medical evacuations and flights were delayed, causing a triple effect on the travelling public and the country.

“I want to thank those who have demonstrated their commitment to our country by realizing that we are better together than divided as a nation.”

Musgrove said the government has dialogued with stakeholders throughout the day, ensuring that they are kept abreast of the negotiations and, ultimately, the stern decisions made to protect livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, the Acting Governor underscored the government’s commitment to resolving the concerns of the nation’s essential personnel.

She said: “But we must always place the health, safety, and economic stability of our citizens as our top priority.

“My team has fully re-engaged Ernst & Young (Jamaica) to progress the review of statutory body compensation packages and will prioritize the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority.

“We are committed to having the concerns independently represented to the consultants and we look forward to an amicable end of all concerns.”

REPUTATIONAL HARM

Underscoring that the Howard Hamilton International Airport is the territory’s main gateway, a press release from Nikeva Ariza, TCIAA spokesperson stressed that the Air Traffic Controllers were

Howard Hamilton International Airport, Providenciales

This table provides a comparative breakdown of the compensation scheme for air traffic controllers at the TCIAA before 2022, the current salary resulting from the 2022 increase, and the salary that the group demanded to be given to them forthwith without any further due diligence

Over 100 public service professionals in the Turks and Caicos Islands recently participated in a two-day training seminar titled “Decision Making in the Public Service: Avoiding Legal Challenges.”

The seminar hosted by the Civil Litigation Division within the Attorney General’s Chambers was designed to provide valuable insights and practical strategies for senior public service and senior public sector professionals to enhance their decision-making processes and mitigate the risk of legal challenges.

The workshop formed part of a series of training offered by the Attorney Chamber’s Chambers.

Senior Public service professionals as well as senior leaders and senior managers in statutory bodies are often tasked with the responsibility of making critical and sometimes complex decisions that have far-reaching implications for their respective organisations as well as for the

individuals and the public at large.

It is therefore imperative for decision-makers to have a thorough understanding of legal principles, procedural requirements, and best practices to ensure that their decisions are robust, defensible, and consistent with the law.

The training seminar forms part of the Attorney General’s Chambers key strategic programme delivery to meet its mandate of strengthening decision-making in the public sector as a whole. It covered a range of topics essential to effective decision-making in the public sector, including: -

• Understanding the Legal Framework: An overview of relevant legislation, regulations, and case law governing decision-making in the public sector.

• Procedural Fairness and Due Process: Best practices for ensuring procedural fairness, including consultation, transparency, and the duty to give reasons for decisions.

Public Service professionals at the two-day seminar

• Effective Communication and Documentation: The importance of clear and concise communication, recordkeeping, and documentation in supporting defensible decisionmaking.

• The Disciplinary process - the investigation, the tribunal and the final decision

• Suspension, Interdiction and Administrative Leave; when and how they are applied and how to mitigate risk of failing to follow the correct procedures

• Decision-making and Managing conflicts of Interest

• Case Studies and Practical Examples: Real-world case studies and scenarios illustrating common legal challenges faced by public service professionals, and strategies for avoiding or addressing these challenges. The seminar was hosted over two days at the Palms Resort Conference Room in Providenciales and featured expert speakers and facilitators within the

Civil Litigation Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers with practical experience representing the public service and the wider public sector in litigation where decision-making forms a central feature of the matters at issue.

The Presenters included

Principal Crown Counsel Ms Clemar B Hippolyte, Principal Legislative Drafter Ms Desiree Downes, Senior Crown Counsel, Ms Khadija MacFarlane and Mr Herbert Dakasi and Crown Counsel Ms Tamika Simms Williams.

These attorneys form the Civil Litigation division with Ms Downes heading the Legislative Drafting division of the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Together, this team of presenters have extensive experience in administrative law, governance, and public sector management and were able to deliver invaluable content and smoothly fielded questions from participants. Participants had the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions,

group exercises, and networking opportunities to enhance their learning experience.

Opening the training remotely, Attorney General, Hon Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE K.C. said “we are excited to offer this training seminar to public service and public sector professionals seeking to enhance their decisionmaking skills and minimize the risk of legal challenges.

“We see a range of issues as we undertake our work as legal representatives and advisers and it is an important part of our mandate to provide training that will assist in strengthening the capability of public service and public service professionals. We are very pleased with the strong uptake of the seminar.

“By providing practical guidance and insights, my Chambers aim to empower participants to make informed, defensible decisions that uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and legality.”

Air traffic controllers stage sick-out, causing ...

intentional in their desire “to cause significant and irreparable harm to the reputation of TCI as a stable premium travel destination and its economy.”

She described the sick out as a “strategically coordinated activity”, where Air Traffic Controllers who were scheduled to work the Air Traffic Control Towers at the Howard Hamilton International Airport and JAGS McCartney International Airport failed to report to duty and claimed to be of ill health, while others who were not scheduled for that day refused to answer their phones.

To avert a full shutdown of the Airport’s operations, a small dedicated team of employees qualified to operate the towers worked non-stop throughout the day to ensure that flights safely arrived and departed both airports, Ariza revealed.

Out of the group of six Air

Traffic Controllers, only two agreed to return to work, while four declined to confirm their return at the time”, the TCIAA stated.

DEMANDS

The primary motive for the action taken by the Air Traffic Controllers was to force the TCIAA and TCIG to immediately agree to their demands for salary increases.

According to the TCIAA, these demands were made even though during January and February 2024 there were several communications and a meeting between the Air Traffic Controllers, Hon. Arlington Musgrove and the TCIAA to discuss their request for salary increases.

“On several occasions, the employees were advised that the Government initiated a salary review of all statutory bodies,

including the TCIAA, utilising a reputable global accounting firm with the view to determining and guiding the development of an equitable compensation scheme for all employed in a public service.”

The Airport Authority explained that during this period, the air traffic controllers presented material purporting to represent salary comparisons for their counterparts throughout the region and were invited to provide the TCIAA with the sources for the data cited for forwarding to TCIG for consideration as part of the salary review exercise.

“On 12th February 2024, the TCIAA advised the group that the data they provided was passed on to the Deputy Governor’s Office for inclusion in material to be considered by the consultants conducting the review.

“The group was also advised of the Government’s appointment

of the consultants and the planned commencement of the review by May 2024

“ In response to this advice, the group responded to the TCIAA dismissing the need and value of an expert salary review, indicating no desire to participate in the study, and effectively directed that their salary demands be met without further discussion at the start of the 2024/2025 Fiscal Budget.

“In addition to this response, the group cancelled a meeting initially requested by the TCIAA for 15th February 2024 and provided no further correspondence about the matter and gave no notice of the intention to pursue industrial action of any kind.

“During the meeting with the six representatives for the air traffic controllers on 1st March 2024, the Government confirmed its commitment to expediting the

CONTINUED

salary review and elevated the Airports Authority to the top of its list of bodies to be studied and reported on.

“Those present on behalf of TCIG and the TCIAA reiterated the position that the exercise aims to achieve equity and equality of compensation for the benefit of all employees and not just one particular group”, the TCIAA lamented.

Coupled with this, in 2021, all employees received a Christmas Bonus, the first to be given in the history of the organisation, and later on in the first quarter of the 2022- 2023 fiscal year, the Government and the TCIAA gave not only the Air Traffic Controllers but all of its employees two salary increases averaging a 31% uplift.

AG’s Chambers train public service professionals on ways to avoid legal challenges

Farewell to 69 old “Mama D”

Serving as a dialysis nurse in TCI for 12 years

The month of March is Kidney National Month and so this article is a tribute to one of the dialysis nurses, Mrs Bernardita Purugganan (also known as Mama D). Mama D started working in the Turks and Caicos from March 5, 2012, to March 5, 2024. I appreciate Mama D so much not only because of her contribution as a nurse but she is one of the greatest supporters of my weekly writings and my two books.

Bernardita Purugganan was born in the Philippines on July 5th, 1954, which meant that she had passed the retirement age of 65 but of course, she felt that she had a lot more to contribute and so she continued to work until age 69.

Mama D has been working as a nurse since the age of 21 when she graduated from a nursing school in the Philippines. After working for four years in her country, she

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.

migrated to Saudi Arabia where she worked there until 2012 before coming to the Turks and Caicos. So, you see, Mama D spent most of her career in Saudi Arabia. In fact, she constantly reminded the patients and nurses of her 33 years in Saudi Arabia and when there was an issue at the dialysis unit, she would say it was not like that in Saudia Arabia.

Mama D is married and has two children, a son, a daughter, four

grandsons, and one granddaughter.

Mama D ended up in the Turks and Caicos because her daughter Stephanie and her son-in-law Eddie were nurses at Cheshire Hall Medical Center.

Mama D is a woman of God and her relationship with God strengthened while she was in the Turks and Caicos. She was a member of one of the Philippine Churches and made sure to invite

people to church. I visited her church on two occasions. She was also involved in regular Christmas Caroling. She and her church colleagues drove all the way to Chalk Sound to sing Christmas Carols at our home.

Mama D is full of energy and walks very fast. She likes to dance and sing. She is also a very kind person. Each time we went to dialysis, Mama D would provide us with snacks. She would also give me that special Spanish Bread and the Philippines mango for my children, something they love very much.

Mama D also encouraged me so much. If there is one person who liked or commented on my writings, it would be Mama D. She bought several of my books and gave them as gifts to her friends. She is indeed one of my biggest fans.

Finally, Mama D was a great nurse. She made sure she took care of her patients. She was very alert and dedicated to the nursing field.

Thank you, Mama D, for coming to the Turks and Caicos. I am so glad our paths crossed. Because of Mama D and the other nurses, I have learned to appreciate people from different countries. There are a lot of negativities about “foreigners,” but we depend on these nurses and there is not one Turks and Caicos Islander who is a dialysis nurse.

With that said, I want to wish everyone a Happy National Kidney Day and I encourage individuals to do a medical check frequently and watch what you consume so that you do not end up on dialysis. However, if you do end up on dialysis, you will be in the hands of some excellent nurses.

Is your smartphone making you less smart?

It does not matter the circumstance in which we find ourselves; everywhere, everyone is always head-locked in the screens of their smartphones – disconnected from their immediate surroundings.

For me, it is unintelligible how so many people can allow a device to absorb their time and attention in such a way that it cancels out everything around them.

Cumulative evidence exhibits that mobile phone distraction, mainly among adults, is emerging and knowing this technology is a major facet of our lives; it is snowballing into a catastrophic addiction.

This is manifested amidst drivers in Providenciales! Empirical evidence reveals that smartphone distraction among motorists is

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.

occasioning cognitive demands regarding texting, playing games, watching videos, and browsing social networking sites, and seemingly, they trigger a myriad of dangerous driving.

Envisage a truck carrying water and the driver moving more than 40 mph on Leeward Highway with his head buried in the screen of his

phone.

What would your first reaction be? You are correct; they swerved dangerously into the other lane and forced other drivers to slow drastically or stop abruptly.

In the workplace, these related demands limit the attention of the employee, which ultimately affects their psychological wellbeing, and citing researchers, the downsides are often stress, anxiety and depression.

Additionally, smartphone diversion is positively correlated to emotional preoccupation. It sways the employee to neglect priorities and commitments, through regular brief – and sometimes extended – probing of applications on their

phones. No wonder there is such a high degree of incoherence among employees. Undoubtedly, this has caused a drastic dip in customer service in the workplace, productivity and profitability.

So, the next time you’re urged to use social media, assess the impacts on the company’s reputation and finances from constantly gaping at the eventualities on your cellular phones, leaving your tasks undone.

It’s even worse when the individual is at home! Analysts say the excessive use of mobile technology highlights the negative consequence of sleep disturbance and culpable for anti-social behaviors among families and friends.

Imagine how bad it is to isolate your family and friends by giving your absolute attention to social media.

But these behaviours are not unique to this generation; these antisocial habits have evolved over time with technological innovations!

While former cohorts had no access to smartphone technology

and social networks like Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram and Twitter, still similar negative deportments emanated from colour televisions and soap opera shows like the “Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and “Days of our loves.”

So, I ask what has triggered this infectious cancer among us? What is the treatment plan? And if I may ask, what is so fascinating about the phone screens that have everyone so distracted?

To answer these questions, companies could simply implement workplace phone policies, and since there is no formal education concerning smartphone usage, drivers and other individuals should consider introspection, while assessing their impulsive behaviours.

From this, other questions have surfaced, are you addicted and unproductive? And are your smartphones making you less smart?

If so, consider the detriments at work, for other road users and your families, and make a change!

A high-stakes upcoming election in TCI, who is better poised to bridge our divide?

In a thriving democracy like the Turks and Caicos Islands, we need more than just a few political parties; it demands that these parties truly connect with a wider electorate. This involves creating policies that mirror the collective ambitions and hurdles of our island nation, not just the interest of a select few.

The path to being an informed voter is riddled with challenges, particularly the allure of aligning with a party or ideology without deep analysis. In an era filled with misinformation, how do we base our beliefs on truth and politicians’ genuine concern for the people?

We must see beyond political divisions, recognising our shared fate, because unity is our strength, though often hard to achieve.

Times like these have never been more critical. As Turks Islanders, we have to ask ourselves are we safer and better off now than three years ago?

OCTOPEN

BY ED FORBES

A concerned citizen of Grand Turk

On the heels of the pandemic among many other competing priorities this government had to face, most would agree a number of boxes have been checked. What the voters will have to decide is, whether or not the right boxes were checked and have made a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens.

THE COUNTRY IS FACING A PIVOTAL MOMENT; Turks Islanders must assess governance by the real improvements in everyday lives.

Case in point: With the rapid growth and development, are we advancing fast enough to keep up with the growing demands, from food security to adequate housing and transportation? Are we

attracting and entertaining the right investors who can deliver on what is needed to strengthen our economy and create better employment opportunities for our people? Is national security front and centre of our leaders’ discussions, and are we investing enough in this area in terms of improving in critical infrastructure and advancement in technology? These are some of the essential concerns that often get lost in political rhetoric. Democracy works when you have two strong political parties working in concert to bring people together. This will ensure they are shaping policies together that impact the entire country in a positive way and not disenfranchise some.

Every candidate should have to answer a few simple questions; what have you personally done in your career that has directly impacted people? What have you done to uplift citizens in your communities and make a difference in the vast majority of us?

There is nothing wrong with being a strong supporter of a particular party, but at what point do we as concerned citizens become more educated voters? Its important to understand that when people possess strong political identities they may be more vulnerable to false narratives or facts.

We have more in common than we have apart, and we will all rise and fall together if we don’t unite. What some candidates lack is the ability to stay engaged and focused on what it takes to execute on issues rather than just platitudes. So, how do we change that?

It is our voice and action that matters and this should include civil

servants. A voice that speaks out against injustice, calls out corruption and wants to have a say in the values shaping our communities.

More and more of our people are feeling voiceless and stifled and feel that those in power are creating division and putting their interests before those of the people.

That is why I believe we need political leaders whose mission includes helping everyday people unlock their power to create real change, rather than implementing policies that in the end hurt the little guy and stifle local entrepreneurship.

We should be looking to elect candidates who are interested in growing the middle class, because the wealth gap is widening between the rich and the poor, helping our communities grow, improving our healthcare system, lowering inflation, and making life for

Am I a liar?

So, while thinking about my next column, I ended up questioning my honesty, integrity, and my looks (we will leave this one alone for now). I started to reflect on the different types of liars I’ve met throughout the years and tried to see where I fit into this spectrum of liars.

This led to a Google search (“types of liars”) to see if it was a thing. And it is… kinda – for example, there’s the sociopathic liar vs. the occasional liar vs. the white liar… all different types of liars. The different types of liars can be categorized as ranging on a spectrum from pathological (the very worst type of liar) on one end, to tactful (the least harmful type of liar) on the opposite end while taking into consideration, of course, the various reasons people lie.

In order these are:

Pathological, Intentional, Manipulative, Protective, Avoidant, Impressive, Lazy, and Tactful liars. I am not sure I am a serial liar but how can my white lies affect my relationships? Here

are how and why:

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

PATTERN FORMATION:

Repeated lies, even about trivial matters, can establish a pattern of dishonesty, leading others to question the veracity of everything the person says. No good.

BETRAYAL OF EXPECTATIONS:

Even minor lies can violate the trust others have in the person’s integrity. People expect honesty in all interactions, regardless of the significance of the subject matter.

INTEGRITY AND CHARACTER:

Honesty is often seen as a reflection of one’s character and integrity. Consistently lying, no matter how small, can damage perceptions of a person’s moral fiber.

CUMULATIVE IMPACT:

Each lie, no matter how minor, contributes to the erosion of trust. Over time, the cumulative effect can be significant, causing substantial damage to the relationship.

DIFFICULTY IN DISCERNING INTENTIONS:

Small lies can make it challenging to discern when the person is being truthful or deceitful, leading to skepticism and uncertainty in the relationship.

UNDERMINING COMMUNICATION:

Trust is fundamental for open and effective communication. Lying about trivial matters can undermine this communication by creating barriers and inhibiting genuine dialogue.

SENSE OF DISRESPECT:

Lying, even about minor issues, can convey a lack of respect for the other person’s right to know the truth. It suggests a disregard for their feelings and undermines the foundation of mutual respect.

LOSS OF EMOTIONAL SAFETY:

Trust provides a sense of emotional safety and security in relationships. When lies are detected, regardless of their significance, it can shatter this

sense of safety, leading to feelings of betrayal and insecurity.

AN HONORABLE MENTION IS THE HEROIC (SELFSACRIFICING) LIAR:

This type of liar is exceedingly rare, which is why they’re not included among the eight most common type of liars, the heroic liar. Similar to the protective liars in that they’ll go to extremes to protect, but in their case, they lie to defend (or safeguard) someone they love (or to save a stranger even if they believe it’s the right thing to do). The heroic liar’s place on the spectrum would fall at the very end, past the well-meaning liar.

I think this defines me quite well. When I lie, I do so for the greater good. To protect others because sometimes, I just do not want to be mean. So please remember, for a profound and undamaged relationship, one must lie.

It is totally ok!

Share your thoughts.

Louisedens@gmail.com

Musgrove and Parker freed of rape and kidnapping convictions – No

new trials directed

BY DELANA ISLES

The court of appeal has freed Shavez Musgrove – who along with Andrew Parker – was tried and convicted of kidnapping and rape offenses and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The two were convicted on December 3, 2021, after a trial by jury.

The appellate court delivered its verdict on Musgrove’s appeal last February 29, in a Providenciales courtroom, and the written decision was uploaded shortly to the TCI Judiciary’s website.

On October 19, 2023, the appeals for both men were heard, and upon the completion of submissions by both counsels, the Crown conceded that Parker’s appeal should be allowed, and his conviction and sentences quashed.

Upon that concession and after a consideration of the evidence, the justices allowed his appeal, setting his convictions and sentences aside, with no order for a retrial.

Similarly, the court has decided to quash Musgrove’s convictions and sentences.

The court noted that having regard to the passage of almost seven years since the incident is alleged to have taken place, and the destruction of some of the physical evidence due to a fire at the exhibit room, it would not be in

the interest of justice for a new trial to be ordered.

The judgement cited that the trial judge failed to direct the jury properly on the law relating to the offences.

The Crown’s case against both appellants depended solely on the DNA evidence of the forensic scientist, there being no identification of either of the appellants, nor any confessions or admissions to the commission of any of the offences charged.

No DNA evidence incriminating either appellant was obtained from any vaginal swab of any of the complainants, there being evidence of the use of condoms by the assailants.

The DNA evidence in relation to Parker came from swabs of the gear stick of the vehicle.

In relation to Musgrove, the DNA evidence came from swabs of portions of a torn condom box, found at the scene at Grace Bay Village; and from swabs of a torn condom box recovered from the trunk area of the vehicle, said to have been one of the loci in the vehicle where sexual assault took place.

The case was prosecuted on the basis that the various pieces of a condom box recovered from the vehicle and from the location where the vehicle was said to have been parked at Grace Bay Village were all a part of one torn-up

condom box, which was the box which one of the victims had been forced to buy.

However, the court stated there was no evidence to show that the pieces were scientifically proven to have constituted one box, or that anyone had attempted to put the pieces together to determine if in fact they constituted pieces when fit together would make a complete box.

The two men were charged with three counts of rape, three counts of kidnapping, two counts of robbery, three counts of possession of imitation firearm with intent to cause fear, and a single count of taking a motor vehicle without authority.

On December 8, 2021, they were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for each of the three counts of rape, to run concurrently; 10 years for each of the three counts of kidnapping, to run concurrently with each other but consecutively to the 15 years for rape.

Ten years for each of the two counts of robbery, to run concurrently with the 10 years for kidnapping; 15 years for each of the three counts of possession of an imitation firearm with Intent to Cause Fear, to run concurrently with the 15 years for rape, and three years for taking a motor vehicle without authority, to run concurrently with the 10 years for kidnapping.

A high-stakes upcoming election in ...

everyday Turks Islanders better.

Having honest, forthright, and visionary leaders are all too rare in politics. Some of our inspiring leaders are on the outside or were on the inside at one point. They see the issues, they talk about the issues, but once on the inside, they tend to lose focus and appear hesitant to challenge the status quo.

Use your voice to advocate for lasting change in TCI. We have to make our government better, more efficient and more responsive.

At a time when division among our people is more prevalent than unity, we must stick together. We must have a drive passion and purpose to get the attention needed.

We have to ask ourselves some serious questions like; What drives me? Where do I get my resolve and what am I made of?

Our country will head down a road of moral bankruptcy if politicians continue to put their own interests ahead of their principles and promises.

You can have all the intelligence in the world, but without shared terms, it will not build collective understanding in our country.

We must create a society in which people can find and use their power to participate, influence, and act and not just sit on the side-lines.

Despite the frequent leadership changes, politics

CONTINUED

appears to remain mired in division and toxicity, which means that it’s tempting for many to just disengage or tune out.

So how do we stay engaged without losing hope or falling into despair? With our changing demographics landscape, as Turks Islanders, we must find ways to bridge our divides.

A politician must ask themselves, do their actions and decisions reflect the greater good? Does it really serve their constituents to have another term? Whilst years of experience in politics or lack thereof could be considered an advantage over an opponent, it is not always synonymous with forward thinking.

Many of us are biologically predisposed to certain political parties and leaders, but silence should not be an option for concerned citizens.

No governing body should be above constructive criticism. If this is allowed it derails true democracy.

I don’t believe we’re just “preaching to the choir, because our relentless efforts will eventually lead to some level of progress. The key to survival and thriving is to never lose hope in these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.

In order to move the country forward we have to be equipped and empowered with the right mind-set and become more educated and informed voters.

Physical intimacy: one of the blessings of marriage

Marriage fulfills the human need for companionship and partnership, as shown in Genesis 2:18-25. We see this in God’s declaration, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” As such, we see the foundation for the institution of marriage. However, there is another key foundational pillar of marriage: physical intimacy. This is captured in the phrase, “they shall become one flesh,” highlighting the deeply profound connection that occurs when a married couple has sex.

There is also another element to note here. By saying this, God gave

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

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

essence and voice to the inherent human yearning for physical closeness. Equally worthwhile is the idea that the oneness achieved by a man and woman through sex extends beyond the act itself and into a union of heart, soul, and mind.

Marriage, then, is a blessing from God that satisfies our yearning for intimacy. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the married couple to maintain the purity of their physical union. One way in which couples can do this is by focusing on each other rather than

themselves.

This is achieved when neither party in the marriage uses sex as a tool of manipulation or punishment. Secondly, couples should discuss what level of frequency is right for both of them. This, of course, should be done with both persons seeking

to understand and appreciate the other. Lastly, couples are encouraged to make their physical intimacy as pleasurable as possible for each other. Again, this should be done with mutual agreement and in a sensitive manner.

Married couples need to embrace the profound blessing of intimacy within marriage, emphasizing purity, frequency, other-orientedness, and pleasure as essential components of this gift. Ultimately, married couples need to view marital intimacy not only as a physical act but as a celebration of oneness within the sanctity of marriage.

North Caicos church flattened by fire on day of worship – pastor suspects arson

BY DELANA ISLES

As parishioners prepared for worship last Sunday morning, they were met with the devastating news that their place of worship was up in flames, leaving it completely gutted.

The Grace Temple Church of God in Christ in Kew, North Caicos is no more, after a fire - suspected to be arson by some – demolished the building.

Police said when firefighters arrived on the scene, they saw a section of the building in flames and took immediate steps to ensure public safety. Ascertained that no one was in the building, emergency personnel then sought to evacuate nearby properties as a precautionary action.

The resident pastor of the church is Reverend Courtney Missick, who is convinced that the church was deliberately set ablaze.

Appearing on his Facebook podcast later the same day, March 3, Missick asked residents for encouragement.

“The sanctuary was burnt (not my house) on land given by the government for the community. I want to say to the one who burnt that sanctuary that that is the house of God, which is the place where people of God assembly to worship and gave their contribution over the years to build.”

Missick said the church had been

completely gutted and everything in the building was lost.

“This morning (Sunday) when I was trying to save the keyboard, there was so much smoke that engulfed the building I couldn’t go back into the sanctuary. I’m feeling the pain of it,” the pastor said.

He is refuting all claims that he was the one who set fire to the building.

“I had a family member who was down at the scene came to me, the individual was discouraging me accusing me of burning the church. Let me tell you something I don’t need to stoop that low in life I love God… I worked all of

Police investigating Leeward Highway fatal accident

A family is in mourning following a fatal accident that took the life of a 29-year-old man this past week.

Initial reports from police are that around 10:24 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, the Police Control Room received a report of a motor vehicle accident that occurred approximately one mile from Nell’s Gift Shop located along Leeward Highway in Providenciales.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene, where they discovered a male victim trapped inside a Sports Utility

Vehicle (SUV). They were subsequently able to remove the man from the vehicle and transport him to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police said the Traffic Enforcement Unit are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the cause of the motor vehicle accident.

The public is thereby advised to notify the closest police station, the Traffic Enforcement Unit 232- 9645, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

my life serving God.”

Pastor Missick said he feels the pain of the loss, noting that the church could have been saved.

He said: “When I got down to the church a little after seven this morning… to turn the light off I noticed that some smoke was in the kitchen area and inside the bathroom.

“I smelled something like smoke… I say probably the motor for the refrigerator malfunctioned or something, so I run around to the back of the church to turn off the main power, come back into the church and see smoke again.”

The pastor said he called the former police officer for the island, who lived nearby, and another friend, informing them that something was burning in the church.

He recalled that upon first entering the church he had also noticed that the door was unlocked, which he said he had locked the previous night, but paid no mind until he smelled the smoke.

Missick said when his friend arrived, they inspected the church, and found a closed door to a room that is normally left open. Upon entering the room, they discovered that some books had been set afire. That fire was extinguished by the friend, and the men left the church.

However, Missick said that even though the fire they had found was contained he still saw smoke coming out of the building, shortly followed by an explosion. Shortly after this, the fire personnel – who he said were trainees – arrived on the scene, minus equipment.

He is accusing the fire service

of not being properly prepared, causing the fire to get out of hand and completely demolish the building.

He said the fire truck was not working when it arrived, and that there was not adequate fire hose to reach the burning building.

“Some evil person broke into that sanctuary, burned it, and shut the door,” the pastor has accused.

Police are still conducting their investigations into the origin of the fire, and no pronouncement on whether it was arson has been made.

In a press release on the fire, they stated: “At this stage, nothing suggests that the cause of the fire was suspicious.”

They said they are conscious of the concern that the community feels at the loss of such an important local institution.

Young man killed in Lower Bight shooting, two injured

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A 22-year-old man was shot and killed during a shooting on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024, in the Lower Bight, Providenciales.

Crime sleuths are now investigating another grisly homicide in the territory, following a shocking incident on Tuesday evening.

The incident which left one young man dead and two other injured, took place in the vicinity of the Wymara Hotel on Tuesday around 10:32 pm, according to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The Police Control Room received reports of gunshots being heard at a Lower Bight, Providenciales location.

One of the victims, a 22-yearold male, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to reports reaching the Weekly News, the deceased was reportedly an employee of the Wymara Hotel.

The other two victims were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Head of Safeguarding and Public Protection Superintendent Dean Holden, who was at the scene, said: “Officers and a medical team were dispatched to the given

location and saw three persons who appeared to be shot, one of whom was motionless.

This remains an active investigation. On behalf of the RTCIPF, we extend condolences to the relatives of the deceased.”

The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on this incident.

Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information anonymously.

Fire ravished the Grace Temple Church of God in Christ last Sunday The remains of Pastor Courtney Missick’s church in Kew

Desarrollos Group breaks ground on new Grace Bay development

St. Regis Turks and Caicos is the latest condo resort project breaking ground on the Grace Bay strip, with an opening date set for the third quarter of 2027.

Last Saturday, March 2, Christie’s International Real Estate and renowned developers the Desarrollos Group welcomed government and tourism officials to the location (next to the Ritz Carlton) of the impending resort, to an official groundbreaking ceremony.

Set to redefine luxury living in the heart of Grace Bay, St. Regis will epitomise sophistication, elegance, and modernity.

The complex includes three residential towers that provide residents with the ultimate in bespoke services and style.

Impeccably designed and exquisitely appointed, the residences will feature state-of-theart amenities, high-end finishes, and breathtaking views, complete with world-class facilities.

With four luxurious pools, three food and beverage outlets, a tennis court, kids club, full-service spa, gym and casino, St. Regis promises personalised service and unparalleled hospitality with their dedicated concierge team.

Additionally, owners can satisfy their need for transcontinental living while reaping returns on their investment by including their units in the resort’s rental management program.

Ownership includes the opportunity to participate in Marriott International’s Luxury Residences Hotel Reservation Service, which provides exclusive status and amenities at hotel locations around the world.

Perfectly positioned on the world’s best beach and nestled within the heart of Grace Bay, the five-star rated exclusive resort condominium promises an unparalleled lifestyle experience for discerning individuals.

Artist rendering of the upcoming new resort development in Grace Bay (Photos provided)

The Premier and other government officials joined Christie’s International Real Estate and the Desarrollos Group in welcoming the new condo resort

Star-Studded Success: 15th Star Awards honours tourism excellence

The stars aligned for an unforgettable evening as the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) marked a historic milestone with its 15th annual Star Awards last February 22.

With a record-breaking attendance of 450 guests, this year’s edition proved to be the grandest yet, hosted at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, the very same location that inaugurated the first Star Awards.

TCHTA President James McAnally, Managing Director of Beaches Resort Villages & Spa shared: “Having the event here again is a pleasure and truly reminiscent of where it all began. This event’s growth mirrors the exceptional strides our industry continues to make, and our team is proud to have played a part in making history tonight.”

The event boasted of pomp and circumstance, accented by a live painting performance by Nikki Forbes, a soulful saxophone rendition by Moe’ments of Sax, and a climactic end to the evening with the vibrant beats of Junkanoo by the WeFunk Band, accompanied by spectacular fireworks display.

Tess the Performer, a 2017 Star Awards Entertainer of the Year awardee, set an electrifying tone as the opening act, while DJ Flave of Prime DJs kept the energy alive throughout the event.

Recognised as the country’s largest celebration for the hardworking individuals in the tourism sector – the cornerstone of the Islands’ number one industry and largest economic driver – this year’s event set new standards for extravagance, unity, and excellence.

The Awards featured two distinctive categories, the first celebrated winners submitted by their teams, while the second saw a panel of judges, led by Head Judge Suzann Snaggs-Wilson, selecting outstanding individuals based on predefined criteria.

K Darron Turnquest returned as Emcee and keynote speaker; he was joined by TCHTA’s communications manager, Omega Simmons who announced the awards.

A significant highlight of the evening was the presentation to TCHTA’s Marketing Chair, Karen Whitt.

Whitt was recognised as the visionary behind the Awards during her tenure as the association’s president. She was gifted the live painting from the event and a tripod adorned in the hues of the TCI’s turquoise waters – a nod to her love for capturing the beauty of the destination through photos.

“Star Awards exemplifies

our commitment to recognising and celebrating excellence in hospitality. We are ecstatic and

humbled at how the community has come to pay homage to these rock stars.

“It

applause and encouragement from their colleagues and managers,” the TCHTA’s President said.

New deputy premier and newest cabinet minister sworn in

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Turks and Caicos Islands’ new Deputy Premier is Hon Jamell Robinson and the newest Cabinet member is Hon Kyle Knowles.

Following a controversial Cabinet shuffle, they were sworn into their new positions in Premier Washington Misick’s Cabinet on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

Hon Robinson has replaced Hon Erwin Jay Saunders as the Deputy Premier following Saunders’s removal from Cabinet on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, after his unsuccessful challenge to Premier Washington Misick for leadership of the Progressive National Party at its recently concluded National

General Council.

Robinson will also retain his position as Minister with responsibility for the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, while Knowles is the new Minister for Public Safety and Utilities.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new deputy premier and newest cabinet minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands was a momentous occasion that marked a significant step forward in the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and serve the nation’s interests.

The ceremony was held at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy in Providenciales, Turks and

Caicos Islands, and was attended by well-wishers, including family and friends of the new ministers, as well as government officials and other dignitaries.

The ministers then recited the Oath of Office, which was administered by the Acting Governor HE Anya Williams.

After the oath was taken, the new ministers gave brief speeches in which they expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and outlined their commitment to working hard to improve the lives of the citizenry.

Robinson said: “I am committed to working tirelessly to support our Premier, our government,

and most importantly, our people of this great nation, together, we will strive for progress, unity, and prosperity for all as we deliver ‘More in 24’

“Let us embark on this journey with determination, courage, and a shared vision for a better future for our beloved Turks and Caicos Islands”, he added.

Knowles, one of the territory’s youngest Members of Parliament and representative of the Wheeland Constituency (Electoral District 10), said he is excited to take on the new challenge.

Minister Knowles said: “My story is a dream realised, a young man committed to community and country has brought me to this

moment. I am humbled.

“Hon Premier, I am honoured for the faith that you have bestowed in me. The significance of this moment speaks to the possibilities that exist.

“To the youth of our nation, let it be known that Opportunity and preparation co-exist for elevation in this government, I am the embodiment of the great leadership envisioned for all who are willing to serve.

“Hon Premier, I am committed to bringing my best to this position and to lead with integrity, dedication, and enthusiasm, I believe that together, we can

(From left to right): New Deputy Premier Hon Jamell Robinson, Premier Hon C. Washington Misick and Minister of Public Safety and Utilities Hon Kyle Knowles

Acting Governor HE Anya Williams swears in the new Deputy Premier Hon Jamell Robinson

Acting Governor HE Anya Williams swears in Minister of Public Safety and Utilities Hon Kyle Knowles

Hon Jamell Robinson, his wife, his father, and his siblings

Provo dumpsite under control as fire extinguishing services commence

Fire extinguishing exercises are currently underway at the Providenciales dumpsite in an attempt to ensure residents are not adversely affected.

Hon Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Utilities as well as the representative for Wheeland and West Caicos said the exercise began on February 26 and will run until June.

Updating residents this week, Knowles – who had previously promised to deliver the muchneeded service – said that the Environmental Health Department is leading the Fire Extinguishing Exercise in conjunction with the

Caribbean Development Bank Consultants.

The minister said: “The objective of this project is to eradicate the hotspots around the dump that have primarily contributed to smoke negatively impacting the livelihood of our residents.”

He added: “This is indeed a significant milestone, as my government continues to work assiduously in ensuring that the public safety and health concerns of the Wheeland constituency and the wider community are addressed.”

He said residents will be kept informed of the progress of the exercise.

New deputy premier and newest cabinet minister sworn ...

CONTINUED FROM  19

achieve great things and continue to take our country towards even greater success.”

Premier Misick in his address stressed the importance of youth inclusivity and leadership in government, highlighting the appointment of two young men to his cabinet.

“I made a commitment that I will do everything I can to transition the next generation.

“I know there may be others who may have different ideas, different views, different impressions of things, but that is exactly the main part of my thinking and why I put forward the Hon Jamel Robinson as the Deputy Premier.

“I mean we’ve got people in cabinet who’ve served multiple terms in office, and we’ve got people on the backbench who served multiple terms in the House of Assembly.

“ I hear the request of the particularly young people in this country, that they should be given an opportunity and so here’s the opportunity, you don’t want a

younger member of parliament than Hon Knowles, in some countries they don’t allow you to even get into politics under the age of 40.

“So you have a very young minister and I have no doubt that he will continue to do a very good job”.

He underscored that both ministers bring fresh ideas and skills to the positions and called on their respective ministries to support them.

“Honourable Jamal is a thoughtful person. I’m sure that he will also do a good job, I want you to support them they are members of the government senior civil servants in the minister’s office, and the senior senior civil servants here who will be working with Honourable Knowles.”

He stressed the need for teamwork and inclusivity in government, arguing that it’s time for the Progressive National Party (PNP) to put aside political infighting and focus on the good of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Dumpsite being sprayed with water to control fire

Hon Kyle Knowles, his wife, his parents and other family members

Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cabinet

Hall appointed deputy director of strategic planning and policy department

Mr Edward Hall has been appointed as the Deputy Director of the Strategic Planning and Policy Department (SPPD) within the Office of the Premier and Public Policy.

The Office of the Deputy Governor announced the appointment on Monday, March 4, 2024.

Mr Hall entered the public service in April 2013 as a Statistician within what was then the Strategic Planning and Policy Unit (SPPU) (now Statistics Authority).

His contributions to key initiatives such as The Labour Force Survey, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Survey of Departing Visitors, Census, and Balance of Payments (BOP) have been invaluable. He also benefited from numerous training programs as a member of the Department of Statistics, including National Accounts Statistics, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), International Comparison Program (ICP), and External Sector Statistics workshops.

In January 2020, Mr Hall transitioned to the Budget

Department as a Senior Budget Analyst. In this role, he worked with every department and ministry in TCIG, assisting in the profiling and projection of their revenues and expenditures, and preparation of their Program Performance Budgets.

In September 2021, he assumed the post of Policy Analyst within SPPD, where he played a crucial role in progressing various government policy initiatives and assisted departments and ministries in preparing their policy goals and objectives.

Mr Hall holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Marketing (2012) from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

With assistance from the Professional Development Fund, he also completed a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of London (2020). He is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and has completed numerous other certifications and training programs.

Reflecting on his appointment, Mr. Hall shared a profound

TCI and Guyana looking to cultivate cultural partnership

The Turks and Caicos Islands and Guyana are exploring areas where the two countries can strengthen cultural ties and collaborate on mutual interests.

In an effort to forge this relationship, last February 26, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ronlee James and Director of Culture and Heritage, Ludwina Fulford met with Director of Culture of Guyana, Tamika Boatswin.

The meeting of minds was aimed at strengthening the cultural ties between the two nations, discussing initiatives such as knowledge sharing, artist exchange programmes, artisan registry and co-hosting cultural events.

Fulford said: “We are delighted to meet with our colleagues from Guyana and embark on this collaborative journey, exchanging cultural wisdom and creativity to enrich our nations.”

“This partnership will not only strengthen our cultural ties but also provide a platform for our artists and cultural practitioners to showcase their talents globally,” James said.

The meeting marked a significant step towards fostering a strong cultural partnership between TCI and Guyana, paving the way for future collaborations and enriching the cultural landscape of both nations.

statement: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.” - 1 Chronicles 16:34.

“I am humbled and eternally grateful to God for the opportunity to serve in the capacity of Deputy Director of the Strategic Planning and Policy Department. I am eager to contribute to our nation’s growth and prosperity in this capacity.

“I would like to thank my family, my support team, and the wide host of colleagues across TCIG who have challenged me and poured into my growth and development. Particular thanks to the SPPD team that I have the distinct pleasure to work and serve with. I look forward to the work that lies ahead and will do my best in this new role.”

Commenting on Mr Hall’s appointment, Head of the Public Service and Deputy Governor, HE Anya Williams, expressed, “It is with great pleasure that I extend congratulations to Mr Edward Hall on his appointment as the Deputy Director of the Strategic Planning and Policy Department within the Office of the Premier and Public Policy.

She said Mr Hall is a talented Turks and Caicos Islander who has made a commitment to serve the people of our country.

“This is evident through his ability to work in various functions in his discipline, as well as his constant upskilling efforts, most notably his Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) achievement.

“Taking on this senior

responsibility, Mr. Hall will play a crucial role in helping government form policies through informed data and detailed analysis. His education and exposure have positioned him as one of the most suitable professionals in the public

service to take on this task.

“We wish Mr Hall well in his new role, and my office stands ready to help him succeed in whichever way we can.

Congratulations on your promotion, Mr Hall.”

PDM set to announce at large and constituency candidates soon

The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) say they are ready, willing and able under the proven, caring, and trusted leadership of the Honourable Edwin Astwood to forge a brighter future for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In light of this, the party is getting prepared to announce its all island (at large) candidates, who will assist Astwood in forging a future where Turks and Caicos Islanders can feel safe and are the

true beneficiaries of the resources of the local economy.

Ezra Taylor, PDM’s National Chairman said after an extensive exercise conducted by the party and much anticipation by the electorate, on March 22, at 7:30pm, they will be announcing the at-large candidates who will take the party into the next election.

At large candidates are those who campaign and seek votes from the entire country.

Taylor said that in April, the party will be announcing their constituency candidates.

The two announcements will be made online on the party’s social media pages, as well as in person at a venue to be announced later.

To date, one person has definitively said they are hoping to contest the next general election as an at-large candidate, that person is former deputy premier and government minister, Hon. Sean Astwood.

Mr. Edward Hall

Regional News

Haiti gang leader threatens ‘civil war’ if PM does not resign

The gang leader behind the violence blighting the Haitian capital has warned there will be a “civil war” if Haiti’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, does not step down.

Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier made the threat as members of his gang tried to seize the capital’s airport to stop Mr Henry from returning from abroad.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the situation was “beyond untenable”.

Thousands of Haitians have had to flee.

Aid groups say about 15,000 people, among them many young children, have been displaced from their homes in recent weeks.

Mr Türk said that since the beginning of the year, “a staggering 1,193 people have been killed, and 692 others injured by gang violence”.

He urged the international community to “act swiftly and decisively to prevent Haiti’s further descent into chaos”.

According to the Miami Herald newspaper, the US state department is pressuring Prime Minister Henry to resign.

The paper reports that US officials conveyed their message to Mr Henry as he was in mid-air during his attempt to fly back to Haiti on Tuesday.

Mr Henry’s whereabouts had been unknown for days until late on Tuesday, when he boarded a charter flight in New Jersey.

Reports said Mr Henry had planned to land in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, but with the airport closed due to the gangs’ attempts to seize it, and

Ex-policeman Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier has warned the prime minister not to return to Haiti

neighbouring Dominican Republic turning the plane away, the pilot eventually landed in the US territory of Puerto Rico.

Haitian media report that Mr Henry is now seeking alternative routes back into the country while diplomatic pressure appears to be mounting on him to agree to a transitional government.

Asked about the Miami Herald’s report, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: “What we have asked the Haitian PM to do is to move forward on a political process that will lead to the establishment of a Presidential Transitional Council that will lead to elections.”

Meanwhile, tension remains high in Haiti, with Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier warning on

Haiti’s neighbours prepare for ‘drastic escalation’ in violence after jailbreak

Haiti’s neighbours began shoring up their defences and recalling embassy staff this week as a gang conflict in the Caribbean nation escalated and thousands fled fresh fighting.

On Sunday, Haiti’s de facto government issued a 72-hour state of emergency and imposed nightly curfews after armed men busted thousands from prison and a gang leader called for the ousting of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and last year deported tens of thousands of Haitians, said on Monday that its defence minister was touring the border to supervise

progress on a border fence, while the president ruled out opening refugee camps for Haitians in the country.

The violence erupted while Henry was absent. Doubts had risen over Henry’s whereabouts after he travelled to Kenya to seal a deal for the African nation to lead an international force to help fight the increasingly powerful gangs.

Heavy gunfire was seen near Port Au Prince’s international airport during the day, airport authorities said.

The United States urged its citizens to leave Haiti “as soon as possible.” A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said he

Tuesday that “if Ariel Henry does not resign ... we’ll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide”.

The G9 alliance which he leads has unleashed a wave of violence, including attacks on police stations and the storming of the country’s two main prisons. Thousands of inmates escaped in a mass jailbreak on Saturday.

Haiti has been blighted by gang violence for years. But while Prime Minister Henry was on a visit to Kenya last week, Barbecue escalated the violence.

Mr Henry was aiming to agree a deal for Kenya to lead a multinational police operation to quell the violence in Haiti.

Barbecue fears Mr Henry would use the forces to stay in power.

The gang leader has been opposed to the prime minister since he took over power shortly after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, without an election.

Critics of Mr Henry argue his rule is illegitimate. They also point to the fact that two and a half years after coming to power he has still not organised presidential elections, as he had originally promised.

The prime minister has not spoken publicly since the violence erupted. He has only retweeted the declaration of the state of emergency decreed by one of his ministers in his absence.

It is not clear what gang leader Barbecue’s longer term aims are. On Tuesday he urged Haitians “to unite”.

“Either Haiti becomes a paradise for all of us, or a hell for all of us,” he told journalists, wearing a bullet-proof vest.

In the past he has suggested created a “council of elders”, a group of civil society representatives from different regions, to replace the prime minister.

Haiti has no elected government officials. No elections have been held since 2016 in the country.

The vacuum created by the lack of elected officials has been filled by gangs, who are estimated to control around 80% of the capital.

Kidnappings for ransom are common and many schools and hospitals have had to close due to the lack of security.

The UN’s Chief Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson, told the BBC’s Newshour programme that “people are very afraid”.

Ms Richardson said violence was being used “indiscriminately against people, against women, against children and that includes sexual violence”.

“We see cadavers in the streets, we hear direct accounts of the atrocities that women and many children have been exposed to,” she told the BBC.

Violence has so far been mainly concentrated in the capital and its environs. But there have also been reports of shootings in the town of Jeremie, in the south west, and of a prison riot in Jacmel in the south.

The United Nations Security Council said it would hold an emergency meeting later on Wednesday to discuss the violence. (BBC)

believed Henry was returning to Haiti.

Brazil’s government called on the international community to implement the U.N.’s resolution to send a multinational force to

it had led a United

mission to Haiti from 2004 to 2017.

Neighbouring Bahamas said it had called embassy staff back to

A man drives past a burning barricade during a protest against Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s government and insecurity, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1

Haiti. Brazil authorities noted in a statement that

Nations peace

New Providence, leaving just its charge d’affaires and two security attaches, while Mexico said its nationals should limit themselves to essential transit and stock up on water, fuel and non-perishables.

Regional News

Bahamas: Low-cost, reliable energy ‘must be 150% the focus’

PRIVATE sector executives this week urged the Government to drive for “cost competitive, stable” electricity and not be held hostage by Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) trade unions over energy reform.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told Tribune Business the debate over BPL’s fate is “always overridden by emotional sentiment” largely driven by its two unions that frequently “jump the gun” over their members’ interests whenever changes that would benefit the majority of Bahamians are discussed.

Asserting that only “overpaid and unproductive” BPL employees should “fear privatisation” or outsourcing of the utility’s management, he added that the energy monopoly is an “insolvent state-owned enterprise (SOE) that is prohibiting the country” from progressing with reforms that could reduce energy costs, improve supply reliability and accelerate the transition to cleaner, more environmentally-friendly fuel.

Mr Bowe, arguing that “an insolvent, unstable electricity company that is owned by the Government cannot be the answer we want to hear”, said he was all for BPL reform provided it is handled in “an open and transparent manner”. It is questionable whether this has been achieved based on what has been revealed so far, and how it has been divulged.

He was backed by Daphne DeGregory-Miaoulis, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president,

who told this newspaper that getting the best possible deal on a cheaper, more consistent energy supply “150 percent should be the focus” rather than obsessing about how this is done.

She added that “whoever the ‘P’ is” in a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for improving BPL is “irrelevant” as long as they can deliver what Bahamian households and businesses require to lower the cost of living and be competi- tive in the 21st century economy.

Both spoke out amid concerns that the knee-jerk union reaction to proposed BPL reforms, the full details for which have yet to be publicly disclosed by the Government, threaten to obscure the forest for the trees and derail much-needed change at a utility where the status quo is regarded as untenable by most Bahamians.

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC), in a statement issued on Tuesday, also gave cautious backing for longawaited energy reforms seen as vital to reducing a key cost item for its members’ businesses and making them more competitive.

“The Chamber and its members have long advocated for changes at BPL for the benefit of consumers,” the private sector advocacy body said. “We trust that the current negotiations at BPL will result in more stable, clean and cost effective energy for businesses and the country at large. We will continue to monitor this developing situation and await further details.”

Fidelity Bank Bahamas CEO Gowon Bowe

Mr Bowe, echoing this position, told Tribune Business: “To be honest, I think the conversation about BPL is always overridden by emotional sentiments and, unfortunately, driven largely by the unions which often jump the gun about what it means to their members.”

This is exactly how the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) and Bahamas Electrical Managerial Union (BEMU), and their leaders and members, reacted when the Government presented its thinking to them via a a powerpoint presentation given by JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport. They voiced concerns for their jobs and benefits, and suggested there was a ‘sell out’ to foreign entities.

However, Mr Bowe said The Bahamas simply cannot afford to live with BPL’s high costs, unreliable supply and aged

infrastructure any longer because it is holding back economic growth and development. “When we look at BPL in its current state, we have an insolvent SOE that is ultimately now for all intents and purposes prohibiting the country from moving forward with energy reform,” he added.

“We are not moving for- ward aggressively with the Carbon War Room commitments because if more people come off the grid that means less revenue is generated by BPL and the Government will have to shoulder more of the debt obligations.

“We have an insolvent company to operate generation and transmission and distribution equipment that should have been retired a long time ago, and which is leading to excessive instability and the cost of energy supply and reliability is stifling economic growth in the country.”

Tribune Business revealed yesterday how BPL’s financing needs “exceed $500m”, and would require the Government to provide at least a $100m guarantee to underpin securing the necessary capital. Prime Minister Philip Davis KC, admitting that BPL is in “dire straits”, signalled that the Government does not possess such financing ability hence the search for private partners to fill the gap

Mr Bowe, noting that national security, “giving our birthright away to an international entity”, and the impact on Bahamian jobs have all been raised as arguments against change at BPL, said the Government and wider Bahamas need to focus on “the over- riding objective for the energy sector”.

He argued that this should be price/cost competitiveness, stable and reliable electricity supply and an infrastructure “that allows for national progress and development” via a utility that is profitable and “not a drain on the public coffers”.

Noting that the entire Bahamas relies on energy, Mr Bowe said the country at present is “saddled” with unreliable, unstable supply that is often cut during thunderstorms and when it rains heavily.

The Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief also argued that continuing to rely on New Providence’s BPL customers to supply the Family Islands is “unsustainable”, and called on the Government to determine whether it wants to be solely a regulator as opposed to an owner/operator in the energy sector.

St Lucia and T&T’s opposition leaders agree to form regional opposition group

St Lucia’s Opposition Leader Allan Chastanet says a plan is being developed to establish a single body of opposition leaders from countries across the Caribbean.

Chastanet was speaking at the United National Congress’ (UNC) fourth Anti-crime Town Hall meeting at the SWAHA Hindu College in Sangre Grande on Monday night.

As he addressed those who turned up at the meeting, Chastanet said the idea was posed by UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, whom he described as a visionary.

“We are going to take this voice now to the region and form a collective group of leaders of the oppositions and to make sure that the voices of the leaders of the opposition in the Caribbean region is heard by the (Caribbean Development Bank) CDB, by the World Bank and by Caricom and

we’re no longer gonna be denied the voice in representing all the people who did not vote for the government and to make sure that that voice is listened to and given a seat at the table.”

Highlighting the issue of crime across the region, Chastanet said

countries should not treat it as a national problem. He reminded that the gangs which are creating the most problems are regional and international networks with better weapons and technology.

“We must protect each other’s borders to be able to protect

ourselves,” he said.

He urged leaders across the region to fund a Regional Security System throughout Caricom. The RSS exists for countries in the Eastern Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Chastanet said this is especially important, as Caribbean states are preparing to take legislation to various Parliaments to ease regional travel through the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

“I am calling upon the leaders today, I am asking them to do the right thing now. Allow the tax to go through and let us fund a regional security system that is going to be to protect all of us,” he said.

“I want to know that the brightest and the best police officers in each one of the

countries will now be working for that regional organisation. I want to know that there is an entity that can audit our own police forces and give them guidance and I want to know that not only the borders of St Lucia are being protected but the borders of all other Caricom countries have formed a net around ourselves to keep the scourge out.”

He also begged citizens to find empathy for victims of crime because it’s only a matter of time before it hits home.

“I am pleading with all of you, open your hearts and feel the pain of the people who are being affected because today it’s them, tomorrow it is going to be you. You will be the mother saying he was a good boy. Don’t wait for it to happen before you find out how lonely the world is and that nobody really cares.” (Trinidad Guardian)

St Lucia Opposition leader Allan Chastanet

News

Trump challenges Biden to debates ‘anytime’ after Super Tuesday wins

Donald Trump has challenged Joe Biden to TV debates, as the rivals hurtle towards a White House rematch following their sweep of the Super Tuesday votes.

The Republican said he would take part in a TV forum with the Democratic president “anytime, anywhere, anyplace” posting online in all capital letters.

Mr Biden’s campaign said Mr Trump was “thirsty for attention and struggling to expand his appeal”.

No debates have so far been agreed ahead of November’s election.

Mr Trump’s challenge came hours after his last Republican rival, Nikki Haley, dropped out of the race to be the Republican nominee for the White House.

“It is important, for the Good of our Country, that Joe Biden and I Debate Issues that are so vital to America, and the American People,” Mr Trump posted on his social media website, Truth Social, hours after Ms Haley’s departure from the race.

He added that such debates could be run by the Democratic National Committee, or the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has overseen presidential debates for the last 30 years.

Mr Trump said the debate commission - which declares itself non-partisan, but is accused by conservatives of bias - was a “subsidiary” of the Democratic party.

Mr Trump, 77, has repeatedly claimed Mr Biden, 81, is too old and forgetful to debate him. Mr Biden has in turn suggested it is Mr Trump who is senile.

The White House press secretary was asked earlier on Wednesday whether refusing a debate could cast doubt on Mr Biden’s “acuity”. She suggested the reporter speak to the president’s re-election campaign.

The Biden campaign did not say whether he would participate in a debate against Mr Trump, and instead suggested that the Republican tune in to the

president’s Thursday evening State of the Union address to Congress.

“That’s a conversation we’ll have at the appropriate time in this cycle,” said Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler.

“If he’s so desperate to see President Biden in primetime, he doesn’t have to wait! He can join the tens of millions of Americans who will tune in to watch the State of the Union tomorrow night,” he continued.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump also said that he would watch the State of the Union and “will correct, in rapid response” Mr Biden’s speech.

Mr Trump was fiercely criticised after he refused to take part in TV debates with his Republican rivals for the party’s White House nomination this election cycle.

He argued at the time that he had nothing to gain from such forums, citing his wide lead in the polls.

Mr Biden and Mr Trump debated each other twice during the 2020 election. (BBC)

Sweden formally joins Nato military alliance

Sweden has officially become the 32nd member of Nato after it completed its accession process in Washington.

The handover of documents took place at a ceremony two years after Sweden applied to join the military alliance following Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that “unity and solidarity” would be Sweden’s “guiding lights”.

Nato today “is stronger than ever,” US President Joe Biden said.

“Nato stands more united, determined, and dynamic” the US leader said, adding that “together with our newest ally Sweden - Nato will continue to stand for freedom

and democracy for generations to come.”

“This has been a little bit of a road but we’ve known from day one that we would be here one day,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X that Sweden brings with it “capable armed forces and a first-class defence industry” and that the alliance had become “stronger and safer”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky also welcomed Sweden’s accession to Nato, saying “one more country in Europe has become more protected from Russian evil.”

Russia has vowed to take unspecified political and military measures in response to Sweden’s move.

Sweden applied to join the defence alliance after Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine in 2022but its request was blocked by two members.

Turkey initially withheld approval in a row over what it called Sweden’s support to Kurdish separatists. It eventually lifted its veto in January of this year.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Sweden of being hostile to it and delayed its approval until last week, when the Hungarian parliament eventually voted to ratify the bid.

Irish president returns home after hospital stay

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has returned home to his official residence Áras an Uachtaráin after spending a week in hospital.

The 82-year-old was admitted to St James’s Hospital in Dublin on 29 February after he became unwell.

A spokesperson later confirmed Mr Higgins had experienced a “mild transient weakness” but was expected to make a full recovery.

He is due to meet Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar on Friday as scheduled.

‘NO LONG-TERM CONCERNS’

Mr Higgins thanked all of the “wonderful, dedicated and caring medical staff” who looked after him while he was in hospital.

According to a statement from his official website, external, he also “continued to carry out his constitutional duties” while he was an inpatient in St James’s.

These duties included signing

two pieces of legislation into law - bills which were focused on local government and social welfare.

On Monday, a spokesperson confirmed Mr Higgins had undergone a number of medical tests with positive results that indicated “no serious or longterm concerns for the president’s health”.

Mr Higgins had been advised to stay in hospital for a full week so his blood pressure could be monitored.

His medical team have also recommended that he limit the number of public engagements he undertakes in the coming weeks.

Friday’s meeting with Mr Varadkar had been pre-arranged as part of the regularly scheduled meetings between the taoiseach and the head of state and Mr Higgins was said to be looking forward to it.

Mr Higgins has served more than 12 years as president, having been first elected in 2011 before being re-elected in 2018.

(BBC)

President Higgins pictured at a Six Nations rugby match in February

Mr Trump, 77, has repeatedly claimed Mr Biden, 81, is too old and forgetful to debate him

Sweden formally joins Nato military alliance

World News

Labour and Tories accused of silence over cuts

The Conservatives and Labour have been accused of a “conspiracy of silence” over the scale of spending cuts or tax rises by an influential think tank.

Tough decisions would need to be made following the next election, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the BBC it would be “challenging” to live within current spending restrictions.

Labour says it will have to make future savings to public spending to fund some of its policies if it wins power.

The state of the economy is under intense focus in the run-up to a general election that must be called before next January.

In Wednesday’s Budget, the chancellor cut National Insurance by 2p and increased child benefit salary thresholds, while introducing a new vaping levy and abolishing non-dom tax status.

Scrapping non-dom status had been a Labour Party policy and leader Sir Keir Starmer described the decision by the Conservatives to use it in their Budget as “humiliating”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak refused to be drawn on the date of the general election.

He told BBC Radio Leeds “nothing has changed” since when he said his working assumption was for the public to go to the polls in the second half of this year.

“I was very clear about this at the beginning of the year about my working assumption for the election being in the second half of the year - nothing has changed since then,” he said.

Mr Sunak also said the focus on the election date was coming from

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that it would be “challenging” to live within current spending restrictions

the Labour party to “distract from the fact that actually they don’t want talk about the substance”.

‘EYE-WATERINGLY TOUGH’

The IFS said the tax cuts announced in the Budget would not make up for the impact of tax increases and rising prices.

It said households would be worse off at the election than they were at the start of this parliament.

Under the current government’s self-imposed fiscal rules, debt must be falling as a proportion of the size of the economy in five years’ time.

IFS director Paul Johnson said that debt as a proportion of the size of the economy was at its highest level in 70 years and “is showing no signs of falling”.

He added that the next parliament could “well prove to be the most difficult of any in 80 years for a chancellor wanting to bring debt down”.

Mr Johnson said both

Conservatives and Labour were joining in “a conspiracy of silence in not acknowledging the scale of the choices and trade-offs that will face us after the election” which included “eye-wateringly tough choices” on public service spending to stabilise debt as a fraction of national income.

In the Budget, Mr Hunt said he would keep the planned increase in day-to-day government spending at 1% above inflation every year until 2029.

However, as some departments like health and schools have protected budgets, that means others such as justice and local government could see significant cuts.

Unprotected departments could face day-to-day cuts of up to £20bn, Mr Johnson warned.

The chancellor said the lack of detail was because plans are decided and reliant on a government spending review which, he disclosed on Wednesday,

will not be done until after the general election. The last spending review was in 2021.

Mr Hunt told the BBC: “We know it’s going to be challenging to live within a tight spending envelope and we want to do it without affecting the services the public value.”

Earlier this year, Richard Hughes, the head of the independent government economic forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), said it would be “generous” to call the spending plans a “work of fiction” given the lack of detail in them.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Mr Hughes said while the OBR had lots detail on the government’s tax plans, it had much less about spending plans for public services which accounts for two-thirds of the deficit reduction that Mr Hunt needs to deliver over the next five years to meet his debt targets.

“They’ve got a very constrained envelope for that spending, no real growth per person on public services,” he told the Today programme.

“But what we don’t know is, what does that mean for the NHS? What does it mean for transport? What does it mean for education? We don’t have that detail on the spending side.”

Mr Hunt has defended the squeeze on public spending as realistic if schools, hospitals and the police increased productivity by deploying automation, artificial intelligence and drones.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said Labour now intends to pay for its NHS and school breakfast plans through

future savings to public spending if it wins power.

Labour had intended to use money raised from scrapping the non-dom tax regime, but Mr Hunt is now using this to help fund the cut to National Insurance.

Ms Reeves admitted it will force her to change her own plans. “But we will find that money, because it is a national priority, and it is a Labour priority,” she told the BBC.

PENSIONERS LOSE OUT

Separate analysis from the Resolution Foundation, a think tank which focuses on low and middle earners, said that Wednesday’s Budget would mean a net tax cut of £9bn is taking effect this year.

However, that was dwarfed by an estimated £27bn of tax rises that came into effect last year - and a further £19bn coming in after the election.

The foundation said that while more than three-quarters of the personal tax cuts announced in the Budget go to the richest half of households, there is a different picture when all the tax and benefit policies announced in this parliament - starting in 2019 - are analysed.

“Middle earners have come out on top, while taxpayers earning below £26,000 or over £60,000 will lose out. The biggest group of losers are pensioners, who face an £8bn collective hit,” said Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation.

He added that policy changes seen in the current parliament “reinforces the sense that the government has reversed course from the approach that dominated during the 2010s”.

Israel’s illegal West Bank settlement plans face global condemnation

Israel’s plan to build thousands of new homes in the occupied West Bank is facing widespread condemnation from several countries, including some of Tel Aviv’s staunchest allies.

The country’s settlementplanning authority on Wednesday greenlit permits for nearly 3,500 new illegal settlement housing units in the occupied Palestinian territory, the first such approval since Israel’s war on Gaza began on October 7 last year.

Israeli settlements have long been viewed as a violation of international law, and a hindrance to Palestinian statehood by the international community. Officials say the latest constructions, planned in Maale Adumim, Kedar and Efrat, are in retaliation for a February

shooting targeting illegal settlers.

“The enemies try to harm and weaken us, but we will continue to build and be built up in this land,” far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in charge of civil affairs in the West Bank, said on X.

Smotrich said the constructions add to the 18,515 housing units in illegal settlements approved in the past year.

The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the settlements illegal and illegitimate, adding that they “are a call for the cycle of violence to persist”.

“The ministry calls for swift international sanctions that would deter Israel from building more settlements and to include [National Security Minister Itamar]

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich as well as any other Israeli official who plays a role in deepening and funding illegal settlements,” the ministry said in a statement.

GLOBAL CONDEMNATION

Hamas, the group that rules the Gaza Strip, has called Israel’s move “a confirmation of the Zionist plan aimed at controlling our land, restricting our people, and isolating them”.

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the settlements were unilateral and illegal measures that violate international law and undermine peace efforts and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also “condemned in the

strongest terms” the approval, stressing that such moves “pose a serious threat to international efforts aimed at implementing the two-state solution and hinder the resumption of the peace process”, according to state media.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said there is a need to “provide hope for the Palestinian people, enable them to obtain their rights to live in safety, and establish their Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolution”.

Further afield, in Europe, Germany has asked Israel to withdraw the plans, adding they are “a serious violation of international

law”.

“We strongly condemn the approval of further settlement units in the West Bank,” the country’s Federal Foreign Office said in a statement.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the plans were “illegal, disappointing, and counterproductive to achieving enduring peace”.

“Our administration maintains firm opposition to settlement expansion,” Blinken said at a news conference in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires last week.

“In our judgement, it only weakens, not strengthens Israel’s security,” he added, although he made no mention of tangible consequences Israel could face for settlement expansion. (Aljazeera)

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY

Courtyard Plaza Unit 1B, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. P. O. Box 1120.

Telephone: (649) 941-8085. Mobile: (649) 331-8791. Facsimile: (649) 946-5731. Email: ptaylor@tcicaa.tc

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Deputy Managing Director

LOCATION: GRAND TURK/PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

JOB SUMMARY:

This is a Senior Management/Technical position.

MANAGERIAL

The incumbent will be responsible for assisting the Managing Director with ensuring that the Authority remains a ‘Fit For Purpose” regulatory body, by continually meeting the ICAO eight Critical Elements of a safety oversight system, through the effective implementation of those eight critical elements. Included in this regard is assistance with the planning, coordinating, directing and monitoring of the organization’s processes and staff, maximizing employee potential, and ensuring the organization’s aims and objectives are achieved.

To act for the Managing Director in his absence

TECHNICAL

The incumbent will retain shared responsibility for the oversight of any designations that relate to his/her existing functional discipline.

SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES:

• To assist the Managing Director as required

• To supervise subordinate staff

• To co-operate with all functional areas within the CAA to achieve optimum safety regulation.

• To contribute to the working practices of the relevant department, including the setting of policies and principles, and performing reviews to ensure that regulatory oversight is adequately maintained and meets the changing needs of the industry.

• To attend training events and maintain regulatory competency.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES AND

SKILLS:

• Regulatory training and experience including auditing

• Working knowledge of aviation law and enforcement

• Good understanding of the legal framework for civil aviation in the UK and the UKOTs, its structure and functions

• Knowledge of and experience working with the OTARs system of regulation

• Good knowledge of the ICAO, its structure and functions including the 8 Critical Elements of an effective safety oversight system

• Working knowledge of ASSI, including various publications, policies documents, etc.

• Working knowledge of ICAO Annexes and supplementary

manuals and documents.

• Competent in relevant IT application

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Fluent in English

• A degree or equivalent in aviation, airport management, law or other relevant discipline.

• 15 years’ experience in civil aviation some of which would be at a senior level

• A proven ability to present ideas and proposals in a coherent manner, and lead a team of aviation professionals

• A working knowledge of the political and economic relationship between the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom, as well as other countries from which air transport services are provided to the islands

• Well-developed leadership qualities with a proven ability to manage at a strategic level as well as on a day-to-day level

• The ability to motivate and develop staff and plan and manage change

• Willingness to travel locally and internationally

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

• Good human relations and interpersonal skills

• Willingness to accept personal responsibility

• A good team player

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

The incumbent is effectively performing his/her duties when:

• The TCICAA aims and objectives are being met

• Audits/Inspections are carried out as required and audit findings are followed-up and enforcement actions taken as necessary

• Oversite/surveillance

• Other duties are being satisfactorily executed

SALARY RANGE: $84,357 to $90,117.00 per annum

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:

March 15th, 2024

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to Office Administrator, HR & Training Manager, TCI Civil Aviation Authority, Courtyard Plaza Unit 1B, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, or Email Address ptaylor@tcicaa.tc to reach no later than March 15th, 2024.

•

• Assist customers loading products into their vehicle.

• In charge of the daily cleaning and shelf in the storeroom and retail store.

• Ability to perform tasks involving physical labour.

• Restocking of shelf and refrigerators

• Daily Receiving, Processing and Delivery of orders to our customers.

Salary is $8.50 hourly, Belongers only apply

THE SOURCE LTD

GROUP REP. RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

We are looking for an experienced, friendly, and reliable Guest Relations and Service Trainer to join our company with experience in social marketing and a background in quantifiable performance measures. Looking to strengthen our team to cope with South American and European guests this applicant must be fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Applicant will be responsible for all aspects of Guest Relations; overseeing and training other concierges; assisting with staff scheduling; guest facing service training for house staff to meet and or exceed the guest expectation. The Applicant will also be responsible for managing marketing initiatives to Customers. This person will have experience in guest relations for high-end accommodation, preferably established hotels and provide back up and support to the reservations team. The position is an integral part of making our guests stay memorable from enquiry stage through to departure.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:

• Improve and implement training program for guest relations, with a focus on emotional hospitality.

• Develop, maintain, and measure success of revenue opportunities in concierge department.

• Develop and manage guest satisfaction measures.

• Organize and execute events for high-profile guests.

• Continue engagement with customers through social marketing- Instagram and Facebook.

• Prepares for customer service inquiries by studying services and customer service processes.

• Responds to customer inquiries.

• Communicating with guest and others over the phone, internet and in person. Documenting inquiries and responses from guests.

• Skills in problem solving in difficult circumstances and time constraints.

• Skill and imagination in creating incredible itineraries and luxury highly serviced experiences for demanding guests.

CONCIERGE REQUIREMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Hospitality or Business Management.

• Must have participated in other certificate training programs, such as tourism marketing, event planning, travel planning, customer service, training the trainer, Service with a leading edge, Red Cross/CPR

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in luxury and high-end hotel / accommodations.

• Experience in organizing events and parties.

• Experience in social marketing initiatives targeting guests.

• Qualifications and expertise in training others.

• Previous guest service training experience at a five-star facility, General consulting skills, multi-tasking.

• Multi-lingual, fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese is preferred

• Must be able to work efficiently under pressure.

UNIQUE TOURS

STABLE CLEANER

• $8.00 hourly

• Thoroughly clean stalls, water dispenser and feeding bins for horses

• Ensure a fly control system is in place.

• Report any abnormalities in horse, checking for any signs of disease and ensure horses have enough bedding.

HORSE CARETAKER

• $2000.00 monthly

• Trim horse hooves, clean hooves.

• Observe hooves for signs of poor health.

• Medicate horses.

• Responsible for checking for possible injury/illnesses.

• Feeding schedule & training routine.

LABOURER

• $8.00 hourly

• Maintain manure trailer fill to dispatch to various buyers.

• Accompanying for waste shuffling, maintaining beach clean of washed up waste and discarded trash.

• Clean all walkway for horses leading to the beach.

• Assist with receiving items and transfer Hay from shipping container to personal container.

JETSKI MECHANIC

• $2500.00 monthly

• Repairs and day-to-day maintenance of jet skis.

• Conduct Electrical AC system maintenance.

• Must have 10 years of experience with Yamaha engines

CONTACT: 441-8687 BELONGERS APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD / RENEWAL 41408

A villa cook is required for an upscale villa management company. The cook will be responsible for the consistent preparation of innovative and creative cuisine of the highest quality. Attention to detail a must, as is demonstrated culinary expertise resulting in outstanding guest satisfaction. Managing a busy kitchen, setting menus, ordering and monitoring supplies.

• Liaise with Concierge for food provision to purchase prior to guest arrival.

• Submit the provision receipts, to Accounting in an accurate report and timely manner

• Provide direction for all day-to-day operations in the kitchen.

• Actively involved in menu development.

• Determines how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.

• Ensures practices and procedures comply with food handling and sanitation standards. This includes completing an annual hygiene plan and hygiene inspection prior to guest arrival

• Follows proper handling and right temperature of all food products.

• Ensures all equipment in the kitchen is properly cleaned, maintained and in working order in accordance with local Health Department standards.

• When the villa is vacant, he/she shall work with the villa team to ensure that the villa is clean and well maintained.

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 332-3096

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41324

RIGBY

Salary: $9.00 hourly

CONTACT: 241-9741

Clean pools and pour chlorine in pools.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 342-5250/ 341-8332

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41350

Bay

CONTACT:

CONTACT: 649-342-7954

BELONGERS

Duties include off loading and storing material, cleaning site, tool and any other task given by employer etc.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 341-5567

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41366

RUDOLPH

Caring for children inside and outside the home. Preparing meals and doing housework.

Salary: $8.50 per hour

CONTACT: 333-0875

BELONGERS

Salary:

CONTACT:

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

materials on floors, walls, ceilings, countertops. Level the surface with a layer of mortar or plywood.

Salary: $10 hourly

Drill holes, or cut molding and grooves in stone. $10.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-1964

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 649-243-7156 41362

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41336

CONTACT: 341-3579

SHAPAN

Uphold customer service

Maintain Bar Mix and serve drinks

Salary: $10.00 hourly

CONTACT: 231-2397

BELONGERS

Selling

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

Salary:

CONTACT: 232-7836

BELONGERS

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-344-8428

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A

OF THEIR

TO THE

41314

MAINTENANCE

Cleaning

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 246-4173

BELONGERS

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-245-6977 41459

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

Inspecting and testing vehicles, engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire

CONTACT: 247-1776

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO

CHAMANE

Installs pipes and fixtures, installs supports for pipes,

Salary:

CONTACT: 649-347-9209

BELONGERS

CONTACT: 345-5615

Ensuring

Salary:

CONTACT: 342-5532

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

etc. $9.00

CONTACT: 649-244-2527

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

Salary: $8.00

CONTACT: (649) 241-5563 41547

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

CONTACT: 331-5858 41510

CLOVERLEAF EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

Rate: $8.00

CONTACT:

CONTACT:

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 246-7382 41497

Márquez’s sons publish last novel that late author wanted destroyed

When Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez died a decade ago, he left behind a novel he had written while struggling with dementia.

In his final days, he told his sons the book must be destroyed.

However they defied their father and, in what they have called an act of “betrayal”, have published the book.

Until August has received mixed reviews, with The Guardian’s critic describing it as a “sketch, as blurry and flawed as sketches generally are”.

“But a sketch from a master is welcome,” Lucy Hughes-Hallett added.

She said the 100-page book “is like a faded souvenir, tatty but treasurable for its associations with the fabulous imaginary world that Márquez conjured up in his prime”.

The Colombian writer, who died in 2014, was best known for pioneering the magical realist style of writing.

He wrote books including Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude, which has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide.

Justifying their decision to publish, García Márquez’s son Gonzalo told BBC Radio 4’s Front

Gabriel García Márquez is best known for One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera

Row that by the end, the author “wasn’t in a position to judge his work as he could only see the flaws but not the interesting things that were there”.

After reading the text again recently, Gonzalo said he didn’t “find it as disastrous as Gabo had judged it” and that it was a valuable addition to his work because it showed a new side to him and was “unique”.

“Definitely, we weren’t going to destroy it,” he said. “In 2022, we took one of the versions and we read it, and there really wasn’t a lot

of discussion about it.

“We realised that the book was complete, we realised that we didn’t have to do a lot of editing. There are no additions, there are no great changes. So there really wasn’t any discussion there.

“We did think about it for about three seconds - was it a betrayal to my parents, to my father’s [wishes]?

“And we decided, yes, it was a betrayal. But that’s what children are for.”

He said it was bound to eventually be published, so the family wanted to publish a version

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ renewed for Seasons 2 and 3

Aang and his friends will be back for more reality-bending adventures!

Netflix has renewed “Avatar: The Last Airbender” for Seasons 2 and 3 following a successful first season.

According to the streaming

platform, the live action series reigned as the top English TV show with 41.1m views in just the first 11 days, ranking no. 1 in 76 countries and in the top 10 in 92 countries.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” premiered on Netflix on February 22.

they approved of, and which would protect its copyright.

The novel centres on a middleaged woman who travels alone to an island every summer to visit her mother’s grave, and during each trip takes a new lover despite being happily married.

It is the first time that García Márquez has centred on a female protagonist.

The i newspaper’s Max Liu said “his family and his publishers should have respected his wishes” to not publish the book.

“Usually, in a review of an underwhelming posthumous publication or minor work by a major author, it is worth saying that, despite its flaws, it will delight devoted fans.

“I do not believe that is true of Until August. Márquez knew this and was right not to want it to see

the light of day,” he continued.

‘ODDLY MOVING’

Nonetheless, he added that the “novel has qualities” and “it is set in a world that strikes an evocative balance between the real and dreamlike”.

In a three-star review, The Telegraph’s Sarah Perry said the cumulative effect of the book “is oddly moving”.

“It’s as if the book contained both Marquez the elder and Marquez the younger, with the perception and weary good humour of old age conveyed in the searching, tentative manner of the apprentice,” she wrote.

She noted, however, that the “the novel is stripped of the endless, inventive discursions into folktale, backstory and verbal brio that characterise the best of Marquez”.

Colin Firth’s wet shirt from Pride and Prejudice sells at auction for £25,000

Millions of viewers around the world swooned over Colin Firth as he strode out of a lake wearing a wet shirt as Mr Darcy in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Now, that same shirt has been bought for £25,000 in an auction in London.

Before the sale, auctioneers had given it an estimated price of £7,000 to £10,000.

It’s one of more than 60 costumes from film and TV sold on Tuesday, with all of the proceeds going to charity.

Outfits worn by Madonna, Margot Robbie and Johnny Depp were also part of the auction.

The show is based on the widely popular Nickelodeon animated series that ran from 2005 to 2008. The story follows Aang and his friends as they hone their skills and attempt to end the Hundred Year War in order to bring back peace among the four nations. (gmanetwork.com)

Hosted by Kerry Taylor Auctions, the sale contained treasures from the archives of Cosprop, a costume house founded by Oscar-winning designer John Bright.

The wet shirt scene didn’t actually feature in Jane Austen’s book, but that hasn’t stopped it becoming one of the most famous

TV moments of all time.

It showed Mr Darcy (Firth) going for an impromptu swim in his private lake, filmed at Lyme Park near Stockport in Greater Manchester, before walking off in his clinging wet white shirt and running into his love interest, Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle).

Viewers were glued to their screens, and Firth was instantly transformed into a sex symbol.

The scene has even been replicated on screen, including in the TV series Bridgerton and Bridget Jones’ Diary.

Almost 30 years later, the shirtnow dry - has been sold.

The hammer price was £20,000, double what was estimated. The buyer’s premium was £5,000, taking the total to £25,000, all of which will go to charity.

It is one of several shirts that were used during filming. Another was already auctioned for charity, and a third remains in the Cosprop archive, auctioneer Taylor told BBC News.

According

Over 500 students attend career symposium

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Over 500 high school students from private and public sector schools across the Turks and Caicos recently explored various career paths and networked with potential employers at a career symposium.

The Hartling Group and the Ministry of Education hosted a successful career symposium for 540 fifth-form students in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The event which was held at The Palms Resort provided an opportunity for students to network with potential employers and explore various career choices.

Guest speakers encouraged students to pursue their goals and highlighted the importance of education and training.

Chief Executive Officer of the Hartling Group – Dr Stan Hartling delivered an uplifting charge to the youth.

He said: “I have incredible belief in this country and remain as excited about its growth and possibilities now, as I did when I came here over 25 years ago.

“My excitement however isn’t just about the physical land, buildings, or beaches, I can buy that anywhere. My excitement is about how tomorrow in TCI is generated by what I see in you, as the future of TCI, and today is about all of us; industry, government and community, helping you embrace the potential within all of you”.

Acting Governor, HE Anya Williams, also brought remarks and encouraged the youth to thrive and embrace the opportunities provided. She urged students to seek further education as much as possible and in so doing, be

committed to returning to the Turks and Caicos to make their contribution to the development of the islands.

Minister of Education Hon Rachel Taylor began by urging students to adopt the words of the theme song as their mantra, ‘I can do it! I will do it! Nothing is going to get in my way!’

She expressed her gratitude to the Hartling Group and all partners who made the symposium possible. She noted that the symposium provided an opportunity for the students to be exposed to numerous areas for career development.

In her remarks, the Minister of Education reaffirmed her commitment to providing as many opportunities as possible for young learners. She encouraged businesses to register as part of the internship and apprenticeship program so that the young students could gain work experience and insight into careers and improve their ability to be recruited. She went on to urge the students to consider teaching as a career. She emphasised that our teachers are now some of the bestpaid in the region! Secondary school teaching is a critical area

where there is a high need for Turks Islanders!”

Hon Taylor praised the work of the Turks and Caicos College, where tuition is free, enrolment has increased and the College is moving to achieve university status.

TVET and skills development programs are increasing and she urged them to explore those areas when they visit the booths. She touched on the need for students to return home if they were granted scholarships to study abroad as bonds will be strictly enforced.

Professional American football

player and a seed of the soil, Ashley Brooks, was featured as the special guest speaker for the day.

Ashley shared his admirable, successful career story with students in an effort to encourage them to pursue their goals in life.

He stressed that to become successful in anything in life, you must first believe, start with what you have, remain consistent, and always have discipline.

Students were well engaged as Ashley spoke, and asked questions about his career and further tips they can use to achieve theirs in the future. This was an amazing session for both Ashley and the students present.

The symposium saw companies in attendance from across the islands, representing both the public and private sectors.

The students were introduced to a host of professions including but not limited to policing, border control, healthcare, hospitality, telecommunications, security, cosmetology, banking & finance, construction, energy and much more! The event also provided a platform for internships and job opportunities, connecting eager young minds with potential employers.

Students eagerly explored diverse career pathways and took advantage of the opportunities that were available to them.

The event was hosted by the talented Sergeant Huntley Forbes, who thoroughly engaged with the students, ensuring they were motivated throughout the symposium.

With an overwhelming turnout and positive feedback, the career symposium was deemed a resounding success.

The Hartling Group and the Ministry of Education hosted a successful career symposium for over 500 fifth-form students

‘Rust’ movie armorer found guilty of involuntary manslaughter

Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the “Rust” film armorer, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Wednesday in a New Mexico trial stemming from the 2021 on-set fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed by a live round of ammunition fired from a prop gun that was held by actor Alec Baldwin.

Gutierrez Reed, who was responsible for firearm safety and storage on the movie’s set, was acquitted of a separate charge of evidence tampering, which was brought after prosecutors alleged she transferred a “small bag of cocaine” to someone else after a police interview on the day of the shooting on October 21, 2021.

Jurors deliberated for nearly three hours Wednesday before reaching a decision. The 26-yearold, who did not take the stand in her defense during the trial in Santa Fe, did not show any emotion while the verdict was read. She was then taken into custody.

The involuntary manslaughter charge carries up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The judge did not set a sentencing date.

Gutierrez Reed is the first person to stand trial in a case that highlighted the movie industry’s safety standards – and this specific set’s violations of them.

Prosecutors argued Gutierrez Reed repeatedly violated safety protocol on set and acted negligently and without caution in performing her duties as armorer, and that her actions ultimately led to Hutchins’ death.

“This is not a case where Hannah Gutierrez made one mistake and that one mistake was accidentally putting a live round into that gun. That’s not what this case is about,” special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said during closing arguments Wednesday.

“This case is about constant, never-ending safety failures that resulted in the death of a human being and nearly killed another,” she added. The film’s director also was injured in the shooting.

Gutierrez Reed’s defense attorney Jason Bowles, who has called the shooting a tragic accident, said in closing arguments the armorer could not have known Baldwin would point the weapon

toward the cinematographer. And film set management was to blame for safety failures, he said.

Speaking outside the courthouse after the jury’s decision Wednesday, Bowles said his team was disappointed but plans to appeal the verdict.

CNN has sought comment on the verdict from prosecutors.

DEFENSE ARGUED

GUTIERREZ REED IS SCAPEGOAT

Baldwin had been practicing for a scene and was drawing and pointing a revolver with guidance from Hutchins and Joel Souza, the film’s director, according to a probable cause statement filed in January 2023. Souza also was shot but survived.

The prosecution argued Gutierrez Reed’s failures allowed six live rounds to make their way onto the set, and that she did not conduct vital safety checks of the gun and ammunition that would have caught the live rounds.

“She had six, six live rounds on that movie set, the earliest date that I can track them for you is October

10, (2021),” Morrissey said during Wednesday’s closing arguments.

“Six, and she failed to ferret them out for 12 days. What that means is that she wasn’t shaking any dummy rounds, she wasn’t testing anything.”

“If she’s not checking the dummy ammunition during the pendency of the filming to make sure that those rounds that are designed to look like live rounds are in fact dummy rounds, this was a game of Russian roulette every time an actor had a gun with dummies.”

Bowles, Gutierrez Reed’s

attorney, instead argued in the trial that the blame lies elsewhere and said his client was being used as a scapegoat.

He questioned how the live ammunition made it on set and alleged the “Rust” production team created a chaotic and unsafe environment that put Gutierrez Reed under “really tough conditions to keep up with.” And Baldwin did not follow commonsense gun safety rules on set when he handled the firearm and acted unpredictably when he pointed the weapon at Hutchins, Bowles said in his closing statements.

Hannah Gutierrez Reed

AUTO SALES

REAL ESTATE

RAY EVIN GARDINER

#42

ANDREW GARDINER

ANGELO ELYSSE

APPOLON NOEL

Cleaning

Salary: $8.00

CONTACT:

649-241-9388

Belongers

Cleaning

CONTACT: 348-9646

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

A skilled worker that can undertake any job as a helper by profession.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 244-5638

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 341-6787

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 247-1826

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

Must have at least 5 years of experience

Salary $10 per hour

CONTACT: (649) 241-6461

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

41309

CONTACT: 347-3630

BELONGERS

Salary:

CONTACT:

IS URGENTLY LOOKING FOR A

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

CONTACT:

Salary:

CONTACT:

BELONGERS

41353

BERTINORD

Duties: building with brick, constructing walls. Etc

Salary : $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 649-333-1674

BELONGERS

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 242-7523

BELONGERS

DANIELLE H.V. GARLAND

DESROULEAUX MASSILLON

the

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 345-1680

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

DNA CONTRACTING

(Sandy Point, North Caicos) Dusting,

MAINTENANCE WORKER

(Snake

LOCATION: The Strand, Cooper Jack, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

▪ At least 7 years’ experience as a General Manager or Managing Director of luxury resorts including extensive experience in resort openings.

▪ Experience managing luxury private clubs and luxury villas.

JOB DESCRIPTION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

CONTACT: 442-7240 41329

CONTACT: 243-2984

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CHAMPIONS FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE

An affiliate of A Touch of Love Ministries International Center Accepting Applications

POSITIONS NEEDED:

GENERAL STUDIES TEACHER

GENERAL STUDIES TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelors/Master’s Degree from reputable institution, 5-7 years minimum teaching experience in primary and/or secondary education. Experience with Christian education curriculum. Specialties in Mathematics and Science is a plus

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualified applicants for all positions must be a born-again Christian, active in their church, known to their Pastor and believe in the work of the Holy Spirit; Must be of good moral character and reputation; Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt to a flexible working environment; Must be enthusiastic and creative with an excellent work ethic, and a willingness to build character and Christian values in students

Submit resume and three references with telephone numbers and addresses including one from current Pastor.

Salary starts at - $1,500.00 monthly

POSITIONS ARE HELD BY WORK PERMIT HOLDERS. BELONGERS SHOULD SUBMIT COPY OF RESUME TO THE LABOR BOARD.

No phone calls please ADDRESS APPLICATIONS TO:

Attn: Executive Board

Champions for Christ International School of Excellence

Champions Way, Northwest Point Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI

Or email: championsforchristtci@gmail.com Tel. 649-332-4903

The General Manager oversees all aspects of hospitality, property management, and operations of an ultra-luxury residential resort and club. Remuneration based on experience, commencing at $12,000.00 per month.

ALL SUITABLY QUALIFIED TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT RESUMES AND A COVER LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE STRAND C/O MILLER SIMONS O’SULLIVAN TO PO BOX 560, REGENT HOUSE, REGENT VILLAGE, GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TCI OR SEND BY FAX – (649) 946 4663 OR EMAIL – MSLAW@TCIWAY.TC.

Prospective Turks and Caicos Islanders are also encouraged to submit a copy of their application to the Employment Services Department.

THIS ADVERTISEMENT IS REQUIRED FOR A WORK PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION. 41436

Plans and directs all aspects of engineering activities within the organization. Ensures all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with the organization’s established policies and objectives. Demonstrates expertise in a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures.

Momentous Ltd. is seeking a qualified individual for the following position. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and requirements will be considered. All candidates must be willing to work unusual hours including weekends and public holidays. All candidates must be non-smokers, must have a valid passport, and be able to travel globally. Applicants will be required to pass a written skills and fluency (English) test. This position is not currently occupied by a Work Permit holder. Qualified Turks Islander applicants are invited to forward resumes to the Labour Board.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT

BASIC FUNCTION:

Assist in providing our business with accurate financial information to help our leaders make decisions that keep us operating at our optimum.

General accounting including maintaining and preparing payments, monitor accounts payable, preparing journal entries, maintaining balance sheet schedules and ledgers and account and bank reconciliations, monthly closings and account analysis. This position requires a business-minded, operational go-getter..

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• General ledger operations; preparing journal entries

• Monthly closings and preparation of monthly financial statements

• Reconcile and maintain balance sheet accounts

• Draw up monthly financial reports

• Administer accounts receivable and accounts payable

• Assist in preparing budgets and forecasts

• Assist with payroll administration

• Account/bank reconciliations

• Assist with implementing and maintaining internal financial controls and procedures

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Attention to detail and accuracy

• Planning and organizing

• Scheduling and monitoring

• Communication skills

• Problem analysis and problem-solving skills

• Initiative

• Team Work

• Confidentiality

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in accounting or equivalent

• CPA designation considered a strong asset

• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices

• Knowledge of finance principles

• Knowledge of financial reporting

• Technical accounting skills

• Previous experience in general accounting

• Proficiency in Quickbooks is a necessity

FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR

Minimum 5 years ‘experience in luxury restaurant operation with Mediterranean exposure required. Excellent communication and organizational skills; reading, writing, and oral proficiency in the English language. Excellent human relations skills; proven experience in dealing with employee and guest situations in a positive and effective manner. Must be an exceptional performer in their current job and demonstrate the potential for management. Train, evaluate, lead, motivate, coach, and discipline all employees in the Hotel’s Service Department to ensure that established cultural and core Relais &Chateaux standards are met. Salary $24,000 per annum.

PASTRY CHEF

More than 5 years of experience in a luxury resort kitchen. Must prepare a wide variety of pastries along with creating new and exciting desserts. Decorate pastries using various of toppings or icings. Must have in dept knowledge of sanitation principles, food preparation and baking techniques and nutrition. Working knowledge of baking with ingredient limitations, dietary restrictions and food allergies. Must be detailed orientation. Certificate in culinary arts,I pastry-I making, baking or relevant field. Salary is $30,000 per annum.

WATERSPORTS ATTENDANT

Maximum of 3 years’ experience in a luxury resort environment. Ensure that all services meet the highest possible standards. Conduct beach activities with hotel guest and staff members. Perform general pool and beach related duties. Perform regular pool testing and ensure the pool remains clean. Must be detailed orientation, well organized with advanced verbal and written communication skills, adapt quickly, multitask and work under pressure. Highschool Diploma Required. Must do some heavy lifting. Salary $10 per hour.

LABOURER

3 years experience in a luxury resort environment. Must be able to work outdoors and operate small machinery, Maintain the beauty and health of all plants, flowers, outdoors grounds and trees, responsible for designing, producing, renewing and preserving outdoor spaces as well as responsible for minor repairs and keeping the compound clean from debris. Must be able to take direction, pay attention to detail and be a team player. Skills in painting, carpentry, landscaping and gardening would be an asset. Salary is $8.00 per hour. LI

• Conducting thorough inspections to identify pest problems.

• Developing and implementing effective treatment plans.

• Educating clients on pest prevention techniques.

• Maintaining accurate records of services provided.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have 1-3 years’ experience in Pest Control or related field of

work.

• Must have personal drive and the willingness to learn.

• Must be over the age of 25.

• Valid TCI driver's license.

• Strong communication and customer service skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Availability to work odd hours and holidays.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Our

is seeking Belongers only to apply

• Rebuild, repair, modify and install gaming devices of all types and associated equipment

• Install, remove, set options, repair and troubleshoot online management systems, cash dispensing safes, progressive systems and signs

• Run and terminate CAT 5 and 6, fiber, coaxes and installs patch panels

• Maintain accurate inventory of parts issued.

• Maintains safe working equipment and keeps work areas clean

• Ensure compliance with all applicable gaming laws and company internal controls, policies and procedure

• Excellent knowledge of machine trouble shooting testing and repair.

• Must show excellent customer service skills and show the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively with customers, subordinates, and management and gaming regulatory organizations.

• Must have 2 years minimum experience in a similar role.

• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs

• Must speak, read and write fluent English

v TURQUOISE LANDSCAPING LTD CONTACT: 649-332-4280 OR EMAIL TURQUOISELANDSCAPING@TCIWAY.TC TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW. BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD THESE POSITIONS ARE FOR WORK PERMIT RENEWALS. 41322 • Must have previous gardening experience. • Must be willing to carry out work such as heavy lifting, digging, weeding, trimming and plant waste removal. • Must be willing to work 2 GARDENERS & 2 LABOURERS Long bay, Is seeking to employ weekends and holidays. • Must have a clean police record and provide employer references on request. • Salary: $8.00 hourly (depending on experience) v EASYWAY EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 41374 ALL STARS STORE Leeward Highway / 344-0775 Cleaning the store, stock shelves and refrigerator, dust cans good. $8.00 hr. GREGORY ETIENNE Millennium Highway / 241-1946 Cleaning properties, pick up and dispose of waste and ensure properties remain clean. $8.00 hr LEW & JAN North Caicos / 333-2612 Soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting. $8.00 hr ALYDIA NATISHA EWING Kingston, The Bight / 243-6655 Cleaning the house, making beds, wash dishes clean the kitchen, bathroom and ensure. $8.00 hr. CLEANER LABOURER LABOURER DOMESTIC WORKER ACTING ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENT REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES • Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work • Minimum of 5 years work experience in counselling or mental health services • Counselling patients, establish a positive, trusting rapport with them • Diagnose and treat mental health disorders • Creates treatment plans according to patient needs • Computer Knowledge, action patient results, updating and maintaining patients EMR files, maintains confidentiality records relating to patient treatment. Monthly salary $4,500.00 to $5,500.00 depending on experience. Belongers only need to apply. GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER #30 Neptune Plaza, Providenciales TCI. Is seeking to employ a THERAPEUTIC SOCIAL WORKER EMAIL: CYNTHIA@GRACEBAYMEDICAL.COM PHONE: 649-941-5252. FAX: 649-946-8243; NO PHONE CALL 41431 CONSIST CONTRACTING CONTACT: 242-1287 41327 BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 Hourly LABOURER South Dock Rd. Is seeking to employ a CLAYTON THOMAS CONTACT: 649-232-4272 41383 BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL A skilled worker that can undertake any job as a helper by profession. Salary: $8.00 Hourly TRADESMEN Venetian Road Is seeking to employ a LABOURER Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 Hourly CONTACT: 649-241-9388 Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board RAY EVIN GARDINER #42 Borris Ave., South Dock Ltd. Is seeking to employ a 41340 VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

Applicants must have at least 10 years experience on large commercial projects. Duties will include air conditioning installations, repairs, maintenance and service calls to residential and

6

The RSA is responsible for negotiating prices, liaising with clients, and organizing remote client meetings.

The RSA serves as the face of the rental agency, offering personalized service to ensure a smooth and satisfactory rental experience for each customer. This role involves a blend of customer service and sales, aiming to meet clients’ needs while also promoting additional services and products that align with their requirements. By understanding the diverse demands of travelers, from business professionals to vacationing families. Effective communication and a keen attention to detail are essential, as the agent navigates agreements, processes payments, and coordinates with the vehicle preparation team to guarantee that each car is ready for its next journey. The RSA plays a significant role in facilitating mobility and creating positive impressions that encourage customer loyalty and repeat business.

• Explain rental terms, policies, and procedures to all agents, including insurance options and any additional services offered.

• Perform vehicle inspections before and after rental to document any existing damages and ensure the car’s condition is accurately recorded.

• Coordinate with the maintenance team to ensure all vehicles are clean, fueled, and ready for customer use.

• Manage reservations, including scheduling, modifications, and cancellations, using the company’s reservation system.

• Handle customer complaints and issues, providing solutions that align with company policies while ensuring customer satisfaction.

• Conduct inventory management tasks, such as tracking vehicle availability, and coordinating with other locations to transfer vehicles as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Supply with demand by coordinating bookings to

when and where customers need them.

are

PUBLIC NOTICE

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS APPLICATION

( SECTION 4(3) OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS ORDINANCE)

Take notice that I, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands in exercise of the powers conferred in me by Section 6(4) of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance intend to grant a Certificate of Turks and Caicos Islander Status to Tanya Dawn Northeast-Been by virtue of marriage to a Turks and Caicos Islander.

MAITRE D NEEDED

$600.00 weekly

• Must have a minimum of 5 years’ fine dining experience.

• Must be able to work 6 nights weekly and holidays.

• Will oversee guest flow, manage reservations and liaise between staff.

• Renewal Belongers only apply Deadline: March 15th, 2023

Acting on behalf of LORINCE DEVIS MICHEL

Blue Hills, 343-6587

348-3770

- $8.00 Hourly

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

South Dock Rd.

DRIVER

- $450.00 Weekly Transport materials and goods among manufacturing, distribution and retail centers.

Belongers only apply

Renewal

#30 Neptune Plaza, Providenciales TCI0. Is seeking to employ a

NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST/ PSYCHOLOGIST

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a degree in Psychology and Neuropsychology from an accredited University,

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a clinic, laboratories, university, hospital, mental health facilities, or research

• Minimum of 5 years as a fully registered clinical psychologist on a recognized Medical Board.

• Proficient with planning and performing psychological interventions.

MAIN DUTIES

• Knowledge of human behavior, performance; individual ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders,

• Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, and cultures and their history and origins

• Counsels’ clients and patients, individually and in group sessions,

• running cognitive tests of patients, evaluating patient needs and diagnosing and treating brain-based disorders

• Evaluates clients physical or mental condition based on review of client information and monitoring for safety in a restrictive environment

• Develops and implements treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge, Measuring the effectiveness of interventions and implementing changes where required

• Updating and maintaining patients EMR files, maintains confidentiality of records relating to client’s treatment

• Liaise with other healthcare professionals and hospitals

• Making assessments and interpretations based on biopsychosocial evaluations, psychometric tests, semi-structured interviews, therapy sessions, and neuropsychological assessments.

• Bi-lingual is preferred

Monthly salary $7000.00. Belongers only need to apply.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a minimum of M.B.B.S., Medical Doctor Degree from an accredited University, Relevant training and/or certifications as an Ophthalmologist

• Minimum of 5 years work experience and specialize in the surgical and medical treatment of eye diseases and injuries

• Must have a minimum of 5 years as a fully registered Medical Practitioner on a register of a recognized Medical Board.

MAIN DUTIES

• Carry out patient consultations in the Clinic

• Diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the eyes and visual system, using medical and surgical skills

• Providing comprehensive eye care, routine vision testing and prescribing glasses and contact lenses

• Performing corrective surgeries, such as repairing injuries and corneas and removing cataracts

• Manage acute and chronic illnesses

• Order laboratory and diagnostic tests

• Perform minor procedures

• Be proactive with patient health education

• Work with a multidisciplinary team, including other doctors and staff

• Expected to be part of practice management and administration

• Liaise with other healthcare professionals and/or hospitals

• Computer knowledge – experience using EMR files

• Bi-lingual will be an asset

Monthly salary $4,500.00 depending on experience. Belongers only need to apply.

41348

DIAGNOSTIC MECHANIC SPECIALIST

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

♣ Diagnoses and repairs vehicles accurately and within a reasonable time frame and with a quality of work that exceeds customer expectations.

♣ Performs diagnostic work accurately according to daily work orders as received from any manager including: emission control systems; throttle body injection; electrical problems on computerized vehicles; conditions between computer, ignition, and mechanical problems; anti-lock brake systems; cruise control; all non-computerized accessories; drivability problems; on-board computer problems; import fuel injection; import ignition on computerized vehicles; auto transmissions; computerized A/C systems; and four wheel drive internal components.

♣ Knows, understands, and performs all duties of the Repair Technician and Maintenance Technician jobs.

♣ Observes and follows all necessary safety regulations when operating machinery, equipment and tools.

♣ Perform work of other members of the service department if business necessitates.

♣ Perform any other duties either necessary for customer service or perceived by or assigned to the job.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform and enjoy each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Diagnostic Technician Job Description

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Minimum training required: All classes & certifications from the Technician Trainee, Maintenance Technician & Repair Technician roles. Training

Preferred: Auto Electricity & Electronics Scanner/On Board Diagnostics

II Lab Scope Diagnostics Certified Repair Diagnostic Technician

ASE certifications: Suspension and Steering Brakes Heating & Air Conditioning Refrigerant Recovery & Recycling Engine Repair Electrical/ Electronic Systems Engine Performance Auto Advanced Engine Performance

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY

to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent; and the ability to draw and interpret graphs.

All employees are expected to demonstrate core behaviors that help us provide the level of service that customers expect:

KEY COMPETENCIES DESCRIPTORS

1. Drive Self-motivated to act and to do more than what is expected to deliver excellent service.

2. Desire to Learn Actively seeks to build or acquire new knowledge to improve and develop skills.

3. Speed of Execution Carries out job duties in a manner that demonstrates ability to achieve the expected level of efficiency, quality, and customer service.

4. Detail Orientation Completes tasks accurately, thoroughly and with an eye toward quality, and in accordance with established processes and procedures.

5. Reliability Assumes personal responsibility for all aspects of work: quality, timeliness and results; seeking to complete tasks with little oversight.

CLIMATECH

Industrial Park, Provo, 231-4545

LABOURER $9.00 p/h

Performing manual tasks, loading equipment and replenishing stock and materials.

GLORY GROCERY STORE & SALON

GENERAL WORKER $8.00 p/h 348-8986

Maintain work shop in a clean and orderly manner.

POSEIDON CHARTERS

Regent Villa, Grace Bay 649-232-3633

BELONGERS ARE

YACHT CAPTAIN

$1,000.00 per week

Ensure the safety of passengers, understanding of water condition

ENITE BEEN

South D, Road 649-341-0160

LABOURER $8.00 p/h

Cleaning outside the property.

DIANA L. WILSON

Leeward Highway 649-242-5886

BABYSITTER $8.00 p/h

Provides care to children

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Turks and Caicos Islands oldest and leading publishing house is in need of additional staff to fill the following posts:

WRITERS/ PHOTO JOURNALIST

Candidates must have at least five (5) years’ experience working full-time for daily newspapers and/or news/features magazines, reporting on hard news, features and parliamentary/court proceedings. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

FOR MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICALS GRAPHICS PRODUCTION DESIGNER/ PAGINATOR

This position requires someone with at least five (5) years’ experience working with Macintosh or PC computers. Must be skilled in the make-up of advertising and pagination. Proficiency using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop software for print is essential. Some technical, networking and web design knowledge an asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

COURT REPORTER

College or high school graduate with at least five (5) years’ experience in community reporting. Ability to drive and use a camera a desirable asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

ADVERTISING SPACE SALES PERSON

Candidates must have had actual hands-on experience selling advertising space for newspapers and magazines. Ability to assist clients with the writing of copy for ads and gathering of collateral an asset. Salary is commission based.

FREDLENE

Cleaning outside the

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

FOR YOUR PAINTING AND VARNISHING NEEDS, INDOOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, TOUCH-UPS. FREELANCE, MATURE PAINTER AVAILABLE. AVAILABLE WITH MANY YEARS’ EXPERIENCE.

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

GOD’S INSTRUMENT MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

GRANDMA’S BOY KITCHEN AND CATERING

EVANGELIST

Create culture, environments and training to facilitate evangelism through new and existing ministries inside the Church.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

KITCHEN HELPER

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

GREGORY ETIENNE

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Cares for garden on a daily basis.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 649-348-9917 41491

HASSEN

CONTACT: 242-8834 OR 348-7244

CONTACT: 331-3820

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

HOLIDAY RENTALS/ ROBERT LUKER

CONTACT: 242-4551

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41507

Salary:

CONTACT: 649-243-2233

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 241-0113

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Plumbing work, painting, flooring

CONTACT: 946-4684 OR 231-0262

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

CONTACT: 244-1490

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

CONTACT: 331-8906

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41493

CONTACT: 241-1948

BELONGERS APPLY AT THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

41525

CONTACT: 649-946-4069

CONTACT:

BELONGERS

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-232-7497

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41518

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 232-6429

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41489

LUXURY

LESLIE

CONTACT: 244-2995

BELONGERS

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 343-2245

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE

CONTACT: 649-344-1567 41462

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 348-6452

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41509

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-241-0054/649-344-3343 OR PALMERBOY101@HOTMAIL.COM

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY 41458

MARIANE CELIFORT DILL

Assist in taking care of two children, a two year old and a five year old. Must have some knowledge with small children before.

Salary: $10.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-247-4149

BELONGERS APPLY AT THE

LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

41495

MARIE

• Visit the site, estimate, and plan.

• Provide all tools and materials.

• Adhere to building code.

• Manage all employees.

Salary: $2,500.00

CONTACT: 241-5996

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41446

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT:

BELONGERS

CONTACT: 242-0437 41527

CONTACT: 649-343-1579 41471

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD A WORK PERMIT HOLDER CURRENTLY HOLDS THIS POSITION

MARIE

PAINTER

Responsible for painting all types of buildingetc.houses, Working 6 days a week

Salary: $15.00 hourly

CONTACT: 246-6622

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41494

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 246-7824

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41476

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-432-6611

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41481

PROVO SEAFOOD

2 FISHERMEN

Must have some experience with fishing and operating outboard engines. Must be willing to work after normal hours and holidays if needed

Salary: Based on catch

CONTACT: ERNEST RIGBY ON 649-231-0293

BELONGERS APPLY AT THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

41449

RUTH

SALES

CLEANER

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-345-1036

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41414

SHAVAGO THOMAS

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 348-3465

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 232-3435

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

R&S FUNERAL SERVICES

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Prepare communications such as memos, invoices, reports, flyers

• Schedule appointments

• Create and maintain filing systems

• Help manage accounts and book keeping

Salary: $20 hourly, Mon-Fri

CONTACT: 331-7513

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41501

Skilled worker that can undertake any job as a helper by profession.

Salary: $10.00

CONTACT: 341-3579

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

41447

Salary: $8.00 hourly

BELONGERS

Childcare, general house cleaning, laundry and ironing. Must be able to work six days a week.

Salary: $8.00 per hour

Setting

workstations

all needed ingredients and cooking equipment. Preparing ingredients to use in cooking chopping and peeling vegetables, cutting meat etc. Cooking food in various utensils or grillers.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 242-7532/ SYRMOND_GRAY@HOTMAIL.COM 41413

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 331-0412 OR BUDSTASTE66@GMAIL.COM

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

41463

CONTACT: 231-3887

41517

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

• Must be able to drive a stick-shift truck, have experience driving large commercial vehicles, and have basic mechanic knowledge to keep truck running.

• Must be prepared to work with human waste: cleaning portable toilets and emptying septic tanks. Job involves heavy manual labour.

CONTACT: 649-346-6622 OR Y726626W3@GMAIL.COM

Salary: $8 - $10/hr commensurate with experience. 40 hrs a week

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 346-6113 41490

•

•

BELONGERS ARE TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

41423

CONTACT: WHATSAPP 231-7448 OR BLUELOOSLTD@GMAIL.COM

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL 41455

PETIT FRERE

JERICHO BAPTIST CHURCH

JN BERNARD DIEUDONNE

DRYWALL FINISHER

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

Salary: $12.00 hourly

CONTACT: 333-1505

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41355

JULIAN GARLAND

Applicant must willing to work.

Cleaning yard, trimming trees, debris disposal and assisting with other work in and around my home.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-344-4427

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41343

JUNIOR ETIENNE RIGBY

Playing of Piano Keyboard, Training for Music Department, and Weekly vocal training for Praise Team, Choir, and Music class.

Work hours include every church service, special functions and Events.

Salary: Based on experience

CONTACT: 941-4840

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 341-2299

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41386

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 244-7337

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41367

KENARD CRUISES LTD

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 348-7523

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

41330

KISHENA ROBINSON SMITH

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

Must be excellent in boat excursions, guest relations, watersport activities, cooking, etc. Must be Trustworthy.

Salary: $12.00 hourly

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

Salary:

CONTACT: 347-7298 41339

CONTACT: 231-3483

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT:

CONTACT:

LYNIKA’S CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Salary:

Ensuring

BELONGERS

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-1075

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41389

CONTACT: 232-2866

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41409

Blue

areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 332-4839

BELONGERS

CONTACT: 246-8249

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41342

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

Salary: $8.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 344-3659

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41306

JOHN

JEAN

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

MARIE

Chief Executive Officer

Experience Turks and Caicos is seeking a suitable candidate for the position of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Experience Turks & Caicos, the Tourism Destination Marketing & Management Organization for the Turks and Caicos Islands, ensures the efficient and effective delivery of the tourism product focusing on building a sustainable Tourism Ecosystem. The CEO will be responsible for the leadership and management of all day-to-day operations of the organization. This highly visible position will interact with key leaders in the community, government, media, and tourism. The CEO will also serve as the key spokesperson for the organization, ensuring ongoing and active communication and engagement with all tourism stakeholders. The CEO will report directly to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, who reports to the Ministry of Tourism.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage “Experience Turks and Caicos” and supervise the activities of the managers/directors of all other Departments and Units composing “Experience Turks and Caicos”.

• Work closely with the executive team and key stakeholders to develop and implement an annual strategic plan.

• Develop relationships with government officials and national and local political representatives to promote the mission of “Experience Turks and Caicos” and advocate for the tourism industry.

• Work with executive leadership to develop the annual operating budget and staffing requirements.

• Leads the decision-making for the executive team and all employee team members within the organisation. This includes making decisions related to the recruitment, and performance management of all employee team members.

• Oversee the finance team to ensure sound internal controls, segregation of duties, and development of policies and procedures.

• Assure a workplace culture that is innovative, supportive, inclusive, and rewarding.

• Develop strategies to identify and pursue new sources of revenue

or services that will assist “Experience Turks and Caicos” in fulfilling its mission and increasing its funding.

• Ensure that all activities of the organisation are implemented and comply with established policies and procedures, regulations, guidelines, laws, and ethical standards.

• Develop marketing strategies and implement programming to support targeted product development.

• Maintain active community involvement to enhance the visibility and reputation of “Experience Turks and Caicos”.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in business administration, public administration, economics, tourism, marketing and communications, or other relevant field required; an advanced degree is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job duties.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of leadership or management/ supervisory experience in a tourism-related field utilizing the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below.

• Prior hospitality/tourism, association, or economic development experience preferred.

• Prior experience as CEO in a tourism destination marketing, management or development organization is highly preferred.

• In-depth knowledge of marketing.

• Exceptional financial acumen and experience managing budgets.

• Experience developing market-driven luxury tourism products portfolio.

• Experience engaging local communities and tourism SMEs in the development of new tourism products.

• Experience with quality, safety, and sustainable tourism development programmes for tourism services through international standards.

• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.

• Excellent inclusive communication and interpersonal abilities.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF TURK AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS

FIRST PUBLICATION

In accordance with section 6(1) of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance, notice is hereby given that the following persons have made applications in 2023 for the grant of Islander Status under section 5(1)(b) of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance.

Alain Francois Alexandre Wattiez, married to Olga Kudrytska Wattiez, of Talence, France, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Geraldine Elisabeth Burtschi, spinster, of Switzerland, a British Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales

Willy Serrano Reynoso, married to Jahaira Taveras Trinidad, father of 2 children, of Dominican Republic, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Savanna Alexis Geno Barker, spinster of Canada, a British Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Martime Doccy, spinster, of Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Shelta Romulus, spinster, of Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Wydney Mompremier, bachelor, of Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Grand Turk.

Rosemene Joseph, spinster, of Cap Haitian, Haiti, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Juan Antonio Ferreira Simon, married to Ana Brito De Ferreira, father of 1 child, of Imbert, Dominican Republic, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

John Esper, married to Kimberly Ann Esper, father of 4 children of Lebanon, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in, Providenciales.

Job Julien, married to Gessika Antoinette Julien Charles, father of 2 children, of Limbe, Haiti, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Leshaun Lauren Wendella Charles, spinster, of Georgetown, Guyana, a British Overseas Territories Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

v GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER

REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES

• Diploma/ Certificate in Life and Executive Coaching.

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a senior executive role.

• Must have experience in finance, and operational departments and HR.

• Demonstrate strong experience in customer relations and team training.

• Must have experience in staff mentorship.

• Must exhibits a strong background in all areas of operation.

MONTHLY SALARY TO BE NEGOTIATED DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE. BELONGERS ONLY NEED TO APPLY. EMAIL: CYNTHIA@GRACEBAYMEDICAL.COM PHONE: 649-941-5252 FAX: 649-946-8243; NO PHONE CALL 41537

v TURQUOISE LANDSCAPING

#8 LEEWARD DRIVE, LONG BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, Is seeking to employ a

2 IRRIGATION TECHNICIANS

• Pay-$8.00/hr depending on experience

• Must be familiar with commercial and residential irrigation systems.

• Must be able to assist to maintain, install, troubleshoot and fix irrigation systems.

• Must be able to assist with the design of irrigation site plans.

• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

• Must be fit and capable for standing up, bending, kneeling for up to 8 hours per day in hot outdoor conditions.

• Must have a clean police record and provide employer references on request.

CONTACT: 649-332-4280

OR EMAIL: TURQUOISELANDSCAPING@TCIWAY.TC TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL 41527

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF TURK AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS

FIRST PUBLICATION CONTINUED

Renald Julien, bachelor, of Turks and Caicos Islands, father of 1 child a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Philomise Joseph, spinster, of Cap Haitian, Haiti, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Arayih Tamara Wildish, spinster, of Florida, United States of America, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Achsah Blessings Wildish, spinster, of Florida, United States of America, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Carol Anne Wildish, married John Wildish, mother of 2 Children of St. Andrew, Jamaica, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

John David Wildish, married to Carol Anne Wildish, father of 2 children, of Kingston, Jamaica, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Lanie Rock Jean Baptiste, married to Joseph Ifores Jn Baptiste, mother of 2 Children of Cap Haitian, Haiti, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Grand Turk.

Ralph Gershon Carmichael, married to Adelina Althea Carmichael, father of 4 children, of Georgetown, Guyana, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Providenciales.

Carol Ducleron Michel, married to Albin Michel, mother of 2 Children of Cap Haitian, Haiti, a British Overseas Territory Citizen and ordinarily resident in Grand Turk.

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

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

*FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER

- Oversees daily operations of the restaurant. Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Restaurant Managers, Food and Beverage servers, Bartenders, Pool and Beach servers, Host/Hostess. Resolve customer complaints regarding food service. Train employees in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures. Observe and evaluate employees and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service. Assign duties, responsibilities, and workstations to employees in accordance with work requirements. Previous experience working in a multicultural 5 Star property. Extensive wine knowledge. Proficiency with general office PC applications (i.e. Microsoft Office software, Opera, Micros POS, Open Table, Timeclock,). Must be fluent in English. A second language is preferred. Compensation: $35k - $45k per annum

*LABOURER

- Must have experience in a resort, knowledge of cleaning and preventative maintenance process and pay keen attention to details. Transports and generally maintain all of Maintenance areas. Compensation: $8.00 per hour

*SPA DIRECTOR

- The Spa Director is responsible for the daily operations, management, and profitability of the spa, along with the highest level of customer service and quality work environment. Oversee the management of all positions: front desk, spa technicians, teachers, and boutique to provide a seamless operation and service for the guests. Improve guest service + satisfaction levels through heightened levels of communication and personalized service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Manage, coordinate, and/or conduct associate meetings and workshops for all product lines.

• Perform all Human Resources functions, according to policies and procedures.

• Promote events and activities within the local community by creating marketing collateral to provide continuous engagement.

• Monitor daily sales activities to ensure that all transactions are completed accurately.

• Ensure the maintenance and cleanliness of spa facility. Control and maintain a high quality of music selection and HVAC.

• Ensure spa treatment quality controls, including service, cleanliness, and product usage.

• Manage the preparation of purchase orders for professional treatment and operational supplies.

• Maintain proper inventory levels for all professional and retail products.

• Conduct annual performance reviews of supervisory and hourly associates, where applicable.

• Partner with Controller to prepare monthly financial variance reports and participate in the development of the annual budget.

• Maintain expertise regarding all standard operating procedures and policies.

• Coordinate press visits, as requested by Ownership.

• Assist with special projects, events, and promotions as needed.

• Respond to guest questions and associate concerns in a timely, professional manner.

• Maintain a high level of guest rapport and service.

• Adhere to company guidelines and core values.

• Maintain a working knowledge of all Spa classes, services, and products.

• Attend Spa class a minimum of three times a week.

• Demonstrate positive attitude and actions through a display of courtesy, service, cooperation, hospitality, sensitivity, and professionalism to internal guests.

• Coordinate new hire orientations.

• Increase gross margins of the business through optimal scheduling, staffing

plans, and capacity utilization.

• Manage department to achieve or exceed desired unit metric goals.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Spa for Luxury Hotel.

• Certificate in Aromatherapy required.

• Certificate in Massage Therapy required.

• Certificate in Massage Yoga required.

• Certificate in Face & Body Treatments Training.

• Ayurverdic certification required.

• Extensive knowledge in Spa Management and budgeting.

• Must be enthusiastic, motivated, and a team player.

• Must possess computer proficiency with Windows-based products.

• Must have outstanding experience delivering high-quality customer service.

• Display good organizational, written, and verbal skills.

Compensation: 40K – 55K per annum

*DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE

- Directs and supervises, all aspects of the Food & Beverage operations for the resort, Indigo, Pink Bar, Blue Water Bistro, Tiki Bar’s, In Room Dining and all private dining functions and events. Main responsibilities are to ensure proper training and supervision of the team and to deliver prompt, courteous service in a manner that complies with Wymara and Indigo standards. The Director of Food and Beverage will be responsible for the effective administration, supervision, and execution of programs consistent with the company standards and goals of providing excellent service while generating maximum revenue.

REQUIREMENTS:

4-year degree from an accredited university in Food Service Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major. International equivalent suffices. Minimum 5years’ experience as F&B Manager from leading international 5 Star Level Luxury Resort, proven knowledge of, and ability to oversee and direct the food and beverage division. Fluent in English, both verbal and written. A second language is preferred. Extensive knowledge of varying brands and quality of liquors. Knowledge of new and oldworld wines including food and wine pairing. Ability to investigate and solve guest complaints, follow up and meet/exceed guest expectations. Caribbean experience preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

Operational: Developing and Executing Food and Beverage Strategy and Goals.

• Streamlining all procedures to maximize efficiency and drive guest satisfaction and revenues.

• Creating cost control driven menus utilizing menu engineering and the correct menu mix.

• Possess excellent financial and computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite with responsibility for monthly and yearly Labor Reports & P&L.

• Works with direct reports to develop and implement promotions, food and wine pairings, menu items and presentations.

• Develops a food and beverage operating strategy that is aligned with the brand’s business strategy and leads its execution.

• Ensures integration of departmental goals in game plans. Knowledge of specific hospitality industry applications (SMS, Avero, Opentable, MICROS POS).

LEADING FOOD AND BEVERAGE TEAMS

Ensures that regular, on-going communication occurs in all areas of food and beverage (e.g., pre-meal briefings, staff meetings, culinary team).

• Works with direct reports to review business in house and potential business in

surrounding area and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts.

• Reviews staffing levels to ensure that guest service and operational needs are met.

• Sets expectations and holds food and beverage leadership team accountable for demonstrating desired service behaviors.

• Provides feedback to employees based on observation of service behaviors.

• Utilizes employee feedback and an “open door” policy to identify and address employee problems or concerns in a timely manner.

• Communicates critical information gained from pre- and post-event meetings to areas of responsibility.

• Estimate food, liquor, wine, and other beverage consumption in order to anticipate amounts to be purchased or requisitioned.

ORDER AND PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.

• Maximizing Food and Beverage Revenue

• Reviews financial reports and statements to determine how Food and Beverage is performing against budget.

• Ensures cash control and liquor control policies are in place in food & beverage areas and followed by all related employees.

• Encourages calculated risk-taking to generate incremental revenue and deliver Savvy Service.

ENSURING EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Creates an atmosphere in all food and beverage areas that meets or exceeds guest expectations.

• Reviews comment cards, guest satisfaction results and other data to identify areas of improvement.

• Strives to improve service performance.

MANAGING AND CONDUCTING HUMAN RESOURCE ACTIVITIES

• Ensures property policies are administered fairly and consistently, disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs) and supports the peer review process.

• Conducts annual performance appraisals with direct reports according to Standard Operating Procedures.

• Communicates and executes departmental and property emergency procedures.

• Hires food & beverage leadership team members who demonstrate strong functional expertise, creativity and entrepreneurial leadership to meet the business needs of the operation.

• Ensures new hires participate in the department’s orientation program and receive the appropriate new hire training to successfully perform their job.

• Sets goals and expectations for direct reports using the performance review process and holds staff accountable for successful performance.

• Establishes guidelines so employees understand expectations and parameters.

• Ensures employees receive on-going training to understand guest expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

Experience from leading international 5-star luxury full-service hotels, proven knowledge of, and ability to oversee and direct the food and beverage division. Pre-opening experience is a must.

• 10 years’ experience in the food and beverage, culinary, event management, or related professional area as a senior manager of Food and Beverage.

• High energy leader with 6 years’ experience in managing a successful fine dining a la carte restaurant, preferably in a hotel environment.

• Excellent communication, coaching and leadership skills.

• Must have the stamina to work 50 to 60 hours per week.

• Experience in managing a large multinational staff.

• Good organizational skills for dealing with diverse duties and staff.

• Extensive knowledge of varying brands and quality of liquors.

• Ability to read, interpret and demonstrate the preparation of drink recipes.

Compensation: 60k - 75k per annum

Interested

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

CONTINUED

*DIRECTOR OF PROJECTS

- Responsible for providing oversight for overall construction, environmental, maintenance and refurbishment projects, planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and control. The project manager will own and manage all aspects of projects to include client relationships, financial planning, cost control and financial forecasting and profitability through comprehensive project completion. The Director of Projects will develop, refine and update project schedules to ensure all milestones are identified and tracked. This position will provide technical direction and ensure compliance with all local and building codes, environmental safety management and quality standards. Responsibilities span a broad spectrum, covering a complete understanding of remote logistics, local culture, and challenges related to environmental protections laws.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

Works closely with property/regional leadership to develop and execute an operating strategy that aligns with the resort’s/brand’s business strategy.

• Manage and provide oversight of projects through all phases of project development – from energy efficiency to maintenance and construction.

• Provide scope, schedule, and budget on all assigned projects.

• Contract and manage the design and execution for all assigned projects.

• Responsible for all communication and coordination with facility operations and owners to achieve successful projects and turnover; includes managing punch list processes and close out administration.

• Project accounting functions include managing the budget, tracking expenses, and minimizing exposure and risk, in order to report to ownership any budgetary savings.

• Procurement of supplies and parts as well as maintenance of inventory and requisition process, billing and reporting.

• Manage document control and ensure project documents are completed timely and filed properly within project management software and database.

• Communicate and report statuses of all projects to upper management.

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with Purchasing and hotel operations; closely monitoring process and coordination of resources.

• Participate in all projects and engineering meetings.

• Monitor reporting for operational efficiency and correct billing.

• Develops, implements, and manages emergency and disaster management programs.

• Assists with developing Strata budget and manages Strata Costs.

• Develops, executes, and monitors preventative maintenance and asset protection programs.

• Manages controllable expenses through the implementation of cost saving and energy conservation programs.

• Monitors and maintains fire, health and safety systems and collaborates with relevant fire, emergency, and governmental agencies to ensure complete understanding of regulations, procedures, alarms, and equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

10 -15years of experience in commercial construction management, hospitality engineering management preferred.

• Degree in Accounting Business a management or equivalent combination of experience.

• Licensed Building Inspector.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products required.

• Must be able to use Microsoft Project scheduling software, or software of industry equivalent.

• Excellent communication, organizational, presentation and problem-solving skills required.

• Hospitality/Hotel engineering management experience preferred.

• Thorough understanding of all types of mechanical equipment, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, waste treatment, power, water, and fuel consumption. Compensation: $90K - $110K per year

ENEL DUMONARD

Is

Applicant must be honest, reliable and hard working.

Taking care of children, cooking, washing, ironing and cleaning the house.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 244-0344

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41345

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

BELONGERS

CONTACT: 649-341-1683 41319

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 232-7124

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41368

To clean outside of the property with a sweeper and picking up yard waste, disposal of trash and clean windows and door frames.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-343-7171

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41352

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 347-8694

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

41394

CONTACT:

CONTACT: 341-1236

BELONGERS

Salary: at $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 343-6204

RENEWAL,

Salary:

CONTACT: 232-7763

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE

CONTACT: 241-1490

CONTACT:

RENEWAL,

CONTACT:

FIRST

Sports International

Curry helps Warriors beat Bucks after Boston ‘beatdown’

Stephen Curry scored 29 points as the Golden State Warriors bounced back from a painful defeat to thrash the Milwaukee Bucks 125-90.

Seven-time NBA champions Golden State had suffered a staggering 52-point loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

But they scored an impressive 40 points in Wednesday’s first quarter, adding 38 in the second to take a decisive 78-58 lead at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

“For us to respond the way we did coming home was big,” said Curry.

“The nature of the NBA, you can get hit by a bus like we did in Boston and there’s a temptation to forget the

body of work that we’ve put in over the last month and a half and the identity we’re trying to create.

“For us to be able to turn the page, play with conviction and confidence after a beatdown like that, it shows what we’re trying to build and who we are.”

The Warriors had been unbeaten since the All-Star break with a record of six straight victories.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee’s scorers with 23 points and his side remain second in the Eastern Conference with a 41-22 record while Golden State improved to 33-28 and sit ninth in the Western Conference.

Chelsea beat Man City to reach League final

Lauren James’ early goal was enough to put Chelsea into the final of Women’s League Cup at the expense of Women’s Super League title rivals Manchester City

The visitors took advantage of a City error as Erin Cuthbert intercepted a misplaced pass by Laia Aleixandri before working the ball to Mayra Ramirez who set up James to fire a near-post effort past Khiara Keating.

City had started brightly, but their promise quickly fizzled out after going behind and Chelsea should really have had another when Colombian Ramirez shot wide in front of an open net.

Chelsea managed the first half well, but a revitalised City posed more problems after the break with Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp both forcing goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to react quickly to keep the London side in front.

Defeat is City’s first in 13 games in all competitions, having beaten Chelsea by the same scoreline in the league three weeks ago.

Chelsea will face Arsenal, who beat Aston Villa 4-0 on Wednesday, in the League Cup final at Molineux on Sunday, 31 March.

Chelsea’s quality secures ticket to the final

This was the third meeting of the season between City and Chelsea, but the first the London club won.

Taking such an early advantage made all the difference on Thursday evening, allowing Chelsea to excel in game-management as they frustrated City in the final third and kept the England duo of Hemp and Chloe Kelly quiet on either wing.

Striker Ramirez was forced off through injury in the first half, being replaced by youngster Aggie BeeverJones, and Chelsea missed the Colombian’s physicality.

City came close to levelling in the second half when Park found Hemp after driving into the box, but Hampton was quick off her line to stop the forward’s effort.

• Applicants should possess a first degree in education and or Teacher’s diploma with 3 or more years of experience.

• Applicants must be energetic and creative and a good team player.

• Applicants with experience in (CPEA) Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment would be an asset.

• All applicants should be a born-

again Christian preferably of the Baptist Faith.

• Capable of teaching students with a multi-cultured background.

• Have adequate knowledge and experience of working with the Primary School Curriculum of the TCI Education system.

• Salary $20,400.00 to $24,000.00 per annum.

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The Golden State Warriors last won the NBA championship in 2022

This was the third meeting of the season between City and Chelsea

Science & Technology

More than a billion people obese worldwide, research suggests

More than 1 billion people in the world are now living with obesity in 2022 according to a new study released by the Lancet.

Worldwide, obesity among adults has more than doubled since 1990, and has quadrupled among children and adolescents (5 to 19 years of age). The data also show that 43 per cent of adults were overweight in 2022.

The study also shows that even though the rates of undernutrition have dropped, it is still a public health challenge in many places, particularly in South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Countries with the highest combined rates of underweight and obesity in 2022 were island nations in the Pacific and the Caribbean and those in the Middle East and North Africa.

Malnutrition, in all its forms, includes undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight), inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight and obesity. Undernutrition is responsible for half of the deaths of children under 5 and obesity can cause noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some cancers.

Worldwide,

“This new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood, through diet, physical activity, and adequate care, as needed,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-

General. “Getting back on track to meet the global targets for curbing obesity will take the work of governments and communities, supported by evidence-based policies from WHO and national public health agencies. Importantly,

Robot ships: Huge remote controlled vessels are setting sail

It sounds like science fiction. Ocean-going ships with no-one on board. But this vision of the future is coming - and sooner than you might think.

You can glimpse it in a Norwegian fjord where a huge, lime-green vessel is being put through its paces. At first glance, it seems like any other ship. Look closer, though, and you suddenly see all the hi-tech kit. Cameras, microphones, radars, GPS and all manner of satellite communications.

“We’ve added a lot of additional equipment and designed her especially to be what we call ‘robotic’,” says Colin Field, the head of remote systems at US-UK company Ocean Infinity (OI).

The ship is part of OI’s new “Armada” - a fleet eventually of 23 vessels - that will survey the seabed for offshore wind farm operators and check underwater infrastructure for the oil and gas industry.

Strikingly for a ship that’s 78m

(255ft) in length there are only 16 people on board. A traditional ship carrying out the same kind of work would need a crew of 40 or 50. OI believes it can reduce the numbers still further.

That’s because many of the roles can be done hundreds of miles away on land.

Entering the company’s remote operations centre in Southampton is like walking on to a futuristic film set. The dimly lit room is vast, and it’s filled with 20 “bridge stations”, each fitted with gaminglike controls and touch screens.

Operators sitting in their highbacked chairs watch a bank of monitors displaying a live stream coming from the ship’s cameras and a multitude of sensors.

A key test for this new way of working is commanding an underwater robot - or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) - to descend from the deck to scan the seafloor.

“It’s amazing how everything

it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products”.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease. The causes are well understood, as are the interventions needed to contain the crisis, which are backed by strong evidence. However, they are not implemented. At the World Health Assembly in 2022 Member States adopted the WHO Acceleration plan to stop obesity, which supports country-level action through 2030.

To date, 31 governments are now leading the way to curb the obesity epidemic by implementing the plan.

THE CORE INTERVENTIONS ARE:

Actions to support healthy practices from day 1, including breastfeeding promotion, protection and support; Regulations on the harmful marketing of food and beverages to children;

School food and nutrition policies, including initiatives to regulate the sales of products high in fats, sugars and salt in proximity of schools; Fiscal and pricing policies to

promote healthy diets; Nutrition labelling policies; Public education and awareness campaigns for healthy diets and exercise;

Standards for physical activity in schools; and Integration of obesity prevention and management services into primary health care.

“There are significant challenges in implementing policies aimed at ensuring affordable access to healthy diets for all and creating environments that promote physical activity and overall healthy lifestyles for everyone,” stated Dr Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Nutrition and Food Safety Department and one of the co-authors of the study.

“Countries should also ensure that health systems integrate the prevention and management of obesity into the basic package of services.”

Addressing undernutrition requires multisectoral action in agriculture, social protection and health, to reduce food insecurity, improve access to clean water and sanitation and ensure universal access to essential nutrition interventions. (Loop Caribbean)

Large robotic vessels like this are rapidly going into service around the world

is automated,” says ROV trainee pilot Marian Meza Chavira. “In some ways it’s easier here than offshore because you have so many more cameras for context.”

Autonomy, robotics and remote operation, along with artificial intelligence, will transform all transport sectors. Maritime will be no different and experiments are under way around the globe.

In Norway, for example, there’s an 80m (262ft) electric container ship running back and forth between a fertiliser plant and a

local port. In Belgium and Japan there are ferries autonomously navigating between destinations, berthing and unberthing at each location. And in China, too, big autonomous container ships shuttle between coastal cities.

The advantages are obvious. With fewer people on board, ships can be smaller, which means they require less fuel and have a much reduced carbon footprint.

Rudy Negenborn researches autonomous shipping at Delft University of Technology. He says

the hi-tech systems needed to fully replace crew are developing at speed but still have some way to go.

“We’ve had autopilots that let ships follow a path by themselves. That’s not so challenging. The challenges come when interacting with other traffic or a port, or when there are unforeseen situations or bad weather circumstances,” he told BBC News.

“But in the end, this is going to lead to safer, more efficient and more sustainable transport over water. I’m sure about that.” (BBC)

Science & Technology

Covid-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including with significant drops in IQ scores

From the very early days of the pandemic, brain fog emerged as a significant health condition that many experience after COVID-19.

Brain fog is a colloquial term that describes a state of mental sluggishness or lack of clarity and haziness that makes it difficult to concentrate, remember things and think clearly.

Fast-forward four years and there is now abundant evidence that being infected with SARSCoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – can affect brain health in many ways.

In addition to brain fog, COVID-19 can lead to an array of problems, including headaches, seizure disorders, strokes, sleep problems, and tingling and paralysis of the nerves, as well as several mental health disorders.

A large and growing body of evidence amassed throughout the pandemic details the many ways that COVID-19 leaves an indelible mark on the brain. But the specific pathways by which the virus does so are still being elucidated, and curative treatments are nonexistent.

Now, two new studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine shed further light on the profound toll of COVID-19 on cognitive health.

I am a physician scientist, and I have been devoted to studying long COVID since early patient reports about this condition – even before the term “long COVID” was

coined. I have testified before the U.S. Senate as an expert witness on long COVID and have published extensively on this topic.

HOW COVID-19 LEAVES ITS MARK ON THE BRAIN

Here are some of the most important studies to date documenting how COVID-19 affects brain health:

§ Large epidemiological analyses showed that people who had COVID-19 were at an increased risk of cognitive deficits, such as memory problems.

§ Imaging studies done in people before and after their COVID-19 infections show shrinkage of brain volume and altered brain structure after infection.

§ A study of people with mild to moderate COVID-19 showed significant prolonged inflammation of the brain and changes that are commensurate with seven years of brain aging.

§ Severe COVID-19 that requires hospitalization or intensive care may result in cognitive deficits and other brain damage that are equivalent to 20 years of aging.

§ Laboratory experiments in human and mouse brain organoids designed to emulate changes in the human brain showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the fusion of brain cells. This effectively short-circuits brain electrical activity and compromises function.

There is now abundant evidence that being infected with SARS-CoV-2 –the virus that causes COVID-19 – can affect brain health in many ways

§ Autopsy studies of people who had severe COVID-19 but died months later from other causes showed that the virus was still present in brain tissue. This provides evidence that contrary to its name, SARS-CoV-2 is not only a respiratory virus, but it can also enter the brain in some individuals. But whether the persistence of the virus in brain tissue is driving some of the brain problems seen in people who have had COVID-19 is not yet clear.

§ Studies show that even when the virus is mild and exclusively confined to the lungs, it can still provoke inflammation in the brain and impair brain cells’ ability to regenerate.

§ COVID-19 can also disrupt the blood brain barrier, the shield that protects the nervous system – which is the control and command center of our bodies –making it “leaky.” Studies using imaging to assess the brains of people hospitalized with COVID-19 showed disrupted or leaky blood brain barriers in those who experienced brain fog.

§ A large preliminary analysis pooling together data from 11 studies encompassing almost 1 million people with COVID-19 and more than 6 million uninfected individuals showed

that COVID-19 increased the risk of development of newonset dementia in people older than 60 years of age.

DROPS IN IQ

Most recently, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine assessed cognitive abilities such as memory, planning and spatial reasoning in nearly 113,000 people who had previously had COVID-19. The researchers found that those who had been infected had significant deficits in memory and executive task performance.

This decline was evident among those infected in the early phase of the pandemic and those infected when the delta and omicron variants were dominant. These findings show that the risk of cognitive decline did not abate as the pandemic virus evolved from the ancestral strain to omicron.

In the same study, those who had mild and resolved COVID-19 showed cognitive decline equivalent to a three-point loss of IQ. In comparison, those with unresolved persistent symptoms, such as people with persistent shortness of breath or fatigue, had a six-point loss in IQ. Those who had been admitted to the intensive care unit for COVID-19 had a ninepoint loss in IQ. Reinfection with

the virus contributed an additional two-point loss in IQ, as compared with no reinfection.

Generally the average IQ is about 100. An IQ above 130 indicates a highly gifted individual, while an IQ below 70 generally indicates a level of intellectual disability that may require significant societal support.

To put the finding of the New England Journal of Medicine study into perspective, I estimate that a three-point downward shift in IQ would increase the number of U.S. adults with an IQ less than 70 from 4.7 million to 7.5 million – an increase of 2.8 million adults with a level of cognitive impairment that requires significant societal support.

Another study in the same issue of the New England Journal of Medicine involved more than 100,000 Norwegians between March 2020 and April 2023. It documented worse memory function at several time points up to 36 months following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.

PARSING THE IMPLICATIONS

Taken together, these studies show that COVID-19 poses a serious risk to brain health, even in mild cases, and the effects are now being revealed at the population level. (Psypost.org)

Region urged to brace for much warmer than usual heat season

The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF), is forecasting a waning El Niño event in the Pacific and near-record warm Tropical North Atlantic temperatures for the three month period March to May this year.

El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It is the “warm phase” of a larger phenomenon called the El NiñoSouthern Oscillation (ENSO).

CariCOF in its latest Caribbean Climate Outlooks publication said therefore, the region is set to transition into a much warmer than usual heat season with recurrent

heatwaves as early as April.

“March may still be characterised by high evaporation rates and an annual peak in the frequency of short dry spells, as well as further buildup of any ongoing drought and/or with increasing wildfire potential in the far northwest and in the southeast.

“By contrast, from April to May, rainfall intensity and shower frequency are likely to sharply rise, resulting in high to extremely high potential for flooding, flash floods, cascading hazards and associated impacts in most places, except the ABC (Aruba, Bonnaire and Curacao) Islands,” CariCOF added.

It said that as of February

1, 2024, long term drought has developed in Antigua, Dominica, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Kitts, Suriname northern Belize, Eastern Cuba, northern Guyana, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands

In addition, long term drought at the end of May 2024 is evolving in southwest Belize, Grand Cayman, inland portions of French Guiana, northeastern and inland portions of Guyana, southwest Puerto Rico, Suriname northern Suriname, and might possibly develop or continue in northern Belize, Central Cuba, Dominica, coastal French Guiana, northern Guyana, Tobago. (Loopnews)

The region is set to transition into a much warmer than usual heat season with recurrent heatwaves as early as April

Science & Technology

Scientists are inching closer to bringing back the woolly mammoth

De-extinction startup Colossal Biosciences wants to bring back the woolly mammoth. Well, not the woolly mammoth exactly, but an Asian elephant gene-edited to give it the fuzzy hair and layer of blubber that allowed its close relative to thrive in sub-zero environments.

To get to these so-called “functional mammoths,” Colossal’s scientists need to solve a whole bunch of challenges: making the right genetic tweaks, growing edited cells into fully formed baby functional mammoths, and finding a space where these animals can thrive. It’s a long, uncertain road, but the startup has just announced a small breakthrough that should ease some of the way forward.

Scientists at Colossal have managed to reprogram Asian elephant cells into an embryoniclike state that can give rise to every other cell type. This opens up a path to creating elephant sperm and eggs in the lab and being able to test gene edits without having to frequently take tissue samples from living elephants. The research, which hasn’t yet been released in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, will be published on the preprint server Biorxiv.

Scientists at Colossal have managed to reprogram Asian elephant cells into an embryonic-like state that can give rise to every other cell type

Colossal cofounder.

paradox—the idea that very large animals have unusually low rates of cancer given their size. Since cancer can be caused by genetic mutations that accumulate as cells divide, you’d expect that animals with 100 times more cells than humans would have a much higher risk of cancer.

But elephants have cancer rates even lower than humans—a surprising fact given their vast size. One hypothesis for elephants’ cancer-defying biology is that they carry lots of copies of a tumorsuppressing gene called P53. Humans, on the other hand, only have one copy of this gene.

P53 is good for elephant health, but it could be the reason that up until now scientists have struggled to create iPSCs from elephant cells, Lynch says. One way the gene seems to work is by stopping cells from entering a state where they can duplicate indefinitely, which is one of the key features of iPSCs.

There are only around 30,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants in the wild, so access to these animals—and particularly their sperm and eggs— is extremely limited. Yet Colossal needs these cells if they’re going to figure out how to bring their functional mammoths to life. “With so few fertile female elephants, we really don’t want to interfere with their reproduction at all. We want to do it independently,” says George Church, a Harvard geneticist and Scientists say they have discovered fossils belonging to a “nightmarish” sea lizard species that hunted the oceans 66 million years ago.

The cells that Colossal created are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and they behave a lot like the stems cells found in an embryo. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to give rise to all kinds of different cell types that make up organisms—a quality that scientists call pluripotency. Most cells, however, lose this ability as the organism develops. Human skin, for instance, can’t spontaneously turn into muscle or cells that line the inside of the intestine.

In 2006, the Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka showed it was

possible to take mature cells and turn them back into a pluripotent state. Yamanaka’s research was in mice cells, but later scientists followed up by deriving iPSCs for lots of different species, including humans, horses, pigs, cattle, monkeys, and the northern white rhino—a functionally extinct subspecies with only two individuals, both females, remaining in the wild.

Reprogramming Asian elephant cells into iPSCs proved trickier than with other species, says Eriona Hysolli, head of biological sciences at Colossal. As with other species, the scientists reprogrammed the

elephant cells by exposing them to a series of different chemicals and then adding proteins called transcription factors that turn on particular genes to change how the cells functions. The whole process took two months, which is much longer than the 5 to 10 days it takes to create mouse iPSCs or the three weeks for human iPSCs. This difficulty might have to do with the unique biology of elephants, says Vincent Lynch, a developmental biologist at the University at Buffalo in New York who wasn’t involved in the Colossal study. Elephants are the classic example of Peto’s

Hysolli says that she’d like to reduce the time it takes to create elephant iPSCs, and refine the process so the Colossal team can produce them at a greater scale. The iPSCs will be particularly useful if Colossal’s scientists can turn them into sperm and egg cells, something that Hysolli’s team is already working on. Since there is a relatively limited supply of elephant eggs and sperm, one problem facing the de-extinction project is getting enough genetic diversity to support a population of functional mammoths—develop them from too few individuals, and you risk the negative effects of inbreeding. Being able to create sperm and egg cells in the lab should help with that, Church says.

Dinosaur-age ‘nightmarish’ sea lizard fossil found

appearance” and “a terrible biting force”, researchers said.

It also led the team onto finding the perfect name for the species.

The creature, Khinjaria acuta, was about 26ft (8m) long - the same as an orca - and had “daggerlike” teeth.

Researchers said the species would have lived alongside dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

The study is based on analysis of a skull and other skeletal remains found at a mine in Morocco.

Dr Nick Longrich from the University of Bath, who led the study, wrote that the “freakish” species had “a demon’s face and teeth like knives.”

Its teeth and strong jaw gave the creature a “nightmarish

“The word khinjar being an Arabic word for “dagger”, and acuta being Latin for “sharp”, so literally, “sharp dagger” or “sharp knife””, Dr Longrich added.

Khinjaria acuta is a member of a family of giant marine lizards known as mosasaurs, distant relatives of today’s Komodo dragons and anacondas.

Researchers believe the lizard was just one out of a range of top predators that inhabited the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco.

“This is one of the most diverse marine faunas seen anywhere, at any time in history, and it existed just before the marine reptiles and

the dinosaurs went extinct,” Dr Longrich said.

Both the mosasaurs and dinosaurs became extinct towards

the end of the Late Cretaceous period, around 66 million years ago. Their extinction opened the

seas up for whales, seals and fish like swordfish and tuna. But it also meant that, in modern marine food chains, there are fewer apex predators.

“There seems to have been a huge change in the ecosystem structure in the past 66 million years,” Dr Longrich said.

“This incredible diversity of top predators in the Late Cretaceous is unusual, and we don’t see that in modern marine communities.

“Whether there’s something about marine reptiles that caused the ecosystem to be different, or the prey, or perhaps the environment, we don’t know.

“But this was an incredibly dangerous time to be a fish, a sea turtle, or even a marine reptile.”

Scientists have shared a reconstructed image of what the lizard might have looked like 66 million years ago

Sports International

Nunez hits double as Liverpool cruise to victory

Liverpool will go into Sunday’s huge Premier League game with Manchester City on the back of a seventh straight win after taking control of their Europa League last-16 tie against Sparta Prague.

The Reds were at their ruthless best in the first leg, scoring three goals before half-time to silence the home fans on a chaotic night in the Czech Republic capital.

They took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister’s sixth-minute penalty after the Argentina World Cup winner had been fouled by Asger Sorensen.

Darwin Nunez’s wonderful dipping finish from outside the penalty area doubled the leadLiverpool’s 1,000th goal under boss Jurgen Klopp - before the Uruguay forward’s 16th club goal of the season, a fierce shot from the edge of the box, made it 3-0 in first-half added time.

Despite the handsome margin, Liverpool were thankful for Caoimhin Kelleher who once again underlined his importance to the

team in the absence of injured firstchoice keeper Alisson.

Kelleher made a string of crucial saves including one at 1-0 when he took the sting out of Lukas

Ismail bowls fastest recorded delivery in women’s cricket

Shabnim Ismail has bowled the fastest delivery in women’s cricket since speeds have been recorded.

The former South Africa fast bowler was clocked at 132.1km/h (82.08mph) playing for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League.

Ex-Australia captain Meg Lanning was hit on the front pad by the delivery but an appeal for lbw was turned down.

It is the first time the 130km/h barrier has been broken in the women’s game.

The Mumbai seamer broke the record with the second ball of the third over of the match unaware

she had done so until the end of the innings, saying she doesn’t “look at the big screen when I am bowling”.

Ismail, 35, also holds the record for the quickest ball in women’s international cricket - 128km/h (79.54mph) against the West Indies in 2016 - and hit 127km/h twice during the 2022 World Cup.

Despite her record-breaking delivery, it was a tough day for Ismail as she took 1-46 from her four overs in a 29-run loss for Mumbai.

Jemimah Rodrigues starred for Delhi, hitting an unbeaten 69 from 33 balls. (BBC)

Haraslin’s

spin towards the net before Joe Gomez hooked it off the line.

Sparta Prague reduced the deficit when Reds substitute Conor Bradley scored an own goal with his first touch in the 46th minute while trying to make a clearance, only for Luis Diaz to restore his side’s three-goal advantage with a deflected finish seven minutes later.

Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai scored the fifth goal with virtually

the last kick.

Liverpool, who saw Mohamed Salah return from a hamstring injury as a 74th-minute substitute and have a goal ruled out for offside, will be confident of advancing to the quarter-finals when the teams meet for the second leg at Anfield on 14 March (20:00 GMT).

Before that, Klopp’s men host defending champions Manchester City in a first-versus-second showdown at Anfield.

It remains to be seen whether Ibrahima Konate, who has been in fine form lately, will feature. The France defender was replaced soon after going down hurt in the second half, while Gomez did not show for the second half either.

SALAH RETURNS AS FIVE-STAR REDS TURN ON STYLE

As far as the result is concerned, this could not have gone any better for Reds boss Klopp.

The appearance of Salah back on the pitch was also a welcome sight. He had the ball in the net five minutes after coming on with a curling finish, but it was ruled out for a tight offside.

However, Konate’s withdrawal so soon after going down hurt, and Gomez being replaced at the break by Bradley, will be a concern.

It remains to be seen whether Klopp was being cautious with both players before a domestic game of huge significance at the weekend.

Liverpool have had to call on their young players after being stretched by injuries, but with the worst of the club’s injury problems apparently clearing, there was no teenager in the starting XI.

In an open game, the visitors scored from five of their 11 attempts on target.

YouTuber Jake Paul will face former world champion Mike Tyson in a boxing match on 20 July.

It is unclear if it will be an official fight or an exhibition bout, but it will be staged in Texas and broadcast live on streaming platform Netflix.

Paul, 27, beat Ryan Bourland in his 10th professional fight last Saturday.

Tyson, whose professional career ended in 2005, had his most recent exhibition bout in 2020 and will turn 58 three weeks before facing Paul.

He made a blistering start to his professional career to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20, when he beat Trevor Berbick in his first title fight in November 1986.

That was his 28th professional

fight since making his debut in March 1985 aged 18 - and he won 26 of them by knockout.

Paul said on X: “My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep.”

Shabnim Ismail took 317 wickets for South Africa before retiring from international cricket in 2023

Liverpool, who have already won the EFL Cup, remain on course for a Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup quadruple

shot which saw the ball

Mike Tyson would be 58 when he fights the 27-year-old in July

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Alonso fastest in second practice

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso set the pace from Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix practice.

Alonso was 0.230 seconds ahead of Russell and 0.331 seconds quicker than the man who ran away with the first race of the season last weekend in Bahrain.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth fastest, 0.353secs slower than Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton was only eighth, 0.296secs off team-mate Russell.

The seven-time champion was also behind Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, the second Aston Martin of Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri completed the top 10 in Jeddah.

The Mercedes drivers were

struggling with rear-end grip on their short runs. Alonso appeared to be running a higher engine power mode than his immediate rivals.

The Spaniard said: “I feel good. It is only free practice. As we saw last year and also in Bahrain, we are faster in free practice than in qualifying. I think we run different strategy in terms of fuel loads and engine modes.”

Russell said: “Little bit of a scrappy session. Didn’t have the car in the perfect window. Not too sure where we’re at, really. The Ferraris and Astons look like our closest rivals.”

There were no major incidents in the session, but a series of drivers had problems with impeding, caused by the walls lining the track which reduce visibility, and the way the track contains many sections where it swerves left and

right at high speed.

One of these incidents involved Hamilton, who impeded Williams driver Logan Sergeant. Stewards investigated the incident and concluded Hamilton had not been given sufficient warning of the American’s approach. He was given an official warning and the team fined 15,000 euros.

Hamilton said: “Difficult day. Just lacking confidence in the rear of the car. I had a couple of really big moments and in these highspeed areas you need to have full faith in the rear of the car and I’ve just not got that yet.

“George is a lot happier with his car. We kind of went in different directions today but all I want is a stable rear and then I’ll be happy.”

Verstappen might not have been fastest over one lap, but the Red Bull’s pace on a long run was as strong as ever.

Mbappe has “no problems” with manager Enrique

Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe said he has “no problems” with manager Luis Enrique after scoring both goals in their Champions League victory over Real Sociedad to put PSG comfortably into the quarter-finals.

The France forward shone during his first 90-minute performance since 14 February.

With the trip to San Sebastian billed as a potentially tricky second leg for PSG to negotiate, all eyes were on Mbappe, who has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer.

Since announcing his intention to leave Parc des Princes, Luis Enrique’s handling of the 25-yearold has been questioned, with PSG’s star man relegated to the substitutes’ bench or withdrawn early from their past three Ligue 1 games.

“I always want to play in the Champions League, it is a very important competition. I could never be a player who hides,” Mbappe told broadcaster Canal Plus on Tuesday.

“My relationship with the coach is good. There is no problem even

if people might think there is. I have many issues but the coach is not one of them.”

Asked about Mbappe’s substitutions in recent games, Luis Enrique told Canal Plus: “Kylian will score 50 goals, make 25 assists with any coach, any team.

“Apparently, his immediate future won’t be here so we’ll have to test other solutions.”

Mbappe turned in a superb performance to register his 27th and 28th goals of the campaign for Enrique’s side.

The World Cup winner served an early warning to the hosts by accelerating past Hamari Traore to tee up a chance for Bradley Barcola, which was well saved by home goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

And six minutes later, Mbappe opened his account for the evening, latching on to Ousmane Dembele’s pass and teasing home defender Igor Zubeldia, before whipping a right-foot effort into the bottomright corner with such power and precision that it temporarily dislodged the netting.

Rahm takes a swing at world ranking rules after LIV Golf abandons ‘fight’ for points

Former world No. 1 Jon Rahm criticized golf’s world ranking system on Wednesday, a day after LIV Golf formally withdrew its bid for the Spaniard and other players to accumulate points from playing its events.

LIV Golf commissioner and CEO Greg Norman announced the decision in a letter sent to the tour’s membership, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters. It ends a long-running pursuit by the Saudibacked circuit to be recognised by the Official Golf World Rankings (OWGR), who unanimously rejected their request to join in October last year.

“We have made enormous efforts to fight for you and to ensure your accomplishments are

Following

“Unfortunately,

said that “concerns” over LIV Golf’s 54-hole, no cut format meant that it would not be “fair and equitable” to the 24 eligible tours to allow players to accumulate points at its events.

Though exact criteria differs between the major championships, all four of the men’s flagship tournaments incorporate world ranking points as a viable qualifier.

The Masters, the first major of the season that tees off next month, offers automatic invites to any player who ranked inside the world’s top-50 in the previous calendar year or in the week prior to the tournament.

Reigning Masters champion Rahm spent several weeks at world No. 1 after securing his second

major title at Augusta National last year.

After joining LIV Golf in December – he was then world No. 3 – the 29-year-old is currently the highest-placed of four players from the tour inside the top-50; Tyrell Hatton (17), Brooks Koepka (30) and Cameron Smith (50).

Having called the OWGR “laughable” at the 2022 DP World Tour Championship, Rahm doubled down on his criticisms ahead of LIV Golf’s fourth event of the season in Hong Kong this week.

“I didn’t think it was a good system back then, and if anything, the more time that goes on, the more it proves to be wrong,” he told reporters Wednesday.

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Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso finished ninth in last weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix

Jon Rahm in action at LIV Golf - Las Vegas at Las Vegas Country Club, Nevada in February.

recognised within the existing ranking system,” Norman wrote in Tuesday’s letter.

the OWGR

has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”

October’s rejection, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson

Sports International

‘The Caitlin effect’: Big Ten women’s basketball tournament sells out for first time

University of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark is now the alltime leading scorer in NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball history and possesses an abundance of other records, but one achievement has evaded her so far in her illustrious college career: a national championship.

With Clark set to leave Iowa at the end of the season as she prepares for the 2024 WNBA Draft, she will have her last chance this year to claim Iowa’s first national title.

The journey for Clark and the Hawkeyes begins with the Big Ten tournament – tipping off on March 6 – after the regular season concluded on Sunday with Iowa taking down the Ohio State Buckeyes and Clark making history by eclipsing “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s legendary career point total of 3,667.

A pair of free throws at the end of the game’s first half etched Clark’s name into the history books.

The reigning national player of the year ended the night with 35 points – alongside nine assists and six rebounds – to take her career point total to 3,685 after a dominant regular season that saw her become the all-time major women’s college basketball leading scorer earlier in the campaign.

She was also named Big Ten conference Player of the Year for the third time on Friday.

It appears that “Clarkmania” has well and truly taken over,

Caitlin Clark is now the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball history

with the 22-year-old’s spectacular performances supercharging women’s college basketball as a whole.

The Big Ten conference announced last month that allsession tickets are sold out for the 2024 edition of the tournament for the first time in the history of the event. Per the conference, over 109,000 fans are expected to attend the five-day tournament at the Target Center in Minneapolis that runs this week from Wednesday to Sunday.

It is fair to say that a major reason for the record-setting attendance is a direct result of the ‘Caitlin Clark

Six Nations 2024: England an ‘unbelievably

dangerous’

team, says Ireland coach

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he does not pay attention to England’s critics as he labelled them an “unbelievably dangerous” team.

England go into Saturday’s Six Nations game against Grand Slamchasing Ireland on the back of a dispiriting loss to Scotland.

But Farrell expects Steve Borthwick’s side to give his players “one hell of a battle” at Twickenham.

“I don’t get involved with the criticism at all,” he said.

Farrell, who won eight caps for England and spent four years as Stuart Lancaster’s assistant coach, added: “I don’t look at that. I look at the individuals, the way they are playing, the coaching staff that

they’ve got, the plan that they’ve got.

“I know that they’re a fantastic side that’s going to be preparing to give it everything they’ve got so that makes them unbelievably dangerous.

“We prepare for them to be at their best and if that’s the case it’s going to be one hell of a battle.”

Ireland were pushed by 14-man England in Dublin in the final game last year, but ground out a 29-16 win to clinch the Grand Slam on home soil.

When asked about improving on that display, Farrell said: “England did very well at slowing us down last year. It wasn’t just [our] errors. The game was slow.

debut on ESPN.

CNN Sports Analyst Christine Brennan said Clark’s feat represents a milestone moment in the history of women’s sports and has changed the way people view basketball itself.

“I think Caitlin is having a lot of us look at this sport that is such an American institution in a different way,” she said.

Clark’s ascendency into one of the biggest college sports stars of all time has clearly been a boon for women’s basketball but has also seen her reach superstardom on a personal level.

season, will be looking to repeat the feat this year as it seeks the ideal start to its postseason.

Ohio State will once again be the main threat to Big Ten Tournament hopes after clinching the first seed with a conference-best 16-2 record. The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes split their conference match-ups this year, although Iowa won in Clark’s record-setting game, 93-83 on Sunday.

effect,’ which is seeing women’s basketball draw unprecedented levels of attention.

Iowa announced before the season that it had sold out all of its season tickets, while ticket prices to watch the Indiana Fever – the team that holds the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft and has heavily hinted at selecting Clark –have more than doubled.

Sunday’s matchup against Ohio State also brought in 3.4 million television viewers, higher than the audiences for both NBA Opening Night games on TNT this season and higher than 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama’s NBA

Clark’s Iowa jerseys and shirts are online retailer Fanatics’ topselling college athlete edition since it began selling collegiate athletic apparel in 2022, the website told CNN. She’s also signed deals with Gatorade, Nike and State Farm, among others, recently.

LOOKING TO GO ONE BETTER

The Hawkeyes are the defending Big Ten champions after defeating Ohio State in the 2023 championship game. Clark took home the Most Outstanding Player award as Iowa gained the conference’s sole automatic qualification spot for the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament, widely known as March Madness.

Iowa, the No. 2 seed in the competition for the second straight

All 14 Big Ten teams will be competing in the tournament. The top 10 seeds receive a first-round bye, while the top four seeds receive a double bye. This means that Clark and Co. will not take to the floor until Friday for the quarterfinals, where they will face off with either Wisconsin or Penn State.

Teams other than the winner are still eligible for March Madness through the NCAA selection committee, which chooses 32 additional teams for the tournament to join the 32 conference champions.

Clark burst onto the national stage as a junior in last year’s tournament, leading Iowa to a first NCAA national championship game in program history.

The Hawkeyes eventually fell to the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers, 102-85, in game that is often remembered for a highly publicized spat between Clark and LSU star Angel Reese.

then we go back a couple of weeks, against Wales, and we wanted to do better then as well, so there’s always going to be that case.”

“We’ll take each minute as it comes. That’s the nature of the game. That was a year ago and

Farrell was speaking after naming his team to face England, with fit-again Hugo Keenan

“I think it’d be a boost for any side in world rugby, he’s a worldclass full-back isn’t he?,” he said of Keenan’s return.

Ireland have won their past three Six Nations meetings with England

“Whether that was a tactic of theirs or not I don’t know, but we’ll have to expect more of the same I would have thought.

replacing Ciaran Frawley at fullback in the only change from the win over Wales in Dublin.

Louise Garland athletes march to another Inter-High title

24 gold medals

The win means they have now won the high school title for the third consecutive time, 2020, 2023 and 2024. They finished second in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic restricted the event in 2021 and in 2022 there was a CARIFTA trial, but no Inter-High.

Like last year, the Clement Howell High School (CHHS) were once again the main competitor and they looked solid, but ALGTHS were more clinical to victory.

In the end, CHHS managed to win more silver and bronze medals (21-20 silver and 13-9 bronze) to finish with one more overall medal 54-53, but they lost 20-24 in the gold medal department.

Last year they finished with 32 overall medals compared to ALGTHS’s 53.

A. Louise Garland Thomas High (ALGTHS) defended their TCISS Inter-High Track and Field title with a scintillating performance which earned them

in the three-day event.

ALGHS defended their Inter High title

Team captain Ali Eliasu finished as the champion boy in the U15 division

Sports National

In analysing the close finish, Coach of the winning team coach Alvirto Ali Smith said ALGTHS could have done better.

“Just another day at the office, still not where we need to be with the sport. Support and publicity has reduced and the kids are exploring other opportunities.”

Overall, three other coaches were also attached to the championship team, Jody Pusey, Andre Jacobs, and Courtney Missick.

Missick told the Weekly News that he was satisfied with the win, “They came out, performed to the best of their abilities… It says a lot coming from a school that only goes up to third form… it says a lot about the coaches… to basically bring out the best in them.”

He said that next year the side would come out “stronger and harder”.

Coach Randy Ford, who led CHHS to a solid performance, congratulated the eventual winners for their fight and said that CHHS showed “tenacity and passion in their performances”.

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE

Overall, ALGTHS who only go up to third form, did their damage in the younger age group, winning three age titles.

They won via Mallaya Wilson, who won the female U13 division; Tanaire Gardiner, who won the female U15 division and team captain Ali Eliasu, who won the male U15 division.

CHHS

were

to win the older age divisions: the U17 female via Krysann Williams, the U17 male via Evans Melique and the U19 division via Markey Zepherine.

HJ Robinson High School, which placed third overall with 11 gold medals, 11 silvers and 15 bronze, did not win an individual title, but they did earn three secondplace finishes and a third.

MBHS, on the other hand, who finished fourth (six gold medals, eight silver and eight bronze), were led by seasoned athlete Irener Moline, who finished with a perfect 40 points in the U19 division.

Elite High School’s Stanley Israel finished as the champion Boy in the U13 division.

athletes

able

A Louise Garland athletes and coaches celebrate after winning another title

CHHS came close to winning the title this year

The battle was between ALGTHS and CHHS