TC Weekly News May 25 - 31, 2024

Brian Hagerich and his wife arriving at court on Friday morning for his sentencing hearing (Vivian Tyson photo)

TCI’s Governor rebukes US Congressman’s remarks on American detainees

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a strong response to US Congressman Guy Reschenthaler’s comments on ABC News, Turks and Caicos Islands Governor HE Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam defended the nation’s judicial system and its treatment of American visitors.

The dispute arose from the detention of five US nationals on ammunition charges in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a matter that Reschenthaler brought to public attention following a meeting with TCI officials.

Reschenthaler’s portrayal of the meeting, the conditions of TCI’s prison, and the frequency of American detentions were sharply refuted by Governor DanielSelvaratnam.

In a statement on Wednesday, May 22, the Governor emphasised the professionalism and respectfulness of the discussions, which centred on clarifying the legal circumstances and ensuring the well-being of the detained individuals.

She said: “In the spirit of respect for this relationship, the Hon Premier and I received a US Congressional Delegation to listen to their concerns about five US Nationals charged and on bail for the possession of ammunition offences.

“US Congressman Guy Reschenthaler’s commentary on ABC News following the meeting is highly regrettable. His characterisation of our meeting is not one we recognise”, the

Governor stressed.

Daniel-Selvaratnam also highlighted the independence of TCI’s judiciary, asserting that neither the TCI Executive nor the UK Government can interfere in ongoing legal proceedings.

The Governor directly addressed Reschenthaler’s claims, including the alleged UN flagging of TCI’s prison for human rights abuses and the assertion that Americans are frequently wrongfully detained.

During the interview with ABC News, Reschenthaler also claimed that every three weeks an American is being detained wrongfully in the Turks and Caicos.

The US Congressman further claimed the Turks and Caicos government is targeting American citizens.

In response to these utterances, the Governor said: “We do not target US nationals and any statements to

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the contrary are without merit. Our independent justice system upholds the rights and freedoms of all individuals, regardless of nationality, whilst maintaining the security and integrity of our Islands.”

Daniel-Selvaratnam firmly denied these claims, underscoring the nation’s commitment to upholding the rights and freedoms of all individuals, regardless of nationality.

“All five US nationals are on bail with reporting conditions and are receiving US consular support. Three have pled guilty and two will enter their pleas within the next two weeks”, she added.

She pointed to a recent positive report by the Turks and Caicos Islands Human Rights Commission as evidence of the prison’s acceptable conditions.

While acknowledging the Congressman’s concern for his constituent, the Governor called for respectful dialogue and cautioned against misrepresentation.

She emphasised the importance of due process and the need for public servants to carry out their

duties without undue influence.

“A mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years and a fine for possession of firearms and/or ammunition is in place to serve and protect all who reside and visit the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The law provides discretion in exceptional circumstances for the judge to impose a reduced custodial sentence of less than 12 years and a fine that is fair and just for each case.

“To date, no US National has received the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years.”

She underscored that the Turks and Caicos Islands values its warm relationship with the United States and welcomes over one million visitors each year.

“Our countries have close ties and work in a strong partnership to tackle shared threats in the region.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick said: “I assure our American friends that the Turks and Caicos Islands prioritises hospitality, cultural exchange, and mutual respect.

“You will find our doors open and our hearts eager to share the warmth and beauty of our homeland.”

Misick stressed that TCI values the trust and confidence travellers from around the world place in the territory when they choose the Turks and Caicos Islands as their destination.

“Transparency and accountability are paramount in our operations, ensuring that our decisions are made lawfully and in the best interests of all residents and visitors.

“The Turks & Caicos Islands welcome over one million visitors each year, more than half of whom are American.”

However, Misick argued that respect for the rule of law and an independent judiciary are key tenants of TCI’s justice system, noting that “all persons are equal in the eyes of the law”.

He stressed that judges are permitted to use their discretion in sentencing individuals who have been convicted of violating our firearms law.

“In fact, in cases that occurred before the five cases that have generated media coverage, the mandatory 12-year minimum sentence has never been imposed by the court because judges determined in each case that exceptional circumstances warranted shorter sentences.

“Our justice system is designed to uphold the rights and freedoms of all individuals, regardless of their place of origin, while maintaining the security and integrity of our Islands”, he added.

The territory’s leaders reaffirmed TCI’s commitment to the rule of law and its welcoming stance towards visitors, despite the ongoing dispute.

Public Appeal

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

The Governor, HE Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam

US Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (Photo via: Congress.Gov)

Brian Hagerich gets 12 months suspended sentence and reduced fined

BY DELANA ISLES

Justice Tanya Lobban-Jackson has managed to find a way around the furore surrounding the Americans charged with illegal ammunition possession, by lawfully imposing a custodial sentence in Brian Hagerich’s case but suspending said sentence on certain conditions.

Hagerich arrived at court on Friday morning (May 24) fairly composed, surrounded by family, with local and US media in attendance. It was a signal occasion, with the eyes of United States Authorities and its citizens firmly trained on the Turks and Caicos Islands.

It has been a hectic month in the Islands, with a visit by US dignitaries this week hoping to sway the TCI Government to release its citizens nabbed with stray bullets in their luggage at TCI ports of entry.

And while locals, the government and everyone else were tying themselves into knots trying to predict, and in some cases bully an outcome in the local courts, Judge Lobban-Jackson managed to find a solution to assuage everyone’s tension.

In her sentencing she acknowledged that the act was unintentional, that Hagerich is a licensed firearm holder in the US and an otherwise upstanding citizen.

He has been ordered to pay a fine

of $6,700 (reduced from $10,000) or be imprisoned for one year for non-payment of the fine.

He has also been sentenced to 52 weeks in prison, suspended for one year.

While it is technically a custodial sentence, Hagerich’s imprisonment in a TCI prison has been suspended on account that the case amounts to exceptional circumstances which gives the judge the power to depart from the

mandatory minimum of 12 years.

Hagerich had been detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the past four months on a charge of possession of 20 rounds of ammunition, which he readily admitted.

Judge Lobban-Jackson in delivering her judgement in the case, stated that to impose the mandatory minimum 12 years in jail would be arbitrary and disproportionate.

Hagerich’s sentence is not that dissimilar to those of other Americans caught with bullets and firearm in their luggage - whether deliberate or by accident - in that a fine is the ultimate punishment, irrespective of the Court of Appeal’s ruling that a mandatory custodial sentence is to be imposed upon a defendant convicted under the Firearms Ordinance 2022 even in exceptional circumstances. Meanwhile, next up for

sentencing is Tyler Wenrich, who appeared in a Grand Turk courtroom last week before Justice Davidson Baptiste, as his fellow American Ryan Watson appeared before Justice Lobban-Jackson in a Providenciales court.

There is little doubt that Justice Lobban-Jackson’s Friday ruling has now set the stage for how the remaining cases involving Americans will play out.

There however remains questions as to whether the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands are being upheld properly when it comes to tourists – particularly Americans –as opposed to local residents when charged with possession of guns and ammunition.

In almost no cases, with the exception of one, has a judge allowed the exceptional circumstances rule inherent in the law governing possession of guns and ammunition in the TCI to be used in the same manner for a resident as it is allowed for visitors.

Primarily, judges are far more stringent in imposing the law to the letter.

Watson will return to court on Tuesday, May 28 for his plea and direction hearing, while Wenrich who has already pleaded guilty will receive the judge’s decision next week.

King’s Counsel Oliver Smith is representing Watson, while Human Rights Attorney Sheena Mair appears for Wenrich.

CJ to develop sentencing guidelines for exceptional circumstances

Amid the hysteria surrounding the five Americans on ammunition charges in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Chief Justice is seeking to advance sentencing guidelines in respect of the application of exceptional circumstances.

This is according to a recent statement from the National Security Secretariat which stated that wider work is also ongoing with criminal justice partners to review the efficiency and effectiveness of case progression, in driving justice outcomes.

This news comes amid efforts by the US Authorities to ensure the release of their citizens, and the TCI government standing its ground that its laws ought to be respected and adhered to by all.

Exceptional circumstances have been pleaded by defense

counsels for the US citizens arrested on charges of ammunition possession recently; the claim being that the (stray) bullets were inadvertently transported in luggage not properly checked by either the defendant or the TSA at US airports.

Defence counsels have also argued that a mandatory sentence is excessively punitive in the cases where the judge finds that exceptional circumstances exist.

Prior to the clarification of the Firearms Ordinance 2022 by the Court of Appeal earlier this year, local judges had only imposed a fine on visitors found in possession of ammunition and or firearm, when they found that exceptional circumstances exist.

Nevertheless, in the interim, the Security Secretariat maintains that the TCI has clear laws

prohibiting the possession of firearms and or ammunition without a licence and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community.

The TCI Firearms Ordinance 2022 states: “No person (other than a licensed gunsmith in the course of his trade) shall have in his possession, discharge or use any firearm or ammunition unless he is the holder of a firearm licence with respect to such firearm, or in case of ammunition he is the holder of a licence for a firearm which takes that ammunition.

“Firearm and/or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. Where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial

sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum.”

The Secretariat also pointed out that in 2024, cases where exceptional circumstances applied included fines ranging between $3,500 to $5,000 or eight months prison sentence.

They also reminded that it is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of firearms and or ammunition.

Travellers are also warned that: “Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Travellers are also strongly advised to search their luggage before they travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure they

do not bring in forbidden items inadvertently. Such offences will result in arrest.”

The Secretariat noted: “The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system and reserves the right to enforce its laws. All persons, including visitors, must follow lawful process.”

The TCI welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms.

Equally, the importation of firearms, ammunition – which includes stray bullets - and other weapons is strictly forbidden, unless licence to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police of the Turks and Caicos Islands. (DELANA ISLES)

Brian Hagerich arriving at court on Friday morning for his sentencing hearing

CARNIVAL AND THE GOVERNMENT

Leader of the Opposition, Hon Edwin Astwood has accused the PNP Government of colluding with Carnival Corporation while leaving those whose livelihoods depend on tourism in Grand Turk in the dark.

The accusation comes on the heels of a recent town hall meeting the government hosted in the nation’s capital (May 9) to address matters pertaining to the Grand Turk Cruise Centre operations. It was promised that accurate and relevant information to facilitate an open dialogue would have been shared at that meeting. However, according to the PDM leader, those in attendance came away with nothing substantive as to the rumoured closure of the cruise centre if Carnival’s demands are not met by the government.

On May 1, The Governor, Premier, senior government members including the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police had met with Carnival Corporation executives at the NJS Francis Building, in Grand Turk to discuss “pertinent matters of mutual interest”. It was on the heels of this meeting that tourism operators and private commercial businesses in Grand Turk were expecting to hear more of what was discussed as it relates to the continued operations of the cruise centre.

Astwood believes the two are having secret dealings, and in a scathing statement on the matter this week he said as much while expressing “shock and dismay” at the outcome of the town hall meeting.

He said: “The fact that over 200 concerned individuals, comprising tour operators, store managers/workers, beach vendors, taxi drivers, restaurant and retail workers and others, attended the meeting seeking clarity on the proposed shutdown of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, only to be without substantive information by the government, including the Premier and Government Cabinet ministers, is utterly unacceptable.”

What are your thoughts?

The secrecy is worrisome

Closure might be less damaging than meeting Carnival’s demands. Secrecy is worrisome. The chance to be rid of Carnival should be analysed.

Who is in control here?

While this Governor is enjoying a belatedly and deserved honeymoon in the TCI, it begs the question, why is the Governor involved in day to day administration of government and dealing with issues, duly vested in elected Ministers? It seems that the post interim government order has not changed

‘break ministerial lines of demarcation’ as well. What does this have to do with Carnival and the crisis arising because they want to dictate to the government?

Nothing! Absolutely nothing! It shows that ministers are not leading and making the right policies for the country. So the debacle with Carnival arises and they are showing they cannot handle it. With that policy issue addressed, it begs the further question as to why there must be secret talks with Carnival. Why are the use of funds allocated to the Government by the Carnival Corporation subject to review? There is an acute imbalance in the way things are done in the TCI. It has been acknowledged by ministers of government that the Carnival cruise line is the lifeline of Grand Turk. As stated by the Leader of the PDM Opposition, the Hon Edwin Astwood, “the fact that over 200 concerned individuals, comprising tour operators, store managers/workers, beach vendors, taxi drivers, restaurant and retail workers and others, attended the meeting seeking clarity on the proposed shutdown of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, only to be without substantive information by the government, including the Premier and Government Cabinet ministers, is utterly unacceptable”...

Too much is hidden

the culture of things in the TCI and the UK, through its “Royal Representative”, continues to hold the reins of power wielded by the Governor during the interim government regime of 2009-2012, when they were “Kings unto themselves”.

Most recently former Governor Dakin acted as Minister of Immigration and Premier. He delved into immigration policy, made policy and pronouncements in favour of illegals even though a “duly elected Minister of Immigration was in office” and ought to have prevailed in these areas of policy. This current Governor cannot be blamed or blasted for stepping outside of her ‘defence, police and foreign affairs portfolios’ because she is ‘ new’. It makes the Premier and his ministers look ‘morbidly weak.’

She’s ‘let off the hook’ because if Nigel Dakin could do it without regard to the elected ministers, at least Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam should be allowed to

As a result of the onslaught of Carnival, the Island of Grand Turk makes a greater contribution to the national budget and after 20 years, it is ‘paying its own way’. This is the dream and aspiration of all of the islands in the TCI. As such it will explain the Visitors Center on North Caicos and the development of the South Caicos Airport.

Each island retains a critical role in the development of the country and with proper planning, all islands can be viable. As such merely holding a meeting with the community without a comprehensive plan is not good enough. This government which prides itself on being the Government of big business, organisation and “looking good” on paper, seems to have lost the script. How could they not have a plan for money that is literally being given to them? All they needed to do was liaise with the community in genuine talks, not town hall meetings and see what the people wanted. This Carnival deal is a huge deal. It was meant to benefit everybody. Had they managed it right, people from all over

the TCI could have benefited. The cruise ship industry is one where the government and stakeholders from all over the country should meet regularly to determine where and how the proceeds of the industry could be shared.

Secret meetings and no liaison with the people cannot work and it hurts all.

The island is upset

Grand Turk is important to the TCI. Its people are patriots. We are upset that we are one caught as scapegoats in political turmoil and two still trying to understanding what is going on.

Grand Turk Cruise Centre’s operations are important to the island’s development and it should be a priority.

Let them go

The fallout from dealings with Carnival seems to impact the whole country. It is alleged that the Beach & Coastal Vending Bill creates a zone along TCI beaches where certain native vendors cannot go unless licensed. As stated by the PDM Opposition Leader, “I told them in 2021, and on the debating of the Beach and Coastal Vending Bill that the contractual agreements in the new Carnival Agreement were not in the best interest of our people, and that it was clearly tilted in favour of Carnival interest, and possibly their interests, at the expense of the people interest, and that they not only betray this sacred duty but also jeopardise the very fabric of the Grand Turk community.”

It is business as usual and how could a government actually draft and sponsor a law that they knew was not in the best

interests of TCIslanders?

Carnival pulling out may not be such a bad thing because maybe then the Government and the TCI people could liaise and come up with a new deal that would work for all and new cruise ship lines. Let them go, let them all go.

People are upset that they are marginalised in their own country by the Beach Vendors Law which has created apartheidlike conditions around the country to the detrimental and in effect, prejudicial conditions against Turks & Caicos Islanders. It is a sad testament because the Government has allowed itself to be a tool against its people at the behest of foreign interests and ‘erstwhile’ developers.

Who do they think they are?

You don’t have to be PNP or PDM to have a sense of national pride. One cannot rejoice when people like Carnival Corporation, who operate like schoolyard bullies insult and try to embarrass the government. Where does Carnival get the “gumption” or “notion” for such ‘temerity” Maybe it is the government’s weak handling of the situation. Serious issues loom though. The PDM leader stated that by engaging in these “covert dealings,” the Premier and his government have demonstrated a shocking lack of integrity and a blatant disregard for the concerns and needs of the people they were elected to serve.”

The outsiders see this and your contempt for your people as a government and they treat you accordingly. They see how you as a government, betrayed your people and sold them out with the Beach Vending law and treat elected officials accordingly. Eddie Astwood stated, “Now the chickens have come home to roost, and we are seeing the real desire being put forward by Carnival, as was stated to the government, which was read aloud to the audience in attendance at the town hall meeting by the Premier. “It also brings to my mind another saying, ‘he who pays the piper, calls the tune,’ and now we see Carnival Corporation not just calling, but demanding all the tunes they want the government to play.” This is a bad situation the government finds itself in.

Vision for the country

It comes down to policy and real representation. If this Government had a real vision for the country they would have tabled a plan to benefit each island. They would see that Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay and North & Middle Caicos all have a meaningful role to play in the development of the country. If they had the vision they’d ensure that each island was properly served by banks and other resources but they would not insist or fight for such things for islands outside of Providenciales. Astwood said “The lack of transparency in these matters raises serious doubts about the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic development and supporting the wellbeing of citizens.’

Astwood called on the government to take immediate action to rectify the “betrayal” It requires vision, without which, ‘the people perish’.

Divide and conquer

As TCIslanders it’s easier to stay politically divided than to come together and solve this situation as one voice.

The two political parties are ready for the election season and will continue to take jabs at each other, but more often than not to the detriment of ordinary citizens.

We need to work together on certain things and this issue is one of them.

If Astwood is so versed, he should offer his help behind closed doors and stop trying to score cheap political points.

Stop with the politics and let’s be united for our future.

Minister raises alarm on cybersecurity threats at Cyberkeys 2024

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a powerful address at Digital Week 2024 and Cyberkeys 2024, Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy and Utilities and Telecommunications, Hon Otis Morris delivered a sobering message on the urgent need to fortify the digital landscape against escalating threats.

With the theme “Building a Secure Digital Future,” the event highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts to safeguard digital systems in an increasingly interconnected world.

The forum which convened from May 20-24 brought together members of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) which included Commonwealth ministers, public officials, and business leaders.

Speaking at the conference, the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Minister stressed that the digital future is not merely a technological milestone but a fundamental pillar of society, impacting everything from communication and business operations to critical infrastructure management.

He acknowledged the immense responsibility shared by attendees in shaping a resilient digital landscape capable of withstanding evolving threats.

Cyberkeys 2024 serves as a vital platform for tackling these challenges head-on, uniting cybersecurity experts, technology leaders, and policymakers in meaningful dialogue and strategic planning.

The discussions encompassed a wide range of critical areas, including advanced threat detection and response, zero trust architectures, securing emerging technologies, data privacy and protection, and cyber resilience and incident response.

The Home Affairs Minister called for a multifaceted approach to building a secure digital future, advocating for a culture of security awareness, robust cybersecurity policies, and cross-sector

collaboration.

He emphasised the need to prioritise security as a fundamental component of every digital initiative, rather than an afterthought.

Morris further highlighted several areas where Commonwealth countries can secure a resilient digital future.

He said “advanced threat detection and response” will allow countries to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to anticipate and neutralise threats before they materialise; while zero trust architectures are imperative to shift towards a security model that assumes breach and continuously verify the legitimacy of each access request.

He called for the securing of emerging technologies and to ensure that innovations in IoT, blockchain, and quantum computing are developed with security at their core.

Coupled with this, he stressed that data privacy and protection will strengthen frameworks to protect personal and sensitive

data in an era of increasing digital transactions and data breaches.

Minister Morris underscored that cyber resilience and incident response which include building robust protocols to quickly recover and learn from cyber incidents, minimising impact and preventing recurrence is also critical.

In closing, he urged all participants to actively contribute their insights, challenge conventional thinking, and harness their collective expertise to build a digital future that is not only secure but also inclusive and empowering for everyone.

“As we embark on this journey together, I encourage each of you to actively participate, share your insights, and challenge conventional thinking.

“The threats we face are dynamic and complex, but so too is our capacity for innovation and resilience.

“By harnessing our collective expertise and determination, we can build a digital future that is not only secure but also inclusive and empowering for all.”

Contributors needed

Do you have a subject of interest that you’d like to share with our readers?

Perhaps you’re a great cook and have created lots of delicious recipes that use local ingredients.

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of 400 word articles on a variety of topics for our Lifestyle pages. Get in touch with us at the Turks and Caicos Weekly News and pitch your idea for a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly column.

You will have your name in print along with your business contact details if requested. It’s a great way to share your knowledge and promote your business or start-up. Contact us now at tcweeklynews@gmail.com

Hon Otis Morris (fourth from right) and other members of the CTO at the Digital Week in London

Constitutional reform stalemate threatens summer deadline

BY OLIVIA ROSE

TCI’s political leaders failed to reach a consensus on a crucial aspect of constitutional reform during a high-stakes meeting convened by the Governor, HE Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam on May 21st.

This comes as she convened a meeting with Hon Premier; Hon Leader of the Opposition; Hon Attorney General; Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC and the FCDO’s Deputy Director Adam Pile to finalise the package of constitutional reform so it may be submitted to the Privy Council in July.

Also in attendance was Deputy Governor HE Anya Williams.

The deadlock centres on the timeline for transitioning to a fully elected House of Assembly, a key reform agreed upon in principle during bipartisan talks with the UK government last October.

“The bipartisan constitutional talks with the UK Government in Grand Turk (October 2023) agreed to move to a fully elected House of Assembly, with four additional elected members replacing the members appointed by the Governor, Premier and Leader of the Opposition.

In the wider package of

election with four additional ‘all island’ candidates for the next term, following which the further work of the Electoral District Boundary Commission will inform the composition of the four additional seats going forward; or retain the status quo of four appointed members at the forthcoming election and wait to move to an all-elected House* until the subsequent election, following the work of the Electoral District Boundary Commission which will inform the composition of the four additional seats.”

constitutional reform, all other major issues have been agreed in further meetings and correspondence, bar the timing of a transition to a fully elected House of Assembly”, the statement explained.

The territory’s Premier is pushing for swift transition, while the Opposition Leader is advocating for delay.

According to the statement, Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick insists on an immediate transition, with the next election featuring four additional ‘all-

Ministry of Education strengthens early intervention initiatives

The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture in the Turks & Caicos Islands recently demonstrated its commitment to early intervention in education by organizing a crucial training session for K1 and Special Education teachers.

The training, held on Friday, May 17th, 2024, was facilitated by Mrs. Faiada James, the Special Education Needs Officer, and Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, the Coordinator Assessments.

The comprehensive training equipped educators with general soft skills for screening exercises and provided hands-on training for administering the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The ASQ is a vital developmental screening tool designed to assess children’s strengths and areas needing additional support across five key developmental areas.

Early intervention, facilitated by

tools like the ASQ, is crucial for identifying developmental delays and providing timely support and resources.

This proactive approach significantly enhances children’s developmental outcomes, paving the way for their future academic and social success, a recent statement from the Ministry explained.

Mrs. Faiada James expressed her enthusiasm about the training, stating that it enriched the teachers’ skills and knowledge, enabling them to effectively identify and support the developmental needs of young learners. The training was also attended by Dr. Keran Williams, Teacher Development and Training Education Officer, and Ms. Heidi Williams, Early Childhood Education Officer.

Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings emphasized the instrumental role of the ASQ in early intervention efforts.

island’ candidates as a temporary measure.

The subsequent election would then incorporate the recommendations of the Electoral District Boundary Commission for the composition of these seats.

In contrast, Opposition Leader Edwin Astwood prefers to retain the current system of appointed members for the upcoming election. He argues that the transition should only occur after the boundary commission’s work is complete and implemented, ensuring a more informed and

structured approach.

MOTION TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK

With the looming July deadline for submitting the reform package to the UK Government, a motion will be tabled in the House of Assembly for a full debate on the issue.

The government explained that there are two options for the transition to an all-elected House of Assembly.

“A transitionary phase that provides for an all-elected House of Assembly* at the forthcoming

“The Electoral District Boundary Commission was stood up in February to review in the first instance the boundaries of the electoral districts into which the islands are divided in line with s.61 of the Constitution.

The Governor, in line with the agreement of the UK Government, has asked that they then assess options for the composition of the four additional elected seats.

“This work will need to be put out to public consultation and submitted to the House of Assembly, after which further work will be required to implement the approved changes”, the

Participants at the training workshop

By identifying developmental delays early on, educators can implement strategies and support systems that significantly improve a child’s developmental trajectory.

As part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts, all students entering K1 this September will undergo developmental screening using the ASQ, reflecting the overall commitment to ensuring that every child has the best possible start to their educational journey. Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her

inspiration by the strong turnout of 30 teachers from across the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the importance of early screening and intervention in providing comprehensive support.

Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor, commended the dedication shown by the educators and emphasized that the ASQ training exemplifies the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the success of every child in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Taylor stressed that by identifying and addressing

developmental delays early, the Ministry is laying a strong foundation for the future of the children and the nation.

The Ministry of Education said it remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment by equipping teachers with the necessary skills and tools. This training underscores the collective effort to improve early childhood education and ensure that all children in the Turks and Caicos Islands have access to the support they need to thrive. (OLIVIA ROSE)

HE the Governor convened a meeting with the Hon Premier; Hon Leader of the Opposition; the Hon Attorney General; Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC and the FCDO’s Deputy Director Adam Pile to finalise the package of constitutional reform

Five Cays youth on gun charges

Twenty-year-old Carlos Higgs of Five Cays, Providenciales has been charged with four firearm and ammunition related offenses following a long-standing investigation into serious and organised gun crimes in the TCI.

Higgs was arrested by officers of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on May 12.

On May 18, he was charged with conspiracy to possess firearms, conspiracy to possess ammunition, conspiracy to supply firearms and conspiracy to supply ammunition.

Revenge porn is a criminal offence, police warn

– Prison or $10K fine on the books for offenders

The Royal TCI Police Force is warning people who insist on sharing intimate images or videos of others on public forums without the consent of the subject that prison awaits them.

This week, Police reported that they have recently received numerous complaints about people sharing intimate images on public forums and between others without the consent of the person who appears in the imagery.

They warned: “The sharing of these materials in such circumstances is a criminal offence.”

Burnt vehicle found with body – police investigating

On Sunday, May 19, police responding to a call of a burning vehicle in the Blue Hills area, came upon what appeared to be a dead body.

Acting on the information received, the officers arrived at the location along North Side Close and discovered a burnt vehicle with

what appeared to be a body inside, a police statement this week disclosed.

A thorough investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the incident.

Police said as this is an active investigation, more details will be provided to the public as they become available.

Constitutional reform stalemate threatens ...

Government stated.

The outcome will determine whether TCI can achieve its summer target for constitutional reform, or if the islands will face further delays and uncertainty.

On November 23, 2023, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office approved three of 28 bipartisan constitutional proposals that will directly impact future general elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The UK’s long-awaited favourable response to the territory’s need for constitutional change came after a bipartisan delegation of TCI’s leaders discussed proposed amendments to the territory’s Constitution with senior British officials from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office.

Premier Misick and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Astwood spearheaded a delegation in a

series of pivotal discussions on the territory’s constitutional future at Waterloo, Grand Turk in October 2023.

At the time, the government and the opposition politicians presented a united front to discuss proposed changes to the constitution which has remained unchanged since it was implemented 13 years ago.

The UK’s intervention and decision in 2009 to bypass the elected government, suspending parts of the territory’s constitution and temporarily giving expanded powers to the UK-appointed governor, came in the aftermath of allegations of widespread corruption under Micheal Misick’s administration.

During direct rule, the UK shepherded a new constitution in 2011, the territory’s fifth since 1962. Since then, successive governments have had numerous meetings and consultations, to discuss possible changes to the 2011 constitution.

Under Section 47 of the Sexual Offences Ordinance (2021): “It is an offence for a person to disclose a private sexual photograph or film if the disclosure is made without the consent of an individual who

appears in the photograph or film; and with the intention of causing that individual distress.”

The law states that a person found guilty of this offence under the aforementioned section is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine of $10,000, or to both.

It also states that a person found guilty of this offence on conviction on indictment, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine or both.

What is Revenge Porn: “Revealing or sexually explicit images or videos of a person posted on the internet, typically by a former sexual partner, without the consent of the subject and in

order to cause them distress or embarrassment.”

Police said they are taking all such reports seriously and will take robust action against those involved.

They have also warned: “If you receive the material without a request or other proactive action to acquire it, forwarding such material or otherwise sharing it could result in you being investigated and prosecuted for the offence.

“Anyone possessing such material should think very carefully before forwarding or otherwise sharing it, considering its adverse impact on persons who appear in the imagery and the potential personal consequences of a criminal investigation.”

(DELANA ISLES)

US aircraft spots illegal sloop in TCI waters

Over the weekend, a US Customs and Border Protection Aircraft spotted a vessel in TCI waters and immediately contacted the local Marine branch, leading to the capture of 109 illegal migrants.

On May 18, officers of the TCI Marine Branch, the Regiment and Border Force – acting on the information provided by the US authorities – intercepted a Penga style, blue and grey wooden boat, about 30 feet long with two outboard engines, transporting 98 men and 11 women.

The vessel was spotted 15 NM south of Providenciales.

The migrants were safely brought ashore to Providenciales for processing by the Immigration Task Force, acting Assistant Commissioner of Police for Specialist Tactical Operations, Mat Newton said reported this week.

Newton also stated: “I am grateful to our international partners, local partners, and my teams for successfully and safely intercepting the vessel illegally entering our borders. This shows that the layers

of security in place are increasingly effective, and we continue to build our defensive measures to tackle this type of crime.”

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 illegal activity.

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

Carlos Higgs

Higgs is scheduled to appear in court next week.

Illegal wooden sloop was spotted 15 NM south of Providenciales carrying 109 migrants (RTCIPF photo)

US Congressional delegation meets with TCI officials over ammunition arrests

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A bipartisan US Congressional delegation met with Turks and Caicos Islands officials earlier this week to discuss the recent arrests of five US tourists for ammunition possession.

The delegation sought a resolution to bring the tourists home but reported little progress after the meeting.

Talks centred around the well-being of five US nationals currently facing charges, and the legal process in the islands, with US officials expressing concern over the mandatory minimum sentencing for such offenses.

According to a post-meeting statement issued by the TCI government, the US delegation raised concerns over the wellbeing of and sought clarification on the territory’s legal process.

However, to maintain the integrity of the legal process, the Governor advised it would not be appropriate to facilitate the delegation’s request to meet with the Chief Justice.

“The Governor and the Premier confirmed as per the constitutional separation of the executive and judicial branches - they cannot

intervene nor comment on ongoing legal cases before the courts”.

They explained that the Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and/or ammunition and strict penalties are in place to serve and protect all who reside and visit the territory.

The Hon Attorney General confirmed that such offenses carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years plus a fine unless exceptional circumstances allow for judicial discretion.

“Where the court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge does have discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum.

“Noting that it is for defence counsel to ensure all relevant information is put before the court”, the statement read.

A UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office representative who also attended the meeting affirmed the UK’s confidence in the TCI courts and their non-intervention policy in ongoing legal matters.

Hon Arlington Musgrove; Hon Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles OBE KC; Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin; Assistant Commissioner of Police Mat Newton; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Overseas Territories Deputy Director Adam Pile OBE (Photos: TCIG)

US Congressional

While acknowledging the difficult circumstances faced by the US nationals, the Governor and Premier assured the delegation that US officials are providing consular support.

They also emphasised the professional standards of TCI law enforcement agencies and their commitment to investigating any

concerns regarding procedural lapses.

The officials noted that the prohibited ammunition was not detected at US departure screenings, underscoring the responsibility of travellers to ensure their baggage is free of firearms and ammunition.

The government said the National

Security Council is continually reviewing the effectiveness of legislative provisions for internal and border security.

Both parties recognised the importance of continued partnerships between the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States in addressing shared threats in the region.

Teenager shot by police identified

– was allegedly fleeing in stolen vehicle after a robbery

Police have identified 14-yearold Antorens Dorcely aka ‘Toto’ as one of the alleged robbers in the May 14 police involved shooting.

Dorcely was shot and killed after police said officers returned fire on a vehicle that was allegedly stolen by armed men, along with some valuables from a victim.

The incident occurred sometime after 9pm on May 14, when police were responding to an initial report of a robbery at a location in Blue Hills. While

there, they received further information about another armed robbery.

When officers in a marked police vehicle responded to the second report, they spotted the stolen vehicle being driven in the Snake Hill district. They attempted to bring the stolen car to a stop, but the suspects confronted the police, resulting in the discharge of police firearms.

Three of the suspects escaped.

This week, police reported that the Serious Crime Unit contacted

the relatives of the deceased, hence the formal identification.

The police statement read:

“The Royal TCI Police Force is committed and dedicated to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring that all aspects of the incident are carefully examined, and the findings are communicated transparently to the public.”

As such, a request has been made to an external police force to conduct a review of the incident.

“This is a routine procedure

and intended to ensure an independent and objective review of the facts,” Police stated.

The community’s cooperation and respect during this time are essential, and police have assured the public that they remain dedicated to upholding justice and accountability.

Meanwhile, the Force has also expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, stating that they will continue to offer support through a Family Liaison Officer.

“In light of this incident, the RTCIPF is urging the public to show respect and sensitivity towards the grieving family by refraining from sharing any footage of the deceased on social media.

“Sharing such material can cause additional distress and harm. We emphasise the importance of empathy and respect for the family’s privacy as they navigate their grief.

“The death of any young person is a loss to the TCI,” Police said. (DELANA

ISLES)

Turks and Caicos Islands attendees: the Governor, HE Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam; Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick OBE; Deputy Governor HE Anya Williams MBE; Minister of Immigration

delegation: Senator Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma); Senator John Fetterman (Pennsylvania); Representative Guy Reschenthaler (Pennsylvania); Representative Bob Good (Virginia); Representative Josh Brecheen (Oklahoma); Representative Michael Cloud (Texas); Secretary of State of Florida Cory Bird; Angela Kerwin (US State Department) and US Embassy Nassau Chargé d’Affairs Jason Crosby

US congressmen issue ultimatum to TCI over detained Americans

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A bipartisan group of US Congressmen descended upon Turks and Caicos (TCI) with a stern ultimatum: release the five American tourists facing draconian 12-year prison sentences for possessing small amounts of ammunition, or brace for severe economic consequences.

The five American tourists: Michael Evans of Texas, Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Tyler Wenrich of Virginia, and Sharitta Shinese Grier of Florida were all arrested and charged after vacationing in the TCI with possession of ammunition as the TCI government pushes back against a tsunami of guns flooding the territory and a proliferation of gun and gang-related crime.

They all face a potential minimum of 12 years in prison for possession of bullets that were found during routine security checks as they tried to depart from the islands.

Currently, four of the detained tourists are waiting to learn their fate, while one of the detainees will be sentenced on Friday, May 24, 2024.

The delegation, led by Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, expressed frustration over the lack of progress, despite their efforts to find common ground with TCI officials.

However, Chair of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee MP Alicia Kearns criticised US congressmen for not respecting the anti-firearms laws of Turks and Caicos.

Kearns who posted on X, formerly known as Twitter said US congressmen should respect “the perfectly sensible anti-firearms laws of Turks and Caicos, and think twice before threatening part of the British family and attempting to interfere with due legal process”.

She said: “That ammunition reached TCI in the first place is seriously concerning. It is surely not unrealistic to expect when people fly they make sure they’re not carrying live ammunition.”

Following the meeting held in Providenciales on Tuesday, May 21, several Congressmen took to X, to express their disappointment with its outcome.

Mullin wrote that the delegation was not able to find “a path forward”.

He said: “We went in respectful of their sovereignty, and with an open mind looking to find common ground.

“Unfortunately, despite our willingness to work with Turks & Caicos officials to get our

constituents home, we were not able to find a path forward today.

At this point, well-intentioned American citizens are facing a dozen years in prison all for unknowingly having one or two bullets in their luggage. “

“We will stay at the table through this process until the issue is resolved. With two hearings on the docket this week, I remain hopeful.

The Congressman argues that the law’s unintended consequences have unfairly targeted wellintentioned tourists who had no criminal intent.

They emphasised the significant economic contributions of

American tourism to TCI, urging a modification of the law to prevent further harm to the island’s tourism industry.

ECONOMIC TOOLS

Republican Representative, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma warned that failure to ensure justice for the detained Americans could lead to the US using economics as a response.

“I shared my position with the Attorney General and the Premier that a modification of their law seems to be the only way to reverse the message of fear their actions have instilled in US tourists and that there must be just outcomes

with the pending cases.

He said: “I reiterated that with Turks and Caicos’ economy being 65 percent based on tourism, and with 80 percent of that coming from the United States, it is in their interest to ensure justice prevails.

“We were emphatic that it would be unfathomable for five Americans, including Oklahoma’s own Ryan Watson, to face 12 years in prison for accidentally leaving a handful of shells in their luggage.

“With sentences for the five Americans to be announced in the days ahead, we shall see whether justice prevails. If not, America must respond appropriately, using every economic tool in our

toolbox.”

Republican Rep Bob Good of Virginia echoed similar sentiments in his post to X, he said:

“We had a productive visit with Turks and Caicos government officials and business leaders who understand the economic impact of U.S. visitors to their islands, and we hope it will result in positive outcomes as Tyler’s next hearing is tomorrow. As his congressman, I will continue to do everything in my power to see him reunited with his family in Virginia.”

While Democrat Sen John Fetterman of Pennsylvania who represented the interest of detained Pennsylvanian, Bryan Hagerich wrote:

“We had the opportunity to meet each of the detained Americans, who were in good spirits but want to go home. These people did not set out to break the law. They are people who made a mistake and now face substantial time in prison because of it. As we articulated to TCI officials, I urge the court to be lenient when addressing this case. I would like to thank the TCI officials who met with us. I left these meetings optimistic that we can get this resolved and look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and TCI officials to bring these American citizens home to their families.”

The Congressmen all expressed hope for a positive outcome but have made it clear that they are prepared to take further action if necessary.

New

ambulances for Provo

Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma

Chair of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee MP Alicia Kearns

Naming of airport’s admin building honours legacy of Walter E. Cox snr

The administration building at the Howard Hamilton International Airport (HHIA) has been named after a statesman, a businessman and a pioneer in the aviation industry of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Walter Ebenezer Cox Snr.

On Tuesday, May 21, the Five Cays native was honoured once

again for the impactful life he led, and the legacy that lies in his wake. Minister of Immigration, Hon Arlington Musgrove in his remarks stated: “This momentous occasion not only honours a distinguished individual but also underscores the opportunities he created for our ports of entry.

“Walter E. Cox’s leadership and innovation in the realm of travel and immigration in the Turks and Caicos Islands is rooted in Providenciales, later leading him to Nassau Bahamas where his entrepreneurial endeavours also flourished.”

Musgrove said Cox’s visionary spirit also laid the groundwork

for the future advancement in the islands’ infrastructure.”

He recalled that Cox Snr. was deeply committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands by revolutionising connectivity through air travel in the TCI.

“His contribution to the aviation sector not only improved travel but also boosted the TCI’s capacity for growth and development.

“As minister of immigration, I am truly proud to recognise Walter E. Cox’s legacy and his profound impact on our nation’s progress. His vision and determination have left an indelible mark on our ports of entry enhancing our ability to welcome visitors and facilitate travel for all.”

Cox served quite astutely as a member of Parliament when he was elected in 1976 as the representative of the Blue Hills constituency for the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM). In 1980, he ran again and won under the umbrella of the Progressive National Party (PNP).

Known as a sharp negotiator

and a poised diplomat, Cox then ventured into the world of aviation, and in 1982 started Provo Air Charter when his son received his commercial pilot licence.

Executive Chairman of the TCI Airport Authority board of directors, Selvyn Hawkins in his remarks said on July 26, 2022, the board of the TCIAA approved a new policy titled ‘the naming of facilities, spaces, equipment and programmes’.

He said the purpose of the policy was, and remains, to provide a set of criteria and processes by which the TCIAA’s facilities, spaces, equipment and programmes can be named in honour of distinguished Turks and Caicos Islanders who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of aviation, improvement of quality of life for the people of the TCI and or to the general development of the TCI.

He said since the passing of the policy they have made sure that all six of the TCI’s airports stand as lasting testimony to the lives of extraordinary Turks and Caicos Islanders.

(DELANA ISLES)

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority recognises a visionary leader in the person of Walter E. Cox Snr. with the naming of its administrative building in his honour

Howard Hamilton International Airport becomes airport’s official name

BY DELANA ISLES

Born on October 3, 1940, in Bottle Creek, North Caicos, Howard Hamilton rose up from humble beginnings to become one of the leaders in aviation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This week, the government officially recognised his contributions to the TCI with the official renaming of the Providenciales International Airport to the Howard Hamilton International Airport (HHIA).

Held in the departure lounge of the airport, the event saw the Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick; the Governor,

Her Excellency Dileeni DanielSelvaratnam and Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams in attendance, along with Cabinet members, senior officials, and relatives of the late Mr. Howard Hamilton.

Bringing remarks at the opening ceremony was Deputy Chairman of the TCI Airports Authority Board of Directors, Dwayne Gardiner, cousin of the deceased Howard Hamilton, who remembers his kin as a humble but astute businessman and a pioneer.

“At the onset of the development of Providenciales, people like Cousin Howard had the vision, the nerve, the strength and the fortitude

to forge ahead and take the risks for us to emulate,” Gardiner said.

He urged that Turks and Caicos Islanders must have an enduring appreciation for the likes of people like Hamilton and others like him: “We have to appreciate his legacy as a pilot and a community builder.”

Gardiner stated that as the country celebrates the momentous occasion and look forward to the redevelopment of the airport, it is incumbent on Turks and Caicos Islanders and the leaders of the TCI to be innovative in terms of carving out opportunities for local participation.

“Howard was a man of good

stature, good standing, strong integrity, and he was a man of his word,” Gardiner said, expressing the hope that the renaming of the airport in the name of a man of such good standing will in some way encourage more local participation in the successes of the future.

Following his high school education in the TCI, Hamilton moved with his family to the Bahamas where he met his wife and started a family. There he joined the Nassau flying club - his first venture into aviation. Shortly after he moved with his immediate family to Florida, USA where he obtained his pilot’s license in

1975.

His move back to the Turks and Caicos Islands laid the groundwork for his pioneering work in the field of aviation in the Islands.

Also bringing remarks at the ceremony were the Premier and the Minister of Immigration, who both spoke highly of Mr. Hamilton both as a businessman and an individual.

The Premier also expressed his hope that Howard Hamilton International Airport, along with the other developing airports throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, will become regional and global leaders in the aviation industry.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) this week bestowed a significant honour on a pioneer of the aviation industry of the TCI, naming the territory’s only international airport in his honour (TCIAA photos)

Rep Reschenthaler, your statements are untrue and misleading

We are not targeting Americans

INTRODUCTION

I think all of us in the Turks and Caicos should be concerned and upset about the remarks made by Rep Guy Reschenthaler during his recent interview with ABC News in connection with the five Americans who violated the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands by having ammunition in their possession. He made a statement that we are targeting Americans and treating them differently. This is untrue. He referred to a Brazilian being fined and let go. He failed to report that Alex Guzman, an American tourist was fined $3500 for possession of ammunition and firearms. You also failed that another American tourist, 26-year-old, Michael Grim Jr was sentenced to eight months in jail after pleading guilty to possession of 20 rounds of illegal 9mm ammunition. You also failed to mention that another American tourist, David O’Connor was fined between $5000 and $6000 for possession of 44 rounds of ammunition.

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.

If we are against Americans, then are we also against the locals? Locals spent the maximum number of years in jail for possession of firearms and ammunition.

He failed to report that if the defence team can prove to the courts that there are exceptional circumstances, the judge has the discretion to impose a custodial sentence and a fine rather than the minimum mandatory of 12 years. Therefore, it is very possible that these tourists will not get 12 years, but you must wait for the judge to make the ruling.

He also mentioned that individuals were rolling their eyes at him and his colleagues and making inflammatory statements. He failed to mention that he wanted to meet with the Chief Justice. Perhaps that is why eyes were being rolled because it appears that he and his colleagues were trying to interfere in the judicial system. He not only wanted to meet with the Chief Justice, but he also wanted the Governor of TCI to do something. There must be a separation of our legal system from our parliamentary system.

He made a statement that every three weeks, Americans are being detained. If that is the case, then why aren’t there more Americans detained? This is a false statement.

His statement about there being three ruling families is inaccurate and no, no one ran on a platform to crack down on Americans. It is very unfortunate that you would make such false statements. We have two main political parties in this country comprising of several different individuals, not three families.

Crime is a big concern for all and the platform that both parties address is to reduce crime. There was never any reference to cracking down on Americans. Why would any government target Americans when our economy depends on American tourists? He also mentioned some statistics about the American ownership of real estate so make this make sense to me that we are cracking down on Americans.

He also mentioned that no other country has similar laws and that our law is inhumane. I refer to the laws of the US Virgin Islands which states “Any person who, unless authorised by law possesses, sells, purchases, manufactures, advertises for sale, or uses armour piercing or exploding ammunition for use in a firearm shall be guilty of a felony and shall be fined not less than $15,000 and imprisoned not less than fifteen years. Now tell me if this is humane.

In conclusion, it is a shame that Rep Guy Reschenthaler has taken this route in misleading the public and trying to interfere in our judicial system. I quite understand his concern for the Americans who are detained but he must respect our laws and let justice take its place.

I challenge Rep Reschenthaler to retract his statements because he has not only insulted the people of the Turks and Caicos, but he has also made false statements.

American visitors to the TCI caught in twilight zone of outdated colonial governance

Turks & Caicos is enjoying blockbuster ad promotion. But of the wrong kind. CBC News lead story is titled: ‘Americans being detained in Turks & Caicos.’

This May 22, 2024 piece by Kris Van Cleave & Kelsie Hoffman features a Black Florida grandmother, Sharita Grier, recounting her experience. She says: “They chained me to a chair by my leg. It’s cold. Scared. It was awful. It was so awful. I couldn’t sleep, no peace. A nightmare.” Which nation, whose lifeblood is tourism, can withstand such coverage? It makes us look as if we are foolishly ‘killing the goose that lays the golden eggs’ in a Turks & Caicos that has no clue of the outside world. First, who went about subjecting this woman to such treatment? They should be required to undergo sensitivity training and review of job performance. Because if we have

BY BEN ROBERTS

Ben is a writer and published author of the novel ‘Jackals of Samarra,’ at Amazon.com.

He is a Turks & Caicos Islander who often contributes articles to T&C local newspapers. He is a founding member of the NGO Turks & Caicos Forum (TC Forum) that gives voice to matters Turks & Caicos Islands. Contact him at: grandt730@aol.com

‘human rights this and human rights that’, how can this be standard procedure for our Immigration and Customs Departments? We should remember a British MP, Sir Bellingham, at the illegal migrant detention centre acting so humane and scolding T&C and its local government for what he perceived as its lack of empathy and humanity for illegal Haitian migrants at that facility.

Yes, the same man from a

country whose Prime Minister is in the process of deporting migrants from the UK to Rwanda. What a charade. And what conceit.

Now I do realise that this visitor’s story might be full of exaggeration, but it will be taken as fact by any American scanning travel destinations for a heavenly vacation. Also, Ms Grier will go back home and tell all her flesh and blood friends and electronic social media contacts about her ordeal,

real or made-up. Do we want this for our T&C income generation?

And do we want it when, in the last few years Black Americans, both those with serious celebrity and wealth status as well as those with reasonable extra cash, have been fleeing America and visiting our home in droves?

Also, if this woman was treated this way, does T&C not know what a traumatic experience it is for a black person to have to deal with their country’s judicial, law enforcement, and incarceration system? Yes, she would have been terrified. And this is not to say our authorities should have handled her differently, because they should handle all with the good-heartedness T&C has, since time immemorial, demonstrated to strangers. T&C, and our people should be careful talking about hanging tough and standing up to the Americans, as this whole

thing might be nothing more than a charade by the British to disable our economy than America trying to impose its norms of gun freedoms on us. Because, remember this: Britain pulls in huge income from its tourism sector. We are competitors of theirs and, in this regard, making our product less appealing only enhances theirs. This question has to be asked: ‘What does the UK do when faced with this same problem of American tourists arriving on their soil under those same circumstances? Have they been routinely jailed for 12 years? Would we not have heard about that in the news? So yes, this might be nothing more than a charade by the British for reasons that are suspect. Along with local governance officials such as the Governor and Attorney General,

From darkness to light

Colossians 1:13-14

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins

Few passages are as poignant and transformative as Colossians 1:13-14. In precise language, this passage encapsulates the fundamental Christian doctrine of redemption – the journey from darkness to light, from bondage to liberation. Paul, the apostle, wrote to the Colossian church who were grappling with questions of identity and allegiance.

After recognizing the spiritual growth of these believers and praying for them, Paul declares: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness.” In these few words, Paul depicts the cosmic realities of salvation. It is a deliverance from spiritual, external darkness and the personal, inherent darkness that dwells in us. Darkness

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.

that enslaves humanity captive in sin and separation from God.

The theme of deliverance/ redemption resonates throughout the Scripture. We see it in the Exodus narrative, where God liberates his people from the bondage of Egypt, leading them through the wilderness into the promised land. It reverberates with the prophetic promises of Isaiah, who foretold a coming light to dispel the darkness of oppression and despair. In Colossians, this deliverance finds its fulfilment in the person of Jesus Christ, the

divine agent of redemption.

In this instance, Pail proclaims that believers have not only been delivered but have been “transferred...to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” This transfer is more than a change of address; it is a relocation of allegiance, a shift from one realm of authority to another. The kingdom of darkness, with its tyranny and despair, is contrasted with the kingdom of the beloved Son—a realm characterised by love, righteousness, and reconciliation. Central to this kingdom is the

figure of Jesus Christ, described here as “his beloved Son.” This title points to Christ’s divine nature, his unique relationship with the Father, and his role as the ultimate mediator of redemption. In him, Paul declares, “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Here lies the heart of the Christian message: through the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, humanity finds redemption—a release from the penalty and power of sin— and the forgiveness of sins—an erasure of guilt and a restoration of

relationship with God. These verses also challenge believers to consider the radical implications of their newfound identity in Christ. They call Christians to live as citizens of the kingdom of light, embodying the values of love, justice, and reconciliation in a world still ensnared by darkness. In a world plagued by division, injustice, and despair, the message of Colossians 1:13-14 shines like a beacon of hope—a reminder that God, in his infinite grace, has delivered us from darkness and transferred us into the light of his kingdom. As we contemplate the truths of these verses, let’s be spurred to live lives worthy of the redemption we have received.

This is the gospel, the good news that has been changing the lives of millions of people, and the news that can change you if you believe it.

Don’t be a good boy/girlfriend

Right now, I’m preparing for whatever may come my way: a failing relationship, a toxic marriage, a troubled spouse, or even, God forbid, a nasty divorce.

It’s better to expect the worst than to naively go through life as if it’s a bed of roses, planted by your mother. If you haven’t yet accepted that life can be unpredictable and tough, it’s time to do so. They will play you like a yo-yo, feed you lies, and then swap you around for the next best thing_ a much younger and fitter version of yourself.

There are two ways to combat this. Be a total prick or be willing to be driven over_ road killed by their heavy-duty-Dodge-truck filled with lead.

Here are 30 pieces of advice, free of charge that could change your life:

YAH, YOU’RE WELCOME.

1. If he starts acting up, don’t say anything but start refusing sex. Know your power.

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

2. Do the opposite of everything your partner says. They will get fed up!

3. Go nuts next weekend. Get it all out of your system before you’re married and truly committed.

4. He’ll appreciate you a lot more if you let him sleep around.

5. If you’re not fighting, you’re not caring. Real couples need to fight to remember they love each other. Stir something about what he did not do last Friday! For no reason!

6. Don’t answer your phone for a few days.

7. All men cheat. All of them. There’s no point in leaving if the next one is going to cheat anyway.

8. Don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness.

9. If they really care about you, they will forgive you. Call their hot friend and go wild!

10. Do not have kids. Single parenting is tough.

11. The guy should always pay. Make him!

12. Love means never having to say you’re sorry. They can assume you’re sorry.

13. Bros before babes. Babes before bros. Do whatever it is you want to do.

14. If he hits you it means he loves you because he’s risking going to jail for you. So put him in.

15. It’s important for women to remain “mysterious” and to try and remain aloof to keep a man’s attention, even with small things: like never burping around him.

16. Wait until marriage before you have sex. Actually don’t_ Like don’t ever.

17. If the boys are mean to you that means they like you. Have you never watched a sitcom?

18. No matter how miserable you make each other, stay together. The next one will bring another set of misery anyway.

19. Don’t go to bed angry. Call ‘em out on their crap.

20. Lower your standards. I had to.

21. As long as you love each other, everything’s gonna be fine!

22. If they really love you, they will fight for you. Make him

prove it outside the club. That is the only true test of love.

23. If you say “I love you” too much it loses meaning. Ration it. I’ve not said it in over 6 months and neither has it been said to me. We are both grown.

24. Go through their phones, but keep yours off-limits.

25. Play hard to get…

26. Dig for gold! If for your own survival.

27. Even if you don’t want to, have sex when he wants it. When they aren’t satisfied, they start cheating.

28. He hasn’t yet proposed? Fake a pregnancy.

29. He hasn’t yet proposed? Is he straight?

Who is the better-looking sibling? You have 3 strikes, after that, you really need to stop it. Now Go. Thoughts?

Share if you care at louisedens@gmail.com or @ daviid.l2

Police road operations net several arrests and scores of road traffic violations

The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force conducted joint road operations alongside the TCI Border Force last week (May 13 and 16) focusing on crime reduction, illegal migration, and road safety.

This week, police reported that their efforts were aimed to ensure

compliance with Road Traffic regulations and yielded significant results.

During these operations, 38 individuals were detained for immigration violations, and 66 were reported for traffic offences.

They also reported that for April and May, their overall joint operations have resulted in 120

persons detained for immigration purposes, and 199 reported for traffic violations.

Acting Inspector Damian Mitchell emphasised the interconnectedness of road traffic compliance, crime, and illegal migration, stating: “These operations focus on addressing each critical area.”

Division B and Community Policing head Superintendent Dwight Gardiner said that there has been a general increase in public compliance with traffic regulations during the first quarter of the year.

Superintendent Gardiner is also encouraging road users to adhere to all aspects of the law: “Let us all strive to keep our roads safe

for everyone and reduce crime in our communities. Adhere to the rules of the road. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and you, members of the public.”

Motorists are especially urged to comply with regulations regarding vehicle window tints, as these violations carry a substantial penalty of $250 per window.

American visitors to the TCI caught ...

agents of the Crown, trying to look good. Beware.

In this, American tourist weapons matter. Our T&C should be smart and not fall into a trap of their own making, or that’s concocted by someone else. Here are some things to consider: None of these incidents involve actual guns or their use to commit crimes in T&C, but only the ammunition used in them. So how could these individuals be seriously considered as a threat to our law and order? What is our sentence for a local found with a handgun and, or, bullets, or who has committed a crime using these tools? If it is less than 12 years, then are we not harming ourselves by placing such a sentence on some ‘accidental tourist’ coming to relax, enjoy our shores, and add money to our coffers? Are we in T&C being smart in handling these

Americans in this way when the ammunition, in all cases, was found on departure? Does this not suggest absent-mindedness rather than some weapons person with nefarious intent to facilitate or involve themselves in gun crime? Come now, we should be smart enough to tell the difference. Because, if not, we seem like unreasonable bumbling idiots in whose hands these people have fallen.

One argument about this development is that the Americans are trying our system of aversion to handguns, and are attempting to overpower us with their liberal weapons norms because their TSA should have picked up the items on departure. That is doubtful. Gun and ammunition ownership is the legal norm in the United States. So TSA, seeing this, has no idea where the person is traveling to. It might be to another state, in which case there is no problem.

So, in the case of the tourist

headed to T&C this agency is not tasked with knowing where they are headed and is not being permissive or encouraging. This is simply not their remit, and all is legal, as they see this all day. In reality, our attempts to be tough might be our own undoing as our destination competitors, down on their luck because of our appeal, must be licking their chops at what they see as our blundering conduct. Our T&C Govt should make a point of giving us figures on how often these ammunition possession incidents have been seen prior to the events we are now experiencing. That will inform us as to whether, or not, this is a deliberate deluge by America or a poorly thoughtout consequence by our local and oversight Govt officials in passing laws championing toughness on crime. Because, it must be understood that neither the British oversight governance nor our local T&C Govt are

known for their sparkling foresight and stellar planning.

As stated in a previous article these ammunition incidents should require a retention of local legal Counsel (money into our economy); a bail hearing and payment (money into our economy); an expedited trial (money into our economy); a citation with nothing entered on their record, with the latter for a fee (money into our economy); and a time frame of travel suspension to T&C that can be reduced by paying a dollar amount (money into our economy). With all of this worked out so that the visitor gets to spend nothing more than 48 hours in confinement, thereby allowing them to do what they came to our T&C for. To enjoy paradise. To cap all this off the law-breaking visitor (yes, they have broken the laws that are on our books) should be issued an indefinitely suspended sentence, to be enforced only in the event

that the person in question returns to our shores and is found to have repeated the same offence. This makes for a happy visitor and a benefited T&C. An all-around beneficial outcome, with a minimum of angst and misery.

Nothing could be fairer. We need to quickly dispense with this scenario of these silly American representatives in T&C intent on throwing their weight around and trying to score points with their electorate and bosses back home, and our short-sighted local government officials, also aiming to score points with their electorate and ultimate bosses in the UK, as they clumsily talk over each other. The more this state of affairs continues in T&C the worse it is for our tourist product and our longstanding national goodwill towards visitors the world over. We would be most foolish to allow this to happen.

Yours truly

Last week, Police were actively conducting routine traffic checks along main thoroughfares of Providenciales (RTCIPF photo)

JAGS is beyond politics

National heroes symbolise the fight for justice, autonomy, and the people’s aspirations.

JAGS’s efforts in advocating for the country’s interests during a transformative period in our history have left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory. Today, I write not to remind us of a political figure but to pay homage to a National Hero. JAGS was a man whose legacy transcends the bounds of political affiliations and partisanship.

JAGS emerged during a transformative period in our history. Yes, he was crucial in founding the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM). Also, his political leadership significantly shaped the foundational principles of our modern political landscape. However, his enduring impact stretches far beyond political manoeuvres or party leadership.

JAGS McCartney’s leadership was a unique blend of vision and passion, deeply rooted in the soil of the TCI. His love for his people and unwavering commitment to justice and autonomy set him apart. His leadership was not about power but about the welfare and progress of every islander. This selfless dedication, often at the expense of his comfort and safety, earned him a place in our hearts as the first National Hero of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Consider the nature of true heroism, untainted by divisive politics. McCartney’s heroism was exceptional, transcending partisan lines to champion the collective aspirations of our people. His advocacy for the islands during crucial negotiations with British administrations marked him as a steadfast defender of our right to self-determination. This legacy continues to inspire us today.

His contributions to our national identity are monumental. McCartney symbolised and embodied the fight for a voice in our affairs, inspiring future generations. His legacy is not encapsulated in mere policies or party achievements but in the enduring spirit of empowerment that he instilled in all of us. He taught us to value our voices and to stand firm in our convictions. He also inspired us to pursue our rights with unyielding determination.

The ethos of McCartney’s leadership—his vision for justice, equity, and community welfare—remains a beacon guiding our path. The reverence afforded to McCartney today

BY AUDLEY ASTWOOD

is not merely nostalgic. It’s a continuous acknowledgement of his role as a custodian of our national spirit. He stands as a symbol of unity, bridging the diverse voices of TCI under the banner of shared aspirations and collective pride, reminding us all that we are part of something greater than ourselves. His vision is still alive and relevant. It inspires us to continue his work and strive for a better future.

To consider McCartney’s impact merely within the confines of his political affiliation with the PDM would be to view a mural through a keyhole, missing the vastness of its reach and the depth of its colours. His life and work are a narrative of national pride that resonates with each of us, transcending the often transient impacts of political figures.

As Turks and Caicos stands today—sovereign, proud, and resilient—it is, in large part, a testament to the enduring foundations laid by McCartney. His legacy prompts us to remember, strive, advocate, and embody the principles he lived by. As we move forward, let us carry the essence of his legacy in our pursuits, ensuring that his vision for our islands continues to manifest in our actions and policies and that his impact remains a guiding light in our collective journey.

In honouring JAGS McCartney, we celebrate not just a leader but a hero whose life transcends the story of a man and becomes the story of a nation. Let’s continue to weave his ideals into our daily lives, ensuring his legacy remains as strong as the shores he loved dearly. JAGS’ life was lived for others—a narrative of unity, pride, and indomitable spirit. May we strive to reflect these ideals, continuing his legacy of service and dedication to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This legacy endures beyond politics into the heart of our national identity, uniting us in our shared pride and love for our home.

Provo water restrictions extended amidst ongoing improvement projects

Residents of Providenciales should brace for more water woes, as Provo Water Company (PWC) has announced a continuation of water restrictions through June 2024 due to persistent high water demands.

Earlier this week, PWC said the decision underscores its ongoing commitment to enhancing the water distribution network through various projects aimed at addressing current distribution challenges.

The water restrictions, which have been implemented on an asneeded basis, will persist in the following areas:

West of Suzie Turn: Areas including The Bight, Cooper Jack, Industrial Park, Thompson Cove, Cherokee Road, Blue Mountain, Downtown, Airport Road, Kewtown, Blue Hills, Five Cays, South Dock, and Chalk Sound will experience low to no water pressure during nightly restrictions from 11:00 pm to 5:30 am, according to a statement from PWC.

Venetian Road and Turtle Tail: These areas will undergo a 50% water restriction from 9:00 pm to 5:30 am, potentially leading to reduced water pressure for customers.

In the statement issued on Wednesday, May 22, PWC Managing Director Robert Hall acknowledged the ongoing high water demands and reassured customers of his team’s dedication to mitigating these challenges.

PWC is currently undertaking three key projects to improve water distribution across Providenciales.

The primary focus is on the New City Water Transmission Main Project, which involves installing larger-diameter pipes along a new route to significantly boost water flow and establish an alternative distribution route.

Additionally, PWC is replacing older valves in the water distribution network with newer, larger-diameter valves to enhance water flow and improve distribution along the existing network pipes. The third project focuses on enhancing the current booster equipment responsible for augmenting water flow within the distribution network.

Hall addressed the projects’ progress, acknowledging unforeseen setbacks primarily

due to the long-term effects of the pandemic and its impact on the world economy and supply chains.

He said: “These projects have always been a part of our plan to accommodate the growth of the country. Unfortunately, unforeseen setbacks due primarily to the longterm effects of the pandemic and its impact on the world economy and supply chains, among other factors, have taken their toll on our project timelines.

“Our team is committed to resolving these issues as quickly as possible, but we are taking every measure to ensure that we do so in a way that allows us to continue providing incredible service and value to our customers,” Hall assured.

In addition to the improvement projects, PWC is building a new water plant on the northwest side of the island. This new plant will introduce a new distribution point closer to the areas currently experiencing water restrictions and provide a host of benefits to water distribution for the whole island. Hall emphasised the importance of water conservation as a crucial measure in addressing water shortages. Simple actions like repairing leaks, utilising water-efficient fixtures, and practicing mindful water usage can significantly contribute to preserving precious water resources and reducing monthly bills.

(Olivia Rose)

1 World Foundation provides invaluable screenings for TCI children

1 World Foundation continues to do impactful work in the Turks and Caicos Islands, most recently providing invaluable assessment and support to 55 children under the age of eight across the TCI.

This week the Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) announced the successful completion of a comprehensive screening initiative led by the dedicated 1 World team.

Over the course of their visit, the team travelled to Grand Turk, South Caicos, North and Middle Caicos, and Providenciales to lend their support to the children in need of assessment.

The 1 World Foundation’s mission was to address various referral concerns, ensuring early detection and intervention for developmental and educational needs. Their work has significantly contributed to the well-being and future success of our young learners, the Department said in a statement this week.

Director Dr. Anya Malcolm-

Gibbs expressed heartfelt gratitude for the team’s dedication: “We are immensely grateful for the 1 World team’s commitment to our children. They have provided services to this country over several years, and their expertise and compassion have provided critical support to our families.

“I wish to commend our Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, who spearheaded the initiative and ensured a smooth and effective visit.”

Commenting on the program, Lashaunda Skippings said the assessments have been transformative for the children.

“By identifying specific needs early, we can tailor our interventions to better support each child’s unique development journey. This initiative has brought hope and clarity to many families across our islands,” Skippings noted.

Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor also praised the initiative and its outcomes.

She said the visit by the 1 World

team marks a significant step forward in the TCI’s commitment to inclusive education.

“Their work aligns perfectly with our vision of providing comprehensive supports to all students, ensuring no child is left behind. We are dedicated to continuing this partnership and building on the progress made,” Taylor observed.

During their visit, the 1 World team also engaged in a productive courtesy call with the Minister of Education, the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Cherylann Jones, and the Director of SENS.

The meeting with the CEO of the 1 World Foundation provided an opportunity to discuss future collaborations and reinforce our shared commitment to the children of Turks and Caicos Islands, the Department disclosed.

They added that this initiative exemplifies the power of partnership and the profound impact that dedicated professionals can have on the lives of children.

Robert Hall, Managing Director, Provo Water Company

2024 Atlantic hurricane season is primed for storms with ‘rapid intensification’

Along with the anticipation of an extremely busy Atlantic hurricane season, AccuWeather meteorologists are greatly concerned that conditions over much of the basin could have a significant number of storms that undergo rapid intensification. Where this occurs as storms approach land could greatly add to the risk to lives and property.

Rapid intensification is a term meteorologists use to define tropical storms and hurricanes that quickly gain strength. The threshold is at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less. This can affect how fast a tropical storm becomes a hurricane or a hurricane jumps one or more categories in less than a day’s time.

This season, more than others, do not underestimate a hurricane’s potential

Rapidly intensifying tropical storms and hurricanes are especially dangerous because they can give the public less time to prepare and often catch people off guard. Predicting a storm’s peak intensity and its intensity at landfall is one of the most challenging aspects of weather forecasting, and a rapidly intensifying hurricane adds tremendously to that challenge.

“The general rule of thumb is that people prepare for one category up on AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes or the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale to allow for fluctuation in the strength of tropical systems,” AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said, “However, a danger exists when a tropical storm or hurricane is undergoing rapid intensification as the storm potentially could become much more powerful, dangerous and destructive than even that one-level buffer might account for.”

The AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes considers many consequences a tropical system may have in addition to winds, such as coastal inundation, freshwater flooding, topography and the population affected. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale accounts for a storm’s wind intensity only.

The greater the population affected and the more dense of a population center, the more time is needed for preparations and mandatory evacuations, if necessary. A large, dense population center, such as New Orleans, may need at least 72 hours’ notice in the event of a direct strike from a hurricane, according to NOLA Ready.

“Key elements that we are focusing on for this year’s busy hurricane season include the ramp-up of La Niña (in the Pacific), which allows for less disruptive wind shear in the Atlantic,” DaSilva said. “But we continue to notice incredibly warm waters over much of the key development areas in the Atlantic.”

When warm water is combined with low wind shear and abundant moisture, the ingredients for rapid intensification are in place. Not every storm will undergo rapid intensification, but when the conditions are in place, the chances of its occurrence are much higher.

The minimum temperature threshold for tropical development is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Many areas of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and southwest Atlantic are already above that threshold.

Sea-surface temperatures across the Atlantic Basin have never been higher in recorded history for this date than they are right now, DaSilva said. Generally, the ocean will continue to be warmed by the sun through August and into early September, aside from some temporary cool eddies that may develop.

“The fear is that as we enter the heart of the tropical season—from late August to early October— the sea-surface temperature may continue to eclipse last year’s record-breaking season,” DaSilva said. The warmer the oceans are, the more favorable the environment will be for tropical development and rapid intensification.”

THE DEPTH OF THE WARM WATER IS MOST

IMPORTANT

As tropical storms and hurricanes pass over warm surface waters, the wave action produced by strong winds blowing on the ocean creates massive waves and upwelling, where water from the depths mixes with the surface. Most of the time, this will lead to the colder deep water cooling the surface water and then cause the intensity of a slow-moving hurricane to level off or weaken. When a hurricane moves quickly, this cool upwelling action is reduced as the storm will continue to encounter warm surface water.

AccuWeather meteorologists also look at the depth of the warm water or ocean heat content (OHC). The deeper the OHC, the less impact upwelling will have.

Currently across the zone from

the south-central Atlantic to the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and off the southeastern United States coast, the OHC is where it should be at the start of August -- far ahead of schedule.

“There is a patch in the Caribbean, near Jamaica, where 80-degree water reaches a depth of 600 feet this week,” DaSilva said.

Atlantic Hurricane Ian from 2022 is a great example of a storm that moved over a high area of OHC and intensified rapidly. Ian underwent multiple rapidly strengthening phases, but the most significant one occurred shortly after the hurricane moved north of the coast of Cuba on Sept. 27.

On Sept. 28, Ian went from a 120-mph Category 3 hurricane to a 160-mph Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours before striking the southwestern Florida coast. The total number of lives lost is estimated at 161, with additional persons missing. Damage from Ian reached $113 billion, making it the costliest hurricane in Florida history.

Another striking example of rapid intensification is Eastern Pacific Hurricane Otis from 2023. Otis underwent tremendous strengthening from a Category 1 (74-95 mph) hurricane at 7 a.m. CDT on Oct. 24 to a Category 5, 165-mph hurricane a mere 15 hours later at 10 p.m. Otis struck just west of Acapulco, Mexico, as a Category 5 storm during the early-morning hours of Oct. 25. At least 50 people lost their lives with at least 30 missing. Damage estimates range from $12-16 billion, making it the costliest Eastern Pacific Hurricane and the costliest in Mexico’s history.

“This extent of warm surface water and high OHC is of great concern for the 2024 season as high OHC is like rocket fuel for tropical cyclones,” DaSilva warned, “High OHC values can greatly aid storms in triggering rapid intensification.”

The potential for multiple rapidly intensifying tropical storms and hurricanes for the 2024 season includes threats from near U.S. coast developing systems in the Gulf of Mexico and off the southern Atlantic coast, as well as for areas throughout the Caribbean and the southwestern Atlantic. Formation near land and rapid intensification near land are the two standout situations that can cause quick changes to the forecasts and risks.

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT IF A HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO TRACK TO YOUR LOCATION

When warm water is combined with low wind shear and abundant moisture, the ingredients for rapid intensification are in place

Between 20-25 named storms are forecasted for the season

2024 Atlantic hurricane season is primed ...

CONTINUED 

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and long-time Florida resident Dave Houk had sound advice regarding hurricane preparedness.

“Staying up-to-date with the storm and following along with forecasts is the key to taking action and mitigating risks, as forecasts can change over time,” Houk said. Residents and visitors need to have

plans and preparations before the storm arrives, knowing what the “worst-case scenario” can mean for their area.

Storm surge inundation is the greatest danger people may experience during a hurricane.

However, the stronger the hurricane winds or the faster a hurricane intensifies, the greater the potential magnitude of storm surge flooding and the chance

that rising water may block a lastminute evacuation route.

Houk stresses that people need to be aware of their surroundings, such as whether they are near the coast, a bay or a river, where a storm surge can lead to rapidly rising water in their location and escape route. For example, an elevation a couple dozen feet above sea level may be safer than one only a few feet above sea level.

“Proper planning and preparation prevent panic when a hurricane suddenly forms nearby or undergoes rapid strengthening,” Houk said. “If ordered to evacuate, is the emergency kit prepared properly? Based on the forecast track of the storm, should evacuation to an area to the north, south, east or west be best for minimal impacts?”

For those who choose to ride

out the storm, in addition to the potential for life-threatening rapidly rising water in the immediate neighbourhood, there may be the risk of flying debris or falling trees damaging or destroying shelter-inplace dwellings. People should be prepared for great hardship without electricity and fresh public water for days after a hurricane strikes. Debris and displaced wild animals are additional safety concerns.

Regional News

Governor of Bermuda coordinates response to bomb threats in BOTs

Governor Rena Lalgie says her office is working with various stakeholders in Bermuda as well as in the United Kingdom, to address a series of bomb threats facing the British Overseas Territory (BOT).

She said over recent weeks a series of hoax bomb threats have been received by a number of British Overseas Territories, including Bermuda.

“As the internal security of Bermuda, and consequently aviation security, are Constitutional responsibilities of the Governor, my office is working with the full range of Bermudian authorities and institutions to review our response and ensure that lessons learned are properly and rapidly applied,” Lalgie said in a statement.

“We are being supported by UK experts in law enforcement and airport security to further upskill relevant officials on bomb threat assessment processes, and to ensure that the high standards of security required of our critical national infrastructure are maintained and improved,” she added.

Lalgie said, separately, a concerted effort by law enforcement agencies in Bermuda, other overseas territories, the UK and the USA, to trace and stop the source of these hoaxes, is under way

HE Governor Rena Lalgie

“I would like to reassure all who live in and visit Bermuda that your safety and security is our primary concern,” she said in the statement.

Earlier this month, passengers were forced off a British Airways flight following a bomb threat received at the LF Wade International Airport.

Police said they were notified by staff at the airport on May 5 of a bomb threat that was received via e-mail. The staff also advised that emergency landing protocols had been initiated at the airport. Following a sweep of the terminal

Haiti police to head security mission set to deploy by end of May, transition council says

building by the Bermuda Police Service and Skyport, passengers from the British Airways flight were bused back to the terminal building, where airline personnel assisted them with transportation and accommodations.

Media reports in the Turks and Caicos Islands also said bomb threats had been received earlier this month at the JAGS McCartney and Howard Hamilton International airports.

Similar threats were also made in Tortola and Anguilla on May 5 and 6. (Loop News)

Haiti’s national police force will take charge of a much-awaited U.N.-backed security mission set to launch by the end of this month, Haiti’s transition council said this week.

Police will oversee the force, meant to wrest back control over large swathes of Haiti from gangs, and will make decisions on its “makeup, objectives, rules of engagement and health measures,” the transition council said on X.

Last year, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution authorising the mission’s deployment. However, progress has lagged as Haiti has fallen into

further chaos, which saw interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry pushed out and an interim council installed in April.

Kenya has offered 1,000 officers to lead the force, though their deployment has been repeatedly delayed by legal challenges despite construction on a base to house them underway.

Kenyan President William Ruto will visit Washington this week to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. The two are expected to speak about Haiti.

Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Bangladesh have also pledged personnel to the force.

Murders up by 13 per cent in the Bahamas

The Bahamas’Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said murders are up 13 per cent compared to the same period last year, and police will review its crime-fighting strategies and beef up patrols to clamp down on gun violence.

“All boots will be on the ground to ensure that this beautiful country of ours remains safe,” he said during a press briefing. “We can’t stop it, but we will try and we will do our best and we can’t do it alone. We need that partnership to work along with us.”

Commissioner Fernander said police are questioning four men in connection with the fatal shooting of a man on bail in Grand Bahama last week.

The victim was found in an unfinished building on Bronze Drive, off Midshipman Road.

He said police are also following significant leads into a double shooting that left a man dead on

Ferguson Street Thursday.

The victim and another man were reportedly travelling east on Ferguson Street when they were obstructed by the driver of a small grey Japanese vehicle.

As they attempted to flee the scene, the three masked men pursued them and fired shots in their direction, fatally wounding one of them.

Commissioner Fernander said police uncovered a firearm from the deceased at the scene and linked the weapon to two recent murders.

However, he declined to say which murders the guns were connected to or if they were used by the deceased.

The police chief also highlighted two “significant” seizures of illegal firearms, including an incident where customs officers discovered a box containing nine pistols and a quantity of ammunition and drugs at the airport.

The weapons were on display at yesterday’s press conference.

“We are working with our US partners,” he said. “We suspect that they came in from the US and were destined to a courier company here in Nassau. That matter is under active investigation as we speak.”

He also noted last week’s arrest of a man who had 13 pistols, two high-powered weapons and over $300,000 worth of suspected marijuana hidden in his home.

Commissioner Fernander said police spent the entire weekend trying to get details on how the firearms were smuggled into the country.

“I know they are armed with information, and this investigation will continue,” he said.

When the man and his mother were charged in court, he pleaded guilty to a litany of firearm and ammunition offences. (Tribune242)

Haiti’s police force will lead the multi-country security mission

Regional News

Bahamas: Resort saw decline after crime advisories says Baha Mar chief

Baha Mar president Graeme Davis said his resort saw a decline in guests after a US travel advisory in January but has experienced growth overall compared to last year.

After an unusually violent January that saw 21 people murdered, the United States issued a travel advisory urging its residents to demonstrate increased caution. Multiple major US news organisations reported on the advisory, sparking local fears about its impact.

“We are seeing a decline,” Mr Davis said on Friday, discussing the matter directly for the first time.

“All of our statistics are showing that we’ve had a decline after the January safety warnings. It continues to be in people’s minds. I don’t think we should ever forget that. While maybe the press has died down, there is still

questions in traveller minds, and we get that from travel agents. We got those questions. And I think it’s important that we stay vigilant in protecting our community, in creating a safe environment for our community, which creates a safe environment for every visitor as well.”

Despite the advisory warning, he said: “We are seeing tremendous growth over last year. We are seeing that weekends are quite full. We have some excellent corporate business in as well. In the coming months, as we get into the US holiday, Memorial Day weekend, we are expected to be very close to being sold out. And then we are coming up to the July 4th and the summer vacation for all of the United States. We are expecting it to be very, very robust summer business.”

Caribbean told to farm more as food insecurity rises

A report from April 2024 shows that food insecurity remains a pressing concern in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, with an estimated three million people currently experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity.

The Caribbean Food Security and Livelihoods survey also shared many recommendations which point Caribbean countries to local farming as a way to address the important problem.

The survey shows that while food insecurity has decreased by 17% compared to a year ago, it is 78% higher than at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Those with

lower incomes or a disability/ chronic illness are the most affected.

To tackle the food insecurity problem in the region, the report recommends a few actions, including advocating for improved access to finance to promote sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, adaptive social protection and climate change adaptation measures that will enhance food security and livelihoods.

Caribbean countries are also encouraged to strengthen the productive capacities of smallholder farmers and fishers through access to technologies and

climate information services. They are also warned to expand initiatives to increase demand for local foods to encourage healthy diets and combat noncommunicable diseases and obesity while supporting local and sustainable agricultural production. The report comes amid growing concerns that the government isn’t doing enough to increase agriculture production in the BVI. Water shortage and a lack of adequate pathways to get produce from farm to market are just a few of the issues affecting the small sector of farmers and fishers in the territory. (BVInews.com)

DR’s Abinader sails to second term, pledges unity

The Dominican Republic’s hugely popular President Luis Abinader vowed unity and impartial leadership yesterday as he soared to victory in elections with a sufficiently wide margin to clinch a second term without a secondround vote.

With about 56% of voting centres reporting, Abinader held 58.85% of the vote, followed by three-time former President Leonel Fernandez with 27.29%, preliminary data from electoral authorities showed.

While final results were pending late on Sunday, Abinader, 56, won well over the 50% needed to rule out a run-off election.

Rival candidates Fernandez and Abel Martinez both said on X that they had called Abinader to recognise his election victory.

“Today our country shines with its own light,” Abinader told jubilant supporters at the national headquarters of his Modern

While final results were pending late on Sunday, Abinader, 56, won well over the 50% needed to rule out a run-off election

Revolutionary Party, pledging to serve as president for all citizens.

He called for a country “without distinction, without sectarianism and without party colors.”

Abinader also vowed to push through a constitutional reform on the continuity of power that would

not rely on the “personal whim” of the president in office. He said he would not run again after completing his second term. Presidents in the Dominican Republic are restricted to two terms of four years, although previous reforms have extended presidential mandates.

Mexico’s foreign ministry congratulated Abinader on his win, saying it would continue working to strengthen two-way ties.

Voters went to the polls as the Caribbean island nation grapples with fallout from a humanitarian crisis next door in Haiti, graft in government and inflation and inequality in the region’s top tourist destination.

Abinader, a former businessman, has staked his claim on his adept handling of the COVID-19 crisis. His hardline stance on Haiti and a crusade against corruption helped gain more support than his two main opponents.

Voters said they felt satisfied with Sunday’s electoral process, according to Luis Fortuno, an international observer for the election and a former governor of Puerto Rico.

“In general the electoral process

was carried out correctly, openly and democratically,” Fortuno said.

One of Latin America’s most popular presidents, Abinader had approval ratings around 70%, a CID-Gallup poll showed in September.

He catapulted the island’s allimportant tourism industry to recovery in record-breaking time, returning the country to a predicted 5% growth in GDP in 2024, World Bank figures show.

But challenges remain. Crime, cited in travel warnings by the U.S. State Department, ranks in polls as a major issue for citizens of the Dominican Republic.

Many worry that migrants thronging in from neighbouring Haiti could further aggravate security risks.

And while the economy has soared, Abinader’s critics say he has work to do in taming inflation and inequality that have left behind many citizens. (Reuters)

Baha Mar

Caribbean countries are also encouraged to strengthen the productive capacities of smallholder farmers

Regional News

Small island states secure historic climate win at international ocean court

A group of small island states including Antigua and Barbuda and The Bahamas secured a win on climate change in an international court today as they seek to combat rising sea levels.

In its first-ever climate-related judgement, The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) said that greenhouse gas emissions absorbed by the ocean are considered marine pollution and countries are obliged to protect marine environments by going further than required under the Paris climate agreement.

The opinion was requested by a group of nine island nations facing climate-driven rises in sea levels.

The opinion is not legally binding but it will be able to help guide countries in their climate policy and will be able to be used in other cases as legal precedent.

“The ITLOS opinion will inform our future legal and diplomatic work in putting an end to inaction

that has brought us to the brink of an irreversible disaster,” Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne said.

The other nations in the group that brought the case were Tuvalu, Palau, Niue, Vanuatu, St.Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines and St. Kitts and Nevis.

The court said states are legally obligated to take all necessary measures to achieve the goal of keeping global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius above preindustrial levels according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas.

In the case hearings in September, China, the world’s biggest carbon polluter, had challenged the islands’ request, arguing that the tribunal does not have general authority to issue advisory opinions. Beijing said its position was taken to avoid the fragmentation of international law.

“If ITLOS were to find that

such an obligation exists, Beijing’s response would most likely be to characterize this as falling outside of its proper scope of authority,” said Ryan Martinez Mitchell, law professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Eselealofa Apinelu, a representative of the South Pacific island of Tuvalu, said the advisory opinion spells out the legally binding obligations of all states to protect the marine environment and the states against the existential threats posed by climate change.

“This is a historic moment for small island developing nations in their request for climate justice, an important first step in holding the major polluters accountable, for the sake of all humankind,” Apinelu said.

Climate activists and lawyers said the decision could also influence two upcoming legal opinions by the Inter-American

Court on Human Rights, and the International Court of Justice –which are also considering states’ climate obligations.

Last month, the European Court of Human Rights issued a historic ruling in favour of plaintiffs who argued that Switzerland was violating their human rights by not doing enough to combat climate warming.

“Now we have clarity on what states are obligated to do which they have failed to do through 30 years … but this is the opening chapter,” Payam Akhavan, lead counsel for the nine island nations in the proceedings, said of ITLOS’ opinion, adding that the next step was to ensure that major polluters would implement their obligations. (Reuters)

Police investigating a double murder in the British Virgin Islands

The victims have been identified as Hispanic nationals Alix Montero Hernandez, 44, who resided in Fahie Hill and Amancio Vasquez Ramirez, 33, who resided in Sea Cows Bay.

Detectives of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) are urgently seeking witnesses or any information in relation to the incident which occurred just after midnight on Friday, May 17.

Preliminary investigations reveal that both victims were outside a popular bar in the Huntums Ghut area when they were fatally shot.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force says residents can expect to see more officers conducting house-to-house visits as part of the Force’s commitment to ensuring public safety.

Governor Daniel Pruce visited the crime scene and commented,

“This is terrible news. My thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims. I’m grateful to the RVIPF for their quick response, and I ask anyone with any information to contact the police as they take forward their investigation.”

Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool states,

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of the victims in this tragic incident. We understand the pain and grief this has caused, and the RVIPF is fully committed to doing everything possible to solve this crime and bring those responsible to justice. We are dedicated to restoring a sense of safety and security in our community.”

Persons with any information about the incident are encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers line at 800-8477 (TIPS) or, if overseas, at 1-284-800-8477. Alternatively, persons can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339. All information will be kept confidential. (Loopnews)

A double murder has rocked the British Virgin Islands.

BVI is also grappling with an unprecedented level of crime

UK’s future in your hands, Starmer tells voters

Sir Keir Starmer has told voters the UK’s future is in “your hands”, saying “together we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain”.

Speaking shortly after Rishi Sunak announced a general election on 4 July, the Labour leader said the vote would be a chance to change the country “for the better”.

He said: “It will feel like a long campaign, I am sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.”

In a preview of Labour’s election campaign, he said: “Our offer is to reset both our economy and our politics.”

With Labour comfortably ahead in the opinion polls, Sir Keir has been calling on Mr Sunak to hold an election for months – but few had expected the announcement to come today.

Speaking in a rain-lashed Downing Street, the prime minister insisted his economic plans were working and accused Labour of lacking policies.

Sir Keir - who was flanked by union flags - set out why voters should not back the Tories, insisting he would put “country

first and party second”.

The Labour leader repeated the word “change” throughout his brief statement - a message which was the single-word slogan on his podium.

He said the three reasons people should vote Labour were “stop the chaos”, “time for change” and “reset the economy and our politics”.

Sir Keir has so far avoided making big pre-election promises, focusing instead on the six “first steps” he would take if elected prime minister.

Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognise Palestinian state

Ireland, Norway, and Spain have announced they will formally recognise a Palestinian state from 28 May.

Spain and Ireland said the decision was not against Israel nor in favour of Hamas, but rather in support of peace.

Israel reacted angrily, warning the move would mean more instability in the region and recalling its ambassadors to all three countries.

Both Hamas and its rival, the Palestinian Authority, have welcomed the recognition.

Norway was first to make its announcement Wednesday in a move co-ordinated with the other two countries.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in an address that the move was “in support of moderate forces that are on a retreating front in a protracted and cruel conflict”.

“This is an investment in the only solution that can bring lasting peace in the Middle East,” he

added, referring to the so-called two-state solution which would see an Israeli and a Palestinian state existing peacefully next to each other.

Ireland and Spain followed suit soon after.

“Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and selfdetermination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples,” Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said.

The country’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris later stressed that “Hamas is not the Palestinian people”.

“Today’s decision to recognise Palestine is taken to help create a peaceful future,” he said.

Mr Harris’s comments were echoed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who said the move was “not against Israel, is not against the Jews”.

“It is not in favour of Hamas, which is something that has been said. This recognition is not against

stick to “tough” spending limits and there will not be a lot of spare cash for public services until it can get the economy growing more strongly.

But despite watering down its £28bn net zero policies, the party remains committed to decarbonising the electricity grid by 2030.

The Conservatives claim Labour can only pay for these plans by increasing taxes. Labour says a Tory ambition to eventually abolish National Insurance will leave a “black hole” in their plans.

These include creating 2m more NHS appointments and recruiting 6.500 new teachers, to be paid for by imposing VAT on private school fees.

Sir Keir has also said he would scrap Mr Sunak’s plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda as soon as he takes office and set up a new Border Security Command to tackle small boat crossings.

Mr Sunak says the Rwanda plan will act as a deterrent to people smuggling gangs and Labour does not have a viable alternative.

Labour has also said it will

Voters may learn more about how policies will be paid for when the parties unveil their election manifestoes, as the campaign proper gets under way.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This government is out of touch, it’s out of excuses and it’s out of time - and it’s time to get this Conservative government out of office.

“And if we do, we can transform our politics, we can sort out the crisis in the health and care system, we can get our economy back on track, we can end the sewage scandal and we can get the fair deal people deserve.”

Scotland’s First Minister John

Swinney said the general election was a chance to “remove the Tory government and put Scotland first by voting SNP”.

“People in Scotland know we stand up for them and protect them from the damage done by Westminster,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Reform UK, which is neckand-neck with the Lib Dems in the polls, said voters had a “clear choice” between the Tories, who had “broken Britain”, and “Starmergeddon” under Labour.

“It’s only Reform UK’s common sense policies that can now save Britain,” said the party’s leader Richard Tice.

The Green Party of England and Wales - from the opposite end of the political spectrumalso promised “common sense” policies, and said it was aiming to get four MPs elected to Parliament.

Co-leader Adrian Ramsay said: “Across the country, people will have the chance to vote for a Green candidate offering voters hope and practical solutions to the cost-ofliving crisis, supporting people into warm, affordable homes, protecting our NHS and cleaning up our toxic rivers.” (BBC)

anyone, it is in favour of peace and coexistence.”

Israel reacted to the announcements with fury.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the move by Ireland, Norway and Spain as a “reward for terrorism” and said it would not bring peace.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he was ordering the immediate return of the Israeli ambassadors to all three countries for “consultations”.

“Israel will not go over this in silence - there will be other serious consequences,” he said.

Mr Katz also said the three countries’ ambassadors in Israel will be summoned for “reprimand talks”, during which they will be

shown a video of the abduction of female Israeli soldiers on 7 October.

Hamas, which controls Gaza and is currently at war with Israel, said Wednesday’s announcements would be a “turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue”.

In a statement to AFP, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas figure, said the “brave resistance” of the Palestinian people was behind the move.

Hamas’s rival, the Palestinian Authority (PA) - which controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank - said Norway, Spain and Ireland had demonstrated their “unwavering commitment” to “delivering the long overdue

justice to the Palestinian people”. Also on Wednesday, the Israeli military approved the return of Israeli citizens to the sites of three settlements in the occupied West Bank, which they had been banned from entering since 2005.

Israel’s parliament had voted to allow its citizens to return in March last year, but military permission was needed for the bill to be enforced.

Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

The issue of Palestinian statehood has vexed the international community for decades.

Sir Keir Starmer

The three countries made the announcement together

Sunak’s smoking ban bill set to be shelved due to election

The prime minister would not guarantee the law would pass before Parliament shuts down for the election on Friday.

Talks between the government and opposition parties over which bills to rush through before then are ongoing.

Labour has previously pledged to bring in the ban if it wins power at the election on Thursday 4 July.

Mr Sunak also remains committed to creating a “smokefree generation” and the ban is likely to feature in the Conservative manifesto.

The proposed law would prevent anyone born after 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes from the current level of 18.

‘ABSOLUTELY NUTS’

In an update to MPs, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt did not include the bill among those currently scheduled to be debated

by gradually raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes from the current level of 18

before Friday.

Speaking to the BBC in Wales, Mr Sunak declined to say whether the bill would be included.

“I will do everything I can to move these things forward, but it is dependent on the co-operation of other parties,” he added.

The bill only began its journey

through the House of Commons last month. It is yet to be debated in the House of Lords, which makes it more difficult for it to be passed quickly.

Under the government’s plan, the age rises were not due to begin until 2027. It would not affect those who can currently buy cigarettes.

clears way for ‘God’s influencer’ to become a saint

A London-born teenager - whose proficiency at spreading the teachings of the Catholic church online led to him being called “God’s influencer” - is set to become a saint.

Carlo Acutis died in 2006, at the age of 15, meaning he would be the first millennial - a person born in the early 1980s to late 1990s - to be canonised.

It follows Pope Francis attributing a second miracle to him.

It involved the healing of university student in Florence who had bleeding on the brain after suffering head trauma.

Carlo Acutis had been beatified - the first step towards sainthood - in 2020, after he was attributed

with his first miracle - healing a Brazilian child of a congenital disease affecting his pancreas.

The second miracle was approved by the Pope following a meeting with the Vatican’s saintmaking department.

It is not yet known when he will be canonised.

Carlo Acutis died in Monza, in Italy, after being diagnosed with leukaemia, having spent much of his childhood in the country.

His body was moved to Assisi a year after his death, and it currently resides on full display alongside other relics linked to him.

As well as designing websites for his parish and school, he became known for launching

It has faced a backlash from Tory MPs, with 58 of them, including some of Mr Sunak’s ministers, voting against it in the Commons last month after the PM granted them a free vote.

Ex-prime minster Boris Johnson has also led Tory opposition outside Parliament, branding the plan “absolutely nuts”.

‘WASH UP’

A victims bill that authorises payments to those affected by the infected blood scandal looks set to pass in the accelerated process to endorse bills, known as the “washup”.

The government has announced that the House of Lords will debate the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on Friday, meaning it may become law before the dissolution of Parliament.

Legislation to pay compensation to victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal was passed by Parliament on Thursday evening. But bills that are at risk include legislation to deliver a Tory manifesto promise to ban “no fault” evictions in England, and set up a regulator for English football.

Mr Sunak highlighted the smoking ban in his speech announcing the election on Wednesday, in a signal it would feature in the Tory election manifesto.

He said: “We will ensure that the next generation grows up smoke free.”

It would have eventually made the UK the first country in the world to ban adults from buying tobacco, and had been seen as a political legacy for Mr Sunak if the Tories are not re-elected. (BBC)

President Emmanuel Macron has described rioting in the FrenchPacific territory of New Caledonia as an “unprecedented insurrection movement” that no-one saw coming.

a website seeking to document every reported Eucharistic miracle, which was launched days before his death.

Mr Acutis’ nickname, God’s influencer, has been attributed to him after his death due to this work.

His website has now been translated into several different languages, and used as the basis for an exhibition which has travelled around the world.

His life is also remembered in the UK, where in 2020, the Archbishop of Birmingham established the Parish of Blessed Carlo Acutis incorporating churches in Wolverhampton and Wombourne.

During a tour of police headquarters in the capital Nouméa on Thursday, he said the coming days and weeks would be difficult, but Paris would “go until the end” to restore calm.

Six people, including two police officers, have been killed and hundreds more wounded in riots, looting and arson triggered by a controversial electoral reform.

New Caledonia, a group of islands between Australia and Fiji, has been a French territory since the 19th Century. Tensions have been high for some time between the central government in Paris and indigenous Kanaks who make up about 40% of the tiny archipelago.

Kanak protesters fear that a new law giving voting rights to French

residents who have lived there for more than 10 years will dilute the influence of the indigenous population.

However, the violence that began on 13 May is the worst unrest seen there since the 1980s.

A state of emergency has been imposed and President Macron has said that a 3,000-strong force deployed from France will remain - even during the Paris Summer Olympics if required.

Arriving in Nouméa after a 24hour flight from Paris, President Macron said he wanted the return of peace, calm and security “as quickly as possible”.

“That is the absolute priority,” the French leader said.

He paid respects to the victims of the riots, as he met local political and business leaders.

The summit included separatist leaders, who said beforehand that they hoped it could “breathe new life” into discussions with France.

The proposed law would prevent anyone born after 2009 from legally smoking

Carlo Acutis died in 2006, at the age of 15

President Macron said restoring peace was the “absolute priority”

Biden’s appearance on Ohio’s presidential ballot in jeopardy

An escalating partisan clash in Ohio threatens to bar US President Joe Biden from the state’s ballot in the November election.

The state’s top election official said earlier this week that he may begin preparing ballots for the presidential election that do not include Mr Biden’s name.

He warned that Democrats are nominating their candidate too late to comply with ballot access laws in Ohio.

Such conflicts have been quietly resolved in the past - but the Biden campaign may be forced to sue to get on the ballot.

Ohio requires political parties to officially confirm presidential and vice-presidential nominees to the elections chief, 90 or more days before the general election.

That means Mr Biden and Kamala Harris, his vice president, must be certified as the Democratic candidates by 7 August.

Though Mr Biden has secured the votes necessary for the Democratic nomination, he will not be named formally as the party’s candidate until the nominating convention this summer.

But the Democratic National Convention is from 19 to 22 August.

US signals support for possible ICC sanctions over Israel warrants

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has suggested he will work with lawmakers on potential sanctions against the International Criminal Court as its prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.

Mr Blinken told a congressional hearing he was “committed” to taking action against the “profoundly wrong-headed decision”.

His comments come amid a Republican push to impose sanctions on ICC officials, which may see a vote as soon as this week.

The United States is not a member of the court but has backed previous prosecutions, including the ICC’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

At a Tuesday hearing of

the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, James Risch, its top Republican, asked whether Mr Blinken would support legislation to address the ICC “sticking its nose in the business of countries that have an independent, legitimate, democratic judicial system”.

“We want to work with you on a bipartisan basis to find an appropriate response. I’m committed to doing that,” the secretary of state said.

Mr Blinken said “there’s no question we have to look at the appropriate steps to take to deal with, again, what is a profoundly wrong-headed decision”.

The ICC’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced on Monday that he had applied for arrest warrants against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate, will not face the same issue. His party’s national convention is 15 to 18 July, well in advance of the Ohio deadline.

But party conventions, both Democrat and Republican, typically are held in the summer before a presidential contest - and similar issues with certification deadlines are rectified with little drama.

Earlier this year, Democrats in Washington state and Republicans in Alabama made provisional changes necessary to exempt Mr Biden from ballot deadlines.

“The conflict between the August 7, 2024 certification deadline and the date of your party’s nominating convention is well established,” Ohio elections chief, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, wrote in a Tuesday letter to Ohio Democratic Party leadership.

“Unless your party plans to comply with the statutory deadline, I am duty-bound to instruct boards of elections to begin preparing ballots that do not include the Democratic Party’s nominees for president and vice president of the United States,” the Republican said.

Ohio itself has done the same in the past, with its Legislature making exceptions for Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, and Mr Trump in 2020.

The state’s governor, Mike DeWine, called on lawmakers to act in a similar vein. Mr DeWine is a moderate Republican who has distanced himself from the party’s Trump-friendly wing.

But the state’s Republican House speaker said the body would not make a legislative fix to the issue.

“There’s just not the will do that from the Legislature,” Speaker Jason Stephens told reporters on Tuesday.

The Biden campaign is continuing to express confidence

the issue will be resolved without drama.

“Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states,” Charles Lutvak, a campaign spokesperson, told US media.

“Election after election, states across the country have acted in line with the bipartisan consensus and taken the necessary steps to ensure the presidential nominees from both parties will be on the ballot.”

But with a legislative remedy by state Republicans off the table, the sitting US president may have to seek legal action.

Ohio, once viewed as a swing state, has become increasingly conservative. Mr Trump won Ohio in both 2016 and 2020, defeating Hillary Clinton and Mr Biden by roughly 8% margins both times.

The fight over Ohio’s ballot comes after another partisan clash earlier this year - one that threatened Mr Trump’s ballot appearance. Officials in Colorado, Illinois and Maine ruled that the Republican was barred from returning to the White House under a Civil Warera insurrection clause in the US Constitution.

The US Supreme Court ultimately knocked down that decision in March, ruling that Mr Trump must be placed on the three states’ presidential ballots.

Nikki Haley says she is voting Trump for president

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has said she plans to vote for Donald Trump, her former opponent and boss, in the 2024 US presidential election.

Ms Haley, who once served as Mr Trump’s United Nations ambassador, was the last of his major rivals to drop out of the party primary contest, in early March.

At the time, she did not endorse him but urged him to earn the votes of the millions who had supported her.

On Wednesday, in her first public remarks since leaving the race, she said Mr Trump “has not been perfect”, but that President Joe Biden “has been a catastrophe”.

Anti-Trump Republican voters largely coalesced behind Ms Haley’s presidential bid earlier this year, and her dormant candidacy is still picking up support more than two months after she left the race.

She won more than 20% of the vote in at least two state primary elections over the past fortnight.

The Biden campaign is seeking to woo these Haley Republicans, a mix of moderate and collegeeducated independent voters who

could help swing the election toward the Democrat. Mr Biden argues that Mr Trump has repeatedly “made it clear he doesn’t want” voters who supported her.

Mr Trump, who has mocked his ex-cabinet member as a “bird brain”, was angered by her prolonged primary challenge and recently shot down rumours that

she was under consideration to be his vice-presidential running mate. Speaking on Wednesday before a gathering at the conservative Hudson Institute think-tank in Washington DC, Ms Haley maintained the criticisms of both parties she made in her campaign. But she reserved her strongest words for the incumbent.

Protesters disrupted Antony Blinken’s testimony to the US Senate on Tuesday

The Biden campaign may be forced to sue the state of Ohio to get on its presidential ballot this November

Nikki Haley was the last major Republican to be defeated by Donald Trump in the party’s presidential primary, dropping out in early March

DOMESTIC CLEANER

CLEANER

NAIL TECHNICIAN

K-9 DOG HANDLER SECURITY

Patrol Cay with K9 security dogs. Train and care for the dogs. Security baggage checks at the docks. Check-in contractors. Monitor and review security cameras. Respond to incidents at all hours. Work weekends, holidays and evenings. Must have emergency first responder training and firefighting training. Utilize K9’s to search for, apprehend and safely detain persons involved in or attempting criminal behavior. Protect all property of island, homeowners and guests. Minimum of 5 years’ experience in military or law enforcement. K9 handler training from a government approved training facility. * Ability to read, write, understand and speak English to ensure comprehension and effective communication with others. Good health and physical condition. Have a good employment record and a clean police record check. Ability to work with and learn computer software. Salary 22k annual

GLOBAL FIRM

LOCAL INSIGHTS

Grant Thornton Turks & Caicos Ltd (“GT”) is a member firm of the Grant Thornton International network and has an opportunity available in our firm for an:

OFFICE/CORPORATE SERVICES ASSISTANT

This position would suit an enthusiastic person seeking experience in an international organization.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Corporate services – assist in the provision of corporate services to clients, including new company applications, annual filings and liaison with the Company Registry and Financial Services Commission.

• Support in Office Administration and Finance functions and other ad hoc tasks.

• Reception – responsible for greeting guests, taking calls, and dealing with couriers.

CAPABILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong client service focus in dealing with both external and internal clients, displaying professionalism, integrity and tact.

• Proficiency to work with MS Office (Word and Excel) with strong judgement and problem solving, organizational and communication skills. Salary Range: $20,000 to $30,000, based on experience

Turks and Caicos Islanders only need apply

TRAINING MANAGER

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and asses the training needs of the organization through job analysis, career paths and consultation with managers.

• Develop individualized and group training programs that address specific business needs.

• Develop training manuals that target tangible results.

• Implement effective and purposeful training methods.

• Effectively manage the training budget.

• Evaluate organizational performance to ensure the training meets business needs and improves performance.

• Assess employees’ skills, performance, and productivity to identify areas of improvement.

• Drive brand values and philosophy through all training and development activities.

• Effectively communicate with team members, trainers, and management.

• Create a curriculum to facilitate strategic training based on the organization’s goals.

• Keep abreast of training trends, developments, and best practices. Training Manager Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field (essential).

• Master’s degree in education administration.

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in training and development management (essential).

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Superb track record in developing and executing successful training programs.

• Critical thinker with innovative problem-solving skills.

• Highly computer literate with proficiency in MS Office and related business and communication tools. Certificates

• Situational Leadership-Building Leaders.

• Leading leadership Development. Salary: $2,550.00 Monthly

GLOBAL FIRM LOCAL INSIGHTS

AUDIT SENIORS

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

(A)CA, ACCA, CPA or ACMA with a minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience in an audit firm

RESPONSIBILITIES:

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• Review financial statements and accounting records to ensure they are in compliance with IFRS, the IFRS for SMEs or US GAAP.

• Identify and communicate auditing and technical matters to senior team members and the client.

• Examine and report on the design and implementation of internal controls within the organizations.

Salary range: $60,000 - $80,000 per annum, based on experience Some of these positions are currently held by work permit holders. Turks & Caicos Islander status holders are encouraged to apply.

Grant Thornton Turks & Caicos Ltd (“GT”) is a member firm of the Grant Thornton International network and has opportunities available in our audit department for:

‘The Miseducation Of

Lauryn

Hill’ named no. 1 album of all-time by Apple Music

Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums list today named its top 10 albums of all-time, with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill crowned No. 1.

“This is my award,” Hill said to Apple Music, “but it’s a rich, deep narrative, and involves so many people, and so much sacrifice, and so much time, and so much collective love.”

Last year was the album’s 25th anniversary, and its success was overwhelming upon release. It won five Grammys, three American Music Awards, and a Billboard, Soul Train and MTV Video Music Award while selling 30 million copies since its bow.

But instead of capitalising on it, Hill became one of music’s biggest enigmas. Her output diminished after an MTV Unplugged followup acoustic album, reverting to sporadic singles and rare

appearances.

Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums was created by a group of artists, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals, along with Apple Music staff. The list is billed as an editorial statement, fully independent of any streaming numbers on Apple Music.

OTHER ALBUMS IN THE APPLE TOP 10:

10) Beyoncé, Lemonade 9) Nirvana, Nevermind

8) Amy Winehouse, Back to Black

7) Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city

6) Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life

5) Frank Ocean, Blonde

4) Prince & The Revolution, Purple Rain

3) The Beatles, Abbey Road

2) Michael Jackson, Thriller (deadline.com)

Diddy’s

violence left me broken, says Cassie

Singer Cassie has posted her first statement since video emerged showing rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking her.

The star, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, said domestic violence “broke me down to someone I never thought I would become”.

The video of the attack in 2016 was released last week by CNN. Ms Ventura had alleged her exboyfriend and producer assaulted her in a legal action last year.

Diddy apologised at the weekend, commenting in an Instagram video: “I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

In her statement, which was posted to Instagram, Ms Ventura thanked her friends, family and the public for their support.

“The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning,” she said.

“Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past.”

“My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth

out of a situation that you were powerless in,” Ms Ventura wrote.

“This healing journey is never ending, but this support means everything to me.”

Last November, Ms Ventura settled a lawsuit against Combsin which she accused him of rape and sexual trafficking - for an undisclosed sum.

Combs’ lawyer said the settlement was “in no way an admission of wrongdoing”.

In his apology, Mr Combs said: “I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry.”

Lawyers for Ms Ventura told the BBC’s US partner CBS News that Diddy’s statement was “more about himself than the many people he has hurt”.

“When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday,” lawyer Meredith Firetog said.

Earlier this week, a model accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 2003, the latest in a string of allegations against the rapper and businessman.

The album won five Grammys, three American Music Awards, and a Billboard, Soul Train and MTV Video Music Award while selling 30 million copies since its bow

Diddy and Cassie started dating in 2007

As a founding member of Train, Colin played on the band’s first three records, 1998’s self-titled album, 2001’s “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003’s “My Private Nation”

Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58

Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like “Drops of Jupiter” and “Meet Virginia,” has died. He was 58.

Colin’s sister Carolyn Stephens confirmed her brother’s death to The Associated Press Wednesday. He died after slipping and falling in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium, celebrity website TMZ.com reported.

Colin grew up in California and Virginia and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

He played in a group called Apostles after college with guitarist Jimmy Stafford and singer Rob Hotchkiss. The band eventually dissolved, and Colin moved to Singapore for a year to write jingles.

Eventually, Colin, Hotchkiss and Stafford relocated to San Francisco, where Train formed in the early ‘90s with singer Pat Monahan.

Colin brought in drummer Scott Underwood to round out the group, according to an interview with Colin and Hotchkiss in Berklee’s alumni magazine.

As a founding member of Train, Colin played on the band’s first three records, 1998’s self-titled album, 2001’s “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003’s “My Private Nation.” The latter two releases peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.

“Meet Virginia,” from Train’s debut album broke the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, but it was their sophomore album, “Drops of Jupiter,” that confirmed the band’s success.

Mother’s joy as son named world’s youngest male artist

The mother of the Ghanaian toddler officially recognised as the world’s youngest male painter has told the BBC of her pride in her son’s artistic ability, and hopes he can take the art world by storm.

Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah achieved the incredible feat aged one year and 152 days.

“He already knows what colours complement each other,” said his mother Chantelle Kuukua Eghan, who has been an artist herself for eight years.

Ms Eghan said she first realised his talent when he was only six months old.

Ace-Liam was officially honoured with the title last Monday, after five months of waiting for Guinness World Records (GWR) to ratify their attempt.

“When I opened the email I just broke down and thanked God,” Ms Eghan told the BBC.

To qualify for the record, GWR

said Ace-Liam needed to be part of a professional exhibition that was open to the public and sell his work.

It added that the work needed to

be done to a professional standard and evidence presented that it was done on his own.

Ace-Liam’s work was exhibited at the Museum of Science and Technology in the capital Accra, from last December to early January.

He sold nine of the 10 pieces that were on display and was even commissioned by the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who attended the exhibit.

The prodigy, who turns two in July, has sold 15 paintings throughout his career so far, and is set to host an auction soon.

But this dive into the art world was initially unintended.

Ms Eghan said he stumbled into painting, or rather crawled into it.

She was working on a piece

she’d been commissioned to do for Miss Universe 2023.

Being a single mother, she needed to keep Ace-Liam busy while she worked.

“How do I juggle painting and raising a kid?” she thought to herself.

Ingenuity hit, and she spread out a stretched canvas on the floor, put some paint on it and let him play with it.

“He was so intrigued by the bright colours,” she said warmly.

His first masterpiece was aptly named, The Crawl.

Ace-Liam’s artistry is defined by bright colours and acrylic paint to create dynamic abstract images.

“His paintings show someone who is intrigued about discovering things,” Ms Eghan told the BBC.

Katy Perry said her goodbyes on “American Idol” after seven seasons.

On Sunday night’s live “Idol” season finale, a medley of Perry’s hit songs were performed, including “Teenage Dream,” “Dark Horse” and “California Gurls.”

Perry jumped onto the judges’ table after the performance.

In the three-hour finale, Perry also performed “What Makes a Woman.” She had announced in February that she would be leaving the ABC singing competition.

Season 22 also crowned a winner

during the finale, with Abi Carter winning after singing the Billie Eilish hit, “What Was I Made For?”

Perry is headed to Brazil this fall for the Rock in Rio music festival, which would conflict with “Idol’s” production schedule.

Perry has been a judge alongside Richie and Bryan since 2018.

The show’s official Instagram account posted a video of Perry eating pizza as the ladies of the top 12 sang her hits, captioning it, “We will miss you @katyperry, thanks for 7 memorable seasons! Go fly butterfly.” (CNN)

Ace-Liam has sold 15 paintings so far in his young career

Katy Perry on ‘American Idol’ on Sunday

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.

( 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 Leonel Joseph by virtue of marriage to a Turks and Caicos Islander.

CLEANER

TILE

BEACH ATTENDANT

HOUSEKEEPER

ELEVATOR TECHNICIAN

UPHOLSTERER

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in operations/coordination role,

• Excellent English verbal and written skills,

• Proficiency in MS Excel is a must,

• Comprehensive experience using Spa scheduling software and QuickBooks for financial accounting, reporting and

Accounts receivable and Accounts payable reconciliation,

• Bank and Credit Card reconciliation,

• Willing to work irregular hours including weekends and holidays as needed,

• Qualification in accounting is preferred,

• Salary $2,300 per month.

DOMESTIC WORKER

LABOURER CARPENTER LABOURER CARPENTER

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 currently occupied by a Work Permit holder. Qualified Turks Islander applicants are invited to forward resumes to the Labour Board. Applications can be submitted online at www.momentous.com.

ASSISTANT MANAGER

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

● Overall management of day-to-day business operations

● Maintain current corporate documents and manage all corporate filings

● Manage and negotiate all contracts (i.e. Leases) and policies (i.e. Insurance)

● Liaise with suppliers for general office functions and maintain inventory

● Create and interpret reports (i.e. financial, inventory, clients)

● Provide high-quality administrative and clerical assistance to top-level executives

● Business analytics, reporting, and suggestions; financial and operational

● Website development, dns management, domain and subdomain creation

● Maintain and support all IT, including network and email setups and management, as well as hardware and software installation

● Domain portfolio management

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

● 10+ years of working in an operations role within an office environment

● 10+ years experience with business analytics and reporting

● 10+ years of advanced experience with Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, etc.)

● 10+ years reviewing contracts and leases

● 10+ years creating and implementing systems and procedures

● 10+ years creating and maintaining training and policy manuals

● 10+ years of inventory tracking and supply orders

● 10+ years of website development experience, WordPress preferable

● 5+ years experience with marketing, social media, Canva, Photoshop, photo editing, and photography

● 5+ years managing, supervising, and maintaining physical premises

● 5+ years working directly with the owner/s and/or director/s

● 5+ years building relationships with suppliers

● 5+ years of creating and managing budgets and projects

● Domain industry knowledge required, including dns, czds, tlds, ngtlds, etc

● Familiarity and capability to create domains and subdomains with use of FileZilla

•

•

•

STORE CLERKS

• Packing shelves and arranging promotional displays.

• Assisting in stock takes.

• Promoting products and informing clients about deals and specials

• Ability to stand, bend, twist, reach, push, and occasionally lift 50 lbs.

• Communicate and collaborate with other team members.

• Availability on work nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Wages start at $8.00 per hour.

GROCERY STOCK CLERKS

• Stock the shelves with products and fill them back up when they sell.

• Keep the store looking good throughout the day by doing what’s called “facing” or “fronting.”

• Provide the bulk of the customer service outside of the check stands.

• Direct people to products and offer product suggestions and maybe even cooking tips.

• Refill shelves and displays with goods.

• Assist with unloading delivery trucks and organizing stockrooms.

• Ability to stand, bend, twist, reach, push, and occasionally lift 50 lbs.

• Communicate and collaborate with other team members.

• Availability on work nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Wages start at $8.00 per hour.

FROZEN FOOD STOCKERS

• Stock the shelves with frozen products and fill them back up when they sell.

• Physically able to reach, stretch, bend, and walk during work hours.

• Ability to stand for long periods in the Freezer Environment (Minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 23 degrees Celsius)

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

• Availability on work nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time efficiently.

• Wages start at $8.00 per hour. S &

AUTO MECHANIC / TECHNICIAN

The successful candidate should have proven experience in the field and preferably have formal training and qualifications within the trade, although not mandatory. It would be an advantage if the candidate was fully conversant with a wide variety of computer diagnostic tools and software. The successful Candidate would be working with a close and small

TRAINEE ASSOCIATES

Applicants are required to either hold a graduate degree, or other qualification, that will allow them to commence professional examinations, the costs of which will be borne by GT. Start Date: September

1 FIBER TECHNICIAN

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Turks and Caicos Islands oldest

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.

LABOURER

•

•

•

•

CLINICAL BIOCHEMIST

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in clinical biochemistry.

• Speak and write English/other languages an asset. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

HOUSEKEEPER 2 LABOURERS

DOMESTIC WORKER (RENEWAL)

JOB SUMMARY:

As a Houseman, you are responsible for cleaning guest rooms, carrying linen and replenishing amenities to deliver an excellent Guest and Member experience.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A Houseman is always working on behalf of our Owners, Guests and working with other Team Members.

• Must speak, read, write, and understand the primary language (English) used in the workplace.

• Must work PM shifts as business demands according to the operations policy.

• Must work weekends and holidays.

Base salary range: $8.00 / hour to commensurate with qualification & experience. Benefits: Service gratuity,

VACANCIES

RENE GEORGE 241-0426

Front Road, Blue Hills DOMESTIC WORKER $8.00

Clean the house, wash, iron, cook and clean my bar restaurant.

AUGUSTIN’S VARIETY STORE Blue Hills / 232-4595 STORE HELPER $8.00

Unload containers, help customer with heavy lifting and help transport goods

SAINRICIA VALCOURT TRAVERSIERE Blue Hills #88 / 346-2352

LABOURER $8.00

Cleaning the property, pick up waste and dispose waste and assist with ongoing construction on the property

VENEL CONSTRUCTION 348-2224 / Five Cays LABOURER $8.00 To carry out and assist with

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

DJENY PIERRE 243-1640 CLEANER $8.00

Cleaning the property, pick up waste and dispose waste.

DOSSOU CONSTRUCTION 346-7379

South Dock HELPER $8.00 To carry out and assist with continuous maintenance work, painting apartment interior & exterior and assist with construction work site

MONIQUE GILLETTE BOUDOL 231-1824 Chalk

AUTO MECHANIC

• At least 10 years or more experience as an Auto mechanic

• Must be able to perform all vehicle diagnostics and updates using diagnostic equipment

• Able to maintain vehicle functional condition by listening to customers’/ operator complaints, conduct inspections, repair engine failures, repair mechanical and electrical systems malfunctions and replace parts and components according to manufacturer standards

• Keeps shop equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies and perform preventive maintenance

• Must hold a valid driver license with a clean, insurable, driving record, must be able to drive manual and automatic transmissions.

• Knowledge of tools and equipment required to conduct all repairs.

• Basic wage is $12 per hour

• Must be able to speak and write English

• All data system knowledge

• Must be computer literate

LABOURER

FLIGHT OPERATIONS INSPECTOR

JOB SUMMARY:

This is a professional position which has nationwide responsibility for the regulation of air carriers operating within Turks and Caicos Islands. The incumbent must ensure that said air carriers are meeting local and international flight operational standards. To accomplish this incumbent is required to make regular inspections, assess air carriers’ record, practices and policies and review the training and testing of air carrier crew and staff. When standards are met the incumbent will advise the Director regarding the issuing of licenses where appropriate.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Regulating flight operations within Turks and Caicos Islands

• Reviewing the organization, equipment and staffing of air carriers applying for Air Operators Certification

• Evaluating air carriers, their staff and crew for the granting of appropriate licenses as delegated by Senior Flight Ops Inspector

• Carrying out of regular inspections to ensure compliance with local and international standards

• Carrying out regular inspections and submitting reports to Senior Flight Ops

• Reviewing and responding to Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MORs) as appropriate, and initiate action as necessary

• Ensuring air carriers meet local and international flight operations standards

• Regulating Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) design and approval

• General Safety Oversight Inspections including audit, ramp, and flight checks, review of MOR’s and SAFA Reports

• Training Manual and programme review operations Manual review, including FTL evaluation and approval

• Testing air carriers’ records, practices and policies as delegated by Senior Flight Operations

• Recommend issuing other personal licenses e.g. Pilots as delegated by Senior Flight Ops

• Regulation of Dangerous Goods, moving in and out of Turks and Caicos Islands

• Carrying out random ramp checks on aircraft

• Reviewing the training of air carrier staff regarding air emergencies

• Recommend issuing airline crew training licenses

• Authority to ground aircraft and making recommendations to the

• Managing Director regarding granting and revocation of licenses

• Participate in the investigation of aircraft accident/ incidents (as it pertains to flight operations policy standards) and formulation of prevention policy

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:

This position requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Science or its equivalent in the

relevant field.

• Valid Air Transport Pilots License with current medical and instrument rating. Flight Operations Certification (UKCAA or equivalent)

• Dangerous Goods Certification

• Accident Investigation Training

• Systems management skills

The position requires four (4) years on the job experience to acquire the necessary competencies to respond effectively to the challenges of the functions. Also incumbent must have at least 4000 pilot hours in command of air transport aircraft.

THE EXPERIENCE SHOULD INCLUDE:

• Management in Airline Industry

• Handling of hazardous materials (Dangerous Goods)

• Knowledge of meteorology and climatology

• Air carrier auditing procedure

• Working knowledge of aviation law and enforcement

• Accident investigation procedure

• Training, supervisory and management experience

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE CAN BE DRAWN FROM:

• The Airline Industry

• Management positions

• Civil Aviation Organizations e.g. ICAO, UKCAA, FAA, Transport Canada

• Working knowledge of flight operations procedures

• Good computer skills

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

• Willingness to take personal responsibility

• Ability to Reason

• Positive attitude

• Professionalism, Tactfulness, firmness and impartiality

• The personality to win the professional respect and confidence of others

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Fluent in English

• Willingness to travel locally and internationally

SALARY RANGE:

$65,820.00 to $72,420.00 per annum

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: May 31st, 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 via email Address ptaylor@ tcicaa.tc to reach no later than May 31st, 2024.

1 DOMESTIC WORKER

TURKS

The Judicial Service Commission of the Turks and Caicos Islands invites applications for the position of:

AD HOC JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT (CRIMINAL) OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Supreme Court is a superior court of record. Its original jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters is similar to that exercised by all divisions of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in England and the Crown Court. The Judiciary seeks a judge to conduct the trial of a single criminal case which may have duration of two (2) years.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates for this position must be:

(a) a barrister or solicitor of the United Kingdom, of any other part of the Commonwealth, or of Ireland;

(b) a member of the Faculty of Advocates or a Writer to the Signet of Scotland; or

(c) an attorney of the Supreme Court admitted under the TCI Legal Profession Ordinance or under any law for the time being in force in the Islands making like provision, and of at least ten (10) years’ standing as such.

It is desirable that applicants have a common law background and, ideally, knowledge and experience of Chancery Practice.

Candidates with judicial experience in the higher judiciary will be more favourably considered.

DURATION AND SCOPE OF WORK

A two (2) year contract which may be extended as necessary in exigent circumstances.

The successful candidate will be required to reside on the island of Providenciales, and will conduct the trial of a single criminal case.

RENUMERATION PACKAGE

SALARY: $147, 398.40

GRATUITY ON COMPLETION OF CONTRACT 6%

PHONE ALLOWANCE: $1800

HOUSING ALLOWANCE: $36,000 OR ACCOMMODATION IN LIEU OF HOUSING ALLOWANCE

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants must submit:

1. A completed application form.

2. A resume with current contact information.

3. An accompanying Cover Letter.

4. two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer).

5. Copies of educational certificates.

6. A copy of the Passport photo page.

Shortlisted candidates must submit a Police Certificate. Note that the referees may be contacted as necessary.

To receive an application form please email request to: VIClerveaux.gov.tc. Or if by courier to:

DR. VIRGINIA CLERVEAUX

SECRETARY, JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AN EMAIL APPLICATION MUST HAVE THE SUBJECT LINE: AD HOC SUPREME COURT JUDGE APPLICATION.

If sent by courier, the envelope should have the subject: AD HOC SUPREME COURT JUDGE APPLICATION clearly marked on the front. Applications without supporting documents will not be processed.

Please note that only suitable candidates will be contacted for interviews. Closing Date: 31 May 2024

STORE CLERK

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, assumes responsibility for promoting the business activities, customer interaction, maintain inventory, stock control, communicate between management and clients on shortages and order fulfillment, coordinate deliveries and shipments, receive and unload shipments, ability to multitask and work under pressure within a fast-

paced work environment. Detail oriented, excellent communication skills, cooperative attitude, hands on work ethic. Must have a vehicle, valid drivers’ license, forklift experience and willing to work holidays and weekends. 5+ years’ experience. Strong POS, organizational and analytical skills.

Salary: $34,000 + per annum.

We are looking to bring on board someone who is passionate about growth and enthusiastic about customer service AND has experience in Caribbean cuisine.

The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to work for a growing business in which they can make a difference.

REQUIREMENTS

• Highly responsible and reliable

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Past experience with face to face customer roles is mandatory

• Must possess outstanding guest service and communication skills

• Past experience in food and beverage is preferred

• Bar and event experience is preferred

• Basic Excel spreadsheet and/or basic experience with Quickbooks: Invoice/billing or similar

• People management skills is preferred

• Able to work weekends

• Able to multitask

• Experience handling social media accounts

• Ability is speak Spanish and/or Creole would be a positive point

• Approachable/fun personality

PERKS

• 50% staff discount

• 2 weeks paid vacation after the probation period

• Performance-based bonus

• 2 DAYS off

The successful applicant will be required to produce a clean police record along with a letter of reference from the most recent employer.

Salary scale $1,200 to $1,500 a month commensurate with experience. Tips when on shift.

NOW HIRING

WAITSTAFF

Applicant must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a hospitality/food and beverage environment in a luxury resort with private club experience; experience serving food & beverages to guests, clears and re-sets tables quickly & efficiently; is well groomed & very personable with excellent communication skills to converse with guests; maintains full knowledge of menu items; has experience working with POS & inventory systems; must be able to walk & stand for lengthy periods; willing to work long hours, weekends & holidays. Salary: $8.00/hr. Position held by work permit holder.

BARTENDER

Applicant must be a well-groomed energetic, personable, pleasant, & a professional team player; must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a luxury resort; has excellent communication skills; good working knowledge of mixed beverages, and specialty liquors; has experience with POS and inventory systems, willing to work long hours, weekends & holidays. Salary: $9/hr. New Position

HOUSEKEEPER

Applicant must ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the assigned rooms, work areas and equipment. Willing to work outside of normal hours, weekends & holidays; has experience using sanitation equipment such as extractors & floor polishers. Has experience maintaining necessary inventory system. Must be able to stand for long periods of time, climb stairs, and carry up to 20lbs. Minimum 5 years’ experience working in a luxury 5-star hotel/resort. Must be fluent in English with the ability to read and write. Salary: $8.00/hr. Position currently held by work permit holder & New Position

MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE MAN

Applicant must hold a Diploma in Industrial Technology. Has a minimum of 5 years’ experience performing preventive maintenance & installation of generator systems, HVAC/AC systems, CCTV and AV systems, solar systems installation, and maintenance, working with various dimming & LED systems, water heaters, pool systems, water pumps. Applicant must be a strong communicator in the English language, be computer literate and must be able to read AutoCAD drawings. Applicant will be required to attend to guest repair requests 24/7 with maintenance activities in the guest room like plunging toilets, unclogging drains, repairing all types of hardware, mechanical, electrical, internet, key card access systems, & room safes. Applicant must be willing to work long hours, weekends, and holidays. Salary range: $20,000 - $24,000. Position held by work permit holder.

HANDYMAN/LABOURER

Applicant will be required to assist in maintaining the grounds of the resort. Set up equipment power wash resort balconies and pathways, remove all debris, assist in minor repairs inside guest rooms or on property. Must be proficient in the English language, and follow detailed instructions. Willing to work outside of normal working hours. Salary: $8/hour. Position held by Work permit holder & New position.

NURSING ASSISTANT

REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES

• Certificate equivalent in NA

• 5 years minimum work experience in a fast-paced Urgent Care practice and hospital setting

• Experience in patient care at home and on the ward.

• Sterilization – ECG’s

• Knows how to prepare and assist Doctors and Registered Nurse with procedures and examinations for patients

• Must be able to work with little or no supervision, ensuring a smooth operation

• Must have computer knowledge to action Patients results, update and maintain Patients EMR file

Monthly salary $2500.00 to $3000.00 depending on experience. Belongers only need to apply. Position currently held by work permit holder.

CYNTHIA@GRACEBAYMEDICAL.COM

Applicant must be fully qualified RIBA part 3 or equal with a minimum of 10 years post-qualification experience; with the ability to travel freely throughout the Caribbean and South America

• Suitable candidate must be able to work under their own initiative and has the ability to see projects from concept to completion.

• Researches literature and maintain knowledge of current building materials, structural, mechanical and electrical system codes and methods of application.

• Reviews subcontractor’s shop drawings to ensure compliance with specifications and contract agreements by checking them for technical accuracy according to accepted guideline.

• Work with customers and clients to gather facts, define design and space planning problems, conceptualize possible solutions and secure approvals of proposals.

• Review product literature, analyze materials and determine appropriateness for application to projects.

• Provide advice and develop design documents to initiate and modify architectural, interior design and space planning solutions.

• Perform design drafting including preliminary drawings for architectural working drawings and full detail drawings for architectural, structural and mechanical works associated with building construction or improvement projects.

• Have advanced AutoCAD and SketchUp skills and intermediate Revit skills. Also, proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and Adobe Photoshop.

• Have post graduate Project Management qualification and experience in Contract Administration and Site Inspection procedures.

• Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish languages.

QUALIFIED TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDERS ARE

PURCHASER

COSMETOLOGIST

The doomsday glacier is undergoing “vigorous ice melt” that could reshape sea level rise projections

The massive “doomsday glacier” known for its rapid destabilization is undergoing a “vigorous ice melt” that scientists say could reshape sea level rise projections.

In a new study, glaciologists from the University of California, Irvine, found that warm, high-pressure ocean water is seeping beneath West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, making it more vulnerable to melting than previously thought. The glacier is roughly 80 miles across, the widest on Earth. It packs so much ice that if it were to completely collapse, it could singlehandedly cause

global sea levels to rise by more than two feet, according to the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, prompting its moniker as the “Doomsday Glacier.”

The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was used on data scientists gathered from March to June last year. It was previously difficult to “figure out what was happening” because of limited, sporadic data, UC Irvine professor and lead author Eric Rignot said. But using satellites, they were able to observe what was happening better than ever.

“We see the seawater

The

glacier is roughly 80 miles across, the widest on Earth

coming in at high tide and receding and sometimes going farther up underneath the glacier and getting trapped,” Rignot said.

The sea water is hitting the glacier at the base of its ice sheet and flowing through conduits and collecting in cavities, “creating enough

pressure to elevate the ice sheet,” Rignot said.

“There are places where the water is almost at the pressure of the overlying ice, so just a little more pressure is needed to push up the ice,” he said. “The water is then squeezed enough to jack up a column of more than half a

mile of ice.”

As global temperatures continue to warm, that’s also causing ocean currents to push warmer ocean water to Antarctica’s shores which is saltier and has a lower freezing point. That difference in water is what has led to what researchers

describe as a vigorous melt.

“Thwaites is the most unstable place in the Antarctic,” study coauthor Christine Dow said, estimating the equivalent sea level rise at 60 centimeters, or about 23.6 inches.

“The worry is that we are underestimating the speed that the glacier is changing, which would be devastating for coastal communities around the world.”

Dow said there’s not yet enough information to know how much time there is before the saltwater intrusion is “irreversible,” but that the researchers hope the new information will improve existing models make better predictions “for decades versus centuries.”

“This work will help people adapt to changing ocean levels, along with focusing on reducing carbon emissions to prevent the worst-case scenario.”

(CBSnews)

Ryan Garcia has denied intentionally taking performanceenhancing drugs after his B-sample came back positive for a banned substance.

The 25-year-old intends to use “contamination” from a tainted supplement as part of his defence.

Garcia tested positive for ostarine in two separate tests taken before his fight with Devin Haney on 20 April.

The American beat Haney on points after missing weight for their contest, but the positive tests taken by the Voluntary AntiDoping Association (Vada) were not revealed until after the fight.

Garcia requested his B-samples be tested and released a statement through his legal team once the same results were confirmed by Haney’s team on Thursday.

They believe “hair samples” will help prove Garcia was the “victim” of “supplement contamination”.

“Ryan Garcia is committed to clean and fair competition and has never intentionally used any banned substance,” Garcia’s legal team said.

“Ryan has voluntarily submitted to tests throughout his career,

which have always shown negative results.

“We are certain that one of the natural supplements Ryan was using in the lead up to the fight will prove to be contaminated and are in the process of testing the supplements to determine the exact source.”

Ostarine, which is non-steroidal and used to support muscle growth, has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list since 2008.

It is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM).

British boxer Amir Khan was handed a two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping after he tested positive for ostarine in 2022 due to “strict liability” which means a ban is applied regardless of intent.

An investigation will continue before the New York State Athletic Commission, who were sanctioning the fight against Haney, decides to overturn the result to a no-contest or issue a suspension to Garcia.

Garcia has just one defeat on his 26-fight record, a 2023 loss to Gervonta Davis, and is considered one of the biggest stars in American boxing. (BBC)

Ball has not made any public statements about the incident

Mother sues NBA star LaMelo Ball for allegedly hitting son with car

A mother is suing LaMelo Ball and his team, the Charlotte Hornets, after the 22-year-old NBA star allegedly hit her son with his car.

The lawsuit was filed in the County Superior Court in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, by Tamaria McRae, the mother of Angell Joseph.

McRae and Joseph attended a fan event at the Hornets’ Spectrum Center on October 7 last year, the lawsuit detailed, waiting outside the employee’s entrance to the facility in the hope of getting a signature from the basketball star, who the youngster considered a “hero.”

The lawsuit alleges that Ball’s car stopped at a traffic light by the entrance, when fans moved closer to the player’s vehicle to catch a glimpse of him.

Ball “looked directly” into Joseph’s face while he was stood beside his car before speeding away when the light changed, according to the lawsuit.

Ball is said to have “operated his vehicle in grossly negligent and reckless manner in that he accelerated his vehicle forward suddenly and without warning and struck” Joseph, “severely injuring him.”

The lawsuit says that Joseph sustained severe and painful injuries,” which caused him “great physical pain and mental anguish.”

It also says that some of his injuries may be of “permanent nature” and he may “undergo great physical pain and mental anguish for the rest of his life.” McRae is said to have to spend “large sums of money for medical attention”

for Joseph.

CNN has reached out to the Hornets and Ball’s representatives for comment.

Ball has not made any public statements about the incident.

According to a police report filed with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and obtained by CNN, a 12-year-old boy suffered minor injuries described as “bruises/scratches” on October 7, 2023. He received treatment at Atrium Health-Mercy in Charlotte before being released.

The report states that a “noncriminal incident happened at 333 East Trade Street,” the address of the Hornets’ Spectrum Center – but the report does not go into detail regarding what happened.

Ball was not named on the police report.

(CNN)

Garcia has just one defeat on his 26-fight record

Science & Technology

Healthy diets with only 10% ultra-processed foods may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke

Eating more ultra-processed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.

All three diets are plant-based, focused on consuming more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds while limiting sugar, red meat and ultra-processed foods.

“If you increased your ultraprocessed food intake by 10% in the study, it increased your risk of cognitive impairment by 16%,” said cardiologist Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver. He was not involved in the study.

“You can always extrapolate and say, ‘Well, if someone increases their ultra-processed food consumption by 100%,

then they have 160% chance of cognitive impairment,’” he said.

“Of course, this study can only show an association, not a direct cause and effect.”

On the flip side, eating more unprocessed or minimally

processed foods was linked with a 12% lower risk of cognitive impairment, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology.

Unprocessed foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and

milk. Minimally processed foods include culinary ingredients such as salt, herbs and oils and foods such as canned goods and frozen vegetables that combine culinary ingredients with unprocessed foods.

Ultra-processed foods include pre-packaged soups, sauces, frozen pizza, ready-to-eat meals and pleasure foods such as hot dogs, sausages, French fries, sodas, store-bought cookies, cakes, candies, doughnuts, ice cream and many more.

Such foods are typically high in calories, added sugar and salt and low in fibre, all of which can contribute to cardiometabolic health problems, weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, experts say.

AN INCREASED RISK OF STROKE

The study analysed data on 30,000 people participating in

the REGARD, or REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study, made up of 50% Whites and 50% Blacks in a nationally diverse group of people who have been followed for up to 20 years.

The risk of stroke was 8% higher for people who added the most ultra-processed foods to their diet as compared with those who ate minimally processed foods, said study author and neurologist Dr W. Taylor Kimberly, chief of the division of neurocritical care at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

That risk rose to 15% for Black participants, likely due to the impact of ultra-processed foods on high blood pressure in that population, Kimberly said. However, if a person ate more unprocessed or minimally processed foods, the risk of stroke dropped by 9%, the study found. (CNN)

Cannabis poisonings among older adults have tripled, study finds

One may think young people are the main group enjoying the freedom of legalized weed, but in Canada, the greatest increase in users after legalization was among older adults — and sometimes it’s sending them to the hospital, according to new research.

The rate of emergency department visits for cannabis poisoning in older adults during the period of legalization of dried cannabis flower and edibles — October 2018 through December 2022 — in Canada was significantly higher than that of the pre-legalization period, according to a research letter published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

Edibles, which include baked goods, candies and beverages, are increasingly popular, said lead research author Dr. Nathan Stall, a geriatrician and clinician scientist at Sinai Health in Ontario. But some older adults may be unaware of the strength of today’s weed, and little is known about the health effects of legalizing edible cannabis on older adults — the age group with the largest growth in overall cannabis use a year after dried cannabis flower was legalised in Canada, Stall said.

“There’s a bit of an agerelated bias that many health care practitioners, and frankly society,

hold that older adults are not using drugs. And that’s not true,” Stall said. “We found that the largest increases in emergency department visits for cannabis poisoning among seniors occurred after edible cannabis became legal for retail sale in January 2020.”

The authors used the Ontario Ministry of Health’s administrative data to examine the rates of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among older adults during the pre-legalisation period — January 2015 to September 2018 — and the two legalization periods: October 2018 through December 2019, which permitted the sale of dried cannabis flower only, and January 2020 through December 2022, which marked the legalisation of cannabis edibles.

When people have cannabis poisoning, according to Stall, they may experience confusion; psychosis, including hallucinations; anxiety or panic attacks; rapid heartbeat; chest pain; nausea; and vomiting.

During the eight-year study period, there were 2,322 emergency department visits for cannabis poisoning in older adults who were age 69 on average. Nearly 17% of those adults were simultaneously intoxicated with alcohol, about 38% had cancer and 6.5% had dementia. Compared with pre-

legalization, legalization period No. 1 saw a twice higher rate of emergency department visits for cannabis poisoning. The rate during the second legalisation period tripled that of pre-legalization.

“This study provides a cautionary tale of legalization of substances without adequate research, education, and counseling of users regarding adverse effects and safe usage, particularly in older adults,” said Dr. Lona Mody and Dr. Sharon K. Inouye, who weren’t involved in the research, in a commentary on the research.

Mody is the Amanda Sanford Hickey Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Inouye is director of the Aging Brain Center

at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston, and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

“Edible cannabis products may be particularly dangerous because they are often indistinguishable from non-cannabis containing foods and may contain high amounts of THC (delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol), the major active ingredient in both medical and recreational cannabis,” Mody and Inouye said.

In his own practice, Stall has seen a common scenario resulting from the lack of distinction, he said:

An emergency department doctor is not able to figure out why an older adult patient is neurologically impaired via any typical tests —

only for a toxicology screen to come back positive for cannabis, much to the patient’s surprise.

“The other thing is that cannabis today is very different than cannabis was as recently as the early ’90s and mid ’80s,” Stall explained. “Today’s cannabis extracts contain as much as 30 times more THC. … Older adults who may not have used cannabis in decades and are now trying again in this post-legalization era may not be aware.”

Additionally, age-related changes in organ function and how the drug is distributed throughout the body — as well as having health conditions or being on prescription drugs, especially psychoactive ones — can make it easier for an older adult to experience cannabis poisoning, Stall added.

Some people who intentionally consume cannabis edibles may not be aware that this form has a more delayed effect than an inhalant, which goes straight to the bloodstream, he said. Thinking the edible isn’t working, they take another one too soon and end up getting more than they bargained for.

There are also people whose prescription medications for pain management, insomnia or

Eating more ultraprocessed foods such as hot dogs is linked to a higher risk of stroke and cognitive decline, according to a new study

Gummies are one form of edible cannabis

Science & Technology

What happens when you stop taking weight-loss drugs?

Weight-suppressant drugs have helped millions to lose weight. But once they’re stopped, people tend to regain most of what they shed. What does this mean for their longterm health?

As director of the Washington Centre for Weight Management and Research, Domenica Rubino has become frustrated with growing perceptions over the last three years that weight loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, are permanent cures for obesity.

“Obesity is not like an infection where you take antibiotics and you’re done,” says Rubino, sighing. “It’s not any different than hypertension or diabetes or the many other chronic illnesses that we deal with, where you have to use chronic medication.”

For over the past three years, the arrival of a new class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, socalled for their ability to mimic the action of the natural GLP-1 gut hormone that promotes satiety, has transformed the weight-loss field. Initially, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy, the brand name for a GLP-1-based medicine called semaglutide, for chronic weight management in June 2021. The insatiable demand saw Mounjaro or tirzepatide arrive at the end of 2023 and now a newer, reportedly more effective drug called retatrutide is in the pipeline.

There is no question that GLP-1 drugs are effective at helping people lose weight. A landmark clinical trial of semaglutide, published in 2021, found that participants experienced an average of 15% weight loss over the course of 68 weeks while those on placebo lost 2%. Some of those taking the drug, however, shed as much as 20% of their starting weight. The purported health benefits now appear to

In one follow-up of the Step 1 trial, patients’ mean blood pressure had returned to its previous level 52 weeks after the treatment was stopped

be even more far-reaching, with the latest data from a trial called Select, published in 2023, showing that semaglutide can slash the risk of heart attacks and strokes by a fifth in patients with an existing history of cardiovascular disease.

But given their high prices – a month’s supply of Wegovy costs $1,350 (£1,062) – and onerous side effects which can include nausea, stomach pain and heartburn, the question has always been, what happens when people stop taking them?

Various studies have attempted to examine this particular question, and all seem to point to the same answer – the pounds swiftly pile back on. In one trial, around 800 people received weekly semaglutide injections accompanied by dietary adjustments, a prescribed exercise regime and psychological counselling, all of which helped them to lose nearly 11% of their starting weight over four months. But when a third of the participants were subsequently switched to a placebo injection for another year, they regained 7% of the lost weight.

The same trend was seen after the 2021 trial, known as Step 1. After 68 weeks of semaglutide injections, the average patient

lost more than 15% of their body weight, but within 12 months of treatment ending, patients regained two thirds of their prior weight loss on average. This was associated with a similar level of reversion to the patients’ original baselines in some markers of their cardiometabolic health – a category which includes conditions such as diabetes and heart attacks.

Both Rubino and other experts around the world have seen similar patterns when administering GLP-1 drugs in their clinics. “There will be a small proportion of people, 10% maximum, that are able to maintain [all] the weight they’ve lost,” says Alex Miras, a clinical professor of medicine at Ulster University.

The trajectory of weight regain is typically faster than the time it takes people to lose the weight in the first place, according to Miras. “People put most of it back on in the first three to six months,” he says.

Miras and others are keen to emphasise that this could have been expected. For all chronic illnesses, from rheumatoid arthritis to asthma to high blood pressure, patients usually relapse as soon as their treatment stops. But understanding why this happens

Cannabis poisonings among older ...

dementia symptoms aren’t effective, so they consume edibles for therapeutic purposes but without consulting a doctor first, Stall said.

REDUCING HARM FROM CANNABIS USE

Abstaining from cannabis use may be “appropriate” for some individuals, but “I would be hesitant to give a blanket recommendation (that) no other

adults should be using this because there are people who are going to use it even if that recommendation is given,” Stall said.

Therefore, preventing cannabis-related harms in older adults requires a multipronged approach, he added, including storing cannabis edibles in locked locations and in clearly identified packaging. Products older adults intentionally use should have dosing information with specific

guidance for older adults, “recognizing that the amount of drug they may need is a lot less than younger populations,” Stall said. “In geriatric medicine, we have a mantra: Start low and go slow. That same mantra applies here.”

The amount at which cannabis can become poisonous can depend on multiple personal factors, but some studies have indicated people should wait at least three hours before taking a second dose, Stall said. (CNN)

with semaglutide, tirzepatide and other GLP-1 drugs could be crucial to understanding their longer-term health consequences and how best to prescribe them in future.

THE REGAIN PROBLEM

The main theory for why the majority of patients regain weight so rapidly when they stop taking medication is because the regions of the brain relating to appetite are still dysregulated, priming the person to overconsume. GLP-1 drugs only mask this dysregulation, and when their effect is removed, their food cravings soon return.

“People don’t always appreciate this,” says Rubino. “I try to explain that these are chronic medications, but I think everybody secretly feels, ‘Yeah, but you know what, I’m different, and once I hit my weight goal, I’ll be ok.’ But the reality is, the brain is quite powerful.”

But this may not be the only explanation. Martin Whyte, an associate professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Surrey, explains one possible theory as to why people tend to regain weight after they stop these medications. The doses of GLP1 provided by semaglutide and tirzepatide are far greater than the body would naturally expect to receive, he says, which may suppress the body’s ability to secrete GLP-1 on its own. As a result, people’s hunger may return even more voraciously when they cease their doses, he explains.

“What may be happening, and we don’t know for sure, is that when you stop them, your body’s left in a GLP-1 deficit which has a major impact on the satiety signal going to the brain,” says Whyte.

The potential physiological consequences of this weight regain is currently one of the biggest health concerns for practitioners in the field. In one trial, those switched to placebo injections not only began to reaccumulate body fat, but their waist circumference also began to revert back to its original size. Excess fat in this area is linked to

numerous problems ranging from heart disease to insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.

Miras says that many people who regain weight after medication or dieting experience a change in their body composition which could potentially be even worse for their long-term health than if they had simply maintained their existing weight.

“Weight regain is usually accompanied by accumulation of fat and less muscle,” says Miras. “So you end up going back to a higher fat mass and a lower muscle mass. That’s not good from a metabolic perspective because having more muscle is good for reducing risk of diabetes and heart disease,” he says.

However, there is not yet any direct evidence that someone’s body composition would be worse after stopping weight-loss drugs than before they started.

UNDERSTANDING OBESITY

But while these are the general trends, responses to GLP-1 drugs can vary considerably on an individual level. To begin with, not everyone benefits from the medications. The groundbreaking 2021 clinical trial of semaglutide still found that almost 14% of participants failed to even lose 5% of their body weight, even after taking the drug for more than one year.

While trials suggest the weight loss achieved while taking semaglutide can be maintained while still taking the drugs, we also know that some people start to regain some weight, even before they stop. Miras points to data from people taking an earlier GLP1 formulation known as Saxenda or liraglutide. “At one year, weight loss is about 8%, but by three years, it’s gone down to 6%,” he says. “So that seems to happen, and we see it with bariatric [obesitymanagement] surgery too.”

Rubino says that some people can regain weight after quitting semaglutide, but still retain some of the metabolic health benefits achieved while taking the drug, such as improved blood sugar control. Often that improved blood sugar control will persist for a while (up to three years according to one study), and there could be many reasons for that, says Rubino.

“That person may be able to be more active after losing the weight, perhaps they’re sleeping better and having fewer sleep apnea events (which have been linked as a risk factor for type two diabetes). All of these factors can dynamically affect someone’s metabolic complications,” she says.

Science & Technology

Scientists say they’ve found where the sun’s magnetic field originates

The sun has a powerful magnetic field that creates sunspots on the star’s surface and unleashes solar storms such as the one that bathed much of the planet in beautiful auroras this month.

But exactly how that magnetic field is generated inside the sun is a puzzle that has vexed astronomers for centuries, going back to the time of Italian astronomer Galileo, who made the first observations of sunspots in the early 1600s, and noticed how they varied over time.

Researchers behind an interdisciplinary study have put forth a new theory in a report published Wednesday in the journal Nature. In contrast to previous research that assumed the sun’s magnetic field originates from deep within the celestial body, they suspect the the source is much closer to the surface.

The model developed by the team could help scientists better understand the 11-year solar cycle and improve the forecasting of space weather, which can disrupt GPS and communication satellites as well as dazzle night sky watchers with auroras.

“This work proposes a new hypothesis for how the sun’s magnetic field is generated that better matches solar observations, and, we hope, could be used to make better predictions of solar activity,” said Daniel Lecoanet, an assistant professor of engineering sciences and applied mathematics at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and a member of the Center for

Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics.

“We want to forecast if the next solar cycle will be particularly strong, or maybe weaker than normal. The previous models (assuming the solar magnetic field is generated deep within the Sun) have not been able to make accurate forecasts or (determine) if the next solar cycle will be strong or weak,” he added.

Sunspots help scientists track the sun’s activity. They are the

origin point for the explosive flares and ejection events that release light, solar material and energy into space. The recent solar storm is evidence of the sun approaching “solar maximum” — the point in its 11-year cycle when there is the highest number of sunspots.

“Because we think the number of sunspots tracks with the strength of the magnetic field within the Sun, we think the 11-year sunspot cycle is reflecting a cycle in the

strength of the Sun’s interior magnetic field,” Lecoanet said.

MODELING THE SUN’S MAGNETIC FIELD

It’s difficult to see the sun’s magnetic field lines, which loop through the solar atmosphere to form a complicated web of magnetic structures far more complex than Earth’s magnetic field. To better grasp how the sun’s magnetic field works, scientists turn to mathematical models.

In a scientific first, the model that Lecoanet and his colleagues developed accounted for a phenomenon called torsional oscillation — magnetically driven flows of gas and plasma within and around the sun that contribute to sunspot formation.

In some areas, the rotation of this solar feature speeds up or slows down, while in others it remains steady. Like the 11-year solar magnetic cycle, torsional oscillations also experience an 11year cycle.

“Solar observations have given us a good idea for how material moves around inside of the Sun. For our supercomputing calculations, we solved equations to determine how the magnetic field changes within the Sun due to the observed motions,” Lecoanet said.

“No one had done this calculation before because no one knew how to efficiently perform the calculation,” he added.

The group’s calculations showed that magnetic fields can be generated about 20,000 miles

(32,100 kilometers) below the sun’s surface — far closer to the surface than had previously been assumed. Other models had suggested it was much deeper — around 130,000 miles (209,200 kilometers).

“Our new hypothesis provides a natural explanation for the torsional oscillations that is missing from previous models,” Lecoanet said.

‘Astrophysical enigma’

An important breakthrough was developing new numerical algorithms for running the calculations, Lecoanet said. The paper’s lead author Geoff Vasil, a professor at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, came up with the idea about 20 years ago, Lecoanet said, but it took over 10 years to develop the algorithms and required a powerful NASA supercomputer to conduct the simulations.

“We have used around 15 million CPU-hours for this investigation,” he said. “That means that if I had tried to run the calculations on my laptop, it would have taken me about 450 years.”

In a commentary published alongside the study, Ellen Zweibel, a professor of astronomy and physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the initial results were intriguing and would help inform future models and research. She was not involved in the study.

Zweibel said the team had added “a provocative ingredient to the theoretical mix that could prove key to unravelling this astrophysical enigma.” (CNN)

HIV vaccine triggers elusive broadly neutralising HIV antibodies

An HIV vaccine candidate developed at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) triggered low levels of an elusive type of broadly neutralising HIV antibodies among a small group of people enrolled in a 2019 clinical trial. The findings are notable for two reasons: 1) the inability to induce B cell lineages of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in humans has been a roadblock to HIV vaccine development and 2) bnAbs take years to develop in people living with HIV-1.

The finding not only provides proof that a vaccine can elicit these antibodies to fight diverse strains of HIV, but also that it can initiate the process within weeks, setting in motion an essential immune response.

The vaccine candidate targets the area on the HIV-1 outer envelope known as the membrane proximal external region (MPER). More

specifically, the candidate includes a “peptide/liposome immunogen targeting B cell lineages of HIV1 envelope (Env) membraneproximal external region (MPER) bnAbs.” Antibodies against this region—which remains stable even as the virus mutates—in the HIV outer coat can block infection by many different circulating strains of HIV.

This work is published in Cell in the paper, “Vaccine induction of heterologous HIV-1-neutralising antibody B cell lineages in humans.”

“This work is a major step forward as it shows the feasibility of inducing antibodies with immunizations that neutralize the most difficult strains of HIV,” said Barton F. Haynes, MD, director of the DHVI. “Our next steps are to induce more potent neutralising antibodies against other sites on HIV to prevent virus escape. We

The finding not only provides proof that a vaccine can elicit these

antibodies to fight diverse strains of HIV, but also that it can initiate the process within weeks

are not there yet, but the way forward is now much clearer.”

The research team analyzed data from a Phase I clinical trial, the HVTN 133 clinical trial. Twenty healthy, HIV-negative people enrolled in the trial. Fifteen participants received two of four planned doses of the investigational vaccine, and five received three doses.

After two immunizations, the vaccine had a 95% serum response rate and a 100% blood CD4+ T-cell response rate. Most of the serum responses mapped to the portion of the virus targeted by the vaccine. Broadly neutralizing antibodies were induced; the most potent of which neutralized 15% of global tier 2 HIV-1 strains and 35% of clade B strains. In addition, the

authors noted that “neutralization was enhanced by vaccine selection of improbable mutations that increased antibody binding to gp41 and lipids.”

The trial was halted when one participant experienced a non-lifethreatening allergic reaction. The team investigated the cause of the event, which was likely from an additive.

“To get a broadly neutralizing antibody, a series of events needs to happen, and it typically takes several years post-infection,” said Wilton Williams, PhD, an associate professor in Duke’s department of surgery and a member of DHVI. “The challenge has always been to recreate the necessary events in a shorter space of time using a vaccine. It was very exciting to see that, with this vaccine molecule, we could actually get neutralizing antibodies to emerge within weeks.”

This view of the sun’s magnetic field was generated by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

Sports International

has played more

for Portugal than anyone else

Ronaldo makes Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his 11th international tournament for Portugal later this year, after the 39-year-old was named in his nation’s squad for Euro 2024.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner plays outside of Europe’s main top-five leagues, currently plying his trade for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, but Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said the forward’s experience and eye for goal would be an important asset for the team.

“Cristiano? It’s better to talk about the data. He’s a player who’s scored 42 goals in 41 games for his club,” Martinez told reporters, per Reuters, when explaining the decision to pick Ronaldo.

“That shows his continuity and physical ability to always be fit, as well as the quality he has in front of goal, which we really like and need.”

The veteran striker made his first tournament appearance 20 years ago at Euro 2004, when host Portugal was beaten by Greece in the final. He went on to lead Portugal to victory at Euro 2016, his only major trophy at international level, though he had to be substituted in the first half of the final after picking up an injury.

Ronaldo was also part of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumph in 2019.

Ronaldo has played 206 times for his country – he’s the most capped player in men’s international soccer – and has scored a record 128 goals, 10 of which came during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

It seemed as though Ronaldo might have made his last appearance in a major international tournament at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Lookman scores stunning hat-trick as Atalanta wins Europa League title

Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt on Wednesday as Atalanta ran riot in the Europa League final, winning 3-0 to lift just the second major trophy in the club’s 116-year history.

It was 26-year-old forward Ademola Lookman that etched himself into the Atalanta record books, scoring a stunning hat-trick to lead his team to victory and cement his place as a club hero.

His performance in Dublin, Ireland was the crowning moment of a career that began in south east London with Charlton Athletic and has taken him to Everton, RB

Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester City and, finally, Atalanta.

Even before Wednesday’s heroics, Lookman had played his way into the hearts of Atalanta fans and had found himself a new home in Bergamo, northern Italy.

“I feel the support from the fans from the first minute I was in Bergamo,” Lookman said, per the BBC. “The city of Bergamo gives me a sense of calmness. It’s a very calm, relaxed city and that has helped me a lot with my living style. I’m focused on the important things.”

The goals help, too. Lookman has now scored 15 in each of his

first two seasons with Atalanta since joining in 2022, by far the most prolific stretch of his career so far.

Lookman described the win, in which he scored his hat-trick with his only three shots at goal, as “one of the best nights of my life.”

“Amazing performance from the team. We did it. We did it. We did it!” Lookman told TNT Sports after the game.

This victory was “third time lucky” for Lookman after losing the Coppa Italia final last week and the Africa Cup of Nations final with Nigeria in February. (CNN)

Maresca, McKenna & Frank on Chelsea job shortlist

Chelsea have drawn up an early shortlist of managerial options, which includes Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

The Blues are in search of a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino after he left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Contact has been made with McKenna, 38 – who won promotion from the Championship with Ipswich Town this season – but there is competition from Brighton, who are looking to replace Roberto de Zerbi.

Manchester United are also reportedly interested in McKenna, who would cost more than £4m in compensation.

He is believed to be the

Danish coach Frank, 50, is similarly under consideration for his work in getting Brentford to the Premier League and then consolidating their position in the top flight.

It is understood that Chelsea also have a fourth ‘mystery’ contender on their shortlist.

Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness had been tipped as an option but is now believed to be staying in Germany.

The Chelsea players not with their countries meet up for preseason on 4 July and will embark on a tour of the United States under new management, having finished sixth in the Premier League and reached the Carabao Cup finalwhich they lost to Liverpool - last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo

times

Enzo Maresca, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank have all won promotion to the Premier League as managers

Atalanta lifted just the second major trophy in the club’s history

US lawmakers call for DOJ, IOC investigations into Chinese doping before Olympics

A doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers took a diplomatic twist on Wednesday after US lawmakers called on the US Department of Justice and the International Olympic Committee to launch inquiries into the controversy.

The Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned performance-enhancing substance, several months before the Tokyo Olympics – a tournament at which they were allowed to compete in, and went on to win medals at, according to a report from the New York Times released in coordination with German public broadcaster ARD.

“This scandal raises serious legal, ethical, and competitive concerns and may constitute a broader state-sponsored strategy by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to unfairly compete at the Olympic Games in ways Russia has previously done,” said US Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and John Moolenaar, who are the two leading members of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

In a statement released Wednesday, the lawmakers called for an assessment as to whether the alleged doping was “state-sponsored,” adding that could warrant further diplomatic

measures by the United States and the international community.

“Furthermore, with less than 100 days until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, understanding the full scope of the scandal is critical in ensuring our U.S. athletes are competing in a fair competition,” the statement added.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) last month dismissed allegations that the case was mishandled, describing them as “outrageous” and “completely false,” while the China AntiDoping Agency (CHINADA) called media reporting about the situation “misleading.”

WADA has since commissioned

an independent review into its handling of the case.

“WADA continues to stand by its handling of this contamination case. The truth is it followed every process and line of inquiry when reviewing this file and determined, based on compelling scientific evidence, that these were cases of contamination, not of doping,” a spokesman for WADA told CNN in an email.

“To this day, no evidence has been produced that suggests otherwise,” he added, noting that the organization awaits the findings of the independent enquiry.›

CNN has reached out to the Department of Justice and the IOC

for comment.

According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), trimetazidine “is a medicine used to prevent angina attacks, which are sudden pains to the chest, jaw and back brought on by physical effort, due to reduced blood flow to the heart.”

It has an effect on metabolism – where the body breaks down substances in order to convert them into energy. It increases the rate at which glucose is broken down, allowing it to be used to protect against myocardial ischaemia –reduced blood supply to the heart muscle – according to the EMA.

The reports have sparked

concern among athletes and governing bodies.

The Canadian Olympic Committee called the media reports “concerning” and “not previously known to us,” while Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said that the organization was “deeply disheartened” about allegations which challenge “the very foundation of what fair competition stands for.”

In a press conference last month, WADA president Witold Banka said that the agency “followed all due processes and diligently investigated every lead and line of enquiry in this matter” and found “no evidence of wrongdoing … and no credible way to disprove the contamination theory that was accepted by CHINADA.”

A statement from CHINADA cited by Xinhua said the swimmers tested positive for an “extremely low concentration” of trimetazidine at a national swimming event in 2021.

Trimetazidine has the potential to boost endurance and has been banned by WADA since 2014.

CHINADA ultimately decided that the athletes should not be held responsible for the results after its “immediate” investigation concluded that they were inadvertently exposed to the substance through contamination, Xinhua reported. (BBC)

Littler beats Humphries to win Premier League Darts title

Teenager Luke Littler continued his astonishing rise by winning the 2024 Premier League Darts title with an 11-7 victory over Luke Humphries at the O2 Arena in London.

Littler, 17, was left in tears after winning six of the last eight legs to beat world champion Humphries in the final, racing off the stage to hug his family.

“To all the doubters, hello! I’ve just picked up this! You’re not doubting me any more,” the teenager said to Sky Sports after becoming the eighth player to win a Premier League title.

In the first leg after the halfway break, he hit his fourth nine-darter in 2024 to send the 14,000 capacity crowd into pandemonium. World number one Humphries could only smile and applaud in response.

From there Littler raced into control, winning his first major

in that hat now - I can’t wait to go to New York next week and after that I’ll have to have a week

off in Orlando,” he added. It was a repeat of January’s World Championship final, which saw two of darts’ brightest prospects cement themselves into stardom.

At Alexandra Palace it was Humphries who came out on top, but the Premier League final and season has been all about Littler.

On runner-up Humphries, Littler added: “We’ll meet in many finalsand now it’s 1-1 in finals!”

His win sees him pocket £275,000 in prize money, on top of the £40,000 earned earlier in the campaign. The £315,000 total more than doubles his career prize money to date.

In a best of 21 legs final, both men exchanged early breaks and were left tied at 5-5 when the midmatch break came in.

Littler immediately returned with darts in hand, throwing nine perfect darts to set up the perfect ending to a record-breaking Premier League campaign.

Much to his credit, Humphries embraced Littler upon his return from that nine-darter, a sign of what could be the start of a long

period of dominance between darts’ two Lukes.

“Tonight he was much stronger than I was and he deserved to win,” said Humphries.

“And if you look at the season as a whole, he deserved to be Premier League champion.

“Of course I’m gutted not to win but you can’t win everything. Six out of seven major finals for me now, I can only build on it.”

Littler picked up 40 points in the 16-week group stage, levelling 2022 winner Jonny Clayton for the record for most points acquired in a season.

The teenager reached the final after a 10-5 victory over Michael Smith earlier in the evening. Humphries was victorious over Michael van Gerwen by the same scoreline, ending the Dutchman’s hopes of winning a recordextending eighth league title. (BBC)

Some two dozen swimmers tested positive for banned performance enhancing substance trimetazidine ahead of the Tokyo Olympics

Littler has won £315,000 in

Sports

Fortune twice extends world record on way to gold

Britain’s Sabrina Fortune twice extended the world record on her way to defending her shot put title at the World Para Athletics Championships in Japan.

Fortune, who competes in the F20 category for athletes with intellectual impairments, threw 14.56m in the second round in Kobe, improving the 14.39 mark set by Ecuador’s Poleth Mendes on her way to winning Paralympic gold in Tokyo in 2021.

The 26-year-old Welsh woman had taken the lead in the first round with 14.18 and with the gold medal secured, she improved again to 14.73 with the final throw of the competition.

“I’ve thrown two world records in a day which is incredible,” said Fortune, who also took world gold in Dubai in 2019 and retained her title in Paris last summer.

“I just had to tell myself after the first world record not to celebrate too early because I knew if I overdid it, I wouldn’t throw any further.

“It’s hard to put into words how it felt to throw even further. I just wanted to run round and round in circles.”

Mendes took silver with 13.90 with Neutral Paralympic Athlete Aleksandra Zaitseva in third with 13.01.

Rooney to speak to Plymouth over managerial vacancy

Wayne Rooney is set to have talks with Championship side Plymouth Argyle about their vacant head coach role.

Rooney, 38, is keen to reestablish his reputation after a disastrous spell at Birmingham last season, when he lost nine games out of 15.

Argyle are looking for a new boss after the dismissal of Ian Foster towards the end of last season.

Inter Milan taken over by US investment firm

Oaktree after Chinese owners fail to repay loan

US-based investment firm Oaktree Capital Management said on Wednesday it has “assumed ownership” of recently crowned Serie A champion Inter Milan.

Inter’s Chinese owner, Suning, failed to repay a loan now worth €395 million ($428 million) that was taken out to help finance the club during the Covid pandemic.

In a statement, Oaktree said: “We understand the great responsibility towards the community and the historical legacy of Inter.

“We are committed to the longterm success of the Nerazzurri and believe that our ambitions for the Club match those of its passionate fans in Italy and around the world.”

Oaktree is an industry

powerhouse co-founded by Howard Marks with $192 billion in assets under management.

Suning bought a majority stake in Inter back in 2016 and the club has enjoyed consistent success in the eight years under Chinese ownership, twice winning Serie A and the Coppa Italia. The team also won three Italian Supercups and reached the finals of the Champions League and Europa League.

“During the approach of the pending Oaktree facility redemption date, we have been making every attempt with our partner to find an amicable resolution, including multiple paths for Oaktree to achieve full and immediate financial return,”

former Inter president Steven Zhang said in a statement on Saturday.

“Unfortunately, our efforts to date have been exasperated by legal threats, and a lack of meaningful engagement from Oaktree.

“Not only has this been deeply frustrating and disappointing, such behavior now poses potential risks to the Club that could seriously jeopardize its stability.”

After contacting Oaktree for comment on Zhang’s statement, the firm referred CNN to its press release.

“As new owners, we recognize our responsibility to Inter Milan’s community, history and legacy,” Oaktree’s Alejandro Cano said in a statement.

Djokovic reaches Geneva Open semi-finals

World number one Novak

Djokovic beat Tallon Griekspoor to advance to the semi-finals of the Geneva Open on Thursday.

Djokovic accepted a wildcard to the ATP 250 tournament in the hope of building momentum for the French Open, which starts on Sunday.

The 37-year-old claimed a 7-5 6-1 victory against his Dutch opponent and will face Czech Tomas Machac in the last four.

Director of football Neil Dewsnip and coach Kevin Nancekivell took over for the remainder of the campaign and guided Plymouth to safety, ironically at Birmingham’s expense.

Dewsnip knows Rooney from his time as a coach at Everton’s academy.

Rooney made 763 appearances as a player during spells with Everton, Manchester United, MLS club DC United and Derby.

Djokovic saved four sets points at 0-40 down in the 10th game before going on to break the world number 27 and then serve out the set.

He found his groove in the second set, which lasted just 25 minutes, breaking serve three times to become the oldest semi-finalist in Geneva tournament history.

“I thought that the first set could have gone his way easily because I think he was the better player

Novak Djokovic celebrated his 37th birthday on Wednesday

for most of the first set,” Djokovic said.

“I was lucky to find some really good serves and from that moment onwards really played some good solid tennis. The second set was really good.”

The 24-time Grand Slam champion will head to Roland

Garros after this tournament in the hope of defending his French Open crown.

The Serbian will start his campaign at the year’s second Grand Slam against French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Djokovic is yet to win a trophy in 2024. (BBC)

Wayne Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals, while he scored 53 times for England

Fortune is set to compete at her third Paralympics in Paris this summer

Inter Milan were recently crowned Serie A champion

Sports National

Tigers and Falcons win Fortis U9 and U12 grassroots competition

The Tigers and the Falcons registered wins when the Provo Fortis U9 and U12 Grassroots finals were recently held at the TCIFA Field.

In the U9 competition, the Tigers finished ahead of the Eagles and the Lions. The winner’s Antonius Jolly nabbed the Golden Boot with 10 goals, while the Eagles’ Emilio Butler finished as the MVP and the Jaguars’ Rowan Burke as the Golden Glove winner.

In the U12 division, the Falcons

won ahead of the Dolphins and the Lions. Carry Xavier was on fire for the winners as he tallied 22 goals to finish with the Golden Boot. The Lions’ Nicles Laguerre won the MVP award and the Mariners’ Sienna Browning, the Golden Glove award.

Sports Commission set to release short film following the life of a female sprinter

The Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission (TCISC) is set to release a short film about a female sprinter titled Ripple Effect. This film follows the life of Anita Been-Brown who is arduously preparing to compete in the CARIFTA Games while her life at home, paves a dangerous road to destruction.

According to information from the TCISC, “Ripple Effect is not just a story of track and field. It humanizes the experience of athletes while beaming a spotlight on the dangers gun violence dispels in Caribbean communities.”

This film was dependably

created by students 14-21 years old in the TCI, who are enrolled in the TCISC’s early careers sports media programme Project I.D.E.A. Media Club.

So far the trailer has amassed over 38,000 views on Facebook and Instagram among our islands and is looking to shake things up on the big screen. This short film will be premiered on Saturday, June 15th, at the Inspiring Change: Transforming Lives Through Sports event. The proceeds of this event will be in aid of the Athlete Development Fund and the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club. In addition, a mini-documentary on the Police

Action League will premiere before the film screening. The event will consist of a cocktail reception, dinner, and entertainment.

The sole purpose of this event is to raise funds for these two initiatives, and by purchasing a ticket each contribution helps to push these initiatives forward, making each person a donor. Each table has seating of up to 10 people of your choice for $2000 and individual tickets are also available at $225.

To reserve a table, purchase a ticket, or receive further information, please email Calvina Andrews at candrews@gov.tc.

The Falcons won the U12 title

Sienna Browning won the Golden Glove award in the U12

Emilio Butler was the U9 MVP Antonius Jolly finished as the Leading Goal Scorer in the U9 division

Rowan Burke finished as the U9 Golden Glove winner

The Tigers won the U9 title

MVP in the U12 division Nicles Laguerre with CEO of Fortis Ruth Forbes

Carry Xavier scored a whopping 22 goals in the U12 division

Sports National

Haye-Smith wins another gold medal in 400mh

Yanique Haye-Smith registered her second gold medal in the month of May after a 400-metre hurdles victory at the Meeting de la Martinique 2024 at the Stade Louis Achille - Fortde-France in Martinique on Saturday last.

The ace hurdler was able to register an impressive 56.94s to claim the victory. Second place went to Kaila Barber from the

US in 57.54s, while Franchina Martinez from the Dominican Republic finished third in a time of 57.88s.

Farah Clerc finished fourth in 58.85s, while her French country mate, Meghane Grandson placed fifth in a time of 59.21s.

For Barber, Clerc and Grandson, their performances were their season bests, while Martinez ran a personal best.

Girls Can Hoop Too! aims to boost female basketball in TCI

Girls Can Hoop Too! basketball programme can be used to set the stage for the transformation of female basketball in the TCI.

According to Programme Organiser of the Rising Stars Basketball Club, Darcia Forbes,

Girls Can Hoop Too! can be the catalyst to push more females into the sport.

She said that the “goal is to start a girls’ league and to create a girls’ traveling team”, who can compete against other clubs overseas.

The 12-week programme is currently in its seventh week with 35 girls between the ages of 9-15 learning or advancing their skills in the sport.

“Girls Can Hoop Too! basketball Programme aims to provide girls

with the opportunity to enjoy the experience of basketball. The girls are introduced to the game in stages and learn the fundamental skills of basketball,” Mrs Forbes explained.

The Rising Stars programme, which is sponsored by Island

Pharmacy, Willin Billard and the TCI Sports Commission (TCISC), continues on Saturday at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex court.

Yanique Haye-Smith has recorded back-to-back gold medal victories

Last month, 34-year-old HayeSmith had a few strong finishes in the 400mh, including a fourth-

place finish (56.86s) at the Tom Jones Memorial at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, FL.

Haye-Smith, who clocked 55.58s in 2019 still holds the fastest 400mh time by a TCI athlete.

The programme aims to provide girls with the opportunity to enjoy the experience of basketball

Young basketball players going through their drills