TC Weekly News October 15 - 21, 2022

Historic $420m Government expenditure projected – Following an $18m increase

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The TCI government has increased its projected expenditure for the 2022-2023 financial year by an additional $18.4m (4.5%), bringing it to a historic $420.3m.

Minister of Finance, Investment & Trade Hon Erwin. Jay Saunders who tabled a second Supplementary Appropriation Bill (2022-2023) in the House Of Assembly on Thursday, October 6, 2022, said the additional funds will be utilised to address the inflationary and cost of living pressures, aggressively respond to the surge in crime and to make provisions for disaster recovery following Hurricane Fiona, specifically to allow the government to build back better.

During his speech, Saunders explained that government revenues have ticked upwards, and it is forecast to come in at $404.2m (including a Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility payout of $670k and grants and contributions of over $790k).

He said: “This is an improvement of $1.45m…I had visions that we could get to $400m in revenues by the end of our term in mid-2025, but God in his infinite wisdom saw fit to get us there sooner.

“Through this Supplementary Budget Mr Speaker, our

government is seeking to increase our projected Expenditure for this financial year by an additional $18.4m (4.5%), bringing it to a historic $420.3m.

“A member of the public said that our government “should spare no expense”. Well Mr Speaker, not only did we not spare any expense, but some may say that we broke the bank, as this Supplementary Budget will take us from a projected surplus to a deficit.”

The Finance Minister said to fund the additional spending, the government will draw down $16.0m from its cash reserves, which now stand at $240m, up from $189m at the start of the Financial Year (i.e. 1st April 2022).

“What does that mean, for the fiscally conservative among us, and those in the public? That although we are projecting a deficit budget for this financial year, we are projecting a return to sustained surplus budgets in the medium term, if not before.”

He underscored that all the debt sustainability ratios agreed between the Turks & Caicos government and the UK government continue to be met.

To this end, the liquid cash reserves now stand at $240m, which equates to 212 days of cash.

“That means that if the TCI

economy shuts down today, and our government was unable to generate not even $1 or revenue, we could pay all our bills for up to 212 days.

“For reference Mr Speaker, the UK government requires us to keep a minimum of 90 days’ worth of cash reserves, we’re at 212 days! And Mr Speaker, my long-term goal is to increase this to 365 days. God forbid, if we ever go into another prolonged lockdown again, one thing is for certain, the TCI will not have to, as the saying goes, “beg, borrow, or steal” to pay its bills. “That’s prudent financial management. And that’s your government, the people’s government, working on the people’s behalf”, he added.

Coupled with this, Saunders described the territory’s net debt as a percentage of core revenue which is negative as a “good thing”, while the National Debt Service currently stands below 0.1% of core revenues which is less than $400K.

PRIORITY SPENDING

During his speech, the Finance Minister outlined several priority areas that will be funded through the supplementary budget.

He said: The police is getting $554K, to allow them to get a much-needed base salary increase of 10%.

“Mr Speaker, our government is allocating $1.5m to address the surge in crime, particularly on Providenciales.

will receive $91,000 for the hiring of additional staff.

Coupled with this, the Government is allocating $500,000 for repatriation and detention expenses.

He continued: “Mr Speaker, my ministry – i.e. Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade – is getting $200,000 for a long overdue cleanup of the SIGTAS tax management software.

“The Deputy Governor's Office is getting $50,000 to increase allocation to the Professional Development Fund, as well as an additional $150,000 to conduct a Job Reclassification Review.

“The Ministry of Education, Labour, Employment and Customer Service is getting $55,000 to allow for the hiring of an additional Permanent Secretary to strengthen support for the Labour Department.

“And the Sports Commission is getting a Subvention of $298,000 to allow it to continue to grow sports in the TCI.”

Along with this, the government has allocated $2.5m to subsidize the electricity Fuel Factor, where it is being capped at $0.20 during the September – December 2022 period.

Saunders further revealed that $718,000 in funding will be pumped into implementing the project “Transitioning towards green energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands”.

and Infrastructure Development (PPID) to conduct a number of restoration, repairs, and clean-up projects.

Saunders added that the Ministry of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, Heritage and the Environment is getting $80,000 to develop and rollout the "TCI Agriculture Development and Food Security Plan", which will see the build-out of a domestic climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, thereby strengthening our national food security and nutrition in the short, medium, and long terms, while protecting our water supplies and soil.

“$71,000 is being made available to utilise funding received from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) to support project "Sustaining Queen Conch Fisheries and livelihoods in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI)”.

The Ministry of Tourism was allocated $250,000 to support the continuation, and successful operation, of the all-popular Island Fish Fry on Providenciales; and an additional $100,000 for the production and distribution of promotional items; and another $100,000 for product development.

Saunders underscored that the TCI has a “high-end tourist product, and we are committed to producing Five-Star marketing content to match our Five-Star brand.”

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“This funding will be used to provide support and tools to assist the RTCIPF Tactical Unit to identify, locate, and apprehend suspects of serious crime.

“With this funding, we will achieve a) enhanced safety for police officers, b) offenders brought to justice, c) increased public safety, and d) increased trust and confidence in policing.”

While the Attorney General’s Chambers will get an additional $800,000 to support judicial administration, and $45,000 is being allocated to launch the Judiciary’s electronic Case Management and Electronic filing project (i.e. “E-Judiciary”). $250,000 is also being made available for the hiring of additional staff.

Additionally, the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services

He said: “This project is designed to accelerate our islands migration to sustainable energy, increase energy resilience, and to support green economic recovery.

The TCI Telecommunications Commission will receive $300,000 to hire consultants to start the preliminary work around the buildout of a domestic fibre optic cable connecting Providenciales to North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Grand Turk, and Salt Cay.

“This is an example of our government Building Back Better. When the domestic fibre optic cable goes live, it will make the experience of islands, especially the Nation’s Capital, experiencing poor telecommunications services after the passage of a storm, a distant memory.”

$2m was allocated to the Ministry of Physical Planning

The Ministry of Health and Human Services was allocated an additional $485,000 to be used to increase the Dialysis services capacity within the local clinics.

The Office of the Premier is getting $2.7m to facilitate stimulus payments ($700,000) to those persons who have not received the $500 stimulus payment nor the current $1,000 stimulus payment, and $2m to provide for Citizen Relief from those affected by Hurricane Fiona.

An additional $1.25m has been allocated to cover the increased cost associated with the Delivery Unit, which is providing high-level project management for 10 highpriority projects – including the domestic fibre optic cable.

“Finally, Mr Speaker, $3.5m is being used as Capital Contribution to increasing the Development Fund.”

Minister of Finance, Investment & Trade Hon. Erwin. Jay Saunders

Seven suspects nabbed in Dock Yard as ‘Operation Anaconda’ targets gangs

Seven persons suspected to be involved in the gang-related crime wave, that has gripped the TCI, were arrested on Tuesday, October 11.

This comes as dozens of officers including newly sworn-in constables from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and tactical teams descended on areas where gang killings and violence have erupted.

The multi-pronged approach dubbed “Operation Anaconda” forms part of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Forces’ pushback against gang wars and

wanton bloodshed which has created an atmosphere of fear in the territory in recent months.

The police operation was executed around 3:30 pm on October 11, in Dock Yard, Providenciales.

Armed with search warrants, “Operation Anaconda” targeted several premises which were the prime areas linked to serious crime.

According to a statement from the Police, the coordinated operation saw items related to potential gang-related violence, including ammunition seized.

Commenting on the operation, Commissioner of Police, Trevor Botting said the intelligence-led operation in Dock Yard directly targeted persons believed to be involved in serious crime and gang-related activity.

He said: “I have long stated that the police and by extension the communities must purge these criminal elements from continuously causing havoc in this beautiful by nature TCI.

“A total of 58 officers consisting of joint teams from tactical, armed

UK detectives to arrive in three weeks- says Police Commissioner

A large contingent of experienced UK detectives will arrive in the TCI in the next three weeks to support the work of the Police Forces’ serious crime unit with investigations of murders and gang-related activity.

As the territory experiences an unprecedented uprisal of ruthless gangs and reprisal murders, the territory’s leaders Governor Nigel Dakin and Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick reached out to the United Kingdom Government for assistance to tamp down on crime which has escalated to crisis levels.

To this end, an Anti-Gang Unit of 24 detectives from the UK & other Caribbean countries, funded by the United Kingdom to an initial tune of £3 million, is being established to combat violent crime.

The deployment of UK detectives will be for a period of 18 – 24 months and will provide a significant uplift in capacity for

the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, according to the Commissioner of Police, Trevor Botting.

“I am again grateful to the UK government for funding this enhancement to policing on the Turks and Caicos Islands”, he said during an address to the nation on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Coupled with these measures, Botting underscored that the protection of TCI’s border is of paramount importance, given that some of the people involved in serious and gang crime are entering the TCI illegally on boats.

“Our work in protecting the border is being supported by the US Customs and Border Protection who have deployed specialist surveillance aircraft on the Turks and Caicos for at least the next month.

“This aircraft is working closely with our Marine Branch to identify and intercept any vessel of

interest. “This deployment reflects the strong partnerships with US law enforcement to protect the TCI borders and the region and we are grateful for the continued collaboration”, he added.

Botting stressed that although the support being given to the TCI from the UK and other Caribbean countries is “very welcome, the crime situation remains a concern”.

He said: “We remain steadfast and committed in dealing with the issues for as long as it takes.

To be clear, criminals are hiding in plain sight, within some of our communities and we continue to need your help.”

During his update on police operations and the security situation, he said a significant arrest was made recently as the Force remains “resolute” committed to rooting out crime.

He said: “In the last seven days, an arrest has been made of a person of interest who remains in custody in

and investigations units, supported by police dogs and forensic teams formed part of the multi-pronged operation in areas where gang killings and violence have erupted.

“As a result, seven (7) persons were arrested for crime-related matters, and they remain in custody as suspects in active police investigations. Property, inclusive of ammunition and masks, believed to be used in the perpetration of criminal acts were seized.

“Additionally, stolen property was recovered.”

Botting stressed that more operations are planned, and officers will be “relentless in hunting down and apprehending” those criminals intent on causing harm to the communities of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“I again state to the criminals, when approached by my officers, do not engage them, if my officers feel threatened and you decide to shoot at them, my officers will do what is necessary to protect themselves”, he added. (OLIVIA ROSE)

Commissioner of Police, Trevor Botting said the deployment of UK detectives will be for a period of 18 – 24 months.

connection with their involvement in serious crime, possession of a firearm and ammunition and a quantity of drugs.

“In addition, large quality of drugs was also recovered in the Bight area over the weekend and this is now under investigation.

During an address in the House of Assembly on Monday, October 3, Governor Dakin said the deployment of the detectives is not “just short-term help, but the start of long-term support” from the UK.

“The initial ask to the first arrivals, from our own TCI police (who know the ground, culture and environment better than their newly arrived British colleagues), is for them to focus on specialist tactics and training.

“With all of this combined, we will have all but replicated the UK’s Counter-Terrorism Policing model.”

The Governor stressed that through this model gangs will be brought to Justice, not just suppressed.

Police officers descended on Dock Yard armed with search warrants- RTCIPF photo Officers debrief prior to the operation- RTCIPF photo

RESIGNATION WILL HELP THE GANGS, NOT THE TERRITORY

Governor Nigel Dakin said he would not accept the Commissioner of Police's resignation because "it would help the gangs and not the territory". He told the House of Assembly on Monday, October 3 that the Police Commissioner, Trevor Botting, has led during this period with distinction and personal courage". Nevertheless, as a crime wave of epic proportions, fuelled by gang rivalry and an atmosphere of fear, grips the Turks and Caicos Islands, calls for Mr Botting to resign have increased.

Governor Dakin, however, feels that Mr Botting, who was appointed as the Commissioner of Police for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in July of 2019, "has the hardest job in the Territory. The reforms he has been delivering - behind the scenes... give us capability - so long lacking that outside support now arriving, can quickly dock into."

Dakin reminded that the Police Commissioner has also been instrumental in establishing "a viable Tactical Unit" which has allowed the territory to quickly start to tackle transnational crime. He said: "We now have a foundation of both present - and quickly achievablefuture intelligence structures. I would not accept the Commissioner's resignation if offered because, just now, it would help the gangs and not the Territory. What are your thoughts?

HOT AIR

The governor is full of shyte!!! Make no mistake, the death of the tourist and the spread of violence into Long Bay, a predominantly "white" area, sparked the influx of police officers from the region who are not afraid to tackle the escalation of serious violent crime in predominantly "black" communities.

He admitted in his speech to the HOA that he was aware of the problem from April 2022 and yet ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was done!!!! It is clear that OUR LIVES DO NOT MATTER to him nor the COP nor the Premier!!! Tourism is the only thing that matters to them!!!

Both the Police Commissioner and the Governor need to resign

Assembly was a travesty and a slick move to move the blame for the crime situation in the Turks & Caicos Islands from himself as the official responsible onto elected officials, i.e. the Premier and Minister of Finance.

These two elected functionaries are part of the National Security Council. The issue is not whether the Governor should accept the resignation of the Police Commissioner but really a situation where he as Governor should resign and take the Commissioner of Police with Him. It is alleged that the Governor and his Commissioner had evidence of a “credible nature” a while back and if acted on, would have prevented a lot of these murders, fights, robberies, and killings that have turned the TCI into a “killing field”.

It is taken that the Governor on coming to these “Royal Turks & Caicos Islands” started on day one to function as ambassador, voice and Number one Campaigner for the ultimate empowerment of the Haitian Community. Anyone that had an ear, Government and Opposition, combined allowed the Governor to step head into Immigration Policy in aid of the Haitian cause in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

In an insult to all Ministers of Immigration, Since Governor Dakin came to the Islands, he has campaigned, demanded and insisted that the Haitian Community be given pre-eminence and predominance in the TCI. What does all of this have to do with crime? Well so much. As official responsible for defence, the police and “his idea of law enforcement” he abdicated his duties as “minister responsible” to take on immigration duly vested in an elected Minister. It was and is a constitutional crisis, as long as he remains in the TCI.

It is also a situation where the current UK Government, under which he serves, is anti-immigrant; anything European or African, the subtext for Brexit in 2016 that this Governor has embarked on a pro-illegal immigration policy. Under that policy; whether they are legal or illegal, it is alleged that this Governor has taken the position, as far as the Haitian Community is concerned, that this is “THEIR COUNTRY” and no longer that of the native-born Turks and Caicos Islander. It is mind-boggling that none of the Politicians in the TCI, top-level civil servants have ever taken the Liberty to attack and expose this treachery against them and their people. His Excellency is well aware that the crime is coming from Dock Yard and Five Cays, Providenciales but because “HIS PEOPLE” are involved, law enforcement in those areas has been weak under His Command over the Police Force.

No excuse

It seems that they, ie the Governor, Police Commissioner, Premier and Government have no excuse for the crime wave that unfolded under them. These TC Islands, on the other hand, are ironically flush and plush with cash and surplus budgetary receipts, which the crime wave threatens.

The monies are there. How is it that the Royal Bahamas Police Force and their 20 “few good men” were able to come in, in less than a week, get court orders and warrants,

raid dock yard, find guns, ammunition, arrest suspects and make tangible results?

The Commissioner of Police (CoP), protected by the Governor, who has been in the TCI since 2019, can only point to what the Bahamian Task Force has just come in to do. Will the Governor and belated CoP continue to bask in what they have done?

Nonetheless, there is a prevailing consensus in the TCI from the Leader of the Opposition, men on the street and anyone connected to the policy that the Commissioner must go. His time is finished.

He has been ineffective and highly reactionary. If they were listening to the Leader of the Opposition and members of the public, the calls for lockdowns and raids were given a long time ago. They are now being carried out because an international force is in the Islands and are doing the exact same thing that the public has been crying for all of the time.

Let crime tactics be debated

The islands have hit a slippery slope where elected officials under the Sharlene Cartwright Administration were “vested with Responsibility for the police and law enforcement” by the then-PNP Opposition. Now they are incumbent, gave the Governor and Commissioner of Police a free pass

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while shifting the blame onto the former Premier. With this kind of subterfuge, the need for the Governor and the Commissioner to go, this Government has “reaped the wind” with the situation, unfortunately, a political one, the issue of crime should now form part of public debate so that the people may have a voice in how crime is fought in their country unless of course, it is no longer their country.

Here are a few pointers from the Leader of the Opposition. Send police tactical teams, with contracted assistance into hot spot areas of Providenciales. This is now, after the fact, being done. Get rid of the helicopters as they would only tip the criminals off. Use technology such as cell phone jammers.

The Leader of the Opposition suggested the establishment of “an internal affairs unit and commence seizing the cell phones of police officers suspected of leaking information immediately. The general public feels that there is no confidentiality in the police force and the leaking of information must be stamped out.” Implicit in this suggestion signals that there are leaks in the Police force itself and breaches of confidentiality.

Some members of the public are afraid of making reports because they fear the report would get into the wrong hands. Deal with the force. Listen to the public and the Leader of the Opposition, clean house, send the Commissioner and the Governor home.

Kudos to the Bahamian police

Now that the Bahamian Police are here why not send the Commissioner home? They have proven to be more effective than this current commissioner who has been here since 2019 and watched crime get totally out of hand threatening the livelihood of the islands and the tourism product. The time has come for his departure and the Governor with him. He has been politicking and not doing the things that a Governor must do. Let them both go.

That is the consensus on the street of the TCI. Governor Dakin has proven to be an operative. It is a small wonder he goes on the floor of the TCI Parliament, ignores the other nationalities, i.e. those allegedly from the Haitian Community to single out the so-called Jamaican gangs.

This slip caused an international incident and reaction from the Government of Jamaica. Largely untrue. Is this the intelligence that the Commissioner and His team are supplying? Why touch those gangs and leave the Haitian Gangs out, Mr Governor?

It is time to stop playing games with the TCI and leave.

Tone deaf

The Governor and His Commissioner are tonedeaf. There are some very good ideas coming from the Leader of the Opposition which if implemented earlier, would have aided the situation. With police under attack, their vehicles shot at, the islands awash with cash, he suggested that the police force be provided with “immediate financing to upgrade the weaponry and body armour of the RTCIPF”.

More critically and in what appears to be a message to the Premier and his Minister of Finance, he advocated for an increase in police

salaries “by 40%, and in certain instances, in line with modern police forces around the world.”

This is good advice, proper leadership and a touch of reality. The 10% increase will not go very far. It is almost next to “nothing at all”. Over the years, there was seemingly a plan to remove the TC Islander component from the police force.

To deal with this unduly regressive trend the opposition leader advocates for “mass recruitment of Turks and Caicos Islanders into the force and implement a fast-track leadership programme for police officers whereby they exchange programmes with the regional and international police forces, to gain the required knowledge, skills, and experience, and allow local TCI officers to interview for the job of Commissioner of Police.”

This makes a whole lot of sense and it builds a sense of professionalism and belonging in the force. Commitment and something to be a part of. The Commissioner has had since 2019 to suggest and implement ideas of this nature. He needs to go. Finally, the opposition leader suggests a “coastguard unit with 24-hour patrolling for intercepting both weapons and human smuggling".

These again are great ideas. More and more there is the realisation that the Governor and his Commissioner are preoccupied with things of a political nature, helping the illegals and catering to the whims of the ex-pat community. Their time has come. Let them go.

Local is not always better

What in the world makes certain members of our community, including Gilley, Mike Misick and Oswald Skippings think that the crime situation would be minimised if a local were the Police Commissioner?

How does the bogus rant of “being more in touch with the community” have any bearing on what appears to be an international (read Jamaican) gang situations?

And, just in case Rodney Adams might be their choice for the top job, let’s not forget the “missing evidence” situation when his son was previously before the courts – is this really the type of individual we want running the law enforcement process in this country?

Most communities get the type of policing they deserve, so why doesn’t the TCI community get behind the police force, stop claiming they “know nothing and saw nothing”, and support Commissioner Botting and his men and women in their valiant efforts to bring our violent crime situation under control?

Less talk and more action

We need action in the TCI. The Governor and the Commissioner of Police and very good with words and they sometimes feel that the entire TCI is their playground.

When they leave, TCI would become an asterisk on their resume. For most of us, these situations are life and death. This is our home, we don’t care about the politics of the day, we care about resolutions not “heroes”.

Let’s focus on getting rid of the problem and finding solutions, not constantly putting plasters over our mounds.

Police to crack down on vehicles with dark tints and no licence plates

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Royal TCI Police Force is set to crack down on vehicles with heavily tinted windows and those without licence registration plates as part of its crime-fighting strategy.

Dark-tinted windows are enabling criminals to carry out illegal activities while allowing them to evade detection by law enforcement.

This is according to the Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting who hammered home this point during a national address on Monday, October 10, where he urged residents to remove illegal dark tints from their vehicles forthwith.

He said: “Criminals are using the roads and despite having an effective CCTV system, it can be challenging to detect them through the use of illegal dark window tints and the absence of number plates attached to their cars.”

“This is compounded by the number of cars, owned by lawabiding citizens, who are also using illegal dark tints and who have not yet collected their registration plate from Road Safety.”

“I am making a direct plea to anyone, who has illegal dark tints, remove them immediately, by not doing so you are assisting criminals to avoid detection by allowing them to hide and drive amongst us.”

Residents were also urged to pick up registration plates from the Road Safety Department as a matter of urgency.

He said: “If you do these two things, we can focus our activity on those who are not complying namely the criminals, and this will assist officers in their work.

“In the future, I anticipate

that the Ordinance will change in relation to dark tints so please make the changes now, help us to better protect you.

“By necessity, there will be a zero-tolerance where vehicles do not have registration plates or who have illegal tints in their car windows. I make no apology for this.”

The prescribed limit for tinted windows in the Turks and Caicos Islands is 30 per cent, with six inches top-down on the front windshield.

Under Section 47 of the Road Traffic Ordinance, it is an offense to drive a vehicle with excessive window tinting.

Doing so comes with a maximum penalty of $250 for each window.

Along with these stringent crime-fighting measures, the Commissioner said more Police Officers will be on the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the coming weeks and more operations will be undertaken within communities.

“This is what you can do to help us protect you; Ensure your vehicle has a registration plate

“Remove all tints from the front windows of your car or at least those tints which are Illegal.

“Comply with all instructions from police officers when you are stopped in road checks or other policing activity

“When your vehicle is stopped at night, for your safety, turn on your interior lights so officers can better see you and other people within your car.”

Residents were also encouraged to contact the Police with any information pertaining to criminal activities even if they think the information being provided is insignificant.

A vehicle with dark-tinted windows

Bahamian police officers already making an impact in the TCI

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Tenty-four seasoned police officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force were sworn into the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, on Friday last, as the territory faces a national crisis due to the proliferation of transnational crime.

According to Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting, the visiting lawmen hit the ground running.

Along with the cohort of officers, Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Kendall Strachan, was sworn in as a special constable as part of the special cooperation between the two governments.

During a national address on Monday, October 10, the Commissioner of Police expressed his gratitude to the Government of the Bahamas for the support given to the TCI and by extension the Force.

He said: “They have been briefed and are now operationally deployed with their RTCIPF colleagues on the streets and communities of the TCI, both within our Tactical Unit and in our Response and Operational teams.

“The team includes two policing K9 dogs to support officers during their work.

“Having spent time with them, it gives me great confidence to see how committed, experienced and ready they are to support us in making the TCI safe and secure. Such support reflects the close

relationship of our two countries and the already established protocols and partnerships that already exist within law enforcement.”

Commissioner Botting underscored that the contingent from the Royal Bahamas Police Force will make a “significant impact” on policing operations.

He explained that although no additional armed officers are being requested right now, this remains

under constant review while the team from the Bahamas serves in the territory.

He said: “I am also in contact with the Commissioner of Police in Jamaica to discuss how they might support the RTCIPF in the coming weeks and months.

“I am grateful for the offer of support for us and the assistance from other jurisdictions demonstrates the strength of

Jamaican overstayer fingered in recent gang-related crimes charged

– Arrested with illegal gun while on trial for other offences

One year after he was first charged with wounding and overstaying in the Islands, cops arrested Andre De Souza with an illegal gun and ammunition along Airport Road.

The 31-year-old Jamaican national, who resides in the Blue Hills community was slapped with two charges on October 10, following his arrest four days prior.

The charges are carrying a firearm and carrying ammunition.

De Souza was arrested on October 6, at around 9:45

am, when the Response and Operations Unit of the Police Force intercepted a car driving along Airport Road in the vicinity of the Alice and Alice shopping Plaza.

Police are alleging that the man is involved in the recent gangrelated criminal activities that have been plaguing the territory.

As such, they are continuing their investigations into De Souza’s involvement.

In September 2020, De Souza was charged with overstaying in the TCI by three years, eight

months and 19 days.

At that time, he was also accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Jerry Ewing with a knife on August 29, 2020.

He was first remanded to prison on these charges, but was later granted bail, and is still awaiting trial on the offenses.

The public is being advised to notify the closest police station or to contact Crime Stoppers at 1- 800-8477 and give any information of illegal activity anonymously.

regional law enforce collaboration.

“Additionally, on-going discussions are being held with the UK as to policing support in the near Future.”

DETERRENT EFFECT

Governor Nigel Dakin said the arrival of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the US’s Customs and Border Protection Aircraft, along with Drugs Enforcement Agency, has had an immediate deterrent effect.

“If it hasn’t, it should have, if the gangs have gone to ground, they will be found,” he said in a statement on Tuesday, October 11. Dakin reiterated that the Force will leave no stone unturned to ensure gang members are brought to justice.

“If gang members have moved overseas, we have international partners – including the

UK’s National Crime Agency and regional governments - who are solidly in support of helping us track them.

“If our short-term measures are being effective, our longterm measures have to be determinative.”

He informed that US maritime surveillance support has been operational and an aircraft has been monitoring TCI’s borders some days and nights, while UK Border Force experts are expected to arrive on Sunday.

“I hope you feel reassured by their rapid arrival, that the Bahamas,

TCI and the UK expedited the legal work and planning - at breakneck pace - some four days after the announcement to the House of Assembly, they had arrived, happened because all three parties were seized of the need.

“The day after the Bahamian officers arrived, they were operational…they’ve already made a difference.”

He further explained that some of the ranks were directly inducted into the RTCIPFs’ ‘Tactical Firearms Unit’, to bolster the unit, while others were deployed to Response Units.

He said that their dogs, able to attack or to search, were active at the airport this week, supporting TCI’s customs officers' search for guns and drugs.

“I, the Premier and Commissioner, and the people of the TCI, are extremely grateful for what can only be described as very generous support from our steadfast neighbour.

“Bahamas, you have been your brother’s keeper.

“Jamaica’s kind offer is on the table and our Commissioner, and theirs, are involved in detailed discussions today. Miami Dade Police have made similar offers.”

With the reinforcement from the Bahamas Police Force, Dakin stressed that it would not be prudent for the territory to deploy all its available resources at once.

He said: “With that immediate support in place – which is appropriate and proportionate to our immediate needs - I want to now say something about the next phases of support, and also the longer term.

“We have now shown that this situation can be ‘policed’, by police officers (our own supported by the Bahamas) and so I do not want to put British Troops onto the ‘so-called’ streets.

“I have done this myself, albeit many decades ago, and while it is immediately popular, that popularity quickly wains, soldiers are not trained to police.

“It is why I have purposefully held back the local Regiment. Police are trained across a wide spectrum of skill, and that includes mounting intelligence-led arrest operations against gangsters.

“We need the right tool for the right problem”, he added. He acknowledged that if the situation changes his position would change as the ultimate goal is to ensure residents and guests are protected from criminal elements threatening to upend the territory’s safe reputation.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting swears in Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Kendall Strachan as a special constable

‘We will hunt you down, we will find you’

– Governor warns criminals as calm descends on TCI

BY DELANA ISLES

The uptick in the police force’s manpower and the sheer determination of local cops while confronting rampaging gunmen in recent weeks, have resulted in a sense of stability returning to the islands.

Those who have been engaging in criminal activities that has sparked worry not just in the territory, but around the Caribbean region and in the United Kingdom, are best served by giving themselves up when confronted by armed police officers.

This is the warning issued by His Excellency, Governor Nigel Dakin during a situational update on Wednesday, October 12.

“I have said before that if you are confronted by our Tactical Firearms Officers, or Response Teams, it really would be best to lie down and place your hands out in front of you.

“If you fire on our officers – or others – their rules of engagement mean they will return fire to save life; theirs or others. They are far better trained than you are, and they will prevail.”

This warning comes as police have confirmed that the body of a man found in Dock Yard following the shootout in Long Bay on October 1, was that of one of the gunmen involved in that incident.

That shootout left two innocent people dead, one police officer injured, and other gunshot injuries.

Since that time, seconded police officers from the Bahamas have descended on the Islands, conducting rigorous tactical

exercises to search and apprehend criminals.

This, the Governor said, has led to an unusual calm in the territory in the past week.

“The Premier and I met at 8:30 am this morning (October 12) to review progress. Without predicting the immediate future, because matters can change, I can say the situation over recent days has been significantly more stable. Indeed, matters have been unusually quiet,” the Governor related.

He noted: “We don’t rest on our laurels and know that those that would do us harm are both taking stock of recent policing reinforcements, while licking their wounds following more

than one confrontation with our Tactical Unit. Our officers remain proactive.”

Some gang members may be seeking to leave the territory, and the public is being urged to contact Crimestoppers at +1 800 8477, if they have any information about efforts to leave.

Governor Dakin stated that the calm can be attributed to the work of the police which has included sustained pressure, arrests made, recovery of weapon and drugs, and the fatal shooting of a young man who fired on the Tactical Unit.

“Every death is unfortunate. So, I repeat the advice; this isn’t a movie or a video game - if you are confronted – drop to the floor –

hands outstretched. You are young and you think yourself invincible –but you are not.”

Beyond local police bravery and skill, the governor said he has little doubt that the arrival of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the US’s Customs and Border Protection Aircraft, along with Drugs Enforcement Agency, has had an immediate deterrent effect.

“If it hasn’t, it should have.

“If the gangs have gone to ground, they will be found. If gang members have moved overseas, we have international partners –including the UK’s National Crime Agency and regional governments - who are solidly in support of helping us track them.

“If our short-term measures

are being effective, I promise our long-term measures have to be determinative.”

He said it is now evident that the crime situation can be ‘policed’ by police officers from the TCI and the Bahamas, as such he does not want to “put British Troops onto the so-called streets.”

However, if the situation changes, UK military support has been requested.

In the meantime, the UK police are finalising a contingency plan for additional specialist firearms police support to deploy, upon request of the Governor and Premier.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office is also preparing and funding a further deployment of detectives, firearms trainers, and other specialists to support the TCI’s local police, the Governor said.

In addition, the deployment of 24 UK-funded detectives, with integrated leadership, which will fall under local command, continues at pace. The first leadership elements of this will arrive very soon.

While armed officers provide the ability to supress and arrest, the governor said it is this team of detectives that should provide the heart of any anti-gang operation.

He stated that coupled with this, intelligence is now being provided on the ground from several angles, the end result of which will build up a policing machine that can outmatch any gang.

“TCI will not be the safe haven gangsters thought it was,” he added.

Initiative to lower residential customers’ electricity bills introduced

Residents can now breathe a sigh of relief as the government and FortisTCI have joined up to reduce electricity bills for the remainder of the year.

The utility company announced last week that residential customers will see a significant reduction in the fuel factor rate on their electricity bills, all thanks to the partnership with the government.

Residential customers will only be billed at a fixed cost of $0.20 per kilowatt hour for the fuel factor rate in September, October, November, and December 2022, and the TCI Government will subsidise any fuel charges that exceed this amount.

The initiative, referred to as a TCIG

Fuel Factor Stabilization Credit, will help to protect residential customers from spikes in fuel prices for the remainder of the year.

“For the month of September, residential customers would have been billed at a fuel factor rate of $0.3008 per kilowatt hour for Providenciales, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos, $0.2721 for Grand Turk and Salt Cay, and $0.3044 for South Caicos,” a statement from the utility company stated.

Due to the initiative, these rates have been reduced to $0.20 per kilowatt hour.

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

the release of bills.

FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes, stated: "We are pleased to partner with government to stabilise the fuel factor rate for residential customers.

“Discussions began in August for a collaborative approach to assist these customers, and I wish to thank government for engaging us to achieve this result.”

She said at the same time, FortisTCI continues to integrate more renewable energy sources to the grid, to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels over time, lower carbon emissions and build a more sustainable energy future.

Deputy Premier and Minister of

Finance, Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders said that the government is committed to combatting the rapid rise in inflation and the cost of living in the Islands.

“Where we can assist in driving down costs, the government will continue to aid TCI residents with stimulants and subsidies to shoulder the burden of the cost of living.”

He said this initiative is an example of the latter, thanking FortisTCI for working with them on behalf of the people of the TCI, to get the necessary agreements in place, which will collectively save residential customers millions of dollars in record time.

Those who have been engaging in criminal activities that has sparked worry not just in the territory, but around the Caribbean region and in the United Kingdom, are best served by giving themselves up when confronted by armed police officers – Governor Nigel Dakin

Stop gossiping and start praying

– It will bring about a positive change

Gossiping is a spirit, and it is prevalent throughout the world. It is more obvious in the Turks and Caicos because the place is smaller and information may spread faster, but I have lived in the USA and Canada, and I also interact with many different nationalities and most people, if not everybody, like to gossip.

It is very tempting to gossip and many times when we gossip, it involves negativity. It also involves sometimes information that is not factual. In fact, we don’t even conform the story, we just spread it like wildfire and now with technology it is spreading faster. Gossiping is wrong and I know it is difficult to overcome but let us try to replace gossiping with prayer.

I know some may argue that

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.

there is nothing wrong with gossiping as it is part of life. The thing is, we have made gossiping a part of life, but it does not mean it is the right thing to do. Wouldn’t it be nice if our gossiping was positive whereby, we are spreading compliments and saying good things about individuals, but we know when we gossip, it is mostly

something negative. If we don’t watch out, gossiping can cause a lot of hurt and danger to others. Is this what we really want? It is hard to stop gossiping but we can try. The first thing you do is to ask God to remove that spirit of gossiping from you. It may not go away overnight but practice to stop gossiping. Walk away from the

gossip or change the topic and be conscious of what you say about others. Try to be silent and mind your own business. The gossip may be sweet and juicy but leave it where you heard it and don’t spread it to someone else. When the opportunity arises for gossiping, pray for that person.

Prayer is the key for everything. Let constant praying become a part of your life where it reaches a point where you are so passionate about it, that it is all you want to do. I believe if you do that, you will draw closer to God and want to live more like God and therefore you will lose your desire to gossip. After all, God is love and he wants us to love one another and if we do, then we should not be gossiping about others.

The word of the Lord tells us to pray without ceasing. We do not have to wait until we are in trouble to pray. We need to pray every day and many times throughout the day. Do not just pray for yourselves, pray for others. Do not just pray for things but give thanks and praises to God. If you do not know how to pray, read the word of God and repeat the word of God as your prayer.

We focused so much on gossiping, and I don’t even know if we realise what we are doing. The sad thing is that some of us want to use our mouths to talk about God and then use that same mouth to gossip. God is not pleased. If we want a better and positive environment, stop gossiping, and start praying.

Did the UK ‘Brexit’ the TCI?

A tectonic shift in criminal activities is tremoring through Providenciales, depicting scenes from the “Wild Wild West.” Gunmen are turning on each other and every day another one is shot dead. Communities are traumatised and this indelible stain has cemented a dark era in the history of the TCI.

BY D MARKIE SPRING

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

This phenomenon has incapacitated our livelihoods, bolstered by the authorities’ lack of capacity to deal with the bloodbaths amplifying inside neighbourhoods,

and it seems, Britain is ‘missing in commitment’.

Referencing the June 2012 Foreign and Commonwealth Office report, on page 21, it cited, the UK is responsible for the defence, security, and safety of Overseas Territories – including the TCI – as a core task of government.

The question that everyone is asking is, “why is Britain so far from helping us?” Some people concluded, the UK is magnetised to negative exposure and only interested in intervening when there are reports of corruption or Haitian slopes crossing the passage.

They opined, while the UK authorities should be concerned about profiteering and illegal immigration, they must know that the recent spate of crimes is psychologically impacting all citizens.

Still, a bigger problem emerges! Multiple media reporting assert, an American citizen was caught in the crossfire and already the US has cautioned

its citizens about travelling to the TCI. This misfortune could create significant setbacks for the TCI tourism sector and serves as another wake-up call for economic diversification.

One may notice, at the inception of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Britain was at the forefront. A statement from “GOV. UK,” advises that the UK has provided an array of economic, humanitarian and military defence to Ukraine worth £600 million for the long-term sustenance of the Ukrainian fight against the Russians and has since deployed thousands of troops to Eastern Europe.

Pondering this aid to Ukraine, a non-NATO member, and considering Ukraine’s populace, some people are adamant that Britain’s lack of commitment has everything to do with the TCI’s demographics.

While this could be true, more reasons for Britain to get involved in the Russia-Ukraine war are European security, its legal obligation to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and UK’s opposition to Russia’s infamous demands, among other rationales.

While such unprecedented assistance to Ukraine is paramount, it begs the question, “like in Ukraine, why can’t Britain beef up security with a

few well-trained enforcers in Providenciales? After all, it will take a minute for them to quell the ongoing debacle.

While we wait on Britain to decide, we have no choice but to move forward. Ideally, parents must guide their children on the right path.

Politicians – notably those responsible for national security are obligated to develop a policy framework to counter these atrocities, now and in the future, while providing adequate funding to the police to efficiently execute their jobs.

Simultaneously, the police must coordinate, plan, and execute special operations and strategically deploy beat and patrol officers. Based on their experiences and level of training, the TCI regiment could assist in this national endeavour; in addition to, recalling ex-police officers to assist in dealing with these lawbreakers.

Besides, the TCI Tourism Authority must get involved and reiterate the importance of tourism to the national economy and the well-being of everyone.

It seems, the UK government has abandoned us and is more concerned about the war in Ukraine, among other dilemmas; rather than, assisting with these uncontrollable ominous events.

TCI voted third best island to visit in the Caribbean and the Atlantic

The Condé Nast Traveler Annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey has ranked the Turks and Caicos as the 3rd best islands to visit in the Caribbean & Atlantic.

Condé Nast Traveler, the world renown luxury and lifestyle travel magazine published recently the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Turks and Caicos Islands scored 87.98 points– only 2.47 points behind this year’s winner, St. Barts which rscored 90.45 points.

Over 240,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers rated their travel experiences across the globe to create a complete picture of the places they enjoyed visiting the most this year and are most looking forward to returning to.

Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards are one of the longest-running and one of the most prestigious recognitions of excellence in the travel industry.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly who commented on the rating in a statement on Thursday October

13 said: “We are delighted to have been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards as the #3 Island in The Caribbean and The Atlantic as this displays that visitors to our islands believe that we are amongst the best of the best”.

“We look forward to further developing our tourism product to strive for the coveted title of #1 Island in The Caribbean and The Atlantic”, Hon. Connolly added. She stressed that the recognition from Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards is a

continuation of the success that the Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism industry has achieved thus far in 2022.

According to preliminary data, in Q1 of 2022, the Turks and Caicos Islands was 1.5% away from equalling the number of stayover

visitors it welcomed in Q1 of 2019 – one of the most successful quarters for tourism in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In August, Tripadvisor declared the Turks and Caicos Islands as the World’s Hottest Travel Destination for Fall 2022, based on behavioural data and a consumer sentiment survey. And most recently, the World Travel Awards announced that the Turks and Caicos Islands is a nominee for three of their awards – World’s Most Romantic Destination, World’s Leading Island Destination, as well as World’s Leading Beach Destination

“2022 has been incredible for the Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism industry and the latest acknowledgement from Condé Nast Traveler adds to our country’s growing list of impressive achievements for the year”, said Acting Director of Tourism, Mary Lightbourne.

“A huge thank you goes to all of our tourism stakeholders for being the catalyst behind TCI’s tourism industry rebounding so strongly”, Lightbourne added.

OCTOPEN

Eight Friends every guy should have!

Romance may be fleeting but 'Bromance', now that's permanent.

You need your boys! They are your listening boards, counsellors, allies, right-hand and your support system. But how many do you really need? Evolutionary biologist and author Robin Dunbar argues that the average human can sustain about 150 stable social relationships. I personally find that rather challenging. Within that 150, there is however the “inner circle of intimate friends.” And what is that number? Five. The average human has (or should have) five close friends with whom he can connect with on a regular basis. I took it upon myself to add 3 more.

So fellas, here are eight types of friends every guy should have in their life.

A MENTOR

There comes a time (probably many times) in a man’s life when he just needs to talk to

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

another guy and get some advice. Whether he’s a peer who’s beyond his years in wisdom or an older gentleman you met at church, you need someone you can turn to when life gets tough.

A WINGMAN

When you’re single, this is the friend who acts as your “hype man.” Not necessarily in the way the label is often used in popular culture – as the guy who distracts a woman’s friend so you can make a move on her. Rather here we’re defining the wingman more broadly as the buddy who gives you confidence when interacting

with the opposite sex, the same sex or anything that rocks your boat. Two is always better than one, especially in social settings.

A HANDYMAN

Beyond just helping you with your loose cabinet doors, the real benefit of the handyman is that he can teach you all these things he knows. Instead of letting him retile the bathroom floor, insist that you do it with his guidance so that you can be a handyman friend in the future. He will help you save hundreds of dollars, so do treat him out from time to time.

A FITNESS ENTHUSIAST

Waking up at six in the morning never felt easier. Why? Well, the one person who will wake you up in the morning to push you hard in the gym is your fitness buddy. You may hate him for this, but you'll thank him in the long run. If this is you, I do recommend you don't push your mate beyond his limit. From experience, no-one has time for this!

A LOVE GURU

How to impress someone? What to wear on a date? How to have a killer night with her/him/they? The answers to all of the above can only be given by a friend who is a dating expert. He may not be too impressed with your midnight-sneaky-links, but he will help you find the love of your life.

A CRAZY ONE

Here, you also need someone who moves to a different beat than you. The spontaneous one,

the one who you trust when he plans the night, but you will never trust him with your car. Let him have two or three beers over his obvious limit because great things come after.

A WORK PAL

You should have at least one friend who pushes you to achieve your best. That one friend who listens to all of your business ideas NO MATTER how unattainable they may be.

YOUR OWN FRIEND

Hang on, while you are in need of a friend, don’t forget that you too need to be your own friend. Spend time with yourself, and if no one is there to give you a boost, you can be your own cheerleader. Ru Paul said, “If you don’t love yourself, how the heck are you going to love someone else.” Can I get an amen!

Share your views on louisedens@gmail.com.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly Acting Director of Tourism, Mary Lightbourne

TCI starts Breast Cancer Awareness Month with walkathon

‘Detect it, treat it, fight it and defeat it’ is the theme for this October’s Breast Cancer awareness observances.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, and more than 2,700 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, with approximately 530 dying from the disease.

Every October, the Turks and Caicos Islands, along with other countries, make a concerted effort to increase awareness among women that early detection of the disease is vital to saving lives.

The month kicked off with the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, starting and ending at the IGA Gourmet supermarket parking lot, where free screenings and consultations were also conducted.

Residents came out in droves to support the walk put on by the National Cancer Society.

This year was to have seen the return of the popular ‘In the Pink’ event, but this was postponed until a date to be announced later.

On October 22, there will be another Breast Cancer Awareness Walkathon in South Caicos and on the 28th a luncheon will be hosted at Beaches Resort and Spa, tickets for which can be purchased at the Graceway IGA on Leeward Highway.

SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685 000 deaths globally.

As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer.

There are more lost disabilityadjusted life years (DALYs) by women to breast cancer globally than any other type of cancer, WHO said.

Breast cancer occurs in every country of the world in women at any age after puberty but with increasing rates in later life.

According to the organisation, breast cancer mortality has changed little from the 1930s through to the 1970s. However, improvements in survival began in the 1980s in countries with early detection programmes combined with different modes of treatment to eradicate the invasive disease.

TIPS FOR BREAST CANCER PREVENTION

Breast-feed your babies for as long as possible as breast-feeding for at least a year helps reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Keep physically active as being physically active reduces overall breast-cancer risk by 10% to 30%. This can take the form of a 30-minute walk five times a week. Women are also encouraged to drink little to no alcohol because it increases the risk of getting breast cancer. Alcoholic drinks should be limited to no more than one drink per day.

More importantly, women should get regular breast cancer screenings. (DELANA ISLES)

Some members of the National Cancer Society and a few cancer survivors worshipped at Jericho Baptist Church today, as part of the celebration in recognition of Breast Cancer Month

Residents came out to support the walkathon on October 1 as Breast Cancer Awareness month kicked off

Tempered celebrations mark start to Heritage Month

– Calls for togetherness issued amid crime uptick

BY DELANA ISLES

This year the Turks and Caicos Islands celebrates Heritage Month under the theme ‘Feel the spirit of togetherness- culture alive’.

A poignant reminder that despite these unprecedented times in the islands, being ‘our brothers’ keepers’ is woven deeply into the fabric of the TCI’s heritage and culture.

The month kicked off with lively celebrations in the schools around the TCI, a scavenger hunt in Grand Turk, the annual gospel concert with much more to come in the ensuing weeks.

It is usually a time of year when Islanders celebrate TCI customs, traditions and values, while also acknowledging the issues and struggles faced as a territory.

Hon Josephine Connolly, Minister with responsibility for Culture and Heritage said the theme chosen for this year’s celebration is quite fitting.

“It reminds us that in such unprecedented times, where gun violence has been plaguing our streets and seeks to tarnish the very fabric of our society, the importance of unity.

“We must endeavour to put our differences aside and be our brothers' keepers.”

She noted that the TCI has been blessed beyond measure, a fact to

which many can attest.

“Our Turks and Caicos has been one to be desired because of the fact of the greatness of our prosperity and blessings. This prosperity and greatness can only be achieved by being unified.”

Although this year’s activities have been scaled down due to the spike in crime, the minister is urging everyone to keep the TCI culture alive, promoted and celebrated.

“Personify it, feed it, nurture it, share it, and tend to it,” she urged.

TCI CULTURE DOES NOT CONDONE LAWLESSNESS

Similar sentiments were expressed by Trevor Musgrove, President of the TCI’s Hotel and Tourism Association.

“Turks and Caicos, I love you and I believe in you,” Musgrove posted to his social media.

“These past few weeks have brought a lot of shocking activity atypical to these islands right at our doorsteps. Undoubtedly, it has caused concern, fear, worry, and pain among us all.”

He said no one has taken this change lightly, and many, himself included, have been affected by the recent unsettling events.

“As we celebrate National Heritage Day, it is a day of reflection on our culture as a people and the fabric of who we are as a nation.

“Lawlessness is not synonymous

with Turks and Caicos, and we will never sit back and allow anyone or any group to infiltrate our beautiful country and make it so.

“We will fight to maintain the peaceful and community-driven nature of our islands which we are proud to say is still one of the most welcoming destinations one can visit and call home.”

The TCHTA President noted that with the significant support the territory has received on the ground, and the dedication and fearlessness of local authorities, he is confident that they will rid these shores of this scourge.

“This has sparked an important national conversation; one I hope will continue as we learn from what this teaches us and awakens us to what needs to be done internally.

“We are a small but resilient country, full of pride and full of heart. We are a kind, loving people - so much so that those who have visited and come to love it here know many of us by name and consider us friends and extended family.”

He urged: “Let us not allow those who seek to destroy the spirit of these islands to win. Let's stay strong and united for ourselves, and for those who have come to love these islands as their home.”

Turks and Caicos Islands is and will always be, the best place in the world, Musgrove stated.

Police Commissioner rubbishes malicious rumour about Bahamian cop

The persistent and malicious ‘fake news’ machinery has struck once again, this time targeting a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force who has been seconded to the TCI.

Last week, police officers from the sister Caribbean Island arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands to offer reinforcement to local cops as they fight to control the crime situation in Providenciales.

Mere hours on the ground, and one of the ranks was targeted for reputational damage with accusations that turned out to be false.

Last Sunday, a profile under the name of “Kingrobert King” – which upon perusal appears to be troll account – reposted a photograph of the seconded officerspublished by the Royal TCI Police Force - calling into question the integrity of one of the officers.

The troll profile reposted the image with a caption which read: “Corruption at its finest lol. How is this even possible for the police force to send him to work in the TCI if he’s on half pay for murder.”

The image and allegation, initially shared in Bahamian social media pages

were widely circulated on various social media platforms in TCI.

This prompted the commissioner of police, Trevor Botting to come out and debunk the statement as “completely fabricated and misleading.”

The commissioner stated that the officer identified in the photograph is not the officer who is charged.

He once again reminded residents of the need to balance responsibility with the constitutionally enshrined freedom of expression.

He stated: “I condemn completely the

dissemination of fake news that is clearly malicious and intending to create harm to personal reputations.

“The officer identified is not the officer who is under investigation and is on the TCI to support policing and make the TCI safe and secure for which we are thankful.

“Circulating hateful and false messages are offensive as is the use of the RTCIPF official photograph.

“I am asking that people think about what they are sending out on social media before they hit the send button and consider the impact on others.”

Scavenger Hunt in Grand Turk to mark National Heritage Month

Turks and Caicos returns to CHTA Caribbean Marketplace

Travel partners came together this month for the first time in three years, for the return of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s 40th annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace.

Held from October 3 to 5, the event saw the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and Turks and Caicos Tourist Board both making impressive representations on behalf of the territory.

The region’s largest travel forum which made a high-energy and heart-warming return to its live format this year, was hosted by Discover Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association.

Karen Whitt, TCHTA Board Director and Marketing Chair for the regional event shared: “It was a beautiful reunion of the travel community. After nearly three years of virtual communications, the excitement to engage with travel partners and friends was palpable.”

Whitt said that as lead for the event, she was very proud to have such strong participation from Turks and Caicos Islands.

“There is a beautiful shift happening right now as the region is moving into a mode of growth, so to have our destination here ensuring our brand is front and centre is priceless.”

The TCHTA, TCI Tourist Board, The Hartling Group properties,

Ocean Club Resorts, Tides Grace Bay, interCaribbean Airways, The Somerset, Villa Renaissance, and Seven Stars Resort were all a part of the delegation representing ‘brand TCI’.

Tanya Duelfer, Managing Director of U.S. Operations for Ocean Club Resorts shared with the delegates why the Ocean Club Resorts is always represented at the annual marketplace.

“Events like this where you can talk with your island and at-large partners is tremendously effective on keeping a pulse on the industry and market trends.”

As for the feeling of the entire event, she said: “It was good to finally be back, in person. We’ve worked hard over the years to establish Ocean Club Resorts within the TCI resort community and build strong relationships with our market partners. Being together in person…it’s so important for those relationships.”

This year, the Destination Resilience Awards were introduced with TCI claiming the number one spot in the Human Resources and Staffing Category, won by Grace Bay Car Rentals and Sales.

The company took the top stop by demonstrating its ability to maintain its employees throughout closure, support community food basket initiatives, provide personal and professional development opportunities to team members, new developments in the

business operation, and focus on sustainability.

TCHTA CEO, Stacy Cox, accepted the award on GBCR’s behalf.

More than 1100 delegates from 28 countries, representatives from 19 buyer markets, and 350 supplier companies attended this year’s marketplace resulting in over 14,000 appointments. The regional forum saw new interest with buyers from Latvia, Poland, Mexico, and India participating for the first time.

The meeting floor was busy throughout, and the State of the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Address delivered by CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig revealed that the Caribbean has now shifted from recovery to growth mode with affluent travellers driving that momentum.

Data shows that the South American market should be a focus for the region and that sustainable policies must be at the forefront of the region’s growth plan.

Madden-Greig also told travel stakeholders that regional and multi-destination travel is another growth opportunity to be explored.

A key component of the Caribbean Marketplace is the destinations’ opportunity for an up-close and personal experience with the fourth estate. Updates, new brand campaigns, new developments, and features are shared with local, regional, and international journalists.

The TCI press conference was led by CEO of the TCHTA, Stacy Cox, and Acting Director of the Tourist Board, Mary Lightbourne.

Starting off the session with a vibrant video presentation produced by TCHTA members Visual Storytelling and SOS Media, Cox and Lightbourne shared industry updates on recent and upcoming resort openings: the $25m investment slated for the cruise sector; plans for the new Providenciales and South Caicos terminals; the destination’s recent awards and sustainability efforts and the ongoing DMO transition.

Feedback from the media was outstanding, and interest remains piqued for projects in the pipeline in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

With forty-five appointments in two days, TCI is still trending as a top destination among buyers and their clients.

The TCHTA CEO shared: “There is nothing quite like these touchpoints with the travel community to gauge interest from buyers. We couldn’t be more pleased with the positive feedback we’ve received. Turks and Caicos is still top of mind for travel.”

Cox was also the recipient of a commemorative plaque in appreciation of her leadership as President of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) from 2017-2020.

“Reconnecting with fellow Association Executives from the

region was also an invaluable part of the experience,” she said.

“This is always a great opportunity to hear how other destinations are faring, share best practices, and build relationships with incoming executives for continued dialogue and partnership with our brothers and sisters in the region.”

Marketplace is set apart as the Caribbean’s largest tourism marketing event and is one that many TCHTA member properties ensure is a part of their annual marketing calendar.

Snjezana Andrews, General Manager of The Somerset on Grace Bay, shared her property’s interest in attending: “The event, I feel, could not have been at a more opportune time to re-energise our base, revitalise existing relationships that may have fell off and make new ones; a great “meet and greet” to put faces to names and actually restore the human connection of face-toface interactions. The buyers were vibrant and ready to link with its industry partners, and based on the overall feel of the event, the sellers showed just as much enthusiasm. I know that I did! ... Kudos to CHTA for making this all possible again as we all travel the road back to normalcy.”

The CHTA has announced that it will likely produce the next Caribbean Marketplace event as soon as Spring 2023, with a host destination to be announced soon.

Congratulations to TCHTA Member for snagging a coveted CHIEF award at this year's 40th Caribbean Marketplace in the Human Resources and Staffing category. This year the awards put emphasis on post-pandemic operations and best practices. (Photos courtesy of TCHTA)

President CEO Marketing Chair at the opening ceremony last week (Photos courtesy of TCHTA)

Gangsta’s Paradise?

Thoughts about the recent violent crimes in Providenciales

Don’t you hate people who gleefully tell you, “I told you so!” Especially when, despite your best efforts, you fail quite miserably at creating something worthwhile, unique — perhaps even beautiful.

I’ll come back to that in just a moment, but first, another quick step back in time. In the year 2000, I wrote a column about a ‘crime wave’ we had just experienced in Providenciales. I can’t remember the exact title of the piece but distinctly remember making references to both Kingston and Nassau and their crime issues and commenting then how undoubtedly both those destinations must be looking at the Turks and Caicos Islands with a degree of envy at our admirably low crime rate.

I went on to remark that both Kingston and Nassau had clearly not always been plagued by crime. If they had an opportunity to turn back the clock, say to the 1950s or 1960s and nip the evil that is gangland violence in the bud, they would have.

I concluded my piece with the sincere hope that we would continue to be blessed with a low crime rate and that we would have the foresight to proactively deal with any threats to our low crime environment.

It is perhaps worth noting that during the 1990s and early 2000s, ‘crime waves’ in Providenciales were, for the most part rather pathetic and, when compared with today’s situation, short lived. Typically, one or two bad guys were released from jail, the usual suspects, and would make their way to Provo.

There they would hit some homes and businesses and after a week or two would be caught, go back to jail and the ‘crime wave’ was over. Granted, I maybe oversimplifying things somewhat and of course we had murders and violent crimes, but these were once in a blue moon events.

The core message of that column from over twenty years ago was quite simply this: let’s make sure that we continue to be famous not only

BY TITUS DE BOER

Titus de Boer was born in Hamburg and spent his formative years in the West Indies. After a formal education in Germany and subsequent training as a journalist, he moved to the TCI in 1989. These days he works as a residency consultant for Titan Services. (www.titanservices.biz). Readers wishing to contact Titus with ideas and/or suggestions for columns, can to so on tdbtci@aol.com.

for our stunningly beautiful beaches and friendly people but also this impressive low crime environment.

If we don’t, everything we have worked for so hard and for so long may be jeopardised by one horror filled headline in the U.S. and international media.

Turning back to those people I mentioned at the beginning of this column, the ones who tell you “I told you so!”. I still find them irritating and, despite my forewarnings from over twenty years ago, you’ll not hear any condescension from me.

Provo continues to be an amazing success story, an engine

that drives our economy. As such we must now all decide what we, as individuals and as a community, can do to fight the scourge of violent crime that currently manifests itself in this country of ours. You may be asking yourself, what can I possibly do against armed gang members with semiautomatic guns?

Whatever you do, leave the armed confrontation to the professionals, there’s no use bringing a knife to a gun fight. I do however think the current wave of violence has more to it than just being caught up in a ‘transnational’ gang warfare. If poverty is indeed,

as Aristotle put it, “the parent of revolution and crime”, then the time has come to take another good look at the way Provo has been allowed to develop.

This 38 square mile island where truly unbelievable levels of opulence and wealth can be found within a few short miles (if that) from utterly wretched living conditions in some parts of the island. Just look to your right as you take off on a domestic flight from the Providenciales airport and you’ll see what I mean. It is not a pretty sight.

I do not however think that it is all gloom and doom. On the

contrary. I firmly believe that we can still reverse this current situation, but for this to happen it will require more than just firepower and effective policing.

What is needed is a bone fide infusion of patriotism into the hearts and minds of everyone who calls this blessed archipelago home. As a TCI patriot, we must want the TCI to live up to its potential and ideals and for us to be our best selves. As a TCI patriot we must focus once again on our values, not just the bottom line, values which define our country.

As a TCI patriot we should always wish our country well— and in doing so strive to make it a better place for future generations.

Perhaps we in the TCI had become too complacent and just perhaps we took our success and the wealth that came with it for granted for too long. Now is the time to look out, once again, for the greater good, for this unique country and rid us of these criminal elements — before it’s too late!

The Turks and Caicos in 2022: What is needed is a bone fide infusion of patriotism into the hearts and minds of everyone who calls this blessed archipelago home

“Jamaicans were singled out” by TCI—Jamaican Foreign Affairs Minister

Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said that the Turks and Caicos Islands “singled out” Jamaicans in describing those responsible for the increase in crime in the islands.

She said that it was “regrettable” that only Jamaicans were mentioned when information indicates that various nationalities have been and are involved.

Last week, the Governor of the TCI, Nigel Dakin disclosed that the TCI is not only dealing with local gang rivalry, but with Jamaican gangs that have infiltrated the islands’ underworld.

He spoke about the vacuum left when a Haitian gang leader was killed and about how one particular Jamaican gang was able to seize some amount of control.

"For TCI it is related to Jamaican gangs and serious transnational crime - rather than international terrorism,” the Governor had stated.

Minister Johnson’s main concern was that other countries were involved and that it painted a negative photo of Jamaicans abroad.

According to Jamaican media, Minister Johnson Smith said that crime in the Caribbean affects all and it is therefore Jamaica’s hope that there will be a speedy resolution to the current upsurge.

She was quoted by Loop Caribbean News as assuring the TCI of Jamaica’s concerns and interest in the situation.

She said Jamaica communicated its concerns to the government of the TCI and that TCI indicated its recognition of the value of many law-abiding Jamaican citizens

who contribute positively to the society.

LOCAL VIEWPOINTS

After the story was published in Jamaica, many local Jamaicans shared their viewpoints under several websites.

Trevorlin Duffus said: “I just hope that TCI is getting a grip on the situation and not scapegoating on particular group of people.”

He then listed many times in the past when Jamaicans were blamed for crimes in other countries and called for TCI to look at “the big picture and get to the bottom of the situation”.

Another commenter, Clirey, said that “Jamaica is the convenient boogie man, for all that ails the Caribbean”.

Several other persons had opposing viewpoints.

VXTruth said “I thought America was at fault for Jamaicas crime problems, because somehow Jamaicans send home guns in barrels…Sounds familiar? So, how comes, Jamaica cannot be blamed for TCIs escalating crime problems, when, Jamaican men migrate there and commit crime?

See how the logic works?

Maude Cooper added, “In engagement with the TCI or not, if they have intelligence to prove that Jamaicans there cause the surge of criminal activities, then they have the right to say so and to do what they have to rid their country of them…It is my opinion that having citizens going from one CARICOM country to the next without visa, must be like Christmas to the criminals than law abiding citizens.”

Hand foot and mouth disease

Suspected cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease found in Provo

The Ministry of Health is alerting the public to the discovery of two cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Providenciales over the past weekend.

Preliminary investigations by the Public Health Team revealed a cluster of cases at a particular school, a statement from the ministry said.

As a part of standard procedures for mitigation of an outbreak and out of an abundance of caution, deep cleaning at the school was recommended in addition to the provision of additional advice to the institution.

Primary Health has since embarked on an enhanced surveillance and education campaign to ensure that suspected cases be identified as quickly as possible and schools and day-care facilities are educated on proper implementation of prevention and hygienic measures such as hand washing.

HFMD is a contagious

viral illness that primarily affects infants and children younger than five years old. It is transmitted by direct contact with nasal secretions such as droplets produced by coughing or sneezing, saliva, fluid from blisters and stool of infected individuals. It can also be spread through touching objects and surfaces that have the virus on them, like doorknobs or toys, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

It is most prevalent in childcare settings due to frequent contact with soiled diapers and children putting their hands in their mouths where it can spread easily. HFMD occasionally occurs in adolescents and adults.

Symptoms include some or all the following: painful sores in the mouth, rashes on the hands and feet which may be associated with blisters, fever, headache, feeling unwell or irritable, runny nose, and/or sore throat. It is mostly

a mild and self-limiting illness lasting for a few days.

However, there are more severe, albeit uncommon, forms of the disease which are associated with neurological complications because of meningitis (associated with fever, headache, and neck stiffness) and encephalitis (resulting in paralysis).

Affected persons can sometimes be contagious for days or weeks after the symptoms have ended.

There is no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Symptoms are controlled by the use of paracetamol (Panadol or Tylenol) for fever and pain relief and is often all that is necessary.

In some cases, HFMD can cause a sore mouth and throat, which makes it difficult to swallow. It is therefore important to maintain adequate fluid intake to avoid dehydration that could result in hospitalization.

Symptoms usually resolve within ten days.

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

Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith

World

Liz Truss under pressure from senior Tory MPs to rethink tax cuts

THE government may have to rethink its tax-cutting plans to reassure financial markets and stabilise the economy, some senior Conservative MPs have said.

The warnings came ahead of a bruising appearance for the prime minister at a meeting of Tory backbenchers.

One loyal minister told the BBC: “We are completely in a dreadful place. There is no way out - maybe Liz Truss will find a way, but I cannot see it.”

Ms Truss has repeatedly defended the proposed tax cuts outlined last month.

The chancellor’s mini-budget on 23 September, which included £45bn of tax cuts funded by borrowing, sparked turmoil on financial markets and prompted the Bank of England to intervene to protect pension funds.

Kwasi Kwarteng is due to set out how he will fund the package and reduce debt on 31 October.

Ms Truss insists cancelling a rise in corporation tax from 19% to 25% due in April and other tax cuts will help boost growth.

The prime minister also believes stepping back from what she describes as the highest tax burden in 70 years would allow the public to keep more of the money they earn at a time of global high prices.

One of the ways the government plans to achieve this is by bringing forward a 1p cut in the lower rate of income tax, so people will be taxed 19% on earnings between £12,571 and £50,270.

But the editor of Conservative Home Paul Goodman has argued

the mini-budget is now “more likely than not” to be totally withdrawn.

Mr Goodman told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was not sure Conservative ministers and MPs were “capable of putting together a package of public spending cuts on the scale required” to balance the books.

“And if they do, whether [the cuts] are going be acceptable to the markets,” he added. “Or whether the markets are now going to demand the withdrawal, in effect, of the mini-budget.”

Ms Truss has denied she is planning public spending cuts,

saying the government would instead focus on reducing debt “by making sure we spend public money well”.

However, Mel Stride, a prominent backer of Ms Truss’s leadership rival Rishi Sunak, suggested the government would need to show a “clear change of tack” to restore credibility with the financial markets.

“Given the clear government position expressed today on protecting public spending there is an emerging question. Whether any plan that does not now include at least some element of further row back on the tax package can

actually satisfy the markets,” he said.

Earlier, he told the Commons he believed it was “quite possible” the chancellor would have to make more changes to the tax cuts announced in his mini-budget.

Asked to confirm whether this possibility was still on the table, Treasury Minister Chris Philp replied: “There are not any plans to reverse any of the tax measures announced in the growth plan.”

Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake, who was also a Sunak supporter, said it would be better for the chancellor to U-turn on aspects of his minibudget rather than cause more market turmoil.

“I think it’s better to have looked at this more carefully in the context of what’s happened over the last few weeks and say ‘I think we’ve got some of this wrong and these tax cuts need to be introduced over time’,” he told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme.

He suggested reversing the government’s decision to scrap the planned hike in corporation tax was one potential option.

Meanwhile, former deputy Prime Minister Damian Green said an obvious way to reduce debt while ruling out public spending cuts would be to defer some tax cuts.

He told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme the reversal of some parts of the mini-budget was being discussed openly by Tory MPs.

Former Conservative minister David Davis suggested overturning some of the tax cuts would “buy some time” and persuade Tory critics to “come in behind them”.

He told ITV’s Peston the minibudget was a “maxi-shambles” but he did not think there would be moves to replace the prime minister in the next few months as the party would have “zero chance” of winning an election if it was in a “civil war”.

The government has already U-turned on its plan to scrap the top rate of income tax, following market turmoil and vocal opposition from some Tories.

However, this only made up £2bn of the tax cuts announced by the chancellor.

On Wednesday evening, Ms Truss faced sharp criticism from some of her own MPs during a meeting of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers.

Sources in the room told the BBC that Robert Halfon had accused Ms Truss of “trashing blue collar conservatism”.

He told her the party’s record over the past 10 years had included things like boosting apprenticeships and the living wage, whereas she had cut tax for millionaires and wanted to cut affordable housing and benefits.

MPs who were present said he got a cheer, while Ms Truss looked “shocked” and said he could come to speak to her.

They said another Tory MP, James Cartlidge, also criticised the government’s mini-budget, saying the communication had been poor and she had not prepared the markets.

Both MPs supported Mr Sunak during the Tory leadership election. (BBC)

US inflation rises more than expected in September

CONSUMER prices in the US rose more than expected last month in a sign that the inflation fight in the world’s largest economy is far from over.

Inflation, the rate at which prices rise, was 8.2% in the 12 months to September, down from 8.3% in August.

Despite the fall, the figure was still higher than forecast.

Inflation in the US is being closely watched as the US central bank’s efforts to tame the problem push up the dollar and global borrowing costs.

The rate is well above the central bank’s 2% target and means the Federal Reserve is likely to continue to keep raising interest rates in an attempt to cool rising prices.

Stock markets fell sharply following the report, which disappointed investors who had

previously been cheered by other signs, like a decline in shipping costs, that seemed to signal the problem might be subsiding.

Inflation in the US has dropped back since hitting 9.1% in June, helped by a fall in fuel prices at the pump.

But the issue continues to affect other parts of the economy. Grocery prices have jumped 13% over the past 12 months, and housing and medical costs are also rising sharply.

“The composition of the inflation reading is perhaps even more worrisome than the overall number,” said Seema Shah, chief global strategist of Principal Asset Management.

“Increases in shelter and medical care indices... confirm that price pressures are extremely stubborn and will not go down without a Fed fight.”

Egg prices in the US have jumped more than 30% in the last year.

By raising interest rates, the Fed makes borrowing more expensive. That is intended to reduce demand, especially for big ticket items such

as cars and homes, and ease the pressures pushing up prices.

But by slowing activity, the Fed also risks tipping the economy

into a recession. Analysts see that outcome as increasingly likely, since inflation has proven stubbornly resistant to the Fed’s efforts so far.

Concerns are also growing about how the Fed’s rate rises, which tend to redirect money to the US and boost the dollar, will affect the rest of the world, where many countries are wrestling with their own inflation problems.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, a former head of the Fed, acknowledged the worries in a speech on Wednesday saying the US was “attentive” to the global situation, but domestic concerns would guide policy.

“Our path forward begins with the jobs we have to do at home,” she said. “In the United States, our top economic priority is to bring down inflation while maintaining a strong labour market.” (BBC

PM Truss insists cancelling a rise in corporation tax from 19% to 25% due in April and other tax cuts will help boost growth.

World

Ukraine war: UN General Assembly condemns Russia annexation

THE United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia’s attempts to annex four regions of Ukraine.

The resolution was supported by 143 countries, while 35 states - including China and Indiaabstained.

As well as Russia, four countries rejected the vote, namely Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Nicaragua.

Although symbolic, it was the highest number of votes against Russia since the invasion.

Last week, in a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin signed documents to make the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson part of Russia.

The agreements were signed with the Moscow-installed leaders of the four regions, and came after self-proclaimed referendums in the areas that were denounced as a “sham” by the West.

The resolution calls on the international community not to recognise any of Russia’s

annexation claims and demands its “immediate reversal”. It welcomes and “expresses its strong support” for efforts to de-escalate the conflict through negotiation.

The countries which voted with Russia all have a longstanding stance of criticising Western governments.

Belarus is considered a satellite state of its neighbour and ally, and its territory was used in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

As well as China and India, which have attempted to remain neutral on the conflict, parties that abstained from the vote included 19 nations in Africa.

Many African countries have avoided taking sides in the warwhich has been seen as a reflection of efforts to maintain longstanding trade ties, or of historic nonalignment policies.

Three of four states that were visited by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in JulyCongo-Brazzaville, Ethiopia and Uganda - chose to abstain.

Meanwhile, all four nations

It was the highest number of votes against Russia since the invasion

that featured on a recent trip by Ukraine’s own foreign minister - Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Senegal - voted at the UN to condemn Russia.

Dmytro Kuleba made his tour in an apparent effort to counter Russian influence in Africa, although he cut short his visit after major Ukrainian cities came under missile fire on Monday.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful to the countries that did support the resolution.

“The world had its say[Russia’s] attempts at annexation is [sic] worthless and will never be recognised by free nations,” he tweeted, adding that Ukraine would “return all its lands”.

US President Joe Biden said

the vote sent a “clear message” to Moscow.

“The stakes of this conflict are clear to all, and the world has sent a clear message in response - Russia cannot erase a sovereign state from the map,” he said.

Dame Barbara Woodward, Britain’s ambassador to the UN, said Russia had failed on the battlefield and at the UN, adding that countries had united to defend the world body’s charter.

“Russia has isolated itself, but Russia alone can stop the suffering. The time to end the war is now,” she said.

The General Assembly vote was triggered after Russia used its veto power to prevent action at the Security Council - the body in charge of maintaining international peace and security. As permanent members, China, the United States, France and the United Kingdom also hold vetoes on the council.

There have been calls for Russia to be stripped of its veto power after the Ukraine invasion. (BBC)

Europe has enough energy to survive the winter, next year might be different

RUSSIA’S attempt to use its vast energy exports as a weapon against Europe isn’t going to plan. Moscow has slashed gas supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions, but the region has been able to amass enough for the upcoming winter.

It’s a remarkable feat: just eight months after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine, Europe is weaning itself off its biggest source of energy. It has reduced oil imports, with the aim of curbing Moscow’s ability to finance its war, while Russia has turned off key gas pipelines.

Russia’s share of the bloc’s natural gas imports has tumbled from 36% last October to just 9% a year later, data from research firm Wood Mackenzie shows. And EU imports of Russian crude oil have fallen by 33% ahead of a ban due to take effect in December, according to the International Energy Agency.

Europe is now well on its way to achieving its mission to end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027, and is ramping up imports from Norway and Algeria, and of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, to compensate.

Gas storage facilities are 91% full, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe, well exceeding the 80% target EU officials set for countries to reach by November.

“Putin will fail in his attempt to destabilize the basic economic

order, the same way he will fail on the battlefield in Ukraine,” German economy minister Robert Habeck said at a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday.

But success has come at a heavy cost to the economy: the scramble for alternative sources has sent energy prices soaring. European benchmark prices for gas have fallen sharply since peaking in late August but are still 265% higher than a year ago, piling pain on households and businesses and forcing governments to fund huge subsidies.

Germany, Europe’s manufacturing powerhouse, expects its economy to shrink by 0.4% next year.

“Dependency in a physical sense will already be gone next year,” Georg Zachmann, a senior fellow at Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank, told CNN Business.

Yet “sensible prices in Europe are only expected in the second

half of the decade,” he added.

‘ONLY THE BEGINNING’

Even with gas storage filled close to capacity, the region’s energy security remains precarious, with blackouts and gas rationing still possible in the months to come in the event of further supply shocks and an exceptionally cold winter.

Even with gas stores at least 90% full, the bloc is likely to face supply disruptions early next year if Russia decides to cut off remaining gas deliveries from this month, according to a July report by the International Energy Agency.

Alexei Miller, CEO of Russian state energy giant Gazprom, said on Wednesday that there was “no guarantee” that Europe would survive the winter with its current reserves. He said Germany’s stocks would only cover up to 10 weeks’ worth of demand.

Replenishing those stocks next year is already looming as Europe’s

next big test.

The International Monetary Fund warned in a Tuesday report that Europe’s energy crisis was not “a transitory shock,” and while the upcoming winter would be challenging, “winter 2023 will likely be worse.”

Tomas Marzec-Manser, head of gas analytics at the Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS), told CNN Business that stores could be “exceptionally low” by the end of March if temperatures drop severely in the coming weeks.

Even if EU member states manage to curb consumption by 15% over the next five months, a target set by the European Commission in July, rebuilding stocks next summer with restricted access to cheap Russian gas would be a “bigger ask” than in 2022, said Marzec-Manser.

“This is only the beginning,” he added.

As Russian imports collapsed, Europe snapped up LNG as a replacement. Together, Europe and the United Kingdom imported almost 68% more LNG from sources other than Russia between March and September this year, compared to the same period in 2021, ICIS data shows.

But global competition for LNG is already fierce, and could become even more intense if — as expected — China’s economy starts to pick up a bit more speed again next year.

“A come-back of Chinese LNG demand can also cause challenges for Europe’s ability to attract LNG cargoes next year,” Sindre Knutsson, senior vice president of gas and LNG at Rystad Energy, a research firm, told CNN Business.

Oil supply could also be tight, despite expectations that global demand growth will slow next year as economies slow. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) said last week that they would slash oil production by 2 million barrels per day starting in November.

Florian Thaler, CEO of OilX, an oil data company, told CNN Business that in the past, when global oil prices were close to $100, as they are now, the United States would usually step up production “at full throttle”. That is not currently the case, he said.

UNSUSTAINABLE

European governments have already committed at least €553 billion ($537 billion) to help protect households and businesses against painful rises in energy bills, as well as other living costs, according to an analysis by Bruegel. Germany, the bloc’s biggest economy, is prepared to borrow as much as €200 billion ($194 billion) to bring down the price of gas.

But such programs of support are not sustainable if wholesale prices remain high.

Norway is now the biggest supplier of gas to Europe

Regional

Haiti crisis: Clashes and looting as anger boils over

AT least one woman was reportedly killed as protesters clashed with police in Haitian cities on Monday.

Police confronted demonstrators as anti-government protests descended into looting.

Anger has been boiling over as gang violence has spiralled out of control, disrupting shipments of fuel and food.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry has asked for foreign assistance, but the call has been criticised by some Haitians who see it as foreign interference.

In the capital, Port-au-Prince, protesters erected burning barricades out of tyres and threw stones at police, who in turn fired tear gas. Some protesters proceeded to loot a hotel.

Shots were fired and pictures taken at the scene by a Reuters photographer showed a bloodied woman lying dead on the ground.

A protester told AFP she had been shot by the security forces: “It is a crime perpetrated by the police. This young girl posed no threat. She was killed expressing her desire to live in dignity.”

Police have not yet commented on the incident.

There were also protests in the western city of Gonaïves, where demonstrators stormed a court building, and in Cap-Haïtien, on Haiti’s north coast.

According to local media, many of those in the streets on Monday were angry at the prime minister’s request for foreign

armed forces to be deployed in Haiti, which they reject as an “interference in Haiti’s internal affairs”.

“We certainly need help to develop our country, but we don’t need boots [on the ground],” one protester told AFP.

Prime Minister Henry asked for

foreign assistance on Wednesday without going into specifics.

Two days later, the government officially authorised him to ask the international community for a “specialised armed force”.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has since called for the

immediate deployment of a special international armed force to Haiti, but it is not yet clear which countries would provide the members of such a force and what its task would be.

The situation in Haiti has deteriorated rapidly since the assassination in July last year of President Jovenel Moïse by mercenaries.

Gangs have taken control of key highways and Varreux, Haiti’s largest fuel terminal. With food and fuel deliveries suspended as a result, more and more Haitians are going hungry.

Several warehouses run by charities and aid organisations have been looted, resulting in the most vulnerable going without food and drinking water.

With clean water increasingly hard to source, cases of choleraa bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water - have been mounting.

On Tuesday, the World Health Organisation said there had been 16 cholera deaths and 32 confirmed cases.

In 2010, about 10,000 people died of cholera in the wake of the earthquake that devastated Haiti. (BBC)

Bush resigns as Speaker effective immediately

WEST Bay West MP McKeeva Bush has resigned as House Speaker with immediate effect.

Bush, who gave his ‘swan song’ at the close of Monday’s Parliament session, told the Cayman Compass that he decided to resign as of Tuesday.

Asked what prompted his change of heart, the West Bay West MP simply stated, “Too many lies being told – and far too much speculation is being made”.

“I have my constituents – in particular my 2 grandchildren in college and my wife and son and [I am] most concerned with their health. God will be the judge on all of this,” Bush told the Compass via WhatsApp message Tuesday morning.

Bush, who had tendered his resignation last week to take effect on 30 November, added “sincere apologies is extended to the wider country for all the created confusion”.

Premier Wayne Panton, through a statement and an audio announcement on government broadcaster Radio Cayman’s 8am newscast, announced Bush’s decision.

“Upon conclusion of the recent meeting of Parliament, Mr Bush confirmed by a letter to the Clerk

McKeeva Bush resigned on Tuesday

his agreement to bring forward the effective date of his departure from his position as Speaker of Parliament today, October 12, 2022,” Panton said, adding that

Deputy Speaker Katherine EbanksWilks will immediately assume the role of acting speaker.

She will hold that post, he said, until the new speaker is selected

by Members of Parliament as a first order of business at the next meeting of the House.

The new Parliament date is yet to be announced.

Bush’s resignation followed a statement from Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne confirming that the investigation was nearly done into allegations of inappropriate

behaviour by the Speaker which prompted the calls for him to step down .

Speaking in the House on Monday night, Bush did not address the allegations, but said it was a bittersweet departure, bitter for him due to the circumstances in which he opted to resign, “considering the interferences and undue influences being brought to bear publicly on the matter of the accusations against me”.

However, he said it was sweet because he leaves the House in the “capable” hands of Deputy Speaker Ebanks-Wilks.

Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, speaking on Radio Cayman’s For the Record talk show Wednesday morning, said that Bush had resigned properly.

“It’s the right thing and you’re always mindful and sorry when things like this have to happen, but it’s part of the whole parliamentary process and procedure… there are standards to uphold,” he said, adding that he wished Bush well.

In a statement he issued later in the day, McTaggart said the resignation was “certainly in the best interest of the Country and the Parliament”.

He added that the Opposition

“look forward to working with the new Speaker when Parliament next meets and Mr Bush’s successor is elected”.

He also said during the morning radio show that now that Bush had resigned, it was time to “move on” and it will be “business as usual” for the Opposition.

“We have been extremely strong and forceful in our insistence that this be the outcome and I’m glad we seem to have succeeded in bringing that to pass,” McTaggart added.

Last week the Opposition, after having their motion of no confidence in Bush rejected, protested the Speaker’s extended resignation date and boycotted the House session.

Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew added that there was no doubt in his mind that Bush has the country at heart.

“That is why I think that he made the decision, rather than the government, in the interest of the country and interest in upholding the honourable name of the Parliament that he’s decided to step down… I wish that he does find some solace in that and if there is a need for help that he does find that help as well,” Hew added.

Looters stole a fridge from a hotel during the protest

Regional

Bahamas: $260 minimum wage from January

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has announced an increase in the country’s minimum wage from $210 to $260 per week.

The higher wage will be retroactive in the public service going back to July of this year and for those in the private sector, the change will begin in January 2023. The timeline, he said, is to give employers time to prepare for the increased expense.

Additionally, as Bahamians continue to grapple with the high cost of living compounded by inflation, Mr Davis revealed that 38 new items will be subject to price controls.

According to Mr Davis this means that the government will limit the wholesale and retail markup on items like diapers, and food, including chicken, eggs, bread, bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, onions, and potatoes.

These items, he said, are being added for at least a sixmonth period, at which point the government will review and evaluate the impact on businesses and consumers. The profit margin on price-controlled drugs is also being reduced to provide additional relief to Bahamians, he said.

“During an inflation emergency, it’s important to take the steps we can to improve affordability,” the prime minister said in his first national address since being elected to office in September 2021.

“Of course, nothing is more important to helping families make ends meet than higher wages. The last time the minimum wage was raised in our country was 2015. A new increase has long been overdue.

“Tonight, I’m announcing that the country’s new minimum wage will be $260 a week.

For minimum wage earners in the public service, the change will be retroactive, going back to July of this year.

“For minimum wage earners in the private sector, the increase will begin in a little less than three months, in January of the coming year, allowing employers time to prepare for the increased expense.

“The higher minimum wage will benefit tens of thousands of Bahamians. Will the increase help?

Yes, it will. It was long awaited, long overdue, and the extra money every week will make a difference.

“However, we are aware that this will not eliminate the hardship of

trying to make ends meet in today’s economy. Instead, it represents progress on the way to a liveable wage. The raise was negotiated by the National Tripartite Council, which includes the government and representatives from the private sector and unions.

“Our shared goal was to raise the minimum wage without having a negative impact on employment or job growth, and we believe that

has been achieved.”

The new minimum wage comes against the backdrop that a series of events since 2017 have negatively impacted Bahamians.

Mr Davis highlighted the 60 percent increase in VAT in 2017, a stagnant economy, no significant new investment and billions of new borrowing in 2019, coupled with Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane.

Later, in 2020, a pandemic that

led to closed borders, a curfew, and wave after wave of lockdowns.

“And then, just as we started to recover, over this last year, a global inflation crisis led to prices rising across the board faster than they have in many decades.

“I want to emphasise just how big a shock this has been to households and businesses – we haven’t seen double-digit increases in global inflation like this in nearly 40 years.

“The COVID pandemic caused – and continues to cause – major disruptions in manufacturing and supply chains.

“Last February, Russia, a major energy producer, invaded Ukraine; the war, and the sanctions that followed, and the geopolitical turbulence, sent high oil and gas prices even higher.

“The inflation crisis has spared no country, but small island nations like ours, dependent on imports, have been particularly hit hard.

“The cost of living was already far too high in The Bahamas; this global inflation crisis has made life even more unaffordable,” Mr Davis said.

As a result he said his administration believed it is time to provide relief now. (Tribune242)

Similar security challenges across Caribbean—Bermuda’s Assistant CoP

AN Assistant Commissioner of Police noted “striking similarities” in the challenges faced by Bermuda and Caribbean islands after an international law enforcement conference.

Antoine Daniels and Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, recently attended the 24th meeting of the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Representatives from the Caricom member states, as well as leaders from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security were at the three-day event.

Mr Daniels said: “There is a continuous requirement for Bermuda law enforcement agencies to strengthen their relationships with our Caribbean and US counterparts, such as CBP/ ATF/HIS, as there are striking similarities between the multiple challenges facing the Caribbean and Bermuda, with us all being small island states surrounded by vast expanses of ocean.”

He added: “Despite the scale and, or scope of issues differing in terms of volume, many of the root causes of violence and community impact are identical.

“Bermuda has already experienced eight murders in 2022 alone, and 11 persons killed within a 12-month period with the use of either a firearm – six – or bladed instrument – five – both unprecedented since the recording of annual statistics began.

“Although violence in our society is a complex, wider community problem and not

solely a law enforcement one, the Bermuda Police Service and its local partners have an important role to play in an effort to tackle current and emerging threats, ensuring that the most dangerous criminals are targeted, apprehended, prosecuted and incarcerated.”

Horace Chang the CONSLE chairman, who is Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of

National Security, said the meeting was an opportunity to consider solutions and to discuss complex challenges facing the Caricom region.

He added that it was a chance to look at how to strengthen partnerships.

Dr Chang identified four priority areas of common security interest to members, including firearms trafficking, cyber security, trafficking in people and maritime security.

A BPS spokesman said: “Although small islands in terms of landmass, there are huge vulnerabilities due to the vast ocean geography.

“Risks are not only associated with the smuggling of firearms and illicit drugs, but also unlawful fishing by international vessels, thus creating a real threat to fishing stocks, with island residents suffering from potential food shortages in future.

“A particular reference was made to a ship that was tracked, targeted and boarded by law enforcement whereby 240 metric tons – more than 500,000 pounds –of assorted tuna was removed from the Caribbean Sea by unauthorised international fisherman.”

He added: “A key and reoccurring theme of the meeting was a

heavy emphasis on strengthening partnerships, training, building international alliances, having effective implementation plans, information and intelligence sharing, leveraging technology, having more agility and less bureaucracy and building a framework to deploy existing and any new resources more effectively.”

Dr Chang pointed out that four CARICOM states were included in the world’s top ten for homicide rates per 100,000 residents.

He spoke about the scourge of firearms in the Caribbean region and its effect on the quality of life.

The BPS spokesman added: “Despite there being no firearms manufacturers in any of the member states, 70 per cent of Jamaica’s annual average of 1,300 homicides are committed with the use of firearms, that are too easily accessible to organised crime groups, and those individuals intent on causing harm and death.”

A community violence workshop was held in Bermuda last month, when Mr Weeks said that the island was facing a “crisis” in gang violence.

The national security minister was pleased to have attended the overseas conference with Mr Daniels and found the sessions informative. (Royal Gazette)

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis during his national address

Bermuda’s Minister of National Security Michael Weeks and its Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels

DOMESTIC

VALUE FOR

MONEY!!

PROPOSED BEACHES RESORT: TREASURE BEACH EXPANSION LOWER BIGHT, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

The Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") for Planning Application PR.15741 for BEACHES RESORT: TREASURE BEACH EXPANSION, Lower Bight, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands which has been submitted in accordance

(1) b of the Physical Planning Ordinance and Condition #11 of the Grant of Outline Development Permission

February 2, 2022 has been finalized and is available

for public review at the Turks and Caicos Islands

the

Hard

of the EIA

Department of Planning offices in

for public review.

SALES CLERK

LABOURER

Grand

Comments on the EIA report can be sent to the Department of Planning at planningconsultation@gov.tc or to the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales

at South Base, Grand Turk by October

A public consultation meeting on the EIA

October 25, 2022 at the

Room, Providenciales

CONTACT:

HELPER

be held

of

SURESH

PRESTON DANIEL PENN

• Creating innovative estimates,

attendees

and meeting clients

• Maintaining strong working relationships

vendors and

• Negotiating contracts with hotels and service providers.

to

up to date database of providers and services

• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships

overseas clients, attending industry trade shows and meetings

• Developing and confidently delivering oral presentations

and current clients, both small and large

• Managing of operational and fiscal activities including: agendas, budgets,

and post-event evaluations, review and payment of event bills, maintenance of records of event aspects and financial details

• Marketing through design of websites and social media promotion

• Onsite supervision and coordination of corporate events at various locations,

SKILL REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10 years experience in corporate event planning and program coordination essential

• Proven knowledge of event logistics, accounting and budgeting

• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational and decision making skills

• Excellent multi-tasking and problem solving ability

• Strong local knowledge and the ability to promote Turks and Caicos as a destination to foreign markets

• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with program management staff, team members, vendors and guests

• Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively, ability to accept constructive criticism from clients, adherence to company policies

• Effective networking and identification of new sales opportunities and clients

• A strong work ethic and flexibility to adapt to a variety of business and social situations.

• Full working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, QuickBooks. Knowledge of Web design, blogging and marketing through social media essential. Mac system knowledge also an

• Full understanding and ability to work within

• Flexibility, with long working hours,

• Physical endurance as most events

platform, including

ANNUELA

DOMESTIC

BEAUTI

Coastal

• A Master’s Degree in Construction Management will be an asset

• 5 -10 years or more experience in Marine Construction work as it relates to, Seawalls & Jetties

• Manage and supervise building of docks and jetties, laying mooring buoys, building/repairing sea defenses, dredging, underwater pipeline installation and boat maintenance.

• Manage team for installation of sheet piling, boardwalk, and boat lifts

• Inspect, monitor and supervision of suction Embedded anchor (SEA) installation

• Completion of multiple contracts, meets

MANAGER

the targeted milestones, budgets, and work quality

• Responsible for code compliance, analyzed blueprints and specifications to forecast projects and prepare estimates.

• Ensuring the project adhere to health & safety policies compliant with industry regulations as it relates to the Marine.

• Create project schedules, daily reports, track, and submit weekly payroll cost and sub- contractor’s estimates and prepare vendor contracts.

• Project material projection and procurement.

Project Manager salary is paid based on experience

JOHNSON PHANOR

KEW

LABOURER

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper,

up yard waste and collect

K&T

KETOU VARIETY STORE

SERVICES

#49 Industrial Park by pass Chalk Sound, Providenciales

DOCK

seeking to employ a

seeking SALES CLERK

LABOURER

$6.25

Cleaning the property

sweeper,

CONTACT:

Belongers

KEVIN TAYLOR

LABOURER

up

waste, dispose of

clean

CONTACT:

Belongers are encouraged to

to the Labour Board. A

permit

LA FAMILIA RESTAURANT

BALL PARK

HOUSEKEEPER

• Greet customers.

Receive payments ensure inventory is kept up to date.

Must be trustworthy

to manage money and

$6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-4751

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board

MARDI TAKEOUT RESTAURANT

SERVER

To serve food and drinks. Salary: $7.00 hourly

CONTACT: 3478110/246-0739

Belongers

1 FROZEN STOCKER

to stand for

*ROOM ATTENDANT

Report directly to the Assist Director of Housekeeping. Responsible for the overall cleanliness of assigned rooms/suites and provide a pleasant, comfortable experience for guest. Reports maintenance deficiencies in order to maintain rooms/suites in compliance with standards. Compensation: $7.00 per hour

*COOK

The Cook is assigned to be directly responsible for one or more outlets or production areas in the following categories: production, alternative restaurants, buffets, or events. The Cook should expect to be rotated into different areas with or without advance notice in regard to business demands and career development.

Must have 2-3 years’ experience as kitchen helper or cook in luxury hotel or fine dining restaurant. Able to speak & read English, follow directions consistently, good attendance, good hygiene, likes to cook. Compensation: $15k - $20k per annum.

*CHEF DE CUISINE

The Chef de Cuisine will train and manage kitchen personnel and supervise/ coordinate all related culinary activities; estimate food consumption and requisition or purchase food; select and develop recipes; standardize production recipes to ensure consistent quality; establish presentation technique and quality standards; plan and price menus; ensure proper equipment operation/ maintenance; and ensure proper safety and sanitation in the kitchen. The Chef must have the ability to manage in a diverse environment with focus on client and customer service is essential to succeed in this role. Previous experience with control food and labor cost, demonstration cooking, menu development, and pricing and development of culinary team preferred. The ideal candidates will related culinary degree with four or more years of industry and culinary management experience. Caribbean experience an asset. Compensation: $25k - $36k per annum

*LABOURER

Must have experience in a resort, knowledge of cleaning and preventative maintenance process and pays keen attention to details. Transports and generally maintain all of Maintenance areas. Compensation: $6.25 per hour

*FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER

Oversees daily operations of the restaurant. Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/Hostess. Resolve customer complaints regarding food service. Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures. Observe and evaluate workers and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service. Assign duties, responsibilities, and workstations to employees in accordance with work requirements. Previous experience working in a multicultural 5 Star property. Extensive wine knowledge. Proficiency with general office PC applications (i.e. Microsoft Office software, Opera, Micros POS, Open Table, Timeclock,). Must be fluent in English, Compensation: $25k - $35k per annum

*CIVIL ENGINEERING

Responsible for ensuring compliance with engineering and construction procedures. Specialize in assessing project needs while adhering to costeffective quality control standards. This includes managing project estimation and budgeting, inspect existing structure, create design plans, and review potential safety issues. The Civil Engineer will also conduct inventories, inspections of operations, planning for improvements and preventive maintenance. Purchasing and acquisition of assets to support the operation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Creating pre-planning process control features to ensure systems effectively meet the organization’s quality standards.

• Supervises management of resort assets and preventive maintenance programs to ensure property is in ‘Like New’ operation to support the highest of luxury standards.

• Assists in overseeing management of the physical plant including equipment and safety systems.

• Ensures equipment is maintained and operated at optimum effectiveness, efficiency and safety.

• Manages assets to meet CAPEX and improvement budgets and project expenses as well as the associated maintenance contracts.

• Monitor asset procurement and inventory controls (equipment, supplies, costs and furnishings).

• Assist in inspection and evaluation of the physical condition of facilities in order to determine the type of work required to maintain.

• Review and manage controllable expenses such as tools, equipment, uniforms, property supplies,

• Analysis of consumption of power and water and develop methods for cost and energy savings with Engineering.

• Supervises the day to day management of FF&E.

• Provide weekly and monthly reports and recommendations to executive management on overall management of property assets.

• Provides estimates and issues work orders to meet project budget and deadlines.

• Creates standards and procedures and researches data and selection of products required for resort to maintained to the highest standards.

• Collaborates and works closely with Senior Management and other colleagues in the planning, development and completion of improvement projects.

• Must demonstrate supervisory skills and be able to direct and secure the cooperation of the staff and contracted personnel and vendors.

• Ability to work well in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment.

• Collaborates with vendors/contractors and monitors work product to ensure quality standards are consistent with the requirements of a luxury resort.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities, and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or he can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• B.A or equivalent preferred, from an accredited university in Civil Engineering.

• 8 years’ experience in the engineering and maintenance or related professional area.

• Procurement management experience.

• Knowledge and high skill level of Microsoft Office applications to include spreadsheets and databases, project management and presentation software.

• Considerable knowledge of mathematical skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) necessary to interpret electrical, mechanical and building systems.

• Considerable knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems with the ability to analyze their design intent and performance. Considerable knowledge of construction and building systems.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to speak, read and write fluently in the English language

• Ability to grasp, lift and/or carry or otherwise move goods weighing a minimum of 50 Ibs.

• Ability to perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, kneeling, walking and standing for an extended period of time.

• Due to the nature of the business, the incumbent may be required to do other duties and special projects and other duties as assigned by Management. Compensation: $35k - $45k per annum

Wymara

Murder, She Wrote star Angela Lansbury dies at 96

DAME Angela Lansbury, who won international acclaim as the star of the US TV crime series Murder, She Wrote, has died aged 96.

The three-time Oscar nominee had a career spanning eight decades, across film, theatre and television.

Born in 1925, she was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema.

Dame Angela died in her sleep just five days before her 97th birthday, her family said in a statement.

“The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles,” the family said.

Born in London, Dame Angela later moved to New York and attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Art.

She was noticed by a

Hollywood executive at a party in 1942, and given her first role as a maid in the 1944 film Gaslight, based on the 1938 play of the same name. Her portrayal earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress the following year.

The term “gaslighting” originated from Patrick Hamilton’s play, which was about a young woman whose husband slowly manipulates her into believing she is going crazy.

The British star went on to land two more Oscar nominations as Sibyl in The Picture of Dorian Gray in 1945 and Laurence Harvey’s manipulative mother in The Manchurian Candidateopposite Frank Sinatra - in 1962.

After a move on to Broadway in the 1960s she won several Tony Awards,

including one for her turn as Nellie Lovett in Stephen Sondheim’s 1979 musical play Sweeney Todd.

She appeared in the Disney hit Bedknobs and Broomsticks in 1971, and later featured in other children’s films, providing the voice for Mrs Potts in the animated Beauty and the Beast; and more recently Mary Poppins Returns.

But it was her portrayal

of sleuth Jessica Fletcher in the television series Murder, She Wrote which gained her millions of fans across the

world.

She took up the role in 1984, and continued for 12 years and nine seasons.

The show made her one of the wealthiest women in the US at the time, with a fortune estimated at $100m.

KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTORS BEACH MANAGER ASSISTANT

• Ability to provide jet ski support during kiteboarding lessons

beginner

also teach Hydrofoil and

preferred

Be fluent in English. Second language (French or Spanish) beneficial

• Willingness and ability to work in a team

hourly wage based on experience, commission for bringing new business

• Be the representative of our company on the beach

• Be fluent in English

• Have a valid driving license

• Willingness and ability to work in a team Remuneration: hourly wage $12.50, commission for bringing new business and complimentary kiteboarding instruction. Training will be provided.

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dame Angela died in her sleep just five days before her 97th birthday, her family said in a statement.

Willie Spence, ‘American Idol’ Season 19 runnerup, dead at 23

WILLIE Spence, a singer who as a teen went viral with his rendition of Rihanna’s hit “Diamonds” and was the runner up on Season 19 on “American Idol, has died the show confirmed in a social media posting on Wednesday.

He was 23 years old.

“We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence,” read the caption on a video of Spence’s “Idol” audition, posted on the show’s verified Instagram account. “He was a true talent who lit up every room he entered and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”

The singer was killed in a car accident in Tennessee on Tuesday, according to CNN affiliate WSB, citing the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Spence was driving an SUV when he went off the road and crashed into a car that was stopped on the shoulder, according to the accident report.

TMZ also reported that a family member confirmed to them that Spence died after a crash.

CNN has reached out to representatives for Spence.

The West Palm Beach, Florida native relocated with his family to Georgia as a child. It was while singing in his local high school that Spence was first discovered.

A video of him singing “Diamonds” in what appeared to be a classroom in 2017 went viral and has since racked up more than 15 million views on YouTube.

The performance landed him an appearance on Steve Harvey’s daytime talk show. Spence also chose to perform the song for his audition for “American Idol” in 2021.

He blew judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan away with Richie declaring Spence “unbelievable” and Bryan saying

he did not want the singer’s performance to end.

“When you think about your future, and you think about the voice you have cause you know it stops people in their tracks, this is the magic you have, in five years what do you want it to look like?” Perry asked Spence. “In your wildest dreams, if nothing was standing in your way?”

Blake Shelton announces exit from ‘The Voice’ as new coaches join

SEASON 23 of “The Voice” will welcome some new faces and say goodbye to the hit show’s longesttenured coach.

Next season will be Blake Shelton’s last on the show, NBC revealed in a statement on Tuesday, and Chance the Rapper and former One Direction member Niall Horan are set to join as first-time coaches.

Kelly Clarkson will round out the coach lineup in the new season, set to debut next spring,

“I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from ‘The Voice,’” Shelton said in a statement via the network. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me.”

Shelton gave a special shoutout to his wife Gwen Stefani, who he met on the show, also mentioning the “lifelong bonds” he shares with host Carson Daly “and every single one my fellow coaches over the years.”

Shelton has been a mainstay since the show’s inception in 2011, with eight wins under his belt. He has also coached 15 artists whose songs have hit #1 on the iTunes

Top Songs chart.

Chance the Rapper, meanwhile, shared that he is “thrilled” to join the NBC competition series and is “excited to help other artists get to the next level and make the most of

this life-changing experience.”

Shelton can currently be seen on Season 22 of “The Voice,” alongside fellow judges Stefani, Camila Cabello and John Legend. (CNN)

The singer was killed in a car accident in Tennessee on Tuesday

Blake Shelton on “The Voice”

Kanye West interview pulled over ‘more hate speech’

AN upcoming episode of the YouTube talk show The Shop: Uninterrupted has been scrapped after Kanye West allegedly used “hate speech and extremely dangerous stereotypes” in an interview.

The move came as it emerged the star had shared a series of comments based on racist conspiracy theories in a separate interview with Fox News.

ox removed those segments before broadcast, but the footage was leaked to technology website Motherboard.

West has not commented on either case.

The BBC has asked both him and Fox News for a response.

The star, who is legally known as Ye, was previously suspended from Instagram and Twitter for making anti-Semitic comments.

Those posts came in response to a backlash against his show at Paris Fashion Week, where he wore a t-shirt carrying the slogan

“White Lives Matter”.

The Anti-Defamation League has called the phrase “hate speech” and attributed it to white supremacists, who began using it in 2015 in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Amid the backlash, he appeared on Fox News, where he told host Tucker Carlson the t-shirt was “funny” and “the obvious thing to do”.

In unaired clips from the same interview, which leaked on

Tuesday, West detailed his belief in an unfounded anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Planned Parenthood was founded “to control the Jew population” in conjunction with the Ku Klux Klan.

“When I say Jew, I mean the 12 lost tribes of Judah... who the people know as the race Black really are,” he told host Tucker Carlson, referring to a claim, unsupported by historical evidence, that Black people are the “real” Jewish race, and that Jews are attempting to “steal” their birthright.

West also complained that his children were attending a school where Kwanzaa - an annual celebration of African-American culture - is taught, saying he would rather they learned about the Jewish holiday Hanukkah because “at least it will come with some financial engineering”, yet another anti-Semitic trope.

In another clip, the rapper confirmed he had received the Covid-19 vaccine, despite previously claiming the shots were “the mark of the beast” and part of a plot to implant chips in people.

He also claimed that “fake children” had been placed in his home to manipulate and “sexualize” his four children with former wife Kim Kardashian.

Fox has not explained why it excluded these clips from its broadcast, although most

television interviews are edited and condensed for clarity.

Producers of The Shop: Uninterrupted on the other hand, decided against airing their interview with West altogether, and said they would not share details of his comments.

Maverick Carter, who produces the show with basketball legend LeBron James, told the Andscape website: “Kanye was booked weeks ago and, after talking to Kanye directly the day before we taped, I believed he was capable of a respectful discussion and he was ready to address all his recent comments.

“Unfortunately, he used The Shop to reiterate more hate speech and extremely dangerous stereotypes.”

The statement continued: “While The Shop embraces thoughtful discourse and differing opinions, we have zero tolerance for hate speech of any kind and will never allow our channels to be used to promote hate.

“I take full responsibility for believing Kanye wanted a different conversation and apologise to our guests and crew. Hate speech should never have an audience.”

It is believed that James was not present as the interview took place.

West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder years ago and has publicly spoken about his challenges with his mental health.

There’s a baby on the way for Kaley Cuoco.

The “Big Bang” star is pregnant with her first child — a girl — with actor Tom Pelphrey, she announced in an Instagram post.

“Beyond blessed and over the moon,” Cuoco wrote Tuesday evening.

The post included a series of photos, including one of Cuoco holding her pregnancy test and another showing the couple with a pink cake.

The California-born Cuoco, 36, and New Jersey-born Pelphrey, 40, were first romantically linked toward the beginning of the year, according to People.

Cuoco achieved widespread fame starring as Penny on all 12 seasons of the CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” from 2007 to 2019. She’s received a pair of Emmy nominations for her leading performance on “The Flight Attendant,” which has released two seasons on HBO Max since 2020.

The star, who is legally known as Ye, was previously suspended from Instagram and Twitter for making anti-Semitic comments.

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco

Cuoco pregnant with first child with actor Pelphrey

Classifieds

DOMESTIC

LEAF

LEAF

TILE

FINISH

DOMESTIC WORKER

MECHANIC

use by

testing

as, engine tune-ups,

tire

LABOURER

outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste

collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean

FULL TIME LABORER AND NANNY

BABYSITTER

and

ONLY APPLY

EDWARD WATKINS

CONTACT: 941-3966

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

ELDON

KEVIN

DOMESTIC

BABYSITTER

CARETAKER

patient

light housekeeping duties.

KENNETH MALCOLM

DOMESTIC WORKER

the house,

the floor, clean

toilets,

living room,

towels

personal clothing

CONTACT:

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

CONTACT: 244-1868

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

P & D EMPLOYMENT

C&D CONSTRUCTION

TILE SETTER

on

walls, ceilings,

Level the surface with a layer of mortar or plywood.

hourly

CONTACT: 243-3645

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

CLEANER

CONTACT:

CONTACT:

P & D EMPLOYMENT

ELEMENT LTD

KITCHEN HELPER

the

for the cook. Keeping the kitchen area clean

tidy at all times.

hourly

CONTACT: 243-3645

Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales,

voluntary liquidator

Regent Village,

Simons

Caicos

PEDRO BARBER SHOP

trimming, shampooing, and styling hair, trimming beards, or giving shaves.

hourly

4 BARBERS 2 CASHIERS

customers, receive payment, Issue receipts, and change due to customers. $7.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 344-4801

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

JOB OPENINGS

POOL & BEACH ATTENDANT

As a Pool and Beach Attendant for The Shore Club Resort, you will be responsible for the set-up, maintaining and breakdown of Pool/ Beach chairs, umbrellas, cushions, floater’s cabana’s, non-motorized sports equipment, water, cold towels, heat and towels huts for guests, courteously and efficiently in accordance with departmental quality standards and specifications.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Check station before, during and after shift for proper set-up and cleanliness.

• Offer each guest a cold bottle of water and ensure guests are provided cold bottles of water every hour.

• Provide towels to guests and anticipate guests needs by providing towels before being asked.

• Offer guests frozen treat at designated times each day.

• Offer guests chilled towel at the designated times each day.

• Provide guests with safety rules of Pool and Beach.

• Assist guests with obtaining pods, chaise/beach chairs, cabanas when asked.

• Assist guests with non-motorized sports equipment and provide safety rules, and waiver release forms.

• Assist guests with food orders by signaling server.

• Follow all safety rules, and ensure guests follow safety rules.

• Is observant of guest needs and responds to them.

• Responsible for moving bins of dirty linen, and trash.

• Ensure P&B chairs and Pods are set and ready at designated hour of 8am – 7pm in summer season, 7am-6pm in winter season. All covers in place, with rolled towels on all chairs.

• Take personal responsibility and show initiative in work planning and problem-solving.

• Show personal attention to guests’ unique needs, interests and expectations.

• Keep informed and demonstrate job knowledge, following all job and service standards.

• Provide genuine service through actions that display self-confidence, grace and courtesy to guests and colleagues.

• Any other ad hoc duties or tasks as assigned or directed by management.

Starting salary $7.00 per hour not including service charge

BUTLER

As a Butler for The Shore Club Resort, you will be responsible for ensuring butler service provided for guests is delivered promptly, courteously and expertly in accordance with all resort and brand standards. The Butler’s primary goal is to create an ambiance of superior luxury by anticipating each individual guest’s needs. This is accomplished through moments of surprise and delight that our guest would never have experienced before. Also ensure guest familiarities to frequent guests visiting the hotel.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in food and beverage fine dining as a personal Butler

• Must possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

• Strong knowledge of a variety of cuisines and wines/beverages

• Must possess local knowledge in order to respond to all inquiries from guest, such as restaurants information

• Must possess basic computational ability and skills

• Must be able to follow through all the guest requests and communicate them to the appropriate departments and management in an efficient manner

• Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours in length

• Must be able to exert well-paced, ability to reach other departments and locations in a timely manner

• Must be able to exert well-paced ability in limited space

• Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill cleaning tasks.

• Must be able to bend and squat and lift up to 25 lbs

• Must be able to push and pull equipment weighing up to 75 lbs

• Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, walking, repetitive motions.

• Bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.

• Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts

Starting salary at $8.00- $9.00 per hour not including service charge.

VILLA CHEF*

Areas of Responsibility:

• Ensure mis-en-place is set for all stations of outlet kitchen.

• Ability to read recipes, check food presentations and displays with precision.

• Check the quality of the product to ensure the standards for food service are maintained.

• Show precision cuts and knife use.

• Demonstrate ability to cook meat, fish and vegetables with the correct method and temperature.

• Create daily menus for villa, suite with guidance and approval from Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef.

• Ensure the correct rotation and storage of products for quality selection.

• Ensure the Kitchen is kept clean and sanitary.

• Follow directions from the Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef with accuracy.

• Communicate any defects in kitchen equipment to the Executive Sous Chef.

KEY SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a hotel restaurant preferably in a luxury hotel.

• Accuracy and attention to detail.

• Excellent set up skills, organized and detailed oriented.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.

• Must have Supervisory Skills and experience

• Must have skills in mathematics.

• Able to stand for long periods of time.

• Able to carry up to 20kgs.

• Able to handle a fast-paced environment and be able to work under pressure.

Salary starting at $25,000.00 per annum not including service charge.

JOB OPENINGS

will be

PREARRIVAL CONCIERGE

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Ensure to always use owners/members/guests names when meeting, answering questions, making deliveries, greeting or assisting owners/members/guests in anyway.

• Answer telephone within three rings, using warm and courteous greeting and using guest name if known; handle response and/or transfer accurately and efficiently and in accordance with resort standards.

• Be available to assist the Concierge, Guest Service Representataive or Front Office Agent including checking emails, checking voice mails, building itineraries and following up to complete all guests requests.

• Be available to assist when other Agents are on their day off off.

• Attention to details, filing emails correctly and flagging any important information will assist with keeping owner requests organized and completed in a timely manner.

• Represent this property as the Pre-Arrival Concierge by offering professional and courteous assistance.

• Ensure all standards of The Shore Club are upheld, that day to day responsibilities outlined for this position are being met, and that the highest level of customer service is given at all times and in all roles.

KEY SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Able to use computer systems accurately and efficiently.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to multitask and work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.

• Thinks ahead and anticipates future challenges to ensure the organisation's requirements are met.

• Team player who can also work on one’s own initiative.

• Thorough knowledge of the island and its attractions.

• Extensive knowledge of the hotel, its facilities and services

Starting salary $8.00 per hour not including service charge.

FRONT DESK AGENT

• As a Front Desk Agent for The Shore Club Resort, you

• Responsible for ensuring all guests and customers are checked-in,

• Checked-out and served promptly, courteously and knowledgeable in accordance with all resort standards; handles guest requests and queries politely, efficiently and accurately.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide guests with assistance at the front desk during the check-in and check-out processes and throughout their stay.

• Greet guest and processes resort orientation and inroom registration.

• Keep current on resort accommodations, services and area attractions.

• Respond to guest inquiries for information.

• Arrange for services requested by the guest by working with other departments as appropriate.

• Identify and record special billing instructions and notify Accounting.

• Obtain appropriate approvals and signatures.

• Follow resort policy on posting and cash banks.

• Take personal responsibility and shows initiative in work planning and problem-solving.

• Show personal attention to guests’ unique needs, interests and expectations.

• Keep informed and demonstrates job knowledge, following all job and service standards.

• Provide genuine service through actions that display self-confidence, grace and courtesy to guests and colleagues.

• Any other ad hoc duties or tasks as assigned or directed by management.

Key skills and Requirements:

• Must be able to speak, read, write and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace.

• Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process.

• Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Must possess basic computational ability.

• Must possess basic computer skills.

Starting salary $8.00 per hour not including service charge.

LABOURER

the property with sweeper,

up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Cares for garden.

hourly

BABYSITTER

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing

administering medicine, doing housework, and etc.

Hourly

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels

personal clothing and other housework.

hourly

ALL POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE CURRENTLY HELD BY WORK PERMIT HOLDERS.

Interested applicants should apply to The Shore Club,

through Friday, and bring along

Manager at careers@theshoreclubtc. com , no later than end of day Friday, October 21st, 2022. All resumes are subject

or by

screening. Accepted candidates will receive a

or

with a scheduled time for meeting and required documents for the actual interview.

Resumes can also be submitted to the Labor Department directly.

Shore Club HR Office

be contacted at (1649) 339-8000.

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

$6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 244-3319

5

ANGELICA

LABOURER

property

sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect

dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

$6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 946-5901

are to apply to the Labour Board.

work permit holder currently holds this position.

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

$6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-231-7458

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

BEAUTICIAN

be able to

nails, braiding, weaving, relaxing, grooming, maintenance, cutting, trimming, and styling

$6.50 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-242-3823

ENCOURAGED TO

THEIR RESUME TO

LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

BEAUTY SALON

HAIRDRESSER

cutting, and styling hair, though

may also provide hair treatments, including deep conditioning, permanents, hair coloring, and weaving.

work 6 days a week.

$350 weekly

CONTACT: 232-5443

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

SKY

DOMESTIC

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

CONTACT: 441-4439

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

HELPER

LAVADO

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS

4(3) OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS ORDINANCE)

Take notice that I, Nigel Dakin, 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 Myrlene Pierre by virtue of marriage to a Turks and Caicos Islander.

PLUMBER

plumbing

$7.50

hour.

CONTACT: 245-4888

LABOURER

outside the property

sweeper,

yard

collect

trash,

windows, and doorframes.

$6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 346-9743

VALUE FOR

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

$6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 348-4655

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Turks and Caicos Islands oldest and leading publishing house is in need of additional staff to fill the following posts:

WRITERS/ PHOTO JOURNALIST

Candidates must have at least five (5) years’ experience working full-time for daily newspapers and/or news/features magazines, reporting on hard news, features and parliamentary/court proceedings. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

FOR MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICALS GRAPHICS PRODUCTION DESIGNER/ PAGINATOR

An Application, REGISTERED PR 16177, by DESARROLLOS HOTELCO WA LTD for the development of ST REGIS HOTEL & CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT. The proposed hotel development is to be contained in one (1) twelve storey structure containing one hundred and sixty-two (162) hotel units; floors (10 & 11) is to be used for residential purposes. The condominium development is to be primarily contained in three (3) twelve (12) storey structures consisting of one hundred and forty-eight (148) condominium units. The development features a restaurant, spa, ballroom, casino and ancillary facilities and has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on Block & Parcels 60905/198 &199 which is a combined 17.16 acres of land located at Leeward Going Through (Grace Bay), Providenciales.

Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty-eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. You may also make representation(s) via video conferencing at the sitting of the Physical Planning Board when this application would be considered. If you are desirous so to do via video conferencing, contact the Secretary of Physical Planning Board.

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.

EASYWAY EMPLOYEMENT SERVICS

ACTING ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENT

STARFISH MANAGEMENT

LTD

441-6731

UNIT # 6 La Vista Azul, Turtle Cove

LABOURER

$ 7. 00 hourly

Running errands and cleaning properties for the company.

FRANKLY D. FORBES

241-9209

Long Bay # 88

LABOURER

$290.00

Cleaning the property, cutting grass, pick up waste, and assist with on going construction

PICK IT UP WORKER

342-6582

HELPER

$6.50

up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, layout tools, set up forms for the pouring of concrete foundation.

ELVETHAN M. HANDFIELD

347-500

Snake Hills, Millennium highway

LABOURER

$6.50 hourly

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

R GRAY CONTRACTING

441-0268

Juba Sound

MAINTENANCE MAN

$6.50 hourly

Maintaining cleanliness of apartment complex

G & J CONSTRUCTION

244-9287

Cooper jack Road

PAINTER

$15.00

Paint & Preparing wall to paint

AYA CONSTRUCTION

247-1314

Kew Town

TURKS

FINANCIAL

CARPENTER

$12.00

Install structures and fixtures, such as window and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic.

ELIE JOSAPHAT

232-7124

Snake Hill Millennium Highway

DOMESTIC WORKER

$300.00

Cleaning the house, making beds, wash, cook and iron

MEP SERVICES

941-4750

June Hills Blue Hills

TRADESMAN

$12.00 hourly

Laying tile, blocks and doing carpenter work

SPARK CAR RENTALS 341-2529

Blue Hills # 46

LABOURER

$300.00 weekly

Wash & cleaning vehicles, getting vehicles ready for renting.

JACKLYN B. JONES 341-2314

Five Cays (across the office)

LABOURER

$300.00

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

WENDAL JOSEPH 341-8300

158 Blue Hills

CARPENTER

$ 750.00 weekly

Install structures and fixtures, such as window and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic.

PASSION BEAUTY SALON 333-1236

Alice & Alice, # 203 Airport Road BARBER

$7.00

Cutting men & women hair, shaping men hair, shaping women eye brow

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES!

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE OCTOBER 14, 2022

BANK & TRUST DIRECTOR

Department: Bank and Trust

Location: Providenciales

Annual Salary: $84,607.00 – $105,642.00

JOB SUMMARY

This is a technical position that conducts analysis, regulatory/supervisory activities, and risk assessments on a portfolio of higher risk and complex financial institutions - which may include investment licensees (investment dealers, advisors, mutual funds and wealth management funds), trust companies, banks, credit unions, and/or money transmitters - to ensure compliance with relevant ordinances, regulations, guidelines and international and regional best practice standards, and to assess the financial strength of the entity. Serve as examiner in charge for onsite examinations of assigned licensees and organize and conduct meetings with the licensees. The officer may also be responsible for reviewing and assessing regulatory applications, including license applications to establish a financial institution based on the relevant ordinances, regulation, code, guideline and/or international standards.

INSURANCE ANALYST II

Department: Domestic Insurance Unit

Location: Providenciales

Annual Salary: $45,207.00 - $55,231.00

JOB SUMMARY

The Insurance Analyst (II) is responsible for participating in the planning and conduct of off-site and on-site inspections of the financial and operational systems of insurance businesses, which involves, analyzing and verifying information to determine the entities’ financial status and level of compliance with their own internal policies and standards and relevant local and international standards, ordinances and regulations.

Details on the above vacancies can be found on the Commission’s website at https://tcifsc.tc/vacancies/ or by contacting the Commission at telephone numbers 649-946-2550 or 649-946-2791 ext. 4021 or 4048.

Applications should be emailed to administration@tcifsc.tc no later than October 14, 2022. A copy of the application should be submitted to the Employment Services Department by emailing to CHbacchus@gov.tc and MCadams@gov. tc. Applications received after the application deadline may not be considered in this recruitment phase but may be placed on file for future reference. While we appreciate your response, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

LABOURER

ISLAND PRIDE FISHERIES

GOLD

D&B AUTO LTD

AUTO MECHANIC

• At least 6 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 specially Japanese vehicles.

• 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

$9.00

hour

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS APPLICATION

SECTION 4(3) OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS ORDINANCE)

Take notice that I, Nigel Dakin, 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 Sugey Miosotis De La Malcolm virtue of marriage to a Turks and Caicos Islander.

LABOURER

outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste

collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

$6.25 Hourly

LABOURER

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

$6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 244-7865

Meridian Club on Pine Cay

FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER

Minimum 5 years’ experience in luxury restaurant operation with Mediterranean exposure required. Excellent communication and organizational skills; reading, writing, and oral proficiency in the English language. Excellent human relations skills; proven experience in dealing with employee and guest situations in a positive and effective manner. Must be an exceptional performer in their current job and demonstrate the potential for management. Train, evaluate, lead, motivate, coach, and discipline all employees in the Hotel’s Service Department to ensure that established cultural and core Relais & Chateaux standards are met. Salary 36k annual

applicants for the above positions should kindly submit their resumes to:

Resources Manager at hr@pinecay.com

Cay Human Resources Department can be

at (649) 941-7011

AUTO PARTS SPECIALIST

AUTO PARTS

ASSOCIATE

employ

MASON

2 CARPENTERS

DOMESTIC WORKER

house.

floor.

MUSIC TEACHER

fundamental

of music and

skills, music

basic notation.

$1200.00 per month.

CONTACT: 243-1976

GIVEN

DENISE

CONTACT: 241-0452

TIME, BELONGER WILL

GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

LABOUR

outside the property, Pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, cleaning windows, and door frames, Cares for the garden.

$6.25 per hour.

CONTACT: 243-7615

BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

CLEANER

the store every morning, upheld safe and clean working environment, clean customers bathroom, remove trash.

$6.25 per hour.

CONTACT: 241-3896

BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

BELIEVE BARBER & SALON

FIVE CAYS

Is seeking to employ a

CLEANER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 246-6370

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board

DELIMENE PHANOR EMMANUEL

KEW TOWN

Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

Salary: $6.25 Hourly

CONTACT: 245-7854

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board

DIAMOND CLEANING SERVICES

KEW TOWN

Is seeking to employ a PAINTER - $8.00 HOURLY

LABOURER

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

CONTACT: 241-7600

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board.

Apply paints to walls, and other structural surfaces.

2 MASONS - $9.00 HOURLY

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones; makes and repairs steps and plasters.

DOMESTIC WORKER - $6.25 HOURLY

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

CONTACT: 247-1124

HENRY O. WILSON

#65 WALTER COX DRIVE, KEW TOWN. Is seeking

TILE LAYER

Install materials on floors, walls, ceilings, countertops. Level the surface with a layer of mortar or plywood. Salary: $7.30 Hourly

CONTACT: 332-7196

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. Renewal

JEAN ERILIEN JOSEPH

LABOURER

Cleaning outside the property

CONTACT:

MAINTENANCE

THE

WORKER

STYLIST

On behalf of our clients

A Governess is required

A resident Canadian family is seeking an experienced and qualified Governess for the care and education of their two children, a girl soon to be 6 and a boy soon to be 3. They also have an older daughter aged 14, who will be starting boarding school in September.

Whilst Turks and Caicos is their main residence, they travel frequently throughout the year, mostly to Canada, which is home to them. The Governess will be required to travel with them on some of their trips. The candidate must enjoy travel and be experienced in travelling with families. The Governess must therefore also have valid US & Canadian visas and be able to travel to Europe and to the UK.

Enjoying the outdoors and being physically active is essential, especially swimming as the children spend a lot of time outdoors and in their pool.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced governess/nanny who is kind, organised, respectful, clean and who is confident in supporting the children through their different ages and stages, implementing appropriate manners, etiquette, and discipline with a firm but fair approach and confident in assisting with educational activities as well as support the British Curriculum. The candidate should also have the experience and confidence to provide parents advice on child development and well-being.

Salary range is $4,000.00 per month commensurate with experience.

QUALIFIED

living

DRYWALL FINISHER CARPENTER

building

COOK

workstations.

and peeling

cutting

or shape

and other

CONTACT: 241-2532

ENCOURAGED

PAINTER

paints, stains,

coatings

GARDENER

forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging,

seed sowing,

preparation

planting.

CONTACT: 231-4587

ENCOURAGED TO

RESUME TO

BOARD. RENEWAL

KENDAL

CONTACT: 331-0289

ENCOURAGED

LABOUR BOARD

HANDYMAN

STORE CLERK

customers

receive payments.

a daily

clean shop, appliances.

$6.50 hourly

342-1964

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

2 CLEANERS

facility

vacuuming, mopping, cleaning ceiling

be willing to work 5 days a week.

$1,200 monthly

CONTACT: 342-0255

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

REGCO CONSTRUCTION

2 STEEL MAN

RENAL R. DUPUY

HELPER

MASON

other brick

CONTACT:

CONTACT: 649-441-8241

ENCOURAGED TO

THE LABOUR BOARD

and

ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

CONTACT:

FINISH

CARETAKER

CONTACT:

SUNSET RIDGE

DOMESTIC

ENCOURAGED

CLEANER

vacuuming, mopping,

CONTACT:

FOREMAN/ SUPERVISOR

the company’s staff and scheduling work hours.

$12.00

hour

CONTACT: 333-0209

encouraged

Board

permit

WALKER CONSTRUCTION

CARPENTER

the

CONTACT: 231-0360

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY RENEWAL

JUNIOR

DOMESTIC WORKER

Turkberry Ltd. is seeking qualified individuals 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 nonsmokers, and must have a valid passport. Applicants will be required to pass a written skills and fluency (English) test. This position is currently occupied by a Work Permit holder. Salary is $40,000 per annum. Qualified Turks Islander applicants are invited to apply online or forward resumes to the Labour Board.

BARISTA SUPERVISOR

FULL-TIME; DAYS, NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS

MARIE CLAUDE DAVIS

DOMESTIC WORKER

house,

the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets,

living room,

sheets,

personal clothing

other housework.

LABOURER

DOMESTIC WORKER

the house,

personal clothing

other housework.

work early mornings, daytime, and evening hours

• Must have full-time availability

• Must be fluent (Written & Oral) in English

• Supervise employees

• Prepare and serve coffee drinks by following recipes and preparation techniques

• Maintain and monitor inventories by replenishing coffee bean supply, stocking coffee brewing equipment, maintaining paper product supplies, and complimentary products

• Clean and sanitize work areas, utensils, and equipment

• Ensure all health and food safety standards are maintained

• Clean service and seating area

• Opening and closing shift procedures

• Keep equipment in optimal operating condition by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, performing preventative maintenance, calling for repairs

• Describe the menu items to customers or suggest products that might appeal to them

• Order, receive, or stock supplies and retail products

• Provide customers with product details, such as coffee blend and preparation descriptions

• Receive and process customer payments

• Prepare and serve all products, donuts, frozen yogurt, coffee, etc.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

MARIE GERTRUDE EWING

DOMESTIC WORKER

house,

MATRISA

Science & Technology

Filippo Ganna smashes cycling’s hour world record

Italy’s Filippo Ganna has smashed cycling’s hour world record - registering 56.792km in 60 minutes on a track in Switzerland.

He beat the previous UCI mark, 55.548km, set by his Ineos Grenadiers team-mate Dan Bigham in August, by a

margin of 1.244km.

Ganna, 26, rode a specially designed 3D-printed Pinarello bike at the Tissot Velodrome in Grenchen.

“It’s amazing, fantastic for me and the staff who’ve worked on it,” he said.

The Italian, looking

surprisingly fresh after his exploits, will now head to France for the Track World Championships, which start on Wednesday.

The hour record is the longest distance cycled in one hour and is considered one of the most prestigious records in the sport.

COCO BISTRO

Ganna also beat British rider Chris Boardman’s ‘Best Human Effort’ record of 56.375km. That was set in 1996, using the aerodynamic ‘Superman’ riding position but it was later banned by cycling’s world governing body the UCI. (BBC)

ASSISTANT RESTAURANT MANAGER

HAIRDRESSER

Science & Technology

Nasa’s Dart spacecraft ‘changed path of asteroid’

THE American space agency says its recent attempt to deflect the path of an asteroid was successful.

Scientists have now confirmed the orbit of a 160m-wide (520ft) space rock known as Dimorphos was altered when the Dart probe struck it head on last month.

Researchers came to the conclusion after making measurements using a range of space and Earth-based telescopes.

The mission was conceived to test a potential strategy to defend the Earth against threatening objects.

Dart’s achievement proves such an idea would work, provided it was initiated early enough and the target wasn’t overly massive.

“This mission shows that Nasa is trying to be ready for whatever the Universe throws at us,” said agency administrator Bill Nelson.

“I believe that Nasa has proven that we are serious as a defender of the planet,” he told reporters.

The space agency released a raft of data on Tuesday to support its assessment, including new pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope and from a small Italian satellite, or cubesat, that stood off from the impact by about 50km (30 miles).

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (Dart) took place some 11 million km (7 million miles) from Earth.

It saw the refrigerator-sized Nasa satellite drive straight into Dimorphos at 22,000km/h (14,000mph), destroying itself in the process.

The space rock orbits a much larger (780m wide; 2,550ft) object called Didymos. Before impact, the time taken for Dimorphos to make one circuit of its sibling was 11 hours and 55 minutes.

The telescope evidence now indicates this orbital period has been reduced to 11 hours and 23 minutes - a change of 32 minutes. This corresponds to Dimorphos moving closer to Didymos - a tightening of the orbital path - by “tens of metres”.

Nasa had defined a minimum successful period change of Dimorphos of 73 seconds or more. The results released on Tuesday show Dart surpassed this benchmark by more than 25 times.

“This is a 4% change in the orbital period of Dimorphos around Didymos. Dart just gave it a small nudge. But if you wanted

to do this in the future, you’d want to do it years in advance,” commented Dr Nancy Chabot from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, which led the mission for Nasa.

“Warning time is really key here in order to enable this sort of asteroid deflection to be used in the future as part of a much larger planetary defence strategy.”

Nasa’s Dart programme scientist, Dr Tom Statler, also had

a word of caution about drawing too many conclusions from the experiment.

Asteroids came in many different guises, he said. Their compositions and constructions were diverse - something that was being emphasised every time a mission visited a new object.

“We should not be too eager to say one test on one asteroid tells us exactly how every other asteroid would behave in a similar

situation,” he stressed.

“But what we can do is use this test as an anchor point for our physics calculations in our simulations that tell us how different kinds of impacts in different situations should behave.”

Four years from now, the European Space Agency (Esa) will have three spacecraft - collectively known as the Hera mission - at Didymos and Dimorphos to make follow-up studies. (BBC)

Stem cell patch surgery to mend spina bifida in the womb

US doctors say they have successfully carried out surgery on babies in the womb to repair harmful spine defects using a special, therapeutic stem cell patch method.

Experts hope the pioneering research at UC Davis Health could help others with spina bifidawhen the spinal cord and spine do not develop properly.

Three of the babies in the trial have now been born.

The team will monitor them for at least six years.

Without treatment, spina bifida can sometimes lead to a range of lifelong issues, including problems with mobility because of nerve damage. In extreme cases, the spinal canal remains open and exposed. If the defect is not closed to protect it shortly before or after birth, it can cause total paralysis of the legs.

Surgeons have already used keyhole surgery on babies in the womb to mend the gap. Now the US team have gone a step further,

fitting a graft or implant to bridge the repair.

It is a patch that contains immature cells, called stem cells, that can grow with the baby.

The researchers say they have

already had very promising results in animals with this technique.

They have tried it in baby sheep and a pair of English bulldog puppies - Darla and Spanky - to refine the process.

Baby Robbie is one of the first humans to have the treatment.

Her mum, Emily, says it was a lifeline that they could not refuse.

“We didn’t know about spina bifida until the diagnosis. We are so thankful that we got to be a part of this. We are giving our daughter the very best chance at a bright future,” she said.

Their surgeon, Diana Farmer, says the operation went off without a hitch: “Mother and foetus did great!”

Emily recalls the day Robbie was born more than a year ago.

“One of my first fears was that I wouldn’t be able to see her, but they brought her over to me. I got to see her toes wiggle for the first time. It was so reassuring and a little bit out of this world.”

The UC Davis team plan to treat about 35 babies as part of their trial. More studies and follow-up are needed to assess how well the treatment works.

Robbie and the other babies

will have check-ups to see their progress with skills such as walking and potty training.

Prof Paolo De Coppi is a paediatric surgeon at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK. He has been doing surgery on babies in the womb for spina bifida and says using stem cell patches might improve outcomes even further. “That’s the hope, but we need to wait and see,” he told the BBC.

It is not known what causes spina bifida but a number of things can increase the risk of a baby developing the condition.

Not having enough folic acid (vitamin B9) during pregnancy is one of the most important ones.

Prof Neena Modi, an expert in neonatal medicine at Imperial College London in the UK, stressed the importance of women taking supplements around conception and in pregnancy - a cheap and easy intervention that can help prevent cases of spina bifida. (BBC)

The time taken for Dimorphos to orbit Didymos was reduced by 32 minutes

Emily agreed to having the surgery when pregnant with her baby Robbie

Science & Technology

Lab-grown brain cells play video game Pong

RESEARCHERS have grown brain cells in a lab that have learned to play the 1970s tennis-like video game, Pong.

They say their “mini-brain” can sense and respond to its environment.

Writing in the journal Neuron, Dr Brett Kagan, of the company Cortical Labs, claims to have created the first ‘’sentient’’ labgrown brain in a dish.

Other experts describe the work as ‘’exciting’’ but say calling the brain cells sentient is going too far.

“We could find no better term to describe the device,’’ Dr Kagan says. ‘’It is able to take in information from an external source, process it and then respond to it in real time.”

Mini-brains were first produced in 2013, to study microcephaly, a genetic disorder where the brain is too small, and have since been used for research into brain development.

But this is the first time they have been plugged into, and interacted with, an external environment, in this case a video game.

THE RESEARCH TEAM: grew human brain cells grown from stem cells and some from mouse embryos to a collection of 800,000 connected this mini-brain to the video game via electrodes revealing which side the ball was on and how far from the paddle

In response, the cells produced electrical activity of their own. They expended less energy as the game continued. But when the ball passed a paddle and the game restarted with the ball at a random point, they expended more recalibrating to a new unpredictable situation.

The mini-brain learned to play in five minutes. It often missed the ball - but its success rate was well above random chance. Although, with no consciousness, it does

not know it is playing Pong in the way a human player would, the researchers stress.

BEER PONG?

Dr Kagan hopes the technology might eventually be used to test treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

“When people look at tissues in a dish, at the moment they are seeing if there is activity or no activity. But the purpose of brain cells is to process information in

No link between Mediterranean diet and decreased risk of dementia

A NUMBER of studies have suggested that eating a healthy diet may reduce a person’s risk of dementia, but a new study has found that two diets, including the Mediterranean diet, are not linked to a reduced risk of dementia.

The study is published in the October 12, 2022, online issue of Neurology.

The Mediterranean diet includes a high intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, fish and healthy fats such as olive oil, and a low intake of dairy products, meats and saturated fatty acids.

“Previous studies on the effects of diet on dementia risk have had mixed results,” said study author Isabelle Glans, MD, of Lund University in Sweden. “While our study does not rule out a possible association between diet and dementia, we did not find a link in our study, which had a long follow-

up period, included younger participants than some other studies and did not require people to remember what foods they had eaten regularly years before.”

For the study, researchers identified 28,000 people from Sweden. Participants had an average age of 58 and did not have dementia at the start of the study. They were followed over a 20-year period.

During the study, participants filled out a seven-day food diary, a detailed food frequency questionnaire and completed an interview. By the end of the study, 1,943 people, or 6.9%, were diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Researchers examined how closely participants’ diets aligned with conventional dietary recommendations and the

Mediterranean diet.

After adjusting for age, gender, and education, researchers did not find a link between following either a conventional diet or the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia.

Glans noted that further research is needed to confirm the findings.

Nils Peters, MD, of the University of Basel in Switzerland, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study, said, “Diet on its own may not have a strong enough effect on memory and thinking, but is likely one factor among others that influence the course of cognitive function. Dietary strategies will still potentially be needed along with other measures to control risk factors.”

A limitation of the study was the risk of participants misreporting their own dietary and lifestyle habits. (Neurosciencenews.com)

real time,” he says. “Tapping into their true function unlocks so many more research areas that can be explored in a comprehensive way.”

Next, Dr Kagan plans to test the impact alcohol has on the minibrain’s ability to play Pong.

If it reacts in a similar way to a human brain, this would underscore just how effective the system might be as an experimental stand-in.

Dr Kagan’s description of his system sentient, however, differs from many dictionary definitions,

which state it means having the capacity to have feelings and sensations.

Cardiff Psychology School honorary research associate Dr Dean Burnett prefers the term ‘’thinking system’’.

‘’There is information being passed around and clearly used, causing changes, so the stimulus they are receiving is being ‘thought about’ in a basic way,’’ he says.

The mini-brains are likely to become more complex as the research progresses - but Dr Kagan’s team are working with bioethicists to ensure they do not accidently create a conscious brain, with all the ethical questions that would raise.

“We have to see this new technology very much like the nascent computer industry, when the first transistors were janky prototypes, not very reliable - but after years of dedicated research, they led to huge technological marvels across the world,” he says.

Artificial-intelligence (AI) researchers have already produced devices that can beat grandmasters at chess.

But Prof Karl Friston, of University College London, who is working with Dr Kagan, says: “The mini-brain learned without it being taught and so is more adaptable and flexible.”

Hear more from the team behind this breakthrough on Inside Science on BBC Sounds. (BBC)

After adjusting for age, gender, and education, researchers did not find a link between following either a conventional diet or the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia

These 800,000 lab-grown brain cells can play a 1970s video game, albeit badly

Science & Technology

What’s the magic number of steps to keep weight off?

Here’s what a new study says

TAKING 8,600 steps a day will prevent weight gain in adults, while already overweight adults can halve their odds of becoming obese by adding an additional 2,400 steps — that’s 11,000 steps a day, according to new research.

Studies show the average person gains between 1 and 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilograms) each year from young adulthood through middle age, slowly leading to an unhealthy weight and even obesity over time.

“People really can reduce their risk of obesity by walking more,” said study author Dr. Evan Brittain, associate professor in the division of cardiovascular medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

The new study also found key benefits for chronic diseases and conditions: “Diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, depression, and GERD showed benefit with higher steps,” Brittain said in an email.

“The relationship with hypertension and diabetes plateaued after about 8,000 to 9,000 steps but the others were linear, meaning higher steps continued to reduce risk,” he said. “I would say that the take home messages are that more steps are better.”

It’s yet another study illustrating the powerful impact that walking and other forms of exercise have on our health. In fact, if you get up and move for 21.43 minutes each day of the week, you cut your risk of dying from all causes by one-third, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Current physical activity

recommendations for adults are 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, dancing, bicycling, doubles tennis and water aerobics, and two days of muscle-strengthening activity each week.

“Physical activity is just absolutely magnificent,” Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, told CNN in an earlier interview.

“And when if you blend that with eating a more plant-based diet, de-stressing, sleeping enough and connecting with others — that’s your magic recipe,” Freeman said. “It’s the fountain of youth, if you will.”

LOWER OBESITY RISK WITH MORE STEPS

The study analysed an average of four years of activity and health data from more than 6,000 participants in the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program, dedicated to research on ways to develop individualized health care.

Participants in the study, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, wore activity trackers at least 10 hours a day and allowed researchers access to their electronic health records over multiple years.

“Our study had an average of 4 years of continuous activity monitoring. So, we were able to account for the totality of activity between when monitoring started and when a disease was diagnosed, which is a major advantage

because we didn’t have to make assumptions about activity over time, unlike all prior studies,” Brittain said.

People in the study ranged in age from 41 to 67 and had body mass index levels from 24.3, which is considered in the healthy weight range, to 32.9, which is considered obese.

Researchers found that people who walked 4 miles a day — about 8,200 steps — were less likely to become obese or suffer from sleep apnea, acid reflux and major depressive disorder. Sleep apnea and acid reflux respond well to weight loss, which can reduce pressure on the throat and stomach, while exercise is a cornerstone treatment for depression.

The study also found that overweight participants (those with BMIs from 25 to 29) cut their risk of becoming obese by half if they increased their steps to 11,000 steps a day. In fact, “this increase in step counts resulted in a 50% reduction in cumulative incidence of obesity at 5 years,” the study found.

Applying the data to a specific example, the authors said individuals with BMIs of 28 could lower their risk of obesity 64% by increasing steps from about 6,000 to 11,000 steps per day.

Recent studies on benefits of steps

The new research echoes results from a recent study in Spain in which researchers found health benefits rose with every step until about 10,000 steps, when the effects began to fade. Counting steps may be especially important

The new study also found key benefits for chronic diseases and conditions: “Diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, depression, and GERD showed benefit with higher steps

for people who do unstructured, unplanned physical activity such as housework, gardening and walking dogs.

“Notably, we detected an association between incidental steps (steps taken to go about daily life) and a lower risk of both cancer and heart disease,” study coauthor Borja del Pozo Cruz told CNN in an earlier interview. Del Pozo Cruz is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense and senior researcher in health sciences for the University of Cadiz in Spain.

The same research team also recently published a similar study that found walking 10,000 steps a day lowered the risk for dementia by 50%; the risk decreased by 25% with as few as 3,800 steps a day.

However, if walking occurred at a brisk pace of 112 steps a minute for 30 minutes, it maximized risk reduction, leading to a 62% reduction in dementia risk. The 30 minutes of fast-paced walking didn’t have to occur all at once

either — it could be spread out over the day.

Researchers found the association between peak 30-minute steps and risk reduction to be dependent on the disease studied: There was a 62% reduction for dementia, an 80% decline for cardiovascular disease and death, and about a 20% drop in risk for cancer.

The new study also found an association between step intensity and health benefits as well, “although the relationships were less consistent than with step counts,” researchers said.

A major limitation of all studies using step trackers is that people who wear them tend to be more active and healthier than the norm, the researchers said. “Yet the fact that we were able to detect robust associations between steps and incident disease in this active sample suggests even stronger associations may exist in a more sedentary population,” they said. (CNN)

Uganda Ebola outbreak: First death recorded in capital Kampala

AN Ebola patient has died at a hospital in Uganda’s capital, the health ministry has confirmed.

He was the 19th victim in the current outbreak of the deadly virus but the first to die in Kampala.

There have been 54 confirmed cases in Uganda but no others have been recorded in the city.

Twenty people have recovered including five medics from the first hospital where a case was treated. They were discharged on Tuesday.

The person who died in Kampala was already known to the authorities as having potentially

come into contact with the virus.

He was from outside the city but Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said the man ran away from his village, disguised his identity and visited a traditional healer in a different region.

He died at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital last Friday, but the death has only just been confirmed.

Dr Aceng said that teams which treated him were alert to the dangers and had protected themselves, because the patient arrived at the hospital when he was seriously ill.

Forty-two people who he may have come into contact with have been identified and are being followed up.

Ebola spreads between humans by direct contact with bodily fluids and contaminated environments. Funerals can be a particular risk if mourners have direct contact with the body.

Dr Aceng added that there are currently no other confirmed Ebola cases in Kampala, although the city and surrounding districts are considered high risk.

The outbreak began in

September in Mubende district, 80km (50 miles) west of the capital.

A 24-year-old-man was the first known Ebola death, and six members of his family also died. Four health workers have also been among the victims, including a doctor from Tanzania.

Medics had previously expressed concern about the lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks. They had also called for Mubende to be put under quarantine.

However, President Yoweri

Museveni ruled out restrictions, saying: “Ebola is not spread like corona[virus]” as it is not an airborne disease.

No effective Ebola vaccine is available yet, because the Sudan strain circulating in central Uganda is different to the Zaire strain that has afflicted West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo and which can be immunised against.

Experts say it is unrealistic to think Ebola will ever be eradicated, but with swift action and effective contact tracing it is now easier to prevent a crisis. (BBC)

Sports

Wasps & Worcester: Premiership and RFU call for more financial transparency from clubs

PREMIERSHIP Rugby and the Rugby Football Union have called for more financial transparency in the wake of Wasps and Worcester’s plight.

Wasps are set to enter administration and have been suspended from the Premiership, one week after fellow top-flight club Worcester were wound up. Rugby authorities say the English game must be given “stronger foundations”.

“It is our responsibility to set a more sustainable path for club rugby,” said Premiership CEO Simon Massie-Taylor.

“This was on the agenda already, but we need to now accelerate the work we are doing with our clubs, the RFU, and other stakeholders across the game.”

In a joint statement, the Premiership and RFU said they are “working together to examine a range of options”, with the “structure of the league” and “visibility of financial information” under consideration.

Both Massie-Taylor and RFU

chief executive Bill Sweeney described Wasps’ likely move into administration as “a very sad day for English rugby”.

“Two professional clubs facing financial difficulties is a clear barometer of the challenges being felt by the economy, sport and rugby union specifically,” Sweeney added.

“The economic environment has compounded these challenges and there is a clear need for more financial transparency from all clubs together, with collective long-term investment and planning for the benefit of the professional game overall.”

Wasps have twice filed notice to get insolvency experts in to help with their debts, which run to tens of millions of pounds.

The Coventry-based club will not fulfil this Saturday’s Premiership game at Exeter and say they expect to enter administration “within days”.

Worcester were suspended and relegated to the Championship for next season last week, a day after players and staff had their contracts

terminated, though the club are appealing against the punishments.

Wasps would also face relegation were they to go into administration as, under RFU rules, any club that enters administration is automatically relegated next season unless they can prove it was a no-fault insolvency.

Wasps had been hopeful of securing new funding to help with a £35m debt owed to bond holders following their relocation from London in 2014, as well as HM Revenue and Customs pursuing them for unpaid taxes.

ANDREW ASKS

PREMIERSHIP AND RFU TO JOIN FORCES

Speaking before Thursday’s Premiership and RFU statement, former Wasps and England fly-half Rob Andrew said the bodies should join forces to address financial problems within the game.

“This has come to a watershed,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“The RFU and Premiership Rugby have to get together and work out how this is going to go forward.

“Ultimately this is a failing of the governance of the game - both the Premiership owners and the RFU to a degree. But to be fair to the RFU, they have no visibility on these businesses.

“And that’s the thing, the two have to come together and find a new way. They have to do this. We’ve had clubs go bust before - London Scottish, Richmond, London Welsh - but not of the scale of this and the devastation.”

Andrew had two spells at Wasps as a player and later held senior roles at the RFU, first as director of elite rugby and then director of professional rugby.

Now chief executive of Sussex

County Cricket Club, he believes the financial problems in rugby union have been brewing for some time.

“It’s probably been coming. The game has not been on a solid footing for quite some time,” added Andrew.

“This is unsustainable and you can’t have a professional sport that falls into this point where two very big clubs go into administration, and the consequences of that are just not acceptable. It needs resolving.

“I was at the RFU for 10 years, part of that trying to get hold of this by the scruff of the neck. The challenge is that Premiership clubs are effectively self-governing and are privately owned businesses.

“The irony is that the rugby on the field, from the players and coaches, has probably never been better. But these are private businesses and they’re getting into financial difficulty.” (BBC)

World Athlete of the Year 2022: Kipchoge, Holloway and Lyles on men’s list

MARATHON world record holder

Eliud Kipchoge is among the 10 nominees for World Athletics’ Men’s Athlete of the Year award.

American duo Grant Holloway, the 110m hurdles world champion, and 200m world champion Noah Lyles are also nominated.

Five athletes will be shortlisted in November before the winner is announced in December.

Norway’s Karsten Warholm was the winner of the 2021 award after his 400m Olympic gold in Tokyo.

It has been another remarkable year for Kenyan runner Kipchoge, who improved his marathon world record time to two hours, one minute and nine seconds.

Kipchoge was nominated last year, as was Mondo Duplantis, who is long listed in 2022 after becoming both indoor and outdoor world pole vault champion.

Sweden’s Duplantis also became Diamond League and European

champion and improved his world record to 6.20m indoors, and then 6.21m outdoors, as he continues to dominate men’s pole vaulting.

Holloway and Lyles both enjoyed stellar years, earning World Championship golds on American soil in Eugene, Oregon

in July.

Holloway became world indoor 60m hurdles champion and won the Diamond League 110m hurdles

title, while Lyles ran a national 200m record of 19.31 seconds to move to third on the world all-time list.

Also on the long list are Slovenia’s world discus champion Kristjan Ceh, Brazilian 400m world champion Alison dos Santos and Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, following his steeplechase title in Eugene.

World 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, world javelin champion Anderson Peters and world triple jump champion Pedro Pichardo complete the list.

Men’s Athlete of the Year longlist: Kristjan Ceh (SLO); Alison dos Santos (BRA); Mondo Duplantis (SWE); Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR); Grant Holloway (USA); Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR); Eliud Kipchoge (KEN); Noah Lyles (USA); Anderson Peters (GRN) and Pedro Pichardo (POR). (BBC)

Noah Lyles (left), Eliud Kipchoge (centre) and Grant Holloway (right)

Wasps are ninth in the Premiership table, having won one of their four games this season.

Sports

Max Verstappen seals second world title amid confusion after Suzuka win

MAX Verstappen clinched a second title in extraordinary circumstances after dominating a Japanese Grand Prix truncated by heavy rain.

Verstappen headed Sergio Perez in a Red Bull one-two after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who crossed the line second, was penalised for cutting the track and gaining an advantage on the last lap.

There was confusion after the race as to whether Verstappen had done enough to tie up the championship, because it was not immediately clear whether full points would be awarded for a race that ran just over half distance.

But governing body the FIA said that reduced points only applied if a suspended race could not be resumed.

Awarding full points or threequarter points - as all the teams expected would be the case - was the difference between Verstappen leaving Japan as a double world champion, or having to go to the next race in the USA needing to gain one point on Leclerc and Perez to seal it.

Even Verstappen asked: “Are you sure?” when he was told he was champion, reflecting the historical precedent that reduced points are awarded in such circumstances.

But it seems that this protocol was inadvertently left out of the rules when they were rewritten over last winter following the controversial Belgian Grand Prix, when a result was declared despite

no racing taking place.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said this was “a mistake” and he was “certain” the rules would be revised over the winter.

There can, however, be no question marks about the validity of Verstappen’s championship, after he secured his 12th victory of the season in the same manner as he has taken control of the championship, by being a class apart from everyone else in his Red Bull car.

“It’s crazy, very mixed emotions,” said Verstappen, who was told of Leclerc’s penalty and his title victory during a post-race interview conducted by former F1 driver Johnny Herbert.

Diego Maradona ‘Hand of

“Winning the championship, what a year we’ve had. It’s incredible!

“I’m so thankful to everyone who’s been contributing to the success, the whole team has been working flat out. Beside that, the work we did with Honda every year, constantly improving, gets very emotional especially here. I’m very proud we could do it here.

“The first is more emotional but the second is more beautiful. We’re leading the constructors so we want to focus on that, to secure that.”

The race was marred by a controversy over officials deploying a recovery vehicle on to the track while cars were still running after a crash on the first

lap.

Drivers and team bosses united to call the decision from race control “unacceptable”, eight years after Jules Bianchi lost his life after crashing into a tractor on the track.

The race was stopped shortly afterwards, leading to a two-hour delay while officials waited for the persistent rain to ease sufficiently for racing to resume.

When it finally did, Verstappen and Leclerc initially pulled away from the rest of the pack, but as the laps ticked by Ferrari’s tyre problems reared their head.

Leclerc dropped back from Verstappen and Perez began to reel in the Ferrari. Leclerc held him off for several laps and looked to have done enough, only to lock up at the

final chicane on the last lap and cut the corner.

Leclerc held Perez off to the line, but was deemed to have gained an advantage by going off track and was demoted back behind.

The three points that lost Leclerc was enough to secure the title for Verstappen once the points situation had been clarified.

“From lap five, it was all downhill,” said Leclerc. “I really struggled with the tyres but after three four laps we just destroyed them.

“Huge congrats to Max on his second championship. Max’s title this year was just a matter of time. We expected him to win the title. Now we just use the last few races to become a better team.”

Behind the top three, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon held off Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes for the entire race, with Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel doing the same to Fernando Alonso’s Alpine.

Alonso made a stop for fresh tyres with just 15 minutes of race time remaining and dropped to ninth, reclaiming sufficient ground to finish the race right on Vettel’s tail, but unable to pass.

Mercedes’ George Russell climbed up to eighth from 13th, after being delayed by being stacked behind Hamilton in the pits when the field changed from wet to intermediate tyres, and the final points when to Williams’ Nicholas Latifi and McLaren’s Lando Norris. (BBC)

THE ball used by Diego Maradona to score two of the most famous goals in football history is to go on auction.

The match ball used in the famous 1986 World Cup quarter final between England and Argentina carries an estimated price of £2.5m to £3m.

It is being sold by Ali Bin Nasser, the Tunisian referee who allowed Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal during the game.

Bin Nasser said: “This ball is part of football history - it is the right time to be sharing it with the world.”

The ball was used for the full 90 minutes of the match, which

remains one of the most defining and controversial contests in World Cup history.

Maradona scored the opener by punching the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Bin Nasser did not spot the handball and allowed the goal to stand, with the player later describing it as being “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”.

Maradona’s second strike of the match has become known as the ‘goal of the century’, where he dribbled past five England outfield players and slotted past Shilton.

Argentina went on to win the

match 2-1 and eventually win the World Cup in Mexico.

The ball is being sold at auction on 16 November as part of a World Cup special event. It will be streamed live and prospective buyers can register their bids online from 28 October.

“The timing of the match, the

history between the two teams and the handball have all led to this match going down as one of the most famous and emotive matches in football history,” said Graham Budd, chairman of Graham Budd

Auctions.

“With the history surrounding the ball, we are expecting this lot to

be hugely popular when it comes up for auction.”

Several items of sporting memorabilia have broken records at auctions recently. The shirt Maradona wore during the 1986 quarter final was sold in May for $9.3m (£7.4m), a new world record.

Verstappen is the 17th man to become a multiple F1 world champion.

Maradona scores his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal

Sports

LIV Golf: ‘I’m on winning side - the PGA Tour is trending downwards’, says Mickelson

PHIL Mickelson has said that by joining the LIV Golf series he has picked the “winning side” in the dispute that has dominated the sport this year.

The Six-time major winner is one of several high-profile players who have left the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit.

Speaking before the LIV event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Mickelson reiterated his belief in the project.

“I think going forward you have to pick a side,” said the 52-yearold.

“You have to pick what side do you think is going to be successful.

“I firmly believe that I’m on the winning side of how things are going to evolve and shape in the coming years for professional golf.”

LIV Golf, which offers a $25m purse at its events and is fronted by two-time major winner and former world number one Greg Norman, has caused deep divisions in the sport since its launch in June.

Major winners Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith and former

world number one Dustin Johnson are among other players who have left the PGA Tour to join LIV.

Last month, the PGA Tour launched a counterclaim against a lawsuit from LIV, saying the series offered players “astronomical sums of money” to breach their contracts so they could help “sportswash the recent history of Saudi atrocities”.

“Until both sides sit down and have a conversation and work something out, both sides are going to continue to change and evolve,” added Mickelson, who reportedly received a $200m (£176.3m) fee for joining LIV.

“And I see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the PGA Tour trending downwards and I love the side that I’m on. I love the way they involve us and listen to us in decisions.”

Following the final individual competition in Jeddah, a seasonending team championship event will be held in Miami between 28-30 October, which will see 12 teams compete for a $50m (£45.2m) prize.

Barcelona on brink of Champions League exit after 3-3 draw with Inter Milan

BARCELONA teeters precariously on the edge of exiting the Champions League for a second successive season at the group stage after a pulsating 3-3 draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday at the Camp Nou.

Only an injury-time goal from Robert Lewandowski levelled the match for Barça and kept their slim Champions League hopes alive.

Wednesday’s draw leaves the five-time champion stranded in third place in Group C, three points behind Inter.

Now Barcelona must win its final two games but, regardless of these results, a win for Inter Milan over Bayern Munich or group minnows Viktoria Plzen would confirm the Catalan team’s elimination from the competition.

“We’re depending on another team to go through. They are our mistakes, we have to improve them. That’s the reality. The [improvement] process is longer than we thought in Europe,”

Barcelona’s manager Xavi said, according to the BBC.

“When you draw at home with these fans, with this atmosphere, it is my fault. I am angry. My feeling is that this competition has been, and is still being, cruel with us.”

Off the field, an early Champions League exit would be a further blow for the club’s financial position – a combination of financial mismanagement and a bloated wage bill has left Barça with a debt issues.

“Last season the impact of being eliminated in the Champions League groups was €12 million ($13.3 million),” Barcelona’s financial vice-president Eduard Romeu said last week, according to The Athletic.

“We were counting on income we didn’t get, but we also saved costs. This year, we are aiming to win La Liga and reach the Champions League quarterfinals.”

Barça started brightly when Ousmane Dembele gave his side the early lead just before halftime,

tapping the ball in following a well-worked move.

But shortly after the break, Inter equalized when Barça’s defense left Nicolò Barella unmarked at close range.

The Italian side took a 2-1 lead thirteen minutes later as Lauro Martínez’s effort ricocheted off both posts into the goal, and the Camp Nou fell silent.

Lewandowski leveled for Barcelona with nine minutes remaining, converting his earlier deflected effort, before Inter seemingly sealed Barcelona’s fate on 88 minutes as a clearing kick from goalkeeper Andre Onana found Martínez in acres of space on the wing.

He passed to Robin Gosens who scored, and was promptly mobbed by his entire team.

Somehow Barcelona dragged themselves back into contention when Lewandowski headed in Eric García’s cross to make the score 3-3.

Gijon Open: Andy Murray beats Pedro Cachin in three sets

ANDY Murray has reached the quarter-finals of the Gijon Open by coming from a set down to defeat Pedro Cachin.

Murray, given a wildcard for the tournament in Spain, defeated his Argentine opponent 2-6 7-5 7-6 (7-3).

The British number three will face Spanish third seed Roberto Bautista Agut or American Sebastian Korda in the last eight.

“I think I served well in the second and third sets but also I just fought very hard,” Murray said afterwards.

“In the first set I wasn’t playing Murray entered the Gijon Open as a wildcard.

my best and Pedro was serving very well for the first set and a half and I was really struggling to break serve.

“I changed a little bit the way I was returning and gave myself more opportunities to break and fought very hard to come back from a break down twice in the third set.”

Former world number one Murray is competing in his first tournament since September’s Laver Cup.

He made hard work of this win, failing to take five break points in the first set while Cachin, ranked 61st in the world, converted two of

his three.

Murray improved in the second set before dropping serve twice in the third, but on both occasions he broke back immediately and went on to triumph in the decisive tiebreak.

Gijon is one of the six one-year licensed tournaments taking place this season after the cancellation of the China leg of the ATP Tour because of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Russian Andrey Rublev is the top seed as he looks to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals for the third successive year. (BBC)

Mickelson reportedly received a

fee

Golf

Lewandowski (R) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal

Wins for Elite, BWIC and LGTHS in latest round of the female Inter-High battle

Elite High School registered a comfortable 5-0 win against CHHS, when action in the Inter-High School Football Championships Girls Division continued on Saturday.

Ruth Gaelle Tiresas scored a hat-trick in that clash, while Sterline Avriel added a brace.

Elite then lost against Louise

Garland Thomas High School (LGTHS) 3-0.

Gerry Harris, Branary Rigby and Krysann Williams all found the back of the net for LGTHS.

Prior to those clashes, BWIC, led by Anika Harry (two goals) and Erline Dorastin had defeated LGTHS 3-0.

Wesley Methodist and RGHS tied in Group A of Inter-High Football Championships

– Clement Howell on top in Group B

Wesley Methodist High School have accumulated nine points, but are leading by goal difference, in Group A of the Inter-High School Football Championships, while the Clement Howell High School are comfortably ahead in Group B with four wins from four games for 12 points.

In the latest round of games, Wesley Methodist went 1-1. They were beaten 4-2 by Raymond Gardiner High School (RGHS), who have also accumulated nine points from four games.

In that clash, Ronaldo Registre scored a hat-trick and Juvensle Joseph converted the other.

Poteinsky Dumesle was on target with a brace for WMHS.

Both Raymond Gardiner scorers also found the back of the net in their school’s 2-1 victory against the British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC). Juan David Morales scored for BWIC.

In Game 13, WMHS registered a 2-0 win against BWIC after Dumesle and Wepsdel Saintulus found the back of the net.

HJ Robinson High School footballers are in third on six points from four games with BWIC yet to get off the mark.

In Group B action, CHHS

needled Louise Garland Thomas High School 2-1 after Hency Gedeon and Walkin Pierre found the back of the net. Sonlay Aimes scored for LGTHS. Prior to that clash, CHHS had defeated Elite High School 4-0.

Christopher Louisy scored a brace and Emmanuel Martin and Djovany Toussaint added the

others.

Elite, who are second in Group B on seven points from four games were able to register a comfortable 5-1 win over Marjorie Basden High School.

Junior Louis scored four goals, while Wendy Legros added the other.

MBHS were led by Mekhi Harvey.

BWIC, led by Anika Harry (two goals) and Erline Dorastin defeated LGTHS 3-0

Raymond Gardiner High School won back-to-back games last weekend to climb the Group A table

Wesley Methodist High School are ahead in Group A on goal difference

Christopher Louisy scored a brace for CHHS

Sports

Grant Thornton Tag Rugby League heats up

Week five of the Grant Thornton Tag Rugby League was scheduled for Thursday evening at the Meridian Field.

After the first four weeks of play, Mudda Sic’ers are ahead on eight points, followed by Turtles of Doom on six points, Rough Riders on four points and Red Mist yet to score.

In action last Thursday, the Sic’ers were

able to easily get past Red Mist 28-11, while Turtles of Doom edged out Rough Riders 1817.

According to information from the Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union (TCIRFU) Social Media page, the semi-final clashes are scheduled for November 3 and the final for November 10.

JAGUARS BEAT KISHCO BY SIX WICKETS

A superior bowling performance spurred the Jaguars to a six-wicket victory against Kishco when action in the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association (TCICA) T-20 Cricket Competition continued on Sunday at the Downtown Ballpark.

Kishco won the toss and opted to bat first, but were undermined by the medium pace bowling of their opponents.

Opening bowler, Kintly Charley took a wicket in his first over and two in his second to rattle the top order. Kischo batsmen managed to get in a few shots intermittently, which kept the scoreboard ticking.

The introduction of Daniel Browne and then Earl Henry proved to also be effective.

Browne damaged the middle order, while Henry took just 2.4 overs to clean up the tail. His spell included 3-12, Browne’s spell 3-14 from three overs and Charley 3-19 from four.

Kishco had two batsmen with 15 runs, including Vinod Panikar, who finished unbeaten, as the side succumbed for 78 all out in 13.4 overs.

When Jaguars batted, Kishco proved somewhat effective, but their bowlers had too little to defend.

In the end, an unbeaten knock by opener Jahmal Missick and a quickfire performance from middle-order batsman, Paul Mackenzie, carried the team to 82-4 in 9.1 overs.

Missick, struck four fours in his score of 26, while McKenzie took just 10 balls to reach a game-high 28.

After taking the first three balls to settle in, he weighed into Vasu Vesmuh by belting him for consecutive sixes, followed by three straight fours.

Incidentally, Vasu’s previous over was a wicket-maiden.

Panikar was the pick of the bowlers with 2-25 from 2.1 overs.

Jaguars had a good all-round game

Earl