TC Weekly News May 11 - 17, 2024

BOMB THREATS NOW REGIONAL

Since April 26, ten bomb threats have been made in the TCI, with the most recent three targeting schools in Grand Turk and South Caicos. This week, the threats intensified, reaching other British Overseas Territories and Jamaica. The National Security Council is collaborating with UK and US officials to find the perpetrators. The level of intensity is however alarming, especially with a widely-circulated email sending serious warnings, including death threats to public officials.

PDM launches “TCI Rescue Mission” for next elections

– fresh faces, party crossovers and repeat contenders to contest

BY DELANA ISLES

Six newcomers, two returning contenders, a former PNP Minister of Government and PDM Party Leader make up the constituency picks for the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) list come the next general election.

The ten candidates were announced on Monday, May 6, at the party’s headquarters in Downtown Providenciales to much fanfare.

Decked out in blue, the party house was filled with well wishes and congratulations as the candidates introduced themselves, relating what they – individually – bring to the table, with hopes of capturing the next government.

PDM National Chairman, Ezra Taylor introduced the candidates, stating that the newly gathered team is not just defined by youth, it is a true reflection of the rich diversity of the Turks and Caicos Islands and of the PDM.

“We have seasoned veterans who bring decades of wisdom and

expertise to the table. They have weathered many storms, overcame many obstacles, emerging stronger and more resilient than ever. Their steady stewardship and sage counsel will be invaluable as we chart a course towards a brighter future for the TCI,” Taylor stated.

He said in the future real representation, meritocracy and honest engagement with the people will be the order of the day.

He added: “Our candidates are not driven by personal gain or self-interests, but a deep-seated commitment to serving their fellow citizens, and to leave a notable legacy for future generations of Turks and Caicos Islanders.”

He called on the electorate to look beyond party affiliations and political rhetoric, “instead focus your gaze on the qualities that truly matter such as integrity, leadership and a genuine commitment to making a difference”.

Taylor stated that the PDM candidates possess these qualities in abundance and will serve the

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TCI with honour and distinction.

“So, I ask you the electorate to join the PDM on this rescue mission.”

The PDM has a steep climb to come back from the 14 to 1 loss at the last election, but according to the party leader, Honourable Edwin Astwood he believes that with this new and energised team, they can do it.

Addressing supporters at the unveiling, Astwood said: “While I was sitting there a feeling came over me… I felt a burden being lifted off my shoulders so much… being alone in the fight for these three and a half years it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it, and now that I have these capable men and women here with me it fills me up with happiness.”

A visibly emotional party leader

stated that the team is the people’s pick.

Congratulating all of the candidates on their nomination, Astwood said he is pleased at who the people have chosen.

PDM CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATES

Former PNP Minister, George Lightbourne who is the former elected representative of Grand Turk North – Electoral District (ED) 1 - was well received by PDM supporters. He will again contest that constituency.

As usual, Party Leader, Honourable Edwin Astwood will contest Grand Turk South and Salt Cay (ED 2).

For a second consecutive election, Audric Skippings will

return as the candidate for the Bight (ED 6). Skippings received 68 votes in the 2021 general elections. Also returning to the frontlines is former PDM Minister of Government, Delroy Williams for the Wheeland, North West Central and West Caicos constituency (ED 10). Williams lost his constituency by a slim margin, three votes short of victory.

The newcomers are Karen Forbes for South Caicos (ED 3); Denard Williams for North and Middle Caicos (ED 4); Keith Cox for Leeward and Long Bay (ED 5); Rose Higgs for Cheshire Hall, Kewtown and Richmond Hill (ED7); Anthony Walkin for Blue Hills (ED 8) and Bishop Bryant Cox for Five Cays and Chalk Sound (ED 9). Five Cays man gunned down

Police are investigating a shooting in Five Cays on Wednesday, May 8, that resulted in the death of a young man.

According to reports, at about 4:06pm, calls flooded the police control room of gunshots heard along Fisheries Road in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Officers and a medical team were dispatched to the

given location and a man who appeared to be shot was found motionless.

Police said the victim has been identified, but his name is being withheld while his family members are traced and informed.

Reports are that the gunmen entered the victim’s house and shot him. Police have not since confirmed this report.

They are urging the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on this incident. Additionally, residents are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information anonymously.

Team Blue: PDM unveils constituency candidates for next general election (Photo: PDM)

“We will not let fear divide us” – TCI leaders condemn bomb threats

Premier Charles Washington Misick and Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam have strongly condemned the recent bomb threats made against the Turks and Caicos Islands and other Overseas Territories.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is facing an unprecedented amount of bomb threats, which have disrupted the JAGS McCartney International Airport and Howard Hamilton International Airport as well as schools.

These threats are allegedly coming from individuals who are demanding the release of several US visitors awaiting sentencing for firearms and ammunition charges.

In an address to the nation on Monday, May 6, 2024, Premier Hon Charles Misick called on the people of the islands to remain calm and vigilant. He assured that the government is doing everything it can to protect the safety and security of its citizens.

“As our nation faces a new security threat, we must respond with a united front, drawing on our collective strength and resilience,” Misick said.

“Each of you play a crucial role in this response, and together, we will overcome this challenge and emerge stronger.”

The Premier also reiterated the government’s commitment to working with international partners and experts to bring the perpetrators of these threats to justice. “We are aware that other overseas territories have experienced similar cases in the last 24 hours,” he said. “We

are working with our partners to expose the perpetrators of this unwarranted threat to our little country.”

The territory’s leader expressed his gratitude to the men and women in uniform who are working tirelessly to protect the country.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication and selfless sacrifice in defending our country,” he said.

American tourist on ammunition charge to know fate on May 29

– lawyer calls 12 years imprisonment for bullets unconstitutional

BY DELANA ISLES

Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, USA, will know his fate on May 29, when Justice Tanya LobbanJackson delivers her ruling in a case that has been making local and international headlines.

Hagerich is one of four American tourists, currently charged with possession of unauthorised ammunition in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He has since pleaded guilty to having twenty rounds of ammunition for a rifle, was granted bail, and appeared in court on Friday, May 3, with his attorney King’s Counsel Oliver Smith to plead for leniency.

Hagerich was in court surrounded by family, friends and supporters, along with a US media crew, covering the hearing.

Smith pleaded for the exceptional circumstances allowance in the Firearms Ordinance to be applied in his client’s case, stating that the ammunition is for a high powered

hunting rifle that was not in the defendant’s possession while he was in the TCI.

The bullets were discovered in a bag by airport authorities while Hagerich and his family were departing TCI for home.

He has since claimed that the bag is often used for hunting, and the ammunition was inadvertently left inside.

In arguments on his client’s behalf, Smith called for a fine to be imposed, along with a suspended sentence, or time already served, namely, eight days.

While the lawyer also alluded to Hagerich’s cooperation with police and his guilty plea, the Firearm Law does not take that into factor when sentencing, as made pellucidly clear by the Court of Appeal ruling last month, in which the Attorney General sought clarity on the law, given a slew of unlawful sentencing in which defendants were merely fined, with no custodial sentence imposed.

Smith took issue with the law,

and the Appellate Court affirmed the true position of the law as it relates to the application of exceptional circumstances and the imposition of a custodial sentence in all firearm convictions.

The lawyer declared that it is unconstitutional and incorrect.

The Crown was represented by Principal Public Prosecutor Clement Joseph, who called on the judge to throw the book at Hagerich, sentencing him to the full mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine, claiming that there are no exceptional circumstances to be considered.

Joseph reminded the Judge – as per the Firearms Ordinance and the Court of Appeal’s decision – that she has no jurisdiction to impose a non-custodial sentence on Hagerich.

He also argued that the defence lawyer’s suggestion that Hagerich’s eight days in prison be considered punishment enough, should not count as a sentence, as it would be

can expect regular updates and transparent communication from our government as we navigate through this situation together.”

As a co-chair of the National Security Council, HE Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam also strongly condemned the recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.

In a joint statement on Monday via the National Security Council, the Governor said: “We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause.

“Your service is the backbone of our security, and we stand with you as you tirelessly safeguard our freedoms and our way of life.”

Misick concluded his address by urging the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to remain calm and not to let fear divide them.

“We will not let fear divide us or erode the values that define us as a nation,” he said.

“In the coming days, you

Echoing similar sentiments, the Governor stressed to travellers, and parents that all appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.

“The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.”

The public was urged to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities

outrageously lenient.

He stated that there is no distinction within the law between possession of a gun and possession of ammunition, as such the court has a duty to follow the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He said if Her Ladyship finds that exceptional circumstances exist, only then can the court go below the 12-year mandatory minimum sentence, but a custodial sentence must be imposed along with a fine.

The prosecutor has been

stridently presenting the same argument to the court for several months since American tourists have been continuously found in possession of gun and or ammunition in the TCI, hauled before the courts and given a slap on the wrists.

The last case was that of Alec Keith Nash, a citizen of the US, who was in August 2023, fined $5,000 for possession of a gun and ammunition

HE Governor Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam and Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick

Byran Hagerich and his wife

GUNS, TCI LAWS AND THE TOURISM MARKET

The Turks and Caicos Islands government issued a warning to foreigners entering the country that they need to leave their firearms and ammunition at home or face the consequences of the territory’s law.

Many are worried that this would come over as abrasive, deterring visitors, and inevitably hurt the tourism sector, which is the bread and butter of the country.

Others argue that TCI’s rules and laws must be respected and that the TCI should not just bend the knees for US dollars.

They also say that too many young TCIslanders have suffered because of the influx of weapons to the islands.

What are your thoughts?

Not black and white

Aspects of gun control/prohibition laws should not be conflated.

It is one thing to say that a tourist innocently left a bullet in his/her luggage versus wilfully with intent to break the TCI law.

So a judge’s discretion becomes important and applicable to distinguish one situation from the other.

It is not bending the knees for the US dollar (or any other currency) to afford a fair hearing where both the facts and the mental intention are weighed in a fair and balanced way, and the converse should equally be true where all TCIslanders are afforded the same standard of justice.

There are different ways of saying the same thing and when one seeks to attract global business - one should be smart and intelligent enough to use and apply global standards of diplomatic expression to convey the point.

Keep it fair and appropriate

The government has fundamentally the right stance, but they do have to show balance in their ‘no tolerance’ approach. It’s a hard thing to do, but saying we will show no tolerance and then realising what that means when someone makes an ‘honest’ mistake, is a tough tightrope to walk.

bring in weapons or ammunition.

Discovering a couple of shells in the bottom of a bag that belongs to someone who hunts and can explain and verify it was not intentional should not receive the same punishment as someone smuggling in guns to harm the people of the TCI.

Extenuating circumstances

Keep the law as is, but just be aware that deer hunting is very popular throughout the Northern US in particular. If they use a suitcase or backpack to travel to a hotel for hunting they may inadvertently leave a bullet in a travel container.

I feel your law should be kept in place as it is, but please be aware that this could happen. Not a question of cow-towing to Americans it’s a question of legitimate concern. Some of the most conscientious and Christian-like travellers are also deer hunters. Venison is part of their diet.

Incompetent in-flight security

Firearms Ordinance is rather bizarre as well as only a licensed gunsmith may import weapons into the Islands. Well that law is routinely flouted and ignored as the youth are walking around with bullets and highpower weapons and are seemingly free to do it.

The picture of that hapless American tourist is painted where he is pleading that he just didn’t know it and was totally oblivious to the weapons being in his luggage. A rather interesting plea and a matter for the Court. The law, it seems, does not give the Court any leeway to allow a judge to apply a “slap on the wrist” fine. Issues such as the image of the islands and the tourist product arise. On the other hand, when TCI had some “deliberately ignorant judges”, who really and truly “didn’t know the law”, harsh sentences were imposed on law-abiding TCI citizens who were businessmen fitting the mould of that American tourist. What is the government “gonna” do? Does that build a two-tiered justice system or do they sit by and allow the image of the islands to suffer in light of this? This is truly that rock and a hard place decision to make. One could proffer the suggestion that the law is crazy, bizarre, and makes no sense. Reforms may be considered.

Watershed moment

Ultimately, saying you are pursuing a safe tourist environment by strongly prohibiting weapon/ammunition importation from any country, should enhance the islands’ appeal. You just have to be careful not to create unnecessary political issues over minor infringements given that we rely on a single industry, primarily from a single source. Bravo for being tough...just keep it fair and appropriate to the crime.

A crime is a crime

The law is blind. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!!! It is discriminatory to sentence locals who contravene the law a hefty custodial sentence and tourists a lenient sentence of a fine for contravening the law. The USA’s constitutional right to bear arms DOES NOT EXTEND to the Turks and Caicos Islands as we are not a US overseas territory. These seemingly related bomb threats WILL NOT BEND OUR WILL TO UPHOLD OUR LAWS and the culprits will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!!!

All crimes are not the same

Abiding by our laws should never be an issue. TCIslanders and tourists alike must obey our laws. However, the punishment does not fit the crime, so the penalty should be reviewed not the fact that it is illegal to

Keep the law and give more discretion to the courts. Tourism providers should powerfully alert customers. This also points to the incompetence of flight security systems.

Beef up surveillance

I totally agree. Imagine guns hidden in plain sight such as derelict vehicles, abandoned lots, in bushes near the beach. We need to beef up surveillance and employ a large K-9 unit to sniff out drugs and weapons in communities.

Do walk-by in communities and have the K-9 unit accompany police during random stops and especially in parking lots. Find the drugs and you will find guns.

Firearms law makes no sense

This law absolutely makes “no sense” and it must be repealed as an emergency measure. Most recently, what appears to be “an innocent” law-abiding American citizen, was found to have accidentally carried ammunition in his luggage while leaving the TCI was apprehended on an illegal fireman’s law that carries a 12-year sentence.

He was said to be “leaving”. How did he get past airport security to get in the USA, board a flight, come to TCI, seek to return and wow, the TCI Airport Security just happens to find it.

It begs too many questions to answer a nonsensical paradigm of events. The

Now and “all of a sudden” the islands get faced with bomb threats and scares. Are these scares connected to the issue of the tourist carrying contraband weaponry? It took a pregnant pause for the government to rise to the occasion and to speak on this very serious and critical issue.

It was after the Hon Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition PDM called on the government “to take the airport bomb threats of the past week seriously and to further address security concerns at the country’s two international airports” that the Premier came out and made a statement, followed by some “jumbled message from the National Security Council (the “NSC”). This cannot be, as the government found itself ‘with its pants down” and ‘wanting” as the PDM leader of the Opposition was able to move in and take the lead on this very important and critical issue.

One does not know whether the bomb scares were tied to the same issue but in times of emergency, governments must learn to be proactive. There is also a leadership void because the statement from

American tourist on ammunition charge to ...

by Judge Chris Selochan.

The frustrated prosecutor had at the time called into question the preferential treatment being given to visitors when the law is clear. He also drew attention to the fact that all other tourists who were caught with guns or ammunition in their possession in the TCI, have all been claiming the same defence.

The law has been clear from the inception, although no judge to date has actually stuck to what the law dictates, forcing the Attorney General’s Chambers to seek out the court of appeal to remove any misunderstanding or misinterpretations.

While Hagerich returns for his sentencing on May 29, up next in court are three other Americans, Michael Lee Evans for a hearing on June 18 along with Tyler Scott Weinrich and Ryan Tyler Watson, both of whom will appear in court on June 7.

Electronic Tabulating System to be introduced for next general elections

In keeping with the 2020 Elections Amendment Ordinance, the voting process in TCI is poised to see a vast improvement in efficiency and transparency with the implementation of the Electronic Tabulating System for the upcoming general elections.

To ensure that voters have ample opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new technology, the Elections Department is hosting a live demonstration on Thursday, May 16 at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre.

The event is scheduled to begin at 12 pm and will provide a demonstration of the machines in action as well as allow people to ask questions about the new machines and their impact on the voting process.

The new system - specifically the DS200 Precinct Scanner and Tabulator (DS200) - promises to streamline the voting process,

the NSC made them look like they were scrambling and fighting for something to say. It was a weak position to be found in during a crisis of this nature. On the other hand, the Leader of the Opposition was able to lay out a number of security measures that the NSC and government seem oblivious to. In true measure where adequate security was in place, the issue of the tourist flying in and flying back out with ammunition could have been avoided. The PDM leader called for “additional security measures, including access control systems, additional surveillance cameras, security patrols, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to be implemented at the airports. Also, advancements in technology, such as biometric identification systems and artificial intelligence-based security solutions, are now being leveraged to enhance security capabilities and improve threat detection.” the bomb scares and the tourist with the ammunition may appear unrelated or tied but at the end of it all, the National Security Apparatus in the TCI needs some catching up right now. It is a scary situation to be in.

Twilight zone

Some Americans believe that their Second Amendment right to bear arms gives that proverbial license to just go anywhere with their guns and ammunition. It is a right that all citizens should hold and not abuse.

Quite interestingly it was a law

ensuring efficiency and accuracy by electronically tabulating each vote.

By leveraging this system, voters can expect reduced wait times at polling stations while enabling the swift tabulation of results. This advancement will facilitate timely reporting and analysis, marking a significant step towards more expedited and transparent elections.

Speaking on these new initiatives, Election Supervisor Dudley Lewis said: “The introduction of the DS200 Precinct Scanner and Tabulator will increase the efficiency of the voting process and eliminate the need for the tedious hand count of ballots that previously lasted through the night.”

He said this means that winners will be announced as early as 8 pm on voting day, reflecting a more efficient and timely election outcome announcement.

Lewis said the innovative approach aligns with the 2020 Elections Amendment Ordinance, aimed at enhancing the electoral process through modern technology. It further underscores the government’s commitment to conducting elections that are efficient and uphold the highest standards of accuracy and transparency. Lewis added: “In addition to

Continued

established in the USA, post slavery era to protect former slaves from racist Americans who didn’t want to see them prosper and continue being elected to State and Federal Legislatures. The Right to bear Arms in the TCI applies equally but Turks & Caicos Islander businessmen and homeowners who understand the need for that law are usually responsible in maintaining their “guns and bullets”.

Her Excellency, Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, has taken what some believe is a rather “forthright” position by not getting involved in the matter. She is however, responsible for the police, defence, firearm policy and should really “get involved”.

What took place at the TCI airport seems like an interesting scenario where one may travel to North Korea, Singapore, or Iran, do something not accepted there and suddenly find oneself “on the other side of the law” in those “crazy kinds of countries”.

Will Her Excellency move to place silent pressure on the police and the courts? This is not unknown in previous colonial practices. It would appear that the Governor of Oklahoma, the home state of the tourist reached out to her and sought her intervention. She can always issue a pardon but would this create two systems of justice or elongate that twotiered structure which many TCIslanders feel is the case already?

policing systems

Something needs to be done and an immediate review of the Security apparatus of TCI Security systems needs to be implemented ASAP. It cannot be deemed normal for there to be tourists walking in and out of the airport and on entry weapons remain undetected.

This is a total reliance on weak American Security systems which at best appear to be exceptionally weak. While the law may be changed, it takes the Minister of Tourism to “take the lead” on this issue and to marshal the financial and security resources to handle the fallout from all matters related “hereto”.

Could she make the case that the Firearms law needs to be reformed?

It requires leadership. On the bomb scares, another issue that affects tourists and which may somehow be tied to the American Tourist, she could further advocate for tighter and improved security measures.

She and her backbenchers need to place pressure on the Premier and National Security Council. The Government and National Security Council must realise that the security structure of the Airport is acutely weak. Leader of the Opposition, Edwin Astwood stated, “This PNP government needs to understand that the importance of security and safety at airports cannot be overstated, especially in today’s world where the threat of terrorism and other security risks loom large.”

Yet where are the countermeasures

the live demonstration scheduled for May 16, my department will conduct town halls and other outreach events to showcase the new voting technology for the general public, candidates and the press, as well as provide training for poll workers.”

The department will hold training sessions with mock exercises in all electoral districts to help familiarise voters with the system before Election Day.

from the Premier and Minister of Tourism to handle these issues? Most critically, the leader of the Opposition called them out on being a “government that is not out of touch like this current PNP government would have understood that as technology advances and security threats to our country evolve, the airports should be continually exploring new measures to enhance security and safety,” the party leader stated.

He said a PDM government, under his leadership, will review and implement innovative approaches and technologies that can be considered for at airports to strengthen security measures.

“I am putting to the premier and his government that the Terms of Reference for the New Airport Development should be immediately reviewed, in order to ensure that the highest levels of security measures are included, thereby allowing the new airport to be not only state of the art in appearance, but also state of the art in safety and security.”

These proposals are fresh and new and holds the Government’s “feet to the fire”. While this cannot be the usual political football in an election year, the Government must respond to the situation, and heed the concerns of the media, the public

These issues test the readiness of government and security forces to respond and adjust in crisis times like these. The Leader of the Opposition is “emerging as in command of the policy response to the Situation”. A very interesting and serious development that must be monitored.

Election Supervisor Dudley Lewis

Gracebay beach ranked 17th among 50 best beaches in the world

The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world, cinching number 17 on the World’s 50 Best Beaches annual list.

The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.

The 2024 list is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world.

The beaches are ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.

Grace Bay Beach also featured

among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.

This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year; known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.

In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10 Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.

Minister of Tourism, Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition

of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay ‘Beautiful by Nature’.

“I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the Minister said.

Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.

She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth.”

A brief write-up on World Best Beaches website, described Gracebay Beach “embodying the Caribbean beach dream”.

The article reads: “Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos, widely regarded as one of the best Caribbean beaches, is renowned for its stunning simplicity and pristine conditions.

“The beach boasts miles of

soft, white sand and quintessential turquoise waters that define Caribbean beauty.

“Protected by a coral reef about a mile offshore, Grace Bay’s northwest facing orientation ensures calm, sheltered waters perfect for families and those seeking relaxation.

“The absence of rocks and the expansive size of the beach ensure there are ample perfect spots for sunbathers, and its vastness means it remains pleasantly uncrowded even during peak tourist season.

“Additionally, Grace Bay offers a range of water sports and activities, making it a favorite for both adventure seekers and those looking to unwind.”

ISU resumes nationwide containment efforts

The Informal Settlement Unit (ISU) is back in action, resuming containment efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Operations were briefly suspended in November 2023 but have now restarted, with a renewed commitment to due process.

The ISU is dedicated to addressing the complexities of land ownership documentation, ensuring fairness and sustainability in its containment efforts.

Extensions are being provided to those who have submitted sufficient documentation to warrant further investigation, the organization said in a statement on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

In mid-November 2023, the organisation announced that it would be suspending all containment activities in the Dock Yard area in light of the number of affected individuals who came forward with papers showing receipts for payment of the lands they occupy. This suspension was also extended to private lands where containment

activities would have resulted in displacement given the thenapproaching Christmas season. While the suspension has now ended and containment activities have resumed across the country, persons who have provided supporting paperwork will see the suspension remain in effect,

while the issues of validating said paperwork and proof of ownership continue to be resolved.

Speaking on the issues stemming from the Dock Yard situation, Justice Carlos Simons, Strategic Lead of the ISU, issued a statement saying, “Though many of the structures found in

the Dock Yard informal settlement are illegal, at least to the extent that they infringe on the planning code in one way or another, it is important that we do our due diligence in ensuring that we properly validate all claims of ownership”.

He continued in his statement, saying, “The mission of the ISU is to contain, manage, and eliminate informal settlements throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, and this also includes formalising where possible. It is this organisation’s goal to achieve its mission in such a way that we are able to eventually build safer, more sustainable, communities”.

Since reclamation exercises have resumed, the ISU is on track to clear approximately 47 unoccupied structures across four parcels of Crown Land by the end of May.

This work also includes removing concrete foundations and perimeter walls, as well as domestic and construction garbage and debris, abandoned vehicles,

and shipping containers.

With regards to private lands, the Planning Department will be assisting the owners of at least three parcels in clearing their lands of informal structures before the end of May.

The ISU continues its public education work to ensure that people are aware that building on any land, Crown Land or private, that is not registered to you and building without planning permission is unlawful and constitutes an offence against various ordinances for which persons may be prosecuted.

The organisation has cautioned private landowners to regularly monitor their lands and to refrain from encouraging or becoming complicit in the establishment of informal settlement communities on their properties. Both are offences that will be addressed by the ISU in carrying out its work.

Residents are encouraged to follow the organisation on their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram: @isutci.

Gracebay Beach garners more accolades

Justice Carlos Simons

Bomb threats continue

– Schools in TCI and Jamaica, and airports in BOTs targeted

BY DELANA ISLES

The new week brought even more bomb hoaxes, both in Grand Turk and Providenciales, with airline passengers complaining of the inconvenience, and school children hurriedly hustled out of schools in the nation’s capital.

All of the schools on Grand Turk were targeted for threats this past Monday, May 6, forcing evacuations as officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force swarmed campuses to sweep the compounds and surrounding areas.

Shortly after schools were dismissed, the government confirmed the threats to the educational institutions.

Although no confirmation was given by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, both the JAGS McCartney and the Howard Hamilton International Airports were once again targeted for bomb hoaxes this past Sunday. This is according to many people close to both airports, and information gleaned from voice notes shared via social media of passengers worried about their flight delays in Grand Turk.

Stopping

Business owner Michael Thomas has argued that the government should not implement price control in the BVI without first being able to control the vast amount of revenue leaving the territory.

Thomas voiced his concerns on the Talking Points radio show about the BVI government’s approach to price control without addressing the substantial issue affecting the territory.

“You can’t control pricing until you figure out how to keep the revenues that leave this country on a daily basis,” Thomas stated.

Thomas, who has extensive experience in both retail and construction industries, believes that government support played a crucial role in creating a thriving local market in the past. However, he thinks that recent changes have favoured

On Monday, both the Premier and the Governor finally spoke out on the threats, promising action against the perpetrators as the government consults with its international partners to weed them out.

On Wednesday, the Jamaica Constabulary Force reported on similar occurrences in the neighbouring country, targeting several high schools in the corporate area and public offices in the country.

Similarly, those threats were investigated and determined to be unfounded.

Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), both sister Overseas Territories, also reported bomb threats at their international airports on Sunday and Monday evenings, those also proved to be hoaxes.

All of the threats have been issued via emails.

BVI NEWS SITE OUTLINES CAUSE OF THREATS

A detailed report in the (British)

Virgin Islands News Online, published on Tuesday, May 7, reported that the emailed threats relate to the US nationals currently awaiting trial and sentencing for firearm-related offences in the TCI.

That news report reads: “Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on May 6, 2024, received another email from an anonymous person threatening to create more havoc with bomb threats across the Caribbean if four Americans who found themselves afoul of the law in Turks and Caicos Islands for possession of ammunition recently were not allowed to go back to the United States by June 2024.

“The email, which was immediately shared with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, stated that bomb threats were sent to all British territories in the Caribbean on May 5, 2024, and that multiple flights made emergency landings, some diverting to other airports and at least a dozen flights were late.”

It further goes on to read: “The

sender of the email said it was a ‘final warning, and that the bomb threats will be taken to “schools, airports, factories, ports, hotels, government buildings among others” across the Caribbean.

“A threat was also made to assassinate two named government officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The threats made against public officials in the TCI was confirmed by TCI’s Commissioner of Police, Edvin Martin last week.

The VINO reports further reads: “If by June this issue is not resolved we will disrupt your islands’ economies on a scale you never thought possible, it’ll be like COVID. You will allow these men to go home and see their families... If by June these men don’t go home, we will move onto our second phase. Think wisely, this isn’t just about you, others will suffer on other islands...”

The allegations made within the BVI news report have not been disclosed or addressed by Turks and Caicos Islands authorities.

Three arrested in illegal gun and ammo seizure

external interests instead of local ones, weakening the local economy.

Thomas argued that the government’s ability to enforce effective price controls is hampered by its inability to stem the flow of funds from the BVI to larger markets, such as the US and other Caribbean nations. This outflow significantly disrupts local currency circulation, a crucial factor for economic stability and growth.

He concluded that for price control measures to be truly effective, the government must first bolster the local economy by retaining more revenue within its borders. He warns that ‘without these foundational changes, attempts at price control are likely to falter, perpetuating the strain on both consumers and businesses in the BVI.’

Three men are in police custody after a stop and search on a suspicious vehicle yielded an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition.

Preliminary police reports state that, based on information received, officers from the Serious Crime, Tactical, Operations, and Response Units intercepted a blue Honda Fit vehicle transporting five males exiting Five Cays, Providenciales, around 2:30 pm on May 2.

Two of the occupants ran from the vehicle while the other three were detained. Upon searching both the car and the men, a firearm and rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The suspects, ages 16 and 32, are currently in police custody under arrest.

Commenting on the illegal firearm and ammunition find, Head of Crime, Safeguarding, Public Protection and Intelligence Superintendent Dean Holden said: “The RTCIPF remains unwavering in our commitment to rid the streets of illegal firearms and ammunition. Today’s arrest and seizure

highlights the Force’s sustained efforts in tackling this issue.”

He said the discovery underscores the ongoing challenge of illegal firearms circulating in communities and posing serious risks to public safety.

“The RTCIPF’s commitment to removing these weapons from circulation is crucial in preventing potential crimes and ensuring safety.

“Overall, while this find is a step in the right direction, it highlights the ongoing need for continued vigilance and concerted efforts to keep illegal firearms off the streets,” Holden said. He is calling on the public to play its part by reporting any suspicious activity or information related to illegal firearms.

“This partnership between law enforcement and the community is essential in effectively combating gun violence and creating safer neighborhoods for everyone. To my colleagues who daily place their lives on the line to protect and defend the law abiders of the TCI, thank you for your dedication, commitment, and service,” the Superintendent stated.

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

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

BVI businessman Michael Thomas

Plans to enhance TCI’s global financial services underway – Premier

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Despite long-standing efforts to diversify the Turks and Caicos Islands economy through the financial services sector, the nation still significantly lags behind other countries in the region, strategic plans are, however, in the pipeline to enhance the country’s potential.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick highlighted the Turks and Caicos Islands’ underperformance in the global financial services arena, during a recent House of Assembly debate and argued that there is still an unwavering desire within the territory to grow its second-largest industry after tourism.

He said that the TCI is “lagging way behind” in global financial services after an alarming 113-place ranking out of 115 international financial centres in

competitiveness for the year.

He acknowledged the superior performance of islands in the region, with Cayman, BVI, the Bahamas, and Bermuda all securing

TCI firefighters recognised for bravery and selflessness

The Turks and Caicos Islands recently joined the rest of the world in recognising the bravery and dedication of firefighters on International Firefighters Day.

Around the world, May 4th is recognised as International Firefighters Day, and this year the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities recognised the selfless and unwavering bravery of firefighters in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon Kyle Knowles acknowledged the crucial role firefighters play across TCI.

He stressed that this day serves as an important reminder of the invaluable contributions these courageous men and women make to safeguard lives, property, and our collective well-being.

Knowles underscored that firefighters stand as symbols of resilience and heroism, confronting danger head-on to protect communities in the face of adversity.

He said: “We should not take for granted the service and security firefighters provide, they risk their lives on a daily basis to save lives and protect our communities. We

are grateful for their selfless acts and thank them for their service.”

Affirming his support, the Minister further expressed that “As we reflect on the profound impact of firefighters in our lives, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting them in every possible way.

“Whether through adequate resources, training, or recognition, we will ensure that our firefighters have the tools and support they need to continue their lifesaving work with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness.”

Firefighters around the world dedicate their lives to the protection of life and property. Sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless hours volunteered over many years, in others, it is many selfless years working in the industry.

In all cases, it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter’s life.

International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is a day dedicated to recognizing and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. (Olivia Rose)

strategic response, TCI Finance, a new entity tasked with promoting and expanding the nation’s financial services industry.

He said: “We are operationalising the long-awaited TCI Finance –a sister entity to Invest-TCI to promote and grow the country’s international financial services industry.

The organisation aims to carve out a specialised niche by attracting top-tier global talent and industry leaders.

concluded by emphasising growth across various sectors, driven by strong international demand.

He said: “The construction and real estate sectors are booming.

Everywhere you turn a new building is going up.

“There is a solid pipeline of recently concluded developments and ongoing projects.

“Approvals have been given for 20 developments with a combined value of $572m.

significantly higher rankings.

He said: “In this region, Cayman is at number 75 followed by BVI at number 88, the Bahamas at number 95 and Bermuda at number 96.

Despite the bleak statistics, Premier Misick asserted that the government is putting systems in place to ensure the TCI improves its portfolio.

STRATEGIC RESPONSE

He unveiled the government’s

The territory’s leader outlined ambitious objectives, including diversifying the economy, bolstering the domestic professional class, raising GDP per capita, and enhancing economic sustainability.

He also highlighted the booming construction and real estate sectors, cautioning that government revenue from stamp duty has been impacted by a practice of splitting purchase contracts, a policy supported by the previous administration. “That will change,” the Premier firmly stated.

Expressing confidence in the nation’s potential, Premier Misick

“In 2022 and 2023, the real estate industry did exceptionally well, and the earnings were way up.”

He affirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging these positive trends to elevate the financial services sector and solidify the nation’s economic standing.

TCI’s ultra-low tax rates, pristine beaches, good weather, and tourism destination accolades and significant untapped potential for further development, are just a few of the reasons why the government is pushing for the territory to become the financial services hub of the Caribbean.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick

National Security Council meet to deal with bomb threats

Following a series of bomb threats made against the Turks and Caicos Islands airports, and schools and death threats made to public officials, the National Security Council convened a meeting to address these concerning issues.

Since April 26, ten threats have been made, with the most recent three targeting schools in Grand Turk and South Caicos.

Similar threats have also been made against airports in other British Overseas Territories in the region, including TCI, Cayman, Anguilla, BVI, and Bermuda.

HE Governor, Dileeni DanielSelvaratnam, and Hon Premier Charles Washington Misick, cochaired a meeting of the Turks and

Caicos Islands National Security Council (NSC) on May 7, 2024.

The meeting, held at the Governor’s Office on Providenciales, was attended by key figures including HE the Deputy Governor, Hon Deputy Premier, Hon Minister for Immigration and Border Services, Hon Attorney General, and representatives from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the National Security Secretariat (NSS), and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority.

According to a post-meeting statement issued on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the RTCIPF briefed the council on the operational response and ongoing investigations into the recent

threats made against the airports and schools.

The Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG), established by the NSC, is managing TCI’s response and collaborating with UK and international partners in its law enforcement efforts to track the source of the threats and manage risks.

The Ministry of Education, with assistance from the RTCIPF, is working to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff.

The NSC explained that all response management plans were followed and the Ministry will work with school principals from all schools across TCI to ensure policies and processes are coherent

as well as to provide students and staff with support where needed.

On the other hand, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority (TCIAA) is collaborating with international authorities including the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), TCI Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK’s Air Safety Support International (ASSI) and other counterparts within the region to ensure the safety of the traveling public and staff at the airport.

Meanwhile, the AttorneyGeneral addressed the legal aspects of cases against US Nationals on charges relating to the possession of ammunition, confirming that sentencing judges have discretion

under the law to impose custodial sentences and fines that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case.

“The Chief Justice is advancing sentencing guidelines in this respect. (Reference was also made to public education or sensitization to the various examples of exceptional circumstances.)

“Wider work is ongoing with criminal justice partner to review the efficiency and effectiveness of case progression in driving justice outcomes”, a post-meeting statement said.

The Ministry of Tourism will be scheduling a meeting with relevant stakeholders to keep them informed about the situation. (Olivia Rose)

Mother apologises for child’s false kidnapping allegations

A Grand Turk mother has expressed sincere apologies to concerned residents and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for false allegations made by her 12-year-old son last weekend.

The child spun a fictitious tale that he and his friend concocted after he was late getting home Saturday evening. Fearful of repercussions from his mother, he told her that he had been grabbed near some bushes on his way home by an unknown Haitian man.

The minor said he was walking along an area known as The Quarry on May 4 when he was snatched.

He claimed to have been forced into a vehicle, bound and taken to the Middle Street area.

He then claimed to have woken up in an abandoned building, alone, noticing that his hands and feet were loosely tied, unraveled the knots and made good his escape.

A female relative subsequently lodged a report at the Grand Turk Police Station on Sunday, and investigations were immediately launched. The child was also taken to the hospital for medical attention.

Detectives attached to the Criminal Investigations Department conducted a detailed interview with the minor and his relative following which a forensic review of the identified scene was conducted. CCTV footage was also accessed to ascertain the identity of the alleged kidnapper and an urgent

public appeal was issued by police for information.

Head of Crime, Safeguarding, Public Protection and Intelligence Superintendent Dean Holden in a statement on the false allegation stated: “As a result of this investigation, it has been established that there was no such kidnapping or any other offences committed against the child, who has now admitted that the allegation was false.

“Whilst this is very disappointing, it should be acknowledged that the child’s mother acted swiftly by bringing her son to the police station as soon as possible when she learnt that the allegation was false.”

He said police officers attached to the Serious Crime Unit are continuing to engage with the

child and his mother to address the false allegation and provide any support with referrals to support services about any vulnerability.

Holden has thanked the community for their show of support: “I would like to thank local members of the community for their response to the initial media release in support of the RTCIPF and reassure the public that the RTCIPF will always take such allegations seriously and conduct comprehensive investigations in striving to protect our communities.”

The child’s mother also issued a video statement, apologising for her son’s deception, thanking the community for their support and the police for their prompt action. She said she found the

allegation fishy and continued to probe her son for the truth, and he eventually admitted the lie to the police.

“I would like to tell the public that there was no kidnapping, Grand Turk is safe with that kidnapping part, my child was not kidnapped,” the mother stated.

Despite the false allegations, Police continue to urge members of the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously to share any information on any illegal activity.

Residents are once again urged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app to easily share information with the police. (DELANA ISLES)

Members of the National Security Council meet to address bomb threats (TCIG photo)

Special Needs Services hosts inclusive events to raise autism awareness

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) recently hosted a series of engaging and inclusive events to celebrate children with special needs and promote a deeper understanding of autism within the community.

The festivities kicked off on April 26th with the SNAP Centre Fun Day, a joyous occasion that welcomed special needs children from Providenciales’s special education classrooms and SENS Department clients.

The fun day featured a diverse range of engaging activities

tailored to meet the unique needs of the participants, fostering a sense of joy, inclusivity, and community.

Dr Anya Malcolm, Director of SENS, expressed her delight in providing a platform for children with special needs to come together and share a day filled with fun and laughter.

The following day, SENS organised a Rainbow Walk in honour of Autism Awareness Month.

The early morning walk drew a crowd of over 100 enthusiastic participants, including esteemed guests such as HE Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam;

Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure, Hon Jamel Robinson; Minister of Health and acting Minister of Education, Hon Shaun Malcolm; Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin, and other dignitaries.

The walk served as a powerful demonstration of solidarity and

support for individuals with autism and their families. Minister Malcolm expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming community support and the presence of distinguished guests, emphasising the collective commitment to fostering understanding and inclusivity.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry responsible for Special Education Needs Services, Mrs Cherylann Jones, commended the department for organizing a successful walk and revealed plans to extend similar walks across all

islands in the upcoming year.

Minister of Education Hon Rachel Taylor, though away on official duties, conveyed her unwavering support for the walk and other initiatives conducted throughout April.

She expressed her pride in the Department’s efforts to organize these impactful events and raise awareness about the needs of children with special needs.

Looking ahead, she anticipates increased support as special education needs services continue to grow and strengthen.

Participants at an Autism Awareness event

HE Governor Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam and Minister of Health, Hon Sean Malcolm joined participants on the Rainbow walk

Zoe Saunders appointed as financial manager

The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands announced the appointment of Ms Zoe Saunders to the post of Financial Manager in the Financial Services and Supplies Management Department within the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment. With a comprehensive background in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and a strong foundation in public accounting, Ms Saunders expertise is invaluable. Her academic achievements, including a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance with Honours, demonstrate her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Her career journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence.

Starting as an Accounting Intern at the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board, she quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing her analytical prowess and collaborative spirit. Her ascent from Accounts Clerk to Assistant Accountant and finally

to Accountant is a reflection of her dedication and hard work.

Currently nearing the completion of her Masters in Accounting and Finance, Ms Saunders is also pursuing certification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), further enhancing her skills and knowledge in the field.

Commenting on her appointment

Ms Saunders stated:

“Joining the Ministry of Finance, Trade & Investment fills me with humility, delight, and excitement.

Above all, I am grateful for this opportunity. Acknowledging the divine guidance expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6 I pledge to fulfil my duties with utmost dedication, integrity, and grace, striving to excel in every endeavour I undertake.

I am truly honored and humbled to take up this appointment and look forward to my new appointment.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service of the Turks and Caicos Islands HE Anya Williams in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms Saunders stated:

“We are thrilled to announce the

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appointment of Ms Zoe Saunders to the post of Financial Manager in the Financial Services and Supplies Management Department and to welcome her as member of our esteemed team in the Ministry of Finance, Trade & Investment.

Ms Saunders brings with her a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the realm of finance and accounting operations. We look forward to the contributions she will make as we work together to achieve our goals and drive forward the mission of the Ministry of Finance.

Congratulations and welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Ms Saunders!”

of 400 word articles on a variety of topics for our Lifestyle pages. Get in touch with us at the Turks and Caicos Weekly News and pitch your idea for a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly column. You will have your name in print along with your business contact details if requested.

It’s a great way to share your knowledge and promote your business or start-up. Contact us now at tcweeklynews@gmail.com

Zoe Saunders

Ignoring the problem does not make it go away

The problem may grow and intensify

I believe we all have challenges, small or large, and sometimes these problems persist for a very long time. Some people ignore the problem and just accept it as it is and hope that one day it will go away.

Ignoring a problem does not make it go away. In fact, the problem may grow and intensify, creating and worsening the situation. The best thing to do is try and fix the problem.

Running from one place to another will not fix the problem. Moving from one relationship to another may not fix the problem, especially if the problem is you. Moving from one job to another will not fix the problem.

Some of you may have health issues. You know you are not feeling well but you don’t do anything about it. You keep it to

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.

yourself, or you don’t consult with a medical practitioner. When you ignore the issues with your health, it can complicate and impact other issues with your health.

You may feel like you are losing your mind, or you are not in the right state of mind. You are thinking about things you should not be thinking about. Do not take this for granted. Do not ignore

this. If you do not do anything about it, you may act on what you are thinking, creating further problems.

Some of you may be addicted to something. Whatever your addiction is, do not ignore it. Get help.

You may be experiencing problems in your relationship with your family and friends, and you simply ignore it. For some of you

who are thinking about committing to a long-term relationship, don’t have the mentality that if you get married, it will go away. If you ignore it and don’t fix it, this can lead to bitterness, envy and animosity and the loss of the relationship.

One of the greatest stresses one can experience is financial issues. Do not ignore your financial condition. Get help.

Some of you may see signs in your children from when they were young. Do not ignore them thinking as the children grow up, whatever they are facing will go away.

A lot of workplaces have issues. Sometimes they are ignored and make the workplace toxic or unpleasant.

Some of you have a lot of baggage and you ignore them,

but they do not go away. You may have been abused or suffering from other issues. Ignoring them will not make them go away. Deal with them otherwise, you may pass some of that to your children or carry it in your relationship.

Whatever your problems are, you have to identify and admit that there is a problem. Too many times we are in denial about our situations.

After you have identified your problem, get the necessary help. Confront the situation and deal with it.

No matter how you try to ignore the problem, it will not go away because you will always be thinking about the problem. Therefore, don’t go on living your life without resolving these problems.

Ensuring the successful transition of the new COP

Marred by a myriad of gun violence emanating from gang warfare and opportunistic-armed robberies, the TCI is still recovering from the indelible impression of these upheavals. In response, the government has summoned a new commissioner of police (COP) to quell the current atrocities.

Still, in a different lane, there is a swarm of horrendous maneuvering on roads in Providenciales, which have spawned serious accidents, and on many occasions, close calls. By all accounts, the COP is highly intelligent and possesses proven records of career successes and; therefore, we should welcome the new captain and, as citizens, play a supportive role in the fight against crime and unsafe driving habits.

However, beyond these outstanding attributes, like his predecessors, the COP is not without limits and; therefore, let us encourage him in his transition to

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.

The COP should also know that this is not a tutorial about how to conduct his job, as he possesses the highest qualities for the tasks ahead; rather, this is simply an effort to cheer him on.

I believe that the initial success of any transitioning police chief is dependent on keen observation, listening abilities and the capacity to conduct pertinent research.

In doing so, the chief will be privy to relevant information about the people and their culture and since the TCI is home to diverse

demographics; there is an urgency to understand those subcultures as well.

Understanding these facets enables the commissioner to empathize with the dynamic values and beliefs of TCI’s society and communicate effectively with them.

Henceforth, he would easily identify and resolve challenges within communities including effectively tackling the dangerous and disruptive maneuvering on roads in Providenciales.

To bolster these efforts, the COP should subpoena all

stakeholders, like social welfare, community members, and business entrepreneurs, to aid the crime and road traffic efforts.

At the core of the commissioner’s successful transition are the hardworking men and women under his command and; therefore, he should endeavour to determine and understand the officers’ – of all ranks – cognitive abilities, education background, organizational skills and other capabilities relevant to their performances.

Concomitantly, he must deploy a SWOT analysis to assess the internal and external factors, which affect the organization so that emerging challenges can be easily detected and addressed promptly.

This would enable the successful designs of future strategies and undoubtedly, repairing challenges within and the organization would have a positive impact in the officers’ performance in the field.

The world around us is changing

rapidly and; therefore, keeping abreast and constantly planning and strategizing should take precedence.

And while this may sound like a tall order, and it is; however, it’s also doable.

Yet, the most significant aspect of this journey is to encourage the commissioner to seek God’s help and, while he is well qualified to tackle the status quo using combatant strategies, a better result awaits within the spiritual realm. It is known, that when humans trust entirely in their intellect, they fail!

The fact remains, that necessary adjustments and changes can’t be made unless the people, workplace, and challenges are fully understood.

While transitioning to a new job in a new environment is exciting, it is also a tiring and challenging process to undergo and so, ‘we’ wish the COP all the best!

The Christian identity

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

In writing to a community of Christ’s followers whom he had never met but heard about, Paul celebrated their growing and visible relationship with Jesus. In doing so, he brings to light the reality that the church, the embodiment of Christ’s presence on earth, is called to display the fruits of its connection with Jesus in tangible ways. There is no separation between belief and action, doctrine and practice for the church and the individual Christian. Someone once said to the effect that the Christian life is

OCTOPEN

Colossians 1:3-5

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

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

not only believing a set of truths, but living in a way that reflects the character of Jesus Christ. This is what Christians in today’s world are called to be known for, in the same way, a community of Christ followers were known 2000 years ago in what is today Turkey.

“Your faith in Christ Jesus” – Faith here is a commitment to or trust in a person, in this case, Jesus Christ. It is a commitment to doing what Jesus says and

trust in his characteristics, power, love, wisdom, and compassion, among others. This type of faith fuels perseverance in the face of adversity and acts as a motivating force in living morally and ethically.

If you are a Christ follower, are you known for confident and deliberate trust in Jesus Christ? If not, now is the time to begin to take steps toward becoming a person of faith.

“Your love for all of God’s people” – Christian love is

an active, selfless, sacrificial commitment to the well-being of others, even when it takes time and effort. This love is demonstrated by God the Father in John 3:16 - “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son…” How are you doing at loving others like this? Collectively, are we believers in Jesus Christ known for our love? We should because it is the standard.

“Your confident hope of what

God has reserved for you in heaven” – The way Paul words this positions hope as the motive for faith and love. As such, hope is critical for the believer. In short, it is a confident expectation of a future outcome. In this instance, the future outcome is life with Jesus. It is also a firm conviction that Jesus has defeated sin, death, and his spiritual foes, and he shares this victory with those who have partnered with him. When this becomes the mindset of the Christian, they can transcend temporal circumstances and endure the most difficult of trials. What is your hope? Can it survive the test of trial and time?

When the church embraces these qualities, it becomes the living testimony to the power of Jesus to a world sinking in lovelessness, hopelessness, and nothingness. You can make a difference, but only if you are known for the right things.

The grown man’s guide to wearing shorts

When it comes to men’s shorts, finding the perfect length can be a real head-scratcher. Do you go for a breezy, shorter look, or keep things a bit more covered? Your height plays a role, sure, but the big question is: how much skin do you want to show, and what does your choice say about you? Here’s a guide to help you navigate this tricky territory, whether you’re aiming for casual, sporty, or somewhere in between.

If you’re not a fashionista. It’s okay. Admittedly, most men aren’t. This is why I am here_ to help and to guide. So for you, men, who possess no pizazz and want to take control of your wardrobe (or at least pretend to), you’ll need to understand the different lengths and what they convey.

ANKLE-LENGTH:

The long pants that are disguised as shorts

These are shorts that are basically pants with commitment issues. The wearer is either stuck in the early 2000s or is a casual fisher who forgot it’s not

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

cool anymore. This should be illegal with a strong 12-year jail sentence. No parole! No conjugal visits!

MID-CALF:

The Classic Capris

These shorts say, “I’m breezy but also don’t want you to see my calves.” It’s either a fashion statement or they’re saving on sunscreen. It screens Polish dads on holidays!

KNEE-LENGTH:

The Basketball All-Star

The wearer probably plays basketball (or used to). They’re versatile: practical enough for sports, but just formal enough to walk into a grocery store

without raising eyebrows. They are usually baggy and make the wearer instantly unattractive. God came to save us from our sins and this is a slap in the face for his sacrifice.

ABOVE-THE-KNEE:

The Safe Zone

This guy is living in 2021. Not too long, not too short. He might even shop at trendy boutiques and know the difference between Chinos and cargo shorts. He’s versatile, safe, and likely doesn’t cause a stir. We like that, but we don’t love it.

MID-THIGH:

The Retro Reviver

These shorts shout “I know

my 70s and 80s!” The wearer is cool, confident, and likely has a wicked playlist with disco and rock classics. He doesn’t mind showing a bit of leg to remind everyone he’s fit. That’s more like it.

SHORT-SHORTS:

The Beach Boy

These are perfect for the beach and often worn by the guy who’s always tan. He’s the life of the party, handsome because he looks after himself, has a killer moustache, and perpetually only drinks gin and tonic. Did I just describe myself… Ooops!

ULTRA-SHORT:

The 80s Gym Buff

This guy probably owns a pair of vintage Nike Air Jordans, a vinyl player, and a barber shop. He is not afraid to show off some leg and perhaps a little too much. He always has a coffee cup in hand and his protein intake is about a truckload, He has tattoos and his breath smells like chicken and broccoli. If you spot him at the gym, watch out; he’s likely lifting twice your body weight.

SPEEDO-LENGTH:

The Braveheart

This isn’t even a short; it’s a swimsuit with audacity. The wearer is either a pro swimmer, a beach party legend, or someone who just really believes in maximum sun exposure. This guy laughs in the face of fashion norms and probably has a “lion” tattoo somewhere. He may be French or Italian. No, he is defo an Aussie or SA. Sorry, I will have to stop there. Fornication is a sin_ apparently. These heights cover just about every vibe a man can project with his shorts—from “I’m just taking it easy” to “I could be an extra in a 1980s workout video.” Whatever your thoughts are, the right height for you, is exactly where your comfort lies. Show your knees if you want or hide your ankles. Just know what we are watching and probably judging too.

How shorts are your shorts? Share if you care at louisedens@gmail.com or @ daviid.l2

Andrico Garland appointed as chief medical technologist

The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands recently announced the appointment of Mr Andrico Garland to the post of Chief Medical Technologist in the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Mr Garland holds an Associate Degree in Science from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology from the University of Technology (UTECH) in Kingston, Jamaica, where he received extensive clinical training at the University Hospital of the West Indies before returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2014.

Upon returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Mr Garland took up employment with the TCI Hospitals (Inter Health Canada) as a Medical Technologist from 2014 to March 2024 when he took up this new post.

While working with TCI Hospitals he provided invaluable assistance to the National Blood Bank and the Health Promotion & Advocacy Department in performing communicable disease testing within the community.

His extensive training includes:

HEALTHCARE

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:

• Quality, Risk & Patient Safety

• Customer Care & Communication in Healthcare

• Infection Prevention and Control

• Client Handling & Load Management Techniques

• Medication management and Drug calculation

• IATA Certificate - Packaging & Shipment of Infectious Substances

• Cholera Training

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPE)

SESSIONS:

• Code Black- Bomb Threat

• Code Silver- Active Shooter Response

• Code White- Violent Person

• Code Blue- Cardiac Arrest

• Code Green- Internal Disaster

• Code Orange- External Disaster

Andrico Garland

PROFESSIONALISM IN THE WORKPLACE:

• Business Etiquette & Professionalism

• Strategies for Effective Communication

• Accountability in the Workplace

• Time and Stress Management

• Internal & External Customer Success

• Reaching your Personal & Professional Potential Commenting on his appointment

Mr Garland stated: “As a Native of Grand Turk, I feel honoured in accepting this appointment as Chief Medical Technologist within the National Public Laboratory.

“I am excited and humbled to embark on this new journey and to take on the new challenges this capacity brings.

“I thank God with a grateful heart and express my gratitude to my friends, family and my mentors for coaching and always believing in me. Thank you for you all unwavering support.

A case for legalising medical marijuana in TCI

Dead Editor, Canada legalised cannabis use for medical purposes, in 1999. Canadian residents can purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary as long as they meet the minimum age requirement –which is between 19 and 21 years of age in most provinces. Except in Alberta, the minimum age is 18. In 2022 the Canadian Cannabis Survey found that 53% of those who used cannabis reported that they were able to decrease their use of other medications.

When I was visiting family in Toronto, I was able to legally buy a CBD (cannabinoid) cream which proved extremely effective in quelling the pain in my left knee. Of course, I had to leave it behind when I returned home to the TCI, where any and all cannabinoid products are still illegal. Current penalties for possessing cannabis in any form, (any part of the plant, or creams, oils, gummies, etc.) are severe. If convicted of cannabis possession, you could face a $40,000 fine, three years in prison, or both.

“As I am reminded in the scripture, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I am committed to excellence and confident that my skillset, expertise and experience will aid in me doing an exceptional job.

“Sharing the vision of my Ministry and Government; bringing the Lab to where it aspires to be; Serving with Integrity & Pride and contributing to the welfare of the People of the Turks & Caicos Islands.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency

Anya Williams in commenting on Mr Garland’s appointment stated:

“It is with great pleasure that I extend congratulations to Mr. Andrico Garland on his appointment as the Chief Medical Technologist in the National Public Health Laboratory in the Ministry of Health and Human Services and welcome him to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service.

Mr Garland’s education, experience and extensive training background is impressive and will be an asset to our National Public Health Laboratory.

We wish will him on his appointment and hope that he has a most progressive and rewarding public service career.

Congratulations and welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Mr Garland.”

purposes only, since 2017.It is dispensed as capsules, oral oil drops, and vaporised forms.

The Bahamian government began debating several bills to legalise marijuana for medical and religious purposes, and to decriminalise possession of small amounts last summer.

AP reported last August that Bahamian officials said licenses for cultivation, retail, transport and religious use would only be granted to companies that are entirely Bahamian owned. It would seem their government is seriously looking to marijuana as a new revenue source.

At a dinner here on Provo one evening not that long ago, I was lamenting the fact that I have to rely on drugs, which can have alarming side effects, to quiet my cantankerous knee. Then another diner mentioned that apparently our government IS considering either decriminalising marijuana or actually legalising it. The difference between the two is either a judicial slap on the wrist, or no consequences at all – for possession of small amounts of the substance.

I have no idea if this is true, or whether the TCI is considering legalising marijuana for medical use only. But that would be a start. I am seriously going to date myself now: We are many many years beyond the ridiculous ‘documentary’, Reefer Madness, made in 1936, that our parents viewed in horror. We now know, through the findings of scientists literally around the world, that the benefits of marijuana are real.

Polls show that about 85% of Americans support legalizing medical marijuana, and it is estimated that at least several million Americans currently use it. Patients report many benefits of CBD, from relieving insomnia, anxiety, spasticity, and pain to treating potentially life-threatening conditions such as epilepsy. One particular form of childhood epilepsy called Dravet syndrome is almost impossible to control but responds dramatically to a CBDdominant strain of marijuana.

In the Cayman Islands, cannabis has been legal, for medical

I am not suggesting that the TCI should legalise medical use of marijuana because pretty much everyone else has. Yes, the list of marijuana friendly countries in Europe, North America and the Caribbean is long, too long to list here. I am suggesting that medical use should be legalised because it works, and unlike my daily dose of OTC meds, it does NOT play havoc with my liver, nor is it unkind to my stomach.

However, marijuana IS ILLEGAL here in the TCI and we have drug detection dogs. If you use it, in any form, check your bags carefully, when you pack for your trip to paradise. Check your purse and your pockets too. Because the inside of His Majesty’s Prison on Grand Turk is the very last place you want to be.

Marijuana is currently legal, on the state level, in 29 states, and in Washington, DC. It is still illegal from the federal government’s perspective.

Perhaps that can change, sooner than later.

On October 17, 2018, Canada legalised recreational cannabis use. This made Canada the second country in the world to officially legalise the recreational use of cannabis. Also, in most provinces, households are allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants.

Other countries that have legalised recreational use of cannabis are Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay, plus 24 states, 3 territories, and the District of Columbia in the United States, and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia.

Since 2014, in the Caribbean Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the U.S. Virgin Islands have all either approved or enacted legislation to decriminalise the use of small amounts of marijuana.

A glimpse into the strategy of the PDM

Have you ever wondered if the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) have a spinning wheel stashed somewhere, with various government issues scribbled all over it? It almost seems that a blindfolded game of dartthrowing determines the day’s topic before they address the public. But what is the real impact of such a scattershot strategy on the political landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands?

Firstly, let’s consider why this approach might seem appealing. Grabbing the headline often necessitates loud, immediate criticism in fast-paced news cycles. It’s a simple formula: criticise loudly, and you’ll be heard. But is being heard the same as being listened to?

When PDM hurls accusations and complaints, regardless of the matter, one must ask: are they genuinely addressing the issues that matter to us, the Turks and Caicos? Or are they merely filling the air with noise? This method of operation might catch attention, but does it foster understanding or build trust? Does it not risk turning serious political debate into what appears to be an erratic game of chance?

Moreover, this constant barrage of negativity could be seen as a strategic misstep. Imagine a party that presents well-thought-out alternatives instead of criticising without merit. Introducing a proactive approach focusing on long-term solutions could demonstrate their capability and readiness to lead. Wouldn’t that party appear more constructive and deserving of government leadership? After all, leadership is as much about vision as it is about criticism.

BY AUDLEY ASTWOOD

Transitioning to a tone of aspiration could reshape our political discussions. Instead of asking, “What are they doing wrong?” we should ask, “What could we do right together?”

This shift from blame to empowerment could engage the community more effectively and foster a collaborative environment. Isn’t it time for a politics that builds rather than belittles?

While the dart-throwing strategy might offer shortterm gains in media coverage, the long game counts. Genuine engagement with the electorate, based on respect and constructive proposals, will likely resonate more deeply than a random selection of complaints. For the PDM, the challenge lies not in spinning the wheel. It lies in steering the ship towards a future that we all wish to realise. Take a break from abusing the exclamation point, and caps lock buttons. People who overuse these tools appear angry and need a comforting hug. A better strategy is required. Calm, consistent communication might be the key to turning critics into collaborators. I suggest lighting a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

Authorities confiscate smuggling vessel ‘Marassa Express’

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a major victory for border security, the Turks and Caicos Islands have successfully seized the Marassa Express, a vessel valued at $120,000, used for human smuggling.

The forfeiture of the vessel Marassa Express was secured following a recent court decision.

This triumph comes after a collaborative effort by multiple government agencies, spearheaded by the Immigration and Customs Departments, and supported by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the Office of the Department of Public Prosecution, and Crown legal representative Dr Angela Brooks.

The case originated from an intelligence-led operation on West Caicos in February 2023, leading to the interception of 90 migrants and the subsequent prosecution of Alexis Georgis and Meralien Merlien.

The duo was convicted on several charges related to unlawful entry and failure to report to immigration officials. Georgis and Merlien were handed hefty fines and potential imprisonment.

“Alexis Georgis was fined $9,500 payable in 14 days or 18 months imprisonment, as well as $3,500 payable in 14 days or 3 months imprisonment. Meralien Merlien was fined $9,000 payable in 14 days or 16 months imprisonment”, a statement from the Government explained.

The appeal, heard last week and decided on 30th April 2024, saw the court dismissing the appeal and confirming the sentences imposed on the defendants, and sealing the fate of the Marassa Express.

“The forfeiture of the Marassa Express is not just a legal victory; it is a powerful statement of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our borders and ensuring the integrity of our immigration laws,” asserted Hon

Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services.

He underscored that any attempts to exploit TCI’s borders will be met with the full force of the law.

Musgrove said: “This outcome sends a clear message to those who seek to exploit our borders unlawfully: there will be consequences, and we will pursue justice relentlessly.

“This successful outcome underscores the effective collaboration between various departments within the Turks and Caicos Islands authorities, highlighting their commitment to upholding immigration and customs laws, as well as ensuring the safety and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

He stressed that this operation serves as a stern warning to those involved in human smuggling, reinforcing the unwavering commitment of the Turks and Caicos Islands to combat such illicit activities.

CONTRIBUTORS NEEDED

The vessel ‘Marassa Express’ was used to smuggle 90 Haitian migrants

Govt declares war on gang violence with “Reaching the Streets” initiative

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a powerful address, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon Rachel Taylor unveiled a bold new strategy to combat the rising tide of gang violence plaguing the Turks and Caicos Islands.

With a focus on marginalised youth, the government aims to dismantle the allure of gangs by providing education, skills development, and positive alternatives.

Speaking at the launch of Phase 2 of the multisectoral initiative dubbed “Reaching the Streets” aimed at disrupting gang involvement, Minister Taylor didn’t mince words as she painted a grim picture of the consequences of gang involvement: shattered futures, a cycle of violence, and communities held hostage by fear.

Phase 2 of the “Reaching the Streets Initiative”, which is a multi-sector intervention strategy against youth-related gun and gang violence in the Turks and Caicos Islands kicked off on May 6 2024 in Providenciales and on May 9 in Grand Turk.

She said: “The toll of gang violence extends far beyond the immediate victims, reaching into families, schools, and communities at large.

“This is not a problem that can be solved by law enforcement alone. While we must certainly uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of our citizens, we must also recognise that the roots of gang violence run deep, intertwining with issues of poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity.

“This is why we are here today, to empower you our citizens with the tools to make a difference.”

The government acknowledges the complex roots of the issue, recognising that poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity create fertile ground for gang recruitment.

“We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this crisis,” declared Minister Taylor.

“It robs our youth of their potential and undermines the very fabric of our society.”

The Ministry of Education is leading the charge, investing in programs designed to empower young people to resist gang influence

and envision a brighter future.

Initiatives like Student Support Services, Police Action League, and various mentoring programmes are already underway, reflecting the government’s commitment to creating safe and supportive environments.

But education isn’t just about academics; it’s about fostering resilience, empathy, and a sense of responsibility. By nurturing these qualities, the government hopes to guide young individuals towards positive pathways and away from crime.

Minister Taylor stressed the importance of a multi-faceted approach, emphasising the need for collaboration between government bodies, educators, parents, and community leaders. “It will take the collective effort of all of us to tackle this challenge head-on,” she said.

“We must work together to create safe and supportive environments for our youth, to provide them with positive role models and mentors, and to offer them pathways to success that do not involve violence or crime.

“Crime is a public health issue

where every facet of our society is touched by this social plague”, she added.

In highlighting several ongoing initiatives geared towards keeping youths positively engaged, the Minister emphasised that these various mentoring programmes reflect the government’s commitment to creating safe and supportive environments for young people.

She said: “The introduction of the Police Action League through the Sports Commission in partnership with the police focusing on softball for girls and basketball for boys, programmes such as our boys mentoring programmes, the strengthening of the Cadets programmme on Providenciales, Grand Turk, and South Caicos and its introduction on the island of North Caicos.

“The introduction of the Social Enrichment Academic Programme (SEAP) accelerated our Sports programmes on all islands which are meant to provide avenues to help guide and support and yes prevent the lure of gangs, to provide an avenue where young

people feel valued, needed, safe and protected and can develop a sense of self-worth.”

The Education and Youth Minister made it clear that her government is determined to address the pressing issue of gang violence head-on, through education, collaboration, and targeted interventions to create a society where all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The multi-sector initiative, “Reaching the Streets” is spearheaded by Dr David Burrows, a multifaceted motivator, inspirator, businessman, consultant and mentor, who has served as Chaplain to the Bahamas Government Parliament and House of Assembly and as the chief advisor to the Bahamas Government on Youth matters as Chairman of the National Youth Advisory Council on three occasions.

Mr Gary Knowles along with members from the Christian Council and representatives from the private sector are also playing an integral role in the planning and execution of this rewarding initiative.

Malaria case identified in TCI

A case of malaria has been identified in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The individual is presently stable and receiving treatment. According to information from the government, the public health team is currently conducting further investigations, however, initial findings indicate the case may be imported.

“The Ministry of Health and Human Services is working closely with its stakeholders to respond to this finding.”

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is not contagious and

cannot spread from one person to another. It is preventable and curable. However, without prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, a case of uncomplicated malaria can progress to a severe form of the disease, which is often fatal without treatment.

There are five species of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes have malaria, but if they bite a person with malaria, they can become infectious.

SYMPTOMS

Malaria symptoms range from very mild illness to severe disease and even death. The first symptoms of malaria usually begin within 10–15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.

EARLY SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:

• Fever and flu-like illness

• Chills

• Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur If not treated quickly, the infection can become severe. If Plasmodium falciparum malaria is not treated within 24 hours, the

infection can progress to severe illness and death.

SEVERE SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:

• kidney failure

• seizures

• mental confusion

• coma

SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF:

• you are experiencing any of the symptoms of malaria, and

• you have traveled in the last year to or from an area where malaria occurs

Only a healthcare provider can

diagnose malaria. A lab test via microscopy and/or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) will confirm malaria using a small sample of your blood. Prescription drugs can treat and cure malaria.

PREVENTION

Persons traveling to countries where malaria is endemic should take precautions to prevent infection including taking chemoprophylaxis (use of medications to prevent infection). For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page on https://www.facebook. com/tciministryofhealth/.

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon Rachel Taylor

Attendees at the launch of ‘Reaching the Streets’ Phase 2

Regional News

Bermuda: Police give all clear after bomb threat at airport

Police in Bermuda on Monday declared the LF Wade International Airport (LFWIA) “safe” after passengers were forced off a British Airways flight this morning following a bomb threat.

A spokeswoman for British Airways said “the safety of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority and we followed our standard procedures to disembark the aircraft.

“Our teams are caring for our customers and supporting crew as we work to get them on their way as soon as possible.”

A Bermuda Police Service (BPS) spokesman had earlier said that “shortly before 9.30 pm (local time) on Sunday, May 5, 2024, police were notified by staff at the LF Wade International Airport of a bomb threat that was received via e-mail. Staff also advised that emergency landing protocols had been initiated at the airport”.

Police were sent to the Causeway and a nearby road, which were closed to traffic “while the airport building and its environs were searched by airport security”, the spokesman said, adding that “once

All public schools closed due to extreme rainfall affecting BVI

The Ministry of Education ordered all public schools in the British Virgin Islands closed on Wednesday, May 8, due to torrential downpours causing significant flooding across the capital city of Road Town.

The heavy rainfall is part of a weather system that has been affecting the British Virgin Islands over the past 24 hours.

Several inches of rain have inundated the British Virgin Islands, resulting in flooding that has rendered several roads difficult to traverse, if not impassable, especially in the city.

Floodwaters have also breached buildings, causing an undetermined amount of damage to private and public infrastructure.

According to a media bulletin from the Department of Disaster

the all-clear was given and the airport was declared safe, regular traffic flow was restored.”

A spokeswoman for Skyport said in an incident report issued on Monday morning that “at approximately 9 pm, LF Wade International Airport received a bomb threat sent to the airport offices via e-mail threatening the terminal and British Airways flight 158, which was due to depart for London Heathrow.

“This prompted an immediate

evacuation of the terminal building while the British Airways Boeing 777 aircraft was repositioned to a remote airfield location where passengers safely deplaned. Flight 158 was subsequently cancelled.

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

“The airline will confirm plans to reschedule the flight,” the spokeswoman said, adding that “American Airlines flight 409, which had been en route from Miami when the threat was received, diverted to Norfolk, Virginia.

“The rescheduled flight is due to arrive today. Passengers scheduled to depart LFWIA on AA Flight 414 to Miami on Monday are asked to contact the airlines for updates.

Bahamas becomes last CARICOM member to recognise Palestine as a state

Cabinet formally recognised Palestine as a state this week, making The Bahamas the last CARICOM country to do so.

The Bahamas joins at least 141 other countries in recognising Palestine, though the move is at odds with the United States of America, its main trading partner.

Management on Wednesday morning, May 8, another band of showers was heading northeast over the Virgin Islands.

“Some of these showers have the potential of creating heavy downpours. With the ground already saturated, the possibility of flooding in areas with poor drainage is likely. Persons should exercise caution while driving. If showers become intense, refrain from using roads and stay away from areas that have the potential for excess runoff,” the DDM stated.

The ministry emphasized that the decision is crucial to ensure the safety of students and staff as forecasters predict a 70 percent chance of showers today. Teachers will facilitate lessons and issue assignments via online platforms during this time.

Israel has repeatedly rebuffed efforts to recognise Palestine, with its government saying earlier this year that recognition “would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would prevent any future peace settlement.”

Recognition of Palestine has increased since war broke out in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

More than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since hostilities began, including over 14,000 children and 9000 women. The war has led to a humanitarian crisis, including the collapse of Palestine’s healthcare system.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this week: “The government of The Bahamas believes that recognition of the state of Palestine strongly demonstrates The Bahamas’ commitment to the principles espoused in the Charter of the United Nations and to the right of self-determination

Bahamas and Palestine flags

of peoples as articulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).”

“The Bahamas became an independent nation in 1973 as an act of self-determination. Therefore, The Bahamas supports the legal right of the Palestinian people of self-determination ‘to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development’.”

On Tuesday, former Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said the “government has probably taken a principled position on the view of statehood of Palestine…”. He added: “We understand and appreciate that most of the G-20 countries don’t subscribe to this. The US is our most important trading partner. When we make decisions like this, their views must always be a part of our consideration. Perhaps that’s why it took so long.” (Tribune242)

Several inches of rain have inundated the British Virgin Islands

The LF Wade International Airport (LFWIA)

Regional News

US greenlights $60m in military assistance to Haiti amid rampant gang violence

The Biden administration has approved a $60 million military aid package to help Haiti quell violent gangs wreaking havoc in the country, according to documents obtained by POLITICO.

The package, the second the US has approved for the Haiti crisis this year, includes mostly small arms but also some armoured vehicles. The notification lists at least 80 Humvees, 35 MaxxPro infantry carriers, sniper rifles, riot control gear, firearms, ammunition and surveillance drones.

The move would send weapons and equipment to the Haitian National Police as well as to nations supporting the multinational security mission to help quell the violence in Haiti: Kenya, Jamaica and the Bahamas among others, the memorandum of jurisdiction for the drawdown reads.

The latest package brings the total contribution from US stockpiles for the Haiti crisis to $70 million, after the Biden administration approved a $10 million package earlier this year. The cap for this authority is $75 million and expires at the end of the fiscal year.

Spokespeople for the State Department, Defense Department and National Security Council didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last month, POLITICO reported that the Biden administration was planning to use its drawdown authority to fast-track $60 million in weapons, ammunition and other equipment to countries that would

The military assistance is supposed to give Haiti the edge against local gangs

deploy to Haiti. The move is seen as an apparent attempt to go around Republican oversight efforts, reflecting the growing pressure on the administration to take action.

Since Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021, armed gangs have largely taken over the country, killing thousands of people and displacing hundreds of thousands of others. Due to the thorny history of Western intervention in Haiti, Kenya

agreed to lead a U.N. multinational security mission to the nation.

However, the U.S.-backed plan, which would support the deployment of thousands of security forces to Haiti to bolster the nation’s police, has faced intense scrutiny from critics who say it provides few details on how it will lead to success.

The first Kenyan forces are scheduled to land in Haiti on May 23, POLITICO reported.

Bahamas: Woman held

after

fetus found in garbage bin

A 24-year-old woman was taken into custody at the hospital after a fetus “between 15 and 20 weeks old” was discovered in the garbage disposal of a bathroom at Rubis Gas Station on Gladstone Road this week.

Police said around 9.30am yesterday, they were alerted to reports about the fetus.

Emergency medical technicians responded, examined the male fetus and determined it showed no signs of life.

The woman in question checked into the hospital, where she was receiving medical attention as investigations continued.

Management of the gas station instructed employees not to talk to the press.

One customer said the matter was “tragic” and expressed concern that Bahamians are becoming “desensitised” to such incidents because of their frequency.

A woman customer said she spoke to some who said they would have “saved the child” or given the boy to a relative.

A mother in her 30s, who spoke to reporters outside the gas station, said the extent of mental health issues in the country is underestimated. (Tribune242)

St Vincent PM says former CDB president did nothing wrong

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves says “unsuccessful attempts” had been made to impugn the character of the former president of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Dr Hyginus “Gene” Leon, whom he described as “a distinguished son of our Caribbean civilisation from St Lucia”.

Last month, lawyers representing Leon, gave the CDB until May 4 “to negotiate an amicable separation” indicating also that their correspondence should be viewed “as our client’s pre action protocol letter” regarding the entire situation.

In a five-page letter sent to the chairman of the CDB Board of Governors, Harjit Sajjan, who is also Canada’s Minister of International Development,

Gonsalves said the investigator’s report is “available to those entitled to it as a right”.

“I have read it carefully. Its contends are threadbare and underwhelming. The report seeks to weave tattered threads into a twisted fabric upon which to ground a narration to justify the Bank’s actions; but it has failed, and all persons of reasonableness, judicious temper and balanced judgement, would so conclude.”

Gonsalves wrote that on the central salacious allegation “which excited the prurient at home and abroad, there was absolutely no evidence; the story makes amusing reading, if the matter of the Bank’s President’s peremptory removal from office was not so serious.

“This allegation, and the imputations connected thereto, probably had its origin in a mind

suffused by a starched Anglicanism, or an obsessive Evangelical purity laced with hypocrisy and misogyny,” he added.

Gonsalves said that the “flimsy” nature of the evidence presented in the investigator’s report and the “concocted narrative of malfeasance or wrong-doing, lack persuasiveness; there is nothing compelling here.”

He said for him, “Gene Leon’s integrity remains intact, though unsuccessful attempts were made to have it impugned. He comes out of this sordid matter without blemish or wrong-doing attached to him. This distinguished son of our Caribbean civilisation ought not to be lynched, metaphorically, any further.” (Trinidad Guardian)

The Rubis station on Gladstone Road

Dr Hyginus “Gene” Leon was described as “a distinguished son of our Caribbean civilisation from St Lucia”

Swinney scraps post of minister for independence to focus on economy

John Swinney has axed the post of minister for independence, in a clear signal to Scottish voters that his government is focused on their immediate cost of living concerns before the general election.

The post, held by Jamie Hepburn, was created by the previous first minister, Humza Yousaf, a year ago, with the main responsibility being publishing a series of papers on how different aspects of government would operate under Scottish independence. With no referendum imminent, opposition parties criticised the publications as a waste of taxpayers’ money.

The 13th in the series, on justice in an independent Scotland, was published last month.

Alyn Smith MP, the Scottish National party’s Europe spokesperson at Westminster, told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme that “all of our government ministers are focused on independence in Europe”.

Swinney said on Monday when he became the SNP leader that he wanted to persuade people of the case for independence by creating a “vibrant economy” and tackling challenges across public services.

Brazil

floods: ‘We’ve never experienced anything like it’

People in southern Brazil have described the unprecedented devastation wreaked by flooding and overflowing rivers which have left swathes of the area under water.

The floods are the worst natural calamity ever to hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul, officials say.

At least 95 people have died and more than 130 are still missing.

An estimated 1.4 million people have been affected by the floods and aid workers are struggling to provide them with drinking water.

Days of torrential rain caused rivers to overflow and have submerged entire towns.

The capital of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, is among those affected.

The city of 1.3 million inhabitants has been almost totally cut off by the floods.

An estimated 80% of its population do not have access to running water after five of the

The announcement came as part of Swinney’s limited cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday. After being sworn in as first minister at the court of session, he appointed Kate Forbes as his deputy. The former finance secretary stepped aside to allow Swinney to stand unopposed for the SNP leadership. Forbes, who narrowly lost to Yousaf in last year’s leadership election to replace Nicola Sturgeon, is a social conservative who split the party when she disclosed she would not have voted for equal marriage. She has also been critical of the stalled gender recognition reform bill, which was passed with cross-party support at Holyrood, then blocked by Westminster.

Asked on Wednesday if she had a message for LGBTQ+ people after her return to cabinet, Forbes said she would support Swinney in

“finding places of consensus”.

Swinney also brought back

Ivan McKee, a key ally of Forbes and a respected business communicator, as minister for public finance. Emma Roddick, the minister tasked with guiding the bill to ban conversion practices through Holyrood, returns to the backbenches.

Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens’ co-leader, accused Swinney during first minister’s questions of sending a message to voters that the government was now moving rightwards with Forbes’ appointment.

“Yesterday that signal came pretty clearly: progressive ministers sacked and the second most powerful job in government given to someone who has opposed LGBT people’s legal equality, who’s expressed judgmental

Prince Harry won’t

city’s six water treatment plants ceased working.

Suzan, a resident of Porto Alegre, said that people in the city had “never experienced anything like it”.

“There are thousands of people who lost their houses. Now we don’t have water anywhere,” she said in a voice message she sent to the BBC.

“My mother-in-law is 90 years old and she had to be carried by the rescuers. It’s unbelievable what is going on here,” she added.

The city’s mayor has rationed drinking water and city officials are distributing water in tanker trucks.

The work of aid and rescue teams has been hampered by criminal gangs, which have been stealing their boats.

“Jet skis and houses were looted. This is deplorable and must be denounced,” a presidential spokesman said.

attitudes against abortion, and who’s even expressed the view that people who have families without being married are doing something wrong,” Harvie said, in reference to Forbes.

“Is this the Scottish government’s vision for the future of Scotland, taking us back to the repressive values of the 1950s?”

Swinney rejected that attack, insisting his government “will be led from the moderate left of centre position that I have always occupied”.

Pressed again by Harvie, Swinney told MSPs: “I want to lead a modern, dynamic and diverse Scotland, a place for everybody. Where everybody feels at home, at peace, that they have a place and that their place in our society is protected by my leadership of this country.”

see King

Charles during UK trip for Invictus celebrations

The Duke of Sussex has returned to the United Kingdom for a ceremony on Wednesday marking a milestone moment for his Invictus Games, but he will not see his father, King Charles III, while back in the country.

Prince Harry arrived on Tuesday afternoon ahead of events and meetings related to the biennial sporting competition he founded a decade ago.

Huge cheers erupted from crowds gathered along police barriers in the spring sunshine outside St Paul’s as the duke arrived. After waving to wellwishers, he was greeted at the cathedral’s door by the Dean of St. Paul’s before being escorted to his seat at the front of the congregation.

Actor Damian Lewis recited the Invictus poem by William Ernest Henley at the service, and the Duke later delivered a reading from I Corinthians 12. 4-11.

Harry was expected to attend a reception following the one-hour service. He was supported at the

Harry is back in the UK for the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games

event by members from his late mother Princess Diana’s side of the family.

Earl Charles Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes sat directly behind their nephew, with Harry chatting with his aunt before the event got underway.

A few miles away, the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the season was taking place, hosted by the King and Queen. They were joined by several senior royals including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

An estimated 1.4m people have been affected by the deadly floods

First Minister John Swinney outside Bute House with his newly appointed cabinet

Sunak to blame for Tory ‘chaos’, Ben Houchen says

Rishi Sunak bears ultimate responsibility for a Conservative Party mired in “chaos”, Ben Houchen has said.

The newly re-elected Tees Valley mayor said “lots of” Tories were “fighting each other like rats in a sack” and the blame “ultimately lies with Rishi”.

His comments will come as a blow to the prime minister, still reeling from disastrous local election results.

He had hailed Lord Houchen’s victory as a sign the Tories could still win the general election.

The Conservatives lost 474 council seats, the Blackpool South by-election and the West Midlands mayoral race.

Mr Sunak’s woes deepened on Wednesday with the surprise defection of Dover MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour in protest at his record on housing and stopping small boat crossings.

Asked if the prime minister was to blame for the Conservatives’ problems, Lord Houchen told BBC Radio Tees: “Ultimately it always rests on the shoulders of the leader, all responsibility goes back to the top, it’s the same in my job as well.

“Ultimately, you’re the one responsible for it. But there are lots of people who are involved in the problems with the Conservative Party. It’s a bit of chaos at the minute, right, isn’t it?

“There’s lots of people fighting with each other in the Conservative Party, there are defections going on, and ultimately the public do not vote for parties who are not united

and are not presenting a united front and also aren’t talking to the public.

“If they’re fighting with each other like rats in a sack instead of saying to the public ‘this is what we’re going to do for you’, that doesn’t win elections.

“Obviously, it ultimately lies with Rishi but there are lots of people that need to get their act together, stop messing about and start talking to the public about what they can offer them, rather than just fighting with each other,”

Lord Houchen added.

There was a general disillusionment with politics at the moment rather than a desire to vote Labour, but the “way through is getting narrower by the day”, he warned.

“If the government actually got on and delivered some real things and showed themselves to be competent... then there is a way

through to be able to get some of that respect back, some of that confidence back from the public, and to help reduce what is a very large gap at the minute,” he said.

Mr Sunak travelled to Darlington last Friday to celebrate Lord Houchen’s re-election, saying it was evidence of “the Conservatives delivering” and “levelling-up in action”.

HOSPITAL FIGHT

The prime minister said the people of Teesside “knew it was Ben and the Conservatives that delivered for them and they stuck with you at this election. And I know that come the general election, they’re going to stick with us too.”

Lord Houchen thanked Mr Sunak for his support, saying: “I could not have delivered the things we’ve delivered in this region without you, prime minister.”

Barron Trump selected to be a Florida delegate at Republican National Convention

Former President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, was selected by the Florida GOP as an at-large delegate for Florida at the Republican National Convention, according to a list of delegates obtained by CNN.

Barron, who turned 18 in March, joins several other family members – Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump – who were also selected. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s longtime friend and luxury real estate developer, along with Trump ally Sergio Gor are also listed as delegates.

CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

NBC News was first to report on Barron Trump’s selection.

Before Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trial began, his attorneys had asked for May 17

off so that he could attend Barron’s graduation. The judge last month said things were moving quickly enough that he was comfortable having no court that day so Trump could attend the graduation. The Republican National Committee will hold its convention in Milwaukee in July. Last month, the RNC asked the Secret Service to keep protesters farther back from the convention than is currently planned. RNC counsel Todd Steggerda wrote in a letter that the city of Milwaukee’s current proposal “creates an elevated and untenable safety risk to the attending public” and places demonstrators in a one-block park that “will force thousands of peaceful attendees and demonstrators … to be in extremely close, consistent and unavoidable proximity.”

Bank of England ‘optimistic’ as it edges closer to summer rate cut

The Bank of England boss has said it needs to “see more evidence” that price rises have slowed further before cutting interest rates.

Andrew Bailey said he was “optimistic that things are moving in the right direction” as rates were held at 5.25%.

He said the Bank expected inflation, which measures the rate prices rise at, would fall “close” to its target level in the next couple of months.

It paves the way for an interest rate cut as early as June.

But Mr Bailey warned a cut was “not a fait accompli, it’s not a done deal”.

August or September appear to be the most likely timing, especially if inflation falls as expected.

The interest rate set by the Bank dictates the rates set by High Street banks and money lenders. Rates are currently at their highest level for 16 years which has meant people are paying more to borrow money for things such as mortgages and loans, but savers have also received better returns.

Mr Bailey said there had been “encouraging news” on inflation, currently at 3.2%, but said the Bank needed “more evidence” it would stay low before cutting rates.

However, at the news conference following the Bank’s decision, Mr Bailey said it was “likely that we will need to cut bank rates over the coming quarters” and by more than financial markets are currently predicting.

The Bank was more positive on the prospects for the UK economy in its latest forecast, predicting

The nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee, which votes on rates, appeared to be edging closer towards a cut with two voting for reducing rates and the remaining seven for hold.

The Bank was more positive on the prospects for the UK economy in its latest forecast, predicting Inflation is forecast to fall to the Bank’s 2% target in the coming months and to 1.9% in 2026.

Economic growth of 0.4% for the first three months of 2024 and 0.2% from April to June

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he would “much rather” policymakers “wait until they are absolutely sure! inflation was falling than “rush into a decision that they had to reverse at a later stage”. But he added that it was encouraging to see “real optimism” from Mr Bailey for the first time. But Darren Jones, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said while it was the Bank of England’s “independent right” to set interest rates, it was “bad news for people at home having to reset their mortgages for the years ahead at a more expensive rate and people to have to pay rent for their homes”.

Former US President Donald Trump (center right) stands with his wife Melania Trump (center left) their son Barron Trump (centre) on January 18, 2024

Rishi Sunak

GRADUATE TEACHERS TO TEACH CHEMISTRY AND ENGLISH

Suitable candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree and teaching qualifications, a minimum of five (5) years experience teaching the British National Curriculum and Cambridge International Examination syllabi. Salary starts at $3,500 and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

MECHANIC TRUCK DRIVER

VACANCIES

QUALIFIED EXPERIENCED YOGA TEACHER INSTRUCTOR

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Duties include but not limited to:

• Build walls, fences, walkways and other structures using brick, stone, concrete blocks or marble;

• Carves out and build structures and surfaces with

• Places brick or concrete blocks on morter bed;

• Cuts or saws bricks to fit around windows and doors and similar openings;

• Measures distance to lay out work;

• Mixing mortar for application over blocks, slabs, surfaces;

• Other duties as assigned.

• Salary $9.00 per hour

C& A CONSTRUCTION Five Cays / 343-1723

DOMESTIC WORKER $ 8.00 Cleaning offices, cleaning toilet and caring for my home

YRAMENE DOSSOUS WILLIAMS 341-3168 / South Dock DOMESTIC WORKER $ 8.00 Caring for my household and family

FRANTZDY MATHIEU 345-3397 / Five Cays DOMESTIC WORKER $ 8.00 Caring for my household and family

CHERY WATER SERVICES Five Cays / 341-8587 LABOURER $8.00 Assist with delivering water and construction materials.

DECIUS OXCE Five Cays / 241-3467

LABOURER $ 8.00

Cleaning the property, pick up waste and dispose waste and assist with ongoing construction.

PASSION BEAUTY SALON 333-1236 / Alice & Alice

SALON HELPER $ 8.00

Assisting hairdresser with braiding, mixing braids, trimming braids & hot

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Experience Turks and Caicos is now accepting applications/resumes for the following positions: Only highly self-driven and motivated personable and professional individuals whom have the desire to serve other need apply:

CHIEF DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Hours: 40 hours

Department: Destination Development Department

Unit: Destination Development

Classification: Employee

Annual Salary: Up to $100,000

Reporting Supervisor: CEO

Probationary Period: 6 months

Positions Supervised: All employees under the Destination Development Department

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: The Chief Development Officer will be responsible for leading the organization’s Destination Development Department. This will include implementing all strategies and activities that will allow the TCI DMO to diversify the current tourism products, thus making the tourism industry more sustainable and competitive

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

1. Development of new tourism products and strengthening of the existing ones

2. Make the tourism industry in TCI more sustainable, inclusive and competitive

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Responsible for all activities implemented by the Destination Development Department

• Develop and implement a comprehensive tourism development strategy that effectively develop the tourism industry in TCI

• Collaborate with all other Departments and Units within the DMO to ensure that destination development efforts align with the Organization’s overall goals and objectives

• Collaborating with local businesses, government officials, and community leaders to identify and capitalize on opportunities for tourism development

• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to identify new tourism services that must be developed to meet tourist expectations

• Define the DMO’s Destination Development budget

• Manage the budget and resources of the Department to ensure effective and efficient use of funds.

• Building relationships with travel industry partners and international organizations to design and implement programs that allows the TCI DMO to develop the tourism offer in TCI

• Providing guidance and support to department staff to ensure that their work meets the needs of the organization and the destination

• Representing the organization and the destination at conferences trade shows, and other events, when needed

• Continuously research and stay informed about industry trends and developments to ensure that the DMO’s destination development efforts are current and effective

• Collaborating with the Finance and Operations Department for the financial control and monitoring of the Destination Development Department and for the preparation of the DMO Annual Report

OTHERS:

• Supervise the department work

• Coordination with all other Departments of the TCI -DMO

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, business administration, marketing, economics or similar

• At least ten (10) years in tourism development and tourism product design and development, industry trends and best practices

• Extensive knowledge of data analysis, Strong analytical, problem solving and statistical inference etc.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with stakeholders, staff and industry partners.

• Good Leadership and management capacity

• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills to identify opportunities and develop plans

• Good project management skills to oversee multiple projects and initiatives

• Strong negotiation skills

• Strong knowledge of the tourism industry in TCI or in the Caribbean region, including culture and history

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi -disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

FILM COMMISSIONER

Hours: 40 hours Department: Film Commission Unit: Film Commission Classification: Managerial Salary Grade: Up to $120,000 Reporting Supervisor: CEO Probationary Period: 6 months Positions Supervised: All employees under the Film Commission Department

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: to develop the film industry in TCI promoting the destination as an outstanding location for audiovisual productions He / She will be responsible for attracting and supporting film and television production n TCI.

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

1. Film industry

2. Intermediation between film producers and TCI businesses

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Coordinate and monitor all activities of the Unit.

• Prepare and submit plans, budgets, progress reports and annual reports about the activities and performances of the Unit.

• Responsible to manage the relations with the international organizations and film producers.

• Responsible for the identification of the best locations that could be

JOB OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED

used for film producers. This involves scouting for appropriate settings, obtaining permits and authorizations, and coordinating with local authorities.

• Responsible for the mapping of all TCI businesses that could be involved in the film industry and could provide services to the film producers.

• Identification, in collaboration with the Destination Development Unit of specific training and technical assistance needs of the local businesses that could be involved in the film industry.

• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to promote TCI to filmmakers, producers, and other industry professionals. This includes showcasing the unique features, scenery and attractions of the country that would make it an attractive location for filming.

• Collaborate with the TCIG to facilitate permits to streamline the process of obtaining permits and permissions required for filming.

• Collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Finance to identify and promote incentives that could be provided by the TCIG.

• Work with local communities to ensure that the production process does not disrupt daily life. This includes managing logistics such as traffic, parking, and crowd control, etc.

• Providing technical assistance and support to local businesses industry professionals and international film producers, including access to resources, networking opportunities and assistance with securing financing

• Having a mediatory role explaining, translating, reconciling) between public stakeholders and audiovisual / film producers to foster mutual understanding and encourage fruitful working relationships al round.

• Encouraging the recruitment of local professionals to the on-location filmmaking teams

OTHERS:

• Assist develop marketing and promotional activities through the productions

• Integrate all Unit activities with all other Departments and Units for achieving the objectives of the DMO

• Collaborate with the Chief Destination Development Officer to coordinate the Film Commission Unit activities with the TCIG and all its Ministries

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts or a related field

• 10 or more years’ experience in audiovisuals productions

• Five or more years’ experience in promoting the development of the film industry in popular tourism destinations

• Management skills including ability to supervise and motivate employees

• Ability to multi-task and establish priorities

• Exhibits initiative, responsibility, flexibility and leadership

• Good social and interpersonal skills

• Good health and high energy level

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi -disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

FILM COMMISSIONER ASSISTANT

Hours: 40 hours

Department: Film Commission Unit: Film Commission

Classification: Employee

Salary Grade: Up to $48,000

Reporting Supervisor: Film Commissioner Probationary Period: 6 months Positions Supervised: --

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: She / He is responsible for providing administrative support and managing the Film Commission Unit’s schedule and communications. The goal s to help the Film Commissioner in her/his day-to-day activities being ready to solve problems before they become obstacles

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

Supporting the day-to-day activities of the Film Commissioner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide administrative support to the Film Commissioner, including scheduling meetings managing emails, and maintaining files and records.

• Answering and managing phone calls and emails

• Coordinating meetings with internal and external stakeholders, take notes, and prepare minutes.

• Acting as a liaison between the Film Commissioner and other staff members, clients, and business partners, facilitating communication and ensuring that everyone is kept up-to-date.

• Managing incoming and outgoing correspondence, including drafting letters, emails, and memos.

• Conducting research various topics and preparing reports or summaries for the Film Commissioner.

• Managing office operations, such as ordering supplies filing documents, and maintaining the Film Commissioner’s office.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.

• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and marketing software.

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Proactivity, flexibility and adaptability

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi –disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

IT MANAGER

Hours: 40 hours

Department: Finance and Operations

Unit: Finance and Operations

Classification: Employee

Salary Grade: Up to $75,000

Reporting Supervisor: CFOO

Probationary Period: 6 months

Positions Supervised: --

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: The position of IT Manager at involves overseeing the organization’s IT operations, infrastructure, and technology solutions As an IT Manager, you will be responsible for, implementing IT policies and procedures, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the company’s technology systems You will collaborate with crossfunctional teams to align IT strategies with business goals and support overall business operations.

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

Technology Strategy and Innovation IT Operations and Service Delivery

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s T infrastructure, including networks servers, and systems.

• Develop and implement IT policies, procedures, and security protocols to ensure data protection and information security

• Collaborate with other departments to identify technology needs and develop IT solutions that support business objectives

• Monitor IT performance, conduct regular audits, and optimize T systems and processes for efficiency and reliability.

• Develop & Manage IT budgets, expenditures, and vendor relationships, ensuring costeffectiveness and compliance

• Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in IT management, and proactively recommend innovative approaches.

• Provide IT support and troubleshooting assistance to end-users and resolve ITrelated issues in a timely manner.

• Ensure compliance with data a privacy regulations, IT governance standards and industry certifications

• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity pans to safeguard critical IT systems and data.

• Maintains quality service by establishing and

enforcing organization standards.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/ COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Advanced degrees and certifications are a plus

• A minimum of 5 years of experience as in ITG Manager or n a similar leadership role, with a strong track record of managing IT operations.

• Solid understanding of IT infrastructure, systems administration, and network management.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing IT policies, procedures, and security protocols.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent Leadership skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.

• Experience with T budget management vendor management, and contract negotiations

• Proficiency in IT project management methodologies and tools to oversee IT projects and initiatives.

• Business acumen and strategic thinking to align T strategies with overall business goals.

• Strong organizational and time management s kills.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Proactivity, flexibility and adaptability

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• A dynamic work environment

• Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities

• Ability to travel

• Goal accomplishment within a multi -disciplinary, changing and evolving environment

• Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays

Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by a cover letter and two letters of Reference (one preferably from a former employer) as well as copies of educational certificates and a copy of the passport photo page. Shortlisted candidates must submit a police certificate.

Applications should be addressed to: Human Resources Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos, Providenciales Applications can be delivered via email to hr@myexperiencetci.com

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only persons selected for an interview will be contacted. APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 17th, 2024

• Applicant must be honest, reliable and willing to work.

• Passing of tools and materials to workers on all jobs.

• Cleaning and putting up tools at the end of each work day.

CONTACT: 649-346-0204

Attempted break-in at Drake’s Toronto home, one day after shooting

Just one day after a security guard working at rapper Drake’s Toronto home was shot, a man on Wednesday was apprehended for attempting to enter the same residence, authorities said.

Around 2 p.m. local time, officers were called to the home “after a person attempted to gain access to the property,” Ashley Visser, a media relations officer for the Toronto Police Department,

told CNN in a statement on Wednesday.

CNN has reached out to a representative for Drake for comment.

The person was “apprehended” under Ontario’s Mental Health Act and was “taken to obtain medical assistance,” Visser’s statement read.

The Mental Health Act allows police officers to take a person

who they find reasonable cause to believe is suffering from a mental disorder, and is acting disorderly, in custody to seek medical treatment instead of issuing an arrest.

Authorities believe there is no link between this incident and the shooting yesterday. Information on whether Drake or anybody else was inside the home at the time of the incident on Wednesday was not immediately available.

Drake has won five Grammys and is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time

50 Cent to sue ex-girlfriend for defamation over sexual assault allegations

Rapper 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, has fired back over claims of sexual assault on one of his previous girlfriends by suing her for defamation, according to reports.

Daphne Joy Narvaez accused the “In Da Club” rapper of rape on Instagram, but 50 Cent has rejected those claims in his defamation filing citing that Narvaez’s accusations were retaliation after he sought sole custody of their son. Legal representatives for Jackson believe Narvaez knowingly made the statements on Instagram to damage

his reputation and relationship with his son.

Rolling Stone reports that the rapper filed for sole custody to safeguard the interests of his young child after he became aware of a high-profile lawsuit filed by music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging that Narvaez was a “sex worker” employed by Combs.

That initially led 50 Cent to comment on social media “I didn’t know you was a sex worker, you little sex worker”, which many interpreted as being a joke aimed

at Narvaez, leading Narvaez to respond “Let’s put the real focus on your true evil actions of raping me and physically abusing me.”

On April 2, the legal team of a rapper sent a letter to Narvaez requesting that she retract the post and the claims she made. The letter also states that Narvaez responded by demanding millions of dollars and unspecified legal fees from the rapper, and asked for the withdrawal of his custody suit, in exchange for taking down the defamatory post.

“Ms. Narvaez has shamefully

chosen to interfere with her 11-year-old son’s relationship with his loving father by falsely calling

him a ‘rapist’”, as per a comment shared with Rolling Stone. (Nationalworld.com)

Mr Brightside: The Killers’ hit becomes the biggest song never to top charts

It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?

It’s a question that has rung out across dancefloors for more than 20 years.

The answer, for The Killers’ Mr Brightside, lies in breaking chart records... if not actually topping the charts.

The 2000s indie-rock anthem has now overtaken Oasis’ Britpop ballad Wonderwall to become the UK’s biggest-selling single never to reach number one.

According to the Official Charts Company, Mr Brightside’s 5.57 million combined sales and streams also make it the UK’s third biggest song of all time, surpassing Wham!’s festive staple Last Christmas.

This is calculated from an eyewatering 530.3 million streams (100 paid streams or 600 free streams equal one sale) and 1.1 million copies sold since it was first released in 2003.

It already holds the record for the UK’s longest-running chart hit, after spending 408 weeks - or

seven whole years - in the UK top 100. Its closest competitor, Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved, is far behind, with 234 weeks in the countdown at the time of writing.

Mr Brightside is streamed 1.8 million times a week on average in the UK. Last year proved its most successful on streaming services, with a cool 80 million plays.

Not bad for a song that only reached number 10 in the UK on its second release in 2004 - and didn’t chart at all the first time around.

Now a crowd favourite from indie discos to wedding dancefloors and karaoke bars, nowhere is its cross-generational appeal more evident than at the band’s live festival shows.

Luke Broadhurst, 51, says the song is “one of the few the whole family loves”, including his teenage son and daughter.

“Festivals have given it legendary status for us, from Latitude, with my then 10-yearold old daughter Roxy on my shoulders, to seeing them headline Glastonbury in 2019.

Rapper 50 Cent and his ex, Daphne Joy Narvaez, have an 11-year-old son

The Killers have played Mr Brightside at every show they’ve ever played

LABOURER

FINISH CARPENTER

2 DOMESTIC WORKERS

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FOODS BLUE HILLS

Musgrove

WC SECURITY SERVICES

SECURITY OFFICERS

Salary $9:00 per hour

Responsibilities -To maintain a safe and secure environment for customers/ clients. Patrolling, deterrence, monitoring and securing properties and business establishments. Surveillance Skills, Deals with Threats, exercising excellent Judgment, Objectivity, Dependability, Conflict Management, Integrity, Safety Management, Professionalism, Reporting Skills, CCTV and Security Alarm knowledge are desirable.

SECURITY SUPERVISOR

Salary $9.45 per hour

Setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision. Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks. Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching. Required: Experience in providing advice and resolving critical situations. An understanding of basic police and other Emergency Services procedures. Willingness to commit to further training. The ability to operate surveillance equipment, including cameras, camcorders, and CCTV systems is desirable. Preferably Former police/military, or with longer security experience and with TCI driver’s license.

ONE SALES CLERK & ONE LABOURER

WORKER/ ONE LABOURER

BABYSITTER

LABOURER

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Wymara Resort + Villas is a contemporary luxury full-service boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with minimum Four to Five-Stars Forbes experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring five-star standards and services are continuously delivered.

*Executive Housekeeper

Reporting directly to the Assistant Rooms Division Manager and Director of Rooms, the Executive Housekeeper is responsible for the leadership and management of all functions of the Housekeeping & Laundry Department. Direct, implement and maintain a service and management philosophy which serves as a guide to respective staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Prepare weekly guest room supplies inventory and consumption reports and monthly linen, terry, and supply inventory.

• Complete guest room/suite inspections daily, as well as all VIP’s, guest hallways, pantries, and service areas.

• Follow-up on any outstanding maintenance issues in guest rooms.

• Implement general cleaning program and special projects, inspect, monitor, and document accordingly.

• Assist Executive Team with preparation of annual budgets and monthly forecasts.

• Select and train housekeeping team in proper work procedures and techniques.

• Ensure proper usage of chemicals and cleaning supplies by monitoring usage, providing complete training for team members, and ensuring proper labeling of hazardous supplies in accordance with the hotel’s standards.

• Control and analyze departmental costs on an ongoing basis to ensure performance against budget.

• Operate and officiate an administration system, which includes training schedules, handover books, operating manuals.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily:

• Must have a Hospitality Management degree or between 5 to 10 years of proven Housekeeping Leadership experience in Luxury Hotels or Resorts, with a passion for guest and team members satisfaction alike.

• Advanced knowledge of Forbes, Leading Hotels of The World and Leading Quality Assurance service standards.

• Demonstrated success at delivering results through establishment of standard procedures, disciplined coaching, and management.

• Proven track record of ability to establish continuous training programs and followthrough in the Housekeeping Department.

• Self-motivated and dependable with an exceptional work ethic and strong problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency with general office PC applications (i.e. Microsoft Office software and Opera, Alice, Salto).

• String

• Excellent communication, coaching and leadership skills.

• Must have the stamina to work 50 to 60 hours per week.

• Experience in managing a large multinational staff.

• Excellent organizational skills for dealing with diverse duties and staff.

• Must be able to work on weekends, holidays, and some overnight shifts. Compensation: $35K - 45K per annum

Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)9417555. E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your Resume or C.V. to hr@wymara.com

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

• Applicants should possess a first degree in education and or Teacher’s diploma with 3 or more years of experience.

• Applicants must be energetic and creative and a good team player.

• Applicants with experience in (CPEA) Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment would be an asset.

• All applicants should be a born-again

Christian preferably of the Baptist Faith.

• Capable of teaching students with a multi-cultured background.

• Have adequate knowledge and experience of working with the Primary School Curriculum of the TCI Education system.

• Salary $20,400.00 to $24,000.00 per annum.

THIS POSITION IS AVAILABLE TO TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDERS AND/OR WORK PERMIT RENEWAL HOLDERS. APPLICATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT B.E.S.T. INSTITUTE OFFICE, 250 BAY ROAD, BLUE HILLS, PROVIDENCIALES. OR EMAIL: BESTINSTITUTE@OUTLOOK.COM. COPY ALL ENQUIRES TO THE LABOUR BOARD, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS. TEL: 649-941-4802 CELL: 649-231-4802

LARGEST

IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

CASABLANCA CASINO

is accepting applications for the following positions:

BLACKJACK DEALERS/DICE DEALERS

Salary $9.00-$16.00/ hour

All candidates should have at least 2-3 years of experience in the same field, excellent full knowledge of all casino table games and excellent knowledge of Blackjack table game and/or dice game. Job summary: carry out specific tasks in the gaming operation to the highest standard of efficiency and customer service in accordance with gaming policies and procedures set by the company and gaming laws.

LABOURER

Salary $8.00 - $9.00/ hour

Must have several years kitchen helper experience, stock refill, cleaning experience of the full casino with knowledge of covid requirements and be physically fit. Also provide routine building cleaning and maintenance including painting, sanding, lifting, and moving heavy equipment.

HOST

Salary $12.00/ hour

Facilitate a positive guest experience by greeting guests and providing information. Provide a point of contact for customer feedback and help to resolve customer issues. Assist with food and beverage service as needed. Assist with casino shuttle driving as needed.

Positions presently held by work permit holders.

BABYSITTER AND HOME HELPER

Required for a private home in Providenciales. Looking for someone to look after a baby and maintain house, this includes cleaning and organizing. Job is 5 days a week, Monday to Friday.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 5 years previous experience

• First aid and Emergency First Response certification

• Exemplary employment/work record with organizational skills/experience.

• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle.

• Fluent in English and Spanish, spoken and written, and excellent communication skills.

• Salary/Hourly $12/hour.

• Preference will be given to Turks Islanders meeting the foregoing qualifications. Applicants are invited to copy the TCI Labour Board, Providenciales with applications. This is a new position.

VACANCIES

BOTTOM-UP RESTAURANT AND BAR

South Caicos / Tel: 649-241-5612

SERVER $8.00 p/h

Serve food and drink orders.

JAMES ALEXANDRE

Blue Hills / Tel: 246-5058

DOMESTIC WORKER $8.00 p/h

Cleaning, sweeping, mopping.

VILLA DEL MAR

Bonaventure Cres, Grace Bay Tel: 649-941-5160

MAINTENANCE $10.00 p/h

Performs a variety of work in the maintenance and repair of facilities.

AMAZING INTERNATIONAL STORE

Five Cays / Tel: 649- 348-5921

CLEANER $8.00 p/h

Clean, stock and supply designated facility areas.

NATASHA ROSE DORVAL

Blue Hills / Tel: 649-242-2557

BABYSITTER $ 8.00 p/h

Provides care to children

RICARDO FORTUNATE

Blue Hills / Tel: 348-2641

LABOURER $8.00 p/h

Providing general maintenance.

ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS

Long Bay Hills / Tel: 649-346-9825

CLEANER $8.00 P/H

Carry out deep cleaning and detailed cleaning tasks.

GUERSON JULIEN

Blue Hill / Tel: 347-4645

LABOUER $8.00 p/h

Cleaning outside the property.

MAXWELL DEAN

Five Cays / Tel: 346-5511

LABOURER $8.00p/h

Performing setup and cleanup task on site.

CHAVETTE MCPHEE

Long Bay / Tel: 241-6206

CARETAKER $8.00 p/h Daily task assisting

CAPTAIN

Seeking an experienced captain with minimum 10 years’ experience operating marine vessels 40ft and over, Captain’s license and an in depth knowledge of TCI Waters. Excellent written and verbal skills with the ability to deliver a high level of customer service to guests, provide advice and assistance to guests prior to and following charter and

resolve any issues that arise. Must have experience in maintenance and repairs for charter fleet, ensure vessels are clean and operational. Organizational skills are required for scheduling and maintaining records of all maintenance and service requirements for charter fleet. Salary up to $36,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.

RECEIVING CLERK

• Will prepare orders for shipment complete all paperwork, obtain the best rate quotes, and ensure accuracy of the order to ship.

• Adequate knowledge of computer systems and comfortable using them.

• Duties include but are not limited to, receiving in, storing, and distributing all deliveries, as well as stocking and restocking items in their proper locations as needed.

• Employees will pick customer orders per pick ticket and ensure the accuracy of selected items and quantities.

• Safety, organizational, and housekeeping

responsibilities are encompassed in the position.

REQUIREMENTS:

• College Graduate with a degree in any 4-year Course.

• Minimum 5 years of work experience.

• In an 8-hour workday: being active for 6-8 hours.

• Flexible schedule including working nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

• A positive attitude with punctuality.

• Being flexible on what days and hours you can work.

• The willingness to do any job that is needed even if it’s not “technically” part of your job description.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Turks and Caicos Islands oldest and leading publishing house is in need of additional staff to fill the following posts:

WRITERS/ PHOTO JOURNALIST

Candidates must have at least five (5) years’ experience working full-time for daily newspapers and/or news/features magazines, reporting on hard news, features and parliamentary/court proceedings. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

FOR MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICALS GRAPHICS PRODUCTION DESIGNER/ PAGINATOR

This position requires someone with at least five (5) years’ experience working with Macintosh or PC computers. Must be skilled in the make-up of advertising and pagination. Proficiency using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop software for print is essential. Some technical, networking and web design knowledge an asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

COURT REPORTER

College or high school graduate with at least five (5) years’ experience in community reporting. Ability to drive and use a camera a desirable asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

ADVERTISING SPACE SALES PERSON

Candidates must have had actual hands-on experience selling advertising space for newspapers and magazines. Ability to assist clients with the writing of copy for ads and gathering of collateral an asset. Salary is commission based.

A CERTIFIED 100 TON CAPTAIN (W/A SAIL ENDORSEMENT)

The applicant must be versed on the operation and maintenance of a 65’ sailing vessel. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Overall charter operations and management of a 65’ sailing vessel.

• Familiarity and maintenance of all systems on a 65’sailing vessel.

• Hosting of short- and long-term charter guests. Qualifications should include:

• 100-ton Captains license from a reputable certifying body.

• Dive Master certification.

• Knowledge of diesel mechanics, rigging and marine electrical systems. Salary commensurate with experience.

In search of a skilled person to work in stone fabrication

• Searching for a person skilled at a wide range of repairs including trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, both interior and exterior.

• Must be a team player who communicates well in English and can follow directions.

• Must have 5 years’ experience in

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performing repair assessments. Must be able to lay out job plans operate a variety of tools and problem solve.

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MYSTIQUE CAR RENTAL & TOURS LTD.

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HELP WANTED TIBOR’S MACHINE SHOP LTD.

22 Cooper Jack Bay Rd, Industrial Park, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands BWI Is looking to fill the following positions:

LABOURERS

- Clean metal works

- Miscellaneous painting

- Clean and maintain a clean shop, machines, equipment, and any incoming jobs.

- Operate specific equipment in a safe and efficient way per supervisor’s instruction.

- Able to operate power and hand tools.

- Provide manual labor assistance on various tasks and assignments.

Wage starts at $8.00 per hr.

MECHANIC

- Must be able to diagnose mechanic related problems.

- Must have theoretical knowledge and practical experience of complete brakes, gasoline and diesel engines, automatic and manual transmissions, steering and suspension components, exhaust and basic electrical.

- Maintain company vehicles, equipment, various machinery & make necessary repairs.

- Have experience in welding and performing welding tasks.

- Must have a valid trade specific certification with at least 5 years’ working experience.

Wage: $10.00 per hr.

INDUSTRIAL PAINTER

- Work with various hazardous coatings including epoxies, urethanes, solvents

- Safely apply hazardous coatings and storage

- Utilize/assemble, maintain, and clean a variety of painting materials, tools, and equipment including compressors, sprayers, sanders, and cleaning equipment

- Experienced with CARC coating and HVLP guns

- Estimate time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned

- Understand painting climates

Wage: $10.00 per hr.

PAINTER HELPER

- Assist Lead Painter in performing painting and sand blasting tasks.

- Cleans work pieces to remove impurities, such as slag, rust and grease using hand tools such as wire brush, portable grinder, hand scraper or chemical solutions to ensure smooth surface.

- Maintain good knowledge of painting techniques and processes.

Wage starts at: $8.00 per hr.

MECHANIC HELPER

- Assist Lead Mechanic in performing repairs on vehicles, equipment & other repairs.

- Must have theoretical knowledge and practical experience of complete brakes, gasoline and diesel engines, automatic and manual transmissions, steering and suspension components, exhaust and basic electrical.

- Maintain company vehicles, equipment, various machinery & make necessary repairs.

- Have experience in welding and performing welding tasks.

Wage starts at: $8.00 per hr.

MANUFACTURING COST

SPECAILIST

▪ Works with operations, front office, and back office to achieve success by increasing productivity, reducing costs, and improving processes. Focuses on identifying and removing process inefficiencies using key continuous improvement tools and a defined methodology for solving problems down

to root cause.

▪ Conducts, facilitates, and manages ongoing facility gap assessments and process improvement using lean six sigma projects through the diffusion of a mindset geared towards continuous improvement efforts

▪ Assists in preparing job costing plans, records, analysis, and reporting

▪ Improves inventory workflows and assists in setting advanced inventory management system

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

▪ Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in manufacturing engineering, business, or a related field

▪ Lean Six Sigma certification

▪ Previously worked in senior positions in machine shop, manufacturing, or fabrication industry

▪ Strong oral and written communication, Microsoft Office, interpersonal, presentation and organization skills

- Wage $500 per week

MOULD MAKERS/ MACHINISTS

- Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments.

- Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments.

- Fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, shop mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

- Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, and engineering information to determine methods and sequences of operations needed to fabricate products and determine product dimensions and tolerances.

- Remain in a standing position for extended periods of time.

- Must have a valid trade specific certification with at least 5 years’ working experience.

Wage: $10 per hr.

WELDER HELPERS

- Assist lead welders in performing welding, brazing, thermal, and arc cutting operations.

- Oversee the scheduled maintenance of welding and fitting equipment to ensure they are operational.

- Cleans work pieces to remove impurities, such as slag, rust and grease using hand tools such as wire brush, portable grinder, hand scraper or chemical solutions to ensure smooth surface.

- Connect hand torches to fuel gas cylinders or electric power source.

- Maintain good knowledge of welding techniques and processes

- Read and interpret blueprints for a welding project.

- Experienced in SMAW / GMAW / GTAW & oxy-fuel welding / cutting

- Must have a valid trade specific certification

Wage starts at: $8.00 per hr.

CERTIFIED WELDERS

- Lay out, fit, and fabricate metal components to assemble structural forms using knowledge of welding techniques, metallurgy, and engineering components.

- Operates drill presses, power saws, grinders, metal lathes and a variety of welding equipment and hand tools.

- Analyze sample parts, blueprints, engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations.

- Remain in a standing position for extended periods of time.

- Experienced in SMAW / GMAW / GTAW & oxy-fuel welding / cutting.

- Must have a valid trade specific certification with at least 5 years working experience.

Wage starts at: $9.00 per hr.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS APPLICATION

( SECTION 4(3) OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS

ORDINANCE)

Take notice that I, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands in exercise of the powers conferred in me by Section 6(4) of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance intend to grant a Certificate of Turks and Caicos Islander Status to Yvette Denise Bullard-Outten by virtue of marriage to a Turks and Caicos Islander.

GREENHOUSE MAN

NANNY

CONTACT:

A Senior Manager will provide our clients with a mix of audit and assurance services in the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas. We strive to understand our clients’ operations, their industry and the issues they face thus enabling us to provide relevant attestation services and advice. The incumbent will be responsible for managing a portfolio of key clients on a day-to-day basis with a focus on driving Audit quality and developing your team’s capabilities. They will be expected to have advanced knowledge in relevant industries and to play an active role in business development activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or above with excellent academic credentials in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Management or related disciplines required

• Internationally recognized professional accounting qualification: ACCA, CPA, CA, ACA or other designation as accepted by similar International Federation of Accountants member bodies

• Minimum 7 years of relevant external audit experience in public practice with at least 3 years experience in a managerial capacity

• Advanced knowledge of ISA and IFRS

The salary for this position will be based on qualifications and experience and will range from $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 p/a. Interested Turks and Caicos Islanders can also submit copies of their application to the Labour Department/ TCI Work Permit Board.

This is a new position.

GRACE

Is seeking a qualified individual for the following position. Only candidate who meet minimum qualifications and requirements will be considered. Applicants may be required to pass a written skills test. Qualified Turks Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labour Department.

COATING SPECIALIST

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for supporting the customer service and sales offers at Grace Bay Paint and Supply Ltd. Through specialized knowledge of coating products and their installation. The ideal candidate will be able to fluently educate customers on the benefits of each coating and translate of using these products. This candidate must also have prior certification, experience, and factory-sponsored training with the installation of specialized coating, including Llumar film coatings. This person must also be able to accurately estimate coating jobs, schedules, and properly install Llumar film coatings. This position is also seeking to expand sales of products in new customer markets.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION:

• Customer service skills, including problem solving and dealing with difficult situations.

• Must be able to write and speak in English fluently and have good written and verbal communication skills.

• Must be able to retrieve material from shelves and carry up to 50 lbs.

• Must be able to operate a computer and point of sale system and communicate via the telephone.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation.

• Must be proficient in mathematics with ability to calculate surface area and estimate jobs accordingly.

• Must have prior experience and certification in the factory-sponsored training of Llumar film coatings.

• Must have certified installation training in residential and commercial film coatings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficient in Microsoft office applications.

• Able to speak a second language.

• Experience working in the construction industry.

Salary: $3,500.00 Monthly

LABOURER

HEAD OF DIGICEL BUSINESS

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

The Head of Business Solutions role will lead BTB Sales, Customer, Team satisfaction and go to market. This person will be accountable and responsible for the go to market function outcomes including business objective achievement, sales target achievement (new business, retention and year on year revenue growth), customer satisfaction, financial outcomes and team/people development in the TCI. Sales performance to target, forecasting and forecast accuracy, market and sales KPI’s (leading and lagging), Sales Playbook/Process compliance and customer/team satisfaction. This person is expected to build a premier sales team and successfully collaborate/ interlock with the functional support business units to underpin customer and cross team success. Mobilizing and moving the market as defined by delivering double digit Revenue, EBITDA growth, acquiring key new clients, stewarding double digit customer satisfaction results and developing a high performing/high achieving culture that is known for being infectious about their customer, their business, their team and their results.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the achievement of all sales objectives inclusive of sales targets, revenue, margin, EBITDA and debt by new business acquisition, client retention (reduced churn), notable improved customer satisfaction and client engagement. Expectation is to deliver double digit growth across all key financial metrics whilst significantly improving P&L performance by reducing debt, churn, synergizing OPEX and prioritizing CAPEX investments in unison with the broader Caribbean team.

• Define and implement an optimal sales organizational structure across the market (s) ensuring that resource alignment optimizes their market opportunity base.

• Lead and own (externally with the client and internally within the business) the top by value strategic new business acquisition opportunities annually and the top by value renewal opportunities annually.

• Develop and own strategic relationships with key Enterprise and Government officials/dignitaries that result in mutual success for the client and Digicel.

• Develop a new business acquisition opportunity roadmap inclusive of client, value, solution, investment required and timing in their first 9 months and refreshed bi-annually.

• Lead and represent the development of key Customer Account Development Plans that outline the vision, strategy and plan for relationship and business optimization. Review, coach and validate the quality, content and messaging of all client proposals, bid responses and presentations are “world class” in quality. Take their team with them in the development of

high quality communications.

• Build a high-performance Business Solutions sales team and culture through competencebased sales leadership, management and sales appointments and the development, implementation and consistent communication of people development, business results and success celebration.

• Implement an operational management system that measures, communicates and actions performance. Reward and celebrate achievement, reduce mediocrity and address non-performance… quickly.

• Lead compliance with the sales KPI reporting and cadence inclusive of leading and lagging sales indicators, Sales Playbook, Sales Process, market insight and performance to sales targets.

• Communicate with all internal stakeholders inclusive of the exec on regular basis business briefings inclusive of performance, risks, dependencies, customer, projects and opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR JOB:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Technology or a related field

• At least five years experience in the telecommunications industry

• 5 or more years in a senior management capacity leading a B2B Sales operation.

• Must understand Telecoms with in-depth knowledge of all trending ICT products.

• At least five (5) years’ Service Delivery, Business Sales, ICT Service Delivery or Business Services experience.

• Track record of outstanding Business Service Success

• Experience in a Quota driven environment is essential.

• PMP Certification an asset

• Working knowledge of ICT products, sales and solution development including, strategy, design, related technologies and the ability to demonstrable benefits.

• Must have extensive reporting experience.

• Must be a number-oriented individual with strong analytical skills and well-developed business senses.

• Experience in Sales Force.com

• Experience in Redknee E-Care Systems COMPENSATION

85,000 – 90,000

DEADLINE:

Positions persons who are Turks and Caicos Island nationals or who have Belonger status. Interested applicants can forward their resumes to the closing date for applications is May 31, 2024. https://careers.digicelgroup. com/job-invite/5488/

DOMESTIC WORKER

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

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

• Parcel 10308/158 Central, Grand Turk – Four-bedroom, two-bathroom house approximately 2045 sq. ft located in Palm Grove, Grand Turk

Registered Proprietor: Dudley Moore & Cheryl Prospere

• Parcel 60003/113 North West and North Central, Providenciales, TCI – Three-bedroom, two-bathroom house approximately 1248 sq. ft located in Belglade Gardens, Providenciales Registered Proprietor: Verginia Paisley & Gregory Dean

The auction will be held at the office of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, 88 Cherokee Road, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 20th day of May 2024.

A reserved price will be fixed on all parcels and a deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids. Conditions of Sale available upon request or at the Auction.

PROJECT MANAGER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities.

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $15 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and project management principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities

Salary: $2000/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board Position currently held by a work permit holder.

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities.

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $50 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and project management principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities

Salary: $3500/weekly Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board

EXPERT MASSEUSE / MASSAGE THERAPIST

• Applicant must be able to read, write and speak English

• Expertly versed in Balinese , Deep Tissue, Swedish and combination massage therapy

• Able to diagnose and apply massage therapy base on clients preference and needs.

• Have own transportation and

massage therapy equipment such as tables etc.

• Be reliable and have good time keeping skills

• Remuneration and Salary based on experience & starts at minimum wage $8.00 per hour

• Must be available to work daily, drive and be flexible to accommodate outer island (North Caicos, etc) services.

CONTACT: 332- 9264 INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION, SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AND COVER

TO AYANISPA.TCI@GMAIL.COM

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

TEACHING POSITIONS AT THE WESLEY METHODIST SCHOOL

JOB TITLE:

LECTURERS IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (NEW) AND MARINE ECOLOGY (RENEWAL – 2); PROGRAM AND WATERFRONT ASSISTANTS (NEW); SITE MANAGER (RENEWAL); DIVE SAFETY OFFICER (NEW), AND RESEARCH ASSISTANT/AQUARIST (NEW)

JOB SUMMARIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Lecturer – PhD required in related field, teaching and research experience, $30K annually; Assistants – BS or higher in Marine or Environmental Science, coordinates all field activities, $10K annually; Site Manager - Maintain facilities including plumbing, electrical, and construction. Must be familiar with vehicle maintenance and repair – gas and diesel – and small boat engine repair, $21K annually; Dive Safety Officer and Research Assistant – BS or higher, lead field and lab activities, $20K annually.

All positions required to live on-site, 6 day work week, minimum Divemaster Scuba Diver unless otherwise stated, prior experience living/working at a field station and boat handling is preferred. Additional information can be found –www.fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/

PEARLS VILLA MANAGEMENT LTD.

217 Long Bay Beach Drive, Long Bay, Providenciales IS LOOKING FOR A

PRIVATE CHEF

JOB SUMMARY:

Must be deft in moving around the kitchen and apt in multitasking. Experience in using various ingredients and cooking techniques is also important. Must be able to create new menus, work independently, available to work seven (7) days weekly.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare ingredients for cooking usage.

• Ensure great presentation by dressing dishes before serving.

• Keep a sanitized and orderly environment in the kitchen.

• Ensure all food and other items are stored properly.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants MUST possess a degree, or its equivalence in the areas stated. Certification for Teachers MUST be from a recognized institution. Applicants MUST have a minimum of five (5) years teaching experience. Must be multitalented; honest, trustworthy, willing to uphold the tenets of the institution, and also strive diligently to raise the standard of education in the school, must be of the Christian faith.

Salary – commensurate with experience and qualification.

Domestic Workers Renewal

Sweeping the rooms, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms and toilets, cleaning kitchen and other domestic works.

Salary - $8.25 hourly rate

Interested persons must submit application, accompanied by their curriculum vitae, a police record, and a contact number and references from two (2) individuals, no later than June 30th 2024 to:

• Check quality of ingredients.

• Grocery shopping for kitchen menu items.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a restaurant or hotel.

• Hard working with a willingness to work long hours including weekends and holidays.

• Fluent in French and Spanish are essential.

• Knowledge of various cooking procedures and methods.

• Very good communication skills.

• Excellent physical condition and stamina.

Salary 60,000.00 per annum

Please note that all applications must be submitted with a valid police record, and copies of all educational certifications. Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR RESUME WITH QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE TO: INFO@SAUNDERS.TC,

HOUSEKEEPER

•

DOMESTIC WORKER

HANDYMAN

NANNY

BABYSITTER

STEELMAN

CONTACT:

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities.

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues. Requirements:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $15 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and project management principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities Salary: $2000/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board Position currently held by a

SITE ENGINEER

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Allocate staff with responsibilities

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $15 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and site engineer principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities Salary: $1500.00/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board Position currently held by a work permit holder.

2 STEEL MEN HELPER

DOMESTIC WORKER

EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Manage the housekeeping staff. Ensure that guest rooms and public areas are clean and well maintained. Inventory control. Set and enforce standards for cleaning and presentation. Must be detail oriented, work well under pressure and able to manage multiple duties. Salary $26,400 per annum.

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Oversee the kitchen staff and ensure the quality of food items. Develop unique and cuisine-appropriate menus. Ensure the kitchen and surrounding areas meet the company standards and health code regulations. Assist and direct kitchen staff in meal preparation, creation, and plating. Must have culinary skills, in-depth knowledge of food handling regulations, leadership skills, communication, and time management skills. Salary $60,000 per annum.

FACILITY MANAGER

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Responsible for the overall maintenance, repair, and upgrade for the Meridian Club. Maintain equipment and building provision to meet health and safety requirements. Run routine maintenance inspections. Knowledge of HVAC and other building systems. Advanced mechanical and plumbing skills. Great leadership and problemsolving skills. Salary $62,000 per annum.

VILLA GUEST SERVICE SUPERVISOR

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Provide world class guest service experience for guests and homeowners pre arrival/ departure. Actively listen to and resolve complaints. Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all department policies/service. Inspect all villas liaising with housekeeping. Must be detail oriented, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Salary $24,000 per annum.

ACCOUNTS SUPERVISOR

Minimum of 5 years in a luxury resort environment. Review and monitor internal control procedures in the hotel, Review and analyze the company results throughout the hotel to ensure alignment with the company’s financial objectives. Assist with the compilation and preparation of the financial statements, periodic forecasts, and monthly/annual budgets. Familiar with reporting and budgeting as well as MS office and accounting software. Good communication skills, management skills and organizational abilities. Salary $35,000 per annum

BIG BLUE COLLECTIVE

BAR MANAGER

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

IN THE SCUBA DIVING/WATERSPORTS INDUSTRY

#2 Marina Street, Leeward Marina, Providenciales 946-5034

Big Blue is looking for outgoing personalities and physical coordination to join a team of knowledgeable and experienced guides to conduct educational and environmentally conscious eco-tours and boat charters throughout the Caicos Islands.

1. Scuba Diving Instructors

Seeking qualified PADI Dive Instructors to conduct dive courses and tours. Applicants must have a minimum 2 years teaching experience and experience with high end vessels and clientele a must. Preference will be given to Turks Islanders and those with professional boating experience or hold a TCI Captain’s license. Other duties include conducting snorkel tours, paddle eco tours and dive equipment maintenance. The work schedule is varied and provides up to 6-days work per week, must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

Current positions held by work permit holders and new positions available. Salary range: $110 to $200 per day plus gratuities and service charge. Applicants should apply to the email address below.

2. Sales Representative

Big Blue Collective is seeking a motived, energetic sales person to work with our team in a busy environment.

DUTIES FOR THIS POSITION WILL INCLUDE:

- Service and retail sales with the goal of growth to the overall business

- Answering phones/emails, making sales and reservations with solid knowledge of all products and services.

- Greeting and signing in guests in a professional, friendly manner with direction and information to keep the arrival flow seamless.

- Ensuring payments are collected, entering and balancing of daily income

- Working with the retail manager on designing custom items for sale.

- Must be willing to work long hours, weekends, holidays while remaining flexible

- Inventory and stock control with Quickbooks POS

- Possibility to fill in as an eco guide including snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Training provided.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

- Mature, self motivated, outgoing, honest and energetic that has a passion for working with the public.

- Must be able to work weekdays, weekends and holidays.

- Must speak English, any other languages and asset

- Attention to detail is key

- Minimum high school graduate with strength in math and marketing

- 3 years sales and sales related marketing experience

- 3 years front desk/reception experience/retail sales management

- Education and experience in retail textile design,

- Experience with Quickbooks POS

- Experience in ordering, maintaining, designing and stocking retail

- Experience in promoting and marketing service and retail sales an asset

- Good understanding of the tourism industry and a passion for protecting the environment

Candidates should apply via email to careers@ bigbluecollective.com before the 26th of May 2024, include a resume and a cover letter with a brief description of why they believe they are a suitable candidate to work in the ecotourism / watersports industry. Applicants should send a copy to the Commissioner of Labour.

TRAINING

AND EDUCATION:

• At least 5 years of industry experience working in a high volume environment

• Full bar training with complete understanding of all facets of bar environment.

• Complete knowledge of all drink recipes with proven training certificate in Mixology.

• Deep knowledge of wine, spirits and beers and ServSafe certified.

• Fully trained in wine service with ability to properly open bottles table side and recognize appropriate glassware.

• Must be fluent in English both written and oral.

• Complete detailed knowledge of Micros POS system and demonstrated full knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Understanding of inventory control

SKILL REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Very strong interpersonal skills with an engaging personality.

• Ability to multi task in a fast pace, high pressure environment.

• Strong math skills associated with counting of inventory and balancing cash.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate others and lead by example.

• Must be able to work extended hours on his/her feet including nights, weekends and holidays.

• Must be able to comfortably lift at least 25 lbs.

• Strong conversational skills and willingness to stay apprised of current events.

• Maintain a clean and well-groomed appearance in the presence of both other employees and clients.

• Ability to consistently be punctual for work.

• Maintain a clean workstation throughout shift

• Must be willing to participate in cleaning duties assigned by superiors.

• Must be polite and cordial to co-workers and clients at all times.

• Must be capable of carrying at least 3 dishes with food for delivery to tables.

• Must be able to carry a drink tray full with drinks without spilling.

• Must have complete knowledge of food and beverage as it relates to company menus including ingredients and preparation.

• Must have complete knowledge of the menu (both food and drinks) as well as specials being offered.

• Must be able to operate a blender for the purposes of making specific drinks.

• Must be able to perform opening and closing duties

• Ensuring each day that all aspects of the bar are kept clean and maintained

• Supervising the twice weekly scheduled “Deep Cleaning” of both the upper and lower bars

• Maintain proper organization of the room and house charges box

• Ensure that new bar staff are properly trained as per company guidelines

• Assist upper management in the enforcement of company policy and procedures

• Keep a positive attitude and an open line of communication with fellow employees thus ensuring effective conflict resolution

• Must ensure all other bar employees complete pre and post shift duties.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter that takes both initiative and direction, this individual will have the ability to anticipate problems, then identify and implement solutions.

Belongers Given Preference, Apply in Person with CV to be considered. This ad is for a permit application.

Science & Technology

Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds

A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.

For more than 92,000 adults observed over 28 years, consuming at least 7 grams — a bit over half a tablespoon — of olive oil daily was linked with a

28% lower risk of dementiarelated death, compared with those who never or rarely ate olive oil, found the study published Monday in the journal JAMA Network Open.

The study is the peerreviewed and finalized version of an abstract — early research the authors

HOUSEKEEPER

presented in July 2023 at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting.

To the authors’ knowledge, it was also the first to investigate whether the Mediterranean diet staple is linked with risk of death from the disease.

“Our study reinforces dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils such as olive oil and suggests that these recommendations not only support heart health but potentially brain health, as well,” study coauthor Anne-Julie Tessier, a research associate in nutrition at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in a news release for the abstract last year. “Opting for olive oil, a natural product, instead of fats such as margarine and commercial mayonnaise, is a safe choice and may reduce the risk of fatal dementia.”

At the beginning of the study, research participants

DOMESTIC WORKER

were age 56 on average. The pool included nearly 60,600 women who had participated in the Nurses’ Health Study from 1990 to 2018, and nearly 32,000 men who had been in the Health Professionals’ FollowUp Study during the same period. The former study investigated risk factors for major chronic diseases among women in North America, while the latter is looking into the same topics but for men.

The authors of the latest study assessed participants’ diets every four years via a questionnaire and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, which assigns ratings to foods and nutrients predictive of chronic disease.

The higher someone scores on this index, the better.

Replacing 5 grams — around 1.2 teaspoons — of margarine or mayonnaise consumed daily with olive oil was associated with an 8% to 14% lower risk of death from dementia. The results of substituting with other vegetable oils or butter weren’t significant, the

authors found.

Participants with the APOE e4 gene — the strongest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease — were five to nine times more likely than noncarriers to die from dementia, but the findings regarding olive oil still stood after the authors took this factor into account.

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EASYWAY EMPLOYEMENT SERVICES

monitoring and securing properties and business establishments. Surveillance Skills, Deals with Threats, exercising excellent Judgment, Objectivity, Dependability, Conflict Management, Integrity, Safety Management, Professionalism, Reporting

Olive

Science & Technology

AstraZeneca to withdraw Covid vaccine

After more than three billion doses, the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is being withdrawn.

AstraZeneca said it was “incredibly proud” of the vaccine, but it had made a commercial decision.

It said the rise of new coronavirus variants meant demand had shifted to the newer updated vaccines.

Its vaccine was estimated to have saved millions of lives during the pandemic, but also caused rare, and sometimes fatal, blood clots.

In the race to lift the world out of pandemic lockdowns, the Covid vaccine was developed by scientists at the University of

Oxford in record time. A process that normally takes 10 years was accelerated down to about 10 months.

In November 2020, it was heralded as “a vaccine for the world” as it was far cheaper and easier to store than other Covid vaccines. The pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca had agreed to manufacture it en masse.

Initially, it was the cornerstone of the UK’s plans to vaccinate our way out of lockdown.

“The truth is it made an enormous difference, it was what lifted us out of the catastrophe that was unfolding at the time, combined with the other vaccine

from Pfizer,” said Prof Adam Finn, from the University of Bristol. However, its reputation was dented as unusual blood clots emerged as a rare side effect of the vaccine, and the UK turned to alternatives.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said: “According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone.

“Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.”

It said the development of new vaccines that more closely match the mutated forms of Covid that are now circulating meant there was a “surplus of available updated vaccines”, leading to a “decline in demand” for its vaccine which is

“no longer being manufactured or supplied”.

Prof Finn added: “I think the withdrawal of the vaccine simply reflects it’s no longer useful.

“It’s turned out that this virus is very agile and it’s evolved away from the original vaccines, so they have in a sense become irrelevant and only the reformulated vaccines are likely to be being used now.” (BBC)

Gas stoves expose people to unsafe limits of nitrogen dioxide

Gas and propane stoves significantly increase exposure to nitrogen dioxide in rooms throughout the home, and these unsafe levels of exposure have had harmful effects on the health of tens of thousands of people in the United States, according to a new study.

The World Health Organization has set guidelines for exposure to various air pollutants, and the new research – published in the journal Science on Friday – found that people reach 75% of the suggested annual limit for nitrogen dioxide just by using a gas stove. Electric stoves, on the other hand, did not cause any emissions of nitrogen dioxide.

Breathing air with high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can irritate the respiratory system. Short-term exposure can exacerbate respiratory diseases, while longer exposures can contribute to the development of conditions like asthma and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.

“There really is no safe amount of exposure to these toxicants produced by gas or propane or any fossil fuel, outside or inside. We were not meant as a human species to be breathing these toxicants in,” Dr Kari Nadeau, chair of the environmental health department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-author of the new study, said at a news

Harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide from cooking on gas stoves can be found throughout the home, a new study found

conference about the research.

More than a third of households in the US – nearly 50 million – have a gas or propane stove, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration.

But size and layout of a home, ventilation and behaviours – such as cooking patterns – can affect levels of exposure to nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves, which leaves many disadvantaged communities at increased risk for the negative health effects.

People who live in residences

that are less than 800 square feet are exposed to four times more nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves than people who live in residences that are larger than 3,000 square feet, according to the new study.

“Because of historical and present day discrimination, this disparity and exposure by housing size manifests as disparities and exposure by income and race and ethnic group,” Yannai Kashtan, a researcher with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and lead author of the new study said at the

news briefing.

For American Indian, Black and Hispanic people in the US, exposure to nitrogen dioxide exceeds the World Health Organization’s benchmark just from using a gas stove, excluding any contribution from outdoor air, the new research found. Exposure levels are 60% higher than average for American Indian people and 20% higher than average for Black and Hispanic people in the US.

The negative effects of exposure to nitrogen dioxide from a gas stove are not limited to those who spend the most time cooking or in the kitchen, the researchers found. In the bedrooms that were tested, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide exceeded the World Health Organization’s 1-hour exposure guideline within 25 minutes of cooking.

“The pollution we measure travels from the kitchen to distant bedrooms, and it travels far and fast,” said Rob Jackson, a professor of Earth system science at Stanford and senior fellow with the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy who was the principal investigator for the new research.

“It moves through the home very quickly. It doesn’t only reach our bedrooms quickly, it lingers in the air for hours.”

The cooks bear the greatest burden – which disproportionately

affects women – but everyone in the home is in danger of breathing in pollution, he said.

For this study, researchers measured nitrogen dioxide concentrations and emissions in more than 100 homes across five states. They combined these findings with national demographic data to estimate exposures and potential impacts across the US.

Overall, they estimate that longterm exposure to nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves caused about 50,000 current cases of pediatric asthma in the US. That estimate grows to about 200,000 cases of pediatric asthma when factoring in other toxins released by the flames from gas stoves and shortterm exposure to nitrogen dioxide. Also, the researchers estimate that about 19,000 premature deaths may be attributable to long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves.

Experts say that it’s important to minimize cooking with gas stoves as much as possible. The pollution comes from the flames, so cooking for shorter periods of time and with lower heat can help reduce emissions.

“The key thing is to use less gas,” Jackson said. “There’s a direct linear relationship between the amount of gas burned and the amount of pollution that comes off.

AstraZeneca said it was a commercial decision to withdraw the vaccine

Science & Technology

Experimental gene therapy restores some vision in patients with inherited blindness

For her entire life, college student Olivia Cook had only a small degree of central vision. It was as if she was watching the world through a straw hole, and in dimly lit places, she could not make out people’s faces, only their silhouettes.

But after receiving an experimental gene-editing treatment to one of her eyes, she now can see things she never saw before.

Cook was born with an inherited retinal disorder that causes blindness, a rare type of eye disorder historically called Leber congenital amaurosis or LCA. A few years ago, she decided to participate in a clinical trial that involved using the gene-editing tool CRISPR to correct the form of inherited blindness that she has.

“My life has mostly changed in terms of being hopeful that there is going to be more science and findings in the future,” said Cook, 22, who is currently studying marketing and product development at Missouri State University in Springfield. She received the experimental geneediting treatment through a surgery performed on her left eye.

“Now, post-surgery and post recovery, I am able to see in dimmer lighting with my left eye,” Cook said.

A treatment that used CRISPR was found to be safe and efficacious in improving vision among a small sample of patients with inherited blindness in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial that Cook participated in. Inherited retinal degenerations are a leading cause of blindness around the world.

Among a total of 14 volunteers, including Cook, the gene-editing tool was found to be associated with a “meaningful improvement” in vision for most patients around three months later and it was not directly tied to any serious side effects, according to the trial results, published Monday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The therapy remains experimental and the results need to be replicated in a larger group of people.

Months following the treatment, Cook was sitting with friends on a balcony that had Christmas lights wrapped around the railing. It was dusk, she recalled, yet she could see her friends’ faces glow under

Gas stoves expose people to unsafe limits of ...

So everything we do to reduce gas – use one burner at a time – helps people helps their health.”

Many who rent or have limited income may not be able to replace their stove, but using a induction cooktop to boil water or perform some other cooking tasks can help. Keeping the cooking space and household well-ventilated, with new air circulating every couple of hours, is also important.

“Most of us spend 90% of our time or more inside. That’s the air that we’re breathing most of the time,” Jackson said. “(The Environmental Protection Agency) does not regulate or measure indoor air quality, so we need to take ownership and act to clean up people’s air because it is the air most people breathe, and we have ignored it for decades.” (CNN)

the twinkling Christmas lights. She was shocked.

“With my right eye, I was not able to see their facial features. I was only able to see their silhouette. With my left eye, I could see everything on their face – so, significant difference, especially in the dim lighting,” Cook said about that evening.

“One of the biggest ‘aha moments’ that I had was I had been talking to my mom one day after the surgery – it was about six to nine months after the surgery when I noticed most of my improvement,” Cook said.

“I could see a candle flickering behind me, which I’ve never seen that before,” she said. “I’d never picked up anything from over there before with the peripheral.”

Before the treatment, Cook said that she sometimes could conceal the vision challenges she has had. Her limited vision often was an internal struggle.

“You wouldn’t really know that my eyesight is terrible until you spend a significant amount of time with me,” Cook said. “If we saw each other in the street, if I introduced myself to you, you’d never know.”

But now, she is no longer hiding.

A GROUNDBREAKING ‘PROOF OF CONCEPT’

This study is the first time that CRISPR has been used in the eyes of living people.

“The results of this study provide proof of concept that

approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for CEP290associated inherited retinal degeneration. These patients would not be able to read any lines of letters or numbers on a vision chart that most people receive at the eye doctor, and visual impairment may worsen over time.

For the trial, the 14 participants underwent a surgical procedure in which a drug called EDIT-101 that encodes the CRISPR gene-editing components was injected under the retina of one of their eyes. Since the trial was conducted to primarily evaluate safety and efficacy, only one eye in each patient was studied.

CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing can be used safely and effectively to treat inherited retinal disorders,” said the study’s first author Dr. Eric Pierce, director of the Ocular Genomics Institute at Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School.

The trial was funded by the biotechnology company Editas Medicine and conducted in the United States by researchers at Mass Eye and Ear of the Mass General Brigham health care system and other US-based institutions, including the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, the University of Miami, and Oregon Health & Science University.

“We’re really hopeful that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technologies will now be applied to other genetic forms of inherited blindness, and indeed other genetic diseases in general,” Pierce said.

“We’re hoping this will help open the era of therapeutic use of CRISPR-Cas9 technologies.”

The trial, which started in 2019, enrolled 12 adults, ages 17 to 63, and two children, ages 9 and 14, with inherited retinal degeneration caused by mutations in the CEP290 gene. That gene provides instructions for making a protein involved in many types of cells, including light receptor cells in the eyes. Mutations in CEP290 are the most common cause of severe early-onset retinal degeneration, which causes vision loss in children.

Currently, there is no treatment

“The subjects get an injection of the gene-editing drug, which is called EDIT-101, under their retina,” Pierce said. “That drug encodes the CRISPR-Cas9 geneediting machinery, and once that starts working inside the retinal cells of those patients, it cuts out the mutation in CEP290 from the genome of their retinal cells, allowing the function of the CEP290 gene to be restored.”

When the first patients in the study were treated in 2020, it was the first time in medical history that a CRISPR-based medicine, resulting in gene-editing, was inserted directly into the living human body.

Among the adult volunteers, two were given a low dose of the medication, five were given an intermediate dose and five were given a high dose. Both of the children in the study were given the intermediate dose. The outpatient procedure took around an hour and a half.

The patients were then monitored every three months for a year and then less frequent monitoring continued for two years. In these follow-up visits, they underwent a series of vision tests among other evaluations.

The researchers found that 11 patients in the study had some type of improvement in their vision following the CRISPR therapy, and these improvements occurred about three months after the procedure and were sustained during subsequent visits.

Also, no serious side effects occurred in response to the treatment at any of the dose sizes, according to the researchers, and the adverse events that did occur were mild or moderate. There were also no signs that the CRISPR gene-editing caused ripple-effect harm to the genomes of the patients. (CNN)

Dr Jason Comander, director of the Inherited Retinal Disorders Service at Mass Eye and Ear, examines the CRISPR-based medicine

Science & Technology

The ultraprocessed foods you need to avoid, according to a 30-year study

Eating ultraprocessed foods is associated with an early risk of death, according to a 30-year study — but different foods have different impacts.

Processed meats and sugary foods and drinks aren’t correlated with the same risks as ultraprocessed whole grains, for example, said lead study author Dr. Mingyang Song, associate professor of clinical epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health.

The study analysed data from more than 100,000 health professionals in the United States with no history of cancer, cardiovascular disease or diabetes. From 1986 to 2018, the participants provided information on their health and lifestyle habits every two years.

Every four years, they completed a detailed food questionnaire.

The group eating the least ultraprocessed food ate about three servings a day on average, while the highest averaged seven servings a day, according to the study published Wednesday in The BMJ journal.

Those who ate the most had a 4% higher risk of deaths by any cause, including a 9% increased risk of neurodegenerative deaths, the data showed.

Song described the correlation

according to the new study

as “moderate,” noting that the connection was not equally strong among all kinds of ultraprocessed foods.

“The positive association is mainly driven by a few subgroups including processed meat and sugar sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages,” he said.

Findings in this study were consistent with hundreds of others in the field, but what makes this

one unique is its parsing out of different subgroups within the ultraprocessed food category, said Dr. Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard professor emerita of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University.

DO WE NEED TO GET RID OF ALL ULTRAPROCESSED FOODS?

Song wouldn’t necessarily advise a complete rejection of all ultraprocessed foods because it is a diverse category, he said.

“Cereals, whole grain breads, for example, they are also considered ultraprocessed food, but they contain various beneficial nutrients like fibre, vitamins and minerals,” he said. “On the other hand, I do think people should try to avoid or limit the consumption of certain ultraprocessed foods, such as processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and also potentially artificially sweetened beverages.”

There are also more questions that need to be answered when it comes to ultraprocessed foods.

First, the recent study is strong because of the length of time covered?, but it is an observational study. That means that while researchers can observe a correlation, they can’t say that the foods were the cause of the deaths, said Dr Peter Wilde, emeritus fellow at Quadram Institute Bioscience in the United Kingdom.

Researchers also need to look more at the components of ultraprocessed foods that might be affecting health — whether they be food additives, emulsifiers or flavours — to advise governments and institutions on how to regulate foods, Song said.

OVERALL DIET MATTERS MOST

Researchers also found that the most important factor to reducing risk of death is the quality of a person’s overall diet, Song said.

“If people maintain a generally healthy diet, I don’t think they need to be like scared or be freaked out,” he said. “The overall dietary pattern is still the predominant factor determining the health outcomes.”

A healthy diet is varied, with as many colourful fruits and vegetables and whole grains as possible, Wilde said.

“If you are worried about food additives, then choose foods that have low levels of additives,” he said in an email. “Just be mindful of the nutritional content of (the ultraprocessed foods) that you do choose to consume.”

It is also important to recognize that foods need to be eaten in balance. Fruit juice contains beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants when consumed in moderation, but too much will have high levels of sugar that may override their benefits, Wilde said.

“This is not black and white,” he said. “A particular food is not either good or bad, it will contain elements of both, and the balance between the two may depend on how much you eat.” (CNN)

Squirrels may have given medieval Britons leprosy

Humans may have caught leprosy from squirrels in medieval times, researchers say.

They studied human and red squirrel bones from archaeological sites in Winchester, southern England, and found they had closely related strains of the bacteria that causes it.

Leprosy is a chronic disease infectious between humans that attacks the skin, nerves and mucous membranes. No-one is thought to have caught it inside the UK for 70 years but it’s still endemic in many parts of the world.

Armadillos carry it and are suspected of passing it on to humans. Some modern red squirrels in the UK also have it, but there has never been a reported case of transmission to humans and experts say the risk is very low.

It’s the first time a medieval animal has been identified as a host for the disease.

“The finding of leprosy in modern squirrels was surprising and then it’s incredible that we found it in the medieval period,” said study co-author Dr Sarah

Inskip of the University of Leicester.

“It really goes against the narrative that it was a human disease specifically,” she said.

It’s not clear whether squirrels in medieval times gave humans leprosy or the other way around.

But the shared strain suggests it was circulating between people and animals in the Middle Ages in a way that hadn’t been detected before, the researchers say.

Back then, squirrel fur was used as a fine lining for clothes and some people also had pet squirrels. They were particularly popular with women.

The researchers studied 25 human and 12 squirrel samples.

The human remains came from a Winchester leprosarium (hospital for people with leprosy) and the squirrel remains from a nearby pit used by furriers.

Previous studies found that modern red squirrels from Scotland and Brownsea Island off the coast of southern England carry leprosy.

Public health England says the probability of humans catching

it from squirrels is very low and there has never been a reported transmission.

Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases in human history

and is still present in Asia, Africa, and South America.

There are more than 200,000 new cases reported every year. It’s not known exactly how

it spreads between people but prolonged, close contact with someone untreated, over many months, is needed to catch the disease. (BBC)

Meats were shown to have a bigger impact on risk of death than many other kinds of ultraprocessed foods,

A woman plays with a pet squirrel wearing a belled collar in the Luttrell Psalter, a book created in Lincolnshire, England, in the early 14th century

Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic named NBA MVP for third time in four seasons

Denver Nuggets star centre Nikola Jokic was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player on Wednesday, marking the third time he has been awarded the honour in four seasons.

The 29-year-old Serbian averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game this season – all in the top 10 across the league – while helping lead the defending champion Nuggets to a 57-25 record and the second seed in the Western Conference.

Jokic becomes the ninth player in NBA history to win the award at least three times.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record with six MVP titles, Michael Jordan and Bill Russell have won it five times, and Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James four times.

Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone have also won it on three occasions.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came second in the voting and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic finished third.

Jokic thanked his teammates and coaches when asked about his thoughts on his string of MVP awards.

“Without them, I am nothing,” Jokic told NBA on TNT. “Coaches, players, organization, medical staff … It’s all one big circle. I cannot be what I am without them.

“There are a lot of players that deserve it, it’s probably details and small things [that decide the result].”

This is the sixth consecutive year an international player has won the award. The last American

Fifa faces legal threat over congested calendar

World governing body Fifa is facing the threat of legal action from world players’ union Fifpro and the World Leagues Association – which includes the Premier League – if it continues with plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup at the end of next season.

player to win the honor was James Harden in the 2017-18 season.

In the 2023-24 season, Jokic became only the second person in NBA history – after Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 – to register 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 700 assists in a season.

Jokic ranked 10th in points per game, fourth in rebounds per game and third in assists per game and second for double-doubles (68) and triple-doubles (25).

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone lauded Jokic in February after the player racked up a then league-leading 15th triple-double of the season.

“He’s a world champion and he’s a Finals MVP because, every night, just his ability to be great for himself, but more importantly, his ability to make everyone around him better – and that truly is the definition of greatness,” Malone told reporters.

“And we have been spoiled. I’m sure some of us do find ourselves maybe taking it for granted, but just remind yourself that there’s not many guys like Nikola Jokic that walk through those doors and appreciate every opportunity that you have to watch him play.”

The Nuggets will need every ounce of Jokic’s three-time MVP talent when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

The defending champions are 2-0 down after losing two straight at home to begin the Western Conference semifinals, with Minnesota’s league-best defense so far effectively stifling Jokic and his teammates. (CNN)

They say the global football calendar is “now beyond saturation, to the point that national leagues are unable to properly organise their competitions” while “players are being pushed beyond their limits, with significant injury risks and impacts on their welfare”.

BBC Sport reported in December that the PFA was taking legal advice over the lack of consultation over an increasingly congested calendar and the impact

that was likely to have on its members.

PFA chief executive Maheta Molango has been part of a series of high-level discussions over the intervening period, including the European Leagues general assembly last month, when Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the calendar was ‘at tipping point’.

Next season, all three European club competitions will be expanded to 36 teams. The Champions League and Europa League will have eight first phase games compared to the current six. It is possible a club would have to play 17 matches to win either competition.

Manchester City and Chelsea

are among the 12 European representatives at the expanded Club World Cup, to be held in the United States in June and July next year.

In a letter addressed to Fifa president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom, seen by BBC Sport, Fifpro and the World Leagues Association say if Fifa extends its own competitions then it should alter others.

It adds that “imposing the burden of adaptation on national leagues and players is inherently abusive” and is “jeopardising national leagues and affecting the health and wellbeing of players”.

However, BBC Sport understands Fifa believes it has taken into account player welfare with their scheduling programme.

Jury awards $9m in damages to tennis player Kylie McKenzie in sexual assault case

A jury has awarded $9 million in damages to a tennis player after a court ruled that the United States Tennis Association (USTA) failed to protect her from being sexually assaulted by a coach.

Kylie McKenzie, a 25-year-old American tennis player, filed her lawsuit in March 2022 in the US District Court in Orlando, Florida, suing the USTA and USTA Player Development Incorporated while alleging her former coach, Anibal Aranda – who had been employed by the organization at the time – “committed sexual assault and battery” against her.

McKenzie and her lawyers also accused the USTA of “gross negligence” by “employing but yet failing to properly supervise Coach Aranda despite his known history of sexual predation was so reckless or wanting in care that it

constituted a conscious disregard or indifference to the life, safety, or rights of” McKenzie. In a press conference held in 2022, McKenzie said that the incident affected her performances on the court, as she dealt with anxiety, panic attacks and depression as a

result of Aranda’s actions.

“My confidence and my selfesteem was gone,” McKenzie said, “both on and off the court.”

On Monday, a jury awarded McKenzie $3 million in compensation and $6 million in punitive damages.

Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis

Manchester City are the Club World Cup holders

Kylie McKenzie competes at a tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in March

Sports International

Nadal fights back to reach second round in Rome

Rafael Nadal continued his French Open preparation by fighting back from a set down to beat Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs in the opening round of the Italian Open in Rome.

The former world number one, a 10-time champion in the Italian capital, won 4-6 6-3 6-4. Nadal, 37, has indicated he plans to retire after the 2024 season.

Although not at his best, the Spaniard said he “found a way to win” on his favoured clay surface as he builds up to what is expected to be his final appearance at the French Open later this month.

“My game is more unpredictable than before, I haven’t played much tennis for two years but I think I can do better than that,” Nadal added.

Having made his return from a three-month injury absence at the Barcelona Open in April, Nadal reached the last 16 of the Madrid Open last week before falling to Czech player Jiri Lehecka.

In Italy, Nadal got off to a tough start on the surface he has so long favoured.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion broke for 3-1 in the opening set but Bergs, ranked 108 in the world, immediately cancelled out the advantage before a double fault gifted the 24-yearold the break and he served out the set.

But, after a medical emergency in the crowd halted play one game

into the second set, Nadal looked much more comfortable.

He quickly raced to a 3-0 lead and this time kept his composure, unleashing a forehand winner and fist pumping towards the crowd as he levelled the match.

Nadal once again broke early in the third set before overturning a 40-0 deficit and saving three break points to move 4-2 ahead.

A powerful forehand winner eventually secured the win and booked Nadal’s place in the second round, where he will face Polish world number nine Hubert Hurkacz.

“I have Roland Garros in just two weeks and a half,” said Nadal.

“I need to prove myself if I am able to push my body to the limit, I need to push to feel myself ready for what’s coming.

“I am not talking only about Roland Garros. I am talking about the next match. I need to lose this fear. Matches like today help.

“Some moments I was moving faster. Some moments not. I need to get used to that, to take that risk. I feel more ready to try it than before.”

British duo Dan Evans and Jack Draper are in action later on Thursday in Rome, as well as world number one Iga Swiatek and US Open winner Coco Gauff. (BBC)

Rubiales to stand trial over World Cup kiss

The kiss, which Ms Hermoso and her team-mates said was unwanted and demeaning, happened at last year’s 1-0 World Cup win against England and made global headlines.

Mr Rubiales was forced to resign but has denied any wrongdoing.

A Spanish High Court judge said on Wednesday Mr Rubiales was also facing one charge of coercion.

The scandal overshadowed a historic moment for Spain’s women’s team, which at the time was celebrating its first ever World Cup win on 20 August 2023.

During the trophy presentation

ceremony, Mr Rubiales clasped Ms Hermoso’s head between his hands and planted a kiss on her lips. It was broadcast to billions worldwide, producing a fierce backlash and national debate over sexism in Spain.

Mr Rubiales, 46, has strenuously denied wrongdoing, saying the kiss was consensual and he was the victim of a “social assassination”.

However, Ms Hermoso has it was both “unexpected and at no time consensual”.

Mr Rubiales faces one count of sexual assault, which carries a prison term of a year.

He will also be tried for coercion alongside the former coach of the women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, the team’s current sporting director, Albert Luque, and the federation’s head of marketing, Ruben Rivera.

Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy expected to sell for millions

Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy from the 1986 World Cup, which had gone missing in contested circumstances for decades, has reappeared and is anticipated to sell for millions of dollars at auction next month.

The trophy, presented to the best player at each World Cup, will be sold by Aguttes auction house in Paris on June 6, the latest piece of memorabilia from Maradona’s glittering career to be expected to fetch a huge sum.

In 2022, his Argentina jersey from the 1986 tournament sold for close to $9.3 million, breaking the record for an item of sports memorabilia, while the “Hand of God” ball from the quarterfinal against England sold for $2.4 million later that year.

“We expect millions [again], but we don’t know exactly because there is no trophy like that in the

Auction House, told CNN Sport.

“It’s the unique opportunity of a lifetime for the potential buyer.”

Maradona is best remembered for his performance against England during the 1986 World Cup, punching the ball into the net for his infamous “Hand of God” goal before scoring what was later voted the “Goal of the Century,” slaloming past several defenders with a magnificent, weaving run.

The two goals were less than five minutes apart and perfectly encapsulate the sublime skill and tortured genius of the Argentine star, who passed away in 2020.

Argentina went on to defeat West Germany 3-2 in the final and win the second of the country’s three World Cup titles.

The history of the Golden Ball trophy awarded to Maradona in Paris after the tournament is shrouded in mystery.

According to one tale, it was stolen by the mafia while Maradona was playing for Italian side Napoli

and subsequently melted into gold ingots; other theories suggested that it was lost during a poker game or to pay off Maradona’s welldocumented debts.

“We did a lot of research about it,” said Thierry. “We lost track of it in 1986, there’s been 38 years now. There are a lot of stories and legends, some inconsistent like [being used] to make gold with the mafia.

“We have also two biographies of Maradona where it doesn’t speak about [the trophy being] stolen. We did necessary checks with database Art Loss and Interpol. We called the police but without result, so we think we did everything we have to do.”

Aguttes’ catalogue calls the mafia theory “far-fetched” given that the trophy, a small soccer ball on top of a plinth, is made from a gold-copper alloy.

The former head of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, will stand trial for sexual assault over his kissing of Women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso without her consent.

The kiss, which Ms Hermoso and her team-mates said was unwanted and demeaning, happened at last year’s 1-0 World Cup win against England and made global headlines

Rafael Nadal has won the Italian Open a record 10 times

Maradona received with the Golden Ball award in Paris after the 1986 World Cup

world … from the pinnacle of [Maradona’s] career,” François Thierry, a sports expert for Aguttes

Sports International

‘Nobody expected this’: Borussia Dortmund stun PSG to reach Champions League final

Borussia Dortmund continued their “incredible” run in this season’s Champions League, reaching the final after stunning Paris SaintGermain 1-0 in the semifinal second leg on Tuesday.

The German side took a 1-0 advantage from the first leg into the match at the Parc des Princes and somewhat rode its luck in an exhilarating encounter in the French capital.

Despite PSG dominating for large periods of the match, it was Dortmund’s Mats Hummels who scored the only goal of the game, the defender’s second-half header sending the small pocket of visiting fans into a frenzy in the 50th minute.

The host threw everything they had at the Germans, but the game ended 1-0, meaning Dortmund went through to the final in London after winning 2-0 on aggregate.

It will now play either Real Madrid or domestic rival Bayern Munich in the final at Wembley Stadium on June 1, the culmination of a journey that few could have predicted.

“The belief in the final was already there early on,” Dortmund manager Edin Terzic said, adding that he spoke to the team about the possibility before its round-of-16 tie against PSV Eindhoven.

“The faces looked a bit baffled when I said that the route to London is short. It will still take a little while before it sinks in for us, but the joy is already extremely great. We’ve grown with every match.

“We wanted to be the team that people don’t necessarily have on their radar. The route has been incredible. We knew that games like today are frequently opened up or decided by set-pieces. Mats [Hummels] took it outstandingly well.”

Dortmund’s run in the Champions League is at odds with its domestic form. The club sits fifth in the Bundesliga table after struggling with consistency.

In Europe, though, Die Schwarzgelben have found a way to win matches and the semifinal second leg was the perfect demonstration of just that.

PSG hit the woodwork four times in the second leg – six times over the entire semifinal – and lacked a clinical edge when in front of goal.

Starman Kylian Mbappé, playing in his last Champions League match for the club, was kept quiet for much of the night, with a lot of PSG’s attacking threat coming through Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi on the right wing.

In total, the host had 30 shots against Dortmund, but the German side defended resolutely to maintain its clean sheet over both legs.

“We were not inferior over the

two legs, but football rewards those who score, not those who hit the woodwork,” PSG manager Luis Enrique said. or Dortmund, it is a full-circle moment, given its last Champions League final in 2013 was also held at Wembley Stadium.

On that occasion, Dortmund suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Bayern Munich but will hope to go one better and complete the most unlikely of victories.

For longtime servant of the club Marco Reus, the Champions League final will also be his last opportunity to play for Dortmund.

The 34-year-old announced he would leave the club at the end of

the season after 12 years with the team.

He was part of that final in 2013 and said it was “indescribable” to be in that position again.

“How we won the game, no one will ask tomorrow. Shots against the post won’t matter tomorrow. What counts is that Borussia Dortmund is in the final again. Nobody expected this. It’s just incredible,” an emotional Reus said.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are currently locked at 2-2 ahead of Wednesday’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Spanish capital, with the final at Wembley looming next month. (CNN)

Haaland on Premier League player of season shortlist

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland could be named Premier League player of the season for a second consecutive year.

The 23-year-old Norway international has been nominated for the award alongside City teammate Phil Foden.

Arsenal midfielders Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk complete the shortlist.

The winner, decided by a public vote and a Premier League panel, will be announced on 18 May.

City boss Pep Guardiola, a fourtime winner of the manager of the season award, has again been shortlisted, alongside Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Villa’s Unai Emery and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

Last year Haaland became the first player to win the player of the season award and the young player award after scoring 36 goals in 35

Erling Haaland is the leading scorer in the Premier League this season

league games.

He has scored 25 this season as City chase a record fourth consecutive title.

Former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to win the award in consecutive seasons, in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

This month England forward Foden was named footballer of the year by the Football Writers’ Association. He has scored 16 league goals and provided eight assists this season.

A City player has won the award in each of the past four seasons, with Haaland’s success coming

after Kevin de Bruyne in 2019-20 and 2021-22 and Ruben Dias in 2020-21.

Odegaard and Rice have played pivotal roles in Arsenal’s pursuit of a first title in 20 years.

Norway international Odegaard has eight goals and eight assists, while England’s Rice has nine goals and seven assists in his first season since joining from West Ham.

Palmer, who joined Chelsea from City in September, has scored 21 goals and provided nine assists, while Sweden international Isak has 20 goals and one assist.

England’s Watkins has enjoyed a prolific season with 19 goals and 12 assists, while Netherlands international Van Dijk, who won the award in 2018-19, led Liverpool to the Carabao Cup this season.

Haaland, Foden, Palmer and Isak have also been named on the Premier League young player of the season shortlist alongside Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka

and defender William Saliba,

WHO HAS MISSED OUT?

Manchester City midfielder Rodri did not make the Premier League player of the season shortlist, despite being integral to his team’s success.

City have not been beaten in the league when the Spain international has played for them since a defeat at Tottenham in February 2023 - a run of 47 games.

Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon also misses out, despite 10 goals and 10 assists in 33 top-flight appearances in a season in which his impressive performances have earned him an England call-up.

England striker Dominic Solanke has 18 goals and three assists for Bournemouth, while Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has 18 goals and 10 assists in the 2023-24 campaign - both also failed to make the shortlist. (BBC)

Borussia Dortmund players celebrate with fans after reaching the Champions League final

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie.

Sports National

Smith blasts century in Kishco’s victory

An unbeaten century by opener Mario Smith propelled Kishco to a 20-run victory over the Jaguars when action continued in the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association (TCICA) T20 competition on Sunday at the Downtown Ball Park.

Kishco won the toss and opted to bat. The Jaguars had a solid opening over with Daniel Bourne running in hard, but after that, it became the Smith show as the opener exploded with the bat. During his innings, he was ultra-

aggressive as he belted 11 fours and eight sixes, including back-toback maximums against Vaurice Jervis, in his unbeaten score of 114.

For the third wicket, he and Smijo Devassy (30, 5x4s) put together a partnership of 61 runs, while for the fourth wicket, he and Yogesh Khude tallied 68. Khude was a bystander during that partnership, as he scored four runs from 14 balls.

In the end, Smith’s exploits with the bat propelled Kishco to 186-4 from their allotted overs.

TCI signs CADE declarations

The Turks and Caicos Islands through the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture and Library Services, Hon Rachel Taylor recently signed the American Sports Council (Consejo Americano del Deporte) CADE declarations to enhance athletic development and the growth of sport in the region.

Minister Taylor said that the meeting, which was held late last month in Washington DC, “provided a greater insight into the roles and responsibilities of each entity and the kind of support we can garner whether financially, technically or in the area of training”.

The declarations focused on a number of areas, including

the importance of sport, the significance of Paralympian events, following international rules, ensuring that athletes remain drugfree and can work on enhancing and developing their skills, and the augmentation of CADE.

In addition, this year had a large turnout of English-speaking officials, which improved networking.

Over 30 nations from across the Caribbean, North America, Central America and South America were at the event.

Minister Taylor was accompanied by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr Amin McCartney, and the Director of the TCI Sports Commission, Mr Jarrett Forbes.

In the chase, the Jaguars’s toporder batsmen were destroyed by Devassy.

The opening pacer was the bowling hero, as he struck twice in the first over. Randy Laulys had hit him for a four before he had him caught the very next ball.

On the last ball of the first over, Devassy got his second scalp when he bowled Paul McKenzie for naught, which left the score at 8-2.

At the other end, Yogesh Khude went for 11 off his first over as Bourne played a few shots while

rotating the strike.

The rebuilding would be shortlived since in Devassy’s second over he bowled Sam Butler for 2 (20-3).

Bourne took on Devassy in his third over, smashing him for a six and then a four, but he became victim number four, trapped LBW for 24 (3x4s, 1x6).

Jaguars continued to crumble and looked completely out of the game, but Ravi Kumar and Jenis (22 3x4s) added 65 for the seventh wicket. Kumar was the main aggressor and

his stroke play led a resurgence.

Batting at 8, the all-rounder played some big shots, eight fours, while he also ran well between the wickets, 18 singles, for a top score of 54 unbeaten runs.

For the eighth wicket, he and Bradley Singh (18 3x4s), who was eventually run out, added 41, but it was a little too late as Kishco were left on 166-8 before the overs ran out.

Devassy finished as the pick of the Kishco bowlers with 4-31 from four overs.

Kishco registered a 20-run victory

Mario Smith was named man-of-the-match

Minister Taylor was accompanied by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr Amin McCartney, and the Director of the TCI Sports Commission, Mr Jarrett Forbes

Sports National

Sharks and Eagles set to battle in PPL Knockout final

The SWA Sharks and the Academy Eagles registered conflicting victories when the Provo Premier League (PPL) Knockout semifinals were held on Saturday last at the TCIFA National Academy.

In the opener, the Sharks were on the back foot early against Teachers FC. In fact, in the 25th minute, Rolin Mompremier carried Teachers ahead and it was not until the 43rd minute that the dominant Brian Gregg evened the score.

The game remained at 1-1 at the end of regulation and the teams were forced to battle in a penalty shootout. It was not until sudden death that the Sharks were able to surge ahead 6-5.

In the feature clash of the evening, Roguel Aneston scored a brace, while Emmanuel Martin and

Mike Legeme added the others in a 4-0 win for the Academy Eagles over Cheshire Hall FC. Teachers FC and Cheshire Hall

FC will battle from 6:30pm on Saturday in the third-place clash, while the Eagles will meet the Sharks in the final at 8:30pm.

STORMS TO GOLD AND SILVER AT AGGIES

TCI’s top female athlete, Yanique Haye-Smith won a gold and a silver medal in spite of the cold wet conditions, when she competed at the Aggies Invitational in Greensboro, NC on Friday last.

The ace hurdler clocked 57.58s in the 400m hurdles event to win ahead of Riley Knebes and Anna Kozlova, while in the 400m race, she was able to defeat over a dozen runners.

In 2021, Haye-Smith had broken the 400m record with a time of 52.50s at the same event.

Last month, the 34-yearold had a few strong finishes in the 400mh, including a fourth-place finish (56.86s) at the Tom Jones Memorial at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, FL.

The Turks and Caicos Islands mixed relay team performed admirably at the World Relays PreShow 2024 in Nassau Bahamas over the weekend.

The high-school athletes, including Bernard Hyde, Roniesha Johnson, Melique Evans and Tanesia Gardiner ran a healthy time of 3:38.24s. They finished behind the Bahamas, 3:26.36; the USA,

3:27.39 and Trinidad and Tobago, 3:31.63; but were ahead of Jamaica 3:42.29 and Haiti-Bahamas All Star, who finished in 3:43.84. The team was coached by Randy Ford.

Her time of 54.40s was just slower than Jada Griffin, who finished first in a time of 53.33s.

Prior to her outdoor season, Haye-Smith had represented the TCI at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow in March, where she finished sixth with a season-best (54.98s).

Haye-Smith won two medals at the meet HAYE-SMITH

Academy Eagles dominated their semi-final clash

Brian Gregg scored for the Sharks

The young athletes excelled at the event