TC Weekly News, April 26-May 2, 2025

PDM SEEKS AG’S RECUSAL

Carnival Cruise Line abruptly drops Grand Turk citing “operational reasons”

BY OLIVIA ROSE

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tourism industry of Turks and Caicos, Carnival Cruise Line has abruptly cancelled multiple scheduled stops at the popular port of Grand Turk, leaving passengers disappointed and locals concerned about the potential economic fallout.

The cancellations, affecting select sailings between now and June 2025 on the Carnival Vista, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Mardi Gras, have been officially attributed to “operational reasons” by the cruise line.

However, growing speculation points to a more concerning issue, a Level Two travel advisory issued by the US Department of State in March 2025, citing increased caution due to safety concerns in the territory.

The decision has sparked widespread discussion and concern, particularly as Carnival has opted to replace Grand Turk with Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, a private destination operated by the cruise line.

Although Carnival is offering a $50 on-board credit per stateroom to affected guests as a gesture of goodwill, this consolation prize does little to quell the unease surrounding the sudden itinerary changes.

The US Department of State’s Level Two travel advisory, which urges travellers to “exercise increased caution” in Turks and Caicos, specifically highlights concerns about crime, particularly

in Providenciales, one of the main islands in the territory.

This advisory has fuelled speculation that Carnival’s decision is rooted in safety concerns, despite the cruise line’s official statement.

Carnival’s Brand Ambassador and Senior Cruise Director John Heald, has remained relatively quiet on the matter, offering little in the way of clarification beyond the “operational reasons” statement.

The impact of Carnival’s decision on the Turks and Caicos tourism sector could be significant as Grand Turk is a key destination for cruise ships, and the sudden removal of these scheduled stops could have adverse economic repercussions for local businesses and the territory as a whole.

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Efforts by this publication to reach the Minister of Tourism and other government officials for comments on this development have so far been unsuccessful. According to reputable industry sources, while cruise itinerary changes are not uncommon and

can be triggered by various factors, including weather conditions, port scheduling conflicts, and construction work, the lack of a clear explanation from Carnival has raised alarm bells.

As travellers become increasingly aware of potential

risks, cruise lines and destinations alike are forced to navigate complex decisions that can have far-reaching consequences.

The Weekly News will continue to update the public on this development as information becomes available.

TCI to honour girls in ICT with inaugural speech competition

The Department of Gender Affairs will be hosting its first of many ‘Girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Day’ speech competitions this May 1, 10 am, at the Salvation Army auditorium in Providenciales.

Although International Girls in ICT Day is observed on the last Thursday in April, this year’s celebration in the Turks and Caicos Islands will take place on May 1 to accommodate the Easter school holidays, the department said in a statement on Thursday (April 24). They said the decision allows for broader participation from students and educators alike, ensuring the “ground-breaking event” is accessible to all involved.

Girls in ICT Day is a global initiative led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), aimed at inspiring and encouraging girls and young women to pursue studies and careers in Information and Communication Technology. The day also draws attention to the gender divide in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

fields and works toward ensuring that girls are not left behind in the digital revolution.

This year’s theme, ‘Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation’, reflects the growing need for equitable access to digital tools, knowledge, and careers for all young people, especially girls, the department noted.

Students from across the Turks and Caicos Islands will take to the stage to share their perspectives on the topic: ‘How Can Digital Skills Empower Girls to Lead in ICT, and What Role Do Schools and Communities Play in Creating More Opportunities?’

Six schools from across the islands are participating in the event, with student representatives selected to speak on behalf of their institutions. They are Tianna Kerr – Alpha Christian Academy; Jeffca Forbes – Clement Howell High School; Amelia Daniel –Maranatha Academy; Tessenya Pyne – H.J. Robinson High School; Bretanae Smith –Raymond Gardiner High School and Danisha Decius – A. Louise

Garland Thomas High School. Each participant will present original speeches demonstrating their understanding of the digital landscape, the challenges faced by girls in ICT, and their vision for a more inclusive future. The competition will test their public speaking abilities as well as empower them as thought leaders and role models for their peers.

According to the department, the launch of the event builds on their previous initiatives to promote gender equality in technology. In 2023, the Department facilitated school visits by women working in the ICT sector, offering firsthand insights and inspiration to students. In 2024, it hosted a dynamic panel discussion in Providenciales, where over 100 girls from across the Turks and Caicos Islands came together to hear from leading women in technology and digital business.

“These efforts have laid a strong foundation for this year’s event, which raises the bar by giving girls a public platform to share their voices,” the department noted.

Carnival Cruise Line at Grand Turk

PDM requests Attorney General recuse herself from election petition case

– Cites conflict due to AG’s dual role as Law Revision Commissioner

BY DELANA ISLES

The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) is calling for the Attorney General, Hon Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, to step down as the legal representative for the election commission in the ongoing election petition case before the court.

The party submits that there is a conflict of interest. Last week, the party – through its attorney George Missick, filed an application with the court requesting that the AG recuse herself from the case since she cannot act as the legal representative while also serving as a witness testifying to matters pertinent to their case.

According to Missick, the issue arose at the last hearing when the Attorney General sought to clarify why there were issues with the ballot papers at the February 7 elections –the main point of contention in the PDM election petition.

Her argument at the time was that the Law Revision Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos Islands, who combines revised laws of the TCI, made some errors during the process. Several amendments have been made to the Election Ordinance since the 2021 general election, requiring the changes to the legislation to be combined.

The attorney general contended in her submission to the court that this should not affect the outcome of the election, as the Law Revision Commissioner cannot change the law.

Missick said that such matters should be ventilated during the trial and not at the pre-trial stage. As such, they have expressed a need to call the Law Revision Commissioner to present this evidence.

The lawyer said he discovered the conflict when preparing for the May 12 and 13 trial and sought out the Law Revision Commissioner as a witness in the case.

As it turned out, the Attorney General is the Law Revision Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This has led the party to request that the Attorney General recuse herself as legal counsel for the Election Supervisor. To which she has reportedly indicated that there is no conflict.

The PDM said the conflict arises because the Attorney General should not act as an advocate in a matter in which she is a witness.

The party said the matter, which is before Judge Chris Selochan for

determination, will be heard when the court resumes in the new week

According to the TCI Bar association’s website: “Ordinances of the Turks and Caicos Islands are generally reproduced by a Revised Edition of the Laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands from time to time pursuant to the Revised Edition of the Laws Ordinance CAP 1.02 by the Law Revision Commissioner, who is currently the Attorney General of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles OBE.”

Last month, Judge Selochan ruled that the petition calling for fresh elections - brought by Leader of the PDM, Edwin Astwood and Deputy Leader Robert Been - has merit and will go to trial.

Judge Selochan, as such, dismissed the Attorney General’s application to strike out the PDM’s claims.

THE PETITION FOR TRIAL

Shortly after the February 7 general election, the PDM Leader and Deputy Leader filed a petition against the Supervisor of Elections and the Attorney General, citing irregularities in the ballot papers used in February’s general elections, among other discrepancies.

The party is seeking to have the election and return of the members declared null and void and to order a new Writ of Election for fresh parliamentary elections. They are also requesting that the counterfoils to the ballot papers and/or the ballots for the All Island be scrutinised.

Along with the irregularities, the petition cites machine malfunctions and voter disenfranchisement.

The petition filed on February 14 by Geordins Law Firm, claims that the ballot papers used in the election failed to comply with legal requirements in that: a single ballot paper was used for both electoral district and All Islands votes, in contravention of the Ordinance; the ballot paper was of a uniformed colour, instead of the legally required two distinct colours; and the ballot papers were not published by the Supervisor of Elections in accordance with section 6 of the Ordinance.

It outlined that during the manual recount of the ballots in at least two districts, it was discovered that approximately 20 ballot papers had been cast with the voters only voting for the All Island candidates and not the electoral district candidates. It cites the possibility of voter confusion.

According to the petition, various polling stations experienced machine malfunctions: “In electoral district 9, the voting machine at the station serving voters with surnames A-J malfunctioned, causing delays and forcing the station to open late.

“The machine failed again at 12:00 pm, preventing eligible voters from casting ballots for approximately forty (40) minutes.

The machine experienced further failure at 5:00 pm, disrupting the voting process and effectively disenfranchising voters who were unable to cast ballots before the polls closed.

“In Electoral District No. 3 (South Caicos), the voting machines failed to read ballots correctly due to the incorrect type of ink being used on pens provided at the polling station.”

It noted that these technical failures directly impacted voter participation and undermined the integrity of the election, constituting a breach of the fundamental right to vote as protected by law and the Constitution of the TCI.

PDM further contends that there was also an unlawful denial of a recount request. It cited that a request for a recount was made by Anthony Walkin, the PDM candidate for electoral district 8 (Blue Hills), and separately by a PDM representative seeking a recount of the All Islands ballots. The petition states that the Supervisor of Elections wrongfully refused the recount request, citing procedural irregularities.

This refusal, the party said, was unjustified, as the request was made at the earliest reasonable opportunity, in accordance with electoral procedures.

Public Appeal

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

Attorney General Hon Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles PDM Leader, Hon Edwin Astwood

PENALTIES FOR SUPPORTING ILLEGAL TAXIS

Hotels, restaurants, business owners, and tourism ambassadors who promote, refer, facilitate, or enable the operation of illegal taxis have been put on notice—they risk a $1,000 penalty and may face legal repercussions.

The warning was issued last week by the Tourism Regulation Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the TCI Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), and the traffic enforcement unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The notice follows protests by licensed taxi drivers who have repeatedly complained about being sidelined by these establishments in favour of illegal and unlicensed taxis.

These establishments have been reminded that the use of illegal or unregistered taxis is prohibited by law. Taxi driving is a reserved category of business in the Turks and Caicos Islands, specifically for Turks and Caicos Islanders. This means that non-nationals are generally not permitted to legally operate taxis.

Minister of Tourism Hon Zhavago Jolly voiced his support for licensed taxi operators, stating: “I stand with every licensed taxi operator who plays by the rules and contributes to the safety, credibility, and professionalism of TCI’s tourism industry. Illegal operators not only endanger lives, but they also undermine the hard work of those who do things the right way.”

He further remarked that the government will not allow a few “bad actors” to tarnish the reputation they have worked so hard to build.

Important questions

Dear Hon Minister Jolly and Tourism Regulation Department, first, I wish to commend the Ministry of Tourism and its partners for their efforts to maintain order, fairness, and professionalism within our transportation and tourism sectors. We need to preserve both the safety and integrity of the industry.

That said, I would like to respectfully ask some questions and share thoughts as we navigate this important conversation:

1. Clarification on hiring bilingual nonnationals: Are Turks and Caicos Islanders with licensed taxi franchises permitted to employ bilingual non-nationals, particularly in roles that enhance the guest experience through effective communication with diverse visitors? T

2. Ownership of multiple taxi plates: Are

Transportation: With an eye on the future, we need modern transportation solutions that reduce congestion and carbon emissions. Imagine a causeway network connecting key hubs—from the airport to Wheeland, Grace Bay, North and Middle Caicos— via pods, trams, or electric rail systems. Europe offers countless models for clean, connected, and people-centric mobility. The American model, with its heavy dependency on cars, has proven unsustainable and environmentally taxing. It’s 2025—we must think boldly and act responsibly.

Let deal with the bad actors in the industry. Most of Turks and Caicos Islanders work with integrity and pride. Let us co-create a future where local businesses thrive, laws are upheld, and our tourism experience remains both exceptional and equitable.

Unwise

Turks and Caicos Islanders allowed to hold more than one taxi plate? If so, under what conditions? This would be helpful in understanding how local entrepreneurs can responsibly scale their transportation businesses.

3. Nuances around local transport favours: Many repeat visitors connect with residents and often reach out to locals who are their friends, for airport pickups or transport around the island. While no money exchanges hands, gestures such as filling a gas tank blur the line between hospitality and informal service. It’s a delicate issue that may require more public education or nuanced guidelines.

4. Enforcement and equity: Our focus should be on enforcing the laws of the land equitably—not selectively—and educating both locals and visitors alike on what constitutes legal transport services. Vision for the future – Sustainable

This is a really, really stupid move. Try getting a licensed taxi, and if you succeed breathe in about the ludicrous cost. This policy, if applied, is likely to increase drunk driving on the worst, badly maintained roads. What is it that makes our government so ignorant of normal life? Their limousine lifestyle and huge salaries?

Necessary

The Tourism Regulation Department’s warning against supporting illegal taxis is a necessary step to uphold the integrity and safety of Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism sector. Taxi driving is a reserved business category, specifically for Turks and Caicos Islanders, ensuring locals benefit from this essential service. By allowing illegal taxi operations to thrive, hotels, restaurants, and other establishments are undermining the livelihoods of licensed operators who play by the rules.

Illegal taxis pose significant safety risks for passengers, as they often lack proper

insurance and regulation. The Minister of Tourism, Hon Zhavago Jolly, rightfully points out that these “bad actors” jeopardise the reputation and professionalism of the industry, which could harm the territory’s appeal to tourists. Furthermore, the financial penalty serves as a deterrent, encouraging businesses to prioritise legal and ethical practices. Preserving the credibility of Turks and Caicos’ tourism industry is critical for long-term growth, and this action sends a clear message of accountability.

Last minute

This seems like a last-minute attempt to capture a situation that has gotten totally out of hand. The TCI society, owing mainly to size and “comfort” has accepted certain migrant groups of an illegal nature. The need and addiction for cheap labour from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Philippines, Mexico and China, etc, feeds into this greed. Where there is greed of this nature, there is corruption in the Immigration, Police Department, and Ministers of Government, who will facilitate and allow illegal activity.

Systemic corruption

So much so, in a small country, the illegals

Govt took “proactive approach” to address NHIB’s long-standing problems – Knowles

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The removal of the NHIB’s board of directors and the appointment of external examiners, was a “very proactive approach” taken by the government to address persistent issues within the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB).

This is according to Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon Kyle Knowles who recently underscored the government’s intervention to address longstanding “inconsistencies” within the NHIB.

A bold move to remove NHIB’s board of directors and the

appointment of external examiners, announced on March 7, 2025, ignited public debate and scrutiny over the future of healthcare management in the islands.

During a recent interview on ‘First Edition,’ a Radio Turks and Caicos talk show, Minister Knowles addressed public concerns and clarified the government’s position.

“The gist of it is really to get down to the root cause of some of the inconsistencies that would have been brought to our attention over the years,” Knowles stated.

He acknowledged that while the problems are not new, the

and the illegal activities are all in the system, fully accepted and at senior levels of Government. Now this little “silly fine of $1000 cannot deter or do anything to a pattern of illegal and criminal activity that has saturated the system for over 50 years.

You’d have to purge and “get rid of” some senior civil servants, Certain members of parliament and Ministers to even begin to “touch the tip of the iceberg of this problem”. It is as Sir Robyn Auld so aptly described as “Systemic corruption”. Many Foundational, original, from Day one, Blood Turks & Caicos Islanders, were offended, insulted and those who cared, were embarrassed at this “unfair epithet” as it cast a Giant shadow, on TCIs, good, bad or ugly.

That was 2009 when these remarks were made, but are they true? If those remarks are not true, why do we have the problem today that this latterday Minister is seeking to address?

If not, why are there still “in the system,” the same Permanent Secretaries, Directors, heads of Departments, Senior Police Officers, Members of Parliament, ministers, and the list goes on forever, of the symptoms of the problem? The answer is “keep the gangsters in office, and this kind of illegal taxi activity will continue”!

More can be done

These are the front-line ambassadors of the TCI’s Tourism industry, and they need protection from this kind of illegal activity. $1000 fines can only do so much, but not really much at all. Where an illegal taxi/jitney driver is about to be apprehended, he or she would simply abandon the

government is taking a “very proactive approach to address a lot of the concerns that were brought to our attention from the public.”

One point of contention has been why the announcement regarding the board’s removal came from the Governor.

Knowles explained, “We have to remember, we’re a country of laws, and being a country of laws, there are certain practices or certain wording or verbiage... in the legislation that speaks to the Governor.”

He clarified that while the statement comes from the Governor, the decision is made

vehicle, ‘escape into the bush” only to be seen, days later, in a new vehicle, and it is then business as usual.

You cannot combat this kind of “Committed illegal activity” with fines. Where taxis are reserved to Belongers, the law is being observed in the “breach of the reserved category” regulations. The Minister points to a few bad actors in the system, but Quite frankly Hon Minister, “they do not care”!

Hurting tourism

While the crackdown on illegal taxis aims to protect licensed operators, the move could inadvertently create challenges for tourism businesses and visitors. Establishments like hotels and restaurants often face high demand for transportation services, which legal taxi operators may struggle to meet efficiently, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Penalising businesses with a $1,000 fine for facilitating illegal taxis could strain relationships between these establishments and the authorities. Instead, efforts might be better spent on increasing the number of licensed operators, making legal taxis more accessible and affordable.

Tourists often seek convenience and competitive prices, and the availability of unregistered taxis sometimes meets this demand. While unlicensed operators should undoubtedly adhere to safety and regulatory standards, targeting businesses that refer or enable their use may not address the root issue: the need for a robust transportation framework that supports both locals and tourism businesses.

by the “government cabinet,” emphasising, “It’s not a situation where as elected members, we are hands off. It’s just verbiage.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Desiree Lewis, provided details on the appointed examiners.

“The examiners are from a company called Interpath... They have a base... in BVI Bermuda. So they have that regional experience”, Lewis said.

She noted that Interpath was selected after a review of submissions from two companies, stating, “We felt that they would bring a better solution to the table for what we are currently undertaking right now.”

Lewis further explained that Interpath, a “forensic accounting firm,” will conduct a review, provide a stabilisation plan, and provide regular updates to the government.

“We need to know what is happening at every moment,” she stressed, noting that officials are receiving frequent messages from the public requiring immediate responses.

The Health Minister also addressed criticism over why a local company was not chosen for the examination. “Local companies were approached,” he said, but “the urgency of what we needed at the time, and the level of or the depth of what we needed to accomplish at the time was readily available” with Interpath. He emphasised the need for “a second pair of eyes” and a high level of accountability and transparency.

Regarding concerns that the board’s removal has disrupted NHIB continuity, Knowles asserted, “Services haven’t been disrupted... that was the premise of why we needed to bring the examiners, because we didn’t want to find ourselves in such a position, that services were disrupted.”

He added, “When the phone rings for either one of us, that could be a life or death situation.

So the time you’re going to take at arguing about why this one was removed or why this person’s tenure wasn’t allowed to go to full extent... the conversation I’m having on the other end of the phone is this person is really, really ill. How are we going to expedite services?”

OPERATION STABILISE AND RESCUE

The NHIB, responsible for managing the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP), provides critical healthcare coverage for medical treatments, local and overseas referrals, and other essential healthcare interventions for citizens and residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In a press statement following the Governor’s announcement, the Ministry explained that the “examination” process for statutory bodies is similar to company administration for private companies, where an insolvency practitioner is appointed to restructure the organisation.

While the NHIB is not a company, being placed under examination under section 39(2) of the Public Finance Management Ordinance serves a similar purpose.

The objective is to stabilise and rescue the NHIB through proper management and restructuring, returning it to financial viability under the management of experienced financial experts.

To facilitate the examination, HE Governor Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, acting on the advice of the Cabinet, removed the existing NHIB Board and appointed an Interim Board.

In this vein, the Interim Board includes key officials such as the Permanent Secretary of the Premier’s Office as Interim Chairperson, the Deputy Governor or her representative, the Attorney General or her representative, and other senior government officials.

Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon Kyle Knowles

Despite fluctuations, real estate market maintains robust growth

BY DELANA ISLES

The real estate market in the Turks and Caicos Islands is experiencing changes, yet it remains resilient, as demonstrated by the positive performance in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.

A Q1 market report produced by Turks and Caicos Islands

Sotheby’s International Realty –released last week - showed a total sales volume of $173.1 million in the quarter, 86 units sold with a $2 million average sale price.

The overall performance in the first quarter demonstrates remarkable growth, with singlefamily homes standing out as the top-performing category. The average sales price for the quarter has reached $2 million, marking a significant 42.9% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024, where the average sale price was $1.4 million, the report outlined.

President of Sotheby’s TCI, Joe Zahm said: “Despite current market fluctuations, new opportunities continue to emerge with several projects in development. While we remain cautiously optimistic about the second quarter, this evolving market presents both challenges and potential.”

The Q1 sales pace shows robust activity across all segments, from fresh listings to new transactions, with an increasing number of price adjustments that better

reflect market conditions and new inventory filling gaps that existed in previous years, the report outlined.

This quarter, notable sales include homes ranging from $5.3 million to $7.5 million. Additionally, luxury condominiums have seen strong sales from $2.7 million to $4.7 million in re-sales and sales within pre- and under-construction condominium resort projects.

“Our brokerage also recorded a record trophy property sale that will be made public later this year, signalling continued investor confidence,” Zahm noted.

For single family homes, total year to date sales were $126 million, 32 units sold at an average price of $3.9 million.

“Boosted by the sales of eight trophy homes, which collectively

account for nearly $90M in this category, these significant transactions have truly propelled the market forward. These highend properties, including Villa 4 at The Loren at Turtle Cove, Conched Out on Long Bay Beachfront, Jewel Estates on Sapodilla Bay, Villa 7 at Beach Enclave Long Bay, and a Pine Cay Oceanfront Home, represent a diverse range of luxury real estate offerings and foundation of the success in this quarter,” the report said.

Contributing 20% of the total sales volume, condominiums recorded a total sales volume of $34.2 million, with 23 units sold at an average price of $1.5 million.

“Nearly doubling the performance of the previous year, the Condominium category contributed 20% of the total sales

volume this quarter, underscoring its strong performance and highlighting the continued appeal of this segment.”

The report further stated that with several unsold and pending transactions in developments such as The Strand, South Bank Boathouses, The Loren at Turtle Cove, Andaz Turks and Caicos, and St. Regis Residences, the outlook for luxury condominiums “remains promising” in the coming months.

Among the top sales this quarter, notable transactions included The Palms, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and West Bay Club.

“These sales delivered strong returns, reinforcing luxury condominiums as the standardbearers for luxury Turks and Caicos real estate assets. With growing

interest and new developments underway, the sector’s future outlook is solid,” the market report outlined.

Meanwhile, land sales come in at $12.1 million total year-to-date sales volume. According to the report, 30 parcels were sold at a $403,000 average sales price.

According to the report, the opportunity is there in the land market: “Despite underperforming this quarter, the land category still offers numerous prime opportunities across the islands for developments and trophy villa compounds.”

Zahm stated that beyond Providenciales, South Caicos is gaining significant attention.

“With direct American Airlines flights now connecting Miami to South Caicos International Airport (SXC), this hidden gem has become far more accessible.”

He said this development, along with the upcoming Salterra Resort and two new ultra-luxury estates on the Caicos Banks at Sailrock Resorts, will enhance the island’s appeal as both an investment opportunity and an exclusive retreat destination.

“The real estate market in the Turks and Caicos continues to gain momentum as a highgrowth market and stable luxury destination, with total sales volume reaching $173,090,548 this quarter, a 23% increase over last year ($141,166,906 in Q1 2024).”

New acting judge appointed to Grand Turk

HE Governor Dileeni DanielSelvaratnam, has appointed Hon Judge Rajiv Persad as an acting judge in the Supreme Court, Criminal Division, in Grand Turk from 1st May 2025 to 31st August 2025.

Persad is an accomplished jurist well-known in the region as well as in these islands, where he has been involved in training judges and magistrates with the Judicial Education Institute.

Rajiv Persad SC is Head of Allum Chambers based in Trinidad and Tobago, where he specialises in a wide array of litigation.

As a practitioner, he has featured in many cases involving commercial and tort law, extradition, constitutional law, human rights, judicial review, as

well as a significant number of complex capital and non-capital criminal trials and appeals.

He is a member of the Bars of Antigua, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Persad has done temporary stints on the bench serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago (2009), Grenada (2013), St Vincent (2014), the British Virgin Islands (2013 & 2018, 2019, 2024 and 2025), and Montserrat (2020).

He has served on the Integrity Commission of Trinidad and Tobago as Deputy Chairman as well as the Law Association, where he was the Vice President, and is also a member of the current Police Service Commission.

He is an associate Tutor at the Hugh Wooding Law School,

where he has lectured on courses in Criminal Practice and Procedure and the Law of Evidence. He has been invited on several occasions to present papers for Judges, Magistrates, and members of the Bar at seminars within the Region, including Trinidad and Tobago, the Eastern Caribbean, Barbados, Guyana, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He is also the author of the chapter “The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council” in the book Taylor on Criminal Appeals, and has written papers in a number of publications on topics involving Public Law and other Criminal Justice Issues.

Judge Persad will be sworn in shortly to commence his duties on May 1, 2025.

Hon Judge Rajiv Persad

Among the top sales this quarter, notable transactions included

The Palms, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and West Bay Club

Massive multi-agency operation targets illegal settlement in Blue Hills

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A major law enforcement operation unfolded in the Blue Hills area of Providenciales on Wednesday, April 23rd, as over 70 officers descended on an illegal settlement near Miracle Close.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) Tactical Unit spearheaded the coordinated multi-agency effort, which also included personnel from Border Force.

The operation, launched shortly after 1pm, aimed to disrupt criminal activities within the unauthorised settlement.

The Weekly News understands that a small fire was raging in the area as authorities arrived at Miracle Close.

Residents explained to this publication that the area has become a hotspot for criminal activities, including robberies and gun-related crime.

According to the official police press release, officers carried out extensive foot patrols, engaging with, stopping, and searching multiple individuals.

The RTCIPF stated that the operation was “part of a broader effort to reassure the public, gather vital intelligence, and directly address criminal elements believed to reside within these unauthorised settlements”.

This initiative was not an isolated incident but “part of an ongoing series of initiatives encompassing the Snake Hill and Dock Yard districts”.

The presence of Border Force personnel further underscored

the multi-faceted nature of the operation, indicating potential connections to border security and immigration concerns.

“As officers departed the area, a fire was observed within the settlement,” the press release confirmed.

Preliminary reports suggest the fire was “accidentally started by a resident fleeing the area and leaving cooking equipment unattended.” Emergency services responded, and fortunately, “no injuries have been reported,” the release stated.

The RTCIPF continues to emphasise its commitment to proactive policing.

Anyone with information that could support future operations is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-

Operation of unlicensed public service vehicles unlawful – DMV

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reminding the public that operating a public service vehicle (PSV) without the appropriate licensing is a violation of the Road Traffic Ordinance.

This includes, but is not limited to, taxis, private charters, private transfers, unauthorised jitneys, and omnibuses.

It is also an offence to use, or permit the use of, a vehicle for purposes other than those for which it has been licensed. All individuals operating a PSV are required to hold a valid Public

Service Operator’s License.

The DMV is urging all individuals currently engaging in unauthorised PSV operations to immediately cease and desist.

The department said it remains committed to upholding the integrity of the road traffic system and will pursue the necessary enforcement actions against violators.

Members of the public who wish to report illegal PSV activities or require further information are encouraged to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to do so.

8477, the nearest police station, 911, or the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842. Additionally, individuals can “download and use the Crime Stoppers P3 app to submit information anonymously”.

A targeted operation at a residence in Five Cays has netted the police a major firearm and ammunition find. During the search, officers found two high-powered, militarystyle firearms and more than 200 rounds of ammunition.

Police said that at approximately 11:30 am on April 17, officers from the Tactical and Serious Crime Unit executed a targeted operation at a premises in the crimeriddled Five Cays community in Providenciales.

Authorities said that following this discovery, thorough investigations were conducted as officers pursued various leads. As a result of this, one suspected gang member is currently in police custody in connection with the discovery.

Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey: “The seizure of these dangerous weapons sends a clear

and unequivocal message — we will not tolerate violence and lawlessness in our communities.”

Bailey said the bust has potentially prevented the loss of life and further acts of violence against law-abiding citizens. “Our officers remain resolute in their mission to pursue individuals who possess and traffic illegal firearms. Seven firearms have been seized from January 1 to April 23. Five of which were pistols. The recovered weapons have been sent for ballistic testing.”

He said the operation forms part of the police force’s intensified anti-crime suppression activities aimed at removing illegal firearms from the streets, disrupting criminal networks, and enhancing public safety.

“Our anti-crime efforts remain focused on high-visibility and intelligence-driven operations. The

successes recorded over the past week are a testament to our officers’ dedication and hard work towards achieving our crime reduction targets for 2025 and making the islands safer,” the newly confirmed commissioner of police stated. Police said they will continue to conduct targeted operations, including road traffic stops and search exercises, in areas harbouring priority offenders and suspects.

Residents and visitors are reminded of their vital role in supporting law enforcement efforts. As such, anyone with information regarding illegal activities is urged to contact the nearest police station, dial 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or on the Crime Stoppers P3 to report anonymously.

Guns and ammo recovered in Five Cays raid

Officers of the RTCIPF Tactical Unit

Smoke billows from a small fire in Blue Hills (RTCIPF photos)

TCIG unveils ambitious plans for growth at strategic leadership meeting

As the Turks and Caicos Islands government (TCIG) sets its sights on a new financial year, ambitious plans for “success and growth” are being unveiled.

However, beneath the optimistic rhetoric, concerns linger about the government’s ability to effectively transform these visions into tangible improvements for its citizens.

To this end, the first Leadership Strategic Planning Meeting for FY 2025–26, convened by Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick on 7 April 2025, has laid bare the challenges and opportunities facing the islands, with a particular emphasis on the critical role of public service and implementation.

The event, which saw several local dignitaries in attendance, was held at The Palms Resort under the theme “Confronting Reality:

Leading Change for Success and Growth”.

Premier Misick, in his keynote address, articulated his long-term vision and strategic priorities, stressing the importance of “courageous leadership, datainformed decision-making, and a laser focus on results that tangibly improve the lives of citizens”.

He said: “We must lead with clarity, act with urgency, and never shy away from the truth of our challenges. This is a moment to confront reality—not to be discouraged by it, but to lead change that results in real, measurable growth and lasting national success”.

A significant announcement during the meeting was the introduction of the newly established Ministry of Innovation, Technology, and Energy.

This initiative, described

as “forward-looking,” aims to drive digital transformation, foster innovation, and modernise government services.

The government’s commitment to “embracing technology as a catalyst for sustainable growth and improved public service delivery” underscores the territory’s ambitions to chart a new course towards real, measurable development.

HE Governor Dileeni DanielSelvaratnam reinforced the need for governmental cohesion, stating: “Ensuring we have clear priorities, aligned resources, and strong collaboration across government will be essential as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. I look forward to continuing this important strategic work as we deliver on our shared commitment to protect our islands, support our communities, and drive sustainable

growth.”

The Governor’s remarks stressed the importance of effective collaboration to ensure the government’s goals are achieved.

However, it was Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, HE Anya Williams, who brought the focus squarely onto the operational realities.

Emphasising the vital role of the public service, she stressed: “The public service plays a vital role in advancing the Government’s mandate and must remain proactive and forward-thinking. As we navigate a period of transformative change, it is essential that we anchor our efforts in a clear strategic vision supported by a strong operational framework.”

Williams further elaborated: “I was proud to present the public service’s five-year strategic vision, which is centred on enhancing

service delivery and driving meaningful, long-term progress across our islands.”

The Deputy Governor’s emphasis on a “strong operational framework” underscores the understanding that visionary statements alone are not enough.

Over the years, concerns have been raised about bureaucratic hurdles, resource allocation, and the capacity of the public service to adapt and implement these changes.

The meeting also saw Cabinet Ministers presenting their goals and strategic priorities, aimed at aligning with the broader national development agenda.

The high-level seminar, which marks the beginning of a series of leadership engagements, also forms a key component of Premier Misick’s first 100 days in office. (Olivia Rose)

Premier, Governor, Deputy Governor, Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cabinet, and Heads of Departments attended the meeting (Photos: Office of the Premier)

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick delivered the keynote speech

Deputy Premier Hon Jamell Robinson and other Heads of Departments

HE Deputy Governor Anya Williams delivered remarks

HE Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam delivered brief remarks

‘Savour Local’ event on Earth Day celebrated local produce and talents

BY DELANA ISLES

On Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture hosted a distinguished celebration of sustainability and local pride by presenting an impressive array of local produce during its ‘Savour Local’ event at the Shore Club.

The event, held on Earth Day (April 22), was intended to exhibit the finest produce cultivated within the Turks and Caicos Islands. Key features included a luncheon showcasing dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients; a curated display of agricultural products; and an exclusive ‘meet and greet’ session with local farmers.

The occasion also provided

chefs and culinary professionals with the opportunity to engage directly with farmers, gain insight into the variety of produce available locally, and explore methods to integrate fresh, local ingredients into their culinary offerings.

Premier Charles Washington Misick attended the event and shared some insights on his social media account.

“On Earth Day, I had the great pleasure of joining the Department of Agriculture at the ‘Savouring Local’ event … from farm to table, this event reminded us of the power we hold when we choose to grow and consume locally. Every meal served today was prepared using fresh,

homegrown produce – proof that our soil can feed us, our hands can sustain us, and our communities can thrive together,” the Premier shared.

He said he remains committed to addressing the pressing issue of food security in the TCI. “Growing our own food is more than a sustainable practice, it is a critical solution to reducing our dependence on imports, strengthening our economy, and ensuring that every household has access to healthy, affordable food.”

Misick is calling on citizens and residents to join in with his government in making the Turks and Caicos Islands food secure.

“Let this inspire us to dig

deeper, plant more, and support our local farmers. Together, we can build a resilient food system that not only nourishes our people but also protects the natural beauty and resources of the TCI,” he encouraged.

In his Earth Day message, the Premier stated: “Today, as we join the world in observing Earth Day, we are reminded of our responsibility to protect and preserve the natural beauty that defines the Turks and Caicos Islands. From our crystal-clear waters to our vibrant reefs and pristine beaches, our environment is a true gift, one we must safeguard for future generations.”

Pointing to this year’s theme, Planet vs Plastics’, Misick said

it challenges all to reflect on how their choices impact the environment.

“Our future, and much of our prosperity, depends on the health of our ecosystems.”

“I reaffirm my government’s commitment to sustainable development, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Protecting our reefs, reducing pollution, and advancing renewable energy are promises we make to our children and grandchildren.”

He said true progress, however, requires the cooperation of all. “By reducing plastic use, supporting reef-safe practices, and caring for our communities, we each have a vital role to play.

“Together, we can protect our islands for generations to come.”

Farm to Table: Local produce was on full display during the Department of Agriculture’s ‘Savour Local’ event on April 22 (TCIG photos)

Howell-Robinson appointed as permanent secretary

The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands this week announced the appointment of Mrs Tamera Robinson to the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Energy.

Mrs Howell-Robinson holds an Associate Degree from the College of the Bahamas, a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies, and a Master’s Degree in Educational leadership from Walden University. She is currently pursuing courses in Artificial Intelligence, Leadership, and Project Management.

Mrs Howell-Robinson also holds several certifications and professional affiliations, including being a Certified Chartered Director from the Caribbean Governance Training Institute, a Member of both the Caribbean Institute of Directors and the Project Management Institute and a Certified Transformational Coach. With extensive experience in

public service, leadership, health management, and educational policy, Mrs Howell-Robinson has served as the Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government since 2013. In this role, she oversaw policy and service delivery within the Ministry, collaborating closely with Ministers and other Permanent Secretaries to ensure effective governance and accountability of public funds.

Between 2013 and 2015, she strengthened workforce capacity and led capital projects and procedural developments in the Ministry of Education. From November 2016 to January 2017, Mrs Howell-Robinson managed staff re-engagement at the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) to ensure the continuity of services following industrial action.

She served as Interim CEO of NHIB from June 2021 to September 2023, managing internal controls, risk oversight,

and staff performance. Most recently, since October 2023, she has been leading human resources and financial processes, as well as governance and capacity building, while also focusing on capital projects, contracts management, and staff development initiatives within the Ministry of Health and Human Services between 2015 and 2021.

Earlier in her career, Mrs Howell-Robinson lectured at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and served as Education Officer for Private Schools from 2009 to 2013.

On her appointment, Mrs Howell-Robinson commented, “I am excited about the appointment and the opportunity to support a new Ministry as Permanent Secretary. My parents were careful to tell me, almost every day while they were here with me, that I am here to help build a nation. I will bring the knowledge and skills that I have acquired to date to this new

assignment. Inspired by Daniel, the public servant from the Bible, I am devoted to serving the public sector for the benefit of all.”

HE Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service extended her heartfelt congratulations, stating, “It gives me great pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Tamera Howell-Robinson on her appointment as Permanent Secretary. This esteemed executive role carries significant responsibility, not only in the oversight and management of the Ministry’s operations but also in serving as its Accounting Officer. With over 12 years of experience

as Deputy Secretary, alongside numerous certifications and a wealth of knowledge gained during her tenure with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, I am confident that Mrs. Robinson will excel in this new role.

As she embarks on her first appointment as Permanent Secretary, working alongside the newly appointed Minister of Innovation Hon. EJ Saunders in establishing this vital new Ministry, I am certain her leadership will be instrumental to its success. I wish Mrs. Robinson every success in this new chapter and look forward to collaborating with her in this new capacity.

Tamera Howell-Robinson

NHIP is still operational

– TCI residents urged to continue making contributions amid review

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Amidst the ongoing examination of the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB), the government is emphasising the critical importance of continued contributions and compliance to ensure the sustainability and accessibility of healthcare for all.

Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon Kyle Knowles, and Permanent Secretary Desiree Lewis have made it clear that the National Health Insurance Plan remains operational and that contributions are essential.

“It’s very important that persons continue to contribute,” Minister Knowles stated emphatically. “Medical costs around the world are high, and TCI is not exempt.”

He warned that putting the full burden of healthcare costs on the government would be a “significant strain,” stressing the “heightened level of responsibility to make your contributions.”

Knowles also announced a “greater emphasis on compliance,” noting that “there are some persons compelled not to pay, right, but

still want medical services to be rendered.”

Acknowledging that there may be “internal breakdowns” in communication, such as individuals being told they are not registered or their accounts are not up to date, Knowles assured that the government is working to address these issues.

However, he reiterated, “The

truth behind it is that in order for that to be a fluid process, you need to make sure that your payments are up to date. Because if we’re going to make sure that the systems speak to each other. It can’t be a situation where you’re not paying, but you’re asking for medical care.”

Permanent Secretary Lewis echoed these sentiments,

Carbohydrates and diabetes: a key relationship for health

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy in our daily diet. They are found in common foods such as bread, rice, pasta, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. While they are essential for the proper functioning of the body, their consumption in people with diabetes must be managed carefully, as they directly affect blood sugar levels.

WHAT ARE CARBOHYDRATES?

Carbohydrates are nutrients that the body converts into glucose, a type of sugar that cells use for energy. For this glucose to enter the cells, the body needs a hormone called insulin. In people without diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin normally. However, in those with diabetes, this process does not function properly: in type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, and in type 2 diabetes, the body does not use it effectively.

When there is a problem with

insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. Over time, this can cause damage to organs such as the kidneys, eyes, heart, and nerves, making it crucial to control blood sugar levels through diet, physical activity, and, in many cases, medication.

CARBOHYDRATES AND THEIR IMPACT ON DIABETES

Not all carbohydrates affect the body in the same way. Simple carbohydrates, such as those found in refined sugars, white bread, sweets, or soft drinks, are digested quickly and cause rapid spikes in blood glucose. Therefore, it is recommended to limit their consumption, especially in people with diabetes.

On the other hand, complex carbohydrates, such as those found in whole fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans, lentils), and whole grains, are digested more slowly. This helps maintain more stable sugar levels and supports better

highlighting the benefits that Turks and Caicos Islanders currently enjoy. “Imagine, if you are sent overseas for treatment abroad, the government pays 100% of your care, 100% not 80%”, she said.

Lewis urged the public to “continue to pay into the scheme” and to ensure payment slips are registered with the NHIB to track contributions.

Regarding the future of healthcare in the islands, Knowles shared his vision, emphasising “accessibility, affordability and delivering the level of service that we need for our people, and of course, coupled with stability and continuity.”

He spoke of building local capacity, stating, “We have local practitioners who are expanding on their businesses or their medical operations, who can avail themselves of a lot of these services.”

By building local capacity, Knowles hopes to “spend locally” some of the money currently spent abroad, “so people can now come to us for medical care.”

Knowles also addressed the need for preventative healthcare, noting that “people show up to the hospital with stage four cancer.” He explained, “If you’re addressing it from a preventative standpoint, you catch things earlier, you get the early diagnosis. You can get the right medical treatment.”

Both Knowles and Lewis stressed that the NHIP is still operational and that the current examination is aimed at ensuring its long-term stability and effectiveness in providing universal healthcare.

Turning her attention to staff morale concerns, PS Lewis said, “This is why the process is so important, and that it is open and transparent, and that we try to continue to advise staff that what is currently taking place is to ensure stability in the organization and the longevity of the organisation.”

She reassured staff that the goal is to create a “conducive to productivity” environment where the NHIP can fulfil its mandate of providing access to good healthcare.

control of the disease.

CARBOHYDRATE-BASED DIETARY STRATEGIES: A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE

As a doctor, I explain to my patients that it is not necessary to eliminate carbohydrates, but rather to learn how to choose the most beneficial ones. A healthy diet for people with diabetes should include carbohydrates rich in fiber, such as vegetables, whole fruits, oats, or brown rice, as they help prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar. It is also recommended to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods, white bread, sweets, and sugary drinks. These foods are absorbed quickly and complicate blood glucose management.

Recent studies have shown that a diet with a moderate amount of carbohydrates can help improve blood sugar control, especially in type 2 diabetes. In some cases, replacing part of those carbohydrates with healthy proteins (such as eggs, fish, or tofu)

DR LENA SANCHEZ, MD

G ENERAL PHYSICIAN, ASSOCIATED MEDICAL PRACTICES

Dr Lena Sanchez is a General Practitioner and a graduate of the Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA) in the Dominican Republic. She also holds diplomas in Nutrition and Diet Therapy, as well as in Diabetology and Obesity, awarded by the Central University of the East in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

can also improve other aspects like cholesterol. This is why it is essential to seek guidance from a doctor or nutritionist to create a personalized plan.

CONCLUSION

Carbohydrates are an essential part of the diet, but their consumption

must be conscious and balanced in people, especially those with diabetes. Learning to choose the most appropriate ones, reducing refined sugars, and working with healthcare professionals can make a significant difference in managing the disease and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Permanent Secretary Desiree Lewis and Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon Kyle Knowles

The credit union is expected to be operational this year

INTRODUCTION

The establishment of a credit union in the Turks and Caicos Islands is expected to become a reality this year, pending approval of the application by the Financial Services Commission.

This has been a very long process as the Ordinance for the credit union was passed in August 2016 when our Current Premier, Hon Washington Misick was the Minister of Finance and Hon Rufus Ewing was Premier at that time. However, the regulations to affect the Ordinance did not take place until 2019 during the reign of Hon Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson.

STEP BY STEP, WE ARE GETTING THERE

A group of individuals formed a committee in 2019/2020 to explore the establishment of a credit union. Our credit union effort failed because it required more time than

Digital rest – There is light at the end of the tunnel

There is a strange phenomenon taking place in our region. People around the world pay a lot of money to come to these islands to rest, escaping the rat race of their busy lives. However, we, who live here, are becoming more and more rest-less as we are increasingly being tethered to our screens. Our smart devices have done something that has never happened in history: we have become constantly accessible. It is as if we are in a web that extends to every corner of our lives. Add the mindless, endless scrolling of social media posts, and the gluttonous consumption of information, and what you have is a complete reshaping of our existence, not to speak of our daily rhythms. As the digital world expands its reach further, we risk losing our souls in a soup of connectivity. We need, above all, to revisit one of God’s gifts to us. Sabbath Rest.

THE WISDOM OF REST

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” commanded God

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.

committee members, who were all fully employed, could give. We needed a full-time coordinator. Anyway, all hope was not lost because in January 2023, the Government put a tender out for the consultancy for the operationalization of a credit union. That tender was successfully won by The Central Finance Facility, a cooperative of Credit Unions in Trinidad and Tobago. The consultant was on the ground and had meetings in Grand Turk, South Caicos and North Caicos.

To effectively implement consultancy for a credit union, the Government must establish a project implementation credit union.

In February 2025, the Government appointed members to the Project Implementation Committee.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

The Project Implementation

to the Israelites in the wilderness in Exodus 20:8. The Israelites were to stop what they were doing for 24 hours to worship God, rest, and engage in community. This was a revolutionary concept and a sign of the utter love of God. The Israelites who had just come out of slavery, where their worth was tied to their ability to produce, were now commanded to rest. When we rest we are reminding ourselves that we are more than what we do and consume.

We are reminding ourselves that our God is loving and kind and compassionate and caring beyond measure. Our greatest value is being in relationship with God. And the slavery of our digital age needs to be resisted through the discipline of rest. It is only when we obey God willingly and in love that we comprehend the idea that we were created to flourish, not by endless, tiresome labour but in a rhythm of work and rest and work and rest.

The Sabbath also dispels the notion of a four-day work week. It is as ungodly and wicked as

Committee comprises a crosssection of people from the private and public sectors. We meet twice a week, and much progress is being made and so we are very close in establishing a credit union in the TCI.

THE OPERATION OF THE CREDIT UNION

For the record, the government will not be operating the credit union. The Government has started the process to ensure that the credit union gets off the ground. They have further assisted the process by budgeting $ 7.5 million for the operationalization of the credit union, which will provide $500 for each member.

The credit union will be headed by a Board that will be selected by the members of the credit union, not the government. The project implementation committee is not the board.

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

Anyone who is 18 years old and is a Turks and Caicos Islander or ordinarily a resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands can join the credit union.

The great news about the establishment of a credit union in the Turks and Caicos is that there will be multiple branches throughout the islands in TCI, thus giving the residents, particularly those in North Caicos and Middle Caicos, an opportunity for physical access to a financial institution.

CONCLUSION

As you can read from this article, the creation of a credit union has been a nine-year-long journey. We are optimistic that the credit union will be operational this year. Though progress seems slow, we must persevere and find ways to change the status quo. The opening of the credit union will provide benefits for everyone involved.

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.

a seven-day work week. Why?

Because it takes us from all work and no rest, which is wrong in God’s sight, to all rest and no work, which is equally wrong in God’s sight. But I digress.

PRACTICING

DIGITAL REST

We are exhausted because we are always turned on, constantly stimulated by breaking news and notifications and availability, and information. We were not designed for this. So, what will a “digital Sabbath” look like for us? This isn’t about rigid legalism (when the Sabbath becomes a burden it stops being what it was intended to be, a blessing) but intentional practices that honour God’s design for rhythmic rest.

CONSIDER THESE:

1. Define your digital Sabbath: As Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity

under the heavens.” So, choose a time period when you are going to be unplugged.

2. Rediscover creation. Exchange screen time for beach walks, gardening, reading, or stargazing. Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Our islands offer natural sanctuaries for reconnecting with the Creator.

3. Try to see Faces. Do you enjoy dominoes? Then invite a group over to play. What about board games? Go for it. Cook-outs, you bet.

4. Be Still. The psalmist counsels, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Replace digital noise with prayer, Scripture reading, or simply sitting on your veranda watching the sunset without reaching for your phone.

5. Prepare. Just as traditional Sabbath observers prepare meals beforehand, set digital boundaries: activate “do not

disturb” settings, inform contacts of your unavailability, and remove temptation by placing devices in designated “rest” locations.

CULTURAL RESISTANCE AND SPIRITUAL REWARD

Implementing a digital Sabbath requires swimming against our culture’s current. Family members may resist, work demands may press, and our own digital habits will protest. Yet Isaiah 58:13-14 promises particular blessing for honouring the Sabbath: “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day... then you will find your joy in the LORD.” In a world of constant connectivity, choosing to be disconnected may be your path to deeper connection with God, one another, and the beautiful creation which God has blessed us to inhabit. So, power down your devices and power up your souls. You won’t regret it.

The UK does not care about TCI

Let’s stop pretending. The UK doesn’t care about the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. If they did, we wouldn’t be screaming into a void about illegal migration while they sip tea in Westminster. Every day, our borders are under pressure. Not just from the ocean— but from silence. The silence of a UK government that refuses to act while this crisis pushes our small islands closer to the breaking point. We’ve cried out, debated, begged for help. And what do we get? Speeches. Fake sympathy. But no meaningful support.

Illegal migration is not a “future” problem. It’s a problem right now. Boat after boat arrives, carrying people running from their own chaos. We understand their pain—but who’s helping us carry ours? These islands cannot shoulder the weight of a regional crisis on their own. We’re drowning—while London watches from the comfort of the other side of the globe.

Our healthcare system? Overwhelmed. Schools?

Overcrowded. Housing? Under pressure. Law enforcement? Stretched thin. These aren’t abstract problems—they’re everyday struggles for Turks and Caicos families. The UK calls TCI a “British Overseas Territory,” but when it comes to illegal migration, we’re treated like we’re independent of British rule.

What’s worse? The UK parliament knows what’s happening. We send them reports. We make statements. We meet with their ministers. Raised the alarms. Still—nothing changes. Again, it’s as if they think border control is a TCI issue. Newsflash: it’s not. When people cross international waters into British territory, it becomes a UK issue too. And yet, the response is always the same— slow, superficial, and conveniently distant.

Don’t be fooled by the polished press releases or fancy diplomatic

BY AUDLEY ASTWOOD

words. If the UK truly wanted to help, we would see boots on the ground, ships in our waters, and serious investment in our border protection. Instead, we get halfhearted promises and slow-moving red tape.

Meanwhile, TCI communities feel the strain. Crime goes up. Prices go up. Tensions rise. Families worry. And guess what? We’re still expected to smile,

show up to British events, and act grateful. Grateful for what?

Let’s be honest—this is neglect. If Cornwall or Kent faced even half of what we do, the UK press would be in a frenzy. But because we’re small, because we’re Black, and because we’re far from the halls of Westminster, our reality is met with delay, deflection, and denial.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

We’re fortunate to have a local government that’s trying to manage this crisis with limited tools—but they can’t do it alone. Illegal migration is not a temporary problem. It’s a national crisis. One that demands real support from the

UK, who claim to be our ultimate governors. That means the UK must act—not later, now. The tide of illegal migration battering TCI today will one day wash up on the shores of the UK, tugging at your budgets, your hospitals, and your politics. Fixing the leak now is a quick patch—ignore it and you’ll be sand-bagging an inland sea, spending ten times the cash to mop up damage you could have stopped with a single turn of the wrench. Delay isn’t saving money; it’s a debt with interest, and the bill will land on Britain’s doorstep sooner than you think—stamped “Too late to save what you squandered.”

The new love language in 2025

They say love makes the world go ‘round — but let’s be honest, we don’t want love anymore_ we want compound interest and generation of wealth.

We want acreages of land and trips to Indonesia. We want premium economy seats and relaxing spa-days. We need_ a beefed-up-will from your boothang’s uncle, who never had kids and the keys to his second home in Miami. That’s the kinda love that makes me shiver.

Everything else is a lie. Perhaps the AC is too cold.

Love is beautiful (blah blah blah) but have you ever had someone Venmo you back so quickly it makes your tinkle?

Butterflies and Goosebumps like you’ve been touched for the first time.

While the classic Five Love Languages cover sweet stuff like quality time and words of affirmation, they however completely forgot about the real romance in life: financial compatibility. Because sure, saying “I love you” is nice — but so is saying, “I brought over groceries and I fill up your gas tank.” Yes please.

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

IT’S TIME WE UPDATE THE love languages for the fiscally fluent. Welcome to the seven Financial Love Languages — where emotional support meets financial literacy, because nothing says “forever” like a man who knows his way around Excel-Spread-Sheet and one who understands all of the financial jargons on the mortgage application forms. Husband material.

1. QUALITY CASH

Nothing warms the heart quite like undivided financial attention. A quiet evening going over mutual funds. A long walk while discussing Roth IRAs. You don’t want their time — you

want their undistracted fiscal presence. Just you, them, and a spreadsheet with conditional formatting. Swoon.

2. ACTS OF TRANSFER

Did they fix your credit score? Refinance your student loans? Set up autopay so you don’t get hit with late fees again? That’s your kind of love. Forget love letters — put my bills on your credit cards and I’m yours forever.

3. RECEIVING GIFTS

Sure, flowers are nice. But did they surprise you with that flight to Curacao this September and another trip to Trinidad in December? That’s love. Bonus points if they also book the hotel,

and make sure you have spending money too—Yes, daddy.

4. FUNDS OF AFFIRMATION

You don’t just want to be told “I love you.” You want to hear “You’re doing amazing and here is a stack,” or “I admire how your tenancy, here is that Chanel Bag you’ve always wanted.” Verbal financial validation is your aphrodisiac, for both parties end up happy.

5. PHYSICAL TOUCHLESS PAYMENTS

You get weak in the knees every time they tap-to-pay. Apple Pay? Contactless? Yes.Yes. You love a partner who’s modern, secure, and doesn’t hold up the line digging for coins. Bonus thrill when they pushed back your little debit-card aside so they can insert their big credit card in. Somebody come get her, she’s dancing like a stripper… you know if you know.

6. SHARED SUBSCRIPTIONS

The modern “moving in together.” When someone

adds you to their Spotify Family Plan, you know it’s real. Netflix? Amazon Prime? Duolingo Plus? This is the kind of love your mother told you about. And the ones you need to keep.

7. MUTUAL INVESTMENT

This is the big one. The true sign of commitment: co-investing. Whether it’s real estate or a small business dream… you’re not just partners in life, you’re partners in assets. If your name was never on the house deeds, well you know it wasn’t going to last the 33-year mortgage term the house is on anyway. Pshhhh.

Love may be patient and kind — but it should also be lucrative: Send me money because we all want that Lobster Tail at the Ritz Carlton from time to time. So the next time someone says, “I love you,” make sure their portfolio matches their passion. Blessed be the givers! Go on. Be free, and search for your very own sugar-person.

Share your testimonials: louisedens@gmail.com or @ daviid.l2

Invest TCI hosts inaugural ‘Breakfast and Business’ event to empower entrepreneurs

Invest Turks and Caicos, through its Business Support Unit (BSU), successfully hosted the inaugural “Breakfast and Business: Incubator and Accelerator Networking Event” on Tuesday, 15th April 2025, at The Palms, Providenciales.

The event was moderated by BSU Business Advisors, Ms Lashena Simmons and Ms Judith Guerrier, and was designed to connect programme participants with mentors, business experts, and potential collaborators.

This dynamic in-person gathering brought together earlystage entrepreneurs, business owners, hoteliers, and key stakeholders to network, exchange insights, and explore strategic support options for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Central to the initiative was Invest TCI’s partnership with DMZ Canada, a leading global start-up incubator.

The morning opened with welcome remarks from Acting CEO of Invest TCI, Ms Judith Garland, followed by a keynote address delivered by Mrs Anissa Adderley, Director of the Business Support Unit. Mrs Adderley reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to empowering

The dynamic in-person gathering brought together early-stage entrepreneurs, business owners, hoteliers, and key stakeholders

entrepreneurs and cultivating a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Remarks from Ms Alexandra AliDib, Senior Manager of Global Programmes, and Mr Darren Shivraj, Programmes Lead, both from DMZ, underscored the strength of the partnership and DMZ’s continued investment in developing high-potential start-ups in emerging markets such as the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Launched earlier this year, the Accelerator and Incubator Programmes currently support 48 active participants across diverse

sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, creative industries, and technology. By encouraging entrepreneurial talent in these areas, the programmes serve as a catalyst for innovation and strategic sector diversification. Notably, a significant trend emerging across both cohorts is the rise of women-led businesses, which now represent most participants, highlighting women’s critical role in shaping the economic future of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A key highlight of the event was

Easy workouts for beginners: getting started without a gym

WHY START NOW?

Getting started with exercise can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to working out or don’t have access to a gym. But the truth is, you don’t need expensive equipment or a fitness membership to build strength, improve mobility, and boost energy. Simple, effective bodyweight exercises can help you develop a solid fitness foundation—all from the comfort of your home.

BENEFITS OF HOME WORKOUTS

• No expensive memberships or equipment required

• Can be done anywhere, anytime

• Builds strength, endurance, and flexibility

• Great for reducing stress and improving mood

• Easily adjustable to your fitness level

BEGINNER WORKOUT

ROUTINE (NO EQUIPMENT NEEDED)

Try this simple, full-body routine

to kickstart your fitness journey. Complete each exercise for 30 seconds, rest for 15 seconds, and repeat the circuit 3 times.

1. Bodyweight Squats –Strengthens legs and glutes

2. Push-Ups (Modified if Needed) – Builds upper body strength

3. Glute Bridges – Engages core and lower body 4. Step Jacks – A low-impact alternative to jumping jacks 5. Wall Sit – Improves endurance

and leg strength 6. Seated Leg Raises – Strengthens core and improves mobility

HOW

TO

STAY CONSISTENT

• Set Small Goals – Start with just 10-15 minutes a day.

• Create a Routine – Schedule your workouts like any other appointment.

Accelerator Programme, and Ms Alexa Cooper, an early-stage entrepreneur in the Incubator Programme. Their testimonials demonstrated the real-world impact of Invest TCI’s support and the resilience of emerging local businesses.

the “Creating Linkages: A Private Sector Perspective” segment, led by Hon Tamell Seymour, Member of Parliament for South Caicos and General Manager at Graceway Smart. Hon Seymour shared practical insights on closing the gap between entrepreneurship and market access, underscoring the value of strong private sector engagement. Participants also heard compelling stories from programme members, including Ms Mary Fulford of Island Mystique, representing the

Mrs Anissa Adderley, Director of the Business Support Unit, stated: “This event is more than a calendar milestone; it’s a celebration of vision, commitment, and the powerful potential of entrepreneurship in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through these programmes, we’re not just building skills; we’re cultivating a network, fostering innovation, and shaping a future where local entrepreneurs are empowered to succeed.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs Charlene Astwood, followed by a vibrant networking session where attendees engaged with each other, mentors, and partners over breakfast.

Invest TCI’s Business Support Unit continues to lead initiatives that build the capacity of earlystage and growth-oriented businesses through mentorship, funding access, and global partnerships.

Scott is a former national TCI athlete turned bodybuilder. He has gained invaluable knowledge over the years, sculpting his physique while staying healthy in the process, and is now ready to impart his expertise to benefit the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI)

• Track Progress – Write down your reps or time to measure improvement.

• Stay Accountable – Join an online fitness community or invite a friend to work out with you.

• Listen to Your Body – Rest when needed but stay consistent.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Starting a fitness journey doesn’t have to be complicated. By incorporating simple movements into your daily routine, you’ll build

strength and confidence over time. Remember, progress happens one step at a time—just start! Need more beginner-friendly workouts? Connect with me for tips and motivation!

Instagram: [@Deniquexscott] (https://www.instagram.com/ deniquexscott)

Facebook: [Denique Scott] (https://www.facebook.com/ DeniqueScott)

DENIQUE SCOTT ONLINE FITNESS COACH

Denique

Police investigate suspicious emails sent to six schools

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, has launched an active investigation following the receipt of suspicious emails to six schools earlier this week.

The incident has prompted immediate action from law enforcement and education officials, who are working to determine the origin and legitimacy of the potential threats.

The Weekly News has learned that approximately six schools were the recipients of these “suspicious” emails.

While police intelligence has not yet confirmed the legitimacy of the threats, the RTCIPF has stated that they are “treating the matter with the utmost seriousness”.

A joint meeting between education officials and senior police officers was convened promptly after the emails were reported. The force’s Intelligence Unit is now actively engaged and working to trace the origin of the messages.

In an official statement, the police force conveyed, “We understand that these messages may cause concern and wish to assure the public that everything possible is being done to protect our school communities.”

The Ministry of Education has confirmed that examinations have commenced, and efforts are being made to ensure that students sitting examinations are not distracted or disadvantaged by this developing situation.

Authorities have promised to provide further updates as new information becomes available.

Enhanced care at Mahala Wynns Home for at-risk girls through comprehensive training

Caregivers from the Mahala Wynns Empowerment Home recently participated in a two week training and team development event aimed at addressing their unique challenges and equipping them with valuable skills.

Hosted by the Department of Social Development and Welfare, the event also sought to celebrate the caregivers’ unwavering dedication to nurturing at-risk girls while providing them with professional development, emotional renewal, and practical strategies to enhance their caregiving roles.

The participants went through four specialised training sessions:

Session one: ‘Caring with Compassion: Working with Abused and Neglected Girls’ was facilitated by Social Worker Dawn Higgins. This session covered trauma-informed care strategies to help caregivers support children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Session two: ‘How to Document

to Safeguard Yourself and Protect the Girls in Your Care’ – led by Jaron Harvey, Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, this session taught caregivers essential documentation skills to safeguard both themselves and the children in their care.

Session three: Breaking Barriers by Listening to Understand: Building Trust and Connection with Teen Girls’ was presented by Salorne McDonald, Deputy Director of Gender Affairs. This session focused on strategies to build trust and foster open communication with teen girls.

Session four: ‘Self-Care for Caregivers: Protecting Your Own Well-Being While Supporting Others’ – also led by McDonald, provided caregivers with practical tools to manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain personal well-being while supporting others.

As part of the team-building

component, caregivers participated in engaging activities such as a Sip and Paint session, which encouraged creativity and camaraderie, and a group recreational day that offered a chance for relaxation and rejuvenation. These components were designed to support wellbeing and morale among the team. Director of Social Development and Welfare, Ashley AdamsForbes, expressed her gratitude for the initiative, which she said is a testament to the critical work caregivers do daily. “By combining professional growth with wellnessfocused team development, we aim to inspire and empower them to continue their incredible efforts with renewed purpose and passion.”

The department said the event marks the beginning of a sustained commitment to caregiver support and ongoing development, ensuring these frontline workers are empowered to meet the needs of vulnerable children in their care.

A little tip for better hosting your guests

To stand out from the competition, make sure your Airbnb essentials are up to scratch.

Here are 15 ways to improve your Airbnb amenities to get more bookings and more 5-star reviews.

1. ENSURE YOU HAVE A GOOD INTERNET CONNECTION:

These days, an internet connection is a prerequisite for any rental, and it must be good and stable. Unless you’re offering an offgrid experience, a good internet connection is one of the essential elements you must ensure for Airbnb. This is especially true if you have a lot of business travellers, as they may have to catch up on work for your rental.

2. PROVIDE EXTRAS IN YOUR AIRBNB BATHROOMS:

If you want to take care of your Airbnb needs properly, start with the bathroom. An easy way to improve your basic amenities is to include extras. Don’t skimp on toilet paper, towels, and toiletries (soap, shampoo, hand cream, body wash) for your guests. You can also add other essentials you won’t find in other rentals, such as makeup remover wipes or tampons if you’re hosting women.

3. OFFER UNIVERSAL

POWER ADAPTERS:

Since people often like to bring multiple gadgets with them, you should provide a charging station for them. You should also include universal power adapters in your charging station, especially if you’re hosting guests from abroad. While some guests will likely have these adapters themselves, it’s a good idea to have them handy.

4. PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT:

Sometimes your guests prefer to stay in the home rather than constantly going out. There are also cases where their initial plans don’t work out and guests are forced to stay at their own place, in this case yours. Therefore, you need to ensure they can be entertained even if they stay all day at your Airbnb.

To do this, you can leave books and board games in your rental. You can also provide gaming consoles like an Xbox or PlayStation, but be sure to consider how much this will add to your electricity costs and be wary of theft.

5. BRIGHTEN UP YOUR BATHROOM MIRROR:

While bathroom mirrors are a common feature in Airbnbs, not all of them are well lit. This can make your bathroom look dull, especially if guests take selfies and add them to reviews. Make sure it’s bright enough for your guests to clearly see their features and beautiful tans, and for women to apply their makeup properly.

6. ADD A FULL-LENGTH MIRROR TO THE

BEDROOM:

Speaking of mirrors, if you don’t already have a full-length mirror in your rental, you should get one now. It may not seem like a big deal, but guests need them to check their outfits, whether they’re getting ready for a big presentation or just a night out.

Keep mirrors clean, as dirty mirrors can instantly make them look dirty.

7. KEEP PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN KITCHEN CABINETS:

If you have a kitchen in your rental, make sure clean plastic containers are available in the cabinets. Guests can use these for leftover food they’ve prepared at your Airbnb or ordered.

8. PREPARE SOME OUTDOOR ITEMS:

You may want to provide appropriate outdoor items for your guests. For example, beach towels, sunscreen, and even a beach ball for the kids, beach chairs, and a cooler.

9. LEAVE A GUIDEBOOK

Since your guests are likely not locals, they’ll need tips on the local scene. This includes information on what to do, where to go, and what to eat. Make sure you provide an up-to-date local magazine. This way, your guests can get the most

out of their stay. Remember that location is also a key factor when booking. You’re more likely to attract new guests.

10. FINALLY, LEAVE TWO OR FOUR BOTTLES OF COLD WATER, A BOTTLE OF ROSÉ, OR EVEN A BOTTLE OF BUBBLY IN THE FRIDGE

But even better, welcome your guests with a glass of rum punch. And here is my rum punch recipe and his name is: Let’s get this party started. And as for the quantities, I go more or less according to my mood.

• One part white rum and one part dark rum

• Some orange juice

• Some pineapple juice

• Some pink grapefruit juice or the juice of 2 limes or lemons, according to your taste

• A twist or two of freshly ground pepper

• A dash of cane sugar syrup

• And a few leaves of fresh mint. If you have any questions about property management, or if you are looking for a company to take care of your property, do not hesitate to contact us, Turks and Caicos Villas and Gardens at denisbgarden@ gmail.com you can also visit us at www.turks-and-caicos-villas.com and also on our Facebook page Turks & Caicos villas

COLUMN DENIS BELANGER

Regional

IDB to lead Haiti’s medium-term recovery and development plan

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the government of Haiti on Monday announced the launch of a five-year recovery and development plan process.

At the request and under the leadership of Haiti, the IDB will coordinate this joint effort with the World Bank, the United Nations, and the European Union, a release from the IDB said.

The agreement of the MediumTerm Recovery and Development Plan for 2025-2030 was formalized in a joint statement signed by IDB President Ilan Goldfajn and Alfred Fils Metellus, Haiti’s Minister of Economy and Finance, on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

This partnership between Haiti and multilateral institutions builds upon the Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment, led by the World Bank, which outlined and quantified urgent, priority needs in the metropolitan region of Port-auPrince, the release said.

“The IDB is fully committed to leading this initiative with our global partners. The MediumTerm Recovery and Development Plan for 2025-2030 is a joint effort designed to strengthen Haiti’s resilience and lay the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous future. By bolstering Haiti’s economy through privatesector-led growth, enhanced human capital, and strengthened institutions, we aim to create

conditions for lasting peace,” Goldfajn said. Metellus said: “Haiti is at a crucial moment, and this partnership is essential to charting a sustainable path forward for our country. By prioritizing regional investment and fostering territorial economic development, we can promote stability and create new opportunities across the country, benefiting all Haitians.”

A key focus of the plan will be to identify and prioritize vital investments for regions outside Port-au-Prince, establishing a roadmap for medium-term development and promoting

alternative economic hubs to strengthen growth and drive sustainable development. The plan is constructed around three pillars: i) Bolstering economic development and strengthening the private sector for rapid, inclusive, and sustained growth; ii) Enhancing delivery of basic services and development of human capital; and iii) Improving institutional capacity, the rule of law, justice and security, the release added.

The plan will first concentrate on creating a pole of economic development in the Great North and then move sequentially to other areas that offer opportunities. The IDB, the government of Haiti, the World Bank, and the United Nations have initiated technical meetings to identify critical investments for the Great North. These efforts aim to address key needs and challenges and promote sustainable development across various regions, the release said. Haiti’s government officially announced the plan in Port-auPrince on April 10 in an event that brought together ministers, government representatives, and donors.

The plan responds to a request from the governors at the 2024 IDB and IDB Invest Annual Meetings in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where ministers urged the IDB to take a central role in aiding Haiti’s recovery and long-term development. (BBC)

BVI: Premier clarifies ’rise up’ call against governor’s powers

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has clarified his controversial call for Virgin Islanders to “rise up” against proposals to give the governor more powers over local law enforcement agencies, saying it was a call to defend the territory’s democratic rights, not an invitation to violence.

The clarification came during the inaugural airing of Virgin Islands Voice, a government-led live broadcast that allows residents to speak directly with ministers.

Dr Wheatley addressed public concerns over his recent remarks in the House of Assembly that urged people to “rise up” against certain recommendations in a UK-backed law enforcement review.

“The people must rise up, but they must basically stand up for the principles that we all believe in, which is our own selfdetermination,” Dr Wheatley

explained. “I’m not speaking about violence. I’m not speaking about anything like that. Please don’t get that type of thing confused.”

The Premier said the report— part of a review process launched after the 2022 Commission of Inquiry—contains both positive and concerning recommendations. While the government supports improvements to the justice system, it opposes proposals that would centralise power under the governor by removing key responsibilities from elected officials.

“There are recommendations in the law enforcement review that we don’t agree with,” he said. “And I made this very clear to the Governor.” He added, “I’ll make it very clear to the Minister for the Overseas Territories, or the Foreign Secretary or any representative of the UK government.”

Dominican Republic detains pregnant Haitian women in hospital swoop

The Dominican Republic says it deported more than 130 Haitian women and children on the first day of a crackdown on undocumented migrants in hospitals.

Dominican authorities said 48 pregnant women, 39 new mothers and 48 children were removed on Monday.

The swoop is one of 15 measures announced by President Luis Abinader to cut the number of undocumented migrants in his country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

Abinader’s government has been criticised for its harsh treatment of Haitian migrants, many of whom are fleeing the extreme gang violence in their country.

Those deported were taken to a detention centre to have their biometric data and fingerprints taken, before being handed to Haitian authorities at the Elías Piña

of

border crossing. The Dominican immigration department said the women and their children “were treated with dignity and given food”.

Immigration officials added

that those detained were taken to the border in buses “with padded seats, safety belts, air conditioning, curtains, CCTV cameras, bathrooms, and a luggage area”.

Officials also said all were

deported after they had been “discharged from hospital and there were no risks to their health”.

However, the Dominican College of Physicians called the deportations “inhumane” and said that checking people’s migratory status and detaining them in hospitals would lead to undocumented migrants being too afraid to seek urgent medical care.

At least half a million Haitians are estimated to live in the Dominican Republic, which has a population of 11m.

One study suggests close to 33,000 Haitian mothers gave birth in Dominican hospitals last years.

Many Dominicans complain of the additional strain on public services, including health.

President Abinader said earlier this month that his country’s “generosity will not be exploited”, and that public hospitals would

be required to check patients’ IDs, work permits and proof of residence.

He said that those not in possession of the necessary papers would be deported after being treated.

The Dominican Republic has deported more than 80,000 people to Haiti in the first three months of this year, according to AFP news agency.

Rights groups have described the deportations as “cruel”.

More than 5,600 people were killed in gang violence in Haiti in 2024 and many hospitals have had to close after being stormed by gang members.

On Monday, the UN special representative to Haiti, María Isabel Salvador, warned that a recent surge in gang violence meant the country was approaching a “point of no return”. (BBC)

Many

the women arrested were pregnant and others had recently given birth

Governor Daniel Pruce and Premier D. Natalio Wheatley (BVI Beacon photo)

IDB President Alfred Fils Metellus

Regional

IMF raises Bahamas growth forecast amid Trump turmoil

The Bahamas was this week urged to “take with a grain of salt” the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) modest upward revisions to this nation’s projected economic growth for 2025 and 2026.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told Tribune Business that this nation should not let its guard down over the Fund’s improved forecasts given the “real” threats poised to “come down the pipeline” from Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff policy and the price increases this will cause.

He spoke out after the Fund, in unveiling its latest World Economic Outlook, actually increased its economic growth predictions for The Bahamas this year and next while, at the same time, slashing those for every major developed economy including the US.

Bahamian gross domestic product (GDP) growth was revised upwards by ten basis points, or 0.1 percentage points, for 2025 and 2026 when compared to both the IMF’s October 2024 World Economic Outlook and its Article IV report on this country that was released in January this year.

The Bahamas’ 2025 GDP growth has been revised upwards to 1.8 percent for 2025, as opposed to the previous 1.7 percent estimate, while that for 2026 has also been raised by the same margin - from 1.6 percent to 1.7 percent. The IMF provided no rationale or explanation for The Bahamas’ shift, which came as it warned of a “major negative shock” unleashed into the global economy from Mr Trump’s trade policies.

While the US president has suspended imposition of these so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on most countries, with the exception of China, for a 90-day period through to early July, the ongoing uncertainty continues to damage business, consumer and investor confidence. While stocks recovered

modestly yesterday, trillions of dollars in value has been wiped off global stock markets, while the US dollar is at a near three-year low.

Given The Bahamas’ deeprooted reliance on the US for the bulk of its tourists, goods imports and other long-standing commercial ties, as well as this nation’s well-known vulnerability to external shocks from both recessions and climate change, most observers would have forecast a downward - rather than upward revision - by the IMF to this nation’s GDP growth forecasts given all the negative forces in play.

Bahamian businessman Robert Myers yesterday described the IMF’s upward revisions as “bizarre” especially given the lack of explanation for the changes. And Mr Bowe reiterated that the slight ten basis point improvements, which are equivalent to around a

downward change that occurred between 2023 and 2024.

Noting that the upward revisions by the IMF fail to hit this mark, he added of the ten basis point improvements: “That’s not going to increase government tax revenues by any significant sum. That’s not going to provide unemployment contraction in any significant way, and the same IMF has indicated we need to consistently be at 5 percent growth in nominal terms to achieve that.”

With the IMF’s GDP growth revisions equal to around a $14m-$15m increase in Bahamian economic output, Mr Bowe estimated that around 20 percent of this would go to the Government in tax revenues. This would translate into just a $3m revenue increase at a time when the Government is targeting up to $4bn in total annual Budget revenues.

$14m-$15m increase in GDP, pale into insignificance when compared to the consistent 3-5 percent real GDP growth needed to dent structural unemployment.

“I don’t think we overemphasise a ten basis point shift,” the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief told Tribune Business. “If we are looking wider, and at what we would like to see taking place, we certainly want to see a growth rate closer to 5 percent in nominal terms and, on a real basis, we’d like to see 3 percent.

“I think from that perspective, when we see a marginal shift, we take them for what they are but should not get distracted by directional movement.” Astute observers, Mr Bowe added, would be looking for “meaningful movement” in The Bahamas’ GDP growth projections, such as a half a percentage (0.5 percent) or 50 basis points shift similar to the

And, despite this week’s slight improvements, the IMF also signalled its belief that The Bahamas is returning to its historical annual economic growth average of less than 2 percent for the remainder of this decade with a projection of 1.5 percent expansion for 2030. That rate is half of what the Fund previously said is needed to absorb all new school leavers into the workforce while cutting existing unemployment by 50 percent.

Questioning whether the IMF’s revised Bahamas projections were done prior to the Trump tariff unveiling, the Fidelity chief executive said other US economic indicators are “not positive’. These include Mr Trump’s recent attacks on the Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, and hints that he may seek his removal, which is creating further “market volatility, and not good volatility”.

“From The Bahamas’ perspective, we have to watch very closely what is happening in the US,” Mr Bowe said. “I believe

the US is doing, and I’m going to call it a crap shoot, where they’re rolling the dice and trying for the best break.

“Depending on the length and outcome of the tariff struggle, the US economy could be in for significant inflation, and if there’s an interest rate to control it there could be a contraction. Our best hope is for a soft landing, but our hotels have indicated their bookings are less than they’d desire.

“We’re seeing warnings across the tourism industry, other than the cruise industry, which is the cheaper end of our business. That’s not where we want to see the growth coming from if we’re being very candid. We want to see the growth in stopovers.”

Summing up the IMF’s revised growth forecasts, Mr Bowe added: “It’s certainly no victory lap, and it’s one we take with a grain of salt and focus on things that are coming down the pipeline. Tariffs are there and real, price increases are there are real.”

And, while the Government has voiced interest in sourcing products from non-US markets, and developing supply chains outside the US, he questioned whether Bahamian consumers would accept the alternatives given how brand conscious many are.

The Bahamas’ upward GDP growth revisions came as the IMF slashed its forecast for global GDP expansion to 2.8 percent for 2025 - a forecast some 0.5 percentage points weaker than it was predicting as recently as January. US growth was projected to fall from 2.7 percent to 1.8 percent, while the UK’s forecast was slashed from 1.6 percent to 1.1 percent.

Meanwhile, inflation in The Bahamas was forecast by the IMF to remain moderate at 0.9 percent and 1.3 percent on an annual basis, respectively, for 2025 and 2026.

(Tribune242)

Bahamas: Authorities issue warning over fake video of prime minister

The Bahamas government has issued an urgent warning about a fraudulent video circulating online that shows Prime Minister Philip Davis apparently promoting an investment scheme.

In an official statement released this week, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the video is “fake and generated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.”

“This video was not produced,

authorized, or endorsed by the Office of the Prime Minister or any government agency,” the statement read. “We strongly caution the public against sharing or relying on digitally manipulated media designed to mislead or exploit.”

The statement indicates that the matter has already been referred to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for investigation.

The incident comes amid growing concerns worldwide about the potential for AI-generated content to spread misinformation or be used in financial scams that leverage the perceived endorsement of public figures. Members of the public who encounter the video are advised not to share it and to report it to appropriate authorities. (Loop News)

In the video, Prime Minister Philip Davis promotes an investment scheme

The IMF provided no rationale or explanation for The Bahamas’ shift

Regional News

Cayman Islands: National Trust urges voters to reject call for cruise pier

A costly permanent cruise berthing facility has the potential to cause enormous environmental damage when there are other options to help Caymanians who are still dependent on the cruise sector to transition and adapt, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) has said. The local nonprofit organisation has formally declared its opposition to the inadequate question posed by the government and is urging people to ‘Vote No’ next week.

The Trust has deep concerns about a cruise dock in George Town and the threat mass cruise tourism poses to the economic, socio-cultural and environmental sustainability of Cayman.

“We want to make clear our position that the National Trust remains opposed to developing cruise berthing infrastructure because it is not in the best interest of the Cayman Islands,” the NPO stated in a release about the referendum question that voters will be asked next Wednesday.

The members of Cayman’s oldest non-profit, which focuses on protecting the Cayman Islands’ culture, heritage and natural resources, noted the lack of substance in the referendum question and the lack of economic benefit to the wider community. The trust members believe that the islands do not have the carrying capacity for mass cruise tourism. Instead, Cayman should focus on new attractions and tours, reducing overcrowding and

abuse of the limited marine sites, meeting demands from visitors for more cultural experiences, and creating new jobs and business opportunities for Caymanians, the Trust has said.

“There is no evidence that building piers will bring economic benefits to the country or to those who depend on tourism for their livelihood,” the statement read.

“The National Trust is advocating for a more sustainable approach than mass cruise tourism if we are to preserve places of historic, natural and maritime heritage for present and future generations – as our mandate directs.

“A permanent cruise berthing facility would cost the country several hundred million dollars, whether it is paid for directly with government borrowing or through lost revenue if a cruise line or other private companies pay for the build. The vast financial cost to the country is not justified by the proportionately low level of

revenue generated and number of jobs in the cruise sector.”

Statistics released by the Economics and Statistics Office for 2023 revealed the passenger tax income from cruise visitors was $12.8 million (1.2% of government revenue), considerably less than the $74 million (7%) from stayover visitors through accommodation and airport taxes. That year, cruisers spent an estimated CI$95 per head, about CI$133 million in total, compared to the CI$600 million that overnight guests spent.

“If we continue to open the floodgates to mass cruise tourism, we risk damaging our long-stay sector and jeopardising this far higher income,” the Trust warned, but said the country is in a position to change the approach.

“In positioning ourselves as an environmentally conscious Caribbean destination that is not desperate for mass cruise tourism, we could boost our more valuable long stay sector and attract more of

US tariffs may force BVI to invest in agriculture

First District Representative Dr Karl Dawson has stated that the global tariffs imposed by the United States may force the territory to start making serious investments in the agricultural sector.

Dr Dawson, currently serving as parliamentary support for Agriculture and Fisheries, said successive governments have failed to make valuable investments in agriculture but may have to change that approach since the US tariffs pose a serious threat to food security.

“It has been a challenge for some time to get this government and others to commit more funds to agriculture and fisheries and this (tariffs issue) may actually force us to do that because we are realizing just how important this is. There are things we’re planning

to do for agriculture and fisheries in the medium term but now there are things we might have to do immediately as a stimulus,” Dr Dawson explained.

He continued: “For example, one of the big imports for livestock farmers is feed so we may have to see how we can support farmers who raise chickens, goats, sheep and pigs, in terms of feed to help increase their production. The fishers also need wires for their pots and other things.”

Dr Dawson said the government recently held a meeting to discuss the impending tariffs where local stakeholders confirmed that the BVI needs to produce more local foods to mitigate the impacts of the tariffs.

And while the Natalio Wheatley administration has been planning to meet with the Dominican Republic

those high spending visitors,” the Trust said.

The UPM government and those supporting a cruise pier have been focused on the drop in business for harbourfront retailers and watersports operators. But the reality is that the government has never revealed the exact number of Caymanians who are totally dependent on cruise income and could not make up the shortfall in other ways.

ESO data shows that around 1,500 people were in cruise-related jobs in 2024, but it is estimated that more than half of them are on work permits. Any locals whose livelihoods depend on cruise tourism could easily be helped in other ways.

“If the number of jobs available in cruise were to fall further, there is a growing long-stay job market with three new hotels currently being built,” the Trust said.

The Cayman Islands Government should ensure that Caymanians are given fair opportunities to become employed in this growing stayover job market, as natural attrition over the coming years will make even fewer families dependent on cruise for their income, the NPO noted.

Building a pier is not the solution to the problems plaguing Cayman’s tourism sector, both cruise and stayover, and the Trust has joined the chorus of voices calling for a new approach and the rejection of a costly, permanent cruise berthing facility that would cause enormous

environmental destruction and invite mass tourism well beyond the capacity of these islands.

“The National Trust believes that allowing our cruise tourism to settle naturally at around the current level would be the ideal solution for Cayman both environmentally and economically, as it would lessen the impact on our overcrowded natural attractions, which are already overwhelmed on busy cruise days, and would give the small number of cruise related job holders time to migrate to other occupations.

“Instead of building piers, we urge the Government to upgrade the shore-side cruise services into a state-of-the-art facility so that cruise visitors enjoy a far higher quality experience onshore. The revitalisation of George Town should be revisited to showcase our history and our culture, including tree-lined squares, cafés, restaurants and shops selling good local and regional products — all at a fraction of the cost of a berthing facility,” the release stated.

“The Cayman Islands should aim to regain and retain our position [as] a unique destination which stands out from the crowd rather than go for the numbers like our competitors. A more thoughtfully managed tourism industry would be gentler on the environment and better suited to Cayman’s limited and very valuable resources, and would benefit Caymanians, residents and our children in the long term.”

to discuss trade relations, Dr Dawson said the threat of the tariffs is speeding up those negotiations.

“Dominican Republic officials are anxious to work with us to bring various products into the territory. We have a history of more persons moving back and forth between both countries, we have logistics as far as shipping – there’s activity now but we see that area being enhanced. So we may need to avoid Miami because things coming from the US may attract tariffs,” Dr. Dawson said.

Successive BVI administrations have had a tumultuous relationship with agriculture and fisheries. Despite several promises to make meaningful investments in these areas, nothing fruitful has been delivered in decades.

Currently, the territory is

Due to its topography, BVI has not practice large scale farming

still awaiting the promised comprehensive plan for agriculture and fisheries amid growing concerns that imported, processed

foods may be contributing to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and non-communicable diseases such as cancers. (BVI News)

Cruise ships in the George Town Harbour

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that can be 100 times more potent than morphine, is the most common drug involved in overdose deaths in the US

India among top suppliers of illicit fentanyl precursors, US intelligence report says

India has emerged as a growing player in the illicit fentanyl trade, a new US intelligence report says, a designation likely to raise alarm in New Delhi as President Donald Trump wields tariffs on countries he accuses of not doing enough to stop the deadly drug from flowing into the United States.

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that can be 100 times more potent than morphine, is the most common drug involved in overdose deaths in the US – fueling an opioid crisis that has become a high-priority issue for the Trump administration.

For many years, China has been the largest source of both legal supplies of the drug – which is prescribed for severe pain relief – and illicit supplies of precursor

chemicals that are typically processed in labs in Mexico before the final product is smuggled across the US border.

But India’s role in the illegal trade is becoming more prominent, according to the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) report published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence this month.

“Nonstate groups are often enabled, both directly and indirectly, by state actors, such as China and India as sources of precursors and equipment for drug traffickers,” the report said.

“China remains the primary source country for illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill pressing equipment, followed by India.”

El Salvador offers Venezuela prisoner swap involving US deportees

El Salvador’s president has offered to repatriate 252 Venezuelans deported by the US and imprisoned in his country - if Venezuela releases the same number of political prisoners.

Nayib Bukele appealed directly to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a post on social media.

He said many of the Venezuelan deportees had committed “rape and murder”, while Venezuelan political prisoners were jailed only because they opposed Maduro, whose re-election last year is widely disputed.

Later Venezuela’s chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab criticised Bukele’s proposal. He demanded to know what crimes the deportees were accused of, whether they had appeared before a judge or had access to legal counsel.

The Venezuelan government argues that it has no political prisoners - a claim rejected by rights groups.

In a post on X, Bukele wrote: “I want to propose you [Maduro] a humanitarian agreement calling for the repatriation of 100% of the 252 Venezuelans who were deported, in exchange for the release... of the identical number from among the thousands of political prisoners that you hold”.

He also mentioned nearly 50 prisoners of other nationalities, including US citizens, as part of the proposed swap.

In recent weeks, more than 200 Venezuelans were sent from the US to El Salvador.

President Donald Trump’s administration accuses them of being members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang.

Washington pays El Salvador to keep those deported in its notorious high-security Terrorism Confinement Center.

Bukele calls himself “the world’s coolest dictator” and won re-election last year riding a wave

of popularity for a sweeping antigang crackdown.

Maduro has condemned the US deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador, describing it as “kidnapping” and a “massive abuse” of human rights.

Since taking office in January, Trump’s hard-line immigration policies have encountered a number of legal hurdles.

In the latest development, the US Supreme Court on Saturday ordered Washington to pause the deportation of another group of alleged Venezuelan gang members.

The White House has called challenges to using the law for mass deportations “meritless litigation”.

Trump has sent accused Venezuelan gang members under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which gives the president power to detain and deport natives or citizens of “enemy” nations without usual processes.

Patriotism surges in Quebec as Trump rattles Canada

In Quebec, the issue of independence from Canada has long simmered. But faced with US tariffs and President Donald Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st US state, many voters are now seeking unity.

Suzanne Dumont knows who she will vote for in Canada’s election, though it’s a decision made “not from my heart, it’s from my head”.

The 70-year-old from Quebec City considers herself a sovereigntist, but hopes when Canadians go to the polls on Monday they’ll elect a majority government to take on Trump.

The Bloc Québécois, a federal party that supports independence and only runs candidates in the predominantly French-speaking province, can’t deliver on that, she says.

Supporting the Conservatives is “unthinkable” to Ms Dumont, so

Mark Carney’s far-from-fluent French has not dented the Liberal leader’s appeal in Quebec

this time she will be voting Liberal.

In Montreal, Louis Plouffe is picking up groceries at the city’s Jean-Talon market.

He tells the BBC that he thinks the Bloc “defends Quebec’s interests well” as an opposition party in Parliament. Still, “it’s not being in power”, the 65-year-old

says, and he wants a government with a strong mandate “ready for the wave that’s coming” from the US.

And while Mr Plouffe has reservations about the Liberal leader, he believes Mark Carney has come across as credible and confident in interviews. He too will

vote for the party.

“Canadian patriotism is on the rise in Quebec”, said Émilie Foster, an adjunct professor in politics at Carleton University. “We prefer to be part of Canada instead of being part of the United States, if we have to choose,” she says.

Sébastien Dallaire, a pollster with Léger, puts it this way: “It’s hard to say now is the time to talk about Quebec sovereignty, or now is the time to do things specifically to defend Quebec, when clearly there’s a national crisis and everybody is staring not at Ottawa as the adversary, but as Washington as the clear opponent.”

A recent Léger survey suggests that almost 40% of voters for the Bloc believe an independent Quebec would have less influence than Canada as a whole in dealing with the US.

The Liberals are currently polling at about 46% in the

province, with the Bloc a distant second at 25%, slightly ahead of the Conservatives, who have long struggled to gain real traction there.

Quebec can be a wildcard in general elections, and winning the province - which holds 78 seats of the 343 in the House of Commons - can propel a party to power.

The abandonment of smaller parties - like the Bloc, the leftleaning New Democrats or the Green Party - is a trend seen nationwide as Canadians rally around either the Liberals or the Conservatives in the face of a new threat from their neighbour. Carney, a former central banker for Canada and the UK, is seeking to paint himself as the leader most able to help the country navigate the crisis. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is billing himself as the change candidate who can restore the “Canadian promise”.

Alleged gang members sit in a prison cell at the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador

Tens of thousands queue to see Pope Francis’s body

More than 50,000 people have queued in the last 24 hours to pay their respects to Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican has said.

On Thursday morning, the queue to see the Pope, who is in an open coffin, stretched out of St Peter’s Square and down the street - the longest the line had become since his body was moved to lie in state on Wednesday.

Entry to the church in Vatican City had been due to stop at midnight local time (22:00 GMT), but opening hours were extended to accommodate large crowds.

The pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. He had spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year with double pneumonia.

Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and held the role for 12 years.

Red-robed cardinals and whiteclad priests escorted the Pope’s coffin from his residence to the basilica on Wednesday.

Bells tolled during the 40-minute procession, while the crowd broke into applause - a traditional Italian sign of respect.

Swiss Guards, who are responsible for the Pope’s safety, escorted his coffin to the church’s altar.

Public viewing began at 11:00 local time on Wednesday. By midafternoon, tens of thousands of people lined the square.

The church was supposed to

close at midnight, but police told the BBC that it would stay open all night so that crowds gathered on the square could file past the coffin.

“I think the Pope was an amazing man, so I wanted to see him,” 13-year-old Edoardo, waiting after midnight with his parents, told the BBC. “I am really sorry. But I think maybe he will enjoy heaven.”

Viewing continued until 05:30 on Thursday, then closed for an hour and a half, before reopening at 07:00. The crowd became so large that some turned away.

“It looks like five or six hours, so we’ll come back later,” Catherine, from Birmingham, said.

The Pope’s body will lie in state in the church until Friday evening, when his coffin will be sealed

during a liturgical rite at 20:00, the Vatican said.

The ceremony will be overseen by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is the Pope’s “camerlengo”, or chamberlain, and runs the Vatican until a new Pope is chosen.

Luis and Macarena, from Mexico, had come to Rome for their honeymoon and hoped to see the Pope for a special blessing, Luis said seeing the Pope’s final resting place would help them to feel a connection.

“Pope Francis is a saint and he will bless us from heaven,” Luis said.

Mary Ellen, an American who lives in Italy, said she had come to the Vatican on an overnight train to “say goodbye”.

“I love Papa Francesco,” she said. “He’s humble, kind, he loves immigrants. I know he’s put up with a lot of difficult things in the Vatican. He’s fought against power and the power of the Vatican to be a true Christian, true Catholic.”

Inside St Peter’s on Wednesday, the atmosphere was quiet and solemn as some people kneeled and prayed, before slowly moving on.

Many lingered to admire the staggering beauty of the basilica.

Two women who had waited for five hours to see the Pope said it was important to them to say goodbye to the pontiff.

“All these years I followed all he did and it’s as if I travelled all

over the world with him, even if I was just at home. He liked going everywhere and prioritises the poor,” one woman said.

Fredrik, who is from Ghana but travelled from Poland, said the Pope had “done his best” and “it is left to us to continue the good works”.

Eva Asensio, a Mexican on holiday in Italy, said she felt an affinity for the Pope.

“We saw him as a good Pope –someone who supported everyone, no matter your sexual orientation, no matter where you came from. He united us,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Margaux, who is French and lives in Rome, said it was “powerful to live this”.

To her, Pope Francis meant “hope”, and his more progressive social views were “very important”.

“I hope the next Pope will follow his path,” she said.

Dignitaries from all over the world, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William, will attend the funeral on Saturday.

Pope Francis left clear instructions that he wanted a smaller ceremony in keeping with his simpler tastes as pontiff. He had arranged for a benefactor to pay for it all.

Unlike the vast majority of his predecessors, he will not be buried in St Peter’s, but in a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in central Rome, beneath a tombstone inscribed only with his name.

China tells Trump: If you want trade talks, cancel tariffs

China has called on the US to cancel its sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods entering the country as a sign that the President Donald Trump is serious about resolving the trade war between the two countries.

A Chinese official said there had been no trade talks with the US, despite suggestions otherwise from the Trump administration.

The trade war between the world’s two largest economies has been escalating, with China sending back Boeing planes it ordered from the US in its latest retaliation over tariffs.

But Trump has appeared to soften his stance on China, saying that the taxes he has so far imposed on Chinese imports would “come down substantially, but it won’t be zero”.

A trade war between China and the US is in full swing, with Trump imposing import taxes of up to 145% on Chinese goods coming

A trade war between China and the US is in full swing

into the US, and China hitting back with a 125% tax on American products.

In one of China’s strongest statements yet over the tariff war, Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong said the US should remove all “unilateral tariff measures” against China “if it truly wanted” to solve the issue.

“The person who tied the bell

must untie it,” he added.

Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China and the US had “not conducted consultations or negotiations on tariffs, let alone reached an agreement”.

He added that reports to the contrary were “false”.

Trump previously said negotiations between the countries

were “active” - but this was also contradicted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said on Wednesday they had not yet begun.

Bessent added that there was an opportunity for a “big deal” between the US and China on trade.

He has previously said he expected a de-escalation of the “unsustainable” trade war, and said the current situation was “not a joke”.

Trump said on Tuesday that he would be “very nice” in negotiations with Beijing in the hope of securing a trade deal.

But following China’s latest comments, he said on his Truth Social media platform “Boeing should default China for not taking the beautifully finished planes that China committed to purchase”.

“This is just a small example of what China has done to the USA, for years,” he added, before

repeating accusations that synthetic opioid fentanyl “continues to pour into our country from China, through Mexico and Canada, killing hundreds of thousands of our people”.

The boss of plane manufacturer Boeing revealed China had sent back aircraft it had ordered from the US as part of its retaliation to tariffs.

Kelly Ortberg said this week that two planes had already been returned and another would follow due trade tensions between the two countries.

China held a roundtable on Wednesday to address the concerns of more than 80 foreign firms over the impact of US tariffs on their investments and operations in China, the commerce ministry said.

“It is hoped that foreign firms will turn crises into opportunities,” said Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji. (BBC)

The Pope died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke

Convicted murderer missing from open prison in suit and tie

A convicted murderer has gone on the run from an open prison near Dundee.

Raymond McCourt, 59, who shot a shopkeeper in 1993, was reported missing from HMP Castle Huntly wearing a suit and tie.

McCourt, from Glasgow, was previously released on licence in 2015 but was sent back to jail for theft just weeks later.

A court at the time heard he had struggled with freedom and wanted to be back behind bars. Police Scotland has warned the public not to approach him.

The force said McCourt absconded from Castle Huntly at 17:30 on Tuesday.

It is understood that the alarm was raised when McCourt did not return to the prison following a period of leave.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Raymond uses public transport and has connections to the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas.

“He is described as being 6ft 2in

tall, stocky build with short grey hair and beard and has reduced mobility.”

McCourt was jailed at the age of 27 for murdering shopkeeper Khalid Mahmood in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, in 1993.

He shot him in the head before attempting to rob a nearby bakery.

McCourt also shot local woman Moira Rooney and PC Brian Williams, who was giving chase as he fled the scene of the incident.

He was jailed for offences including murder, attempted murder, assault and robbery, assault to severe injury and firearms offences.

McCourt was released on licence in 2015 and went to live with his partner Agnes Hailes in Alyth, Perthshire.

But Perth Sheriff Court heard that he then stole from her and sold off her valuables.

He used the money to pay for a holiday to Blackpool before he was eventually tracked down by police.

Personal theft up 22% in England and Wales, ONS says

Personal thefts recorded by police in England and Wales were up 22% in 2024 from the previous year, according to official figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows police recorded 152,416 thefts from the person offences last year, the highest since the current data methods began in 2003.

Shoplifting was also on the rise, surpassing half a million recorded offences for the first time.

Meanwhile, the number of homicides was the lowest for a decade, and overall crime was still below pre-pandemic levels and down more than 75% since the mid-1990s.

There were also 54,587 knife crime offences recorded by police in 2024, up 2% from the previous year, while firearm offences decreased by 20%.

Overall, police recorded 6.64 million crimes in England and Wales last year - down 1% from 2023.

Responding to the data, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said the government “will not tolerate the criminality blighting our communities”.

She added: “That’s why we’re putting almost 3,000 more bobbies on the beat in neighbourhood roles this year.”

To build a bigger picture of crime in England and Wales, the ONS also refers to estimates from its crime survey.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) is a face-to-face survey which asks people aged 16

Woman gives birth to another couple’s child after IVF mix-up

A major Australian IVF clinic has apologized for giving the wrong embryo to a woman who then gave birth to another couple’s baby, blaming the mix-up on “human error.”

Monash IVF, which operates more than 100 clinics across Australia, said in a statement staff were “devastated” by the mistake, believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

“On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened,” said CEO Michael Knaap in the statement. “We will continue to support the patients through this extremely distressing time.”

Monash IVF has not named the couples involved, nor has it responded to questions about when the baby was born, or who has custody of the child, out of respect for the couples’ privacy.

The error occurred at Monash IVF’s Brisbane clinic, in the state of Queensland, where the law recognizes the birth mother and her partner as the child’s legal parents.

It’s not clear whether either of the couples suspected a mix-up before the clinic discovered the error.

Alex Polyakov, a clinical associate professor at the University of Melbourne and a fertility consultant at Melbourne’s

Police recorded the highest number of theft from the person offences since current data began in 2003

and over about their experiences of crime in the past year.

It estimated that there were 9.6 million incidents of what is described as “headline crime” in 2024 - which includes theft, robbery, criminal damage, fraud, computer misuse, and violence with or without injury.

THE LATEST CSEW SURVEY REPORTED THAT AT THE END OF 2024:

People’s experiences of theft had gone up by 13% - including a 50% rise in theft from the person offences, such as mobile phone theft

Theft from outside a dwelling - such as courier packages being taken from people’s doorstepswent up by 19%

Fraud incidents, including bank and credit account fraud, were up by 33% to around 4.1 million

incidents - with around 3 million incidents involving a loss and 2.1 million victims fully reimbursed in these cases

Meanwhile, ONS data showed no significant change in people’s experience of violent crime, which remained at the lowest level since equivalent records began in 1981.

The ONS reported that, over the last 10 years, there has been an increase in sexual assault.

In the year to March last year, 2.6% of people aged 16 to 59 reported experiencing sexual assault, including attempts. Ten years earlier, the proportion was 1.5%.

There has been a fall in domestic abuse over the same period, with 5.4% of those aged 16-59 reporting they had experienced domestic abuse in the previous 12 months, down from 6.5% a decade earlier.

(BBC)

Royal Women’s Hospital, said it was the first incident of its kind in four decades of IVF in Australia.

“Australia’s regulatory framework for assisted reproductive technology is internationally recognized for its stringency and thoroughness,” he said in written comments.

“The probability of such an event occurring is so low that it defies statistical quantification.”

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

The mistake was discovered in February after the birth parents requested to transfer their remaining embryos to another IVF provider.

After an extra embryo was found

in their storage compartment, an internal inquiry discovered they’d received the wrong embryo.

It’s not clear how the error was made but according to the Monash IVF statement, another patient’s embryo was “incorrectly thawed and transferred to the birth parents.”

Knaap, the company’s CEO, said he was confident it was “an isolated incident.”

“We are reinforcing all our safeguards across our clinics – we also commissioned an independent investigation and are committed to implementing its recommendations in full,” he added.

Sarah Jefford, an Australian lawyer who deals exclusively in surrogacy, donor conception and co-parenting, said she had received calls from clients worried about their own IVF treatment.

CCTV footage shows McCourt on the run in a suit and tie

Monash IVF has not named the couples involved, nor has it responded to questions about when the baby was born, or who has custody of the child

Films made with AI can win Oscars, Academy says

Films made with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) will be able to win top awards at the Oscars, according to its organisers.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued new rules on Monday which said the use of AI and other digital tools would “neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination”.

Generative AI - which can create text, images, audio and video in response to simple text prompts - helped to produce some of the films awarded top industry accolades in March.

But the Academy said it would still consider human involvement when selecting its winners.

The Academy said its new language around eligibility for films made using generative AI tools was recommended by its Science and Technology Council.

Under further rule changes announced on Monday, Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category in order to be able to take part in

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued new rules on Monday which said the use of AI and other digital tools would “neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination”

the final round of voting, which decides upon winners.

The use of AI in film became a hot topic after Adrian Brody took home the award for Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist at this year’s Oscars ceremony in March.

The movie used generative AI to

improve the actor’s accent when he spoke Hungarian.

It then emerged similar voicecloning technology was used to enhance singing voices in the Oscar-winning musical Emilia Perez.

The technology’s ability to quickly alter or match the tone and style of an artist, or perform edits such as subtly changing someone’s appearance, has helped it become more popular in the production of music and film.

But AI use remains controversial, and artists and actors have voiced concerns over the material used to train such tools and its impact upon their livelihoods.

Actors and screenwriters previously highlighted fears about losing work to AI during the 2023 strikes in Hollywood.

“If you can take my face, my body and my voice and make me say or do something that I had no choice about, that’s not a good thing,” actress Susan Sarandon told the BBC from a picket line.

LAND FOR SALE

‘Sinners’

finds redemption with top spot at weekend box office

Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror “Sinners” drove a stake through the competition this weekend to finish No. 1 at the box office while shattering industry expectations.

“Sinners” pulled in $45.6 million domestically, surpassing estimates of about $35 million, and edging “A Minecraft Movie,” which grossed $41.3 million in its third weekend, to put its domestic total at nearly $345 million.

Both “Sinners” and “A Minecraft Movie” are distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of CNN.

Shawn Robbins, director of movie analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, told CNN that “Sinners” was boosted by the duo of Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan, who have teamed up on four films, including Disney’s “Black Panther.”

“That star power for ‘Sinners’ (and) really kind of a fresh, original take on the vampire movie (genre) … helped bring out moviegoers,” he said.

“Sinners” has also been boosted by critics’ reviews, which can help a film’s long-term boxoffice success. It has a 98% rating on movie-ratings site Rotten Tomatoes and an 84 score — the seventh highest for a film in 2025 — on Metacritic.

“This may be one of the best-reviewed No. 1 films ever, especially for the horror genre,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore.

The success of “Sinners” is encouraging for the horror genre, which was most successful in

2017, when “It” and “Get Out” were released, according to Dergarabedian. Horror movies earned more than $1 billion at the box office in 2017, according to Comscore data. In 2024, the genre earned $948 million.

“Horror movies can be very budget-friendly and have a very strong profitability factor, so that makes them particularly of interest to studios and filmmakers,” Dergarabedian told CNN.

Universal Pictures is set to release two horror sequels this year, “M3GAN 2.0” and “Black Phone 2” in June and October, respectively.

Meanwhile, the industry’s overall domestic earnings, which were down 13% at the opening of “A Minecraft Movie,” are now up 5.3% compared to 2024, according to Comscore.

Box office analyst David A. Gross of FranchiseRe said “A Minecraft Movie” is trekking toward $1 billion at the worldwide box office. After its strong opening, the fantasy adventure comedy has gone viral for engaging audiences with its chicken jockey scene.

“Audiences are totally engaged — this is mainstream actionadventure entertainment at its best,” Gross told CNN.

Dergarabedian expects the overall box office to maintain this momentum as the first slate of summer movies debuts in May, followed by a strong Memorial Day weekend with Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” and Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.” (CNN)

Jayme Lawson as Pearline, Wunmi Mosaku as Annie, Michael B. Jordan as Smoke, Miles Caton as Sammie Moore, and Li Jun Li as Grace Chow, in Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Sinners”

Weinstein used ‘unfettered power’ to sexually abuse women, rape retrial hears

Attorneys delivered opening statements on Wednesday in the New York retrial of Harvey Weinstein, with prosecutors accusing the disgraced film producer of using his immense power in Hollywood to sexually harass and abuse three women.

“The defendant wanted their bodies, and the more they resisted, the more forceful he got,” Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey told jurors on Wednesday.

In his third trial in five years, Weinstein is accused of sexually abusing a former television production assistant, an aspiring actress and a model.

The former film mogul has pleaded not guilty, and in court his lawyer sought to cast doubt on the women’s claims and credibility.

Attorney Arthur Aidala told the jury the prosecution case would “fall flat on its face” after they heard all the evidence.

“They’re going to ask you to make sense of things that just don’t make sense,” he said.

A court of appeals overturned Weinstein’s previous conviction for sex crimes in New York last April, before he was indicted on new sexual assault charges in the state in September.

Last week, 12 jurors - seven women and five men - were chosen to weigh Weinstein’s fate.

On Wednesday, Ms Lucey spent

Weinstein is being retried in the state of New York after a previous conviction was overturned

an hour delivering an opening statement, telling jurors that three women had fallen victim to the abuse of a “Hollywood gatekeeper” who held “unfettered power for over 30 years in that industry”.

The retrial in New York is centred on two women who brought allegations against Weinstein for his 2020 trial, actress Jessica Mann and former TV production assistant Miriam Haley. This time, the trial also includes allegations from former Polish model and actress Kaja Sokola, who has accused Weinstein of assaulting her when she was 16.

On Wednesday, Ms Lucey recounted the three women’s stories of assault and harassment, sparing

few details. The alleged encounters often involved Weinstein bringing women to his room under the guise of a business meeting, before he allegedly forced himself onto them.

Victims “kept their shame and their pain to themselves” for years because of Weistein’s role as a man who “defined the field” of acting and film, Ms Lucey said.

During his hour of opening statements that followed, Weinstein’s attorney took a combative approach, accusing the women of having “mutually beneficial” sexual relationships with Weinstein and being motivated by money.

“These women are addicted to that fame,” Mr Aidala said. “They

want to be heroes.”

Mr Aidala argued that Weinstein could not have assaulted the women because they kept in contact with him and sent him friendly messages after the encounters.

Last April, a court of appeals said Weinstein, now 73, did not receive a fair trial in New York in 2020 because the judge overseeing his case allowed testimony from women who made allegations against him for conduct he was never charged over.

Weinstein had been serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison after being convicted.

He was also found guilty of rape in a separate trial in California in 2022 and was sentenced to 16 years in that case.

Weinstein has several medical conditions, including cancer and diabetes. In September, he was taken to hospital for heart surgery and has been held in a secure hospital unit.

A judge has approved a request from Weinstein’s lawyers to let him stay at the Bellevue hospital in Manhattan when he is not in court.

His lawyers had complained that he was receiving poor medical treatment in unhygienic conditions at the infamous Rikers Island prison facility - which officials have long said they plan to closethough the move has been delayed.

In total, Weinstein has been

accused of sexual misconduct, assault and rape by more than 100 women.

He is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison, as he has yet to begin serving his 16-year California sentence.

The decision by his accusers to come forward, and his subsequent conviction in New York, galvanised the #MeToo movement against sex abuse by powerful men.

Speaking to jurors on Wednesday, Ms Lucey said the movement had allowed the three women to come forward in the criminal case against Weinstein after they “suddenly realized they were not alone”.

Before the allegations against him emerged, Weinstein and his brother Bob were among Hollywood’s ultimate power players.

Weinstein co-founded Miramax film studio, whose hits included Shakespeare in Love, which won best picture at the Academy Awards, and Pulp Fiction.

His films have received more than 300 Oscar nominations and 81 wins.

The former film mogul has also faced a number of civil lawsuits, including from a group of women who accused him of sexual harassment and rape and reached a $19m (£14.2) settlement with him in 2020. (BBC)

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Heavy lifting, dig holes, planting trees etc.

(3) FARM HELPERS

SUNSHINE NURSERY & LANDSCAPING LTD.

Sunshine Crescent, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales

Plants crops, spray with chemicals to control weed growth, insects, fungus growth and diseases. Heavy lifting, Irrigates land for crop growth etc.

Must be willing to work and be assigned in Provo or North Caicos

Sunshine Nursery for 5 to 6 days per week. Salary: $8.00 hourly

Email: sunshinenursery@tciway.tc Tel: 649-946-5443

LABOURER

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

TECHNICAL MACHINE OPERATOR (PACKAGING)

• Responsible for the maintenance and reliability of all equipment, utilities, and the facilities

• Works collaboratively with other functional areas to ensure all maintenance related needs are met in a timely fashion.

• Provides support and/or develops programs related to maintenance including preventative maintenance, facility management, budgeting, engineering, and compliance requirements.

• Maintain the equipment, utilities, and facilities.

• Provide support for in house repair and maintenance projects.

• Develop and maintain proper preventative maintenance of systems

and facilities.

• Ordering of supplies and consumable items related to utility and maintenance needs.

• Provide technical feedback, analysis, complete shift reports, and assist management with daily duties and reporting responsibilities in support of the maintenance department and operations.

• Staying up to date on maintenance programs and procedures.

• Evaluate existing brewery systems and facilities against current and projected needs.

• Handling of chemicals while wearing appropriate PPE. Salary $52,000 per year or commensurate with experience

• Minimum of M.B.B.S. or a Medical Doctor Degree from an accredited University

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a Primary Health Care setting and a minimum of 3 years working in a Secondary Health Care institution

• Minimum of 5 years registered Medical Practitioner on a register of a recognized Medical Board. MAIN

• Patient consultations and examinations

• Diagnosis and treatment of illness/ ailments

• Manage acute and chronic illnesses, patient education

• Order laboratory/ diagnostic tests

• Perform minor procedures

• Liaise with healthcare professionals and/or hospitals

• Computer knowledge – experience using EMR files

•

• Repairs

•

• Establish

•

and install pipe and pipe fittings.

• Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings.

• Installs pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances or fixtures using hand or power tools.

• Following safety policies and procedures.

• Allows Supervisor to inspect and give feedback

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.

ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN

CAR WASH GUYS / LABOURERS

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Cleaning of vehicles for arriving guests

• Check vehicle oil, tires, etc.

• Minimum 2 years of food and beverage in a upscale restaurant

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, knowledgeable on Micros, must work well under pressure

manufacturers is a necessity.

• And have a friendly yet professional demeanor, must be a team player

• The position above requires working long hours nights and days public holidays and weekends

$8

• Assist with keeping premises and rental area clean

• Able to drive and assist with guests luggage if needed

• Able to lift and move heavy items

• Work 6 days per week (holidays and weekends) Salary: $8 per hour

EMPLOYEE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• RIBA part 1 exemption.

• 3+ years’ experience using Autodesk Revit.

• Diploma in Architectural Technology and/or Architectural Technician.

• 3+ years’ experience creating construction documentation.

• 1 year+ experience using Autodesk Dynamo.

GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER

BOOK KEEPING ASSISTANT

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Certificate or diploma in administration.

• Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy.

• Proficient in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks).

• Ability to handle confidential financial information with integrity.

• Computer knowledge.

• Bi-lingual will be an asset.

MAIN DUTIES

• Support the head bookkeeper/accounting department in maintaining accurate financial records.

• Record daily financial transactions including sales, purchases, receipts, and payments.

• Assist in the preparation of financial reports, balance sheets, and income statements.

• Reconcile bank statements and company accounts regularly to ensure accuracy.

• Help with processing payroll, invoices, and expense claims.

• Maintain organized and up-to-date filing systems for financial documents.

• Assist with budgeting and tracking expenditures to support financial planning.

• Communicate with vendors and clients regarding account status and payment schedules.

Monthly salary $2,500.00.

• 1 year+ experience in

EMPLOYEE PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Second language (Spanish or French)

• 4+ years using the Adobe suite.

• 1-2 years Sketchup experience. SALARY: $55,000.00 USD per annum Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

LIVE-IN HOUSEKEEPER

A live-in Housekeeper is required to work in a private family home located in Leeward. Exceptional housekeeping and F&B skills are essential to this position.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

– to include but not limited to the following:

• Managing the smooth running of the Property for the owner and occupants.

• Ensuring that all areas of the Property are cleaned and maintained to the highest standard.

• Maintaining inventories of pantry items, kitchen equipment and linens.

• Managing weekly meal preparation and grocery shopping.

• Carrying out regular checks on all equipment & furnishings, reporting any damage or breakage immediately to owner and following up on repairs.

• Sufficient accounting skills and computer proficiency.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Possess an exceptional eye for detail and standard with regards housekeeping service.

• Be able to work well under pressure.

• Be flexible in dealing with last minute requests.

Due to the nature of this position this is offered as a live-in position only

Salary $24,000.00 per annum with fully maintained company vehicle provided.

Bay, Seeks

ABOUT DIGICEL

Enabling customers to live, work, play and flourish in a connected world, Digicel’s world class LTE and fiber networks deliver state-of-the-art mobile, home and business solutions.

Serving 10 million consumer and business customers in 25 markets in the Caribbean and Central America, its investments of over US$5 billion and a commitment to its communities through its Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have contributed to positive outcomes for

over 2 million people to date.

With the Better Connected ethos at the heart of everything, its 5,000 employees worldwide work together to make that a powerful reality for customers, communities and countries day in, day out.

Digicel also delivers news, sports broadcasting, digital media and financial services in several of its markets.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more.

COUNTRY OPERATIONS MANAGER

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE JOB:

The Country Operations Manager (COM) is responsible for assisting the Regional CEO in delivering commercial, operational, and general management strategies within the market. The COM will collaborate closely with both regional and group teams to adapt and implement these strategies from a local perspective, providing strong leadership and proactive engagement with internal and external stakeholders. The goal is to not only meet, but surpass, the set objectives, thereby ensuring successful market performance.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the implementation of Digicel Group and Regional commercial, operational, and general management strategies within the market. Liaising closely with the Regional CEO, the Regional B2C Director, Regional Commercial Manager, Head of Mobile & D+ and Regional Head of DB.

• Provide leadership, guidance, and strategic support to the local team, inspiring and guiding them to surpass business objectives.

• Assume P&L responsibility, by ensuring approved targets set by the Regional CEO for customer numbers, revenue, and EBITDA are achieved across the Consumer (Prepaid, Postpaid, Home Internet) and Business (Mobile, Fixed, and ICT) segments are achieved based on strategies approved by the Regional CEO and Regional SMT.

• Execute high-quality, effective plans as authorized by the Regional CEO, with a view to ensuring alignment with both short-term and long-term objectives of the Atlantic Region and the overall Digicel Group team.

• Work with regional SMT, (Regional CEO, the Regional B2C Director, Regional Commercial Manager, Head of Mobile & D+ , Regional Head of DB and Regional CFO) to prepare and produce annual budgets and operational plans, ensuring alignment with Group and Regional goals, as well as local considerations.

• Build and maintain strong relationships within country key internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to Departmental Heads/ Managers/Directors, customers, business partners, distributors, suppliers, and government and regulatory authorities.

• Implement a management framework to oversee all business functions, including monitoring KPIs and conducting performance reviews against management framework approved by the Regional CEO.

• Make recommendations/suggestions for corrective actions to be taken for performance improvement and seek confirmation from the Regional CEO to implement corrective measures.

• Collaborate with the Regional legal teams to ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies, safeguarding the company’s legal standing and upholding business ethics.

• Represent the business as required, attending key corporate events and public meetings – ensuring that high level reports regarding the outcome/ take-aways from these meetings/events are prepared and submitted to the Regional CEO with 24 hours.

• Safeguard the company’s brand equity and public image, ensuring a positive reputation with consumers, government, the wider business community, and other stakeholders.

• Work with the Regional CEO and Head of HR Atlantic Region to foster the

development of the local team, motivating and engaging direct reports to enhance employee engagement and performance.

• Oversee and work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders to ensure successful execution of any and all roll-out strategies.

• Perform related duties: The tasks outlined above are illustrative of the type of work that may be required. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the role if they are similar, related, or logically assigned.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Telecommunications, Engineering, or a related field.

• Master’s Degree (MBA or equivalent) in International Business, Strategic Management, or Marketing would be considered an asset.

• At least 5 years of relevant commercial experience.

• At least 5 years of senior management experience within the telecommunications sector.

• Extensive experience (more than 10 years) in telecommunications

• A proven track record of consistently exceeding targets in an internationally matrix-managed business environment.

• Demonstrated success in achieving ambitious targets through effective leadership of a diverse team both locally and remote.

• Experience and expertise in Sales or Business Development with a proven ability to drive results.

• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, and deliver compelling arguments.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS:

• Leadership and people management skills to lead and motivate diverse teams across departments (sales, operations, finance, etc.).

• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) to engage with internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, government officials, and key clients.

• Financial acumen to understand budgets, forecasts, and financial reports, ensuring the business is on track to meet revenue and profitability targets.

• Strategic thinking and the ability to develop and execute business plans tailored to the specific market needs in the country.

• Problem-solving abilities to address complex issues related to operations, regulations, or market challenges.

• Adaptability and cultural sensitivity, given the need to navigate different business environments and cultural norms.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may, and probably will be asked to perform other duties as required. Each employee, regardless of classification, is required to maintain a safe, orderly and clean workplace, using safety precautions and observing safety rules at all times.

Science & Technology

Almost 85% of the world’s coral reefs hit by worst bleaching event on record

Harmful bleaching of the world’s coral has grown to include 84% of the ocean’s reefs in the most intense event of its kind in recorded history, the International Coral Reef Initiative announced Wednesday.

It’s the fourth global bleaching event since 1998, and has now surpassed bleaching from 201417 that hit some two-thirds of reefs, said the ICRI, a mix of more than 100 governments, nongovernmental organizations and others. And it’s not clear when the current crisis, which began in 2023 and is blamed on warming oceans, will end.

“We may never see the heat stress that causes bleaching dropping below the threshold that triggers a global event,” said Mark Eakin, corresponding secretary for the International Coral Reef Society and retired coral monitoring chief for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“We’re looking at something that’s completely changing the face of our planet and the ability of our oceans to sustain lives and livelihoods,” Eakin said.

Last year was Earth’s hottest year on record, and much of that is going into oceans. The average annual sea surface temperature of

oceans away from the poles was a record 20.87 degrees Celsius (69.57 degrees Fahrenheit).

That’s deadly to corals, which are key to seafood production, tourism and protecting coastlines from erosion and storms. Coral reefs are sometimes dubbed “rainforests of the sea” because they support high levels of biodiversity — approximately 25% of all marine species can be found in, on and around coral reefs.

Coral get their bright colours from the colourful algae that live inside them and are a food source for the corals. Prolonged warmth causes the algae to release toxic compounds, and the coral eject them. A stark white skeleton is left behind, and the weakened coral is at heightened risk of dying.

The bleaching event has been so severe that NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program has had to add levels to its bleaching alert scale

to account for the growing risk of coral death.

Efforts are underway to conserve and restore coral. One Dutch lab has worked with coral fragments, including some taken from off the coast of the Seychelles, to propagate them in a zoo so that they might be used someday to repopulate wild coral reefs if needed. Other projects, including one off Florida, have worked to rescue corals endangered by high

heat and nurse them back to health before returning them to the ocean.

But scientists say it’s essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that warm the planet, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

“The best way to protect coral reefs is to address the root cause of climate change. And that means reducing the human emissions that are mostly from burning of fossil fuels … everything else is looking more like a Band-Aid rather than a solution,” Eakin said.

“I think people really need to recognize what they’re doing … inaction is the kiss of death for coral reefs,” said Melanie McField, co-chair of the Caribbean Steering Committee for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, a network of scientists that monitors reefs throughout the world. (CNN)

The group’s update comes as President Donald Trump has moved aggressively in his second term to boost fossil fuels and roll back clean energy programs, which he says is necessary for economic growth.

“We’ve got a government right now that is working very hard to destroy all of these ecosystems … removing these protections is going to have devastating consequences,” Eakin said. (CNN)

Eating about of four servings of chicken per week may increase cancer risk – Italian researchers

It’s often touted as the healthier meat choice and America’s most popular protein, but a new study suggests chicken may not be as good for you as we once thought.

Researchers from Italy found people who eat more than about 19 bites (or four servings) of chicken per week are more likely to die than those who eat less than 100 grams weekly.

Additionally, the study appears to have found a concerning link between eating too much chicken - generally considered healthier than red meat because it’s lower in saturated fat and cholesterol - and gastrointestinal cancers.

The findings suggest those eating more than 300 grams weekly had double the risk of an early death from digestive system cancers - the risk was even higher for men.

It’s unclear why consuming just

studies suggest eating

body to carcinogenic pesticides and hormones present in their feed

19 bites of chicken may increase cancer risk, but the researchers have several theories.

They suspect overcooking chicken may create high levels of ‘mutagens’ - chemical or physical substances that cause genetic mutations - or that the way chickens are raised and fed could contribute to cancer risk.

For example, some studies suggest eating chicken exposes

the human body to carcinogenic pesticides and hormones present in their feed.

To investigate a potential link between chicken and early death, researchers from the National Institute of Gastroenterology in Italy collected data on the diets of 4,869 adults, then tracked their health for 19 years.

Each participant provided information about their

demographic background, general health status, lifestyle habits and medical history through interviews with the researchers.

The team also recorded their weight, height and blood pressure, and asked them to complete a research-backed questionnaire about their eating habits.

The survey included questions about how much red meat, poultry and total meat the participants ate, and this data was sorted into four intake levels per protein type.

Over the course of the observation period, the researchers kept track of who died.

Of the 1,028 participants who died, white meat accounted for roughly 41 percent of their weekly meat intake, and 29 percent of that was poultry. The remaining 59 percent was red meat.

The researchers used statistical analysis to look for a link between

poultry consumption and mortality, eliminating the role of other factors such as age, sex and health conditions.

The results, published in the journal Nutrients, suggested eating more than 300 grams of chicken per week was associated with a 27 percent increased mortality risk from any cause compared to eating less than 100 grams per week.

What’s more, the researchers found the risk increased as the portion consumed increased, and was higher compared to eating the same portion of red meat.

But it doesn’t appear to affect everyone the same way.

‘Our results showed that men have a higher risk than women of dying from [gastrointestinal cancer] for the same proportion of poultry consumed,’ the authors

Bleached coral is visible at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico

Some

chicken exposes the human

Science & Technology

Mission to boldly grow food in space labs blasts off

Steak, mashed potatoes and desserts for astronauts could soon be grown from individual cells in space if an experiment launched into orbit today is successful.

A European Space Agency (ESA) project is assessing the viability of growing so-called labgrown food in the low gravity and higher radiation in orbit and on other worlds.

ESA is funding the research to explore new ways of reducing the cost of feeding an astronaut, which can cost up to £20,000 per day.

The team involved say the experiment is a first step to developing a small pilot food production plant on the International Space Station in two years’ time.

Lab-grown food will be essential if Nasa’s objective of making humanity a multi-planetary species were to be realised, claims Dr Aqeel Shamsul, CEO and founder of Bedford-based Frontier Space, which is developing the concept with researchers at Imperial College, London.

“Our dream is to have factories in orbit and on the Moon,” he told BBC News.

“We need to build manufacturing facilities off world if we are to provide the infrastructure to enable humans to live and work in space”.

Lab-grown food involves growing food ingredients, such as protein, fat and carbohydrates in test tubes and vats and then processing them to make them

look and taste like normal food.

Lab-grown chicken is already on sale in the US and Singapore and lab grown steak is awaiting approval in the UK and Israel. On Earth, there are claimed environmental benefits for the technology over traditional agricultural food production methods, such as less land use and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. But in space the primary driver is to reduce costs.

The researchers are doing the experiment because it costs so much to send astronauts food on the ISS - up to £20,000 per astronaut per day, they estimate.

Nasa, other space agencies and private sector firms plan to have a long-term presence on the Moon, in orbiting space stations and maybe one day on Mars. That will mean sending up food for tens and eventually hundreds of astronauts living and working in space – something that would be prohibitively expensive if it were sent up by rockets, according to Dr Shamsul.

Growing food in space would make much more sense, he suggests.

“We could start off simply with protein-enhanced mashed potatoes on to more complex foods which we could put together in space,” he tells me.

“But in the longer term we could put the lab-grown ingredients into a 3D printer and print off whatever you want on the space station, such as a steak!”

Artwork: The experiment will orbit the Earth for three hours before returning to Earth and splashing down off the coast of Portugal

This sounds like the replicator machines on Star Trek, which are able to produce food and drink from pure energy. But it is no longer the stuff of science fiction, says Dr Shamsul.

He showed me a set-up, called a bioreactor, at Imperial College’s Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins in west London. It comprised a brick-coloured concoction bubbling away in a test tube. The process is known as precision fermentation, which is like the fermentation used to make beer, but different: “precision” is a rebranding word for genetically engineered.

In this case a gene has been added to yeast to produce extra vitamins, but all sorts of ingredients can be produced in this way, according

Eating about of four servings of chicken per ...

Specifically, men who consumed more than 300 grams of poultry per week were 2.6 times more likely to die from digestive cancer than those who ate less than 100 grams. For the general study population, the risk was only 2.27 times greater.

The researchers aren’t sure why men are at higher risk, as there is ‘no known biological mechanism to explain the observed sex differences,’ they wrote.

But differences in sex hormones may play a role.

The study points to previous research in mice that suggests

estrogen, a hormone closely associated with female reproductive systems, may influence the ability to metabolize nutrients as well as the risk of developing certain diseases.

The researchers note, however, that ‘further investigation is needed to support this hypothesis,’ and that general dietary differences between men and woman could also play a role, as they suggest women tend to prefer smaller portions and healthier foods.

Despite the study’s alarming findings, there was some evidence to support the idea that poultry is generally healthier than red meat.

Higher consumption of red meat was observed among participants who died from nondigestive cancers. Red meat made up 64 percent of weekly meat intake for those that died of these diseases.

The study authors noted the research had several limitations, including that the questionnaire used did not ask about different cuts of meat, processed poultry consumption or how the poultry was prepared, which may influence health outcomes.

The researchers also did not collect data on participants’ exercise habits, which plays a critical role in overall health and prevention of early death.

ingredients to make dishes for people just yet, because regulatory approval is still pending. But he’s getting a head start. For now, instead of lab-grown ingredients, Jakub is using starches and proteins from naturally occurring fungi to develop his recipes. He tells me all sorts of dishes will be possible, once he gets the go-ahead to use lab-grown ingredients.

“We want to create food that is familiar to astronauts who are from different parts of the world so that it can provide comfort.

“We can create anything from French, Chinese, Indian. It will be possible to replicate any kind of cuisine in space.”

to Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Director of the Bezos Centre.

“We can make all the elements to make food,” says Dr LedesmaAmaro proudly.

“We can make proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibres and they can be combined to make different dishes.”

A much smaller, simpler version of the biorector has been sent into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the ESA mission. There is plenty of evidence that foods can be successfully grown from cells on Earth, but can the process be repeated in the weightlessness and higher radiation of space?

Drs Ledesma-Amaro and Shamsul have sent small amounts of the yeast concoction to orbit the Earth in a small cube satellite on board Europe’s first commercial returnable spacecraft, Phoenix. If all goes to plan, it will orbit the Earth for around three hours before falling back to Earth off the coast of Portugal. The experiment will be retrieved by a recovery vessel and sent back to the lab in London to be examined.

The data they gather will inform the construction of a larger, better bioreactor which the scientists will send into space next year, according to Dr Ledesma-Amaro.

The problem, though, is that the brick-coloured goo, which is dried into a powder, looks distinctly unappetising – even less appetising than the freeze-dried fare that astronauts currently have to put up with.

That is where Imperial College’s master chef comes in. Jakub Radzikowski is the culinary education designer tasked with turning chemistry into cuisine. He isn’t allowed to use lab grown

Today, Jakub is trying out a new recipe of spicy dumplings and dipping sauce. He tells me that I am allowed to try them out, but taster-in-chief is someone far more qualified: Helen Sharman, the UK’s first astronaut, who also has a PhD in chemistry.

We tasted the steaming dumplings together.

My view: “They are absolutely gorgeous!”

Dr Sharman’s expert view, not dissimilar: “You get a really strong blast from the flavour. It is really delicious and very moreish,” she beamed.

“I would love to have had something like this. When I was in space, I had really long-life stuff: tins, freeze dried packets, tubes of stuff. It was fine, but not tasty.”

Dr Sharman’s more important observation was about the science. Lab-grown food, she said, could potentially be better for astronauts, as well as reduce costs to the levels required to make long-term offworld habitation viable.

Research on the ISS has shown that the biochemistry of astronauts’ bodies changes during long duration space missions: their hormone balance and iron levels alter, and they lose calcium from their bones. Astronauts take supplements to compensate, but lab-grown food could in principle be tweaked with the extra ingredients already built in, says Dr Sharman.

“Astronauts tend to lose weight because they are not eating as much because they don’t have the variety and interest in their diet,” she told me.

“So, astronauts might be more open to having something that has been cooked from scratch and a feeling that you are really eating wholesome food.” (BBC)

Science & Technology

Scientists stumble across rare evidence that Earth is peeling underneath the Sierra Nevada

Seismologist Deborah Kilb was wading through California earthquake records from the past four decades when she noticed something odd — a series of deep earthquakes that had occurred under the Sierra Nevada at a depth where Earth’s crust would typically be too hot and high pressure for seismic activity.

“In Northern California usually the (earthquake) data goes down to about 10 kilometres (6 miles). In Southern California, they’ll go down a little bit deeper into 18 kilometres (11 miles),” said Kilb, a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, referring to the depths at which earthquakes usually occur in those regions.

But the earthquakes she found taking place near the central region of the mountain range were up to twice as deep — and appear to be ongoing.

“The fact that we see some seismicity that’s below 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) — like 20 kilometres to 40 kilometres (25 miles) — is very odd,” Kilb said. “It’s not something you would typically see in crustal earthquakes.”

Kilb flagged the data to Vera Schulte-Pelkum, a research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences and an associate research professor of geological sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. Schulte-Pelkum was already studying the Sierra Nevada’s peculiar rock footprint, which had shown deep rock deformations within the same area.

Using the newfound data, the researchers imaged the Sierra Nevada through a technique known as receiver function analysis, which uses seismic waves to map Earth’s internal structure. The scientists found that in the central region of the mountain range, Earth’s crust is currently peeling away, a process scientifically known as lithospheric foundering. Kilb and Schulte-Pelkum reported the findings in December in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

The hypothesis lined up with previous speculation that the area had undergone lithospheric foundering, which happens when Earth’s outermost layer sinks into the lower layer of the mantle. Now, the study authors believe that the

process is ongoing and is currently progressing to the north of the mountain range, according to the study.

“We compared notes and realized that my strange rock fabric (the arrangement of rocks) signals and her strange deep earthquakes were in the same area,” SchultePelkum said. “So then we decided to look at it more closely, and found this whole story.”

What’s happening under the Sierra Nevada could offer rare insight into how the continents formed, Schulte-Pelkum said. The finding could also help scientists identify more areas where this process is happening as well as provide a better understanding of earthquakes and how our planet operates, she added.

HOW THE CONTINENTS FORMED

Earth’s uppermost layer, the lithosphere, is made up of the rigid crust and the top part of the mantle, which is in a denser, but more fluid state. This layer also contains Earth’s oceanic crust — a thinner and denser layer below the oceans — and the continental crust that sits above this layer. But how these sublayers manage to exist in this ideal state, with the continents on top, is something of a mystery, Schulte-Pelkum said.

“The continents just happened to be sticking up above the current sea level, luckily for us, because … they’re made of less dense minerals on average,” Schulte-Pelkum said.

“To make it sit higher (in the first place), you have to get rid of some of the dense stuff.”

Lithospheric foundering is the process of the denser materials being pulled to the bottom, while the less dense material emerges at the top, resulting in land creation. “It’s dumping some of this denser stuff into this gooey, solid mantle layer underneath and sort of basically detaching it so it stops pulling on the less dense stuff above,” she explained.

Within the imaging of Earth below the Sierra Nevada, the researchers found a distinct layer within the mantle about 40 to 70 kilometres (25 to 43 miles) deep. This layer had specific imprints that gradually changed due north, the data showed.

If one were to have a block of clay that had spots of different coloured clay throughout, and squeezed the clay between their hands, the spots would start to turn into stripes — this is similar to how the rock deformations appear, Schulte-Pelkum said.

In the southern Sierra, the dense rocks had the strongest inherent stripes and were shown to have already sheared away from the crust, whereas in the central region this process appears to be ongoing. In the northern Sierra, there are currently no signs of deformation. This distinct layer within the mantle would also explain the deep earthquakes Kilb found, as the crust in the central region is unusually thick from being pulled down and is also colder than the hot mantle material typically found at those depths.

“Rock takes a really long time to warm up or cool down. So if you move some stuff, you know,

data, and you don’t really get that very often in geology. … So this paper is going to add to that whole discussion in a really neat way,” he said.

Further study within this area could also help scientists better understand how the Earth evolves on long timescales. If the lithospheric foundering continues underneath the mountain range, one can speculate that the land will continue to stretch vertically, changing the way the landscape looks now, McMillan said. But that could take anywhere from several hundred thousand to a few million years, he added.

by pulling it down or pushing it up, it takes a while for it to adjust its temperature,” Schulte-Pelkum said.

Evidence for this process has been hard to come by. It is not visible from above ground, and it’s an extremely slow process.

Scientists theorize that the south Sierra finished the process of lithospheric foundering about 4 million to 3 million years ago, according to the study.

It appears that these natural events happen occasionally around the world, Schulte-Pelkum said.

“Geologically speaking, this is a pretty quick process with long periods of stability in between. … This (lithosphere foundering) probably started happening a long time ago when we started building continents, and (the continents) have gotten bigger over time. So it’s just sort of this punctuated, localized thing,” she added.

ONGOING DEBATE

The Sierra Nevada has been a topic of debate for decades in the geology community due to an anomaly found within the mantle located underneath the Great Valley.

While some scientists believe lithospheric foundering caused this feature, other scientists think it may be caused by subduction, which is when an oceanic plate sinks beneath a less dense plate, such as continental crust, and changes the landscape, said Mitchell McMillan, a research geologist and postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Tech, who was not involved with the study.

“There are really two competing hypotheses to explain all these

In general, large mountain belts, or anywhere there is a batholith, is where you expect to find these events, McMillan said. The Andes, a long mountain range in South America, is an example of another place where scientists speculate lithosphere foundering once occurred and could still be happening today, he added.

“I think this study in particular (highlights) the importance of tying together these different datasets,” McMillan said. By better understanding this process, scientists can learn more about the functions of the planet and what happens beneath its surface, including the occurrence of earthquakes that have been linked to this process, McMillan said. Separately, the planet Venus, which does not have plate tectonics like Earth, has evidence of these lithospheric foundering events, and by understanding the process on Earth, we can start to apply it to Venus, he said.

“It’s really fascinating to think about how you could be … hiking in the Sierra or in the foothills, or even anywhere else on a continent. And, you know, there’s stuff going on really deep underneath you that we’re not aware of,” SchultePelkum said.

“We sort of owe our existence on land to these processes happening. If the Earth hadn’t made continents, then we’d be very different creatures. … We evolved because the planet evolved the way it did. So just sort of understanding the whole system that you’re part of, I think, has value — beyond just less monetary damage and less human impact during, say, an earthquake,” she added. (CNN)

By looking at earthquake data and imaging deep rock deformations, scientists found Earth’s crust is peeling away beneath the Sierra Nevada’s central region, which includes Yosemite National Park

Sports International

NBA great Kidd joins Everton ownership group

NBA great Jason Kidd has joined Everton’s American ownership group.

The double Olympic champion and 10-time NBA All-Star, who is currently head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, has joined Roundhouse Capital Holdings, which is part of The Friedkin Group.

The Texas-based group completed its takeover of Everton in December 2024.

Kidd, who also won the 2011 NBA Championship as a player with the Mavericks, becomes the latest high-profile American to invest in British football.

Fourteen Premier League clubs are partly owned by investors from the United States, while former NFL defensive end JJ Watt is a minority owner at newly promoted Burnley and legendary quarterback Tom Brady is similarly involved with League One winners Birmingham City.

Everton will leave Goodison Park at the end of this season and move into their new BramleyMoore Dock stadium, which is estimated to have cost more than £750m, before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

“I’m honoured to be joining Everton’s ownership at such an

important moment - with a new stadium on the horizon and a bright future ahead, it’s a great moment to come on board,” said Kidd, 52.

Everton executive chairman Marc Watts added: “As one of the NBA’s greatest players and now a successful coach, his knowledge and winning mentality will be an incredible resource for Everton.

“He is a respected leader and household name for many sports fans and will bring a deeper understanding of high performance as we collectively strive to build a brighter future for this storied club.” (BBC)

Man Utd to take part in Women’s World Sevens

Manchester United will be one of the eight clubs competing in the inaugural Women’s World Sevens tournament in May.

The new seven-a-side competition kicks off three days before this year’s Women’s Champions League final and there is a prize money pool of $5m dollars (£3.76m).

United will be joined in the competition by European clubs Ajax, Benfica and Bayern Munich on 21-23 May in Estoril, Portugal.

The other four participating clubs are yet to be named and there is no indication on whether they will come from outside of Europe.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of something new for the women’s game,” said United manager Marc Skinner.

HOW WILL THE PRIZE MONEY BE DISTRIBUTED?

Minority owner of Gotham FC and Chelsea FC Jennifer Mackesy has invested in the competition to provide prize money.

Comparatively, this year’s Women’s Champions League winners could earn up to 1.4m euros (£1.2m) and up to 2.8m euros (£2.4m) from the 2027-28 season.

This season’s Women’s Super League champions will receive £500,000 in prize money, while the winners of the Women’s FA Cup final, which is being played on 18 May, will be rewarded with £430,000.

All clubs taking part in the World Sevens will have their flights and accommodation paid for.

“For each position from first to fourth, there is a split between

the club, players and staff,” said Women’s World Sevens head of football Adrian Jacobs.

“While it’s contractual that a certain part goes to the staff and players, we are not saying exactly who gets what because every club is different.

“My guess is that most clubs will share it among the squad.”

WILL EURO 2025 PLAYERS TAKE PART?

The tournament kicks off just three days before the Women’s Champions League final is held in Lisbon on 24 May.

It is also just six weeks before the Women’s European Championship begins in Switzerland on 2 July.

The American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) does not finish until 22 November, meaning any clubs wishing to participate in May would do so during the season.

Stadium and pitch availability were named as reasons as to why

the tournament was scheduled for May, while there are plans to host a second edition at the end of the year in North America.

Another question is how many players due to compete at Euro 2025 will take part in the inaugural tournament.

“We haven’t got the rosters yet but they will be first-team squads. Obviously a lot of these clubs are very worldwide and global in their make-up,” said Jacobs.

“The games are much shorter and the amount of players on the pitch is much less.”

There are four Lionesses in the Manchester United squad - Ella Toone, Grace Clinton, Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner - nd Jacobs said he expects them to come to Portugal and take part in some form.

“There is a difference between a first-team XI and a first-team squad. We would expect a firstteam squad,” added Jacobs.

“We also know this is an

opportunity for other players and for people who want to really express themselves on a completely different stage.”

WHAT WILL THE FORMAT BE?

Matches will take place on a grass pitch which is half the size of a typical 11-a-side pitch.

Clubs can bring squads of up to 25 players but only 14 can take part in the games which have unlimited substitutions.

They will play 15-minute halves with extra time deciding tie-breakers.

Future events are being planned in cities across the United States, Mexico, Asia and Europe and the aim is to have up to five tournaments every year.

WHO IS LEADING THE TOURNAMENT?

Gotham FC co-owner Mackesy is the financial investor and part of a senior leadership group running the competition, with Jacobs as

head of football.

Former United States international and Bay FC cofounder Aly Wagner is chief of strategy and entrepreneur Justin Fishkin is chief executive.

There is also a player advisory council which includes former players Caroline Seger, Anita Asante, Kelley O’Hara and Laura Georges.

WILL MATCHES BE SHOWN ON TV?

World Sevens Football has agreed a multi-year broadcast deal with DAZN to show the matches.

Matches may also be shown on club websites or streaming platforms.

WHY HAS THE TOURNAMENT BEEN CREATED?

World Sevens Football’s sole purpose is to “drive investment in women’s football”, said Asante.

“If I could have played in this when I was still playing, I would have very much enjoyed doing that,” she added.

“Ultimately, we didn’t just want it to be about these clubs and players. We wanted to have a social impact and we will be engaging with grassroots clubs.

“It is an initiative and everyone should come out to Portugal if you can to watch it before we hold any big opinions on what it will be.

“It is an exciting time for women’s sport and we can’t slow down. We need to keep picking it up and progressing forward.” (BBC)

Jason Kidd won Olympic gold with the United States in 2000 and 2008

Manchester United won the Women’s FA Cup in 2024 and are in this year’s final

Sports International

Aston Villa to expand ground to over 50,000 capacity

Aston Villa have announced plans to take Villa Park’s capacity to over 50,000 by redeveloping the North Stand.

The club will completely refurbish the North Stand, increasing the number of available seats from about 5,000 to 12,000.

With smaller upgrades to the other three stands, Villa say the stadium’s capacity will increase to over 50,000 from 42,918.

The club, who hope to have the redevelopment finished by the second half of 2027, say the

ground’s current capacity will not decrease at any point during the building works.

“Aston Villa fans have been electrifying Villa Park for generations, charging the atmosphere with unrivalled intensity at every home match for more than 125 years,” Chris Heck, Villa’s president of business operations, said.

“Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of an exceptional team, we will now be able to offer this incredible experience to

thousands more, all while meeting the key challenge of executing this project without compromising matchday capacity during the process.”

Villa had previously proposed to knock down the North Stand but those plans were shelved as it would have meant a temporary reduction in capacity to about 36,000.

Villa Park is a host venue for the Euro 2028 tournament, which is being held across the United Kingdom and Ireland. (BBC)

Three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon is to attempt to become the first woman to run a sub-four minute mile.

The 31-year-old Kenyan will make the attempt in Paris on 26 June.

It will not be recognised as an official record because Kipyegon is likely to use a team of rotating pacemakers and technologically advanced trainers and kit from her sponsor Nike.

“I’m a three-time Olympic champion. I’ve achieved World Championship titles. I thought, ‘what else?’, why not dream outside the box?” Kipyegon said.

“I want this attempt to say to women, ‘you can dream and make your dreams valid’.”

won after she gave birth to her daughter Alyn in 2018.

“Becoming a mother has changed my entire mental attitude,” she said. “You have to engage yourself, you have to show your child the way.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy says he is still waiting to find out if he will keep his job as Leicester City manager following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

The Foxes, whose 1-0 defeat by Liverpool at the King Power Stadium last weekend confirmed they would be returning to the Championship, have earned just eight points from 20 matches under the Dutchman.

Van Nistelrooy, 48, said he has sat down with the owners and the board and told them “how we move forward as a club”.

“I know what my plan is to bring the club back but I am waiting on alignment,” he added.

“The quicker the better for the football club.”

Leicester face Wolves at

Molineux on Saturday at 15:00 BST.

Van Nistelrooy signed a three-year deal with Leicester in November, following the sacking of Steve Cooper after just 157 days in charge.

However, the former Manchester United striker’s appointment failed to rally the club, and their second relegation in three seasons was on the cards for months.

The defeat by leaders Liverpool, their 16th in the past 18 games, was the Foxes’ ninth consecutive Premier League home game without scoring a goal - a new top-flight record.

A light aircraft was flown over the stadium before kick-off on Sunday, trailing a banner reading “King Power Clueless Sack The Board”. (BBC)

Kipyegon set the current official women’s mile world record of four minutes 7.64 seconds in 2023 so would need to shave off more than seven seconds to achieve the feat.

Kipyegon targets first women’s sub-four minute mile became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, beating the mark by 20 seconds. However, it is not recognised

Kipyegon became the first woman to win 1500m gold at three successive Olympics with her success in Paris last year and holds the world record over that distance. She also has three World 1500m titles and won 5,000m gold at the 2023 World Championships. Five of those gold medals were

Britain’s Roger Bannister was the first man to run a sub-four minute mile, achieving the mark in May 1954, while compatriot Diane Leather was the first women to run sub-five minutes later that month.

Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj holds the men’s world record time of 3:43.13 set in 1999.

In October 2019 Kipyegon’s fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge

it

Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed Leicester boss in November 2024

The North Stand will see the number of seats it contains more than doubled to 12,000

Faith Kipyegon set an Olympic record of 3:51.29 when she won the women’s 1500m at Paris 2024

Porzingis suffers head wound as Celtics beat Magic

Kristaps Porzingis suffered a bloodied forehead during the Boston Celtics’ 109-100 win over the Orlando Magic in game two of the NBA first-round play-offs.

Centre Porzingis, who is 7ft 2in, was caught on the forehead by the stray elbow of Orlando’s Goga Bitadze with one minute remaining in the third quarter.

The 29-year-old Latvian fell to the court with blood pouring from the wound and had to be helped to his feet by a trainer.

He was taken off to receive medical treatment and returned in the fourth quarter with a large plaster on his head.

Porzingis scored 20 points and 10 rebounds for the second-seeded Celtics, who have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown hit a

game-high 36 points, as leading scorer Jayson Tatum was ruled out with a wrist injury.

Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler sustained a pelvis contusion in a hard fall during the Golden State Warriors’ 109-94 defeat by the Houston Rockets.

The six-time NBA All-Star, who was injured late in the first quarter and missed the rest of the game, will undergo an MRI scan on Thursday.

Houston’s victory levelled the Western Conference series at 1-1.

Donovan Mitchell scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 121-112 victory over the visiting Miami Heat.

Darius Garland added 21 points and nine assists as the Cavaliers established a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference series. (BBC)

Thirteen of the world’s top 15 ranked teams will participate in this year’s Women’s Tour of Britain

Women’s Tour of Britain set for record field

This year’s Women’s Tour of Britain is set for a record field, with 18 teams taking to the start line.

Twelve World Tour teams headline the 108-rider event, which begins in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire on Thursday, 5 June.

Belgian Lotte Kopecky, of Team SD Worx – Protime, will defend her title while Team Picnic PostNL’s British champion Pfeiffer Georgi is also involved.

Teams from 10 different countries will be represented, while EF Education – Oatly and AG Insurance – Soudal will make their debut appearances.

“This year’s incredible line-up of teams is testament to the hard work that has gone in to the Tour of Britain Women over the past 18 months and

shows the huge support that the race has from UCI teams outside of the UK,” said Jonathan Day, managing director of British Cycling Events.

“We are thrilled to have such a great line-up of UCI Women’s World Tour teams coming to the event, showing the appeal of racing in Britain in front of the amazing crowds we attract, while at the same time it will be fantastic to once again see all our British registered women’s UCI Continental teams racing in a prestigious event on home roads.”

WOMEN’S TOUR OF BRITAIN TEAMS:

UCI Women’s WorldTeams: AG Insurance – Soudal Team (Belgium); Canyon//SRAM

zondacrypto (Germany); CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team (Germany); FDJ – SUEZ (France); Lidl-Trek (USA); Liv AlUla Jayco (Australia); Movistar Team (Spain); Team Picnic PostNL (Netherlands); Team SD Worx - Protime (Netherlands); Team Visma | Lease a Bike (Netherlands); UAE Team ADQ (UAE); and Uno-X Mobility (Norway) UCI Women’s ProTeams: EF Education – Oatly (United States); UCI Continental Teams: CJ O’Shea Racing (Great Britain); DAS – Hutchinson (Great Britain); Handsling Alba Development Road Team (Great Britain); Hess Cycling Team (Great Britain); and Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team (Great Britain) (BBC)

Former Australia cricketer Stackpole

Former Australia batter Keith Stackpole has died at the age of 84. The right-handed opener from Victoria played 43 Tests between 1966 and 1974, scoring 2,807 runs at an average of 37.42, including seven centuries.

Stackpole also played in the first ever one-day international, picking up three wickets with his leg-spin against England at the Melbourne

dies at age 84

Cricket Ground in 1971. He is perhaps best remembered for his highest Test score, making 207 against England at the Gabba during the 1970-71 Ashes.

Stackpole went on to be the top scorer in the 1972 Ashes series, where he was Ian Chappell’s vicecaptain, with 485 runs, and later became a television and radio commentator.

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird said: “Keith was one of the great contributors to the game of cricket and his legacy will live long into the future.

“It is testament to his talent and standing that he was one of the five Wisden cricketers of the year in 1973 and was awarded the MBE in 1974 for services to cricket.” (BBC)

Keith Stackpole went on to become a radio and television commentator after retiring as a player

Porzingis received a standing ovation from the home crowd when he returned to the game

Farley sets new national swimming record

of 3:18.28.

Farley was one of nine TCI swimmers who competed at the prestigious championships in

the Twin Island Republic, which featured top talent from across the Caribbean.

Smith to join prestigious Women’s Sport Leadership Academy

The Turks and Caicos Islands Women in Sports (WIS) recently announced that athlete DèAjah Smith was selected to join the 2025 cohort of the internationally acclaimed Women’s Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA).

According to a release from WIS, Smith’s acceptance into the programme marks a significant achievement, as she was chosen from a competitive pool of over 95 applicants representing more than 50 countries. “Her successful application was strongly supported by TCI Women in Sports, with a

personal endorsement from the organisation’s founder and former president, Hon Rita Gardiner,” the release stated. It noted that Gardiner commended Smith’s “unwavering dedication, leadership potential, and her commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls in sport.”

The WSLA selection team expressed high regard for DèAjah’s skills, experiences, and aspirations, recognising her as someone who would not only benefit from the programme but also contribute meaningfully to

the global network of women leaders in sport. DèAjah, who has been actively involved in promoting inclusivity and development across the islands, said she was “incredibly honoured to be accepted into WSLA 2025. This opportunity means so much to me, not only as a personal milestone, but as a chance to represent Turks and Caicos and inspire the next generation of girls in sport. I’m grateful for the support of Hon Rita Gardiner and the TCI Women in Sports for believing in me and championing my journey.”

Isaac Farley made a major impact on the 11-12 Boys 200 metres breaststroke national record when he competed in the

XXXVIII CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago over the Easter weekend.

The pre-teen erased the previous record of 3:32.53 set by Matteo Gardiner in February 2020 with a new time

DèAjah Smith

Isaac Farley broke a five-year record

Isaac Farley swam in the 11-12 year-old division

Sports National

YOUNG CARIFTA TEAM WILL IMPROVE – COACH FORD

– TCI athletes achieve PBs, injuries restrict side from possible medals

The 2025 Carifta Games in Trinidad and Tobago brought together some of the best young athletes from across the Caribbean. While the Turks and Caicos Islands athletics team didn’t come away with medals, their commitment to improving their performances was clear, with several athletes achieving personal bests during the competition.

Head coach of the national track and field team, Randy Ford, said that the 21 athletes who represented the islands have all shown that they can take it to the next level. “All the participants are still of Carifta

age next year so there should be plenty of improvement.”

The coach added that he was anticipating up to three medals at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, but injuries stopped the team from competing in the mixed 4x400m and boys U17 4x400m events. However, he expressed gratitude not only for the fight shown by the young athletes but also for the support from spectators. “I thank the many fans who travelled to Trinidad to support the athletes.”

There were several personal bests (PBs) over the Easter weekend.

Distance runners set the tone on Day One, with Eunice Missick in the Girls’ 1500m Under-20 improving her seed time of 5:36.00 to 5:33.96. Similarly, in the Boys’ 1500m Under-20, Love Joseph demonstrated significant growth, dropping his seed time from 4:36.90 to 4:23.13—an achievement that placed him 12th overall.

In the Boys’ Long Jump Under-20, Melique Evans leapt past his seed distance of 6.90m to achieve a new personal best of 6.95m, finishing in 8th place. Sendia Marcel also exceeded

expectations in the Girls’ Under-17 Long Jump, advancing to the final with a personal best of 5.14m, improving from her seed of 4.90m, and earning an 8th place finish as well. Sprinters showed consistency and small improvements across events. Roneisha Johnson narrowly bettered her seed time of 24.80s in the Girls’ 200m Under-20 preliminaries, clocking 24.78s.

The Boys Under-17 4x100m relay team, comprising Daens Saint Hilaire, Kimani Deane, Dylan Gardiner, and Rayvon

Black, delivered an impressive performance by qualifying for the final with a prelim time of 43.21s. They then stepped up in the final to clock 42.96s, just 0.42 seconds shy of the national record of 42.54. Another standout individual performance came from Rayvon Black in the Boys’ Under-17 Discus Throw. Entering the event with a seed mark of 41.00m, Rayvon achieved a personal best of 42.56m, finishing in 7th place. Markey Zephirin, competing in the Boys’ Shot Put Under-20, recorded a throw of 11.42m, placing 10th overall.

The athletes during the 2025 Games in Trinidad (Photos TCI Sports Commission)

The Boys U17 4x100m relay team was 0.42s shy of the national record

Our females performed credibly in the jumps

Love Joseph dropped his seed time from 4:36.90 to 4:23.13 in the 1500m