TC Weekly News, March 29 - April 4, 2025

FIERCE CLASH OVER INTERHEALTH PAYOUT

A staggering $17.1m payment from the government to InterHealth Canada (TCI Hospitals) ignited a fierce political battle within the Turks and Caicos Islands Parliament. The payment stems from a long-standing dispute and arbitration process, raising questions about government accountability and the financial management of past administrations.

DR table eggs safe for importation into TCI

– Agri dept

Almost a month after a large batch of eggs smuggled in from the Dominican Republic was destroyed, the TCI government has finally taken steps to create a safe and legal import route.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Zhavago Jolly, last Friday, reported that his ministry had taken a major step toward reducing the cost of eggs for consumers in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Announcing that licensed importers can now import table eggs from the Dominican Republic following a risk assessment conducted by the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA).

Prior to that assessment, quarantine officers from the Agriculture Ministry detected

thousands of eggs hidden at the back of a shipping container during a routine inspection on February 27. They immediately intercepted, confiscated, and destroyed the shipment, which totalled 24,840 eggs. The importer was promptly charged for violating the Ordinance.

Aside from the illegality of the shipment, a risk assessment for imports from the Dominican Republic had not been conducted, rendering the importation of animal products from the DR strictly prohibited.

Last Friday, Minister Jolly reported that the new importation allowance from one of the TCI’s closest neighbours is part of his ministry’s broader strategy to increase food security, reduce dependency on high-cost imports, and provide affordable options for residents.

“This achievement is a game-

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changer for our food security strategy,” Jolly said. He stated that by expanding its import markets, the TCI is taking real steps to lower the cost of living while maintaining the highest food safety standards.

“This is just the beginning; we remain committed to strengthening local food production and ensuring better access to affordable products for all Turks and Caicos Islanders,” he added.

He said this means “cheaper eggs, more supply, same high safety standard” for the TCI.

ENSURING SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

Recently, the department of agriculture engaged CAHFSA to conduct a risk analysis on imports

from the Dominican Republic. In formal communication to Director of Agriculture, CAHFSA CEO Dr Gavin Peters confirmed: “Based on the preliminary assessment of the risk that can be posed by the importation of table eggs from the Dominican Republic into the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is our considered recommendation that import permits can be issued to prospective importers.”

He added that the import requirements should be clear and make specific reference to the absence of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease, in accordance with the relevant Chapters of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of WOAH.

The CAHFSA chief further

stated that engagement with the Dominican Republic will continue to finalise a full risk analysis for trade in animals and animal products, ensuring long-term compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

In the meantime, the department is finalising the import requirements, which will be shared with licensed importers soon. Importers are urged to obtain the appropriate permits before bringing eggs into the country.

The department warns that any eggs imported without a valid permit will be confiscated and destroyed, and fines and penalties will apply to individuals or businesses violating the import regulations.

Govt cuts key projects despite surplus, shifts focus to digitalisation and healthcare

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The Turks and Caicos Islands government has scrapped several significant capital projects, totalling $1.32m, even as it reports a healthy operating surplus of $68.2m year-to-date.

However, the government is promising to re-appropriate funds for these projects in the upcoming budget.

The decision was solidified during the approval of the 4th Supplementary Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

“The projects that will be cancelled is totalling $1,320,000.00. The funding for these projects will be re-appropriated in FY 2025/26,” Premier Washington Misick said as he presented the bill to Parliament.

Among the cancelled projects are the border force improvement project ($320k), a bus for

immigration ($100k), housing restoration for South Caicos ($500k), sidewalks- Chalk Sound ($250k), and Blue Hills signage ($150k).

These cancellations come despite an increase in overall expenditure by $40.3m, pushing the total to $557.2m and widening the net deficit to $57.3m.

While some projects are being cut, others are seeing increased funding.

A new project, the “Purchase of Servers for the Digitisation and E-Government Technology and Innovation Department,” is being added at a cost of $395,023.00, aimed at “strengthening our digital platforms.”

Additionally, several existing projects are receiving additional funding, including the Upgrading of Water Storage and Distribution Facilities GDT ($120k) and the Treatment Abroad Programme ($17m).

The Premier also revealed the government’s financial position. He said: “Aggregate recurrent revenue performance in January 2025 was $412.7m, approximately 4% higher than the budget and 22% more than the same period in the prior year.” Furthermore, the “Year-to-Date, Operating surplus was 68.2m. The net surplus was $55.3m.”

However, the increased expenditure, driven largely by healthcare costs and claims against the government, has led to the widened net deficit.

While the focus on digitalisation and healthcare is evident, the decision to delay other essential projects has left many questioning the government’s strategic direction and its promises to address critical infrastructure needs, particularly in areas like housing and border security.

Cheaper eggs for TCI as government clears a path for legal importation from the Dominican Republic (TCIG photo)

$17.1m payout to InterHealth Canada sparks fiery clash in parliament

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A staggering $17.1m payment from the government to InterHealth Canada (TCI Hospitals) ignited a fierce political battle within the Turks and Caicos Islands Parliament.

The payment, revealed during the debate on the supplementary appropriations bill for 20242025, stems from a longstanding dispute and arbitration process, raising questions about government accountability and the financial management of past administrations.

The issue was brought to the forefront by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Edwin Astwood, who demanded clarity on the substantial payout during a sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, 18 March 2025.

“When I look at the supplementary, one of the things that stands out is the $17.1m for claims against the government,” Astwood stated.

In a rhetorical tone, he stressed: “What are those claims about? Who does the government owe money to? Who is making this claim against the government? Mr Speaker, lo and behold, it’s our good friend InterHealth Canada, Mr Speaker, TCI hospitals.”

Astwood further pressed: “That claim jumped out to me, that $17.1m that we have to pay them as if we’re not paying them so much money already. This is my opinion, Mr Speaker, but the extra $17.1m—is this for additional services? Is this to get additional expertise here on the ground? Is this for additional equipment, or bad equipment, or upgrading of equipment, or the upgrading of facilities?”

The response from the government benches was swift and pointed.

Honourable Shaun Malcolm, Minister for Home Affairs and former Minister of Health, sought to provide context and lay the blame squarely at the feet of the previous administration.

In response to the Leader of the Opposition, he said: “When I came to this house in the last term, my first two years I was on the appropriation and the Public Accounts Committee. The Leader of the Opposition was a member of that very same committee.”

Malcolm continued: “I recall having the Ministry of Health before that committee, and the Ministry of Health was being questioned about the relationship with the hospital and its contractual

agreements. Mr Speaker, it came forward that the Ministry of Health could not answer many of our questions at that time because there was an arbitration. We learned why the TCIG was in a dispute with InterHealth Canada. People of the Turks Islands, the Minister of Health who was on the committee happened to be the Leader of the Opposition.”

Malcolm explained that under the previous administration, where the now Leader of the Opposition was the Minister of Health, there was no reconciliation for a number of years between TCIG and TCI Hospital.

“Mr Speaker, under him, and because there was no reconciliation done, and they couldn’t come to an agreement on the amount needed to be paid, InterHealth Canada took the government to court under his watch. So, Mr Speaker, four years later we are now paying the cost.”

He underscored that it was his Government’s financial prudency and the actions taken during its last term that exposed the mounting debt, with the intention to swiftly resolve the issue.

He said: “We recruited experts to navigate a very complicated contract, and because of the move

we made, we have saved this country—this good, progressive PNP government—we have saved this country a colossal amount of money.”

Malcolm stressed that the claims are a result of “bad management” under the former People’s Democratic Movement government.

“This is the price the people are paying; that’s what it’s all about… thank God once again, this good government has saved this country, and we have to clean up his mess,” he emphasised.

The Leader of the Opposition vehemently denied the accusations, pointing out that Malcolm’s diatribe was riddled with “false” information and inaccuracies.

Astwood said: “I want to know the exact date InterHealth Canada took TCIG to court, as my recollection, Mr Speaker, is that we initiated the arbitration. So I want him to provide the information where InterHealth Canada had initiated the arbitration, because that is directly misleading the public.”

TRADITIONAL DYSFUNCTIONALITY

In wrapping up the debate,

Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick also weighed in, acknowledging the payment and providing further context.

He said: “I wish there was a way to just totally ignore it, but there isn’t.”

He explained that the claim initially amounted to $17 million, but an additional $1 million interest was incurred due to non-payment.

“I think about $1 million of that has to do with interest, because we haven’t paid it, and it would be irresponsible to sit around and let that gap worsen over a period of time. So we’re making the responsible decision to pay that money.”

The Premier also addressed the broader issues with the InterHealth Canada contract.

He said: “I think there is no secret that NHIB was introduced at a time the interim administration— there’s a thread running through the traditional dysfunctionality of NHIB and functionality of InterHealth Canada contracts. Management of the contract, to some extent, has placed us where we are today. And so when the Leader of the Opposition suggests that the contributions raised from the general public were subsidising

treatment abroad, I would like to assure him that that is not the case.”

“Treatment abroad from the very beginning has been the obligation of the Government, and I think we can all be big grownup people and take responsibility for our actions, because past and present administrations have been cajoled and heavy-armed into making political decisions to send our people abroad when in fact he made a very good statement—that he referred to doctors saying they can heal the sick but can’t raise the dead. To some extent, it’s true because there have been many cases where we sent people abroad just to have them sent back in a casket.”

Premier Misick stressed that the Treatment Abroad Programme has been plagued with many issues over the years.

He said: “The Treatment Abroad Programme has gotten out of hand for a number of reasons. One, I think political interference has been a part of that. Certainly, political arm-bending has been a part of it.”

“I don’t want to call names, because I know you know of situations that happened under his administration. And I think I would be lying to the public if I said there wasn’t some arm-bending on our side as well. But this is a wake-up call for all of us, right?”

He continued: “We have to face reality and know and speak the hard truth sometimes. When people are ill and when they’re seriously ill, families want solutions, they want to know that their loved one will get better, and we all pray that they will. Sometimes people get terminally ill and they die, and we have to

Leader of the Opposition Hon Edwin Astwood

Minister of Home Affairs and former Minister of Health Hon Shaun Malcolm

Cheshire Hall Medical Centre (TCI Hospital), Providenciales

WERE THE SIPT TRIALS VALUE FOR MONEY?

The decade-long SIPT trials into government corruption – initiated by the UK – famously cost TCI taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. As the case draws to a close, do you think justice for inappropriately acquired lands and money can offset the hefty bills incurred in the process? Many Islanders believe Britain should have met the costs of what has been the UK’s longest criminal trial in modern history. Notwithstanding the pending verdicts, some concede that it was only fair for TCI to pay to rectify any wrongs instigated by its elected officials and their cohorts. We would like to hear your thoughts on whether the case ultimately offered value for money, and how you believe any freed-up funds should be allocated in the next budget.

Dragged on

The defendants caused it to drag on and thereby continued to cost their own people millions. By the way... What about the bankers?

Justice delayed

The prolonged SIPT trials are a clear example of justice delayed being justice denied. There is no way a trial should last this long, especially at such a heavy financial burden on the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. If wrongdoing occurred, justice should have been swift, fair, and transparent. This inquiry was initiated by the UK; hence, reparations and reimbursement should be made for the tens of millions taken from our taxpayers.

Notably, members of the judiciary, particularly the attorneys collecting over $25,000 per month, never complained about the trial’s duration. This process, in my humble opinion, was not just about justice but also about weakening our people—a tactic reminiscent of slavery, where the strongest were publicly humiliated to break their spirit. I am not condoning corruption,

crimes committed against the people? After a Commission of Enquiry process that started in 2008, public hearings in 2009, a suspension of the Constitution, and the ignoble label of systemic corruption, 17 years have elapsed since this whole debacle started. The question remains: was the appointment of the SIPT regime, the process taking a mighty long time, you wonder what they were looking for?

Now the defendants did indeed employ delay tactics to “stretch things out”, bringing baseless motions, one after another, which led to obvious rulings, producing “nothing but delay”. For the process to take nearly twenty years, these former ministers and others have only themselves to blame. Legal aid was afforded to many of them, and it begs the question: how could former ministers, with access to vast swathes of wealth, be so indigent as not to afford proper counsel? Local residents, who know better, are laughing at how “pleased we are” to vote to “rip ourselves off”. Millions are being paid to “play the game”. It is a local issue, and the sad thing is, the taxpayers of the TCI are footing the bill.

were playing; ‘their boys were in the TCI, making millions, former ministers were being played, and they needed to pretend that “all was well in paradise” when in fact it was not.

A serious plot to take over

but if individuals were guilty, they should have been prosecuted efficiently, banned from political office for a period of time, fined, and their assets sold to repay the public purse.

As this decade-long case finally nears its end, it wasn’t worth it because it could have and should have been way shorter. Millions could have been better spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic growth. Britain should meet the costs as the funds spent should now be directed towards improving the lives of our people.

Complete farce

It’s been a complete farce. Corruption, especially political, is extremely damaging to modern economies and should be dealt with very effectively and efficiently. There may be something really evil occurring in the dark.

Games being played

The question is: what is the objective of these ‘never-ending trials’? Are they in place to ensure justice or to hide greater

Blame game

There is only one reason that the British ought to pay the “bill for the crimes against the Turks & Caicos people” by the locally honed and grown PNP Government of 2003-2009, and that’s the harbouring of the known acts of corruption during that deadly phase. During the Michael regime of 2003 through 2009, the Turks & Caicos Islands, as a nation and a people, lost lands, a future, a constitutional order, and control of their destiny.

The problem is most locals are so hypocritical, they cannot and will never face the truth. Even though the British were a critical part of this, it was local native leaders who sold their own people out. In all of this, the British played a ‘deadly game’ in pretending that nothing was going on in the islands, and they publicly said so, even though huge boxes of facts and evidence were being sent to them by the public and the office of the Governor.

One UK Prime Minister stated after receiving “all of that evidence of public corruption in the TCI”, publicly and glibly, “we have no evidence of corruption in the Turks & Caicos Islands”. It was a game they

A number of things are clear to rightthinking people in the TCI. Before 2003, the Turks & Caicos Islands people had a real constitution, which was in place since the days of JAGS McCartney in 1976. It gave the islands a modicum of self-government, where elected ministers, on behalf of the people, had what was deemed the final say in the running of government. Apparently, this was too much for the people. So, a plot ensued where a group of young, mindless officials were elected to commit all kinds of acts, such as giving the country and its lands away. As a result, there was an outcry, and the warning was given that “if something was not done, we would not have a country”. Ironically, “something was done” in the form of a Commission of Enquiry and SIPT investigations, by which time the “country was gone, finished, and given away”.

The British took over in 2009, and they oversaw the handing over of the rest of the country and its vital assets. West Caicos, 2,500 acres at Middle Caicos, Salt Cay, and all remaining tracts of Crown land—gone. This was a serious part of the British plan, and after that, the country was simply given away. When the Constitution was returned in 2012, ministers truly became servants of the Crown, and the islands were set back a further 50 years. It was a British plot born out of jealousy, but it took local so-called

$17.1m payout to InterHealth Canada ...

come to terms with that.”

The back-and-forth between the government and the opposition highlighted the deep divisions and disagreements over past decisions and current financial obligations.

The $17.1m payout serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls of long-term contracts, and the importance of transparent and accountable financial management.

CONTRACT IN JEOPARDY

In November 2024, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) announced that it was taking a firm stance against InterHealth Canada (IHC), the operator of the nation’s two major hospitals.

Citing concerns over value for money and service quality, the government is set to enforce its contractual rights, potentially leading to financial penalties, mandated service improvements, or even contract termination.

The relationship between TCIG and IHC has been strained due to perceived underperformance by IHC.

The government contends that IHC has not consistently met the “best in class” services stipulated in the contract.

Recent months have seen intensified efforts by TCIG to hold IHC accountable, including the engagement of specialist PPP advisors.

This scrutiny has reportedly uncovered areas of noncompliance, providing TCIG with leverage to pursue contractual remedies.

The Cabinet’s decision to enforce contractual rights could have significant implications for IHC and the future of healthcare delivery in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Potential actions include the imposition of financial deductions, the enforcement of service improvement plans, or even the government stepping in to directly provide services. In a worst-case scenario for IHC, the contract could be terminated entirely.

The Turks and Caicos government signed a 25-year PPP contract with InterHealth Canada in 2008/09 to build and operate two hospitals in the territory—the Cockburn Town Medical Centre on Grand Turk and the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Providenciales.

ELECTION PETITION GOING TO TRIAL

Judge Chris Selochan has ordered a further examination of the PDM’s claim that a faulty voting system was used at the 7 February general election. Last week, the judge ordered that the matter will go to trial this May. However, the PDM failed to convince Judge Selochan that agents of the ruling party engaged in bribery and corruption to secure the PNP’s massive victory.

Should the PDM manage to convince the court that there were indeed irregularities in the ballot papers and voting machines, as well as other discrepancies, they want fresh elections called.

PDM should go sit

Tell the PDM to go sit small and sit down! As a poll worker contracted by TCIG, I observed no irregularities with the ballot papers or voting machines—the process was efficient, fair, and transparent.

What the PDM should be focusing on is the number of individuals who received bribe money for votes. The white truck parked at the PDM tent at Bethany Baptist Church and the black SUV in plain sight at the Smart parking lot, across the street (near the pedestrian crossing from the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Centre), were clear examples of where candidates and operatives blatantly handed out money undercover after voters exited the station.

Next elections, the candidates’ tents should be side by side and under a CCTV camera. God is in control, and His will shall be done in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

public knew the results in the middle of the night, the same time as when the old paper system was used. The electronic balloting machines were simply not needed. If these issues are not properly investigated and weighed by the courts, a large number of voters could be impacted and disenfranchised.

Supervisor of elections

leaders to sell the country and people out. It stands to reason that the British should be made to pay for the trials and the purchase of the TCI, which led to this point.

Opportunities lost

One can look back at it all and realise that quite a few million dollars were deployed to these SIPT trials and “tribulations”. The true cost will perhaps swell to $300 million by the time it is “all over, said and done”.

One can only imagine what a government with a heart for the people could have done with all of that money. Scholarships for all that qualified into places of

higher learning, a local bank that would lend to the people at low interest rates—unlike the “big boys who lend to their own and not to anything local”.

The list is long, but now there are so many empowerment opportunities that escape the people because of these trials. Yes, the British permitted and perhaps orchestrated a lot of the alleged corruption, but they do not care; the people must pay, not the Brits. You, the people, must pay for the cost of the British occupation. That is how it started.

The trials are indeed a drain on the people. Most of the islands outside of Providenciales remain underdeveloped and “underdeveloped”, and there is no plan or agenda to do anything because SIPT trials come first.

Expected

It is by nature expected that after an election there would be—and must be—an election petition. In some cases, these petitions succeeded in overturning an already “

Why electronic balloting?

There are fewer than 10,000 registered voters in the TCI, so why would a country so small need electronic voting machines? In local parlance, “it don’t make no sense.” Something was bound to go wrong, and owing to the many alleged errors, something did go wrong—a lot “did go wrong.”

The issue of democracy

The real culprits here are the electronic voting machines, which are subject to attacks, vulnerabilities, and interference. They were not suitable for the islands, and the islands were not ready for them. In fact, the

A lot of vitriol and social media attacks were directed at the office of the Attorney General. It is as if the AG’s Chambers is responsible for any errors that the Supervisor of Elections may have committed. The Chambers can only advise; government departments do what they like. Any other result would lead the Chambers to micromanage the government. The results are bizarre nonetheless. It begs the question, on the other hand, why would the AG’s Chambers fight an election petition of this nature when it is clear that the Office of the Supervisor of Elections “elected” not to follow the Elections Ordinance and went on a “frolic of its own,” printing the ballots in a manner contrary to the precise requirements of the Elections Ordinance?

Questionable results

To achieve the kind of result that the PNP did, huge surges and swings would have been required, representing changes to the “other side” of at least 1,200 or 1,500 votes. In other words, it would have required PDM leaders, candidates, and their families to vote PNP to end up with another lopsided government.

This government went into the elections unpopular, divided, and with many voters resolved to vote the Premier out. It would be really interesting if the voting machines were jettisoned and elections conducted the old-fashioned way. It is possible that the result would be dramatically different.

It is the Office of the Supervisor of Elections that is at issue here. The islands have had fresh elections before, and they did not disappear as a result. Let the courts rule, and if there must be new elections, “let it rip.”

Former Immigration boss charged with employing man on ‘Stop List’

Former Minister of Immigration in the PDM Government, Vaden Delroy Williams and former Director of the Environmental Health Department Kenrick Neely have been officially charged with corruption while in public office.

The men appeared in the Magistrate court on Monday, March 24, before Chief Magistrate Jolyon Hatmin charged with offences stemming back to 2018 and 2019.

King’s Counsel, Andrew Mitchell appeared for the Crown, while Williams was represented by King’s Counsel Oliver Smith, and appearing for Neely was attorney Clayton Greene.

The men appeared in a Providenciales courtroom charged separately.

Count one on the indictment against Williams alleged that between June 1 and July 31, 2019, while he was the Minister of Immigration, he recklessly allowed his private interests as owner Director of E&V Equipment Ltd, a registered company in the Turks and Caicos Islands, to improperly influence his conduct, while in the performance of his duties. Williams is accused of making representation to the then Governor

from the immigration (travel) stop list. Mitchell told the court that Williams was at the time seeking to employ Sanchez to work for his company.

In the second charge, the former Minister of Immigration is alleged to have employed Sanchez, a person prohibited by

law from engaging in any gainful occupation, between August 23 and November 21, 2019.

Williams was granted $35,000 bail. He will appear in the Supreme Court on May 2, for a sufficiency hearing.

Kenrick Neely, meanwhile, was granted $20,000 bail on a charge of financial misconduct.

The allegation against him is

that on October 26, 2018, while in the performance of his duties as a public officer, namely the Director of the Environmental Health Department of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Neely awarded a contract to T&C Collections and Management Ltd, owned wholly or part by Vaden Williams – a personal friend.

Mitchell told the court that Neely failed to properly perform his

duties as ascribed under the Public Procurement Ordinance. He is said to have acted unethically through his failure to recognise and deal with a situation where an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest may arise, before awarding the contract to his friend.

The former director will also appear in the Supreme Court on May 2 for a sufficiency hearing.

Police bust up popular Provo ‘whorehouse’, charge proprietors

– 20 Dominican and Colombian women suspected victims of trafficking in custody

Oren Walkin 50, and 45-year-old Maria Alexander Pineda De Walkin have been charged with human trafficking, keeping a brothel for prostitution, and a slew of other related charges following intensive police investigations.

Oren, a resident of South Dock Road, was charged with six counts of trafficking in persons and one count of keeping a brothel used for prostitution. Maria, also known as ‘Kasandra’, also of South Dock Road was charged with six trafficking in persons, one count of controlling prostitution for gain and one count of keeping a brothel used for prostitution.

They both appeared before a Magistrate on Monday, March 25. They were each granted $50,000 bail with several conditions. Bail conditions include surrendering all travel documents; no travel outside of TCI without seeking the court’s permission at least 24 hours in advance for a bail variation; report to the specified police station on the specified days and times; reside at the specified location; inform the court of any change in their home

address; and no contact should be made with the victims, whether by themselves, their servants, or agents acting on their behalf.

The two will appear in the Supreme Court on May 2, for a sufficiency hearing.

The Walkins were first arrested on March 20, 2025, by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Serious Crimes Unit. This was following a four-

month investigation into human trafficking.

After extensive investigative efforts, interviews, and consultation with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the charges were laid.

Police said that on October 3, 2024, acting on intelligence, officers proceeded to a bar along South Dock Road. Upon arrival, they executed a search for firearms

along, also serving the proprietors with a search warrant in relation to human trafficking paraphernalia, receipts, books, and other records. During the operation, several items were seized.

Authorities said that they also discovered 20 women of Colombian and Dominican nationalities, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, at the establishment during their search.

While many residents have welcomed the closure of the establishment and the charges laid on the owners, they are calling for similar condign action to be taken at the other places on iniquity around Providenciales.

“If you going to do for one do for all. This is unacceptable and unfair. Start Gracebay by (name withheld) and them bars where the price for… starts at 350,” one commentor stated on the Police Facebook page.

Another believes the issue is so prevalent that the closure of the bar has no impact on the problem of prostitution in the islands. “Man this applies to every single bar in

the TCI. This bar ain’t special” Others are skeptical anything significant will come of the recent development: “I won’t be surprised if they get off just like everyone else lately. We say we want things like this cleaned up, but we complain when it is actually happening.”

However, police are optimistic that the arrest and charges will have an impact on the fight against human trafficking in the Turks and Caicos Islands, calling it a “step forward”.

They said: “Our officers remain committed to identifying, investigating, dismantling and prosecuting those who seek to exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain. We will continue working closely with our partners to ensure justice is served.”

Residents are encouraged to come forward with any information related to human trafficking and report it confidentially. Notify the closest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or on the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.

Former Minister of Immigration, Vaden Delroy Williams

Kenrick Neely, former Director of the Environmental Health Department

John Freeman to remove Gerado Gill Sanchez

Maria Pineda De Walkin Oren Walkin

Reckless yacht incident sparks outrage and investigation into whale harassment in TCI

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The turquoise waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands, renowned for their breath-taking beauty and vibrant marine life, recently became the stage for a disturbing ordeal.

An investigation has been launched into alleged illegal and unsafe interactions with North Atlantic Humpback Whales, majestic creatures that grace these waters during their annual migration.

This unfolding situation has ignited public outrage and thrust the delicate balance between tourism and environmental protection into sharp focus.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) is now actively probing reports of reckless behaviour by a private yacht near Grand Turk on March 10, 2025.

The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resource Management (FMRM), and the Customs Department have joined forces to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident.

According to a statement from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), authorities have successfully identified the vessel in question and have already initiated discussions with the yacht’s captain upon its return to Providenciales.

“Further inquiries are underway to ensure full compliance with marine protection laws.”

The gravity of the situation is underscored by a stern warning issued by the Minister of Tourism, the Hon Zhavargo Jolly.

In a powerful statement, he declared, “The North Atlantic Humpback Whale migration is one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles in the world. It is both an environmental treasure and an economic asset. By protecting this phenomenon, we not only preserve our marine ecosystem but also support the eco-tourism industry that benefits our people. Let me

be absolutely clear—reckless and illegal interactions with these animals will not be tolerated. Violators will face consequences. Our laws are in place to protect our waters, our wildlife, and our way of life, and we will enforce them without hesitation.”

His words resonate with a sense of urgency and a commitment to uphold the laws designed to protect the fragile marine ecosystem.

The catalyst for this investigation was a deeply concerning account shared by a resident, Mr. Kell Talbot, who witnessed the alleged disturbing behaviour firsthand.

In a passionate Facebook post dated March 10, Mr. Talbot recounted his experience: “So today I was out whale watching when I noticed this yacht came from Great Sand Cay and came all the way around to Cotton Cay where we were. At first I didn’t think much of it until they started circling as if they were chasing [the] whale. We watched for a bit until they launched their tender boat and took off. They caught up with a mother and calf pair of whale. They jumped in with the loud Sea doos and if that’s not bad enough when the whales swam away from them the smaller boat started circling them to try and chase them back towards the people so they could see them.”

Mr Talbot’s narrative paints a vivid picture of what he perceived as a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of the whales.

His frustration was palpable as he continued, “At this point I’d had enough so I went over and ask them not to do it. One asked \” so what are you doing? \” I simply told him that I have to pay fee’s for licenses (too many)so reluctantly they went back to the yacht. We moved on but I could see they were just waiting for us to leave so they could go back.”

His account suggests a persistent and deliberate attempt to interact with the whales in a manner that he considered harmful and intrusive.

Further adding to his concern, Mr Talbot revealed, “After a bit of

investigation come to find out that this is a working boat that charges £7000 per week per person. How is this right? How is this possible?”

His questions strike at the heart of the issue, raising concerns about the potential exploitation of these magnificent creatures for profit and the need for greater oversight of such operations.

He further emphasised the importance of the whales’ time in the shallow waters, stating, “These whales come here for safety of the shallows for their young ones. The whole time they’re here they’re not feeding so the mothers have to feed these calves for months off reserves and make the migration thousand of miles back to their feeding grounds. So any unnecessary moment makes them burn their reserves unnecessary which could very well determine their Fate. It wouldn’t surprise me is some of them don’t

Grand Turk

make it back to their feeding grounds because of some of the things I see happening out there.”

His passionate plea concluded with a reminder of the importance of eco-tourism, “But on another note Eco tourism is what we live off and I would love to see it for the future generations. Kell’s always watching !!”

The DECR has been quick to remind all water users of the strict regulations in place to protect the whales. These regulations include prohibitions against SCUBA and free-diving, touching, feeding, chasing, or encircling whales; operating vessels too close to whales (minimum safe distances are 100 meters, and 200 meters for mothers with calves); using personal watercraft such as jet skis or underwater scooters to observe whales; flying drones near whales

without prior approval; using flash photography underwater; and making loud noises that could disturb the animals. Violations of these regulations can lead to legal action under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance and National Parks Ordinance.

The TCI Government has issued a strong call for responsible marine conduct, urging all vessel and tour operators to adhere to established marine protection laws and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. They emphasise that swimming with whales should only be done through certified operators to ensure both human and animal safety.

The humpback whale migration is described as “a privilege to witness,” and the government stresses that it is the “collective responsibility of residents, visitors, and tour operators to ensure these majestic creatures remain protected.”

Man accused of smuggling contraband into prison, granted bail

Jimmy Toussaint, 20, of North Back Salina, Grand Turk, has been granted $1500 bail after being charged with introducing prohibited articles into HM Prison—Home of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.

Toussaint was formally charged on March 17, 2025, under the Prisons Ordinance and is scheduled to appear in court on April 3, 2025.

According to police reports, on Sunday, February 23, 2025, during a routine visit, prison officers searched items brought in by Toussaint. It is alleged that contraband was discovered hidden inside food intended for an inmate.

Officers of the Royal Turks

Jimmy Toussaint of North Back Salina, Grand Turk

and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) responded, leading to Toussaint’s arrest. (Olivia Rose)

Humpback whale breaching off Grand Turk (Photo Kaieri Photography)

Swimmers who allegedly assisted in disrupting whale activities (Photo: Kell Talbot)

Let people do their jobs

No need for personal attacks

INTRODUCTION

Everybody has roles to play, and more than likely, people have been trained to occupy their respective roles.

This can be achieved by ensuring that the job holder knows what is required of them through the job description.

There is no need to micromanage people or bring people down each time that person make a mistake. Mistakes are inevitable, and they should be addressed. However, don’t use those mistakes to judge the person’s performance. Don’t attack the job holder. We often believe we can do better than others until we’re in their position and understand it’s harder than it seems.

LET PEOPLE DO THEIR JOBS

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.

Supervisor of Election and the Attorney General and so she has the right to defend the matter. She is not defending the Progressive National Party. As far as I know, the PNP has its own attorney. Therefore, leave the woman alone and stop attacking her personally. The role of Attorney General is challenging, but someone must do it, so let the woman do her job.

assuming they will be provided for you. Perhaps your supervisor does not even know you do not have the resources, so let them know. Constantly review your job description and make sure you are carrying out your duties. In fact, work beyond your duties.

CONCLUSION

Provide employees with the necessary resources and tools to do their jobs effectively.

Provide constructive feedback and be honest in the appraisal process. Don’t get personal with the job holders. Job holders are being attacked internally and

No matter what role a person is in, give them an opportunity to perform. We spend so much time complaining and finding faults about others and maybe the problem is us and not them.

externally. Mind you, they must be held accountable and appraised, but they should not have to endure personal attacks.

Let me share this example of letting people do their jobs, but this is from an external point of view. With the recent election petitions, there are some personal attacks on the Attorney General. Let the woman do her job. There is no need to attack her. Some of the petitions are against the

EMPLOYEES DO THEIR JOB

I want to encourage employees to do their jobs. People are watching you from inside and outside. Do not take your job for granted. If your supervisor does not give your feedback, request feedback as often as possible. If you are unable to do your job due to a lack of tools and resources, let the right person know. Don’t just sit there

We just do not know what some people are going through on the job. Some individuals do not receive an opportunity to perform their jobs. If you hire someone to do something, then let them do it. If you think they are not doing their job, have an honest conversation with them so they can improve. One of the successful keys in any job is effective communication. When there is less or no communication, people make their own assumptions and start attacking people personally.

Uncommon forgiveness

Unforgiveness is a cancer that kills relationships and wreaks havoc in the souls of those who harbour it. Jesus presents a clear and urgent call to forgive others in order to free us from this tyranny in Matthew 18:15-34.

THE MAGNITUDE OF FORGIVENESS

Peter’s question in verse 21, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” reflects a human tendency to quantify forgiveness. Jesus’ response—“not seven times, but seventy-seven times”—shatters the notion of limitation. Forgiveness, in God’s kingdom, is boundless.

To illustrate, Jesus shares the parable of the unforgiving servant. A servant, burdened by an impossible debt of ten thousand

talents (millions of dollars in today’s currency), pleads for mercy. Remarkably, the king not only grants him patience but cancels the debt entirely. This act of extraordinary grace is contrasted with the servant’s behavior: he refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed by a fellow servant. The hypocrisy and lack of mercy lead to his downfall.

The message is clear: we are recipients of a forgiveness far greater than we can comprehend. The immense debt forgiven by the king symbolizes the weight of our sin and the cost of God’s grace. To withhold forgiveness from others, especially for comparatively minor offenses, reveals a heart disconnected from the transformative power of God’s mercy showered upon us through Jesus’ sacrifice.

FORGIVENESS IS FREEDOM

Forgiveness is often misunderstood

as weakness. However, Matthew 18 reveals that it is a courageous act of strength and liberation. Forgiveness frees the forgiver from the burden of bitterness and creates the possibility for restoration and healing. It breaks the cycle of vengeance and allows God’s grace to flow through us to others.

Jesus warns that unforgiveness carries serious consequences: “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart”. This sobering statement reminds us that forgiveness is not optional for believers. It is the hallmark of a heart transformed by God’s love.

WHY UNCOMMON FORGIVENESS MATTERS

In a world often characterized by division and retaliation, uncommon forgiveness stands out as a testament to the gospel. It reflects God’s character and

draws others to Him. Forgiveness is not merely an act but a lifestyle rooted in gratitude for the mercy we have received. It’s a bold declaration that we trust God’s justice and sovereignty, even when forgiveness feels undeserved. This radical forgiveness doesn’t deny the pain caused by offenses but seeks to redeem it. It invites reconciliation while acknowledging that some relationships may remain changed. The essence of forgiveness is not forgetting but choosing to release the offender from the debt owed, trusting God with the outcome.

A CHALLENGE

Matthew 18:15-34 challenges us to let go of the grudges and burdens of the past. It’s an invitation to embrace the freedom that comes from forgiveness and to reflect God’s boundless grace in our relationships. In doing so, we participate in God’s work of reconciliation and reveal His kingdom on earth.

Uncommon forgiveness is not easy, but it is transformative. As we forgive, we experience the depth of God’s mercy and extend His love to a world desperately in need of it. Let this year be marked by hearts free of bitterness and lives that mirror the grace of our Savior.

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.

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

TCI would do well to pay attention and demand answers

You would think that for a government that celebrated winning an election overwhelmingly just a month and fortnight ago, Turks & Caicos and its people would be in great shape. Far from it. Just before the election, the Overseer Britishsent governor approved a relief stimulus package for handout sought by the sitting government. Then the election took place in a setting that swirled with complaints of corruption, fraud and bribery, illegal voting, and actually improper voting on a hasty ‘neverbefore-used’ voting system. The process was so ‘irregular that the losing party, the PDM, filed a case in Court against the government. Now here is what we have: Within weeks of the governor approving the stimulus payout our T&C government is facing a financial shortfall based on local reports. Then in the Court case brought by the PDM the Attorney General (AG), the agent of the Crown for their legal interests, filed in Court opposing the PDM lawsuits. What? Is T&C government to be taken seriously by anybody, or is it a total joke?

BY BEN ROBERTS

Ben is a writer and published author of the novel ‘Jackals of Samarra,’ at Amazon.com. He is a Turks & Caicos Islander who often contributes articles to T&C local newspapers. He is a founding member of the NGO Turks & Caicos Forum (TC Forum) that gives voice to matters Turks & Caicos Islands. Contact him at: grandt730@aol.com

On the matter of the governor’s decision to approve payout. Doing this and then shortly thereafter declaring financial ‘dire straits’ is a neon sign for the horrendous and poor quality of Administrative Oversight by the British in regard to T&C. It is clear these people cannot oversee even a latrinebuilding operation. Now the other view is that the British, by this behaviour, put no premium on the interests of T&C and are out to damage them in any way possible. Anyone thinking this line of thought far-fetched should find, or request from me a previous article where, at the United Nations, the British voted ‘ABSTAIN’ on a vote

where members passed a resolution approving assistance for T&C (and other Caribbean places) when they were hammered by the twin disasters of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Not hearsay. I was the one at the UN for the Turks & Caicos NGO, TC Forum, making the plea for T&C that saw the petition become a resolution. Moreover, what nonsense is this that a woman sent to T&C by the British without approval or agreement from the govt or citizens is allowed to sit in judgment deciding whether or not the citizens of the country warrant relief? Remember their UN decision! A bunch of calculating ‘sly foxes’ who are not to be

trusted under any circumstances. A direct quote from a random African acquaintance, only with language more colourful.

Then now the other ‘agent of the Crown.’ The AG. What is this woman doing filing complaint opposing the PDM for their lawsuits? This is their Constitutional right as representatives to file in Court if they feel there were irregularities in the election process that disadvantaged the voting public. Is the AG unaware of this, or is this simply a case of feeling empowered to do as she likes no matter how outrageous it turns out to be? She is here taking action against the interests of the people in violating their right to contest the credibility of an election process. And in doing so she is meddling in the political affairs of T&C, and making herself appear to be favouring one side over the other. Not a good look. This is something outside her portfolio, as she is a certified agent for the Crown. Can we not argue from these developments that both the governor and AG, premier agents

of the Crown and its Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), are grossly interfering in the political affairs of T&C and its people? The judge, Hon Mr Selochan, was right in denying her claim. But he was wrong in striking claims brought by the PDM of voting irregularities having to do with bribery and paying for votes simply because no one came forward to verify this. In a small place like T&C who will do any such thing? Moreover, if those people had been paid to vote it is unlikely they will, on receipt of monies, come forward to confess to such. What this judge could have done was set aside those claims, and in the meantime constitute a panel authorized to take depositions privately and under oath, to determine whether or not any such things occurred, and then rule on it. Not entertaining voting irregularity due to no one coming forward does not say much for the Court and its role as ‘trier of facts.’ But the main point of this article is not what was alluded to above. The prevalent issue here has to do

Five ways to master the art of going slow

There’s a hidden treasure in going slow. Yes, you heard me right. Don’t panic, don’t fret! If you’re late, there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it now—except maybe send a text and hope they buy your totally legitimate excuse. But at least, when you arrive, you should show up unphased and unbothered. Enter the art of going slow, my friends.

I had an epiphany at 8:54 AM while I was standing in the grocery store, holding a shopping list that could double as a medieval scroll. But wait, there’s more. I had a meeting scheduled for 9:30 AM—on a Saturday. That’s right. A Saturday meeting.

Instead of panicking and racing through the aisles like a headless chicken, I made a choice: Nope, I’m doing this slowly, peacefully, and with purpose. Sure, I’ll be late, but I’m going to be the calmest, most

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

in-control late person you’ve ever seen. I apologized for being tardy, then carried on through the avocado section with zen as you do on Saturday mornings. You know what’s more unsettling than being late?

Watching someone scramble around like they’re auditioning for an action movie. Take your time, sis. It ain’t that serious. The world will not crumble if you’re five minutes late. Guaranteed. Let the chaos zoom around you while you stroll through your day, unbothered. After all, the

only thing more stressful than being late is trying to outrun it.

SO, HERE’S HOW YOU CAN MASTER THE ART OF GOING SLOW:

1. THE 5 O’CLOCK TEAM

Wake up early and get your messy self together. You’ll have plenty of time to line up your day. Take at least 15 minutes to prepare your body for the daunting task of standing up. Have your coffee, tea, or whatever fuels your

morning. Why the rush? Give yourself some time before you take on the world.

2. TALK SLOW

Say it once, but say it with control. There’s nothing more attractive than someone who speaks with purpose and knows how to pace themselves. Confidence? Yes, please!

3. NOT THE RAT RACE

Beat the traffic by leaving 30 minutes before rush hour hits. Be good to yourself. Don’t let those crazy drivers drag you into their chaos. Your sanity is worth more than trying to race the clock.

4. A PAUSE FOR THE SOUL

Going slow isn’t just about the external world—it’s also about carving out moments of solitude. Take your bathroom breaks seriously. Don’t rush it. Let it all go.

5. WIND-DOWN

The art of going slow really shines when the day winds down. You’ve survived the hustle—now it’s time for the grand finale: the evening couch session. Do nothing, honey. Absolutely nothing.

Going slow isn’t about laziness—it’s about embracing life at a leisurely pace and giving yourself permission to just be. So, the next time someone asks why you’re moving at a glacial pace, respond confidently: “I’m not slow; I’m an artist of life’s little moments.” And if they don’t get it, just smile, take a deep breath, and continue on your slow journey. You might even beat them there.

Feel free to contradict and share your own viewpoint if you’re open to that: @Daviid.l2 on Instagram.

MoH urges parents to be vigilant against the spread of communicable diseases

Health authorities are actively monitoring reports of students exhibiting symptoms of vomiting and or diarrhea, as well as chickenpox across several schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The warning came this week from the Ministry of Health, with a warning to parents to remain vigilant given the high rate of transmission in school settings. These communicable diseases, which can spread from person to person or from animals to people, may be caused by either viral or bacterial infections.

A statement from the ministry on Tuesday 9 March 25) called on parents to be mindful if their child is showing any symptoms, as it is crucial that they stay home and seek medical advice before returning to school.

Chickenpox is highly contagious. The disease - caused by the varicella zoster virus - can spread one to two days before the rash appears and continues to be contagious until the rash scabs are over, which typically occurs five

to six days after onset. Symptoms often appear one to three weeks after exposure.

Symptoms before the rash include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and headache. Some common rash symptoms are itchy, fluid-filled blisters that later scab over. The initial rash may appear on the chest, back, and face, spreading to other parts of the body, including the mouth, eyes, and genital area. The rash typically scabs over within five to seven days

While most healthy individuals recover without complications,

certain groups may face complications which can include bacterial infections of the skin, pneumonia (lung infection), brain swelling (encephalitis), bloodstream infections (sepsis) and dehydration.

Those at higher risk include individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns.

The ministry advises that children with chickenpox should stay home until all spots have scabbed over, usually about five days after the rash appears.

Effective home care includes

The perfect bed for the perfect guest

Making your bed may seem like a mundane daily task, but when done with care, it can transform your bedroom into a haven of peace and luxury. Turks & Caicos Villas and Garden, we know that details make all the difference. Here’s how you can make your bed with the finesse and attention to detail of a five-star hotel.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT

PRODUCTS:

It all starts with choosing the right bedding. Opt for high-quality sheets, ideally made of cotton or percale, known for their softness and durability. High-density threads provide an incomparable feeling of luxury and comfort. On the top of the line, you will find exceptional bed linen online from the most prestigious French manufacturers such as Garnier Thiebaut, Brun de Vian Tiran or Alexandre Turpault. And from Oprah’s best sheets: Cariloha, Cozy earth, Miracle, and for the best affordable brand: Peach skin sheets and Nollapelli.

A good mattress is the basis of everything. You have to combine comfort and support, essential for a restful night’s sleep. A good quality mattress not only supports your body, it also creates a perfect base for a flawless bed.

MATTRESS PROTECTION:

Start by installing a quality mattress protector, which protects the mattress and increases its comfort. Make sure it is tight and wrinkle-free.

FITTED SHEET:

Place a well-fitted sheet. The corners should be perfectly nestled under the mattress to prevent any movement during the night.

FLAT SHEET AND BLANKET:

The flat sheet is then placed. Leave an even edge on each side and tuck it under the mattress, starting at the foot of the bed and finishing with the sides. For luxury hotels, the hospital fold is a common practice: tuck the corners of the sheet under the mattress to form a neat and fitted triangle.

drinking lots of fluid and taking pain relief medication like paracetamol/tylenol (avoid aspirin and ibuprofen). Those affected should also refrain from scratching - trimming fingernails and using socks or mittens on the hands can help. Applying cooling gels or creams for comfort and bathing in cool water and patting the skin dry are also effective, as well as wearing loose-fitting clothing

Parents of children who are experiencing vomiting and/ or diarrhea are advised to keep them at home until they are fully recovered and symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Dehydration is a serious risk during these illnesses, so parents should be alert for the following warning signs: Decreased urination, Dry mouth and throat, Dizziness upon standing, Crying with few or no tears and Unusual drowsiness or irritability. If these symptoms arise, parents are strongly encouraged to promptly seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.

General Hygiene Measures to Prevent Illness

To reduce the spread of illness, the Ministry of Health emphasises the importance of regular handwashing with soap and water, especially before meals, after using the bathroom, and before preparing food. This simple practice significantly lowers the transmission of germs that cause various illnesses, including vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.

For those caring for sick individuals, regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces using disinfectants, such as bleach, is essential to help prevent the spread of germs.

The Ministry of Health is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education to closely monitor the situation and take necessary actions.

Parents are encouraged to educate their children about proper hand hygiene and other preventive measures to protect themselves and others from these communicable diseases.

PILLOWS:

Pillows should be fluffed (patted to restore their volume) and arranged according to your preferences. For a touch of luxury, use pillowcases that complement or contrast elegantly with your bedding, but on a personal note I like white bedding all over. I personally like 4 standard pillows and 2 continental European pillows, it makes a great statement.

COMFORTER AND BEDSPREAD:

Place the duvet with its freshly clean cover, evenly across the bed and make a decorative pleat at the top or leave an even border on both sides of the bed. If you use bedspread, comforter, throw or decorative pillow, to add a pop of colour to your room, it’s good for your house, but for short term rental, this leaves something to be desired, because you never know if they are freshly washed for each new customer, which I doubt and a bed should be immaculate.

As a host, dealing with hair clinging to bedding is always a top concern so guests are comfortable

COLUMN DENIS BELANGER

Denis Belanger is a landscaper, he trained in Canada in landscape architecture and studied the Art of Garden in Italy. He arrived in the TCI in 2008, where he first worked for a local company before opening his landscaping company. He then had a personal experience with Property Management, and his love and passion for his new experience gave him the drive to open his company Turks & Caicos Villas and Gardens

and feel like the bedding is clean. You can use wool balls to help loosen hair from bedding in the dryer. As a bonus, I like to add drops of lavender oil to the balls for a natural, fresh, and soothing scent, but you have to be careful with perfumes/oils. I love lavender, as do most people, but many have sensitivities. Another thing for hair, switching from microfiber sheets to cotton sheets can make the biggest difference. Other than that, I always pay attention to bedding and look for obvious hairs and lint to remove while I make the beds, you can simply use a roller. Should you put bird-folded towels on the top of the bed with or without flowers? On a personal note, I think it’s very tacky, but

maybe I’m too much of a bed snob. People like that when they come to a holiday destination, so it’s really up to you. You can do Swans kissing, fish, elephant, flowers, etc. There is a lot of tutorial on YT.

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

If you are a restaurateur, craftsman, sports company or anything else related to tourism and would like us to write about you, do not hesitate to contact me.

Chickenpox: caused by the varicella zoster virus - is highly contagious. (Source: Google)

TCI boasts millions in surplus amidst contentious supplementary budget approval

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Despite heated debate and revelations of significant financial strains in the healthcare sector, the Turks and Caicos Islands government is reporting a robust year-to-date operating surplus of $68.2 million and a net surplus of $55.3 million, demonstrating positive financial performance overall.

As the territory prepares to wrap up the 2024-2025 fiscal year, this financial strength was highlighted as Parliament approved a contentious supplementary appropriations bill for the 20242025 fiscal year.

Premier and Minister of Finance Investment and Trade, Hon Washington Misick presented the 4th Supplementary Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, seeking to increase revenue by $14.1m, from $484.2m to $495.2m.

However, the proposal also included a significant $40.3m increase in expenditure, pushing the total to $557.2m and widening the net deficit to $57.3m.

“This is to some extent, a combination of a cleaning up exercise and to make some lastminute appropriation to ensure that government programs based on the strategic objectives of the government are dealt with,”

Premier Misick stated during the session.

He further explained that the deficit “largely relates to healthcare expenditure and claims against the government, and will be funded from prior years’ reserves.”

A substantial portion of the supplementary budget, $17 million, is allocated to the Treatment Abroad programme, with another $17.1 million designated for claims against the government, including a payment to InterHealth Canada.

The National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) also faced scrutiny.

The Minister of Health and Human Services acknowledged “significant challenges” within

NHIP, leading to an additional $16 million appropriation and $1 million allocated for a financial review “geared towards conducting

a comprehensive review and to ascertain how the government can properly develop and implement and rescue a rescue plan” for NHIP.

Career Coach empowers future professionals at transformative workshop

Renowned career coach and talent development consultant, Mrs Melanie Smith, recently hosted a transformative workshop aimed at equipping participants of the 2025 TCI Top Model Contest with vital skills for professional success.

As the founder of The Recruitment Group, Mrs Smith brought her expertise to the interactive session titled ‘Mastering Interviewing and Networking Skills.’ The workshop, held in Providenciales, was designed to provide aspiring professionals with invaluable tools to navigate interviews, foster meaningful connections, and position themselves for long-term achievement.

Mrs Smith emphasised the dual importance of interviews and networking, describing interviews as a powerful platform for showcasing one’s confidence, value, and unique talents.

“Networking is just as crucial as acing an interview,” she shared, stressing the importance of visibility, relationship-building, and authentic connections in achieving success.

Participants actively engaged in hands-on exercises, including crafting compelling personal introductions, developing networking strategies, and taking part in mock interview sessions to enhance confidence and

communication. The session also covered mastering responses to common interview questions, professional etiquette, and the importance of preparation, punctuality, and dressing for success.

Drawing examples from influential figures in acting, modelling, and business, Mrs Smith challenged attendees to refine their personal brand, identify their unique selling points, and enhance how they present themselves. Although tailored for the modelling and fashion industry, the workshop provided participants with lifelong skills applicable across various careers.

Reflecting on the session, Mrs Smith shared: “Success in any field requires confidence, preparation, and the ability to connect with the right people. This training is about equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to stand out, communicate effectively, and create opportunities for themselves.”

Executive Producer of the TCI Top Model Contest, Mr Courtney Robinson, underscored the significance of these skills in the fashion industry, noting that models must exude personality, confidence, and presence. “From go-sees to industry meetings, models must be open to engaging in meaningful conversations and

effectively networking to secure brand opportunities,” he remarked. The TCI Top Model event launches under the theme ‘Beauty Personified’ on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at The Spa at The Palms Resort, Grace Bay, Providenciales. The 2025 TCI Top Model Contest –En Vogue will follow on Saturday, 31 May 2025, at Brayton Hall in Providenciales. Tickets and tables for both events will be available from Friday, 28 March 2025. This dynamic workshop highlighted the importance of refining professional skills and building personal brands, inspiring participants to rise to the challenges of their industry and beyond.

Mrs Smith brought her expertise to the interactive session

Mrs Smith and the participants

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick

Deficit debate erupts in Turks and Caicos: former finance minister accuses media of “false news”

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A heated debate has ignited in the Turks and Caicos Islands over the government’s financial status, with a newspaper report on a projected deficit sparking public outcry and accusations of “false news” from former Minister of Finance, Hon. Erwin. Jay Saunders and the current Minister of Innovation, Technology, and Information.

At the heart of the controversy is a story published by the Turks and Caicos Weekly News titled “TCI faces $57.3m deficit as healthcare and legal claims skyrocket, Premier reveals in parliament,” which detailed the government’s fourth supplementary estimate for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

While the Weekly News maintains the accuracy and integrity of its report, Saunders has vehemently criticized the media for what he deems as sensationalizing the situation and misinforming the public, setting off a firestorm of discussion and concern.

The Turks and Caicos Weekly News report, published in its March 15-21 issue highlighted Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick’s address to Parliament, where he outlined a supplementary proposal projecting an increased deficit.

According to the report, Premier Misick stated, “The supplementary estimate seeks to increase revenue by $14.1 million from $484.2 million to $495.2 million.

Similarly, the proposal is to increase the expenditure envelope by $40.3 million to $557.2 million and increase the net deficit to $57.3 million. The net deficit largely relates to healthcare expenditure and claims against the government, and it will be funded from prior years’ reserves.”

The report further detailed the proposed increases in recurrent and non-recurrent expenditures and the adjustment for the development fund, citing the Premier’s own words during the parliamentary sitting.

The Weekly News maintains that its report was accurate and devoid of sensationalism and aimed to educate the public on the current state of affairs, not to mislead or misinform.

However, Saunders, during an interview on the talk show “Financially Speaking” with host Drexwell Seymour on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, vehemently disagreed with the portrayal of the financial situation.

He accused the media of sparking public outrage and misrepresenting the government’s position.

He said: “One of the newspapers ran a story around the supplementary

budget, talking about the deficit, and people were commenting on it. They’re attacking everybody. The governor is this… and the premier is this, they’re hiding the truth,” Saunders stated.

He clarified that the government had budgeted a deficit, intending to cover it with a reserve fund of over $400 million, a point the article also highlighted.

“When the premier did the budget in May of last year, he said we’re budgeting a deficit budget, we said we’re gonna budget a deficit budget, which simply means that we’re going to spend more than the revenue that we

are bringing in, right?...and we’re going to cover the difference by the reserve.”

Saunders further emphasized that despite departments not spending their allocated funds, the country is projected to end the year with a surplus.

“So you’re going to end the year where you have more revenue and then you have spending, that’s the reason why every year the country ends up with about $50 million in surplus.”

“Because the Premier as Minister of Finance went out there and said we’re going to increase the deficit to this… people go, the country’s

in deficit. The governor isn’t doing her job, this is going to ruin us.

“The Premier said at the beginning of the budget year, we’re gonna go into a deficit budget this year, and then on that same thing, he said, we’re gonna increase the deficit, and people are like how it’s gonna get paid off ?, and who’s gonna deal with this debt? ,and this is trickery. None of that is correct. It’s all false news and fake news.”

Saunders also defended the government’s financial standing, asserting, “The country has no debt”, and boasted of the $400 million in cash reserves.

He further likened the situation to

an individual with savings, saying, “It’s basically like saying, I make $5,000 a month. I’ve got $20,000 in savings. Yeah, I’m going to spend $6,000 this month, and I’m going to take the extra money out of the 20,000 savings. I still have savings.”

Ironically, by his own admission, Saunders made it pellucid that the report which detailed the supplementary estimates that projected a net deficit of $57.3 million was accurate.

However, his bone of contention is with the public’s slanted perception of the article.

Saunders concluded by stating, “I’m telling you, the country will not end up in a deficit, even if it did, it was budgeted to end up in a deficit, so it’s not a surprise.”

While the Weekly News stands by its factual reporting of the Premier’s statements, Saunders vehemently disputed the interpretation and accuses the media of creating unnecessary panic.

The Turks and Caicos Weekly News will continue to shine a light on the facts, empower the public with information, and uphold the highest standards of integrity, while delivering accurate, balanced, and fair reporting to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

TCI would do well to pay attention ...

CONTINUED FROM  11

with sickness and health. I have gotten from a close-connected and reliable healthcare source that the island of South Caicos is seeing a troubling outbreak of what appears to be a flulike respiratory illnesses that is lingering for much longer than usual; is more debilitating than usual; and is showing itself in a timeframe unusual for such, since the winter period is the time for such. But what is more alarming is that these illnesses seem to have come about right after the explosion and raining down of fiery Spacex rocket fragments over T&C, with some of the landing in South Caicos. Arrivals to South Caicos from Haiti, just 90 miles away, where fragments also fell, have reported a prevalence of the same type of illnesses in that country. This is serious and this source’s observations should not be quickly discounted, as they have been providing medical

healthcare on this island for decades, and is very much in tune with the state of health of the island.

From my perspective, anyone on any island who has fallen ill since this incident, and who has been seriously ill for an unusually long period of time should visit a doctor and see to having blood tests done. My wide medical hospital laboratory experience tells me they should promptly have hematology CBC and Diff work done, with a portion of the serum from those blood tube collections stored both at room temperature and frozen for later chemistry and toxicology testing. A respiratory sample should also be taken for microbiological analysis (my lab specialty area). In fact, there would be no problem for me to facilitate these testing analyses, and the microbiological concern is important to me not because that is my specialty area, but because often space missions have cultures of microbes to

observe how they are affected by space and an absence of gravity. We should not be lulled to sleep by the off-handed claim of an Elon Musk representative after the explosion that, with the falling debris, there was nothing to be concerned about.

Furthermore, the British team that arrived in T&C after the incident announced they were there for recovery efforts. Most inadequate. In their announcement they sounded more like a salvage operation than anything else. Are they not there also to evaluate any potential toxic chemical after effects; radiation after effects; and a general observation of any altered health anomalies? This team should be expected to wrap up their work with a report to the T&C govt for public dissemination; to the UN for their annual Decolonization Committees Working Papers; and to TC Forum the T&C NGO usually making presentation before these committees. And as

for the governor and AG office. Someone remarked that they should try to spend their time figuring out filing cases against Spacex and its owner for liability in exploding debris falling on the heads of T&C citizens, with the possible potential of harming them and their marine ecological system that they rely on for survival.

Here is a closing thought worth mulling over. Is it not strange that these two entities of the Governor and AG’s office went ‘hell for leather’ after visitors entering our country with a single bullet in their luggage, because they considered these developments harmful to T&C and its people. Then a billionaire’s defective product with a poor track record falls on those same citizens heads and they are silent as church mice? How odd. Is this a case of misplaced priorities or ‘selective’ representation. T&C govt had better take this South Caicos ‘illness anomaly’ matter very seriously if they are the representatives they claim to be.

Minister of Innovation, Technology, and Information Hon Erwin Jay Saunders, with host of ‘Financially Speaking’, Drexwell Seymour

Astwood accuses government of scapegoating in NHIB shakeup

BY OLIVIA ROSE

A heated parliamentary debate has exposed deep divisions within the Turks and Caicos Islands government over the handling of the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) crisis.

At the heart of the dispute lies the controversial removal of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, a move the Opposition Leader, Hon Edwin Astwood, has vehemently condemned as a targeted attack and an attempt to scapegoat individuals for systemic failures.

On Friday, March 7, 2025, previous appointments to the National Health Insurance Board, including chairperson Lillian Missick, deputy chairman Carla Blake-Thomas, Secretary Jody Harvey and CEO Dr Lex De Jong were revoked.

During a parliamentary session focused on the Supplementary Appropriations Bill 2024-2025, which included an additional $16m for treatment abroad cases

and $1 million for a financial review of NHIB, Astwood launched a scathing critique of the government’s actions.

“Mr Speaker, I’m taken aback by what I’m seeing happening,” Astwood began, his voice filled with concern.

“I have seen where it was announced that the board members, the ones that were appointed by the Minister and by the Leader of the Opposition, have been removed and the newly hired CEO I think he’s been here for about five months, five to six months, he has been terminated.

“So I’m wondering, with all things going on, why just the appointed members of the board have been removed and the CEO, what is that saying, Mr Speaker, and I do not think that it is those persons fault or they should be at the brunt of this.”

Astwood did not hold back, accusing the government of a deliberate smear campaign.

“So I was taken aback that the powers that stepped in and just

decided to target those individuals and put it out in the public, and to give the impression that these are the individuals that have done something wrong, or these are the individuals who are messing up the program, and we know it’s not so, the general public know this is not the case.

He continued: “However, we’re keeping the ex-officio members on that board, so I do think that that sent the wrong message, and it was never clarified whether these individuals who have been

appointed by the Minister and by the Leader of the Opposition, why were they the ones being scapegoated, I do think that something has to come out to address that that because these are people, and they have volunteered to be placed on that board.”

Responding to the sharp criticism, Hon Kyle Knowles, Minister for Health and Human Services, attempted to clarify the government’s position, emphasising that the actions were taken in accordance with regulations and in the “best interest” of the people.

He said: “To bring some clarity towards what the leader of the opposition is clearly alluding to, and I think that the communications that were sent out, as per the process that is happening with NHIB were quite clear.

“I would also think Mr Speaker, that the leader of the opposition and former Minister of Health and former minister and former cabinet minister will be clear as to the processes, as per the regulations as to when the communication at that level being put through, because, of course, it would speak to the governor and cabinet, meaning that all members and cabinet would have had a position and would have contributed to the communication that would have been disseminated”, Knowles explained.

He added: “So to allude to the fact that Waterloo has complete control over affairs of this nature are completely false.”

Knowles defended the decision to remove the board members, citing regulatory authority.

“We have rules and regulations for a reason, and based on the position that we took as a government, it was merely based on the regulations before us that provided us with the authority or the autonomy to act in the manner

in which we did.

“In doing so, we did so with the interest of the interest of people of these islands at heart, when persons are appointed, they’re there to serve when those services are no longer needed, we thank them for their service based on that so, there was no attempt to victimize anyone or to point fingers at any wrongdoings. We made it their decisions had to be made, and we acted accordingly.”

Knowles further explained the broader context of the NHIP’s challenges and the dire need for intervention.

He said: “We’re merely slowing down some of the bleeding that has been happening to get to the root cause of the problem so that we can course correct but at the same time keeping the treatment abroad process available to our citizens so there won’t be any neglecting in treatment or health care.”

The government’s move to place NHIP under examination, announced earlier this month, comes amid “serious concerns” about the plan’s financial viability.

An interim leadership team has been appointed to oversee a stabilization and rescue plan with a focus on strengthening financial controls and improving operational efficiency.

The NHIP, which provides critical healthcare coverage for citizens and residents, will continue to operate during the examination process.

As the debate rages on, the future of NHIP and the public’s trust in the healthcare system remain uncertain.

The clash between the government and the opposition underscores the gravity of the crisis and the challenges ahead in restoring stability and confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ healthcare infrastructure.

Leader of the Opposition Hon Edwin Astwood

Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon Kyle Knowles

National Health Insurance Board in Providenciales

Ear infection in children

OVERVIEW

An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Anyone can get an ear infection, but children get them more often than adults. Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. In fact, ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to the Pediatrician.

WHAT CAUSES AN EAR INFECTION?

It is usually caused by bacteria and often begins after a child has a sore throat, cold, or other upper respiratory infection. If the upper respiratory infection is bacterial, these same bacteria may spread to the middle ear; if the upper respiratory infection is caused by a virus, such as a cold, bacteria may be drawn to the microbefriendly environment and move into the middle ear as a secondary infection.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EAR INFECTION?

Note that there is no specific symptoms of ear infection in children. Most ear infections happen to children before they’ve learned how to talk. If your child isn’t old enough to say “My ear hurts,” here are a few things to look for:

• Vomiting

• Tugging or pulling at the ear(s)

• Fussiness and crying

• Trouble sleeping

• Fever (especially in infants and younger children)

• Fluid draining from the ear

• Clumsiness or problems with balance

• Trouble hearing or responding to quiet sounds

• Headache

• Crying

• Loss of balance

• Loose of appetite

HOW IS AN ACUTE MIDDLE EAR INFECTION TREATED?

Many pediatricians will prescribe an antibiotic to be taken over seven to 10 days. Your doctor also may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or eardrops, to help with fever and pain.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE MY CHILD TO GET BETTER?

Your child should start feeling better within a few days after visiting the doctor. If it’s been several days and your child still seems sick, follow up with your doctor. Your child might need a different antibiotic. Once the infection clears, fluid may still remain in the middle ear but usually disappears within three to six weeks.

CAN

EAR INFECTIONS BE PREVENTED?

Here are some things you might want to do to lower your child’s risk for ear infections.

• Vaccinate your child against the flu.

• Wash hands frequently. Washing

hands prevents the spread of germs and can help keep your child from catching a cold or the flu.

• Avoid exposing your baby to cigarette smoke. Studies have shown that babies who are around smokers have more ear infections.

• Never put your baby down for a nap, or for the night, with a bottle.

• Don’t allow sick children to spend time together. As much as possible, limit your child’s exposure to other children when your child or your child’s playmates are sick.

• Breast-feed your baby.

COMPLICATIONS

I. Impaired hearing

II. Speech or developmental delays

III. Spread of infection

CONCLUSION

Signs and symptoms of an ear infection can indicate several conditions. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. Take your children to the pediatrician for any sign and symptoms of ear infection. Some children are prone to having multiple ear infections. This can cause hearing problems and other serious complications.

The power of movement: why staying active matters at every age

BY DENIQUE SCOTT Online Fitness Coach

WHY STAYING ACTIVE IS ESSENTIAL

Exercise is often associated with weight loss or building muscle, but its benefits extend far beyond aesthetics. Movement is vital for everyone, from children developing coordination to seniors maintaining mobility. No matter your age, regular physical activity helps you stay healthier, stronger, and more energized.

BENEFITS OF MOVEMENT AT EVERY AGE

CHILDREN & TEENS

- Improves coordination and motor skills

- Enhances brain function and focus - Builds confidence and a

maintain a healthy weight

SENIORS (60S & BEYOND)

- Improves balance and reduces fall risk

- Keeps joints and bones strong

- Supports memory and mental

HOW TO STAY ACTIVE WITHOUT A GYM

You don’t need fancy equipment to stay fit. Here are some simple ways to add movement to your daily routine:

- Walk more – Choose stairs over elevators, take an evening stroll, or park farther away.

- Stretch daily – A few minutes of stretching in the morning and before bed improves flexibility and prevents stiffness.

- Bodyweight exercises – Squats, push-ups, and lunges can be done anywhere—no gym required.

- Enjoy water activities –Swimming is great for joint health, especially in warm climates like TCI.

- Play with kids/grandkids –Running, jumping, or playing sports with them is a fun way to stay active.

MAKE MOVEMENT A HABIT

- Schedule it – Treat movement like any other daily task—set a reminder.

- Make it social – Join a walking group, a dance class, or challenge friends to stay active.

- Start small – Even 5-10 minutes of activity a day can make a big difference over time.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Staying active isn’t just about working out—it’s about moving your body in ways that make you feel good and keep you healthy. Every step counts, no matter your age.

Want more fitness tips? Connect with me on social media for daily health advice!

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

DENIQUE SCOTT

China: Bahamas part of US surveillance strategy

A Chinese cybersecurity report has listed The Bahamas among countries allegedly used as part of a covert surveillance strategy by the United States and its intelligencesharing allies.

The 91-page report, released yesterday by the China Cybersecurity Industry Alliance, details the workings of “IRRITANT HORN”, a surveillance programme previously exposed in 2015 through documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

The programme, allegedly operated by the Five Eyes alliance — comprising the US, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — involved hijacking mobile app downloads from platforms such as Google and Samsung to implant spyware into users’ devices. According to the report, the operation targeted app servers hosted in third-party countries, including The Bahamas.

The document does not suggest that Bahamian citizens were directly targeted or that the Bahamian government played any role in the operation. Instead, it names The Bahamas as one of several countries — alongside France, Switzerland, Cuba, and Russia — where internet infrastructure may have been exploited to facilitate surveillance activities abroad.

The report claims this tactic allowed Five Eyes agencies to conduct intrusive operations while avoiding domestic legal restrictions on spying on their

citizens. The report says that non-Five Eyes countries like The Bahamas were targeted in part because they fall outside internal agreements prohibiting domestic surveillance within the alliance, making them more accessible for such operations.

It remains unclear whether any app servers physically located in The Bahamas were compromised or whether routing paths through Bahamian-based infrastructure were used. The report does not identify specific servers, companies, or dates connected to the country.

The report, which does not appear to have been subject to external peer review and does not have a detailed methodology section, is part of a broader effort by Chinese entities to spotlight US surveillance, though its reference to The Bahamas draws attention to the risks facing smaller nations

that may unwittingly serve as digital staging grounds for global intelligence operations.

The report’s release comes just days after the United States unsealed multiple indictments against a group of Chinese nationals — including alleged government officers and employees of a private contractor — for a years-long global hacking campaign. US authorities accuse the group of targeting government agencies, journalists, religious organisations, and critics of the Chinese Communist Party, including a cyberattack on the US Department of the Treasury in late 2024. The indictments, sanctions, and infrastructure seizures were described by US officials as part of a broader effort to dismantle what they called a “hacker-forhire” ecosystem operating at the direction of China’s Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of State Security.

Kenyan police officer missing after Haiti gang ambush

A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti as part of the international security force has gone missing after an attack by suspected gang members.

The force was attacked by gangs as they were helping a vehicle from the Haitian national police that got stuck in a ditch, the mission said in a statement.

“As the rescue teams attempted to resolve the situation, suspected gang members lying in wait launched an attack,” it added.

Following the attack, specialised teams have been deployed to conduct a search for the missing officer.

The attack happened on Tuesday during a patrol operation in the town of Pont-Sondé, the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to Haiti said.

Haitian media reported that the officer could have been killed by the gangs but this has not been confirmed.

In a statement, the Kenya

National Police Service said it has been notified about the missing officer in Haiti.

It said the officers deployed there remained committed to fulfilling their mandate, despite calls by some Kenyans for the police to return home.

This is not the first attack on Kenyan officers in Haiti.

Last month, a 26-year-old police constable was fatally wounded during an operation in SégurSavien, marking the first casualty among the Kenyan contingent.

Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai’s body was flown back and he was laid to rest this month.

Kenya has deployed at least 800 police officers under the MSS mission to Haiti to help combat gangs.

The force was sent to Haiti in June last year to help restore order to the country, where gangs have seized control of almost the entire capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as many rural areas.

Antigua PM: US ship levies could drive up prices in Region

Consumers in Antigua and Barbuda and across the Caribbean Region could soon face steep price increases for imported goods, following a proposed policy change by the Trump administration, ABS Television reported.

The United States Trade Representative has suggested imposing fines of up to US$1.5 million on Chinese-made ships, or vessels within fleets that include ships made in China, if they dock at US ports.

This proposal, which has raised concerns across the Caribbean, could significantly disrupt freight costs and ultimately drive up consumer prices, according to Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

In an interview on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne expressed

his deep concern over the potential inflationary effects of this move. He emphasized that freight costs would rise significantly, pushing up consumer prices and exacerbating inflation in Antigua and Barbuda, with potential increases of up to 14 percent.

“The analysis has been done, and we’ve been advised that a container typically increases by about three to four thousand US dollars each. If that happens, you’re talking about an increase in

prices by 8 to 10 percent easily,” Browne stated.

The Prime Minister further warned that the move could be devastating to Caribbean economies that heavily rely on supply chains from US ports, underscoring the broad regional implications of the US policy.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is expected to formally engage with the US administration to address the potential consequences of the proposed levies. Browne confirmed that CARICOM is seeking a carveout under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) to shield the region from these disruptions.

“We are not seeking to become involved in the geopolitical issues between Washington and Beijing,” Browne remarked, adding that the

issue has already been discussed at the CARICOM level. “The decision that we took is that the Chairman of CARICOM, Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, will write on behalf of CARICOM as the Chairman to indicate to President Trump the kind of impact that will have on the Caribbean.”

Browne emphasised the importance of the Caribbean Basin Initiative, noting that one of its key objectives is to ensure regional stability. “The United States should be concerned about its third border and any unintended consequences of its policies,” he concluded. As the situation unfolds, Caribbean nations are closely monitoring the proposed changes and considering further action to mitigate the impact on their economies and consumers.

Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti in June to bolster Haiti’s security forces

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne

China and the US are global elites

Bahamas: 400 pounds of rocket debris recovered by SpaceX

Roughly 400 pounds of debris — mostly lightweight silica tiles — have been recovered near Ragged Island following the March 6 explosion of SpaceX’s Starship 8 rocket, the Office of the Prime Minister said yesterday.

OPM said the debris is being transported to the United States for disposal, with all clean-up costs covered by SpaceX. The company launched the operation under the supervision of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) and environmental consultants BRON.

The statement came after former Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira criticised the government in The Tribune yesterday, saying the administration had failed to reveal how much SpaceX would pay for clean-up. He questioned whether the government had

conducted any scientific evaluation of the debris and said residents had a right to know whether hazardous material had fallen on Bahamian territory.

OPM said the tiles recovered were made primarily of silica — essentially sand — and stressed that SpaceX is obligated under the 1972 Space Liability Convention to cover environmental remediation costs.

Officials reiterated that the Starship 8 rocket, which exploded minutes after launching from Texas, was not part of The Bahamas’ regulated partnership with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket programme. Instead, the rocket was operating under the authority of the US Federal Aviation Administration and was intended to pass over multiple countries before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. (Tribune242)

BVI confirms 20 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has confirmed 20 cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in the Virgin Islands.

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronald Georges, stated that these cases were recorded between February 12 and February 27. He noted that the actual number may be higher since mild cases often go unreported.

“To prevent further spread, employers and employees should take precautions in workplaces, childcare centers, and homes,” Dr Georges said.

HFMD is caused by viruses from the Enterovirus group, mainly Coxsackievirus. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, painful mouth ulcers, skin rashes on hands, feet, or buttocks, and general fatigue.

Dr. Georges explained that the virus spreads through contact with an infected person’s saliva, nasal secretions, blisters, or fecal matter. It is common in daycare centers, schools, and other places where children interact closely.

TO PREVENT INFECTION AND SPREAD, THE MINISTRY ADVISES THE PUBLIC TO:

Wash hands often – Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, or before eating.

Sanitize surfaces – Regularly

The cases were recorded last month over a 15-day period

clean toys, doorknobs, countertops, and other frequently touched objects.

Avoid close contact – Do not kiss, hug, or share food and utensils with infected individuals.

Follow proper coughing and sneezing etiquette – Use a tissue or elbow to cover the mouth and nose.

Keep sick individuals at home

– Those with symptoms should stay home until the fever is gone and blisters dry up.

Ensure hygiene in public spaces – Schools and childcare

facilities should enforce strict hygiene measures.

The Environmental Health Division has already inspected 85% of daycares and preschools in the territory to ensure proper hygiene.

Dr. Georges emphasized that HFMD is usually mild, but good hygiene is crucial to stopping its spread. The Ministry is committed to protecting public health and urges everyone to stay informed and take precautions. Doctors and healthcare providers must report all cases to the Public Health Unit. (Stkittsandnevisobserver)

Bishop calls on Bahamians in US illegally to return home before they get deported

Bishop Simeon Hall is calling on Bahamians living illegally in the United States to return home, warning that they could face arrest and deportation if they remain. His appeal was a pastoral response to rising fear and confusion among some Bahamians following the start of a new US administration and heightened immigration rhetoric during the 2024 election cycle. While there has been no official announcement of changes to deportation policy, immigration remains a politically charged issue in the United States, particularly in southern states where many Bahamians travel or reside.

Bishop Hall, former president of the Bahamas Christian Council, is pleading to those Bahamians who do not have legal documentation to live in the US to come home.

“I join my brothers and sisters of the cloth to make a pastoral

Bishop Simeon Hall

call to any and all Bahamians in the United States without proper documents to return home before facing arrest and deportation,” he said in a message. “Any infraction of US immigration laws will follow you and your family the rest of your days.”

He said that America’s judicial and prison systems are sometimes

worse than ours, adding that there is little mercy shown to foreigners breaking their immigration laws.

“America has a right to enforce its laws,” he said. “So, I say to all undocumented Bahamians in the US — Come home! It’s supper time!”

When contacted for comment, the Bahamian Consul in

Washington, D.C., Wendall Jones, acknowledged concerns about Bahamians overstaying their visas in the United States.

“We understand there are about 400 Bahamians in this situation.

We have no way to verify that number, but that is the information that has been circulated, so that is a guesstimate,” he said.

That figure appears to reference a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report released in late 2024, which said 426 Bahamian citizens were under final orders of removal as of November.

These people had not been detained at the time but were part of a broader list of over 1.4 million people from various countries facing deportation.

Mr Jones said there is a relatively small Bahamian diaspora in the United States compared to other countries in the Americas.

“Contrary to what some believe,

Bahamians like to stay home,” he said. “There is a very small number of Bahamians living in the US.”

“We are simply asking Bahamians to obey the law, to respect US laws, and if they wish to return to the US not to overstay their time.”

Mr Jones said people are normally given six months and should not extend their time without proper permission from US immigration authorities. He said people requiring to stay longer for medical reasons should apply for an extension.

“There are Bahamians who now find themselves unable to travel to the United States because, when they attempt to return, they realise they overstayed their time on previous visits and are not able to get a visa.”

“We are asking Bahamians to follow the United States laws just as we expect foreign nationals in The Bahamas to follow our laws.”

Debris was seen falling by many people throughout The Bahamas who shared videos and pictures on social media after a SpaceX Starship

Thousands of jobs at risk as British Steel threatens closure

British Steel is launching a consultation that could see the closure of its two blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, putting up to 2,700 jobs at risk out of a workforce of 3,500.

The company said the blast furnaces were “no longer financially sustainable” due to tough market conditions, the imposition of tariffs and higher environmental costs.

The BBC understands British Steel was expecting a £1bn injection of government money to keep the business going, but was offered £500m.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said the government had made a “generous offer” to British Steel and it would continue to work with the company and its Chinese owner Jingye to secure its future.

British Steel chief executive Zengwei An said the consultations on the closure were “a necessary decision given the hugely challenging circumstances the business faces”.

The director general of trade group UK Steel, Gareth Stace, said British Steel’s announcement was a “pivotal moment” for the sector and the steel industry was “officially in a crisis”.

Community union general secretary Roy Rickhuss called it “a dark day” and urged Jingye and

The company said the blast furnaces were “no longer financially sustainable” due to tough market conditions, the imposition of tariffs and higher environmental costs

the UK Government “to resume negotiations before it is too late”.

The GMB union called it “devastating news”, while Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the potential job losses were “a disgrace”.

“British Steel is guilty of trying to hold the government to ransom, while using its dedicated workforce as pawns,” she said.

British Steel has been owned by Jingye since 2020. The Chinese firm says it has invested more than £1.2bn into British Steel to maintain operations and claims it suffered financial losses of around £700,000 a day.

The company has put forward a £2bn business plan, which was set

out on Wednesday by the company’s chief commercial officer Allan Bell speaking to the Business & Trade Select Committee.

‘’We have concluded that the only viable option for British Steel moving forward to decarbonise is to move to 100% electric arc furnace steelmaking,” he said.

“This is a £2bn project we estimate so it is not a project that the private sector is going to be able to implement without government support.’’

The BBC understands that there had been an expectation the government would meet this investment on a 50/50 basis.

But the government offered £500m, and this was rejected by

British Steel.

Answering an urgent question on the future of Scunthorpe steelworks, Business and Trade Minister Sarah Jones told the House of Commons the government had made a “generous conditional offer of financial support”.

She said the offer followed “months of intensive engagement with British Steel”.

Jones said the company had to “provide the commitments we need and which tax payers would quite rightly expect in exchange for substantial public funding”.

“It is regrettable that they have not yet done so or accepted our offer.”

She called on the company to

reconsider its closure plans and accept the government’s offer.

British Steel said it would “continue to work with the UK government to explore options for the future of the business”.

The company is starting a formal consultation with its workforce and unions over three options:

The closure of the blast furnaces, steelmaking operations and Scunthorpe Rod Mill by early June 2025

The closure of the blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in September 2025

The closure of the blast furnaces and steelmaking operations at a future point beyond September 2025.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “I know this will be a deeply worrying time for staff and, while this is British Steel’s decision, we will continue working tirelessly to reach an agreement with the company’s owners to secure its future and protect taxpayers’ money.

“We’ve been clear there’s a bright future for steelmaking in the UK. We’ve committed up to £2.5bn to rebuild the sector and will soon publish a Plan for Steel setting out how we can achieve a sustainable future for the workforce, industry and local communities.” (BBC)

Starmer accuses Putin of hollow promises on ceasefire

Sir Keir Starmer has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of making “hollow promises” on a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The prime minister co-hosted a summit of allies in Paris to present plans, devised by senior military chiefs, that seek to deter future Russian aggression against Ukraine, including potentially posting troops there.

The so-called “coalition of the willing” meeting came hours after its other co-host, French President Emmanuel Macron, suggested a European reassurance force could “respond” if attacked by Moscow.

It follows separate talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, which led to a ceasefire in the Black Sea being agreed.

Sir Keir told coalition allies that “excellent progress” had been made during the military chiefs’ meeting in London last week, and that Europe was “mobilising together in pursuit of peace, but now we must keep up the momentum”, according to No 10.

But he also accused Putin of “playing games” with the agreement for a naval ceasefire,

which would allow the reopening of trade routes in the Black Sea.

Sir Keir said: “Unlike [Ukraine’s] President [Volodymyr] Zelensky, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks.

“[Putin is] playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea, despite good faith participation from all sides - all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow.”

Speaking alongside Zelensky

after the meeting, Sir Keir said the allies had offered Ukraine their full support “for as long as it takes”.

He said the meeting was “bigger than we have had before”, with 30 countries plus Nato and the European Union represented.

“There was absolute clarity that Russia is trying to delay and playing games, and we have to be absolutely clear about that,” Sir Keir said.

Zelensky said that everybody at the meeting understood “that Russia doesn’t want any kind of peace”, and that they would

discuss security guarantees in the coming weeks and days.

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of breaking the terms of a separate, tentative deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure.

Shortly after Washington announced the Black Sea deal, the Kremlin said it would not take effect until sanctions were lifted on Russian banks, producers and exporters involved in the international food and fertiliser trades.

The concessions demanded by Russia include reconnecting the banks connected to the Swift payment system, lifting restrictions on servicing ships under the Russian flag involved in the food trade, and revoking sanctions on the supply of agricultural machinery and other goods involved in food production.

US President Donald Trump said the US government was “looking at” Moscow’s request - but the EU said it would not consider removing sanctions before the “unconditional” withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine’s internationally-recognised territory.

Speaking after a meeting with Macron on Wednesday, Zelensky said he hoped the US - which is not a part of the coalition of the willing - would “stand strong” in the face of Russian demands to lift sanctions.

The French president said that if a European force protecting a ceasefire in Ukraine came under attack, it would “respond to it”.

“If there was again a generalised aggression against Ukrainian soil, these armies would be under attack, and then it’s our usual framework of engagement,” he said.

“Our soldiers, when they are engaged and deployed, are there to react and respond to the decisions of the commander in chief and, if they are in a conflict situation, to respond to it.”

European officials say that under any peace settlement, Ukraine’s first line of defence against any future Russian attack would be its own army.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said a European force in Ukraine would risk a “direct clash between Russia and Nato”, state-owned news agency Tass reports.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer

Brazil’s Bolsonaro to stand trial on coup charges, court rules

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro will stand trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup against current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, after a ruling from the country’s top court.

The Supreme Court’s fivemember panel voted unanimously in favour of the trial going ahead. It could start as early as this year, and if found guilty Bolsonaro, 70, could face years in prison.

Speaking after the court’s decision, Bolsonaro told a press conference the charges against him were “grave and baseless”. He has always denied trying to block Lula’s inauguration.

“It seems they have something personal against me,” he added in a post on X, referring to the judges.

Bolsonaro says he is the victim of “political persecution” aimed at preventing him from running again for president in 2026.

The panel was tasked with determining whether there was enough evidence to put Bolsonaro

on trial.

The first to cast his vote on Wednesday was the judge heading the panel, Alexandre de Moraes.

He recommended that Bolsonaro, as well as seven other former government officials described by the attorney-general as “co-

Poland suspends migrants’ right to apply

Poland has temporarily suspended the right of migrants arriving in Poland via its border with Belarus to apply for asylum.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced it would be happening after the controversial bill, which will allow Polish authorities to suspend this right for up to 60 days at a time, was signed into law by President Andrzej Duda.

Tusk had said it would be adopted “without a moment’s delay” while Duda said the changes were needed to strengthen security on the country’s borders.

But the law has been criticized by rights groups including Human Rights Watch, which said the EU should take legal action against Poland if it was implemented.

The group urged the country’s

for asylum

parliament last month to reject the bill, saying it “flies in the face of Poland’s international and EU obligations” and could “effectively completely seal off the PolandBelarus border, where Polish authorities already engage in unlawful and abusive pushbacks”.

The government said previously the suspension would only be applied temporarily to people who pose a threat to state security, for example “large groups of aggressive migrants trying to storm the border”.

Exemptions will be made for unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, the elderly or unwell, anyone exposed to “real risk of serious harm” by being returned and citizens of countries accused of conducting the instrumentalization of migration - like Belarus

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Bolsonaro, a former army captain and admirer of US President Donald Trump, governed Brazil from January 2019 to December 2022.

He narrowly lost a presidential election run-off in October 2022 to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Bolsonaro never publicly acknowledged his defeat. Many of his supporters spent weeks camping outside army barracks in an attempt to convince the military to prevent Lula from being sworn in as president as scheduled on 1 January 2023.

conspirators”, stand trial over the events which led up to the storming of government buildings by his supporters on 8 January 2023, a week after Lula’s inauguration.

The seven men accused of being co-conspirators are: Alexandre Ramagem, former spy chief’; Adm Almir Garnier Santos, former navy commander; Anderson Torres, former security minister; Gen Augusto Heleno, former minister for institutional security; Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former assistant; Gen Walter Braga Netto, former defence minister and Gen Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira former defence minister.

A week after Lula’s inauguration, on 8 January 2023, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in the capital, Brasilia, in what federal investigators say was an attempted coup.

Parts of the buildings were ransacked and police arrested 1,500 people. Bolsonaro was in the United States at the time and has always denied any links to the rioters.

A federal police investigation into the riots and the events leading up to them was launched.

The investigators said they had found evidence that there was “a criminal organisation” which had “acted in a coordinated manner” to keep then-President Bolsonaro in

power.

Their 884-page report, which was unsealed in November 2024, alleged that “then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organisation aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law”.

Brazil’s Attorney-General, Paulo Gonet, went even further in his report published last month, in which he accused Bolsonaro of not just being aware but of leading the criminal organisation that he says sought to overthrow Lula.

According to Gonet’s report, the alleged plot included a plan to poison Lula and shoot dead Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who headed the panel which has now decided that the case should proceed to trial.

Bolsonaro has always denied the allegations which he says are politically motivated and designed to stop him from running for president again.

While he is already barred from running for public office until 2030 for falsely claiming that Brazil’s voting system was vulnerable to fraud, he had declared his intention to fight that ban so he could run for a second term in 2026.

Swinney leads tributes to SNP minister McKelvie

First Minister John Swinney has led emotional tributes to a “kind, loyal and fun-loving colleague” following the death of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie.

The drugs and alcohol minister stepped back from her duties last summer after announcing she had secondary breast cancer.

She died aged 57 at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Thursday morning.

McKelvie’s partner and SNP depute leader Keith Brown described her as a beloved motherof-two, partner and grandmother who “lit up every room she was in with her positivity and bright smile”.

McKelvie had been MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse since May 2011, having initially been elected as a Central Scotland representative in 2007.

She recovered from breast cancer in 2021 but was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in June.

‘OUTSTANDING MINISTER’ A period of silence was held in the Holyrood chamber and the

parliament’s flags were flown at half mast.

Ahead of a muted FMQs in which MSPs sobbed throughout, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone opened tributes to a “dear parliamentary colleague”.

First Minister John Swinney told MSPs: “Members across this parliament will feel that loss, but my party is aching at the news today.

“Christina was a parliamentarian of the highest motivation and the finest nature, I was proud that she was a member of my government, giving her all to make life better for others, which was always her motivation.”

He added: “Today, I express to her partner - my deputy, one of my dearest friends - and to her sons Jack and Lewis, my profound sympathy at their loss and my gratitude for the benefit of having known such a magnificent woman.”

McKelvie was equalities minister between 2008 to 2023. She then served as minister for culture, Europe and international development before moving to the drugs and alcohol brief from 2024. Originally from Easterhouse in Glasgow, she was a social worker in the city before moving into politics. She was also a longstanding member of the SNP and a trade unionist with Unison.

Christina McKelvie

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the Poland-Belarus border on Saturday

Ex-President Bolsonaro flew to Brasilia for the Supreme Court decision

CARPENTER

LABOURER

InterHealth Canada Construction & Services is currently recruiting for Key positions within TCI Hospitals. Successful candidates will be offered excellent packages depending on qualifications and experience.

1. HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER

(Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales and Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk)

This candidate will oversee the Domestic, Portering, and Laundry Services within the organization’s facilities. Candidates applying for this position are required to possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in a managerial capacity with a bachelor’s or equivalent degree in Hospitality.

The potential candidate assigned to the role will have the crucial task of overseeing and directing a diverse team comprising a minimum of 30 staff members. Their primary responsibilities will encompass various facets of managing the team, including recruitment, training, and the overall coordination of team schedules, alongside handling stock management, daily operational tasks, waste management ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints, and upholding quality standards and compliance with relevant regulations.

For full Job Specifications and Package Details, please contact zhamilton@interhealthcanada.tc or call 941-2800 Ext 71803.

Salary: $45-$50K (Plus benefits).

2. HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR

(Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales and Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk)

The Housekeeping Supervisor will oversee the Domestic, Portering, and Laundry Services within the organization’s facilities, working under the direct guidance of the housekeeping manager. It is essential that candidates interested in this role have a minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in Hospitality or an equivalent field, alongside an associated degree.

The potential candidate assigned to the role will have the crucial task of supervising and directing a diverse team comprising a minimum of 30 staff members. This candidate will be responsible for numerous tasks including, but not limited to, conducting weekly and monthly departmental

quality audits, managing stock levels and ordering, ensuring all cleaning duties associated with the department are maintained, providing training and development opportunities for staff within their purview to ensure compliance, safety, and excellent customer care, as well as collaborating closely with management and IPC to uphold best practices and excellence in infection control.

For full Job Specifications and Package Details, please contact zhamilton@interhealthcanada.tc or call 941-2800 Ext 71803.

Salary: $35k + (dependent on experience)

3. CORPORATE ACCOUNTANT

(Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales and Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk)

The corporate accountant will be responsible for decision making within the Finance Department and other departments as may be assigned. Must demonstrate current knowledge if finance through ongoing professional development, maintain a strong analytical and problem-solving capability and produce a timely and insightful analyses of financial performance. It is essential that candidates

interested in this role have a minimum of 5 to 7 years’ experience be Certified Public Accountants or have similar accounting designation and QuickBooks Experience is mandatory.

The potential candidate assigned to the role will have the crucial task of supervising and directing a diverse team. This candidate will be responsible for numerous tasks including, but not limited to, preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and reports for stakeholders using QuickBooks, Establish and maintain cash controls, assisting in the development of overall financial goals and policies of the Hospital, including operating and capital budget expenditures, managing payroll system and reconciling general ledger using QuickBooks.

For full Job Specifications and Package Details, please contact fmhr@interhealthcanada.tc or call 941- 2800 Ext 71803.

Salary: $50k (Plus Benefits)

GLOBAL FIRM LOCAL INSIGHTS

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

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Qualified ACA, ACCA, CPA or ACMA with a minimum of 5 years’ post qualification experience including managing a portfolio of clients and other team members.

• Extensive knowledge of QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online

DUTIES:

• Lead a team of bookkeepers and senior associates to deliver accounting services to a broad portfolio of clients

• Prepare and maintain financial records for clients and prepare financial reporting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

• Liaise on accounting issues with vendors, banks and Government bodies on behalf of clients

• Identify and implement efficiencies in the upkeep of accounting records, including automation of processes

• Act as key liaison with clients

• Evaluate internal controls identifying weaknesses therein and making appropriate recommendations to management for improvement

• Coach staff by providing candid, timely and constructive feedback, and act as a counsellor for assigned bookkeepers and senior associates

Indicative salary: $80,000 per annum

PROGRAMME MANAGER

Job Reference No: GTESA - 2

Grade: 8

Salary: $75,363 (TCIG Grade 9 Equivalent)

Reports to: Managing Director

Agency: Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency (GTESA)

Responsible Ministry: Office of the Premier and Public Policy

JOB PURPOSE

The post-holder will have responsibility for ensuring the successful delivery to time, quality and budget of a portfolio of infrastructure projects and services, in accordance with best practice project management methodologies. The post-holder will be responsible for managing projects through the project management life-cycle from inception to project closure, working with the internal team and third-party suppliers’ delivery teams.

The post-holder must be a mature, highly experienced and capable professional who is fully accountable for managing the effective and efficient deployment and delivery of an assigned portfolio of project and initiatives. They must be skilled in project management and able to manage multiple tasks effectively, and possess the background knowledge and experience of information technology to make informed and responsible decisions. The post-holder will be required to produce and maintain project management deliverables, such as the project charter, business case, project plan, status reports and project registers, such as the risk, issues and benefits registers.

The post-holder must be competent at managing the project financing, this includes preparing budgets, tracking project spend and project finance reporting.

The post-holder will be expected to be adept at must build effective working relationships with senior stakeholders, his peers across diverse infrastructure stakeholders as well as third party suppliers. Furthermore, the post-holder must be an effectively and persuasively communicator both verbally and in writing.

DIMENSIONS

The successful delivery of projects is an important contributor to our continuous improvement. The post-holder will be part of a Team that delivers infrastructure and aesthetic improvements to the island of Grand Turk.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall responsibility and accountability for the successful delivery of an assigned portfolio of projects to time, quality and budget. To manage the portfolio of projects through the project management life-cycle from inception to project closure. To lead on the project scoping and budgeting and to ensure that project finances are managed in line with the agreed budget. To produce and maintain project management deliverables, such as the project mandate, project initiation document, project definition document, project plan, status reports and project registers, such as the change management, risk, issues and benefits registers. To actively drive all phases of the project life cycle and proactively manage and mitigate risks.

Undertakes procurement process to facilitate the timely delivery of assigned projects based on the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s Public Procurement Ordinance.

Ensures timely management of anticipated cost savings, payback period, and operational expenditure in relation to approved budget for all assigned projects.

Manages relationship with service providers, outsourcers and major vendors to address, escalate, and resolve key issues in a timely and effective manner

Proactively identifies changes in work scope and ensures that appropriate planning measures are taken with internal and external stakeholders to reassess, renegotiate, and amend scope of work responsibilities.

Builds positive and effective business relationships with stakeholders. Undertake post-implementation reviews as part of project closure and to produce a report on the findings as part of continuous improvement.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

ESSENTIAL

The post-holder should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Site Management, or equivalent; plus, a minimum of seven (7) years’ post-graduate experience in building; or an Associate’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management or similar discipline plus a minimum of ten (10) years’ post-graduate experience in site management, construction coordination or contract management. Additionally, the post-holder is required to have a formal project management certification, such as PMP or have solid practical experience.

Evidence of management skills, in controlling projects and managing staff, and in the execution of difficult and complex organisational tasks along with the knowledge of principles, methods, techniques and tools for the effective management of projects from initiation through to completion is required.

The post-holder should be proficient in the use of Project Management tools to assist in the project planning, managing project registers and for Team collaboration.

EVIDENCE OF KNOWLEDGE

OF:

• Track record of successfully delivering portfolio of projects.

• Experience of delivery technology and security related projects.

• Solid practical experience of risk management, change management, release management and supplier management experience.

• Hold PMP certification or equivalent or have solid practical experience.

• Experience of creating and maintaining project plans in MS Project or similar tool.

• Excellent written and verbal skills with experience of senior stakeholder management including presentation and negotiation skills.

• Solid practical experience of managing vendor selection process, including managing preparation of RFQ.

• Strong people management skills within a matrix management environment.

• Strong effectively and persuasively communicator both verbally and in writing.

ASSIGNMENT AND PLANNING OF WORK

The post-holder receives strategic direction from the Managing Director. He/ she is expected to collaborate with other team members and to draw on his/ her experience, research and initiative to deliver on the core responsibilities of the role.

On a day to day basis, he/she will be expected to work independently with very little supervision and to prioritize his/her own work to meet tight and often competing deadlines. All deadlines, demands and expectations must be met in a timely manner.

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS

The post-holder will be the main point of contact and support for the internal project teams and third party supplier delivery teams. He/she will monitor, support and report on the performance of project teams, as well as external advisers and consultants from a variety of fields and areas of expertise.

OTHER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post-holder must work effectively with members of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PIPD) and staff as well as having direct and regular interface with stakeholders throughout Government and the Private Sector whilst carrying out the duties of this post.

MAKO WATER SPORTS LTD.

2nd Floor, LeVel Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands IS

MAKO WATERSPORTS LTD. is looking for an experienced and passionate watersport photographer to join our team. As our watersport photographer, you will be responsible for capturing stunning photos and videos of clients while they enjoying our tours. You will need to be an excellent diver, swimmer, know how to maneuver a jet ski, as well as have experience with using a variety of photography equipment and editing software tools. Must be available to work 44 hours a week inclusive of holidays and weekends

QUALIFICATIONS

• Open Water Certificate

• Diploma/Certification as a professional photographer

• 3+ years photography experience

• Proficiency with GoPro, Drone, DSLR cameras and underwater housing systems

• Excellent swimming and free diving skills

• Strong attention to detaill and ability to work well independently

• Experience shooting video and working with video editing software

• Familiarity with photoshop and other image-editing software

• Must have own equipment’s Salary: $2,000.00 per month

JOB TITLE: PROGRAMME MANAGER

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY AND CONTROLS

The post holder works within the parameters established by GTESA, the responsible Ministry and all governing laws, policies and procedures.

The post holder will take decisions on matters within the ambit of the principal accountabilities of the post.

The post holder operates under the direction of the Managing Director and is required to keep him/her apprised of key developments, risks or issues.

PROBLEMS/KEY FEATURES

Must achieve a high level of knowledge of many different aspects of how the Government operates because GTESA is an arms-length body.

There is also the need be respected as a leader and to maintain high levels of professional knowledge and experience of fast changing technology and techniques.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office working environment: however, abnormal hours are worked in order to meet tight deadlines, and to implement system changes which must be done outside normal working hour.

Required to provide user/stakeholder support outside normal working hours.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

WAREHOUSE MANAGER

The Warehouse Manager oversees all aspects of warehouse operations, including receiving, storing, and distributing goods. This role involves supervising staff, managing inventory, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations to maintain an efficient and secure warehouse environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise daily warehouse activities, including receiving, storage, and dispatching of goods.

• Monitor inventory levels, conduct regular stock audits, and reconcile physical counts with system records.

• Lead, train, and evaluate warehouse personnel, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.

• Implement and enforce safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment and compliance with regulatory standards.

• Analyze operational processes and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

• Maintain accurate records of inventory transactions and generate regular reports for management review.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as a Warehouse Manager or in a similar role.

• Proficiency in warehouse management systems (WMS) and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Strong leadership and team management skills.

• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.

• In-depth knowledge of warehouse and inventory management best practices.

• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.

• Understanding of safety and regulatory standards in warehouse operations.

• Ability to lift and move heavy items as needed.

Leaders call for “turbo-charged” collaboration at TCHTA’s annual meeting

The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 20 March 2025, at the Beaches Resort Villages & Spa Key West Conference Room, where a call for intensified public–private partnerships echoed through the room.

The meeting also saw the election of a new Board of Directors, setting the stage for the next two years of tourism development in the islands.

The event commenced with a powerful address from the Premier, Honourable C. Washington Misick.

The Premier emphasised the government’s strong commitment to fostering closer public–private partnerships, stating that the existing level of collaboration “needs to be ‘turbo-charged’ to meet the demands of the everchanging tourism landscape.”

Misick provided a candid overview of critical issues, including crime, financial services, and the current state of Experience Turks & Caicos, addressing the packed room of industry stakeholders.

The Minister of Tourism, Honourable Zhavargo Jolly, also voiced his support for the association, assuring members of his open-door policy and eagerness

Aleisa Walkin,

Advani, Grace Bay Resorts; Karen Whitt, The Hartling Group; Lindy Rigby, West Bay Club; Andreas Naegele, Turks & Caicos Collection; Stacey-Ann Wharton-Albert, Sailrock South Caicos; Seated: Gerry Dallas, TKCA Villa Rentals; Todd Foss, Grace Bay Car Rentals; Stacy Cox, TCHTA CEO; Snjezana Andrews, Caicos Wheels; John Hazard, Grace Bay Club; Craig James, Wymara Resort & Villas

to collaborate for the betterment of the tourism sector.

The Minister shared that the Premier has empowered him to “act audaciously” in his work for the industry, signalling a proactive approach to tourism development.

Following the government officials’ remarks, TCHTA Committee Chairs took to the podium to present their annual

reports. James McAnally (Advocacy), Stacey-Ann WhartonAlbert (People Development), Gerry Dallas (Villas), Robin Janse (Sustainable Tourism), Snjezana Andrews (Membership), Colin Sterling (Finance), and Karen Whitt (Marketing) each highlighted the association’s efforts in their respective areas.

Stacy Cox, CEO of TCHTA,

RT&CIPF shows support for World Down Syndrome Day with colourful display

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) joined international, regional, and local communities to observe World Down Syndrome Day (21st March).

The RT&CIPF Executive— Acting Commissioner Fitz Bailey, Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Deputy Commissioner Kendall Grant, Assistant Commissioner Darron Williams, and Acting Assistant Commissioner Dwight Gardiner—led the charge by sporting their colourful and mismatched socks in support of individuals with Down Syndrome.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Kendall Grant delivered a positive message: “On World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the unique gifts, joy, and resilience of individuals with Down Syndrome.”

He continued: “Their determination, strength, and unwavering spirit should inspire us to embrace life’s challenges. Psalm 139:14 reminds us that every person

expressed gratitude to the outgoing Board of Directors for their dedication and engagement before officially retiring the 2023–2025 Board. Plaques of appreciation were awarded to the outgoing members for their service.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE MEETING WAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS. JAMES MCANALLY, WHOSE NOMINATION WAS UNOPPOSED, WILL SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE TCHTA 2025–2027 BOARD. THE NEWLY ELECTED BOARD INCLUDES:

• Stacey-Ann Wharton-Albert, Sailrock South Caicos – Vice President

• Gerry Dallas, TKCA Villa Rentals – Secretary

• Craig James, Wymara Resort & Villas – Treasurer

• Lindy Rigby, West Bay Club –Director

• Aleisa Walkin, Alexandra Resort – Director

• Louella Brezovar-Van Veen, The Ritz-Carlton – Director

• John Hazard, Grace Bay Club – Director

• Jeff Morgan, The Palms –Director

• S. Omega Simmons, SOS Media – Director

• Snjezana Andrews, Caicos Wheels – Director

• Alizee Zimmerman, TCI Reef Fund – Director

ADDITIONALLY, SEVERAL APPOINTED AND EXOFFICIO MEMBERS WERE NAMED:

• Karen Whitt, The Hartling Group – Director

• Nikheel Advani, Grace Bay Resorts – Director

• Andreas Naegele, Turks & Caicos Collection – Director

• Yvette Marcelin, TWA Marcelin Wolf – Ex-Officio Member

• Selvyn Hawkin, Turks & Caicos Airports Authority –Ex-Officio Member

• Marie McKenzie, Carnival Corporation & PLC – ExOfficio Member

Past President Todd Foss will assume the role of Chairman, traditionally held by the immediate Past President.

Incoming President James McAnally reflected on his previous term, stating: “It has been a profound honour to serve as President, working alongside this dynamic and dedicated team for the past two years. The work we have accomplished together has laid a powerful foundation, and I am more determined than ever to strengthen our collaboration with the Government and key stakeholders. As we move forward, our unified efforts will pave the way for impactful, sustainable growth and prosperity for our tourism industry and the people of these beautiful islands.”

The TCHTA, a memberbased organisation, expressed its appreciation to its members for their active participation in the nomination and voting process. Special thanks were extended to Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa for hosting the AGM.

Alexandra Resort; Jeff Morgan, The Palms; Alizee Zimmerman, TCI Reef Fund; Yvette Marcelin, TWA Marcelin Wolf; James McAnally, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa; S. Omega Simmons, SOS Media; Nikheel

TCI joins the colour display in recognition of Down Syndrome Day

Several government agencies and private individuals in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week joined the rest of the world in recognizing World Down Syndrome Day, March 21. The 21st day of March was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

Lead by the Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS), the day saw the Governor, Deputy Governor, their staff, members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force among others donning colourful and mismatched socks in a show of unity.

This year’s theme highlights the need for improved policies, services, and resources to ensure that individuals with Down syndrome and their families receive the support they need to thrive. The department launched a ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign encouraging community members to wear colourful or mismatched socks to raise awareness and advocate for greater inclusion.

Director of SENS, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, stated: “This World Down Syndrome Day, we are not just raising awareness - we are calling for action. Support systems must evolve to meet the needs of individuals with Down syndrome, ensuring they have access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities to reach their full potential.” She said the SENS Department remains committed to advocating for changes and providing vital services.

Education Minister, Hon. Rachel Taylor shared similar sentiments. “While progress has been made, we recognise that more must be done to ensure that every child and adult with Down syndrome receives the necessary support to thrive. Let’s continue working together to create a society where inclusion is not just a goal, but a reality.”

Meanwhile, last Friday, police officers and ancillary staff gladly took up the challenge, showing off their socks in act of allyship

on social media, joining the international, regional, and local communities to observe the day.

Acting Commissioner Fitz Bailey, Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Deputy Commissioner Kendall Grant, Assistant Commissioner Darron Williams, and Acting Assistant Commissioner Dwight Gardiner led the charge by sporting their colourful and mismatched socks (pictured).

Acting Deputy Commissioner Kendall Grant offered a positive message: “On World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the unique gifts, joy, and resilience of individuals with Down Syndrome. Their determination, strength, and unwavering spirit should inspire us to embrace life’s challenges.

“Psalm 139:14 reminds us every person is ‘fearfully and wonderfully made.’ Let us continue to foster inclusion, embrace diversity, and recognize the strength and beauty in every soul. Together, we can build a world where everyone is valued and loved.

“As an organization, we support diversity and inclusion, ensuring everyone is valued and empowered to succeed.”

Deputy Governor, HE Anya Williams also joined the charge with her colourful socks, and a message. “Today we join with persons across the world in ‘Rocking our Socks’ in solidarity and support of all persons living with Downs Syndrome.

“Today I want to especially recognise my amazing God Son Carnor Williams. One of the most talented little guys you will ever meet. A dancer, rapper and all around charm. Remember his name because he’s going to be famous one day and his Goddie will be front and center, cheering him on all the way,” she shared on Instagram.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is a genetic condition where an individual has an extra chromosome on the 21st pair,

To observe Down Syndrome Day, the Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) launched a ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign encouraging community members to wear colourful or mismatched socks to raise awareness and advocate for greater inclusion.

making 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. Chromosomes act as an instruction manual for how our bodies develop and function. Some key facts about Down syndrome: It occurs naturally— there is no known cause. It affects approximately 1 in every 800 babies worldwide. Individuals with Down syndrome may experience intellectual disabilities, but each person’s abilities are unique. Some health conditions are more common in people with Down syndrome,

but with the right support, they can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

While the SENS Department and the Ministry of Education continue to make strides in improving services, more work is needed to ensure that individuals with Down syndrome receive early intervention, specialised education, healthcare, and community inclusion opportunities, a statement from the department noted.

To date, the SENS department made some strides by expanding

services, including access to speech therapy, behavioural support, and psychoeducational assessments. The Ministry of Education, meanwhile, said it is committed to strengthening policies that promote inclusive education and ensuring that resources are allocated for special education programs. Additionally, public-private partnerships have been leveraged to bring in international specialists and training programs for educators and caregivers.

Six TCI properties awarded luxe status by Forbes

Amanyara, Wymara Resort and Villas, the Seven Stars Resort, Como Parrot Cay, Grace Bay Club and the Somerset on Grace Bay have all snagged prestigious Forbes Star Awards this year.

Capturing four star status were Amanyara, Wymara and Seven Stars, while Como Parrot Cay, Grace Bay Club and Somerset were awarded recommended ratings, which rewards them for being excellent properties with consistently good service and facilities.

Four status are given

to properties which offer exceptionally high levels of service and quality on a consistent basis.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, congratulated the six properties on the notable achievements this year, which he said affirms the Turks and Caicos Islands as a luxury destination that sets the bar. “Congratulations to our winning properties and to the dedicated teams that make these achievements possible. Their commitment to excellence ensures that Turks and Caicos remains the premier destination

for discerning travellers.”

Minister Jolly said the TCI is poised for greater success with several new luxury resorts on the horizon. This, he added, will serve to create more opportunities for Islanders, “enhancing visitor experiences, and strengthening our reputation as a leader in highend hospitality”.

Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) similarly expressed her optimism for the Island’s future as a luxe destination, congratulating the

properties for helping to achieve this distinguished status.

She said: “The TCHTA is very proud of our properties and the consistently high standards they continue to uphold to make the Turks and Caicos a soughtafter destination.

“Every year, our own Star Awards are dedicated to showcasing the excellence across the hospitality sector from the exceptional cuisine to the amazing service that puts us among the best in the world.”

The Forbes Star Awards is

the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships. The awards are determined following visits by incognito inspectors who pose as everyday guests. They test hundreds of exacting standards that emphasise exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. The quality and condition of the facilities account for the remaining 30 percent. The inspectors also assess the intangibles that help guests to have an unforgettable experience.

DOMESTIC

LABOURER

LABOURER

CARETAKER

2 LABOURERS

DOMESTIC WORKER

Run lines for power tools, lay out tools, set up forms for the pouring of concrete foundations, remove all debris, pack up tools, and take down bracing and scaffolding.

THE SOURCE LTD

SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER - LUXURY VILLAS

ABOUT US:

A leading property management firm specializing in luxury accommodations, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Property Manager to oversee our exclusive portfolio of villas in the stunning Turks and Caicos Islands. Our company is dedicated to providing unparalleled service and maintaining the highest standards in luxury property management.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC PROPERTY OVERSIGHT:

• Develop and implement strategic plans for the optimal operation of luxury villas.

• Ensure properties meet and exceed the expectations of high-profile clientele.

CLIENT RELATIONS:

Build and maintain strong relationships with property owners and stakeholders. Address and resolve client concerns promptly, ensuring satisfaction.

TEAM LEADERSHIP:

• Lead a team of property management professionals, fostering a culture of excellence.

• Provide guidance and support to ensure staff deliver exceptional service.

MAINTENANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE:

• Implement and oversee preventive maintenance programs to preserve property condition.

• Conduct regular inspections to ensure adherence to luxury standards.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

• Develop and manage property budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility

• Monitor financial performance, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION:

• Collaborate with marketing teams to promote luxury villas effectively

• Participate in the creation of marketing materials to attract high-end clientele.

COMPLIANCE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS:

• Ensure compliance with local regulations and industry standards.

• Address legal matters pertaining to property management activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• Proven experience in luxury property management, preferably in a senior role.

• Strong leadership and team management skills.

• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.

• In-depth knowledge of the Turks and Caicos Islands real estate market.

• Familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements for property management.

DOMESTIC WORKER

CLEANER

SUPERVISOR

BABYSITTER

JOB TITLE:

LOGISTICS / LIAISON OFFICER

Job Reference No: GTESA-4

Grade: 7

Salary: $54,670.00

Ministry: Office of the Premier Agency: Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency

Location: Grand Turk

JOB PURPOSE:

The Logistics / Liaison Officer will support the Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency by managing logistics operations and serving as a liaison between various stakeholders. This role ensures the efficient and effective implementation of projects, contributing to the agency’s mission to enhance and sustain the natural and built environment of Grand Turk.

DIMENSIONS:

• Oversee logistics for multiple projects simultaneously

• Liaise with government agencies, contractors, suppliers, and community stakeholders

• Manage budget and resources efficiently

• Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT:

o Coordinate and oversee the transportation, storage, and distribution of materials and equipment.

o Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, ensuring timely delivery of resources.

o Monitor inventory levels and manage procurement processes.

2. LIAISON DUTIES:

o Act as the primary contact point between the agency and external stakeholders, including government bodies, contractors, and the community.

o Facilitate communication and ensure all parties are informed of project developments and requirements.

o Address and resolve any issues or conflicts that arise with stakeholders.

3. PROJECT COORDINATION:

o Assist in planning and executing enhancement and sustainability projects.

o Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

o Prepare and present regular progress reports to senior management.

4. COMPLIANCE AND DOCUMENTATION:

o Ensure all logistics operations comply with relevant regulations and standards.

o Maintain accurate records of all logistics activities and project communications.

o Prepare documentation for regulatory approvals and audits.

5. RISK MANAGEMENT:

o Identify potential risks related to logistics and stakeholder relations.

o Develop and implement mitigation strategies to minimize project disruptions.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.

• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in logistics, supply chain management, or project coordination, preferably within the environmental or sustainability sector.

• SKILLS:

o Strong organizational and time management skills.

o Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

o Proficient in logistics software and Microsoft Office Suite.

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

o Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

ASSIGNMENT AND PLANNING OF WORK:

• Work is assigned by the Programme Manager with strategic objectives outlined for each project.

• The Logistics / Liaison Officer will be responsible for planning their own tasks to meet project deadlines.

• Regular planning meetings with the Operations Manager and project teams to align on priorities and progress.

OTHER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Regular interaction with internal teams, including project managers, environmental specialists, and administrative staff.

• Frequent communication with external stakeholders such as suppliers, contractors, government agencies, and community organizations.

• Collaboration with finance and procurement departments for budget management and procurement processes.

PROBLEMS AND KEY FEATURES:

• Managing multiple projects and ensuring logistical efficiency can be challenging.

• Addressing stakeholder concerns and maintaining positive relationships require strong interpersonal skills.

• Adapting to changing project requirements and unexpected disruptions necessitates flexibility and problem-solving skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Primarily office-based with regular visits to project sites across Grand Turk.

• Some travel may be required to meet with stakeholders or attend relevant events and meetings.

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary to meet project deadlines or address urgent issues.

La Vele Plaza, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

ISLAND FIRE SUPPLIES LTD.

Saltmills Plaza, Providenciales. Is seeking to employ

FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATIONS

• Must have at least 10 years experience in the installation, maintenance and repairs of Fire Alarm Systems, Suppression Systems and Fire Sprinklers.

• Must have a qualification in Fire Extinguisher maintenance and service.

• Knowledge of Gamewell FCI, Simplex and Fire Lite systems is a must. Salary: $12.00

Must be willing to work weekends and public holidays.

CONTACT: IFS@TCIWAY.TC OR CALL 331 0732.

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

CLEANER DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering

CONTACT:

IP/VAS ENGINEER

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the design, installation, and support of all Packet Core and IP-based systems to support the technical operations of the business.

• Design IP Numbering and addressing schemes, Development, Configuration, and Implementation of IP-based systems

• Management and maintenance of all Packet Core systems which include, Ericsson SGSN- MME, EPG, and Ericsson Mobile Packet Backbone Network (MPBN) for LTE, WCDMA, DNS, and AAA.

• Responsible for all IP-based systems, which include Cisco network devices (Routers and Switches), SUN Solaris/Linux servers, Checkpoint, and Juniper Firewalls to ensure their high availability.

• Develop and schedule preventative and corrective maintenance policies and procedures, such as regular backups, and spare inventory, to ensure high availability of all VAS and IP-based systems.

• Ensure that Digicel TCI continues to operate on secure local and wide area networks with the implementation of VPN technologies and firewall policy management

• Ensure that network metrics are closely monitored (QoS and KPIs) and captured to provide proactive network management, as well as regular feedback on network performance in the form of reports to management

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE JOB

• 5-7 years experience in VAS and IP-based network design, implementation, and administration

• CCNA, CCNP certification, and Solid hands-on experience with Cisco devices

• In-depth knowledge of switching, routing, technologies, DNS, Mobile data LTE, WCDMA, GSM

• In-depth knowledge of Ericsson Charging System, CCN, SDP, and AIR.

• In-depth knowledge and experience with UNIX and/or Linux systems.

• Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Computer Sciences. DEADLINE: DEADLINE:

The Position is open to all qualified Turks and Caicos nationals. Interested applicants can forward their resumes to https://careers. digicelgroup.com The closing date for applications is March 7th 2025.

The salary range for this position is between 65,000-70,000.

CONTACT:

OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

Ascendancy TCI Ltd. As Chargee, pursuant to its charge and the Registered Land Ordinance, hereby gives notice that it will cause to be sold the property listed below by Public Auction, to be held at the office of STANBROOK PRUDHOE, Third Floor Graceway House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands at 10:00am on Thursday April 24th 2025.

Location TITLE: BLOCK 10409, PARCEL 96, EAST SUBURBS GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

Comprises of House

•Three (3) bedroom, one (1) bathroom

Description

•The subject property sits on approximately 0.50 acres of land and comprises a single story, three bedroom/one bath residence. The property was extended a few years ago so that the existing front porch was enclosed and a laundry room added.

Title Absolute

Proprietor Vanessa Forbes

Approximate Area

House-The approximate gross floor area of this Building is 1,201 sq. ft.

Approximate Area: 0.50 Acres

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST FROM ASCENDANCY TCI LTD

Third Floor Graceway House Graceway Plaza, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands 1-844-577-8742 Extension 5100 or 1-649-946-4300

ACTIVITIES AND FITNESS COORDINATOR

•

•

and maintaining an organized fitness environment.

• A bachelor’s degree in health and physical activity and experience in the fitness industry. Salary: $2,000 per

VARIOUS

Andrew

$8.00

Providenciales BABYSITTER

$8.00 hourly care for child etc.

Adeline E. Brown (242-3858) Wheeland, Providenciales DOMESTIC WORKER

$8.00 hourly general house chores etc.

RENEWALS/FIRST

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

Ascendancy TCI Ltd. As Chargee, pursuant to its charge and the Registered Land Ordinance, hereby gives notice that it will cause to be sold the property listed below by Public Auction, to be held at the office of STANBROOK PRUDHOE, Third Floor Graceway House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales ,Turks and Caicos Islands at 10:00am on Thursday April 24th 2025.

Location TITLE: BLOCK 10401, PARCEL 382, BREEZY BRAE GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

Comprises of House

-Three (3) bedroom, two(2) bathroom

Description

-The subject parcel has been developed with a mediumsized single story residence comprising a living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom and ensuite and two further bedrooms and a bathroom. Externally, there is a covered front porch and a partially fenced garden area. There is also an integral water cistern below the property.

Title Absolute

Proprietor Shirlene Smith

Approximate Area

House-The approximate gross floor area of this Building is 1,614 sq. ft.

Approximate Area: 0.34 Acres

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST FROM

ASCENDANCY TCI LTD

Third Floor Graceway House Graceway Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

1-844-577-8742 Extension 5100 or 1-649-946-4300

AIR CONDITION TECHNICIAN

Skills and qualifications:

• With 5 years experience in maintaining, repairing, and installing commercial refrigeration systems is required.

• Strong understanding of refrigeration principles and components, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, and controls.

• Ability to identify and resolve issues related to refrigeration systems in a timely and efficient manner.

• Adherence to safety protocols and practices to ensure a secure work environment.

• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and provide exceptional customer service.

• For the first time work Permit Holder: Wages start at $770.per week.

• This position is for work permit holder.

Job Description:

Primary responsibilities will include inspecting, repairing, and maintaining commercial refrigeration systems. This includes diagnosing issues, replacing defective components, and conducting regular preventative maintenance tasks. You will also be required to keep accurate records, order necessary parts, and collaborate with other technicians or contractors as needed. Overall, your expertise will ensure optimal functionality and performance of the company's refrigeration systems.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a minimum of M.B.B.S., Medical Doctor Degree from an accredited University, Relevant training and/or certifications as an Ophthalmologist

• Minimum of 5 years work experience and specialize in the surgical and medical treatment of eye diseases and injuries

• Must have a minimum of 5 years as a fully registered Medical Practitioner on a register of a recognized Medical Board.

MAIN DUTIES

• Carry out patient consultations in the Clinic

• Diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the eyes and visual system, using medical and surgical skills

• Providing comprehensive eye care, routine vision testing and prescribing glasses and contact lenses

• Performing corrective surgeries, such as repairing injuries and corneas and removing cataracts

• Manage acute and chronic illnesses

• Order laboratory and diagnostic tests

• Perform minor procedures

• Be proactive with patient health education

• Work with a multidisciplinary team, including other doctors and staff

• Expected to be part of practice management and administration

• Liaise with other healthcare professionals and/or hospitals

• Computer knowledge – experience using EMR files

• Bi-lingual will be an asset

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, Is seeking to employ

BIG BLUE COLLECTIVE

#2 MARINA STREET, LEEWARD MARINA, PROVIDENCIALE

Big Blue Collective is looking for Turks and Caicos Islanders with outgoing personalities and suitable watersports skills to join a team of knowledgeable and experienced guides to conduct educational and environmentally conscious eco-tours, scuba diving, boat charters and kite instruction throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The following positions are available:

1. BOAT CAPTAIN

Seeking a qualified boat captain with a minimum of 3-5 years of tourism experience, preferably on power and/or sailing catamarans. A valid captain’s license (e.g., USCG 100 Ton, RYA Powerboat or Coastal Skipper, and/or TCI Boat master certificate), a current STCW certification and First Aid/CPR certification are all required. Strong navigational skills, excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are required as well as a passion for delivering outstanding customer service and creating memorable experiences. The ability to handle the physical demands of the job, including lifting, bending, and being on your feet for extended periods as well as working weekends and holidays is essential. Proficiency and familiarity with vessel maintenance is a plus. Knowledge of local waters, weather patterns, and points of interest is also highly desirable. For safety preference will be given to boat captains with Dive Master or Scuba Instructor certification. Current positions held by work permit holders and new positions are available. Salary range: $200 to $250+ per day plus gratuities and monthly service charge. Applicants should apply to the email address below.

2. SCUBA DIVING INSTRUCTORS & DIVE MASTERS

Seeking qualified PADI Dive Instructors and Dive Masters to conduct dive courses and tours. Applicants must have a minimum 2 years of teaching and/or guiding experience and experience with high end vessels and clientele a must. Preference will be given to Turks Islanders and those with professional boating experience or who hold a TCI Captain’s license. Other duties include conducting snorkel tours, paddle eco tours and dive equipment maintenance. The work schedule is varied and provides up to 6-days work per week, must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Current positions held by work permit holders and new positions available. Salary range: $110 to $200 per day plus gratuities and guaranteed monthly service charge. Applicants should

apply to the email address below.

3. ECO-TOUR GUIDES & MARINE BIOLOGISTS

Seeking enthusiastic individuals to join the Big Blue eco-tour team who have a passion for the ocean and a genuine interest in preserving the environment and marine education. Suitable candidates must be a strong swimmer and have some prior experience kayaking, standup paddleboarding and snorkeling. Additional training will be provided but applicants must be fluent in English and have the personality for high end customer service. Preference will be given to those with a degree or background in Marine Biology and Marine or Environmental Sciences as well as scuba diving qualifications and experience. The work schedule is varied and provides up to 6-days work per week. Applicant should be strong, energetic, and reliable.

Positions are currently held by belongers and work permit holders. Specifically seeking for belongers. Interested applicants should apply to the email address below. Salary range: $125$175 per day plus gratuities and guaranteed service charge.

4. KITCHEN HELPER

Looking for a suitable candidate to help prepare food for boat charters, clean coolers and clean office premises. Duties include cooking, baking, cleaning, food prep, inventory and food ordering. The work schedule varies and provides up 6- days work per week. The following are required of applicant:

• Fluent in English with good speaking and reading skills.

• Must be willing to start as early as 5am, work long days, weekends and public holidays.

• Have prior experience and certification in kitchen health and safety standards.

• Experience with cooking, baking and food display.

The position is currently held by a work permit holder. Turks Islanders are preferred. Salary ranges from $8-$12 or salary of $2000 - $3000 per month.

DOMESTIC WORKER HELPER / CLEANER HELPER

HORSE HANDLER & TOUR ASSISTANT

Observe any changes in behavior, illness, or injury in horses. Provide basic first aid and prescription medication. Make sure horses are properly cared for and exercised.

Salary: $2050 monthly

WATER SPORTS MANAGER

(But not limited to):

• Lead and assist in a variety of watersports Excursions, including certified diving, snorkelling, Private boat charters and SNUBA.

• Manage and supervise a team.

• Schedule and coordinate excursions, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

• Maintain equipment and ensure safety standards Are met.

• Take, edit, and upload high-quality

•

•

•

• 5+ years of experience leading or assisting in watersports Excursions.

• Proficient communication skills in English (both written and Verbal.

• Proven ability to schedule and manage a team.

• Proficient photography skills including underwater photography

• Ability to lift 50lbs.

SALARY: US$2,500.00 Monthly

SPA THERAPIST

Minimum 8 years’ experience. Must be able to provide professional massage treatments to Hotel Guests and Homeowners. Swedish, Balinese, Deep Tissue, Reiki, Hot Stone, Sports, Body Wraps, Scrubs, Facials, Manicures/ Pedicures and Rejuvenation treatments. Salary $16,000 per annum.

MIXOLOGIST

Minimum of 5 years’ experience. Serve guests and homeowners a variety of beverages. Ensure the bar is run efficiently and maintain guest satisfaction. Keep up with industry trends and be able to create new and unique drink recipes. Vast knowledge of bar beverages, wines, alcohol pairing and taste. Salary $26,400 per annum.

MARINE LABOURER

Minimum 3 years’ experience. Responsible for keeping the club and homeowners’ boats clean and well maintained with scheduled maintenance and care. Assist boat passengers with loading and unloading luggage and freight. Keep the harbor master’s office clean. Assist with marine area and dock maintenance operations. Salary $10.00 per hour.

EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER

Minimum 5 years’ experience. Responsible for directing and controlling all housekeeping operations and the staff of the housekeeping department. Maintain the housekeeping area and ensure that all tasks are carried out to the company standard and to health and safety guidelines. Supervise staff and develop and implement policies. Maintain inventory and supplies. Salary $26, 400 per annum.

ACCOUNTS SUPERVISOR

Minimum 5 years’ experience. Review and monitor internal control procedures in the hotel, Review and analyze the company results throughout the hotel to ensure alignment with the company’s financial objectives. Assist with the compilation and preparation of the financial statements, periodic forecasts, and monthly/annual budgets. Salary $35,000 per annum

ROOM DIVISION MANAGER

Minimum of 5 years’ experience. Oversee the front office and housekeeping department ensuring efficient operation. Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of guest and homeowner preferences, habits and special dates for personalized experience. Salary $30,000 per annum.

ASSISTANT RESTAURANT MANAGER

Minimum of 5 years’ experience. Support the Food and Beverage Manager. Organize, direct, control and evaluate operations of the restaurant. Manage staff. Ensure guest satisfaction. Manage inventory. Optimize profits. Salary $28,800 per annum.

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.

LABOURER

CHIEF ENGINEER

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the resort’s engineering, maintenance, and safety operations. This includes managing the maintenance of hotel rooms, public spaces, and back-of-house facilities, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and leading a team of skilled engineers and technicians to maintain the highest operational standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the maintenance and repair of all hotel systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, elevators, and fire safety systems.

• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimize equipment failure and maximize efficiency.

• Conduct regular inspections of hotel premises to ensure compliance with safety standards and operational excellence.

• Recruit, train, and manage a team of engineers, technicians, and maintenance staff.

• Assign tasks and responsibilities while ensuring effective communication and collaboration within the department.

• Implement energy-saving initiatives and sustainability programs to reduce the hotel's environmental footprint.

• Monitor utility consumption and develop strategies to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

• Develop and manage the engineering department's annual budget.

• Monitor expenses related to repairs, maintenance, and capital improvements, ensuring cost-effectiveness.

• Ensure that all maintenance and engineering activities comply with local building codes, fire and safety regulations, and corporate standards.

• Conduct regular safety drills and training sessions for engineering and hotel staff.

• Ensure compliance with local environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals.

• Plan and oversee major engineering projects, renovations, and equipment upgrades.

• Coordinate with architects, contractors, and project managers to ensure timely and successful project completion.

• Monitor construction and refurbishment projects to align with brand standards and budget constraints.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil preferred) or related field.

• Minimum of 8-10 years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within luxury hotels or resorts.

• Strong knowledge of building systems, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire safety regulations.

• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and energy management systems.

• Familiarity with hotel management software and engineering reporting systems.

• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

• Knowledge of Turks and Caicos building codes and environmental regulations is a plus.

4 CARPENTERS

$14.00 per hour

Build walls and install partitions

2 CARPENTER

$9.00 per hour

Cut timber or lumber.

2 PLUMBERS

$14.00 per hour

Assemble pipe sections.

2 PLUMBER HELPER

$9.00 per hour

Assist Plumber.

2 LABOURERS - $8.00 per hour

Cleaning Jobsite.

2 MASONS - $10.00 hour

Repairs and maintains building, laying bricks

STEELMAN - $9.00 hourly

Fabricating structural steel.

STEEL HELPER - $9.00 hourly

Assist steel man.

CONSTRUCTION

LABOURER- $9.00 hourly

Mixing concrete.

PE/ICT TEACHER

You will be required to teach Computer Science and Physical Education across primary and middle school phases. Applicants must hold a Teaching Degree or similar teaching qualification. You must have five years’ experience working within a British National Curriculum School. Salary range is commensurate with experience, from $40,000 – $48,000 per annum (based on 40 hours per week).

This position is currently held by a work permit holder.

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Your responsibilities will include supporting the classroom teacher in caring for, preparing for and teaching a class of Early Years or primary school age children. Applicants must have experience working in a primary school or in an Early Years environment and/or hold an Early Childhood Certificate. Salary range is commensurate with experience, posts of responsibility and qualifications, from $21,000 - $26,000 per annum (based on 40 hours per week or prorata thereof).

This position is currently held by a work permit holder. PO Box 329, Graceway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies Tel 649 333 5638 Email: info@provoprimary.com Website www.provoprimary.com

SEND A FULL RESUME, LETTER OF APPLICATION, CERTIFICATES AND POLICE CHECK,

PAINTER MASON

Apply paints, stains, and coatings to interior and exterior walls, new buildings, homes, offices and

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters. $14.00 hr

CARPENTER STEEL MAN

Follow blueprints and building plans. Install structures and fixtures. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials. $16.00 hr

STABLE CLEANER & GROOMER

• Follow a strict cleaning and feeding schedule.

• Remove waste and wet bedding from stalls.

• Bed stalls with fresh bedding as needed.

• Manage and dispose of waste properly.

• Maintain cleanliness by raking,

• Perform general and routine maintenance around the stable.

• Assist in handling horses for the vet and farrier.

• Observe and report any signs of illness, injury, or behavioral issues in horses

STONE FABRICATOR

The candidate will manage the warehouse, inventory, repair blenders, deliver product, invoice customers. Must have small appliance repair experience, be able to lift 50lbs, invoice using Quickbooks Online, have valid driver’s license and good customer service skills. Send resumes to accounting@olabasi. com or contact 649-232-9138.

A work permit holder currently holds this position. SHEVON WILLIAMS

Caring for my household, wash, cook and clean.

Build and install iron or steel girders, columns, and other construction materials to form structures. Cut, position, and bolt down steel bars. $11.00 hr

Cleaning

The candidate will manage the warehouse, inventory, repair blenders, deliver product, invoice customers. Must have small appliance repair

and

• Conducting

• Developing and

•

•

•

•

•

InterHealth Canada Construction & Services is currently recruiting for Key positions within TCI Hospitals. Successful candidates will be offered excellent packages depending on qualifications and experience.

1. HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER

(Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales and Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk)

This candidate will oversee the Domestic, Portering, and Laundry Services within the organization’s facilities. Candidates applying for this position are required to possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in a managerial capacity with a bachelor’s or equivalent degree in Hospitality.

The potential candidate assigned to the role will have the crucial task of overseeing and directing a diverse team comprising a minimum of 30 staff members. Their primary responsibilities will encompass various facets of managing the team, including recruitment, training, and the overall coordination of team schedules, alongside handling stock management, daily operational tasks, waste management ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints, and upholding quality standards and compliance with relevant regulations.

For full Job Specifications and Package Details, please contact zhamilton@interhealthcanada.tc or call 941-2800 Ext 71803.

Salary: $45-$50K (Plus benefits).

2. HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR

(Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales and Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk)

The Housekeeping Supervisor will oversee the Domestic, Portering, and Laundry Services within the organization’s facilities, working under the direct guidance of the housekeeping manager. It is essential that candidates interested in this role have a minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in Hospitality or an equivalent field, alongside an associated degree.

The potential candidate assigned to the role will have the crucial task of supervising and directing a diverse team comprising a minimum of 30 staff members. This candidate will be responsible for numerous tasks including, but not limited to, conducting weekly and monthly departmental

quality audits, managing stock levels and ordering, ensuring all cleaning duties associated with the department are maintained, providing training and development opportunities for staff within their purview to ensure compliance, safety, and excellent customer care, as well as collaborating closely with management and IPC to uphold best practices and excellence in infection control.

For full Job Specifications and Package Details, please contact zhamilton@interhealthcanada.tc or call 941-2800 Ext 71803.

Salary: $35k + (dependent on experience)

3. CORPORATE ACCOUNTANT

(Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales and Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk)

The corporate accountant will be responsible for decision making within the Finance Department and other departments as may be assigned. Must demonstrate current knowledge if finance through ongoing professional development, maintain a strong analytical and problem-solving capability and produce a timely and insightful analyses of financial performance. It is essential that candidates

interested in this role have a minimum of 5 to 7 years’ experience be Certified Public Accountants or have similar accounting designation and QuickBooks Experience is mandatory.

The potential candidate assigned to the role will have the crucial task of supervising and directing a diverse team. This candidate will be responsible for numerous tasks including, but not limited to, preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and reports for stakeholders using QuickBooks, Establish and maintain cash controls, assisting in the development of overall financial goals and policies of the Hospital, including operating and capital budget expenditures, managing payroll system and reconciling general ledger using QuickBooks.

For full Job Specifications and Package Details, please contact fmhr@interhealthcanada.tc or call 941- 2800 Ext 71803.

Salary: $50k (Plus Benefits)

• Performing a variety of

activities such as

• Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine,

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Human Resources is responsible for overseeing the Human Resources functions for the hotel, working closely with the regional Hyatt Corporate team as well as the General Manager to create and sustain a positive, professional work environment.

The Director of HR will develop, implement, and administer HR related policies, programs, and practices, overseeing legal compliance, recruitment, benefits administration, employee and labor relations, and performance management. S/he must act as a role model to the hotel staff, possessing strong interpersonal and communication skills to create a strong work culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.

• Legal authorization to work in TCI is required.

• Must speak English fluently. Additional languages are a plus.

• Prior experience working as a hospitality Human Resources professional in Turks and Caicos Islands

• Strong knowledge of local laws as it relates to employment, including but not limited to: benefits; legal, employee, and safety compliance; applicability of GDPR to both guest and personnel information.

• 7+ years of Human Resource experience, with a minimum of 3+ years Human Resources Management experience in the hospitality industry.

• Prior ‘Lifestyle hotel leadership experience is a plus.

• Experience in pre-opening/opening a hotel and creating HR systems and policies.

• Proficient in computer systems including all Microsoft Office applications; prior experience in HRIS systems and/or Payroll systems is a must.

• Ability to effectively and confidently conduct trainings/orientation/seminars, and present strategies, financials, and other presentations in both oral and written form.

• Ability to create effective employee recruitment and retention strategies.

• Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with: Ownership; Corporate; hotel’s management, employees, clients, vendors; and the community.

• Ability to communicate effectively and calmly handle challenges in the workplace, proposing corrective solutions to challenging situations.

• Ability to work flexible schedules and be present as required by business demand levels.

• Develop and sustain a positive and collaborative work culture and environment.

• Strong recruitment and hiring skills; the ability to seek out, recognize, and engage talent who embody the hotel/company’s ethos, and will contribute to the success of the hotel operation.

• High emotional intelligence. Strong conflict resolution, training, and development skills.

• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize workloads.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

Peter’s Retiring & The Mansions is Hiring!

After 18 years as the Manager of The Mansions on Grace Bay, Peter Stingl has earned his retirement. He has been a rock for our owners who enjoy one of the few residential resorts on Grace Bay. He has managed our condos and staff superbly and we wish him the best as he moves on to his next adventures.

Now, we need a new Manager. This is a perfect opportunity for someone to work 5 hours per day, Monday to Saturday. We need a Manager who is conscientious about the needs of our owners and our property, and who is attentive to the needs of our buildings, grounds, and landscaping. No rental program or restaurant on premises.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Oversee day-to-day management of entire Mansions residential development, including implementation of all processes set by the Strata guidelines.

• Review monthly expenses, pay all utilities & vendors, prepare executive reports for Strata Board, prepare monthly statements for all condo unit owners.

• Ensure costs are controlled and OS&E are effectively sourced and delivered.

• Conduct routine daily and once-per-week nightly walkthroughs of the property to cover lighting, safety, timers and MEP. Conduct individual unit inspections as requested by Owners.

KEY SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Keen understanding of Owner Relations, exceptional verbal, written and strategic planning skills, along with strong organizational and problem solving skills.

• At least 3 years’ experience in a managerial role in Property Management with in-depth knowledge of utilities, landscaping, general maintenance, pest control and related physical plant needs.

• Sound knowledge of QuickBooks and Microsoft Office, with a focus on Excel and Word.

• Ability to effectively direct staff productivity, safeguard assets, and repair and maintain the facility and grounds.

• Financial management skills e.g.: ability to analyze P&L statements, develop operating budgets, forecasting, and capital expenditure planning.

• Ability to take constructive action without relying on directions from others.

• Must be available weekdays and Saturdays, 5 hours per day.

Starting Salary $52,000-$58,000 per annum, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

JOB TITLE: PROJECT ARCHITECT

Job Reference No: GTESA - 3

Grade: 8

Salary Range: $64,985 (TCIG Grade 8 Equivalent)

Reports To: Managing Director and Programme Manager

Agency: Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency (GTESA)

Ministry: Office of the Premier and Public Policy

JOB PURPOSE

The Project Architect is responsible for the design of GTESA architectural works on the island of Grand Turk, and is required to oversee and monitor their construction, and to conduct regular inspections to ensure quality assurance and quality controls procedures are maintained.

DIMENSIONS

The successful delivery of projects is an important contributor to our continuous improvement. The post-holder will be part of a Team that delivers infrastructure and aesthetic improvements to the island of Grand Turk.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Design – Prepare architectural designs for GTESA works and projects or oversee designs undertaken through outsourcing.

2. Estimates – Authenticate the estimates presented for GTESA works and projects.

3. Tender Documents –Prepare and evaluate tender documents for various GTESA projects.

4. Oversee the entire project process from inception to completion to ensure quality control, adherence to budget, and deadlines.

5. Liaise and coordinate activities with contractors, suppliers and consultants providing services to GTESA.

6. Assist in carrying out land surveying.

7. Source and procure materials and specialised equipment for the various GTESA contracts.

8. Prepare reports for the Programme Manager.

9. Implement and maintain quality control procedures and standards.

10. Adhere to all rules and regulations governing the GTESA 11. Perform other related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture/related field or equivalent

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the architectural and construction field – i.e. architectural design projects, site management, quality control, tendering process, good command of the use of AutoCAD, and other Computer Aided Design programs.

• Good knowledge of architectural design and construction technology.

• High level of written and oral communication skills.

• Experience in project management and development.

• Knowledge of other computer software such as Microsoft

Word, Excel, project management is required.

• Ability and commitment to work as a team and to achieve deadlines.

• Knowledge of sustainable, green building and technologies and practices would be an asset.

ASSIGNMENT AND PLANNING OF WORK

The post-holder receives strategic direction from the Managing Director and Programme Manager. He/she is expected to collaborate with other team members and to draw on his/ her experience, research and initiative to deliver on the core responsibilities of the role.

On a day to day basis, he/she will be expected to work independently with very little supervision and to prioritize his/ her own work to meet tight and often competing deadlines. All deadlines, demands and expectations must be met in a timely manner.

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS

The post-holder will interface with the internal project teams and third party supplier delivery teams. He/she will monitor, support and report on the performance of project teams, as well as external advisers and consultants from a variety of fields and areas of expertise.

OTHER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post-holder must work effectively with members of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PIPD) and staff as well as having direct and regular interface with functionaries throughout Government and the Private Sector whilst carrying out the duties of this post.

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY AND CONTROLS

The post holder works within the parameters established by GTESA and all governing laws, policies and procedures.

The post holder will take decisions on matters within the ambit of the principal accountabilities of the post.

The post holder operates under the direction of the Managing Director and Programme Manager is required to keep him/her apprised of key developments, risks or issues.

PROBLEMS/KEY FEATURES

Must achieve a high level of knowledge of many different aspects of how the Government operates because GTESA is an arms-length body; and needs the ability to quickly assess and analyse business needs encompassing many disciplines and professional backgrounds.

There is also the need be respected as a leader and to maintain high levels of professional knowledge and experience of fast changing technology and techniques.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office working environment. However abnormal hours are worked in order to meet tight deadlines, and to implement system changes which must be done outside normal working hour.

Required to provide user/stakeholder support outside normal working hours.

James scores late as Lakers end losing streak

LeBron James scored the match winner with time almost up as the Los Angeles Lakers ended their losing streak with victory against the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers held a onepoint lead with 42 seconds remaining, but James was on hand to tip in a Luka Doncic miss a split-second before the buzzer to secure a 120119 victory in Indianapolis.

James did not make a field goal until the fourth quarter but finished the night with 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

“It’s another great example of where he doesn’t necessarily have it going early, and got off to a slow start offensively but he was so good defensively and then takes over in the fourth quarter” Lakers coach J.J. Redick said.

“He gets rewarded by the basketball gods because he didn’t let go of the rope and didn’t stop competing.”

The Lakers, fourth in the western conference, improved their record to 4428 after ending three-game losing run.

Doncic had 34 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Los Angeles, while Austin Reaves scored 24 and Rui Hachimura added 14.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Washington Wizards ended a five-game losing streak with victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Toronto Raptors routed the Brooklyn Nets 116-86.

Nikola Jokic scored 39 points - and secured his 30th triple-double of the seasonon his return from injury to

Lebron James won the game just before the buzzer sounded

inspire the Denver Nuggets to a 127-117 win against the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to seven with a 132-102 win against the Phoenix Suns.

The Los Angeles Clippers kept their play-off hopes alive by coming back from 14 points down to defeat the New York Knicks 126-113, improving their record to 41-31.

The Golden State Warriors are seventh in the West, also with 41 wins, with the Minnesota Timberwolves in eighth with a 41-32 record. (BBC)

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Finance is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the Andaz Turks and Caicos Resort. This includes managing accounting functions, developing financial strategies, preparing budgets, monitoring financial performance, and ensuring compliance with local regulations and Hyatt’s corporate policies. The Director of Finance works closely with the General Manager and other department heads to drive profitability, control costs, and support the overall financial health of the resort.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development and implementation of the hotel’s annual budget, financial forecasts, and long-term strategic plans.

• Monitor the hotel’s financial performance and recommend corrective actions to ensure the achievement of financial goals.

• Provide detailed monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, highlighting variances and proposing solutions to address gaps

• Analyze financial results, including revenue, expenses, profits, and losses, to provide insights and recommendations to hotel leadership.

• Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports to the General Manager and corporate offices, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

• Conduct financial modeling, variance analysis, and profitability assessments for key areas of the hotel’s operations.

• Manage the hotel’s cash flow, ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet operational and capital needs.

• Oversee banking relationships, cash management, and investment strategies to optimize returns and minimize risks.

• Implement procedures for proper cash handling, credit policies, and accounts receivable/payable management.

• Ensure the hotel complies with local and international financial regulations, tax laws, and Hyatt corporate financial policies.

• Implement and maintain a robust system of internal controls to safeguard the hotel’s financial assets and prevent fraud or misappropriation.

• Coordinate audits and ensure timely responses to audit findings and recommendations.

• Analyze and control hotel expenses to ensure alignment with budgetary constraints and profitability goals.

• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins, and reduce costs without compromising service quality.

• Work closely with department heads to manage expenses related to food and beverage, labor, utilities, and capital projects.

• Manage the hotel’s capital expenditure (CapEx) planning, ensuring that investments in property, plant, and equipment are aligned with the hotel’s long-term strategy.

• Oversee the maintenance of financial records related to fixed assets, depreciation, and capital improvements.

• Monitor the return on investment (ROI) of key projects and make recommendations for future investments.

• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including banks, auditors, tax advisors, and government authorities, to ensure financial compliance and optimize financial operations.

• Communicate financial performance and business outlook to internal stakeholders, including the General Manager, ownership, and Hyatt corporate offices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (Master’s degree or CPA preferred).

• Minimum of 7-10 years of financial management experience, preferably in the luxury hotel or hospitality industry.

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.

• Expertise in financial reporting, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and variance analysis.

• Experience with hotel financial systems (Opera, Oracle, or similar systems) and HR management software.

• In-depth understanding of local tax laws, labor regulations, and hospitality industry standards.

• Proven ability to lead and develop highperforming finance teams.

• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy and integrity.

Science & Technology

Brain aging accelerates dramatically around age 44 – could ketone supplements help?

The human brain suddenly starts aging much faster around age 44, and that aging reaches a maximum speed at age 67, a new study finds.

The research, published March 3 in the journal PNAS, seems to align with the results of a different study that Live Science recently reported on, which looked at aging using blood samples and found that periods of accelerated aging take place around ages 44 and 60.

The new neuroscience study also found that brain aging was linked to insulin resistance, in which cells need more insulin than usual to keep blood sugar in check. Furthermore, it uncovered early hints that ketone supplements may offer some protection against certain measures of brain aging.

Ketones are compounds in the body that act as an alternative fuel source, standing in for sugars. So if the brain is aging because it’s not getting enough sugars, ketones could help fill the gap, the team theorized.

However, much more research is needed to back this idea.

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF BRAIN AGING

The researchers used four existing datasets of brain scans that together included scans from 19,300 people ages 18 to 90. To study how different brain regions are linked in networks, the team looked at two types of brain scans: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which measures blood flow in the brain, and electroencephalograms (EEGs), which measure electrical firing between neurons in the outermost layer of the brain.

In these scans, the scientists

A new study looked at networks within the brains of people of different ages, finding that brain aging appears to speed up at certain ages

looked for signs that blood flow and electric firing between brain regions either disappeared or became inconsistent, suggesting there was a breakdown in communication between nodes in the network. They had considered this network disintegration a hallmark of aging in previous research wherein they assessed the impact of diet on the brain. Such disruptions are also seen in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, and the degree of disruption typically reflects the person’s overall degree of aging.

Through their analysis, the researchers found that the brain starts to age more quickly around age 44 and that the aging accelerates to a maximum rate around age 67. After that, brain aging starts slowing down, until the rate stabilizes around age 90.

“What we did not anticipate was that the effects might be occurring as early as the 40s,” study senior author Lilianne Mujica-Parodi, a neuroscientist at Stony Brook University, told Live Science.

SUGARS VERSUS KETONES

The network disruptions the researchers observed resembled changes previously documented in the brains of people ages 50 to 80 with type 2 diabetes. MujicaParodi and her team wondered if the changes arose because neurons were not responding well to insulin, the hormone responsible for shuttling sugar from the blood into cells.

This effect wouldn’t affect only people with diabetes. About “88% of North Americans have at least one detectable sign of insulin resistance,” said Dr. Luis Adrian Soto-Mota, a metabolism researcher at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico who was not involved with the study but previously worked with the team.

Looking at all the brain scans, which included scans from people with and without insulin resistance, the team found that people in their 40s with high blood sugar levels

experienced faster brain aging than people of the same age with no signs of insulin resistance.

In addition, across all of the scans, certain parts of the brain aged more quickly than others, so the researchers wondered if those brain regions might be more insulin dependent. It’s known that a protein named GLUT4 relies on insulin to move sugar into cells. So the team turned to the Allen Brain Atlas, which includes data on the activity of the GLUT4 gene, and found that the fast-aging regions did depend more on GLUT4.

The slow-aging brain regions, on the other hand, had higher levels of a protein that moves ketones into cells, suggesting that those regions use ketones as an alternative energy source.

KETONE SUPPLEMENTS?

That raised the question of whether ketone supplements might be able to slow brain aging. To test this idea, the team recruited 53 men and 48 women, ages 20 to 79, who got fMRI scans after fasting overnight to deprive the brain of sugar.

Half an hour after the scan, the participants received either a ketone-filled drink or a sugary drink with the same number of calories. The researchers then waited 30 minutes for the energy source to reach the participants’ brains, before repeating the fMRI scans.

Even over this short time frame, the ketone drink appeared to reduce brain network disruptions tied to aging, while the glucose beverage didn’t, the team found.

The ketone drink had the greatest effect on people ages 40 to 59, where its impact was over

80% higher than in younger adults ages 20 to 39. The ketone drink had the smallest effect in the 60to-79 age group. That might hint that, if ketone supplements prove to be effective for slowing brain aging, early intervention could be necessary.

This part of the study was limited in that the researchers tested the effects of ketone and glucose drinks only at a single time point; they didn’t monitor brain aging over time or conduct any cognitive tests. They also considered only specific fMRI data, which may not reflect all aspects of brain aging, so we don’t know if ketone supplements would help across the board.

Mujica-Parodi said future studies could track brain aging in people taking these supplements over time and thus provide more insight into its long-term potential. In addition, if the ketone supplements are making up for insulin resistance, the best measure people could take might be to avoid developing insulin resistance in the first place, she suggested, which could be achieved through dietary changes.

Soto-Mota added that when glucose levels are low enough, the body can make more ketones on its own than it can obtain from supplements. That’s the goal of the “keto diet,” although maintaining the diet for a long time comes with downsides.

Mujica-Parodi said that ketone supplements could be helpful in people with extreme insulin resistance who are incapable of making their own ketones, due to metabolic changes in the body. (LIVESCIENCE)

Toxic dust on Mars would make a future mission to the red planet extremely hazardous for astronauts and require significant countermeasures, new research suggests.

Substances such as silica, gypsum, perchlorates and nanophase iron oxides contained in Martian dust could have lifethreatening effects on members of a potential Mars mission, according to a study published in the journal GeoHealth last month.

“The biggest danger is the risk to astronauts’ lungs. Since the dust is so fine, it is expected to remain in astronauts’ lungs and some of it will be absorbed into the bloodstream,” study co-author Justin Wang, a medical student at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC), told CNN on Wednesday.

“Astronauts are already at risk for pulmonary fibrosis due to the radiation exposure in spaceflight, and many of the hazards including

silica and iron oxides can cause pulmonary disease that could be superimposed.”

Wang also highlighted concerns that perchlorates – chemical compounds that have been detected at toxic levels in Martian soil –could cause thyroid dysfunction and aplastic anemia – a condition in which the body stops producing enough blood cells.

Given the length of time it

Science & Technology

Can exercising help you live longer? Twin study says it may be complicated

For as long as there has been science, researchers have continued to look for ways to help us live longer.

Past studies show that certain healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet, not smoking , and exercising regularly may help increase a person’s life span.

“The length of the life span reflects the overall health of individuals,” Elina Sillanpää, PhD, associate professor in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland told Medical News Today.

“Many people still die from diseases that are partially preventable through healthy lifestyles. For example, physical activity recommendations are based on studies investigating the associations between activity and life span. Physical activity can affect various diseases and the aging process. Life span is an outcome that may combine all potential health benefits of physical activity,” she said.

Sillanpää is the lead of the GenActive research project that launched in 2021 to study the potential links between physical activity, cardiometabolic disease and genetics.

In one of the newest studies from the project, Sillanpää and her team report that higher levels of physical activity may not benefit lifespan as much as previously thought.

The study was recently published in the journal European Journal of Epidemiology.

USING TWINS TO COMPARE OUTCOMES

For this study, researchers analysed

Exercising more than the recommended amount may not benefit life span as much as previously thought

health data from almost 23,000 Finnish twins born before 1958 who had been part of the Finnish Twin Cohort.

Study participants had their physical activity levels evaluated three times — in 1975, 1981, and 1990. And the mortality rate of participants was followed up until the end of 2020.

“Previous animal and twin studies suggested that the association between physical activity and lifespan is not as straightforward as commonly thought, which piqued our interest in this topic,” Sillanpää said.

“We believed that by using novel methods — such as polygenic scoring to determine inherited disease risk, epigenetic clocks to estimate biological age, and longitudinal twin designs to

adjust for genetic confounding — we could produce new evidence on this topic,” she explained.

HIGHEST MORTALITY

BENEFIT IN SEDENTARY, MODERATELY ACTIVE GROUPS

Study participants were divided into four groups — sedentary, moderately active, active, and highly active — based on their physical activity data over the 15year follow-up.

When the different groups were analysed at the 30-year followup point, researchers found those in the sedentary and moderately active groups had a 7% lower risk of mortality, which was the highest benefit percentage amongst the four groups.

Additionally, researchers

found that meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 150 to 300 minutesTrusted Source of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity per week did not lower participants’ mortality risk or change their genetic disease risk.

“People with diseases or underlying health conditions may be less active, and it’s natural for individuals close to death to move less, which may cause reverse causality,” she continued.

“Other lifestyle factors may also explain the association; physically active individuals usually smoke less and have healthier diets. It’s important to note that physical activity is a voluntary behaviour, and our genetic preferences partially explain whether exercise is easy for us or not. Some genetic variation may also be associated with healthy behavior and lower risk of common diseases, as shown by our group’s previous studies,” Sillanpää said.

EXERCISE JUST ONE FACTOR THAT IMPACTS LONGEVITY

MNT had the opportunity to speak with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, about this study.

“This prospective study followed a group of people over many decades and found that their level of physical activity did not seem to correspond to their risk of mortality,” Chen commented. “This suggests that the health benefits of

exercise may be confounded by other factors, and that exercise is just one of many behaviours (including eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, etc.) that people should try to follow in order to improve their overall health.”

“Other studies will be needed to determine whether these findings are applicable to a wider population of people besides Finns,” Chen added.

IF EXERCISE DOESN’T INCREASE MY LIFE SPAN, WHY SHOULD I BOTHER?

After reading this study, readers may wonder why they should continue to exercise if it doesn’t help increase their life span.

MNT posed this question to Tracy Zaslow, MD, primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles and a team physician for Angel City Football Club and LA Galaxy, about this study.

“I would say number one, there’s a lot of studies that do show that life span is increased,” Zaslow explained. “But probably even more importantly, no matter what, the quality of life is improved by physical activity, in the sense that just being able to do more, more easily without pain.”

“I think a lot of people stop their exercise because it’s hard to pick up the golf ball when it goes in the hole — they can’t get up from (a crouched) position,” Zaslow added. “And if you just work on the strength of the legs, of the glutes, of the core muscles, then continuing those activities becomes an easy task, and a more engaging and enjoyable task.”

Toxic dust on Mars would present serious hazard for ...

would take to return to Earth from Mars, as well as a delay in communicating with our home planet, the key is to avoid dust exposure through dust filtration, cabin cleaning and the use of electrostatic repulsion devices, according to the study.

Nonetheless, Wang is optimistic that the toxic dust doesn’t make a Mars mission an impossibility.

“While the dust on Mars isn’t going to be the most dangerous part of a mission to the Red

Planet, it’s definitely a hazard that can be harmful to astronauts, yet easily avoidable given we’re properly prepared for it,” he said.

Study co-author Brian Hynek, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Boulder, highlighted the wider impacts of Martian dust.

“It’s constantly falling from the sky and covering everything. Every few years there are globeencompassing storms that lay down a thick coat,” he told CNN, underlining that spacecraft, vehicles, solar panels and other equipment “will need constant

attention to keep functioning.”

“Our rovers have already experienced this with loss of scientific instruments or the entire mission due to solar panels rendered too dusty to charge the batteries,” Hynek said.

“These secondary considerations will have a significant impact on humans as well.”

Julia Cartwright, an independent research fellow at the University of Leicester’s Institute for Space, who wasn’t involved in the study, told CNN that dust mitigation is a big issue for space exploration.

“As the authors have highlighted – the dust really does get everywhere, and it behaves a bit differently to dust on Earth. Here, most dust and particles go through their own transportation journeys and tend to be quite rounded when you look at it under the microscope as they get worn down gradually over time,” she said.

“By comparison, on the Moon and Mars, you’re dealing with very sharp, pointy particles which haven’t had this same activity. This is a problem if they are in the air that you are breathing – sharp particles are more likely to cause

irritation to soft membranes, which is where you can run into issues with your lungs.”

Cartwright said the process could be likened to being exposed to asbestos, a fibrous mineral that was used in building materials until research found that it caused health conditions including lung cancer, mesothelioma and pulmonary heart disease.

She also highlighted issues surrounding the use of filters to clean the air of “unpleasant elements and compounds” such as chromium, arsenic and cadmium.

Science & Technology

Low carb diets may increase colorectal cancer risk

Low carb diets, such as the keto diet, have increased in popularity in recent years, but many experts wonder if the health effects of a more restricted diet could have negative consequences.

Researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada recently conducted a study to explore how low carb diets can affect bacteria linked to colorectal cancer.

The researchers used mice in their study and studied them on low carb, normal, and Westernised diets and different strains of bacteria.

They focused on whether these diets impact certain bacteria and how that may contribute to colorectal cancer development.

Their study results showed that a type of Escherichia coli is negatively impacted by low carb diets. The scientists found that it increased the development of polyps. Some polyps have the potential to develop into colorectal cancer.

How might certain bacteria lead to cancer?

Colorectal cancer, which occurs in the colon and rectum, is one of the most frequently diagnosed Trusted Source cancers in the

United States. This cancer occurs in one out of 24 men and one out of 26 women.

Recent data has shown that colorectal cancer cases in adults ages 30 to 34 saw an increase of 71%, and in adults ages 35 to 39, this number saw a 58% increase from 1999 to 2020.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, colorectal cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 64.4%.

While there is no way to guarantee that one can prevent colorectal cancer, there are some ways people can lower their risk Trusted Source. A few of these include:

• ceasing smoking

• limiting alcohol intake

• eating a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains

• limiting processed foods and red meat.

Since researchers suspect that dietary choices may be connected to the development of colorectal cancer, the new study aimed to determine whether there was a connection between specific diet types combined with certain types

of bacteria.

They focused on three bacteria: Bacteroides fragilis, Helicobacter hepaticus, and E. coli, which they used to colonize the mice.

“These microorganisms cause DNA damage in intestinal epithelial cells either directly through the production of genotoxins or indirectly through the induction of DNA-damaging inflammatory mediators,” the authors explained in the study paper.

The study focused on mice that were fed low-carb and low-fiber diets, normal chow diets, and Western-style diets, which were high in fat and sugar.

E. COLI AND LOW CARB DIETS INCREASE CANCER RISK

After feeding the mice their specific diet types for nine weeks, the scientists checked for polyp development and then measured any polyp development again at 16 weeks.

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.

Of the bacteria and diets tested, only the combination of the low carb diet and E. coli showed the potential to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. This is significant since, according to the study authors, E. coli is present in 60% of colorectal cancer cases.

Mice in this combination had a higher number of polyps and tumors, which can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Additionally, these mice also showed DNA damage and other markers that lead to a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.

The low carb diet thinned the mucus layer in the colon that protects against microbes. In the mice with E. coli, this allowed colibactin to reach colon cells. Colibactin is a genotixinTrusted Source – it damages DNA.

These mice also experienced cell senescence, which can cause cancer development. The researchers found lowered levels of regulation of gut health in the mice on low carb, low fiber diets with E. coli, contributing to inflammation.

Overall, mice on low carb diets combined with E. coli experienced such disruption and damage to their gut microbiome that researchers found it to be an environment that promotes colorectal cancer.

As concerning as these results were, the researchers found that adding fiber to these mice’s diets reduced tumour formation and helped control inflammation.

The researchers want to continue this line of research by determining whether certain types of fiber are more protective and studying their effects on humans.

WHAT DIETARY CHANGES MAY HELP LOWER CANCER RISK?

Marianne Cusick, MD, an associate professor of colon and rectal

surgery at UTHealth Houston, who was not involved in the recent research, spoke with Medical News Today about the study findings.

“The mouse study highlighted in the article suggests a significant potential link between low-carb diets, colibactin-producing E. coli, and colorectal cancer,“ she told us. “The researchers found that a lowcarb diet paired with a strain of E. coli that produces colibactin led to the development of colorectal cancer in mice.”

Cusick explained how the gut environment created by the low carb, low fiber diet, and E. coli caused “increased inflammation in the gut, a thinner mucus barrier, and a higher prevalence of polyps, which are precursors to cancer.”

While she called the findings “exciting and compelling,” she noted that further research is necessary before they can be applied to humans.

Since the study highlighted the significance of a healthy mucus barrier in the colon, Cusick mentioned some types of fiber that may help maintain that.

Nilesh Vora, MD, a board certified hematologist, medical oncologist, and medical director of the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, CA, likewise not involved in this study, also spoke with MNT about its findings.

“I think this can be thought of as hypothesis-generating,” Vora said regarding the study. “There may be a true link here that could explain the incidence of colorectal cancer.”

Vora also acknowledged that more research is necessary on this topic but said that “the gut biome is a popular area of research in its link to colon cancer, and many study points will be emerging here.” (Medicalnewstoday)

Low carb foods normally lack fibre and carbs

Sports International

Premier League to have two summer transfer windows due to Club World Cup

The Premier League has announced it will have two transfer windows this summer to allow Manchester City and Chelsea to sign players before the Club World Cup.

The window will open between Sunday, 1 June and Tuesday, 10 June, then close for five days before running again from Monday, 16 June until Monday, 1 September.

This summer features the first expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which involves 32 teams and adopts the format of the regular World Cup of the past few years.

Chelsea and Manchester City are the Premier League teams in the tournament which takes place in the United States from Sunday, 15 June.

But the Premier League can only have 12 weeks of a summer window - hence the five-day break in order to run it until 1 September.

Fifa has allowed new players to be registered for the Club World Cup from 1-10 June, and again from 27 June-3 July for the knockout stage.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Firstly, to bring order to the global registration system, world governing body Fifa only permits the transfer window in any individual country to be open for 16 weeks in any calendar year.

In Europe, precedent dictates four of those weeks are for the winter window, leaving 12 in the summer. In 2024, the Premier League transfer window opened on 14 June and closed on 30 August.

However, in October, Fifa approved an additional window

from 1-10 June that would allow the 32 clubs competing in the Club World Cup to register new players before the tournament.

It also agreed to open a registration window midtournament, from 27 June and 3 July, to allow clubs to register additional players for the knockout stage.

As well as Manchester City and Chelsea, European heavyweights Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus, Paris StGermain, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Saudi Arabia’s AlHilal are among others playing in the tournament.

In order to ensure Manchester

City and Chelsea did not have an advantage over the other 18 topflight clubs, the Premier League has adopted the same window.

However, 12 weeks from 1 June is 24 August. The Premier League wanted to be aligned with the rest of Europe’s big leagues around when the summer window closes. Those leagues preferred to close the window at the end of August, so that meant the window had to close and reopen.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?

Firstly, the dates.

The Champions League final takes place in Munich on 31 May. After that, there are Nations

Real Madrid quartet probed for alleged indecent conduct

Uefa has opened an investigation into allegations of indecent conduct by four Real Madrid players during their Champions League last-16 win against Atletico Madrid.

Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Dani Ceballos allegedly made gestures towards the home fans after Real Madrid beat their city rivals on penalties to book their place in the quarter-finals.

TV pictures showed German

defender Rudiger appearing to make a throat-slitting motion, apparently towards the crowd after the shootout victory, while Mbappe was shown seemingly making a crotch-grabbing gesture.

Spanish media said, external Atletico reported the actions to Uefa last week.

The players could be at risk of suspension but there is no guarantee the case will be heard

before their quarter-final with Arsenal. The first leg for that tie is at Emirates Stadium on 8 April and the return leg a week later.

In a statement, Uefa said: “[An] ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct” made by the four Real Madrid players.

“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.” (BBC)

League semi-finals and finals and World Cup qualifying doubleheaders. In Europe, those games take place 6-10 June.

It means players could be negotiating transfers in the buildup to important matches.

One potential impact concerns international players who may move to clubs competing in the Club World Cup.

Let us take two examples - Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kevin de Bruyne. Both are internationals who might be called up by England and Belgium for their June matches.

However, both are out of contract at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively on 30 June.

Alexander-Arnold currently plays for a club not involved in the United States this summer, but looks likely to join Real Madrid who are.

So, do Real reach an agreement over a fee with Liverpool to trigger Alexander-Arnold’s release early so he can play a full part in the competition? Or do they wait until 30 June and add him to their squad for the knockout stage?

Manchester City are involved in the Club World Cup. So, as it presently stands, De Bruyne could play in the group stage but would not be eligible for the knockout stage.

If De Bruyne does not want to commit for a further year, he could sign a short extension that covers the tournament and then leave. Or he could leave before the tournament and sign for a different club. If that club were

also involved at the Club World Cup, De Bruyne would be in the same situation as AlexanderArnold.

Fifa has also tweaked its registration rules to effectively mean clubs can sign players solely for the duration of the tournament. It is thought unlikely either Manchester City or Chelsea would be looking at that scenario.

SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDES MIGHT COME IN NEXT MONTH

Semi-automated offside technology might be introduced to the Premier League in April.

It was trialled in the FA Cup fifth round - and will be tried again for the three quarter-final ties at Premier League grounds this weekend.

The plan was to introduce it for the Premier League in October or November, but issues with the system have delayed that.

If no problems arise from these FA Cup games, it will be rolled out in the Premier League next week.

Semi-automated offsides are designed to make the judgement of tight calls easier for officials by rendering key parts of the process automatic.

Bespoke cameras have been installed at all 20 Premier League grounds.

In the last round of the FA Cup there was a record eightminute VAR stoppage during Bournemouth’s win against Wolves when officials were unable to rely on the new technology because of a congested penalty area. (BBC)

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca (left) and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could use the earlier window to sign players for the Club World Cup

Antonio Rudiger is among the four Real Madrid players being investigated by Uefa

Dodgers accept Trump’s White House invite to celebrate World Series win

The Los Angeles Dodgers say they have accepted an invite from Donald Trump to visit the White House to celebrate the team’s 2024 World Series win.

The Dodgers made the announcement on social media Tuesday, upkeeping a longstanding tradition of champions meeting the president. The team announced it will visit the White House on April 7, before visiting the Capitol Hill the following day.

“The Dodgers look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title,” the team said on X.

The team earned its invite to the White House after defeating the New York Yankees in a dramatic Game 5 in October, staging the biggest comeback to clinch a World Series in baseball history.

There were, however, questions whether the Dodgers would attend a White House visit for several reasons, not least because manager Dave Roberts previously indicated he would decline an invite in a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Trump also publicly criticized Roberts in 2018, but the Dodgers’ manager now says he intends to visit the White House next month.

“It wasn’t a formal conversation that we had as a ballclub,” Roberts said, per ESPN. “It’s certainly a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House. It allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship. To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor, so

it’s a great honor for all of us.”

The Dodgers’ invite to the White House also comes amid controversy regarding franchise legend Jackie Robinson, who won a championship with the team in 1955 and who served in the US military during World War II.

A Department of Defense webpage describing the baseball and civil rights icon’s military service was temporarily taken down last week, amid the order for all diversity, equity and inclusionrelated content to be removed from Pentagon websites.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later said in a video posted to X that some content was

incorrectly taken offline.

“When content is either mistakenly removed – or if it is maliciously removed – we continue to work quickly to restore it,” he said. The page has since been republished.

“I think I’m happy that the page went back up,” Roberts told reporters, per ESPN. “I have my strong opinions on DEI and all that stuff, but that’s another scrum.”

Notably, Dodgers star Mookie Betts declined an invite to the White House after winning the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, but he has not yet said whether he would reject another invite this time around.

New York Giants sign free agent quarterback Russell Wilson

The New York Giants are signing a Super Bowl-winning free agent quarterback to the roster. And despite rumors, it’s not Aaron Rodgers.

The G-Men signed Russell Wilson, the team announced on Wednesday.

The deal was first reported Tuesday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who says that Wilson will sign a one-year contract worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed.

Wilson confirmed the news, posting a photograph of MetLife Stadium to X, tagging the Giants with the caption, “Been here before… can’t wait to do it again.”

The 36-year-old Wilson will be entering his 14th NFL season this fall.

Wilson played the first 10 seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was instrumental in leading the Seahawks to their only championship at Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.

The 10-time Pro-Bowler joined the Denver Broncos prior to the 2022 season, but he couldn’t find the success in the Mile High City that he enjoyed in Seattle. With Wilson under center, the Broncos missed the postseason in 2022 and 2023.

After the 2023 season, Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He began the season with an injured calf, but took over the starting role in October and led the team to victory in six of his first seven games at quarterback.

China’s dream of becoming a football superpower lies in tatters

On a hot, humid Thursday night in Saitama, China’s national football team hit its lowest ebb.

With a minute left on the clock and trailing Japan 6-0, Chinese defenders were likely wishing for the sweet relief of the final whistle.

But Japan’s Takefusa Kubo was not feeling charitable. After watching his team-mates toy with their opponents for a while, he received a pass on the edge of the Chinese box and rammed home Japan’s seventh goal.

The ball rocketed into the roof of the net, and the man known as “Japanese Messi” condemned China to their worst-ever defeat in a World Cup qualifier.

The 7-0 spanking in September - described as “rock-bottom” by a Shanghai-based newspaper – followed a year-long line of humiliating defeats which included

at the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.

It wasn’t long ago that China had dreamed of becoming a footballing superpower.

The world’s largest population, a thriving economy and a determined Communist Party led by an avid football fan, President Xi Jinping. What could go wrong?

Apparently, quite a lot.

XI JINPING’S THREE WISHES

When Xi came to power in 2012, his love for the sport spurred a drive to reform and improve Chinese football. His dream, he once said, was for China to qualify for the World Cup, host it and, ultimately, win it. These were his “three wishes”.

But a decade later, even Xi seemed to have lost the faith.

While making small talk with Thailand’s prime minister on the sidelines of an international summit in 2023, the Chinese president was heard saying that China had “got lucky” in a recent victory against Thailand.

“When China’s government puts its mind to something, it very rarely fails,” says Mark Dreyer, a Beijing-based sports writer. “Look at electric vehicles, look at the Olympics. Practically any sector you can think of, China is right up there.”

But football, it seems, could not thrive in the grip of the Communist Party.

A key government report in 2015 noted that The Chinese Football Association (CFA) must have “legal autonomy,” and should be “independent” of the General Administration of Sport (GAS).

Avid fan Xi Jinping dreamed of turning his country into a footballing powerhouse

Oman, Uzbekistan

Hong Kong.

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees to win the 2024 World Series

Russell Wilson, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, is now a New York Giant

Sports National

Red Bull confirm Tsunoda to replace Lawson

Red Bull have confirmed that they will demote Liam Lawson and replace him with Yuki Tsunoda with immediate effect.

The decision comes after Lawson had completed just two grands prix for Red Bull, and three months after Tsunoda was passed over for the New Zealander as a replacement for Sergio Perez.

Tsunoda, 24, will partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull from the next race in Japan on 4-6 April, while Lawson will return to second team Racing Bulls as team-mate to French rookie Isack Hadjar.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said in a statement: “It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.”

Red Bull are third in the constructors’ championship after two races, behind McLaren and Mercedes, and Verstappen has expressed his belief that their car may be only the fourth fastest in the field.

The Dutchman was a close second behind race-winner Lando Norris’ McLaren in the wet seasonopening Australian Grand Prix, and fourth at the Chinese race last weekend.

Lawson qualified 18th in Melbourne and crashed out of the race. In China, he qualified last for both the sprint and the grand prix, and finished 14th and 12th.

His finishing position in the grand prix in Shanghai was boosted by the disqualifications of both

Ferraris and Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, without which he would have been 15th.

Horner’s statement said: “We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car.”

The decision to swap Lawson and Japanese Tsunoda was made on Monday at a meeting of Red Bull bosses in Dubai, including Horner and the chief shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya.

When Red Bull made the decision to pay off Perez two years before the end of his contract at the conclusion of last season, they chose Lawson because they

believed Tsunoda lacked the mental fortitude to be Verstappen’s team-mate and that Lawson had more potential.

That was despite the fact the 23-year-old New Zealander had completed just 11 grands prix over two seasons for Red Bull’s second team.

At the time, Red Bull’s car had fallen from competitiveness and, although Verstappen clinched a fourth consecutive world title, he won only twice in the final 14 races of the 2024 season.

The car appears not to have improved in relative competitiveness over the winter, and Verstappen is continuing to complain it has balance problems

that affect its performance.

Red Bull have long been renowned for the ruthlessness with which they handle their young driver programme, but even in that context dropping Lawson after two races is extraordinary.

Horner’s statement said: “We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together we see that, after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience as he continues his F1 career with Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well.”

Tsunoda’s debut for the senior team will come at his home race at Suzuka, a track that is owned by Japanese car company Honda,

which is Red Bull’s engine partner and has long been a backer of the driver’s career.

He has been with Red Bull’s second team, previously called Alpha Tauri and RB, since making his F1 debut in 2021.

His promotion is an opportunity to secure his F1 career, at a time when his future in the sport was looking uncertain.

Honda is moving to Aston Martin for 2026 and there is no space for Tsunoda at that team.

If he can prove himself at Red Bull, he has the opportunity to show the team’s bosses that he should be considered as a future driver for their team despite their long scepticism over his ultimate potential.

Tsunoda has had a positive start to the 2025 season, qualifying fifth in Australia and ninth in China, where he finished sixth in the sprint race.

Lawson will be advised that his demotion is an opportunity for him to rebuild his career, in the same way as earlier Red Bull rejects Gasly and Alex Albon have done.

Gasly was demoted to the second Red Bull team after just half a season in 2019 in a swap with Albon, who was given a season and a half before being demoted to reserve driver in place of Perez.

Gasly has since moved to Alpine and Albon to Williams, and both have thrived.

Perez no longer has an F1 seat after being dropped at the end of last season with a pay-off worth many millions of dollars. (BBC)

Kenya keeper the subject of match-fixing investigation

The Kenya Football Federation (FKF) has launched an investigation into allegations that goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been involved in match manipulation.

The 37-year-old, who plays for Kenyan Premier League club Kakamega Homeboyz, has won over 30 international caps.

His most recent appearance for the Harambee Stars came in October last year, in a qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

An undated video posted online - which the BBC has not been able to verify - appears to show Matasi agreeing a deal to influence the outcome of a league game.

“I have spoken to him. He was also shocked at what he was seeing in the video and he told me he doesn’t know about match-fixing,” Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula told BBC Sport Africa.

The FKF said it would work with world governing body Fifa, the

Confederation of African Football and other “relevant authorities” during its investigation.

“We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competitions,” a statement added.

“This investigation will adhere to FKF’s anti-match manipulation regulations and Fifa guidelines, ensuring a fair, transparent, and thorough process.

“The rights of the player and his club will be respected, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.”

BBC Sport Africa has contacted Matasi for comment.

HOMEBOYZ OFFER

SUPPORT TO MATASI

Shimanyula backed Matasi, pointing to the fact the veteran has kept three clean sheets in as many games since joining the club a

wrongdoing.

“He is innocent until proven guilty and then we will act.”

The FKF has called on anyone with credible information to assist its investigation, with any reports to be handled with strict confidentiality.

Shimanyula also challenged the Kenyan footballing community to provide evidence against Matasi.

“Kakamega Homeboyz is against any form of match manipulation,” he said.

“In the past we’ve reported match-fixing regarding some of our players who fixed a game with the coach and punishments were handed down by Fifa.

“When we watched this video, we found that Matasi has not wronged the club,” he said.

“In a video there can misinterpretations and false narratives and we cannot trust everything.

“He will keep playing for us because there’s no wrongdoing on his part as far as we are concerned - unless there’s evidence or the FKF writes to us to say they are suspecting the player of some

“We have our own internal systems that we use to also look at match-fixing and I cannot speak on behalf of other clubs.

“As Kakamega Homeboyz we are asking anyone who has evidence of Matasi fixing a game to bring it forward.” (BBC) month ago.

Yuki Tsunoda’s first race with the senior Red Bull team will be the Japanese Grand Prix, from 4-6 April

Patrick Matasi made his international debut in 2017 but has not appeared for Kenya since last year

Sports National

Dominance continues!! – ALGTHS win another Inter-High title

Defending champions of the InterHigh School Track and Field Championships, A. Louise Garland High School, marched their way to another title after battling against other high schools in the TCI.

In the final medal count, Louise Garland edged out Clement Howell High School (CHHS) by 55 to 54 medals. However, this was not reflected in their overall performance, as the winning school secured 26 gold medals and 19 bronze

A. Louise

as champions. They have dominated the event over the last five years

medals compared to CHHS’s 24 gold and 15 silver.

HJ Robinson High School finished third with 15 gold medals, 23 silver medals, and 12

bronze medals. MBHS placed fourth with three gold medals, three silver medals, and 12 bronze medals.

Raymond Gardiner High School

rounded off the top five with three gold medals, three silver medals, and eight bronze medals. They were followed by WM, MA, Elite, BWIC, and PTIS.

Over 100 youngsters take part in TCIFA Girls’ Festival

The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) recently hosted a vibrant Girls’ Festival at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales, marking a significant milestone in the development of women’s football in the region. Supported by the FIFA Women’s Football Campaign, the event attracted over 103 enthusiastic young girls, the majority of whom were unregistered new players, all eager to hone their skills and embrace the spirit of the game.

This festival is part of a broader initiative. These events are integral to FIFA’s global commitment to advancing women’s football and creating opportunities for girls to participate in sports. By supporting local initiatives like the TCIFA Girls’ Festivals, FIFA aims to inspire the next generation of female athletes and encourage widespread participation in football. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by the participants underscored the growing passion for football

Some children learnt the basics of the game

among young girls in the Turks and Caicos.

Building on this success, TCIFA announced upcoming Girls’ Festivals across the islands.

The next event will be held at the South Caicos Sports Complex on 29 March, followed by another at the Raymond Gardiner High School Grounds in North Caicos on 5 April. These festivals are open to all young girls, providing an opportunity to engage in football, develop their skills, and be part of an inspiring community of athletes. The festivals not only focus on technical skills and gameplay but also emphasise teamwork, leadership, and personal growth. Interactive sessions are designed to inspire confidence and instil a sense of achievement, ensuring that each participant leaves with more than just improved football skills. The

camaraderie and joy shared during these gatherings extend beyond the game, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.

Local coaches and volunteers play a crucial role in the success of these events. Their dedication and passion for the sport are instrumental in creating a nurturing environment where girls can thrive and pursue their love for football.

“As TCIFA continues to expand its reach and influence through these festivals, the hope is to create a ripple effect. Together, we can build a future where young girls everywhere have equal opportunities to shine in sports, and where football becomes a powerful tool for empowerment and change. This initiative is a testament to the transformative power of sports and the commitment to fostering a vibrant community of young female athletes. Join us in celebrating the power of football to unite and empower young girls across the Turks and Caicos,” TCIFA President, Sonia Fulford stated.

Garland High School repeat

Over 100 youngsters were a part of the event

PHL DA CONCH SHACK CUP:

GREYHOUNDS, LIGHTNING AND CANADIENS WIN TITLES

The Saunders and Co Greyhounds, the Twa Marcelin Wolf Lightning and the L’Heureux and Co Canadiens were crowned champions of the champions of their respective divisions, when the Provo Hockey League (PHL) Da Conch Shack Cup concluded on Saturday last at the Graceway Sports Centre in Providenciales.

In the Novice Division, Kai Henry scored a hat-trick to ensure that the Greyhounds marched to a 4-2 win over the Design Studio Jets. Dylan Garland scored the other goal for the winners.

The Jets staged a fight-back with goals from Tejas Gururaja and Wyatt King, but it was a little too late.

Earlier in the day, the Projetech Pirates finished third when they defeated the Grace Bay Car Rental Islanders 3-2. Fred Parker led the Pirates with two goals and Tristan LeDaridor with a goal and an assist.

Jacob de Leon scored both goals for the Islanders.

In the Bantam Division, the Twa

Marcelin Wolf Lightning crushed the Turkberry Hurricanes 6-1. Odyn Nielsen led the attack with four goals, while Lennox Losinske added a pair.

Ryan King scored the lone strike for the Hurricanes.

In the third place clash of the division, the Temple Financial Panthers led by two goals and two assists from Shlok Ganglani and two goals and an assist from Connor Bromley defeated the Ritz Carlton Flyers 5-3. Kale Luker scored all of the Flyers’ goals.

The Junior Division was a defence battle with the Canadiens emerging ahead of the Kvanar Oilers 3-1.

Goals from Lucas Emery and Keith Higgs carried the Canadiens comfortably ahead in the first five minutes of play, but the Oilers with tight defence and then a goal from Jack Henry at 10:08, ended the first period trailing just by one, but Keith Higgs scored his other goal eight minutes into the second off Aiden Bromley’s second assist of the game, to seal the win.

The Twa Marcelin Wolf Lightning won the Bantam Division

The Saunders and Co Greyhounds won the Novice Division

The L’Heureux and Co Canadiens won the Junior Division