Haitians intercepted at French Cay
NINETY-FIVE (95) irregular migrants were intercepted this afternoon by the officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Marine Branch.
Eighty-two (82) males and Thirteen (13) females were handed over to the Immigration Task Force around 6:15 p.m. for processing.
Marine Commander Assistant Superintendent of Police Everet Warrican said information
received after 2 pm indicated an illegal sloop was spotted 28 nautical miles south off the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Partner agencies – Border Force, TCI Regiment, Fisheries Maritime Resource Management, Immigration and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (HMBS Bahamas) assisted with the interception.
ASP Warrican said: “There are dangers associated with illegal migration, especially by sea. Not only are you risking your safety but that of officers escorting you to land.
"Illegal migration poses significant risks to individuals and communities. It fuels criminal networks, exploits vulnerable people, and undermines the integrity of our borders. The RTCIPF will not tolerate such activities. Those who facilitate or support illegal migration will face the full force of the law. Let us work together to protect the safety and well-being of everyone in our community."
The RTCIPF encourages anyone with information about this incident to help with the investigation.
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information.
US Democratic leader warns Haiti’s crisis is ‘a human rights emergency’
The leader of the Leader of the House Democratic Caucus, Hakeem Jeffries, has warned that the political and socio-economic crisis in Haiti, is “a human rights emergency,” as criminal gangs continue their efforts to topple the Ariel henry administration.
“The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” said Jeffries, who represents the 8th Congressional District that encompasses parts of Brooklyn and Queens in New York, with a heavy concentration of Caribbean immigrants, including Haitians.
“The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding represents both a human rights emergency for people in Haiti and a pressing threat to security and stability across the Western Hemisphere,” he added.
Jeffries has also written to the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, warning of the “humanitarian catastrophe” unfolding in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
“Recognizing the imperative to engage with our Caribbean neighbours on issues related to our geopolitical and national security, I was honoured to lead a bipartisan Congressional delegation to participate in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Conference last summer. It became all the more evident there that our collective future will be safer and more prosperous because of the multilateral partnerships that bind CARICOM and our Hemisphere together,” Jeffries wrote in his letter to Johnson.
He said that, amid the rising unrest in Haiti, CARICOM countries have worked with Haitian stakeholders to chart a “responsible course toward political transition and, eventually, free and fair elections.”
He said in order to create the security environment necessary for Haitian self-determination and to protect the Haitian people from growing violent crime, the Biden-Harris administration has supported the creation of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
Jeffries said the government of Kenya has “admirably stepped up” to facilitate the MSS with support from nations like Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Benin, as well as Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica and Barbados.
“It is imperative that the United States ensures they have the resources to complete the mission. However, months have passed since Secretary (of State) Antony Blinken notified Chairman Michael McCaul of his intent to support the MSS effort.
“The situation on the ground in Haiti has rapidly deteriorated, while House Republicans have refused to deliver the resources necessary to carry out this mission. Now is the time to release the full US$50 million in security support.
“It is not in America’s national security interests to hold up the transfer of funds that support security stabilization in Haiti, particularly given the present crisis on the ground,” the House Democratic Leader wrote, stating that Blinken has “heeded the urgency of recent events” and joined regional leaders in Jamaica last week to tackle the crisis.
Jeffries told Johnson that “Congress must join the Biden administration in their crucial work and meet the moment by fulfilling our essential responsibility to ensure security in the Western Hemisphere and release the full $50 million funding allocation forthwith.”
On Tuesday, the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, issued a Security Alert for US citizens currently in Haiti.
“Do not make plans to travel into Haiti. For US citizens currently in Haiti, the US government is arranging departures from the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic via helicopter.
“Travelers will need to make their own onward travel plans from the Dominican Republic. The overland trip into Port-au-Prince is dangerous. The Embassy recommends you consider the US Embassy Port-au-Prince flights only if you believe you can reach the embassy safely,” the Embassy said.
The United Nations on Tuesday also warned that humanitarians continue to deliver aid in Haiti, where the situation in Port-au-Prince remains tense and volatile in the face of escalating gang violence and political instability.
Source-CMC
Dani Alves granted €1m bail after sexual assault conviction
A court in Barcelona, Spain, announced on Wednesday that former Brazil footballer Dani Alves has been released on bail for €1 million ($1.1m) upon appeal.
Alves, 40, was convicted of sexual assault last month and sentenced to 4½ years in prison, of which he had already served over a year.
His lawyer, Inés Guardiola, fought the ruling and, following a hearing on Tuesday, Alves has been released pending a final resolution in the appeal.
Alves' release also depends on handing in his Spanish and Brazilian passports, remaining in Spain, and agreeing to weekly court check-ins.
He also must adhere to a restraining order that prevents him from going within 1,000 meters of his victim, her home, her place of work or any other place she is known to frequent.
All parties involved -- the defense, the victim's legal team, and the prosecution -- have three days to appeal Wednesday's ruling.
On Tuesday, Guardiola argued that there was no risk of Alves fleeing the country or destroying evidence. At the same time, the ex-Barcelona player appeared via video link and insisted he was not a flight risk and was prepared to hand in his passports.
The prosecution, meanwhile, demanded a sentence of nine years, complaining that February's 4½ conviction was not sufficient punishment for the crime committed.
Alves was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022 following a 13-month investigation -- during which time Alves remained in preventative pretrial prison -- and a three-day trial last month.
Throughout the trial, evidence was heard from the victim's friend and cousin, Alves' friend whom he was with on the night, police officers who attended to the woman, and a forensic psychologist who examined her.
Police said the victim was greatly shaken and told them she had been sexually assaulted by Alves, while the psychologist testified that she was suffering from post-traumatic symptoms, a conclusion that was disputed by an outside expert called by the defense.
Meanwhile, Alves always maintained his innocence, but changed his story five times, eventually saying he did have sex with the victim but that he lied to hide his infidelity to his wife. He later added that he was drunk.
The Alves case was the first high-profile sex crime since Spain overhauled its legislation in 2022 to make consent central to defining a sex crime in response to a swell of protests after a gang-rape case during the San Fermin bull-running festival in Pamplona in 2016.
Source-ESPN
Illinois and Ohio primaries 2024: Trump-backed Senate candidate prevails in Ohio primary
November’s presidential matchup may be set, but Democrats and Republicans still need to decide who will run in hundreds of downballot races (e.g., for Senate and House) this fall. A batch of these contests were decided on Tuesday, March 19.
Tuesday was primary day in Ohio and Illinois, and in the biggest contest of the day, Republicans chose former President Donald Trump's endorsee Bernie Moreno as their candidate in Ohio’s U.S. Senate race.
It was a good night for other Trump endorsees too, as Derek Merrin prevailed in the GOP primary for Ohio's 9th Congressional District, while incumbent Mike Bost is leading his challenger in Illinois's 12th District, as of early Wednesday morning. Plus, a special election in California could have immediate implications for House Republicans’ razor-thin majority.
Source-ABC
Jonathan Majors' ex suing for assault, defamation; actor's attorneys "preparing counterclaims"
Jonathan Majors' ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the former Marvel star for alleged assault, battery and defamation from incidents dating between 2021 and 2023.
Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment in connection with a March 2023 altercation with his then-girlfriend, Jabbari, in a for-hire SUV in New York City. He was acquitted of two other counts of assault and aggravated harassment.
Marvel Studios severed ties with the Loki actor, who was supposed to play a major role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward.
The new suit, filed in the Southern District of New York, accuses Majors of making "knowingly false statements" about Jabbari during an interview with ABC News in January following his conviction, in which he said he did not hit her in the vehicle or cause any injuries.
"Put bluntly, Majors's defense to Grace's descriptions of the numerous acts of violence Majors perpetrated against her was to brazenly defame her and label her a liar on all claims," the complaint stated, citing what it called "false and defamatory statements" that were "broadcast around the world."
Jabbari is seeking damages for physical injuries she said she suffered as a result of the incident. She also claimed Majors committed "intentional infliction of emotional distress" against her, according to the civil complaint.
Jabbari's attorney, Brittany Henderson, said in part, "It takes true bravery to hold someone with this level of power and acclaim accountable. ... We strongly believe that through this action, truth and transparency will bring Grace the justice that she deserves."
For his part, Majors' attorneys responded to the filing saying, "This is no surprise. Mr. Majors is preparing counterclaims against Ms. Jabbari."
Source-ABC
Police investigates aggrivated burglary
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands can confirm that investigations are taking place into several incidents on Providenciales.
Shortly after midnight today (March 15), a male victim reported he was robbed of his vehicle and personal belongings by two males in the area of Kew Town while in a separate incident after 1 am, reports state a couple had returned to their Blue Hills home and were robbed by four armed males.
Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Dean Holden said detectives have actively investigated reported firearms-related incidents within the past 48 hours.
“ We understand the seriousness of the situation and assure the community that we are working diligently to ensure their safety and bring those responsible to justice. Preliminary reports indicate that around 9:03 pm last evening (March 14), a call was placed to the Police Control Room indicating two armed, masked men had robbed a couple of personal belongings and a white Daihatsu vehicle. This incident occurred in the Bight.
“At 9.21 pm yesterday (March 14), police officers were notified that three armed men robbed a food establishment along Leeward Highway. The third incident occurred on March 13th. Two armed men robbed a restaurant located along Airport Road around 9:38 pm.
“Thankfully, no one was injured during these incidents, but the suspects managed to flee the scene before officers arrived. We urge anyone with information regarding these crimes to come forward and assist us in apprehending the suspects by utilizing the following options”.
Notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information anonymously.
Haiti’s Grammy Award singer wants “armed men” to be part of talks to end crisis
Haiti’s international music star, Wyclef Jean, has called on national and international actors to allow rebel gunmen to be part of negotiations aimed at finding a solution to the Caribbean country’s unprecedented political gridlock.
The United States Thursday said that it backed the position outlined by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping following the high-level meeting on Haiti in Jamaica on Monday and wanted “to see an interim prime minister appointed as soon as possible”.
In an interview with the Port au Prince-based Haitian-Caribbean News Network, a partner of the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Jean, said the gunmen, who have had a high profile in the French-speaking CARICOM country in recent months, should be included in the current political negotiations, in the prospect of solving the security crisis.
“Whether people like it or not, I am saying the men of arms should be part of the overhaul negotiations, and It’s very important!”, Jean, the Grammy Award singer said, urging all stakeholders to join in facilitating the return of peace and security to Haiti.
“All should be on the table because this is not a dictatorship. I’d never support any form of dictatorship or any form of a radical one person taking over Haiti; never and never,” Jean said, warning stakeholders against further deterioration of the security situation.
He said the necessary steps should be taken urgently to pave the way towards making significant progress.
Among those whom he believes should have a say in the future of the island, Jean cites the former rebel leader Guy Philippe, political party leader Claude Joseph, Jean-Charles Moise from the ‘Pitit Desalin’ party as well as representatives of the so-called Montana group.
Jean said that for the United States to take Haitians seriously, they have to form a united front now.
“ I ask you to put your differences on the side. Everybody has to be included as part of the future of what’s going on,” Jean said, adding he could understand the frustration of the people with the guns because those guns were given to them to carry out massacres in the country.
“But they would wake up one day and say ‘Gosh the same forces that are telling us to do this, they are not the right forces’. And they are now up against them and they said we are going to topple them through extreme measures.
“But when I look at the situation, “and I go back to Nelson Mandela, I always feel that dialogue is the best situation right now.”
He said in understanding the situation “from a level of being one of those guys that used to be in those poor and populous neighborhoods, that was an advocate for peace, and that even helped negotiate a truce in certain parts of the country, when it was needed at a time.”
Jean, who is among the most popular Haitians internationally, said he maintains his Haitian passport despite his success. He is particularly admired in his homeland.
Media reports said that he had played a significant role in getting a hostage freed without having to pay a ransom because he was able to speak by phone to the abductors.
Meanwhile, the United States said that following Monday’s meeting in Jamaica, where it was announced that Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry, who has been stranded in Puerto Rico since last week, had decided he would be stepping down, several stakeholders “are willing to make and willing to make compromises to try to restore stability and set the path to free and fair elections.
“And we think that’s appropriate and think that it’s something that all political figures in Haiti should do to try to move past the current crisis,” said US State Department spokesman, Mathew Miller.
He told reporters that it would be a “mistake” to concentrate on what Washington would be doing to bring peace and security to Haiti, insisting “ultimately this is a matter for the Haitian people to decide, and the Haitian people and Haitian leaders need to be front and center in making decisions about their country.
“What we will do is work with Haitian leaders and work with CARICOM leaders and work with our other international partners to do everything we can to offer support for Haitians in making those concessions and trying to get on the path to democracy”.
He said separately but equally, Washington will support the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission “because it is critical to restoring security on the ground, and without security it’s going to be very hard, if not impossible, to hold free and fair elections”.
Source- CMC
Scores from College Hoops, NBA & more
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE
Philadelphia 6, Boston 1
Tampa Bay 3, Atlanta 1
Baltimore 5, Pittsburgh 2
Seattle 4, Milwaukee 2
Chi Cubs 3, Oakland 1
Cleveland 13, Colorado 7
Kansas City 6, Arizona 0
Washington 5, Houston 3
Texas 7, Cincinnati 4
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Toronto 5, Minnesota 1
Detroit 7, NY Yankees 0
Chi White Sox 5, LA Angels 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NY Mets 0, St. Louis 0
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Boston 127, Phoenix 112
LA Clippers 126, Chicago 111
Houston 135, Washington 119
Milwaukee 114, Philadelphia 105
New York 105, Portland 93
Oklahoma City 126, Dallas 119
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Buffalo 4, NY Islanders 0
Boston 2, Montreal 1 (OT)
Arizona 4, Detroit 1
Carolina 4, Florida 0
Pittsburgh 6, San Jose 3
Tampa Bay 6, NY Rangers 3
Ottawa 3, Columbus 2 (SO)
Toronto 6, Philadelphia 2
Minnesota 2, Anaheim 0
New Jersey 6, Dallas 2
Calgary 4, Vegas 1
Washington 2, Seattle 1
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Houston 60, TCU 45
UConn 87, Xavier 60
North Carolina 92, Florida St. 67
Arizona 70, Southern Cal 49
Iowa St. 76, Kansas St. 57
Providence 78, Creighton 73
Marquette 71, Villanova 65
NC State 74, Duke 69
Baylor 68, Cincinnati 56
South Carolina 80, Arkansas 66
Utah St. 87, Fresno St. 75
Texas Tech 81, BYU 67
Washington St. 79, Stanford 62
Colorado St. 85, Nevada 78
Duquesne 65, Dayton 57
96th annual Academy Awards, by the numbers
The 96th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, aired live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10. Oppenheimer was the big winner, taking home seven awards, including Best Picture. Best Actor and Supporting honors went to Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., respectively, for their roles in the film. Christopher Nolan also won for Best Director.
Emma Stone walked off with Best Actress honors for her role in Poor Things, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for her role in The Holdovers.
Here are the winners from Sunday night's broadcast:
Best Picture
Oppenheimer
Actor in a Leading Role
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Actress in a Leading Role
Emma Stone, Poor Things
Actor in a Supporting Role
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer
Actress in a Supporting Role
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
Directing
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
American Fiction
Writing (Original Screenplay)
Anatomy of a Fall
Animated Feature Film
The Boy and the Heron
Best Anmated Short
THE WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko
Short Film (Live Action)
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Documentary (Feature)
20 Days in Mariupol
Documentary (Short Subject)
The Last Repair Shop
International Feature Film
The Zone of Interest, UK
Film Editing
Oppenheimer
Cinematography
Oppenheimer
Sound
The Zone of Interest
Music (Original Score)
Oppenheimer
Music (Original Song)
"What Was I Made For?," Barbie
Costume Design
Poor Things
Makeup and Hairstyling
Poor Things
Production Design
Poor Things
Visual Effects
Godzilla Minus One
Following the 96th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10, the financial wonks at WalletHub dived into the numbers behind Hollywood's biggest night.
For example, according to the site, the ceremony will reportedly cost $56.9 million.
Thirty-three percent of this year's nominees are women, the site's analysts say, noting that's the highest percentage in three years. And speaking of the fairer sex, considering the outfit and jewelry, your average A-list actress's getup is worth $10 million.
At $18.1 million, Oscar winner Cate Blanchett's 2014 gown was the most expensive in history, though Lady Gaga's Tiffany diamond necklace from the 2019 ceremony was the most expensive piece of bling, at $30 million.
The average female nominee's outfit costs $1.5 million, but for a first-timer, the average is $266,000, WalletHub says.
The 50,000-square-foot red carpet on which the celebs will stride takes 18 rolls to complete and costs $24,700. It takes 18 workers 600 hours to roll out.
A Best Actress or Actor winner can see a 20% boost in pay for their next job, which is handy because a pair of tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar party reportedly cost $100,000.
Considering all the green that goes into the big show, it might not come as a surprise that the City of Los Angeles sees a $170 million economic boost from the Oscars, according to WalletHub.
Methodology and results have not been verified or endorsed by ABC News or The Walt Disney Company.
Source-ABC
Why does the US want to ban TikTok?
US politicians are debating new legislation that would ban TikTok in the US unless its Chinese owners sell the company.
The video-sharing app has millions of users around the world but is facing questions over the security of users' data, and its links to the government in Beijing.
Politicians from both major US parties have introduced a new bill that would ban TikTok unless owner ByteDance agrees to sell the app to a non-Chinese company.
The lawmakers fear that the Chinese government could use security laws to force ByteDance to hand over data about TikTok's 170 million US users.
TikTok insists it would not provide foreign user data to the Chinese government.
The US House of Representatives passed the bill on 13 March, with 352 voting in favor of the proposed law and 65 against.
It now moves to the Senate, where it is likely to face rigorous scrutiny. It is not clear whether a majority of senators will approve the bill.
US President Joe Biden says he will sign the bill into law if it is approved by the Senate.
This is the latest attempt by the American authorities to curb TikTok.
Former US President Donald Trump tried to ban the app when he was in the White House in 2020.
But Mr Trump - now confirmed as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election - has criticized the new legislation, arguing that limiting TikTok would unfairly benefit Facebook.
The bill still has some way to go before it becomes law.
But if it passes the Senate and is signed into law by President Biden, ByteDance would have six months to sell TikTok before any ban would take effect.
The most straightforward way for the US to ban TikTok would be to remove it from app stores, such as those operated by Apple and Google for iOS and Android devices.
App stores are how most people download apps onto their smartphones and tablets, so the ban would stop new users from getting TikTok.
The bill also forbids "foreign adversary-controlled applications" from being updated and maintained in the US.
That means people who already had the app would no longer be able to get future updates designed to improve security or fix bugs.
TikTok has been highly critical of the legislation.
Chief executive Shou Zi Chew warned the bill would give "more power to a handful of other social media companies", and put thousands of American jobs at risk.
Some US creators and users have also criticized the proposed ban.
TikTok asked its 170 million US users to contact their political representatives and ask them not to support the bill.
But the deluge of "confused" calls from TikTok users to congressmen and senators may have backfired.
Several politicians say the campaign has worsened the concerns they have about the app, and strengthened their resolve to pass the legislation.
If the bill becomes US law, it could inspire similar moves elsewhere.
TikTok is already banned in India, which was one of the app's largest markets before it was outlawed in June 2020.
It is also blocked in Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan and Somalia.