RTC Scores
TCISS SOFTBALL 2024
Marjorie Basden Lady Knights defeats HJ Robinson High
More on this story on RTC Sports & Sports Watch
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Detroit 120, Oklahoma City 104
Indiana 116, Memphis 110
Atlanta 126, Toronto 125
Orlando 113, Phoenix 98
Chicago 104, Portland 96
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
St. Louis 4 Los Angeles 3 (OT)
Final Seattle 4 Columbus 2
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Kansas City 17, Baltimore 10
San Francisco 34, Detroit 31
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
UConn 99, Xavier 56
Purdue 68, Rutgers 60
UAB 97, Memphis 88
FAU 66, North Texas 63
New Mexico 89, Nevada 55
Tesla calls for higher tariffs on Chinese EVs
Tesla remains the world’s global leader in EV sales, but such is the competitiveness of China’s EV industry that CEO Elon Musk has called for import tariffs to protect the remaining global car industry.
“Chinese car companies are the most competitive car companies in the world,” Musk said on Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings call. “Frankly, I think if there aren't trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies.”
Both the US and the EU are investigating whether to apply further tariffs beyond those already imposed on cars imported from China.
However, the UK's standpoint is less clear, as it grapples with the need to both protect its car makers and encourage the sale of cheaper EVs to boost their appeal to less affluent private buyers.
Source-AutoCar
Deepfakes spark calls in Congress for new legislation
US politicians have called for new laws to criminalise the creation of deepfake images, after explicit faked photos of Taylor Swift were viewed millions of times online.
The images were posted on social media sites, including X and Telegram.
US Representative Joe Morelle called the spread of the pictures "appalling".
In a statement, X said it was "actively removing" the images and taking "appropriate actions" against the accounts involved in spreading them.
It added: "We're closely monitoring the situation to ensure that any further violations are immediately addressed, and the content is removed."
While many of the images appear to have been removed at the time of publication, one photo of Swift was viewed a reported 47 million times before being taken down.
The name "Taylor Swift" is no longer searchable on X, alongside terms such as "Taylor Swift AI" and "Taylor AI".
Deepfakes use artificial intelligence (AI) to make a video of someone by manipulating their face or body. A study in 2023 found that there has been a 550% rise in the creation of doctored images since 2019, fuelled by the emergence of AI.
There are currently no federal laws against the sharing or creation of deepfake images, though there have been moves at the state level to tackle the issue.
In the UK, the sharing of deepfake pornography became illegal as part of its Online Safety Act in 2023.
Democratic Rep Morelle, who last year unveiled the proposed Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act - which would have made it illegal to share deepfake pornography without consent - called for urgent action on the issue.
He said the images and videos "can cause irrevocable emotional, financial, and reputational harm - and unfortunately, women are disproportionately impacted".
Pornography consists of the overwhelming majority of the deepfakes posted online, with women making up 99% of those targeted in such content, according to the State of Deepfakes report published last year.
"What's happened to Taylor Swift is nothing new," Democratic Rep Yvette D Clarke posted on X. She noted that women had been targeted by the technology "for years", adding that with "advancements in AI, creating deep fakes is easier & cheaper".
Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr agreed, saying that it is "clear that AI technology is advancing faster than the necessary guardrails".
"Whether the victim is Taylor Swift or any young person across our country, we need to establish safeguards to combat this alarming trend," he added.
Swift has not spoken publicly about the images, but the Daily Mail reported that her team is "considering legal action" against the site that published the AI-generated images.
Worries about AI-generated content have increased as billions of people vote in elections this year across the globe.
This week, a fake robocall claiming to be from US President Joe Biden sparked an investigation. It is thought to have been made by AI.
Source-BBC
Police speaks on Grand Turk Incident
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are currently investigating the shooting death of a 26-year-old male in Grand Turk and the wounding of three females.
At 11:29 pm last evening (January 26th), the Police Control Room received reports of gunshots being heard at a location on West Road.
Officers arrived at the scene and received information that four persons received gunshot injuries.
The three females, ages 31, 36, and 38, were rushed to the Cockburn Town Medical Centre for treatment.
The male victim has been identified, but his name is being withheld pending next of kin being informed.
The RTCIPF extends condolences to relatives of the deceased.
Additionally, officers are actively investigating a structure fire.
At 2:45 am today (January 27th), officers responded to reports of a fire in Robinson Street, Five Cays, Providenciales.
The home's occupants are accounted for, while the structure was destroyed.
Both incidents remain under active investigation.
We are advising persons to notify the closest police station, contact 911 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-8477 and provide any information on illegal activities anonymously.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON INTEGRITY COMMISSION
In December 2023, HE Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Chairperson of the Integrity Commission, Honourable Justice Tanya Lobban Jackson, announced an independent Effectiveness Review of the Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission. The purpose of the review is to ensure the effective fulfillment of the Integrity Commission’s duties and provide public confidence in our governance of public standards of accountability.
Crest, an independent organization specializing in good governance, has been commissioned to undertake this review. We would very much welcome input from members of the public to assist our inquiries. We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who have been or are likely to be, subject to oversight by the Integrity Commission.
To guide your responses, we have set out some questions below, but these are not exhaustive. Please feel free to answer as fully and comprehensively as you are able. All responses will be treated as anonymous.
Please state clearly in your response whether or not you have been subject to oversight by the Commission.
Please return all responses to us by emailing integrity_commission@crestadvisory.com by 9th February.
Questions to help guide responses:
1. Do you clearly understand expectations of compliance with the Integrity Commission?
2. Are you aware of where responsibility lies for ensuring compliance with regulations
regarding conduct as a public officer?
3. Do you think the Integrity Commission provides clear and accurate guidance regarding
requirements?
4. Is the Integrity Commission Ordinance fit for purpose?
5. Does the Integrity Commission operate with the required independence from the government?
6. Is the Integrity Commission sufficiently accountable for its decisions?
7. Are the Integrity Commission’s decision processes accessible and transparent? Does it
clearly and accurately communicate the rationale underlying decisions?
8. In your opinion, is the Integrity Commission trustworthy? Please explain the reasons that
underpin your response.
9. What, if any changes would you recommend to the operation of the Integrity Commission?
Jury orders Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defaming her
Former President Donald Trump must pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defaming her in 2019 after she accused him of sexually assaulting her in a department store in the 1990s.
The jury determined that Trump must pay $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages.
A separate jury last year found Trump liable for sexually assaulting and then defaming Carroll, awarding her $5 million in damages.
The current jury of nine New Yorkers — including a former schoolteacher, a transit worker, and a property manager — rendered a verdict after deliberating for just under three hours.
Trump has denied all wrongdoing and has said he doesn't know who Carroll is.
Source-ABC
Prime Minister Gaston Browne opens Antigua and Barbuda Embassy in Beijing
Prime Minister Gaston Browne officially opened the Antigua and Barbuda Embassy in Beijing, China during a ceremony at the Sanlitun Diplomatic Compound in the Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Speaking at the ceremony, Browne said the establishment of this embassy signals the advancement in the relations between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China.
The ceremony also featured remarks by Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to China HE Brian Stuart Young, Minister for Foreign Affairs, E. P. Chet Greene and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, HE Xu Feihong.
On Monday, the Antigua and Barbuda PM arrived in Beijing for a weeklong Official Visit.
He pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda and the People's Republic of China share the closest relationship that exists between any large country and a small island state.
This year marks the 41st anniversary of relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the People's Republic of China.
TCI Police provides update on Operation Shepherd
Operation Shepherd – a joint police, border force and regiment operation undertaken during the holiday season – has reported impressive numbers, and the government has decided to extend the operation.
The agreement to extend was made by the government and the governor during a special meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on January 5th.
The primary focus of the meeting was to review the incidents and multi-agency operations initiated over the festive period.
A statement on the meeting noted that Operation Shepherd marked a significant milestone in joint operations with the teams resourcing vehicle checkpoints, coastal surveillance for irregular migrant vessels and supporting the security of key community events.
The vehicle checkpoints were assessed to be particularly effective with 1524 vehicles being stopped, 199 traffic tickets being issued, and 48 cars being removed from the roads due to lack of insurance.
In reviewing ongoing security requirements, the National Security Council agreed to recommendations to extend the arrangement.
Accordingly, the Governor has issued a directive under the Defence Ordinance, to extend TCI Regiment support to the RTCIPF until Wednesday, January 31st.
Meanwhile, also coming up during that NSC meeting was the multi-agency assistance from regional and international partners that was secured to bolster security efforts.
These additional assets were brought in to provide aerial and marine support to the RTCIPF, TCI Regiment and TCI Border Force.
The NSC reports these multi-agency operations included a successful operation on Friday, January 5, involving a Royal Bahamian Defence Force Cutter, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service's helicopter and air support from the United States Coastguard to interdict a vessel carrying 215 illegal migrants.
The vessel was escorted safely to Providenciales, where its occupants were processed and repatriated by TCI Border Force.
The Security Council was further briefed on work to increase surveillance measures in support of marine domain awareness.
Members also discussed work to progress youth crime prevention programmes, with a key focus on addressing the root causes and creating opportunities for positive development.
Ministry of Health and Human Services issues a public health advisory
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public health advisory regarding the increase in acute diarrheal illness reported in our neighboring countries.
The rise in cases is of concern, as we have close travel and trade relationships with these countries.
As such, the Ministry of Health is committed to raising awareness and promoting preventive measures to curb the potential spread of these illnesses.
Acute diarrheal illness is a serious public health issue that can lead to severe complications if not addressed promptly. In light of the escalating cases in our neighboring countries, communities must prioritize and implement essential preventive measures to safeguard public health.
Acute diarrheal illness, has various causes, including bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Several factors contribute significantly to the spread of these infections. Such as:
ingestion of contaminated water and food sources
poor sanitation,
inadequate hygiene practices- such as poor hand hygiene
direct contact with an infected person and
touching contaminated surfaces or objects
Common causes of diarrheal illness include bacterial infections such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli), and viral infections such as Norovirus. Bacterial causes tend to spike in the warm season while viruses such as norovirus are more commonly seen in the drier cool months of winter.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services urges individuals, communities, and healthcare providers to focus on the following key aspects in order to prevent and control the spread of acute diarrheal illness:
1. Hand Hygiene Practices:
Promote regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, before eating, before preparing food and after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. Hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content can also be used when soap and water are not readily available.
2. Safe Water Practices:
Ensure access to clean and safe water sources. Communities should prioritize water purification methods and regularly check the quality of drinking water to prevent waterborne diseases associated with contaminated water.
3. Good Food Preparation:
Emphasize safe and hygienic food handling practices. This includes thorough cooking of food, proper storage to prevent contamination, and avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked items. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
Oral rehydration solutions can be used to prevent dehydration in cases of acute diarrheal illness. Individuals should however seek medical attention promptly if symptoms persist or worsen.
NUTRITION GUIDELINES DEVELOPED FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES
The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce the release of its comprehensive nutrition guidelines tailored specifically for early childhood centers.
These guidelines aim to promote healthy eating habits and provide essential nutritional support for young children during their crucial developmental years.
In light of the vital role that nutrition plays in the growth and development of young children, the Ministry's Early Childhood Unit collaborated with the nutritionist to organize several workshops for parents and educators that aim to raise awareness of the connection between nutrition and cognitive development.
Therefore the purpose of this guideline is to empower early childhood centers to create nurturing environments that support the overall well-being of the children in their care, as well as to promote healthy eating habits in these settings.
Heidy Williams Early Childhood Officer expressed enthusiasm for the release of the guidelines and the potential impact on young children's health and well-being. While Hon. Rachel Taylor Minister of Education, Youth Sports and Library Services, said, "By integrating nutrition education into their daily routines, we can set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy choices."
Key features of the nutrition guidelines include nutrient-rich meal plans that emphasize a balanced intake of essential nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products. As well as advice on food safety and food allergies.
The food and nutrition guidelines also offer strategies for engaging parents and guardians to reinforce healthy eating habits at home, creating a collaborative approach to children's nutrition.