Team TCI travels to the 36th CARIFTA Aquatics Championship in Curaçao and the 50th CARIFTA Games
Collectively over 40 junior athletes are embarking on a journey to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands this Easter.
Commencing first is the 36th CARIFTA Aquatics Championship in Curaçao from April 5-10, where our swimmers will be competing in a large number of events per athlete in contrast to what is customarily seen in Track and Field. Following close behind is the 50th CARIFTA Games for Track and Field in Nassau Bahamas going from April 7-10.
At the Aquatic Championships age categories include 12U, 14U, and 17U while at the CARIFTA Games Track & Field will host U20 and U17.
One of the athletes in Track & Field to watch is Discus Throw and Shotput thrower Antwon Walkin who achieved a new personal best of 50.14" in discus earlier this year. In 2022 he medalled bronze at ISSA Boys and Girls Championships in Jamaica when in Class 2. He failed to medal at the CARIFTA Games in 2022 however he had just moved up a class to U20, with stiffer competition. We hope to see an improvement by him and the other athletes in the competitions this year.
Overall our athletes will be part of a historic and exciting event in The Bahamas, as the 50th CARIFTA Games coincides with the country's 50th year of independence.
Over in Curaçao, the action in the pool starts at 9 am on Thursday 6th April through to Sunday 9th April 2023. The heats in the morning sessions start at 9 am and the finals in the evening session start at 6 pm. Athletes Ethan Gardiner and Tahjari Williams will compete in the Open Water race which takes place at 8 am Monday 10th April 2023.
Here is the Aquatics team list and their events:
12U Girls
Danielle BURGESS | 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke
Hayley WILLIAMS | 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 100m breaststroke
Danielle GARDINER 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle
Lenika HAMILTON 200m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke
400m Freestyle relay
200m Freestyle relay
12U Boys
Rishith GURURAJA | 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly
14U Girls
Alyssa GARDINER | 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle
Kevanique HARVEY | 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle
Lenika HAMILTON | 200m
400m relay
14U Boys
Jayden DAVIS | 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 50m butterfly
Ethan GARDINER | 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 200m, 50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, Open Water race
17U Girls
Thais BURGESS | 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 200m, 50m breaststroke, 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke
Angelina LINDENHAHN | 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke
Elinor ROBINSON | 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke
200m freestyle relay
400m medley relay
400m freestyle relay
17U Boys
Tahjari WILLIAMS | 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 50m freestyle, Open Water race
Donnie GARDINER | 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle
400m Medley relay
400m Freestyle relay
Here is the Track and Field team list and their events:
U17 Girls
Roneisha JOHNSON | 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay
Krysann WILLIAMS | 200m, 400m, 4x100m Relay
Branary DELANCY | 100m, 4x100m Relay, Long Jump
Anesha VARUS | 4x100m Relay
U20 Girls
Chyna SIMMONS | 200m, 400m, Mixed 4x400m Relay
Lynn ANTOINE | 200m, Long Jump
U17 Boys
Kaeson GARLAND | 1500m, 3000m
Love JOSEPH | 1500m, 3000m
Melique EVANS | 400m, High Jump
Shamar GARLAND | 4x100 Relay, High Jump
Jamal MISSICK | 100m, 4x100m Relay
Rayvon BLACK | 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay
Renaldo REGISTRE | 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
U20 Boys
Antwon WALKIN | Discus, Shot Put (Team Captain)
Darvioun RIGBY | Shot Put
Rayvon WALKIN | 4x100m, Long Jump
Bernard HYDE | 200m, 400m, 4x100m, Mixed 4x400m Relay
Alieando DURHAM | 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay
Alidavidson HIGGS | 800m, 1500m, Mixed 4x400m Relay
Markey ZEPHERIN | 100m, 4x100m Relay
Vin Diesel and company give a peek under the hood of Fast X
On Friday, Universal Pictures gave fans a peek under the hood of the upcoming 10th adventure in the Fast and the Furious franchise.
The snippet shows not only action-packed scenes from the movie but interview segments with its stars, including Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, and John Cena.
"I've never seen a movie like this," Diesel teases.
Cena, returning as a good guy after his heel turn as Dom Toretto's brother Jakob in Fast 9, notes, "Everything is bigger, better, and it hits you like a right hand to the jaw."
Director Louis Leterrier adds, "It is true entertainment on a massive canvas. ... With a new villain, new stakes — real stakes."
Momoa plays the baddie Dante, who is seeking revenge on Diesel's Dom and his "family" for killing his drug kingpin father during the events of Fast 5.
"It's exciting to be a piece in the puzzle of something so very important to pop culture," Momoa notes.
"I do suggest for the audience out there to prep. It's a big one," warns Rodriguez, returning as Letty.
See you on May 19.
Source- ABC
Samsung to cut chip production after profits plunge 96%
Samsung Electronics will cut memory chip production after estimating a 96% drop in its quarterly operating profit.
The chip-making giant said sales had dropped sharply due to a slow global economy and less demand after Covid.
Samsung said preliminary numbers showed operating profits fell 600 billion won (£366m) in January-March, from 14 trillion won the previous year.
The firm's shares rose more than 4% despite the decision to slow chip-making.
"We are lowering the production of memory chips by a meaningful level, especially that of products with supply secured," the South Korean tech giant said.
Demand for memory chips ramped up during Covid-induced lockdowns as consumers bought new electronics to use at home.
The industry is now recovering from a chip shortage over the past couple of years, but many semiconductor manufacturers are struggling to find a balance between their inventories and current demand.
"When the overall economy slowed down, suddenly the demand for these end products slowed. So, the makers of these end products stopped ordering chips and focused on selling through the inventory they already had," said analyst Peter Hanbury from management consultancy Bain & Company.
"This led to a strong 'bullwhip' effect for semiconductor makers further back in the supply chain, where sky-high demand during the chip shortage suddenly dried up", he added.
Samsung, the world's biggest maker of televisions, tablets, and smartphones, had resisted the move to cut memory chip production compared to its competitors.
Analysts say the company's announcement of a production cut is rare.
Last month, it announced plans to invest 300 trillion won over 20 years to develop a mega semiconductor hub in South Korea.
"Samsung faces a double whammy of DRAM and NAND losing money and needing to update the process technology their [factories] use due to falling behind over the last couple of years," said Dylan Patel, chief analyst at SemiAnalysis.
Investors are hopeful that Samsung's announcement is a sign of a market recovery in the semiconductor industry.
"We expect this inventory 'digestion' phase to complete its course over the next 3-6 months. At that point, the end markets will have worked through their inventory and returned to a more normal purchasing pattern," said Peter Hanbury.
The company is scheduled to release detailed earnings later this month.
Source- BBC
Russian rouble falls to lowest value for a year
The Russian rouble has fallen to its lowest value for a year, since shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The currency slid to 82 roubles against the US dollar on Friday morning on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).
Russia has been hit with massive economic sanctions since it began an offensive in Ukraine in February 2022.
Earlier this year, Russia said its economy had shrunk by 2.1% in 2022, far less than the 15% fall that had been predicted.
The rouble also slid by 2% to 90.06 against the euro on Friday morning.
Traders said the fall was linked to several factors, including lower oil prices in March cutting Russian revenue, and the sale of Western businesses in Russia in the wake of the invasion.
The rouble's value has not slumped to this level since April 2022, though it was even lower in the immediate aftermath of the invasion when it fell to 113 roubles per US dollar. The currency stabilized in July to reach 50 roubles - but it has weakened again since then.
President Vladimir Putin had insisted the economy was standing strong against economic sanctions, but last week he admitted that the penalties could have a negative effect on Russia.
Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the latest fall was linked to changes to imports and exports to the country.
He added that the exchange rate fluctuated with "the conditions of changing foreign economic conditions".
Asked if people in the country should be concerned, he said the rouble was likely to strengthen thanks to the continued sales of Russian energy on the global market.
Late last year, Western countries imposed a price cap on Russian oil, a huge source of income for the country. It was one of many sanctions imposed by nations supporting Ukraine.
But despite these punishments, the Russian economy has shrunk far less than predicted, and commentators have been surprised at its resilience.
While energy imports to Europe fell sharply in 2022, buyers in China, India, and elsewhere stepped in to fill the void. And when hundreds of Western companies withdrew from Russia in protest of the invasion, local entrepreneurs picked up the slack.
Russia has said it is adapting its economy as a result of the sanctions, and that it hopes to have completed this process by 2024.
Source- BBC
World Health Day – “Health for All”
The Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS), Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to join the World Health Organization (WHO) in observing World Health Day 2023. World Health Day - celebrated annually on April 7th – is dedicated to highlighting and creating awareness of priority global health issues.
This year, the WHO is celebrating World Health Day on its 75th anniversary under the theme “Health For All” and is using this opportunity to call for a renewed drive for healthy equity where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. This approach emphasizes the importance of achieving universal health coverage and strengthening primary health care and envisions good health for a fulfilling life in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world for all persons.
Commenting on this year’s World Health Day campaign, the Hon. Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services, stated:
“The TCI remains steadfast in supporting the World Health Organization (WHO) in celebrating World Health Day (WHD) under the theme ‘Health for All.’ As Minister of Health, I wish to assure everyone that the Ministry is fully committed to improving the health and well-being of all Turks and Caicos Islands residents and visitors. The Ministry is laying the foundation for adapting Health in All Policies across all sectors, which aligns with our vision of a healthier and empowered people throughout the life cycle in communities conducive to healthy living”.
The MoHHS is aware that health systems - powered by a primary health care approach - are the most effective and cost-effective way to bring services for health and well-being closer to people. In addition, the Ministry is committed to providing accessible, equitable, and quality health services to everyone and continues to work towards improving the TCI’s health systems by:
• increasing the availability of health services, and
• promoting healthy living through health education programs.
Therefore, to ensure healthier lifestyles for all, the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit - MoHHS will continue to educate the Turks and Caicos Islands community on important health topics and issues.
Let us strive towards making health a reality for all as the right to health is a basic human right.
Trinidadian police officer guilty of raping his nine-year-old daughter
A High Court judge will on May 3 sentence a police officer who pleaded guilty to a series of charges including having sexual intercourse with his nine-year-old daughter that he also video recorded nearly 13 years ago.
Justice Hayden St Clair Douglas on Thursday accepted the guilty plea on a series of charges, including having sexual intercourse with a female under the age of 14, and remanded the policeman to prison until the date of his sentencing.
The Court heard that the first incident took place in March 2010, after the girl returned home from classes. In June 2010, he raped the child again just after she showered.
The prosecution said from the first occasion until June 2010, the policeman kept having sex with his daughter at least three times a week.
The prosecution said that while the child could not remember if the camcorder was on the dresser on other occasions, she was sure it was there on at least one occasion.
The court heard that on July 14, 2010, while house cleaning, the girl’s mother found a DVD on the floor, and when she played it, she first thought she saw her husband having sex with someone who looked like her sister.
However, when she played it the next day she recognized the person as her daughter, who was 12 years old at the time. She made a copy of the DVD and gave one to a friend, who is also a pastor, who also viewed the DVD and made a copy.
The girl’s mother confronted her husband but he remained silent. After threatening to bring her daughter to question her, the accused admitted it was true but said he did not mean to hurt anyone.
She told him he had to leave the house and he did but took with him a camcorder.
The prosecutor said that a friend of the mother gave the DVD to the then-deputy police commissioner, Raymond Craig who later handed it to investigators.
When the accused turned himself in to the police and was shown the contents of the DVD, he said he had nothing to say.
His wife also identified the people on the recording as her husband and daughter and also gave certain descriptions to investigators. The girl was also shown the DVD and she identified herself and her father.
The officer was then charged.
Source- Jamaica Observer
Nigeria gunmen kill dozens in rural village in Benue State
Dozens of people have been killed in Nigeria after gunmen stormed a rural village and opened fire on residents.
At least 51 people died in the attack in the village of Umogidi in Benue State, and people there were searching for more bodies on Friday.
The motivation behind the attack is unclear, but clashes are common between nomadic herders and settled farmers.
Farmers accuse herders of destroying their crops, while the herders accuse farmers of attacking their animals.
A number of people are still reported to be missing following Wednesday's attack.
The armed gang reportedly began the attack in the village market. Residents said many people ran into the bush to hide but were gunned down.
Bako Eje, a local government official, told the AFP news agency that the gunmen attacked while people were mourning three others who had been killed a day earlier.
He said his own son had been killed in the attack.
The region has been one of the hardest hit by clashes between farmers and herders.
Although security forces have been deployed to the region, their presence has not stopped the deadly clashes.
Source- BBC
EMILIO SEYMOUR APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TCI BORDER FORCE
The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Emilio Seymour to the post of Director General of the new Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services.
Mr. Seymour holds an Associate of Science Degree in Business Management (2008) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Degree (2010) from Johnson and Wales University in Miami, Florida, United States.
Mr. Seymour joined the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service in May 2016 as the Quality Assurance Manager at the Customer Service Department in the Ministry of Border Services, following five years of service at Scotiabank Turks and Caicos Islands as a former: Credit Officer; Business Banking Officer and Customer Service Supervisor.
Prior to this Mr. Seymour served as an Assistant Surveyor at Ambergris Key Resort and Spa and as a Sales & Service Representative for Islandcom Telecommunications Turks and Caicos
Islands.
In December 2021 Mr. Seymour was promoted in the public service from the post of Quality Assurance Manager to the post of Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Border Services.
During his tenure as Deputy Secretary he has completed a number of training and certification programs including, but not limited to:
International Center for Parliamentary Studies, United Kingdon - Models of Public Service Delivery Certificate (2019)
Caribbean Development Bank - Public Policy Analysis & Management Certificate (2018)
Friedman Sales Training Certificate
AML (Anti Money Laundering) Certificate (annual training)
KYC (Know Your Customer) Certificate (annual training)
TCIG Performance Appraisal Training
TCIG Fixed Assets Register Certificate
TCIG Leadership & Development Training (2019)
HR Management Training for non-HR Managers (2020)
Mr. Seymour during his appointment as a Deputy Secretary has also had the opportunity to act in the post of Permanent Secretary on a number of ocassions.
Mr. Seymour in commenting on his appointment stated:
“I am deeply humbled and extremely honored to be appointed as the Turks & Caicos Islands first Director General of the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force.
It is only by the grace of God, who has truly directed my path and the stellar coaching and mentoring of those that paved the way before me, that I am here today, confident, excited and equipped to take on this next chapter of my career.
The TCI Border Force will revolutionize our Customs and Immigration functions and I am committed to ensuring that in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders will create a safer more sustainable environment for residents and visitors alike.
The journey to a single border force will not be a swift one, we will not go untested or without obstacles, but we are a resilient people and a hard-working group of civil servants.
I have every faith in the ability of my team and look forward to a bright future with this group.
Last but by no mean least, I would like to thank my family who continues to be a pillar of support for my career as I would not be where I am today without their encouragement, support or constructive criticism.
I am fully committed to this new role and look forward to serving our islands in this new capacity.”
Acting Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in extending congratulatory remarks to Mr. Seymour stated:
“It gives me great pleasure to officially announce and to congratulate Mr. Emilio Seymour on his appointment as the Director General of the new Border Force here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This Executive, Permanent Secretary level position will be responsible leading our new Border Force, a professional, high-profile law enforcement organization that will bring together our Customs and Immigration functions to operate with flexibility across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The TCI Border Force will transform the way we protect and police our borders for the benefit of our islands and will help to strengthen our national security infrastructure and program.
Mr. Seymour since joining the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service is receiving his third promotion to one of the highest levels in Goverment, which is a testament to his hard work, dedication and great success.
He has done an exceptional job in his previous roles.
We wish him well on his appointment and look forward to supporting him in his new role as we transition to the new TCI Border Force which is a key priority for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Congratulations Director General Seymour!”
Bahamas Delegation and Turks and Caicos Islands Delegation Engage in Cross-Country Local Government Dialogues
A team of delegates from the Turks and Caicos Islands recently visited the Bahamas on a comprehensive fact-finding mission on local government structures. This visit was a part of the Turks and Caicos Islands' effort to develop a suitable structure of local governance for its islands.
From March 16-26, 2023, the Bahamas Government, through its Ministry with responsibilities for Local Government, hosted the team of four delegates from the Turks and Caicos Islands: Deputy Permanent Secretaries for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Fredrico Johnson and Ms. TeAnn Thomas; District Commissioner, Mrs. Yvette Cox, and administrative support, Mrs. Bernadine Smith. During their visit, the team, through a well-planned and strategic itinerary, had the opportunity to witness and experience local government in action, by attending real meetings conducted by elected district councils and town committees, as well as appointed boards, throughout different islands and cays.
In addition to learning about the local governance structure of the Bahamas, the team also had opportunities to experience the culture of the country through its festivals, cuisine, tours of itsislands and cays, historical sites, and tourist attractions. These were intentionally selected to expose the team to different ways local councils could utilize resources within their communities to generate revenue and enhance their communities.
To further enhance the team’s knowledge and understanding of the local governance structure of the Bahamas, and help them determine what best practices from there could be adopted and utilized in a Turks and Caicos Islands model of local governance, the Bahamas delegation arranged meetings with key stakeholders, including the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Minister of Local Government, the Parliamentary Secretary (Supervisor of Elections), various council and town committee members, and Family Island Administrators. These meetings provided great insights into the electoral process, the benefits and challenges of local governance, as well as the relationship and synergy between District Councilors and Family Island Administrators - which is critical to the success of local government. The team also had an opportunity to attend the swearing in ceremony for their Family Island Administrators.
The visit to the Bahamas was a culmination of dialogues that commenced months ago, when a team from the Ministry of Home Affairs, on official duties in the Bahamas, met with relevant stakeholders from the Ministry with responsibility for Local Government. As a follow-up measure, In February 2023, a five-member team of delegates (led by the Acting Permanent Secretary) from the Department of Local Government, Bahamas, visited the Turks and Caicos Islands to better understand the governmental structure and geographical structures of the islands. This visit provided an opportunity for both teams to learn from each other's experiences and share insights on local government structures that would be beneficial to their respective countries. In similar manner, the Bahamian delegation had the opportunity the visit our family islands, experience our culture, and see revenue generation opportunities that exist in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This knowledge was then used to compile a strategic and beneficial itinerary, from which the TCI delegation could glean.
The Turks and Caicos Islands delegation would like to extend their gratitude to the Government of the Bahamas, the Minister with responsibility for Local Government and the entire Bahamas delegation for their warm welcome and hospitality during their visit.
JASMIN WALKIN APPOINTED AS DISTRICT COMMISSIONER - NORTH CAICOS
The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jasmin Walkin to the post of District Commissioner with responsibility for the island of North Caicos in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy, and Utilities and Telecommunications Commission.
Mr. Walkin holds a Bachelor of Education degree in History from the College of the Bahamas and a Master of Science degree in Education, with a concentration in Education Leadership from Walden University where he graduated in the top 15% of his class in January 2016.
Mr. Walkin served as a History Teacher for ten years at the Raymond Gardiner High School where he specifically asked to be placed from 2006 until 2016; six of which he also served as a Head of Department.
In 2017 Mr. Walkin was appointed as the Special Needs Education Officer responsible for pioneering the new Special Education Policy of 2016, in which several new program initiatives were launched.
Following a brief hiatus from public service, Mr. Walkin returned to the role of Special Needs Education Officer in October 2021 where he continued extensive work in Special Education helping to strengthen the education services offered to special needs children; represented the TCI at several regional and international conferences and programs and helped to expand public and private sector partnerships in this area.
Commenting on his appointment Mr. Walkin stated:
“To be afforded the opportunity to serve as the District Commissioner for the island of North Caicos is certainly one of the greatest honors of my life.
Growing up in North Caicos, I can recall the high level of respect and distinction the community held for the office of the District Commissioner and the trust that was placed in the person holding the office and I hope to earn that trust once more.
To the people of North Caicos, my mother and father did not raise me alone. It was you, the village who helped to mold me into the man I am today.
I do not believe Jas Walkin would be who he is today if he wasn't raised in North Caicos. Hence, I am here to serve you, to represent you, and to ensure that you have full access to the services of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
You have taught me how to serve my country at many different levels, and I have done that. Now I am coming home to serve my island.
Through God's grace and guidance, and with your support, let us make North Caicos not only "the Garden Island", but also the "Envy of the Turks & Caicos Islands".
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in extending congratulatory remarks to Mr. Walkin stated:
“I am pleased to officially announce and congratulate Mr. Jasmin Walkin on his appointment as the new District Commissioner with responsibility for the island of North Caicos.
We express our profound thanks to the former District Commissioner Ms. Cynclair Musgrove for her service to the island of North Caicos from November 4th, 2015 to March 31, 2023.
The District Commissioner post is responsible for ensuring the outer islands' state of preparedness and appropriate response to natural and other disasters; assisting in the provision of government services and support to the outer islands and is responsible for the effective oversight and management of works programs to ensure that critical works are carried out on the island.
Mr. Walkin with over fifteen years of government experience has demonstrated his ability to lead and we are certain will work to ensure that the responsibilities of this role are effectively carried out for the benefit of the island of North Caicos.
Congratulations DC Walkin and all the best in your new role!”