Sean 'Diddy' Combs opposes request from 'Mia' to give victim impact statement
Sean "Diddy" Combs is opposing a prosecution request to allow his former assistant -- who testified under the pseudonym "Mia" -- to deliver a victim impact statement at his sentencing hearing on Friday.
"Simply, she is not a victim of anything," defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said in a letter to the judge on Wednesday.
In July, a jury found Combs guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution in connection with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution in connection with another ex-girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane."
Federal prosecutors conceded that "Mia" -- who testified about abuse she said she suffered while working as Combs' assistant -- is not a victim of transportation for the purposes of prostitution.
The defense called "Mia" a liar, saying she testified at trial "with a made up voice and demeanor" and now wants to "sully" the sentencing hearing.
"Moreover, that she is so eager to return to court, when she plainly does not have to, and is not even entitled to, puts her proffered fear of testifying at trial into clear relief. This was a show for her,” Agnifilo said.
While the music mogul was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, he was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the most serious charge. He was also found not guilty of both charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion in connection with Ventura and "Jane."
Combs is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.
Federal prosecutors argue Combs deserves at least 11 years in prison, while Combs' attorneys are seeking time served. Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest.
The sentencing hearing comes after Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' request to throw out his conviction on Tuesday, saying the defense arguments that prostitution requires a financial motive or participation in the sexual activity "don’t hold water."
Enforcement Operation Conducted in Kew Town
A joint enforcement operation, comprising teams from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Tactical Unit, Drone Support, TCI Regiment, and TCI Border Force, was conducted this morning in Kew Town.
The patrols were conducted at informal settlements north of Rudy Malcolm Yard and Walter Cox Road, Kew Town. The primary objectives were to build operational intelligence, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and assess the geography and terrain of the area.
During the operation, twenty-two (22) shacks were searched and cleared. While no individuals were found inside, several suspected illegal migrants were observed fleeing north and west upon the officers’ arrival, escaping into nearby terrain.
Additional shacks were identified within the settlement, with several footpaths leading toward other informal areas.
This operation was completed safely and without incident. The information gathered will directly support future intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting illegal migration and enhancing border security across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force reassures the public that the safety of our communities remains our highest priority. We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to address illegal migration and its impact while maintaining a presence in vulnerable areas.
TCI Welcomes Frontier Airlines Again
Frontier Airlines has officially announced plans for a non-stop weekly flight from the world's busiest airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International to the Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales.
Josh Flyr Vice President of Network and Operations at Frontier said that “They are thrilled to begin operations at Providenciales, providing affordable and convenient air travel to tourists visiting the Turks and Caicos,”.
The TCI Airport Authority (TCIAA), in a social media post, shared that they are elated to welcome Frontier Airlines to the Howard Hamilton International Airport.
Additionally, CEO of TCIAA Selvyn Hawkins shared that Frontier had expressed interest from earlier this year and completed their Market Assessment and Analysis, recognizing the Turks and Caicos’ appeal and demand. Hawkins noted that Frontier proposed assisting with the provision of an alternative affordable option, attracting a different customer base.
When asked whether subsidies were provided to secure this partnership, Hawkins explained that the airports authority does not subsidize international airlines.
He said “Subsidies are agreed with other entities like the government, in collaboration with the ministry of tourism.”
However, he noted that they have offered a standing concessionary incentive programme for airlines that launch new routes to TCI, where they receive a concession which is a gradual introduction of the landing, parking and rental fees at the airport.
With the return of this airline, CEO Hawkins expressed that he looks forward to the increase in passenger numbers as well as working with Frontier to maintain the same experience of travel that other airlines provide. He added that we have a slew of quality air carriers and Frontier is committed to continuing quality experience with an affordable price point.
Here is Danae Dennie with more on that story:
Staff Reporter: Danae Dennie
3-DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST- MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH 2025
GENERAL SITUATION: Generally fair conditions will prevail across the islands today, with the chance of an isolated shower or thunderstorm activity developing later.
WEATHER: Partly to Mostly sunny with a low (10 percent) chance of isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. Mostly fair with isolated showers possible tonight.
WINDS: South to southwest at 10 to 15 knots, falling light and variable at times
SEAS: Caicos Bank & Atlantic Nearshore – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 4 to 6 feet
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 91°F 33°C
HEAT INDEX 104°F 40°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 81°F 27°C
SUNSET: 06:38 PM
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 02:41 PM (2.6 FT)
NEXT LOW TIDE: 09:10 PM (1.2 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST: Moisture and troughing left in the wake of Imelda will continue to spark some showers and isolated thunderstorms across the island chain into the middle of the week.
TUESDAY: A low (20 percent) chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 91°F (33°C).
TUESDAY NIGHT: A low (20 percent) chance of showers in the evening. Partly cloudy, with a low around 81°F (27°C).
WINDS: South to southwest at 10 to 20 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank & Atlantic Nearshore – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 4 to 6 feet
SUNRISE: 06:39 AM
SUNSET: 06:37 PM
HIGH TIDE: 02:29 AM (2.0 FT) 03:34 PM (2.6 FT)
LOW TIDE: 08:35 AM (1.0 FT) 10:04 PM (1.2 FT)
WEDNESDAY: A low (30 percent) chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 91°F (33°C).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: A low (10 percent) chance of isolated showers in the evening. Partly cloudy, with a low around 81°F (27°C).
WINDS: Southwest to west at 10 to 15 knots, becoming westerly at 10 knots or less.
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 3 feet or less; Atlantic – 3 to 6 feet in northerly swell
SUNRISE: 06:40 AM
SUNSET: 06:36 PM
HIGH TIDE: 03:26 AM (2.0 FT) 04:28 PM (2.6 FT)
LOW TIDE: 09:32 AM (1.0 FT) 10:58 PM (1.0 FT)
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: See the latest News Items issued by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology on Tropical Storm Imelda, located near the northwestern Bahamas and on Hurricane Humberto, located a few hundred miles south-southwest of Bermuda.
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days.
FORECASTER: H. HAMILTON
HON. JUSTICE TUNDE ADEMOLA BAKRE Appointed as Judge in Grand Turk
Her Excellency, the Governor, Ms. Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission in accordance with section 87(1)(a) of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (as amended) has appointed The Hon. Justice Tunde Ademola Bakre as a judge in the Supreme Court, Criminal Division, sitting in Grand Turk, effective 1st October 2025.
Hon. Justice Tunde Ademola Bakre was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993. Thereafter, he practiced with several leading law firms in Nigeria for 20 years before being appointed a judge in Nigeria in 2013.
Justice Bakre was then, in 2018, seconded on technical assistance by the National Judicial Council in Nigeria to support the judiciary in The Gambia on a 3-year contract, along with 2 other Nigerian judges. Upon completion of the initial term, the Gambian judiciary requested an extension of his contract for another term for meritorious performance.
In 2023, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed Justice Bakre as a judge of the Supreme Court to sit at the Criminal Court in Antigua and Barbuda on a 2-year contract.
Having worked in three different Commonwealth jurisdictions, Justice Bakre comes with a wealth of experience in civil and criminal practice both as a practitioner and as a judge.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Arbitrators in Nigeria and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the United Kingdom.
He is married with children.
We welcome Justice Bakre to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
GM job cuts loom in Oshawa
General Motors announced that they would lay off about 750 workers earlier in May 2025 at its Oshawa Assembly plant, as they made changes to shifts due to U.S. tariffs, according to the president of the union representing the workers.
The plant, which employs roughly 3,000 people, has moved from a three-shift to a two-shift operation starting this fall, according to a news release from Unifor, which represents workers there.
"We will not allow GM to barter Canadian jobs to gain Donald Trump's favour," Lana Payne, Unifor national president, said in a news release.
Payne called the move a "reckless decision that deals a direct blow to our members and threatens to ripple through the entire auto parts supplier network."
About 750 workers will be laid off at the plant, in addition to 1,500 people who work in other places throughout the supply chain
GM spokesperson Marie Binette confirmed in an email the shift change "will impact approximately 700 workers," though she did not refer to the move as layoffs back in May.
However in an update released on Monday September 9, some 2,000 workers will be laid off when GM cuts a shift at its Oshawa plant in January 2026.
The layoffs also come as the national unemployment rate reached its highest pandemic-excluded level since 2016 last month, with Ontario leading the decline, shedding about 26,000 jobs.
The Oshawa Assembly directly employs around 3,000 GM workers, with an additional 2,000 supply-chain workers from eight different companies inside the plant daily, said Jeff Gray, president of Unifor Local 222, which represents workers at the plant, as well as some suppliers.
Earlier this month, GM workers and its suppliers were granted a four-month reprieve when the planned shift cut was postponed to the new year from its initial November date.
GM workers at the plant are afraid for their livelihoods, says Chris Waugh, the Unifor chairperson for the Oshawa plant.
"I have members selling homes, selling their vehicles, getting ready to be laid off," he said.
For its part, GM says it "will continue to take proactive, strategic steps to respond to evolving market conditions and production needs to support a sustainable manufacturing operation at Oshawa," company spokesperson Ariane Pereira said in an email to CBC News.
"GM has been building vehicles in Canada since 1918, and we are implementing a plan to keep building here for Canadians for another 100-plus years," the email read.
Oshawa's jobless rate currently sits only behind Windsor — another auto city dealing with uncertainty caused by the U.S. President Donald Trump's auto tariffs. Trump levelled a 25 per cent tariff on auto parts that aren't CUSMA-compliant and the non-U.S. portion of assembled vehicles in April.
A month later, GM Canada announced it was cutting its third shift amid what it called an "evolving trade environment."
But GM has also increased production at its Fort Wayne, Ind., plant, hiring roughly 250 temporary workers south of the border. Both the Fort Wayne and Oshawa Assembly build the light-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Source- CBC
Hon. Alden C. Durham passes away
Hon. Alden C. Durham served with distinction as the Minister of Works, (as it was then called) in the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. His tenure was marked by a strong commitment to infrastructure development, public works modernization, and prudent stewardship of resources that laid a foundation for the country’s growth. Throughout his career, he demonstrated a deep dedication to public service, collaborating across departments and with communities to deliver practical solutions that improved transportation networks, public facilities, and essential services for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. His leadership and vision helped shape the country’s infrastructure landscape and inspired many to serve.
Prior to and during his time in the Ministry of Works, Hon. Durham was known for his principled leadership, technical insight, and collaborative approach. He worked to ensure that projects were implemented with a focus on long-term benefits for residents and visitors alike. His legacy includes a commitment to quality, and safety in public works, as well as mentoring colleagues and fostering a culture of service.
Hon. Durham was a steadfast advocate for robust public works programs that balanced advancement with accountability. He championed projects that enhanced accessibility. His commitment to ethical governance and prudent stewardship remains a guiding example for current and future public servants.
Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development; Hon. Arlington Musgrove acknowledges with profound sorrow the passing of Hon. Alden C. Durham. “As a former Minister of Works, Hon. Durham played a pivotal role in advancing infrastructure that has benefitted generations. His dedication to service set a high standard for leadership within our public service. On behalf of the Ministry team, I take this opportunity to offer heartfelt condolences to the esteemed family of Hon. Alden C. Durham, particularly his beloved wife, and children, and all who were touched by his service. May his memory inspire ongoing commitment to public service and national progress.”
During this time of mourning, we reflect on Hon. Durham’s contributions with gratitude and respect. May all who mourn, find comfort in the support of a grateful nation, and may his memory endure in the continued development and prosperity of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Our thoughts are with you as you navigate this profound loss of a giant!"
Barbados Central bank releases new regulatory framework for payment service providers
The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) has published a new comprehensive regulatory guidance, which it says is designed to strengthen oversight of the national payment system and provide clarity for payment service providers (PSPs) operating in Barbados.
The CBB has released three key documents on its website that establish a transparent regulatory environment for payment service providers.
It said that the Oversight Policy Framework outlines the bank’s commitment to ensuring optimal payment system services that support economic growth and financial stability across and that the Licensing and Authorisation Framework provides clear guidelines for payment service providers seeking to operate in the Barbadian market, while the Supervisory Framework details ongoing supervision requirements.
The CBB said that under the Compliance Requirements and Timeline of the National Payment System Act (NPSA), all relevant entities must now submit a formal compliance programme to the Central Bank within three months of this announcement.
It said that this programme must demonstrate how the organisation will achieve full NPSA compliance within six months, including licensing applications where required.
“These frameworks represent our commitment to fostering a robust and innovative payment ecosystem in Barbados,” the CBB said, adding “we want to ensure that payment service providers have the clarity and guidance they need to operate effectively while maintaining the highest standards of consumer protection and system integrity. The Bank therefore encourages all PSPs to review the documents carefully”.
The Central Bank said that it recognises that implementing these new requirements may raise questions for payment service providers and are encouraging PSPs to contact the bank for guidance and support throughout the compliance process.
Source-CMC
Jamaica defeat Scotland to finish fifth, T&T place 15th
Jamaica’s junior Sunshine Girls ended the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in fifth position after they defeated Scotland 53-44 in a close game here on Sunday.
It was a commendable effort by Jamaica, who started the tournament brightly with two victories before suffering back-to-back losses to England and then Australia in the quarterfinals, which derailed their chances of a podium finish.
For Scotland, their sixth-place finish equaled their best placing at the event, matching their performance in 2000 when it was held in Wales.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago finished in 15th position after conquering the hosts 45-34 on Saturday.
The match was evenly contested for the first two quarters before T&T surged ahead in the second half to register their second victory of the competition.
At the halftime break T&T led by just four (22-18), but they outscored Gibraltar 14-7 in the third period to open up a comfortable 36-25 lead, and they were able to sustain that 11-point lead until the end of the match.
Meanwhile, Barbados ended a rough outing at the tourney when they were beaten 49-29 by Northern Ireland in the 17th-place playoff, to end the tournament without a win.
Source-CMC
West Indies stunned by minnows Nepal in opening T20
West Indies’ batsmen faltered once again, this time against minnows Nepal, on their way to a humiliating 19-run defeat in their opening T20I here on Saturday.
Jason Holder and Navin Bidaisee shared seven wickets between them and were the main reason Nepal was limited to 148 for eight from 20 overs, after they were sent in to bat at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
But faced with a seemingly straightforward run chase, Bidaisee was the only batter to score more than 20, as the Windies were restricted to 129 for nine in their 20 overs to give Nepal their first-ever win against a Full Member.
It also propeled them to a 1-0 lead in the three-match Unity Cup series.
For captain and Player-of-the-Match, Rohit Paudel, the victory was not only historic, but also welcomed, as it capped off a difficult few weeks for the people of Nepal.
“I think it feels great, especially after a long wait to beat a Test-playing country. It finally came in a historic series where we hosted it in the UAE.
“…I want to dedicate this Man-of the Match award to the martyrs who lost their lives in the Gen-Z protest in Nepal. The last month has not been great for us, so if we can give a little bit of happiness to the people of Nepal, I think that would be great,” Paudel said in a post-match interview.
For the umpteenth time, the West Indies’ top order batsmen failed to deliver, as their opponent – ranked 18th in the ICC T20I rankings – dominated them with their plethora of medium pacers and spinners.
Opener Kyle Mayers drove the first ball of the innings from pacer Dipendra Singh Airee through cover for four, but after adding just one more run he was spectacularly run out by a direct throw from Kushal Bhurtel stationed at extra cover.
Ackeem Auguste, one of four debutants in the West Indies side, looked good during his brief knock of 15 off seven balls, and together with Amir Jangoo carried the score to 32 for one in the fifth over.
However, when Auguste mistimed his attempted drive off Nandan Yadav to be caught at the edge of the circle, it triggered a collapse that saw them spectacularly lose five wickets for just 44 runs.
Paudel had Jewel Andrew caught at long on for five, Jangoo was outfoxed by Lalit Rajbanshi and was caught at deep backward square for 19, Keacy Carty was needlessly run out for 16 attempting a suicide single and Holder made just five before being dismissed by Bhurtel to see them slump to 76 for six in the 15th over.
Bidaisee, who top scored with 22, Fabian Allen, who made 19 and captain Akeal Hosein who hit 18 from nine balls, tried their best to revive the innings but could not keep up with the required run rate and they eventually fell well short of their target.
Earlier, Holder grabbed four wickets and Bidaisee three, as West Indies did well to contain Nepal.
Nepal also found themselves in early trouble following the early loss of openers Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh that saw them slip to 12 for two, but Paudel, who topscored with 38 and Kushal Malla, who made 30, came to their rescue during a 58-run partnership for the third wicket.
And after Bidaisee removed both batsmen in quick succession to leave Nepal 89 for four in the 13th over, Gulshan Jha and Singh Airee made useful contributions of 22 and 17 respectively to help get them up to their eventual total.
Holder finished with figures of 4-20 from his four overs, while Bidaisee took 3-29.
The second T20I will be played on Monday.
Source- CMC